Hulu has released a series, Tone Death: Loss & Hip-Hop recanting the recent slew of murders in hip hop. 
I remember the pain I felt when my mom woke me up to tell me Biggie Smalls had passed away. I was 17-years old and felt like my world came crashing down. Hip hop raised me. I deemed the Notorious B.I.G. the greatest by my standards. He was capable of steering the hip hop community with his flow, style and presence. I rode the train for hours that day with Gimme The Loot and Everyday Struggle blasting through my headphones. This monumental tragedy in hip hop forever changed how I judged hip hop, and I was never the same again.
Fast forward to today and not much has changed. It seems like rappers are still being murdered at a rapid rate.

In the new Hulu series, the mothers of slain rappers and rapper G Herbo talk about grief, trauma and why gun violence deaths are so prevalent in the rap community.

Since Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.’s death, more than 90 rappers have been murdered. Rapper Pop Smoke’s mother revealed she’s never been angry at the teens who took her son’s life.

“I was never angry at the 14-year old or the 17 and 16-year old , I was never angry at them….I don’t hate them. I can’t hate that little boy. Because his mom didn’t raise him to go kill Pop Smoke. She was probably a mother having issues trying to raise a 14 year old boy.”
Watch the clip below.

The post [WATCH] New Series Documents Over 90 Murders In Hip Hop appeared first on The Source.

According to several confirmed reports, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has been sifting through over 100 recommendations for slavery reparations for its Black residents. Some of the suggestions include eliminating personal debt and tax burdens, guaranteed annual incomes of at least $97,000 for 250 years, homes in San Francisco for just $1 a family, and even $5 million per eligible Black person.

On Tuesday, the Board accepted these suggestions from the reparations committee. However, the board received a slew of criticism from “liberal” San Franciscans that didn’t know about the traumatic impact of slavery in the U.S. as well as the new perceived form of slavery, mass incarceration.

“Those of my constituents who lost their minds about this proposal, it’s not something we’re doing or we would do for other people. It’s something we would do for our future, for everybody’s collective future,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.

A final report is due from the committee by June.

The post San Francisco City Officials Consider $5M Per Black Person Reparations Proposal appeared first on The Source.

Idris Elba is clapping back at critics who claim he denied his Blackness when he denounced the label, “Black actor.” The British actor explained to Esquire UK that referring to yourself as a Black actor can limit role opportunities and growth in Hollywood.

Elba shared, “I stopped describing myself as a Black actor when I realized it put me in a box. As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth. Racism should be a topic for discussion, sure. Racism is very real. But from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be, We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to. Our skin is no more than that: It’s just skin. As you get up the ladder, you get asked what it’s like to be the first Black to do this or that,” Elba continued. “Well, it’s the same as it would be if I were white. It’s the first time for me. I don’t want to be the first Black. I’m the first Idris.”

During a new interview with The Guardian, Elba added that he purposely lives a “sheltered life” because social media often chooses to contort the words of celebrities.

“It’s really difficult to have an opinion if you’re in the public eye because it gets overly scrutinized, taken out of context, and thrown into some sort of bullshit, zeitgeisty social media argument.”

The 50-year-old described social media as a “conflict incubator” and noted that his anti-Black actor label is his choice, and he’s sticking to it because it’s his prerogative.

“Me saying I don’t like to call myself a Black actor is my prerogative. That’s me, not you. So for you to turn around and say to me, I’m ‘denying my Blackness’. On what grounds? Did you hear that? Where am I denying it? And what for? It’s just stupid. Whatever,” he told The Guardian.

“There isn’t a soul on this earth that can question whether I consider myself a BLACK MAN or not. Being an ‘actor’ is a profession, like being an ‘architect,’ they are not defined by race. However, If YOU define your work by your race, that is your Prerogative [sic]. Ah, lie?”
Thoughts?

The post Idris Elba Slams Critics for Accusing Him of ‘Denying His Blackness’ appeared first on The Source.

Sauce Walka has landed himself in trouble. According to Daily Loud, the Houston rapper was allegedly caught carrying 66 grams of marijuana inside his backpack. He is also said to have had a bench warrant for not possessing a driver’s license.

No Jumper reported that Sauce (real name Albert Mondane) has been charged with intent to sell, manufacture, and deliver cannabis. He just posted bail that was  set at $5,000.

Law enforcement believe the Pompano Beach native failed a drug test on February 8. The results showed traces of fentanyl, the highly potent synthetic opioid that has claimed the lives of fellow rappers Mac Miller, Juice WRLD and Lil Peep.

Sauce Walka’s recent arrest comes after several members of The Sauce Factory (TSF) were arrested on racketeering charges back in December.

According to FOX 26 Houston, a number of alleged members of TSF — founded by Walka — were taken into custody just before Christmas for various crimes following an investigation conducted by the FBI and Houston Police Department.

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Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani said the crimes included drug trafficking, possessing a “Glock switch” and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A total of 14 people were arrested as part of the investigation, including Anthony Ketchum (35), Anthony Yezeno-Hopkins (38), Brandon Milson (32), Hassani Mills (34), Jaylyn Pinson (29), Josue Rodriguez (32), Keith Moore (34), Michael Henry (32), Myles Smith (23), Robert Thomas (29), Sterling Brumant (26), Titus Baisey (35) and Toree White (27) and Julian Herrera (26). Sauce Walka was not among those arrested.

Each of the men (apart from Thomas and Rodriguez) have been charged with possession with intent to deliver meth, and face up to life in prison and fines of up to $10 million.

Thomas was allegedly taken into custody for unlawfully possessing a Glock auto switch, while Rodriguez is accused of possessing a Ruger 5.7 mm firearm.

Watch the video below.

Who remembers when he said dating a ‘Becky’ was better for him financially? Sauce once revealed that he only dates white woman because it’s good for business. In a candid interview about his personal life he shared, “I’m rich for real,” so he claims. “I got White b***hes who wash my dishes and clean my clothes, and dry my body off when I get out the shower.”

The post [WATCH] Rapper Sauce Walka Allegedly Arrested After Crew Is Hit With Rico Charges appeared first on The Source.

Today, we will come to the end of what would be the 47th year of celebrating Black History Month. The historical celebration began in 1924 after Dr.Carter G. Woodson believed that African Americans were not being taught enough about the history and accomplishments of their ancestors.

Woodson turned to his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, to help him get the message of ‘Negro History Week’ out, spreading negro history and literature for a week in February of 1924. Out of all months in a year, Woodson chose February because of the birthdays of both Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

Schools and organizations across the nation took in Woodson’s initiative. However, Woodson had a hard time finding course materials and building a curriculum. This led Woodson to believe that a week of celebration was simply not enough to cut down the achievements of ancestors into. In the early 1940s, Woodson begins to make efforts to expand Negro History Week.

On April 3rd, 1950 Dr. Carter G. Woodson, died of a heart attack. With Black history still being prominent in the community, and civil rights and The Black Panthers coming to light in the 1960s, more people began to agree with the notion that Negro History Week should be expanded. On the 50th anniversary of the celebrated week, the Association for the Study of African American History would officially shift the week of celebration, to a month, giving February as we know today, Black History Month.

The post Carter G. Woodson Began Negro History Week, Later Known As Black History Month 97 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Eleven years ago, during the NBA All-Star Game, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by self-appointed Neighborhood Watch person George Zimmerman in his father’s neighborhood of Sanford, Florida, outside of Orlando. Martin only carried a can of Arizona Ice Tea and a pack of Skittles.

After Martin’s death and Zimmerman’s acquittal, an epidemic of young Black males dying at the hands of law enforcement and citizens alike hit the streets of America, such as Jordan Davis, Tamir Rice, Freddie Gray, Michael Brown, Akai Gurle and a host of others in which almost no one was held responsible for their deaths. In some cases, the municipalities of the cities where the deaths occurred sued the estates of the deceased.

If Trayvon would’ve lived the life of a normal teenager instead of being killed by an overzealous citizen, he would be 28 years old. Even President Obama declared at the time of Martin’s death saying, “Trayvon Could’ve Been Me,” which sent shockwaves across the globe. The death of Trayvon marks a dramatic turning point in the history of America and proves that racism is alive, well, and as American as an NBA All-Star Game.

The post #BHM: The Source Magazine Remembers The Trayvon Martin Tragedy 11 Years Later appeared first on The Source.

Over the weekend Dwyane Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union received the prestigious Presidents Award from the NAACP at the 54th annual Image Awards.

Both gave moving speeches advocating for the Black LGBTQIA community

“I am intentional when I use my platform. I recognize what I have been given and it is my job to uplift the voices of others and share my access and resources,” Wade said.

Wade opened the speech by dedicating the award to his 15-year-old daughter, Zaya, who is transgender.

“Zaya, as your father, all I’ve wanted to do is get it right. I’ve sat back and watched how gracefully you’ve taken on the public scrutiny and, even though it’s not easy, I’ve watched you walk out of that house every morning as yourself,” Wade said.

The retired NBA star thanked his daughter for showing him “that there is more than just one way to communicate effectively.”
“You’ve taught me that communication with my mouth isn’t enough. I have to also communicate with my two ears and my two eyes,” Wade said.

Gabrielle joined by saying, “A new era that demands our collective answer to one simple question: Will we fight for some or will we fight for all of our people?” Even as we demand equality at the top of our lungs, we consistently fail to extend our advocacy to protect some of our most vulnerable among us.”

To an emotional crowd, Wade ended his speech saying that he was “proud to be chosen” as Zaya’s father.

“Zaya, you’ve made me a better human just simply by being who you were born to be, a baby girl, Zaya Wade,” he said. “So baby thank you for showing the world what courage looks like.”

Watch the full speech below.

The post Dwyane Wade Dedicates NAACP Award To Daughter Zaya: ‘All I’ve Wanted To Do Was Get It Right’ appeared first on The Source.

Chance The Rapper just released an alternate video for his single “YAH Know” as a celebration of Black revolutionaries who have been trailblazers in history.

The new video opens with a message that reads: “This Black History Month we want to celebrate some of the most important progress we have made as a People. This video highlights some revolutionaries and their revolutions.”

Chance’s project places the spotlight on prominent figures in Black history such as Sarah Elizabeth Ray, Kwame Nkrumah and Nandi Azikiwe alongside Marcus Garvey, Fred Hampton and Mohandas Ghandi.

The video also offers fans the opportunity to unearth even more historical context by incorporating multiple clips from the PBS miniseries History of the Negro People: The New Mood, which first aired in 1965; the 1967 documentary Black Liberation; and The Warren Years: The Great Decisions, a film which examines the 1960s Supreme Court rulings brought on by the Civil Rights Movement.
The video also includes scenes from the Black Star Line Festival, which Chance The Rapper organized with Vic Mensa. 
The two Chicago natives announced the Black Star Line Festival in July 2022, explaining that the event’s name was a tribute to pan-African activist Marcus Garvey’s shipping company.

“Founded in 1919, and operated by Black people, the [Black Star Line] would link America, the Caribbean and Africa, to global shipping and tourism opportunities,” a press release for the festival explained. “The Black Star Line was a symbol of pride, not only for Africans, but also for Black people in all ports of call. After nearly 40 years, the Ghanian government launched their fleet with the same name, in homage to Garvey, and even added a black star to the country’s new flag.”

In addition to the concert at Black Star Square on Friday night, the Black Star Line Festival included a week’s worth of special events and panels, including a fireside chat between Chance The Rapper and Dave Chappelle, who discussed bringing new attention and business to local comedy clubs and his dream of one day living in Ghana, inspired by a conversation with JAY-Z.
Watch the video below.

The post [WATCH] Chance The Rapper Honors Black Revolutionaries In Powerful Black History Month Tribute appeared first on The Source.

Many people may have heard of the “Five Percenters” or the teachings that stem from this cultural phenomenon born in the ghettos of America, but there are very few who are familiar with the origins of the 5% Nation (also known as the Nation Of Gods and Earths) or that of the founder of the Five Percent, who is best known as Allah. Artists and athletes such as Jay-Z and Carmelo Anthony have shown either their allegiance or alliance to Allah’s 56-year-old Nation. Of all of the religious and nationalist movements of the revolutionary 1960s, his story is always left out of Black History Month recognition, even though Allah met the same treacherous fate as many of the Black leaders of that era.

Born on this date in 1928, the man known as Allah was born Clarence Edward Smith to Louis and Mary Smith in Danville, Virginia. He moved to Harlem, New York as a young adult and it was from there that he began his lifelong journey in establishing a legacy of pride, righteousness, and all-inclusivity among the youth that has expanded all over the globe.

In commemoration of Black History Month, TheSource.com brings you seven facts about Allah and what his 5% Nation has brought to the Black, Latino, Asian and white youth in the United States and around the world.

1. Allah fought in the Korean War; won several medals including the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
2. He was a member of Nation Of Islam’s Temple No. 7 under Minister Malcolm X, however, left the NOI in 1963 shortly before Malcolm’s departure.
3. Allah was given the “Street Academy” at 2122 7th Avenue(now known as Allah School In Mecca) by NYC Mayor John Lindsay in 1967.
4. Allah was proficient at martial arts, which he learned in Korea and was an instructor to the members of NOI security, Fruit Of Islam.
5. Allah was not anti-white and taught white 5%ers, including Mayor Lindsay’s assistant Barry Gotterher.
6. Allah was killed by unknown assailants on June 13, 1969, however, it was revealed in a document declassified by the FBI in 1981 that he was a target of J.Edgar Hoover’s COINTELPRO initiative aimed at Black leaders.
7. The message of the 5% is not a thing of Hip Hop’s past. Artists such as NYC’s Fame Labs, Detroit’s(D-Mecca) Njeri Earth and Allah Magnetic aka Mullah Don who carries on Allah’s tradition through their music.

The post #BHM Happy Born Day To The Man Named Allah! 7 Facts That You May Not Know About The Founder Of The 5% Nation appeared first on The Source.

Some say he was 50 Cent before 50 Cent. Some called him “the Robin Hood of The Ghetto,” while the establishment dubbed him “the crack city terminator.” In the hood, his solution is considered the only possible answer to an ongoing epidemic of police brutality. Some of your favorite rappers, from French Montana to Lloyd Banks to Jay-Z, have name-dropped him on their tracks. BET felt he was so important to American culture that their American Gangster series had to open with him. Still, only an educated few know why the name Larry Davis continues to ring bells more than three decades after that fateful night in November of ’86.

On February 20, 2008, Adam Abdul Hakeem, aka Larry Davis, was stabbed to death in Shawangunk State Prison in New York by a fellow inmate after serving 23 years for an illegal weapons charge. Most would say that people die in American prisons daily, so what’s the big deal about another dead prisoner? Well, it must first be explained why Mr. Davis was in jail for so long on a mere gun charge in the first place.

As he said on camera after his capture in 1986, “the police gave me the guns!”, that Davis was finally charged after being acquitted of shooting 6 NYPD officers. The then-21-year-old BX native’s defense was that he hit the officers in self-defense. Davis exposed that he sold drugs for these Bronx precinct officers, claiming that they wanted to kill him because of what he knew about the department’s drug operation, and a Bronx jury believed him. This case was the first and possibly the only time in American history that a civilian was cleared of all charges in the shooting of a police officer.

The NYPD and then-Mayor Edward Koch were outraged at the outcome. After Larry’s death, former Mayor Koch said, “The prison system did what the criminal justice system could not.” It’s safe to say that with the endless accusations against the NYPD and other police departments around the country for brutality against Black and brown people, the sentiment of sympathy for Larry Davis has been met with fierce opposition.

With the recent killings of Black youth by police and civilians becoming the norm, the question in the urban community is whether or not Larry Davis’ solution to police brutality is the only option left. With normal citizens being allowed to shoot first and ask questions later regarding Black youth and the prison industrial complex as the penalty for defending yourself, the bare truth is that it has become the only option for some. We’ve heard Larry’s name come from the mouths of everyone from ATCQ to Jay-Z. With landmark cases from Emmitt Till to Botham Jean, history reveals that people such as Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey, and even Larry Davis will always be heroes.

Check out Larry’s story on Troy Reed’s Street Stories Larry Davis: A Routine Typical Hit, BET’s American Gangster series and is also rumored to be in the hands of several filmmakers, which could spawn the story on the silver screen.

The post #BHM|Today In Hip Hop History: Larry Davis Killed in Shawangunk Prison 15 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Twenty years ago, “Real Sports” first featured Work to Ride, an extraordinary program that teaches the upper-crust sport of polo to at-risk inner-city youth in Philadelphia.

This past fall, Work to Ride held its inaugural Philadelphia Polo Classic that drew in thousands of spectators around the city to support the program. The program has now graduated over one hundred kids and equipped them with skills  to live better lives.

The post #BHM: Philadelphia’s Work To Ride Program Highlighted On HBO’s Real Sports appeared first on The Source.

TV/movie mogul Tyler Perry is donating $750,000  to help low-income seniors in Atlanta not be forced out of their homes by rising property taxes.

With more people moving near Tyler Perry Studios, land values are rising and property taxes are rising. It is said to be the main reason longtime residents living on a fixed income are forced out of their homes and their lives are disrupted.
Tyler, who came in at No. 3 on the Forbes list of the Top 10 highest-paid entertainers of 2022 — raking in $175M last year — recently reached out to Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens to help keep these residents in their homes.

Sources say Tyler’s money will also effectively freeze property taxes for 100 low-income seniors for 20 years. This money will pay the difference between current property taxes and property tax increases over the next 20 years.

In addition to Tyler’s $750,000 allotted for 2023, he is said to contribute about $500,000 each year for the next four years… totaling about $2.75 million. It will reportedly be handled by the Invest Atlanta Partnership, the nonprofit arm of the development agency.

Tyler is the only black male among Forbes’ top 10 highest-paid entertainers…and his priority is said to be giving back to the community that means so much to him. .

Always helping out senior citizens, thousands of grocery shoppers were surprised during senior hours in Atlanta and New Orleans when Perry picked up their tabs at Kroger stores in Atlanta and Winn-Dixie stores. He also  gave $21,000 in tips at an Atlanta restaurant.

The post Tyler Perry Donates $2.75 Million To Save Seniors’ Homes From Rising Property Taxes appeared first on The Source.

One of South Africa’s top rappers, known as AKA, was murdered outside a restaurant in the city of Durban.

Kiernan Forbes was killed along with his close friend, the chef and entrepreneur Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.The pair are thought to have been on their way to a nightclub for a performance as part of Forbes’ birthday celebrations when they were shot.

Forbes began his musical career as part of the rap group Entity before he launched his solo career, winning several awards in South Africa for his music.

He was also celebrated internationally, with several nominations for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the US and an MTV Europe Music Award.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda has told the BBC that the rapper and his friend were walking to their car when they were approached by two armed men who shot them at close range.

The assailants then fled the scene on foot. Hours before his death, the 35-year-old posted about his upcoming album, Mass Country, which is set for release later this month.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world and recent shootings have been happening more often.

Celebrities Somizi, Nandi Madida, Tbo Touch, Thando Thabethe – as well as United States producer Swizz Beatz – have all taken to social media on Saturday to pay tribute to Fela in Versace rapper AKA. Swizz took to his Instagram story to remember his South African friend.

He wrote: “Damn King, rest easy. One of South Africa’s greats.”

American rapper Bas also paid tribute to AKA: “Damn this fu**in tragic as hell. South Africa, I’m so sorry for your loss. @akaworldwide always showed me love and hospitality every time we crossed paths. Always welcomed me with open arms. Rest easy king.”

The World Is Yours rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes’ death has sent shock waves through South Africa, who woke up to the news that he had been killed in cold blood in Durban on Friday evening.

The Megacy, as well as celebrities such as Nandi Madida, Donald, Da Les and Black Coffee, flooded Twitter with condolence messages.

Nandi Madida wrote: “Rest my brother … this hurts. Thinking about your beautiful daughter and loved ones in general. Thank you for the good times and laughs … I always enjoyed working with you.”

The post Swizz Beatz And More Pay Tribute To Slain South African Rapper AKA appeared first on The Source.

Today marks the 28th birthday of a young man named Trayvon Martin, who not only in the United States but the rest of the world came to know because he chose to defend himself against his assailant George Zimmerman and his life was taken as a result.

George Zimmerman claimed that he saw Trayvon leaving a store and looked suspicious, so he decided to follow him. After following him, a physical altercation transpired between them, and an unarmed Trayvon took a bullet to his chest and died on the scene. Trayvon died two weeks after his 17th birthday on February 26, 2012. As for Zimmerman, he received a jury acquittal for second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in July 2013.

Trayvon didn’t get to tell his parents goodbye, attend prom, or do anything teenagers enjoyed. His parents, Sabrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, have to live with the burden that their child did not receive justice for what happened to him.

Almost nine years after his untimely death, Trayvon Martin’s legacy in the fight for human and civil rights for Black people in America is everlasting. His name still stands among the victims of gun violence by rogue police officers and overzealous citizens that came after him, such as Mike Brown, Tamir Rice, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others.

Happy Birthday, King! (RIP)

The post The Source Magazine Remembers Trayvon Martin On What Would’ve Been His 28th Birthday appeared first on The Source.

Twenty-four years ago on this date, a 23-year-old Guinean immigrant named Amadou Diallo was murdered by four plain-clothes NYPD police officers in his hallway after they unloaded 41 shots into Diallo in front of his Bronx apartment. The haphazard officers hit Diallo with only 19 shots; less than half of what was discharged from their weapons.

Amadou’s family filed federal and state charges of wrongful death and civil rights violations in 2001, which resulted in a 3 million dollar settlement from the city. All four officers involved were cleared of wrongdoing after a mixed jury in the Empire State’s capital city acquitted the officers. Claiming the impossibility of a fair trial in NYC, an appellate court ordered that the trial be switched to Albany.

Interestingly enough, the Justice Department decided that Diallo’s civil rights were not violated.

Artists such as Immortal Technique and Wyclef Jean have referenced the tragedy in their songs, which became one of the most pivotal cases in the fight against police brutality.

Deaths at the hands of law enforcement, such as George Floyd, Botham Jean, Eric Garner, and Breonna Taylor, will always be a reminder that the challenge of injustice against Black and Brown people must be confronted.

The post Today In Black History Month #BHM: Amadou Diallo Shot And Killed By NYPD 24 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

As we wait to see the Kansas City Chiefs play the Philadelphia Eagles for the Super Bowl LVII crown, it is essential to remember Black History Month runs in tandem with this unofficial American holiday. Despite declining viewership due to the Kaepernick controversy, the NFL is still one of the most-watched sports in the country. It is dominated by African-Americans, who currently make up two-thirds of the league. With that much Black representation in the NFL comes a lot of Black History, including the first Black Quarterback to win a Super Bowl.

In 1988, it was Broncos legend and future Hall-of-Famer John Elway versus a then-unknown Redskins backup Quarterback Doug Williams.

Before the 1987 season, Williams had not played in multiple NFL games in a season since 1982 as a Quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Williams spent a period playing for the USFL team, the Arizona Outlaws, but following the folding of the USFL, Williams was picked up by the Washington Redskins.

For the 1988 championship, the Denver Broncos took on the Washington Redskins. Both teams took four losses in the regular season, but the Redskins had more wins thanks to a tie game the Broncos had during the season against the Green Bay Packers.

Elway was selected for the AFC Pro Bowl game and won the Most Valuable Player award that season. The Broncos had been to the Super Bowl the year before but lost to a different NFC East team, the New York Giants, so the city was thirsty for another shot at glory.

As for the Redskins, before there were thoughts of a Super Bowl, Williams was competing with ‘Skins quarterback Jay Schroeder throughout the regular season for the starting job. According to Redskins.com, a lackluster performance from Schroeder in the final game of the season and stud-level play in the same game from Williams became the deciding factor of who would be the starter going into the postseason.

Things started slow for Washington in the Super Bowl. The Denver Broncos got a quick start with a 10-0 lead, but Williams and the Washington Redskins rallied, scoring 42 unanswered points against the back-to-back AFC champions. Williams threw for 340 yards passing and four touchdowns, earning him Super Bowl MVP honors.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: #BHM: Doug Williams First Black QB To Win Super Bowl 35 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

February 2, 1862 Congress abolished slavery in the District of Columbia, an important step on the road to freedom for all Black Americans

1862 was a pivotal year toward ending slavery in America. The bill, S. 108, was referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia which reported it with amendments in February 1862. During the Civil War Charles Sumner, the senior senator from Massachusetts informed President Lincoln that he was the largest slaveholder. The abolitionist asked President Lincoln:

Do you know who is at this moment the largest slaveholder in the United States….holds all the slaves of the District of Columbia?

In his question, Charles Sumner was referring to the fact that the federal government was empowered in the US Constitution to “exercise exclusive legislation” over the federal district. Abolitionists used what’s known as The DC Compensated Emancipation Act, as a way to end slavery in the nation’s capital.

In December 1861, Henry Wilson, the junior Massachusetts senator, introduced a similar bill in Congress to end slavery in Washington, DC. despite opposition from slaveholders, and the bill passed. The Senate approved the bill on April 3, 1862, by a vote of 29 to 14, and the House of Representatives on April 12, 1862. President Lincoln signed the legislation on April 16, 1862.

The legislation was titled, “An Act for the Release of Certain Persons Held to Service or Labor in the District of Columbia”; it freed the 3,100 men, women, and children still enslaved in 1862. The act also allowed slaveowners to be compensated up to $300 for each individual they had legally owned. In addition, newly-freed African Americans could receive up to $100 if they emigrate to another country.

As we reflect on Black History this month, let us remember the great steps that have been taken toward the freedom of Black Americans today.

The post Today in Black History #BHM: Congress Abolished Slavery in the District of Columbia in 1862 appeared first on The Source.

Last year on the first day of Black History month, at least a dozen Historically Black Colleges and Universities received bomb threats, causing the schools to either evacuate or dismiss classes for that day altogether, showing the relentless commitment to racism in this country, especially towards its specialized, secondary learning institutions.

**From the report dated Feb 1, 2022**

The FBI is actively investigating bomb threats at the following schools: Mississippi Valley State University, Morgan State University, Alcorn State University, Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, Kentucky State University, Fort Valley State University, Howard University, Xavier University, The University of the District of Columbia, Spelman College, and Edward Waters University.

According to the report, Morgan State closed their campus for the day(February 1) due to the alleged threat.

The FBI released a statement via USA Today about the bomb threats which read, “The FBI is aware of the series of bomb threats around the country and we are working with our law enforcement partners to address any potential threats. As always, we would like to remind members of the public that if they observe anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement immediately.”

The post On This Date In Black History Month: At Least A Dozen HBCUs Get Bomb Threats On First Day Of #BHM One Year Ago appeared first on The Source.

Yikes! Kylie Jenner upset social media when she showed up wearing a noose necklace to Paris Fashion Week.

On Monday, the 25-year-old entrepreneur made headlines for wearing a stuffed lion’s head to the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023 runway show.

Now Kylie is back again, causing an uproar for wearing a noose necklace after attending the fashion show on Monday.

Paparazzi photos caught the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star wearing what appeared to be a white gold or platinum noose around her neck.

According to Radar Online, the noose-inspired necklace first appeared in Givenchy’s 2022 spring collection in October 2021.

Social media users accused Kyle of endorsing an item that would is offensive to Black people.

One Reddit user wrote: “This woman has black children. This is so disgusting. It’s not ok to just say ‘she probably doesn’t know’ — she needs to know, even if you took out the racial history of a noose, there’s the suicidal side of it. It’s wrong in so many ways.”

Thoughts?

The post [WATCH] Kylie Jenner Dragged For Wearing Givenchy Noose Necklace appeared first on The Source.

In efforts to provide a platform for the student athletes on the Dove’s basketball team to play, Jaylen Brown will sponsor a match up against the Skill Factory in Atlanta.

According to the press release, Brown’s goal is to remind the children that they are important, seen, heard and that we stand with the children and encourage them to continue to have high spirits and positive mindsets leading into their basketball season.

The event that is taking place at a private location is curated solely by Jaylen Brown. It is not associated with any owners or spokespersons of the DONDA school, where the Dove’s basketball team attends. 

The purpose of Brown’s event is to ensure the children of the Dove’s basketball team are able to enjoy the sport they’ve worked so hard to play.

On Sunday, November 6, 2022 Brown is set to hold a press conference at 5:30P – 5:45P just before the game kicks off at 6:00P. 

This follows the news of the HBCU, Morehouse canceling the November 6 game between the DONDA Doves VS. the Skill Factory. Ye formally known as Kanye West has been under fire over his anti semitic statements.

The school canceled while saying it doesn’t support the rapper’s comments leaving the kids without a location for their first game. According to reports, Brown and Ye were both set to attend the game.

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Recently news that Kanye West allegedly dumped a whole bunch of his ‘White Lives Matters’ shirts among the homeless population down on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. Apparently Ye can’t sell his shirts because two blackmen have trademarked the slogan. Capital B reports that two radio hosts — Ramses Ja and Quinton Ward, who helm the show Civic Cipher out of Phoenix, Arizona — are the owners of the “White Lives Matter” trademark.

Ramses Ja and Quinton were gifted the trademark from a longtime, anonymous listener of their show, Civic Cipher. The listener procured ownership of the phrase early last month to ensure it didn’t fall into the wrong hands, and offered to transfer the trademark to Ja and Ward in September. It officially entered their possession on Oct. 28, giving them sole ownership over the phrase and the ability to sue anyone who uses the saying for financial gain.

“The way the law works is either you’re owning phrases, or it’s up for grabs for people to make money off them,” Ja told Capital B. “This person who first procured it didn’t really love owning it, because the purpose was not necessarily to get rich off of it; the purpose was to make sure that other people didn’t get rich off of that pain.”

The anonymous owner believed that the social-justice-oriented radio hosts, whose show is nationally syndicated, would be able to leverage the phrase for Black causes, such as helping to inject funding into local chapters of Black Lives Matter and the NAACP. Coincidentally, just as the trademark was transferred into Ja and Ward’s hands, Ye began his weeks-long tirade promoting anti-Black and antisemitic beliefs.

Earlier in October, Ye and Candace Owens wore “White Lives Matter” T-shirts, which Ye claimed he would sell. A few days later, he dropped off dozens of the shirts at homeless encampments in Los Angeles’ Skid Row, home to the highest concentration of unhoused people in America. In the weeks since, Ye has lost more than $1.5 billion worth of partnership deals as a handful of groups have threatened to sue him for racist and bigoted comments, including the family of George Floyd. Ye publicly, and incorrectly, claimed that Floyd died from a fentanyl overdose and was not murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Now Ja and Ward, whose radio show addresses the intersections of racial justice and hip-hop, are forced to face the fallout of owning one of the most recognizable racist phrases in contemporary culture.
Thoughts?

The post Kanye West Can’t Legally Sell His White Lives Matter T-Shirts appeared first on The Source.

In an unprecedented act of solidarity, over two dozen major hip-hop and pop artists and industry insiders recently came together in an open letter aimed at “protecting Black art,” which would limit how artists’ lyrics can be used in court cases.

In an open letter that was published in both the New York Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, major hip-hop artists urged politicians and other policy makers to limit how creative expression (especially in the form of song lyrics) can be used against defendants on trial as confessions or proof of a crime. The letter cites the shocking statistic that states that “experts have found more than 500 cases involving rap as evidence in public records” while there have been just “four instances since the 1950s of non-rap lyrics being submitted as evidence – three of those cases were thrown out, and the fourth was overturned after conviction.”

The hip-hop artists included Drake, Mary J. Blige, 2 Chainz, 21 Savage, 50 Cent, Big Sean, Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Busta Rhymes, Camila Cabello, Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Jadakiss, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, T.I., Future, J. Cole, Jack Harlow, Ice-T, Killer Mike, Lil Baby, Quavo, Joey Bada$$, John Legend, Lil Uzi Vert, Moneybagg Yo, Post Malone, Questlove, Tee Grizzley, Ty Dolla $ign, Yo Gotti, and the late Takeoff. Other major pop and country stars such as Morgan Wallen and Christina Aguilera also signed the letter as well as representatives from major record labels.

Julie Greenwald, Chairman & CEO of WMG’s Atlantic Music Group, made the following statement: “Throughout history, artists have created characters and forged narratives that reflect the culture around them. That freedom of expression is essential to the creative process and the role of art in society. The harsh reality is that Black artistic creativity is being threatened at an unprecedented level, and we must make every effort to stop this unethical, discriminatory approach to prosecution.”

The full letter can be read here.

The #ProtectBlackArt movement stems from a change.org petition that was launched earlier this year. Today, the petition has nearly 65,000 signatures.

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Kanye West is in the news again. And again, it is not for his music or other artistic endeavors. During an episode of Revolt TV’s “Drink Champs,” Ye claimed that George Floyd died of an overdose from fentanyl as opposed to the actions of the four Minneapolis police officers who have been convicted of his murder or with their involvement in it.

In the show, Ye, who appeared wearing a hat that said “2024” on the brim, referenced the Candace Owens documentary, “Greatest Lie Ever Sold: George Floyd and the Rise of BLM,” as the basis for his claims. He begins with a vague mention of Floyd allegedly telling his roommates that “they”…”want a tall guy like me” before reportedly praying for eight minutes. West then alleges that “they” hit him [Floyd] with fentanyl. West said in reference to convicted former officer Derek Chauvin, “the guy’s knee “wasn’t even on his neck like that” before claiming that “mama” was in reference to Floyd’s girlfriend as opposed to his mother, which most had assumed to be the case.

He then ranted against Louis Vuitton and “the Jewish media” for allegedly “blocking me out,” before repeatedly saying “I’m lit.” He also rallied against JP Morgan Chase bank, who cut ties with West earlier this week, despite West’s point that he had not done anything illegal.

While the show’s host, N.O.R.E., appeared to agree with Ye on that final point, he has faced backlash for allowing West to make his claims regarding Floyd without interruption.

In response to West’s interview, civil rights attorney Lee Merritt tweeted the following on Sunday: “While one cannot defame the dead, the family of #GeorgeFloyd is considering suit for Kanye’s false statements about the manner of his death. Claiming Floyd died from fentanyl not the brutality established criminally and civilly undermines & diminishes the Floyd family’s fight.”

The full show can be seen here in its unedited entirety: https://drinkchamps.com/episodes/episode-337-w-ye-drinkchamps/.

The post George Floyd’s family Contemplates lawsuit after Kanye West Claimed Floyd Died of Overdose appeared first on The Source.

It seems as if people have finally had enough of Kanye’s antics, and his latest stunt is receiving attention from members of the Black Lives Matter movement. Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper-James, recently called out Ye for his shirt that said “White Lives Matter” in a statement to Rolling Stones magazine.

James said in a statement through her attorney that Ye’s latest stunt is a mockery of the BLM movement and it legitimizes “extremist” behavior.

“As a result of his display ‘White Lives Matter’ started trending in the U.S., which would directly support and legitimize extremist behavior, [much] like the behavior that took the life of her son,” James’ attorney said.

“That is the thing that Wanda and families like hers continue to fight against. This mockery of the Black Lives Matter movement and his now denunciation of the movement as some sort of hoax flies directly in the face [of what he’s said]. It’s confusing for her, it’s confusing for the families to receive his support privately, but publicly to set us all back.”

Kanye has since doubled down on his position, calling the BLM movement a “scam” in now deleted IG posts. “Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam. Now it’s over. You’re welcome,” he wrote.

Kanye infamously wore the shirt during his YZYSZN 9 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday, Oct 3. West has been scolded by other celebrities, social media, and fashion critics for his polarizing and controversial t-shirt.

The post Ahmaud Arbery’s Mother Scolds Kanye For ‘White Lives Matter’ Shirt appeared first on The Source.

Jason Lee, owner of Hollywood Unlocked, parted ways with Kanye amid the public backlash over Ye sporting a “White Lives Matter” shirt in Paris.

According to Eurweb.com, Lee quit as Kanye’s head of media and partnerships on Monday.

Lee re-posted a photo of conservative pundit Candace Owens and Kanye wearing matching WLM shirts on his Instagram page on Monday.

Jason wrote:

“I love Ye as a person, and I support free speech. But this is gaslighting black people and empowering white supremacy,” Lee wrote in the photo caption.

“Not sure if he has any friends left to tell him but this is utterly disappointing.

I’m going to exercise free speech and say, nobody black has ever said that white lives don’t matter. But when black people do this it just screams the need for white validation.

Not to mention, adding Candace Owens to this photo is beyond reprehensible. I understand he believes in her right to free speech but her speech is typically embedded in self hate, a determination to promote white supremacy, and she lacks integrity.

This is sad.”

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Elijah McClain’s autopsy has revealed his death was caused by ketamine injection after being forcibly restrained. The dosage was too much for his body size and it resulted in an overdose.

On Aug. 24, 2019, officers responded to a call about a suspicious person and put McClain, a massage therapist, in a chokehold and paramedics later injected him with ketamine, a powerful sedative. He died about a week later.

An amended autopsy report released Friday revealed Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who died after a confrontation with police officers, died because he was injected with ketamine by paramedics after being forcibly restrained.

“I believe this tragic fatality is most likely the result of ketamine toxicity,” the report said, adding McClain received a higher dosage of the sedative than he should have. “Simply put, this dosage of ketamine was too much for this individual and it resulted in an overdose.”

The original autopsy report, signed Nov. 7, 2019, said McClain’s cause of death could not be determined, but new information that emerged during a grand jury investigation prompted the state attorney general’s office to order a second autopsy.

The amended report comes one month after Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that two police officers, one former officer and two paramedics in the Denver suburb of Aurora had been indicted and would be charged with one count each of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, among other allegations in the 32-count indictment.

“The opinions rendered were based on information available at that time. Since then, this office has received additional material for review including extensive body camera footage, witness statements, and additional records,” the report said. “It is worth noting that these materials had been requested prior to release of the initial autopsy but the material was either not provided to us or not provided to us in their entirety.”

The post [WATCH] Elijah McClain’s Shocking Cause Of Death Revealed appeared first on The Source.

Former Minneapolis police officer, Thomas Lane will serve three years in prison for his role in the death of George Floyd.  39-year-old Lane was sentenced virtually on Wednesday morning for a state charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. 

Thomas Lane pleaded guilty in May to the state charge. The ex officer held down Floyd’s legs while Derek Chauvin kept his knee on his neck for nine and a half minutes, which led to Floyd’s death.

READ MORE: Three Minneapolis Officers Found Guilty of Violating George Floyd’s Civil Rights

He’s currently serving two-and-a-half years in Federal Correctional Institution Englewood in Littleton, Colorado for violating Floyd’s civil rights by denying him medical care. Lane will serve his new state sentence in federal prison.

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The post Former Officer Receives State Sentence For His Role In George Floyd Murder appeared first on The Source.

There is new information involving a former Louisville officer indicted by a federal grand jury in the Breonna Taylor case.  Court records show Brett Hankison refused to comply with one of the conditions of his release. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office told a judge yesterday that Hankison would not give a blood sample to his probation officer after he took a trip to Las Vegas.  

READ MORE: Ex-Louisville Detective To Plead Guilty To Lying On Breonna Taylor Search Warrant

Court officials are reviewing the terms of his release.  Hankison did not give any further details on why he did not give a blood sample.

Hankison was indicted August 4 along with three other former officers, Kyle Meany, Kelly Goodlett and Joshua Jaynes. The indictments were related to the botched raid that resulted in Taylor’s death on March 13, 2020.

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The post Officer Indicted In Breonna Taylor Case Allegedly Refused Blood Sample appeared first on The Source.

Dawn Staley, South Carolina women’s basketball coach is explaining her decision to cancel a series of games with BYU.  Staley spoke for the first time on Sunday about the decision that was announced by the university on Friday.  

“As a head coach, my job is to do what’s best for my players and staff,” Staley shared in the statement. “The incident at BYU has led me to reevaluate our home-and-home, and I don’t feel that this is the right time for us to engage in this series.”

READ MORE: [WATCH] Dawn Staley Celebrates National Title Win During Appearance on ‘The Daily Show with Trevor Noah’

The 3x Olympic gold medalist said she made the decision on her own following a recent racist incident involving a Duke volleyball player who said a Cougars fan yelled racial slurs at her.

 Staley said she vetted all angles of what happened at BYU and talked to several people. She called her decision a “selfish” one and said she didn’t make it to “condemn” BYU.

“I slept on it a few nights, I woke up with the same gut feeling I should not put our players in that situation,” she cleared up. This was a selfish decision, I was only thinking about South Carolina women’s basketball.”

Staley also said the school and her players supported her decision.  

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The post SOURCE SPORTS: Dawn Staley Details Decision To Cancel BYU Basketball Series Following Racial Slurs appeared first on The Source.

Kelly Goodlett, a former Louisville Detective is expected to plead guilty today to lying on a search warrant for Breonna Taylor’s apartment raid. 

More than two years after her murder the Justice department announced civil rights violation charges against former officers Joshua Jaynes, Brett Hankison, Kelly Goodlett, and Sgt. Kyle Meany due largely to Taylor’s family’s persistent advocacy for justice in her case.

Goodlett’s lawyer has said that she will plead guilty to a single count of conspiring to violate Breonna Taylor’s civil rights for helping falsify an affidavit for the search warrant.  

The federal court’s charging doc says Goodlett falsely claimed a postal inspector had verified that Taylor was receiving packages at her apartment for her ex-boyfriend, who was a convicted drug dealer.  

READ MORE: Ex-Detective Not Guilty Of Charges Connected To Breonna Taylor’s Deadly Raid

The 26-year-old emergency room tech was shot to death when police officers carried out a no-knock raid on her apartment in March of 2020.

Until this month, former detective Brett Hankison, who was one of three officers who shot at Taylor and her boyfriend while sleeping, was the only person to face charges in connection with the fatal raid. 

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The post Ex-Louisville Detective To Plead Guilty To Lying On Breonna Taylor Search Warrant appeared first on The Source.

A Minnesota county settled a racial discrimination lawsuit involving eight correctional officers of color and Derek Chauvin the ex-Minneapolis officer convicted of killing George Floyd.  

The lawsuit alleged the former Ramsey County Adult Detention Center superintendent blocked the eight minority officers from guarding and interacting with Derek Chauvin after he was arrested in 2020.  The officers, who identify as African American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander American and multiracial say the superintendent, Steve Lydon segregated them by reassigning them to different floors. 

READ MORE: Final Two Ex-Minneapolis Officers Sentenced To Feds Surrounding George Floyd’s Death

 The lawsuit also accused a white lieutenant of giving Chauvin special treatment.  On Tuesday, Ramsey County approved a nearly $1.5 million settlement for the eight officers.

Lydon reportedly told his superiors that he made the decision “to protect and support” the minority employees by keeping them away from the convicted cop, according to USA Today. 

Board Chairwoman Trista MatasCastillo apologized in a statement “for the trauma you experienced and the ongoing harm this racist incident caused.”

“The actions taken by the Sheriff’s Office leadership that day were more than just wrong, they were racist, heinous, highly disrespectful and completely out of line with Ramsey County’s vision and values,” she said. “No one ever should have questioned your ability to perform your job based on the color of your skin.”

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The post $1.5M Settlement Reached In Jailer’s Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Involving Derek Chauvin appeared first on The Source.

Last week, a Mississippi grand jury decided not to indict Carolyn Bryant Donham, the woman whose false accusations led to the death of Emmett Till in 1955. The decision not to indict Donham on charges of kidnapping and manslaughter come after hearing 7 hours worth of testimony from investigators and witnesses. The jury decided that there was not enough sufficient evidence to indict.

News of this decision comes after a 1955 arrest warrant for Bryant was recently discovered by a group, consisting of Deborah Watts, Till’s cousin and her daughter Teri in the basement of a Leflore County courthouse in June.

Emmett Till’s cousin, and the last surviving witness that saw him abducted, Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr. called the decision unfortunate, but predictable.”

“The prosecutor tried his best, and we appreciate his efforts, but he alone cannot undo hundreds of years of anti-Black systems that guaranteed those who killed Emmett Till would go unpunished, to this day,” Parker said.

“The fact remains that the people who abducted, tortured, and murdered Emmett did so in plain sight, and our American justice system was and continues to be set up in such a way that they could not be brought to justice for their heinous crimes.”

In an Donham’s unpublished memoir, she says that she did not know what her husband at the time and his half brother were going to do to Till, and denies having wanted him killed. She says that her husband and his half brother, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, brought Till to her for identification after abducting the 14 year old. She claims that she tried to help him by denying that it was him, but Till volunteered himself as the person they were looking for.

Till was then brutally beaten and shot in the head, tied to a metal fan and dumped in the river. He was found three days later.

As for Donham’s husband and his half brother, the two were acquitted of Till’s murder by an all white male jury, and later admitted to murdering Till in an interview. The reason why they could not be tried is due to double jeopardy.

The post Grand Jury Decides That Emmett Till Accuser Will Not Face Charges In The Murder Of 14-Year-Old appeared first on The Source.

Brianna Grier, who died while in police custody, has an autopsy confirmed for the reason of her death.

Reportedly Grier, 28, was having a mental health crisis when her family called  911 for help but the police didn’t bring the ambulance with them arriving alone. 

“When they used to come out to the house they’d call an ambulance service,” Grier’s father Marvin Grier said last month to CNN. “The ambulance service would come out and they would take her to the hospital to get some help.”

According to authorities Grier died after she fell out of a patrol car in Georgia. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office had taken her into custody before the incident.

The autopsy reveals she was killed by blunt force trauma to her head.  The doctor who conducted an autopsy commissioned by her family confirmed it yesterday.  Dr. Allecia Wilson from the University of Michigan was asked by Grier’s family to conduct the review.  Grier fell from the moving vehicle and later died on July 21 after being in a coma for several days.

 Authorities previously revealed a rear door of the cruiser was never closed and she was placed in the backseat without a seat belt during her arrest.  Grier allegedly fell out of the car after a deputy drove a short distance.  

Acting representation for the family and civil rights attorney Ben Crump shared they were still seeking answers as to why Grier wasn’t secured in the patrol car with a seat belt and call for the release of any other body camera footage from that night.

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All three Georgia White men involved in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery are being given additional prison sentences on federal hate crime charges.  Travis and Greg McMichael, the  father and son who killed 25-year-old Arbery as he was out for a jog, were sentenced Monday to life in prison. The third man William Bryan, who recorded the incident, was sentenced to 35 years. 

His mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones, says they have finally gotten justice. After an apology from one of the three men, Ahmaud Arbery’s mother said it was the first time she’s heard any one of them express that they were sorry.

Marcus Arbery, father of Ahmaud Arbery said  “They didn’t even give him a chance to finish his run… and you’re asking for the court to send you somewhere where you can be laid back?”

After his son’s killers claimed that they feel unsafe in state prison, “We don’t want no mercy,” Mr. Arbery added. 

READ MORE: Ahmaud Arbery’s Killers Sentenced To Life In Prison, Judge Calls For a “Minute of Silence”

The trio had already been convicted and sentenced on state charges. A jury convicted them in February saying they targeted an unarmed Arbery as he was jogging in a Brunswick neighborhood in 2020. 

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The post Ahmaud Arbery’s Parents React Following His Killers Hate Crime Sentence appeared first on The Source.

Four Louisville officers involved in the raid of the home where Breonna Taylor was sleeping and ultimately killed her were charged Thursday with civil rights violations. The Justice Department announced of the charged was a former detective who was fired for lying about the search warrant that sparked the raid leading to her death.

According to The USA Today, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the charges against former officers Joshua Jaynes, Brett Hankison, Kelly Goodlett, and Sgt. Kyle Meany.

During the announcement, Garland said, “Breonna Taylor should be alive today.”

Taylor was killed by Louisville officers who knocked down the door of her apartment, executing a search warrant. Taylor’s unit was the wrong home. As officers entered the home, Taylor’s boyfriend fired a shot at the officers, who returned fire and killed Taylor with six shots. In total, 32 shots were fired by police officers.

In reaction to the news, civil-rights attorney Ben Crump stated the charges were a “huge step toward justice.”

Hankinson faces two civil-rights charges for “unconstitutionally excessive force during the raid on Ms. Taylor’s home” and acted “without a lawful objective justifying the use of deadly force.”

During the raid, bullets flew into the neighbor’s apartment. The participating officers state the officers participating in the raid did not know of the creation of the warrant.

The post Four Officers Charged in the Fatal Shooting of Breonna Taylor appeared first on The Source.

Brittney Griner gave a key statement in her trial just ahead of the verdict in her drug case being handed down later today. The Phoenix Mercury star pleaded for leniency in her closing statement. “I want to say again that I had no intent on breaking any Russian laws. I had no intent. I did not conspire or plan to commit this crime,” Griner shared in the courtroom. 

Griner apologized to both her WNBA and Russian teams along with her fans. Griner, 31, expressed her desire for any political discussions surrounding her case not to play a factor. She said she hopes any talk about politics and her being used as a “political pawn” is kept far from the courtroom. She said she made “an honest mistake,” adding “I hope in your ruling it does not end my life.”

 READ MORE: LeBron James Say Brittney Griner Should Question Whether She Wants To Come Home

The American Basketball star faces up to 10 years in prison on the charge of large-scale transportation of drugs. Griner plead guilty in July in an effort to gain leniency after having under a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage when she was arrested at the airport in Moscow back in February.

Russian prosecutors are asking for Griner to be sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison.

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The post Brittney Griner Closing Statement: “Had No Intent” To Break Russian Law appeared first on The Source.

A pristine stretch of beachfront property in Southern California is being formally returned to the family of a Black couple it was taken from nearly a century ago.  Los Angeles county officials presented the deed for the land known as Bruce’s Beach at a dedication ceremony on Wednesday.  

It was originally purchased by Charles and Willa Bruce in 1912 and turned into a resort for Black residents. The city of Manhattan Beach, just 20 miles southwest of downtown L.A., wrongfully condemned the property in the 1920s Jim Crow era. Historical records show that was motivated by a desire to force Black people out of Manhattan Beach. 

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that enabled the county to return the beachfront property back to their descendants. Officials voted unanimously to return the land three weeks ago to the Bruce’s great-grandsons, a decision that was years in the making. The two lots are worth approximately $75 million in total, according to CNN.

The ceremony included remarks from the Bruce family and live music and dance performances.

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The post California Formally Returns Stolen Land Worth $75M Back To Bruce Family appeared first on The Source.

The Congressional Black Caucus is requesting to meet with the president of “Sesame Street”-themed amusement park, Sesame Place. This comes after a viral video showing a costumed character at the park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania ignoring two young Black girls. 

Jodi Brown was there with her daughter (Skylar) and niece (Nylah),as they were rudely dismissed by a Sesame Place employee in character during a parade over a week ago.

 In an official statement, the caucus recognizes that Sesame Place has issued an apology over the incident, but that it wants to meet with Park President Cathy Valeriano to discuss future plans of actions and training.  

READ MORE: Sesame Place Theme Park Responds To Accusations Of Racism

The caucus cited the “gravity of the situation” and the “integral” role “Sesame Street” plays in the lives of young children.

Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and B’Ivory LaMarr have joined the legal teams of the Browns who are outraged by the incident. 

Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.

The post Congressional Black Caucus Calls For Meeting With Sesame Place President appeared first on The Source.

All former Minneapolis police officers involved with the murder of George Floyd have now received their sentence to federal prison for violating Floyd’s civil rights in 2020. 

A federal judge sentenced ex-cop Derek Chauvin to 21 years 3 weeks ago. While former police officer Thomas Lane was sentenced to 2 1/2 years for denying him medical care.just last week. 

On Tuesday, J. Alexander Kueng was sentenced to 3 years in the feds and he’ll then be under supervised release for 2 years once his sentence behind bars is over. 

READ MORE: Ex Minneapolis Cop Thomas Lane Sentenced To 2 ½ Years For Holding George Floyd’s Legs

Kueng was one of the officers present during the arrest, who held down the late George Floyd’s torso while Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck killing him. Prosecutors said Kueng knew his role was to stop what was happening and he failed to do so, according to CNN. 

The last ex-cop Tou Thao was handed a 3 1/2 year bid for not intervening in the fatal arrest. Thao was the officer shown in the nearly 10 minute viral video of Floyd’s death that kept a group of bystanders back. 

The judge ruled last week that Kueng and Thao should be sentenced based on involuntary manslaughter, not murder, meaning they would be expected to serve substantially less time.

Each was convicted in February of violating the Houston natives civil rights and of failing to intervene to stop their colleague Derek Chauvin during the restraint.  

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The post Final Two Ex-Minneapolis Officers Sentenced To Feds Surrounding George Floyd’s Death appeared first on The Source.

The Congressional Black Caucus is requesting to meet with the president of “Sesame Street”-themed amusement park, Sesame Place. This comes after a viral video showing a costumed character at the park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania ignoring two young Black girls. 

Jodi Brown was there with her daughter (Skylar) and niece (Nylah),as they were rudely dismissed by a Sesame Place employee in character during a parade over a week ago.

 In an official statement, the caucus recognizes that Sesame Place has issued an apology over the incident, but that it wants to meet with Park President Cathy Valeriano to discuss future plans of actions and training.  

READ MORE: Sesame Place Theme Park Responds To Accusations Of Racism

The caucus cited the “gravity of the situation” and the “integral” role “Sesame Street” plays in the lives of young children.

Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and B’Ivory LaMarr have joined the legal teams of the Browns who are outraged by the incident. 

Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.

The post Congressional Black Caucus Calls For Meeting With Sesame Place President appeared first on The Source.

Former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane is being sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for his role in George Floyd’s murder two years ago during an arrest.  39-year-old Lane was convicted in federal court of violating Floyd’s civil rights by denying him medical care. 

 The sentence is what Lane’s lawyers asked for, saying he was the only officer that encouraged former officer Derek Chauvin to roll Floyd onto his side so he could breathe. Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine and a half minutes, which led to his death.

READ MORE: Derek Chauvin Sentenced to 21 Years for Violating George Floyd’s Civil Rights

Mr. Floyd’s relatives had asked the judge to impose the maximum prison term possible and said afterward that they were upset by the sentence, According to The New York Times. 

“It’s insulting that he didn’t get the maximum amount of time,” said Philonise Floyd, one of Floyd’s brothers, adding: “If it was me and that was accessory to murder, they would’ve gave me the maximum amount of time. And you’re a police officer who was sworn to protect, who took an oath, and you didn’t get the maximum amount of time.”

All four officers who were at the scene were charged with various crimes.

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The post Ex Minneapolis Cop Thomas Lane Sentenced To 2 ½ Years For Holding George Floyd’s Legs appeared first on The Source.

A pristine stretch of beachfront property in Southern California is being formally returned to the family of a Black couple it was taken from nearly a century ago.  Los Angeles county officials presented the deed for the land known as Bruce’s Beach at a dedication ceremony on Wednesday.  

It was originally purchased by Charles and Willa Bruce in 1912 and turned into a resort for Black residents. The city of Manhattan Beach, just 20 miles southwest of downtown L.A., wrongfully condemned the property in the 1920s Jim Crow era. Historical records show that was motivated by a desire to force Black people out of Manhattan Beach. 

Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that enabled the county to return the beachfront property back to their descendants. Officials voted unanimously to return the land three weeks ago to the Bruce’s great-grandsons, a decision that was years in the making. The two lots are worth approximately $75 million in total, according to CNN.

The ceremony included remarks from the Bruce family and live music and dance performances.

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The post California Formally Returns Stolen Land Worth $75M Back To Bruce Family appeared first on The Source.

The murder suspect in a deadly mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, has pleaded not guilty.  The news arrives just days after Payton Gendron was hit with numerous federal charges including “Hate Crimes” for the shooting spree at the Tops grocery store in May.  

His attorney noted a plea deal could come before the case heads to trial.  The 19-year-old White suspect opened fire with an automatic rifle and killed ten Black people.  

READ MORE: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Buffalo Mass Shooting Suspect On Hate Crime Charges

Zenita Everhart, the mother of 21-year-old Zaire Goodman who was among the injured, testified before the House Oversight Committee. “My son Zaire has a hole in the right side of his neck, two on his back and another on his left leg caused by an exploding bullet from an AR-15,” shared Everhart, as she took deep breaths describing her son’s injuries. “As I clean his wounds, I can feel pieces of that bullet in his back. Shrapnel will be left inside of his body for the rest of his life. Now, I want you to picture that exact scenario for one of your children.”

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the indictment last week and said the Justice Department “recognizes the threat that white supremacist violence poses to the safety of the American people.”  With these charges, Gendron will have a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty if convicted.

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A federal grand jury is indicting the alleged supermarket shooter in Buffalo, New York. Payton Gendron will be charged with 14 hate crime violations and 13 firearms offenses connected to the mass shooting at a Tops grocery store in May.  

The 19-year-old White man opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle and killed ten Black people while three others were injured. The suspect drove over 200 miles from his home in Conklin to the predominately Black neighborhood, where he live streamed the attack on Twitch.

NBC News reported a manifesto allegedly written by Gendron was posted on Google Docs the night prior to the killings. The document allegedly lays out plans to attack Black people, and promotes conspiracy theory claims that white people are being replaced by minorities in the U.S.

READ MORE: Families of The Buffalo “Hate Crime” Mass Shooting Suing For Victims

 Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the indictment and said the Justice Department “recognizes the threat that white supremacist violence poses to the safety of the American people.”

With these charges, Gendron will have a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty to the May 14 shooting and has been held without bail since his arrest.

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Investigators looking into a 67-year-old unserved warrant connected to the Emmett Till lynching investigation have revealed there’s no statute of limitations on kidnapping in Mississippi.

That means 88-year old Carolyn Bryant Donham could still be arrested and served. 14-year-old Emmett Till was kidnapped, brutally beaten, and lynched in 1955 after Donham falsely accused him of flirting with her in a grocery store operated by her then-husband.

Currently, Donham is reported to be living in Raleigh, North Carolina. According to NPR, Priscilla Sterling, Till’s cousin, urged Mississippi Fourth Circuit Court District Attorney W. Dewayne Richardson during a news conference last week to issue the warrant for Carolyn Bryant Donham’s arrest.

“I know that over a period of time, 67 years, nothing has been done as far as this warrant,” Sterling told reporters. “The family wants Carolyn Bryant to face justice. And by justice, we want her to at least come here and defend herself.”

The family feels both the federal government, along with the state of Mississippi, are “protecting [Bryant]” because of authorities telling Richardson to “not move forward on the warrant,” Sterling told reporters.

“So what is really going on here in the state of Mississippi?” she added. “The warrant must be issued. The warrant must be executed.”

NPR

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L.O.X.’s Styles P has rapped and stood for social justice long before his healthy living ventures and that was shown yesterday in front of Styles’ juice bar in Yonkers when the rapper confronted Yonkers Police officers who were being overly aggressive with a woman they were attempting to detain.

The teen girl can be heard screaming for help in the video in front of Juices For Life In Yonkers while several officers were attempting to place her in handcuffs. A female bystander recorded the incident to ensure police didn’t overstep their authority. Not long after, Styles can be heard in the video calling the cop on top of the teen a “bitch” before the officer attempted to confront the D-Block veteran, but with no laws broken, the officer was forced to listen to the legendary rapper’s anti-police brutality tirade.

In typical gentleman fashion, Styles took to social media later last night to apologize for not controlling his temper during the confrontation, however, he did contend that somebody has to stand up against an obvious problem that continues to haunt urban communities.

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Today has been declared a day of mourning in the City of Akron. Family, friends and supporters will gather today to remember the life of 25-year-old Jayland Walker.

Jayland Walker, a back man, was shot to death last month by Akron police after a brief chase.The incident is being investigated by state agents.

Walker was unarmed when he was shot, according to authorities, but police say a handgun was later found in the car. Akron police said they initially stopped Walker for a “traffic and equipment violation.”

READ MORE: [WATCH] Akron Police Release Video Of Shooting Of Jayland Walker, Officers Placed On Administrative Leave

Visitation for Jayland Walker will be held from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. today at the Akron Civic Theatre with the funeral scheduled to begin at 1:00pm. A livestream video feed will be available online to view here.

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LeBron James suggested WNBA star Brittney Griner should question if she ever wants to return back to the United States after being detained in Russia for over 120 days. 

During a promo for his HBO show, The Shop, King James says “How can she feel like America has her back?”  He then added, “I would be feeling, ‘do I even want to go back to America?'” 

 The Phoenix Mercury center has been held in Moscow since February as she’s accused of having under a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage when she was arrested at the airport.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist faces charges that could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Griner says she’s “terrified” she may be held in Russian custody “forever.” She revealed in a handwritten letter sent to the White House in which she pleaded for her freedom.  

READ MORE: WNBA Star Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty To Moscow Drug Charges

“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.”

Ginger, 31, continued, “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you.”

The Kremlin has been blamed for using Griner as a political pawn while the State Department has said the American basketball center was “wrongfully detained. The White House says the POTUS  is committed to bringing home all Americans who are imprisoned overseas.

James, 37, later went to social media to explain his comments on Griner.

“My comments on ‘The Shop’ regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country,” he tweeted. “I was simply saying how she’s probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she’s been in for over 100+ days! Long story short #BringHerHome”

Watch the promo for the episode that airs on Friday below.

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The former Cleveland, Ohio police officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014 is working in law enforcement again. Timothy Loehmann has joined a small police department in Tioga Borough in rural Pennsylvania.  He was sworn in this week. 

 Loehmann was fired in 2017 for lying on his job application after an Ohio grand jury declined to charge him for shooting Rice, who was outside of a recreation center holding a toy gun when officers showed up.

READ MORE: Tamir Rice’s Mother Blasts Shaun King for Profiting off of Son’s Death: “God Will Deal With You, White Man”

Samaria Rice, the mother of Tamir Rice, questioned the reality of police reform following the hiring of Loehmann, who shot and killed her son. 

“It’s really pathetic and sad that anybody would give this man a job,” Tamir Rice’s mother Samaria told WKYC News. “Timothy Loehmann should never have a job, nowhere across the country, after murdering my son.”

Tioga Mayor David Wilcox confirmed to demonstrators on Wednesday night that Loehmann would not be assigned on the beat patrolling. “At this point, it’s not happening.”

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