Skip to content
Advertisement

African American news for the week of May 21, 2015.

Advertisement
 (141007)

Alabama

According to the Atlantic, federal agents raided state offices last year to seize drugs used for lethal injections of death penalty prisoners. The story reports that the state turned to the “black market” to acquire the drugs. The FDA seized product from Alabama as well as several other states that were buying from a company called Hospira, the story says, until 2010 when it was discovered that the company was producing contaminated drugs. The state then allegedly turned to other sources, mostly foreign, but those dried up when the manufacturers learned they were being used for executions. After the drugs were seized, Alabama officials looked into passing laws that would keep the contents of their lethal injections secret. According to an article in AL.com, in the last two years, the state’s legislators have tried to pass such a secrecy bill, but it died in the Alabama Senate. The Alabama House has brought the bill up again and is reportedly hoping it will pass the Senate this year.

California

Last week, the California State Senate, led by Sen. Isadore Hall III, recognized Kendrick Lamar as the 35th Senate District’s Generational Icon. Hall praised the hip hop artist’s charitable work through donations and support of fund drives for the Compton area school district, as well as local charities. According to Hall, Lamar’s efforts have resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars for sports, after school, music and other programs. “In less than 10 years, as a professional artist, Mr. Lamar has gone from a local Compton young boy, to a multi-platinum, Billboard chart topping, two-time Grammy Award-winning musician, an incredible achievement for anyone 27 years old,” Hall said. “But Mr. Lamar has not let his recent fame get the best of him. If you visit Compton … Mr. Lamar is a familiar face in the neighborhood.” Lamar took the Senate floor and said, “This is an honor to be right here in front of you guys. Being from the city of Compton and knowing the parks that I played at and neighborhoods. I always thought how great the opportunity would be to give back to my community. To do that from a city all the way to a state standpoint, and have these young kids look at me as some type of inspiration is an honor.”


The California African American Museum (CAAM) is hosting a free celebrity book-reading event “Literacy Day: Heads Are Turning, Children Are Learning” for kids that will also include writing workshops, art and other activities on May 23 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Actor Donis Leonard Jr. from “House of Lies” will host, and local authors will also be on hand to present their books and read to the children. The event will be held at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park in Los Angeles. “Literacy Day will be a refreshing break for children and families from recent news and civil unrest,” says the event’s program director, Babe Evans. “Attendees will create positive, creative and fun memories with CAAM and leave with a renewed appreciation for literary art.” For more information, call (213) 744-7432.

Georgia

The principal of TNT Academy, a private school in Stone Mountain, has been fired days after she made a comment about Black people at a graduation ceremony. Nancy Gordeuk was released after video surfaced showing her making a remark during the ceremony when she got upset over a disruption. “You people are being so rude to not listen to this speech, she said to the crowd… look who’s leaving – all the Black people.” Oddly, Gordeuk is one of the people who founded the school. When asked about her behavior, she made a comment to the effect of “the devil made me do it.” It’s unclear as to how her firing would impact her part ownership of the academy.


Hundreds of professionals in the music industry, including a variety of Black celebrity moms, turned out on Mother’s Day in Atlanta for new Gospel singer Carlett Martin’s listening party. Although she is new to the charts and radio, Martin is not new to the industry. She has written for a number of well-known artists and worked as a vocal coach for many, including “American Idol” contestants. In addition, she has an amazing story to tell, as she recovered from an abusive marriage that resulted in a broken jaw.

 (141008)

At the age of 50, she has a Gospel song making its way up Gospel charts and onto radio called “Thank You Lord for My Mama.” Her forthcoming CD on Gospel Rhythm Records/Sony is called “Unbreakable. On hand for her party were many of the cast members from “Celebrity Mamas of Artists,” including T.I.’s mother and the mothers of Jay Holiday, Keke Wyatt, Syleena Johnson Rasheeda, Swiss Beatz and rapper Cash Out. Stacy J, the producer of the “Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” was present as well as radio personality Denise Hill from Radio One’s WPRS-FM (Praise 104.1) in Washington, D.C.

Illinois

Hadiya Pendleton was set to graduate from her high school in Chicago on June 2. But tragedy struck when the teen was shot and killed at a nearby park. Her friends, family and fellow students are refusing to forget the teen, and are set to wear orange at what

 (141009)

would have been her high school graduation on June 2. Her family is asking people to pledge to wear orange across the country to express that they are part of the millions of Americans who believe something must be done to end gun violence in our country. The movement’s overall goal is to get June 2 declared National Gun Violence Awareness Day. For more info, go to http://act.everytown.org/sign/wear-orange.

Louisiana

Essence magazine has announced a slate of empowerment programming and a “Peace, Prayer & Purpose Rally” during the daytime Empowerment Experience at the 2015 Essence Festival July 2-5 in New Orleans. “Communities across the country are rallying for justice, as Black Americans face systemic inequalities and troubling disparities with respect to police brutality, employment, education, earning power, health and upward socio-economic mobility,” says Essence President Michelle Ebanks. The Empowerment Experience programming will extend the conversation on race relations, addressing the state of America with a wide range of the nation’s foremost leaders, activists and influencers, including Deepak Chopra, Rev. Al Sharpton, Steve Harvey, Iyanla Vanzant, Donna Brazile and more.

Michigan

A 115-year-old Black woman who lives near Detroit is now the world’s oldest living person. Jeralean Talley of Inkster tops a list maintained by the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, which tracks the world’s longest-living people. Talley, who was born May 23, 1899, once told the Detroit Free Press that she credited her longevity to higher powers: “It’s coming from above. That’s the best advice I can give you. It’s not in my hands or your hands.” Talley also said people should “treat the other fellow like you want to be treated. You don’t tell a lie on me so I won’t tell a lie on you.”

Minnesota

Bobby Bell, 74, received a college degree last week from the University of Minnesota, more than 50 years after he left school to play professional football. Bell was in two Super Bowls as a player with the Kansas City Chiefs, and he was a two-time All America as an offensive lineman and defensive end at Minnesota. “This is the top of the pyramid, man. This is the top of the pyramid,” Bell proclaimed when he earned his degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies. When he left to play in the NFL in 1963, he was shy 13 credits of a degree. The Hall of Famer had promised his father that he would one day finish his college education. “I know he’s looking down and saying, ‘I told you you could do it’.”

Nevada

B.B. King wasn’t just a legend of the Blues. He was also a guitar impresario. The 89-year-old passed last week in Las Vegas, reportedly after a series of small heart attacks. In 1970, King released “The Thrill Is Gone,” which went on to be one of his most

 (141010)

popular and memorable hits. The “King of the Blues” was recognized by the masses, as he continued to tour well into his 80s. Music’s elite also honored him with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and 30 Grammy nods, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and many more honors, including the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George Bush.

New York

Benjamin O. Davis Jr. entered West Point in 1932 as its only Black cadet and spent the next four years shunned. He roomed alone and no one befriended him. The future Tuskegee Airman and trailblazing Air Force general later said he was “an invisible man.” Now, more than a decade after his death, the academy that allowed Davis to be ostracized is honoring him. A new cadet barracks being constructed among the fortress-like buildings of the U.S. Military Academy will be named for Davis—a rare privilege previously granted to graduates with names such as MacArthur and Eisenhower. Officials at the storied academy say Davis was a natural choice due to his career and character. It also gives the academy a chance to belatedly do right by Davis, who died in 2002 at age 89. His resume includes commanding the all-Black 332nd Fighter Group known as the Red Tails, and becoming the first Black general of the Air Force, which he joined in 1947. He retired as a three-star general in 1970 and was awarded a fourth star in 1998 by President Bill Clinton. Davis Barracks is set to open in January 2017.

Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma alumna Stephanie Frederic was this year’s keynote convocation speaker at Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Frederic, a recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award and graduate of Class of 1982, majored in

 (141012)

radio/TV/film and is now an executive producer/CEO of FGW Productions in southern California. She has secured ongoing projects with Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, Paramount, Lion’s Gate, NBC and major brands such as Lexus and Lincoln throughout her career. “I’m honored to return to my Alma Mater, the University of Oklahoma, and speak to the next generation of journalists and storytellers. My message to you is to prepare to pivot. Plans change, history forces us to change and life changes. I want you to know that initial plans for success may look different than what you plan, and that’s ok,” she said.

Wisconsin

At least 25 people were arrested in Madison, as hundreds of people came out to protest the Dane County District Attorney’s decision not to prosecute White officer Matt Kenny, who shot and killed biracial Tony Robinson in March. Most of those arrested were charged with obstruction for blocking an intersection close to the state’s capitol. A spokesperson for the police department said almost all 25 were released and must pay a $124 fine. Kenny reportedly chased Robinson after police received reports of a man acting erratically and running down a Madison street. Kenny claims he shot Robinson when Robinson hit him in the head, and that he feared for his life.

Advertisement

Latest