Across Black America week of Oct. 15.
Alabama
Starting last Saturday, the city of Birmingham launched a campaign called 100 Days of Nonviolence, hoping to promote safety and positive expression for area youth. “It’s important that we provide constructive activities for students that will aid in developing them into future leaders for our communities,” said Jay Roberson of the Birmingham City Council. “When active youth engage one another in a common purpose, this creates stronger foundations of change. I want to always challenge our students to succeed in every aspect of their lives. I am certain 100 Days of Nonviolence will be a factor in that process.” The program includes outlets for youth expression such as “Real Talk” and “Hip Hop to Hip Hope.” The campaign includes five student ambassadors to partner with the Jefferson County Family Court’s gun pledge initiative to represent Birmingham City Schools through discussions about the issues they regularly face. New this year is the Gandhi Jayanti essay and art contest for students. The essays focus on the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. to the civil rights movement worldwide. Since its inception in 2010, no one younger than the age of 18 has been killed during the 100 Days of Nonviolence time frame of October to January.
California
Marlene Pinnock, who was seen on video being punched by a California Highway Patrol Officer last year, has been taken into custody again. This time, the woman, who was reportedly homeless last year, was taken for a psychiatric evaluation to the Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. She was stopped after an officer saw her walking on the shoulder of the I-10. He called for backup, as the she reportedly became belligerent. After the incident last year, Pinnock was awarded a $1.5 million settlement.
The third annual Justice on Trial Film Festival takes place Oct. 23-25 in the Rise Hills Auditorium at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Doheny Campus. In addition to showcasing select films, the event will feature speakers, including professor Paul Butler, who specializes in criminal law, race relations and critical theory; Azadeh Zohrabi from the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights; Kimberle Crenshaw, a professor of law considered a leading authority on civil rights; and Maya Schenwar, author of “Locked Down, Locked Out: Why Prison Doesn’t Work and How We Can Do Better.” For more information and to register, go to www.justiceontrial2015.eventbrite.com.
Omarosa Onee Manigault, TV personality, activist and educator, hosts the 2015 African American Vanguard Awards today with co-host Starlett Quarles, host of the Dialogue and president of Urban X Marketing. Founded in 2012 by Robert D. Bush of Lord, Bush and Randolph who partnered with the National Action Network-Los Angeles Chapter (NAN-LA), to honor the achievements of L.A.’s 100 most prominent and influential African Americans in areas of community activism, education, entertainment and politics. The event was held at the California African American Museum in Exposition Park. Honorees will be featured in the 2015 Most Influential African Americans Los Angeles Edition commemorative magazine, which will be published in December.
District of Columbia
Benjamin Crump, noted civil rights attorney and president of the National Bar Association, joined the co-founders of Black Women for Positive Change (BWFPC), Dr. Stephanie E. Myers and Delegate Daun S. Hester, D-VA, to highlight the 2015 National Week of Non-Violence, Oct. 17-25, and the Summit on Non-Violence on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the historic Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C. The Week of Non-Violence includes recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National Bullying Prevention Month as well as the escalating gun violence. There will also be events in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Alexandria, (VA), Hampton Roads, (VA), and St. Louis. For more information, visit www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org.
Florida
A Black man in Palmetto says his dog was driving his car when police pursued it during a high-speed chase that ended with the car crashing into a home. Reliford Cooper III, 26, told police, “My dog was driving the car,” according to the website the Smoking Gun. Police started chasing the car, after spotting it going down the street at a high rate of speed. Once the car crashed, Cooper jumped out of the car and ran into a church, but people in the church chased him out right into the arms of waiting cops. According to the report, Cooper cursed at the cops and then denied that he was driving the car. The dog was reportedly taken into custody but not charged. However, Cooper was charged with drunken driving, resisting arrest and leaving the scene of an accident.
Georgia
Atlanta Hawks player Thabo Sefolosha has been cleared of any wrongdoing in a case stemming from an incident outside a New York nightclub in April. A Manhattan jury acquitted Sefolosha of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction. During an altercation with police, Sefolosha was asked to move away from a situation, and when he did, he approached a homeless man to give him $20, he testified. But one of the officers was not satisfied and tackled him, resulting in Sefolosha suffering a broken leg. Sefolosha, who is a Swiss citizen, admitted that he called the officer “a midget” at one point and crossed his arms to make arrest difficult. Alex Spiro, his defense lawyer, suggested Sefolosha, who is Black, was targeted because of his race. He pointed to surveillance video showing the White officer passing another NBA player on the scene, who is White, and others as he demanded Sefolosha move up the block. Sefolosha had surgery on his leg and says he isn’t fully healed. He said he continues to undergo rehab and isn’t sure he’ll be ready to play when the NBA season starts Oct. 27.
New York
Visual artist Leroy Campbell embraces his African roots and the journey to self-discovery with the debut of his first coffee table book, “My Authentic Self,” during a holiday pop-up gallery at the Sol Studio at 2073 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. in Harlem on Nov. 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. The gallery will also feature works from other artists such as April Harrison, Charly Palmer, Maurice Evans, Najee Dorsey, Phyllis Stephens and Sara Bunn. Containing more than 90 pages, Campbell’s hardback book travels through pivotal moments of his life utilizing the themes of family, education, love, music and the discovery of artistry. Illustrations include his trek from being a Charleston, S.C., native ashamed of his roots to a proud Gullah cultural educator and prosperous visual artist living in New York City. He has acquiring celebrity clients Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Joyner and Terry McMillian. For more information about the “My Authentic Self,” visit: www.thesolstudio.com.
Ohio
Two independent consultants have reported that the Cleveland police response in the shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice last year was “reasonable.” The conclusions submitted to the Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office come ahead of an expected decision by a grand jury on whether criminal charges are warranted in the November 2014 shooting of Rice, which was captured on surveillance video. Cuyahoga County prosecutor Timothy McGinty said in a statement that his office was not reaching any conclusions based on the reports, but an attorney for Rice’s family criticized the reports as a “whitewash.”
South Carolina
North Charleston will pay the family of Walter Scott, the Black man shot in the back as he fled from a police officer, $6.5 million in a settlement. The city council approved the payout by a 10-0 vote. Scott, 50, was shot April 4 by Michael Slager, a White police officer, while he ran after being stopped for a traffic violation. Slager has been charged with murder and remains in jail, awaiting trial. However, Don Lemon of CNN reported last month that there is evidence that Scott had a physical altercation with Slager moments before he ran. Slager faces life or up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Texas
Charges are expected to be levied against a school security officer in Round Rock after video was released showing him grabbing a 14-year-old boy by the neck and slamming him to the floor in a school classroom. According to the Huffington Post, the teen, Gyasi Hughes, told a KXAN-TV that he was in a fight with another student over a pair of prescription sports goggles. Hughes said the other boy started pushing him, and he pushed back, and the other boy fell to the floor. Two school security cops showed up, supposedly to de-escalate the situation. The two officers took Hughes to a corner and when the teen is seen touching one of the officer’s arms, he is thrown down and handcuffed. Hughes’ father says he is planning on pressing charges against the cop for use of excessive force. School officials said that they are investigating the incident.
National
Thirty-three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have pledged to establish tobacco-free campuses. The Truth Initiative, a national campaign to eradicate smoking, partnered with Shaw University to host the HBCUs who made the commitment. Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin was on hand as well. The Truth Initiative provides grants to HBCUs to help the schools with efforts to set up tobacco-free policies on the campuses. “For decades, the tobacco industry has targeted minority communities, particularly African Americans, with intense advertising and promotional efforts,” said Dr. Benjamin. “As a result of this investment, African Americans suffer the greatest burden of tobacco-related mortality of any ethnic or racial group in the U.S.” The 33 campuses will receive funds and assistance as part of a first wave of grantees to participate in the initiative. Students, faculty and staff at each school will participate in a task force charged with assessing tobacco use on their campus. Each school will also develop a public-education campaign to support establishment of a comprehensive tobacco-free policy on that campus. For information on the Tobacco-Free HBCU Initiative, visit www.truthinitiative.org.
The Knight Cities Challenge is now open to people interested in submitting ideas to improve their communities in 26 cities across the U.S. Winners will receive a share of $5 million and become part of a network of civic innovators; funding will be granted at all levels from small to large amounts. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 27 at www.knightcities.org. The challenge has two main guidelines: 1) a submission may come from anywhere, but the project must take place in or benefit one or more of the 26 cities named; 2) the idea should focus on one or more of three key drivers of city success:
Talent: Ideas that help cities attract and keep talented people.
Opportunity: Ideas that expand economic prospects by breaking down divides and making new connections.
Engagement: Ideas that spur connection and civic involvement.
The challenge is open to anyone from anywhere including individuals as well as government officials and organizations. More information is available at www.knightcities.org.
