Alabama
A seventh grader at Berry Middle School in Birmingham—13-year-old James Strong—has been named as the 2015 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Alabama Champion. The teen will serve as a fundraising and awareness ambassador for all children treated at the North American charity’s 170-member hospitals. When Strong’s mother was five months pregnant, she learned her baby would have hydrocephalus and would need a shunt ( hole or a small passage which moves, or allows movement of, fluid from one part of the body to another) placed in his brain immediately after birth. In addition to hydrocephalus and a spinal cord tumor, Strong also suffers from Dandy-Walker Syndrome, mild cerebral palsy, crania-cerebral disproportion and Chiari malformation. To date, the teen has had more than 20 surgeries to replace his shunt and to address some of his other conditions—and Children’s of Alabama has become a second home to him and his mother. But Strong does not focus on his disability. Despite the fact that he is wheelchair bound and suffering from an inoperable spinal cord tumor, he plays basketball and tennis, loves to swim and is passionate about the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. He works to raise awareness and funds for youth who struggle with life-threatening medical conditions, and he is a mentor to younger children. He also inspired his mother to achieve her dream of being a teacher; She holds a master’s degree in collaborative special education.
California
A report on how traffic courts drive inequality in the state was released last week by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCR), the East Bay Community Law Center, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, A New Way of Life and Legal Services for Prisoners with Children. The report claims that some four million Californians—many of them minorities—are without valid driver’s licenses because they are trapped in a spiral of court fines and fees that they cannot afford to pay. In addition to driving-related citations, infractions such as littering, sleeping outdoors and failure to pay a transit fare can result in excessive fines that, if unpaid, result in criminal warrants or suspended driver’s licenses and create a vicious cycle of poverty. “We are effectively denying due process to millions by creating a two-tiered system of justice,” said Elisa Della-Piana, director of programs at East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC). “If you want to challenge a ticket and have your day in court, as is your constitutional right, you must pay your fine in full in order to have a hearing. If you can’t afford to pay to get into court, you could be stuck without a driver’s license and thousands of dollars in fines.”In their report, the sponsoring groups are asking for policy reforms on both the state and local levels. Access the report here… http://www.lccr.com/not-just-ferguson-problem-how-traffic-courts-drive-inequality-in-california/.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, one in six (or 15 percent) of people who live in California can’t always afford enough food. However, the USDA is funding a toll-free hotline so that people who need help feeding themselves and their families can get both private and public assistance. The New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) operates the line nationwide, which is designed to connect callers with emergency food providers in their communities and other services that will help them eat regularly, and also provide nutritional help. The line is 866-3-Hungry or 877-8-Hambre.
Georgia
A judge and two law enforcement officers in Fannin County are under investigation after allegedly calling a witness the “N” word in court last month. Judge Roger Bradley was going over a witness list for a case when he arrived at the name of Allen Duray Green, who is African American. The judge inquired about Green, and two sheriff’s deputies referred to him as “N—er Ray.” According to witnesses, the judge didn’t bat an eye and in fact proceeded to relay a story about a Black bootlegger he referred to as “N—er Bob.” When trying to defend themselves, the judge and deputies said they were referring to Green by his street name, but Green told Fox 5 Atlanta that he does not have such a nickname. Judge Bradley and the deputies are now under investigation by the Georgia State Judicial Qualifications Commission.
Illinois
A small plane returning home from the NCAA men’s basketball tournament last week crashed in the central part of the state, killing seven people, including Torrey Ward, who was the associate head basketball coach of Illinois State University. The private plane crashed in a field near Bloomington. When rescue workers reached the wreckage, they found no survivors.
Louisiana
Norman C. Francis, J.D. president of Xavier University, will be honored at Dillard University’s annual spring concert Sunday, April 19. Francis will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. “It is really an honor for us to have Dr. Francis present at this event
and to be able to personally thank him for all the work he has done in higher education in this community and beyond,” said Walter M. Kimbrough, Ph.D. president of Dillard. The concert, which takes place at Lawless Memorial Chapel at 3 p.m., will include a 60-voice choir and admission is free and open to the public.
Maryland
Last week, the Maryland General Assembly passed an important voting rights bill that restores voting rights to about 40,000 residents of the state. The next step in the bill’s completion is for Gov. Larry Hogan to sign it. If signed, the law will automatically reinstate the right to vote for individuals released after incarceration, allowing persons on probation and parole to vote. “No one should be deprived of their fundamental right to vote. As a result of today’s vote, a path has been set for people to fully rejoin their communities and stand alongside their neighbors at the voting booth. This is a momentous day for the 40,000 Marylanders who are set to regain their voice in our political process, and for all who believe in the values of inclusive democracy. Laws that disenfranchise voters based on felony convictions are known to have a disparate impact on voters of color. In Maryland, African Americans have accounted for 65 percent of those disenfranchised due to a prior felony conviction, while comprising only 30 percent of the state’s population. Gov. Hogan must do the right thing and sign this historic bill,” said Penda D. Hair of the Advancement Project, a civil rights organization.
Minnesota
Minneapolis resident and artist Taylor Payton was honored last weekend at the 31st annual L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards at the Wilshire Theater in Los Angeles. Payton was recognized as a worldwide illustrator. The 25-year-old’s journey to achievement began when he was a kid and used to draw characters from his favorite games and anime. But it wasn’t until he was 21 that he decided to make his fondness for drawing into a career. Armed with a degree in media arts and animation and after winning Best In Show at his graduation ceremony, he began working on private and commercial jobs. With the L. Ron Hubbard Award, Payton hopes to continue his education and develop a successful career. His work will be featured in the annual “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers and Illustrators of the Future” publication.
Missouri
Voters in Ferguson went to the polls in increased numbers last week, electing two Black city council members and transforming the political body’s composition for the first time in years. After months of unrest and strife over racial profiling and police brutality—not to mention the death of a young Black man and a scathing report from the U.S. Justice Dept.—residents spoke their minds through the election, resulting in half of the city council now being controlled by African Americans. The significance comes in the fact that Ferguson is a city where two thirds of its residents are Black. “I think it’s a shame that it took all the events and attention for people to come out and vote for their city council,” said Eric Fey, St. Louis County director of elections. “Only time will tell if people remain engaged.”
New York
Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland was released from the hospital last Friday in New York City after he and his fiancé were both stabbed outside the 1 OAK nightclub in Manhattan. Copeland suffered multiple stab wounds early Wednesday (April 8) morning in an incident that also resulted in his fiancé being stabbed and two Atlanta Hawks players being arrested. Copeland was in intensive care initially at Bellevue Hospital and underwent surgery on his abdomen and left elbow, which was fractured. He also suffered a cracked rib. In addition, his diaphragm was punctured. His injuries came after a man attacked him with a switchblade outside of the nightclub. Coleman’s fiancé, Katrine Saltara, was also stabbed. Her injuries were not life threatning. Saltara and Copeland were talking outside the club, according to ESPN, when a man tried to interfere and the situation escalated to the man pulling a knife.
Shevoy Bleary Murdock has been charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon in the incident. Two members of the Atlanta Hawks, who were also on the scene—Pero Antic and Thabo Sedfolosha—were arrested for interfering with police. They have indicated they were just trying to help and have said they will appeal the charges.
About 25 New York City teens in the Junior One Hundred/Pathways To Success Program gathered at Pace University recently to hear from an esteemed group of panelists. The 100 Black Men of New York organization joined forces with Pace University for a career day that included top industry professionals along with high-ranking government officials. Deputy Police Commissioner Benjamin Tucker keynoted the panel. The Junior One Hundred is a leadership and educational enrichment program that helps prepare high school students to become intellectually sophisticated citizens with vigor for personal growth and learning. The program features a rigorous and enriching curriculum that not only challenges scholars academically but also helps shape their perspectives on society. Junior One Hundred/Pathways to Success Initiative programs are sponsored by Estée Lauder Cos., Macy’s, NewsCorp, State Farm, TD Bank and Wells Fargo.
Oklahoma
An elderly White police officer in Tulsa shot and killed a Black man earlier this week in an incident where the officer claims he thought he had reached for his stun gun rather than a handgun. Authorities have released video showing an officer chase and tackle Eric Harris, 44, who was allegedly trying to sell an illegal gun to an undercover officer. A reservist sheriff’s deputy—73-year-old Robert Bates—was also on the scene. While a deputy is subduing Harris, a gunshot rings out and Harris is heard yelling, “Oh my God. He shot me.” A deputy replied, “You f_cking ran. Shut the f_ck up.” Harris is heard saying he can’t breathe, and a deputy is heard saying, “F_ck your breath.” Harris was treated on the scene but later died at an area hospital. Authorities said that Bates believed he was holding a Taser and intended to incapacitate Harris when he shot him instead. An investigation is under way to determine whether or not Harris should be charged.
Tennessee
Hip hop artist Nelly, aka Cornell Haynes, was arrested last Saturday on felony drug charges after the bus he was traveling in was pulled over by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Troopers claim that they found five “rocks” that tested positive for meth, in addition
to a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. It’s also being reported that law enforcement confiscated several handguns. Nelly’s attorney says the rapper and reality show star will be cleared once the facts of the case come to light. He was released on $10,000 bond. His next court date is June 19.
National
Rapper Jay-Z is reaching out to the underserved with a helping hand in the form of scholarships. Applicants don’t have to be academic achievers—they just have to have a real desire to get an education and be willing to give back to their communities.
Shawn Carter (Jay Z’s real name) Foundation Scholarships provide financial support to high school students who have graduated or gotten their G.E.D. with a minimum GPA of 2.0. The scholarships were set up by Jay-Z with his mother, Gloria, to offer a unique opportunity to young people who have been incarcerated or faced other challenges, yet still truly want to pursue a higher education. Applications are due April 30 and can be found at www.scholarshipsonline.org/2013/05/shawn-carter-foundation.html.
Last week, President Barack Obama met with Caribbean leaders in Kingston, Jamaica, to reaffirm the U.S.’s relationship with leaders in the region to advance economic development, security and good government. Other topics included clean energy financing, clean energy technology and “green” tourism.
Compiled by Carol Ozemhoya.
