BRC NEWS
BRC NEWS
BLACK REVOLUTIONARY COLLECTIVE
Black Community News Service Volume 1
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June 1, 2025
Black Community News Service Volume 1
Issue 3
June 1, 2025
Chicago, IL
National News
Joy Is Sparked by the Nottoway Plantation Fire - It's Also About Anger, Suffering, Grief, and Pain Over Slavery
By Autumn Swanson
Nottoway Plantation On Fire
White Castle, Louisiana
On May 15th, the Nottoway Plantation was burned down by a fire that lasted for more than 40 hours in White Castle, Louisiana. This plantation was built off the backs of enslaved Black people in the 1850's for the John Hampden Randolph family. It was turned into a wedding venue, meeting/event space, and a tourist resort for over 20 years. The Nottoway Plantation was the largest antebellum mansion remaining in the South.
It was reported that a staff member noticed smoke in the south wing on the night of May 14th, and the fire began to spread quickly throughout the 53,000-square-foot property. Firefighters attempted to put out the fire for hours but failed. No injuries were reported.
A lot of people in the media have mixed feelings about the burning of the Nottaway plantation. Some are saddened by the loss of the plantation because of its "loss of tourism economy". Some believe this plantation was evidence of enslavement. Others online are happy and jubilant about the destruction of the plantation.
The President of the Iberville Parish Government, Chris Daigle, shared his condolences in a Facebook post that this place "...evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue..." as well as how "It was a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance." (1) Owner, attorney, and preservationist of the plantation, William Daniel Dyess, told the New York Post that he and his wife are "non-racist people" (2) and hope to rebuild the plantation.
Michael W. Twitty noted in his article found on the MSNBC site that "Our material history, including at places such as Nottoway, has messages for us. There are bricks where our ancestors’ fingerprints remain, spiritual caches, crystals and sometimes lone cowrie shells reflecting traditional African beliefs." (3) Michael also acknowledges "Places such as Nottoway that glorify the buildings that enslaved people built but ignore the pain and suffering those enslaved people experienced contribute to another kind of erasure." (3)
Others on social media, particularly Black people, are happy and celebrating the destruction of the plantation that was just a reminder of all the pain, suffering, and murder their ancestors underwent; it was an occasion to rejoice over what they felt to be a centuries-old justice for enslaved Black people.
Colonial and antebellum slavery, both in the North and the South, is connected to several plantations, houses, and living history sites. They have always required expensive maintenance and preservation, which is why it is necessary to attract affluent spectators. Those who run these establishments do so to boost their profits by presenting their businesses as wedding venues, event/meeting spaces, and overall tourist attractions to minimize the inhumanity of slavery. However, the tendency to hide the experiences of our ancestors beneath white supremacist propaganda and their general unwillingness to face the facts of history and balance their messaging helps to explain why many people were so joyful about Nottoway's destruction.
Sources
“Today, Iberville Parish mourns the loss of one of its most iconic landmarks — the historic Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, Louisiana — which was devastated by fire” by Chris Daigle, Facebook, May 15, 2025 - https://www.facebook.com/chris.daigle.7/
“Owner of largest antebellum mansion in the South hopes to rebuild after devastating fire — as some celebrate its destruction” by Dana Kennedy, New York Post, May 17, 2025 - https://nypost.com/2025/05/17/us-news/owner-of-ruined-nottoway-plantation-in-la-hopes-to-rebuild/
“This antebellum mansion burned — and took a lot of Black people’s history with it" by Michael W. Twitty, MSNBC, May 20, 2025 - https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/nottoway-louisiana-plantation-burned-rcna207810
PIG's Execution Of An 18-year-old Boy Triggers A Reaction That Has Cincinnati Standing On Shaky Ground
By Arinze Ture
Ryan Hinton pictured on the left and his father Rodney Hinton Jr.
Cincinnati, OH
On May 1, two PIGS responded to a locale to capture four Black men, at an apartment complex at 2500 Warsaw Avenue at around 9:00 a.m. According to Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge, these brothers were in a reported stolen car. When approached by the two PIGS, all four of the men began to run in different directions which prompted the PIGS to pursue Ryan Hinton and another individual, Theetge said. A Cincinnati PIG killed 18-year-old Hinton in East Price Hill in response to the aforementioned report of a stolen vehicle. Bodycam footage shared by the Cincinnati Police Department shows a PIG exiting his vehicle and aiming his gun at the 18-year-old, who appeared to be running away. The officer fired at least four times, according to the Police Chief, and the 18-year-old fell to the ground. It is unclear from the bodycam footage whether Hinton had aimed a firearm at the PIGS as they claimed.
Ryan Hinton’s family is being represented by attorneys with the Cochran Firm as they investigate the officer-involved shooting.
On May 2, Ryan Hinton’s father, Rodney Hinton Jr., drove his motor vehicle into Hamilton County Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson who was directing traffic at Martin Luther King Drive and Burnet Woods Drive for the University of Cincinnati graduation ceremonies. Henderson died later as a result of his injuries. Cincinnati Police Chief Theetge believes that the two fatal encounters are connected. It is her belief that the father, Rodney Hinton Jr., deliberately ran over Deputy Sheriff Henderson in retaliation for the murder of his son although Henderson was not the PIG that killed his son.
On the morning of May 3, Rodney L. Hinton, Jr. appeared in court and was charged with aggravated murder in the death of Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson. Later on that day, the Cochran Firm released this statement: “Our firm was hired by members of Ryan Hinton’s family to conduct an investigation into his shooting death by an officer with the Cincinnati Police Department. We are in the preliminary stages of that investigation.
“Yesterday, we attended a meeting between the family and members of the Cincinnati Police Department to view body camera video of Ryan Hinton’s shooting death.
"Ryan Hinton’s family, including Ryan’s father, was present at the meeting, and they were understandably distraught as they watched the bodycam video. After the meeting with the police department, Ryan Hinton’s father left in his own vehicle and that was the last we heard from him until learning about the tragic incident involving a law enforcement officer who was working a traffic detail near the University of Cincinnati.
“On behalf of Ryan Hinton’s family, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of the officer who was killed yesterday.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy for this community. Ryan Hinton’s family is heartbroken by this tragic turn of events and we are all devastated for the family of the officer who was killed.”
The judge did not set bond for Mr. Hinton ahead of a hearing scheduled for May 6.
"Two of the other suspects involved in the alleged car theft were identified as 18-year-old Jurell Austin and 19-year-old DeAnthony Bullucks, who have been charged with receiving stolen property and felony obstructing official business, according to Theetge. A third suspect, Cynsere Grigsby, was arrested on Sunday." (1)
How often has this scenario repeated itself between trigger happy PIGS and Black people? As a people, we want the immediate end to police brutality. To back up this demand, history has taught us that we are going to have to organize and utilize revolutionary tactics to make this demand a reality.
Sources
“Tragic deaths of 18-year-old and Hamilton County Deputy Sheriff put City on edge” by Dan Yount, The Cincinnati Herald, May 6, 2025 - https://thecincinnatiherald.com/2025/05/06/cincinnati-police-shooting-connection/
Fascist Trump DOJ Charges Black New Jersey Congresswoman With Assault Over Immigration Detention Facility Inspection
By Arinze Ture
U.S. Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, D-N.J.
Newark, NJ
"The Justice Department has charged Rep. LaMonica McIver, a New Jersey Democrat, for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers outside an immigration detention facility last week." (1)
These politically and racially motivated charges were publicized by the Interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, who previously served as one of the losing personal attorneys for the Crook-In-Chief Donald Trump in a criminal trial in which he was convicted of thirty-four (34) felonies in New York.
According to court papers filed on May 20, McIver was charged with two counts of assaulting, resisting, and impeding an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and a Homeland Security Investigations special agent during a confrontation outside the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark.
Habba said she attempted to address the matter with McIver and resolve it without bringing charges, but that the Congresswoman declined.
Congresswoman McIver called the charges filed against her "purely political". She further indicated that "they mis-characterize and distort my actions, and are meant to criminalize and deter legislative oversight. I look forward to the truth being laid out clearly in court."
Delaney Hall is the first new detention center to reopen during the Old Orange Bastard's second term in the White House, after closing in 2017. It has been reopened because the Fascist Trump administration is seeking more detention space to house arrested migrants. Several local officials protested its official reopening earlier this month.
Congresswoman McIver said she and her colleagues were at the facility to conduct lawful oversight of the treatment of detainees there. She further stated that the visit should have been brief and routine, but instead turned into an unwarranted confrontation when ICE agents chose to arrest Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
Because the evidence did not support it in the first place, Habba dropped the misdemeanor trespassing charge against Mayor Baraka.
The lawless Justice Department's decision to bring charges against McIver received immediate pushback from congressional Democrats and New Jersey state officials.
The top Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, and other leading Democrats in the House, called the charges "extreme" and "morally bankrupt," and said they lack any legal or factual basis. Jeffries and others went on to say, "We are lawfully permitted to show up at any federal facility unannounced to conduct an inspection on behalf of the American people. By visiting the detention center in Newark, Rep. McIver and two other Members of Congress were upholding their oath of office. They didn't assault anyone, but were themselves aggressively mistreated by illegally masked individuals."
Sources
"DOJ charges New Jersey congresswoman with assault over immigration facility tussle" by Ryan Lucas, NPR Org, May 20, 2025 - https://www.npr.org/2025/05/20/g-s1-67870/justice-charges-new-jersey-immigration
CA Black Power Network Demands Bold Legislative Action
By Arinze Ture
California State Capitol in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento, CA
"On the morning of May 7, the California Black Power Network (CBPN) convened more than 100 community advocates to march through the streets of Sacramento and rally on the steps of the State Capitol. The event was organized to urge legislators to support a legislative package aimed at repairing past harms and protecting the future of Black Californians." (1)
James Woodson, Executive Director and Co-founder of the CBPN stated “Today, we brought the voices of over 832,000 Californians from across the state to the forefront. The policies we are championing for 2025 mark a significant stride in our mission to Repair the Past and Protect Black Futures.” Woodson went on to say “At the California Black Power Network, we are unwavering in our commitment to systemic and structural reforms that uplift the most vulnerable communities. Our fight is clear—we will hold the California legislature accountable to address the needs and priorities of Black communities with the urgency and justice they deserve.”
A few members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) attended the rally to articulate their support for the proposed legislation. Sade Elhawary enunciated the significance of creating a path forward for incarcerated community members through her bill, AB 1380, the California Firefighter Certification Program. She emphasized the value of second chances and equity in employment. Elhawary went on to say. “This bill will support our communities, our folks who have [been] impacted by mass incarceration, so they can have a real chance to move forward.”
Isaac Bryan spoke to the crowd concerning his reparations-focused bill, AB 7, the Legacy of Harm & Exclusion Consideration Act. The bill would allow California State University, the University of California, private, and independent institutions of higher education to consider admissions preferences for applicants who are descendants of U.S. chattel slavery.
The rally was held in partnership with the Black Equity Collective, Black Equity Initiative—Inland Empire, Bold Black LA, and LiveFree California. With statewide representation and strong legislative backing, the rally represented a demand for the state to take significant steps toward lasting repair.
Sources
“Community Leaders Rally at Capitol” by OW Staff, Our Weekly Los Angeles, May 9, 2025 — https://www.ourweekly.com/2025/05/09/community-leaders-rally-at-capitol/
International News
President Ibrahim Traore Has Lit A Revolutionary Fire In Africa
Burkina Faso
Ibrahim Traoré is a Burkinabé military officer and politician who has served as the interim President of Burkina Faso since 2022. Traoré took control of Burkina Faso in September 2022, ousting interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba in a coup d'état.
The Congolese Will Liberate Themselves
Congo
The modern Democratic Republic of Congo should be one of the most powerful and prosperous nations on the planet. It holds the minerals that provides power to our electric cars, cellphones, and the green energy movement. However, as a result of neocolonialism, it was purposefully organized for Western capitalistic exploitation.
The Whitewashing of U.S. History
By Arinze Ture
United States of AmeriKKKa
John Henrik Clarke sagaciously suggested “powerful people cannot afford to educate the people that they oppress, because once you are truly educated, you will not ask for power. You will take it.”
The wicked government of AmeriKKKa, via its various state governments, made the corrupt calculation that by banning books and the teaching of Black history in the public education system, that they could prevent Black and white students from learning authentic U.S. history. This was deliberately done to imbue within Black students a false sense of inferiority and instill within white students a false sense of superiority. Assata Shakur informs us with the irrefutable idea that “the schools we go to are reflections of the society that created them. No one is going to give you the education you need to overthrow them. Nobody is going to teach you your true history, teach you your true heroes, if they know that that knowledge will help set you free.”
What the state governments, that banned the teaching of the rich and invaluable contributions made throughout U.S. history by our African ancestors, failed to realize is that Black culture has always been efficacious, in the context of oppression, with respect to proliferating Black history in the pedagogy of Black youth in spite of the attempts of white supremacy to repress the knowledge of this history.
As in the past and in contemporary Black culture, Black students in AmeriKKKa are learning Black history in Black churches, mosques, temples, and other socio-cultural settings. In addition, Black students in AmeriKKKa can access their history on the Internet, which is a powerful tool, that previous generations did not have at their disposal. Let us never forget the profound and poignant phraseology of Malcolm X who taught us that, “only a fool would let his enemy teach his children. Education is the passport for the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
The only students who are ignorant of authentic U.S. history are white students. This is to their detriment. However, to the oppressor and proponents of white supremacy, ignorance is bliss because it perpetuates the status quo. To the oppressed masses, ignorance is just plain and simple; IGNORANCE.
To disrupt the wicked capitalist system of AmeriKKKa that funds white supremacy via its infrastructure and the whitewashing of U.S. history through it institutions, Black people should divest all of our dollars that are currently in White Institutions (Banks, Businesses, Institutions of Higher Education, Medical Services, Legal Services, etc…) and invest all of our dollars in Black Institutions.
Since white AmeriKKKa has shown us that it does not give a fuck about us, let us show white AmeriKKKa that we don’t give a fuck about her by changing where we spend our dollars in the AmeriKKKan economy. It is time that we do for ourselves and stop waiting on whitey to do right by us. They will not.
We need to focus on building and supporting our own Black institutions. We have enough HBCU’s to provide quality education to our young people. We have enough Black Banks and Businesses to provide for our needs. And for those needs that currently are not addressed by existing Black institutions, we need our Black entrepreneurs to create new institutions that will address those needs. We have enough Black lawyers, doctors, nurses, and other professionals to address our holistic needs. Therefore, we should stop spending our dollars for services rendered by their white counterparts and instead spend our dollars for services rendered by Black professionals.
We must organize ourselves politically adhering to the philosophy of Black Nationalism before we can organize ourselves economically practicing the tenets of Black Nationalism with the knowledge that nobody can save us but us. The time to act is Now!
Ready For Revolutionary
All Power To The People!!!
Interview with Dr. Huey P. Newton, Co-Founder of The Black Panther Party
BRC Events
THE TIME IS NOW TO JOIN THE REVOLUTION!
May 1, 2025
Issue 2
May 1, 2025
Chicago, Illinois
National News
Daniel's Law Being Proposed Again in New York
By Autumn Swanson
Joe Prude, brother of Daniel Prude (right) and son Armin, stand with a picture of Daniel Prude in Rochester, New York on September 3rd 2020.
Rochester, NY
Daniel Prude was a 41 year old Black man who tragically lost his life after being held in a "three-pronged restraint" (1) by New York Police Officers in Rochester New York, 5 years ago, while experiencing a mental health crisis. During the restraint, Daniel Prude vomited and soon after lost consciousness. He died a week later in the hospital.
It took about half a year for his death to be known to the public via body camera footage of his arrest. The video stirred turmoil between officials and city hall which led to the resignations of the police department's "top brass. After two years of litigation, the city agreed to pay Prude's five children $12 million. The settlement stipulates that the city was not liable for Prude's death. Steven Schwarz was one of three lawyers representing Prude's children." (1)
Since his death, Prude's family and community have made efforts to protest, bring awareness, incite national movements, and most importantly, introduce Daniel's Law to New York.
Daniel's Law was introduced in 2021 by State Senator Samra Brouk with the approval of Daniel Prude's family. This bill will seemingly reduce police and law enforcement from being the default solution to responding to mental health crises. "Many municipalities already have civilian mobile units to deploy instead of police to mental health calls, such as the Person in Crisis team in Rochester and B-HEARD in New York City. Daniel’s Law would connect them to state funding and more uniform protocols." (2)
This bill was recently brought up and reintroduced during a City Hall meeting in March by Ruth Lowenkron, director of Disability Justice at NYLPI in March of 2025. Lowenkron stated "We are very excited, or certainly cautiously optimistic, about the push for Daniel’s Law that is coming very, very strongly from the chairs of the Mental Health Committee. We are seeing some movement that Daniel’s Law is definitely making and has made an appearance in both One-House budgets." (3)
The purpose of this bill is to "promote the public health, safety, and welfare of all citizens by broadly ensuring a public health-based response to anyone in New York experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. It will also offer and ensure the most appropriate response to, treatment of, and transport of individuals experiencing crisis due to mental health conditions or substance use, and de-escalate crisis situations so that as few New Yorkers as possible experience nonconsensual transport, use of force, or criminal consequences as a result of mental health or substance abuse crisis." (4)
Daniel's Law will undoubtedly let the community know that they should feel safe getting help regarding their mental health needs without their life being threatened and or at risk. This bill will help increase the knowledge and awareness surrounding how to assist someone getting proper mental health care.
New Yorkers facing a mental health breakdown and/or drug misuse crisis can benefit from a public health response that prioritizes consent-based care while minimizing the participation of law enforcement and the use of force against an individual.
"New York must fundamentally transform the role of policing in our state – and we must start by ending our reliance on police as first responders to people experiencing Mental Health crises. When our friends, neighbors, or community members are experiencing a mental health crisis, they deserve to be treated with compassion, care, and understanding – not police and the threat of incarceration." (5)
Sources
"Daniel Prude's family reaches a $12 million settlement with Rochester, N.Y.", by Fanelli, Gino, NPR, October 6, 2022 - https://www.npr.org/2022/10/06/1127308174/daniel-prude-s-family-reaches-a-12-million-settlement-with-rochester-n-y
"Five years since Daniel Prude’s death, namesake bill inches closer to law", by Lau, Tandy, Amsterdam News, April 10, 2025 - https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2025/04/10/daniel-prude-bill-inches-closer-to-law/
"NY Amsterdam News: NYLPI’s Ruth Lowenkron and NY State Senator Samra Brouk Push to Make Daniel’s Law A Reality", by Editors, NYLPI Justice Through Community Power, April 10, 2025 - https://www.nylpi.org/ny-amsterdam-news-nylpis-ruth-lowenkron-and-ny-state-senator-samra-brouk-push-to-make-daniels-law-a-reality/
"Senate Mental Health Chair Brouk, Assembly member Bronson Re-Introduce Transformational Bill Named for Daniel Prude", by Brouk, Samra, The New York State Senate, January 27, 2023 - https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/samra-g-brouk/senate-mental-health-chair-brouk-assemblymember-bronson
"Daniel’s Law: Police Are Not the Answer to Mental Health Crises", by Editors, Daniel's Law, January 16, 2024 - https://www.danielslawny.org/the-campaign
Inhumane Living Conditions Suffered By South Shore Residents
By Arinzechukwu Ture
Chicago, IL
South Shore residents, living in properties managed by CKO Real Estate, are seeking recompense from the aforementioned company they say has left them in inhumane living conditions. Residents say they feel neglected by the company since it ceased operations back in February.
Mr. Russell Carter said his bathroom ceiling collapsed in early February while CKO still managed his building. Mr. Carter further indicated that the collapse of his ceiling has left him unable to use his bathroom. This, and other needed repairs requested by tenants were not addressed by CKO. Also, tenants have complained about the necessity of roof repairs and issues with falling debris.
In order to take a shower, Mr. Carter says he had to stay in hotels and sometimes with other acquaintances. In addition, inhumane living conditions within his apartment have made it hard for him to take care of his disabled son.
In late February, CKO shut down its operations. As a result, tenants say they have seen a rapid deterioration of their living conditions.
"In a text message shared with The TRiiBE, CKO stated that the closure was a result of "internal corporate restructuring." (1,1) The company said it "permanently closed their property management offices as of the end of the business day on Wednesday, February 26, 2025." (1,2)
One of the residents at one of the properties located on 67th and Paxton Avenue stated that the electricity and the heat were shut off in February. Also, the resident said that as of early April, both remain shut off. This resident, who also resides in one of the CKO managed properties, lived in the building for 15 years. This resident further indicated “we have to use extension cords from the hallway to plug and then run an extension cord into our apartments to get lights.”
Ms. Diane Price, a resident at one of the CKO managed properties, said that a new management company, PIP Realty Group, left notices on tenant's doors on February 26, demanding rent without remediating the neglected repairs of which she says that she’s been waiting to be fixed. Both Price and Carter say they have refused to pay rent since February due to the inhumane living conditions.
Residents of several of the aforementioned properties have organized a Tenant Group to hold CKO Real Estate responsible for the conditions of its buildings. Organizers had a private meeting with the City of Chicago and a management company earlier this month.
"Tenants of the properties formerly managed by CKO are demanding the following:
Financial compensation from CKO investors to relocate to new units
That the new management company does not require back rent for the months they’ve been living in harsh conditions,
Reimbursement from CKO for when rent was paid and such conditions persisted,
A written agreement for the ability to break their leases early without financial penalty
A face-to-face meeting with the new management company to discuss concerns and their expectations of the new management company." (1,3)
Sources
“South Shore residents fight for humane living conditions after they say CKO Real Estate abandoned them” by Corli Jay, The Triibe, April 9, 2025 - https://thetriibe.com/2025/04/south-shore-residents-fight-for-humane-living-conditions-after-they-say-cko-real-estate-abandoned-them/
Black Business Association Hosts Conference Celebrating The Influence and Independence of Black Women In Industry
By Arinzechukwu Ture
Los Angeles, CA
The Black Business Association (BBA) hosted its 22nd Annual Conference that celebrated the influence and independence of Black women in industry, which is an esteemed affair dedicated to recognizing the influence, independence, and success of Black women in community service, government, and business.
The conference, held on March 29, assembled influential Black women and innovators from various industries to celebrate and empower Black women. The event was hosted by ABC 7 news anchor Michelle Fisher.
"This year’s theme, 'Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations', underscored the contributions of Black women in shaping industries, policies, and communities. The event featured a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, providing a platform for attendees to share insights and experiences." (1,1)
Among the stately Black women being honored and speakers included were Brigadier General Yvonne Cagle, MD, PhD, Ret., Hon. Heather Hutt, Delphine D. Pruitt and other notable Black women who have provided remarkable leadership through service. "The conference also highlighted the importance of mentorship, economic empowerment, and advocacy in advancing opportunities for Black women." (1,2)
In addition to the conference sessions, the conference featured "an exclusive marketplace showcasing over 40 Black women-owned businesses, providing vendors with an opportunity to display their products and services. This initiative aimed to support and uplift Black entrepreneurs while fostering economic growth within the community." (1,3)
The conference offered Workshops that covered topics such as business strategies, leadership development, and entrepreneurship, with industry experts providing actionable insights. In addition, panel discussions were held that addressed important issues affecting Black women, including career advancement, wealth-building strategies, and navigating corporate spaces.
The BBA remains dedicated to its mission of promoting economic growth and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and professionals.
The conference concluded with an awards ceremony that recognized outstanding contributions of Black women in the areas of community service, government, and business.
Sources
"BBA Hosts Salute to Black Women’s Conference, Celebrating Leadership and Resilience" by Khari Jones, Jr, Los Angeles Sentinel, April 2, 2025 - https://lasentinel.net/bba-hosts-salute-to-black-womens-conference-celebrating-leadership-and-resilience.html"
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms Running For Governor of Georgia in 2026
By Arinzechukwu Ture
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms
Atlanta, GA
"Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms announced her intention to run for governor of Georgia during an appearance at this year’s Leading Women Defined Summit." (1) Prior to her election of mayor, Lance-Bottoms served as a member of the Atlanta City Council where she represented part of Southwest Atlanta. She served as the mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, from 2018 to 2022. Lance-Bottoms did not run for a second term as mayor. During her first and only term as mayor, Lance-Bottoms faced critical issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the uprisings following George Floyd’s murder. According to Atlanta’s Open Checkbook, "among Mayor Bottoms’ notable accomplishments (while in office) include the establishment of the City’s first fully-staffed Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the appointments of a LGBTQ Affairs Coordinator and a Human Trafficking Fellow, the citywide elimination of cash bail bond, the closure of the Atlanta City Detention Center to ICE detainees, and the rollout of the most far-reaching financial transparency platform in the City’s history." Under Mayor Lance-Bottoms’ leadership, the city of Atlanta led the historically successful staging of Super Bowl LIII, which included unprecedented community benefits – a $2.4 million renovation of John F. Kennedy Park on Atlanta’s Westside, more than 20,000 trees planted throughout the community and the seamless coordination of 40 federal, state and local public safety agencies.
President Joe Biden nominated Keisha Lance-Bottoms as Vice Chair of Civic Engagement and Voter Protection at the DNC for the 2021–2025 term. In June 2022, Lance-Bottoms joined the Biden administration as Senior Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement where she served until February 2023. She formerly served as a member of President Biden's Export Council.
Georgia’s current governor, Brian Kemp will step down in 2026. Considering a front runner for the governor's race in Georgia has not yet been determined, the race is a wide-open race. Stacey Abrams could also enter the race after two failed attempts at defeating Kemp. U.S. Congresswoman Lucy McBath, who considered a run for governor of Georgia, has decided not to run as a result of her husband’s current cancer treatments.
In regards to the rationale for her candidacy related to the governor's race in Georgia, Keisha Lance-Bottoms stated, “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that there is a 'fierce urgency of now.' For the people of Georgia, that includes having leaders who aren’t blindly following Trump off of a moral and economic cliff but are focused on the pressing needs in our communities.”
Sources
“Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces Run for Governor of Georgia” by Shaw, A.R., Atlanta Daily World, April 8, 2025 — https://atlantadailyworld.com/2025/04/08/former-atlanta-mayor-keisha-lance-bottoms-announces-run-for-governor/
International News
African Liberation Day
AFRICA
May 25, 2025 is African Liberation Day (ALD). On this day, many African countries celebrate the hard-fought achievement of their freedom from European colonial powers. ALD is a permanent mass institution in the world-wide Pan-African movement.
The Racist Monroe Doctrine
SOUTH AMERICA
This year marks the 202th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine, celebrated in history books for extending U.S. influence throughout the hemisphere. But few Americans are aware of its lesser-known predecessor – “The Jefferson-Monroe Penal Doctrine” – which first proposed using slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for crime to establish a national penal colony. At a time of continued reckoning over slavery in the United States, it is also a fitting moment to consider the roots of prison expansion in empire.
Boycott Companies That Have Rolled Back Their Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Programs
By Arinzechukwu Ture
AMERICA
Only by Revolution through which we overthrow white supremacy and capitalism will we be liberated as a people. Revolution is not an event. Revolution is a process that requires the involvement of the masses of our people. As we work to elevate the revolutionary consciousness of the masses of our people for Revolution through Political Education, we have still got to eat and we have still got to live. The best way for us to move forward is unified, employing holistic programs of self-help and cooperative economics.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was initiated by the arrest of Rosa Parks on December 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger, violating the city's segregation laws that required Black people to sit at the back of the bus. It should also be noted that Black people could not be bus drivers in Montgomery, Alabama. Injustice perpetrated against Black people was the root cause of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
The boycott launched against companies in America (i.e. Target, Meta Platforms, Amazon, McDonalds, Walmart, Ford, Lowes, Harley-Davidson, Brown-Foreman, John Deere, Tractor Supply) today, who rolled back their DEI programs, results from injustice perpetrated against Black people.
What made the boycott of the Montgomery Bus System successful was that Black folk were unified in sacrifice because they recognized that there was STRENGTH IN UNITY. The Black citizenry of Montgomery refused to ride the buses in their city for 381 days until segregation on the buses was no longer the law in Montgomery. This represented a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement. This boycott called for major sacrifices of our people back then because many Black people caught the buses to and from work. The sacrifices they made were far greater than the sacrifice we are asking Black people to make today when we ask you to boycott companies that have rolled back their DEI programs. We are not asking you to stop shopping for products and services that you need. We are asking you to boycott the aforementioned companies who rolled back their DEI programs.
Movements today require unified sacrifice. There is STRENGTH IN UNITY. The sacrifice we are asking you to make today is really to our collective advantage as a people. We are asking you to give up the convenience of shopping at familiar White businesses who will no longer hire you for a job and BUY THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES YOU NEED AT A BLACK OWNED BUSINESS. If you are interested in searching for Black Owned Businesses from which to buy products and services, check out our website.
The purpose of our boycott today is for Black people to demonstrate the same solidarity to White Corporate America that the Black people in Montgomery demonstrated to the segregated city of Montgomery, Alabama back in the 1950’s. What we want to demonstrate to White Corporate America with our dollars is that WE ARE UNIFIED AND WILL NOT TOLERATE INJUSTICE PERPETRATED AGAINST OUR PEOPLE WITHOUT PUNISHING YOU ECONOMICALLY FOR IT BY SPENDING OUR DOLLARS ELSEWHERE.
Why would you ever want to spend your hard earned dollars somewhere you can’t even work?
Wake Up Black People!
Interview with Assata Shakur
Upcoming Events
BRC 10-Point Platform
Black Unity Rally (Chicago)
Hosted by Melody Angel / Black Revolutionary Collective
When: June 7, 2025
Time: 2:00pm
Where: Dan Ryan Woods Grove 9, West 87th Street, West of South Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL. 60620
The purpose of our organization is to unify all Black people of African descent with the intent to build Global Black Unity. We will focus on building Black institutions that will give us both political power and economic power.
We want an immediate end to systemic racism in America and abroad.
We want the immediate end to police brutality.
Black people must own the majority of the businesses and land in our communities.
All majority Black schools must be fully funded and controlled by the Black Community.
We demand equal pay and reparations to finally end the wage gap for all Black people.
We will unite the Black vote and cultivate leaders that will represent our National Black Legislative Agenda.
We demand the end to all unjust practices carried out by the Justice system in America and abroad.
We demand the full withdrawal of all colonizers from the continent of our Motherland Africa.
We demand the immediate end of all Black gangs across the globe for the betterment of our communities. We must stop the flood of guns and drugs into our communities.
We will defend ourselves and our communities against any person or group that wished to harm us.
April 1, 2025
NATIONAL NEWS
Columbia Savings & Loan Association: Empowering Black People To Own Their Homes
By Autumn Swanson
Milwaukee, WI
Columbia Savings & Loan Association is Wisconsin's oldest and only Black-owned home lending institution in Milwaukee. It was created in 1924 by Ardie and Wilbur Halyard. This savings & loan has been a staple in the Black community for almost 101 years. It has helped numerous Black people acquire home ownership when other lending institutions would not. The immense amount of redlining, segregation contracts, racial, and other discriminatory issues in the 1920's made it nearly impossible for Black people to own homes, which is what motivated the Halyard's to create a lending institution that would give Black people the opportunity to do so.
Both Ardie and Wilbur Halyard were born in the South. Before they moved to Milwaukee in 1923 to escape prejudice and discrimination during the great migration, they earned college degrees from universities in the South. Unfortunately, they quickly realized both (prejudice and discrimination) awaited them in the North. When the Halyard's moved to Wisconsin, they saw the need to build financial stability, proper living conditions, and most importantly trust within the Black community, since White loan sharks were constantly preying and taking advantage of Black people.
Ardie and Wilbur Halyard in 1925
The Halyard's saw numerous Black entrepreneurs managing and owning "grocery stores, restaurants, shoe repair stores, barber shops, beauty parlors, and funeral homes on Walnut Street." (1) Despite there being so many successful Black-owned businesses in the neighborhood, many Black people did not own their own homes because they could not afford to make a substantial down payment on a home.
Ardie and Wilbur Halyard were on a mission to give Black people access to owning their own homes and property. "In September 1924, the Columbia Savings & Loan Association was created with just a 10-dollar bill." (1,2)
Throughout the years, Columbia Savings & Loan Association has been an important entity within the community. It has been essential in uplifting Milwaukee's Black community in the inner city. The Columbia Savings & Loan championed minority apprenticeships in banking and business. It played a significant role in the area's growth, "including the construction of the first five residences in 1976 in what is now the Halyard Park neighborhood." (1,3)
Halyard's Park was developed to offer Black people a neighborhood with serenity and convenience in a rapidly growing and thriving Black community. According to HYFIN Connecting The Culture, "This strategy ensured a remarkably low turnover rate, with homes appreciating while other Milwaukee neighborhoods faced a decline. The area’s development reflects the broader socio-economic challenges and achievements of Milwaukee, from confronting redlining and freeway construction to fostering a cohesive community." (3,4)
"Mr. George Gary, former CEO and President of Columbia Savings & Loan Association, has helped families own homes even outside the Milwaukee metropolitan area. He is very proud of helping Black folks get loans for neighborhood churches and developing Haylard Park, located in the inner city." (5)
Columbia Savings & Loan Association is still committed to serving the community, providing generational empowerment, and economic growth to minorities/families in Milwaukee who are looking to become homeowners.
"In October 2022, Ernest Jones became Chair/President & CEO", (6) introducing an influx of new leadership into Columbia Savings & Loan Association. While adopting modernized ventures to be receptive to the changing demands of the Milwaukee area, Jones and five other board members, serve as stewards of the institution's legacy, ensuring that developments are consistent with the original morals and ethics that established Columbia as a beacon of positive change for Black families and residents in Milwaukee.
Ernest Jones (far right), L. Wesley McKenzie III, Senior Vice President, Ed Murphy, retired State Government Official (purple tie), Rev. Dr. Mose Fuller, Pastor (red vest), Steve Moore, FinTech Leader (not pictured), and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson (not a Board member).
“Columbia Savings & Loan Wisconsin’s First Black-Owned Bank", by Larry Widen, Shepherd Express, September 6, 2023 - Link
"Ardie Clark Halyard", by The Editors, Wisconsin Women Making History - Link
"100 years strong: the legacy of Wisconsin’s first Black-owned bank, Columbia Savings & Loan", by Tarik Moody, Hyfin Connecting the Culture, February 6, 2024 - Link
"Wisconsin’s Only Black-Owned Bank Moves Into New Century", by Meredith Melland, Milwaukee Courier, March 15, 2025 - Link
"The past, present, and future of Columbia Savings and Loan", by Andrea Williams, WTMJ-TV Milwaukee, July 29, 2022 - Link
"About Us", Columbia Savings & Loan Association - Link
Progress for Maryland’s Second Look Act
By Arinzechukwu Ture
Maryland General Assembly House delegates convene for their third and final session of crossover day on March 17. The bills that did not pass from one chamber to the next by the end of the day will most likely not get passed during this legislative session. Credit: AFRO Photo/Tashi McQueen
Annapolis, MD
Maryland legislators debated, voted and passed bill after bill during crossover day, the final day for bills to pass from their original chamber to the opposite one. (1,1)
Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus' Second Look Act was one of the most important items on the legislative agenda and was passed by the state legislature. The Maryland Second Look Act (SB 291/HB 853) would allow individuals serving at least 20 years of a sentence to petition a court for a reduction, focusing on demonstrated rehabilitation and low risk to public safety, with the court considering factors like age at the time of the offense, rehabilitation efforts, and victim statements.
“This bill gives people the opportunity to make a petition to get a second look at their case,” said Del. Marlon Amprey (D-Md.-40), one of the bill sponsors, during a session on March 17. The bill would allow for an individual to file a motion to reduce the time of their sentence under specific sets of conditions. These conditions include the following: 1) whether the person was convicted of an offense when they were at least 18 but no older than 25; 2) whether the person was not sentenced to life without the possibility of parole; and 3) whether the person is not a sex offender. Del. Amprey further stated that, "people who get a second chance do more than just give back to their own family, they often make it their life’s work to improve the communities in which they live.” (1.2)
The Second Look Act was met with much pushback from House Republicans who proposed amendments to the bill that failed. This House Bill (853) has been assigned to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and is awaiting a hearing.
"Other notable bills that passed include Senate Bill 357, which aims to improve prescription drug affordability, and Senate Bill 342, which would protect minorities from voter dilution tactics within Maryland’s counties and municipalities." (1,3)
“Crossover Day marks progress for Maryland’s Second Look Act” by Tasha McQueen, The Baltimore Afro-American, March 20, 2025 - Link
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Fired LAFD Chief
By Arinzechukwu Ture
L.A. African-American Firefighters Association President Robert Hawkins speaks with the media
Los Angeles, CA
"On Feb. 21, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass relieved Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) chief Kristin Crowley of her duties in the wake of fallout over how recent deadly firestorms in the city were handled. Bass announced she appointed former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva, a 41-year LAFD veteran as Interim Fire Chief." (1,1)
In a press release, Mayor Bass stated “Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief.” She went on to state "We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch. The heroism of our firefighters – during the Palisades fire and every single day – is without question. Bringing new leadership to the fire department is what our city needs."
Robert Hawkins, who is the President of the city’s African-American Firefighters Association, stated “On October 24, I met with Fire Chief Kristin Crowley about removing recruitment officers and its impact on Black firefighter representation. She told me that she was refusing to maintain staffing and had planned to cut fire engines over a $17 million deficit, and she asked the stakeholders if we can contact our retirees to fill temporary recruitment roles, stating to us that sometimes you need to ‘let bad things happen' to get the attention of the city council for our budget.” (1,2)
In a meeting on December 2, 2024 with the deputy mayor, Brian Williams, Hawkins shared the aforementioned information. During this meeting, he expressed consequential apprehension concerning Fire Chief Crowley's leadership of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Hawkins further indicated that he did not believe that the Fire Chief was managing the department appropriately. He encouraged Williams to warn the mayor of Hawkins' belief that in the case of a significant catastrophe or any type of extensive demolition that Crawley would fail to protect the city and ultimately throw the mayor under the bus.
During her tenure as Fire Chief of the LAFD, Crowley had often voiced her concern regarding the underfunding of the LAFD. After her firing, Crowley released a statement which said “As the Fire Chief, I based my actions and decisions on taking care of our firefighters so that they could take care of our communities. Serving others before self, having the courage and integrity to do what is right, and leading with compassion, love and respect have guided me throughout my career. I am extremely proud of the work, sacrifice and dedication of our LAFD members, both sworn and civilian.” (1,3)
Kristin Crowley appealed her dismissal on Feb. 27. She continues to serve within the LAFD.
"Fired LAFD chief allegedly understaffed department before fires" by Edward Henderson, Los Angeles Standard Newspaper, March 12, 2025 - Link
The Legacy of a Humanitarian; Looking Back at Sylvester Turner’s Achievements
By Ben Musa
Houston, TX
Recently elected U.S. Congressman and former Houston Mayor, Sylvester Turner passed away on Wednesday morning, March 5th, 2025 due to “enduring health complications,” his family stated. Turner had privately survived bone cancer in 2022 and stated last summer that he was cancer free. (1)
Before his election as mayor, Turner served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1989 to 2016. Turner served as Houston’s 62nd mayor from 2016 to 2024, guiding the city through numerous challenges and implementing significant reforms that have left a lasting impact. His tenure as mayor marked a commitment to advocating for the homeless, providing youth with job training/work experience, and stabilizing the city’s pension programs.
As mayor, Turner secured financial support ($1.1 billion housing bond) for affordable housing projects, ensuring more residents could access reasonably priced living options. His administration’s efforts moved over 25,000 people into homes, reducing homelessness by 64%. With city administration and community support, Houston based New Hope Housing created 1,289 affordable apartment homes, serving at risk individuals, families, and seniors with Housing and Services. The apartment homes have the capacity to ensure that 3,257 Houstonians sleep peacefully each night. (2,3)
In his first term as Houston’s mayor, Turner created the “Hire Houston Youth” program. It provided paid local jobs and internships for an eight-week period. Positions available were in the City of Houston’s public, private, and philanthropic sectors. Over the years the program has expanded to providing over 20,000 jobs to young adults. This initiative not only offered employment opportunities, but also helped cultivate a skilled future workforce for Houston. Local resident Moreno explained, “This is a stepping stone, especially for those marginalized communities that don't have that social capital." With on-the job training, Luis was able to establish a career in city hall. (2,4,5)
Houston’s pension crisis was an issue that couldn’t be resolved for nearly 2 decades. Turner’s efforts to help pass necessary state legislation helped reduce the city’s liabilities by billions of dollars. His administration’s hard work stabilized Houston’s financial future and ensured the sustainability of retirement benefits for city employees. (2,6)
Turner exuded a lifelong goal to help those who had no voice.
“When you find somebody that compassionate that looks for the welfare of others before even looking for themselves, you can’t help but be thankful to God that he sent us somebody like that,” said Ruby Bennett, a lifelong Houston Acres Homes resident. (8)
Turner’s friend for over a decade, Cindy Clifford said, “He showed up to people’s small gatherings, he showed up to big important gatherings. He showed up to serve food. He showed up to almost everything…” (8)
And what better way to leave such a legacy, a human who cared about other humans.
“Residents, elected officials honor former mayor, U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner at Houston City Hall” by Abby Church, The Houston Chronicle, March 11, 2025 — Link
“Mayor Sylvester Turner represented for H-town, the ‘Foh-Foh” by Aswad Walker, The Houston Defender, TX, March 8, 2025) — Link
“A Tribute to Mayor Sylvester Turner“, newhopehousing.com, March 13, 2025 — Link
“Mayor Sylvester Turner's Signature Youth Employment Program, Hire Houston Youth, Opens Application Portal”, The Neighborhood News, Houston, TX, January 25 2023 — Link
“Program helping Houston students find summer work has scaled back under new administration”, by Nick Natario , ABC 13 News, Houston, TX, June 6, 2024 — Link
“Positive reviews building for Houston pension reforms”, by Defender News Services, Houston, TX, December 19, 2016 — Link
“Sylvester Turner eulogized as a man of faith, family and public service to Houston”, by Paul Cobler with the Houston Landing, published in The Texas Tribune, March 15, 2025 — Link
“A kind, respectful gentleman who happened to be mayor’: Houstonians remember Sylvester Turner”, by Hanna Holthaus, Houston Landing, March 11, 2025 — Link
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Malcom X and Kwame Nkrumah; Two Pan-African Icons
AFRICA
February 21, 2025 was the 60th commemoration of the assassination of Malcolm X in Harlem, New York. February 24, 2025 was the 59th commemoration of the CIA assisted coup that overthrew Kwame Nkrumah’s democratically elected government in Ghana. The time line of the downfall of these Pan-African icons was not coincidental although the historical relationship between these two men is largely unknown.
Brazil Condemned For Racism
BRAZIL
African Not American
by Arinzechukwu Ture
The case under trial was the complaint of two black women who suffered discrimination during the selection process for a job vacancy at the Nipomed company which is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Although I was born in America, I am certainly not an American because America defined my African ancestors as three-fifths of a human being in their original Constitution. Also, it has been our experience as an African people of the Diaspora living in America that the freedom, justice, and equality promised to its citizens in the U.S. Constitution was never intended for us; but for Whites Only.
Those of us who live in the Divided States of AmeriKKKa are oppressed because we are Africans in AmeriKKKa. If we were truly Americans, there would have been no need for an Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th, 14th, or 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. If we were truly Americans, there would have been no need for any Civil Rights Legislation. If we were truly Americans, we would currently experience freedom, justice, and equality just as the so-called best in this society experiences these things without shedding our blood for them. We are Not Americans. We are Africans in AmeriKKKa. Malcom X was correct when he stated “just because a cat has kittens in the oven, that doesn't make them biscuits.”
As per the 2019 data that captured the wealth distribution in the Divided States of AmeriKKKa, an intelligent analysis reveals that Capitalism is deliberately structured to distribute the wealth as follows: the top 10% own 76% of the wealth in AmeriKKKa; the middle 40% own 22% of the wealth in AmeriKKKa; the bottom 50% own 1% of the wealth in AmeriKKKa. There is no such thing as a race neutral Capitalism in the Divided States. White Supremacy structures the Capitalism in the Divided States. The masses of Africans in AmeriKKKa are located in the bottom 50%. They share 1% of the wealth in AmeriKKKa with other poor people. Capitalism is the causative factor of the grotesque income inequality that exists in AmeriKKKa. Therefore, I reject Capitalism because it is an evil economic system that exploits workers for their labor and rips off consumers by gouging the prices they pay for goods/services. In addition, Capitalism engenders both racism and sexism. Socialism is a superior economic system that eradicates the inequities of Capitalism.
Our strength as a people is in our Unity. Brotha Malcom X was correct when he stated, “If we bring up religion, we'll have differences, we'll have arguments, and we'll never be able to get together. But if we keep our religion at home, keep our religion in the closet, keep our religion between ourselves and our God, but when we come out here we have a fight that's common to all of us against an enemy who is common to all of us.” Brotha and Sistah, that enemy is White Supremacy and Capitalism.
My domestic philosophy is Black Nationalism. At the root of Black Nationalism is the idea that Black People should control the social-cultural institutions in their community, the economy of their community, the politics and politicians in their community.
My international philosophy is Pan-Africanism. The goal of Pan-Africanism is to unify the masses of Africans on the continent and the Africans of the Diaspora with the goal of bringing into existence the total liberation of the African continent and Black People globally.
I’m a member of the Black Revolutionary Collective. The purpose of our organization is to unify all Black People of African descent with the intent to build Global Black Unity. Our focus is on building Black institutions that will give us both political and economic power. Also, we will be creating holistic programs of self-help to address the needs of the Black Community.
Check out our website. If you want to be active in the global struggle for Black Liberation within a global organization, we invite you to join us.
Interview with Kwame Ture
BRC 10-Point Platform
The purpose of our organization is to unify all Black people of African descent with the intent to build Global Black Unity. We will focus on building Black institutions that will give us both political power and economic power.
We want an immediate end to systemic racism in America and abroad.
We want the immediate end to police brutality.
Black people must own the majority of the businesses and land in our communities.
All majority Black schools must be fully funded and controlled by the Black Community.
We demand equal pay and reparations to finally end the wage gap for all Black people.
We will unite the Black vote and cultivate leaders that will represent our National Black Legislative Agenda.
We demand the end to all unjust practices carried out by the Justice system in America and abroad.
We demand the full withdrawal of all colonizers from the continent of our Motherland Africa.
We demand the immediate end of all Black gangs across the globe for the betterment of our communities. We must stop the flood of guns and drugs into our communities.
We will defend ourselves and our communities against any person or group that wished to harm us.