Month: April 2021
New details have emerged in the officer-involved shooting death of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant. According to new reports, Bryant called the police on a group of girls who had come to her foster home to fight her. Bryant’s mother, Paula Bryant, told reporters that her daughter was, in fact, the victim. The officer to arrive at the scene saw Bryant wielding a knife and lunging at one of her alleged attackers. On the newly-released video, the officer can be seen approaching Bryant and shooting her multiple times as the officer continues to stand pointing his gun at Bryant. Paula Bryant described her daughter as an honor roll student who was extremely loving and sweet. “This never should have happened, she’s a loving girl,” the mother said. “I’m very upset. I’m hurt. I want answers. My daughter dispatched the Columbus Police for protection, not to be a homicide today.” After the release of the new video showing the other responding officer’s view, the question has been posed as to why the officer used the gun and not a taser. The shooting death of Bryant is another in a long line of police-involved shootings among people of color. People want to know, was there another way to subdue the teen without killing her? Was deadly force necessary?
Former President Donald Trump has awarded Waka Flocka Flame with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his works in the community. The award recognized the Atlanta native for his humanitarianism and philanthropy as a volunteer for the Chicago non-profit “Daughter of Destiny.” Flocka’s work with the program includes helping women by providing employment, food, housing, community, and inner healing. His mentor and pastor, Apostle Dr. Bridget Outlaw, presented him with his official certificate and medal before Flocka said a few words. “I just wanna thank President Trump for recognizing me,” he says in the short clip. The Trump Administration approved the Lifetime Achievement Award back in January, but Flocka did not officially receive it until Friday.
After more than 10 hours of deliberation, the jury deciding the fate of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer accused in the death of George Floyd, has reached a verdict: GUILTY on all three counts. And the world breathed a collective sigh of relief. The 12 jurors were of diverse backgrounds – six white, four Black and two multiracial. They unanimously agreed with what the world had seen on video; Chauvin killed Floyd in cold-blooded murder in broad daylight, boldly knowing that several video cameras were filming his every move. On May 25, 2020, George Perry Floyd Jr., who was African American, allegedly passed a counterfeit $20 bill to a clerk at a Minneapolis convenience store. The clerk called police and Chauvin was one of four police officers who arrived to the scene. Several surveillance cameras showed Floyd putting up some resistance in the beginning, but when Chauvin and the other police officers placed him on the street pavement, he did not fight back. Chauvin then knelt on Floyd’s neck – while the other officers straddled his back for 9 minutes and 29 seconds – as Floyd gasped for air. Floyd begged for the officers to stop, telling them repeatedly he could not breathe, but Chauvin, who is white, refused to take his knee off of Floyd’s neck as a crowd of onlookers gathered. The crowd begged the officers to take pity on Floyd, who began calling out for his deceased mother to help him. Floyd took his last breath in front of the onlookers, who were filming the entire incident, and still, Chauvin refused to get up. He calmly remained on Floyd’s neck – seemingly without a care in the world. After Floyd’s death, protests against police brutality, especially towards Black people, quickly spread across the United States and internationally. The case hit very close to home for Houstonians. Floyd grew up in Houston and attended Jack Yates High School, playing football and basketball throughout high school and college. He was a hip hop artist and served as a mentor in his religious community. Between 1997 and 2005, he had a few run-ins with the law, and in 2014, he moved to the Minneapolis area, residing in the nearby suburb of St. Louis Park, and worked as a truck driver and bouncer. In 2020, he lost his job as a truck driver, and then his security job during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Minneapolis settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Floyd’s family for $27 million. Chauvin, 45, was charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. His trial began on March 8 and the verdict was delivered Tuesday, April 20. The sentencing phase will begin next. The trial of the other three officers also charged in Floyd’s death is scheduled for August 2021.
The family of Daunte Wright held a press conference Thursday to address the community after days of protests in Minnesota. Wright’s mother, Katie Wright, shared her frustrations with the justice system after being asked how she felt about the recent arrest of the officer who shot and killed her son. “We’re still never going to be able to see our baby boy that we’re never going to have again,” she said. “So when people say justice, I just shake my head,” she said. She described her son as a loving father with a huge smile. “Would justice bring our son home to us, knocking on the door with his big smile coming in the house, sitting down eating dinner with us, going out to lunch, playing with his one-year-old – almost-two-year-old son – giving them a kiss before he walks out the door?” she asked. The grieving mother described how her son called her during the traffic stop. It was the last time she heard his voice. Katie Wright said Daunte called her immediately after being pulled over. She said she could hear officers ask him to get out of the car. She then heard a scuffle and the phone went silent. A female passenger who was in the car returned the call and confirmed that Wright had been shot. Veteran police officer Kim Potter pulled the trigger, claiming she mistook her handgun for a Taser. Potter has since resigned and has been charged with 2nd-degree manslaughter. The shooting death comes on the heels of the Derek Chauvin trial, which is currently taking place in Minnesota. Chauvin is the former officer who was charged with the highly publicized murder of George Floyd. With racial tensions on high alert, protesters returned to the streets for the fourth day. Thankfully, Wright’s family has been vocal about the community not using force or looting businesses. Chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, Col. Matt Langer, spoke to the crowds about the decline in violence and looting. “We are thankful tonight; the tension and anxiety and the stress seemed to be lowered,” Langer said, adding that about 24 arrests were made, which was significantly lower than the previous nights. Wright’s funeral will be held April 22 at 12 p.m. CT at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy.
KTSU 90.9FM is proudly leading 14 other HBCU licensed public radio stations in a joint fight to knock out coronavirus in our communities. The legendary radio station, which is located on the campus of Texas Southern University, is one of the HBCU recipients of a $150,000 grant funded by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to help lead awareness campaigns for underserved communities hit hardest by the pandemic. The “Save A Life” campaign will be under the leadership of KTSU General Manager Ernest Walker. “The African-American community has been struck significantly since the inception of COVID-19, particularly in the areas of access to COVID-19 vaccinations and in the effects the disease has had on families’ mental health,” Walker said. “KTSU is pleased to lead alongside other HBCU public radio stations to provide educational and life-saving information in order to help fight and beat the pandemic on our campuses and in other vulnerable populations.” These HBCU stations will produce, broadcast and distribute informative content on-air, online, and on social media. The informative programs will include local health officials and community leaders from each city and state to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to motivate and engage minority communities to continue to mask up, social distance, get tested, receive the vaccine, and support mental health. Station participation will include: ● Alabama: WJAB, Normal; WVAS. Montgomery ● Georgia: WCLK, Atlanta ● Mississippi: WJSU, Jackson; WURC, Holly Springs; WPRL, Lorman ● Missouri: KJLU, Jefferson City ● North Carolina: WNCU, Durham; WRVS, Elizabeth City; WSNC, Winston-Salem ● Ohio: WCSU, Wilberforce ● Texas: KTSU, Houston; KPVU, Prairie View ● South Carolina: WSSB, Orangeburg ● Virginia: WNSB, Norfolk KTSU is one of the HBCU recipients of a $150,000 grant funded by The Corporation for Public For more information about KTSU 90.9Fm, visit www.ktsuradio.com. For more information about The Vibe, visit www.vibehouston.com.
Friends, family an fans are mourning the loss of Houston artist “JaeRene,” who was tragically killed in a wrong way crash involving an alleged drunk driver, according to the Harris County Pct. 5 Constables Office. “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the tragic passing of our vibrant Jaelyn “JaeRene” Chapman. We will always remember Jae’s smile, love for her music, talents, community involvement, bubbly personality, and huge heart. During this time, we ask that you keep her family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers,” her family released in a statement. The 19-year-old singer was traveling with others on the Westpark Tollway near Dunvale just after 2 a.m. Wednesday when the accident occurred. CJaeRene did not survive, and three others in the vehicle remain in critical condition. The wrong-way driver was injured, but is expected to survive. He will be charged with intoxication manslaughter, authorities said. Born and raised in the city that birthed a unique sound, diverse culture, and many national talents, JaeRene was the epitome of Houston. The self-proclaimed Houston R&B Princess made her mark on the music scene in a major way. She was no stranger to the stage as she won a plethora of local and national beauty pageants since the age of 4. Her personality, talent, and tenacity led her to perform at festivals, sporting events, concerts and social events. Her diverse sound was featured on one of Houston’s most requested songs, “H-Town For Real (Remix),” which featured artists including Kiotti, Paul Wall, Lil Flip, Trilly Polk, ZRo, and others. In addition to singing, JaeRene also wrote her own music, which was often inspired by life situations. She was formerly a host of Kidz Jams on 95.3 Jamz where she encouraged teens to live out their dreams. She loved the community, and often hosted “Baddie Bootcamps” where she promoted positive self-esteem, body images, and confidence to young girls of the ages of 5-18. RIP Princess. You will be truly missed. The family has a GoFund me page to help assist with her final arrangements. Our deepest condolences to the family.
Texas Southern University alumna Dr. Shelly McKinley is celebrating the release of her new book “From Wed to Widow” with a book signing in the Third Ward / Museum District on Sunday. She is proud to be hosting the event near her alma mater, Texas Southern University. McKinley was once a struggling student on the campus of TSU. After failing yet another assignment in Organic Chemistry, she decided to ask the smartest guy in class, Marvin McKinley, to tutor her. That turned out to be the start of something special. After graduation, the two went out on a date, which led to a 20-year marriage and two handsome sons. Sadly, things took a tragic turn when her husband died. Even though she was overcome with grief, Dr. McKinley decided to turn her pain into purpose and help others like her, who were dealing with the loss of a loved one. “I had a choice between staying in my sadness or moving into peace. I chose peace,” McKinley said. She wrote “From Wed to Widow” because she understands firsthand the difficulty of processing and living through grief. Through her book, she provides guidance to her fellow widows and reminds them of God’s word. “From Wed to Widow: A Guide to Self-Care, Self-Love, and Self-Discovery” is now available for purchase on Amazon and at various bookstores, including Barnes and Noble. The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 11, at Unwine Wine Bar located at 4420 Almeda.
DMX, the rapper who is known as much for his raw and gritty lyrics as much as his controversial life, has died. He was 50 years old. The family released a statement that read, in part: “We are deeply saddened to announce today that our loved one, DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, passed away at 50-years-old at White Plains Hospital with his family by his side after being placed on life support for the past few days.” The statement went on to say,”Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him.” DMX was rushed to the hospital last week after suffering a heart attack at his home in New York, his longtime attorney, Murray Richman, said. Artists, athletes and other celebrities paid tribute to him on social media Friday. DMX (Dark Man X) began rapping in the early 1990s and released his debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” in 1998. When DMX burst onto the scene, for many, he filled the void in hip hop left after the deaths of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. He was known for his growling, snarling voice mixed with hardcore lyrics, which is a relection of his troubled upbringing. His single, “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” helped to put him on the map and “What’s My Name,” was another smash success. In fact, nearly every DMX track was a hit. In 2019, DMX canceled a planned concert tour to seek treatment for addiction, saying at the time that he was “putting family and sobriety first.” That same year he talked to GQ about his struggles. “I just need to have a purpose,” he said. “And I don’t even know that purpose, because God has given me that purpose since before I was in the womb, so I’m going to fulfill that purpose … whether I want to or not, whether I know it or not, because the story has already been written. If you appreciate the good, then you have to accept the bad.” We were all waiting for a comeback after DMX appeared in a Verzuz battle with fellow artist Snoop Dogg last year. Now, sadly, it’s time to say goodbye. RIP King. May you rest in eternal peace.
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