Entertainment
#CHIRAQ: More Than Just a Nickname, a Shameful and Tragic Reality for Many
A new movie, second term for mayor and summer approaching has all eyes on Chicago’s politicians, police, people, and body count
by Ashahed M. Muhammad
Special to the NNPA from The Final Call
Filmmaker Spike Lee speaks at a press conference in Chicago after he came under fire for the working title of his next project is “Chiraq.”Photo: Haroon Rajaee
|
CHICAGO (FinalCall.com) – On Monday, May 18, Rahm Emanuel stood on stage at The Chicago Theatre, a landmark located on State Street in the famed Loop, to take the oath of office beginning his second term as mayor.
To all the pomp and circumstance—and with a heavy police presence throughout the entire area—the city’s political elite gathered in the city’s business center, to hear Mayor Emanuel’s vision for the future. In striking contrast to that scene, during the previous weekend 49 people were shot in Chicago. The vast majority of them in what are considered high-crime areas on the city’s South and West sides.
“Building a future requires us to focus on a difficult subject that is too often ignored during our civic conversation. It is ignored precisely because it is so hard to talk about,” said Mayor Emanuel seeming to have been stung by criticism during the most recent election painting him as a snobbish mayor responsive only to the rich and powerful with business interests in the city. In fact, his vanquished opponent, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia described Emanuel as the mayor of “the big money guys” which struck a nerve with many voters.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
|
“I want to use this moment to shine a spotlight on preventing another lost generation of our city’s youth,” Mayor Emanuel said. “We all know who they are, although it is easier sometimes and more convenient to ignore them. Many are born into poverty, many come from broken homes, many have been on their own from very early on, and as a result, many of them drop out of school and therefore are jobless.”
He said many of these disconnected youth “lack the spark of hope” in their eyes and find lack of opportunity at every turn.
“The faces of these lost and unconnected young men and women are often invisible until we see them in a mugshot as a victim or the perpetrator of senseless violence. Their existence is avoided rather than confronted. They live in the shadows of our cities and in the recesses of our minds, but we must make them ever-present in our conversation. Too many of them become the victims of their circumstance,” Mayor Emanuel said.
Nice sounding words, but many are asking what he is planning to really do to change those circumstances. Can the mayor responsible for the closure of dozens of public schools—mainly in neighborhoods populated by Blacks and Latinos—really be responsive to the needs of the youth in areas where their support group is a street organization, and where praise from parents and teachers is almost non-existent?
Many mothers who have lost their children to gunfire in Chicago joined Spike Lee and Father Michael Pfleger of the Faith Community of Saint Sabina to discuss the issues facing Black youth. Photos: Haroon Rajaee
|
Over the past few years, many have begun to refer to the city of Chicago as “Chiraq” comparing it to the war torn nation in the Persian Gulf. Hip-Hop albums and documentaries dealing with crime in the city have used it in titles, and for many of the youth, it has become something of a badge of honor to describe the strength it takes to survive in areas that resemble war zones.
Many believe “Chiraq” is a shamefully dishonorable designation with only negative associations and impact. Chicago Alderman Will Burns has even attempted to block tax breaks for acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee’s company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, because an upcoming film he is shooting in Chicago has “Chiraq” as its working title.
Eric Wilkins is president of the Broken Winggz Foundation, an anti-violence support group for those who have been paralyzed by gunshots. Mr. Wilkins said there is the Chicago represented by the lights and tall buildings of downtown, then there is the Chicago made up of infamous areas with names like “Terror Town” and the “Wild Hundreds” that make up “Chiraq.”
“That’s exactly what it is. It is out here and ain’t no use in trying to get around it, you can sugarcoat it all you want to. You got kids that can’t cross the street! It’s saddens me that this is what we’ve become but it didn’t happen overnight,” said Mr. Wilkins. “You got these kids that get guns like you get Jimmy John’s (sandwiches), so if you never leave a four block radius and you never run out of bullets—what’s the real plan? And that’s the part they don’t want told,” Mr. Wilkins added.
Militarization & targeted surveillance
Anti-police brutality activists are of the opinion that the Chicago Police Department is one of the most highly militarized departments in the country.
|
Illinois is one of the states, according to the Department of Defense, to have received several Mine Resistant Ambush Protected armored vehicles (MRAPs). Additionally, The American Civil Liberties Union has identified 52 agencies in 21 states—of which Illinois is one—that own stingray tracking devices. Stingrays are also known as “cell site simulators.” The ACLU reports they “are invasive cell phone surveillance devices that mimic cell phone towers and send out signals to trick cell phones in the area into transmitting their locations and identifying information. When used to track a suspect’s cell phone, they also gather information about the phones of countless bystanders who happen to be nearby.”
It is believed this technology has been used in an overly broad manner in cities that have seen large protests, such as Ferguson, Missouri, Baltimore, Maryland, and New York, to keep track of protest organizers, eavesdrop on their plans and conduct warrantless surveillance on those using cell phones for voice or text communication in the targeted area. According to court records it was noted by the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation that stingray devices can also cause dropped cell phone calls, and disrupt other mobile devices that use the same cell network. The EFF called use of the technology tool an “unconstitutional, all you can eat data buffet.”
Black sites & torture—in Chicago
After September 11, 2001, the United States government stripped civil liberties, changed laws and created others with the publicly stated goal of preventing another deadly terrorist attack. During the administration of George W. Bush, he and his powerfully influential vice-president Dick Cheney used the euphemism “enhanced interrogation techniques” to describe what most would refer to as torture.
Police don body armor as authorities negotiate with two men who are barricaded in a home and holding a woman and five children hostage in Harvey, Ill., Aug. 19, 2014, south of Chicago. Officials say two Harvey police officers were wounded by gunfire Tuesday afternoon in the incident after responding to a call about a burglary. ‘You got these kids that get guns like you get Jimmy John’s (sandwiches), so if you never leave a four block radius and you never run out of bullets—what’s the real plan? And that’s the part they don’t want told.’ |
These techniques were used at many “Black sites” which are secret prisons located in various spots across the globe. Those determined to have knowledge of logistical information regarding the whereabouts of “high value targets” or potential terrorist operations became victims of “extraordinary rendition”—essentially kidnapping—and would be taken to these black sites and subjected to torture, in violation of international laws. A classified 2001 presidential directive granted these wide-ranging powers to the Central Intelligence Agency to detain individuals and take them to undisclosed locations.
If that is objectionable, then what about the recent revelation that the Chicago Police Department operated what activists say effectively could be considered a black site at a location known as Homan Square? After all, it is widely known that members of the Chicago Police Department have used “enhanced interrogation techniques” in the past. A $5.5 million reparations package, was approved unanimously by the Chicago City Council delivering a measure of justice for the approximately 120 Black men and women subjected to torture, which included electric shock to the genitals, mock executions, suffocation, and brutal beatings directed by the notorious former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge and carried out by his henchmen from 1972 through 1991.
Forced confessions resulted in many young Black men in Chicago being implicated in crimes and sent to the penitentiary for crimes they did not commit. In the same manner, the argument rages as to whether torture of suspected terrorists yields “actionable intelligence” or simply results in an individual saying what his captors would like to hear in order to end the physical pain and mental anguish.
In many homicides in the city, the suspects are overwhelmingly Black, the victims are overwhelmingly Black, and their deaths are seen in areas considered fratricidal conflict zones, another uncanny similarity to the sectarian violence seen overseas.
What’s in a name? Economics
Many reacted in disbelief when the Chicago Urban League reported in 2014 that 92 percent of Black males between the ages of 16 and 19 were jobless. So far, in the first few months of 2015, homicides are up from the same period the previous year, and now, as summer approaches, many fear the worse. It is almost considered an irreversible reality that Memorial Day weekend—the unofficial start of summer—would result in widespread shootings and war-zone like casualty numbers.
Eric Wilkins is president of the Broken Winggz Foundation, an anti-violence support group for those who have been paralyzed by gunshots
|
The predictions came true. Over the holiday weekend, 12 were shot and killed while at least 56 others were wounded. Many of them teens, the youngest victim, a 4 year-old girl.
It is into that atmosphere that acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee faces criticism related to his upcoming project with the working title: “Chiraq.” Mr. Lee faced so much criticism he was forced to hold a May 13 press conference to address concerns of community members and politicians that his film would paint an unflattering view of Chicago, focusing only on crime.
Interestingly, from April 30 to May 2, Chicago’s Grant Park was transformed into “Draft Town.” National Football League executives, players and football fans traveled here to participate in several days of festivities in the middle of downtown. Police were visible, but not overbearing, and the event was fun for all ages. In terms of economic impact, financial analysts estimate the three days of activities brought in over $200 million.
“This has nothing to do with Chicago losing tourism. This is not about Chicago losing business,” said Mr. Lee. “Let’s not put property and profit over human life,” he added.
Chicago Bulls’ All-Star center Joakim Noah who was honored with the National Basketball Association’s 2015 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his anti-violence work through the Noah’s Arc Foundation expressed support for Mr. Lee’s continued peace efforts by other organizations.
“I realize the title Chiraq could be perceived as a glorification of violence, but the reality of what is happening in the city of Chicago is not something any of us should hide from,” Mr. Noah said in a statement.
Kublai Toure, executive director of Amer-I-Can’s Illinois chapter, said what happened with Draft Town shows the different realities experienced by those that have the resources and have investments in the stock of the city and those who need resources and investments. Mr. Toure supports Mr. Lee’s efforts but said he has to bring in the peacekeepers and violence interrupters who work with the street organizations to make sure the full story is told.
“He’s got to get some men in there that’s actually been involved—and that’s who I represent,” said Mr. Toure.
Clearly, Gun manufacturers are profiting, security companies are profiting, and speedy gentrification efforts are seen in some of the most economically starved areas of Chicago, with real estate speculators making a killing, just like private contractors in global conflict zones overseas became rich receiving no bid contracts to rebuild that which was destroyed. America’s leading defense contractors such as Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and BAE Systems are experiencing healthy profits resulting from seemingly endless wars.
Father Michael Pfleger, leader of the Faith Community at Saint Sabina stands with many mothers who have lost children to gun violence. As of May 25, there have been 883 shootings in 2015.
“We must face the reality of what’s going on not just in Chicago but going on across America,” said Father Pfleger. “Violence is real in America and we must face the reality. We must face the reality of guns in America where it’s easier in so many neighborhoods to get a gun than a computer. We’ve got to deal with the reality of guns and the proliferation of guns in this country and those that are making money off of guns. We can’t ignore this reality. This is proof of the reality” he added.
Although the subject is painful, Father Pfleger said there is value in dealing with it directly, and in his view, Spike Lee is the man for the job because of his proven track record in making thought-provoking films that courageously confront community issues.
“We’re not painting a city, we’re painting a reality that’s difficult, and it’s hard,” said Father Pfleger. “A man who is an African-American director and one of the best directors in America, who did casting in an African-American community, who is hiring from the African-American community, dealing with African -American issues, sounds real right to me,” he added.
Many of the mothers were critical of politicians who seem to care more about the city’s image than the lives of Black youth. The mothers all told tragic stories filled with pain. Instead of going to graduations, many of them are going to cemeteries to visit the graves of their dead children.
“I hear a lot of energy being put toward (discussing) the movie but place that same energy behind our children and their lives,” said Pamela Bosley, whose son Terrell was shot down in the parking lot of his church while unloading musical equipment. She leads an organization Purpose Over Pain which is a support group made up of parents who have lost children to violence. “No grounds are safe in Chicago. There are so many stories …I know you are saying ‘this is not a war zone’ but in my neighborhood, it sounds like a war zone to me!”
Brenda Mitchell also works with the organization. She had two sons. One son, Kelvin, actually fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom and survived three tours of duty. He is still alive, however, her other son Kenneth was killed in Chicago.
“For me, that is my reality. It is an irony that I would send a son to settle someone else’s freedom and lose my other son in a free country—it’s real,” said Ms. Mitchell.
“When I made ‘Doing the Right Thing’ there were people who said this film would cause riots all across America. That Black people were going to run amuck. People wrote that this film would stop David Dinkins from being the first African-American Mayor of New York City,” said Mr. Lee. “They wrote a whole bunch of things, but those people ended up being on the wrong side of history and the same is going to happen here in Chicago. They are going to look stupid and be on the wrong side of history. We’re here for peace, and we have to stop this,” Mr. Lee said.
Black Press
Should You Have to Pay to Hear the Gospel?
ST. LOUIS AMERICAN — Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell of Atlanta’s 2819 CHURCH and Tim Timberlake of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, are at the center of a social media debate. The controversy stems from ticket prices for their “Street Preachers” podcast tour, with general admission tickets reportedly costing around $60 and VIP options up to $200.
For generations, the Black church has passed the offering plate to keep the lights on, pay the preacher, help the poor and carry the Gospel beyond its walls. But what happens when the preacher leaves the sanctuary, takes a popular Christian podcast on tour — and charges admission?
That question has placed Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell, founder and lead pastor of Atlanta’s fast-growing 2819 CHURCH, at the center of a heated social media debate.
Mitchell and Tim Timberlake, senior pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, host “Street Preachers,” which its official website describes as a “raw, unfiltered podcast” committed to spreading the Gospel.
‘A brood of vipers’
The controversy began after ticket prices for the podcast’s 2026 tour circulated online. General admission tickets reportedly cost about $60 before fees, with premium options, including a VIP meet-and-greet package, priced at $200. Critics questioned whether ministers should charge people to hear the Gospel.
Others defended the pastors, arguing that Christian events require venues, transportation, security, equipment and staff.
Mitchell answered critics from the pulpit last month, calling them “a brood of vipers.” He said the podcast is a separate, personal project and that neither his church nor Timberlake’s is bankrolling it.
“Now we have decided to go on a tour to take the gospel to cities, and because that’s not funded by 2819, and it’s not funded by Celebration Church, Tim and I gotta do that with our own pockets,” Mitchell said. “It’s why there is tickets. We have to pay for venues and security and productions and staff from our own pockets.”
Mitchell called some critics “ignorant” and said they did not know that a child was healed through faith during one of the events.
“And you want to complain about a 60 ticket?” he said. “So hate on!”
Worship service vs. media event
Mitchell maintains that “Street Preachers” is an independently produced podcast tour, not a worship service, and that ticket revenue helps cover production costs.
Yet the presence of pastors, Scripture and Gospel language makes the distinction less clear to some believers.
The official tour website lists all eight 2026 stops as sold out. Promotional material announcing additional dates promised, “Better ticket options. Same Gospel. Same move of God.”
Corporate prayer gathering
The language gets to the heart of the dispute. Some Christians argue that no one should be kept outside because they cannot afford a ticket. Others say the Gospel remains free even when people pay for the venue and experience surrounding its presentation.
The paid podcast tour, however, is not Mitchell’s only large-scale gathering. On Oct. 10, 2819 CHURCH will host “ACCESS — That Powerful Hour of Prayer” at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Admission is free.
2819 CHURCH has said 80,000 free tickets were claimed before registration reopened.
The contrast raises another question: What makes one Gospel-centered event a ministry supported by donors and another a production supported by customers?
Unfiltered preaching, youth appeal
Mitchell’s congregation, composed largely of young Black adults, grew from fewer than 200 weekly worshippers in 2023 to about 6,000, according to the church. Some worshippers arrive before sunrise to secure a place inside.
His appeal rests partly in an intense, vulnerable and raw preaching style.
“I’m preaching without watering that down, without filtering out things that we think might be too controversial,” Mitchell told The Associated Press.
That visibility has also brought scrutiny of his theology, associations, travel, security and the businesses surrounding his ministry.
But the controversy reaches beyond Mitchell and Timberlake. Christian music concerts charge admission. Seminaries charge tuition. Religious publishers sell Bibles, books and devotionals. Churches pay musicians, media teams and guest preachers. Money becomes particularly uncomfortable, however, when an event is presented simultaneously as ministry and entertainment.
Ministry vs. entertainment
Supporters should not assume every dollar collected becomes personal profit. Critics, however, question whether lower-cost seats, sponsored tickets or free admission for people who cannot pay should be part of a Gospel-centered event.
The Black church always has required resources for ministry. It also has carried a sacred responsibility to make room for people with little or nothing to give.
The sold-out “Street Preachers” tour shows people are willing to pay to attend. The free ACCESS gathering offers a different model. The challenge is preserving that open door as Christian ministry increasingly adopts the machinery — and economics — of popular entertainment.
The post Should you have to pay to hear the Gospel? appeared first on St. Louis American.
Based on reporting by St. Louis American.
Black Press
NCCU Ramping up for the 89th Ultimate Homecoming Experience
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY – CAMPUS ECHO — N.C. Central University is preparing for its 89th Ultimate Homecoming Experience, a week-long celebration. Thousands of students, family, friends, and alumni are expected to gather on campus for festivities including the Homecoming Countdown, parade, Miss and Mister NCCU Coronation, concerts, and the football game.
This Saturday N.C. Central University will kick off its 89th Ultimate Homecoming Experience — a week-long celebration bringing thousands of students, family, friends and alumni to campus.
This year’s festivities include the Homecoming Countdown, parade, Miss and Mister NCCU Coronation, concerts and the football game.
The number of visitors to the football game on Saturday, Oct. 10 is expected to reach at least 10,000 — O’Kelly Riddick Stadium’s capacity, with NCCU’s recent enrollment increase of more than 10,000 students.
The Eagles will face William & Mary after playing against the Campbell University’s Fighting Camels on Oct 3.
Students are already expressing excitement for the upcoming festivities.
“I’m excited for homecoming because I can meet alumni and go outside and party with my fellow eagles,” Digital Filmmaking junior Rhese Gardner said. “I’m also really looking forward to the Greek Bowl because there’s a lot going on.”
He added that even though he’s disappointed this semester’s Oil Spill was canceled, he’s still excited for the other events like the parade and concerts.
Here is a list of the week’s on-campus events:
- Oct. 3 – Homecoming Countdown
- Oct. 4 – Gospel Concert
- Oct. 5 – Coronation of Miss and Mister NCCU
- Oct. 6 – 10:40 Break
- Oct. 6 – Homecoming Experience Showcase
- Oct. 7 – Fried Chicken Wednesday
- Oct. 7 – Festival Block Party
- Oct. 7 – Late Night Breakfast
- Oct. 8 – Back to the Nest Young Alumni Mixer
- Oct. 8 – Old School Greek Stroll Off
- Oct. 8 – Hip-Hop Concert
- Oct. 9 – Step Show
- Oct. 10 – Football Game
The post NCCU ramping up for the 89th Ultimate Homecoming Experience first appeared on Campus Echo Online.
Based on reporting by North Carolina Central University – Campus Echo.
Black Press
Master P Encourages Norwood Elementary Students to Dream Big, Work Hard
BIRMINGHAM TIMES — Music mogul Percy Miller, known as Master P, visited Norwood Elementary School on Friday alongside his mascot sidekick, Captain Ace. Teachers and students, dressed in school colors, welcomed Miller, who shared lessons on education, consistency, networking, and the importance of not letting circumstances define one’s future.
Music mogul Percy Miller, better known as Master P, visited Norwood Elementary School on Friday with his mascot sidekick, Captain Ace. (Birmingham City Schools) ”
The sounds of students singing filled Norwood Elementary School Friday morning as teachers dressed in camouflage and students wearing their school colors of green welcomed a special guest whose career has been built on music, entrepreneurship and perseverance.
Before taking the stage at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) Friday night, music mogul and entrepreneur Percy “Master P” Miller spent the morning with Birmingham students, sharing lessons about education, consistency, networking and the importance of refusing to let circumstances determine their futures.
Miller was joined by Captain Ace, the blue-dog mascot and educational character associated with his school visits and assemblies. Together, they turned the celebrity appearance into a lesson centered on positive choices, learning, and believing in one’s potential.
The visit also brought together Birmingham city and school leaders, including Mayor Randall L. Woodfin, Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan and members of the school system’s staff and leadership.
At the conclusion of the assembly, Woodfin and Sullivan presented Miller with a proclamation honoring his visit to Norwood Elementary.
For Miller, however, the morning was less about recognition and more about the children sitting in front of him.
“I love the kids,” Miller told the students. “Even though I got a show, I’m like, no, I got to come and touch the kids because that’s the future.”
Miller said his focus is on what he described as “saving the next generation” and educating young people so they can recognize their potential.
“I want these kids to know that they can fly over all this negative,” he said.
That message became personal when Miller reflected on his own childhood.
He told students he grew up living with his grandparents, who had 12 children. His family lived in a three-bedroom housing project, but Miller said he refused to allow his circumstances to define what was possible for him.
“I didn’t let my condition stop me, and I don’t want you guys to let your condition stop you,” he told the students.
Miller repeatedly returned to the idea that dreams require action.
“There’s no limit to your dreams,” he said, emphasizing that success requires work and that students cannot “cheat the game of life.”
He then asked the students how many of them wanted to be successful. The room responded.
Miller used a familiar example to explain one of his central lessons: McDonald’s.
After asking students what the restaurant sells, he shifted the conversation from hamburgers to consistency.
“McDonald’s is selling consistency,” Miller said.
He explained that a Big Mac is expected to taste the same wherever it is purchased, using that familiarity as an analogy for persistence.
“Keep doing something, not giving up,” he told the students. “Keep chasing your dreams, doing something every day to get that, even when it don’t look like it’s gonna happen.”
“Somebody’s gonna make it big.”
Miller also challenged the students to think about the relationships they are building now. He asked whether they understood what networking means before explaining that the people sitting beside them today could become important figures in their lives tomorrow.
Miller shared a story about a girl he knew when he was in school — someone he said other people did not like or treated negatively. Years later, she became a bank president. When Miller needed a loan, he said, she remembered how kind he had been to her when they were younger.
“You never know who’s gonna be what in here,” Miller said.
He encouraged students to introduce themselves to others, learn their names and treat people well.
“That’s networking,” he said.
For Miller, the lesson went beyond professional connections. He encouraged students to recognize the possibility within one another.
“Who’s gonna be a doctor? Who’s gonna be a lawyer? Who gonna be a teacher?” he asked. “Who gonna be the president of the bank? Who gonna be the mayor? Who gonna be the superintendent?”
Miller said students cannot know where their classmates will end up, which makes how they treat one another today important.
“Somebody’s gonna make it big,” he said. “And it could be all you guys.”
Moments of Celebration
The visit was also filled with moments of celebration. Before Miller addressed the students, Norwood teachers and scholars welcomed him with a robust singalong to “The Affirmation Song,” creating an energetic introduction to the morning’s message.
The appearance of Captain Ace added another layer to the program. The character is part of Miller’s educational work with children, with school assemblies and musical programs addressing topics including anti-bullying, stranger danger and mental health awareness.
Miller said he has spent years making time for young people because he sees them as the future.
The message aligned with the presence of Birmingham’s education and civic leadership throughout the morning. Woodfin and Birmingham City Schools leadership have increasingly emphasized connecting children with educational, enrichment and career opportunities across the city. Earlier this year, the city announced its Children and Youth Commission’s Cradle-to-Career Roadmap, a strategy designed to connect the systems and resources influencing children from early education through adulthood.
For Norwood students, however, the morning offered a more immediate lesson: the opportunity to see someone who built a career from a childhood that did not necessarily predict the future he ultimately created.
As Miller prepared to leave, he encouraged students to keep working, keep learning and keep believing in themselves.
“I kept going,” he told them, reflecting on the people who once told him he would not succeed. “That’s what I want you guys to do. Keep going, no matter what your conditions is. No matter what your environment is.”
Based on reporting by Birmingham Times.
Black History
National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award Honors the Relentless Fight for Equality
TRI-STATE DEFENDER — The National Civil Rights Museum’s 35th annual Freedom Award ceremony, held on Thursday, October 1, at the Orpheum Theatre, recognized a diverse group of civil rights leaders. Honorees included Fred Gray Sr., a legal strategist who represented Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The honorees at the National Civil Rights Museum’s 35th annual Freedom Award ceremony held at the Orpheum Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 1, reflected a changing era of civil rights leadership.
Fred Gray Sr., one of the last surviving legal strategists of the Civil Rights Movement, helped dismantle segregation in America as the lawyer who represented Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Gray’s pioneering legacy now rests with the generations he helped empower, including fellow award recipients Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, Nneka Ogwumike and Bakari Sellers.
Arline-Bradley, an ordained minister, public health advocate, and president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women since 2023, credits the women and civil rights legends who preceded her and built the organizations she now leads with making her work possible.
Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA champion and four-term president of the league’s players association, and Bakari Sellers, a lawyer, author, CNN political correspondent and former South Carolina legislator, represent a younger generation of human and civil rights activists. They are taking the fight into new arenas, from women’s sports and economic opportunity to voting rights, education and social justice.
Together, their stories shaped the event’s overall theme and mood, which celebrated the courage of freedom fighters of the past while embracing what civil rights leadership looks like now — and what it may become.
Before the ceremony, hundreds of guests gathered for photographs and interviews on the red carpet and hors d’oeuvres at the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education next door to the Orpheum. Actor Larenz Tate hosted the event for the second consecutive year. Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Tamela Mann brought the audience to its feet with her performance of the hit song “Take Me to the King.” And local artist Garry Goin and the Freedom Award House Band performed a mix of R&B and liberation songs.
-
Fred Gray Jr. accepted the Freedom Award on behalf of his father, civil rights attorney Fred Gray Sr., who was unable to attend the ceremony. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) -
Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, was among the honorees at the National Civil Rights Museum’s 35th annual Freedom Award. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) -
Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA champion and four-term president of the league’s players association, was honored at the National Civil Rights Museum’s 35th annual Freedom Award. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender) -
Bakari Sellers, lawyer, author, CNN political correspondent and former South Carolina legislator, was honored at the National Civil Rights Museum’s 35th annual Freedom Award. (Gary S. Whitlow/Tri-State Defender)
Taking the stage to accept the first award was Arline-Bradley, who reflected on the legacy that shaped her path to leadership.
“This honor means more to me than you can ever imagine,” Arline-Bradley said, describing the moment as the culmination of what she believes God had in store for her.
She paid tribute to Dorothy Height, whose leadership helped secure the headquarters for the women’s advocacy nonprofit on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Arline-Bradley described the building, located on the same street as the White House, as a representation of Black women’s history, power and resilience.
“NCNW stands as the only Black and women-owned building on Pennsylvania Ave,” she continued.
During her speech, Arline-Bradley outlined what she believes it will take to achieve freedom and equality today.
“If America wants to get her healing, we’ve got to climb to the rooftop of justice,” she said.
And justice includes using Black economic power to support companies with compatible values, she continued.
Fred Gray Jr. accepted the award on behalf of his father, who was unable to attend the ceremony. Gray, who practices law alongside his father and brother, recalled his father’s decision to become a lawyer and return to Montgomery, Alabama, determined to challenge segregation.
Gray connected his father’s legal work to Memphis’ sanitation workers, whose 1968 strike became a defining moment in the city’s civil rights history. “At 95, if he was here, he would say to you, ‘I have done what I can do. The rest is up to you,’” Gray Jr. said.
Ogwumike used her acceptance speech to connect the growing visibility of women’s sports to a broader conversation about opportunity and equality.
“In this moment, there are greater and more opportunities for girls and women in sports,” Ogwumike said, pointing to the example provided by the WNBA’s professional athletes who serve as role models for young girls.
She also addressed what she described as threats to women’s rights and access, including debates surrounding Title IX, voting rights, reproductive healthcare and gender violence. “We refuse to be bullied and we refuse to be silenced and made to disappear,” Ogwumike said.
Her remarks were followed by a surprise video message from former Vice President Kamala Harris, who thanked Ogwumike for “being a fighter for the people” and congratulated the evening’s other honorees.
The final honoree, Bakari Sellers, has family ties to Memphis. His mother grew up in the city. His grandfather, the Rev. E.W. Williamson, once served as pastor of Middle Baptist Church and Olivet Baptist Church.
Sellers wrapped his remarks in light humor as he reflected on his conversations with other advocates and his own social justice journey. At one point, he paused, overcome with emotion, as he recalled visiting the National Civil Rights Museum earlier in the day and standing on the balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
“The victories they won are being torn down all around us,” Sellers said.
To illustrate the cost and cruelty of social injustice, he asked the audience to imagine a 10-year-old student who might one day cure cancer but is struggling in school because of hunger.
“Somewhere we have forgotten that we come from a people of dreamers,” Sellers said. “We have forgotten the price that was paid.
“I am only 42 years old. I don’t really deserve this thing,” Sellers said. “But I will promise you this: Tomorrow I will work harder than I did yesterday.”
A video montage at the black-tie ceremony paid tribute to influential figures who died this year, including civil rights organizer Bernard Lafayette, a leader in the Nashville Movement, Freedom Rides and the Selma voting rights campaign; Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights icon, minister and founder of Operation PUS;, Memphis civil rights activist Clara Ester; feminist leader and journalist Gloria Steinem; and country music legend and philanthropist Dolly Parton.
Museum President Russ Wigginton commented ahead of the program on the generational evolution of Freedom Award honorees. He noted that earlier generations of civil rights leaders often could measure progress through changes in laws, court decisions and government policy. Marches, sit-ins and other forms of direct action helped produce the landmark legal changes achieved during the Civil Rights era of the 1950s and 1960s.
But today, he said, the work can be more difficult to measure because much of it involves changing hearts and minds, increasing empathy and encouraging people to understand cultural differences.
“It is a delicate balancing act that requires patience and commitment,” Wigginton said.
He added, however, the fundamental goal remains unchanged: equal rights for everyone.
Based on reporting by Tri-State Defender.
Black Press
New Protections for Ticket Buyers: Gov. Newsom Signs Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Bill
OAKLAND POST — Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sept. 27 authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) that strengthens consumer protections for Californians purchasing tickets to concerts, sporting events and other live entertainment.
Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.
“Buying a ticket shouldn’t come with hidden risks or unfair practices,” Newsom wrote on social media after signing the measure.
Under AB 1349, ticket sellers are prohibited from listing tickets before they have been officially released unless they have authorization or a legally enforceable right to receive them. Online marketplaces must also take reasonable steps to prevent speculative ticket sales on their platforms.
The law prohibits sellers from using bots, multiple accounts, email addresses or internet protocol addresses to circumvent ticket limits, presale restrictions, electronic queues and other controls. It also bans websites and advertisements designed to mislead buyers into believing they are purchasing tickets from an authorized seller, venue or event organizer.
Sellers who violate certain provisions and fail to provide a promised ticket may be held liable for twice the ticket’s contracted price. Buyers may also recover nonrefundable expenses incurred while attempting to attend an event, along with reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.
Pastor Tecoy Porter Sr., president of the National Action Network’s Sacramento chapter, said the law establishes needed accountability.
“Buying a ticket to a concert or show shouldn’t mean entering a marketplace where the rules are stacked against you. This year, we worked with a coalition of consumers, civil rights advocates, community groups, and businesses to make AB 1349 stronger. Consumers deserve enforceable rules that protect them. We thank Assemblymember Bryan for his leadership, and we will keep working to make ticketing fair for every Californian.”
Jose L. Barrera, national vice president for the Far West Region of the League of United Latin American Citizens, also praised the measure.
“Californian families deserve certain protections when they buy tickets. Assemblymember Bryan listened to communities across California and delivered a bill that puts fans first. We thank him and Governor Newsom for making it law.”
Black History
Why Black Artists Struggle to Sell Tours
HOUSTON DEFENDER — Recent industry reports and artist comments indicate that Black artists are struggling to sell concert tickets, highlighting a larger crisis in the touring business. This trend, dubbed “blue dot fever,” refers to empty seats at venues and has led to major touring acts canceling or postponing shows since spring 2026.
The internet chatter about Black artists struggling to sell concert tickets points to a much larger crisis reshaping the touring business, according to recent industry reporting and artists’ own comments.
Since spring 2026, a wave of major touring acts across genres have canceled or postponed shows due to sluggish ticket sales, a trend some in the industry have dubbed “blue dot fever,” a reference to the blue markers that indicate empty seats on Ticketmaster’s venue maps.
The phenomenon is not limited to Black performers, but several recent examples involving Black artists have fueled online conversation about whether Black touring acts face extra hurdles. For a market like Houston, home to a large hip-hop and R&B fan base and a steady stream of major tour stops, the debate carries added weight.
Here are five reasons the touring business has gotten tougher for artists trying to fill seats.
Blue dot fever is spreading industrywide
Black hip-hop megastars like Ludacris, T.I., Rick Ross, and BigXThaPlug felt the impact of Blue Dot Fever after struggling to sell tickets. Industry watchers say many artists are being booked into venues too large for their current draw, leaving sections visibly empty, discouraging last-minute buyers. The trend cuts across genres, but it has compounded challenges already facing some Black touring artists this year.
Fans keep comparing every artist to music’s biggest superstars
Grammy-winning singer Melanie Fiona recently weighed in on the online conversation about canceled shows and slow sales, explaining that most artists do not have the resources or reach of music’s top-tier headliners. The trade outlet Ticket News has made a similar point, noting that few artists can match the pricing structure or demand generated by superstar-level tours. When any artist falls short of that bar, fans and social media users are quick to call it a flop, even when the artist is still performing at a healthy level for their career stage.
Stadium bookings are outpacing actual demand
A hip-hop stadium concert set to take place in Louisville in October 2026, featuring Ludacris, T.I., Rick Ross, and BigXThaPlug, reportedly had nearly 47,000 seats still available as showtime approached. The example illustrates a broader booking problem. Venues sized for arena or stadium crowds do not always match the number of fans willing or able to buy tickets, regardless of an artist’s streaming numbers or name recognition. Some promoters are now facing pressure to book smaller, more intimate venues that better match an act’s current draw.
Rising costs are squeezing fans’ entertainment budgets
Housing, groceries, and everyday expenses have climbed for many households, and live music is often one of the first expenses fans cut. Older or legacy acts leaning on nostalgia appear to be hit hardest, since higher ticket and fee prices make attending a bigger financial decision than it once was. Newer or lower-profile Black artists competing for the same limited entertainment dollars face an uphill climb, especially when fans have to choose between one or two shows a year instead of several.
Social media shape who gets mainstream exposure
Does TikTok Dominate the music industry.
Black artists in hip-hop and R&B often compete for airplay and playlist placement within genre-specific categories rather than mainstream ones, which can limit the crossover exposure that turns streaming success into ticket sales. Artists working outside those two genres, including gospel, jazz, and Afrobeats-influenced acts, face a similar challenge in reaching audiences beyond their dedicated fan bases. Whether that structural gap is driving today’s sales slump remains an open question that industry analysts and artists are actively debating.
Based on reporting by Houston Defender.
2026 Defender 130 X Is It Worth $110,110 for Your Family?
“Money, Power, and Respect,” (SEIU) President April Verrett
Car Takeoff Hesitation? Daylight Test Drive Guide #shorts
Your Vote Matters…Protect Your Freedoms!
The Black Bank That Survived the 1893 Panic #shorts
Why A Black Bank Started From A House #shorts
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
How To Manage Conflict at Work
How To Overcome Financial Setbacks and Win
How To Overcome Financial Setbacks and Win
Latest Massacre in Haiti Reveals Cruelty U.S. Deportations
The Youngest American Killed in the Vietnam War
Booked and Unbound: The Legacy of Black Women’s Literary Circles
Passing for White, Fighting for Black America: The Courage of Walter White
OPINION: Nolan Wells’ Death One of Several Signifying Racial Terror Lives on in U.S. South
OP-ED: Haiti TPS: Have We Lost Sense of Humanity?
OP-ED: If AI Is the New Language of Power, Then NAN Wants Black Communities Fluent
OP-ED: How Does Your State Rank for Pre-K?
Henry O. Flipper: A Trailblazer at West Point and Beyond
NFL: NFC Preview | The Rams will NOT make the Super Bowl
2026 Defender 130 X Is It Worth $110,110 for Your Family?
“Money, Power, and Respect,” (SEIU) President April Verrett
Car Takeoff Hesitation? Daylight Test Drive Guide #shorts
Your Vote Matters…Protect Your Freedoms!
The Black Bank That Survived the 1893 Panic #shorts
Why A Black Bank Started From A House #shorts
Defender ONE-on-ONE: U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee
How To Manage Conflict at Work
How To Overcome Financial Setbacks and Win
How To Overcome Financial Setbacks and Win
-
Black Press1 week agoOP-ED: Haiti TPS: Have We Lost Sense of Humanity?
-
Black Press6 days agoZakiya Jendayi Arrested, Locked Out of Home by Sheriff’s Deputies
-
Black Press5 days agoA $2.1 Trillion Wellness Industry Never Built a Daily Practice for Black Children. So This Atlanta Family Did.
-
Black History6 days agoListening as a Lifeline: A Doula’s Witness to Black Maternal Health
-
Black Press4 days agoCOMMENTARY: But God!
-
BlackPressUSA3 days agoLatinas Deserve Equal Pay. Unions Help Make It Happen.
