Arizona Informant

SELMA, Ala. — Civil Rights TV, the world’s first 24-hour television network dedicated exclusively to civil rights history, education, and future equity, has officially launched on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT.

The network debuts from Selma, Alabama — one of the most historically significant cities in the American civil rights movement — marking a new chapter in how civil rights stories are preserved, amplified, and carried forward for future generations.

Civil Rights TV operates continuously on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT, offering documentaries, news analysis, live discussions, educational programming, global civil rights coverage, and cultural storytelling. The channel functions as both a historical archive and a living platform addressing contemporary civil rights challenges.

Civil Rights, Technology, and the AI Era

As technology and artificial intelligence increasingly shape access to information, media, and opportunity, Civil Rights TV launches at a moment when access to digital infrastructure itself is emerging as a civil rights issue.

Media fragmentation, misinformation, and uneven access to technology continue to reshape public discourse. While on-demand platforms have expanded individual content access, large-scale live broadcasting still faces challenges related to congestion, latency, and energy consumption.

Civil Rights TV leverages broadcast-efficient OTT architecture designed to reduce bandwidth usage and energy requirements, enabling continuous global distribution without placing added strain on network infrastructure.

Why Civil Rights TV Matters Now

Civil Rights TV is not only a media launch—it is a signal.

The network underscores the importance of preserving civil rights history using the most accurate and comprehensive sources available. For generations, the Black press has maintained some of the deepest and most reliable documentation of the civil rights movement, currents events, news and critical Black history, much of which remains underrepresented in modern digital media archives and inaccessible to artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

As a result, Civil Rights TV will rely heavily on national Black press for news, historical archives and independent voices. Prominent digital news platforms, podcasts, and broadcasters—will play an instrumental role in shaping continuous coverage, historical interpretation, and public discourse.

About Connect2OTT

Connect2OTT currently manages more than 250 live 24/7 television and radio channels streaming to audiences in more than 190 countries. Civil Rights TV joins this ecosystem as a flagship channel, designed to foster global conversation while demonstrating how media distribution, energy efficiency, and AI readiness can coexist responsibly.

About Larry Witherspoon

Larry Witherspoon is a technology entrepreneur and founder of Phoenix-based Connect2 Technologies, LLC, including Connect2OTT, Connect2AI, and Connect To Your City OTT Platform.

In 2006, Witherspoon launched FaithFone Wireless, the world’s first Christian-owned and operated mobile phone company—years ahead of today’s fintech and mobile banking platforms. As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), FaithFone introduced mobile banking, digital tithing, live television and radio, content downloads, and branded debit- card-based person-to-person payment functionality before mobile commerce was widely understood by major telecom and financial institutions.

That early convergence of mobile, media, and financial technology laid the foundation for Witherspoon’s current work across AI, energy efficiency, broadcasting, and infrastructure optimization.

Community Content Submissions

Civil Rights TV welcomes article submissions from trusted community voices, journalists, and verified organizations. Content may be submitted through an official upload portal or via email for editorial review.

Submissions approved for broadcast will be scheduled during the network’s community programming window from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., with select pieces considered for prime- time airing based on their significance, accuracy, and value to the broader civil rights dialogue.

Media Contact Tina Michelle
Connect2OTT / Civil Rights TV Phone: (480) 740-7777
Email: [email protected] Website: CivilRightsTV.com

By Blair S. Walker

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA — When Jordan Wallace was a 5-year-old, his grandmother bought him a little, battery-powered Mercedes car. She may have regretted that move because Wallace immediately hopped into his miniature whip and practically drove the wheels off it.

Convinced that Upper Marlboro, Maryland, had never produced a racer with his combination of awe-inspiring speed and daring, Wallace began looking for pre-pubescent butts to kick.

“I tried to race the girl down the street in her Barbie Corvette, and she whupped me,” Wallace said, still incredulous 31 years later. “And after that, I was like – I gotta get this figured out. Ever since then, I’ve been on a charge.”

One that had Wallace swaddled in a helmet and Nomex driving suit as he blasted a 510-horsepower Porsche 911 GT3 Cup around the 3.36-mile, 19-turn Miami International Autodrome road circuit, sounding like a bellowing, deep-voiced hound from hell.

Welcome to the Porsche Carrera Cup North America racing series, Jordan Wallace’s world. He found himself onstage with the globe-trotting Formula One circus in town for the Miami Grand Prix. Formula One promoters like to have other kinds of racing cars circulating tracks while F-1 cars are being tweaked in their garages.

Wallace is an admirer of Formula One, but at 36 is too old to be dreaming about an F-1 seat. Instead, Wallace wants to move up to the Batmobile-like, fiendishly quick sports cars that compete in famous endurance races.

“The ultimate goal is to win the Daytona 24 Hours, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Sebring 12 Hours and to be the first African American to win all of those,” Wallace said. I’ve got a ton of work ethic and desire, and I think I’m showing that I’m pretty quick.”

That last statement is all fact and no brag because Wallace came within one-hundredth of a second of being the fastest qualifier for his Miami International Autodrome race. To put that in perspective, it takes the average person between one-tenth to four-tenths of a second to blink their eyes.

A resident of Austin, Texas, these days, Wallace keeps a roof over his head with his racing activities and by working as a driving instructor at a nearby race track. When it comes to the Kellymoss/Vision Motorsports Racing Porsche he’s piloting in eight races this year, his sponsor is Davis Infrastructure, a Northern Virginia business that builds data centers.

“I grew up thinking race drivers were aliens because no one in my family, or in my culture, was in this sport,” Wallace said. “Now I’m part-owner in the team that I’m driving for. Not only a Black driver, but a Black owner. We’re really trying to grow that side of the sport, as well.”

About the Author:

Blair S. Walker formerly wrote for USA Today’s ‘Money’ section, has penned seven books, and was also a professional race car driver. Blair has been a guest contributor for BlackPressUSA for the past three years at the Formula One Miami Grand Prix held annually in Miami Gardens.

Arizona Informant

On December 2nd  the top two teams collided once again for the second time in less than a month. This time it was for the Open Division championship of the AIA. Two nationally ranked teams, #16 Peoria Liberty and 19 Peoria Centennial, had both shown they were the premier teams in the state throughout the year.

From the beginning Liberty looked to show they were the more dominant of the two. On their first possession the Lions marched right down the field on a drive that resulted in a Navi Bruzon 20-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Jezioro with 7:20 left in the opening quarter. After the missed PAT the score was 6-0 in favor of Liberty. On the next drive Centennial was able to move the ball but the drive ended with a missed 42-yard field goal.

Centennial got the ball back again and this time they were able to capitalize. On a drive that consisted of all runs, Owen Reynosa punched it in from 1 yard out with 1:06 left in the first quarter. Centennial had grabbed the lead 7-6. Centennial had seemed to be gaining some momentum. On their next possession they hit a home run with the deep ball. This was in the form of a 44-yard pass from Kainan Manna to Kenny Worthy III that gave Centennial a 14-6 lead with 7:55 left in the 2nd quarter. Centennial continued to play solid defense on the Lions by stopping them on a 4 th  down try with 6:34 remaining in the first half.

After Liberty got the ball back, they hit a home run of their own. This time it was Bruzon connecting again with Jezioro this time for a 50-yard touchdown at the 4:43 mark. After an unsuccessful 2-point conversion try the score was now 14-12 still in favor of Centennial. Liberty looking to swing the momentum in their favor blocked a Centennial punt with 3:26 left in the first half. This block gave them great field position at the Centennial 29-yard line. A Bruzon 4-yard touchdown run with 2:00 minutes left gave Liberty the lead 19-14 heading into halftime.

In the 2nd  half Liberty looked to continue to build off the momentum from the end of the first half. They got the opening kickoff of the 3 rd  quarter and marched down the field.

The drive was dominated by Bruzon runs and ended with a Jon Wilson 5-yard touchdown run with 7:21 left in the 3 rd  quarter. The Liberty lead had now grown to 26-14. The rest of the quarter was back and forth with neither team really moving the ball much. The Centennial Defense led by defensive end Noah Carter did all they could to keep the high powered Liberty offense in check.

With the help of a pass interference call Liberty was able to sustain a drive that
goes deep into Centennial territory. Jon Wilson runs it in from 4 yards out with 7:34 left in the game to give Liberty more breathing room. The lead was now up to 33-14. A Centennial touchdown with 4:00 left in the game brought the score to 33-21. The final score was 33-21 with Liberty winning the Open Championship finishing 12-1 and Centennial being the runner-up with a record of 11-2.

The post Liberty Captures The Open Title appeared first on Arizona Informant.

This article originally appeared in The Arizona Informant.</em

During Week 5 of the MLB World Series, Capital One presented a $250,000 check to the Jackie Robinson Foundation as the culmination of its year-long Capital One Walk-Off campaign, where they gave the Foundation $1,000 for every walk-off hit during the season (minimum guarantee of $250K).

Judge Velva Moses-Thompson of Phoenix, Arizona is an alum of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and received the check on behalf of the Foundation. It is the second year of the program, and between the Walk-Off campaign and other grants, they have given the Foundation $850,000 to date – with a renewal for 2024 currently underway. As part of the program, Capital One cardholders receive a $3 discount off tickets to the Jackie Robinson Museum.

Founded in 1973 by Rachel Robinson, the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) grants scholarships of up to $35,000 over four years to talented college students with financial need to ensure their success and develop their leadership potential. JRF provides hands-on mentoring support, access to internship and full-time jobs, and graduate-level fellowship grants. JRF has provided $117 million in financial scholarships and programmatic services over the past 50 years.

JRF website: www.jackierobinson.org
JR Museum website: www.jackierobinsonmuseum.org
Facebook.com/JRF42
Twitter & Instagram @JRFoundation
Youtube.com/JRobinsonFdtn

The post BRIEF SUMMARY OF CHECK PRESENTATION AND THE JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION appeared first on Arizona Informant.

Arizona Informant

The Valley of the Sun has been selected for the Third Annual HBCU All-Star Game to be held Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Grand Canyon University (GCU). The HBCU All-Star Game is an elite college basketball showcase featuring the nation’s most dynamic and talented basketball players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The HBCU All-Star Game combines a game filled with athletic excellence with a weekend full of fan-favorite activities for the Phoenix community. Fans can expect to see all of the fabulous elements that the HBCU All- Stars experience is known for including bands, cheerleaders, dance team, Greeks, Divine Nine, college admissions fair, pro day combine, community outreach, initiatives, engagement, scholarships awards, welcome reception, awards ceremony, social justice and civil rights panel discussion, and so much more.

“Grand Canyon University is tremendously excited to be the home of the 2024 HBCU All-Star Game,” said Jamie Boggs, vice president of athletics, Grand Canyon University. “The HBCU All Star Game is filled with faith, community, and excellence, and our entire team is proud to host this premier event.”

“On behalf of our HBCU All-Stars Basketball Movement, I cannot express how grateful, blessed, and thrilled we are to bring this great game to the Valley,” said Travis L. Williams, HBCU All-Stars, LLC founder and CEO.

“The HBCU All-Star Game pro vides this amazing national platform where goals, dreams, and aspirations come true. This is more than a game, it is an experience of a lifetime for the entire family to enjoy and the entire community to participate in. GCU will be the best place to be on Sunday, April 7, 2024, watching a game of this magnitude that is like no other during college basketball’s biggest weekend celebrating Black Excellence at the highest level. We cannot wait to introduce these outstanding 24 HBCU players who will represent the Best in Black College Basketball on the court that afternoon.”

Williams is a former head coach for two prestigious HBCUs, Tennessee State University and Fort Valley State University.

The HBCU All-Star Game was created to honor the rich legacy of HBCUs and celebrate the remarkable contributions of HBCU student-athletes and brilliant coaches in college basketball. The game elevates the importance of HBCUs and the talents of their students.

Participating athletes will represent all four historically Black athletic conferences, the MEAC, SWAC, SIAC, and CIAA, in addition to student-athletes from Tennessee State University, Hampton University, and North Carolina A&T State University. This year’s game will air live on CBS Television Network and will stream on Paramount+.

In addition to the game, events will be held throughout the community that celebrates Black culture, exhibits Black excellence, and commemorates Black history. Fans can look forward to a myriad of activities leading up to Game Day. Tickets for the 2024 game go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, and will be available at bit.ly/2024hbcuallstars. Discounted tickets will be available for community and youth organizations.

The post All Roads Lead To Phoenix GCU To Host 3rd Annual HBCU All-Star GameAll Roads Lead To Phoenix appeared first on Arizona Informant.