Speaker Johnson Denies Jackson Capitol Rotunda Honor, Black Father Sentenced for Deadly Crash

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson denied a request from Democrats and Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr.'s family to honor the late civil rights leader in the US Capitol Rotunda. Johnson cited a recent rule change that reserves the Rotunda honor for former US presidents only. This decision follows past exceptions, such as Rosa Parks in 2005 and Representative John Lewis, who lay in state on the East Front steps due to COVID restrictions.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson denies the request of Democrats and Reverend Jesse Jackson Senior's family to honor the late civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate in the US Capitol Rotunda. But Republican House Speaker Johnson declined the request, signing a recent rule change that reserves the Rotunda honor for former US presidents only. In 2005, Rosa Parks became the first and only citizen granted that honor. In July of 2020, Representative John Lewis, the first black lawmaker lay in state, was on the east front steps of the capital due to CO restrictions.

Richard Ferguson, a Black father, was sentenced to 37 years in prison after his 15-year-old son, driving without a license, caused a fatal accident that killed a grandmother and her three grandchildren. Ferguson was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter by culpable negligence. Witnesses testified Ferguson moved a truck to allow his son to drive, an accusation Ferguson denied, claiming his son took the keys. The jury did not accept his defense, and the judge emphasized Ferguson's negligent, criminal, and reckless disregard for human life.

In Florida, a black father will spend 37 years behind bars after he allowed his 15-year-old son to drive without a license. According to officials, 70-year-old Richard Ferguson's teen son blew through a stop sign and fatally hit a grandmother and her three grandchildren. Ferguson, who was also battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer, was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter by culpable negligence in October. According to witnesses testimonies, Ferguson moved a truck to let his son out and then gave him the keys to drive the Impala. Ferguson denied that accusation at trial, claiming that the teen took the keys off the rack, but the jury didn't buy it. He took the sand with tears in his eyes to express his remorse over the entire ordeal. Authorities say his son was going 80 miles per hour when he crashed into another vehicle. The judge said a jury determined Ferguson's decision were negligent, criminal, and a reckless disregard for human life.

Washington D.C. announced a $250,000 grant program to protect and restore historic African-American cemeteries, including some of the last intact Black burial sites in the district. This initiative, part of the Paul E. Slubby Senior program, aims to preserve these spaces as historic landmarks and living reminders of Black legacy and survival. The funds will be split between two organizations, Mount Zion Cemetery/Female Union Band Historic Memorial Park in Georgetown and Woodlawn Cemetery, for infrastructure improvements, erosion control, accessibility, online information systems, and community events.

Mayor Mariel Bowser and the DC Office of Planning have announced a $250,000 in grants to help protect and restore historic African-American cemeteries in the nation's capital, including some of the last intact black burial sites remaining in the district. This funding is part of a new program aimed at preserving these spaces, not just as historic landmarks, but as living reminders of black legacy, black community, and black survival. It's going to be split between two organizations...Mount Zion Cemetery and the Female Union Band Historic Memorial Park...And then the Woodlon Cemetery, they also are going to be um replacing some of their fencing, removing some hazardous trees again to open up that access and make sure that there's signage that provides interpretation and education for people who want to visit.

Don Gatson, founder of the Be Impactful Foundation, detailed their mission to empower Black communities through educational advancement and social intervention. The foundation, started in 2021, emphasizes building meaningful relationships and sustainable programs, operating with a 'community way' philosophy inspired by Gullah Geechee culture. Programs include 'Black Literature Matters,' a book fair and author series, and 'Back to School Days' and 'Community Holiday Festivals,' which are curated like family reunions to provide resources and foster a strong community vibe, often partnering with other non-profits.

The Be Impactful Foundation is focused on educational advancement, social intervention, and sustainable programming aimed at creating long-term change in an equitable communities. Their mission centers on building meaningful relationships, developing programs that last, and increasing community influence so that transformation doesn't stop when the spotlight fades. We have a saying called the community way. Our main programs that we do right now are what we call Black Literature Matters...And then two of our bigger events...is we have our back to school drive that we call back to school days...And then we have our community holiday festival.

Brian Anthony Morland, a two-time Tony Award nominee, is currently the only Black lead producer on Broadway. He explains his role involves financial responsibility, capital raising, marketing, and hiring for each show, which operates as an individual business. Morland achieved a 150% recoupment for 'Othello' starring Denzel Washington, a rare feat in an industry where only one in five shows recoup. He attributes success to truth-seeking audiences, dedicated teams, and an inclusive approach. Morland actively pushes for diversity by mentoring and opening doors for new talent, believing that including all backgrounds strengthens productions and profits.

Brian Anthony Morland is a two-time Tony Award nominee and right now he is the only black lead producer on Broadway. Me as the lead producer, I am the one who's financially responsible for the show. I sign my name to the SEC. I find the show...I raise the capital. His most recent Broadway production. Oll starring Denzel Washington achieved a 150% recruitment, a major milestone in an industry where only about one in five shows ever recoup their investment. I'm pushing for to drop a ladder behind me so the door stays open and other people get to climb those same ladders of success. I believe in diversity in all ways, not just in the um in the narrow sense of the word in terms of color of diversity. I believe in diversity of backgrounds.