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

House Speaker Mike Johnson denied the request from Democrats and Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.'s family to honor the late civil rights leader in the US Capitol Rotunda. Johnson cited a recent rule change reserving the honor for former US presidents only, despite Rosa Parks receiving the honor in 2005 and Rep. John Lewis lying in state on the East Front steps in 2020.

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. 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.

A Black father in Florida, Richard Ferguson, was sentenced to 37 years in prison after his 15-year-old son, driving without a license, caused a crash that killed four people. Ferguson, who was battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer, was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter by culpable negligence. Witnesses testified Ferguson gave his son the keys, an accusation he denied.

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 stand with tears in his eyes to express his remorse over the entire ordeal.

A report by Julian, 'The Crimson Record,' reveals over 70 suspected modern-day lynchings have occurred in the Deep South since 2000, often misclassified as suicides. The report argues that lynching has adapted, continuing through systemic neglect and inadequate law enforcement investigations.

A new report by Julian finds that more than 70 suspected modern-day lynchings have been occurring in the deep south since 2000. The Crimson Record study highlights Patteris and suspected lynching cases have often been ruled suicides over the last 25 years. In the report, it argues that lynching did not end in the 20th century, but has adapted continuing through systemic neglect, inadequate investigations, and mclassifications of these deaths by law enforcement.

Washington D.C. is investing $250,000 in grants to protect and restore historic African-American cemeteries, including some of the last intact Black burial sites in the district. This initiative aims to preserve these spaces not just as landmarks but as 'living reminders of Black legacy, Black community, and Black survival,' addressing historical neglect and segregation.

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. So many of the others um this is a part of the legacy of segregation in the United States of America. Okay. uh that lack of investment and the segregation of um black residents uh has meant that many of the places that were burial ground, sacred spaces uh were not treated as such.

The Be Impactful Foundation, founded by Don Gadson, focuses on educational advancement, social intervention, and sustainable programming. Their model, 'the community way,' emphasizes building meaningful relationships, collaborating with other nonprofits, and curating events like 'Black Literature Matters' and community festivals to create a 'family reunion' vibe, ensuring long-term impact beyond short-term solutions.

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 we call it the community way. Um, and that's literally just the way that we operate and work together. Instead of just dropping off supplies and materials, we are trying to create a community vibe. The way that I always explain to people and again similar to how I grew up is I try to curate the event like a family reunion.

Brian Anthony Morland, the only Black lead producer on Broadway, highlights that financial success (like his 150% recoupment with 'Othello' starring Denzel Washington) stems from a collective effort, including a believing cast, dedicated director, and a diverse team across all 16 unions involved in a production. He stresses that including 'all people' (Black, Asian, Hispanic) leads to universal profit, and that opening doors for diverse backgrounds enhances the entire industry.

Brian Anthony Morland is a two-time Tony Award nominee and right now he is the only black lead producer on Broadway. His most recent Broadway production, Oll starring Denzel Washington, achieved a 150% recoupment, a major milestone in an industry where only about one in five shows ever recoup their investment. When we include all people, all boats float. And so by all people, I mean black people, Asian people, Hispanic people. We see this in our films and our I mean, we look at the success of Sentinners. You look before that, you look at the success of of Black Panther. You look at the success of Crazy Rich Asians. You know, it just goes to show you that when you include all people, all cultures, the only color that everyone profits from is green. It takes a cast that believes in you. Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal put their trust in me and Kenny Leon put his career in in my hands in order to actually create a production of a fellow that was able to do that at the Barrymore Theater.