Eight-year-old Arriell Skye Williams was having “The Talk” with her father Antjuan Williams on a YouTube video created in 2020. This is the talk that Black parents give their children — usually their sons — about how they should deal with the police if they encounter them. On the video, she raised her hands above her head and then — prompted by her dad to pretend she was pulled over by a police officer — she positioned them on an imaginary steering wheel.

Without further prompting, she recited the words that were taught to her by her father during the video “talk.” The girl says: “I’m Arriell Skye Williams,” she says as if she was in front of a third-grade class. “I’m 8 years old. I’m unarmed. And I have nothing that will hurt you.”

The words, crafted by her father, were designed to keep her from ever becoming a victim in a police killing.

Other children like 12-year-old Tamir Rice, in Cleveland playing with a toy gun, had become “accidents” because of “mistakes” in which Black children were seen as threats by police.

Killing young Blacks (mostly males, but increasingly females) seems to have become an occupational hazard for police these days.

The accelerating pace of minority juvenile encounters with police means that African-American youth are increasingly crossing paths with those sworn to “protect and serve” in a world flooded with guns, drugs, racial profiling, feuds and “fake news” on the internet.

For these youth — especially in Black and brown inner-city neighborhoods — they must also navigate through minefields filled with teenage angst and real or imagined criminals.

Unfortunately, Black males have frequently found themselves seen as so-called “Gorillas in the Mist,” a description often used in the 1980s by police and white bigots to refer to Black males in inner cities. The image was derived from a 1988 drama film about naturalist Dian Fossey and the gorillas she tried to protect. The image became a metaphor used in the criminal stereotyping of Black males and “beasts” that police must face.

Many of the impressions of Black males are insinuated into television dramas and projected onto the big screen, confusing even young Blacks as to whether they are worthy of salvation in a biased United States.

According to 1998’s “The Color of Crime: Racial Hoaxes, White Fear, Black Protectionism, Police Harassment and Other Macroaggressions” by American academic Katheryn Russell-Brown, criminal stereotyping is based on the “demographic they [Blacks] are proportionally over-represented in the numbers of those that are arrested committing crimes.”

The statistics compiled by the FBI and others often fail to show that Blacks are stopped more often than whites on suspicion of crimes and often railroaded through an unfair criminal justice system that is weighted against minorities and the poor. One legal scholar, Michelle Alexander, has referred to having U.S. prisons filled with minorities as the “New Jim Crow.”

One mother on the YouTube video with the Williamses tried to explain this.

“Before they were police officers, they were a person,” the woman told her sons. “That person took all his prejudices with him when he went onto the job. You have to be careful because the world is not always fair.” She told her lighter-skinned son that he might not have the same problems as his brother because his skin tone and his curlier hair would allow him to avert the bias.

“There’s still a lot to be done,” Mia Griffin, 18, observed as she sat at an outdoor cafe Tuesday in Center City’s Dilworth Plaza.

The Derek Chauvin guilty verdict had just come down and the National Guard that had been positioned around City Hall was being escorted out by police motorcycles blaring sirens. The danger of riots against a not-guilty verdict for the former police officer had been averted.

“I try not to allow him to hear too much,” said Valerie Billups Morton, 57, gesturing at her 3-year-old grandson playing in a folding chair nearby. “I’m going to teach him more about society later ... But I’m glad of the verdict.”

As Veronica Ramirez, 24, a day care teacher, walked with her two male toddlers down Market Street, she too was pleased by the verdict. “My uncle is a cop. I told them not all police are bad,” she said while making sure the two boys, who are 5 and 2, did not wander into the street.

Ramirez said she has told the older one, Xayden, that it’s alright to be angry, but not to burn, loot or vandalize.

“I tell him when he sees stuff like people fighting for their rights it’s not OK to do damage,” she said.

As the cycle of police abuse continues, experts agree that “the talk” should be continued. Philadelphia adolescent psychiatrist Adrienne Clark recently told Chicago-based WBEZ that Black parents should not abandon these conversations with their kids about race and police.

She also said that it was important for parents to be honest with their kids from an early age and as they grow older.

“They’re likely to hear about police incidents anyway. They’re on the news, and everyone is talking about these events when they happen,” Clark said. “You want them to hear it from a trusted adult before hearing it from their peers and classmates.”

For these younger children, Clark said books like “Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice” can help start the conversation. Published by the American Psychological Association, the story follows two families — one white and one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community.

These grim realities must be faced at, as shown by Antjuan Williams’ conversation with his young daughter on YouTube.

Looking back at the video, with her delightfully curly hair, Arriell looks like an unlikely candidate for a police incident. But these days parents — especially Black parents — are less inclined to take anything for granted.

Arriell’s father tells her that he himself had been thrown to the concrete, bloodied and Tased by police because of a mistaken identity incident when he was a teen, which made Arriell begin to cry and climb onto her father’s knee to be embraced.

CALENDAR INSTAGRAM

New Netflix Show Explores the Vital Influence of Black Culture on America’s Kitchen

‘High on the Hog,’ debuting May 26, is a celebration of African foodways and “Black America’s resilience” By Elazar Sontag on April 21, 2021

Food historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris and journalist Stephen Satterfield collaborate on the new Netflix show High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America. Netflix

When it comes to African foodways, and the vast diaspora from which those foods come, there are few people with as much expertise as food historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris. Luckily for viewers everywhere, Harris — who holds more awards and accomplishments than one can fit into a single sentence — is bringing her trove of knowledge to a new Netflix original show called High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America, that will debut on May 26.

The docu-series, adapted from one of Harris’ many books, this one of the same name, is “part culinary show, part travelogue,” according to a press release. The show will be hosted by Stephen Satterfield, the founder of Whetstone, a magazine and media company sharing stories of food and its culture across the globe. Throughout the four-episode series, Satterfield “embarks on a vibrant and powerful culinary journey alongside chefs, historians, and activists that celebrate the courage, artistry, and resourcefulness of the African American people,” according to the release.

Too often, food and travel shows fall back on the tired trope of Food As Unifier, a feel good concept, sure, but one that tends to erase and glaze over issues of racism, class disparity, and labor, that are so often core to who eats what, and why. This show, it seems, is committed to telling the full and unadulterated story of “America’s deep-rooted history of slavery, and the impact on American food as we know it today.”

High on the Hog will offer a history lesson from one of this country’s finest historians, and one of its most respected food journalists, and promises to untangle and unpack these topics over beautiful West African stews, soul food, barbecue, and fine dining meals.

The show, directed by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams, is, the press release says, “a story of Black America’s resilience, enduring creativity, and vital contribution to America’s kitchen.” A month feels like a long time to wait for a Netflix show, but if their past work is any indication, Harris and Satterfield are sure to make the wait worthwhile.

All offerings will be available on UPSTREAMING, the Fisher Center’s online venue.

A live-streamed, 1-on-1 performance to bring audience members in contact with those faced with inhumane detention centers and a mental health system that disregards their political and emotional humanity. A collaboration between live artist Tania El Khoury and musician and street artist Basel Zaraa, reimagined online during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the piece explores the mental and physical health experiences of refugees.

What can we learn from a virus? Can we recognize COVID-19 not only as an affliction but also as a messenger? The Vimalakirti Sutra, an inconceivably radiant Buddhist text from the first century CE, understands illness as a path of spiritual awakening. Four virtuosic and singular artists—blazing South Indian singer Ganavya Doraiswamy, dancer Michael Schumacher, calligrapher Wang Dongling, and director Peter Sellars—are collaborating remotely from around the world on a film made in real time, offered for free as a gift to a world in pain.

Pam Tanowitz, the Fisher Center’s first and current Choreographer in Residence, is developing two new dance for camera works, created out of necessity in this time when live performance isn’t possible: Past Present Future, a tryptic of short films reimagining existing Pam Tanowitz Dance material in unusual settings; and Finally Unfinished, a Jasper Johns-inspired work with music by Caroline Shaw. Both films made in partnership with Cyprian Films.

Tubman and her father were both enslaved on the Maryland plantation. The land will eventually be added to the Tubman Byway. State Highway Administration Chief Archaeologist Julie Schablitsky explained how after digging about 1,000 holes with the help of a dozen other archaeologists, she decided to employ her metal detector. It was then, in November, that she discovered a 50 cent 1808 coin.

By Christopher Gray, Contributor, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forbes

Three months since the Black Lives Matters protests started and people are still rallying together every single day on behalf of the past and future Black people who have fallen victim to police violence.

The riots that have ensued following what is considered the largest movement in American history, with an estimated 15 million-26 million person turnout, have been felt in almost every major city in the country. With the latest viral video of Jacob Blake being shot 7 times by a police officer at the Kenosha Police Department circulating, some people are wondering if their voices are being heard.

So during a time when Black men feel like we have a target on our backs, it’s integral that Black men who have access and resources become agents of change and shift the narrative in our community.

This is why Bryce Thompson, a successful 24 year old entrepreneur, has stepped up to be on the forefront of that change. Despite his current success, however, Thompson is no stranger to stepping up to the plate in the face of adversity. After nearly missing out on the opportunity to attend college at Morehouse College in Atlanta due to financial constraints, his uncle generously offered to pay his way. Now, at only 24 years old, Thompson is in a position to follow suit of his uncle and pave the way for others who may be facing similar challenges by providing $100,000 in scholarships to ten students attending HBCUs this fall.

Thompson’s time at Morehouse, also an HBCU, was spent well, making the Dean’s List every semester. After being offered many promising internships and working in the engineering field,

Thompson learned that he was not interested in climbing the corporate ladder. Instead, he found his calling in carving his own path to financial success and helping others to do the same.

Thompson’s older brother, who has served as his lifelong role model, introduced him to cryptocurrency and investing which not only sparked Thompson’s interest, but held it in a way that nothing ever had before. This newfound venture catapulted Thompson into a career path that would soon make him a 20’s-something Black millionaire who had his eyes set on helping others to achieve success.

As he continued to develop his knowledge, what started as giving people advice about investing quickly turned into a passion for helping to position others for financial success.

Thompson knew that his life path would be teaching others how to make their money work for them through cryptocurrency and investment strategies.

Thompson, his brother Branden Thompson, and four of Thompson’s closest friends (Nathan Samuel, Reynaldo Perez, Joshua Stewart and Ian Jackson) built TradeHouse while they were all still students at Morehouse (excluding Branden).

TradeHouse rapidly went from hosting small-scale events and one on one meetings with their fellow peers at Morehouse to hosting international events and building a group of 75,000 people and counting in 10+ countries who rely on TradeHouse to teach them how to become financially literate.

While TradeHouse is there for everyone, it was designed to “educate those who had been traditionally disenfranchised with a platform that provides them with economic and social advancement.” explained Thompson.

As TradeHouse continues to impact the lives of people around the world, Thompson’s desire to give back keeps burning. In a philanthropic and timely move, Thompson’s decision to fund $100,000 in scholarships specifically to HBCU students speaks volumes.

“I strongly believe that HBCUs assist in the BLM movement by providing a safe and culturally aware learning environment which better educates and prepares young black men and women to attain high level positions.” said Thompson.

“This puts them in a position to serve not only their communities, but the world at large through the skills they acquire while attending these sacred institutions.”

Thompson’s close call at not being able to attend Morehouse College helped him relate to others who might not be able to receive a higher education at all.

“I realize there are people who don’t have a friend or family member that can step in and help the way my uncle did for me.” Thompson said. “I told myself that I would one day offer scholarships of my own to help students like myself avoid a similar situation.”

Thompson hopes to encourage people through his story and journey that they too can make a significant impact and hold important roles no matter their age, skin color, or circumstance. He wants to inspire people to go off the beaten path and create their own success through entrepreneurship.

If Thompson could say one thing to young people it would be, “Your goals are your goals, and no-one else’s.

Believe in your goals and the things that you do because what makes sense to you doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else.”

At just 21 years old, King Randall has big plans to give back to community youth, even more than he already has. WALB News 10 in Georgia reported that he is opening up a new school in Albany. Randall aspires to transform the former Isabella School into the New Life Preparatory School. In the WALB interview, Randall said that he hopes the school will provide Albany boys more opportunities for success. He has been wanting to open a school since beginning The “X” for Boys program when he was just 19-years-old. According to the “X” Boys community website, the current program offerings include teaching simple automotive repair, home improvement workshops, and reading literacy.

Randall wants to step up his pace while making an impact. WALB added that the boys will reportedly be taught traditional academics, trade skills such as welding and auto repair, the science of family and manhood, and firearms training, at the forthcoming school.

“So giving them a space where they’re around a lot of other young men and around other men trying to mold you and train you. I’ve had kids come find me at my house and come knock and ask to join The “X” for Boys. I’ve had kids message me on Instagram, gang members, you name it,” Randall said to WALB, noting that positive opportunity is needed.

In the news interview, Randall also said that he worked with the Dougherty County School System to find a perfect location for the school. After getting in touch with the superintendent, Randall had an opportunity to tour a building that was going to be demolished. Randall noted that it needs a little tender loving care, but he felt that it was in great condition.

“The X for Boys is now interested in purchasing a building to start a boarding school for boys in Albany, Georgia. This is a much-needed man-making institution. If there is no one to CONSISTENTLY help our young men, the community and the society will remain the same if our men never are taught to stand up for their families. We need your help to get this building in hope that The X for Boys expands across the country but first starting in Albany, Georgia!” the message on its GoFundMe page said. The “X” for Boys School Building Fundraiser is available via https://www.gofundme.com/f/thexforboys.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION, DIVERSITY RECRUITMENT, EDUCATION, NEWS

Written by Brian Good on April 19, 2021

Flagship universities, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, tend to be the most popular and well-known universities in the state, the first founded in a given state and the most financially supported by the state government. And among almost all of these schools, diversity is always said to be a priority. But Lauren Lumpkin, Meredith Kolodner and Nick Anderson of The Washington Post have reported that, almost universally, enrollment of Black, Latinx and other diverse populations at flagship institutions has continued to drop in recent years.

“Alarms sounded at the University of Maryland when the Class of 2022 arrived at College Park. Seven percent of freshmen in fall 2018 were Black, down from 10% the year before and 13% in 2014,” The Post reported.

At the University of Maryland, the gap between Black students graduating in the state and the number of Black students enrolled at the university was 24 percentage points — the sixth-worst in the country and a record that many educators have called dismal. The Post also reported on other leading offenders, including flagship schools from Michigan, South Carolina and Mississippi.

“Skeptics question whether the flagships [also] focus too much on a narrow band of students who they know will graduate with minimal support,” The Post reported.

Tomás Monarrez, a research associate at the Urban Institute who has analyzed racial representation in higher education, told the Post that “many of the flagships and highly selective public colleges are behaving basically like an Ivy League institution when it comes to admissions. The issue is not that there aren’t enough qualified Black and Latino students. It’s about who they’re choosing to accept.”

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LeBron James Gets $100 Million Investment to Build Media Empire: The King and his longtime business partner Maverick Carter have formed a new company with an unapologetic agenda.

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This month I added a new art collection called "No Justice No Peace," because I decided to work on a painting inspired by the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. At first I was going to add it to the current collection "Pandemic 2020" since the topic refers to a racial pandemic. As the media says, "We have a pandemic within a pandemic." However, I felt the painting was so very important, it deserved to be in a category of its own." www.sharonattaway.com | To purchase ttps://sharonattaway.com/workszoom/3661060#/

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New Documentaries by Brave New Films Available Now There is a more productive alternative to our current criminal justice system. Restorative justice is about the needs of those who are hurt by crime. Educate yourself and watch Brave New Films’ social justice documentaries right now on the SoulVision.TV app! FOR ALL PRESS INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:

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