Category Archives: Youth

The 18th…

Attorney Benjamin Crump, Birthdays, Crime, Facebook, Faith, Family, Google, Gun Control, I Have A Dream, Injustice, Inner City, Jacksonville Florida, Jordan Davis, Life & Death, Love, Media, murder, National Rifle Association, Prayer, Race, Race Relations, Racism, Social Media, Stand Your Ground, Trayvon Martin, Twitter, Youth February 5, 2013 Leave a comment

Gosh, I anticipated this day my whole life. To be an adult; “A Grown Man”. I’d be old enough to vote and just months away from graduating high school.

I’m missing all of that now. Pray for my mother and father. This is a day they’d usually be excited about just as much as if not more than me. Pray their strength. They’ve suffered an unthinkable pain for nearly a year.

Pray for my family. They didn’t deserve to see me go out like this. Pray for my community. Pray their strength is unbreakable as they along with my family demand justice in my name.

Pray for the family of Jordan Davis. He and I share a similar story of how a coward can steal the innocence of a child.

Pray for all the young people who like me just want to make it home from the store without being thought of as suspicious because they’re protecting their head from the rain or because of the way we listen to our music while wearing a beautiful dark hue. A hue so strong and powerful it is seen as a threat and despised because its all that many choose to see about a kid.

Jordan and I both had dreams that were stolen from us in 2012 as blood spilled from our bodies and as we took our last breath. So please, while you still have a chance, this Black History Month and for my 18th Birthday decide today to conquer your dreams, live them courageously and unapologetically and share them with the ones you love!

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9 Months…

Commitment, Community Service, Crime, Facebook, Google, Injustice, Law & Order, Life & Death, Love, Media, murder, Opportunities, Prayer, Social Media, Trayvon Martin, Twitter, Youth November 26, 2012 1 Comment

I’ve read the transcripts and heard the 911 tapes that recorded your voice as you cried out for your life on that rainy Sunday night.

I’ve tried to imagine the the how’s and why’s of the situation which would be your last. I’ve reasoned and wrestled with it over and over in my head, on paper and in conversation with close friends. At times your last moments consumed me for hours, sometimes days at a time. I have been saddened, angered and inspired by your death.

Many young men and women die innocently at the hands of a stranger and sometimes at the hands of people they know. However, you were different. Maybe it’s because we’re both Floridians. Perhaps it’s because you reminded me of former students I taught or mentored. Maybe its the love and gentleness I see in your eyes on all the pictures online… I’m not sure why, but I carry it with me. I carry you with me.

I pray for your family. I couldn’t imagine losing my sister or brother brutally at the hands of a coward. The rage of imagining it is so powerful I shake at just the thought of it.

Each time I see my nephew, I squeeze him just a few seconds longer. He probably thinks I’m babying him, but I’m praying for him and the millions of other young men who are targeted as suspects just for the color of their skin. He’s only a year younger than you were when you left this world.

So here we are 9 months later and I ask myself, “What has been “birthed” from your death?”

For me, it’s to not be complacent with the comforts of suburbia and gated communities. It’s also made me glean more about the criminal code and SYG legislation around the nation. I’m sure this is true for others.

I believe that your death won’t be in vain, despite all the pain it has caused. I hope your murderer is found guilty, and I pray for the safety of youth everywhere.

I’m not sure what you dreamed of being when you grew up. I imagine like most young people it was something cool that would be a gift to the world. You should know, despite the sudden halt of those dreams, even in your death you’ve been a gift and you have changed the world.

Nine months…

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When Girls Kill… Trial of Alexis Simpson

4 Little Girls, Colleges, Crime, Education, Facebook, HBCU, Social Media, Twitter, Youth November 15, 2012 Leave a comment

Dominique Frazier (pictured in 4th frame) was murdered by her college roommate, Alexis Simpson. Simpson’s trial is underway.

September 15, 2011: On the 48th Anniversary of The Bombing of 4 Little Girls at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL Washington DC native, 18 year old Dominique Frazier was stabbed to death by her roommate, Alexis Simpson. The triggering factor… LOUD MUSIC from an iPod!

Simpson came home to her Bowie State University dormitory suite around 8 p.m., she turned off the iPod that Frazier had playing and went to her own bedroom. When Frazier turned the music back on, Simpson started pounding on Frazier’s door, according to guests who were present in the dormitory suite. One of the visitors opened the door to Frazier’s bedroom, and Simpson jumped on Dominique, according to witness statements and the victims mother. The  fight escalated when Simpson took a pair of scissors and gruesomely stabbed Frazier in the neck.

Hours later, Simpson turned herself in to county law enforcement. After the murder occurred, eyewitnesses said that Simpson told them “I didn’t mean to do it, you all don’t know what I’ve been through.”

Frazier would be 20 years old. She died just days short of her 19th birthday.

Today in court, Simpson told the jury she was trying to defend herself. She said she had been bullied by Frazier and knew Frazier owned a knife. Find more on the Simpson trial from the local ABC News Affiliate ABC7News

 

*** This post is a continuation of When Girls Kill… 4 Little Girls Killed by 4 Little Girls in 2011 ***

Diddy Didn’t Do It: Justin Combs EARNS Full Athletic Scholarship to UCLA

Colleges, Commitment, Dads, Education, Entertainment, Facebook, Family, Family Traditions, Google, Howard University, Justin Combs, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Social Media, Twitter, UCLA, Youth June 1, 2012 Leave a comment

High School All American and UCLA Recruit Justin Combs… (This photo does not belong to this site.)

All week media outlets from the Today Show to ESPN have covered the “story of Sean “Diddy” Combs eldest child Justin Combs being awarded a full ride to UCLA for to play football. Sure the senior Combs is a multi-million dollar entertainer and business mogul, but he’s not the one who’s headed to college this fall. Besides, Diddy attended Howard University over 20 years ago… Continue here

Operation: Send Red to the WNBA Combine

Antonia Bennett, Colleges, Education, Esteem and Fitness, Facebook, Faith, Florida, Florida A&M, Google, HBCU, Health & Fitness, Love & Basketball, Media, Mentoring, NCAA March Madness, Polk County, Polk County Florida, Single Mother's, Social Media, Twitter, WNBA, Youth, Youth Awareness March 23, 2012 Leave a comment

Antonia “RED” Bennett

**This image does not belong to this site. This image was captured from Google.**

WHO IS RED?

Antonia “RED” Bennett is a senior at Florida A&M University hailing from Lakeland, FL. Red has been recently selected to participate in the 2012 WNBA Combine which will be held in Denver, CO in one week, March 30 – April 1, 2012.

ON THE COURT

Red, a forward averages 18 points a game, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. She is the 2012 MEAC Player of the Year. She was selected as a part of the first team all conference, MEAC tournament team, and a nominee for the Pan-American game team captain just to name a few of her most recent accomplishments.

OFF THE COURT

Red is a 22 year old criminal justice major who has led the Lady Rattlers not just with her statistical accomplishments on the court but also by being success in the classroom. Red regularly mentors youth through a juvenile justice program in Tallahassee. She has also worked in numerous summer camps for youth.

Due to NCAA rules and regulations, FAMU is unable to assist with any expenses which amount to about $1800. The expenses include but are not limited to (flight, hotel, travel, food, etc.) Red has been able to raise about $700 thus far, but time is ticking.

HOW CAN YOU HELP

Your financial support, resources, contacts, etc.) will help this dynamic young lady fulfill her life long dream of playing professional basketball. So here’s what I need you to do… Please make a donation to help this young lady get to Denver and then ask your friends to do so as well. My goal is to see her have that $1800 by the time North Carolina takes to the court on Sunday night (Yea I’m a Tarheel).

As the first women’s basketball player from FAMU to be selected to participate in this event, with your help she will be able to represent the RATTLER NATION and bring exposure to HBCU women’s basketball programs.

Her mother, Iris Hinson has created a PayPal account to help get her babygirl to Denver…. We hope you will send a donation.

You can call Karen Riggien at 850-599-3264 or …

Click here to donate: https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=7VCyzfbfRou90I1cWvcZ6DR41LXi8tulJTVmUfDKYq1jrH61w9CA9bJ-3v8&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8dcbcd55a50598f04d927139403713ca13

Department of Justice & FBI now involved in the TRAYVON MARTIN case

Attorney Benjamin Crump, Crime, Facebook, Florida, Google, Injustice, murder, Race, Race Relations, Racism, Social Media, Trayvon Martin, Twitter, Youth March 19, 2012 Leave a comment

OFFICIAL DOJ STATEMENT IN THE TRAYVON MARTIN CASE: “The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the FBI opened an investigation into the facts and circumstances of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The department will conduct a thorough and independent review of all of the evidence and take appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigation. The department also is providing assistance to and cooperating with the state officials in their investigation into the incident. With all federal civil rights crimes, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person acted intentionally and with the specific intent to do something which the law forbids – the highest level of intent in criminal law. Negligence, recklessness, mistakes and accidents are not prosecutable under the federal criminal civil rights laws. The Community Relations Service will be in Sanford, Fla., this week to meet with civil rights leaders, community leaders, and local law enforcement to address tension in the community.”

Trayvon Martin’s Last Cry…

Attorney Benjamin Crump, Crime, Facebook, Florida, Google, Injustice, murder, Race Relations, Racism, Social Media, Trayvon Martin, Twitter, Youth, Youth Awareness March 16, 2012 Leave a comment

The 911 tapes have been released. There’s nothing I can write to describe, explain or express the sadness and agony that stirs inside me as I listen to this child and his last cry…

Listen here:The sound no parent should ever have to hear

Trayvon Martin

Attorney Benjamin Crump, Crime, Facebook, Family, Florida, Injustice, Media, murder, Race, Race Relations, Racism, Roundup Russy, Social Media, Trayvon Martin, Twitter, Youth, Youth Awareness March 13, 2012 1 Comment

Every neighborhood has that one nosey neighbor. In my childhood neighborhood in Central Florida we called her “nosey Rosie”; nosey because she was always in everyone’s business and Rosie because that was her name. She’d call your mom, your next door neighbor and maybe the laws (southern for police), but Nosey Rosie would never lay her hands or an extension there of on a child…

But that was 25 years ago… Fast forward to Feb. 2012 in another Central Florida neighborhood about 45 min northeast of my home and there’s another nosey neighbor. This guy is the “self appointed captain” of the neighborhood watch. At age 26, George Zimmerman is far from being Nosey Rosie which became very clear on Feb. 26, 2012 when he fatally shot 17 year old Trayvon Martin.

According to other published reports, Zimmerman called 911 reporting a suspicious person (Martin). The dispatcher reportedly instructed Zimmerman to not follow the suspicious person, and informed him that an officer was en route. Zimmerman ignored the dispatcher, following Martin anyway while armed with his 9mm pistol.

Skittles & Ice Tea

Sometime between that 911 call and the arrival of Sanford PD, Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon in his chest. When officers arrived they discovered Trayvon’s lifeless body face down, unarmed with only a bag of skittles and a can of ice tea in his pockets.

Zimmerman claimed self defense and was released without any criminal charges.

The unreleased 911 Tapes

Attorney Benjamin Crump of the Tallahassee powerhouse firm Parks & Crump has been retained to represent the Martin family. Crump has filed a lawsuit for the release of the 911 tapes.

According to Crump, people with access to the tapes have states that Zimmerman made a comment about Martins race during the call and said he had no intentions of letting the youth get away because, “they always get away.”

Not so Squeaky Clean Record

Initially Sanford PD told the Martin family that the shooting was in self defense and that the shooter, Zimmerman had a “squeaky clean” record. Public records show that Zimmerman has been arrested before and was charged with resisting arrest and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Complaints on Zimmerman

Neighbors of the Retreat at Twin Lakes community had filed complaints about his over zealous tabs aggressive tactics. The self appointed neighborhood watch captain remains free.

Developing Story

Although this tragedy took place weeks ago, this story is still developing. As we await the release of the 911 tapes and the State Attorney’s Office decision regarding criminal charges, I implore you to actively utilize Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to keep the lights an attention on this case.

Also, please join the Facebook group, “Justice for Trayvon” to show your support.

***This post was written for this website and for Alumni Roundup. Feel free to post this link to your social media pages. As the story develops, the information here will be updated.

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7/13 VOTE Coach Corey Tumer 2011 Hoodie Awards Community Leader

Community Service, Corey Tumer, Esteem and Fitness, Facebook, Facebook Urban Mentors, Google, Hoodie Awards, Humanitarianism, Kappa Alpha Psi, Mentoring, Social Media, Steve Harvey, Twitter, Youth, Youth Awareness July 12, 2011 Leave a comment

5 Reasons to Vote for Coach Corey Tumer as the 2011 Hoodie Awards Community Leader today, WEDNESDAY July 13th 

1. Corey is a Public School Teacher (that in itself deserves an applause)

2. Coach Tumer has been a role model for students in his adopted community of Lakeland, FL

3. Coach Tumer coaches the TOP teen step team in FLORIDA, traveling throughout the state to compete in competitions

4. Coach Tumer coaches youth basketball

5. Coach Tumer gives back to his local community by hosting positive events for positive people, assisting local students with positive support, life skills, financial assistance and tough love. On July 23, 2011 he will be joined by Lakeland’s own NFL stars Mike & Maurkice Pouncey in the 2nd Annual Corey Tumer Back to School Supply Drive.

6. Yea, I know I said 5 but it’s my site… Vote for Coach Tumer because he is a role model for the community, he is an example of someone who abides by the rule, “To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected”, and he exceeds the expectation. He’s a father to the fatherless, a brother to the brotherless. His selfless acts of being a 30 something single guy who gives of himself without hesitation to help others creates in him the ideal nominee and recipient of the 2011 Hoodie Awards Community Leader!

Click Here to Vote! Corey Tumer Lakeland Florida 2011 Community Leader

** Bonus Reason… The Lakeland Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi voted Corey Tumer as the 2010-2011 Brother of The Year… that’s a big deal, its their Centennial Year!!)

N!&&a on Twitter… The Power of Social Networking

Alabama, Atlanta, Birmingham, Dr. King, Esteem and Fitness, Faith, Family, Greek Lettered Organizations, Kwanzaa, Mentoring, Race, Race Relations, Racism, Roland S. Martin, Social Media, Twitter, Youth, Youth Awareness December 28, 2010 Leave a comment

All photo's are from Google... I do not own these images! I will remove them if deemed necessary.

Late, and I mean LATE last night on the ever so popular social networking site Twitter a discussion took off regarding the inflammatory nature (to some) of the use of the term Nigga. Nationally recognized journalist, Roland Martin and a young man from Alabama engaged in what I considered an open conversation about the term.

In my eyes, Martin, a 42 year old Houston native failed to recognize the teaching opportunity that arose via his conversation with the young man from Alabama. Shortly thereafter, a Twitter feud emerged. Having followed Martin for some time on Twitter and throughout the years as a journalist I was disappointed to say the least. I saw the disagreement as an opportunity to begin bridging the gap between yet another generation in the African American community.

Recognizing the potential opportunity being presented through the “Twitter Feud” aka Birmingham vs. Roland Martin, I asked Martin to come to the historic Magic City and join us at our next Tweet & Greet and make it a forum instead of a party so that we can discuss the generational interpretations and use of Nigga.

Many young people see the word as just a word, understanding the history behind it they refuse to allow it have POWER over them. I’ve used the word, and variations of it. I’ll admit that. However, its the malice intent that is associated with it that upsets me not the use of it generally in the context that it was used initially last night.

We’ve extended an invitation to Mr. Martin to come to Birmingham and sit down to discuss this, but he has continued even at this very moment to disrespect and belittle the very people he claims to want to help.

Last night he was so gung-ho about being an Alpha Man (A PHI A) not afraid to check another brother, that he failed to remember one common trait about brotherhood; you’re only as strong as your weakest link. I wish he would have embraced the brothers and others by being a leader.

The Kwanzaa principle Ujima teaches us that we must work collectively and responsibly to correct wrongs in our community. Today we renew our efforts to build and maintain our community, while working with others to solve our problems. I wonder if Mr. Martin knows that? Perhaps if he did, he would not still be ranting and raving on Twitter and instead he’d offer solutions.

The funny thing about last night with Mr. Martin and still this morning, his defiance and belittling tone towards the young people of Birmingham has incited the same if not more fury and anger as the word Nigga itself…

**To be con’t**

Also checkout my friend Chad and his assessment of Roland Martin’s tirade… Mo Better Truths

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