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IN MEMORIAM: Cassandra Griffen, Renowned Documentary Photographer, Dies at 75

BIRMINGHAM TIMES — Cassandra Griffen was born on Jan. 25, 1950 in Wilson, N.C. Her parents, Charles Richard Griffen and Bertha Baynes Griffen, were educators in the state’s public school system. Mrs. Griffen started taking photographs at family gatherings when she was 11. Over the decades, she continued to develop her craft and merge her talent for photography and storytelling with her passion for social justice. In New York, Mrs. Griffen took on roles as a gerontologist and an ombudsman, advocating for the rights of elders in nursing homes.

Published

4 months ago

November 19, 2025

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By Shauna Stuart
The Birmingham Times

Cassandra Griffen, an activist and renowned documentary photographer whose many notable images included the Civil Rights Movement as well as Sun Ra Arkestra, was celebrated on Sunday by a host of Birmingham artists, historians, and musicians. Mrs. Griffen died on Oct. 23. She was 75.

Family and friends filed into East Village Arts, the neighborhood’s avant-garde nonprofit artist collective, a little before 2 p.m. The gathering was jovial and full of music. Griffen was a longtime photographer of the nation’s cultural and political scene. Her family outfitted the vibrant community arts space as a testament to her life’s work.

Rene Kemp-Rotan, an urban designer and master planner, was hosting an outdoor civic engagement presentation in 2004 about the plans for Railroad Park, when Mrs. Griffen approached her after the speech. The two women, along with Carol Clarke, then Director of the Birmingham Department of Economic Development, would later bond over a mutual love of art, jazz, New York, and cultural preservation.

“She was literally recording life as it happened,” said Kemp-Rotan. “Particularly in the Black political community.”

Birmingham native Wilhelmina Thomas, a textile artist and historian, remembered Mrs. Griffen as a person with a wealth of information. “A lot of the anecdotal stories that I got, I got from her. I got ideas of where to research … and she is a debutante. She just went out and was an ambassador to the world for Birmingham, of what out African American potential is.”

A montage of portraits of Mrs. Cassandra Griffen. (Larry Gay Photography)

At the celebration, a gallery of Mrs. Griffen’s photographs lined the front of East Village Arts. One table sported a 2016 image of Black Lives Matter demonstrations, alongside colorful portraits of members of SunRa’s Arkestra.

Nearby sat black and white photographs of singer and Civil Rights icon Nina Simone, outfitted in a one-shoulder dress and holding a shekere above her head as she danced. Another part of the gallery was dedicated to Mrs. Griffen’s photographs of revered Alabama icons– black and white portraits of legendary blues musician Henry “Gip” Gipson, Civil Rights leader Fred Shuttlesworth, and a candid side profile of lauded poet Sonia Sanchez in conversation with a small group.

Near the back, a quartet of beloved Birmingham jazz musicians– Bo Berry, Willie Jackson, Bernard McQueen, and John Nuckols played jazz standards to welcome attendees as they settled into their seats.

Cassandra Griffen was born on Jan. 25, 1950 in Wilson, N.C. Her parents, Charles Richard Griffen and Bertha Baynes Griffen, were educators in the state’s public school system. Mrs. Griffen started taking photographs at family gatherings when she was 11. Over the decades, she continued to develop her craft and merge her talent for photography and storytelling with her passion for social justice. In New York, Mrs. Griffen took on roles as a gerontologist and an ombudsman, advocating for the rights of elders in nursing homes.

Griffen also served as a member of the New York state human rights commission, working to draft fair housing policies. During her tenures in New Jersey and New York, she photographed the arts and culture scenes. In the late 1970s, while living in New York City, she frequented the famed CBGB music club in New York when she met the SunRa Arkestra.

Mrs. Griffen developed a bond with the group and eventually developed a reputation as the collective’s documentary photographer. Griffen was also the only woman allowed to spend the night in the Arkestra house in Philly’s Germantown neighborhood. Sun Ra, the Arkestra’s pioneering– but notoriously strict– bandleader, famously barred women from spending the night in the compound. That rule is a fact Sun Ra Arkestra saxophonist and composer Knoel Scott recalls with detail.

“Sun Ra didn’t want women staying with us. He said they break up bands,” but he trusted Cassandra, Scott said with a laugh, during a recent phone call from London. “ … Cassandra could stay the night. She was the only woman who Sun Ra didn’t mind staying with us.”

From left: Germaul Barnes, Yogi Dada, and Carol Clarke came to celebrate Mrs. Cassandra Griffen. (Larry Gay Photography)

To the Arkestra, Mrs. Griffen was more than a documentarian and friend. She was also committed to preserving the artistic legacy of Sun Ra and ensuring that his message of liberation for Black people didn’t get erased as more audiences embraced Sun Ra’s music and image.

“I really appreciated that,” said Scott. “She celebrated Sun Ra as one of the legends in the African American community and African American culture and the continuation of the African American tradition.”

In 1999, after more than 40 years in the northeast, Griffen moved to Birmingham to be close to her uncle, JT McKinney, one of the first African American jitney bus owners in Alabama, said Mrs. Griffen’s daughter Oneika Brooks DeJoy.

“She moved to Birmingham to take care of him and write a story about him,” said DeJoy.

In the South, Mrs. Griffen continued to photograph art, culture, and historic scenes in Alabama and around the region. As she developed a rapport and relationships with mayors, Civil Rights luminaries, and city leaders, her portfolio expanded to include photographs of Fred Shuttlesworth, Coretta Scott King, and former Birmingham Mayor William Bell. Griffen frequented jazz clubs and Gip’s Place, the historic juke joint in Bessemer. She also regularly photographed artist Joe Minter and his African Village in America.

The connections would eventually lead to exhibitions at storied Birmingham institutions, including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s Odessa Woolfolk Gallery.

From left: David Stewart, Wilma Stewart (Note: Wilma Stewart is Sun Ra’s niece), Burgin Mathews, Oneika Brooks DeJoy, Rene Kemp-Rotan, and Stephonia Taylor McLinn pose for a photograph at Cassadra Griffen’s memorial service at East Village Arts on Nov. 9, 2025. (Shauna Stuart, For The Birmingham Times.

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Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

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Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

6 days ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

6 days ago

February 27, 2026

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Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,