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The Making of George Documentary Screening Remembers George Perry Floyd Jr. on 3rd Anniversary of His Cold-Blooded Murder

ABOVE: Dignitaries and Family of George Floyd at documentary screening On Memorial Day—May 25, 2020—the whole world was forced to witness the heartless and cold-blooded murder of George Perry Floyd Jr.—a native of Houston’s historic Third Ward community who died under the knee of now-convicted murder Derek Chauvin, while his fellow Minneapolis police officers watched […]
The post The Making of George Documentary Screening Remembers George Perry Floyd Jr. on 3rd Anniversary of His Cold-Blooded Murder first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

11 months ago

May 31, 2023

Forward Times Staff

ABOVE: Dignitaries and Family of George Floyd at documentary screening

On Memorial Day—May 25, 2020—the whole world was forced to witness the heartless and cold-blooded murder of George Perry Floyd Jr.—a native of Houston’s historic Third Ward community who died under the knee of now-convicted murder Derek Chauvin, while his fellow Minneapolis police officers watched and did absolutely nothing to stop it.

The murder of George Floyd had an impact on the entire world and brought about many protests and memorials to remember the victim of police brutality and injustice.

In remembrance of George Floyd’s life, along with ensuring that the ongoing fight against police brutality and racism does not fizzle out, Greater Houston area community leaders, elected officials, activists, and other community stakeholders recently gathered for the screening of The Making of George—a deeply compelling short documentary about the creation of the George Floyd sculpture in Houston.

Bishop Dr. James Dixon speaks at documentary screening

The sculpture, which was commissioned by Houston area entrepreneur Dannette Davis of Kay Davis Associates, and created by renowned sculptress Adrienne Rison-Isom, was erected at Tom Bass National Park in October of 2022, on what would have been George Floyd’s 49^th birthday.

Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who was instrumental in getting the powerful sculpture located at Tom Bass Park, spoke about the significance of having the statue in his district.

“George Floyd’s life was a life taken far too soon, which sparked a conversation that led to a movement,” said Commissioner Ellis. “We’re proud to honor him with a statue at Tom Bass Park in Harris County Precinct One and continue the conversation about his life and legacy every day.”

Because of George Floyd’s strong connection to the Third Ward community, city officials decided that it would be fitting to host the documentary screening at the historic Emancipation Park Cultural Center, not far from Jack Yates High School, where he attended.

“This documentary is more than just a film; it is a poignant tribute to the resilience and strength of our community,” said Houston City Councilwoman Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, whose district encompasses Third Ward. “It sheds light on the story behind a powerful symbol of the ongoing fight for justice and equality.”

The 40-minute film offers an in-depth and intimate look at the emotions, thoughts, and processes involved in the creation of the monument that stands as a beacon of remembrance and call to action.

“Creating the sculpture was an emotional journey. I hope this documentary allows viewers to grasp not just the enormity of the sculpture, but also the depth of sentiment that it embodies,” said Isom, the talented artist behind the George Floyd sculpture.

Veronica Deboest, President of Cuney Home Resident Council; Forward Times Associate Editor Jeffrey L. Boney; philanthropist and entrepreneur Dannette Davis; renowned sculptor Adrienne Rison-Isom; and photographer Vicky Pink

The documentary was sponsored by Dannette Davis and the KDITC Foundation, which is a Houston-based organization committed to promoting social justice through a variety of initiatives, including support for arts and culture. The foundation believes in the power of storytelling to spark meaningful conversations and drive societal change. Davis hopes the documentary will serve as a powerful tool for education and conversation in Houston and beyond, contributing significantly to the ongoing dialogue surrounding racial justice and police reform.

In speaking with the Forward Times, Davis states that The Making of George documentary was at the forefront of her mind when she commissioned the iconic art piece.

“My team purposefully set up the artist with a time-lapse camera to capture the creation in her studio,” said Davis. “We knew that the events following Mr. Floyd’s death mattered to the world. We saw movement and change like never before. The artist in me wanted to capture this masterpiece in real time and then share it with others. It was not created on a 3D printer, nor with the help of AI. It was the ancient art of sculpting telling a story which will stand forever.”

Davis tells the Forward Times that she chose a few of the people in the documentary who were directly affected by his death because she wanted the authentic story, with relatives and friends and others who knew and loved him, but then she also chose who she calls her “warriors” – the Houston community leaders who provided her with unwavering support.

“I wanted to tell an impactful story,” Davis exclaimed. “Many of the people in the documentary paved the way for the successful placement and unveiling of the sculpture, and they continue to stay on the forefront of issues. Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Councilwoman Carolyn Shabazz, the Honorable Jeffrey L. Boney, and Dr. Reagan Flowers understood immediately the necessity of this physical statement for the community. I want people to see the artwork as complex and beautiful and understand that people are just that. We are equal, complex, and beautiful. I want the viewers to feel hopeful, encouraged, and motivated to keep the conversations going, whether on race relations or policing with compassion. We should never forget what we all witnessed on that fateful day. Shameful. It should be a reminder to be that best version of ourselves. The art piece entitled “A Conversation with George,” is a reminder to visit that man or woman in the mirror with honesty. We have got to do better.”

The post The Making of George Documentary Screening Remembers George Perry Floyd Jr. on 3rd Anniversary of His Cold-Blooded Murder appeared first on Houston Forward Times.

The post The Making of George Documentary Screening Remembers George Perry Floyd Jr. on 3rd Anniversary of His Cold-Blooded Murder first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Born on September 4, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, activist Ramona Edelin’s early years were marked by a commitment to education and social justice. According to her HistoryMakers biography, after graduating from Fisk University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1967, she pursued further studies at the University of East Anglia in England. She earned her master’s degree before completing her Ph.D. at Boston University in 1981.
The post IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

4 weeks ago

April 3, 2024

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Once upon a time, Black Americans were simply known as colored people, or Negroes. That is until Ramona Edelin came along. The activist, renowned for her pivotal roles in advancing civil rights, education reform, and community empowerment, died at her D.C. residence last month at the age of 78. Her death, finally confirmed this week by Barnaby Towns, a communications strategist who collaborated with Dr. Edelin, was attributed to cancer.

Born on September 4, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, Edelin’s early years were marked by a commitment to education and social justice. According to her HistoryMakers biography, after graduating from Fisk University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1967, she pursued further studies at the University of East Anglia in England. She earned her master’s degree before completing her Ph.D. at Boston University in 1981.

Edelin’s contributions to academia and activism were manifold. She was pivotal in popularizing the term “African American” alongside Rev. Jesse L. Jackson in the late 1980s.

Jackson had announced the preference for “African American,” speaking for summit organizers that included Dr. Edelin. “Just as we were called Colored, but were not that, and then Negro, but not that, to be called Black is just as baseless,” he said, adding that “African American” “has cultural integrity” and “puts us in our proper historical context.”

Later, Edelin told Ebony magazine, “Calling ourselves African Americans is the first step in the cultural offensive,” while linking the name change to a “cultural renaissance” in which Black Americans reconnected with their history and heritage.

“Who are we if we don’t acknowledge our motherland?” she asked later. “When a child in a ghetto calls himself African American, immediately he’s international. You’ve taken him from the ghetto and put him on the globe.”

The HistoryMakers bio noted that Edelin’s academic pursuits led her to found and chair the Department of African American Studies at Northeastern University, where she established herself as a leading voice.

Transitioning from academia to advocacy, Edelin joined the National Urban Coalition in 1977, eventually ascending to president and CEO. During her tenure, she spearheaded initiatives such as the “Say Yes to a Youngster’s Future” program, which provided crucial support in math, science, and technology to youth and teachers of color in urban areas. Her biography noted that Edelin’s efforts extended nationwide through partnerships with organizations like the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Education.

President Bill Clinton recognized Edelin’s expertise by appointing her to the Presidential Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities in 1998. She also co-founded and served as treasurer of the Black Leadership Forum, solidifying her standing as a respected leader in African American communities.

Beyond her professional achievements, Edelin dedicated herself to numerous boards and committees, including chairing the District of Columbia Educational Goals 2000 Panel and contributing to the Federal Advisory Committee for the Black Community Crusade for Children.

Throughout her life, Edelin received widespread recognition for her contributions. Ebony magazine honored her as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans, and she received prestigious awards such as the Southern Christian Leadership Award for Progressive Leadership and the IBM Community Executive Program Award.

The post IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Recent legislative actions in Tennessee, such as repealing police reform measures enacted after the killing of Tyre Nichols, underscore a troubling trend of undermining local control and perpetuating racist agendas. The new law preventing local governments from restricting police officers’ authority disregards community efforts to address systemic issues of police violence and racial profiling.
The post Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

4 weeks ago

April 3, 2024

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Tennessee State University (TSU), the state’s only public historically Black college and university (HBCU), faces a tumultuous future as Gov. Bill Lee dissolved its board, a move supported by racist conservatives and MAGA Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly, who follow the lead of the twice-impeached, four-times indicted, alleged sexual predator former President Donald Trump. Educators and others have denounced the move as an attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and a grave setback for higher education.

Critics argue that TSU’s purported financial mismanagement is a manufactured crisis rooted in decades of underinvestment by the state government. They’ve noted that it continues a trend by conservatives and the racist MAGA movement to eliminate opportunities for Blacks in education, corporate America, and the public sector.

Gevin Reynolds, a former speechwriter for Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizes in an op-ed that TSU’s financial difficulties are not the result of university leadership because a recent audit found no evidence of fraud or malfeasance.

Reynolds noted that the disbanding of TSU’s board is not an isolated incident but part of a broader assault on DE&I initiatives nationwide. Ten states, including Tennessee, have enacted laws banning DE&I policies on college campuses, while governors appointing MAGA loyalists to university trustee positions further undermine efforts to promote inclusivity and equality.

Moreover, recent legislative actions in Tennessee, such as repealing police reform measures enacted after the killing of Tyre Nichols, underscore a troubling trend of undermining local control and perpetuating racist agendas. The new law preventing local governments from restricting police officers’ authority disregards community efforts to address systemic issues of police violence and racial profiling.

The actions echo historical efforts to suppress Black progress, reminiscent of the violent backlash against gains made during the Reconstruction era. President Joe Biden warned during an appearance in New York last month that Trump desires to bring the nation back to the 18th and 19th centuries – in other words, to see, among other things, African Americans back in the chains of slavery, women subservient to men without any say over their bodies, and all voting rights restricted to white men.

The parallels are stark, with white supremacist ideologies used to justify attacks on Black institutions and disenfranchise marginalized communities, Reynolds argued.

In response to these challenges, advocates stress the urgency of collective action to defend democracy and combat systemic racism. Understanding that attacks on institutions like TSU are symptomatic of broader threats to democratic norms, they call for increased civic engagement and voting at all levels of government.

The actions of people dedicated to upholding the principles of inclusivity, equity, and justice for all will determine the outcome of the ongoing fight for democracy, Reynolds noted. “We are in a war for our democracy, one whose outcome will be determined by every line on every ballot at every precinct,” he stated.

The post Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Braxton Haulcy and the Expansion of Walker|West Music Academy

May 24, 2023 – Walker West Music Academy gets an early start on expansion. Join us for a Wednesday episode of The …
The post Braxton Haulcy and the Expansion of Walker|West Music Academy first appeared on BlackPressUSA.