Actor Brian J. White, Detain Man, wildfire

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 8, 2024

Alleged Drunk Driver Arrested After Driving Truck Into NYC 4th Of July Gathering, Killing 3 People

Forty-four-year-old Daniel Christopher Hyden drove a pickup truck into a New York City park, killing three while injuring eight others.

On July 4, an alleged drunk driver plowed into a Lower East Side park in New York City, killing three people and injuring eight others.

According to ABC 7 New York, 44-year-old Daniel Christopher Hyden was driving a pickup truck when he drove into Corlears Hook Park at around 8:55 p.m., where people were enjoying themselves at a BBQ and striking almost a dozen people. Police officials have charged him with eight counts of assault, recklessly causing a serious injury with a weapon, aggravated vehicular homicide, killing more than one person, driving while intoxicated, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree.

Hyden is being held without bail and faces anywhere between up to 25 years in prison if the accident is treated as one criminal act. If convicted consecutively, he could be imprisoned for up to 52 years.

Authorities said 43-year-old Ana Morel, 59-year-old Lucille Pinkney, and 38-year-old Herman Pinkney were the victims killed when Hyden struck with his vehicle. The youngest injured victim was only 11. One person was listed in critical condition, while six were listed in stable condition.

Hyden was allegedly driving on a suspended license for failing to answer a summons four times on three separate dates.

An investigation led police to discover that Hyden was driving the truck at about 40 mph. He crashed through two sets of fences and struck the victims. Before the accident, they say he attempted to attend a boat party on Pier 36 but was denied entry due to being too drunk. He got into an altercation with a bouncer before his money was refunded, and he left the location.

A witness to the tragedy stated, “Once he did that hard right turn, so many people started screaming. He turned into the batting field, that’s where we normally barbecue. It’s a family that we all know. The Lower East Side bands together.”

Fox 5 NY reported that a little street justice was applied before police officers arrived at the scene.

Court documents revealed that when police officers arrived, Hyden was “on the ground next to the truck’s driver-side door.” Investigators cited that he was “bloodied and wearing pants, but no shirt or shoes, and when he stood up, his balance was uneven.”

Hyden’s friend, Thomas Curto, who appeared in court for his friend’s arraignment, said, “There was a little street justice that he got. He has a fat lip and a swollen eye. He was trying to get away.”

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Prosecutors also revealed that Hyden is a substance abuse counselor who wrote a book called “The Sober Addict.”

by Daniel Johnson

July 8, 2024

Khyree Jackson, 2 Others Killed In Maryland Car Accident

Khyree Jackson, a former standout cornerback at the University of Oregon and a 2024 fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings was killed in a three-car accident on July 6 along with two of his high school teammates.

Khyree Jackson, a former standout cornerback at the University of Oregon and a 2024 fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, was killed in a three-car accident on July 6 along with two of his high school teammates. Isaiah Hazel was allegedly driving the vehicle, and Anthony Lytton was the other passenger in the car, which was struck by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in Prince George’s County.

According to The Athletic, investigators believe that alcohol may have played a part in the crash. Jackson, whom the Vikings selected with their fourth-round pick, was a jubilant and gregarious personality, and several Vikings coaches told the outlet that the news of his death devastated them.

Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah issued a statement expressing his heartbreak and presumably that of the entire organization. “I am heartbroken by the loss of Khyree. As we got to know him throughout the pre-draft process, it was clear the goals Khyree wanted to accomplish both professionally and personally. His story was one of resilience.”

Prayers up for the family, friends and loved ones of Khyree Jackson. The former Oregon Duck and current Minnesota Vikings Corner Back died in a car accident last night at the age of 24. Gone way too soon. Heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/XBKh2IG24G
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 6, 2024

The preliminary details about the crash are beyond infuriating.
Khyree, Isaiah and Anthony should still be alive and with their loved ones today. Instead, another’s irresponsibility of drinking and driving took them away.
— Ben Leber (@nacholeber) July 6, 2024

Jackson’s road to the NFL draft included stops at five different schools, including three junior colleges, and a two-year stint at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban. Even as a rookie, the Vikings organization viewed Jackson as an important part of their cornerback room.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world, though,” Jackson told ESPN of his journey to the NFL. “I feel like it taught me a lot of perseverance. It helped turn me into the man that I am today. I feel like I don’t take no shortcuts. I take everything for what it is and don’t really question too many things. I feel like that mentality came from juco and being at the bottom and seeing what it’s like to not have anything to having everything going to some of the top programs.”

According to the press release from the Maryland State Police, a silver Infinity driven by 23-year-old Cori Clingman attempted to change lanes while traveling at a high rate of speed. At approximately 3:14 am, Clingman hit a silver Chevrolet Impala before striking the maroon Dodge Charger driven by Hazel. Other than the fatalities of the three football players, no one else was injured in the crash. At the time of writing, pending charges will be filed after an investigation led by the Maryland State Police Crash Team.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell issued a statement to ESPN, saying, “I am absolutely crushed by this news. Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him. In our short time together, it was evident Khyree was going to develop into a tremendous professional football player, but what was more impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those around him. I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 8, 2024

2 Bronx Sisters Drown At Coney Island Beach

New York City residents 18-year-old Aisha Mohammed and 17-year-old Zainab Mohammed drowned after going into the water

A family is mourning after a tragedy occurred over the weekend that took the lives of two teenage girls who went out to Coney Island for a swim.

According to The New York Post, Bronx residents 18-year-old Aisha Mohammed and 17-year-old Zainab Mohammed drowned after going into the water on July 5. The girls were reported missing at around 8:10 p.m. and discovered dead on the shoreline at 9:15 p.m. The person who called 911 told the operator that the teenagers “entered the water and disappeared from view,” a police spokesman said.

One of the girls’ relatives, Julia Mohammad, stated that it was only the second time the sisters had been to a beach. Tahir Mohammed, an uncle of the Mohammed sisters, also spoke to the media outlet.

“They were just trying to have fun out there. They thought they were just gonna have their last swim and come out.”

Julia also said that Aisha saw Zainab struggling in the water and went to help her. Another cousin also jumped in the water to help but could not save the sisters.

ABC 7 New York reported that people left the water when it started raining, but the sisters went back in, according to witnesses. Reportedly, a man tried to discourage them from going back into the water but was unsuccessful as he couldn’t swim. Most people headed toward the restrooms to get out of the bad weather.

“A guy, he saw the two little girls asking for help, so he tried to help, but he also went into the water but he can’t swim either,” a witness told the media outlet.

Sadly, although there were people on the beach, the Department of Parks indicated that there were lifeguards there. However, they are typically on duty between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and swimming is prohibited outside those hours.

The deaths brought the number of drownings in the city to four this summer.

Pres. Biden Claimed To Be ‘The First Black Woman To Serve With A Black President’ Giving Voters Cause For Concern

Social media users used the comment to push for Biden to step down

Recent comments made by President Joe Biden raised eyebrows after he claimed to be the “the first Black woman to serve with a Black President.”

Biden made the comment during a radio station interview on Philadelphia’s only Black-owned talk station WURD to celebrate July 4. Things got weird when interviewer Andrea Lawful-Sanders prompted Biden to talk about his achievements, which led to the odd statement.

“By the way I’m proud…as I said, the first vice president, first Black woman…to serve with a Black President,” Biden said.

He continued to touch on his achievement of appointing the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown-Jackson, and how there is more to do.

“There is so much that we can do because together there is nothing…”

https://twitter.com/rawsalerts/status/1808966525178818897

Some social media users used the comment to push for Biden to get a cognitive test or step down as the Democratic candidate for President, given his age of 81. But others read between the lines, to define what he meant to say.

“It’s clear he was saying that he served with the 1st black president and 1st black vice president,” @RobWuhrman said.

“We should call bs when we see it, but each side needs to lead with integrity. Anything less diminishes the cause that either purports to aspire towards (a stronger country).”

https://twitter.com/RobWuhrman/status/1808969559376048257

Since the interview dropped on July 3, Lawful-Sanders has been fired from the station after WURD Radio President and CEO, Sara M. Lomax, alleged the interview was “arranged and negotiated independently … without knowledge, consultation or collaboration with WURD management.”

In a statement titled “Accountability, Access and A Path Forward: Why Black Media Matters,” Lomax said the host violated the standards of independent journalism and mutually decided to part ways, “effective immediately.”

“As Pennsylvania’s only independent Black-owned talk radio station, WURD Radio has cultivated that trust with our audience over our 20-year history,” the statement read.

“This is something we take very seriously. Agreeing to a pre-determined set of questions jeopardizes that trust and is not a practice that WURD Radio engages in or endorses as a matter of practice or official policy.”

Pennsylvania radio station WURD cuts ties with host who interviewed Biden with questions provided by the White House pic.twitter.com/fcE4AqqbpT
— BNO News (@BNONews) July 7, 2024

The seasoned radio host released a video statement on Facebook thanking all of her supporters and giving insight to her tendered resignation and saying “it was accepted.”

“Life is moving, things are shifting and changing, and in a day or so, you’ll hear more,” Lawful-Sanders said.

According to Politico, the interview was coordinated by the Biden-Harris campaign and not the White House. Following his debate with GOP opponent Donald Trump, Biden participated in two pre-recorded interviews with radio stations in swing states — including WURD. He was scheduled to address his poor debate performance and topics that focus on Black voters.

As Lawful-Sanders told CNN’s Victor Blackwell, the President’s team sent questions, and she chose four of them, Biden campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt said the practice isn’t uncommon.

“It’s not at all an uncommon practice for interviewees to share topics they would prefer. These questions were relevant to the news of the day — the president was asked about this debate performance, as well as what he’d delivered for black Americans,” Hitt said

“We do not condition interviews on acceptance of these questions, and hosts are always free to ask the questions they think will best inform their listeners.”

Faith Jenkins, Tracey Edmonds, Bevy Smith, and Lisa Price

by Stacy Jackson

July 8, 2024

4 Black Women Honored At National Urban League’s 5th ‘Women In Harmony’ Luncheon

Black female trailblazers were honored at the 2024 Women In Harmony luncheon.

The National Urban League celebrated the achievements of four influential Black women at their Women in Harmony luncheon during the Essence Festival of Culture. This event, now in its fifth year, honored Faith Jenkins, Tracey Edmonds, Bevy Smith, and Lisa Price for their significant contributions to the community. According to The Associated Press, Rhonda Spears Bell, NUL’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the importance of creating “an experience for Black women across the globe.” She noted that the Essence Festival provides “the perfect backdrop” for this celebration, calling it “the mecca for Black women.”

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The Women in Harmony luncheon showcased diverse perspectives from the honorees. NUL posted significant moments from the women during the event on its Instagram page. Smith inspired attendees with a message about self-acceptance and belonging.

“I belong here in these rooms…,” she affirmed, crediting her mother for instilling confidence in her as a curvy, dark-skinned woman. Price, the founder of Carol’s Daughter, encouraged support for local Louisiana businesses.

She reminisced about her journey from a small booth owner to a major sponsor at the Essence Festival.

“I walk the marketplace every year…because I was once them…,” Price shared.

Jenkins spoke about the power of women supporting each other.

“…Women harmony means that we’re all doing something individually, but also collectively…,” she explained on the magenta carpet. Edmonds echoed this sentiment, describing the event as a celebration of sisterhood and mutual empowerment.

Marc H. Morial, National Urban League president, highlighted the importance of showcasing Black women’s accomplishments across various fields. The Women in Harmony luncheon aimed to embrace diversity within the Black female community, spanning different ages, professions, and backgrounds. Bell elaborated on the event’s title, stating it represents unity, power, and purpose.

“Women are really at the bedrock of everything that we do…,” she said, emphasizing the strength found in collective action.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 8, 2024

Black Influencer Claims Hulk Hogan Canceled Her Contract Because She’s –Well, You Know

Hogan has been exposed for using racial slurs in the past.

Hulk Hogan is facing new racism allegations. The former wrestler is accused of canceling an influencer’s contract due to their Blackness.

Influencer Essence Jenai recounted her termination as a brand ambassador for Hogan’s Real American Beer company on social media. Her TikTok included images of Jenai with Hogan as she started working for the “Hogan Knows Best” star on July 2.

@essencejenai @Hulk Hogan thanks for making it clear that you don’t work with BLACK brand ambassadors. #fypage #hulkhogan #brandambassador ♬ Shake Dat Ass (Twerk Song) – BossMan Dlow

“POV: Hulk Hogan paid you to be a brand ambassador and canceled your contract the next day when he realized you were a BLACK brand ambassador,” she captioned one clip.

Jenai proceeded to detail the swift termination. She stated that her contract ended early for no clear explanation after meeting Hogan. The Neighborhood Talk also re-shared screenshots of her exposing the alleged racism.

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According to Jenai, she signed a week-long contract to be a brand ambassador for Hogan’s Real American Summer tour. After only working one day, Jenai learned the “client,” alluding to Hogan and his team, wanted to “completely” cancel the rest of her events.

Despite the initial claims, Jenai saw her replacements on social media the following day. While she and a fellow Black ambassador did not make the cut for the promotional boat trip, the show did surely go on. Instead, white models seemingly took their place.

“I guess they didn’t have room for us on the boat,” she sarcastically wrote.

While the reasons behind Jenai’s firing remain unconfirmed, the incident is not Hogan’s first allegation of discrimination. In 2015, an audio clip from 2007 revealed the media personality using racial slurs. Repercussions immediately followed, including his now-reversed removal from the WWE Hall of Fame. He later apologized for using the n-word, stating his embarrassment over his actions.

“I’m not a racist but I never should have said what I said. It was wrong. I’m embarrassed by it,” he shared in an ABC News interview.

Karmelo Anthony, ,Ohio judge, Tammy Hayward, racial Discrimination, Jefferson County Judge Tracy Davis, Kentucky, georgia, mother, man

by Daniel Johnson

July 8, 2024

Judge Files Complaint Alleging Racial And Gender Discrimination

Judge Kimberly Cocroft only filed an EEOC complaint after her calls for an investigation into a complaint filed against her were met with silence.

Kimberly Cocroft, a Black Franklin County, Ohio, judge, has filed a federal complaint against fellow judges in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court, alleging that she and her staff received discriminatory treatment due to their race and gender. Cocroft is one of only two Black women and three Black judges currently serving on the court.

According to NBC 4, Cocroft was elected by the other 17 judges to serve as the court’s administrative judge. This position dictated that she oversee the court’s policies and implement programs or initiatives that are deemed necessary. Cocroft was the first female judge ever elected to the administrative judge position in Franklin County.

The substance of her complaint, however, deals primarily with what Cocroft alleges she was told by two white male judges shortly before taking office. Cocroft recounted a dispute over an ex-employee. “They initially came to inquire about why that employee was no longer working for me, and for me, it was a personnel matter. Then it transitioned into a conversation about me,” she said in the complaint.

Cocroft told The Columbus Dispatch on July 1 that judges shared their perception of her as “unapproachable,” “aggressive,” and “not particularly friendly.” She alleges that these individuals advised her to emulate the demeanor of other respected Black figures within the community and the judiciary.

Cocroft continued, “I said to both of them, ‘You don’t have the right in all your paternalism and privilege to come into my office and give me a list of Black women I should be more like.’ You would not accept me coming to your office with a list of white men you should try and emulate.”

In 2021, Cocroft endeavored to hire all Black staffers, and according to her complaint, when she did, those employees received different treatment from her hires before 2021. “I thought what’s the harm, I’ll get the most competent person,” Cocroft told The Dispatch. “I could see the difference between how they were being trained and how my prior staff had been trained.”

Cocroft claims there was a blackmail attempt against her in 2022, stating that a judge informed her about a complaint filed by the court’s administrator, as reported by The Dispatch. “The judge said, ‘It’s really serious, she’s lawyered up, but if you will resign as administrative judge for 2023, then this complaint will go away’,” Cocroft said. “He kept emphasizing that she had lawyered up.” Cocroft alleges that the efforts to have her resign felt like a blackmail scheme.

According to the administrator’s complaint concerning the judge, Cocroft allegedly had five staff members resign or fired. It was alleged that she told staff members who cried during meetings that she could not afford that luxury as a Black woman. The complaint also accuses Cocroft of repeatedly asserting that many of the judges they work with are racist and insensitive.

Cocroft only filed a complaint with the EEOC after her calls for an investigation into the complaint filed against her were met with silence. “It just confirmed my belief that there’s something illegal, discriminatory, unfair, hostile and retaliatory happening,” Cocroft told The Dispatch. “I had always believed there was a racial or gender-based element to the challenges I faced.”

Cocroft is also seeking a public apology in addition to the investigation she wants conducted.

“It’s documented that the issues that have been raised with performance by my staff and me have not been raised with white judges or their white staffs,” Cocroft told The Dispatch. “For me, this is not a personality conflict, this is an intentional decision to use processes to unfairly malign my professional reputation. It moves beyond personality when you start to weaponize race.”

by Daniel Johnson

July 8, 2024

Is It VP Kamala Harris’ Time To Shine As Doubts Around A Biden Presidency Mount?

The numbers support Harris becoming the Democratic Party candidate. A recent CNN poll found her polling higher against Trump than Biden.

Although President Joe Biden has pledged over and over that he will stay in the race, calls for him to step down continue to mount, following a disastrous debate performance and the most likely scenario for a new Democratic candidate is Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris.

According to The New York Times, James Clyburn, the South Carolina Senator who has been credited with helping Biden obtain the presidency in 2020, has been shooting down any idea other than Harris becoming the replacement nominee.

“This party should not, in any way, do anything to work around Ms. Harris,” Clyburn told the outlet.

Like Clyburn, Democratic donor Steve Phillips sees the idea of working around Harris as problematic, but Phillips pointed at the issue of Harris, a Black woman, being hinted at as not qualified for the position.

“She’s the vice president of the United States, which for the past 50 years of this country has been heir apparent,” Phillips told The New York Times.

“So it’s unseemly at best that now that we have a woman and a person of color as the vice president, that there’s this discussion about all these other people, most of whom are white and men.”

According to Reuters, the numbers support Harris becoming the Democratic Party candidate. In a CNN poll released on July 2, her numbers against Trump are better than Biden’s. According to the poll, Biden trails Trump 49% to 43%, while Harris only trails the Republican Party nominee 47% to 45%, which is within the 3% margin of error.

Independents also prefer Harris at 43%-40%, while moderates in both parties prefer Harris at 51%-39%. Also, in addition to Clyburn, Summer Lee, a progressive Black Pennsylvania House Democrat, and Rep. Gregory Meeks, a New York congressman and a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus, have publicly signaled that Harris is the best option if Biden steps down. According to a congressional aide, House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also privately done the same.

Still, most Americans don’t seem to know enough about Harris to support her. Notably, Black Americans support at 58% while 32% view her unfavorably. Due to her polling numbers being nearly identical to Biden’s, other names such as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmire have all been floated.

However, according to sources familiar with an all-staff call with the Biden-Harris campaign, Harris has been trying to galvanize Democrats around Biden, despite calls for her to take his place. Those sources noted that Harris told those on the call, “Joe Biden has devoted his life to fighting for the people of our country. And in this moment, I know all of us are ready to fight for him. This is about saving our f—ing democracy.”

Former Rep. Tim Ryan, a former Ohio Democrat who has publicly called for Harris to take up the mantle if Biden drops out, told The Wall Street Journal that Harris makes as much sense as anyone else whose name keeps coming up.

“People are looking for some new generational leadership, and we’ve got a very accomplished vice president. To me, it just makes a lot of sense to give her the opportunity.”

by Jeffrey McKinney

July 8, 2024

Selling A Home Can Be More Costly Than You Think; 5 Ways To Help You Sell Faster

The report shows Black American homeowners generally spend nearly $48,000 to sell a home.

Black Americans reported spending $47,953 to sell their homes since 2022, including this year. On average, these sellers might have sold their homes for an additional $50,000 if they had used different strategies, according to a recent report by Clever Real Estate.

The survey questioned 1,014 Americans who sold a home between 2022 and 2024, including 91 Black Americans, to gather insights on the home-selling process and associated costs. The survey was conducted in May 2024.

Jaime Seale, the report’s author, provided BLACK ENTERPRISE a breakdown of many discoveries related to Black Americans. According to Seale, the typical homeowner in 2024 spent roughly $54,616 to sell, with 42% stating the cost was higher than expected.

For Black sellers, 95% reported they would have made different decisions when selling their home if they had known the true costs involved. Many believe they could have achieved a higher profit through various strategies. These include waiting for more offers (30%), accepting a different offer (27%), negotiating more with the buyer (26%), listing the home at a higher price (24%), and negotiating the commission with their agent (22%).

“When their homes hit the market, most sellers are so preoccupied with how much they hope to earn; they forget selling a home costs money, too — and quite a lot.”

Seale shared that high home-selling costs including commission eating away at profits, the earnings are much slimmer than a few years ago. As such, she noted that 34% of Black sellers said they would have waited to sell until home prices rose.

“Despite a less favorable market, we found that sellers still think they could have made a hefty profit if only they had taken a few cost-cutting measures,” she said.

The uplifting news is that 73% of Black sellers made a profit, earning a median amount of $111,500. That was higher than the median profit of $100,000 for about 64% of sellers. Searle indicated that Black sellers who used an agent and made a profit sold their homes for $30,500 more than those who made a profit and did not use an agent.

At the same time, the largest expense for home sellers is typically a real estate agent commission. Under the commission model now, Searle explained sellers are responsible for paying about 5% to 6% of the final home sale price — split evenly between the buyer’s and seller’s agents. On the median-priced home, she says that can add up to $21,600.

She stressed most expenses, including price reductions and making repairs, are tied to selling a home and are lower for Black Americans than for overall respondents. “The typical value of U.S. homes with Black owners is 18% less than the typical value of homes with White owners,” according to the report.

Cutting home-selling expenses can depend on a seller’s priorities and the tradeoffs they are willing to endure. Seale says seekers who prioritize selling quickly may want to invest in repairs that will make their home more attractive and bring in more buyers, but they don’t have to spend money on repairs if they would rather save money and aren’t in a hurry to sell their home.

Though they could boost home-selling expenses, Seale offered five ways homeowners may do well to consider to sell faster:

Stage your home to highlight its best features and help buyers imagine themselves living there.
Hire a professional photographer. “Because most buyers start their home search online, photos that show your home with the best light and angles will make a good first impression,” Seale advised.
Work with an experienced real estate agent to set a competitive price. Overpricing can deter buyers and extend the sale process, while underpricing may lead to lost potential earnings.
“Offer buyer concessions, such as paying some of their closing costs. This will widen the pool of buyers, especially those struggling with housing affordability,” Seale notes.
If you don’t want to make concessions, iBuyer or We Buy Houses companies make fast offers; however most pay well below market value for homes.

Seale says sellers may be willing to accept the extra expense depending on their circumstances, including if they need to sell quickly or relocate for a job, for example.

Burr Oak Cemetery, Emmett Till, National Register Of Historic Places

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 8, 2024

Desecrated 1800s Black Cemetery Found With Graves Still Intact

The gravesite remains endangered, despite comprising of free and formerly enslaved Black people.

Archaeologists have made the surprising discovery of intact graves at a seemingly desecrated Black cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. The Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground was assumed to be mostly destroyed from land developments.

However, the gravesite remains endangered, despite comprising of free and formerly enslaved Black people. A radar scan, conducted on two-acres of the area at the end of 2023, revealed that at least 134 graves are intact. This revelation confirmed that the space, active from 1816 to 1879, was indeed a cemetery and not merely a memorial.

The findings initially stayed confidential due to fears of vandalism on the area. They finally unveiled the information to the public during a community meeting earlier this summer, as reported by The Washington Post. While estimated to have nearly 22,000 bodies, a billboard threatens the burial ground still.

The city of Richmond has called for the Lamar Advertising company to forfeit a billboard that stands on the ground. However, its progress in doing so has been relatively stagnant. One of the pylons of the billboard is directly on top of one grave, and potentially dozens more.

Lenora McQueen, a descendant of an enslaved woman buried there, recalled her shock to learn of the whole resting places.

“I was a little surprised that there were so many intact burials. I thought that there would be remains scattered all through there,” explained McQueen to The Post.

Photographs and news reports from the 1880s alluded to the improbability of full graves remaining at the site. However, McQueen’s research helped to re-establish the gravesite as a historical landmark.

Despite this recognition, the task to remove the billboard comes with complications. The risk of “ground disturbance,” as described by Kimberly Chen from Richmond’s planning and development department, remains prevalent.

A newly-created Shockhoe project also aims to establish a permanent memorial site on the land. Before this, however, the billboard’s existence on the ground must resolve.

Lamar legally acquired the area within the cemetery, leaving the city unable to block it off and further preserve the space. While willing to remove the billboard, Lamar also sought to profit off a proposed deal. It requested an exchange for six other locations instead, an offer that Richmond’s Mayor, Levar Stoney, heavily criticized.

“I think it is truly disgusting that a company is making profit on a property where the enslaved lie underneath. That’s problematic,” expressed Stoney during an interview with the news outlet. “So we want Lamar Advertising to do the right thing. And that is, to go above and beyond to show that they are going to be good corporate partners with the Richmond community.”

The battle is ongoing, leaving any preservation efforts in limbo for the precarious cemetery.