by Daniel Johnson

February 4, 2024

25 Years Past Amadou Diallo’s Death At Hands Of NYPD, His Mother Carries His Legacy

Feb. 4 marks 25 years since the tragic murder of Diallo.

---

Before George Floyd, before Eric Garner, before Sean Bell, before Rekia Boyd, before the Black Lives Matter movement, there was Amadou Diallo.

According to the History channel’s website, Diallo, an immigrant from Guinea, was shot 41 times by four plainclothes New York City policemen who allegedly believed Diallo was the suspect they had been tailing. All the officers were members of the controversial Street Crimes Unit, which was eventually shuttered after the policemen went on trial.

Feb. 4 marks 25 years since the tragic murder of Diallo. NYPD officers Sean Carroll, Edward McMellon, Kenneth Boss, and Richard Murphy instructed Diallo to show his hands, and as he reached for his wallet, Carroll told his fellow officers that he had a gun, and they opened fire. The officers continued to fire after Diallo’s body hit the ground, riddling his body with 19 bullets. Diallo, who was 23 years old, died within minutes.

Despite the officers continually changing their stories on exactly who they thought Diallo was and the public outcry over his killing, an Albany, New York jury found them not guilty. Diallo’s father, Saikou Diallo, referred to the verdict as a “second killing” of his son, while David Dinkins, who was the mayor of New York City at the time, cautioned, “This [verdict] will send the wrong message to those members of the Street Crime Unit who walk around saying, ‘We own the night.’”

Following their wrongful death lawsuit against the city in 2004, Diallo’s family received a $3 million settlement. 

As People magazine reports, Kadiatou Diallo, Diallo’s mother, has remained an outspoken critic of law enforcement. Kadiatou spoke to PIX 11 following former policeman Derek Chauvin’s conviction for the murder of Floyd. “There’s no time for celebration,” Kadiatou said. “There’s time for work. To put in the work that needed to be done, so we can stop seeing these cases time and time again.”

Working for justice is something she is familiar with: In 2001 she established a foundation in her son’s name. The Amadou Diallo Foundation seeks to honor his memory through the implementation of education programs aimed at identifying, nurturing, and supporting promising education students, particularly students of African descent who are going from high school to college. Kadiatou established the foundation based on the last words she remembers her son saying to her: “Mom, I’m going to college.” In 2019, she told NY1 that Amadou would have dedicated his life to helping people, saying, “If he was alive today, I know he would be a parent, he would be an entrepreneur, he would be helping people.”

RELATED CONTENT: Families Of Police Brutality Victims Plead With Eric Adams To Sign ‘How Many Stops Act’

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2024

Body Of Missing 22-Year-Old Virginia Man Found In Local Creek

Upon considering the police's investigation lackluster, his family started a GoFundMe to raise funds for a private investigator to find their loved one.

---

The body of Darius Appiah, a 22-year-old from Virginia who was reported missing back in January, was found by Hazel Run creek in Fredericksburg on Feb. 3. The search for Appiah gained national traction as his family rallied for public support in finding him.

According to WUSA9, Appiah’s body was positively identified by the Fredericksburg Police Department upon its discovery in the creek, which is located in Alum Springs Park. Appiah’s family and volunteers were conducting an additional search in the area when a body was identified one hour into the process. Police immediately arrived to recover what was later revealed to be Appiah’s body from the scene.

Appiah was reported missing on Jan. 25, one day after he’d gone to get food on his way home from work. His family called for public attention and assistance, believing the police department’s investigation was lackluster. They started a GoFundMe to raise funds for a private investigator to find their loved one. The GoFundMe raised nearly half of its $50,000 goal.

Fredericksburg’s Police Information Officer Sarah Morris said the police made every effort to find and bring Appiah, who was 22 years old, back home.

“Last Friday Mr. Appiah’s vehicle was found in Alum Springs Park; the park closed and at that point Fredericksburg law enforcement and the fire department started to search the entire park,” stated Morris. “Over a two-day period, 400 acres were searched up and down; there was not a stone that went unturned. Fortunately and unfortunately nothing was recovered, so at that point the investigation concluded in terms of a large search.” 

Appiah’s family told the news outlet they were unable to release a formal statement at the time and that their hearts were broken at the loss.

Meanwhile, they are waiting to learn his cause of death. Authorities saw no obvious signs of foul play. An autopsy is scheduled to provide more insight into what may have occurred.

RELATED CONTENT: Disabled Atlanta Teen Reported Missing In DeKalb County

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Signs ‘First Deal Of Its Kind’ With Warner Music Giving Her Ownership Of Masters

Megan Thee Stallion has signed the "first deal of its kind" with Warner Music Group: to own her masters while getting help from the company with distribution.

---

Megan Thee Stallion is taking back her joy and her music. The rapper has signed a deal with Warner Music Group (WMG) to continue releasing music independently in addition to owning her masters, while working with the company for distribution and resources.

With WMG aiding Megan in the promotion and marketing of her future releases, all her songs will still be under her independently-owned Hot Girl Productions. According to Rolling Stone, Megan Thee Stallion will also have the opportunity to bring other artists into this new partnership if she intends to sign up-and-coming musicians in the future.

Megan about the “first deal of its kind” to her Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Megan Thee Stallion (@theestallion)

“Today I signed a distribution deal with my new family @warnermusic where I maintain my INDEPENDENCE as an artist and OWN MY MASTERS AND PUBLISHING,” she stated in the caption. “This is thee first deal of its kind !!! I hope artist still on the come up or even artists who are already established never get discouraged by all the obstacles that come with this industry!”

Megan released an additional statement on the “exciting” opportunity to continue being in control of her artistry while including the label as she brings her music to new heights.

“This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter of my life and career,” expressed the 28-year-old. “I’m really focused on building an empire and growing as an entrepreneur, so I’m proud to take this next step in my journey and work with Max Lousada and the entire Warner Music Group team in this new capacity. I know we’re going to create history together.”

The “Savage” rapper has been independent since finalizing her separation from previous label, 1501 Certified Entertainment. Their lengthy legal battle concluded in October 2023, with Megan now funding her new music through her own means.

While Megan is on this path to building her own empire in the music business, WMG seeks to be part of her journey to enable her to become a “mogul in the making.”

“Meg is not just a superstar. She’s an artistic force and a mogul in the making – authentic and unapologetic in defining her own unique place in the cultural landscape,” said WMG Recorded Music CEO Max Lousada. “So many relate to her remarkable story and have witnessed her come into her power on her own terms. At Warner, we’re creating an environment where original talents can explore both their creativity and entrepreneurialism, while building long-term careers.”

The news follows an eventful week for the rapper. Upon the release of her latest single, “Hiss,” with its “Megan’s law” lyric regarding sex offenders, a rap beef commenced between her and former collaborator Nicki Minaj. Minaj released her diss track “Big Foot” in response to Megan’s lyric, which she felt attacked her husband, who is a registered sex offender. The Houston native has yet to continue the music battle.

With a new album and tour to bring the Hot Girl to major cities during the summer, things are still looking up for the Grammy winner.

RELATED CONTENT: Megan Thee Stallion Slammed By Dad Whose Daughter Inspired ‘Megan’s Law’

by Daniel Johnson

February 4, 2024

Nikki Haley Plays Along With SNL Fun, But People Have Questions

'SNL'’s decision to give Haley such a massive platform struck many on social media as irresponsible.

---

Nikki Haley, who recently said that Texas has a path to secede from the United States before walking it back, made a surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live” and poked fun at herself for previously refusing to say that slavery was a cause of the Civil War. As Deadline reports, Ayo Edebiri hosted the Feb. 3 episode of “SNL” and made an appearance with Haley during the cold open portion of the program. Edeberi pointedly asked Haley, “I was just curious, what would you say was the main cause of the Civil War, and do you think it starts with an ‘s’ and ends with a ‘lavery’?” To which, Haley sheepishly replied, “Yep, I probably should’ve said that the first time.”

Edebiri, the breakout star of Hulu’s “The Bear,” also broke into tears during her “SNL” monologue, a moment that many actors and comedians still dream of.

However, “SNL”’s decision to give Haley such a massive platform struck many on social media as irresponsible. Some said it was emblematic of “SNL”’s fall from the position it once occupied, and any cultural currency it might have earned from making fun of Haley was immediately wasted, as she was not only part of the joke but in on it. 

The “joke” references Haley’s refusal to say without exception that slavery was the cause of the Civil War, which, it should be noted, is what historians credit as the cause of the “War Between the States.” Instead, Haley gave a version of the “states’ rights” defense, saying during a New Hampshire town hall that the Civil War happened because of the federal government and freedoms.

“I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run — the freedoms and what people could and couldn’t do,” Haley said.

Later, on a New Hampshire radio show, Haley attempted to walk it back a little, saying, “Of course, the Civil War was about slavery.” She continued, “What it means to us today is about freedom — that’s what that was all about. It was about individual freedom. It was about economic freedom. It was about individual rights.” Haley then claimed that the person who asked the question was a Democratic plant who’d been put there to ask her that specific question. 

RELATED CONTENT: Nikki Haley Doesn’t Like Being ‘Teased Every Day For Being Brown’ After Stating Racism Doesn’t Exist

by Daniel Johnson

February 4, 2024

As Biden Wins South Carolina Primary, James Clyburn Concerned About ‘MAGA’ Disinformation Campaign

Clyburn’s concern is that another massive disinformation campaign spread primarily through memes would make it impossible for actual news about Biden's policy wins to get through.

---

Though Joe Biden handily won South Carolina’s Democratic primary thanks in no small part to the efforts of veteran Congressman James Clyburn and the Biden campaign’s nonstop blitz of appearances in the state, Clyburn recently expressed doubts that Biden’s campaign would be able to get through the “MAGA wall.”

As Reuters reported, Clyburn’s concern is that another massive disinformation campaign spread primarily through memes would make it impossible for actual news about Biden’s policy wins to get through. 

Clyburn told Reuters, “If we are going to be successful in this campaign, we are going to have to have what I call hand-to-hand combat, boots on the ground. We are going to have to do what is necessary to circumvent, or smash through that MAGA wall that is being built on sound bites.”

He continued, “So when people tell me what a bad communicator Joe Biden has been, I say to them, don’t confuse goodness with weakness. These are people who basically want to hear a sound bite that makes for a good headline, but that sound bite seldom makes good headway. And Joe Biden is all about making headway.”

Like former President Barack Obama, Clyburn believes Biden needs to go on the offensive — and based on his post-primary messaging, it seems Biden has taken that message to heart. Shortly following his win, the Biden campaign released a statement. “In 2020, it was the voters of South Carolina who proved the pundits wrong, breathed new life into our campaign, and set us on the path to winning the Presidency,” it read. “Now in 2024, the people of South Carolina have spoken again and I have no doubt that you have set us on the path to winning the Presidency again — and making Donald Trump a loser — again.”

Granted, the mood this time around, as Politico reported, was different. Biden’s win was expected, as he faced the political version of Alabama’s football non-conference schedule, Marianne Williamson, a self-help author and occasional conspiracy theorist, and Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips. Further complicating the mood was a question from Clyburn posed to the Biden campaign via speakerphone about turnout, which, based on the estimates available, was about 131,286 voters, compared to the 2020 primary, which saw 540,000 people cast their votes.

Typically, voter turnout is lower in the primaries than in the general election, but low voter turnout can also signal dissatisfaction with the candidates themselves or the political process in general. Biden’s flagging support among various groups, particularly Black voters, has been well documented. The looming contest between himself and Donald Trump is one that voters are not enthusiastic about, even if both men will cruise to their party’s nominations. A January 2024 poll showed approximately 60% of respondents indicating they were not enthusiastic about a 2020 rematch between Biden and Trump. However, 43% of those surveyed also said they believed Trump would win the election, indicating that Clyburn and other Democratic power players are right to be concerned about both Biden’s campaign and the “MAGA wall.”

RELATED CONTENT: James Clyburn Emphasizes Voting Importance In Black History Month Address

by Mary Spiller

February 4, 2024

Philadelphia Daycare Employees Lock 6-Month-Old Girl In Building After Hours

Philadelphia Police have taken New Arisens Childcare Solutions employees in for questioning regarding the incident.

---

The Banks family from Philadelphia is pushing for repercussions against daycare workers at New Arisens Childcare Solutions in Feltonville, Pennsylvania, after they allegedly locked up the building on Feb. 1 with the family’s baby still inside.

Cameron Banks, the father of 6-month-old Amora, arrived at the North Carolina daycare to pick up his daughter just before 6 p.m. to find that the doors were locked. He told CBS News about the thoughts he had upon finding the doors locked. “Did somebody take her? Did they take her to a police district, or is my baby dead?” he recalled.

Banks was frantic, as the Whitaker Avenue daycare center was supposed to be open until 6 p.m. He began calling all the contact numbers he had to find out where Amora was.

“I tried calling multiple different places,” Banks recalled. “They have another location, and I was getting voicemail. Nobody even knew where she was at.”

After exhausting his resources, he called the police to open up the daycare for him.

“Something was telling me that she’s in here, she’s in here,” Banks recalled. Officers tried to open the gate with the building key, but it jammed, so they called firefighters to cut it open. 

Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said, “Police were able to get into the daycare center. It was dark. When they got inside, they found the 6-month-old baby girl in the corner asleep in a car seat.”

Banks remembered how he assumed the worst when the officers came out of the building.

“They walked in and out pretty fast. So I thought they were coming to tell us bad news. But then, they told us she was inside and she was okay. Happy. There was a whole bunch of crying. Just happy.” 

“Today was the day of picture day,” Banks told the outlet. “She had on her first Valentine’s Day onesie, her little heart tutu. It was just a relief to see that she was okay.”

Following Amora’s safe return home, police took Banks and some of the daycare employees in for questioning with the department’s Special Victims Unit.

So far, New Arisens has not responded to requests for a statement.

RELATED CONTENT: Missing 5-Month-Old Twin Baby Found Alive, Woman Arrested In Indianapolis For Kidnapping

by Daniel Johnson

February 4, 2024

Lee Pelton Leads The Charge To Create More Equity For Black Boston

Lee Pelton, director of The Boston Foundation, is leading the charge to solve the city's long-standing wealth gap problem.

---

As director of The Boston Foundation, Lee Pelton is leading the charge to solve the city’s long-standing wealth gap problem. In 2022, the foundation created the Greater Boston Partnership to Close the Racial Wealth Gap, as Boston Magazine reported. The efforts are not new, but the scale is.

Symone Crawford, executive director of the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance and a member of the Greater Boston Partnership, described it to the magazine, saying, “It’s new in the sense that we have more people at the table and more decision makers who can, I would hope, make change.” Pelton, whose 2020 reflection on the murder of George Floyd went viral, channels James Baldwin when asked what his motivation is for attempting to tackle the racial wealth gap in Boston, saying, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

The partnership’s website also reflects this belief, as it gives a brief overview of the sense of the scale of the initiative: “With a data-informed and mission-driven approach to advance racial and economic equity, the Wealth Gap Partnership brings together housing, financial, nonprofit, philanthropic and civic leaders to develop approaches to support, strengthen, and expand the current landscape of affordable homeownership, and through it, build intergenerational wealth for communities of color.”

Pelton, who has a penchant for quoting historical figures due to his previous life as president of Emerson University, is adamant that a change in the way the business of creating wealth is conducted is key to turning the city’s fortunes around. He uses the game of Jenga to illustrate his point, telling Boston Magazine, “You pull out one block, and it creates stress. You pull out another block; it creates more stress. You pull out too many; it creates trauma. And that’s what we’re finding in these communities. They don’t have the building blocks that they need for wealth and—I’m using it in a really Anglo-Saxon way—well-being.”

In that way, Pelton is making the argument that health is wealth. To that point, a study conducted by the Boston Public Health Commission uncovered that in Roxbury, a predominantly Black neighborhood, the average life expectancy is 69 years, as opposed to the affluent and largely white Black Bay, where the life expectancy averages 92 years.

Some, like Luc Schuster, executive director of Boston Indicators at the Boston Foundation, caution that overestimating the effect one effort, no matter how large, can have on Boston. “I do think we need to be careful not to over-promise how much any one local effort like this can really meaningfully close the large multigenerational racial wealth gap in Greater Boston,” Schuster said before adding, “that shouldn’t be interpreted as a reason not to work on this.”

Pelton says the barometer for any real success on the front of racial and economic justice in Boston will be if his initiative lasts longer than his tenure as the leader of the foundation. “The success of this program, is if it survives me,” he said.

As Boston News 25 reports, Pelton sees housing as one of the most crucial undertakings to address the wealth disparity in Boston, because “it is still the largest component of accumulated wealth for most individuals and families. It’s a way to build wealth.”

Pelton also acknowledged that some people’s imaginations of Boston may be warped due to the popular HBO docuseries Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning, but also says the Boston community is changing: “This is not the place that you know 50 years ago, where we had, you know, the 1974 disruption and busing. We’ve made tremendous progress.”