• Men

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 23, 2022

Emerging 100 of Atlanta Welcomes 27 New Members

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The Emerging 100 of Atlanta (E100 Atlanta), the young professional auxiliary of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., is proud to announce the induction of 27 new members into the organization.

The Emerging 100 of Atlanta, founded in 2010, is comprised of high-achieving Black men who represent an array of professional industries including but not limited to legal services, technology, education, nonprofit, life sciences and healthcare, finance, business and entrepreneurship.

In early December, at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, E100 Atlanta hosted an induction ceremony for members of the new class. During the ceremony, Emerging 100 of Atlanta President Kyle Walcott, Vice President Rashad Stallings and Membership Committee Co-Chair Christopher Scott provided remarks to newly inducted members centered on the legacy and commitment of the organization. In addition to family and friends, new members were joined by members of the E100 Atlanta Executive Board, E100 Atlanta General Body and 100 Black Men of Atlanta.

Additionally, newly inducted 100 Black Men of Atlanta member and Vice President of Strategy and Engagement with Partnership for Southern Equity Joel Alvarado delivered the evening’s keynote address emphasizing the importance of “doing the hard work as well as heart work for the community.”

“I’m excited to welcome this group of leaders that will deliver a positive impact to the community. The passion and commitment of each individual coupled with their civic and professional responsibilities will help our organization fulfill its duty to the city of Atlanta,” said E100 Atlanta President Kyle Walcott.

In the wake of a string of unfortunate tragedies, members of E100 Atlanta will join in the commemoration of the nonviolent legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a service event focused on combating youth violence in metro Atlanta by promoting positive resources and de-escalation techniques. The event, happening on Jan. 15 at B.E.S.T. Academy from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., will bring awareness to decreasing youth violence and advancing social justice and racial equity by creating a safe environment for youth. Community partners for the event include Target Corporation, B.E.S.T. Academy, Atlanta Police Foundation, At-Promise Initiative, Lifting Our Voices and will include notable Atlanta officials and dignitaries representing social, civic and nonprofit organizations dedicated to youth development and public safety.

The 27 new members of the Emerging 100 of Atlanta’s Class of 2022 include:

• Marcus Billie, Transwestern – Transaction Manager
• DeVonne Boler, Sr., Prologis, Inc. – Leasing Manager
• Christian Bonner, Wells Fargo – Vice President, Commercial Banking
• Phillip Bridges, Amazon/Bridges Resume Services – Technical Recruiter
• Wesley Davis, Similarweb – Enterprise Sales Manager
• Daniel Farr, Salesforce – Product Marketing Manager
• Lorenzo Gordon, Humbl Hustlr Group – Chief Executive Officer
• Jarvarus Gresham, BakerHostetler, LLP – Litigation Associate
• Jamar Harrison, Delta Air Lines – Manager, Global Agency Sales
• Bryan Hatcher, Inova Payroll – Operations Manager
• Marcus Hobson, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP – Attorney
• Cullen Johnson, AT&T – Software Engineer
• Theron Johnson, Terminus Strategies, LLC – Government Affairs Manager
• Corey Jones, Google – Early Career Recruiter
• Michael Lee, Jr., Metro Atlanta Chamber – Senior Director, Public Affairs
• Kinnis Leonard, Truist Financial Corporation – Vice President, Portfolio Performance Analyst
• Carl McCray, Delta Air Lines – Sr. Manager, Human Resources
• Noah McQueen, The Propel Center – Student Engagement Lead
• Fortune Onwuzuruike, Microsoft/Georgia State University – Security Program Manager/Adjunct Professor
• Olatunde Oshikoya, Bicycle Health, Piedmont Urgent Care by WellStreet, Rapid Recovery Mobile Clinic – Psychiatric Clinician
• Ayo Osinowa, Capgemini – Acquisitions Analyst
• Raeshawn Pelote, 1888 Ventures – Partner
• Alex Perryman, CVS Health – Staff Pharmacist
• Brandon Sartin, Stites & Harbison, PLLC – Attorney
• Brandon Whatley, Kimberly-Clark Corporation – Production Planner II
• Kirenski Wilkerson, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice – Victim Advocate Specialist
• Bradford Wynn, The Wynning Experience – Chief Operating Officer

It was a night to remember the generosity and goodwill support of attendees and sponsors of UNCF’s 39th annual Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball.

“This year’s event was historic. It was record-breaking for UNCF Mayor’s Masked Balls generating the largest amount ever raised for this event. We far exceeded expectations by raising $2.1 million in scholarship support thanks to our awesome donors who love HBCUs,” said Justine Boyd, assistant vice president, Atlanta Region, UNCF. “I am enormously grateful for the outpouring of support for this legacy event, which brought together guests from around the nation. The excitement and enthusiastic support were simply amazing.”

The stellar event held at the Atlanta Marquis in downtown Atlanta was an evening of excitement and entertainment for the sold-out audience. As the newly installed mayor of Atlanta, the Honorable Andre Dickens hosted his first UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball. Joining Mayor Dickens as Honorary Co-Chair was Nicole “Nikki” Clifton, president of social impact, at the UPS Foundation where she leads UPS’s global philanthropy, social impact and international community affairs and oversees the company’s efforts to respond to the world’s most pressing social, humanitarian, and environmental needs. UPS was the title sponsor of the ball, joined by Presenting Sponsors, Chick-Fil-A, Norfolk Southern, Nike, Google, and Delta Air Lines.

The Billye Suber Aaron Masked Award Honorees were Charmaine Ward-Millner, Kaiser Permanente vice president of mass communications, community relations and Bentina Chisolm Terry, Georgia Power senior vice president, customer strategy & solutions. Actor Timon Durrett was master of ceremonies.

Grammy-Award winner Babyface was a major highlight of the evening as he took to the stage to entertain a sold-out crowd of 1300. The celebrities present were musicians Jermaine Dupri, Jeezy and wife, Jeannie Mai, actor Danny Glover and film maker and director Roger Bobb. Radio personality Frank Ski hosted the live auction event with hot items up for bidding, including 3 day and four nights at the Couples All-Inclusive Resort in Jamaica: a Coca-Cola Essence Experience, including airfare, hotel, suite access and floor seats, a Culinary Experience with Chef Jernard Wells, and a walk on role in the Bobcat Production of Thriller Cruel Encounters for BET, currently filming in Atlanta.

UNCF HBCU presidents attending were Dr. Helene Gayle, Spelman College; Dr. David A. Thomas, Morehouse College; Dr. George T. French, Jr., Clark Atlanta University and Mr. Matthew Wesley Williams, Interdenominational Theological Center. Other area HBCU presidents in attendance were Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, Morehouse School of Medicine and Dr. Kevin James, Morris Brown College. Also, Dr. Charles Blake, president, Georgia State University attended.

Most compelling moments of the evening were the awarding of scholarships to outstanding students and the testimonies they shared. Caylin Carter, a CAU senior majoring in broadcast communications, received $160,000 in scholarship funds. William Murphy, a junior at Morehouse College received the UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax Scholarship for $200,000 to study philosophy and economics. Murphy was once homeless during high school, but despite his circumstance, he studied and persevered, and entered Morehouse with a 4.0 GPA. UNCF Mayor’s Masked Balls make it possible for students, sometimes first-generation students from low-income communities, to go to and through college and achieve their best futures.

During the past 78 years, UNCF has empowered more than half million students to earn college degrees. As the largest and most effective minority education organization in the United States, UNCF actively supports 37 private historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and advocates for minority higher education. Education has always been at the forefront of UNCF’s fundraising mission. With the success of the Mayor’s Masked Ball, thousands of students have a brighter future because of the support they receive.

In the 2020-21 school year, 928 awards totaling $6,732,895 were given to students in Georgia. In the past few years, more than 800 students attending UNCF member schools were either able to attend college or continue their college education without the interruption of financial challenges. The event helps support area UNCF-member institutions including Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, and The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC).

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 23, 2022

A High-Stakes Case Causes Tory Lanez to Appear to Fall Asleep During Megan Thee Stallion Trial

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Tory Lanez might be exhausted due to his high-profile shooting case with Megan Thee Stallion after he was caught dozing off in court.

The music star was back in court on Wednesday for day eight of his shooting trial in Los Angeles. Sources say the Toronto rapper was seen falling asleep during the jury instructions, TMZ reports.

Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, didn’t take the stand and instead used the opportunity to catch up on sleep. Eyewitnesses say they saw the “Say It” singer’s head bouncing up and down while his eyes were closed, and he appeared to be fighting off sleep.

The dozing off occurred during the jury instructions, which don’t exactly involve Lanez but still play a part in his trial. Closing arguments for the trial kicked off Thursday as many await the final verdict.

Prosecutors went after Lanez during their closing arguments on Wednesday, with one asking jurors to convict the musician for allegedly shooting Megan “over nothing more than a bruised ego,” Law and Crime reports.

During the 75-minute closing statement, prosecutors claimed Megan was “a victim of domestic violence.”

“If I would have known that coming out and speaking my truth would come with people agreeing with me being shot, if I would have known, I would have started to lose my confidence,” Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott said.

His statement referenced Megan’s Dec. 13 testimony, where she broke down and said she wished death on herself rather than the public scrutiny she’s been under since the 2020 shooting incident.

“I can’t even be happy,” the Grammy Award-winning rapper told the court. “I can’t hold conversations with people for a long time.”

“I don’t feel like I want to be on this earth. I wish he would have just shot and killed me, if I knew I would have to go through this torture.”

Deliberations are expected to end on Thursday with Lanez facing 23 years of prison if convicted on charges of assault with a semiautomatic handgun; carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle; and discharging a firearm with gross negligence., Jezebel reports.

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 23, 2022

University of Colorado Board of Regents Approves Deion Sanders’ $29.5 Million 5-Year Contract

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Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is officially a head coach at the University of Colorado Boulder.

According to BuffZone, the NFL Hall of Famer’s contract has been approved by the University of Colorado Board of Regents. Sanders was offered a five-year, $29.5 million contract to take on the role of CU’s 28th full-time head football coach.

With a vote of 8-1, the contract was approved, with board member Jack Kroll being the only one to vote against the decision.

After leading Jackson State University to a second straight SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) championship, Sanders was hired to bring the University of Colorado Boulder to prominence. The former reality TV star was introduced as the Buffaloes’ latest head coach earlier this month on Dec. 4. Earlier this week, Coach Prime ended his first national signing day by gaining 24 recruits.

After breaking and setting many records throughout his football playing and coaching career, Sanders achieved another when he became the highest-paid coach in CU history. The successful coach will make $5.5 million in base and supplemental salary in his first year. He is scheduled to receive annual raises of $200,000, earning him $6.3 million when his contract ends in five years.

Colorado Public Radio News reported that District 1’s regent, Kroll, who is leaving the board, explained voting against Sanders’ contract. He stated it wasn’t personal; he is against the “sustainability of the financial model.”

“While I commend the choice of our third Black head coach in a row and fourth overall, the system still thrives on the back of unpaid labor, and I believe it’s only a matter of time before athletes gain recognition as employees, which will further challenge the sustainability of the financial model,” Kroll said when giving his dissension.

After a stellar college and professional career, Sanders is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. He won two Super Bowls while playing 14 seasons in the National Football League. Sanders also played professional baseball from 1989- 2001 in Major League Baseball.

• Money

by Jeffrey McKinney

December 23, 2022

Exclusive: Gift Card Fraud Costs Almost $450 Million; Here Are Five Ways To Help Avoid It

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Plenty of people use gift cards to obtain Christmas presents for family and friends to show their affection.

But that joyous time during the holiday season is also when gift card scammers are preying to profit from the lucrative buying rush. As such, gift card fraud cost Americans almost $450 million in the last three years based on losses disclosed to the Federal Trade Commission in this report. The problem caused the FTC this year to issue this updated warning to help identify and prevent such scams.

David Leeds, CEO of the gift card rewards and services company Tango Card, shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE via email that gift cards are, by far, the most widely used method of payment in scams due to the difficulty of tracing them back or recovering the funds once they’ve been redeemed.

He added the holiday shopping season presents plenty of opportunities for scammers to get creative – like emailing employees pretending to be the CEO, who urgently needs year-end gift cards to send to clients.

He explained scammers often target senior citizens and Black Americans. Some 78% of Black consumers have been a victim of at least one holiday scam, stated Kathy Stocks, director of AARP’s Fraud Program, as reported by The Dallas Examiner. The scams include buying items through an online ad, giving or getting a gift card with no money on it, and encountering travel booking fraud.

To help protect themselves, people may consider not giving online account login information and avoiding links emailed or texted to them. Typing a merchant’s website into your web browser is a safer move.

So, what are the most common tactics that gift card scammers use?  Leeds says first an email or phone call comes in, usually presenting some scenario meant to evoke a sense of urgency or even danger. The victim may be told they’ve won a lavish vacation package, that they owe back taxes or that a loved one is in peril.

Leeds says scammers will tell the victim that the only way they can pay is by purchasing gift cards and providing the redemption codes. “This often involves very specific requests for a certain type of gift cards, and scams involving larger amounts may see their victims going to multiple stores — or sites — to get them. “Once the codes are shared, the scam is complete and there’s typically no hope of getting the money back.”

For Black-owned businesses, the fight starts with informing employees. Leeds offered these tips to help entrepreneurs and employees spot scams, especially during the holiday season:

• For starters, no legitimate business or government institution will ever request payment with gift cards. This is a huge red flag and is an immediate giveaway for many of the most common scams.
• If you get an email or text claiming to be from someone you know but is from an unusual number or otherwise seems “off,” take steps to confirm they are who they say they are. Scammers doing this will not want to speak with you verbally and will often act as if the person they’re claiming to be is otherwise unreachable, as it would tip the potential victim off.
•  Regarding impersonation – pretending to be a CEO of an employee’s company is a favorite tactic among scammers. Employees eager to please the boss might be less likely to think twice about taking the requested action, which is what the scammers are counting on.
• Business owners would do well to educate their employees on these types of scams, how they work and what the telltale signs are. A well-informed workforce is the strongest first line of defense.
• If you do buy digital gift cards for your employees, customers or prospects, make sure your gift card vendor has sufficient security controls and anti-fraud services in place. Typically, they will disclose their risk mitigation efforts on their website, but it’s always a good idea to ask.

• News

by Niko Mann

December 23, 2022

Sen. Jennifer McClellan Wins Democratic Primary, Set To Become Virginia’s First Black Congresswoman

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Virginia state Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D) won her primary on Dec. 22 and could become the first Black woman to be elected to Congress from the state, according to NBC News. McClellan won the Democratic primary to fill the seat of Rep. Donald McEachin (D), who died from cancer in November.

McClellan won 85 percent of the vote in a primary race against state Sen. Joe Morrissey, Joseph Preston and Tavorise Marks.

McClellan was supposed to run in the primary against the chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Del. Lamont Bagby. However, Bagby dropped out of the primary and endorsed McClellan, reportedly in an attempt to block Morrissey from winning the primary. Morrissy was pardoned by former Gov. Ralph Northam in January for contributing to the delinquency of a minor after he admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old girl who worked at his law office.

McClellan told The 19th News that she would be bringing a new perspective to Congress as a Black woman should she be elected.

“I learned very quickly that everyone’s political views and how they vote and how they approach issues is shaped by their life experiences and what they know,” she said.

“As a Black woman, I bring a whole new perspective that has not had a voice in the Virginia delegation.”

The 49-year-old senator served in the House of Delegates for 11 years and has been a Virginia state senator for five years. McClellan thanked the people who voted in the Democratic firehouse primary with a message on Twitter on Thursday.

“Thank you to the 27,900 voters who showed up to be heard at this historic Firehouse Primary. Onward to Election Day, #VA04!”

Thank you to the 27,900 voters who showed up to be heard at this historic Firehouse Primary. Onward to Election Day, #VA04! pic.twitter.com/1aHtRfbaq3

— Jennifer McClellan (@JennMcClellanVA) December 22, 2022

McClellan will face Republican Leon Benjamin in the special election for the 4th District seat on Feb. 21.

• Travel and Leisure

by Stacy Jackson

December 23, 2022

Black-Owned Hotels To Book For Your Next Getaway

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This is your sign to stop second-guessing that vacation time and take a break from a busy day-to-day schedule.

Next time you’re searching for the perfect getaway, check out these Black-owned hotels providing their guests with quality hospitality, historical experiences, and luxury amenities in some of the hottest locations.

Salamander Resort & Spa

The Salamander is a resort and spa located in Middleburg, Virginia. The luxury estate is owned by BET co-founder Sheila Crump Johnson, and offers visitors a 5-star option an hour outside of Downtown Washington, D.C.

The resort offers guests rooms and suites that lead outside to stone balconies and scenic views of the Virginia countryside. Along with top-of-the-line service and amenities, visitors have access to a plethora of family-friendly activities such as a spa, tennis courts, ziplining, yoga classes, two pools, and a complimentary putting green.

 

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Urban Cowboy

Thinking about making a trip to Tennessee? Book your stay in the cultural epicenter of East Nashville, at Urban Cowboy. Visitors can expect to enjoy one of the eight experiential suites located in the historic Victorian mansion, each one with its own aesthetic. Every suite in the mansion features high ceilings, a comfortable Wright mattress, private bathroom, and clawfoot tub.

When guests are ready to step outside their rooms, they can enjoy craft cocktails and Roberta’s award-winning pizza at the hotel’s Public House Bar out back.

All guests at the Urban Cowboy must be 21 years and up.

 

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The Ivy Hotel

Looking to experience a boutique-style hotel? The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore is a Black-owned spot owned by philanthropists Eddie and Sylvia Brown.

The hotel offers guests 18 rooms and luxury suites to choose from with daily housekeeping options. Each room is uniquely designed with its own personality, with beds dressed in 400-thread count Frette sheets, a gas fireplace, and a bathroom with heated limestone floor.

Guests can enjoy a fitness center, spa, and luxury dining at the hotel’s bistro, Magdalena.

The hotel also provides accommodations for weddings, meetings, and other special events.

 

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Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast

Monique Greenwood, former editor-in-chief for Essence magazine, opened the Akwaaba mansion’s first location in Brooklyn in 1995.

With 14-foot ceilings, fireplaces, and antiques, guests are met with Afrocentric elegance throughout Greenwood’s Akwaaba mansion. Visitors can reserve based on four guest rooms that offer private baths, with options that come with double Jacuzzis.

Teaming up with her husband Glenn Pogue, Greenwood cultivated the luxury lodging collection, opening multiple locations throughout the country—including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New Jersey.

Morning time is very tasteful at the Akwaaba bed-and-breakfast as the innkeepers serve up a Southern spread that includes chicken and waffles, fish and grits, and more.

 

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La Maison in Midtown

Searching for some European style vibes? Owners Sharon Owens and Genora Boykins run La Maison in Midtown in Houston,. The hotel is a seven-room bed-and-breakfast that offers a variety of luxury amenities that include a private spa bath with a walk-in shower, couple’s rain shower, or Jacuzzi tub.

Each room is dressed with premium-quality bedding, a stylish desk and work chair, and a 32-inch flatscreen TV with cable and a built-in DVD player.

The bed-and-breakfast is located within walking distance of restaurants and entertainment spots guests can visit during their stay. Visitors can check out Houston’s Theater and Museum Districts, sports venues, and shop from multiple shopping centers.

 

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Oak Bluffs Inn

According to author and historian Lawrence Otis Graham in his 1999 bestseller, Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class, Oak Bluffs Inn is “the best-known resort among the Black elite.” The 10-room Victorian inn, located in quaint Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, is owned by Rhonda and Erik Albert.

Travelers in search of a classic Victorian elegance and some modern coastal charm can book their stay in one of the rooms that is a five minute walk to the beach. Each room is different but features a private bathroom and white noise machines for light sleepers.

The lighthouse, created by architect Mark Hutker, has attracted many notable visitors, including film director Spike Lee and jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.

 

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Spice Island Beach Resort

Travelers planning a luxurious Caribbean getaway can book their stay at Spice Island Beach Resort, located on Grenada’s Grand Anse Beach, purchased by Sir Royston O. Hopkin in 1987.

The 64-suite living space, inspired by Grenada’s exotic nature, offers guests full-sized living rooms, four-poster king canopy bed, cedar saunas, and large private pools. Visitors can choose from suites that lead right out to the sand or a balcony overlooking pool views.

Guests can venture off on a short walk to the beach or relish in the fine dining that provides imaginative cuisine while enjoying romantic beachfront settings. Additionally, the resort offers a spa and yoga for mental and spiritual renewal.

According to Travel and Leisure, the hotel is currently run by Hopkin’s daughter Janelle, following her father’s death earlier this year.

 

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• Health and Wellness

by Black Enterprise Shop

December 23, 2022

Unlock Your Best Self With This DNA Ancestry Test Kit

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If you’re looking for a unique gift idea this holiday season, there isn’t much better than a home DNA kit. More than just a novelty, DNA kits have been valuable for those looking to become more proactive about their health. It can be enlightening when attempting to navigate one’s family history, while for others, it can simply provide a glimpse into past lineages. 

Whether as a gift or for yourself, the Vitagene DNA Ancestry Test Kit and health plan voucher are a great option at just $74.99. That’s a savings of 24% from its original MSRP ($99). 

This price doesn’t require a coupon code, but Dec. 30 is the last day of this promotion.

Vitagene DNA offers a plethora of valuable information about your genetics and ancestry with a simple cheek swab. It presents a more innovative, effective way to stay healthy and tailor your diet to your needs.

After the cheek swab, your sample is sent to Vitagene’s labs for analysis. A return shipment box, instruction manual, and two vials come with purchase. Vitagene accepts raw DNA files from AncestryDNA, 23andMe and MyHeritage. 

With your data, you can learn how your genetics influence your diet. You’ll also be able to analyze your genetics, goals, medications and health conditions. You’ll be provided a report with customized meal plans, tailored macronutrient percentages, gluten sensitivity info and more.

More than 200 people have rated Vitagene DNA 5 stars on Trustpilot. 

“The product is amazing! It takes a month before you get the actual results, but in your account, it has all the health stuff that is specifically made for your genetics. Mine was pretty accurate and it helped me a lot in my life,” writes verified purchaser Jasper Abad. 

If you’re looking for a thoughtful yet practical gift, there won’t be much better than this DNA test kit. Purchase it today to ensure it reaches you or the lucky recipient before the holidays.

Prices subject to change. 

• Legal

by Stacy Jackson

December 22, 2022

Judge Who Sentenced Meek Mill To Prison in Legal Trouble: Cases Allegedly Reflect Illegal Sentences

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After reportedly mishandling cases, some may argue that karma might be controlling this narrative.

The Philadelphia judge who encountered major controversy in 2017 when she sentenced rapper Meek Mill to two to four years in prison after he allegedly violated his probation from an almost decade-old drug and gun case, is facing her own case now.

Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinkley is facing a legal battle against judicial leadership over claims that concern her attendance at the courthouse and managing her caseload.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Brinkley’s cases allegedly reflect illegal sentences, sentences that run past their maximum date, and failure to address cases remanded to her by higher courts in a timely manner.

Brinkley was transferred to civil court with all of her pending criminal cases reassigned, which she claims is unlawful in her efforts to have it reversed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Reportedly, Brinkley filed a gender and racial discrimination complaint against two Black women supervising judges on the court.

“We have long raised concerns about Judge Brinkley,” Keisha Hudson, chief of the Defender Association of Philadelphia who supports Brinkley’s reassignment, said. “Concerns in terms of judicial temperament and cases on an individual basis.”

Brinkley’s clash with Lucretia Clemons, the supervising judge of criminal courts, reportedly played a major role in the threat to her portfolio of criminal cases. Brinkley stated her relationship with Clemons in her fight, claiming she “favors leniency.”

Brinkley filed a discrimination lawsuit in July against Clemons and Lisette Shirdan-Harris, another supervising judge, based on race, age, and gender. Clemons and Shirdan-Harris ruled to reassign Brinkley’s criminal matters.

“The last place that such shenanigans can be allowed is in our courts where integrity must be the hallmark,” Brinkley wrote in a petition asking the state Supreme Court to reverse the order.

Following Brinkley’s transfer, around 120 cases that Hudson described as “grossly excessive,” are being reviewed for reconsideration by lawyer and judges who described the situation as a “mess’.

According to Hudson, 101 cases were addressed within two days, where more than half were terminated and around a dozen up next in the upcoming weeks.

Brinkley was removed from Meek Mill’s case in 2019 by the Philadelphia Superior Court saying she “heard highly prejudicial testimony … and made credibility determinations in favor of a now discredited witness.”

• News

by Atiya Jordan

December 22, 2022

Philadelphia Man Who Wrongfully Served on Death Row for 25 Years Fatally Shot at Funeral

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An exonerated Philadelphia man who served nearly three decades on Pennsylvania death row was fatally shot while attending a funeral service Friday afternoon.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Christopher Williams, a father of six, was shot in the head while driving as part of a funeral procession for Tyree Little, another formerly incarcerated man, in North Philadelphia.

The shooting at Mount Peace Cemetery comes more than two years after Williams’ homecoming from prison in February 2021. He spent 25 years on Pennsylvania death row before being exonerated of four murders.

When he stepped out of his vehicle, Williams was struck once in the head by a bullet around 2:20 p.m. Friday. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

No arrests have been made.

In addition to his exoneration, Williams had also been acquitted of two more murders. In January 1992, a Philadelphia County jury convicted Williams of 19-year-old Michael Haynesworth‘s murder and later implicated him in the murder of 19-year-old Marron Genrette, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.

On a separate occasion, another jury found Williams and co-defendant Theophalis Wilson guilty of the 1989 murders of three young men — 22-year-old Otis Reynolds, 19-year-old Gavin Anderson, and his 17-year-old brother, Kevin Anderson.

Williams was subsequently sentenced to death on the basis of “false jailhouse informant testimony, extensive undisclosed evidence, and forensic evidence that directly contradicted the informant’s story,” per The Inquirer. “He was a soldier, a trooper, a champion for justice,” said Terrance Lewis, a formerly incarcerated man who was recently exonerated. “He was still learning how to give back. His life just began, and it was taken from him.”

In the two years since his release, Williams worked in construction. His sister, Maxine Mathis, said that her brother wanted to start his own construction company and to establish a reentry program for those leaving prison.

“He had come to the realization and understood that he had more time behind him than he had in front of him,” Mathis said. “And no matter what, he was going to apply himself to building a real family legacy, something he could leave behind that his children and family could be proud of. Like we’re not already proud of him, the fact that he did what he did, and stayed the course in order to win his freedom.”