Craig Robinson, Brother Of Michelle Obama, Selected As Princeton Baccalaureate Speaker
Robinson graduated from the Ivy League institution in 1983.
Princeton University announced its selection of alum Craig Robinson, the brother of former first lady Michelle Obama, to deliver the Baccalaureate address for the Class of 2026.
The Baccalaureate ceremony will take place in the University Chapel on May 24, 2026, marking the return to campus of the accomplished executive, who graduated from the institution in 1983.
“I was so honored and surprised,” Robinson told The Daily Princetonian, immediately clearing his schedule to accept the invitation.
Class of 2026 President Minna Abdella said fellow seniors are “grateful for the opportunity to learn” from Robinson.
“We are inspired by his example of character. Throughout his career as a celebrated athlete, accomplished coach and distinguished leader in both higher education, and the private sector, he has embodied Princeton’s informal motto, ‘In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity,’” Abdella said. “His commitment to mentorship and empowering others represents the very best of what we hope to carry with us beyond our time at Princeton.”
Storied basketball player, coach and commentator Craig Robinson '83 (@CraigMalRob) will be Princeton’s 2026 Baccalaureate speaker.
Robinson majored in sociology, the athlete and intellectual wrote his thesis on “The Nature of Informal Social Structures” within a Prison. Furthermore, he was an athletic standout on the men’s basketball team, leading the team to three Ivy League titles.
His younger sister, Michelle Obama ’85, followed him to campus after his graduation, continuing the family’s connection to the Ivy League institution. Robinson expressed that attending Princeton “absolutely changed my life.”
After graduation, Robinson played professional basketball in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, he returned to the United States and began coaching at the Illinois Institute of Technology before shifting his focus entirely to finance, earning an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He also served on Princeton’s Board of Trustees from 2018 to 2022.
Beyond his professional roles, Robinson served as a surrogate for Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign. Now, as he prepares to address the Class of 2026, he remains focused on offering valuable and relatable advice.
“I’m hoping that I won’t sound like one of these old men,” he told the Daily Princetonian. Robinson says he wants his message to mean “something to as many as possible” for the new graduates.
The fund will work in partnership with the Black Boy Joy Foundation to advance research, expand awareness, and support families affected by “one of the most lethal forms of cancer.”
Why Pancreatic Cancer Impacts Black Communities More
Musician and philanthropist Jean-Claude Kalí established the Black Boy Joy Foundation in 2020. The foundation is committed to redefining the narrative of mental health within the Black community. Its mission is to “illuminate the path to joy and resilience for Black boys and men” through comprehensive, barrier-free mental health services & innovative master classes offered globally.
Pancreatic cancer disproportionately affects Black communities. According to research from Johns Hopkins University, pancreatic cancer is higher in Black Americans than in any other racial group. Black Americans are also more often diagnosed with advanced, and therefore, inoperable cancer.
As researchers from Johns Hopkins University point out, studies suggest that environmental and socioeconomic factors may play a significant role in why pancreatic cancer is more prevalent in Black American communities. Cigarette smoking, which causes about 25% of pancreatic cancer, is more common among African Americans. Other risk factors for pancreatic cancer that are more common in African Americans include diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, and being overweight.
“Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most formidable and lethal malignancies globally, with a survival rate of scarcely 13 percent. Its insidious onset and frequent late-stage diagnosis render it particularly devastating. Black men and boys bear a disproportionate burden, experiencing the highest incidence and mortality rates,” Kalí said in a statement.
Florida Lottery Touts Millions In Aid To HBCUs As Leaders Crack Down On Teaching Black History
In 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the "Stop WOKE Act" in 2022, restricting schools and businesses from promoting certain concepts about race, gender, racism, social privilege, and more.
During halftime at the Florida Classic between HBCUs, Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Bethune-Cookman University, representatives from the Florida Lottery presented the schools with an on-field check presentation to highlight the lottery’s support of higher education throughout the Sunshine State.
Representatives from the state lottery took to the field to highlight how the lottery has impacted students attending both institutions. Lottery leaders said the agency has contributed more than $76 million to FAMU and B-CU combined through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, according to WFTV.
“We are honored to stand alongside institutions like FAMU and B-CU, and we remain proud to contribute to education across the entire state of Florida,” said Florida Lottery Secretary John F. Davis.
Davis is currently the secretary of the Florida Lottery and the incoming athletic director for FAMU. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, he will start his new role on Jan. 5. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Davis in October 2020. As he prepares for his new role at FAMU, the community has criticized the move. He is the latest executive from the DeSantis administration to lead FAMU.
In May 2025, Marva Johnson was selected as the new president of FAMU. The decision generated controversy due to her political ties with DeSantis, who has vowed to reduce DEI programs and scale back the teaching of Black history. DeSantis signed the “Stop WOKE Act” in 2022, restricting schools and businesses from promoting certain concepts about race, gender, racism, social privilege, and more.
About The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, funded by the state of Florida, provides scholarships based on high school academic achievement for postsecondary education in Florida. The program offers different award levels, each with its own eligibility criteria and award amounts.
The Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award covers 100% of tuition and fees, and the Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award covers 75%. In addition to GPA requirements, high school seniors must submit test scores and complete a community service work-hour requirement.
“Together with the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), the Florida Lottery has helped over 1 million scholars and counting receive a postsecondary education through the Bright Futures Scholarship program,” a statement on the program website reads.
When officials presented the check during the Florida Classic, state lottery leaders said they have donated over $76 million to universities statewide so far this year.
Atlanta Tattoo Artist Gets Ink Designed By A 6-Year-Old
Marlon Blake, a veteran artist at Iron Palm Tattoo Studio, inked a design created by Sage Williams after the boy won the studio’s annual drawing competition.
Marlon Blake, an Atlanta tattoo artist, has used his own body as a permanent canvas to encourage a 6-year-old artist’s growing talent.
Blake, a veteran artist at Iron Palm Tattoo Studio, inked a design created by Sage Williams after the boy won the studio’s annual drawing competition, CBS News reported.
For over a decade, Blake has lived by a simple rule: “Wake up every day and do exactly what you love to do.”
His passion involves creating permanent art on people. When he saw Sage’s submission to the contest, he admired it. Although the design itself appeared simple to an experienced tattoo artist, the maturity and originality of the work from such a young creator “absolutely blew [Blake] away,” he told CBS News.
Sage’s creative talent stems from dedicated practice, and he proudly stated, “I worked very hard for this,” adding that his success comes from being “very intelligent.” His father guides him, but the creative vision is his own. One of Sage’s paintings now hangs proudly in the studio, giving the young artist a permanent presence in the artistic space.
The annual drawing competition typically involves the winning design being used by the shop. Yet, when Blake realized no one had stepped up to use Sage’s design on their own body, he made a decision. Blake would make the artwork a permanent fixture on his own body. The winning design now graces Blake’s leg.
Blake felt a strong connection to Sage, recognizing a spark of his own childhood self in the young boy.
“Around that age is when I realized that I had the talent as an artist,” Blake told the outlet.
Because he sees so much potential in the child, Blake wants to remain a part of Sage’s life, encouraging his future. The tattoo serves as a powerful, unfading message of support from one artist to the next. Blake views the ink on his skin as a constant reminder to the young winner to “take [his] art serious” and “follow through with it.”
Brandon Hammond Reunites With Vivica A. Fox For ‘Soul Food’ Sunday Dinner And Documentary
Actor Brandon Hammond is keeping the legacy of the 1997 cult classic "Soul Food" alive with a Sunday dinner event and upcoming documentary.
Actor Brandon Hammond is working to keep the legacy of the cult classic film “Soul Food”alive through a recent Sunday dinner event and an upcoming documentary celebrating the film’s 30th anniversary.
On Nov. 23, Hammond — best known as Ahmad in the 1997 film — reunited with Vivica A. Fox (Maxine) and Morgan Méchelle Smith (Kelly) for a special “Soul Food Sunday Dinner” event. In partnership with Cult Classics, 1010 Wine & Events, and R.C. Bonds PR, the evening featured a screening of “Soul Food” at the historic Miracle Theater, an intimate Q&A with Hammond and Fox, and a soulful Sunday dinner hosted by 1010 Wine & Events.
Created to honor one of Black cinema’s most beloved films and capture the family warmth of the holidays, the event aimed to revive the tradition of Sunday Dinner and introduce the legacy of “Soul Food” to a new generation. For Hammond, the event offered a chance to reunite with his onscreen “mom,” whom he still speaks with regularly as they collaborate on the upcoming Soul Food documentary.
“It was amazing. You know, it’s funny because I talk to Vivica pretty regularly,” Hammond told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “So it’s always good to get together with her. Even though we talk, at least, you know, probably every other week, especially now that she’s an executive producer of the Soul Food reunion doc. So we were even conversing a lot on business.”
“But that’s mom, you know, I’ve known her most of my life,” he added with a smile.
The documentary has been two years in the making, Hammond shared. With initial plans of simply hosting a reunion event for the film’s 25th anniversary in 2022, Hammond spoke with his business partner, Genesis Scott, who helped spark the idea for a reunion documentary that catches up with the entire cast to discuss the impact of the film and its continued prominence within the Black community.
“This is like my love letter to a movie that has meant so much to me both personally and professionally,” Hammond said, after making nods to the accolades that came after his standout role in the film.
Hammond says that while fans have enjoyed reunions of beloved ’90s shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Martin,” and “Friends,” cult-favorite films rarely get the same spotlight. He believes Soul Food is the perfect movie to bring people back together — a story that resonated deeply with its cast and crew, and with audiences who saw their own families reflected on screen.
“Soul Food is also right along with those other projects on like legacy IP. And we should celebrate this film,” Hammond declared.
He credits Fox for being the first to champion the project, providing early investment that allowed him to film an interview with Irma P. Hall, the legendary Big Mama. Since then, cast members including Nia Long, Vanessa Williams, Mekhi Phifer, Michael Beach, and others have joined in. After Hall’s interview, Hammond says the support spread “like a domino effect.”
“The entire cast agreed to be in it. Everybody, you know, Michael, Vanessa, Mekhi, Nia, of course, Viv,” Hammond shared.
The challenge, he says, is coordinating the packed schedules of so many high-profile cast members and getting them together in one place.
“They’re so iconic and busy and they’re always working. So it’s been a little bit trying to coordinate that,” Hammond said.
The documentary also holds personal significance for Hammond, who plans to share his own story through the film, including why he stepped away from acting after his breakout role in Soul Food.
“The documentary is not only a reunion, but I’m also going to be going into my own personal journey, because so many people had questions as to why I stopped acting,” he shared. “And for so long, I didn’t really give answers to that question. But in the documentary, we really go into it. We really go into my journey personally as well. And we connect how the ‘Soul Food’film and my ‘Soul Food’family have helped me to get to this place of kind of taking my power back, if you will, and telling my story.”
As the film’s 30th anniversary nears, Hammond is pushing to complete the documentary in time for fans to enjoy. However, amid current economic challenges impacting the entertainment industry, he notes that additional funding is still needed to bring the project across the finish line.
“We’re about 30%, 40% through the film. But we are looking for support, like investors, fans,” Hammond said. And you know, we financially, you know, to finish the film, to complete it, and to get it out by 2027 to coincide with the 30th anniversary. Look, we need that fan support. People, I know they want it. But you know, this industry is in a weird place right now. So it’s been a little difficult to get it to the finish line, but I know we will. So please, just anybody out there wanting to help, please reach out to me and anybody connected to [the film].”
NFL’s Only Brother-Sister Duo: Ashley & Trey Smith Are Living Their Dream
For the Smiths, their journey is less about individual glory and more about ensuring their legacy uplifts others.
Ashley Smith and Trey Smith are rare as they are the only sibling duo working for the NFL. Trey Smith is a guard for the Kansas City Chiefs, while Ashley is a member of the NFL’s front office staff.
Their journey began in Tennessee and was fueled by a shared dream. It is unique among the league’s thousands of employees and players.
Trey, a formidable presence on the offensive line, was the 226th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Still, he has rapidly established himself as one of the league’s premier guards. Trey has won two Super Bowl rings with the Kansas City Chiefs. While he makes an impact running plays on the field, Ashley dedicates her career to supporting players off the field, a role that extends the family’s presence across the entire organization.
Ashley runs the NFL’s Player Engagement Program, which provides comprehensive support to athletes and their families. The program furnishes resources to guide players through the personal and professional demands of an NFL career. The programs help fill in the gaps for players and their families off the field, addressing everything from financial wellness to physical and mental health.
The siblings shared a close relationship growing up in Tennessee. In an interview with CBS News, Trey spoke highly about this upbringing and his late mother, calling her his “dream incubator.”
Ashley, nine years his senior, was 24 years old when their mother passed away in 2015. Their combined success, one achieving excellence as an athlete and the other as an administrator, proves that there is more than one path to the NFL. Ashley believes their story holds a greater purpose, stating she hopes their lives will “inspire generations to come.”
The Smiths’ journey is a powerful testament to the dedication, resilience, and faith required to thrive at the highest level of professional sports, whether competing on Sundays or shaping the organization behind the scenes.
But the Smiths’ commitment to the next generation extends beyond the gridiron; together, they actively pursue community outreach. Recently, Trey and Ashley partnered with Girl Scouts Heart of the South to host an all-girls flag football camp and pep rally in their home state of Tennessee.
The sibling pair wants to use their unique positions in the NFL to create tangible opportunities for others. For the Smiths, their journey is less about individual glory and more about ensuring their legacy uplifts others, proving that a family dream can indeed inspire generations.
Trump Administration Ends Protected Status For Haitian Migrants
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants will expire on Feb. 3. It’s a move that will impact more than 352,000 Haitians.
The Trump administration has announced that it’s moving forward with plans to strip thousands of Haitians of their temporary immigration protections, despite also acknowledging that certain conditions in the country “remain concerning.”
In the notice, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated after reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. government agencies, “Haiti no longer meets the conditions for the designation for TPS.”
The notice comes amid a worsening situation in Haiti, a country that is riddled with gang violence and political turmoil that has forced a record 1.4 million people from their homes this year alone. According to a report by the United Nations International Organization for Migration, this marks the highest flight ever recorded in the country and represents a 36% increase since the end of 2024.
“The severity of this crisis demands increased and sustained response,” said Grégoire Goodstein, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Haiti. “The generosity of Haitian communities hosting displaced people must be matched by renewed international support.”
He adds, “What is needed now are sustainable solutions that restore dignity, foster resilience, and create lasting alternatives for those enduring this long and complex crisis.”
Trump Administration Says Haitians Remaining in U.S. Is Contrary To National Interest
Secretary Noem writes in the notice that allowing Haitians to remain in the United States is “contrary to the US national interest.”
“As is widely known, Haiti lacks a central authority with sufficient availability and dissemination of law enforcement information necessary to ensure its nationals do not undermine the national security of the United States,” the notice reads.
“Children in Haiti are experiencing violence and displacement at a terrifying scale,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director. “Each time they are forced to flee, they lose not only their homes but also their chance to go to school, and simply to be children.”
National Coalition Of Black Meeting Professionals Brings 42nd Annual Conference To Portland
Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole Hayes was one of the speakers.
The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) brought its 42-year legacy of Black excellence in the meetings, tourism, and hospitality sector to Portland, Oregon, for this year’s annual conference and celebration.
Held at the Hilton in downtown Portland from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22 in partnership with Travel Portland, NCBMP’s 42nd annual conference delivered on the mission to Empower, Innovate, and Act with energy and intention. Attendees were immersed in powerful breakout sessions, inspiring keynote speeches, and a candid fireside chat with Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole Hayes—all set against a backdrop designed for meaningful networking, collaboration, and collective purpose. From the first session to the final farewell, participants were poured into every step of the way.
“The NCBMP Annual Conference is a cornerstone event for Black professionals across all sectors of the meetings, tourism, and hospitality industry,” Jason Dunn, CEO of NCBMP, told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Now in its 42nd year, the conference serves three essential purposes: One is to empower, or renew, or refresh the people who have traveled, many throughout the year, who are maybe dealing with issues of just uncertainty about their professional careers. Our industry is demanding, and many of our members are navigating environments where they are the “only one” in their organization. This conference is intentionally designed as a professional sanctuary—where people can be affirmed, seen, refueled, and inspired.”
Source: Jason Dunn speaking at National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals Conference in Portland, Oregon; Courtesy of NCBMP
Dunn continued. “The second piece is to do business. NCBMP brings together the full ecosystem—planners, suppliers, corporate brands, sports entities, faith organizations, fraternities and sororities, destination organizations, hotel brands, and entrepreneurs. Collectively, our members influence billions of dollars in meetings and events annually. The conference fuels new business relationships and strategic partnerships. The third is to get reaffirmed through education. We focus on elevating competencies, leadership capacity, and professional readiness. Attendees can expand their skill sets, gain credentialing credits, and sharpen their industry knowledge in ways that advance their careers.”
Throughout the conference, attendees said it felt like a genuine “family reunion.” From a community give-back initiative with the Urban League of Portland’s Feed the Folks program, to wine tastings, a live DJ inspiring sing-alongs over meals, and a Kid Capri–curated dance party to wrap a day of impactful learning, the NCBMP conference brought the vibes while continuing to champion excellence in the meeting planning profession.
“There’s a colleague, Najana White, who works with Miles Partnership, and you know, what she wrote about NCBMP last year was that when she’s here, she feels valued, seen, and heard,” said Zoe Moore, of Moore Consulting Agency. “It’s a family reunion. It’s where you can find mentors. Where you can find sponsors. Where you can find individuals who have been on your journey and can give you some guidance, but also learn from each other, and there’s a barrier that’s removed and more familiar when you’re at a coalition event versus going to other industry events. So that translates into the workplace when you often feel or are the only person of color, a Black person, in those spaces, and there always is this barrier of having to explain or code-switch in those spaces. Here, you don’t have to code switch, you know, and we’re going to keep it real with you, and you’re just going to make some lasting relationships, and then when we see each other across the ecosystem winning, we’re going to shout you out, so you have that extended family.”
Since the coalition’s inception in 1983, members have united at the conference under the non-profit’s shared mission of supporting members in all aspects of the meeting planning profession. Two days of specially curated programs and workshops highlight how the organization strives to support the educational advancement of Black association executives, meeting planners, and all meeting professionals, enhancing careers and the sector as a whole.
“They’ve been excellent at helping to connect with resources, whether it is a resource to answer a question, whether you’re looking for a vendor who can help you facilitate something, or you’re asking about a location that you’re considering hosting a meeting and they’ve already done it,” Danielle Kennedy-Jones with 100 Black Men of America Inc. said of NCBMP. “They can give you all of the insights for it. So it’s just been a wealth of knowledge and a wonderful group of people who can just kind of connect you to almost anything.”
Source: National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals Conference in Portland, Oregon; Courtesy of NCBMP
Shari Dunn, executive consultant and author at ITBOM Training and Consulting, energized the room with an opening address that connected Portland’s often overlooked Black history to the ongoing realities of racial bias, microaggressions, and the rollback of DEI progress in today’s workplace. Pointing to the 2020 incident in which Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf apologized for claiming there was a “very limited pool of Black talent to recruit from,” Dunn drove home a powerful reminder for NCBMP members: “You are qualified.”
Zeek Coleman, vice president at Americas Tourism Economics, mixed sharp insights with humor and memes in a dynamic, data-driven keynote that broke down the pressures facing the events and tourism industry amid inflation, a tightening job market, and the rise of AI. Kendra Bracken-Ferguson—author, venture capitalist, and CEO of Brain Trust—closed out the two days of educational programming with a powerful address outlining the pillars that shaped her own “Brain Trust” network: community, mentorship, education, and capital. She credited these foundations, along with the trusted professionals within her circle, for helping her succeed as a three-time founder and advisor to top talent.
Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole Hayes brought the transparency as she reflected on a challenging year, tying her message to the theme of her 2023 self-help book, “I Hope You Fail.” After a turbulent start to the year—including temporarily losing and then regaining ownership of Slutty Vegan amid financial setbacks—Cole Hayes candidly described how “ghetto” 2025 felt for her, making no effort to sugarcoat the experience.
“I’m coming from a very vulnerable and transparent space because the year I had…..” Cole Hayes said. “2025 was very ghetto for me. I lost that $100 million company. One day I owned it and the next day, I didn’t own it.”
She opened up about how her company fell into debt despite generating millions across its East Coast locations, and how painful it was to “lose it all right in front of my face and the world’s face.” Yet, still standing with both her business and dignity intact, Cole Hayes credited the peace she finds at home with her husband and children for carrying her through the storm.
Source: Pinky Cole Hayes at National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals Conference in Portland, Oregon; Courtesy of NCBMP
She also shared three key lessons the experience taught her:
“I learned who I need to do business with and who I don’t need to do business with. All money ain’t good money, and you are only as good as your team,” she said.
Cole Hayes also took a moment to spotlight the students in attendance. This year, NCBMP intentionally invited scholars from HBCUs and colleges nationwide to broaden the foundation they’re already laying for their future careers. Howard University students moved through the conference with purpose, networking with industry leaders who offered mentorship, guidance, and pathways to future opportunities. Their presence underscored NCBMP’s commitment to cultivating the next generation and securing its legacy for years to come.
“For many students, attending NCBMP is their first experience in a formal professional space. Exposure matters. Representation matters,” Dunn said. “Seeing Black excellence up close can shift a young person’s entire trajectory. Our message to them is simple: There is space for you here. There is opportunity for you here. And there is a community ready to support your growth.”
The 42nd annual conference closed with a glamorous black-tie gala recognizing members, partners, and organizations for their excellence and contributions to the industry and the NCBMP legacy. With a heartfelt tribute to its founders, NCBMP celebrated in a way that reaffirmed its enduring impact on the meetings, tourism, and hospitality sector for decades to come.
“Our founders created NCBMP in 1983 to give Black professionals a seat at the table. Today, this conference continues that legacy and expands the table,” Dunn said. “NCBMP is committed to building the pipeline—not just for today, but for generations to come.”
Source: Martinique Lewis of Black Travel Alliance accepting her award at the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals Conference in Portland, Oregon; Courtesy of NCBMP
South Fulton Mayoral Run-Off Candidates Are Hit With Claims Of Violence And Ethics Violations
South Fulton Mayoral candidates Dr. Mark Baker and Councilwoman Carmalitha Gumbs will go into the Dec. 2 election with looming allegations.
The mayoral race in South Fulton, Georgia, is making headlines after a temporary protection order was filed against candidate Dr. Mark Baker and an ethics complaint was filed against second runoff candidate Councilwoman Carmalitha Gumbs.
Dr. Mark Baker, who is a candidate for the mayoral seat, was served with a temporary protection order that alleges Baker threatened South Fulton resident Christopher McCreary at an event on Nov. 14, WSBTV reported. The alleged confrontation followed McCreary’s online social media criticism of Baker’s leadership.
“I reached out to shake his hand. He said I should hit you in your face for talking [expletive] about me on [social media],’” the man wrote in the petition. “… I stated this is what I was talking about with him glorifying gangs, and walked off. I told him I was worried for my safety.”
Baker denies the accusation. He told WSB-TV the temporary protection order is a “staged provoking attack” and nothing more than a political stunt.
The legal challenge is ongoing, and a hearing regarding the temporary protection order is scheduled for Dec.15.
Protection order filed against 1 South Fulton mayoral candidate, ethics complaint against another https://t.co/C1ajDbmKQG
As Baker contends with the criminal matter, mayoral candidate councilwoman Carmalitha Gumbs is dealing with an ethics complaint filed by resident Reshard Snellings and reported by WSB-TV. Snellings claims Gumbs improperly voted on a warehouse development because the developer was also a donor to her campaign. Snellings believes that voting on a bid by a political donor violates the public trust. The complaint alleges that the city charter required her to recuse herself from the vote.
Gumbs, however, rejects all allegations of wrongdoing. She stated she did nothing improper. The councilwoman emphasized that she voted against the warehouse development in question. The South Fulton city attorney confirmed Gumbs did not violate the city charter in this instance. Nevertheless, the city’s ethics board is reviewing Snellings’ complaint, which keeps the issue active during the election cycle.
The runoff between Gumbs and Baker to determine South Fulton’s next mayor takes place on Dec. 2.
Emmett Till Center Buys Barn Where Lynching Took Place For $1.5 Million
The move is designed to prevent the site from being exploited by speculators or hate groups, securing the narrative’s integrity for public memory.
On Nov. 23, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center (ETIC) acquired the barn connected to the 1955 murder of Emmett Till, securing one of the most significant and fragile sites in American civil rights history after agreeing to a purchase price of $1.5 million.
The purchase ensures the structure—which eyewitness Willie Reed identified as the location where Till was tortured before his death—will be preserved and transformed into a “sacred space for truth, healing, and national reflection.”
The move is designed to prevent the site from being exploited by speculators or hate groups, securing the narrative’s integrity for public memory.
Preservation Over Profit in the Delta
The ETIC, a community-based organization with a two-decade history of ethical stewardship in the Mississippi Delta, will hold the title to the property.
Leadership stated the decision was guided by Till’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, whose charge to “let the world see” remains central to the organization’s mission.
The financial transaction was not taken lightly; the organization had explored alternatives, including donations and eminent domain, but ultimately deemed the risk of the barn falling into private hands too great.
“We chose preservation over risk, and truth over silence — because you can’t put a price on our history,” the organization wrote.
The acquisition was funded through private philanthropy, with leadership support coming from the Rhimes Family Foundation. No public funds were used.
Ending Erasure and Building Conscience
The barn, located outside Drew, Mississippi, holds a profound historical weight. After their acquittal, Till’s killers falsely changed their public accounts, effectively attempting to write the barn out of the history—a silence the ETIC is determined to end.
The Interpretive Center emphasizes that preserving the structure is a necessary act to counter historical violence: “Because erasure is a form of violence… Preserving the barn transforms a site of harm into a place of truth and healing.”
“Through the generosity of writer and producer Shonda Rhimes and the resolve of local residents, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center has purchased and protected the barn near Drew, MS, where Emmett Till was brutally beaten and murdered. It will be preserved not merely as a structure, but as sacred ground — a place where truth can live without fear of being forgotten,” the caption read on the ETIC’s Instagram account.
The ETIC now plans a multi-year process that will culminate in the site opening as part of a larger public memorial by the 75th anniversary of the lynching in 2030. The immediate next steps include:
Stabilization and preservation to prevent structural collapse.
Community engagement and design guided by descendants of the Till family and local elders.
Interpretation and access to develop the site as a space for reflection and learning.
The organization’s highest hope for the barn is that it becomes a sacred site of conscience, moving visitors to confront the human cost of injustice and “recognize that attacks on dignity endanger democracy.”
