There have been reports of three different upcoming documentaries on the youngest boxing heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson, coming out starting at the end of the month. But, another boxing documentary worth noting is the forthcoming one about the flashiest and most entertaining heavyweight boxer in history, born as Cassius Clay. After converting to the Muslim faith, he was known to the world as Muhammad Ali, the person who famously coined the term The G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time).

PBS announced that they will be releasing MUHAMMAD ALI, a new four-part documentary that was directed by filmmaker Ken Burns. The doc will be airing later this year on Sept. 19–22. The series, which was in development for six years, was also written and co-directed by Sarah Burns and David McMahon.

“Muhammad Ali was the very best at what he did,” said Ken Burns in a written statement. “He was arguably America’s greatest athlete, and his unflinching insistence that he be unabashedly himself at all times made him a beacon for generations of people around the world seeking to express their own humanity.”

RELATED CONTENT: Jamie Foxx Portrays Boxing Champ Mike Tyson in Upcoming Series Directed By Antoine Fuqua

The documentary follows the life of the three-time heavyweight boxing champion and shows his resilience as he challenged America’s racial prejudices, religious biases, and notions about what roles celebrities and athletes play in our society, and inspired people all over the world with his message of pride and self-affirmation.

“Muhammad Ali is a national icon whose life and legacy are woven into the fabric of American history,” said Sylvia Bugg, chief programming executive and general manager, General Audience Programming at PBS. “PBS is committed to sharing stories that deepen understanding and reflect a diversity of perspectives, and we’re thrilled to bring this extraordinary biopic to our audiences this fall.”

The documentary MUHAMMAD ALI will be streaming for free on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS Video App. PBS station members can view the documentary via PBS Passport, as part of a full collection of Ken Burns films. For more information about PBS Passport, visit the PBS Passport FAQ website.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 14, 2021

Firefighters Who Snapped Pictures of Kobe Bryant’s Helicopter Crash Site May be Terminated

---

It’s been over a year since the helicopter crash that killed future NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven other people, but the ramifications of others’ actions are still playing themselves out.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department intends to discipline several firefighters who were at the scene of the helicopter crash because, according to court documents, they took graphic photos at the scene and shared them with their wives and girlfriends according to ESPN.

Two of the firefighters may be terminated and another one will be suspended for their actions according to court documents.

The documents, filed Monday, were part of federal lawsuit filed by Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, against Los Angeles County that cites invasion of privacy. Based on the findings from her attorney, the trial that was scheduled to start November 16, has been requested to start April 27, 2022, so the attorneys can review more material related to the suit.

RELATED CONTENT: Kobe Bryant’s Estate Severs Ties With Nike

The Los Angeles County Fire Department conducted an investigation and have concluded that two firefighters took several photos of the dead bodies at the scene of the helicopter crash. The firefighters then sent the pictures to another firefighter, a media relations officer who had appeared at the scene. A month later, the third firefighter shared the images with other off-duty firefighters and their wives and girlfriends while attending an awards ceremony at a Hilton hotel

The two firefighters were sent “intention to discharge” letters late last year in December. The third firefighter received an “intention to suspend” letter.

According to CBS Sports, the lawsuit filed by Bryant accuses multiple Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies of disseminating photos of the crash site. Earlier this year, Bryant won the right to release the names of the deputies. L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has since criticized the deputies and ordered the photos to be deleted.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 14, 2021

Attorney Benjamin Crump: ‘I’m an Unapologetic Defender of Black Life, Black Liberty, and Black Humanity’

---

The fight for justice is a never-ending and requires warriors who battle daily. One of those warriors is civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump. He has represented the families of many fallen victims of racial injustice including the likes of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Trayvon Martin.

The very busy attorney sat down with Ted Koppel for an interview for CBS Sunday Morning scheduled to air this Sunday.

He discusses the ramifications of defending victims of racial injustice and details the death threats he receives.

“I never take the death threats for granted. When we get them, we report them to the FBI,” Crump tells Koppel. Does Crump get a lot of death threats? “More than I would like. And I know that some people could do extreme things because they don’t think that we should have equal rights.”

Ben Crump tells CBS Sunday Morning he gets more death threats than he would like

“I do believe there has to be some things that a man is worth dying for, and the future of our children, to me, is worth dying for.”

Watch the full interview with @AttorneyCrump Sunday at 9a ET pic.twitter.com/7RYORVzjzW

— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) May 13, 2021

Crump also speaks about the mission he is on in terms of his work.

“I believe God has a purpose for me. And if I die fulfilling that purpose, then my life would not have been in vain. I do believe there has to be some things that a man is worth dying for, and the future of our children, to me, is worth dying for. I’m an unapologetic defender of Black life, Black liberty, and Black humanity…and that’s why I am proud to call myself a civil rights lawyer who believes that it’s about these romantic notions of liberty and justice for all,” he says.

• COVID-19

by Andrea Blackstone

May 14, 2021

The CDC Lifts Masks and Social Distancing Requirements for Fully Vaccinated People

---

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated and slackened its COVID-19 guidelines, allowing people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to go without masks, indoors and outdoors.

Also, social distancing is not required except under specific circumstances.

“You can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance,” the CDC said.

Under CDC’s updated mask guidance, travel within the U.S. does not require COVID-19 testing before or after travel or self-quarantine for fully vaccinated people. However, the CDC stated that close attention should be before traveling outside the United States.

Examples of certain circumstances in which social distancing and COVID-19 testing would be be required are tied to known and potential exposure.

“If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms,” the CDC advised. “However, if you live or work in a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.”

The White House tweeted about guidance for fully vaccinated people, while announcing that fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks in most settings. Additionally, individuals were advised to visit the CDC’s website to find out where to get vaccinated. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky also spoke in a video message about the update.

“We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy. Based on the continuing downward trajectory of cases, the scientific data on the performance of our vaccines, and our understanding of how the virus spreads, that moment has come for those who are fully vaccinated,” Walensky said.

Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore Health Commissioner,  expressed concern for the honor system that could impact people who cannot get vaccinated.

At a White House press briefing yesterday, Andy Slavitt, White House senior advisor for the COVID-19 response, said that individuals 12 through 15 years old are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.

• Business

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 14, 2021

White House Labor Task Force Discussing Prompting Labor Organizing

---

Reuters – The White House labor task force, headed by Vice President Kamala Harris, is set to meet for the first time on Thursday, to promote labor organizing at a time when just over 6% of U.S. private-sector workers belong to unions, according to White House officials and the Department of Labor.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh will serve as vice chair of the group and will attend the meeting in person, a Labor Department spokesperson said.

President Joe Biden last month signed an executive order to create the task force, whose goals include facilitating worker organizing around the United States, increasing union membership and addressing challenges to labor organizing in underserved communities.

Biden’s executive order directed the task force to devise a set of recommendations within 180 days to address two key issues: How existing policies can promote labor organizing in the federal government, and looking at necessary new policies and the associated regulatory challenges.

Biden is widely considered to be the most pro-union president in decades and has earned praise from the country’s labor leaders. He has moved quickly to oust government officials whom unions deemed hostile to labor and reversed Trump-era rules that weakened worker protections.

The task force, which includes more than 20 heads of agencies and Cabinet officials, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, is an extraordinary effort by the president to help reverse the decades-long decline in union membership and power, labor experts said.

Over 65 percent of Americans approve of unions, the most since 2003, according to a 2020 Gallup poll, despite the much lower membership rate.

The labor movement faced one of its biggest setbacks in recent history after an organizing drive at an Amazon.com facility failed earlier this month.

Unions have lobbied for the passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or PRO Act, which prohibits employers from holding anti-union meetings and imposes penalties for violating workers’ rights. The House passed the measure in March and Biden supports the legislation, but it faces long odds in the Senate.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham, William Maclean)

• News

by Derek Major

May 14, 2021

MassMutual Great Lakes Announces Partnership With The Only Black Bank Based In Michigan

---

MassMutual Great Lakes (MMGL) a financial services firm has announced a strategic alliance with First Independence Bank (FIB), the only Black-owned in Michigan.

The alliance will boost FIB’s efforts to provide service to its retail and commercial clients in Detroit and nationwide, many of which have been ignored when seeking these services.

The partnership will begin with a series of financial wellness educational sessions beginning this month. The sessions are open to FIB customers, clients, and employees as well as the community. The sessions will focus on understanding life insurance, how to prepare for retirement, and setting and achieving financial goals such as saving for a home or a child’s college.

Manuel Amezcua, president and CEO of MassMutual Great Lakes said in a release the partnership will help the underserved reshape how they view money.

“At MassMutual Great Lakes, we believe every individual, small business owner and corporation deserves the right to financial services and strategies designed to create stability,” Amezcua said. “Our commitment is to develop meaningful relationships that reshape the financial well-being and success of a diverse group of individuals and institutions in the communities we serve.”

Those interested in the courses can apply for them directly at MassMutual Great Lakes website.

RELATED CONTENT: Switching To Mutual Funds

FIB has been serving the financial needs and dreams of Black Americans since 1970 and is the only Black-owned bank based in Michigan. FIB is one of only 155 minority depository institutions in the country.

The coronavirus pandemic has only increased the racial wealth gap. Partnerships like these not only help close that gap but also brings awareness to the services clients may not have known existed.

Gina Coleman, MMGL chief sales officer, said she is excited to work with FIB and enhance the financial power of FIB and its customers.

“For more than five decades, First Independence Bank has played an important role in addressing economic inequality and helping to create economic stability,” Coleman said. “We are excited to form this alliance with FIB to increase financial education opportunities and access to financial products and services while enhancing the level of convenience offered to the bank’s clients and the surrounding community.” 

One of the best players to lace up a pair of sneakers and throw on a basketball jersey and shorts is being acknowledged by the professional sports league he dominated in his playing days!

The NBA has announced that it has created the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. This is a new annual honor that will acknowledge a current NBA player for the pursuit of social justice and upholding the league’s decadeslong values of equality, respect, and inclusion.

“I’m honored and grateful to be associated with this award that will recognize the dedicated and selfless people fighting to promote social justice for all marginalized people,” said Abdul-Jabbar in a written statement. “To me, it’s another giant step in the right direction for the country and all people who value equality.”

The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award is named after six-time NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. Abdul-Jabbar holds league records for regular-season MVP awards (six), All-Star Game selections (19), and career points (38,387) captured during his 20 NBA seasons playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks. Abdul-Jabbar joined the NBA in the 1969-70 season after leading UCLA to three consecutive national championships.

RELATED CONTENT: Gordon Parks Foundation Raises $1.3 Million, Honors Kareem Abdul-Jabbar And Kehinde Wiley

The recipient of this new award will have advanced Abdul-Jabbar’s mission to drive change and inspired others to reflect on injustice and take collective action in their communities over the previous year.

“In addition to being one of our greatest players, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has devoted much of his life to advocating for equality and social justice,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “With this new award, we are proud to recognize and celebrate NBA players who are using their influence to make an impact on their communities and our broader society.”

The player who wins the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award will be able to select an organization to receive a $100,000 contribution on his behalf. The other four finalists will each select an organization to receive a $25,000 contribution.

Each and every one of the 30 NBA teams will submit the name of one player from their roster to be the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion. The finalists and winner will be selected by a committee composed of NBA legends, league executives, and social justice leaders.

“Oh my gooooooodness …. “ Martin fans can express their love for the show with a new Detroit Pistons merch line set to release this Friday, May 14.

The NBA released a statement on Tuesday announcing the collaboration line that will be made available exclusively on Pistons313shop.com. The limited-edition merch will represent the city’s love for the popular ’90s sitcom that was based in Detroit.

The collection includes jerseys, hats, shorts, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and more that each includes popular quotes and memories from the 30-year-old series, NBA reports. Martin ran for five seasons on Fox from 1992–1997. It followed the life of Martin Payne who worked as a radio DJ and lived with his girlfriend-turned-wife Gina. Between the couple, their small group of friends, and Martin’s neighbor Sheneneh Jenkins among other characters he played, the show became a cult classic among sitcom fans.

The Bad Boys actor expressed his excitement to partner with the basketball team and his love for the new line.

“Detroit has always shown me so much love and always shows up for me,” Lawrence said. “From stand-up tours to fans on the street Detroit has felt like home. It’s an honor to be part of something that means so much to me this many years later.”

The NBA team also shared their exhilaration for the new collab line.

“With the city of Detroit as the show’s backdrop, Martin became must-watch TV in the 90’s. Martin’s love for the Pistons in the show translated into passion for the team – the fact that he has a ring from the 2004 team is proof of that, said Mike Zavodsky, chief business officer of the Detroit Pistons. “We’re thrilled to partner with Martin to introduce a merchandise line that pays homage to both Martin and the show’s Detroit roots.”

• Lifestyle

by Andrea Blackstone

May 14, 2021

15-Year-Old Girl is Close to Becoming First Black, Female Chess Master

---

In 2020, 15-year-old New Yorker Jessica Hyatt—who happens to be one of the top 10 Black female chess players in the country—earned a $40,000 Daniel Feinberg Success in Chess Award. At that time, CBS New York said that a $40,000 college scholarship accompanied the honor. Hyatt is on track to achieve her history-making goal of becoming the first African American female chess master.

A few months ago, Disney Channel’s In the Nook interviewed Hyatt who explained that at the age of four, although she was not into games as a young child, she was on her computer and discovered a chess game. Nevertheless, it gained her attention. She attends a high school known for chess said that the queen is her favorite chess piece because it is the most powerful one on the board.

Hyatt is inching closer to her goal of becoming a chess master. She spoke about the rating that is measured by skill.

“Currently mine is 2,000. In order to become a chess master, you have to reach the rating of 2,200 and that will put you in the top 1% of people in the Nation,” Jessica said to In the Nook.

In the CBS interview in 2020, her rating was reportedly 1,950, so Jessica is still making progress toward achieving her big goal. During the interview, Jessica shared advice for youth who may be afraid to try new things.

“The biggest opponent is yourself, and you should take each moment to learn about you and to try new things, and see your improvement,” Jessica said, during the In the Nook interview.

BK Reader previously reported that the teenager who loves chess plays even in her free time.

“When I wake up, during my breaks I play it, during my lunch, I play it — maybe 6 to 7 hours per day I play,” Hyatt said to BK Reader.

In the same way that you can add a ‘Blackcent’ to your style of speech, it can also be done when communicating in sign language. Now, a 22-year-old TikTok user is being credited for making the Black version of American Sign Language more widespread.

Nakia Smith became a popular influencer on the social networking app through her daily videos that included sign language lessons and educating people on some of the issues deaf people face, Dallas Observer reports. Her popularity even resulted in a deal with Netflix’s Strong Black Lead where she appeared in a video teaching people “How To Sign In BASL (Black American Sign Language).”

“The biggest difference between BASL and ASL is that BASL got seasoning,” Smith joked in her Netflix feature. She went on to share the history of BASL that started after Black people were prevented from attending the first American school for the deaf until 1952.

“TikTok is a huge platform, so I knew everyone was going to see it. I felt it needed to be out there. Everyone loves to learn something new,” Smith told Blavity last year.

Smith comes from a four-generation family of deaf people and has shared the warm response she’s received from TikTok users interested in learning more about the deaf community.

“I felt like a lot of people didn’t know about BASL until my video went viral. They were really curious and wanted to learn more about BASL and history. I told my grandfather that the video went viral and he said, ‘Keep it going,'” she said. “I knew I couldn’t answer everyone’s questions. From there, I knew that I’d have to continue teaching people what they need to know. People do need to know that Black ASL is not slang — it’s a language itself.”

Now a new center at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. will educate the masses on BASL. Launched last August, the center serves as an outreach center for teaching and learning about the Black deaf experience, Blavity reports.

Led by professor Carolyn McCaskill, Ph.D., the Center for Black Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University aims to share the history and identities of Black deaf people in America.

“Once integration happened, there was no discussion with us about the language. There was no recognition,” McCaskill said. “I was very excited that the Center was established. This has been a lifelong dream of mine.”

With the help of Smith’s popular TikTok videos and a growing interest in BASL, centers like the one at Gallaudet University will serve as a viable resource to providing context to an aspect of the Black diaspora that has long been ignored.