Montell Jordan Says Drake Helped Him Recoup Def Jam Earnings Through Song Sample
'I finally recouped with Def Jam after 28 years'
Montell Jordan recently revealed that, although he signed his first recording deal almost 30 years ago, he finally recouped the money owed the label after Drake sampled one of his songs and was able to break even.
On the We Sound Crazy podcast, Jordan was a guest and was speaking to the hosts about a song he did in 1995 called “Daddy’s Home,” which the Canadian recording artist used for his song “Papi Home” in 2021. Although he wasn’t directly contacted about using the song, it turns out that Drake using the sample and bypassing his approval benefited him in the end.
He called it a wild surprise when he heard the song, he seemingly intimated that he may not have allowed it, based on how Drake used the sample, saying that the content was off-brand for him, although it fit Drake perfectly.
“The content in the song, with the language and stuff like that, is stuff that’s not on brand for me, but it’s on brand for him,” Jordan told the co-hosts.
Evidently, Drake’s people went through the right channels to get the sample cleared, and it worked out for Jordan.
“It advanced the publishing of the original song more, which allowed me to recoup faster. So, literally, when, after Certified Lover Boy dropped, my recoupment of my publishing and royalties, literally, I finally recouped with Def Jam after 28 years.”
Drake sampling Daddy’s Home on Papi’s Home helped Montell Jordan finally recoup from Def Jam—29 years after the original dropped pic.twitter.com/oBjtmOcRe8
Jordan, who hails from South Central California, recorded on the Def Jam label when he released his most popular song, This Is How We Do It, a sample of a Slick Rick song, Children’s Story, which was recorded in 1988. Jordan released the single in 1995.
The recording artist revealed late last year that early detection and his faith in God were the precursors to his beating prostate cancer. He toldTMZ Hip-Hop that he had prostatectomy surgery in November 2024, when his prostate was removed. He cited that finding out about it early, along with proactive doctors, saved his life.
Study Finds Cancer-Causing Ingredients In Many Products Marketed To Black Women
A new study reveals that over half of the Black and Latina women surveyed in Los Angeles regularly use personal care products containing a known cancer-causing carcinogen.
The journal Environmental Science & Technology Letterspublished thestudy on March 7, revealing that among the 64 women surveyed, 53% reported using shampoos, conditioners, bleaching creams, eyelash glue, and other products that contain formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing ingredients, which are known to cause cancer in humans.
“It’s really concerning that we are intentionally putting chemicals that release a carcinogen into our products that we apply to ourselves every day,” Robin Dodson, associate director of research at Silent Spring Institute, a nonprofit research firm studying the environmental causes of breast cancer, told NPR.
Researchers collected the data in 2021 after previous studies indicated that Black and Latina women are disproportionately exposed to formaldehyde in beauty products compared to white women. Experts have suspected that the frequent use of chemical hair relaxers containing formaldehyde-releasing agents by Black women is one of the reasons why they die of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers at significantly higher rates than their white counterparts.
In a study conducted by The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit environmental agency, the researchers found that out of 4,011 personal care products marketed to Black women, only 21% were rated as low hazard in EWG’s Skin Deep® cosmetics database.
The FDA announced its plans to propose a ban on formaldehyde in 2023.The proposed ban was intended to protect the public from health risks associatedwith chemical use. The agency planned to implement the proposal in April2024, but has faced multiple delays. Last year, the EWG condemned the FDA for failing to enforce the ban.
“Despite the overwhelming evidence of the dangers of formaldehyde in hair-straightening treatments, the FDA has consistently failed to act decisively,“ EWG wrote in a statement.
As of May 2025, the agency has not implemented the proposed ban. Europe banned formaldehydeas a cosmetic ingredient in 2009.
April Jobs Report: Black Women Lost 106,000 Extra Jobs, Most Among All Workers
Latest figures show that joblessness for Black women surged by 106,000 last month.
New eye-popping data shows what is not often cited in the nation’s labor force. Fresh numbers reveal that unemployment for Black workers this year is steadily rising, especially for Black women.
A disturbing trend was identified in the latest information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Among other findings, the report disclosed that the jobless rate for Black women rose to 6.1% in April, a full percentage point surge from 5.1% in March.
In contrast, the unemployment rate for White women in April was 3.3%, unchanged from March, and 4.6% for Hispanic women, the same as in March; women in other groups generally do not face racial and gender discrimination like Black women, a factor in the jobless rate discrepancy.
For perspective, the jump for Black women was among the highest of any group and much greater than the unchanged overall 4.2% nationwide unemployment rate last month. Black women saw their unemployment climb by 106,000 in April.
According to the digital platform HBCU Money, the number of Black women employed is at a five-month low, and the number of unemployed is at a five-month high.
Concurrently, the overall Black unemployment rate rose to 6.3% in April from 6.2% in March, reflecting the third straight monthly rise and the highest surge since January. For Black men, unemployment in April was 5.6%, down from 6.1% in March. The BLS reported that the overall economy added 177,000 jobs in April.
William Michael Cunningham, an economist and owner of Creative Investment Research, told BLACK ENTERPRISE that the number of unemployed Blacks increased by 29,000, reaching nearly 1.4 million, while the total labor force fell by 7,000.
“The unusual nature of this increase in Black women’s unemployment is a testament to and a direct result of the anti-DEI and anti-Black focus of the new administration’s policies,” he says. ” This is demonstrably damaging to the Black community, something we have not seen before.”
For Black women, Cunningham says the latest numbers show those seeking work are not finding jobs, making gaining employment more difficult for them.
He added that Black women losing DEI roles and federal government jobs, fueled by Trump-led policies, impact them because their joblessness is growing. Those women are also purportedly to account for a larger share of federal employee roles that have fallen in the last three months as the Trump regime has acted to cut the workforce. The BLS report disclosed that federal government employment fell by 9,000 in April and is down by 26,000 since January.
Based on another report, minorities are frequently discharged first from jobs when the economy declines. Andre Perry, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, has stated, “The layoffs at the federal level where Black people are more represented, the impacts of the tariffs, particularly on small businesses that hire Black women, and just the overall use of DEI as a slur, which may be contributing to a lack of hiring of Black women, all of these factors are probably at play.”
Further, Cunningham says less work in sectors like retail and hospitality that generally employ a high number of Black women could also be fueling more joblessness for that group.
“This creates a double whammy for the Black community because the localized economic impact in major cities results in a decline in hotel stays, meals eaten at restaurants, and less business activity in industries heavily populated by Black workers.”
In recent years, scores of Black women have started their own businesses at a brisk pace, with unemployment cited as one of the reasons why. Also, possibly facing larger unemployment rates, Black women have shifted to entrepreneurship to generate their own income, anchor their livelihoods, and use business ownership to gain more career control.
Black Olympians Take Center Stage In 2025 US Olympic & Paralympic Hall Of Fame Inductions
Black women athletes are in the forefront of the 2025 US Olympics hall of fame.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 highlights the enduring legacy of Black athletes whose excellence has reshaped American sports. Among the 2025 inductees are Gabrielle Douglas, Allyson Felix, Serena Williams, and Flo Hyman — trailblazers who broke barriers, elevated their sports, and inspired generations.
Gabrielle Douglas: A Gymnastics Groundbreaker
As the first Black woman to win Olympic all-around gold, @gabrielledoug changed the game.
Gabrielle Douglas made history at the 2012 London Olympics as the first Black woman to win the individual all-around gold in gymnastics. She also helped the U.S. women’s team secure gold medals in 2012 and 2016 and earned two world championship titles. Her accomplishments opened the door for more diverse representation in a sport historically dominated by non-Black athletes.
Allyson Felix: The Most Decorated U.S. Track and Field Olympian
With every stride, she built a legacy—not just as the most decorated athlete in track and field history, but far beyond the medals. 👏
Allyson Felix competed in five Olympic Games and collected 11 medals: seven gold, three silver, and one bronze, making her the most decorated American in track and field history. Her 31 total medals across Olympic and world championships stand as a testament to her consistency and dominance on the track.
Serena Williams: Tennis Legend and Cultural Icon
No one else has done it like @serenawilliams: a Golden Slam in both singles and doubles. 👑
Serena Williams, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, transformed the sport of tennis with her power, skill, and resilience. A global icon, she also became a symbol of advocacy and self-empowerment for Black women and athletes worldwide.
Flo Hyman: Volleyball Pioneer and Advocate for Women’s Sports
The game wouldn’t be the same without the name Flo Hyman.
A pioneer in U.S. volleyball, she grew the sport, broke barriers post-Title IX, led Team USA to its first Olympic medal—and is now set for the #TeamUSAHOF. pic.twitter.com/A2CFwFSil6
Flo Hyman led the U.S. women’s volleyball team through the 1980 Olympic boycott and later helped secure a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Games — the team’s first Olympic volleyball medal. Her professional career in Japan and tireless advocacy for women’s sports made her a foundational figure in the rise of women’s volleyball in the U.S. After her death in 1986, National Girls and Women in Sports Day was established in her honor. Hyman also testified before Congress in support of Title IX, paving the way for future generations of female Olympians and Paralympians.
Anita DeFrantz
Anita DeFrantz made history at the 1976 Olympics with a bronze in the first-ever women’s eight. She broke barriers as the first African American and first woman elected to the IOC in 1986.
Anita DeFrantz made history at the 1976 Montreal Games, winning bronze in the debut women’s eight rowing event—becoming the first and only Black woman to medal in Olympic rowing. Her influence continued off the water. In 1986, she broke new ground as the first African American and first woman elected to the International Olympic Committee.
The 2025 induction ceremony will take place at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado. These honorees’ achievements stretch far beyond the field of play, shaping policy, culture, and opportunities for athletes of color across the country.
Actor Who Played Dad On ‘That’s So Raven’ Starts GoFundMe To Get Help With Medical Bills
"That's So Raven" star Rondell Sheridan is asking for help with his medical bills following a health scare.
Actor Rondell Sheridan, best known for his role as the family patriarch on Disney’s That’s So Raven, has turned to social media to ask for help paying his medical bills.
On May 7, the Disney alum took to Instagram from a hospital bed to reveal his recent health emergency and ask fans to support his $35,000 GoFundMe campaign. The 66-year-old actor shared details about the circumstances that led to his hospitalization and why he needs financial assistance.
“On April 10th, I was in the road and got sick,” Sheridan said in a minute-long video. “They thought it was gastric. I got home on the 12th and immediately went to the hospital at North Ridge. I was told it’s pancreatitis. Tons of tests. I was in the hospital for nine days. I got released and thought I was on the road to recovery, but… my pancreas is inflamed.”
With him being in the hospital and unable to work, the Cousin Skeeter actor is asking for help with his mounting medical bills.
“I didn’t realize I will be out of work for quite some time. I’m setting up this GoFundMe to help with some of my medical bills and just expenses,” Sheridan explained. “If you have anything that you could donate, I’d gladly appreciate it. Thank you so much.”
Fans took to the comments to offer their support to the famed Disney dad.
“Get well soon mr Baxter 🙏🏻💙🤗 one of my favorite Disney channel Dad’s,” one fan wrote.
“2nd father to MANY ❤️🩹 sending love and healing,” added someone else.
Sheridan is widely recognized for his role as Victor Baxter on the Disney Channel sitcom That’s So Raven and its spin-offs Cory in the House and Raven’s Home. His medical emergency occurred just days after his appearance on Raven-Symoné’s podcast, where he spoke candidly about his love life.
Drake, GloRilla, Future, and Doechii follow with six nominations each
As the BET Awards prepares to celebrate another year honoring musicians and recording artists, the network has announced that Compton lyricist Kendrick Lamar has been nominated for 10 awards.
Following Lamar’s 10 nominations, his real-life nemesis, Drake, is behind him again with six nominations. Including the Canadian artist, rappers GloRilla, Future, and Doechii also have six chances to win an award.
Lamar is possibly extending his hot streak, as the most-talked-about diss record in history has been nominated multiple times this year. Not Like Us has been nominated for Video of the Year and a Viewer’s Choice Award.
He received Album of the Year nominations for GNX and Video of the Year for Not Like Us. Add another three viewers’ choice nominations for Not Like Us, Luther, featuring SZA, and Like That with Future & Metro Boomin. Three nominations for best collaboration for Like That, 30 for 30, and Luther. The last two are for Video Director of the Year with Dave Free and Best Male Hip-Hop Artist.
The BET Awards may possibly see Lamar and Drake in the same venue for the first time since the feud escalated to a full-time beef.
Metro Boomin has earned himself five nominations, and SZA and The Weeknd have received four nominations apiece, while Arya Starr, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Maverick City Music, Playboi Carti, Teddy Swims, and Tyler, the Creator each have garnered three nominations.
The 25th Anniversary of the awards show will air live on BET from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony takes place on June 9, 2025, at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.
The Complete List Of Nominees for the “BET Awards” 2025:
Album of the Year
$OME $EXY $ONGS 4 U DRAKE & PARTYNEXTDOOR
11:11 DELUXE CHRIS BROWN
ALLIGATOR BITES NEVER HEAL DOECHII
COWBOY CARTER BEYONCÉ
GLORIOUS GLORILLA
GNX KENDRICK LAMAR
HURRY UP TOMORROW THE WEEKND
WE DON’T TRUST YOU FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
ARI LENNOX
AYRA STARR
COCO JONES
KEHLANI
MUNI LONG
SUMMER WALKER
SZA
VICTORIA MONÉT
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
BRUNO MARS
CHRIS BROWN
DRAKE
FRIDAYY
LEON THOMAS
TEDDY SWIMS
THE WEEKND
USHER
Best Group
41
COMMON & PETE ROCK
DRAKE & PARTYNEXTDOOR
FLO
FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN
JACQUEES & DEJ LOAF
LARRY JUNE, 2 CHAINZ, THE ALCHEMIST
MAVERICK CITY MUSIC
Best Collaboration
30 FOR 30 SZA FEAT. KENDRICK LAMAR
ALTER EGO DOECHII FEAT. JT
ARE YOU EVEN REAL TEDDY SWIMS FEAT. GIVĒON
BECKHAM DEE BILLZ FEAT. KYLE RICHH, KAI SWERVO, KJ SWERVO
BLESS LIL WAYNE, WHEEZY & YOUNG THUG
LIKE THAT FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN & KENDRICK LAMAR
LUTHER KENDRICK LAMAR & SZA
STICKY TYLER, THE CREATOR FEAT. GLORILLA, SEXYY RED &
LIL WAYNE
TIMELESS THE WEEKND FEAT. PLAYBOI CARTI
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
CARDI B
DOECHII
DOJA CAT
GLORILLA
LATTO
MEGAN THEE STALLION
NICKI MINAJ
RAPSODY
SEXYY RED
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
BIGXTHAPLUG
BOSSMAN DLOW
BURNA BOY
DRAKE
FUTURE
KENDRICK LAMAR
KEY GLOCK
LIL WAYNE
TYLER, THE CREATOR
Video of the Year
3AM IN TOKEYO KEY GLOCK
A BAR SONG (TIPSY) SHABOOZEY
AFTER HOURS KEHLANI
DENIAL IS A RIVER DOECHII
FAMILY MATTERS DRAKE
NOT LIKE US KENDRICK LAMAR
TIMELESS THE WEEKND FEAT. PLAYBOI CARTI
TYPE SHIT FUTURE, METRO BOOMIN, TRAVIS SCOTT & PLAYBOI
CARTI
Video Director of the Year
ANDERSON .PAAK
B PACE PRODUCTIONS & JACQUEES
BENNY BOOM
CACTUS JACK
COLE BENNETT
DAVE FREE & KENDRICK LAMAR
DAVE MEYERS
FOGGIERAW
TYLER, THE CREATOR
Best New Artist
41
AYRA STARR
BIGXTHAPLUG
BOSSMAN DLOW
DEE BILLZ
LEON THOMAS
OCTOBER LONDON
SHABOOZEY
TEDDY SWIMS
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
A GOD (THERE IS) COMMON & PETE ROCK FEAT. JENNIFER HUDSON
AMEN PASTOR MIKE JR.
BETTER DAYS FRIDAYY
CHURCH DOORS YOLANDA ADAMS FEAT. SIR THE BAPTIST & DONALD
LAWRENCE (TERRY HUNTER REMIX)
CONSTANT MAVERICK CITY MUSIC, JORDIN SPARKS, CHANDLER
MOORE & ANTHONY GARGIULA
DESERVE TO WIN TAMELA MANN
FAITH RAPSODY
RAIN DOWN ON ME GLORILLA FEAT. KIRK FRANKLIN, MAVERICK CITY MUSIC
Viewer’s Choice Award
RESIDUALS CHRIS BROWN
DENIAL IS A RIVER DOECHII
NOKIA DRAKE
LIKE THAT FUTURE & METRO BOOMIN FEAT. KENDRICK LAMAR
Join The Education Conversation To Help ‘Build The Diverse Teacher Pipeline’
Black teachers have a major impact on Black students. Join the discussion surrounding Black teacher retention and recruitment.
May 8, the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED) will commemorate Black Teacher Appreciation Day by hosting an online panel, “Building a Diverse Teacher Pipeline.”
A panel of educators, funders, and policy leaders will lead an important conversation on Black Teacher Appreciation Day, emphasizing the urgent need to recruit and retain diverse educators across the country.
“This webinar will also highlight CBED’s flagship program, Teaching Academy (TA), a dual-enrollment, career and technical education (CTE) program designed to support teacher diversification and enhance academic outcomes for all students,” CBED stated in a press release.
Featured voices include Ansharaye Hines, assistant director of career and technical education and curriculum at the CBED; Dr. AB Spence, CBED’s training and implementation program manager; and Howard University student Jahmere Jackson.
The CBED is hosting the event as a part of its #WeNeedBlackTeachers campaign. The day is dedicated to celebrating the resilience, commitment, and overwhelming impact of Black teachers. Black Teacher Appreciation Day is also being used to sound the alarm about the critical shortage of Black educators in the United States.
Black Teachers Matter
Research underscores the influence Black teachers have on Black students’ academic success. For instance, Black students who have at least one Black teacher in elementary school are 13% more likely to graduate from high school and 19% more likely to enter college.
These percentages increase significantly with multiple Black teachers over the course of their school career. Despite the benefits, only 7% of public-school teachers in the U.S. identify as Black, while Black students make up over 15% of the K-12 population.
Join the Celebration
CBED encourages individuals and communities to engage in Black Teacher Appreciation Day.
Shout out a Black Teacher – Publicly acknowledge a Black teacher who has impacted your life by making an appreciation post on social media. Use the hashtags #ThankABlackTeacher and #WeNeedBlackTeachers
Share a Story – Create a video, post or reel highlighting the influence of a Black teacher in your life.
Join the Movement – Engage in the political process surrounding education legislation. Advocate for policies that strengthen Black teacher retention and matriculation.
US Education Secretary Dragged For Embarrassing Grammatical Errors In Letter To Harvard
The approximate 1000-word letter from McMahon was an attempt to scathe Harvard for its admissions policies, staffing protocols, and leadership as a whole.
US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has been dragged by social media and editors for apparent grammatical errors in a letter sent to Harvard University outlining criteria for the school to receive federal grants, Economic Times reported.
What was supposed to be a scathing letter to Harvard’s president, Dr. Alan Garber, is being chopped and screwed for extreme errors. The approximately 1,000-word letter from President Donald Trump’s secretary pick attempted to blast the Ivy League institution for its admissions policies, staffing protocols, and leadership as a whole and, as a result, said federal grants would be halted. “Receiving such taxpayer funds is a privilege, not a right,” she wrote, while accusing the school of misusing government funds for illicit activities.
“Given these and other concerning allegations, this letter is to inform you that Harvard should no longer seek GRANTS from the federal government since none will be provided.”
As the letter went on and was made public on social media, critics jumped at the opportunity to denounce McMahon’s comments. Investigative reporter Roger Sollenberger even wondered if she used A1 – as a play on her confusing artificial intelligence (AI) with the well-known steak sauce. “Did you use A1 to write this,” he said.
Trump's Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, sent this letter to Harvard.
As you can see, the grammar, punctuation and spelling are horrific.
Is this really who we want to decide what’s best for our children’s education? pic.twitter.com/2rAnLmR7SJ
The Independent‘s White House correspondent, Andrew Feinberg, tapped in, alleging the person who wrote the letter “is barely literate.” Podcaster Fred Wellman inquired about the age of the person behind the pen. “Did a high school kid write this? You’re the Secretary of ‘Education,’ and this is a chaotic mess of bad grammar and illiterate rambling,” he wrote.
“You poked the bear, and you’re too stupid to even know it.”
As the letter appeared to be red-lined by Harvard themselves, there was no confirmation behind the claim until a social media user known as @dougwahl1 confirmed to Snopes that he made the corrections. His post stating,” HARVARD WON THIS ROUND!,” has over five million views.
HARVARD WON THIS ROUND!
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon wrote a letter to Harvard. The university responded by marking up the letter for spelling and punctuation mistakes- and then shared it on social media.
— Lovable Liberal and his Old English sheepdog (@DougWahl1) May 6, 2025
The “corrected” letter also failed to appear on Harvard’s website or any other official social media accounts.
Despite McMahon’s errors and attacks on Harvard, Garber has continued to double down on taking a stance against Trump’s threats and accusations of anti-semitism. “We will continue to fight hate with the urgency it demands as we fully comply with our obligations under the law,” he responded.
“That is not only our legal responsibility. It is our moral imperative.”
The singer sat down for a deposition in Los Angeles on April 30 over a lawsuit filed by his former housekeeper, who is suing him for alleged injuries she sustained after being attacked by his dog. Brown’s home address and mother’s name were revealed during the deposition, information he is trying to keep private, In Touch Weekly.
“The deposition went forward, during which Mr. Brown’s home address and mother’s name were revealed,” Brown’s lawyer explained.
The proceedings center around Maria Avila, a woman who worked for Brown in 2020 as a housekeeper, who claims she was attacked by a large Caucasian Ovcharka shepherd dog named Hades while taking out the trash. Avila is seeking $90 million in damages, claiming the incident left her with severe injuries and disfigurement to her face and arms.
Brown has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, asserting that Avila’s injuries were the result of her own actions. After trying to move the deposition to Nevada, where he now resides, the judge ordered Brown to be deposed in Los Angeles.
During the deposition, the singer’s legal team requested a protective order to block the release of the proceedings, but Avila’s attorney opposed it. As a result, Brown’s lawyers instructed him not to answer specific questions, including those about his Social Security number and other family members.
However, his home address was disclosed, prompting Brown to file a motion asking a judge to stop the potential leak of his personal information.
“Mr. Brown has historically had issues with intruders and trespassers on his property, a property at which not only he but also his minor children and other family members spend time,” his motion states. “On one occasion, after having returned from a tour, Mr. Brown came home to a stranger who had broken into and was living in his house.”
The motion continued. “These sorts of targeted break-ins constitute an ‘unwarranted annoyance’ and threaten Mr. Brown’s and his family’s safety. In addition to putting his and his family’s safety at issue, there is also a risk of exposing him to public ridicule by allowing his deposition testimony to be disseminated to the public via a news outlet, social media, or other means.”
Memphis Cops Acquittal In Tyre Nichols’ Death Spark Community Outcry On Police Reform
The acquittals sparked disappointment from local to national racial justice advocates.
After news broke that three officers involved in Tyre Nichols’ death were acquitted, community and civil rights leaders called out the ongoing need for police reform.
On May 7, the three Memphis police officers learned of their fate for the death of Nichols during a traffic stop in January 2023. Nichols’ case reignited calls to action within the Black Lives Matter movement on addressing police brutality.
With this latest update on the case, many social and racial justice advocates expressed their disappointment with the results. Legal analyst and media personality Judge Glenda Hatchett shared her thoughts about the court decision. Hatchett, who also represented Philando Castile’s family in his wrongful death case in 2018, is quite familiar with trials involving law enforcement.
“I was stunned and deeply disappointed that the three officers were acquitted in the murder trial of Mr. Nichols given the horrific circumstances of his death in Memphis,” Judge Hatchett told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Statistically very few police officers are ever charged with the death of an individual and far fewer are ever found guilty.”
According to the Police Integrity Research Group out of Bowling Green State University, between 2005 and 2019, out of 104 law enforcement officers charged with murder or manslaughter, only 35 were convicted. The number of officers involved in police killings jumped to 155 in 2022, but the rate of convictions — one third — remained steady a Washington Post’s “Fatal Force” coverage revealed.
“Tyre and his family deserve true justice — not only in the courtroom, but in Congress, by passing police reform legislation once and for all,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson posted on social media. “Traffic stops should never be a death sentence, and a badge should never— ever — be a shield to accountability.”
Tyre Nichols and his family deserve true justice — not only in the courtroom, but in Congress, by passing police reform legislation once and for all.
Traffic stops should not be a death sentence, and a badge should never— ever — be a shield to accountability.
Nichols, a 29-year-old father, was on his way home from taking photographs of the sky when Memphis police officers stopped and accused him of a traffic violation. At the stop, he was pulled out of his vehicle by one of the officers and shot with a taser. Video footage reportedly showed him running away before five officers began to beat him. An autopsy later revealed his cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.
Rev. Al Sharpton also released a statement on the officers’ acquittals. He reminded not only Black Americans, but Nichols’ parents, that justice could come in other forms. The officers still await sentencing in a federal civil rights case.
“Justice can still be delivered,” emphasized Sharpton. “Tyre’s death was preventable, inexcusable, and tragic.”
While the three officers beat the state charges, which included second-degree murder, they still face another case in the matter. Nichols’ family sued all the five officers, as well as the City of Memphis and police chief, for $550 million.
“Let this be a rally and cry: We must confront the broken systems that empowered this injustice and demand the change our nation — and Tyre’s legacy — deserves,” said Benjamin Crump, civil rights attorney representing the Nichols.
Following Nichols’ death, a federal investigation was launched into the Memphis Police Department. The investigation revealed multiple civil rights violations, including excessive force and illegal traffic stops.
Although police traffic-stop forms were enacted in the Tennessee city, the state’s GOP Gov. Bill Lee repealed the measures. Now, local leaders have expressed their concerns about what this acquittal signals to the public, the police, and Black Americans.
“For a lot of people who have had engagement with police officers, the message is loud and clear: that even if we get you on camera, doing what you did to Tyre, that you cannot face justice,” shared Andre Johnson, a pastor and community activist.
Despite the backlash, city officials claim Memphis intends to hold law enforcement accountable for any conduct violations. Many in the area still feel true change is a ways away.
“I do believe that reform is local, but I do believe this has kind of put a black eye on things,” explained Thaddeus Johnson, a former Memphis police commander and a senior fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice, on the trial’s results. “People feel like police cannot be held accountable. Or they won’t be held accountable.”
