by Daniel Johnson

February 2, 2025

Obama Presidential Library Contractor Alleges Racial Discrimination In Lawsuit

This latest lawsuit follows an already yearsl-ong pause in the construction of the Obama Presidential Library.

A federal lawsuit filed in January by Robert McGee, the owner of II in One, a Black-owned company located on Chicago’s South Side, accused Thornton Tomasetti, a New York-based engineering company and the company entrusted with providing professional design services for the Obama Presidential Library, of racial discrimination.

According to The Chicago Tribune, McGee and II in One alleges that Thornton Tomasetti’s actions left his company exposed to $40 million in debt and at risk of bankruptcy.

This, the lawsuit claims, stemmed from the latter’s “improper and unanticipated decision” to create new rules around rebar spacing and tolerance requirements, which McGee alleged placed his company under “excessively rigorous and unnecessary inspection,” as well as extraneous paperwork which “impacted productivity and resulted in millions in losses.”

In addition to these claims, McGee alleges that the professional design services company engaged in racial discrimination by singling out his company for their errors while “stating the non-minority-owned contractors were sufficiently qualified,” which McGee alleges caused “extreme financial loss and reputational harm” for his company.

This latest lawsuit follows an already years-long pause in the construction of the Obama Presidential Library while the library weathered separate challenges to the plans to build in a public park.

This resulted in the opening of the museum portion of the library to be pushed back to 2026, while the athletic center remains scheduled for a 2025 opening.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the continued delays to the Obama Presidential Library has resulted in a dubious record for the center, marking a modern record for the longest time between the end of a presidency and the opening of an associated presidential library.

Obama Foundation spokesperson Emily Bitter said in a Jan. 30 email to The Chicago Tribune that they currently have no reason to believe the company entrusted with overseeing the construction of the Obama Presidential Library has engaged in racist actions.

“If the Foundation believed that any vendor was acting with a racist intent, we would immediately take appropriate action. We have no reason to believe that Thornton Tomasetti acted with racist intent,” Bitter said via email.

Neither attorneys for II in One and the Concrete Collective joint venture, which counts II in One as a member, nor Thornton Tomasetti’s lawyers gave comments to The Chicago Tribune.

According to the lawsuit, Concrete Collective submitted a “request for equitable adjustment” in May 2023, but was rejected due to what they described as Thornton Tomasetti’s “defamatory and discriminatory statements,” which resulted in the Collective self-funding approximately $41 million worth of work.

Per their lawsuit, the larger company’s “unfair” and false accusations that II in One lacked “sufficient qualifications” despite their previous experience on projects for Millennium Park, McCormick Place, Midway and O’Hare airports, and Wrigley Field, among other high-profile projects, led to the Obama Foundation’s denial of the additional coverage of construction costs.

This, the lawsuit alleges, “directly undermined the Obama Foundation’s DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) goals and commitments and mission to bring transformative change to the construction industry and local community.”

According to Newsweek, the center has more broadly been embroiled in controversy regarding the library’s participation in the gentrification of the South Side of Chicago and particularly the area surrounding Chicago’s historic Jackson Park.

Barack and Michelle Obama attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Construction on the presidential library began last month after five years of legal battles, gentrification concerns and a federal review. pic.twitter.com/C5arKhOVZT
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 28, 2021

The resulting controversies and legal protests have resulted in a nearly 10-year gap between the unveiling of the plans for the lawsuit, which occurred in 2017, and the opening of the center, which as previously stated, is scheduled for 2026.

In 2017, when plans were first announced, the center was supposed to have a budget of $500 million, but has since ballooned to a reported cost of more than $830 million.

The Obama Presidential Library is also connected to the former President’s post-White House life, which, in the aftermath of Trump’s first occupancy of the White House, Obama was criticized for seemingly trying to depoliticize deeply political issues.

“We got into the weakest position in decades through Obama’s attempt to live in a post-partisan world that doesn’t exist,” Charles Chamberlain, the executive director of the left-leaning advocacy group Democracy for America, told Vox. “[Obama] should be doing exactly what everyone else in the Democratic Party should be doing: following the resistance, fighting back against Trump, or getting out of the way.”

National Civil Rights Museum ,outdoor park

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 2, 2025

National Civil Rights Museum To Host Virtual Book Talk On Segregation’s Impact On HBCUs

The virtual event is free.

In honor of Black History Month, the National Civil Rights Museum is sitting down with award-winning historian Crystal R. Sanders to host a virtual book talk on her book, A Forgotten Migration: Black Southerners, Segregation Scholarships, and the Debt Owed to Public HBCUs.

Taking place on Feb. 13 at 6:00 p.m. CT, the event features a compelling discussion on the overlooked history of segregation scholarships and their enduring impact on Black higher education. The virtual book talk furthers the museum’s mission to spark meaningful conversations linking historical struggles to current issues in education and civil rights.

“We are thrilled to host Dr. Sanders once again and bring attention to this crucial aspect of American history,” Dr. Russ Wigginton, president of the National Civil Rights Museum, said in a press release.

“Her work continues to shed light on the enduring legacy of segregation and the long fight for educational equity.”

In A Forgotten Migration, Sanders explores a little-known chapter of history about how Southern states, before Brown v. Board of Education, avoided integrating graduate programs by funding Black students to attend schools out of state. This practice imposed significant financial and emotional burdens on Black students while reinforcing the systemic underfunding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Sanders sheds light on the resilience of these students and the lasting effects of educational segregation.

The virtual book talk is Sanders’ second appearance in the museum’s Book Talk Series, following her 2017 discussion of A Chance for Change: Head Start and Mississippi’s Black Freedom Struggle. She currently works as an associate professor of African American Studies at Emory University and a leading historian specializing in African American history, Black women’s history, and the history of Black education.

The online event is free and open to the public. Educators from Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS) who attend the full session will earn professional development hours in PLZ. Registration for the event can be done HERE.

Healthcare, seniors, in-home care, Medicare, assisted living

by Daron Pressley

February 2, 2025

How Candice Ray Is Pioneering Holistic Senior Care With Personalized Wellness And Support

Helping Hands Warming Hearts is dedicated to delivering nutritious meals, providing home health support, and offering medical transportation services.

Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Candice Ray understands the challenges underserved communities face in accessing quality healthcare. Her journey began at 16 when she landed her first summer job at a nursing facility. This experience ignited her passion for patient care, healthcare operations, and advocating for the elderly. That early exposure set her on a path to bridge the gap between technology, policy, and compassionate senior in-home care.

With a Master’s degree in Health Care Ethics and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration from Saint Joseph’s University, Ray gained valuable experience at prominent health institutions such as Montefiore, Mount Sinai, and Temple Health. Her expertise in implementing Epic systems, processing claims, credentialing providers, and strategizing patient movement uniquely positions her to support seniors.

Recognizing the growing challenges in senior in-home care, Ray took the initiative. In 2019, she founded Helping Hands Warming Hearts LLC (HHWH), an organization dedicated to delivering nutritious meals, providing home health support, and offering medical transportation services.

BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with Ray about the impact of healthcare policy on senior care, her holistic approach to wellness, and the personalization required for in-home care.

Impact Of Healthcare Policy On Nutrition And Care For Seniors

Recent changes in healthcare policy, particularly the expansions of Medicare and Medicaid, have enhanced access to home—and community-based services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) now recognizes that aging in place is often more cost-effective and beneficial for seniors’ mental and physical health.

“The government realizes that keeping seniors at home with the right care is more sustainable,” Ray explains. “We’re prepared to meet this demand with services that ensure seniors remain healthy and independent.”

Rising food costs due to inflation have made it more difficult to fund senior meal programs. Ray continues to advocate for ongoing investment in food programs to ensure that all seniors in need have access.

A Warm Meal With A Personal Touch

One of the agency’s standout services is Inflight Cuisine, a meal delivery program that offers seniors nutritionally balanced meals tailored to their dietary needs. “We treat our seniors like family,” Ray says. “We want to provide them with meals that feel like home—warm, comforting, and nourishing.”

The program starts with an intake assessment to document dietary restrictions. Participants then select from a variety of menu options, including international dishes, to ensure they feel included and valued. This personalized approach makes Inflight Cuisine a key element of the agency’s mission to support seniors’ well-being.

Empowering Independence With Personalized Care

HHWH emphasizes independence by equipping caregivers to foster self-sufficiency while delivering essential support. “In-home care is about balancing independence and assistance,” Ray points out. “We offer the tools and resources seniors need to feel empowered, whether through assistive devices, community involvement, or personalized care plans.”

By encouraging familiar routines and daily activities, caregivers help seniors maintain their confidence and independence, allowing them to continue living independently.

Holistic Approach To Health and Wellness

HHWH goes beyond standard in-home care by providing health screenings, transportation services, personal care, and companionship. “Managing healthcare can be overwhelming for seniors and their families,” Ray says. “Our goal is to simplify the process by serving as a one-stop concierge for home and community-based services.”

With expanded telehealth policies, more seniors can now access virtual medical consultations, reducing the need for unnecessary travel. “We’re incorporating telehealth support into our in-home care model,” Ray shares. “This guarantees our clients receive timely medical attention without added risks.”

As transportation costs increase, ensuring seniors can attend medical appointments remains a priority. The agency works with policymakers to advocate for greater funding and resources for senior mobility programs.

Adapting To Evolving Needs

HHWH continually adapts its services through regular health assessments, caregiver training, and open communication with clients and families in a fast-changing healthcare landscape. “We build strong relationships with our participants,” Ray says. “Through consistent monitoring and education, we adjust our care to ensure the best outcomes.”

Ray also keeps pace with industry trends by incorporating innovative techniques and technologies to enhance services. With a federal push for improved in-home healthcare funding and increased scrutiny on long-term care facilities, she believes that agencies like hers are more crucial than ever. “The future of senior care is home care,” Ray asserts. “We’re prepared to provide high-quality, comprehensive support that enables seniors to age with dignity.”

by Mary Spiller

February 1, 2025

Anchorage’s 10th Annual Black Business Expo Empowers Entrepreneurs In Alaska

The Anchorage, Alaska-based Expo will include informational sessions, vendors, and guest speakers.

The Anchorage, Alaska, community is preparing for its 10th Annual Alaska Black Business Expo and Summit on Feb. 1 and 2. Headed by organizer Jasmin Smith, this year will mark monumental growth for the program, which focuses on supporting vendors and celebrating the contributions of Black entrepreneurs by putting innovation at the forefront of economic growth and innovation.

Smith stated, “The first year we did not have any vendors. We actually just had businesses convening for training. And it was in a very small room with probably ten entrepreneurs. So to go from one small room with ten people in attendance to have over 50, 60 vendors and having the whole Anchorage museum, that’s a huge step for us in accomplishment in our event journey.”

According to Your Alaska Link, Smith’s Expo will feature expert guests and activities centered around celebrating Black excellence in business.

“They should expect to be tired because we have events happening all day, every day. We have some great panelists coming up who embody Black excellence and business excellence and will talk about their entrepreneurial journey. Then, after the expo portion, we’ll have performances and an afterparty fundraiser with Talib Kweli,” Smith continued.

Smith wants this Expo to help highlight the rich network of Alaska’s Black business community while still being an opportunity to allow smaller businesses to get more exposure.

The Expo will allow attendees to promote their business in the future by building relationships with potential customers and other businesses in similar positions.

Smith described this year’s Expo as special because it marks a major expansion from the boundaries of their Anchorage event last year.

Smith explained, “There’s always definitely pressure because you want to do a good job and you want every year to be something bigger and better than last year. But this year, it feels even more intentional than it normally does because of everything happening in the world. We want to celebrate our community, our culture, and do it inclusively.”

The organizer wants to continue growing the event because, at its roots, it has always been about Smith’s dream to provide Black entrepreneurs with an established platform to support each other.

“I wanted there to be more opportunities for us to work together. We do a lot of celebration in terms of food and dancing, but not enough education around financial literacy, economic empowerment, or generational wealth building.”

She concluded, “We focus on one aspect of the culture and forget the business and inventive side of it.”

by Daniel Johnson

February 1, 2025

60 Minutes’ Decision To Hand Kamala Harris Interview Transcript To Trump’s FCC Raises Concern

Trump’s appointee to head the FCC, Brendan Carr, requested the transcript.

CBS News has agreed to comply with a request from the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission to produce an unedited transcript of a “60 Minutes” interview the program conducted with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, a request that has sparked concerns of a politically vindictive administration.

According to The New York Times, the news network previously refused to release the transcript when Donald Trump was the Republican Party’s candidate,

Since then, Trump has sued CBS News over the broadcast, and a spokesperson for CBS News indicated that they are obligated to release the transcript.

“We are working to comply with that inquiry as we are legally compelled to do,” a spokesperson told the New York Times.

However, some, like Ana Gomez, the Democratic commissioner at the FCC, were critical of the request, which came from Brendan Carr, Trump’s appointee to head the FCC.

According to Gomez, the request is cause for concern.

“Let’s be clear. This is a retaliatory move by the government against broadcasters whose content or coverage is perceived to be unfavorable. It is designed to instill fear in broadcast stations and influence a network’s editorial decisions,” Gomez wrote in a statement to the New York Times.

When Trump sued the network in 2024 for $10 billion and asserted that the network deceptively edited the interview to benefit Harris’ candidacy for the presidency, most media law experts concluded that the lawsuit was an attempt to punish a news outlet. CBS said that the lawsuit was “completely without merit.”

Though the FCC is technically an independent organization separate from the presidency, Carr, like many Trump appointees, has echoed Trump’s policy and has indicated that he is open to examining the alleged political bias of certain news organizations.

According to MSNBC, Carr is an author of Project 2025 and has been a prominent right-wing critic of the media, positions that cannot be divorced from his current role at the FCC.

According to the New York Times, journalists at CBS News have indicated to the outlet privately that they are concerned about their network’s parent company capitulating to the Trump administration when they believe the lawsuit is winnable.

According to Vox, the various lawsuits against news media such as ABC News, the Des Moines Register, and one Iowa pollster, Ann Selzer, are examples of strategic litigation against public participation, or SLAPP suits.

According to Seth Stern, the director of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, the lawsuits are “the latest workaround that wealthy and powerful people who want to bully the press have found to attempt to circumvent the well-established safeguards for the press under the First Amendment against defamation and similar claims.”

by Mary Spiller

February 1, 2025

Country Icon Darius Rucker Moves To London Following Arrest Last Year On Drug Charges

The former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman has been teasing his fans for weeks about this new upcoming change in his life.

Charleston, South Carolina, native and country music star Darius Rucker, best known for his work with Hootie & the Blowfish, has relocated to London after hinting at a major life change. His public relations rep confirmed the move on Jan. 31.

The “Wagon Wheel” singer suggested a big upcoming change in his Instagram in the past few weeks. Rucker, 58, has finally confirmed to fans that he has a new London home, a big step for the South Carolina native who previously lived in Nashville.

The Grammy-winning singer reportedly moved to the United Kingdom to inspire creative projects and get the opportunity to perform for a wider range of international audiences.

Rucker posted on Instagram about his move to London and revealed a few upcoming shows in the city.

In the caption, he wrote, “I can’t move to London and not play U.K. shows! Do you have your tickets yet? Limited VIP packages are still available. See you soon!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFbQwG9y27K/?img_index=1&igsh=OXRqdDEzMG00eXlt

Previously the frontman for the music group Hootie & the Blowfish, Rucker hinted last week that he would be making a major life change.

The move comes after a recent brush with the law. In February 2023, Rucker was arrested on two counts of simple possession/casual exchange of a controlled substance and one count of a violation. He entered the no-contest plea in a Tennessee courtroom, agreeing to 11 months and 29 days of probation. He avoided jail time, and the charges will be expunged if he completes his probation.

On Jan. 21, he shared a photo of himself in a park on a walk with two dogs. The post included what is confirmed to be the London skyline. Rucker wrote beneath the image, “So Freddie, Larry, and I are doing a thing. Any guesses?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFGmDoOyBj_/?igsh=MW81amc4cGNiYm8wcw==

He recounted watching a London production of “Mamma Mia” at the London Novello Theatre as another hint to fans.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFWEC03SZ2Y/?igsh=ZXJucjFidjZvZHlj

Rucker and his PR representative have since reassured the country music star’s fans that he will frequently return to the United States. His tour site lists that he currently has shows scheduled in five different U.S. cities this upcoming summer, including stops in New York, California, and Nevada.

Miami Heat,Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers' Head Coach, Chauncey Billups

by Daniel Johnson

February 1, 2025

Former Georgia HBCU Basketball Coach Found Shot Dead In Atlanta

Jackson's family and community leaders in Headland noted the tremendous impact he had on his community, describing him as someone who would give the shirt off his back if someone was in need.

Samuel Jackson, a former head basketball coach at Fort Valley State University, an HBCU, and boys’ basketball coach at Headland High School in Georgia, was found shot to death in Atlanta on Jan. 29. His wife had reported him missing on Jan. 27, a day after he left their home to deliver food for Uber Eats.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, although there is not much information being provided by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the death of the 59-year-old Jackson is being investigated as a homicide.

Jackson’s son, Desmond Jackson, indicated via his comments to WGXA that he used his knowledge of geolocation technology embedded in Gmail to track the location of his father’s phone to Bolton Road in Atlanta after he went missing and law enforcement gave him few details on the case.

“His phone pinged in Atlanta, [law enforcement] weren’t able to give exact details,” Desmond said. “Since then, I was able to get into his Gmail just to pull up his location history and it shows his phone; his Gmail, or his phone was there off Bolton Road.”

On Jan. 29, the Atlanta Police Department was asked to investigate a lead that Jackson, the coach, may have been near Donald Lee Parkway, and once they thoroughly searched the area, they discovered a man matching the description of Jackson who was fatally shot death; their suspicions were later confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office, who informed WXGA that Jackson had been identified as the victim.

Per Fox 5 Atlanta, there is much concerning Jackson’s disappearance and subsequent death that remains a mystery, including how he went from Peach County, Georgia, where Headland is located, to Atlanta, which is about an hour and a half away from each other by car.

According to the Atlanta Police Department’s initial press release, “Homicide detectives will be working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.”

In a subsequent update to the press release, authorities identified a 30-year-old man who requested the delivery on the night Jackson was allegedly killed, Iquane Brown, as a person of interest in the case.

“Atlanta Police have identified the individual who ordered the rideshare in Houston County as 30-year-old Iquane Brown, as a person of interest. Brown is currently in custody in the Houston County Jail on an unrelated robbery charge out of Warner Robins,’ the update stated.

Jackson’s family and community leaders in Headland noted his tremendous impact on his community. They described him as someone who would give the shirt off his back if someone was in need.

Jackson’s brother, whom WTVY did not identify beyond that description, gave a statement to the outlet.

“He would give you anything that you need, anything that you asked for. He would definitely give you a long drawn out speech and you would have enjoyed that speech because he was one that always found humor in everything that he did.”

Headland’s Interim Mayor, Jody Singleton, also told the outlet that the community is in mourning over Jackson’s tragic death.

“We in Headland all have heavy hearts with what we’ve learned has occurred with our beloved citizen, and prior coach and great athlete Sammy Jackson,” Singleton said.

by Daniel Johnson

February 1, 2025

Morgan State Tackles Crisis Of Declining Black Male Enrollment With New Task Force

The task force will examine the causes of a drop in Black male enrollment and retention at Morgan State and other HBCUs.

On the heels of several reports that indicate there is a deepening shortage of Black men on the campuses of HBCUs as well as other universities, Morgan State University is taking action to find a solution to the problem.

According to a press release issued by the university, the formation of the Presidential Task Force on the State of Black Male Enrollment at Morgan will examine the causes of a drop in Black male enrollment and retention at Morgan State and other HBCUs.

The task force will also investigate actionable solutions to what some have described as a crisis.

According to Morgan State University President David K. Wilson, “Morgan has long been a leader in providing access and opportunity for Black males seeking higher education,” Wilson said. “The ongoing decline in Black male enrollment at HBCUs is a clarion call for action, and we will not stand idly by.”

He concluded, “This task force will engage in rigorous research to understand the forces at play and develop evidence-based strategies to ensure that more Black men not only enroll at Morgan but thrive and complete their degrees.”

https://twitter.com/MorganStateU/status/1885437220162531793?s=19

Wilson has tapped Mark Barnes and Michael Sinclair, associate professors representing the History and Geography and Social Work departments, respectively, to lead the task force.

The two men will co-chair a task force comprised of faculty, researchers, staff, and students committed to developing solutions to enhance recruitment, engagement, and retention of Black male students.

According to Dr. Sinclair, “This is a pivotal moment for higher education, and I am honored to serve in this capacity. Addressing the decline in Black male enrollment requires a thoughtful, cross-sectional analysis of the economic, social, and institutional factors at play—and the broader socioeconomic impact on Black families and communities.”

He concluded, “Our goal is not only to understand why these trends are occurring but to implement meaningful solutions that will empower Black men to see higher education as an attainable and rewarding path. I am proud to heed President Wilson’s call to action and work alongside my colleagues to ensure that Morgan remains a place where Black men thrive academically, professionally, and personally.”

In October, Calvin Hadley, an assistant provost for Academic Partnerships and Student Engagement at Howard University, made an impassioned plea for Black men to once again consider HBCUs in an interview with NPR‘s Juana Summers.

“You attend an HBCU for an education and not a degree, and as an assistant provost, that’s not a popular thing to say. The education that you receive in an HBCU transcends the classroom experience. It transcends the relationship that you have with your professor. The education exists in between the lines of the pages. HBCUs inundate you with the sense of belief. We talked about the importance of that belief on the front end, the belief gap that exists in K through 12,” Hadley said.

He continued, “HBCUs are created to instill you with the belief that you can be even larger than you can dream…The HBCU community needs you. And so when I’m talking to that young man in 2024: Come because we need you. Come because you’re important. Come because without you, our community is hurt.”

Trump, Black History Month, Tiger Woods, grants, whitney Plantation,

by Mary Spiller

February 1, 2025

Trump Honors Black History Month With Tribute To ‘Black American Patriots,’ Including Tiger Woods, Amid Controversial DEI Ban

Trump's announcement came the same day as the Pentagon pauses events, activities related to MLK Day, Black History Month.

On Jan. 31, President Donald Trump released a statement stating that he is “honored” to recognize Feb. 1 as the beginning of Black History Month. Trump’s address said, “Black Americans [as] among our country’s most consequential leaders.”

Trump began the address by saying, “Every year, National Black History Month is an occasion to celebrate the contributions of so many Black American patriots who have indelibly shaped our Nation’s history.”

He continued, “Throughout our history, Black Americans have been among our country’s most consequential leaders, shaping the cultural and political destiny of our Nation in profound ways.”

Trump then named several influential figures in Black History as American heroes, including Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, and Justice Clarence Thomas.

He specifically took time to honor Tiger Woods. Trump added, “We will also never forget the achievements of American greats like Tiger Woods, who have pushed the boundaries of excellence in their respective fields, paving the way for others to follow.”

Black History Month celebrates the achievements of Black Americans and acknowledges their significant contributions to the United States. Established by Carter G. Woodson, it began as a week and has since expanded into a month-long observance.

Trump stated, “Their achievements, which have monumentally advanced the tradition of equality under the law in our great country, continue to serve as an inspiration for all Americans.”

He concluded by promising that Black Americans would be able to continue to contribute to a flourishing American society under his presidency.

“This National Black History Month, as America prepares to enter a historic Golden Age, I want to extend my tremendous gratitude to Black Americans for all they have done to bring us to this moment, and for the many future contributions they will make as we advance into a future of limitless possibility under my Administration.”

According to the Association for the Drusy of Life and History, this year’s Black History Month theme is African Americans and Labor.

Donald Trump’s presidential address comes on the heels of another concerning announcement.

As previously reported, the Pentagon, the Defense Department’s intelligence agency, has decided to cease observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pride Month, and Holocaust Days of Remembrance, as well as several other cultural events, in response to President Donald Trump’s recent ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal workplace.

Grand Rapids, Settlement, Girl, 11, Handcuffed, police

by Mary Spiller

February 1, 2025

Jury Awards $18.7M To Family Of Teen Killed By St. Louis Officers

Mansur Ball-Bey, 18, was shot in the back by police officers who entered his home on a search warrant.

A jury has awarded nearly $20 million to the family of Mansur Ball-Bey, a St. Louis man fatally shot by police officers. Despite the two officers not facing criminal charges, Ball-Bey’s family attorney, Javad Khazaeli, confirmed that the officers were found civilly responsible for the shooting of the 18-year-old, which occurred a decade ago in 2015.

Mansur’s father, Dennis Ball-Bey, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2020 against the officers involved in the shooting, as well as the former chief of police and the whole city of St. Louis.

Dennis Ball-Bey said after the award announcement, “You just can’t give up on what you believe. Stop the police brutality.”

Two SLMPD officers fatally shot Mansur while they were conducting a search warrant in the St. Louis Fountain Park neighborhood. The officers have since been fired from their positions.

The then-Circuit Attorney, Jennifer Joyce, office said, “There is [still] insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the two officers didn’t shoot in self-defense.”

Court documents stated that Ball-Bey was fatally shot by two St. Louis officers on Aug. 19, 2015, while St. Louis Police officers were executing a search warrant at his home. At the time, the officers claimed that Ball-Bey had a gun and that the presence of a weapon prompted them to begin firing.

Ball-Bey’s family disputed the claim that Mansur was armed in the lawsuit.

Attorney Javad Khazaeli stated, “There was a specific question. Do you find that Mansur Ball-Bey was holding a gun? And, the jury unanimously said no.”

According to the autopsy results, Masur was shot in the back.

On Jan. 31, a jury awarded Ball-Bey $6.25 million in the wrongful death case and another $12.5 million in punitive damages. The family received a judgment for a total of $18.75 million.

However, one of the officers found responsible in the civil suits requested a new trial.

As reported by First Alert 4, Jermaine Wooten of the Legal Solution Group revealed that the problem is not only with the individual officers but also with the procedures of the St. Louis Police Department across Missouri.

Wooten said, “We had a problem with how police were being trained and all the different cover-ups and not being held accountable for their actions in St. Louis City.”