Pulitzer Prize awarded to Ida B. Wells and NYT’s 1619 Project author

Ida B. Wells is being honored by the Pulitzer Prize in a long-overdue recognition as an early pioneer of investigative journalism and civil rights icon that inspired others—including Nikole Hannah Jones who is also being spotlighted.

It’s about time. That’s what historians are likely saying about the honor awarded to the journalist and civil rights activist on Monday. The Pulitzer Prize, which awards excellence in journalism, music composition and literature, has been around since 1912 and encompassed Wells’ lifetime, but never honored her work. Until now that is.

The citation comes with a $50,000 bequest. It was not announced who will receive that bequest but it may go to the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Journalism that trains journalists of color in the area of investigative reporting to advance the causes of racial justice.

READ MORE: 1619 Project’s Nikole Hannah-Jones wants Black people to know the role they play in America’s democracy

Reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones attends the 75th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony held at Cipriani Wall Street on May 21, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/FilmMagic)

One of the founders of that group, Jones, won a 2020 Pulitzer for editorial commentary for her introductory essay for the New York Times‘ 1619 Project that documented the varying impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. African-American author Colson Whitehead also won his second Pulitzer for fiction for “The Nickel Boys.”

Jomes told The New York Times that the project was “the most important work of my life.”

Ida B. Wells & I were awarded the Pulitzer on the same day. How can I not believe that the ancestors intervened on this moment? I'll say more later.For now I will sit in the truth of how she, how they, cleared a path for me, how they endured so that I & the #1619Project could be. https://t.co/k85VXFEVTt pic.twitter.com/ctnjENFa7R

— Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) May 4, 2020

Wells was born a slave in Mississippi in 1862. By her 30’s, she was an educator and the editor and co-owner of the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper, which became known for its advocacy journalism. Wells specifically exposed lynching, a common practice in her era, and its use in terrorizing and controlling Black men.

In 1892, an expose on lynching led to a mob burning her press and ultimately leading her to flee the city. She relocated to Chicago, where she met renowned lawyer Ferninand Barnett. The two married and had four children together, continuing their mutual activism.

Ida B Wells (Credit: Creative Commons)

READ MORE: Janelle Monáe stars in new NYT Oscars ad for “1619 Project”

Though Wells Barnett was a suffragist who fought for the right of women to vote, her commitment to anti-lynching causes caused friction with white suffragettes, according to Women’s History. She was one of the Black women who founded the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs which fought for suffrage and civil rights. Although white suffragettes like Susan B. Anthony and others are giving credit for finally helping secure the right for women to vote in 1920, those unheralded clubs were also essential in the process.

According to Poynter, Wells Barnett continued her activism in the city of Chicago for the rest of her life, traveling and writing acclaimed pamphlets like “Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases.” She died in 1931 at the age of 68.

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Arkansas boy, 11, taken hostage and killed by ‘psycho step dad’

An 11-year-old boy from Arkansas was tragically shot and killed after being taken hostage by a man who was a father figure in his home.

READ MORE: Detective asks for help in murder of Indiana boy, 8, killed by a stray bullet

The Democrat-Gazette reports that Brent Martin, 32, was holding Jordan Roberts hostage in their home last Friday night.  Martin lived at the Karon Court residence with Roberts and his mother, Maranda Alford who’d notified police that Martin had barricaded himself with her son.

Law enforcement arrived at the scene and heard gunfire. They entered the home to find Roberts shot. Cops administered CPR to the boy and he was transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“It’s with great sadness that we announce that our victim, 11-year-old Jordan Roberts, passed away from his injuries suffered at the hands of our suspect,” Little Rock Police Chief Keith Humphrey said at a news conference Saturday.

“So, I want to ask that we keep Jordan’s family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Martin was shot and killed at the scene by officers Scott Dettmer and Lt. Dana Jackson. An internal investigation about the use of deadly force is underway.

 

Jordan Roberts and mother Maranda Alford (Credit: Facebook)

“The officers were attempting to gain communication and wait on our SWAT team,” Humphrey said. “Gunshots were heard from inside the residence. We have now learned that those shots … were being fired by the suspect and … killed Jordan Roberts.”

Humphrey said that the priority to save Roberts was the priority during the standoff.

READ MORE: Boy, 5, dies in Houston drive-by while doing Tik-Tok with dad

“With everything going on, their main focus was to save the life of this child,” Humphrey said. “This was an imminent situation, and it happened only in a matter of seconds. They never thought about their safety.”

Dettmer and Jackson, with a combined 55 years of experience, were saddened that their life-saving measures were not successful.

“I’m telling you right now our officers are hurting,” Humphrey said. “They tried everything they could do to save that young child, and that’s something that they will remember the rest of their lives.”

Neighbors said that the couple moved in couple of months ago with Jordan.

His parents thanked the community for rallying around their son during this tragic time as a memorial was held for him.

“It touches my heart to see so many people, like people that don’t know Jordan and how it affects them just as much as it affects us,” Alford told KARK 4 News.

Greg Roberts said that his son was a “lovable” kid and enjoyed taking him to the Derby. He also had a great time spending with his sisters, friends, and cousins.

“The instant you’d see him then interact with him you’d love him. you going love his spirit, he’s just that type of child. he’s just got that about him, that love,” said Greg.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family pay their final respects to the pre-teen.

In 2016, Martin was charged with domestic battery against involving another person and had prior drug arrests.

“Jordan was shot and killed by a psycho step dad he thought loved him,” the family said on the GoFundMe. “Jordan was a loving kid who loved to play video games and basketball and enjoyed  his family and friends. His life was taken way too soon.”

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Atlanta woman’s death raises more questions about COVID-19 risk in prisons

An employee who worked as a case manager at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary has died after testing positive for coronavirus despite her repeated requests that she be moved.

READ MORE: White supremacists are using coronavirus fears to recruit

Robin N. Grubbs tested positive for the coronavirus and died on April 14. She was 39. Prior to her passing, she was working in a unit where those with COVID-19 were being quarantined. According to her father, Gary Grubbs, her pleas to be transferred out of Unit B-3 were ignored as the virus continued to spread.

“She wanted to be moved. She asked to be moved,” Gary told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an article published Monday. “I don’t know why they didn’t listen to her.”

READ MORE: Georgia leaders say reopening state is ‘attack’ on Black people

Robin N. Grubbs (Credit: Robin N. Grubbs)

A month before her death, Robin had been promoted to another position but she was not moved to another unit. Gary last saw his daughter two days before she died after he and his wife brought her a care package which she shared to social media.

“When your parents meet you halfway to bring you a Corona Care Package. Airhugs because Corona is everywhere at this point and I don’t wanna expose my ❤️’s, especially with me going to work “essential staff” 🥴. How did a girl like me get so lucky, blessed and highly favored. Da 🐐’s,” she wrote on April 10.

When your parents meet you halfway to bring you a Corona Care Package. Airhugs because Corona is everywhere at this…

Posted by Robin N Grubbs on Friday, April 10, 2020

READ MORE: Georgia confirms 1K new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

Gary said that Robin seemed “fine” during the visit and during a call with him the next day.

“Still seemed okay,” her father said.

The grieving father said he was determined to learn why his daughter was still in her old position at the time of her death. He also wants to know why she was not given any personal protection equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks and gloves to do her work.

“I’m trying to find out the answers,” he said.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons acknowledged that Robin tested positive for the deadly contagion but BOP spokesman Scott Taylor maintained “there is no information or evidence relating to a cause of death.” The bureau also added that she was “successfully screened prior to entry and was asymptomatic.”

However, a federal lawsuit filed by an inmate is challenging the claims that employees and the incarcerated are being kept safe and healthy during the global pandemic. Michael Fiorito, convicted in Minnesota of mail fraud, said Robin informed him that she was not given any PPE.

Furthermore, the suit alleges that Robin asked to be removed from Unit B-3.  Fiorito, 52,  is suing to be approved for home confinement as he suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and lupus which he takes medication for.

“I meet all the criteria to be released,” he said.

READ MORE: Trump wants to reopen economy, says 100K may die of virus

The AJC was not given exact figures on inmates who may be infected but learned that several inmates eligible for release have not been tested. Of prisoners that the BOP hast tested over 70% were positive.

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Michigan security guard fatally shot after telling customer to wear face mask

A security guard at a Family Dollar in Flint, Michigan was shot and killed after getting into a verbal confrontation with a customer over wearing a state-mandated face mask.

Calvin Munerlyn, 43, died after he was shot on Friday following an argument with a woman identified as Sharmel Teague, according to WXYZ. Munerlyn asked Teague to put on a mask, which is mandatory under state guidelines to protect against the novel coronavirus.

READ MORE: Candace Owens locked out of Twitter for encouraging Michigan revolt

Surveillance video reveals Teague immediately left after the altercation in an SUV. Twenty minutes later, the SUV returned. Two men then entered the store and one of them yelled at Munerlyn for “disrespecting” his wife. The other man then shot him.

Genesee County prosecutor David Leyton identified the men as Sharmel Teague’s husband Larry Teague and her son Ramonyea Bishop. All three of them have been charged with first-degree murder.

3 charged in Flint Dollar Store homicide over COVID-19 mask dispute. @PAAM_83 @ndaajustice pic.twitter.com/5PSoQmy9GV

— Prosecutor David Leyton (@dsleyton) May 4, 2020

“This is senseless. Over a mask. Over a mask?” Munerlyn’s cousin, Tina James, told WJRT. “This is not the way to do things right now. We need to come together.”

This is my older brother Duper that was killed working security for family dollar, May 1,2020.

These are the crackheads that killed him because she was turned away. pic.twitter.com/8aEcRNmKBc

— MassageTherapist Ray (@RoofTopShawty) May 4, 2020

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer‘s executive order requires all retail employees and customers to wear a mask.

The shooting comes after increasing tension in Michigan over Whitmer’s executive orders, as protesters have taken to the state capitol to demand the reopening of businesses.

READ MORE: Armed protesters storm Michigan Capitol over stay-at-home orders

Demonstrators took to the streets in April to speak out against Whitmer’s stay-at-home mandate, which was extended earlier this month until May 15. The demonstration, known as “Operation Gridlock,” was met with both adulation and criticism from the public.

Whitmer, meanwhile, has faced backlash from Republicans, including President Donald Trump, for her no-nonsense approach to the pandemic. Michigan currently has more than 41,000 cases of coronavirus, with 3,789 lives lost.

Detroit, the state’s largest city, has been especially impacted by the virus, with more than 8,500 infections reported. Of those cases, Black people account for more than 64 percent of them, according to AP. Almost 77 percent of the Detroit residents who have died from coronavirus complications have been Black.

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Tracee Ellis Ross opens up about being ‘happily single’ in new interview

Tracee Ellis Ross is a well-respected actor, director, and executive producer but in a new interview with NET-A-PORTER’s digital title, PORTER, she opens up what it’s like to be happily single in her 40’s.

Ross for years spoken out about the importance of not putting pressure on women – particularly women of color – to get married and have children unless it’s something they sincerely want and need. Now she elaborates on that stance and how she feels about being along during a global pandemic.

Getty Images

READ MORE: Tracee Ellis Ross dishes about Hollywood snubs during ‘Girlfriends’ days

“It’s one of the reasons I feel so strongly about telling the stories that I tell. I wish I had known there were other choices, not just about how I could be living, but how I could feel about the way my life was,” she explains.

“I was raised by society to dream of my wedding,” she continues. “But I wish I had been dreaming of my life. There are so many ways to curate happiness, find love and create a family and we don’t talk about them. It creates so much shame and judgment.”

READ MORE: Tracee Ellis Ross takes on the music industry in first trailer for ‘The High Note’

There aren’t many challenges that @traceeellisross hasn’t embraced. In this week’s #PORTER interview, she talks about facing her fears, finding her own voice and how she’s adjusting to life in lockdown. Read the interview and see the shoot –https://t.co/hhbEc0M91N pic.twitter.com/IkzJx6IXOP

— PORTER (@PORTERmagazine) May 4, 2020

To ger point Ross gives an example, stating, “I had some big celebrity guy go, [shakes head and taps watch on wrist] ‘you better get on it.’ And that was when I was in my thirties!”

She also points out that many people have a hard time understanding that being happily single doesn’t mean she’s adverse to love or romance.

“People misinterpret being happily single as not wanting to be in a relationship. Of course, I want to be in a relationship but what am I going to do?” the 47-year-old asked rhetorically. “Spend all the time that I’m not [in one] moping around? No. I’m going to live my life to the fullest and I’m going to be happy right here, where I am.”

READ MORE: Tracee Ellis Ross announces lush new hair care line for curly hair

Tracee Ellis Ross wears looks from #EmiliaWickstead, #Balenciaga, #ChristopherKane, and #AlexanderMcQueen for Porter Edit May 2020.

📸: Olivia Malone

Styling: Solange Franklin pic.twitter.com/GPqvOCJp94

— Dose (@HighFashionDose) May 4, 2020

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