#SAYHERNAME: 18 Black women who have died at the hands of police since Eric Garner's death

We all know the names of Eric Garner, George Floyd, and the far too many other Black men that have died at the hands of police in between their deaths. But other than Breonna Taylor and perhaps Attatiana Jefferson how many of us know the names of 16 other Black women who have died in between the deaths of Garner and Floyd?

The African American Policy Forum has started a #SayHerName Campaign to change that and to help us all understand that Black women are under the same threat from police as Black Men in the United States

Below is a list of 18 Black women who have died at the hands of police since Eric Garner's death. The list does NOT contain the list of every Black woman to have been killed by police since 2014. Click each name to find out about her story:

2014

Pearlie Golden

Michelle Cusseaux

Tanisha Anderson

Natasha McKenna

Mya Hall

Alexia Christian

2015

Joyce Curnell

Ralkina Jones

India Kager

Kisha Michael

2016

Korryn Gaines

Deborah Danner

Michelle Shirley

Charleena Lewis

2018

Decynthia Clements

Pamela Turner

2020

Atatiana Jefferson

Breonna Taylor

Learn more about the AAFP's #SayHerName campaign by clicking here: https://aapf.org/sayhername

Nike & Twitter: Juneteenth To Be Annual Paid Company Holiday

An an internal memo sent to Nike (NKE) staff , CEO John Donahoe announced that the company would recognize Juneteenth an annual paid holiday for U.S. employees.

“As many of you may know, next Friday, June 19, is Juneteenth, a day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. Starting this year and going forward, Nike will recognize Juneteenth as an annual paid holiday in the U.S,” he wrote. Donahoe said doing so is an “important opportunity is to better commemorate and celebrate Black history and culture.”

Twitter and Square have decided to declare Juneteenth a company holiday as well.

Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey announced on Tuesday that Juneteenth, June 19, will be a holiday for employees at both companies.

He made the announcement on Twitter saying, "A day for celebration, education, and connection." He said the holiday will be honored every year moving forward.

He added that "countries and regions around the world have their own days to celebrate emancipation, and we will do the work to make those dates company holidays everywhere we are present."

Tulsa police major: We're shooting African Americans about 24% less than we probably ought to be

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum on Wednesday blasted one of his police department's top commanders after the officer denied there's systemic racism in law enforcement, then said African Americans "probably ought to be" shot more.

Tulsa Chief of Police Wendell Franklin, the first African American to hold that position, on Thursday also denounced the incendiary comments made by Major Travis Yates.

"Chief Wendell Franklin and the Tulsa Police Department want to make it very clear we do not endorse, condone or support Yates’ comments made on the show," a statement from the TPD said. "This matter has been referred to our Internal Affairs Unit."

Yates was on KFAQ on Monday, in a weekly segment called "Behind the Blue Line," when he said there's no institutional racism in policing.

“All the research said — including Roland Fryer, an African American Harvard professor, Heather MacDonald and the National Academy of Sciences — all of their research says we’re shooting African Americans about 24 percent less than we probably ought to be based on the crimes being committed," Yates said.

Yates did not specifically cite which studies led him to this conclusion.

Mayor Bynum demanded an apology and said the department is investigating Yates. The mayor said of Yates' radio interview: "Speaking of dumb comments."

"He does not speak for my administration, for the Tulsa Police Department, or the City of Tulsa," Bynum said in a statement. "And if he didn’t mean to make the statement in the way it has been received, he owes Tulsans a clarification and an apology."

Lt. Marcus Harper, president of Tulsa’s Black Officers Coalition, said Yates’ comments send a chilling message throughout the department.

“He’s in a position of power in the police department," Harper said. "His attitude is going to go downhill to that young, brand-new officer or that officer in field training right now.”

Serving under Police Chief Franklin are three deputy chiefs, who preside over nine division commanders, who include Maj. Yates. Yates, who supervises the Records Division, would be represented by the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police if the department takes action against him, according to union chairman Jerad Lindsey.

"It's not currently in the FOP's purview," Lindsey said. "We have not been told of any discipline yet."

[SOURCE: NBC NEWS]

LeBron James starts voting rights group

LeBron James is creating a voting rights group aimed in part at motivating African Americans to cast ballots in November, the NBA star told The New York Times on Wednesday.

James told the Times that the idea to form the group, More Than a Vote, was fueled by the worldwide protests over racial inequality and police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd in police custody.

“Because of everything that’s going on, people are finally starting to listen to us — we feel like we’re finally getting a foot in the door,” James told the Times. “How long is up to us. We don’t know. But we feel like we’re getting some ears and some attention, and this is the time for us to finally make a difference.”

In addition to looking to turn out voters, James said he wants to use his platform on social media to help combat voter suppression.

“Yes, we want you to go out and vote, but we’re also going to give you the tutorial,” James told the Times. “We’re going to give you the background of how to vote and what they’re trying to do, the other side, to stop you from voting.”

More Than a Vote will team up with voting rights organizations, including When We All Vote and Stacey Abrams’s Fair Fight, according to the Times.

James and business partner Maverick Carter are putting up the initial funding for the organization, according to the Times.

Texas Southern University Announces Scholarship Fund for George Floyd’s Daughter

The Board of Regents of Texas Southern University (TSU) honors the memory of George Floyd on the day that he is laid to eternal rest. Mr. Floyd was a lifelong citizen of the Third Ward and a revered graduate of Jack Yates High School.

The Board, in conjunction with the TSU Foundation Board, has approved a fund to provide a full scholarship for Floyd’s beloved daughter, Gianna. TSU’s executive and academic staff will prepare a place for Miss Floyd if she wishes to attend the University.

“This Board is committed to education and understands that a college degree is one of many powerful steps toward a productive and successful life,” said Albert H. Myres, chair of the Board of Regents. “We know that this gesture cannot take the place of her dad’s loving presence, but we hope that it will contribute to easing her journey through life.”

“The TSU Foundation is proud to provide this privately-funded scholarship to Ms. Floyd,” said Gerald Smith, chairman of the TSU Foundation. “We know the value of an education in the pursuit of solutions and generational progress. We look forward to embracing her into the TSU family.”

Myres said that George Floyd’s powerful legacy will be strengthened by the offer of an educational pathway for his daughter.