New memorial plaza at University of Maryland honors Lt. Richard Collins III

Family, friends and the communities of two universities dedicated a memorial to honor the life and legacy of Army Lt. Richard Collins III.

Almost five years have passed since Collins was killed while visiting the University of Maryland, College Park, campus. He was just days away from graduation at Bowie State University, when he was fatally stabbed while at a bus stop on the UMCP campus.

On Monday, both schools, Collins' parents and friends gathered to dedicate the Lt. Richard Collins III Plaza, while calling on the larger community to take action to prevent racism and violence.

University of Maryland President Darryll Pines said not only will Collins' life and legacy be remembered on campus, but it is now built into the landscape.

"The world must remember his name. Today, we've taken an important step forward toward ensuring the legacy of Lt. Collins will never be forgotten," Pines said.

We will always love you, son. Thank you," said Collins' father, Richard Collins.

"He was prepared to give his life for this country in the battlefield. What we didn't know was that battlefield wouldn't be overseas, it would be right here on U.S. soil," said Collins' mother, Dawn Collins.

"No, this is not the end. This is the continuation of a fight against racism and violence and injustice in our society," Bowie State University President Aminta Breaux said.The new plaza is near Montgomery and Annapolis halls, and it overlooks the bus stop where Lt. Richard Collins III was killed.

[SOURCE: WBAL]

Barack Obama statement on the Buffalo Massacre

Former President Barack Obama released the following statement on the Buffalo massacre in which 10 inncocent Black people were gunned down by an 18-year old white supremacist:

This weekend’s shootings in Buffalo offer a tragic reminder of the price we pay for refusing to curb the easy access to guns. It should also serve as a wakeup call for all Americans of goodwill, regardless of party.

We need to repudiate in the strongest terms the politicians and media figures who — whether for political gain or to boost ratings — have used their platforms to promote and normalize “replacement theory” and other starkly racist, anti-Semitic, and nativist conspiracy theories.

It’s despicable, it’s dangerous — and it needs to stop.

Thirteen Years After Entering NBA, Steph Curry Graduates with Davidson College Class of 2022

Steph Curry, the Davidson Wildcat legend and NBA superstar graduated as a member of the class of 2022 today. Preparations for the Western Conference Finals prevented him from attending the ceremony but his achievement electrified the College’s 185th Commencement.

Throughout his NBA career, the two-time MVP and three-time NBA champion has repeatedly emphasized the importance of education, how much he valued his Davidson College experience and that he is committed to earning his degree.

Curry needed to finish just one semester to graduate. With the help of a handful of professors—two from Davidson, one from Stanford and a UC Santa Cruz professor who had taught Curry while they were both at Davidson—Curry finished the coursework and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in Sociology.

Now that he’s graduated, Davidson College looks forward to an opportunity on campus in the future when it will present his diploma.

The Golden State Warriors acknowledged Curry's achievement.

13 years after entering the NBA, Stephen Curry is a college grad.

Stephen completed his final semester of coursework this spring and will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology from Davidson College.

Congrats to the Class of 2022! pic.twitter.com/R3giuMtPDx

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 15, 2022

Aaron Salter, the retired Buffalo police officer killed in mass shooting is a hero

The mass shooting at Tops Markets on Buffalo’s East Side Saturday afternoon claimed the lives of ten people and injured three others.

Information on the victims of this tragedy is limited. However, it has been confirmed that Aaron Salter, a retired Buffalo Police officer working as a security guard, was killed trying to protect those inside the grocery store.

When the gunman, 18-year-old Payton S. Gendron of Conklin, New York, entered the store, Salter shot him multiple times, but the 18-year-old’s armored plating deflected the bullets. Gendron then shot and killed Aaron Salter.

Aaron Salter Jr. was identified by his son as the beloved Tops Friendly Markets security guard and former Buffalo cop who tried to stop the teenage suspect, according to the Daily Beast.

“Today is a shock,” his son Aaron Salter III told the news site.

“I’m pretty sure he saved some lives today. He’s a hero.”

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia also hailed Salter as “a hero in our eyes.”

“I had the pleasure of knowing him, great guy, well respected, well-liked. This is just horrific. It’s tragic. I don’t know what other words to describe it,” Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President John Evans said.

NAACP statement on racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo NY

A gunman wearing military gear opened fire with a rifle at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket in what authorities called “racially motived violent extremism,” killing 10 people and wounding three others Saturday before he was arrested.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson released the following statement on the racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo New York:

This is absolutely devastating. Our hearts are with the community and all who have been impacted by this terrible tragedy. Hate and racism have no place in America. We are shattered, extremely angered and praying for the victims' families and loved ones, as well as the entire community."