REV. AL SHARPTON DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR JORDAN NEELY

Rev. Al Sharpton, the founder and president of the National Action Network (NAN), today responded to the killing of Jordan Neely as the reportedly homeless man experienced a mental health episode on the subway. Disturbing video shows a passenger put Neely, 30, into a chokehold on an F train Monday until he lost consciousness. Neely, who was a well-known Michael Jackson impersonator on subways and in Times Square, later died at Lenox Hill Hospital. The passenger was taken into custody by police but released Monday night without charges.

“The National Action Network demands the District Attorney and police investigate this horrific incident as a potential case of manslaughter – if not murder. Thirty years ago, I fought the Bernard Goetz case and we cannot end up back to a place where vigilantism is tolerable. It wasn’t acceptable then and it cannot be acceptable now. We hope the family of Jordan Neely will come forward so NAN can ensure he is funeralized properly and decently.”

One of first African-American Marines celebrates 100th birthday

Lee Newby Jr. of Detroit, one of the first African-American Marines, was honored by state lawmakers during a celebration of his 100th birthday on Saturday.

The ceremony at the Detroit Marriott in the Renaissance Center was hosted by State Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, and Joe Tate of Detroit, who became the first African-American elected Michigan's speaker of the House in November 2022.

Tate, a former National Football League player and Michigan State University offensive lineman, also served in the Marines.

“I can’t thank Mr. Newby enough for his service to our country. He is a true hero and trailblazer,” Tate said in a statement. “As a veteran of the Marine Corps myself, I am aware of the responsibilities he has carried and the sacrifices he has endured."

Newby, who resides in McKinney's district in Detroit, served during World War II. The first African-Americans joined the Marine Corps in 1942.

“This ceremony not only celebrates the life of a brave serviceman, but also truly honors Black Marines, their dedication through World War II and all their service to this country,” McKinney said in a statement.

[SOURCE: DETROIT NEWS]

Fort Lee renamed after two African American Army officers

Fort Lee will become Fort Gregg-Adams during a redesignation ceremony April 27, honoring two Black officers who excelled in the field of sustainment and made significant marks in U.S. Army history.

Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg rose from the rank of private to three-star general during his military logistics career, which began just after WWII and spanned nearly 36 years. Gregg, now 94, will be the only living person in modern Army history to have an installation named after him.

Lt. Col. Charity Adams was the first Black officer in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps – later known as the Women’s Army Corps – in World War II and led the first predominately Black WAC unit to serve overseas: the storied 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

“We are deeply honored to have Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams as the new namesakes for our installation,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Simerly, commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and senior commander of Fort Lee.

The post is one of nine Army installations being redesignated in accordance with Defense Department-endorsed recommendations from the congressional Naming Commission to remove the names, symbols, displays, monuments and paraphernalia that commemorate the Confederate States of America or those who voluntarily served under the C.S.A. Congress directed the formation of the Naming Commission in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act and charged it with providing these recommendations.

The Commission issued its three-part report to Congress in the summer of 2022. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III accepted all the Commission’s recommendations that September. On Jan. 5, 2023, William A. LaPlante, the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, directed all Department of Defense organizations to begin implementing those recommendations.

“The Naming Commission sought to recommend names that are ‘inspirational to the Soldiers and civilians who serve on our Army posts, and to the communities who support them.’ They delivered exactly that with these two inspiring leaders,” Simerly said, adding: “Their tremendous accomplishments – from World War II through the Cold War – speak to the important history of this installation and to the courage, dignity, and devotion to duty that we strive to instill in every Soldier training here at the home of the Army Sustainment.”

While in-person attendance at the ceremony will be by invitation only due to space limitations, the entire event will be live-streamed on facebook.com/ArmyFortLee.

Full press conference: Brittney Griner discusses her return to basketball court with Phoenix Mercury

WNBA star Brittney Griner discussed her return to the basketball court with the Phoenix Mercury at a press conference Thursday ahead of the team's 2023 training camp. Griner spent nearly 10 months imprisoned on drug charges in Russia before she was freed in December in a prisoner swap. Watch the full press conference below.

BYRON ALLEN TO HONOR GAYLE KING WITH THEGRIO’S JOURNALIST ICON AWARD

Byron Allen’s African American-focused multiplatform media outlet, theGrio, will honor CBS News’ Gayle King with the Journalist Icon Award for her career achievements and service to the country in a star-studded event in Washington, DC. immediately following the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner on April 29.

The event, which will take place at The Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History & Culture, will be hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr. and guests will be treated to a special concert by music legend Diana Ross.

“Gayle King and Diana Ross are both American treasures, and I can’t think of a better way to honor their excellence than by hosting this event at The Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History & Culture,” Allen said. “I created the Washington, DC Gala to be a spectacular celebration, informative, and a great deal of fun.”

King — who co-hosts “CBS Mornings,” hosts a weekly radio show titled “Gayle King in the House” on SiriusXM and is also editor-at-large of Oprah Daily – has received numerous awards and honors during her illustrious career, including three Emmys, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, the induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and was selected for the TIME 100, Time magazine’s annual list of the hundred most influential people in the world.

Allen is chairman, CEO and founder of Allen Media Group, which owns 27 ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX network affiliate broadcast television stations in 21 U.S. markets and 12 round-the-clock HD television networks serving nearly 220 million subscribers.