Black History Archives - The Truth Seekers Journal

The One-Drop Papacy: What Pope Leo XIV American Roots Reveal

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, promises humility and reform as he succeeds Pope Francis and ushers in a new era for the Catholic Church

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | May 12, 2025

White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday evening, signaling a historic moment for the Catholic Church. The cardinals inside had chosen a new pope: 69-year-old American Cardinal Robert Prevost. He will now be known as Pope Leo XIV, the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The End of an Era

Pope Leo XIV replaces Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025, at 88. Francis passed away at Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, ending a 12-year papacy. He was the first pope from South America and led the Church through major reforms.

Following Francis’s funeral, cardinals gathered in Vatican City. After two days of informal meetings, the conclave officially began on May 7. By May 8, a new pope had been chosen. The process took just over a day of voting before the required two-thirds majority was reached.

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo grew up in a working-class neighborhood. He was raised in a devout Catholic family with Spanish, French, and Italian roots. As a child, he often “played priest” and took his faith seriously, even memorizing prayers in Latin.

He was ordained in 1982 and soon after moved to Peru, where he spent over a decade working with poor and rural communities. He served as a pastor and teacher in Trujillo, a coastal city in northwest Peru. Locals remember him as a humble leader who waded through floodwaters to deliver aid in 2022.

Leo holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru. His international experience gives him a global view that church officials say will help him lead with compassion and unity.

A Symbol of Diversity

Pope Leo’s family has deep American roots, including connections to New Orleans’ Black community. Genealogist Jari Honora uncovered that Leo’s grandparents were listed as “black or mulatto” in Louisiana records. However, when the family moved to Chicago, they were later recorded as white—a stark illustration of how race in America has long been fluid, constructed, and contested.

The phrase “one drop of Black blood makes you Black” is rooted in a legal and social doctrine known as the “one-drop rule.” It emerged in the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It became widely enforced during the Jim Crow era, particularly in the South.

Though never formally adopted at the federal level, the concept shaped state laws to maintain strict racial boundaries. In 1910, Tennessee became the first state to define anyone with even a trace of African ancestry as Black. By the 1920s and 1930s, similar laws and social customs were widespread across the South. The one-drop rule reflected a broader white supremacist ideology that aimed to preserve racial “purity” and legitimize segregation.

The rule’s impact was far-reaching. Mixed-race individuals were denied legal protections and subjected to the same discriminatory treatment as those classified as Black. The idea entered mainstream consciousness through literature, journalism, and legal systems, helping to normalize racial divisions based on ancestry rather than appearance or lived experience.

The one-drop rule’s legacy persists, it still influences how Americans think and talk about racial identity, belonging, and history. Pope Leo’s personal story brings that legacy into sharp focus, reminding the world that identity is often shaped not just by heritage—but by the policies and perceptions that define how heritage is seen.

This complex history is especially relevant as the world reflects on the background of Pope Leo XIV, born Cardinal Robert Prevost.

His Vision for the Church

Leo XIV is expected to continue many of Pope Francis’s reforms. He has shown support for:

Helping the poor and migrants
Protecting the environment
Offering Communion to divorced and remarried Catholics
Allowing blessings for same-sex couples (with cautious support)

One of his key beliefs is that church leaders should not act like royalty. “The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom,” he once said.

As a cardinal, Leo also helped lead a significant change by allowing three women to vote in the selection of bishops—something never done before.

In his first public remarks from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo said, “Peace be with you… God loves us all unconditionally… Evil will not prevail.” His speech honored the legacy of Pope Francis and called for humility and hope.

Controversy and Challenges

Despite the celebration, Leo’s past is controversial. A group called SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) raised concerns about his handling of abuse cases.

In 2023, a $2 million settlement was paid in a case involving a priest under Leo’s former leadership in Chicago. Critics say he failed to act quickly or transparently. Leo has said the Church must be honest in dealing with abuse and has called for full transparency moving forward.

The Global Church Reacts

With 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, the election of an American pope is a major shift. The U.S. has over 61 million Catholics and the second-most cardinals after Italy. Still, experts had long doubted an American would ever be chosen due to global political tensions.

Leo’s election brought cheers in St. Peter’s Square and praise from around the world. U.S. President Donald Trump called it a “great honor for the country.” However, Leo has been outspoken about migrant rights and once criticized the Trump administration for failing to show compassion.

In a 2024 post, he asked, “Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?”

What Comes Next?

As Pope, Leo XIV faces many tests. He must heal deep divisions in the Church and respond to growing concerns about youth engagement, abuse reform, and global poverty. He will also need to address questions about gender, sexuality, and tradition—issues that continue to stir debate among Catholics.

Despite the challenges, Leo brings a blend of humility, experience, and boldness. His life story—spanning Chicago neighborhoods, Peruvian missions, and Vatican halls—makes him one of the most unique leaders the Church has ever had.

For now, Catholics worldwide wait to see how Pope Leo XIV will guide them in a time of great change—and great hope.

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Tougaloo College Faces Threats After Jasmine Crockett’s Commencement Speech

Black Information Network | May 9, 2025

Tougaloo College officials are investigating “concerning calls” to the school after Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D) delivered a commencement address during which she criticized President Donald Trump.

In a letter sent to the school community on Monday (May 5), Tougaloo College President Donzell Lee addressed threats to campus following Crockett’s keynote address on Sunday (May 4), per WAPT.

“Appropriate actions have been taken,” Lee said, noting school officials weren’t taking “concerning calls” lightly. “Contact has been made with law enforcement authorities to ensure that safety protocols are in place, if needed.”

Crockett was invited to deliver Sunday’s commencement speech by fellow Democrat and Tougaloo graduate Rep. Bennie Thompson.

During her address, Crockett acknowledged Anne Moody and Memphis Norman, Tougaloo students who played pivotal roles in the 1963 Woolworth’s sit-in in Jackson, before taking aim at Trump.

“Sadly enough, in the year of our Lord 2025, sitting in these very classrooms is just as much of a protest as Anne and Memphis pulling up to Woolworths in 1963,” Crockett said. “It’s the paradox and parallels for me. … As I stand here in this safe space, still only one of the few places that an institution can invite me to speak.”

“To think about the fact that people have to be fearful of having a sitting member of Congress to come and address their graduates, tells us that we still got a lot of work to do,” the Texas Democrat continued. “The president of the United States having a temper tantrum that strips funding because I’m Black and I’m proud should not be something that we are dealing with in 2025.”

Crockett also pointed out how Tougaloo’s campus served as a safe space in the 1960s for civil rights leaders like Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“The work done by so many like Bennie (Thompson), Medgar (Evers) and Fannie Lou Hamer are under attack,” she said. “Instead of calling us the ‘N word,’ they use racist epithets and suggest that we’re ghetto, or unqualified or diversity hires, even though we’re all, more oftentimes than not, more educated and qualified than they are. I have news for you. These attacks are not new because Jim Crow never died. He just lied (sic) in wait.”

Thompson said he stands in solidarity with Tougaloo and Crockett amid threats to the school.

“It is unfortunate that a day of celebration at Tougaloo College was met with attempts by extremists to overshadow the moment and intimidate those in attendance,” Thompson said in a statement. “Their threats, aimed at undermining Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett’s powerful commencement address, failed. The Tougaloo community remains proud, strong and unmoved.”

In a post on X, Crockett also spoke out against the threats.

“No low is too low for MAGA… now explain to me why an institution would be receiving threats because of the commencement speech that I GAVE,” Crockett tweeted. “This type of behavior is why I’m constantly having to be protected & I understand that truth telling in this country; sadly, is a dangerous business, but college students don’t deserve this.”

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A Life of Grace and Grit: The Legacy of Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King, civil rights leader and activist, built a legacy of justice, peace, and equality, championing causes worldwide while preserving Dr. King’s dream.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA |April 27, 2025

Coretta Scott King was born in rural Heiberger, Alabama, on April 27, 1927. Her family lived modestly but comfortably. She was descended from enslaved people and had Irish ancestry as well. She showed strong values, discipline, and a love for music from a young age.

Coretta graduated valedictorian from her high school, Lincoln Normal School, in 1945. She then attended Antioch College in Ohio. King broke racial barriers as one of the first Black students to study there. Later, she earned a degree in voice and violin from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, intending to become a concert vocalist.

While in Boston, she met a young minister named Martin Luther King Jr. They fell in love and married in 1953. They soon became partners in the fight for civil rights.

Coretta gave up her dream to be a concert singer and took up the march for freedom. She used her voice differently. She sang at rallies and held “freedom concerts” to raise money for the cause.

In 1956, their home in Montgomery, Alabama, was bombed. She and her infant daughter were inside. Thankfully, neither was hurt. But it showed the danger of their work.

Coretta stood firm. She marched, spoke out, and supported her husband’s mission. After Dr. King was killed in 1968, Coretta kept going. Just four days later, she gave a speech at Morehouse College in his place.

She led the effort to create the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. The center became a place for learning about justice and peace.

Coretta also fought for other causes. She opposed the Vietnam War. She stood up for women’s rights and helped found the National Organization for Women. She spoke out against apartheid in South Africa. She was an early supporter of LGBTQ rights, saying, “Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism.”

Coretta pushed hard for a national holiday to honor Dr. King. For more than 15 years, she lobbied leaders. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the bill. Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a federal holiday.

At the signing, President Reagan said, “Mrs. King, I am pleased to sign this legislation that honors your husband’s legacy. Your efforts have been instrumental.”

Tributes to Coretta Scott King for various accomplishments

President Reagan: “Her courage kept Dr. King’s dream alive.”
Senator Ted Kennedy: “Mrs. King showed the same strength her husband had.”
Vice President George H. W. Bush: “Your husband’s dream is now a national commitment.”
Senator Joe Biden: “Well done.”
Nelson Mandela: “She was a soldier for peace around the world.”
President Bill Clinton: “She stood for love, not hate. For hope, not fear.”
Hillary Clinton: “She built her own legacy of justice and peace.”
Bishop Desmond Tutu: “She was a moral leader, full of grace.”
President Jimmy Carter: “Coretta’s dignity inspired millions.”
Barack Obama: “She fought for the rights of all people—Black, white, straight, gay.”
Oprah Winfrey: “Mrs. King was a queen in every sense.”
Maya Angelou: “She wore hope like a crown.”
Jesse Jackson: “She was the glue that held the movement together.”
Andrew Young: “Her wisdom guided us in dark times.”
Rep. John Lewis: “She walked the walk and never turned back.”

Coretta Scott King received over 60 honorary degrees. She met world leaders like Pope John Paul II and Mandela. She wrote her memoir, My Life with Martin Luther King Jr., in 1969.

By Milton Kirby – Martin Luther King Jr & Corretta Scott King Tombs

In 2006, she passed away. Georgia honored her by allowing her body to lie in state at the Capitol—the first Black woman to receive that honor. She was laid to rest beside her husband at The King Center in Atlanta, near the eternal flame of justice.

Her life was one of courage, vision, and heart. She was more than Dr. King’s wife. She was a leader, a fighter, and a voice for those unheard. Her light still shines.

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Governor Wes Moore Draws Buzz as Democrats Look Ahead

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is gaining national attention as a unifying Democratic leader and potential presidential contender praised for his service, charisma, and crisis leadership.

By Stacey M Brown | April 21, 2025

As the Democratic Party continues to search for a new identity and fresh leadership, attention is turning to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who is rapidly emerging as a rising national figure — and a potential presidential contender. Moore, who gained national acclaim alongside Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott for their steady leadership following the deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, has received praise for his charisma, military service, executive leadership, and ability to unite a fractured party. Hollywood heavyweight George Clooney, a vocal critic of President Joe Biden’s now-abandoned reelection bid, told CNN this week that Moore was “levitating” above the rest of the Democratic field. “There’s one person in particular I think is spectacular,” Clooney said in an interview, where he was also promoting his Broadway portrayal of legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow. “I think [Moore] is a guy that has handled this tragedy in Baltimore beautifully. He does two tours of duty in Afghanistan — active duty. He speaks beautifully. He’s smart. He ran a hedge fund — the Robin Hood Foundation. He’s a proper leader.”

The Academy Award winner, whose July 2024 op-ed helped accelerate Biden’s decision to exit the race, praised other Democratic governors like Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. But his focus remained squarely on Moore. “We say Democrats fall in love and Republicans fall in line,” Clooney added. “I think he could be someone we could all join in behind. We have to find somebody rather soon.” Moore, 46, became Maryland’s first Black governor in 2023. While speculation about his national ambitions grows, he insists he remains focused on his state. “I am not focused on anything, except for making sure this is Maryland’s decade,” Moore said in a televised interview this week. He highlighted a new state tax cut and added, “I’m really proud of what Maryland is doing, and I’m focused on making sure we keep that progress going.”

Still, admiration for Moore comes from across the country — and within his party. “The governor has been incredible and I’m proud to be working with him,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott told the Washington Informer at this week’s African American Mayors Conference in D.C. Najaa Rice, who traveled from Atlanta for the event, echoed that sentiment. “Wes Moore — President Wes Moore,” she said. “It’s not just because he’s Black. Sen. Tim Scott is Black and I wouldn’t dream of supporting him. Gov. Moore is what we all hoped a politician, a governor, and a civil servant would be. He’s the definition of ‘man of the people,’ and he’s not only the biggest hope Democrats have, but he’s the real hope this country has to right the ship.” United Negro College Fund President Michael Lomax also weighed in. “When our elected leaders not only talk the talk but also walk the walk, progress follows. Maryland Governor Wes Moore is doing just that,” Lomax said.

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Black Golfers, the Masters, and the Economic Power of Augusta National

The 2025 Masters highlighted golf’s evolving legacy—spotlighting Black pioneers, Augusta’s exclusivity, and a $140M economic impact—while diversity efforts continue to reshape the sport.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | April 18, 2025

As the 89th Masters Tournament concluded Sunday, April 13, 2025, the storylines that emerged weren’t just about the iconic green jacket or record-breaking putts. Behind the meticulously groomed fairways of Augusta National Golf Club lies a deeper story—one that speaks to the history of exclusivity, the slow march toward diversity, and the staggering economic footprint of one of America’s most prestigious sporting events.

Black Golfers in America: Progress and Persistence

Golf in the United States is still largely dominated by white players, but Black athletes have made important strides—though the road remains steep. As of 2024, about 3% of the 28.1 million on-course golfers in the U.S. were Black, totaling roughly 843,000 players. This marks a decline from 1.1 million Black golfers in 2015, highlighting ongoing struggles with access, affordability, and representation.

Despite these challenges, a number of Black golfers have not only made it to the PGA Tour but also achieved remarkable success:

Charlie Sifford became the first African American to earn a PGA Tour card in 1961, later winning two events and earning a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Pete Brown was the first Black golfer to win a PGA Tour event in 1964.
Lee Elder made history in 1975 as the first Black player to compete in the Masters Tournament.
Calvin Peete, known for his accuracy, won 12 PGA Tour events, including the 1985 Players Championship.
Jim Thorpe secured three PGA Tour wins and 13 on the Champions Tour.

Modern Black golfers continue to carry the torch:

Tiger Woods, with 82 PGA Tour wins and 15 majors, remains one of the most dominant and influential golfers of all time.
Harold Varner III made history as the first Black golfer to advance to the PGA Tour via the Web.com Tour.
Joseph Bramlett became the first Black player to graduate from PGA Tour Q-School since Tiger.
Cameron Champ, a rising star, is known for his long drives and advocacy for racial equity in the sport.
Cheyenne Woods, Tiger’s niece, has competed on the LPGA Tour and earned international victories.

Organizations like the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour are also working to provide competitive platforms for aspiring Black professionals, seeking to increase diversity at golf’s highest levels.

Tiger Woods is presented with his Green Jacket by the Tournament chairman Hootie Johnson after Woods’ 3rd victory in the US Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia on 14th April 2002. (Photo by Leonard Kamsler/Popperfoto via Getty Images)© GETTY

Inside Augusta National: Membership and Milestones

Perhaps no course is more symbolic of golf’s complex relationship with race than Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters since its debut in 1934. Known for its tightly guarded membership and tradition-heavy culture, the club did not admit its first Black member—Ron Townsend, a television executive—until 1990. This move came amid national pressure after a similar exclusion scandal at Alabama’s Shoal Creek Club drew widespread backlash.

Since then, Augusta has added other Black members, including Condoleezza Rice, who also broke barriers as one of the club’s first two female members in 2012, and former NFL great Lynn Swann. The exact number of Black members today remains confidential, in line with Augusta’s longstanding policy of secrecy. Still, reports suggest several African Americans now hold roles in membership and business operations.

Augusta’s exclusivity persists: membership is by invitation only, with estimated initiation fees between $100,000 and $300,000, and annual dues under $30,000. The club typically hosts around 300 members, often referred to as “green jackets.”

Masters Champions: Legends of the Tournament

In its 89-year history, only a few players have won the Masters multiple times—a rare achievement that cements their place in golf legend.

Jack Nicklaus leads with 6 victories (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986).
Tiger Woods, the most dominant Black golfer in history, has won 5 times (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019).
Arnold Palmer claimed 4 wins (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964).

Tiger Woods’ historic 1997 win not only redefined the sport but also symbolized a new chapter in its racial history. His enduring legacy continues to inspire young golfers of color across the globe.

The 2025 Masters added yet another chapter to the tournament’s historic legacy when Rory McIlroy won after a dramatic sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose. With the victory, McIlroy became the sixth player—and the first European—to complete the modern career Grand Slam, doing so on his 11th attempt. His long-awaited triumph underscored the global prestige of the Masters and highlighted how the event continues to shape the narratives of golf’s greatest champions.

By Milton Kirby East Lake Golf Course Atlanta, GA – Location of Ryder Cup 1963

The Masters and Georgia’s Economy: A Championship Boost

The Masters isn’t just a sporting event—it’s an economic juggernaut. Held each April, the tournament injects between $120 million and $140 million into Augusta’s local economy. From luxury rentals to booming restaurant business, the city transforms into a hub of global commerce during Masters Week.

Across Georgia, golf drives even larger gains. In 2022, the industry generated a $5.3 billion statewide economic impact, supporting over 55,000 jobs and contributing $2.7 billion in wages.

Hospitality rates spike dramatically during the tournament:

Hotel rates surge up to 800%, averaging $500 per night.
Local hotels generate about $26 million in revenue.
Short-term rentals average $5,300 per week, with some homeowners earning up to $28,000, often enough to pay a year’s mortgage.

Transportation sees a bump too. Augusta Regional Airport handles over 2,100 private flights during Masters Week—more than five times its normal daily volume.

And then there’s merchandise. Augusta National’s iconic shop generates an estimated $50 million in sales annually during the event, with items like Masters-themed gnomes becoming collector’s favorites.

The Legacy and the Future

Despite Augusta National’s secretive culture and its late adoption of inclusive practices, the club and the Masters remain fixtures in American sport and business. But the story of Black golfers—past, present, and future—is still being written.

The legacy of exclusion still casts a long shadow. Yet with champions like Tiger Woods, pioneers like Charlie Sifford and Lee Elder, and grassroots efforts like the APGA Tour pushing for change, the fairways are slowly becoming more welcoming.

Golf, like America, is a work in progress—full of tradition, potential, and the constant challenge to do better.

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Bill Russell: A Champion On and Off the Court

NBA legend Bill Russell broke records and racial barriers—as a champion player, pioneering coach, and fearless civil rights activist. His impact still echoes today.

It happened in April 1966

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | April 19, 2025

William Felton Russell was more than a basketball legend—he was a trailblazer for justice, leadership, and a powerful image in sports and society.

Born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana, and raised in Oakland, California, Bill Russell rose to prominence at the University of San Francisco, where he led the Dons to two NCAA championships.

In 1956, he joined the Boston Celtics and forever changed the game of basketball.

Over 13 seasons, Russell led the Celtics to 11 NBA championships, the most by any player in league history. He was a five-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, and a gold medalist at the 1956 Olympics. Yet his influence reached far beyond the court.

Trailblazing Coach and Leader

On April 17, 1966, following the Celtics’ championship win and Red Auerbach’s retirement as head coach, Russell made history as the first Black head coach in NBA history. Appointed as a player-coach, he led the team while still anchoring the defense on the court. Under his guidance, the Celtics won two more NBA championships in 1968 and 1969.

After retiring from playing, Russell returned to coaching in May 1973, when he was hired to lead the Seattle SuperSonics. His tenure with the Sonics and later the Sacramento Kings marked a new chapter in his coaching legacy—bringing his wisdom and leadership beyond Boston.

Reflections from Teammates and Contemporaries

Russell’s impact on those around him is best reflected in the words of those who knew him best:

Don Nelson, former Celtics teammate, once said:

“There are two types of superstars. One makes himself look good at the expense of the other guys on the floor. But there’s another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that’s the type Russell was.”

John Havlicek, another Celtics great, recalled Russell’s intense focus:

“When it’s an important game or an important challenge for him—someone like Chamberlain, or someone coming up that everyone’s touting—the sound of Russell throwing up is a welcome sound, too, because it means he’s keyed up for the game, and around the locker room we grin and say, ‘Man, we’re going to be all right tonight.'”

Paul Pierce, former Celtics star, shared a more lighthearted memory:

“You know that infectious laugh that he had? He’d come in, give you the middle finger and start laughing. When he first did it to me, I was like, ‘Woah.’ And then I’d laugh, and that kind of brought the tension back down.” – NBC Sports Boston

Doc Rivers, former Celtics and current 76ers head coach, emphasized Russell’s trailblazing influence:

“Without Bill Russell, I’m not coaching.”

A Voice for Justice

Off the court, Russell was a fearless advocate for civil rights. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stood beside Muhammad Ali in protest of the Vietnam War draft, and never shied away from confronting racism—even when it came from fans in his city.

His principled stance made him a powerful symbol of dignity, resistance, and moral leadership in sports. He understood the platform that came with greatness and used it to push for justice and equality.

A Lasting Legacy

In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded Bill Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. After his passing in 2022 at the age of 88, the NBA retired Russell’s #6 jersey across the entire league—a historic first.

Bill Russell receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom

Today, the NBA Finals MVP Award bears his name—a fitting tribute to a man who truly defined what it means to be most valuable. Russell’s legacy isn’t just in the record books. It lives in every athlete who uses their platform for justice, in every team that champions inclusion, and in every fan who believes sports can elevate society.

Russell once said, “What distinguishes a champion is not always winning, but rising each time you fall.”

And rise, he always did. Bill Russell remained a champion in every sense of the word on the court, on the sidelines, and in the fight for civil rights.

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Calvin Smyre Honored with Education Conference Center at Morehouse School of Medicine

Morehouse School of Medicine honors Calvin Smyre’s 51-year public service by dedicating the Calvin Smyre Education Conference Center during its 50th anniversary.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | April 3, 2025

The longest-serving member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Calvin Smyre, received a lasting tribute to his decades of public service on Thursday, as Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) dedicated a new education building in his name.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Calvin Smyre Education Conference Center (CSECC) was led by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The event marked a highlight in MSM’s 50th anniversary celebration at the Georgia State Capitol and symbolized the institution’s ongoing commitment to health equity and diversity.

Smyre, a former state representative elected in 1974 and a key figure in Georgia politics, has long championed MSM since its inception. In his remarks, he recalled helping secure the institution’s initial $1 million in state funding, emphasizing the power of partnerships between government and education.

“This building is a permanent reminder of what vision, leadership, and dedication can achieve,” said Smyre, who also serves as Trustee Emeritus for the medical school and sits on several philanthropic and educational boards, including the Fort Valley State College Foundation and Piedmont HealthCare in Columbus.

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and CEO of MSM, served as emcee for the celebration. “Health equity is not a political term,” she said. “It’s about giving people what they need, when they need it, and in the amount they need to reach their best health outcomes.”

The CSECC, located on MSM’s campus at 720 Westview Drive SW, features an auditorium, conference and event rooms, study areas, and state-of-the-art technology to support the school’s growing academic and community initiatives. The building is designed to be multifunctional, with spaces that can transition from lecture halls to fine dining areas and networking hubs.

Arthur R. Collins, Chairman of MSM’s Board of Trustees, reflected on Smyre’s legacy: “We are not just honoring a legacy, we are not just honoring a life, we are not just honoring his spirit, —we are investing in what comes next.”

The day’s events were a part of MSM’s broader 50th anniversary celebration. Founded to diversify Georgia’s healthcare workforce, MSM remains one of the nation’s only historically Black medical schools. Since becoming independent in 1981, the school has graduated over 3,300 students, nearly 60% of whom continue to serve in Georgia.

With the support of lawmakers like Smyre, the school plans to expand its graduating class to 225 students in the coming years. Morehouse School of Medicine Dean Joseph Tyndall and several state legislators also praised MSM’s enduring impact during the ceremony.

As the nation debates diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, MSM leaders say the school’s mission remains unwavering. “Trust is the foundation of the patient-provider relationship,” said Montgomery Rice. “And diversity in healthcare strengthens that trust.”

For Calvin Smyre, the new center stands not only as a personal honor but as a beacon for future generations. His life’s work—from the Georgia House floor to the boardrooms of educational institutions—continues to shape Georgia’s legacy of leadership, service, and social justice.

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One of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen remembers struggle for recognition amid Trump’s DEI purge

Tuskegee Airmen Legacy Under Threat: Despite efforts to honor their memory, Black Air Force unit’s history is being erased under President Trump’s executive order, sparking bipartisan outrage and outrage from surviving airmen.

By Mead Gruver and Thomas Peipert | Aurora, CO (AP) | March 23, 2025

With members of a trailblazing Black Air Force unit passing away at advanced ages, efforts to remain true to their memory carry on despite sometimes confusing orders from President Donald Trump as he purges federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Col. James H. Harvey III, 101, is among the last few airmen and support crew who proved that a Black unit — the 332nd Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen — could fight as well as any other in World War II and the years after.

He went on to become the first Black jet fighter pilot in Korean airspace during the Korean War, and a decorated one after 126 missions. He was one of four Tuskegee Airmen who won the first U.S. Air Force Gunnery Meet in 1949, a forerunner of today’s U.S. Navy “Top Gun” school.

“They said we didn’t have any ability to operate aircraft or operate heavy machinery. We were inferior to the white man. We were nothing,” Harvey said. “So we showed them.”

Shortly after Trump’s January inauguration, the Air Force removed new recruit training courses that included videos of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The removal drew bipartisan outrage and the White House’s ire over what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as “malicious implementation” of Trump’s executive order.

The Air Force quickly reversed course.

Announcing the reversal, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said in a statement that the initial removal was because the service, like other agencies, had to move swiftly to comply with Trump’s executive order with “no equivocation, no slow-rolling, no foot-dragging.”

The videos were shown to troops as part of DEI courses taken during basic military training. Some photos of Tuskegee Airmen were also among tens of thousands of images in a Pentagon database flagged for removal.

“I thought there was progress in that area, but evidently there isn’t,” said Harvey, who blamed Trump for contributing to what he sees as worsening prejudice in the U.S.

“I’ll tell him to his face. No problem,” he said. “I’ll tell him, ‘You’re a racist,’ and see what he has to say about that. What can they do to me? Just kill me, that’s all.”

The Tuskegee Airmen unit was established in 1941 as the 99th Pursuit Squadron based at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. The 99th became the 332nd Fighter Group, which by war’s end destroyed or damaged more than 400 enemy aircraft in North Africa and Europe during the war and sank a German destroyer in action.

Of the 992 Tuskegee Airmen trained as pilots starting in 1942, 335 were deployed, 66 were killed in action and 32 who were shot down became war prisoners.

In 1949, two months after the airmen’s gunnery meet victory in the propeller-driven class, the U.S. Air Force integrated Black and white troops and the Tuskegee Airmen were absorbed into other units.

It took the Air Force almost half a century to recognize 332nd’s last achievement: Its success in aerial bombing and shooting proficiency in the gunnery meet at what is now Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

For decades, the winners were listed as “unknown” and their trophy was missing.

“We won them all,” Harvey said. “We weren’t supposed to win anything because of the color of our skin.”

Harvey trained during World War II but was not deployed to combat before the war ended. In Korea, he flew the F-80 Shooting Star jet fighter and earned medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1965 and received an honorary promotion to colonel in 2023.

Trump in 2020 promoted another of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, Charles McGee, to brigadier general. McGee died in 2022 at age 102.

Harvey still regards the Air Force Gunnery Meet as his biggest accomplishment, one the Air Force finally recognized in 1993.

Their missing trophy was found in a museum storeroom not long after.

“We were good, and they couldn’t take it away from us,” Harvey said. “We were good. And I’ll repeat it until I die.”

Selma’s Bloody Sunday makes 60 years – An estimated 15,000 mark the solemn day that changed America – minus Republicans

60th Anniversary of Selma to Montgomery March: Thousands Gather to Honor Foot Soldiers and Fight for Voting Rights. Inspirational speeches and reflections on the past, present, and future of American equality and justice were shared by prominent leaders and a 7th-grade foot soldier from 1965.

By Christopher Young

Where to even begin? So many in our country want to erase the truth. They are employing a sinful revisionist history. How in God’s world can they look in the mirror? The sacrifice of the foot soldiers on March 7, 1965, cannot and will never be erased, revised, or forgotten. Thank God for television. The whole world saw the vicious and bloody assaults at the hands of white Alabama State Troopers and others, upon innocent non-violent African-American marchers seeking the equality inherent in the right to vote. It is American history that the march from Selma to Montgomery (March 7-25, 1965) galvanized American’s support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Edmund Pettus Bridge – a bridge named after a Confederate Brigadier General, Grand Dragon of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan, and U.S. Senator – will forever be remembered.

Sixty years later, on Sunday, March 9, 2025, under overcast skies with just an occasional drop or two of rain, an estimated 15,000 people gathered to remember that historic day and those foot soldiers – their unyielding determination and courage playing out in a racist America – remembering the price that is never ever marked as ‘paid-in-full’ in our country.

On Sunday, there was no massive security operation, no metal detectors to pass through, no snipers on rooftops adjacent to the foot of the bridge where long speeches are normally provided during Democratic administrations. When there is no president or vice president in attendance, all those things go by the wayside where the bridge crosses the mighty Alabama River in the town of Selma, Alabama. A town with a population of 17,971 per the 2020 Census, where 81.2% of population are African American, and 28.3% live in poverty.

The mood on the bridge this year expressed the full-range of emotions of We the People – from tears of joy to tears of anguish that the fight is never finished. Scores of faces were lined with seriousness, reverence, determination and awe – akin to a pilgrimage. By guesstimate, a solid 20% of marchers were age 21 and below.

By Christopher Young – Alabama-Troopers-Shuford-James

This year there were some speeches on the other side of the bridge. Reverend Jesse Jackson was pushed in a wheelchair. Reverend Al Sharpton is always there. Others included NAACP President Derrick Johnson, National Urban League President Marc Morial, President of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation Dr. Melanie L. Campbell, Selma Mayor James Perkins, Jr., Alabama Representative Terri Sewell (Selma native), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Representative Maxine Waters, Rev. Senator Raphael G. Warnock, Alabama 2nd District Rep.

Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, reminded that “in two years we can make liars out of all those people who say we don’t vote,” Dr. Benjamin J. Chavis, Jr. – president & CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, i.e. The Black Press, Bobby Henry – chairman of the Board of The Black Press, Reverend Mark Thompson – NNPA’s Global Digital Transformation director, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, who spoke in favor of DEI, “…sixty years ago marchers were met by an Alabama governor full of hate and ignorance…I believe that diversity is a strength and never a weakness. I know we’ve got a lot more marching to go. If you’ll have me, I’ll be there every step of the way…”

“No Justice – No Peace” call and response was heard often, and a group of young people – Black Men & Women Live, from Atlanta, Georgia, chanted, “I am a link in this chain, and it will not break here.” Singing was heard throughout Broad Street leading up to the bridge, and included, We Shall Overcome and Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.

The Mississippi Link newspaper was privileged to meet with Reverend Dave Fulford (pictured above), a foot soldier still in the 7th grade and at the back of line with the other children on March 7, 1965, in one of his offices a couple miles from the bridge, just 90 minutes before he was due at the foot of the bridge to be part of the first wave to cross this year. He stressed the importance of education and hard work. He rose through the ranks at IBM to supervise projects in numerous countries. After retiring, he moved back to Alabama and started a non-profit – Blackbelt & Central Alabama Housing Authority that helps low-income families, seniors and veterans with housing issues, repairs, food, and health information. He continues service as executive director.

By Christopher Young – Dr.-Benjamin-J.-Chavis-Jr.-Reverend-Mark-Thompson

Additionally, he serves as pastor of Camden Mission Seven Day Adventist Church in Camden, Alabama.

Reverend Fulford shared some of his family and educational background and values. “We were taught as children to respect our country and stand up for what is right, liberty, and that all men are created equal. The other foot soldiers gave me a reason to live. We have lost our way as a country. Even here in Selma…black on black crime…we sacrificed so much and were living in deplorable housing…the leadership is appalling when you see what could be done and is not being done.”

What will you say to the readers of The Mississippi Link newspaper about these times we are in now after you have given everything in you to push forward and now, we are being pushed backward? “When I see what’s going on, I’m praying ‘Lord please help America to get back on track.’ One thing, in our nation, I believe in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and everything that we stood for as a country is now being changed.

“The removal of DEI is awful…IBM saw the value of it…when I see what’s going on in America today, I just ask God to please help America to go back to when all men were created equal. Many people are losing their jobs, and grants. I write a lot of grants. That’s what I do for housing, and I don’t know what’s going to happen, so I just say Lord please help America, and the last thing I’ll say – one of our most powerful weapons that we have as Americans is vote, vote, vote. One person, one vote, is a powerful weapon.”

“Justice Denied: Supreme Court Declares Black Americans Have No Rights”

The Dred Scott v. Sandford case, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling on March 6, 1857, denied freedom to Dred Scott and ruled African Americans could not be U.S. citizens. This decision invalidated the Missouri Compromise and intensified national tensions over slavery, fueling the path to the Civil War and inspiring the abolitionist movement.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | March 6, 2025

One of the most significant legal battles in American history unfolded in St. Louis’ Old Courthouse, where Dred Scott and his wife, Harriet, fought for their freedom from enslavement. The landmark Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) not only denied their freedom but also ruled that African Americans could not be U.S. citizens and that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories. This ruling invalidated the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and pushed the nation closer to the Civil War.

Dred Scott’s Journey to the Courtroom

Dred Scott was born into enslavement in Virginia around 1799 and later moved with his enslavers, the Blow family, to St. Louis in 1830. Financial difficulties forced the Blows to sell Scott to Dr. John Emerson, a military surgeon. Scott accompanied Emerson to free territories—Illinois and the Wisconsin Territory—where slavery was prohibited under the Missouri Compromise.

During this time, Scott married Harriet Robinson, who was also enslaved. The couple had two daughters, Eliza and Lizzie. After Dr. Emerson died in 1843, his widow, Irene Emerson, continued to profit from their forced labor, hiring them out to other families.

In 1846, Scott took legal action, suing Irene Emerson for his freedom. The case, filed in the Old Courthouse, was based on the legal precedent that an enslaved person who had lived in a free territory was entitled to freedom. With the support of abolitionist allies and financial backing from the Blow family, Scott embarked on an eleven-year legal battle that would reach the highest Court in the land.

The Supreme Court’s Ruling and Its Fallout

On March 6, 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against Scott. The Court, led by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, declared that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, could not be U.S. citizens and therefore had no right to sue in Federal Court. Moreover, the ruling struck down the Missouri Compromise, stating that Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in U.S. territories.

The Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States (Artist: George P.A. Healy)

Taney actually freed the enslaved people that he had inherited; however, he believed that the Federal government had no right to limit slavery. He mistakenly thought he could save the Union when he ruled that the Framers of the Constitution believed enslaved people were so inferior that they possessed no legal rights.

Chief Justice Taney held the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, claiming that as property, enslaved people were protected under Article V. In addition to this unpopular opinion, Taney became even more disliked when he challenged President Lincoln’s constitutional authority to apply certain emergency measures during the Civil War. Lincoln saw him as an enemy and even defied one of Taney’s judicial decisions. Despite his critics, Taney served until he died on October 12, 1864, at the age of 87, after being Chief Justice for 28 years.

This decision deepened the nation’s divide over slavery, further fueling tensions that would lead to the Civil War. Though Scott lost his case, his courage in seeking justice contributed to the broader movement for abolition.

The Missouri Compromise and Its Repeal

Scott’s case directly challenged the Missouri Compromise (also known as the Compromise of 1820) which was, Federal legislation of the United States that balanced northern states’ desires to prevent slavery in the country with those of southern states to expand it. It admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state and declared a policy of prohibiting slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase lands north of the 36^th parallel. The 16th United States Congress passed the legislation on March 3, 1820, and President James Monroe signed it into law on March 6, 1820.

The Missouri Compromise was a critical effort to prevent the nation from fracturing over slavery, but it was repealed in 1854 by the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed territories to decide the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty. The Supreme Court’s ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford further dismantled any legal barriers to slavery’s expansion, emboldening pro-slavery factions and enraging abolitionists.

Legacy of the Dred Scott Case

Though the Supreme Court denied Scott’s plea for freedom, his case became a turning point in American history. The ruling heightened national tensions and galvanized anti-slavery forces, accelerating the path to the American Civil War. In 1857, Scott and his family were eventually freed by Taylor Blow, a member of his original enslaver’s family. Tragically, Scott died just a year later.

Dred and Harriet Scott’s determination to fight for their freedom stands as a testament to the resilience of those who resisted enslavement. Their struggle helped shape the national debate over slavery and ultimately contributed to the Union’s commitment to ending the institution once and for all.

The Union won the American Civil War. The war effectively ended in April 1865 when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his troops to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia.