‘You Must Speak Truth to Power’: A candid conversation with Ben Crump
Attorney Ben Crump outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Photo Credit: Lorie Shaull). By James Bridgeforth, Ph.D. and Alexander Efird, Special to The Chicago Defender Introduction: The Battle for Justice Has a Voice — And It’s Ben Crump In a nation teetering on the edge of moral confusion and political regression, there are few voices who thunder with the clarity, conviction, and courage of Attorney Ben Crump. Called “Black America’s Attorney General,” Crump has carved out a legacy not just in courtrooms, but in the collective conscience of
Georgia State Senator Jason Esteves Launches Campaign for Governor of Georgia [Video]
On Tuesday, April 22, Georgia State Senator Jason Esteves (D) launched his campaign to become the next Governor of Georgia. Before representing Georgia families in the State Senate, Sen. Jason Esteves worked as a public school teacher and later served on the Board of Education for Atlanta Public Schools for nearly a decade, leading the board as chair for four years. Under his leadership, Atlanta Public Schools achieved record-breaking graduation rates and provided over $100 million in staff pay increases and stipends. In the State Senate, Jason led
Yusef Bunchy Shakur Named First Black Executive Director of Michigan Roundtable
The same neighborhood that once branded Yusef Bunchy Shakur a menace is now the place that calls him “doctor.” Because a community watched a man rebuild what disinvestment tried to erase. From the streets of Zone 8 to the seat of executive leadership, Dr. Shakur’s journey defies every statistic meant to define Black boys from Detroit. The Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities—founded during a time when folks wouldn’t even sit across a table with someone who didn’t worship like them—has named him its new executive director. For the
Chicago State Names Bobby Rome II as First-Ever Head Football Coach
Chicago State University makes history by appointing Bobby Rome II as its first head football coach (Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington). In a bold and historic move, Chicago State University has officially entered the world of Division I football. The university named Bobby Rome II as the first head coach in program history, signaling its commitment to bringing NCAA Division I football to the city. Rome, fresh off a nomination for HBCU Coach of the Year in 2024, brings a track record of high performance and program-building experience that CSU
Cecile Springer, A ‘Woman of Action’… Noted Chemist and Community Leader
CECILE SPRINGER, SHOWN IN THIS PHOTO DURING THE 2018 NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS In 2018, the New Pittsburgh Courier proudly made Cecile Springer its legacy honoree at its “Women of Excellence” awards luncheon. But not only was she a “Woman of Excellence,” Springer’s daughter, Christina Springer, told the Courier that her mother was, a “woman of action.” There was nothing that Cecile Springer set her mind out to do that she didn’t accomplish. “She had a plan, she had a mission, she had strong core beliefs and she
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Announces Run for Governor of Georgia
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced her intention to run for governor of Georgia during an appearance at this year’s Leading Women Defined Summit. Bottoms, Atlanta's 60th mayor is a graduate of Douglas High School, FAMU, and Georgia State University, served as a senior advisor to President Joe Biden and resigned the position, beating Donald Trump to the punch, who would go on to falsely claim that he fired her when he took office. “A day late and a dollar short,” Bottoms wrote on social media.
Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. Carries the Torch of Revolution from Legacy to Living Movement
Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. opens up about his father’s legacy, his own revolutionary work, and how the Black Panther Cubs continue the movement today (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback). “I’ve often said I’m a revolutionary living in reactionary times; much of my work involved being on what we call a political pivot—always adapting to the unexpected while staying focused on the mission. It’s a daily grind. But this is what movement work looks like. We stay ready.” Inside the Hampton House On a brisk afternoon, Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., Leader of
One Detroit Credit Union Taps Stephanie Peoples as COO to Deepen Community Wealth and Advance Economic Justice
Detroit’s east side once ran on trust. Folks leaned on each other before any bank would give them a second look. That kind of community-first mindset is what built One Detroit Credit Union. Ninety years later, that foundation still matters. And now, with new leadership in place, the credit union is aligning its next chapter with the same principles that started it. Stephanie Peoples has been named Chief Operating Officer of One Detroit Credit Union. She brings more than 20 years of experience in financial services and a
Boys & Girls Club renames Highland Park location after ‘Michigan Chronicle’ Publisher Hiram E. Jackson
Photos by Monica Morgan As a teenager attending Detroit Country Day School, Hiram E. Jackson once got into a fight after another student disparagingly said to him: “You can take them out of Highland Park, but you can’t take the Highland Park out of them.” But on Monday, April 7, 2025 – standing in front of hundreds of friends, family members, mentors, colleagues, elected officials, and other dignitaries at the Boys & Girls Club of Highland Park– Jackson said that hearing that exact phrase today would be a compliment
Kevin Cole South Fulton County High Schools Juried Art Competition at the Southwest Arts Center
Talented high school students from Atlanta Public Schools and the Fulton County School System will participate in the highly coveted Kevin Cole South Fulton High Schools Juried Art Competition on April 17, 2024. The Kevin Cole South Fulton High School Juried Art Competition, founded by Award-winning artist and educator Kevin Cole in collaboration with the Southwest Arts Center is now in its 21st year. The internationally renowned artist has been featured in more than 490 exhibitions and 4000 public, private and corporate collections throughout the United States