Author: Mikayla Roberts

MSNBC political analyst and former staffer for Hillary Clinton, Zerlina Maxwell’s new book The End of White Politics: How to Heal our Political Divide challenge the narratives of “traditional politics” and explores our future political climate. What We Know: Maxwell released her latest book on July 7, not knowing what the state of politics or society would be. She includes a thought-provoking perspective on the use of white privilege in the Democratic primary election and the emphasis on White voters in political campaigns – amongst other topics. In an exclusive interview with The Grio, Maxwell shared, “I had no idea…

This Friday, Jacob Blake attended his first court appearance since he was shot seven times in the back by Kenosha police officer Rustin Sheskey. What We Know: Blake pleaded not guilty to a previous allegation of felony third-degree sexual assault as well as new allegations of misdemeanor criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. Blake waived his right to a preliminary hearing and stated that he understood the charges being made against him. A $10,000 signature bond was approved by the judge in addition to the $500 cash that has been set for bail. Blake can only leave Wisconsin for medical treatment under the agreement.  Blake attended court via video conference from his hospital bed, to which he is cuffed by…

In January of 2019, 62-year-old Jackson, Mississippi resident, George Robinson, was beaten to death by three police officers and, on August 5, 2020, the officers were indicted for second-degree murder. What We Know: On January 13, 2019, a K-9 unit was in search of the men suspected to be connected to the murder of a local pastor when they came by George Robinson sitting in his white Chevy Impala outside of his Washington Addition home, of which he was a long-time resident. According to the police report, one of the three officers noticed a “hand to hand transaction” and, once…

The Department of Education in New York City released its plans for the 2020-21 academic school year and it does not include sports. What We Know: The Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL), which coordinates interscholastic competition for all New York City Public High Schools, announced August 6th that fall sports will have an indefinite delay to their seasons. In a letter sent to parents and students, the PSAL relayed, “We recognize the importance of sports to our scholar-athletes along with the PSAL community and are working diligently to provide athletics in accordance with all health and safety policies. While we are…

On Thursday, a Stockbridge businessman was arraigned on federal charges for hoarding and price gauging N95 masks during a global pandemic. What We Know: Milton Ayimadu, also known as Don Milton, 22, was arraigned on federal charges of hoarding and price gouging in violation of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA). According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Georgia, Ayimadu was charged by a criminal information. No official court records have been found regarding his case. In the press release, U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak claims “Ayimadu allegedly saw the…

Former OMG Girlz singer, Zonnique Pullins, is pregnant – for real this time! What we Know: Zonnique Pullins and boyfriend Bandhunta Izzy, legally known as Israel James, are expecting their first child, and, according to Zonnique, it’s a girl! The two started dating after a mutual connection linked them, and they hit it off via Instagram. The 24-year-old made quite the announcement following weeks of ongoing speculation in her Instagram comments. On her newest show, The Mix, on which she is one of the hosts, Zonnique surprised her step-father, rapper T.I., with the news that she is expecting. T.I., not…

The United States’ State Department has officially lifted the travel ban, however, Americans still can not travel globally due to other restrictions. What we Know: The U.S. State Department implemented a Level 4: Do Not Travel global advisory on March 19 and, as of Friday, it has officially been lifted. Although there are some destinations still on a Level 4 advisory, the  State Department announced in a press release that they would be returning to their previous system of “country-specific levels of travel advice,” with most countries being downgraded to a Level 3: Reconsider Travel status. Stating their intention to…

A Texas teenager faces capital murder charges however, her parents say she is the victim, not the suspect. What we Know: Zephaniah “Zephi” Trevino, a junior from Grand Prairie High School, has been in custody for a year at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center without bond. She and two other men, Phillip Baldenegro (19) and Jesse Martinez (20), are charged with capital murder and face 40 years for a May 2019 robbery resulting in one injury and one murder. Each is awaiting trial. According to his attorney, Baldenegro was released from jail on a reduced bond this past Tuesday.…

The Republican party’s interest in Kanye West has been confirmed as more than idle intrigue. What We Know: Typically political candidates have partisan legal operatives that are made available to them in their campaign endeavors; that is not exactly the case for Kanye’s “Birthday Party” under which he is “walking” for president. GOP affiliated lawyers & strategists have been helping Kanye file paperwork in key states such as Wisconsin, a critical swing state. According to the Los Angeles Times, Kanye’s qualifying paperwork for Wisconsin was dropped off by Lane Ruhland, an attorney representing the Trump campaign in a lawsuit. Ruhland has…

Disney’s live-action division is running point on its newest Broadway musical project: Once On This Island. What we Know: Entertainment Weekly confirmed Thursday that Disney has acquired the rights to the famous Broadway musical Once On This Island. The live-action film adaptation of the musical will be streamed on Disney+. This is coming after the success of the filmed stage musical Hamilton. The story, set in the French Antilles, follows a Black peasant girl, Ti Moune, who falls in love with a fair-skinned aristocrat. Throughout her life, the gods – Asaka of the earth, Agwé of the water, Erzulie of…