By Aldon Thomas Stiles| California Black Media Partners
Two weeks ago, President Joe Biden signed a federal policing accountability executive order based on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 authored by Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA-37). That action supplements other criminal justice reforms affecting Californians that took place this year. Several other criminal justice reforms at the state level went into effect in January.
Here is a rundown highlighting four of those laws, detailing what they do, and recounting what California legislators have said about them.
Senate Bill (SB) 317 allows conduct credits to be earned while an individual who has been deemed mentally incompetent by the court is in a state hospital or other mental health treatment facility awaiting trial.
Authored by State Senator Henry Stern (D-Calabasas), SB 317 was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October of last year and went into effect this past January.
“SB 317 provides pathways to appropriate mental health treatment for defendants charged with misdemeanors,” said Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-California), Chair of the Public Safety Committee.
SB 317 also changes some of the guidelines for trial competency.
“It is important to remember that not all options are available for every defendant, as those are dependent on the situation and mental health status of each defendant,” stated Jones-Sawyer. “This bill is a tailored approach that allows California to use existing tools to help defendants gain competency and avoid a cycle of incarceration.”
Assembly Bill (AB) 124 provides a petition process for an individual to request that an arrest or conviction for nonviolent offenses be vacated — if the booking or crime resulted from the person being a victim of intimate partner violence or sexual violence.
“This bill ensures that survivors of sexual violence are able to receive justice through our legal system, which typically overlooks the context of abuse when determining whether to arrest,” said Jones-Sawyer.
Newsom signed AB 124, which was authored by Sen. Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), in October last year. It took effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
“Incarcerated survivors of trafficking & violence need a 2nd chance at holistic justice,” Kamlager tweeted last year before the bill passed. “We cannot continue to criminalize behavior born of desperation and liberation when our systems don’t benefit those who need it most.”
The law also allows a coercion defense to be used in the case of a serious felony or charge of human trafficking if the defendant is a victim of human trafficking and their offense was a direct result of that.
“Many trafficking survivors are incarcerated for crimes committed to protect themselves from further violence. AB 124 allows for more just outcomes moving forward,” stated Jones-Sawyer.
Senate Bill (SB) 73, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), ends mandatory minimums for nonviolent drug offenses.
The legislation allows a court to suspend a sentence or grant probation for drug offenses such as possession or transportation of opiates or cannabis.
“Mass incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders hasn’t reduced drug use or addiction,” Wiener tweeted after the bill passed last year. “Time for a new approach.”
Gang enhancements are additional prison sentences prescribed to individuals who courts determine are associated with a gang.
Under the previous law enacted in 1988, individuals who are found to be affiliated or associated with a “criminal street gang” could receive gang enhancements for any felony even if it is not connected to gang activity.
“When 92% of gang enhancements are used against BIPOC – that’s a massive systemic problem,” said Kamlager.
Just six months into the year, it is not clear how effective these new laws have been but the push for criminal justice reform continues inside and outside of the California legislature even as more conservative opinions harden against them.
By Lt. Cmdr. Chris Donlon, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Airman Recruit Jayden Avila, a native of San Bernardino, California, serves the U.S. Navy at the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Pensacola, Florida.
As a student at NATTC Avila is serving among sailors and Marines developing the skills needed to be successful naval aviation warfighters.
Students at NATTC are taught the requirements and skills needed to be successful in their new careers.
Avila joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Avila serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
“I joined the Navy because I always wanted a job where I can help people and the Navy is a great place to not only help people, but work toward becoming a fireman later on,” said Avila.
According to Avila, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Bernardino.
“My hometown taught me to always set goals and keep working to achieve them, and to treat people the way you want to be treated,” said Avila. “These lessons have served me well in the Navy so far.”
Naval Air Technical Training Center’s mission is to provide world class professional aviation warriors to the Navy fleet supporting combat readiness anywhere on the globe, while taking good care of our people, families and being good neighbors and stewards in the city of Pensacola and the surrounding region.
NATTC’s leaders and experts develop, deliver and leverage technology to optimize performance of our Navy, Marine Corps and foreign national students. We provide the most up-to-date and relevant training available to our sailors and Marines ensuring Naval aviation’s success.
Serving in the Navy means Avila is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because we represent strength, honor and freedom around the world,” said Avila. “We’ll do anything we can to protect freedom.”
Avila and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“So far, I am most proud of becoming the athletic petty officer at bootcamp and earning my marksman ribbon,” said Avila.
As Avila and other sailors continue to train and perform the mission they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means being able to protect the nation’s freedoms and to protect those who can’t protect themselves,” added Avila.
The Naval Education and Training Command is the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and largest shore command. Through its “Street to Fleet” focus, Naval Education and Training Command recruits civilians and transforms them into skilled warfighters ready to meet the current and future needs of the U.S. Navy.
You ever wonder as a child, “What am I going to do with my life?” No? Well, while most seven-year-olds would only be concerned about what stuffed animals they would bring to bed, I was wondering what song I should sing next. In my room, with the Mariah Carey cassette tape in my hand and a radio player close by, I couldn’t wait until I was able to sing on my imaginary stage, dressed in the most extravagant glittery dress and performing in front of a huge audience. As the years progressed, I grew more envious of the stage, ready to turn my pretending into a reality.
Growing up poor with both parents who had limited knowledge of the English language, I became the primary communicator at a very young age. As my responsibilities grew, so did my needs to express myself outside of being “responsible.” I wanted a way to express my inner child. I didn’t always want to be the straight “A” student. I also wanted to be more vocal with my singing and acting. I was shy, so singing was a productive way of expressing my internal feelings.
As time passed, my passion for singing became a passion for theater. I remember the elaborate Irish quilts I wore for Brigadoon and the corsets I had on for Romeo and Juliet. Now as an adult, I’m currently in film and television production for my work at Fayetteville Public Television and an actor for Actors Casting Agency. I’m working on my own televised series, Underground, and other sponsored projects in which I am writing, producing, directing, and editing; such a joy to get paid to do what I’m passionate for. So crazy, right? I am so humbled to even be given the opportunity to do such a thing.
So far, I’ve been featured on different broadcasting outlets including podcasts, radio, film, printed articles and various television series & films. My fondest memory is to sit right behind Anna Camp in a movie she filmed here in Arkansas! I admire her so much!
Seeing as I have been on movie sets, both in front and behind the camera lens, I have seen the “ins and outs” of different aspects. Some of which I feel like could inspire and change the way we look at TV and Film. As a producer for different TV series, I’ve had the opportunity to showcase and diversify. I love valuing talent and sometimes I’ll intentionally cast and hire, not only talented individuals, but people who are diverse. I hope to normalize what the “new normal” should look like. Lets face it, not everyone can look like all the famous tanned celebrities out there. So, why not? Why now cast people who otherwise don’t normally get cast. Those of us with unique qualities.
Call me an idealist, but I love turning on the tv and seeing someone like myself being represented. I didn’t have a toy that looked like me. I didn’t have very many characters who looked like me and now that I have the opportunity to write and create television & movies, you better believe that I’ll be using this to my advantage.
This year has been great! I’ve had articles published about my progress and that was a shock. I was on a few podcasts and that was wild too. I’ve produced multiple projects and stepped on set with a few big names, as you can imagine… I’m pretty much pinching myself about this. A shy little girl? No more. The adult version of me wants to prove to her that she can literally be anyone she wants to be. Just create it. Another question “Should I assist in creating diversifying film & tv?” The answer is, there’s nothing that can hold me back.
Although many blessings have come from being a filmmaker, actor and singer, it wasn’t always easy. As much of success that came from that, there also seems to be the reciprocated level of unfortunate events. I remember walking to work in customer service with my uniform in my backpack with the soles of my shoes torn up, avoiding rain puddles left from the night before. I had to walk because my car was at the shop. I was defeated but I kept walking.
Earlier that month a local radio DJ friend asked me to sing at a showcase he was hosting and at this point I needed to sing my soul out because reality was harsh. I needed that sense of soul searching that only singing could provide for me. Fortunately, while my car was in the shop, I managed to rent a room with a coworker. She had no idea that months before I was homeless and living in my car while having three jobs.
I hid it well. Working at a local gym, I worked out in the morning and showered there. Next I would walk over to the reception job during the week and on the weekend I weeded a rich ladies garden. Life was tough but I knew I would get through this. Singing helped. Singing kept my mind occupied as my reality set in. My hair was falling out in clumps and I was hemorrhaging for months. The nurse practitioner that took care of me said that all tests were good, later I found out that it was the stress from living in my car and having three jobs was the cause.
Needless to say, the love from the performing arts is what really saved me. It gave me purpose.
My work for Fayetteville Public Television as the social media coordinator, producing & directing. Over the last few years, I’ve had to put on many hats. My favorite new endeavor is writing scripts and television series episodes. I have always been conducting interview questions but I never had the courage to create scripts of my own.
I am locally known for my work as an actor and filmmaker but I would like to emphasize on acting and production. I know this is going to be a difficult challenge but I think that will be something to try my hand at.
Currently, I am working on the televised series Interform & NWA Fashion Week, Underground, The Lonely Echos Saga (featured on Plex, Tubi & other streaming services) and The Summer Concert Series.
Working during covid has been hard, Producing content was difficult during covid, guests and talent weren’t able to come to the television station for recordings. So, we did interviews through zoom and then we had to edit accordingly.
The aesthetics were not as visually appealing and marketing for these segments was difficult but now we’re in full swing.
Throughout Bible history, God has repeatedly provided man with more than “ample warning” of His impending judgments. His purpose for warning man is to motivate him to repent and come back to Him [Luke 15; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 8; Revelation 9]. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Repent while it is still daybreak.
You see, prior to Jeremiah, God had sent Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, and Nahum to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. He had also sent Jonah to the empire of Assyria. All of them warned of tragedy and disaster if the people did not turn to God. Such warnings reach all the way back to Moses, who recorded the “Blessings and Curses” of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, detailing what God will do to a people who reject Him.
Christ, through Noah, preached God’s Word to the people living in Noah’s day warning them of certain judgment through the impending flood [Genesis 6:13; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:18-20]. They did not listen. They did not repent and heed God’s warning and perished in the flood. Only eight souls heeded God’s “ample warning” and were saved [Genesis 7:7; 1 Peter 3:20]. Genesis 3:6 says, God’s claim on mankind is illustrated by His dealing with Adam and Eve and their response. I tell you, the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Note the example given of disobedient Israel by the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 3:5-19. The disobedient did not “enter into his rest” [Numbers 14:29-30; Hebrews 3:18] because they didn’t repent and heed God’s warning through the testimony of Moses [Hebrews 3:5].
You’ve been warned over and over again to repent. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Jesus spoke about a world-wide tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” [Matthew24:21]. The warnings given before the judgment are about to come true. Take heed.
As the Prophet Hosea warned in [Hosea 13:15-16] “An east wind from the LORD will come, blowing in from the desert. The people of Samaria must bear their guilt because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open.” The warning signs were there, but Israel refused to heed the warnings of God.
Heed the warnings of God. Be humble, be teachable, and be wise. You’ve been warned over and over again to repent before it is too late! Repent while it is still daybreak!
Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. “They offer human sacrifices! They kiss calf-idols!” Therefore, they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.
“Because I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me. So, I will be like a lion to them, like a leopard I will lurk by the path. Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and rip them open; like a lion I will devour them— a wild animal will tear them apart. You are destroyed, because you are against me, against your helper. I will have no compassion. An east wind from the Lord will come, blowing in from the desert; The people of Samaria must bear their guilt, because they have rebelled against their God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to the ground, their pregnant women ripped open.” [Hosea 13:1-16 – Excerpts taken].
I Tell You, the Way of a Fool is Right in His Own Eyes, But A Wise Man Listens to Advice!
Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom released his May Revise of the state budget. Included in the whopping $300.6 billion budget proposal are generous allocations to fund initiatives in health, higher education, public safety, and other areas.
However, California-based domestic and sexual violence prevention organizations say they are “disappointed” that Newsom did not honor their request for $40.5 million in funding for domestic and sexual violence prevention.
Now, as the Governor’s office and Legislature hammer out details of the final budget, The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (The Partnership) sent out a press release critical of Newsom’s budget plan.
“Domestic and sexual violence are not inevitable and can be prevented with long-term initiatives that educate and equip Californians to change unacceptable social norms and systems that perpetuate violence,” The Partnership’s statement read.
The domestic violence advocates say their plan includes $15 million that would go towards ongoing funding for prevention programs and an additional $25.5 million for “under-resourced and over-represented communities to support culturally specific responses, innovations, and holistic approaches to end violence for future generations.”
The advocates are now calling on leadership and members of the Legislature to ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing sexual violence and domestic violence is included in the final budget that will be released June 15.
Eric Morrison-Smith, Executive Director of the ‘Alliance for Boys and Men of Color,’ is part of a network of organizations coming together to fight for funding to keep preventative programming initiatives alive.
“Everyone deserves healthy and safe relationships and that builds healthy and safe communities,” said Morison-Smith. “We believe it is necessary to move towards restorative justice, community-based healing and accountability when it comes to cases of sexual and domestic violence. Funding organizations that represent the communities these individuals come from helps end the cycle of abuse that often stems from what they’ve seen hat home into their adult lives.”
A recent study conducted by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that over one million Californians have committed either physical or sexual violence (or both) against an intimate partner within the last year. CDC data also shows that more than 1 in every 20 California adults are victims of these violent acts perpetrated by an intimate partner each year.
According to The Partnership, 55 new prevention initiatives have been created in California this year and existing funding has fueled their progress in aiding communities.
Carolyn Russell, Executive Director of ‘A Safe Place’ in Oakland, heads an organization that would benefit from the funding The Partnership and other advocates are proposing.
Russell says ‘A Safe Place’ works with teenaged youth to “understand, overcome and prevent” intimate partner abuse among their peer group.
“Through our mental health program, we provide therapy for teens,” she said. “We recognize that outreach is great, but until you see intervention with direct services, you’re missing the mark with teens. We’re trying to re-educate youth and provide Cognitive Behavior Therapy to reshape their behaviors. This funding is crucial to educate potential perpetrators to unlearn behaviors that lead to this type of violence.”
The Partnership is also highlighting that the cost of sexual violence to the state of California far outweighs the amount of funding they are asking for to help prevent it.
Sexual violence costs California $140 billion annually, and the running tally of the economic burden of domestic violence is nearly $400 billion, according to The American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
The Legislature has until June 15 to propose amendments to the budget and vote on its approval.
“Prevention programs establish new belief systems and behaviors that promote emotional healing and mental well-being. Without ongoing funding to galvanize communities to offer healthy and safe alternatives, cycles of violence will persist throughout the state,” The Partnership emphasized in its reaction to the state budget.
Judge Trina L. Thompson of the Superior Court of Alameda County, who is African American, was confirmed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
The United States Senate voted 51-44 to confirm Thompson, who President Biden nominated.
Appointed under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, federal district court judges serve lifetime appointments upon good behavior.
“All of us in the Northern District are grateful and excited to have Judge Thompson join us,” said Chief Judge Richard Seeborg of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
“She brings a wealth of experience as a highly regarded trial judge, which will be most welcome on our very busy Court,” he said.
Since taking office, the Biden Administration has made it a priority to diversify federal courts.
“Our current federal bench is not representative of the diversity of our democracy,” said U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) in remarks on the floor last week. “We have a lot of work to do to rebuild a judiciary that deserves the faith of the American people.”
More than 70% of President Biden’s 92 district and appellate court picks have been women, and a vast majority have been people of color.
Prior to her appointment, Judge Thompson served as a juvenile court commissioner, a criminal defense attorney in private practice for nearly a decade, and as an assistant public defender as well. Thompson holds the distinction of being the first African American woman elected to the Superior Court of Alameda County.
In addition to her work on the bench, she serves as a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she received her bachelor’s degree in 1983, and her juris doctor from the university’s School of Law in 1986.
Thompson has contributed to educating the public and her peers about equity and equal rights under the law. Her work contrasted the tenets of American law with the history and contemporary realities of discrimination when she participated in the ‘Continuing the Dialogue’ series for the Center for Judicial Education and Research Division (CJER) of the Judicial Council of California. She discussed the history of housing discrimination in California effected through illegal racial covenants, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. She has also presented a CJER lecture on wrongful convictions and the learnings judicial officers can adapt to prevent them.
Thompson is a member of the Association of African American California Judicial Officers, Inc., (AAACJO). The organization was established in 2017 to address the professional interests of Black state and federal judicial officers presiding in the California. The membership includes Superior Court Judges and Commissioners, Appellate Court Justices, Administrative Law Judges and State Bar Court Judges.
“Given her body of work and her dedication to the community, it is clear Judge Thompson will be an invaluable asset in her new role as District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California,” the AAACJO said in a statement congratulating Thompson.
A multimillion-dollar scholarship program focused on tackling the under-representation of African American students in physics and astronomy over the next five years has been unveiled.
The TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Program will provide financial assistance to those students to help them achieve their bachelor’s degrees.
These awards of up to $10,000 per student per school year aim to reduce the financial barriers preventing many Black students from completing their undergraduate degree programs in physics and astronomy.
Students of North Carolina Central University wait in a long line during a countywide clinch in the Board of Elections’ computer system on November 8, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina.(Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)
TEAM-UP Together is a collective impact initiative led by the American Institute of Physics (AIP), American Association of Physics Teachers, American Astronomical Society, American Physical Society, and Society of Physics Students to support the scientific community to take the next bold step in doubling the number of African American students earning physics and astronomy bachelor’s degrees annually by 2030. To learn more, check out teamuptogether.org.
Michael Moloney, CEO of AIP, said: “The American Institute of Physics is partnering with the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Astronomical Society, the American Physical Society, and the Society of Physics Students to build a program of support for undergraduate physics and astronomy students and departments as part of realizing the TEAM-UP goal of doubling the number of African American bachelor’s degree graduates in these fields by 2030.”
The scholarship initiative will help Black students in need with expenses that assist the students in continuing or completing their undergraduate education. The money could be used for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an educational institution, or for fees, books, equipment, or other related expenses required for courses or internships.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology undergrad Gary Atkins marches with other students and activists during a rally supporting affirmative action held at the MIT student center March 18, 2003 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Photo by Douglas McFadd/Getty Images)
“This scholarship program provides a real opportunity to support African American students in completing their degrees by easing the stresses that many have as a result of financial challenges,” said Arlene Modeste Knowles, TEAM-UP Together project manager. “It will hopefully create some mental space for them to engage more fully and thrive in their educational programs.”
During the first year of the scholarship program, students must be attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities or Predominantly Black Institutions to be eligible for the scholarship, but over time, these awards will be expanded to African American students at all institutions across the United States. The scholarships will be administered by AIP’s Society of Physics Students, on behalf of the TEAM-UP Together partner societies.
Students must complete their scholarship application by Nov. 15, 2022. Full details on what is required for application, the criteria for selection, and other information can be found at https://www.teamuptogether.org.
The percentage of African Americans earning degrees in physics and astronomy has been persistently low for more than two decades. According to a survey from AIP’s Statistical Research Center, just 3 percent of physics bachelor’s degrees were earned by African Americans for the class of 2018.
For comparison, African Americans earned 10 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded for the 2017-18 school year. Personal support, including financial support, was one of the five factors identified in the TEAM-UP study as contributing to the persistence of underrepresentation.
Some of the 11 students of the first, and last, graduating class of Livingston High School attend their commencement June 3, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“With the completion of the two-year TEAM-UP study released in 2020, we understand better the factors that have led to the persistent and egregious underrepresentation of African Americans in these fields,” Moloney said.
“We are compelled as a community to take action. Our partners at the Simons Foundation and Simons Foundation International have fueled the effort with a $12.5 million grant, enabling the launch of these transformational initiatives that will drive systemic change and affect students’ lived experiences.”
In addition to student scholarships, TEAM-UP Together will soon offer grants to undergraduate physics and astronomy departments committed to implementing the TEAM-UP report recommendations at their institutions.
Deontay Wilder is known as “The Bronze Bomber” for winning a bronze medal in 2008 Olympics.
And now he’s been immortalized in bronze.
Last month, Wilder was honored as a black man with a 7-foot tall statue “right down the street from where they used to sell slaves,” he says.
A former heavyweight champion born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Wilder unveiled his bronze statue on May 25 during a confetti-festooned ceremony before hundreds of fans outside the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports building.
The 6-foot-7 Wilder kissed the 7-foot, 830-pound statue resembling the hammer-fisted fighter with its chiseled upper torso and sinewy arms.
“God has truly blessed me. It’s amazing and the perfect timing for me to be immortalized with a bronze statue that looks just like me,” said Wilder. “I’m a black man living in the heart of Dixie, and my likeness is positioned in a place right down the street from where they used to sell slaves back in the day.”
Deontay Wilder (right) scored a 10th-round knockout over previously unbeaten Cuban southpaw Luis Ortiz (left) in March 2018 and came from behind to win their November 2019 rematch by seventh-round knockout. (Premier Boxing Champions)
The symbolism is not lost on Wilder, whose honor came a year to the day from the Memorial Day murder of George Floyd. Floyd was suffocated to death on May 25, 2020, by white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who in June 2021 was convicted of murder for kneeling on the Houston native’s neck for nearly 10 minutes.
Wilder was lionized nearly two years after the removal on June 2, 2020, of the 115-year-old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument from Linn Park. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin did so following a week of post-Floyd unrest among citizens of the majority-black city located an hour from Tuscaloosa.
“There are some of the confederate statues being taken down nearby, but there are still certain areas where historical memorials still are standing as representations of racism from the times of slavery and segregation,” said Wilder, a 36-year-old father of five girls and three boys between the ages of 4 and 17.
“For all the sacrifices I’ve made and the time I’ve put into my career and into the community, what a miracle for a black man who is still alive, young, handsome, wealthy and happy to be recognized in public by the local citizens. … I’m continuing to make history.”
“The Bronze Bomber” with the statue of him. (Courtesy of Deontay Wilder)
“The Bronze Bomber’s” career is one of overcoming injuries given his relatively late start in the sport as well as being mostly out-weighed and undersized.
Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs) is 10-2-1 (9 KOs) in title fights and 9-0-1 (9 KOs) in ten consecutive defenses. The ten defenses tie Wilder with Muhammad Ali for fifth all-time among heavyweights.
Wilder had recorded seven straight knockouts before going 0-2-1 in his past three fights with the 6-foot-9 Tyson Fury, twice being knocked out and dethroned as WBC champion.
Fury was twice floored by Wilder during their draw in December 2018 before winning by seventh- and 11th-round stoppages in February 2020 and October 2021.
A comeback is not out of the question for Wilder if it means a fourth bout with Fury or challenging undefeated two-division title winner Oleksandr Usyk, who dominated and dethroned IBF/WBA/WBO champion Anthony Joshua in September.
“I’m considering the resumption of my career if any man out there has the courage to fight me. On the other hand, I’ve worked hard to have the lifestyle I have and the free time to spend with my family,” Wilder said.
“I had a vision from early in my career and was able to establish a foundation, doing the right things to be in the position that I’m in. I’ve got the love of my family and the love of the people in my community.”
Wilder claims to have been “prophesied” to dethrone Bermane Stiverne as WBC champion by unanimous decision on January 17, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, doing so on the 73rd birthday of the late Muhammad Ali and two days after that of Martin Luther King’s on January 15.
A fuller view of former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (far left) with his family on May 25 for the unveiling of his 7-foot, 830-pound replica statue on the campus of the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports building. (Courtesy of Deontay Wilder)
Wilder became America’s first heavyweight titleholder since Shannon Briggs in 2007, fulfilling a vow made to his daughter, Naieya, who was born on March 20, 2005 with the congenital disorder, spina bifida, and told she might never walk.
Wilder said his grandmother, Evelyn Loggins, a minister, repeatedly told him as a child he was “special, anointed and ordained” before her death in 2010 at the age of 76.
A 19-year-old Wilder dropped out of Shelton State Community College to support Naieya, taking one job driving a truck and another at a restaurant. Wilder turned to boxing at a friend’s urging and won an Olympic bronze medal in 2008.
In October 2012, Wilder spent his 27th birthday as the primary sparring partner for Wladimir Klitschko before the then-unified heavyweight champion’s unanimous decision win over Mariusz Wach that November.
Wilder had been invited to Klitschko’s camp by trainer Emanuel Steward, who named Wilder as Klitschko’s successor, calling him “The No. 1 best American prospect for winning the heavyweight title.”
Steward was 68 when he died of cancer on Oct. 25, 2012, three days after Wilder’s birthday.
“I became the world champion just like Emanuel Steward said,” Wilder said. “I am anointed like my grandmother said.”
Wilder is the second-most popular sports figure in his hometown behind the 18-time national champion University of Alabama football team, having fought nine times in his home state, with four of those battles being sold-out title defenses.
Wilder financially supports the Skyy South recreation and boxing facility, which is free for kids in Coffeeville, Ala..
“Deontay’s local influence is so powerful. Deontay’s inspired people across the board, whether you’re black, white, Hispanic or Asian,” said Wilder’s career-long manager and trainer Jay Deas.
“Joe Louis, Evander Holyfield, Earnie Shavers, Frankie Randall and Tracy Harris Patterson were all Alabama-born fighters, but Deontay is really the first fighter born locally and to accomplish everything while staying home.”
Wilder was at the White House in May 2018 when then-President Donald Trump posthumously pardoned Jack Johnson, America’s first black heavyweight champion. The pardon came nearly 100 years after Johnson was convicted of violating the Mann Act in 1913 for transporting a white woman across state lines “for immoral purposes.”
Johnson endured racial epithets and death threats while dominating white opponents and living an opulent lifestyle outside the ring. Johnson served nearly a year in and was 68 when he died in a car crash in North Carolina in 1946.
“Jack Johnson certainly had it a lot worse than I, but as a black athlete like Johnson, I want to inspire as a positive role model and motivator,” said Wilder. “It’s my mission to be a hero to my people. That was the mission of people like Muhammad Ali and some of our greatest black innovators and inventors.”
Wilder has had several injuries to his arms and fists throughout his career dating back to a 90-second TKO of Travis Allen in his seventh professional fight in August 2009, yet has knocked down or stopped every man he has faced as a professional.
Deontay Wilder (left) dropped Bermane Stiverne (right) three times in a first-round knockout victory to retain his WBC heavyweight title in their November 2017 rematch. Wilder dethroned Stiverne by unanimous decision in January 2015. (Premier Boxing Champions)
“The Bronze Bomber” required surgery and therapy after suffering a torn left biceps during his initial loss to Fury and underwent a 90-minute surgery nine days after the fight to repair the hand’s metacarpal bone after breaking it in the fourth round even as he twice dropped Fury in that round.
“I’ve always said that my No. 1 goal was to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, but if I return to boxing, it has to be really worth my while, and it’ll be because I want to and not because I have to,” Wilder said.
“Over 90 percent of retired fighters don’t have their faculties or anything to show for their careers after the game is over, but I’ve invested wisely, so I’m blessed to be able to say that I don’t have to ever get into the ring again for the rest of my life. I’ll return to the ring if the money is right.”
United Aviate Academy’s first class of students is 80% women or people of color, outpacing the airline’s goal to train about 5,000 new pilots at the school by 2030 with at least half being women or people of color
Unprecedented training commitment will dramatically expand access to lucrative and rewarding careers while upholding United’s world-class safety and training standards
United CEO Scott Kirby, United President Brett Hart, and other officials on hand at Phoenix Goodyear Airport to officially open new school and welcome students
GOODYEAR, Arizona, Jan. 27, 2022 – United, the only major U.S. airline to own a flight training school, officially opened United Aviate Academy today and welcomed a historic inaugural class of future pilots, 80% of whom are women or people of color. United Aviate Academy is a key part of the airline’s goal to train about 5,000 new pilots at the school by 2030, with at least half women or people of color. This unprecedented training commitment will dramatically expand access to this lucrative and rewarding career while upholding United’s world-class safety standards.
Last summer, United unveiled its ambitious United Next strategy to revolutionize the United flying experience and introduce more than 500 new, narrow-body aircraft into its fleet to match the anticipated resurgence in air travel. United plans to hire at least 10,000 new pilots by 2030 to meet this need with about 5,000 of those coming from United Aviate Academy.
United Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby and United President Brett Hart were joined today by Federal Aviation Administration Deputy Administrator Brad Mims and other government officials at the Phoenix Goodyear Airport to welcome the new students. The group also outlined United’s plan to help break down some of the barriers to entry through targeted recruiting, strategic partnerships and scholarship and financial aid solutions.
“Our pilots are the best in the industry and have set a high standard of excellence,” said Kirby. “Recruiting and training even more people who have that same level of talent, motivation and skill is the right thing to do and will make us an even better airline. I couldn’t be prouder of this first group of students and look forward to meeting the thousands of talented individuals who will pass through these doors in the years to come.”
Unfortunately, for many people becoming a pilot seems not only out of reach financially, but completely unimaginable. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 5.6% of pilots are women and 6% are people of color. Earning a commercial pilot’s license in the U.S. can cost about $100,000 and becoming an Airline Transport Pilot requires 1,500 hours of flight time, which requires a significant commitment.
United and JPMorgan Chase & Co. have renewed last year’s commitment to fund nearly $2.4 million in scholarships for future aviators attending United Aviate Academy. The airline also directly works with the following organizations to educate prospects about the benefits of becoming a pilot and to find candidates for scholarship opportunities:
Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals
Sisters of the Skies
The Latino Pilots Association
The Professional Asian Pilots Association
United currently has about 12,000 pilots, and Captains of United’s Boeing 787s and 777s can earn more than $350,000 per year. In addition, United pilots receive one of the highest 401(k) matches in the nation – 16% of base pay.
United Aviate Academy expects to train at least 500 students annually as one part of United recruiting as the carrier works toward hiring at least 10,000 pilots by 2030. Aviation consulting firm Oliver Wyman estimates a worldwide pilot shortage of 34,000 aviators by 2025.
United Aviate Academy’s first class is undergoing a year-long training program that sets them up for a career that reflects United’s high standard of professionalism and deep commitment to delivering a safe, caring, dependable and efficient travel experience. After completing their training at the academy, students can build flight and leadership experience while working within the Aviate pilot development ecosystem at partner universities, professional flight training organizations and United Express carriers on their way to becoming United pilots.
“As a United pilot for more than 32 years, it’s exciting to see these new students earning their wings and beginning their aviation careers, and I’m looking forward to them joining me on the flight deck one day,” said United Chief Pilot Mary Ann Schaffer. “We need more pilots and a more diverse pool of young aviators, and United Aviate Academy will help us achieve both goals.”
United worked closely with multiple organizations, cities, and elected officials to help make the academy a reality for aspiring pilots who otherwise may not have pursued a career in aviation. The airline extends its gratitude to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and his office; the Arizona Commerce Authority; the City of Phoenix and Mayor Kate Gallego; and the City of Goodyear and Mayor Joe Pizzillo and the late Mayor Georgia Lord.
United Aviate Academy
The 340,000 square-foot United Aviate Academy facility at Phoenix Goodyear Airport includes world-class features such as:
Leasing a fleet of late-model Cirrus SR-20 series single-engine aircraft, which feature advanced safety characteristics
Nearly 50,000 square feet of office space
Multiple aircraft hangars
Dormitory rooms for student housing with ample room for expansion
Proximity to many auxiliary airfields in the Phoenix area
Favorable weather for year-round flight training
For more information on United Aviate Academy, please visit unitedaviate.com/academy or @unitedaviate on Instagram. United Aviate Academy is also hiring Certified Flight Instructors – you can read more about it here or apply here.
United Next
United is more focused than ever on its commitment to customers and employees. In addition to today’s announcement, United has recently:
Launched an?ambitious plan?to transform the United customer experience by adding and upgrading hundreds of aircraft as well as investing in features like larger overhead bins, seatback entertainment in every seat and the industry’s fastest available Wi-Fi.
Announced a goal to create 25,000 unionized jobs by 2026 that includes careers as pilots, flight attendants, agents, technicians, and dispatchers.
Announced that United will train about 5,000 pilots by 2030 through the United Aviate Academy, with the goal of at least half being women and people of color.
Became the first airline to offer customers the ability to check their destination’s travel requirements, schedule COVID-19 tests and more on its mobile app and website.
Invested in emerging technologies that are designed to decarbonize air travel, like an agreement to work with urban air mobility company Archer, an investment in aircraft startup Heart Aerospace and a purchase agreement with Boom Supersonic.
Committed to going 100% green by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets.
Eliminated change fees for all economy and premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S.
About United
United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” In 2019, United and United Express® carriers operated more than 1.7 million flights carrying more than 162 million customers. United has the most comprehensive route network among North American carriers, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.? For more about how to join the United team, please visit?united.com/careers?and more information about the company is at united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.
ABU DHABI—Tyra Banks today announced her Los-Angeles based premium ice cream brand, SMiZE Cream, is set to open its first international location outside of the United States in Abu Dhabi in the fourth quarter of 2022. This milestone was achieved in collaboration with Access Abu Dhabi, a programme powered by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), designed to engage, enable and empower women and minority-led companies from the United States to fast track their global reach by expanding to the Middle East via Abu Dhabi.
Ms. Banks made the announcement to an audience of business community members, business students and changemakers during the inaugural session of the Access Granted discussion series at Saadiyat Rotana. She was speaking to Eng. Abdulla Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Acting Director General of ADIO, as part of a panel session on her journey and future as an entrepreneur, as well as opportunities for women in business in Abu Dhabi.
H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), the government entity overseeing ADIO’s activities, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Tyra Banks and SMiZE Cream to the Access Abu Dhabi programme and are delighted she has chosen the UAE capital for her first international location. The emirate’s growing opportunities are underscored by enabling regulations and 360-degree support that empower global businesses to use Abu Dhabi as a launchpad for growth. ADIO is committed to supporting entrepreneurs in making their dreams for international expansion come to life.”
Tyra successfully launched SMiZE Cream in 2021 as an ice cream brand that delights customers with its unique product range and eye-popping design, incorporates augmented reality into its packaging and champions mentorship. As SMiZE Cream’s first location outside of the US, Abu Dhabi offers a gateway to new markets that will fast-track the brand’s global expansion. SMiZE Cream is also exploring new distribution channels in the region with airlines and theme parks.
Ms. Banks said: “It’s exciting to see the SMiZE Cream dream come to life in Abu Dhabi. SMiZE is about reaching for dreams, and Abu Dhabi is the perfect location to showcase this message as a city built on inspiration and innovation.”
She added, “The cherry on top has been achieving this life-long goal in collaboration with an organisation founded by another African American woman who specifically champions international expansion for entrepreneurs like me. I am grateful to Sarah Omolewu and the Abu Dhabi Investment Offic for the doors they’ve helped open for me to get to this milestone.”
The Access Granted discussion series also featured the Women of Web3 (WoW3), an all-female delegation of leaders in cryptocurrency, blockchain and other Web3 technology who are in Abu Dhabi to explore expansion opportunities as part of Access Abu Dhabi. Panelists Sandy Carter, SVP and Channel Chief at Unstoppable Domains; Olayinka Odeniran, Founder and Chairwoman of Black Women Blockchain Council; Cathy Wu, Director of Investor Relations at Multicoin Capital; Genevieve Bos, Cofounder and Chief Revenue Officer at Poplar; Lisa Mayer, Founder of Boss Beauties; and Janice Taylor, Founder and CEO of EQ Exchange spoke candidly about the challenges, opportunities and future of this space, in which 5% to 7% of all cryptocurrency users are women and just 12% work in blockchain technology.
Access Abu Dhabi is a programme powered by Abu Dhabi government entity ADIO, which recently opened US offices in New York and San Francisco, emphasising its commitment to supporting the expansion of US-based businesses into the Middle East.
The Access Abu Dhabi programme was founded by Sarah Omolewu, an American expatriate who, in just over 10 years living in the UAE, has become a pioneer in entertainment marketing in the Middle East. She now paves the way for others like her to thrive in the region through Access Abu Dhabi, which launched in November 2021 with a mission to support women and minority-led companies seeking expansion to the Middle East via the emirate.
Sarah Omolewu, Managing Partner of Maven Global Access and Founder of Access Abu Dhabi, said: “I first spoke with Tyra about SMiZE Cream nearly a year ago and was immediately captivated by the brand and her vision. The fit with Abu Dhabi was undeniable, so we coordinated several visits for her to the emirate and facilitated introductions with key Abu Dhabi stakeholders. Building bridges between East and West in lockstep with the amazing team at ADIO has been personally rewarding. Tyra’s marketing genius and successes have inspired my work, so collaborating with her to bring this moment to life has truly been an honour.”
Access Abu Dhabi is open to all US businesses. Interested companies can apply to the programme here: www.accessabudhabi.com.
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About Access Abu Dhabi
Access Abu Dhabi was designed to engage, enable and empower companies, particularly women and minority entities, to fast track their global reach with expansion to Abu Dhabi. Maven Global Access Managing Partner Sarah Omolewu founded the initiative to pay it forward to entrepreneurs like her who could benefit from her relationships and experience in the region. Powered by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the programme serves as a conduit for companies entering the capital of UAE’s burgeoning business and innovation ecosystem.
About Maven Global Access
Maven Global Access is an entity under the umbrella of award-winning entertainment marketing firm Maven Marketing & Events that marries its strategic marketing know-how and expertise in dynamic global business markets. Through its marquee programme Access Abu Dhabi, the Maven team is harnessing solid connections and deep knowledge of operations in the region to support women and minority businesses looking to expand beyond U.S. borders. From basic business setup to meetings with potential partners and investors, Maven’s turnkey services provide 360-degree solutions.
About the Abu Dhabi Investment Office
As the central government hub supporting private sector investment in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) fosters opportunities for innovative investors and businesses of all sizes, forging connections with relevant stakeholders from Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem. ADIO provides a comprehensive range of tailored services and incentives to promote, attract, and facilitate investment in Abu Dhabi and help businesses achieve long-term, sustainable success in the market and across the region
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