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Emmett Till 71 Years Later: Fighting On

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Emmett Till 71 Years Later: Fighting On

Seventy-one years ago, 14-year-old Emmett Till was kidnapped, brutally tortured, shot and thrown into the Tallahatchie River by two white men who walked free. As the 71st Emmett Till Anniversary Commemoration Weekend kicks off in Mississippi, his legacy continues to confront the undeniable reality that systemic injustice persists in America.

“The lynchings and racial violence occurring today demonstrate that white supremacy and systemic injustice continue to influence our communities and contribute to a deeply divided social climate,” said Priscilla Williams-Till, founder of the Emmett Till Justice for Families Foundation and Till’s cousin, according to the Chicago Crusader. Williams-Till has been investigating lynching cases since 2003.

Generations have passed since 1955, but the horror hasn’t stopped. It’s only evolved. Black families are still burying sons found hanging from trees, including Tory Medley and Trey Reed, while police labeled their deaths suicides.

In South Carolina, the cycle hits even younger. Daryl Martinez Lowry, 13, was stabbed and held underwater until he died. A white 17-year-old has been charged with his murder.

Judge Greg Mathis drew a direct line between the suspicious death of Nolan Wells and Till’s case, as The Root previously reported. New autopsy findings uncovered unexplained body discoloration that raised serious concerns.

“The forensic autopsy showed what they called discoloration. No, I call them bruises, in the back of the head, appearing that someone has had their hand pressed at the back of Nolan’s head. That’s concerning to me,” Judge Mathis said in a July 28 interview with The Art of Dialogue.

“And quite frankly this is Mississippi, where in 1955 Emmett Till was killed for so-called whistling at a white woman,” Mathis added. “And now we’re hearing Nolan Wells stayed back to be with a white woman and he turns up dead with bruises behind his neck. It’s Emmett Till all over.”

That history is precisely why civil rights advocates insist the fight to honor Till’s memory continues.

The Emmett Till Legacy Foundation invited people to join “a 3-day weekend of remembrance, reflection, and empowerment as they honor Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley’s undeniable legacy” during the 71st Anniversary Commemoration Weekend beginning August 28.

“Let’s come together to commemorate this important anniversary and stand in solidarity with other families and leaders to continue the fight for our rights, the truth, justice and accountability,” the foundation said.

Weekend events in Jackson include a “TILL” movie screening, a candlelight vigil, the Departure Till Trail of Tears and Terror Bus Tour, and a worship service at Farish Street Baptist Church where attendees are encouraged to wear white.

“As we remember both Emmett and his mother, we’ll unite and commit to honor the past, vote, prepare the next generation for the future, stand in solidarity and vow to never forget,” the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation added.

Chicago: Mrs. Mamie Bradley, mother of Emmett Till, 14, who was found slain in Mississippi where he was on vacation, is near hysteria as she attends funeral services here. Till was found with bullet through head after two white men had kidnapped him. (Photo: Getty Images)

While official 71st anniversary weekend events take place in Mississippi, the remembrance bridges directly back to Till’s hometown of Chicago. Local community members frequently mark the August 28 anniversary with tributes at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Bronzeville, where Mamie Till-Mobley held her son’s historic open-casket funeral.

A new exhibition at Columbia College Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Photography will showcase 116 works from the museum’s permanent collection titled “If Emmett Till Lived: Freedom on American Ground.” It opens September 10 and runs through December 19, 2026.


★TR★

Drake as Iron Man: New Music Video Shoot

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Drake as Iron Man: New Music Video Shoot

Drake just went from Iceman to Iron Man, rocking Tony Stark’s signature armor in Toronto while filming what appears to be an upcoming music video.

Drizzy was spotted roaming the Canadian National Exhibition in the iconic red-and-gold Marvel hero armor, greeting fans and looking ready to drop bars or blast somebody with a repulsor beam.

He wasn’t flying solo either. Another person decked out in a silver Iron Man-style suit was right there with him.

The armored appearance has fans convinced Drake was filming a music video, with some speculating it’s for his Popcaan collab “Amazing Shape,” though there’s been no official word.

Whatever he’s planning, Drake seems intent on keeping fans guessing. Champagne Papi has recently been teasing something called “Fear of Missing Out,” even posting a CD jewel case with the phrase alongside a movie camera emoji.

He’s already dropped three albums this year, and there’s no telling what else might be on the horizon.

For now, he’s bringing some heavy metal to the rollout.


★★★

Lincoln Memorial: Why Thousands Returned to Remember

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Lincoln Memorial: Why Thousands Returned to Remember

Six decades after Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the Lincoln Memorial and delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, voting rights became the focus once again. On Friday (Aug. 28), the National Action Network and the Drum Major Institute—led by Martin Luther King III and Andrea Waters King—called for another march at the historic site, bringing together activists, students, parents, grandparents and everyday people who wanted to make their voices heard and stand up for the political power generations before them fought to secure.

The gathering carried particular weight this year. August 28 also marked the 71st anniversary of Emmett Till’s murder, adding another layer to an already emotionally resonant day. For attendees, voting rights weren’t abstract political talking points—they were personal.

Abdul, who drove from New Jersey, was experiencing the Lincoln Memorial for the first time. “This moment feels good,” he told The Root. “This is my first time being here, so it feels good knowing that Martin Luther King was here and they’re speaking about Emmett Till and stuff like that. It gives me more knowledge.”

For others, the march carried family history. Joann Elliott traveled to D.C. from New York with her sister to continue what her parents started. “My parents came to the march in 1963,” she said. “I thought it was important to come down here to represent and defend our right to vote.” She acknowledged the progress made since then, but was equally clear about its fragility. “We’ve made progress, but we’ve been stopped in our progress,” Elliott explained. Her message to others centered on grassroots action: become more involved locally, participate in communities, and encourage young people to vote.

People hold signs with political messages during a “Defend the Vote” rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on August 28, 2026, coinciding with the 63rd anniversary of the 1963 “March on Washington” rally for civil rights. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz / AFP via Getty Images)

Nya Young, a Howard University student from Kansas City, Missouri, understood that organizing and collective action matter more now than ever. “Our ancestors fought so hard to get to this because they know that voting is power,” she said. “They know democracy is power. And that’s something that they don’t get to take away from us.”

The weight of standing in that same physical space where giants had stood before her wasn’t lost on Young. “As a Howard student and as a Black woman in general, we have a responsibility,” she reflected. “Our responsibility is to stand up for our people. Our responsibility is to go out there to march, to make our voices be heard.”

A woman attends a Defend the Vote rally near the Lincoln Memorial
A woman attends a “Defend the Vote” rally near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on August 28, 2026, coinciding with the 63rd anniversary of the 1963 “March on Washington” rally for civil rights. (Photo by Ken Cedeno / AFP via Getty Images)

Not everyone came alone. A man named Black Smoke attended with two people he’d met through TikTok—strangers bound by shared political beliefs and hope for America. “We’re here, and we’re gonna stay here,” he said. “We’re gonna keep coming back, no matter how many times it takes. They are not getting rid of us.”

Aisha Cook, a mother and grandmother, came with a different kind of urgency. She watched too many people grow complacent about voting, convinced their individual vote doesn’t matter. “The more we grow, the more we stay the same,” Cook observed. “We forgot how important our vote is. People just didn’t come out in the last election.”

For Cook, being at the Lincoln Memorial served a purpose beyond the march itself. She wanted her children and grandchildren to see her actively participating in a moment that would be documented in history. “I wanted to make sure that my children and my grandchildren see that I’m not sitting on the sidelines,” she said. “It’s important to be here, and it’s important for them to be here so they can carry on the legacy once I’m not here. Because this fight is going to be a lifetime.”

The collective understanding at the Lincoln Memorial was clear: history isn’t something to simply remember. It’s something each generation bears responsibility for continuing and, when necessary, defending.


★TR★

NBA YoungBoy Assault Video: Ex-GF Brutality Claim

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NBA YoungBoy Assault Video: Ex-GF Brutality Claim

NBA YoungBoy‘s 2018 aggravated assault and kidnapping case is resurfacing this week. A newly circulated video shows the rapper physically attacking his then-girlfriend in a hotel hallway. The footage is graphic enough to draw comparisons to the Diddy and Cassie incident. His legal team, though, is downplaying the significance of the old footage.

The video, posted on social media Thursday night, runs over three minutes and depicts brutal violence that’s difficult to witness.

In the clip, NBA YoungBoy throws the woman to the floor with force, then yanks and drags her across the hallway. She appears terrified, struggling to escape his grip. He rips away her top, and what looks like a facial injury is visible. Despite the altercation, the two walk off down the hallway together.

YoungBoy was indicted on kidnapping and aggravated assault charges stemming from this incident, but he negotiated a plea deal. The felony charges were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to misdemeanor simple battery with a family violence modifier. BlkCosmo had previously obtained footage of the body slam, but this newly surfaced video is clearer and captures significantly more of the violent exchange.

Under the terms of the settlement, YoungBoy avoided jail time. He received 12 months’ probation, a $1,500 fine, and was required to complete anger management classes. He was also ordered to maintain distance from the woman involved.

When reached by BlkCosmo, YoungBoy’s attorney Jimmy Manasseh told the outlet the matter was resolved nearly a decade ago. “It was a misdemeanor, settled long ago,” Manasseh said. “I don’t think it’s a big deal. She requested the charges be dropped. He was on probation in East Baton Rouge and was never revoked because of it.”

The timing of this video’s resurgence comes as high-profile cases involving violence against women are receiving renewed scrutiny across the entertainment industry. While the severity may differ from other recent incidents, the footage speaks for itself.


★★★

Aretha Franklin’s Sons Battle Over Assets

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Aretha Franklin’s Sons Battle Over Assets

DETROIT, MI – 1987: American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) performs in Detroit, MI, 1987. (Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images)

Just when it seemed the legal battles surrounding Aretha Franklin‘s estate had finally settled, another complication has emerged. Five years of court disputes didn’t resolve everything, and now new details explain why her sons’ fight over her assets remains unfinished business.

Back in July 2023, a jury ruled that all four of Franklin’s sons would split her music and copyright income after a heated legal contest over two competing wills. Yet despite that resolution, unaccounted-for items continue to spark tension. According to The Detroit Free Press, Aretha Franklin‘s sons Kecalf Cunningham and Ted White II are now locked in disputes over copyright interests in classics like “Think” and “Dr. Feelgood,” financial arrangements for their eldest brother Clarence, and how to divvy up hundreds of items stored across multiple Detroit-area facilities.

The storage units contain some genuinely significant pieces of music history. Among the holdings are dozens of reel-to-reel tapes and video recordings previously kept at Franklin’s Bloomfield Hills home, including rehearsal footage from her landmark 1998 VH1 Divas appearance, a 2003 concert performance, and her 1996 Christmas at New Bethel gospel event.

White has pushed back hard against what he calls “inadequate storage” conditions and recently objected to Cunningham installing security cameras at the units without consulting the other siblings. It’s a small detail that speaks to the larger friction: even when these brothers agree on the broad strokes, the details trip them up.

Since Franklin’s death in 2018, her estate has generated over 1,400 court filings. While none of the brothers have made public statements about the current dispute, Franklin’s longtime attorney David Bennett shared some insight with The Detroit Free Press about the ongoing stalemate. He explained that he attempted to bring the sons together early on, suggesting they simply review the wills and reach an agreement. “But everybody wanted something to the exclusion of somebody else,” Bennett said. “Which is the reason there is probate court.”


★TR★

Jax Taylor Confirms “Taken” Status Post-Split

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Jax Taylor Confirms “Taken” Status Post-Split

Reality TV Drama just got messy. Jax Taylor appears to have confirmed he is dating someone as speculation continues to link him to Lori Krebs, his ex-wife Brittany Cartwright’s former publicist. The timing? Everything.

The Valley alum made the revealing comment beneath a shirtless pool photo he shared on Instagram on July 29. When a fan suggested he should become “the next bachelor,” Jax quickly replied, “No thanks I am taken. [heart emoji]” He didn’t name Lori directly, but the internet already connected the dots after the pair were photographed vacationing together in Mexico. Those photos fueled reports that their friendship had turned romantic following Jax’s split from Brittany. Check out Reality TV Drama for more on how celebrity relationships unfold in the public eye.

Here’s where it gets complicated. Lori previously worked as Brittany’s publicist. A source claimed Brittany had heard speculation about Jax and Lori for years but trusted Lori completely. “Brittany had her suspicions for years but always trusted that Lori had her best interest at heart and believed she wouldn’t do such a thing,” the source revealed. That kind of betrayal? It stings differently when it comes from someone in your inner circle.

Jax and Brittany recently finalized their divorce and custody agreement for their 5-year-old son, Cruz. They share joint legal and physical custody, with Jax caring for him every other weekend and on Wednesday nights. The co-parenting arrangement seemed solid until this news dropped.

Bravo reportedly resumed filming after the Mexico photos surfaced to capture Brittany’s reaction to Jax’s new romance. In a recent interview, Brittany didn’t hold back. She said she hopes that both Jax and Lori are “miserable.” That’s the kind of raw, honest response you get when trust gets shattered.

★m★

Bianca Censori Shares Bold Kanye West Artwork Online

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Bianca Censori Shares Bold Kanye West Artwork Online

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★★★

Brittany Cartwright Says Ex Jax Taylor Needs Help

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Brittany Cartwright Says Ex Jax Taylor Needs Help

Celebrity relationships can get messy fast, and Brittany Cartwright isn’t holding back about how she feels regarding her ex-husband Jax Taylor’s new romance. The 37-year-old is speaking her truth, and honestly? We’re here for it.

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Brittany made it clear that she hopes celebrity relationships like Jax’s work out the way they deserve. “I never wish bad for anybody, but they have to be absolutely miserable,” she said. “And I hope they are.” She was referring to Jax’s new girlfriend, Lori Krebs—who previously worked as her publicist. Yeah, you read that right.

Brittany didn’t hold back on her thoughts about why Jax, 47, was drawn to this connection. “My honest opinion is that my ex needs a mommy,” she stated. “I’ve never seen another publicist want to be the center of attention like she did.” It’s giving real tea, and the shade is perfectly measured.

The romance between Jax and Lori made headlines after they were photographed together in Mexico. According to sources who spoke with E! News, the relationship began after both had separated from their respective partners. A source denied there was any “years-long secret affair,” which honestly, we all kind of wondered about.

Brittany took her time before addressing the situation publicly. She prioritized her peace and what matters most. “As of right now, I am focusing on me and the most important thing in my life,” she shared on her podcast, “which is my beautiful son.” That’s the energy we need—putting yourself and your loved ones first while managing a casserole carrier full of emotions.

Brittany and Jax share their 5-year-old son, Cruz, and finalized their divorce earlier this year. Moving forward separately, she’s clearly focused on building the best life possible for herself and their child, which is honestly the most important thing.

★m★

Black America in Recession: Urban League Warning

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Black America in Recession: Urban League Warning

Black unemployment has surged to 8.3% — the highest spike since the Covid-19 pandemic — leaving the jobless rate for Black workers more than double that of white Americans. Pair that with a falling Black homeownership rate and a systematic rollback of DEI initiatives, and the National Urban League’s assessment reads less like commentary and more like a diagnosis: Black America is already in recession.

The data tells a stark story. Black unemployment reached an all-time low of 4.8% in April 2023 during the Biden administration, according to CNN. By November 2025, that progress had evaporated entirely.

Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, didn’t mince words. He called out the Trump administration’s “deliberate policy choices” that, in his view, systematically dismantled “the very protections meant to advance equity and stabilize communities historically shut out of opportunity.”

The specifics are damning. Federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs were slashed on Trump’s first day back in the White House in January 2025. Some 327,000 federal jobs were eliminated—not through gradual attrition, but through what the National Urban League characterized as “deliberate cuts that have eroded pathways to the middle class built through generations of civil-rights gains.”

Among those displaced: 700,000 unemployed Black women, a figure that prompted Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley to call the situation “a crisis.”

“The Democratic party, the country, needs to listen to Black women,” Pressley said. “And Black women right now, this is a crisis. The same way Black girls have been criminalized and pushed out of our schools, Black women have been pushed out of the federal workforce because we have been overrepresented in the federal agencies that this so-called Department of Government Efficiency is working actively to dismantle.”

Pressley is calling on the Federal Reserve to investigate the impact and develop strategies to address what she framed as a targeted problem. “If any other group had 700,000 unemployed people, there would be analysis and there would be strategy to resolve it,” she said.

BALTIMORE, DC – JULY 17: Dante Washington shown in shadow of his old, semi-blighted neighborhood in east Baltimore, MD on July 17, 2014. He defied the statistics of a 25-year-long research project that was turned into a book “The Long Shadow” which centers on children growing up in poverty-stricken areas of Baltimore. (Photo by Linda Davidson / The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The economic damage extends beyond employment numbers. Black homeownership fell to 43.9% in the first half of 2025—a sharp decline driven by soaring interest rates and the rising unemployment rate, according to Redfin. Years of progress were essentially erased, and the racial wealth gap widened further.

Black-owned businesses are facing their own squeeze. The administration proposed a $204.5 million budget cut to the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund—a roughly 63% reduction—while also targeting the 50-year-old Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) for dismantling. These programs have long been critical for minority entrepreneurs who face barriers with traditional lenders and lack capital and technical assistance.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies issued a warning that doubles as a call to action. “Instead of aggressive leadership in dismantling structures of racial inequality, we are witnessing regressive leadership that is slashing government employment and agencies designed to address predatory economic practices that disproportionately harm Black communities,” the center said. “The systematic withdrawal of protections, investments, and accountability mechanisms that have historically assisted Black communities from economic shocks combined with a substantive increase in Black unemployment all point to 2025 as a regression and recession for African Americans.”


★TR★

Black Icons Who Collaborated With Dolly Parton

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Black Icons Who Collaborated With Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton left behind a legacy that stretched far beyond Nashville. The country icon didn’t just make music for one audience or one genre—she built bridges across racial, cultural, and musical lines that most artists never attempted. And as the world mourns her passing, it’s becoming clear just how deeply her influence touched some of the biggest Black entertainers of our time.

From Dolly Parton collaborating with Beyoncé on “Cowboy Carter” to Whitney Houston’s chart-dominating rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” Parton’s reach across genres and generations wasn’t accidental. It was intentional. She sought out artists who inspired her, and they sought her out in return. What follows are the Black artists and celebrities whose careers intersected with one of country music’s most enduring figures.

Beyoncé

Beyoncé brought Dolly directly into “Cowboy Carter,” featuring her on the “Dolly P” interlude and the song “Tyrant.” She also reimagined Parton’s classic “Jolene,” creating a full-circle moment between two generations of female music icons. It felt like a passing of the torch.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston recorded Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” for “The Bodyguard” soundtrack in 1992. Her powerhouse rendition became one of the best-selling singles of all time and introduced the country artist’s songwriting to a new audience. That one performance alone reshaped how people listened to Parton’s catalog.

Dionne Warwick

Dolly Parton and Dionne Warwick teamed up for the gospel song “Peace Like a River” in 2023. Parton wrote the song, and the collaboration brought together two legendary voices from country and R&B. It was a reminder that the best music doesn’t require a genre gatekeep.

Smokey Robinson

Parton recorded “I Know You by Heart” with Motown legend Smokey Robinson for her 1987 pop album “Rainbow.” The duet brought Parton’s country sound together with one of R&B and soul music’s most defining voices. The track peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, proving that audiences were hungry for these kinds of cross-genre moments.

James Ingram

Dolly Parton teamed up with R&B singer James Ingram on “The Day I Fall in Love,” written for the 1993 family comedy film “Beethoven’s 2nd.” The song earned the pair an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song—a recognition that validated what fans already knew about Parton’s ability to write for any artist, any moment.

Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle appeared on Parton’s 1987 variety series, where the two performed together on “Shortnin’ Bread.” Their performance became one of the show’s most memorable moments—two powerhouse women bonding over their famously oversized acrylic nails while harmonizing flawlessly. LaBelle even stole a little solo, and Parton loved it.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah co-starred alongside Parton in the 2012 musical comedy “Joyful Noise,” playing women determined to save their small-town church choir. The two also performed together on the film’s soundtrack, giving audiences a Dolly-Latifah pairing that worked both on screen and in the recording studio.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer also appeared alongside Parton in “Joyful Noise” as Olivia Hill, contributing vocals to the film’s soundtrack. Their work together added yet another voice to Parton’s gospel-meets-Hollywood catalog of collaborations.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Dolly Parton collaborated with the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo on a rendition of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” When Parton heard their voices, she knew she had to get them on the record. Years later, they reunited for the 1996 album “Treasures,” where they covered Cat Stevens’ “Peace Train” together. For Parton, bringing people together through music was as important as the songs themselves.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey appeared as a guest on Parton’s 1987 ABC variety show, where the two shared the spotlight singing “This Little Light of Mine.” Years later, they reunited on “Oprah” in 2010, reminiscing about that appearance and enjoying the classic clip together. Their friendship transcended the one-off performance.

Gladys Knight

Parton performed Gladys Knight’s classic “Midnight Train to Georgia” on her television special in the 1970s, paying tribute to one of soul music’s biggest legends. Knight later remembered Parton as an “ultimate role model” for women in and outside the music industry.

Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X put his own spin on “Jolene” in 2021, giving the country classic a distinctly hip-hop-era makeover. Parton later shared a photo with the rapper and celebrated him publicly, showing the mutual respect between two artists who challenged traditional ideas about genre. That exchange felt significant—it showed that Parton’s influence continued to shape new generations.

Charley Pride

Dolly Parton and country music pioneer Charley Pride joined forces on “God’s Coloring Book,” a gospel song featured on Pride’s 2006 album “Pride and Joy.” The collaboration brought together two country legends who both used their music to draw from their faith and Southern roots, proving that country music had always been more inclusive than its mainstream narrative suggested.


★TR★

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