Category Archives: Black Pieces

Happy Juneteenth Ya’ll

It’s Dalton’s second annual Juneteenth Celebration Weekend and what better way to celebrate than with a few familiar brown faces.

From newly elected Whitfield County Magistrate Judge Rodney Weaver, to the county’s NAACP president Michael E. Kelley II and wife Marisa, who coordinates the Juneteenth events. To entrepreneur Debbie Madden, king Milo Ramsey, banker Talisa Hale, sibling duo Brooklyn and Bronx Stallion, the Kent brothers and future leaders Faith Cobb and Braelin Rivers.

This #JunteenthPictureProject was coordinated by entrepreneur and founder of Scalp Candy Kisha Cooper and award-winning journalist Shaka Lias Cobb.

Juneteenth will be celebrated locally with a parade hosted by the NAACP in downtown Dalton starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church and conclude at The Emery Center. A short program will be held on the steps of the center followed by a mural reveal at Miller Brothers Barbeque.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

Juneteenth, also referred to as Freedom Day, is celebrated in the African American community to commemorate the end of slavery.

Gen. Gordon Granger read the executive order on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas stating that all slaves were free. This announcement was two years after the Emancipation of Proclamation.

“God’s time is always near. He set the North Star in the heavens; He gave me the strength in my limbs; He meant I should be free.” Harriet Tubman

Thanks to our participants

Row 1: Braelin Rivers, Rodney Weaver, Talisa Hale, Faith Cobb

Row 2. Bronx Stallion, Debbie Madden, Tarek Kent, Milo Ramsey

Row 3: A.J. Kent, Michael E. Kelley II. Marisa Kelley, Brooklyn Stallion

Group of ladies sheds light on #SayHerName campaign

In a time when so many black men, teens and boys are losing their lives way too soon we wanted to shine a light on women who have suffered the same fate.

Introducing the “Say Her Name Too Picture Project,” coordinated by Shaka Lias Cobb, an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur Kisha Cooper, founder of Scalp Candy.

The #SayHerName campaign was launched in 2014 by the African American Policy Forum and Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies according to AAPF website.

Its goal is to bring awareness to the “often invisible names and stories of black women and girls who have been victimized by racist police violence and provides support to their families.”

This project highlights seven of many women whose life was cut short and all mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and queens.

#SandraBland, 28, found hanged in a jail cell three days after being arrested during a traffic stop.

#KorrynGaines, 23, killed after a six- hour standoff with police attempting to serve a bench warrant.

#AtatianaJefferson, 28, killed inside her home after a neighbor called police for a welfare check.

#KathrynJohnston, 92, killed during a botched drug raid at her home.

#NatashaMcKenna, 37, died while in police custody after being tasered multiple times.

#BreonnaTaylor, 26, killed while in her home when officers entered without knocking or identifying themselves.

#PamelaTurner, 44, killed by one of five shots while approached about outstanding warrants.

#SayHerName

Special thanks to the ladies who helped create this project.

Top row

Jasmine Madden, Ebony Hampton, Tia Hawkins, Kristy Printup, Schwanna Cooper and Kisha Cooper.

Middle row

Aisha Robbs, Cassandra Pinson, Donna Myrthil, Shaka Cobb, Ansley Simmons and Venus Curtis.

Last row

Chiquita Ludy, Audrey Simmons, Catilyn Howze, Brandy White, Jackie Killings and Ashley Baker.