The Supreme Court's decision to allow Alabama to proceed with a congressional map that eliminates a Black district, despite evidence of discrimination found by a lower court, demonstrates how the Court's rulings can effectively undermine the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This case illustrates the tension between judicial interpretation and civil rights protections, showing how even when lower courts find discrimination, the Supreme Court may permit such maps to proceed, raising concerns about the erosion of voting rights protections for minority communities.
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SCOTUS Backs Alabama GOP Map. Black Farmers Sue USDA. Karmelo Anthony Trial. Obama Center PreviewAjouté :
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>> Hey folks, today is Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026. Coming up on Rolling Martin filter, streaming live on the Blackart Network. I'm live here on the south side of Chicago. Uh but today was media day uh for the Obama Presidential Center which will be opening uh to the public on June 19th. Uh and so uh we can't talk talk about it. It's all embargoed until after midnight. Uh but we'll be able to have more to share with you uh tomorrow.
Coming up on today's show, the Supreme Court allows Republicans in Alabama uh to move forward with a congressional map that wipes out a black district. Uh it goes to show you how they are completely ignoring their own rulings just few months ago. We're going to talk with a couple of plaintiffs in that case. We'll get an update on the Carmelo Anthony trial out of Dallas. We'll also talk about black farmers uh who are filing suit uh against the federal government.
And we remember the great PO Bryson.
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Uh folks, uh yesterday late, well, last night, the United States Supreme Court um in a with a shadow docket allow for Alabama Republicans to move forward with a new congressional map that wipes out a black congressional district. Folks, uh this is beyond nonsensical uh what is going on. Uh remember uh Justice Clarence Thomas uh gave black plaintiffs until 4 p.m. on Monday uh to present uh their arguments.
Shortly thereafter, they allowed them to actually do it. Uh this is the craziest thing we've ever seen because literally the supposedly when they ruled in the Louisiana vers claimed that it allowed if discrimination could be proven then voting rights act stands. Well guess what a lower court three judges two uh two Trumpapp appointed judges and one Clinton ruled that Alabama discriminated against black voters in the creation of their congressional map. The Supreme Court threw that out and said, "Nope, they can move forward." And it's and they said that the lower court aired in their ruling. How?
How? I mean, it it literally makes no sense. Uh this Supreme Court, this extreme court, uh what they are doing, they're doing, frankly, they're doing the the job of Congress. They're just making whatever rules they want to make up. And that's what we're dealing with right now. Let me go to Dr. Marcus Caster. He's a lead plaintiff in the Caster vers Allen case. Evan Milligan is a lead plaintiff in the Allen vers Milligan case. Get glad to have y'all back here. Um I Marcus, this is this is utterly insane to me what is going on.
Uh what we are seeing right now is a is an extreme court just doing whatever they want. They literally said, "Okay, it's too it's too late to change the maps." They just allow but they allowed Louisiana to literally cancel the election and change the map. I'm It's like you're sitting here going, "What the hell are you doing?" And they supposedly in the Klay case laid out uh a a a um um a protocol if discrimination can be uh can be proven. Well, guess what? The lower court showed that it was blatant discrimination and this this extreme court says not. We're going to toss it out.
>> Yeah. Um, thank you for having me back again, Roland. Um, it that's the confusing part about it all because we never we thought that maybe since they ruled on it in 2023 that they would come back and be strong about it in 2026. you know, we're right at three years away from the last the previous ruling in 2023 and and they go they went with a state and I thought that they would be more um stronger in in their ruling in this case right now. But, you know, I guess they decided that hey, we're going to just let it roll out, let it play out for a couple of years and and maybe and we'll come back and revisit later on.
But, you know, it's really hurting us right now and it's the impact is going to be felt uh tremendously in in the future. So, we just hope we hope and pray that everything works out just fine here in the future and ready to get back into courts.
>> Hey, Evan, they're all they're all over the place on this. I mean, we don't know what the hell they're deciding. We don't know what the hell they're ruling. uh again uh for them to say that the lower court aired. Uh and then what's crazy is that they're saying that federal judges should just simply trust the legislature doing what's right. We know for a fact that white Republicans in the South, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina cannot be trusted. They have shown to be racist when it comes to maps. what the hell are they talking about?
>> It also flies in the face of the the facts on the record, you know, in the in the life cycle of this case because when the Supreme Court uh held in 2023 that um that this same lower court was correct in their analysis um of section two of the Voting Rights Act, the case was remanded to them. And when the and when that court when that when that judge panel received the case again, they asked the leaders of the Alabama state legislature, do we need to appoint a special mapmaster who can uh you know draw the remedial maps and then we conference about what the different parties to this lawsuit think about it?
Or if you call a special session, will you follow our orders this time? because they had already ordered that legislature to produce a map that conformed with section two of the Voting Rights Act. And the state legisl legislative leaders agreed that they would hold the session and that they would produce that map. And not only did they not keep that promise, they produced the map that we are now going to be forced to uh that that that's now been placed back into law, which actually was a weaker map than the one we originally sued over. So, um you know, this is enabling of um behavior to the highest level that no other people here in our state outside of these elected officials would be able to get away with.
Uh, Robert, what is it saying with w with with with this ruling? First of all, it's unsigned. Uh, and uh, it was a 21page ruling. Uh, the descent uh, of Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson was 17 pages. They say that this Supreme Court is sewing chaos. Uh, the again their rulings are so contradictory to what they said two months ago, three months ago. It's also contradictory uh when it comes to the actual uh Klay case. And so I guess I guess what they're I guess what they're saying is you know what um uh there's no way uh we can prove and I've seen voting experts say what they're essentially saying is there's no way we can now prove discrimination. I mean this is a blatant case we're talking about in Alabama they defied the federal court. They just completely ignored the federal court and said, "We're going to do what the hell we want to do." And this Supreme Court is allowing them to do so. And what I don't understand is how they can say that, "Oh, you know what? The courts must trust the legislative intent. How do you trust the intent of people who have proven to be racist?"
>> Yes. Um it's it's it's funny that you say that Roland because actually when I was on the um on the stand witness stand last year and I was in front of the three judge panel those same three judge panel that found the maps discriminatory towards African-Americans blacks in this in Alabama and I told the attorneys that had me on the witness stand I gave them just what you just said. You all are defying everything that the three judge panel has ruled. You all are, you know, just being disobedient and you're just defying everything. And I just let them know what type of example are you all setting to our young kids. I mean, because you're telling them that, hey, you don't have to listen to authority and those three the three court uh panel judges, that's your authority and they have not listened to them. So, I just don't want to know. They're not setting a very good example for, you know, the youth in the state of Alabama. And it's and it's and it's and it's hurting us right now. It's going to hurt, >> but we we're fighting.
>> I I I just again, uh, you know, Evan, what I don't understand is what in the hell can black folks do? Um, I mean this is is it I mean to have a lower court say we studied the Clay decision.
We applied the Clay standard. We still find that it was discriminating against black voters and this Supreme Court says, "Yep, y'all go right ahead. It's no big deal." So essentially what this court is saying that what what they're saying Evan is the Voting Rights Act is dead. We simply not going to declare it dead. We're just going to keep ruling in a way to let everybody know that the Voting Rights Act is dead. I I don't know. I mean, I don't know what other way um plaintiffs can prove discrimination if they ignore the discrim discriminatory map in this case, which is as blatant as all get out.
>> I thought that this case would be the one if if there was no other case that could make that that could match the exceptional bar the court has set, I thought this would be the one to do it.
Um because I just didn't think that the Supreme Court would want to stand next to uh state behavior that was as as unusual and egregious as what the state of Alabama did in this case. And I I you know, you could you like we could think cynically about the the timing of the ruling in our case in 2023 and then for them to come back three years later with Klay and uh make basically uh two votes go the other way. But we could say well maybe they felt like the state of Alabama's example was just not the right case to to to sort of uh build that type of transition away from president on.
And um you know we we we we observe that during the oral argument for Klay uh the solicitor general for the United States when he was arguing he he repeatedly made fun of the state of Alabama's uh argument and their behavior and I think at least one or two of the justices made off-handed remarks basically saying you know oh that Alabama stuff we're not talking about that what we're doing this case here in Klay is different because of XYZ. So, I thought um because the record is the same and because of the the state of Alabama's behavior, if anything has been even more out of the norm since 2023, I didn't think the US Supreme Court would want to co-sign that, but they did it with this two-page opinion, and it it it says something about the departure away from the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and it also signals um what could be a foreshadow of of attacks on the reconstruction amendment.
So, not only are we attacking the gains of the second reconstruction, but now we're to the first reconstruction. And then, you know, in terms of what you were saying about what black people can do, um, continuing to organize for voting, because regardless of whether or not votes are certified in November or whatever elections take place between now and then, it's still important for us to make the case that this is that that that infranchisement um is valuable. And the organizing that goes into doing community camping and messaging is also something that that we should continue to pour into. And then also think about what do we do if this federal government decides not to certify the votes after November. And I think there, you know, that that's a rich conversation that we need to have.
>> Uh indeed, uh Robert and Evan, uh both of you plaintiffs in these Alabama cases. Uh y'all have been fighting a good fight. Uh and uh despite what the Supreme Court uh is doing, uh we absolutely must be voting in mass. uh to correct these wrongs because what they have done what they have done in this case and others is completely wrong.
Gentlemen, I appreciate it. Thanks a lot.
>> Thank you.
>> Have a great day.
>> Folks, I'm going to go to a break. We come back, I'm going to talk with our panel. Then we're going to also talk about uh this lawsuit of black farmers.
Uh this is Roland Unfiltered broadcasting live outside of the Obama Presidential Center here on the south side of Chicago. You're watching Rollerbart Unfiltered on the Black Star Network. I'll be right back.
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If in this country right now you have people get up in the morning and the only thing they can think about is how many people they can hurt and they got the power, that's a time for mourning.
>> For better or worse, what makes America special? It's that legal system that's supposed to protect minorities from the tyranny of the majority.
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>> Hey everybody, I'm TD Jake and I want to encourage you to watch Roland Martin unfiltered.
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Wait. Wait. All right, folks. always want to bring in my panel right now, uh, Robert Patillo. Um, he of course lawyer out of Atlanta. Glad to have Robert uh, on the show. Uh, especially talking about all this craziness we're dealing with. Uh, he's a civil rights lawyer, Patilla Law Group. Uh, also we're going to be uh, Zachary Kirk, who's an educated and content creator out of Atlanta. Uh, Robert, I want to go to you. I don't know what the hell the Supreme Court is doing. Uh, Robert, I mean, it is it is schizophrenic. It's contradictory. Uh it's it's as if what they ruled 2 3 weeks ago doesn't matter.
They're just doing whatever the hell they want. Uh there's there's no precedent. I mean, they're literally overturning precedent, their own precedent from 6 months ago, a year ago.
It's crazy.
>> Well, you Roland, this is the entire point of our constitutional system, having things such as star decisives, such as a system of precedents uh before this court. courts took the idea of previous court rulings being exceedingly uh important and not overturning them unless there was the most compelling of justifications behind it. This court, the Roberts court, has simply decided that star decises and precedents don't matter. The only thing that matters is pleasing Donald Trump. And if Donald Trump says the only thing that we care about right now is ensuring that I can win the midterms, then they then none of this matters. They overturned Row versus Wade with no justification. They overturned the Chevron do uh doctrine.
no justification. uh this is a rogue court and once you lose that faith in in the judiciary which has long been the only branch of government which which gave comfort or which uh was seen as being fair by the American people well then now you're no longer operating within a constitutional system because if there are no checks and balances we can no longer trust the department of justice because Trump has put his own political cronies there uh who will spend more time filing fake lawsuits or prosecuting his political enemies than actually uh dealing with civil rights cases or enforcing the law. You can't trust the FBI. You can't trust the CIA.
The approval rating for Congress are something like 17%. The approval rating for the president is 34%. What institution is left that the American people have any monocum of faith in? Up until recently, that was the Supreme Court. But now, ever since Bush vGore in large part, but in acceler accelerating in recent years, we are seeing what conservatives used to call an activist court. There was a point in time when conservatives made the argument that judges were legislating for the bench.
And right now, we have to have the next Democratic president look truthfully in to reforming the court, putting in uh term limits, putting in age limits, and most importantly expanding the court.
There's nothing constitutional says there has to be nine judges. That we have to pack the court. That's what we got to do.
Uh, Zack, Zack. Well, first of all, I'm not even going to use the language pack the court to your point. Uh, we've had um we've had more less judges. Uh, Zachary, the thing here, Robert hit on it, and that is this here. Conservatives always complain about activist judges.
These judges are saying, "We're the court. We're the legislative branch. We can do whatever the hell we want to." Uh their rule again, their rulings make no sense, folks. Uh and and do me a favor.
Uh Wesley and Keenan, be sure to get up.
I I want y'all to put the put this whole ruling on blackstaretwork.com.
I really want y'all to read the descent of Sotomayor Kagan and Jackson. They said that this court, Zachary, is creating chaos. They claim they don't want to create chaos, but they absolutely positively are creating chaos.
John Roberts has made this his life's work and his life's mission to hurt black voters in this country from the moment he got on that bench. And he has worked tirelessly to do so. And it's absolutely resulting in chaos. Not just chaos for black America, but chaos for this entire country. We have never seen anything like the gerrymandering foolishness that we're currently seeing.
The state of Alabama is made up of one-third black people. But this movement is going to diminish their vote altogether reducing them down to one safe seat out of seven and it is absolutely aborn. We're also seeing in this roll back people's votes are being thrown out exactly as Dr. Caster said there's there's no justice in what has happened and now the onus is going to fall upon the people to do the work of pushing forward and pushing through and finding a way to really still pull through and win this through the the efforts of our votes. and and it's heartbreaking and it's disappointing, but that is unfortunately where we are and that's exactly unfortunately where people like John Roberts have wanted us to be. The chaos unfortunately I have to say this people and I know it's going to hurt to hear it but I I'm afraid that the chaos is just beginning. This is just the beginning. We're still in the beginning phases of the roll backs of the attacks and we've got to seal ourselves. We have to cement ourselves.
We have to ground ourselves and stay focused in the work of our ancestors so that our future generations will still be able to push through because there's a lot of work ahead of us and we can't tire yet.
>> Uh Robert, I'll be honest. I believe at this point um what these people are going to do, I think they're going to throw out the 14th amendment. I I I think they're going to on I think on Friday they're going to hand Trump a victory when it comes to citizenship.
this I don't trust this court at all. I don't I don't I don't trust any of these people. Uh it they absolutely I don't give a damn what John Roberts says. Oh, we got to have trust in the courts. This extreme court has destroyed any of that with these schizophrenic nonsensical rulings that they have been making.
>> And the problem is what we've heard from constitutional scholars, I remember hearing this in law school, was that our system requires certainty. People need to know what the law is and how it applies. People need to understand when they are within the uh realm of legal activity and when they're outside the realm of legal activity. But if the law is completely arbitrary and capriccious, uh if the law changes upon the whims of one individual or one group, if there's no justification given, no logic uh in the decisions, then lower courts can't even make rulings to be in line with what the upper courts are doing. So that means you're getting even more cases and controversy going to the uh going to the circuit courts and eventually working their way to the Supreme Court. I I mean the next Democratic president is essentially going to have to do a page one rewrite of everything that's been put into law from essentially 2024 until 2028. I mean that we're we're going to have to uh bring lawsuits at every level of government. We're going to have to not just replace Supreme Court justices.
I mean, we're going to have to uh talk about bringing in and uh and confirming hundreds and hundreds of justices on the circuit court level, on the appeals court level, and across the country in state level uh courts and state level supreme courts. The Heritage Foundation, the uh the uh these outside groups have been working for of the Federalist Society have been working for two generations to create exactly this federal judiciary, which is hellbent on doing one thing, which is reversing every single gain of the civil rights movement.
I I I'm telling y'all right now, the only way this changes, there has to be a massive, and I mean a massive, black turnout. You heard me allude to it, uh what happened in 1983 in this city when 85% of all eligible black folks voted. Uh it was so major that in a lot of precincts 100% of the eligible of the registered people voted in a lot of these precincts that elected Harold Washington as the first black mayor of Chicago. That is the only way you defeat these fascists.
And I'm telling you I don't trust this extreme court at all. Folks, uh June 12th and 13th, Bishop Reverend Dr. Bishop William Barber. They are going to be uh organizing and first I have two days of virtual training teaching people how to organize and mobilize when it comes to voter registration when it comes to get out the vote. Uh we have already got more than 1,200. We want to hit 2,000 folks. Go to blackstaretwork.com click that link that Bishop Bishop Barbara story. Go to repairs of the breach. You can sign up. We've got to actually uh make this happen. All right, let's go to our next story. Uh where farmers uh farming organizations have filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump's uh Department of Agriculture to seek the reinstatement of a $127 million program or $127 million uh in grants. Uh they say that the cancellation of those grants violated uh due process. Uh they are seeking a judge to overturn the terminations and require the USD USDA to restore uh these grants. Sharon Mallerie is the executive director of the 2020 Farmers Cooperative. Uh Sharon, glad to have you here. Uh so walk us through how many different entities uh are involved in this lawsuit and these grants that you're suing about. What exactly were those grants for?
>> Well, that that that's a good question, uh Roland. There's approximately, I would say as of May 13th, there were approximately 23 organizations across the country that were affected um that were affected or at least moved forward with the uh lawsuits against the USDA.
All in all, there were 49 organizations who just had their grant funding slashed and tossed out. Um there were a total of 50 awards, but one award was able to move forward um and had a stay on their previous uh lawsuit because they were part of the first what I would call a slashing of the USDA's uh discriminatory practices. But even though the funding has been cut, at least as far as the 2020 farmers co-op, we felt it was extremely important to move forward with a collective voice. Um, especially representing smallcale farmers, uh, black, brown, white, green, whatever. um moving forward with this type of lawsuit. Our board uh contemplated because as you know um or may or may not know with the USDA uh there are several organizations or entities within the USDA and a lot of organizations didn't necessarily want to move forward in fear of backlash or uh a decrease in funding or inability to apply for additional federal funding. uh our board supported the the position of we need to be a voice, a collective voice uh along with other organizations to move forward to try to uh appeal this thing and maybe recapture the funding that was taken away.
>> Uh and we've seen other federal judges rule uh in uh several other different cases. So, it's not like this is outside of the realm. The reality is uh this antilack administration uh they cancelled many grants just because it had the word black in it. They didn't care about uh who had it helped. Yet Donald Trump, he had all these white farmers at the White House saying, "I'm standing up for you." And wouldn't even wouldn't even invite John Boyd uh with the National Black Farmers Association uh uh there as well. And so people need to understand the battle that black farmers have been facing uh is uh has been consistent not just with this administration, previous ones as well uh but this administration absolutely uh has been slashing and burning uh anything that helps uh black people.
>> Right, Martin? I think you're absolutely correct. The one thing that I like to stand on, and I'll quote the the artist Beyonce, when it comes to farmers, farmers that have been tending the land, especially generationally, you can't break our soul. And so, what we have to do and what we're going to try to do with the 2020 Farmers Co-op, is to continue to move forward all as we always have been. There's been such a disinvestment uh in black farms across the country over the years. So, a systemic type ill that was kind of right side in itself a little bit. Um, but because the funding was cut, that doesn't mean our mission is cut. We're still going to strive to help small business become uh small farming business to become uh viable and economic and I should say economically viable as well. And so, um we're going to push through this as we have for years and years and years. uh we're going to try to create things that will assist small farmers and the communities that were impacted by this. You know, it's not just cutting these grants. It's it's more of a macro uh type situation with this Roland and we have to stay focused and not be distracted by um uh the noise around the USDA and what they are uh blatantly doing. And you you almost have to ask the question if if it's not us then who? And so when it comes to food, there is one thing we know for sure is that most folk don't want to go too long without eating. And when you cut the the pull the carpet away from small-cale farmers across the country, that has a significant nationwide impact um not only for black farmers but all smallcale farmers. And we're we're moving into a crisis if these funds aren't restored and organizations like the 2020 Farmers Co-op are not able to go out and assist small-scale farmers in becoming economically viable and assisting them into markets. You know, this particular program, the land access and and capital markets grant was really trying to help smallcale farmers penetrate and scale up into markets that have have been they have basically been excluded from for a lot of different reasons. So this was a really significant type of grant uh that was very creative, very forwardthinking and for it to be terminated not only affected smallcale organizations um it's going to have an impact uh we believe in a very broad aspect which is one of the reasons we decided to move forward uh collectively with the lawsuit.
>> All right then we'll certainly keep us a breast uh of what happens next with the lawsuit. I'm gonna go to my panel, allow them opportunity to ask you a question.
Zachary, you first.
>> You. Thank you so much. Uh, you know, Mallerie, please, you know, Miss Mallerie, I want to really emphasize to people out there that when black farmers lose money, lose funding, lose resources, white businesses suffer, too.
So, I want you to be able to just, if you can give us or want to ask you, what are the ripple effects that going to that will hurt the American economy across the board and our farming communities that they're going to suffer from this?
Yeah, I I think it it it's it's a compounding effect here. And when you uh affect small-scale farmers, and I'll use beef as an example, okay? There are a lot of small-scale ranchers that provide a lot of local beef to our markets.
Right now, when you look at at the beef market, you go to the grocery store for ground beef, you're paying $6 to $10 a pound for ground beef. that's only going to be uh escalated by not providing resources that that small-cale farmers can become more efficient, they can have better genetics, they can um be able to create herds and things of that nature.
So, we're anticipating that the USDA uh will try to mitigate this in some fashion and provide incentive. Um the USDA has always provided incentive to small-scale farmers. It was just not small-scale farmers of color. And so that is one of the impactful things that that really has an impact. And so what we want to do as a 2020 farmers co-op is position our smallcale farmers uh so that they are ready and can compete uh in this market because that's what the grant was about whether the funding is not definitely we want the funding back um but it is quite significant and and you know if I had to encourage you know individuals if you're thinking about how to support small-cale farmers first thing I'm going to say is change the behavior and then support your smallcale farmer. farmers by buying local and buying fresh.
>> Robert, >> thank you so much for everything that you you you are doing and the information you provided. Uh when I was executive director of the Rainbow Post Coalition Pete Street Project in Atlanta, I ran Reverend Jackson's Black Farmers Initiative uh particularly during the time when the Secretary Vilsac and uh the Biden administration were working on getting additional support and economic uh support for uh black farmers that have really been ripped away uh by the current administration through lawsuits by Steven Miller, etc. Could you talk briefly about kind of the the triple pandemic if it would be that has hit black farmers during this administration between the tariffs uh on to the uh the restrictions, the new rules that favor the aggra businesses? Can just really give people an idea of what the true conditions are for black farmers right now?
>> Well, I know you've heard the saying, uh if some folk catch a cold, black blacks catch the flu. And that's exactly what we have here. So just to give you a nutshell on this whole agricultural industry and how it has changed over the years, back in the 80s, it was uh a switch from supporting small-cale farmers to go big or go home.
Therefore, you had a lot of industrial type agricultural entities to emerge themselves. And so over the years what has happened is that big industrial farmers have bought up land, bought uh smallcale farmers out and really moved along. So fast forward to 2026, 2025, uh you get an administration that comes in and starts placing tariffs upon that uh slashing USDA programs that a lot of small to midsize scale uh farmers were contributing into. I just got back from uh Arkansas and one of the things they were telling me um there's a blackowned rice meal there and one of the things they were telling me with the slashing of the USDA uh USID um it had a significant impact because they provided a lot of rice and byproducts through the US aid program and by completely slashing that program out it was devastating or is devastating to that small blackowned rice meal. And so we have to be very conscious in communities about the impact of this. And so by slashing these type of grants, putting tariffs on things, it's not only hurting the smallcale farmers, it's hurting the large farmers, the midsize farmers, and of course the smallcale farmer right now is really catching the flu. And we've got to do something. We've got to have the right medicine, the right mindset, be very focused on moving forward, being very focused on getting our message out.
Uh being present and being seen. Um but behind being present and being seen, we have to be very proactive in putting strategies together to recreate systems where small-cale farmers can partake in those systems. And and to me that really means addressing the issues that many communities especially dense communities have. That is addressing this thing called food insecurities.
Small-scale farmers can be a solution to that whether you're rural or urban in providing uh uh produce and proteins to these communities. So we have to recreate a system where small-scale farmers are invited to be included into the system and not excluded uh from the system.
>> All right, Sharon Mallerie Michelle, appreciate it. Uh thanks so much and good luck with your lawsuit.
>> All right, thank you. Thank you very much, Roland.
>> Folks, going to a break. We come back, we're going to get an update from attorney Thelma Anderson with regards to uh the Carmela Anthony trial uh in Colin County, Texas. Folks, you're watching Roland Martin unfiltered on the Blackar Network. Don't forget, support the work that we do here on the Blackart Network.
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All right, folks. Let me tell you about chapter. Now, if you're on Medicare or about to be, the system is not set up to work for you. Too much fine print, too many plans, and too many people making money off of your confusion. And look, we're used to this. We're no strangers to systems that don't have our best interest at heart. But we don't have to accept it when it comes to Medicare.
That's why I'm telling you about Chapter. Their advisors are independent and honest. In fact, they're the only Medicare advisors that compare every plan nationwide. And they're focused on one thing, what works for you. If there's a better plan out there, they'll find it. If you're already in the right one, they'll tell you that, too. There are no games. Just last year, people who switched with Chapter saved an average of $1,100.
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My parents actually have already called.
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I'm Ryan Wilson, CEO, co-founder of The Gathering Spot, and you're watching Roland Martin unfiltered on the Blackstar Network, folks. Day two of the State of Texas versus Carmela Anthony trial. Joining us right now is attorney Thelma Anderson.
She has been in the courtroom. Thelma, what happened today?
>> Well, today um is the day that the jury selection should be concluded. Um as of now, they narrowed it down at the lunch to about 90 jurors, potential jurors. So any any time now we should get confirmation that the jury has been selected and trial will begin tomorrow.
>> Uh how many how many potential people uh was it close to 500 uh they were drawing from?
>> It was 600. It was over it was 600.
>> Okay.
and and and just remind people we talk about these when we talk about these these cases, people don't understand that in Texas jury pools come from registered voters.
>> 100% accurate. register voters is how they select who is going to be sub um be issued the subpoena or issued a summon to come down and be a part of the jury um pool.
>> All right. So, uh it'll be narrowed down and uh and once that jury uh is uh selected goes right into trial. So, uh, that means tomorrow, Thursday, Friday, and I understand they may even have trial on Saturdays.
I haven't heard the Saturday, but I'm not shocked because the way that they have um scheduled this particular trial, they have shut down court for every other court. And if you know this particular court in Colin County, it houses every court from civil family to criminal probate. they're all housed in this particular courthouse. So, I would not be surprised if we find out um when he's going over the instructions and rules um as they begin to start and read the indictment and go into opening statements that he addresses the scheduling to the public.
And um also uh my understanding the reason we have not been hearing from Anony's family or lawyers as well as uh the family of the young man who died the the judge has a gag order in uh in uh in effect.
>> Yes. So last year I want to say in June once Carmelo had his new legal team. No, it was like May or June. The judge issued a gag order. And this was after the original judge that was on the case, um Angela Tucker, who is an African-American judge, um was receiving all of these um death threats and being um doxed at her own property, that they realized the magnitude and the severity and the the security that was needed around this particular trial. So, the judge issued a very strict gag order, but I can tell you that I want to say in October, I caught the father Medav on live on Tik Tok saying that he was intentionally um disregarding the gag order. He was talking about the case on Tik Tok as well as using racial slurs.
>> Questions from uh the panel. Robert, you first.
>> So we any other time uh in American recent history uh it seems that we would have we had a at least some judicial system that seems that we would get a fair uh fair trial and fair outcome in this. But given the nature of what we've seen politically the last several years, given the outcomes uh in many recent cases, uh what is the feeling on the ground there among people in the community? What do they expect the outcome of this case to be?
>> Well, it's very split. Of course, when we're we're talking about the core African-Americans, we understand how Carmelo Anthony has been subjected to what the criminal justice system has intentionally invoked on African-Americans. So, we are very sensitive to Carmelo Anony's rights. And on the other side, we have seen very um aggressive racial tones of the other side that is disregarding the severity and the need for this case to play out in court and they are playing out in the public opinion court and that has created a divide. That is the reason why Jack Lang, who I'm pretty sure people are familiar with, he's been arrested several times for disrupting um disrupting judicial or even city ordinances, got arrested because they are in Fris right now. The white supremacists are in Fris right now causing tension to rise surrounding this case. So it's very divided and I'm pretty sure that there's going to be heighten even heightened security um focus around this because of the tone that has been carried for over a year.
of what evidence because I, you know, you talked about this is being played out on social media. I follow this case.
One thing I do on my platform as activists on all social media platforms is give insight to the black perspective and black news that other outlets aren't covering in mainstream media, very similar to what Roland does. And in this case, I wonder with something as chaotic as what happened at a track meet, what type of evidence do you think will matter most to these jurors? Like what are they how are they going to come you think will be will matter the most?
Well, the which is that is a very good question to ask because I know that has been the subject to a lot of um wondering and the questions surrounding the security that the judge has placed around this case because usually customarily we can go online and we can look at the motions being filed, what witnesses have been subpoenaed. We can look and and kind of gauge what how the the case is going to play out. But in this particular case, this is a high school track me. So we can anticipate that we are going to have eyewitnesses who were there um surrounding the two the individuals during this um incident.
We know law enforcement, we know the medical examiner is going to basically give us an overview of the cause of death, which is very important, and tell us what kind of um injury caused the cause of death. We're going to find out what kind of um weapon that they allege is being that was used because they are stating is a knife. So outside of the actual physical evidence, I believe that what the jury pay close attention to is the forensics, they also they trust signs more than they trust people. And I know that for a fact. I have won and lost cases based off of the science and also witness testimony. The credibility of your witness is very important in this case. And you can win and lose a case off of the lack or um the credibility of the witnesses that you intend to call.
>> All right then. Well, uh we shall see uh what happens next uh when it comes to uh this jury being seated. We appreciate it. Thanks a lot.
>> Thank you. Y'all have a good one, >> folks. Fireworks were uh shooting going off on Capitol Hill today uh when Congressman Al Green uh got the question. A former uh United States senator who now is um in Trump's administration is the head of the Department of Homeland Security. Watch this.
The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Green, for five minutes of questions.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I thank the ranking member as well.
Uh Mr. Chairman, the Secretary has commented on race, a topic that I believe I'm imminently qualified to speak on given that in my lifetime, I went to the back door to get my food.
I drank from filthy colored water fountains. I sat in the back of the bus in the balcony of the movie when a seat was available.
So, let me just share some of the characteristics of a racist. Mr. secretary.
A racist will depict people of color as apes.
The pictures have been blurred, but you know who they are. This is what a racist would do.
And a racist wouldn't apologize after doing this, Mr. Secretary.
That's what a racist would do.
A racist, Mr. Secretary, would take offense at peaceful protest.
You said you believe in peaceful protest.
This was peaceful protest, Mr. Secretary.
Racist take offense at peaceful protest.
A racist, Mr. Secretary, would do what happened to Rub.
>> Are you calling me a racist? a racist.
>> I'm asking a question.
>> Reclaiming my time. Ask him to shut up.
>> That's a pretty That's >> Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. It's my time.
I'm not going to let anyone calls me.
Call me a racist gentleman.
>> Tell I never called him a racist. It's my time.
>> It is. Gentleman will suspend.
>> He will not tell him to shut up.
>> The gentleman suspend. No, the gentleman will suspend.
>> No one will call me a racist. I'm I'm Cherokee, too. My my family has been pretty excited.
>> I ask that my time be resto restored. I ask that my time be >> the clock has been the clock has been stopped since I suspended the clock.
>> I will continue to interrupt as long as someone assuming I as I said before there will be no uh no addressing anyone's character in negative way. Uh by the way um Mr. Mr. Green, I need you when you're speaking, I need you to speak into the microphone because I can't I can't hear you up here. But we will.
>> Evidently, his constituents heard enough of him because they voted him out.
>> Mr. Secretary, please. Again, we're almost done here today.
Mr. Green, you can continue. But again, I will stop if if if this sounds like you are either directing that this this secretary is a racist or as well as uh the president or vice president because we we do know under our rules you cannot uh disparage a member of Congress or the president or the vice president. So be very I understand what what you're trying to do. be very careful because it is a violation of house of our committee rules to disparage another member, a witness or the president or the vice president >> point of parliamentary inquiry.
>> Uh Mr. Chairman uh when I'm speaking uh I believe that the time belongs to me. I don't think that the secretary should interrupt me when I'm speaking. I have made very clear today that when the member has their time, it is their time.
But again, I want to I want to reiterate it is a violation of House rules to make statements that might be personally offensive to the president or vice president.
So I we will let you continue with your time. The time has has stopped since I suspended the clock. But again, it is a violation. It it is your time, sir. It is your time. I agree. But it is a violation of the rules of the house to make statements that might be personally offensive to the president or the vice president of the United States as well as other members or question motives of colleagues. So I will let you continue but we want to be very I've now stated the rules. So we want to we want to follow them.
>> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I will speak into the microphone so that I may be heard.
I ask that any person who desires to interrupt me shut up.
Now, this is Ruby Bridges.
She was integrating a school.
You can see the hate on the faces of people. This was called racism.
This was racism.
All I did at the State of the Union address was display this. Mr. Chairman, this was what I did. I was peaceful. The secretary says he believes in peaceful protest.
Cue the video, please. Q1.
Freeze the frame, please.
That, my friends, is the Secretary of Homeland Security. He traversed some distance to get to a peaceful protester and displayed his despicable behavior.
Unbought, that's me. Unbossed, unafraid, that's me. And by the way, unelected.
Yes. liberated Democrat.
You, sir, have engaged in despicable behavior. Now, let's just talk for a moment about this behavior.
It's not the only time that you've behaved in a dastardly way.
Cue the second video, please.
>> Quit the tough guy act in these Senate hearings. You know where to find me. Any case anytime. Cowboy, >> sir, this is a time. This is a place. If you want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults. We can finish it here.
>> Okay, that's fine. Perfect.
>> You want to do it now?
>> I'd love to do it right now.
>> Well, stand your butt up then.
>> You stand your butt up.
>> Oh, hold. Stop it.
>> Is that your solution?
>> No. No. Sit down. Sit down. Okay. You know, you're a United States senator.
>> That was the Secretary of Homeland Security.
The Secretary of Homeland Security concerns me because of his behavior as it relates to peaceful protest, as it relates to the way he chose to come over and with force address a peaceful protester. It concerns me because in that department, they have many people of color. I'm concerned about how they will be treated under the leadership of this Secretary of Homeland Security. I do not believe that he is qualified because he doesn't have the temperament to deal with people in a respectful way.
I peacefully protested. I would do it again because I know the history of apes and how they have been used to demean people of color. Gentleman's time is reclaiming his time. Robert most back when worked on the hill. Well, someone like Al Green would stand up.
Someone like a Mine Barge would stand up. you know, the the quote unquote old guard who everyone in the Democratic party for some reason seems to find the need to try to keep shuffling on out the door, but at the at the same time when they would stand up, when they would march, when they would walk out, the rest of the caucus would be sitting there on their hands. You know, remember the year that uh the first year that Al Green got escorted out of the state of the joint address to Congress uh that Trump did. Uh instead of every single person in that chamber standing up and walking out in solidarity with him, they held up the little placard, the little little black card to show their displeasure. I I mean, the only way that you deal with a narcissist, and Trump is a narcissist, has refused to give him the attention that he is so so starved for and that he so desires. So if you want to actually deal a blow to Trump and his ego, don't show up anybody for anything that he is doing. And if the and if the old guard is standing up and we actually respect our elders and this caucus, you stand up, you walk out with them. It shouldn't just be Al Green holding up a sign saying we are not apes. Every single person in that room should have held up a sign and said we are not apes because they're going to be how racist that is. an opportunity to actually do something about it. We hear crickets. We hear silence. We this generation can learn something from the from our elders. We can learn something from the people who came before us. The old techniques have not gone out the window because you can send out a hashtag because you can put out a Tik Tok video. Old school activism is still effective. And when we start losing the the people who know how to lead us through these fights, we start losing what makes us who we are as a people and as a group. And I'm hoping Al Green runs again when he's uh when he's 80 years old or however and gets back in there because we cannot reward these Republicans for their efforts at gerrymandering to get the real lions out of the house so they can bring a bunch of sheeps in there to slaughter >> Zachary.
>> I could not agree with Robert Moore what we saw just now. You know, absolutely.
You know what? Representative Green is not an ape. Zachary Kirk is not an ape.
Roland M is not an ape. But I don't know why Mark Wayne Mullen sat his ass up there in that congressional hearing and acted like an ape. He's continuously acted like an ape. Absolutely disgusting behavior from this man and a history of disgusting behavior. And to see Representative Green sit there and speak truth to power was an empowering moment for all of America. Not just black America, but for all of America. And it is heartbreaking to me to see this man still in his prime, still able to fight, still able to do the work, leaving Congress. But I am thankful, as heartbroken as I am, I am thankful that he is now unbridled and that he is now able to speak truth to power at an even higher level. And I look forward to seeing what this man in his early 70s will continue to do to push black America and all of this nation forward.
I that was an amazing clip and I'm so thankful Roland that you shared it with your audience.
>> Uh before I uh go to our Blackar Network headlines uh and release both of you, we're going to be doing our PBO Bryson uh tribute. We got some folks or guests who are waiting. Just got to get y'all uh thoughts very quickly about the House voting to end the war in Iran and a full Republicans sided with all Democrats. Uh Zachary, what do you make of today's vote?
I always applaud the courage and the bravery of Republicans in a time like this to do the right thing for the American people because the American people are hurting. Even the ones who don't realize it. Even the ones who aren't willing to admit it. There are Republicans, there are mega faithful who are sitting here cannot afford to put gas in their car. There are mega faithful who cannot afford, as I've said on a previous episode, to wash their ass and clean their ass because they can't buy soap. They can't afford their water bills. They can't afford the deodorant they need to stay hygienic. They can't afford it. yet and still they're still following behind Donald Trump and his agenda and his inflation and his tariffs and all the things that are breaking and bringing this country down to ruin. But those four Republicans, they did the right thing and they signed with the Democrats. And we need to continue to encourage more Republicans to do the exact same thing and apply pressure where necessary. Pressure every day to get the votes that we need to do the right thing for this country. Of course, huge thanks to all of our Democratic lawmakers who are always traditionally on the right side of history. They most certainly are with this one.
Robert.
Uh, >> yeah. Roland, it's one of the weird weirdest things I think we're dealing with right now in America, uh, is the fact that you can only get Republicans to vote the right way and actually support the Constitution when they're out of office essentially. Uh, it is only when they have realized that they are no longer going to be in power that suddenly they realize the Constitution exists. uh that our democratic norms are a thing and that maybe we should not give unbridled and and unquestioned power to one individual. Uh the question is going to be what happens after this because all that happens after the war powers resol resolution is that now he has to go back before Congress for another vote if he decides to renew hostilities and there are a few issues going on uh uh with it after that. But will these Republicans all hold to their guns and say that the war is over? And if they do so, what does this mean? not just from the midterms here in America because that that will truly show Trump to be a lame duck and Republicans reading the writing on the wall and saying we have to break free from the ma MAGA agenda if we want to have any hope for saving our own tales not just Trump's tail in November but also what does that mean internationally because if America cuts and runs right now leaving Iran with their nuclear arsenal with their ballistic missiles with their drone capabilities with control of the straight of [ __ ] moose able to charge $2 million per ship um that comes in with the IRGC firmly in control of the uh of the country and not the actual supreme leader the religious clerics after the president offered his uh his resignation. I mean we have now changed the geopolitical tilt within the region putting Israel and Iran on a anible head uh uh heading towards war for hegemonic power within the near east. So there are big things to come out of this and we are only looking at the beginnings of it not just here domestically but internationally and it's crucial to find out how many of those Republicans actually believe in what they are saying right now and will hold the president's feet to the fire and not allow this war to restart.
>> Uh absolutely Zachary Robert I gentlemen I appreciate it. Thank you so very much folks. Time for Blackstone Network headlines of Britney Noble.
>> The Trump administration is refusing to comply with the court order requiring it to refund 166 billion dollar through illegally collected tariffs. The Supreme Court previously ruled that Trump lacked the constitutional authority to impose higher import taxes on goods from other countries. While the government has already processed roughly $85 billion in refund requests, only $21 billion has been repaid so far. The Trump administration is now signaling that some businesses may have to file their own lawsuits to receive the money. The money is owed to roughly 53 million refund entries, which is about 330,000 importers. Regardless of the current uproar over refund processing, Trump is still pushing for a new round of tariffs. The new tariffs include 10% and 12.5% on dozens of countries and the European Union.
The Trump administration dropped its plans toward their anti-weaponization fund, also known as the slush fund. On Tuesday, US Attorney General Todd Blanch told lawmakers that the Trump administration is abandoning the 1.8 8 billion fund. Former criticisms and lawsuits against the fund from both Democrats and Republicans argued it could lead to payments for prosecuted and convicted individuals over the January 6th US capital riot. The proposed fund was disclosed to settle a lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS over leaks of his tax return. And six states held primary elections on Tuesday for House, Senate, state, and local offices.
Iowa and California have drawn national attention due to key Senate and gubanatorial races for the Democrats to secure a Senate majority. They need to gain four seats, including in the predominantly Republican states like Iowa, where Representative Josh Turk won the Democratic primary. In California, an all party primary system allows the two candidates with the most votes to advance to the general election regardless of their party affiliation.
And currently the governor's race is too close to call with Republican Steve Hilton holding a narrow lead over Democrat Xavier Cara. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has secured her position in the general election, giving her a chance at a second term.
Well, an Arkansas state trooper resigns after his aranged wife shares 30 screenshot messages depicting him as a white supremist amid divorce proceedings. Michael Austin Kennedy's wife, Alana Kennedy, issued a 32-page court filing as part of their divorce proceedings that included messages between the couple of him using racial slurs. At least three of the messages included pictures of Arkansas State Police troopers posing with an arrested suspect along with messages from Michael referring to the suspects as racial slurs. In other messages, the trooper suggested a repeal of the 19th amendment, which gives women the right to vote, and said Ramadan should be banned in Arkansas. Arkansas State Police have condemned the messages and reviewed all troopers traffic stops and citations. According to them, there was no evidence that the accusations in the court filing actually reflected his work performance.
And for the first time since its founding 45 years ago, the BET network will have a board of adviserss providing a strategic and cultural sounding board for the network's ongoing evolution.
Among those helping steer the network, which Paramont Sky Dance owns, will be BET co-founder Bob Johnson, rapper and actress Queen Latifah, and the rapper and actor LL Cool J. According to Paramont Sky Dance, the six member panel is tasked with providing insight, perspective, and accountability as the owned media company plans its next chapter.
>> All right, Britney, we sure appreciate that. Thanks a lot. And guess what? That BET advisor panel is a joke. They ain't got no power whatsoever. So, that's just a PR move, y'all. That's all that is.
Uh, be sure to watch the breakdown of Britney Noble every day noon Eastern right here on the Blackar Network. begin to break down Britney Noble everyday noon Eastern on the Blackar Network.
When we come back, we'll pay tribute to singer Peo Bryson who passed away yesterday at the age of 75. We hear from singer Chris Walker, Regina Bale, who of course uh his uh favorite duet partner also uh Gerald Albbright, Jeffrey Osborne. You're watching Roland Martin unfiltered on the Blackar Network.
>> All right, folks. Let me tell you about Chapter. Now, if you're on Medicare or about to be, the system is not set up to work for you. Too much fine print, too many plans, and too many people making money off of your confusion. And look, we're used to this. We're no strangers to systems that don't have our best interest at heart. But we don't have to accept it when it comes to Medicare.
That's why I'm telling you about Chapter. Their advisors are independent and honest. In fact, they're the only Medicare advisors that compare every plan nationwide. And they're focused on one thing, what works for you. If there's a better plan out there, they'll find it. If you're already in the right one, they'll tell you that, too. There are no games. Just last year, people who switched with Chapter saved an average of $1,100.
It's 20 minutes and a real person. It's completely free.
My parents actually have already called.
My mama sent me a text. Folks, give Chapter a call at 724-2648281-7242648281 and connect with someone you can trust.
Folks, these are the kind of services that we need for our audience here at Rolling Martin Unfiltered and the Blackar Network. So, call Chapter right now 724-2648281.
>> What's happening? This is your man Mottown recording artist Kim. You are watching the Blackar Network.
Heat. Heat.
Folks, ever since uh we told you about People People Bryson passing away yesterday at the age of 75 uh in Atlanta Hospital, tributes have been pouring in from all around the world. People remembering uh his music, folks posting videos of him being at his concerts and photos with him uh as well. Uh folks talked about their favorite Pete Boy Bryson song, the duets. Uh strong a strong voice. Uh some R&B singer, Kuner, you name it. Uh of course um um you know just an amazing singer. Uh and um we of course uh are going to be uh sharing some of those thoughts. Right now I want to talk with singer Chris Walker. Chris of course uh longtime singer also performs uh with uh TMF. First of all, Chris, what's y'all name now? Are y'all the Maze Band? Are y'all like like what's the name?
>> No, we are officially Maze. We We're just just Maze.
>> No more. No longer TF. We're Maze, >> right?
>> We signed an exclusive listing. We're good.
>> Maze. We're Maze.
>> Gotcha. All right, then. I got you. All right. Gotcha. So Chris performs with Maize uh uh uh he's on vocals and just just share your thoughts um people Bryson uh when you first met him uh and his impact on you personally but also on uh the industry.
Well, uh, when I first met Pebo, it was a long time ago, many, many years ago, actually, when I was working with Regina Bells, um, I got my start as her music director. And as you very well know, and the world knows that she's, uh, one of his duet, uh, partners. And, um, you know, when I first heard his voice, man, it impacted me in such a way because one of the things about Pebo is not only his range, but his tonality. You don't have many singers that can that have mastered as I call it the high seas. I called him the pavarati of R&B because um his voice I mean it's just so soothing and it just pierces the soul. So people I mean he's touched my life. He's been such a major influence on me and um you know he's going to be severely missed.
Mastered as I call it the high seas. I called him the Pavarati of R&B because um his voice I mean it's just >> music obviously um um you know standing out is a lot different when you are out front as opposed to being a backup singer. Uh and and what I was talking to uh Black and he often would perform um the song that she did with Donnie Hathaway. He would often perform Donnie Hathaway's parts when he sang with Roberto Flack, >> right? And the thing about it is his voice was very powerful, but he also had a way of of using it in a tender way, you know, um uh prime example um uh um uh A Whole New World. Just the way he approached the beginning of it with such tenderness and and as the song develop, it grows into his his bigger voice. So he had a tenderness about him that was uh just as strong as his powerful voice.
So yes indeed. Yes indeed. And he's he's one of those singers that could stand flatfooted. He didn't need a band. He can blow you away just standing there in front of a microphone with no one else.
And that that's the power of PBO Bryson.
When we talk about um c categories, oftent times that word kuner uh was used for a Billy Xstein for artists in uh the 50s in the 60s. And so, um, how would you say we classify PBO Bryson if we're talking about, uh, would we would we say he was one of the great croners, uh, or would would we say, uh, he would be, uh, among, uh, the great R&B, uh, soloist uh, of the, uh, second half of the 20th century.
>> I think it's a combination of both to be honest with you. And if you notice, one of the things about Pebo um that that he did or does um was he's able to hold notes in the music today. Not not throwing any shade, but you don't hear singers holding notes anymore. I can show you the world. You You just don't hear them sustaining notes anywhere. I mean, Pebo did it. Luther did it.
Frankie Beverly did it. I mean, you know, guys like that. But and and personally I I miss that in in today's music. But um but as as long as I'm here, I'm gonna try to continue uh helping that uh legacy and keeping that uh type of uh thing alive. Sustaining notes, which PBO did. People did.
>> You know, it's interesting.
>> You know, Chris, it's interesting. I I was looking up um um Pebo's contemporaries.
Uh and when you look at uh when you look at that, the the reality is I dare say he's the last of that generation. What I mean by that is uh James Ingram uh James Ingram uh born February 16th, 1952. He died uh January 29th, 2019. Um, when you look at uh Teddy Pendergrass, uh, you know, Teddy P was born March 26, 1950. He died January 13th uh, 2010. Uh, if you look at uh, when I when I looked up, uh, Luther Vandros, uh, Luther Vandros uh, was born uh, around the same April 20th, 1951. He died July 1st, 2005. Barry White was born 1944, so 7 years older uh, than Pebo. Uh uh and again uh Petbo Bryson um you know born April 13th, 1951. And so when you start thinking about uh that group of male singers, Luther, Teddy, James Ingram, um I I know I'm trying to think right now uh who's still left of that generation of uh of male kuners, male R&B singers.
>> Jeffrey Osborne.
I mean, >> well, Jeff. Yeah. So, Jeffrey, you got when we get a vote of your So, Jeffrey Jeffy's probably >> I mean, of that of that that generation one of the last in terms of a as a solo artist. Yeah. And and and I would and I would also say George Benson as well.
Those two probably are, you know, now George Benson a different type of singer, but he but at at one point, I mean, he was also, you know, a ballader like that as well. He had some some major hits, but um I think just just those two. But but again, PB to me was in a class all by himself, man. Forget about you.
Uh absolutely. So again, just a fantastic uh singer uh and we will um certainly miss him. Uh our last question I have for you, Chris. Do we still have Chris? Because we lost him there a little bit. We still have him. Yes. Yes, I'm here. I'm here.
>> All right, Chris. So, um I I'll ask you your favorite People Bryson song and not necessarily a song that the public may know, but your favorite People Bryson song.
>> I I'd have to say it's between Why Goodbye and Can You Stop the Ring. Those are probably my two favorite songs.
And if you haven't heard Why Goodbye, >> All right, then. Lift that one up.
>> Gotcha. Well, actually I was talking to someone last night and he he he mentioned a song called You. I had never heard of it. He said it was a B-side and then I went to listen to it. Uh and an amazing song in terms of piano uh as well. Uh and so uh we got it. Chris, I appreciate it, man. Thanks a lot.
>> My pleasure.
Folks, uh, saxoponist Gerald Albbright, uh, sent us a video, uh, sharing his thoughts and reflections regarding his longtime friend, People Bryson.
Hey, Roland, thank you so much for the opportunity to give a few expressions about our dear friend Pibbo Bryson. Uh, when I heard of his passing, it was a huge blow for me because it put me into an immediate reflection of the 40-year friendship uh, that we had. I was blessed to know him and I was blessed to perform with him, record with him. Um, families came together. We just had great quality time together over the years. I've done jazz cruises with him.
Uh, just a plethora of stories. Uh, one that comes to mind actually is when I first met Po Bryson. I want to say it was back in 1988, 1989.
He was recording his album at the time and he called me to do a sack solo on a great arrangement of the song Show and Tell. And prior to this, we had never met and I walk in the studio. It was Air Studios in Glendale, California. And um he was just a pleasant guy uh but a very confident guy. he knows what he wants and you can tell with the career that he's had that uh he was very decisive and a perfectionist as well. And so um he explained to me what he wanted on the uh tune show and tell and he said, "Hey, I hear that you're that one take guy.
You can do solos in one take and my ego won't let me uh be convinced that you can do this solo in one take." I said, "Well, you know, sometimes I get lucky and I do it in one take." And so I put the horn together. I went into the recording booth, got on a microphone, and he ran it down once and I listened to it. And then he ran it down again. I played the solo, and then he gestured to me to come back into the uh the control room and he says, "Gerald, I owe you an apology." He says, "My ego wouldn't let me be convinced that you could do this in one take, but you did."
And so, it became a running joke for many, many years about that one take that I did on Show and Tell. Uh, but that was the launching pad of our friendship. And wow, what some great times we've had on stage. Uh, the other thing that I loved about him is that he never said no. uh if I had a gig where I needed a special guest vocalist, uh if he was available, he would be there. And uh we've done several shows together, the last of which was Cancun a few years back. And uh he was there with his lovely wife Tanya and Kid, his son. And when it was time for him to do his bit on stage, of course, he brought Kid out who just loved being on stage. He was kind of shy at that time, but now I just saw a recent video what he was doing.
the Michael Jackson dance and stuff. So, he's really grown into the love of music and the love of dance and vocals himself. Um, it was just a a touching moment and um one of many many experiences that I've had with him. Uh, but once again, I appreciate the time uh for you letting me uh just express about PIBO because I'm in total reflection uh mode uh for him and and for his family, the Albbright family send uh prayers and condolences. So, uh, uh, much love to you, Roland. Love what you do. Keep on the great work that you do. Peace and love.
>> All right, Gerald Albbright, my front brother. Certainly appreciate it. Thanks a lot, folks. Joining me right now is the, uh, official duet partner of PBO Bryson, uh, the great Regina Bell.
Regina, uh, glad to, um, see you. Uh fortunately under these circumstances, last time I saw you, we were both in St. Louis two years ago uh paying tribute uh to Frankie Beverly who he later lost uh that year. Uh just um share uh just share your reflections about um the person who you said you created magic together with.
>> What can I say? Um I I call him Pete. He was everything. Um, it's always good to have in the music industry the iron that sharpeneth iron. I'm a believer and I believe in having folk that can help you be your best self. And that's what he was to me on stage. Uh, on stage I I always bought my best Regina uh when Peo was with me. So that is a piece that I will certainly certainly miss. But offstage he was, how can I say this? He was a brother that I never thought I would have. Um, as the years went by, um, he was more transparent with me. We were able to share things about our lives, uh, to help us understand who each other was. Um, uh, and and just he trusted me and and that's the thing. um to know this great man, this icon of a man, um would take time out to humble himself, to kind of let me into his life, to know who he is, and you know, we could have banter together, you know, back and forth about different things, you know, concerning our lives. So, these are the pieces of him that I'm going to miss sorely.
Um, what was it when when you did A Whole New World? Um, I saw the billboard story said, "You say if it ain't broke, don't fix it." So, what why did you say him? What What made his voice so distinct that mesh so well with yours?
>> Well, you got to think, Roland. I I back in my junior year in high school is when I got introduced to the voice of PBO Bryson. Um I I was in love on the first take. Um I heard you talking to Gerald and Gerald talking about the the the joke that they had between them about him being able to do the session in one take. I fell in love with him the first time I heard his voice. Um, I went to college and had an opportunity to get he and Phyllis Heyman in for African-American entertainment at Ruckers University. I met him there at Ruckers. Um, that was my first time meeting him and uh he he did not disappoint. He was amazing. Um, then I went on the road with the Manhattans for two years singing backup and I was honored to meet him yet again uh backstage watching his show and even afterwards after the show. Uh, but I think the the greatest thing was sharing the stage with him and then realizing that he was the same person that I met at Ruckers so many years back.
um that you know and then to come into the full spectrum of who I am professionally on stage and he be the same person to be that to be that kind to me to be that compassionate to me and to be that sharing like he he helped me with developing who Regina Bell is and so um that's that's a big piece of our relationship um having this song um when I said uh if it ain't broke, don't fix it. All of that goes into it, but also the fact that he had done uh Beauty and the Beast with Selen Dion and I'm like, well, you know, that was really great.
And he is, you know, in my top five being like my top two. So, you know, let's let's go with who um you know, who who makes it work and and who brings the magic. And I'm grateful that I now get to be a part of that legacy. I get to be a part of a legacy that we created that will live beyond our children, our grandchildren, and even our great grandchildren. So, um it it hurts to miss the person that I get to dance with, um on a whole new world. Um it it hurts that I I'll never hear him say uh in his intro of me. Um and this is my Regina Bell. You have to get your own. I I I I'll miss all of that. I'll miss the And he used to say that every time we went to work. So, you know, I I'll miss that. And I I'll miss the the the philosophical conversations we had where, you know, we would go at it. I mean, it would be hours and we would go at it. But that was my friend. That's that's what we did.
Last one. Um, he always was clean. And what I mean by that is I I think back to being at Essence Music Festival and I went backstage to see uh Charlie Wilson and when I went back there, Trey Songs was back there and Trey had on I think a pair of jeans had on like a white like a white t-shirt and I came in, you know, uh linen pants, jacket, ascot, pocket square and uh Trey said he said, "Man," he said, He said, he said, "I'm standing in between these two unks." And Charlie Wilson turns to him. He said, he said, "Trey," he said, "that's a grown crowd out there, and when you stand in front of grown people, you need to dress like it." And so the next year when Trey Songs was there, uh, he came out in a tuxedo. And so that was the other thing.
I mean, when you look when you look at any of the photos and videos, Pebo was always impeccably dressed.
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I mean, um, I I was graced with coming out of the school of the the fantabulous Manhattans. So, I I learned early that I had to come uh uh come strong or don't come at all. Um, so I was I was blessed with having that training, that 101 before I got to PBO Bryson. Um how how as my grandfather say house and never uh pebo took that that level and and had me upgrade cuz it was like you know if we were going on stage together you know okay well I can't wear this dress I can't okay I need to wear this suit because I know he's going to you know come out in you know like the diamond jacket. So it was no, it was no. Yeah, I jeans were never ever a part of our um coming together. We always dress to the nines because that's what, you know, that's the school we come out of. Um there are some gigs, some outdoor gigs that I might do, you know, um some jeans and a a flashy top or something like that, but whenever I was with Pebo, even if it was an outdoor gig, I had to come strong.
So, um, we're always grateful for that because he was the full package. He was the total package and he was the consmate, uh, musician, singer, um, and songwriter. He he had it all. And, you know, very few artists, uh, meet all of those criteria. And he, you know, he he's wow, what what can I say? Going to be missed. And the thing I loved about him, Ro is that he could stand still and maybe shake one leg or something or but not move much and give you music like nobody's business. And when I sing, I got to use my arms, my leg, my eyelashes are singing. Okay, this this man just brought the noise with just standing flatfooted 10 toes down and giving you everything.
And so, you know, that part of my friend I that part of my my music presentation I'm going to miss immensely. I I just don't have all the words and I'm I'm hope I'm in hopes that I'm going to get some sleep in the next couple of days cuz I haven't been able to rest well just because um it's just been a little bit unsettling. I told um someone earlier today, I know that we all have to leave. Um none of us are here um for forever. Um, I'm a believer and so I trust my mother when she says it's okay to leave here if you got someplace to go, but I just >> I never considered him living leaving here. Do you know what I mean? I I know that sounds strange and >> I just never considered him leaving. And so in his absence, um, there's a real void and I'm going to miss him like crazy.
It's a it's a void, but uh has a lot of memories uh to hold on to. Regina Bell, always glad to see you. I appreciate your thoughts sharing with us.
>> Thank you.
>> Thanks a bunch folks. Joining us right now, the great Howard Huitt. Howard, how you doing?
>> Good. How you doing, Roland?
I'm good. Can you hear me?
>> Uh good, my brother. Yep, I can hear you just fine. Uh just uh good. Share your thoughts with us about your longtime friend, People Bryson. First time you met.
>> Yeah.
>> Uh and just uh just share your thoughts, >> man. People Yeah. I was listening to Regina uh just now and and you know she and I have done many many shows together but I but when I when I looked at her I remembered um when people people he had a he had the heart attack a few years some years ago right and >> 2019 >> 2019 yeah and so like you know uh they had called me about a couple gigs to to fill in for him, right? And one was with Regina um and we had to do it was for an organization up in Las Vegas and we had to do uh a whole new world and you know and I had to learn the song, right?
I was cussing people out the whole time I'm learning that song because I mean it was it was and and he was high in his in his natural man. It was crazy. It was crazy and like you know so we did is Regina still with us? Is is is Regina still with us?
>> Regina do you remember this? I do remember it. And >> yeah. And what And what And what time?
And what time was it? It was like 9 something in the morning.
>> Early in the day. Yeah. Yeah. It was early in the day. And here's the deal.
When when when when anyone sings that song, they get mad because I make them sing it in an original key because I said, "It's no way that people's going to be 70s something years old still killing this song and you going to come along and ask me to lower the key." And Howard was like, "This is high." Well, that's not quite what Howard said, but basically he was saying, "This is high."
>> And you know, next time next time, the next I I uh about a year maybe maybe about a year later, uh when people he was he started doing shows, he was doing shows again. And I think we played we were playing in either Atlanta or or Florida, I think. I can't remember. But that was the first time I had seen him since he had the heart attack and since we did the song. And man, I told him I said, "Boy, I was cussing you out the whole time I was learning that song." It was and he he was cracking up, man. He said, "Yeah, man. You know, you can't you got got to come correct. You know, you know how you >> But see, but see but see there there are two there are two vocalist, you know.
I've been singing since I was 10, right?
So, I've listened to I've, you know, I've I've listened to Stevie, I've listened to uh Marvin, I've listened to uh Donnie Hathaway, all those people, everybody. But there's only two two people that two vocalists that were really instrumental on on, you know, you go going to another plateau in your journey. You know what I'm saying? And one was Jeffrey Osborne because uh with Love Ballad >> and the other was Peeball. When I got the gig for Shalomar, when I got when I you know I got the offer uh to join Shalomar and I had to go over to Dick Griffy's house over and he lived in Baldwin Hills at that time. And I'm sitting in in his uh in his TV room and I'm watching a videotape of a Shalomar show because I got the offer the day before, right? And so and so like it's like I'm sitting there and the vide tape goes off and then Dick comes back down.
He says, "Okay, sing something." You know, Jeff and Jody say you're a great singer. Sing something. And I'm like, "Sing something? Just ac cappella? Just right right here. Just Yeah, just sing something." So I said, "Well, Lord, me and you, right?" And I broke in to feel the fire.
People feel something that you told me stayed in my head. It was much higher at that time. You know what I'm saying? But >> but like I just I just got off a plane.
But but and that's how I got the gig.
the next that night that night I was on a plane to uh to New Jersey to meet Jeffrey and Jod for the uh to to to join up with the group. So, he was instrumental in, you know, without him even knowing it. You know what I'm saying? Cuz he I didn't I didn't know him at that time. I I'm so glad and I'm so The last couple days have been crazy cuz, you know, we lost Foster, you know, Foster Silvers. We lost Ron uh uh Le Preed >> and and it's and and then you know I heard about I heard about um you know um Pero and and and it was like oh no no no no no and that was before he had actually passed and then yesterday was just crazy. Yesterday was just crazy.
But you have to look at like you were saying, Regina, it's like, you know, absent from the body, we're to be in the presence of God.
>> Presence, >> you know, and you >> Yes.
>> presence of the Lord. And and and you've had you've had, you know, your deep conversations with with people's people rather. So, we know what the deal is as far as that's concerned. So, >> yeah, >> you know, but we're going to miss them.
We're going to miss them. People was a different kind of cat man, you know, and and I mean just like like Regina said, you know, he could just stand there and just blow >> and just blow. You know what I'm saying?
And you know, and and and you just it's is you can't say enough as for his gift, the gift that he's had that he that he's he has shared all these years, you know.
You can't say >> Howard, I'm I'm curious. So my my my favorite song of Pivo is um Roland. I heard you talking about it earlier is you um and I'm so and I'm so into you. So So you my love um everything is beautiful you.
>> And he just killed that song. Oh my god, I love that song. What what what's your favorite Pivo song?
>> Uh uh Feel the Fire. I mean, for so many different reasons, you know. It's like Yeah. Feel the fire song, you know. Just the story that it's telling, the melody of it kills me all the time, you know?
It's like it's it's crazy. So yeah, I I would have to say um Feel the Fire and and the melody of If Ever I'm If ever I'm in Your Arms Again, I love that melody, that hook, you know what I'm saying? I mean, that that hook is just amazing. Amazing. So >> yeah, >> you know, but if I but if I was going to say the whole song, everything, the story, the melody, you know, the the inflection as far as what where he was where he was going vocally. I mean, I would have to say uh uh Feel the Fire.
Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. Okay. I love the duets he did with Natalie Cole.
>> Um the the duets he did with uh Robera Flack. Um the one that I love with Yes.
The one he did did with Natalie Cole.
We're the best of friends.
We're the best of friends.
Oh my gosh. I mean, it's so many people songs. So yeah, I'm with you. I'm with you, Howard. Just >> we're we're you know, we like we say he he he's gone. I mean, >> as far as like physically is concerned, but what he has left us is like, >> you know, is like crazy. It's crazy. And so, you know, we're we just >> and we just, you know, we're we're here.
we're left here, you know, after when and and you always look at anytime you look at when when this go when this type of the situation goes down, you look at your own mortality as well.
>> You know what I'm saying? And and just hugely >> and just >> Yeah. But and but then start like I started thinking, you know, I'm so blessed to have been, you know, in this because we did, you know, we did the Minnesota tour for about three years.
Me, Pebbo.
>> Yes.
>> Jeff Osborne and uh Freddy Jackson.
>> And man, it was like we had a ball. We would always come, we all four of us would come out and when Jeffrey would do the woo woo song and we all of us would woo woo in our own way. You know what I'm saying? And and so, you know, we we had Yeah, we had a ball with that. And so, you know, it but to but I'm so blessed, you know, and we're all so blessed to be in in the same era of PBO Bryson, Prince.
>> Yes. you know, Michael Jackson, >> you know, James Ingram.
>> We could go on and on, man. You know, and just Yes, we could. And And that's not And that's not something that's not Luther. Oh, good help. Come on now. For real.
>> And you know, but and that's and you know, cuz you know, Luther and I used to do jingles and the commercials and all that stuff together, you know, back in the day as well.
>> Wow. I didn't know that. Yeah, >> I know he did the jingles back in New York back before he was, you know, >> well, I was told I I was I was told last night that that Luther and Pebo were in Robera Flax band >> that they were they were in the band.
They were in her band together >> and so uh >> I knew Luther was I didn't know People was >> they were they were in it together and so uh and so so and what I was told is that they were friends but they also had a friendly rivalry uh and uh and again Luther sort of took it a certain way when Robera would always have people sing the Donnie Hathaway parts uh to those songs. Uh but you know and again you know comp competitive rivalry uh is is is a good thing. So um it is what you said something about when you talk about mortality.
>> Listen I this is this is what I say the reality is this here. Uh there there are there are people I always say you can you can be present or you can have presence. Uh and the reality is there are people that have come through this world. They've left no fingerprints.
They've left no footprints. when they pass away, nobody talks about them, nobody remembers them. Uh, but the beauty of amazing music is that >> 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 years later, >> uh, people will still be talking about who is that, who's singing that song.
And that's and that's why it's important, uh, to have that presence uh, and you leave that mark uh, that people will certainly remember. And so both of you of course have um have those fantastic memories. We appreciate uh your artistry in what you do and we pray that y'all are able to do it as long as you can uh to to entertain the fans uh but also use the uh the gifts that God has given both of you.
>> Thank you so much. I appreciate it. And Howard, I appreciate you joining us. You you flew across the country uh and hopped on. I appreciate it. But go ahead, Howard. Go ahead.
>> No, no. I'm saying we appreciate you as well. Especially in the in in the climate that we're in as far as this country is concerned. We need we need truth truth yellers. You know what I'm saying? I just made that word up. I just I just made that word. Truth yellers and you're one you're one of the truth yellers out there, man.
>> Well, I appreciate that. And you know, one of the reasons, you know, it'll be eight years in September creating this show, four years creating the network.
And and one of the reasons uh for that is for moments like this. Uh and because for me, what h what often happens is when our greats pass away, we celebrated Clarence Jones uh Dr. King's attorney uh a week or so ago. uh when oftentimes I mean I I remember even when Sicily Tyson and Sydney Portier passed away if you look at mainstream media uh you you you did not see much about them and so what I always say >> yeah and so I always say but but because by being able to own the show control the show we have the ability uh to do what I call our own homegoing our own celebrations and give our folk their just do uh and with digital media this last forever. And so there are people who still go back and look at some of these tribute shows that we did six, seven, eight years ago or even when I was at TV1 10, 12 years ago. And so that's why it's also important to have blackowned media. Uh because uh this is not where it's like, okay, well uh mention people for 60 seconds, 90 seconds. No, we could do an hour. We can do a second day or third day if we want to. And uh once and once we get once we get um arrangements from the family if that if his if his funeral memorial service is public we also will be streaming it on the network as well because again that's why it's important to own as opposed to asking somebody else for permission.
>> Yes. Yes. And thank you so all that you do. Thank you for all that you do and and not just um the celebration of our loved ones but um as Howard said just in the truthtelling of where we are um socially, economically um and even culturally um it it means the world to know somebody's not afraid to keep our people um aware and alert of where we are at so that we can make you know make moves to go where we need to go next. So, I appreciate you. Thank you for letting us roll with you.
>> I appreciate it.
>> Thanks so much. I appreciate it. Uh and all right, Virginia Bell, Howard Hugh, thank you so very much for the celebrating life of People Bryson.
>> God bless, >> folk, Jeffrey Osborne. Um he was he had commitments, but my man Jeff wanted to send us uh this video.
Uh, this is Jeffrey Osborne. I guess I should announce myself, but anyway, uh, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this tribute show to PBO Bryson.
Uh, I don't think anyone is more deserving. Uh, you know, I'm kind of choked up a little bit. Uh, I've known PBO since 1970, I guess 778.
Uh I was in LTD and uh we were doing shows across the country and Peebo was on some of those shows. So I got the chance to meet him then and I was marveled at this guy, this voice. I'm like he was amazing, you know. So I think I've done probably more shows with people than anybody. Uh it started back then when I was still in LTD and then uh we became like a package at one time. It was myself and PBO and uh we did a lot of dates together and then we branched off and we did Men of Soul. We did the Men of Soul tour for maybe three years.
Uh oh yeah about three years and so I really got a chance to be close to him and and talk to him and and get knowledge from him and we shared a lot together. Uh then we did uh also we did uh colors of Christmas which was a Christmas tour uh that went out every year and uh me and people were always a part of that and then we did play together. We did a Raisin in the Sun, an adaption of Raisin in the Sun together and uh we were on a bus tour then. We were going from city to city. So I've done so many shows with people. It's been hundreds of shows with people. Uh he's truly my brother. Uh, I was saddened when I first heard about it.
I'm still saddened. Uh, I just did a show with him two weeks ago, May 22nd to be exact. We were in Fagetville, Georgia, which is right outside of Atlanta. And I think what hurts me more is that we didn't get a chance to actually talk to one another on that show. And we always do. Well, usually our dressing rooms are right next to one another. But in this particular building, I was on the first floor, he was on the third floor and u he opened and I came I must have got there maybe two songs into his set and I went out watched his set and I went back and I got ready and uh you know he went from the stage to the third floor and we missed each other and I never got a chance to to speak to him and and uh you know I dwell on that now cuz uh uh uh I wish we had a chance to have at least had that talk back a couple of weeks ago. But anyway, he's a classic classic voice. Uh a true first tener, you know, and I was always like, you know, first teners, I was like, I always wish I was a first tener, you know. I'm like a second tener, a pseudo baritone, but those first teners, you know, he could just hit that high B and that C and I was always like, wow, I wish I could soar like that, you know. Uh, and we had different styles, but we were the same in that we sang a lot of love songs. So, if you came to one of our concerts, you got a chance to to have a really romantic type of evening. And, uh, I have to say I I miss this guy. I'm going to miss him. Uh, my prayers go out to his family. He has a young son who's 8 years old. Uh, and actually, uh, he actually featured his son on the show we did on May 22nd. His son came out and he did some Michael Jackson stuff. He was dressed up like Michael and he was dancing like Michael and it was it was really pretty cool. So anyway, I just wish I was here or there five should say here for your whole show or the whole segment. Unfortunately, uh I have another engagement that I have to go to, but I did not want to, you know, not be a part of it cuz uh people meant that much to me. And uh I'm really going to miss him, man. I I go all the way back to his very first album, the I'm so into you, you know, classic songs, you know, can't, you know, that's amazing. You know, I'm so into you tonight. I celebrate the stuff he did with Roberto Flack was amazing. Then he had those big Disney hits, Beauty and the Beast and A Whole New World. And I mean, I'm going I go all the way back to Reaching, you know, Reaching for the Sky. I mean, just so many hit records. Such a iconic classic voice. very identifiable. You knew him as soon as you heard this voice. You knew it was PBO. And I think that's what separates people like him, you know, from just, you know, the average singer. He's he was amazing, man. That's all I can say is I'm I'm happy that I got to share so many great moments. We discussed music. We talked about everything. Uh beautiful person, once in a lifetime voice, and uh I'm really sad. So Roland, again, I want to thank you for taking time, you know, to do this tribute to BBO. People, he's uh he's welld deserving and uh and you're incredible, man. You make sure that you are always there for us, and I really appreciate that, man. All right, I'm going to sign off right now, but uh just know that uh this brother is really special to me. He will always be special to me. I don't want to even put him in the past tense cuz he lives here in my heart. And uh thank you again.
>> And I want to thank my my my good buddy Jeffrey Osborne. Uh I play uh in his golf tournament every year. He's amazing. I'm always there for him and I appreciate him uh taking the time to share his thoughts and reflections about uh the late great PBO Bryson with our audience here at Roland Barton Unfiltered in the Blackar Network. And as I said, folks, uh this is why we do what we do. Uh because this is about centering African-Americans, centering our people, telling our story. Uh there are a number of things that happen uh in this world uh that um folks cover. So, you know, mainstream medium, they have to put their attention on it. Uh but it's a lot of people, it's a lot of stories that they do not tell, that they do not uh speak about, that they do not share information about. Uh and uh this is why we we do what we do. Uh to to have Chris Walker and Regina Bell and Gerald Albbright and and Howard Huitt uh and Jeffrey Osborne. Uh and we've reached out to so many other folks as well. um you know Stephanie Mills uh wanted to come on but was unable to do so and so we'll try to get her on uh later and there are others Eric Benet and Jimmy Jam and others as well we reached out to and we're going to keep doing it and as I said once we find out about funeral arrangements uh the family lets us know uh and if it's public we absolutely will be streaming it on the network as well uh because I think about when uh when Richard Smallwood uh passed away same thing mainstream media media did nothing for Richard Smallwood. But for us, we knew, we know what his music absolutely meant. And so, I just think it's important for us to understand that, remember that. And this is also why we want you to support this show.
This is why we want you to download our app. This is why we want you to join our Bring the Funk fan club cuz y'all uh we don't want Listen, MS Now, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, all these network, they ain't sitting here telling these stories.
They're not they're not having uh these voices on. And so when we have our own platform, our own show, uh, and this is why I don't do that [ __ ] gossip. I was I was talking to somebody and they were asking me about, "Hey man, when are you going to talk about uh the Kevin Hart roast on your show?" I was like, "Y'all, I said I is I'm not dealing with that." I said, "Uh, they asked me, man, are you going to share your thoughts on uh Cheyenne Bryant? Is she a doctor?" I said, I don't give a [ __ ] about that.
And it's so many things that happen. And I'm like, listen, if other shows want to deal with that, that's fine. And I know we can get clicks and all this sort of stuff. Uh, but I know what matters. How you doing? I know what matters to our people. I know uh the stories that we have to tell. Uh, and there's some stuff that frankly I'm not going to waste any energy on uh because we don't have the we don't have the time uh for it. And so uh we're going to do what we do, but we want you to support the work that we do.
Uh please join our Bring the Funk fan club. Uh again, if 20,000 folks uh assist us, it helps defay our cost. And you know, you got these people sitting here run their miles. Oh, see there you go. Uh begging for money. Well, I'm going tell you right now. Um you going you going to rule the day. You going to rule the day. Uh you don't have black own media. How you doing? Uh all good.
You going to rule the day. I mean, again, I'm here in Chicago. Uh it'll be midnight when we when the embargo is lifted for us to share the information uh that we heard today about the Obama Presidential Center which will be opening on Junth. So we'll have it on tomorrow's show. Uh but I want everybody to understand something. Uh I remember when listen when a black celebrity passed away, you were looking forward to that special issue of Jet magazine. Jet don't exist anymore. you were you were looking forward to that special mag that that special edition and you were going to have a keepsake of Ebony magazine.
Ebony ain't what it used to be. Uh same thing with Essence. Uh when John H.
Johnson died, uh we put out a special edition of the Chicago Defender. You're not seeing that today. Uh and I'm telling y'all, I mean I'm telling y'all, I know this in my bones. We are going to be to rule the day when we look up and we don't have black own media when we don't when we got stuff when when you don't have shows pay doing tributes like this here. We going to look up one day and go man you know uh who's covering our stuff.
So we have to support in this moment in this anti-dei space when these advertisers are not uh putting money into our products. we are going to have to fund uh our products.
We got no choice. And then when our black own media dies and then people go, "Oh my god, what happened?"
Then a lot of us going to have to look into the mirror. So uh support what we do, folks. Uh join our Brin the Funk fan club. Uh again, our goal is we're just our ask is simple. We keep our content free. We're not char we don't charge people. We don't put stuff behind a payw wall. I'm not telling you to go to Patreon. Go to Substack. We got a Substack. Ours is free. So, subscribe to our Substack. Uh, but join our Bring the Funk fan club. Uh, please do that. Uh, and so, um, if you if you want to contribute via cash app, uh, you see the QR code right here on the screen. Use that QR code. If you're listening, go to blackstaretwork.com, uh, for the QR code. Click the cash app button to contribute. Checks and money ordered make available to Roller Martin unfiltered. PO Box 57196, Washington DC 200037-0196.
PayPal is RM Martin unfiltered. Vinmo RM unfiltered. Zale Roland at Rolands Martin.com. Rolling at rolandfiltered.com. When you see new vision media, don't get afraid. That is us. That's our parent company. Nu vision visio n media inc. Uh uh download the blast network app. Apple phone, Android phone, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung smart TV. Uh, be sure to get our roller mark on Futra swag by going to shopblackstaretwork.com.
shopblackstaretwork.com to get our hats and t-shirts. Also support all the blackowned businesses that we have at shopblackstaretwork.com. When you buy the products from shopblackstaretwork.com, you're also supporting this show. So, let's also support our blackowned companies. Go to all those products you see in our studio. Those are all blackowned companies in our marketplace on on blackstar network.com. Be sure to download the app fan base. Follow me at Roland Martin. Let's build up that blackowned social media uh platform. Uh and um don't forget folks, go to blackstaretwork.com.
Uh click the Bishop William Barber story. So if you want to be trained into organizing and mobilizing, I want us to get 2,000 people. We have more than 12,200 right now. It's going to take place virtually June 12th and 13th. So, simply go to blackstaretwork.com and click that story. Folks, that's it. Uh, I got to go. Got to pack it up, head back to the airport, and then uh I will be back in the studio tomorrow, uh, where we'll give you a preview of the the Obama Presidential Center, which will be opening to the public on Junth in a couple of weeks. Folks, that's it.
I'll see y'all tomorrow right here, Roller Martin Unfiltered on the Blackar Network. Holla.
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