In Defense of Black Lives

News Jun 14, 2024

Top Five Conversations We Don't Want To Hear At The Juneteenth Cookout

We always end up in spirited debate during cookout season. Let Juneteenth be one of those holidays we give some conversations a rest.

News May 21, 2024

The Fatal Shooting Of Black U.S. Airman By Florida Deputy Renews Debate About Race And Police Killings

"From my perspective, we feel we don't get the benefit of the doubt. It seems to be a 'shoot first, ask questions later' kind of thing," said Okaloosa County NAACP chapter president Sabu Willams.

News May 9, 2024

Atlanta To Pay $3.8 Million To Family Of Church Deacon Who Died After Being Tased By Police

“On behalf of my siblings and our entire family, we want to thank all the people across Atlanta who have supported us in our fight for justice for our father,” said the deacon's daughter, Arnitra.

News Apr 12, 2024

Police In Chicago Fired 96 Shots During A Traffic Stop, Killing A Black Motorist

The family of Dexter Reed is calling answers over the officers’ use of deadly force after the bodycam footage of the deadly March traffic stop was released on Tuesday.

News Apr 10, 2024

Police Shot Her 11-Year-Old Son. Now A Mississippi Mom Could Lose Custody Of Her Children

After police responded to a domestic dispute at their family home and shot 11-year-old Aderrien Murry, Nakala Murry is now facing accusations of child neglect.

News Mar 29, 2024

The Family Of A Black Man Killed By Detroit Police Awarded $1.5 Million By Jury.

A federal jury awarded Lamont Johnson’s family more than $1.5 million in damages after they found that the two policemen violated the Fourth Amendment using excessive force.

ESSENCE is partnering with the Movement for Black Lives to take action to #DefendBlackLife in a post-COVID world. Anti-Black violence, economic crisis, and COVID-19 disproportionately target Black people – we must make concrete demands for a future where Black lives not only matter, but thrive.