Gregory and Travis McMichael, the father, and son convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to life in prison for their federal hate-crime convictions. The McMichaels were convicted of the hate-crime charge of interference with rights and attempted kidnapping in February of this year.
Travis McMichael, 36, was given life plus an additional 10-year sentence for using a firearm in the commission of the crime, and Gregory McMichael, 66, was given life plus an additional seven-year term for brandishing a weapon.
The hate-crime sentences will run concurrently with the life sentences each man already received for state charges, and the additional punishments for the firearms will run consecutively.
Their neighbor, William Bryan, 52, who joined the McMichael’s in chasing Arbery through their Georgia neighborhood and recorded the killing on his cell phone, also received a sentence of 35 years.
While the McMichaels are not eligible for parole, Bryan is eligible for parole after he serves 30 years. “By the time you’ve served your federal sentence, you will be close to 90 years old. But, again, Mr. Arbery never got the chance to be 26,” Judge Wood said.
The three men requested to serve their sentences in a federal facility after their lawyers cited threats against the younger McMichael and the health of the elder McMichael. Judge Wood rejected both requests stating that the men would go to state prison first because they were first prosecuted for murder by state authorities.
Judge Wood said she had spent time thinking about the appropriate sentences for the men. She noted that the men had received a fair trial, which she presided over; “the kind of trial that Ahmaud Arbery did not receive before he was shot and killed,” Wood said.
In her final remarks, the Judge ruled that the three defendants would be remanded to state custody to begin their sentences.
Federal prosecutors proved that Arbery’s killing was motivated by racism after showing dozens of text messages and posts on Travis McMichael’s and William Bryan’s social media pages where they made racial slurs about Black people.
The murder of Arbery sparked outrage across the country as most Civil Rights organizations called it a “modern-day lynching.”
Wanda Cooper-Jones, Arbery’s mother, spoke to reporters after the sentencing “I’m very thankful. It’s been a long fight. I’m so thankful God gave us the strength to continue to fight.”
The men were allowed to address the court and the Arbery family; however, Travis McMichael, who fired the fatal shots, declined to address the court.
His father, Gregory McMichael, did address the Arbery family, saying, “The loss you’ve endured is beyond description. I’m sure my words mean very little to you, but I want to assure you I never wanted any of this to happen.
There was no malice in my heart or my son’s heart that day.”
William Bryan also addressed the Arbery family, saying, “I’m glad to finally have the chance to say to Arbery’s family and friends how sorry I am for what happened to him on that day.
I never intended any harm to him.”
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said, “The Justice Department does not investigate or prosecute people because of their ideology or the views they hold, no matter how vile.
But the Justice Department does have the authority — and will not hesitate to act — when individuals commit violent acts that are motivated by bias or hatred. No one in this country should have to fear the threat of hate-fueled violence.”
Ania Sari is a singer, songwriter who is diving headfirst into the music industry with her new anthem dedicated to the Crypto community. In her new single, “Crypto Mind,” which was released on July 1st, Sari used her knowledge and love of crypto currency investing to write the new R&B/Pop crossover single.
A 2021 mentee for Apple Music Studios, International Soho House, and Creative Futures Mentorship Program, Sari’s “Crypto Mind” comes after a year of focus.
Learning from some of the industry’s top leaders, Sari was able to hone in on her skills during these three intensive artist programs.
What does it mean to have a Crypto Mind?
Ania Sari related that “to have a Crypto Mind isn’t just about investing,” shared the singer.
“It’s a mindset that can be applied to love, friendship, and more. The main key is to think long-term. Everything’s a long-term investment, so have patience.”
Ania Sari is a Los Angeles native who has loved to sing even before she could talk—at nine-years-old. Her raw musical talent and melodic pitch comes from years of development that began with school musicals, and even two award-winning high school show choirs.
“Music is my first love. I started singing competitively during middle school as a soloist, in an acapella group, and with my show choir,” shared Sari. “[That] really gave me a love for performing as well as singing and writing songs.”
The single was created to explain investing to people in a way they could relate to.
Sari believes that investing is a long-term tool for building wealth for oneself and those around them.
“Building a financial foundation for your family takes time and commitment. The song says ‘say you’re here for the long run not short term fun, want to watch the growth see potential in the both of us’ signifying that people are too focused on fast money,” explained Ania.
The artists puts relationships and crypto hand-in-hand, saying that it’s important to go slow and take your time with both.
“Fast doesn’t last,” she said.
Even with the crypto market currently struggling, Ania Sari encourages all the heart-broken crypto enthusiast out there to hold on to hope.
“Hang in there,” encouraged the singer who began investing in crypto when she was eighteen years old.
“This is a long-term investment, and like any relationship there are highs and lows. If you’re going to see a return in your investment, you have to be patient.”
Sari continued with, “Crypto is clearing in a downtrend, right now, but I do believe it won’t stay this way for much longer.
There’s an opportunity now for people who don’t know or are leery about investing to research and explore it!
This is a great possibility of investing and building long-term wealth for oneself and future generations.”
Ania doesn’t plan on releasing her role as a crypto enthusiast, either.
In fact, she’s currently working on a music video for “Crypto Mind” as she works on releasing some new music soon.
You can listen to “Crypto Mind” on any streaming platform.
For more information on Ania Sari, visit http://AniaSari.com or check out her Instagram (@ania_sari).
The only way to describe the short film, “Scoring Artist,” is through the words of its creator.
As an “immersive oasis experience merging art, basketball, and technology,”
the movement hosted a premiere showing of the documentary at Sole Folks;
a local hotspot for diverse-owned products, located at 44317 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, California, on July 21.
When viewers walked in, their senses were greeted with the hypnotic sounds created by DJ Freckles, which encouraged them to roam through the loft area of the store.
The Sole Folks space is adorned with Black-owned goods available for purchase. As the day melted into the evening, locals enjoyed the lingering warmth of the summer heat.
They beamed with excitement from the buzz happening at Sole Folks.
Family, friends, and loved ones gathered to support a short, documentary style narrative, produced by the filmmaker and director known as Glen Angeleno.
The premiere showing was executed by multi-faceted curator, Melina Jones, the Wealthy Mules community, and supporting staff at Sole Folks. Indigo rap artist, Ayotemi, also performed before the viewing of the film.
The short narrative, “Scoring Artist,” is a short documentary “capturing the master chef’s first day back in the kitchen.”
The film opens to Angeleno handling the lens of his camera, like a fly on the wall, the viewers see the interior of where professional basketball players were practicing.
He follows legendary basketball player Baron Davis around different gym sessions. The story begins to unfold after a hilarious coaching period with comedian Hannibal Buress and Davis.
Suddenly, the routine walkthrough takes an eventful turn as Davis joins other athletes practicing, one being Stephen Curry, the master chef.
The timing of this recording was significant because it captured a skilled artist back in his element, after recovering from a severe injury. It reflected the behavior and mindset of a champion.
The short documentary was made in 2020 and it featured close-up shots of Curry at his first basketball practice after breaking his hand.
After the premiere, viewers were raving about the film.
“I thought the movie was excellent. I really appreciated the artistry, and the expressionism—how he tied in technology, basketball, music, Blackness.
It just made me want to spread love, I love being Black,” stated a community member who attended the premiere.
Angeleno released the following statement, “I transitioned from basketball into other art forms that brought me joy - storytelling, filmmaking, visual and digital artistry."
The “Scoring Artist” creator continued, "This event combines genres in a way that has never been done before — it's just one example of the abundance and opportunities we can create when we all come together. This is how we live.
“By eliminating the middleman, we can connect athletes, businesspeople, and artists to advance ownership, equity, and accessibility in our own neighborhood.”
Be a part of this journey on Instagram, follow @scoring.artist, @solefolks, and @wealthymules.
After four years away from the media spotlight due to disputed allegations of misconduct against him, Tavis Smiley made a celebratory return to the airwaves last year as the owner of KBLA Talk 1580.
The only Black-owned and operated talk radio station west of the Mississippi, KBLA commemorated its one-year anniversary on Juneteenth 2022.
The long route to KBLA Talk 1580 begins with the roots of the man behind it.
A small town with one traffic light called Bunker Hill, Indiana is the place Smiley grew up learning the value of family.
Though he was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, his family moved to Bunker Hill when he was just two years old.
But, Smiley still has a great appreciation and deep connection to the “Black South.”
He spent summers in Gulfport with his “Big Mama” and enjoyed hours of talking with her on the back porch while sitting in rocking chairs.
Growing up, Smiley says, he never wanted to be a Hollywood star. Instead, he aspired to be an advocate for his people, just like his hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Los Angeles is where my career jumped off,” said Smiley.
“When people think L.A., they don’t think of politics, empowerment, and advocacy, but here [Los Angeles] is where it all began.”
Smiley has since grown into an acclaimed author, activist, and radio and television host.
He describes his career ideology as “loving, learning, and amplifying the voices of his community.”
Smiley says this notion honors the legacy of his hero, Dr. King, who he describes as “the greatest American this country has ever produced.”
On December 13, 2017, during the height of the “Me Too Movement,” the public television network PBS accused Smiley of breaching a company morals clause.
Though a jury recommended that he pay restitution to the network, Smiley emphatically maintains his innocence.
“It was a rough four years out of media, and the toughest four years of my career,” said Smiley. “When you’ve been on the radio and television every day for decades, then overnight, over false allegations, you find [that you’re] defending yourself in the public arena.”
Smiley says he felt his voice had been silenced, and that it was a difficult transition for him. “I didn’t know that I would make it back [into media], whatever that means. I read and heard so much commentary about me.”
From the time he was 12-years-old, he says, he dedicated his life to making sure that the world was safe for Black people.
He didn’t have a “plan b” when his public platform was snatched from beneath him. Smiley describes it as “four long tumultuous and tearful years of upheaval.”
Then, he remembers one night praying and considering his options. He says it occurred to him that if he was waiting on major television networks or radio stations to call and offer him a job, then that call wasn’t coming.
Instead, Smiley knew if he was going to “make it back into the ring to fight for his people,” he would have to begin by fighting for himself.
Smiley says he was encouraged by the words of his good friend and musical legend, Prince.
He remembers Prince saying, “The next phase in your career has got to be about owning your own platform for distribution.” Sadly, Prince passed away before the PBS controversy, but Smiley says he continued to hear Prince’s words in his head.
Then, one day at 3 a.m., during the height of the racial reckoning surrounding the murder of George Floyd, Smiley says he realized that L.A. lacked a Black-owned talk radio station.
He began writing notes, developing ideas, and implementing strategies that led to the launch of KBLA Talk 1580 on Juneteenth last year.
KBLA’s motto is “unapologetically progressive.”
Explaining the meaning behind this motto, Smiley replied, “The problem with talk radio today is it’s all day, all night, and all White.
So, we make no apologies about our mission, and we want to be bold about that.”
Smiley believes being progressive means wanting the same thing for your children that others have for theirs, like high-quality education, safe neighborhoods, equal pay for equal work, and living in areas where there are no toxic dumps.
“I want to see America be as great of a nation as it has promised,” Smiley said.
Smiley is proud to have hosts at KBLA Talk 1580 who look like its listeners and who strengthen their voices. “Our community is not a monolith, and there is a myriad of voices in the Black community, and all those voices deserve to be heard,” Smiley said.