“August 19” by Langston Hughes
"August 19 (A Poem for Clarence Norris)" is a powerful 1938 political poem by famed poet Langston Hughes. It was written from the perspective of Mr. Clarence Norris, one of the nine Scottsboro Boys.
Donald V. Watkins
Donald V. Watkins has founded, owned, and grown a diverse portfolio of global businesses in the financial services and alternative energy sectors.
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The Watkins Family Decides to Further Endow the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr., Institute at Tennessee State University
The Watkins family enjoys a 97-year relationship with Tennessee State University. On August 28, 2026, the family will further endow the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr., Institute at TSU. The Institute offers academically gifted high school graduates who attend an accelerated program at TSU the opportunity to become doctors and dentists in seven years on a full academic scholarship.
Never Allow Religion or Ethnicity to Serve as a Litmus Test for Supporting a Political candidate
Whether we agree with the tenets of a major religion, or not, they must never serve as a litmus test for supporting a political candidate. The same holds true with respect to a candidate’s ethnicity and how they spell or pronounce their names. Hating on an American solely because of his/her religious faith, ethnicity, and/or the cultural heritage from which his/her name is derived is plain,…
THE NEW CIVIL RIGHTS ERA IS THE SAME AS THE OLD ONE
Whether it is stopping Donald Trump-controlled federal agencies and judges from robbing Fawn Weaver of her Uncle Nearest bourbon and whiskey company or trying to free Karmelo Anthony from his 35-year prison sentence, or seeking justice in the highly-questionable death of Nolan Wells, the new civil rights era is the same as the old one.
Society's Views on Criminal Justice are Evolving
For the reasons specified in this article, I believe in the system of justice that was articulated by Raf Vallone, who played millionaire businessman Constantin Demeris in Sidney Sheldon's bestselling 1973 novel, "The Other Side of Midnight," and its 1977 film adaptation. Demeris said he believed in “a head for an eye and a heart for a tooth. A simple religion, but once people know that I practice…
"Leave White Folks' Business Alone; Stay in Your Lane"
I have been advised to “leave white folks’ business alone” and to "stay in your lane." I did not realize that the articles I published dealt with “white folks’ business.” I thought they were issues of significant public interests to all Americans and the other world citizens who read my articles. I cover trending stories and current events on domestic and international topics. I don’t have a lane…
Celebrity Serial Killer William “Chick” Bush is Alive Today Because MAGA Officials in Alabama Do Not Have the Stomach to Execute Him.
I am the last living victim’s rights advocate in William “Chick” Bush’s 1981 serial murder case. I was on the crime scene of Bush’s execution-style murders of Larry Russell Dominguez and Thomas Adams. I saw the spot where a gravely wounded Tony Holmes wrote the license plate number of Bush’s car in his own blood on the floor of a convenience store before passing out. I saw the gruesome crime scene…
Elbert Bertram “Bert” Haltom, Jr.: A Brilliant North Alabama Attorney Who Coached Me Up as a Litigator
Elbert Bertram "Bert" Haltom, Jr., was a master litigator. We only battled in court once, and he kicked my ass. After the trial, Haltom spent several hours with me reviewing every phase of our litigation battle. He analyzed every offensive play I ran in the courtroom, witness-by-witness, and explained the defensive maneuvers that neutralized them. In the years that followed, I used every lesson…
Dr. Amin Y. Ghanem: Exceptional Brilliance in Global Business
Dr. Ghanem is an Egyptian-born American who has established a diverse career across medicine, global business, and green energy technology in the United States. He serves as the General Manager for all OxyNol Solutions-related projects in North Africa, the Middle East, and Spain. Dr. Ghanem is also the company’s point person on planned W2E projects in Tangiers and Casablanca, Morocco. He is a…
The Threats of Bodily Harm to My Young Sons, Donald Watkins, Jr., and Light Watkins, Hurt Me the Most
My investigation into the nationally profiled 1975 police shooting of an innocent and unarmed Montgomery, Alabama resident named Bernard Whitehurst brought threats of bodily harm to my young children. For months, anonymous callers to my home threatened to throw acid in my children’s faces if I didn’t back off. The two children who were most at risk were Donald Watkins, Jr., and Light Watkins, who…