Gospel legends Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond recently teamed up for the latest ‘Verzuz’ session! But, instead of the typical battle, they turned the moment into a space for healing.

The world almost seems to be in a chaos of change lately. We are still learning how to navigate the new normal of continuing life in the middle of a pandemic. In addition, the death of George Floyd and the nationwide protests that have followed have only added to the challenges in our world today. This night of inspiration was just what we all needed.

Bishop T.D. Jakes opened the music event with words of hope:

“Darkness everywhere, seemingly everywhere,” he said. “Today we pray for light because we have seen too much darkness, from Trayvon to George Floyd. From 100K people dead from Covid … Lord knows we’ve seen too much darkness.”

Jakes continued, “I don’t know about you … but sometimes I feel like that knee is on my back and I can’t breathe. But let everything that has breath praise the lord.,” and led viewers with a prayer: “We pray back the darkness, we pray back the dark clouds … the injustice, the immorality … We pray it back out of our country, out of our world … out of minds, out of every crevice, out of every shadow, we cast you out! … Oh God, wherever there is pain, giving healing … Where ever there is despair, give hope … The joy is coming in the morning. I can hear the ticktock on the wall … We are getting closer and closer … To the morning … It will not be long until joy comes into your heart, our communities, our lives, our homes our churches. Joy is coming in the morning. And we will breathe again. Amen.”

Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond wearing “I can’t breathe” and “I can’t breathe… again” t-shirts for their #VERZUZ battle 🖤#EricGarner #GeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/OW9rEN4IVd

— Dionne Grant (@DionneGrant) May 31, 2020

Before the tracks were played, Franklin said, “It’s been a painful week. It’s been a difficult week. We want to make it a moment of healing for you. We have 42 songs to give to you. We know the pain, we see the pain.”

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE:

President Obama was recently featured in the MBK Alliance Town Hall Series where they discussed mental health and wellness in a racism pandemic.

In this conversation, Obama joined Congressman John Lewis, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative Bryan Stevenson, Writer and Survivor of Police Brutality Leon Ford, Jr., and Youth Leader LeQuan Muhammad, in a conversation moderated by Activist and Author Darnell Moore.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS:

Over 1,000 people are killed by police every year in America, and Black people are three times more likely to be killed than White people. We can take steps and make reforms to combat police violence and systemic racism within law enforcement.
President Obama pushed many of these reforms during his time in office, and started the My Brother’s Keeper initiative (also known as MBK Alliance) in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s death to break down barriers and expand opportunity for boys and young men of color. But far more progress remains to be made. We’re inspired by those protesting for accountability and change, even in the face of a pandemic.

WATCH THE FULL TOWN HALL MEETING HERE:

The MBK Alliance shared the following statement:

“We work to help leaders change their world—and the world needs changing. The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the loss of far too many Black lives to list, have left our nation anguished and outraged. While now is a time for grief and anger, it is also a time for resolve.”

Visit their website directly to find resources and to learn what you can do to create a more just and equitable world: www.bit.ly/3cKcSng

[Be sure to read the statements from President Obama and Mrs. Obama on the killing of George Floyd, and learn more about the work of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance.]

Tauren Wells recently spoke out about the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery on instagram. Ahmaud was a Black 25 year old man who was shot while simply jogging in his own neighborhood of Satilla Shores, near the Georgia coast.

Tauren posted a photo of Ahmaud that included the following statement:
“If the roles were reversed, the shooters would be in jail RIGHT NOW. God let justice run like a river. My prayers are with the Arbery family. America, we have a problem. Who will raise their voice? LINK TO PETITION IN MY BIO”

In his video he shares that after speaking out, he lost followers, and received messages from others who didn’t think he should have commented on this issue.

Later the same day, Tauren made a facebook live post sharing why he posted about the incident and why he still stands behind his decision despite losing followers and despite receiving replies from fans who didn’t agree with his position on the issue.

Tauren’s full video reply was everything that we all needed to hear…
 

View this post on Instagram

#irunwithmaud Link to petition in my bio

A post shared by Tauren Wells (@taurenwells) on May 6, 2020 at 1:32pm PDT

MORE ABOUT AHMAUD ARBERY

Ahmaud Arbery was a former high school football star who would’ve celebrated his 26th birthday Friday, May 8th.

As reported by several news sources, Ahmaud was known in the neighborhood and would even occasionally wave to his neighbors as he ran. On Sunday, February 23, a series of events transpired that resulted in Ahmaud being shot and killed by Gregory McMichael, 64, and his 34-year-old son, Travis McMichael.

The accused father Gregory McMichael reportedly told police that 25 year old Arbery violently attacked his son. But, the video footage filmed by an anonymous individual and released this week contradicts that claim. Arbery’s parents have now been calling the incident with their son “a modern day lynching in the middle of the day”.

Ahmaud’s Brunswick High School football coach and history teacher Jason Vaughn had the following to say about Ahmuad:

“Amazing football player, amazing speed…He’s one of those students you don’t forget because his smile was so infectious. His smile made you smile”

To learn more about this case click here to view the full story on CNN.
The Runners World organization and others have come together in protest to run while using the hashtag #irunwithmaud to spread more aware awareness to this case until the accused are held accountable. Click here to learn how you can get involved.

Our prayers are with the family of Ahmaud Arbery as we also continue to pray for more change in our nation. Prejudice and racism must end. Join us in prayer and continue to be the change you want to see. #irunwithmaud