#NNPA BlackPress
Flying Private Has Its Perks — Like Private Polo Clinics With Prince Harry’s Famous Buddy and VIP Tours of Disney World
JACKSONVILLE FREE PRESS — Let’s be frank. Flying private is usually an incredible experience. Not only do you get to skip the hassle of dealing with crowds at massive, commercial airports, you also get to skip the pain of checking your bags, dealing with long security lines, and the nightmare that is the boarding process.
By The Urban Traveler
Let’s be frank. Flying private is usually an incredible experience. Not only do you get to skip the hassle of dealing with crowds at massive, commercial airports, you also get to skip the pain of checking your bags, dealing with long security lines, and the nightmare that is the boarding process.
And that’s not even getting started on the luxuries you find once on board: free-flowing champagne, comfortable leather seats, and the ability to have the entire experience to yourself. Oh, and pictures in the cockpit if you want.
But one private plane company, NetJets, is taking the experience of flying private even further by offering exclusive, tailored events for members of the service. NetJets works by offering fractional ownership of a plane, meaning that people who buy shares in a specific type of plane in the fleet receive an equivalent number of flight hours on that type of aircraft or better. Even more, the plane is maintained and operated by NetJets, so owners don’t have to worry about maintenance, crew, or repositioning — the common struggles of owning a private plane.
Besides simply flying to their destination on a private plane, NetJets owners have the opportunity to join in on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities perfectly curated for the jet-set class. For example, before the Hampton’s Cup — an annual polo match fundraiser — owners had the chance to attend a private polo match and clinic at Beechnut Hill Farm, a $39,500,000 estate in Watermill, New York. Participants in the clinic were able to get hands-on lessons from world-renowned polo star (and buddy of Prince Harry) Nacho Figueras, a NetJets owner himself.
And that’s not the only way to get the VIP treatment in the Hamptons, which is only a roughly 20-minute flight from Teterboro Airport outside of New York City. Throughout the summer owners can get the royal treatment at the Hamptons Classic show jumping event or access to The Bridge, an ultra-exclusive collectible car show held at the Bridgehampton Golf Club.
So whether you’re just dreaming about the perks of flying private or seriously considering a buy-in, it’s easy to see that the return on investment is more than just miles in the sky. But it doesn’t necessarily come cheap — a 25-hour block with NetJets starts around $127,000, or about $5,000 an hour. But if you’ve got the cash, it seems like the only problem is deciding where to point the plane for the right experience for your tastes.
This article originally appeared in Jacksonville Free Press.
#NNPA BlackPress
Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.
Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”
The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”
#NNPA BlackPress
Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”
But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”
Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”
#NNPA BlackPress
WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event
Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed
May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.
But what has happened since?
Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?
This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.
Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:
Panelists:
- Medaria Arradondo – Former Minneapolis Police Chief
- Nekima Levy Armstrong – Civil Rights Activist & Attorney
- Dr. Yohuru Williams – Racial Justice Initiative,
- UST Mary Moriarty – Hennepin County Attorney
- Fireside Chat with Andre Locke – Father of Amir Locke
Special Guests:
- Kennedy Pounds – Spoken Word Artist
- Known MPLS – Youth Choir bringing purpose through song
This podcast episode looks at the past five years through the lens of grief, truth, and hope—and challenges us all to do more.
Subscribe to Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real wherever you get your podcasts or follow @mnspokesmanrecorder for more.
Visit https://spokesman-recorder.com for more coverage and stories from Minnesota’s trusted Black news source.
#GeorgeFloyd #BlackPress #SpokesmanRecorder #Minneapolis #BlackHistory
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