#NNPA BlackPress

Michael Jackson’s Former Manager Launches Legacy Foundation

WASHINGTON INFORMER — In the week leading up to what would have been Michael Jackson’s 61st birthday, a former spokeswoman for the late King of Pop announced the launch of a foundation she says will fulfill his philanthropic vision, as articulated to her and outlined in a secret, unsubstantiated will.

Published

6 years ago

August 29, 2019

Oakland Post

Michael Jackson (Photo credit: Splash News)

By Sam P.K. Collins

In the week leading up to what would have been Michael Jackson’s 61st birthday, a former spokeswoman for the late King of Pop announced the launch of a foundation she says will fulfill his philanthropic vision, as articulated to her and outlined in a secret, unsubstantiated will.

The announcement, made during a Thursday morning press conference at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in northwest D.C., comes amid an ongoing legal battle between the spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain, and the Jackson estate. It also followed her first public response to the HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which featured two men alleging sexual abuse by Jackson during their childhood.

“This is a mandate to preserve and defend Michael Jackson’s name,” Bain said in reference to what’s been revealed as the Michael Jackson Legacy Foundation.

She broke the news before an audience of entertainment industry mavens, reporters and community members.

While no funds have been dedicated to the Michael Jackson Legacy Foundation yet, Bain expressed a desire to embark on this endeavor independent of the Michael Jackson estate. She said future plans will involve the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center and Heal the World Foundation, the late Jackson’s brainchild to be resurrected by his son Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., also known as Prince Jackson.

“[Jackson] might no longer be with us, but we’re hoping that he will continue to live among us,” Bain said. “I won’t mention the name of his accusers, but these new revelations were timed for the beginning of the tenth anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. I believe this was to derail anything in his honor.”

In 2006, a year after a California court acquitted Jackson on all charges of child molestation involving a 13-year-old boy, he appointed Bain as his personal general manager and president/COO of the Michael Jackson Company. Bain later served as his music licensing agent and partial owner of the Michael Jackson Company.

Three years later, on June 25, Jackson died in what the Los Angeles County Coroner later called a homicide. At the time of his death, he had been preparing for a litany of comeback concerts scheduled for 2009 and 2010.

Jackson, one of the best-selling artists of all time, boasted global record sales of more than 350 million, including that of “Thriller.” He had also won several awards for his music and choreography.

Not long after Jackson’s death, Bain filed a $44 million lawsuit against the Michael Jackson Company for breach of contract, which the court later rejected, even with an appeal.

In 2016, much to Bain’s chagrin, Jackson’s estate sold a 50 percent share of his music catalogue, which includes music by the Beatles, to Sony Music, By early 2017, Jackson’s mother, Catherine Jackson, joined the lawsuit for a 15 percent stake in the Michael Jackson Company.

During Thursday’s press conference, Bain didn’t divulge many details about the ongoing litigation.

In response to her announcement, an estate spokesperson said Bain has no authorization to launch a foundation in Jackson’s name or use his likeness for any other means. However, the estate espoused support for Bain’s call to boycott HBO for airing “Leaving Neverland.”

Since its early March release, “Leaving Neverland” has earned five Emmys and a TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information. The production also drew the ire of Jackson’s family and fans, with the Michael Jackson Foundation lobbing a $100 million lawsuit against HBO. By April, HBO denied rumors that it would pull “Leaving Neverland” from its lineup.

But for Bain, the damage to Jackson’s reputation had been done. In supporting the Michael Jackson Legacy Foundation, Jackson’s fans could change the tide, she said Thursday.

“2019 is the year we should be celebrating the sheer genius and generosity of a man I knew to be gentle, kind, humble, spiritual, and sincere,” Bain said. “He was a trailblazer [and] humanitarian who gave $300 million away to various charities. He was a man who opened doors and helped influence music and musicians. He was one of the first in the industry to give to the NAACP [and] AIDS research.

“Through his friend Elizabeth Taylor, he supported the LGBT community before it was organized,” she said. “He wanted to open libraries in underserved communities. He was a man who I know based on his spiritual fiber and pedigree would be incapable of hurting a child.”

This post originally appeared in The Washington Informer.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Gourmet Gents is ‘a true party with a purpose’

Don't Miss

Three MSU Graduates Awarded Fulbright Scholarships

Oakland Post

Click to comment

#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.

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

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.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#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.

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

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.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#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.

Published

3 days ago

May 28, 2025

admin

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: