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PRESS ROOM: This Little Light of Mine in Space: Topper Carew sends Payload up to the International Space Station: It was launched on January 30.

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The Little Light of Mine lyrics are symbolic, positive, and memorable. They radiate a message of hope, healing, peace, love, joy, coming together for the common good, and being our sister’s and brother’s keepers. The Planet could use some good energy right now. It is the basis of this project.
The post PRESS ROOM: This Little Light of Mine in Space: Topper Carew sends Payload up to the International Space Station: It was launched on January 30. first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 year ago

March 25, 2024

Oakland Post

Project Description:

This Little Light of Mine is named after the song. It is an inspirational song that many people know. I have conceived and plan to launch a Space Payload in January (2024). The Little Light Space Payload will be transported by a Space-X rocket up to The International Space Station (ISS). The Payload will broadcast a film of children’s choirs from around the world singing “This Little Light of Mine” back to Earth. It will circle the Globe 16 times a day for 30-45 days where during which the recording will be downloaded periodically throughout the mission and hosted on the This Little Light of Mine in Space website at http://ThisLittleLightofMineinSpace.com.

On the website, you can also track the film as it circles the Globe. You can also see the ISS space-to-earth version and the originally made version of the film. The project is financed by Carew with monies he earned as a Co-Creator of the long-running “Martin” television series. It is a way of giving something back to supporters and fans of the show.

Why are we doing this:

The Little Light of Mine lyrics are symbolic, positive, and memorable. They radiate a message of hope, healing, peace, love, joy, coming together for the common good, and being our sister’s and brother’s keepers. The Planet could use some good energy right now. It is the basis of this project.

How the project originated:

Dr. Topper Carew was invited to China pre-pandemic to design a prototype for a Mars Colony. As a result of Carew’s space interest, his dear friend Milton Kotler introduced him to Jeffrey Manber of Nanoracks, a global leader in providing access to space. Carew proposed the project to Manber who then introduced Carew to DreamUp. DreamUp is a space-based STEM education company. Nanoracks is its parent company. He proposed the This Little Light of Mine in Space project to them, and they responded positively. Thus, the project materialized.

The Science:

As a result of his media research, Dr. Carew with a team of Nanorack engineers developed a shoe box-sized Broadcast Studio that fits into the Payload container. The Payload container will ship to the ISS, attach, and plug-in, making it possible to broadcast the film as data back to Earth.

The Awareness campaign:

A Behind the Scenes Documentary of the entire process is made and will be available to Broadcasters on an open-source basis. It will be accompanied by a public awareness and social media campaign.

How to see the film being broadcast back to Earth:

The Payload will circle the Planet for approximately 1.5 months. There will be a “This Little Light of Mine in Space” website with a tracker to indicate when the Space Station is passing over your location. At night, it will appear as the 3^rd brightest Star in the Sky. One will be able to access the film version sent up to the ISS as it broadcasts back to Earth to the website on any of your devices. In the window next to the ISS broadcast, you will be able to see and compare its image quality to the originally made film.

Importance of the project

To Children. Engraved on the Payload are the following…This is dedicated to the Children of the World…because you matter.

To All Young People. By introducing and exciting America’s youth to Space technology, more young people will explore it as a career possibility.

To the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCU’s and HBCU students will be encouraged to pursue careers in the Space field.

To America. As more of America’s young people and HBCU students join the space workforce, America can more competitive and continue to lead the international Space quest.

To History. This project originated with, Topper Carew, an African American from Roxbury. It may be the first time an African American has independently originated, financed, and sent up a Payload to the International Space Station.

Project Originator/Creator:

Topper Carew, PhD

CONTACT:

toppercarew8@gmail.com

818 613 9677

The post PRESS ROOM: This Little Light of Mine in Space: Topper Carew sends Payload up to the International Space Station: It was launched on January 30. first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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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

17 hours 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

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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

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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

2 days ago

May 28, 2025

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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: