Michael Brown

A Black man wearing a t-shirt that says "Ferguson is everywhere" protests at night.
As told to Bakari Kitwana  Aug 9, 2019 6:51PM EDT

Message From the Ferguson Grassroots, 5 Years After Michael Brown's Death

Five years after the Michael Brown Rebellion, key activists and organizers weigh in on the impact of their local movement. 
Melissa McKinnies and Danye Jones. Black woman and Black boy sit next to each other and smile.
Melissa McKinnies as told to Bakari Kitwana  Aug 9, 2019 2:48PM EDT

Activist Melissa McKinnies on the Mike Brown Rebellion—And the Lynching of Her Son Danye

Melissa McKinnies was a Ferguson uprising fixture. It’s for this reason that the St. Louis mother believes that one of her sons was lynched in their backyard. Here are her words.
Michael Brown Jr. A drawing of a Black boy wearing headphones on a brown background
Michael Brown Sr. as told to Bakari Kitwana  Aug 9, 2019 9:42AM EDT

Missing Mike-Mike: Michael Brown Sr. Reflects on the 5 Years Since His Son Became a Political Symbol

Before Michael Brown Jr. became an international symbol of racialized police violence, he was an 18-year-old who cracked jokes, made music and planned for his future. Here, a deeply personal reflection by his dad on the fifth anniversary of his killing.
White police officer stands in front of a store at night with police car visible in the background.
Shani Saxon  Aug 6, 2019 5:15PM EDT

It's Still Dangerous to Drive While Black in Ferguson

Black drivers in Missouri continue to be stopped by police at a much higher rate than White drivers.
Black women and men in red and white clothing hold white banners with blue and red text and black illustrations of Black boys and men on dark grey pavement in front of yellow car lights
Sameer Rao  Mar 28, 2018 11:57AM EDT

Watch the Trailer for Michael Brown Documentary 'Stranger Fruit'

The film hits theaters next week.
Photos of White man and Black teenage boy on White background with black text and red annotations next to photo of Black teenage boy in green and red graduation robes on blue background within white background with black text, all on grey brick wall
Sameer Rao  Dec 8, 2017 3:23PM EST

How Alexandra Bell Turns Biased Media Coverage Into Anti-Racist Art

“Art people try to get me to diversify my work and not pigeonhole myself so I won’t be seen as the ‘race girl’ in the art world. But everything is about race. It’s tough not to say it’s about race.”
Black-and-white image of Black woman in black t-shirt with white text holding white megaphone in front of Black people in black and white and grey clothing
Sameer Rao  Aug 11, 2017 10:25AM EDT

4 Questions With the Directors of the Ferguson Uprising Doc, 'Whose Streets?'

Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis embedded themselves within the protests against the police killing of Michael Brown, braving violent police suppression to capture the uprising from the perspective of Black local activists.
A little Black girl wearing colorful barrettes holds a rag in front of her mouth to block police tear gas during a protest against the killing of Michael Brown
Lamont Lilly  Aug 9, 2017 9:18AM EDT

Police Killed Michael Brown 3 Years Ago. Reflections on the Energy and Trauma of the Uprising It Sparked

On August 9, 2014 Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson fatally shot an unarmed Black 18-year-old named Michael Brown. Ashley Yates was on the ground organizing during the uprising that followed. In this Q&A, writer, activist and artist Ashley Yates talks about facing militarized police daily, healing from burnout, and where the movement should go from here.
Black man in blue jeans black t-shirt with white letters and multicolored picture holds hand of Black woman in white shirt and black pants and brown sunglasses in front of pink wall with red, blue and black projection and Black men in grey and blue suits
Sameer Rao  Jun 22, 2017 5:18PM EDT

Michael Brown's Family Settles Wrongful Death Suit With City of Ferguson

Lezley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr. sued Ferguson, its former police chief and ex-officer Darren Wilson for their son’s 2014 death, which sparked local and national activism against police violence.
White sign with red and black images and lettering held by Black man in crowd of Black people in front of red brick building and green trees
Sameer Rao  Apr 28, 2017 4:27PM EDT

WATCH: Ferguson Rises Up Against Police Violence in the 'Whose Streets?' Trailer

The feature documentary opens in theaters August 11, just two days after the third anniversary of Michael Brown’s killing by ex-police officer Darren Wilson.
Michael Brown stands at a counter in a convenience store
Kenrya Rankin  Mar 14, 2017 11:02AM EDT

Ferguson Protestors to Prosecutors: Reopen Michael Brown Investigation

Newly released video casts doubt on claim that Brown robbed convenience store before he was killed by a Ferguson Police Department officer.
Black people in silhouette with hands raised stand in street under dim yellow light with blue and red police lights in the background
Sameer Rao  Feb 8, 2017 3:37PM EST

Magnolia Pictures Acquires Ferguson Uprising Doc, 'Whose Streets?'

The company, which also distributed “I Am Not Your Negro,” plans to release “Whose Streets?” this summer. 
White poster with black text and image of Black man set against black nighttime background
Sameer Rao  Dec 2, 2016 4:25PM EST

Films About Michael Brown, Roxanne Shanté Featured in 2017 Sundance Lineup

These films will bring issues of racial justice and emergent voices of color to Park City.
Women, girls and man on white and blue walkway in dresses and outfits of various colors
Sameer Rao  Aug 29, 2016 10:08AM EDT

Beyoncé Honors Mothers of the Movement, Crushes 'Lemonade' Hits at MTV Video Music Awards

Plus, Rihanna took home the Video Vanguard Award, Kanye West spoke (a lot) and more from the VMAs. 
Protester wears a black T-shirt with white writing that says "Ferguson is Everywhere"
Akiba Solomon  Aug 9, 2016 4:09PM EDT

Q&A: Marc Lamont Hill on Michael Brown, Imperfect Victims and Getting Past Survival Mode

Two years after the Michael Brown was shot to death by Ferguson officer Darren Wilson, the TV host, professor and writer Marc Lamont Hill shares why he dedicated his latest book, “Nobody,” to the 18-year-old, what’s changed in Ferguson and why we need to reframe how we see Black women’s encounters with police.
Children march in the street at night, holding white banners with the faces of Michael Brown, Cary Bell and Eric Garner
Kenrya Rankin  Aug 9, 2016 10:46AM EDT

#NeverForget: Michael Brown's Death, Two Years Later

On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown was killed—and we were forced to remind the world that Black Lives Matter.
A little Black girl in a striped hoodie holds up a sign during a protest
Bakari Kitwana  Aug 2, 2016 3:52PM EDT

Arresting Development

How law enforcement uses mass arrests, high bail, conditional plea deals and serious felony charges to suppress local organizing.
Nine black women stand in a line on a stage
Kenrya Rankin  Jul 27, 2016 7:43AM EDT

Mothers of the Movement Say Hillary Clinton is Unafraid to #SayTheirNames

Nine women—the mothers of Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin and more—took to the stage at the DNC to endorse the candidate they feel cares the most about Black lives.
Mike Brown in green graduation cap and green and red robes, Crank Lucas in white shirt with brown background
Sameer Rao  Jul 15, 2016 10:38AM EDT

Crank Lucas Spits Serious Bars on America's Hypocritical Racism

The MC and producer, best known for his videos satirizing rap music tropes, went off on police violence and America’s vilification of Black people.
Sameer Rao  Jun 10, 2016 10:33AM EDT

'Breaking' Presents: Xenia Rubinos, a Powerhose Singer/Songwriter Unafraid to Learn Out Loud

On her funky second album, “Black Terry Cat,” the genre-bender explores identity, police violence and the hidden labor of Latino/a restaurant workers.