James M. Lawson Jr., a Methodist minister who became the teacher of the civil rights movement, has died. He was 95.

Rev James M. Lawson Jr passes

Lawson died Sunday of cardiac arrest en route to a Los Angeles hospital, according to his son J. Morris Lawson III.

Civil rights activist

Lawson was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1928, according to his biography by The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. For decades, Lawson worked as a pastor, labor movement organizer and university professor. Recruited by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Lawson trained hundreds of youthful protesters in nonviolent tactics that made the Nashville lunch counter sit-ins a model for fighting racial inequality in the 1960s. Dubbed ad “the leading nonviolence theorist” by King, Lawson had studied Gandhi’s philosophy in India before joining the movement in the South. He led seminars throughout the region and became a gallivanting spokesperson for the Southern Christian Leadership.  Conference. In 1968, he invited King to speak to striking sanitation workers in Memphis, where the captivating preacher was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. Lawson committed his life to civil rights, working with various groups in the South until 1974, when he moved to L.A. to become pastor of Holman United Methodist Church. He led the church for 25 years. He retired in 1999 but remained an activist for peace and social justice. He also taught at the University of California Los Angeles’ college of social sciences, and university officials there called him “one of the most impactful social justice leaders of the twentieth-century.”

Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMCM) Sherman Byrd, the first Black Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in the U.S. Navy, is being honored in a first of its kind exhibit by the United States Department of Defense at the Pentagon.

The first Black Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in the U.S. Navy

On April 23, part of a corridor in the Pentagon was dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony to honor the joint explosive ordnance disposal mission and the opening of the exhibit in which the history-making Byrd is prominently featured. Throughout his career, BMCM Byrd served on 10 ships, and supported the Secret Service in the protection of U.S. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. Byrd was a native of Mississippi and lived and trained in Virginia, where he also passed away. “I am overjoyed to see the historic naval contributions of my father be honored at the Pentagon,” said Cynthia Byrd Conner, daughter of BMCM Sherman Byrd, who published the book on his career disarming bombs “Quiet Strong” several years ago. “While he did not bring a lot of attention to himself, he was the epitome of a ‘sea daddy,’ mentoring young sailors until they became subject matter experts.  He led by example while performing such a dangerous job, and he did it quietly.”

Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exhibit

The new Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exhibit is the first and only exhibit in the Pentagon that represents the history, mission, culture and tools of the Joint EOD Force.

U.S. Navy’s EOD Division

The U.S. Navy’s EOD Division was founded in 1941 after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.  Technicians who are part of the division render safe unexploded bombs and ordnances, including improvised, chemical, biological and nuclear – both on land and underwater. “It’s truly an honor to officially open the Pentagon’s first and only explosive ordnance disposal exhibit,” said Melissa Dalton, deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, during the ribbon cutting ceremony. “The brave men and women who volunteer for this dangerous special duty are out there in our communities, on our military installations, traveling with the president and deployed across the world every day of the year.”

Ribbon cutting ceremony

More than three dozen members of the Byrd family from California, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Illinois attended the ribbon cutting. Joining the U.S. Navy in 1947, Byrd became the first Black American to graduate from EOD School in Indian Head, Maryland in 1958. He previously graduated from the Deep-Sea Diving School at Washington Navy Yard and Naval School Underwater Swimmers, in Key West, Florida. In 1969, he was promoted to Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate, a rank that only 1% of all enlisted personnel achieve. Byrd died at the age of 40 in 1971 in Virginia from a heart attack following a physical training exercise. In 2009, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit 2 facility was dedicated in his honor. In 2022, he was also honored with a Resolution in Jacksonville, Florida, where his daughter lives.

Tour the Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exhibit

Those wishing to reserve a Pentagon Tour must be 18 years or older and a United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States. Before the tour, all adult tour members must register as Pentagon Visitors and be cleared by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency to enter the Pentagon for the tour. To reserve a tour, please visit the Pentagon Tour Reservation Portal.

BLK dating and lifestyle app for the Black community proudly unveils their new endeavor: The BLK MBA (Master of Black Affection) Program.

The BLK MBA (Master of Black Affection) Program

Created to empower and support recent graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) facing post-graduation employment challenges, this innovative initiative seeks to redefine both professional and dating dynamics, while providing financial support to young job-seekers.

Improving employment rates

At its core, the BLK MBA Program creates an opportunity for recent HBCU graduates to navigate the journey from academia to the workforce. Despite improving graduation rates, systemic and cultural obstacles often obstruct the path to employment for Black graduates. African Americans with college degrees are twice as likely to be unemployed as other graduates, with 12.4 percent of Black college graduates being unemployed, a rate significantly higher than the 5.6 percent average for all college graduates. BLK recognizes the need for solutions to fix this gap.

Summer of growth and discovery

The program isn’t your traditional MBA program – there will be no coursework or thesis statements. Instead, BLK will select three outstanding graduates from HBCUs, inviting them to embark on a summer of growth and discovery. These participants will immerse themselves in the vibrant BLK community, exploring networking and connections on the app. Along the way, they’ll share feedback to make the user experience even better, working alongside the brand to gain a deeper understanding of how Black Gen-Z approaches dating, networking and creating connections. Each participant will be awarded a stipend to support them during their journey.

BLK MBA Program Application

The application process for the BLK MBA Program commences in May, inviting recent HBCU graduates to apply. Applicants will be required to submit their resumes and a personal statement that showcases both their desire and need to be a part of the program. A panel of judges, comprising BLK brand team members and Black leaders from the BLK Advocacy Council, will evaluate applications to select three participants based on academic achievements, personal statements, and potential contributions. Selected participants will embark on a transformative journey throughout the summer, immersing themselves in the vibrant BLK community to hone their networking skills and forge meaningful connections with other Black singles, recent graduates, young professionals and Black business leaders. Participants will also proactively network, arrange meetings, and go on dates with the goal of fostering relationships that could lead to meaningful relationships and valuable job opportunities. As they navigate the digital dating landscape, participants will not only shape the future of dating experiences for Black Gen-Z individuals but also gain invaluable insights into effective networking strategies.

More information

For further information about the BLK MBA Program and details on how to apply, please visit https://www.theplugbyblk.com/blkmba2024.