Hip-Hop Legend, Fatman Scoop, Dies, On Stage, hop hop, Jackie Shane

by Daniel Johnson

September 1, 2024

Hip-Hop Legend Fatman Scoop Dies At 53 Following Collapse On Stage

Celebrities like Ciara and Missy Elliot paid tribute to Fatman Scoop on social media.

Fatman Scoop, considered by many to be one of the greatest hype men to ever exist in hip-hop, died on Aug. 30 after he reportedly collapsed on stage during a concert. The rapper’s family confirmed his death in an Aug. 31 Instagram post. He was 53 at the time of his death.

According to NBC News, Fatman Scoop, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, was performing at the Green and Gold Party, a summer concert in Hamden, Connecticut, when he experienced a medical emergency while on the stage.

Lauren Garrett, the mayor of Hamden, issued a statement offering condolences to Freeman’s family and thanking those who assisted with his emergency.

“On behalf of the Town of Hamden, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Isaac Freeman, known as Fatman Scoop,” Garrett said. “He was a wonderful performer with a wide following as evidenced by the thousands of fans that came to see what would be his last performance at Hamden Town Center Park.”

Garrett continued, “I am grateful to the audience members and to our paramedics that attempted to offer life-saving assistance. For anyone who is having difficulty processing and mourning Isaac’s loss, particularly after witnessing the tragedy unfold at town center park, we will be hosting grief counseling with our social worker.”

The family’s post to Freeman’s IG page served as a somber tribute to the performer whose voice seemed to possess boundless energy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fatman Scoop (@fatmanscoop)

“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop,” the family wrote. “Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.”

The post continued, “FatMan Scoop was not just a world-class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and friend. He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage. FatMan Scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club. His music made us dance and embrace life with positivity. His joy was infectious and the generosity he extended to all will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”

Freeman worked with several artists, including Missy Elliott, Ciara, Timbaland, Magoo, and Mariah Carey.

Some of those artists, like Ciara and Missy Elliott, shared their tributes to Freeman on social media.

Prayers for Fatman Scoop family for STRENGTH during this difficult time🙏🏾 Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades. Your IMPACT is HUGE & will be NEVER be forgotten..🕊️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/e4R9Z3inKd
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 31, 2024

Rest Easy at @FatmanScoop! You were truly one of the best voices in hip-hop! I’m so glad I got to experience your greatness! We will all miss you greatly ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IjFtIaajDK
— Ciara (@ciara) August 31, 2024

First BeatKing now Fat Man scoop back to back? Who gonna scream over a track now? pic.twitter.com/RUb9As0TuN
— Carnoahan (@theecarnoahan) August 31, 2024

Elliott wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Prayers for Fatman Scoop family for STRENGTH during this difficult time. Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades. Your IMPACT is HUGE & will be NEVER be forgotten.”

Ciara captioned a video she posted of Freeman in the studio on the same platform, writing, “Rest Easy FatmanScoop! You were truly one of the best voices in hip-hop! I’m so glad I got to experience your greatness! We will all miss you greatly.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 1, 2024

Brandy Promises New Thriller ‘The Front Room’ Will Leave Moviegoers ‘Afraid’

Brandy shares how 'taken aback' she initially was by the spiritual and religious undertones in 'The Front Room' script.

Brandy Norwood and Kathryn Hunter star in the new psychological thriller The Front Room. In it, everything goes to hell for newly pregnant Belinda (Brandy) after her mother-in-law (Hunter) moves in and tries to get her claws on the child.

The film sees Belinda trying to support her husband, Norman, in caring for her mother-in-law, Solange, a charismatic evangelical with racist views who claims to possess Holy Spirit powers and struggles to make it to the bathroom. With the goal of securing Solange’s inheritance at the forefront of their intentions, Belinda and Norman’s at-home environment is turned upside down when Solange takes over the front room they intended to turn into a nursery for their newborn.

The Front Room marks the iconic Grammy Award-winning singer and actor’s return to the horror genre nearly 30 years after making it out alive in 1998’s I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. But while Brandy’s first horror film served as a classic slasher, the horror in The Front Room is far more psychological—and hilariously absurd.

“I think they’re going to love it,” Brandy tells BLACK ENTERPRISE of the new film. “I think they’re going to be afraid. I think they’re going to laugh. I think they’re going to relate to the characters, and they’re going to have a good time.”

Solange’s holy terror is directed at her daughter-in-law, Belinda, and stepson, Norman. They’re a typical millennial couple: deeply in love and eager to start a family but struggling to make ends meet in an inflation-driven society. After recently buying their house, the couple is struggling to pay the mortgage while expecting their rainbow following a stillbirth the pair are still struggling to cope with.

When the opportunity to secure Solange’s inheritance presents itself, Norman and Belinda can’t pass it up—even if it means dealing with Solange’s odd prayers, weak bladder, and refusal to correctly pronounce Belinda’s name. According to Brandy, this situation sets the stage for Belinda to be taken advantage of.

“I think she’s kind-hearted. I think she has a very, very good heart. I think she has empathy for the elderly. I think she has empathy for family. And I think she takes advantage of that,” Brandy explains of her character’s dynamic.

“And she can see that early on that I’m very inviting,” she adds of Solange. “I’m very welcoming. I want her to feel like she’s family. And I think she takes advantage of that.”

The film tackles deep themes of religion and spirituality in a more sinister way, with Solange’s character appearing to take control of Belinda through prayers in another language and relics placed over the baby’s crib. Considering the deep religious aspects of the film, Brandy and Hunter shared how it impacted their approach to their roles.

“I read that and I was taken aback,” Brandy says of her initial response to the script. “But I like the way it was written and how it was executed and how we were able to rehearse it and bring it to life in a powerful way.”

“I think it’s a very powerful and resonant theme in how religion is used to appropriate and manipulate,” Hunter adds. “And it’s very much alive and kicking as a means to an end today, unfortunately, in many different cultures. And quite frightening. So it works.”

Press play below for the full interview, and be sure to check out The Front Room when it hits theaters nationwide on Sept. 6.

by Daniel Johnson

September 1, 2024

Meghan Markle Invests In Luxury Purse Line Woven In Rwanda

Cesta Collective is a sustainable luxury brand that weaves handbags in Rwanda.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, continued her efforts to invest in women-owned businesses by investing in Cesta Collective, a sustainable luxury brand that weaves basket bags in Rwanda and finishes the bags in Italy.

According to The New York Times, Markle initially discovered the brand while doing the mundane: online shopping.

Markle told the outlet via phone, “I spend a lot of time just Googling, looking for brands. When people are online looking for things or reading things, I’m trying to find great new designers, especially in different territories.”

After Markle wore a Cesta handbag to a dinner date she and Prince Harry had in May 2023 with Cameron Diaz, Gwenetth Paltrow and their spouses, the brand immediately felt the effect of the royal’s notoriety. Cesta founder Erin Ryder told The New York Times that the effect of Markle’s co-sign was immediate and pronounced.

“We were on our way to Mexico to shoot a look book,” Ryder said. “We got off the plane, got our internet on and, all of a sudden, this one style that had been a little bit sleepy was totally sold through, and we were getting a lot of ‘back in stock’ sign-ups. We knew there had to be some reason that these were selling so quickly, so Courtney did some internet sleuthing to find out. We had more sales in one day than we’ve ever had.”

Following that occurrence, Markle, Ryder and the other co-founder of Cesta, Courtney Fasciano, cultivated a relationship, which culminated in Markle becoming the brand’s first outside investor during the summer of 2024. According to Fasciano and Ryder, Markle’s ownership stake is a minority stake although they declined to say exactly what her percentage or amount of funding was.

Markle has relished her role as a tastemaker, as she told the outlet. “Times where I know there is a global spotlight, and attention will be given to each detail of what I may or may not be wearing, then I support designers that I have really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven’t gotten the attention that they should be getting,” Markle said. “That’s one of the most powerful things that I’m able to do, and that’s simply wearing, like, an earring.”

Regarding Cesta, founders Ryder and Fasciano prioritize responsible production and fair wages for their artisans. Despite selling their bags for hundreds of dollars and generating about $1 million annually, they remain the company’s only full-time employees and emphasize that profit isn’t their primary focus. Like Markle, they aim to invest in women, but Cesta’s founders also seek to expand into new markets and collaborate with female artisans in developing countries.

Markle, for her part, sees what her influence makes possible as a healthy alternative to the competitive nature of business, calling herself a dolphin, not a shark.

“Investing in them has helped me line up for this chapter where I’m investing in myself,” Markle told the New York Times.

Markle referred to her venture capital initiative as “dolphin tank,” which operates differently from “Shark Tank.” Markle’s portfolio now contains between five and 10 brands, which she believes are complementary to her American Riviera Orchard brand. Markle added, “These are friendly waters.”

HBCU Track Legend, Jamaican Olympian, George Rhoden, Dies, Olympic

by Daniel Johnson

September 1, 2024

HBCU Track Legend And Jamaican Olympian George Rhoden Dies At 97

Rhoden was a standout rack and field athlete at Morgan State University.

George Rhoden, a former Olympian representing his home country of Jamaica and a former track athlete at Morgan State University, died on Aug. 24 at 97.

According to a press release issued by Morgan State University, Rhoden is believed to be the best 400m runner Jamaica has ever produced. In 1952, at the Helsinki Olympic Games, Rhoden became the first Jamaican to win a gold medal in track and field by winning the 400m race.

Rhoden also helped the famed Golden Quartet win a gold medal in the 4×400 relay and turned in a silver medal-winning performance in the 800m race. Rhoden was greeted with a hero’s welcome when he returned home following the Olympics.

Rhoden was considered one of the best long sprinters of his generation, and he proved that his designation was correct despite not having medaled in the 1948 London Olympics, his first Olympic competition. In 1950, Rhoden broke the 400m world record, clocking a time of 45.8, announcing his presence as an emerging force on the track.

Rhoden also won the AAU and NCAA Championships, winning the 200m and 400m events between 1949 and 1951. Following these performances, Rhoden cemented his status through his performance in Helsinki.

After his track career concluded, Rhoden settled in as a coach, teaching physical education and coaching track and field at Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia. He was also a member of the International Olympic Committee and the president of the Jamaican Amateur Athletic Association.

Rhoden was the last surviving member of Jamaica’s Golden Quartet, a nickname given to the Jamaican 4x400m team composed of Rhoden, Herb McKinley, Arthur Wint, and Les Laing.

Rhoden is mourned by his family, friends, and the country of Jamaica as a whole; he and his Golden Quartet compatriots ushered in Jamaica’s entry as a track and field powerhouse on the global stage.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (formerly the Jamaican Amateur Athletic Association) issued a statement to the Jamaica Observer, mourning Rhoden’s passing.

“George Rhoden was one of the building blocks of our sport in Jamaica. He demonstrated true grit and determination in every single one of his races and was a dependable team member,” Garth Gayle, the president of the JAAA said. “He would grind out every event, giving everything for his team and his country. His performances in 1952 will always be remembered as they laid the groundwork for the strong track and field nation we are today.”

by Mary Spiller

September 1, 2024

Stevie Wonder Releases New Track Calling For Unity After DNC Appearance

Stevie Wonder's new song is titled "Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart?"

Legendary artist Stevie Wonder dropped a new track on Aug. 30, titled “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart?” In a call for people to come together following his appearance at the Democratic National Convention, Wonder is carrying the sentiments of his speech over into his music.

The new track features a call for Americans to stand united over a backing acoustic guitar. In the hook, he sings, “Can we fix our nation’s broken heart? Are we brave enough to try?”

Despite the song’s lyrics not being overtly political, the timing of the track’s release suggests that Wonder is thinking about the upcoming November presidential election and calling for everyone to get involved.

Notably, Wonder took the stage on the third night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21 and gave a powerful address to the crowd before performing his 1973 hit “Higher Ground” off his album Innervisions.

During his speech, Wonder told the audience in Chicago’s United Center that he formally endorsed Democratic candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Wonder began, “This year, I pray very hard for peace to come to our world’s nations, but also to each one of our hearts, even though our hearts have been beaten and broken. Beyond prayer, I know the importance of action.”

Wonder, 74, continued, “Now is the moment to understand where we are and what it will take to win: win the broken hearts, win the disenchanted, win the angry spirits — now is the time.”

“This is the moment to remember when you tell your children where you were and what you did. We must choose courage over complacency. It is time to get up and go vote!”

The “Isn’t She Lovely” singer encouraged those in the audience to reach for “Higher Ground” before performing his hit of the same name.

Wonder previously made a political appearance at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, where he expressed his support for then-candidate Barack Obama.

by Mary Spiller

September 1, 2024

Usher Opens His First Dave’s Hot Chicken In Atlanta, With More On The Way

Usher called Dave’s Hot Chicken some of the 'best hot chicken' he's ever had.

R&B legend Usher has partnered up with a popular chicken franchise. Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open nine new restaurant locations in the metro Atlanta area with his help, according to a press release.

WSB-TV reports that on Aug. 29, he soft-opened a location at 1447 Hwy. 138 SE in Conyers. The next day, the restaurant officially opened.

The “You Make Me Wanna” singer, recently in the media for his iconic Super Bowl halftime performance, will invest in locations all across Atlanta in the next few years. With the help of a franchise group run by Lawrence Kourie and Andrew Feghali, the multi-Grammy winner will be involved from start to finish with the new spots.

Usher said, “Dave’s Hot Chicken is some of the best hot chicken I’ve ever had. I’m excited to be involved with the brand.”

He continued, “I’m excited to bring Dave’s delicious tenders and sliders to people across Atlanta.”

Although Dave’s Hot Chicken is based predominantly in California, the franchise has nearly 200 restaurants worldwide. Its new initiative of partnerships has allowed it to begin producing over 700 more brick-and-mortar restaurants.

Usher is one of many celebrities who have invested in the hot chicken brand, some of which include rapper Drake and iconic actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Usher, though, has first-hand experience with Dave’s Hot Chicken, particularly their hottest options.

Just two years ago, Usher posted a video to Instagram showing him taking on the Dave’s Hot Chicken “Reaper” sandwich.

Made with 1,641,183 Scoville-ranked Carolina Reaper peppers, Usher signed a waiver to take on the sandwich as payback for apparently being late to show up to one of his kids’ events.

The 43-year-old musician took on the reaper challenge on video, describing the chicken’s heat as having him “just dancing for no reason.”

by Sharelle Burt

August 31, 2024

Los Angeles Commission Releases Reparations Report Outlining Black Residents Experiences Since 1925

Looks like we're getting somewhere....

The Reparations Advisory Commission of Los Angeles released a 400-page report to sponsor potential reparations to Black residents based on discriminatory harms faced over the last 100 years, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The struggles of Black “Angelenos” were documented in the first city-sponsored reparations report, “An Examination of African American Experiences in Los Angeles.” Six researchers at California State University at Northridge (CSUN) unveiled the report on Aug. 27, highlighting data from interviews and focus groups that included hundreds of residents past and present.

Within the report, laws and public policy were analyzed over the last century to showcase the effect of racial discrimination on descendants of enslaved African Americans.

“Despite the legal end of slavery, Black Angelenos continue to face systemic discrimination and inequity via legal segregation, enacted by both the state via the LAPD and the courts, as well as by the public, including groups like the Ku Klux Klan,” researcher and CSUN professor of Africana studies Marquita Gammage said.

Close to 620 people were interviewed for the report, with more than 50% being women. Twelve different types of harmful effects were documented in the report, including traces of slavery, racial terror, mental and physical harm from neglect, racism within environment and infrastructure, the injustices of the legal system, housing segregation, stolen labor, and altered opportunity, segregated and unequal education, political disenfranchisement; the effect of an unhealthy Black family, control over creative, cultural and intellectual life and lastly, the wealth gap.

Of all the effects, three potential reparations solutions were identified. After finding that 80% of survey participants endorsed home buyer assistance, protections of appraisals to limit overpaying, and programs to address housing insecurity, Gammage suggested the city should “calculate the cost of housing inequity and launch compensatory efforts, fund and support programs that advance equity and homeownership opportunities, proactively address homelessness and housing insecurity among Black residents.”

In collaboration with the L.A. Civil Rights, the researchers also created a timeline within the report of federal policies that resulted in the limitations of Black rights between 1930 and 2024. W. Gabriel Selassie expressed feeling stunned by the findings of oppression levels and, more so, how they corresponded with everyday life. “So, you walk outside, and you open up your car door as an L.A. police car drives by. You put your things into your car, and the police car backs up,” he said.

“The next thing you know, you are in a jail cell … severely beaten. You have a court hearing and the judge dismisses the case. You have now lost your dignity, your pride, your time at work — you are essentially scarred for life.”

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the last proposal for reparations will be presented to the L.A. City Council and Mayor Karen Bass at the beginning of 2025. Many survey respondents claimed to be interested in monetary reparations, and Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a state budget of a maximum of $12 million for reparations legislation. However, identified programs or payments to Black Californians weren’t specified.

Other highlights from the report included Black Angelenos being at higher risk of exposure to air pollutants, which are directly linked to city and freeway planning and development. Black residents also made up 27% of all arrests between 2020 and 2023 and 26% of all police stops between 2018 and 2023 — while only making up 8% of the city’s population. Capri Maddox, executive director of the L.A. Civil Rights and the Advisory Commission, summarized the report, saying, “We are not where we want to be — but we are not where we used to be.”

University Of Chicago Student Accused Of Plot To Hide Bomb-Making Activities

by Daniel Johnson

August 31, 2024

University Of Chicago Student Accused Of Plot To Hide Bomb-Making Activities

Aram Brunson came to the attention of authorities after an explosive device detonated in his dorm room.

Aram Brunson, a 21-year-old former student at the University of Chicago, was charged on Aug. 27 with falsifying, concealing, and covering up a material fact through a trick, scheme, or device and making false statements to federal officials.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts, Brunson’s actions were allegedly linked to his desire to take militant action against various ethnic groups who threaten Armenians in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In January 2023, Brunson came to the attention of authorities after an explosive device detonated in his dorm room at the University of Chicago. At the time, Brunson claimed that he was attempting to mimic a prank he had seen on YouTube.

However, subsequent investigation of Brunson revealed that he was looking to engage in revolutionary direct action and terrorism in his support of Armenian self-determination. Furthermore, Brunson allegedly made videos of himself teaching others to make explosive devices, and his internet search history allegedly contained suggestions that he was planning to attack diplomatic facilities in the United States.

According to Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, “It is alleged that Mr. Brunson crossed the line between political expression and mobilization, by taking affirmative steps to carry out unlawful acts. While radical political views may be offensive, they are constitutionally protected. However, experimenting with extremely dangerous explosives in support of those views and then engaging in false statements about your conduct is crossing the line. We will investigate and prosecute anyone who crosses that line in order to keep our communities safe.”

Jodi Cohen, the special agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, called the charges against Brunson alarming.

“What Arum Brunson is accused of is alarming. We believe he engaged in a calculated scheme to conceal his efforts to develop bomb-making skills and construct an explosive device in support of his violent extremist activity. This case highlights how FBI Boston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force takes its mission to thwart political violence, wherever it may occur, seriously.”

Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. , Grambling State,President

by Daniel Johnson

August 31, 2024

Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr. Officially Installed As Grambling State President

Lemelle is reportedly the nation’s youngest HBCU president.

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors named Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., president of Grambling State, in February. Earlier this week, he was officially installed in the role. While his age has not been made public, Lemelle is reportedly the youngest president to serve in that position at any of the nation’s HBCUs.

According to a university press release, Rick Gallot, who left the university’s presidency to become president and CEO of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, signaled his faith in Lemelle with a statement.

“Dr. Lemelle’s appointment as the 11th president of Grambling State University guarantees a leader well-prepared on day one,” Gallot said. “I am confident that under President Lemelle’s leadership, Grambling State University will continue to thrive with its best days yet to come.”

The Office of the President issued a press release announcing Grambling University’s Investiture Ceremony, which will take place on Sept. 6.

According to the press release, an investiture ceremony is modeled after a knighthood ceremony and is intended to signal the beginning of a new chapter in a university’s leadership.

“An investiture ceremony is an academic event typically held during a new president’s first year. As one of the oldest traditions in academia, originating from English universities and modeled after knighthood ceremonies, the ceremony signifies the beginning of a new chapter of leadership for a university, and it provides an opportunity for the university, guests, and community to witness the formal installation of the new leader.” The press release stated.

According to the Minden Press Herald, the investiture ceremony planned for Sept. 6 is believed to be the first such ceremony in the storied HBCU’s history.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, Grambling University recently became the first HBCU and only institution in Louisiana with a digital library. This achievement, coupled with Grambling State University’s Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dr. Gavin R. Hamms’s inclusion in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Executive Leadership Academy, signals an exciting start to the Martin Lemelle era at Grambling State University.

As Lemelle said during his remarks at the library’s dedication, “We’re building a future where every student can excel, and we are fighting to ensure that Grambling remains a beacon of hope, resilience, and excellence. We’re building a bridge between the past and the future, and we are fighting to keep the legacy of our flame burning bright.”

Lemelle continued, “So, as we stand here today, let us remember what we set out to do — let us tell them we are building, not just structures, but the future. Let us tell them we’re building not just spaces but legacies. And as we continue to build, let us also fight — fight for the dreams of our students, fight for the excellence of our university, and yes, fight for Dear Ole Grambling for we are the pride of the USA and there is no doubt that we will win today, tomorrow and always.”

by Daniel Johnson

August 31, 2024

Suspect In Murder Of Baltimore Tech CEO Sentenced To Three Life Sentences

Jason Billingsley pleaded guilty to the murder of Pava LaPere, a Baltimore tech CEO.

Jason Billingsley, the suspect charged with the murder of a Baltimore tech CEO, Pava LaPere, was sentenced on Aug. 30 after pleading guilty to LaPere’s murder. In addition to pleading guilty on that charge, Billingsley also pleaded guilty on Oct. 26 to two additional counts of attempted murder related to a rape, attempted murder, and arson that occurred days before the 2023 murder of LaPere.

According to WBALTV 11, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates stated at a news conference that he doesn’t believe Billingsley should be allowed out of prison until he has served at least 60 years of his sentence.

“Mr. Billingsley should never see the light of day again,” Bates said. “I do not suspect he will even be able to see the twinkle of light until he’s done 60 years, which would put him at 93 years of age.”

Bates continued, “This defendant should have never been released into the community following a first-degree sex offense conviction to inflict immense trauma, pain and sorrow on so many individuals in such a short amount of time.”

Billingsley was sentenced to two concurrent life sentences and a third life sentence, to be served consecutively after the first two. Although Billingsley was remorseful, the nature of the crimes for which he was convicted demanded a sentence commensurate with his offenses.

According to WBALTV 11, LaPere, who was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List for Social Impact and started a tech company from her dorm room at Johns Hopkins University, died due to strangulation and blunt force trauma following a sexual assault.

The LaPere family also released a statement describing the pain they have been living with for nearly a full year.

“It has been 342 days since our daughter and sister, Pava Marie LaPere, was murdered. Each one of those days has been extremely painful and difficult to endure. Pava’s death has deeply impacted our family, her friends, EcoMap Technologies, the Johns Hopkins University, the city of Baltimore and the state of Maryland.” The LaPere family said. “It was right here, where she was making a significant impact on improving the lives, entities and communities which she so loved. Acceptable justice may be served today, but it will never fill the void, erase the grief or replace the impact Pava would have had if given the full life that she deserved. That ALL innocent people deserve.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also released a statement testifying to the heinous nature of the crimes of Billingsley and promising the city’s support to his victims and their families.

“Today, justice has been served for Jason Billingsley’s heinous crimes. He should have never been released in the manner he was, and his victims paid the price when he decided to take advantage of that to further terrorize our city. It is my sincere hope that his admission and the court’s rightful decision to put him away for life, multiple times over, will bring a small amount of peace to Pava LaPere’s family, and to April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore.” Mayor Scott said. “Healing from his crimes, which profoundly impacted our entire city, will be a lifetime endeavor -– but I want the LaPere family and April and Jonte to know that our entire city will always stand with you, always ready to wrap our arms around you with whatever support you need.”