by Selena Hill

October 23, 2025

Allen Iverson Reveals Hard Truths, Trials & Tribulations In New Docuseries

A new docuseries gives a glimpse into the highs and lows of the NBA icon's life

Allen Iverson revolutionized the game of basketball with his signature crossover, unapologetic style, unmatched speed, and gigantic heart. Now, the NBA All-Star is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look into the hardships he endured both on and off the court during his rise to superstardom in a new Prime Video docuseries.

Titled “Allen Iv3rson,” the three-part series explores the NBA Hall of Famer’s life and legacy, starting with his rough upbringing in Hampton, Virginia, where he was raised by a single, teenage mother in poverty. His athletic prowess quickly gained him notoriety in his local community and interest from college scouts. However, a 15-year prison sentence for an assault and battery in a bowling alley brawl when he was 17 years old nearly ruined his life. Iverson’s mother, Ann — a significant fixture in his life and in the series — fought tirelessly to get her son’s conviction overturned. Eventually, he was granted clemency by former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder after serving four months in a correctional facility.

“It’s a gift that I have to be an open book. It’s a gift to share those things,” said Iverson following a private screening of part two of the series in New York on Monday. “Every day I walk out of that house, it’s an adventure navigating through this world.”

The 50-year-old trailblazer went on to play for Georgetown University and became the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1996. He was also named NBA MVP in 2001 and played 14 seasons in the league. The series, however, dives into the backlash he received throughout his career over his braids and tattoos, his defiance of the NBA dress code, his struggles with addiction, and other infamous career-defining moments like his notorious rant at a press conference after missing practice.

Source: **Director One9 attends Prime Video’s World Premiere Of “Allen Iv3rson” (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Prime Video)**

“The media, at that time, never understood where he was coming from. And I think what this film is going to show is his family [and] people who were there from the very beginning, who were dealing with things and issues that he’s never got to speak about,” One9, the series director and executive producer, told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“People talk about the press conference with ‘practice,’ but we look at what was happening in his life. His best friend was killed. His family [was] under pressure of him being traded,” he continued.

“This goes beyond basketball. This goes into what you feel when people have to deal with everyday life. He sacrificed so much for his family. He sacrificed for the people that brought him up to make sure they were good.”

Source: **Shaquille O’Neal attends Prime Video’s World Premiere Of “Allen Iv3rson” (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Prime Video)**

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who also executive-produced the series along with Steph Curry, said Iverson’s influence and authenticity even inspired him.

“He taught me to be a little bit more of myself,” he told BE. “He did it his way. So, he kind of taught me how [to do things] my way.”

Through exclusive access, personal stories, and intimate interviews with family, friends, coaches, and fellow NBA players, “Allen Iv3rson” showcases the crossover king’s magnetic personality and fierce competitive spirit, which made him an icon to fans, teammates, and opposing players alike.

Markuann Smith, an actor, director, and the creator and executive producer of The Godfather of Harlem, told BE that Iverson’s ability to beat the odds resonates most with him.

“I saw the adversity that Allen went through. He went through hard times and still rose to the top. And that’s what I think every young person needs to know. Every adult needs to know,” he said, adding that he’s looking forward to watching the next chapter of the 76ers legend’s life unfold.

“I want to see what he does within the community [and] how he enhances and helps other upcoming basketball players and athletes, [both] female and male.”

Earlier this year, Iverson released a new book titled “Misunderstood.”

“Allen Iv3rson” will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on Oct. 23.

Memphis, Justin J. Pearson, activist, Tennessee

by Keka Araújo

October 23, 2025

Elevate Your Excellence: Rep. Justin J. Pearson Goes From Memphis Activist To Congressional Candidate

Jones’ dedication is not a sudden electoral ambition but a lifetime vocation forged through generations of working-class struggle and civil rights engagement.

The political trajectory of State Rep. Justin J. Pearson is one rooted in decades of community advocacy and a tireless commitment to justice. A proud native Memphian, Pearson is the fourth son of five boys, who, even as a teenager, demonstrated his penchant for activism by petitioning his local school board for new textbooks for his Mitchell High School classmates.

After graduating valedictorian, he attended Bowdoin College in Maine, earning degrees in Government & Legal Studies and Education Studies in 2017.

It was during the pandemic that Pearson returned to his roots, translating academic knowledge into decisive local action. He was instrumental in leading the victorious fight against two multibillion-dollar oil companies that planned to construct a crude oil pipeline through southwest Memphis. This project threatened the region’s vital groundwater and sought to seize land owned by residents, some of whom had held the property since the abolition of slavery.

Pearson co-founded Memphis Community Against Pollution (MCAP)—a nonprofit focused on environmental and climate justice—which ultimately defeated the pipeline. This effort, which proved that “People Power wins,” secured his reputation as a formidable organizer and earned him the Sierra Club’s 2023 National Changemaker of the Year award.

In January 2023, the 28-year-old community organizer became the second-youngest lawmaker in the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 86, a sprawling area encompassing downtown Memphis, south Memphis, and Millington. He brought his fierce, servant-leader approach directly to the Capitol.

Just months into his term, Pearson was catapulted into the national spotlight following the mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville on March 27, 2023. In an act of nonviolent civil disobedience, Pearson, alongside fellow Reps. Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson staged a protest on the House floor, using a megaphone to demand the Republican-led body act on gun safety.

The political reaction was swift and severe. Republicans retaliated by expelling Pearson from his duly elected seat on April 6, 2023, a move that drew immediate condemnation and national attention. Following the expulsion, Pearson was quickly reinstated by local authorities and triumphantly won back his seat with a stunning 94% of the vote in August 2023. His oratory gifts and courageous actions led to an invitation from President Joe Biden to the White House to discuss gun legislation, solidifying his role as a champion of democracy.

Now, Rep. Pearson is setting his sights on the U.S. Congress, asserting that the current economic and political reality demands a fundamental shift. “The status quo is not working for us, and we cannot keep going with it,” he states. “It is rigged for the wealthiest and most powerful against the rest of us.”

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His platform is uncompromising: he vows to fight for working-class people, championing an increased minimum wage, Medicare for All, and environmental and climate justice. He emphasizes the communal nature of his political work, which he describes as a Movement for Justice Rooted in Love. Pearson believes his history of building power and winning against the odds, including writing the most legislation to end the gun violence epidemic in the state, demonstrates his capacity for impactful governance.

“This campaign is not about me. It’s about us!” Pearson declares, emphasizing the collective approach that underpins his political life. He is supported by his wife, Oceana R. Gilliam, MPP, a law student, and his large family.

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“We’re all in this together to help make District 9 better for the present and future.” Pearson remains a devout Christian and a tireless champion who promises: “No matter the cost, I will always defend our district with better laws and my voice to fight for the present and future we deserve.”

Pearson’s unwavering dedication to the fight for justice and freedom is evident in his passionate words.

“REP. @justinjpearson (candidate for Congress): “That’s why I keep wearing my flag — even in periods of destruction, there are opportunities for construction… we can’t quit.”

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Kentucky, Louisville, Small Business, grant

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 23, 2025

Elite Media Awards $100K To Black-Owned Businesses In First ‘Keep It 100’ Pitch Competition

Elite Media’s first-ever “Keep It 100” pitch competition awarded $100,000 to five Black-owned businesses.

Five Black-owned businesses recently received a share of a $100,000 investment from Elite Media, part of the company’s effort to encourage industry leaders to support creators who push the culture and community forward.

On Oct. 17, MADE, a verification system designed to safeguard Black creativity, won the inaugural “Keep It 100” Pitch Competition hosted by Elite Media. The announcement was made at The One Club’s “Where Are All the Black People” Conference in New York City.

Elite Media Founder and CEO Chris Crawford joined a panel of judges for the competition and took center stage to present $50,000 to Tommy Johnson, founder and CEO of MADE, along with $12,500 each to the four other finalists.

“The ‘Keep It 100’ pitch competition celebrates the power of attention, the power of purpose, the power of supporting one another,” Crawford said in a statement. “Today, the community won. Every contestant brought it. Their audacity and ambition was on full display. We’re proud to help this inaugural group of creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs bring their visionary ideas to life.”

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MADE was chosen in part for its mission to uplift Black-owned businesses and protect Black creativity. The platform stood out among pitches from Mec Zilla, founder of CrackedVC, a new system designed to replace traditional venture capital; Morgan Means, CEO and founder of Evental, a digital marketplace that helps suppliers monetize inventory and offer real-time pricing and booking; Adam Franklin of Twendi, a sports media platform highlighting African and diaspora athletes through cinematic short-form storytelling; and Ayo Abigail, director of Strategy and Outreach for Walk of Same, a brand pioneering “empowerment jewelry” that fuses fashion with purpose.

Each finalist received financial support from Elite Media, a Black-owned, women-led advertising agency based in Harlem committed to helping creators bring their visions to life. The $100,000 in prize money came directly from the company’s own agency funds, part of a larger challenge to advertisers, brands, and industry leaders to match Elite’s investment in creators, entrepreneurs, and ideas that move culture and community forward.

“The time for disruption is now–our communities deserve action,“ Crawford said when announcing the pitch competition last month. “We are putting our money where our mouth is, already investing upwards of $2 million of our own agency dollars back into the Harlem community that nurtures us. We see the opportunity to broaden that impact within the ad industry, intentionally in non-traditional spaces. We are now challenging the industry and convening spaces to move past the vanity metrics and create real-time domino effects of change that will transform communities.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 23, 2025

Jury Splits on Brooks Case: Single Guard Convicted As Two Colleagues Cleared

Brooks’ father, Robert Ricks, spoke out after the verdict, saying he thinks the judge got it wrong in letting two of the officers off “scott free.”

The split verdict in the murder case of Robert Brooks, the former New York prison inmate who was seen beaten to death by prison guards,has many people, including his family questioning why, CBS News reported.

Former New York State Department of Corrections officer David Kingsley was found guilty of murder and manslaughter, while Matthew Galliher and Nicholas Kieffer were acquitted in the case. Facing 25 years to life in prison, Kingsley’s sentencing will take place Dec. 15.

Thomas Gant, a community organizer at the Center for Community Alternatives, a nonprofit that supports those affected by mass incarceration in the Empire State, says the Oct. 20 verdict should not be defined as justice for Brooks.

“There is no justice in this verdict and no justice in this trial. Robert Brooks was murdered not just at the hands of these prison guards, but by a system of human caging that tears apart families and values brutal perpetual punishment over healing and transformation,” Gant said.

“We must honor Robert Brooks by dismantling the conditions that made his killing possible and creating fair pathways home for incarcerated people who have transformed while inside.”

Caught on police body-cameras, footage from the December 2024 incident shows Brooks being beaten while handcuffed while being transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility, and he was pronounced dead one hour after his arrival. The event triggered nationwide outrage about what happens to inmates inside prison walls at the hands of correctional officers.

https://twitter.com/ScooterCasterNY/status/1872759255134290022

The victim was scheduled to be released in 2026 after serving a 12-year sentence as a result of an assault conviction.

Brooks’ father, Robert Ricks, spoke out after the verdict, saying he thinks the judge got it wrong in letting two of the officers off “scot free.”

“When I look at that video, when I glance at that video, because I can’t look at it, what I see is pure evil,” Ricks said, according to 13 WHAM.

“I think they got it really, really wrong when they let the other two off scot-free. It says, as a prison guard, I can watch or know somebody is being beaten to death, and I have no responsibility. That’s not a good message.”

Ricks says the verdict, which he did not expect to take place so soon, left him feeling “hurt” and “disappointed.” Brooks’ son, Robert Brooks Jr., shared the same feelings as his grandfather, making a plea on the steps of the Capitol building in Albany, pressuring Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Omnibus Prison Reform Bill into law.

“I’ve been feeling heartbroken. I feel disappointed,” Brooks Jr. said.

“I feel as if the people that were acquitted were doing what their supervisors told them to do, and so I can’t be totally mad at them, but I’m more mad at the system that allowed that to go on.”

Under pressure to sign the bill, Hochul released a statement also expressing feelings of disappointment as “the safety of all New Yorkers — including the staff and incarcerated individuals in our prisons — is a top priority.”

“While I am disappointed by the acquittals, I respect the jury’s decision,” Hochul said in a statement.

“What happened to Mr. Brooks is unconscionable, and these verdicts serve as another sobering reminder of the needless losses of Mr. Brooks and Messiah Nantwi.”

With the remaining defendant in the case, Michael Fisher, a trial is scheduled for January 2026. Ricks hopes that the verdict will result in a much-needed change. “The next prison guard, before he raises his hand, his billy club, before his gang get together and decide that they’re going to beat somebody, they’re going to think like, ‘There’s a camera there, there’s a camera there,’ you know, ‘There’s no places we can go so we can hide this, so maybe we shouldn’t do this,” Ricks said.

“‘Maybe we should handle this differently.’”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 23, 2025

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Assures WNBA Players Will Receive ‘Big Increase’ In Next Collective Bargaining Agreement

'They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining. And they deserve it.'

With the WNBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expiring in less than two weeks, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has reassured basketball fans that the players will “get a big increase” when they are offered a new CBA.

While appearing on the Today show, Silver discussed the CBA, which expires on Oct. 31, and what he believes will happen once the two sides meet. He also talked about what the players will receive with the new collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA.

Napheesa Collier, the Vice President of the WNBPA (The Women’s National Basketball Players Association), has already stated that there are “two main points” the players are seeking in the new CBA: increased revenue sharing and salary structures.

The Today show host, Craig Melvin, asked Silver if the players should get a larger piece of the revenue that the league brings in.

He said, “They get nine percent of total revenue compared to roughly 50 percent of the revenue of NBA players. Should they be getting a larger share of revenue in the WNBA?”

Silver reassured Melvin that the players will get increased salaries in the future, although he refrained from agreeing that the increase should not be based on “share.”

“Yes, I think ‘share’ isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA. You should look at it in absolute numbers in terms of what they’re making. They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining. And they deserve it.”

Market Watch reported that WNBA players receive 9.3% of their income from the league, as opposed to NBA players getting about 50% of their league’s income.

However, after watching Silver make that statement on the program, WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson gave a written statement to ESPN.

“When the players opted out a year ago, they made it clear they wanted a salary system that values their labor and allows them to grow with the business they are very clearly driving. The league’s response has been to run out the clock, put lipstick on a pig and retread a system that isn’t tied to any part of the business and intentionally undervalues the players.

The fact that the league now wants to call any part of its proposal ‘uncapped’ is precisely why its leadership, transparency and accountability are being challenged right now.

Adam Silver said it himself on behalf of the WNBA. ‘Share isn’t the word.’ It’s not in their vocabulary.”

Texas Corrections Officer, Chicken Wings,

by Kandiss Edwards

October 22, 2025

Texas Corrections Officer Caught Smuggling Chicken Wings To Inmate

A corrections officer, Amos Nyanway, was charged for supplying an inmate with chicken wings in exchange for money.

A corrections officer, Amos Nyanway, is being charged after an investigation found he supplied an inmate with chicken wings in exchange for money. He was arrested at Travis County Jail in Austin, Texas.

Nyanway is charged with providing “contraband in a correctional facility,” a Class B misdemeanor. The alleged misconduct was discovered by a fellow unnamed officer Aug. 21. The officer’s reporting led to an internal investigation. The review revealed that the ex-Travis County employee provided chicken wings to an inmate in exchange for payment, leading to Nyanway’s arrest.

Sheriff Sally Hernandez condemned the lack of professionalism and alleged criminal conduct in a press release.

“I’m disappointed that a Travis County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer made such a foolish decision. We hold our employees to a high standard of conduct and accountability. We simply cannot tolerate contraband of any type being brought into our secure facilities,” Hernandez wrote.

Under Texas law, a Class B misdemeanor carries a potential sentence of up to six months in jail or a fine of as much as $2,000. Nyanway was placed on administrative leave during the investigation and formally terminated Oct. 14. He remains in custody at the Travis County Jail pending court proceedings.

The 25-year-old Nyanway joined the sheriff’s office in June 2024 and was assigned to the Security Threat Intelligence Unit. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has also reported at least 23 disciplinary cases tied to staff smuggling incidents statewide between 2023 and 2025.

In 2024, a similar scandal unfolded in Atlanta. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that four private security officers contracted by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office were arrested for allegedly bringing contraband into the county jail. The officers were accused of smuggling cell phones, drugs, tobacco, lighters, and even chicken pot pies to inmates in exchange for cash payments.

“These arrests demonstrate our commitment to holding anyone who violates the law accountable — especially those entrusted to enforce it,” Sheriff Patrick Labat said.

The Fulton County case led to an internal review of security contracts and prompted new screening protocols for correctional personnel. Both incidents highlight a national struggle to prevent employee misconduct inside U.S. jails and the need for more effective oversight, ethics training, and accountability measures in correctional facilities.

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 22, 2025

Meharry Medical College Raises $400M In Fundraising Campaign To Train More Black Doctors

Just hours after publicly launching a $500 million fundraising campaign to train more Black doctors, Meharry Medical College has already met 80% of its goal.

Just hours after publicly launching a $500 million fundraising campaign to train more Black doctors, Meharry Medical College has already met 80% of its goal, garnering $400 million in early giving, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The massive “Campaign 150” — in honor of the school’s 150th anniversary — seeks to support scholarships, revamped research facilities, program initiatives, support for faculty support, and the school’s endowment. It also sets a narrative as a level-setting effort to make sure the Nashville-based college stays “forever on the path” of preparing the future of diverse health leaders and spearheading health equity for years to come.

Meharry President and CEO, Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, labeled the fundraising effort as being “transformative” for the students at the historically Black medical school. “It means greater access to scholarships, more support for academic and clinical training, reduced debt burdens, and enhanced infrastructure that empowers every student to fulfill their calling. Those who invest in us are not just changing individual lives — they are uplifting those underserved communities that need our graduates most,” he said.

“What the nation needs is what Meharry does best. Meharry uplifts students who have the passion and courage to serve; it empowers them to stay forever on the path of providing quality health care to those who need it most—holding true to our mission and building upon our 150-year legacy.”

According to The Tennessean, roughly $20 million of the funds will be distributed as scholarships for the School of Dentistry, which is the only dental program at a HBCU in the southeast region of the country.

Some of the other funds will be used for academic and clinical training in an effort to increase infrastructure and minimize the burden of loan debt. “This $500 million campaign is more than a fundraising effort. It’s a declaration of our unwavering commitment to health equity, to the education of Black physicians and scientists, and to the communities that need us most,” Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Juan A. McGruder said.

“At this pivotal moment in history, we are investing not just in our historic institution, but in the future of medicine, where diversity, access, and excellence are no longer aspirations—they are the standard.”

Meharry has stayed committed to its mission, with 15 decades of training the healers of America and changing lives in underserved communities through education, care, and collaboration. By working with researchers, Meharry is working on the launch of the GREAT Health Study initiative, building the world’s first comprehensive genomic and phenotype database for people of African descent. With the help of 500,000 volunteers between the U.S. and Africa, the goal is to put a dent in global implications in correlation to health equity and scientific advancement.

The school is also partnering with Oracle Health to open an innovation center. Hildreth believes the center “will transform health care education and delivery − first for Nashvillians and then for the world.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 22, 2025

Fred McNair Promoted To Southern University Football Head Coach

The school has fired Terrence Graves and named McNair as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

With a record of 1-6, Southern University has fired football head coach, Terrence Graves, and has promoted the team’s co-offensive coordinator, Fred McNair, to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

According to Sports Illustrated, the move was announced by the school’s athletic director, Roman Banks, after Southern’s latest loss against Prairie View A&M Oct. 18, 24-3. Just two years ago, in his first season as coach, Graves led the university to the 2024 SWAC Championship Game with a record of 7-1, but the team has had a record of 9-11 overall.

Southern has fired Coach Terrence Graves, Co-Offensive Coordinator Fred McNair named Interim Head coach pic.twitter.com/exr7WqOZvk
— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) October 20, 2025

Graves may have been blindsided by the decision because on Oct. 20, he informed reporters that he is still the head coach at Southern.

“As of right now, I’m the head football coach at Southern University. It’s business as usual. Until something changes, I’m going to keep doing what I do,” he stated during a media session.

Banks explained that elevating McNair at the start of the season was supposed to give the team some spark. However, after a record of 1-6, he decided it was time for a change at the top of the coaching ranks.

“Promoting Coach McNair to co-offensive coordinator, I was hoping that we could get some energy in the room. But it seemed to not be working,” Banks said. “Coaching is funny. You can have success in one place and not another… it’s about finding the right person for Southern University.”

Banks has won several division titles during his time as head coach at Alcorn State. He led the team from 2016 to 2023, posting a 48-33 record, while winning two consecutive SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) titles (2018, 2019) and five division championships.

HBCU Gameday reports that McNair joined the Southern University coaching staff in the fall of 2024. When he arrived at the school, he took on the role of the team’s tight ends coach before being promoted to quarterbacks coach during the season. He was then named co-offensive coordinator this season, along with Mark Frederick.

McNair makes his debut as head coach against Florida A&M Oct. 25 at home.

RELATED CONTENT: Two Former HBCU Coaches Hired For NFL Jobs

Hermès,Jamaican-British Fashion Designer,Menswear Line

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 22, 2025

Hermès Taps Jamaican-British Fashion Designer As First Black Woman To Lead Menswear Line

Grace Wales Bonner is the first Black woman to lead design at any major fashion house.

The appointment of Hermès’ new menswear chief represents a significant milestone for diversity.

The historic British fashion brand has announced that Jamaican-British designer Grace Wales Bonner will take over for their men’s collections. The 35-year-old from London makes history as the first Black woman to lead design at any major fashion house.

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“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of Creative Director of Hermès Menswear,” stated Wales Bonner. “It is a dream realized to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers. I wish to express my gratitude to Pierre-Alexis Dumas and Axel Dumas for the opportunity to bring my vision to this magical house.”

Born to a white English mother and Black Jamaican father, Wales Bonner has garnered acclaim for her own eponymous menswear line, which debuted in 2014. Known for its “soulful tailoring,” the London-based label specializes in “cultural luxury that infuses European heritage with an Afro Atlantic spirit,” according to its website. The pieces blend sportswear and classic men’s fashion, creating timeless coats, hoodies, trousers, and more befitting its quintessentially British aesthetic.

A graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Wales Bonner will now lend her talent and artistic vision to Hermès. For her previous work, she won the British Fashion Council/ Vogue Designer Fashion Fund in 2019, earning the title of CFDA International Men’s Designer Of the Year two years later.

The visionary has also dressed high-profile celebrities such as F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, FKA Twigs, and more. Her contributions to the fashion world have also made her an MBE, a noble ranking as Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

The general artistic director of Hermès, Pierre-Alexis Dumas, remarked on Wales Bonner’s addition to their legacy brand. Dumas emphasized how her contributions will lead Hermès into its contemporary era.

“I’m really pleased to welcome Grace to the Hermès artistic director family,” shared Dumas, per The New York Times. “Her take on contemporary fashion, craft and culture will contribute to shaping Hermès men’s style, melding the house’s heritage with a confident look on the now. Grace’s appetite and curiosity for artistic practice strongly resonate with Hermès’s creative mindset and approach. We are at the start of an enriching mutual dialogue,” Pierre-Alexis Dumas, general artistic director of Hermès, said in a statement.

Wales Bonner will succeed Véronique Nichanian, who previously held the title for 37 years. She also will debut her inaugural collection in 2027.

by Kandiss Edwards

October 22, 2025

David Kingsley Found Guilty In Murder Of New York Inmate Robert Brooks

Sentencing for David Kingsley is scheduled for Dec. 16.

On Oct. 21, Former state prison guard David Kingsley was convicted of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the 2024 beating-death of inmate Robert Brooks in New York, The New York Post reported.

Sentencing for Kingsley is scheduled for Dec. 16. He is facing 25 years to life in prison.

The former correctional officer was accused of beating Brooks while he was handcuffed at the Marcy Correctional Facility. Brooks, 43, was transferred on December 9, 2024, and died the following morning. Body-worn camera footage played at trial captured Kingsley wrapping his hands around Brooks’ neck while the inmate was restrained and surrounded by officers.

Brooks’ family released a statement after the verdict:

“Today, the jury made the right decision in finding David Kingsley guilty of murder. While it was hard to see Matthew Galliher and Nicholas Kieffer be given a pass, it highlights the need for systemic change. Mr. Galliher and Mr. Kieffer were doing exactly what their prison supervisors expected them to do. The guards indicted in this case were not a few bad apples; they were part of a rotten system, doing what state officials have allowed them to do.

Mathew Galliher and Nicholas Kieffer were also on trial for murder and manslaughter, but were cleared by the jury on all counts. Video evidence in the case reportedly showed the pair restraining Brooks and applying force. However, jurors did not find the evidence sufficient for a conviction. In total, 10 men were accused of murdering Brooks in an act of gang violence.

Governor Kathy Hochul commented on the verdict in a press release. While Hochul praised the work of the “vast majority’ of New York officers, she strongly condemned the actions of the few. Additionally, Hochul expressed disappointment in the acquittal of Galliher and Kieffer. The Governor reiterated her commitment to reforming New York’s prison system and ensuring oversight and accountability.

“I am deeply committed to the changes we are making to ensure that New York State’s correctional facilities are safe for all who enter — employees, incarcerated persons, visitors and volunteers alike,” Hochul wrote.

Along with the death of Brooks, the 2025 murder of Messiah Nantwi has prompted investigations by the New York Office of State Investigations. Similar to Brooks, Nantwi was beaten to death in the Mid-State Correctional located across the street from Marcy Correctional. Thus far, Francis Chandler took a plea deal, which required him to plead guilty to the Mar. 1 killing.