The family of Henrietta Lacks has reached an undisclosed settlement with pharmaceutical company Novartis, marking another legal victory in their effort to hold companies accountable for profiting from her cells without consent. Lacks’ “immortal” HeLa cells, taken during cancer treatment in 1951, became foundational to major scientific breakthroughs while her family remained unaware for decades and received no compensation.
Tag: Ben Crump
Posted inNational News
A former Illinois deputy is sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey
Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had called 911 to report a possible prowler outside her home.
Posted inCongressional Black Caucus (CBC)
Black leaders emphasize need for unity, staying informed at national conference
The 54th CBCF Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., highlighted the fight to protect Black history, voting rights and economic power. Leaders urged unity, informed action and active participation to safeguard and advance Black America.
Posted inAfro Briefs
A sentence—finally—but still no justice for Breonna Taylor
Attorney Ben Crump (left), stands beside Tamika Palmer, mother of Breonna Taylor, and Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend, outside the federal courthouse calling the sentencing offers “a start,” though it remains uncertain whether true justice was served for Breonna.
Posted inBlack History
Harvard reaches historic settlement over earliest known photographs of enslaved Americans
Harvard University has agreed to transfer ownership of the earliest known photographs of enslaved people to Tamara Lanier, a descendant of one of the subjects, as part of a landmark legal settlement addressing the university’s historical exploitation of enslaved individuals for racist scientific purposes.
Posted inAfro Briefs
Three former Memphis officers acquitted in fatal beating of Tyre Nichols
Three former Memphis police officers were acquitted on May 7 of all state charges, including second-degree murder, in the 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols, a case that sparked national outrage and calls for police reform. Despite the verdict, the officers still face sentencing on federal charges, while civil rights advocates condemned the acquittals as a miscarriage of justice.
Posted inMaryland News
Maryland faces pressure over new bill to limit state liability in child sex abuse cases
A new bill in the Maryland General Assembly would cap the state’s financial liability for child sexual abuse claims, cutting the maximum payout for survivors from $890,000 to $400,000 for suits filed after Oct. 1, 2025. Critics, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump, argue the measure would deny justice to thousands of victims, many of whom suffered abuse in state-run facilities.
Posted inBaltimore News
Morgan State University unveils new Henrietta Lacks statue for National Blacks in Wax Museum
By Alexis TaylorAFRO Managing Editor Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose immortal cells have circled the globe, contributing to medical breakthroughs, research and vaccines, was honored at Morgan State University (MSU) with a wax figure on March 15. Lacks, born in August 1920, is the Black woman responsible for giving the world the first cells capable […]
Posted inNational News
24-hour marathon livestream launched as counterpoint to 47th president’s State of the Union
The “State of the People” town hall, hosted by Joy Reid and featuring various civil rights leaders and national advocates, will provide a 24-hour alternative to the expected State of the Union address, focusing on the truth and offering solutions for the nation’s challenges.
Posted inPOLITICS
The Black Press: The last line of defense as 47th president seizes control of the National Archives
Donald Trump’s takeover of the National Archives marks a chilling step in his campaign to rewrite history, erasing the truths that challenge his authoritarian ambitions, which threatens the preservation of Black history and truth itself.
Posted inBUSINESS
Ben Crump speaks at NNPA Midwinter Training Conference
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump emphasized the importance of preserving the freedom and power of the Black press in his address at the NNPA Midwinter Training Conference, urging African Americans to challenge the status quo and fight against attempts to roll back civil rights and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Posted inMedia
Virtual NNPA Midwinter Training Conference opens
The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has opened its all-virtual Midwinter Training Conference, with workshops on sustainability, growth, and the integration of print products with digital, as well as a virtual presentation of the NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award to Janis Ware-Washington, publisher of the Atlanta Voice.