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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Bin News this hour, Doug Davis coming up as Black
Lives Matter celebrates over a decade of activism. The organization
isn't slowing down, it's actually growing and stepping into a
new chapter. One that's all about building up black youth,
creating safe spaces, and finding freedom through joy. We'll hear
from BLM's new chairman of the boards, his lead Gay.
But first, here's bin News now.

Speaker 2 (00:23):
With three months ago, New York City mayoral candidates are
ramping up campaigns. Democrats around Mom Donnie leads the polls
with fifty percent support. He's backed by Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Speaker 3 (00:33):
So anybody who thinks New York City should work only
for the billionaires probably should go with Andrew Cuomo.

Speaker 2 (00:40):
One hundred faith leaders have endorsed Mayor Eric Adams. Singer
and entrepreneur Ray J Is clearing his name, denying rumors
he was involved in Whitney Houston's death. On Cam Newton's
Funky Friday podcast, he said he was in San Diego
the night she died, not in her hotel room, calling
the claims the biggest cap I've ever heard, and a
black man. Twenty two year old Daniel Kressey from New

(01:01):
Orleans may become Louisiana's first person cured of sickle cell
disease through gene therapy. The breakthrough could help him achieve
his dream of becoming a pilot FIPBI in News Now
on Demand twenty four to seven on the iHeartRadio app.
Here's More with Doug Davis.

Speaker 1 (01:16):
Oh, I thank you. As a Black Lives Matter Global
Network Foundation celebrates twelve years, it's focus is also turning
to restoration. At the forefront is board chair Cicily Gay,
who's launching a new initiative called Black Play Matters. That
focus is on empowering youth. Gay, you stepped into the
role a few years back, has led the organization through
a period of rebuilding and reimagining. Ciccily Gay is with

(01:39):
us to talk about that and more. Welcome to BI
in News this hour, And before we get into the
nuts and bolts of the reason why you're here, what
propelled you to lead this foundation and how do you
stay grounded?

Speaker 3 (01:51):
Yeah, I mean that's a really insightful question and one
that I've spent a lot of time thinking through. I
spent twenty years working in philanthropy, oftentimes behind the scenes.
Black led social justice nonprofit organizations where I was often
the one who was raising money and moving capital to
black communities, some brands and organizations that you likely know,

(02:15):
like INAACP Legal Defense Fund. And so when there was
time for transition both at a very crucial and complicated moment,
and folks came to me to ask for somebody who
understood the back end of nonprofit infrastructure, I had to
step up and say yes. One of the people who
I actually consulted with was my oldest son, my man

(02:37):
of Morehouse, and I say often, I've raised my three
sons without the benefit of a partner, but there is
nothing singular about the way in which a community has
undergirded us and supported me, and so I have a
lot to give. And I remember sitting with him and
saying that you know, it's time for a new day
at Black Lives Matter. There's a lot that people don't know,
but a lot of opportunity and accountability that's necessary. He said, Mom,

(03:00):
can you not My sons are my mirror and my compass,
and I've prepared them for the world and have decided
when I stepped this role, that it's time for me
to step up and prepare the world for them.

Speaker 1 (03:10):
You know, we're seeing BLM in the streets, in the news,
fighting for our rights. Now your organization is stepping into
a new frontier with Black Play Matters, an initiative to
empower black youth. Tell us more about this.

Speaker 3 (03:23):
I stepped in this role in twenty twenty two, and
for the last three years as a new board, we've
been committed to ensure that we're leading with transparency and
accountability and on waivering commitment to our people. This work
is very personal, and I know what it means to
want your children to be safe and to be seen
and celebrated and free. And so we're evolving from an

(03:44):
organization that only focuses on black death. And yes, we'll
always fight against state sanctioned violence to black life and
black love. And that means investing in joy and healing
and play and opportunity and dismantling some of the systems
that have tried to rob us of that. And that
is what we're doing through Black Play Matters.

Speaker 1 (04:02):
All right, Cecily, thank you. You have agreed to stick
around with the BI in news this hour all day,
so hey, don't move, stay informed, stay connected and subscribed.
Follow bi in News This Hour, wherever you get your podcasts,
I'm look Davis for the Black Information Network.