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Central Park Five

Raymond Santana (C), one of the five men wrongfully convicted of raping a woman in Central Park in 1989, shown speaking at a press conference on city halls’ steps after it was announced that the men, known as the ‘Central Park Five,’ had settled with New York City for approximately $40 million dollars on June 27, 2014 in New York City. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

When the men wrongly convicted in the racially-charged Central Park Five rape case were granted $40-plus million in a settlement with New York City, many had felt as if justice had been served. Yet, according to one of the men, Raymond Santana, the fight to clear their names continues and there were details about the 1989 case that were kept out of the public eye. Apparently, city lawyers wanted to push for a $15 million cap on the settlement, which he said ended up prolonging the case. “We were exonerated. We were innocent of all these charges, and the battle still continues after full exoneration,” said Santana. “There’s a lot of information that won’t come out because they don’t want you to know. We were ready to go to trial years ago. It was the city who kept prolonging this.” Read more.


PBS Diversifies Its Top Ranks

PBS recently appointed Marie Nelson, a broadcast executive, to Vice President of News and Public Affairs. “In this role, Nelson will collaborate with executive producers of acclaimed PBS news and public affairs series, as well as independent producers,” the network said in a statement. Nelson, who was the founding executive producer of NPR’s “Tell Me More,” is known for her work at ABC News and BET Networks. Read more.


Louis Armstrong Inducted into the Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame

The sidewalk in front of New York’s Apollo Theater bears the names of African-American entertainers who have made major contributions to the music industry, and now New Orleans-bred jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong has been inducted into the Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame. “From Ella Fitzgerald to Duke Ellington to Louis Armstrong, the Apollo’s lauded lineage has earned it the distinction of being one of Harlem’s original jazz shrines,” said Mikki Shepard, executive director of the Apollo Theater. “We are excited to celebrate the Apollo’s jazz legacy, as well as the birthplace of this genre, by inducting Louis Armstrong into the Walk of Fame and presenting performances by some of the best jazz musicians performing today during the New Orleans to Harlem Jazz Weekend.” Armstrong joins the likes of Michael Jackson, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin. Read more.


NAACP and Dunkin Donuts Team Up to Diversify the Restaurant Industry

NAACP and Dunkin Donuts have teamed up to launch the Diversity in Franchising Initiative. The project was designed to increase franchise ownership amongst African Americans. As part of the initiative, there was a web series launched that focuses franchising a business and provides tips and resources on how to get involved in the restaurant industry. “Dunkin’ Brands and the NAACP are excited to work with the IFA Educational Foundation to provide African-Americans and other entrepreneurs with a path to business ownership,” said Grant Benson, CFE, vice president of global franchising and business development, Dunkin’ Brands. Read more.

NewsOne Minute: Central Park Five Claim NYC Prolonged Case  was originally published on newsone.com