June 8, 2020 THE MUSE Remembers the Lives Behind the Names Kamal Flowers, 24, New Rochelle, NY, had a passion for rap music, Alvin Lamont Baum II, 23, Norfolk, VA, “a special person.” ⬝ Kamaal always talked about his kids. ⬝ Tyquarn Graves, 33, Brooklyn, NY, a Koby Edwards, 18, Cuthbert, GA, “everywhere you went you had hardworking father who loved his two young daughters. ⬝ David somebody laughin.’” ⬝ Mychael Johnson, 31, Tallahassee, FL, father of McAtee (“YaYa”), 53, Louisville, KY, owner of YaYa’s BBQ, four, best friend, and a giver. ⬝ LeBarron Ballard, 28, Memphis, TN, represented the best of African American BBQ culture, known for his U.S. Navy veteran; nieces and nephew called him “Santa Claus” because big heart and thoughtful gestures. ⬝ Derrick Thompson, 46, Dothan, he always came with gifts. ⬝ Harold Spencer, 61, Iota, LA. ⬝ William FL. ⬝ Jarvis Mahue Sullivan, 44, Woodbine, GA, his hobbies were Simpkins, 39, Graniteville, SC, served in the U.S. Marine Corps and cooking, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends. ⬝ Veterans Health Administration for nearly two decades. ⬝ Darwin Momodou Lamin Sisay (“Boy Sisay”), 39, Lithonia, GA, “a Foy, 35, Fort Dodge, IA, enjoyed anything involving family. ⬝ Donnie handsome, humble, respectful young lad with aspirations just like any Sanders, 47, Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Chiefs fan. ⬝ Breonna kid.” ⬝ Modesto Reyes (“Desto” and “Dollah Billionz”), 39, New Taylor, 26, Louisville, KY, award-winning EMT who loved her family Orleans, LA, "always smiling, joking, and being a helper, [and] wanted and community. ⬝ Barry Gedeus, 27, Fort Lauderdale, FL, started his everybody to be happy all of the time." ⬝ Tony McDade, 38, own landscaping company with his wife. ⬝ Tyler M. Jones, 24, Tallahassee, FL, had a hidden talent for singing and was a “True Cincinnati, OH, talented football player signed to the Ohio Bobcats. ⬝ Gemini.” ⬝ Dion Johnson, 28, Phoenix, AZ, “a protector, a comedian, a Elijah Jamaal Brewer (“EZ”), 25, Mt. Oliver, PA, “believed in passionate family man.” ⬝ Christopher Clark, 36, Paterson, NJ, a opportunities, welcomed challenges, and inspired all who came to know joyous father to four loving sons. ⬝ Maurice Gordon Jr., 28, Bass him.” ⬝ Anthony Taylor, 49, Milwaukee, WI, a loving protector. ⬝ River, NJ, “the only one who will just randomly WhatsApp me or Justin Lee Stackhouse, 30, Bradenton, FL, a wonderful chef. ⬝ Facebook message me and just say, ‘I love you, sis.’” ⬝ Willie Lee Kenneth Sashington, 38, Tuscumbia, AL. ⬝ Joseph C. Jewell III Quarles Sr., 60, Greenwood, SC, grandfather to thirteen (“Joey a.k.a JoJo”), 17, Columbus, OH, brightened the room with his grandchildren. ⬝ Tobby Wiggins, 45, Delaware, world’s silliest dad and laugh, sweet smile, and loving personality. ⬝ Kevin Adolphe, 23, “The Original Boom Bam.” ⬝ Randy Roszell Lewis, 38, Houston, TX. ⬝ Orlando, FL. ⬝ Bobby Joe Gibbs, 40, Forrest City, AK, DJ and father Robert Johnson, 29, Baltimore, MD, father-to-be who followed the figure to the neighborhood. ⬝ Jeremy Grayson, 31, Chicago, IL. ⬝ code of family first. ⬝ Rayshard Scales, 30, Houston, TX, fun person Dominique Antwon Anderson, 26, Hanford, CA. ⬝ Darius Tarver, 23, to be around and a family-oriented person. ⬝ David Tyle’k Atkinson, Denton, TX, a “million-dollar smile that could go on for miles and miles.” 24, Raleigh, NC, quiet but always smiling; truly the “champagne of ⬝ Marc Dominic Neal, 56, Mill Creek, CA, “had an empathic love for life.” ⬝ Yassin Mohamed, 47, Claxton, GA. ⬝ Finan H. Berhe, 30, animals.” ⬝ Alvin Cole, 17, Wauwatosa, WI, “a blessed child… he wound Silver Spring, MD, a smile that could light up a room. ⬝ Adrian up being my miracle.” ⬝ Ronnell Mouzon, 41, Fort Myers, FL. ⬝ Medearis, 48, Houston, TX, a gospel singer and the founder of God’s Leonard Parker Jr., 53, Covington, GA. ⬝ Keith Dutree Collins, 52, Anointed People contemporary gospel choir. ⬝ McHale Rose Raleigh, faced challenges with a beautiful smile. ⬝ Abdirahman Salad, (“Khale”), 19, Indianapolis, IN, had a big heart, contagious smile, 15, Columbus, OH, described by a classmate as a good kid. ⬝ Jaquyn teenage innocence and love. ⬝ Dreasjon Reed (“Shean” or “Dre”), 21, O’neill Light, 20, Graham, NC, affectionately known by the nickname Indianapolis, IN, “had the most beautiful eyes.” ⬝ Jah’Sean Iandie “Meat.” ⬝ Aaron T. Brooker (“Shugg”), 22, Allendale, SC, a playful Hodge, 21, St. Cloud, . loving father of two who saved his niece’s and loving father to his son. ⬝ William Howard Green, 43, Temple life. ⬝ Qavon Webb, 23, St. Louis, Missouri. ⬝ Demontre Bruner, 21, Hills, MD, the "glue" that held the family together. ⬝ Joshua James Tulsa, Oklahoma. ⬝ Said Joquin, 26, Fayetteville, NC. “Words can’t Brown, 34, Columbus, OH, a free spirited individual, especially when it even begin to describe the type of incredible person he was.” ⬝ Brent came to his wardrobe. ⬝ D’ovion Semaj Perkins, 19, Aurora, CO, “look Martin, 32, Little Rock, Arkansas. ⬝ Shaun Lee Fuhr, 24, Des at the impact his life had on many.” ⬝ Michael Rivera, 32, Moines, IA. ⬝ William Debose, 21, Denver, CO, always had customers Bloomingdale, NJ. ⬝ Andrew Smyrna, 32, Atlanta, GA, “a great man and coworkers laughing and smiling. ⬝ Malcolm Xavier Ray Williams, and would do anything for anybody.” ⬝ Marquis Golden, 29, St. 27, Jeffersonville, IN, loved children, especially his children, nieces, Petersburg, FL, father, brother, and son. ⬝ Deandre Lee Seaborough- and nephews. ⬝ Elmer L. Mack (“Millionaire Mack”), 40, Florence, Patterson, 22, Savannah, GA. ⬝ Reginald Leon Boston, 20, SC, Greenbay Packers fan. ⬝ Chase Rosa, 24, Las Vegas, NV. ⬝ Jacksonville, FL, loved by many for his leadership in Youth Ministry. ⬝ Sergeant Virgill Obrian Thrope, 28, Colorado Springs, CO, received Samuel David Mallard, 19, Powder Springs, GA, a gentle giant. ⬝ multiple awards including the Army Commendation and Achievement Mubarak Soulemane, 19, West Haven, CT, a lover of basketball and Medals and the NATO Service Medal. ⬝ Steven Taylor, 33, San lacrosse. ⬝ Albert Lee Hughes, 47, Lawrenceville, GA. ⬝ Renard Leandro, CA, loved to dance and was in a singing group. ⬝ Derick L. Antonio Daniels (“Tony”), 55, Cocoa, FL. ⬝ Keenan McCain, 29, Powe, 29, Daphne, AL, sou-chef who loved to grill, sing, and travel. ⬝ Gary, IN. ⬝ Ryan O. Simms, 49, FL, “We clashed about everything Jasman Washington (“Jazz”), 31, Plainview, TX, a beloved, cheerful under the sun, then laughed about everything under the sun.” ⬝ Henry child. ⬝ Goldie Bellinger, 39, Williston, SC, loving father who enjoyed Isaac Jones (“Ike”), 47, Bainbridge, GA, rejoined his son Jervonta selling CDs and sneakers. ⬝ Jonathan Lee Adams, 31, Pottstown, PA. Jones. ⬝ Claude Fain, 47, Philadelphia, PA, “quiet and peaceful.” ⬝ ⬝ Zyon Romeir Wyche (“Zy”), 19, Hopewell, VA, spent many Earl Facey, 37, Brooklyn, NY. ⬝ Miciah Lee, 18, Reno, NV, “you are Sundays watching the Philadelphia Eagles. ⬝ Joshua Dariandre missed more than you thought you would be” ⬝ Brandon D. Roberts, Ruffin, 17, Columbia, SC, “the best smile, it would light up a room.” ⬝ 27, Dover, DE, very artistic [and] proud to have the opportunity to Dewayne Curtis Lafond, 45, Refugio, TX, a Texan roper. ⬝ Idris display his artwork at the Dover Public Library and the Dover Art Abdus-Salaam, 33, Durham, NC. ⬝ Nathan R. Hodge, 66, Monroe, League. ⬝ Kwamae Jones, 17, Jacksonville, FL, loved sports, especially LA. ⬝ Etonne Tanzymore, 38, Baltimore, MD, valued education and football. ⬝ Tyree Davis, 25, Chicago, IL. ⬝ Jamarri Daiwon Tarver, had a deep knowledge of nature. ⬝ Tyrell Fincher, 26, Newburgh, NY, 26, North Las Vegas, NV, “my uncle that would take the blame for me.” manager and loving father. ⬝ ⬝ 96 Black Lives Lost to Fatal Police Shootings in 2020 as of June 7, 2020 contents THE MUSE | June 8, 2020 | no. 5 00 THE LIVES BEHIND THE NAMES Responding to the calls to “Say Their Name,” the Nine Muses Lab alumni gives a snapshot into the life beyond the names and beyond the violence. 02 AMPLIFY BLACK VOICES Black Art Matters. This section features the work of and recommendations from Black Nine Muses Lab alumni: Sam Augustin, Danielle Covington, Nia Farrell, Deijah Martin-Valle, and Tyaela Nieves 05 MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR BLACK PEOPLE Things to watch, read, and do for Black people to engage in self-care and self-love. National Museum for African American History and Culture

La Capresse des Colonies, Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier 1 from TYAELA NIEVES

Image: REUTERS/Darren Ornitz

BLACK LIVES MATTER RESOURCES

CELEBRATING BLACK STORIES ON HULU SMALL DOSES PODCAST W/ AMANDA STRONG SEALES BLACK LEAD ON NETFLIX

DONATE HERE TO DOLLAR BAIL BRIGADE

A BLACK WHEN LADY THEY SKETCH SEE US SHOW ON NETFLIX ON HBO

“People should consume Black art to stay educated, humanize Black stories, and support Black artists.” -- Tyaela Nieves Learn more about Tyaela on Instagram @tyaelanieves 2 from DANIELLE COVINGTON Learn more about Danielle at daniellecovington.com

NONAME DISCOGRAPHY Noname’s two albums Telefone and Room 25 offer bright melodies and witty wordplay as she poses deeply intimate questions and reflects on her experiences growing up in Chicago. Songs on repeat: “Self,” “Song 32,” and “Reality Check”

HOODRAT TO HEADWRAP: A DECOLONIZED PODCAST A podcast by sexuality educator Ericka Hart and their partner Ebony Donnley in which they discuss topics like the gender binary, toxic masculinity, medical racism, electoral politics, and a bunch more. Follow them on Instagram: @ihartericka

LOVE LETTERS TO BLACK PEOPLE During What to Send Up When it Goes Down by Aleshea Harris, the audience wrote love letters to Black people to affirm and celebrate their worth. These letters have been shared online and curated on Instagram: @loveletterstoblackpeople. Submit Letters Here.

by SAM AUGUSTIN

Plagued by the nightmares of police brutality, a young painter tries alleviate his depression by going into therapy and expressing himself through his art, only to be confronted with the reality that he'll always been seen as a monster in the eyes of White Fear. Watch Here.

Learn more about Sam on Instagram @samuelaugustin_ 3 College Kid by DEIJAH Center stage: Three college age people are placed six feet apart. One MARTIN-VALLE is on an armchair with a Nintendo Switch, one is finger painting, one is filming a Tik-Tok dance. Downstage ESSENTIAL WORKER reads:

I am home again I am four years old again Covid Diploma

Haiku Vignette change. The sound of TV static and TV remote clicks can be heard until the next haiku vignette is ready.

Journalist

Center stage: 2 journalists sit six feet apart. One goes back and forth between their laptop and a cork board with a map of the USA "These are haikus about different cluttered with red pushpins as they keep adding more each time. The pandemic/ quarantine situations in other is sitting in front of their computer screen gesturing at a green the USA as of April 20, 2020. I am screen behind them. Downstage PROTESTER reads: too young to know a long life, but I feel that I have lived a thousand They want to know truth But no one will give it up years in the span of twenty-two." News outlet fact sires

Learn more about Deijah at thedeijahmv.com Blackout by NIA FARRELL "On being BLK in an anti-BLK world"

In an interview for the Berlin theatre festival Theatertreffen Stückemarkt, Nia Farrell and her artistic soulmate Talia Paulette Oliveras (collectively Ta-Nia), talk about their highly- anticipated piece Dreams in Black Major, Afrofuturism, the spirit of the ancestors – and wonder if there’s a German Kendrick Lamar. Read the full interview here.

Learn more about Nia and Talia at ta-nia.com 4 MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR BLACK FOLKS

Image: Getty Images 12 Black Mental-Health and Wellness Resources to Follow on Instagram

From the coronavirus pandemic continuing to have a disproportionate impact on people of color to the past week’s events, it is a devastating and vulnerable time for the Black community. From Sista Afya to the Black Mental Health Alliance, here are 12 Instagram accounts that are working to provide mental-health and self-care support for the Black community during this time of collective heartache and devastation.

7 Virtual Mental Health Resources Supporting Black People Right Now

All of [the] complex feelings and mixed emotions are normal in times of crisis and collective trauma. However you choose to grieve, process, and/or stand in solidarity, remember that you’re not alone, and that your personhood and wellness still matter.

Illustration: Kenesha Sneed

thread: videos of Black people laughing

Black joy is an act of survival and resilience. Tap in.

IG: @kaylaa.robinson

5 The Lives Behind the Names Monday, June 8, 2020

Primary Source for Names The Fatal Force Database from The Washington Post

Our Process To gather information and maintain privacy about these names and lives, the alumni of the Nine Muses Lab followed a process similar to The New York Times as described in “Project Behind a Front Page Full of Names.” Students “combed through various sources online for obituaries and death notices" as well as social media and “gleaned phrases that depicted the uniqueness of each life lost.” They kept a record of their sources and the editor of THE MUSE cross- checked each one before publishing.

About The List The ninety-six names represent the shootings of Black people thus far in 2020 (as of June 7, 2020) in which “a police officer, in line of duty, shoots and kills a civilian -- the circumstances that most closely parallel the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., which began the protest movement culminating in and an increased focus on nationwide” and does not “[track the] deaths of people in police custody, fatal shootings by off-duty officers or non-shooting deaths.” (“How The Washington Post is examining police shootings in the United States”)

Why This List? Similar to The Post’s impetus for creating the list, the alumni of the Nine Muses Lab focused on circumstances that paralleled the 2020 killing of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY, and sparked the current protests for Black Lives Matter. Responding to the calls to “Say Her Name,” the Nine Muses Lab alumni wanted to give a snapshot into the life beyond the name and beyond the violence.

What Is “Say Her Name”? The hashtag #SayHerName is a social movement that seeks to raise awareness for Black women victims of police brutality and anti-Black violence in the United States. The hashtag has since expanded to include multiple gender identities, but remains rooted in an effort to illuminate the underreported police violence against Black women and call for justice.

We Acknowledge The deaths of Black people are rampant and systemic and this cover of ninety-six names is only a mere fraction of the lives lost to anti-Blackness in an anti-Black society. There are more names. Many more names and more lives lost.

Thank You To The alumni and students who helped gather the information: Theodosia Arcidiacono, Déja Green, Polly Jacobs, Lucas Kernan, Rachel Lipkin, Lily Mannon, Brielle Melendez, Maya Moravec, Bianca Rogoff, and Isa Uzcategui.