Updated Monday, Jan. 18, 2016: Jada Pinkett Smith posted a Facebook video on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day that shares her thoughts on how to address the Academy Awards’ snub of people of color. Smith says that black people need to recognize the power and influence they have. Out of self-respect, African Americans do…

A homeless man is being hailed a hero for saving a Houston family from their burning home, KHOU-TV reports. Thomas Smith, who was invited to stay at the house, thought that someone was breaking in when he heard a loud noise at 1:30 a.m. Friday. He discovered that the house was on fire and went…

Prominent black pastors boycotted the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Breakfast hosted by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago Tribune reports. A small group of the ministers, standing outside the venue, said that more than 100 pastors chose to boycott the breakfast. They were protesting Emanuel’s alleged role in an attempt to cover up the…

Former Montgomery County, Pa., prosecutor Bruce Castor is expected to testify that he promised Bill Cosby not to charge him for an alleged sex assault, the Associated Press reports. A judge will determine at a Feb. 2 hearing whether a legally binding agreement exists that protects the entertainer from criminal prosecution. CNN said it obtained…

The White House declared a federal emergency in Flint, Mich., Saturday to alleviate the city’s lead-contaminated water crisis, the Detroit Free Press reports. President Barack Obama’s response releases up to $5 million and authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts. This action will cover 75 percent of the costs of providing clean…

Esaw Garner praised the decision to punish a police sergeant at the scene of her husband’s death but vowed Saturday to continue her battle for justice, the New York Daily News reports. “When they indict Daniel Pantaleo, then I’ll jump for joy. Until then, I’m just gonna keep going on, using your faith and my…

South Carolina authorities are investigating a suspicious fire Friday night at the house of former North Charleston Police Officer Michael Slager, the Charleston Post and Courier reports. A neighbor put out the flames, which caused minor damage to the vacant home. Slager has not lived there since his arrest on murder charges for killing Water…

Kyle Canty will have to pack his bags and return to the United States after Canadian officials rejected his asylum application, CBC News reports. The African-American citizen entered Canada back in September. He told border officials in Vancouver that he was coming for a visit but later filed for refugee status. Canty, pointing to Michael…

Baltimore public housing officials agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit for up to $8 million with tenants who accused maintenance workers of sexual harassment, the Baltimore Sun reports. According to the lawsuit, workers demanded sexual favors from the victims in exchange for making repairs. Those who refused the sexual advances endured life-threatening conditions in their…

The family of a 14-year-old black girl accuses Mall of America security guards of using excessive force to restrain her over a curfew violation, as the local NAACP calls for a boycott, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. According to Isabella Brown’s family, mall guards approached her around 5 p.m. on Dec. 26 and asked Isabella…