May 2019
Events
- May 19, 2019Robert F. Smith pays off Morehouse College graduating class's student debt
Billionaire investor Robert F. Smith announced during his commencement address at Morehouse College that he would pay off the entire student loan debt of the graduating class of 2019, totaling approximately $34 million. The gift was the largest donation to an HBCU by an individual at that time and sparked national debate about student debt and philanthropic responsibility.
- May 31, 2019Ava DuVernay creates When They See Us about Central Park Five
Ava DuVernay's four-part Netflix miniseries about the wrongful conviction of the Central Park Five became Netflix's most-watched original limited series at the time of its release. The series sparked calls for the resignation of the prosecutor involved and inspired renewed advocacy for criminal justice reform.
- May 31, 2019Ava DuVernay creates When They See Us about Central Park Five
Ava DuVernay's four-part Netflix miniseries about the wrongful conviction of the Central Park Five became Netflix's most-watched original limited series at the time of its release. The series sparked calls for the resignation of the prosecutor involved and inspired renewed advocacy for criminal justice reform.