By Tevon Blair ·Updated February 12, 2026 /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

From landmark civil rights battles to classroom reforms, heartbreaking tragedies, and the loss of beloved community leaders, this week’s news captures the victories, setbacks, and human stories shaping America today. From the Pride flag’s removal at New York’s Stonewall National Monument to Colorado’s new Black history curriculum, Florida’s DEI controversies, a justice milestone in Illinois, and the passing of activist Shirley Raines, these stories highlight the complexity, courage, and resilience of communities across the nation.

Trump Administration Removes Pride Flag From Stonewall National Monument  

The historic Stonewall National Monument becomes one of the latest sites to be impacted by the Trump Administration’s guidance from the Department of Interior (DOI), removing the LGBTQ flag that stood at Christopher Park in New York City. 

Last month, DOI released a memo providing guidance on non-agency flags and pennants displayed within the National Park System. The guidance instructs National Park Services to remove flags that are not recognized as the American flag or the department with limited exceptions. 

A park service spokesperson said, “any changes to flag displays are made to ensure consistency with that guidance. Stonewall National Monument continues to preserve and interpret the site’s historic significance through exhibits and programs.” 

The national monument where the pride flag was removed recognizes the Stonewall Inn, largely known as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement in America. Former President Barack Obama designated the 1969 historic site with the national honor in 2016. Transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson is largely recognized for her contributions to the freedom of the LGBTQ community in America and the Stonewall Riots. 

I am outraged by the removal of the Rainbow Pride Flag from Stonewall National Monument, said New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a social media post. “I will always fight for a New York City that invests in our LGBTQ+ community, defends their dignity, and protects every one of our neighbors—without exception.” 

LGBTQ advocates and community members protest the Trump decision. 

Colorado K-12 Classrooms Expand Black History Studies Through New Law 

A new Colorado law instructs K-12 public schools to incorporate Black history and cultural studies into their lesson plans by 2028, deepening students’ awareness of the contributions of Black people in Colorado, America and across the world. 

House Bill 25-1149 was signed into law in June 2025. The adoption of year-round Black history studies in classrooms helps to expand the education that is taught solely during Black History Month. Lessons will focus on more than stories about American slavery but a comprehensive curriculum that allows students to understand the full scope of Black constructions. 

“African Americans have really contributed to our current state of living,” said Michael Atkins, Denver Public Schools director of Black student success, in an interview with CBS News. “That needs to be heard, taught, and observed to our most precious asset, which is our babies. This bill not only benefits our Black students. This bill benefits all students.”

A 17-member advisory committee was also established with the law to make recommendations and develop standards to the state board on what could be included in the curriculum.  

Atkins and fourth-grader Zora Jackson advocated to enact the law. 

Florida’s Anti-DEI Law Nearly Prevented Florida A&M University Law Students From Using ‘Black’ in Black History Month Program

While planning to host a Black History Month event, a law student at Florida A&M University was initially banned from using ‘Black’ on her promotional flyers to celebrate the national holiday until university leaders took accountability for misinterping the state’s law. 

Aaliyah Steward, a law student at FAMU, told News 6 that words like ‘Black, affirmative action and women’ were flagged during the approval process for the promotional event flyers. This decision was due to university leaders attempting to abide by the state’s law preventing Florida’s public universities from using state or federal funds for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs. 

Senate Bill 266 was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023 to ‘strengthen Florida’s position as national leader in higher education.’ The state refers to DEI programming as ‘discriminatory initiatives’ and ‘woke ideologies.’

FAMU is the state’s only public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) among the 12 universities within the State University System of Florida. 

The university released an initial statement defending the state law saying, “Florida A&M University has consistently been in full compliance with Senate Bill 266 and Board of Governors’ Regulation 9.016. We support and have implemented the policy direction established by the Governor, the Legislature, and the Board of Governors as it relates to DEI, and consistent with related federal court rulings.”

Three days later, University President Marva Johnson and the College of Law’s Interim Dean Cecil Howard both released a statement saying ‘Black’ is not in violation, confirming a misinterpretation of the state’s anti-DEI law. 

Sonya Massey’s Murderer Sean Grayson Sentenced To 20 Years 

After a second-degree murder conviction, Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff deputy, was sentenced to 20 years for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey in her home. 

The sentencing is the result of the July 2024 incident that occurred after Massey called 911 to report someone possibly lurking outside of her home. After Massey told Grayson “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” he opened fire, leaving the 36-years-old and mother of two dead in her home. 

In Grayson’s latest court statement, he admitted to the excessive use of force against Massey, reflecting on the incident as a “terrible decision” and apologized for her death. In a previous testimony, Grayson claimed that Massey escalated the situation. He fired his weapon because he feared that Massey was going to throw a pot of boiling water at him. Body camera footage of the incident did not support Grayson’s claims. 

Massey’s children also made statements during the trial. “It does not feel like he truly understands or cares about the damage he has caused,” said Summer Massey, the victim’s 16-year-old daughter. 

Although Grayson was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, which carried the possibility of life in prison, a jury downgraded his charges, resulting in a 20 year sentence. He may only serve less than half of that sentence due to good behavior and time already served.

Community Leader Shirley Raines Passes Away, Remembered for Supporting Unhoused Communities

 Shirley Raines, a community activist, is being remembered for her humanitarian contributions to unhoused communities across Nevada and on Los Angeles’ Skid Row after her abrupt passing late last month. 

In a statement posted on her Instagram account, fans were made aware of her passing. “This loss is devastating to the entire Beauty 2 The Streetz team, the communities we serve, and the countless individuals whose lives were forever changed by Ms. Shirley’s love, generosity, and selfless service. Her legacy will continue to live on through the work she started and the hearts she touched.” 

The nonprofit founder of Beauty 2 The Streetz grew an online following of over 6 million on both Instagram and Tiktok. Just two days before her passing was announced, she posted a video of her delivering food and supplies to the community. 

In 2020, Raines shared with PEOPLE that she wanted to ‘change the face of homelessness’ but quickly understood that hair and beauty were only a small part of helping to shift the narrative of what being homeless means. Her advocacy helped people to understand that just because people are “without a home does not mean they’re without love. They are homeless, but a lot of them are not jobless. A lot of them are not kidless, phoneless or familyless. There are many levels of poverty as there are many levels of wealth,” said Raines. 

Her family is not actively seeking donations for funeral arrangements but encourages the public to donate to Beauty 2 The Streetz. 

The post This Week in News: Stonewall Pride Flag, Colorado Black History, FAMU DEI, Illinois Murder, Shirley Raines appeared first on Essence.