Black and Missing Foundation: Difference between revisions
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2012: Tarasha Benjamin from Selma, Alabama.<ref name=":1" /> |
2012: Tarasha Benjamin from Selma, Alabama.<ref name=":1" /> |
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2022: Emily Benjamin from Culpepper, VA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black and Missing{{!}} Emily Victoria Benjamin, last seen September 2022 |url=https://weaa.org/show/mornings-with-mykel/2023-06-28/black-and-missing-emily-victoria-benjamin-last-seen-september-2022 |website=WEAA}}</ref> |
2022: Emily Benjamin from Culpepper, VA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black and Missing{{!}} Emily Victoria Benjamin, last seen September 2022 |url=https://weaa.org/show/mornings-with-mykel/2023-06-28/black-and-missing-emily-victoria-benjamin-last-seen-september-2022 |website=WEAA}}</ref> They have advocated for Alexis Ware from Anderson, South Carolina including donating a billboard.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Asia |title=Family hopes new billboard leads to answers in Alexis Ware disappearance |url=https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/search-continues-for-alexis-ware-family-hopes-new-billboard-leads-to-answers/ |website=WSPA}}</ref> |
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2024: Marissa Carmichael who went missing from [[Greensboro, North Carolina]];<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeBone |first=Maria |date=2024-02-19 |title=Nonprofits help in search of missing High Point mom last seen one month ago |url=https://www.wxii12.com/article/nonprofits-help-in-search-of-missing-high-point-mom-last-seen-one-month-ago/46791228 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=WXII |language=en}}</ref> Eodis "Tre" Harris III from Fort Worth, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keith |first=Damali |date=2024-03-25 |title=Texas family celebrates with a birthday party for a missing man who disappeared, search continues |url=https://www.fox26houston.com/news/texas-family-celebrates-with-a-birthday-party-for-a-missing-man-who-disappeared-and-theyre-searching-for-him |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=FOX 26 Houston |language=en-US}}</ref> |
2024: Marissa Carmichael who went missing from [[Greensboro, North Carolina]];<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeBone |first=Maria |date=2024-02-19 |title=Nonprofits help in search of missing High Point mom last seen one month ago |url=https://www.wxii12.com/article/nonprofits-help-in-search-of-missing-high-point-mom-last-seen-one-month-ago/46791228 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=WXII |language=en}}</ref> Eodis "Tre" Harris III from Fort Worth, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keith |first=Damali |date=2024-03-25 |title=Texas family celebrates with a birthday party for a missing man who disappeared, search continues |url=https://www.fox26houston.com/news/texas-family-celebrates-with-a-birthday-party-for-a-missing-man-who-disappeared-and-theyre-searching-for-him |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=FOX 26 Houston |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 01:07, 8 July 2024
The Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. (BAMFI) is a non-profit organization that aims to address the disparity in media coverage and law enforcement response to missing persons of color in the United States.
Founding
BAMFI was founded in 2008 by Derrica Wilson, a former law enforcement officer, and Natalie Wilson, a public relations specialist.[1] It was founded after Tamika Huston's disappearance in South Carolina, during which her family struggled to gain media attention. In contrast, the highly publicized case of Natalie Holloway, who went missing shortly after, highlighted the disparity in media coverage for missing persons of color, prompting Tamika's aunt Rebkah to unsuccessfully reach out to the same reporters and networks covering Holloway's disappearance.[2]
Mission and advocacy
BAMFI's primary mission is to bring attention to missing persons of color, offer support to their families, and advocate for systemic change in how these cases are handled. The organization raises awareness through social media campaigns, community events, and collaborations with media outlets. BAMFI attributes the lack of media coverage for missing people of color due to harmful stereotypes and societal desensitization.[3][4] In 2023, Natalie Wilson wrote that the foundation has helped locate more than 400 individuals with community support.[5]
Highlighting disparities
In 2022, Black individuals, comprising only 13% of the U.S. population, accounted for nearly 40% of the 546,000 reported missing persons cases, according to statistics published by BAMFI.[6]
A report indicated that minority children are often classified as "runaways," making them ineligible for notifications like Amber Alerts, while missing minority adults are frequently linked to "criminal involvement." In response to these statistics, CA Sen. Steven Bradford authored a bill to establish Ebony Alerts.[7]
Collaborations
In 2024, Gabby Petito's family is leveraging their platform to support organizations like the BAMFI, advocating for equal media coverage for all missing individuals. Their collaboration aims to address the disparities in media and law enforcement attention for missing persons of color.[8]
Cases
2012: Tarasha Benjamin from Selma, Alabama.[5]
2022: Emily Benjamin from Culpepper, VA.[9] They have advocated for Alexis Ware from Anderson, South Carolina including donating a billboard.[10]
2024: Marissa Carmichael who went missing from Greensboro, North Carolina;[11] Eodis "Tre" Harris III from Fort Worth, Texas.[12]
References
- ^ JoVonn, Jeroslyn (2024-06-21). "Black And Missing Foundation 'Still Have A Lot Of Work' To Do To Amplify 'Typically Overlooked' Cases". Black Enterprise. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ Keith, Damali (2024-01-01). "Ebony Alert: More Black people going missing, receiving little attention". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ "Missing People Of Color 'Shunned' By The Media, Advocates Say". National Press Foundation. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ Boogie, Aqua. "The epidemic very few are talking about: Missing Black women and girls". REVOLT. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ a b "Beyond the Hoax: The Alarming Reality of Missing Black Women". Essence. 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Kim, Juliana. "Decades-old missing person case solved after relative uploads DNA to genealogy site". NPR.
- ^ "California New Laws For 2024: Alerts For Missing Black Children". LAist. 2024-01-02. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ Wicker, Kay (2024-06-13). "To help solve 'Missing White Woman Syndrome,' Gabby Petito's family lends their platform to missing people of color". TheGrio. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ "Black and Missing| Emily Victoria Benjamin, last seen September 2022". WEAA.
- ^ Wilson, Asia. "Family hopes new billboard leads to answers in Alexis Ware disappearance". WSPA.
- ^ DeBone, Maria (2024-02-19). "Nonprofits help in search of missing High Point mom last seen one month ago". WXII. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Keith, Damali (2024-03-25). "Texas family celebrates with a birthday party for a missing man who disappeared, search continues". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved 2024-07-08.