The Boycott, The Mistrial, and The Weed Rules

Summary

The Breakfast Club – "The Boycott, The Mistrial, and The Weed Rules"

Podcast: The Breakfast Club (Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts)
Date: May 21, 2026
Host: Mimi Brown

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Episode Overview

This episode of "The Breakfast Club" front page dives deep into three major national conversations:

1. The NAACP's call for Black athletes to consider boycotting colleges in Southern states over attacks on voting rights.
2. Critical updates from the Virginia elementary school shooting trial involving Dr. Ebony Parker.
3. The TSA's quiet change in rules related to traveling with marijuana.

Host Mimi Brown moves through each headline, providing analysis, interviews, and historical context, while engaging listeners for feedback on the complex decisions facing young Black athletes.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NAACP’s Call for Athlete Boycott Over Voting Rights (02:07-06:52)

• The Campaign:
  The NAACP has launched "Out of Bounds," urging Black high school athletes and their families to reconsider attending powerhouse Southern universities (e.g., Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Texas) due to new state-level policies believed to harm Black voting rights.

• Political Backing:
  The Congressional Black Caucus, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, stands in support.

  • Quote:

    "This is an unprecedented moment featuring an unprecedented attack on black political representation. And therefore it requires an unprecedented response. We are here standing in solidarity with the NAACP and its call for athletes to boycott institutions within the SEC..."
    — Hakeem Jeffries, (04:10)

• Parental and Community Dilemmas:
  Mimi Brown lays out the real-world impact: for many, sports are more than leisure—they are a ticket to a better life.
  She questions:

  • Is it fair to ask teenagers to risk their futures for a political cause?
  • Can HBCUs realistically provide equivalent opportunities right now?

• Notable Perspective from Former Athlete:

  • Quote:

    "First of all, we have to acknowledge the hypocrisy of these states that use black bodies as economic engines... On Saturdays and on Sundays, they're taking away their votes, of their meemaws, of their big mamas, of all their family members... But... it's difficult for me to push on these 18 year olds, these 19 year olds, to get them to make a decision of this magnitude at such a young age."
    — Former Athlete, (06:00)

• Listener Engagement:
  Mimi invites the audience—especially parents, coaches, students, and former athletes—to send in their views, emphasizing the nuance and personal stakes involved (06:52).

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2. Elementary School Shooting Trial Update – The Mistrial Debate (07:42-10:06)

• Case Context:
  Dr. Ebony Parker, former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary, is on trial for allegedly failing to act before a six-year-old student shot teacher Abby Zwerner in 2023.

• Day’s Developments:

  • Defense requested a mistrial, alleging juror misconduct after a juror asked about testifying procedures.
    • Quote:

      "Jurors in this matter are actually the triers in fact and under law they can ask questions of the witnesses."
      — Trial Attorney, (08:35)

  • Judge denied the mistrial, trial continued.
  • Major prosecution moment: Jurors watched Parker's recorded Zoom interview shortly after the incident, in which she denied being told by the teacher that the child had a weapon or that she felt unsafe.
    • Quote:

      "Ms. Zoner never came to me and said anything about her feeling that the student had a weapon or that she felt unsafe. She did it. She didn't say this."
      — Dr. Ebony Parker (as quoted), (09:10)

  • Handbook Contradiction: Prosecutors pointed to policies that would have allowed searching a student.
  • Families testified to the emotional fallout for children:
    • Quote:

      "She has depression, anxiety, stomach aches, headaches, school avoidance, just a general anxiousness, just extreme fear."
      — Parent of affected child, (09:51)

  • Prosecution rests; defense to present their case next.

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3. Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder Decision — Context for Today’s Voting Issues (10:06-12:23)

• Throwback Thursday:
  Mimi explains how the 2013 Supreme Court decision to strike down "preclearance" under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act has direct connections to present voting rights struggles.

• Ripple Effects Noted:

  • Once-protected states like Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Virginia have since redrawn maps and changed voting laws—moves now at the heart of the NAACP’s athlete boycott call.
  • The decision’s impact is ongoing and helps explain today's headlines.

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4. TSA’s Updated Marijuana Travel Policy (12:23-13:32)

• Rule Clarification:
  The TSA subtly changed the language on its website regarding marijuana.

  • Old wording about federal illegality is gone.
  • The new policy clarifies that officers focus on security threats, not drugs, but can refer marijuana discoveries to law enforcement.

• Major Takeaways:

  • This is NOT a legalization of flying with marijuana.
  • Airlines (Delta, American, United, Southwest) still ban marijuana on flights, regardless of state laws.
  • Possessing marijuana remains legally risky when crossing state lines.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The silence of these institutions is complicity."
  — Hakeem Jeffries, (04:10)

• "We have to acknowledge the hypocrisy of these states that use black bodies as economic engines... while taking away their votes."
  — Former Athlete, (06:00)

• "Is it fair to ask a teenager to potentially sacrifice part of their own future for a political fight?"
  — Mimi Brown (Paraphrasing and framing central dilemma), (05:07)

• "This does not mean marijuana is suddenly legal to fly with."
  — Mimi Brown, (12:34)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:07] – NAACP urges Black athletes to rethink Southern schools; campaign details and Congressional support.
• [04:10] – Hakeem Jeffries vocalizes political backing for boycott.
• [06:00] – Former athlete shares the conflict and personal stakes.
• [06:52] – Mimi invites listener feedback on the debate.
• [07:42] – Ebony Parker trial background and updates; mistrial motion and prosecution’s key evidence.
• [09:51] – Parent testifies about child's trauma after school shooting.
• [10:06] – Context: Supreme Court’s 2013 decision and how it shapes current voting rights fights.
• [12:23] – TSA marijuana policy update and practical implications for travelers.

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Summary

This "Breakfast Club" episode takes on urgent issues at the intersection of sports, civil rights, justice, and everyday choices. With sharp analysis, multiple perspectives, and a call for community engagement, Mimi Brown and her guests lay out the stakes behind news headlines—whether it's a teenager's future, courtroom drama, or travel rules that could trip up unsuspecting flyers.

Engagement Encouraged:
Listeners are invited to share their perspectives or personal stories, especially on the athlete boycott debate, making this episode not just informative but truly interactive.

Transcript

[Mimi Brown]

Hey guys, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe.

[Kevin Jonas]

I'm Kevin.

[Nick Jonas]

And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called hey Jonas.

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[Nick Jonas]

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We just contributed to it.

[Joe Jonas]

First people to do podcasts.

[Kevin Jonas]

We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions.

[Nick Jonas]

Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick.

[Podcast Announcer]

Listen to hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio

[Joe Jonas]

app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

[Robert Smigel]

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy not quite on Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier this week. My guests, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Sydal help an acapella band with their between songs banter.

[Isaiah Thomas]

Where does your group perform?

[CJ Toledano]

We do some retirement homes.

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Those people are starving for banter. Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you podcasts Will Ferrell's

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[Mimi Brown]

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[Janet]

Yeah.

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A redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip.

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Just a little bit bigger hips.

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This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of

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my Honda Odyssey with all the snacks and drinks.

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Listen to soccer moms on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or you get your podcasts.

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[Mimi Brown]

The NAACP is urging black athletes to rethink playing for southern schools over voting rights.

[Hakeem Jeffries]

The silence of these institutions is complicity

[Mimi Brown]

and a mistrial motion Taking center stage today in the Virginia elementary school shooting trial.

[Trial Attorney]

Under law, they can't ask questions of the witnesses.

[Mimi Brown]

And TSA is changing the rules for travelers carrying weed. Will explain.

[TSA Representative]

The page does not give details on the specific reason for this rule change.

[Mimi Brown]

It's Thursday, May 21st. From the black Effect Podcast Network, I'm Mimi Brown. This is front page. And here are today's biggest stories. Plus, today on the headlines, we didn't take seriously enough the supreme court ruling from 2013. That's behind everything happening right now. Stay with me. If you're a parent with a child being recruited right now, if your son is hoping to play college football or basketball, if your family is looking at schools like Alabama, Georgia, lsu, Florida or Texas, the NAACP wants you to start asking a brand new question before signing day. Not just how big the stadium is, not just about the nil money and not about playing time, but whether the state your child is about to spend four years in respects their right to vote. Because the NAACP just launched a new campaign urging black athletes and their families to reconsider attending public universities in states they say are weakening black voting rights. The campaign is called out of Bounds and it's aimed directly at some of the biggest college sport programs in America. We're talking SEC country schools making hundreds of millions of dollars every year, powered largely by black athletes on the field. NAACP President Derek Johnson says schools should not profit from black talent while staying silent as black political power is reduced in those same states. And now the Congressional Black Caucus is backing that effort too. Here's House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

[Hakeem Jeffries]

This is an unprecedented moment featuring an unprecedented attack on black political representation. And therefore it requires an unprecedented response. We are here standing in solidarity with the NAACP and its call for athletes to boycott institutions within the SEC that belong to states that have unleashed these Jim Crow like racially oppressive tactics. And we believe that the silence of these institutions is complicity.

[Mimi Brown]

But here's the other side of this debate that I think people are struggling with. Is this too much to put on a 17 or 18 year old kid? Because once you move past the headlines and the politics, the reality is for a lot of these athletes, football and basketballs are not hobbies. They're exits. They're opportunities. The nil money at schools like Alabama, lsu, Georgia, Texas, Florida can be life changing. The TV exposure is bigger. The facilities are bigger. The NFL and the NBA pipeline is bigger. Now. Yes, people immediately say HBCUs and I understand why. Deion Sanders showed what was possible at Jackson State and For a moment, it felt like the culture was shifting, but when Dion left, it also felt like a lot of that momentum left too. So now the real question becomes, can HBCUs realistically compete right now with the money, the exposure, the professional opportunities these powerhouse schools offer? And if the answer is not fully just yet, is it fair to ask a teenager to potentially sacrifice part of their own future for a political fight? Here's one perspective that's getting a lot of attention online.

[Former Athlete]

First of all, we have to acknowledge the hypocrisy of these states that use black bodies as economic engines. On Saturdays and on Sundays, they're taking away their votes, of their meemaws, of their big mamas, of all their family members. So that part of it is real. That part of it we cannot deny. Also, at the same time, I think it's really rough to speak out to these 18 year olds and ask them to make these decisions. When I was 18, I was 17 actually to make the decision. I had studied so hard and so long to figure out what it was for me to get to Tennessee and then not only that, but the main pipeline to get to the NFL. So my, my main mission at that age was trying to get to the NFL. I think it's really difficult. These are real issues that need to be addressed, but I think it's difficult for me to push on these 18 year olds, these 19 year olds, to get them to make a decision of this magnitude at such a young age.

[Mimi Brown]

And that's the part of the conversation I think is complicated. Because on one side, the NAACP is asking black athletes to think about political power and community responsibility. But on the other side, some families are thinking, my child has one shot. And I honestly do not know where the easy answer is here. So I want to hear from you guys on this one. Send me your take on this. If you're a parent, coach, former athlete, current student, or just someone with an opinion, send me a voice memo. Keep it to 30 seconds or email me at frontpage with Mimi mail. Com or you can DM me your voice note as well at Mimi Brown tv. Tell me where you stand. The question again, should black athletes think twice about playing for schools in states accused of attacking black voter rights? Or is that too much to put on teenagers just trying to build a future for themselves and their families? I'll play the best voice memos on next Thursday's show. Day three of the Dr. Ebony Parker trial wrapped Wednesday in Newport News, Virginia. And by the end of the day, prosecutors had officially rested their case. So if you missed yesterday's episode and you're just catching up. Parker is the former assistant principal accused of failing to act before a six year old student brought a gun into Rich Neck elementary school and shot first grade teacher Abby Zwerner back in 2023. She now faces eight felony child abuse charges and up to 40 years in prison. And Wednesday may have been one of the most important days of the trial so far. So first, the defense tried to stop the trial altogether. Parker's attorneys asked the judge for a mistrial after a juror reportedly asked other jurors whether they should seek clarification on testimony they had heard in court.

[Trial Attorney]

Jurors in this matter are actually the triers in fact and under law they can ask questions of the witnesses.

[Mimi Brown]

The defense called it juror misconduct, but the judge disagreed and denied the motion allowing the trial to continue. Then came the prosecution's biggest moment of the day. Jurors watched a recorded zoom interview conducted just days after the shooting between Parker and the school's district HR director. In the video, Parker claimed that the teacher, Abby Zorner, never directly told her she believed the child had a gun or that she felt unsafe.

[Janet]

Ms. Zorner never came to me and said anything about her feeling that the student had a weapon or that she felt unsafe. She did it. She didn't say this.

[Mimi Brown]

But jurors heard very different testimony earlier this week from Zerner herself. We played that here. The prosecution also highlighted another key moment from the interview when Parker said the school had, quote, never searched a student. Prosecutors then pointed directly to the district's own handbook which states that school administrators do have the authority to search students when there's reasonable suspicion. A jurors also heard emotional testimony from parents who, whose children were inside the classroom during the shooting recently.

[Janet]

We went, she went back to counseling. They said that she has depression, anxiety, stomach aches, headaches, school avoidance, just a general anxiousness, just extreme fear.

[Mimi Brown]

Now the prosecution's case is over. The defense is expected to continue presenting its case on Thursday with closing arguments possibly coming before the end of the week. Every Thursday on Front Page, we pull back to look at a story that was treated as small at the time but ended up shaping the world we live in right now. Today's pick, June 25, 2013. That was the day the U.S. supreme Court handed down a major decision in a case called Shelby county versus Holder. In a 5 to 4 ruling, the Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Voting Rights act known as section 5, or preclearance. States with long histories of racial discrimination in voting, mostly in the south, used to have to get federal approval before changing voting laws or redistricting maps. After that ruling, they no longer had to. So at the time, some people thought the ruling was mostly about legal procedure. Civil rights groups, though they warned it would weaken protections for black voters, others argued the law was just outdated. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion that, quote, things have changed in the South. But fast forward to now, 12 years later. Tennessee just carved up Memphis. Alabama is moving to eliminate a black congressional seat. Louisiana redrew its maps. Virginia voters approved a new map, and the Supreme Court threw it out. And just this week, the NAACP launched a campaign urging black athletes to rethink attending schools in states tied to these voting rights battles. A lot of states at the center of today's fights were once covered under that exact section of the Voting Rights Act. So this isn't really a history story. It's a now story. Because whether people agree with the Supreme Court decision or not, the ripple effects are still playing out across the country today. That's your Throwback Thursday. If you're flying somewhere this summer and planning on traveling with medical marijuana or cannabis products, there's a new TSA update that you should know about. The TSA quietly changed the wording on its website about marijuana. The agency removed older language that specifically highlighted marijuana as illegal under federal law.

[TSA Representative]

This was all updated April 27th. The page does not give details on the amount of medical marijuana allowed per person on a flight or the specific reason for this rule change.

[Mimi Brown]

In its place, TSA now says its officers are focused on security threats, not actively searching for drugs. But here's the important part. TSA also says if agents happen to find marijuana during screening, they can still refer the matter to local law enforcement. So this does not mean marijuana is suddenly legal to fly with. In fact, major airlines including Delta, American, United, and Southwest still prohibit marijuana on their planes, even in states where recreational or medical cannabis is legal. And depending on where you're flying, local laws may be completely different once you land. So while TSA may not be looking for weed specifically, traveling with marijuana is still legally tricky, especially across state lines. That's your front page. I'm Mimi Brown. This podcast is brought to you by the Black Effect Podcast Network. Hey, guys, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe.

[Kevin Jonas]

I'm Kevin.

[Nick Jonas]

And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast. Hey, Jonas.

[Kevin Jonas]

We invented a podcast.

[Nick Jonas]

Well, we didn't invent it.

[Kevin Jonas]

We.

[Nick Jonas]

We just contributed to it.

[Joe Jonas]

We're the first people to do podcasts.

[Kevin Jonas]

We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions.

[Nick Jonas]

Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick.

[Podcast Announcer]

Listen to hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio

[Joe Jonas]

app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

[Robert Smigel]

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite on Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to to David Letterman help make you funnier this week. My guests, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an acapella band with their between songs banter.

[Isaiah Thomas]

Where does your group perform?

[CJ Toledano]

We do some retirement homes.

[Robert Smigel]

Those people are starving for banter. Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Hey, I'm Diana Maria Riva and on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be? I call on my Gen X squad. From Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate midlife's most famous fantastic bs, unfiltered conversations from night sweats to fupas to scheduling sex. Wait, what sex?

[Trial Attorney]

Is it just me or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex?

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Sometimes they say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure gonna try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard can it Be with Diana Maria Riva on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[CJ Toledano]

What's up, fam?

[Isaiah Thomas]

It's Isaiah Thomas and I'm CJ Toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point Game, the playoffs.

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Wow.

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Then after that game seven markip coming to you, he's like, you know I love you, dawg. You know it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball.

[Isaiah Thomas]

So listen to Point game on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.