by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 22, 2024

Gunna Partners With Black Music Action Coalition To Provide 30 Georgia Families With Guaranteed Income

Gunna is gifting 30 families with $1,000 monthly stipends for one year.

Rapper Gunna is giving $1,000 monthly stipends to 30 lucky families in his hometown of South Fulton, Georgia.

Gunna’s Great Giveaway Foundation has teamed up with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) for a new initiative that will give out monthly stipends for one year, Rolling Stone reports. Recipients of the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program must be within the specific zip code in South Fulton, Georgia, to receive the monthly stipends and mentorship in music, film, fashion, and tech.

The new initiative aligns with BMAC’s mission of uniting artists, songwriters, managers, producers, lawyers, and other music executives in tackling social injustice impacting predominantly Black communities in the wake of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

“BMAC’s mission to achieve systemic equity must begin with economic justice,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, the organization’s co-founder, president, and CEO. “Black Americans are too often locked out of critical opportunities and pathways to climb the socioeconomic ladder despite being central to every cultural and financial movement in this country’s history.”

The program is the latest in Gunna’s philanthropic endeavors in his native Georgia. In 2021, he teamed up with Goodr to create a free in-school clothing and grocery store at his former middle school in College Park, where he grew up. The store, named Gunna’s Drip Closet And Goodr Grocery Store, has an array of foods, household items, toiletries, and even clothes and shoes for students and their families. It was formed to combat child hunger.

“We were really conscious of making sure that we were providing items that the kids could make themselves because the principal let us know that a lot of these kids when they leave school, they are essentially adults that are making the meals,” Goodr CEO Jasmine Crowe explained. “They’re doing everything for their household.”

Families interested in participating in the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program can apply online HERE.

Amber Rose, Republican National Convention

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 22, 2024

Amber Rose’s Attack On VP Kamala Harris Falls Flat Among Social Media Users

Social media is not here for Amber Rose's latest rant against Vice President Kamala Harris.

Amber Rose attempted to slam Vice President Kamala Harris in response to how “poppin'” the Democratic National Convention has been. But social media wasn’t trying to hear it.

The “Celebrity College Hill” star took to Instagram on Wednesday, August 22, to acknowledge how “lit” night 2 of the 2024 DNC was. Rose focused on Lil Jon’s live performance during Georgia’s portion of the ceremonial roll call the DNC held to nominate Kamala Harris as their pick for president officially.

While Rose notes how “fire” it was to have Lil Jon and DJ Cassidy entertain the crowd of Democrats, the proud Republican supporter of Donald Trump seemingly thinks Harris is using celebrities to distract Americans from some of the issues impacting the country.

“I was thinking, Kamala should have a new slogan,” Rose says to the camera. “It should be, let’s manipulate Americans into thinking that everything is all good and everything is just funny and laughs and jokes and like, just cool a** music.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amber Rose (@amberrose)

“And, you know, while war veterans are broke and there’s so many homeless people in America, people can’t afford groceries or rent or to even go out with their friends anymore and have a good time,” Rose continued. “Illegal migrants are getting so much money in food stamps, taking over our hotels and schools, people are dying in war, you know, that should be her new slogan.”

“I think she should put that on a hat. Yeah, I think she should put that on a hat,” she concluded.

However, if Amber hoped her sarcastic rant against VP Harris would garner more support for Trump, it appeared to do the opposite among most of her followers. Many flooded her comments section with critiques against Trump and her argument about VP Harris.

“If you think Trump is gonna change all of that you’re part of the problem,” one person wrote.

“Girl, Trump did nothing for vets, retired citz on disability or retirement or for the middle class that make up more than half the population,” added someone else. “Like, what world do all live in? Trump cares about the billionaires, which you’re not! And himself. He road off the coattails of Obama 8 years in which he brought us back from a recession.”

The backlash was worse after The Shade Room reposted Amber’s rant against VP Harris, with many saying it was hard to take political advice from the social media star.

“Still trying to figure out why somebody with a forehead tattoo is talking to me,” one user wrote.

“Her inner Karen shines ✨bright,” added another.

Amber Rose has been under fire since posting a photo in May standing alongside Trump and his wife, Melania, to show her support for his 2024 presidential campaign. The mother of two has since turned her Instagram page into a political hub, where she often posts content criticizing Kamala Harris and praising Trump. However, her latest rant has been disregarded.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 22, 2024

Clark Atlanta University Reveals Newly Redesigned Red Turf Football Field

A $1.8M donation by the Arthur Blank Family Foundation made this possible

Clark Atlanta University Athletics announced that construction for a newly redesigned field turf was completed on August 16 and was made possible by a donation by the Arthur Blank Family Foundation.

The new turf was constructed at the school’s Panther Stadium. It was started earlier this summer on June 1, and will be ready just in time for the upcoming academic season for the Clark Atlanta Football team. Arthur Blank, the co-founder of The Home Depot, also owns two professional sports teams in Atlanta: the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’ Atlanta United FC.

“As Athletic Director, I am profoundly grateful to the Arthur Blank Family Foundation for their tremendous gift of $1.8 million, which has made our vision for the new red football field a reality. Writing the grant for this project was a labor of love, driven by my commitment to providing our student-athletes, alumni, and the entire CAU community with something truly special,” said Dr. Jerel Drew in a written statement.

The Clark Atlanta Panthers football team will start the new season on their new home turf on September 7, at 2 p.m. when they play against Allen University.

Clark Atlanta University isn’t the only HBCU to benefit from the gracious donation of the Arthur Blank Family Foundation. Three other schools took advantage of the $6.5 million that the foundation has given out to refurbish the colleges’ football fields.

Three other schools were given grants for their new football fields.

Albany State University in Albany, Georgia, had its grass football and soccer field converted to artificial turf.
Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama, changed from natural grass to turf at its practice facility.
Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia, replaced the turf at the current football and soccer field at Ted Wright Stadium.

“The positive impact of athletics is a driving force throughout our portfolio of businesses,” said AMB Sports and Entertainment CEO Rich McKay. “Arthur Blank and his Family Foundation recognize and prioritize community impact through sport, and supporting these historical institutions is a natural extension of our values. We are honored to partner with LISC, the NFL Foundation, and these universities to enhance the playing surfaces, with the shared goal of creating more opportunities for the students and surrounding communities alike.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 22, 2024

Juvenile Blasts American Airlines For Trying To Move Him From First Class To Coach

Juvenile has taken issue with American Airlines after he was forced to exit a flight that tried to move him from first class to coach.

Juvenile is taking to social media to put American Airlines on blast after he was allegedly forced to exit a flight that tried to move him from his first- class seat to coach.

The “Back That Azz Up” hitmaker went live on Instagram on August 21, while locked in a heated conversation with two American Airlines staffers who were trying to force him to leave his seat to move to the back of the plane. A video captured by Hip Hop DX shows Juvenile opting out of the flight rather than staying on and flying in coach.

“They trying to kick me off the plane, y’all,” Juvenile tells his followers while panning his phone to show the two airline employees who were trying to get him to move.

“They trying to take me out of first class,” he says.

A woman he was sitting with asked the staffers where they were trying to get Juvenile to move to, at which a white male looked at her and said, “We’re going to put him in coach.”

“Oh no!” the woman exclaims.

Juvenile exits plane after American Airlines attempts to move him from first class to coach pic.twitter.com/Tvoj8D8he2
— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) August 21, 2024

Juvenile went on to refuse the coach seats and let the airline staff know this situation “ain’t never happened to me in my life.”

“I’m a celebrity. I’m telling y’all it’s gonna be repercussions to this,” he warned the staffers who likely had no idea of his status as a platinum-selling rap artist. The woman he was with could be heard telling the airline employees that they were sitting in their rightful seats, 1A and 1C.

However, rather than ride in coach, Juvenile saw the option as disrespectful and exited the flight entirely.

“I’m a get off the plane. I’m not going to let y’all disrespect me like that,” Juvenile says. “I’m not going to let y’all choose me out of all the people on the plane and disrespect me.”

He went on to grab his bags and leave the flight. In a second video, Juvenile scrolls through his phone to show how many first-class flights he booked, including those booked with American Airlines.

“I think I know a thing or two about first class,” he says to the camera. “F*** American Airlines, all the money I done spent with you b*****s.”

Juvenile went on to say he has never had to fly coach and said he feels “played” by the airline after doing so much business with them. Fans who watched the encounter called out American Airlines and demanded to know why Juvenile was seemingly singled out.

“Terrible. I wonder what the reason was. Hmmmmm,” one fan wrote.

“Justice for Juvie,” added another.

One viewer believed the airline was treating the rapper poorly and likened the exchange to “Rosa Parks days.” No word from American Airlines on how they’re addressing the incident.

Kamala Harris, Trump, Philadelphia, debate

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 22, 2024

Donald Trump Attacks Kamala Harris For Attending Sigma Gamma Rho’s ‘Very Unimportant’ Boulé

He is so out of touch with history....

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is receiving backlash for criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris after she attended the boulé of the historically Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho Incorporated.

During an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump called the boulé a “party” that was “very unimportant.”

“Well, she went to a party, she actually went to a party, you know that she went to a party, a sorority party,” he said.

“A very unimportant one. They have them numerous times during the year. It’s a shame.”

Trump attacks Kamala Harris for attending a Black sorority event: “A very unimportant one” pic.twitter.com/jEOBtxKiX5
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 21, 2024

Trump was referencing Harris attending the group’s annual convention in Houston in July 2024. Sigma Gamma Rho, founded in 1922 by seven Black women in Indianapolis, Indiana, was the last established sorority under the “Divine Nine” group. While speaking to ladies who shined in their bold royal blue and gold, Harris said she looked at them as family who share similar visions for the future of the nation. “In this moment, we face a choice between two very different visions for our nation: one focused on the future, the other focused on the past. And we in this room are fighting for the future,” Harris said.

“We are working to build up — to build up, not tear down — and to build up America’s families and America’s middle class because we know when our middle class is strong, America is strong.”

Divine Nine boulés hold significant value for members, including keynote speakers, workshops, and networking events. Used as a way to garner bonds of sisterhood among the sororities, Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright says Trump’s comments once again depict him being far connected from history, as, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Black fraternities and sororities were created on principles of personal excellence, community service, racial uplift, civic action and kinship. “This is not the first time that we bear witness to Donald Trump’s racism not having boundaries,” said Seawright.

“Clearly, he has no acknowledgment of the history the Divine Nine has played to not only shaping the African American community but shaping his country, and certainly, the blatant continued disrespect of Black women shows his disconnect with the realities of what this country is all about.”

Some of the most prominent leaders in African-American history were members of Sigma Gamma Rho, including Georgia Davis Powers, the first woman and Black woman elected to the Kentucky state senate; Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American actress to win an Academy Award in 1940; and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.)

For decades, historical groups have sponsored initiatives to promote voter registration and support of political candidates. The 2024 presidential election is no different. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., one of the largest historically Black sororities, spent time at the 54th Eastern Regional Conference in the city of brotherly love spreading messaging on the importance of voting.

During a discussion on economic impact entitled “VOTE Initiative — Visualize, Organize, Trailblaze, and Empower,” members pushed the urgent need for a massive turnout at the polls in November.

by Shanique Yates

August 22, 2024

Birmingham-Southern College Continues To Seek New Owner

Despite interest from neighboring Alabama colleges like Alabama A&M University and Miles College, BSC’s future when it comes to buyers currently does not look too promising.

After announcing its closing in May, Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) is still in search of a buyer.

Despite interest from neighboring Alabama colleges like Alabama A&M University and Miles College, BSC’s future when it comes to buyers currently does not look too promising. According to a report by 1819 News, the school turned down a “lowball” offer of $65 million from A&M, which would have officially made it an HBCU. On the other hand, it signed a Letter of Intent with Miles College. However, the college could not find the funds to fulfill the purchase.

Launched as a Methodist institution just a year after its inception in 1856 as Southern University, the institution officially became Birmingham-Southern College when it merged with Birmingham College in 1918. The school is affectionately known as The Hilltop, due to its location overlooking the city of Birmingham.

Citing financial woes, BSC’s official last day of operation was May 31, 2024. However, the school’s last President, Daniel B. Coleman, has a vision of the institution’s campus continuing to be useful for Birmingham. The campus is currently home to dozens of administrative and classroom buildings, residence halls, and an apartment complex equipped with a pool, a lake, and playing fields.

“As the anchor tenant of this part of the city, BSC has provided stability, security, and service to our neighbors in Bush Hills, College Hills, and Smithfield, and vice versa for more than a century,” read a statement on the school’s website. “With millions of federal dollars on the way to create affordable housing and a more visible and attractive pathway between downtown and the west, such a large property being left vacant for any length of time is a huge setback to the neighborhoods that surround it.”

According to ABC 33/40, the Alabama institution tapped Keen-Summit Capital Partners LLC to help market the sale of its campus nationally in early August. The New York real estate company currently operates out of the city’s Manhattan and Melville neighborhoods and also has offices in Chicago. It specializes in bankruptcies, special situations, receiverships, and restructurings.

“This is the premier college campus available for sale in the U.S. right now,” said Managing Director of Keen-Summit Capital Partners LLC David Levy. “It would be perfect for a college or university looking to expand or establish a satellite medical, technology, life science, or other specialty campus. Alabama’s thriving sports culture also makes this campus an ideal fit for a world-class sports academy and boarding school. “With its state-of-the-art athletic facilities, warm weather location, and housing for about 1,600 students, this location is tailor-made for such an institution.”

Until a buyer confirms the sale of BSC, security officers will monitor the campus to ensure that it remains vacant.

April Reign Calls Out Ana Navarro For Being All Up In President Obama’s Face

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 22, 2024

April Reign Calls Out Ana Navarro For Being All Up In President Obama’s Face

April Reign doesn't think Ana Navarro should be the one to fix President Obama's tie.

“The View” co-host Ana Navarro thought she was helping Barack Obama by fixing his tie. But journalist April Reign thinks Navarro was “out of bounds.”

Reign reposted her response to Navarro’s touchy-feely photo op with Barack, in which she touched his chest and kissed him on the cheek.

“Somebody had to fix his tie. So Chacha and I pitched-in,” Navarro captioned her post.

But Reign shot back, telling Navarro to delete her post because it didn’t come off as wholesome as she intended.

“Girl, delete this. You are not that somebody, or whatever Aaliyah said,” Reign sarcastically wrote. “You know this is out of bounds, which is why you locked the responses.”

Girl, delete this. You are not that somebody, or whatever Aaliyah said. You know this is out of bounds, which is why you locked the responses. https://t.co/Ftc21NGjiQ
— April (@ReignOfApril) August 21, 2024

Reign went on to seemingly accuse Navarro of being inappropriate with Barack Obama while his wife Michelle Obama was just feet away.

“Because what you NOT gon do is imply YOU needed to fix his tie, when Michelle was right around the corner in the green room,” Reign continued.

“You and your purse dog need to remember your place, and it’s not within tie distance of our POTUS. Like literally how dare you.”

Another user called out Navarro for playing nice with the former President despite how much she publicly criticized him on “The View.”

“Not that it matters, but I remember her being very critical of him when he was in office. Now she’s the fixer? Lol,” the user wrote.

“YOU.SEE.IT,” Reign wrote in response.

“Wasn’t she a Republican up until Trump? Can never trust those types,” added someone else.

Another user called Navarro out for shutting down the comments section on the tweet of her touchy photos with Obama.

“Locked them comments down quick!” they quipped.

Navarro might have voted Republican in past elections, but this election year, she describes herself in her Twitter bio as a “proud Nicaraguan-AMERICAN.”

“I love America, imperfections and all. In 2024, I’m a single-issue voter: for Trump to lose,” she adds.

by Stacy Jackson

August 22, 2024

Voters Fired Up During Oprah Winfrey’s Speech At DNC Celebrating ‘Best Of America’

“Voting is the best of America!” Oprah hypes up Kamala Harris and tells DNC voters to vote based on values and loyalty to the Constitution.

Oprah Winfrey had Chicago fired up as she took the podium on Wednesday during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) to speak on the night’s theme of “freedom.”

The surprise speech, which the medial mogul gave ahead of the party’s vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, addressed the “best of America” and pumped up voters to back and elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States. “We can’t wait to leave here and do something!” Winfrey said to voters as they held up “USA” signs. She said the “best of America” are the new freedom fighters, the men and women fighting to keep the country from going back. “When we stand together, it is impossible to conquer us.”

She shared her testimony about facing and witnessing racism firsthand in America and explained that the country is an ongoing project that requires commitment, hard work, and standing up to life’s bullies.

“I’ve seen racism and sexism and income inequality and division,” the 70-year-old television producer told voters. “I’ve not only seen it. At times, I’ve been on the receiving end of it.” Despite the adversity, Winfrey continued, “We are not so different from our neighbors.” She supported her remarks, stating, “When a house is on fire, we don’t ask about the homeowner’s race or religion. We don’t wonder who their partner is or how they voted. We just try to do the best we can to save them.”

She asserted her pride in Americans who prioritize lending a helping hand when it matters most, something the award-winning talk show host said she’s witnessed from both conservatives and liberals.

“And If the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady, well, we try to get that cat out, too.” The crowd cheered as she threw the indirect jab at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, who BLACK ENTERPRISE previously mentioned, slighted Democratic leaders in 2021, describing them as “childless cat ladies.”

She spoke to the room about the present state of America, which she labeled as “complicated,” and emphasized the importance of welcoming “adult conversations” and civilized debate.

With a cheering crowd rooting for every remark from The Color Purple actress, she directed her speech to the topic of abortion. “If you cannot control how you bring your children into this world and how they are raised and supported, there is no American dream.” Winfrey reminded voters of women like the late New Orleans native Tessie Prevost Williams, who BE previously remembered as one of four Black girls who bravely integrated New Orleans public schools in 1960 after the Supreme Court ruled segregation in schools was unconstitutional.

“Soon and very soon,” Winfrey said, the world will be teaching their children about how Harris, the daughter of two immigrants, an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, became the 47th POTUS. Bringing the crowd to chant “USA,” she said, “That is the best of America!”

Winfrey, who is registered as an Independent, said that as an American, she will vote again and again. “Voting is the best of America!” She encouraged voters to vote based on values and character. “Decency and respect are on the ballot for 2024,” she said. “Common sense tells you that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz can give us decency and respect.” She further advised supporters to contribute to the “best of America” by choosing loyalty to the Constitution over any individual, optimism over cynicism, inclusion over retribution, common sense over nonsense, and the “sweet turn of tomorrow over the bitter return of yesterday.”

“We won’t be set back, pushed back, bullied back, kicked back,” she asserted. “We’re not going back.” The crowd chanted the words after her as she urged the voters in the room to choose honor, joy, and freedom as they head to election polls this November.

Family Of Teenager Sues Detroit Judge Who Had Her Handcuffed And Jailed After Falling Asleep In Courtroom

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 22, 2024

Family Of Teenager Sues Detroit Judge Who Had Her Handcuffed And Jailed After Falling Asleep In Courtroom

Judge Kenneth King is being sued for $75,000 by the family of 15-year-old Eva Goodman.

A judge from Detroit was temporarily removed from the bench after he had a teen girl handcuffed and threatened to place her in jail for sleeping in his courtroom. Now, the family of that young girl has stated they are filing a lawsuit against that judge for his actions.

According to The Detroit News, Judge Kenneth King is being sued after a 15-year-old girl fell asleep while he was speaking to students on a field trip organized by a nonprofit group, The Greening of Detroit. When the teen was caught sleeping, he admonished her for it, and according to a YouTube video posted by WXYZ-TV, he said, “You fall asleep in my courtroom one more time, I’m putting you in the back, understood?”

According to the lawsuit, when he realized that she fell asleep once again, he ordered her to be jailed and handcuffed. He made her take off her clothes and placed her in prison wear. He then held a “fake trial” with her classmates as jurors, which was shown live on the internet.

“Then, making a mockery of the justice guaranteed by the due process clauses of the United States Constitution, while panning the camera to focus upon his juvenile audience for the benefit of his internet fans, Defendant JUDGE KING asked (the teen’s) peers to serve as a fake jury of public opinion and decide whether to let her go home to her mother and grandmother or to serve time in the juvenile jail that he had but moments before denigrated as unfit.”

Attorney James Harrington, representing the family, stated this incident occurred on Aug. 13 when the court was not in session.

CBS Detroit identified the teenager as Eva Goodman. It stated that the family seeks $75,000 for past, present, and future pain and suffering, medical expenses, including psychological and psychiatric treatment, exemplary damages, and attorney and expert witness fees.

Goodman’s mother, Latoreya Till, said, “I just want Judge King to take accountability for the way that he humiliated my daughter. It’s hard for her to sleep at night. She’s asking me, ‘Why did the judge do me like this out of all the kids?'”

King’s attorney, Todd Perkins, issued a statement on behalf of the judge:

“He is remorseful and sorry if any young person was hurt, as any actions by Judge King would never seek to have that as an intended consequence. He only wants the best outcome for this young person and all young people. She matters. They matter. They are our future.”

According to a statement from 36th District Court Chief Judge William McConico, King has been temporarily removed from his docket and will undergo training “to address the underlying issues that contributed to this incident. “

by Shanique Yates

August 22, 2024

Chick-fil-A May Soon Expand Beyond Chicken Sandwiches With Family-Friendly Streaming Platform

There are currently speculations that the casual fast-food restaurant is working alongside Glassman Media to produce a family-friendly gameshow to live on the company’s streaming platform.

Chick-fil-A is taking its talents beyond the food industry with its streaming platform.

The fast-food giant will reportedly launch original content in the streaming world. Deadline reported that the company has already begun working with major production companies to create family-friendly shows within the unscripted, or reality television, space.

While the platform’s name and launch date have not been set, the source says Chick-fil-A will begin rolling out content toward the end of the year.

Since its inception in Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946, under its initial name, The Dwarf Grill, the casual fast-food restaurant is best known for its fried chicken sandwiches and having its doors closed on Sundays as well as meeting customers with the warm “it’s our pleasure” greeting at some point during an interaction. Today, Chick-fil-A operates more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States.

According to the source, Chick-fil-A’s foray into the entertainment industry is said to be positive for reality television, which, per Deadline, has witnessed a decline in viewership and interest in recent years. Another insider noted that this is good for the casual fast-food chain compared to branded content.

The company isn’t the only non-entertainment brand making a foray into original content; Airbnb previously produced a documentary, Gay Chorus Deep South, that aired on MTV. Ride-share company Lyft also created a game show, Lucky Lyft, hosted by Bob the Drag Queen.

There is speculation that the casual fast-food restaurant works alongside Glassman Media to produce a family-friendly gameshow on the company’s streaming platform. However, this isn’t the first time that Chick-fil-A has created content for its brand. Previously, it launched a series of short, animated films titled Stories of Evergreen Hills on its website.

Moreover, the restaurant is no stranger to branching out beyond the food service industry, with a line of children’s puzzles and games created under its Pennycake brand imprint.