Armani Latimer, alopecia, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders — (Photo: Michael Barera/Wikimedia Commons)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 16, 2024

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Praised After Performing With Bald Head For Alopecia Awareness

Latimer decided to rock her baldness while performing during 'Monday Night Football.'

A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader who rocked her baldness for alopecia awareness on the field is being praised for her bravery and willingness to reject societal norms regarding femininity and hair.

Armani Latimer, who has alopecia areata, ditched a wig during the Cowboys game on ESPN’s Monday Night Football on Dec. 9.

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A post shared by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (@dccheerleaders)

The 26-year-old cheerleader used her platform to help others feel beautiful in all their forms. Her now-viral video has spread awareness of an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body.

Latimer was first diagnosed with the alopecia at age 12.

“I always knew that I wanted to eventually dance in some capacity without my wig, just to make [alopecia] not a stigma anymore,” Latimer told ABC News. “I just wanted to take it a step further, wanted to get the conversation out there a little more, and I thought, well, what better way than to go out on the field and just show the world who I am?”

Her specific type of alopecia also disproportionately impacts Black women, as reported by the National Institutes of Health.

“There’s a lot of stigma in history that involves our hair. So, I think even with the support that I had, the extra layer of being a Black woman without hair was always there,” explained Latimer.

She added, “If you were a little Black girl and you didn’t have a whole lot of hair, then you were kind of made fun of. So I think all of those memories from when I was younger kind of came flooding back into my brain in that initial moment of losing all of my hair. So that’s something that I’ve had to work through as well.”

However, Latimer has found love and support through her squad as a new cohort of fans cheers her along.

“There’s a lot of people that you know they’re gonna say, ‘I look up to you,’ ‘You’re a role model,’ and that kind of weighs heavy on you,” expressed the professional cheerleader. “And I think just the emotions from that, from knowing that it was going to make an impact on people, those were the emotions that you were seeing, and also just the love of my teammates.”

ludacris, Rock the country, MAGA, Kid Rock — (Photo: Derek White/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 16, 2024

Ludacris Gifts 10 College Park Families At ‘Ludacrismas’ Event

'It’s the MOST WONDERFUL time of the year and here at #TheLudacrisFoundation we always want to end the year strong and bring smiles to our community!'

Hip-hop superstar Chris “Ludacris” Bridges gave back to the community this holiday season.

According to WSB-TV, Ludacris and his non-profit organization, The Ludacris Foundation, were at the Brady Center in College Park for a pop-up “Ludacrismas” event on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Ten families who attended the event were treated with presents, an enjoyable day, and good cheer.

“It’s the MOST WONDERFUL time of the year, and here at #TheLudacrisFoundation, we always want to end the year strong and bring smiles to our community!

This year’s #Ludacrismas was extremely successful, and we are all so grateful to have had the opportunity to spend time with these very deserving families! The Laughs… the tears of joy… and all of the jokes really made this moment one that none of us will ever forget! Our number 1 goal is to serve the community by not giving them a handout but a HAND UP!”

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The “Ludacrismas” theme is from a song the entertainer recorded for the 2007 holiday movie, Fred Claus. He also appeared in the movie as a character named DJ Donnie.

Last week, the Fast & Furious star posted on his social media account about appearing for jury duty in Fulton County. Although he was there to fulfill his civic duty, he was not chosen to sit on a case. In a since-deleted video clip he posted to his Instagram account, he was walking next to another juror who also did not get selected.

In the clip, he said, ”We didn’t get chosen for jury duty, but if we did, we would have. We would’ve shown up and showed out.”

Thinking that he wasn’t noticed he said, “Don’t nobody know who I am.”

But the juror did know and responded, “You Ludacris.”

He tried to deny it was him and said he had won some money in a “look-alike” contest.

She then said, “Yeah, sure.”

NYC MTA, Metropolitan Transportation — (Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Flcikr)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 16, 2024

NYC Bus Driver Arrested After Allegedly Stabbing Passenger Who Attacked Him

Bus driver Ian Bascombe and passenger Quentin Branch were both arrested and charged after a dispute between them got violent on a Brooklyn bus.

This past Friday was unlucky for a Brooklyn Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus driver and one of his passengers when the bus driver was arrested for allegedly stabbing the passenger who purportedly spat on him and punched him in the eye.

According to Law & Crime, New York Police Department police officers arrested bus driver Ian Bascombe and Quentin Branch, a passenger on his bus, after a dispute between them got violent on Friday, Dec. 13, on a Brooklyn bus.

Authorities said the incident occurred on a B41 bus in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. An argument ensued after the 33-year-old Branch wanted Bascombe to open the door between stops to let him off, but the 58-year-old driver refused. Branch claims he got on the wrong bus, but Bascombe kept driving after he made his request.

An official from NYPD said, “The passenger wanted to exit at an unauthorized stop.”

When Bascombe didn’t stop the bus, Branch said, “I’m going to break your jaw,” and allegedly went around the protective plexiglass divider, spat on the bus driver, and punched him in the face. After being struck, Bascombe pulled out his knife and stabbed Branch several times in the head and leg.

The dispute happened before 12:30 p.m.

Branch was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he was listed as stable.

Police say that both men were arrested and charged for the disturbance. Bascombe is charged with two counts of second and third-degree assault and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; Branch’s charges are one count of second-degree harassment and two counts of second and third-degree assault.

“Violence on buses puts New Yorkers at risk and is not acceptable,” said Frank Annicaro, NYC Transit’s senior vice president for buses, in a statement. “Pending internal review, this Bus Operator is being withheld from service.”

Drones, Insurance, Homes, aerial, graphics, insurance companies, claims, denied — (Photo: Oleksandr P/Pexels)

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 16, 2024

What In The Drone Is Going On?: ATL Added To The List Of Odd Sightings Along East Coast

This is getting weird.....

Atlanta residents are frightened after mysterious drones were seen flying over the city, adding to the list of sightings in areas along the East Coast.

While federal officials claim no threat to public safety, ATLiens are concerned. Cobb County resident Britain Lockhart said some were flying over his neighborhood, looking like nothing he’d ever seen. “A lot of people are scared and don’t know what’s going on,” Lockhart said.

“What was really weird about them was that they were over 10- to 15-feet wide with flashing lights underneath them, different colors from green to red to blue. It almost looked like it was like a scanning light.”

#drones over Atlanta??
What do YOU think is going on?? pic.twitter.com/28ffFhgx50
— OutspokenSamantha (@Outspoken_Sam) December 16, 2024

In addition to Atlanta, reports of drone sightings have accumulated in states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, and Ohio. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that additional resources, such as personnel and technology, have been sent to Jersey State Police to assist with the sightings.

“There’s no question that people are seeing drones,” Mayorkas said, according to NPR. “It is critical, as we all have said for a number of years, that we need from Congress additional authorities to address the drone situation.”

He claims that the Biden administration remains “vigilant” in its investigations. However, the secretary is calling on Congress to move quickly on expanding the current drone-countering authorities embedded in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018. The legislation, which expires on Dec. 20, enables Homeland Security and the Justice Department to use advanced detection technologies to identify and track drones.

The sightings started on Nov. 18 in New Jersey near Morris County, and Republican Assemblyman Paul Kanitra said there have been sightings every night since. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said drones have lingered over some of New York’s most crucial infrastructure, including Port Liberty, New York, close to the Goethals Bridge, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and Fort Wadsworth, labeled as one of the oldest military installations in the United States.

A drone that came “dangerously close” to Boston’s Logan International Airport resulted in two men being arrested on Dec. 14.
Former FBI supervisory special agent Tom Adams alleged that some of the most recent sightings resulted from copycats flying their drones, since they are getting more national attention. He said some sightings are innocent as the gadgets are popular. “I can tell you from my firsthand experience conducting operations for the FBI, as well as investigations into the suspected sighting of drones at critical infrastructure, it was fairly common for planets, crewed aircraft and even low Earth orbit satellites to be misidentified as drones at night,” Adams said.

Big Boi, Atlanta — Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 16, 2024

Big Boi Teams Up With Atlanta Organizations To Gift Free Bikes To Local Youth

Big Boi hopes the moment inspires these future leaders to give back once they achieve their goals.

Antwan “Big Boi” Patton of Outkast has teamed up with local organizations to give away free bikes to Atlanta’s youth.

Bear Creek Middle School and Kipp Ways Academy students were given bikes worth $700 for their attendance and good grades. Big Boi’s Big Kids Foundation joined the venture the nonprofit Bear Strong Inc. sparked to gift special rewards.

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The former half of OutKast was able to help bring the initiative to life, inspiring students to keep learning despite the hardships they may face. Big Boi hopes the moment inspires these future leaders to do the same once they achieve their goals.

“It’s definitely heartwarming. I love it. I would want somebody to do that in a position like that…When I was younger to have this done for me and I wanted to pay it back,” Big Boi told WSB-TV.

Bear Strong Inc. partnered with the acclaimed Atlanta rapper, Specialized Bicycles, Senoia Bicycle, and 1 Mo Question, Inc. to make it happen. The organization emerged as a way to provide the youth with essential items. Its founder, Courtney Sills, explained the evolving mission to the news outlet.

“Bear Strong started out as my position in the community had been conflict resolution and as I’ve gone into particular communities to resolve some conflict,” shared Sills. “I also noticed that there’s been a lot of kids in need of essential items.”

1 Mo Question’s Dr. Barber also emphasized the impact of this ongoing charity. He explained how the bikes show students that their hard work does not go unnoticed.

“We’re letting good kids know that they are seen and noticed,” explained Dr. Barber in the promotional clip. “This is our fourth year spreading Bike Love. This keeps our kids healthy, [discourages] violence, and gives them something positive to do with their recreational time.”

Big Boi and his fellow communal leaders hope to keep spreading the “Bike Love” as students reach their academic goals.

Benin, citizenship, slavery — Photo by nappy: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-leather-duffel-bag-1058959/

by Daniel Johnson

December 16, 2024

Benin Grants Citizenship To Descendants Of The Enslaved, Reckons With Role In Slave Trade

Benin is one of the few African countries that is invested in offering citizenship to descendants of the enslaved

Benin’s President, Patrice Talon, passed a law in September 2024 that gives citizenship to those who can trace their lineage to the slave trade, part of an attempt by the country to reckon with their participation in the slave trade.

According to The Associated Press, Benin is one of the few African countries that is invested in offering citizenship to descendants of the enslaved, alongside Ghana, who invited Black Americans to “come home” in 2019 as part of their commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to North America in 1619.

The way the law works is that anyone over the age of 18 who does not already hold African citizenship and can provide proof that an ancestor was deported via the slave trade anywhere in Sub-Saharan Africa is eligible to become a citizen of Benin.

In Benin, however, the olive branch carries additional significance because Benin was often a port of departure for many Africans during the slave trade; an estimated 1.5 million enslaved people were sent out from the Bight of Benin, territory that includes present-day Benin, Togo, and part of present-day Nigeria.

https://twitter.com/Liberation_Blk/status/1868300003036524547?s=19

In Ouidah, a town on the coast of Benin, close to one million Africans were forced onto ships and sent to destinations such as the United States, Brazil, and the Caribbean.

The town is also home to the majority of Benin’s memorial sites, like the “Door of No Return” and the “Tree of Forgetfulness.”

Benin’s authorities will accept a variety of materials, including DNA tests, authenticated testimonies, and family records.

One of the websites the country accepts is “Anchoukaj,” which translates to “Affiliation” in Antillean Creole, which was used by Nadege Anelka, a 56-year-old travel agent from the French territory of Martinique, an island in the Caribbean.

According to Anelka, upon her arrival to Benin, the people felt familiar to her.

“A lot of the people reminded me of my grandparents, the way they wore their headscarves, their mannerisms, their mentality,” she told the AP.

Anelka’s sentiments were shared by actor Samuel L. Jackson, and his wife, LaTanya Richardson, who chronicled Jackson’s journey to Benin in the documentary series Enslaved.

As Richardson told The Guardian in 2020, “I see some aspects of their culture that he inhabits naturally in his DNA. He loves the sea – he always did – only to find out that these people [the Benga tribe] were beach people, they were people at the edge of the sea. It’s a joy for me to see him in that setting.”

In order for Anelka’s citizenship to be validated, she will have her application vetted, receive a provisional certificate of nationality, which is valid for three years, and in order to complete the process, she has to stay in Benin at least once within the three years to become a citizen.

Although Anelka doesn’t believe she will become Beninese in the eyes of Benin’s people, she is going through the process mostly to connect to her heritage.

“I know I will never be completely Beninese. I will always be considered a foreigner” Anelka told the AP. “But I am doing this for my ancestors. It’s a way to reclaim my heritage, a way of getting reparation.”

FILE PHOTO: Former college football star and current senatorial candidate Herschel Walker speaks at a rally in Perry, Georgia, U.S. September 25, 2021. REUTERS/Dustin Chambers/File Photo

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 16, 2024

Herschel Walker Strikes Heisman Pose While Graduating From University of Georgia 42 Years Later, ‘It’s Never Too Late’

Herschel Walker struck the iconic Heisman pose to celebrate his college graduation—an achievement 42 years in the making.

Herschel Walker made sure to cut up at his college graduation, which came 42 years after he last attended the University of Georgia.

The NFL star hit the Heisman pose while walking across the stage with his bachelor’s degree in housing management and policy one year after he re-enrolled at the school, AJC reports. The convocation ceremony was special for Walker as it followed his commitment to graduate college despite how long it had been since he left.

He shared how proud his mother was that he decided to return to the University of Georgia to obtain his degree four decades after he left school to pursue a career in the NFL.

“A few weeks ago, she said, ‘I’m so glad you went back to get your degree. You promised me when you left that you were going to get your degree, and I’m so glad you went back to get it,” Walker told Georgia Creative, as cited by 13WMAZ.

His passion for education being an “equalizer” motivated him to return to his alma mater. Walker attended the University of Georgia from 1980 to 1982 and played as a running back for the Bulldogs where he won a Heisman trophy, a national championship, and set rushing records still in the school’s record book today.

“I believe education is an equalizer, and I preached it, and I said, ‘I need to go back and get my degree,'” Walker told the school.

After leaving college early, Walker played in the NFL from 1986 to 1997, earning two Pro Bowl selections and Second-Team All-Pro honors in 1987 and 1988. In 2021, he ran as a Republican for a Senate seat in Georgia but was unsuccessful.

During his campaign, Walker gained the endorsement of then-President Donald Trump, with whom he formed a lasting friendship. In return, Walker appeared at Trump’s rally in Macon just days before the 2024 presidential election.

Now, after obtaining his college degree, Walker is living proof that it’s never too late to finish what you started.

“I think it’s important to have a degree right now because you can play this sport, make a lot of money, but that doesn’t mean you’re gonna have sustainability,” Walker said. “So this degree meant a lot to me right now, making (my mom) proud of me, but also letting all the kids know it’s never too late. Continue to work hard, try and get that degree.”

Black farmers, training, HBCU, Arkansas — (Photo: iStock)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 16, 2024

Arkansas HBCU Wants Aspiring Farmers To Join Its Beginning Training Program

The initiative will host seven monthly workshops on the HBCU's campus to train a future generation of small farmers.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has invited aspiring farmers to join its latest training program. The HBCU will embark on its Beginning Farmers Class in February 2025.

The initiative will host seven monthly workshops on the HBCU’s campus farm to train a future generation of small farmers. It will teach its participants about the essentials of farming, providing hands-on training on how to manage the distinct yet crucial business.

The program’s director, Dr. Henry English, revealed more about what lessons students will undergo in the immersive curriculum.

“Participants will learn about the transplanting of vegetables, germinating seeds, potting containers and media, calibrating sprayers and planters, taking soil fertility and compaction tests, estimating forage and crop yields, and much more,” shared the director, as reported by HBCU Buzz.

The class is part of the Small Farm Program’s approach to addressing systemic barriers for agricultural businesses. According to its website, it aims to assist socially disadvantaged and limited-resource producers. The course itself is a key initiative of the program as it provides holistic support.

The class modules also include sessions ranging from business planning to soils and pest management. It hopes to be a fast-paced course that, upon completion, will grant students a leg up as they begin their farming journeys.

Moreover, it will detail USDA and Cooperative Extension Service resources to help emerging farmers. During the seventh-month venture, the cohort will also embark on field tours of farms. There, they will gain practical knowledge and experience with using farm machinery.

The initiative also aims to help participants get their farms up and running at the end of the program. They will receive guidance in creating customized farm businesses, in addition to conservation plans.

In terms of their financial assistance, graduates will also earn one year of farm managerial credit. This credit can aid in obtaining a Farm Service Agency operating loan.

Recruitment is still ongoing, with those interested in applying encouraged to contact the Small Farm Program.

Auburn Avenue — photo credit: wikkimedia

by Kandiss Edwards

December 16, 2024

Atlanta’s Historic Auburn Avenue Is In The Midst Of Major Revitalization

The area was home to historic businesses and will be again.

The building that housed Atlanta’s first Black-owned bank, located at 229 Auburn Avenue, will be renovated and repurposed, according to the Atlanta Voice. Auburn Avenue will also be seeing an upgrade in the near future.

The building, also the first chartered Black-owned bank in Georgia, will now be a mixed-use building.

229 Auburn Avenue is a landmark in the city of Atlanta. The building’s revival is the result of the Gorman & Co. developer partnering with the Butler Street Community Development Corporation for the Sweet Auburn Grande initiative.

The redevelopment project is part of a larger initiative called Sweet Auburn Grande, a revitalization effort for the block of historic properties, led by developer Gorman & Co in partnership with the Butler Street Community Development Corporation.

Atlanta’s Auburn Avenue was a staple of Black American culture, housing historic Black businesses and institutions. Many of which are well-known:

The Rucker Building

The building is reportedly the first Black-owned office building. The building was erected in 1904.

Bethel AME Church

Established in 1847, Bethel AME stands as the first major African American church in Atlanta.

WERD Atlanta

The first Black radio station to operate in the city of Atlanta.

Morris Brown College/University

Morris Brown is the first HBCU owned and operated by Black Americans in the state of Georgia.

The future of Auburn Avenue

The Sweet Auburn Grand Initiative is not the only organization working to revitalize the area.

Sweet Auburn Works is also making strides in bringing the location back to its former glory. The organization is dedicated to preserving the history of the area. The goal is to uplift local residents and provide economic infusion to the local economy.

The organization’s stated mission is, “To Preserve, Revitalize, and Promote the commercial and cultural legacy of the Sweet Auburn Historic District.”

Sweet Auburn Works unveiled its newest project, Spark: Ignite Sweet Auburn Innovation, at 228 Auburn Avenue. The innovation lab will be used to help small businesses attain “targeted technical assistance, funding, and community support.” The organization is partnering with the SCAD University community service design studio to help bring the revitalization to life.

inflation, credit, Americans, debt, loans, interest, rates, credit score, credit report — (Jordi Salas/Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

December 16, 2024

Insider Tips From A Credit Expert: How To Build And Boost Your Credit Score

Credit is king.

While many countries do not have a credit scoring system, in the United States credit is king. Taking care of your credit allows access to loans for big-ticket items such as homes and vehicles. Credit checks are also often required to rent apartments.

You may have a down payment for a home, but without good credit, it will be difficult to find a lender to help finance your purchase or an apartment development willing to grant a lease.

According to a 2023 FICO report, the average credit score in the U.S. stands at 717. While this may seem respectable, given the maximum score is 850, many Americans are slipping into financial habits that could jeopardize their long-term financial health.

Christian Widhalm, CEO at Bloom Credit, recently spoke with The Street about how to help manage your credit.

Making late payments is one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to credit. And, missed and late payments are rising due to inflation. In fact, “18% of the population have had a 30-day or worse past-due payment on one or more credit accounts” in 2023, according to FICO. As inflation goes down, prioritizing timely bill payment will greatly assist your score.

“One of the biggest things for a credit score is a positive repayment history,” he continued. “You have to start demonstrating how you are becoming more positive regarding your repayment history, which will take time.”

Repairing credit due to lengthy mismanagement of funds takes patience and consistency. However, Widhalm believes establishing credit can be a much easier process. Having possession of a checking account is the key.

“You can actually report 24 months of your checking account history almost overnight,” he explained. “Because you can establish tradelines on past payments that ultimately can help impact your credit score much more quickly.”