Rajah Caruth, NASCAR, Twenty Four Foundation, GM Motorsports, Built Different: The STEM Accelerator
photo credit: wikkimedia
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 13, 2024

NASCAR Driver Rajah Caruth Will Graduate From WSSU Motorsports Program

He is the third Black driver to win a national series race and was named a Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award recipient and voted Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Winston-Salem State University announced that Rajah Caruth will be graduating from its renowned motorsports management program on Friday, Dec. 13, at the Lawrence J. Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Caruth, a rising NASCAR driver, enrolled in WSSU in 2020 after being drawn to the university’s Bachelor of Science degree in motorsports management, where WSSU is the only historically Black college or university (HBCU) and the only public university in North Carolina to offer the program. He has earned his degree and will be walking with nearly 600 other graduates at WSSU’s Fall Commencement Ceremony.

“I have seen a significant increase of interest in our program as well as the university at large,” said Dr. Clay Harshaw, associate professor and motorsports management program coordinator at WSSU, in a written statement. “Rajah’s success has played a major role in that.”

The graduate has achieved several accomplishments while attending the university. He was involved in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program and is now the third Black driver to win a national series race; he was named a Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award recipient and was voted Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Caruth said, “It’s important for a program like this to have tangible and legitimate pathways for a student to get involved in the sport. The school has provided me a lot, not only on the professional side but personally – helping me grow as a Black man in this country and learning how to carry myself in professional environments.”

NASCAR has already announced that it was expanding its Campus Lab program to WSSU, making it the first university in North Carolina to participate.

“We’re excited about Rajah’s success on and off the track. Winning a NASCAR race and receiving your degree in the same year is impressive,” said Brandon Thompson, NASCAR’s Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. “Rajah sets a great example for what’s possible. We’re excited to continue seeing him grow and add to the fabric of NASCAR.”

RELATED CONTENT: BLACK ENTERPRISE SPEAKS TO RAJAH CARUTH AFTER HISTORIC NASCAR WIN

Redemption Bank, In er Hands, GRO Fund, Martin Luther King jr.
(Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
by Jameelah Mullen

December 13, 2024

Financial Institution Helps Parents Teach Their Children Financial Literacy

New initiative helps children develop practical money management skills.

According to a November 2024 report from Moneyzine, 74% of teens feel they lack financial knowledge, but nearly all those surveyed say they want to learn. The report also showed that Gen Z and Gen Y had the lowest financial literacy rates among US generations. 

Bank of America has created a tool to help bridge the gap. In September, the financial giant released its SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking initiative, a digital platform designed to teach children about money management.

“Family Banking offers the foundation young people need for managing money, with support for parents seeking to help their children on the path to financial health and independence,” said Mary Hines Droesch, head of Product for Consumer, Business, and Wealth Management Banking and Lending at Bank of America in a press release.

Parents can open a SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking account for children under 16. They can set spending limits and receive alerts; children cannot overdraft these accounts. 

Holly O’Neill, president of Retail Banking for Bank of America, says that teaching children how to budget and save early prepares them to make healthier financial choices. O’Neill told the outlet that most children only see their parents using cards to pay for purchases. So, teaching them how to manage a debit card is an important life lesson. 

“Less than half of kids when they go to college feel prepared, but parents feel responsible to make sure they’re set up for success. So, the combination of the two, getting to them earlier and giving parents a partnership and a hands-on approach with family banking really were the drivers to our design,” O’Neill told WCJB News.

The SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking account has no monthly maintenance fees. The “Account Graduation” feature allows parents to add their child as the account’s owner, and the account then transitions into a traditional bank account. 

RELATED CONTENT: Operation HOPE Celebrates 10 Years Of Impact At The 2024 HOPE Global Forums 

John Coltrane
photo credit: John Coltrane
by Jameelah Mullen

December 12, 2024

A Love Supreme: Coltrane’s Iconic Album Turns 60

The 33-minute album consisted of four parts: "Acknowledgement," "Resolution," "Pursuance," and "Psalm."

 Love Supreme, the critically acclaimed album by John Coltrane, debuted on Dec. 9, 1964. To celebrate the diamond jubilee of one of the most influential jazz albums, Impulse! Records is releasing A Love Supreme: 60th Anniversary Edition. 

Coltrane and his band members recorded the renowned album in one afternoon. Coltrane’s quartet included bassist Jimmy Garrison, drummer Elvin Jones, and pianist McCoy Tyner. 

In a 2012 interview with NPR, Tyner reflected on the recording session, saying Coltrane gave them minimal verbal direction when recording the masterpiece. 

 “You see, one thing about that music is that it showed you that we had reached a level where you could move the music around. John had a very wonderful way of being flexible with the music, flexing it, stretching it. You know, we reflected that kind of thing. He gave us the freedom to do that, “ Tyner told the outlet. 

In addition to the re-release, The Winter Jazzfest will hold a special event celebrating the album. “Impressions: Improvisatory Interpretations on A Love Supreme” will occur on Jan. 12 at the Roulette music venue in Brooklyn. Guest musicians Ravi Coltrane, son of John and Alice Coltrane, will headline the show with his quartet. The event will feature other musicians, including Angelica Sanchez, Ben Williams, James Brandon Lewis, Joel Ross, Kalia Vandever, Kassa Overall, Kenny Warren, Nasheet Waits, Rafiq Bhatia, Sam Newsome, and Tomoki Sanders. 

A Love Supreme still profoundly impacts Black culture. Director Spike Lee pays homage to Coltrane in his 1990 film Mo’ Better Blues, initially called A Love Supreme. Lee changed the name at the request of Coltrane’s widow, Alice Coltrane. 

“I wanted to call it “Love Supreme,’ but the movie is associated with so much profanity that Mrs. Coltrane did not like the idea of using her husband’s best song,” Lee told The Oklahoman. 

Coltrane recorded over 40 albums and collaborated with countless other musicians, including fellow jazz legends Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. 

The limited edition diamond vinyl record is available to pre-order. The album will be available on Feb. 7, 2025—60 years after the original A Love Supreme release.

RELATED CONTENT: Radio Pioneer Hal Jackson Dead at 96

Latto, rap, Pay Rent, Waffle House
(Photo: ANDRES KUDACKI/AFP via Getty Images)
by Kandiss Edwards

December 12, 2024

Latto Opens ‘Big Mama’s Mini Market’ In Collaboration With Drake

Drake called in Latto and Sha’Carri Richardson to promote his new Nike Nocta AF1s.

Drake teamed up with Latto to promote his Nocta Nike Air Force 1s. Latto kicked off the partnership by launching “Big Mama’s Mini Market” on Dec. 10.

“Big Mama’s Mini Market” was a pop-up convenience store in Miami. The market showcased multiple Nocta-themed wares, including the shoe’s logo emblazoned on various home goods. The advertisement featured Nocta-branded snacks, deodorant, cereal, mouthwash, and even car rims.

In the promotional videos on Instagram, the Big Energy rapper stands in the center of a bubble gum pink market, telling her audience that everything is available and nothing is off limits. In between Latto’s talking points, a voiceover reminiscent of a ’50s broadcaster plays. In the caption, the rapper lets consumers know that if they can’t attend the event, they can still purchase Drake’s Nike Nocta online on Dec. 10.

“Dave, you a pair? Not at Big Mama’s…First come,. First Serve. Can’t make it?

We got everything you need, and you can get your nails done on Big Mama.

Don’t trip — Tech Fleece and AF1 ‘Love You FOrever’ go live 12.10.24 at midnight EST on Nocta.com.”

Olympic silver medalist Sha’Carri Richardson joined in on the promo with a separate Instagram video promoting “Mama’s Salon.” In the video, the Olympian speeds through the salon with her signature long embellished nails, speaking to and taking care of customers. 

BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on Drake’s previous promotion for the Nocta Nike collab in December 2023. The Family Matters rapper tapped his son, Adonis, as his on-air talent. The father-son duo were seen getting their hair braided and rocking Nike Nocta apparel. Drake’s Nike line has called in major stars to help promote the brand over the last year. Before Adonis and Drake, NBA star Kevin Durant was the face of the ‘I Love You Forever’ campaign. 

RELATED CONTENT: Drake Files Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group, Spotify Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

memphis, Memphis Tennessee, history
(Photo: Wikimedia)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 12, 2024

Memphis May Be Getting A Hip-Hop Museum

Memphis recording artist Al Kapone said, “Listen, we need that hip-hop museum in Memphis because the history runs deep."

Memphis, Tennessee, has a rich history in soul music, but over the past couple of decades, hip-hop has also made an indelible mark. So much so that the city is proposing a permanent museum that will celebrate the music and the culture behind the genre that has come from Bluff City.

According to WREG, at a Shelby County Commission meeting that took place on Dec. 11, the topic was brought up for discussion. Former Greater Memphis Chamber president and former executive director of the Civil Rights Museum, Beverly Robertson of Trust Marketing, spoke to the city commissioners to discuss the proposal for a Memphis hip-hop museum.

“We’ve had a thriving music culture for years, but it’s revving back up after Stax closed down,” she said.

With a hip-hop museum in place, it could potentially be visited by more than 43,000 people each year. They are also projecting that it will have yearly operating expenses of $1.8 million, with an anticipated revenue of $1.14 million. However, it could require more funding, to the tune of more than $700,000.

“Once we get anchored, we will figure out how to generate the revenue to be able to sustain and grow the museum long-term,” Robertson added.

Memphis recording artist Al Kapone, who was responsible for a song on the Hustle and Flow soundtrack, “Whoop That Trick,” likes the idea of a museum.

“The Memphis music scene, especially the hip-hop scene, has been dominating for a long time. We’ve been just as unique as the soul music era.”

The commissioners wanted to know if artists, musicians, and historians from Memphis could be involved in the project if given the ok. They also questioned if there could be an educational component for children, with a possible job-training program in music for young adults. The organizers stated that it could be and there can also be master and production classes, as well as performance and wellness spaces.

Al Kapone added his thoughts and believes that a hip-hop museum can drive more tourists to the city.

“Listen, we need that hip-hop museum in Memphis because the history runs deep,” he said.

RELATED CONTENT: National Civil Rights Museum To Host Symposium On 1964’s Freedom Summer

travis Hunter, NIL
Photo credit: Maggie Shannon for The Washington Post via Getty Images)/ Travis Hunter (Photo: Louis Grasse/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 12, 2024

Travis Hunter Becomes First College Athlete To Win Back-To-Back Paul Hornung Awards

The Paul Hornung Award is given to the football player who is the most versatile player at the college level.

Colorado’s two-way football player (meaning he plays both offense and defense), Travis Hunter, who is sure to be a lock to be in the NFL, made history when he was named the winner of the 2024 Paul Hornung Award. He is the only player in the award’s history to win it twice and in consecutive seasons.

The Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) says the Paul Hornung Award is given to the football player who is the most versatile player at the college level.

“I’d like to thank all of my teammates and believe the awards I’m winning are team awards,” said Hunter in a written statement. “Especially the Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player. I couldn’t do it without each of my teammates. I want to thank the Louisville Sports Commission and the Paul Hornung Award voters for blessing me with this award twice. I’d also like to thank Coach Prime for allowing me to do what I do and all the coaches and staff surrounding the CU football team. This is for all of us.”

Hunter had an incredible historic season as he was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, was given an honorable mention for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-Big 12 receiver and defensive back. He made conference history by becoming the first player to earn first-team honors on both offense and defense.

“Travis is HIM. A one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime player,” said Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. “Thank you to the selection committee because they saw how special he was last year. This year, he took it to another level, and the rest of the nation is taking notice, but the Hornung Award and its selectors will be remembered for recognizing it before others. God bless you all.”

Other players who have won the Paul Hornung Award and went on to play in the NFL are DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jabrill Peppers.

RELATED CONTENT: Travis Hunter Signs Name, Image, Likeness Deal With Michael Strahan Brand as First Ambassador

Brian Thompson, UNITED HEALTHCARE, UnitedHealthcare, CEO, CEO
Slain health insurance CEO Brian Thompson (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 12, 2024

Healthcare Stocks Plummet Amid CEO Assassination And Targeted Legislation From Lawmakers

Think there is more behind the stock drop?

Stocks from UnitedHealth Group, Cigna, and CVS Health dropped 5% following the assassination of CEO Brian Thompson and a new bill that seeks to eliminate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), CNBC reported. 

The three companies operate as the nation’s largest private health insurers and drug supply chain middlemen. They also own pharmacy businesses. The stock drop is being labeled as a response to a new bipartisan bill targeting the break up of PBMs after facing decades-long backlash from lawmakers and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) due to allegations they cause an increase of drug costs for patients to boost their profits. 

A Senate bill, sponsored by Massachusetts’ Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, forces companies that own PBMs to divest their pharmacy businesses within three years. In a statement, Warren said the legislation would “untangle” certain conflicts of interest, such as UnitedHealth Group’s OptumRx, CVS Health’s Caremark, and Cigna’s Express Scripts, which are either owned by or connected to health insurers. “PBMs have manipulated the market to enrich themselves—hiking up drug costs, cheating employers, and driving small pharmacies out of business,” the Senator said. 

“My new bipartisan bill will untangle these conflicts of interest by reining in these middlemen.” 

Another stock drop reason seemingly falls behind the assassination of United Health’s CEO Brian Thompson. Thompson was allegedly murdered by 26-year-old Luigi Mangione in early December 2024 in what is believed to be a targeted attack in New York City. On the day the shooting took place, according to The Independent, United Healthcare’s stock opened at $610.79. One week to the day of the incident, the stock took close to a 13% decline to $537.82. 

Fellow insurers like Humana and Centene also took hits in their stock, and had a 3% decline. Healthcare equity strategist for Mizuho Financial Group, Jared Holz, thinks the drop is a response to “renewed rhetoric” surrounding insurance companies. “I think the response investors have had is, ‘Do we want to own this category of stocks if there’s going to be this now renewed negative focus on the industry?’” Holz said.

The FTC has been investigating PBMs since 2022 and found they collectively sent out approximately 80% of the nation’s prescriptions, sitting in the middle of the center of the drug supply chain in the U.S. It was found the groups negotiated rebates with drug manufacturers on the insurer’s behalf in addition to large employers and federal health plans. They also create lists of medications covered by insurance and reimburse pharmacies for prescriptions.

RELATED CONTENT: UnitedHealth CEO Killing Forces Healthcare Insurance Industry To Secure Its Company Leaders

Preakness Stakes
photo credit: wikkimedia
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 12, 2024

Maryland’s Black Leaders Announce Plans To Rejuvenate The Failing Preakness Stakes

Think this will work?

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott are planning a week-long festival to rejuvenate the Preakness Stakes races as Baltimore plans to host the second jewel of the Triple Crown horse race, Fox Baltimore reported.

The creation of the 2025 Preakness Festival was announced on Dec. 11 during a press conference at Camden Yards in collaboration with Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland (Sport Corp). The 150th Preakness Stakes, taking place at the Pimlico Race Course, will be featured during the inaugural festival including “free and ticketed cultural events, arts activities, and other programming at prominent locations across the state.” Moore says the festival will help curate a legacy in addition to boosting growth in the tourism and hospitality industries. “Preakness 150 will be more than a celebration—it will help us build a legacy in this city and this state,” Moore said.

“A legacy of progress, a legacy of opportunity, a legacy of growth, and a legacy of leaving no one behind.”

He continued to say “Preakness is a chance for Baltimore to show off,” according to the Baltimore Sun.  

Scott celebrated the festival announcement on X with photos revealing the logo and the festival’s leader, Maryland’s First Lady, Dawn Moore. “Baltimore, there’s one more festival I couldn’t wait to share with you all – 2025 Preakness Stakes!” he said. 

“Come this May, thanks to the leadership and vision of Dawn Moore, @GovWesMoore, we’re bringing Preakness back bigger and better than ever – kicking off the 150th celebration in true Baltimore fashion with a Preakness Festival.”

Dawn said the idea came to her after she and the governor attended the Kentucky Derby in 2022 and noticed the parties and community events were a result of the first jewel of the Triple Crown taking over Louisville. She remembered telling her husband, “We could do it better.” 

The dilapidated facility is scheduled to be torn down shortly after the races will take place in correlation to a $400 million rebuild project for a new Pimlico ready to host the Preakness by 2027. The refurbished track is expected to become the headquarters for Maryland thoroughbred racing by the end of that year.

The festival will be co-chaired by Baltimore Orioles owner David Rubenstein, Stronach Group CEO Belinda Stronach, and Stella May Contracting chief financial officer Christian Johansson. Rubenstein remembered being taken aback by the idea while dining with the first family and was excited to get on board. “How come nobody else thought of that before?” he recalled thinking. 

Growing up a mile from Pimlico, the MLB owner said he never visited the track because he wasn’t old enough, but promised to be there to celebrate the winner in 2025.

RELATED CONTENT: Historic Black-Owned Barbershop Marks 100 Years In Baltimore

harlem elevator
(Photo: Pexels)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 12, 2024

Harlem Apartment Building’s Disabled Residents Still Waiting For Elevator Repair

'I've opened about five reports with 311. Nothing has happened.'

A broken elevator has given grief to some residents in Harlem who complain that it has been out of service for nearly a month now.

Residents at 236 West 126th Street told ABC 7 News that they have had to take the stairs in the seven-story building since Nov. 15, and it has presented problems for the people who live in the building.

Shana Best carries her daughter, 6-year-old Khepra, up six flights of stairs to get to her apartment. Her daughter has cerebral palsy and weighs 52 pounds, and the toll of carrying her up the stairs is weighing on her.

“I have to brace her for her over my shoulder. Oh. And just try to safely walk with her up the steps,” Best said. “Yes, she’s going to fight me because she wants to go.”

Residents say that the building is fairly new, but the elevator has not been repaired.

Toni Griffin, 66, who recently had surgery on her knee, yet, has to drag her groceries home and then deal with the issue of climbing the stairs.

“I have to rest every landing,” Griffin said. “It’s like am I going to make it? I have to stop every landing. I can’t do more than one landing at a time.”.

Best said she has placed calls to the city and nothing has happened, although they have promised to come fix it. In the meantime, Best said she leaves her daughter’s expensive wheelchair and medical equipment downstairs in the lobby.

Eyewitness News reached out to the building’s management and after speaking to the super, it said that the elevator parts have been ordered, but that’s a long process. No timetable has been given for the repair to be completed.

RELATED CONTENT: Harlem’s New Trader Joe’s Under Fire For Controversial Graffiti Artwork 

Young Thug, RICO Trial, YSL, new music
(Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
by Kandiss Edwards

December 12, 2024

Young Thug’s Ban From Metro Atlanta Is Modified By Fulton County Judge

Young Thug motion to amend plea deal is granted.

After seeking a modification in his YSL RICO plea deal, Jeffrey “Young Thug” Williams prevailed, partially. 

Williams will now be allowed to return to his Atlanta home for short periods of time. Initially, the “Lifestyle” rapper was banned from the Metro Atlanta area for the next 15 years, unless he was hosting anti-drug, gang, or violence summits with the community’s youth. 

The probation modification, posted on X by Thuggerdaily, specifies the conditions of his return after completing three years of probation without violation: 

“Mr. Williams can thereafter visit his home at the address located in the city that has been provided, under seal, and the specific address given to probation, for up to two weeks at a time, up to four times per year, non-consecutive. Mr. Williams must notify probation at least five days prior to coming to this address.”

In a non-negotiated plea, the Atlanta rapper pled guilty to multiple charges in a Fulton County court on Oct. 31. The charges included firearm possession and participation in criminal street gang activity. He also pleaded no contest to racketeering and leading a criminal street gang, as previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The non-negotiated plea allowed Fulton County Judge Paige Reese Whitaker to impose sentencing as opposed to negotiating the plea with Fulton County Prosecutors. 

Judge Whitaker’s ruling allowed Williams to be freed from jail with what some would call extreme conditions. The rapper was to be subjected to a 4-decade-long probation. If Thug adhered to the conditions of his probation for the first 15 years, without violation, the remaining 25 years would be suspended.

“The total sentence is 40 years, to serve the first five years in prison but commuted to the time you’ve already served,” Whitaker stated. 

Judge Whitaker expressed hope in Williams’ ability to successfully navigate his probation and give back to the Atlanta community. She also warned the rapper about the consequences of failure. 

“I want you to be more of the solution and less of the problem.” Whitaker continued. “Good luck to you. There better be no violations, but if there are any, you’re coming back to see me.”

Hopefully, with the probation modification ruling young Thug will have a better chance at success. 

RELATED CONTENT: Young Thug Accused Of Breach Of Contract After Negotiating $16M Publishing Deal

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