Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells,Episcopal Diocese Of Mississippi
by Daniel Johnson

July 22, 2024

Episcopal Diocese Of Mississippi Officially Installs First Black Woman Leader

Rev. Dorothy Sanders Wells was formally installed as the newest bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi on July 20.

Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells was formally installed as the newest bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi on July 20, the first Black person and the first woman to hold the position. Wells has held the position since being elected in February 2024 and has been active in the role since May, but is now formally formally acknowledged by the church.  

Wells isn’t focused on the historical significance of her appointment. “If it ends when our time together ends on Sunday mornings, then we have already missed the message,” Wells told AL.com. “That should be the beginning. When we walk out the doors, that becomes the beginning of us showing that radical love and hospitality.”

According to USA Today, Wells replaces Brian Seage, who guided the state’s Diocese through the COVID-19 pandemic and the Jackson, Mississippi, water crisis. Shortly after Wells’ election, Seage told the outlet, “This is a historic moment and this marks a new chapter in our history. It’s the first time we have elected a woman and the first time we have elected an African American as the bishop of the diocese. I think this speaks dramatically for this movement within our church.”

The installation was presided by Michael Curry, the first Black person to be the presiding bishop of the Catholic Church. Curry gained worldwide acclaim for his sermon at Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding in 2011. 

Wells’ election came after Sharma Lewis became the first Black woman to serve as bishop of the Mississippi United Methodist Church in 2022.

“I am truly humbled by the confidence that the council has placed in me, and I am so looking forward to working with the good people of the Diocese of Mississippi,” Wells told USA Today at the time. “We are reading all kinds of statistics and reports about declining church attendance and declining church engagement, but we know God is in the midst of all of this and I am looking forward to exploring with this Diocese all of the ways we can continue love God and love one another and serve our neighbors and care for the people around us.”

Wells hails from Mobile, Alabama, and earned a degree in vocal performance from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. She also holds a Juris Doctorate from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis, a master’s degree in divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in ministry from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

“When we had our meet and greets when I was able to get to know some of the people in the Diocese, I said then that I really want to get out into the districts,” she told USA Today. “I want to meet people. I want to meet clergy and I want to meet lay folks in these different convocations. I want to see what is happening in their ministry, and I want to get some good conversations going so that we can be good relationship builders together and be about the business of exploring the ways that we can serve God.”

RELATED CONTENT: Episcopal Church of New York Apologizes For Participating In The Transatlantic Slave Trade, Pledges $1 Million Against Racism

Police Bodycam, Police, toddler, shot
by Daniel Johnson

July 22, 2024

Philadelphia Police Arrest Woman Who Allegedly Shot Toddler

Dominique Billips, 28, was arrested on suspicion that she shot a 7-month-old toddler.

Dominique Billips, 28, was arrested on suspicion that she shot a 7-month-old toddler on July 18. Billips is now facing charges of aggravated assault and violation of the Uniform Firearms Act in addition to other charges. She shot the youngster as allegedly opening fire on the child and her parents outside of a home in Philadelphia’s Holmesburg neighborhood. 

According to ABC 6, Billips was identified as the shooter after a video surfaced showing a person with a gun walking up to a couple with a stroller and shooting. The child’s mother, who is also a juvenile, could be heard in the video repeatedly yelling, “My baby!” after shots were fired.

“You knew they had a stroller,” Lt. Denis Rosenbaum of the Philadelphia Police Department told ABC 6. “What makes you walk up to someone with a stroller and shoot them?”

The child was shot in the leg, according to police, and was nowhere to be found when police arrived. The parents, who had outstanding warrants, fled the scene due to fear of being arrested took the toddler w ith them. They were later brought in to be questioned and informed officers of an argument that happened earlier over a $100 narcotics dispute.

“One of the detectives from a different squad had recognized one of the females involved from another shooting where she was the victim in 2022,” Rosenbaum said. “It happened on the 4200 block of Rhawn Street in August of 2022.”

The police also got a tip that the shooting victim was on that video, which matches who the police thought it was. They also used the footage to locate a vehicle on the video, which was known to be used by Billips. Police found it with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Highway Patrol and a tip from someone they stopped who told them that Billips was at a house on Van Kirk. 

According to Rosenbaum, “The suspect was asked to come out. She did and surrendered to the highway patrol officers. She was taken into custody without incident.”

Rosenbaum continued, “It’s sad, you see. She points the gun at the mother of the baby, who is also a juvenile, and fires. Luckily she missed, a 7-month-old baby might not remember that but that story is always going to be there.”

100 years old, twins, birthday
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 22, 2024

Double The Joy: Twin Sisters Celebrate 100th Birthday Bash

Doris Ward and Loris Pryor were celebrated by their families and Detroit community for reaching a century of life.

Two sisters from Detroit are celebrating a monumental birthday. Twins Doris Ward and Loris Pryor recently turned 100 years old with a party fitting for a century.

Born in 1924, Ward and Pryor witnessed many eras of American history, from the Great Depression to Jim Crow. The two women became matriarchs and are now celebrated by their multi-generational family on this special occasion.

Friends and family surrounded Ward and Pryor at their party, held at Detroit’s Rosedale Park Baptist Church on July 13. The birthday girls shared their thoughts on turning 100 with WXYZ, with one calling it a “blessing” to reach that age.

“To live this long, I never thought it would happen or not happen. I never thought about it,” Pryor said.

Ward added, “All I can say is that it’s a blessing to be here at 100 years old.”

Moreover, the two women have also become great-great-grandmothers to multiple children. Ward boasts eight children and 15 grandchildren. She currently has 25 great-grandchildren, with 11 great-great-grandchildren and counting. As for Pryor, giving birth to one son has led her to a grand, great, and great-great grandchild.

While reaching a new era of their life, the two sisters remain in great shape. Their key to a long life? It potentially lies in how they treat others. Ward’s daughter, Wanda Barden, also explained how their kindness shaped her life and those around them.

“One of the things that I appreciate over and over is how they help us to appreciate people,” explained Barden to Good Morning America. “I still know people’s names on the block when I was in elementary school because we had to speak to everyone, so I think it has helped me to be a people person. I travel all over the world, but knowing how people warm up to me is because of what they put in me, I really appreciate that.”

She added, “My mother and Aunt Loris never had an enemy. Everybody on this earth loved them. Nothing not to like about them, and that’s rare.”

While the long-lasting duo have not broken any age records yet, their families hope the women continue to stay in good health through their lifetime.

RELATED CONTENT: Princess Cruises Salutes Tuskegee Airman With 100th Birthday Celebration

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Black Voters, prescription costs
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 22, 2024

Breaking: President Biden Drops Out Of Race, Supports Kamala Harris As Democratic Nominee

Biden caved into pressure from a growing number of Democrats.

President Biden will no longer seek reelection in the 2024 election. He penned an open letter announcing the decision, while also detailing his support of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.

On July 21, Biden posted the news to his personal social media. In his address to the nation, he referred to his presidency as the “greatest honor” of his life.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” wrote the 81-year-old. “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.”

He also detailed the accomplishments of his administration, including the passing of climate legislation and expanding affordable health care. Furthermore, he thanked the American people who “protected and preserved” their democracy, and Vice President Kamala Harris for being an “extraordinary partner.”

As for who will secede him, Biden did not explicitly endorse Harris in his initial letter. However, shortly after leaving the race, the president affirmed his support of Harris as the Democratic nominee.

“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” he stated in the post to X. “And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

Biden’s decision coincides with mounting political pressure on him to step down. The issue gained significant traction after his poor debate performance in June. Despite calls ranging from members of Congress to Hollywood heavyweights like George Clooney, Biden initially reaffirmed that he would stay in the race. However, the growing pushback led Biden to reconsider his campaign, which ended on Sunday.

Biden will continue to fulfill his duties as President until the end of his term, as Harris will now embark on the campaign trail as a presidential candidate.

RELATED CONTENT: White House Press Secretary Blamed For Inaccurate Details Surrounding Pres. Biden’s January Neurologist Visit

Arike Ogunbowale
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 22, 2024

Arike Ogunbowale’s All-Star Brilliance: 34 Points In Second Half Leads Team WNBA To Victory

Ogunbowale was notably left off Team USA's 2024 Olympic roster.

Arike Ogunbowale led Team WNBA to victory during the league’s All-Star game on July 20. The Dallas Wings star was crowned MVP for her performance in Phoenix.

Team WNBA triumphed over Team USA with a score of 117-109. Team USA’s players will head to the Paris 2024 Olympics. Ogunbowale, who was notably absent from the Olympic roster, dazzled in the exhibition match by scoring 34 points, all in the second half. The 27-year-old’s record-breaking performance led to the decisive win, and she also grabbed three rebounds and delivered six assists.

However, Ogunbowale has made all-star greatness in past years. In 2021, she took home the MVP honors in another match against Team USA. As for this year’s snub, the athlete revealed she withdrew herself from consideration due to “politics” behind choosing the players.

She shared her reasoning on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson before the All-Star game.

“I actually took my name out of the pool months ago,” she added. “When the list came out, I know everybody was like, ‘Arike should’ve been on it.’ I knew I wouldn’t be on it. That’s not saying I didn’t think maybe last year I would be on the team, that I was good enough to make the team.”

She added, “I pretty much had an idea that I wouldn’t be on it. I just felt the vibes. When it comes to that stuff, it really doesn’t have much to do with your game…When I think of women’s basketball and how many years I’ve been playing in college and pro, politics is always surrounding it. Whether that’s USA Basketball, All-Star teams, [All-WNBA] first-team, stuff like that — there’s politics. There’s politics in everything.”

Ogunbowale, the WNBA’s leading scorer with an average of 29.4 points per game, may not be joining Team USA in the quest for gold, but her standout performance proves she seems more than ready to shine on any stage.

RELATED CONTENT: Angel Reese Named WNBA Player Of The Week

wardrobe, fashion, employee, work, outfits, summer
by Kandia Johnson

July 22, 2024

There’s No Time Like Summertime For Self-Improvement

Still don't know what to wear to work tomorrow?

Originally Published June 22, 2016.

Is what to wear to work during the summer driving you mad? From wardrobe to work hours, things get more relaxed at the office during the summer. Sure, many companies have a business casual summer dress code, but don’t be fooled by the warmer summer temperatures. Sundresses, flip-flops, T-shirts, sandals, and shorts may not be appropriate for every work environment.

Wearing overly casual clothing can be dress code violation. Regions with extreme heat inspires employees to wear less formal clothing than they usually would. In order to keep cool and stay fly at work here are seven questions employees should ask themselves when choosing what to wear.

Does this follow company policy?

If there’s a written dress code about what to wear to work, abide by it. Also, consider what your manager and co-workers wear, then use that information to guide your choices.

Am I revealing too much?

If you have to ask yourself this question, the answer is likely “yes.” Avoid clothes that show too much skin, and err on the side of caution when displaying tattoos or piercings.

Is this distracting?

Wearing wild or bright prints can attract attention for the wrong reasons. In most workplaces, neutral colors and simple patterns, such as pinstripes, are a safe bet.

Am I overdoing it?

Take a subtle approach to jewelry, makeup, perfume, and cologne. Also note that unconventional hair colors or styles and unkempt facial hair may be frowned upon at more conservative companies.

Do I feel confident?

If you’re uncomfortable in your outfit, it’ll show. Make sure your clothes fit well and don’t require a lot of readjusting.

Will I offend anyone?

Steer clear of wearing apparel with profanity, political statements, or other questionable material.

Does it pass the final check?

Give yourself a once-over from head to toe. Look out for wrinkled, torn, or stained garments and scuffed shoes.

RELATED CONTENT: Lil Mama Claims She Was ‘The Face Of Fashion And Beauty’ For The Black Community

Brittney Griner, Cherelle Griner, maternity, hotshot, shirtless, topless, pregnant, WNBA, player
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 21, 2024

WNBA Star Brittney Griner And Wife, Cherelle, Welcome Their First Bundle Of Joy

Griner and her wife shared the news of their son's arrival this month.

Congratulations to Brittney Griner! The WNBA star has welcomed her first child with her wife, Cherelle.

The couple shared the news of their baby boy to CBS Sports on July 19. While they did not disclose a name, they did reveal the child was born on July 8, weighing 7 pounds and 8 ounces.

The 6’9″ Phoenix Mercury player was overjoyed by the announcement, sharing to the news outlet that he is “amazing.”

“That’s my man. He is amazing,” exclaimed the 33-year-old. “They said as soon as you see them, everything that you thought mattered just goes out the window. That’s literally what happened.”

While excited about stepping into parenthood, the athlete will also have to step away for a few weeks. Griner will compete for Team USA in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite missing some quality time, the two-time Olympic Gold medalist believes her son will understand.

She added, “It kind of sucks because I have to leave, but at the same time, he will understand.”

The basketball star hopes to bring home another gold medal to her growing family. She also has twin girls she shares with her ex-wife and fellow WNBA player, Glory Johnson. The Griners revealed the news of this newest addition back in April.

The couple also celebrated their six-year anniversary this past June. This year has been a whirlwind for Griner, who also released her memoir in May.

The book, Coming Home, details Griner’s 2022 prison experience in Russia. The controversial sentencing captivated the media, where Griner spent almost a year incarcerated due to drug possession charges. The book became a New York Times Bestseller, as Griner continues to work with Bring Our Families Home to help Americans detained overseas.

Now, Griner is healing from the past and focused on her future, which now includes her first son.

RELATED CONTENT: Brittney Griner Goes Topless For Maternity Photoshoot With Wife

Quincy Wilson, Olympics, Track, mens 4 x 400, mens, Richardson, Paris olympics, track and field
by Daniel Johnson

July 21, 2024

Teen Track Phenom Quincy Wilson Shatters His Own 400m World Record–Again!

And he's just 16 years old.

Quincy Wilson, the 16-year-old track and field prodigy, has once again broken his own U18 world record in the 400m dash, marking another bullet point on a very strong résumé for his inclusion on the 4×400 relay squad in Paris. Wilson blazed to a 44.20 at the Holloway Pro Classic on July 19, breaking the record set twice at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

According to The Athletic, Wilson’s time was pushed by the 2023 national champion, Bryce Deadmon, who ran a 44.23 to come in second place. As it relates to Wilson’s chances to make the 4×400 team, the top three times (Quincy Hall, Michael Norman, and Chris Bailey) from the Olympic Trials are entered in the pool by default and tradition holds that Vernon Norwood, the fourth place finisher at the trials, will earn another spot. The remaining two spots are determined by the coaches, and Wilson has placed himself firmly in competition for one of those spots with his times and performances. 

The relay team is expected to be announced later in July, and Wilson’s chances are only improved with each performance he lays down on the track. Currently, he is the youngest male track athlete to make a U.S. Olympic team and the Bullis School student currently has an NIL deal in place with New Balance. In June, Wilson’s coach, Joe Lee, described to The Athletic how Wilson has dealt with the pressure that comes with performing on this level with a measure of maturity that belies his age.

“If you knew the pressure and the weight of what he’s had to endure,” Lee said. “And he’s done it with a smile on his face. I’ve got to give credit to his parents for raising just such an amazing kid…It’s some stuff he’s had to endure that he doesn’t deserve. The hate. People saying things that are negative. Show me something that you can see wrong with this kid. Obviously, you don’t want to pay attention to that. But you know, he’s 16.”

But Lee said he still sees people rallying behind Wilson, “I’m happy that they’re supporting such a good young man… It’s about this was a young kid who is trying to fulfill his dreams.”

RELATED CONTENT: Quincy Wilson, Sha’Carri Richardson, Running And Representing For Team USA

Alexis Smith, miss kansas
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 21, 2024

Miss Kansas Goes Viral For Powerful Pageant Speech: ‘My Abuser Is Here Today…But That’s Not Going To Stop Me’

Alexis Smith, Miss Kansas 2024, has become a voice against domestic violence following her call out of abuser.

The newly-crowned Miss Kansas has reclaimed her empowerment. During the June 8 competition, the pageant queen confronted her former abuser who was in the audience.

Alexis Smith already made history as the state’s third Black woman to win the contest. Now, her speech declaring her abuser in the crowd has gone viral as a clip of the speech was posted on social media July 16, with many applauding her strength and bravery. Smith shared the moment.

When asked about her vision if she won the title, Smith detailed her goal of eliminating “unhealthy and abusive relationships.” However, her next words shocked viewers as she announced her abuser was in the room.

“Some of you out in this audience saw me very emotional, because my abuser is here today,” revealed Smith in the speech. “But that’s not going to stop me from being on this Miss Kansas stage and representing as the next Miss Kansas. I and my community deserve healthy relationships. We deserve a domestic [violence]-free life.”

Smith has taken the moment to continue her advocacy against domestic violence. She hopes to “amplify” her mission through the Miss America program, as told to People.

“As Miss Kansas, my platform is deeply rooted in empowering people to break free from cycles of domestic violence and unhealthy relationships,” explained Smith. “My answer on stage reflects my commitment to fostering a world where every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.”

She added, “Through the Miss America program, I have found a powerful platform to amplify my voice and advocate for those who may feel silenced or alone. I will use my story as a catalyst for change kicking open doors to inspire others and create a society where everyone can live free from fear and abuse.”

Smith has remained vocal against domestic violence, sharing to Leader and Times that it is a personal experience she and the women of her family have all faced. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 45% of Black women have experienced some form of stalking or physical and sexual violence.

Smith also continues to heal from her long-term abusive relationship. However, she refuses to let it hold her back in her mission to end the cycle of domestic abuse. Moreover, Smith uses her unique talent of ventriloquism to show examples of positive relationships to the youth.

“My voice and advocacy will empower everyone to reclaim their own power in their own unique way,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “I might be small in statue, but I stand tall in strength, purpose, and power with hopes of inspiring others to do the same.”

Donald Trump. Black women, Fat Black Women, Lisa Cook
by Daniel Johnson

July 21, 2024

Trump Pushes Divisive Conspiracy, Claims Immigrants Will ‘Decimate’ Black Americans

'The Black population in this country is going to die because of what’s happened,' claims Trump.

Donald Trump and the far right have spent a considerable amount of time amplifying a conspiracy theory that immigrants are coming into America to replace white Americans, and he has recently expanded that theory to play on fears and divide Black people and immigrants.

According to Bloomberg, Trump claimed in an interview published on July 16 that “The Black people are going to be decimated by the millions of people that are coming into the country.”

Trump continued, “There will never be a decimation like this, and they’re already feeling it. Their wages have gone way down. Their jobs are being taken by the migrants coming in illegally into the country.”

Trump’s words echo the Great Replacement Theory, which notoriously spurred neo-Nazis and Klan members to march and terrorize students and residents in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, chanting “Jews will not replace us.”

Today, Trump’s unsubstantiated claims only got more hyperbolic from there, as he went on to claim that, “The Black population in this country is going to die because of what’s happened, what’s going to happen to their jobs — their jobs, their housing, everything. I want to stop that…They’re taking everything.”

Trump’s rambling long-form interview was, of course, fact-checked by Bloomberg, and they noted that Trump’s claim that 100% of the people employed by Biden are migrants was not supported by statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

“Employment gains since 2018 have almost entirely come from non-native-born workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but those numbers are largely naturalized US citizens and legal residents—not migrants. The trend also reflects a shrinking native-born working-age population.”

Trump also repeated a false claim, one he has repeated several times, about countries sending individuals with criminal backgrounds. According to the fact checkers, “There is no evidence for this claim, according to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, which quoted a US border official who said ‘a very small amount’ of migrants have criminal backgrounds.”

Trump’s comments harken back to his “Black jobs” remarks at the June 17 Presidential Debate on CNN and his statement during a December 2023 rally in New Hampshire, where he claimed immigrants are poisoning the blood of America — a remark that drew widespread comparisons to Adolf Hitler and the rhetoric of Nazi Germany.

According to NBC News, the Biden campaign released a statement decrying Trump’s use of the phrase. “Donald Trump channeled his role models as he parroted Adolf Hitler, praised Kim Jong Un, and quoted Vladimir Putin while running for president on a promise to rule as a dictator and threaten American democracy. Trump is not shying away from his plan to lock up millions of people into detention camps and continues to lie about that time when Joe Biden obliterated him by over 7 million votes three years ago.”

Chris Christie, a Republican, said that the larger problem was members of the Republican Party that went along with Trump’s claims. “He’s disgusting, and what he’s doing is dog-whistle to Americans who feel absolutely under stress and strained from the economy and from the conflicts around the world, and he’s dog-whistling to blame it on people from areas that don’t look like us,” Christie said. “The other problem with this is the Republicans who are saying this is OK.”

RELATED CONTENT: Tim Scott Defends Trump’s ‘Black Jobs’ Remark In Interview

×