November 26, 2024
William Martin, who is 6-foot-2 and weighs 360 pounds filed a lawsuit for having to sit at a small desk.
A New York City resident is suing a library in Manhattan after allegedly being forced to work at a desk that was too small for his frame. According to The New York Post, William Martin, who is 6-foot-2 and weighs 360 pounds, filed a lawsuit against the New York Public Library after stating that he was “traumatized” by sitting at a desk that was too small.
The paperwork was filed in a Brooklyn Federal courthouse. He is asking for $4.6 million and accusing his superiors of discrimination and harassment.
Martin started working at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on Fifth Avenue in October 2021, where he was assigned to the first-floor service desk. He was hired to work as a library information assistant and complained about the size of his desk.
“All I sought was just a service desk with the appropriate accommodation given my physical attributes,” he stated in the lawsuit.
His union helped get him assigned to different service desks within the midtown library, but nearly two years later, he was placed back at the cramped first-floor desk after a new assistant director was hired in June 2023. After complaining and involving an attorney, things worsened for Martin. He alleges that the assistant director “dramatically increased” how often Martin was assigned to the small desk, which, he said, was “detrimental to his health and safety,” according to the court document. He felt that it was the director’s “way to bully William and intimidate him, showing him ‘who is the boss.’”
A few months later, Martin was suspended after being “falsely accused” of sleeping on the job. With this action, he requested a transfer and medical leave for anxiety and depression. He said his “mental health has been damaged to such extent that . . . he would tremble just at the thought of going back to work.”
Martin is asking the judge to force the library to grant him a leave and compensation for what he went through.
In a written statement, the New York Public Library said that his lawsuit is “without merit.”
“We take employee accommodations and concerns with utmost seriousness and are dedicated to treating our staff across the Library with fairness and respect.”
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November 26, 2024
Job well done, Mr. Williams!
The first Black man to hold the title of federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, announced he will step down in December 2024, NBC News reports.
The popular U.S. attorney was the face behind convictions in headlining cases, including Democratic New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and troubled cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried. He is also overseeing the prosecutions of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. As the first Black man to hold the prestigious post, Williams was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2021 as a veteran of the office. President-elect Donald Trump, who is facing his own legal troubles in the Big Apple, has already announced his intention to replace Williams.
In a statement, Williams says serving has been “an honor to serve the American people” and called the decision to resign “bittersweet.” “It is bitter in the sense that I am leaving my dream job, leading an institution I love that is filled with the finest public servants in the world,” he said, pushing for Dec. 13 as his step-down date.
“It is sweet in that I am confident I am leaving at a time when the Office is functioning at an incredibly high level — upholding and exceeding its already high standard of excellence, integrity, and independence.”
The office, once held by disgraced former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, plays a critical role in some of the country’s most sensitive and high-profile criminal cases, including cases of public corruption, securities fraud, and terrorism. In early 2024, Williams oversaw a case involving an Iranian man charged in an assassination plot against Trump.
The indicted businessman has nominated the former head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Jay Clayton, to take over once inaugurated, calling him “a highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant” who is “going to be a strong Fighter for the Truth as we Make America Great Again.”
During Williams’ tenure in office, he did more than fight against the rich and famous. He also fought for the people of the state and various agencies. According to USA Today, Williams prosecuted a daycare owner accused of operating a fentanyl operation that resulted in the death of a one-year-old child and three others being hospitalized.
As crime escalated inside NYC’s infamous Rikers Island prison, he created the Civil Rights Unit in SDNY’s criminal division with a focus on enforcing civil rights. A receiver was set to be appointed to address the violence and dysfunction inside prison walls.
Following Williams’ departure, his deputy, Edward Y. Kim, will sit as acting U.S. attorney.
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November 26, 2024
'I wanted to make a seasoning that people could use generously and feel good about, without guilt.'
E-40’s son, Emari Stevens, is carrying on the rapper’s legacy in the culinary space with a new line of health-conscious food seasonings.
Finesse is crafted to deliver bold flavor while catering to various dietary needs. Vegan, paleo-friendly, gluten-free, keto-friendly, low-sodium, non-GMO, and sugar-free, Finesse was created in response to the high rates of hypertension affecting the Black community. The line offers a healthy way to season your favorite meals, providing a flavorful alternative without the excess sodium that can compromise health.
“The inspiration came from my love of cooking and my desire to create a seasoning that would truly reflect my skill in the kitchen — thus, Finesse was born,” Stevens told The Source.
“In my community, many people are affected by high blood pressure, which can be a silent killer. Often, people don’t experience symptoms until a serious event, like a heart attack, happens. I wanted to make a seasoning that people could use generously and feel good about, without guilt.”
Stevens continued. “A lot of the major brands out there have high sodium content, so I wanted Finesse to stand out as a low-sodium option, encouraging people to season freely while still looking out for their health.”
With the launch of Finesse, the certified “Iron Skillet Master” is adding to his dad’s culinary empire, which includes a Goon With The Spoon food product line of sausages, burritos, ice cream, and a best-selling cookbook.
The seasonings come in two flavors: All-Purpose and Garlic.
“I wanted to enter the market with two essential seasonings that would be true powerhouses in any kitchen,” Stevens said.
“The ‘All-Purpose’ seasoning is incredibly versatile—it works with everything from chicken and beef to seafood, vegetables, stews, soups, pasta, and more,” Stevens said. “I’m especially proud of this blend because it complements nearly any dish. The ‘Garlic Blend’ brings its own distinct flavor profile, with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, spices, and sea salt. It’s ideal for pastas, mashed potatoes, and grilled chicken. One trick I’ve discovered is using a layer of ‘Garlic Blend’ alongside ‘All-Purpose’ on chicken or salmon. The combination of flavors is truly something special.”
Finesse spices retail for $8 a bottle and are available on tryfinesse.com.
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November 26, 2024
Winfrey and King popped out in puffer coats and matching bags from the Black-owned fashion brand.
Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are showing off their friendship and style with the help of Black-owned fashion line Telfar.
The dynamic duo looked fabulous in bubble coats from the brand’s signature shopping bags to complete the look. The purse also snagged a spot in Oprah’s Favorite Things, making the media mogul’s debut in the latest winter collection well-earned. Winfrey and King showed off their matching sets in a post to Instagram.
“We like @telfarglobal—a Queens-born designer whose handbag is also on #OprahsFavoriteThings—and this hip and oversized unisex quilted nylon puffer with a hood will keep your body warm through the cold days,” captioned the Oprah Daily post.
While Winfrey displayed a beige coat and bag ensemble, King showed off a bright yellow nylon puffer option. The puffers feature Telfar’s expansion beyond the signature shopping bags, offering outerwear and other apparel.
The coats specifically adorned by Winfrey and King will cost shoppers $525 and come in nine different colorways. However, those opting for a smaller, cheaper option can purchase the puff hoodie for $400. The accompanying shopping bags retail for $260.
However, the puff collection also extends to sweatpants and headbands to go even further with the look and echo the famous duo’s fashion choices. Telfar, founded by Telfar Clemens, continues to reach wider audiences through its expansion, including its first flagship store.
The 10,000-square-foot location, based in New York’s SoHo neighborhood, brought hundreds of Telfar fanatics to its grand opening on Nov. 23. There, the brand unveiled its secret new bag while buyers viewed its entire inventory of purses and other clothing items. Fans from everyday fashionistas to public figures like Winfrey and King have now bought into the craze.
As the Black-owned brand takes off, Telfar is paving the way for diverse designers to take over the fashion industry.
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November 26, 2024
Drake is not taking the L.
The Drake/Kendrick Lamar beef is off the streets and in the courtroom.
Billboard reports Drake has filed paperwork against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, claiming the two companies conspired to artificially inflate Lamar’s massively popular song, “Not Like Us.” The lawsuit was filed on Nov. 25 in a Manhattan courtroom. Drake filed it under his company, Frozen Moments LLC, and accused UMG of launching an illegal “scheme” that used several factors, including bots, payola, and other methods to make Lamar’s song successful.
“UMG did not rely on chance or even ordinary business practices,” the paperwork stated. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.”
Attorneys for Drake claim UMG’s actions in this matter, which the company denies, violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
UMG distributes both Drake and Lamar. Drake was initially signed to Young Money, which was distributed by the music conglomerate, and he now records directly under Republic Records. Meanwhile, Lamar was signed to TDE, distributed by Interscope, and is now signed under the label through his own imprint, pgLang.
“The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue,” the company said in a statement. “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Spotify did not release a statement but was accused of helping in the “scheme.”
Drake’s attorneys claim UMG charged Spotify reduced licensing rates so iy could recommend “Not Like Us” when users searched for “unrelated songs and artists.” They also say that UMG paid influencers to champion the song over Drake’s diss records in the battle between the superstars. Attorneys also say that armies of bots were put in place to fraudulently spike the numbers.
November 26, 2024
Don't leave us yet, VP Harris.....
After a devastating Election Day loss, Vice President Kamala Harris has told advisers that she is staying in the political world with a potential run for California governor or another run for the Oval Office.
Harris has been laying low as she prepares to end her vice presidential tenure but has secretly talked with top allies about running for president again in 2028 or governor of the Golden State in 2026. “I am staying in the fight,” she told advisers.
Considering what’s next for her and discussing it with family members is a priority during the holiday season. Her next decision comes after a groundbreaking campaign as the second Black woman to run for president after President Joe Biden suspended his re-election campaign, heightening the Democratic platform. Harris’s energy is crucial to keeping the power on the blue side of the aisle alive. “There will be a desire to hear her voice, and there won’t be a vacuum for long,” a person close to Harris said.
“The natural thing to do would be to set up some type of entity that would allow her to travel and give speeches and preserve her political relationships.”
Harris’s other priority is to decide where she and First Gentleman Doug Emhoff will establish a home base. Their home in Los Angeles is an option, but there are concerns about her safety, as her Secret Service protection expires six months after leaving the White House. It will be the first time in 20 years that the former senator and prosecutor will be out of the public eye — meaning she will be back at her office while maintaining her digital popularity.
Several Democratic strategists and allies support whatever Harris decides, whether taking a break from the political world or going another route. Pollster Paul Maslin feels that there aren’t many people who have experienced what Harris has done in the last four months, expressing that she should take the time to “figure it out.” “There is no one — no one — who actually can relate to what she’s been through these last four months. No one,” Maslin said.
“And I wouldn’t begrudge her at all to take some time and figure this out.”
Former Harris aide Brian Brokaw thinks that the sudden desire to run for state office isn’t coming from her but from those around her. “Could she run for governor? Yes. Do I think she wants to run for governor? Probably not,” he said, according to Axios.
“Could she win? Definitely. Would she like the job? I don’t know. Could she run for president again? Yes.”
In the meantime, some of the last tasks Harris will have before leaving Washington, D.C., are certifying the presidential election results and attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
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November 26, 2024
The story illustrates larger financial problems plaguing the HBCU.
A sophomore at Tennessee State University is facing a hold on his account after the HBCU issued him a $4,900 excess financial aid check a year ago and is now demanding repayment.
Chekesha Ibrahimzakaria said her son, who received a full-ride scholarship to TSU, is being prevented from registering for spring classes or obtaining a dorm assignment due to a hold on his account for an unpaid balance, which totals the same amount as the excess financial aid check he received over a year ago.
“In the fall of his first year, TSU sent an overpayment check of, I think, about $4,900 saying that he had excess financial aid,” Ibrahimzakaria told News Channel 5 Nashville.
Now, because of the school’s error, her son is forced to take out a student loan to cover the balance, even though he has a full scholarship. “Because they made a mistake, they want my son and others like him to make up for their mistake,” Ibrahimzakaria said.
The mother shares a long history with TSU.
“We have a family legacy of so many people in my family who have gone to TSU and graduated from TSU and are proud alumni of TSU,” Ibrahimzakaria said.
Amid growing concerns about the school, including the resignation of the financial aid director and other staff members in September, Ibrahimzakaria is deeply disappointed in an institution that has meant so much to her family. “It’s too stressful for the students,” she said.
Her son plans to transfer to another university to finish his degree and regrets going to the school.
The family’s financial aid issues with the school follow revelations from the Tennessee Senate Finance Chairman that Tennessee State University faced such severe financial difficulties that funds earmarked for 2025 had to be advanced to start the 2024 school year. This followed a state hearing in which lawmakers warned the university that continued financial support for payroll was unsustainable.
“The previous president, administration and trustees operated this university in such a way as literally you are out of money,” Jason Mumpower, the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, said during the committee hearing earlier this month.
“They’re gone and they’ve left the situation where literally you were going to fail payroll on Nov. 29 if you had not had an infusion of cash from the state.”
This fall, TSU laid off staff to help alleviate its financial crisis. Contributing factors to the school’s money woes include monthly payroll costs ranging from $18 to $20 million, a surge in enrollment that led to a housing shortage, and difficulties in distributing scholarship funds, which hindered students’ ability to complete their semesters.
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November 26, 2024
'Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. There were absolutely no restrictions— contractual or otherwise—around either fighter.'
More than two weeks after YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul beat former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a Netflix-streamed boxing match, many observers have accused the pair of fixing the fight.
The fight went the full eight rounds with Paul getting a unanimous win in the lackluster affair. With Tyson looking he was actually 58 years old and Paul looking to a dodge a potential knockout of the former champion, rumors started spreading of a fix.
Seemingly the only people happy were the fighters: Paul, 27, received $40 million and Tyson, 58, was paid $20 million.
The promotional arm behind the fight, Most Valuable Promotions (owned by Paul), denied that the fight was fixed in a statement.
“Rigging a professional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs. Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR). Both fighters, in good faith, performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight,” There were absolutely no restrictions—contractual or otherwise—around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules.”
During Tyson’s career, there have never been, at least publicly, accusations of the former heavyweight champion being involved in fixing a fight. Yet, Paul has been questioned previously about his past fights.
“This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions.
Official statement from MVP. #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/KaaVRud9Gq
— Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) November 25, 2024
Tyson reportedly landed less than 20 punches against his opponent.
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November 26, 2024
A Connecticut couple has been accused of participating in a $1 million retail theft ring targeting Lululemon.
Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, of Danbury, Connecticut, were arrested on Nov. 21 in Minnesota, KSTP reports. The couple faces one count on the recently introduced charge of organized retail theft, which could put them in prison for 15 years.
The arrests followed their involvement in an alleged theft at a Lululemon store in Rosedale Center the previous day. A Lululemon retail crime investigator alerted local authorities after the couple and a third individual allegedly stole nearly $5,000 worth of merchandise from the same store.
According to a criminal complaint, the couple was initially stopped when the security alarm sounded as they exited the Rosedale location. Richards accused the employees of racially profiling him and claimed they purposely triggered the alarm. The group was allowed to leave, and the alarm did not sound during their second exit.
Later, the Lululemon investigator located Richards and Lawes-Richards at the Woodbury store, where Woodbury police took them into custody. The couple denied being at the Rosedale location the previous day and claimed they were staying with an aunt. However, Richards, who declined to speak with authorities, was found carrying a key card for the JW Marriott Hotel in Bloomington.
Investigators confirmed that Richards had booked a room at the JW Marriott and secured a search warrant for the room registered in his name. Inside, they discovered 12 suitcases filled with Lululemon clothing, valued at approximately $50,000, all with the tags still attached. The Lululemon investigator alleged that the couple had made two prior trips to Minnesota in September, where they stole approximately $30,000 worth of merchandise. On Nov. 13 alone, the investigator tracked thefts at five different metro locations: two in Edina and one each in Minneapolis, Minnetonka, and Roseville.
The couple is accused of orchestrating a sophisticated retail theft operation, stealing items from stores nationwide and returning them to East Coast locations to receive the value of the stolen goods as refunds on a credit or debit card. To pull off the scheme, Richards would typically purchase a few inexpensive items at the counter while Lawes-Richards and other accomplices secretly stuffed stolen merchandise into their clothing.
After cashiers removed the security tags from the legitimately purchased items, the group allegedly used a device to detach a sensor from one of the stolen goods and reattach it to one of Richards’ purchased items. When the group exited the store and triggered the alarm, Richards would stop and return to the counter while the others walked away. Store employees, believing it was a false alarm, would remove the reattached security tag.
Later, the group would return to the East Coast to allegedly carry out fraudulent exchanges, swapping the stolen goods for more expensive items and paying a small balance with a credit card to cover the price difference. Once the new items were linked to a receipt and credit card, they would return them for a full refund, which was credited back to the card, effectively laundering the value of the stolen merchandise.
Richards and Lawes-Richards are accused of returning nearly $500,000 worth of stolen merchandise, with the company estimating its total financial impact to be closer to $1 million. The couple had their first court appearances on Nov. 25, and their next hearing is set for Dec. 16.
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November 26, 2024
It's a significant step toward reducing health disparities and improving access to quality healthcare for Black communities nationwide.
In a significant step toward reducing health disparities and improving access to quality healthcare for Black communities across the United States, Find a Black Doctor now boasts listings of board-certified health professionals in all 50 states. This expansion ensures that individuals seeking culturally competent care can easily find experienced and qualified Black doctors, dentists, psychologists, and other healthcare providers.
The expansion of the directory comes at a crucial time when health disparities continue to affect Black communities disproportionately. The platform addresses a critical need by providing a reliable and comprehensive directory of healthcare professionals who understand and are dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of Black patients.
Founded with the mission to bridge the gap in healthcare access, the website offers a user-friendly interface that allows patients to search for providers based on their location and specific healthcare needs. The site includes detailed profiles of physicians, dentists, psychologists, and other specialists. Listings are free for the doctors. The site also contains content aimed at increasing health and healthcare literacy.
The expansion of the directory is also a response to the growing demand for Black healthcare providers who can address systemic biases and ensure equitable treatment. Studies have shown that patients often experience better health outcomes when treated by providers who share their racial or ethnic background. By connecting patients with Black healthcare professionals, be they in Atlanta or Alaska, the site is working to improve these outcomes and build trust within the Black community.
Founder Dr. Dina Strachan, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, notes, “Despite our technological advances, it can be harder now to find what one wants online. And having been to all 50 states myself, I’ve become even more aware of the varied challenges to access across our vast nation.”
The team encourages the community to submit suggestions of Black doctors they’d like included in the directory. They also encourage doctors to submit their own practices, or those of colleagues, for a free listing. There is a great interest in supporting doctors in independent practices.
As it continues to grow, the site remains committed to its mission of ensuring that every Black person in America has access to the best possible healthcare.
For more information or to find a Black healthcare provider in your area, visit FindABlackDoctor.com
This news was first reported on Blacknews.com
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