HBCU, Athletic Conference, Stillman College, Voorhees And Wilberforce University, HBCUAC

by Shanique Yates

July 4, 2024

Stillman College, Voorhees And Wilberforce Universities, Join Newly Branded HBCU Conference

The HBCU Athletic Conference has officially rebranded itself and added three new institutions, Stillman College, Voorhees University, and Wilberforce University, to its roster.

Stillman College, Voorhees University, and Wilberforce University have officially joined the network of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) participating in the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).

The move comes as the conference, previously known as the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC), has officially rebranded itself to HBCUAC. Led by Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, with the assistance of the Council of Presidents, the overarching goal of the new model is to “align the conference’s identity with its mission to enhance the visibility and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in collegiate sports.”

“We’re excited to take this next step in strengthening our conference brand,” said Dr. Barnes in an official statement. “The HBCU Athletic Conference represents a dynamic evolution in our commitment to excellence and student-athlete empowerment. As we embrace this new identity, we are excited to showcase the vibrant legacy of our member institutions. We have set out to share stories of impact at the intersection of heritage and higher education.”

Dr. Barnes is also responsible for leading the charge of securing the largest sponsorship in the conference’s history through a refreshed three-year contract with longtime partner Hope Credit Union. In addition to that, the newly branded HBCUAC has secured other strategic partnerships with organizations, including the Urban Edge Network, SNAP Sports Tourism Consulting, Maroon, Blaze Fire Games, and more.

Along with the name change, HBCUAC also reiterated its role on HBCU sports and the desired impact on the culture of the esteemed institutions that make up the conference. Under the new tagline, “Where Winners Thrive,” the organization is committed to greatness both on and off the field.

With the inclusion of the three new schools, HBCUAC, the only all-HBCU sports conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), now supports 13 institutions.

“The HBCU Athletic Conference unifies all of the schools,” said Wiley University Director of Athletics Rafael Gonzalez. “With the conference being a welcome space for HBCUs and HBCU culture, hopefully, others in the NAIA will be enticed to join. Being a place where winners thrive is something that Wiley University wants to be.”

Participating schools include Rust College, Philander Smith University, Dillard University, and a host of other HBCUs.

B.G., Christopher Noel Dorsey, rapper, Arrested, Hot Boys

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 3, 2024

Judge Rules Rapper BG Must Have Future Lyrics Approved By Government

Prosecutors wanted to prohibit the rapper “from promoting and glorifying future gun violence/murder” in songs and at performances, but judge issues different decision

New Orleans native recording artist BG, known for his hit recordings at the onset of Cash Money Records in the 1990s when he was a member of the Hot Boys, has to have lyrics to future songs approved by the government, a judge recently ruled.

According to The Guardian, prosecutors wanted to prohibit the rapper “from promoting and glorifying future gun violence/murder” in songs and at performances while he is on supervised release from prison. U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan disagreed with that provision and ruled that doing so could violate his constitutional right to free speech. Yet, she did state that going forward, BG must give the government copies of any future writings before he produces and promotes the song. This way, if the government feels that the lyrics written are not meeting the goals of his rehabilitation, prosecutors can alter the terms of his supervised release.

This ruling happened several months after he was arrested following a show where he performed with other convicted felons, Gucci Mane and Boosie Bad Azz, in Las Vegas. He was charged with violating the conditions of his probation.

Another condition of his release is getting permission from the court to be associated with anyone who was previously convicted of any felony charges. Boosie and Gucci Mane are both convicted felons. Gucci Mane pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon back in 2014. Boosie was arrested last June by federal agents for allegedly possessing a gun as a felon.

BG is required to get permission from the court to associate with convicted felons, and did not do so before he performed with the two recording artists in February.

Rolling Stone reported that BG was serving 12 years of a 14-year sentence when he was released in September. He pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges after being arrested in 2009. He was stopped, along with two others, by police officers in New Orleans at the time. There were allegedly three guns and a loaded magazine discovered in the car, which was also reported stolen.

by Daniel Johnson

July 3, 2024

North Texas Teen Shatters Spine In ‘Freak Accident’ At Pool

The 13-year-old dove into the shallow end of the pool and according to his grandfather, he hit his head on the bottom of the pool, which paralyzed the teenager

Semyon “SJ” Williams Jr. suffered an accident at a community pool in Frisco, Texas on June 27 while trying to escape a wasp. The 13-year-old dove into the shallow end of the pool, and according to his grandfather, he hit his head on the bottom of the pool, which paralyzed the teenager.

According to NBC DFW 5, Louis Camper, the teen’s grandfather, believes his grandson may not have realized that he was jumping into the shallow end.

“I suppose there was a panic, you know, a frantic measure to get out of harm’s way. SJ just jumped into the pool, but apparently, he dove in unbeknownst to perhaps the depth of the pool,” Williams’ grandfather said. “He just recalls hitting his head, and he even indicated that it felt as if his arms were not part of his body because of the fact that he couldn’t feel.”

Williams’ mother, Anya Camper, described the life-saving actions of his friend, who had also jumped in the water, to NBC 5. “He turns him over, and that’s when he’s asking him, ‘Are you playing?’ and SJ’s like, he can speak, but he’s like, ‘I can’t feel anything.’ You know, he’s freaking out. He’s like, ‘Help me! I can’t feel — I can’t feel my arms, my legs. Help me, call my mom.’”

Williams’ mother continued, “Another kid was like, ‘Are you SJ’s mom? Can you come to the pool because SJ hurt himself bad; he can’t feel anything. He hit his head,'” recalled Anya Camper. “Immediately, I was screaming. You hear about things like this, you see things like this, you never expect it to be your story until it is. When it comes to your front door, it shakes you, that’s exactly what it’s done for us.”

Williams was taken to Children’s Health in Dallas, where the family would learn the extent of his injury. According to Bruno Braga, a neurosurgeon at Children’s Health and an associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, the surgery performed on Williams was critical to stabilizing his injury. Though Braga did not perform the surgery on the teen, he is familiar with it because his colleagues performed the surgery.

“It stabilizes the bones so there’s no further injury. He fractured two vertebrae, the 4th and the 5th cervical vertebrae, and he fractured parts that are in front and behind the spinal cord, spinal canal which contains the spinal cord,” Braga explained. “The fact that he had no motor function or sensory function below the level of injury that is not a good indication that he’s going to recover much, but it’s too soon to tell, and we just have to wait and see.”

Despite Braga’s pessimistic outlook, the family remains positive and grounded through their strong faith in God.

“We are people of faith, and we have an army of people praying for him,” said Anya Camper. “We’re believing that anything, a miracle, will happen. The reality is this is a long road. This is going to be a marathon for us, and we have to support him and be with him every step of the way.”

Camper continued, “As a mom, it’s just really heartbreaking; I’m literally helpless. As a mom, you’re supposed to fix things, and I can’t fix it. So I’m just praying for help in any kind of way.”

Louis Camper, the brother of SJ Williams, has set up a GoFundMe campaign for the teen, which at the time of writing has generated $63,863 towards its initial goal of $100,000. Camper writes, “If it weren’t for one of his friends realizing that he wasn’t ‘just floating’…my mom would would’ve been planning a funeral.”

Camper continued, “SJ was rushed to the hospital, and we received absolutely devastating news. His spinal cord had been severed so badly that he will not have use of his legs and arms.”

Camper concluded, “My mom, myself, my siblings and my family are strong believers in faith. We refuse to believe that this is SJ’s story. He’s ONLY 13! He has WAY too much more life to actually LIVE & FULLY ENJOY. We are trusting and believing that God will perform a miracle and heal my brother! Just keep praying, family. God is able.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 3, 2024

Chris Brown Fan Dispels Rumor Of Ticket Refund, Says Disability Does Not Mean She’s Broke

The fan was quick to dispel the rumors that Brown refunded her ticket due to her disability.

A Chris Brown fan shut down rumors that the singer refunded her meet-and-greet ticket due to her disability. Karell Russell shared that people must stop assuming disabled people don’t have jobs.

After a viral tweet alleged that Chris Brown refunded a disabled fan’s $1,111 meet and greet ticket and also gave her $10K for coming out, the fan took to social media to explain why this false narrative is harmful. The Neighborhood Talk reposted the original tweet, as well as Russell’s video of how this rumor perpetuates a stigma against the disabled community.

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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

Russell critiqued the exploitative posts while explaining how they further a stereotype that disabled people cannot afford things themselves.

“I’m just here to set the record straight,” began Russell, who also emphasized her past attendance at Brown’s meet and greets. “This past tour in particular, the one that people are seeing pictures of, I traveled out of state to Toronto to go see [Brown]. Me and Chris had built a great relationship over the years. Every time we see each other, its always love and positivity, and as much I love spreading [that], what I’m not okay with is strangers on the internet using my face and exploiting my disability for likes and clicks while spreading misinformation. That, we’re not going to do.”

Russell wanted to emphasize that just because she has a disability, it does not mean she needs a handout. She clarified that every ticket she bought to see Brown came from her own pockets.

She added, “Just like everyone else [there], I support Chris as a brand and as an individual. So if you see me at a show or meet and greet, please know that I paid for my ticket.”

While Brown has looked out for his loyal fans in the past with upgraded tickets, Russell explained that it was simply out of their long-standing relationship. However, she condemned how people saw this recent instance of their meeting as a “charity case.”

“Someone literally saw a beautiful moment of someone with a disability standing next to a celebrity and decided to create a narrative that is absolutely fact-less,” she explained. “It’s perpetuating the societal belief that individuals with disabilities don’t have jobs, [or] we don’t function well in society. Every time someone sees us, it turns into a charity case.”

Russell stated the assumption takes away from her agency to afford the tickets for herself and wants others to not look at individuals with disabilities as helpless. Despite this rumor, Russell stated that Brown “respects” her enough never to treat her in this discriminatory way, yet would appreciate any gift he did offer.

She lightly added, “Now Chris, if you want to send me some money, hit my DM, they don’t got to know.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 3, 2024

Former Yeezy Employees File Lawsuit Against Ye And Milo Yiannopoulos Alleging Racism

The duo is being sued by eight former workers who accuse them of allowing "extreme racism and bullying," and long hours of unpaid labor.

Over the weekend, several more former Yeezy employees filed a lawsuit against Yeezy creator Ye and the clothing line’s chief of staff, Milo Yiannopoulos.

According to NBC News, the artist formerly known as Kanye West is being sued by eight former workers who accuse the duo of allowing “extreme racism and bullying” and long hours of unpaid labor.

The paperwork was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on June 29 and obtained by the media outlet.

The former employees, ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old to young adults from the U.S., the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Nigeria, allege they suffered “intolerable harassment and discrimination” when they worked on an app that the controversial due were developing.

“Black and African employees were segregated and given less favorable work assignments, and separate ‘whites only’ working groups were formed,” Thigpen Legal said in a statement on June 30. “Minor workers were mocked for their age. In addition, pornography from Defendants’ venture Yeezy Porn was freely shared in the workplace when minors were present.”

The lawsuit also claims that if the plaintiffs did not agree to work long hours without any breaks, including 12-hour shifts, their pay would be withheld. The work for the app was completed in May, yet none of the plaintiffs have been paid.

Yiannopoulos responded to the lawsuit on X, formerly known as Twitter, and called it a “joke lawsuit.”

A joke lawsuit just dropped led by a disgruntled, comically inept Black developer I call Hotep Susan who is mad he didn’t get chosen for a full-time Yeezy job.

My question: Why did he need one, given his record of FAKING job history (including Yeezy roles he never held)? I’ll…

— Milo Yiannopoulos (@Nero) June 30, 2024

The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for emotional distress and unpaid regular and overtime wages, among other damages.

by Daniel Johnson

July 3, 2024

Subpoena For Reports On Mayor Cantrell Hints At Possible Conclusion To Investigation

The federal investigation into the actions of Cantrell and former New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffery Vappie is heating up

In June, Fox 8 received a subpoena for two stories they published concerning New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell as part of its “Outside the Office” investigative series. According to the outlet, this is the second subpoena the station has received regarding its reports on Cantrell’s actions as mayor.

According to Fox 8, the federal investigation into the actions of Cantrell and former New Orleans Police Department officer Jeffery Vappie is heating up, which prompted Rafael Goyeneche, the head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, to offer his prediction of a forthcoming indictment. Goyeneche told Fox 8, “That, to me, suggests that this investigation is winding down. They’ve already seen the videos on your station’s website, so they have access to that. They need the actual certified copy. They’re going to present that to a grand jury. That’s part of the government’s case.”

Goyeneche continued, “If they’re subpoenaing these records, they want to present it to the grand jury. They’re going to be seeking an indictment. They’ll explain how it fits into the government’s theory of the indictment.”

In April, Goyeneche sent a letter to the NOPD’s Public Integrity Bureau, asking them to investigate concerns raised to the MCC by a source.

“A known source contacted the MCC to report observing New Orleans Mayor La Toya Cantrell and New Orleans Police Officer Jeffrey Vappie dining on the balcony of Tableau restaurant (616 Saint Peter St.) in the French Quarter on Sunday, April 7th. The source provided the enclosed photographs, which were taken at approximately 5:48 p.m. on April 7th. The photographs depict Mayor Cantrell sitting across from her Executive Protection Unit member, Officer Vappie, along with wine glasses on the table. The MCC was informed that Officer Vappie was on duty the weekend of April 7th. However, it is unclear if Officer Vappie was performing any executive protection duties and, if so, whether he consumed any alcohol while at Tableau.”

Dillard University political analyst Dr. Robert Collins hypothesizes that Cantrell’s silence in recent weeks is the result of legal advice provided by Eddie Castaing, her attorney.

“My belief is that she’s being advised by her attorney (Eddie Castaing) — who’s a very smart criminal defense attorney — not to make any statements to the press or not to make any statements to the public involving any of the evidence in the case,” Collins told the outlet. “Because the prosecutors could then take any of those statements and possibly use them against her at a later time.”

Collins continued, “It’s just such a distraction for the citizens of the city. This needs to end, one way or another. We need to know, one way or another. Either there was no criminal activity, and she could be cleared, or there is criminal activity. Then the U.S. Attorney’s office needs to go ahead and indict, so they can present their evidence to a jury, and we can have a trial, and this can be sorted out, once and for all.”

Collins concluded, “For these investigations to just be lingering over the mayor’s office, causing a cloud and rumors to float around in City Hall, that’s not healthy. That disrupts the business of the people, the business of the taxpayers going forward.”

by Stacy Jackson

July 3, 2024

Black Women Superintendents Lead 2 Largest Oklahoma School Districts

This is the first time both Black women educators are superintendents, marking a historic shift for Oklahoma school districts.

In a groundbreaking development for Oklahoma’s education landscape, Black women educators now serve as superintendents of the state’s two largest school districts.

Jamie Polk, an Iowa native with 25 years of experience in Lawton Public Schools, has taken the helm of Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS). Meanwhile, Ebony Johnson became the first Black woman to lead Tulsa Public Schools, the state’s largest district by enrollment, after being appointed interim superintendent in September and permanently hired in December. This milestone represents a significant shift in leadership diversity. According to the Oklahoma Voice, Polk emphasized the importance of representation: “…every child should see themselves represented in the educators and leaders who guide them in their educational journey.”

Cecilia Robinson-Woods, the sole Black woman superintendent in Oklahoma when Johnson assumed her role at TPS, emphasized that these hirings represent a significant leap forward in entrusting Black women educators with the reins of major school districts. “It is not a secret that minority children, especially Black children, have the lowest test scores… It’s not to say just because you have someone of color that things are going to change, but it does at least give you an insight,” Robinson-Wood said.

The appointments address a stark disparity in Oklahoma’s education system. While over half of all students are racial or ethnic minorities, 77% of public educators are white, according to 2022-23 state data.

OKCPS has a history of Black women in leadership, with Betty Mason becoming the first woman and African American superintendent in 1992. Both Black women educators face unique challenges in their new roles as first-time superintendents. Johnson is working on an academic turnaround amid pressure from the state education department. Polk aims to continue diversifying the teaching staff through the “Grow Our Own” program, which has already produced 25 bilingual or racially diverse teachers.

telomeres, shortening, cancer, Gynecologic Cancers, Black Women, Death Rates, cervical cancer, NAACP

by Stacy Jackson

July 3, 2024

Early Death Rates High For Black Women With Gynecologic Cancers

The comprehensive study shows 4.7% of women experienced early death, but rates varied dramatically for Black women across gynecologic cancers.

A comprehensive study led by Dr. Matthew W. Lee of the University of Southern California and a group of colleagues has unveiled disparities in early death rates among women with gynecologic cancers, with Black women facing significantly higher risks.

The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, defined early death as mortality within two months of diagnosis, analyzing data from over 461,000 women between 2000 and 2020. Overall, 4.7% of women experienced early death, with rates varying dramatically across cancer types: 10.5% for tubo-ovarian cancer, 5.5% for vaginal cancer, 2.9% for cervical cancer, 2.5% for uterine cancer, and 2.4% for vulvar cancer. Racial disparities were particularly stark. For tubo-ovarian cancer, the early death rate was 14.5% among Black women compared to 6.4% among Asian women. Similar patterns emerged for uterine cancer (4.9% for Black women vs. 1.6% for Asian women) and cervical cancer (3.8% for Black women vs. 1.8% for Hispanic women).

“Studies have repeatedly shown that disparities have persisted throughout the last 2 decades in diagnosis, treatment, and survival among cases of uterine, tubo-ovarian and cervical cancers,” Dr. Lee and his colleagues noted, according to Healio. They attributed these disparities to a complex interplay of factors, including healthcare access, socioeconomic conditions, and potential biological differences.

The comprehensive study also revealed some improvements over time. From 2000-2002 to 2018-2020, early death rates for tubo-ovarian cancer decreased across all racial groups: from 17.4% to 11.8% for Black women, 12.3% to 9.5% for white women, 8.9% to 6.3% for Hispanic women, and 7.4% to 5.2% for Asian women.

Overall findings revealed that approximately 5% of women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers succumbed to their illness within a mere 60 days of receiving their diagnosis. However, significant gaps persist. The researchers emphasized that these findings “further indicate a pervasive inequality in overall survival that extends to early death.” They called for further investigation into the root causes of these disparities, stressing the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these racial and ethnic inequalities in gynecologic cancer outcomes.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 3, 2024

Former NFL Player’s Missing Son Found; Parents Arrested And Charged

Bryson Muir, 14, is safe and sound.

The 14-year-old son of former NFL player Daniel Muir, who was reported missing after not being seen since June 16, has been found and his parents have been arrested, according to the Indiana State Police.

On June 28, the Indiana State Police Department issued a Silver Alert (“a Missing Endangered Adult, Missing Endangered Child, or High-Risk Missing Person or have a mental impairment validated through a credible medical authority.”) for 14-year-old Bryson Muir, son of Daniel and Kristin. The state police SWAT team executed search and arrest warrants on July 3 to check on the Muirs’ home. All three family members were present when police arrived at 6:00 a.m.

Bryson was deemed safe and released into the custody of the Cass County Department of Child Services. His parents were arrested and charged with obstruction of justice, a Level 6 Felony. Daniel Muir was also charged with domestic battery, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Indiana State Police was initially looking for Bryson after he was last seen on June 16 leaving a family member’s residence in Ohio. At the time, he was with his mother and was seen in a white 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. Shortly after leaving the home, the Suburban was pulled over by the Garfield Heights (OH) Police Department, but Bryson was not in the car.

Around June 18, the Cass County Department of Child Services asked Indiana State Police investigators to look into allegations of domestic battery on Bryson. After contacting the Muirs, they agreed to bring Bryson Muir to meet with investigators, but they eventually backed out of that arrangement. On July 3, Bryson was located and taken from the home.

Indiana State Police said this is still an active criminal investigation. Anyone with relevant information about the case can contact the Peru Post at 800-382-0689.

Cop City, Police, Black Hawaii Deputy Sheriff

by Daniel Johnson

July 3, 2024

Black Hawaii Deputy Sheriff Alleges Racist Harassment

According to Horton, the harassment at the department began with racist comments about fried chicken from another deputy sheriff who is currently on paid leave.

Black Hawaii Deputy Sheriff Martin Horton alleges that colleagues at the State Capitol in Honolulu, Hawaii, subjected him to racial and sexual harassment following his graduation from the police academy in December 2023. Horton’s allegations against his fellow officers’ conduct surfaced as part of a Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Investigation Division probe.

According to Hawaii News Now, the 56-year-old Horton informed investigators that he found the comments he was subjected to humiliating and believes that his rights were violated.

“A reasonable person, if placed in that situation, would have found it offensive, would have found it misogynistic, would have found it discriminatory, because the language that is used, and the people who are targeted are either of a different ethnicity or gender,” Horton told the outlet.

Horton alleges that several superiors, including his training officer, Alvin Turla, and Sgt. Erich Mitamura either made degrading statements themselves or facilitated Horton’s abuses. Turla, Horton said, made comments of a sexual nature relating to his lips. “It was a sexual comment that he had made not just one time, but at least two times, referencing to my lips,” however, when Horton told Mitamura, his response, according to Horton, was dismissive. “His comment to me was that you’re nothing; you’re no one. It devalued me, and as a trainee, he was my sergeant. I accepted it.”

The two officers Horton named have been arrested for harassment, which is a misdemeanor charge, placed on paid leave, and have had their service weapons, badges, and IDs taken.

Horton continued, “I can’t categorize it as being criminal, but as a subordinate…when something to that magnitude where someone is being degraded, they’re being humiliated in the sense, I felt like my rights were being violated. For me, that is a big issue now because I’m worried about my family. Who’s going to retaliate against me? I don’t know.”

According to Jordan Lowe, the director of the State Department of Law Enforcement, which oversees the State Capitol building’s security, Horton was transferred from the state capital to the Kapolei Courthouse for his protection. According to Horton, the harassment at the department began with racist comments about fried chicken from another deputy sheriff who is currently on paid leave. Although Horton maintains that additional deputies harassed him, their statuses are presently unknown. The department is currently the subject of three separate criminal investigations.

As the Honolulu Civil Beat reported, Lowe indicated that five other Capitol staffers have been placed on paid leave while their conduct is investigated. Lowe described their investigations as “both administrative and criminal.”

This brings the total number of officers who have been suspended as a result of investigations into the state Capitol to eight. According to a source who spoke to the outlet, comments were made about watermelon in addition to those Horton mentioned about fried chicken, which was not reported up the chain of command. The source also told the outlet that the harassment Horton alleges occurred between late December 2023 and March 2024 during briefings at the start of the deputies’ shifts at the Capitol.

Lowe told the Civil Beat that after the department was officially created in January 2024, “we found these isolated instances of misconduct, so obviously we are not going to tolerate that, and we started investigating it.”

Lowe pleaded with the public to maintain faith in the department despite the scandal, telling the outlet, “We have hundreds of deputies, and we want to remind the public to have full confidence in them because they are dedicated, professional law enforcement officers out there to protect and serve, but as in any organization, sometimes you may have incidents.”