• Sports

by Daniel Johnson

July 1, 2024

Frederick Richard Leads USA Men’s Gymnastics To Paris Olympics

Frederick Richard became the first American man to medal at the World Championships in 2023.

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For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Men’s United States gymnastics team appears poised to win an Olympic medal. Led by Frederick Richard, the first American man to medal at the World Championships last year, the team is brimming with confidence after qualifying Saturday for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris. 

As The Athletic reports, Richard, in particular, capped a brilliant performance at the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials in Minneapolis with a declaration post-performance. “What can you expect to see from me and the team in Paris?” Richard asked the crowd after securing his spot. “Medals. You can expect to see some medals in Paris.”

“I knew whatever team was chosen is a deadly team, and I stand to say that now that I actually see it — this medal, it’s like, we shouldn’t be aiming for just a medal. We should be aiming for gold,“ Richard said, according to People. “And we’re going to land on something. That’s how I feel.”

Unlike the selection process on the women’s side and in other Olympic sports like basketball, men’s gymnastics is more similar to track and field, where the numbers ultimately determine who gets the slots on the team. However, unlike track and field, the math governing men’s gymnastics is a little more complicated.

The top three scores from each day of competition in the U.S. Championships and Olympic trials are run, and then the top four scores from those competitions are run, which resulted in Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Juda, Asher Hong, and Stephen Nedoroscik getting the invitations to join the national team, with Khoi Young and Shane Wiskus named as traveling alternates. 

“You’re not human if you don’t have those types of emotions for these incredible athletes,” men’s gymnastics program director Brett McClure told The Athletic. “Every athlete put it all on the line, have been training their entire lives for this. It’s absolutely gut-wrenching. It’s horrible for the ones who don’t quite make it, and it’s great for the ones that do The math locked it. That’s why the team is what it is.”

When the outlet pressed him on if it was the best team, McClure said, “This is a great team. Based on the results from two competitions, these are the guys that are the best. For this process, absolutely.”

RELATED CONTENT: Eat Like an Olympian: Simone Biles

• News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 30, 2024

8-Year-Old Girl Dies After Mother Allegedly Leaves Her In Hot Car While Working

Her mother, Ashley Stallings, found the child unresponsive, foaming at the mouth and taking shallow breaths.

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A North Carolina woman faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse after her 8-year-old daughter died after being left alone in a hot car.

According to police, Ashley Stallings, 36, went to work June 26 and left her daughter in her vehicle with the air conditioning on. However, the police arrived in the scene that afternoon to discover the young girl in the vehicle unresponsive and having a medical emergency. She later died at a hospital in Charlotte, from a brain herniation due to hyperthermia.

Police arrested Stallings the next day.

According to her affidavit, which was obtained by ABC News, Stallings believed her daughter turned off the air conditioning without knowing how to turn it back on. She returned to the vehicle to check on the girl after the girl stopped responding to her texts—about 90 minutes. There, the mother found the elementary schooler foaming out the mouth and taking shallow breaths on the backseat floorboard.

Stallings broke into the car with a hammer and attempted to drive to the hospital before stopping for help at a nearby business.

“She admitted she knew the temperature was 94 degrees outside and that she should not have left the victim inside the car alone,” according the affidavit. Stallings was working her shift at an Amazon facility while the incident occurred.

The incident marked at least the fifth hot car death so far this year, according to the nonprofit Kids and Car Safety. ABC News reported that a car can heat to 124 degrees in only 30 minutes when it’s 90 degrees outside, according to the National Weather Service.

“This is an incredibly tragic incident,” Amazon said in a statement. “During this difficult time, we’re supporting our employees and have made counseling resources widely available.

An investigation by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department remains ongoing. Stallings is currently being held on a $250,000 bond. She is expected to appear at a trial set for July 16.

RELATED CONTENT: Louisiana Mother Charged With Leaving Infant Daughter In Hot SUV For 5 Hours

• Entertainment

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 30, 2024

BET Awards Brings On Star-Studded Performances As Taraji P. Henson Returns As Host

It's Henson's third time as host.

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The BET Awards will continue its annual celebration of Black Hollywood on June 30, with Taraji P. Henson hosting for the third time.

Megan Thee Stallion will open the ceremony, taking place at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater. The rapper, who just released her third studio album, Megan, will be the first of many all-star performers for the evening. Lauryn Hill will also grace the stage alongside her son, YG Marley, to perform the latter’s viral hit “Praise Jah In the Moonlight.”

As for the returning host, BET announced the Oscar-nominated actress presence earlier in June. Henson unveiled the news in a shared post ahead of “Culture’s Biggest Night.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BET Networks (@bet)

“All hail, Queen Taraji is back to host the 2024 BET Awards,” read the caption. “We know she’ll bring her unmatched charisma, radiant energy, and undeniable star power to the stage. From her groundbreaking roles to her inspiring advocacy, @tarajiphenson continues to shine brightly and lead with grace. We can’t wait to see the magic she brings to this unforgettable night of celebration and excellence! Cousins, we heard y’all loud and clear about wanting Taraji back, so we delivered.”

Other Black hitmakers taking the stage include Chlöe, Coco Jones, Ice Spice, Tyla, and Childish Gambino. Will Smith is also expected to perform a new song as he hopes to maintain his comeback alongside his summer blockbuster, Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Drake has the most nomination with eight. Usher will also take home the Lifetime Achievement award for his lengthy career in music as well as philanthropic works.

The BET Awards will air live at 8 P.M. Eastern on BET, with additional simulcasting on Comedy Central, MTV, and other channels under Paramount.

RELATED CONTENT: Taraji P. Henson to Host Saturday Night Live

• Politics

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 30, 2024

Rep. Clyburn Says He’ll Back Kamala Harris If Biden ‘Ain’t There’

Clyburn also urged supporters to 'chill out' over Biden's debate performance.

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Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) said he would be willing to support Vice President Kamala Harris for president if Joe Biden “ain’t there,” but is not ready to count out Biden just yet.

Clyburn shared his thoughts with USA Today on June 28, as Democrats across the country wonder about the party’s next steps. The news comes amid uncertainty regarding Biden’s competency, especially after his concerning performance during the first presidential debate against former president Donald Trump on June 27.

Some political commentators and politicians believe that President Biden should consider stepping down for the good of the nation. On the other hand, Clyburn urged supporters to relax despite the frenzy.

“Stay the course. Chill out,” said the South Carolina representative. “I’m a Biden-Harris person, so I’m not getting away from that. I’m for Biden-Harris [and] going to be for Biden if Harris ain’t there and I’m going to be for Harris if Biden ain’t there.”

Many consider Clyburn’s endorsement of Biden as a significant factor in South Carolina going blue in the 2020 election. The state was crucial is securing Biden the presidency.

However, Clyburn did agree that Biden’s debate performance left much to be desired from the head of state. Despite this, Clyburn believes supporters should continue to have faith that the President can step up his game, using a baseball reference to further his point. “If this were a ball game, he’s got two more swings,” he shared.

Moreover, Clyburn sees no suitable replacement for the already-established administration, especially with Biden leading the way. He believes there’s “no better” leadership than the one currently running. However, sources report that Biden is meeting with family on June 30 as the pressure to step down continues.

RELATED CONTENT: James Clyburn To Skip Israeli PM’s Address To Congress: ‘I’m Going To Treat Him The Same Way He Treated Barack Obama‘

• Health and Wellness

by Mary Spiller

June 30, 2024

Are Kidneys Donated By Black Americans More Likely To Be Thrown Away?

Reports show that race may be a factor in the kidney diagnostic algorithm that does more harm than good.

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Kidney disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and the public health problem could be exacerbated by the fact that kidneys from Black donors are more likely to be thrown away. 

Kidney disease is more severe among Black Americans, as they are three times more likely than their white counterparts to develop kidney failure in America, according to The Conversation. Black people make up only 12% of the population, but they make up 35% of all those with kidney failure, which is likely due to the prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure in the Black community. Of The nearly 100,000 people in the U.S. awaiting kidney transplantation, Black Americans are more likely to need them, and they are also less likely to receive transplants.

With the need already so high, it’s especially harmful that kidneys from Black donors in the U.S. are discarded at an elevated rate. This is potentially due to a racially disparate system that “erroneously considers all Black donor kidneys as more likely to stop working after a transplant than kidneys from donors of other races.”

Since kidneys are a scarce resource, race being considered a factor in its distribution is especially dangerous. It leads the kidney analysis algorithm to rank a transplanted kidney from a Black donor lower, degrading their quality when it may not truly be necessary.

Ana S. Iltis, professor of Philosophy at Carlson Professor of University Studies and director at the Center for Bioethics, Health and Society at Wake Forest University, wrote in The Conversation, “This means that some good kidneys may be wasted, raising several ethical and practical concerns.”

This could be both unnecessary and wasteful because previous studies have shown that race is a social construct and is an inaccurate indicator of human genetic diversity and, thus, kidney quality. This suggests that any differences in the quality of transplanted organs are due to an individual’s genetics without regard to race.

Recognizing this issue regarding a scarce resource is vital to prevent it from being wasted so more people can be helped.

Black people in need of a transplant are more likely to be designated to receive an organ from another Black person, but they often remain on the list longer because the kidneys they need are being discarded.

One suggestion for making organ transplantation more equitable and efficient could be as “simple as ignoring race when evaluating donor kidneys, [according to some] medical researchers,” stressed Iltis.

RELATE CONTENT: Former NBA Star Nate Robinson Is Living With Kidney Failure

• News History

by Mary Spiller

June 30, 2024

Historic Harlem Abyssinian Baptist Church Names New Senior Pastor

Kevin Johnson served as an assistant pastor under Calvin O. Butts before being named.

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The historic New York Abyssinian Baptist Church has finally elected its new senior pastor following the extensive nationwide search for a replacement for the late Rev. Calvin O. Butts. Rev. Kevin R. Johnson was named the new senior pastor on June 23. 

Johnson follows the respected Butts, who served the Abyssinian church in Harlem for a half-century before his passing in 2022.

Johnson’s experience comes from being the founder of the independent Dare to Imagine Church in Philadelphia, and he will begin to act in his position in the middle of July after serving under Butts as an assistant pastor and intern, The New York Post reports.

He founded Dare to Imagine with just 20 people in his own home, and today, It has 1,500 active members.

The 50-year-old Johnson expressed his gratitude, honor, and excitement to be given the position.

In a video on the church’s website, he said, “Abyssinian is not just a church – it’s our spiritual home, and I’m honored to build upon its rich legacy.” Johnson continued, “Together, we will advance God’s kingdom, serve our community by God’s grace, impact the world, and shape Abyssinian’s next glorious chapter.”

Johnson’s naming has marked an end to the pastoral search process, which has been under scrutiny for issues with the search committee. The committee was the subject of a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by former Abyssinian assistant pastor Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman. The church was challenged over concerns about transparency and gender discrimination.

Abyssinian was founded in 1808 and is a lauded Black church in the United States.

Johnson graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta and soon after earned the title of Master of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was an intern at Abyssinian until 1999 under Butt and again in 2002 as the assistant pastor. He learned from Butts for five more years before he was called to serve temporarily at Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

RELATED CONTENT: Harlem Pastor and Major Political Force and Influential Figure Rev. Calvin Butts III Dies at 73

• Politics

by Stacy Jackson

June 30, 2024

Black People Question What Donald Trump Meant By ‘Black Jobs’ During Atlanta Debate

Black voters and prominent Democratic figures denounced Trump's statement, "They're taking Black jobs now."

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During the June 27 presidential debate in Atlanta, Donald Trump sparked controversy with his use of the phrase “Black jobs,” drawing sharp criticism from the African American community and Joe Biden allies.

The former president’s comments came during his response about immigration, claiming, “They’re taking Black jobs now…and Hispanic jobs. You haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.” His remarks linked immigration to job losses in minority communities, a connection that many found problematic.

The concept of “Black jobs” faced immediate backlash. According to Time, a chorus of prominent Democratic figures denounced the Republican’s controversial remarks, including Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Mississippi’s Bennie Thompson, and Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock.

Derrick Johnson, NAACP president and CEO, stated, “There is no such thing as a Black job. That misinformed characterization is a denial of the ubiquity of Black talent. We are doctors, lawyers, school teachers, police officers and firefighters. The list goes on.”

He continued, “A ‘Black job’ is an American job. It’s concerning that a presidential candidate would seek to make a nonexistent distinction. But the divisive nature of this comment is not surprising for Donald Trump.”

A May White House briefing reported that from September 2022 to February 2024, the Black unemployment rate remained at or below 6% for the longest period on record. In April 2023, it reached a historic low of 4.8%. The latest figures show a 5.6% unemployment rate for Black workers in April 2024, significantly lower than averages from previous years.

Following Trump’s statement, Black voters also took to social media to question what he meant. The NAACP used its X account to publicly question, “What exactly are Black and Hispanic Jobs!?!”

Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison was thinking the same. “What the hell is a “Black job?!” Harrison tweeted.

Some observers, like David Johns of the National Black Justice Coalition, described the debate as “the whitest s‑‑‑ I’ve ever experienced in my life,” highlighting the disconnect between the candidates’ rhetoric and the realities of the Black community.

Trump supporters attempted to clarify his statement. Diante Johnson of the Black Conservative Federation explained, “He meant the jobs of Black people…Instead of Black people having unlimited accessibility to all types of jobs, illegal immigrants are taking their jobs from them.” However, Sen. Tim Scott, a potential VP pick for Trump, avoided directly addressing the comment when questioned.

Trump’s full comment is below.

RELATED CONTENT: Joe Biden Responds To His Shaky Presidential Debate Performance

• Lifestyle

by Jeffrey McKinney

June 30, 2024

Report: 60% Of Black Gen Z And Millennials Opt For Face-To-Face Dating, As It Feels More Real

Safety concerns and finding a date with shared interests are among obstacles for younger generations with online dating.

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When it comes to finding that special someone, face-to-face dating is the preferred approach being used by young singles now instead of solely online dating.

That was among the discoveries in a recent report by Eventbrite that examined the transition from online to offline dating, including related data for Black Gen Z and millennial singles courting.

The event management firm’s analysis included polling 1,001 respondents to understand today’s dating picture. In all, 20% of Black Americans were surveyed.

A top finding revealed that a robust 69% of those surveyed felt somewhat or very happy after meeting someone in person they might want to date in the future.

For Black Americans, 60% prefer in-person dating because it feels more genuine, while 68% enjoy meeting people face-to-face. And 72% of them want to do something both people on the date enjoy, stressing the importance of shared interests in building genuine connections.

The report indicated younger generations face many challenges with online dating, including finding someone who shares their interests. Safety is another big concern, with 35% of Black respondents saying it is one of their top worries when meeting someone online.

Overall, respondents disclosed favoring in-person dating as they feel it reduces the risk of someone hiding their “true identity.”

Dating expert Maxine Williams, founder of We Met IRL, shared by email to BLACK ENTERPRISE that the report’s most interesting data point was that 26% of Black Americans who are optimistic about dating in the future believe there are plenty of places to meet other singles. “That’s actually a high number considering the negative stigma around dating lately, especially in the Black community.”

She added that Eventbrite reported that over half (52%) of Black Americans find that one of the biggest challenges of online dating is connecting with others who share their interests. She explained just like other groups of people, Black Americans are interested in connecting with others of shared interest because it really helps to find common ground when you’re dating someone.

“To have something in common with the person you’re getting to know is a great stepping stone to scheduling future dates and having conversations about things that you’re both passionate about.”

Hoping to build authentic connections, the research showed that Gen Z and millennials are moving away from usual hangouts, such as bars, to socialize. It uncovered that Black singles are most likely to meet their next love match at music festivals or social clubs. Exploring the outdoors (42%) and coffee shops (36%) were the top two preferred “third spaces” for Black singles to meet someone in person.

Further, 66% of Black respondents prefer being sober on a first date, and 65% prefer intimate settings as the ideal first date location.

So, what other factors could be fueling the transition from URL (online) to IRL (in real-life dating)?

Williams says there could be several reasons for what has happened in the past five years. She stated that the pandemic shined a huge light on the fact that face-to-face interaction is very valuable.

She noted that the isolation imposed during the pandemic made that extremely clear to others, so the idea of finding your potential significant other through a screen is just not as appealing as it used to be.

She added. “Everything that’s new eventually loses its charm: dating apps have been around for over 15 years in some shape or form, and we’re getting to a point where people are looking for something else.”

Read more details from the report here. 

• News

by Stacy Jackson

June 29, 2024

Detroit Police AI Software Policies Pivot Amid Wrongful 2020 Arrest Of Black Man

Robert Williams spent 30 hours in jail for a crime he did not commit.

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As part of a federal settlement, the Detroit Police Department has overhauled its facial recognition software policies following the wrongful arrest of Robert Williams in 2020.

The pivot comes after Williams, a Black man, was mistakenly identified as a theft suspect due to flawed technology implementation. According to the Detroit Free Press, the agreement, filed in U.S. District Court, includes a $300,000 compensation for Williams, approved by the Detroit City Council in May.

BLACK ENTERPRISE previously covered the 2018 incident, which resulted in Williams being arrested in 2020 in front of his family for a Shinola store robbery he didn’t commit. A subpar image from security footage led a detective to misidentify Williams based on a false match with the man’s expired driver’s license photo, resulting in his 30-hour detention. Following the dismissal of his case without prejudice, Williams took legal action against the Detroit Police Department, citing the distressing ordeal inflicted upon him and his loved ones.

During a press conference on June 28, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan, representing Williams, unveiled sweeping changes to Detroit police software policies. These new guidelines prohibit arrests based solely on facial recognition results or related lineups. Officers must now disclose the technology’s limitations and use in arrests, including instances where it fails to identify suspects or produces conflicting results. The revised policies mandate comprehensive training on the software’s risks, emphasizing its higher error rate with people of color. Auditing all cases involving facial recognition technology since 2017 is also required.

The revised Detroit police software policies, enforceable by the federal court for four years, aims to prevent future miscarriages of justice. Phil Mayor, a senior legal expert at the ACLU of Michigan, asserted that Detroit’s revised guidelines would set a benchmark for law enforcement agencies nationwide regarding the ethical use of facial recognition software. Echoing this sentiment, Detroit police officials expressed satisfaction with the policy overhaul. They stated their firm belief that these changes would position them as a national exemplar in facial recognition best practices. The department highlighted the common ground between its mission and that of the ACLU.

RELATED CONTENT: Detroit Man Spends 30 Hours In Jail After AI Technology Misidentifies Him

• Politics

by Mary Spiller

June 29, 2024

Joe Biden Responds To His Shaky Presidential Debate Performance

Joe Biden addressed many of the concerns that doubters have been having about his age and capability to serve another term.

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On June 28, President Joe Biden delivered a speech in response to his shaky performance at the Presidential Debate on June 27. In it, in front of a supportive crowd, Biden acknowledged that although he does not “debate as well as I used to,” he believes he’s still the better choice ahead of Donald Trump.

With his speech, President Biden, 81, tried to do damage control following his debate performance against Trump, in which many viewers believed he seemed disjointed and underprepared. Despite that, during the speech the next day, he appeared loud-spoken and succinct in front of the crowd as he assured some of his supporters against doubts about him.

He began by addressing the concerns about his age, saying, “I know I’m not a young man, to state the obvious.”

However, he went on to attempt to combat some of the biggest concerns about his retaking office. 

“I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done,” Biden said.

He continued to tell the crowd that he would never run for re-election if he didn’t think he was the best man for the job and drew attention to the fact that Trump is now a federally convicted criminal.

Biden explained, “I know, like millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down, you get back up.”

“I know what it takes to take our economy from the depths of the pandemic to where it is today, the strongest economy in the world. I know what it’ll take to bring this economy to everybody.”

Biden was met with cheers of support from the crowd as he delivered the rest of his speech.

“I know what it’ll take to rally the world to stand up against Putin and not yield to him. And I know what I’ll take to keep the world safe and free for the years ahead.”

“Folks, I give you my word as a Biden that I would not be running again if I did not believe with all my heart and soul that I can do this job. Because quite frankly, the stakes are too high,” he concluded.

The crowd responded enthusiastically, chanting, “Yes, you can,” as he exited the stage. 

RELATED CONTENT: First Biden-Trump Debate Highlights Voters’ Concerns as Biden Struggles