Earth Wind & Fire, ONE MUSICFEST — ONE MUSICFEST, Andy Doan

by Ida Harris

November 4, 2024

One Musicfest Celebrates 15 Years Of Fellowship And Music With Earth, Wind & Fire

ONE Musicfest has staying power

One Musicfest celebrated 15 years of fellowship and music the weekend of Oct. 26-27. The event is known for bringing out over 100,000 attendees to experience the best and brightest entertainers at outdoor venues in Atlanta. This year the festival was held at Atlanta’s Central Park and featured a P&G stage and a Sprite stage, as well as Mielle, Bevel booths and a host of vendors. The festival also weaved in conversations around civic engagement with Georgia’s public advocates, Senator Raphael Warnock and Mayor Andre Dickens, seized the opportunity to show their support for Vice President Kamala Harris and encourage the crowd to vote.

For its milestone anniversary — One Musicfest did its big one and presented the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire, among others, to a massive crowd of generational fans which was quite fitting to witness. It is clear that Earth, Wind & Fire, one of the most premier and iconic bands in modern history. The band, which still consists of three of its original members — Verdine White, Philip Bailey, and Ralph Johnson — took to the main stage and performed a string of memorable classics like “Can’t Hide Love,” “Shining Star,” and “September.”

The latter provoked a performance of the electric slide line dance among a modest crowd of EWF fans. And if there was any indication that each song was part of many playlists in many households and were passed down many family trees throughout the 1970s, 80s and beyond, the scene at OMF made it ever so clear.

“I remember this song,” a young festival-goer told BLACK ENTERPRISE. As Bailey hit falsettos, he swayed to the all too familiar tune of yet another cult classic of EWF, “Reasons.”

“My mom used to play this a lot when I was growing up,” he said.

Earth, Wind & Fire has been active for more than 55 years and shows no sign of slowing down. The group has tour dates throughout the end of year. Much like the elements, ONE Musicfest has staying power and ability to entertain a diverse audience of music lovers — 15 years to date and years to come.

CEOs, corporate America, Kamala Harrs, endorsement — (Photo: Erik S. Lesser/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 4, 2024

Kamala Harris Joins Latest ‘Win With Black Women’ Call, Thanking Coalition Ahead Of Election Day

That evening, Win With Black Woman announced a historic $3 million contribution to the Harris campaign.

Kamala Harris joined the last “Win With Black Women” call ahead of Election Day to thank her supporters for their continuous efforts.

The voter group held fundraising calls every Sunday since Harris announced her candidacy. On Nov. 3, two days before Election Day, Harris logged onto the Zoom call to express her gratitude for their tireless organizing. Thousands of attendees joined the two-hour virtual event to hear the Vice President’s final push to win.

“I thank everyone for building a coalition that has been hard at work to support our campaign. We can have an impact on people’s lives. We know it is our calling,” expressed Harris, as reported by 19th News. “It is about lifting people up and reminding them that we are a community of people who care. We have more work to do…We will get this done, and we will win, and it will be because we know what’s at stake. We know how to fight for all that is good and right for the future.”

That evening, Win With Black Women announced a historic $3 million contribution to the Harris campaign. Through its thousands of attendees, the coalition of Black woman advocates and voters continues to urge others to vote.

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Black women voters remain a stronghold of support for Harris, especially in battleground states like Georgia. According to a Washington Post-Schar poll, 87% of Black women have supported the politician.

The call encouraged Black women to continue outreach to their grander networks and communities. Moreover, they urged for them to provide transportation and other support to help get people to the polls.

“I needed this call tonight,” expressed organizer Melanie Campbell. “Every state is a battleground if you’re living in it. But don’t let doubt get in the way on this last leg… #WinWithBlackWomen is more than a hashtag. It’s a movement.”

For many on the call, the months-long effort leading up to Harris’ moment refers to generations of activism. They emphasized that the next 48 hours are as crucial as ever, so they reminded one another of how their ancestors fought to get them here.

“We have really experienced something that our ancestors probably knew would exist one day, but we have seen it in our own time,” shared Donna Brazile, former presidential campaign manager and strategist, on the call. “You all have been at the table, and you’ve made so much happen. We are proud to be the descendants of those who have fought for the right to the polls for our people. Thank you to Fannie Lou Hamer for knocking on the door of a party that didn’t have a seat for you. Thank you for not quitting when it got tough, for standing up with determination because you simply wanted to be free.”

Theresa Randle, arrest, domestic violence — (Photo: Sasun Bughdaryan/Getty Images)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 4, 2024

Texas Reels From $1M Teacher Certification Scam That Mainly Impacted Black Classrooms

Five people have been charged for their involvement in the $1 million teacher certification scam in Texas.

The Texas educational community continues to reel from the teacher certification scam that has mainly impacted Black classrooms.

Over 200 teachers allegedly paid others to take their state certification exams for them, CNN reported. As prosecutors investigate to uncover those involved in the scandal, diverse student populations are experiencing the greatest impact.

“The most important thing to me is the ringleaders have been identified and are being rooted out of our home school district … and the fact that they held positions of power there, where they were held in esteem by the children, is the very worst part of this crime,” explained Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. “They didn’t deserve those kids’ respect and I think it leaves children feeling betrayed, not knowing who to trust.”

Among those arrested was Vincent Grayson, a teacher and basketball coach at the historically Black Booker T. Washington high school. Prosecutors say Grayson was the scheme’s ringleader. Also arrested was the school’s assistant principal, Nicholas Newton, who was the alleged test taker.

LaShonda Roberts, the assistant principal at another historically Black high school, Yates, was arrested for her alleged role as the recruiter for prospective teachers. Five defendants, including two others who worked as proctors of the exam, face charges for their involvement.

The schools are part of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), and were designated for Black students before desegregation occurred throughout Texas. HISD hosts nearly 2,000 students, primarily identifying as Black and Hispanic, and serves as the largest school district in the state.

As for the defendants, their charges include two counts of engaging in organized criminal activity. They face a felony count for money laundering, and another count for tampering with a government document by falsifying statements.

Grayson has been released on bail following his arrest. Neither he nor the other defendants have entered pleas. However, Grayson’s attorney emphasized his presumed innocence as they await evidence from the prosecution.

“The state has the burden to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr. Grayson is presumed innocent at this period of time, and so we’ll wait and receive … what evidence they have against him to allow us to evaluate what we should do next,” explained his attorney, Cheryl Irvin.

According to the prosecutors, Grayson allegedly made over $1 million. According to court papers, he charged teaching candidates $2,500 to have someone else pass the exam for them.

The scheme began to unravel in 2023 as the Texas Education Agency noticed irregularities at the Houston testing center. A former coach in the district informed authorities of the scam following “an attack of conscience.”

“The most interesting irony to me in this circle of greed is that in spite of the perpetrators being the type of people that we trust our kids with… It was actually a good Samaritan with a conscience that brought this scheme to light,” expressed Ogg.

In February 2024, Newton was finally caught. Prosecutors believe the scheme had been ongoing since May 2020. They believe that these falsely-certified teachers are scattered throughout the state, making it harder to track down.

Ogg also shared that some of those participants were sexual predators. Now, the district and all of Texas public schools are struggling to fully trust the educators in their state.

“Teachers and coaches who help influence children’s behavior, we count on them for their moral compass,” said felony chief prosecutor Mike Levine. “To think that this many people without what I would consider a proper moral compass were trying to educate and influence children all across the state is definitely troubling.”

Jobs, Workplace, Resenteeism,, federal employees — (Photo: Mizuno K/Pexels)

by Jameelah Mullen

November 4, 2024

Bait & Switch: Some Prospective Employers Are Playing In Your Face, Survey Shows

When it comes to recruiting new talent, some employers lack transparency, Greenspace survey says.

Have you ever been hired for a position only to find yourself performing tasks that aren’t in your job description? You are not alone. In a survey of 2,900 workers conducted by Greenhouse, 53% of the participants said they experienced “bait-and-switch” tactics. Participants said their job responsibilities listed in the job descriptions “differed significantly” from their actual duties.

Alexis Byrd, an HR professional, said that she accepted a remote position. After accepting the job, Byrd learned she was expected to come into the office three times per week.

Additionally, Byrd was required to visit two of the company’s other locations twice weekly. When Byrd approached her former manager to clarify her role, the 29-year-old was told that the company made some modifications.

“She had said, ‘Sometimes things change, and you need to be flexible,'” Byrd said in an interview with CNBC’s Make It. “It was kind of a brush-off.”

Although she liked her co-workers and saw growth opportunities, she could not overlook what she perceived as misleading hiring practices; she resigned after two months.

“I was deceived in taking this opportunity, especially when I was transparent upfront” about needing flexible work,” Byrd told the outlet.

The survey also found that 42% of job seekers say the advertised salary changed after they interviewed for a job.

Experts say that there are many reasons why some employers may appear to lack transparency.

Job Stross, president and co-founder of Greenhouse, says that sometimes employers use past job descriptions to advertise for new, evolving roles. Career coach Alex Bryant suggests that companies may adjust job responsibilities because of budget, location, or management changes.

“New budget constraints can impact what they can now offer, “ Bryant told Indeed. Budget constraints can arise from losing a key client or account, experiencing rapid changes in the market, or other causes,“ he said.

Bryant says that employees should be proactive when they encounter changes in their pay or job duties. He advises workers to address it with their employer directly.

“Just because they offer you a lower salary doesn’t mean you have to accept it. You can always try to get closer to your desired salary by negotiating. If they won’t budge on base salary, you can negotiate other aspects of the compensation package like bonuses, PTO, or remote work options.” Bryant said.

NAACP, xAI, Elon Musk, lawsuit — (Photo: Towfiqu Barbhuiya/Pexels)

by Daniel Johnson

November 4, 2024

Chicago Mortgage Lender Reaches Settlement With Government Over Racial Discrimination Claims

Despite the settlement, the company has refused to take accountability.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, some investment firms in Chicago have been engaging in shady business practices with Black people. Now, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is stepping in to protect Black people from discrimination.

According to Reuters, Townstone Financial, who had been embroiled in a long-running lawsuit with the CFPB, settled with the watchdog organization on Nov. 1 over discrimination claims.

Per the agreement, the mortgage lender will be required to pay a $105,000 fine into the CFPB’s victims relief fund, but the company has refused to take accountability.

According to Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Steve Simpson, “This case should never have been brought.”

In a statement on their website, the conservative legal group that represented Townstone said that they bowed out solely because of the superior resources of the CFPB.

The CFPB, meanwhile, was positioned by the U.S. Seventh Court of Appeals to have more room to combat racial discrimination in lending as well as loan marketing.

According to a press release issued by the CFPB, its director, Rohit Chopra, cautioned that the organization will continue to use its resources to stand against discrimination.

“The CFPB’s lawsuit against Townstone Financial included a major appellate court victory that makes clear that people are protected from illegal redlining even before they submit their application. The CFPB will continue to prosecute those who engage in modern-day redlining,” Chopra said.

According to the decision that Chopra alluded to from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, “an analysis of the text of the ECOA as a whole makes clear that the text prohibits not only outright discrimination against applicants for credit, but also the discouragement of prospective applicants for credit.”

Per the CFPB, fhe lawsuit against Townstone stretches back to 2020, when the CFPB initially sued the non-bank retail mortgage creditor and broker for discouraging potential applicants due either to their race, or the racial composition of areas where they wanted to live.

According to the CFPB, Townstone’s advertising campaigns, marketing and business practices worked in concert to discourage Black people from applying for credit and also actively avoided servicing Black neighborhoods in the Chicago metro area.

According to Circuit Judge Kenneth Ripple, a Ronald Reagan appointee, it is clear that Congress intended for the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to end discrimination in loan applications across the board.

“The term ‘applicant’ cannot be read in a crabbed fashion” to exclude discouraged applicants, Ripple wrote in his decision affirming the powers of the CFPB. “Congress well understood that ‘any aspect of a credit transaction’ had to include actions taken by a creditor before an applicant ultimately submits his or her credit application.”

Quincy jones, catalog, Michael Jackson — Wikimedia Commons, John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 4, 2024

A Life Well-Lived: Quincy Jones Dies At 91

The beloved musician passed away at his Los Angeles home

The musical genius behind one of the most successful albums in music history, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, has died at the age of 91.

According to CNN, jazz recording artist and music producer Quincy Jones died on Nov. 3, based on an announcement from his publicist, Arnold Robinson.

Quincy Jones, Grammy-Winning Producer for Michael Jackson, Film Composer, Dies at 91 https://t.co/rAxesYBTWi

— Variety (@Variety) November 4, 2024

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the Jones family said in the statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”

The beloved musician passed away at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by his family. No cause of death was revealed.

The popular musician, who was born in 1933, started his professional musical journey as a 19-year-old playing the trumpet in Lionel Hampton’s band. He was also a film composer nominated for three Academy Awards in the 1960s. For his legendary career, he was nominated four additional times. Although he never took home one of the most coveted awards, he was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1995 for his “outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes.”

As an artist, he won 28 Grammys and collected the most praise for helping make Michael Jackson a global phenomenon when he worked on his 1979 album, Off the Wall.

He’s worked with a plethora of recording artists ranging from Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, the Brothers Johnson, Donny Hathaway, Frank Sinatra, and James Ingram, just to name a few.

He also worked behind the scenes in television and film and was partly responsible for the success of the hit TV sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Jones was married three times (Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson, and Peggy Lipton) and had seven children (Jolie Jones Levine, Martina Jones, Quincy Jones III, Kidada Jones, Rashida Jones, Rachel Jones, and Kenya Julia Miambi Sarah Jones).

William McNeil, viral video, Recording The Police — (Photo: Getty Images)

by Daniel Johnson

November 3, 2024

Ohio Police Officers Charged With Reckless Homicide In Death Of Frank Tyson

Tyson told police he could not breathe while one of the officers knelt on his neck.

Two Canton, Ohio, police officers were charged with reckless homicide on Nov. 2 over the April 18 death of a 53-year-old Black man named Frank E. Tyson, who told the officers that he could not breathe as one officer put his knee on Tyson’s neck.

According to NBC News, the two 24-year-old officers, Camden Burch and Beau Schoenegge, could face up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of the third-degree felony charge.

After Stark County Prosecuting Attorney Kyle L. Stone presented a grand jury with the results of an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation probe into the cause of Tyson’s death, which concluded in August, the jury agreed to the reckless homicide charge.

This did not sit well with the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Ohio Labor Council Gold Unit, Craig M. Riley, who seemed to accuse Stone of playing politics as part of a lengthy statement to the Canton Repository.

“True progress,” Riley told the outlet, “comes from collaboration, investment, and open communication — not from using our officers as well-timed scapegoats to score political points.”

According to the body cam footage, Tyson screamed loudly that the police were trying to kill him as they wrestled him to the ground. While Tyson complained that he could not breathe, one officer told him that he was fine, and to “shut the f*** up,” shortly afterward, Tyson went silent for the last time.

Tyson’s death has sparked comparisons to the 2020 murder of George Floyd, largely due to him saying that he could not breathe and an officer kneeling on his neck.

According to the newspaper, Black community leaders in Canton have raised the alarm that the Canton Police Department has been mistreating its Black citizens.

Thomas West, the Greater Stark County Urban League chief executive, said in a statement to the media on Nov. 2 that he is hopeful that Tyson receives justice.

“We are now urging the justice system to act swiftly and hold those responsible for this tragic death fully accountable,” he said. “This incident, along with several others that have followed, highlights a troubling trend — one that suggests a belief among some law enforcement officers that they are above the law,” West said.

West continued, “While the initial arrest of the officers involved was a necessary first step, it is crucial that the firing of the officers involved, and prosecution follows to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law.”

Shonda Rhimes, Netflix, Bridgerton — Shonda Rhimes is the founder of Shondaland, the production company behind hit series Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder. She became the first woman to create three television dramas that each surpassed 100 episodes. In 2017, Rhimes moved from network television to streaming, making a landmark deal with Netflix, said to be worth more than $100 million, and was inducted in Television Academy hall of fame She has built an estimated net worth of $250 million through her successful TV empire, production company and strategic business ventures: Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

by Daniel Johnson

November 3, 2024

Shonda Rhimes To Join ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Cast And Debbie Allen For Get Out The Vote Trivia Livestream Event

Although admission is free, organizers request attendees remind three loved ones to vote before they attend.

Shonda Rhimes, the casts of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, actress Debbie Allen, and Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost are set to headline a Get Out The Vote trivia event that doubles as an event designed to support the Democratic Party.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Nov. 3 event is presented in partnership with Move On, a political action group. Although admission is free, organizers have requested that attendees remind three loved ones to vote before they attend. The event will start at 8 p.m. EST, and attendees can join at MoveOn.org/CodeBlue.

The teams will split into two groups and will answer trivia questions related to the two shows and prizes will be given out as they encourage attendees to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and the rest of the Democratic ticket.

According to Shondaland actress Kate Walsh, one of the participants in the trivia livestream, “There are just four days left until polls close and we have to leave it all on the field and leave no stone unturned to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and progressives up and down the ballot,” Walsh said via a press release. “On TV, we’ve overcome hurricanes, sinkholes, ferry accidents and more, but that didn’t stop us, so don’t let anything stop you from getting out the vote.”

Jason George, another Shondaland actor who is participating in the livestream, added, “We may play fake doctors on TV but we know the stakes are very real in this election. There might only be a few days left until Election Day, but it’s not too late to use our power and make our voices heard at the ballot box. After doing all of our research, the answer for us was clear: We’re voting for Kamala Harris and Democrats all the way down the ballot to protect our freedoms.”

According to MoveOn Political Action spokesperson Britt Jacovich, the organization is using the time ahead of Tuesday’s election to remind voters “to use their power and elect leaders who will protect your freedoms, including your rights to abortion and reproductive healthcare.”

Jacovich concluded, “Healthcare decisions should be between a patient and their doctor — not dictated by Donald Trump and rightwing extremists.”

Sexyy Red, MAGA, Kamala Harris — Photo by Terence Rushin/Getty Images

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 3, 2024

Sexyy Red Votes For Kamala Harris, Walking Back Previous Support Of Donald Trump

Sexyy Red alluded to Trump's stance on reproductive rights as the reason for her political shift.

Sexyy Red has announced that she voted for Kamala Harris, shifting her endorsement to the Democratic nominee after previously supporting Donald Trump.

The “Pound Town” rapper took to X to share her new political sentiments. She revealed that she voted for Harris, saying that no one should tell her and others what to do with their “coochies.”

I just voted!!! Don’t tell us what to do with our coochies!! #Kamala4President pic.twitter.com/5rvpa6HzJ8
— Sexyy Red (@SexyyRed314_) November 1, 2024

“I just vote,” exclaimed Sexyy Red. “Don’t tell us what to do with our coochies!! #Kamala4President.”

This differs from Red’s prior thoughts on who should lead the country. Promoting untrue statements about how Trump gave Americans stimulus checks during the Covid-19 pandemic, she initially endorsed the GOP nominee for reelection.

Her original support of the conservative and controversial politician sparked backlash. Many stated that she was furthering misinformation about the “free money” to voters.

“They support him in the hood. At first, I don’t think people was f***ing with him. They thought he was racist, saying little s*** against women. But once he started getting Black people out of jail and giving people that free money. Awe, baby, we love Trump. We need him back in office,” she said on a 2023 episode of Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast, as reported by The Independent.

However, the St. Louis native clearly had a change of heart. As the abortion ban remains a top issue, the sex-positive artist decided to cast her vote for Harris.

Prior to this latest admission, Red had used Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogans and imagery throughout her “Sexyy Red 4 President” Tour. While headlining the Governor’s Ball music festival in July, the hip-hop crooner had an large inflatable MAGA hat in the background while on the New York Stage.

However, Red was quick to state that she was not endorsing anybody but herself amid this election season. Moreover, she denied rumors that she would perform at any Trump rallies.

“It’s Sexyy Red 4 President. I’m my own candidate I’m not endorsing anybody period,” she once stated.

Trump has yet to comment on Sexyy Red switching sides. Despite this, it would not be unusual for him to do so.

Joel Embiid, NBA — (Photo: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

by Daniel Johnson

November 3, 2024

NBA Investigating Joel Embiid’s Altercation With Journalist

Joel Embiid allegedly shoved Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes in the locker room after a game over something Hayes had written about Embiid's family.

The NBA is investigating whether or not star Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid allegedly shoved Marcus Hayes, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, in the locker room after a game on Nov. 2. Embiid reportedly took offense to his son and dead brother being used against him in a column Hayes wrote.

According to Yahoo Sports, Keith Pompney from the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Embiid allegedly assaulted a reporter in the locker room. Following some initial confusion about whether or not Embiid had punched the reporter, ESPN Insider Shams Charania confirmed that it was a shove and not a punch.

“You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player. Don’t ever put my dead brother’s name in your mouth,” @KyleNeubeck describes Joel Embiid altercation with journalist https://t.co/CIorWx3NV7 pic.twitter.com/dIsDDaULZz
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 3, 2024

Kyle Neubeck, who later wrote his own column about Embiid’s humanity coming through in his reaction to the reporter Embiid shoved, said on PHLY‘s post-game show that the reporter in question was the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Marcus Hayes.

“The second that Joel realized he (Hayes) was there, got into a verbal back-and-forth. Obviously, we can’t repeat many of the words that were said on this show. The basic gist of it was basically, ‘You can say I suck, you can say whatever you want about me as a player. Don’t ever put my dead brother’s name in your mouth. Don’t talk about my family. Don’t bring them into this. You want to talk to me like a man and talk to me about basketball, that’s different, but if you ever talk about my family again, we’re gonna have real problems,” Neubeck said.

Hayes’ column was, in part, a response to the 76ers being fined $100,000 for misleading public statements about Embiid’s health after they claimed he was nursing a left knee injury.

The opening, or lede, of Hayes’ column, reads fairly harshly, and many people have expressed solidarity with Embiid on social media.

About Embiid-That column was malicious and shouldn’t have been published in the first place. Criticize Joel’s play but talking about his dead brother to make a point is vile. Also the fact that some folks low key resent the players they cover doesn’t get discussed enough.
— Jannelle Moore (@Jannelle12) November 3, 2024

Man, look. If you write this, you gotta be accountable to the player. This isn't talking about what Joel Embiid is doing on the court. This is ridiculous.

Is it worth getting physical with the dude? IDK, I want way more details on how this whole thing escalated. pic.twitter.com/lIXkwNrIk8
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 3, 2024

“Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career. He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically died in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er,” Hayes began his column.

Hayes continued, “Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work. Embiid has been great at just the opposite. Now in his 11th season, he consistently has been in poor condition. This poor conditioning apparently seems to have delayed his debut this season.”

Hayes would later have that first paragraph removed, admitting that he understood why people objected to it in a post to his Twitter account.

So, I rewrote the lede to my column and replaced the picture. I can see why so many people were upset about it. Sorry about that.

Thanks for all of the constructive criticism. https://t.co/GE8xIHc22z
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) October 23, 2024

Embiid clearly did not accept Hayes’ apology, who kept publishing columns critical of Embiid following the one in which he mentioned Embiid’s son, who is named for Embiid’s brother, Arthur, who died in a car accident in Cameroon in 2014.

In his comments to reporters on Nov. 1, Embiid recounted several times he has played while injured or through injury and pushed back on Hayes specifically.

“If your body doesn’t react well and if your body tells you one thing — I’ve done it. From what I can tell you, I’ve broken my face twice, I came back early with the risk of losing my vision, had broken fingers, I still came back. So I’m not going to sit here and be like — I see people saying, ‘He doesn’t want to play.’ I’ve done way too much for this city putting myself at risk for people to be saying that. I do think it’s bulls***,” Embiid said.

Embiid continued, “Like that dude, he’s not here, Marcus, whatever his name is, I’ve done way too much for this f***ing city to be treated like this. Done way too f***ing much. I wish I was as lucky as other ones, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not trying and doing whatever it takes to be out there, which I’m gonna be pretty soon.”