Spirit Airlines auction, Google, Mercor
(Photo: Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 9, 2024

Spirit Airlines Flight Attendants Reportedly Remove Passengers From Plane For Wearing Crop Tops

After questioning the rule, the flight attendant asked the travelling duo to exit the plane.

Two women claim they were removed from a Spirit Airlines flight for wearing cropped shirts.

Tara Kehidi and Teresa Araujo intended to fly from Los Angeles to New Orleans on Oct. 4. While boarding the plane, they took off their sweaters due to the lack of air conditioning. The women thought they were fine, given their crop tops underneath. However, a male flight attendant quickly deemed their lesser clothing impermissible.

“We were wearing crop tops… just like a little bit of stomach showing,” Kehidi told KABC.

According to the women, the male flight attendant told them to “put something on” as they settled into their seats. However, the duo fought back on the request.

“He’s telling both of us (to) put our sweaters on,” Kehidi continued. “And then we’re like, ‘Oh, can we see a dress code? Like, is there a policy that says we can’t wear crop tops on the plane?”

After questioning the rule, the flight attendant asked the travelers to leave.

“They were treating us, honestly, like criminals—all because we were wearing crop tops on the plane,” Kehidi added.

“Our Contract of Carriage, a document all Guests agree to upon making a reservation with us, includes certain clothing standards for all Guests traveling with us,” the airline explained in a statement obtained by USA Today. “We are investigating the matter, and we are in contact with the Guests about their experience.”

While the Contract of Carriage does not explicitly prohibit crop tops, it does not allow “barefoot or inadequately clothed, or (if their) clothing is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature.” Passengers violating this standard are at risk of being removed from the aircraft.

Moreover, those asked to leave the flight for this reason are not eligible for a refund. After leaving the plane, the women bought Delta flights for $1,000 in order to still celebrate Araujo’s 30th birthday in New Orleans.

It remains unclear if they put back on their sweaters this time.

RELATED CONTENT: Brawl Breaks Out Between Airport Workers And Passenger At Spirit Airlines Ticket Counter

access, Therapist, Mental Health, therapy
(Photo: FatCamera/Getty Images)
by Kandiss Edwards

October 9, 2024

‘Black Female Therapists’ Creates Mental Health Directory For Black Communities

Amber Dee is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who created a hub for Black people to find mental health professionals. Through her platform, Black Female Therapists, Dee informs Black women and men about mental health in the Black community. Though the name of the site centers on women, Dee stresses the database is made for all. Dee’s intent is to help connect people with a practitioner in their area. The LPC and businesswoman spoke with Atlanta News First about filling a specific need in the Black community and her platform’s database.

“It’s really important for you to connect with a therapist that knows background, cultural background,” she said.

Dee needed a personal therapist; she believes even practitioners need a place to vent. However, her search for a therapist yielded little fruit. She discusses the challenges of finding a therapist on the official website of Black Female Therapists.

“After getting into the field of mental health and seeking my own therapist (because I think every therapist should have a therapist), I had a difficult time finding a special fit for me. I eventually stopped complaining and started to do something about this, which sparked Black Female Therapist.”

The Black Female Therapists directory is only one facet of Dee’s platform. Contrary to its name, the site offers community and assistance for both men and women of color.

Dee compiles resources such as podcasts, daily affirmations, events, and more to help people struggling with mental health.

The need for platforms like Black Female Therapist or Therapy For Black Girls is apparent.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, “Suicide was the third leading cause of death for Black or African Americans ages 10 to 24.”

The Office of Minority Health also cites that Black men commit suicide at “more than four times higher than for Black or African American females.”

Black men are not the only demographic at risk; 21.6% of children in grades 9-12 have contemplated suicide, and only 15.1% of Black people have received therapy as a whole.

The percentage of Black people contemplating or enacting self-harm is higher than the number of Black people in therapy. Working with a mental health professional is one way to help decrease the growing statistics.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Journalists Therapy Relief Fund Helps Frontline Reporters Stay Sane

Transgender woman, Missouri, Kansas City, shot
(Photo: Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)
by Kandiss Edwards

October 9, 2024

Georgia Colleges And Universities Are 1 Step Closer To Banning Transgender Athletes

The request also has support from the state's lieutenant governor.

On Oct. 7, members of the Georgia State Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s 26 public colleges and universities, unanimously voted to ask for ban on transgender athletes in college sports, the New York Post reports.

The board is challenging both the NCAA and the National Junior College Athletic Association’s policies, which  “align with the Olympic movement”  in creating space for transgender athletes.

Georgia’s government is largely conservative; as such, Republican Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones led the movement to seek a more stringent policy for the state’s public institutions.

On Mar. 15, Jones took his grievance public and condemned the NCAA for its progressive policies on his X account. 

Georgia public colleges and university’s athletic programs are governed by the NCAA and National Junior College Athletic Association. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), made up of smaller private colleges, has a less tolerant approach to transgender athletes. Georgia is seeking a policy that mirrors the NAIA and bans only transgender women from playing any form of college sports.  

“Under the NAIA’s new policies, the only athletes permitted to participate in women’s sports are those assigned female at birth and have not undergone hormone therapy,” the New York Post explained. “All athletes are still allowed to participate in NAIA-sponsored male sports.”

The policy focuses heavily on the levels of testosterone in the body:

  1. A trans male (FTM) student-athlete who has received a medical exception for treatment with testosterone for diagnosed gender dysphoria for purposes of NCAA competition may compete on a men’s team but is no longer eligible to compete on a women’s team without changing that team status to a mixed team.
  2. A trans female (MTF) student-athlete being treated with testosterone suppression medication for gender dysphoria for the purposes of NCAA competition may continue to compete on a men’s team but may not compete on a women’s team without changing it to a mixed team status until completing one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment.”

While the Board of Regents is one step closer to its end goal of eliminating transgender athletes in college sports altogether, the aforementioned rules remain in place.

RELATED CONTENT: Basketball Legend Dikembe Mutombo Dies Of Brain Cancer At 58

Industry 360, Culturecon
photo credit: Dane Visuals For Industry 360
by Stacy Jackson

October 9, 2024

Industry 360, CultureCon Celebrates 2nd Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience In NYC

This year's Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience presents the first event of its kind to occur during CultureCon Week.

In celebration of Caribbean excellence, social impact organizations Industry 360 and CultureCon partnered to host the second year of the Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience on Oct. 2 in New York City.

Wednesday’s Caribbean-focused affair, helmed by CultureCon’s parent company, The Creative Collective NYC, welcomed guests to the Continent Brooklyn for the first event during CultureCon Week. Industry 360 Founder and award-winning Trinbagonian publicist Tenille Clarke stated in a press release that the historic partnership honors the dynamism and beauty of the Caribbean diaspora as the initiatives showcase their limitless potential and creativity to the world.

CultureCon Founder Imani Ellis greeted guests and acknowledged the ongoing partnership with Industry 360. “The Creative Collective is the largest community in the United States for Black creatives…and we’re making sure that we’re building strong ties across the diaspora,” Ellis said.

The Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience gathered guests of Caribbean descent and allies from across the region. The glamorous event featured Caribbean-inspired cuisine, cocktails, and music. Chef Scotley Inniss presented a fine dining experience for guests, paired with Caribbean-inspired cocktails from award-winning spirits brand Ten To One Rum. Grenada-born vocalist Jeverson graced the event with a live vocal performance, followed by an evening networking celebration with entertainment from DJ Danglez and DJ Kayla G. Special guests in attendance included Bahamian-Nigerian lawyer and writer Olayemi Olurin, Billboard Magazine music journalist Kyle-Brandon Denis, Grenadian-born celebrity publicist, Dr. Yvette Noel-Schure and others. Grenadian womenswear designer Felisha ‘Fe’ Noel was honored during the affair with the Cultural Legacy Award.

The Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience also presented guests with exciting announcements for 2025, like Industry 360’s new six to 8-week multidisciplined mentorship opportunity and Creative Arts Residency in partnership with Shelley Worrell’s Little Caribbean NYC and I Am Caribbean. “For Caribbean culture to be included and celebrated in such a meaningful and intentional way within the CultureCon ecosystem…is a testament to the shared values of this partnership between Industry 360 and CultureCon,” Clarke said.

More details about the New York-based residency are coming near the end of 2024.

nelly, music catalog
Nelly performs onstage at "Juneteenth: A Global Celebration For Freedom at The Greek Theatre" on June 19, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 9, 2024

3 St. Lunatics Members Request To Be Removed From Nelly Lawsuit

Nelly's attorney informs lawyer that "that they did not authorize" the lawyer, Gail M. Walton to "include them as plaintiffs.”

In September, several members of the Nelly-affiliated St. Lunatics hip-hop group filed a lawsuit against Cornell Hayes, AKA Nelly, accusing the hitmaker of not paying royalties for their debut album, “Free City.” Now, three of the four members named in the litigation have requested their names removed from the lawsuit against the St. Louis artist.

According to Billboard, former St. Lunatics members Murphy Lee (Tohri Harper), Kyjuan (Robert Kyjuan), and City Spud (Lavell Webb) have demanded to be excluded from the lawsuit as they never authorized the attorney who filed the suit to include them in the action. The initial filing was done at a federal court in Manhattan on Sept. 18. The lawsuit alleges that after being assured by Nelly that they would be properly compensated and credited for their work, it wasn’t an issue at the time. Yet, they felt “manipulated” as the artist had them thinking they would be paid for the work done on the album.

Nearly a week later, on Sept. 24, an attorney for the “Hot in Here” rapper, N. Scott Rosenblum, sent a letter to the attorney who filed the suit stating that he is now representing Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, and City Spud and the trio had informed him “that they did not authorize” the lawyer, Gail M. Walton to “include them as plaintiffs.”

“They are hereby demanding you remove their names forthwith. Failure to do so will cause them to explore any and all legal remedies available to them.”

With the recent development, the litigation appears to be between Nelly and Ali (Ali Jones).

The other three members were recently seen performing with Nelly at the American Music Award on Oct. 6.

Another St. Lunatics member, Slo Down (Corey Edwards), was part of the group but was not named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

RELATED CONTENT: Ashanti Shares Postpartum Body After Welcoming Baby Boy With Nelly

Piers Morgan apologizes, Beyoncé, Jay-Z
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 9, 2024

Piers Morgan Apologizes To Jay-Z & Beyoncé For Airing False Accusations Made By Jaguar Wright

Morgan apologized to the married couple and removed the comments following their denial of Wright's accusations.

Piers Morgan is apologizing for his recent interview with singer Jaguar Wright, in which the artist made false accusations against Jay-Z and Beyoncé.

Wright appeared on Morgan’s “Uncensored” show on Oct. 2. There, she touched on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ recent arrest for sex trafficking and abuse. However, while condemning Diddy’s actions, Wright also suggested that Jay-Z is a “monster” for similar acts.

“For four years, I’ve been screaming not just Diddy, but Diddy and Jay-Z are monsters,” exclaimed Wright on the show, as confirmed by the Hollywood Reporter. She later claimed that the rapper and his wife, Beyoncé, are “nasty people” who have hundreds of victims.

Moreover, she added that they put “people against their will, putting people on planes while they’re unconscious.” Swiftly after the allegations went public, Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s lawyers contacted Morgan’s team. They denied Wright’s accusations, calling them “totally false and have no basis in fact.”

Beyond her singing career, Wright has arguably become more known for her outlandish and often false statements against major celebrities. On his Oct. 8 episode, Morgan explained to his viewers why he initially invited Wright to express her controversial thoughts.

“The thing about platforms, the reality of the modern world is that pretty much everyone has a platform as long as they have something to say that other people want to hear,” he stated. “That’s why we invited [Wright] on to be interviewed. The people making these claims have an audience with or without shows like mine.”

However, after their legal team wrote to condemn and deny the allegations, Piers Morgan approved their request to cut Wright’s mention of them in the interview. He also noted that Wright “unexpectedly” brought up the married couple in the conversation.

“Jaguar [Wright], unexpectedly, made several serious allegations about Jay-Z and Beyoncé during that interview. As I said in the moment, they were not present to respond or defend themselves, but now they have,” he continued. “Their lawyers contacted us to say that those claims were ‘totally false’ and have no basis in fact, and we’ve therefore complied with a legal request to cut them from the original interview.”

While he spoke about his show’s title, “Uncensored,” the legality of the matter led to the apology and removal of Wright’s comments.

Morgan added, “Editing interviews is not something we do lightly at a show called Uncensored. But like the proverbial cries of fire in a crowded theater, there are legal limits on us, too. And we apologize to Jay-Z and Beyoncé.”

RELATED CONTENT: Roc Nation Leads $300 Million Scholarship Initiative For Underprivileged Students

credit cards, personal finance, credit scores, debt, credit karma, FTC
(Photo: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels)
by Daniel Johnson

October 9, 2024

Black Credit Card Debt And Available Options To Eliminate It

Credit card debt has risen despite high interest rates, a sign that many Americans have been relying on credit cards to get them through inflation.

According to the latest numbers from the Federal Reserve Credit Survey, Black Americans carry, on average, $4,360 in credit card debt, the third highest figure by ethnicity, according to available demographic data.

However, along with Latinx Americans, Black Americans share the lowest median credit card debt at $1,700.

According to Motley Fool, credit card debt has risen despite high interest rates, a sign that many Americans have been relying on credit cards to get through inflation.

According to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, that is precisely what occurred.

“They (Americans) used credit card debt to supplement their incomes to maintain their purchasing power,” Zandi told Time Magazine. “Families who turned to credit cards to fill in budget gaps now have higher interest payments.”

Zandi also offered a hopeful outlook, “The good news is card growth has slowed, and lenders have tightened their underwriting. There are some signs that things are starting to stabilize and level off.”

Despite the lower median credit card debt figure, New York Federal Reserve researchers found that Black and Latinx credit card holders were more likely to be delinquent on credit card debt.

However, according to CBS News, there may be a few ways to escape credit card debt through credit card debt forgiveness programs.

Usually, getting credit card debt forgiven involves contacting creditors to settle the debt for less than the original amount owed.

Another option is to work with a debt consolidation or a debt relief company, but there are typically some requirements to be met before that is an option.

Most companies require a minimum of $7,500 in unsecured debt, but that figure varies by company.

If that figure is more than what is owed to a creditor, it is likely your best bet to negotiate directly with the creditor, but if your credit score is good enough, you can also apply for a debt consolidation loan or a balance transfer credit card, which comes with a low (usually 0% APR) introductory interest rate.

In addition, credit counseling agencies can give cardholders budgeting advice and enroll them in a debt management plan that can lower interest rates and consolidate payments.

The last and, in some cases, the most desperate option is to declare bankruptcy, which essentially wipes your debts and gives you a clean slate, but it does damage your credit score and, depending on the type of bankruptcy declaration, can take as long as five years to resolve.

As Black Enterprise previously reported, there are ways to control debts proactively so you don’t have to be in a position where you need debt consolidation services.

One of the best methods is proactively tracking your credit card purchases. Most major credit card companies have systems that allow you to see your balance, so take advantage of that resource so you don’t fall behind on your monthly payments.

Another money management tip is to use a debit card or cash for purchases lower than $50 and only use your credit card for larger purchases. This will allow you to spread the cost over time in more manageable amounts.

According to Beverly Anderson, president of Global Consumer Solutions at Equifax, knowing what you spend and paying what you can are major keys to avoiding credit card debt in the first place.

“A consumer should look at how much they’re making and what they’re spending,” Anderson told CNBC Select, “Knowing exactly where you stand and what you can afford may help you better manage financial commitments.”

Anderson continued, “When a consumer is not able to pay in full, they should pay whatever they can and avoid any late payment as that may not only hurt their credit standing but further increase the interest rate.”

RELATED CONTENT: Black Army Veteran Shares Tips to Financial Freedom After Owing Over $87K In Debt

JuJu Watkins, NCAA Women’s Basketball, USC, highest scoring, 920 points
(Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 9, 2024

USC’s JuJu Watkins Reportedly Extends Contract With Nike

The deal has been reported as one of the "richest shoe endorsement deals in women's basketball."

Women’s basketball has been receiving great press and record viewing and attendance numbers recently, and now another popular player has reportedly agreed to one of the “richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.”

According to a news report from ESPN‘s Shams Charania, JuJu Watkins, who recently played her first year of collegiate basketball with the University of Southern California (USC), has extended a deal she had with sporting goods giant Nike. The multiyear extension makes her contract with Nike the richest for a woman basketball player.

Watkins, who hails from the Golden State, has been signed to Nike since she was a senior in high school in October 2022. The 19-year-old sophomore helped the Trojans reach the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994.

In her first year at USC, she set a new NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball record, scoring 920 points. She became the all-time leading scorer among first-year students in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history.

ABC News reported that Watkins surpassed the scoring record of Tina Hutchinson of San Diego State, who scored 898 points when she set the record in 1983-84. With her 920 points, Watkins became the first freshman in Division I history to score more than 900 points in a single season.

Only one player, current Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, had a higher scoring average than Watkins, who averaged 27.1 points per game.

Watkins’ first year led to her being selected as a Wooden Award All-American and one of five John R. Wooden Award finalists, according to USCTrojans.com. She is the first women’s player from USC to be selected as a Wooden All-American or to be named a Wooden Award finalist since the organization began its women’s award program in 2004.

She was also named to the Pac-12 All-Tournament Team as she led the Trojans to win the 2024 Pac-12 Tournament Championship. The United States Basketball Writers Association and The Athletic also picked her as the National Freshman of the Year.

RELATED CONTENT: Atlanta Art Week Hosts Alfred Conteh Solo Exhibition On Accepting One’s Blackness

Actor Brian J. White, Detain Man, wildfire
(Photo: Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 9, 2024

Georgia College Football Player Arrested After Being Accused Of Assaulting Former Girlfriend

Colbie Maleek Young has been arrested and faces charges of assault on an unborn child and battery.

A college football player has been arrested and faces charges of assault on an unborn child and battery.

According to The Associated Press, Colbie Maleek Young, originally from Binghamton, New York, was arrested on Oct. 8 after an argument with his former girlfriend led to an alleged assault by the University of Georgia wide receiver. Young was released on a $3,800 bond. The media outlet obtained a police report detailing the incident.

The woman reportedly told police officers that she went to visit Young at his place “to speak about their relationship.” After discovering that he was talking to another woman on his phone, the conversation got heated, and she told police that the football player allegedly “physically pulled her out of his room.” In doing so, she alleges he grabbed her from behind, picked her up, and started squeezing “her torso and abdomen very hard.” She believed he was trying to injure her. Police included that she was bruised with some discoloration, in the police report.

When police officers arrived at the scene, he denied assaulting her.

Kim Stephens, who is representing Young, stated her client did not harm the young lady.

“Colbie Young was arrested last night after he asked his ex-girlfriend to leave his apartment,” Stephens told the media outlet. “He did not make any physical contact with her in any way that could ever be considered a crime. I expect Mr. Young to be fully exonerated once our investigation is complete and the truth revealed.”

University of Georgia football coach Kirby Smart spoke to the media but did not disclose anything, nor discuss if Young would be penalized for the allegation.

“I know you guys want to know about Colbie,” Smart said. “But it’s a pending legal matter.”

Young is a senior who recently transferred to Georgia after playing two seasons with the University of Miami. He has played in five games, starting two, and has 11 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns for the No. 5 ranked team.

RELATED CONTENT: Domestic Violence Month Acknowledged By Between Friends Nonprofit

homelessness, Atlanta, students
Photo by Oladimeji Ajegbile: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-napping-on-books-3564013/
by Keka Araújo

October 9, 2024

Extended-Stay Hotels: A Harsh Reality For Homeless Students In Atlanta

Advocates and community leaders stress the need for more affordable housing and better renter protections to alleviate this growing crisis.

As the principal of Dunaire Elementary School in Atlanta, Sean Deas has witnessed the challenges faced by children living in extended-stay hotels. 

Nearly 10% of his students live in such accommodations, where they experience overcrowded conditions, food insecurity, and exposure to violence. These children often exhibit aggression or anxiety, along with sleep issues.

“Social trauma is the biggest challenge,” Deas explains. To address these issues, Deas implemented a schoolwide support program with counselors, a food pantry, and protocols to assist children who may fall asleep during class. “Beyond the teaching, we have to support the families as well,” he says.

Extended-stay hotels have become a last resort for many low-income families as housing becomes less accessible. In 2022, more than 100,000 students across the U.S. lived in these hotels, a number that’s likely an undercount, according to the Department of Education. In some Atlanta-area counties, up to 40% of homeless students reside in extended-stay hotels.

The impact of hotel living on children is severe, with advocates reporting increased physical and mental health issues. Violence, poor living conditions, and the lack of safe outdoor spaces exacerbate stress for these families. DeKalb County, home to Dunaire Elementary, has seen several extended-stay properties fall short of safety standards, with issues like insect infestations and mold.

On the surface, staying in a motel or hotel may appear to provide security for someone experiencing homelessness. They have a roof over their heads and access to basic amenities. However, this is often an illusion of stability. Motels and hotels, mainly those catering to lower-income individuals, are not designed for long-term living. The cost of staying in these accommodations can quickly drain financial resources, making it nearly impossible to save for more permanent housing.

Advocates and community leaders stress the need for more affordable housing and better renter protections to alleviate this growing crisis. While extended-stay hotels provide immediate shelter, they are far from ideal environments for raising children.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Americans Disproportionately Impacted As Homelessness Rates Soar To Record Highs In 2023

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