Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Reportedly Placed On Suicide Watch
He has been placed under suicide watch as a preventative measure as he is reportedly in shock and his mental state is unclear at the time.
After being denied bail two times in less than three days, reports are stating that Combs Enterprises’ CEO, Sean “Diddy” Combs, is currently under suicide watch as he awaits trial on multiple federal charges.
According to People, the embattled hip-hip music producer is locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Diddy has been placed under suicide watch as a preventative measure as he is reportedly in shock, and his mental state is unclear at the time.
The Daily Beast has reported that the prison is known to be dangerous and is understaffed, where there is purportedly a high number of deaths and suicides among the 1,600 people imprisoned there waiting for trial. Attorneys for Diddy had stated in the paperwork they filed for an appeal in hopes of gaining bail that “several courts in this District have recognized that the conditions at Metropolitan Detention Center are not fit for pre-trial detention.”
“Just earlier this summer, an inmate was murdered. At least four inmates have died by suicide there in the past three years.”
People reported that Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, requested that the “No Way Out” recording artist be transferred to a prison in Essex County in New Jersey.
The 54-year-old multihyphenate was arrested on Monday, Sept. 16, on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He faces a life sentence based on the severity of the charges, as Agnifilo has stated that he will appeal the ruling once more.
Prosecutors have claimed during his second bail hearing that Diddy could obstruct the case with the possibility of witness tampering, as they provided proof that he had already done so. They likened his attempt by saying, “The risk of danger is acute.”
They also mentioned that he was allegedly in possession of a cache of weapons that were discovered in the closet of his bedroom, which were found during home raids conducted on his properties. He also has access to millions of dollars and private planes that would make him a flight risk.
A conference hearing for Diddy has been scheduled for Sept. 24 at 10 a.m.
WClarke, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Is Your City A Sundown Town? This Interactive Map Will Tell You
An interactive map from Tougaloo College gives insight into cities and communities in the United States and whether they’re considered sundown towns.
An interactive map from Tougaloo College gives insight into cities and communities in the United States and whether they’re considered sundown towns.
According to Britannica, sundown in U.S. history is a town that excluded nonwhite people, most frequently African Americans, when the sun set. How people enforced these “rules” ranged anywhere from collective violence, such as public lynchings, discriminatory laws, and open housing discrimination.
The map is inspired by a database entered by the late historian and sociologist James W. Loewen. He is the author of the classic bestseller Lies My Teacher Told Me and Sundown Towns. Tougaloo’s History & Social Justice department has put what it describes as the “world’s only registry sundown towns.”
“A sundown town is not just a place where something racist happened,” researchers write on the database website. “It is an entire community (or even county) that for decades was ‘all white’ on purpose.”
Researchers go on to say that “All white” is in quotes because some towns have historically “allowed one Black family to remain when they drove out the rest.” They also point out that some sundown towns also kept out Chinese Americans, Jews, Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and, in some cases, Mormons.
How To Read The Map
With the interactive map, users should hover over the state for an alphabetical list. The map key consists of six colors used as dots to identify the towns that are either surely, probably, possibly, or unlikely a sundown town.
Black dots represent Black towns or townships. Places on the interactive map with a red flag indicate places of particular interest.
At first glance, the Midwest and The Plains region appear to have more dots indicating surely, probable, and possible sundown towns. The map shows that there isn’t one state in America without suspicion of a sundown town.
Regarding Black towns and townships, the 10 listed are Pembroke and Brooklyn, Illinois. Expose, Mound Bayou, New Africa, Renova, and Winstonville, all in Mississippi. Maryville, South Carolina; Martinsville, Indiana; and North Amityville, New York.
Email Linked To North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson Registered On Ashley Madison Amid Allegations Of Controversial Online Activity
Robinson's spokesperson, Mike Lonergan, issued a strong denial in response to the reports.
In a dramatic turn of events surrounding the North Carolina gubernatorial race, an email address belonging to Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has been linked to the controversial dating website Ashley Madison. An adviser close to Robinson who spoke to POLITICO on condition of anonymity, confirmed the revelation. However, Robinson and his campaign vehemently denied ever creating or using an account on the site.
Robinson’s spokesperson, Mike Lonergan, issued a strong statement in response to the reports.
“Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson denies that he ever created or used an account on this website,” said Lonergan. In a video statement, Robinson elaborated on the denial, accusing his political rival, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, of leaking the information to derail his gubernatorial campaign.
“Folks, this race right now, our opponents are desperate to shift the focus here from substantive issues and turn it into salacious tabloid trash,” Robinson said.
Widespread Republican Backlash
The fallout from the discovery was swift, as prominent North Carolina Republicans voiced concerns over the allegations. U.S. Senator Ted Budd, a fellow Republican, issued a statement following the report’s release, condemning the situation. “The comments reported in the article are disgusting,” Budd said. “Mark Robinson says they are not from him. He needs to prove that to the voters.”
Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, echoed similar concerns, saying, “The allegations are very concerning.”
As pressure mounted, Robinson’s campaign pointed to evidence showing that the email in question had been compromised in multiple data breaches, casting doubt on the authenticity of the account registration.
CNN’s Investigation Uncovers Disturbing Posts
Complicating Robinson’s denial further, CNN uncovered a series of controversial posts allegedly made by Robinson on a different platform.
According to the news outlet, the politician purportedly used the same email address registered on Ashley Madison to engage in discussions on a pornographic website called “Nude Africa.” In these posts, he allegedly shared disturbing and explicit details, including his recollections of spying on women in public showers during his teenage years and a stated preference for “tranny on girl porn.”
The posts also allegedly included inflammatory statements about slavery, where Robinson allegedly claimed that “slavery is not bad” and referred to himself as a “black Nazi” in 2010.
In response, the 56-year-old lieutenant governor denied making the posts in an interview set to air on CNN. His campaign, however, preemptively released a video on Thursday addressing the forthcoming allegations, where Robinson dismissed them as baseless and sensationalized for political gain. “Let me reassure you,” Robinson said, “the things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson.”
Impact on Robinson’s Gubernatorial Campaign
These revelations come at a pivotal time, as Robinson’s gubernatorial run, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, faces significant hurdles. The explosive nature of the allegations and the media coverage surrounding them have already generated a political firestorm. Many in the Republican Party worry that Robinson’s chances of winning the governor’s race have been severely damaged.
Despite the mounting controversy, Robinson remains steadfast in his decision to stay in the race. His campaign continues to frame the accusations as politically motivated attacks, seeking to divert attention from key election issues.
As the North Carolina governor’s race heats up, Robinson will need to navigate the political fallout and attempt to regain the trust of voters amid these damning allegations. Whether his denials will be enough to keep his campaign on track remains to be seen.
What or Who is Ashley Madison?
Ashley Madison is a controversial online dating platform launched in 2001, primarily catering to individuals seeking extramarital affairs. Marketed with the slogan “Life is short. Have an affair,” the site targets married people or those in committed relationships looking for discreet encounters. Ashley Madison gained significant notoriety in 2015 when it suffered a massive data breach, exposing the personal information of millions of users, including their email addresses and payment details.
The breach led to widespread public embarrassment and legal consequences for many users, cementing the site’s reputation as both infamous and scandal-ridden. Despite the controversy, Ashley Madison continues to operate and attract users globally.
The lieutenant governor wed his wife, Yolanda Hill Robinson, in 1990.
(Photos from left: Johnny Nunez/WireImage; Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for Sean "Diddy" Combs)
Shyne Speaks On Diddy’s Arrest: ‘This Is Someone Who Destroyed My Life’
The former Bad Boy artist did not hold back.
Former Bad Boy artist Moses “Shyne” Barrow has broken his silence on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arrest and wants to clear up any misconceptions about the dynamic of their relationship.
The rapper-turned-politician, who currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Belize House of Representatives, spoke with reporters on Wednesday following Combs’ arrest on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. Barrow made sure to clarify where he stands with Combs following the 10 years he spent in prison on a gun charge he caught during a 1999 nightclub incident with his former Bad Boy boss.
“When I was an 18-year-old kid just wanting to do nothing other than make my mother proud and make Belize proud and be recognized for my talent and take over the world,” he told Channel 5 Belize, “I was defending him, and he turned around and called witnesses to testify against me. He contributed…he pretty much sent me to prison.”
“That is the context by which you must always describe that [relationship]. I forgave. I moved on. But let us not pretend as if I was in Miami for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Barrow added.
The “Bad Boyz” rapper was referring to the 1999 nightclub shooting in New York City involving himself, Combs, and Combs’ then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez. Barrow was charged with assault and sentenced to 10 years in prison in June 2001. He was released in 2009 and deported to Belize.
Over the years, Barrow and Combs reunited. Barrow joined Combs on stage at the 2022 BET Awards, where Combs received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
However, while Barrow became cordial with Combs, he didn’t want to confuse the public about his feelings for his former boss.
“So, let us not lose sight of what the cold, hard facts are,” Barrow continued. “This is not someone who I vacationed with and who he and I enjoyed this great, intimate relationship of brotherhood.
“This is someone who destroyed my life and who I forgave and who I moved on and for the better interest of Belize, because he was in a position at that time to give scholarships and to maybe invest. I would not deny attempting to bring the investment to Belize and contribution to education to Belize,” he added.
“Don’t distort it as if he and I were boom bally. This is someone that destroyed my life,” he continued. “But do I take any joy with what he is going through? Absolutely not. I am different than other people—no one needs to fail for me to succeed.”
Many who watched a repost of the clip on X, formerly known as Twitter, praised the former rapper amid Combs’s arrest and details of his indictment.
“Shyne is such a class act. Prison changed the trajectory of his life,” one person wrote.
“This man’s reimagining and reinvention of himself should be a college course and, dare I say, a podcast (limited series, though),” added someone else.
Esteemed Atlanta Journalist Monica Pearson Honored With Gold Circle Award
The longtime news anchor is now part of the 'Gold Circle.'
Esteemed journalist Monica Kaufman Pearson was honored with the Gold Circle Award by the Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).
The Academy held its annual Gold and Silver Circle Awards Banquet in Atlanta on Sept. 6. The event honors professionals who’ve had long careers in television, film, radio, and other media outlets. The Silver Circle recognizes careers that have lasted at least 25 years, while the Gold Circle honors media veterans of 50 or more years.
In 1975, Pearson became the first woman and minority to anchor the evening news at WSB-TV in Atlanta. She remained at the station for 37 years before retiring in July 2012.
The decorated journalist spoke with BLACK ENTERPRISE about receiving the honor, calling it an “accent” on her career.
“I’m very excited about it. But when I think about it, I also have to look back at the people who helped me get here.
She credited Bill Summers, the first person to own a Black radio station in Kentucky.
“He gave me my first job doing voiceover work. So, this is a time to reflect. It’s exciting, but it’s more exciting because of the people who helped me get here.” she said.
Pearson was joined by three other inductees: Sheryl Gripper, founder of the Black Women Film Preservation Project; Gary Meadows, founder of Meadows Media; and Charles Humbert, founder and CEO of UP Entertainment.
During her 53-year career, Pearson worked as a reporter for the Louisville Times. She then joined WHAS-TV as a reporter before relocating to Atlanta in 1975. The University of Louisville graduate has over 33 Southern Regional Emmy awards for anchoring and reporting.
The self-proclaimed “sorta retired “ reporter hosts The Monica Pearson Podcast, presented by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Episodes are released each Tuesday on AJC.com and other major streaming platforms such as Apple and Spotify.
Beyoncé Learned To ‘Work Smarter’ By Working Less: ‘I Build My Work Schedule Around My Family’
Beyoncé explains how she learned to "work smarter" by working less.
Long gone are the days when you see Beyoncé on every red carpet and tour every year. The mother of three takes pride in the work-life balance she created for herself after learning how to “work smarter” by working less.
In a GQ profile released last week, the decorated Grammy-winning singer explained her change of pace in how she works and times her music releases. It took years for Beyoncé to learn how to say no to things after seeing the toll it took on her mental and physical health.
“There was a time when I was pushing myself to meet unrealistic deadlines while not taking the time to enjoy the benefits of why I was working so hard,” Beyoncé admitted.
It was a way of life and mindset that stars of yesteryear grew to think was normal to remain relevant and successful.
“There aren’t many of us from the late ’90s who were taught to focus on mental health. Back then, I had little boundaries and said yes to everything … And now I work smarter,” the singer added.
Despite her massive success over the last two decades, Beyoncé admits to once finding it hard to set boundaries for herself and prioritize her peace of mind. But much of that stopped once the “Halo” singer became a mother. She began to put more time in between her music releases and more thought into her projects.
Earlier this year, Beyoncé released her first country music album, “Cowboy Carter,” which was five years in the making. She also launched two family-inspired business ventures. In February, she released her haircare line called Cécred, which she says was inspired by her childhood experiences helping at her mother’s hair salon. Beyoncé announced her SirDavis whiskey label under Moët Hennessy in August, named after her Prohibition-era moonshiner great-grandfather, Davis Hogue.
“I don’t waste my time on something unless I’m deeply passionate about it. If I don’t wake up thinking about it, and I’m not going to sleep dreaming about it, it’s not for me,” Beyoncé said.
“I build my work schedule around my family. I try to only tour when my kids are out of school … So, when you don’t see me on red carpets, and when I disappear until I have art to share, that’s why.”
Brittany Renner Reveals How Her Finances Have ‘Crumbled’ Since She Became A Devoted Muslim
'I have no idea where I'm going to live or how I'm going to provide for my son,' she revealed on Instagram.
Brittany Renner is revealing how much her life has “crumbled” since making a complete 180 from her former Instagram model/reality star persona to a devoted Muslim.
The Basketball Wives alum took to Instagram last week to provide a candid update on the current status of her life since devoting herself to the Muslim religion. According to Renner, her new fully clothed lifestyle isn’t offering her the same financial benefits she once enjoyed.
“First of all, Allahu Akbar. I’ve gone through a lot of changes internally, and as a result, my outer world has completely crumbled,” she told her followers. “I’m sorry, I don’t know. Leaving me incredibly uncertain in just about every area in my life.”
“I have no idea where I’m going to live or how I’m going to provide for my son,” Renner continued. “But Allah has moved mountains for me, and I trust that this will be no different.”
Comparing herself to the Alice in Wonderland scene where Alice ate a cookie and grew bigger than the house she was in, Renner went on to say that she has “outgrown where I am.”
“The facade is fading, Alhamdulillah,” she added. “And I’m at a place where I don’t want anything that doesn’t have my name on it. Take it away. It serves no purpose here, and I don’t want a penny more than I’m meant to have because I can do a lot with a little.”
Renner ended her message with a declaration to remove all material distractions from her life that no longer serve her.
“The facade is fading, and when the facade fades and all the BS is cleared out, it makes room for what has always been for you,” she said.
The messages follow a month-long journey Renner has documented on Instagram to move away from the tight and revealing clothing she used to make money as an Instagram model to her unannounced transition to wearing hijab coverings and fully covered clothing.
Last month, she posted a video showing herself throwing out all of her old clothes that don’t fit into her new lifestyle.
“Cleaning house. Out with the old, in with the new,” Renner said while sporting a red hijab.
Renner still has old FashionNova modeling pics on her page, likely due to contractual obligations. But more recently, her FashionNova promo posts show her modeling Nova Men and full coverings along with her hijab. It’s a bold move from a former reality star who admitted her body count during an interview on Club Shay Shay last September.
Now, one year later, Renner has made a drastic change in the lifestyle she promotes online. Unfortunately, it means a change in the way she once made her money.
Gary Payton Partners With Green Label Rx To Launch ‘Greater Purpose’ Cannabis Brand
'It became important for me to share the benefits of cannabis-based recovery and offer top-tier wellness products for those living active lifestyles.'
Former NBA great Gary Payton has recently partnered with Green Label Rx to launch Greater Purpose, a wellness brand that fuses cannabis and recovery for athletes and professionals.
The product will debut on Sept. 20 at Hall of Flowers, a cannabis industry expo in Santa Rosa, California. The former Seattle Supersonic legendary guard has collaborated with Green Label Rx Founder Jason McKnight to bring this product to the world.
“With maintaining peak physical performance throughout my career, it became important for me to share the benefits of cannabis-based recovery and offer top-tier wellness products for those living active lifestyles,” said Gary Payton in a written statement.
Greater Purpose touts itself as the first brand of its kind to combine the world of recovery and cannabis. The line of topical products will aid in relieving chronic muscle pain as it was developed to utilize the medicinal benefits of cannabis and formulated to assist people who are engaged in active lifestyles.
At the Hall of Flowers festival, people will experience Greater Purpose while receiving exclusive giveaway prizes, live product demos, and a chance to meet Payton at the event.
“Greater Purpose is more than just a product line – it’s a movement to redefine how we think about recovery and self-care,” Jason McKnight said.
It was recently revealed that Payton, who has been coaching basketball for several years, was announced as the new head coach of the College of Alameda men’s basketball team. He will lead the team after being the head coach at Lincoln University in Oakland, California, for the past three seasons.
Payton has been coaching in Ice Cube’s Big3 league since it started in 2017. This past season, he led his team to the title and was named the Big3 Coach of the Year.
He won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. The 56-year-old played in the NBA for 17 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Boston Celtics. He was picked as NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the 1995-96 season, becoming the first point guard to win the award.
Frankie Beverly’s Music Catalog Scores Multiple Billboard ‘Top 10’ Debuts After Singer’s Death
Three of his songs were among the top 10 songs on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart.
Master performer and revered R&B soul singer Frankie Beverly died on Sept. 10 at 77. Music lovers flocked to listen to his songs online shortly after his death, and three of his songs were among the top 10 songs on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart.
According to RatedRnB, the singer saw a massive uptick in sales on the list after news of his death hit the airwaves. His most popular song, “Before I Let Go,” which seems like it’s been played at every Black BBQ for the past 40 years, shot up to the No. 2 slot on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart, according to Luminate. “Joy and Pain” was at the No. 7 spot, while “Golden Time of Day” came in at No. 7.
Meanwhile, Billboard reported that the streams for Beverly’s catalog (Maze feat. Frankie Beverly) jumped 970%. From Sept. 8–10, songs streamed on-demand were over 690,000. After the announcement of his death, from Sept. 11–13, it skyrocketed to over 7.4 million streams.
“Before I Let Go” saw a jump of 540% from 156,000 streams to just over 997,000 streams. Streams of the song “Joy and Pain” increased 1200% from just over 50,000 to over 654,000 streams. Sales after his passing across his catalog saw a 9,308% boost. Before Beverly’s death, between Sept. 8-10, there were only 95 digital tracks sold; between Sept. 11-13, that figure rose to over 8,900 digital tracks sold.
When Beverly was asked about Beyoncé recording a cover of “Before I Let Go” in 2019, he expressed that it was an honor to have her re-record that song.
“It’s a blessing. It’s amazing how she works; she’s very smart,” he toldBillboard at the time of the song’s release. “I’m caught off guard, but in a beautiful way. She’s such a sweet person, too. She’s a very sweet, religious kind of person. Then, the way she just released it, it’s off the chain. She’s done so much; this is one of the high points of my life.”
Second Annual ‘The Franchise Game’ Symposium In Plano, TX Broke New Ground
The Franchise Game, the US’s first and only African American Franchise Symposium and Trade Show, held its second annual event on Aug. 16, 2024, in Plano, Texas. The event, spearheaded by The Franchise Player, Tarji Carter, Marketing Expert Dessie Brown, Jr., and Brand Consultant Daylon Goff, took place at Yum! Restaurants International Corporate Campus. The symposium brought together experts and industry leaders to discuss the secrets to success, challenges, and opportunities in franchising.
Lubbock D. Smith, III (Vista Bank), Rickey Booker (Breakfast Brothers), Jarvis Boyd (chick-fil-A owner/operator), Consuela Jacobs (Chick Fil A Owner/Operator), Terrence Shine (Wells Fargo Bank)Attendees at The Franchise Game: Jarvis Boyd, Roland Parrish, Dessie Brown, Jr.Tarji Carter, The Franchise Player Alongside Dessie Brown and Daylon Goff (the Co-Founders of The Franchise Game)Roland Parish and Lady Jade
(Photo Credits: Donnie R. Word II)
The theme for this year’s event, “Own Your Future: Franchising as a Path to True Independence,” was keenly in focus throughout the day. There were numerous notable highlights, but according to Tarji Carter, “One of the most unforgettable moments at The Franchise Game 2024 was the incredible fireside chat with our honored guest, Roland Parrish, and the amazing Lady Jade. Roland’s story of using his success to revitalize a struggling community in Dallas through his foundation is truly inspiring. And his sponsorship of the Charlie Pride internship with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club shows just how deep his commitment runs. But what really stole the show were the priceless gems he dropped, encouraging everyone to lead with integrity, not greed. His words hit home in a powerful way and left the audience feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to make a difference.”
James Fripp, Chief Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Officer of Yum! Brands made a tremendous impact at this year’s The Franchise Game by offering two scholarships to the Yum! Franchising Bootcamp at the University of Louisville’s Executive Education Program! This opportunity is a game-changer for the two lucky attendees, who will now have the chance to dive deep into the world of franchising and gain invaluable knowledge to level up their business journey. What a fantastic gesture of support and empowerment from James and Yum! Brands!
This year attracted twice the number of exhibitors, including Ben & Jerry’s, American Franchise Academy, Nebo Law Firm, Dine Brands (IHOP, Applebee’s, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop), GoTo Foods (Cinnabon, Carvel, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Jamba Juice, McAlister’s Deli, and Auntie Anne’s), Smoothie King, Potbelly Sandwiches, KFC, European Wax Center, Inspire Brands (Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy Johns, and Sonic Drive-In), EATS Broker (restaurant broker), ATenantCo (commercial real estate), Orchatect (IT infrastructure solutions), and Chick N Max.
I had the pleasure of attending the Symposium and Trade Show representing Ben & Jerry’s and covering the event for BLACK ENTERPRISE readers. In my role as Franchise Development Consultant for the brand, I shared with The Franchise Game attendees details about Ben & Jerry’s industry-leading Racial Equity Incentive Program, which offers a significant reduction in the franchise fee and waived royalty fees for BIPOC candidates interested in ownership. “It’s clearly one of the most, if not the most, aggressive incentives programs in the game,” expressed Carter. “We were also very grateful to partner with Ben & Jerry’s, who generously sponsored ten tickets for students from the University of North Texas at Frisco, giving them the opportunity to attend The Franchise Game and get a firsthand look at the world of franchising. It’s all about creating opportunity and access, and we’re so grateful for Ben & Jerry’s commitment to making a real difference!”
With the overwhelming success of The Franchise Game 2024, planning for 2025 is already underway. Carter shared, “2024 was an absolute game-changer! We doubled in size, with bigger, better, and bolder programming that set the stage for something truly special. Our partnership with Yum! Brands has been phenomenal, and I’m excited to announce we’re returning to their Plano Corporate Campus for The Franchise Game 2025 — and trust me, it’s going to be EPIC! We’re already gearing up for next year, ready to welcome more Texas entrepreneurs and give them the tools, connections, and inspiration they need to thrive as franchise owners. I can’t wait to see everyone there!”
