by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 29, 2024

Olympic Gymnastics Champion Gabby Douglas Returns After 8 Years, Qualifies For U.S. Classic

The first Black woman to win the Olympic all-around title in 2012, competed at the American Classic on April 27.

Olympic champion Gabby Douglas has returned to competition for the first time in eight years, and this may be a prelude to her qualifying for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

According to The Associated Press, the first Black woman to win the Olympic all-around title in 2012 competed at the American Classic on April 27. This was the first time Douglas engaged in competition since the 2016 Rio Olympics. She posted a score of 50.65 in the all-around. Based on her results, Douglas qualified for multiple events for the U.S. Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, next month. She will compete on May 18 at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut.

She last competed in the Olympics when she helped America win a second straight gold in the team competition. According to NBC, after taking a self-imposed hiatus, she announced in February that she returned to training two years ago and would try to make this year’s Olympic team.

“I never announced a retirement,” Douglas said. “I didn’t want to end this sport like I did in 2016. I wanted to take a step back and work on myself and my mental state.”

Several days before she returned to competition, she revealed she tested positive for COVID-19 and that her comeback would be delayed due to it. On her Instagram account, she wrote, “I’m so sad to say I won’t be competing this weekend. I was so excited to get back on the competition floor, but unfortunately, I just tested positive for COVID.”

The 28-year-old will most likely compete in the U.S. Classic in three weeks, the U.S. Championships in five weeks, and then the Olympic Trials in Minneapolis in late June.

Three years ago, after tennis player Naomi Osaka decided to take time off for her mental health, Douglas applauded her. After stating she did that previously, she seems to have done it recently so she can return in time for the Paris Olympics this summer.

O.J. Simpson, Helmet, CTE, Buffalo Bills

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 29, 2024

Testimony From O.J. Simpson In 1970 Trial May Have Set CTE Research Back Decades

A $3.6 million lawsuit was filed against helmet maker, Rawlings who used the former football player as a witness in a case that he helped win

Over 50 years ago, the family of a former running back who was paralyzed after suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit filed a lawsuit against Rawlings Sporting Goods, the maker of the helmet, citing that the helmet was responsible for him becoming paralyzed from the neck down. In this case, which took place in March 1970, Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson provided testimony for Rawlings, helping the company win the case against the family of the injured football player.

According to The New York Post, Simpson’s defense of the helmet maker stymied the efforts of the NFL to look into the dangers of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) for decades, based on what experts say. CTE is a progressive degenerative disease that inflicts people, mostly athletes (in particular, football players), who have suffered multiple concussions and traumatic brain injuries, according to the Indiana University School of Medicine. Most who have suffered from CTE aren’t diagnosed until after an autopsy of the brain after death.

Ernie Pelton, who was playing for Rio Linda High School in Sacramento, Calif., was paralyzed during a football game in 1967. His family sued the helmet maker for $3.6 million. Simpson was called as a witness for Rawlings, according to The Sacramento Bee. Simpson wore the helmet as a member of the Bills when he testified.

“I believe in this helmet,” Simpson stated. “I know every time I get on the field, there’s a chance I get hurt.”

When asked to read the warning label inside the Rawlings helmet, which stated that players should “avoid all purposeful contact,” Simpson responded, “I try, but haven’t succeeded.”

During the trial, attorneys for the company said “that the game of football is at stake” and asked Simpson if he knew about the sport’s inherent risks. “A person would be pretty ignorant if he didn’t know,” Simpson replied. “I know every time I get on the field, there’s a chance you can get hurt like the Pelton boy.”

Based on Simpson’s charm and testimony, the jury ruled in favor of Rawlings. Industry experts have claimed that due to the case, the verdict helped “shield the NFL for generations,” addressing the dangers of CTE.

“If Pelton won, it would have been devastating to football,” said Robert Erb, the CEO of helmet maker Schutt Sports from 2008 to 2020. “The NFL, NCAA, and high school football had to be relieved.”

Helmet liability expert Kimberly Archie said, “It made attorneys afraid to take on other cases.”

Although Simpson was cremated and his attorney stated that his brain would not be tested for CTE, Simpson admitted in 2018 in an interview with The Buffalo News that he was “concerned” he might have developed CTE while playing the sport.

“I do recognize that it probably affects you in short-term memory more than long-term,” he said. “I know with me, I have days I can’t find words. . . . That gets a little scary.”

Eagle Scouts In State, Black Girls, Michigan

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 29, 2024

Black Girls In Michigan Become First Eagle Scouts In State

Kimani Brame and Pheonix Moyer hope to inspire other girls to take part in the inclusive Eagle Scouts.

Two Black girls in Michigan are making Eagle Scout history. Kimani Brame and Phoenix Moyer are the first in the state to reach the status for the all-gender Scouts .

The high schoolers in Grand Rapids earned at least 21 merit badges to achieve the new ranking. The girls were encouraged by their fathers, troop leaders themselves, and older brothers who took part in the program. This accomplishment became possible only after the Boy Scouts of America expanded into the gender-inclusive Scouts in 2019.

The historic Eagle Scouts spoke to People about their journey in the organization. They stated they did not know they would make history like this.

“We did not plan to be among the first. We didn’t know that we were one of the first until my ceremony, when they actually talked about it,” shared Moyer. “When we were doing our project, earning all of the merit badges, we didn’t know. That was not even a thought in our minds. We were just doing what our dads encouraged us to do as Scout leaders, and what our older brothers did anyway….We knew that there’s not a lot of Black female Scouts, but we didn’t even think that we’d be newsworthy. We had no idea.”

In celebration of their achievement, Congresswoman Hillary J. Scholten congratulated the East Kenwood High School students for their ability to “break barriers.”

“I know what it’s like to break barriers and to be the first, but you’re blazing a trail for so many women to follow…And I couldn’t be more proud of you,” shared the Michigan Representative.

The duo, however, don’t want to be the only ones to become Eagle Scouts. They hope their journey inspires other girls to take part in the organization.

“We’re also trying to encourage more young girls. It’s pretty much Phoenix and I against the world right now,” expressed Brame. “I love Phoenix to death, so I am just fine being us, but since it’s kind of us who are in the higher positions as females, we’re trying to start over again to get some of the littles [to join].”

by Stacy Jackson

April 29, 2024

Rev. Gina Stewart’s Sermon At The 2024 Joint National Baptist Convention Sparks Discussion On Women Leadership In Black Churches

Rev. Gina Stewart, the first woman speaker at the National Baptist Convention, sparked controversy after her sermon was allegedly removed and edited.

Women leaders in Christian ministry are speaking out against the obstacles they face as they strive to establish leadership roles within the Black church in America.

Awareness was sparked after Rev. Gina Stewart, a senior pastor at Christ Missionary Baptist Church, made history as the first woman preacher to deliver the keynote sermon at the Joint National Baptist Convention in January, an event that congregates four historically Black Baptist denominations. According to The Associated Press, Stewart delivered a powerful message during the Memphis, Tennessee, event, emphasizing that Jesus not only embraced women as part of his ministry but also identified with their suffering.

Controversy arose after the original recording of Stewart’s groundbreaking sermon mysteriously disappeared from the convention’s Facebook page. A social media outcry protested the removal of the sermon ahead of allegations that claimed a resurfaced version of the video edited her closing remarks, which called for the “brothers” to support and “speak up” for the women in ministry.

“This is an example of no matter how high you rise as a woman, you’re going to meet patriarchy at the top of the hill,” Martha Simmons, founder of Women of Color in Ministry, said. “The next Norton Anthology of African American preaching is probably 20 years away, but that sermon will be in there.”

A number of theologically conservative Christian churches, along with some Black Protestant denominations, have interpreted certain biblical scriptures as requiring women’s silence in churches, forbidding them from preaching. Simmons approximated that fewer than 10% of Black Protestant congregations have a woman as their leader despite an increasing number of Black women pursuing seminary education.

“I would hope that we can knock down some of those barriers so that their journey would be just a little bit easier,” Stewart said. Her objectives parallel those of Eboni Marshall Turman, the Martin Luther King Jr. Crown Forum lecturer at Morehouse College in February. Turman filed a lawsuit against Abyssinian Baptist Church alleging gender discrimination in its hiring process for a senior pastor position, a role that has never been filled by a woman at that church.

Originating from modest roots in 1880, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. stated it has persevered to become the largest Black Baptist convention. It encompasses millions of members hailing from churches, district associations, and state conventions spanning the continental United States and global regions.

economic, Retirement, Savings, retirees, COLA, social security, contribute, IRA, IRS, payments, cost-of-living adjustments, contributions, boomers

by Kandiss Edwards

April 29, 2024

Part 2: How To Catch Up With Your Retirement Savings

Part 2: Financial planner Ivory Johnson gives tips on retirement.

Originally Published Oct. 2, 2014.

BLACK ENTERPRISE consulted Certified Financial Planner Ivory Johnson, founder of Delancey Wealth Management, to learn how pre-retirees can catch up with their retirement savings.

Withdraw conservatively.

Make sure you’re not withdrawing too much. “The rule of thumb is don’t take out more than 4% of your retirement savings a year. Retirees with a pension and no mortgage are more likely to adhere to the 4% rule (because they have extra cash flow), says Johnson.

Assess your portfolio.

“The rule of thumb is having 60% to 65% in equities. And the reason why is you want to keep pace with inflation. Those equities that you have should probably be more dividend-paying companies, so then you can reinvest the dividends. So if I get a company that’s paying a 2% to 3% dividend, and the stock drops 3%, I’m even. Or you can take some of that income and you can use that as a distribution, and that takes some of the pressure off the portfolio having to appreciate. So you want dividend-paying stocks, and the rest you want to have in short-term bonds. Or, other alternative asset classes like real estate investment trusts, for example, that pay a nice dividend.”

Take advantage of catch-up provisions.

The limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan is $17,500. The limit on annual contributions to an IRA is $6,500. Those 50 and older can make catch-up contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA up to $1,000. If you have a 401(k) or 403(b), you can make catch-up contributions up to $6,500.

Think of ways to create additional income.

Lifetime income could be in the form of real estate. If you have rental real estate and by the time you retire your rental real estate has no mortgage, that’s a type of pension, says Johnson. “Rental real estate can provide inflation-adjusted income and works best during retirement if the mortgage is low or has been exhausted. Buying rental real estate in the beginning of retirement still offers the tax advantage of depreciation, but the spread between the mortgage and rent may not be attractive. Johnson also recommends taking on a side job.

Plan for catastrophic illness and other crises during retirement.

Obtain disability insurance. “It could be a car accident or a debilitating disease that forces you out of the work force. Also, people over 50 years old should consider buying long-term care insurance. The idea that they’ll never need a nurse to visit the home or be a candidate for a nursing home is statistically inaccurate.”

Make adjustments if you’ve been hit hard by the recession.

“The amended plan could include working longer, reducing your current lifestyle, working part time during retirement, or asking your children to shoulder more of the burden for their education. It all depends on what’s important for you, says Johnson.

Don’t become a financial burden to your family.

Johnson suggests looking into purchasing long-term care insurance. “An ill parent with no resources places a burden on the children and can tear a family apart. In my experience, there’s usually one child who bears the brunt of the care and the cost is saddled on the child with the most resources. Not much fun at Thanksgiving when the child who made the most sacrifices to secure a career is left paying the bills.”

Continue to invest throughout retirement.

Johnson recommends having exposure to equities to keep pace with inflation. “The best way to do it is through dollar cost averaging, where you invest the same amount of money on a regular basis. In doing so, you buy more shares when the market is low and develop a habit of savings. The proper allocation to equities will be a function of age, risk tolerance, time horizon, and the amount needed to retire, says Johnson.

RELATED CONTENT: How To Catch Up With Your Retirement Savings

Chris Brown, Net Worth, Burger King Franchises, investment, business, net worth, money

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 29, 2024

Chris Brown Credits Net Worth To Burger King Franchises, Profit Share Deal, And Owning His Masters

Chris Brown reveals the smart business decisions he made early in his career that aided in his reported $100 million net worth.

Chris Brown is breaking down his reported $100 million net worth acquired through music and smart business decisions at a young age.

The singer/actor has been entertaining audiences since his musical inception at age 16 with his hit single “Run It” off his self-titled debut album. He recently appeared on Tank’s “R&B Money” podcast, where he explained the investments he started to make early in his career that set him up for financial success.

According to the “Yo” singer, a year after releasing his Billboard chart-topping debut album, the then-17-year-old decided to invest in Burger King franchises. He currently owns 14 locations of the fast food giant, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

“I was 17 when I started trying to invest in things, just because I knew, unless you touring you don’t know how long you going to be successful,” Brown told Tank in a clip reposted online.

Chris Brown breaks down his business plan throughout his career

at 17 he started investing into Burger King franchises

at 25 he negotiated a "50/50 Birdman" profit share type of deal with his record label

at 28 years old he negotiated with his label and started owning his… pic.twitter.com/BZgG3cIIqC
— SOUND (@itsavibe) April 28, 2024

Brown noted how a lot of music artists give off the appearance of being financially well off, but unless they’re “consistently touring,” the singer says, they “need an exit strategy.” Realizing this early on motivated the “Wall to Wall” singer to invest his money into business endeavors.

After proving his ability as an artist with the success of his first two albums, Brown knew he wanted more ownership of his career.

“When I started getting into the music side, the executive side, I was 25,” he revealed.

His hit songs “Loyal,” “Look at Me Now,” and many others were already doing numbers and building his fan base. Having completed his initial recording contract, Brown shares how he was able to “negotiate” a profit share deal with his record label.

“Now that I have leverage as an actual artist, I don’t want to be an artist. I want to be 50/50 profit share with you,” he explained.

He credited his thought process to wanting the same deal Birdman had with Universal. He applauds himself for being one of the youngest artists at the time to secure such a lucrative record deal. Once Brown had a 50/50 profit share, he went on to obtain ownership of his masters by the time he was “27 or 28,” he said.

“Being able to have that type of structured deal,” he said before thanking a few of his business mentors at the time.

Brown’s reported net worth ranges from $50 – $145 million when searching the internet. In addition to his Burger King franchises, owning his masters, and having a 50/50 profit share, the “Go Crazy” singer also launched his clothing line, Black Pyramid, and operated a record label under Interscope called CBE (Chris Brown Entertainment).

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 29, 2024

‘Empowher’ Event To Uplift Black Girls Held At King Center In Atlanta

The event introduced its participants for the months-long program, preparing them for career readiness and character building.

The next generation of Black women leaders took flight on April 27 at the historic King Center in Atlanta. The “Empowher: Empowering Black Girls To Lead” event aimed to inspire its attendees to change the world.

Goldman Sach’s One Million Black Women initiative partnered with the King Center to host the event. The program helps young girls aged 13 to 18 with career readiness, mental and physical health, and character development. Dr. Bernice King, daughter of famed civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., spoke on the program’s impact on Black girls.

“We want to develop leaders of the future who are steeped in Dr. King’s nonviolent methodology,” explained Dr. Bernice King to WSB-TV.

The Beloved Community Leadership Academy spearheaded the “Empowher” event, which introduced its next cohort of future leaders. The esteemed attendees wore white suits to the occasion as they began their transformative journeys. The program, evoking the philosophy for social change championed by Rev. Dr. King, will help the girls prepare for adulthood.

Through multiple in-person and virtual sessions throughout the upcoming months, participants will learn of their power to facilitate change in their communities. Not only will it foster holistic wellness, but it will include resume writing and interviewing to ensure their professional development.

The King Center first announced its partnership with the Goldman Sachs nonprofit in 2022 and aided in relaunching this youth leadership program. Moreover, its CEO shared how the initiative honors Rev. Dr. King’s mission and values.

“By lifting up Black women and girls everywhere, we can not only honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. but also create a more dynamic and inclusive economy,” said David Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, as covered by Axios.

Furthermore, the entire program is free for all selected participants, affirming Dr. King’s message of social equality. The girls will meet monthly to foster their leadership qualities in this innovative program. Their graduation will take place in October.

manage emotions, name, review, acknowledge

by Pervis Taylor, III

April 29, 2024

How To Manage Emotions In The Workplace

To be a success in business and life, you need to have a sense of emotional health and intelligence.

Originally Published Sept. 18, 2014.

It’s happened to us all. Whether we admit it or not, we’ve all had the experience of getting our feelings hurt at work. A lot of times, our direct supervisor is usually the culprit. Sometimes, it’s our co-workers, but nonetheless, the experience is humiliating. Emotions are a touchy subject, mainly because we all like to act like we don’t have any or they don’t affect us. The truth is, as research shows, a majority of humans walk around with so much emotional baggage that, at any given point, a person could have a breakdown.

As a life coach, I like to connect with clients on an emotional level because it allows me—AND them—to see how deep emotions go. Moreover, it reveals that emotions are running the show whether we realize it or not. To be successful in business and life, you need to have a sense of emotional health and intelligence. Here, I provide some easy tips for how to process and manage emotions while at work.

Acknowledge.

The first step in processing emotions is experiencing an emotional trigger. Acknowledging, believe it or not, is one of the hardest stages in emotional processing. This is mainly because humans rarely like to admit that someone hurt their feelings. Furthermore, we don’t like to be that vulnerable. A practical example is taking a moment and saying to yourself or even out loud (quietly) that your emotions are triggered.

Identify.

Next, identify what exactly triggered the emotions. This takes time. You will need to take a moment to pinpoint exactly the moment you felt a certain way. Don’t overthink this stage. You must know with certainty what caused the shift. Identify the moment and write it down.

Name.

Name the emotion you feel. Being emotionally intelligent and having a proper emotional vocabulary is extremely important. We must be able to call something by name because it allows us to distinguish between emotions, creating a sense of power. Being able to say you feel marginalized is a lot more powerful than saying you feel hurt (too general). The more specific you can be when naming the emotion, the better your processing will be.

Review.

Go over the previous steps and make sure you are certain about what has taken place. This is key because after you review or examine, you have a moment of clarity that affirms how you feel or gives you a different perspective. This stage is vital because individuals too often fly off the handle, which leads to dire consequences. Take the time to review and reflect.

Action.

This is the stage where you decide what you’re going to do about what has happened and how you feel. Moreover, the action stage is where we decide to respond (always) to the situation. So, if this means you have to confront someone, you’ve taken the time to process and calm yourself down. You’ve also assessed the situation and have the clarity to proceed with your approach.

Remember, we have the ability to change not only our world but also the world as a whole. Be great!

Until next time, Pervis

Written by Pervis Taylor, III

Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Tackle ,Kevin Johnson, Killed, Los Angeles

by Daniel Johnson

April 29, 2024

As HBCU Football Players Go Undrafted, GMs See Lack Of Competition As Issue

This year, like 2021, no players from HBCUs were selected in the NFL Draft.

The push to get football players from HBCUs into the NFL, spearheaded publicly by former Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders, suffered a setback as this year, like 2021, no players from HBCUs were selected.

This occurred despite the creation of recent initiatives like the HBCU Legacy Bowl and the HBCU Combine, backed by the NFL, in 2021 and 2022.

As USA Today reports, in 2022, four HBCU players were taken, and last year, Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden was the lone selection, taken by the New England Patriots late in the seventh round. Two HBCU players, Virginia State cornerback Willie Reed, and Howard University offensive tackle Anim Dankwah were expected to be the most likely HBCU players to get drafted.

However, as The Athletic reported in 2023, the NFL is a business, and team executives are loath to use draft picks, even late-round picks, on players they don’t think can produce at the next level.

Reporter Jim Trotter spoke to six NFL general managers, composed of a mixture of multiple demographics, including race, state of the team and age. All agreed that the level of competition at the Football Championships Subdivision (FCS) can’t compete with the Football Bowl Subdivision. That matters more than seeing players from HBCUs succeed.

“I don’t think they have a downright bias; it’s more of HBCUs aren’t a priority,” Arnold said. “For so long, there has been this notion that if you can play they will find you — and that still remains true,” Orlando Arnold, an Alabama State alumnus and a certified agent who has represented four clients from HBCUs told The Athletic. “However, at HBCUs, so much has to go into making sure a player is seen. Does he have the stats? Does he have the measurables, etc.? Are the pro liaisons for the schools being proactive with scouts and evaluators and informing them of the player? At the end of the day, especially with the transfer portal, we aren’t getting that many NFL-caliber players like we used to.”

Trotter also indicated that he believes that the fight within the NFL for the equitable treatment of Black employees is a real one, but that creating a narrative that the NFL has a vendetta against players from HBCUs does a disservice to that credible fight.

This was sent to me. ⁦@nflcommish⁩ simply doesn’t care or doesn’t want to know. The data is what it is: the NFL newsroom has zero Black managers, zero Black copy editors, and zero fulltime Black employees on the news desk. Those are facts. Nothing he says changes that. pic.twitter.com/Yd8cAZLHC6
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) February 5, 2024

As USA Today reported, Trotter did not have his contract at NFL Media renewed after he pointedly asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell if he planned to address the lack of Black media members. In response, Trotter filed a lawsuit against the league for wrongful termination.

Mumia Abu-Jamal, Black Panther, City College, pro-Palestinian, New York City

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 29, 2024

Incarcerated Black Panther Praises Student Protestors In Live Address

Mumia Abu-Jamal spoke to the students advocating for a free Palestine.

Power to the People! Former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal praises student protestors advocating for a free Palestine in a live address from prison.

Abu-Jamal encouraged the student protestors at the City University of New York during his call to them on April 26. His words affirmed their commitment to the pro-Palestine movement.

“It is a wonderful thing that you have decided not to be silent and decided to speak out against the repression that you see with your own eyes,” explained Abu-Jamal, as detailed by The Guardian. “You are part of something massive, and you are part of something that is on the right side of history.”

The CUNY student protests join a wider movement across college campuses for school administrations to divest from Israel. Fellow students at Columbia University have faced arrest by the NYPD and school suspension for participating in the solidarity protest. Unlike the Ivy League institution, CUNY serves as the largest public urban college in the country. Abu-Jamal encouraged the protestors to “not bow” to those oppressing their rights.

“You’re against a colonial regime that steals the land from the people who are Indigenous to that area,” the 70-year-old explained. “I urge you to speak out against the terrorism that is afflicted upon Gaza with all of your might, all of your will, and all of your strength. Do not bow to those who want you to be silent.”

Abu-Jamal was a prominent Black activist and radical journalist at the height of the Black Liberation struggle. He helped establish the Philadelphia chapter of the Black Panther Party. In 1982, he was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of police officer Daniel Faulkner. His death occurred during an exchange of gunfire after the officer stopped Abu-Jamal’s brother.

Despite being on death row for years, flaws within the case led to a 2011 overturning of the conviction. In 2022, a Philadelphia judge denied the request for a new trial. Abu-Jamal still serves a life sentence without parole at the Mahanoy State Prison in Pennsylvania.

Abu-Jamal continued to write through his time in prison, speaking on the legacy of the Black Panther Party. The students also chanted “brick by brick, wall by wall, free Mumia Abu-Jamal” in support of the proclaimed political prisoner.

“The people of Gaza are fighting to be free from generations of occupation so it is not enough, brothers and sisters, it is not enough to demand a ceasefire. Make your demand cease occupation, cease occupation, and let that be your battle cry because that is the call of history of which all of you are part,” the former Black Panther concluded. “You are part of something magnanimous, magnificent and soul changing, and history changing. Do not let go of this moment, make it bigger, make it more massive, make it more powerful, make it echo up into the stars. I am thrilled by your work – I love you.”