South Africa Celebrates 30th Freedom Day Anniversary
South Africa's Freedom Day is a celebration of the end of the apartheid that oppressed Black voters in their own country for years.
April 27 marks South Africa’s 30th anniversary of “Freedom Day” when the country celebrates the day of its very first true democratic election in 1994. The election was the official end of the racial segregation and oppression of standing apartheid.
According to NPR, the monumental vote was the first time millions of Black South Africans of all different ages could vote, after being denied their intrinsic right for years before by the white minority government.
The 30th annual Freedom Day celebrations will be led by current South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, a protege of Nelson Mandela. It will take place in Pretoria, at the Union Buildings.
The very first all-race election in South Africa saw the African National Congress (ANC) party win the country back, and its leader, Nelson Mandela, became the country’s first Black president just four years after he was released from prison.
The 1994 election brought Mandela, who was acting as the face of the anti-apartheid movement, to the forefront. The turnout to support him in the election was so large that it spanned four days to accommodate the humongous voter turnout.
The transition to democracy brought nearly 20 million South Africans of all races to cast their vote. This was an extreme turnout compared to the 3 million white people who voted in the last general election under the 1989 apartheid.
The ANC’s election victory dismantled the apartheid and allowed the party to create a new constitution. It became South Africa’s highest law, and it guaranteed equality to everyone—regardless of their race, religion, or sexuality.
Despite this move, South Africa still has deep-rooted socio-economic problems in 2024. Poverty affects the Black majority of the country, which has an “unemployment rate [of] 32%, the highest in the world, while it’s more than 60% for young people aged 15 to 24.”
Bodycam Video Reveals Black Man Yelling, ‘I Can’t Breathe,’ Before Dying In Police Custody
Frank Tyson was 53 years old.
Bodycam footage shows Ohio police officers handcuffed a Black man and left him facedown on the floor as he told officers that he couldn’t breathe—before he died minutes later in police custody.
According to the Associated Press, Canton Police Department released the video of the incident that showed 53-year-old Frank Tyson being physically restrained by the police officers as he repeatedly shouted, “They’re trying to kill me! They’re trying to kill me!”
He also yelled out, “Call the sheriff!” multiple times as he struggled on the ground at a bar. As he was cuffed, Tyson told the officers that he “can’t breathe” several times as one of the officers had his knee on his neck.
As he lay on the ground, an officer tells him he’s fine, but in the video it appears that Tyson no longer moves. After several minutes of talking to other people in the bar, when an officer went to check on him, he realizes that Tyson was no longer breathing.
The two traffic bureau officers involved in the incident, Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch, both white, were reportedly placed on paid administrative leave.
The footage showed police officers arriving on the scene of an accident. Bystanders instructed the officers that Tyson had gone to the bar. The incident happened April 18 at around 8:20 p.m. in East Canton, Ohio.
A police report issued on April 19 stated that officers wrote that “shortly after securing him,” they “recognized that Tyson had become unresponsive” and that CPR was performed. They said they administered doses of Narcan before the medics arrived. Tyson was pronounced dead less than an hour later at a local hospital.
In an April 25 statement, the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation said it is investigating the incident but would not determine if force was justified. The prosecuting attorney or a grand jury would bring charges if it’s determined that the use of force was warranted.
Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II released a statement on April 24: “As we make it through this challenging time, my goal is to be as transparent with the community as possible.”
DaBaby Requests Trial Postponement Due To Attorney’s ‘Life-Threatening and Rare Disease’
The artist asked a judge to postpone a civil case because his attorney has a "life-threatening and rare disease."
With an expected September trial date, DaBaby has asked the judge to postpone the trial because his attorney has a “life-threatening and rare disease” that has left him unable to work.
According to RadarOnline, DaBaby had paperwork filed against him by Gary Pagar, 65, who says he leased his Los Angeles residence to the “Rockstar” rapper and his associates in 2020. Pagar says he and DaBaby agreed that he wouldn’t have more than 12 people at the home.
The recording artist filmed a music video at the residence with more than 40 people in the house, Pagar says.
When Pagar found out, he went to the home and confronted DaBaby. He claimed the rapper punched him in the face and knocked out several of his teeth. He called the police, but DaBaby left before they arrived. Pagar is asking for unspecified damages for his injuries and damage to his house.
The Los Angeles Superior Court judge scheduled the trial for Sept. 3. DaBaby asked that the case be pushed back to a later date because of medical issues, but the judge rejected his request. Pagar also demanded that the September trial date not be altered.
But DaBaby recently asked the judge to reconsider due to his lawyer’s disease. In his latest motion, DaBaby claims his attorney, “who was previously diagnosed with a life-threatening and rare disease, was instructed by his medical team that his prognosis regressed, and that he must undergo sustained aggressive treatment and several surgeries that will make him physically unable to work until April 2025.”
He added the lawyer, “was previously instructed by his medical providers that he could return to work in September 2024, but that prognosis changed on March 27, 2024.”
DaBaby is asking for the trial to be scheduled at a later date to give the attorney time to recover.
Kelly Oubre Jr. Crashes Lamborghini After Reportedly Running Red Light
'Everything is good," Oubre said. "I'm okay. The people who were involved are okay, but I'm gonna need to probably get a driver or something and just stay off the roads and behind the wheel. But everything is good.'
Shortly after losing a close playoff game to the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. was involved in a car accident with his Lamborghini.
According to CBS Sports, Oubre allegedly ran a red light in Philadelphia and crashed into a 2023 Hyundai Elantra at around 1:45 A.M. on April 23. No one was injured, but both vehicles were towed from the scene. Police have confirmed that the 76ers player “disregarded a red traffic signal” when he ran into the other car.
“Everything is good,” Oubre said. “I’m okay. The people who were involved are okay, but I’m gonna need to probably get a driver or something and just stay off the roads and behind the wheel. But everything is good.”
Oubre scored four points on 2-of-7 shooting, handed out three assists, and pulled down two rebounds in the 104-101 loss at the “world’s most famous arena,” New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
The guard’s luck has not been good when it comes to being on the road. In November 2023, NBA.com reported that while he was walking in downtown Philadelphia near his home, he was struck by a vehicle and broke a rib on Nov. 11 in Philadelphia’s Center City. The driver reportedly left the scene. Oubre was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, and released a few hours later.
Several days later, police officials say there was no video surveillance footage of the incident, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“The Police Department currently does not have any video or photographic evidence that depicts this collision,” Sgt. Eric Gripp, a department spokesperson said. “We continue to work in hopes of gathering evidence, and we encourage anyone who has information to reach out to our crash investigation unit.”
Oubre has played for five teams, including the Washington Wizards, since entering the NBA in 2015. He arrived at the 76ers after the team received him in a trade package that sent James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers at the beginning of the season.
PGA Tour Loyalty Rewarded: Tiger Woods Receives Equity Payout Of $100 Million
After turning down an offer between $700 million to $800 million to play with LIV, the PGA Tour rewarded Woods for staying loyal.
Nearly two years ago, when many professional golfers were lured to the LIV Golf Invitational Series financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Tiger Woods resisted the lucrative chance to join them.
Golf.com reported that he rejected an offer between $700 million to $800 million to play with LIV. According to The Telegraph, the PGA Tour awarded him a payday of $100 million for staying loyal to the association.
That loyalty to the PGA Tour was appreciated when Woods reportedly received an email stating he would receive up to $100 million in equity. Fellow golfer Rory McIlroy is allegedly getting $50 million for sticking with them. Strategic Sports Group is responsible for paying the golfers and many others who resisted the temptation to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV. The sports group, comprised of a collective of investors led by Liverpool FC owner Fenway Sports, helped create PGA Tour Enterprises, a new nonprofit organization to which they contributed $3 billion.
Earlier this year, MSN reported that Woods and other PGA Tour players were set to become equity holders in PGA Tour Enterprises. The deal, finalized after months of negotiations, marks a significant moment in sports history as players will now own a share of the PGA Tour, a concept unprecedented in professional sports.
The $3 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group, led by Fenway Sports Group, is a groundbreaking agreement that not only places the value of PGA Tour Enterprises at $12.3 billion but also ushers in a new era for the golf industry. The large amount of equity given to certain players will be based on criteria such as career accomplishments, recent achievements, and Tour status.
The Telegraph reported that the money given to loyal PGA Tour loyalists will be split between 193 golfers, with $750 million earmarked to the 36 superstars the organization picks. It is projected that after McIlroy gets a reported $50 million, the other golfers in for a big payday will be Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, who will be given equity worth about $30 million.
Embracing Cannabis In Health Coaching With Dr. Jannah Rasul
Dr. Jannah is a pioneer for Cannabis health coaching that provides patients with long-lasting results.
What all can we do with cannabis? Dr. Jannah Rasul intends to find out.
The self-proclaimed “metaphysical minister” understands that holistic teachings can blend with modern medical processes. The health coach and specialist in cannabis therapeutics aids patients through their wellness journey, but in a way that focuses on genuine results. Her approach of going “back to the future” makes indigenous practices and principles applicable to today’s world.
Her work dismantles the stigma surrounding cannabis, not only in the Black community but also in the health industry. The pioneering author hopes to spread her knowledge on cannabis as a business is growing beyond the bud.
Prior to her journey to the National Cannabis Festival’s Cannatank Pitch Competition, Dr. Jannah tells BLACK ENTERPRISE how to embrace cannabis for its vast health benefits, as well as its use to achieve social and financial equity.
The New York native has consumed cannabis since she was a teenager; this recreational history led her to discover all its medicinal benefits. Becoming a young mother and, later, a teacher who suffered from panic attacks, fostered her determination to find the remedies in the plant.
Her initial help from traditional doctors felt cold and formulaic, forcing Dr. Jannah to do her own research to uncover an approach to natural medicine.
“Cannabis was not just a ‘recreational drug,’ but also something that could be used for medicinal purposes with the right intention,” she explained.
Her move to Georgia expanded her interest in this intention. But as medical marijuana became legal, she returned to her own native area to be part of the movement. However, more roadstops with modern doctors, who’d prefer to prescribe chemicals like ketamine than natural drugs, revealed to Rasul the gap between medical providers’ knowledge of the resource.
“It was then that I realized I needed to get in the cannabis space. Being an educator for so long, I know how to build a curriculum; I need to be a cannabis educator,” she says. “Those are the reasons why I got into health coaching, because I saw that once you get the medicine, what now? There’s no one there for the patients…so I said let me transfer my skills from [teaching] to cannabis education and health coaching.”
When BE spoke to Dr. Jannah, she was preparing for the pitch competition, which felt like years in the making. In fact, it was. Although a stroke of fate led to her being a finalist for this year instead, Dr. Jannah feels sure of her mission now more than ever.
“I know that I’m building a legacy right now because there’s a lot of cannabis health coaching programs out there right now. But they do not really talk about health coaching which centers on behavioral change. In the world of cannabis there are people who talk about agriculture, or advocacy, and I am as well. But no one talks to patients once they get their medicine. So that’s where I saw a need.”
“And,” she stresses, “these coaches are more-so educators. They are telling you about the plant but they are not actually guiding patients on their journey using cannabis.” She hopes to create the first cannabis health coach program that truly centers on this health aspect.
“The medical industry is getting away from service-based care into value-based care. It focuses on the outcomes, which is what health coaching is all about. It creates a medical team with patients and doctors to get the outcomes needed.
With the work she does, Dr. Jannah hopes to diversify the spaces in cannabis and reduce the stigma within the Black community. Cannabis’ business opportunity also has untapped potential, one she wants Black people to embrace as this medium becomes more mainstream.
“This is a form of reparations. In the time where we have DEI, and the current push to get rid of it, doing things like getting into the cannabis industry through health is something we really need to grab onto,” she explains. “It’s a way for us to get into the space without having to do so much fighting to break into it…Our people can become health care professionals without the challenge of going through medical school.”
She adds, “There’s so many ancillary areas that people can get into. The future that I see is people engaging more about the plant, people changing their ideas about it.”
What’s next for Dr. Jannah?
“When it comes to cannabis, I just want people to be able to grow and use it just like we would anything in a garden,” she says. “I would like it to get to a point where it was once used for nutritional healing and wellness and not just a money grab. Its holistic uses can then create better health and financial incomes for generations to come.”
With her new book, Plants over Pills, and the creation of her development company, Higher Learning Publications, Dr. Jannah is leaning into her purpose for this venture.
“My mission is to spread light on the healing nature of this plant. I want to help other Black, brown and indigenous voices in the cannabis space. My purpose in all this is to fill in the gaps.”
Jamaica Concertgoers Puzzled By Kirk Franklin’s ‘Crip Walk’ For Christ
The choir director took the stage at Jamaica's Fun in the Son with too much dancing and not enough clothing for some Christian attendees.
Gospel musician Kirk Franklin has incited backlash from some Christian concertgoers in Jamaica due to his energetic performance attire and choreography while ministering at Fun in the Son on Saturday, April 20.
The prominent annual gospel concert, endorsed by Best Dressed Chicken, a subsidiary of Jamaica Broilers Group, a company renowned for championing Judeo-Christian principles, welcomed Franklin and several other gospel artists to Jamaica’s National Stadium to celebrate 65 years of “God’s faithfulness.” According to the Christian Post, some attendees were so perplexed and offended by Franklin’s gyrating and bicep flexing that they exited.
“When we engage an artist, it is with a degree of trust that the artist will be aware and sensitive to their audience. We expected more from Mr. Franklin,” said Jamaica Broilers Group President and CEO Christopher Levy. “We are cognizant that each of us is working through our relationship with The Lord, and we prayerfully support his growth.”
A viral video posted by The Tropix on X garnered over a thousand comments about the “Hosanna” artist.
One user wrote that Franklin, who wore a tank top and shirt, has “changed so much…making a mockery of Christian music and the religion.” Another wrote, “I was at the concert, and honestly, he confused me. I was listening to the songs as the females sang but he distracted me the whole time. I couldn’t connect to the songs after looking at him. He was dancing like I was in an Usher, Michael Jackson, and Chris Brown concert.”
Several other comments poked fun at the 54-year-old choir director’s choice of clothing and dance moves. “Man up there crip walking for Jesus,” a third user wrote, followed by a commenter who said, “He [don’t know] what to do, cuz none of his songs warrant that.”
At a pre-show press conference, Franklin, who was previously featured at “Fun in the Son,” told media that “I have a lot of life experiences, and emotion and energy and passion that I’m going to bring to the stage that’s been bottled up for the last decade…And I want to show the level of gratitude that I have by how I present tomorrow night on stage.”
Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange expressed to the singer how much he is loved in Jamaica and that the fans were waiting to see him. The performance marked Franklin’s return to Jamaica after a decade-long hiatus. “Ten years is a long time. So I’ve got a lot to say. I’ve got a lot to do,” he said. “I’ve got a lot to express.”
Franklin dropped the mic at the conclusion of his performance, according to another clip posted to Facebook by Jamaica Gleaner. “Whatever y’all do, JUST DONT BRING HIM BACK,” a user commented. Catch more of Franklin’s “Fun in the Son” moves below.
A Facebook user by the name of Ashanti Tuggles had her post shared across social media after she shared before and after photos of the safety measures her cousin took before embarking on a Mexican vacation all by herself. Tuggles was the hairstylist who attached the AirTag to her cousin’s braids before installing her hair unit.
“Cause why my cousin take a solo trip to Mexico and had me sew a AirTag in her braids,” Tuggles wrote in a post shared on X. “Anything to keep you safe baby.”
The post included photos of the cousin’s hair and a screenshot of their text message conversation showing Tuggles keeping track on her cousin who ventured off to Mexico to celebrate her 21st birthday.
“I’m not mad at this. It’s a great idea 👌🏾❤️😌,” the X user wrote.
“Smart but I hate how we have to take extra precautions 😩,” added someone else.
Safety is a top concern for most women traveling alone to a destination, especially to another country. Popular Mexican destinations have pretty favorable reviews for women traveling solo. The Solo Female Travelers hub rated Mexico at 2.2 on a 1 to 4 with 4 being the most dangerous.
However, solo travel and travel to other countries can be different for Black women. With fears of racism, abuse, or sexual harassment, the thought of traveling alone to another country as a Black woman can be unnerving.
“Black Women thinking ahead!” one Instagram user wrote when The Neighborhood Talkshared Tuggles’ post.
“And for the naysayers in the comments: It doesn’t matter where Black women go, they are always at risk. Do what you have to do to ensure you return home.”
Concerns around travel to Mexico rose following the death of Shanquella Robinson, a 25-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, who was found unresponsive at a villa in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico in October 2022. The people she traveled to Mexico with said she died of alcohol poisoning but an autopsy found that she died of severe spinal cord injury and a broken neck.
In April 2023, the Department of Justice revealed no federal charges would be filed. Robinson’s family is still demanding for justice and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
For the Black women interested in traveling by themselves, global traveler Latrice, who has traveled to 12 countries and lived in three as an expat, shared three tips.
Avoid letting the public and outsiders know that you’re traveling alone.
Don’t drink too much to the point you’re unaware of your surroundings or have impaired judgment.
Research your destination beforehand and learn conversational phrases that will help you navigate the country better.
Beyoncé Surprises Her 2-Year-Old Bestie With Flowers
It’s official, Beyonce and Tyler BFFs.
Two- year-old Tyler Fabregas received a special surprise from The Queen Bey. The adorable boy recently went viral after his mom, Bea Fabregas, posted a heartwarming video on TikTok which shows the toddler asking about his “friend.”
He then asked if he could visit the singer at her house.
“We don’t know her personally. She’s not mama’s friend. She doesn’t live here also, baby.” Fabregas responded.
Tyler apparently didn’t believe his mom.
“Beyoncé is my friend,” he declared.
The video garnered millions of views and countless shares on social media. Beyonce’s mom, Tina Knowles, also shared the wholesome clip on her Instagram page.
In response, Bey sent some gifts to her new buddy along with a note where she referred to Tyler as her “friend.” Fabregas posted a series of photos with Tyler smiling while holding the bouquet of blue and white roses and stuffed animal that he received from the star. The mother captioned the post with an update for Tyler’s new fans.
“For the record,@beyonce and Tyler are now, actually, officially friends! Through the power of Queen B’s internet (millions of views and likes, it’s crazy!) She saw the video and sent over some of her favorite blue flowers, a new animal best friend for Tyler, and the sweetest message that our family will now always treasure. “
She thanked her followers for their support.
“Thank you to everyone who shared it, commented, liked it. Tyler may be too young to remember all this, but I’ll always remind him to dream big and shoot for the stars!! BEYONCE SENT MY BABY FLOWERS!!!!” She social media influencer said.
This isn’t the first time Beyoncé made someone’s day with a bouquet. Following the release of her Cowboy Carter album, the singer sent flowers, along with handwritten notes, to Black women country artists, including K. Michelle and Mickey Guyton.
‘Freak Accident’ On Set of Eddie Murphy-Keke Palmer Movie Prompts OSHA Investigation
A "freak accident" on the set of Eddie Murphy's upcoming film left two people hospitalized and several injured.
A “freak accident” on the set of Eddie Murphy’s upcoming film with Keke Palmer and other A-listers has led to an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Murphy, Palmer, and the film’s main cast are all safe from the incident that occurred Saturday, April 20, in Atlanta, Deadline reports. However, multiple crew members are said to have suffered injuries in the form of bumps, bruises, and broken bones.
The accident took place “during a rehearsed 2nd unit action sequence,” an Amazon MGM Studios rep confirmed. “Unfortunately, the sequence did not go as planned.”
“It wasn’t even a complicated or dangerous stunt,” an insider revealed.
The accident occurred after an armored truck reportedly got “locked up” and hit an SUV. The New York Timesobtained cell phone footage of the accident. Two people were hospitalized and several others were injured.
The video shows an armored truck pulling up alongside an SUV before swerving into it. Both vehicles were sent off the road into a grassy area The armored truck rolled on top of the SUV, flipping both vehicles before landing upright. The end of the video shows a person’s body hanging limply out of the armored truck door.
“We are still in the process of gathering facts on what happened and why, but first and foremost our thoughts are with those who are recovering,” the Amazon Studios rep said. “The well-being of the entire crew and cast is our first priority, and we will continue to insist on the highest industry standards of safety while filming. All safety precautions were reviewed prior to and monitored during the shoot.”
Murphy and Palmer have been busy filming their Amazon Studios film The Pickup, which also stars Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Andrew Dice Clay, and Marshawn Lynch. The Tim Story-directed film follows a man (Murphy) who gets involved in a heist attempt while pursuing a woman’s affections.
