Mystikal, sexual assault — photo credit: Getty Image

by Daniel Johnson

September 9, 2024

‘I’m a New Racist’: Michigan Judge Suspended After Homophobic And Racist Remarks Surface

Oakland County Probate Judge Kathleen Ryan's damning statements were revealed in secretly recorded phone calls.

Oakland County Probate Judge Kathleen Ryan was initially removed from her Aug. 27 docket for undisclosed reasons, but after a whistleblower revealed allegations of racist and homophobic remarks made during phone calls with Ryan, the reasons were brought to light.

According to The Guardian, Edward Hutton, an administrator for the court, secretly recorded calls that he had with Ryan, calls on which he heard her calling Black people lazy and using an anti-gay slur toward David Coulter, the county’s highest elected official, who is a gay man. In Michigan, it is legal to record private phone conversations if at least one party consents, and Hutton consented.

Hutton told WYXZ-TV that although Ryan has harassed him for years, the whistleblowing is not about him; he wants to protect those who enter the courtroom from her. He also told the outlet that he feels it’s a David and Goliath situation where the judge maintains all the power and leverage.

“I just felt like it wasn’t going to change,” Hutton told the outlet. “Nothing’s manipulated and it’s conversations that I was a part of. It’s something that I anticipate at some point I’ll probably have to testify to under oath, and I’m absolutely willing to testify to the authenticity of every single one of them [the recordings].”

Hutton continued, “I didn’t want to lose my job and I didn’t want to be in her crosshairs. It’s such a David and Goliath situation. I don’t have the power. I’m not elected. I could get fired tomorrow. I just want to make it right. I haven’t filed a lawsuit. I’m not looking for a payday. I want to keep my job and do it in peace. And I want the people in Oakland County that come to court to get a fair shake, to have their day in court, to have an unbiased trier of fact.”

When Hutton sent the recordings to the Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, Oakland County Executive Coulter, other public officials, and reporters at WYXZ-TV, he included a message to those officials in an email that Ryan “has vocalized her hate and contempt for various protected groups…I have attached recordings of statements made by Judge Kathleen A. Ryan that make her hate and bias plainly evident. I don’t want to lose my job, I just want to do the right thing.”

Ryan was relieved from overseeing cases on her docket after the recordings were shared with officials, and she has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation.

Coulter released a statement indicating he expects Ryan to be thoroughly investigated by the agencies whose job it is to review the conduct of judges and that there is no place for harassment, racism, or hateful speech by anyone employed by Oakland County.

“There is absolutely no place for harassment of any kind or for racist or homophobic language by anyone at Oakland County, especially by someone the public must be confident will act fairly and impartially. The alleged conduct and abhorrent comments made by Judge Ryan merited her removal from the Probate Court docket pending further investigation. I have confidence that the agencies reviewing this matter will treat it with the seriousness it deserves and will take further action if warranted,” Coulter said.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also released a statement after the news outlet’s story aired, indicating that the allegations about Judge Ryan’s conduct represent a grave failure to exercise judicial values.

“The story, as reported, is very disturbing,” Nessel said. “Fairness, a sense of impartial justice, and prudent judgment are essential values our state’s judges must exercise, and these allegations portray a grave failing of those values from a probate court bench. This case dramatically underscores the need for critical guardianship reform now –- including requiring probate judges to provide reasoning for when they bypass family members in favor of professional guardians.”

Daylight Saving Time, DST — Photo credit: Prostock-Studio/Getty Images

by Daniel Johnson

September 9, 2024

Daylight Savings Time 2024 Will End On Nov. 3

According to several sleep expert groups, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Sleep Research Society, and the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, the potential harmful effects of DST necessitate a move to permanent standard time.

Except for Arizona and Hawaii, the only two states that do not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), the rest of the country’s clocks will be going back one hour at 2:00 a.m. on Nov. 3.

According to Tododisca, on Nov. 3, days will become shorter. The modern concept of Daylight Saving Time is credited to New Zealand entomologist George Hudson, who proposed in 1895 that there be a two-hour time shift so he could catch more bugs after his work shift ended. Not long after this, in 1900, a British activist, William Willett, brought a similar idea to the British Parliament. In 1916, after their resources became harder to obtain, Germany instituted the world’s first Daylight Saving Time during World War I. America soon followed suit, beginning the practice two years later.

According to Statista, the practice is currently observed in most of Canada, Greenland, Iceland, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Peru, Paraguay, New Zealand, the southwestern provinces of Australia, and Egypt, in addition to America.

Quite a few countries or continents have switched to a year-round standard time, including Mexico, South America (excluding the previously mentioned countries observing Daylight Saving Time), Europe (excluding the English countries), Russia, Asia, and India. (except for two provinces in Northeastern India, which have never practiced DST).

According to the Sleep Foundation, although approximately 60% of the world has moved away from DST, there is little momentum in the American political arena to join those countries. The Sunshine Protection Act, a bill introduced in the Senate by Florida’s Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and in the House by Florida’s Rep. Vern Buchanan, proposed a change to the federal law that prohibits DST from becoming permanent. That bill stalled in 2023 and has not been re-introduced for 2024.

According to several sleep expert groups, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Sleep Research Society, and the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, the potentially harmful effects of DST necessitate a move to permanent standard time.

Phyllis C. Zee, a sleep medicine specialist and chief of Sleep Medicine in the Department of Neurology at Northwestern Medicine, told Northwestern University that scientific evidence shows DST is associated with harmful effects.

“There has always been a debate in regards to daylight saving time,” Zee told the university. “The science has evolved over the last decade to show the transition between standard time, and DST is associated with adverse health consequences. The big question on the table right now is, should it be permanent standard time or permanent DST?”

Zee, a proponent of switching to permanent standard time, continued, “If we adopt permanent standard time, our internal clocks will more likely be in sync with the rotation of the Earth, seasonal changes, and the sun clock. We know that sleep deprivation is bad for your physical and cognitive health.”

Absent a switch to permanent standard time, Northwestern Medicine recommends the following to help curb some of the effects of DST: following a sleep routine, chasing the morning light, eliminating sleep disturbances, and exercising in the morning, all of which are steps to protect your natural circadian rhythm.

BEYONCÉ, cowboy carter, tour, economy — Beyoncé Gisselle Knowles has made a name for herself. She found fame as the lead singer of Destiny's Child, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, but after launching her solo career in 2003, she became a global icon. As a solo artist, she has earned most of her wealth from music and live performances. In 2008, she established Parkwood Entertainment, a production company that handles her music, film, and fashion projects. At the moment, Beyoncé's net worth is estimated at $760 million: (Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 9, 2024

Beyoncé Receives ZERO Nominations For Country Music Association Awards Despite No. 1 Country Album

'Texas Hold ‘Em' held the top spot for 10 weeks on Billboard's Hot Country Songs.

The Country Music Association Awards has announced its list of nominees for this year’s award, and the biggest news was that Beyoncé and her country album, “Cowboy Carter,” were not included.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, despite Beyonce becoming the first Black woman to have a country record on top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, she received zero nominations from the voting bloc. The popular songstress also held the top position on the same chart for 10 weeks, and it helped her gain nothing from the people who routinely vote on the artists and records for the awards.

Despite having one of the year’s biggest country albums and one of the top songs with “Texas Hold ‘Em,” she was shut out as Morgan Wallen garnered seven nominations. Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson received five each for their respective works. Post Malone and Lainey Wilson were close behind with four nominations each.

Users across social media, a fan of Queen Bey or not, sounded off about the snub.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

Since Mrs. Carter released her first country single, there has been backlash from country radio stations about the song, although fans flooded the airwaves with requests. Some stations relented and started to add her music to their playlists when angry fans voiced their displeasure with the gatekeeping tactics.

Earlier this year, Beyoncé told The Hollywood Reporter that with this project, she was happy her fans trusted her judgment in recording the album. However, she was also aware that the gatekeepers of the genre would not be happy or support the effort she put into putting out a country album.

“I’m honored to introduce so many people to the roots of so many genres. I’m so thrilled that my fans trusted me. The music industry gatekeepers are not happy about the idea of bending genres, especially coming from a Black artist and definitely not a woman,” Beyoncé said.

She can be proud that seven of her country songs made it to the Top 10. “Cowboys Carter” also reached the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 and 200 album charts.

Tyre Nichols, Officer — Photo credit: Brandon Dill for The Washington Post via Getty Images

by Mitti Hicks

September 9, 2024

Federal Trial For 3 Former Memphis Police Officers Charged With Tyre Nichols Death To Begin

Tyre Nichols’ death sparked nationwide protests after his arrest and a fatal beating caught on police cameras.

Jury selection for the federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged with violating the civil rights of Tyre Nichols begins on Sept. 9. Nichols’ death sparked nationwide protests after his arrest led to a fatal beating caught on police cameras.

The three officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, have pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to the use of excessive force, failure to intervene, and obstructed justice through witness tampering, NBC reports.

Officers from Memphis Police pulled Tyre Nichols over on Jan. 7, 2023, claiming he was driving recklessly. Police video shows just minutes after the traffic stop, he was yanked out of his vehicle before he ran from police. Police video shows officers catching up with him in a Memphis neighborhood steps away from the home where he lived with his mother. Disturbing video shows police officers beating Nichols with a police baton, kicking and punching him. He died in the hospital on Jan. 10, 2023.

An autopsy report revealed Nichols died after sustaining blows to the head. His death was ruled a homicide.

Per NBC, jurors will be selected from a pool of approximately 200 people. Once the trial begins, it’s expected to last three to four weeks.

The three officers facing federal trial are among the five officers fired after Tyre Nichols’ death. Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr. were also fired for violating the police department’s policies.

A federal grand jury indicted all five officers in September 2023, where Mills and Martin pleaded guilty and could reportedly testify in the federal trial against their three former colleagues. If the officers are convicted, charges carry lengthy sentences, as Black Enterprise previously reported. Counts one and two of the indictment carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. Counts three and four each have a maximum penalty of 20 years.

All five officers were charged with second-degree murder in state court, where they pleaded not guilty.

Congressional Black Caucus, DEI report — Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford, D-NV, speaks during the Tri-Caucus Leadership news conference at the House Democrats 2024 Issues Conference in Leesburg, VA, on Thursday, February 8, 2024. (Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 9, 2024

Black Caucus Releases New DEI Guidelines, Calls On Corporations To Continue Efforts Despite Backlash

CBC Chair Rep. Steven Horsford stressed companies are falling victim to 'far-right actors who are attempting to bully corporate America.'

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has released a new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) report aimed at guiding corporations in improving workplace policies and urging them to reaffirm their commitment to racial justice, according to the Associated Press.

The report, “What Good Looks Like: A Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” was released on Sept. 9. It asserts that workplace DEI policies remain legal despite the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against affirmative action in college admissions. The report advocates for expanding these policies to foster economic prosperity and address racial wealth disparities.

“In the wake of the death of George Floyd, corporations pledged $50 billion to racial equity and strengthening DEI policies,” Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said in the report.

“DEI is now under attack, but the response from corporate America has been overwhelming.”

The guidelines come after the caucus reached out to various Fortune 500 companies, academics, and business analysts to determine ways for them to promote DEI and Black economic mobility during 2024’s shaky political and legal environment. In the report, the caucus cited corporations that have faced backlash from conservative activists and lawmakers for implementing such policies, such as farm supply corporation Tractor Supply Co.

In June 2024, Tractor Supply announced it was cutting all diversity, equity, and inclusion roles, eliminating sponsorships of “non-business activities” like Pride festivals, and goals to diminish carbon emissions. The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) and critics called out the company and its leader, Hal Lawton, for the decision.

“I was appalled by the decision,” NBFA’s President and Founder, John Boyd Jr., said in a statement at the time.

“I see this as rolling back the clock with race relations—because the country is so divided on race, especially in rural America.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, the CBC study outlines 12 categories where corporations can zone in on expanding DEI efforts and help close the gap within racial wealth. Guidance for workplace culture, data disaggregation, talent opportunities, retention rates, pay equity, and procurement policies are just some of the issues identified in the study.

Corporations were invited to “collaborate legislatively” to develop laws that “create perpetual accountability for corporate America, help close this massive gap of inequality, and support the values of our caucus,” Horsford pointed out, adding that the high court’s historic ruling does not correlate with corporate DEI policies. Hence, the policies should still be in place.

He said corporations shouldn’t fall victim to “far-right actors who are attempting to bully corporate America.”

Fifty CEOs met directly with the CBC, while other companies responded with letters and questionnaires from lawmakers.

“There is nothing under the law that is illegal or unconstitutional about corporations advancing DEI policies. I commend the corporations that answered our call,” Horsford stressed. “We are now giving the roadmap for what good looks like.”

Mayor Eric Adams, New York — (Photo: Anthony Quintano/Flickr)

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 9, 2024

Eric Adams Tours NYC’s Black Churches To Heighten Support Amid Federal Investigation

Think it will work?

New York City Mayor Eric Adams started a tour of the city’s Black churches to garner support during his federal investigation probe, the New York Times reports.

Adams appeared at the Changing Lives Christian Center and Power and Authority Evangelical Ministry on Sept. 8. He claimed he was unbothered by the overflow of his top aides who had their homes raided by the FBI in correlation to an investigation by the Southern District of New York. While speaking to Black congregations, Adams compared himself to the biblical figure, Job, who suffered immensely but had his spirit renewed. “Job lost it all, and even his wife questioned him. ‘Where’s your faith? Where’s God now?’ His friends rebuked him,” the mayor professed at Power and Authority.

“And I wish I could tell you that I had one moment in my life that was a Job moment. But I did not have one. I had many.”

The mayor is also under investigation for possible ties to Turkey, targeting alleged involvement in Adam’s 2021 campaign and collusion with foreign interests, including the Turkish government. However, during an interview on WABC’s “Cats and Cosby,” hosted by John Catsimatidis, Adams labeled the probes as “reviews.”

Adams made the same comparison to Job at Changing Lives, but this time, he cited his own shortcomings in his upbringing. “And when you come out of your Job moment, and your faith is intact, you will receive blessing tenfold,” Adams said. “Only God can make you go from being dyslexic, arrested, rejected, and now I’m elected to be the mayor of the most powerful city on the globe.”

Senior lead pastor Paul B. Mitchell laid hands on the political figure, praying for him by saying, “Father, we know that when you are a public servant, that, Lord, the forces of evil want to come against you.” Fellow political correspondents like former NY Gov. David Paterson aren’t too surprised by the Adams investigation since he was the “first elected official in the country to object to the placement of migrants in your city.”

Fordham University political science professor Christina Greer is keeping a close eye on the investigation and highlighted that since the mayor or his colleagues have yet to be charged for anything, she understands why supporters are skeptical. “Right now, there’s a lot of smoke,” Greer said.

“And smoke does not always lead to fire.”

Nurse Elizabeth Armstrong, who said she is prepared to vote for Adams during his 2025 re-election bid, says this is all a part of the world of politics. “When you’re in the political life and limelight, there’s things that are going to be thrown at you,” she said. “And it may not necessarily be him, but the people around him that makes his job a little harder.”

While there may be some truth to that, a person close to the details of the federal probe, according to Politico, says the Eric Adams’ team isn’t blind to what the investigation could do to the campaign. “It’s clear as day you don’t want what happened [Thursday] to happen when you’re heading into re-election,” the unidentified person said.

Adams’ mentor, Rev. Herbert Daughtry, shared similar thoughts, highlighting the church strategy wasn’t too bad of a play. “Let’s say that I believe that the faith community surely will observe the ‘innocent until proven guilty,’ especially in this case,” he said.

Anti-DEI, Black Employment, DEI — (Photo: Alex Green/Pexels)

by Jeffrey McKinney

September 9, 2024

Organizational Rigor And Strategic Initiatives Can Help Advance DEI Practices

A new report shows work is needed to help improve DEI and make it more progressive in corporate America.

A new report on corporate DEI practices by Ariel Investments reveals board directors have vastly different views on the issue than average U.S. workers.

The discovery is included in the latest Black Corporate Directors Study by Ariel, a global asset management firm. The analysis discloses findings on how and why momentum has shifted on the topic of DEI in public company boardrooms.

The Chicago-based Ariel issued the second survey of 165 Black, Latino, and Latina Fortune 500 corporate directors from August to October 2023. They attended the firm’s Black Corporate Directors Conference last year.

Also, a national sample was taken of 2,909 U.S. employees of all races to get their responses for comparison’s sake with the director group. Ariel first conducted the study in 2021.

All told, the data uncovered some eye-opening findings that show how more work needs to be done to improve DEI and make it more progressive in corporate America in the future.

The study offers a “call-to-action” for U.S. companies on DEI. It includes holding executives accountable for not making progress, offering incentives to boost DEI, and updating shareholders regularly with performance reports. Ariel Investments, No. 1 on the BLACK ENTERPRISE Asset Managers list, has about $15 billion in assets under management.

Overall, the DEI fallout has been adverse on many fronts recently. Large companies have laid off DEI teams or no longer finance programs; lawsuits have been filed against DEI initiatives, colleges are banning DEI programs, and some states are prohibiting affirmative action measures.

Operational Rigor: A DEI Challenge For Companies

“Many board members surveyed still feel their companies struggle to operationalize DEI goals effectively—with stagnation or modest improvement from two years ago,” per the report.

A survey of Fortune 500 board directors showed a bulk of the nation’s most influential companies continue to prioritize DEI despite some news headlines contradicting that. Yet, amid headwinds such as the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling in higher education, the data reveals a drop in several areas, including:

Asking if their board added directors from diverse backgrounds in the past year due to recent board diversity rules, like Nasdaq’s Board Diversity Rule, 41% stated their boards had added no diverse directors.

Directors say board conversations about DEI are less thoughtful, balanced, and intentional than two years ago, decreasing from 84% in 2021 to 78% in 2023.

The report stated, “Fewer companies are investing capital to support their racial equity and diversity goals; when they are, the capital is less sufficient.”

Corporate boards in the last five years have become more racially and ethnically diverse overall. But the percentage of Black and Latino directors stalled among S&P 500 firms, at 12% and 5%, respectively.

DEI Still A Priority In Boardrooms, But Infrastructure In These Initiatives Weaken

The report stated that DEI was added as a primary agenda item several years ago for 59% of the boards where respondents serve, while 28% made it a priority in the last two years. Still, 54% of directors feel that among the wide range of diversity issues, race/ethnicity gets too little attention and is lower on the priority list in their boardrooms.

For instance, race follows gender identification, sexual orientation, and political affiliation in pecking order.

Conversely, some 45% of average workers feel there is an excessive emphasis on race and ethnicity—particularly white male workers (54%). That sentiment has risen since 2021.

Arielle Patrick, Ariel’s chief communications officer, said via email the most troubling finding is the vast misalignment between leaders and the average worker on why DEI is important. “This dissonance signals how much harder leaders must work to ensure that the rank-and-file truly understand diversity as a business imperative,” Patrick said.

A Potential Framework To Elevate DEI To Next Level

So, what is needed now to make DEI more progressive in U.S. companies moving forward?

Patrick said it’s no secret that DEI is under attack in our nation’s volatile political landscape. Diverse directors are facing more obstacles in the fight to keep civil rights on the corporate boardroom agenda—with the operational rigor it deserves.

She said the results signal that corporate America must adopt consistent oversight, transparent reporting, and accountability measures to ensure the progress of years past does not stagnate.

She added companies must ensure their DEI efforts are comprehensive and the entire management team takes it on as a strategic imperative across:

People with representation and inclusion from the entry-level to the board level.

Purchasing efforts should include diversifying vendor/supplier relationships with women and minority-owned businesses.

Philanthropy should include long-term commitments to organizations focused on equality and civil rights with employee representation on non-profit boards.

The product a company offers should ensure the research, development, and marketing process fully considers and includes the diverse stakeholders the business serves.

Actor Brian J. White, Detain Man, wildfire — (Photo: Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 9, 2024

Two Babysitters Arrested In Brutal Death Of 1-Year-Old Left In Their Care

Kali Moore was found 'unresponsive' and Dijon Smith and Kiya Moore were charged for the killing after giving conflicting stories to police officers.

Two people have been arrested and are facing charges of murder after a 1-year-old died while in their care. The girl suffered multiple skull fractures, brain bleed, and abdominal trauma.

According to Law & Crime, police officers responded to a call from LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis at around 3 a.m. on Aug. 17 after the child, Kali Moore, was brought into the medical facility. Moore was taken there suffering from cardiac arrest and died an hour after arriving at the hospital. Thirty-four-year-old Dijon Smith and 21-year-old Kiya Moore, who is reportedly related to the child, were babysitting the infant around 5 p.m. that day. Police officers picked them up and charged both adults with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges.

The two suspects are being held at the Shelby County Jail without bond.

Doctors stated that Kali had skull and neck fractures and “massive bruising” on her back.

Once in custody, Smith and Moore gave investigators “conflicting statements” about what happened and blamed each other. Moore allegedly told detectives that Kali was left alone with Smith and was “unresponsive” when she returned. She told the detectives that Smith wouldn’t explain what happened and instructed her to say she fell asleep with the girl, and that Kali had fallen off the bed, hitting her head on the nightstand.

Yet, Smith allegedly told detectives that he heard Kali crying in the backroom and Kiya yelling at her.

The affidavit states, “He then heard Moore slam Kali into the floor, walls and wooden furniture six to 10 times. He advised that he asked her what she was doing and she stated nothing but Kali was crying too much and getting on her nerves. He advised that when he entered the room Moore stopped and he observed Kali unresponsive.”

Police officers searched the residence and stated that there was no baby food there and it was unclear if Kali had a safe place to sleep.

According to Action News 5, both suspects were being held under a $3 million bond and are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 9.

Kiya Moore, 21, and her boyfriend, Dejon Smith, 34 were each placed under a $3 million bond Thursday morning after appearing in court. https://t.co/HaIJ5s2aKF pic.twitter.com/iHL33yEP7a

— Action News 5 (@WMCActionNews5) August 22, 2024

Tyreek Hill, NFL, handcuffed, Miami-Dade police — Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 9, 2024

Miami Dolphins Star Tyreek Hill Cuffed Before Season Opener; Cop Put On Administrative Leave

The NFL season opener took an unexpected turn for the Miami Dolphins wide receiver

The NFL season opener took an unexpected turn for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

As Hill was en route to Hard Rock Stadium for the game, police officers detained him. Video footage showed Hill on the ground being handcuffed. Following the incident, the Miami-Dade Police Department issued a statement confirming that one of the officers involved has been placed on administrative leave, CNN reports.

Video of Tyreek Hill’s arrest today: pic.twitter.com/Kope2Ma6tk

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2024

The police department posted the statement on X but did not give details like the officer’s name or why the action was taken against him.

“Following the incident involving Tyreek Hill, I have initiated an Internal Affairs investigation to ensure a thorough review of the matter. One of the officers involved in the incident has been placed on administrative duties while the investigation is conducted,” Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) Director Stephanie V. Daniels said in a written statement. “I’m committed to transparency and accountability to the community with any situation involving my officers.”

pic.twitter.com/G2P5BCrC8I

— Miami-Dade Police (@MiamiDadePD) September 8, 2024

The incident took place on Sept. 8 shortly before 11 a.m.

The arrest did not slow Hill down in any way. The wide receiver caught seven passes for 130 yards and also scored a touchdown on an 80-yard reception. The Dolphins beat the Jacksonville Jaguars with a last-second game-winning field goal.

Hill spoke briefly about the situation after the game, saying he wanted to make this incident “a positive on both ends” so that both sides could do something positive for the community, according to NPR.

“Obviously, everybody has bad apples in every situation,” Hill said, “so I want to be able to use this platform to figure out a way to flip this and make it a positive on both ends—on my end, and then also Miami-Dade—so that way we can team together and do something positive for the community, cause that’s what it’s all about.”

Lesa Milan, Beyonce, Mina Roe — Lesa Milan courtesy of Lesa Milan

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 9, 2024

Lesa Milan Celebrates Mina Roe Expansion And Calls Out The ‘Critics With No Credentials’ On ‘Real Housewives of Dubai’ Cast

Lesa Milan explains her passion for her Mina Roe brand and current dynamic with "The Real Housewives of Dubai" cast.

Lesa Milan and her Mina Roe brand were hot topics during the Season 2 finale of The Real Housewives of Dubai, so her candid deep dive with BLACK ENTERPRISE comes right on time.

Appearing on The Culture Shift, Lesa shares the vision behind her luxury maternity brand/skincare line, Mina Roe, and why she thinks the passion she put into her company event featured on the show rubbed some of the ladies the wrong way.

“So we’re dealing with a bunch of critics with no credentials,” Lesa shared. Referencing luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, the entrepreneur says the design of her wellness event was a “marketing ploy” to stylishly brand her event considering its feature on a global television show.

“I think it was coming from a place of jealousy,” she said of her co-stars who were bothered with how she styled her event. Lesa was also disappointed in the criticism from the group since “women should be supporting women,” she added.

“I started my business in my living room and I grew it to be where it is today. I’ve worked so hard on it and for people to try to tear it down it’s hurtful.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MINA ROE (@minaroe)

Despite the drama, which is a normal component of any Real Housewives franchise, Lesa was happy to see the show’s warm reception in its second season compared to its 2022 debut. As a first-of-its-kind reality show for the United Arab Emirates, the ladies faced fierce criticism from locals who were concerned with how the country of Dubai was being represented.

“Season 2 has been received a lot better than season 1,” she said. “I’m not sure if you’re familiar, but in Season 1, we kind of got some backlash here in Dubai in the Middle East because it’s never been done before, right? So it was a lot. But this time, after seeing Season 1 I think people are more receptive and it’s really been so nice.

Lesa also notes how much “closer” the cast was this time around, “so the dynamic and everything was more organic,” which made the second season “much better” than the first.

When it comes to her passion for her business, Lesa explained how she’s modeled Mina Roe after her own motherhood journey. What started as a fashionable maternity wear line when she was pregnant with her first son soon expanded to include postpartum wear and now skincare for moms with stretch marks and other physical changes that come with welcoming a baby.

“As I grew as a mom in my journey in motherhood, the brand grew with me,” the mother of three explained. “So the next step was skincare because another issue that I had was stretch marks.”

The Jamaican-born and former Miami resident shared her design process with “some of the best teams in Europe,” who “came up with a really great formulation” that includes some traditional elements from her native country.

“Our products are made with natural and organic ingredients,” Lesa says with pride.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MINA ROE (@minaroe)

Among the brand’s skincare items is Mina Roe’s Belly & Body Oil, designed to help prevent and minimize the appearance of scars and stretch marks. The vegan product relieves the dry, itchy belly that can make a pregnant woman want to scratch her stomach, which can enhance the possibility of stretch marks. The oil also deeply moisturizes without a greasy feel and contains a quick-dry formula that leaves you clothing-ready and eliminates staining your garments.

The body oil contains argan kernel oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, vitamin E, and bitter almond kernel oil, among other all-natural ingredients. The skincare line also includes a beauty mask, lip balm, C-section silicone patch, and kits for pregnant and newly postpartum moms.

As a mother to three boys, Lesa is passionate about helping other moms due to all the emotions and trials of welcoming and raising a child. Acknowledging the physical changes and possible postpartum depression that can come with welcoming a child, Lesa encourages new moms to give themselves the grace they deserve.

“It took nine months for that belly to grow and for me to grow this human and this perfect little baby. It’s going to take nine months or more” to lose the baby weight, Lesa says.

“I think a lot of women, we don’t give ourselves grace because we’re in this rush for perfection because that’s what we see online but honestly my advice to you is take your time, enjoy it. The baby weight’s going to go.”

Press play below for the full interview and catch The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2 reunion on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.