Taraji P. Henson, AARP
Photo by Ivan Apfel/Getty Images
by Stacy Jackson

September 5, 2024

AARP To Recognize Taraji P. Henson As Honorary Purpose Prize Recipient

AARP will honor the actress during an Oct. 1 ceremony for her dedication to providing mental health resources through BLHF.

Emmy Award-winning actress and philanthropist Taraji P. Henson will be presented with an honorary Purpose Prize award from AARP for her dedication to promoting mental wellness and providing mental health resources within marginalized communities through the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF).

On Oct. 1, Henson and her organization will be recognized during an in-person celebration hosted by AARP, the largest nonprofit organization in the nation dedicated to empowering Americans 50 years and older. “We are proud to salute our AARP Purpose Prize winners, who are using the experience they have gained over a lifetime not only to fulfill their own purpose in life but also to create new solutions for how people live and age and solve pressing social problems,” AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins said in a press release. Henson’s work through BLHF reflects the AARP mission to support American families as they advocate for “what matters most…health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.”

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation was founded in 2018 to honor the legacy of Henson’s father, who battled mental health issues following his service in the Vietnam War. Alongside her friend, Tracie Jade Jenkins, the “Hidden Figures” actress established the organization to cater to the unique needs of communities of color.

“As a pioneering force in Black mental health advocacy, BLHF is dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace their history and heritage,” the BLHF website states. “Together, we’re working towards a future where mental health thrives in Black communities, empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being and access the care they deserve.”

BLHF offers “culturally competent” therapy referrals, wellness resources, impactful programs, awareness campaigns, and educational initiatives to destigmatize mental health within marginalized communities. As previously mentioned by BLACK ENTERPRISE, in 2023, BLHF partnered with Kate Spade to launch ‘She Care Wellness Pods,’ a first-of-its-kind wellness program created to provide frontline mental health resources for women and girls on HBCU campuses.

The “Around the Way Girl” author will join the seven 2025 Purpose Prize awardees in Washington D.C., like STEM NOLA Founder and CEO Calvin Mackie, Ph.D., as AARP celebrates the recipients for their contributions and advocacy in their communities. Recipients will receive $50,000 each for their organizations.

RELATED CONTENT: Queen Latifah Cosigns Taraji P. Henson’s Equal Pay Fight At NAACP Image Awards

Jim Jones, Thanksgiving, Harlem, NYC, turkey
Photo by Prince Williams/Getty Images
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 5, 2024

Jim Jones Enters Tech Space With Social Media App SneakyLinks

'Now that the world knows what SneakyLinks is all about, we're excited to see how people everywhere will start using it to connect in ways that feel authentic and meaningful.'

Harlem-bred hip-hop recording artist Jim Jones has entered the world of technology by releasing a social media app named “SneakyLinks.”

After the app’s exclusive unveiling in Atlanta last month at Invest Fest 2024, the “On My Way to Church” rapper, along with investor Daniel Gamble, has officially announced the public launch of SneakyLinks.

 
 
 
 
 
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“We’ve kept SneakyLinks under wraps until we were ready to deliver something truly special,” Jones said in a written statement. “Now that the world knows what SneakyLinks is all about, we’re excited to see how people everywhere will start using it to connect in ways that feel authentic and meaningful.”

The app promises to give users a different experience than what they are used to with other social media apps. It states that it can be used for business networking, friendship, or romance. SneakyLinks will allow users to change the mood of their experience on the app based on what they feel while perusing it.

Gamble said, “The response from our initial launch at Invest Fest was incredible. Now, we’re thrilled to extend SneakyLinks to the public, allowing everyone to experience a new standard in social media.”

People discovered the new app on August 24, when it was introduced to the audience at Invest Fest. The unveiling was shown to many tech enthusiasts, investors, and influencers who were in attendance. The guests were given a first look at the features that the app provides to the users.

“This wasn’t just about launching an app; it was about celebrating our culture and the incredible contributions of our community,” said Jones. “Now, as we open SneakyLinks to the world, we’re proud to continue that celebration by inviting everyone to join the movement by sharing the news and downloading at sneakylinks.com.”

RELATED CONTENT: Hip-Hop Entrepreneur Jim Jones to Launch Vamp Berry Soda

Skip Bayless Charles Barkley
Photo Credit: Megan Briggs/Getty Images
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 5, 2024

Charles Barkley Paid $100K Toward Donation To New Orleans Prep School

St. Mary's Academy received $100,000 from the former basketball player who pledged to give the school $100,000 annually for the next nine years.

In May, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, after seeing 60 Minutes feature two former students of a New Orleans school who used trigonometry to prove the 2,000-year-old Pythagorean Theorem, pledged to donate $1 million to the institution. The TNT analyst reportedly sent an installment of $100,000 recently to the school.

According to a press release from St. Mary’s Academy, the school has received its first $100,000 from Barkley. The former basketball player has pledged to give St.Mary’s Academy $100,000 annually for the next nine years.

“Mr. Barkley is thrilled to support St. Mary’s Academy and is very focused on transforming future generations through education and opportunities. He has a love and passion for what the academy stands for and how it is shaping the lives and futures of young girls in New Orleans,” a representative from the Charles Barkley Foundation wrote in a written statement.

Barkley was impressed when he saw the 60 Minutes segment that featured former students Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson using trigonometry to prove the 2,000-year-old Pythagorean Theorem. Scholars previously believed that it could not be done. 

“We are forever grateful for Mr. Barkley’s gift and his support of our students. This transformative gift will assist students as they excel and achieve whatever dream they create within the walls of St. Mary’s Academy,” said Pamela Rogers, President of St. Mary’s Academy. “His generosity supports the mission of St. Mary’s Academy and reinforces our commitment to educating young people.”

St. Mary’s Academy stated that it plans to use the $1 million pledged over ten years to enhance the program of the school’s legendary educational experience. The funds will provide students with opportunities to grow and develop in the classroom and the New Orleans community.

RELATED CONTENT: Charles Barkley Was Willing To Turn Down $100M To Keep TNT Team Safe, ‘That’s All I Was Concerned With’

Pizza, Black-Owned, Bird Pizzeria, food, TNT Pizza, Dough Boy Pizza, Clark Atlanta Grads
Photo Credit: Getty Images
by Shanique Yates

September 5, 2024

Clark Atlanta University Collective Opens Another Dough Boy Pizza Shop In ATL

Clark Atlanta University graduates set to own and operate second Dough Pizza Shop location in Atlanta.

Dough Boy Pizza is expanding its imprint in Atlanta thanks to a new Harlem Hops Craft Beer partnership.

The fast-casual pizza restaurant has partnered with the James-Beard Award-nominated craft beer bar to open its second Atlanta location at Lee + White Food Hall. Owned and operated by HBCU graduates Kim Harris, Danielle Scarborough, Stacey Lee Spratt, and Dalen Spratt, this Dough Boy Pizza franchise’s new location will also be the Atlanta home of Harlem Hops, the first Black-owned craft beer bar in Manhattan, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

As graduates of Clark Atlanta University, the foursome have dubbed themselves The CAU Collective and are on a mission to extend Harlem Hops’ community service mission by launching a scholarship program for aspiring HBCU students. The Harlem Hopes program is designed to encourage the next generation of HBCU graduates within the Atlanta community while also showcasing the opportunities available to Black people within the craft beer industry. 

“Not only will customers enjoy freshly-made, authentic, Neapolitan-style pizza, but they’ll also have the opportunity to pair it with some of our in-house signature brews,” said The CAU Collective in a statement. “Many of the beers at Dough Boy Pizza x Harlem Hops will be made by local, small-batch, family-owned businesses, and, in some cases, by people of color.”

Known for its Neapolitan-style pizza, which includes a thin crust, mozzarella cheese, and tomato sauce, Dough Boy Pizza is a technology-driven pizza restaurant that allows customers to order directly from electronic cashiers, eliminating the traditional use of cashiers, with everything managed through digital screens.

Crowned the Smart Pizza Shop Movement, Chef Erica Barrett first launched Dough Boy Pizza in Birmingham, Alabama, naming it the first smart pizza shop due to her “calculated formula for success and heavy use of technology.” Now a national brand, Barrett and team have positioned the restaurant to be owned and operated by community members.

“With Dough Boy Pizza’s concept, we’re helping franchisees control labor and food costs through our technology-focused approach,” said Dough Boy Pizza creator Erica Barrett. “This concept is perfect for millennials who want to grab their pizza and go – we wanted to build a restaurant of the future.”

The first franchise installment of the fast-casual pizza restaurant opened its doors in Atlanta’s South DeKalb neighborhood. It is owned and operated by Radio One’s Uncensored show host, Ryan Cameron.

From traditional toppings like pepperoni and sausage to unique options that include crawfish and short ribs with caramelized onions, Dough Boy Pizza is a franchise-driven concept that allows owners to maintain full control thanks to the technological advancements at each venue. 

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school shooting, Colt Gray, Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray, School Shooter
photo credit: Elizabeth Kay | Unsplash
by Sharelle B. McNair

September 5, 2024

14-Year-Old Autistic Student Identified As 1 Of 4 Victims In Horrific Georgia School Shooting

Rest In Peace to these innocent victims....

One of four victims in the Georgia high school shooting has been identified as a 14-year-old autistic student, Mason Schermerhorn, The New York Post reported. 

Schermerhorn’s family made desperate pleas on social media, hoping to be reunited with their loved one, after they couldn’t reach him following the shooting in Winder. “If he is escalated, PLEASE use a calm voice with him,” family members said online. “Let him know his mom is looking for him for reassurance.”

It was later that the family found out the student was one of the victims of the shooting that occurred at Apalachee High School on Sep. 4. Schermerhorn, another 14-year-old student identified as Christian Angulo and two math teachers, Richard Aspinwall, and Christina Irimie, were allegedly gunned down by 14-year-old suspect, Colt Gray.

A friend of Schermerhorn’s mother, Doug Kilburn, said the teen loved spending time with his family, playing video games, telling jokes, and taking trips to Disney World. “He really enjoyed life,” Kilburn said. “He always had an upbeat attitude about everything.”

Nine other people, including special education teacher David Phenix and eight students, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said all are expected to survive. During a press conference, law officials said Gray allegedly opened fire with an AR-15-style gun inside the school around 10:30 a.m.

According to FOX 5, officers responded within minutes of a call and almost immediately encountered Gray, who dropped his weapon and surrendered. “Obviously, the shooter was armed, and our school resource officer engaged him, and the shooter quickly realized that if he did not give up, that it would end with an OIS — an officer-involved shooting,” Smith said.

After the suspect was interviewed immediately, the sheriff said connections between the student and the victims have not been identified, but they are looking into all aspects surrounding the incident. 

A video from a student’s point of view inside the school has gone viral on social media, showing the moment when law enforcement arrived to get surviving students to safety. The school was cleared by 11:30 a.m., and students were released to their families. Neighboring school, Winder-Barrow High, was also briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution. 

The gunman has allegedly been on the FBI’s radar since 2023 after he was investigated for making online threats to shoot up a school. Gray and his father were interviewed after the federal agency received a number of tips about threats, including photos of guns, in May 2023. At the time, law enforcement said they did not have probable cause to arrest the teenager or take further action.

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Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis, glen Davis
Photo by Matthew West/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 5, 2024

Ex-NBA Player Glen Davis Given Time Before His Prison Bid To Film A Documentary

A judge granted the former Boston Celtic until Oct. 22 to report to prison so he can complete a documentary about his life

Former NBA player Glen “Big Baby” Davis was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison on May 9 after being found guilty of trying to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan. A judge has allowed his sentence to be delayed until Oct. 22 so he can complete a documentary about his life.

According to The Associated Press, on Aug. 28, Judge Valerie E. Caproni granted the former basketball player additional time after his attorney informed her that he was working on a film project that chronicles his life. He was supposed to report to prison on Sept. 1.

When appearing before Judge Caproni, Davis’s attorney, Brendan White, requested the extra time because a Hollywood production company had not completed the project before Davis was required to report to prison. The company cited difficulties in arranging timely interviews with Davis’s former teammates and colleagues.

The lawyer also stated that the money Davis would earn from the project “could go a long way” toward the former Boston Celtics player’s payment of the $80,000 he has to pay in restitution.

The judge agreed to the delay, stating that Davis “owes significant restitution” to a victim and hopes that “optimism about the financial rewards of the film is warranted.”

On Nov. 15, 2023, Davis and former NBA player Will Bynum were found guilty of healthcare fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to make false statements, and conspiracy to commit healthcare and wire fraud. The two men joined 18 other former NBA players accused of trying to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan.

Davis was sentenced for his role in a scheme that tried to defraud an insurance plan for NBA players and their families of more than $5 million.

The other former NBA players arrested and charged in the scheme are Milt Palacio, Antoine Wright, Charles Watson, Darius Miles, Ruben Patterson, Eddie Robinson, Gregory Smith, Jamario Moon, Terrence Williams, Alan Anderson, Tony Allen, Shannon Brown, Melvin Ely, Christopher Douglas-Roberts, Sebastian Telfair, and Tony Wroten.

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Salt n Pepa, Push It
Photo: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 5, 2024

DJ Spinderella Recalls Salt-N-Pepa Almost Getting Arrested For Performing ‘Push It’

'It was not a sexual song. We were literally talking about dancing on the dance floor.'

DJ Spinderella said Salt-N-Pepa were frequently faced with the prospect of arrest when the band performed its hip-hop classic, “Push It.”

The former Salt-N-Pepa member appeared on Drink Champs, where she looked back on the controversy that followed the group’s 1986 hit. The song was way ahead of its time for women in hip-hop and faced extreme criticism from listeners who misunderstood the song’s intent.

“It was not a sexual song,” DJ Spinderella said. “We were literally talking about dancing on the dance floor. And people took that and took it the other way, and it actually worked for us.”

While the backlash ended up working in their favor, threats of arrest still took a toll on the group.

“Being on stage and being told that, ‘If you play that song here, you can get arrested.’ So, there were times where that was almost the case,” the hip-hop DJ shared. “And somehow, we got to a point where we just had to convince everybody that this is not about what you think it’s about. And that is the truth.”

In 2021, Sandra “Pepa” Denton recalled police warning the group not to perform the song because they thought the rappers were using an explicit term.

“They said if you say a curse word, we’re going to take you off the stage,” Pepa told Page Six. “We were saying ‘Push It;’ they thought we were saying, ‘P—y, real good.’ So the police were waiting for us. We had to show them the lyrics: We’re saying ‘PUSH It,’ not ‘p—y.'”

Spinderella left Salt-N-Pepa despite its success due to issues with the two femcees.

“Generally speaking, you just grow up. You just get to a point where things will not be tolerated,” she explained. “And respect should be mutual. And when respect is mutual, we can move and do whatever. But when respect is not mutual, then what are you here for? The bag. That don’t last because I can get a bag without it.”

Angie Martinez, DJ CLark Kent, documentary
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 5, 2024

Angie Martinez Makes Directorial Debut With Documentary On DJ Clark Kent

Angie Martinez is making her directorial debut with a new documentary about DJ Clark Kent.

Famed hip-hop radio personality Angie Martinez is making her directorial debut with a new documentary about DJ Clark Kent.

Jay-Z, Questlove, DJ Khaled, and more will appear in Martinez’s feature-length documentary God’s Favorite D.J.: The Story of DJ Clark Kent. Produced in partnership with Green Leaf Productions and Mark Sparks Productions, the documentary highlights DJ Clark Kent’s often overlooked resume of reshaping hip-hop history with his early belief in future heavyweights.

Among DJ Clark Kent’s production credits include Jay-Z’s “Brooklyn’s Finest,” the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Sky’s the Limit,” Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s “Player’s Anthem,” Mariah Carey’s “Loverboy,” and Kanye West and Lil Pump’s “I Love It,” among many others.

“DJ Clark Kent is a rare gem whose influence is seen in nearly every era of Hip-Hop’s history books,” Martinez told The Hollywood Reporter.

“With our 50-year-old culture susceptible to outside perspective and agenda, it’s important that we spotlight the heroes who push the art form with purity and authenticity. I am honored to help share Clark’s many truths with the world.”

In the documentary, Martinez tells the story of DJ Clark Kent’s last four decades, during which he’s served “as an architect, teacher, and unsung hero within Hip-Hop,” a synopsis reads.

A DJ, producer, and sneaker enthusiast, DJ Clark Kent is credited with serving a crucial behind-the-scenes role in hip-hop history.

Notable memories include “when he convinced Shawn Carter to believe in the future of Jay-Z or taught the Notorious B.I.G. to perform like a star and coached Lil Kim through her first studio session,” the synopsis states.

The full-length feature sees Martinez, widely regarded as “the voice of New York,” raising awareness on how much of DJ Clark Kent’s D.N.A. lies within corners of present pop culture, including critical collaborations with mainstream music stars like Kanye West, Mariah Carey, and Rick Ross and his 2024 sneaker collaboration with Nike that’s been resold for over $10,000.

“I’m honored to have Angie Martinez directing,” DJ Clark Kent says. “Her entire career has been rooted in telling stories in a beautiful & meaningful way. Angie is a true icon of hip-hop, and we are very lucky to have her as a guide for this project.”

Rebecca Cheptegei, Ugandan marathon runner
Photo credit: Narnabi | Wikimedia Commons | CCA
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 5, 2024

Ugandan Marathon Runner Dead After Allegedly Being Set On Fire By Ex-Boyfriend

Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition after being set on fire by her ex.

Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei died at a Kenyan hospital after authorities said her ex-boyfriend doused her in gasoline and set her on fire.

Cheptegei, 33, suffered extensive burns to her body after being attacked at her home in western Kenya, BBC reports. The athlete, who finished in 44th place at the Paris Olympics, was returning home from church on Sunday with her two children when the attack happened.

Neighbors at her home in the small town of Endebess came to her rescue, local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom said. The alleged attacker also suffered serious burns. They are both being treated at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the region’s main town.

Cheptegei reportedly purchased a piece of land in Trans Nzoia county and built a house near Kenya’s many athletic training centers. A local administrator claimed Cheptegei was battling with her ex over the piece of land.

“The couple were heard quarreling outside their house,” Kosiom told reporters. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”

The hospital’s senior director of clinical services Dr. Owen Benach confirmed that “a high-profile patient” had been “fully sedated because of the extent of the burns.” Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, said he is praying “for justice for my daughter”.

Police said an investigation is underway. Cheptegei’s attack comes amid growing concern for Kenyan women who are falling victim to vicious attacks at the hands of their male spouses.

In April 2022, Damaris Mutua, another Kenyan runner, was found dead in a home after being strangled with a pillow over her face. Months before, record-breaking long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same town. In both cases, the women suffered attacks from their male partners.

Tirop’s husband is currently facing murder charges while the search continues for Mutua’s boyfriend.

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Men's Cognition, living conditions
photo courtesy: Nubelson Fernandes on Unsplash
by Daniel Johnson

September 5, 2024

Research Suggests Living Conditions Have An Effect On Black Men’s Cognitive Skills

According to the study, their findings align with existing research, but the study’s authors say that more attention on Black men is needed due to a lack of studies on factors that contribute to their cognitive declines.

A new study from the University of Kentucky linked the environments of Black men with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease or other cognitive impairments. According to the study, more research about Black men’s risk of developing cognitive impairments could allow for those impairments to be prevented altogether. 

According to the study, their findings align with existing research, but the study’s authors say that more attention on Black men is needed due to a lack of studies on factors that contribute to their cognitive declines. 

“Black men are often underrepresented in scientific studies, leading to a lack of comprehensive understanding of factors influencing their health outcomes. This underrepresentation hinders the ability to draw accurate conclusions and develop targeted interventions that address the unique challenges faced by Black men,” the study warns. 

The Black men who participated in the study were asked by the authors of the study a range of questions about their living conditions and cognitive function, and their answers revealed that Black men, in particular, are susceptible to subjective cognitive decline (SCD) due to a range of contributing factors.

“We also found a significant relationship between bodily symptoms and SCD — increased bodily symptoms like pain, aches, pressures in the body, breathing difficulties, and tiredness increased the likelihood of Black men in the study reporting the presence of SCD,” the study stated.

The study also discovered that the longer that Black men live in their neighborhoods, the more significant the presence of SCD, which the study authors said could be due to prolonged exposure to environmental stresses, socioeconomic disadvantages, or social isolation. 

“While neighborhood problems had a trending association with SCD in this study, other studies showed that living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may increase the risk of cognitive decline. People in these neighborhoods experience poor access to quality education, healthcare facilities, and public resources, high pollution (e.g., noise, air), and poor living conditions. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that longer stays in neighborhoods with greater problems will increase the risk of cognitive decline,” the study’s authors wrote.

They continued, “Overall, our findings highlight the role of SES, sleep difficulties, length of residency in a neighborhood, and bodily symptoms in shaping subjective cognitive experiences among Black men. It illuminates the importance of considering a holistic approach when examining cognitive health, incorporating both individual and contextual determinants. This study’s emphasis on understanding these factors can contribute to the early identification of individuals at risk for cognitive decline, enabling timely interventions, lifestyle modifications, and potential preventive measures. It contributes valuable insights to the broader understanding of cognitive health disparities, emphasizing the need for nuanced and culturally sensitive approaches to address subjective cognitive decline in Black men.”

In their conclusion, the study authors posited that the study’s findings illuminate the necessity of timely interventions, lifestyle changes, and potential preventative measures tailored to the unique needs of Black men. They recommended that the continued exploration of SCD within populations often ignored or underrepresented is critical to advancing the understanding of cognitive health disparities and promoting proactive measures for the overall well-being of said underrepresented populations. 

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