O.J. Simpson, Brain Study, cancer, dead, o.j. simpson, oj

O.J. Simpson Executor: ‘Hard No’ To Brain Study For CTE; Body Will Be Cremated

LaVergne shared that no uncovering of a possible CTE diagnosis in Simpson will occur as the long-retired football star's body will be cremated.


O.J. Simpson’s executor, Malcolm LaVergne, confirmed that the controversial football great’s body will be cremated and his brain will not be studied for a chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

LaVergne said no parts of Simpson will be donated for scientific research, NBC News reports, even though there have invitations. “On at least one occasion, someone has called saying he’s a CTE guy who studies the brain,” said LaVergne,

According to the National Health Service, CTE is degenerative brain disease often caused by repeated injuries to the head and can lead to behavioral issues. In past years, CTE has been linked to some former football players. LaVerge emphasized that such a study will not happen.

“That’s a hard no,” he shared. “His entire body, including his brain, will be cremated.”

LaVergne anticipates contesting claims made by Ron Goldman’s family, which is owed $33.5 million from a 1997 wrongful death judgment. A jury found Simpson liable for Goldman’s death in the civil trial despite his acquittal of the criminal charges.

LaVergne originally wanted the Goldmans gaining nothing from Simpson’s estate, but the lawyer has since retracted that statement.

“In hindsight, in response to that statement that ‘It’s my hope they get zero, nothing,’ I think that was pretty harsh,” he said. “Now that I understand my role as the executor and the personal representative, it’s time to tone down the rhetoric and really get down to what my role is as a personal representative…We can get this thing resolved in a calm and dispassionate manner.”

In the meantime, Simpson’s estate will set aside funds for a “suitable monument” at a gravesite despite his cremation. An exclusive service for friends and family is also in the works.

Simpson, who post-football career was marked by his role in arguably the nation’s biggest murder trial of the twentieth century, died from cancer last week. He was 76.

Amira Rasool, The Folklore , International, Global, brands, membership

The Folklore Announces Platform And Membership Expansion For Global Brands

Its introduction as "The Folklore 2.0" will offer even more resources for global brands to grow.


The Folklore, which provides diverse businesses with the resources and community to expand their audience, has new programs and membership offerings. The company announced “The Folklore 2.0” on April 17 after raising $3.4 million in its seed round.

Its platform will now include The Folklore Source, Capital, and Hub, complete with an innovative line-up of in-person and virtual events to educate and inspire the community.

This year, The Folklore will host mixers, fireside chats, and panels in cities like New York, Atlanta, as well as Accra and Nairobi. These additions will complement The Folklore’s mission to expand its reach and to connect with diverse brands eager to grow.

Its multimillion seed funding round, spearheaded by Benchstrength, helped realize these initiatives. With the inclusion of new and established investors, such as Slauson & Co and Black Tech Nation Ventures, has led to a total of $6.2 million raised thus far.

The Folklore’s Founder and CEO, Amira Rasool, already made history in 2022 as one of the youngest Black women to raise over $1 million in a pre-seed round. With this funding, she hopes racially diverse home, apparel, and beauty business owners can thrive.

Regarding her company’s continued elevation of small brands, Rasool shared her hopes for these new opportunities.

“At The Folklore, we have been at the forefront of revolutionizing the wholesale experience for global brands and retailers alike by creating opportunities that drive equity, access, and inclusion,” said Rasool. “Expanding our platform and community resources is a testament to our commitment to address more of the challenges our brands face and nurture a larger community of brands that can connect, bond, and support one another during the journey. It’s hard for small businesses to build alone, and now, with The Folklore, brands won’t have to.”

Furthermore, its memberships will allow access to a variety of Folklore’s resources, such as wholesale management software and a B2B marketplace. While its Source application will connect brands to vetted service providers, its Capital program will match businesses with loans best suited to their needs.

Its affordable monthly price of $39 will ensure brands of all scales are empowered through The Folklore’s assistance. Moreover, it continues to address issues limiting business growth to promote equity across multiple industries.

For intrigued business owners, learn more about The Folklore’s website here.

Carvana, Jason Scott, Lindsberg Pettway, North Carolina, Maserati, Michigan, stolen, vehicle, car,

Detroit Car Salesman Highlights Resurfaced News Report Of Stolen Maserati Purchased From Carvana

Buyer beware! Over the past three years, Carvana has amassed more than 5,500 complaints.


A news story of a scandalous car sale from a Carvana in North Carolina resurfaced online, and one Detroit car salesman wants to inform the public about a potential problem.

On April 12, Lindsberg Pettway, an auto advisor at Feldman Chevrolet in Livonia, Michigan, posted an alarming news report to his Instagram account about Jason Scott, a North Carolina man who paid $68,000 for a Maserati SUV at a local Carvana. In November 2022, the army veteran purchased the vehicle as a gift for his wife and he later discovered that the Maserati was stolen.

“Can you believe this actually happened before?!!! 🤯 It’s been reported that a man bought a stolen Maserati from Carvana for 68k!! I’ve heard this isn’t the first time this has happened,” Lindsberg captioned the post.

Scott discovered the SUV was stolen after taking it to the Maserati dealer to be serviced in February 2023. The paperwork for the Maserati SUV stated that the model year was 2021, but after an investigation and parts being removed with serial numbers, it was discovered the car was produced in 2017. The service department technicians also noted that the VIN had been altered.

“When they check the VIN number on the chassis, that’s when they saw that it was a stolen vehicle. VIN on the car, on the window and the car door was different,” the duped man explained.

The dealership notified the police, and officers questioned Scott about the shady Maserati. He explained that he purchased the car from Carvana and even provided paperwork for the transaction. He was released.

But to Scott’s chagrin, police confiscated the stolen Maserati. He immediately contacted the nationwide online auto dealership. Jason’s conversation with Carvana didn’t go as planned. He was expecting an immediate solution after showing proof of police seizure, and he was still without a vehicle. 

“She said, ‘Well, we can’t trade the vehicle back in until you bring the vehicle back.’ I said, ‘I can’t bring the vehicle back.’ I said, ‘The police have the vehicle,’” the customer expressed. “They (weren’t_ responding back to anything at all.”

Scott wants Carvana to pay him $1 million, his down payment, and the two monthly payments that were made. 

Carvana finally responded with a statement, including a denial that the Maserati was a stolen vehicle. Although the company received Scott’s letter, it only offered $1000 for the inconvenience. 

“When Carvana acquired this vehicle, someone had taken sophisticated criminal steps to steal and alter the vehicle, and we’re taking all the necessary steps to make it right for our customer in this rare instance.”

“I know they say they have 150-point inspections. I want them to have 151. Check to see if the vehicle is stolen. The last thing I want anybody to do is to get caught late at night on some strange road in the backcountry, and they can’t verify it, and they look at that person as a criminal,” he said about Carvana’s alleged verification system.

The North Carolina Attorney General is actively investigating 130 grievances against the company. 

The Arizona-based company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Over the past three years, Carvana has amassed over 5,500 complaints. In 2022, the State of Michigan revoked the company’s business license. It’s the third state to do so Illinois and North Carolina susp,ended Carvana’s license for six months. 

Wayne Brady, Financial Literacy Month, pay progress forward, host, let's make a deal, Chime

Wayne Brady Celebrates Financial Literacy Month With Spirit Of Generosity

Wayne Brady is celebrating Financial Literacy Month by teaming up with Chime for its "Pay Progress Forward" campaign.


Actor, singer, and entertainer Wayne Brady is celebrating Financial Literacy Month by teaming up with Chime for its “Pay Progress Forward” campaign where he explores the relationship between financial well-being and the spirit of generosity.

The new video series shows the Emmy Award-winning Let’s Make A Deal host sitting down with five people who are tested to either double their money or pay it forward. The individuals then meet with a financial educator who helps them determine how much they need to unlock financial progress in their life.

@chime Real talk: are you choosing the cash or paying it forward? 👀 Watch how our bet on generosity turned out. Learn more about paying progress forward at link in bio 💚 . . . Paycheck-to-paycheck statistic source: PYMTS New Reality Check: The Paycheck-To-Paycheck Report @Wayne Brady #chime #payprogressforward #progress #financialprogress ♬ original sound – Chime Financial

Speaking with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Brady got candid about his personal finance journey and how his grandmother inspired him to always be rooted in gratitude. Brady was able to learn financial lessons early in life as an aspiring entertainer and later as an accomplished entrepreneur.

“My grandmother taught me all about generosity. Even when you feel that you may not have, there’s always someone who is not as well off as you,” Brady explains. “You may only have 15 cents, somebody may only have three cents, and if you’ve got three cents, that there’s somebody with nothing, that there’s always a way to help.

“I think I got that from her,” he adds. “And in terms of my journey to being money literate, that’s a journey. When you don’t grow up with it, you may not understand the value. I think sometimes it takes a journey of not having it, knowing that you need to work hard for it, you save it, you know where it comes from.”

It was one act of generosity from his grandmother, giving him a $200 suit, which unlocked a future of financial freedom for the Who’s Line Is It, Anyway? star. Brady was in the early stages of his career in Los Angeles and received an opportunity to sing in Japan. But Brady had just gotten his car repossessed and was in the process of being evicted from his apartment.

“In the six months that I would be there, I would come back with enough money to be able to make a down payment on a place, to get a new car, to help my grandmother out,” he said. “All I needed was I needed a tux and money to make copies of my sheet music. And when I say that I had nothing, I had nothing. My grandmother took her last $200 and invested in me. She made an investment.”

Brady was able to pay his grandmother and then some.

Press play below for the full interview on Wayne Brady’s work with Chime’s “Pay Progress Forward,” where Brady share tips for someone looking to strike a balance between generosity and financial progress in their own life and teases a few of his upcoming projects.

RELATED CONTENT: Use Financial Literacy Month To Get Those Finances In Order

Housing Market, House shortage, Real estate

America’s Housing Shortage Is Not Going Anywhere

The lack of housing, and homes in particular, may have an impact on November's presidential election.


During a March Senate Banking Committee hearing, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell made it clear that America’s housing shortage was a major concern, telling lawmakers he believes the shortage will persist because of factors affecting the construction of properties. 

As Fast Company reported, Powell was asked by Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock what he believed could be driving the prices of homes up, and Powell told Warnock that the challenges of inflation and the pandemic have helped to stagnate the market. 

“The housing market is in a very challenging situation right now. You have this longer-run housing shortage, but at the same time, you have a bunch of things that have to do with the pandemic and inflation and [the Fed’s] response with higher rates.” Powell said. “You have a shortage of homes available for sale because many people are living in homes with a very low mortgage rate and can’t afford to refinance, so they’re not moving, which means the supply of regular existing homes that are for sale is historically low and a very low transaction rate. That [all] actually pushes up the prices of other existing homes and also of new homes because there’s just not enough supply.”

This has created what Nicole Friedman, the Wall Street Journal’s housing reporter, described to Vox’s Noel King during a March episode of Vox’s Today Explained podcast as a standoff. 

“Well, every boomer would tell you that they bought it for seven raspberries, but at a 15 percent mortgage rate,” Friedman said. “I don’t think that boomers are the problem here. It is a change from past generations that the baby boomer generation is aging in place more than past generations, and they are often working longer.”

Friedman also agreed with Powell’s point about there not being enough houses and provided context as to why that is the case.

“Everybody basically agrees there are not enough homes, because after the financial crisis, a lot of homebuilders went out of business. The ones who were left in business were really, really financially scarred by the crisis.” Friedman said. “They were left with a lot of homes they couldn’t sell and a lot of land they couldn’t sell. So builders became a lot more cautious, and the number of homes being built fell to a much lower level. It’s taken more than a decade for homebuilding activity to really catch back up.”

The lack of housing and homes in particular, is also an issue that is having an impact on the upcoming election in November. As Vox reported in May 2023, the Biden administration announced its Housing Supply Action Plan, which the administration called “the most comprehensive all of government effort to close the housing supply shortfall in history.”

Nearly a year later, there hasn’t been much progress, and higher interest rates have helped to slow the construction of homes. Despite investing in infrastructure and climate change, the federal government did not invest in spending on expanding the housing supply. The zoning issues that the Biden administration raised in its Housing Supply Action Plan was a good first step, according to Andy Winkler, the housing director at the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Winkler’s organization outlined a series of initiatives that it believes the federal government should pursue to achieve notable progress on the housing crisis currently facing America. As Vox reported, advocates for change in the housing system believe it is going to take a big swing from the federal government. 

This is reflected in the Bipartisan Policy Center’s conclusion, which reads in part:

“We also believe that both political parties should work together, building on the Biden Administration’s ‘House America’ initiative, to prevent and end homelessness nationwide, a long-time, bipartisan objective. Many of the provisions in this plan will further that goal—by addressing housing supply constraints, providing new assistance to families and veterans, preventing evictions, and more—but it is likely that additional resources and policy changes will be needed to make homelessness in the United States a rare, brief, and one-time occurrence.”

Texas A&M School Of Law

Texas A&M School Of Law Ranked 2nd Best In Texas, 26th In The Nation

Honoré told the university that its investment in her, as well as the growth of the law school, sold her on attending the Texas A&M School of Law over others.


The Texas A&M School of Law has been ranked as the 26th best law school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. The ranking continues the law school’s upward trajectory since the Fort Worth-based school joined Texas A&M’s university system in 2013. 

As Fort Worth Report reports, the university is building a new building in downtown Fort Worth. Like the new building currently under construction, the university’s standing in the academic arena continues to rise. 

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp told the Fort Worth Report via a press release that the university’s rise has exceeded his expectations. “When I worked to acquire this law school a decade ago, even I did not dream it would move up in the rankings this fast.”

As Texas A&M Law School Dean Bobby Ahdieh told the outlet, “Are we appropriately focused on the ingredients of building a great law school?” Ahdieh said. “Our hope is that rankings will capture that effectively. And I think we are.” Ahdieh continued, “Each year, we are seeing further progress, further increases in the direction of the quality of institution that we’re building. The fact that there’s underlying substance behind it is really awesome.”

According to Ahdieh, the university has the highest graduate employment rate and the highest GPA among any incoming students in America. In addition, its students pass the bar exam at a higher percentage than any other school in Texas. Those metrics, Ahdieh says, show the quality of the institution. “It’s capturing something about the quality of our students, the quality of our faculty, the quality of our programs, the quality of our staff, and the results they produce. That’s valuable.” 

That quality of the students is reflected in the students the university attracts, such as Danyelle Honoré. Honoré, who is a first-year law student, is also a Marshall-Motley Scholar. The program, dedicated to supporting the next generation of civil rights lawyers in the South, entitles its scholars to choose any law school they are accepted to apply for a full ride. Honoré held offers from institutions like Harvard University’s School of Law; she received a Master’s degree in education from that institution but chose Texas A&M School of Law instead. 

Honoré, who is the founder and CEO of the Honoré Foundation, a community service organization focusing on children, told the university that their investment in her, as well as the growth of the law school, sold her on attending the Texas A&M School of Law over others. “From day one, the administration made it clear that they were invested in my individual success, and they made an effort to make me feel at home with their unique and personable style,” Honoré said. “Seeing their dream for the law school to grow and come to life in a way that most law schools have never seen is definitely something I wanted to be a part of.”

North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC, HBCU,

NC A&T Student Detained After Shooting Inside Freshman Residence Hall

University students were alerted of the incident early Monday morning via the campus emergency alert system.


North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University police are investigating an alleged incident on campus involving gunshots heard inside a freshman residence hall on Sunday, April 14, around 11:30 p.m.

According to WFMY News 2, a single gunshot was fired inside Barbee Hall on the building’s second floor, though no injuries were reported. Students were notified of the incident via a campus text alert system called AggieAlert

“UPD is investigating shots fired inside of Barbee Hall. No injuries were reported and UPD was on scene. Stay clear of the scene,” it read, according to Fox 8. While university police investigated, students were instructed to report any information that they may have to the campus emergency hotline. 

NC A&T’s campus police signaled that the situation was resolved shortly before 1:00 am with another alert, saying, “ALL CLEAR!! UPD has cleared the scene at this time. If you have any additional information, contact campus police at 336-334-7675.’”

The university issued a statement on social media regarding the situation. “As we continue to be vigilant in maintaining a safe, campus environment, please remember weapons are strictly prohibited on our campus,” it tweeted. “As always, if you see something, say something. Please review your Aggie email for complete details.”

The shooting allegedly took place following an argument between a male student, Nicholas Nasir McCall, 18, and his girlfriend, Jaila Chancel Gibson, 19. Gibson is not a student at the university. 

Both individuals have been taken into custody and charged with felony possession of a weapon on educational property. 

McCall received additional charges of simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and molestation of a fire device; Gibson was charged with felony firing of a weapon into an occupied dwelling. WXII 12 reports that McCall and Gibson are being detained at the Greensboro Detention Center. McCall has a $1,000 secured bond, while Gibson is being held without bond. This incident comes five months after Morgan State University had a shooting during its homecoming celebration, which left four students injured.

RELATED CONTENT: Former Virginia Elementary School Assistant Principal Faces Eight Felony Charges After Teacher Shot By 6-Year-Old 

Dr. Melody T. McCloud, Atlanta OB-GYN, OBGYN, wellness guide, sex, talk,

Atlanta OB-GYN Talks Health, Sex, Life In ‘Black Women’s Wellness’ Guide

Back by comparative data, Dr. Melody McCloud's book covers health conditions, diseases, and wellness resources to help Black women thrive.


Dr. Melody T. McCloud’s “Black Women’s Wellness: Your ‘I’ve Got This!’ Guide to Health, Sex, and Phenomenal Living” stands as a comprehensive guide to lifelong health and well-being, specifically tailored to the unique challenges faced by Black women.

“I offer this book as a Black female to be your one-stop reference on your personal quest to achieve total wellness, health, and happiness in every important aspect of your life,” McCloud states in the book’s description. With a relatable and warm approach, “Black Women’s Wellness” tackles subjects often overlooked in physician-authored books, addressing the microaggressions and less-than-desirable healthcare outcomes that disproportionately impact Black women. Backed by comparative data across various racial groups, the book provides clear, actionable information to help Black women live vibrant, healthy lives.

The award-winning poet explores the effects of social stress and microaggressions on Black women’s health, covering gynecological conditions alongside other issues related to the eyes, lungs, and musculoskeletal system. Readers can find vital information on the top five medical issues facing Black women: heart disease, diabetes, cancers, HIV, and maternal mortality.

“Black women’s health data, statistics, and outcomes are not always equal to the majority…we need to take steps and create a new legacy of health and wellness,” McCloud told Bright Bold & Real in 2023, highlighting the higher mortality rates Black women face due to breast cancer and pregnancy-related issues compared to white women.

The book delves deeper into wellness, exploring beauty, finances, life-management tools, self-care, and mental well-being, providing health inventory checklists and tips for empowered patient advocacy. The Black female OB-GYN has cared for civil rights matriarchs, celebrities, and countless others. She emphasizes in her book’s description that “If we improve a Black woman’s health, we can improve that of her family and future generations.”

According to the author’s bio on Amazon, the founder and medical director of Atlanta Women’s Health Care, PC, Dr. McCloud blazed a trail as the first Black female to establish an OB-GYN practice in Dekalb County, GA, and the third to do so in the metro Atlanta area. She is presently committed to spreading her health knowledge nationwide through books, media appearances, and lectures on women’s health, sex, relationships, and social issues.

RELATED CONTENT: Biden Reaffirms Commitment To Fight Black Maternal Health Crisis

Tuskegee University, celebration

Tuskegee University Receives Anonymous $20M Donation

Tuskegee University, the HBCU founded by Booker T. Washington, has received another $20 million donation from an anonymous donor, the institution’s second in four years.


Tuskegee University, the HBCU founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, has received another $20 million donation from an anonymous donor, the institution’s second in four years. According to Tuskegee University, the donation will go towards STEM programming and research, scholarships, faculty positions, campus improvement, and Tuskegee’s United Negro College Fund endowment. 

As Al.com reported, the donation matches the donation given to the HBCU in 2020 by philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, and that donation was put to similar use by the university. Tuskegee’s top majors are all classified as STEM programs: animal poultry and veterinary sciences, nursing, biology, and mechanical engineering. 

Tuskegee University President Charlotte P. Morris said in a press release that the donation is a testament to the trust that Tuskegee University inspires. “This gift will allow us to invest in our students, faculty, programs, and infrastructure, enabling us to enhance our academic reputation, enrich the student experience, and continue our work to reach milestones within our strategic plan,” Dr. Morris said. 

Morris continued, “It will provide additional resources for us to implement vital initiatives, further securing the campus and fostering a more dynamic community. This contribution is a testament to our collective efforts and the enduring trust inspired by the Tuskegee legacy.”

In February, two residential halls at the esteemed university, which are named after Lewis Adams and Olivia Davidson, were in line to receive much needed renovations. As the Alabama News Center reported, the former was a Reconstruction Era leader in Macon County, Alabama, who suggested to Wilber F. Foster, a white Democrat, that developing a Black school in the area could win him Black votes. That school eventually became the Tuskegee State Normal School for Colored Teachers, which became the Tuskegee Institute, which became Tuskegee University.

Olivia Davidson is the second wife of Booker T. Washington and worked closely with Washington during the construction of Tuskegee after being recruited by Washington to help build the school. Davidson is credited with shaping much of the university’s early curriculum. In a similar fashion to Washington, she advocated for access to education for Black girls, and argued that they could exercise self-improvement by utilizing reading clubs, temperance, and community engagement. In a news release, the university affirmed that the buildings, which they said were critical to the university’s heritage, would receive the care they deserved. 

“These historical buildings, integral to the university’s heritage, are poised to enter a new era. Olivia Davidson Hall has been a beacon of female empowerment and education since its establishment,” the news release said. “Lewis Adams Hall, reflecting the university’s growth, has long stood as a symbol of academic and residential life on campus. The renovation showcases the university’s proactive approach to student welfare and academic excellence.”

RELATED CONTENT: Angel Jackson Scores Only HBCU Draft Pick To WNBA

Gen Z and Millennials, Homeownership

Majority Of Gen Z and Millennials Expect Parents To Help With Homeownership

Redfin revealed that over one-third of Gen Zers and millennials are counting on assistance from their parents to achieve homeownership.


Achieving the American dream of homeownership has long been seen as a hallmark of success, but for many younger Americans, the path to property ownership is paved with financial challenges. Yourtango reports a recent survey conducted by Redfin revealed that over one-third of Gen Zers and millennials are counting on assistance from their parents to make their homeownership dreams a reality.

In an era marked by skyrocketing housing prices and stagnant wages, the prospect of purchasing a home has become increasingly daunting for younger generations. The survey found that a significant portion of Gen Zers and millennials expect financial support from their parents, with many relying on cash contributions for down payments.

The survey highlighted that “More than one-third of Gen Zers and millennials who want to buy a home expect help from their parents in the form of cold, hard cash.”

The trend of parental assistance isn’t limited to financial support alone. Many young homebuyers are also tapping into their inheritances or opting to move back home to save money in preparation for homeownership.

Data from the survey revealed a notable increase in the reliance on parental funds for down payments. In 2019, 18% of millennials used cash from their families to fund a down payment, a figure that rose to 23% by 2023.

However, framing younger generations as “nepo homebuyers” overlooks the systemic challenges they face in achieving homeownership. The housing market has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, with housing prices soaring nearly 40% since 2020. Coupled with a diminished supply of properties, the median price of houses sold in 2023 stood at $417,700.

Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin, emphasized the structural barriers that prevent many young Americans from entering the housing market without parental assistance.

“The bigger problem is that young Americans who don’t have family money are often shut out of homeownership,” Fairweather noted. “Many of them earn a perfectly good income, too, but they aren’t able to afford a home because they’re at a generational disadvantage.”

As the conversation surrounding homeownership evolves, it’s essential to recognize the systemic inequities that shape access to housing opportunities. For Gen Zers and millennials, seeking parental aid for homeownership isn’t a reflection of entitlement but rather a response to a housing market that presents formidable barriers to entry.

In navigating the complexities of homeownership in today’s economic landscape, younger generations are challenging the traditional narrative of success, underscoring the need for a more inclusive approach to achieving the American dream.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Twitter Debates Home Ownership After Zillow Suggests Buying Amid High Interest Rates

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