Margaret Richards, Alabama A&M, Womens basketball

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 21, 2024

Alabama A&M Women’s Basketball Coach Stepping Down After 8 Seasons

Margaret Richards has coached her last game as she is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

The women’s basketball coach at Alabama A&M will be heading out the door as the school has announced that she is stepping down after eight seasons.

AAMU head coach Margaret Richards has coached her last game at the school as the Director of Athletics, Dr. Paul A. Bryant, stated on Tuesday, March 19, that Richards is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

“We are grateful for the dedication and effort that Coach Richards has shown during her tenure with the Alabama A&M University women’s basketball program,” Bryant said in a written statement. “Her commitment to our student-athletes has been unwavering, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Richards coached the team to 15 wins this season but lost 16, yet they had a home record of 10-4 at the AAMU Event Center. The news comes a week after the team suffered a season-ending loss in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals on Thursday, March 14, killing any chances of appearing in the NCAA Tournament. They rallied back from a 23-point half deficit but fell short to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 82-74.

“I am so proud of our young ladies for competing and fighting,” Richards said after the loss. “We were down by 23, and they could have very easily packed it in and gave up. But they competed and fought extremely hard like I knew they would. We came up short tonight, but I love how hard we fought and played.”

One of the team’s accomplishments this year was Kaylah Turner’s selection as the All-SWAC Freshman of the Year, Amiah Simmons, who scored a career-high 34 points in the last game, was also named to the conference’s All-Second Team.

Richards had a record of 97-125 over the past eight seasons coaching the team. Her teams reached the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women’s Basketball Tournament six times while making it to the semifinals during the 2019-2020 season. She compiled a 69-70 record in SWAC play. Two years ago, during the 2021-2022 season, Richards took the team to a second-place finish in the SWAC, winning a school-best 13 conference wins.

A national search will begin immediately.

Biden, Women’s Health Research, clemency

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 21, 2024

Biden Celebrates Women’s History Month With Executive Order Directing $200M Towards Women’s Health Research

Finally a leader that takes women's health seriously!

President Joe Biden is celebrating Women’s Health Month in a significant way by signing an executive order to expand the reach of improving women’s health research.

On Mar. 19, Biden signed an order that directed corresponding agencies to strengthen research and data standards on women’s health to put federal funds to better use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be instructed to spend $200 million on women’s health research. At the same time, the Office of Management and Budget and the Gender Policy Council will assess gaps in federal funding for women’s health and identify potential changes.

With First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Harris, and women’s health advocate Maria Shriver by his side, Biden hopes the order will push for innovation in the women’s health space and said the measure is long overdue. “Think of all the breakthroughs we’ve made in medicine across the board. But women have not been the focus,” the President said.

“Research has taken much too long to get to y’all.”

In front of a crowded audience in the East Room of the White House, Biden touched on the efforts constructed by his predecessor and GOP members of Congress restricting women’s access to health care while promising to reinstate Roe v. Wade as the law of the land if he’s reelected. “Our basic freedoms are under assault – the freedom to vote, freedom to choose, and so much more,” Biden said, according to CNN.

“My predecessor and his allies in Congress make no apologies for it, but here’s the deal: In the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court wrote, ‘Women are not without electoral and/or political power.'”

Biden’s moves are garnering significant support from women’s health advocates. Dr. Carolyn Mazure, the chair of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, called the measure “transformative.” “This is a huge opportunity for transformative change and will help improve the health and lives of women all across the country,” Mazure said.

First Lady Jill Biden touched on how conditions are often overlooked because of the lack of funding. In February 2024, the First Lady announced $100 million in federal funding for research and development into women’s health through the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

“We simply don’t know enough about how to prevent, detect, and treat the conditions that affect women uniquely, disproportionately, or differently,” First Lady Biden said. “And that’s the result of choice: Because, for decades, ‘business as usual’ has meant understudying and underfunding research on women’s health. Your president believes this is unacceptable.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 21, 2024

Paris Olympics Lifts Intimacy Ban and Provides 300K Condoms For Participating Athletes

Well that's one way to capture people's attention.

Olympic Village will be stocked with condoms for the 2024 Paris Olympics as the intimacy ban has been lifted.

Put in place for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the director of the village where athletes stay, Laurent Michaud, says the condom placement is not for what people may think. The idea is surrounding HIV/AIDS awareness–a tradition since the 1998 Seoul Olympics.

“The distribution of condoms is not for use at the athletes’ village, but to have athletes take them back to their home countries to raise awareness [of HIV and AIDS],” Olympic organizers said at the time.

As the City of Light prepares for 14,250 village residents, it aims to have 300,000 condoms for the athletes. According to CNN, organizers in charge estimate that 200,000 male condoms, 20,000 female condoms, and 10,000 oral condoms will be available during the athletes’ stay in July and August.

There will also be a mental and physical health element added to the village this year. With a clinic fit to treat 600 to 700 patients equipped with specialists, two MRI machines, and a fully stocked pharmacy, plus a space dedicated to mental health, First Aid Coordinator Laurent Dalard said the goal for the village is inclusivity.

“There is a desire to be very inclusive, we have awareness messages which revolve around the issue of consent and pleasure versus performance,” Dalard said.

Intimacy rules went into effect at the 2021 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic to keep participants safe. To prevent the risk of spread, athletes were asked to limit physical contact with each other, keeping six and a half feet between them, except when necessary, like when participating in the games.

Things have lightened up some since then. The global COVID-19 health emergency ended in 2023, and in early 2024, the CDC modified guidelines, creating a “unified, practical approach to addressing risk” from the virus with the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, and shortened the isolation period.

A campaign surrounding bullying will also be implemented for the 2024 games. An awareness campaign aimed at cyberbullying will target athletes. While social media can be used as an avenue for competitive encouragement, it also is used for negative comments after a loss, particularly sexist, racist, body shaming, and more.

For some athletes who don’t have social media managers, there is a chance some comments aren’t controlled. “We have a population that is sometimes very young, who was born with social networks, with screens, and who do not necessarily always have the right practices […] not all athletes are necessarily lucky enough to have community managers,” Dalard said.

Located roughly four miles from the city’s center, the village, Michaud said, will have everything they need—including a sports bar—so there is no need to leave. However, there won’t be any alcohol. “But it’s going to be a great place, so they can share their moments and the environment here,” he said. “No champagne in the village, of course, but they can have all the champagne they want to in Paris.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 21, 2024

Delta Pilot Sentenced To 10 Months In Jail After Arriving To Work Under the Influence

Lawrence B. Russell Jr. pled guilty to "exceeding the prescribed blood alcohol limit" when he showed up to work carrying a half-empty bottle of Jägermeister in his luggage

A 63-year-old airline pilot was sentenced to 10 months in jail on Tuesday, March 19, after pleading guilty earlier this month to “exceeding the prescribed blood alcohol limit” when he showed up to work carrying a half-empty bottle of Jägermeister in his luggage.

According to the Judiciary of Scotland, Lawrence B. Russell Jr. was given the sentence after he pleaded guilty on March 5, 2024, at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court in Scotland. The incident occurred at Edinburgh Airport in Scotland last year on June 16, 2023. Russell, a Delta Airlines pilot at the time, was slated to fly into Kennedy International Airport in New York City that morning from Edinburgh International Airport.

Sheriff Alison Stirling stated that when Russell arrived for duty at the airport, his blood alcohol was measured as having “not less than 49 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood,” which was more than the limit of 20 milligrams in Scotland. She also mentioned that the blood alcohol limit for people driving cars is 50 milligrams. When he arrived at the security checkpoint after placing his bags for an X-ray screening, it was revealed that Russell’s luggage had two bottles of Jägermeister, one of which was just under half full.

After the discovery, Russel admitted to drinking the previous night. He was required to give a “breath sample” to authorities, and after failing, he was arrested and taken to the Livingston Police Office. He gave a sample of his blood, where it was confirmed once again that his blood alcohol was higher than allowed.

Although Stirling could have sentenced the former Delta pilot to 15 months, she stated she only gave him ten months because he took responsibility for his action and “pled guilty at the earliest opportunity.” She also backdated the start of his sentence to March 3 because “of the two days you spent on remand” when he appeared on “petition” on June 19, 2023.

by Daniel Johnson

March 21, 2024

City Of Chicago Sues Glock Over ‘Glock Switch’ Mechanism

The auto sear allows a Glock handgun to fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute, a rate that is higher than some military weapons.

The City of Chicago is suing the gun manufacturer Glock, claiming that it is ignoring a known exploitation of its technology that is used to turn its handguns into fully automatic weapons.

The lawsuit claims that auto sears or “Glock switches” allow “anyone with $20-$25 to spare and a desire to circumvent long-standing federal and state prohibitions on possessing fully automatic machine guns” as long as they have a few minutes and access to a screwdriver.

As The Hill reports, the lawsuit claims that the results of the inaction of the gun manufacturer are draining the city’s resources.

“Glock has made the business decision to continue profiting from the sales of its easily modifiable guns to the civilian market,” the lawsuit stated. “The result endangers the health and safety of Chicagoans and increases and exacerbates the injuries and death from gun violence — draining the City’s public health, safety, investigative, and judicial resources and causing some City residents to fear using public streets, parks, schools, and transportation.”

https://youtu.be/DfVKcItEaiE?si=uxHxdwMaEtisrTw8

The auto sear allows a Glock handgun to fire up to 1,200 rounds per minute, a rate that is higher than some military weapons. As the Associated Press reported, the complaint, filed on March 19, is the first filed using the State of Illinois’s new Firearms Industry Responsibility Act.

That piece of policy, first passed in 2023, is designed to hold gun manufacturers accountable for their roles in encouraging behavior that presents a danger to the public.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a press release that his office is seeking to collaborate with other groups who want to hold Glock accountable. “The City of Chicago is encountering a deadly new frontier in the gun violence plaguing our communities because of the increase of fully automatic Glocks on our streets.”

Johnson continued, “Selling firearms that can so easily be converted into automatic weapons makes heinous acts even more deadly, so we are doing everything we can in collaboration with others committed to ending gun violence to hold Glock accountable for putting profits over public safety.”

The City of Chicago’s lawsuit follows a settlement involving the families of victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2022. As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, the lawsuit filed by the families resulted in a $73 million judgment against Remington, and they closed one of their manufacturing plants amid financial struggles.

More states have passed similar laws, as PBS Newshour reported in 2023. California, New York, Delaware, and New Jersey at the time already had laws in the books that rolled back the immunity that gun manufacturers had. Colorado, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Virginia, Washington, New Mexico, and Maryland were all considering similar laws. Additionally, 18 states have since rejected the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.

Everytown Research and Policy has called for the repeal of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and maintains on its website that the law presents an inability to hold gun manufacturers accountable for their part in gun violence. Everytown has also joined the City of Chicago in its lawsuit.

According to the Everytown Research and Policy website, “An extraordinary law has provided gun manufacturers and sellers who skirt the law with a unique, broad immunity from legal accountability. The PLCAA gives gun industry members a shield from the lawsuits that are most often used in the United States to hold businesses accountable for products or practices that harm people.”

They added, “PLCAA blocks legal responsibility for gun manufacturers that have failed to innovate and make guns safer and for manufacturers, distributors and dealers with irresponsible, reckless and negligent sales practices that contribute to the flood of illegal firearms in our communities.”

Christopher Gray, Shark Tank, Scholly app

by Rafael Pena

March 21, 2024

Christopher Gray Shares Updates On Scholly’s Progress 9 Years After Shark Tank

Christopher Gray, founder of the Scholly app, made an appearance on 'Shark Tank' nine years after his initial splash on the program.

Christopher Gray, founder of the scholarship app Scholly, recently made a return appearance on the TV reality show Shark Tank nine years after he made his first splash on the program, according to Forbes. The update showcased Gray’s company’s achievements and also unveiled significant scholarship announcements.

“We’re excited to be on the show again,” expressed Gray, who reflected on his journey since launching Scholly.

Last year, education lender SLM Corp, commonly known as Sallie Mae, acquired Scholly’s key assets for an undisclosed sum. The app has since been rebranded as Scholly by Sallie.

The Shark Tank update was filmed at Bayside High School in Queens, NY, where Daymond John, one of the Shark Tank judges and an investor in Scholly, presented $10,000 scholarships to seniors Giselle Rodriguez and Amir Theodile. The scholarships are supported by the Sallie Mae Fund, Sallie Mae’s charitable foundation.

Donna Vieira, EVP and chief commercial officer at Sallie Mae, announced a $1 million commitment from the Sallie Mae Fund to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Their Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program aims to support students from underserved communities through various scholarships, addressing financial hurdles that often hinder graduation.

Gray’s vision for Scholly stemmed from his own experience as a scholarship recipient, where he secured $1.3 million to attend Drexel University. He leveraged his insights into creating Scholly, which has facilitated access to private scholarship opportunities, helping more than 5 million users and generating $30 million in revenues since its inception.

Gray’s original Shark Tank appearance was met with skepticism from some judges, who questioned the philanthropic nature of the project. However, John and fellow investor Lori Greiner saw its potential, investing $40,000 for a 15% stake in the company.

Reflecting on his decision to invest, John highlighted the impressive return on his investment and emphasized its success.

Gray’s journey from scholarship recipient to entrepreneur exemplifies the transformative power of education. His commitment to leveling the playing field for fellow students continues to drive Scholly’s mission of accessibility and opportunity in higher education.

Charlotte Nonprofit, Affordable Housing, Incarcerated Residents

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 21, 2024

Charlotte Nonprofit Secures $2M Deal To Building Affordable Housing For Former Incarcerated Residents

This is called doing the work!

A Charlotte, North Carolina-based reentry nonprofit closed on a deal to provide low-income housing for former inmates and their families.

Freedom Fighting Missionaries (FFM) announced in early March 2024 that they will be building their first affordable housing development in the University City area of Queen City. Purchased for $1 million on Feb. 29, the nonprofit will be the first Black-founded organization to own land and create housing for public use.

Founded by Kenneth Robinson, FFM was awarded $2 million in funding by Charlotte City Council in 2023, plus an additional $2 million from Mecklenburg County, to create housing for people placed back into society after serving time behind bars. Originally, the group planned to build two developments close to each other, but a 16-unit project received some backlash from neighbors at a City Council meeting.

Robinson said he is “overjoyed and excited” for the opportunity as he knows firsthand what it’s like. “I know how it feels to come home from prison and have to start from scratch. Now, I am able to support those that are re-entering society so that they can start fresh with sustainable services and viable resources along with a roof over their heads,” Robinson said.

“This is what true impact feels like. It is truly a proud moment for me and those that have helped me along the way to see this opportunity come to fruition.”

The property will host a 24-unit housing complex, offering two- and three-bedroom units for families earning 30% to 80% of the average median income. Following the organization’s founding in 2020, Robinson requested Mecklenburg County, a nonprofit real estate holding company, Inlivian, and the Charlotte Continuum of Care to determine who will receive Emergency Housing Vouchers.

First, 18 vouchers were allotted to the group, and an official partnership was formed with Inlivian to provide housing choice vouchers, including for residents returning from incarceration.

This partnership puts a massive dent in the city’s growing affordable housing and homelessness crisis. Back in 2022, more than 75% of Mecklenburg County’s – the largest in North Carolina – incarcerated and homeless populations were Black, according to QCity Metro. Many people with criminal backgrounds face barriers that discriminate against them, with housing rental being inaccessible. “Freedom Fighting Missionaries have families who make $70,000 or $100,000 or more, but they still have a criminal background, making it difficult to rent a place,” Robinson said.

With the new project, FFM will be able to continue offering services to its constituents, including jail release transition support, court advocacy, and public transportation support.

Rent will vary, starting as low as $457 and could go up to $1,600. Construction is expected to take nearly 18 months, with families allowed to move in as early as late 2025.

'Am I the Drama?', Cardi B, Guinness Record, Drone Album Deliveries

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 20, 2024

Cardi B Responds To Reported $80 Million Net Worth: ‘I Made a Lot of Money’

'I make a lot of money. I make a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot of money!'

When Cardi B released the 2018 hit single “Money,” it wasn’t just a flex; it was her reality, and it continues to be. When questioned in a recent interview about being worth at least $80 million, her response was, “I made a lot of money.”

While speaking with Speedy Morman for the Complex video show, 360 with Speedy, the Bronx-bred entertainer did not hesitate to discuss that she has made “a lot of money” over the years. She expressed that the reported $80 million has already been surpassed.

When Speedy asked if the reported amount attributed to her was correct, she replied, “Uh, Jesus Christ. I made a lot of money!

“I feel like I actually passed almost doing $80 million. I make a lot of money. I make a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot of money,” also expressing that she pays out a lot of money as well to her friends and family for their expenses. “But also, I got a lot, a lot of bills. I’m taking care of [family]. I’m helping a lot—I’m not going to say I take care, I’m helping a lot, and I help a lot of my friends and I help a lot of my family and everything.”

If she can collect the judgment she won from YouTube personality Tasha K, she can add another $4 million to her coffers. The “Like What” rapper is still trying to get the money won when she was victorious in a defamation lawsuit against the gossip YouTuber in October 2022. Earlier this year, in January, attorneys for Cardi B accused Tasha K of hiding secret offshore accounts and failing to disclose those when she filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Cardi’s attorneys attest that “neither Defendant Kebe [Tasha K] nor her husband have been truthful regarding the existence of offshore and domestic trusts.” After the latest filing, Cardi wants to collect the full $4 million judgment.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 20, 2024

Halle Bailey Awarded ‘Best Mother’ By Boyfriend DDG After NAACP Image Award Loss

Halle Bailey receives the "Best Mother" award by her partner DDG and son Halo after losses at the NAACP Image Awards.

Halle Bailey received the greatest gift of all this awards season: her family. The Little Mermaid actress was awarded “Best Mother” by her partner, DDG, as she held their son, Halo.

The 23-year-old was up for several nominations at this year’s 55th NAACP Image Awards. Her nominations included Entertainer of the Year and also Outstanding Actress and Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, which were for The Little Mermaid and The Color Purple, respectively.

However, the new mother went home without any trophies from the ceremony. Thankfully, her family made sure to celebrate her off-screen accomplishments.

Posting to his Snapchat, DDG, 26, hosted his own “Halle Awards” show for the mother of his child. He bestowed Bailey with several mini trophies, one of which had the title of “Best Mother.”

DDG pulled together a super sweet award show ceremony for his lady Halle Bailey with a special guest appearance by their baby boy Halo ❤️https://t.co/ivoWAvoCcQ 🖤 pic.twitter.com/Ihgf6m1P03
— NOIR ONLINE (@noironlineorg_) March 18, 2024

“I want to give this award out for the best one ever, and this award goes to the one and only Halle Bailey. For the best mother award, wooo!” shared the rapper, as reported by People.

Bailey, who was holding their infant son, Halo, began to tear up at the heartwarming moment. The “Angel” singer announced the arrival of her and DDG’s first child in January. She shouted out her new bundle of joy during her speech at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood event.

“I’ve learned from that spotlight over the past eight years. I’ve also, if I’m being honest, been burned by it, too, as we all have,” expressed the young star. “It cannot compare to the biggest joy of my life. And that was becoming a mom to my perfect little angel Halo.”

In what was already a monumental year for the actress, being a first-time mother is her greatest highlight. But Bailey is embracing motherhood while continuing her career. She released her latest single, “In Your Hands,” on March 15, signaling she still has more art to share with the world.

Stealing Electricity, Outlet, Plug, georgia power

by Rafael Pena

March 20, 2024

Georgia Man Faces Charges For Allegedly Stealing Electricity Services

A Douglas County man finds himself in legal trouble after allegedly stealing electricity services from Georgia Power.

WSBTV reports that a Douglas County man finds himself in legal trouble after allegedly stealing electricity services from Georgia Power, according to authorities. The investigation, which commenced in March 2020, culminated in the arrest of Terrence Grant, 22, on Feb. 22, 2021. Deputies assert that Grant deliberately evaded payment by illicitly procuring power services from Georgia Power. Consequently, he was apprehended and booked into the Douglas County Jail, facing charges of theft of services and damaging a public utility.

While the sheriff’s office did not disclose specifics regarding the extent of the alleged theft or damage, the case remains pending prosecution, restricting the release of further details.

This incident echoes similar charges filed against a man in Oklahoma City accused of stealing electricity from his neighbors in August 2023, according to News9. Ryan Costiloe, 36, faces misdemeanor charges for allegedly connecting his unit to his neighbors’ electrical outlets, meddling with public utilities in the process.

One of Costiloe’s neighbors, 75-year-old Alice Woods, recounted discovering a wire stretched across her front porch, surreptitiously connected to the electrical utility. “I caught them at least three times with the real heavy extension cord type thing made out of wire,” Woods lamented, highlighting the financial strain the theft imposed on her already modest budget.

While legal proceedings are pending in Costiloe’s case, Woods expressed her disdain for such acts of theft, emphasizing the moral ramifications for the perpetrators. “Who do they think they are to steal from us?” she questioned, urging reflection on the ethical implications of such actions.