Dearica Hamby, WNBA, Las Vegas Aces
(Photo: Lorie Shaull, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 13, 2024

Basketball Star Sues WNBA And Las Vegas Aces For Alleged Pregnancy Discrimination

A WNBA star is taking a bold step to protect the rights of pregnant players.

A WNBA player is taking a bold step to protect the rights of pregnant players by filing a lawsuit against the league she’s currently playing for.

On Monday, Aug. 12, Los Angeles Sparks star Dearica Hamby filed a lawsuit against the Women’s National Basketball Association and the Las Vegas Aces, accusing them of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Yahoo Sports reports. According to Hamby, she experienced discrimination and retaliation over her pregnancy, which was revealed shortly after signing a two-year contract in June 2022.

The contract included “an agreement by the Las Vegas Aces to cover private tuition costs” for Hamby’s daughter, Amaya. It offered team-provided housing, which Hamby used for her family to assist with childcare duties while she was away traveling for games. However, weeks after signing the contract, Hamby learned she was pregnant with her second child.

The suit alleges that Hamby “experienced notable changes in the way she was treated by Las Vegas Aces staff” after she made her pregnancy public by informing Aces coach Becky Hammon and General Manager Natalie Williams. The change in treatment included withholding the promised tuition relief for her daughter’s school and her alleged forced removal from the team-provided housing.

Hammon is also accused of questioning “Hamby’s dedication and commitment to the team” during a January 2023 phone call, the same month Hamby was traded to the L.A. Sparks. The suit alleges Hammon “did not deny the accusation that Hamby was being traded because she was pregnant.”

After being traded, Hamby requested an investigation into the Aces in January 2023 through the WNBA Player’s Association. The league opened an investigation the following month and completed it in May. Following the inquiry, the WNBA found that the Aces violated league rules for impermissible player benefits, docked the team its 2025 first-round draft pick selection, and suspended Hammon two games without pay for “violating league and team Respect in the Workplace policies.”

“The WNBA is, at its core, a workplace, and federal laws have long shielded pregnant women from discrimination on the job,” Hamby’s legal team said in a statement.

“The world champion Aces exiled Dearica Hamby for becoming pregnant, and the WNBA responded with a light tap on the wrist. Every potential mother in the league is now on notice that childbirth could change their career prospects overnight. That can’t be right in one of the most prosperous and dynamic women’s professional sports leagues in America.”

Hamby filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, claiming to have suffered “a loss of reputational prestige and brand value” and “loss of marketing and/or endorsement opportunities” after her removal from the Aces. She is seeking damages through a jury trial.

Hamby continues to shine as a star player on the L.A. Sparks, averaging career-highs in points (19.2), rebounds (10), and assists per game (3.5) and winning the bronze medal as part of Team USA’s 3×3 women’s basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Black Entrepreneur Invests $75K To Launch Online Stretching Portal For Diverse Audience
by Jeffrey McKinney

August 13, 2024

Black Entrepreneur Invests $75K To Launch Online Stretching Portal For Diverse Audience

New online portal provides multiple all-body stretch and curated exercises among its offerings

The stretching business has been growing like mushrooms in the last decade.

Now, an Afro-Caribbean entrepreneur is launching an online portal on physical exercise, which he proclaims differs from others. Named Stretchergy.com, owner Ramon Felix says his enterprise provides multiple all-body stretch exercises and a user-friendly platform catering to a diverse audience.

Further, he stressed that the “revolutionary” platform is affordable for subscribers at $15 monthly. Felix declares the cost is much lower than traditional stretching locations because they typically have to cover operating expenses, including providing trainers and staff.

“No other platform offers curated exercises that consumers—young and old, fit or frail—can use anytime, anywhere and also perform with personalized playlists,” Felix stated via email.

Equipped with 25 years of experience in the wellness industry, Felix says he invested $75,000 from personal savings and investment from his wife to start up early this summer.

But he is facing a highly competitive landscape. Other businesses, including StretchLab and Stretch Zone, have each opened over 300 franchise locations, according to this report. Also, gym and fitness outlets like Gym Guys, Life Time, and Planet Fitness reportedly supply assisted stretching among their offerings.

Felix says his business sets itself apart from brick-and-mortar competitors by providing online solutions that enhance flexibility and wellness.

Further, he hopes to prosper from a growing number of people who have jumped on the self-care and wellness bandwagon, supposedly fueled partly by the COVID-19 pandemic and greater interest in weightlifting. The global fitness app market was worth $9.25 billion in 2023 and is estimated to have an annual compounded growth rate of around 14% from 2024 to 2030.

Felix pointed out that many people turned online during the pandemic for their fitness needs and saw a void in the marketplace. A certified personal trainer, Felix says he noticed people in the gym not focused on stretching/flexibility, creating the need for him to make it available to the masses.

Another challenge Felix might have to overcome is proving critics wrong who question the advantages of stretching. Some doctors have publicly stated that exercise is not a cure-all for stopping injuries and enhancing a person’s health entirely. They contend that physical activity like walking, strengthening, and cardio exercise can bring more benefits than just stretching.

Felix responded, “Stretching should not be done in isolation but integrated into your overall fitness regimen.”

Corporations, Federal Taxes, Money
Karolina Grabowska/Pexels
by Mitti Hicks

August 13, 2024

Fed Up With High Prices, Consumers Are Helping To Bring Down Costs Associated With Inflation

Americans expect it to average 2.3% over the next three years.

Americans have been feeling the impacts of inflation for some time. Now, they’re getting fed up with the higher prices. Consumers are looking for bargains or simply refusing to buy items they feel are too expensive, which economists say could drive prices back to pre-pandemic levels.

In the group Cougar Board, one of the largest independent online communities of BYU Cougars sports fans, a user posted, “What happened to soda prices? I went to Safeway to buy a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper Zero. It cost $9.99. I thought that was expensive, but Coke and Mountain Dew are $11 for a 12-pack.” Above the user’s message, it reads, “The old price – $5.99 – was insane.”

This sentiment of “how did we get here” and “why are we paying so much” is why economists say consumers are deciding not to tolerate it anymore.

“While inflation is down, prices are still high, and I think consumers have gotten to the point where they’re just not accepting it,” Tom Barkin, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, said last week at a conference of business economists. 

According to a report from the AP, some of the largest companies in the United States, including Amazon, Disney, and Yum Brands (the parent company to Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut), more customers are looking for cheaper alternatives to products and services. Subsequently, this has forced companies to slow their price increases or cut them entirely. Some companies are even touting how they’re slashing prices this summer to help consumers.

In May, Walmart announced it reduced prices on 7,000 items, including food. Other major retailers followed, including Target, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods, Walgreens, and the discount grocery store chain Aldi, indicating that major retailers are taking note of consumers’ frustrations with pricing.

According to the AP, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York says Americans’ expectations of how much they’ll spend in the next 12 months have declined, along with their inflation outlook. Consumers anticipate spending to grow by 4.9% next year, the lowest reading since April 2021, when inflation surged.

Regarding inflation, Americans expect it to average 2.3% over the next three years – the lowest figure since the survey began in 2013. When households expect low inflation, they usually delay purchases as they wait for prices to decline. According to CNBC, we’re already seeing that with cars; the average transaction price for a new car in February was down 2.2% from February 2023.

This trend of what Americans expect can help keep price pressures down.

RELATED CONTENT: The Economy Continues Its Steady Recovery From Inflation

Ohio mom, Michigan, Darren, Dawson, Ohio, tortured closet, social security, Juvenile jails, ex cons for trump
(Photo: EvgeniyShkolenko/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 13, 2024

Michigan Man Arrested After Allegedly Torturing Woman In Apartment Closet For Months

Darren John Dawson purportedly kept her in a closet torturing her while reportedly stealing her Social Security money and food stamps

A Michigan man has been arrested after it was alleged that he kept a woman in his closet for months, torturing her in the process, in his Clinton Township apartment.

A press release issued by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office stated that 34-year-old Darren John Dawson was arrested after allegedly holding a woman against her will in his apartment over a drug debt. Between November 2023 and April 2024, Dawson purportedly kept her in a closet, torturing her while reportedly stealing Social Security money and food stamps from the 58-year-old victim.

“The victim endured unimaginable suffering in what can only be described as a living nightmare. Our office is committed to seeking justice for her, and we will pursue every avenue to ensure this individual is held fully accountable for the alleged crimes committed,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido in a written statement.

Dawson has been charged with torture, which carries a life sentence; unlawful imprisonment, a 15-year felony; and larceny by conversion of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, a felony that calls for a five-year punishment. After being arraigned, the suspect’s bond was set at $1 million cash. If he can make bail, Dawson will be required to wear a GPS tether while having no contact with the victim, and he cannot possess any firearms.

His next scheduled court date, a probable cause hearing, has been set for August 20, 2024 at 8:30 am by Michigan District Court Judge Jacob Femminineo, Jr.

Macomb Daily reported that an Oakland County-based defense attorney, Randall Upshaw, said the victim’s story shouldn’t be believed based on information he obtained.

“When we go to court, you’re going to find out the real facts are not accurate or true,” Upshaw said.

“We have many neighbors who are willing to speak out on Mr. Dawson’s behalf. She claims to be held in a closet, but we have people who have seen her walking in and out of the apartment on her own during that time,” he said.

RELATED CONTENT: Man Convicted Of Sex Crimes After Confessing On Police Job Application And Interview 

Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant, Olympics, 2028, lakers, los angelos
(Photos from left: Cindy Ord/VF23/Getty Images for Vanity Fair; Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 13, 2024

Vanessa Bryant Reveals Kobe-Inspired LA 2028 Olympics Logo

Bryant released an announcement video revealing the design and an old clip from the Mamba himself.

Vanessa Bryant has revealed her design for the LA 2028 Olympics, inspired by her late husband, Kobe Bryant.

Following the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, Bryant shared the design on social media on Aug. 12. The symbol features a purple and gold snake-skin “A,” with the “Mamba” logo directly in the letter’s center. The logo pays tribute to Kobe’s tenured history as a Los Angeles Laker and his well-known “Mamba Mentality.”

“Kobe was the ultimate athlete, and he took his role as an Olympian very seriously,” expressed Bryant in the announcement video. “He was so proud to represent our country. He considered his two gold medals part of his proudest professional accomplishments. His dedication to sport transcended basketball. As a spectator, he especially loved to show up for his fellow athletes and take in the competition at the world’s highest level.”

Bryant continued on, detailing how their family watched Kobe win gold in 2008’s Beijing and 2012’s London games. She also stated how her late husband was an instrumental figure in bringing the games to the city.

She added, “Kobe was an important advocate in bringing the games to Los Angeles…[He] wanted the games to come to LA because of his passion for the city, all the love Angelinos have shown for our family, and all our fond memories here as an iconic figure in Los Angeles and around the world.”

However, the video also featured a clip of the iconic athlete. The old footage showed Kobe explaining why Los Angeles was the perfect place to host the games.

“There’s so many icons that come from the city of Los Angeles, that live in the city of Los Angeles in so many different fields that it makes complete sense to host the Olympics here,” explained the two-time gold medalist. “…There’s so many things that you can do with the Olympic Games to even elevate it to a higher level and to tell the beautiful journey and story of these athletes that are represented in these Olympic Games.”

Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter accident in 2020, along with his daughter, Gigi, and seven others. However, his legacy continues to live on through his family and love for Los Angeles. This new logo will symbolize his impact throughout the 2028 Olympics.

Bryant concluded, “We hope this inspires the Mamba Mentality in every aspiring Olympian and Paralympian. We’re so proud to see this emblem represent the Los Angeles Games. I know Kobe would be so proud to host the Games in this great city.”

RELATED CONTENT: Nike Announces Kobe 4 ‘Girl Dad’ Shoe In Time For Father’s Day

HBCU, Barbara-Scotia, Reaccreditation
(Photo: Charlotte May/Pexels)
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 13, 2024

Groundbreaking New Orleans Program That Gives Teens $50 Per Week Expands

The "$50 Study" will now expand to 1,600 high school seniors in New Orleans.

A New Orleans program is expanding as results show that giving teens $50 a week has positive benefits.

The program grants young people a Universal Basic Income (UBI). Teenagers in the area receive the $50 stipends weekly, with no specific spending requirements. While starting with 20 students at The Rooted School in 2020, the “$50 Study” will host 1,600 high school seniors.

According to Nola.com, the study’s expansion stems from positive results from its original rollout. Moreover, it has received a $1 million investment from New Orleans to continue its distribution to more teenagers. Researchers found that the recurring payments led to fewer school absences, literacy growth, and financial stability for its recipients.

Students in the program, which held trials of 386 participants across two cohorts, also showcased “financial capability.” Results found that they demonstrated financial literacy when given real-life situations. Students from the first cohort spent only half of the weekly allotments, with about 47% still unused.

Of the money spent, approximately 50% went to food, with 30% designated for goods and services. The finding suggested that students often made wise financial decisions when given access and opportunity.

“The fact that these kids can interact with these financial markets so early,” explained Stacia West, one of the study’s lead researchers. “[It] means they’re going to be better equipped in their 20s to make better financial decisions.”

For some students, the money alleviated the stress of caring for themselves when their family’s finances could not.

“When I was stressed, I was like, ‘I don’t really have to stress now,'” explained recipient Dejah Grimes. “I can really do my best in school and get my good grades like I always do.’”

While the program is not the only UBI study to exist, its unique focus encourages UBIs across more age groups.

“This unique guaranteed income study enrolling public high school students will produce results that will inform policy and programming as we all work toward a more equitable and inclusive city,” explained Jeff Schwartz, Director of Economic Development at the City of New Orleans. “This study meets students where they are and provides opportunities for economic mobility that will surely create lasting impacts for individuals and in the larger community.”

With a larger class size, the study can collect more data to prove that implementing UBIs on a grander scale can uplift communities nationwide, starting with New Orleans.

Kevin Durant, Maryland, after-school program
Photo by All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 13, 2024

Kevin Durant Invests In French Football Club Paris Saint-Germain

The Phoenix Suns player continues to invest in several sports clubs around the globe

Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant went to Paris to bring home an Olympic gold medal and a piece of another sports club, as it was recently announced that the businessman had invested in the French football club Paris Saint-Germain.

Boardroom, the sports, media, and entertainment brand that Durant started with his business partner, Rich Kleiman, announced the investment on social media. The partners struck a deal with LLC via Arctos Partners, which is a minority investor in the club.

Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, met with Durant and Kleiman while the two were in Paris earlier this month. The pair took a tour of the club’s state-of-the-art training facility and education center, allowing them to see for themselves the innovation and excellence of the new environment.

While at the facility, Durant and Kleiman spent time with the club’s professional football teams, including the women’s and youth academy teams. The club posted video footage of Durant’s visit, where he is seen touring the facility, speaking to team members, staff, and other employees. He is also shown signing basketballs and being interviewed about his experience with Paris as he played there in 2015.

Boardroom will work with Paris Saint-Germain to develop a multi-faceted collaboration with content and strategy.

Yahoo Sports reported that Durant is a minority owner in two other soccer teams. In 2020, he became an investor in the MLS club Philadelphia Union, and in 2022, he invested in a minority ownership of NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Last year, Durant invested in the first majority-women and minority-owned professional sports league, the National Cycling League. The league, which started in 2022, opened the door for Black cycling enthusiasts and participants, diversifying what, historically, has a majority-white presence.

Durant and the rest of Team USA Basketball just won a gold medal after defeating the host country France by a score of 98-87 to bring home the fifth straight gold medal for the country.

RELATED CONTENT: Lil Wayne Admits There Is A Kevin Durant Feature Recorded

Representative Sheila Jackson Lee
(Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference)
by Daniel Johnson

August 13, 2024

Erica Lee Carter, Daughter Of Sheila Jackson Lee, Will Run For Her Vacant Seat In Special Election

Amanda Edwards, a former City Council member who mounted a spirited, but unsuccessful challenge to Jackson Lee's grip on the 18th Congressional District, told the Chronicle that she sees a parallel between this race and the choice of President Joe Biden to step aside for a younger, fresher voice to lead the Democratic Party.

Erica Lee Carter, daughter of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, announced her intention to finish the rest of her late mother’s term in office in an Aug. 12 press release. On Nov. 5, there will be a special election to choose a new representative to finish Jackson Lee’s term representing Houston’s 18th Congressional District.

According to ABC 13, Lee Carter and Jackson Lee’s family backed former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s bid to become the eventual successor to Jackson Lee’s seat earlier this month. However, Lee Carter’s bid does not necessarily contradict that endorsement, as Jackson Lee’s term ends almost two months after the special election.

According to the press release, Lee Carter responded to requests from various community members and leaders in Houston’s Democratic establishment to finish her mother’s term by agreeing to run for the special election.

“The people of the 18th Congressional District re-elected my mother to the 118th Congress to protect their interest and uphold our democratic values. Congresswoman Jackson Lee kept their interests in her heart and mind until the very end. Since then, many community leaders and democratic stalwarts have requested that I consider completing her term this year by running in the November 5th Special Election. After careful consideration, the answer is YES.” Jackson Carter wrote. 

According to the Houston Chronicle, the constituency of the 18th Congressional District has changed over the last 20 years, morphing from a majority Black district to a district where no one ethnicity holds a clear majority. Nancy Sims, a political consultant and lecturer at the University of Houston, told the outlet that the influx of more Latinx and Asian residents will likely shift the balance of power. 

“The demographics are going to continue to change in that district, and then in 2030, we face redistricting again. Since the whole region is changing so drastically if you get someone elected now, they may be able to protect that seat, or it may change entirely.”

Amanda Edwards, a former City Council member who mounted a spirited but unsuccessful challenge to Jackson Lee’s grip on the 18th Congressional District, told the Chronicle that she sees a parallel between this race and the choice of President Joe Biden to step aside for a younger, fresher voice to lead the Democratic Party.

“When we saw President Biden step aside, within less than a day, we saw just an extreme level of enthusiasm, support and engagement happening for Vice President Kamala Harris. The precinct chairs are aware of the moment that we’re standing in…they’ve been a witness to that.” Edwards said. 

Sims agrees but sees the situation playing out differently because this is not a general election.

“It’s a very similar situation,” Sims told the Chronicle. “If this were a general election, it would be different, but this is a game among deeply rooted partisans, and so I think the person with the deepest rooted Democratic ties is going to have the greatest opportunity.”

Texas Rep. Jarvis Johnson, whose district overlaps with the 18th Congressional District, believes that although the endorsement of the Jackson Lee family is significant, the result of the election is not necessarily a foregone conclusion.

“The 18th is not a monarchy. It’s a democracy,” Johnson told the paper. “While their choice is respected, I believe the voters have a different opinion from that of the Lee family. The voters are looking for a younger, energetic candidate that will have a plan to move the 18th forward and commit to years of service.”

Turner, meanwhile, believes that his experience representing all corners of Houston, a global city, makes him uniquely qualified among the 17 candidates vying for Jackson Lee’s vacant seat in Congress. 

“When I was inaugurated as mayor, I said, ‘It matters not whether you are a Democrat or Republican or whether you’re Black, brown, white or Asian … What matters to me is that we are all Houston,’” Turner told the Chronicle. “That was my philosophy as mayor, and it will remain my philosophy as a member of Congress.”

RELATED CONTENT: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Longtime Congresswoman, Dies At 74 After Battle With Cancer

Martha Blanding
Courtesy of Disney
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 13, 2024

Disney Legends Honors Martha Blanding, The Company’s First Black VIP Tour Guide

Martha Blanding's 50-year career at Disney led to many firsts for Black women at the company.

Martha Blanding made Disney history as its first Black VIP Tour Guide. Her impact on the company has led to her new status as a Disney Legend.

Blanding was honored for her long-standing impact and leadership during the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony on Aug. 11. She broke barriers as the first Black female leader at Disneyland Resort.

Blanding’s career with Disney spans five decades. Through her journey, Blanding worked her way to leadership, becoming a trailblazer in every new role. She reflected on the recognition in a recent interview with the company.

“Being the first Black Permanent Tour Guide, VIP Hostess and becoming the first Black Female in Management in my eyes was amazing,” she shared. “I felt that I had achieved a challenge that for some would have felt uncomfortable being the only one. My parents taught me to always put my best foot forward and always do my best, and that’s what I did.”

Blanding also forged a path for others as she progressed. While she gained more opportunities with Disney, Blanding helped create a diverse group of Black employees.

She added, “I have witnessed many changes in the company, [like] adding new lands and attractions in the park. I am most proud of being part of the growth of cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion for young Cast Members of color coming behind me. I saw the evolution of BERG diversity groups and was one of the founders of PULSE (People, United, Lead, Serve, Excel), which is the Black diversity group.”

Moreover, Blanding’s rise from an hourly cast member to Disney’s most incredible honor is recognized by her hard work and achievements within the parks.

“Becoming a Disney Legend was not something that I thought would happen to me. I was totally surprised when I received the call,” she expressed. “I [began at Disneyland as an hourly] Cast Member and moved up the ladder, working hard with many wonderful co-workers. This makes me proud because I am proof that an hourly Cast Member can become a Disney Legend.”

Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald, airplane, plane, aircraft
(Photos from left: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images; Public Domain)
by Keka Araújo

August 13, 2024

Trump’s Team Unknowingly Uses Plane Once Owned By Jeffrey Epstein Amid Transportation Woes

Another embarrassing moment in the circus that is the Trump campaign.

Disgraced felon and former President Donald Trump’s campaign faced an unexpected and embarrassing transportation challenge on Aug. 12 after its regular airplane, “Trump Force One,” encountered mechanical problems and was put out of commission. In a scramble to find an alternative, the campaign ended up using a plane that was once owned by the convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

The incident came to light after a social media user tracked the airplane’s tail number used by Trump on Aug. 10, sparking online discussions about the aircraft’s former ownership on the X app. 

The campaign reportedly used the replacement plane in an emergency on Saturday to attend a Montana rally, followed by Wyoming and Colorado fundraisers. According to a campaign official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, they were unaware of the plane’s previous ownership. “We had absolutely no idea,” the official stated.

The airplane involved in Trump’s transportation debacle is not the infamous “Lolita Express,” the aircraft Epstein allegedly used to transport young girls to his private island. That notorious airplane has since been destroyed. However, the situation has drawn attention due to Trump’s past social connections with Epstein, although there is no evidence that Trump was aware of Epstein’s illegal activities. Epstein died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges in a Manhattan jail.

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