DJ Khaled, Oral Care, Gold-Plated Toothbrush

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 27, 2024

DJ Khaled ‘Played Himself’ Making Black Security Guards Carry Him On Stage For A Stupid Reason

DJ Khaled is under fire for having two security guards carry him onstage to avoid getting his Air Jordans dirty.

DJ Khaled is under fire for having two security guards carry him on stage to avoid getting his Air Jordans dirty.

The Grammy award-winning hip-hop producer hit the stage for the 2024 South Beach Wine and Food Festival in Miami over the weekend. In a video he shared on Instagram on Monday, February 26, Khaled can be seen asking two security guards to carry him from one vehicle to another and then to the stage to keep his sneakers clean for the performance.

“I don’t want to get my Jordans dirty. Can I get everybody to help me?” Khaled asked. “Thank you, brothers. I appreciate it.”

“You can’t mess up the Js,” he said to the camera after being carried into the back of a four-wheeler. After the vehicle brought him closer to the stage, the guards then carried the producer to the stage’s staircase so his kicks avoided touching the sandy area.

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A post shared by DJ KHALED (@djkhaled)

While some of his followers thought the move was comical, many others scolded Khaled for having the security guards go to drastic lengths to accommodate his lavish request.

“I have no respect for you! This is ridiculous that a grown oversized man would do this. Smdh! He talks so much about god and behaves like this over a pair of shoes. Ridiculous!” one user fumed.

“How about wear some damn sandals and put on the Jordans before walking onstage?” news analyst Roland Martin added.

Others accused Khaled of being too “lazy” to walk to the vehicle himself, telling the Miami native to “get off (his) high horse.”

However, Khaled appears unbothered by the criticism. His video highlights his stage show which included an appearance from Rick Ross. He also teased two new songs with Drake that will be featured on his upcoming album in his Instagram caption.

RELATED CONTENT: DJ Khaled Reveals Why He Handles His Own Money

As the opioid epidemic slows for others, there is a growing number of older Black men in Milwaukee, Wisconsin who are dying of fentanyl-related causes. A new report by The Baltimore Banner, The New York Times, and Stanford University's Big Local News reveals that Milwaukee County is among dozens of U.S. counties where drugs are disproportionately claiming the lives of Black men born between 1951 and 1970. The data highlights a critical crisis: older Black men in Milwaukee accounted for 12.5% of all drug-related deaths between 2018 and 2022, despite representing only 2.3% of the population. Their drug mortality rate was 14.2 times higher than the national average and 5.5 times higher than that of other Milwaukee County residents. After initially uncovering the growing crisis in Baltimore, the Times and the Banner quickly found similar issues in dozens of counties across the nation, the Wisconsin Watch reports. The Wisconsin Watch and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service are among 10 news outlets that are looking into the research further. Six other Wisconsin counties—Brown, Dane, Kenosha, Racine, Rock, and Waukesha—ranked among the top 408 nationwide for drug-related deaths from 2018 to 2022. However, Milwaukee was the only county in Wisconsin with such an alarming rate of Black men dying drug-related deaths. The numbers have only continued to accelerate in the years since the analysis ended even as the opioid crisis declines nationwide. Medical examiner data reveals that drugs claimed the lives of 74 older Black men in Milwaukee County in 2024. This group accounted for 17.3% of all drug-related deaths in 2024, up from 16.2% in 2023 and 14.1% in 2022. Hamid Abd-Al-Jabbar's tragic story highlights a trend among drug-related deaths in Milwaukee. Abd-Al-Jabbar was working as a peace activist after spending years in prison for shooting and killing a man during a 1988 drug house robbery. He experienced a life of pain, trauma, and abuse he harbored internally without asking anyone for help. Drugs were an outlet for Abd-Al-Jabbar, cocaine in particular. But he died in February 2021 at age 51 after ingesting a drug mixture that included fentanyl and cocaine. Abd-Al-Jabbar's story mirrors that of many older Black men who have died from drug-related causes. The majority used cocaine laced with stronger fentanyl—the fast-acting drug that has fueled the national opioid crisis. Many also had a history of incarceration. The disparities in Wisconsin are compounded by the state's high incarceration rate for Black men, one of the highest in the nation, along with some of the country's most significant gaps in education, public health, housing, and income. Limited options and persistent stigma prevent a generation of Black men from accessing drug treatment. While a network of organizations offering comprehensive care provides hope, these resources are vastly insufficient to meet the community's needs. “Black men experience higher rates of community violence, are often untreated for mental health issues and experience greater levels of systemic racism than other groups,” said Lia Knox, a Milwaukee mental wellness consultant. “Th

by Rafael Pena

February 27, 2024

U.S. Army Honors Black Soldiers Wrongfully Executed In Jim Crow Era Mass Hanging

The U.S. Army has overturned its convictions against Black soldiers from the Jim Crow era, bringing some closure to a painful past.

CBS News reports that the U.S. Army has overturned its convictions against Black soldiers from the Jim Crow era. Fort Sam Houston’s Veterans Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, stands as a repository of narratives etched in stone – tales of service, sacrifice, and, in one row, a painful chapter of injustice and racial discrimination. Angela Holder, standing by her great-uncle Cpl. Jesse Moore’s headstone expressed the void in their stories, saying, “Ours don’t have a story; they just have a name and date of death.” Moore was one of 13 Black soldiers from the 24th Infantry Regiment, subjected to the largest mass execution in Army history during the Jim Crow era.

Moore’s niece shared her determination to rectify the injustice after learning of her great-uncle’s tragic fate. Recounting the discovery from her Great-Aunt Lovie, Holder explained, “I was told that that was her brother who had been killed by the Army.” The soldiers were convicted of mutiny and murder, sentenced to hang without a chance for appeal, and their bodies placed in plain pine coffins after execution.

Historian John Haymond shed light on the event, describing the night-long efforts to erect a unique scaffold for the simultaneous hanging. The gallows, now a golf course at Fort Sam Houston, hid a dark secret for two decades as the bodies lay in unmarked graves, each identified only by a number.

The soldiers of the 24th Infantry Regiment, proud Black servicemen who had served in Mexico and the Philippines, found themselves entangled in racial tensions in Houston. Charles Anderson, a relative of Sgt. William Nesbit emphasized the racism prevalent in “Jim Crow’s hometown.” Despite wearing the uniform, Black soldiers were still demeaned and referred to using racial slurs.

A race riot erupted following false rumors, leading to the soldiers’ arrest and a cascade of court-martials. The trials, the largest murder trial in American history, lacked due process. Thirteen were condemned to death, a verdict withheld until 12 hours before execution. Facing the gallows, T.C. Hawkins expressed his innocence in a poignant letter, leaving a lasting impact on his descendants.

Over a century later, the Army undertook a comprehensive review, acknowledging the absence of fair trials for all 110 initially court-martialed soldiers. Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo affirmed the influence of race in the trials and executions. The Army’s decision to posthumously honorably discharge the wrongly convicted soldiers and provide new headstones brings a semblance of closure.

At a commemoration ceremony, Holder witnessed the unveiling of proper headstones for her great-uncle and others. Chaplain James Hall’s prayer encapsulated the moment, seeking forgiveness for the nation and expressing gratitude for a country capable of change, adjustment, and making amends. The Army’s efforts reflect a commitment to acknowledging historical injustices and offering belated recognition to these Black soldiers who once faced a grave miscarriage of justice.

by Rafael Pena

February 27, 2024

LSU Student Arrested For Allegedly Selling Child Porn On Instagram

LSU student Jahi Palmer-Davis is in police custody, accused of trading and selling child porn via Instagram.

20-year-old LSU student Jahi Palmer-Davis finds himself in police custody, accused of trading and selling child porn via Instagram, according to The Advocate. The arrest, which transpired on Feb. 20, has resulted in Palmer-Davis facing charges comprising two counts of pornography involving juveniles and two counts of unauthorized use of a wireless router system, as disclosed by law enforcement officials.

Instagram swiftly alerted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about the explicit videos. The investigation unfolded on January 5, 2024, triggered by a notification from Instagram regarding the upload of two videos/images containing child sexual abuse material featuring children under the age of 13. The uploads originated from a university IP address, occurring on three distinct dates spanning from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31. The account responsible for the content was subsequently linked to Palmer-Davis under the username “blkcollegepr,” who allegedly utilized his LSU email address to disseminate these illicit files.

Subsequent to obtaining a search warrant for Palmer-Davis’s Instagram account, investigators unearthed two explicit images and a conversation between his account and fellow Instagram users. This conversation revolved around the trading and selling of videos featuring child porn, providing additional cause for concern regarding the extent of Palmer-Davis’s alleged involvement.

Law enforcement officials also revealed that Palmer-Davis engaged in a conversation with an individual self-identifying as a 14-year-old. He not only allegedly sent explicit videos to this juvenile but also imparted guidance on where to post explicit photos online, exacerbating the gravity of the charges against him.

In light of these allegations, Jahi Palmer-Davis has been incarcerated at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Connecting the dots in the case, authorities additionally tied Palmer-Davis to the alleged crime through his Google email account, as revealed in the charging documents.

His appearance before a district judge on Feb. 21 marked a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings. In a courtroom setting, court records unveiled that bail was set at $70,000. Furthermore, the judge issued a directive ordering Palmer-Davis to refrain from engaging in any internet activity.

T.I. ‘Had To Straighten Up’ On The Set Of ‘ATL’ Or Risk Losing The Role

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 27, 2024

T.I. ‘Had To Straighten Up’ On The Set Of ‘ATL’ Or Risk Losing The Role

T.I. is opening up about the ups and downs of his acting debut in the 2004 cult-classic film "ATL" and how he almost got fired.

T.I. is opening up about the ups and downs of his acting debut in the 2004 cult-classic film ATL and how he almost got fired.

The rapper/actor recently sat down with Brian “B High” Hightower on his “B High TV” radio show and recalled the time he “almost got fired from ATL.” According to T.I., the movie was filmed at a time in his career when his ego was high, and his care for his budding acting career was low.

The “Whatever You Like” rapper was arriving to set late and bringing down the morale of the cast. It wasn’t until he arrived late one day with marijuana smoke blowing out of his car that he was confronted by the film’s director, Chris Robinson, and producer, Charlie Mack, about his behavior.

“The third day, they came to fire me and I didn’t care,” T.I. revealed in a clip captured by The Neighborhood Talk.

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The rapper was at the height of his career and had just received multimillion-dollar payouts totaling $5 and $10 million, leaving him unbothered by the $85,000 he was being paid to film “ATL.”

“I got all this money, and I got to go to work,” T.I. said, explaining his mindset at the time.

After pulling up late to set with “weed blowing out the Phantom,” Robinson and Mack pulled T.I. to the side for a heart-to-heart. During the talk, T.I. realized the “leadership” he had on set as the lead actor in the film. However, his initial response to being fired was just “OK.”

“Naw, not OK,” T.I. recalled Robinson telling him. “I’m a first-time movie director as a Black man, you a first-time actor as a Black man. You got a whole cast full of full-time actors and people looking for this opportunity. You can’t just shrug your shoulders and say ‘OK.'”

Listening to Robinson and Mack, T.I. recognized his power and the opportunity he could bring the rising actors working on the film with him.

“I felt responsible at that point. I had to straighten up. And that’s what made me care about the movie,” T.I. said.

In 2021, Robinson released a teaser trailer for “ATL 2: Homecoming.” The sequel sees the return of originals from the first film, including T.I., Lauren London, Evan Ross, Jason Weaver, Albert Daniels, Khadijah Haqq, Malika Haqq, and Big Boi.

Rodney, lawsuit, Jones, producer, lawsuit, Diddy, Delon, Ciroc, Diego, wine, spirits, racism, black

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 27, 2024

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sued by Producer for Sexual Harassment And Assault

Another lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs has been filed, this time by producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones for sexual harassment and assault.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been sued by producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones for sexual harassment and assault. The lawsuit was filed on Feb. 26 and also alleged that Combs drugged and threatened him for over a year.

While working on Combs’ latest album, Jones resided and traveled with the multihyphenate from September 2022 to November 2023. The lawsuit states that Jones was forced to partake in sexual acts with sex workers he was forced to solicit at Combs’ demand. The filing also detailed how Combs allegedly laced alcoholic drinks for guests during gatherings held at his multiple residences.

Jones has also claimed to have screenshots of underage girls and sex workers present at these parties, in addition to various recordings of the 54-year-old hitmaker and his entourage participating in “illegal activity.” In regards to Jones’ specific harassment, the lawsuit revealed he endured “constant unsolicited and unauthorized groping and touching of his anus.”

The suit also names Combs’ son Justin, CEO of Universal Music Group, Sir Lucian Grange, and ex-Motown CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam. Regarding the music executives’ involvement, the legal filing states that they worked together in a “RICO Enterprise” that “failed to” ensure the legality and safety of Combs’ actions, as well as his son and Chief of Staff Kristina Korram.

The allegations are similar to a dismissed lawsuit by Combs’ former girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, whose public filing detailing her years of allegeed sexual abuse prompted a media frenzy. Although a settlement was reached for an undisclosed amount the following day, Combs has since garnered multiple allegations of sexual assault. In light of all the controversies, Combs has distanced himself from his ventures, including stepping down as chairman of Revolt TV.

Jones is seeking $30 million in damages. However, Combs’ lawyers have dismissed his claims altogether, stating that the “outlandish allegations” will be refuted in court.

“We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies. Our attempts to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn refuses to return our calls,” Combs’ attorney, Shawn Holley, said in a statement. “We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those who make them.”

ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, free tuition

by Daniel Johnson

February 27, 2024

Billion-Dollar Donation Creates Free Tuition For Albert Einstein College Of Medicine

Gottesman thanked her husband, the late David “Sandy” Gottesman, who made his fortune by investing early into billionaire Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway firm, for entrusting her with the funds necessary to make the landmark donation.

Dr. Ruth Gottesman, a 93-year-old former professor and chair of the board of trustees of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in The Bronx, provided a $1 billion gift to the university, providing its students with free tuition beginning in August.

As ABC News reported, the gift is one of, if not the largest, single donation to a university in the United States and the single largest donation to a medical school, according to the university. As a condition of Gottesman’s gift, the university will keep its current name.

https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1762269444263575680?t=bRX8pIgeuNSBTAZLi0CDqQ&s=19

Dr. Yaron Tomer, the Marilyn and Stanley Katz dean at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said in a press release that the gift is a radical transformation for the lives of its students.

“This donation radically revolutionizes our ability to continue attracting students who are committed to our mission, not just those who can afford it.”

Tomer continued, “Additionally, it will free up and lift our students, enabling them to pursue projects and ideas that might otherwise be prohibitive. We will be reminded of the legacy this historic gift represents each spring as we send another diverse class of physicians out across the Bronx and around the world to provide compassionate care and transform their communities.”

Gottesman thanked her husband, the late David “Sandy” Gottesman, who made his fortune by investing early into billionaire Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway firm, for entrusting her with the funds necessary to make the landmark donation.

Gottesman concluded, “Each year, well over 100 students enter Albert Einstein College of Medicine in their quest for degrees in medicine and science. They leave as superbly trained scientists and compassionate and knowledgeable physicians, with the expertise to find new ways to prevent diseases and provide the finest health care to communities here in the Bronx and all over the world.”

inflation, credit, Americans, debt, loans, interest, rates, credit score, credit report

by Carrie Pink

February 27, 2024

Don’t Let That Debt Spiral Out Of Control

Interest charges add up quickly over time. Want to keep your debt from reaching those numbers? Use these tips to help keep your debt from spiraling out of control.

Originally Published May 2, 2016

Debt. It’s not pretty, but many people have to deal with it, and while it’s easy to accumulate, it’s very hard to pay off. You may not like to talk about your debt, but ignoring it allows it to spiral out of control.

The average millennial American household is $325,391 in debt; for the baby boomer generation, that total is slightly lower at $309,343, according to Business Insider. Those balances cost a lot more when interest charges start adding up over time. Want to keep your debt from reaching those numbers? Use these tips to help keep your debt from spiraling out of control:

Stop Charging

The simplest way to stop a debt spiral is to stop using credit. Put the credit cards down and go to a total cash system. This will keep you from adding additional debt to your financial picture, and once the cash is gone, you won’t be able to spend anymore.

Cut Expenses or Increase Your Income…like now

If you want to become debt-free you need to start making larger payments; making only the minimum monthly payment isn’t going to cut your debt, in fact the finance charges will continue to slightly increase your balance month after month.

If you want to make larger payments, you must find the money somewhere to make them. Cutting expenses or increasing income are your two options. Try getting a second job, taking on a roommate, or selling your car for additional cash.

Don’t Wait Until the Due Date

Waiting until the payment due date is a big mistake if your debt is spiraling. There’s always a chance you’ll forget and make a late payment, which isn’t good for your debt or your credit score.

Avoid that possibility by setting up automatic payments, so you’ll never risk a late payment. Then, commit to making additional payments above and beyond the minimum payment to reduce the balance and save on interest charges.

Skip the Bad Habits

The cost of dinners out at restaurants, alcoholic drinks with friends, and cigarettes can all quickly add up. Whatever your vice is, whether it’s binge shopping online, eating out daily, or taking luxury vacations, ignite your willpower to prioritize paying off your debt.

Small additional payments will snowball over time, and your balances will start to go down. Making extra payments may also encourage you to cut even more spending to pay off your debt faster.

Be Realistic

There’s no point in paying down your debt if you’re just going to run that debt back up. Figure out how you ended up in debt. Is it because you were living beyond your means? While it’s important to not totally deprive your lifestyle, it’s also important to be aware of your spending triggers and avoid them.

Start with small lifestyle changes to keep your debt balances under control. Is your debt currently spiraling? Which of these tips can you use to stop it?

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 27, 2024

Dame Dash Can’t Catch A Break, Accused Of $400K Debt

The photographer who lost a sexual assault lawsuit against Damon Dash last year is back seeking $400 million in a case she wants reopened.

The photographer who lost a sexual assault lawsuit against Damon Dash last year is back, seeking $400 million in a case she wants reopened.

Monique Bunn, the photographer who accused Dash of sexual assault in a lawsuit he was cleared of in February 2023, filed new documents requesting the courts reopen her case for damages against the former Roc-A-Fella executive. According to HipHopDX, Bunn claims the jury in the preceding case failed to grasp the complete nature of the damages Bunn suffered due to Dash’s alleged actions.

The photographer argues that the case needs to be reopened, citing Dash’s admission to withholding the photos for which he didn’t properly compensate her. The 285-page memorandum of law details the cost for each image.

“The evidence at trial – which was uncontroverted – established that each photo was worth $1,500, which should have resulted in a verdict for at least $384,750,000,” The memorandum states.

“It is well known that professional photographers earn much of their income through licensing their portfolio of photographs, and Defendants’ actions destroyed Ms. Bunn’s economic prospects. The jury ignored the valuation evidence and awarded zero to Ms. Bunn.”

Dame Dash facing new lawsuit from photographer who claims he cost her nearly $400M pic.twitter.com/V4azMVFMUu
— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) February 25, 2024

“It is impossible to conceive how a jury could conclude that a professional photographer’s portfolio of thousands of photos, as well as photography equipment, could be worth zero,” the memorandum continued.

“Especially when the Plaintiff and the Defendants both testify that the damages are in the millions. A new trial is warranted under these circumstances.”

The latest filing comes one year after a jury ruled Dash did not sexually assault Bunn, who sued him in 2019, claiming he touched her without her consent while she was asleep inside his home. While she lost the sexual assault lawsuit, she did win her defamation suit against Dash and was awarded $30,000.

Attorney Christopher Brown is representing Bunn and is also behind the recent order to sell Dash’s Roc-A-Fella shares to satisfy a nearly $900,000 judgment awarded to the producer behind the 2019 film “Dear Frank.”

Tar'Varish Dawson, Colorado Buffaloes, Football

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 27, 2024

Wide Receiver Tar’Varish Dawson Released From Colorado Buffaloes Football Team

He thanked Coach Prime for the opportunity.

Wide receiver Tar’Varish Dawson has reportedly been dismissed from the University of Colorado Boulder’s football team.

The now-former Buffaloes player, who joined the team last season via the transfer portal class, told the media outlet that he is no longer affiliated with the team after being released by football head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders.

Colorado WR Tar’Varish Dawson reportedly dismissed from team https://t.co/881dgdChir pic.twitter.com/lRAedMLxw5

— ColoradoBuffaloesWire (@BuffaloesWire) February 27, 2024

“I’m disappointed that I’m no longer with my teammates at Colorado,” Dawson expressed to Buffs Beat. “It’s an unfortunate situation, but I’m excited for my future and being able to take my talents elsewhere. I’m thankful for the opportunity Coach Prime and his staff gave me in Boulder. I’m just a kid from Fort Myers like he was, and it means a lot. With that said, I’m ready to work and will be entering the transfer portal this spring.”

He was reportedly released last week after dealing with a personal matter.

He attended Auburn before transferring to Colorado to play with Coach Prime and the Buffaloes. He was a highly sought-after consensus top-50 recruit with Second-Team All-Florida honors when he played at Lehigh Senior High School in Lehigh Acres, Florida.

The team has already moved on from Dawson, as the Buffaloes have brought in three more wide receivers via the transfer portal.

It was speculated that Dawson was no longer with the team after he was left off the spring roster for the upcoming Black and Gold Spring Game being played on April 27.

Dawson played in seven games for the team this past season. He started four games for the Buffaloes after Travis Hunter went down for several games when he suffered a lacerated liver. In those seven games, he caught 14 passes for 124 receiving yards and scored a touchdown. He also had one carry for eight yards and one touchdown on the ground.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 27, 2024

Atlanta Named A Top City For Solo Living

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has ranked Atlanta in its Top 5 cities with the most single households.

Despite higher living costs and inflation, more people lean toward living alone than in past years. The city of Atlanta now ranks among the top places for single households, as revealed in a new report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The report detailed how the southern hotspot ranks fourth in the nation for the number of residents who live by themselves. Atlanta has been listed in the top five, as over 110,000 households are solely occupied by one person, representing 44.5% of all homes in the city. Divided by gender, 24% of male Atlantans and women came in slightly higher at 29.3%, which ranks the city third nationally.

The number of single households is also rising in Georgia’s capital. Annually, the number of one-person residences has increased by 7%, making Atlanta one of America’s “loneliest” cities. Single-person homes were especially prominent during the pandemic, with over 2.4 million more people living by themselves since 2020.

Nationwide, 28.6% of households are occupied by single people, which accounts for over 37 million Americans. The Chamber of Commerce has determined that younger adults opt out of typical adulting, such as becoming parents or purchasing a home, thus resigning themselves to live alone.

“As younger Americans hold off on major life milestones, such as purchasing a home, marriage, and parenthood, it’s probably not surprising that the trend of living alone has been on the rise,” reported the business organization. “Year-over-year, the number of Americans living alone has increased by 1.1 million, according to the Census Bureau.”

According to the U.S. Census, Atlanta is also home to many Black residents, making up 47.6% of its population.

Its high ranking among single households also signifies a rise in Black people living single, making the city a potential destination for young Black professionals to be among a cohort of single home-dwellers.