by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 1, 2024

Biden Plans ‘First-Of-Its-Kind’ Fundraiser With Former Presidents Clinton and Obama

President Joe Biden is taking a new approach to his campaign strategy as the election year kicks off.

---

As the election year kicks off, President Joe Biden is taking a new approach to his campaign strategy. The current incumbent plans to host an innovative fundraiser with former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. 

According to NBC News, the event aims to motivate the Democratic electorate as the election appears to be a rematch between former President Trump and Biden. The news outlet’s Washington-based managing editor, Carol Lee, revealed the exclusive details on the “first of its kind” fundraiser while contributing to NBC’s Meet The Press. 

“The Biden campaign is trying to organize a fundraiser with President Biden, former President Obama, and former President Clinton. The three of them headlining a fundraiser, they hope it raises a ton of money. No date has been set, but it is likely to happen in the spring, March or April,” explained Lee on the show.

The journalist mentioned not only the occasion’s monetary hopes but also its intention of “energizing” voters to take action. 

“They want to raise a lot of money with that but also energize Democrats who have not shown a lot of enthusiasm for the Biden ticket in 2024. And it’s just part of this strategy of this ‘all hands on deck’ approach that we’ve seen from Democratic Party leaders,” said Lee. “One Biden advisor said, ‘Look, the fact they’re doing this this early in the year really underscores that it is everybody trying to get on board and get Biden over the finish line.’” 

While no further details were revealed, the Biden-Harris ticket has already begun numerous events and campaign strategies to reach their electorate directly, including Black voters. Recent advertisements have highlighted the administration’s work on behalf of the community. Vice President Harris has also embarked on a Fight For Reproductive Freedoms Tour to remind voters that abortion rights are still in jeopardy, and this election is pivotal in protecting women’s right to choose and bodily autonomy. 

As the 2020 rematch between Trump and Biden is all but guaranteed for this year, both contenders are pulling out all the stops for what is looking to be a close race.  

RELATED CONTENT: Biden Administration’s First Chief Diversity And Inclusion Officer To Leave White House

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 1, 2024

As Fake News Videos Attacking Black Celebs On YouTube Increase, So Do Concerns

Black celebrities have become a popular target for AI-generated content on YouTube as it begins to crack down on the fake news videos.

---

A growing issue on YouTube has Black celebrities being attacked by false content conjured up by artificial intelligence (AI). The platform now hosts many videos that include manipulated media to curate fake headlines about notable Black public figures.

An investigation conducted by NBC News uncovered 12 accounts that have posted videos utilizing falsified information to garner views. While some they uncovered were merely to bait viewers to watch the content that depicts something different, others spewed defamatory statements off baseless and manipulated claims. The danger not only lies in the validity, but also the numbers of eyes watching them. Many videos attract millions of views.

The scheme is also lucrative. YouTube’s monetization policies allow for these fake news videos to accumulate a profit.

YouTube released a statement to NBC denouncing the act while also ensuring there are proper guidelines to stop such tactics.

“YouTube’s Community Guidelines set the rules of the road for what is and is not allowed on our platform, including content that contains targeted harassment or unwanted sexualization,” the statement said. 

However, AI-generated news content remains an issue, with celebrities having to release their own statements denying advertisements using deep-fakes of their voices or their participation in questionable activities. For example, videos swirled rumors of Bishop T.D. Jakes’ involvement in Diddy’s alleged sexual parties, which the mega-pastor addressed and condemned during a sermon, as reported back in December by Complex.

While YouTube has stated it is working to label these videos as synthetic media, the update has yet to be featured. However, its inclusion is becoming a growing necessity, with viewers often being unable to distinguish the truth, to the detriment of many Black celebrities.

“We’ve seen these pages that pop up on YouTube or TikTok, and they will have an AI-generated picture of Rihanna crying over A$AP [Rocky] going to jail, and it’s completely fake,” shared Angelica Nwandu, founder and CEO of Black news source The Shade Room. “Our audience will DM and say, ‘Why aren’t you posting this news?’ ‘Why aren’t you covering this story?’ Because they believe these pages.”

This trend toward targeting Black celebrities through manipulated video is degrading an already tumultuous relationship the Black community has with news media. And, given that 2024 is an election year, the rise of fake content spreading misinformation is not only harmful to Black Hollywood, but, inevitably, to Black voters.

RELATED CONTENT: Google Purchases An AI Product From This Black-Woman-Owned EdTech Company 

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 1, 2024

Eric Adams Loses Battle With New York City Council Over Solitary Confinement 

This is an interesting fight....

---

The New York City Council reigned supreme in the fight against a solitary confinement ban. In a historic vote on Jan. 30, the council overrode Mayor Eric Adams’ vetoes on a solitary confinement ban and a bill to document police stops, ABC News reports.

The 42-9 vote spoke volumes for victims of police brutality and the public safety of city residents. “Public safety is a collective effort, but it can only be achieved when there is transparency and accountability and policing,” City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said.

“Black and Latino New Yorkers continue to be disproportionately subjected to unconstitutional stops that go underreported. Civilian complaints of misconduct are at their highest levels in a decade. These stops can no longer happen in the shadows.”

The New York City Council passed legislation on Dec. 20, 2023, banning solitary confinement in city jails. Introduced by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the bill limits isolating inmates to four hours when there is an immediate threat or a high risk of violence to themselves or others in “de-escalation” units. 

Only inmates involved in violent acts should be placed in confinement for more extended periods, but they would need to be out of their cells for 14 hours a day to receive the same programming that other inmates have access to.

Legislation requiring police stop documentation is called the “How Many Stops.” The bill will require NYPD officers to report publicly on civilian stops and searches, collecting data. To justify the cause of said offenses, bill supporters allege it isn’t intended to apply to non-investigative or informal conversations with city residents and guests. 

Adams, a former NYPD captain, slammed the council’s decision. He claims “the Department of Correction would no longer be able to protect people in custody, or the union workers charged with their safety, from violent individuals” if the bill goes into effect. But legislators argue the bill protects those locked up and will reduce violence in correctional facilities and end a practice they say causes “harm” to incarcerated populations.

According to Politico, conservative Common Sense Caucus members agree with Adams. Council and caucus member Robert Holden feels this will just increase officers’ workload, increasing the risk of crime.

“We’re asking fewer police officers to do a lot more,” Holden said. “That makes no sense.” 

This isn’t the first time the Adams administration has spoken out against legislation it did not like. In December 2023, the City Hall admitted its resistance to embedding a series of housing voucher bills vetoed by Adams after the council overrode him.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 1, 2024

Salty Karen Targets Target’s Black History Month Campaign

A Target shopper drew backlash for calling the store's Black History Month campaign decor "insufferable."

---

February’s annual Black History Month celebrations are already being attacked by a “Karen.”  A Target shopper posted on X to voice her seemingly biased frustrations at the store’s campaign featuring Black children and art to honor the occasion. 

The woman, who goes by Deb Fillman and proclaims herself as an education analyst, went to the social media app formerly known as Twitter to express her disdain for Target’s new Black History Month campaign. While her account has since been locked due to the immediate backlash, The Neighborhood Talk shared screenshots of her words to its Instagram account. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

“Target is insufferable. Had to do a return and can’t wait to leave” shared Fillman. The X user also released photos of the “Black Beyond Measure” decor she found distasteful. The images included a young Black girl wearing a hoodie from the collection alongside a T-shirt with images detailing elements of the culture and a feature highlighting one of the Black-owned fashion brands. 

However, upon being called out for her racist rhetoric at the sight of a young Black girl being proud of who she is, Fillman shared her additional response, suggesting that it wasn’t the girl’s Blackness that bothered her. 

“This b*tch said no such thing,” expressed the woman. “She’s lovely. The sweatshirt is reducing her to her skin color, and that’s gross. It’s also Marxist claptrap.” 

Some commenters agreed with Fillman’s words, with one stating that they believe Target is pandering to Black consumers for the holiday.

“Eh, I actually feel the lady. Are the proceeds going to anything that furthers the black community, or are they just about to profit off of this “Black Joy” marketing?”

However, naysayers who frequent the store relayed that Target regularly hosts items created by Black designers and highlights their work year-round, making this narrative and Fillman’s point moot. 

“Just an FYI, Target sells black designer items all year round. They keep the black designer clothing in the front of the store at that,” explained a commenter.

According to USA Today, various stores have been called out for their exploitative practices by only highlighting these Black-owned brands during specific holidays, including Juneteenth. However, given that Target does showcase its diverse brands year-round, delegitimizing this campaign that celebrates Black History Month mainly takes away from those it is meant to uplift. Furthermore, as a white woman who boasts websites that promote anti-Critical Race Theory merchandise, it can be assumed that her take is not one of good faith. 

by Daniel Johnson

February 1, 2024

Biden Administration’s SAVE Student Loan Repayment Plan To Take Effect In February

The Biden administration has moved up the timeline for its revamped income-driven student loan repayment plan, SAVE.

---

The Biden administration has moved up the timeline for its revamped income-driven student loan repayment plan, SAVE. Originally slated to start during the summer, it will begin this month, in February instead. As Forbes reported, SAVE is a replacement for the REPAYE plan and has been designed to be more affordable than other repayment programs.

President Joe Biden reminded the public of the program’s basic tenets in a Facebook post, writing, “Folks, don’t forget. If you are enrolled in our SAVE student loan repayment plan, took out less than $12,000 in loans, and have been in repayment for 10 years: You will get your remaining student debt cancelled – starting next month.”

The program features a larger poverty exception, which means that more of a borrower’s income is ignored in payment calculation, more affordable payments, and a subsidy that erases interest accrued that exceeds the minimum monthly payment. Due to these improvements, many borrowers will have lower payments and no ballooning balances. Furthermore, over 7 million Americans have already enrolled in SAVE, as officials from the Biden administration informed Forbes. 

Borrowers who owe initial balances between $12,000 and $21,000 may receive student loan forgiveness in under 20 years, faster than the typical 20- or 25-year forgiveness threshold under other IDR plans. According to the Department of Education guidelines, “Beginning in February 2024, the SAVE Plan will give borrowers who originally borrowed $12,000 or less forgiveness in as a few as 10 years.”

The Department guidelines read, “This means that you could spend as little as half the normal amount of time in repayment before getting forgiveness for your loans, thanks to the SAVE Plan.”

The Department of Education guidelines also explain how the various borrower amounts change the expected time to repay student loan debt.

“The shortest repayment term before forgiveness is 10 years (120 monthly payments) for individuals who borrowed $12,000 or less,” the Education Department maintains. “The repayment term increases for every $1,000 you borrowed above this amount. This means that even if you borrowed more than $12,000, you could still be eligible to receive forgiveness in less than 20 years. For example, if you borrowed any amount between $12,001 and $13,000, then your repayment term would be 11 years (132 monthly payments). If you borrowed between $13,001 and $14,000, then your repayment term would be 12 years (144 monthly payments).”

To qualify for the SAVE Plan, a borrower has to have a Direct federal student loan. Other plans are available for those with other federal student loans so that borrowers can convert those non-Direct federal loans into Direct federal loans through Direct loan consolidation, thus making them eligible for a SAVE repayment plan. Federal Student Aid guidance encourages those who can consolidate to do so so they can get into SAVE plans. “We encourage you to consolidate all of your loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan to access the SAVE Plan.”

In addition to having a Direct federal student loan, a borrower must have a qualifying initial loan balance, the same as the numbers from earlier in the report. The Education Department cautions those who have not consolidated their student loans that their debt will be calculated differently, “For borrowers with loans that have not been consolidated, we will generally consider the sum total of your loans that, together, have an outstanding balance,” The Department of Education told Forbes. “For borrowers who have consolidation loans, we will consider the initial balances of all of the underlying loans that were consolidated into your consolidation loans rather than the starting balance of your consolidation loan.”

RELATED CONTENT: Proposed Loan Repayment Plan Offers Hope For Low-Income Borrowers’ Path To Homeownership

by Stacy Jackson

February 1, 2024

6th Annual Black Women In Business Beloit Expo Honors Founder’s Memory

The Beloit, Wisconsin-based expo, scheduled for Feb. 10, will be held in founder Vickie Lynn McGee's memory.

---

Vickie Lynn McGee’s legacy endures through the many lives she touched in the Beloit, Wisconsin, community and in the Black Women in Business Beloit Expo, which she founded in 2019.

The sixth annual event, known formally as Sixth Annual Black Herstory Day and Black History Month Celebration Expo, will be held in McGee’s memory. The event will take place February 10 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Eclipse Event Center in Beloit, according to Madison 365.

McGee died shortly before the 2023 expo. This year, Paquita Purnell, one of the organization’s committee members, is determined to make sure McGee’s influence continues.

“Everything is coming together smoothly,” Purnell added. The 2024 expo has reached vendor capacity; more than 60 vendors will participate. Speakers are also scheduled to appear, including business owner Janene Stephenson, Madison 365 noted.

Purnell said McGee hand-picked the committee to uphold her legacy if anything were to happen to her. The organization, which achieved nonprofit status, has already fulfilled one of McGee’s wishes.

“We’re checking off her bucket list,” Purnell said.

McGee was known as a multi-faceted individual. In addition to starting the Black Women in Business Beloit Expo she was an artist, author and comedian, the outlet reported.

At the expo this year, McGee’s children will display her art work. Photographs of McGee will also be on display.

“Ms. Vickie wanted an inclusive atmosphere to help women new to the expo,” said Purnell. “We know exactly what she envisioned.”

Christina Martinez, McGee’s friend from her comedy days, will host the event.

The Beloit-based Expo began as a small gathering of Black women entrepreneurs in a tattoo parlor. It later grew into an expo that included vendors, sponsors, and more space to hold everything.

RELATED CONTENT: 2023 SistersInc Rewind: A Recap Of Black Enterprise’s Entrepreneurial Summit

by Stacy Jackson

February 1, 2024

Health Platform For Black Women Receives $40K Funding Boost For Maternal Health Initiative

Birth By Us hopes to drive meaningful progress in maternal health equity for Black women.

---

The maternal health platform Birth By Us has received a $40,000 grant.

The 2024 Westly Prize for Young Social Innovators is an unrestricted grant supporting innovative social enterprises, according to AfroTech. The award was created by The Westly Foundation, which provides “funding opportunities that advance education, improve healthcare access, and support the growth and well-being of our children,” according to its website.

Birth By Us provides resources for Black women from prenatal to postpartum. It was founded in 2021 by University of California Berkeley alumna Ijeoma Uche and Massachusetts Institute of Technology pre-medical student Mercy Oladipo.

“I felt so supported in a way I haven’t felt in a long time,” Uche said in an interview with The Brown Daily Herald, where she explained how difficult it can be to get funding for a company focused on advancing Black maternal health.

Uche and Oladipo created Birth By Us to address the alarming disparities Black women face around pregnancy and postpartum care. According to Oladipo, Black women suffer “some of the worst outcomes and experiences.”

The health platform aims to empower Black mothers-to-be mothers by giving them the resources they need to prepare for doctor visits. Uche and Oladipo also offer daily wellness checks, health insights, and a directory to help pinpoint concerns versus normal changes through their platform, according to The Brown Daily Herald.

“We empower women of color to shape their birthing experience while giving providers insights to better support their pregnancy and birth,” said Uche.

The duo hopes to use the funding to grow its team. “This will help us make the impact we want as quickly as we anticipate,” said Uche. Birth By Us’ team currently includes four medical advisors, a biostatistics advisor, a technical advisor, and interns in product design and engineering.

RELATED CONTENT: Experts Call On Medicaid Agencies To Focus On Low-Income Postpartum Patients

by Stacy Jackson

February 1, 2024

Congresswoman Shontel Brown Becomes Latest Victim Of ‘Swatting’

Brown was in Washington, D.C. when the swatting incident happened at her northeast Ohio residence.

---

U.S. Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH) was subjected to a “swatting” incident on Jan. 29. Police rushed to the Democrat’s northeast Ohio residence after receiving a prank call about an alleged serious incident.

Brown, who was in Washington, D.C., during the swatting incident criticized the dangerous stunt that has happened to other lawmakers, including Judge Tanya Chutkan, the the federal judge overseeing former president Donald Trump’s election interference case in Washington, D.C.

Swatting is the practice of reporting urgent crimes to bring about a strong police response. Brown’s office has contacted the U.S. Capitol police about the incident, BET reported. So far, no arrests have been announced.

“It is truly alarming that someone would attempt to harass or intimidate me in this way, while also forcing law enforcement to devote resources unnecessarily,” Brown said in a statement. “No one deserves this, and it puts so many people at real risk, including family members, neighbors, law enforcement, and others We have got to get back to debating respectfully, respecting elections, and removing all violence and intimidation from our democracy.”

The Congresswoman expressed her gratitude to the Warrensville Heights police force for their response and investigation of the hoax call.

Brown is on the list of elected officials who have endured swatting. Swatting incidents are happening more often than not with political leaders and lawmakers being the main targets. Other political figures who have been targeted include Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

Politicians and celebrities are not the only targets, according to Cleveland.com.

In other cases, they are targeting schools. Late last year, a swatting operation sent hoax threats to more than 50 schools in Ohio and others in Texas.

Swatting has resulted in deaths of innocent people who were shot by police, or who had a heart attack when law enforcement swarmed their home.

RELATED CONTENT: Federal Judge Overseeing Donald Trump’s Jan. 6 Election Interference Case Is Recent ‘Swatting’ Victim

by Atiya Jordan

February 1, 2024

Chicago News Anchor Allows Breast Cancer To Bring The Best Out Of Her

 Berlie joined NewsNation as an anchor in 2020 and would make a life-changing on-air announcement nearly four years later.

---

After publicly announcing her breast cancer diagnosis, Chicago-based news anchor Nichole Berlie is inspiring her viewers far and wide.

Late last year, in a courageous appearance on NewsNation, Berlie revealed that she was one of 300,000 U.S. women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. Berlie joined NewsNation as an anchor in 2020 and would make a personal live announcement nearly four years later. Since then, she shared how challenging it was to accept her new reality. Following the emotional testimony, Berlie went for chemotherapy treatment. And the marathon to beating cancer and “survivorHERhood” continues.

‘I THOUGHT MY LIFE WAS ENDING’

As a news anchor, Berlie is no stranger to the real-world realities of health scares and cancer diagnoses. When she received the life-changing news in October, during Breast Awareness Month, Berlie was gearing up for a live television segment, People reported. She was in disbelief because there were no apparent signs. But the doctors found a rare form of cancer in one breast.

“I had no pain, no lumps and no signs of anything being wrong. I just remember being in shock because my mammogram was fine,” Berlie told the magazine. “You think you are going to die. I thought my life was ending. That was my biggest struggle.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nichole Berlie (@nicholeberlie)

‘NOT A SINGLE TEARDROP’

Berlie is still committing to working in the office five days a week, exercising at the gym, and shopping for healthy food options. Ahead of losing her hair, she proudly rocked a bald look on and off the air with praise from her supportive viewers and coworkers.

“I hope that when people see me doing it gives them encouragement — to know that you can be diagnosed, and it does not mean that your life must come to an end or even come to a halt. I hope people see that I went through it and I’m OK, and hopefully, they can too,” said Berlie who had planned to donate her hair to the Locks of Love charity.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nichole Berlie (@nicholeberlie)

‘I HAVE THE STRENGTH WITHIN’

The mental battle often reported among cancer patients is no different for Berlie. So, she leans on two cancer support groups and attends therapy sessions. This breast cancer warrior is confident in her faith and intuition to help optimize her strength and positive spirit.

“And I do feel like it’s going to be OK. I know that I have the strength from within. And I think, for me, that has been the biggest change. I’m a lot stronger than I thought.”

“It’s difficult at first, but I want to hear about people who’ve gone through this and survived. That’s what is motivating me.”

On social media, Berlie’s followers and viewers send her prayers and warm wishes along the way.

by Daniel Johnson

February 1, 2024

Meet The North Carolina Nurse Who Gets Black Men To Care About Prostate Health

Duke's Melody McNair says there are multiple reasons why Black men do not receive proper care when it comes to prostate health.

---

A program from Duke University’s Duke Cancer Institute strives to get Black men with prostate cancer more equitable health outcomes.

The program, led by Duke patient navigator and registered nurse Melody McNair, is designed to reach out to Black men who have visited a Duke Primary Care clinic either located in Durham, NC, where Duke University is located, or nearby, for PSA (prostate specific antigen) screenings.

If the initial PSA value for those Black men is above 1.5 and they do not respond to follow up attempts, then McNair reaches out to them personally. A PSA score is used by healthcare professionals to determine if they should proceed with a biopsy in order to more conclusively rule out prostate cancer. An elevated PSA score is often due to factors beside an enlarged prostate, but that is one reason for a higher score. 

McNair said there are multiple reasons why Black men sometimes do not receive proper care when it comes to prostate health, some of their own making, some due to systemic issues.

“They may lack support to pursue treatment, or they don’t completely understand the process,” said McNair who is intimately familiar with Black men being hesitant about care. “They don’t want anyone to know they are sick. They’re supposed to be the ones to keep up the household. That was the case with my father.”

Edward Fogg, a 66-year-old Black man who was homeless when he received an initial PSA score of 4150, an extremely elevated score, reduced his score to .5 after McNair’s involvement.

“I didn’t want to be a burden on anyone,” Fogg explained, before admitting, “And I didn’t really care about myself.”

Not only did McNair search through Fogg’s records to find his sister’s phone number, she explained to Fogg what the numbers meant and what his treatments could accomplish. McNair also gave Fogg a parking pass and gas money to help him get to his appointments.

McNair connected Fogg with Dr. Hannah McManus, a medical oncologist specializing in prostate cancer at Duke. After McManus developed a treatment plan, Fogg’s prospects dramatically improved.

“This shows us that Mr. Fogg’s prostate cancer is responding very well to treatment,” McManus said. “I am hopeful he will live well for many years,” she said.

McNair worked at a community health clinic in Durham where she screened men for prostate cancer. Part of what frustrated her about that work was that she was never sure if the men received further treatment. Now, McNair is allowed space to ensure that men can receive proper treatment.

“I’m the middle piece, to connect what you don’t have to what you need,” she noted.

RELATED CONTENT: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Faces Calls To Resign Over Hospital Stay