• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 21, 2024

Still Grindin’! Clipse Releasing First Album In 15 Years

Their latest song, 'Birds Don't Sing' confirms that Pusha T and his brother, No Malice, are releasing a full album soon.

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It looks like the Thornton brothers, Gene (No Malice) and Terrence (Pusha T), will be “Grindin” again as they reveal there is an upcoming Clipse album brewing.

The news was unveiled during an interview with Vulture after their latest song, “Birds Don’t Sing,” featuring crooner John Legend, debuted during this year’s Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer Fashion Show. The brothers haven’t released a recording together since 2009. A social media post revealed that they played several songs from their upcoming project in Paris, even mentioning a feature song with Nas. Pusha T forwarded the message and added that there are other features on the album as well.

Plus a couple more features…🙃 https://t.co/EVqzvLaUFr

— King Push (@PUSHA_T) June 20, 2024

Although Pusha T has been quite a busy artist over the past several years, his brother, No Malice, found religion. Although he recorded several albums, his Christian views prevented him from spitting the type of lyrics we have come to know from the duo. Now, the two are back. Their last album, “Til the Casket Drops,” was released in 2009, and now, No Malice has stated, “Everything is ordained and coming at the right time.”

For those who did not know, the Thorntons’ father was a deacon, and No Malice stated he received a blessing from him on his return to Clipse.

“My dad was instrumental in my decision-making,” No Malice reveals. “I asked him what he thought about me rapping again, and he said, ‘You still have to make a living. You still have to take care of your family. I understand where you’re coming from, but I think you’ve been too hard on yourself.’ And that meant so much to me because over the years, the Clipse years, our family really went through a lot. For him to give me his blessing, him being a deacon in the church and loving God, I had to open my eyes and reevaluate.”

Pusha T promises they will have “a rap album of the year, along with touring and public appearances.”

“I think the album shows the supreme maturation of a rap duo,” Pusha T said. “I think this is where you get the difference between taste and filler. This music is curated. This is a high-taste-level piece of work. You can only have that level of taste when you have the fundamentals down to a science. I think it’s been definitely missing. Then there’s the competitive aspect.”

He also adds that, just like their debut album, “Lord Willin,” the project was completely produced by Pharrell Williams.

RELATED CONTENT: Pusha T’s Medical Transportation Company Scaled Into A ‘Really Lucrative’ Business

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 21, 2024

Las Vegas Aces Become 1st WNBA Team To Sell Out Every Home Game

The team has 18 home games at Michelob ULTRA Arena and two games at T-Mobile Arena.

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The Las Vegas Aces became the first team to win back-to-back championships in the WNBA in over 20 years when they narrowly defeated the New York Liberty, 70-69, last season. Their success has propelled them to become the first WNBA team to sell out all of its regular-season home games.

The team announced the feat on June 20.

The Las Vegas Aces has 18 home games at Michelob ULTRA Arena and two other games at T-Mobile Arena.

Las Vegas is 7-6 on the year.

The Associated Press reported that in March, the Aces also became the first team in WNBA history to sell out its portion of season tickets. Last season, the team led the league in attendance, with an average of 9,551 people coming to games. This season, they are averaging 10,379, which places them in fourth place. The league has picked up steam, with the additions of rookies like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark sparking interest.

The Indiana Fever, which has Clark on its team, leads the WNBA with an average of 16,757. Just five games into the season, that total surpasses their total attendance for last season.

While the Aces aren’t winning in the same fashion as the past two seasons, they still set a team attendance record for Michelob Ultra Arena when 10,424 people witnessed a rematch of the two championship teams on June 15. The Liberty won this time with a score of 90-82.

Last season, while playing the Phoenix Mercury at T-Mobile Arena, they set a franchise home record when 17,406 fans came to watch the Aces beat the Mercury 100-85.

With the renewed interest in the WNBA, the league is averaging 9,195 people attending its games. At the current rate, it will be the highest number in 22 years.

RELATED CONTENT: Angel Reese Only WNBA Rookie Averaging Double-Double Per Game

• News

by Shanique Yates

June 21, 2024

Wells Fargo, 100 Black Men Of America To Empower Youth Investment Through Tech Innovation With $600K Grant

Wells Fargo donates $600,000 in grant funding to expand the Junior Investment Club in partnership with 100 Black Men of America.

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100 Black Men of America and Wells Fargo continue to expand on their relationship to positively impact the lives of children by teaching them ways to invest and providing them with the tools to be successful at it.

For more than 35 years, the organization, known as the largest volunteer network of Black men with a focus on mentoring minority youth, has been on a journey to increase the path toward economic advancement for young people by equipping them with financial wisdom and knowledge from an early age. Today, that sentiment is the same with the announcement of its decision to expand the Junior Investment Club.

By using a curriculum-based simulation game, the program teaches young people the key tools to investing; and it will now expand across 30 markets in the U.S. thanks to a $600,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation.

“100 Black Men of America is grateful to Wells Fargo for the tremendous impact the Junior Investment Club is having on our mentees by providing early exposure to investment practices that provide additional pathways to economic opportunity,” said Chairman Milton H. Jones in an official statement. “The decision by Wells Fargo to invest in the expansion of this program is a demonstration of their belief in our shared mission and ultimately to providing financial education resources to youth that will positively impact their futures.”

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As the Junior Investment Club is in its fifth year, the organization is using technology to help teach young people how to invest. Through the SIFMA Foundation Stock Market Game, program participants are given a virtual sum of $100,000 to invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds through an investment simulation designed to teach them the value of capital markets and expanding their portfolios. 

This year’s 14-week competition included 750 high school students who learned key investing principles from 36 mentors provided through area chapters of 100 Black Men of America.

 “We look forward to expanding the Junior Investment Club to provide more youth with a solid foundation to achieve their future financial goals and grow generational wealth,” said Wells Fargo head of Philanthropy and Community Impact Darlene Goins.

News of the expansion and grant funding was revealed during the 38th Annual Conference of the 100 Black Men of America in Atlanta. Three student teams walked away as the winners of the 2024 Junior Investment Club Competition. The Long Beach, California chapter came in first place, followed by Madison, Wisconsin’s group, who came in second, with the Las Vegas, Nevada team placing third in the contest. 

In addition to the announcement of the news to expand the Junior Investment Club, all 128 students across the top five finalist teams were surprised with $200 each.

RELATED CONTENT: Wells Fargo Launches Startup Accelerator

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 21, 2024

‘Bathroom Police Karen’ Called Out For Reporting Black Woman Who Used Restroom In Office Building

A "bathroom Karen" gets put on blast for targeting a Black woman who used a restroom in an office building where they both work.

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A dispute between two women working at a law firm in Buffalo, New York has gone viral after the white woman reported the Black woman for using the bathroom on a different floor.

In a TikTok shared by user Top_cat716, she records herself after leaving a bathroom in a building where she works. Standing in the hallway waiting to confront her about using the bathroom is a white woman who demands to know who her manager is.

“Can I ask who you report to so I can call the law firm?” the white woman asks.

The woman filming begins to ask the white woman why she appears to have an issue with her using the bathroom.

“Because you need to stay on your floor bathroom,” the white woman declares.

“Why do I have to stay on my floor? Because of what?” the Black employee fires back.

@top_cat716

♬ original sound – Top_cat716

The white woman then reveals her real issue with the Black woman using the bathroom on the floor she works on rather than the floor the Black woman works on.

“Why would you not stay on your floor?” the white woman asks.

“I can use whatever bathroom I want to use. This is the law firm where I work,” the Black woman says in response.

She continued recording the white woman as she stormed off, threatening to report the Black woman to security.

“Please contact security. I work here. You sound stupid,” the Black woman says.

Since posting the video, it’s been viewed over 1 million times with over 100,000 likes and 12,000 comments from viewers who support the Black woman’s rights to use the bathroom on any floor of the law firm she works for.

“Why is she the bathroom police,” one person wrote.

“I would go to the bathroom on that floor every day,” added someone else.

Another viewer likened the encounter to a scene from the movie Hidden Figures that highlighted the hurdles the Black women who worked for NASA in the 1960s had to face just to use the bathroom.

“It’s giving Hidden Figures,” they wrote.

RELATED CONTENT: White Man, 42, Accused of Assaulting 11-Year-Old Black Child In Washington State

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

June 21, 2024

DNC Prepares To Show Black Voters What Trump Thinks About Them Ahead Of Rally In Philadelphia 

Talk about fighting fire with fire!

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As former President Donald Trump prepares for a rally at Philadelphia’s Temple University, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) will greet him with messaging on a billboard, a mobile billboard, and kiosks in campus buildings to show Black voters what he thinks of them. 

As the DNC aims to shine a light on the heights President Joe Biden has reached with student loan forgiveness efforts, all of the ads are aimed at Trump’s relationship with the Black community and young voters. “Donald Trump is coming to North Philly, but he can’t fool us,” the mobile billboard reads. 

“He’s a disaster for Black Americans.” 

Ads will be seen in buildings across campus but those attending the rally won’t have to go to Temple University to see the attacks on Trump. Supporters and residents will see a huge billboard along I-95 reading, “If Trump wins, Black families lose.” 

Following Trump’s appearance at a Black church in Detroit on June 15 — where he called Biden the “worst president for Black people” — DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman pushed back, labeling the indicted businessman as “a disaster for minority communities — particularly Black Americans.” “He says he’s not racist, but his record says differently,” Rahman said. 

“Over and over again, he has insulted predominantly Black cities, and during his time in office, jobs disappeared, unemployment more than doubled for Black Americans during the pandemic, and his tax scam widened the racial wealth gap.” 

Poll numbers show that 57% of Black voters feel things would be better if Biden is reelected, compared to 69% of Black voters who shared those same thoughts about Trump. However, Biden still sees 81% of Black voters who said they plan to support Biden over the former president. 

While Trump visited the Motor City, the DNC welcomed him with similar billboards around the city. According to NBC News, one billboard featured him with two of his fellow indicted allies — Steve Bannon and Roger Stone — calling them all “crooks.” “Trump and his fellow crooks are in Detroit asking for your vote, but it’s just a scam,” the billboard read. 

“They don’t care about you. They’re just out for themselves.” 

Efforts for the billboards around Philadelphia come after Trump called Milwaukee, hosting the Republican National Convention, a “horrible city” during a meeting with House Republicans. He has a history of attacking cities with a majority-Black demographic. In 2017, Trump labeled Atlanta as “crime-infested” and, during his time in the White House, called Baltimore “rat and rodent-infested.” 

As he cast his vote for president during the 2020 election, Trump allegedly called the City of Brotherly Love one of “the most corrupt political places anywhere in our country.”

• Women

by Stacy Jackson

June 21, 2024

Black Woman Creates ‘Aipro,’ A Culturally Intelligent Copywriting Tool Powered By AI

Aipro is the world’s first AI platform created by a Black woman copywriter, and she's making the tool accessible to businesses of all sizes.

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Apryl Beverly, a renowned copywriting expert, has unveiled Aipro, a groundbreaking AI-powered copywriting tool designed to generate culturally intelligent marketing content.

The flagship product, PRO (Pitch, Respond, Offer), employs a culture-first approach to create engaging, persuasive, and culturally appropriate copy for various business needs. This innovative platform aims to bridge the gap in AI-generated content by offering a solution that resonates with diverse audiences. “I use, teach, and train on AI content creation, but the one thing that every tool seems to miss is a diverse experience,” Beverly said on her website.

The tool’s versatility extends to creating opt-in landing pages, sales emails, social media posts, ad copy, and detailed RFP responses. Aipro’s unique selling point lies in its ability to incorporate appropriate slang while avoiding potentially offensive language.

“Aipro not only writes great copy but also understands and respects the diverse cultures of its users. Here, the conversational style of writing you want is the initial response. Of course, you can ask Aipro to go ‘more formal,’ and it’ll gladly rise to the occasion,” she said. “The platform is similar to the others, so there’s no learning curve to getting Aipro to write great copy from the start. But the vibe and culturally smart sales copy is in a class all [on] its own.”

Beverly’s impressive track record includes generating $3 billion in client revenue over her 20+ year career. According to Black News, she became the first Black woman to license a copywriting course to over a thousand educational institutions worldwide. Her academic background combines journalism and marketing, complemented by extensive experience in corporate communications and proposal writing. Her latest copywriting tool builds on Beverly’s history of trailblazing in the copywriting industry. In 2018, she launched Word Stylistz, the first woman-owned flat-rate copywriting platform catering to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

As Aipro prepares for its June 21 launch, interested parties can join the waitlist now to be among the first to experience this culturally smart AI copywriter.

RELATED CONTENT: UPenn Becomes First Ivy League College To Launch AI Degree Programs

• Women

by Stacy Jackson

June 21, 2024

General Hospital Addresses Racist Trolls Attacking Black Actress, Tabyana Ali

General Hospital cast members took to their social media accounts to stand in support of their fellow castmate.

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The beloved soap opera General Hospital has taken a stand against racism following a situation between viewers and Black actress Tabyana Ali.

The show’s official X account declared on June 18, “General Hospital does not tolerate hatred or bigotry of any kind. Racism has no place in Port Charles. #GH is for everyone.” Ali expressed gratitude for the show’s support, retweeting their message with appreciation.

This comes after Ali received a large amount of racist online harassment and spoke out about it. Earlier this month, she addressed her detractors with grace, saying, “To anyone that hates me. That’s absolutely fine.” The June 9 post continued, “…regardless I’m sending you peace, safety, and prosperity.”

Fellow cast members rallied around Ali. General Hospital star Nancy Lee Grahn forcefully denounced the racist attacks, stating, “…we condemn and reject it. We stand by our friend and colleague in her dignified and gracious response. There’s no place for racism of any kind in our beloved GH community.” Genie Francis and Maura West also voiced their support, with West praising Ali’s “strength and loving, open heart.”

However, the incident has sparked a broader discussion among viewers about Ali’s character and storylines. Some fans have called for more substantial plots for Trina, expressing concern that she’s being used as a “prop” for other characters, particularly her onscreen friend Josslyn, who is played by white actress Eden McCoy. Addressing a post that shows the two pictured together, one viewer commented, “…Trina needs a storyline and not to be a prop for other people on the show,” while another urged the show to “End this one-sided friendship.”

The controversy has also highlighted issues of representation in promotional materials, with fans questioning why Ali wasn’t tagged in a social post featuring the two characters, with Ali in a small corner of the frame.

Ali, who joined the cast in 2022, according to NBC News, is the third actress to play Trina Robinson. As the situation unfolds, ABC is reportedly working closely with Ali and her team to address the racist trolling she has endured, Deadline noted.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 21, 2024

Ms. Pat Credits Being Fired From Radio Show To ‘Hater’ Big Tigger

Ms. Pat thinks she was fired from V-103 thanks to her "hater" of a co-host Big Tigger.

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Ms. Pat is breaking her silence about being fired from V-103 last year and seemingly crediting the termination to her “hater” of a co-host, Big Tigger.

The actress and comedian appeared on The Breakfast Club this week, where she got candid about being let go from V-103. Ms. Pat spent two years co-hosting “The Big Tigger Morning Show” with Big Tigger and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Shamea Morton.

She already had plans to leave the show in August 2023 and was “shocked” when she got “quired” (fired before she got a chance to quit) at the morning show gig.

“I was blown away,” she told Charlamagne tha God. “I never thought I’d get fired from that job.”

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Ms. Pat says she had already told the network about her plans to quit but had assumed they would renew Morton’s contract. But according to her, she and Morton were blindsided when they were both let go.

The standup comic admits to rarely attending the morning show because of her demanding schedule filming her BET+ sitcom, “The Ms. Pat Show.” However, according to Ms. Pat, her “hater” co-host, Big Tigger, played a part in her removal.

“That’s what happens when you work with a hater,” she added.

“Who’s the hater?” Charlamagne asked.

“You know who the hater is … Tigger,” Ms. Pat said. “Tigger is the biggest [expletive] hater. You had a good show and you messed it up because of your ego … To me, it was jealousy.”

“I’m 52 years old. I don’t have time to play games with you. You should have gotten fired a long time ago,” she later added. “But keep your little show. I never needed it anyway.”

In November, Ms. Pat spoke highly of her time on V-103 but only shouted out the network and Morton, avoiding any mention of Big Tigger.

“It was great,” she told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I enjoyed working with Shamea and V-103 … I was hardly ever there anyway. Things were picking up so much, I had to skip a lot of days.”

RELATED CONTENT: Charlamagne Tha God Says Black Support For Trump Has Been Overstated

• HBCU

by Sharelle B. McNair

June 21, 2024

North Carolina Central University Adds 4 Stellar Senior Executives To Growing Leadership Team 

We see you, Eagles!

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North Carolina Central University is making some exciting changes to its leadership team by adding four senior executives to the roster. 

After electing Dr. Karrie Dixon as the new chancellor of the historically black college and university (HBCU), Central announced Alyn Goodson will serve as executive vice chancellor, Dr. Ontario S. Wooden as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, Avery L. Staley as chief of staff, and Sandra F. Powers as executive assistant to the chancellor. 

Their positions will start effective July 2024, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

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Staley is no stranger to the home of the Eagles as an alumnus of the esteemed school located in Bull City – Durham, North Carolina. As chief of staff, Staley will be responsible for providing leadership and direction for change management initiatives, project management, and program development. He has held the position of inaugural vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory since July 2021. 

During his tenure, Staley oversaw the implementation of a new payroll system under a 16-point plan for equity and curating a campus wide DEI council. 

Goodson has already held the title of vice chancellor from a fellow HBCU, Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). In addition to his vice chancellor role, Goodson also served as the school’s chief of staff and general counsel, where he was responsible for portraying the liaison for university stakeholders, state and local officials, and legislators, as well as the UNC System Office. 

He partners with the chancellor to secure funding for educational programs, capital projects, and campus operations. During his time at Central, Goodson will be responsible for insight on strategic oversight, as well as leadership and guidance on a wide range of campus-based administrative and operational functions. 

Wooden will serve as the interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs as the national search for a permanent replacement has yet to be announced. Coming from the neighboring grounds of North Carolina State University, he will lead the university’s Division of Academic Affairs and serve as the chief academic officer. 

His impressive resume caters to 20 years of experience in academia leadership, including previously serving as interim president of Alcorn State University in Mississippi. Wooden also served as the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs between 2020 and 2023 at the HBCU.

Lastly, Powers is following Dixon to continue working with her in the same capacity as executive assistant to the chancellor. With 30 years years of experience in the administrative support sector, Powers will provide organizational and communication support, adding to the university’s mission. 

Dixon was named as the 13th chancellor at Central on June 6. Her appointment was unanimously approved by the UNC Board of Governors after serving as ECSU’s chancellor for five years. Several faculty, staff, students, community members, alumni, and political leaders – including Congresswoman Valerie Foushee – celebrated Dixon’s arrival on campus. Dixon said she felt the love and was ready to get the work. “The energy I felt in the room this morning as the Eagles welcomed me to becoming the 13th Chancellor at NCCU brought some amazing feelings and energy within myself,” Dixon said. 

“Being the second permanent female chancellor (at NCCU) is something that I’m very proud of, and I wear close to my heart.”

According to WFAE, ECSU saw substantial growth under Dixons’ leadership, including an increased enrollment by almost 70% and $24 million raised in private gifts.

RELATED CONTENT: College Students Discuss How NCCU Programs Support Black Male Student Success

• Health and Wellness

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 21, 2024

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul Expands Doula Services Statewide To Combat ‘Unacceptable’ Black Maternal Mortality Rate

New York is tackling the maternal mortality rate, which directly impacting Black women, by issuing a statewide standing order for doula services.

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New York is tackling the “unacceptable” maternal mortality rate, which disproportionately affects Black women, by issuing a statewide standing order for doula services.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a new policy on Monday, June 10, that allows residents to pay for doula services through Medicaid, WCAX reports. The expansion comes one year after Gov. Hochul announced legislation directing the State Health Department to create and maintain a directory of doulas in response to high pregnancy-related deaths among Black women despite the state’s continued efforts to reduce maternal mortality.

The governor included funding for doula services in New York State’s fiscal year 2025 enacted budget as part of the legislation.

“I want others to look at what we do here as the model of how we protect moms and babies and give them the world-class healthcare that they deserve, so thank you,” Hochul said.

Hochul addressed the maternal mortality crisis during a roundtable discussion at Bronx Borough Hall with the borough president and midwifery and doula community leaders. Her location was intentional, as the borough currently holds the highest maternity mortality rates in the city.

In what kicked off on March 1, 2024, New York State Medicaid covers the cost of doula services for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum individuals. The services can be accessed through the Department’s directory of doulas enrolled to provide covered services to Medicaid members. Additionally, the Doula Expansion Grant Program will allocate $250,000 to community-based organizations for the recruitment, training, certification, support, and mentoring of community-based doulas.

“Doula services improve birth outcomes and provide families with emotional support during pregnancy, delivery, and following birth,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.

“The number of Black people who die while giving birth is indicative of long-standing health disparities resulting from systemic racism, and this is unacceptable.”

Gov. Hochul announced $8 million in funding for the Morris Heights Health Center in the Bronx to construct a state-of-the-art maternal health center, which is much-needed in the Bronx, where women of color are nine times more likely to die from childbirth than any other borough.

“The State Health Department remains committed to addressing disparities in birth outcomes, eliminating barriers to accessing important health resources, and providing quality resources and support, like doula services, so all people who give birth have pregnancies and deliveries that are safe and empowering,” McDonald added.