by Sharelle B. McNair

January 25, 2024

Beware! Fake AI Calls Put Pressure On New Hampshire Voters To Not Vote In The Democratic Primary 

Some people are just trying anything these days...

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A fake robocall is warning voters not to vote for President Joe Biden ahead of New Hampshire’s Democratic primary, CNN reported. 

Using an AI version of the president’s voice, the call is requesting that voters save their vote until the November general election. While many calls have been tracked using the anti-robocall application Nomorobo, it is still unclear who is behind this one.

“Republicans have been trying to push nonpartisan and Democratic voters to participate in their primary. What a bunch of malarkey,” the altered Biden voice says in the AI version. “We know the value of voting Democratic when our votes count. It’s important that you save your vote for the November election. We’ll need your help in electing Democrats up and down the ticket. Voting this Tuesday only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again.”

Data from Nomorobo CEO Aaron Foss shows almost 80% held New Hampshire as a target, with 12% in the Boston area. The number of calls ranged between 5,000 and 25,000. Biden’s team released a statement saying it has already taken action to stop the spread of the false information. “This matter has already been referred to the New Hampshire Attorney General, and the campaign is actively discussing additional actions to take immediately,” Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s campaign manager, said. 

“Spreading disinformation to suppress voting and deliberately undermine free and fair elections will not stand, and fighting back against any attempt to undermine our democracy will continue to be a top priority for this campaign.”

The effort may have been a waste of time, since Biden isn’t even on the ballot for the primary on Jan. 23. His campaign and the Democratic National Committee have decided the primary process will begin in South Carolina in 2024, according to NPR, so New Hampshire results will not count toward the nomination. Democratic voters will be able to write in Biden’s name, however.

Some Democratic supporters, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), believe this incentive will help Biden. “I think he is gonna win, and I think that’s gonna give him a boost of momentum,” Khanna said.

by Rafael Pena

January 25, 2024

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Launches HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge To Raise $1.4M

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey has initiated its second annual HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge, designed to generate funds for HBCUs.

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According to a press release, on Jan. 15, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, recognized as the leading Black-owned spirits brand globally, initiated its second annual HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge, a nationwide campaign to generate funds for historically Black colleges and universities. The company has set a goal of raising $1.4 million by Juneteenth.

Federal officials revealed last year that 16 states had been underfunding their HBCUs by nearly $13 billion over the past three decades, according to analysis by the U.S. Department of Education. Tennessee, Uncle Nearest’s home state, emerged as the biggest culprit in underfunding its school’s land grants.

Through the HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge, Uncle Nearest seeks to raise financial support and put a spotlight the pivotal role played by HBCUs, which constitute less than 3% of colleges, in dismantling barriers to degree completion and postgraduate success.

HBCU graduates contribute significantly, making up 50% of Black doctors and Black attorneys, 40% of Black engineers and Black members of Congress, and 80% of Black judges.

Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest, expressed the brand’s commitment to education, stating, “Before we sold our first bottle of Uncle Nearest, we were already funding the college education of Nearest Green’s descendants.” Weaver emphasized the joy derived from supporting students’ lives through education, and wants to continue this tradition annually and with increasing contributions.

Participation in the Uncle Nearest HBCU Old Fashioned Challenge is open to the public until June 19, 2024, with several avenues for engagement. Individuals can contribute by ordering an Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned at partnered bars and restaurants, which brings a $1 donation for every cocktail ordered.

Purchasing any bottle of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey from participating online and brick-and-mortar retail stores will also result in a $1 donation per bottle. For those interested in contributing more substantially, purchasing an Old Fashioned Bundle through ReserveBar is available, with a generous $2 donation for each bundle purchased. Moreover, participants can actively participate by submitting a photo of a homemade Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned to www.oldfashionedcocktail.com, where a $1 donation will be made for each entry.

Victoria Eady Butler, the great-great-granddaughter of master distiller Nearest Green and a four-time Master Blender of the Year, acknowledged the significance of the challenge, stating, “Uncle Nearest gives a lot, with ‘pulling as we climb’ being part of our DNA right from the start.” Butler expressed gratitude to the brand’s extensive network of partners and participants who are making an extraordinary impact through their collective effort.

RELATED CONTENT: Black-Owned Whiskey Company Uncle Nearest Launches Cognac Brand

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 25, 2024

Decatur Charter School District Chooses To Shame Students With Unpaid Meal Charges By Giving Them Cheese Sandwiches

In just one week the City Schools of Decatur will begin serving cheese sandwiches and milk to students with unpaid meal charges. 

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In just one week, the City Schools of Decatur will begin serving a cheese sandwich and milk to students with unpaid lunch bills.

Beginning Feb. 1, a public charter school district in DeKalb County, Georgia, will allegedly single out students with balances on their meal plans by serving them a different lunch from other students. The school district has implemented new meal charge protocols that give students a maximum of three meals charged to their accounts for the entire school year.

Students will be served an alternative lunch once the meal charges are maxed out. It equates to a balance of $10.50 for middle and high school students and $9.75 for elementary students before they are given a cheese sandwich and milk to hold themselves over throughout the school day. 

Parents expressed their concerns with the alternative meal plan during a Jan. 17 Decatur School Board community meeting. Many are upset with the different treatment some students will receive for something that is beyond their control.

The new procedures are in response to the school district’s balance of about $88,000 in unpaid meal charges.

“I would love for the administration and nutrition department to come up with some creative solutions between now and winter break that lowers the risk that these kids are going to be shamed, or the kids will be given an alternative lunch,” School Board Chair James Herndon said during the community meeting. “I hope they are working on that. I look forward to seeing what we can do.”

The school district also claims students won’t be deprived of nutrition with the alternative meal plan.

“To offer an alternative meal at no additional cost to students, we have selected the most economical choice that still offers a nutritious meal,” a spokesperson for the City Schools of Decatur said.

The school district is asking parents to pay any outstanding balances for meal plans to help reduce the $88,000 debt, 36% of which is from students who receive free or reduced lunch.

“At this point, we have not made any progress as far as paying off the debt. We are a nonprofit organization,” School Nutrition Director Monique Breedlove said. 

“We want our kids to have a regular lunch, but our program can’t run if we’re not bringing in the funds from students paying for it.”

by Rafael Pena

January 24, 2024

Vistex CEO Plunged To His Death In Front Of Employees During 25th Annual Celebration

A tech executive's theatrical entrance took a fatal turn as Vistex CEO Sanjay Shah plunged to his death from a wooden structure suspended above the stage.

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In a devastating turn of events at a celebratory event in Hyderabad, India, on Jan. 18, a tech executive’s theatrical entrance took a fatal turn as Vistex CEO Sanjay Shah plunged to his death from a wooden structure suspended above the stage, according to Futurism. The incident, which was captured on camera, unfolded during an employee celebration at the Ramoji Film City studios.

Shah, a Chicago native and founder of the multinational software company Vistex, was supposed to make a grand entrance in an iron cage alongside company president Raju Datla. As they were being lowered into the cage, the chain supporting it snapped on one side, causing the pair to plummet 20 feet before a shocked audience of 700.

Shah succumbed to his injuries in an area hospital. Meanwhile, Datla suffered a severe head injury and is currently in critical condition.

Established by Shah in 1999, Vistex has grown into a global entity with 20 offices worldwide and a clientele that includes major names like General Motors and Coca-Cola. The Times of India reported that Vistex has since filed a complaint with the police, initiating an investigation into the alleged lax safety measures at the venue.

The shocking incident prompted an outpouring of condolences and messages of remembrance. A Spain-based employee expressed, “My deepest condolences to family and friends and to all the company, to which I still feel, somehow, part of.” Another highlighted Shah’s philanthropy: “He was a lovely human being who led with quiet confidence and gave back generously, including building a world-class hospital in India.”

The celebration, which was intended to mark Vistex Asia’s successful 25 years in business, turned into a somber occasion, with the tragic accident overshadowing the achievements. The Vistex flag now flies at half-staff at his headquarters Hoffman Estates, Illinois, reflecting the company’s somber but respectful mood.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 24, 2024

10-Year-Old Black Girl From Indiana Honored For Saving 2 People’s Lives

Aneres Bellefont, a 10-year-old African American girl from Indiana, has been hailed as a hero for saving two people’s lives.

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Aneres Bellefont, a 10-year-old African American girl from Indiana, has been hailed as a hero for saving two people’s lives. She was honored with an award by Henry County Sheriff John M. Sproles for her quick thinking that saved lives.

Young black girls exhibit remarkable intelligence and quick thinking, especially when faced with high-pressure situations. Their resilience and resourcefulness shine through as they navigate challenges, showcasing a depth of intellect that defies stereotypes. In these moments, their ability to analyze, adapt, and lead highlights the immense potential within this demographic, breaking barriers and inspiring positive change.

On January 8, Aneres Bellefont called 911 after she found a man passed out in a car near her place. She also saw a lady knocked out near the car. She thought they weren’t breathing, and she couldn’t see any other adults around, according to 11Alive. 

Amidst the situation, Aneres did not panic. She helped out the emergency personnel by telling them exactly where to find the two adults. She stayed on the line, keeping dispatchers updated on the condition of the two adults.

When the medics arrived, they used Narcan on both of them before rushing them to Henry Community Health Hospital. One of the adults even ended up in the ICU. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a critical tool in combating opioid overdoses. When administered promptly, it can reverse the life-threatening effects of opioid toxicity by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, effectively restoring normal respiration.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Office put up a post on social media, saying, “Aneres Bellefont, you are a true hero! Two adults are alive today because you courageously took control of the emergency situation you found yourself in. You did all of the right things!”

This news was first reported by Blacknews.com

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