by Derek Major

January 22, 2024

Lamar Jackson Propels Baltimore Ravens To AFC Championship

Lamar Jackson had a game to remember.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, the front-runner for this year’s NFL’s Most Valuable Player, did more than earn his first home playoff win in a 34-10 victory over the Houston Texans Saturday.

According to CBS Sports, Jackson became the first player in NFL history, regular season or postseason, to record two passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, rush for at least 100 yards, and register at least a 100.0 passer rating.

Jackson finished the game against the Texans completing 16 of 22 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns for a 121.8 passer rating. The dual-threat quarterback also ran 11 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns to put the Ravens in Sunday’s AFC championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

With that win, Jackson tears apart the narrative that his postseason performance is lacking. Before Saturday night, Jackson had a career record of 1-3 in the postseason, including 0-2 at home, and had four total touchdowns along with seven turnovers.

In addition to his record-setting performance, Jackson joined former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the second player in the Super Bowl era with two passing and rushing touchdowns while logging 100 yards on the ground in a playoff game.

As great as Jackson’s performance was, he will have his work cut out for him in the AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs made the AFC title game for the sixth year in a row after defeating the Buffalo Bills Sunday night.

Jackson, who was drafted with the 32nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has received numerous accolades over his six-year NFL career. He has been voted to three Pro Bowls and is a two-time NFL All-Pro. He also won the NFL MVP Award in 2019. However, Jackson is still seeking his first Super Bowl title.

He is also the cover athlete for the NFL Pro Era II VR football game, available Sept. 28 on the Meta Quest Store, the PlayStation Store, and the Steam platform for $29.99.

If Jackson can lead the Ravens past the Chiefs, his team will face the winner of the NFC Championship between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 22, 2024

Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Film Becomes Fifth Highest-Grossing Concert Film Ever

“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” has officially become the fifth highest-grossing concert film of all time.

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé has become the fifth highest-grossing concert film ever.

Looking at the movie’s international net gross in the two months since its Dec. 1, 2023 release, Box Office Mojo says Renaissance made just under $44 million in ticket sales worldwide. Ahead of Beyoncé’s movie is Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, which sits at No. 1 with $260 million in global ticket grosses (and counting, as it’s still playing in select theaters).

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, released in 2011, sits in the No. 2 spot with $99 million in gross sales. Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, released in 2008, comes in at No. 3, earning a little under $71 million globally. One Direction: This Is Us, released in 2013, sits at No. 4, with $68 million worldwide ticket sales.

Beyoncé’s Renaissance film is still playing in select theaters and currently ranks as one of the 25 highest-grossing pictures of 2024 in the U.S. The concert film sees the decorated Grammy winner working behind the scenes to put her 56-show world tour together and offers glamorous highlights of the live show along with the multiple high-fashion looks she and her dancers wore throughout.

Queen Bey premiered the film at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles in November 2023 to a star-studded guest list that included her husband, Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett, Kris Jenner, Gabrielle Union, Lizzo, and Janelle Monáe, among many others.

Academy Award-winning director Ava DuVernay also attended and took to Instagram following the premiere to give a stellar review.

“The woman is a director in every sense of the word and beyond,” Ava wrote. “Every decision that a director makes in the course of our work, she does brilliantly.”

The Origin director applauded Beyoncé for showing how even at her level of fame and stardom, she still faces challenges as a Black woman.

“She talks candidly about having to fight to be heard as a Black woman leader working at a high level of difficulty,” wrote DuVernay. “Having to endure being second-guessed often and gaslit constantly.”

“We actually see moments of this happening to her on camera. People directly doubting, shortchanging, and gaslighting her. I haven’t seen that described in a film before.”

Filmed from the Renaissance Tour’s opening show in Stockholm, Sweden, to the finale in Kansas City, Missouri, the movie beautifully captures the ride Beyoncé took concertgoers on during each of her 56 tour stops.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 22, 2024

Taraji P. Henson Honored To Narrate Nikki Giovanni’s New Documentary ‘Going To Mars’: ‘She Gave Me A Voice’

For Taraji P. Henson, narrating a new documentary on Nikki Giovanni was so much more than a plum gig.

Taraji P. Henson lent her voice to narrate Nikki Giovanni’s new documentary, and she couldn’t be happier.

Fresh off her headline-worthy press tour for her Oscar-contending performance as Shug Avery in The Color Purple, Henson is busy promoting her role in another Academy Award contender, the feature documentary Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, which she also executive produced.

In the HBO film, Henson reads poetry from the renowned writer and educator that takes viewers on a visual journey of Giovanni’s career dating back to her emergence in the 1960s, Deadline reports.

It wasn’t an easy feat for Henson, who moved away from her traditional work as an actress to focus on capturing Giovanni’s essence as a poet and an activist.

“We had to find a happy medium,” Henson said. “When you take on Nikki’s poems–and because [the film] is about her, it needed to sound like her. It needed to feel like her. When she reads her words, it’s almost conversational. Because for her, it’s a matter of fact. It is what it is. There is no performance to it.”

The documentary, which won the top prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, analyzes Giovanni’s rise in the 1960s, her activism and insightful critiques of institutionalized racism, and the content of her poetry, including the 2010 collection Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea (We’re Going to Mars).

In the title poem, Giovanni envisions a human expedition to Mars and advocates for NASA to seek counsel from Black Americans, whose ancestors faced the challenges of the Middle Passage.

Having studied at two HBCUs—North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Howard University—Henson was already well versed in Giovanni’s work.

“I was a little nervous [to meet her]. She doesn’t suffer fools lightly. But what I could tell is that she liked me,” Henson said with a laugh. “It was like, ‘Phew, I passed that test.’”

Having played major roles in two consecutive projects based on the work of two literary icons, Henson praised Giovanni and The Color Purple author Alice Walker for their impact.

“Because of these women, I am able to stand here and talk to you. They paved the way for me so that I can have a voice,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.

“Now, they’re not actors, but the work that they did is very important to what I do and where I am as a Black woman. They were visible. I saw them. They made it possible for me to dream. Watching Nikki Giovanni be unapologetically herself and standing up for herself in the way she does gave me the wind beneath my wings to have a voice so that I can show the ones behind me. Speak up for yourself. That’s how change happens.”

Charlotte, economics, matter, Black, dollar

by Rafael Pena

January 22, 2024

Over 200 Charlotte Teachers Must Reimburse $1,250 Each For School District ‘Mistake’

More than 200 high school teachers in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are required to reimburse the district over $1,250 each over a mistake.

According to People, more than 200 high school English teachers in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) face an unexpected financial burden after being told they must reimburse the district over $1,250 each. On Jan. 12, the school district mistakenly issued recruitment bonuses intended for new teaching recruits, a blunder that has stirred controversy and financial concerns among educators.

The bonuses were never intended for the existing teaching staff — they were strategically implemented to address critical teacher vacancies and attract fresh talent to the school district.

The CMS compensation department detected the error on Jan. 17 and notified the affected teachers the following day. The announcement has put the teachers in a challenging position, requiring them to return the money either through a lump-sum deduction from their February paycheck or an extended three-month repayment plan.

Notably, the teachers who inadvertently received the bonuses already benefit from a $200 monthly “retention” bonus, a measure implemented to address the ongoing critical shortage of teachers within the CMS.

When questioned about the incident, a CMS spokesperson responded to WCNC Charlotte, stating, “CMS understands the concerns of affected teachers and is working closely with them to resolve this matter. The district is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices and will continue to communicate openly and transparently with its employees.”

The unexpected financial burden has sparked concern among educators, prompting a need for clear communication and resolution from the school district. As the affected teachers grapple with the prospect of repaying the erroneously issued bonuses, the CMS faces the challenge of rectifying the situation while maintaining transparency and fairness in compensation practices to prevent such incidents in the future.

Dexter Scott King, death, Atlanta, Morehouse, Martin Luther King Jr.

by Derek Major

January 22, 2024

The King Center Announces The Passing Of Chairman And Leader Dexter Scott King, Son Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Coretta Scott King

The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change sadly announced the passing of Dexter Scott King, the youngest son and the third child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King.

The civil rights leader’s youngest son, who was 62, died Jan. 22 following a battle with prostate cancer. Born in Atlanta, Dexter would have celebrated his 63rd birthday on Jan. 30. He was named after the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father served his first pastorate.

Dexter was the second-born son of Dr. and Mrs. King and was only 7 years old when his father was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. Like his father, he grew up in the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where his grandfather served as pastor. The son of the civil rights figure graduated from Frederick Douglass High School, where he played football and participated in many other school activities. He was an alumnus of HBCU Morehouse College.

He married his best friend and longtime partner Leah Weber King, a New Orleans native, former broadcast journalist, entrepreneur, and consultant, in a private ceremony in July 2013. The couple built a life of support and unconditional love, much like that of Dexter’s mother and father.

“He transitioned peacefully in his sleep at home with me in Malibu,” his widow, Leah, shared. “He gave it everything and battled this terrible disease until the end. As with all the challenges in his life, he faced this hurdle with bravery and might.”

His sister, Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center, said, “Words cannot express the heartbreak I feel from losing another sibling. I’m praying for strength to get through this tough time.” His brother, Martin Luther King III, added, “The sudden shock is devastating. It is hard to have the right words at a moment like this. We ask for your prayers at this time for the entire King family.”

The son of the civil rights icons was the sibling who to took on the mantle of continuing the precedent his father set by legally protecting his work. Dexter had become well versed in intellectual property law and its management and licensing, and devoted his life to perpetuating his father’s legacy and protecting the intellectual property his father left behind.

At the time of his death, Dexter served as both chairman of The King Center and president of the King estate.

Known to be humble about his uncanny resemblance to his father, he portrayed him in the 2002 television movie “The Rosa Parks Story.” He loved the creative arts and at one point relocated to California to pursue a career in acting. However, family duty called and he answered, living out the rest of his life balancing both his love of the arts and his responsibilities to the King family legacy.

Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement on the passing of Dexter King, the second son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

“I was heartbroken to hear that Dexter King left us this morning, but I was comforted by the knowledge he is reunited with his parents and sister. Dexter was only seven when his hero, his role model, and, most importantly, his father was taken from us. He turned that pain into activism, however, and dedicated his life to advancing the dream Martin and Coretta Scott King had for their children, their grandchildren, and all the generations to come after. My love and prayers are with my brother, Martin III, Arndrea, Yolanda, and Bernice. We mourn with them for the loss of their brother — our brother — who left us far too soon.”

He was preceded in death by his father (1968), his mother (2006), and sister Yolanda (2007). He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Leah; his sister, Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King; his brother, Martin Luther King III; and his niece, Yolanda Renee King.

The King family will respond to media inquiries following a press conference planned for Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 10:00 a.m. ET, at The King Center’s Yolanda D. King Theatre, inside Freedom Hall.

An announcement of the date and time of Dexter Scott King’s memorial service is forthcoming.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 22, 2024

Tennessee State University Signs Its First Hockey Player

Drury University's only Black hockey player, Xavier Abel is joining TSU

Last year, history was made when Tennessee State University became the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to welcome men’s ice hockey at the collegiate level. The announcement took place on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, before the 2023 NHL Draft. The school has recently stated that it has its first commitment to the ice hockey team with transfer student Xavier Abel.

Xavier Abel – Tennessee State’s first hockey team signee!!! Welcome! #GoBigBlue pic.twitter.com/tXVZ8Lt8NB

— TSU Madness (@TSUmadness) January 19, 2024

According to The Tennessean, Abel, a forward who will be transferring from Drury University, was at a recent men’s basketball game against Tennessee Tech at Gentry Center. Last season, the incoming hockey player was the only Black player on Drury’s hockey team in its inaugural season. He will go down in history as the first player at the school to score the first goal in the school’s existence. That record took place on Sept. 23, 2022. The transfer played in 34 games and had 12 goals and six assists for 18 points, plus 24 penalty minutes.

Abel has stated that he always wanted to play at an HBCU.

“The community and the culture at an HBCU is everlasting,” he told the media outlet. “The friends that you make here come with a lifetime bond, and that is what attracted me. It was an experience that I just wanted to go through, and now, not only do I get to go through it, but I get to do something historic while I’m at it.”

The school intends to start the inaugural season in 2024-25.

The incoming athlete is no stranger to organized play. He played with the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), the country’s second-tier development league, with the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs, Buffalo Stampede, and Las Vegas Thunderbirds.

“Once I saw on Twitter where TSU was starting a hockey team, I have wanted to be a part of it to help evolve the reputation of the sport,” Abel said. “Because, as everyone knows, it has always been a predominantly Caucasian sport, and I bore the brunt of that in my career. I felt like this was the perfect opportunity for me to make an impact on the sport at this level in case I can’t make it as a professional.”

Abel has already stated that he is trying to encourage friends who play hockey to the new program at TSU in hopes that they will join him there.

by Rafael Pena

January 22, 2024

Burglary Strikes Hype Kingdom, But Its Founder Vows To Rebound And Inspire

Deshawn J. Snelson, a 23-year-old entrepreneur of the high-end sportswear store Hype Kingdom was burglarized Sunday in L.A. before his grand opening.

AOL reports Deshawn J. Snelson, a 23-year-old Black entrepreneur and founder of the high-end sportswear store Hype Kingdom in Los Angeles, is grappling with the aftermath of a brazen burglary that occurred on Jan. 21. The thieves, who were captured on security cameras, stole an estimated $100,000 worth of shoes, clothing, and other merchandise from the shop located in a Bellflower shopping center.

The burglars, seen by the store’s security cameras at around 4:45 a.m., made away with an estimated $100,000 worth of shoes, clothing, and merchandise. The audacious act involved a gray sedan repeatedly ramming into the shop’s front, followed by 15 individuals rushing in to seize whatever they could carry.

Snelson, known as DJ, arrived at the shopping complex on Lakewood Boulevard to a scene of shattered glass and a significant breach of security. To his astonishment, the burglars had left a car in the showroom that resembled a government vehicle. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the vehicle as a four-door Hyundai Sonata with government plates, possibly affiliated with a U.S. naval recruiting station. However, no theft report for such a vehicle had been filed. The case is under investigation, with no suspects in custody as of Jan. 21.

The incident disrupted what was meant to be a day of celebration, as Hype Kingdom’s second location in Huntington Park was poised for its grand opening just hours after the break-in. Snelson, disheartened by the burglary, took to social media to inform customers of the theft and the damage, and canceled the Huntington Park opening. The entrepreneur is now contemplating the future of the second store, considering its similar location in a relatively secluded shopping complex.

Hype Kingdom has garnered a devoted following for its “highly sought-after and exclusive” sneakers which include Air Jordans, Adidas, and Yeezy. This was not the first time the Bellflower store faced criminal activity, as an attempted break-in occurred days before Christmas, prompting Snelson to fortify the storefront with plywood. The recent burglary left a significant void in the store, with a shattered front and remnants of broken glass scattered on the showroom floor.

Snelson is exploring the possibility of relocating the shop to a more secure site, emphasizing the need for “somewhere safe.” In the interim, he plans to prioritize serving customers through the online retail site, expressing his determination not to be broken by the incident but to return stronger.

Despite the challenges, Snelson remains committed to the positive message embedded in Hype Kingdom’s name: “Help your people elevate.” As a Black entrepreneur from Carson, he sees Hype Kingdom as an inspiration for the South L.A. community. Snelson aims to demonstrate that even in Southern California, people of color can overcome obstacles and realize their dreams.

by Rafael Pena

January 22, 2024

Macy’s Announces Workforce Reduction and Store Closures Amid Restructuring

Macy's is undertaking significant measures, including a 3.5% reduction in its workforce, affecting approximately 2,350 employees, and the closure of five stores.

In response to the evolving retail landscape and changing consumer behaviors, iconic department-store chain Macy’s is undertaking significant measures, including a 3.5% reduction in its workforce, affecting approximately 2,350 employees, and the closure of five stores, according to CNN. The move is part of Macy’s ongoing efforts to adapt to the challenges posed by the online-shopping era.

A spokesperson for Macy’s explained the decision, stating, “As we prepare to deploy a new strategy to meet the needs of an ever-changing consumer and marketplace, we made the difficult decision to reduce our workforce by 3.5% to become a more streamlined company.”

The Wall Street Journal initially reported on Macy’s workforce reduction and store closures. While post-holiday layoffs are not uncommon in the retail sector, Macy’s decision reflects its commitment to adapting to changing market dynamics.

Despite a faster pace of consumer spending in December compared to the previous month, the retail giant is adjusting its operations to address ongoing challenges. Macy’s, which opened its first store in 1858, currently operates approximately 500 Macy’s branded stores and 55 upscale Bloomingdale locations.

While the retailer has been a symbol of the holiday season, hosting events like the Thanksgiving Day Parade and being featured prominently in classic films, the company has faced increasing competition and witnessed a shift in consumer preferences away from traditional department stores.

In December, reports emerged of a group of investors proposing to take Macy’s private, presenting a potential avenue for the company’s future. However, Macy’s has not officially commented on this. The department store has implemented various strategies in recent years to rejuvenate its business, including introducing new brands and experimenting with smaller store formats. Despite these efforts, the company has struggled to alter its long-term trajectory, with its stock price plummeting by 75% from a peak of $73 per share in 2015.

Over the years, Macy’s has closed nearly 300 stores, representing almost one-third of its total stores, and currently operates around 700 stores across its various brands. The five stores slated for closure are located in Arlington, VA; San Leandro, CA; Lihue, HI; Simi Valley, CA; and Tallahassee, FL, with their closure expected in early 2024.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 22, 2024

Drake Out $700K After Betting On Wrong UFC Fighter In Match

Drake bet against MMA fighter Dricus "Stillknocks" Du Plessis and ended up losing $700,000

It’s a good thing that Canadian entertainer Drake has a very large bank account.

The popular rapper placed an enormous bet on a recent Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) match in his hometown of Toronto over the weekend and took a hit when he bet wrong.

According to Yahoo News, the man born Aubrey Graham bet $700,000 on American MMA fighter Sean Strickland beating his opponent, South African fighter Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis, at UFC 297 on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Scotiabank Arena.

The rapper was counting on Strickland winning the fight so he could take home $1.379 million on the wager. But Du Plessis spoiled Drake’s profit-making plan.

Du Plessis scored a split-decision win over Strickland, becoming the first South African champion in UFC history by snatching the middleweight championship belt from the former champion.

After 5 rounds @DricusDuPlessis gets the split decision and is YOUR NEW middleweight champion 🏆#UFC297 pic.twitter.com/xyR1Bsn2Fa

— UFC (@ufc) January 21, 2024

Drake posted a screenshot of the huge bet he made on the fight while tagging UFC president Dana White, who posted it on his social media account.

This continues the famed “Drake Curse” that sports fans have tied to the “Thank Me Later” recording artist. It seems as if anytime Drake places a bet or shows support toward a sports team or meets an athlete, they suffer a defeat.

Over the years, various media outlets have reported on this so-called curse and fans have watched in either glee or despair when they found out that Drake was a supporter of a team or athlete.

“Victims” of the “Drake Curse” have included tennis legend Serena Williams, boxer Anthony Joshua, the Toronto Raptors, MMA fighter Connor McGregor, the Kentucky Wildcats, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Golden State Warriors, to name a few.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 22, 2024

Wyclef Jean Releases Song With Pusha T, Flau’Jae, Lola Brook To Combat Retirement Wealth Gap

Wyclef Jean is continuing his advocacy for pushing Black Americans toward a financially secure retirement with the release of his song, “Paper Right.”

Wyclef Jean is continuing his advocacy for pushing Black Americans toward a financially secure retirement with the release of his new music collaboration, “Paper Right.”

The hip-hop track sees The Fugees icon team up with rappers Pusha T, Flau’Jae, Lola Brook, and singer Capella Grey for a song aimed at closing the retirement gap. For African Americans and the youth, too many Americans are not on track to reach a financially secure retirement.

TIAA, a leading provider of secure retirements, found that approximately 41% of individuals between the ages of 24 and 35 fail to utilize or contribute to their employer-sponsored retirement plan. To combat this, the organization collaborated with prominent figures in hip-hop to craft an anthem shedding light on savings and retirement disparities, with a mission to address and overcome these challenges.

Wyclef Jean created “Paper Right” to motivate younger generations to reflect on their financial legacy and retirement potential through the power of music, particularly hip-hop.

“The most important thing is the access of information for these rural communities because they don’t get that,” Wyclef tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “So when you look at the population, when you do the statistics, and you look at just Black families alone, it’s over 54% with no retirement plan.”

Considering hip-hop’s long history of shedding light on the challenges that disproportionately impact the Black community, TIAA launched the #RetireInequality campaign to highlight the retirement and savings gaps faced by Black Americans. This includes the alarming statistic that 54% of Black Americans lack sufficient savings to uphold their standard of living in retirement, further contributing to the overall retirement crisis in America.

“If you understand this then you understand if we don’t step in and start to do something, that entire idea of generational wealth is completely gone forever,” Wyclef says.

“Paper Right” initiates crucial discussions on retirement, prompting proactive steps to address retirement gaps, enhance financial education and literacy, and eliminate inequality in retirement. As part of the song’s release, TIAA is collaborating with First Generation Investors (FGI), a non-profit committed to empowering underserved high school students with investing literacy. Streaming the track automatically directs 100% of the song’s sales towards FGI, contributing to financial education and investing literacy for upcoming generations.