Philadelphia Trans Activist
by Stacy Jackson

December 21, 2023

Trans Activist Charged With Raping Underage Boys

The allegations came about after police received reports in September of Kendall Stephens previously sexually assaulting individuals.

A prominent Philadelphia trans activist named Kendall Stephens has been accused of sex crimes against two young boys under 13 years old.

The 37-year-old was arrested on Dec. 18 and charged with rape, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, multiple counts of indecent assault, corruption of minors, and endangering children, Daily Mail reported. Her bail is currently set at $250,000, with her next scheduled court hearing on Dec. 29. Stephens hasn’t made any public statements addressing the criminal charges against her.

The allegations came to light after police received reports in September of Stephens allegedly sexually assaulting the two minors on previous occasions. Following a “comprehensive investigation,” authorities took Stephens into custody on Dec. 18, and she appeared in court the same day.

Ironically, Stephens is an outspoken trans activist and advocate for greater legal protections and rights for LGBTQ+ people, especially considering her own traumatic history as the victim of a brutal 2020 hate crime. The Black trans activist was subjected to a vicious home invasion assault by a group targeting her identity, the outlet noted. One attacker, Tymesha Wearing, was eventually convicted of aggravated assault and hate crimes and sentenced to 23 months house arrest.

Stephens used the experience to speak out against violence and discrimination targeting transgender and queer individuals. In a 2021 statement to CBS, she criticized Pennsylvania’s hate crime laws for failing to explicitly protect gender identity. “Although Philadelphia County recognizes what happened to me as a hate crime, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s hate crime statute doesn’t recognize me as a person worthy of protection because I’m transgender,” she said.

She pushed state lawmakers on the issue and aligned herself with Philadelphia’s District Attorney Larry Krasner in launching an advisory board to support LGBTQ+ victims in 2021. Authorities are now handling her criminal case at the state level, given Krasner’s potential conflict of interest.

While maintaining her activist identity on social media and calling herself a “human rights advocate,” Stephens now faces extremely serious allegations of child sexual abuse in her community.

RELATED CONTENT: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Warns Of The Consequences Of Anti-Trans Legislation

Senate, sex, hearing, room
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 21, 2023

Senate Staff Member Accused Of Having Sex In Hearing Room Is No Longer Employed

The staff member to Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), who was accused of filming sex acts in a hearing room, no longer has a job.

Conservative news outlets dropped a bombshell on Dec. 15, alleging Aidan Maese-Czeropski was featured in a leaked video having sex in a Senate hearing room. The Daily Caller published the video, which described a congressional staffer having “sex with an unknown man in the Senate hearing room.” The publication claimed the video was shared “in a private group for gay men in politics.” A statement from the Democratic congressman’s office said simply, “Aidan Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the U.S. Senate.” “We will have no further comment on this personnel matter,” the statement continued.

Maese-Czeropski, a legislative aide for Cardin, released a statement on LinkedIn saying that while he has made mistakes of “poor judgment,” he would “never disrespect my workplace.” “This has been a difficult time for me, as I have been attacked for who I love to pursue a political agenda,” he wrote. “Any attempts to characterize my actions otherwise are fabricated, and I will be exploring what legal options are available to me in these matters.”

He also addressed accusations made by Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) that the former staffer shouted “Free Palestine” towards the Jewish lawmaker in a Capitol hallway, according to Politico. “As for the accusations regarding Congressman Max Miller, I have never seen the congressman and had no opportunity or cause to yell or confront him,” he wrote.

The hearing room in question is the Hart Senate Office Building that has hosted some of the country’s most essential hearings, including Supreme Court nominees, 9/11 Commission meetings, and former FBI Director James Comey’s 2017 testimony on Donald Trump.

The accused has worked for Cardin since October 2021 and previously worked as an intern for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in 2018.

Coach, Lil Nas X, winter,
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 21, 2023

Lil Nas X Is The Face Of Coach’s Winter Collection

Lil Nas X has released his campaign with Coach, having curated an assortment of colorful pieces for the fashion brand's winter collection.

Lil Nas X is debuting in a new fashion campaign just in time for the holidays. The “Old Town Road” artist is starring in Coach’s winter collection.

The Grammy winner’s featured shoot was revealed on Dec. 19 by the American fashion brand, and he is curating pieces to be part of the limited-edition collection. According to WWD, Lil Nas X collaborated with Coach’s creative director, Stuart Vevers, to develop the colorful assortment with elements from his own life.

“Our winter collection is inspired by my belief that fashion is about exploring and celebrating all of who you are,” Vevers said. “To create the collection, we twisted the Coach archives and were also inspired by Lil Nas X’s connection to music and nightlife. We evolved heritage styles introduced on the runway last season by amplifying color, texture and graphics to create pieces that celebrate our love for individuality and authentic self-expression that we share.”

Described as “Y2K inspired,” some of the pieces in the Lil Nas X Drop include vibrant shearling coats, graphic tees, and a varsity jacket complete with patches of the artist’s cat and his zodiac sign. There’s also a furry tabby bag, worn by the rapper in the shoot, in an electric blue color.

The items suit his larger-than-life persona and will be statement pieces in anyone’s outfit. However, the highly anticipated collection will not be available until after Christmas. This is Lil Nas X’s first curated look for the company; he was first announced as a brand ambassador in 2022.

The provocative fashion icon in the making is stepping more into high fashion, even after his Nike debacle with the unofficial release of “Satan Shoes.” Those shoes, featuring Nike’s swoosh logo, caused the shoewear brand to file a now-settled lawsuit in 2021.

As for Lil Nas X’s newest, and less controversial, dip into fashion, its anticipated release date is Dec. 26. For fans wanting to emulate the eccentric artist for their New Year’s celebration, the collection will be available at select storefronts and online at Coach.com.

KANYE, SHA’CARRI, Ye
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 21, 2023

Sha’Carri Richardson’s Winning Words Sampled On Ye’s ‘Vultures’ Song

The contentious music producer sampled words she spoke after winning the Women’s 100m at the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in July

Trying to show that not only can’t he be canceled but that he still has more music left in him, Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, is gearing up his latest project, Vultures. His latest album, made with recording artist Ty Dolla $ign, should have been released by now, but as with most of Ye’s latest projects, it’s been pushed back, this one until Dec. 31.

What stands out with this particular project is reports of the controversial producer using a quote by the world’s fastest woman, Sha’Carri Richardson, herself no stranger to controversy.

According to Hot New Hip Hop, Ye sampled two sentences Richardson spoke in an interview earlier this year when she took her first title, coming in first place in the Women’s 100m (10.82 seconds) at the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in July. The sampled words were, “And I’m ready mentally, physically, and emotionally. And I’m here to stay, I’m not back I’m better.”

If nothing changes about Ye, it’s his way of drawing attention to himself and/or anything he is working on. He’s proving it again in his Vultures project. At a listening event for the album on Dec. 12 at Art Basel in Miami, the Yeezy creator appeared at the event wearing what resembled a Black KKK hood.

It was reported that one of the lines on a song on Vultures was, “How I’m antisemitic? I just f**ked a Jewish b**ch.”

It seems he is not allowing his recent troubles, which took a load of money out of his bank accounts, to stop him from going on a torrid train ride he has commandeered ever since he appeared on an episode of “Drink Champs.” Before the show was taken offline, he spewed what some considered antisemitic remarks that had a snowball effect on his businesses.

RELATED CONTENT: North West Rocks The Mic With Daddy Ye At ‘Vultures Rave’ Listening Event In Miami

Kamala Harris, book tour, Gaza, Pro-Palestine protests
by Daniel Johnson

December 21, 2023

VP Kamala Harris Will Kick Off A Reproductive Freedom Tour In 2024

Biden Campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler believes abortion will be a major issue that separates the Biden and Trump campaigns.

Vice President Kamala Harris will be starting her national tour focusing on reproductive rights in January. According to CNN, the Biden-Harris administration believes that abortion will play a key role in mobilizing voters in the 2024 election cycle. On Jan. 22, 2024, Harris’ tour will kick off in Wisconsin, which is a key swing state on the electoral map. 

Jan. 22 is also the 51st anniversary of the original Roe v. Wade ruling, which until June 2022 allowed abortion as a constitutional right. Biden Campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler told the platform that he believes abortion will be an issue that separates the Biden and Trump campaigns. Tyler called the focus on abortion a “central pillar of the campaign moving forward.”

In an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell,” Harris spoke about the Biden-Harris administration’s belief in the autonomy women should be able to assert over their own bodies, saying, “President Joe Biden and me, we trust women to be able to make a decision about what’s in their best interest. And women can trust us to protect their individual freedoms.”

Harris announced her tour in a Twitter/X post, saying, “The majority of Americans agree: The government should not be telling a woman what to do with her body. Voters have been clear — from California and Kansas, to Ohio and Virginia. In January, I will be hitting the road to make sure the voice of the people is heard.”

Reproductive freedom has received increased scrutiny over the last few weeks due to the cases of Brittany Watts and Kate Cox, whose cases illustrate the complexity that the repeal of reproductive rights has created, particularly in states run by conservatives.

Ohio and Texas, where the two women live, respectively, are both solidly red states. Anti-abortion advocates in Ohio are currently working with lawmakers to institute a total ban, even though voters codified abortion into law via a vote. The Texas Supreme Court ruled Dec. 11 that even though Cox’s pregnancy threatened the life of her fetus, she could not get an abortion. Cox eventually left the state to have the procedure performed.

The events of those cases further illustrate to those who believe in the reproductive rights that the government should have no say in the process of carrying a child. Harris released a statement speaking to this idea, saying, “I will continue to fight for our fundamental freedoms while bringing together those throughout America who agree that every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body – not the government.”

According to CNN, it is expected that Harris’s tour will highlight the stories of people who have been impacted by the repeal of Roe v. Wade. Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s campaign manager, told CNN that the stories have resonated with voters, saying, “It’s critical that we continue to lift up these stories and really remind women what’s at stake in this election, and really the choice that they have before them.”

RELATED CONTENT: Texas Woman Granted Permission By Judge To Have An Abortion, AG Warns Of Potential Charges Against Doctor

'ghosting,
by Daniel Johnson

December 21, 2023

Survey Shows Job Seekers Of Color Experienced ‘Ghosting’ From Employers

Greenhouse conducted another survey in 2022 that revealed 40% of Black applicants were asked discriminatory questions on job interviews.

A new survey from U.K.-based firm Greenhouse unveiled that 57% of job seekers surveyed had experienced “ghosting” from a prospective employer after a job interview. Some 800 U.K. employees took part in the survey, which focused on how they felt as they navigated the British labor market. As Essence reports, candidates who belong to underrepresented populations were ditched during the hiring process at a 20% higher rate than white applicants. 

The 2023 survey indicates that 53% of the job seekers who responded said that higher compensation drove their decisions when looking for positions. Other factors receiving increased attention were the ability to have flexible work conditions (33%) and the possibility of advancement in their careers (30%).

According to Colm O’Cuinnean, Greenhouse’s general manager of EMEA, these responses reveal that what employees want from jobs is changing, and employers should adjust. “Hybrid work is seen as the new norm given its proven success over the last few years. Also, salary transparency is sought after more than ever before. Organizations need to adapt to this new era of recruitment conditions or run the risk of missing out on top talent and ultimately business success,” said O’Cuinnean.

Greenhouse conducted another survey in 2022, this one revealing that 40% of Black applicants responded that they were asked discriminatory questions during job interviews.

According to Emeritus, a business insight website, companies who are serious about retaining their employees should invest in strategies aimed at reducing employee turnover. Not only is turnover costly in terms of salary costs, but it can lead to a domino effect, where more employees leave as their former colleagues’ work shares are dumped in their laps. This, they say, can lead to dissatisfaction among both customers and employees. In keeping with the findings of the Greenhouse survey, they cite a 2020 LinkedIn report indicating that 94% of employees will stay with a company that invests in the development of their career. As Rachel Hastings writes, “Employees who feel valued and believe that their companies are invested in their success will be happier, more productive, and more loyal—a win for everyone.”

In a November 2023 article, the Harvard Business Review says that due to shifts toward an embrace of discussing race in the workplace, even in industries where this used to be taboo, is leading Black employees to feel valued, and thus more valuable, at work.

RELATED CONTENT: Workplace Discrimination Lawsuits Are Up 50% According To EEOC Data

Shelitha Robertson, PPP, Atlanta attorney, SBA, ppp loan fraud, lawyer, Juventus Duorinaah, Carlos Moore
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 21, 2023

Atlanta Lawyer Found Guilty In PPP Loan Fraud Case

Shelitha Roberston has been found guilty on multiple counts of wire fraud for misusing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

Atlanta lawyer Shelitha Robertson has been found guilty of fraud for misusing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Robertson, who once worked in the city as a police officer, was found guilty of multiple counts of fraud on Dec. 19.

Federal prosecutors argued that Robinson committed fraud by utilizing the money received through the COVID-relief program to buy miscellaneous luxury items, including a Rolls-Royce, a motorcycle, and a 10-carat diamond ring. The ring was purchased for $148,000.

However, Robertson claimed that the fraudulent applications, which falsely listed the number of employees to secure more funds, were conspired by her ex-friend and personal lawyer, Chandra Norton. Norton was indicted in August 2020, agreeing to a plea deal that found her guilty of a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Additionally, she cooperated with the federal government, which led to the indictment of Robertson more than two years later.

“There’s no level to which [Robertson] wouldn’t stoop to justify her criminal conduct,” Malloy said in her closing argument over the trial. “She disguised what she did to avoid getting caught. She thought she could wash her hands of it all.”

During their alleged joint scheme, the two women were granted close to $8 million in unearned funds, with prosecutors also claiming that Robertson threatened to kill her former partner in crime upon her arrest. To that offense, Robertson’s attorney, Craig A. Gillen, claims it was made out of frustration over the ordeal, with the lawyer also saying that the “hearsay” evidence has grounds for an appeal on the verdict.

In the trial by jury, Robertson was found guilty on three counts of wire fraud and single counts of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Since being tried for the charges in December 2022, Robertson was out on bond but was swiftly detained following the conviction. Her sentencing date has yet to be finalized.

First HBCU Doll Line Unveils Latest Spelman Addition To Collection
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 21, 2023

First HBCU Doll Line Unveils Latest Spelman Addition To Collection

HBCYou Dolls, the line created by a Hampton alum to introduce HBCUs to a young audience, has unveiled its Spelman doll.

HBCYou Dolls has a new toy in its product line. This past fall, the HBCU-centered doll brand unveiled its latest toy representing Spelman, the notable all-female college in Atlanta.

HBCYou Dolls was founded in 2022 by Brooke Hart Jones, a Hampton University alum. The dolls are the first to be sold by major retailers and are meant to introduce the legacy of HBCUs to a young audience. The Spelman doll herself is a cheer captain named Alyssa, whose “medium brown skin and curly hair were designed to give children a sense of cultural familiarity while celebrating Spelman Jaguar pride.”

Each doll is more than just a student; it has a college major and holds positions such as homecoming queen and majorette that are part of the HBCU experience.

“We started because of our mission to share the magic of HBCUs and plant the seed of higher learning in children,” said Jones. “So we have a cheer captain, a student body president, a homecoming queen, and a majorette, who are major archetypes of figures within the HBCU community.”

The Spelman doll is part of the Atlanta University Center, the hub of HBCUs within the city, representing the collection, while others boast Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University attire. With more also included in the expansive collection, such as Florida A&M and Howard University, HBCU graduates and supporters can participate in this new tradition, especially as the gift-giving season is in full swing.

The dolls range from $34.99 and are considered memorable keepsakes that inspire children to succeed at HBCUs.

“I just want to make sure that we know that we’re educating the future generations about these wonderful institutions that have brought us where we are today,” stated the founder.

The dolls, a part of Purpose Toys, can be found in-store and online at Target, Walmart, and Amazon. The Spelman Doll is currently sold out but can be purchased exclusively at Target upon restock.

Black Girls Run, organization, runners, women,
by Stacy Jackson

December 21, 2023

Black Girls Run! Organization Fosters Fitness Inclusivity

This organization is making space for the up to 80% of Black women who fall short of exercise targets, raising risks for chronic illness.

A new study by professors Loneke Blackman Carr and Jolaade Kalinowski at the University of Connecticut (UConn) spotlights how Black Girls Run!, a nationwide community group, empowers Black women to be physically active amid alarming health disparities.

The researchers analyzed the Black Girls Run! Facebook page to understand how it fosters fitness engagement. Their findings, published in JMIR Formative Research, showcase an inclusive approach other health initiatives could emulate, UConn Today at the University of Connecticut reported.

Blackman Carr explained that a good number of traditional fitness spaces alienate Black women’s body types. On the contrary, Black Girls Run! nurtures a welcoming community. CEO of the organization Jay Ell Alexander affirmed, “We are moving and motivating women to change the narrative of what running and health looks like.”

The UConn scholars intentionally highlighted the group’s strengths, rather than deficiencies. Kalinowski said, “Rather than going around and trying to create things from scratch, why don’t we look to the people … seeing what they’re already doing and how we can support that.”

Analyzing posts and member interactions, the predominant focus was celebrating achievements, offering motivation, and promoting group exercise events. This social support garnered the most reaction and engagement.

The researchers advocate for building on these effective grassroots efforts instead of imposing interventions. Kalinowski expressed that digital platforms like Facebook, combined with in-person chapters, provide avenues to expand the initiative’s reach.

Overall, the scholars praised the participatory approach deployed by Black Girls Run! and encouraged further research partnerships.

Still, promoting Black health amid ongoing racism, poses challenges. Blackman Carr referred to Ahmaud Arbery’s murder while jogging as emblematic of some of the dangers still faced. She said physical activity promotion must address systemic inequities.

RELATED CONTENT: Men Should Prioritize These 5 Things If They Want To Stay Healthy

racist, mob, Iraq, gay, Rob White
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 21, 2023

Black Gay Republican Vet Heckled By Racist Mob

Republican commentator Rob Smith, an openly gay and Black war veteran, was heckled by a racist, homophobic mob while attending a conservative conference.

Openly gay and Republican veteran Rob Smith has been a victim of a hate crime, heckled by a mob that shouted racist and homophobic slurs at him while he was attending a conservative conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

The event was hosted from Dec. 16-19 by Turning Point USA as a gathering for conservative commentators and supporters. Smith shared the footage on his social media of the harassment that occurred on Dec. 17.

“Last night in Phoenix, I was confronted and surrounded by some White Supremacists that don’t like gays or blacks in the Republican Party,” said Smith in the post to X. “They shouted ‘nigger’ and ‘faggot’ at me to make their point. However, I served in Iraq. I never back down. Ever.”

The video depicted the hecklers yelling “gay sex” at Smith, to which he responded, “Yes, Nick Fuentes loves gay sex.”

Fuentes is a former online media personality known for his far-right rhetoric that promotes racist, homophobic, Islamaphobic, and white-supremacist viewpoints, as well as his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

After Smith mentioned Fuentes, those surrounding him started yelling the slurs at him, chanting “America first” soon afterward.

In light of the incident, which made its rounds on the app formerly known as Twitter, other conservative lawmakers expressed their public support for Smith.

Christina Pushaw, the rapid response director of Florida governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, called the incident “embarrassing.”

“This is embarrassing behavior,” expressed Pushaw. “All I can say is their gutter trash talk gets rewarded online, and some of them are delusional enough to think they can act the same in real life.”

J.R. Majewski, who is running to represent Ohio in Congress, said the heckling was an “unfortunate reality of a fractured party without leadership.”

Later, Smith spoke on “CNN Tonight” with Abby Phillips to cement his support of Trump in the 2024 election, and said he has done more to uplift gay Republicans than the other party candidates.

Smith is known for his polarizing place in politics, given his sexuality is a point of contention with his conservative ideals, in addition to his Blackness. He has since emerged as a political commentator on traditional news platforms.

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