Fox News Contributor Angrily Refers To Harvard President As ‘Black Woman In Power’ In Rant Over Anti-Semitism Discussion
Dr. Gay's remarks on Capitol Hill caused conservative talking head Tammy Bruce to call her out of her name during the Fox News show.
During a segment on Fox’s The Faulkner Focus, hosted by Harris Faulkner, who is Black, conservative contributor Tammy Bruce, who is white, used her appearance to dismiss Harvard University’s President Dr. Claudine Gay by calling her “that Black women in power,” Mediate reports.
Dr. Gay, the Ivy League school’s first Black president, testified before the Republican-majority House Education Committee regarding antisemitism on college campuses on Dec. 5., which has seen an uptick since the Israeli-Hamas attacks began in October. The prominent leader has openly spoken out against the Hamas attacks as well as how they affect students. While on Capitol Hill, she was questioned by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Faulkner decided to play a part of the session, which Bruce responded to, saying Gay sounded like a robot.
“It is heartbreaking to see a woman in such a position of power abandon that power…But she’s talking about what the left has been telling us now for years: speech is violence,” Bruce said.
“We would be hearing something very different if it was people in robes, in Klan robes, shouting ‘Lynch certain people,’ using certain words. It would be inherently and deeply unacceptable. This is the epitome of it. And that Black woman in power, God help us, she has abandoned that power!”
Yikes.
Fox News' Tammy Bruce on Harvard's president: "We’ve gone through years of hate crimes being defined. This is the epitome of it and that BLACK woman in power, god help us, she has abandoned that power!" pic.twitter.com/Jwl8rWduPW
Harvard has been under close watch ever since student groups issued a statement on the growing conflict in Israel, according to ABC 7 Chicago. It mentioned that Israeli policies are “entirely responsible for all unfolding violence,” which caused instant backlash and left Jewish students feeling scared and isolated.
During her opening remarks at the hearing, Gay acknowledged Harvard’s fight against antisemitism while allowing free speech. “During these difficult days, I have felt the bonds of our community strain,” Gay said. “In response, I’ve sought to confront hate while preserving free expression. This is difficult work. And I know that I have not always gotten it right.”
Social media users weren’t too surprised by Bruce’s remarks but were taken aback by her boldness in saying this in front of a Black woman.
“Harris has debased herself so much that Tammy had the audacity to say it [to] her face,” one user said. “I’m NOT even slightly offended or moved by this…..”
Skipping Student Loan Payments Can Have Serious Consequences, Here’s Why
Not paying loans can start a domino effect of borrowers not being able to access other opportunities.
If you’re one of the millions of people skipping out on their monthly student loan payments, you may want to reconsider.
With student loan payments ramping back up in October 2023, several borrowers still struggle to make payments or overlook it altogether, which can have grave consequences, CNET reports. Not paying loans can start a domino effect of borrowers not being able to access other opportunities. At the bare minimum, allowing the loans to become delinquent can affect a credit score. Student loan payments aren’t like other household bills, where some may give a short grace period to submit a payment. If a borrower misses a payment on a specific date, the loan becomes delinquent the next day after the due date.
To default on a loan means the borrower has failed to pay the agreed-upon loan. The loan servicer has likely made several attempts to communicate with you before default occurs. Things can get worse if loans continue to stay in default. On top of credit scores taking a serious hit, the federal government can potentially seize a borrower’s tax return or garnish wages — something no one wants — to assist with paying off the loan.
Some borrowers can’t afford to pay their loans back. But if you fall in that category, the loan service may have options for you to make things easier, like forbearance or deferment. These options allow a borrower to postpone payment temporarily or reduce the amount they pay each month. The difference between the two is deferment doesn’t allow interest to accrue to most loans, while forbearance does.
“We are continuing to pursue an alternative path to deliver student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible,” Biden said in a statement.
This new approval increases student debt relief to $132 billion for nearly four million borrowers.
4 Pillars To Consider When Investing In A Business
Learn the four pillars you should look for when considering investing in or starting a new business. Having these will improve your odds for success.
Originally published Dec. 10, 2019
As 2019 comes to a close, we take stock of the year that is ending and contemplate what is to be in the year to come. It’s also commonplace to identify regrets and create a positive mental road map for what we’d like to accomplish going forward; attempting to avoid that regret list this time next year. If owning your own business has been on your road map repeatedly, I encourage you to take the first step to make that recurring dream into a reality. According to Forbes, there are 32 million small businesses in America in 2023. So you have to ask yourself, why am I not part of that group? That’s 12% of the adult U.S. population. It’s attainable, but it starts with the first step.
I field all sorts of inquiries from a wide variety of people at various stages in the process of determining if entrepreneurship is for them. Some have been looking five or more years, others just read an article (hopefully one of mine!) and it sparked an excitement or interest that they had been suppressing. Once I’ve listened to their stories—each has its own twist—the same piece of advice applies: Look for these four characteristics when determining the right business for you and your family to invest in.
Industry Growth Potential
Is the business or franchise you are considering in a sector that shows growth potential? While we all have interests that we are excited or passionate about, that doesn’t mean that over time enough people will have that same excitement to be able to grow and sustain a business. As we saw with the VHS rental business, it was hot for a while, but long term, unsustainable with the advancement of technology. A few sectors that are tapped for new or continued growth are senior care, pet care, healthy food, and co-working space.
Turnkey / Quick Startup
One of the reasons people seek franchise opportunities is the “business in a box” component. Anyone who has ever tried to start a business from scratch knows and understands how much work it is to accomplish milestones such as securing products or services, moving through the legal requirements, hiring employees, marketing, and setting prices. Anything you can do to minimize the time and cost between starting the business and obtaining your first customer is where you want to be. In some cases this could be considering purchasing an existing business.
Recurring Revenue
Having recurring revenue in your business can make or break it. In times where you’re not landing a big account or selling a high-priced product, the recurring, steady accounts receivable will be what pays the bills. Try and identify opportunities that provide for ongoing memberships, maintenance, refills. Sectors that include this type of revenue are health and fitness, commercial cleaning, and security.
Quality Products and Systems
Whether you invest in a franchise or have a startup, it’s critical to make sure you’re sourcing high-quality products and have strong systems to support and scale your business. The benefit of purchasing a franchise is that during the discovery phase you’re able to speak with current owners and learn more about the products and systems, oftentimes seeing them in action. In addition, franchisors provide full training to ensure owners know how to utilize and leverage both. As an independent, your due diligence is even more critical to determine the best products, systems, and partnerships for your business.
This list doesn’t capture all of the characteristics that accompany a strong business, but if you have at least three of the four, you will have a great foundation to build on.
Texas Realtor Simplifies Real Estate Buying For The Black Community
Towanda C. Gayle, a leading realtor in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area, is thrilled to announce her commitment to helping high-end clients achieve their real estate goals.
Originally Reported by Blacknews
Towanda C. Gayle, a leading realtor in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area, is thrilled to announce her commitment to helping high-end clients achieve their real estate goals. By redefining the real estate experience in Texas, Towanda is introducing innovative strategies aimed at simplifying the real estate process.
In a constantly evolving real estate market, Towanda is dedicated to providing efficient and personalized services tailored to meet her clients’ changing needs. Her services include Luxury and Investment Properties, Residential BPO Properties, REO Properties, Short Sales and Foreclosures (SFR), and Commercial Sales and Leases. By leveraging the latest advancements, she offers a seamless and stress-free journey through the challenging world of real estate transactions.
“My mission is to transform the way people engage with real estate,” says Towanda. “I believe in creating meaningful connections, understanding individual needs, and exceeding expectations at every step. My focus is not just on buying or selling properties but also on creating lasting relationships with my clients.”
Whether clients are individuals looking to sell their property, first-time buyers, or seasoned investors, Towanda offers personalized real estate services to empower informed decisions.
For more information or wish to turn your real estate goals into reality, visit her official website at TowandaGayle.com
About
Towanda Gayle is an experienced REALTOR® dedicated to redefining the real estate experience for high-end clients. With over 17 years in the industry, she prides herself on providing a wide range of real estate solutions, including Luxury and Investment Properties, Residential and Commercial Sales, Leases, BPO Pricing, REO Properties, Short Sales, and Foreclosures (SFR). She aims to exceed client expectations and create lasting connections through innovation, personalized services, and cutting-edge technology.
Nationwide — Renowned author turned book publishing coach Kellie Brooks has embarked on a mission to empower 1,500 new and aspiring authors to bring their stories to life within the next 36 months. Leveraging her expertise in writing and publishing, she is dedicated to helping individuals transition from having a story in their heads to becoming published authors and sharing their unique experiences, knowledge, and creativity with the world. Her work holds significant relevance to the Black community for several reasons:
Representation and Diversity: By empowering and supporting aspiring authors, particularly those from the Black community, her work contributes to greater representation in literature. Diverse voices bring a richness of experiences, perspectives, and stories that may have been historically underrepresented.
Economic Empowerment: Her emphasis on accelerating income growth through published works has direct implications for economic empowerment within the Black community. Creating avenues for authors to leverage their expertise and expand revenue streams can contribute to financial stability and independence.
Cultural Legacy and Heritage: Highlighting the importance of immortalizing one’s legacy through writing resonates deeply with the Black community. By encouraging authors to share their unique experiences, her work helps preserve and celebrate cultural heritage, contributing to a broader understanding of the richness and diversity within the black community.
Thought Leadership and Expertise: The emphasis on establishing expertise through writing aligns with the Black community’s ongoing efforts to be recognized as thought leaders in various fields. Her work supports individuals in showcasing their knowledge, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive representation of expertise.
Community-Building: Fostering a community of empowered and accomplished authors, particularly within the Black community, creates a supportive network. This sense of community is crucial for mutual encouragement, collaboration, and the sharing of experiences, ultimately strengthening the literary landscape.
Inspiration and Aspiration: Her mission to guide, inspire, and empower individuals within the Black community aligns with the broader goal of fostering aspiration. By highlighting success stories and providing practical insights, you contribute to a culture of achievement and motivate others to pursue their literary aspirations.
In essence, Kellie’s work goes beyond the immediate goal of helping individuals become published authors; it actively contributes to the cultural, economic, and intellectual empowerment of the Black community. By providing tools, guidance, and a platform for diverse voices, you play a role in shaping a more inclusive and vibrant literary landscape.
In line with her commitment to supporting authors in their publishing journey, Kellie hosts a free monthly Zoom webinar that educates participants on becoming published authors in 60 days or less. Through this webinar, she shares valuable insights, practical tips, and proven strategies that aspiring authors can leverage to materialize their dream of publishing a book.
Kellie Brooks also emphasizes the importance of writing a book by delineating six compelling reasons why individuals should embark on this enriching path:
1. Immortalizing Your Legacy: A book offers an enduring legacy, enabling authors to live forever through their written words.
2. Amplifying Authority: Publishing a book grows an individual’s authority exponentially, positioning them as experts in their respective fields or domains.
3. Expanding Influence: Writing a book fosters the growth of an author’s influence, enabling them to reach and impact a wider audience.
4. Accelerating Income Growth: Authors can accelerate their income growth through published works by leveraging their expertise and expanding their revenue streams.
5. Creating Signature Events: Authors who write books can create their signature events, enhancing their presence and connecting with their audience on a deeper level.
6. Establishing Expertise: Writing a book allows individuals to showcase their expertise and knowledge, positioning them as credible thought leaders in their industry or niche.
Furthermore, Kellie’s coaching services encompass a comprehensive approach to navigating the intricate book publishing process. Her tailored guidance and mentorship equip authors with the tools and insights to transform their ideas into published works that resonate with readers.
As a prolific author who has successfully transitioned into a book publishing coach, Kellie Brooks is dedicated to igniting the spark of creativity and storytelling within aspiring authors, fostering a nurturing environment for their literary aspirations to flourish. Kellie is poised to make a significant difference by fostering a community of empowered and accomplished authors through her proactive and impactful initiatives.
Looking ahead, Kellie remains steadfast in her mission to guide, inspire, and empower 1,500 individuals, from aspiring authors to published writers, thereby contributing to the diverse and enriching landscape of literature and knowledge exchange.
To learn more about her coaching services, please contact her at KellieBbooks@gmail.com or (817) 807-3870.
About
Kellie Brooks is a celebrated author, book publishing coach, and advocate for aspiring writers. With a passion for empowering individuals to share their stories and insights through the written word, Kellie has embarked on a mission to enable 1,500 new authors to bring their ideas to life and become published writers within the next 36 months. She hosts free monthly webinars to educate and inspire aspiring authors, sharing her wealth of knowledge and expertise in book publishing. Kellie Brooks is committed to nurturing the next generation of authors and fostering a community of creative and empowered storytellers.
Black Female Officer Sues Pasadena Police Department For Discrimination
The officer was put on paid administrative leave after de-escalating a situation between another officer and a suspect.
A Pasadena, California, police officer has alleged that she was the victim of racial discrimination and retaliation following an encounter with fellow officers when she attempted to de-escalate a situation between an officer and a suspect, CBS News reports.
Officer Taisyn Crutchfield, a member of the Pasadena police force since 2021, has filed a lawsuit against her department after being placed on a paid administrative leave for six months without being informed why.
The incident occurred after a Black man, Charles Town, was shot and killed by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies in Altadena in January, according to CBS News.
On Feb. 20, officers responded to a call involving an argument between Town’s two teenage sons. According to CBS News, one of the sons was “understandably upset by the death of their father.” When the officers intervened, the situation escalated, resulting in one of the young men being thrown face-first into a cactus.
The video from the patrol car shows the officers around the two teens and a third person who observed the encounter. According to the outlet, Crutchfield can be seen walking over to one of the officers and lightly pushing him away before saying, “Don’t do that.” A PPD sergeant separated the officers and returned to the station.
A press release from Crutchfield’s attorney said she is “the latest victim” in a history of “racial discrimination, racial profiling, disparities of punishment of African American employees and retaliation against [officers] who are whistleblowers or complain about discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.” The release also stated Crutchfield “followed state-wide police training and intervened to de-escalate the situation.”
Rather than being commended for her “heroic action, avoiding needless violence,” Crutchfield was “relieved of duty and punished.” The attorney said the lawsuit was filed to right the wrong suffered by the Black woman officer.
The City of Pasadena responded to the lawsuit, stating that it “will vigorously defend itself in this matter, and the facts will prevail.”
In a press conference Friday outside of Pasadena Police Department, Crutchfield’s attorney Brad Gage said, per CBS News, “She’s doing the right thing; she doesn’t believe in a code of silence. She doesn’t believe in circling the wagons. She believes in integrity, honesty, and safety.”
Crutchfield was not present at the press conference, but her family was.
Other singles include “Oceans” with Frank Ocean; “D.O.A.,” “Bam” with Damian Marley; “Lost One” with Chrisette Michele; “Family Feud” with Beyoncé; and “Girls, Girls, Girls” and “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love).”
Five of Hov’s singles earned their first platinum certifications, including “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “4:4.” “Holy Grail” is now 5x platinum; “Young Forever” and “Big Pimpin’” are now 3x platinum.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation celebrated the good news with a tweet shared on the rap legend’s birthday.
“Congratulations to JAY-Z (@sc) on his latest @RIAA certifications,” the tweet read.
It included a video montage of Jay-Z’s music videos for the newly certified and re-certified singles. Hova hasn’t released an album since 2017’s 444, which included six singles he received new RIAA certifications for.
In an interview with Gayle King last month, Jay-Z said his new music would need to have substance rather than be a collection of meaningless “tunes.”
“I already [used the word ‘retirement’], I can’t do that ever again,” he said in a clip shared by CBS Mornings. “I’ll say I wanna make music, but it has to be something important.”
“I don’t wanna just make a bunch of tunes. That’s not gonna serve me. It won’t feed me, first of all. I have to be saying something important. It has to mean something, you know? It has to mean something to a larger society.”
He continued, “4:44, for example, was a personal story, but the amount of vulnerability in there allowed for a lot of people to explore the space.”
Jay-Z recently wrapped his “Book of Hov” exhibit at the Brooklyn Public Library, which chronicled his music career through personal memorabilia.
Fat Joe, Charlamagne Tha God, Tamika Mallory Among Speakers At Roc Nation’s United Justice Coalition Summit
The second annual social justice summit took place Dec. 1 at the Javits Center in New York City.
On Dec. 1, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and the United Justice Coalition held its second annual social justice summit at New York City’s Javits Center. More than 3,500 people attended, according to the organization.
Last Friday, the UJC and @RocNation hosted the second annual #UJCSummit23. The Summit welcomed over 3,500 attendees, 48 speakers, and 61 social justice organizations for a day of learning, connection, and activating for change.
Among those who appeared at the event were New York Attorney General Letitia James, radio personality Charlamagne Tha God, Until Freedom co-founder Tamika Mallory, and recording artist Fat Joe, who spread the word on social media.
Complex reported that during his panel, which included the families of Sean Bell and Danroy “DJ” Henry, both of whom were shot by police, Fat Joe discussed the use of rap lyrics in criminal cases and defended Young Thug, who’s in the midst of a RICO trial.
“I’ve been rapping professionally for 30 years. I’ve lied in almost 95 percent of my songs,” Joe stated at the summit. “I’m being honest. I write like I feel that day. I’m just being creative. You couldn’t build a jail high enough for the lyrics I’ve said on songs which are all untrue.”
Some of the nonprofits and national organizations at the event included REFORM Alliance, Last Prisoner Project, Innocence Project, and Gathering for Justice, which provided various programs and resources to advocate for the change needed in their respective communities. There was artwork displayed that told stories of activism, as well as short films and collections of books.
The inaugural United Justice Coalition Summit took place in July 2022. The 45-plus speakers included multiplatinum recording artist Yo Gotti; national civil rights attorney Ben Crump; CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change Dr. Bernice A. King; and U.S. Attorney for the District of MassachusettsRachael Rollins.
The United Justice Coalition (UJC) is an organization that seeks to raise awareness around key social justice issues and the need for criminal justice reform.
The most recent lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal district court in Manhattan. A woman, listed as Jane Doe, accused Combs, Bad Boy executive Harve Pierre, and a “Third Assailant” of sex trafficking and gang rape. This will be the second filing against Pierre since November.
The court documents state claim that in 2003, Pierre approached the teen at a Michigan nightclub, told her that Sean Combs would “love to meet her,” and convinced her to take a private jet to New York City.
According to the lawsuit, the then 17-year-old claims she was given drugs and alcohol and then raped by the three men. According to the document, she was then driven to the airport and flew back to Michigan.
“Unlike many victims who have come forward after decades, Ms. Doe can prove that she not only met Mr. Combs on the night in question but was in his studio in New York City with him on that night. Remember when viewing these, Ms. Doe was 17 years old,” the complaint stated.
The plaintiff is being represented by Douglas H. Wigdor, who represented singer Cassie in her lawsuit against Combs.
“As alleged in the complaint, Defendants preyed on a vulnerable high school teenager as part of a sex trafficking scheme that involved plying her with drugs and alcohol and transporting her by private jet to New York City where she was gang raped by the three individual defendants at Mr. Combs’ studio. The depravity of these abhorrent acts has, not surprisingly, scarred our client for life,” Widgor said in a press release.
The hip-hop mogul maintains his innocence. He took to Instagram to deny the “sickening allegations “brought against him by people who, according to Combs, are “looking for a quick payday.”
Close To 500 Lawsuits Highlight Years of Sexual Abuse Housed at NYC’s Rikers Island
The number of lawsuits that allege sexual abuse at Rikers Island is staggering.
New York’s Adult Survivors Act is uncovering decades of looked-over sexual abuse faced by inmates at the infamous Rikers Island prison, NBC News reports.
Out of over 2,500 lawsuits filed under the law, about 20% hold allegations of sexual violence against current or past prisoners at the facility. The act allowed survivors of sexual assault to sue for one year—regardless of how long the alleged abuse occurred—leading to 479 lawsuits against the city over the alleged abuse at Rikers.
Attorney Anna Kull has filed hundreds of civil cases related to assaults related to reports of what happened behind bars. “How do I have over 200 women who were sexually abused at Rikers? This is a systemic failure,” Kull said. “It requires comprehensive reform, and you’re never going to see comprehensive reform without accountability.”
While she finds the number of lawsuits coming from Rikers staggering, Kull isn’t surprised. Rikers has a reputation dating back decades of being “one of the most dangerous prisons in the United States.”
New York’s Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Adult Survivors Act in May 2022 in an attempt to allow survivors over 18 at the time of the alleged abuse to sue their abusers. As the act expired on Nov. 24, 2023, several lawsuits were filed against some of Hollywood’s and New York’s elite, including actor Jamie Foxx and New York Mayor Eric Adams. Singer/model Cassie dropped a bombshell lawsuit against Bad Boy Records founder Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing him of years of sexual violence against her.
Both male and female inmates have filed lawsuits against the prison. One of Kull’s clients accused a male correction officer at Rikers’ only women’s facility, the Rose M. Singer Center, of taking her to a bathroom when she was 19 in 2002, groping her and forcing her to perform oral sex on him. When she tried to fight him off, he accused her of assaulting an officer and placed her in solitary confinement for almost a year. The client, named Shanaye to protect her privacy, is now 40 years old.
The lawsuit claims the officer taunted Shanaye for weeks, telling her no one would believe her if she told.
“It’s a very isolating feeling. I really didn’t even know who I could tell, who I could trust,” Shanaye said. “You can’t tell the therapist in the prison because you feel like she works for the prison. They look at you like you’re an inmate. You have no word. You have no honor.”
Genaro Campos accused a female correction officer of forcing him to perform sex acts on her over a four-month period between 1992 and 1993. When Campos would refuse, he said his abuser retaliated by labeling a “centrally monitored case,” where he would be watched at close proximity and suffered harsh conditions, including being constrained in waist chains and shackles.
“My hope is that, when others see me in my role, they learn from my journey to get here,” Maginley-Liddie, a woman of color, said. “I want them to envision themselves in leadership roles and know that they can attain any position of power within the agency to effect real change.”
