• Entertainment

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 28, 2023

Hollywood Sex Scenes To Change Under New SAG-AFTRA Contract

The negotiating committee on behalf of the actors' union fought to ensure clearer standards were part of their contract.

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With the SAG-AFTRA strike tentatively over, the inclusion of intimacy coordinators is official protocol. The move will ensure safer sex scenes to better protect actors.

The negotiating committee on behalf of the actors’ union fought to ensure clearer standards were part of their contract. Previously, intimacy coordinators were common in the industry but not officially recognized. The new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) is considered a “big win” for both SAG-AFTRA and current coordinators in regards to this element, as reported by Rolling Stone.

“This is the first contract where intimacy coordinators are mentioned [in the contract]. I just think it’s very common to have either an uncomfortable or possibly traumatic experience when it comes to this,” actor and activist Caitlin Dulany, a member of the negotiating committee, told Rolling Stone. “And it’s not healthy for us or our sets, so it’s a great victory to have this in our contract…This was a huge win, it was a huge gain, and we really pushed for it.”

SAG-AFTRA has been promoting a more widespread use of intimacy coordinators, even publishing a guideline and database for the increased usage for nudity and simulated sex scenes. The latest regulations as listed in the tentative contract state that producers must use their “best efforts” to secure an intimacy coordinator when warranted.

“Producer will use best efforts to engage an Intimacy Coordinator for scenes involving nudity or sex acts,” the contract reads. “Producer will also consider in good faith any request by a performer or a performer’s representative to engage an Intimacy Coordinator for other scenes. Producer shall not retaliate against a performer for requesting an Intimacy Coordinator.”

As for their future part of the union, President Fran Drescher announced its commitment in 2022 to bring intimacy coordinators as official members. However, the newest provisions to ensure they are part of production when necessary have to be ratified in a Dec. 5 vote by Screen Actors Guild (SAG) members.

RELATED CONTENT: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Faces Third Sexual Assault Lawsuit; R&B Star Aaron Hall Named in Suit

• Sports

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 28, 2023

Atlanta Falcons Blend Sunday Night Football With 50 Years Of Hip-Hop

Legendary rappers such as T.I., Jeezy, and Jermaine Dupri came out to represent Atlanta's hip-hop scene.

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The Atlanta Falcons paid homage to its city’s hip-hop scene, including musical guests to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the music genre at their Nov. 26 home game against the New Orleans Saints.

Atlanta emerged as a hub for Southern rappers to become household names, such as T.I, Jeezy, Killer Mike, and OutKast. Some of these music legends joined the field for a special performance, according to The Atlanta Voice.

The Atlanta-based musicians donned black Falcons jerseys, labelled with the number 50 on the back as a nod to the anniversary.

From TLC To Jermaine Dupri, an influx of home team artists came out to represent their city. As for the halftime show, Dupri was joined by Big Boi, Jeezy, and Quavo to perform some of their hits for the crowd. The “Welcome to Atlanta” rapper started his set with the classic song, while Quavo included singles from his former group Migos, paying homage to his nephew and fallen member Takeoff.

However, the festivities were far from over.

In the special edition game’s extra nod to the city’s impact on hip-hop, Atlanta rapper Ludacris came down from the roof to perform some songs, including his 2001 single “Move B-tch.” Ceelo Green was scheduled to sing the national anthem, with TLC also expected to perform, but both Grammy-winning acts couldn’t to due technical issues. Regardless, their presence and the overall show made it clear that Atlanta is irrefutably linked to hip-hop, and is an indisputable part of its widespread cultural influence.

The special performance not only had the crowd hyped, but the home team. The Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 24-15 during the once-in-a-lifetime football game that was a spectacle of culture, sports, and hip-hop.

RELATED CONTENT: Ice Cube Gets Award Named After Him By Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

November 28, 2023

Enough Is Enough: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb Speaks Out After Christmas Trees Lighting Shooting Injures Two Teenagers

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Cleveland’s mayor, Justin Bibb, is fed up with the violence occurring in the city.

After a violent shooting that happened after the Cleveland WinterLand tree lighting ceremony, Bibb is calling for the violence to stop, WKYC reports. In a statement, the Democratic Black mayor released a statement thanking the police department but is very angered about the incident that sent two minor victims to the hospital. “Last night, what should have been an evening of celebration ended in tragedy when two juveniles were shot amid a large fight that broke out after Cleveland’s annual tree lighting event on Public Square,” he wrote. “I am both saddened and angered by this senseless violence. Enough is enough. It is time to break the cycle of violence and find better ways to resolve conflicts.”

The shooting happened in Cleveland Public Square around 8:45 p.m. EMS officials said the victims, 13 and 15, were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center shortly after. The 13-year-old victim is listed in stable condition, while the 15-year-old victim is in serious condition. Police were able to arrest the suspects, who haven’t been identified since they are juveniles. “I am grateful to the officers of CDP for their fast and effective response. CDP quickly identified and took two juvenile suspects into custody, both of whom will be presented to the County Prosecutor’s Office,” Bibb continued in his statement. “The two victims, ages 15 and 13, were taken to the hospital. One remains in serious condition; the other is stable.”

Comments on social media paint two different narratives of support for the young mayor. Under the statement, one user blames Bibb for things getting worse during his term, and another says parents are to be blamed for the violence.

But things are looking up for the 36-year-old mayor. Despite a few issues, according to Cleveland.com, Bibb is a frontrunner for reelection in 2025. City Council President Blaine Griffin is considered a possible Bibb election opponent worth taking seriously.

• Career

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 27, 2023

Omega Psi Phi’s Sigma Rho Chapter Donates Nearly 100 Suits To Jackets For Jobs

This Thanksgiving season, the Sigma Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. has donated nearly 100 suits to Jackets for Jobs.

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This Thanksgiving season, the Sigma Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. has exemplified the spirit of giving by generously donating nearly 100 suits to Jackets for Jobs, a nonprofit organization committed to empowering individuals through professional attire and career development. The fraternity’s timely contribution aligns with Jackets for Jobs’ mission to distribute suits, turkeys, and ties to men in need during the holiday season, truly embodying the essence of being a blessing to Detroit men.

Jackets for Jobs, a long-standing pillar in the community for 23 years, primarily serves women, with 70% of its clients being female. The donation from Omega Psi Phi will significantly impact the support provided to men and veterans in a substantial way, further reinforcing the ongoing commitment of men supporting Jackets for Jobs in its noble cause.

 The history of Jackets for Jobs is deeply intertwined with Detroit’s leadership, as every Detroit Mayor, from Kwame Kilpatrick to Mike Duggan, has graciously donated a suit to champion the organization’s mission. Notably, the family of Detroit’s first black Mayor, Coleman A. Young, has contributed to his cherished suit, enriching Jackets for Jobs’ historical collection.

To showcase these significant contributions and highlight the profound impact of Jackets for Jobs in empowering and clothing job seekers across metro Detroit, the Detroit Historical Museum is hosting an exhibition through April 2024. The public is invited to witness this display of generosity and community support.

Alison Vaughn, President & CEO of Jackets for Jobs, expressed her gratitude, stating, “We appreciate the fraternity’s timely support. We not only want to feed those that are hungry but clothe them as well.”

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college, has a rich history of impactful members, including actor/rapper/former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal, comedian Steve Harvey, Jesse Jackson, Radio host Ricky Smiley and retired NFL star Ray Lewis just to name a few.

For more information about Jackets for Jobs and their mission, visit JacketsForJobs.org

RELATED CONTENT: Black Fraternity Omega Psi Phi Celebrates 100 Years of Service to the Los Angeles Community

This story was first reported by Blacknews.com

• News History

by Daniel Johnson

November 27, 2023

Alaska Black Caucus Finds Racist Slurs On Its Building

Alaska Black Caucus employees discovered racist slurs spray painted on the side of their building located in downtown Anchorage.

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Alaska Black Caucus employees discovered racist slurs spray painted on the side of their building located in downtown Anchorage on Nov. 24. According to Alaska’s News Source, the spray-painted slurs brought back unpleasant memories for Brenda Tyler, who told the outlet, “I’m from the South… you’re bringing back some of my past experiences.”

The organization has been the victim of similar attacks, each time reporting them to the Anchorage Police Department. The Black Caucus said it has no intention of moving or being bullied. Furthermore, Rev. Patricia Wilson-Cone denounced the spray painting, telling the outlet, “This is not a message to our young people today. This is not a message to the world today. This is not a message to anybody, regardless of your race, your faith, or what you subscribe to in making it a better world,” Rev. Wilson-Cone said.

“This is not a positive light and a positive message, and we have zero tolerance for it.”

According to its website, the Alaska Black Caucus is “the premier non-partisan organization asserting the Constitutional Rights of African Americans in Alaska.” The building it is in now, the Equity Center, was purchased by the organization in 2021 through money received from the American Rescue Plan Act and contributions from private donations.

“The Equity Center will serve Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Alaskans in Anchorage through a commercial kitchen, gathering space, below-market-rate office spaces, co-working, partner leased space, and associated programming,” the website states.

Alaska Black Caucus President Celeste Hodge Growden described her vision for the center on its website: “It is a permanent home for us where we can freely breathe. It is a place to figure out how we can change conditions for BIPOC communities. It is a place where we will engage with each other and with community leaders and gatekeepers; where there are many seats around the table to build trust and relationships and back them up with advocacy and action.”

RELATED CONTENT: Congressional Black Caucus Institute Launches Tech Platform to Diversify Public Policy Recruitment

• Women

by Stacy Jackson

November 27, 2023

Cassandra Jackson Says Resignation As Tallahassee City Attorney Is Due To ‘Personal Reasons’

Some city officials believe Jackson's unexpected resignation is a result of City Hall's "hostile environment."

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After serving as Tallahassee’s lead attorney for five years, Cassandra Jackson has said farewell to the position.

According to The Tallahassee Democrat, Jackson’s resignation, effective Friday, Nov. 24., is due to personal reasons. “It certainly has been the honor of my life, my career, to serve as your city’s attorney,” Jackson said. The attorney will serve as a consultant until her retirement date of June 1, 2024, earning her current salary of $248,767.

Jackson publicly announced her resignation on Nov. 2, and city officials have been vocal about her unexpected exit. Some officials believe her exit is a result of City Hall’s “hostile environment.” The opinions come amid negative text messages from Assistant City Manager Wayne Tedder. Tedder allegedly told a developer that Jackson “lacks the credentials, knowledge and experience with the issues to make a positive contribution to this level of work.”

Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox said Jackson is a true inspiration. Commissioner Curtis Richardson said the attorney is “one of the best you’ll ever find in Florida.” Mayor John Dailey told The Famuan that he is excited about Jackson’s next chapter. “I’m very appreciative for what she has done for the City of Tallahassee.”

Jackson made history when she was elected into office on Feb. 1, 2018, and became Tallahassee’s first Black female city attorney. Before the position, she served as the deputy city attorney for two years.

As Tallahassee city commissioners search for a permanent attorney to fill Jackson’s seat, Deputy City Attorney Amy Toman will serve as interim city attorney. “The city attorney’s office will continue to function as if it were her there. We work very closely with the city attorney because we are dealing with contracts and any liabilities and public hearings, but all of that function will still continue to happen throughout the city attorney’s office,” Williams-Cox said. “When Cassandra was not available, the deputy made sure everything happened.”

The commissioner said that Toman is an experienced attorney who knows how to keep up with the daily operations.

RELATED CONTENT: Oklahoma Governor Calls For ‘Immediate; Resignation of Officials After Racist Recordings

• News History

by Daniel Johnson

November 27, 2023

Jackson, MS Police Allegedly Neglected To Tell Marrio Moore’s Family That He Had Been Dead Since February

Mississippi's Jackson Police Department allegedly failed to notify families of at least 24 victims of homicides including the family of Marrio Moore.

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Similar to BLACK ENTERPRISE’S previous reporting on the family of Dexter Wade’s fight for justice after the Jackson Police Department buried him in a pauper’s grave and failed to alert the family for months, the same has happened to another family in Jackson. According to NBC News, Marrio Moore, a 40-year-old man, was beaten to death on Feb. 2, buried in a pauper’s grave in July, and Jackson authorities did not notify the family until Oct. 12. 

In fact, the family did not find out about Moore’s death until an article revealing that the Jackson Police Department had failed to notify families of at least 24 victims of homicides made its way to Marquita Moore, Marrio’s sister, through a text message sent by her aunt. At the time, Moore told NBC News she was distraught, saying, “Lord, this is my brother,” Moore said out loud as she was crying. “Someone done killed my brother.”

Moore immediately put on outside clothes, as she had been in her pajamas since it was past 8 pm, and made her way to the downtown headquarters of the Jackson Police Department in search of answers to what happened to her brother. When she got there, an officer informed her that no one was available, and over the next few days, heartbreaking information was slowly released to the family, according to the outlet.

Marrio had allegedly been beaten to death, wrapped in a tarp, and laid out on the street. For months after that, his body was at the Hinds County morgue, unclaimed by any family members. Finally, on July 14, incarcerated people at the Hinds County penal farm buried him in a pauper’s field. Mary Moore Glenn, Marrio’s mother, still has not accepted his death or what they did with his body without her knowledge.

Glenn told NBC News, “What are you hiding?” Glenn said. “Why can’t you just come and just tell somebody that their child is gone?”

According to NBC News, Moore and Wade were both buried in the same location on the same day. However, the city and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba have not answered detailed questions, instead blaming the outcomes on a communication failure and expressed regret that the families are dealing with this.

NBC News obtained the conversations the family had with Hinds County officials as well as documents about the case, which paint a picture of a police department not doing enough to contact relatives about their deceased family members. 

Marrio was described by his family as always on the move, saying that it wasn’t uncommon for him to go months without reaching out or talking to them. His sister, Marcedes Onchukwu, describes it as a defense mechanism, saying, “If you tried to get too close to him, he knew what he was doing and he knew somebody was going to tell him, ‘You need to do this or do that.’ So he stayed away for that reason,” Onuchukwu said. “Because he basically didn’t want nobody, I guess, shaming him because of his choices.” 

Eventually, when the family got ready to have Marrio’s funeral, they couldn’t have a service with a body in a casket because of the way his body had deteriorated. The family held a memorial service on Oct. 20 at Nu Vision Worship Center in Jackson, and afterward, Marrio’s mother was still trying to find peace and failing to, telling NBC News, “It really didn’t do anything,” Glenn said.

“Because he was just a picture. It wasn’t the person. The last time I’m going to see him is that picture. I’m not going to see him no more.” Glenn ended her thoughts, saying, “It hurts bad that he’s gone. But nobody thought that I was important enough to let me know about my child. Nobody thought that my family was important enough.”

RELATED CONTENT: Rev. Al Sharpton Calls On DOJ To Investigate Dexter Wade’s Death

• Uncategorized

by Stacy Jackson

November 27, 2023

Conservative Organizations Fight To End Affirmative Action For A Maternal Health Program In California

The Abundant Birth Project’s $1,000 monthly stipend to minority, low-income pregnant mothers has been deemed “illegal" and "wasteful" by critics.

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The Abundant Birth Project, a program that provides resources to Black and Pacific Islander women in San Francisco, is under fire for being deemed unconstitutional.

As the initiative, established in June 2021, seeks to provide a second round of grants to pregnant mothers in the fall, a lawsuit has been filed alleging the program illegally discriminated against other races and uses public money in a manner that is “illegal, wasteful, and injurious.”

According to 19thNews, the program is designed to counter “obstetric racism,” which highlights the alarming rate of African American deaths resulting from childbirth. The project has benefited 150 pregnant Black and Pacific Islander residents of San Francisco by providing a $1,000 monthly stipend to support the expecting mothers throughout their pregnancy and six months after. 

The lawsuit, which names the Abundant Birth Project, claims the program is discriminatory because it only supports people of a specific race. The allegations are a part of a series of attempts by conservative groups to do away with racial preferences in various institutions after the Supreme Court ruled race-conscious admission to colleges and universities was unconstitutional. The lawsuit also makes claims about income programs in San Francisco that support artists, transgender people, and Black young adults.

The litigation to end racial preferences has various implications in healthcare. The legal actions may affect efforts to increase scholarships for minority medical students to diversify the healthcare field. Efforts to combat racial disparities in maternal mortality may also be affected.

Among the groups working to end affirmative action policies is Do No Harm, a nonprofit established in 2022. The organization aims to stop selecting applications based on race and has sued health commissions, pharmaceutical companies, and public health journals. The California for Equal Rights Foundation and American Civil Rights Projects, a firm based in Dallas, filed a lawsuit against San Francisco and the state of California over allegations that the Abundant Birth Project violated the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, a law that provided rights to formerly enslaved Black people following the Civil War.  

American Civil Rights Project Executive Director Dan Morenoff believes the project should be shut down if it is not made available to all pregnant people. “The city and county of San Francisco crafted the Abundant Birth Project with the express intention of picking beneficiaries based on race,” Morenoff said. “It’s unconstitutional. They can’t legally do it, and we are optimistic that the courts will not allow them to continue to do it.”

On the other hand, Khiara Bridges, a Berkeley law professor and anthropologist, says the Supreme Court ruling in favor of affirmative action may support the program that received $5 million from California to include Black mothers in four additional counties. The verdict claimed that Harvard and the University of North Carolina could not provide evidence of the benefits of using race when selecting college applicants. However, Bridges said it is expected that research will be able to provide statistical evidence that demonstrates improved health outcomes for families that received financial support from the Abundant Birth Project.

Briana Jones, a recipient of the Abundant Birth Project stipend, says she was told by a nurse to “shut up” when she was screaming in pain during her first birth at 15 years old. When Jones learned of the program from her mother, she said, “I really did feel like it was God helping me.” Jones qualified for the program because her race and residence in one of the poorest neighborhoods in San Francisco, Bayview Hunter Point, allowed her to receive the stipend. According to the outlet, the stipend allowed Jones to move into an apartment and have a healthy birth. She now has a son named Adonis.  

“It’s known that people of color struggle way harder than other races,” Jones said. “Where I live, it’s nothing but struggle here, people trying to make ends meet.” Jones says “it’s wrong” for people to attempt to take the program away.

As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the rate of U.S. maternal mortality rates more than doubled between 1999 and 2019. The study published in the medical journal JAMA found Black women had the highest maternal mortality deaths.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 27, 2023

Dame Dash Claims He Saved Memphis Bleek From Getting Robbed of His Publishing

The former Roc-A-Fella co-founder makes the claim on his latest "The CEO Show"

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In a recent interview, Dame Dash, the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, made it a point to mention that one of Jay’s best friends who was also a Roc-A-Fella artist, Memphis Bleek, was getting robbed of his publishing rights while signed to the label. Not only that, but being that Jay and Bleek are from Brooklyn, the Harlem native even claims that the ones robbing Bleek were from his own hometown.

Dame made the statements on a recent episode of “The CEO Show” on his Nu America Network platform. The discussion was initially about Bleek’s statement he made on the Drink Champs recently when he insinuated the real reason for the Roc-A-Fella breakup. Supposedly, the beginning of the end took place at the video shoot of Jay-Z’s song, “Change Clothes.” Bleek stated that Dame was kicked out, and Dame claimed he left on his own.

“No disrespect to Bleek, but I don’t feel like he would not want to still be making current records and making a lot of money doing new records,” Dame said. “You know, I didn’t want him to be — no disrespect, but no one wants to be on the Oldies but Goodies Tour. You want to be known for new sh-t.”

He then reveals that he was trying to help Bleek win and save him from being robbed at one point.

“People close to him were taking his publishing,” Dame said. “When he was signing his record deal someone had his — he was signed to a production deal. And, I’m not going to say nobody’s name. I’ll let them deal with that. He talks about it. All his publishing was getting taken. They were getting a piece of his royalty. He was getting robbed. So, I went and got him a lawyer. I went and got him a real accountant, and it really caused a lot of friction internally.”

“He was from Brooklyn, and Brooklyn n***as was robbing him, and I saved him from that. So, yeah, I saved him from that, and he acknowledges it.”

He went on to say that he’s not mad at Bleek and always wanted him to see him succeed. He wanted the rapper to be just as successful as Ye and Jay were.

• Entertainment

by Iman Milner

November 27, 2023

Black Executive Teams Up With Eastern European Investment Firm To Bring Hollywood Films To Region

Film producer Marvin Peart has partnered with the Georgian government and an investment firm to bring Hollywood to the region.

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Marvin Peart and his production company, WonderHill Studios, have partnered with the Georgian government and Eastern European investment firm Silk Road Group to increase the number of Hollywood productions being filmed in the country of Georgia, Deadline reports.

Peart and his partner, Bob Yari, who also helped to helm the hit series Yellowstone and Mayor of Kingstown, believe their newly minted production collaboration, JV WonderSilk Studios, a partnership between their company and Silk Road, will create an easier path for Hollywood studios and indie film producers to access local sites, tax credits (the country currently boasts a 20%-25% rebate), studios, personnel, and untapped talent.

“One of WonderHill Studios’ visions is to bring the greatest stories of the world from lesser-known countries to the silver-screens of America,” said Peart. “Today, standing at the gateway of east and west in the ancient country of Georgia, after listening to the legends of the Georgian Kings and Queens and the fascinating tales of the original nomads of Kazakhstan I’ve discovered that these great nations and I as an African American filmmaker and movie executive from Brooklyn have more in common than I had ever imagined.”

As it stands, one of the country’s few studio facilities is located in the capital city of Tbilisi and is responsible for more than half of all productions filmed in the area. The most recent American project to choose Georgia as its location was 2019’s F9: The Fast Saga, according to Deadline. However, the Chairman of Silk Road Group, George Ramishvili, sees the new partnership as one that will not only close the gap for Hollywood productions in the area but could potentially create greater understanding between the two cultures.

“Combined strength of the founders of the WonderSilk studios in direct cooperation with the Georgian Government will provide the best platform for engagement between Hollywood and Georgian film industry, and most importantly it will bring Georgian and American culture, history and the people even closer together,” he said.

Peart and Yari launched WonderhHill Studios in March to “fill a crucial hole within the theatrical and television space while also focusing on diversity in cinema and television in front and behind the camera”, Variety reports. Combined, the two Hollywood heavy hitters are responsible for over 50 film and TV productions.