Compton Pays Tribute to Eazy-E with ‘Eazy Street’ Unveiling
by Rafael Pena

November 15, 2023

Compton Pays Tribute to Eazy-E with ‘Eazy Street’ Unveiling

Compton, home of legendary rapper Eazy-E, is set to pay homage to its native son by renaming the 100 block of Auto Drive South, Eazy Street.

According to the L.A. Times, Compton, the city that birthed legendary rapper Eazy-E, is set to pay homage to its native son in a distinctive way. On Nov. 22, the city will officially rename the 100 block of Auto Drive South, now leading into the Gateway Towne Center shopping plaza, as “Eazy Street,” immortalizing the late rap icon.

Born and raised in Compton, Eazy-E, whose real name is Eric Lynn Wright, co-founded N.W.A. alongside Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, MC Ren, and Arabian Prince, influencing the West Coast rap scene with groundbreaking albums.

Erica Wright, Eazy-E’s daughter, expressed the profound significance of the event, stating to the LA Times, “My dad loved where he was from. Nothing could keep him from Compton. This will forever be a highlight in my life.” Reflecting on the symbolic gesture, Eric Darnell Wright Jr., known as Lil Eazy-E, emphasized, “The street naming serves as a symbol of recognition and commemoration, ensuring that our father has a legacy that will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”

Wright Jr., set to perform at the celebration alongside DJ Yella, lauded the initiative as a wonderful way for Compton to honor Eazy-E’s profound influence and cultural significance in the community. Eazy-E’s journey from a high school dropout involved in the drug trade to a hip-hop icon is a testament to his impact on the genre and the city of Compton.

Compton native Eric Lynn Wright, through N.W.A.’s debut album “Straight Outta Compton” and his solo project “Eazy-Duz-It,” played a pivotal role in reshaping the hip-hop landscape. These releases, under Wright’s label, Ruthless Records, marked a turning point for the genre, challenging East Coast dominance.

Alonzo Williams, often referred to as the godfather of West Coast hip-hop, heads the Compton Entertainment Chamber of Commerce and spearheaded the naming of Eazy Street. Williams, an early collaborator of Wright, emphasized the importance of the initiative in preserving Eazy-E’s legacy and showcasing Compton’s cultural contributions.

“People come to Compton to see what Compton has to offer,” said Williams to the LA Times, noting the lack of tourist attractions. In addition to Eazy Street, Williams envisions starting Compton’s own walk of fame, further celebrating the city’s rich cultural heritage.

As the city prepares for the unveiling of Eazy Street, Compton stands ready to honor the trailblazing rapper whose influence continues to resonate in the world of hip-hop.

Cop City
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 15, 2023

Hundreds Of ‘Stop Cop City’ Protestors Clash With Atlanta Police

The protestors were halted by police due to lacking a permit for the march.

As over 400 people gathered to protest “Cop City,” an area designated to become a massive police training facility in Atlanta, police and firefighters resorted to extreme measures to stunt their march.

According to the Associated Press, tear gas and flash-bang grenades were used by law enforcement during the Nov. 13 demonstration, deemed “Block Cop City,” as protestors marched for nearly 2 miles in the ongoing mission to stop the training site’s development.

Among the chants was “Viva Viva Tortuguita,” referring to the slain activist shot by police during a camp-out in the forest for the cause.

As the protestors and police began to collide, marchers donned equipment to protect against the commonly used chemicals to quash resistance efforts. The tension escalated as more tear gas was thrown; one protestor threw a canister back at the cops.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said law enforcement was brought out to stop the march because protestors lacked a permit. He suggested, based on their preparation by bringing gas masks, that their intentions were for violence to erupt.

March organizers were adamant that their activism is aligned with civil disobedience.

“The police continue to show themselves to be a group that is weaponized against the larger public, particularly the larger public that has the nerve to protest against police violence and police actions,” said Kamau Franklin of Community Movement Builders. Franklin also told protestors to refrain from vandalizing or damaging any persons or property.

The warning comes after 61 activist were indicted in August on racketeering charges obtained by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.

However, the fight against Cop City continue. Protestors argue that its completion would lead to damaging effects on the environment on the surrounding Black neighborhoods as well as an increased police presence in Atlanta.

Despite the physical escalation at the most recent demonstration, no arrests were made.

Deshaun Watson
by Derek Major

November 15, 2023

Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson Out For Season

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the rest of the season due to a fractured shoulder

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the rest of the NFL season due to a shoulder fracture.

According to ESPN, an MRI performed on Nov. 13 revealed Watson had a displaced fracture to the glenoid in his right shoulder. Team doctors say Watson needs immediate surgery in order to avoid further damage.

Watson, who has thrown for 1,115 yards seven touchdowns and four interceptions this season, is expected to be ready for the 2024 season.

The former Houston Texans quarterback, who returned two weeks ago against the Arizona Cardinals, had his best game since signing with Cleveland. He led the Browns from a two-touchdown fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Baltimore Ravens, 33-31.

According to the Browns, Watson suffered the injury during the first half of the game, but didn’t tell the team about his shoulder discomfort until after the game, which led to the MRI. A second MRI revealed Watson also suffered a high ankle sprain during the game.

Earlier this season, Watson missed four games due to a rotator cuff strain, but Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Wednesday the injury is unrelated to the shoulder fracture Watson suffered.

“We are very disappointed and devastated for Deshaun, especially given all that he has battled and gone through medically this season,” Berry said. “We look at this as an incredible challenge and opportunity for our organization.”

Berry added the Browns will attempt to sign another quarterback. Backup quarterback PJ Walker will likely start in Watson’s place, but he has struggled this season, throwing for 618 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions in five games.

The Browns, who have won four straight games, are currently 6-3 and tied for second place in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams are half a game behind the Ravens. The two second-place teams will play each other this weekend.

Ye, Kanye West, drake, Adidas, carnival, rant, independent, song, artist
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 15, 2023

Kanye West Recording New Music In Tranquil Saudi Arabia Desert

New image stills give a peek inside Kanye West’s serene studio set-up in the quiet desert of Saudi Arabia.

Kanye is getting back to the music after experiencing a huge drop in his net worth due to his antisemitic rants online and in the press. In recent months, Kanye has traveled the world with his current muse, Bianca Censori, and has been spotted in the studio with Ty Dolla Sign working on their collaboration.

On Nov. 13, new images surfaced online showing where Kanye has been hard at work on his upcoming music: the mini-tent community in Al-‘Ula, Saudi Arabia, that Kanye turned into a recording studio.

Ty Dolla Sign recently performed for fans and gave a huge update on his highly-anticipated collaboration album with him. “I just landed on a flight from Saudi Arabia,” Ty said in a video captured by Akademiks. “I’ve been out there recording a part of my album with my brother, Ye, and that’s coming real soon.”

Last month, Billboard announced a “multi-stadium listening event” with the pair that was scheduled for Nov. 3 but never happened. The announcement came a few weeks after sources revealed Kanye was shopping the joint album around to distributors and would “make a decision soon.”

The album will be Kanye’s first musical release since his fall from grace. In addition to losing his deals with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga, Def Jam’s parent company, Universal Music Group, also distanced itself from the artist.

“Def Jam’s relationship with Ye as a recording artist, Def Jam’s partnership with the GOOD Music label venture, and Ye’s merchandise agreement with Bravado all ended in 2021,” the label said at the time.

Ultimately, Kanye went from billionaire status back to a multi-millionaire in the blink of an eye. Since then, Kanye has taken an absence from social media and doing interviews and has seemingly been back at work on his music and fashion.

In October, Kanye made a bold move by filing a trademark for the name “YEWS” where he sought exclusive rights to the term in sectors like finance and fashion.

Spoken work poetry
by Daniel Johnson

November 15, 2023

Two Prairie View A&M Graduates Use Poetry And Education To Reach Youth In Houston

The pair held a school supply drive in October, which Howard says was inspired by an interaction he had with two students who were caught stealing uniforms and pastries from a nearby store.

Two Prairie View A&M graduates are using the power of poetry to help their community.

Varion Howard, a middle school counselor, and Jirma Proctor, a Houston Community College professor who has a doctorate in education, use their business, Poetry Lounge Houston, to create spaces for their community to come together.

Howard and Proctor met in 1994 as students at Prarie View A&M University and quickly bonded over their passions for poetry and community service.

Proctor told the Houston Chronicle, “We are very much tapped into what’s happening with our youth, especially our boys,” Proctor said. “We’re both inner-city kids, went to Prairie View A&M, discovered a different world, and benefited from being around others who helped.”

In 2000, Howard founded Poetry Lounge Houston, which is now the longest-running poetry venue in the city. Proctor uses the event to spotlight up-and-coming spoken word artists as well as Houston’s best spoken word artists. Proctor functions as its chief financial officer, while Howard performs and hosts. 

The pair held a school supply drive late in October, which Howard says was inspired by an interaction he had with two students who had been caught stealing uniforms and pastries from a nearby store. “When the student told me, ‘Tomorrow my brother is going to look like me’, I didn’t realize what he meant,” Howard told The Chronicle. “But he was saying that he and his brother didn’t have enough uniforms for school.

“This is our community, and there are a lot of obstacles in the way of our children with social media, bullying and trafficking. Uniforms and food should be the last thing they should have to worry about.” 

The pair’s backgrounds play a vital role in their efforts to create a positive change in and for the city’s youth.

“I’m from Sunnyside. Jirma is from Fifth Ward,” Howard said. “We come from underprivileged communities. We come from poverty. We know what many of these kids are going through, but I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for education. I don’t want to see our kids steal and struggle with basic needs to get an education.”

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NYC Landlord Arrested After Admitting He ‘Did Something Bad,’ Leading Police Officers To Three Dead Bodies
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 15, 2023

NYC Landlord Arrested After Admitting He ‘Did Something Bad,’ Leading Police Officers To Three Dead Bodies

David Daniel admitted to killing his girlfriend and two tenants

New York City police officers discovered three dead bodies after the landlord of the property went to the local precinct and told the police officers that he “did something bad.”

David Daniel appeared at the 113th Precinct station house on Nov. 14, and informed police officers that he was having issues with the tenants. When the officers arrived at the Queens residence in St. Albans, they discovered the three victims.

Daniel, 54, was arrested and charged with murder. He is currently in police custody while an investigation has been started.

“He just wanted to tell his story,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said, according to the Post.  Daniel “didn’t appear to be bloody” when he showed up at the stationhouse, Kenny said, calling his demeanor there “very matter of fact.”

The details where shared at press conference Tuesday with New York Police Department Assistant Chief Kevin Williams.

When police got to the home, all three victims, two women and a man, were unconscious and unresponsive. The police officers attempted to render aid to the victims, but when emergency responders arrived, they were pronounced dead at the scene. Two of the victims, a woman and a man, were discovered in a bedroom in the basement. The third victim was found upstairs in a bedroom. A knife was also recovered at the scene.

The New York Post reported that Daniel allegedly told police officers that one of the victims was his girlfriend while the other ones were his tenants. It is believed that the incident may be connected to a dispute over unpaid rent.

Kenny stated that the landlord Daniel told police officers “that he had problems with his girlfriend and that the two [people] in the basement had not been paying their rent.”

The police did not release any information on the identity of the victims.

SUNY Plattsburgh Reflects On Black Solidarity Day: Law, History, And The Fight For Justice
by Rafael Pena

November 15, 2023

SUNY Plattsburgh Reflects On Black Solidarity Day: Law, History, And The Fight For Justice

At SUNY Plattsburgh Black Solidarity Day Dr. Ricardo Nazario y Colón, unveiled insights into the systemic injustices confronting Black communities.

In a presentation at the SUNY Plattsburgh Black Solidarity Day on Nov. 6, Dr. Ricardo Nazario y Colón, senior vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion, discussed the historical and systemic injustices confronting Black communities.

Emphasizing the pivotal role of legal systems in perpetuating, sanctioning, or overlooking these challenges, his address, as reported by the Press-Republican, delved into the critical intersection of law and racial injustice that continues to shape the experiences of Black individuals.

Addressing students, faculty, and staff at the Angell College Center, Colón delved into the significance of days like Black Solidarity Day and the pivotal role of allyship in the ongoing fight for racial justice.

He remarked, “the historical and systemic injustices that Black people have faced are often perpetuated, sanctioned, or ignored by the very legal systems that are supposed to protect the rights of all citizens.”

Colón highlighted the historical struggle of Black individuals against laws enforcing enslavement, segregation, and discrimination, emphasizing that Black survival has been an act of defiance against laws that treated African Americans as property rather than people. He underlined the milestones achieved through relentless struggle, from the abolition of slavery to the Civil Rights Movement responding to the legal codification of racial discrimination.

“The importance of recognizing this context rests in acknowledging that laws have not always been just and that legal equality has yet to translate into actual equity. Education about these issues is vital, especially in contexts with a push against teaching this reality,” Colón said.

He stressed the importance of recognizing this historical context, emphasizing that legal equality has yet to translate into actual equity. Colón argued for the need for systemic change, highlighting that policy reforms and legal advocacy are crucial for bringing about transformation both within and outside the Black community.

In urging allies to understand this history, Colón emphasized the necessity of genuine empathy and practical solidarity. “It’s not enough to be non-racist; one must be actively anti-racist, which includes understanding and confronting the legacy and ongoing reality of legal injustice.”

Colón acknowledged the potential for law to be a tool for justice and equity. Lawyers, judges, and policymakers were cited as pivotal in transforming the law to serve as a means of protection and empowerment for marginalized communities. Active political engagement, legal literacy, and advocacy within Black communities were highlighted as essential elements for challenging and changing the system.

Colón concluded by placing Black Solidarity Day in context, describing it as a call to action for Black Americans to demonstrate their economic power and reflect upon their contributions to society. It serves as a day for unity, contemplation on political and social issues affecting the Black community, and a testament to the power of collective action.

New SAG-AFTRA Deal Demands Protections For Workers In AI Advancements, But There Are ‘Loopholes’
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 15, 2023

New SAG-AFTRA Deal Demands Protections For Workers In AI Advancements, But There Are ‘Loopholes’

Last week, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) ended their months-long strike

Details into SAG-AFTRA’s new deal with AMPTP reveal the protections actors will have against the use of artificial intelligence.

Last week, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) ended their months-long strike after reaching a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Over the weekend, SAG released details of the agreed AI terms of the deal which require consent and compensation for all actors, regardless of their status, Wired reports.

While the Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America reached new deals with AMPTP before SAG-AFTRA, the actors union made substantially further gains in its expansive protections against machine learning and other computer-generated technologies.

“There should be no AI. Only human beings should be used in what we create for public consumption,” SAG board member Anne-Marie Johnson told Variety. “Without staving off AI, everything we achieved is for naught. It’s a waste of time.”

Fellow SAG board member Shaan Sharma is still concerned about the “significant loopholes” in the AI language that left “existential threats to some of our categories of work.” While the deal requires consent and compensation for the use of AI to generate “digital doubles,” it does not prohibit AI or stop studios from training on actors’ performances to create “synthetic” performers.

Only if an AI-generated synthetic character has a recognizable facial feature of a real actor with the actor’s name being used in the prompt to generate that character, does the producer need to get the actor’s consent.

“We didn’t get any meaningful protection there,” Sharma said. “If the replica doesn’t give a clear impression that it’s you, none of the protections apply.”

Along with the limits on artificial intelligence, other takeaways from the new deal include minimum compensation increases of 7% effective immediately, CBS News reports. The pay increase will be followed by a 4% increase on July 1, 2024, and a 3.5% increase on July 1, 2025. Background actors, stand-ins, and photo doubles will receive an 11% increase along with 4% and 3.5% increases over the next two years.

There are new streaming bonuses put into place where actors receive “a success payment,” along with the usual residual payments, if involved in a streaming project that attracts a significant number of viewers. There also must be transparency in the streaming numbers with streaming producers now required to disclose the total number of hours content was streamed both in the U.S. and internationally for each quarter.

A minimum number for background actors has been placed as well as a relocation bonus for workers required to relocate for a series. Performers will receive $5,000 a month for six months — a 200% increase on the previous amount.

‘He Did Not Lean Into Being A Black Man’: Black Republicans Explore Tim Scott’s Failed Presidential Run
by Daniel Johnson

November 15, 2023

‘He Did Not Lean Into Being A Black Man’: Black Republicans Explore Tim Scott’s Failed Presidential Run

Black Republicans expected Scott’s campaign to highlight the growing diversity within the GOP. That never happened.

Black Republicans are disappointed with Sen. Tim Scott’s failed presidential run, according to a report from Politico.

Black conservatives expected Scott’s campaign to highlight the growing diversity within the GOP, but instead what they got was a candidate who used his status as the only Black Republican in the Senate to paint himself as a victim of unfair characterization from the left.

Republican strategists like Deanna Bass Williams, who worked on Ben Carson’s 2016 presidential campaign, wanted more discussion from the South Carolina senator about what it means to be a Black Republican.

“He did not lean into being a Black man,” Williams told Politico. “I always see the need to aggressively engage Black audiences, period.”

Despite the overall sentiment from Black Republicans regarding his use of race in his campaign, he had one shining moment while debating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis about state curricula that teaches that enslaved people were taught useful skills.

“There is not a redeeming quality in slavery,” Scott retorted. “America has suffered because of slavery, but we’ve overcome that.”

Black Republicans generally regarded that performance as one of Scott’s strongest, but also were left to wonder privately about what could have happened if he had leaned into that for the duration of his campaign. 

Scott never managed to capture more than 5% of the vote, which pales in comparison to recent runs from Black Republicans like Herman Cain and Carson. Carson was seen as a serious contender in 2016, at one point leading Donald Trump in some surveys of Republican voters. However, Scott’s campaign was more centered on policy, organization, and governing, which may have held him back.

Veteran Republican strategist Elroy Sailor told Politico, “Their campaigns were more celebrity driven. Tim Scott’s campaign is not celebrity driven.”

Sailor did point out one positive from Scott’s campaign. “I think he has proven that you can raise money. That is an early criticism that there used to be about African American Republicans that we didn’t have the ability to raise money,” Sailor said. “So I think he’s crossed that Rubicon.”

Scott himself seems to believe that his moment may have passed, as he explained in an Nov. 12 interview on Fox News with his longtime friend Trey Gowdy. Scott’s announcement even took his staff by surprise, according to Politico.

He said he would not endorse a candidate, and brushed off any suggestions at becoming vice president.

“When I go back to Iowa it will not be as a presidential candidate,” Scott said to Gowdy, who raised his eyebrows. “The voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet … They’re telling me, ‘not now, Tim.’ I don’t think they’re saying, Trey, ‘no,’ but I do (think) they’re saying, ‘not now.’”

RELATED CONTENT: Republican Tim Scott Drops Out 2024 Presidential Race On Live Television

Pharrell’s Black Ambition Demo Day Gifts Millions To Entrepreneurs
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 15, 2023

Pharrell’s Black Ambition Demo Day Gifts Millions To Entrepreneurs

The top prize winner went home with a $1 million equity investment in their company.

Pharrell Williams is giving back to uplift entrepreneurs through Black Ambition. As part of its 2023 Demo Day, the founder presented $3.2 million to 36 game-changers in their industries.

The $1 million pitch competition, conducted on Nov. 9 at Spring Studios in New York City, sought to uplift Black business owners and lessen the racial wealth gap through “Igniting Innovation.”

Pharrell spoke to AfroTech about what the future held for Black Ambition concerning mentorship opportunities for the recipients.

“Capital seems like it’s the hardest thing to raise, but the truth of the matter is if you’re lucky and you get the capital, you’re more than likely to blow it if you don’t know what you’re doing,” he said. “So mentorship can actually help you with foreseeable issues and to help you raise capital as well. It’s like that’s really the ultimate goal… is to have the right strategic scaffolding to help you move forward.”

Out of the 2,000 applicants to receive the grants, recipients were given equity investments between $20,000 and $250,000 to take their businesses to new heights. Antoinette Banks won the $1 million grand prize. She founded the AI-based educational app Expert IEP, which is inclusive in its design for parents with children who have disabilities.

“Black Ambition is a feeling. It’s an overwhelming drive to show up consistently in excellence to create lasting, unapologetic impact,” said Banks. “For so long, Black and Brown kids with learning differences have been underestimated and forgotten. Earning this $1 million prize puts our kids back in the forefront. It gets people thinking deeply about solving the problems in special education.”

Additional finalists include the HBCU Grand Prize winner for Monocle, a social e-reader to promote communal engagement in literature, and Gently Soap for sustainable skincare. With 101 investments made so far, Pharrell’s endeavor continues to provide opportunities for Black and Brown start-ups.

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