by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 3, 2023

Louisiana School Bus Driver Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting Student Captured On Video

Video captures Louisiana school bus driver strike a student aboard the vehicle.

A Louisiana school bus driver was arrested after he allegedly struck and choked one of the students aboard the vehicle. The attack was captured on cell phone video.

According to Fox 8 Live, 77-year-old Miles Jenkins faces a simple battery charge after officers from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested him following the incident. The student who was allegedly attacked attends Marrero Middle School, and the incident took place on Oct. 31. Jenkins reportedly resigned the next day.

First Student employed Jenkins, and the company released a statement after the incident.

“At First Student, we take our responsibility to provide a safe environment on our school buses very seriously. The interaction the driver had with the student was unacceptable. He has resigned. Given this is an active investigation, we are unable to comment further,” the statement read.

Police officers arrested Jenkins after a family member of the student called the police department. Video captured by a student on the bus shows Jenkins shoving the student. As the student tries to get out of his seat, Jenkins is seen pushing the student back and striking him on the head. The student pushes back, and that’s when Jenkins is seen pinning the student against the bus window, allegedly choking him.

A spokesperson from Jefferson Parish Schools, Kaela Lewis, said, “All bus drivers who transport our Jefferson Parish Schools students undergo state and federal background checks. They also undergo training before, and during, the period that they transport our students. The district provides thorough instructions to drivers in compliance with state and federal safety and operations guidelines and regulations.”

Lewis added, “Bus drivers for our transportation vendor, First Student, are required to know and abide by our district’s policies and procedures. To the extent that drivers fail to follow those policies and procedures, they are not fulfilling the requirements of their job.”

NOLA.com reported that after Jenkins was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna, he was granted bail at $500. He was released without having to pay because of overcrowding at the facility.

MAYOR Eric Adams, Fundraiser, Brianna Suggs

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 3, 2023

FBI Seizes Communication Items and Paperwork From New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Fundraising Chief In Home Raid

The FBI raided the home of New York City Mayor, Eric Adam's fundraising chief.

The FBI raided the home of New York City Mayor, Eric Adams’ fundraising chief, Brianna Suggs on Nov. 2. Agents reportedly took several items, including three iPhones and two laptop computers. They also seized papers and other evidence, including a “manila folder labeled Eric Adams,” seven “contribution card binders” and other materials, according to the documents.

The New York Times reported that Suggs’ home was targeted as part of an investigation into possible corruption of whether the mayor’s 2021 election campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive illegal foreign donations.

The investigation also includes an alleged kickback scheme that involved the Turkish government, a university in Washington DC, and a Brooklyn construction company.

According to CBS News, Adams was on his way to Washington D.C. Thursday formeetings but postponed them to return to deal with the matter.

Adams said he planned on cooperating with the inquiry.

“You probably heard the reports involving one of my campaign staffers, and listen, everyone knows me. I comply with the rules. We’re going to comply with any inquiry, and we will all do that. That is what we do. I have not been contacted by anyone involving this, and I’m just going to continue running this city, the greatest city on the globe,” Adams said.

The mayor was traveling Washington, D.C. to discuss New York City’s migrant situation. He posted a video via X, formerly known as Twitter.

On my way to DC to join my fellow mayors to talk with our federal partners about the asylum seeker crisis. Follow along throughout the day. pic.twitter.com/K6bvwP4gwQ

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) November 2, 2023

Vito Pitta, a lawyer for Adams’s 2021 and 2025 campaign, “The campaign will of course comply with any inquiries, as appropriate.” He added that Adams “has not been contacted as part of this inquiry.”

Investigators are looking for evidence that may bring charges that include the theft of federal funds and conspiracy to steal federal funds, wire fraud, and wire fraud conspiracy. They are also looking to see if there were campaign contributions by foreign nationals and conspiracy to make such contributions.

Suggs was also given a subpoena to testify before a federal grand jury hearing evidence in Manhattan.

She worked as an aide to Adams when he was Brooklyn borough president. City records reveal that in the past two years, she was paid nearly $100,000 from Adams’s re-election campaign. It covered fund-raising and campaign consulting services via her company, Suggs Solutions.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 3, 2023

Meagan Good Creates Vodka Line Flavors, Recipes for St. Royale

The vodka retails at $23 and can be purchased in stores such as Total Wine, Costco, Winn Dixie and Green’s Beverages and other locations across the south.

Actress Meagan Good is the latest star to have her own alcohol brand.

The multi-hyphenate star is partnering with Black-owned GreenLine Spirits to create a signature line of recipes and flavors with its St. Royale Vodka brand.

Good took to her Instagram page to share the new business venture with her fans.

“I am excited to announce my new partnership with @StRoyaleVodka. St. Royal Premium Vodka is unparalleled in purity + it’s unique handcrafted distillation process,” The actress wrote.

“Be sure to check out the new green tea lychee flavor I helped create. By far the best vodka I’ve ever tasted, and I’m excited for you all to try it + to share my unique recipes with everyone to enjoy.”

The My Cousin Skeeter star told People that she plans to go on a promotional bottle-signing tour in 2024.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meag G, Ms. Good~If Ya Nasty (@meagangood)

St. Royale vodka comes in two other flavors, green tea and peach green tea.

GreenLine Spirits, the company that owns St. Royal, was founded by Ted Fason. The former professional basketball player and real estate investor founded the award-winning vodka brand in 2016. Fason says he was inspired by the “enchanting surroundings” of Charleston, South Carolina, where the company is based.

“St. Royale Vodka, a boutique spirits brand rooted in the historic charm of Charleston, South Carolina proudly announces its establishment as a new and innovative player in the world of premium vodka,” the company’s website reads. “Crafted with dedication and a commitment to excellence, St. Royale Vodka embodies the rich heritage and Southern hospitality of Charleston, bringing a taste of the Lowcountry to connoisseurs around the globe.”

The vodka retails at $23 and can be purchased in stores across the South, including Total Wine, Costco, Winn Dixie and Green’s Beverages, or on the company’s website.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 3, 2023

North West Praises Kanye’s Parenting Over Kim Kardashian Due To No Nannies Or Lavish Lifestyle

North West prefers her time with Ye over the reality star because of the simpler life she lives with her dad.

Kim Kardashian is opening up about how much her eldest daughter North West prefers her time with Kanye West over the reality star because of the simpler life she lives with her dad.

The Skims mogul got candid on the latest episode of The Kardashians while explaining why North thinks Kanye is “the best” because he doesn’t have nannies or security, lives in an apartment, and eats instant Ramen with his children.

“She’ll go to her dad’s. She’ll be like, ‘Dad’s the best! He has it all figured out. He doesn’t have a nanny, he doesn’t have a chef, he doesn’t have security, he lives in an apartment,'” Kim said of the 10-year-old.

“And she’ll start crying: ‘Why don’t you have an apartment? I can’t believe we don’t have an apartment!’”

North is also proud of being able to make their “own food” when she’s with Kanye rather than the chef-curated meals she gets when at home in Calabasas with her billionaire mom.

“That’s amazing that you make ramen, you know?” Kim said of her daughter eating instant noodles with her dad.

Kim has been using the reality show to open up about her co-parenting relationship with Kanye. She filed for divorce in 2021; it was finalized last year.

She and Kanye share four children, North, 10, Saint, 7, Chicago, 5, and Psalm, 4. Kanye has admitted that Kim has the kids “80 percent of the time.” He spent his summer in Italy with his current spouse Bianca Censori where they offended locals with their revealing fashion and x-rated antics on a boat rental.

Last month, Kim opened up about being a single parent to her four children. “The struggles that my kids go through really have nothing to do with the amount of help that I have,” she said, as captured by People.

“Obviously, having nannies and a chef to help cook is beyond helpful. It’s all about family and enjoying these moments. It takes a village to raise kids, but at the end of the day, your kids only want you.”

Fans have been enjoying watching the at-home dynamic between Kim and North, who many say is a replica of her dad in seemingly humbling the reality superstar.

https://twitter.com/yzyupdates/status/1720068004015174015

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 3, 2023

Beary Different: Man Goes Viral After Grilling Black Bear Legs For Dinner

Other posts show Hardison's cooking skills and love for making delicious dishes like pork chops, lobster, chicken, and oxtails.

A man has gone viral and sparked a debate after grilling black bear legs for food.

It all started on Oct. 31 after an Instagram user by the name of Bernard Hardison shared the pair of black bear legs he was about to throw on the grill. The photo showed Hardison holding a pair of skinned black bear legs with the foot still containing the bear’s black fur and claws.

“Black bear legs hitting the grill soon💨💨💨🪵🪵🪵,” he captioned the post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bernard Hardison (@bsdiningexperiencesc)

He followed up with another post highlighting the “Black bear hams🪵🪵🪵🐻🐻🐻” he grilled. Hardison then went viral once The Shade Room caught wind of his eccentric food choices and reposted his bear grilling video to their page.

“Dem legs lookin too goodt! #Roomies, y’all down to try some bear legs or nah?🤔😋,” they wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

The video garnered mixed reactions with many questioning if it was legal, ethical, or even safe to eat black bear meat.

“I think I’ll pass on some honey roasted Winnie the Pooh thighs,” one user wrote.

“Y’all was asking when some new meat was going to come out. Here you go,” added someone else.

But one look at Hardison’s page will show you how open he is to eating all kinds of wild animals. One post shows Hardison grilling meat for his birria tacos. The head of an animal can be seen on the grill as Hardison works to prepare the meat stew or soup that’s made from goat, beef, lamb, mutton, or chicken.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bernard Hardison (@bsdiningexperiencesc)

Other posts show Hardison’s cooking skills and love for making delicious dishes like pork chops, lobster, chicken, and oxtails. The certified foodie has the streets talking and it might’ve been the marketing he needed for his chef business.

Khia Criticized After Charging Fan $10 For Selfie At Gas Station

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 3, 2023

Khia Criticized After Charging Fan $10 For Selfie At Gas Station

The "My Neck, My Back" rapper faces criticism after one fan took to Twitter.

Rapper Khia is under fire after she asked a fan for $10 for a selfie they took outside a gas station.

The “My Neck, My Back” rapper faced criticism after one fan took to Twitter on Nov. 2 to share their recent encounter. According to the female fan, after posing for a selfie with the rapper, Khia demanded $10 for the photo.

“She tried to charge me $10 for this gas station selfie in Atlanta & I was like, no ma’am,” the fan wrote. “Then she cursed me out, called me broke & tossed her new mixtape at me & then drove off in a minivan with her face on it.”

She tried to charge me $10 for this gas station selfie in Atlanta & I was like, no ma’am. Then she cursed me out, called me broke & tossed her new mixtape at me & then drove off in a minivan with her face on it. pic.twitter.com/7pU6BXU6dS
— Jehovah's Thickness (@ksmityyyy) November 2, 2023

Soon others were chiming in with their own experiences where Khia allegedly did the same thing.

“I believe it. Lady tried to charge me $5 to take a pic one time,” one person wrote.

“Oh y’all didn’t know Khia charge for pics? That’s been a known thing in Atlanta for a long time. That’s why you never see fan photos 😂😂,” added someone else.

Khia rose to fame in the year 2000 with her highest-charting single, “My Neck, My Back (Lick It).” The single charted at #42 on the Hot 100 chart and #12 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. She reportedly wrote the song in just 15 minutes.

But her fanfare soon fizzled out. Khia kept her name relevant through her podcast. After a fallout with TS Madison on their “Queens Court” show, Khia has continued voicing her opinion on the latest topics by herself on YouTube.

Apparently, she remains a true hustler and doesn’t do anything for free, including posing for selfies at a gas station. But she’s facing criticism for the supposed money grab.

“I wouldn’t even pay to see her perform. YouTube my neck my back is just fine 😂,” one person wrote on The Neighborhood Talk. One person said they got a photo with her free of charge, while another reminded fans how much Chris Brown charges for photos.

“Chris Brown charged 1k…..🤷🏽,” they wrote.

RELATED CONTENT: Bevel Grooming Company Showcases Installation At Atlanta’s OneMusicFest

Nonprofit Free And Just Sponsors Mobile Billboard Against House Speaker Mike Johnson

by Mary Spiller

November 3, 2023

Nonprofit Free And Just Sponsors Mobile Billboard Against House Speaker Mike Johnson

Free & Just as an organization is critiquing the new House Speaker for his fervent support in implementing a national abortion ban and making a legislative push to restrict access to abortion relation health care.

A Washington D.C. mobile billboard from the nonprofit Free & Just took shots at Louisiana Republican speaker Mike Johnson for his medically uninformed opinion on abortions. Sponsored to make the rounds at the end of next week, the billboard’s statement will be shown as Johnson continues to settle into his position as House leader.

The 501 c(4) non-profit will drive the billboard around college campuses in Capitol Hill and the busy D.C. area from Nov. 8 to 10. The mobile campaign has a path that will pass by the Hill and prominent universities like Howard University, American University, Georgetown University, and George Washington University.

Projected on the side of the truck, the billboard shows Johnson’s face with an ominous red backlight and a notable quote of his plastered across the front that reads, “Extremely Dangerous For Women,” the exact words he said about abortion.

Campaign director of Free & Just, Chrystian Woods, told The Hill, “Mike Johnson’s record speaks for itself. Now that Mike Johnson has become Speaker of the House, we are putting him on notice that we will not sit back and watch him roll back our freedoms.”

Woods explained that Free & Just wants to use the mobile billboard to spur people to call the newly elected Speaker of the House and convey the message that “Americans support abortion access.”

The nonprofit wants to shed light on Johnson’s controversial views on abortion, which were brought to the forefront after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. He’s been on record celebrating the Supreme Court decision and expressing his hopes to take it further to turn Louisiana into a zero-tolerance state for medical procedures.

He formerly based his anti-abortion legal push on his opinion that a “child in the womb [is a] unique human being with unique DNA” from the moment of its conception.

Johnson has already mentioned intentions to defund Planned Parenthood and even welcomed a law in Louisiana that would lay a heavy “1-10 year imprisonment and a $10 to $100,000 fine” on abortion care health providers for conducting the procedure or any post-procedure care.

Mike Johnson’s political career, moving from the House Judiciary Committee to Speaker, has sparked concerns from Free & Just on what abortion proposals he could bring to the House floor.

RELATED CONTENT: Abortion Rights Bring Ohio Voters To Polls Early

by Mary Spiller

November 3, 2023

Morris Brown College Welcomes Back Its Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha After 20 Years

After a long 20 years, Atlanta, Georgia’s Morris Brown College welcomed back a new addition to its Greek life scene.

After a long 20 years, Atlanta, Georgia’s Morris Brown College has welcomed back the Iota Chapter of the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha.

In the Nov. 1 celebratory video on the HBCU Graduate YouTube channel (see below), hundreds of Morris Brown College students came out to see the new line sing their honorary song, stroll, and be welcomed back onto campus. Students cheered as the Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha members walked the campus in their iconic Black and Gold robes.

The chapter’s return has been long awaited and fought for. As reported in a Morris Brown press release, the university has finally received its full accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools just last year. The 141-year-old college has been pushing for this achievement for 20 years. Not only is it now allowed to participate in the Federal Financial Aid program, but it also made room to support Greek Life and call back prominent fraternity chapters to campus that were previously put on pause.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity dedicates itself to developing future leaders by promoting brotherhood and emphasizing the importance of academic excellence. As the first intercollegiate Greek-letter organization founded for Black men in the United States, it began in December of 1906, with the Iota chapter coming on March 10, 1941, on the MBC campus.

The original organization began as a study group, and the new Iota line at Morris Brown has upheld the academic streak. They bolster an average grade point average of 3.7 while conducting required community service and advocacy work.

The fraternity’s mission statement promises “to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, dignity and freedom of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood and; to aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic, and intellectual status.”

The current president of the Iota Chapter, Brother James A. Lowe, serves under the principle that the basis of community outreach will be extended through time. By offering academic scholarships, the Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha is “committed to embodying the mission and vision of our revered fraternity.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 3, 2023

Tamar Braxton’s Ex-Husband Ordered To Pay Nearly $70K After Ignoring Jewelry Lawsuit

The songwriter has faced a number of financial hardships since his divorce including being sued for eviction, having to pay millions to Sony Music, and having his car repossessed.

Tamar Braxton’s ex-husband, Vince Herbert, is being forced to shell out nearly $70,000 after seemingly ignoring a lawsuit over custom-made jewelry.

The music producer has been hit with a default judgment and ordered to pay jeweler company Greene & Co International and owner Michael Greene a total of $68,856.96, Radar Online reports. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge made the ruling after Herbert failed to respond to the jeweler’s 2021 lawsuit despite being served with the legal paperwork.

The Streamline Records founder was sued for fraud and breach of contract after requesting seven custom pieces of jewelry in 2018. Herbert reportedly bragged about being able to pay for the jewelry and made mention of “his career, and his involvement in the music industry,” the suit states.

It was because of Herbert’s braggadocious claims that the jeweler allowed Tamar’s ex to open a line of credit and leave the store without paying for the seven custom pieces. While Herbert did write one check for $20,000, the jeweler claims it bounced.

“Immediately, via text messages with the [Herbert], [Greene & Co.] informed the [Herbert] that the check was returned for insufficient funds and inquired when the $20,000.00 and the remaining balance of the invoice would be paid in full,” the suit states.

Herbert made repeated promises claiming he would pay the $66,000 invoice, to no avail. Now he’s being forced to pay up after ignoring the lawsuit and repeated requests for payment.

It’s not the first time Herbert has failed to show up to court for a legal case. Following his 2017 divorce from Tamar, the singer was granted a default after Herbert failed to respond to the case.

The songwriter has faced a number of financial hardships since his divorce including being sued for eviction, having to pay millions to Sony Music, and having his car repossessed.

by Iman Milner

November 3, 2023

OneUnited Bank Launches AI-Driven Tool To Improve Financial Wellness In Black Communities And Help Close Racial Wealth Gap

The "financial wellness companion" is designed as an informative addition to the bank's app and is the first of its kind from a Black-owned institution.

OneUnited Bank, considered the nation’s largest Black-owned bank, has launched its AI-driven financial tool, WiseOne Insights, to help leverage financial literacy and close the racial wealth gap.

The “financial wellness companion” is designed as an informative addition to the bank’s app and is the first of its kind from a Black-owned institution.

“WiseOne Insights transcends conventional banking solutions,” said Kevin Cohee, chairman and CEO of OneUnited Bank. “As a financial wellness companion, it literally allows individuals to make better financial decisions, thus directly addressing the critical need for improved financial literacy in our society.”

WiseOne Insights operates on three foundational principles: protection, information, and guidance. The tools allow users to track everything from normal bill increases to new savings opportunities, as well as innovative strategies for debt reduction. OneUnited is banking on its advanced technology’s ability to empower “consumers nationwide to make well-informed financial choices” to further complement its commitment to “laying the foundation for building generational wealth.”

Financial illiteracy and lack of empowerment continue to plague the Black community, according to a report by the TIAA Institute, resulting in decreased numbers in overall economic well-being. Sixty-six percent of Black people reported that they were doing “OK financially” compared to 78% among whites, while the household net worth of Black people in 2016 was $17,600 compared to that of the $171,000 of their white peers. The report also highlighted the percentage of those holding a zero or negative net worth in both communities, which found 19% of Black people met the distinction compared to 9% of whites.

OneUnited Bank is a Massachusetts-chartered trust company headquartered in Boston. According to its website, it has over 100,000 customers. The country’s first Black digital bank, it is also registered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and certified as a community development financial institution by the United States Department of Treasury.