Mayor Muriel Bowser, Washington, Apple AirTag

by Stacy Jackson

November 3, 2023

Washington, D.C. Mayor Distributes Free AirTags To Help Combat Car Theft

Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C. wants to stave off his city’s increasing crime rates.

The number of car thefts in D.C. rose by 101% in 2023. That amounts to 5,916 reported car thefts and 754 carjackings this year alone. In comparison to September 2022, the total reported carjackings in September 2023 was 79, which is double the the previous year’s, according to the Daily Mail.

In a press conference, Mayor Bowser announced that residents in areas with the highest levels of reported carjackings will receive free Apple AirTags if they own an Apple device, or Tile Trackers for Android users. His announcement arrived a few months after New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a distribution of 500 AirTags in NYC’s 43rd Precinct to help ward off car thefts.

AirTags are a tracking device designed by Apple. If a car is stolen, its location can be tracked by searching the location of the AirTag on the Find My app.

“These tags and tiles will help MPD recover stolen vehicles and hold people accountable,” Bowser said.

“The word will also get out this is not a community to come in and steal cars.”

According to the outlet, truck and delivery drivers will also receive dashcams at the distribution. The number of tags to be distributed at the event has not been confirmed by Police Chief Pamela Smith.

“Motor vehicle thefts and unlawful use of vehicles are up 36 percent this year over last year,” said Smith.

Police will help install the tags in the cars and will not have access to locating the device.

The AirTag distribution will take place November 7-9. Residents are required to provide proof of residency and an address that is located in the areas eligible to receive the tracking device.

Urbanization’s Effects on The Sacred Forests of Benin, The Birthplace of Voodoo

by Jameelah Mullen

November 3, 2023

Urbanization’s Effects on The Sacred Forests of Benin, The Birthplace of Voodoo

The government has stepped in to protect the forests.

Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is considered the epicenter of the spiritual practice of Vodoun or Voodoo. Approximately 11% of the country’s population are practitioners of the ancient religion. Benin’s lush forests play a pivotal role in the faith, as they are considered homes to the sacred spirits.

The woodlands, which have been vulnerable to anti-Voodoo attackers for several decades, now face further threats due to urbanization. Aside from being an environmental issue, some residents say that mass urbanization poses a historical and cultural threat to their society. Some Vodouisants (practitioners of Vodoun) say that when spirits are disturbed, they can inflict sickness, death, and war.

Residents in the village of Houeyogbe said they saw an increase in illnesses and inexplicable deaths after they agreed to allow the government to cut down forests. Residents told The Associated Press that urbanization caused the spirits to release a plague on their village.

Similar claims have been made by employees working in a gas station that stands on the grounds where the sacred forest, Aveleketezou, once stood. Employees claimed that they filled cars up with gas which then turned into water.

The Associated Press has not been able to verify these claims.

Dada Daagbo Hounon Hounan II, referred to as the World’s Supreme Spiritual Voodoo Chief, spoke about the negative consequences of deforestation.

“Human beings are sacred and inviolable and must be respected. Whoever destroys a human being destroys the environment. The consequences won’t impact only one person, but it will impact everyone in time and space,” he told Africa News.

The Circle for Safeguarding of Natural Resources is a local organization that helps raise awareness about the dangers of deforestation, while showing residents how to monetize the forest’s natural resources through honey-making and snail farming.

Bienvenu Bossou, the executive director of the group, told Africa News that Benin’s sacred forests are diminishing at an alarming rate.

“Agriculture is the main threat for the forests, and that’s due to poverty. As populations are poor, they can’t afford to buy fertilizer or gas for energy. From 2001 to 2012, we noticed that 14% of the sacred forests disappeared and 30% of the forests have been badly degraded, meaning that a huge part of their surface area decreased,” Bossou said.

The government has stepped in to protect the forests. It has banned cutting down trees without state approval. They have also invested approximately $3 billion into culture and tourism, which will indirectly help preserve the forests.

errors, medical, billing, bills, retirement, account, Jonson, money, investment, get on track

by Rafael Pena

November 3, 2023

Black Men Debate What It Means To Be A ‘Real Man’ Vs. Splitting The Bills

The discourse reminds us that concepts of masculinity are as complex and varied as the individuals who embody it and those who judge it.

In a controversial TikTok video posted Oct. 28, two Black men engaged in a candid conversation about finances, family and what it means to be “a real man” in today’s world. Their divergent approaches to handling finances and household responsibilities painted a portrait of masculinity as diverse as the community they call home.

The conversation introduced viewers to the “50/50 man,” an hourly-wage worker who has had his share of financial challenges. With vigor, he opened up about how he feels his masculinity is being questioned:

“Oh I’m ‘not a man’ if I’m going 50/50 with my woman, it’s hard brother. You sit up here in your nice house, nice jewelry, nice cars, ‘aww yeah man you gotta do 100%..’ How? How brother!? If I’m making $14 an hour what do you expect!? You know, you still on that 100% ‘you not a man, you not a man.’ How? I’m still working, I’m still providing right? So what makes me not be a man, ‘cause I’m going 50/50 with my woman?”

On the other side sat a more “traditional man,” a prosperous entrepreneur who has worked hard to accumulate wealth over the years. He passionately discussed the reason he defined “masculinity” as being head of his household:

“Brother I applaud you, but I understand it is hard out here. But we are men, so we have to go harder. I’m not saying or trying to speak down to you, my brother, by any means necessary, I’m not, but I want you to be reminded of something our fathers didn’t teach us, that we must go hard, and that we shouldn’t get into a relationship with a woman until we have direction.”

@straighttalknobs
Conversation gets heated between a Traditional man vs a 50/50 man #traditionalmen 50/50men #realtalk #straighttalknobs #uncomfortableconversations
♬ original sound – Straight Talk No BS Podcast

Their different approaches to family life highlighted the multifaceted nature of modern masculinity.

The entrepreneur represents the primary breadwinner, while the the lower earner stands on partnership and support in the face of economic challenges.

The conversation between these two Black men encapsulates the diversity of what it means to be a man in today’s world — but also sparked a “heated debate” among social media users:

“50/50 men always have an attitude,” one TikTok user responded.

“He is so defensive he can’t understand the message,” another commented.

On Instagram, rapper The Game offered his two cents on the subject, stating, “If you can’t afford to take care of your household 100%…. As a man just stay single or alone until you can.”

Game continued: “A woman has duties in the home that are not easy at all, that I consider equal to the work that is required to financially secure that home.”

The conversation garnered upward of 19,000 comments on IG and over 1.7 million views on TikTok. The discourse reminds us that concepts of masculinity are as complex and varied as the individuals who embody it and those who judge it.

by Atiya Jordan

November 2, 2023

Homeschooling Rates Are Skyrocketing, Here’s Why

In the school year following the onset of the pandemic, more parents took action towards their children's education.

In the school year following the onset of the pandemic, more parents took action towards their children’s education. Homeschool enrollment rose by 30%, according to an Urban Institute study, and continues to soar as the country’s fastest-growing form of education.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, homeschooling increased across all racial and ethnic groups, but none witnessed the same dramatic upward trend as Black families. According to data collected by the Census Bureau, only about 3% of Black families were homeschooling in the beginning of 2020, compared to 16% by October of the same year.

A recent Washington Post analysis determined that the number of homeschooled children has outpaced the 7% growth in private school enrollment and 4% decline in public school enrollment. After analyzing data from 32 states and the District of Columbia, the results found a 51% increase in homeschooled children in the U.S. since 2017. Washington, D.C., witnessed the most significant surge of 108% more homeschooled students. States that ranked behind the U.S. capital were New York with an increase of 103%, South Dakota with 94%, and Rhode Island with 91%.

The rise of Black homeschooling looks like Black families banding together to educate their children on their own terms. From creating community pods and BIPOC-centered spaces of refuge, the movement is in response to educational racial disparities, gun violence in schools, the scaling back of inclusive education, and more.

BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported that Black homeschooling families cited a desire to “shield their children from racial or other forms of bullying, teachers’ low expectations, and failing schools.” While the COVID-19 pandemic a catalyst, many Black parents are also concerned to their children falling victim to the school-to-prison pipeline and frustrated by banned books and the prevalence of white-washed history lessons.

Tralandra Stewart was inspired to create Home Grown Homeschoolers after her children and others in the district couldn’t explain what they learned about Black history at their local Cypress, TX, school. Alongside other mothers, Stewart pulled her three children from public schools outside of Houston and decided to co-educate their kids together.

“Teachers’ hands are being tied,” Stewart previously told WFAA. “Laws are being made, and things are being fought in the political realm, to keep history — our history — out completely. That’s erasing who we are. And my children deserve better than that.”

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A post shared by Home Grown Homeschoolers Inc. (@hghallday_everyday)

Other Black communities who have joined the homeschooling movement include African American Homeschool Moms in New Jersey, Stewart’s Home Grown Homeschoolers Inc. in the Houston area, the Cultural Roots Co-Op in Virginia, among many others.

What are parents saying today?

School violence and shootings: The Post analysis determined that 62% of parents choose to homeschool their children out of fear of school shootings. In such cases where violent incidents were more frequent, 29% of majority Black schools recorded 20 or more incidents, compared to 22% of Hispanic and 16% of White schools.
Bullying: 58% of parents choose against public schools due to bullying concerns. Despite representing only 15% of the public school population, 35% of Black students are bullied because of their race.
School choice: The homeschooling surge is met with an ambitious push for school choice. In fact, the Center on Reinventing Public Education’s research showed that Blacks were more than twice as likely as whites to report that their children were happier in pods by a whopping 52% to 25%. There is evidently more trust in the educators leading the children than those in public schools.
White-washed history and banned books: Results from a September poll indicated that some parents decided to homeschool their children out of concern that public schools are excluding Black authors from the curriculum and rewriting history to ignore non-white perspectives.

Bevel Grooming Company Showcases Installation At Atlanta’s OneMusicFest

by Lauren Nutall

November 2, 2023

Bevel Grooming Company Showcases Installation At Atlanta’s OneMusicFest

Popular men’s grooming brand Bevel unveiled its ‘Respect Due’ interactive installation at last weekend’s OneMusicFestival in Atlanta to celebrate its 10th anniversary and in honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.

Between Oct. 28-29, hundreds of people took part in the festivities, which included an appearance from rapper Smino, who did a live musical performance at the event and conducted a meet-and-greet at Bevel’s exhibition.

Bevel’s shop activation also offered free haircuts from celebrity barbers like Lauren Owens, Marcus Harvey, and Jeremy DuBose and let attendees sample some of the brand’s most popular items such as Bevel Hair Oil, Bevel Pro All-in-One Trimmer, and its newest product, the Bevel Electric Shaver.

“Our interactive activation at One Musicfest was our love letter to hip-hop,” Bevel’s Director of Brand Marketing, Girard Hardy, told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Bevel is the first grooming business completely catered to Black men, according to its website.

“We’re Black founded, and because of that, we’re just built different. We pour our heart and community into everything we do,” it reads. The company website also features informative videos and masterclasses for Black men, like how to achieve the perfect shape-up at home.

According to Yahoo Finance News, the company was formed by Tristan Walker in 2013 as part of his health and beauty company, Walker & Company Brands. Since its founding, Bevel’s social profile has only increased, gaining over 125K followers across Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.

jail, doc, investigation, Kristin Clarke

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 2, 2023

US Justice Department To Probe Conditions At South Carolina Jails

Originally Reported by Reuters

WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday initiated civil rights investigations into two local South Carolina jails, including one facility where a man died after being tased and pepper sprayed in his cell, a top department official said.

The probe will examine whether there are systemic civil rights violations at the two jails and focus on issues such as access to medical and mental healthcare, use of force by jail staff and whether incarcerated people are protected from violence, said Kristen Clarke, the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“People confined in local jails across our country do not abandon their civil and constitutional rights at the jailhouse door,” Clarke said during a virtual press conference.

Local officials overseeing both jails said they welcomed the investigations and have been working to improve conditions in both facilities.

The investigation comes after the high-profile death of an inmate at one of the jails under investigation, the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston, South Carolina, in 2021.

Jamal Sutherland died after jail staff repeatedly tased and pepper sprayed him when he refused to leave his cell to attend a bond hearing.

The death of Sutherland, who was Black and reportedly said “I can’t breathe” during the encounter, drew comparisons to the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The Justice Department said last year it would not bring charges against two former officers involved in Sutherland’s death.

Clarke said on Thursday that there have been eight deaths in the same jail since 2022, including a man who died after being denied access to prescribed psychiatric medications.

Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano, whose office oversees the jail, said in a statement the facility was going “above and beyond our call of duty to provide assistance on mental health concerns.”

The other jail under investigation, the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia, South Carolina, has seen at least six inmate deaths since February 2022.

Clarke said local officials in South Carolina have pledged to cooperate with the investigations. If the probes reveal a pattern of constitutional violations, Clarke said the Justice Department would negotiate with jail officials on proposed reforms.

Breast Cancer, diagnosed, diagnosis, before, expecting, after, living with breast cancer, women, breast cancer awareness week, Breast Cancer Awareness

by Kandiss Edwards

November 2, 2023

These Organizations Help Before, During And After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Surviving breast cancer does not mean that the journey is over.

Every October the nation’s attention turns toward breast cancer awareness. A lot of messaging during this month of awareness seems to focus on a push for a cure not necessarily the push for survival. The ask for donations increases and a heightened visibility around breast cancer can be seen via social media. People adorn their attire with pink accouterments, and many survivors are given a platform to tell their stories.

Sharing resources is another level of breast cancer awareness to consider for those at risk for the disease and those coping post-diagnosis. BLACK ENTERPRISE has sourced a number of organizations that are helpful and committed to tackling the challenges Black women face when dealing with the disease.

Before Diagnosis

The hope is that you and your loved ones never have to battle with breast cancer. For many that will be the case. Before we know whether or not we need to pick up our spiritual and mental armor we need to know our diagnosis. That’s where pre-screening measures like self-exams and mammograms come into play.

Breastcancer.org cites the average cost for services surrounding prescreening is “$1,186.02 for deductible plans.” With inflation kicking Black Americans in the wallet these costs are far from pocket change.

To help with the exorbitant costs Many states have tools, like this one by the Georgia Department Of Health, in place to help with early breast cancer screening and mammograms.

Donate to support free resources and programming for people affected by breast cancer., prescreening is vital.

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A post shared by GA Dept. of Public Health (@georgiadph)

Diagnosed While Expecting

If you are an expectant parent and receive a breast cancer diagnosis your concern doubles. Not only do you need to consider your health, but you must also consider the health of your unborn child. Navigating the complexities of pregnancy and treatment can be daunting. National Cancer Institute says, “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in pregnant and postpartum women and occurs in about 1 in 3,000 pregnant women.” Their website offers a guide to give pregnant women an idea of what to expect when expecting in conjunction with a breast cancer diagnosis.

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A post shared by Cancer Research UK (@cr_uk)

Funding After Diagnosis

Once diagnosed the need to strategize, research and act takes precedence. Trips to the doctor will become the norm. The choice to prioritize your bills as opposed to your health can be tempting. Organizations like The Keep A Breast Foundation recognize the financial struggle that can arise as a result of a breast cancer diagnosis. The Keep A Breast Foundation not only raises funds for research, it also helps support Black women living with breast cancer.

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A post shared by Keep A Breast Foundation: Breast Cancer Nonprofit (@keepabreast)

Limited Treatment Options

Sometimes chemotherapy, mastectomies, and radiation are not viable treatments for breast cancer. According to Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, 15% of all breast cancers diagnosed are (TNBC) Triple Negative Breast Cancer. TNBC is resistant to conventional chemotherapy and is closely associated with relapse progression to stage 4. When the standard treatments for breast cancer are not viable, clinical trials offer hope. Organizations like When We Trial offer education surrounding clinical trials. They also help connect Black women with organizations conducting clinical trials and testimonies from survivors.

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A post shared by Touch Black Breast Cancer (@touchbbca)

Living Beyond Diagnosis

Surviving breast cancer does not mean that the journey is over. Dealing with the toll of such a physically taxing disease can be daunting. Survivors still endure regular check-ups, residual pain, neuropathy, post-op care, and a host of other things in the name of survival. Finding a community can be a way to help fill information gaps and engage with a community that understands the cost of survival. Living Beyond Breast Cancer is an organization dedicated to creating a community for those who are blessed and sometimes burdened with survival.

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James Smith, fbi, Eric adams, Brianna, Suggs

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 2, 2023

FBI Searches Home Of New York Mayor’s Chief Campaign Fundraiser

Originally Reported by Reuters

NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters) – FBI agents searched the home of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ chief election campaign fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, on Thursday, and she was questioned by public corruption investigators, city officials and local media reported.

Adams, a Democrat, had traveled to Washington on Thursday for meetings with U.S. government officials about the city’s shelter crisis for asylum seekers and other recently arrived migrants, but abruptly canceled those meetings to return to New York.

“The mayor heard of an issue related to the campaign, and takes these issues seriously, so wanted to get back to New York as quickly as possible,” Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for the mayor, wrote in an email.

Suggs has worked for Adams since 2017, starting as an intern in his office when he was the Brooklyn borough president, according to her profile on the LinkedIn social media network.

She managed the raising of $18.4 million for Adams’ successful mayor election campaign in 2021, and has overseen the amassing of more than $2.7 million in contributions for his 2025 reelection campaign, according to campaign finance disclosures.

Suggs could not be reached for comment. Spokespeople for the FBI did not respond to requests for comment.

Asked about the search, a spokesperson for Adams’ election campaign shared a statement from campaign counsel Vito Pitta: “Mayor Adams has not been contacted as part of this inquiry. He has always held the campaign to the highest standards.”

An FBI spokesperson confirmed to the New York Times that it was carrying out a “law enforcement action” at Suggs’ home in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood, the paper reported. The Times, citing an unnamed person with knowledge of the raid, said Suggs was questioned by agents from one of the FBI’s public corruption squads.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 2, 2023

Young Thug YSL Trial Secures Jury Selection After 10 Months

The Young Thug YSL trial is finally set to begin now that after more than 10 months a jury has been selected.

In what’s become the longest jury selection in Georgia judicial history, rapper Young Thug, real name Jeffery “Young Thug” Williams, is finally headed to trial, Rolling Stone reports. Nine women and three men were selected to determine if Williams is guilty of orchestrating the 2015 drive-by murder of Donovan “Peanut” Thomas.

The “Lifestyle” rapper is facing RICO charges in connection with allegedly leading Atlanta’s YSL gang in a war against rival gangs that left multiple people wounded or dead. 28 people were included in the original indictment, including Sergio “Gunna” Kitchens, with only seven remaining in the case.

Gunna and Williams’ brother Quantavious “Unfoonk” Grier accepted plea deals and received lengthy probation sentences instead of staying in jail. Meanwhile, Thug has been incarcerated in Cobb County jail since May 2022 awaiting trial that will determine his fate.

The trial is now scheduled to begin on November 27, the Monday after Thanksgiving. Jurors were instructed on how to get into and out of the courtroom without interacting with the public and are being prevented from posting anything related to the trial on social media, as it would lead to a mistrial in what’s already become the longest-running criminal case in Georgia history.

“You’re going to tell on yourselves, or somebody is going to tell on you,” Judge Ural Glanville said. “We’ve taken a long time – 10 months – to assemble a jury that is fair, just and lawful. Be mindful of the admonitions of this court.”

It remains unclear if Thug’s rap lyrics will be used against him during the trial. In June, he spoke on this from a prerecorded phone call that was played at Hot 97’s Summer Jam, Vulture reports.

“I always use my music as a form of artistic expression, and I see now that Black artists and rappers don’t have that freedom,” he said. “Everybody please sign the Protect Black Art petition and keep praying for us. I love you all.”

RELATED CONTENT: Young Thug’s Father Questions Why Trump Got Bond For RICO Charges But Not His Son

by Stacy Jackson

November 2, 2023

Taraji P. Henson Says Launching Haircare Line Was ‘Out Of My Own Necessity’

The “Hidden Figures” star opened up about her personal hair journey that led to the 2020 launch of her vegan haircare line, TPH by Taraji.

Oscar-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson never imagined that running a haircare line would be part of her story.

The “Hidden Figures” star opened up about her personal hair journey that led to the 2020 launch of her vegan haircare line, TPH by Taraji. “I’ll just never forget when I had to do my own hair for the first time,” Henson told LA Times. “I was in the mirror and I was crying. I had the brush and the comb stuck in my hair.” Henson recalled a moment when she had to get her hair done on set of the 2001 film, “Baby Boy.” She was embarrassed for the stylist to see her roots because her relaxed hair at the time was due for a touch-up.

It wasn’t until she had a positive experience at a salon owned by another Hollywood stylist, that she began to fall in love with her natural hair. Henson went natural at the age of 30. Finding a product that would clean her scalp while wearing her protective styles was a challenge that inspired the actress to create her own scalp-care concoction. “I understood very young that your scalp is your foundation,” Henson said. “It needs to be healthy in order for your hair to grow. But now I have this weave and all of this, how do I clean my scalp? So that was a real problem for me that I had to find a solution to, but I never saw myself starting a haircare line. It was literally out of my own necessity.”

The entrepreneur was able to test her concoction during a vacation with a friend. Henson’s friend and her daughter were irritated by itchy scalps under their weaves and were relieved after trying the product. Henson’s creation was the blueprint for TPH’s master cleanse scalp wash.

Henson is impressed by the amount of Black women who have broken into the haircare market with their brands like Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross, Sienna Naturals by Issa Rae and Hannah Diop, Flawless by Gabrielle Union and 4U by Tia Mowry.

“No one cared about our hair but us and now, all of a sudden, you got all these big brands, now they got natural [hair] commercials.”

She said it shows the “deep economic power we’re proving that we have as Black women.”

TPH by Taraji offers a range of products made to improve scalp health and all hair textures. The line features shampoos, scalp masks and curl creams made without parabens or sulfates. The latest launch includes hair strengthening products made with biotin and Jamaican castor oil. Henson also launched a collection of products that uses apple cider vinegar remove build-up that can occur from wearing protective styles. TPH products are available at Walmart, Sally Beauty, Target, CVS and Walgreens.