Kevin Federline, Shar Jackson, Brittany spears
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 30, 2023

Shar Jackson Shares Her Side Of Love Triangle With Kevin Federline And Britney Spears

Britney Spears is speaking her truth in her new memoir, which has prompted Shar Jackson to recall the betrayal she felt by the pop star and Kevin Federline.

Britney Spears is speaking her truth in her new memoir, which has prompted Shar Jackson to recall the betrayal she felt by the pop star and Kevin Federline.

Jackson is speaking out against Spears amid the release of The Woman in Me, Spears’ memoir in which she shares details about their shared ex, Kevin Federline (K-Fed). While the “Baby One More Time” pop star speaks on how “clueless” she was about Federline’s situation with Jackson, the Moesha star is calling out Spears for starting her three-year romance with Federline while Jackson was six months pregnant with their second child.

“When Kevin met Britney we had three kids and one on the way and we were living in a six-bedroom house in Orange County, California,” Jackson told Daily Mail in an interview published Friday.

“One day, when I had bad morning sickness and was about six months pregnant, Kevin had an audition for a Coke commercial or something in LA … then I didn’t hear from him for three days.”

According to Jackson, she soon learned that Federline met Spears that same night.

“I felt angry and betrayed and I went numb. I went onto autopilot,” she recalled.

Spears claims she had already been dating Federline for “a while” before a friend revealed to her he was still involved with Jackson and shared three children with her. Federline and Jackson already had a daughter named Kori, and he helped raise her two children from a previous relationship. They were expecting their second child together (Jackson’s fourth) at the time Federline embarked on a public high-profile romance with the international pop star.

However, according to Jackson, Spears was well aware of Federline’s relationship status and even waited outside the Orange County hospital when he and Jackson welcomed their son Kaleb. Spears and Federline would go on to get engaged days after Kaleb was born.

“I think [Spears’] relationship with Kevin was a fantasy for both of them,” Jackson said. “I never hated Kevin because if you really love someone you can’t hate them.”

Spears and Federline were married from 2004 to 2007 and had two sons, Sean Preston, 18, and Jayden James, 17.

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Diddy, Lawyer, Federal Raid
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 30, 2023

Diddy’s ‘Off The Grid’ Film Inspired By ‘The Love Album’

Diddy is continuing the conversation around his latest music release by releasing a film inspired by it.

Diddy is continuing the conversation around his latest music release by releasing a film inspired by the project.

On Monday, Oct. 30, Diddy took to Instagram to share the trailer for his new film, Off the Grid, an extension of his new EP, The Love Album.

“Watch the official trailer to my new movie “Off The Grid”! Coming to a theatre near you soon!” he captioned his post.

The film stars Diddy and model Eva Apio and is likely to be a visual of his 27-track album that includes features from A-listers including 21 Savage, Summer Walker, Mary J. Blige, Burna Boy, Justin Bieber, Bryson Tiller, Coco Jones, and Teyana Taylor. No official release date has been announced.

Released last month on Diddy’s new Love Records label, the album, his first solo release in 17 years, was inspired by the “love era” he’s currently in.

“It’s been three years in the making and I stepped away from music for a while — just going through life’s peaks and valleys,” he told USA Today. “And to be able to return back to music, my first love, and to put out some great R&B music for y’all today is incredible.”

For Diddy, who legally changed his name to Love, he wanted to bring the love back to the R&B scene and created the album on his new R&B-focused record label.

“In R&B, as far as the genre of music, I feel it was missing that love frequency, that baby-making music,” Diddy said. “Yeah, something for your wife, your significant other to enjoy.

“I’m in a love era,” he added. “That’s the frequency that I’m in and I’m giving the world.”

Fans are expressing their support for the new romance-driven film that highlights the beauty of Black love.

“It looks like Off the Grid will be Queen & Slim 2023!🔥🔥🔥,” one person wrote.

“This whole movie look like a music video,” added someone else.

RELATED CONTENT: Diddy Donates $1 Million To Howard University At Homecoming

Kanye West, Ye, Mental Health, Adidas
by Rafael Pena

October 30, 2023

Ye Wasn’t Allowed Mental Health Treatment Under Contract With Adidas

As reported by Fast Company, back in 2013 Ye signed a groundbreaking contract with Adidas, one that promised him 15% of royalties from Yeezy sales, ultimately propelling him into billionaire status. Fast-forward to 2016, when West sought to extend that contract and Adidas inserted a morals clause into the agreement. That clause allowed Adidas to terminate the contract based on specific behaviors, including felony conviction, bankruptcy, mental health issues, or any actions that could bring “disrepute, contempt, scandal” to Ye or tarnish the Adidas brand, according to The New York Times.

What makes this situation unique is the inclusion of an additional clause that raised eyebrows: “30 consecutive days of mental health or substance abuse treatment.”

In essence, Ye, who later revealed his diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2016, received a month of care for his mental health and well-being. He risked losing a significant portion of his Yeezy empire, amounting to billions.

While Adidas was legally within its rights to end the deal, many question the ethics of including such a provision, especially when it’s a public figure grappling with mental health issues. Alexandra Roberts, a professor of law and media, noted that it’s unusual to see a mental health clause in a contract, suggesting that Adidas may have formulated its morals clause based on what it already knew about Ye.

During the partnership with Adidas, reports emerged detailing Ye’s erratic behavior, anti-Semitic comments, and incidents of exposing employees to explicit content. Despite this, Adidas stuck by him longer than many believed it should have. But Adidas never invoked the morals clause following Ye seeking mental health or substance abuse treatment.

Morals clauses are a common feature in celebrity endorsements and high-level white-collar contracts, designed to provide a legal exit should a scandal damage a brand’s reputation. There is technically no limit to what such clauses could cover, with potential reputational harm dictating their scope.

While these clauses may seem awkward, not having them can lead to regrets, as evidenced by Amazon’s reluctance to part ways with Woody Allen after his #MeToo scandal. A well-drafted morals clause could have protected the company’s interests.

In the case of Adidas and Ye, it’s unclear how the rapper’s mental health treatment could have harmed Adidas’s reputation, especially considering his history of controversial comments and erratic behavior. Mental health, an increasingly vital concern for many, had become a central theme in Ye’s public persona. Adidas and Ye had already witnessed his struggles with mental instability, which he openly discussed in his album Life of Pablo.

In a world where 37% of people report feeling anxious or depressed, mental health has taken on new importance. This may explain why 42% of individuals with access to mental health benefits are more likely to stay with their employers. However, celebrities like Ye face different rules compared to traditional employees. They might encounter moral clauses that regular employees wouldn’t, given the unique nature of their endorsements.

“Mental health counseling? I don’t have empirical data on this, but…I don’t think I’ve seen it [in a contract] before,” said Roberts, professor of law and media at Northeastern University School of Law. “It feels like Adidas was defining its morals clause in part based upon what they already knew about Ye.” 

The very existence of such a clause remains a matter of concern, especially given the broader implications for mental health treatment. While we can’t ascertain if this clause impacted Ye’s decisions regarding treatment, it sheds light on a legal and ethical problem surrounding public figures and their mental health. Ultimately, it raises crucial questions about the rights and treatment of individuals in various employment arrangements.

RELATED CONTENT: Kanye West Abandons Presidential Dreams, Will Not Run in 2024, Lawyer Says

Ben Carson, Republican, Politics, Trump
by Daniel Johnson

October 30, 2023

Ben Carson Endorses Donald Trump—Again

During a campaign stop in Iowa former President Donald Trump was joined onstage by his one-time Housing Secretary Ben Carson. The former surgeon endorsed the disgraced leader.

According to The Hill, on Oct 29, while Carson was introducing Trump at the campaign event, he also endorsed him. Carson told the crowd, “As I stand here today, I want to offer my most confident and full endorsement of Donald J. Trump,” Carson said. “Donald Trump believes in our freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to keep and bear arms,” he added. “So we can fix our country, and we can make America great again. And President Donald J. Trump is the person to do that.”

Carson seems to be impressed by the fact that Trump is continuing his run for President of the United States of America while he is in the middle of court battles, as Carson continued praising Trump unequivocally, “Donald Trump lost millions if not billions of dollars. And he’s been attacked constantly and demonized, and yet, he’s still there. They haven’t gotten rid of him. They’re trying to do everything in their power to get rid of [him]. Because he’s the biggest threat to the administrative state and to the swamp.”

Carson also followed up this resounding endorsement of Trump with a post on X, saying, “Our nation is in desperate need of strong leadership—a President who fights for the American people, our freedoms, our safety, and our future. Donald J. Trump is that leader, and I am proud to give him my full endorsement for President of the United States today. Join me in this fight to Make America Great Again!”

Carson’s pivot to Trump supporter after running against him in the 2016 election was encapsulated by Carson in a 2020 op-ed for USA Today, when Carson stumped for Trump and claimed he was a friend to the Black community at large, “This president focused on historically black colleges and universities, achieved prison reform, and prioritized investment in vulnerable neighborhoods. Trump isn’t a politician — we certainly know exactly what he’s thinking, which makes him highly effective for the American people and a threat to the Washington swamp.” 

On the campaign trail in 2023, Carson is again repeating the same themes that a vote for Trump is a vote for America and that he will “drain the swamp,” a phrase that the ex-president employed throughout his campaign as a euphemism for the corruption he saw as part of the political structure in Washington D.C.

Magic Johnson, Kamala Harris, Black men, Flint rally
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 30, 2023

Magic Johnson Joins Michael Jordan, LeBron James And Tiger Woods As Fourth Athlete To Become A Billionaire

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson joins the elite class of athletes and former professional players who have become billionaires, which now has four members.

According to Forbes, the iconic businessman and NBA Hall of Famer has reached a level that only former Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan, golf’s Tiger Woods, and current NBA player, LeBron James have achieved. Johnson has been named the latest athlete billionaire by the media outlet.

Forbes estimated that Earvin Johnson has a net worth of $1.2 billion. Johnson owns several sports teams, businesses, and investments spread across his business portfolio.

After winning an NCAA championship while playing for Michigan State against Indiana State’s Larry Bird in 1979, Johnson and Bird took the NBA to a higher level with a newfound rivalry. As Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, following when Bird entered the league with the Boston Celtics, the league became more exciting and interesting with these two players leading the way.

He became the number one pick in the 1979 NBA draft, and became the first and only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP (Most Valuable Player). He played his entire career in Los Angeles, becoming a three-time MVP and three-time NBA Finals MVP. He helped the Lakers win five championships between 1980 and 1988. After testing positive for HIV in 1991, he retired from the game he loved. He did return to play 32 games during the 1995-1996 season but left for good after the season ended.

Along with a plethora of businesses, Johnson, who owns three Los Angeles sports franchises, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, and the MLS’ LAFC, now has a stake in the Washington Commanders, making him the first Black owner of an NFL team.

Johnson also purchased a minority stake in a PepsiCo bottling plant outside Washington D.C. with BLACK ENTERPRISE founder, Earl Graves, in a $60 million deal in 1990.

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

October 30, 2023

ADDRESSING BREAST CANCER DISPARITIES: GILEAD’S COMMITMENT TO BLACK WOMEN AND TNBC

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day may only come around in October, but critical conversations, research and education are happening all year long to address and combat the disease. Advances in breast cancer screening and treatment have helped to reduce the overall breast cancer mortality rate in the United States, but not all racial groups and marginalized, underserved, or disinvested communities have benefited equally.

Q-Tip, Muhammad Ali
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 30, 2023

Q-Tip Serving As Music Producer and Co-Lyricist In Muhammad Ali Broadway Musical

Q-Tip has joined with other hip-hop acts to help in the formation of an official Broadway musical chronicling the life of the late great boxing champion and activist Muhammad Ali.

Q-Tip, the legendary A Tribe Called Quest member, has joined with other hip-hop acts to help form an official Broadway musical chronicling the life of the late great boxing champion and activist Muhammad Ali.

The hip-hop legend will serve as music producer and co-lyricist on the creative team behind Ali, an upcoming musical based on the life of the famed heavyweight boxing icon, Variety reports. Set to premiere in Fall 2024 in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the musical will reach Broadway by 2025.

Along with Q-Tip, the creative team consists of lead producer Richard Willis, composer Teddy Abrams, director and author Clint Dyer, associate music producer Casey Benjamin, and music supervisor Sean Mayes. It was an honor and privilege for Q-Tip to lend his musical prowess to the project as he grew up admiring Ali for his courage and strength in and outside the boxing ring.

“Muhammad Ali has been an inspiration for me my entire life,” Q-Tip said. “I look forward to working with Teddy, Clint, Casey, Sean, and the entire creative team in telling the great man’s story in this form.”

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The Broadway musical was inspired by the “multimedia opera-rap-oratorio mashup” Abrams wrote in 2017 entitled The Greatest: Muhammad Ali. It will serve as an ode to Ali through a carefully crafted combination of spoken word, verse, classical music, poetry, rap, and hip-hop, Deadline reports.

Getting the A Tribe Called Quest founding member to sign on to the project highlights what attendees can expect from the first official musical on the famed boxing legend.

“We are beyond delighted and grateful to have the living legend, Q-Tip, join this extraordinary creative team on ‘Ali,’” Willis said. “Q-Tip’s artistry, knowledge, and experience are unmatched. If that wasn’t enough, to also have the incredible Casey Benjamin and brilliant Sean Mayes joining the team makes this all feel a bit surreal yet fitting for The Greatest.”

RELATED CONTENT: WATCH: KENNEDY CENTER NAMES Q-TIP FIRST ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF HIP-HOP CULTURE

by Rafael Pena

October 30, 2023

Judge from Young Dolph Murder Case Ordered to Recuse Himself

According to Revolt, in a recent turn of events, the state appeals court has ordered Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee to step down from the murder case. This decision was reached on Friday, Oct. 27, following concerns raised by the defense team. The move to recuse Judge Coffee comes about a month after a lawyer representing one of the suspects, Justin Johnson, expressed doubts about the judge’s ability to preside over the case impartially. Notably, on Sept. 28, Judge Coffee had initially rejected a motion for a new judge.

According to the outlet, the lawyer, Luke Evans, contended that Coffee failed to inform Johnson about a communication and visitation order restricting Johnson from interacting with individuals outside of the jail, except for Evans. Evans further claimed that the judge issued this order without proper notification or a hearing. While Evans characterized the judge’s decision as “punitive,” Coffee argued that the communication restrictions were implemented to protect Johnson and maintained that he had not determined Johnson’s guilt or innocence.

The case involves Johnson and another suspect, Cornelius Smith, who were apprehended in Indiana and Mississippi in January 2022. Both men are facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and theft of property in connection with Young Dolph’s death, the outlet reports.

In November 2022, Jermarcus Johnson, a relative of Justin, turned himself into the police and was charged with conspiracy to first-degree murder for allegedly assisting Justin in evading the authorities. In June, Jermarcus entered a guilty plea for being an accessory after the fact as part of a plea deal, securing his release on a $25,000 bond.

The fourth suspect in the case, Hernandez Govan, was indicted in November 2022. He faces charges of conspiracy for allegedly orchestrating the hiring of Justin and Smith to carry out the murder of the Memphis rapper. The trial for Justin and Smith was originally scheduled to commence on March 11. It remains unclear whether Judge Coffee’s recusal will affect this trial date. The Criminal Court Clerk will oversee the reassignment of a new judge.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 30, 2023

Flavor Flav Low-Key Nailed The National Anthem At Milwaukee Bucks’ Home Opener

Sporting a Milwaukee Bucks jersey and his signature neck clocks, Flavor Flav gave his best jazzy rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Milwaukee Bucks’ home opener against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 29.

The clock-wearing personality took to X, the site formerly known as Twitter, to give his thoughts on his performance, admitting that doing so marked off an item on his bucket list.

Flav did get some feedback from X users on his unexpected performance. Some gave him credit for his efforts. Others, not so much.

Flav is known for being the hype man and occasional emcee with Public Enemy frontman Chuck D, as well as his various runs on reality TV. Flavor Flave is a musical prodigy known to play 15 instruments, including the piano and bass.

The Bucks lost the game, 127-110.

Chicago, shooting, 15 people
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 30, 2023

15 Shot At Chicago Halloween Party, Suspect Arrested

Fifteen people were shot at a Halloween celebration in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood.

According to NBC Chicago, the suspected shooter was arrested Oct. 29 after allegedly shooting the victims just after 1 a.m. on the 1200 block of South Pulaski Road, police said. The suspect has not been identified nor have any charges been filed. The investigation is ongoing.

There were approximately 100 people at the party.

Police said the suspect was thrown out of the party and returned several minutes later with a gun and started firing.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement.

The Chicago Police Department said after receiving a call of shots fired officers apprehended the alleged shooter “short distance away” from the scene. Police officers retrieved a weapon and placed him in custody.

The shooting victims, nine men and six women, ranged in age from 26 to 53. Two victims were listed as critically wounded while the remaining persons were in good-to-fair condition.

William Betancourt, commander of the Chicago Police Department’s Ogden District, said the venue, Studio 1258, an art gallery, has a “history of throwing unlicensed events.” The place will be closed under the city’s summary closure ordinance.

An emergency assistance center will provide resources for anyone who may have been affected by the shooting. The center will open at the Young Men’s Educational Network, 1241 S. Pulaski Road, located near Studio 1258, on Oct. 31.

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