NAACP Condemns Chicago Hate Crime Of Killed Palestinian Child
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 18, 2023

NAACP Condemns Chicago Hate Crime Of Killed Palestinian Child

The NAACP has released a formal statement condemning the hate crime that resulted in the murder of a Palestinian-American child Oct. 14 in Chicago.

Wadea Al-Fayoume was 6 years old when his life was taken just over a week after his birthday, according to CNN. The elementary schooler was targeted due to his Palestinian Muslim identity in a moment of Islamophobia in light of the recent attacks between Israel and Palestine. His family hails from the West Bank, a territory of the nation-state.

The landlord of his family’s apartment, Joseph Czuba, attacked the Al-Fayoumes in a fit of hatred, stabbing the young boy 26 times and his mother more than a dozen times. While the mother of the young child is expected to recover from her critical condition, her son died at a local hospital, causing an immense outcry for peace and justice nationwide.

In response to the egregious murder, the NAACP CEO and president Derrick Johnson expressed the organization’s grief over the kindergartner’s untimely death.

“Once again, the proliferation of misinformation and hateful conspiracy theories has resulted in a
life lost far too soon. Today, the NAACP grieves the loss of six-year old Wadea Al-Fayoume. No one
should face the threat of violence in their own home, and we must do everything in our power to
stop hate wherever it rears its ugly head,” said Johnson. “The NAACP is committed to combating hate and
speaking out against any act that threatens the safety of our most vulnerable communities. There is no place for hate in a democracy.”

The nonprofit also took to social media to share their sentiments, stating that “hateful conspiracies theories” sparked the violent act.

 

For his crimes, Czuba has been detained and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of a hate crime, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. A federal hate crimes investigation into the killing is also underway.

RELATED CONTENT: Alicia Keys Denies Showing Support For Hamas Amid Its Ongoing War With Israel

tech, women, diversity, corporate board
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 17, 2023

After Two Failed Businesses, HBCU Grad Turned Fashion Designer Sells Out In An Hour

Originally reported by Blacknews.com

Shirah Ray, a veteran fashion stylist with over 20 years of experience and the owner of David Lee’s Boutique (named after her late father) has achieved an extraordinary feat as her latest creation, the Color Block Suit, sold out within a mere hour of its launch. This remarkable success is a testament to Shirah’s unyielding determination and her commitment to empowering women through fashion.

As a proud HBCU graduate of Southern University at New Orleans, Shirah has the distinction of operating the longest-running Black-owned boutique in St. John Parish, Louisiana. However, her entrepreneurial journey has been marked by resilience in adversity. She has endured potentially paralyzing challenges such as a robbery that injured an employee severely, racial discrimination, and two store closures.

Fear of judgment and the embarrassment of two closed storefronts left Shirah’s hopes and dreams for her company drowning in doubt and uncertainty. Through her faith and the encouragement of her supportive village, she persevered, refusing to give in to discouragement and the temptation to quit.

 She says, “Every obstacle has been an opportunity in disguise. By embracing tough challenges and using them as stepping stones, you will turn adversity into an advantage and build a sustainable and more successful brand. We’ve had some failures, but we’ve never failed!”

To adapt to changing market trends, her company, David Lee’s Boutique, made a strategic pivot to an exclusively online platform, which proved to be a brilliant move. Shirah committed to educating herself on the world of online sales, social media marketing, and strategic brand building. In this space, Shirah discovered her natural talent for fashion design. Embracing the digital landscape allowed her to connect with a global audience of powerful women who would resonate with the message of empowerment behind her first design – the Color Block Suit. Fueled by market research surrounding emerging fashion trends and customer preferences, each subsequent release of her design is met with enthusiasm and anticipation. With the success of the second release and the growing waitlist for the third, her fashion brand is becoming synonymous with exclusivity, quality, and power.

As a designer, Shirah has focused on quality fabric choices, fine design details, and even prioritizing local manufacturing to maintain a heavy presence throughout the process. Her thoughtfully curated expertise has allowed David Lee’s Boutique to thrive, offering an unheard-of “lifetime guarantee” on all products and providing invaluable garment care education to patrons.

Coupled with her social media presence and customer connection, she is driving David Lee’s success. She recently reflected, “I now realize relying solely on the store was only holding me back. I’m connecting with women all over the world. I’m leveraging my presence as a boutique owner, stylist, and fashion personality to expand into designing and manufacturing, all while investing in the marketing that ultimately helped build a strong brand presence.” Through her resilience and ability to adapt, Shirah transformed a vulnerable moment of disappointment into a story of triumph. “I definitely wanted to quit, but I found a way to appreciate the pause.”

The phenomenal response to the Color Block Suit launch not only marks a significant milestone for David Lee’s Boutique but also inspires aspiring entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts everywhere. With Shirah’s dedication to her craft and her unshakable belief in the potential of every woman to radiate Style Pow-HER remains a shining beacon of empowerment in the fashion industry.

RELATED CONTENT: Clark Atlanta University’s Department of Art and Fashion Scholars Selected for Fulton County’s FACE Program in Paris

 

 

Steph curry, Century, Golf, celebrity, win
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 17, 2023

NBA Star Stephen Curry To Receive The Charlie Sifford Award For Advancing Diversity In Golf

The World Golf Hall of Fame announced today that NBA star Stephen “Steph” Curry will receive the Charlie Sifford Award, which honors recipients for their spirit in advancing diversity in golf.

Curry will receive the award on June 10, 2024 at the World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by CME Group and held during the 124th U.S. Open at North Carolina’s Pinehurst Resort & Country Club. Southern Company is the presenting sponsor of the Charlie Sifford Award, further expanding the organization’s role in celebrating golf’s most significant individuals.

The Charlie Sifford Award was created in 2021 to honor an individual who personifies Sifford’s groundbreaking achievements through perseverance, confidence, respect, and adaptability. Curry will be celebrated during the 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by CME Group, at which Padraig Harrington, Sandra Palmer, along with the late Johnny Farrell, Beverly Hanson, Tom Weiskopf, and the 13 LPGA Founders will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

“I’m incredibly honored to be chosen as the recipient of this year’s Charlie Sifford Award and am grateful to the World Golf Hall of Fame for the recognition in this sport that I am so passionate about,” said Curry.

“I believe that we have the opportunity to grow the game of golf by providing equity, access, and opportunity to young golfers who have that same passion, dedication, and determination as so many of us out on the green.”

Curry’s accomplishments in the sport include launching Underrated Golf in 2021, a purpose-driven business endeavor committed to providing equity, access, and opportunity to student-athletes from every community by balancing participation in the sport to truly reflect our society. In 2019, he helped Howard University to compete on the D-1 level by funding its golf team for the next six years. Howard had not had a golf team since the 1970s, and this is the first on the Division 1 level in the school’s history.

Curry himself has played in professional and celebrity golf tournaments with success. He participated in the Ellie Mae Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2017 and 2018. In July, he won the 2023 American Century Championship for celebrity golfers at Lake Tahoe.

“Stephen Curry has shown passion and a commitment to giving more opportunities to young people who do not have access to the game of golf,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of the World Golf Hall of Fame. “Steph’s dedication in advancing diversity in golf epitomizes the groundbreaking work demonstrated by Charlie Sifford. The World Golf Hall of Fame in partnership with Southern Company is committed to ensuring his legacy endures for future generations by recognizing others – like Steph – who are devoted to making golf an environment for all.”

“Southern Company enjoys an association with golf that has enabled us to positively impact the lives of children, return hope and opportunity to our communities, and create equitable access and opportunities for all,” said Chris Womack, president and CEO of Southern Company.

“Steph Curry is a wonderful recipient of the Charlie Sifford Award presented by Southern Company. His pursuit to share and grow the game of golf with others is building upon Charlie’s work to create a more inclusive game of golf, a more equitable America, and a better world.”

The World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony coincides with the opening of the Hall of Fame Museum on the United States Golf Association’s (“USGA”) Golf House Pinehurst campus next year. 

Curry’s Underrated Tour utilizes golf as a platform to offer young overlooked golfers special programming experiences, including an ongoing speaker series and networking events with brands and corporations, allowing them to understand what it means to make connections and build successful careers.

 

RELATED CONTENT: Stephen Curry Hosts Eighth Annual ‘Curry Camp’ for Hand-Selected Group of Student Athletes

homecoming, prairie view, crime scene, Florida mother
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 17, 2023

8-Year-Old Aspiring Entertainer Fatally Shot In New Jersey

The Black community in Newark, New Jersey is mourning the loss of 8-year-old Zahmire Lopez, who was  fatally shot while at home the night of May 3, CNN reported.

Born prematurely to a doting mother, Zahmire was a beam of light and energy to his loved ones, as detailed by CNN. Often dancing or performing a new rap song he’d written, the elementary schooler had high hopes for his future. However, his life was cut short after allegedly being shot by his mother’s boyfriend, Everett Rand, in what she claimed was a drug-fueled incident.

The child was among two other victims of the shootout, with Rand’s best friend, 27-year-old Wyleek Shaw, also succumbing to his injuries. The third person involved, 24-year-old Tajion Simmons, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

“He fought to even get in this world, so then for his life to end short, it’s just devastating,” expressed Leontine Niangara, Zahmire’s mother.

Zahmire’s short life is an epidemic in itself, as children across the United States have been victims of gun violence, with over 1,300 losing their lives in this manner since the start of 2023. Now, his mother only has his songs, shared by his stage name of “Lil Zah,” as a memory of the artistic young boy she brought into this world, the outlet reported.

“It’s very hard,” shared the New Jersey resident. “It’s not an hour goes by that I don’t just think about him. It’s hard. Some say when time goes by it gets easier, but it doesn’t get easier.”

Rand was apparently very close to the 8-year-old. However, after allegedly opening fire at the scene that took the young boy’s life, Rand fled the house. Newark police chased after him, and the pursuit ended with the 29-year-old fatally wounded after he attempted to shoot at the officers.

RELATED CONTENT: 11-YEAR-OLD BOY SHOT BY RESPONDING OFFICER AFTER CALLING 911 WANTS TO KNOW, ‘WHY DID HE SHOOT ME?’

Tibina Loussaint, Joseph Fenelus, antihistamine, Broward County
by Stacy Jackson

October 17, 2023

Florida Grandmother Charged With Aggravated Manslaughter After Allegedly Poisoning 11-Month-Old Grandson

Florida grandmother Tibina Louissant, 53, has been arrested following an investigation of the Aug. 21, 2022, death of 11-month-old Josiah Fenelus.

Louissant, the grandmother of the infant, is accused of giving her grandson cyproheptadine, an antihistamine. According to People, the Broward Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit arrested the woman on Oct. 13. A warrant obtained by the outlet stated that Fenelus was under the care of his grandmother when officers were called to the Oakland Park home, where the baby was “unresponsive.”

CBS News reported that the young boy was rushed to Broward Health Medical Center from his Florida home and pronounced dead at the scene. A police investigation found a “lethal concentration of the powerful antihistamine cyproheptadine” in the infant’s system.

Baby bottles found in the grandmother’s home were tested earlier this year. Toxicology tests returned positive for cyproheptadine, a drug that is prescribed to help people gain weight. A final autopsy in August found the cause of the infant’s death was due to “cyproheptadine toxicity.”

The baby’s parents left him with his paternal grandmother at the 100 block of NW 40th Court residence. The investigation found no prior problems relating to the infant’s medical history, and Louissant was the only one to use the bottles. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the antihistamine is commonly used as an allergy treatment. In the U.S., cyproheptadine requires a physician’s prescription. The FDA lists death as one of the symptoms of an overdose of antihistamines.

In the United States, cyproheptadine is contraindicated in infants “because a paradoxical central nervous system stimulation and respiratory depression can occur,” the National Library of Medicine referenced from the Prescribers Digital Reference in a 2021 study about the safety of cyproheptadine.

The infant’s death was ruled a homicide, and Louissant was issued an arrest warrant in August, charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child. On Oct.14, the woman was released on bond, which Broward County Court Records showed was set at $50,000. The penalty if the matriarch is found guilty is a minimum of 13 years in prison to a maximum life sentence.

Shannon Sharpe, makeup, Mark Cuban
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 17, 2023

Shannon Sharpe Says It ‘Isn’t the End of the World’ After Being Roasted For His ‘First Take’ Makeup

Shannon Sharpe became the butt of the joke this week after fans mocked the “funeral makeup” he was given while on ESPN’s First Take.

Sharpe, 55, has been adjusting to his new co-anchor role alongside Stephen A. Smith following his departure from FS1 earlier this year. But the network’s makeup team might need to adjust to the newcomer.

The NFL-alum-turned-sports-commentator became a laughing stock on Oct. 16 after one viewer shared a screenshot of his onscreen appearance.

“Man look at how ESPN makeup department has Shannon looking this morning,” they wrote.

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Soon, fans were chiming in and roasting Sharpe’s “funeral makeup,” as one critic put it.

“Casket ⚰️ ready or they hired Little Richard’s old makeup artist,” one Twitter/X user wrote.

“Good Golly, Miss Molly!” added someone else, referencing the popular Little Richard song.

Not one to cower in the face of criticism, Sharpe had no issue clapping back at the jokesters to address the makeup snafu.

“Appreciate the concern over my makeup this morning on @FirstTake. This was her 1st time doing my makeup and it was a little heavy,” Sharpe tweeted.

“My appearance is important, not as important as my takes. Hopefully, the takes were gr8 as usual. #LipSparringChamp #BestDressed #Espn.”

Sharpe is now a First Take regular, alongside Smith, following his departure from FS1’s Undisputed in June. He spent nearly seven years hosting the sports talk show alongside Skip Bayless and had difficulty adjusting to his new on-air gig when he made his First Take debut.

The Club Shay Shay host went viral with video clips showing how often Sharpe mistakenly called Stephen A. Smith “Skip.” With Smith also being a former co-host with Bayless, he understood the slip-up.

Bayless still hosts the long-running series with rotating analysts like rapper Lil Wayne. Meanwhile, Sharpe and Smith have a good thing going on ESPN. Hopefully the makeup team can get on board.

LeBron James, NBA
by Daniel Johnson

October 17, 2023

Michael Cooper Criticizes LeBron James For Eating During A Preseason NBA Game

It’s NBA preseason basketball time, and some fans, spectators, and ex-players aren’t happy with the game’s star players. According to Sports Illustrated, former Laker Michael Cooper was critical when he observed LeBron James eating at the end of the Lakers bench.

Cooper said on an appearance of “The Showtime Podcast,” “I didn’t like it. I didn’t like that. Again, he’s LeBron James, but still, you got to have respect for the game man, man. He’s sitting over there. I don’t mind the guy eating, but go eat in the locker room, and then when you come out and be part of the team, not just sit at the end of the bench eating.”

James had just finished playing 18 minutes, tallying 12 points, two rebounds, and five assists when he must have gotten hungry. He went to the back, changed into street clothes, and began eating food at the far end of the bench.

Cooper, who won five titles alongside Magic Johnson as part of the Showtime Lakers, was not as amused as NBA Twitter was. 

https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1713050426499850690?t=Cnw19_UKjLFELcdHbBhvPA&s=19

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/Reggie_FBK/status/1713619351641763978?t=oe_zBZ9JqHOUpA9p2rQ6bw&s=19

 

Cooper’s comments align with those of Howard Eskin, a sideline reporter for sports radio 94 WIP who was critical of the Lakers swingman.

Eskin wrote, “Total lack of respect for the game and his teammates by LeFraud James. Also looks like he knows its wrong asking teammate to hide him. Surprised he didn’t ask for waiter service.”

Cooper, who never averaged over 12 points in a season, may be a five-time NBA champion, but he is certainly of a generation where public appearances matter. Much like Charles Barkley’s open disdain for “load management” or the practice of resting players to conserve their energy or lessen injury chances, Cooper believes in the integrity of the game.

RELATED CONTENT: LEBRON SAYS BRONNY IS JUST AS ATHLETIC AS HE WAS AT 19

Alicia Keys, Alicia Teas
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 17, 2023

Alicia Keys Denies Showing Support For Hamas Amid Its Ongoing War With Israel

Alicia Keys was forced to do some damage control after an anti-Semitism advocacy group accused the singer of subliminally showing support for Hamas amid its ongoing war with Israel.

The decorated Grammy-winning singer took to her Instagram Story on Monday to issue a statement clearing up misconceptions about a since-deleted post where she expressed interest in paragliding, Daily Mail reports.

Keys, whose music producer husband Swiss Beatz (real name Kasseem Dean) is Muslim, deleted an Instagram post in which she wore a racer jacket some claimed was reminiscent of the black, white, green, and red seen on Palestine’s flag.

The “No One” singer then included a caption that one advocacy group accused of being a coded message of support to Hamas.

“Question: What would u do if you weren’t afraid of anything??? Tell me your truth… I’ve had my eyes on paragliding,” Keys wrote along with two sets of eye emojis.

https://twitter.com/OliLondonTV/status/1714252464910672022

Once StopAntisemitism caught wind of the post, they accused Keys of showing support for Hamas considering the paragliders the Islamic Resistance Movement used in its October 7 attack on Israel. During the deadly attack, Hamas gunmen flew into the Supernova music festival on paragliders, killing hundreds of Israelis and taking some as captives back into Gaza.

“Is this some sick ode to the Hamas terrorists that infiltrated Israel, killed over 1300 people, beheaded babies, raped women, and kidnapped Holocaust survivors @aliciakeys?” the organization tweeted.

Keys quickly deleted her post after noting the backlash and posted a statement claiming it was “completely unrelated in any way to the recent devastating loss of life.”

“My heart has been breaking… I pray and stand for peace,” she wrote.

According to TMZ, Keys and Swizz live near a popular paragliding spot in San Diego. But many are continuing to call her out under the belief she is a Hamas sympathizer.

“At least we know where she stands,” one person wrote.

“She knew what she was saying. Did not prepare or anticipate the online backlash,” added someone else.

RELATED CONTENT: Alicia Keys Secures Trademark For ‘Alicia Teas’ Tea Line

will, smith, Jada, Pinkett smith, Jay shetty,
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 17, 2023

Jada Pinkett Smith And Will Smith Are ‘Healing Relationship’ After 2016 Separation

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith may have been separated since 2016, but the estranged pair are focused on “healing” their relationship, according to Jada.

The Girls Trip star has been hot in the press amid the release of her memoir, I Am Worthy, with her revelations about her marriage to Will Smith. Many were shocked to learn the power couple has been separated for nearly 10 years despite the countless public appearances they’ve made as husband and wife, including at the 2022 Academy Awards, where Will slapped Chris Rock after he failed to “keep my wife’s name out of your [expletive] mouth”.

While Will and Jada have been living separately since 2016, Jada says they are focused on “healing the relationship.”

“We are in a place now that we are in a deep healing space,” she told NBC’s TODAY. “And we are really concentrating on healing the relationship between us…”

“We are working very hard at bringing our relationship together back to a life partnership,” she added.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

The Matrix Revolutions star explained why she and Will have never moved forward with a divorce and instead opted for the “hard” work to repair their life partnership.

“There’s no divorce on paper. We really have been working hard,” Jada explained. “That’s the whole thing. We are working very hard at bringing our relationship together. Back to a life partnership.”

She continued: “He can’t be this perfect idealized husband. I have to be able to accept him for the human he is. He has to accept me for the human I am. And we want to love each other there.”

When it comes down to whether or not she and Will will try living together again, Jada thinks there’s a possibility.

Amid the heightened attention on their marriage, Will broke his silence over the weekend in a statement expressing his continued love and admiration for Jada.

“When you’ve been with someone for more than half of your life, a sort of emotional blindness sets in, and you can all too easily lose your sensitivity to their hidden nuances and subtle beauties,” he said in a letter read to Jada during her appearance on Jay Shetty’s podcast.

@apnewsentertainment “If I had read this book 30 years ago, I definitely would have hugged you more.” Jada Pickett Smith listens to a letter Will Smith wrote in response to her new memoir “Worthy.” This clip comes from Picket Smith’s appearance on the podcast “On Purpose with Jay Shetty.” #jadapinkettsmith #willsmith #jayshetty ♬ original sound – AP Entertainment

“I applaud and honor you,” Shetty read. “If I had read this book 30 years ago, I definitely would’ve hugged you more.”

RELATED CONTENT: Jada Pinkett Smith Drops Bombshell That She’s Been Separated From Will Smith For Seven Years

proud boys, Enrique Tarrio, Capitol riots, Jan. 6 riots, Trump
by Daniel Johnson

October 17, 2023

Department Of Justice Plans To Appeal Sentences Of Proud Boys Over January 6th Insurrection

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, Enrique Tarrio and other members of the Proud Boys were sentenced for their roles in the Jan 6 insurrection. Now, the Department of Justice is looking to appeal the length of the sentences Tarrio and his associates received.

According to Axios, the sentences of Tarrio, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Ethan Nordean ran between 15-22 years, but the federal government is not satisfied with those lengths.

In Tarrio’s case, the prosecution sought a 33-year sentence, and longer sentences for the other men. Tarrio’s lawyer, Nayib Hassan, told Axios that the appeal was ludicrous, before adding that he looked forward to looking over “whatever the government intends to file as a basis for their appeal.”

According to The Messenger, all five men appealed the length of their sentences in September to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which initially sentenced them for the Jan, 6 insurrection. According to USA Today, legal experts explain that the move from the government is incredibly rare, because judges generally have the power to determine appropriate punishment. Defendants, however, will usually appeal sentences whenever the opportunity arises. 

According to the outlet, The Proud Boys were offered plea deals, which they summarily rejected. The plea deals were sentences about half the length of what they ended up receiving once the trial concluded.

Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney in Michigan, told USA Today, “What the government was offering in exchange for a guilty plea was a benefit − a shorter sentence that they were otherwise exposed to,” McQuade explained. “By rejecting the plea deal, the defendants rejected the opportunity to receive that benefit. After trial, then, they face the sentence commensurate with their crime.”

In addition to the appeals for Proud Boys members, the DOJ already has appealed sentences issued to another extremist group, the Oath Keepers. None of the Oath Keepers received sentences over 12 years, which the DOJ views as too short for the severity of the crimes they are accused of.

McQuade told USA Today that unless specific conditions are met, the initial sentences handed down will generally stand, saying, “Unless the sentence is wildly outside of the guidelines range, and the court fails to articulate on the record its reasons for calculating the sentence as they did, sentences are typically affirmed on appeal.” 

Related Content: PROUD BOYS INCUR $1 MILLION FINE FOR VANDALIZING BLACK CHURCH

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