• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 3, 2023

Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s Office Refers To Republicans As ‘Nazis’ In Memo Days After Fire Alarm Scandal

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U.S Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is starting a fire on Capitol Hill after a memo released by his office called Republican colleagues “Nazis,” The Daily Mail reports.

After being accused of deliberately setting off the fire alarm to delay a government shutdown vote, Bowman’s office sent a memo to fellow Democrats Oct. 2 after learning GOP members were bidding to have him expelled from Congress. The memo suggests tips on how they should rally around Bowman in their dealings with the media.

“I believe Congressman Bowman when he says this was an accident,” the memo instructed. “Republicans need to instead focus their energy on the Nazi members of their party before anything else.”

Bowman distanced himself from the offending text.

“I just became aware that in our messaging guidance, there was inappropriate use of the term Nazi without my consent,” Bowman said. “I condemn the use of the term Nazi out of its precise definition. It is important to specify the term Nazi to refer to members of the Nazi party & neo-Nazis.”

Bowman added that the fire alarm incident was simply a mistake.

“I was just trying to get to my vote. The door thatʼs usually open wasnʼt open,” Bowman said, according to POLITICO. “I didnʼt mean to cause confusion. I didnʼt know it was going to trip the whole building. I thought the alarm would help me open the door.”

Republican lawmakers are calling on him to receive the same treatment as January 6 defendants.

“It’s not just the act of pulling a fire alarm. It was during an official proceeding,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) told Fox and Friends. “That is the same thing that they have gone after those individuals who walked into the Capitol on Jan. 6th.”

In a memo, Malliotakis called her colleague’s actions “juvenile” and that they “violated both federal and local law, and he must be held accountable.”

• Health and Wellness

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 3, 2023

Black Women Highlighted During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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As Breast Cancer Awareness is highlighted every October, this year’s advocacy sheds light on Black women and why they, specifically, should advocate for themselves.

“Black women are disproportionately affected by more aggressive forms of breast cancer and more likely to die from it,” shared Tresia Bowles, an anchor at 11Alive, a broadcast news program in Atlanta.

Given the staggering revelation, Black women are encouraged to check on their bodies regularly and prioritize their health, as their life depends on this practice.

“Sometimes we get so caught up as mothers and caregivers that we forget to take care of ourselves,” said Bowles’ mother, Calvina, a respiratory therapist. The video also noted the disparities between Black women patients, as opposed to other races, when seeking hospital treatment.

As the program explained, the health concerns of Black women are often taken less seriously by doctors and other healthcare professionals.

“When it’s finally time for Black women to start putting themselves first and speaking up, it can fall on deaf ears.”

Karita Robinson, diagnosed with the illness in 2020, spoke of being met with resistance to get the proper testing she needed, “Sometimes when we do go to the doctor, our concerns are kind of overlooked, and that was my experience initially.”

This healthcare discrimination extends to Black women’s reproductive plight, with the steady increase in maternal mortality being an additional concern.

These breast cancer survivors contributed to their ability to beat the illness partly due to self-advocacy and upliftment from their support system.

“Black women in particular need to take initiative to go out and find the resources to get a mammogram,” shared Calvina Bowles, a triple-negative breast cancer survivor. “Don’t put that off ever.”

For Georgia residents wanting to support women as they put their health first, the annual 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer will be held from Oct. 7-8, with onsite registration to be made available.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 3, 2023

Police Searching for Man Who Allegedly Robbed Airbnb Host

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The Gwinnett County (Georgia) Police Department (GCPD) is looking for a man who rented space in an Airbnb’s host’s home in Buford before tying up the owner and robbing him of $120.

News release: MAN WANTED IN HOME-SHARING SITE ROBBERY

On September 26 at approximately 11:00pm, the suspect, Khalil Hamilton (age 26), used a home-sharing site to rent a basement room at a home in Buford, Georgia on Seed Way.

More information: https://t.co/MeDdHn7Yp7 pic.twitter.com/GUq9qVyH71

— Gwinnett County Police (@GwinnettPd) September 28, 2023

The alleged robbery occurred on September 26 at approximately 11:00 p.m. Police say Khalil Hamilton, 26, texted the victim, who lived at the Airbnb, telling him he needed help with a bathroom repair.

When the victim went down address the issue, Hamilton took out a black handgun and made him lie on the floor. Hamilton used zip-ties to mobilize the victim and stole his wallet and watch before he left the home.

Hamilton is considered armed and dangerous and was last seen driving an older model Honda passenger car with a Texas license plate number SSF5628. He is wanted with active warrants for armed robbery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Police believe the license plate on the Honda Accord he was driving belongs to another car, according to WSBT-TV.

The station also reported that the victim said his child and the mother were at the Airbnb at the time of the incident, but nothing was done to them, according to the police report.

Detectives at the GCPD are asking if anyone knows anything about the crime to call 770-513-5300. If you’d like to keep your identity unknown, call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or go online, www.stopcrimeATL.com.

A cash reward can be given to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and indictment of Hamilton.

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 3, 2023

Black Woman Sues NYC’s Luxury Realtors For Discrimination

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Shaniqua Newkirk is suing the luxury realtor Douglas Elliman for alleged discrimination against her. The Black woman claims that the agents were unhelpful in her search for low-income housing, violating the laws of the Fair Housing Act.

Newkirk requested their services in 2021 to find housing that accepts Section 8 renters, as the federally regulated program helps low-income or elderly individuals source private living accommodations. However, as listed in the suit in detail by the Daily Mail, Newkirk claims that the realtors were either unresponsive or unwilling to provide substantive help.

As for the realtors who gave meager responses to Newkirk’s inquiry, they clarified that they would not be of much service in the matter.

An agent listed as a defendant, Madeline Hult Elghanayan, stated that she solely works in expensive home sales and renters.

“I only specialize in luxury real estate transactions and don’t even know what sec 8 means,” Elghanayan allegedly told Newkirk.

One of the realtors, Cybele Kadagian, wrote to Newkirk that she had no apartments available that would accept Section 8 applicants. However, she immediately followed up by asking what she could actually spend instead, not obliging her request for affordable housing.

“Yes, landlords do accept Section 8. I do not currently have any of these apartments. What are you willing to spend and what area,” the agent asked.

Another agent who the New York resident reached out to proceed to ghost her after she revealed her voucher’s monetary limit of $1,705. The realtors’ failure to provide further guidance to Newkirk is not in line with the rules and procedures determined by the Fair Housing Act.

In light of the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the realtor company emphasized that they are committed to ensuring fair and nondiscriminatory practices in the housing search.

“Douglas Elliman has a zero-tolerance policy towards unfair and illegal treatment of any individual or group,” the spokesperson stated. “We pride ourselves on our mandatory agent training program that includes rigorous, fair housing law education.”

As the case goes under further investigation, the licenses of these agents could be revoked if found guilty of housing discrimination.

• Health and Wellness

by Atiya Jordan

October 3, 2023

New Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccine Presents Challenges—Here’s Why

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While the U.S. government is no longer responsible for purchasing or distributing COVID-19 vaccines, reports indicate that the September rollout of the new booster is slow and features more challenges than previous rollouts.

As hospitalizations rise, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that everyone older than six months get updated shots, but many have turned to social media to share experiences with insurer roadblocks, out-of-network denials, or appointment delays.

This season also marks the first time vaccines are available for the three viruses responsible for most hospitalizations–COVID-19, RSV, and flu. 

Over the last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has worked to “ensure a smooth transition of the purchase and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to the commercial market in the fall of 2023.” 

 

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Katelyn Jetelina, a University of Texas epidemiologist, told PBS that the systemic shift impacts multiple payers and insurance companies and the changes to the delivery system.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available to most adults living in the U.S. at no cost through their private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans, according to the CDC. Jetelina emphasizes that no one should be paying for a COVID-19 vaccine, but now insurance companies are no longer required to pay out of pocket.

“This may mean you have to get the vaccine at your doctor’s office [as] opposed to a pharmacy that is not in network,” she said, adding that uninsured people are covered under federal law to get a vaccine at no cost at a CVS and Walgreens, thanks to a CDC initiative called the Bridge Access Program. The program is designed to provide vaccines through local healthcare providers, health centers, and select pharmacies.

Meanwhile, a new survey indicates that 52% of people will “probably” or “definitely” not even get the vaccine. The  KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor poll, conducted between Sept. 6 and Sept. 13, polled 1,296 U.S. adults online and by telephone and found that people reported more likely to get the flu shot and the new RSV vaccine than they are to get the new COVID-19 vaccine. 

A challenge for getting the COVID-19 vaccine is timing, according to Jetelina. Factors include the last time you were infected and the measurement of risk. She recommends that anyone eligible for all three vaccines do so before Oct. 31. 

RELATED CONTENT: Women of Color for Equal Justice Submits Application to Ban Vaccine Mandates

• News

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 3, 2023

Analysis: Detroit’s Strikes Become An Industrial ‘Survivor’ game

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Originally reported by Reuters.com

DETROIT, Oct 3 (Reuters) – The United Auto Workers head into the 19th day of strikes with a bold strategy that places the Detroit Three automakers into a high-stakes game of “Survivor” with a weekly decision on which factories the strike will hit next, with layoffs mounting, suppliers hurting and harsh rhetoric from both sides.

UAW President Shawn Fain has transformed the rituals of contract talks with General Motors(GM.N), Ford(F.N) and Chrysler parent Stellantis (STLAM.MI) into a high-stakes, made-for-media game. The automakers will look for clues on how to survive in the agreement the union reached on Sunday with Volvo Group-owned (VOLVb.ST) Mack Trucks.

For now, the union appears to be in control, although there is pain on both sides. GM and Ford said Monday they were indefinitely laying off another 500 workers at four Midwestern plants, citing the impact of the walkouts.

Analysts looking ahead to third-quarter financial results this month are starting to reckon the costs of what the UAW calls “Stand up strikes.” JP Morgan estimated GM has lost $191 million in operating profit, and Ford $145 million during the quarter.

Those are large sums, but not in the context of GM or Ford, which have forecast combined pre-tax profits of up to $26 billion for this year with little going to employees.

The daily cost of the strikes is almost certain to rise weekly, JP Morgan added. The real pain will start if the UAW orders walkouts at factories that build Ford, Chevrolet and Ram pickup trucks and large SUVs such GM’s Cadillac Escalade.

At the current pace, it could take the UAW weeks to get to those factories.

RELATED CONTENT: Detroit Brawl After Man Yells Racist Slurs At Striking Auto Workers

RELATED CONTENT: United Auto Workers Union Launch Strike At Big Three Automakers, Demanding Higher Wages And Benefits

Originally Reported By Reuters.com

Oct 2 (Reuters) – X Corp, formerly known as Twitter, was sued in federal court in Florida on Monday by a legal-marketing company that claims the social media giant’s new name infringes its trademark incorporating the letter “X.”

The lawsuit by X Social Media claims that X Corp, which owner Elon Musk began rebranding to X from Twitter in July, was likely to cause consumer confusion.

The case appears to be the first of what could be numerous trademark disputes with Musk’s company over the letter “X,” which is commonly used in tech branding.

“X” is included in hundreds of federal trademarks owned by companies including Microsoft (MSFT.O) and Meta Platforms (META.O). X Corp applied for its own U.S. trademarks covering the letter last month.

X Corp did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the complaint. X Social Media declined to comment.

Windermere, Florida-based X Social Media is an ad agency focused on mass-tort litigation. Its website says that Jacob and Roseanna Malherbe founded the agency in 2015 to connect Florida panhandle residents with attorneys in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The lawsuit said the agency has used the “X Social Media” name since 2016 and owns a federal trademark covering it. It said it has invested more than $400 million in Facebook advertising to reach potential clients.

The company said Twitter’s rebrand has already confused customers and caused it to lose revenue.

“In a short time, X Corp has wielded its social media clout, marketing resources, and overall national notoriety to dominate consumer perception of its ‘X’ mark,” the lawsuit said.

X Social Media asked the court to force Musk’s company to stop using the “X” name and requested an unspecified amount of money damages.

• Health and Wellness

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 2, 2023

Sen. Bernie Sanders Addresses Critical Shortage Of Black Physicians At The NMA’s Professional Development Series

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During the National Medical Association’s (NMA) 8th Annual Professional Development Series at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 2023 Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), physicians, elected officials, and healthcare experts addressed issues related to healthcare transformation, including the shortage of Black physicians.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) spoke during the series and managed healthcare disparities and the shortage of Black physicians.

The ALC is a gathering of visionaries, activists, and leaders shaping the future of African Americans and the global Black community. According to a study by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), only 5.7% of U.S. doctors are Black or African American, a detrimental shortage that has far-reaching and negative effects on the lives of people of African descent.

While discussing the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act he is co-sponsoring, Sen. Sanders shared details about the potential positive impact on the Black doctor shortage.

“We have $300 million in the bill and it will go to those medical schools which focus on graduating doctors who go into primary health care. HBCUs do a very good job at that. In addition, excellent have a carve-out of 20%, which would be $60 million that will go to minority medical schools, primarily HBCUs. So our effort will significantly expand the number of Black doctors in this country.”

Multiple efforts are underway to address the shortage.

The NMA works with the AAMC, a nonprofit association dedicated to improving people’s health everywhere through medical education, health care, medical research, and community collaborations. The AAMC and the NMA are working collaboratively to address the low numbers of Black male physicians. Based on research done by the AAMC, the enrollment of Black males in medical school only increased from 2.4% to 2.9% since 2014.

Sanders joined the NMA’s 124th president, Yolanda M. Lawson, MD, as a speaker at the session. Dr. Lawson was elected President in July 2023 at the association’s national convention in New Orleans.

“Our physician leaders, health care expert speakers, and legislators spent today addressing many of the challenging issues we face in transforming health care outcomes for Black communities. We are grateful that Sen. Sanders was able to join us and share some of the legislative solutions we can support to make a change,” Dr. Lawson said.

The daylong Professional Development Series event was open to NMA members and attendees of the CBCF ALC. Throughout the day, physician leaders and healthcare experts addressed key topics, including a national nutrition strategy, 340B drug pricing, changes to Medicaid, diversity and inclusion, the Black physician workforce, maternal and reproductive health, the HIV epidemic, and the National Cancer Plan (the NMA is a participant in the President’s Cancer Panel).

Joy D. Calloway, Executive Director of the NMA, noted that “even 129 years later, our mission and objective remains timely and critical. That is to amplify the voice of the Black physician, the Black patient, and the Black community.”

• Sports

by Stacy Jackson

October 2, 2023

GOAT Simone Biles Adds Historic Gymnastics Achievements During World Championship Qualifier

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Simone Biles made history again during the qualifiers for the World Championships on Sunday.

The professional gymnast was honored with naming her fifth element after becoming the first woman to land the Yurchenko double pike vault during the meet. According to NBC Sports, the landing brought Biles to a total of five elements named after her in the gymnastics code.

“People, I hope realize that maybe that’s one of the last times you’re going to see vault like that in your life from a women’s gymnast,” coach Laurent Landi said. “I think it’s time to appreciate that.”

 

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As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the artistic gymnast landed the skill in 2021 at the U.S. Classic. Biles attempted the Yurchenko double pike this past summer, and after nailing it this past weekend, her name has been added in the gymnastics code across the vault, floor exercise and the balance beam; according to Gymternet, the athlete ranked with a top score in several subdivisions, including Best All-Around, Best Single Vault, and Best Floor Exercise. The floor and vault include two of the subdivisions in which Biles has elements named after her, NBC Sports reported.

The U.S. women’s gymnasts are looking toward a seventh consecutive world team title as they totaled 171.395 points ahead of Wednesday’s final. The 24 all-around finalists will compete in Friday’s final to see who will advance to Saturday’s finals on the vault and uneven bars and Sunday’s finals on beam and floor. The 2022 World all-around silver medalist, Shilese Jones, will join Biles for Friday’s finals. Jones won the silver medal in the 2022 World Championships.

BE reported that Biles, an Ohio native, is striving to break her own record for most earned medals with her 2024 Olympic performance. Team USA announced Biles as the first American woman to compete at six World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in September.

“A stat that speaks for itself,” the Team USA Instagram page wrote.

 

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