First Black-Owned TV Station Opened 38 Years Ago Today In Detroit
On Sept. 29, 1975, the United States’ first Black-owned television station signed on for the first time. Historical Detroit station WGPR-TV 62 is celebrating its 38th anniversary this week.
According to Michigan Advance, the monumental moment came just a few years after the Federal Communications Commission decided to permit African Americans to operate their own television station in Detroit.
Vice President of WGPR-TV 62 programming told the Ann Arbor Sun in 1975 that it wouldn’t have been such a big ordeal if American society was more accepting of Black people in television.
George White said, “There wouldn’t be any need for a station of this type if things were running as a democratic society should be run. The problem with the general media, which refers to TV stations too, is that they haven’t considered us important enough. Therein lies the need.”
The WGPR-TV 62 station marked an essential step in the industry as the station worked in avenues of advocacy, providing previously unattainable employment opportunities and job-specific training for African Americans in the industry. The news station bolstered the Black economy in production, broadcast journalism, sales, and entertainment. With an all-Black evening news broadcast, Amyre Porter, Doug Morrison, and Sharon Crews were hailed as the United States’ first Black prime-time news team.
Former Republican President Gerald Ford, originally from Grand Rapids, congratulated WGPR-TV’s owner, William Banks. Ford’s pre-recorded message aired on the station’s first broadcast in 1975.
He said, “Congratulations to WGPR-TV and the men and women who helped to make it a reality. I’m particularly proud that this first Black-owned television station in the continental U.S. will be in my home state of Michigan. … Most importantly, WGPR will serve as a symbol of successful Black enterprise. This is truly a landmark, not only for the broadcasting industry but for American society. I want to see more of this kind of progress.”
Banks’ organization eventually sold WGPR-TV 62 to the CBS Television Network Inc. for reportedly $24 million. The Michigan Historical Commission raised a city marker at the original station’s headquarters in 2016, and the very next year, the William V. Banks Broadcast Museum opened on Jan. 16.
EEOC Takes On Tesla: Allegations Of Racial Discrimination And Retaliation Spark Federal Lawsuit
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it has filed a federal lawsuit against car maker Tesla for racial harassment and retaliation. The company is being sued for allegedly allowing widespread racism and ongoing racial harassment of its Black employees. It is also alleged that Tesla penalized Black workers in retaliation for those who opposed the harassment.
Tesla was initially investigated after EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows filed a commissioner’s charge claiming it violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The electric car company was accused of subjecting Black employees to an unlawful hostile work environment and retaliation for those who complained against it.
“Combating systemic harassment in workplaces is a key strategic enforcement priority for the EEOC. Unfortunately, as the lawsuits EEOC has filed this fiscal year show, racial harassment remains a persistent problem in employment. Every employee deserves to have their civil rights respected, and no worker should endure the kind of shameful racial bigotry our investigation revealed,” said Burrows in a written statement. “Today’s lawsuit makes clear that no company is above the law, and the EEOC will vigorously enforce federal civil rights protections to help ensure American workplaces are free from unlawful harassment and retaliation.”
The lawsuit states that racial harassment has been an ongoing problem at the company since at least 2015 until now. Black workers at Tesla’s Fremont, California, manufacturing facilities have endured hearing derogatory terms like the N-word, “monkey,” “boy,” and “black b*tch.” They were also subjected to racial abuse, pervasive stereotyping, and hostility from coworkers. The racial epithets and stereotypes were used casually and openly in high-traffic areas and worker hubs. The Black workers were also confronted with graffiti that included variations of the N-word, swastikas, threats, and nooses. These were seen on desks and other equipment, in bathroom stalls, within elevators, and on new vehicles that came off the production line.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and back pay for the workers subjected to harassment and retaliation. The EEOC is also looking for injunctive relief designed to reform the company’s employment practices so that such abuse will not happen in the future.
Jeezy And Jeannie Mai Living Together Amid Divorce Proceedings
Rapper Jeezy and television personality Jeannie Mai are living together in the midst of their divorce proceedings.
The “My President Is Black” artist and former The Real host are currently cohabitating at their home in Georgia along with their 1-year-old daughter, Monaco, and Mai’s mother, TMZ reports. The rapper, whose real name is Jay Jenkins, filed for divorce on Sept. 14 in Fulton County Superior Court, much to the dismay of Mai, who was reportedly in the dark about his decision.
Several rumors about the cause of the relationship breakdown surfaced online amid news of their divorce, including an alleged affair between Mai and “Saved by the Bell” television legend Mario Lopez. Mai denied the allegations via a source, TMZ reported.
However, claims of Mai and Jeezy’s cultural customs coming to a head have not been denied by either party. As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, the pair were allegedly at odds over “certain family values and expectations” after Mai moved her mother and her brother into the home she and Jeezy shared. At the time of his divorce filing, the rapper claimed the two were “currently living in a bona fide state of separation” and that their marriage was “irretrievably broken” with “no hope for reconciliation.” Neither Mai nor Jeezy have confirmed what brought them to this place.
Social media took notice of Mai’s Instagram post just a week prior to the filing, which showed no signs of trouble brewing in paradise.
In the video, Mai and the couple’s daughter are seen praying before a meal and sharing celebratory thanks for the success of the rapper’s memoir Adversity for Sale. “Your story has always been an inspiration to me, but seeing it in print has left me even more in awe of your strength and wisdom,” Mai captioned her post. “You invited us into the most intimate corners of your life, where pain and triumph coexist. This moment isn’t just a testament to your literary skills baby, but a recognition of your ability to inspire through the power of storytelling.”
‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ Extends Run On Broadway
The Manhattan Theatre Club has extended the run dates for Jaja’s African Hair Braiding ahead of its Oct. 3 opening night.
According to Playbill, the Broadway production, extended through Nov. 5, is the MTC’s first production for the 2023-2024 Broadway season at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
The play, written by Jocelyn Bioh, invites audiences into the experiences of the West African hairstylists at Jaja’s Harlem hair braiding salon. Love, dreams, and secrets unfold as the women bless neighborhood customers with different braided masterpieces.
Earlier this month, Bioh discussed details about her preparations for the play with TheNew York Times. The New York native told the outlet about her mission to take theatergoers “into this really unique, funny, crazy, exciting, in some ways mundane, space that holds women who all have incredible stories.” Together, Bioh and the play’s director, Whitney White, thought of a way to bring a range of hairdos to life on the main stage.
Wig designer Nikiya Mathis constructed a variety of wig styles for the production.
“There are so many moving pieces to the show that involve hair, and it’s not just me backstage,” Mathis said. “It’s also the actors onstage; it’s what Jocelyn has written, and it’s what Whitney will be helping us to reveal.”
Cast members practiced braiding techniques during rehearsals to prepare to execute the styles in real time on stage.
“Part of that,” Mathis added, “is going to be the magic of figuring out how we’re going to construct the wigs and how to potentially take them apart.”
Playbill credited A-listers, including LaChanze, Taraji P. Henson, and Madison Wells Live, as part of the play’s producing team. The cast of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding features Brittany Adebumola, Maechi Aharanwa, Rachel Christopher, Kalyne Coleman, Somi Kakom,Lakisha May, Nana Mensah, MichaelOloyede, Dominique Thorne, and Zenzi Williams.
Home Depot Surveillance Reportedly Proves That Tyrese Is Lying About Racism Claims
The Home Depot is pulling out the receipts on Tyrese Gibson to debunk his claims of racism at a Los Angeles store location.
One month after Tyrese filed a $1 million lawsuit against the retail chain for alleged racial profiling, Home Depot is clapping back with surveillance footage showing exactly what happened when the singer/actor visited an LA store on the evening of February 11.
According to the newly filed documents, Tyrese brought a large amount of items to the cash register and the cashier proceeded to scan them, TMZ reports. But the “Fast and Furious” star apparently wasn’t done shopping and left the cash register to go grab more items.
The issue is that Tyrese reportedly left the cash register for about 25 minutes, which resulted in the cashier clearing the area. It’s a different account from Tyrese’s claims of a computer glitch that caused the delay, prompting him to go to the parking lot to avoid other customers recognizing the celebrity.
Tyrese claims he told the cashier that members of his team would complete the purchase. But Home Depot says surveillance shows the singer never spoke to the cashier.
Surveillance does show Tyrese coming back into the store and getting into a verbal exchange with the cashier who completed his transaction. In August, Tyrese and his associates Eric Mora and Manuel Hernandez filed a lawsuit against the chain claiming they were “subjected to outrageous discriminatory mistreatment and consumer racial profiling,” Variety reports.
“The actions of the cashier and manager were discriminatory based on race and origin,” the lawsuit claims.
“There is no other plausible explanation for the mistreatment of Plaintiffs.”
The “Baby Boy” star estimates he’s spent no less than $1 million at various Home Depot stores over the years. However, the chain says they have no idea how long he’s shopped there and aren’t sure how much he’s spent over the years.
Rick Fox Question’s If He’s ‘Black Enough’ To Get On Brittany Renner’s Roster
NBA alum Rick Fox is petitioning to be number 36 after Brittany Renner revealed that she’s slept with 35 men.
“The Game” star expressed his interest in Renner in response to her now-viral interview with Shannon Sharpe. The “Basketball Wives” newbie was the latest guest on Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast where she admitted the 35 men she’s been intimate with.
“I’ve had sex with 35 guys,” Renner told Sharpe in a clip posted online.
Sharpe appeared taken aback and responded by taking a shot of cognac.
“If I’m judged for having great taste,” she said with a laugh.
The reveal garnered strong responses from the general public and sparked a debate about what men deem acceptable for a woman’s “body count.”
“35 really ain’t a whole lot,” one person wrote.
“Ion think no woman gone try to lowball with 35 bodies lol,” another person said in response to others claiming Renner might’ve lied about the number she gave.
“J Cole said you gotta multiply by three,” one user sarcastically wrote.
Another person who issued a response is 3x NBA champion Rick Fox who seemingly expressed interest in dating Renner, or at least adding to her list of partners. Once Renner shared her preferred interest in Black men, Fox wondered if he fit the bill.
“Hey @ShannonSharpe so many questions 🤦🏽♂️When she says “BLACK” where do you think she draws the line? 🖐🏻🖐🏼🖐🏽🖐🏾🖐🏿,” Fox TWEETED.
“I’m just asking for all the one-drop brothers and sisters out there who are aspiring to be #36 – #50 #OneDropRule #RaceInAmerica #TheRaceTo36 #HalfABill”
Renner has the streets talking and the added publicity comes just in time for her reality television debut on “Basketball Wives” season 11. She’s been linked to a number of athletes and famous faces over the years.
Most recently, Renner was seen on a dinner date with Shaquille O’Neal in June, TMZ reports. Ironically enough, it didn’t impact her casting on a reality show executive-produced by Shaq’s ex-wife Shaunie O’Neal.
BRUJA & BUSINESS: September Should Have Been An invitation To Be Honest With Yourself
We all have a mentor in our life who tells the truth and nothing but the truth. Whether it’s an actual mentor or someone who gives great guidance, these mentor types tell it like it is and they won’t allow us to deny the truth. They keep us honest. September was a good month to tap into that divine guidance and take an in-depth look at your goals and visions.
Ask yourself if these things actually align with who you are and what you’re trying do in the world. If not, you are going to have to be willing to be honest with yourself; just like your mentor would.
September was about getting real and asking the tough questions: Is the business you conduct supporting you or are you operating out of scarcity and pretending these engagements support you when they do not?
As we glide into the last quarter of the year, we have to be truthful with ourselves about what works and what doesn’t. Let the next month be an invitation to continue to do so. Stay honest.
Aries (March 21- April 20)
Getty
You can feel ventures coming to an end, yet you are still holding onto them. It is time. No, it’s actually past the time of letting go. Not a lot of people have a willingness to fight hard for ann endeavor and also put their whole heart into it. However, warriors need rest. This situation does not provide that opportunity. Let go and pour back into new initiatives.
Taurus (April 20 – May 21)
Getty
The things you want are the things you can actually have Taurus. The business you are dreaming of is one you have the ability to create. The only thing blocking you from tapping in is your fears. Are you going to let your fears and anxiety constantly keep you bound to ways of being that don’t align with who you are anymore?
Gemini (May 21- June 21)
Getty
You need to be more honest. The zodiac sign Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury. Mercury is the ruler of communication. Have you been speaking your truth and telling the truth in your work? Who benefits from your false narrative? Who benefits from your silence? If you want things to change for the better in your work life, you are going to have to figure out why you are hide behind untruths. Do you not believe in yourself?
Cancer (June 21 – July 23)
Getty
You are a supportive person to everyone you work with but how are you to yourself? You’ve been neglecting taking care of yourself. You have been fooling people that everything is going okay when in reality you are feeling a bit overwhelmed and alone. Why don’t you ask for support from people you trust, talk to your therapist about your feelings, or take some time to journal and get to the bottom of what you are feeling. You deserve to be supported and encouraged too.
Leo (July 23 – Aug. 23)
Getty
Take time this month to think about how you can make space for feeling whole. You need to feel like you can exist fully as yourself. If you spend a little time with yourself this month focusing on your needs, you won’t have to look outside of yourself for validation. Do you know that you are remarkable and talented? Or do you seek attention from other people to feel valued? Look within yourself.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 23)
Getty
Do you think you can try to find more time for yourself this month? That’s what you and your business needs. Honestly, we can learn alot from paying attention to the trees. As the season changes from summer to fall, the trees start to lose their leaves and focus on consuming energy. What tasks can you take off your plate in order to have more time for rest and pouring into yourself?
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 23)
Getty
Although Libra is the ruler of balance, you may be having a difficult time this month managing your responsibilities, priorities, and personal life. Everything that is demanding your attention isn’t necessarily important. Now is a good time to figure out a good time management plan to create harmony in your schedule. Get honest with yourself about your capacity.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 22)
Getty
You have a lot to offer and it is time to share it. If you want to build connections and community, you have to go out and be in connection and community with people. People are waiting to experience your ideas, hear your wisdom, and witness your creativity. Share yourself with the world. We are waiting for your magic boo!
Sagittarius (Nov. 23 – Dec. 22)
Getty
You choosing to let go isn’t the same as giving up. Stepping away from this situation may leave you feeling defeated but that’s just your bruised ego talking. There are greater opportunities that align more with your overall vision for your life. You are currently fighting for something that does not serve you. Let it go.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 to Jan. 20)
Getty
Give yourself permission to relax this month. Prioritize finding ways to rest. Rest ain’t always just sleeping. Rest could be reading a book for pleasure, binge watching your favorite show, or even having a solo date night with yourself with your phone on silent. You have a hard time taking a break. It’s time to.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 to Feb. 19)
Getty
This month is a time to be brave. Stop sugar coating how you are feeling and be honest. Some people need to hear the truth from you. Don’t disguise the truth with what you think they need to hear. People pleasing does not support your growth. Find the strength to be honest.
Pisces (Feb. 19 to March 21)
Getty
Have you been dreaming big enough Pisces? You may just get everything you desire. Be careful what you wish for this month because your words, your prayers, and your actions have power. Be honest about what it is that you want and write it down. It’s always helpful to see your goals so create a visual board to accompany it and be honest about them. Dream big and pray on nit.
Kimora Lee Simmons Relaunching Baby Phat With Fall Collection
Kimora Lee Simmons is relaunching her iconic Baby Phat clothing line with a millennial and Gen Z-inspired Fall collection.
The model and entrepreneur has never lost passion for her “baby” that dominated the urban fashion scene in the late 90s and early 2000s. As styles from yesteryear experience a rebirth in trend, Simmons is tossing her hat back into the ring with a “different iteration” of her cult-classic brand.
Baby Phat’s new fall collection was made for the millennials who might still have their old puffer coats in storage and Gen-Zers who are reimagining fashion trends they were too young to remember. The new collection is a labor of love for Simmons who has seen new interest in her clothing line in recent years.
“I call it kind of a relaunch,” Simmons tells People.
“I just think because of everything we’ve been through, throughout COVID and everything, it seems like your life is always a relaunch every time you give birth to a different iteration of, you know, your baby, which this is.”
The Baby Phat fall collection launches on Sept. 29 and features a variety of pieces including staple denim, crop tops, classic velour tracksuits, and mini cargo skirts. The brand’s signature cat outline will also be visible on the new items, including the return of Kimora’s favorite denim jeans that inspired other brands.
“My five pocket jean [is back]. I mean, we were the originator of that, with the kind of stretch that’s just very different,” she says.
“These days there are a couple of [brands] that have that … but that’s our classic fit, that’s my classic five-pocket jean and we have it in quite a few different washes and different styles.”
The pieces are priced between $50 to $100 thanks to fans who spoke out about previous collections being too pricey.
“I pay attention to what the girls are saying when they’re giving me [constructive] comments,” the mother of five says.
“I listen to what they say, and a lot of people would, as I’ve been coming back, a lot of people were like, ‘Oh, that’s too expensive.'”
Having tried on every piece herself and worked alongside her daughter Ming Lee and Aoki Simmons, the veteran model knows her fall collection is perfect for the everyday woman of style.
“It’s kind of like building a platform, like lifestyle bits and incorporating all things Kimora, Ming, and Aoki, if you will,” she says.
Next up for Baby Phat is a few collaborations and a holiday collection designed by Ming Lee that will likely be modeled by Aoki who just made her debut in Teen Vogue following her graduation from Harvard.
Eboni K. Williams Tells Black Women To Pursue A Degree And A Husband While In College
Lawyer and reality television star Eboni K. Williams is catching backlash after sitting with TheGrio and giving Black women unsolicited marriage and college education advice.
The Real Housewives of New York City star urged young Black girls to pursue their marriage partner while still in college or just after graduating.
During the sidebar titled Cap, Gown, and Ring, Williams said, “This will be the last time that you will be in such a concentrated space with this many, presumably available, men of projected equal educational and financial positioning.”
The 40-year-old, who’s single and has an ex-husband, continued, “And if you desire to marry a Black man, as the vast majority of Black women do, this is even more so the case.”
She told the audience that as they get older, their desirability would decrease, speaking about women like a car that depreciates in value.
“As we age, it doesn’t matter how much money we accumulate, our degrees or professional accolades; the reality is that our marriage and partnership market value is depreciating with every passing year. Our presumed dwindling fertility is a knock against us.”
“By the time you reach my age, 40, you will be faced with different choices relating to life partnership and motherhood.”
The lawyer attempted to bolster her argument by calling college-educated Black men exclusive in numbers.
“The number of college-educated Black men is so low compared to Black college-educated women that we’re all gonna be targeting the same small pool of men,” Williams pointed out. “And as we heard today, on most campuses, there’s like seven Black women students for every one Black man student; y’all do the math.”
Wlliams finished the TheGrio segment clip by leaving college-aged Black women with advice on pursuing their degree smart.
“If you are a young Black woman in college, and you know in your heart and your head that you want to prioritize family, I suggest that you simultaneously pursue that MRS degree right along with that BA or JD.”
Williams claimed that she knew a lot about the “marriage marketplace” and urged other women to get educated on it as well.
The posted segment was met with overwhelming dissent from women on social media.
1. Don’t quite know what gives Eboni K Williams the authority to speak on this topic.
2.This is a non-issue. Black Women have and continue to be the rock and foundation. We need to FOCUS to the neglect of boys and men getting consumed by incel culture. We are getting killed https://t.co/CoSzamrDQm
I think this was a cautionary tale for herself because I don’t see why she keeps hammering on the issue. Those of us who choose to get married and/or start a family (or stay single!) over the age of 40 are doing just fine
Quincy Jones Honored With State Department’s Inaugural Peace Through Music Award
Entertainment industry stalwart Quincy Jones received the inaugural Peace Through Music Award from the U.S. Department of State on Sept. 27.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Recording Academy Chief Executive Officer Harvey Mason, Jr.chose Jones for the award, which acknowledges “an American music industry professional, artist, or group that has played an invaluable role in cross-cultural exchanges and whose music work advances peace and mutual understanding globally.”
The award was made possible through the initiative created by the bipartisan Promoting Peace, Education, And Cultural Exchange (PEACE) Through Music Diplomacy Act. It was signed into law last year by President Joe Biden.
According to The Associated Press, this wasn’t Jones’ first dealing with the State Department. In 1956, he was the music director and trumpeter for Dizzy Gillespie and his band on the first U.S. State Department jazz tour of Southern Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia.
The event on Sept. 27 included performances by Herbie Hancock, Rakim, Mickey Guyton, Armani White, and DJ 2-Tone.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Mason expressed the benefit of the partnership between the Recording Academy and the State Department.
“You’re going to see a long-standing partnership between the Academy and the State Department,” Mason said. “I just believe music has a special and unique way of bringing people’s awareness to the forefront. And it’s almost darn near magic. It’s like, we call it ‘the miracle of music.’ It has the ability to have people who may or may not even like each other, stand next to each other, and nod their head, clap their hands and sing.”
Jones’s impact on popular music is unquestionable. Among the jobs in his storied career including producing Michael Jackson’s classic Thriller, the best-selling album of all-time.
