by Iman Milner

September 27, 2023

Black Father Accused Of Kidnapping While Traveling With His Biracial Children

A Georgia father claims he was accused of kidnapping while traveling with his two biracial children on American Airlines. The troubling incident unfolded at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

David Ryan Harris says the encounter took place on a six-hour flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles. During the flight, a flight attendant attempted to engage with his children, one of which is 7 years old, and found their unresponsiveness alarming.

“A flight attendant had called ahead with some sort of concern that perhaps my mixed children weren’t my children because they were unresponsive during an interaction with her,” Harris explained in a video uploaded to his Instagram.

The musician said that his children were not obligated to engage with anyone, especially on a 7:17 a.m. flight.

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A post shared by David Ryan Harris (@drh3)

Harris says he was stopped upon arrival at LAX by four police officers who questioned the children about their safety before deciding their father posed no threat and letting them go.

“I don’t care what you say if this had been a white dad/mom with 2 little black kids, they would probably been offered an upgrade, not an interrogation,” he captioned his post. “I forgot to note that American has been my airline of choice since 2004. #fixyourshit.”

The musician made attempts to contact the airline before going public but was met with silence from American Airlines’ customer service.

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A post shared by David Ryan Harris (@drh3)

The father of two claims officers never explicitly mentioned child trafficking as their concern but did express their need to ensure he was not traveling with minors that were not his without permission.

“And if they’re so concerned about child trafficking, shouldn’t the airlines have some protocol in place to stop me from flying with a child I stole long before I’m ON THE PLANE??,” Harris questioned in a second video on the incident. “You’re telling me that they can stop me from carrying a capri sun through TSA, but they can’t put safeguards in place for actual human beings?”

American Airlines is now investigating the incident and has given Harris 10,000 frequent flyer miles as an apology in the meantime.

by Stacy Jackson

September 27, 2023

Smackdown! Professional Wrestler Jade Cargill Signs With WWE

All Elite Wrestling’s longest-reigning TBS champion, Jade Cargill, has made her way to WWE.

The 31-year-old AEW champ has officially signed with the professional wrestling company, which WWE reported is a multiyear contract. According to ESPN, promotion officials shared that Cargill’s official start with WWE was September 26.

The Florida native began her professional wrestling career two years ago, with her in-ring debut in March 2021 at AEW’s mixed tag-team match. Partnered with NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, she faced off against her mentor, WWE’s Cody Rhodes, and AEW star Red Velvet. Cargill held the title as the first AEW TBS champion for 508 days, from Jan. 5, 2022 until May, 28, 2023.

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A post shared by Jade Cargill, B.S., M.S. 🇺🇸🇯🇲 (@jadecargill)

WWE called the 5-foot-10 fitness model a “standout performer.” Cargill talked about joining WWE during an interview on The Ringer’s “The Masked Man Show.”

“I felt like this was always the mission,” she said. “This was all expected.” She shared that she feels like being with WWE will also push her closer to her outside-of-the-ring ambitions. “I have more eyes on me now. You know, I have a target on my back. So, it’s going to do nothing but help me obtain those goals that I know that I can do.”

The pro wrestler is ready to continue upholding the visual of what a strong Black woman is in America. “I am here to create footsteps for the next generation. I want to see little Black boys [and] little Black girls…to know there’s no ceiling. I wear the shattered glass because I’m here to break [the] glass ceiling.”

Cargill’s career has garnered her a fan base of nearly 1 million Instagram followers. As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, she reflected on being a Black co-owner for the Austin-based professional softball franchise Texas Smoke, a business venture the former Division I college basketball player has explored with her partner, Brandon Phillips. The Women’s Professional Fastpitch team won their first championship title under the couple’s ownership.

The rising star was present at the professional wrestling company’s Performance Center in Orlando on Sept. 26; however, it has not been confirmed if Cargill will make her debut as part of WWE’s main roster or perform for its developmental brand, NXT, before moving up.

Gallon, Yuvonda, alona, King, Gallon, California, shooting

by Stacy Jackson

September 27, 2023

Father Allegedly Kills The Mother Of His 7-Year-old Son In California Toyota Dealership

Alona Gallon, the 24-year-old mother of a 7-year-old boy, was allegedly shot to death by her son’s father on Sept. 21. The tragedy has left the family with more questions than answers, Yuvonda Gallon, the victim’s grieving mom, said.

The deadly shooting took place in a Toyota dealership in Albany, CA, where Alona worked in the service department, according to KTVU News. According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, the gunman allegedly entered the dealership around 11:15 a.m. and killed the woman.

KTVU News reported that the police arrived on the scene, resulting in the suspect being shot and killed.

Yuvonda explained it took more than six hours for law enforcement to relay the details of her daughter’s death as she waited at a police station nearby.

The devastated mother had not received her deceased daughter’s belongings the night of the shooting, nor was she told how many times her daughter was shot. Yuvonda further explained that her grandson, King, has been left without both of his parents. She said King and Alona had a very close relationship.

“That is saddening for me for real,” Gallon said. “I told him that his mom and his dad [were] gone, and he laid his head back and said, ‘No, they’re not.’ He walked out crying. He’s seen everyone crying.”

King’s father had recently returned to California after moving back from Atlanta.

Yuvonda shared that Alona had not been with King’s father for a while and that the two were co-parenting.

“It’s going to be hard for me [and] hard for my family, of course, because she was loved by everyone. Everyone loved my daughter,” she said. “Her son is going to need therapy. I’m going to need therapy.”

A GoFundMe account has been set up by the family to help raise money for therapy for King.

by Derek Major

September 27, 2023

Exclusive: Secretary Of Education Miguel Cardona Speaks On Black Education During HBCU Week

The Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, joined BLACK ENTERPRISE for an interview Tuesday during HBCU Week to discuss numerous topics concerning the Black Community and education from pre-K to college.

During the interview, Cardona highlighted the accomplishments of HBCU students and how the Biden administration and the Department of Education have supported HBCUs.

“We know HBCUs produce 70% of Black doctors in our country, 80% of Black judges, 50% of Black teachers, and 40% of Black engineers,” Cordona told BE.

“So we know they punch above their weight and we need to make sure we’re supporting our HBCUs.”

The Education Secretary added that since President Joe Biden has stepped into office, his administration has worked to give HBCUs the support they need, providing more than $7.3 billion for HBCUs, including $1.6 billion in loan forgiveness and infrastructure funding.

Cardona also mentioned the letter he and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack sent to 16 governors across the U.S. urging them to address the more than $12 billion funding disparity between land-grant HBCUs and their non-HBCU peers in those states.

The 16 states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Cardona said he has not heard back from the governors, but closing that disparity would significantly boost HBCUs.

“Just think about the difference that would make for HBCUs, talk about parity, talk about having labs where students are able to learn different curriculums and universities would be able to compete for research grants that would keep their funding going,” said Cardona. “HBCUs have to do more with less and it’s time we called that out. When we were discussing it at the Department of Education I talked to Secretary Vilsack and I said this so what we’re thinking and asked for his co-sign he didn’t hesitate, he said ‘I’m in.'”

The Secretary also discussed the Supreme Court ending affirmative action in college admissions earlier this year, calling it “another bad decision” by the High Court that took the country a step back. However, he added that it will likely lead to an increase in HBCU enrollment for Black college students, reversing a downward trend from the mid-2010’s.

“Quite frankly, I think it’s going to result in an increase in HBCU enrollment because students are going to feel like they’re not welcome at other campuses,” Cardona said. “So we need to make sure we’re fighting for funding to address the increases they might see and making sure that they have the infrastructure necessary to have those scholars compete.”

by Iman Milner

September 27, 2023

Slam Dunk Into Pickleball: NBA Star Trae Young Scores Co-Ownership Of Atlanta Bouncers

Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young is the latest athlete to take their talents to the world of pickleball by way of ownership.

Young joined the ranks of players who have invested in the sport when he announced co-ownership of the Atlanta Bouncers, the city’s major league pickleball team.

“Atlanta! Proud to announce I’m the new co-owner of the @AtlantaBouncers,” Young said via Twitter. “Come help me #backthebouncers at the first @majorleaguepb tournament of the year on Sep 22-24.”

Considered by enthusiasts to be the “fastest-growing sport” in the country, the Washington-born sport has caught the eye of some of the biggest athletes in the world, including LeBron James, Naomi Osaka, Patrick Mahomes, and Draymond Green.

Atlanta! Proud to announce I’m THE NEW CO-OWNER of the @AtlantaBouncers

Come help me #BackTheBouncers at the first@majorleaguepb tournament of the year on Sep 22-24 pic.twitter.com/mYvUpdRji8

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) September 20, 2023

The sport has grown in popularity in recent years, with the Association of Pickleball Players reporting over 30 million professional pickleball players in the country as of January 2023. Interest in the sport can be attributed to the ease of play, making it a game many can participate in. Less technical than tennis and more social than ping pong, pickleball allows players to burn calories in a fun way without overextending physically. The size of the playing area, generally four times smaller than that of a traditional tennis court, also allows for ease in communication between those looking to find fresh ways to connect with their loved ones and their opponents. It’s also a sport that can be played indoors, with no adjustment needed between seasons.

As with any popular sport, making pickleball accessible to all has raised its fair share of challenges. Among them is noise in residential neighborhoods where the sound of the paddles reverberate off of buildings, sending echoes throughout the streets. A group of residents in a Massachusetts city filed a lawsuit against the zoning board of appeals over the “daily injurious and obnoxious noise levels” emanating from nearby pickleball courts.

Tichenor, Isabella, family, talk, suicide, mom, child

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 27, 2023

Mom Whose Child Died By Suicide Urges Parents To Talk With Kids

A mother whose daughter died by suicide is urging parents to talk to their kids about their mental health. Brittany Tichenor’s daughter, Isabella, was 10 years old when she took her own life in 2021, following excessive bullying at school.

After the heartbreaking loss, Tichenor continues to advocate on behalf of her daughter for mental wellness check-ins at home, as reported by ABC News. She was recently featured on “Good Morning America,” encouraging parents to prioritize mental health support for their children.

“I just didn’t know how bad it was,” Tichenor told the talk show program of the bullying her daughter suffered and her mental state. “I think she made a temporary decision in a moment of hurt, and I’ll never forget that.”

Isabella, who was also known by her nickname “Izzy,” was dealing with intense bullying at her elementary school in Utah, but her mother was unaware of how awful her daughter’s mistreatment was. The fifth-grader was also autistic and one of the few Black children at her school. Tichenor claimed that the taunting would not only be from her classmates but even some teachers, with her daughter stating that the mole between her eyebrows was often a cause of ridicule.

“I knew part of it, and I kept calling the school. I kept calling the district. But I didn’t know the severity of it,” said Tichenor of her pursuit to find out more of her daughter’s experience. “I told her, ‘You can tell me anything,’ and she normally did, but I kind of feel like she was trying to protect me. I just wish she had told me.”

Isabella’s death is part of a growing problem in schools and mental health issues for adolescents, as the rising number of children dealing with anxiety and depression in the past years. The very same year that Isabella passed, suicide was named the second leading cause of death for both youth and young adults, as confirmed by the CDC.

In August 2023, Tichenor reached a $2 million settlement with her late child’s school district, Davis School District, after the allegations and alleged negligence on the administration’s part to stop the bullying. Sharing Isabella’s story is not easy, but Tichenor’s openness and insight to parents can be impactful in saving a child’s life.

“If [children] tell you something, that they’re getting bullied, do what you need to do to protect them,” expressed the mom. “And make sure you’re there as a support 24/7.”

Tichenor now works with SafeUT, a mental health support platform in Utah, to establish an anti-bullying campaign and parent advisory council.

Usher, Skims, Super Bowl, Kim Kardashian

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 27, 2023

Usher Will Embark On World Tour After Upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Performance

R&B singer Usher, already a busy man with his Las Vegas residency, was recently announced as the headliner of 2024’s Super Bowl halftime show. The entertainer also has plans to hit the road on a world tour right after he graces the Super Bowl stage in Las Vegas in February 2024.

According to Billboard, the team behind the “My Way” singer is checking out arenas worldwide to lock down possible tour dates. The outlet also announced that Usher is releasing his ninth studio album, Coming Home, the same day as the halftime show. It will be the first album the star has put out since 2016’s Hard II Love.

The last time an artist announced a new tour after a Super Bowl halftime performance was in 2017, when Lady Gaga did so.

Usher reacted with excitement after his halftime performance was revealed to the world.

“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before,” he said. “Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”

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Usher, who famously serenades women at his shows, avoided confrontation at a recent one. While singing in front of Gabrielle Union during a Sept. 24 performance in Paris, he stopped his usual routine as he stood before Union’s husband, NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade.

As he stopped singing, he told the crowd, “Let’s not get carried away. Y’know, this is Dwyane Wade—I ain’t crazy! That man will knock my whole head off and then dunk it!”

After drawing laughter from the audience, Usher and Wade hugged, ensuring all was well.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 27, 2023

The ‘Barbie’ Movie Is Driving Adults To Buy Emotional Support Dolls

It’s still a Barbie world, even after the hit movie has left theaters. Barbie has prompted people to buy emotional support dolls in order to reconnect with their inner child, echoing the plot of the film.

As reported by CNN, many adults have documented their journey through TikTok, posting videos of themselves in the toy sections of stores to pick out dolls that best resemble who they are. These “emotional support Barbies” go beyond the typical play one engages in through childhood: They tap into nostalgic yearning and hopefulness, both of which the film emphasize.

The outlet says this cathartic experience is one of “girlhood,” another theme of the acclaimed movie, and the passing down of Barbies to a new generation has become a popular trend on TikTok as well. Not only is buying a child’s first Barbie gaining traction, so is presenting the doll to a mother or grandmother who never had the opportunity to play with one as a little girl.

One video that went went viral showed a girl gifting her mother a Dia de los Muertos doll that represents their heritage and girlhood all at once.

@bbrxtneyy24 I was fighting them tearssss y’all lmao me and my mom are a work in progress but i have so much love for her and now have a better understanding of her childhood and how regardless she did better than how she grew up i love you momma @Angebella! ✨ ♬ What Was I Made For? [From The Motion Picture “Barbie”] – Billie Eilish

Both the mother and daughter shared the heartwarming moment. The mother looked at her gift in awe, showing that dolls can provide healing for people of all ages.

This “ageless sense of play” can be of great benefit to one’s mental health, as it can counter depression, according to a psychology professor Kristin Flora.

“We have quite a bit of research that shows the benefits of play for children. But increasingly, we have scientific evidence that play is beneficial for adults as well, especially in the mental health realm,” shared Flora with CNN.

She continued: “Some of the research suggests that it can help stave off depression. It can help us build a sense of optimism, which is really important when things are uncertain. It can help us decide what disposition to take as we live through unprecedented times.”

According to Flora, this phenomenon transcends racial, cultural, and socioeconomic barriers, just as the Barbie movie spoke to women and girls of all backgrounds, encouraging them to participate in the pink-filled joy the movie evoked.

“Through our dress, we can exert that sense of play or playfulness,” shared the educator. “And what was striking for me was that this moment of play cut through age, race and ethnicity, ability status, every identity. It was everyone, together, enjoying this cultural moment.”

by Daniel Johnson

September 27, 2023

Paralyzed Maryland Man Pulled From Car by Police Reflects On Law Enforcement’s Unfamiliarity with the Disabled

A Maryland man who is disabled and unable to walk was pulled out of his car on Sept. 25 by an officer who mistook him for a man wanted for a crime in the area. As MSN reports, the officer told the disabled man that he needed to get out of the car, and the disabled man informed him that he was paralyzed. Undeterred, the officer proceeded to pull the man out of the vehicle. The man’s wife, who recorded the encounter, explained to the officer that her husband was paralyzed, was unable to walk, and was a paraplegic. She also informed the officer that she was his caretaker and that he required a wheelchair.

In the video, the man can be heard asking the police officer why he was being treated this way. The man also asks the officer if he had his bodycam on before adding, “This could have been a little easier, you guys, this is f***** up.”

https://twitter.com/illtrillachilln/status/1706658457691058202?t=3fMkHn6Z8UfXJ0FVsHRGhg&s=19

According to the Police Brutality Center (PBC), the police are not equipped at all to deal with individuals living with disabilities. As a result, disabled individuals comprise anywhere from one third to one half of all people killed by the police. Differently abled people also make up the majority of high-profile use-of-force cases. In its study of media coverage of law enforcement use of force and disability from 2013-2015, the Ruderman Foundation mentions Brian Sterner, who was thrown from his wheelchair by a Tampa, Florida, officer who thought Sterner was faking his condition.

Sterner told WTSP in 2008, “This deputy … she looked at me, she didn’t believe that I was a quadriplegic, I guess, and she walked behind me with those handles on the back of that hospital-grade wheelchair and she just dumped it straight forward.”

He continued, “I told them how to pick me up and put me back in the chair, but without sensation—I don’t feel anything from my chest down—so I didn’t know they were broken then, my ribs.”

Police officers, according to the PBC, often do not have the patience and understanding that are required to interact with individuals living with disabilities and paralysis. As a result, people such as Sterner and the man in the TikTok video often face unwarranted brutality.

A 2021 article from the Center for American Progress criticizes police for expecting compliance and for their general lack of awareness around interacting with people with disabilities.

Vilissa Thompson, who authored the article, wrote, “In addition to the use of excessive force, law enforcement have also been shown to remove or deny certain accommodations, such as a cane or wheelchair, related to individuals’ disabilities.”

As the recent video depicts, the man, who has not yet been identified, was not even allowed to have his wheelchair until after he had been yanked from his vehicle and onto the street by an officer. This, of course, illustrates Thompson’s point perfectly. Thompson also cited the inefficacy of disability-centered training programs because of their lack of uniformity, saying that “standards for these trainings are not consistent in terms of curriculum, frequency, or who is qualified to conduct them.”

by Atiya Jordan

September 27, 2023

Sheryl Lee Ralph And More Keynote Sistas In Sales Attend Inaugural SIS 100 Power List Honoree Gala

“Sistas have always been in sales,” Sheryl Lee Ralph told BLACK ENTERPRISE just minutes before she gave a keynote speech at the inaugural SIS 100 Power List Honoree Gala.

Donning a chartreuse pantsuit, the Emmy award-winning actress, singer, director, author, and philanthropist shared just how nostalgic it was for her to think about the movement that is Sistas in Sales. “My whole life is about sales,” she told BE. “I’ve always known a Black woman leading their entrepreneurial ventures.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph delivering a keynote speech. (Photo courtesy of Sistas in Sales)

Founded by Chantel George in 2017, the Sistas in Sales Summit celebrated its sixth year by hosting its annual summit, presented by Walmart Connect, at the Glasshouse Midtown West in New York City. On Sept. 21, the organization held a star-studded event where corporate sellers in all stages of their careers showed up and showed out.

The gala was special, George told BE, adding how important it was to honor the individuals who have had an impact on the organization’s development. The plan is to honor 100 sellers every year.

“It’s very unclear how to navigate the world of sales past a certain point of your career. If you are the only woman of color on your team and you may not have a connection with your manager, they may not vouch for you. And that’s that vouching you need to get out of that position and unlock your career,” George explained.

“I challenge that diversity and business are in two separate places. Diversity and inclusion [are] here by the fact that we’re all women of color, but that doesn’t mean that the bar is lower as it pertains to business and sales excellence. We bring those two together.”

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Bevy Smith was a keynote speaker at the gala. She graced the stage to Drake’s “Fancy,” fully embracing what could be the soundtrack to her own incredible transition from a fashion advertising executive to TV and radio host. Smith told BE that she had to learn how to navigate the white male-dominated sales industry by being tenacious and self-confident. She advises that one of the first lessons to learn in sales is that there is always a way to turn a “no” into a “yes.”

Bevy Smith speaking at the SIS Power 100 List Honoree Dinner. (Photo courtesy of Sistas in Sales)

Erin Gossett, a NYC-based client account manager at Pinterest, attended the gala and the summit in hopes of finding a community to help her grow further in her sales career beyond her professional role. She was motivated by development opportunities like the Sistas in Sales summit, learning soft skills and prioritizing mental and physical health.

“Being exposed to all the ways and products I can sell has the imagination running wild and is fueling my energy to continue learning and getting better with time,” Gossett told BE.

“I have struggled with finding a community of other Black sellers, women and men, and have been actively seeking to find these spaces. Thankfully, Sistas is Sales has presented me with the opportunity to help overcome the visibility struggles I’ve had in the past.”

Founder George told BE that she has since created other initiatives, which she calls “birds of a feather,” to keep “pushing this global expansion and finding other women in sales around the world that can relate to us.”

“I’m a salesperson. It’s been the only job I ever had. Because I run a sales organization, I have access to amazing talent. My sales team [is] incredible, and they all understand the best ways to work with our partners. It’s a win-win.”

She added: “The vision is to grow to 30,000 by 2028, and our reach is close to 10,000. We are on our way.”