by Derek Major

September 12, 2023

Dollar Stores Contribute To Decades Of Economic Distress For Chicago Hoods

Chicago’s South and West side neighborhoods have a number of Dollar Tree and Dollar General stores that serve as a valued resource for residents. However, they’re also hurting the financial health of those communities.

Crain’s Chicago Business reports that while such stores may be convenient, they are not Black-owned, meaning the money spent by the neighborhood’s Black residents doesn’t remain in their community.

“[Those stores] take resources out of the community and don’t give us an opportunity to circulate the dollar within the community,” Tonya Trice, the executive director of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, told Crain’s Chicago Business. “That money leaves our community as soon as it is spent.”

These same Chicago neighborhoods are severely lacking when it comes to full-service grocery stores. The South and West sides are inundated with fried chicken shops, as opposed to more health-conscious Black-owned restaurants and eateries.

The lack of retail and restaurant variety forces residents to spend their money outside their community. According to a 2020 City of Chicago study, $200 million in retail spending alone leaves Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood annually. This is apparent on 75th and 79th streets in South Shore, where once historically Black retail corridors are now filled with empty storefronts.

Additionally, a 2021 Chicago Office of Equity & Racial Justice report shows that less than 10% of businesses with employees in Cook County are Black- or Latino-owned, despite Black and Latino residents making up more than 50% of the population.

Unsurprisingly, these economic issues are largely the result of decades of systemic racism and discriminatory policies and practices. Still, some feel that dollar stores fulfill a need, unlike other stores that abandoned these majority-Black and Latino neighborhoods.

Chris Chico, the president and CEO of the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, told Crain’s Chicago Business that when Walmart closed its store in the neighborhood in 2019, the dollar stores stepped in to fill a need, including taking over a long-vacant building in the neighborhood.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 12, 2023

Akon Breaks Down The Secret To Maintaining Wealth: ‘Stay Stingy’

With a net worth estimated at $60 million, Akon knows all the tricks to acquire wealth. What’s his secret? It’s to “stay stingy.”

The Grammy-winning singer was a guest on Logan Paul’s “Impaulsive” podcast, where he shared his personal secret to financial longevity. According to the Senegalese musician and entrepreneur, frugality is key.

“Listen, you want to stay rich? Stay stingy,” Akon said. “I’m the stingiest muthafu*ka on the planet.”

The “Locked Up” singer went on to explain why, unlike his peers, he avoids traveling by way of private jet and opts for a commercial flight like the rest of us common folks.

“Any person of my caliber is not flying commercial. These dudes is flying jets all day,” Akon said. “I attempted to own a jet. That sh*t lasted six months. I sold that muthafu*ka so fast. You have no idea [of the upkeep costs]. I promise you.”

Instead, Akon says, renting a jet works, and you can always negotiate a lower rate.

“Buy some hours and use it only when necessary. And most of the time, use it as a way of negotiation. Let that be a part of your strategy to the money. But whatever you do, do not own a jet,” he advised.

“Bro, owning a jet is spending at least $2-3million a year just on upkeep. You spend more on the maintenance than the actual jet costs.”

The interview took place one month after Akon admitted to wearing fake designer clothes during his appearance on “Drink Champs.” Indeed, fans took notice of the “Drio” shirt he’d been wearing.

https://twitter.com/Salastheboss/status/1678762423824814084

While hanging out with French Montana shortly after his “Drio” made waves, Akon credited his fake Christian Dior drip to supporting his local Africans.

“The Drio came from one of my Africans,” Akon told French. “I’m always supporting my Africans. We go hard for each other. I knew that sh*t was gon’ raise engagement. It only take one person to notice, and it’s gon’ go crazy on the internet and it did exactly what we wanted it to do.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by French Montana (@frenchmontana)

Akon took to the comments section to further laugh at his fake designer togs while shouting out the Senegalese community in Harlem.

“Promised my Africans I was going to represent for them with that DRIO,” he wrote. “Kept my word. Shouts to lil Senegal in Harlem. Walla Bok!!!!!”

RELATED CONTENT: Akon Still Believes In Akon City

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 12, 2023

Steve Harvey Stands By His Woman Shuts Down Marjorie Harvey Cheating Rumors

Steve Harvey unloaded on the critics and naysayers spreading “ugly” rumors about his wife Marjorie Harvey and dragging his co-host into the mess.

Things got real during the “Steve Harvey Morning Show” on Monday, September 11 as the host officially addressed allegations about his wife and a leaked phone call of his co-host Shirley Strawberry saying not-so-nice things about Mrs. Harvey.

In a lengthy video posted to the show’s Instagram page, Steve starts off by explaining the sacrifices he and his co-hosts make to record their live show every morning and expresses his understanding of Strawberry’s delayed public response to the leaked phone call involving herself and her incarcerated husband.

During the leaked call, Strawberry spoke candidly with her husband about visiting the Harvey’s lavish home, primarily when Marjorie isn’t home since Steve is allegedly “afraid” of his wife. Strawberry also made insinuations of Marjorie being mean to Steve’s co-workers and staff and treating them like help.

“When [the phone calls] came out, [it was] a little bit different because it’s not gossip, rumor, or [a] malicious lie. It came from the inside circle… ’cause we’re an inside circle. We are family,” Steve told Strawberry on Monday.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Steve Harvey Morning Show (@steveharveyfm)

Strawberry soon interjected to issue an official apology to Steve and Marjorie for her words during a phone call that was leaked by Fulton County Jail. Strawberry’s husband, Earnest Williams, is currently serving time there on a slew of charges including child pornography, theft, gun possession, and fraud, via Sportskeeda.

“Right here and now, I want to apologize to you and Marjorie for what I said. As much as I wish I could, I can’t take it back. I can’t. I said it, and I want to apologize,” Strawberry said.

“It was definitely not me trying to add to what you and Majorie already have going on, in your lives… right now.”

The leaked phone call came amid a series of rumors against Majorie accusing her of cheating on Steve with a bodyguard and a chef, along with age-old claims of Steve cheating on his second wife Mary Lee Harvey with Marjorie, who was only after his money.

Steve took time to passionately address all of the allegations directly and defend his wife’s honor, who’s at home on “Grandma duty” awaiting their new grandchild.

“The woman I married is a good woman,” Harvey said on his morning show. “She’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”

After praising his wife for being “God-fearing, loyal, faithful, and a kind and loving person,” the “Family Feud” host also shut down speculation about their relationship timeline.

“I don’t care what nobody say—and y’all quit talking about she was in my other marriage and ruined it. She didn’t. She was nowhere around that,” he quipped.

Steve explained how his marriage was already over by the time he filmed “Orginal Kings of Comedy” in 2000 and it took five years to finalize their split. When he reconnected with Marjorie in 2006, not only was he fully single, but he was also allegedly broke.

“In 2005, I had nothing. I lost the radio show we were on in L.A. on May 23, and I lost the only TV show I had on May 10. Steve Harvey had no money,” he explained.

“Got with Marjorie on New Year’s Eve, met her, talked to her. She was with her kids in Hawaii, we got together in 2006, we had nothing. She didn’t marry into no riches. I had nothing when I asked her to marry me at the end of 2006.”

It’s the first time Steve has addressed the rumors about his wife on-air. The candid discussion will hopefully put an end to all the speculation about his wife. It’s clear Uncle Steve is not having it.

by Daniel Johnson

September 12, 2023

Louisiana Supreme Court Overturns Law Aimed At Reducing Unjust Sentencing

The Louisiana Supreme Court threw out a law backed by the state’s district attorneys aimed at fixing unnecessarily long sentences. According to Nola.com, the vote was 5-4 in favor of overturning the law. The Court wrote in its majority decision:

“Moreover, [the law] serves to upend the work of the jury, the prosecutor, and the judge in the trial of the case without identifying a legal defect in those proceedings.”

However, the Supreme Court does allow for judges to reduce sentences when there are specified reasons provided.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry described the court’s ruling as a win for crime victims in a statement. “This unconstitutional legislation resulted in some rapists and murderers receiving ‘get out of jail free’ cards,” Landry said. “That recklessness ends now.”

Landry, who is expected to win the Republican nomination for governor of Louisiana, went on record in 2022 opposing the state’s reforms to its criminal justice system, which included the law that he challenged and got the Supreme Court of Louisiana to overturn.

“We have incompetent mayors, and these woke district attorneys want to play a dangerous game of catch and release with criminals,” Landry said. “As governor, we are just not going to put up with that.”

Jee Park, executive director of the New Orleans branch of the Innocence Project, released a statement reacting to the ruling:

“While we disagree with the ruling, it is important that the Court recognizes that prosecutors continue to have broad authority to collaboratively seek justice for people with unlawful convictions and sentences,” Park said. “There are a lot of injustices that need remedies, and we hope that prosecutors will continue to use their authority when justice requires it.”

Louisiana’s habitual offender law allows prosecutors to significantly increase sentences for those with prior felony convictions. The goal of the law is to protect the public from violent criminals. But as ProPublica reports, critics of the law say that prosecutors use the law to target Black men unfairly.

Markus Lanieux, a Black man, was sentenced to a life sentence for a crime that typically results in a two-year sentence under the habitual offender law. Lanieux qualified to be charged under the law because he had past felony convictions for marijuana possession in addition to a charge of aggravated flight from a police officer. Lanieux’s attorney entered into negotiations with the district attorney to reduce his sentence, but due to Landry’s case filed with the Louisiana Supreme Court, Lanieux had the offer pulled by the district attorney.

Speaking via Zoom to reporters from Verite News and ProPublica, Lanieux lamented how the criminal justice system in Louisiana treated him.

“I ain’t never thought a two-year sentence would turn into life,” Lanieux said. “They just throw you away for any little thing.”

Five Former Memphis Cops Federally Indicted In Death Of Tyre Nichols

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 12, 2023

Five Former Memphis Cops Federally Indicted In Death Of Tyre Nichols

Five former police officers in Memphis, Tennessee, have been federally indicted in the beating death of Tyre Nichols.

On Tuesday, September 12, a federal court indictment charged five ex-cops with violating Nichols’ civil rights during a January 7 arrest that led to his death, WREG reported. Emmitt Martin, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith face four counts of use of excessive force and failure to intervene, deliberate indifference, conspiracy to witness tamper, and witness tampering for former officers.

The indictment called out certain disparaging acts made by the officers during the arrest, including when Haley and Mills removed their body cameras to recall the violence used against Nichols, like, “I thought when he wasn’t going to fall, we about to kill this man.”

The charges carry lengthy sentences, with counts one and two of the indictment carrying a maximum penalty of life in prison, while counts three and four each have a maximum penalty of 20 years. The former officers also face criminal court charges in Shelby County, Tennessee, for second-degree murder, aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct, and official oppression.

Nichols died three days after a violent police encounter during a shady traffic stop near his home in Memphis, CBS News reported. While all the officers involved were Black, Nichols’ death reignited protests and heated debates about police brutality and the need for police reform in the U.S.

“The country watched in horror as Tyre Nichols was kicked, punched, tased, and pepper sprayed, and we all heard Mr. Nichols cry out for his mother and say, ‘I’m just trying to go home,'” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said. “Officers who violate the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect undermine public safety, which depends on the community’s trust in law enforcement. They dishonor their fellow officers who do their work with integrity every day. The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable officers who betray their oath.”

In July, the Department of Justice announced an investigation into the Memphis Police Department’s use of force and conduct during arrests.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 12, 2023

From One Queen To Another: Beyoncé Thanks Diana Ross For Renaissance Tour Pop-up

Beyoncé is praising her “Queen” Diana Ross for taking time out of her legendary day to appear at the Los Angeles stop of Bey’s Renaissance tour.

The Beyhive was completely floored when Diana Ross graced the stage on the last night of Beyoncé’s three-day reign at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. With the show falling on Beyoncé’s 42nd birthday, the Motown legend came out to sing her “Happy Birthday.”

Viral videos show how excited Beyoncé was to be surprised by her idol as she ran back on stage to greet Ms. Ross.

“Thank you so much, you are so amazing,” Beyoncé told Ross on stage. “This is the legendary Diana Ross!”

“There would be no me without you and thank you so much for all of your sacrifice and your beauty and your grace. Thank you for opening doors for me. Thank you so much.”

“You sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me so I wanted to sing it to you,” Ross said in response.

https://twitter.com/BeyLegion/status/1698940108538528194?s=20

Beyoncé sang “Happy Birthday” to Ross at the Motown singer’s 75th birthday party in 2019. One week after Ross returned the favor, Beyoncé thanked her again while recapping the moment on social media for her fans.

“Thank you to the incomparable Ms. Diana Ross. The 1 of 1, the number 1, the only one. Thank you from the depths of me, my Queen. 🐝,” Beyoncé wrote on Monday, September 11.

The caption included a subtle reference to her Renaissance track “Alien Superstar.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)

Fans also praised the iconic moment, while also making jokes about Lionel Richie getting snubbed by Diana Ross. A recent video shared on Twitter shows Richie explaining to a live audience why he has yet to share the stage with Ross to perform their song “Endless Love.”

“She has told me ‘No’ for 37 years. What did you think she was gonna do? Show up tonight? The woman ain’t coming… She’s over there singing Happy Birthday to Beyoncé,” Richie quipped.

“Piss me off,” he added.

Lionel Richie talks about Diana Ross not joining him to sing “Endless Love” on stage:

“She has told me ‘No’ for 37 years. What did you think she was gonna do? Show up tonight? The woman ain’t coming… She’s over there singing Happy Birthday to Beyoncé.” pic.twitter.com/rQkZXCTscz

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 10, 2023

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 12, 2023

Artwork of 1960s Black Artist-Activist Marzette Watts To Be Auctioned October 9 In Beacon, NY

After an organized sit-in at the lunch counter at the Montgomery County Courthouse in 1960, Marzette Watts and eight others were expelled from Alabama State College. Enduring intimidation from the police and the Klu Klux Klan, Watts, a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, left Alabama and enrolled at NYU in New York City. Having been an art major in college in Alabama, he continued his studies in the department where famed Amistad muralist Hale Woodruff was teaching. He later spent a year at the Sorbonne.

Settling into 27 Cooper Square in Manhattan, Watts became part of a vibrant community that included LeRoi Jones, Allen Ginsberg, Larry Rivers, and fellow free jazz musician Archie Schepp. The activism of the free jazz movement shifted Watts’ genius from painting to music. He became a close friend of Lawrence Weiner, with whom he worked on soundtracks. Later, he formed his own recording companies and eventually taught at Wesleyan.

Hudson Valley Auctioneers will offer 150 Watts lots, including oils, ink on paper, and watercolors. There will also be photographs and a rare Delancey Street Museum flyer featuring a Bob Thompson exhibit. This will be an in-person as well as live auctioneers event.

A bound color catalog featuring an in-depth biography of Marzette Watts and images of all 150 lots is now available. Please forward a check in the amount of $40 ($35 + $5 shipping) to the order of Hudson Valley Auctioneers at the address shown below. To pay with a credit card, please call Neil Vaughn at 914-489-2399 or email 432mainstreet@gmail.com.

PREVIEW: Sunday, October 8, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

PREVIEW: Monday, October 9, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

AUCTION: Monday, October 9, 7 p.m.

Auctioneer: Neil Vaughn, 914-489-2399

Hudson Valley Auctioneers

432 Main Street

Beacon, NY 12508

Main Office: 845-831-6800

Office Manager: Theo de Haas, 845-480-2381

This news first appeared on blacknews.com.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 12, 2023

Urban League Of Louisiana Calls Out GOP Candidate Jeff Landry’s Sorry Excuse For Skipping Debate

The National Urban League has called out the GOP candidate for Louisiana governor, the state’s current Attorney General Jeff Landry, for being a no-show at the gubernatorial debate on Sept. 7. The state’s Republican Party claims that the civil rights organization boasts ‘anti-Trump’ sentiments and, therefore, must be boycotted.

However, contrary to the GOP’s “nonsensical” claims, The National Urban League, formerly called the National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, is a nonpartisan group dedicated to ensuring all underserved groups and their civil liberties are upheld and uplifted. The historic civil rights organization’s mission is to hold politicians accountable for their work and make all marginalized people aware of how it impacts them.

The president of the WWL-TV station broadcasting the event, Tod Smith, and the leader of the Louisiana chapter of the Urban League, Judy Reese Morse, spoke against the wrongful claims made by Landry and the GOP. They emphasized that journalists, who were formerly objective, were curating and asking the candidates questions, none of which were influenced by any advocacy group.

Still adamant in their stance, the conservative group encouraged all GOP candidates vying for governor to not engage with the debate and give validity to the “radical” Urban League, as reported by Nola. Landry, who is ahead in many polls, proclaimed that he would not be in attendance due to the league’s liberalism.

“Media reports say their programs elected Democrats and their leadership and lobbying has been anti-Trump, anti-Second Amendment and soft on crime, which is devastating our cities and rural communities,” shared Landry’s communications director.

Despite this, Morse stated that this is not the first political event her chapter has hosted, as letting candidates showcase their platform to voters, no matter if it aligns with their own values, is the main priority. Anchors for the news station were co-hosts at the event.

Landry’s Republican opponents also did not withdraw from the debate, a move implying that the extreme sentiments regarding the communal organization are not universally shared among conservatives.

As for the Louisiana branch of the National Urban League, they are preparing for a Black and Brown Voter Registration Day across numerous cities within the state on Sept.16.

by Stacy Jackson

September 12, 2023

Whoopi Goldberg Flaunts Montgomery Brawl Folding Chair Necklace On ‘The View’

Whoopi Goldberg recently made an impactful return to The View following a battle with COVID-19. After missing the season 27 premiere, the co-host strutted back to set with some new bling around her neck that featured a silver folding chair.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the necklace honored Reggie Ray, nicknamed “the folding chairman,” following his role in the Aug. 5 riverfront brawl in Montgomery, Alabama.

“I have to lead this off by saying we do not condone violence on this show,” Goldberg began the segment. “But there was a story that happened last month in Montgomery, where a riverboat captain [with] 227 passengers was trying to dock his boat in the spot he’s supposed to be in, so the co-captain, who happened to be Black, went to confront this pontoon boat that was in the way.” She described the scene that involved the group of white boaters who attacked Black dock worker Dameion Pickett. “So a fight ensued, and something happened that we have not seen.

“Black people came out of nowhere,” Goldberg continued, recounting the group of Black people who came to Pickett’s defense. “We dropped out of the sky. It was crazy. The memes were off the hook. I am wearing a folding chair.”

The Associated Press reported that Reggie Ray, who hit one of the brawlers with a folding chair, only received a disorderly conduct misdemeanor charge, as he was defending himself and others. Four of the white boaters pleaded guilty after being charged with assault.

“What we all take away from this is if we don’t want to be hit, we do not hit other people. When somebody is doing their job, let them do their job. We’re making light of this,” Goldberg said. She and fellow View co-host Sunny Hostin agreed that the brawl could have easily taken a turn for the worse if guns had been involved.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 12, 2023

Nicki Minaj Has Double Duties as Host & Performer at 2023 MTV Video Music Awards

Nicki Minaj is set to host the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 12. The show takes place in Newark, New Jersey, at the Prudential Center.

Minaj is returning to hosting duties after co-hosting last year’s honors with LL Cool J and Jack Harlow.

BAAAAAARBZ 🗣 @NICKIMINAJ IS PERFORMING AT THE 2023 #VMAs, AND she’s our emcee for the night!!

Watch her LIVE ~ TUESDAY at 8p on @MTV 🎀 pic.twitter.com/KoQaaBu6OR

— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 8, 2023

Minaj took home Best Hip-Hop Video and also received the Video Vanguard Award at last year’s event. She took to her social media account to let her fans know she would be in full effect on Tuesday evening.

Why would the @vmas let me host this show??? 😂 knowing I’m… different… 🙃☺️ #Vmas see ya on the 12th NEW YAWWWK pic.twitter.com/rf6Ep07kN3

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 10, 2023

The Associated Press also reported that for the first time in VMA history, all the nominees for Artist of the Year are women. The artists are Minaj, Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Taylor Swift, Karol G, and Shakira. The women are definitely doing it this year, as SZA leads with six nominations, and Doja Cat and Minaj are tied at five nominations each.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is returning to the MTV Video Music Awards stage for the Global Icon Award and performing for the audience. The mogul is being honored for his successful career and music, business, and entertainment contributions. In addition to receiving this award. Diddy is also returning to the stage to perform for the first time in nearly 20 years since the 2005 VMAs.

The show will air live Tuesday night on MTV and simulcast on the following networks: BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand and VH1. It will also simulcast in Spanish on UniMás.