by Stacy Jackson

September 4, 2023

Companies Are Funding Travel Costs for Employees Seeking Abortion Care

Abortion reimbursement policies are helping attract new employees but isolates current workers, particularly men.

The Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade, which revoked the right to an abortion, has led companies to fund travel costs for employees seeking an abortion. Abortions have been banned in 15 states while others have incorporated partial abortion bans. According to Forbes, companies such as Apple, Amazon, Citigroup, Disney, Starbucks, Target, and Tesla will reimburse travel fees for employees seeking abortion care in states that have instituted the ban.

Research comparing companies that offer travel reimbursement policies and those that do not found that offering reproductive benefits is a positive for the company.

After analyzing job postings on Indeed.com, researchers found an approximate increase of 8% in interest for jobs covering costs for abortion access, particularly ones that typically cater to female employees.

Research on LeanIn.org revealed women under 40, despite their political association, want to work for or would consider switching to companies that fund abortion access.

There has been pushback from employees that occupy male-dominated positions. Glassdoor company ratings on senior management and culture have taken a hit. These company reviews may only reflect a small number of workers. The authors of the study said, “There could be a vocal minority of workers who are angered by these announcements while the ‘silent majority’ of existing employees do not change their opinions.”

Those not in favor of the abortion financial coverage policies have been actively fighting against companies that offer the funding. Logan Green, CEO of Lyft, tweeted the company would cover costs for travel to obtain abortion care if it exceeds 100 miles. He was quickly threatened by Texas legislators who said “swift and decisive” actions would be taken if this policy were enacted.

Emily Nix, a professor of finance and business economics at the University of Southern California and an author of the study, said there is a financial benefit for companies that enact the abortion travel cost policies. However, she warns that companies that have a greater male workforce or a conservative affiliation, would not likely benefit.

Companies with female CEOs, or a large female workforce, and those that donate to Democratic parties or have more employees associated with the Democratic Party are more likely to offer abortion benefits.

by Daniel Johnson

September 4, 2023

The First African American In Space, Guion Bluford, Remains Hopeful For More Black Astronauts

On Aug. 30, 1983, Guion “Guy” Bluford became the first Black American to reach space. But 40 years later, only 16 Black Americans have entered space.

Bluford’s mission marked the first time the space shuttle was both launched and landed at night, and it was supposed to usher in progress towards the first Black American on the moon. However, that never happened. Bluford, now 80, still holds out hope that more Black people will become astronauts.

Bluford told The Houston Chronicle “I don’t know what I expected, but I’m hopeful that we’ll get more and more African Americans in the future coming into the astronaut program.”

As the Chronicle reported, Bluford and others said that a big barrier is education, as Black students are underrepresented in STEM careers, which are prerequisites for the astronaut program. In addition to this, there have only been 16 Black people to fly with the space program, so visibility is also a factor. However, the Black astronauts who have flown are a tight group, often checking in with each other.

During policeman Derek Chauvin’s trial for the murder of George Floyd, the group of astronauts organized a video call to the International Space Station to make sure fellow Black astronaut Victor Glover was doing okay. In 2022, they called to check up on Jessica Watkins, who became the first Black woman to complete an International Space Station long-term mission, when she was on the station. Glover and Watkins comprise half of the active Black NASA astronauts who are available to be assigned to missions, but there are two more who are in the process of completing their training.

Glover is poised to become the first Black man to orbit the moon in 2024 on NASA’s Artemis II mission. In addition to this, when NASA returns to doing lunar landings, there is the potential for a mission in 2025 to include a person of color on its crew. In 1978, Bluford was part of the Thirty Five New Guys, a class of astronauts which included the agency’s first woman, Black, and Asian astronauts.

President Kennedy began the push to include Black astronauts by picking Ed Dwight to train as an experimental test pilot in hopes that he would become an astronaut. The assassination of Kennedy in 1963 significantly hampered these developments and Dwight eventually left NASA and became a world famous sculptor.

Leland Melvin, an executive producer of The Space Race, a documentary about the experiences of Black American astronauts, told the Chronicle, “They (Russia) flew this Afro-Cuban to space and they used it as propaganda against us to get Black people to come to live in the (USSR). No one really knows about that history of the space race.”

In 1985, five years after the Russians sent Afro-Cuban Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez into micro-gravity, Frederick Gregory became the first Black American astronaut to pilot a shuttle.

Bluford sees it as his responsibility to encourage Black students to get into aerospace and remarked to the Houston Chronicle that he had not seen very many other Black aerospace engineers during his time as an aerospace engineer.

NASA commemorated Bluford in a statement: “While former NASA astronaut Guy Bluford is the first African American to go to space, his legacy is remembered with a host of African American pilots, engineers, scientists and others who have continued to explore the cosmos. When we enable individuals to inclusively participate, we provide space for all possible talent, skills, knowledge, perspectives, ideas, thinking, problem-solving and innovations.”

12-Year-Old Boy Dies While Running In Over 90-Degree Heat; Teacher Allegedly Ignored Pleas For Water

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 4, 2023

12-Year-Old Boy Dies While Running In Over 90-Degree Heat; Teacher Allegedly Ignored Pleas For Water

A California preteen who didn’t have proper attire died after a gym teacher allegedly made him run in his regular clothes as the temperature pushed passed 90 degrees. The incident took place Aug. 29 at around 11 a.m.

According to NBC Los Angeles, 12-year-old Yahshua Robinson died after he collapsed while running laps last week. The boy, who lived in Lake Elsinore, had asked for water before collapsing and dying at Canyon Lake Middle School.

Reportedly, the teacher ignored his request for water.

The student’s aunt, Amarna Plummer, told the media outlet that her nephew wasn’t appropriately dressed for the physical education class. Yet, the gym teacher made him participate as a form of punishment. Plummer said other students informed her that he started to feel ill. After asking for water, he passed out and never regained consciousness.

“He was reaching out to the teacher, saying he needed some water. He said he couldn’t breathe. He was telling the kids this,” Plummer said.

“Why would you have a child in his clothes–he didn’t dress out–running a field?”

According to a report from the Riverside County Sheriff, Robinson was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta where his listed time of death was 12:25 p.m. In a statement, the Lake Elsinore Unified School District said it was “saddened” to confirm the death “of one of our students due to a medical emergency at one of our LEUSD campuses.”

A GoFundMe account was started for Robinson’s family. More than 2,000 people had donated about $80,000. The listed goal was $100,000.

“For 12-year-old Yahshua Robinson, August 29, 2023, started as a typical, fun-filled school day. But while taking part in his PE activities at school, Yahshua collapsed and became unresponsive, a tragedy we believe was brought about by the sweltering heat. Despite the response and care of medical professionals, Yahshua tragically succumbed to cardiac arrest at the hospital,” the GoFundMe page reads.

by Daniel Johnson

September 3, 2023

LaVar Ball Debuts New Shoe, Gets Mocked On Internet

Despite speculation among NBA front office personnel that LaVar Ball‘s Big Baller Brand shoes may have contributed to his son Lonzo Ball’s severe knee injury in 2022, the brand continues to survive.

Lonzo Ball discussed this on a 2019 appearance on his then New Orleans Pelicans teammate Josh Hart’s podcast, telling Hart his manager Darren Moore carried around extra pairs of his BBB signature shoes. “No one knows this, but D-Mo had a backpack, and he had like an extra four pairs of shoes in there, because I had to switch them every quarter because they would just rip. I’m like, ‘Yo, I’m not playing in them shoes.’ Like, ‘I don’t care bro.”

The Lakers were so concerned with the shoes that they approached Lonzo and asked him if the shoes from his father’s company had anything to do with his knee injuries, but Ball denied those concerns. Now with the Chicago Bulls, Ball suffered a major injury after a promising start to his 2022 season and questions about those shoes still surround him.

Despite these concerns, LaVar Ball is back with a new and unimproved shoe design, according to Sports Illustrated.

Ball posted the shoes to his Instagram account along with a caption reading, “Yeah you saw them! That’s right, these triple B’s. You know our vibe is getting tight. You’ve gotta get this shirt, ‘Greatness takes balls.’ Look how clean it is. Now if you’re into fashion, get this in black and gold. I’ma tell you what, these right here, coming soon!”

The shoes look like some kind of cross between Yeezys and a scuba flipper with a slit at the top. Atlanta rapper Quavo was an early endorser of the brand, according to Hot Hip Hop. The shoes have not yet been listed on the Big Baller Brand storefront but the shoes will probably be listed with the higher-end shoes, which are priced at $695.

It did not take long for the Internet to Internet, as Ball’s shoe was roasted soundly. One user referred to the shoes as “Mickey Mouse 1’s” while another compared him to “ring chasing Shaq” and others simply just laughed at him.

https://twitter.com/pirates_smoke__/status/1698361449054117939?t=Tgmp1BtXML5Zj_xNOU9IlA&s=19

Big Baller Brand in 2023 https://t.co/vSd2j7evig pic.twitter.com/oPdx2ShXMq

— Swaggy (@Swaggylinzalt) September 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/Jayswizz00/status/1698127702451003546?t=E8gXqR0pOT0T8ToiYTHk9w&s=19

https://twitter.com/laflame_6/status/1698358989971480882?t=GqkGBBX2wozRPCck6Za5cw&s=19

https://t.co/D7X4gX0pER pic.twitter.com/H6HpdopkGa

— ☮️&❤️ (@hailxrel) September 3, 2023

WNBA Changes Travel Stance, Infuriating Players

by Daniel Johnson

September 3, 2023

WNBA Changes Travel Stance, Infuriating Players

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert announced that the league would be expanding its travel at the 2023 WNBA Draft. Teams were allowed to travel via privately chartered flights on back-to-back games and all throughout the playoffs. However, as SB Nation reports, Englebert walked this promise back in a memo after reiterating it at the WNBA’s All-Star game last month.

The memo reads, in part, “Between rounds, Teams will have the option to charter from the home market or directly to Game 1 of the following round (only one route permitted, not both). Therefore, teams will need to plan their own commercial flight)s) if and when necessary, depending on their choice.”

What this essentially means is that despite making a public commitment as recently as last month, the WNBA has scrapped the plan that it promoted for the entirety of its season.

Understandably, players like Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally are not happy with the league’s choice. This move also comes at a terrible time as ESPN conducted a survey composed of 25% of the league’s players and half of them pressed the league to improve its travel and security issues. League MVP A’ja Wilson hoped for a compromise, telling ESPN, “It should not take us all day to get to a destination.”

Wilson added, “It may not be that teams get their own private jet. But just working more with JSX and other chartering companies.”

After news of the memo broke, several players indicated their displeasure with the league’s revised travel policy.

“Don’t promise things you can’t accomplish. This is something that is preventable. We [WNBA players] have been preaching all season long. Shoutout to our union [WNBPA],” Sabally told SB Nation. “They’ve done an amazing job being so vocal. We can’t rely on the league. Promises were made, and they aren’t being fulfilled.”

Aces forward Alysha Clark posted her thoughts on Twitter/X mentioning Englebert and the WNBA Players Association directly in a pair of posts.

“So Cathy Englebert u said charter would be for “full playoffs” & now it’s “Between rounds, teams will have the option to charter from the home market or directly to Game 1 the following round” but not both?” Clark questioned in her post.

And if a team is within 200 miles of the other you can’t charter? Like what? This isn’t what we talked about nor is it what you publicly said. @TheWNBPA

— Alysha Clark (@Alysha_Clark) September 1, 2023

League officials anonymously spoke to The Next, telling the outlet, “Full playoffs should mean there are no commercial flights. No ‘fine print.’ I couldn’t believe it when I read the memo. A bunch of stipulations.”

The WNBA extended the league’s season to 40 games, which only adds to the travel fatigue that some teams are facing.

With the playoffs quickly approaching on Sept 13, teams like the Connecticut Sun who have precarious travel situations might find themselves at a competitive disadvantage as Alyssa Thomas detailed to ESPN, “Connecticut has the worst travel in all the league, being that we’re an hour away from the airport,” Thomas said.

She added, “It’s Hartford, and there’s not too many flights from there, and if we want to fly direct, we have to travel two hours to Boston. So our travel schedule is brutal.”

Zales Partners With Black College Football Hall Of Fame To Award Scholarships

by Daniel Johnson

September 3, 2023

Zales Partners With Black College Football Hall Of Fame To Award Scholarships

Jewelry retailer Zales will present two academic scholarships to students from universities represented in today’s fourth annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

Sports Illustrated reports that two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to students from Morehouse College and Virginia Union University. Awardees are selected in conjunction with the schools based on their academic achievement and pursuit of a retail or entrepreneurial-focused field of study. The two recipients will be presented with their scholarships at the Sept. 3 game.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the BCFHOF again as we celebrate the great athletes and coaches who are part of this year’s Hall of Fame Classic, to recognize the hard-working students who have earned these academic scholarships, and to meet potential future team members,” Kecia Caffie, president of Zales told Sports Illustrated. “The Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic game and its events are a time-honored tradition. We proudly present those playing in the game with this distinct pendant to remember this special moment in their college experience.”

The BCFHOF was created in 2009 by two ex-HBCU football players, Doug Williams and James Harris. Both played at Grambling State University. Harris became the NFL’s first full-time starting Black quarterback in 1969; Williams was the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl in 1988. The two also share a foundation, the Shack Harris and Doug Williams Foundation, which annually presents the Black College Football Hall of Fame Game.

Since the inception of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, there have been over 100 inductees, which include the two aforementioned players as well as NFL legends Mel Blount, Willie Lanier, and Art Shell (the NFL’s first Black head coach), who all serve as trustees.

Sheryl Lee Ralph Rebrands The DIVA Foundation

by Jameelah Mullen

September 3, 2023

Sheryl Lee Ralph Rebrands The DIVA Foundation

Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph announced that her DIVA Foundation is expanding its reach. Founded in 1990, The DIVA Foundation was created to raise awareness, reduce stigmas, and help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. The new multi-layered program will raise awareness about various issues that affect marginalized communities.

“Our program is rooted in five pillars: health awareness, women and girls, LGBTQ+, social justice and racial equity, and food and housing insecurity,” Ralph said.

Tech executive Norman Lee will serve as foundation’s executive director. Lee, who has volunteered at the DIVAS Foundation for 18 years, will spearhead the rebranding.

“I’m excited to take on this new challenge and partner with Sheryl Lee Ralph and the organization’s board of directors to accomplish our mission of daring to care.” Lee said.

Ralph, who also serves as the foundation’s board president, said she faced opposition when she started the DIVAS Foundation. “People told me I was stupid,” she told People magazine in May 2023.

She added that people told her that assisting people living with HIV and AIDS was a waste of time.

But the Broadway star’s perseverance paid off. Since its inception, the DIVA Foundation has raised over $3 million and has helped support countless organizations such as Project Angel Food and The Black AIDS Institute.

The DIVA Foundation will soon host its annual event, “DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness.” Now in its 33rd year, it is the longest-running HIV/AIDS and Health Awareness benefit concert in the United States.

The concert has featured vocal powerhouses such as Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, and Patti Labelle and appearances from Hollywood legends like Whoopi Goldberg, Alfre Woodard, and Loretta Devine. The event will be filmed on November 19, 2023, and will air later on ABC and Hulu.

by Jameelah Mullen

September 3, 2023

Erica Mena Fired From ‘Love and Hip Hop Atlanta’ After Calling Co-Star A Monkey

Reality TV star Erica Mena has been released from Love and Hip Hop Atlanta after using a racial slur against a fellow cast members. Her termination was announced on the franchise’s Instagram page.

“The Love and Hip Hop franchise has never shied away from hard conversations in our Community. Working hand in hand with our partners, viewers will see the impact of Erica Mena’s remarks play out in the final three episodes of this season. Effective immediately, she will not appear in the next season of Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta,” the post read.

The incident was captured on the most recent episode of the popular show. Mena got into a heated argument with her co-star and former friend Spice (real name Grace Hamilton) who was born in Jamaica. Things exploded after Spice, who often wears blue hair and is of a darker hue than Mena, implied that Erica’s oldest son doesn’t like his mother.

Mena, who has said she identifies as an Afro-Latina, responded by flipping a table and calling the dancehall artist a “blue monkey.” She added that her nemesis “should have died,” a reference to Spice’s recent health scare after undergoing an undisclosed medical procedure.

After being escorted out of the restaurant by security, Mena repeated the slur and proceeded to make monkey sounds.

Fans of the show took to social media to weigh in on the incident. Some came to the former video vixen’s defense; many expressed their disdain for Mena’s use of the racial epithet.

“Erica Mena was racist for calling Spice a monkey. Period. Someone pissing you off doesn’t make you resort to racist slurs unless you already felt that way. She told us how she really felt,” X user, writer Ernest Owens, explained.

Erica Mena was racist for calling Spice a monkey.

Period.

Someone pissing you off doesn't make you resort to racist slurs unless you already felt that way.

She told us how she really felt.

— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) August 30, 2023

Mena, a mother of three, was arrested on August 25 after an altercation with security guards at an Atlanta lounge. According to WSB-TV, police were called to the establishment after receiving reports about “unruly” patrons. They broke up a fight involving Mena, another LHHA co-star Bambi (real name Addie Richardson), and rapper Zellswag (Rodney Shaw). All three were charged with willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Mena was also charged with simple battery.

There is no word on whether the arrest also had any bearing on Mena being released from the show.

HBCU students, Ida b wells textbook fund

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 3, 2023

HBCU Students Express Gratitude For Ida B. Wells Textbook Fund In Viral Video

In a new video, students who were the lucky recipients of the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Textbook Fund have shown their thanks to all those who contributed. Howard University and Morgan State University attendees can better focus on their studies, with the pressure of buying books now alleviated.

The video was shared on Facebook through the Fund’s founder and coordinator, Dr. Stacey Patton, official account. Stating that she was “so touched” by the video, Patton shared that her initial belief that only one student was expressing gratitude turned into multiple recipients of the Fund.

“I thought I was gonna click on this thank you video from ONE student who received money from the Ida B Wells Textbook Fund,” shared the educator.

“But no, he took his camera and went around campus and got thank you messages from other students who also benefited from your generosity. This touched my heart because I have only met one of these students face-to-face. So it is nice to put faces to their email requests and CashApp info.”

The textbook fund has been life-changing for students enrolling at the HBCUs. Given $250 stipends, the money can be used for student needs beyond textbooks, including course equipment and technology software. Applicants must submit a form demonstrating need, with allotments given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Fund is crowd-sourced, with the money for the students acquired by communal donations, often totaling $25K each semester, which helps approximately 70 students each fall and spring. Over $30K was raised for this fall term to help even more scholars.

The students in the video shared their gratitude for the Fund helping those across a wide range of majors.

“I want to take a moment to thank all the donors of the Ida B. Wells Fund who have helped many others like myself take time out of their day to focus on education rather than purchasing books,” shared Valery Jean-Jacques, a junior majoring in television and film at Howard University.

Another student, political science major Nikkya Taliaferro, expressed how the donors of the Fund are helping students who are financially independent Fund their academic journey,

“The Ida B. Wells Book scholarship has allowed me to buy all my textbooks for the semester, which has really been a help, especially as I independently financially support myself through college. So one less stress and another opportunity to continue going through my college experience.”

Family of Pregnant Woman Slain By Ohio Cop On Video Demands His Arrest

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 3, 2023

Family of Pregnant Woman Slain By Ohio Cop On Video Demands His Arrest

The family of a pregnant Black woman killed in Columbus, Ohio, is seeking justice for her death. Video footage recently disclosed to the public revealed that she was shot dead in her car by a local police officer.

Ta’Kiya Young was 21 years old when she was fatally shot by a member of Columbus’ law enforcement in a moment of what her family deems a “gross misuse of power and authority.” Body camera video of the incident was released over a week later, which the Young family’s attorney believes is another indicator that her case is being disregarded.

The lawyer, Sean Walton, told The Associated Press the family is “heartbroken” over the loss of Ta’Kiya and her unborn child.

“The video did nothing but confirm their fears that Ta’Kiya was murdered unjustifiably … and it was just heartbreaking for them to see Ta’Kiya having her life taken away under such ridiculous circumstances,” said Walton.

The Young family remains adamant that killing the expectant mother was unnecessary after she was originally stopped under the suspicion that she stole from a local grocery store. Two cops on the scene then demanded that she get out of the car, which she refused. The situation escalated, with one shooting her as she moved her car.

The officer who pulled the trigger is currently on paid administrative leave as the investigation unfolds, which is standard procedure in such cases. However, the other officer at the scene is still on active duty. No information regarding the race of either officer has been officially released.

Ta’Kiya’s family, however, is still reeling from the abrupt loss.

“More than anything, there was … a sense of just devastation, to know that this power system, these police officers, could stop her and so quickly take her life for no justifiable reason,” their lawyer explained further.

Ohio Police have garnered attention for multiple cases of alleged police brutality against its Black residents. All eyes are now on the state’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation to see what solutions they offer to provide justice.