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.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 3, 2023

Roz Brewer Out As Walgreens CEO As Company Leans Into Healthcare

Walgreens’ CEO Roz Brewer is stepping down as the company seeks to grow more as a healthcare company than a pharmacy company. Brewer held the position since 2021 as it navigated being a drugstore amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The news was confirmed on Sept. 1 by CNBC, with the company wanting to focus less on its retail portfolio, in which Brewer had more experience. With her work background leading Walmart and Starbucks, Brewer took on the role just as Walgreens was moving directions.

Walgreens is another big-name pharmacy that is phasing out traditional drug store offerings, as CVS Health is also enacting a healthcare-centric strategy as it evolves. Both pharmaceutical chains want to incorporate more healthcare providers in their locations.

While Brewer maintained Walgreens as the pandemic raged on, her work specialties were no longer aligned with the goals the company wished to pursue. Hence, according to reports, her role in the company is no longer feasible.

However, Brewer’s impact on Walgreens will not be forgotten, as the former executive prioritized the drugstore’s plan to increase vaccine equity as COVID-19 spread globally.

“All of this must come as a disappointment to Ms. Brewer, but it also means that a different sort of experience is needed to lead the business. It is notable that the interim CEO, Ginger Graham, has a much deeper background in the healthcare and pharma industries,” shared Neil Saunders, a retail analyst and GlobalData managing director, in a statement.

In the wake of her removal, Brewer has also stepped down from the board but released a statement following the announcement of her transition out of the company.

“I am confident that WBA is on track to be a leading consumer-centric healthcare company, serving thousands of communities across the country, especially those that need access to healthcare the most,” shared the former CEO.

by Daniel Johnson

September 3, 2023

Florida Judge Says Florida Voting Map Violates State Constitution

A Florida redistricting plan championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis was declared unconstitutional by Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh. As reported by NBC News, Marsh sent the plan back to the Florida State Legislature with instructions that it meet the requirements established by the Florida Constitution. Marsh ruled that the map hampered the ability of the state’s Black citizens to choose a state representative that aligned with their political interests.

Marsh stated in his written decision that groups challenging the map “have shown that the enacted plan results in the diminishment of Black voters’ ability to elect their candidate of choice in violation of the Florida Constitution.”

This decision follows two cases in June 2023 that featured Republican-drawn redistricting maps that the United States Supreme Court struck down. Even the court’s conservative judges found the maps drawn in Alabama and Louisiana, respectively, to be flagrant efforts to attempt to weaken the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In both cases, Republicans have signaled their willingness to appeal because they believe that the maps as they currently exist favor Democratic candidates.

DeSantis created his own map after vetoing the map submitted by the Republican-dominated Florida State Legislature. DeSantis’s map was designed to get U.S. Rep Al Lawson, a Black man, out of office by creating districts that parceled out areas where Black people voted for Republican candidates. Under DeSantis’s map, Florida would essentially become a state ruled by white politicians despite the population of Florida being 17% Black. Voting rights advocates argued in their lawsuit that this arrangement violated Florida voting law and federal voting rights protections. Marsh wrote in his brief that the defendants failed to persuasively argue that the state’s provision establishing that minority-dominant districts are protected from being weakened or eliminated was, in fact, a violation of the United States Constitution.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 3, 2023

Video Shows Tennessee House Speaker Allegedly Assaulting Black Rep

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton has been accused of assaulting a Black representative. Released video footage shows Rep. Justin Pearson being shoved by his fellow state rep.

According to The Black Wall Street Times, the altercation played out along party lines. Sexton, a Republican from Crossville, clashed with Pearson, a Democrat representing Memphis, on the legislative floor. The news outlet also tweeted footage of the incident.

Video: Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton aggressively shoves Rep. Justin Pearson as he exits the dais. Sexton's frustration with pressure from Pearson and Rep. Jones to address gun violence in GOP legislation boils over. #TennesseePolitics #GunViolenceReform pic.twitter.com/wIyAR6vXGi

— The Black Wall Street Times (@TheBWSTimes) August 30, 2023

The Aug. 29 incident garnered national attention, especially as Pearson and a fellow liberal representative, Rep. Justin Jones of Nashville, have been advocating for gun reform. Sexton was adjourning the special legislative session, in which moments before, Rep. Jones argued for a vote of no confidence against the House speaker.

In the video, Rep. Sexton shoved Pearson as both the Democratic leaders moved closer to the House Speaker’s dais. As the speaker tried leaving the floor, both elected officials continued to follow him, holding signs that urged Sexton to do more for gun reform as mass shootings across America continue to rise. Sexton, rattled by the mounting pressure, shoved Pearson in his chest, seemingly to be able to leave. However, Sexton left instead of being immediately reprimanded for physically attacking his fellow representative.

Sexton ended the session before the vote jeopardizing his position unfolded; however, chants to “vote him out” were also audible within the video as he exited the building.

After the ordeal, Rep. Pearson stated that the “white supremacist” assaulting him only indicates that gun reform to reduce violence is needed.

White supremacist speaker @CSexton25 violently shoved me today while I held my “Protect Kids, Not Guns!” sign. I’m infuriated by his actions but more infuriated by the INACTION of @tnhousegop to pass a SINGLE bill to prevent gun violence. This is how democracy dies. We must rise! https://t.co/LQXlqsreuS

— Justin J. Pearson (@Justinjpearson) August 30, 2023

“White supremacist speaker Cameron Sexton violently shoved me today while I held my ‘Protect Kids, Not Guns!’ I’m infuriated by his actions but more infuriated by the inaction of the Tennessee House GOP to pass a single bill to prevent gun violence,” shared the elected official. “This is how democracy dies. We must rise.”

by Mary Spiller

September 3, 2023

Shaquille O’Neal And Son Myles Bond Over Love Of DJing

While married to TV personality Shaunie Henderson, Shaquille O’Neal acted as a father figure to her oldest son, Myles, who was from a past relationship. O’Neal was so close to Myles that he adopted him.

Now, due to their special bond, the 26-year-old has decided to follow in the former NBA star’s footsteps to become a DJ.

Not only did Shaq lead a massively successful basketball career, but he made a name for himself in the DJ world with his musical alter ego, DJ Diesel. In a recent interview with People, Shaq said he loves being able to work with Myles.

“I remember when I just bought him his first DJ set,” Shaq said, “He’d be in a room, and I’d try to let my kids do everything on their own, so he’d come in, and I’d say, ‘Figure it out,’ and he’d come back with it figured out.”

Shaq told the outlet that he was impressed with Myles’ innate skill for the game.

“I’ve seen him perform many times, and he’s really good. I’m actually jealous, he’s really good. I’m so proud of him because he did it the same way I did it,” Shaq added.

He pointed out something else that Myles has that he doesn’t have. “He has that DJ hair,” Shaq said. “I don’t have the DJ hair…something I’ve never had.”

Myles opened up about how grateful he is to have his father supporting him in his career pursuits.

“I got into the world of deejaying through my dad,” he said. “He was doing his DJ Diesel project, and he just brought me on with no experience in the music industry at all. And I started working for him. I started in the background as a stage manager.”

Most recently, Myles showed off his DJ skills at the HARD music festival in Las Vegas.

by Mary Spiller

September 3, 2023

White Teenager Indicted For Allegedly Attempting To Drown A Black Juvenile

An unnamed white teenager has been indicted on charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly trying to drown a Black juvenile in a Chatham, Massachusetts, pond on July 19.

The District Attorney’s office explained in a release that “after a Dangerousness Hearing in the Barnstable Juvenile Court on August 31, 2023, the juvenile defendant was found dangerous by Judge Silvia Gomes.”

According to ABC News, Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois said the indicted 14-year-old male allegedly threw a large stone at the Black juvenile, threatened him, and called him a racial slur. The indicted white male, the victim, and one other underage attendant were present around the pond.

The victim put on a life jacket in response to the threats and told the others present that he couldn’t swim. The indicted teen and the other juvenile got into the water, and the teen “known to the court” began to pull the Black victim’s life jacket. He continued to then forcibly push the victim underwater four or five times. The district attorney reported that the Black victim experienced breathing distress as they took on water.

The other white juvenile at the scene laughed at the victim and referred to him as “George Floyd.”

The indicted juvenile dove underwater and then started to pull on the feet of the victim to submerge him in the pond once more. However, when the victim began yelling for help, a bystander responded and entered the water to help him to safety. Due to their age, all of the people involved were kept from the public.

The unnamed indicted team is being held without bail until their court date on September 13 for their first pretrial hearing at Barnstable’s Juvenile Court.

by Mary Spiller

September 3, 2023

The CROWN Act In Effect In Texas As Of September 1

The Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act, more commonly known as the CROWN Act, went into effect in the state of Texas on September 1. The new passing will enforce unwavering protection against discrimination in the workplace and public schools based on natural “race-based” hairstyles like twists, braids, Afros, and locs.

Texas State Representative Rhetta Andrews Bowers, D-Rowlett, has been pushing for the passing of the CROWN Act for years. After the third time she filed it to her colleagues, it was finally passed into law in this year’s 2023 legislative session. In order to argue for the passing of the CROWN Act, Bowers described having to extensively educate her fellow lawmakers about hair-based microaggressions and outright discrimination. She even shared one of her own experiences that took place on the House floor with a white male colleague.

“He’s asking me, ‘Can I touch your hair?’ and I’m thinking, ‘That is really not going to be a good thing to do because we are right here; you do not want to touch my hair,’” Bowers recalled the incident. “And he laughed, and that was the other thing — some of it, to some people, was a joke, and I had to make them understand that it was about more than hair, that it was about acceptance, really.”

Through Bower’s unwavering determination, the Texas Legislature finally passed the CROWN Act back in May of this year with “overwhelming bipartisan support.”

Bowers told The Texas Standard she believes the new law will be an incredibly positive force for affected people.

“It would impact men, women, and children … whether it was in the classroom and children were being kept from instruction because of their hair and looked at as a distraction — because of the style they are wearing their hair in — or people on a job being held [back] from promotion because they are choosing to wear their hair in braids,” Bowers told the outlet.

Currently, on her natural hair journey, LaToya Gadson is happy it passed.

“I think it’s crazy because, of course, it’s hair that we were born with, right? And the norm is having straight hair,” Gadson expressed. “And now, it’s embracing … this is who I am.”

She spoke to the outlet about the unique experience of going to a hair salon and getting her beautiful mane done up in braids. “To be able to come, sit, relax, have a great conversation, and to have this unique hairstyle … it just makes me feel confident. And pretty…I started rocking my natural hair in 2018. That’s when I started transitioning from relaxers, getting it straight,” Gadson said. Before, she’d worry, “Oh, now, I can’t have curly hair! ‘Cause what someone might think about it.”

Her stylist, Aliyah Hale, agreed with the sentiment. “For me, it’s providing ease to Black women in particular. Because, for us, I feel like everything is hard,” Hale said. “It’s a time saver, it’s convenient, it makes people feel more confident and beautiful.”

by Jameelah Mullen

September 3, 2023

Where Fashion Meets Function: Entrepreneur Creates A Retainer Inside Of A Grill

From Slick Rick to Rihanna, gold grills have been a hip-hop staple for over three decades. However, some dentists warn that bedazzled smiles can lead to poor oral health.

Los Angeles-based inventor Chriss Rogers has a solution. She’s created the first grill equipped with a retainer that protects teeth.

The ForbesBLK member recently told Afrotech that her company, Ease, was born out of the desire to create “something that’s never been done before.”

The patent pending design is created to look like a traditional grill without the harmful side effects.

“This is a cutting-edge oral accessory method designed to safeguard your teeth against the harsh elements of metal exposure. This innovative solution offers unparalleled protection and peace of mind,” Rogers said.

The protective grills start at $130 and can be customized to fit a variety of tastes and budgets. The grills can be made in gold, ranging from 10 carats to 22 carats.

The self-funded business has primarily relied on social media for its growth. Posts have been shared on multiple platforms, helping to increase sales. The entrepreneur stated that she has sold approximately 100 units since June 2023.

Customers can customize their protective mouth grills via the website. They are then sent a “Do-it-yourself Dental Impression Kit” along with directions on how to make a dental impression at home. Once an impression is received, it is shipped back to the customer in 1-3 business days.

Although this is an e-commerce store, Rogers is not looking to cut out the “middleman” completely. The up-and-coming company is open to working with dentists and jewelers alike.

According to the company’s website, “Our main goal is merging the world of dentistry and jewelry with our Protective Mouth Grill. That’s where you come into the picture!”

It continues: “If you are a dentist or a jeweler and see our product as a good addition to your practice, we have put together a pitch deck in your favor.”

Dentists and jewelers can inquire about partnering with Ease by visiting its website.

by Daniel Johnson

September 3, 2023

Sasha Skare Sentenced To 55 Years For Murder Of Beyoncé’s Rapper Cousin Martell DeRouen

In January 2021, Texas rapper Martell DeRouen, known by his stage name Kardone, was killed in his apartment. According to the San Antonio Express-News reporting, Derouen’s body was found after a close friend requested the police conduct a welfare check. Not long after DeRouen’s killing, police arrested a 21-year-old woman, Sasha Skare, charging her with his murder. In 2019, Skare was also charged with aggravated assault stemming from a shooting of two men in which one man was killed and the other injured.

DeRouen happens to be the cousin of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and during Skare’s trial, which began on Aug. 29, jurors were introduced to a lot of evidence. Jurors were shown a video depicting Skare walking into DeRouen’s apartment, holding a gun in one hand and a phone in the other. The prosecutor also presented audio of a 911 call allegedly placed by Joia DeRouen, the wife of Martell DeRouen. However, DeRouen’s wife said at the trial that the voice on the recording belonged to Skare and not her. She claimed Skare was impersonating her, even giving the 911 operator the wrong information.

DeRouen told the court: “My name starts with a ‘J’ and not a ‘G.’ He was not 28, he was 34. Not correct at all.”

According to an affidavit supporting the arrest of Skare, “Witnesses who lived near DeRouen told police they heard him and a woman arguing, but that it stopped when he told her to get out and slammed the apartment door on Jan. 22, 2021. One witness heard banging on the door, then a single gunshot.”

Multiple witnesses called to the stand on the trial’s first day corroborated the affidavit’s account.

On Aug. 30, Skare took the stand to give her side of the story.

After her lawyer asked about her intentions after the gun discharged a round, Skare replied, “My intent was just to get his attention.”

Skare was presented with a plea deal on Aug. 24, but she turned it down in favor of a trial.

A San Antonio jury sentenced Skare on Sept. 1 to serve 55 years for the murder of DeRouen. His sister, Kami DeRouen, read the victim impact statement shortly after the sentence was delivered. “The pain and agony you brought upon my family is unbearable. Fix your sheets, if you have any, because you’ve made your bed and now it’s time for you to lay in it.”

by Mary Spiller

September 2, 2023

DJ Khaled To Open For Beyoncé In Los Angeles Leg Of Renaissance World Tour

Beyoncé reportedly has DJ Khaled riding with her for the last legs of her famed Renaissance World Tour. In an Instagram post, Khaled announced on Aug. 30 that he would open for her during her Los Angeles shows.

The Instagram post includes a video of him talking to fans and paparazzi before a show.

He wrote, “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR WE ON OUR WAY! Can’t wait to open up for the Queen in LA Sep 1st and Sep 2nd! LETS GO! #FANLUV & #BEYHIVE make sure to get there at 7:30!”

He continued: “Thank you @beyonce @jayz for the invite! When the Queen [crown emoji] calls … I run!! BEYONCÉ DID! ! Til Next Time [peace sign and heart hand sign emojis] @wethebest @rocnation @parkwood FYI I have nooo tickets!”

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A post shared by DJ KHALED (@djkhaled)

This is the second time DJ Khaled has gone on tour with Beyoncé; the first was back in 2016 when she was on her Formation World Tour. Following its successful conclusion, the 47-year-old New Orleans native shared kind words for the Queen Bee in a touching and intimate thank-you message.

The music producer captioned a photo of him and Beyoncé together, writing, “Dreams come true. Don’t ever let ‘they’ tell you you can’t do it. They told me I would never tour. Well I just finished touring with the biggest artist walking the planet.”

He added, “They told me I would never touch a stage in a high school arena. Well I just finished touching the stage in every stadium in every major city in America. Dreams come true. But you have to work hard, you gotta work very hard!!!”

“In order to stand beside the icon @beyonce You got to work hard for over 25 years and dedicate your blood sweat and tears to making your dreams a reality. I want to thank Beyoncé for putting me on stage in front of a stadium full of loyal fans of the Hive and Fan luv!”

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A post shared by DJ KHALED (@djkhaled)