Music moguls Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine are building a student center for Atlanta public school students to explore their passions and achieve their goals.

Atlanta News First reports “the Iovine and Young Center” will be at Frederick Douglass High School, located in northwestern part of the city. Iovine attended the program’s official unveiling on Aug. 29.

“We believe we’re going to give these kids an advantage, a different type of education,” shared Iovine, the music executive, who founded Beats Electronics with Dr. Dre in 2006. “So, you all can sell these kids, go out there and say you want these kids. Because the modern job needs these kids. That’s why.”

Iovine said their reasoning for giving back is inspired by a grander mission: to change the way students see their futures. “Me and Dre think big,” he said. “We think everybody in the world’s going to learn like this, well, maybe! We never thought everybody in the world would wear our headphones, but they did.”

The Iovine and Young Center will provide real-life opportunities for students to challenge themselves and develop new skills. The center will also incorporate an interdisciplinary curriculum built to grow students’ professional and personal development.

This is not the entrepreneurs’ first effort to impact youths in their academic journeys. They created a magnet school in Los Angeles in hopes of innovating education.

Students at the Atlanta high school are excited for the new scope of opportunities. Sophomore Caleb Mitchell believes the center will spark the “potential” of students who just need a chance to showcase their skill-sets.

“We don’t have as much opportunities as other schools have,” senior Ariel Brumant said. “Jobs and how people don’t look toward us because our careers or the school that we come from or the area that we come from or the things that go on.”

The center and the program will open next year.

RELATED CONTENT: How This Black Male Educator Staffs Schools During A National Teacher Shortage

• News

by Daniel Johnson

August 31, 2023

Armed Pittsburgh-Area Man Arrested Near Black Church But Police Decline Hate Crime Charges

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A white man armed with a shotgun has been accused of threatening two women before attempting to enter a predominantly-Black Greater Dominion Church in Amherst, Pennsylvania. CBS Pittsburgh reported Jeffrey Harris was allegedly pointing a 12-gauge shotgun at two women at the intersection of Duss Avenue and Fourth Street at approximately 9 AM ET. One of those women called the police and described the man, according to Ambridge Police Chief John DeLuca.

“There was a white male, camo vest, red hat, and white T-shirt walking with a possible long gun down Duss Avenue,” DeLuca said.

The pastor and many members of Greater Dominion Church are Black, and some believed that Harris was attempting to gain entry to the church to commit a hate crime.

The Ambridge Police Department received assistance from the Beaver County Regional Police Department. It located Harris in the 300 block of Merchant Street, where they found the shotgun, ammunition, and crystal meth. When officers were sent to Harris’s home, they discovered a house that appeared ready to become the stage for a standoff.

Deluca said, “They found the steps up to the residence had some type of lubrication on them.”

Investigators also discovered a barrier Harris had created, which would have allowed him to fire at anyone entering the residence from cover. Deluca later informed local outlet KDKA TV that he did not believe the incident was a racially motivated attack, but instead, it was due to Harris’s use of crystal meth and his mental state.

However, Pastor Kenneth Crumb of Greater Dominion Church disputes the police account.

“How serious was it to the local police department? They never said one word to us, even when we got out of church, out of service. There’s cars all over the place out here. Police cars, bomb squad, and no one said anything to us,” said Crumb.

Harris faces charges including attempted burglary, aggravated assault, and terrorist threats. His bond was set at $975,000, and a hearing is scheduled for Sept. 5. 

RELATED CONTENT: King Family Reaffirms Dr. King’s Message After Jacksonville Hate Crime

• Women

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 30, 2023

Jamila Robinson In As New Editor-In-Chief At Conde Nast’s ‘Bon Appétit’ And ‘Epicurious’

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Jamila Robinson is adding to the diversity at Condé Nast’s executive board. The writer has been announced as the new editor in chief of the media company’s culinary brands, Bon Appétit and Epicurious.

Fashion Week Daily reported the news, as the newly-appointed executive will provide over 20 years of experience, including her most recent role as assistant managing editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer, to the chief position. While at the news publication, Robinson also spearheaded their diversity, equality and inclusion efforts since 2020.

Robinson’s wide-ranging experiences made her a natural candidate for the role, with her dual passion for writing and cooking making her quite knowledgeable with the food brands and their growing audience.

She is set to begin her reign on Sept.18.

“I’m thrilled to join Bon Appétit and Epicurious, and their deeply talented and award-winning teams of creatives who invite audiences to the table through recipes, restaurants, and food culture,” Robinson said of her new appointment. “For me, food is an art form that intersects with every part of life and connects communities. This role is an exciting new chapter in my commitment to building a longer table and showing the world that food culture is for everyone.”

 

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At Bon Appétit, Robinson will replace Dawn Davis, who will be passing on the baton to another Black woman to take the platform to greater heights.

Of Robinson’s appointment, Condé Nast’s Chief Content Officer Anna Wintour, said, ““It’s not every day you get to meet an accomplished writer and editor who has led features departments and food organizations, is a competitive figure skater, classically trained violinist, teacher, world traveler, and an absolute star in the kitchen.”

The former Vogue editor-in-chief added, “Jamila is all of these things and more, and I’m thrilled she’s coming to lead Bon Appétit and Epicurious.”

RELATED CONTENT: Rihanna Is Still The Face Of Savage X Fenty Despite No Longer Being CEO

• News

by Iman Milner

August 30, 2023

‘Equalizer’ And ‘Training Day’ Director Antoine Fuqua Hit With Lawsuit From Former Consultant

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Director Antoine Fuqua may have a real-life drama to focus on as his former collaborator Paul Lozada is claiming that the filmmaker failed to make good on paying for his contributions to several of his major screenplays.

According to Variety, Lozada, who was once a San Francisco police officer, acted as a consultant on both Training Day as well as the first Equalizer film; providing insight into law enforcement as well as criminal enterprises. However, the pair’s latest partnership on Equalizer 3 is at the center of a 20-page lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, August 28. The complaints filed by Lozada are for breach of oral contract, implied-in-fact contract, common counts, and promissory fraud. Lozada claims that Fuqua solicited his insight on “the operations of the Italian mafia, drug trade shipping methods and the timeline of a forensic investigation of a murder scene.”

Citing text messages and oral communication between the two, Lozada alleges the 57-year-old director informed him that an employee from Sony Pictures would be in touch regarding compensation, which never happened.

After attempts to reach the set in Italy where the film was shot, as well as efforts to communicate with Fuqua, were futile, Lozada allegedly sent menacing messages to the director that ultimately resulted in a response. “Not one thing in Equalizer had anything to do with you. Not one thing. You came to Rome, and I wanted you involved somehow. To help you,” Fuqua allegedly said. “Not me… I have nothing but love and respect for you Paul. But I don’t Owe you anything.” The film, which stars Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, is the last in the highly successful trilogy and will hit theaters on September 1. Washington and Fuqua also worked together on Training Day, which earned the former an Oscar for Best Actor in 2003.

RELATED CONTENT: Antoine Fuqua Defends Releasing Film With Will Smith Post-Oscars Slap

Jay-Z has made his return to Instagram, but not to showcase highlights of his own luxurious life. Instead, he’s taking the time to introduce his new film, The Book of Clarence, to his almost 200k followers.

The rapper, who has no other posts and has been very inactive on the platform for years, dropped the epic movie trailer like a surprise album, in a move spearheaded by his wife Beyoncé back in 2017 with her self-titled project. The film, however, is a different kind of tale than the R&B classic.

 

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The Book of Clarence is to be released in January 2024, as expressed in the rapper’s short caption for the post, and is set in biblical times. It stars an array of high-profile actors, including LaKeith Stanfield, James McAvoy, and Benedict Cumberbatch. David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard, and Teyana Taylor round out the all-star cast, according to TMZ.

The film, directed by Jeymes Samuel, follows Stanfield’s Clarence, a man in Jerusalem who stumbles upon a chance to utilize Jesus Christ for his own chance at fame and fortune. The actor playing the Messiah in the epic film, however, was not shown in the first viewing.

Jay-Z’s involvement in the film will extend beyond producing, as the trailer revealed that music from Hov, himself, will also be featured. However, there was no further report on how many songs in the movie’s soundtrack will have the rapper’s Midas touch.

As for his comeback to social media, fans and peers of Jay-Z flooded his comments to let the father of three know that they were glad he’s back. Even other platforms, such as Facebook and Spotify, commented under his post to welcome him.

While his presence on Instagram, and how long it will last, is unclear, the community surrounding the rapper is taking what they can get.

RELATED CONTENT: Jay Z Launches Venture Capital Fund to Invest in Startups

• News

by Iman Milner

August 30, 2023

Lupita Nyong’o Pays Tribute To Chadwick Boseman On Anniversary Of His Death: ‘He Will Always Be In Our Hearts’

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Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o took time to celebrate the life and memory of the late Chadwick Boseman on Monday, Aug. 28. On what marked the third anniversary of his untimely passing; his Black Panther co-star shared a moment from their time together via Instagram.

 

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“Three years ago today, I experienced a singular pain at the news of Chadwick Boseman’s death,” she wrote. “The confusion was so profound that it took months to trust the feeling of joy again.” The pair starred in Marvel’s cultural shifting film as childhood friends and lovers, Nakia and T’Challa, creating a genuine bond the actress still holds dear. “Death is hard to understand, maybe even harder to accept,” Nyong’o continued. “But the love generated from the life he lived will fuel every anniversary marking his absence. Chadwick may no longer be in our photos, but he will always be in our hearts.”

According to Variety, Nyong’o and Boseman’s other Black Panther castmates returned to film the highly-anticipated sequel in 2021 with heavy hearts—overcome with grief—only a few short months after his passing. Though feelings were “extremely raw” for her, Nyong’o says she leaned on the leadership of director Ryan Coogler, who changed the film’s storyline to pay tribute to Boseman and make space for the cast’s grieving, to help her heal.

“But at the same time we have a leader in [writer-director] Ryan [Coogler], who feels very much like we do, who feels the loss in a very, very real way as well,” she added at the time. “And his idea, the way in which he has reshaped the second movie is so respectful of the loss we’ve all experienced as a cast and as a world. So it feels spiritually and emotionally correct to do this. And hopefully, what I do look forward to, is getting back together and honoring what he started with us and holding his light through it. Because he left us a lot of light that we’re still going to be bathing in. I know that for sure.”

RELATED CONTENT: Black Panther Suit Worn by Late Actor Chadwick Boseman To Be Displayed at National Museum of African American History and Culture

Two former NBA players have connected to release a new cannabis strain under the Viola brand. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, former Philadelphia 76ers basketball player Allen Iverson will have his own cannabis strain that will launch in the city where he played his best basketball.

This is in partnership with former NBA player Al Harrington and his brand, Viola.

Iverson will be back in the City of Brotherly Love this upcoming weekend on Saturday, Sept. 2. He will be joined by Harrington at RISE’s new Philadelphia location at 3903 Aramingo Ave. in Port Richmond from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. RISE also has 17 other locations across the state of Pennsylvania.

To purchase the new strain, labeled the Iverson ’01, attendees must be valid Pennsylvania medical marijuana cardholders.

Harrington promoted the event via his Instagram account.

 

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The name Iverson ’01 references the season that the Hampton, Virginia, native won the MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award and took the 76ers to their last NBA Finals appearance. Although they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers team that had the Hall of Fame duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, the first game that the 76ers won became the only loss the Lakers suffered that playoff season.

According to the website, people who purchase the Iverson ’01 can expect a “euphoric, balanced body and head high.” They will taste a combination of flowers, pine, orange, and hops. The product can be bought at $45 for an eighth (3.5 grams), and other strains will be available for $40.

Iverson started his partnership with Harrington and Viola two years ago. The first Iverson strain was launched in 2021 under the name Iverson ’96, the year the 76ers drafted the highly coveted point and shooting guard.

The Iverson ’01 was made available in New Jersey last month, where the 2001 NBA MVP and Harrington appeared at the RISE located in Bloomfield, New Jersey, on July 8.

• Politics

by Daniel Johnson

August 30, 2023

Video of Young Ramaswamy Questioning Al Sharpton At 2003 Town Hall Goes Viral

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A video depicting an 18-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy questioning 2003 Democratic candidate Al Sharpton about his lack of political experience has been making the rounds on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In October 2003, at a residential town hall televised on Hardball With Chris Matthews, Ramaswamy, then a Harvard student, asked, “Of all the Democratic candidates out there, why should I vote for the one with the least political experience?” 

Sharpton quickly quipped, “Well, you shouldn’t because I have the most political experience. I got involved in the political movement when I was 12 years old, and I have been involved in social policy for the last 30 years.”

Sharpton then reminded the college student that he should not confuse people who have a job with those who have experience. The timing of the clip coincides with questions surrounding Ramaswamy’s own lack of political experience on the Republican debate stage. 

During the latest debate, the tech entrepreneur faced pointed criticism from both former Vice President Mike Pence and Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations, who attacked Ramaswamy’s lack of political experience and especially his lack of experience with foreign policy.

Pence described Ramaswamy as a “rookie,” and Haley said, “You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows.”

Even though 27% of GOP voters thought that the biotech engineer won the debate, Ramaswamy’s support dropped from 10% to 9%, according to a poll conducted by Emerson College. Ramaswamy is currently third in the Republican race, trailing embattled ex-President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Despite Trump’s legal troubles, he enjoys a wide lead in the race, separated from second place DeSantis by nearly 40 percentage points.

Ramaswamy responded to the clip’s viral moment by smugly captioning the video on the X platform that he would give his 18-year-old self a pat on the back because his question elicited the most sensible response he has ever heard from Sharpton in his political career. ­

RELATED CONTENT: Vivek Ramaswamy Likens Rep. Ayanna Pressley To A KKK Grand Wizard At Campaign Stop

• News

by Iman Milner

August 30, 2023

PayPal Donates $1M To The Russell Innovation Center For New Entrepreneur Retail Academy

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As some tech companies move on from their pledges to Black entrepreneurs, a few have doubled down on their commitments in major ways. Financial technology and online payment systems company PayPal has renewed its pledge by giving a $1 million contribution to The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) to create a new retail academy in Atlanta.

According to a statement from the company, the PayPal Retail Academy will provide an extensive curriculum of innovative coaching, specialized tools, and valuable resources to help entrepreneurs based in Atlanta. The academy will teach up to 50 business owners non-traditional paths to retail success, global marketing strategies, and innovative ways to navigate supply chain issues. Participating entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to receive grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, as well as mentorship from PayPal employees. “Empowering entrepreneurs and helping strengthen small businesses are key to PayPal’s mission to make our financial system more accessible and inclusive,” said Dan Schulman, president and CEO of PayPal. “Through invaluable partnerships with organizations like RICE, we can create greater economic opportunity and build thriving communities.”

RICE’s President and CEO Jay Bailey, along with his team of business partners, will manage and facilitate the formation of the Academy, which is slated to launch in January 2024.

“Beyond education, this partnership symbolizes growth for our entrepreneurial community,” said  Bailey.  “We recognize the paramount importance of harnessing retail avenues and embracing digital transformation. The PayPal Retail Academy will serve as a conduit for this knowledge, empowering RICE Stakeholders to navigate the complexities of retail with resilience and innovation. Every facet of the Academy is meticulously designed to elevate entrepreneurs to new heights.” According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the participating entrepreneurs will receive MBA-level retail training at the facility. RICE currently supports 360 Black-owned businesses from ideation to scale and is the largest business incubation hub dedicated to providing resources specifically for Black entrepreneurs in the United States.