Sistas In Sales Announces Kerry Washington As Keynote Speaker

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 23, 2023

Sistas In Sales Announces Kerry Washington As Keynote Speaker

Sistas In Sales has announced its keynote speaker for its much-anticipated annual summit in September—actress and producer Kerry Washington. The 2023 summit, presented by Walmart Connect, is also launching #SISWeek, a weeklong series of programming across New York City dedicated to strengthening the network of women of color in the sales sector.

The news of Washington coming on board as keynote speaker was announced on Aug. 16 in a statement made by the organization. The summit is scheduled for Sept. 21—23 at The Glasshouse in NYC.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kerry Washington as our keynote speaker and to introduce an exciting expansion,” stated CEO and Founder Chantel George. “Kerry Washington’s achievements as a trailblazer and dedication to equity and social causes deeply resonate with our mission. Her participation is expected to be a source of inspiration and empowerment for attendees, echoing the organization’s commitment to representation and diversity.”

The summit’s “We Are Here” theme will be channeled through all its events, encouraging visibility and uplifting diverse identities in all role levels through the sales industry. Women in the professional sphere are often slighted, and their disenfranchisement is especially felt among women of color. However, with Sistas In Sales, the power and unity of a growing sisterhood within the business sector hopes to empower all to advocate for their betterment.

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A post shared by Sistas In Sales Inc. (@sistasinsales)

Starting on Sept. 19, #SISWeek will host a plethora of exclusive networking events in partnership with Netflix and Walmart, including the Aspiring Sellers and Leadership Summits and the Power 100 Honoree Gala. Throughout the week, the organization will be honoring multiple trailblazers in the field. Bonita Stewart, VP of Global Partnerships at Google, and Michelle Ward McGee, director of Global Culture at Microsoft, are among the featured honorees.

George also shared how this year’s week of events is especially significant as it forges new opportunities for rising professionals to meet with game-changers in similar realms.

“This year is special because we are expanding our content to provide solutions to the specific needs of mid-senior-level professionals while also building pipeline opportunities for early career professionals to start with success,” George said.

The Sisters In Sales Summit will take place at The Glasshouse – Midtown West 660 12th Ave, New York, NY 10019. Registration for the Sistas In Sales annual summit and #SISWeek events is open now.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 23, 2023

Drake Pays Homage To Kobe Bryant At Los Angeles Concert

The world is still mourning the death of one of the greatest basketball players to step on a court. As fans of the late, great Kobe Bryant celebrate his birthday on Aug. 23, one of the world’s leading recording artists paid tribute to him at a recent concert.

According to TMZ, Canadian superstar Drake, who is currently on tour, stopped in Los Angeles for shows on Monday and Tuesday night. While in the City of Lost Angels, the popular rapper acknowledged two Lakers legends on stage. (He acknowledged LeBron James on Monday.)

On Tuesday night, while performing on his “It’s All A Blur” tour at Crypto.com Arena, where Bryant played for many years, a Black Bryant basketball jersey was thrown onstage (along with a woman’s bra). Drake picked it up, showed the crowd, and said they had to acknowledge the legend.

As he spoke to the crowd, he said, “I’m a hold this up ’cause we got to show love to Kobe one time. Ya’ll make some noise for Kobe at this time.” As the world celebrates the birth of Bryant, Los Angeles will be doing it big on Aug. 24, designated “Kobe Bryant Day.” The day is for the natives of the city to remember the contributions and the talent of the man who died in 2020 in a helicopter crash.

Bryant played his entire 20-year career playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. As a Lakers player, Bryant was a five-time NBA World Champion, a two-time Finals MVP, and the 2008 Most Valuable Player. During his career, he made the All-Star team 18 times. He was the youngest player ever to reach 30,000 points and retired from the NBA in 2016 and scored an NBA-season-high 60 points in his final game. Bryant was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.

by Iman Milner

August 23, 2023

Big Sean and Jhene Aiko File For Restraining Order Against Deranged Fan

Big Sean and Jhene Aiko are seeking court-ordered protection against a fan who has become dangerously obsessed with them both. The musicians report the 29-year-old man has repeatedly shown up to their home, concerts, and events. Now, Aiko says she fears for her safety.

According to TMZ, Ian Craig Lees has gone as far as sneaking onto the premises of the couple’s Pacific Palisades property, where they live with the singer’s daughter and their newborn son. While attempting to enter their home, Lees got into a physical altercation with residential security for the community. Aiko requested a temporary restraining order from a California judge; however, the request was denied.

A court hearing for the matter has been scheduled for Sept. 14.

Aiko and Big Sean are taking necessary precautions as several break-ins and stalking incidents have recently flooded the Hollywood community. Snowfall actor Damson Idris had his home in Los Angeles burglarized, as did Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles. Celebrities ranging from Rihanna to Halle Berry have had to file restraining orders against deranged fans in recent years. The “We Found Love” singer was forced to file a restraining order against Steveland Barrow after he broke into her neighbor’s home, assuming that it was Rihanna’s, and fell asleep in their bed before stealing several items. For the Oscar-winning Berry, stalking troubles began in 2011 when Richard A. Franco scaled a wall at her private residence and attempted to break into her guest house. She received a court-appointed order of protection against him for herself and her daughter, Nailah.

Famously, superstar Usher had a run-in with Darshelle Jones-Rakestraw, who showed up at his house claiming to be his wife in 2012. Soon after, she attempted to extort money from the singer, resulting in her arrest.

by Derek Major

August 23, 2023

NY Knicks Sue Former Employee, Toronto Raptors For Allegedly Stealing Proprietary Information

The New York Knicks filed a lawsuit Monday against a former employee, the Toronto Raptors, and members of the Raptors organization, alleging they “illegally procured and then disclosed proprietary information.”

ESPN reports the Knicks filed the suit in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan and states that Ikechukwu Azotam, who worked for the Knicks from 2020 to 2023, sent the Raptors thousands of confidential files, including play frequency reports, video scouting files, opposition research, and more after the Raptors began recruiting him to join its organization this summer.

The Knicks say Azotam violated a confidentiality clause and added that members of the Raptors organizations “directed Azotam’s actions and/or knowingly benefited from Azotam’s wrongful acts.”

According to the suit, Azotam “illegally shared more than 3,300 video files,” and the video files were accessed more than 2,000 times by Raptors defendants, including head coach Darko Rajakovic, player development coach Noah Lewis, and 10 unnamed team employees.

Additionally, the Knicks lawsuit states the Raptors “conspired to use Azotam’s position as a current Knicks insider to funnel proprietary information to the Raptors to help them organize, plan, and structure the new coaching and video operations staff.”

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Raptors, responded in a joint statement with the Canada-based basketball team.

“MLSE and the Toronto Raptors received a letter from [Madison Square Garden] on Thursday of last week bringing this complaint to our attention,” the statement reads. “MLSE responded promptly, making clear our intention to conduct an internal investigation and to fully cooperate. MLSE has not been advised that a lawsuit was being filed or has been filed following its correspondence with MSG. The company strongly denies any involvement in the matters alleged. MLSE and the Toronto Raptors will reserve further comment until this matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.”

The team is seeking unspecified damages to be determined, that the Raptors refrain from using the confidential information obtained, and that “Azotam can have no benefit as a result of his misappropriation and wrongful acts.”

The Knicks and Raptors are in the Atlantic Division of the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Last season, the Knicks finished with a 47-35 record, while the Raptors went 41-41.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 23, 2023

Former University Of Houston Basketball Player Reggie Chaney Found Dead In Texas Home

A University of Houston basketball team member who reached the NCAA Final Four in 2021 has died.

According to KHOU 11, 23-year-old basketball player Reggie Chaney has reportedly died. There has not been a cause of death reported. Arlington police officials have said that Chaney was found unresponsive in a bedroom at a home on Monday in Arlington, Texas. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Arlington police said it doesn’t appear foul play was involved.

Former UH basketball forward Reggie Chaney has died, @KHOU 11 News has learned.

Head coach Kelvin Sampson called Reggie “his security blanket” this past March after Chaney was named conference’s Sixth Man of the Year.

Chaney was just 23. No other info at this time. pic.twitter.com/WV6f4hPX7X

— Jason Bristol (@JBristolKHOU) August 22, 2023

The University of Houston Men’s Basketball team also acknowledged the forward’s death.

We are heartbroken by the passing of forward Reggie Chaney

#⃣3⃣2⃣ will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him#RIPReggie pic.twitter.com/qzMTNm6GoG

— Houston Men’s Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) August 22, 2023

Chaney was named the Sixth Man of the Year in the American Athletic Conference earlier this year. He played the forward position and played for two seasons with the Arkansas Razorbacks before going to Houston. Chaney played there for three seasons, playing in 104 games.

A GoFundMe was started to help his family with costs related to his funeral.

“Reggie Chaney was a force both on the court and off. He was born on September 6, 1999, and left this world unexpectedly on August 21, 2023.

“This GoFundMe was created with the permission of his mother, Mikki, to help with unplanned expenses that no mother should have to worry about in this time of unimaginable grief.

“All donations will go directly to Reggie’s immediate family.”

Chaney was just about to head to Greece to play his first season for Psychiko B.C.

by Stacy Jackson

August 23, 2023

Tammia Guest Achieves Success As One Of The Few Black Chiropractors

Tammia Guest, owner and founder of Rejuvenating Chiropractic, is putting her healing hands to work. According to KSBY, Guest is among less than 2.5% of Black chiropractors in the field.

After opening in 2013 and attending to the needs of almost 200 patients per week, the offices have expanded and opened a second location. Using her 20 years of hospital experience, Guest pursued her interests in chiropractic care. She was able to enter the entrepreneurial industry by establishing two chiropractic offices in the Dallas area.

Guest opened her first office after she finished college, using college savings and support from her family. However, building her clientele was difficult. “I’m very shy, an introvert. You can be a good adjuster as far as chiropractic and wellness, but you’re gonna have to be able to get people in the door because those things really don’t matter if you can’t get people in the door,” Guest said.

Guest’s prior experience in healthcare contributed to her success as a chiropractor. “I already kind of had a feel for how the medical field works with many doctors, nurses, and patients. So when I brought that to my clinical experience as a chiropractor, it was very natural, and people felt like they could trust me,” Guest said.

Trust is significant for Black Americans seeking care.

According to The Commonwealth Fund, a 2020 poll found that 55% of Black Americans do not trust the healthcare system. Although Black Americans are skeptical about the healthcare system, Guest provides comfort and trust among her patients. “Many clients do specify that they would like to see a Black provider, in the sense that they say they feel like they’re very comfortable. They feel like they’re heard,” Guest said.

She has established long-standing relationships with her patients. “I’ve had most of my clients since my clinic years. I believe that many of them stay with me because I make them feel like family,” Guest said.

Despite statistics about the success of Black businesses, Guest said, “there was nothing in my mind that brought me to think I couldn’t make it, you know, putting in the work.”

Reportedly, one-third of new businesses close before two years of operation, while 8 out of 10 Black-owned businesses fail within the first 18 months. Guest has hopes to train the future generation of chiropractors and business owners to help them build their communities.

by Iman Milner

August 23, 2023

White Law Students Sue Firms Over DEI Programs That ‘Violate’ Their Civil Rights

Since the Supreme Court’s historic decision to overturn affirmative action, DEI programs have been under attack by those who felt marginalized by the very idea of inclusion.

The American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), a non-profit whose mission is to challenge race and ethnicity-based preferences, is taking things a step further by representing the interest of two white, male, non-disabled law students who feel that diversity fellowships at a pair of international law forms unjustly violate their civil rights. According to Forbes, the AAER claims that under the Civil Rights Act of 1866, their clients are being discriminated against on the basis of their race and are calling for all DEI fellowships and policies to be ceased to create a more equitable application process.

The law firms in question are Morrison and Foerster LLP in Miami, and Perkins Coie LLP in Dallas,. The former offers a Keith Wetmore 1L Fellowship for Excellence, Diversity and Inclusion Program for those law students from “underrepresented groups in the legal industry,” while the latter has both a 1L and 2L Diversity Fellowship that also focuses on those from diverse backgrounds.

The Civil Rights Act of 1866’s purpose was to “ protect all persons in the United States in their civil rights, and furnish the means of their vindication”; which the AAER feels is grounds for all current fellowships to be made race-neutral. The two unnamed law students are arguing based on one section of the 1886 act that prohibits “discrimination on the basis of race, color, and ethnicity when making and enforcing contracts.”

Both of the students expressed that the prestige of the law firms as well as the large monetary payments associated with the fellowships are key components in their fight for their civil rights. The Wetmore fellowship carries a $25,000 stipend for recipients; while fellows at Perkins Coie receive a $15,000 stipend each year, as well as a $10,000 bonus if they work for the firm upon graduation.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 23, 2023

The Obama Voyager Scholarship Offers Student Travel Opportunity

Former First Lady and 44th President, Michelle and Barack Obama, have released the new cohort of college students given the opportunity to engage in world travel. Their latest initiative grants scholarships to provide applicants with the financial assistance to broaden their surroundings and experiences.

Deemed “The Voyager Scholarship,” the Obamas have partnered with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky to help students fund their educational and travel goals. Mrs. Obama shared the exciting news via her X profile.

Barack, @BChesky, and I are so excited to welcome our newest class of Voyagers!

These changemakers are making a difference in their communities and we can’t wait to support them along their journeys in public service. https://t.co/zcP0sm0Pm5 pic.twitter.com/TnX87olcFQ

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 22, 2023

“These changemakers are making a difference in their communities and we can’t wait to support them along their journeys in public service,” shared the former First Lady on their initiative’s mission.

The Obama-Chesky Scholarship For Public Service announced its new cohort of “Voyagers” that will receive the financial allotment that will change the trajectory of their academic and professional careers. Not only does the scholarship lessen the pricey burden of acquiring a degree, but it will also allow the lucky recipients to take part in travel excursions that pique their academic interests.

The scholarship will also provide and broaden applicants’ networks through successful mentors, bringing insight and guidance to the future leaders as they embark on their goals. In the mission of public service, these international voyages will encourage students in attendance to source new ways to affect change and become global citizens.

The Voyager Scholarship is another installment in The Obama Foundation, the couple’s post-presidential organization dedicated to continuing their walk of communal service. The students who are part of the 2023-2025 cohort have received funding of up to $50,000 to be utilized in financial aid for school fees. Per their travel experiences, students will not only receive a stipend for $10,000 for their summer abroad programs, but also live in free housing, courtesy of Airbnb.

Students, upon returning from their adventures, will participate in a fall summit to connect and help progress the conversations regarding public service on a global scale. An ongoing speaker series will inspire participants to remain dedicated to the work that champions community and the betterment of all livelihoods in the public service sector.

by Stacy Jackson

August 23, 2023

Ex-Teacher Charged With Sexual Assault, Faces Over 40 Years In Prison If Convicted

An ex-middle school teacher in Wisconsin is accused of sexually assaulting an eighth-grade student.

The former Wauwatosa educator at Pilgrim Lutheran was identified as Tyesha Bolden, Fox 6 Milwaukee reported. The 34-year-old allegedly had sex with a student and bought the underage boy a gun. According to the news outlet, Bolden appeared in court for the first time Saturday.

NBC affiliate TMJ4 reported the former school teacher is charged with second-degree sexual assault of a person under 16. The 34-year-old is also charged with providing a dangerous weapon to a person under 18.

The outlet noted the boy’s mother filed a criminal complaint on July 25 after her son took a relative’s car. She said her son was probably at Bolden’s home. The mother also told police she found explicit photos in messages between the former teacher and her son.

On July 27, Bolden showed an employee her messages to the 14-year-old and admitted to the inappropriate relationship after being confronted.

The Christian school took immediate action against Bolden. Shaun Luehring is the CEO of LUMIN Schools, which includes Pilgrim Lutheran School. The CEO told the news outlet Bolden was terminated within one day. “Within 24 hours, members of LUMIN’s administrative team met with the teacher and determined there had been a violation of the LUMIN Schools Standards of Conduct leading to immediate termination.”

Fox 6 Milwaukee reported that Bolden also violated the expectations of the faith-based network of schools. “Recently, LUMIN leadership received information indicating that a Pilgrim Lutheran School teacher violated our standards of conduct,” Luehring said. The CEO also told the news outlet, “We strive to be a network of schools that is Christian in every sense of the word. Therefore, we expect our staff to represent Jesus Christ and the mission of LUMIN Schools – not only in their work but in their personal lives as well.”

The former middle school teacher’s bond was set at $2,500. Bolden could be sentenced to over 40 years in prison if convicted.

Former NBA Player Udonis Haslem Initiates Affordable Housing Project in Miami

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 23, 2023

Former NBA Player Udonis Haslem Initiates Affordable Housing Project in Miami

Retired NBA star Udonis Haslem is focused on building affordable housing units in his hometown of Miami. The new project will provide 200 families with quality homes within the south Florida city.

The initial report about this development came from The Real Deal, revealing the start of construction for budget-friendly apartments and townhomes located in the northern region of Miami-Dade County. This marks the second property acquisition by the ex-Miami Heat athlete, as he envisions converting it into affordable housing. His previous project, known as Wynwood Works, is currently being constructed.

Haslem announced the news via social media, marking the new project as the latest installment of “Haslem Housing.”

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A post shared by Udonis Haslem (@ud40)

Haslem partnered with Magellan, a Miami-based company, to purchase the 6.3-acre site in which the Catherine Flon Estates will be built. While the space will include one building for the apartments, another area will be designated for 26 “workforce priced” town homes, totaling to 200 units.

Securing the land for this project required a substantial investment of $1.5 million, and the entire process leading up to the initiation of this housing development took three years. Individuals whose income falls below 60% of the city’s median will be actively encouraged to apply for the apartment complex. Additionally, those interested in the town homes will only need to have an income of up to 120% of the median income.

The apartments will come as one-, two- and three-bedroom options, ranging in monthly rents from $1,161 to $1,610. The economical initiative is part of the Haslem Housing Venture, started by the three-time NBA champion to provide quality housing to lower-income individuals and families within the Miami area.

The development site was won by Haslem and Magellan in a bid of proposals for its usage, but an environmental clean-up will have to occur first, given that it is brownfield site. According to the EPA, a brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

Construction on the building is listed to begin as soon as late 2024.