by Daniel Johnson

August 10, 2023

Texas Jail Faces New Lawsuit Over Treatment Of Incarcerated People

The Harris County Jail faces a lawsuit over its treatment of incarcerated people housed there. Texas Tribune reported that 13 formerly incarcerated people are joining with the families of nine who died at the jail to pursue a lawsuit.

Attorneys Benjamin Crump and Paul Grinke filed the case, which, according to the Texas Tribune, is among the highest-profile civil actions related to the Harris County Jail. Crump and Grinke say the Sheriff’s Office has neglected its duty to keep people housed at the jail safe, and their lawsuit claims that staffers at the jail have neglected to treat medical issues leading to death, assaulted incarcerated people and failed to stop attacks.

“We’ve all experienced the same loss, and we’re all seeking the same thing. We’re all seeking justice,” Jacilet Griffin-Lee, the mother of Evan Lee, who died at the jail in March 2022 after a slap-boxing game turned fatal, told the Tribune.

This is the latest allegation against the jail and the sheriff’s office.

Over the past 10 years, at least 51 lawsuits have been filed by formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones in either county or federal courts. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said as part of a message to the Harris County community that he pledges to do everything he can to make the jail safer.

“We hold every life in our jail as precious. I want every family that has lost a loved one in the jail to know they have my sincere sympathy and my pledge to continue striving to make our jail even safer.”

On Aug. 7, family members held a joint press conference alongside Crum,p carrying pictures, posters, and demands for justice. Octavia Wagner, the sister of Jacoby Pillow, who the lawsuit alleges was beaten to death by jail guards during pre-trial detention, spoke at the press conference.

According to the Texas Tribune, the FBI is investigating the death of Pillow, and Sheriff Gonzalez has supported a full review of his death as well, Wagner said

“I wish people would stop being negative and judging these families and these young men and women that passed away, and realize that this is someone’s mother, someone’s father, someone’s brother, someone’s son. They’re human, and it’s easy to judge unless you’ve been in those shoes.”

The lack of support for incarcerated people with mental health issues has also come up, as at least five of the 11 people who died in the Harris County Jail in 2023 have been diagnosed with some form of mental illness. Ramon Thomas, one of those 11 people, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder before he died in custody at 30. A cause of death for Thomas has not yet been determined, but lawyers for the family allege that jailers failed to provide lifesaving medical attention.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has been found to be non-compliant with multiple State of Texas safety codes by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Commission regulators have criticized the office for failure to comply with state standards regarding the medical care of incarcerated people, monitoring of incarcerated people, processing of detainees, and staffing levels.

Crump also spoke at the press conference and brought up the death of George Floyd.

“If we learned anything from the trial involving the killing of George Floyd, we learned that when citizens are in your custody, they are in your care,” Crump said. “And so, how many more citizens are going to die in the care of Harris County Jail before something is done?”

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 10, 2023

Kaviar Beauty Bar Continues To Shine As A Beacon Of Hope For Black Businesses In The South

August is Black Business Month, and business is booming for some companies with different resources now available at their fingertips.

The Kaviar Beauty Bar is a Cinderella story in the Macon, Georgia, community. Opened in 2020 by Leigha Axom and Andria Sands, Axom told 41 NBC that she was unaware of the tools to help her build her business.

“As a Black entrepreneur, as a Black business owner, you have to show up everywhere that you can,” Axom said. “Tap in. Read about the different things that are taking place in the community.”

Kaviar offers an array of services while employing stylists, licensed estheticians, barbers, nail techs, and makeup artists. According to 13 WMAZ, customers can even get their teeth bedazzled. “God sent us some amazing people, and they’re booked and busy around here,” Sands said.

Unique services like this have landed the salon as a featured business in the Macon Black Pages, a directory created to promote Black-owned businesses in Middle Georgia. Publisher Alex Habersham says the goal of the Black Pages is for Black businesses to reach their revenue goal as he found African American consumers spend more than $3.5 billion a year. He feels those funds should go toward Black businesses.

“So the objective of the Black Pages is to get more of that revenue, more of that cash, more of that disposable income to circulate in the African American community, which will benefit the entire community,” Habersham said.

Axom credits Black Pages and nonprofits, such as the Central Georgia Coalition of Black Businesses, for leading the pack on giving Black entrepreneurs what they need to succeed. They are expanding their reach with an inaugural event called the Black Business and Community Expo on Aug. 19.

Held at the Macon Coliseum, the expo will feature vendors, live entertainment, and more, including back-to-school resources, education, and networking for small businesses. The salon owner says going to events like the expo has helped with exposure for her business.

“Now, since we’ve been pushing ourselves and getting more out in the community, people are knowing more about the Kaviar Beauty Bar, so we’re getting more customers from everywhere,” Axom said.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 9, 2023

COVID-19 Hospitalizations On The Rise—Again—In The United States

It looks like COVID-19 isn’t done with us yet, as hospitalizations are rising again, the Associated Press reports.

Since early July, the numbers have been climbing but not to where there is a need for high alert. For the week ending July 29, COVID-19 hospital admissions were over 9,000—a 12% increase from the previous week. With an updated vaccine on the way, experts say there isn’t a need to be on high alert as the numbers are far from what they were in July 2022—nearly 45,000. “It is ticking up a little bit, but it’s not something that we need to raise any alarm bells over,” Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins, said.

If you’re wondering what may be causing the sudden rise, health officials say the COVID-19 virus in sewage water has increased since late June across the country. As the 2023-2024 school year is around the corner, experts are closely monitoring wastewater levels. Cristin Young, an epidemiologist at Biobot Analytics and a CDC wastewater surveillance contractor, says COVID-19 shows high levels in the northeast and southern wastewater concentrations. “It’s important to remember right now the concentrations are still fairly low,” Young said. But with a new variant, omicron EG.5, slowly creeping up, the epidemiologist claims his radar is up.

“There are a couple that we’re watching, but we’re not seeing anything like delta or omicron.”

There are certain hot spots on the rise. According to The Hill, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, and more have seen more than a 20% increase in new COVID hospitalizations. New Hampshire saw the largest increase in a week, jumping to 96%. Jill Rosenthal, director of public health policy at the Center for American Progress, says she isn’t surprised with the number increase as that’s been the summer pattern. “We have had a summer wave of COVID for the last few summers, and so it’s not surprising to see an increase in COVID right now,” Rosenthal said.

The CDC is hoping to have updated vaccines by fall 2023.

by Derek Major

August 9, 2023

Serge Ibaka Left Milwaukee Bucks Due To Lack Of Communication From Coaches

Former Milwaukee Bucks forward Serge Ibaka said he wanted to stay with the team despite his limited minutes. However, he said it got to a point where he had no choice but to leave.

Ibaka, who played just 16 games averaging 11.6 minutes per game and 4.1 points per game during the 2022 season, was recently interviewed by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, where he said his situation with the Bucks became “confusing” and “it got to a point where I couldn’t; I could not take what was happening anymore.”

According to Ibaka, he was contacted by Bucks Coach Mike Budenholzer, who recruited him and made it clear he wasn’t going to be playing as many minutes as he was used to with other teams because Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis were in front of him on the Bucks depth chart.

14-year NBA vet Serge Ibaka sits down with @Stadium: “A lot of things that I can bring to a team…basketball, experience of winning, playing with great players.” On split with Bucks: “I couldn’t take what was happening anymore…no communications”, getting most from stars, more. pic.twitter.com/20rGdzHJA4

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 3, 2023

“I knew going there, it was really hard for me to have a minute to play, and we talked about it before signing,” Ibaka said. “He told me to my face, ‘Listen, you come in here, I promise you nothing, but you never know. It’s a long season. Guys can have injuries. You have to stay ready.’ I said OK, cool, accept it. I’m gonna keep working hard, stay professional, and cheer for our teammates.”

The three-time All-NBA Defense Team member considered joining the Bucks a blessing. Still, he started “getting confused” when his minutes didn’t grow despite forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton missing a combined 68 games due to injuries. Ibaka said he found it odd that he only saw an increase in minutes when key players started returning from injuries.

Not only did the forward become frustrated with his inability to crack the team’s rotation for three weeks, but he said the lack of communication from the coaches and management concerning his playing time could have been better.

“There was no communication. So that’s really the main reason I left. It’s not because of what people are thinking, like, ‘Oh, I want to play more, asking more.’ No. You can ask all the teammates you can. Ask all my guys I play with, and I didn’t have nothing..no problem with the guys in the locker room,” said Ibaka. When I go talk with the front office, they tell me different things; they love me, they want me to be there, they want me to stay. I go back on the court; the situation is different. It got to some point where I was like, ‘OK, I cannot just take this no more. I love this game so much, but if this is gonna take my peace of mind, my joy, you know, it’s not worth it.”

Ibaka was traded to the Indiana Pacers in February 2023 and released at the season’s end.

Danielle Allen, Racist, fired, teacher, educator

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 9, 2023

First Grade Teacher And Self-Proclaimed ‘Black Supremacist’ Fired For Joking About Killing Sister’s White Boyfriend

First-grade teacher Danielle Allen learned the hard way that sometimes jokes can go too far.

Allen was recently fired from her job as a first grade teacher in Texas after making a joke about killing her sister’s white boyfriend and sharing it on social media, Fox News reported.

Describing herself as a “Black supremacist,” Allen posted a text message exchange where she joked about planning to murder her sister’s white boyfriend, saying how he looked like a Donald Trump supporter.

“I can’t BELIEVE she has this cave dweller in my freaking house!!!!,” Allen wrote.

“Omg I’m trying to stay calm. She knows I’m a racist!!!… Come and kill him for me… I promise I’ll help you hide the body… Bring all 4 of your guns.”

Allen was accused of posting anti-white posts, including the violent joke. Before being fired, she bragged about never being terminated, claiming some administrative officials “laughed” at her posts.

“Why shouldn’t I hate White people,” the former Thompson Elementary School employee wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, where she posts as “Claire Kyle.”

The Mesquite Independent School District released a statement calling the posts “racist” and that Allen wouldn’t be “eligible for rehire.”

“The highly offensive statements posted to her X account do not reflect the values and standards of Mesquite ISD, and the district condemns them in the strongest terms,” the statement read.

pic.twitter.com/bkxw2nez5B

— Mesquite ISD (@mesquiteisdtx) August 8, 2023

Allen, on the other hand, referred to her job being safe. “They told me to delete the post, but my job is safe since I did not directly wish harm on ALL White people,” Allen said. “They laughed and told me to watch what I say, and I’ll be good to go.”

According to the Daily Mail, Allen worked for the school district for four years, spending the last three at Thompson. Prior to being fired, Allen posted a video in what looks to be a school hallway, bragging about how she would never be unemployed.

“First day of school, walking through the halls while Twitter thinks they can take my job from me,” she wrote. “Call me every name under the sun but y’all will NEVER be able to call me unemployed!!!”

by Derek Major

August 9, 2023

New Orleans Saints Expected To Sign NFL Rushing Leader Kareem Hunt

The New Orleans Saints will sign former NFL rushing leader Kareem Hunt to boost their running back corps after a suspension and an injury have left it decimated.

CBS Sports reports the Saints have just two running backs in training camp, Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller, after starting running back Alvin Kamara was suspended for three games for his involvement in a bar fight. Additionally, backup running back Eno Benjamin is out for the season after tearing his Achilles.

Hunt worked out for the Saints on Aug. 7, 2023, and he will be able to sign with the team pending a physical.

Hunt spent the past four years with the Cleveland Browns, but the team let his contract expire after he had the worst season of his career in 2022, rushing for 468 yards and three touchdowns. That being said, there was a time when Hunt terrorized NFL defenses, including his rookie season in 2017, when he rushed for a league-leading 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Saints are also bringing in linebacker Anthony Barr, who played in 2022 with the Dallas Cowboys, after Saints starting linebacker Demario Davis suffered a calf injury in training camp.

The Saints finished last season with a 7-10 record, good enough for third place in the NFC South, but did not qualify for the playoffs. During the off-season, the Saints traded for former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr to boost its playoff hopes in what is considered a weak division with the Carolina Panthers in a rebuild, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trying to replace retired quarterback Tom Brady and the Atlanta Falcons trying to prove themselves.

The Saints will start its preseason schedule on Aug. 12, 2023, against the Kansas City Chiefs and begin the regular season on Sept. 10, 2023, against the Tennessee Titans.

Press Conference Announced For Atlanta Teen Found Dead In Jail Cell

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 9, 2023

Press Conference Announced For Atlanta Teen Found Dead In Jail Cell

Noni Battiste-Kosoko died just days after her 19th birthday on July 12 in Atlanta City Detention Center. Now, her family is encouraging the public to question what happened to her.

A press conference will be held by the family of Noni Battiste-Kosoko on Aug. 10, 2023, to demand answers from the Fulton County Sheriff Department, who held her in custody.

“We are committed to finding out the truth behind Noni’s death,” says the family’s attorney and family friend, Dr. Roderick Edmond. “The United States Department of Justice is investigating the Fulton County Jail, and if there was any foul play, we will hold all involved accountable.”

She was being held without bail in for three months on a misdemeanor charge. While Battiste-Kosoko did have a $2,000 bond, it was placed on hold due to other charges in Miami. Neither charge has been disclosed publicly.

According to 11 Alive News, the young woman was found in her jail cell alone without “obvious” indications that she was harmed.

“My child was arrested for a misdemeanor and died in jail,” said Shashu Battiste, Noni’s mother. “And, we want answers!”

So far, there is minimal information regarding Noni’s death. Edmonds claims that the Fulton County jail has “major issues” in regards to the health care infrastructure for inmates. Edmond said her death was “mysterious” in nature.

The Fulton County jail system has been subjected to much controversy for its inmates’ wellness, or lack thereof it. It recently reached a settlement with the family of another inmate, who died after being “eaten alive” by bedbugs while in custody.

The release of Battiste-Kosoko autopsy results has remained at a standstill, creating further confusion and intrigue into what exactly. A lawsuit is forthcoming, Edmonds’ law firm shared in a statement.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 9, 2023

Public Enemy’s Chuck D Narrates New Podcast On The Origins Of Hip-Hop

In July 2023, Audible released the trailer to a new series narrated by Public Enemy lead Chuck D, “Can You Dig It? A Hip Hop Origin Story.” The spirited rapper told Billboard about narrating the series and why this is the “story behind the story.”

As the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, many companies are trying to engage with the biggest music genre in the world. Audible has presented a series based on a killing that some say led to the birth of what we now know as hip-hop.

Cornell “Black Benjie” Benjamin, leader of the Ghetto Brothers gang, was beaten to death on Dec. 8. 1971, while trying to keep the peace between two groups. Following that incident, a ceasefire was instituted, and instead of fighting, people started using artistry to bide the time. This allegedly set up the pieces for legends like Afrika Bambaataa and DJ Kool Herc to do what they’ve become known for.

Chuck D said that while trying to figure out what projects he would be involved with for the 50th anniversary approaching, “Can You Dig It? A Hip Hop Origin Story“ fell in his lap and drew his interest.

“When I started unpeeling it, I was like, “Wow, this is the story behind the story.” It was the germination of the seed, the beginnings of hip-hop. We always could talk loosely about “hip-hop started when the gangs stopped, then all of a sudden they used hip-hop.” But those are broad strokes and laced with mythology. This [series] got to the detail of what was what. You could almost smell the fresh paint of the Cross Bronx Expressway over the rubble.”

The explanation of how Black Benjie’s death spurred the movement that created what became hip-hop is extremely important. Chuck felt the need for people to know that was paramount to understanding what came to be.

“It’s important to put that stuff into some kind of paper. When you come into the written fact of the matter, you pay a true respect to those people that paid the price. This documentary highlights what they all tried to do afterwards—keep the peace. The fact that it comes before the Holy Trinity [of hip-hop] — Kool Herc, Bambaataa, [and] later on Grandmaster Flash—is a great story to tell.”

The first episode of the series, titled “The Bronx is Burning,” happens in the South Bronx. It goes into the story of two groups deciding to end the bad blood between them and using that energy toward being more peaceful.

The killing of a peacekeeper and member of the Ghetto Brothers, Cornell “Black Benjie” Benjamin, presented the spark to end the violence in the streets.

The five-part series premieres the day before the anniversary of the birth of hip-hop on Aug.10, 2023.

by Stacy Jackson

August 9, 2023

WNBA Hands Down Punishment To Several Players After On-Court Scuffle

The WNBA has punished players after an on-court altercation broke out during a pair of matches.

An intense face-off between the Chicago Sky and the Dallas Wings resulted in multiple athletes being ejected from the game after Chicago’s Dana Evans and Dallas’ Odyssey Sims got into a heated confrontation on the court during the third quarter of the game on Aug. 6, 2023. According to the Associated Press, following the Chicago Sky’s win over the Dallas Wings, the league has returned with a handful of punishments for the players.

Chicago Sky forward Ruthy Hebard was suspended from the game on Aug. 8, 2023, against Minnesota for her role in the altercation. Reportedly, Hebard came off the bench to defend her teammate, which landed her a one-game suspension. Women Hooping posted footage of the fight.

The other women were not off the hook for their part in the melee. The WNBA fined Wings’ guard Arike Ogunbowale for being verbally offensive toward an official. Ogunbowale’s punishment also included her decision to publicly criticize officiating following her team’s loss. More fines were issued to Chicago player Courtney Williams for leaving the designated bench area during the altercation.

The WNBA is ensuring all the players are held accountable. Layshia Clarendon and Brittney Sykes were penalized for their contact during the last 33 seconds of the Washington-Los Angeles game. Allegedly, Clarendon and Skyes confronted each other toward the end of the game, and it escalated, causing both players to be ejected.

Ariel Atkins and Shakira Austin could not hide from their violations after they decided to leave the bench area during the altercation. Reportedly, the WNBA does not disclose fine amounts for its athletes.

Evans and Sims took their beef to social media following the on-court scuffle.

Odyssey Sims and Dana Evans had some words after an exchange during Sky-Wings. pic.twitter.com/OKSQzbuW3E

— espnW (@espnW) August 7, 2023

The WNBA issued the suspension and fines to the basketball stars on Aug. 7, 2023, following the previous altercations that developed throughout the two games.

by Stacy Jackson

August 9, 2023

Patti LaBelle Has A Multimillion-Dollar Food Empire With Her Soul Food Brand ‘Good Life’

You might know her as the “Godmother of Soul,” but Patti LaBelle also knows what makes a good, soulful meal.

The “Lady Marmalade” singer is serving face at 79 years old and started serving food in her 60s, MSNBC reported. She hasn’t looked back.

National Today said LaBelle sold over 50 million records throughout her singing career. It’s safe to say she’s living the good life. Some people slow down with age, but LaBelle fills her time building her comfort food brand, Patti’s Good Life, with her son. They keep the brand functioning financially with money from her successful music career.

The artist showed people her passion for cooking when she started making homemade hot sauces and barbecue sauces 15 years ago. Today, LaBelle is giving people a literal piece of pie with dishes like sweet potato pie and chicken and biscuits, according to her brand’s website. Before starting her brand, she cooked for music heavy hitters like Prince. LaBelle talked about putting her heart into her cooking. She told the news outlet, “So many different people in the industry just loved my cooking … because I cook with my heart.”

Now in her late 70s, the “On My Own” singer has no plans of slowing down. According to the news outlet, she said, “My cooking is going places where my singing career has not gone.”

LaBelle understands that times are hard, and she wants food to be affordable. She said, “When I do put this line out, it’s going to be affordable because some of my friends didn’t have much.” MSNBC reported.

According to Patti’s Good Life site, the singer and cook will add breakfast, wine, and dessert selections to her brand.