RHOP
by Sharelle B. McNair

July 17, 2023

Massive Brawl Breaks Out After ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ Stops Filming

Friends of the cast of Bravo’s Real Housewives of Potomac (RHOP) started a huge fight after filming with the cast, TMZ reports.

Videos show the cast breaking up a fight between friends of Keiana Stewart and another woman, Deborah Williams, during Ashley Darby’s fashion line launch at Zebbie’s Garden in D.C. on July 13.

RHOP fans won’t be able to see the fight in the next season, as sources claim production had already wrapped up.

According to police reports, Candiace Dillard Bassett told officers that someone threw a drink at her; and Keiana says she was hit in the forehead with a glass before being pulled down in a physical altercation. Fans can see Candiace and Ashley trying to break up the fight, which apparently saw some bloodshed and Keiana going to the hospital, according to Page Six. “Get her the f–k out, bitch!,” Dillard Bassett can be seen screaming.

Twitter account TV Deets said there was some tension between the RHOP ladies throughout the night. “Deborah and Candiace had been talking s*** about each other all night,” the account quoted a source as saying. When the fight broke out, Stewart allegedly threw the first punch, but Deborah took it like a champ and retaliated. “Deborah definitely won,” another source said. The source added that Candiace was confronting Deborah about a conversation regarding Dillard Bassett’s husband, Chris, and Stewart walked up to participate.

Footage also showed cast member Karen Huger being pushed by security, but it looks like she was trying to de-escalate the situation, as she is known to do. As cops showed up, no one was arrested, but officials are investigating.

RHOP fans don’t seem surprised by the events as this isn’t the first fight that has taken place on the show. During season five, a huge fight happened between Dillard Bassett and castmate Monique Samuels.

 

Roc Nation, jay-Z, Book Of Hot
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 17, 2023

Jay-Z’s ‘Shawn Carter Foundation’ Raises $20M For Young Scholars On Its 20th Anniversary

Jay-Z has a lot to celebrate in the year of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. On the same day that it was revealed that the Brooklyn Public Library was showcasing an exhibition, The Book of Hov, in honor of the Brooklyn living legend, Carter and his mother, Dr. Gloria Carter, co-founders of the Shawn Carter Foundation, raised $20 million on the anniversary of the foundations’ 20th year.

The organization’s Twitter account announced the amount it collected at the Shawn Carter Foundation Black Tie Gala.

Billboard reported that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez donated a $10 million legacy to the foundation. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey donated his annual $2 million as well.

Some of the esteemed people in attendance included recording artists DJ Khaled, Lil Uzi Vert, Meek Mill, Babyface, Miguel, Tinashe, A$AP Ferg, and Saint Jhn. Sports executives included New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Philadelphia 76ers owner Michael Rubin. Actors Regina Hall and Chazz Palminteri appeared, along with athletes like Robinson Cano and Dez Bryant and radio personalities Angie Martinez, Ebro Darden, Corey Gamble, Tamika Mallory, Zane Lowe, and more.

Dr. Gloria Carter and her son, Shawn Carter, started the Shawn Carter Foundation to provide college scholarships for young people with “talent and drive, but due to mitigating circumstances, their grade point averages fall below the minimum to qualify for support at other foundations and institutions.”

The Shawn Carter Foundation has been helping scholars since its inception in 2003.

RELATED CONTENT: The Shawn Carter Foundation Continues Helping Students Get to College

by Lauren Nutall

July 17, 2023

Introducing Brianna Harmon Of The Millennial Mommies Club

Equipped with a degree in broadcast journalism, Brianna Harmon, the founder of The Millennial Mommies Club, ventured into the world of media straight out of university.

However, six months into her stint as a reporter for REVOLT, Harmon was unexpectedly thrust into motherhood, briefly throwing her career into disarray. Now a mother of two, the journalist manages to maintain her career and the responsibilities of motherhood, with some assistance.

Harmon was able to handle her surprise pregnancy with the help of two friends who were also pregnant at the time. This sisterhood led Harmon to a realization: mothers need a support system to handle the trials of motherhood. This revelation inspired her to launch the show, The Millennial Mommies Club.

Though she has not had a completely seamless journey, which she reveals in her episodes on YouTube and social media, Harmon has shared her expertise so that mothers like her can achieve everything that they have dreamt.

In a world where women are often pressured to be the “ideal” mother, and to do so effortlessly, Harmon wants to let other mothers know that it’s okay to have help and to not be perfect.

Through her podcast and monthly events hosted for mothers and babies to enjoy themselves, she wants to reshape what motherhood looks like and inspire mothers to establish a support system for themselves.

Dedicated to creating a safe space for Black women to build community and celebrate the joys of motherhood, this club has expanded into Georgia, Nevada, and Florida. Since becoming a mother, Harmon has also written a book, titled I’m a Big Sister Mommy Told Me. Written to help only children cope with becoming an older sibling, her book was met with tremendous success – so much so, that there is discussion of a sequel.

RELATED CONTENT: Two Millennials Help Modernize a Historic Black-Owned Bank

Prairie View, engineering
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 17, 2023

Prairie View A&M University Renovations Are Underway With The Latest $70M Engineering Building Investment

Several years ago, Prairie View A&M University officials announced that the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved plans to start construction on a $70 million Engineering Classroom and Research Building.

According to Prairie View A&M University, the school opened the new Engineering Classroom and Research Building on June 22, 2023. As the university celebrates its 75th year, ENCARB is the sixth building to be added to the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering complex.

ENCARB is located at the intersection of E. E. O’Banion Street and D. W. Martin Street and was designed by Stantec Architecture and built by Vaughn Construction.

“The building provides state-of-the-art technical spaces that support hands-on learning and research activities that are critical to the field of engineering,” said Pamela Obiomon ’93, Ph.D., dean of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, in a written statement. “It has spatial connections and openings to increase the connectivity of students and faculty, as well as create energy and opportunities for collaboration.”

According to the school, nearly two-thirds of the facility’s new space, approximately 106,000 square feet, is dedicated to classroom instruction, which includes six instructional classrooms and 14 specialized labs. The remaining areas of the facility consist of research lab space for faculty and graduate students.

“Although the College of Engineering had a reputation of producing excellent engineers because of a good curriculum and great faculty, having a building like this [when I was a student] would have given students access to the latest in technology and high-quality resources resulting in a better-quality education,” Obiomon said. “The study spaces with modern furniture, inspiring collaborative learning spaces, and open lighting adds a component to a student’s successful experience beyond grades and inspires them to achieve their best performance.”

The latest facility is Prairie View A&M University’s first new one in almost 20 years. In that time, enrollment has nearly doubled; now, the college is home to over 1,100 students and more than 100 faculty members, researchers, and staff.

Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences Sends Letter Reinforcing DEI Commitment
by Daniel Johnson

July 16, 2023

Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences Sends Letter Reinforcing DEI Commitment

The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences has sent a letter out to assuage the fears of some of its members following a wave of diversity inclusion and equity exits across Hollywood.

The letter reinforces the academy’s commitment to ensuring that diversity is paramount to what it wants to see in the industry, closing with a firm commitment from Bill Kramer and Janet Yang, the Academy’s CEO and president, respectively.

“Our DEAI-focused work is a continuous journey that requires sustained attention, commitment, and resources across Academy departments,” they wrote. “We will be looking for additional ways to accomplish these efforts, and we are firmly committed to the process. On behalf of the Academy, thank you so much for your support. We look forward to continuing this important conversation.”

The DEI departures seem to be connected to a larger backlash against diversity and inclusion efforts from conservative politicians and groups. Even though Hollywood seems to be populated by a number of liberal actors and directors, on the corporate side it’s a different story. As Steve Ross, professor of history at USC, told the Los Angeles Times in 2017: “Corporate Hollywood tends to be much more conservative and Republican.”

This can be most acutely felt in the current writers and actors strike where it is essentially the studios and their heads, like Disney CEO Bob Iger, against the talent seeking fair compensation and protections against unethical uses of AI in the workplace.

DEI in Hollywood has only been a conversation for about five years. Following an historic Oscar win for Steve McQueen’s film 12 Years A Slave, there were two years of extremely white nomination fields, leading to the quasi-movement #OscarsSoWhite which birthed an organized boycott of the Oscars and an increased focus on diversity. 

Franklin Leonard, the creator of the BlackList, a survey of the most-liked movie screenplays that have not been produced, told Variety that he does not completely buy into what the Academy is selling: “Any time you publish diversity numbers for new members without also citing the numbers for the organization as a whole, you’re saying quite a bit.” 

Leonard told The Hollywood Reporter that he was done with diversity panels in part because he doesn’t see them as productive on their own and they would have to be part of a larger conversation for him to entertain the idea.

In part, the BlackList exposes Hollywood’s lie of meritocracy in its brief overview of the screenplays; it produces quite a bit of diversity naturally. Perhaps Leonard’s ultimate point is that were Hollywood to have structures valuing diversity naturally, there would not be a need to create committees, panels, and positions dedicated to DEI because diversity and inclusion would already be present as a result of cultivated values.

business, AI, AI slop
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 16, 2023

Hotel Revival Baltimore’s New Manager Wins For Black Hospitality

In a win for Black representation in the hospitality field, Hotel Revival Baltimore has appointed Ramon J. Sneed as its new general manager.

Of his new role, the Maryland native has expressed great excitement, as The Afro detailed that he hopes to continues building upon the legacy established by his predecessors,

“Hotel Revival has a name for itself,” Sneed said. “The previous leadership did an amazing job of marketing the hotel, promoting what they were doing and doing great things for the community. I look forward to carrying that on and collaborating with the Revival team members, vendors, and local community partners.”

However, his promotion to a management role within the hotel industry is rare for Black hospitality professionals. According to a recent report by the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Castell Project, the retainment and recruitment of Black employees has dropped nearly two points since 2020. Overall, Black hotel ownership is abysmal—Black entrepreneurs make up less than 2% of all U.S. hotel ownership.

Andy Ingram, president and CEO of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers, also believes there is more to be done to “break the glass ceiling” for people of color in the industry.

In addition to the much-needed diversity and inclusion, Sneed brings a dedication to the wellbeing of his staff, from the front office to the housekeeping department. The 43-year-old has learned through his decades of experience in the industry that uplifting your employees is a key factor in a well-run establishment.

Sneed hopes to change the racial landscape of hotel operations, utilizing the Revival’s name and legacy to not only represent the company’s brand well, but also the Black professionals running it.

“It’s a big responsibility for me to make sure that we’re keeping that momentum going and building on Revival’s connections and initiatives that benefit Baltimore.”

 

Kemba Walden Withdraws Nomination From Top Cybersecurity Post
by Daniel Johnson

July 16, 2023

Kemba Walden Withdraws Nomination From Top Cybersecurity Post

The Office of the National Cyber Director’s acting director Kemba Walden will reportedly not be nominated to permanently hold the office she has overseen since 2022.

Walden has brought stability and leadership to an office after its first director, Chris Inglis, and its deputy director resigned within 6 months of each other in 2021.

Speaking to the Washington Post, Walden did not elaborate on the alleged personal debt that is keeping her from a permanent position, but did she she say—without explanation—that she withdrew her nomination.

Although it has not been officially confirmed, Reuters reported that a source with knowledge of the nomination process said Walton would not be considered for a permanent position “because of personal debt issues that would make her difficult to confirm.”

An unnamed source told The Record that the reason she would not contend for the White House’s nomination “defies imagination.

The White House released a statement regarding Walden: “Acting National Cyber Director Kemba Walden has demonstrated strong leadership overseeing the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD). The Biden-Harris Administration–and the American people–greatly appreciate Acting Director Walden’s vision and service advancing national security, economic prosperity, and technological innovation.”

It is the policy of the office not to comment on personnel matters, and this only lends to speculation regarding the reasoning behind a withdrawal from someone who has been instrumental in providing a guiding hand to such a young office.

According to The Post, the rules for who gets a security clearance is affected by having an unusually high amount of debt. That is, having large amounts of debt is seen as a security risk and could open up a government official to blackmail schemes.

“I’ve never heard of that one before,” an anonymous lawyer who is familiar with the process told the paper. “If she’s actually paying the debt or hasn’t defaulted on the debt, I think it would be very unusual to be held up because of that.”

It is rumored that the White House’s preferred pick is a Black man, Henry Coker. a highly regarded top official at both the National Security Agency and the CIA, a source told the Washington Post.

But, some online experts say, a decision needs to be made soon.

“We are concerned that the delay in nominating a candidate for the National Cyber Director role could impede the great work accomplished under Director Inglis and Acting Director Walden, hinder the implementation of the National Strategy, and jeopardize the effectiveness of the ONCD,” wrote a coalition of industry advocacy groups and non-profit cyber organizations in a letter to Jeff Zients, the White House chief of staff. 

Ben's Chili
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 16, 2023

Ben’s Chili Bowl Is A Cultural Hub Of D.C.’s Black Restaurant Week

Ben’s Chili Bowl, a Chocolate City landmark in its own right, is rare business that has managed to survive the fluctuating economy and societal troubles through six decades.

The restaurant is known for serving iconic chili dogs, milkshakes, and half-smokes, a D.C. favorite usually comprised of both beef and pork, giving it its proper name. The combination of red, yellow, and white in its scenery may not wholly resemble the nation’s colors, but the state of Ben’s Chili Bowl has been a breeding ground and meeting place for new ideas and future cultural leaders since its establishment.

What makes this Black-owned business so special it can withstand nearly anything? Maybe its the simplicity of its menu, or its world-renowned chili sauce, but one cannot deny how its location plays a pivotal role not only in its success, but its historical significance.

The AFRO curated a profile on the hotspot for Black Restaurant Week, commencing on July 16, 2023, giving the restaurant its flowers by remaining consistent and thus becoming a cultural phenomenon.

The company has homegrown roots, founded by a newlywed couple Ben and Virginia Ali in 1958. The small restaurant was built in a lucky location, right in the middle of U street, a famous neighborhood home to many Black-owned businesses. Those companies have come and gone; Ben’s has stood the test of time for decades.

Through new presidents, movements, and residents, Ben’s Chili Bowl serves up not only the D.C. delicacy that is a “glizzy,” but also community. Its slogan, “At Ben’s, everyone’s family,” extends beyond customers, but symbolizes the familiarity and comfort that they helped build in the famous Black neighborhood.

Further details on the history of “The Bowl” can be found at The Afro and the beloved restaurant’s website, where deep dives on its place in historic moments can be found.

OPINION: Could Bluesky Have A Racism Problem?
by Daniel Johnson

July 16, 2023

OPINION: Could Bluesky Have A Racism Problem?

In the wake of instability issues with Twitter, many users were searching for alternatives to the social media platform. Several apps have gained prominence in that area, particularly among creatives. Bluesky, Threads, and Spill have all emerged as leaders in that space.

However, on July 12, 2023 a major problem with Bluesky’s platform was revealed: Users flocked to the app’s report feature to describe incidents where the n-word was included in several usernames, Engadget reports.

Bluesky had no moderation protocol for usernames, which allowed any users to set names featuring the n-word if they so wished. Bluesky’s response was delayed, and the company framed it as a one-off “mistake” as opposed to a serious oversight.

In a post to its official Bluesky account, the social media platform explained its side: “On Wednesday, users reported an account that had a slur as its handle. This handle was in violation of our community guidelines, and it was our mistake that allowed it to be created. Forty minutes after it was reported, the account was taken down, and the code that allowed this to occur was patched.”

It appears that the company did not take the reports seriously until a LinkedIn post went viral. Scott Hirleman, the host of the Data Mesh podcast on Spotify, took to his account to blast the company for not erecting the most basic of standards for their users.

Calling out the company’s lack of investment in trust and safety, Hirleman wrote in part: “If you don’t want to run a social media platform, split the company in twain and go focus on the protocol and fund the platform with another team that cares. Or do you not care about marginalized groups?”

Anti-Blackness in the tech space has been a problem for years, with some tying it to a lack of diversity in not only employment but in the leadership space. The most recent numbers available place Black employment percentage at 7% while white and Asian employment sit at 63% and 20%, respectively.

These numbers reflect a complete disinterest in diversity, which reflects in how Black users of these platforms experience their digital lives. In Elon Musk’s tenure as the leader of Twitter, he has emboldened neo-Nazis and other white supremacists. A platform already slow to ban white supremacists has become its biggest enabler under Musk’s leadership.

“Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter, it has become not only a safe space for hate, especially antisemitism, but also a vector for its spread,” Sacha Roytman Dratwa, CEO of Combat Antisemitism Movement, told NewsDirect. “Many white supremacists and other extremists have perceived it as a place where there is permission to incite, and even a single tweet from someone like Nick Fuentes or Ye has to the power to sow seeds of hate for years to come.”

Burn Victim of Chemical Peel TikTok Awarded $1 Mil In Lawsuit
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 16, 2023

Burn Victim of Chemical Peel TikTok Awarded $1 Mil In Lawsuit

Neyo White, who went viral on Tiktok for detailing his experience as a burn victim from a botched chemical peel, is getting a hefty check for his trauma.

TMZ revealed that White will receive $1 million for his successful lawsuit against Diamond Facez Skin Care Bar and its CEO, Shamari-Rene Cherry, who rendered the service.

The TikToker first went viral in February 2022 for exposing how the company refused to refund him the $150 paid for the service that left him with extensive second-degree burns on his face, prompting him to resort to legal action.

@neyoskincarebrand♬ original sound – Darkskinkenn

The Georgia resident went to the social media platform to showcase his burns from the facial service that left his skin discolored and blotchy in various places and required him to seek medical attention.

He insisted that the videos were not an attempt to gain clout on social media, warning his followers of his seriousness by planning to sue the Atlanta-based business. Well, we know how that turned out.

However, that is not the only matter that White has taken into his own hands. Since the incident, his face has nearly recovered, getting laser treatment at Emerage Medical with dermatologist Jason Emer, self-described as the “world’s most recognized cosmetic dermatologist and surgeon.” White also launched his own brand, Neyo Skincare Brand, in another way to capitalize off his struggle.

The defendant, on the other hand, will have to shell over $750,000 in compensatory, a 60/30 split between the company and its founder. In addition, another $250,000 will be allocated to White in punitive damages. Since the verdict, the skincare clinic has been silent, privatizing their social media accounts as well, which is probably for the best.

As for White, it is safe to say that while his skin may never fully recover, his pockets are currently overflowing.

 

 

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