• News

by Stacy Jackson

June 22, 2023

Georgia Teacher To Receive $250K House Under New Public Service Housing Program

---

Social-emotional learning teacher Methany Thornton will be the first to receive housing from Marietta’s new Public Service Housing Program.

The teacher shared how she relied on her faith despite the rising cost of living. Thornton told Fox 5, “I’ve been praying, and I was like, this just sounds like it’s for my family, and I’m going to trust God, and I’m going to apply.”

Thornton is even helping with construction. The program requires future residents to contribute 200 hours of building. According to Fox 5, the teacher said, “Hammering in that first nail, it was unreal. I was shaking that whole time.”

Her disabled husband is contributing to building their home alongside a team from Habitat for Humanity. Thornton said, “My husband used to build before he had a stroke and became disabled, he’s been getting to help, and he’s in his element.” Felicia Alingu from Habitat for Humanity told Fox 5 earlier this year, “They [future residents] have to be out there. They’re hammering the nails in the home. They’re putting in the insulation, the siding, laying sod, they’re participating in all aspects of the construction of their home.”

Marietta’s Community Development Manager Kelsey Thomson-White, told Fox 5 in January 2023, “We will be building six new houses that are exclusively available to public service workers. We’re donating $500,000 directly to Habitat [Habitat for Humanity], and we’ve donated the lots to them as well.”

A total of six homes will be built by the end of 2024. Marietta City Schools said in a statement the homes will be zero-interest. The prices of homes will be at most $250,000, and funds for the one- and two-story homes will come from the American Rescue Plan. There will also be three bedrooms and two bathrooms homes available.

Thornton is the only person who works in her home. She lives with her husband, daughter, and two grandsons.

• Technology

by Stacy Jackson

June 22, 2023

Black Tech Talent Is Often Discriminated Against Long Before Interview Process

---

According to recent findings, Black people and women are excluded from tech job interviews.

In 2022, 38% of tech job opportunities sent invitations for interviews to men only, according to a study by Hired. Moreover, TechTarget reported that 12% of jobs sent invitations to white people only.

The obvious bias in the low number of invitations sent to Black and women candidates is reflected in the small population of each group in the tech industry. In 2021, Black people made up just 7.4% of tech employees, and Black women accounted for 1.7%, CNBC reported. Although diversity in the tech industry still seems discouraging, some progress has been made. In 2018, interview figures were even worse, with 45% of tech job interview invitations being sent to men only and 26% to whites, according to TechTarget.

Josh Brenner, CEO of Hired, said, “There has been a more dedicated focus between 2018 and now toward including a more representative set across races.” However, he also noted that “representation still remains an issue for women and nonwhite individuals,” TechTarget reported.

If a Black person or woman breaks through all obstacles and lands a tech job, there is still a difference in pay. According to the Hired study, Black men make $0.93 for every $1 a White man makes, and Black women make $0.90.

BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported how Black women have dealt with underrepresentation in tech. The co-founders of Black Women Talk Tech told Built In in an email last year, “It is our mission to close the gap between Black women and their peers who are in the same workspace, yet do not have equal playing field in terms of wages earned and received.”

Some organizations are trying to diversify the tech industry. In June 2023, BE reported that the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative (IAAQLI) committed to supporting Blacks in tech with $300,000 in grants.

Ye, formally known as Kanye West, is fighting back against allegations made by former Donda Academy teachers.

He is demanding a lawsuit filed against him by former teachers Cecilia Hailey and Chekarey Byers be dropped, Radar Online reports. The College Dropout rapper claims he has no control over what goes on at Donda Academy and claims the educators “misleadingly depict the Donda Academy as a dystopian institution designed to satisfy Ye’s idiosyncrasies.” “The truth is, Ye has nothing to do with Donda’s policies, practices, and procedures relating to employee pay and wage statements,” Ye said in a statement.

Hailey and Byers were fired from Donda and claimed the termination was retaliatory. Both teachers and Timanii Meeks claim that the school was unsafe for students, and Meeks alleged she was fired after parents complained her classroom had no books. Lawyer Ron Zambrano, who represents all three teachers, says that Ye has a big problem on his hands with the building that needs to be addressed. “Ms. Meeks was fired months before Cecilia Hailey and Chekarey Byers were terminated but all three clearly witnessed the same illegal and disturbing code violations and conduct at the school…” Zambrano said, according to NBC News.

“And all three were given the same retaliatory and unlawful treatment merely for trying to stand up for the student’s rights to a meaningful education.”

Meeks told administrators about exposed electrical wiring on top of other safety hazards, including a bullying issue. Parents complained about the lack of books, textbooks “or any sort of educational items that would typically be found in a classroom,” the lawsuit states. Byers and Hailey claimed the school had no disciplinary system in place and lacked basic supplies and resources like trash cans, a school nurse, or janitorial staff. Allegedly, students were only served sushi for lunch and weren’t allowed to use eating utensils.

Ye is denying all the allegations and asking the court to throw out claims of additional alleged wage violations.

The fate of reproductive rights in Virginia is in the hands of a former member of the House of Delegates.

Lashrecse Aird triumphed in Virginia’s Democratic primary race on June 20, HuffPost reported. Aird’s Democratic opponent was Joe Morrissey, who is anti-abortion.

Aird said in her speech after defeating Morrissey, “In Richmond, I’ll be a firewall for our reproductive rights in the face of Republican extremists who think they have the right to make decisions about our own bodies.” Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, commented, “Lashrecse Aird made this race about protecting abortion rights ― something the majority of Americans overwhelmingly agree on.”

Lockhart added, “Aird was unapologetically pro-abortion rights and campaigned on stopping Gov. Youngkin from enacting an abortion ban in Virginia. The voters of SD-13 were loud and clear: They demand to be represented by an outspoken advocate for reproductive rights.”

“This is a victory for SD-13 residents, for Virginians, and for health care access in our entire southeast region,” the executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia concluded.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin challenged abortion in Virginia with his 15-week abortion ban. Under the ban, physicians providing abortions would face up to a decade in prison and fines as high as $100,000, according to HuffPost. Women and girls would be prohibited from getting an abortion after the 15th week of pregnancy, POLITICO reported.

Having defeated Morrissey, Aird will face off against Republican Eric Ditri in the Nov 7. election for the Senate seat.

BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, making it legal for states to ban abortion. Abortion is not illegal nationwide, and many continue to fight for women and girls to choose what happens to their bodies. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore promised, “Maryland will always be a safe haven for abortion access and abortion rights,” BE reported.

In May 2023, Moore signed bills protecting abortion and gender-affirming care.

• News

by Stacy Jackson

June 22, 2023

Elder Abuse Is In Full Effect: Statistics Show Seniors Are Swindled By People They Know

---

Some things are just shameful, and abusing or financially exploiting older adults is one of them.

Americans over 60 lose $28.3 billion yearly from financial exploitation, according to a study by AARP and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.

Shocking statistics showed that people close to victims, such as family members, friends, and caregivers, steal around three-quarters of that amount, FINURAH reported. Also, just because the elderly victim knows who is exploiting them does not mean they will report it. According to the study, victims are less likely to report financial exploitation by someone they know. Around 88% of cases went unreported because the victim knew the person, according to FINURAH. Saving face for themselves and their family, friends, or caregiver might cause victims to remain quiet about financial exploitation. FINURAH reported shame might be the most significant reason elderly victims don’t report exploitation in instances where they know the person.

BLACK ENTERPRISE reported John Amos, famous for his role in Good Times, was recently said to be a victim of “financial exploitation” and “elder abuse.” Amos’ daughter, Shannon Amos, posted on Instagram on June 8, 2023, saying the 83-year-old actor was in the ICU and his home had been stripped bare. When Amos publicly refuted Shannon’s claims, she responded, “I understand that this is embarrassing and upsetting, and probably not what he would have wanted me to do, but it is in his best interest.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by S H A N N O N A M O S (@officialshannonamos)

Later, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported Amos revealed in a video that he believed he was the victim of elderly abuse by his daughter, Shannon. The video was posted by Amos’ son, K.C. Amos. Amos called his daughter a “primary suspect.” He added, “I don’t know if that’s the right term to use or not. But she’s the one that I would attribute my elderly abuse to. It’s definitely a case of elderly abuse.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by K.C. Amos (@k.c.amos)

According to FINURAH and figures published by the AARP Public Policy Institute, financial exploitation is more than twice what it was in March 2020.

RELATED CONTENT: Good Times Star BernNadette Stanis Speaks On John Amos Amid Elder Abuse Claims

Dr. Umar Johnson set the record straight on the relationship dynamics between Black men and women.

The Pan-Afrikan psychologist sat down with the hosts of the Daily Rap Up Crew podcast to discuss topics like self-hate in the Black community, slavery, HBCUs, and reproductive rights, WZAK Cleveland reported. Dr. Johnson’s buttons were pushed as the conversation shifted to Black love, and Johnson took the opportunity to share his views on how Black men treat Black women. “Yes, they (Black women) have a role. Yes, they have responsibility. But as a man — as a leader — to say ‘I can’t fix this s*** unless she changes,'” Johnson said. “That’s not the definition of a man.”

@truthcontroversy #truthcontroversy #dailyrapupcrew #drumarjohnson ♬ original sound – TruthControversy

The hosts of the show offered a rebuttal, complaining that Black men “have to deal with masculine women” within the family structure. “What I’m saying is I’m capable of being that leader, that provider, I’ve worked hard in my life,” one host said. “I only feel like we tell Black men that we now have to deal with masculine women, women with children by other men…” And that’s when Johnson interrupted to ask the question, “Why is she masculine?” and continued to answer it. “Because she had to raise the kids alone, I’m telling you, mistakes made by Black men systemically gave rise to the conditions that allowed her to be masculine and made her end up with a man that you consider to be less than he should be,” Johnson said.

“And I’m telling you, Black men are responsible for her being masculine because we have not helped her raise them children.”

The viral clip has started conversations, as Johnson’s viewpoints tend to come off as controversial. People left comments saying that Johnson was dropping “facts” while others pointed out that the podcast hosts weren’t really trying to listen. “These men are not listening to understand they are listening to blame,” one fan said.

RELATED CONTENT: Stephen A. Smith Claps Back at Dr. Umar Johnson After Defending Dallas Cowboys Owner

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

June 22, 2023

‘I Am My Hair’: Unilever Salon To Test Products To Understand Black Hair Care

---

Unilever is taking steps to truly understand Black people and their hair.

For an experiment, Unilever, one of the largest consumer goods conglomerates in the United States, opened up a salon called the Polycultural Center of Excellence for Black people to test products and give their honest opinions, The New York Times reports. Unilever owns some of the most popular haircare brands like Dove, Vaseline, and SheaMoisture. As the Black women provided their feedback, scientists and hairstylists just listened, taking notes on their phones.

The salon hosted about 50 men and women to test certain products. None of the participants were told what products were being tested or what executives thought they should be used for. The team then observed how the testers interacted with each product just in case they decided to reveal what it is used for. Peter Schrooyen, who supervises Unilever’s research and development for beauty brands in North America, says that while their work is commendable, there is still a long way to go. “I’ve been amazed with the work that’s been done so far, but also the work we still have to do,” Schrooyen said.

The consumer goods brands understand that the Black haircare market is a highly undervalued place, understanding that Black consumers are a group that beauty companies have ignored for decades and constantly overlook. In 2021, Black Americans spent $6.6 billion on beauty, which is over 11% of the total beauty market in the United States and slightly behind the 12.4% of Black representation of the total population, according to a report from McKinsey.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Hair Love: Tedra’s Cultural Arts Braid Experience Presents First Kids Brave Braids Art Show

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 22, 2023

Black Motorist Profiled By Cop Who Writes Him A Ticket For Hanging Air Freshener

---

A Black TikTok user named Alex Harbour recorded his interaction with a white police officer who pulled him over. He was stopped in Wall Township, New Jersey, after the officer said Harbour didn’t put on his turn signal. Although Harbour disputed that claim, he questioned the police officer why he was stopped.

The video clip is labeled, “When they pull you over for NO REASON but have to find A REASON.” As Harbour speaks to the police officer, he politely requests the officer contact his supervisor because Harbour was driving a company car and felt it was an unlawful traffic stop.

As the exchange continued, the police officer informed Harbour he was stopped because his “Little Tree” air freshener was “obstructing his view.” 

The video continued with Harbour explaining to the camera he was being followed for a while, and instinctively, like many Black people, assumed he would soon be stopped. While having a strong intuition about what could happen next, Harbour said he purposely used his turn signal, and that’s when the police officer made his move to make the traffic stop.

@sxvagexi like for part 2! the supervisor came!#police #policebrutalitymuststop #anotherdayatwork #harassmentawareness #unlawful #abuseofpowerawareness #tomuchfacebookvideos #viral #wrongdoor #penalcode #3937 ♬ original sound – iAMSXVAGE

Following the supervisor’s arrival and another brief back-and-forth exchange, the officer said the driver would not be ticketed for failure to use a turn signal; instead, he would be ticketed for obstruction of view due to his hanging air freshener.

@sxvagexi #police #policebrutalitymuststop #anotherdayatwork #harassmentawareness #unlaw #uoa #unlawafuluseofauthority #viral #wrongdoor #penalcode3937 #3937 #unlawful #walltownshippolice #newjersey #fyp ♬ original sound – iAMSXVAGE

Harbour got plenty of advice, with many stating he should fight the ticket. Unless another video is recorded, there is no known court date or decision made by Harbour. But the clip revealed the ongoing harassment of Black people by law enforcement.

• News

by Iman Milner

June 22, 2023

A Nia Long Memoir Is On The Horizon With Promise Of ‘Truth And Transparency’

---

Celebrated actress and Hollywood mainstay Nia Long will publish her memoir with 13A, an imprint of Gallery Books, according to ESSENCE.

The book is said to chronicle Long’s decades-spanning career, motherhood, and activism, and will feature untold stories from the 52-year-old actress. “I am thrilled to have found a home for my memoir at Gallery and 13A,” Long said. “My steps to finding divine purpose have been thoughtful and intentional. For better or worse, you will find truth and transparency in the storytelling, sprinkled with 90s nostalgia.”

The New York native has kept a pretty low profile when it comes to her private life; however, a highly-publicized split from her ex-fiancé and former Boston Celtics head coach, Ime Udoka, led Long to be more vocal about her children as well as her life away from the silver screen.

Reprising her role as Jordan Armstrong for The Best Man: The Final Chapters as well as playing opposite Eddie Murphy in Our People, Long has proven that she has true staying power in an industry that is known for discarding women as they age. After three decades, audiences are still buying everything Nia Long is selling; chances are her memoir will be no different.

“Nia Long’s life has unfolded on screen, right before our eyes, from Boyz n the Hood to Love Jones and beyond,” Charles Suitt, Publisher of 13A said. “Yet there is just something so relatable about her. She is a trailblazer who is all about action. We are looking forward to her telling her truth, as only Nia can.”

13A is an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and named for the amendment that abolished slavery. The imprint focuses on “publishing the leading Black voices in sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and other areas,” according to Yahoo News. Sports journalist, Stephen A. Smith‘s upcoming memoir, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes, will also be published through 13A later this year.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 22, 2023

Black Hardware Store Employee Targeted With Racist Prank After Finding Noose On Juneteenth

---

The wheels of racism continue to spin in Texas.

According to CBS News Texas, an Ace Hardware store in Arlington was at the center of a racist prank against a Black employee on Juneteenth.

A Black employee, Devondrick Hartsfield, who has been with the company for four months, said that on June 19, 2023, while walking in the back of the store with a store manager he spotted a noose hung from the store’s ceiling.

“Before we walked to the door, he told me to look up, and I looked up, and when I looked back at him, he was like, ‘It’s a joke, Juan left his backpack,'” Hartsfield said. “And when I looked back up, I saw the noose with the rope, and I was like, ‘What the hell?'”

Now an investigation is underway.

“I took it as a Black man being hung, dismembered. The bag to me looked to me like a Black man who was hung and dismembered,” he said. “I really feel like that was a message.”

Hartsfield is a delivery driver for Van Marcke’s Ace Hardware. He said that he is the only Black employee at the store.

The Facebook page of the Arlington store left a message reassuring customers they were looking into the alleged racist incident.

“In light of recent events, Van Marcke’s Ace Hardware would like to assure you and the entire community that any allegations of racism; or any discrimination is being thoroughly investigated and addressed with the utmost urgency. We take such incidents seriously and are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for both our employees and customers.”

Due to what he saw, Hartsfield said he fears returning to work. He said a supervisor apologized, but he has contacted the local NAACP chapter and OSHA, asking them both to investigate.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Woman Confronts A Plane Passenger For Making Her ‘Uncomfortable’ With His Racist, Body Shaming Texts