Dwyane Wade is clearing up any speculation surrounding how he and his wife, Gabrielle Union, split the bills in their shared home.

The NBA champion appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast where he was asked about “the whole 50/50 concept” Union revealed during her interview on Bloomberg last month. The “Being Mary Jane” star became a trending topic when she shared how she and Wade split their costs evenly.

“It’s weird to say I’m head of household because in this household, we split everything 50/50,” Union revealed.

Now, one month later and Wade is clarifying his wife’s statements and explaining how the celebrity couple came to the decision that they would share the finances rather than having the NBA star pay for everything.

“We decided together,” Wade said.

He recalled a time when they resided in Miami and he referred to their house as “my house,” which rubbed Union the wrong way.

“My wife looked at me and said ‘you will never say that to me again when it’s something that we share,'” Wade recounted.

That’s when they decided to buy their Los Angeles home together

“50/50, we purchased it together,” Wade said of their LA home. “Our daughter, 50/50 we share it together.”

Wade jokingly said he didn’t want Union building all her wealth while spending all of his. But Union has doubled down on her evenly split finances with her husband.

She further reiterated her statements on Instagram by posting a video with her husband with a sarcastic caption saying, “I love when he matches my energy, 50/50 over here.”

 

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A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion)

She was transparent when sharing the pressures she feels about money despite being so successful. The “Bring It On” star noted the multiple households she and Wade provide for separately and how it pushes her to work more.

“I have more responsibilities for my money,” she said. “I get nervous if a movie doesn’t open, am I gonna have enough to hold everyone up?”

• Politics

by Sidnee Michelle Douyon

June 14, 2023

Biden Calls Racism ‘Still Too Powerful’ During Juneteenth Concert at White House

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President Joe Biden on Tuesday denounced racism in the United States and said the Juneteenth holiday was meant to help underscore American values that he said were under threat.

Speaking at the White House’s first big Juneteenth celebration, a concert that featured performances by singers Jennifer Hudson, Audra McDonald and Ledisi, Biden urged Americans to choose love over hate and to remember history, not erase it.

“As the past few years remind us, our freedoms have been put at risk by racism that’s still too powerful a force,” he said.

“Hate only hides… And when given oxygen, just a little oxygen, it comes roaring back out again, and we have to … stand up and deny racism the oxygen. So Juneteenth as a federal holiday is meant to breathe a new life into the very essence of America.”

Biden declared Juneteenth – a portmanteau of June and 19th, also known as Emancipation Day – a federal holiday in 2021. It commemorates the day in 1865, after the Confederate states had surrendered to end the Civil War, when a Union general arrived in Texas to inform a group of enslaved African Americans of their freedom under President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.

It has been a holiday in Texas since 1980. U.S. presidents dating back to George W. Bush have marked Juneteenth from the White House, often with a somber statement.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman vice president, opened the evening at the White House with a description of the origins of the day and an introduction of 96-year-old Opal Lee, whose advocacy helped turn Juneteenth into a holiday.

“Make yourself a committee of one to change somebody’s mind,” Lee told the audience. “If people can be taught racism and to hate, they can be taught to love.”

The White House described the event as a celebration of community, culture and music. It included music from marching bands from Morgan State University in Baltimore and Tennessee State University, in Nashville. Other performers were dance group Step Afrika! and choirs from more historicallyblack colleges and universities.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 14, 2023

Louisiana’s Fort Polk Army Base Renamed To Fort Johnson In Honor Of Black WWI Hero

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An Army base located in western Louisiana has been renamed in honor of a Black soldier who served in the First World War and received the Medal of Honor.

According to The Associated Press, the previously named Fort Polk (previously named after a Confederate commander, Leonidas Polk) is now Fort Johnson, renamed after Sgt. William Henry Johnson.

Johnson received the Medal of Honor nearly a century after serving on the front lines of France in 1918. He helped fight off a German night raid near the Argonne Forest, according to the National Museum of the United States Army.

While beating back attacking enemies, Johnson was wounded 21 times. He reportedly prevented another Black soldier from being taken as a prisoner when he killed two German soldiers using his knife after running out of grenades and ammunition.

A story you should know…

On Tuesday, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk will be redesigned Fort Johnson in honor of #USArmy Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a World War I Medal of Honor recipient. https://t.co/hXLhej9KSi

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) June 11, 2023

The United States military is making a concerted effort to rename Army posts that are/or have been named after Confederate officers. The Army is in the process of renaming nine Army posts after Black soldiers and women.

Former President Theodore Roosevelt named Johnson one of the five bravest Americans to serve in World War I. The former soldier was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2015 “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”

Although Johnson literally risked his life and limb for the Army, he was denied a disability allowance and did not receive a Purple Heart. He struggled with the injuries he suffered in combat returning home to Albany, NY, and died of a heart condition in 1929. He was only 32 years old.

• News

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 14, 2023

Qualified Black Families in Philadelphia Can Now Receive Immediate Homebuyer Assistance Up to $14K

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Lisa K. Farrell, the CEO and Founder of Lisa Home Mortgage, says that her company is thrilled to announce the immediate availability of the highly anticipated Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. This time-sensitive program offers eligible homebuyers an exceptional opportunity to receive up to $10,000 (or 6% of the home’s purchase price, whichever is lower) in homebuyer assistance grants. For qualified Black/African-American prospects, an additional $3,000-$4,000 in assistance is available, for a combined total of up to $14,000, presenting an incredible opportunity to secure their dream homes. The funds can be utilized to cover down payment and loan closing costs.

The Down Payment Assistance (DPA) grant program presents several eligibility criteria for prospective clients, including a minimum credit score of 580. The grant is forgivable, pending a fulfilled term of primary residency in the home. For fully engaged clients, the entire process takes approximately 5 weeks. Eligible buyers are also permitted to receive a seller credit of up to 6% of the purchase price, as well as gift funds. To be eligible for this life-changing opportunity, prospective homebuyers must complete a free comprehensive homebuyer course and participate in the free city-funded homeownership counseling program, all prior to signing an Agreement of Sale.

“It is with a sense of urgency and enthusiasm that we are happy to offer the Down Payment Assistance program, offering immediate financial support to make homeownership dreams a reality,” says Lisa. “These funds are available now, and we strongly encourage prospective homebuyers to act swiftly, as this opportunity is granted on a first come, first serve basis, while funds are available.”

To seize this opportunity, interested clients can initiate the process by expeditiously completing their mortgage application at LisaHomeMortgage.com.

This news first appeared on blacknews.com.

The Sachs Foundation, an organization that has supported Black Coloradans since 1931, today announced it has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships to high-achieving Black students over the past year. Scholars were recognized in the foundation’s Scholar Awards and Celebration event this past weekend, with many set to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees from Colorado, out-of-state and top-tier educational institutions nationwide.

The new class of Sachs scholars’ academic achievements are cause for celebration at a time when racial equity programs are being rolled back nationwide despite research consistently highlighting the unique barriers that Black students face when pursuing higher educational opportunities. A recent joint study by the Lumina Foundation and Gallup found Black student enrollment and college completion have both declined precipitously over the past decade, with high costs and discrimination largely accounting for the persistent college opportunity gap.

Decades ago, the Sachs Foundation was created to help close the opportunity gap for Black Coloradans, and the organization’s mission remains just as vital today as it was over 90 years ago. This year’s 46 scholarship recipients will study at renowned institutions like Stanford University, Yale University, Cornell University, the University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins University as well as at prestigious historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) including Howard University and Spelman College. Many 2023 scholarship recipients plan to stay closer to home, pursuing degrees at colleges and universities across Colorado.

“Our Sachs Foundation scholars are incredibly accomplished, not only academically, but in the positive contributions they make to their communities,” said Ben Ralston, president of the Sachs Foundation. “We’re proud to support these outstanding Coloradans in their studies and to advocate for Black students across the country who, due to lingering systemic inequity, have the lowest six-year college completion rate of any racial or ethnic group and still trail white counterparts in degree attainment by 12 percent.”

The Sachs Foundation goes beyond supporting scholars during their undergraduate careers. This year’s awards include over $300,000 for scholars to pursue graduate degrees in areas of study such as law, medicine, and policy and business administration, thrusting them into leadership roles in prestigious careers – places where Black professionals are historically marginalized and underrepresented.

“On average, Black college graduates leave campus with $25,000 more in student debt and earn on average 15 percent less than their white peers,” Ralston said. “We’ve seen this gap persist across generations, with the problem not just limited to Colorado students. We need more organizations and resources across the country who are committed to educational equity.”

Since Pikes Peak resident Henry Sachs created the foundation in 1931, the organization has given more than $45 million to support educational and community programs that benefit Black Coloradans, including more than 3,200 scholarships. Sachs was inspired to launch the foundation by his friendship with the Stroud family, whose personal experience with racial discrimination gave Sachs insight into the challenges Black Americans face. Colorado Springs High School student Dolphus Stroud received the first Sachs Foundation scholarship.

Black Colorado residents can submit applications for a Sachs Foundation scholarship each year from January 1 to March 15, and the foundation encourages eligible students and their families to apply at www.sachsfoundation.org/#scholarships. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need and character. Learn more about ways to support the foundation’s work through donations or partnerships at www.sachsfoundation.org/donate.

This news first appeared on prnewswire.com.

Twin sisters Gianna and Tianna Tout-Puissant, 17 years old and from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, have both been accepted at Harvard University, where they will play basketball and pursue careers as surgeons.

Born more than two months prematurely, the twins overcame health challenges as infants. They continued defying the odds and secured admission to Harvard University, which had only a 3.4% acceptance rate out of 56,937 applicants for the class of 2027.

“We logged into our application portals at the exact same time, and then we read ‘Congratulations’ on each other’s screens, and then we just started all screaming,” Gianna told The Morning Call. “My mom was crying. It was crazy.”

The twins, who recently graduated from Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, said going to Harvard is “surreal” and look forward to joining a community of “hardworking and out-of-the-box thinkers.”

“To see them and how they’ve blossomed into the young women they are today, it’s like they’re miracle babies,” said their mother, Leah Tout-Puissant.

At Harvard, both sisters plan to major in chemistry on the pre-med track, with the ultimate goal of attending medical school in the future. Gianna is considering pursuing a career in either cardiothoracic surgery or neurosurgery, while Tianna, who is fascinated by how different parts of the brain influence personality traits, is interested in neurosurgery.

The duo share a common interest in the tactile nature of surgical procedures and exploring how pharmaceutical drugs can benefit patients. They decided to major in chemistry due to their great experiences with the subject in high school. They excelled in their chemistry classes, taking detailed notes and staying up late to master the concepts. They often assisted fellow students with studying and completing problem sets.

“I think a lot of their peers thought it was just natural for them,” said Cole Wisdo, their chemistry teacher. “But I had the real pleasure of seeing just how crazy hard they were working at it.”

In addition to their academic achievements, the twins displayed a remarkable commitment to varsity basketball throughout their high school years. Their hard work paid off, with Gianna becoming an outstanding scorer and Tianna a reliable point guard. They invested countless hours in refining their skills and hope to join Harvard’s Division I women’s team.

The sisters cherish their close bond and say they’re best friends. They do everything together and even share a room with bunk beds. But while their work ethics align closely, they acknowledge their contrasting personalities.

“I know this sounds cheesy, but we’re very yin and yang,” Tianna said. “She says this crazy idea, and then I’m like, ‘OK, let’s think about the pros and cons of this before we do it.’ And then she gets me to step out of my comfort zone.”

As they prepare to embrace the next chapter of their lives at Harvard, the twins are excited to continue their journey together, supporting and challenging each other along the way.

“We were really set on going to college together,” Gianna said. “And the fact that we were able to both get into such an amazing college was a dream come true.”

This news first appeared on blacknews.com.

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) and Al Roker Entertainment today announced a new documentary focused on the legacy of Black farming in America and the devastating impact of heirs’ property – property passed to family members by inheritance, usually without a will or proper estate planning. Without a clear title, Black farmers are unable to qualify for government assistance, equipment financing or agricultural programs designed to optimize their land. In 2020, John Deere created the LEAP Coalition in partnership with the National Black Growers Council and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide resources for farmers and landowners to resolve heirs’ property issues.

“This film serves as an important platform for Black farmers to delve into their history while also discussing impactful ways to sustain agriculture and places to go for help with legislation and available grants,” said Al Roker, executive producer. “The organizations featured in the film are creating change and it’s one of the reasons our company was so interested in getting involved with this important work.”

Created in partnership with Emmy-nominated director Eternal Polk, the documentary, Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land, addresses how landowners are reclaiming their agricultural rights and their paths to generational wealth. The film will debut at the American Black Film Festival in Miami on June 15, 2023, and appear in screenings across the country this summer.

“Documentaries can offer a lens into history and shed light on a forgotten or untold story. It’s more than just a form of storytelling, it’s a way to offer new viewpoints on an issue, create lasting dialogue, and drive change,” said Gaining Ground director Eternal Polk. “With Deere’s support, we were honored to help bring this important story to life. This documentary provides resources to those who are dealing with heirs’ property and shows others how they can get involved to support this cause.”

Black land ownership peaked in 1910 at 16 to 19 million acres, which was about 14 percent of total arable land in the United States. A century later, 90 percent of Black-owned land has been lost, and heirs’ property has been the leading cause for that decline. The documentary shines a spotlight on the challenges Black farmers and landowners’ must navigate to preserve their land for future generations. The film additionally showcases subject matter experts and practitioners’ who are actively working to address these issues.

“For farmers, land provides more than a livelihood, it provides a legacy. For far too long, Black farmers have had to deal with often coercive constraints, barriers and systems that result in involuntary loss of land, economic value and wealth. This documentary provides an opportunity for folks to tell their stories, highlight injustice and hopefully serve as a catalyst for concerted action to address this little known but important and pervasive issue” said Marc Howze, Senior Advisor, Office of the Chairman, Deere and Company. “The message of this documentary is clear: We need to do more to help Black farmers and landowners unlock the tremendous value in the land they already own to help us feed, clothe and shelter a growing population while pursuing opportunities to build wealth and provide a legacy for future generations.”

This news first appeared on prnewswire.com.

• News

by Derek Major

June 14, 2023

Quarterly Taxes Are Due Thursday, Here’s How to Avoid Penalties

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For those who don’t have taxes regularly deducted from their paycheck, the deadline for the second payment of quarterly taxes is Thursday, June 15.

There are two ways to pay taxes in the U.S.: withholding taxes from your paycheck, pension, or government payments, such as Social Security; or making quarterly payments throughout the year. Those who pay quarterly taxes include the self-employed, gig workers, retirees, businesses, corporations, and employees who don’t have enough taxes withheld by their employers throughout the year.

The deadline for the first payment, which covered Jan. 1 through Mar. 31, was due on Tax Day, April 18. The second payment, which is due Thursday, June 15, will cover April 1 through May 31. The remaining two payments will be due in September and early next year.

“Estimated tax payments are crucial for meeting tax obligations throughout the year, avoiding penalties, and staying on top of your finances,” Sean Lovison, a Philadelphia-area certified financial planner and public accountant, told CNBC.

According to the IRS, you must pay quarterly individual estimated tax payments if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in taxes for the current year after subtracting withholding and refundable credits or an individual’s withholding and refundable credits are less than 90% of the tax to be shown on your current year’s tax return; or 100% of the tax shown on your prior year’s tax return.

Two IRS forms can help taxpayers determine their estimated taxes. Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals and Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax include worksheets and examples to help taxpayers with dividend or capital gains income and those who owe alternative minimum tax or self-employment tax.

The IRS has tools to help you through the process, including an Interactive Tax Assistant, Tax Topics, and more. Certified public accountants and tax companies, including H&R Block, can also help.

There are several ways to pay your quarterly taxes, including by mail (make sure the postmark is before the due date), online through an IRS account, by phone, or with the IRS2Go app.

If you don’t pay, you’ll be subject to a penalty that will increase for every day it remains unpaid. However, the IRS will waive the penalty in the event of a disaster or unusual circumstance.

• News

by Stacy Jackson

June 14, 2023

Teddy Riley Stands By His Loyalty To Donald Trump, Saying He ‘Can Do Something Amazing For Us’

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Singer-songwriter Teddy Riley is getting backlash after voicing his support for Donald Trump.

Riley commented with five muscle emojis under one of the former president’s recent Instagram posts. After his indictment, Trump took to Instagram, claiming he was innocent after he was indicted.

Bishop Talbert Swan, senior pastor at Spring of Hope Church and president of the Greater Springfield chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), questioned Riley. Swan said, “Seriously, Teddy. You really on here agreeing with this dude?” LOVEBSCOTT reported.

Riley shared his reasons for supporting Trump with The Shade Room (TSR), which reported it’s because Trump “released his older brother Lou Hobbs, who was doing double life in prison.” Riley also credited Trump for teaching him “how to be a free man of this country [America].” The “No Diggity” singer continued to defend Trump, telling TSR Trump “can do something amazing for us, because he did it for Africa while he was in office.”

Some wanted to know why Riley’s brother was sentenced to double life in prison. One Instagram user responded under TSR’s post, “Wait, what did your brother do for him to get a double life sentence? Can you elaborate on that?”

The post that sparked the controversy appeared on Trump’s recent Instagram page. Trump wrote, “I AM AN INNOCENT MAN. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TOTALLY CORRUPT. THIS IS ELECTION INTERFERENCE & A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”

The political figure known for his controversial “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) political slogan arrived in Miami on June 13, 2023, to appear in court. The former president allegedly mishandled classified documents at his Florida estate and faces 37 criminal charges, CNN reported.

The New York Times reported that Trump is the first president in U.S. history to be indicted by a grand jury.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

June 14, 2023

Reginald Fowler, Former NFL Team Owner, Sentenced To 75 Months In Prison For Cryptocurrency Fraud

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A former minority owner of the Minnesota Vikings is going to jail and paying some heavy fines after being caught up in a crypto scam.

Sports Illustrated reports that Reginald Fowler has been sentenced to 75 months in prison for cryptocurrency fraud. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York says Fowler violated federal anti-money laundering laws and must forfeit $740 million and pay restitution of $53 million after he was found with more than $700 million in “unregulated transactions.”

The Arizona native also allegedly lied to banks to process the transactions and “defrauded” the Alliance of American Football when he bought an ownership stake in the league, all while lying about his net worth.

Prosecutors learned that Fowler started a company called Global Trading Solutions in 2018 that worked with Crypto Capital, allowing cryptocurrency exchanges for cash. Attorneys accused him of opening several accounts at different United States banks by falsely claiming they were for real estate investment transactions. “At no point were Fowler, GTS, nor any of the Crypto Companies ever licensed as a money transmitting business in the United States, as required by federal law,” the attorney’s office said.

Prosecutors felt a seven-year sentence was appropriate, as Fowler played a “critical role in a serious criminal enterprise.” The former NFL investor was remorseful when he appeared in court. “I’m very sorry, I’m very remorseful, I’m very sad,” Fowler said to U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr., Bloomberg reports. He pleaded with the judge to reconsider prison time. “If you give me the opportunity to show you I can do right, I will.”

While prosecutors requested that Fowler be taken into custody immediately, Judge Carter allowed him to surrender in 21 days since Fowler isn’t a flight risk. This will give Fowler time to get his affairs in order, including someone to care for his dog.