Black Councilman Targeted With Dead Raccoon And ‘Racially Hateful’ Message Left Outside His Office
Someone in Redmond, Oregon used a weird tactic to send a racist message to the city’s representatives.
A dead raccoon and sign with “intimidating language” referencing Clifford Evelyn, a Black city council member and Mayor Ed Fitch, who is white, was left outside the mayor’s law office. Fitch found the items himself and immediately called the police and city manager Keith Witcosky, CBS News reported
Fitch told police the language used was “racially hateful,” and declined to share what the message said specifically. Evelyn is a retired law enforcement officer who was the city’s first ever Black councilor, elected in 2021. Fitch said he feels bad for him, OPB reported.
“It seems there’s some people in town that can’t accept the fact that Clifford is Black and is on the City Council,” Fitch said.
“It was clearly in my mind a hate message, mostly towards Councilor Evelyn.”
The Redmond Police Department are investigating the act as a potential hate crime and Evelyn said he has complete confidence in the department.
The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Imagery in Michigan describes raccoon imagery as “one of the most insulting of all anti-black caricatures.”
Redmond has seen its fair share of racism in the past few years. A Black Redmond teenager found a threatening message on her doorstep in 2020 and Republican Deschutes County Commission candidate, Scott Stuart, who lost his race, was seen flying a Confederate flag at the city’s Fourth of July parade.
Evelyn said a resident mentioned slavery during a recent council meeting, even though the topic had nothing to do with the agenda item.
“The people in this part of the country are just gonna have to catch up,” Evelyn said.
“It’s just the knuckleheads that can’t get on track. And they’re causing harm to everyone and making us look bad.”
Wendy Williams’ Son Breaks Silence, Fears For Her Health And Says She ‘Needs Help’
Wendy Williams’ son Kevin Hunter Jr. is breaking his silence to call out his mother’s team for allegedly profiting from her downward spiral.
According to Kevin, 22, those around Wendy are taking advantage of her inability to make sound decisions amid her battle with severe alcoholism. The famed talk show host’s only child believes his mom’s health issues are being ignored in order to involve her in projects she’d say no to if she was in a healthier state.
“I know there are all sorts of things happening that I know in her right mind she would never agree to,” Kevin told The Sun.
“As hard as it is seeing her being taken advantage of, I know that if I’m making sure she, as a person, is okay, that is the important thing.”
Kevin’s comments come one month after the former daytime host was hospitalized in New York and her son only found out when Wendy’s jeweler-turned-manager, Will Selby, told him. Kevin said it was the first time he’d heard from Selby since late last year.
Since learning of Wendy’s hospitalization, Kevin Jr. said no one from his mom’s team or guardianship has given him an update. At the time of the hospitalization, Wendy’s rep, Shawn Zanotti, claimed the former radio personality wasn’t in a hospital in New York.
Ahead of the alleged health scare, Wendy canceled a scheduled appearance at the Atlanta Women’s Expo on May 2, just days before the event, reportedly due to her declining health. It was said the former talk host was not “well enough” for the speaking engagement, via Page Six.
Wendy’s son believes her health has been on a steady decline since she stopped living with him in Miami in the spring of 2022. He’s also convinced that her team is focused on her profits rather than her health.
“What’s been made more important by the people around her is that while her health may not be great, she needs to keep on earning income, and in my opinion that should not be a priority at all,” Kevin said.
“And whoever has been hired – they are taking advantage of someone who needs to get better.”
Kevin Jr. is confident things will get sorted out once Wendy regains her health and the people around his mom “don’t lead her down the path to where something can’t happen to help her.”
“Because eventually, she’s going to realize the craziness that’s been going on,” he said.
“I’m praying that whoever is in control now doesn’t ruin whatever hope there is for her to get back up again.”
Tesla Hit With Class Action Lawsuit From Nearly 250 Black Workers
A Black former Tesla employee wants to add hundreds of Black workers to a lawsuit he filed against the company in 2017 for racist behavior—240 deep to be exact.
Recently Marcus Vaughn requested class-action status for his lawsuit against Tesla. Vaughn’s request is supported by 240 Black workers who said they also endured racist treatment at the company, according to Fortune. A hearing is scheduled for July 14.
Vaughn and hundreds of Black employees and contractors accused the company of condoning racist behavior as part of the company’s “pattern and practice of race discrimination,” BET reported. The suit states that Black workers endured harsh treatment including racial slurs, racist graffiti, unequal pay, and blocked career advancement. He referred to the environment as a “hotbed for racist behavior.”
BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported that former Black human resources manager, Karen Draper, sued Tesla claiming she was fired after she refused to illegally terminate another worker allegedly targeted by a white manager.
In a prior instance, Tesla was ordered to pay $3.2 million to Owen Diaz in April 2023, according to The Guardian. Diaz said he experienced racial harassment and was awarded the sum for emotional damages and punitive damages. Diaz claimed in his suit that swastikas and derogatory drawings of Black children were visible in work areas.
The Department of Fair Employment and Housing in California determined several accusations of racist treatment to be true after investigating the company for three years. The department sued Tesla in 2022.
In 2022, Raina Pierce sued Tesla for disregarding her concerns about rampant racism at the Fremont plant. Pierce stated that Latino and White coworkers casually used the N-word. She also claimed in her racial discrimination lawsuit that a manager would greet employees by saying, “Welcome to the slave house.”
BLACK ENTERPRISE reported in April 2022, that a number of Black employees were allegedly “moved to the back of the plant” when Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, would visit.
Teyana Taylor’s First Air Jordan Collection Sells Out In Record Time
Teyana Taylor is making history with her first-ever Air Jordan collection that sold out in minutes after its June 1st release.
The Teyana Taylor x Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2 A Rose From Harlem was out of stock shortly after its launch last Thursday, Billboardreported. It was Taylor’s first collaboration with the Jordan Brand, which represents her “journey as a rose navigating through the concrete” and celebrates “anyone who’s overcome a struggle.”
The collection includes “street and sporty” apparel pieces ranging in price from $60 to $175, and available in sizes from XS (0-2) to XXL (20-22). The pieces carry an essence of the “early-2000s New York aesthetic and Jordan DNA,” the brand said.
Along with the sold-out sneakers (that are already listed at higher prices on resale sites), the collection includes fleece joggers, a mesh long-sleeve top, a variety of tank tops, t-shirts, and a $750 varsity jacket with Taylor’s new signature stamp of a red rose with two “T’s” below it. A Jumpman logo is centered on the back of the jacket.
It was a family affair for the campaign shoot, with Taylor posing in the collection alongside her eldest daughter, mother, and grandmother. The singer/actress joked about her youngest daughter Rue being asleep during the photo shoot.
“The evolution of a rose 🌹 From a Bud … to a Bouquet. I present my Nana, My Mama, and My Seed,” she captioned her post.
The A Thousand and One star gifted a few music icons with free pairs of the sneakers last month, including Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, and Erykah Badu.
The sneaker name also serves as a nod to the “Rose in Harlem” single off Taylor’s 2018 album K.T.S.E. which highlights her journey from Harlem to Hollywood. In 2020, Taylor released her final album, dubbed The Album, which came one year before she announced her retirement in September 2021, New York Daily News reported.
Since calling it quits in music, Taylor has made brief returns to the stage, while keeping her name hot through acting roles and serving as choreographer and creative director to music acts like Latto, Summer Walker, and Lola Brooke.
She’s set to headline the inaugural Harlem Festival of Culture next month alongside Wyclef Jean. It’ll serve as one of Taylor’s first concerts since announcing her retirement last year.
14-Year-Old Black Girl From Texas Graduates High School, Makes History
Oforitsenere Bodunrin, an African American student from Arlington, Texas, has graduated high school at the young age of 14. She follows in the footsteps of her older sister, who also earned her high school diploma when she was just 14.
Bodunrin, who graduated from Martin High School in Arlington, has always strived for excellence. Aside from her academic achievements, she holds a second-degree black belt and served as the editor of her school paper. “Whenever people ask me, ‘So how is this? Is this so strange for you?’ Like, not really,” she told Live 5 News.
Oforitsenere’s mother, Bawo Bodunrin, recognized her advanced and exceptional abilities from a young age. By the time she was 2 years old Oforitsenere was already reading, and by the age of 4 she had learned multiplication.
“It was some traits that we saw that were really different. The way she works. Normally you would say the sky is the limit. For her, the sky is the beginning,” her mother said.
Bodunrin plans to attend the University of Texas-Arlington in the fall to pursue studies in computer science and aviation. She dreams of working internationally with her degree.
According to recent data, a significant number of Black students are graduating from high school early, showcasing their determination and academic achievements. In the past academic year, approximately 15% of Black students successfully completed their high school education ahead of schedule. This figure marks a substantial increase from the previous year and highlights the remarkable progress made by Black students in pursuing their educational goals.
These statistics underscore the importance of recognizing and supporting the exceptional achievements of Black students who graduate from high school early, as they serve to inspire their peers and contribute to the overall advancement of education within their communities.
Bodunrin credits her family for their unwavering support and motivation, and especially her older sister, who was a role model for her.
“My family has encouraged me. I may not be the best at first, but I can definitely try,” she said.
5 Days. No Police. How A New York Neighborhood Addresses Over-Policing
The nation’s distrust of law enforcement has been mounting for years. In the wake of police violence, more and more community members have expressed skepticism as to whether law enforcement is here to protect and serve the public or itself. We’ve seen how deadly encounters between civilians and law enforcement can be caused by something as simple as a phone call.
In recent years, many Americans have begun to ask the question: What if communities handled conflict among themselves and leave law enforcement out of it? That is exactly what Brownsville, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, is doing.
According to The New York Times, several times a year, the organization Brownsville In Violence Out, part of the Brownsville Safety Alliance, places its members on two blocks in the neighborhood, and all low-level 911 calls are directed to them rather than the police. For five days, and with plainclothes officers nearby to prevent escalation, the members are tasked with moderating all non-emergency crimes that do not require an arrest.
Established in 2014, Brownsville In Violence Out is an anti-gun-violence initiative whose goal is to change dangerous norms and educate people so that they can facilitate positive change. The program initiated a groundbreaking move to minimize policing and delegate responsibilities to well-respected community members. Neighbors are entrusted to care for neighbors, rather than bringing armed officers into the mix.
It is a novel approach, and quite a daring one. Some neighborhood residents appreciate the move; others are fearful. Lise Perez, 26, spoke to The New York Times about her concerns. Perez owns Clara’s Beauty Salon on Pitkin Avenue. She has over two dozen cameras located around her store, and nobody can enter or leave without her allowing them. She is skeptical of the initiative’s ability to protect residents and business owners on the street.
“In this area, nobody feels too safe,” said Perez. “We’re all here surviving.”
Regardless of one’s stance, the results have been undeniable. Since the initiative’s creation, community members have successfully dispelled physical confrontations and even armed robberies using the power of de-escalation rather than brute force. The New York Times reports that homicide declined 50% in the first half of 2023. Shootings dropped 25%.
This is the work of the Brownsville Safety Alliance, a group of neighborhood and city groups that work alongside law enforcement and the Kings County District Attorney’s office to keep more people from entering the criminal justice system.
The architect of the idea is Terrell Anderson, commander of the 73rd Precinct. Anderson was elected in June 2020, one month after George Floyd’s death. Appointed amid national social upheaval, Anderson had a long way to go in building community trust.
Anderson entered the office with a stance against excessive policing. In a 2020 interview with Gothamist, he said, “When I see these kids, you know, I see myself. I did grow up in hip-hop culture, so that is a culture that I embrace. The way some of them dress — well, I dress that way as well. So, you know, I’m not going to automatically criminalize anybody.”
To determine the best course of action, Anderson asked Brownsville residents how their police department could build trust with them. What he found was the need for more community members in charge of each other’s safety rather than armed and uniformed men with badges. From that discovery, the Brownsville Safety Alliance was born.
While members of Brownsville In Violence Out scan the area in case of conflict, other agencies remain seated, offering their services such as free childcare to those in need. This experimental concept does more than bridge the gap between law enforcement and Brownsville residents. It offers ways to strengthen the community so that residents have the tools to improve their conditions in the long term.
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Damar Hamlin’s ‘Chasing M’s’ Foundation Takes CPR Training On The Road To Increase Awareness
After experiencing heart trouble earlier this year, Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin is going on the road to teach CPR training for free.
According to NFL.com, Hamlin started a multi-city tour titled the Chasing M’s Foundation CPR Tour. The first stop was the Bills’ home field, Highmark Stadium, where more than 1,000 people received free CPR training. Medical equipment was distributed, and close to 50 youth sports and community organizations were given automated external defibrillators by the Bills safety. The crowd was also shown the CPR techniques that helped save Hamlin’s life in January.
There are planned stops in other cities such as New York, Pittsburgh – where Hamlin attended college – and Cincinnati, where he suffered cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field during a Monday Night Football game in front of a nationally televised audience.
“Growing up playing sports, I never really remember ever thinking about where an AED [Automated External Defibrillator] was or ever thinking about CPR training,” Hamlin said. “I don’t ever remember a coach or a parent ever knowing where an AED was in a gym or stadium, or anywhere, for that matter.”
He continued, “As we learned from my personal experience, it is very important and life-changing. This program is very important because it gives life-saving care to kids in their own communities and on the field.”
Hamlin previously partnered with the association to help promote CPR training. After the nation watched in panic when Hamlin went into cardiac arrest, he was immediately taken to the hospital and was released nine days later. We’re glad Hamlin is doing better and embarking on this tour to heighten awareness about CPR training.
Did Kyrie Irving Really Ask LeBron James To Ditch The Lakers And Join the Mavericks?
If LeBron James and the Lakers are unable to bring free agent Kyrie Irving to Los Angeles, then why not convince James to join the Dallas Mavericks?
According to a report by The Athletics‘ Shams Charania, Irving reportedly reached out to the NBA’s highest-scoring player to suggest James make his way over to the team that can pay Irving the most money. Irving has also reportedly spoken to the Dallas Mavericks about arranging a trade for his former teammate.
Sources: Kyrie Irving has reached out to Lakers star LeBron James in attempts to see if James would come to Dallas. Irving is a free agent this offseason.
As the Dallas Mavericks was the last team Irving played on, he can be signed for a five-year $272 million contract. CBS Sports has reported that James is owed approximately $46.9 million next season, so it’s likely that James won’t be willing to give up that amount of money to play with Irving.
The projected salary of James, Irving, and Luka Doncic is approximately $180 million. With Doncic making $40 million, James pulling in a projected $46.9 million, and Irving most likely making $54 million, would the team have enough money within the cap to pay their other starters and players? Several players on the team still have contracts that need to be paid out, so unless deals are made for players to take significant pay cuts to make the math work, this deal doesn’t seem plausible.
It makes sense that the two players are willing to reunite since they won an NBA championship in 2016 while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They were the first and only team to be down 3-1 and come back to win the next three games and bring home the title after beating the Golden State Warriors, who had the best regular season record that year.
Mother Of 6-Year-Old Who Shot Elementary Teacher Will Plead Guilty To Federal Gun Charges
The mother of a 6-year-old Virginia student is set to plead guilty to federal firearms charges after her son shot his elementary school teacher earlier this year.
On Monday, June 5, Deja Taylor, 25, was charged with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. By Tuesday, Taylor’s attorney confirmed she will enter a guilty plea for the charges, 13 News Nowreports.
The guilty plea comes after Taylor’s son shot his first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner, 25, on January 6 inside her classroom at Richneck Elementary School. Taylor was already criminally indicted on felony child neglect and a misdemeanor charge of endangering a child by reckless storage of a firearm.
But now she’s facing new charges after prosecutors accused her of making a false claim on the firearms transaction form she filled out when she purchased a 9mm handgun in 2022. According to authorities, Taylor lied when she answered no when asked if she was a marijuana user.
The 9mm handgun was the same one the 6-year-old used to shoot his teacher six months after it was purchased. While prosecutors initially said Taylor legally purchased the gun, the federal complaint has been updated to say she lied on her application to purchase and possess the gun.
While Virginia moved to legalize marijuana in recent years, the drug remains illegal under federal law and a federal felony to use it while armed with a gun. If someone checks “yes” but later admits to using the substance, they are barred from buying a gun, the Virginian-Pilotreports.
Taylor’s attorney, James Ellenson, said he had been in discussions with prosecutors about the charges in recent weeks and plans to enter a guilty plea as part of a plea agreement.
“The information was an agreed procedure which eliminated the need for the government to take the case to a grand jury,” Ellenson wrote in a statement.
“Our action follows very constructive negotiations we had with federal authorities.”
Taylor is facing a maximum sentence of 25 years combined for the two federal charges, but discretionary sentencing guidelines would be significantly less as part of a plea agreement.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams Plans To Welcome Migrants With Open Arms And House Them In Churches And Homes
NYC Mayor Eric Adams is taking a welcoming approach to the tens of thousands of migrants descending upon the city and is urging residents to do the same.
In a press conference, Adams announced a two-year partnership with New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) that will allow 50 houses of worship or faith-based spaces to provide overnight shelter for up to 19 single adult men per location, according to the New York Post. The mayor also explained that the partnership would be more fiscally responsible for the city as it will pay places of worship a nightly rate of $125 to house asylum seekers compared to the $380 daily rate it costs to house migrant families in shelter hotels. In addition, there are plans to open five offsite daytime centers to provide resources and support to those in need, allowing faith-based spaces to maintain their usual activities.
“No matter what faith you practice, caring for those in need is part of every spiritual tradition,” Adams said. “As we continue to tackle this humanitarian crisis, I’m proud that through this new partnership…, New York City’s faith community will be able to provide shelter to asylum seekers in need at houses of worship throughout the five boroughs.”
He also proposed a plan requiring much more leg work and hasn’t been officially approved: allowing NYC residents to be paid to house migrants. “It is my vision to take the next step to this faith-based locales and then move to a private residence,” he said. “We can take that $4.2 billion, or $4.3 billion maybe now, that we potentially have to spend, and we can put it back in the pockets of everyday New Yorkers, everyday houses of worship instead of putting it in the pockets of corporations, and some of those corporations come from outside of our city.”
Though he isn’t clear on just how to carry out such a huge undertaking, Adams said he’d first focus on working around rules that make it illegal to house homeless people in homes and then work to bring “basement apartments” up to code so that they can be legally used as housing alternatives, according to Fox News. For Adams, it is a sufficient and more appealing long-term plan for the city. “First of all, it’s cheaper and it’s an investment for us to go to a family and assist them instead of placing people in large congregate settings or all these emergency hotels,” he said.
