• Business

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 19, 2023

Is The Credit Score System Holding Black People Back? Dr. Bernice King and Ashley Bell Think So

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A new article in Fortune by Dr. Bernice King, the youngest child of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Small Business Administration executive, Ashley Bell claims credit scoring is a consequence of slavery and segregation.

King and Bell put forth the ideology that the credit scoring system leads to systemic oppression and puts people of color in difficult financial situations. Instead of lenders removing race, credit scores have become a direct proxy for it.

Credit scores range from 300 (“poor”) to 850 (excellent”). According to Credit Sesame, more than half of Black Americans report having poor or fair credit, referred to a credit score below 640, or no credit at all.

Forty-one percent of Hispanic Americans and 18% of Asian Americans fall into the same category over white Americans, who stand at 37%. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a report stating “credit invisibles” are predominantly Black and Hispanic consumers living in low-income neighborhoods where mainstream financial services are scarce.

Today’s credit score system is designed to eliminate bias. Forbes Advisor reported in 2021 the Equal Credit Opportunity Act in 1974 banned credit-score systems from using information like sex, race, marital status, national origin and religion. Today, FICO looks at payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit and credit mix in its model.

Experts like Frederick Wherry, professor of sociology and director of the Dignity and Debt Network at Princeton University, say that type of data can be influenced by generational wealth that many Black and Hispanic borrowers simply don’t have.

“We’re often told to stop talking about history, but history won’t stop talking about us,” told Forbes Advisor. “The data used in current credit scoring models are not neutral; it’s a mirror of inequalities from the past. By using this data we’re amplifying those inequalities today. It has striking effects on people’s life chances.”

King and Bell even called out corporations, including financial institutions, who, after the death of George Floyd and other police brutality protests, have announced pledges toward economic equity initiatives.

“One of the easiest and most potent levers corporate America can pull is to abandon the junk science of credit scoring,” the authors write.

• Health and Wellness

by Atiya Jordan

April 19, 2023

An Inaugural Night of Sexual Healing: Honey Pot Debuts New Sexual Wellness Collection

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Six new products?! Honey Pot, please!

BLACK ENTERPRISE was invited to join the incomparable Beatrice Dixon, co-founder and chief innovation officer at The Honey Pot Co., for an inaugural night of sensuality, stimulation, and connection to celebrate the company’s newly launched sexual wellness collection.

At New York City’s Palma, women of all backgrounds, adorned in springtime dresses and enthusiasm, convened where the flowers bloom in the heart of Greenwich Village. From the flowing cocktails to the multi-course meal, we experienced a sensory explosion. And the night endured with vulnerable discourse and laughter.

“Having a vagina ritual is essential,” Dixon said with passion.

While the Italian cuisine satisfied our taste buds, Dixon brought our attention to the beautifully packaged products sprinkled on the dinner table and then tapped in Natasha Camille, founder of Wildest Dreams Therapy, to feed our minds and hearts with education.

Before dinner started, Camille introduced herself as a relationship and sex therapist who accepts that there is power in acknowledging our lineages and reclaiming the wisdom of our ancestors. She said she resonated with Dixon’s story behind launching Honey Pot, which essentially began with her ancestor in a dream.

Camille affirmed that we could release cycles of generational and relational trauma and move toward manifesting embodied relationships with ourselves and with others. She connected the dots;  then, the room broke into narratives about self-care, pleasure, and intimacy.

Later, the discussion transformed into an interactive experience. We all bonded with the textures of each product on our fingertips and aromas that incited more personal connections.

Photo Credit: The Honey Pot Co.Take a look at Honey Pot’s newest intimate care arrivals.

Intimate Wipes

Gently cleaning yourself before and after sex can protect men and women from urinary tract infections, as bacteria may ascend the urethra during intercourse. Dixon and Camille both agreed on making it a routine to maintain good sexual hygiene pre- and post-sex.

So, we were pleased to discover that these new pH-balanced intimacy wipes were much larger and thicker than the previous wipes—even Honey Pot’s best-selling wipes can’t compete in that category. Our sense of smell was overloaded with aromas of aloe, chamomile, and oats. Made for vaginas and humans without vaginas, Honey Pot has got you covered for before and after intimacy.

Sensual Stimulating Serum

The serum is formulated for added moisture and a gentle cooling sensation to increase vulvar stimulation and sensitivity. The gentle peppermint, aloe, and vitamin E will give you that Honey Pot tingle you know and love. It is great for solo play and helps promote a pleasurable sexual experience. Just a dime-sized amount will do.

Silicone Hybrid Lubricant

Moisturizing at the touch, Honey Pot’s first-ever hybrid-silicone lube is designed for long-lasting intimacy, backdoor play, and wet environments. While silicone is hypoallergenic, this product is compatible with non-silicone toys and latex and polyisoprene condoms.

Amber Sandalwood Ritual

Additionally, Honey Pot introduced another collection for an earthier you. The Amber Sandalwood foaming wash helps maintain a healthy vaginal Ph range and aims to hydrate your vulva. The wipes can be used for intimate parts, the body, and the face for moisturization. Lastly, the refreshing spray strives for a fresh feel all day, whether it’s your underarms, feet, or shoes.

Hopefully, there will be more dinners and products to come!

On a recent podcast, a former NBA player said that when he was 25, he was a better basketball player than fan favorite and NBA champion Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry.

On the I Am Athlete podcast, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, who played for several teams in the NBA, most notably the Washington Wizards, claimed that some would call him crazy and disillusioned. Yet, if you listen to his logic, you may agree with the comparison.

According to Arenas, if you look at his career stats at 25 versus that of Curry before he turned 25, he’d be considered the better player.

While speaking to former NFL players Chad Johnson, Brandon Marshall and Channing Crowder, Arenas was asked to compare himself to the top NBA players. He responded that he couldn’t because the careers of his peers weren’t on the same trajectory. He also got injured when he was 25, so he could say that his career could have been better if he played injury-free based on how he was playing pre-injury.

The former Wizards player feels it’s unfair to him and everyone else to try to make a comparison based on career stats, but decided to look at it from when both players were in the league up to age 25.

“I got hurt at 25. So if you stop me at 25, Steph ain’t f**king with me. Cause you’ve got to stop him at 25. At 25, there are no three championships. There’s only a one-time All-Star. I’m a three-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA player by the age of 25. So, there’s not a lot of us at that age. Allen Iverson was only two times by that age. There’s only a few players that are a three-time (All-Star) at that age.”

“If you stop me at 25, Steph Curry ain’t f––n’ wit me.” You don’t wanna miss this episode with Gilbert Arenas!

“If you stop me at 25, Steph Curry ain’t f––n’ wit me.”

You don’t wanna miss this episode with Gilbert Arenas! 🍿

Tune in tomorrow @ 12 PM EST // 9 AM PST 🚨

Subscribe 📺 → https://t.co/DPVTSNOakI pic.twitter.com/ryhMZTIMy1

— I AM ATHLETE (@IAMATHLETEpod) April 17, 2023

Young Lauryn Hill was set on the plans for her musical project.

During a recent appearance on Good Morning America, Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph reflected on her time working alongside the “Doo Wop” singer on the Whoopi Goldberg’s Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit set. The two iconic celebrities were cast as mother and daughter in the 1993 musical comedy.

According to Tuesday’s episode of Good Morning America, Ralph recalled sharing some advice back then as Hill was planning to start her band.

“That was one of the best times because I got to work with this enthusiastic, bright, talented young woman,” Ralph said. “When I tell you, I look at Lauryn Hill; I remember Lauryn Hill telling me, ‘Ms. Ralph, I’m going to have a band, and the name is going to be the Fugees,’ and I was like, ‘Baby you will definitely have a band, but you may need to rethink that name.’ And she said, ‘Ms. Ralph, you oughta get it, Fugees. Re-fugees,’ and I was like, ‘Okay, I get it, but, rethink it.’ But she was absolutely right.”

.@thesherylralph is "absolutely" down for filming #SisterAct 3: "Just ask me!" pic.twitter.com/46O2Rwx5h0

— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 18, 2023

Entertainment Weekly reported that Hill’s band, The Fugees released its first album, Blunted on Reality, one year later following Hill and Ralph’s appearance in Sister Act 2. In 1996, the band released their 7x-Platinum album, The Score.

Ralph also discussed her future with Sister Act, ready to take on another role in the next one. “Absolutely. Another, Sister Act 3? Absolutely, just ask me,” she said to GMA hosts. “Come on, ask me!”

Tyler Perry, the film’s producer, updated fans in 2022 about where they were in the development of the third installment. “I love the idea of us making this happen but you know, the Hollywood system moves a little slower than I’d like to,” Perry said, according to Deadline. “So we’ve got a good script. We’re off to a great start. We’re just trying to get everybody moving in the right direction so we can get it going.”

If Ralph gets the call, she may be joined by some other major Hollywood names. Last year, Goldberg revealed her Sister Act 3 dream cast, which included artists Keke Palmer, Lizzo, and Nicki Minaj.

• News

by Stacy Jackson

April 19, 2023

Ahmaud Arbery’s Mother Seeks Face-to-Face Meeting with Ralph Yarl In the Wake of Missouri Shooting Incident

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Ralph Yarl was shot multiple times after mistakenly appearing at the wrong address and is still recovering from his injuries.

The 16-year-old high school student may be preparing to meet with Wanda Cooper-Jones, mother of Ahmaud Arbery, the 25-year-old Black man who was murdered while jogging in a Georgia neighborhood. According to TMZ, Cooper-Jones is seeking to lend some support to the Yarl family and has requested for attorney Lee Merritt to schedule an in-person meetup. Arbery’s mother believes she can offer sound advice as the situation reflects what she experienced with her son.

Cooper-Jones isn’t the only one reaching out, as the incident has gained national attention. Reportedly, The White House has also invited Yarl for an in-person visit.

Yarl was sent to pick up his siblings from a home on 115th Terrace in Kansas City but mistakenly showed up at the wrong address, where he was shot in the head and arm after ringing the doorbell. After police entered the home, they found Yarl suffering from gunshot wounds.

Residents of the Kansas City, Missouri, community rallied on Sunday to protest outside of the shooter’s home. Videos flooded the internet of the staged protest where community members lifted their voices for justice. “Black lives are under attack,” some shouted, while others shouted, “Stand up, fight back,” in the online videos. Ben Crump, the lawyer representing the family, demanded the homeowner be arrested and charged with the attempted murder of the teen.

KMBC News reported that the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office had filed charges against 84-year-old Andrew Lester, the homeowner responsible for allegedly shooting Yarl.

The Kansas City Star reported that Missouri’s self-defense laws had been heavily criticized amid the shooting incident. “I think we now have a shoot first, ask later policy in this state, or at least that is what people have interpreted it to be,” said Missouri state Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a white Democrat who had to explain the situation to her adopted 9-year-old son, who is Black. “We have a young boy who is fighting for his life because of what we have perpetuated by our lax gun laws.”

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 19, 2023

Oklahoma Governor Calls For ‘Immediate’ Resignation of Officials After Racist Recordings

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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) is calling for four McCurtain County officials to resign after they were recorded making allegedly aggressive and racist remarks.

CNN reports the officials were secretly recorded when they were overheard talking about lynching Black people and killing journalists. Stitt wants the immediate resignation of McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings, sheriff’s investigator Alicia Manning, and jail administrator Larry Hendrix. “I am both appalled and disheartened to hear of the horrid comments made by officials in McCurtain County,” Stitt said in a statement.

“There is simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma, especially by those that serve to represent the community through their respective office. I will not stand idly by while this takes place.”

The recordings were allegedly made hours after Chris Willingham, a reporter for the Gazette-News, filed a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, Manning, and the Board of County Commissioners, claiming he was defamed and had his civil rights violated. In the recording, Manning talked about what would happen if she ran into Willingham and things escalated. “Yeah, I ain’t worried about what he’s gonna do to me. I’m worried about what I might do to him,” Manning said.

All four accused allegedly hinted at assassinating the journalist, claiming they knew where “deep holes” were. “I know where two big, deep holes are here if you ever need them,” Jennings allegedly said. Clardy reportedly said he had the equipment. Willingham says he was disturbed. “I was completely appalled and frightened, quite frankly.”

According to the Washington Post, Jennings talked about how they could no longer yank Black people out of jail, “take them down to Mud Creek and hang them up with a … rope.” The sheriff also allegedly mocked a woman who recently burned to death in a house fire, comparing her to “barbecue.”

The sheriff’s office posted to Facebook saying the recordings were “illegally obtained,” have not been authenticated, and that “preliminary information” indicates they were “altered.” Stitt is asking the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the case.

As his daughter performed at a recent Coachella show, hip-hop recording artist and actor Will Smith posted a proud father moment to his Instagram account.

The talent pool in the Smith family has been acknowledged over the years, starting with Will Smith when he started his rap career before becoming a bonafide film superstar. His wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, was an actor who starred on The Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World, at the start of her career, and his son, Jaden, was a child actor who has appeared in several projects over the years. Willow, the youngest Smith, also had a hit record in her earlier years with Whip My Hair in 2010.

The elder Smith is filming the sequel to the Bad Boys movie franchise with Bad Boys 4 in Atlanta. Although the filming isn’t done, he found the time to see his daughter perform at this year’s famed Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

The Summertime rapper praised his daughter, captioning a video clip he shared, “WILLOWCHELLA!!” on his Instagram post. You can view a beaming papa Smith proudly showing off the talents of his young daughter.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

It was a family affair when Willow’s brother, Jaden, appeared on stage with her and performed their song, Summertime in Paris. He also acknowledged her artistry and the lives she is changing with her music before she left the stage.

“It brings tears to my eyes as your brother to see you do this. I love you so much. I’m so inspired by you, I’m so inspired and happy for what you’re doing in the world and the amount of people’s lives you’re changing with the music that you’re making. I love you so much!”

“Got to witness a really special moment at Coachella — Willow Smith, Jaden Smith, and a proud father.”

Got to witness a really special moment at Coachella —

Willow Smith, Jaden Smith, and a proud father. pic.twitter.com/O6ojUGKYVh

— Michael Watson II (@ForeverShowtime) April 18, 2023

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 19, 2023

Family of Tyre Nichols’ Plans To File Lawsuits Against the City of Memphis and Police Department

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The family of Tyre Nichols is taking steps to move forward with a civil lawsuit against the city of Memphis.

ABC News reports the family plans to pursue the lawsuit soon, with legal counsel Ben Crump, Antonio Romanucci, and retired Judge Earnestine Hunt Dorse planning to make the announcement today. In a statement from Crump’s office, the attorneys will also sue Memphis police for “intentional infliction of emotional distress for lying to his mother.”

It’s been a little over three months since Tyre Nichols, 29, was brutally beaten by five Black Memphis police officers: Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith. Nichols was pulled over for reckless driving when a confrontation occurred between Nichols and several officers, resulting in the victim taking off on foot. Video footage shows the officers eventually catching up to him and another fight before he is taken into custody.

The graphic video was released and made global headlines, prompting protests worldwide calling for the end of police brutality. Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, received a call around 4 a.m. from doctors advising her and her husband to come to the hospital. The doctors told her Nichols went into cardiac arrest and was suffering from kidney failure. Police came to her door and alerted her that her son had been tased or pepper sprayed. However, doctors said his injuries didn’t “sound consistent” with those claims.

Following his arrest, Nichols complained of shortness of breath and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He died three days later.

All five officers were charged with second-degree murder but pleaded not guilty in their first court appearance in February. Nichols’ parents appeared during Biden’s State of the Union address as he pushed the narrative on the growing topic of police reform after Wells made a passionate plea for Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

It’s not often Frank Ocean offers his presence to the masses. So when Ocean does decide to step out, fans get excited. 

The “Sierra Leone” crooner took the stage at this year’s Coachella. But some fans and critics were not satisfied with the songwriter’s performance. 

Variety wrote that Ocean’s set was “shambolic,” leaving “many concertgoers distressed, depressed, and annoyed.” 

“The energy was low; he and the band were obscured by a battery of people walking in a circle around the stage; and the pacing was bizarre,” Variety writes. 

NPR reported fans were also upset because Ocean’s set started an hour late, and the “Chanel” singer cut his songs short because of curfew, and on top of it all, his set wasn’t live-streamed like other sets. 

USA Today wrote of Ocean’s set: “Frank Ocean ended one of the weirdest, most perplexing and ultimately just surreal (and mostly not in a good way) live performances I have ever seen… But I do know this: I’ll be thinking about this train wreck for a while (and wondering if Ocean will somehow still get paid the millions Coachella headliners command). Maybe this was just a late April Fools’ joke and we’ll see the real show next week?”

Of course, the Twitter intellectuals shared their thoughts on Ocean’s set. 

One user wrote: “I have never been happier that I didn’t waste money to see Frank Ocean end Coachella like this…horrific lmao.”

I have never been happier that I didn’t waste money to see Frank Ocean end Coachella like this…horrific lmao pic.twitter.com/WeoGRHqnQS

— yllireally (@whydee__) April 17, 2023

Another user wrote: Started the set late, didn’t let them live stream it, now ending the set early… frank ocean you will rue the day. 

Started the set late, didn’t let them live stream it, now ending the set early… frank ocean you will rue the day pic.twitter.com/j4oB4WgyXO

— ⁰7₀ (@trapssoul) April 17, 2023

Singer Nij wrote: ‘A man has never played me worse than Frank Ocean tonight.”

A man has never played me worse than Frank Ocean tonight.

— Nij (@amnija_) April 17, 2023

“I was blown away by Frank Oceans Coachella’s performance. His artistry is simply unmatched, his style, his taste, his voice, his attention to detail. I was deeply moved. It made me want to keep going and get better as an artist. He continues to set the bar high and gave me a night I will never forget! Thanks Frank.” 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber)

GQ’s Eilleen Cartter penned an essay titled, “Actually, Frank Ocean’s Coachella Set Was Great.”

Several reports say Ocean suffered an ankle injury before his Coachella set. Some reported Ocean’s injury happened during rehearsals. However, TMZ reported the singer’s injury occurred on a bike. 

Golden State Warriors enforcer Draymond Green reacted to an opposing player grabbing his ankle during a playoff game against the Sacramento Kings by stomping on his chest. For that action, the National Basketball Association has suspended the championship Warrior for the next playoff game.

The NBA announced that Joe Dumars, executive vice president, Head of Basketball Operations, said Green had been suspended. Green has been suspended one game without pay for stepping on the chest of Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis.

Green’s history of unsportsmanlike acts during league play likely factored into the decision to keep him out of the next Warriors-Kings playoff contest.

When the two teams meet on April 20, Green will sit out the game to serve his suspension at Chase Center, the Golden State Warrior’s home.

The incident that led to Green’s suspension occurred with seven minutes left in the game on Monday, April 17. After a shot had been taken, Sabonis fell to the basketball court, and with Green within reach, he grabbed and held Green’s right ankle. Green yanked his leg from Sabonis’ grip and forcefully stepped on the Kings player’s chest in retaliation. The referee saw the vicious action and blew the whistle to stop the game. Green was given a Flagrant Foul 2 and was ejected from the contest. Since Sabonis initiated the action, he was assessed a technical foul.

The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/KEnWx2qTvs

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 19, 2023

The play that led to the suspension can be seen in this video clip:

Sabonis is down after Draymond stepped on him. pic.twitter.com/6MwsNLT2Pj

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 18, 2023

The Warriors lost the playoff game 114-106 in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

NBC Sports reported that Sacramento’s All-Star center suffered a sternum contusion after the stomping incident. The Kings released a statement regarding Sabonis.

“The Sacramento Kings announced today that center Domantas Sabonis received a medical evaluation that included X-ray imaging on Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. Results showed Sabonis sustained a sternum contusion during the fourth quarter versus the Golden State Warriors on Monday, April 17. Sabonis will be listed as questionable for Thursday’s game versus the Warriors.”