As news continues to circulate around Donald Trump‘s felony indictment, a years-long investigation is reaching its conclusion.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has dedicated years examining the former President’s alleged dealings in a hush money scheme. Sources say this investigation is soon to be wrapped.

According to CNN, the investigation began during Trump’s presidency, under Manhattan’s former DA Cy Vance, and involves a $130,000 payment that was allegedly distributed by Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen. Reportedly, the transaction was made to buy the silence of adult film star Stormy Daniels, pertaining to a prior affair between her and Trump. The payment arrangement reportedly took place only days before the 2016 presidential election.

The “leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.” Trump announced on social media on Saturday, referring to himself.

Investigating such cases is nothing new to Bragg, as he has worked on Trump-related cases prior to his Manhattan role, which included helping sue the Trump administration over 100 times and leading a team that sued the Donald J. Trump Foundation, causing the former president to pay out $2 million to multiple charities. Bragg also led suits dealing with other notable subjects, including producer Harvey Weinstein and his company.

The DA, who made history as the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office first Black district attorney, holds no fear against opposition, as his teen years consisted of being held at gunpoint by police numerous times.

“In addition to being the first Black district attorney, I think I’ll probably be the first district attorney who’s had police point a gun at him,” Bragg said following his election to the office. “I think I’ll be the first district attorney who’s had a homicide victim on his doorstop. I think I’ll be the first district attorney in Manhattan who’s had a semi-automatic weapon pointed at him. I think I’ll be the first district attorney in Manhattan who’s had a loved one reenter from incarceration and stay with him. And I’m going to govern from that perspective.”

Trump has called for protests from his supporters. His arrest would make him the first former president to be indicted in U.S. history.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson is teaming up with an investment group to join the ongoing bidding war for the Washington Commanders.

On Monday, insiders confirmed Johnson’s addition to a group led by investor Josh Harris that’s bidding for an ownership stake of the Washington NFL team, ESPN reported. Johnson is already part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and previously teamed up with Harris on their failed bid to buy the Denver Broncos.

Along with Johnson, Harris’ group also includes billionaire Mitchell Rales, a Washington, D.C. resident with a net worth of $5.5 billion. Harris is already the owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.

Forbes has the Commanders listed with a value of $5.6 billion in the wake of owners Dan and Tanya Snyder announcing their intention to sell the team last November. NFL owners have been meeting in Phoenix since Monday, which has further heightened speculation on when a deal will be closed. Sources say a deal won’t be reached until the owners meet again in May.

It’s unclear how much Johnson is willing to put forth to purchase the team. But the NBA Hall-of-Famer comes with wealth and experience as a former professional athlete.

Johnson isn’t the only Black businessman interested in NFL ownership. Last year, it was reported that Jay-Z and Jeff Bezos met for dinner to discuss purchasing the Commanders, as noted by Sports Illustrated.

The NFL has been catching heat in recent years for the lack of minority owners in the league. Currently, the NFL has John Stallworth, former NFL player and part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and fellow former NFL player Warrick Dunn, who owns the Atlanta Falcons, as Black owners, Sportico reported.

The Denver Broncos were purchased by a group that included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson, both of whom are Black women. Johnson has gone on to find huge success in business since retiring from the NBA in the early 90s.

The Los Angeles Lakers champion has acquired wealth and acclaim as a businessman thanks to his success in real estate, franchised movie theaters, Starbucks chains, and fast food and gym franchises. He currently serves as a Fanatics board member, and an investor in the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, esports organization aXiomatic, and MLS team LAFC.

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 21, 2023

Detroit’s First Black-Owned Marijuana Dispensary Opens Thanks To Social Equity Program

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Detroit recently opened its first Black-owned recreational marijuana dispensary.

Nuggets Cannabis Co. celebrated its grand opening over the weekend, thanks to the city’s social equity program, “Detroit legacy.” CBS News reported that owners, Louis Radden and Camille Hicks, applied for the program, where businesses must be 51% owned by Detroit residents who’ve lived in the city for at least 15 years out of the last 30.

It’s also open to people with previous marijuana-related convictions and those whose parents had drug convictions before 2018, according to MJ Biz Daily.

Voters in Michigan approved the use of recreational marijuana in 2018 but a city-approved recreational marijuana ordinance didn’t occur until early last year. Radden, who came into the industry as a medical provider, said opening the dispensary in the city opens up doors for employment.

“The cannabis industry has provided the opportunity for gainful employment with reasonable benefits to many folks in our community,” Radden said. “I am proud to say 100% of our employees at the Telegraph store are Detroit residents.”

Twenty equity applicants were awarded a retail license in December 2022. The city also gave licenses to 13 non-equity applicants after a two-month scoring process and review by the Office of Marijuana Ventures and Entrepreneurship. They received the green light after Judge Friedman ruled against the Temporary Restraining Order that would have prevented Detroit from moving forward with its current Adult-Use Marijuana Ordinance.

City Council President Pro Tem, James Tate, has been in support of retail licenses in this space, as it opens the door for Black-ownership and for families to survive. “Families were ripped apart for $5 to $10 bags of weed,” Tate said. “We’re still trying to get over that trauma today for that same plant that many people today are making a pretty good living off of.”

To date, the city has issued over 30 adult-use marijuana retail licenses.

• Business

by Derek Major

March 21, 2023

BET Founder Bob Johnson Joins Culture Genesis, A Digital Video Network For Underrepresented Creators, As A Strategic Advisor

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Black Entertainment Television (BET) founder Bob Johnson is joining Culture Genesis, a digital video network for underrepresented creators and publishers, as a strategic advisor. 

Johnson’s appointment comes as the Los Angeles-based digital network has seen a 275% year-over-year growth. Additionally, Culture Genesis has paid more than $5 million to underrepresented creators, which is significantly more than they receive from other social media platforms. Those who have partnered with Culture Genesis include comedian Steve Harvey and content creator Patrick Cloud. 

Cedric J. Rogers, the co-founder and CEO of Culture Genesis, explained why he is excited about Johnson adding his business experience and knowledge to the digital platform.

“Bob is the ultimate trailblazer and waymaker; he was the first to create a platform for Black people on cable/satellite networks,” he said. “We are tremendously excited to have the opportunity to work with Bob and leverage his vast knowledge and leadership skills as we build the BET for the creator economy that’s distributed on digital streaming networks and starts with YouTube—the largest ad-supported streaming platform.”

Johnson, who founded RLJ Companies in 2002, has more than five decades of experience in business and media. RLJ Companies’ portfolio includes hotel real estate, private equity, 401(k), fintech services, auto dealerships, content streaming, gaming, and sports betting.

Last fall, Johnson sat down with BLACK ENTERPRISE President & CEO Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. to discuss how he created the most Black millionaires in U.S. history when he sold BET. Johnson said he’s excited to join Culture Genesis, as it reminds him of starting BET.

“I am very excited to work with the Culture Genesis team. As young entrepreneurs, they have demonstrated that they possess the strategic vision, work ethic, and personal character to make Culture Genesis a preeminent media brand serving minority and Black consumers,” Johnson said. “Much of what I see in Culture Genesis reminds me of the early start-up stages of BET.  I look forward to helping them become a preeminent content business and a financial success for their employees, clients, and stakeholders.”

Keanu Reeves couldn’t hold back his emotion when mourning the loss of his John Wick co-star, Lance Reddick, while on the red carpet recently.

Reeves was present for the Hollywood premiere of John Wick 4 on Monday, where the cast all wore blue ribbon pins in honor of Reddick’s memory, ET reported. He became emotional while remembering his late co-star, who appeared in all four John Wick films and was slated to appear in the upcoming Ballerina spinoff.

“Lance is a very beautiful person and special artist,” Reeves said. “His grace and dignity, his shining light of character was just something really special.”

“[I am] really grateful I had the chance to know him and work with him over almost 10 years,” he added.

Reeves’ latest statement came days after Riddick’s death was confirmed on March 17. Reps for the film star said the actor passed away at 60 from natural causes.

At the time the death was announced, Reeves and John Wick director Chad Stahelski released a joint statement mourning the loss of Reddick, who played the role of the concierge, Charon, in all of the franchise’s installments.

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick,” the pair said.

“He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family, and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.”

Lance Reddick had a number of impressive credits under his belt prior to his untimely passing. In addition to John Wick, Reddick was best known for his roles in cult classics, including Cedric Daniels in The Wire (2002–2008), Phillip Broyles in Fringe (2008–2013), and Chief Irvin Irving in Bosch (2014–2020). Last year he appeared in Resident Evil.

Reddick is survived by his wife Stephanie, and his two children, Yvonne Nicole and Christopher.

Amid murmurings about an impending Verzuz battle between Jermaine Dupri and Diddy, rapper Yung Joc explains why Diddy surpassed JD as a hip-hop mogul.

Joc made his hip-hop debut in 2006 under Diddy’s Bad Boy imprint. With classic hits like “It’s Goin Down” and “Bottle Poppin” under his belt, Joc found success in the early 2000s thanks largely to Diddy’s ability to align his artists with the style and sound that attracts audiences.

The rapper-turned-reality-star and radio personality recently appeared on Math Hoffa’s “Expert Opinion” podcast, where he explained why he feels Diddy excels over Dupri regarding their mogul status.

“I always felt like Diddy understood like how to go to the next level of what he was doing,” Joc said. “JD did too, but JD again was doing so many other things that he didn’t focus on his artistry as much as Diddy did.”

“Diddy kinda stands next to what’s hot… As he makes it hotter, or I’m a tell you what Diddy does, he will acknowledge what’s hot, and his acknowledgment brings awareness to what’s hot and he blows it up,” he continued.

Joc noted how much more acclaim Diddy receives in the entertainment industry than Dupri, despite JD’s history with artists like Usher and Mariah Carey. According to Joc, Diddy’s skillset as a marketing mastermind helped set him apart from fellow moguls like Dupri.

“In theory, you think of all parties involved, and nine times out of 10, who was the bigger party involved? Diddy. So he understands marketing, and that’s the difference that he got over JD,” Joc explained.

The Love & Hip Hop star believes JD chose to focus more on his craft as a music producer rather than being a chart-topping rapper like Diddy.

“As time went on, [JD] focused on his strengths as a producer and a writer more than as an artist or the flagship artist of his brand,” Joc said.

“No matter who [Diddy] had, he’s branded as the flagship of Bad Boy. JD is So So Def, but the other artists were bigger than JD.”

Clarence “Fuzzy” Haskins, co-founder and original member of the iconic Parliament-Funkadelic passed away at the age of 81.

Haskins’ bandmate Bootsy Collins announced his death on Friday via Twitter.

“Prayer’s going out to Clarence ‘Fuzzys’ Haskins family & friends. We lost his frequency today 3-17- 23,” Collins wrote.

“He was an original Parliament/Funkadelic inducted in the RHOF. We will miss u my friend, bandmate & Soul brother! Thx u for ur guidance in my pup year’s. Bootsy baby!!!”

https://twitter.com/Bootsy_Collins/status/1636890340413063168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1636890340413063168%7Ctwgr%5Efac209b654cc86323237ebee59461377cb98cff0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebony.com%2Fparliament-funkadelic-clarence-fuzzy-haskins-obituary%2F

The group’s mastermind, George Clinton, mourned Haskins’ death on Instagram Saturday in a post that shared a series of throwback photos of the legendary musician.

“We are saddened to announce the passing of an original Parliament-Funkadelic member Clarence Eugene ‘Fuzzy’ Haskins (born June 8, 1941-March 17th, 2023),” Clinton wrote.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Parliament Funkadelic (@werpfunk)

Clinton’s photos highlighted his long history with Haskins, dating back to the start of their original group, the Parliaments, which was formed in the 1960s but morphed into Funkadelic and Parliament after their record label folded, Rolling Stone reported.

Clinton’s website posted a more in-depth eulogy, recounting Haskins’ history with the group and his significant contributions.

“Fuzzy wrote and co-wrote some of Funkadelic’s earliest classics, including ‘I Got A Thing’ (featuring his vocals) and ‘I Wanna Know If It’s Good To You,’” the website stated.

“He was a good drummer as well, as he proved on ‘Can You Get To That,’ which he also co-wrote. Some of Fuzzy’s best vocals appeared on Funkadelic’s 1972 LP America Eats Its Young, most notably on ‘Ms Lucifers Love.’”

“But singing wasn’t the only thing that Fuzzy brought to P-Funk,” the statement continued.

“He was known, during live P-Funk shows, to don skin-tight bodysuits and gyrate against the microphone pole as he whipped the crowd into a frenzy, especially when they performed ‘Standing on the Verge of Getting it On.’”

Haskins’ death comes over a year after the passing of Parliament-Funkadelic co-founder Calvin Simmons, who died in January 2022 at the age of 79 .

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 21, 2023

Breaking: Bomb Threat Halts Lawsuit Hearing Between NY Attorney General Letitia James and Donald Trump

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Authorities paused a hearing today in a New York court room between New York Attorney General Letitia James and former President Donald Trump.

ABC News reported Manhattan court proceedings were temporarily halted on Tuesday morning after a bomb threat was allegedly called in via 911. That delayed the start of a hearing in a separate case, as James is suing Trump for $250 million, accusing him and his company of a fraud scheme going on for years.

About 15 people stood outside the Centre Street courthouse calling for Trump’s indictment, with only a handful of his supporters in close proximity. The New York Police Department made a statement, alerting about an increased uniformed presence in the city and stressed that “there are currently no credible threats” to the city.

New York officials have been monitoring online banter to identify threats. Portable metal barricades were distributed to guard streets and sidewalks, however, there were no immediate signs that Trump’s calls for protests were being recognized.

Ahead of predictions of Trump being indicted for hush money payments he allegedly made to porn star Stormy Daniels, Bloomberg reported NYPD has reminded supporters of the state’s strict gun laws, as Trump has called for protestors to “take our nation back!”

“As a general reminder, firearm permit holders may not carry firearms at First Amendment gatherings, courthouses, government buildings, and other legally-designated sensitive locations, as this is unlawful under New York State Law, except for certain law enforcement personnel.”

This won’t push the hearing back too much, as the grand jury is scheduled to return on Wednesday. Next  steps are currently unclear. Trump’s trouble with the law doesn’t end in New York. Once this hearing concludes, headlines will be based in Georgia and Washington, D.C., as he faces other criminal probes that could end his upcoming Republican presidential bid.

Chloe Bailey fans were definitely up for a “Surprise” in one of her newest roles.

The award-winning singer and actress has her fans bothered after unfolding a sex scene in Donald Glover‘s new series, Swarm. But actor Trevor Jackson thought his Grown-ish costar was simply portraying “art.”

Jackson told TMZ his perspective on Bailey’s scene when he was spotted at LAX on Monday. He said Bailey, in her right as a grown woman, is expressing her artistic freedom and she has his full support.

Bailey, who plays Marissa Jackson in the series, recently opened up about the fear she had when she learned she would be doing the scene with costar Damson Idris, who plays her boyfriend. She told Deadline that Idris made her feel really comfortable and relaxed on set.

“We were making a joke out of it so it took all the nervousness away from that,” Bailey said. “I have to give a lot of kudos to [Damson] as a man, for making me, as a woman, feel comfortable.”

Chloe Bailey on how Damson Idris made her comfortable filming her first love scene in ‘Swarm’ #SXSW pic.twitter.com/jKhKmlTHj4

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) March 11, 2023

The scene between Bailey and Idris sent Twitter into complete shock, following the scene’s airing. Twitter users picked the scene apart so much it even sparked a conversation about colorism, where actress Halle Berry was dragged into the matter.

Halle Berry was an established actress and had a long professional career and body of work before she took that role. Chloe is to thirsty starting her acting career off that way, she’s trying too hard.

— Dreski (@Dreski_0n_1) March 20, 2023

https://twitter.com/realwithyanie/status/1637302405975998466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1637302405975998466%7Ctwgr%5E0928e5519f7b50d78d328769955ceaadeff9a157%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcassiuslife.com%2Fplaylist%2Fchloe-bailey-sex-scene-swarm-damson-idris-reactions%2F

According to one Twitter user who decided to drop a little history on the conversation, Bailey, 24, is around the same age as other prominent actors when they were featured in love scenes earlier in their careers.

“A reminder Pam Grier was 24 in “Coffy,” Jada Pinkett-Smith was 23 and Allen Payne was 25 in “Jason’s Lyric,” Larenz Tate was 21 and Nia Long was 25 in “Love Jones,” Taral Hicks was 24 in “Belly,” and so forth. I don’t see the big deal about her #Swarm scene,” the user wrote. 

• Career

by Stacy Jackson

March 21, 2023

The First! FAMU Alumna Dr. Tamia Potter Matches with Vanderbilt As First Black Woman Neurosurgery Resident

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Future med students will know her as a history-maker in the field.

2018 FAMU graduate Dr. Tamia Potter has made history after becoming the first African American neurosurgery resident to train at the Vanderbilt University College of Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery in its 148-year history.

The Florida native found out the exciting news last week during “National Match Day,” the third Thursday of March, where medical students all over are matched to a specialty and residency for training.

“Today on March 17th, 2023 I was blessed to be selected as the first African American female neurosurgery resident to train @VUMC_Neurosurg,” Potter wrote on her Twitter page to accompany videos and photos of her special day.

My first job was a certified nursing assistant at 17 years old in 2014.

Today on March 17th, 2023 I was blessed to be selected as the first African American female neurosurgery resident to train at @VUMC_Neurosurg .#Match2023 #Neurosurgery #BlackGirlMagic pic.twitter.com/4tizYmzDpB

— Tamia Potter (@PotterTamia) March 17, 2023

Dr. Chelsea Mooreland extended her congratulations to Potter on Instagram.

“I could not be more proud of my amazingly talented and brilliant mentee who just so happens to be a Beta Alpha Soror and FAMU Alumnae,” Mooreland wrote in a post.

VUMC Neurosurgery posted a short message to its Twitter account welcoming the young doctor and its other newest residents to its family. “We are thrilled to announce our new Vanderbilt Neurosurgery residents! Congratulations- we are so excited to have you on our team!” the tweet read.

We are thrilled to announce our new Vanderbilt Neurosurgery residents! Congratulations- we are so excited to have you on our team! pic.twitter.com/6tVLmtHGZi

— VUMC Neurosurgery (@VUMC_Neurosurg) March 17, 2023

According to Rattler Nation, Potter completed her bachelors in chemistry at FAMU, where she was also an initiate of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The young scholar then went on to receive a full scholarship to attend Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine in Ohio. During her time studying at CWRU, Potter had 17 research publications, 12 citations, and 262 reads.