Comedian Chris Rock is still on a tour promoting the infamous “slap heard around the world.”

But this time he wanted to make some other people the butt the joke. During the Mark Twain Prize ceremony, honoring his close friend, comedian Adam Sandler, Forbes reported Rock joked about how “Paul Pelosi, the only guy who knows how I felt,” Rock said. “Just you and me, Paul.”

Pelosi and his wife, former House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, attended the ceremony and were met with thunderous applause after the joke concluded. Last October, Paul Pelosi was viciously attacked with a hammer in his San Francisco home. He recently had surgery to treat a fracture to his skull. Others in attendance, like actors Jennifer Aniston, Pete Davidson, and Drew Barrymore seemed to get a kick out of the joke – but of course he didn’t stop there.

In anticipation of Donald Trump’s arrest, the 58-year-old took the time to highlight how he felt it wouldn’t do anything but make him more popular. He compared it to rapper Tupac getting arrested. “He’s just gonna sell more records,” Rock joked. “Are you stupid?”

The indictment brings federal charges for $130,000 in payments his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, sent to porn star, Stormy Daniels, around the end of Trump’s 2016 campaign. The Daily Mail reported prosecutors said the payment violated campaign finance laws, and was made to silence Daniels about the affair she had with the former President.

Rock is still recuperating after actor Will Smith slapped him during the 2022 Academy Awards. Shocking the world, Smith reacted after Rock made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Shortly after, Smith  received the Oscar for Best Actor in his role of Richard Williams, tennis coach and father of Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard. Rock continues to laugh at his pain in his recent Netflix stand-up special, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage.

The suspension of Memphis Grizzlies star player, Ja Morant, is officially over and the team is “hopeful” to have him on the basketball court on  March 22 for a home game against the Houston Rockets

According to ESPN, the All-Star point guard rejoined the Grizzlies on Monday after completing the eight-game suspension he received for his recent behavior at a Denver strip club several weeks ago. He was seen on his Instagram account, waving a gun while shirtless, after playing the Denver Nuggets.

“We’re hopeful for Wednesday, so long as everything medically clears out,” coach Taylor Jenkins said before Monday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Morant did not play in Monday’s game although he was eligible. The Grizzlies decided to give him an extra game so he could get his conditioning up, since he has been away for two weeks. Morant was not allowed to work out with the team during his suspension.

The All-Star point guard addressed his teammates as well as the coaching staff when he returned on Monday. Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks did mention that Morant apologized to each teammate separately.

After Monday night’s victory over the Mavericks, Dillon said, “He’s holding himself accountable. He’s made some changes in his life. … He’s taking ownership of it, which is just a great thing for his growth, for his basketball career, for everything. You’re going to see a different Ja out there who’s going to be consistent every single night and who’s going to give us that energy that we need to be that top team in the West.”

Last week, it was reported that Morant checked himself into a counseling program, with no timetable for his return to the basketball court. But, less than a week later, he is back on the team.

Now we know a reason why Rick Ross wasn’t rounding up his buffaloes on his property. He was at his old high school Monday making a difference.

According to Billboard, the buffalo owner, along with Tariq Cherif, co-founder of the music concert series, Rolling Loud has donated $10,000 worth of scholarships to eight graduating seniors from his alma mater, Carol City Senior High Schools in Miami Gardens, FL, and Miami Norland.

The money will go toward their college tuition, but they’re’ also going to have a little fun. The lucky students also received tickets to attend Rolling Loud Miami in July.

“You know, to come give back to the community right here, that means a lot,” Ross said.

City of Miami Gardens Councilman Reggie Leon and school board member Dr. Steve Gallon II were present alongside Ross and Cherif.

“It’s not a gift,” Cherif said. “They earned it.”

 

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“For him to be here and pass out these wonderful gifts, it’s a great experience for our children. But it’s more of a great experience for this entire community because it shows that this community cares about its very own,” Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris said, according to CBS News.

One of the recipients De’Zyre Frederick also commented on the gift received. “I am nothing but blessed. It’s good to see the alumni come back and give back to the students which is something that is so amazing.”

According to Billboard, the scholarships were given in honor of Ross’ Boss Up Day 2023 and awarded to students who displayed academic excellence.

The generosity didn’t end with the recipients. During the awards ceremony, the magazine reported, Ross dug into his pocket and handed out hundred-dollar bills to a student with a 4.6 GPA.

It looks like all those years of dunking on helpless opponents has caught up with Shaq.

Shaquille O’Neal had fans worried when a picture of him in a hospital bed started circulating the internet. E! News reported it was for a hip replacement. But, of course, in classic Shaq fashion, he made jokes about his current health state.

“To all the people who are concerned. First let me start off by saying thank you,” Shaq said via Instagram. “And lastly i am fine. Just had to get some BBL work done aka #hipreplacement. but yes i am fine no need to worry.”

 

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According to TMZ, the surgery was a success and the 51-year-old is already on the mend.

An outpouring of support came in from fans, some championing for him to get better soon. “Shaq is a national treasure—protect him at all cost,” one user said. Another fan called him “Cheekquille O’Neal” due to the image of a behind popping in and out, appearing to get larger and smaller.

While fans will miss Shaq on NBA on TNT, the show is in good hands as colleagues Ernie Johnson and Candace Parker  are filling in for him. He tagged them in the post and let them know he is watching.

We all know Shaq is one to constantly make jokes and pull pranks. Earlier this year, Shaq had fans thinking he was in trouble with the law when video appeared on social media of him getting pulled over in Houston. It turned out the officer who pulled him over was friend from the Houston Police Department. In the video, the NBA legend can be seen shaking his head in comedic disbelief before the camera pans to flashing police lights.

• News

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 21, 2023

Philadelphia to Pay $9.25 Million to Protesters at George Floyd Demonstration

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Philadelphia will pay $9.25 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by racial justice protesters who accused police of abusing them at a 2020 rally following the killing of George Floyd, the city said on Monday.

The Philadelphia city government said in a written statement the payment would be distributed among 343 plaintiffs who alleged physical and emotional injuries in the police response to protests ignited by the killing of Floyd, an unarmed Black man, at the hands of Minneapolis police.

The city will also provide a grant of at least $500,000 to the Bread & Roses Community Fund for free mental health counseling for residents of West Philadelphia, a predominantly Black neighborhood, who have been victims of police violence, lawyers for plaintiffs said.

Videos of the protest showed Philadelphia police using tear gas and pepper spray on a crowd of demonstrators who had gathered on a major highway on June 1, 2020. Plaintiffs also accused police of firing rubber bullets into the crowd.

The 2020 protests in Philadelphia were among many that came after video surfaced showing a Minneapolis police officer pinning Floyd’s neck to the ground with his knee for about nine minutes.

The Legal Defense Fund, one of the organizations representing the plaintiffs, called the settlement one of the largest in the city’s history. The Fund said police had agreed to meet with West Philadelphia residents every six months to provide data on its use of force and to take questions from the community.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the pain and trauma caused by “a legacy of systemic racism and police brutality against Black and Brown Philadelphians is immeasurable” but that he hoped the settlement would help bring about some healing.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said her department is “a learning organization” and it would continue work to better protect “the first amendment rights of protesters.”

New York City recently agreed to pay out millions to protesters who alleged police abuse during that city’s demonstrations in the wake of Floyd’s death.

• News

by Booker Jones

March 21, 2023

NAACP Will Receive $50 Million Grant From Wells Fargo

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Wells Fargo will give a $50 million grant to the NAACP to help the organization continue its efforts to achieve racial equality. 

According to NAACP.org, the grant will help local organizations and help with the organization’s plans to develop a new national headquarters. The grant will also help increase the organization’s staff and sustain programs that will help promote the needs of the communities it serves. 

“We’re grateful to Wells Fargo for their donation, the single largest donation the NAACP has ever received from a corporation. These funds will go directly toward strengthening the NAACP’s grassroots network of local units and branches across all 50 states, as well as the work of the national NAACP,” Derrick Johnson, NAACP President, and CEO said in a statement released last month “All corporations play a critical role in our democracy. They must be engaged as allies in the fight to end discrimination—in our economy, in our justice system, across our society, and within their own services.”

Charlie Scharf, Wells Fargo CEO, added that the company is happy to support the NAACP, and its efforts to provide more opportunities to Black Americans. 

“Key to our shared goal to advance equity and economic opportunities for Black Americans is the work the NAACP local units and branches do to support communities on a highly local basis,” Scharf said. “We value our longstanding relationship with the NAACP, and this grant is meant to strengthen the work we already do together to close economic gaps that have existed for far too long in our country.”

According to the NAACP, Wells Fargo has supported the organization since 1998. Support includes sponsoring events like the Women in NAACP Empowerment Brunch, the NAACP Image Awards, and the NAACP National Convention. Wells Fargo has also funded financial and homeownership programs as well as the Financial Freedom Center. 

A new online short film (pronounced Hashtag, Humans) #Huemans: A Guide to Get Home has been released to the public for free to increase the likelihood of safe encounters between police officers and the communities they serve. Produced by Beverly “BJ” Council, a retired Deputy Police Chief and the founder of You & Five-O, LLC (YFO), the short film emphasizes the importance of looking beyond labels and stereotypes and acknowledging the human being on the other side of the interaction. The film can be viewed on the You & Five-O YouTube channel.

Council comments, “We produced this film to equip young people, individuals, families, communities, and police officers with more information and guidance to safely navigate law enforcement encounters and to get home.” The film focuses on the importance of communication and cooperation between police officers and the communities they serve.

Founded in 2015, You & Five-O provides customized training for police officers, community organizations, schools, and individuals to assist with improving relationships between police and the public they are sworn to protect and serve. YFO was created in response to numerous high-profile cases highlighting deadly encounters between law enforcement and mostly Black and Brown – and often unarmed – individuals. Training sessions address the current lack of trust, communication gaps, problem-solving, Constitutional rights, and potentially devastating consequences of inadequate relationships between the public and the police.

You & Five-O training programs offered for residents and community organizations pay homage to the merits of cooperation, communication, and compliance with officers of the law. The primary objective is to promote mutual respect between law enforcement and citizens, with the ultimate goal of survival. Topics range from knowing individual rights to traffic stops and searches, overviews about local police departments, reporting police misconduct, and current events.

For more information about the You & Five-O Community Policing training model, visit YouAndFive-O.com or send an email to training@youandfive-o.com

This news first appeared on blacknews.com

• News

by Booker Jones

March 21, 2023

Prosecutors Plan To Release Video Of Irvo Otieno, Who Died In Police Custody

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Prosecutors plan to release the video of Irvo Otieno, a Black man who died while allegedly being subdued by seven sheriffs and three state hospital workers.  

According to The Associated Press, Otieno died while in handcuffs and leg irons, as he was being held down, at a mental hospital in Dinwiddie County, VA. 

Otieno’s attorney, Mark Krudys, said the video is “twelve agonizing minutes of deputies pushing down and smothering Otieno.” 

“You can see that they’re putting their back into it. Every part of his body is being pushed down with absolute brutality,” Krudys said.

Otieno’s mother, Caroline Ouko, has seen the video.

“What I saw today was heartbreaking, America. It was disturbing. It was traumatic. My son was tortured,” Ouko said.  

AP News also reported that the video showed authorities’ disinterest in helping Otieno after realizing that he was dead. According to USA Today, the footage showed that deputies waited more than three hours to report Otieno’s death. 

Ten people—seven sheriffs and three hospital workers—have been charged with second-degree murder. 

Otieno was arrested for suspicion of burglary, assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and vandalism. He died days after being arrested. 

AP News reported that Otieno had struggled with mental health, and was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of his arrest. 

Attorneys for the people arrested have not seen the video, AP News reported. 

“They show the plaintiffs’ attorneys the video. But we’re representing these people charged with murder that are locked up. It’s really disappointing. It seems like it’s more important to curry public favor, to try the case in the media, instead of letting the criminal justice process work the way it’s supposed to work,” defense attorney Peter Baruch told The Richmond Times-Dispatch.

This comes months after Tyre Nichols’ death made national news after five Black Memphis police officers were accused of Nichols’ death and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression.

 CEO Liz Rogers – the Founder, President, and Executive Chef of renowned artisan ice cream brand Creamalicious Ice Creams – continues to be a trailblazer in the food/beverage industry, bringing the comforts of Southern desserts direct-to-consumers in unexpected ways. Delivering new innovations in food retail with her creative recipes, fresh-tasting treats, and business acumen, Executive Chef Liz Rogers has led her latest venture, Creamalicious Coffee Creamers, to sold-out success. Launched in mid-January 2023 with 2 signature flavors: Bay’bee Lis’sen White Chocolate Blondie and Uncle Charles Brown Suga Bourbon Cake, the Creamalicious Coffee Creamers have flown off the shelves, becoming a quick hit with consumers singing its praises. Perking up your daily cup, the new coffee creamers line launched in over 1300 locations, available in select Walmarts across the country and Meijer stores in the Midwest. With the ongoing success of Creamalicious Ice Creams and her expansion with the sold-out Creamalicious Coffee Creamers line, Chef Rogers’ company marks a milestone as the first African American coffee creamer brand in mass production today, and makes her the #1 African American-owned, female-owned ice cream and coffee creamer distributor in the world. Her two product lines now include a total of 9 offerings in stores nationwide.

Celebrating her family’s legacy and the tradition of passing down four generations of family recipes, Executive Chef Liz Rogers began sharing these time-honored Southern cakes and pies for immediate, take-home enjoyment through her Creamalicious Ice Creams. Founding Creamalicious in 2020, her whimsical 2-in-1 dessert creations pair fresh baked pastries with premium homemade ice cream. The Creamalicious Ice Creams line quickly built a following with its high quality, fresh taste and has 7 flavors: Slap Yo’ Momma Banana Pudding; Aunt Poonie’s Caramel Pound Cake; Granma Gigi’s Sweet Potato Pie; Porch Light Peach Cobbler; Right as Rain Red Velvet Cheesecake; Thick As Thieves Pecan Pie; and Uncle Charles Brown Suga Bourbon Cake. Available in over 3500 stores nationwide, Creamalicious Ice Creams are carried at select Walmart, Target, Kroger, Ralphs, Meijer, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Schnucks, and Jungle Jim’s locations.

Creamalicious CEO/Executive Chef Liz Rogers  says: “I am overjoyed by the response to this new line of Creamalicious Coffee Creamers, and thankful to each and every one of you I have heard from, to all the coffee and dessert fans, and retail partners who have made the creamers a sold-out success! Developing my family’s recipes for the Brown Suga Bourbon Cake and White Chocolate Blondie into these creamer creations has been a labor of love, and I was thrilled to introduce these new flavors, for consumers to bring home and savor the taste of homemade desserts in every pour.”

A natural pairing delivering the taste of delicious desserts with your favorite coffee brew, Creamalicious Coffee Creamers are shaking up the everyday morning coffee routine, creating the dessert and coffee experience together in one cup. The 2 creamers come in 16-oz bottles in the refrigerated section, and consumers have been inspired beyond coffee and created their own recipes, using the creamers in their baking, making cheesecakes, and more. The 7 Creamalicious Ice Creams are available in pints. Besides Creamalicious, Chef Rogers is also executive chef and owner of the restaurant Wing Champ in Cincinnati, OH, and she is executive chef of Penny Hardaway’s restaurant Penny’s Nitty Gritty, in downtown Memphis.

Connect with Creamalicious at:
https://socreamalicious.com/ 
Instagram, Facebook: @socreamalicious