Nipsey Hussle’s Ex ‘Would’ve Took Those Bullets’ for Slain Rapper
Ahead of the four-year anniversary of Nipsey Hussle’s death, his ex, Tanisha Foster, aka Chyna Hussle, is publicly mourning his passing.
Foster, who welcomed a daughter with Hussle, took to her Instagram Story Monday to express how much she misses the slain rapper. It was captured by The Jasmine Brand.
“I miss my child’s father I wish he was here to see my accomplishments,” she wrote.
She went on to recall her last phone conversation with Hussle, which she said happened shortly before he was fatally shot on March 31, 2019.
“You guys are fans of my child’s father and when I post him it’s a problem. It’s almost 4 years of him being gone so just think how I feel,” she explained.
“I met him in my teens and he been my roll dog ever since. I spoke with him 30 minutes before [h]is death.”
According to Foster, she was one of the last people to speak to Hussle before he was killed outside his Marathon clothing store in South Los Angeles: “I wish I was there I would’ve took those bullets,” Foster wrote.
Hussle was gunned down by a man upset over a discussion they had about snitching, The Associated Pressreported. He left behind his daughter, Emani, and his son, Kross, whom he shared with his longtime partner, actress Lauren London.
Foster’s post came ahead of the trial, set to begin April 27, between her and the rapper’s family over custody of Emani, Radar Onlinereported. Hussle’s family accused Foster of being an unfit mother and unable to provide a stable home for the teen, due to claims of drug and alcohol abuse.
Last month, the man convicted of fatally shooting Hussle, Eric R. Holder Jr., was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison.
Deputy District Attorney John McKinney said during his opening statement that there’s “no doubt” Holder knew in advance that he would kill Hussle.
Ahmaud Arbery’s Killers Claim They Aren’t Racist in Appealing Hate Crime Conviction
Three men convicted of murdering Ahmaud Arbery are singing a different tune.
In an attempt to appeal their federal hate crime conviction, Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan claimed race had nothing to the crime.
According to CNN, two of the three men are now arguing the government didn’t prove Aubrey was chased because he was Black.
The McMichaels and Bryan were found guilty of murder in 2021 — the former received life sentences; Bryan was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Then came the federal trial where all of them were found guilty again, but on interference of rights, federal hate crime, and attempted kidnapping charges.
Now they are looking for another day in court in Georgia. “The evidence against Bryan did not present a man who saw the world through a prism of racism,” attorney J. Pete Theodocion said. “He was not obsessed with African Americans such as his codefendant Travis McMichael.”
Arbery was jogging before he was shot and killed in February 2020, after the McMichaels chased him while Bryan filmed the incident. After the video was released in May, national protests broke out, several weeks prior to George Floyd’s murder.
Attorney A.J. Balbo, who is representing Gregory McMichael, told NPR “race was only relevant because it matched the race of the man on the home security footage.”
Before that, Balbo said, “The fact that Mr. Arbery was Black was merely a characteristic shared with the person seen on the security footage, a fact of no greater import to Gregory McMichael’s calculus than Mr. Arbery’s biological sex, the shorts he was wearing, his hairstyle, or his tattoos.”
During the federal trial, witnesses testified privately about racist messages sent by the three men. The messages revealed conversations where the men talked about Black people using derogatory terms and racial slurs in conversations with others.
According to CNN, this revelation was key for prosecutors, as it proved the men acted out of racial hatred.
South Carolina Teenager Allegedly Assaulted By Teacher For Protesting Pledge of Allegiance
A school district in South Carolina is being sued after a student claims a staff member assaulted her.
ABC News reports lawyers for the family of Marissa Barnwell, a student at River Bluff High School in Lexington, say the student was exercising her First Amendment rights when she decided to refrain from saying the Pledge of Allegiance. The lawsuit states an “instructional assistant physically assaulted Marissa before taking her to the principal’s office for punishment.”
According to the lawsuit, Barnwell silently walked to her class while the Pledge of Allegiance was playing on the intercom when she said the staffer pushed her to the wall and touched her with force to make her comply with saying the pledge. Surveillance video corroborates the story professed by the student. After attempting to work with the school about the incident, they received no answers, which prompted the federal lawsuit.
In a press conference, Barnwell’s mother, Fynale Barnwell, recalls her daughter calling her in tears about what happened. Marissa feels something should happen to the teacher as well. “I feel like something should have happened to the teacher, and the teacher should have been handled appropriately, where she is either arrested or fired,” the student said to The New York Times. “But nothing like that’s happened, and she still works there.”
The teacher in question has been identified as Nicole Livingston. According to Chief Communications Officer for Lexington School District One, Libby Roof, a response to the lawsuit “will be filed in the coming weeks.”
Representatives for Barnwell also stated that Livingston deprived Marissa of her constitutional rights, and the incident caused physical and emotional distress. Inspired by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protests, Barnwell says she hasn’t recited the pledge since the third grade as she doesn’t believe in the message, “liberty and justice for all.” As told by ABC News, South Carolina law states that the pledge must be said every day at school; however, those who choose otherwise can’t be punished.
Boris Kodjoe Praises ‘Funny, Deep, Sexy AF’ Wife Nicole Ari Parker During 50th Birthday Bash
Actor Boris Kodjoe praised his “funny, deep, sexy, af” wife Nicole Ari Parker after she persuaded him to celebrate his 50th birthday.
Kodjoe celebrated in style at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles Saturday with family and friends, Peoplereported. The Station 19 star said his “heart is so full” thanks to all the love that was in the room and thanked his “ridiculously amazing wife” for encouraging him to throw the birthday bash.
“Nicole insisted that I celebrated my 50th with the people who have been loving me all the way here,” Kodjoe said during his speech.
“Meaning from 50 years ago, all the way here today.”
He went on to express his gratitude for his wife of nearly 20 years.
“Babe, thank you. I’m grateful for you on so many levels, you’re just the most joyful, funny, deep, sexy AF person on the planet, you’re my person,” he told Parker.
“You’re my person. And I love you so much for loving me all the way here.”
He later shared his surprise with Parker getting so many of his family and friends to travel for the party.
“I have no idea how Nicole managed to get my favorite people there from all over the world,” he said. “I haven’t eaten so well, danced so hard, and laughed so much in my life.”
“I don’t think anyone actually left. They might still be on the dance floor. My heart is full, I’m so grateful. I love 50!”
Kodjoe and Parker tied the knot in 2005 and have two children: daughter, Sophie, 18, and 16-year-old son Nicolas. Both were in attendance for the birthday soiree.
“Soph, Nico, I love you guys so much,” he said during his proud dad moment. “You don’t even know. Until you have kids, then you know.”
Others in attendance included Samuel L. Jackson, Magic Johnson, Gabrielle Union, and Dwyane Wade.
Lighting the Way: Issa Rae, Luvvie Ajayi Jones and the ‘Wolfette of Wall Street’ Honored at Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit
The Grand Ballroom was 1,800 women deep on Saturday, March 11, when doors opened for BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Annual Women of Power Summit‘s second Luminary Awards Luncheon.
Business professionals, decked out in elegant pantsuits and other business statement pieces, stepped into the room to enjoy one of the final gatherings of the event.
BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Social Media Manager Kristin Graves and Staff Writer Jeroslyn Jovonn kicked off the luncheon by getting the crowd “in there” and on their feet with a surprise lunchtime interlude infused with a dance break doing the “Wobble.”
(Image Black Enterprise)
The good vibes continued as awardees Luvvie Ajayi Jones, LaurenSimmons, and Issa Rae took the stage to receive recognition for fighting the good fight, creating new paths, and lighting the way for us all.
The audience was intrigued by a hilarious story from Rae, the forever-entertaining actress, producer, writer, and director. She put into context why she always looks for the women in the room, sharing the time she went into an important face-to-face meeting and didn’t realize, until after, that she was still wearing her sleeping head scarf. Worst of all, it had been sliding back.
(Image Black Enterprise)
“A woman would’ve never,” said Rae to overwhelming laughter as she recalled berating her male colleague that accompanied her to the meeting that day.
“I frequently ask myself whenever I enter a room. Where are the women? Where are the Black women?”
“Now I’m in a position to be able to make sure they’re there, and that feels great,” she said proudly.
Simmons is the Wolfette of Wall Street who made history at 22 years old, becoming the youngest trader at The New York Stock Exchange, making her only the second Black female trader in the two centuries of the market organization.
“People are going to notice you regardless,” she said. “You are walking into a room, a white male-dominated space, as a young Black woman. Have something to say at all times.”
“If I’m being honest,” Simmons said, “Every time I hear about my story, I think who’s that woman on the stage? Who’s this kid on the stage?”
The small-town woman from Georgia shared her story of moving to New York, a decision she made the day she graduated college.
(Image: Black Enterprise)
“Take risks. Be fearless. Don’t take no for an answer,” she shared advice from her mother, who she says was her strength and backbone. Coming from a background in genetics, Simmons said she never thought of going into finance.
As Jones, a writer, speaker, and multimedia entrepreneur took the stage to accept her award, Delta Sigma Theta sorors released “Oo-Oops” all across the room, holding up their sign.
“I’m so glad I was on time today,” Jones chuckled with attendees, adding that she’s “notorious for being late.”
“I am a 20-year overnight success,” the self-declared professional troublemaker said. “As I think about the rooms that I find myself in, I realize that is because of my hard work. It is about the people who speak my name up in the rooms that I’m not in, and it’s about God’s grace.”
She shared how she was the person who used to get in trouble for her mouth, saying something to somebody if she didn’t like what they did.
“My job whenever I walk into any room is to elevate it, is to disrupt what’s happening that’s not OK,” she said. She’s grateful to be able to show up in every room in all her “too-much-ness,” just as she is, and asking for more money, so Black women who follow can collect their coins too.
Minnesota Bill Addresses Disparities in Missing, Murdered African American Women
Black women are worthy of protection too.
Last month, Minnesota’s House of Representatives passed a bill to create the Office of Missing and Murdered African American Women to address missing cases of Black women and girls across the nation.
According to The 19th, the legislation was created following the findings of a 12-member task force, created by Democratic state Rep. Ruth Richardson, which found 40% of the 7% population of Black women are victims of domestic violence, one of the contributing factors to missing persons cases.
“I think that the blueprints that we have, including the report with the recommendations, and with this office as well, it gives us the opportunity to encourage other states to act and also the nation,” Richardson said.
The task force also found that Back women are three times more likely to be murdered compared to White women in Minnesota, moving Richardson to introduce the task force in 2019.
“What has occurred in Minnesota is historic,” said Derrica Wilson, co-founder of the Black and Missing Foundation.
“I think that [Richardson] has laid out the blueprint that other states across this country can adopt to protect our Black women and our Black girls, because they are not protected. The resources are not allocated in the same manner,” Wilson said.
The office will use a $1.24 million annual allocation to assist with cases and provide grants to community organizations working to prevent issues such as domestic violence and human trafficking. The office will also engage in public awareness campaigns, operate a missing persons alert system, and provide further recommendations.
“You have to see that law enforcement doesn’t really view our community the same,” Wilson said. “It appears that white women and girls are always viewed as the victims. And there’s this perception that when it’s a Black woman or a Black girl, they’re promiscuous or they’re fast, and that is so far from the truth.”
“We’re not asking to get something more than any other community,” Richardson said. “We’re asking for the same attention. We’re asking for the same coverage.”
If the bill passes the Senate and receives the governor’s signature, the office will reportedly be the first of its kind focused on Black women in the nation.
Family of Victim Killed in Stampede At GloRilla and Finesse2tymes Concert Plans to Sue
The family of one of the three victims killed during the stampede at Sunday’s GloRilla and Finesse2tymes’ Rochester, New York, concert plans to take legal action.
Brandy Miller, 35, of Rochester died after being trampled to death following a GloRilla and Finesse2tymes concert at the Main Street Armory in Rochester, the Democrat & Chroniclereported. Her death came hours after Rhondesia Belton, 33, of Buffalo, succumbed from her injuries.
Aisha Stephens of Syracuse, NY, was first listed in critical condition and later died. Rochester Police Chief David Smith said the fatalities were a result of a crowd surge caused by pushing toward the exits after they thought they heard gunshots.
Now, in the wake of Miller’s death, her sister Michelle announced her family’s plans to sue GloRilla and Finesse2tymes, plus the concert promoters, and Main Street Armory, TMZ reported. The sister said the family has talked with different “high-profile” lawyers because they have “no plans to back down.”
The family also said Miller’s organs were donated and saved four lives.
“My sister is a Black, strong, African American hero today in her death she still stands a hero,” Michelle said.
The sister of Brandy Miller, who died due to injuries sustained after Sunday's trampling tragedy speaks out. The family decided to donate Brandy's organs which saved 4 lives. @News_8 "My sister is a Black, strong, African American hero today in her death she still stands a hero." pic.twitter.com/DmzuwRQWmu
Glo and Finesse were not present at the time of the stampede and aren’t listed in any criminal investigations. Both artists released statements regarding the incident.
“I am devastated & heartbroken over the tragic deaths that happened after Sunday’s show,” GloRilla tweeted last week.
“My fans mean the world to me praying for their families & for a speedy recovery of everyone affected.”
“As far as the situation in New York, condolences to the family and the people who was injured. That’s what I wanted to say,” Finesse said.
“I think it was a situation where someone fell, and people started running, things got out of control and innocent people got hurt. But it wasn’t nothing violent going on. It’s just the internet.”
Marriott Releases Report on Michael Irvin’s Alleged Sexual Misconduct Against Employee; Irvin Refiles Defamation Suit
Marriott International has released its account of the alleged sexual misconduct football analyst Michael Irvin and a female employee on February 5 at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown.
The hotel chain’s detailed account comes in response to Irvin’s $100 million defamation lawsuit he filed after being accused of inappropriate behavior that resulted in NFL Network and ESPN suspending him from covering the 2023 Super Bowl, USA Todayreported.
According to the hotel’s 28-page report released Friday, a video shows the Pro Football Hall of Famer flagging down the accuser on the night in question. Irvin “appeared to be visibly intoxicated,” the report states, and was aggressive toward the employee.
The former Dallas Cowboys receiver is accused of shaking her hand, telling her she was attractive, and asking her if she watched football.
“Irvin also reached out and touched the Victim’s arm during this conversation without her consent, causing her to step back, becoming visibly uncomfortable. Irvin then asked the Victim whether she knew anything about having a “big Black man inside of [her],” the lawsuit says.
“Irvin then attempted to grab the Victim’s hand again and said he was ‘sorry if he brought up bad memories’ for her,'” it continued.
“The Victim pulled her hand away and tried to back away from Irvin as he continued to move toward her.”
The accuser reported the incident to her manager the next day. The hotel claims the NFL asked to report if anyone its block of rooms caused any issues.
Since this account, Irvin refiled his defamation lawsuit in Arizona and names four hotel employees as well as Marriott., Fox 4 reported. Irvin also released surveillance footage from the night in question and hopes it will prove his innocence.
“Here’s the truth. We used to say when we played football ‘the eye in the sky don’t tell no lie’, it’s just the truth,” he said during a press conference Tuesday.
“We talk and tell lies, but the eye in the sky don’t tell no lie.”
Mattel Honors British Scientist Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock As A Barbie Role Model
Another Black woman has been recognized with a mind-boggling creation by Mattel.
Black British space scientist Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, has been honored with her own Barbie doll for her work in encouraging young girls to pursue science careers.
According to BBC, the 54-year-old scientist was named as a Barbie Role Model. The tribute to Aderin-Pocock’s work was created in honor of International Women’s Day and British Science Week.
“I hope my doll will remind girls that when you reach for the stars, anything is possible,” the scientist said. “I want to inspire the next generation of scientists, and especially girls, and let them know that STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] is for them.”
Aderin-Pocock’s doll is clothed in a starry dress designed to reflect the night sky and features a telescope accessory for stargazing, a significant tribute to her work with the James Webb telescope.
“We know that globally STEM is a field widely recognized as under-representing women, so as a brand, Barbie is committed to showing girls more STEM careers,” said Kelly Philp, marketing director at Mattel UK.“In the UK, research tells us women make up only 26% of the STEM workforce, so showcasing an exciting career in space science like Dr Maggie’s is just one way we are inspiring girls to think differently about their career opportunities.”
Aderin-Pocock is best known for presenting BBC One’s The Sky at Night and CBeebies Stargazing. Earlier this month, she was chancellor at the University of Leicester.
In an interview with The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, the astronomer discussed her dyslexia diagnosis when she was eight years old and struggled to read and write.
“I was lucky because I got inspired by science, and I had an aptitude for it,” she said.
Motivating the Masses: CEO Lisa Nichols Activated an Emotional Women of Power Summit Through Love and Sisterhood
Motivating the Masses CEO Lisa Nichols took a ballroom full of Women of Power attendees on an exhilarating wave of emotions, ultimately activating an urgency to love, to stand in our light, and to trust in ourselves and sisterhood.
(Image: BLACK ENTERPRISE)
During BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s 2023 Women of Power summit, one of the world’s most-requested speakers and transformational coaches tapped into a morning motivation session through storytelling. She not only honed in on her mastery of teaching, she ignited her power of bringing the room to tears and laughter.
“We are perfect for just a time like this,” Nichols said.
In just an hour, Nichols leveraged her power of motivation to speak affirmation into the hearts and souls in the room. She gave us permission to be unafraid. She encouraged us to lean on our sister friends by revealing our unfathomable goals and pouring support and positivity into each other.
“Don’t be afraid to be brilliant,” she said.
From a whirlwind love affair to lessons learned by her grandmother, Nichols’ message at the luxurious Bellagio Hotel & Casino was well-received. But her presence was a full-circle extravaganza.
Lisa Nichols (Image: BLACK ENTERPRISE)
After sharing the love story between she and her husband, Marcellus Hall, Nichols surprised the room with an announcement that we were all celebrating her wedding anniversary. The couple, who met in the lobby of a Jamaican hotel in April 2010, fell in love fast before they were married on March 11, 2022 in Nassau, the Bahamas.
“Your light is not for you to hold, it’s for you to keep giving,” Nichols said, during her speech.
With beaming pride, Nichols invited her dapper husband onstage with her, further solidifying their matrimony to the world with a heartwarming kiss and embrace. “I’ve been a waiting a long time to say this,” she said before presenting Hall to the crowd in standing ovation.
The moment took heed to Nichols’ mission at the Women of Power summit.
‘Your blessings are waiting to see them,” she exclaimed.
Nichols’ love story became the headliner to the activations she performed one-on-one. She walked around the ballroom, inviting women both emotional or inspired to stand fully in their truths.
For a woman who desired love, and didn’t settle, Nichols wants her fellow women to serve ourselves, first by prioritizing our health and then giving love a chance. Her love story wouldn’t have had a page in her book if she hadn’t done the work.
Rise up
(Image: BLACK ENTERPRISE)
At one point, Nichols cued the music, and Audra Day‘s soulful cry filled the room. Indubitably, Day’s 2015 “Rise Up” set the tone and mantra for the last day of the summit.
And I’ll rise up / I’ll rise like the day /I’ll rise up / I’ll rise unafraid /I’ll rise up /And I’ll do it a thousand times again
“If you don’t do you, you will never be done,” Nichols said to an emotional room.
Nichols also invited the audience members to their feet, hands interlocked with one another, and raised in the air for solidarity, love, and sisterhood.
A lesson learned
Nichols shared a story about the one time her grandmother revealed the lesson in tipping a hotel housekeeping lady. This wouldn’t be the first time she expressed her gratitude for the relationship she shared with her grandmother. Nichols has long credited her grandmother as a source of inexpressible joy and her greatest mentor and teacher.
“You’re walking on the shoulders of your ancestors,” Nichols recounted what her grandmother once told her. For the principal of tipping a housekeeping lady, Nichols learned that not only did her great great grandmother clean hotels but relied on tips to feed her family.
“We got to eat meat that day,” her grandmother recalled at the time. “You didn’t get here by yourself.”
“‘She said, ‘Every time you walk out that door, you’re going to do right by us because you’re not by yourself.'”
