• News

by Booker Jones

March 14, 2023

Howard University Athletics Department Receives $1 Million Grant to Renovate Burr Gym

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Great news continues to flow in for Howard University. 

After the Bison’s men’s basketball team earned a spot in the NCAA tournament, the HU athletics department is set to receive $1 million from Nuna Baby Essentials. The money will be used to renovate locker rooms and Burr gym.  

“Nuna Baby Essentials is an important partner of Howard Athletics,”  Kery Davis, director of intercollegiate athletics, said to HBCU Gameday. “Nuna’s core values, standards and commitment to excellence align with those of Howard Athletics. I would like to thank Nuna and its leadership, Kenny Cheng and Brad Bickley, for their continued commitment to our program. Their generous contributions have contributed to the overall success and welfare of our student-athletes.”

Brad Bickley, global president of Nuna, added, “Nuna is so excited to be a part of the great basketball and golf future of Howard University! From the time we first met with the administration and coaches of Howard, I felt an exciting win-win partnership could be established with Howard University and Nuna Baby. Howard family and alumni can continue to learn more about our wonderful products, and we will watch the success of Howard basketball and golf.”

Austin Hodges, Nuna’s chief marketing officer, said, “We are honored for the opportunity to partner with Howard University to bring our brand core values of family, safety and community. This partnership has and will continue to grow to further Nuna’s commitment to the growth of the Black community.”

Nuna Baby Essentials is a world-renowned brand that makes car seat strollers and baby gear. Nuna and HU joined forces in 2021. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Nuna to the Bison Family,” Davis said in a statement. “We are pleased to partner with a brand that ensures children and families have every product needed during these challenging times. We look forward to teaming up with NUNA to make a positive impact on our community.”

Tiger Woods has given a response to the $30 million lawsuit filed against his trust by his former girlfriend.

After the paperwork was filed by Erica Herman against Woods’ homestead trust for allegedly failing to abide by an “oral tenancy agreement” between the former couple, the attorneys for Woods responded in court to the lawsuit.

According to Yahoo! Sports, the attorneys, who labeled Herman a “jilted ex-girlfriend” suggested that she only filed the lawsuit to avoid a “confidential arbitration proceeding” that was agreed to in case of a dispute. It was also stated that she had never made any type of complaint asserting sexual assault or sexual harassment previously.

“Ms. Herman does nothing more than cite 9 U.S.C. §§ 401-402 and its salacious title, ‘The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act,'” the filing stated. “She has never asserted any claims for sexual assault or sexual harassment, does not do so in this landlord-tenant action, and, if she is truthful, can never do so,” according to the legal papers that were filed and obtained by Yahoo! Sports.

The attorneys for Woods also stated that the actions Herman took with the filing of this lawsuit are a “transparent abuse of the judicial process” and labeled her “a jilted ex-girlfriend who wants to publicly litigate specious claims in court, rather than honor her commitment to arbitrate disputes in a confidential arbitration proceeding.”

They have requested that the court deny Herman’s appeal for release from the NDA and force her to settle this dispute via arbitration.

Herman filed the lawsuit in Florida, stating that Woods allegedly locked her out of the property after he ended the relationship with her in October.

She is asserting damages of more than $30 million, while accusing the trust and its agents of misappropriating $40,000 in cash that belonged to her. She stated that they are making “scurrilous and defamatory allegations (about) how she obtained the money.”

In the lawsuit, she wrote that she had an “oral tenancy agreement” to remain at the residence for five additional years after being in effect for six years before the couple broke up.

In a separate complaint, she is also suing Woods and made a request that the court releases her from the non-disclosure agreement that she signed with Woods in 2017. She is alluding to being involved in either a sexual assault or harassment.

She claimed that the non-disclosure agreement is not enforceable under the federal Speak Out Act, which prohibits the judicial enforceability of such agreements in disputes involving sexual assault or harassment.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 14, 2023

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Fixed His Mouth to Blame DEI Initiatives for Silicon Valley Bank Failure

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Ron DeSantis’ beef with diversity, equity, and inclusion has reached a new low, if that’s even possible.

The Republican Florida governor is blaming DEI initiatives for the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. CNBC reported DeSantis said the bank was worried about the wrong things. “This bank, they’re so concerned with DEI and politics and all kinds of stuff, I think that really diverted from them focusing on their core mission,” DeSantis said. “We have a massive federal bureaucracy and yet they never seem to be able to be there when [we] need them to be able to prevent something like this.”

DeSantis’ supporter, Home Depot co-founder, Bernie Marcus, backed up this theory while both were interviewed by Fox News. “I feel bad for all of these people that lost all their money in this woke bank. You know, it was more distressing to hear that the bank officials sold off their stock before this happened,” Marcus saiid. “Who knows whether the Justice Department would go after them? They’re a woke company, so I guess not. And they’ll probably get away with it.”

DeSantis’ issue with “woke” culture is criminalizing the state of Florida with his recent tactics. During Black History Month, he announced he would be cutting all college diversity programs, as well as African-American studies from educational curriculum. Several educators were expelled for teaching “woke” studies, including Columbia law professor, Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, and reparations author, Ta-Nehisi Coates. Books by esteemed author, Bell Hooks, were also removed.

SVB, which is the 16th-largest bank in the United States, does promote DEI initiatives, saying they are “strategically working for a world where every client and employee has the opportunity to bring their bold ideas to life” via their website.

According to Florida Politics, this is the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history, since the collapse of Washington Mutual in 2008.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 14, 2023

Partial Malcolm X Quote Removed from University 30 Years After Campus Protest and Takeover

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Looks like Malcolm X is still ruffling some feathers after all these years.

Thirty years after the Black Student Leadership Group at the University of Rhode Island protested over a quote from the civil rights leader, NPR reported the school has removed a partial quote from the front of school’s main library. Blank panels with matching granite will replace where the quote used to be.

The protest started because students felt the shortened quote from, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, misrepresented the full meaning of X’s message, reading, “My alma mater was books, a good library … I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.”

The full quote states, “I told the Englishman that my alma mater was books, a good library. Every time I catch a plane, I have with me a book that I want to read — and that’s a lot of books these days. If I weren’t out here every day battling the white man, I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity — because you can hardly mention anything I’m not curious about.”

Students were so enraged, it sparked a takeover of a campus building. The 1992 protestors gathered for a reunion, where Marc Parlange, university president, vowed to have it removed. “The removal of this inscription started 30 years ago, when a group of URI students had the courage to stand up and speak out against injustices happening at that time,” Parlange said, according to WBUR News. “Our university is grateful to those students for their courage, and I am grateful to today’s generation of student leaders who, advocating in that same spirit, continue to inspire our ongoing work to foster a truly inclusive and equitable community.”

X, whose real name was Malcolm Little and later changed to el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, was assassinated in 1965 at the age of 39. Inspired by his activism, Michelle Fontes, who participated in the campus protest, said she’s pleased she is seeing what she worked for. “I am happy to have been part of the activism that took place in 1992 and this quote finally being removed is proof that our new administration is listening and striving to do better,” Fontes said.

As most of us know by now, seemingly, the world was disappointed that 9-1-1 actress, Angela Bassett did not win Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. Now, as photos and a video of Bassett’s look of disappointment have gone viral, fans have come out to defend what a few are stating as her being a bad sport.

At the 95th annual Academy Awards, the 64-year-old Bassett did not win the Oscar for supporting actress for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. With the performance she gave in the sequel to Black Panther and being the very first actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a Marvel movie, it was widely speculated that she would be gripping that award on Sunday night.

Instead, she lost to Halloween actress, Jamie Lee Curtis, who won the award for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Even Curtis looked surprised that she had won.

Jamie Lee Curtis accepts the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once.’ #Oscars95 pic.twitter.com/1H3tJEmgGF

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 13, 2023

Bassett did not mask her disappointment when Curtis’ name was announced instead of hers. The talented actress did not smile or stand up.

Social media users came to her defense, stating that she had a right to be disappointed after giving an award-winning performance in Wakanda Forever.

One fan acknowledged the rare opportunities that Black actresses receive when consideration for an Oscar nomination is presented.

This is sad for Angela. Black actresses rarely get another shot and she knows it. Her veteran status meant nothing – yet it helped Jamie.

— Priyant 👨🏾‍🚀 (@Priyant1987) March 13, 2023

One user posted one of the scenes that they felt made it quite obvious that she was more deserving than Curtis.

you’re telling me that corny ass Performance from Jaime lee curtis was better than this piece of Art Angela Bassett delivered?pic.twitter.com/lgykpGMKg7

— ST☆R BOY (@Dr7gns) March 13, 2023

Someone else stated that she could have whatever reaction she wanted and no one should dictate how someone else should feel.

Ppl commenting abt Angela reaction, & I feel Angela can be upset if she wants, she doesn’t owe it to anymore. In that moment she lived her truth regardless if she’s happy, sad, or disappointed. Stop telling someone how they should feel or react to something

— Tÿłer🌿 (@Rey_De_Marte) March 13, 2023

And the accusations of racism will still be there as long as the perceived racist views are continued.

When y’all gon stop being racist? @TheAcademy

— Coco Butter 👅🧈 (@Cocoamor25) March 13, 2023

Meet Nancey Harris and Tracy Green, the founders of Vontélle, the first Black women-owned eyewear company to have established a partnership with Paramount and Nickelodeon. Their licensing deal allows them to exclusively make fashion-forward eyewear products for kids using popular characters like SpongeBob SquarePants, Baby Shark, and Rugrats.

For their accomplishments in business, they were recently featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Nancey comments, “We are thrilled to announce our three-year partnership with Paramount. We are proud to be the first African-American women-owned eyewear company to have such a deal.”

Vontélle is committed to creating eyewear that celebrates the African diaspora. Tracy comments, “Vontélle was founded to satisfy the demand for better-fitting vibrant, luxury eyewear designed and handcrafted to pay homage to the African, Caribbean, and Latin diaspora.”

The company’s most popular design is the Rwanda Wayfarers, a rich and beautiful textile print that enhances any melanin tone. “The versatile rectangular silhouette adds a sophisticated, professional look,” added Nancey.

Despite launching during the pandemic, Vontélle has been able to thrive with more people looking to eyewear as a way to show off their personality during virtual meetings.

“Eyewear is meant to reflect your personality and compliment your wardrobe. Vontélle has a vast selection, and you can pick your own adventure from an array of vibrant, pattern-enriched designs,” said Nancey.

With over one billion people worldwide in need of eyeglasses, Vontélle is excited to enter the industry at the right time with their handcrafted ethnic designs. “Yet, there are less than a handful of Black eyewear manufacturers or designers. “We are getting into the industry at the right time with our handcrafted ethnic designs,” said the founders.

Vontélle is quickly becoming a leader in the eyewear business, and the partnership with Paramount is just the latest exciting piece of news. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting collaboration.

For more details about the brand, visit its official web site at Vontelle.com. 

This news first appeared on blackbusiness.com.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 14, 2023

Ben Crump Challenges Claims of ‘No Foul Play’ After Mississippi Black Man’s Severed Head and Spinal Cord Found

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The family of Rasheem Carter is looking for answers.

NBC News reported Carter was reported missing on Oct. 2 by his mother, Tiffany Carter, who said her son called her in a panic saying three white men were chasing him in trucks and yelling racial slurs. A month later, to the day, his remains were found in a wooded area near Taylorsville, MI. However, the Smith County Sheriff’s Department released a statement saying there was “no reason to believe foul play was involved.”

The family attorney, Carlos Moore, and civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, held a press conference on Monday after learning more information from the 25-year-old’s autopsy.

According to WAPT 16, Carter’s family was given his head and spinal cord in a box from the state crime lab. His front teeth were missing from the top and bottom rows, as well. Crump said Rasheem Carter’s head was severed from his body. He is calling on the Justice Department to further investigate. “This was a nefarious act. This was an evil act,” Crump said.

“Somebody murdered Rasheem Carter, and we cannot let them get away with this.”

His mother said she talked to and texted her son on the last day he was seen alive. When he told her what was going on, she instructed him to go to the police, but nothing came out of it. “They did not help him. He asked for help, but they did not help him,” the grieving mother said. “He did the right thing by asking, but they didn’t help him.”

While the police said there was no foul play, it’s unclear what prompted authorities to search the wooded area. They are also telling a different story on the account of what happened before Carter went missing. Laurel Police Department Chief, Tommy Cox, said Carter never contacted his department for help. In fact, the Laurel Police Department handed the investigation over to Smith County once they determined it was outside of their jurisdiction.

Carter, the father of a 7-year-old daughter, worked a contracting job in order to save money to reopen his seafood restaurant, which closed during the pandemic. While at the job site, Carter had a disagreement with one co-worker and fled. His mother said she’s not going to give up on finding answers. “They thought this was going to be a child no one cared anything about,” she said. “They’re clearly mistaken because he was somebody.”

The average work day changed for everyone in the wake of the pandemic, and new times call for new leadership.

For those looking to evolve in their careers, the BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit put together a panel, “Developing the Leader in You.” Dethra Giles, CEO at ExecuPrep, moderated the discussion, where Mitzabeth Garay, VP/GM of Field Enablement and Shared Services at ADP; Laurie Robinson Haden, CEO at Corporate Counsel Women of Color; and Olanda Sharp-Buckley, Vice President, Customer/Technical Training at Dell, shared their personal experiences to enlighten attendees on how to be intentional in their leadership style.

Giles had a spirited kickoff to the panel that got the speakers to share the song that described their leadership style. It was Mystikal’s “Here I Go” for Giles because she tackles her day head-on. Robinson Haden’s leadership song was “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan, Sharp-Buckley selected the gospel song “My Worship is for Real,” and Garay chose Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire.”

Each speaker shared their path for developing leaders, which included learning their goals: career goals, life goals, financial goals, and long-term goals. For Sharp-Buckley, she credited her mentors for aiding her in being able to help develop other leaders in the workplace.

She suggested diversifying your professional portfolio to position yourself in a leadership role. Robinson Haden took it further by encouraging attendees to join any group to fine-tune their leadership skills.

Is there an open position to join a neighborhood committee? Can you get more involved in your sorority or another sister circle of any kind? Roles within these spaces can help develop your leadership skills and prepare you for that executive role just around the corner.

“Live outside your comfort zone,” Garay said.

Often, women of color are denied access to leadership roles because of claims that they lack experience. Haden said it’s critical that women re-empower themselves to find and develop their skills outside the workplace so it can empower them within their current professional roles.

In a remote work world, where Black women were already struggling to be seen in the workplace, working remotely has only widened the invisibility many Black women in corporate America were already feeling.

“You have to find a way to deliver,” Sharp-Buckley said while encouraging attendees to get involved in an initiative at work that will bring their name to the forefront.

“Find mechanisms to be seen, heard, and to deliver results.

Sharp-Buckley also didn’t want attendees to forget the vast opportunities available by taking on an international role.

“If you get the opportunity for an international role, do it!” Sharp-Buckley said.

Once you reach the executive level, don’t forget to reach your hand out and help the next generation of leaders.

“Those in leadership have to give back,” Robinson Haden said.