Benjamin Crump Gives Passionate Speech After Winning Social Justice Impact Award
Benjamin Crump has been busy, especially with Gov. Ron DeSantis waging a war against Black culture.
At the 2023 NAACP Image Awards, Crump’s hard work was recognized. The ceremony, held at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, Crump was awarded the Social Justice Impact Award. Crump gave a passionate speech.
“I accept this award as greater motivation to continue to be an unapologetic defender of Black life, Black liberty, and Black humanity. I promise I will use this Social Justice Award as greater incentive to fight against the legalized genocide of colored people, and vow never to stop fighting racism and discrimination when it rears its ugly head.”
Crump also spoke about DeSantis banning of books: “And now that they are trying to ban our most celebrated Black authors and AP African-American Studies. We must advocate for our children and our culture in the classrooms and demand that they acknowledge that the teaching of Black history matters. Harriet Tubman matters. Frederick Douglas matters. Ida B. Wells matters. Thurgood Marshall matters. Dr. King matters. Rosa Parks matters. Malcolm X matters. Charlie Chisholm, John Lewis. They were not mere footnotes in the history books. They were the heroes.”
He also spoke about Black history: “And as Carter G. Woodson prophetically warned, “If a race has no history, if it has no traditions that are respected and taught to the young people, then it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world and thus in danger of becoming exterminated.” We will not let elected officials exterminate our history, our literature, or our culture. Not in Florida or any of the other 50 states because it is so important that both Black children and white children, and all children, know that Black history matters because Black history is American history. And all of our children must know that their culture contributed to the progress and the history of the United States of America.
“Because if we don’t fight for our children’s future, we can’t expect anybody else to fight for our children’s future. And we as a people care to fight for our children’s future until hell freeze’s over. And then we have to be ready to fight on the ice.”
Several Newspapers Drop “Dilbert” Comic Strip After Racist Comments By Its Creator
Several newspapers have dropped the “Dilbert” comic strip after the creator cartoon went on a racist tirade, calling Black Americans a “hate group” and suggesting that White people should “get the hell away” from them.
According to Associated Press News, The USA Today Network dropped on the long-running comic strip.
The move came after Scott Adams, the cartoonist behind “Dilbert,” encouraged segregation on a shocking YouTube video. Adams’ comments were in response to a poll from the conservative firm Rasmussen Reports that said 53% of Black Americans agreed with the statement, “It’s OK to be White.”
“If nearly half of all Blacks are not OK with White people – according to this poll, not according to me, according to this poll – that’s a hate group,” Adams said Wednesday on his YouTube show “Real Coffee with Scott Adams.”
“I don’t want to have anything to do with them,” Adams added. “And I would say, based on the current way things are going, the best advice I would give to White people is to get the hell away from Black people, just get the f**k away … because there is no fixing this.”
“Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, went on a racist rant this week, and we will no longer carry his comic strip in The Plain Dealer,” wrote Chris Quinn, editor of The Plain Dealer, wrote.“This is not a difficult decision.”
Gannett, which publishes the USA Today Network of newspapers, tweeted that it aims to “lead with inclusion and strive to maintain a respectful and equitable environment for the diverse communities we serve nationwide.”
The Washington Post also said it had also pulled the comic strip from the newspaper.
“In light of Scott Adams’s recent statements promoting segregation, The Washington Post has ceased publication of the Dilbert comic strip,” it said.
Offset Was Gifted With the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Award
Offset has been dealing with a lot as of late. But the married father of 5 children remains strong.
On Friday (Feb. 24), Offset was gifted with the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus award. The 2023 annual Heritage Dinner for the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus was held at the Georgia International Convention Center.
The Atlanta-Fulton Foundation Board of Directors wrote on an Instagram post:
“On behalf of the Atlanta-Fulton Foundation Board of Directors, congratulations to @offsetyrn for your 2023 Legacy in Hip Hop award from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus at their 50th annual Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Heritage Dinner celebration on February 23rd, 2023. Recognizing the many contributions you make to not only music but most importantly our community. Continue to give of yourself for the betterment of the community. The award was given by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and the Atlanta-Fulton Foundation board members were in attendance of this awesome event.”
The heritage dinner was created by Georgia’s business leaders and community activists, who recognized Offset for his annual toy giveaway in Gwinnett County, GA. On Dec. 23, 2022, his most recent toy drive, Offset received the key to the county.
In other Offset news, the rapper and his wife recently joined forces with McDonald’s.
The Cardi B & Offset meal includes a cheeseburger with BBQ sauce and large Coke and a Quarter Pounder with Cheese with a large Hi-C Orange Lavaburst, plus a large order of fries and an apple pie. McDonald’s did not release a suggested price for the new meal; it will be determined by individual restaurants and may vary based on location, the company said.
“Whether it’s going for a date night or grabbing a bite after late-night studio sessions … I’m always asking Offset to take me to McDonald’s,” Cardi B said in a press release announcing the meal. “And now, Offset and I have a meal named after us! I want all my fans to try it – especially with that BBQ sauce.”
Buttermilk Biscuit Ballistic: Woman Crashes Her SUV Into Popeyes Because She Didn’t Receive Any Biscuits
She was upset because her order was missing biscuits, so she allegedly drove her SUV into the Popeyes building.
According to WJBF, Belinda H. Miller, of August, Ga., allegedly crashed her SUV through the wall of a Georgia Popeyes and continued to force her SUV into the wall after the initial crash.
Police were called to the scene at 7:45 p.m. after receiving calls about an accident and possible injuries.
WJBF also reports that Miller’s order was corrected and that she was given biscuits before allegedly driving her SUV into the building.
According to an incident report obtained by WJBF, a witness who was waiting in line with Miller told them to hurry and get their order, and an employee was allegedly standing near the front of the building when Miller ran her SUV into the building.
Miller was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and first-degree criminal damage to property, and booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. According FoX 5 Atlanta, Miller’s bail was set at $4,000.
LeBron James and Son, Bronny James Could Add 50 Percent Value Jump to the NBA
It’s a high possibility that Bronny James could play in the NBA alongside his father, LeBron James. And, over the past few days, analysts have been discussing the potential father-son duo in the league.
According to Forbes, the NBA franchise value could skyrocket 50 percent.
“Assuming it’d be a middle-of-the-road team that drafts high enough to pick Bronny and then signs dad, their franchise value could jump as much as 50%,” Pinnacle Advertising Creative Director, Bob Dorfman said, according to Forbes.
Dorman added: “A franchise like Orlando could double their $1.85 billion value practically overnight,” he added.
The star power Bronny and James would add to the league hasn’t been seen before.
“The marketing implications are Brontastic,” Dorfman said to Forbes. “The franchise value of the team that lands them will skyrocket, their games will become must-see events that command huge ticket prices and prime-time viewing slots, and they could quickly turn into a playoff powerhouse.”
“Obviously, much depends on LeBron’s longevity and Bronny’s potential, but the possibilities are mind-boggling,” he added. “And LeBron could always transition to player-coach, guiding his son to superstardom.”
Earlier this year, James became NBA’s all-time leading scorer by breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 39 year record. And, less than a week after becoming the NBA all-time scorer, Bron and his LIFEWTR launched a campaign to award $100,000 in grants to help people realize their dreams.
According to a press release, LeBron joined forces with LIFEWTR in 2022 with aims to help people accomplish their goals.
“This partnership with LIFEWTR is about celebrating community, purpose and creativity, so it’s exciting to see those values come to life in this campaign,” James said.
“The ‘more’ in my life is what drives me – my family, uplifting my community and tapping into those things that bring you joy – all while supporting and inspiring others to do, and be, more along the way.”
Zales Becomes The Official Jeweler of The Black College Football Hall Of Fame
Zales is excited to announce its sponsorship of the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF), becoming the official jeweler to create the iconic rings for inductees starting with the Class of 2023. For Signet Jewelers®, Zales’ parent company, this sponsorship signifies its continued collaboration with the Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) and further deepens its dedication and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
As part of the partnership, Zales also participated in the HBCU Legacy Bowl Career Fair, which preceded the HBCU Legacy Bowl game on February 23 & 24, 2023 to recruit the best HBCU talent for positions across Signet. The Career Fair was presented by the New Orleans Saints and was held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Executives from Zales unveiled the design of this prestigious ring for the Class of 2023 inductees at the HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the BCFHOF. This All-Star game showcases the top NFL draft-eligible football players from HBCUs as well as highlights the incoming BCFHOF Class of 2023. The game kicked off today at 3 PM in New Orleans at Yulman Stadium.
“Partnering with the BCFHOF and celebrating the great athletes and coaches who are part of this year’s class is an incredible honor and we are happy to be a part of this journey,” says Jamie Singleton, Group President and Chief Consumer Officer, Signet Jewelers. “We’ve evolved Signet over the past few years by establishing a strong, diverse team, and we look forward to building our team of the future through our relationship with HBCUs across the country.”
The BCFHOF will hold the official Induction Ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia on June 10, 2023. Inductees will receive an official Black College Football Hall of Fame Ring from Zales. The BCFHOF Class of 2023 includes Leslie Frazier, Henry “Killer” Lawrence, Albert Lewis, Jim Marsalis, Tyrone McGriff, Elijah Pitts, Johnnie Walton, and Pete Richardson.
“Beginning this year, all the great men that are inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame will receive an iconic Hall of Fame ring created by Zales, The Diamond Store,” said James Harris and Doug Williams, co-founders of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. “We thank Zales not only for its commitment to honoring the past greats from HBCUs, but recognizing the current and future greatness of HBCU students through participation in the Legacy Bowl Career Fair. We are grateful to Signet and look forward to a great partnership.”
Using the most advanced technology in the jewelry industry along with the craftsmanship of master jewelers, this amazing ring is made in 14k gold featuring a stunning navette-shaped black onyx, which was chosen to represent a football. The black onyx stone is said to provide protection, stamina, and determination to help with one’s perseverance. This ring has 60 sparkling diamonds weighing a total of one and a half carats. One side of the ring carries the BCFHOF logo with the year the recipient is inducted. The other side pays homage to two of the most recognized symbols of football, a helmet, and a goal post, along with the inductee’s name and the years they were active. The inside is engraved in a script font with the inductee’s full name and the name of the college where they played. Previous BCFHOF honorees include football legends such as Michael Strahan, Shannon Sharpe, Jerry Rice, and more. For more information, please visit www.Zales.com.
The Resilience of Henry G. Parks Jr: Leading One of the Nation’s Most Profitable Black-Owned Food Manufacturers
The story of Henry G. Parks, Jr. is one of resilience.
He was a Black entrepreneur, who not only broke racial barriers and excelled in a white corporate world, but also helped raise the standard for meat manufacturing and advance racial integration in the workplace.
Considered one of America’s most brilliant businessmen, Parks transformed an abandoned Baltimore-based dairy plant he acquired in 1951 into one of the nation’s most profitable food manufacturers. He was the founder and CEO of Baltimore-based Parks Sausage Co., one of the first Black companies to publicly trade on the Nasdaq composite index.
Today, the late Atlanta-born and Ohio-raised executive remains a trailblazing titan who once had a seat on the original BLACK ENTERPRISE Advisory Board and served as a valued mentor to scores of Black entrepreneurs before his death in 1989.
From warehouse grounds to making history
Under Parks’ supervision, the Baltimore-based meat processing company upheld a high standard in cleanliness, safety, and employment. He had but two helpers at first, but this leader’s efforts to create and maintain quality mainstream breakfast products while fostering a positive environment for his workers were transformative.
Parks Breakfast Sausages Those around in the 1970s and 1980s may recall Saturday morning radio and television commercials featuring a child calling, “More Parks Sausages, Mom please! The late Henry Green Parks Jr. took his southern recipes and formed Parks Sausages in 1951. In 1969, the company became the first African American-owned publicly traded company and was later acquired by NFL legend Franco Harris.
Parks would eventually recruit and train both Black and white employees. He ensured that front office and plant workforces were integrated at a time when Black workers were usually tasked with jobs on the factory floor.
By the 1970s, with an iconic tagline created and marketed by Parks, the company grew into a multimillion dollar business with almost 300 employees. “More Park Sausages, Mom. More Parks sausages, please…,” could be heard from television and radio speakers, reminding Baltimoreans and beyond that this Black-owned enterprise was solid and thriving.
A city councilman with community intentions
From 1963-1971, Parks served on the Baltimore City Council where he committed his efforts on legislation that banned segregation laws. He also worked to improve both working and living conditions for Black people.
As a member of several corporate boards, including Magnavox, First Penn Corp., Warner Lambert Co. and W.R. Grace Co, Park had also been a trustee of Goucher College in Baltimore.
(Henry Green Parks, Jr. Image: Sept 1996)
Ranking on BE Top 100
By 1973, H. G. Parks, Inc.-its official corporate name at the time-made its debut on the first BE Top 100 roster at No. 8, grossing $13.8 million in revenues. A year after returning to Black ownership, the renamed Parks Sausage Co. was ranked No. 29 on the 1983 Top 100, producing $19 million in gross revenues.
(Black Enterprise Magazine, Sept. 1996)
A great moment in Black business
In 1977, Parks sold his sausage manufacturer to Norin Corp. for $5 million, more than double its value on the NASDAQ stock exchange, as reported in BLACK ENTERPRISE. He stayed on as board chairman until 1980 and relinquished all his holdings in the company in 1984.
The transaction, very lucrative for Parks, began the cycle of a bleak period for the company. It caused a halt in its company stock trading on the exchange, and according to a June 1981 BLACK ENTERPRISE article, Norin proved unfit to continue its 25-year run of record profitability. This was largely due to rising operating expenses and withdrawal of $2 million in accumulated cash.
After Parks Sausage declined under white ownership between 1977 and 1982, sales took a plunge. Business executive and civil rights leader Raymond V. Haysbert, Sr. and the management team of Parks Sausage Co executed the first leveraged buyout of a historically Black-owned company when Haysbert and his team bought the company for $4 million in 1981, returning it to the BE 100s.
“There was a certain amount of deterioration,” Parks told BE regarding control under what he called the “Norin Regime” during those years. “We had hoped it would have been a springboard to a bigger plateau to expand the company beyond what we could do. But it just didn’t pan out.”
By the mid-1980s, Parks Sausage was making about $30 million a year. Parks would see his company return to its former glory.
More than a decade later, late Franco Harris, a four-time Super Bowl champion, partnered with former Penn State teammate, and Baltimore Colt, Lydell Mitchell, to own Parks Sausage back in 1996. The Parks Sausage Plant is now the Dietz and Watson Plant in Northwest Baltimore.
‘Breaking Barriers’, a New Sculpture by Artist Ivan Toth Depeña, Commemorates the Life of Jack Trice, Iowa State University’s First African-American Athlete
Created by artist Ivan Toth Depeña (Depeña Studio), ‘Breaking Barriers’ contemplates the idea of strength, struggle and absence that coincide with Jack Trice’s legacy. The sculpture’s location at the entrance of Trice Stadium on Iowa State University’s campus, challenges sports fans and students by increasing the awareness of a significant, historical event imbued by actions surrounding racial injustice. On a monumental scale, the sculpture intends to invoke the spirit of perseverance, memory/reflection and subsequent contemplation regarding our current state of unrest surrounding the subject of inequality.
The central monument consists of a large- scale, white volume which has been fractured and broken through by the visage of Jack Trice. The interior, three-dimensional silhouette is large enough to encourage the viewer to pass through and experience the visual complexity that represents breaking the imposing barrier. Special attention has been paid to the material’s color, shape and texture to reference the underlying conceptual intent. On the outside of the sculpture, appear bronze cleat castings, shown in Trice’s defensive player stride fading away from the field and reflecting on his absence. In addition, there are two benches split by Trice’s symbolic wake. Made from the same material as the sculpture, the benches encourage contemplation on the past, present and the future surrounding Trice’s struggle and legacy.
The story of Jack Trice: The night before his first and, tragically, his last college football game, Jack Trice was separated from his teammates. Officials at the football team’s hotel did not allow Trice to eat with his teammates, resulting in isolation of Trice. Preparing for the game against Minnesota, Jack Trice wrote a letter, expressing his thoughts and concerns about the next day.
“The honor of my race, family and self are at stake. Everyone is expecting me to do big things. I will!” – Jack Trice, excerpt from the letter written the night before his fatal injury.
The words “I will,” have become tied to Jack Trice’s legacy. During the game, Jack Trice fractured his collarbone but continued playing. Later in the game, he fell and was trampled by several Minnesota players. Trice was treated at a local hospital and returned home to Ames. Two days later, he died from his injuries. Though it has never been confirmed, it is speculated that Jack Trice was targeted for his skin color.
Nigerians Vote For New President, Braving Long Delays in Hope of Bringing Change
Officials counted votes in Nigeria‘s elections on Saturday, with people hoping for a reset after years of worsening violence and hardship under outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, undeterred by delays at some polling stations.
The electoral commission said the official results could be expected from late on Sunday. By the evening, some polling stations were already counting ballots, while voting was still going on at others and had not taken place elsewhere.
Some voting was now expected to take place on Sunday.
Whoever wins will face a litany of crises. Africa’s most populous nation is struggling with Islamist insurgencies in the northeast, an epidemic of kidnappings for ransom, conflict between herders and farmers, shortages of cash, fuel and power, as well as deep-rooted corruption and poverty.
Reuters reporters at locations across the country saw some polling stations closing at the planned time of 2:30 p.m. (1330 GMT) while others had yet to open.
“I will wait here to cast my vote. If I don’t vote how will things change?” said 23-year-old Halima Sherif, whose polling station in the northern city of Kano had not started operating by closing time.
Some states were expected to announce results on Sunday and the final tally from all 36 states plus the federal capital Abuja was expected within five days of voting. The election is also for National Assembly seats.
There were scattered violent incidents on Saturday, though not on the scale seen in previous elections in the country of over 200 million people.
Buhari, a retired army general, is stepping down after serving the maximum eight years allowed by the constitution but failing to deliver on his pledge to bring back order and security across Nigeria, Africa’s top oil-producing country.
The contest to succeed him is wide open, with candidates from two parties that have alternated in power since the end of army rule in 1999 facing an unusually strong challenge from a minor party candidate popular among young voters.
Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cited technical problems with a new biometric anti-fraud voter accreditation system, the late arrival of vehicles to transport them and the absence of voter registers as causes of delays.
“It is frustrating that INEC are not prepared for us. All we want is just to vote,” said Sylvester Iwu, who was among a large crowd waiting at a polling station in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State in the southern oil-producing Niger Delta.
In a televised news briefing, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said six biometric machines had been stolen in northern Katsina State and two in southern Delta State. He also acknowledged the delays but said voters would be able to cast their ballots.
“The election will hold and no one will be disenfranchised,” he said.
Yakubu said at a later briefing that voting would take place on Sunday in several wards in Yenagoa that had experienced severe disruption on Saturday.
SCATTERED VIOLENCE
In northeast Borno State, the epicentre of Islamist insurgency, suspected fighters from the Boko Haram group fired mortar shells in the rural Gwoza area, killing one child, wounding four others and disrupting voting, army sources said.
In Abuja, a team from the anti-corruption Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was attacked by thugs just after arresting a man on suspicion of paying for a group of people’s votes using a banking app, the EFCC said.
In Lagos, a Reuters TV crew saw police arrest four men on suspicion of intimidating voters, while an election observer from a local civil society group said he had seen thugs armed with knives, chains and bottles smashing ballot boxes.
In most areas, however, the day appeared to have unfolded peacefully despite frustrations over the delays.
The main contenders to succeed Buhari are former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu, 70, of the ruling All Progressives Congress, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, 76, of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, 61, of the smaller Labour Party.
All three voted in their home states, surrounded by chaotic scrums of reporters and supporters.
“The electoral process cannot achieve 100% perfection,” Tinubu told reporters after voting. “People have to tolerate that. You’ve got to accept the results.”
Tinubu and Atiku, as he is known in Nigeria, are both political heavyweights with decades of networking behind them. Both Muslims, Tinubu is an ethnic Yoruba from the southwest and Atiku is a Fulani from the northeast.
Obi, a Christian from the Igbo ethnic group, has less of a political machine but has used a slick social media campaign to generate huge enthusiasm among young voters, with some even calling themselves the “Obidients”.
INEC says its new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) that identifies voters using biometric data would help avert fraud. Reuters reporters in some locations said officials were struggling to get the BVAS devices to work, while in others the system was functioning smoothly.
Despite INEC’s precautions, analysts have warned there are still risks that cash-strapped citizens could be vulnerable to vote-buying attempts by candidates.
(Additional reporting by Ahmed Kingimi and Lanre Ola in Maiduguri, Tife Owolabi in Yenagoa, Abraham Achirga in Kano, Garba Muhammad in Kaduna, Temilade Adelaja and Seun Sanni in Agulu, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Tim Cocks, Vining Ogu and James Oatway in Lagos, Camillus Eboh, Edwin Waita and Felix Onuah in Abuja, Anamasere Igboereteonwu in OnitshaWriting by Estelle ShirbonEditing by Frances Kerry and Andrew Heavens)
ASAP Rocky Joins Gucci for Its Next ‘Guilty Beauty’ Campaign
Pretty Boy A$AP Rocky has joined forces with Gucci for their next Guilty beauty campaign.
On Wednesday (Feb. 22), Gucci announced on Instagram that Pretty Flacko is the new face— alongside Elliot Page and Julia Garner.
“Grammy Award-nominated musician A$AP Rocky is one of the faces of the new Gucci Guilty campaign launching March 1. #GucciGuilty #GucciBeauty #ASAPRocky,” the brand captioned in a photo of Rocky posing for the campaign.
This will be Rocky’s second time representing “Gucci Guilty.” In 2020, the “Fashion Killa”and Gucci launched the “Life of a Rock Star” campaign alongside Tyler, the Creator and Iggy Pop.
Also, Rocky launched of his own whisky brand Mercer + Prince last year. Teaming with Global Brand Equities and E. & J. Gallo, the spirit is inspired by intersection in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.
“You don’t even need anything to drink it with—you can just drink it neat,” says Rocky to Vogue. “I don’t know too many liquids that you could just take straight out the bottle. That was the point—it’s like instant gratification.”
“What I love about New York is being able to just walk around the streets and soak up inspiration like a sponge,” Rocky added. “When you think of that cross street at Mercer and Prince, you see so many different cultures and types of people walking around. It’s diverse, and that same template went into making this whiskey.”
Also, Rocky recently joined forces with Mercedes-Benz for a capsule collection, which is inspired by ‘90s style and culture.
“Mercedes-Benz has been exploring culture-led industries for decades, driven by our forward-thinking spirit and, spearheaded by authentic co-operations with partners, allowing us to speak credibly to progressive target groups.” says Bettina Fetzer, Vice President Communications and Marketing Mercedes-Benz AG.
