Louisiana Police Officer Charged With Negligent Homicide After Shooting Unarmed Black Man
A Shreveport, Louisiana, police officer was charged with negligent homicide for the fatal shooting of an unarmed Black man.
According toNBC News, Alexander Tyler’s bodycam footage showed Alonzo Bagley with his hands up as Tyler fired shots after the officer responded to a domestic disturbance call. Bagley’s wife informed emergency operators that he was “loaded on something” and threatened her and her daughter.
Bodycam footage revealed Tyler firing one shot before walking over to Bagley with his gun in hand. In the video, Tyler places Bagley on his back as he begins first aid and calls for EMS.
Tyler can be heard saying, “Come on, dude,” and “Stay with me,” as his partner performs CPR until EMS arrives.
“That’s just from not understanding…why did a domestic call turn deadly?” Bagley’s brother, Xavier Sudds, said to CNN. “I think at this point, the only thing I’m wondering is just, you know, the procedure, the procedure. Why did it happen like it happened?”
Tyler is being held at the Caddo Correctional Center, and will be placed on administrative leave,NBC News reported.
Five Memphis Police officers were fired and were charged last month with second-degree murder, kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression in connection with the deadly January 7 assault on Tyre Nichols.
Nichols’ family and their attorneys sent a letter to the United Nations demanding change in MPD and law enforcement agencies nationwide.
“Today, we filed an Urgent Appeal before the United Nations asking it to condemn the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols, to demand transparency from the police department, and to demand that Officer Preston Hemphill and all officers that participated in the incident are criminally charged. The video evidence shows that all who were involved in Tyre’s death committed reprehensible acts that require international condemnation.”
See Where Black History Lives: The HistoryMakers Featured On Upcoming 60 Minutes Episode
Ever wonder where some of Black history actually lives?
The HistoryMakers will be featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes Sunday, highlighting the importance of preserving Black History. CBS News reports the nonprofit educational institution is an expansive digital archive that features a “who’s who of Black Americans.”
So far, the archive holds 3,500 interviews, which can be found in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. With Black history being attacked and erased, highlighting this collection comes at a pivotal times.
In the segment, 60 Minutes reporter Bill Whitaker interviews NFL legend Jerry Rice on how his family’s backstory is included in The HistoryMakers.
“It’s almost like just going into the Football Hall of Fame,” Rice said. “This is big for me.”
The retired 49ers wide receiver will be in good company.
Of the numerous testimonies, according to the website, there are some that viewers would be lucky to lay their eyes on. Like mathematician Katherine Johnson’s historic calculation of John Glenn’s orbit or activist Angela Davis’ false accusation, capture, imprisonment, and acquittal. Some interviews may not be as popular but still have massive resonance such as Alonzo Pettie, who was the oldest living Black cowboy at the time of the interview.
Some of the interviewees, like Fortune 500 CEO Ursula Burns, have praised HistoryMakers founder Julieanna L. Richardson for her efforts.
“I would like to commend Julieanna Richardson for creating The HistoryMakers,” Burns said, via the website. “The archives are a more inclusive chronicle of American history. Thank you for offering it to the world.”
Other interviews will amaze history lovers such as talks with veteran actor James Earl Jones, comedian and activist Dick Gregory, and author Alice Walker (The Color Purple). Former President Barack Obama was highlighted when he was still an Illinois state senator.
The 60 Minutes segment premieres Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Damon Dash Wins Verdict, Found Not Liable in Sexual Battery Lawsuit
A jury ruled in Damon Dash’sfavor over accusations that the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder sexually assaulted a photographer at his home.
The four-day trial ended on Wednesday with a jury finding Dash not liable for the sexual battery he was accused of, Billboardreports.
Monique Bunn lost the lawsuit she filed against Dash in 2019 accusing the hip-hop mogul of inappropriately touching her while she slept at his house during a video project.
Bunn added defamation to the lawsuit after Dash called her out on social media and accused her of charging thousands to his credit card without permission. Dash testified at the trial and called Bunn’s allegations “ridiculous” and labeled her a “con artist.”
Last week, Bunn testified and recalled her claims of waking up inside Dash’s daughters’ room to “something on the left side of my like lower back onto my butt, down my thigh,” Law360reports. Bunn also claimed that Dash’s social media post and radio interview which mentioned her, ended her career.
“I lost everything, I have nothing,” she said.
While Bunn lost on the sexual assault claims, jurors did find Dash liable for defamation and awarded Bunn just $30,000 in damages on that claim. The $30,000 is far below the tens of millions the photographer was seeking from the lawsuit.
Bunn accused Dash of stealing 100,000 photos she took of hip-hop artists. She was seeking $50 million for the sexual assault claim as well as $1,500 per stolen photo, for a whopping total of $200 million in damages, as noted by The Jasmine Brand.
In addition to the assault and defamation, Bunn also claimed Dash refused to return a large number of photos he allegedly took from her. While the judge ruled that Dash was liable for that claim, Bunn received no financial reward for the stolen photos.
Following the verdict, Bunn said she was “thankful to the jury for the result on my defamation claim” and that she was “pleased I can move forward” after four years of litigation.
Rumor Has It: Erykah Badu Addresses ‘Urban Myth’ of How People Instantly Fall In Love With Her
Singer Erykah Badu finally set the record straight on her (in)ability to put a spell on partners in the bedroom.
Appearing as a guest on the Tamron Hall Show, Badu addressed the “urban myth” of men not being able to look at her without falling in love. Badu has been accused of pulling people close to her with her bedroom experience and had no problem denying it.
“My powers? I think it’s indescribable, and the bedroom, that’s not where you’re going to find it,” Badu confesses. “Because my magic doesn’t lie between my thighs, it lies between my ears.”
She suggests that her “powers” aren’t just for men—all God’s creations are subject to it. “Women too. And children and animals,” Badu joked. “Any living breathing thing.”
During an episode of Vogue’s Objects of My Affection, she gave fans an exclusive tour of her Dallas based studio, which she calls “Badudio.”
“The whole house is an alter paying homage to creativity and blessings and gifts,” Badu says in the video, before taking the camera crew to the bedroom, showing off her bed and sauna room. The sauna hosts infrared lights, which she says is great for cell healing.
“My self-care regimen is very important to me and I really enjoy bathing and sweating,” the Texas native explained. “If you see this light on, that means don’t bother me. I’m meditation and that keeps me off your a**.”
Two years ago, in an interview with Rolling Stone, Badu described how her partners fall into her love spell. “The men that I fall in love with, and fall in love with me, change jobs and lives,” Badu told RS. Her mojo inspired an incense line made out of her “scent” called “Badu’s P****.” “I took lots of pairs of my panties, cut them up into little pieces and burned them.”
E-Scooter Company Lime Mistakenly Partners With White-Owned Business For Black History Month
One business learned the importance of doing research before committing to a partnership.
BXTimes.com reported that e-scooter company Lime put out a initiative to partner with a Black-owned business for Black History Month. With a discount code, the plan offered riders the chance to “drive more traffic to Black-owned, sustainable small businesses.”
Customers would receive 25% off their next ride if they ended their ride within 100 metersof Black-owned businesses across the country.
Lime ended up partnering with Way Cafe in the Bronx, New York. There’s a small problem: cafe owner Andy Weaver is not Black. He told BXTimes.com that Lime approached him to fill out a form for the program but Lime never asked if the business was Black-owned.
“I figured they are going to throw our form in the trash can,” Weaver said.
Somehow, Way was the recipient of the partnership although Lime asked for a picture of the owner and Weaver obliged.
Lime was asked how this could have happened since the owners aren’t Black. Company spokesperson Jacob Tugendrajchresponded to BXTimes.com that “a business signed up for this opportunity erroneously, which we fixed as soon as we were alerted to the issue.” He added that the e-scooter brand “will continue to promote Black-owned businesses and look for ways to support the Bronx.”
Uh, OK.
Though the Castle Hill-based cafe isn’t Black-owned, customers, like Amanda Farías, attest to the fact that restaurant has a diverse client base. “I frequent there myself,” Farías said. “And so they are in a Black and Latinx community where they’re serving our families every day. They’re in the community with us.”
The city council member admitted the incident was an “unfortunate mistake,” however, she’s in support of promoting local businesses.
Way Cafe opened in 2020 looking to be a positive presence in the Bronx community. According to the business website, Way “reflects the love and servant-hood of our King[,] Jesus,” hoping that all people feel loved and welcomed.”
‘She Looks Out Of It’: Fans Express Concern Over Wendy Williams’ Appearance at NYFW
Wendy Williams stepped out in a pink fur and baseball cap to enjoy New York Fashion Week. But her latest public appearance has fans wondering if the former talk show queen is doing all right.
Williams was spotted at Daniels Leather’s fashion show on Wednesday, where her security helped escort her into the building. After the event, designer Nadeem Waheedtook to Instagram to thank Wendy for coming to his show.
“Want to thank @therealwendywilliamsonline for attending our fashion show [folded hands emoji] She made a star studded affair even more Epic!!!” he wrote.
The post received mixed reactions from fans, who expressed concern for Williams and others who thought the former daytime talk show host looked just fine.
“Thank God Wendy is starting to look way better. God bless her,” one fan wrote.
“I’m praying she heals from whatever she’s going through, I hate seeing her like this.💔💔💔,” added another.“
“I think she looks wonderful 👏👏👏👏,” added someone else.
But after The Neighborhood Talkshared another video clip of Wendy’s entrance, some asked if something was wrong with the famed radio host-turned-TV personality.
“She looks out of it.. I miss her hope she’s doing better,” one commenter observed.
But many were just happy to see Wendy outside amid reports surrounding her health.
“I’m glad she’s out and about. I wish her health and wellness,” one fan wrote.
Wendy’s latest appearance comes amid reports from Radar Online claiming the former talk host has been “abandoned” by her friends due to her “unhinged behavior” and has only been around paid staff that is working to keep her sober.
Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. Serves up Juicy Returns with help from Amazon
Following a hearty reception from family and friends of their marinated burgers at a BBQ in 2010, which led to a sizzling national business, a husband-and-wife team’s future growth plans include launching a line of new seasonings, burger sauce condiments, and barbecue sauces. Another goal: Become a top global Amazon seller in their product category.
Meet Chevalo and Monique Wilsondebriano, founders of Charleston Gourmet Burger Co. The couple says their two signature products, Gourmet Burger Marinade and Gourmet Burger Sauce, transform an “ordinary burger into an extraordinary experience.” Their products can also be applied to other food like chicken, turkey, pork, and vegetables.
Develop a recipe for success
The Wilsondebrianos discovered their recipe for business success after the couple’s first date at McDonald’s. Devout hamburger lovers, the two listed what they liked and disliked about the burgers served at an array of restaurants nationwide. After relocating from New York City to Charleston, South Carolina, they created a concoction of natural herbs and spices to add more flavor to their homemade burgers. By engaging in this process, Charleston Gourmet Burger started ”cooking” in 2012.
The entrepreneurial couple’s breakthrough came when they sold grilled hamburgers with their special marinade at local farmers’ markets. Their venture became a hit as the company received reviews from magazines and food editors, which helped them generate $32,000 to finance their condiment bottles.
“Our burger products landed on the shelves of big box retailers and also attracted a television producer, and we were cast on a Food Network Show,” Chevalo says.
The couple sought to replace dry, tasteless homemade burgers in the roughly $30 billion sauces and condiments industry. Monique says Charleston Burgers offers a healthy product without compromising flavor, and her company leverages social media and targeted ads on Facebook to boost the brand’s exposure and health attributes.
To help empower Black chefs, caterers, and others, Chevalo and Monique also launched Recipe For Retail in 2021. The online training program enables anyone—from amateur cooks to professional chefs—to bring their culinary creations to life as packaged products for grocery store shelves.
Finding the right ingredients for growth
Applying the right ingredients to launch their business was no easy feat. Chevalo says they first had to overcome the considerable challenge of learning the fundamentals and processes of operating a food business by consulting industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs who launched retail products in grocery stores.
The Wilsondebrianos effectively promoted their products across the country through a geo-targeting strategy using Facebook ads to support sales. They also pivoted to alternative high-volume manufacturers to keep up with retailer demand.
The couple financed operations by re-investing all profits back into the business. With their product lines mainly sold in Amazon’s store and several other locations, Charleston Gourmet Burger generated revenues in the seven-figure range before the pandemic struck in 2020. Since then, they’ve had to manage supply chain issues and now work closely with Amazon to boost sales.
Moreover, the duo plans to relaunch its frozen, microwaveable burger line this year after shutting down production before the pandemic. “We’re excited about it because it was a popular product among our customers and a top revenue builder for our company,” Monique says. With that move, the Wilsondebrianos project 2023 revenue of about $2 million.
Their distinct backgrounds helped the pair deftly operate the business. A 9/11 World Trade Center survivor, Chevalo served as a medic first responder for the New York Fire Department, while Monique worked as a manager for retail giants Lowe’s Home Improvement and Target Corp. Their experiences helped them learn how to prepare and face any situation—imaginable and unimaginable. Growing up watching her grandmother run a successful hair business across four decades, Monique also gained additional insight into the rigors and unpredictability of entrepreneurship.
Gaining the competitive edge with Amazon
The couple has boosted revenue and customers through participation in Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator (BBA), a $150 million commitment over four years to help build sustainable diversity and provide growth opportunities for Black-owned businesses. Monique says the company first connected with Amazon in 2017 and became an active seller after joining the BBA in 2022. Chevalo says the BBA helped the business grow by delivering the knowledge and tools to build its Amazon store, optimize its listings, and become a featured vendor.
Amazon has helped Charleston Gourmet Burger serve up revenues by providing consumers with a recognizable, trusted, and reliable way to order its products, Chevalo says. He explained that Amazon helps boost the business’ exposure by showcasing it on a credible and visible online retailer that everyone knows and can rely on. In addition, Charleston Gourmet Burger was featured as one of Ayesha Curry’s favorite Black-owned businesses in the Amazon store during Black History Month 2023.
Monique says Amazon provides a competitive edge, and they “hope to become the No. 1 product for hamburgers in Amazon’s store.”
Looking ahead, Chevalo wants to see the Charleston Gourmet Burger hit revenue of $5 million to $10 million in the next five years. “We plan to strategically reach that goal by increasing brand awareness across all social platforms and steering customers to Amazon for the sale.”
‘So This Is Love’: Lupita Nyong’o Shares Video of Her Boyfriend Taking Down Her Hair
Lupita Nyong’o got herself a keeper! The Black Panther star shared an adorable video showing her beau Selema Masekela taking down her hair.
“Get you a man that helps you with the breakdown after the take-down!” she captioned the post. “#HairLove #ActsOfService #blacklove.”
Nyong’o opted for the classic love ballad “So This Is Love” by Ilene & Mike Douglas to serve as the video’s music bed.
“The focus. The determination. The awareness,” Nyong’o wrote over the video while describing Masekela’s focus on undoing her eccentric hairstyle. “The LOVE!!!”
At one point, Masekela jokingly tells Nyong’o he’s “suing” if “this video ever sees the light of day,” to which she responds with a laugh. The Us star made sure to tag her boyfriend in the video.
The added attention might be new for Masekela. Nyong’o recently made their romance Instagram official over the Christmas holiday with the “Wakanda Forever” star posting a reel showing how well she and her boyfriend “click.”
Masekela reposted the video and pinned it to his page.
“Hearts are synched. My whole and actual love @lupitanyongo. ❤️❤️❤️” he wrote.
Nyong’o’s new love is a child prodigy of sorts. Masekela is the son of legendary South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela, one of the most prominent musicians to leave South Africa during apartheid, Peoplereports.
Masekela currently works as a correspondent for ESPN’s X Games and has IMDB credits on shows like Ballbreakers on the Game Show Network, The Daily 10 on E!, Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tours, and corresponding for the summer Olympics on NBC.
Fans have been applauding Nyong’o’s budding romance with Masekela on social media.
“I’m rooting for everybody in black love!” one fan wrote under their “hair love” video.
“If you posting him this must be something sis!! Happy for you ❤️,” added someone else.
First Black Admissions Counselor at the University of Mississippi Donates Collection of Papers
Dottie “Quaye” Chapman Reed, the first Black admissions counselor at the University of Mississippi, has her collection of papers featured as part of the UM Libraries’ Department of Archives and Special Collections.
According to University of Mississippi News, the papers will display throughout early March as the university celebrates 60 years of integration.
“When I was in school, I kept a lot of clippings while at the university between 1970 and 1977. Whenever there was somebody Black in the Daily Mississippian, I kept the article–for example, if it was about the Black athletes, Blacks running for homecoming queen, or others such as my roommate, Dorothy Balfour, who was one of the women who started the first Black sorority,” Reed said.
Reed’s collection includes copies of a newspaper published by their BSU advisor at the time, Reverend Wayne Johnson, and a copy of The Spectator, a publication produced by Black journalism students. Reed’s collection also includes her trailblazer award, which was presented to her by students when she departed Ole Miss.
“I decided to give my papers and memoirs to the library primarily for the education of the current students, for the generations to come and for my grandchildren,” Reed said. “I have always felt the university needed to more intimately connected with the greater Black communities across the state, especially like the one that I came from only 18 miles away.
Reed served at Ole Miss from 1974 to 1977, and the student award was not the only honor she has received. She was was the first recipient of the Jeanette Jennings Trailblazer Award, a recognition named in honor of the university’s first Black faculty member. She is the author of Outstanding Black Women of Yalobusha County, which highlights North Mississippi’s historic community members.
Reed recently discussed her work at the Two Museums in Jackson and will join panelists at the Mississippi Historical Society‘s annual meeting on March 2.
But Rih Rih had to clap back after a few of her followers expressed their distaste for the pop star calling her son “fine.”
“Who calls their son fine?” one critic asked.
“his mother!!!” Rihanna fired back.
After another fan suggested Rihanna’s baby was “more like cute [and] adorable” since he’s not a “grown man,” the new mom wrote, “you just keep your lil cougar paws away from him and we good!”
In a separate post showing a close-up photo of her and A$AP Rocky’s son, Rihanna referred to him as the “perfect baby.”
Rihanna sent fans into a frenzy on Sunday night when she performed her Super Bowl halftime set with a noticeable baby bump. Shortly after the performance aired, reps for the billionaire superstar confirmed her second pregnancy with A$AP Rocky.
Now with another baby on the way, Rihanna’s focus is solely on motherhood and family.
“The main focus right now is on her family. She loves spending time with her son,” a source toldPeople.
