Barbados Announces Celebration of HBCU Culture With Inaugural FABA Festival During Juneteenth Weekend
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 7, 2023

Barbados Announces Celebration of HBCU Culture With Inaugural FABA Festival During Juneteenth Weekend

All roads lead to the beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados this Juneteenth weekend as they host and introduce the FABA Festival, a celebration of HBCU culture that’s “For Alumni, By Alumni.”

The FABA Festival – For Alumni, By Alumni – will debut on the island June 15–18. Alums and allies of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will be able to come together for a first-of-its-kind destination festival and celebration of HBCU excellence.

Hosting the HBCU-themed festival in Barbados during Juneteenth weekend was an intentional call by FABA Fest founder LaChanda Ricks. After years of traveling the world as part of her Travel Takeover Club, the Howard University alum decided to create a festival in a country with rich African diasporic culture and strong links to African American history.

“A lot went into placing the festival during Juneteenth weekend,” Ricks told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Now with the new federal holiday, it made sense.”

“It’s a celebration of freedom, and that can happen anywhere,” she continued. “We can celebrate our freedom to be anywhere in the world.”

South Carolina houses eight HBCUs, a state whose capital city of Charleston was founded by Barbadians in 1670. The sister city of Speightstown in Barbados continues the link between the U.S. mainland and the Caribbean island since the 17th century.

With the FABA Festival coming to Barbados on Juneteenth weekend, the island nation will strengthen its bond with Black Americans in the United States. A portion of the proceeds will fund HBCU student scholarships, helping further access to education for Black students.

“Excellence in service,” Ricks said. “When we visit a destination, we don’t just visit, we serve.”

LaChanda Ricks and media at FABA Fest Launch at the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, Barbados

FABA’s itinerary includes a Battle of The Boats and golf tournament that will raise scholarship funds for current HBCU students, a pre-fest Alumni Engagement Leadership Summit, a College Fair, as well as inspirational talks and panels as part of a community service initiative.

From beach parties to tailgating, the festival will feature an all-star lineup of HBCU alumni DJs and special guests hosting events throughout the day and night. The FABA Fest experience will also highlight Bajan culture at every turn, including an island-style tailgate, sunrise party, and a closing polo match.

Attendees will enjoy Barbados‘ pristine beaches, the island nation’s unique culinary offerings, and its most popular product, rum! Travelers will be immersed in Barbados’ fun and friendly culture while tapping into the powerful history Americans share with the country.

Presale tickets for the inaugural FABA Fest will be opening soon. Festivalgoers can SIGN UP for announcements.

by Stacy Jackson

February 7, 2023

Study: Women of Color Set Lower Salary Preferences than White Men and Women, Men of Color

Women, specifically those of color, are still in the ring fighting for equal pay.

Tech job search platform Otta recently released new data that found women of color set lower minimum salary requirements compared to white men, white women, and men of color.

According to Forbes, data collected from 10,000 users of the job search engine in December 2022 found that women of color set minimum salaries 40% lower than white men.

The data presented a dip from data in December 2021 that reported women of color setting requested salaries 26% below the salary requirements set by white men.

“The gap increased dramatically in the last 12 months,”  Otta’s cofounder and CEO Sam Franklin said.

“The market conditions are changing in opposite directions, making it harder for people to know what pay is fair. Inflation is putting upward pressure on salaries, but tech layoffs are putting downward pressure on salaries. Many people look to their network and peer groups to ask what’s fair, but that information is becoming outdated. I expect this amplifies biases,” Franklin added.

Diversity expert and psychology professor at California State University, Negin Toosi, described the data as “”disheartening.”

“This is really about who has status in this society, whose work is valued more, and who gets to ask for a larger salary without having to deal with backlash. It’s not about something inherent to women or people of color, but how they are treated,” Toosi said.

“I believe that for the most part, people tend to use numbers that reflect the previous experiences they’ve had in negotiations when they’ve asked for a fair amount. If they’ve been penalized and told they were greedy, getting above themselves, too assertive, etc., they revise downward. If they’ve been paid fairly by an organization that practices transparency, they tend to value their skills more,” she added.

Research has shown that women of color fear receiving backlash, causing them to steer clear of assertive negotiating.

“Black women are allowed to be assertive in the ‘sassy’ sense, but as soon as they are assertive in the promotion and career advancement sense, other people try to push them down,” Toosi said.

Attack On Producer, UK, Fugitive of the law
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 7, 2023

Chris Brown Criticized For ‘Narcissistic’ Apology to Robert Glasper

Chris Brown attempted damage control after shading Robert Glasper for beating him at the Grammys. But his apology appeared to only make things worse.

Brown became the topic of conversation on Sunday after he took to his Instagram Story to issue out a series of posts mocking Glasper’s win for Best R&B Album at the 65th Grammy Awards.

“Who the fu*k is Robert Glasper?!” Brown captioned one of his posts.

But after social media read the “Go Crazy” singer for filth, he returned to Instagram on Monday to reveal the apology he sent to Glasper in a private DM.

“Congratulations my brother .. “Brown said at the start of his lengthy apoloy.

“I would like to apologize if you took offense to my reaction at the Grammys .. you were not the intended target and I know I came off really rude and mean.”

Brown went on to note the “research” he had to do before realizing the respected musician he disrespected in his fit of rage. He also decided to direct his anger at the Grammys instead of Glasper, like he did in his original rant.

“After doing my research I actually think your amazing,” Brown continued. “THE ORGANIZATION ISNT DOING US BLACKS OUR DUE DILIGENCE. YOU AND I SHOULD never be in the same categor[y],” continued Brown.

In conclusion, Brown insinuated that he and Glasper are in two different “genres” of R&B and shouldn’t have been competing against each other.

“Two totally different vibes and genres,” he quipped. “So from one black man to another.. CONGRATULATIONS.. HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO FEED YOUR FAMILY FOR LIFE. God bless my G.”

But after issuing the apology, social media only bashed Breezy even more for the backhanded compliments toward Glasper.

“this is how a narcissist apologizes 101,” one user wrote.

“Didn’t take responsibility for the way he impulsively responded fr, attempted to trauma bond and then blamed his hate on someone else lol.. but play on playa. His fan base will love him regardless.”

“You were not the intended target” says the guy who posted images of the person in question. Genius stuff, here,” added someone else.

One onlooker asked where Chris Brown’s PR team is to handle issues of this type.

“They left,” one person sarcastically replied.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 7, 2023

Breaking Out: Raedio Teams up with Honda to Elevate New Artists

Raedio, an audio everywhere company, and Honda announced a new collaboration today to help discover and empower aspiring music artists on-the-rise to take their careers to new heights.

“Breaking Out: An Artist & Discovery Platform” is a music competition series being launched by Raedio and Honda to help inspire the next generation of independent artists as they pursue their dreams while expanding Honda’s music programming to connect with a young and diverse audience. The series launches today with its first endeavor, “Honda Hot16,” a unique freestyle music competition where Raedio and Honda search for the next “breakout artist.” Additional Raedio and Honda activations will be announced in the coming months.

“Partnering with Honda to discover new talent will redefine how audiences engage with artists and music experiences,” said Raedio SVP of Strategy Clarissa Reformina.

“This collaboration is aligned with Raedio’s mission to serve creators first with new platforms and produce culturally relevant music, digital content and podcasts.”

“Honda’s collaboration with Raedio advances our commitment to helping artists on the rise by providing them with a platform to pursue their dreams. This latest Honda music initiative also enables us to build new relationships with young, multicultural customers and introduce them to fun-to-drive Honda vehicles,” added Phil Hruska, Senior Manager of Honda Marketing.

Raedio and Honda’s Hot16 Program Details:

  • Now open for entry, artists can text “HONDA HOT 16” to 310-356-9895 to learn how to upload their freestyle or visit https://theraedio.com/raedioxhonda/.
  • The 16-bar verse competition is based on select beats handpicked by Raedio and Honda, from songs about pursuing your dreams and the uplifting power of music.
  • The finalist of Honda Hot 16 will receive the opportunity to perform alongside a headline artist at the world-famous Roxy in Los Angeles, CA, this spring.

Raedio, the growing record label, has launched similar initiatives to spotlight aspiring artists and composers, including the Emerging Artists Program with Google; CampRaedio session with Instagram; and hosting “Friends & Family” events with Grey Goose, Pizza Hut, Levi’s and Babe Wine.

Honda has a deep connection and long-standing commitment to music. For 21 years, the Civic Tour has provided more than five million fans with exclusive interactive concert experiences and behind-the-scenes access to unforgettable live music performances. In addition to the Civic Tour, the brand invests in its broader Honda music initiative through premier music festival partnerships, including Austin City Limits, and offers online music programming, performances, exclusive digital content, artist interviews and more to fans. To bring its music content to life, Honda works hand in hand with entertainment leaders including Billboard, Universal Music Group, 88rising, TikTok and Vevo.

abortion ban
by Sharelle B. McNair

February 7, 2023

Supreme Court Overturning of Roe v. Wade Questioned By Federal Judge

A federal judge may have found a loophole in order to give back a women’s rights to abortion.

CNBC reported that a court order handed down by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington district court during the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization court case, raised a point that the right to abortion may be protected under the Constitution’s 13th Amendment, the same amendment that abolished slavery.

The judge told prosecutors and defense lawyers that files should be briefed no later than next month on whether the Supreme Court’s ruling addresses only the issue of whether abortion is not protected by the 14th Amendment, and if any other provision in the Constitution may “confer a right to abortion.”

“It is entirely possible that the Court might have held in Dobbs that some other provision of the Constitution provided a right to access reproductive services had that issue been raised,” Kollar-Kotelly wrote, according to Politico. “However, it was not raised.”

Her order could be crucial in changes to the federal legal challenges on the grounds of the 13th Amendment to state laws that have restricted access to abortion in certain states.

The controversial right to an abortion was mandated back in 1973 during the landmark Supreme Court hearing of Roe vs. Wade. It was overturned 50 years later in June 2022. According to CNBC, the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution protects several rights, including citizenship rights and a prohibition against the government depriving “any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization regards 10 defendants who allegedly blocked access to an abortion clinic in Washington, D.C. Politico reported that one of the defendants, Lauren Handy, testified that the charge no longer mattered since the Dobbs decision took Congress out of the business of making laws related to abortion access.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 7, 2023

Actor Orlando Brown To Take Mental Evaluation to Determine if He’s Fit for Upcoming Trial

A former child star is scheduled to have a mental evaluation to see if he is fit to stand trial.

According to TMZ, former Family Matters actor Orlando Brown was arrested in December in Ohio after police officers were called to intervene in a fight between Brown and another man. Brown was charged with aggravated menacing, a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio.

He originally pled not guilty but will take the mental evaluation exam based on a request from Brown’s attorney. Depending on the results, there is a possibility the That’s So Raven co-star could change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity.

Brown was released from custody last week after a $25,000 bond was posted for him. He is currently on house arrest.

BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported that, according to an arrest report, a relative of Brown said he was acting “crazy” and “came at him with a hammer and knife in a threatening manner.” The family member also said that the actor had been staying at his residence with him for about two weeks.

He said Brown (Major Payne) was homeless and family members “did not want him to go to a homeless shelter.” Brown was arrested in the past for domestic battery, resisting arrest, and drug possession.

People revealed that in his appearance on Dr. Phil in 2018, Brown, then 30, discussed his battle with substance abuse including drinking, and drugs with the longtime talk show host. He even used and sold crystal meth at one point.

“I was drinking a lot,” Brown said in the episode. “I just found myself in a dark place because I couldn’t really find everybody. It’s kinda like looking for your keys, when you stop looking, they’re right there type of deal. I started to realize what was in front of me. From there, now I’m good.”

Tyre Nichols’ Parents, Parents of Police Brutality Victims, To Be Guests At SOTU Address
by Sharelle B. McNair

February 7, 2023

Tyre Nichols’ Parents, Parents of Police Brutality Victims, To Be Guests At SOTU Address

The guest list for tonight’s State of the Union will turn the heads of the Biden administration’s opponents.

ABC News reports President Joe Biden will address the growing topic of police reform while Tyre Nichols’ parents ware present. RowVaughn and Rodney Wells made an emotional plea during their son’s funeral last week for Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

“We need to get that bill passed, because if we don’t, that blood, that next child that dies — that blood is going to be on their hands,” she said, according to ABC News.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been openly supportive of the Nichols family. Harris attended Tyre Nichols’ funeral last week and even delivered remarks.

“When we talk about public safety, let us understand what it means in its truest form,” Harris said as reported by ABC News. “Tyre Nichols should have been safe.” Biden tweeted his full statement: “There are no words to describe the heartbreak and grief of losing a beloved child and young father.”

Nichols’ parents are not the only parents attending the State of the Union who are experiencing grief.

White House correspondent April Ryan tweeted a picture with several names of Black Caucus members who will be joined by family members impacted by police force. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) will be joined by Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, killed in 2014; Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) is bringing Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, killed in 2020; Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri) will be joined by Michael Brown, Sr., father of Michael Brown, Jr., also killed in 2014.

Outside of police reform, CNN reported that Biden will address support of Ukraine, infrastructure, combating extremism, and political violence. His other guests include Paul Pelosi, husband of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, U2 singer Bono, Monterey Park shooting hero Brandon Tsay, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova, and a Holocaust survivor.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 7, 2023

Judge Denies Kevin Hunter’s Request For Wendy Williams to Resume Alimony Payments

With all of the grief, sickness, and bad times that have crossed Wendy Williams’ path in the past several years, she recently received some good news.

A judge has denied Williams’ former husband Kevin Hunter request that the former talk show host resume alimony payments that stopped due to recent troubles. This is according to The U.S. Sun, which obtained court documents pertaining to the court case and the judgment.

The judge said Hunter’s demand for alimony to be started again was “not emergent” and ordered his “application to be dismissed without prejudice.” That included Hunter’s request that his attorney fees be paid by his former wife.

The judge gave Hunter the option to take his case to mediation.

Last year, Hunter filed court papers asking that the court direct Williams to make the alimony payments as “contractually required” under the marital settlement agreement and severance agreement. He said that due to not receiving the money from Williams, he was facing foreclosure.

He claimed that he has not received an alimony payment from Williams since February of last year.

Williams’ attorney said Hunter is not entitled to alimony payments because her talk show was canceled, based on the former couple’s divorce agreement.

The erstwhile talk show queen was placed under financial guardianship last year after her bank froze her account as it suspected she was suffering from “financial exploitation, dementia, or undue influence.”

“If, for any reason, Plaintiffs contract with Talk WW is not renewed and/or is otherwise suspended, canceled or terminated and Plaintiff does not have any other television show being aired and paying her an equivalent salary, Defendant understands and agrees that all Severance Payment shall be subject to either termination or modification,” Williams’ attorney wrote in the response.

The attorney told the court that Williams has had no income since October 2021, and she does not have another show pending or “an equivalent salary.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 7, 2023

Shannon Sharpe Chastises Ja Morant for Recent Behavior Involving Friends: ‘Nobody Looks at you, Ja’ Thinking you a Thug, ‘Stop pretending!’

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that the NBA was investigating a report by the Indiana Pacers that friends of Memphis Grizzlies star player Ja Morant made a threatening gesture towards members of the Pacers’ traveling party after the teams’ January 29 game.

The Grizzlies suspended one of Morant’s friends due to the reported incident. Morant was confronted about it and told reporters, “All that stuff pretty much false. It’s been proven. That’s all I got to say on it.”

Shannon Sharpe, though, had plenty to say.

On a recent episode of Undisputed, the Fox Sports commentator, who just had words with Morant’s father at a recent Grizzles-Lakers game, discussed what was reported regarding the Pacers’ accusation. He did not hold back.

“I wish Ja would realize he’s not a thug. Ja is a really good basketball player. Ja did everything he could to lift himself and his family out of this environment and to get away from this. And for some reason, he wants to surround himself with these types of people. Why? Bruh, you not hard. That’s not your life. People that (are) in that life would give anything to be in your life.”

He added:

“You got a $200 million contract and you want people in the NBA to think you hood, to think you gangsta because you roll with these type of people. Bruh, you’re putting yourself in harm’s way when you don’t have to. Nobody looks at you, Ja, and thinks man that’s a thug, he’s hood, he’s down, he’s about that. You not. Stop pretending!”

Tony Hawk To Donate Autograph Proceeds To Tyre Nichols’ Memorial Fund and Skateboard Park In His Honor
by Sharelle B. McNair

February 7, 2023

Tony Hawk To Donate Autograph Proceeds To Tyre Nichols’ Memorial Fund and Skateboard Park In His Honor

Tyre Nichols was a huge part of the skateboarding community, and now a legend in the game is doing his part to continue Tyre’s legacy.

Tony Hawk announced via Twitter that he would donate proceeds from autographed photos of himself and BMX rider Rick Thorne to Tyre Nichols’ memorial fund. The legendary skateboarder and BMX rider are making 1,000 photos available on Thorne’s website for $30.

CBS News reports donations will go to more than just the memorial fund. Proceeds will help the Nichols family out and build a memorial skate park in Nichols’ name to honor his love for skateboarding. The 29-year-old was a skateboarder, FedEx worker, and father to a 4-year-old boy.

Several donations have been made since the news of Nichols’ tragic death made national news. Days after the Memphis Police Department released footage of Nichols’ beating, Black Enterprise reported that a GoFundMe account set up to assist Nichols’ parents had surpassed $1 million after being active for a little over 48 hours. To date, the fund has received 36,000 donations, reaching over $1.4 million, with a goal of $1.6 million.

Set up by Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, the grieving mother uses the platform to give supporters insight into Tyre’s story, claiming Tyre has never had a run-in with the law. She also mentions Tyre’s love for “skating and sunsets.”

Nichols’ died in Memphis on Jan. 10 at a local hospital after receiving a brutal beating from five Memphis PD officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith, who are all Black. According to Black Enterprise, the victim was pulled over for reckless driving on Jan. 7 and arrested after two confrontations with the officers. All five officers have been charged with second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, official misconduct, and official oppression.

 

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