When Kayla Howard, a single mom of four sons from Phoenix, Arizona, found her bank account emptied after her 7-year-old son mistakenly made purchases on Roblox, people from across the nation began making online donations to help them.

Kayla’s son, who has autism, was playing the popular game Roblox when he accidentally made multiple purchases amounting to $897. It exceeded the balance in her bank account which resulted in overdraft fees and a more than $1,000 negative balance in her account.

Kayla, who is a single mom, works two jobs to support her 4 children, of which 3 have autism. She started a GoFundMe page to help cover her expenses. She set the goal to $1,244, the exact amount her account was negative.

Howard was surprised when she saw that they raised ten times the goal. She found support from complete strangers who are also single moms and parents of children with autism and some who could relate to the Roblox spending mistake. She ultimately received a total of $10,979.

“Thank you to everyone who supported myself and my children during this time. Thank you for reminding me that there are good people in this world,” Howard told Good Morning America.

Howard said she used some of the money to buy a Christmas tree to decorate with her kids. She also bought gifts for them. She now plans to use the extra donations to give back to the community.

“What I’m most excited about doing is actually starting a non-profit named after my daughter specifically to help families of children with autism,” she said.

Moreover, Howard said Roblox, which initially only agreed to a $10.80 refund, has since refunded her money after her story gained attention. She also said that she has since made necessary changes to the Roblox apps on her children’s devices to prevent the mistake from happening again.

This story first appeared on Blacknews.com.

Tessica Brown, also known as the “Gorilla Glue Girl,” went viral two years ago when she released videos on social media revealing that she used Gorilla Glue to lay down her hair after she ran out of hair spray.

She had to have surgery to remove the toxic adhesive from her head. Brown has extended her 15 minutes of fame by participating in Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Viral Sensations.

According to NOLA.com, the Louisiana native debuted earlier this year on Season 25 of Worst Cooks in America. On the reality show, she is competing against 11 other people who went also viral. The contestants all have little or no cooking skills as they partake in the culinary boot camp competition show. The reality TV show is hosted by TV chefs Anne Burrell and Darnell “SuperChef” Ferguson, who guide the competitors through basic kitchen instruction and challenges while critiquing on the dishes they prepare. Every week, one person is eliminated and the winner of the competition takes home a prize of $25,000.

On the debut episode of the current season, Brown stated “I want to learn how to cook because my grandma always said, ‘The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.’ I want to learn how to really cook so I can really get me — I want a ring. She survived the first show after making a dish that consisted of shrimp linguine, fried cod, and glazed asparagus.

The viral sensation made it past the second episode as well.

BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported that Dr. Michael Obeng performed a $12,000 surgery for Brown free of charge.

Brown used her hair misfortune to become an entrepreneur in 2021. TMZ reported that “Gorilla Glue Girl” launched a business venture under the “Forever Hair,” brand. She had assistance in the development of the line from hair care professionals. She stated she wanted to develop products for people who suffered hair loss.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) announced the appointment of Terrance Mayes, EdD, of the Stanford Cancer Institute as Chair of the NCCN DEI Directors Forum; Loretta Erhunmwunsee, MD, FACS, of City of Hope National Medical Center has been named Vice-Chair.

They join more than 20 experts on diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care from leading academic cancer centers across the United States that comprise NCCN, according to a press release.

“There are significant disparities in cancer outcomes across race and ethnicity; this is unacceptable and must be addressed urgently and thoroughly. Increasing diverse representation among care providers is one overdue step toward improving the equity and quality of cancer care,” said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. “Unfortunately, we have a long way to go, and the people doing this crucial work are often underfunded and overburdened. We’re happy to be able to use NCCN’s existing infrastructure to address some of that burden. Doctors Mayes and Erhunmwunsee are tremendous leaders with a clear vision for the future. We’re honored to have them at the forefront of this forum propelling academic centers to help all people with cancer live better lives.”

Recent studies have found the cancer mortality rate is 19% higher for Black men in America than White men, and 12% higher for Black women over White women. There are many different reasons for these disparities, including the impact of structural and interpersonal racism and social determinants of health. Research shows that following clinical guidelines is one way to reduce this imbalance in outcomes. Having diverse representation among health care providers—increasing trust and reducing opportunity for bias—is another.

Racial and ethnic minorities are critically underrepresented across oncology and particularly in leadership positions. Black people currently represent 12.7% of the U.S. population, but only 5% of active physicians; likewise, Hispanic people are 18.1% of the overall population and just 5.8% of doctors. When it comes to people in leadership positions, it falls to 3.5% and 3.8% respectively.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has announced that all centers will need to design and implement a plan to increase diversity in faculty and workforce in order to remain eligible for federal designation and funding. The NCCN DEI Directors Forum will work together to provide support and resources in the development of these important plans, among other initiatives, to improve equity in cancer care systems.

“I am honored to serve as the inaugural chair of the NCCN DEI Directors Forum at such a pivotal time in our nation,” said Dr. Mayes. “The last several years have drawn into sharper focus the role that structural discrimination has played within the United States health care system. As a health care community, we have an obligation to act—I look forward to working with the NCCN DEI Directors Forum Members in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of cancer care.”

Dr. Erhunmwunsee added: “In order to achieve cancer health equity, cancer centers must identify and eliminate structural barriers and practices that undermine workforce diversity, equity and inclusion. Initiatives that promote DEI must be truly prioritized by center directors and top system leadership with the appropriate funding and resourcing, otherwise, historically excluded groups will remain marginalized. I look forward to partnering with this forum of DEI leadership as we develop and implement policy and practice initiatives that advance DEI at a national level.”

The NCCN DEI Directors Forum will provide a venue to share challenges and best practices in advancing DEI initiatives in a timely fashion. The group will meet multiple times a year, both virtually and in-person, to formulate recommendations for the development of new and updated policies and practices to support DEI efforts.

NCCN’s work has always been rooted in the pursuit of equity in cancer outcomes by making sure every patient has access to care according to the latest evidence-based expert consensus recommendations,” said Dr. Carlson. “Our ongoing work with the NCCN DEI Directors Forum will help us continue to hold ourselves accountable and make sure we are always moving in the right direction.”

NCCN convened a working group in 2020 in collaboration with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), which created a Health Equity Report Card (HERC)—a series of 17 actionable, measurable recommendations to reduce disparities in cancer care. A pilot project evaluating the feasibility of implementing the HERC as a tool for improving the quality and equity of care nationwide is ongoing. More on this project will be announced as part of the 2023 World Cancer Day “Close the Care Gap” campaign on February 4. Visit NCCN.org/wcd to learn more.

It’s one feeling to cross the commencement stage alone, but imagine sharing the moment with a loved one.

Mother and son Carolyn and Immanuel Patton graduated with bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland Global Campus. They walked the stage side-by-side during their Dec. 16 commencement ceremony.

According to ABC News, their achievement fulfilled a promise Immanuel made to Carolyn when he was five years old.

“I remember I just told my mom … one day, it’s gonna be you and me. We’re going to get our degrees at the same time,” Immanuel Patton, 23, said.

“That promise … he never allowed it to die,” said Carolyn, 63, a coordinator at Anne Arundel Community College. “It was continuously, ‘You know, mom, we’re gonna do this.’”

“I had started my bachelor’s degree back in 1995, but life happened. Things got in the way,” she shared, recalling her primary focus to ensure her son completed college.

Already attaining two associate’s degrees each, the Pattons began their bachelor’s programs at UMGC in the fall of 2020.

Throughout their studies, the duo kept each other motivated to keep going when it became difficult to continue.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 18, 2023

‘I Still Can’t Put it Together’: Parents of University of Georgia Football Player Reeling Over Loss

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University of Georgia offensive lineman, Devin Willock, along with a member of the football staff, Chandler LeCroy, were both killed in a car accident on Jan.15..

Atlanta station WSB-TV spoke exclusively with Willock’s parents, Sharlene and Dave Willock, about the tragedy.

The college football player was on a high after his team won the national championship the previous week. The family was just as elated as they witnessed the Georgia Bulldogs trounce the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs by a score of 65-7 in Los Angeles.

They were with Willock, attending the championship celebration in Athens, GA, hours before he tragically passed away.

“Devin was on top of the world. He was happy; he was kind of, like, planning for next year,” Sharlene told the media outlet. Then they received a phone call from his football coach with the news that their son had died.

“He told me the news there was an accident, and he passed away,” Dave recalls.

After sharing Devin’s plans to get back to the championship game, declaring for the NFL draft, and building for his future, his parents are currently making plans for his funeral.

“He’s not going to get married. He’s not going to have kids. He’s not going to live his dream,” said Sharlene.

The tragedy is reminiscent of Devin’s half-brother, Jonathan, who also died in a car accident, several years ago. “I still can’t put it together; I still can’t believe it’s happened,” said Dave.

Now, the Willocks are finalizing his funeral plans as they plan on having a service in Athens, as well as in his hometown in New Jersey.

According to CBS News, the 20-year-old Willock was pronounced dead at the scene of the car accident. LeCroy, who was driving the vehicle, died after being taken to the hospital. She was a football recruiting analyst for the Georgia Bulldogs.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department stated that the initial investigation discovered that the Ford Expedition “left the roadway, striking two power poles and several trees.”

• Health and Wellness

by Diamond Jeune

January 18, 2023

NeNe Leakes’ Son Shows Off 100-Pound Weight Loss 3 Months After Being Hospitalized

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It appears that NeNe Leakes’ youngest son Brentt Leakes has a new outlook on life, especially regarding his health, after revealing he had lost 100 pounds.

The 23-year-old’s massive weight loss is a monumental occasion because it comes three months after he suffered a stroke. On Jan. 16, Brentt shocked his followers when he uploaded a series of snapshots on Instagram, including a before and after photo collage. In addition to the images, Brentt expressed the importance of focusing on one’s well-being, writing the caption, “Focus on you until the focus is you. #100poundsdown.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 🅿️ (@kingbrentt)

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, in October 2022, news about Brentt’s hospitalization began circulating online. After details surrounding Brentt’s health were shared with the general public, NeNe decided to address the allegations head on. 

In a now-deleted Instagram story, the former Real Housewives of Atlanta star revealed that Brentt suffered from congestive heart failure and a stroke. While disclosing that this wasn’t how she or Brentt wanted to talk about this situation, NeNe said, “This was not how we wanted it to come out. We wanted to be able to talk about it ourselves when Brentt was in a better place. so, here I am because I would rather the correct thing be out there than something that’s not correct.”

“Two weeks ago today, Brentt had congestive heart failure and a stroke. He’s only 23, so he’s really young for something like that to happen to him.”

Further into the conversation, NeNe also claimed that despite the health issues her son faced, doctors couldn’t provide a valid reason as to what caused this event. Toward the end of the video, NeNe asked her followers to pray as Brentt recovered.

She stated, “Obviously, a stroke is a very serious thing. So, he’s struggling you know, with speaking, and it’s, just know that keep us in your prayers. Keep bringing your prayers.”

The following month, Brentt was released from the hospital and spent the holidays with his family.

NeNe shares Brentt with her late husband Gregg Leakes. 

Richard Williams may have been stern while training his superstar daughters, Venus and Serena Williams, but he still believes in second chances.

The former tennis coach and famous dad finally has some things to say about Will Smith‘s now infamous Oscar slap. Williams said while he and his family do not condone violence, he is “overjoyed” with Smith’s work in the movie. “If he apologized, that’s good, however, he wants to deal with the situation,” Williams told the U.S. Sun. “I wouldn’t judge anyone.”

It’s been almost a year since the Fresh Prince shocked the world by storming the stage at the 94th Academy Awards. Before presenting the award for Best Documentary, Smith calmly walked on stage and slapped fellow actor and comedian, Chris Rock, after making a slight joke at his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Leaving Rock too stunned to speak, Smith finished the moment by shouting, “Keep my wife’s name out your f*****g mouth!”

The moment caused a major pause for the audience, viewers, and social media. However, it didn’t pause the success of the movie. Smith walked away with a golden statue, winning Best Actor for his portrayal of Williams in King Richard.

While Serena Williams attended the ceremony and posted a video of her shock, Richard doesn’t feel that the drama overshadowed anything. “No, he’s done a great deal for myself and my family,” the 80-year-old says.

“I think he did extremely well, it was very wonderful.”

Williams now lives the quiet life in West Palm Beach, FL and tells the U.S. Sun that he never communicated with Smith during the movie process. However, he does hope to meet the Oscar winner one day and thank him for his hard work. “I would say just, hello. And maybe, what I should do … just slap my face,” Williams jokes.

While the famous dad has many health issues, that hasn’t stop him from working. He and his son, Chavoita LeSane, have worked on a new documentary. Called On The Line, the story is told in Williams’ words and premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last year.

The poverty crisis is increasing like never before.

With events such as the pandemic, inflation and jobs being at risk the pressure on individual’s everyday way of life is in jeopardy. The coaching industry is in the perfect position to help. Coaching is designed according to Dr. Faith Abraham to enhance the quality of life for anyone who engages with it.

Dr. Faith Abraham co-founder of Vonza.com and founder of Life Mastery School, a program dedicated to helping those with the desire to coach become certified coaches and change people’s lives.

It offers a unique coaching program with a proven track record of success and has helped hundreds of people over the years improve their lives and achieve their goals, according to a press release.

Within this program aspiring coaches are not required to have many degrees or experience in coaching. Bringing their expertise as well as life and/or work experience with a heart to help and the intention to see others flourish is all that is needed to become a life transforming life coach.

Dr. Faith Abraham is an award winning life coach and business coach. She specializes in helping people from all walks of life to achieve their dreams and live the lives they have always dreamed of. She has a simple but profound message: “The more you coaching you engage in, the more successful you will be.”

Current polls have shown that Americans are the unhappiest they’ve been in 50 years and just 14% of U.S. adults say they’re very happy. That is staggering statistic may not change with economic conditions being what they are unless there is an intervention to help people better process through their emotions and circumstances that they cannot change.

Coaching helps to move the needle on our lives and stirs us to accomplish the things that we are passionate about but procrastination, self doubt, personal fears and the opinions of others hinder us. As the world keeps changing people will be better able to navigate the ever- changing times while being able to lead happy and fulfilling lives by implementing the power of coaching.

Life Mastery School helps women entrepreneurs to learn how to build a  six-figure coaching business from scratch with no ads, no team & no expertise needed.

Dr. Faith Abraham’s goal is to help 1000 women escape poverty by becoming certified life coaches in 2023 through her Life Mastery School.

Reminisce about the day you discovered Black Twitter with a new docuseries coming to Hulu.

Penny Prentice and the Onyx Collection’s series, tentatively titled Black Twitter, will take viewers down a rabbit hole on the history of the app and how it became a safe space for Black expression. Deadline reported the series will capture the “rise, the movements, the voices, and the memes that made Black Twitter an influential and dominant force in nearly every aspect of American political and cultural life.”

The docuseries is based off and inspired by writer Jason Parham‘s piece for Wired titled “A People’s History of Black Twitter.” The three-part op-ed reminded readers of when Black Twitter was started. He highlighted the moment, recalling September 2006, when Twitter user, Ashley Weatherspoon, created the hashtag “#uknowurblackwhen.” Parham remembered how the hashtag spread, and within two hours, a small percentage of Twitter correspondence revolved around that hashtag. “Here, in all its melanated glory, was Black Twitter,” Parham wrote.

#uknowurblackwhen u cancel plans when its raining

— Ashley Weatherspoon (@IsThatHer) September 6, 2009

The hashtags that followed brought the Black community together, bringing the people through so many things. From #BlackLivesMatter to crying Michael Jordan memes, Parham says it became “a comedy showcase, therapy session, and family cookout all in one.”

Prentice, who was the genius show runner behind Black Twitter favorites like Insecure, perfectly tweeted the news earlier this week.

For those who know me you know how much love, respect, fear, and admiration I have for #BlackTwitter so I can’t be more excited and scared to a doc about the culture – just remember im doing this in love pic.twitter.com/4Ys6B2HOjL

— Prentice Penny (FUX YO BLUE CHECK) (@The_A_Prentice) January 15, 2023

The announcement was celebrated by Twitter users and celebrities, like comedian KevOnStage, who continue to make Black Twitter the place to be.

For those who know me you know how much love, respect, fear, and admiration I have for #BlackTwitter so I can’t be more excited and scared to a doc about the culture – just remember im doing this in love pic.twitter.com/4Ys6B2HOjL

— Prentice Penny (FUX YO BLUE CHECK) (@The_A_Prentice) January 15, 2023

This will be the first of many works brought to screen by Prentice and Onyx Collective. Deadline shared that the 49-year-old signed an overall deal under his company, A Penny for Your Thoughts. Onyx is known for creating show-stopping productions, like QuestLove‘s documentary, Summer of Soul, which won the 2022 Oscar for Best Documentary. Variety announced other Onyx productions are coming to Hulu like UnPrisoned, starring and produced by Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo.

• Legal

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 18, 2023

Ben Crump Teams Up With Fellow Attorney, Seek Justice for Black Man Who Died in Paramedic Care

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On Thursday, January 19 at 1:00 PM CST, at the NAACP Office located at 901 S. 11th Street in Springfield, IL, nationally renowned personal injury attorney Bob Hilliard, of Corpus Christ, TX-based firm Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP (HMG), along with nationally known civil rights lawyer, Ben Crump of Tallahassee, FL, will be holding a press conference to announce the filing of a civil suit in response to the negligent actions that led to the tragic death of Earl Moore, Jr., age 35.

Crump and Hilliard have been retained to represent the family of Earl Moore, Jr., according to a press release.

According to reports, on December 18, 2022, at around 2 am, police responded to a 911 call alleging people inside the residence with firearms. Upon arrival, police found no firearms, but saw a resident, Earl Moore, Jr. in bed and in need of medical assistance. Police called for an ambulance and stayed with Mr. Moore until they arrived. Body camera footage shows the arrival of the paramedics, with Paramedic Peggy Finley aggressively instructing Mr. Moore to walk to the ambulance on his own, despite his inability to do so. At no point did Finley or her colleague, Peter Cadigan, assess his medical condition or evaluate him in any way. Police assisted Mr. Moore out of the house, where he was then incorrectly strapped to the stretcher – face down – and transported to the hospital. After his arrival at the hospital, it was determined that Mr. Moore died from compressional and positional asphyxia. Both paramedics have been charged with murder.

“The treatment of Earl Moore, during a clear medical emergency, is heartbreaking to witness. He was clearly a man in need. As humans, we trust and believe that first responders, such as EMS workers, will provide medical assistance along with compassion and care. Mr. Moore received none of that and, ultimately lost his life because of their lack of duty to care,” said attorney Bob Hilliard.

Attorneys Bob Hilliard and Ben Crump have a long history of fighting for justice for their clients, dating back to 2018 when the team was hired by the family of Danny Ray Thomas, an unarmed Black man who was unarmed and shot by the police. The lawsuit is still proceeding against the shooting officer in Houston.

The duo partnered again in 2018, bringing legal action against the NBA, the Detroit Pistons, the Grand Rapids Drive, and the DeltaPlex Arena in a wrongful death suit, filed on behalf of Zeke Upshaw‘s mother, Jewel Upshaw. Long Island Nets player, Zeke Upshaw, collapsed during a game and subsequently died. Hilliard and Crump made headlines when a deal was reached in December 2019 with the NBA and the Pistons.

In 2019, Hilliard and Crump filed a civil lawsuit against the NCAA, Board of Regents, and Coach Robert Davie, Jr. in the U.S. District Court, for the District of New Mexico. The ongoing lawsuit alleged nine claims, including wrongful death, and asserted that 21-year-old University of New Mexico football player, Nahje Flowers, was discriminated against by defendants, leading to his untimely death.

More recently, Hilliard and Crump took on systemic racism in the banking industry, winning a large settlement against a financial institution that imposed unreasonable standards on its Black customers. The sizable settlements represent victories against the widespread, racist phenomenon known as “Banking with Black.” The settlements provided funds to the victims of discrimination in the banking industry.

In this most recent case, Crump and Hilliard will once again seek to hold the responsible parties accountable for the senseless and tragic death of Earl Moore, Jr.