Army vet and high school teacher Corwyn Collier is redefining his life after a near-death experience on the field and overcoming depression and PTSD.

In recognition of his resilient journey, Collier has been crowned as the 2023 Ultimate Men’s Health Guy, a title that acknowledges his efforts to become the best version of himself while living stronger, faster, and better, according to Men’s Health.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Men’s Health (@menshealthmag)

On May 23, 2009, the former military police officer survived a bomb that exploded under the patrol truck he and his team were in, pinning his right leg between the door and the dashboard and severing an artery. He noticed that his hand was covered in mangled flesh before going into cardiac arrest. Fellow soldiers attempted to stop the bleeding, but he had already lost so much blood. Collier was then evacuated by helicopter to a combat support hospital.

Collier’s injuries were so extensive that he remained in the hospital for 10 months. The All-American college track athlete, who prided himself on being physically fit, became a partial amputee.

“When you identify yourself with being physically fit and now you can’t stand up or go to the bathroom by yourself, it made me lose hope,” Collier told Men’s Health.

“You don’t know how long (the recovery) is going to take. It made me feel like I’d rather be dead. That’s the depression and PTSD part of it all. That’s where my mind was at for a while.”

Surviving trauma

With the support of his wife, Iisha, the father of three sons, told the magazine that he went to counseling and was “able to get to the point where I realized I had to love myself and stop worrying about what everybody else thinks.”

Creating change through education

Shortly after his hospital discharge, Collier pursued his master’s degree in education and has been a history teacher at his high school alma mater, Maple Heights High School, since 2013. He also serves as the school’s head track coach, despite the bomb affecting his ability to run. Collier is proud to empower young people to be leaders by having his students demonstrate motions. One of those athletes is his eldest son, Malachi, 18.

“I get to do what I really love to do…being an educator,” Collier told Today. “I loved being a soldier. I loved serving and doing the things that I did prior to this, but now I feel like my life is in a different direction where I can actually be the person that I wanted to be growing up…creating change for other people.”

• Technology

by Black Enterprise Shop

December 15, 2022

Boost Your Productivity With An Additional Monitor And An Extra 20% Off Thanks To The Winter Sale Event

---

Those who have used dual computer screens likely haven’t looked back.

The use of dual screens has not only made it easier to transition between tasks and tabs on your computer, but with video conferences being the preferred method of communication for many, they’ve proven valuable for their ability to use one screen as a video platform and the other for accessing materials you might need.

The usefulness of dual computer screens goes beyond the professional arena. Gamers and those with live-streaming services like Twitch have also found them helpful.

You can join the ranks of dual-screen users by purchasing the Desklab Portable Touchscreen Monitor (4K) for $289.99. That’s a savings of 58% from its MSRP ($700). In addition, you can take an additional 20% off through the Winter Savings event with the code WINTER20.

The Winter Savings event ends on December 15. The WINTER20 coupon can also be used on other items from the collection’s page.

This device is more than just one that mirrors another. Its versatile, ultra-portable 4K screen can transform your laptop into a fully functioning touch panel that optimizes the ability to design, make music, manage data, chat and so much more. True LED backlighting, vivid color, and a 60Hz refresh rate are just a few features that stand out.

It features USB-C, HDMI and 3.5mm auxiliary ports to connect a laptop, desktop, phone, tablet, and gaming systems through universal connectivity. Plug-and-play capability means there’s no need for setup. Built-in Hi-Fi speakers come in handy for video presentations, streaming, or gaming sessions.

Verified purchasers have rated it 4.5 stars.

“I found this product to be functional and fantastic with more than enough inputs to connect to virtually any laptop, tablet or other device. Bravo!” writes 5-star purchaser Gary Egger.

Whether for work productivity or leisure, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more competent dual screen at such an attractive price. Purchase this one today while it’s still available.

Prices subject to change.

Now that the cat is out of the bag, Keke Palmer can post fun dance videos with her baby bump in tow.

The Nope star took to TikTok in the wake of her pregnancy announcement to share her impromptu dance to the O’Jay’s “She Used to Be My Girl”.

“That’s not my car in the back,” Keke wrote in the caption.

The video showed her sporting a green mini dress, pink sweater, and Gucci sneakers while dancing in front of a car parked on a residential block.

@kekepalmer *thats’s not my car in the back*♬ Use ta Be My Girl – The O’Jays

Keke looked happy to be free to dance and proudly display her baby bump after making the big announcement during her SNL opening monologue. Fans were surprised when Keke kicked off the show by addressing rumors that she is pregnant.

“There’s some rumors going around, people have been in my comments saying, ‘Keke’s having a baby, Keke’s pregnant,’ and I wanna set the record straight — I am!” she said.

While opening up her trench coat, Keke debuted her baby bump and let the world know she, in fact, is with child. Since announcing the pregnancy. Keke has enjoyed a date night with her boyfriend Darius Jackson, where the couple appeared elated for their first child together.

Jackson followed up Keke’s SNL announcement with a photo of the pregnant actress and teasing their “2023” due date. She followed up the big reveal with an Instagram post reflecting on how 2022 “has taken me for a ride.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BIG BOSS (@keke)

“And how cool, my baby and I are already doing it all together. Thank you God!” she wrote. “Thank you to my amazing parents and family who continuously support me.”

She also made sure to thank her boyfriend as they await their little bundle of joy.

“Thank you to my other half @dvulton for giving me the things that only true unity can bring.”

The Scream Queens star is always booked and is keeping up her busy schedule while preparing for motherhood.

She recently posted an Instagram video promoting her Baby This is Keke Palmer podcast and made sure to tell her fans she’s preparing for her latest role: “being a mother.”

• News

by Niko Mann

December 14, 2022

Body Of Missing University Of Memphis Student Barshay Wilson Found

---

A student from the University of Memphis was found dead on Dec. 12 in Arlington, Tennessee, according to KIRO7 News.

The Memphis Police Department confirmed that the body of 25-year-old Barshay Wilson was found hidden underneath leaves and tree branches near the Arlington Water Treatment Plant.

The MPD confirmed the news on Dec. 14. Wilson was found on Monday at approximately 4 p.m. on Highway 70 with an apparent gunshot wound. A burned-out car was also discovered nearby. Wilson was scheduled to graduate with his Bachelor of Science degree on Sunday, the day before his body was found.

Wilson’s mother told the MPD that her son said he was going to a party on Friday evening in Southwest Memphis. She said later in the evening, she received a phone call from a friend of Wilson’s saying he’d left the house after receiving a phone call but never returned.

Wilson’s friend told the MPD that he was at her apartment for about 15 minutes, arriving around 8:35 p.m. The friend said Wilson stepped out to take the call. When she looked for him, she saw his car still parked outside but no Wilson. The friend said she tried to use the Find My iPhone app to locate Wilson but had no luck. The MPD issued a city watch of Wilson on the morning of Dec. 12.

***** CITY WATCH *****
Have you seen Barshay Wilson? pic.twitter.com/gBr7V9U3n4

— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) December 12, 2022

The body has been identified as missing person Barshay Wilson, 25. He was reported missing on December 9, 2022. This is an ongoing investigation.

— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) December 14, 2022

According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson’s identification was found inside the burned-out vehicle. Deputies responded to a call about a fire around 10:30 p.m. Friday and found the car in flames. The Shelby County Fire Department was called to the scene, and they put out the smoldering fire. A deputy found Wilson’s ID near the door on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. An investigation is currently pending.

Following six years of collaboration between Airbnb and Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, and two years since the launch of Project Lighthouse, Airbnb released an update on its anti-discrimination work.

In addition to the report, Airbnb also announced its new policy prohibiting the listing of slave houses on its platform after ongoing discussions with Color Of Change. Rashad Robinson, President of Color Of Change, released the below statement:

“From securing Airbnb’s initial racial equity audit in 2016 to our partnership on Project Lighthouse, Color Of Change has succeeded in ensuring this leading company follows through on its stated commitments to racial justice and addresses discrimination within its business practices.”

“Since the beginning, Airbnb has exemplified for the tech industry how to meaningfully engage with civil rights groups and act on its promises with tangible action.”

“This report further underscores what we already know to be true: racial equity audits drive results when the issues exposed are addressed with urgency, resources, and full buy-in from company leadership. Not only has Airbnb detailed its current challenges and progress, but its decision to share this data publicly is a shining example of what transparency by a major corporation can look like.”

“Color Of Change also applauds Airbnb for its willingness to bring-in and listen to civil rights leaders when updating its anti-discrimination policies.”

“In July, we reached out to Airbnb following growing concerns about the exploitation of plantations for profit — part of a longstanding body of work that we have led on for years. After months of conversations with Color Of Change and input from licensed preservation architects like Jobie Hill, Airbnb has taken appropriate action by implementing a new policy to prohibit listings of former slave houses on its platform.”

“Airbnb has shown tech companies what’s possible when racial justice is centered in the policies and business practices, and we are proud to have partnered with them throughout this process. Color Of Change will continue to work with Airbnb as it addresses the identified challenges coming out of the Project Lighthouse progress report.”

A new report reveals Bureau of Prisons official Thomas Ray Hinkle has been promoted nine times despite allegations of abusing Black inmates dating back to the mid-1990s.

According to an Associated Press investigation, Hinkle, a high-ranking official, was sent to the federal correctional institution in Dublin, California, to restore order and trust. Instead, employees said things got significantly worse during Hinkle’s leadership.

Prison employees called Hinkle a bully and considered his appointment at the facility a slap in the face from the Bureau of Prisons, which pledged to end abuse and corruption.

Employees at the facility confronted the Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.) Director Michael Carvajal about Hinkle’s leadership, who said he would look into it. Instead, Hinkle was promoted again three months later as acting western regional director. The promotion put Hinkle in charge of 20 federal prisons and 21,000 inmates from Utah to Hawaii.

New B.O.P Director Colette Peters has defended Hinkle as a changed man, supporting him even as she promises to root out corruption and abuse in federal prisons. However, according to the AP’s investigation, three Black inmates accused Hinkle of beating them when he was a federal officer at a Colorado prison in 1995 and ’96.

One inmate said Hinkle and another guard slammed him into walls as they dragged him up a staircase; another said Hinkle and another guard slammed him on a concrete floor, spat on him, and called him racist names; a third said Hinkle held him down while another guard sexually assaulted him.

The B.O.P. and the Justice Department knew of the allegations but promoted Hinkle twice during a criminal investigation into a group of at least 11 federal guards known as “The Cowboys.” Four of the guards were acquitted, while another four pleaded guilty. Hinkle was not charged in the case.

Hinkle has also been criticized during his time as a senior agency leader.

Earlier this year, Hinkle was accused of attempting to silence a whistleblower and impeding an investigation by a member of Congress by sending all-staff emails criticizing the politician and the B.O.P. Three months later, Hinkle was promoted to acting regional director.

The allegations, promotions, and the AP’s findings are now raising serious questions about the agency’s standards and how the agency selects candidates for top positions.

“This should have been a red flag for any promotion board and is certainly not the appropriate level of judgment expected of someone serving in a leadership role in a correctional institution or in a region,” Allan Turner, a professor at George Mason University, told the AP.

Hinkle admitted he had beaten inmates in the past but told the AP that he’d made real changes in his life, including seeking professional treatment.

Another one of LeBron James’ sons has signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreement with his business partner’s agency.

His youngest son, Bryce James, who is currently a freshman at his older brother Bronny James‘ school, Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, CA, has signed an agreement with Rich Paul‘s Klutch Sports Group. The agency made the announcement via its Twitter account on Monday.

Welcome Bryce James! #Klutch #NIL pic.twitter.com/jE4uIwa7WU

— Klutch Sports Group (@KlutchSports) December 12, 2022

According to Sports Illustrated, the 15-year-old freshman signed the contract about four months after reportedly receiving his first college offer, even though he does not graduate until 2025. Bryce recently played his first varsity game at Sierra Canyon High School.

CBS Sports reported that the Klutch Sports Group will be handling Bryce’s negotiations for whatever high school deals he is offered. There are plenty of basketball analysts who feel that Bryce may actually be better and more talented than his older brother.

Earlier this summer, LeBron celebrated his youngest son’s first Division I offer from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Bryce joins his brother, Bronny, who has signed several NIL deals as he prepares to enter the collegiate ranks next year. Bronny has already joined his father under the umbrella of sneaker giant, Nike, as well as inking another deal with Apple’s Beats by Dre headphones. The high school senior also inked his first NIL deal with the underwear brand PSD. When he signed his first partnership agreement earlier this year, he became the youngest athlete-entrepreneur to sign with PSD. He joined an expansive roster that includes Jimmy Butler, Ja Morant, Trae Young, Marshawn Lynch, Tyler Herro, and social media star, Sommer Ray.

When Bronny was a freshman in high school, he was the only player who played in every game, a total of 34, for the season.

Singer Kehlani is “triggered” after one of their fans allegedly sexually assaulted them after a recent live performance.

The “Nights Like This” singer, who uses they/them pronouns, posted an alarming since-deleted Instagram Story post on Monday night calling out the disturbing encounter they had with an attendee at a live show, Billboard reports.

“I’ve made video after video after video and deleted it because I don’t want any video of me as angry, triggered, crying upset as I am anywhere,” they wrote in a since-deleted statement.

Kehlani went on to detail exactly what occurred when they were being escorted through the crowd of concertgoers.

“I don’t care how sexual you deem my music, my performances, my fun with my friends dancing at clubs, or ME… That does not give any of you the right to cross a boundary like sticking your hands up my skirt & pulling my underwear to TOUCH MY GENITALS as I am being escorted through a crowd after performing,” they continued.

“This s— made me sick to my stomach. As a victim of sexual assault, I am endlessly triggered and mindblown.”

https://twitter.com/HipHopDX/status/1602684807351246850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1602684807351246850%7Ctwgr%5Eb5a90f56098f3c6496ea4cb9bd519c1a23a525a0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Fmusic%2Fmusic-news%2Fkehlani-sexually-assaulted-at-concert-1235186432%2F

Kehlani had just finished up the European leg of their Blue Water Road Trip tour in Manchester, England at the time the message was posted, People reports. In 2019, the singer opened up on their podcast Sunday Gems about being a victim of sexual assault.

“There is nothing I can say that is new, that I feel like is providing a real take, that I feel isn’t gonna take away from the conversation,” they explained, as noted by Complex. “I don’t want to add more hurt, I don’t want to add more pain.”

“All I want to say is, ‘Sending love to everybody who’s on a healing path right now, and sending love to everybody who needs it,'” they continued.

Hall of Fame NBA basketball player, analyst, and sports personality Charles Barkley is giving back to HBCUs in a grand way.

Last week, AL.com reported that Barkley is donating $1 million each to Bethune-Cookman University and Jackson State University, which marks the seventh and eighth significant donations he has made to HBCUs.

He hadn’t notified the schools at the time of the news announcement.

“I’m just so lucky and blessed beyond anything I can imagine,” Barkley told al.com.

Barkley’s decision to invest in Jackson State stems from his friendship with Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who left his position as the head football coach for the Jackson State Tigers. As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, the former Dallas Cowboys star recently accepted a position as the head coach for the Colorado Buffaloes before the team announced the news on Twitter on Dec. 3.

“They’re probably gonna take a little hit with him leaving, so I want to show them some love because, man, what he accomplished there was pretty extraordinary,” Barkley said about Sanders.

According to The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson State wasn’t aware of Barkley’s gift until they discovered the news on social media.

“We are very thankful and look forward to working with Mr. Barkley to facilitate this generous gift,” Yolanda Owens, interim vice president for institutional advancement, told the outlet. “We appreciate his acknowledgement of Jackson State University and the great work that goes on at our institution. Because of his generosity, JSU will have an opportunity to support institutional priorities at a greater level and continue the efforts to elevate the university.”

Since 2016, Barkley has poured his generosity and dollars into other HBCUs, including Alabama A&M in Huntsville and Clark Atlanta University, per AL.com. In 2017, he pledged $1 million to Morehouse College in Atlanta. Three years later, he donated $1 million each to Miles College in Birmingham and Tuskegee University.

• Women

by Derek Major

December 14, 2022

Women Behind Bars Who Were Sexually Abused by Prison Employees May Be Given ‘Compassionate Early Release’

---

A Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee released the results of a damning bipartisan probe, revealing thousands of sexual assault and abuse cases in prisons, which the department has identified as a top priority.

Now the Justice Department is considering the expansion of a program that provides early releases to female inmates who are victims of sexual abuse behind bars.

The New York Times reported that Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco has told top officials at the Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.) to encourage female inmates who have been assaulted by prison employees to apply for the Justice Department’s compassionate release program.

Several women testified before the committee to accompany the release of the report, which was based on numerous interviews with current and former prison officials, whistleblowers, and survivors of sexual abuse while incarcerated.

“BOP has failed to successfully implement the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA),” the report’s executive summary finds.

“It failed to prevent, detect, and stop recurring sexual abuse in at least four federal prisons, including abuse by senior prison officials. At FCI Dublin, for example, the former Warden and Chaplain both sexually abused female prisoners.”

“I was sentenced and put in prison for choices I made — I was not sent to prison to be raped and abused,” said Briane Moore, who was repeatedly assaulted by an official at a women’s prison in West Virginia and was met with threats to block a transfer to a facility closer to her family if she resisted, The Times reports.

The report’s findings are startling.

Female inmates were sexually abused in 19 of the 29 federal facilities that have housed female inmates over the past ten years. Additionally, in at least four federal facilities, managers failed to enforce a federal law intended to reduce sexual assaults. The report also revealed that hundreds of sexual abuse and assault charges are among a backlog of more than 8,000 internal affairs misconduct cases waiting to be investigated.