• Education

by Derek Major

December 2, 2022

Atlanta Elementary School Under Federal Probe After Parent Says Principal Assigned Black Students To Classes Based On Race

---

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (DOE-OCR) is investigating an Atlanta elementary school amid allegations the principal assigned black students to certain classes.

In a letter obtained by CNN, the DOE said it will investigate allegations of racial discrimination and whether Atlanta Public Schools subjected students at Mary Lin Elementary “to different treatment based on race,” and whether the district retaliated against the complaint.

According to the letter obtained by CNN, the investigation began on Nov. 14, more than a year after Kila Posey filed a civil rights complaint with the office saying her child’s school placed Black students in separate classrooms from other students.

Posey, who has two children that attend the Atlanta area elementary school, said during the 2020-2021 school year, Mary Lin’s Principal Sharyn Briscoe, a Black woman, designated two second-grade classes specifically for Black students, without consulting parents,. Meanwhile, white students were placed among all six second-grade classes.

The mother said she found out about the issue when she requested her child be placed in a specific teacher’s class and Briscoe told her that was not a “black class” and would not have anyone that looks like her in the class.

According to Georgia Department of Education data, Mary Lin Elementary is a predominately white school in a middle-class neighborhood, where just 60 of 599 students are Black. The school’s second-grade class had 98 students, 12 of whom are Black.

Posey’s complaint says the assistant principal admitted in an August 2020 phone conversation that she was aware of Briscoe separating classes based on race, noting “class lists are always tough” and wished the school had more Black children. The Black mother filed a second complaint in August 2022 after she was fired from her position as an after-school care provider for the district, claiming it was “retaliation for raising the issue of segregation.”

Earlier this year, two members of the Atlanta NAACP visited the school to determine whether Posey’s claims had merit. Marilyn Barnett Waters, the state education chair for the organization, told the network she believed the school staged some of the classes for their arrival.

“I saw African American students, in two of the classes I saw. It almost seemed like they were foreign to that class,” Waters told CNN by phone Wednesday while recalling. “The Black students weren’t engaged with any of the other kids in the class.”

Several Black parents whose children attend Mary Lin Elementary have come to Briscoe’s defense.

“All anyone has to do is pick up a yearbook from last year and previous years to see that any claim of grouping Black students together is obviously ridiculous,” a group of Black families from the Atlanta Elementary told CNN in a statement. “We have a small number of Black students, but it’s a very loving and inclusive community of families of all races and backgrounds, led by our well-respected principal.”

• Politics

by Derek Major

December 2, 2022

Congressional Black Caucus Announces Its New Leadership For 118th Congress

---

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has announced its new leadership for the 118th Congress and Nevada Rep. Steven Horsford will serve as its new chairman.

The Hill reports Rep. Yvette Clark (D-NY.) has been named vice chair, Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) has been named the second vice chair; Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) is the CBC’s new secretary and Rep. Marilyn Stickland (D-WA) is the new whip.

In a statement, Horsford said he is ready to provide the leadership and guidance necessary to continue the CBC’s mission.

“As chair, I will provide the leadership, strategic vision and execute on our plans to guide us on a path that will deliver positive socioeconomic outcomes for the communities and constituencies we serve,” Horsford said according to The Hill. “Representing the 4th Congressional District of Nevada has uniquely prepared me for this role, by being a district as diverse as our nation–both in the people and the geography that lie within our boundaries. As Chair of the CBC, I will be able to put a spotlight on the hard-working people of the 4th Congressional District and advocate for our broad coalition of people that make Nevada tick.”

The CBC was created in the late 1960s after the civil rights movement when Black politicians, including the late Rep. Charles Diggs, felt isolated due to the small number of Black politicians in Congress. That led Diggs to create the Democratic Select Committee (DSC), where Black politicians could gather and talk about the issues that were important to their constituents.

When the number of Black politicians increased from nine to 13, the DSC was remade into the CBC, which was established in 1971. Today, the CBC is one of the leading congressional advocacy groups to focus on issues important to Black Americans.

Outgoing Chairwoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH) said “the honor of my career to serve as the 9th woman to chair the Congressional Black caucus. As the 117th Congress draws to a close and I pass the baton to this dynamic group of dedicated leaders, I am confident our power and our message are in capable hands.”

In the last Congress, the CBC had a record 56 members between the House of Representatives and the Senate representing 17 million Black Americans and 41% of the total U.S. Black population.

With 20 years in the music business, Ashanti has experienced her fair share of funny-acting friends and producers.

The R&B songstress recently opened up about one such music producer who seemingly tried to force an x-rated encounter in exchange for their produced tracks. While appearing on The Breakfast Club on Thursday, Ashanti recalled the time she got into a “crazy situation” with a producer who had initially offered to work with her for free.

“One producer, like, we did two records together, he was like, ‘Okay I’m not gonna charge you, you’re my homie,’” Ashanti shared.

“And then when it came time to put it on the album, he was like, ‘Well, let’s take a shower together.’”

Ashanti detailed how taken aback she was by the offer.

“I thought he was joking! And then he’s like, ‘Nah I’m dead serious,'” she explained. “You know, let’s go out and let’s take a shower together and I’ll give you the records. If not I need 40 racks per record.’”

The “Happy” singer said she had been working with the producer for a “couple of weeks” at that point, and she “had to make some phone calls” to make sure “stuff was handled.”

Ashanti shared her plans to speak more candidly about the encounter in the new documentary she’s working on. But it’s not the first time she’s spoken about the situation, Daily Mail reports.

Back in 2018, during the #MeToo movement, Ashanti revealed the producer who had a “little crush” on her, “all of a sudden the track became $45K.”

After her family stepped in, an “apology came in” the form of “three records for free.”

“And I got two of them mixed and mastered for free,” Ashanti noted.

The songstress recently appeared on Red Table Talk with her mom and sister, where her sister Shia Douglas opened up about the abusive relationship she was able to escape. In recent months, Ashanti has called out Murder Inc. CEO Irv Gotti for all the reveals he’s made about their past romantic involvements.

• News

by Eric Moody

December 2, 2022

Man Arrested After Family Monopoly Game Turns Violent Thanksgiving Weekend

---

Officials announced the arrest of a man whose heated dispute over a Monopoly game escalated to gunfire during Thanksgiving weekend in Tulsa, OK.

According to the Tulsa Police Department, officers were called after shots rang out at a house on Saturday, Nov. 26, near 4th Place and 91st E. Avenue. Officials said the caller stated that John Armstrong allegedly pulled a gun on two family members during a drunken game night.

“The entire family had been drinking, and they were playing Monopoly,” Tulsa Police Department Officer Danny Bean told Newsweek.

“An argument broke out during this during this game-playing and drinking between our suspect and the stepfather and stepsibling.”

After reportedly knocking over the Monopoly board and turning over furniture, another family member told Armstrong and his stepfather to take their disagreement outside, where things escalated further.

The caller told authorities that Armstrong reportedly chased both victims down the street with a gun and fired a shot at them toward the ground.

“Maybe he would make them think he was more capable of doing something else just by firing one round off,” Bean told Newsweek.

“I’m sure it was some sort of act of intimidation.”

Bean told the outlet that, in his experience, such family disputes increase over the holidays — even if he had never seen a shooting break out over Monopoly.

Once authorities arrived at the scene, Armstrong was taken into police custody.

Officials confirmed that during the outside altercation, Armstrong suffered a cut to his head before he pulled out a pistol and chased his stepfather and stepsister down the street at gunpoint.

Armstrong later admitted to firing one round, according to police.

Newsweek reported that officers believe Armstrong hid the pistol before they arrived, and the gun was not located.

He was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.

• Money

by Derek Major

December 2, 2022

Study: Reparations For Black Americans Could Lead To Longer Lives

---

A new study shows that reparation payments to Black Americans would eliminate the current wealth gap and increase the life expectancy for Black men and women.

Forbes reports researchers involved in the study reviewed data from 33,501 U.S. adults aged 50 and older between April 1992 and July 2019. The researchers found reparation payments of $828,055 per household would eliminate the current wealth gap, increasing the lifespan of middle-aged Blacks and older adults.

“Wealth may improve health through stable access to healthcare, housing, food, and education while offering protection from chronic stress associated with economic uncertainty,” study researchers noted.

It’s no secret that a reparation payment of more than $800,000 could change the lives of Black Americans across the U.S.

“That money would certainly create room to breathe for myself, [my] wife and children,” Living Corporate founder Zachary Nunn told Forbes.

“With that money, I would pay off my mortgage, put aside enough cash to cover two years of living expenses, save another portion for my daughters, take a family trip, and invest the remaining in Living Corporate…not only would that much money help us in the here and now, but also help us build generational wealth.”

While an $800,000 reparation payment would positively impact the life expectancy of Black Americans, the study also notes reparations alone will not fix the oppressive systems that continue to affect Black people today, including banking, housing, food insecurity, student loan debt, and more.

Some states have started reparation programs to help Black residents. Students at Georgetown University voted to raise tuition to provide reparations to the 272 descendants of enslaved people that the university owned and sold. In California, the reparations task force is scheduled to release a report to state lawmakers next year outlining recommendations for state-level reparations. The city of Evanston, Illinois, has tied its reparations program to housing. However, it has gotten off to a rocky start.

Johnny Bailey, the founder of ShineHard Family, which works to accelerate the modern Black economy, said an $800,000 reparation payment “would be the jump-start to a 100-year plan for the Bailey bloodline,” Bailey told Forbes.

“It would relieve a six-figure mortgage burden that I inherited from my father.”

“It would guarantee a quality education for my two daughters, which I now realize begins long before college. My wife and I have four degrees, and student debt forced us to delay retirement savings into our early 30s. A reparation payment would put us back on track for retirement at a decent age. At this point, generational wealth isn’t just money, it’s ancestral preservation. It’s survival.”

• Career

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 2, 2022

Bojangles Signs Development Agreement To Expand Atlanta Footprint With Top Music Executives Mel Carter And Kevin ‘Coach K’ Lee

---

Bojangles, one of the nation’s leading restaurant franchises famous for its chicken, biscuits, and tea, announced today it has signed a franchise development agreement with Melanbo, a franchise group partly owned by prestigious music executives, Mel Carter and Kevin “Coach K” Lee.

Carter and his ownership group will develop 14 new locations in Greater Atlanta, building upon their acquisition of 18 existing Bojangles restaurants in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The acquisition and size of the multi-unit development agreement makes Melanbo the largest Black-controlled franchisee in Bojangles’ system, according to a release.

“Over the last few years, we have been aggressively seeking opportunities to grow our footprint in Atlanta, and we are thrilled to have reached an agreement with two influential voices in the city’s community,” said Patricia Halpin, Vice President of Franchise Growth, Bojangles.

“Mel and Coach K bring a unique perspective and energy to our network of operators that will be extremely beneficial to the brand’s growth going forward.”

“Their passion for Atlanta and the community is unparalleled, and we look forward to seeing their success, as well as further diversifying our franchisee network with more powerful leaders like Mel and Coach K.”

Immigrating to the United States of America at age 12, Carter grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., working a variety of jobs to help his family make ends meet. By age 20, he had begun working in the music business and established himself as one of the top executives in the industry. Now residing in both New York and Atlanta, Carter just signed a Joint Venture deal with Warner Music for his record label, Second Estate Records. Prior to that, he served as the SVP of A&R for Republic Records.

“I was blown away with my first experience eating Bojangles. The chicken was seasoned to perfection and the biscuits were genuinely the best I’ve ever had,” said Carter.

“I’m honored to be a part of the Bojangles family. CEO Jose Armario has been supportive throughout our entire journey and sees our vision for Melanbo.”

Bojangles’ agreement with Carter and Lee builds on the brand’s accelerated growth in 2022 with more than 100 new locations in its development pipeline within target markets, which include Dallas-Fort Worth, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., among others.

Franchise opportunities with Bojangles remain in regions across the U.S., including the Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and parts of the Southeast. Candidates should have restaurant and business experience, along with a minimum net worth of $1.0 million and liquid capital of $500,000.

For more information about development opportunities, contact Lead Qualifier Manager of Franchise Development Robin Weiner, at rweiner@bojangles.com or (704) 940-8790, or visit bojangles.com/franchising.

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 2, 2022

Ye Agrees to Divorce Settlement with Kim Kardashian, Will Pay $200,000 Monthly for Child Support

---

One aspect of Ye‘s life has some clarity now that there has been a settlement in the divorce proceedings he has been involved with.

According to Fortune, the recording artist formerly known as Kanye West and his former wife, Kim Kardashian has officially reached a settlement in their divorce battle. The trial that was supposed to start later this month has been avoided by both parties.

It’s being reported that the attorneys for Ye and Kardashian have presented documents to the judge for the approval of the terms agreed upon. Ye has agreed to pay the mother of his four children $200,000 monthly for child support payments. The two parents have also arranged to share custody of the children. Their four children, North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm range in age from three to nine years old.

Good Morning America reported that based on the settlement papers, Kardashian and Ye will “share joint legal custody” of their four children and will “consult with one another on all major decisions relating to the minor children’s health, education and welfare.”

Along with the custody arrangement, the former couple will also evenly pay the expenses for the children’s private security and private school, as well as their college education.

No spousal support will be collected by either side and since they had a pre-nuptial agreement, it will be honored.

The New York Post has reported that Kardashian will keep the bulk of the properties that were owned by the couple. That includes the Hidden Hills home that she and the children occupy currently, and she will retain possession of the other four homes next door. She is also keeping a Malibu property, a Riverside lot, and three properties located in Idaho.

The former married couple had their nuptials in 2014. Kardashian filed for divorce last year, citing irreconcilable differences. Earlier this year, a judge granted Kardashian her request to be declared legally single before coming to this settlement arrangement with Ye.

Michael Vick will lead a documentary that will showcase the evolution of Black quarterbacks in the NFL.

SMAC Productions, a division of SMAC Entertainment, and Fubo Studios will co-produce the eight-part documentary series. The docuseries will be led by Vick, the first Black quarterback drafted first overall by the NFL. He is credited with changing the trajectory of the Black quarterback.

“I’m excited to be a part of this project because as a kid, I just wanted to have a shot at playing in the National Football League. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be the first African American quarterback drafted #1. I know that was a big step for us in society,” said Vick in a written statement.

“I was always told that I revolutionized the quarterback position, but I also like to give credit to the ones who I idolized as a kid and who paved the way like Randall Cunningham, Steve McNair, and Donovan McNabb. When you look at the evolution of the Black quarterback, it’s because of the people that came before us. And now, I’m thankful for the dual threat concept that has changed the game for the better.”

Vick spoke to various former and current players as well as coaches, cultural figures, celebrities, and journalists for this project. According to the press release, the docuseries will “examine how on-field commanders changed the game and led off-field movements.” The story is being told through the eyes and experiences of the various Black quarterbacks who left their mark on the game.

The series will speak about and to several experts, including Fritz Pollard, Patrick Mahomes, Cam Newton, Tony Dungy, Andy Reid, Doug Williams, and Colin Kaepernick.

“At SMAC, we tell stories that go beyond the headlines and dig deep into our culture; this project is no different,” said FredAnthony Smith, vice president of nonscripted at SMAC Entertainment, who will serve as an executive producer and director of the docuseries.

“The story of the evolution of the Black quarterback is the story of how a group of men fought for the chance to play a position, revolutionized the game, and impacted and shaped culture off the field,” he added. “I couldn’t think of a better guide to take us on this journey than Michael Vick, someone who grew up watching so many of the groundbreakers of the ’80s and ’90s, and who himself has inspired so many of today’s greatest players.”

No release date was mentioned.

The recent reveal of a romance between Good Morning America co-hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach, who are both legally married, has people talking.

According to TMZ, due to the circumstances surrounding the start of the union, the two will not be facing any discipline.

BLACK ENTERPRISE recently reported that the hosts of GMA3: What You Need To Know were engaging in a romantic relationship, according to The Daily Mail. Holmes is legally married to attorney Marilee Fiebig, while Robach is still married to Melrose Place actor Andrew Shue. Amid reports that both hosts have been separated from their respective spouses since August, no discipline is warranted since the affair started after both left their partners.

The pair appeared on a recent show as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

TMZ reported that sources “with direct knowledge” on the show stated that Robach had to reassure executives at ABC several years ago that she and Holmes were not a romantic item, although she said they were best friends.