December 1, 2022
New Years is synonymous with champagne, glittery dresses, and disco balls, but for some New Years is a constant reminder of wounds unhealed.
This January, descendants of the Rosewood family will honor the legacy of those lost on Jan. 1, 1923 with a week full of culture, conversation, and exchange in Gainesville, Fla. from Jan. 8-15, 2023.
The week-long engagement will celebrate the lives of those lost during the tragic Rosewood event 100 years ago and will explore what the next 100 years looks like for Black America. Additionally, the seven-day event will include a museum opening at the University of Florida, family activities, seminars, forums, and special guest appearances from some of the country’s leading scholars, activists, and cultural workers.
“The future starts with honoring the lives that were taken, acknowledging the trauma that was left behind, sharing the stories of the past, and celebrating the promise of all that lies ahead,” said Gregory Doctor, the cousin of Arnett Doctor, the descendant who led the fight for the families’ historic reparations settlement.
“We look at this event as a launch pad for progress and are honored to lead the charge in shaping what the next 100 years looks like for our country.”
The event is free and open to the public. To plan your stay in Gainesville, learn more or donate $19.23 to Remembering Rosewood, visit rememberingrosewood.com.
December 1, 2022
As featured on the New York Times, Good Morning America, USA Today and Forbes, the famed Black-owned gourmet pizza chain, Slim + Husky’s has now expanded to deliver nationally to take America by storm with their hip-hop-inspired pizzas.
The three best friends share the mission to empower communities while using pizza as their vehicle to engage, offering quality food, employment opportunities, and community events as the company expands across the nation. Slim & Husky’s was ranked #5 out of 101 in The Daily Meal’s 101 Best Pizzas in America.
The three Tennessee State University grads and football players (Clint Gray – CMO, Derrick Moore – Chief Development Officer and EJ Reed – CEO) started Slim + Husky’s to serve unique pies and provide jobs to their neighborhood in North Nashville. Now, they have expanded locations across the country and offer build-your-own pizzas, take-out options, catering services, and national delivery. This includes opening the first Black-owned restaurant on Broadway in Nashville.
Their motto, “Pizza. Art. Music” sums up their founding beliefs to create change and opportunities within underserved communities, while embracing the music culture. Crowds flock to their Tennessee, Atlanta and Sacramento locations (with additional locations opening throughout 2023) to indulge in artisan pizza while vibing to Hip Hop and R&B classics. The owners consider their biggest accomplishments opening the flagship Slim & Husky’s restaurant in their North Nashville neighborhood, the ability to provide a substantial number of jobs, and the ability to live out their dream while providing a real impact on their community
When they aren’t perfecting their product, Clint, Derrick, and EJ are hosting community events and participating in speaking engagements at local schools, nonprofits, small businesses, and organizations.
From hosting events to support local artists to honoring area teachers, they strive to recognize and promote positivity wherever they go.
Cynthia Bailey had plenty of reason to be thankful Thanksgiving after announcing her mom’s cancer-free health status just days before the holiday.
“For everyone that has been asking for an update on my mom @barbarafmorris cancer journey, i am so excited to let you all know that today was her last day of radiation, and she is by the grace of God cancer free!!!” Bailey captioned her heartwarming post.
“Thanksgiving came early. thank you all for your love, prayers & well wishes! glory be to God!💕💗.”
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The Real Housewives of Atlanta alumna added to assuring hashtags, confirming her mother is “#cancerfree” and that “#healthiswealth.”
Fans flooded Bailey’s comments section with supportive messages. The update came three months after Bailey announced her mom’s diagnosis.
In August, Bailey shared why she was hopeful that her mom, Barbara Ford Morris, would make a full recovery from her stage 1 breast cancer scare after undergoing a lumpectomy.
“They found it through her mammogram. She didn’t feel anything. That was the only way they found it,” Bailey told Page Six.
“The good news is that we caught it early. Early detection saved my mom’s life.”
Because of the procedure, Morris didn’t have to undergo chemotherapy as a treatment option.
“She doesn’t have to do chemo,” she said. “They’re going to remove [the cancer], and then they’re going to give her radiation treatments after that. So, she should be good.”
The entire journey wasn’t smooth sailing for the family. Bailey recalled how worried they all were after Morris first received the diagnosis and waited for word on her next steps.
“They don’t tell you anything other than they’ve found cancer,” Bailey said.
“Then you have to wait a week and a half until you go in. And we went in, of course, an hour early to make sure we got in. We couldn’t get in fast enough.
“It was agonizing. But then knowing that she was going to be OK was the biggest blessing and put us both at ease,” she added.
Nice to know Bailey enjoyed Thanksgiving and will enjoy the rest of the holidays with her mom.
December 1, 2022
For the first time in 27 years, popular Today show weatherman Al Roker did not host the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Page Six reported that the 68-year-old had been in the hospital last month receiving care for blood clots discovered in his leg and lungs.
Roker made it home in time to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his family. According to Page Six, he was taken back to the hospital in an ambulance the day after.
A witness who viewed the weatherman being placed in the ambulance said, “Al was taken from his home in a stretcher back to the hospital on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. His condition was worrying, but once back in the hospital, he improved.
“His wife, Deborah, was understandably very upset. She had left her phone and other possessions inside their Tesla, which had malfunctioned and wouldn’t unlock, so she was trying to smash in a window.”
The witness stated that after trying frantically to get into the vehicle, she and her daughter were able to catch a taxi to the hospital.
With news of his trip to the hospital, it was reported that Roker will sit out next week’s Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting. Mario Lopez will fill in for him.
Before this latest mishap, Roker took to his Instagram page to alert his fanbase about the health scare he experienced and that he was doing better.
“So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been. Last week I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs. After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers and hope to see you soon. Have a great weekend, everyone.”
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December 1, 2022
A young lady hadn’t heard from her brother since he left his phone at her house on Thanksgiving.
After not hearing from him for days and being unable to reach him, she discovered that he had passed away while in police custody, after being arrested for trespassing at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
According to WSB-TV, Terry Lee Thurmond, a father of three, died as an inmate inside Clayton County Jail. His sister, Laterral England wants to know exactly what happened that contributed to his death at the prison.
“We were just together, chilling on the couch watching a movie,” England stated.
In an earlier report from WSB-TV, officials from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) claimed that the 38-year-old Thurmond of Hapeville died after making an attempt to escape. He allegedly jumped from the second floor of the jail while other prisoners and police officers attempted to stop him.
Officials have said that he struggled with police officers and ended up being tased by the officers, according to the GBI. Thurmond was then taken to a hospital where he passed away.
Learning of how her brother died has left England with more questions than answers.
“When they tased him, did he fall? Did he hit his head? What happened?” she asked.
She also stated that Thurmond suffered from mental illness. He had previously been a visitor at Clayton County Jail due to not taking his medication, which he often did not do.
“He’s sweet. [He] had a bit of a trouble, and I think it’s mostly because he had mental problems,” she told the media outlet.
Officials at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation have said that all questions could not be answered but they are conducting an investigation into the matter. The incident was caught on video and England wants authorities to release the footage.
The district attorney for Clayton County, Tasha Mosley, revealed that she is waiting for the completion of the GBI investigation.
December 1, 2022
The mothers of three Black friends who died after apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in Mexico City last month have decided to take legal action against the rental giant, Airbnb.
According to NBC News, the mothers believe that the deaths of Jordan Marshall, 28, Kandace Florence, 28, and Courtez Hall, 33, could have been easily prevented if Airbnb had required their rental units to have working carbon monoxide detectors.
They spoke publicly for the first time in an exclusive interview with the news station.
One mother, Freida Florence, told NBC News, “I cannot process in my mind why my daughter is not here today,” she said. “There is no excuse. There is no excuse. It cost $30. If I had known, I would have bought it for her.”
The mothers stated they have been struggling to cope with their children’s deaths.
Atlanta-based attorney L. Chris Stewart told NBC News that the three Americans died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a malfunctioning water heater.
While the lawsuit reportedly has not been filed yet, Stewart, who is representing the mothers, plans to compel Airbnb to mandate working carbon monoxide detectors in all of its properties around the world.
The attorney stated that Airbnb has been sued previously regarding this issue and was aware of this problem existing.
Stewart told NBC News that Airbnb regulates guns and parties, so carbon monoxide alarms should be required as a company policy to ensure customer safety.
He alleged that Airbnb has not enforced such a policy, as it would dispute many listings that don’t meet those criteria, which would affect the company’s bottom line.
“These are the three examples of what parents want their children to be. We lost a 12th-grade teacher, a seventh-grade teacher, and an entrepreneur who built a company from nothing. That’s what we want. These people were helping the next generation,” Stewart told NBC News. “It’s always about money. They only speak money, which is why this lawsuit is coming.”
A spokesperson for Airbnb issued a statement to NBC News that reads:
“This is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones as they grieve such an unimaginable loss. Our priority right now is supporting those impacted as the authorities investigate what happened, and we stand ready to assist with their inquiries however we can.”
Airbnb has also reportedly suspended the Mexico City listing and has contacted the U.S. Embassy regarding the three deaths.
December 1, 2022
Fans are pulling the race card on Tim Burton and Netflix for the casting and undertones on the new hit comedy horror series Wednesday.
According to the New York Post, the show, which follows Wednesday Addams and her life as a boarding school student, collected mixed reviews after its premiere last week. Critics pointed out Black actress Joy Sunday’s role as a mean girl at Nevermore Academy and Iman Marson, a Black actor who portrays a bully and the son of a corrupt mayor.
A rep for Burton, who contributed to the series as a director and executive producer, dismissed the criticism when contacted by the New York Post.
“I’m not forwarding a comment request this silly to Tim,” Mike Simpson of William Morris Endeavor (WME) responded.
“However, apparently Daylight Savings Time is racist,” he added with a link to a recent CNN article regarding how Daylight Savings Time disproportionately affects the sleep and health of people of color.
“’ Wednesday’ was shot in Romania where DST [Daylight Savings Time] is observed. Maybe that’s a better angle,” Simpson said.
One Twitter user questioned Netflix for allowing all the Black actors in the show to portray terrible people, calling Burton a racist.
https://twitter.com/luffyslover/status/1597016158023995392
Reportedly, some heads also tilted at the choice of the mayor owning Pilgrim World, with the museum celebrating pilgrims and colonizers.
According to Tyla, other viewers disagreed with the opinions of the critics.
“The Black girl was also classified as the prettiest most popular girl in the school,” one viewer said.
“A Black girl with NON Eurocentric features. A Black girl with a short cut. A non mixed girl. She’s classified as the prettiest!!! They really did a thing.”
“Wait, but Bianca isn’t a mean girl imo [in my opinion],” another added.
“We were led to believe that in the first few episodes, but then we got her backstory and go to know her more and and sided with her. She’s one of the best characters.”
Burton has been criticized for his portrayal of actors of color in his projects before. In 2016, Burton responded to speculation from actor Samuel L. Jackson who mentioned that he was the first Black lead in a Burton film during his promotion for “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.”
December 1, 2022
Former President Barack Obama is headed to Georgia to stump for Sen. Raphael Warnock days before the Senate runoff between the Democrat and Herschel Walker.
The Associated Press reported the former president will campaign with Warnock Thursday night, with the final day of early voting on Friday. Obama’s presence comes as Democrats try to bank as many early votes as possible heading into next Tuesday, while Republicans will be heavily dependent on runoff election day turnout.
Warnock has remained positive heading into Election Day, telling The Associated Press that the early voting turnout has been positive and lines have been moving quickly.
“I think the turnout we’re seeing is good, and I want to encourage people to stick with it,” Warnock said, comparing voting to waiting in line at a popular Atlanta lunch spot. “The other day I went to the Slutty Vegan, and the line was wrapped around the block, and folks still waited and got their sandwiches,” he said.
“I went and voted yesterday, and it was pretty painless.”
Warnock has also enlisted former First Lady Michelle Obama. In two recorded messages, one released for early voting and one that will be released on Election Day, Warnock said he had a special message from a friend, before the former first lady urged Georgia voters to cast their ballot for the reverend who stands on the pulpit where Martin Luther King Jr. once stood.
“This is Michelle Obama and I’m calling to make sure you have a plan to vote for Rev. Raphael Warnock,” she said.
“This election is going to be very close, and there are a lot of folks on the other side hoping you stay home. But we need you to get out and vote one more time for Raphael Warnock.”
“Rev. Warnock will always fight for Georgia, and in the Senate he’s proven he can get things done,” she added.
“Early voting has already begun and there’s no reason to wait until Election Day.”
In the Election Day ad, the former First Lady reminds voters that the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Walker, meanwhile, has received help from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. However former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Walker, will not stump for him. Trump’s own political aspirations are in danger, between Jewish leaders walking away from him and the numerous investigations against him.
December 1, 2022
A family is now searching for answers after a missing real estate investor’s body was discovered Friday in Houston.
Fox station KRIV in Houston reported that 26-year-old Delano Burkes was last seen leaving a bar on the 1200 block of West 20th Street on Sunday, Nov. 13, in Houston’s Heights area. His body was found by the Houston Police Department’s dive team in the Houston Ship Channel, located on the 9600 block of High Level Road, according to Burkes’ family. KRIV reports that the discovery of his body at the Port of Houston was about 15 miles from where he was last seen leaving the Height area bar.
Surveillance cameras captured the 26-year-old being escorted leaving McIntyre’s bar, according to Chron.
Burke’s family told KRIV that his friends had searched for him at nearby bars later that evening before leaving the area in his car. The family added that they believed Burkes’ cell phone was dying, and he may have been drugged by someone at one of the bars earlier that night.
“The way he was fumbling around almost looked like he was drugged or something,” said his mother Karen Jeffley after she reviewed the surveillance tape.
“People keep bringing up it looks like his side was hurting.”
KRIV reports that congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has been in close contact with Burkes’ family to discover what may have happened and provide them with closure.
“There may be a lot of information that could help this family have closure and comfort during this difficult time. We want to ask people to continue to help us find out what happened to Delano Burkes,” Jackson Lee told KRIV.
Houston police have reportedly launched a homicide investigation surrounding the matter. Crime Stoppers of Houston has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrests in this case.
December 1, 2022
The sororities and fraternities under the Divine 9 branch have always dedicated a great part of their missions to community service.
The Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Society and the sorority’s nonprofit, Ivy Alliance Foundation, are collaborating to revitalize the former St. Louis home of the sorority’s founder, Ethel Hedgemon Lyle. According to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the vacant property will be transformed into a museum highlighting Black American women.
“For over a hundred years, we have been providing service to mankind,” the leader of the chapter’s buildings and properties committee, Tracey Clark Jeffries, said regarding the sorority’s mission.
“Now the community will know where to find us.”
The Jeff-Vander-Lou home is located at 2844 St. Louis northwest of the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s campus. The $4 million project includes the museum and an adjacent community center to extend job assistance and skills training.
After a decade-long search for a location for the Ivy Alliance Foundation, Jeffries found the home that was owned by developer Paul McKee and his Northside Regeneration, the largest landowner in north city. Reportedly, McKee sold it to the sorority at a reasonable price in support of the organization’s initiative.
“They owned the land, and they didn’t have to sell the land,” Jeffries said of the companies.
According to Jeffries, Lyle’s house will be renovated into the museum, with construction slated to start next fall and open to the public by summer 2024. Other partners on the project include the Kwame Building Group as the contractor, Midwest Bank Centre as the lender, and Sensient Technologies Corp. to help connect residents with jobs.
“Developing underdeveloped areas is a great thing,” Jeffries said.
“What we hope is that the people of the community will be able to benefit from it.”
“We want to be there to help them benefit from it.”
