The presence of Black players in professional hockey is rare and even rarer may be the presence of Black coaches. Well, history was made this week when two Black coaches actually faced each other in a hockey matchup.

#ECHL History will be made this morning as two black head coaches will oppose each other for the first time with Joel Martin of @KalamazooWings & Jason Payne of @CincyCyclones pic.twitter.com/4mxdZ1vMaQ

— ECHL (@ECHL) October 26, 2022

According to NHL.com, on Wednesday, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, two Black coaches, Jason Payne and Joel Martin made history when their teams took to the ice. They became the first two Black coaches to face each other on opposite benches during a professional hockey game. This is believed to be the first time this has happened in North American men’s pro hockey.

“It’s humbling to be a part of history,” Martin said. “I think it’s super cool to be able to do it with somebody that’s been a friend of mine now for a while after coaching with him in the league there, Jason Payne. So that makes it a little extra special.”

The chance to be a part of history while showing children that Blacks can not only play hockey but can also coach can give some of the kids’ inspiration to look at hockey now.

“It’s been a long time coming and it’s great for hockey in general and the world, in general, to be able to see two coaches of color coaching against each other, making the jump, making these historical steps,” Payne said. “Joel and I, we’ve worked hard to get where we are and to make this step and impact in hockey.

“The kids get to see players of color and say, ‘I can be that player.’ Now they get to see two guys as the term goes, ‘bench bosses,’ and they can say, ‘Oh, there’s another position I can possibly get to one day if I work hard enough at it.’ That’s what’s most fulfilling for all of us.”

Both men are members of the NHL Coaches’ Association’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) program. This is an initiative that is trying to support coaches in various areas throughout the league. They include skills development, leadership strategies, communication tactics, and networking.

There have only been seven Black coaches in North American men’s pro hockey history. The first one was Dirk Graham when he had the reins of the Chicago Blackhawks for 59 games in 1998-99.

The remaining three are Shawn Wheeler (Charlotte, ECHL, 1998-2000), Graeme Townshend (Macon, Central Hockey League, 1999-2001, Greensboro, ECHL, 2001-02), and Leo Thomas (Macon, Southern Professional Hockey League, 2018-19).

• Celebrity News

by Jasmine Jackson

October 29, 2022

Reality TV Star Trina Braxton Files Police Report After Somebody Keyed Her Car While Voting in Georgia

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Voting contention in Georgia is at an all-time high ahead of the 2022 midterms, and reality television personality, Trina Braxton is the latest victim experiencing the negative effects.

The Braxton sister from WE tv‘s, Braxton Family Values, posted a video on Instagram showing that someone had keyed her car. The singer and sibling of the iconic R&B artist, Toni Braxton, said the incident happened while she was voting at the “Aquatic Center off of North Bogan Drive and Gwinnett,” in Georgia—a predominantly white area according to Braxton.

The Southern Poverty Law Center reported that Gwinnett County was just 30 percent Black in 2020.

“I went in to go vote. I came back out, and somebody keyed my car,” Braxton said in the video.

Braxton showed a key mark from the back door to the tail light of her car. The Braxton Family Christmas, singer said she was so upset that she didn’t know what to do with herself.

“I can’t believe people can be so cruel. My car didn’t do anything to anybody.”

She shared that voting was one thing she needed to do before attending her soon-to-be daughter’s bridal shower. Braxton’s husband, Von Scales, was out-of-town according to the reality TV star. Although, her sister Towanda Braxton was a phone call away and told Trina to calm down after the star said she filed a police report. Police, according to Braxton, told her to let her insurance company take care of the damage, but she refused.

“I’m not going to let my insurance company handle it because I didn’t do it,” she said.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Trina Braxton (@trinabraxton1)

Tamar Braxton, the singer’s sister and reality TV co-star commented on the video:

“Atlanta ghetto chile smh.”

The singer warned viewers that cameras were around the community center and that she plans to get an investigative report.

Voter tension has left workers feeling threatened in Georgia. CNBC reported that extremists claimed they would have a worker “hung for treason.” The state created a text alert system for workers to report threats at their polling locations to deal with voter intimidation, according to NBC.

Georgia’s Secretary of State reported that as of Oct. 26, a record-breaking 1,017,732 voters had already cast their ballots during Early Voting, which began on Oct. 17.

• News

by Derek Major

October 29, 2022

California Police Spend More Time Conducting Racially Biased Stops Than Responding To Calls

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According to a new report on racial profiling in California, Black drivers are nearly five times more likely to be stopped by California sheriffs for traffic violations than white drivers.

The Guardian reports records from the county sheriff’s departments in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and Riverside were obtained and reviewed by the advocacy groups Catalyst California and the ACLU of Southern California through state law and showed Black drivers were disproportionately stopped in those regions in 2019, especially for minor infractions.

Additionally, the data shows that California sheriffs patrols spend significantly more time conducting racially motivated stops than they do responding to calls for help.

The most severe racial disparities in the state occurred in the Golden State’s capital city, Sacramento. According to the data in Sacramento, Black drivers are stopped 4.7 times more than white drivers. Overall, Black residents in the state, including pedestrians, were stopped 4.1 times whites.

The authors of the report estimated the Los Angeles Sheriff’s patrol unit which has a budget of more than $1 billion, spends $918 million on traffic stops and $124 million on service calls. ln addition to exposing racial disparities in traffic stops, the data suggests some departments prioritize stops that don’t support public safety.

“The vast amount of time that law enforcement is out on patrol is counterproductive to community safety,”  Chauncey Smith, co-author of the report and Catalyst California’s senior manager of reimagine justice and safety told the Guardian.

“It amounts to millions of dollars of public resources wasted on these racially biased practices.”

Eva Bitrán, an attorney with the ACLU of Southern California said the data again raises questions about the priorities of law enforcement agencies across the state.

“Law enforcement’s narrative is that cops are out keeping people safe, ‘catching dangerous criminals’ and ‘investigating serious crime’. But they’re spending 80% to 90% of their time on officer-initiated stops, not calls for safety. And then a huge chunk of that is for traffic enforcement for minor violations,” Bitrán said.

The data for the study came before the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement and calls for defunding police departments and spending more money on social programs, drug treatment and housing programs.

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 29, 2022

Could Things Get Any Weirder? Kanye West Allegedly Wanted to Name Album After Adolf Hitler

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Amid Kanye West‘s swift cancellation after his controversial anti-Semitic remarks, insider reports reveal his alleged weird obsession with Adolf Hitler.

Several people who were close to the rap and fashion mogul dished on Kanye’s alleged infatuation with the Nazi leader, CNN reports. The insiders claimed Kanye even wanted to name an album after Hitler.

A business executive who used to work for Ye, said the Donda rapper created a hostile work environment, due in part to his obsession with Hitler.

“He would praise Hitler by saying how incredible it was that he was able to accumulate so much power and would talk about all the great things he and the Nazi Party achieved for the German people,” the anonymous source shared.

The executive left his position and reached a settlement with the musician over workplace complaints, including harassment. The insider claimed West spoke openly about having read Hitler’s 1925 autobiographical manifesto Mein Kampf and expressed his admiration for the Nazi movement for its propaganda.

The executive claimed that people in West’s inner circle were fully aware of his admiration for Hitler. In total, four inside sources said West wanted to name his 2018 album Hitler but eventually released the project under the name Ye.

Kanye’s anti-Semitic sentiments have resulted in him being dropped by Adidas, Balenciaga, Vogue, and more. Major companies and brands have ended their ties with the Chicago native due to his strong remarks against the Jewish community.

Kanye has since offered an apology saying he now recognizes that God did not call for him to alienate or hurt people, and he wanted “to give a sincere apology to the Jewish people,” CBN News reports.

“Causing people to hurt is not helping,” he told Jewish podcast host Lex Friedman.

“So before God, what I would do is start off, as a samurai, and say I’m sorry for hurting you as a Jewish person,” Kanye continued.

“I’m sorry for the way I made you feel. And I’m sorry for the entire population of a race that I feel is actually my brothers because I classify and feel that I’m also connected with Christ in that way.”

• Sports

by Stacy Jackson

October 29, 2022

‘Sports is Different ‘: NBA Champion Matt Barnes Disapproves of Trans Women Playing in WNBA

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NBA champion, Matt Barnes, has a controversial perspective on transgender women competing in women’s professional sports leagues.

According to Fox News, Barnes expressed that he disapproves of transgender women playing in the WNBA during a recent interview on Oct. 21.

“I don’t like that. If you’re born a woman, you should play women’s sports. If you’re born a man, you should play men’s sports. I think the sports thing is a little different,” Barnes said.

The 14-season NBA veteran recalled Lia Thomas, NCAA swimming champion, the first transgender athlete to win the Division I national championship.

ESPN reported that Thomas, who was born male and transitioned a few years ago, swam for the University of Pennsylvania and received public criticism during the 2021-22 season for competing in the women’s division.

Former Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas responded to criticism that she received throughout the 2021–22 season https://t.co/PqnlU5xoOf

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 31, 2022

“Trans women competing in women’s sports does not threaten women’s sports as a whole,” Thomas said.

“Trans women are a very small minority of all athletes. The NCAA rules regarding trans women competing in women’s sports have been around for 10 plus years. And we haven’t seen any massive wave of trans women dominating.”

Barnes said transgender women playing in the WNBA is like Kevin Durant playing against cisgender women.

“It’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed,” he said.

“I’m pro make your choice. Do you,” Barnes said when it comes to people making their personal life decisions.

“But sports is different. Sports is a different beast,” he added.

According to The National Desk, a poll from Washington Examiner/YouGov recorded public opinions on student-athletes competing on teams that don’t match their birth gender. Fifty-three percent of American adults said they were somewhat or completely against it; 80% were Republicans and 34% were Democrats.

“In the United States, some lawmakers are drafting legislation that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in any women’s sports,” The National Desk informed.

British visual artist and philosopher Shantell Martin is living out her passion.

Best known for her large-scale, black-and-white line drawings, Martin’s masterful portfolio pushes the boundaries of creative storytelling. She explores themes such as intersectionality, identity, and play, while simultaneously, forging connections between fine art, education, design, philosophy, and technology.

Using an ink marker, Martin also creates small personal sketches, murals, live drawings, wearable art, and more. Her artwork has inspired many thoughtful collaborations with artists and institutions including Pulitzer Prize-winning performance artist Kendrick Lamar, the renowned New York City Ballet, Tiffany & Co., and Nike. She has exhibited in prestigious solo shows at the 92Y Gallery in New York City, the iconic Albright Knox Gallery, and the New Britain Museum of Contemporary Arts.

Martin’s latest collaboration with Hoek Home includes a limited collection featuring her signature black-and-white lines. From coasters to coffee tables to wall art, there are no limits to her work. Her journey was captured via Instagram during the Hoek Home Artist Residency.

An intellectual at heart, Martin currently teaches students as an adjunct professor at NYU Tisch ITP (Interactive Telecommunications Program).

Martin talked more with BLACK ENTERPRISE about her groundbreaking work and experience.

Who are you, Shantell?

Just a creative kid trying to have the freedom to make what I want, where I want, and when I want with a positive message.

As a biracial artist, how does your work celebrate who you are and the people around you?

I’m always trying to make work that creates experiences and connections by sharing who I am. That’s also why I like to work live and in real-time. It keeps me honest and in a position where I feel creative and connected to the world.

What does it mean to you to wake up every day and live out your passion and creative outlets?

To live out your passion and do what you love, you also have to do many other things to maintain that. It’s a balance and a dance, you can never do 100% what you love and what you like, but that’s the goal and what keeps me going.

Can you describe a day in the life of Shantell inspired by just doing and creating art?

That sounds like a dream, but doesn’t really exist. There’s definitely a part of the day where I’m drawing or making music, but then there’s also the other side that most don’t see: the admin, organizing, meetings, and maintenance. Each day I just try to put one foot in front of the other and see where I end up.

When did your journey creating your signature black-and-white artwork begin? 

Just like all of us, I’ve been drawing since I was a child, and in black-and-white.

What have you learned through the process of transforming your fine art to wearable art?

I’ve been drawing on clothes all my life since I was a kid. Its really surreal to see other people wearing it and walking past me in the street or out in the world. Our bodies are like museums, and we can carry art with us and on us. That feels really cool.

What was the biggest lesson you learned during the HOEK home artist residency?

The biggest thing I learned was how to tessellate a shape. Which basically means creating a shape that can connect to itself from each side, you’ll notice this technique in the coasters that we came out with. It looks quite simple, but actually, for me, it was a bit difficult and challenging to get right. Ultimately, I was able to figure it out and that felt very rewarding. I loved how this collection came out.

Music and art can easily be dance partners. Describe what your experience has been like co-creating live performances?

All of my performances are spontaneous and intuitive so I really get to tap into the space, energy, and people in the room. I really enjoy live performances.

What does the future look like for you and your art?

Hopefully, the future is bigger, brighter, larger, and more interactive. I want to continue creating meaningful installation art moments around the world and ultimately play a bigger role in education and schools.

What advice would you give to those who want to explore and cultivate their art into the capacity you’ve grown and beyond?

It’s not easy. If you’re not 100% into it, consider doing something else. But if you do have the dedication, consistency is the key. You’ve got to be consistent.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 28, 2022

‘This Isn’t A Rodeo’, Utah Deputy Sparks Backlash For Twirling Lasso While Pursuing Black Man

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A white Utah deputy’s decision to use a lasso rope while searching for a Black male suspect has sparked upset from the Black community.

Deputy Amanda Edwards is under fire for July bodycam footage that revealed her on-foot pursuit of a Black homeless man wanted for stealing sunglasses from a gift shop on Moab’s Main Street, KSL reports. The video shows Edwards coiling the rope in her hand or twirling it in the air in front of her.

Observers questioned Edwards, asking what she was up to. In an upbeat tone, the deputy told concerned witnesses that she was searching for an African American man.

“Are you going to lasso him?” one observer asks.

“That was my plan, man,” the deputy says in response. “I mean, it’s better than running, right?”

Video shows Edwards jumping on trash cans to look over a fence, running around a parking lot, and whistling the tune of “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega during her pursuit. At one point, she bumps into a fellow deputy who tells her,

“That’s going to look really bad, if you use that.”

“Better than a Taser,” Edwards replied.

When passing by a Utah Highway Patrol trooper, Edwards expressed her excitement in pursuing the suspect with her lasso.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for quite some time,” she said.

At the end of her search, Edwards tells a colleague about all the reactions to her using the lasso.

“Dude, so many people took pictures of me with my rope,”  she said. “What are they going to say? It’s not like I (expletive) anybody up with it.”

Members of the Black community have since called out the July 10 incident that produced no results.

Jeanetta Williams, president of the NAACP’s Salt Lake branch, explained why it was good that no one saw Edwards arrest the suspect. They “could literally have a heart attack because they would flash back to the lynchings that went on,” Williams said.

“This isn’t a rodeo, and this is no way to apprehend a human being.”

Mario Mathis, an organizer with Black Lives Matter, shamed Edwards’ actions for similarity to past stories of racism and lynching against African Americans.

“If you don’t know that you, as a white woman, picking up a rope to go after a Black man, is the wrong damn thing to do, you should be fired,” Mathis said.

Sheriff Steven White confirmed an investigation was launched, and Edwards faced discipline. Edwards later wrote in a report that she “replied to each individual in a joking manner” and did not actually expect to find the man during her pursuit.

“I don’t take that as joking,” White said of Edwards’ behavior. “It’s about professionalism. You treat everybody the same. You treat everybody professionally. That’s the way it should be.”

• Legal

by Stacy Jackson

October 28, 2022

Four Teens Killed In Car Crash After Reportedly Performing Viral TikTok Trend ‘The Kia Challenge’

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An investigation continues to unfold the details of a deadly tragedy.

Four teenagers are dead after they were involved in a car crash on the Kensington Expressway Monday morning in Buffalo, New York.

According to the New York Post, the four teens, identified as Marcus Webster, 19; Swazine Swindle, 17; Kevin Payne, 16; and Ahjanae Harper, 14.

Buffalo police said the wrecked vehicle, identified as a Kia, was reported stolen on Sunday night. Officials believe the teens stole the car to allegedly participate in a TikTok trend known as ‘The Kia Challenge,’ where viewers are shown how to hot-wire the South Korean automobile with a screwdriver and USB cable.

“Five of the six occupants, all but the driver, were ejected,” WIVB reported.

According to the outlet, the 16-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle, whose name has not been released, was treated at Erie County Medical Center and is one of two survivors. The driver has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property, the outlet reports.

Police have released him from custody as he awaits a scheduled court date today, Friday, Oct. 28.

The other survivor, a 14-year-old girl, was hospitalized in intensive care but was later released.

Harper, who would have been celebrating her 15th birthday, recently welcomed a baby girl, and her family has launched a GoFundMe to raise $15,000.

“She was a young mother,” a local said about her in a TikTok video. “She definitely spent a lot of time with her daughter.”

Swindle’s sister, Nashira Anderson, shared that her brother enjoyed playing basketball and goofing around.

Loved ones will remember Webster, who was balancing a job along with his schooling as a hard worker.

“We certainly send our deepest condolences and sympathies to all the families, and everyone impacted by this unfortunate and horrific tragedy,” the Buffalo Public School District stated.

According to WGRZ, Kia released a statement on Thursday addressing the incident.

Kia released this statement about the crash that killed four teens on the 33 Monday — believed to be linked to the Kia Challenge on TikTok that shows how to steal Kias.

As a result, Kia plans to partner with law enforcement nationwide to provide free steering wheel locks @WGRZ. pic.twitter.com/2Yk9nUiSyP

— Andy Paden (@Andy_Paden) October 27, 2022

The legendary soul singer Chaka Khan is calling out the music acts of today who resort to using auto-tune in their songs instead of raw vocal range.

Chaka was at the Angel Ball on Monday, where she performed a few of her soulful hits like “I’m Every Woman” and “Tell Me Something Good,” Page Six reports. While at the annual fundraiser for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, the songstress expressed her distaste for current-day singers who she feels don’t give their all when recording new music.

“There is some great stuff out there, and there are some great artists,” Chaka Khan said. “There’s some very fine young artists out there doing great, great work that I am impressed with.”

“But the others, they just need to get them a job at the Post Office — they are always hiring!” she quipped.

“People are using Auto-tune. They need to get to the Post Office quick.”

The legendary soul diva also expressed her sorrow for the more talented singers she feels are insecure in embracing what they have to offer the music industry.

“I feel very sad. It saddens me deeply that so much… insecurity is present in these girls,” she said. “They really need to know that they are the gold and that they really are precious.”

The 69-year-old 10-time Grammy winner is known for not biting her tongue when speaking on today’s music. Chaka Khan has called out Kanye West for the way he used her 1980s hit, “Through The Fire,” on his 2003 rap debut, “Through The Wire.”

“I was upset about sounding like a chipmunk ’cause he didn’t put that when he asked [if he could] sample my song,” Chaka told Good Day D.C.

“He didn’t mention he was going to speed it up three times its normal speed.

The songstress credited the experience for changing her perspective on allowing artists to use her music.

“Had he, I would’ve had something to say. But since I didn’t think of that, believe me, I think of it now. [When someone asks to sample my music] I ask, ‘How are we gonna do this?’”

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph is in high demand amid her Emmy Award-winning role on ABC’s Abbott Elementary. Now the screen star is set to strut her stuff on the runway!

Ralph took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce her addition to Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show on Nov. 9.

“R U ready for this #SAVAGEFENTYSHOW 11.9.22 ? I know I am and I’m in it!! SAVAGE!!!!” Ralph captioned the video post.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sheryl Lee Ralph (@thesherylleeralph)

The video clip teased what fans can expect from the upcoming runway show that’ll air on Amazon. Along with the original Dreamgirls star, other prominent names who will likely perform and model include Anitta, Don Toliver, Burna Boy, and Maxwell.

Ralph’s friends and followers applauded her new fashion gig.

“WE ARENT READY,” Quinta Brunson wrote.

“Get your entire life Mrs. Ralph,” Bresha Webb said.

“I know you about to shut it dowwwwnnnn!” one fan added.

Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show is known for bringing diversity and inclusion to the fashion industry. Her shows feature models of all sizes, shades, and sexual orientations.

Who better to show off the ageless beauty and sex appeal that Savage x Fenty represents than Ralph? The veteran actress has been receiving praise for her performance on Abbott Elementary and her tenure in Hollywood.

Last month, Ralph accepted an Emmy Award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Barbara Howard. She has been applauded for her emotional speech, which became the night’s moment.

“To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like, this is what striving looks like, and don’t you ever, ever give up on you,” she said.