Fourth Grade Student Covers In Blood To Avoid Getting Killed During Texas School Massacre
by Atiya Jordan

May 27, 2022

Fourth Grade Student Covers In Blood To Avoid Getting Killed During Texas School Massacre

Eleven-year-old Miah Cerrillo, traumatized after witnessing her teacher and friends killed in the mass shooting at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, reportedly covered herself in blood to avoid being shot.

“My sister-in-law said is that she saw her friend full of blood, and she got blood and put it on herself,” Blanca Rivera told KPRC of her niece.

The fourth grader is a student at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. While the gunman was still at large in the building, Cerillo also managed to grab her dead teacher’s phone and dial 911 for help, the NY Post reported.

Upon hearing the tragic news, Miguel Cerrillo, Miah’s father, recalled racing down to Robb Elementary School only to find his daughter being carried out of the building smeared in blood.

After being rescued, Cerillo suffered bullet fragments injuries to her back. She was later treated at a hospital and released the same day.

Miah’s teacher, Irma Garcia, was one of two instructors who died in the shooting, Rivera told KXAS-TV. The massacre also claimed the lives of 19 students and another teacher, Eva Mireles. Several others were injured.

According to the NY Post, the suspected gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, who hid away in a classroom, was on a killing rampage for 40 minutes before he was eventually shot and killed by law enforcement.

Since that tragic day, the young girl’s aunt said she had been struggling to cope with the losses.

“Around midnight, my sister-in-law called me, and she was just crying like, ‘I think it just hit Miah. I think everything came to reality. We’re home, and she’s just crying and having a panic attack,’” Rivera said.

“At this point, we just have to pray and ask God to help us move forward through this situation. I know it’s traumatizing, and having an 11-year-old go through this, I can’t imagine what she’s feeling,” she continued.

 

HBCU Grad Turned Capitol Hill Attorney Launches Black-Owned Line of Pearl Accessories to Inspire Women
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 27, 2022

HBCU Grad Turned Capitol Hill Attorney Launches Black-Owned Line of Pearl Accessories to Inspire Women

Tonya Sloans, after having spent 20 years as a legal advisor in the nation’s capital, has used her fashion formula for career success to launch Power and Pearls, an online boutique that gives confidence to women through pearl accessories. Her products inspire women to wear pearls daily to feel powerful, be seen as powerful and ultimately make power moves.

After realizing that pearls were always a part of her look on every important occasion, Tonya, like so many other accomplished women, adopted pearl accessories as the iconic fashion accessory she would wear not only to look her best but to remind her of her power to achieve her career goals.

But this fashion trend did not start with Tonya. It is a historic and timeless jewel that is a sign of the high value, worth and power that women possess. The universal problem is just that women had no place to go for modern pearl accessories. Spotting pearls in a random shop, thrift stores or occasionally in department stores was the only opportunity for a woman to snatch a pearl accessory or two. But Tonya, who has a degree in business administration from Xavier University of Louisiana, filled the void in the fashion market by creating an online pearl accessories boutique to make fashion pearls available to women everywhere with the click of a button.

Tonya comments, “Not only do women need pearl accessories to look good, but they also need pearls as a constant reminder of their power to prosper.” This was a source of inspiration Tonya needed to propel her career forward after two bouts with ovarian cancer.

She continues, “Health hardships have an overwhelming power to knock a woman off her path towards career accomplishments. But there has to be something that brings to back from it and propels your forward.” Strong faith in God’s healing power and a polished, poised pearl appearance did it for Tonya, who also graduated from Howard University School of Divinity, as well as the University of Wisconsin and Georgetown University Law Schools.

Recovered from cancer and armored with determination, Tonya landed on Capitol Hill as an ethics attorney advising national leaders. The transformation came to Tonya and in turn, she created Power and Pearls to help other women reach their next level. Her online boutique enables Tonya to send pearls across the country to do the work of career empowerment that is close to her heart.

To learn more, please visit the company’s official website at PowerAndPearlsBoutique.com. Get 10 percent off all orders for a limited time by joining the email list.

This article first appeared on Blacknews.com.

Shaunie O’Neal Talks The Growth of ‘Basketball Wives’ After 10 Seasons
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 27, 2022

Shaunie O’Neal Talks The Growth of ‘Basketball Wives’ After 10 Seasons

Shaunie O’Neal, the Creator and Executive Producer of VH1’s classic hit reality show Basketball Wives, sat down with BLACK ENTERPRISE to discuss the monumental 10th season.

As a real-life boss and trailblazer, Shaunie explains how the new season follows where the ladies are in their life and business endeavors and how they’re all leveling up.

“I cannot say how proud I am to have created and produced such a successful television franchise with VH1,” Shaunie said.

“Basketball Wives has gone above and beyond my wildest dreams. How awesome is it to say ‘tune in to SEASON 10? 10?!’”

Season 10 sees a reunion of friends from past and present finding connections that both bring them closer together – and at times threaten to tear them further apart. Cameras follow the ladies as they manage their families, relationships, and business ventures all while clearing up their pasts to make for a better future.

The lineup includes veteran cast members Jackie Christie, Malaysia Pargo, and Jennifer Williams and some fan favorites from past seasons including Brandi Maxiell, Angel Brinks, DJ Duffey, Brooke Bailey, and Brittish Williams.

As an OG and show’s creator, Shaunie makes guest appearances along with a few newcomers like Nia and Noria. After years of viewers watching the ladies battle it out over petty feuds, Shaunie says it’s important for fans to get a look inside the sisterhood and business moves the ladies possess.

“We wanted to embrace the sisterhood and feel-good moments,” Shaunie told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“There’s some ups and downs and turns and all that kind of stuff. But for the most part, I think the feeling of it feels better. Which is the goal.”

Viewers will also get to see more entrepreneurship and boss moves in Season 10 than shared in past seasons. But it’s something Shaunie has been petitioning to have captured for years.

“It’s a lot of businesses and I, I’ve always pushed for that,” Shaunie said. “Despite how everybody thinks, you know, like I’m sitting back puppeteering some mess.”

“You don’t understand how much I fight for the business part. Because I think it comes across as nobody really wants to see that. ‘That’s boring, or make it tie into the drama.’ No, no, that’s somebody’s business,” she continued. “Like, we don’t want the drama. If that’s what has to get your eyes on your business, something’s wrong.”

Press play below to hear Shaunie’s thoughts on the new season and her plans to get into film and scripted television.

Well Hellurrr to Tyler Perry’s New $100 Million Mega Mansion!
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 27, 2022

Well Hellurrr to Tyler Perry’s New $100 Million Mega Mansion!

Well, it looks like Madea has done pretty well for herself. Surely her alter ego Tyler Perry has!

The prolific director and movie mogul is building a sprawling mega-mansion in Atlanta and it’s quite a sight to see.

(DC Sentinel)

According to the Douglas County Sentinel, Perry’s new home is 2,100 acres 8 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms 40,000 square ft, and costs a whopping $100mil+ dollars.

(DC Sentinel)
(DC Sentinel)

After dealing with fans coming by his last home in Atlanta to take pictures and pose after it was featured in Diary of a Mad Black Woman, this time it looks like Perry built a home that is quite secluded and takes quite a drive to even get to the front door.

(DC Sentinel)

Maybe Perry is building UP so he can slow DOWN.

While Perry says he loves “directing for 12- or 15-hour days,” he admits he could get even more done if he allowed others to get their feet wet.

After two decades of entertaining audiences through plays, films, and television, Perry shared his plans to “relinquish” some of his control to emerging writers and directors.

The Emmy Award-winning director is busy churning out episodes for his seven shows and counting at ViacomCBS. Tyler Perry Studios is celebrating 15 years of significant project releases across film and television.

With his groundbreaking 330-acre production studio in Atlanta, Perry still works harder than most. He’s known to push out a 25-episode season of a show in just three weeks and writes and directs all of his projects.

In 2019, Perry was honored by The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with the 2,675th star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the category of Motion Pictures, in Los Angeles.

We truly wish him well. But we do want our invite to the party!

Get A One-Year Sam’s Club Membership At A 72% Discount
by Black Enterprise Shop

May 27, 2022

Get A One-Year Sam’s Club Membership At A 72% Discount

You don’t have to go far to learn about the savings that accompany a Sam’s Club membership. Everyone from family members to friends has probably told you about the deals and member-exclusive benefits they enjoy.

With a Sam’s Club location in nearly every imaginable corner of the country, members don’t have to travel far to seize deals.

For a limited time, you can purchase a one-year membership along with a $10 promotional E-Gift card to Sam’s Club for just $14.99. On its own without this discount, a regular Sam’s Club membership costs $45.

Your purchase includes a complimentary household card for more savings on already low-priced items. In addition to Sam’s Club’s significant savings on groceries, kitchen supplies, electronics, and furniture, as a member, you’re also entitled to low prices on hotels, rental cars, live events, attractions and so much more.

Travel perks come with being a Sam’s Club member, too. Save up to 60% on hotel accommodations in the United States and abroad.

This deal is accessible online, and registration is seamless. It’s open to new Sam’s Club members and it’s valid at more than 590 locations. Even though you’ll be presented with online registration, all you need to do to secure a physical membership card is visit a Sam’s Club location and provide your phone number or email address along with a valid ID.

Once you complete your online registration, your $10 E-Gift card won’t be far behind. It’ll be sent to the email address you used to open your Sam’s Club membership. In addition to being valid for use at Sam’s Club locations and online, you can also use it at Wal-Mart physical locations and Walmart.com.

More than 750 people have rated this deal 5 stars. “This is a real bargain. To get a year of Sam’s Club membership is unheard of at this price. There is so much value to this membership because of the huge variety of items that Sam’s carries. So looking forward to shopping there,” writes 5-star reviewer Betty G.

The perks of a Sam’s Club membership are endless. Free samples, health screenings, an auto shop, and a pharmacy are just a few. Take advantage of this deal today to enjoy all of Sam’s Club’s perks.

Prices subject to change.

DD4L Founder Dianna Williams Retaliates Against Southern University In Trademark Battle
by Atiya Jordan

May 26, 2022

DD4L Founder Dianna Williams Retaliates Against Southern University In Trademark Battle

The current trademark battle between Dianna Williams, owner of “The Dancing Dolls for Life” brand, and Southern University and A&M College, is not one to be settled on the dance floor.

According to the Lifetime’s Bring It! star, she received a cease and desist letter this past February from Baton Rouge’s Southern University and A&M College over the name of her dancing team. The letter directs the dance coach to refrain from her using the name of over 20 years and to remove it from her website.

During an Instagram live session, Williams detailed the incident. She also alleged that despite her dance studio’s long history and previously having a TV series, the HBCU wanted to block her from using the “Dancing Doll” name. The university’s official majorette dance team is named the “Fabulous Dancing Dolls.”

She went on to reveal that SU trademarked the “dancing dolls” name back in 2019, but she wasn’t informed.

“You got the trademark for dancing dolls on Mar. 19, 2019—is when you filed for it. Mar. 19, 2019. It was published for opposition [sic] Jan. 7, 2020; nobody never sent anything to me. I never received anything for the opposition,” Williams said, as per Blavity.

“But you know I probably would have never said anything anyway, but you know why—because there are so many dance teams, middle school, high school, elementary of children, whose teams are called the dancing dolls. So when you attack one, you’re coming for all of us. But oh wait, you only came for me because my name is the most relevant in the situation,” she continued.

In response to the letter, Williams informs her viewers that she placed a trademark on “Dancing Dolls” under Article 35, which includes apparel, as well as “DD4L” (Dancing Doll for Life) and “Buck or Die.” In addition to that, she took things one step further and placed a trademark on “Fabulous Dancing Dolls.”

“‘Southern Dancing Dolls,’ see the serial numbers. It’s going to take about 3 or 5 days to show up in the USPTO,” Williams said. “My business owns it. Fabulous Dancing Dolls, my business owns your name now for the usage of dance events, live visual performances. The same class you trademarked ‘Dancing Dolls’ in, now I got ‘Fabulous.’”

 

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 26, 2022

NFL Partners With 4 HBCUs to Help Bring Diversity to Sports Medicine Personnel

The National Football League has partnered with the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) and the Professional Football Athletic Trainer Society (PFATS) to announce the launching of the NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative.

This program will provide medical students at four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) medical schools with the chance to participate in a clinical rotation with NFL club medical staff.

This initiative aims to increase the diversity in the pipeline of students interested in seeking careers in sports medicine. It seeks to try to help to diversify the NFL club medical staff.

“Increasing diversity across every role in our league and at our clubs is essential. Diversity makes us stronger,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a written statement. “We have an opportunity to help increase the pipeline of diverse sports medicine professionals, which is imperative for us as a league. This initiative is an example of how we can lend our platform for a societal benefit. I’m proud that our league can help inspire the next generation of sports medicine professionals.”

The participating HBCUs are Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Meharry Medical College. Medical students who may be interested in primary care sports medicine and/or orthopedic surgery will be chosen by their respective schools to complete one-month clinical rotations with NFL clubs throughout the upcoming 2022 NFL season. Sixteen students will participate in this first season, with two students each of the following eight NFL clubs: Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders. The program will grow in 2023 as it will expand to recruit students from other schools and medical disciplines. They will then place those students with medical staff at additional NFL teams.

Students participating in this initiative will work directly with the orthopedic team physicians, primary care team physicians, and athletic trainers of the NFL teams. They will gain basic medical knowledge and see how work in sports medicine happens. By the time they complete the program, the students should be able to understand the basic elements of all facets of care provided to NFL players from an orthopedic, primary care sports medicine, and athletic training perspective.

Oh, Black Boy Joy! This New Orleans All-Boys Graduating Class Receive College Acceptances, $9.2 Million In Scholarships
by Atiya Jordan

May 26, 2022

Oh, Black Boy Joy! This New Orleans All-Boys Graduating Class Receive College Acceptances, $9.2 Million In Scholarships

Last week, New Orleans’ seventh ward was in full celebration for an entire graduating class of an all-boys high school.

WDSU 6 News reported that the 2022 graduating class of St. Augustine High School received 100% of college acceptances and $9.2 million worth of scholarships.

St. Augustine, founded in 1951, is a college preparatory school for young men in grades 8-12. Since its inception, the private school “has built a legacy serving as the training ground for leadership through academic excellence, moral values, Christian responsibility, and reasonable, consistent discipline,” the school’s website states.

The Purple Knight graduates are part of that historical legacy. Now they will continue building their own as they pursue their collegiate dreams. According to the news outlet, 99 graduates plan to enroll in a college or university, with 55% remaining in New Orleans and 45% venturing out of state. One student from this graduating class is entering the military.

Graduation for these boys was a momentous occasion. A mother of one of the graduates posted a clip on Twitter capturing the joyous spirit of the class. The brass band fills the atmosphere with jazz tunes and traditional festivity in the clip while the class is second-lining in full cap and gown.

“It’s late but I don’t care,” the caption began. “The world deserves to see this Black boy joy. Congratulations to THE St. Augustine High School class of 2022. 100% college acceptance. $9.2M in scholarships. Straight out of the 7th ward of New Orleans.”

The post circulated across social media, igniting a plethora of congratulatory messages and amassing over 400,000 views, the video brought so much joy to people’s timelines.

 

 

Comedian Earthquake Recalls Being $3M in Debt While Living Next Door to Jamie Foxx
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 26, 2022

Comedian Earthquake Recalls Being $3M in Debt While Living Next Door to Jamie Foxx

Comedian Earthquake explained the difference between being in debt and being broke while recalling when he was $3 million in the hole while living next door to Jamie Foxx.

Earthquake recently appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast, where he opened up about his past financial struggles and ending up millions in debt while trying to keep up with the Joneses.

“Broke mean you ain’t got no money. Debt means even if you get some money you always gotta give it to another mother———,” Earthquake told the NFL Hall of Famer.

“So I was in debt for a long time and it took me a while to get out of debt.”

Earthquake admitted that he was living beyond his means, trying to satisfy his wife at the time.

“If I had a dime, she spent 11 cents,” he said.

“When I got married, I bought a house right next door to Jamie Foxx…up the street from Jamie. I used to tell my ex-wife all the time, ‘Listen, this n—a got an Oscar. We just got a dog named Oscar.’” He jokingly told her,

“‘‘We got to slow up on this spending baby. Once we blow, I’mma put us here’ and she never understood.”

The comedian recalled performing gig after gig to keep up with the massive bills he acquired and his wife’s alleged spending habits.

“I had to take those dates and that money to sustain that standard of living,” Earthquake shared.

It took Earthquake spending $3 million on his wife before he realized her desire for a lavish lifestyle was more than he could afford.

“I got $3 million of f—–g debt, and it ain’t nothing that I can put my hand on that I personally bought for myself.’ That’s when it changed, and I said, ‘I gotta get up out of here. This m———–g too expensive for me.’ “he said.

Black Panther’s Letitia Wright Following What She ‘Believes In’ When It Comes to COVID-19 Vaccination
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 26, 2022

Black Panther’s Letitia Wright Following What She ‘Believes In’ When It Comes to COVID-19 Vaccination

Letitia Wright avoids speaking on the COVID-19 vaccine after expressing her opposition to the jab last year. But that doesn’t mean she’s changed her stance.

The Black Panther star stepped out to attend the Kering’s Women in Motion dinner at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday where she teased the upcoming sequel and spoke about what she learned throughout the pandemic, Variety reports.

The reference to the pandemic was seemingly the reporter’s way to get Wright to explain her stance on the vaccine after speaking out against it last year.

“I’ve learned that in life, you just have to keep going strong with what you believe in, in terms of your talent, in terms of your desire to impact the world with your art, and that’s exactly what I’m doing and I’m so proud of myself and the movie that’s coming out this year. I’m so proud of it,” Wright said.

In December 2020, Wright faced criticism for sharing a video filled with misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine, BBC reports. In the video, the host claimed people taking the vaccines would have to “hope it doesn’t make extra limbs grow”.

After facing backlash on Twitter, Wright said she wasn’t against vaccines she just wants to “ask questions”.

Last October, Wright denied claims made in The Hollywood Reporter that she was sharing anti-vaccine information on the set for Black Panther 2.

“God bless you all. It saddens me to have to address the reports published by The Hollywood Reporter on October 6th 2021,” she captioned an Instagram post.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by letitiawright (@letitiawright)

“The report spoke about my conduct on the set of Black Panther 2. I honestly assert that this was completely untrue.

While speaking with Variety on Sunday, Wright focused on how the upcoming sequel will honor the memory and legacy of the film’s late star, Chadwick Boseman.

“It is an incredible honor for Chadwick Boseman, it’s jam packed with exciting stuff,” Wright said.

“We honored him by committing ourselves to the story that he started, the legacy that he started with this franchise,” Wright continued. “And we just committed every day to working hard, no matter what circumstances we faced — and we faced a lot of circumstances, a lot of difficult situations — but we came together as a team, and we poured everything into this movie, so I’m excited for you to see it.”

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