Ever since Sanders agreed to coach at an HBCU, he has spoken about improving the conditions as well as the perceptions of the sports programs at these institutions. Now, after visiting an opposing school, Mississippi Valley State, Sanders has vowed to help the rival team secure a new playing ground.
Sanders is asking people to help him with this mission. Mississippi Valley State is located in Itta Bena, Miss. on the outskirts of Greenwood, Mississippi. The football team is coached by Vincent Dancy, a Jackson State alumnus.
In an Instagram video, Coach Prime describes some of the surprising conditions of the locker room and the practice football field, located a mile away from the school’s facilities. When he saw the field, he was shocked.
“I’m like, is [this] the Children of the Corn, or the practice field?” Sanders says.
“Hold on, go back to that. You’ve got to be kidding me. Stop, stop, stop the darn tape. You mean to tell me this is the practice field? Alright, we’ve got to do something about that.”
Sanders is continuing his quest to get HBCUs on the same level field as prestigious colleges and universities across the country.
“I’m fighting for ALL HBCU’s, not just Jackson State. I got real love for Coach Dancy, his Staff and his athletes so I’m gonna do something about it with your help. I’m gonna get back to [yo]u REAL soon [about] how we’re gonna help because I want them to have a new game field beautiful and GREEN for their first home game. Then we will discuss the practice fields. If you’re with me write I gotcha covered COACHPRIME! Thank u in advance.” @smacentertainment@conschwartz@mississippivalleystate@mississippivalleyathletics“
Black Business Is Serious Business for the Men of Brooklyn-Based The Gentlemen’s Factory
In recent years there has been a growing number of social networking spaces emerging for and by people of color., but The Gentlemen’s Factory in Brooklyn, has earned widespread praise for its mission and the caliber of its membership.
Launched by Jeff Lindor in 2014, The Gentleman’s Factory serves as a safe space for Black and Latino men to meet privately and explore business and employment opportunities, facilitate business deals, and meet other Black and Latino male entrepreneurs.
Members include Gen Z, millennials, GenX, and boomers. While many clubs and organizations are still struggling to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Gentlemen’s Factory has managed to not only stay open but grow.
“We’re reaching seven figures, and we’re doing pretty well,” Lindor told BK Reader, adding, that while profitability is important, there are more important goals for GF. “We’ve literally changed the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of Black men in the city of New York.”
Lindor, who was born in Haiti and grew up in public housing in Brooklyn, quickly noticed the socioeconomic divide in his Coney Island community. Lindor saw his neighbors struggle to make ends meet, but on the other side, he saw thriving White communities, which made him curious as to why things were this way. Those images stayed with Lindor throughout his life, which led him to believe solving “the isolation problem” among Black people and specifically Black men, was a significant step toward change.
Ironically, it was the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic that created an expansion opportunity for The Gentlemen’s Factory. With members stuck at home, Lindor said he realized that the purpose of the Factory isn’t its physical space or the opportunities it provides, but the people and the community. Lindor began using virtual chapters to expand The Gentlemen’s Factory membership. Today, it has virtual members in 17 states and five countries.
The Gentlemen’s Factory also recently celebrated the launch of its innovation lab, where men gather for workshops, networking events, and workspaces.
The factory’s plans for the future include purchasing a building in Harlem for its new social lab, growing its network of partners, and creating youth mentorship initiatives with Brownsville’s Elite Learners.
Body of 15-Year-Old Who Jumped in the Mississippi River to Save Girlfriend Has Been Recovered
The body of 15-year-old Kevin Poole has been retrieved from the Mississippi River, where he, his 14-year-old girlfriend, and her younger sister all went into the water in New Orleans two weeks ago.
Brandy Wilson slipped on piling Saturday, April 23, WWLTV reports.
According to the previous reporting, as Wilson fell into the water—her younger sister, 8-year-old Ally Berry-Wilson, and Poole tried to help her—but they were all overcome by the water’s currents.
Of the three, Poole’s remains are the first to be recovered.
The two girls’ family remains heartbroken as they await the recovery of Brandy and Ally.
A representative for Poole’s family, Dr. Angela Chalk, has confirmed his body was found on Monday, May 2.
Poole was a standout football player on the LB Landry High School in New Orleans football team. As a sophomore, he was interested in the study of environmental stewardship or coastal management.
In a statement, Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the finding of the boy’s body “heartbreaking,” saying,
“Today’s news about the recovery of 15-year-old Kevin Poole Jr.’s body from the Mississippi River is absolutely heartbreaking. No parent should have to endure the tragedy of losing a child. Words can never be enough in such a devastating moment, but my thoughts and my prayers are with his family at this time as they will be for some time to come.”
The search for the bodies of Brandy Wilson and Ally Berry-Wilson remains underway.
BLK’s Head of Marketing Shares the Dating App Mistakes You’re Making—and How to Avoid Them
BLK, the largest dating and lifestyle app for Black singles, continues to find ways to bring the Black community together and create safe spaces for Black singles to find meaningful connections.
But when it comes to online dating, there are common mistakes dating hopefuls make that could hinder their chances of finding love, says Jonathan Kirkland, head of marketing & brand for BLK.
“Not filling out your bio,” Kirkland tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “You should give potential matches more insights beyond just your pics.”
Kirkland, who joined BLK in April 2020, says the dating app helps users who might need assistance when it comes to representing themselves online.
“BLK makes some of this easy with Profile Attributes, where you can easily let others know things about you such as your dating intentions, thoughts on kids, social activities, and more,” he says.
Elsewhere, Kirkland notes how users who primarily post selfies might be doing a disservice when it comes to providing an accurate portrayal of themselves.
(Image courtesy of BLK)
“Faceless pics. You can only make a first impression once, so make it count,” Kirkland said. “We are visual people, so if your picture is the first thing people see, it should represent you well. Make sure it’s clear, shows your face, and reflects your personality.”
While transparency is key to connecting with someone new, Kirkland explains how “oversharing” can be a turn-off.
“Oversharing and not sharing enough. You need to find a delicate balance when getting to know someone,” Kirkland suggests. “Give the other person a glimpse into your world, interests, goals without dumping too much on them upfront. Remember, it’s a date, not a therapy session.”
With the pandemic completely changing the scope of dating, Kirkland shared some tips for those looking still on the search for love.
“It’s okay to wear a mask in public. But it’s not okay to wear a mask in your profile pic,” he says.
When transitioning to in-person dates, Kirkland suggests taking time “to get to know someone a bit more before meeting up with them in person.”
He adds, “Go on dates that offer social distancing or outdoor space (e.g., miniature golf, paint & sip, bike riding).”
To help strengthen online connections, BLK recently launched its in-app live streaming feature, BLK Live! The free feature offers a new one-to-many experience for BLK users and a robust community for Black content creators to engage in.
Obamas Issue A Call To Action on Leaked Roe v. Wade Opinion
The leaked Supreme Court opinion upending landmark decision in Roe v. Wade threatens to diminish Americans’ essential freedoms “to the whims of politicians and ideologues,” former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama said Tuesday.
“Today, millions of Americans woke up fearing that their essential freedoms under the Constitution were at risk,” the couple said in the joint statement posted to Twitter.
Here’s my statement with Michelle on the draft Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. pic.twitter.com/xBJJkLYGlQ
“If the Supreme Court ultimately decides to overturn the landmark case of Roe v. Wade, then it will not only reverse nearly 50 years of precedent—it will relegate the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues,” the Obamas added.
The Hill reported that Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement Tuesday confirming that the opinion, which was leaked Monday night to Politico, was just a draft.
In 1973, Roe v. Wade established a legal right for women across the country to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.
But, according to Justice Samuel Alito, “it is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives,” as reportedly stated in the document.
The Obamas noted that the landmark decision allowed women’s freedom, on the basis of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, but the leaked decision doesn’t seek to balance other rights including child abuse or self-harm.
“Instead, it simply forces folks to give up any constitutionally recognized interest in what happens to their body once they get pregnant,” the Obamas said, according to Fox News.
As the joint statement came to a close, the duo called on abortion activists and advocates to take action in protests and campaigns.
“We’re asking you to join with the activists who’ve been sounding the alarm on this issue for years—and act. Stand with them at a local protest. Volunteer with them on a campaign,” the couple’s statement said.
“Join with them in urging Congress to codify Roe into law. And vote alongside them on or before November 8 and in every other election. Because in the end, if we want judges who will protect all, and not just some, of our rights, then we’ve got to elect officials committed to doing the same,” the statement concluded.
Jacksonville Officer Involved in Black Woman Police Brutality Case Arrested for Sending Nude Photos to Minors
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer, Alejandro Carmona, was arrested for online child solicitation in March, and it was verified that he is the same officer involved in the police brutality case that made headlines last year after police broke a Black woman’s teeth in May 2020.
Alejandro was released on bail in March but was re-arrested on Friday, Apr. 22, after another teen boy came forward with sexual allegations against him.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) announced on Mar. 16, 2022, that 47-year-old Alejandro Carmona is charged with a child sex crime after sending nude images to an underage boy. A tip was sent to CCSO in February 2022 that Carmona met and befriended the victim at a gym in Clay County and began sending nude images from his smartphone over Snapchat.
Now officer Carmona, with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), is additionally charged with one count of online solicitation of a child, four counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, all of which are felonies, in this case, according to the arrest warrant obtained on Friday.
Brittany Chrishawn Williams, now known as Brittany Chrishawn Moore, was the first to shed light on sexual misconduct by JSO officers. She released body camera footage in December 2020 that revealed JSO police officers exposing her breasts, joking about having sex with her and other civilians and using vulgar language to describe her body parts. Carmona was included in these conversations as his supervisor is heard asking if Carmona was at Brittany Chrishawn Moore’s residence to have sex with her.
“This all could have been avoided if the police in my case were held accountable for what they did to me,” says Moore.
In May 2020, Carmona randomly parked in Brittany Chrishawn Moore’s driveway and refused to leave when she asked. Moore, 31, was the owner of the property and called 911 for help when Carmona would not leave and began to yell at her. Her call for help resulted in her teeth being broken by JSO police after they entered her home without a warrant and arrested her on battery charges that she was later found not guilty of.
“Her attorneys argued…neither [officer] Padgett or Carmona were engaged in their official duties as officers…Carmona was trespassing on her private property. Meanwhile, Padgett unlawfully entered Williams’ residence without a search warrant to make the arrest, and there were no exigent circumstances to justify the deputy’s entry,” Atlanta Black Star reported in April 2021.
Since the conclusion of Brittany Chrishawn Williams Moore’s case, it has been discovered that Carmona had numerous amounts of complaints against him prior to his encounter with her.
“In his 15 years as a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office patrolman, Alejandro Carmona-Fonseca racked up 28 complaints from his superiors and citizens, according to his Employee Administrative Investigation History,” the Florida Times-Union reported.
JSO reports it has suspended Carmona, and that the department is working to fire him.
Brittany Chrishawn Moore is currently working on filing her lawsuit against the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
“I’ve been praying for justice every day since my incident with JSO police. I’m glad things are finally coming to the light, and I hope Carmona doesn’t get away this time.”
George Floyd Memorial Foundation Launches Imitiative To Improve Black Mental Health
The George Floyd Memorial Foundation is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with a new mental health program for Black men and women.
CBS 17 reports the foundation’s program will improve resources and mental health outcomes for Black Americans. Two key factors in the new initiative are removing the stigma associated with treatment and making sure interventions can be delivered in a culturally responsible way.
The program will also decrease barriers to seeking treatment, increase mental and emotional well-being through connection and community, and implement healing justice workshops, webinars, and conversations.
Jacari Harris, the executive director of the foundation, believes Black men and women need to focus on their mental health due to the physical and emotional trauma they face as a result of police shootings and violence directed toward Black people and groups.
One of the leading figures in the foundation’s program is Dr. Calisha Brooks, a psychologist who is known for her groundbreaking work at Vanderbilt University. Harris said in a release that Black health in all forms is underappreciated and statistics show not dealing with these issues can have dire consequences.
Suicide and depression rates have increased among all Americans, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and mental health is key to ensuring people aren’t succumbing to their illnesses
“According to research, trauma associated with police killings of Black people causes nearly 50 million days of poor mental health, which results in a host of other problems,” Harris said. “Our hope is that our mental health program will shine a light on the need for mental health treatment among Black people in the U.S.”
Brooks will also be tasked with directing micro-grants to Black men and women seeking therapy. The foundation’s programming will also offer training to health providers so they can better understand the issues that people of color face.
She added that the death of George Floyd by police in 2020 resonated with millions of Black men and women who have been victims of police brutality or know a victim.
Low-Income Black Homeowners in Detroit Can Apply for $20 Million in Home Repair Grants
Mainly targeting low-income Black homeowners in Detroit, three organizations are providing $20 million in funding to help residents with much-needed home repairs.
Described as the only 100 percent grant program of its type in the Midwest, the Detroit Home Repair Fund (DHRF) is funded by the Gilbert Family Foundation, ProMedica, and DTE Energy. That trio, committed to offering the funds over the next three years, announced the program will serve over 1,000 Detroit homeowners.
Offering many options for home repairs
The average amount spent on each home will be about $10,000, organizers say. The DHRF expects repairs will be made in several areas, including for roofs, foundations, stairs, windows, and drywall.
One of the program’s goals is to “holistically address Detroit housing stability by leveraging multiple home repair resources at once.” Accordingly, the first track of DHRF will be used by community partners already working with DTE Energy’s, Energy Efficiency Assistance (EEA) Program. Owner-occupied Detroit homeowners with income at or below the 200 percent federal poverty line who have applied for the 2022 Homeowner Property Exemption (HOPE) will be eligible for the grants.
Nearly 8,500 owner-occupied homes in Detroit are “inadequate or severely inadequate,” a report by the University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions revealed. It was reported “people living in unsafe, unhealthy homes are at greater risk of developing health conditions like asthma, suffering injuries from trips and falls, and struggling to pay utilities bills.”
Helping make homes safer for residents to live in
Jennifer Gilbert, co-founder of the Gilbert Family Foundation, which is investing $10 million to launch the initiative, said, “Stable housing is about more than a place to live, it is about ensuring residents and their families feel safe and secure in their home[s].” The foundation’s fresh investment is part of its $500 million commitment to building opportunity and equity in Detroit.
A national health and well-being organization, ProMedica is pledging to raise $8 million for the effort through its Impact Fund.
“There is already significant evidence that healthier, safer homes are critical for people to be healthy and to spend more time at school, work, and with loved ones and less time in the hospital,” said Randy Oostra, president and chief executive officer of Promedica.
For its part, DTE Energy is investing $2 million into the DHRF through a philanthropic commitment, along with expanding its Detroit-based EEA efforts and its Health and Safety Pilot. It was disclosed that DTE’s EEA program “allows income-qualified homeowners to make their home more energy efficient by providing them with multiple products to help reduce their monthly bill and make their homes more affordable. The energy-efficiency products include heating system tune-ups or replacements, high efficiency water heaters, energy-efficient refrigerators, energy-efficient lighting, and home weatherization services.'”
Trevor Lauer, president and chief operating officer of DTE Electric, added, “We are committed to powering homes and powering brighter futures for Detroit residents through the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program, and now through the Detroit Home Repair Fund. Together, these programs will provide a greater reach and greater impact to families across our hometown of Detroit.”
Contractors in the Motor City Contractor Fund (MCCF) will be prioritized to make repairs in the DHRF project, organizers say.
The program is expected to benefit longtime Detroit residents like Loretta Powell. She has lived in Detroit’s Good Stock Community since 1967, and at her current home since 1997. Last year, she took part in DTE’s EEA program, receiving a new water heater and furnace for her home. Yet, she has more repair needs that she hopes to gain through the DHRF.
“I need new windows, I have a deck that needs to be repaired and there are other issues that need to be addressed,” Powell said.
“While canvassing in my neighborhood, I’ve visited homes with stairs that were unsafe, and seen first-hand how desperately needed home repair is in Detroit. I’m grateful to the Gilbert Family Foundation, DTE Energy and ProMedica for this investment in me, my neighbors and my community.”
For more details about DHRF, Detr—oit residents can call (313) 306-2082.
Whoopi Goldberg Defends Abortion Rights While Discussing Roe v. Wade, ‘This Is My Body!’
Whoopi Goldberg didn’t hold back while tackling the current debate around abortion rights amid a recent leak that revealed the Supreme Court’s draft ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
While speaking on The View on Tuesday, Goldberg, who has shared her experience of having an illegal abortion as a teenager, was incensed while discussing the women’s rights issue.
“You got people telling me I gotta wear a mask, or don’t wear a mask, or do this,” Goldberg said in rage. “Everybody wants to tell me what to do! This is my body!”
.@WhoopiGoldberg: "Getting an abortion is not easy. Making that decision is not easy. It's not something people do lightly."
"If you don't have the wherewithal to understand that … then you're not looking out for me as a human being … and that is not okay." pic.twitter.com/u1DPPSp0Zm
“Women, when they decide something is not right for them, they’re going to take it into their own hands,” Goldberg continued.
“We got tired of tripping over [other] women in public bathrooms who were giving themselves abortions because there was nowhere safe, nowhere clean, nowhere to go.”
While directly addressing the Roe v. Wade decision, Goldberg explained why the law was passed and why it’s a “human issue,” not a religious one.
“It came about because people wanted people to have somewhere safe and somewhere clean,” she exclaimed.
“It has nothing to do about your religion. This is not a religious issue, this is a human issue.”
The EGOT recipient spoke passionately, describing why “getting an abortion is not easy.”
“It is a hard, awful decision that people make,” Goldberg said. “If you don’t have the wherewithal to understand that, to start the conversation with, ‘I know how hard this must be for you,’ if you’re starting it by telling me I’m going to burn in hell, then you’re not looking out for me as a human being, whether I subscribe to your religion or not, and that is not OK.”
Co-host Joy Behar shared her worry about what the draft ruling could mean for civil and gay rights.
“My worry is that this is just the beginning,” Behar said. “Next they’ll go after gay marriage and maybe … Brown v. Board of Education. They already eroded our voting rights a little bit. So I see fascism down the line here.”
The court’s holding on the Roe v. Wade draft ruling will not be final until it is published, Politico reports. The final ruling will likely come in the next two months.
Quavo Donates $150,000 To Single Moms In Atlanta Ahead Of Mother’s Day
Migos rapper Quavo is celebrating Mother’s Day by giving back to single mothers in his hometown of Atlanta.
On Saturday, Quavo teamed up with the apparel brand Legends to host his annual Huncho Day celebrity charity football games. As part of the games, Quavo donated $150,000 to the Tender Foundation in support of single moms, The Source reports.
“This is my favorite day of the year,” Quavo said of his charity event. “There’s nothing better than getting together with friends and family and playing a little ball for the community.”
The games were held at FCF Campus at Pullman Yards and streamed live with play-by-play commentary courtesy of Greg Mescall and Ryan Shazier.
Many familiar faces joined Quavo at the charity event, including NFL players Cam Newton, Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Richie LeCounte, Quavo’s Migos groupmate Offset, and rapper 2 Chainz.
Quavo also took to Twitter to share highlights of his good deed.
“Giving Back Feels Better Than Receiving! 150k To The #tenderfoundation To Help All Single Moms Across Atlanta Ga,” he tweeted.
Jaycina Almond, the founder of Tender Foundation, released a statement applauding Quavo’s donation and explaining how it will continue to help the organization serve its mission.
“At Tender, we’re bridging the financial gap and providing a safety net for single moms living on the margins here in Atlanta,” Almond said. “Our core programming consists of emergency bill pay assistance with rent, utilities, and childcare; providing grocery store gift cards and operating a diaper bank.”
“Now, with Quavo’s help, we’re able to pilot a new initiative called The Bridge.”
The new initiative serves as a guaranteed income program founded on the premise of securing every mother an opportunity to care for their children without the stress of survival. The Bridge aims to disrupt the disparities that plague many single-parent households and force generational poverty on Black women and their families.
