• News

by Atiya Jordan

March 17, 2022

Opal Lee, The ‘Grandmother Of Juneteenth’ Nominated For 2022 Nobel Peace Prize

---

In 2016, civil rights activist Opal Lee, 95, walked for 2.5 miles from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington D.C., collecting 1,500,000 signatures along the way to symbolize the 2.5 years it took for the Emancipation Proclamation to be enforced in Texas. The purpose of her campaign, “Opal’s Walk to D.C,” served as a call to action to make Juneteenth a national holiday and succeeded.

The Forth Worth native, affectionately named the ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ has been nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. Thirty-three Congressional members signed her nomination letter, citing Lee’s continued dedication to equality.

Congressman Marc Veasey, who represents Texas’s 33rd congressional district, led the effort for Lee’s nomination.

“I have been proud to call Ms. Lee a friend and mentor for nearly my whole life and was honored to work alongside her to finally get Juneteenth made into a national holiday last year,” said Veasey, according to Star-Telegram.

“I cannot think of a better person who has constantly fought for justice, and that is why I am nominating her to receive this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.”

For decades, Lee has been championing for the national recognition of June 19, 1865, when the enslaved learned they were free for two and a half years after everybody else. Ever since she was 12 years old, she recognized the importance of celebrating freedom from the 19th of June to the Fourth of July because Black people weren’t all free in 1776. After a mob of white supremacists attacked her home in a majority-white neighborhood, the fight for Juneteenth became her personal fight.

“The celebration of Juneteenth became for her not just a day to celebrate the freeing of enslaved people in Texas but the recognition of the need to uphold the freedoms that African Americans gained and a call to fight … for equality for all humans,” the nomination letter said.

The nomination highlighted her efforts to bring Black history to the forefront as an iconic community leader. She helped establish the Tarrant County Black Historical & Genealogical Society, preserving and recording Fort Worth’s Black history. She is the founding member of Citizens Concerned with Human Dignity (CCHD), which was formed to assist the economically disadvantaged in finding housing within the Fort Worth area.

“I’m still reacting. I don’t know how to react,” said Lee, adding that she credits her sense of community spirit to learning from her parents and grandparents. “I’m awfully, awfully glad. I’m humbled.”

On June 17, 2021, Lee saw the fulfillment of one of her dreams—to witness the presidential signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act that would make celebrating freedom from slavery a law.

The Fort Worth Juneteenth Museum, started by Lee, is set to become the National Juneteenth Museum and is intended to open sometime next year.

• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 17, 2022

Black TikToker Behind Viral Phrase Calls Out Influencers and Brands Not Crediting Her

---

The Black TikToker behind “The girls that get it, get it; the girls who don’t, don’t,” phrase is calling out the big brands and influencers using her sound without crediting her.

Mikhaela Jennings, known as @KhaeNotBae on TikTok, has garnered over 470,000 followers for her short comedic videos. It was a video posted back in November that resulted in someone asking her to turn it into a sound that could be used by other TikTokers.

@khaenotbae I’m tryna see something #ROMWEnextgen #fyp #foryou #hair ♬ original sound – KHAE🦦

The sound has since been reused over 70,000 times in comical videos posted by women conflicting on tacky beauty and style choices and even major retailers attempting to stay connected to younger audiences. Brands like Boohoo, LinkedIn, Outback Steakhouse, and Oreo have all used Jennings’ original phrase, Insider reported.

However, when Jennings reached out to some of the brands for compensation, she says she was snubbed.

“Wait this better gimme some money,” she wrote in a Twitter response to Outback Steakhouse using her sound.

Wait this better gimme some money $khaebae https://t.co/awGreUUO59

— #LONGLIVEKHAMEYEA (@KHAENOTBAE) February 4, 2022

“It’s a little tough because I know for a fact that y’all wouldn’t spit on me if I was on fire,” Jennings told Refinery 29. “So please stop.”

Jennings is now working on trademarking her sound to ensure her compensation in the event someone references her original content.

Her fight comes a year after Black TikTokers boycotted created dance challenges on the app after feeling overlooked and shunned over white content creators who gained popularity off the dances created by Black TikTokers. TikTok stars Addison Rae and Charli D’Amelio faced public scrutiny for performing TikTok dances without acknowledging the original Black creators.

Social networking apps like Instagram recently implemented a new feature to help creators get credit for their original sounds and videos. But it’ll still be up to the brands and businesses to do their due diligence when jumping on social media trends.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 17, 2022

Skip Bayless States His Wife Lives In Fear Due to Charles Barkley’s Threats To Kill Him

---

Not even a week after Russell Westbrook’s wife took to social media to call out Skip Bayless for mispronouncing their family name, Bayless claims that his wife lives in fear due to Charles Barkley and his threats to kill him.

According to the New York Post, on a recent episode of The Skip Bayless Show podcast, Bayless spoke about the taunts Barkley has made over the years that has his wife, Ernestine Sclafani, living in fear. He says he can handle the TNT host criticizing him, but he wishes Barkley would stop the talk about killing him.

“My wife Ernestine has believed for 15 years that Charles Barkley is nothing but a sick individual,” Bayless said.

“To her, he is just pure evil, that he is depraved, that he is a scumbag, and she fears that one day, Charles will somehow … inspire some other nut to end my life. And this haunts her; this hurts her because she believes that in the end, Charles Barkley would have my blood on his hands.

“If that were Charles’ goal from the start, if that was his goal, then I congratulate him. Because he wins on this one, he has hurt my wife deeply,” Bayless said.

Awful Announcing has reported that Bayless says this has been going on for years, maybe as far back as 2005. According to The Washington Post, Barkley stated that he’d like to kill Bayless as a dying wish. Just last year, Barkley took up the issue with Bayless again and said he’ll put the Fox Sports host in a “body cast” if they were ever in a room together.

Bayless did state that he appreciates that Barkley tunes in to his show often.

“The more I’ve read about what Charles says about me, the more I realize that he watches Undisputed religiously, and I appreciate that greatly,” Bayless said. “Over the last 15 years, I can make the case that Charles Barkley has been my No. 1 viewer. I just don’t think any other human has watched me as closely as Charles Wade Barkley has. I love him for that.”

• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 17, 2022

Watch Tia Mowry’s 10-Year-Old Son Shed Happy Tears After Getting Into His ‘Dream School’

---

Actress Tia Mowry took to Instagram on Wednesday to share her son Cree’s heartwarming reaction to learning he was accepted into his “dream school.”

“SO proud of @creehardrict for getting accepted into the school of his DREAMS,” Tia wrote in the caption.

“As a mother, my goal was and is always to support and give my children the opportunities I never had as a child and this week, BOTH of our dreams came true,” she added.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TiaMowry (@tiamowry)

The video showed Tia and her actor husband, Cory Hardrict, approaching his son with the big news.

“Telling our son he got into his dream school,” Tia wrote over the video. “A new favorite memory and dream come true for us all.”

Hardrict walks up to Cree and asks if he’s been good in school. When Cree tells his dad he’s been on his best behavior, Hardrict says, “I’m going to show you what your teacher said, OK? Read this.”

Once Cree read the intro statement, the middle schooler gasps after learning he was accepted into his school of choice. He then bursts into tears hugging his dad while Tia is heard crying in the background like the happy mom she is.

“♥️♥️♥️🥲🥲 🙏🏾✨” Hardrict wrote in his wife’s comments. Uncle Tahj Mowry added a few congratulatory emojis as well.

“This was touching. Wow, I needed to see this,” Questlove said.

Others applauded the “Black boy joy” on display in the adorable family moment.

“This is so wholesome, congrats young king,” one user wrote.

“Sheesh Tia got me crying at 9 am 😭😭😭😭 congrats Cree!! Great job Tia and Corey,” another user added.

“ok it’s also the fact that the men are embracing him… allowing him to express his joy thru crying…. that’s what we need more of,” added someone else.

• Politics

by Derek Major

March 17, 2022

Report: Black National Police Officer Alleges White Supervisor Said He Hoped Black Lives Matter Protesters Would Die

---

A white supervisor and several other white officers with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police discussed preparing for a race war, expressing hope that Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters would be killed, according to a federal lawsuit filed by a Black officer.

The New York Times reports that officer Mark Miles has accused his supervisor and fellow officers of repeatedly making racist, offensive remarks on a group text chain that was used for work assignments and other police business.

The text messages were made as nationwide and worldwide 2020 BLM protests against police brutality and racism were occurring.

Miles, who joined the force in October 2019, was the only Black officer in his unit known as Shift 5, which operated in Montgomery County, 30 miles outside of Washington D.C. According to the suit, the unit’s supervisor, Sgt. Stephanie Harvey, asked Miles, who is of mixed race and identifies as Black, if he would be “on our side” in a race war.

“At least half of u is!” Harvey texted according to Miles’ suit.

In another instance, Harvey texted she was “ready” for a race war adding, “I need more ammo though,” the suit states. According to the lawsuit, Harvey also commented on BLM protestors:  “Well they got the Army out there sooooo…hopefully, they will get to kill some people,” and, “Kill em all.”

During roll call in August 2020, Harvey called Miles “the only half-colored on the squad,” while the other officers laughed.

The comments are not surprising. During the BLM movement, there were numerous incidents of violence by police officers during BLM protests in Florida, New York, and Austin, Texas.

Miles, who filed the suit Monday accusing, seeks economic and compensatory damages as well as Harvey’s termination and the appointment of a federal monitor to ensure fairness in the department.

The National Capital Park Police said in a statement “When a series of secret text messages among a group of Park Police officers came to the attention of our management, we promptly initiated an investigation and took appropriate action based on the findings of that inquiry.” As a result, several officers were suspended and referred to the disciplinary process for termination.

Miles’ suit says that while Harvey may have been suspended, she and the other officers are still employed by the department; several who made racist comments have since been promoted.

Meanwhile, Miles was removed from the text group and pressured to transfer from the unit. When he didn’t, he was “involuntarily transferred” to a new shift.

Expansions made to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) can save families and low-income workers millions. But many who qualify for the credits are unaware they’re losing out on benefits.

Millions of American taxpayers qualify for the expanded tax credits announced in December. The maximum credit available to workers without dependent children was increased from $543 to $1,502,  according to Clasp.org. The expansion is estimated to provide income support to over 17 million people who bring in low-level earnings of $9,820 to $11,610 or $17,550 for married taxpayers filing jointly.

Last summer, the Child Tax Credit was expanded as part of the American Rescue Plan, WDET reported. The expansion is estimated to have lifted poverty for 40% of children. However, by January the expansion expired. Now those who benefitted from it last year might not qualify for those same benefits this year.

Roxy Caines of the Center on Budget & Priorities explained to BET how families can find out if they qualify and save themselves money this tax season.

“Black and Latino families are overly represented in low-paid work due to historical and ongoing discrimination,” Caines said.

“Last year, individuals and families overwhelmingly used their Child Tax Credit payments to support their wellbeing and meet their basic needs,” Caines added. “Payments were mostly used for food, rent, utilities, and education-related expenses. The Center on Budget & Priorities expects to see the same pattern when people receive their payments this year.”

As for the EITC, Caines explained how it helps to boost income for over 17 million working adults.

“With the expansion, the maximum value of the credit triples from $538 to $1,502. Similar to the Child Tax Credit, the EITC is often used to meet basic needs like paying rent, transportation, medical expenses, and more,” she said.

To receive the credits, Caines shared what to do after filing a tax return.

“The fastest and safest way to receive a refund is through direct deposit,” she said. “There are multiple alternatives for those who don’t have a bank account—the IRS can mail a paper check, deposit payments onto a re-loadable debit card, and sometimes use money sharing platforms with re-loadable debit cards like Cash App and Venmo.”

While the expansion isn’t permanent, Caines said it can be if Congress approves it.

• Technology

by Atiya Jordan

March 17, 2022

Snoop Dogg To Drop Limited Edition Comic Book-Like NFT, With Creative Direction From His Son and Kai Henry

---

Rap legend Snoop Dogg is quickly becoming a major powerhouse in cryptocurrency after announcing that as the new owner of Death Row Records he’d be turning the label into the first-ever NFT label. Now, the entrepreneur is diversifying his own Snoopverse.

MakersPlace, a crypto marketplace described as “the premier marketplace for rare and authentic digital artworks,” announced on Tuesday (March 15) they’re teaming up with the West Coast rapper and acclaimed artist BossLogic for a limited edition Genesis NFT collection called SUPERCUZZ, according to a press release.

“Snoop Dogg and BossLogic are two iconic forces in their respective crafts and are both pioneers in the NFT space,” said Craig Palmer, CEO of MakersPlace. “We’re honored to host the release of the SUPERCUZZ collection on MakersPlace and give art enthusiasts accessibility in purchasing NFTs from their favorite creators.”

Using Snoop Dogg’s audio, SUPERCUZZ is a next-generation superhero born from the streets of Angel City who will take readers on his “high-flying lavish lifestyle” adventures. Although he is a self-made crypto-trillionaire, he also dedicates himself to confronting forces of evil and fighting crime.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bosslogic (@bosslogic)

SUPERCUZZ will be brought to life thanks to the creative direction of Kai Henry and Snoop Dogg’s son Cordell Broadus, according to the MakersPlace website. BossLogic’s original works will be featured in SUPERCUZZ, along with animated comic book covers of Snoop Dogg and graphic stills. These images will serve as access points to SUPERCUZZ and his life, with the intention to display a “whole new model for fan interaction within the comic book genre in Web3,” as per the press release.

The limited-edition is set to be released exclusively on MakersPlace beginning today, March 17, 2022, at 3:30 PM PDT. The drops are titled:

SUPERCUZZ #1 : SUPERCUZZ 2 The RESCUE
SUPERCUZZ #2 : Break Bread or Fake Dead
SUPERCUZZ #3 : Believe in the S You’ll Be Relieving Your Stress
SUPERCUZZ #4 : Enter The PIMP CAVE
SUPERCUZZ #5 : Neemo Hoez VIII The CRYP-TO TRILLIONAIRE

Don’t miss out!

• Entertainment

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 17, 2022

FUBU Founder J. Alexander Martin Launches For Us By Us Network

---

J. Alexander Martin, founder of iconic fashion brand “FUBU,” and successful producer Roberto “Rush” Evans, announced the launch of For Us By Us Network. The new platform will feature quality movies, very authentic and raw content around topics, people and trends related to the hip hop culture and lifestyle launching April 2022.

Programs previously released by For Us By Us Network, on their website will be incorporated into the For Us By Us Network library, which will also include original episodic series and feature films. For Us By Us Network will launch with a suggested retail price of $24.99/quarterly or $79.99/annually, thereafter.

J. Alexander Martin, an iconic fashion mogul, who created major fashion trends in the late 90s, netting $350 million in sales through 5,000 retail stores and eventually grossing more than six billion dollars globally, has been one of the greatest innovative and creative businessmen in the world. Responsible for launching one of the most lucrative fashion brands, Martin continues to set the standard high in creating content for the culture.

“As one of the founders of FUBU, I have gained a very deep comprehension and awareness about the urban consumer and what appeals to them in the form of not only fashion, but entertainment. For Us By Us Network was created so that we could provide quality content for the culture.” said J. Alexander Martin, co-owner and CEO, For Us By Us Network.

Co-Founder Roberto “Rush” Evans will oversee production. For the last decade, Rush served as the former head of creative and production for Monami Entertainment, the Company behind the Love and Hip Hop Franchise, and also created the viral series King of South Beach. Rush concentrates on the likes of pop culture delivered through fresh, innovative content. Utilizing music, TV, film and the Internet as forms of delivery. Rush also entered in a production deal with Broadway Video, the TV Production Company headed by Lorne Michaels and responsible for such shows as Saturday Night Live, 30-Rock and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Commenting on For Us By Us Network’s launch, Roberto “Rush” Evans, co-owner and president says, “Our platform will be very unique and I’m excited that we will be able to deliver an extraordinary library of movies, series and original content related to the hip hop culture and lifestyle.”

Among the titles launching are The Making of Saucy Santana and Slaughter Slays. Original films and series included are, Fosters Law, Cocaine Sisters and Vicious starring Tami Roman, directed by Kim Fields.

The new platform fuels For Us By Us Network’s direct-to-consumer live TV streaming service and creating a unique blended advertising video-on-demand (AVOD) and subscription video-on demand (SVOD) platform. For Us By Us Network will have a built-in audience focused on its original and licensed content that is targeted to the African American audience. Some content will be free to subscribers as ad based and other premium content will be subscription based. The Company leverages its branding expertise and will create cultural content for national and international growth to accelerate subscriptions and optimize the value of its programs for distinct audiences.

For Us By Us Network has a proven past in creating current, trendy, relevant and fresh content which has attracted millions of views through shows such as Chopping It Up With Charles Oakley Cooking Show.

For Us By Us Network will be based in Los Angeles, led by CEO J. Alexander Martin.

After hurling a racially insensitive word at Comedy Central’s Trevor Noah after another Instagram rant, Kanye West has been hit with a 24-hour suspension from social media platform Instagram, according to Variety,

The eccentric rapper has overstepped the platform’s policy regarding harassment. A Meta spokesperson has confirmed that the content he posted has been deleted for violating their hate speech, bullying, and harassment policies. Ye was restricted from posting, commenting, and sending DMs for 24 hours with this action. The restriction is due to repeatedly violating rules. The company will take additional measures if further violations occur.

During Tuesday night’s episode of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, the late-night host explained why people should “pay attention” to Kanye’s disturbing behavior against Kim Kardashian and her new boyfriend, Pete Davidson.

Unpacking the Kim-Kanye-Pete situation and the harassment many women face when trying to leave a relationship. pic.twitter.com/qF3cfiYL9R

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) March 16, 2022

After getting wind of the episode, Ye took to Instagram to call the South African comic a “Koon,” TMZ reports.

“K**n baya my lord k**n baya K**n baya my lord K**n baya Oooo’ lord K**n baya,” Kanye captioned the post.

The reference “Koon” refers to the word coon, a highly offensive word to Black people.

According to Ferris.edu: “The name itself, an abbreviation of raccoon, is dehumanizing. As with Sambo, the coon was portrayed as a lazy, easily frightened, chronically idle, inarticulate, buffoon.”

Noah’s comments come after Ye’s disturbing behavior toward several people who have spoken out against his outbursts against Kardashian or his antics over the past several months.

When Ye went after his good friend and fellow comic D. L. Hughley, Comedian Steve Harvey added his two cents.

“Look, man, cmon dog. Pull up, man. It ain’t what you want. If y’all do get to scrappin’, all my cash on D.L. We from an ass-whoopin’ era. D.L. ain’t ya problem. Don’t go out there against that man’s family.”