Wheelchair-bound Woman Forgotten And Locked Inside Atlanta Clinic By Staff
The woman says staff walked past her room multiple times without checking on her.
A wheelchair-bound woman claims she was forgotten and locked inside an Atlanta clinic after it closed.
Ankita Mackin was stuck on her exam table at the Hanger Clinic for hours, unable to move due to her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Mackin said she could only find help after rolling off the table to crawl to her phone charger.
Before the ordeal, Mackin was transported to the clinic for a brace-fitting appointment to straighten her feet. She assumed the staff would help her secure transportation back home once she finished. However, no one came to check in on her, leaving her in the room to fend for herself.
“So, I’m thinking that, ‘OK, well they know I’m finished so they’re going to call transportation to come back and get me,’” explained Mackin to 11Alive.
The woman thankfully had her charger on her, or else she may have spent the evening in the medical facility. She saw staff walk by as she dozed off, waking up as everyone left the building. She yelled out for help, but no one answered.
“I’m still waiting, waiting, waiting, and the next thing you know, it went quiet, it gets quiet,” she recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, I know. Lord knows I hope they didn’t lock me in this building.”
She put her body at risk to get out of there, saying the fall hurt her back. She called 911 several times to no response, FaceTiming her daughters right after, who came to her rescue. The Atlanta police and medical personnel arrived shortly after the women did.
Now, Mackin and her family are questioning Hanger Clinic about their negligence. They want to know how they could leave without ensuring all patients had left the building.
“Like, who locks up the building? No one walks around to check each room,” expressed her daughter, Yahkia.
Mackin went to Grady Hospital to inspect her injuries, later checking out of the center. However, she still feels traumatized by the ordeal and feels unsafe in a place of care.
When the new outlet also inquired about the situation, the Atlanta clinic stated HIPAA laws prevented them from speaking on it. It remains unclear if Mackin will take legal action against Hanger.
Conservative Activist CJ Pearson Says White Liberals Are ‘Fearful’ Of Losing Power Over Black Americans
The pro-Trump activist says signs like that promotes racism from white liberals.
A viral protest sign in Virginia triggered some feelings for conservative activist CJ Pearson, pushing claims that white liberals are starting to get scared of losing “power” over Black Americans, Fox News reports.
A white woman was seen holding a sign outside of an Arlington County school board meeting, allegedly pushing accusations of racial undertones due to the state’s lieutenant governor and GOP gubernatorial candidate, Winsome Earle-Sears, being Black. “Hey Winsome, if trans can’t share your bathroom, then Blacks can’t share my water fountain,” the sign held by the unidentified woman read.
Pearson said the sign promotes racism from white liberals. “This is a sign being held by a white liberal protesting against the Black Republican nominee for Governor in Virginia speaking out against boys using the girls’ bathroom,” Pearson wrote. “White liberals are some of the most racist people in the United States.”
He defended Earle-Sears, claiming “the Left has always been unapologetically nasty to Black people who think for themselves.” “First and foremost, I’m not surprised by what happened at that protest and those comments that were directed at Winsome,” the GOP activist said.
“And the reason that they do is because they know that courage is contagious. They know that the more Black people that wake up start asking questions, [including the] biggest question of all, ‘What have the Democrats done for us lately; their political grip on the Black community will start to loosen, and they will lose power.”
He also labeled them as the “greatest threat to Western civilization” on X.
White liberal women are the greatest threat to Western civilization. https://t.co/qoahMRJdSg
Other leaders came to Earle-Sears’ defense like former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), who is also running for the state’s governor’s seat in 2026. She called the signage “racist and abhorrent.” “Many Virginians remember the segregated water fountains (and buses and schools and neighborhoods) of Virginia’s recent history,” she wrote on X.
“And no matter the intended purpose or tone, and no matter how much one might find someone else’s beliefs objectionable, to threaten a return of Jim Crow and segregation to a Black woman is unacceptable. Full stop.”
As I said yesterday, the sign displayed in Arlington last night was racist and abhorrent.
Many Virginians remember the segregated water fountains (and buses and schools and neighborhoods) of Virginia’s recent history. And no matter the intended purpose or tone and no matter how…
However, the co-chair of the GOP Youth Advisory Council called her response calculated. Even the lieutenant governor chimed in, saying Spanberger’s response should have been stronger, calling it a “very weak response from a very weak person who we know cannot lead Virginia as governor.”’
John Amos’ Daughter Sues Her Brother Over Alleged Elder Abuse And Wrongful Death
John Amos’ daughter is suing her brother over allegations of elder abuse, fraud, and wrongful death.
John Amos’ children have launched a legal war against each other over the late actor’s estate, with his daughter suing her brother over claims of elder abuse and fraud.
Shannon Amos has filed a lawsuit against her brother, Kelly ‘K.C.’ Christopher Amos, accusing him of elder abuse, fraud, and wrongful death, as revealed by The Hollywood Reporter. She claims K.C. manipulated their ailing father into signing new wills, trusts, and powers of attorney that handed him near-total control of the estate, while neglecting the actor’s medical care and cutting her and other heirs out of any inheritance.
The petition also names John Amos’ former caretaker, Belinda Foster, his close associate Eugene Brummett, and his production company, Step and One Half Productions, which K.C. claimed sole ownership of in 2020. It further seeks a court order to freeze the estate’s assets.
According to the suit, K.C. repeatedly left Amos, whose mental capacity was rapidly declining, in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. Shannon recalls alleged talks with doctors who warned her that his medications weren’t being properly administered.
In 2023, Amos was hospitalized multiple times, including for a foot infection caused by maggots, which led Adult Protective Services to step in. By August 2024, he was suffering severe abdominal pain, but caretaker Belinda Foster allegedly posed as his daughter and delayed taking him to the hospital until it was too late.
The petition includes affidavits from Amos’s close friends and former business managers, who all accuse K.C. of attempting to isolate his father to seize control of his finances. In one affidavit, longtime friend Leslie Franklin claimed the actor was kept in hotels surrounded by piles of soiled adult diapers and trash.
The lawsuit holds K.C. responsible for his father’s August 2024 death and calls for the estate’s assets to be frozen until the court rules. This follows a messy fallout between the two siblings in their father’s final years, where Shannon first accused her brother of elder abuse and attempts to control his money.
Black Beauty Salons Hit Hard By Trump Tariffs: ‘We’re Impacted At Every Level’
Trump’s tariffs are taking a heavy toll on Black-owned beauty salons that rely on Chinese-made hair products.
Donald Trump’s tariffs are putting added strain on small businesses, with Black beauty salons hit especially hard by the rising cost of Chinese-made hair extensions.
The cost of hair extensions and glues for wigs and weaves has surged following Trump’s tariffs on China and Vietnam, where most Black beauty products are manufactured, Reuters reports. The price hikes are straining Black-owned salons, which report a decline in repeat client visits.
“We’re being impacted at every level,” said Dajiah Blackshear-Calloway, 34, a salon owner based in Smyrna, Georgia. “I’m either having to eat that cost or pass that expense along to my clients, which affects their budgets and their pockets as well.”
Blackshear-Calloway’s salon, staffed by two stylists, offers a range of services from $50 natural hairstyles to $745 tape-in weave extensions. Her most popular services include $254 sew-in weaves and $125 quick weaves, where extensions are glued onto a stocking cap.
However, tariffs have driven up the cost of a package of hair imported from Vietnam from $190 in May to $290, while a bottle of hair glue from China jumped from $8 to $14.99 at her local supply store. To avoid passing these costs on to clients, Blackshear-Calloway now asks them to bring their own hair, making a quick weave $140 without hair, compared to $400 with hair provided.
Diann Valentine, 55, founder of Slayyy Hair, first felt the impact of tariffs when a 145% levy on Chinese imports hit, resulting in a $300,000 bill to clear 26,000 units of braiding hair at the Los Angeles port in May. Since then, she has raised the prices of her braiding hair and drawstring ponytail extensions by 20%. Valentine was also forced to lay off four employees and now works 16-hour days to keep her two Glow+Flow beauty supply stores in Inglewood and Hawthorne, California, running smoothly.
“To lose that kind of money at this stage has been devastating,” Valentine said.
Tariffs are hitting Black business owners particularly hard, including many salon owners. Andre Perry, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, notes that the wealth gap leaves Black entrepreneurs, especially those in low-margin industries like consumer goods or haircare services, in financially vulnerable positions, with tariffs further eroding their profits.
“Many Black entrepreneurs started off with less wealth,” Perry said.
Black businesses have endured for generations through innovation and resilience, and it will take that same spirit to navigate the challenges Americans now face due to Trump’s tariffs. Industry experts have been offering tips for small business owners affected by the tariffs, including communicating openly with customers, reassessing supply chains, streamlining operations to address inefficiencies, consulting a financial advisor, and exploring business credit lines.
Social Determinants And Social Norms When Breastfeeding Isn’t Enough For Black Women
The lack of institutional support is not merely incidental; it is a manifestation of a deeper, societal issue where the historical trauma of slavery and wet-nursing has created a powerful and haunting historical association with breastfeeding.
The “breast is best” axiom has long been the cornerstone of infant health, championed for providing physiological, psychological, and immunological benefits to both parent and child. Despite these well-documented benefits, a recent study conducted reveals a deep and uncomfortable truth: the biological promise of breastfeeding is rendered tragically inert for many Black mothers by the compounding effects of social determinants.
The research found that while breastfeeding appeared protective for some, its benefits did not extend to infants of color, regardless of their family’s socioeconomic standing.
Historical Context and Systemic Barriers
For more than 400 years, breastfeeding disparities and inequities have persisted in Black communities in the United States, rooted in the legacy of chattel enslavement and the subsequent commodification of Black women’s bodies and their milk. Today, systemic racism and inequitable access to resources and support remain the primary drivers of these disparities.
Research has made it clear that Black women and birthing people face more systemic and structural barriers during the perinatal period than other populations. In-hospital providers are less likely to discuss breastfeeding with Black women, and formula feeding is nine times higher for Black infants immediately after birth compared to their white counterparts. These challenges, along with disparate care in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) settings, contribute to a reality where Black women and birthing people experience significant obstacles in meeting their infant feeding goals.
The Faltering Panacea: Study Findings
The 2023 study’s findings present a stark, clinical manifestation of these systemic issues. While a greater duration of breastfeeding in the overall population was associated with a reduced incidence of respiratory illnesses, examining the data by race and socioeconomic status revealed a critical flaw in the “breast is best” narrative. High-socioeconomic status (SES) white patients saw a significant decrease in illnesses like ear infections, eczema, and gastrointestinal issues when they breastfed for more extended periods.
In contrast, the study found no such benefits for high-SES Black and Hispanic patients. In fact, for infants of color, breastfeeding was linked to an increased occurrence of eczema, and it did not seem to offer any protection against other illnesses.
These findings suggest that the benefits of breastfeeding are not inherent but are instead dependent on a foundation of systemic privilege and access to resources that extend far beyond a family’s financial means. The physiological stress caused by racial discrimination, the lack of support in workplaces, and living in food deserts are all constant, low-grade sources of attrition that a single biological intervention cannot possibly overcome.
Systemic and Societal Barriers to Lactation
The challenges facing Black mothers in their lactation journey are further exacerbated by the economic realities they navigate. Black women, with a labor participation rate of 60.2%, are disproportionately shouldering the dual mantle of caregiver and primary financial support, with an astounding 70.7% of Black mothers serving as sole breadwinners.
This economic imperative often precipitates an earlier return to the workforce and a truncated maternity leave, an institutional disadvantage compounded by the fact that Black workers are less likely to hold positions that offer flexible schedules or robust benefits like paid family leave. Furthermore, even where legal protections exist, such as the Affordable Care Act’s mandate for break time and private space for nursing, many employers—particularly in the low-wage sector—fail to comply.
The fear of penalties for pursuing a fundamental right—including job loss, demotion, and harassment—weighs heavily on many Black workers, making the exercise of that right a perilous and often untenable option.
Beyond the workplace, systemic inequities in healthcare access and societal stigma create additional, formidable hurdles. Despite the ACA’s requirement for insurance coverage of lactation support and breast pumps, these vital services remain out of reach for many in the 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid, many of which have large Black populations. This structural inequity is mirrored in the hospital setting itself, where forty-five percent of Baby-Friendly hospitals—a designation for facilities that actively promote breastfeeding—are concentrated in areas where Black people comprise 3 percent or less of the population.
The lack of institutional support is not merely incidental; it is a manifestation of a deeper, societal issue where the historical trauma of slavery and wet-nursing has created a powerful and haunting historical association with breastfeeding. This legacy, coupled with the contemporary over-sexualization of Black bodies, perpetuates a stigma that compounds the public health messaging, making a seemingly simple act a complex negotiation with centuries of systemic prejudice.
Recent Trends: Progress Amid Persistence
While inequities persist, recent data sets reveal promising trends in breastfeeding rates for Black women. According to the 2020 CDC Breastfeeding Report Card for infants born in 2017, 74% of U.S.-born Black infants had ever been breastfed, a notable increase from 63% in 2010. The rate of continued breastfeeding also saw gains: 48% of Black infants were still breastfeeding at 6 months, and 26% at 12 months, up from 36% and 16% respectively in 2010. The number of Black women providing human milk exclusively to their infants at 3 and 6 months also increased to 39% and 21% respectively, from 27% and 13% in 2010. These trends are a testament to ongoing advocacy and grassroots efforts, yet they do not erase the fundamental systemic barriers that remain.
The conclusion is inescapable: we cannot continue to discuss racial inequities in breastfeeding without acknowledging the historical, sociocultural, political, and economic contexts that support them. A public health strategy that ignores the lived reality of its target population is, at best, incomplete.
We cannot tell a mother to “do better” when her very environment is working against her. The health of a child is not merely determined by the food it eats but by the world in which it is born.
For Black women, the fight to nourish their children is not just a personal choice—it is a struggle against a system that has long denied them the very foundation of wellness. Future research, policy, and advocacy must recognize and address this significant and persistent reality.
Mizzou Cancels ‘Black 2 Class’ Student Block Party Over Proposed ‘Discrimination’
A "Black 2 Class" student block party was scrapped as Mizzou administrators found its naming discriminatory.
The University of Missouri has officially canceled a Black student event in light of Trump’s anti-DEI shakedown.
The Legion of Black Collegians at Mizzou had already established plans for its “Black 2 Class” student block party. However, in light of new federal regulations that the school has complied with, the block party was axed by administrators. According toInside Higher Ed, a university spokesperson called the party “unlawful discrimination” as the event’s name made it “race exclusive.”
The university’s president also announced that any organizations and events must not suggest exclusion of students based on race. This issue has plagued events hosted by the Legion since the Trump administration threatened federal funding for schools that did not abide by its anti-DEI standards.
The “Black 2 Class” block party was an alternative proposed after its first event, The Welcome Black BBQ, was removed for similar concerns. However, administrators found the name too provocative as it explicitly mentions Blackness, despite all students being allowed to attend.
The Legion shared the cancellation on its Instagram, calling it an “act of erasure.”
“Let’s be very clear, these actions are a deliberate act of erasure. At every turn, we are shut down,” detailed the post. “Things as simple as putting “Black” in a name, result in consequences…Recreational spaces for students of all identities are crucial.”
The Legion also mentioned increased racial tensions on campus, impacting the experiences of Black students. According to the Legion, Black people make up 1,700 of the student body, a stark comparison to the 23,000 white attendees. The rise in reported racist encounters led one student to go on a hunger strike to spread awareness, resulting in the resignation of two university leaders.
“In the university’s effort to be ‘more inclusive,’ these actions are directly exclusive,” continued the statement. “This pushes Black students away from the very things that bring us together. There is a powerful history behind our identity, events, and spaces. Yet, we’re still fighting the constant same issues.”
In light of these restrictions and unaccommodating conditions, the Legion created a list of demands for Mizzou. It wants a public condemnation of racial harassment by administrators. The organization also requested a town hall and campus-wide messaging to condemn these discriminatory actions.
It ended its message emphasizing their fight against racial harassment on campus.
“As we head into this new school year, we advise everyone to keep your head on a swivel. Stay mindful of the University’s continued efforts to erase/suppress our work, our identity, and our voice. To Black Mizzou, stay united, remain resilient, and be unshaken. Right now, our community is what we make of it. “
However, the university spokesperson continued to defend Mizzou’s stance. He stated the Legion itself was not in jeopardy, but its events remain circumstantial.
“This decision was based on the circumstances of this event, which was promoted with a name that suggested it was race exclusive and contrary to [federal civil rights law],” said spokesperson Christopher Ave. “Each event or program must be considered on its own in context and the decision on this event does not dictate what will happen in any other circumstance.”
Pinky Cole Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged $87K In Unpaid Rent At Two Slutty Vegan Atlanta Locations
Pinky Cole is once again facing a lawsuit over alleged unpaid rent, this time involving two Slutty Vegan locations in Atlanta.
Slutty Vegan founder, Pinky Cole Hayes, is facing a new lawsuit over claims of unpaid rent at two of her Atlanta restaurant locations.
An affiliate of Asana Partners, the real estate firm behind popular Atlanta hubs like Krog Street Market and Plaza Fiesta, has filed a complaint in Fulton County State Court accusing Cole and her current and former businesses of breaching leases on two Edgewood Avenue properties, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. According to the suit, Cole and the entities owe more than $87,000 in back rent, late fees, and interest.
The lawsuit follows Cole’s February 2025 financial restructuring, when she revealed that she briefly gave up ownership of her business to an assignee due to a $10 million corporate overhead and cash flow issues before repurchasing it under a new entity, Ain’t Nobody Coming to See You, Otis LLC. Since then, her businesses have faced lawsuits in Maryland and New York over alleged unpaid rent and credit card charges tied to the period before the restructuring.
As news of the latest lawsuit made its way to social media, reactions are mixed, with some offering Cole prayers and encouragement. In contrast, others argue her business troubles stem from the rapid expansion of the Slutty Vegan franchise.
“Praying that she’s able to clear this all up in Jesus’ name, amen! Let’s pray for ppl to win,” one supporter wrote before the critics chimed in.
“Expanding without the proper knowledge base of sustainability is clearly what occurred here,” one critic wrote.
“Case of growing and franchising too big too soon! Something I shared with the owner in the beginning and was shunned!” claimed someone else.
Some questioned how Cole, who recently spoke at Invest Fest in Atlanta, can offer guidance to other business owners while facing ongoing challenges with Slutty Vegan.
“But she was at a workshop this past weekend telling folks how to manage business,” they wrote.
Cole has been candid about the challenges at Slutty Vegan. In March, she shared how the restructuring stemmed from “chasing something that I couldn’t catch for many reasons,” with the business growing too large and costly to manage. The shake-up also led to the cancellation of a planned Concourse B location at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the closure of the on-campus Spelman College spot, replaced by Twisted Taco.
Despite these hurdles, Slutty Vegan continues to operate eight locations nationwide, five in Georgia, and one each in Alabama, Maryland, and New York.
'This one's for Charm City, to honor my roots and the community of Baltimore that has backed me from day one,' said Reese.
Reebok and WNBA star Angel Reese announced the next release from the Chicago Sky center as the colorway of the footwear will represent her hometown NFL team, the Baltimore Ravens.
The Reebok Angel Reese 1 is debuting September 18 with three colorways: Diamond Dust, Receipts Ready, and Mebounds. According to Sports Illustrated, Reese just revealed a fourth color way that is scheduled to go on sale in October, which honors her city, Baltimore.
The sneaker that she wore in her recent basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, called “Charm City,” will be available for consumers in October for a reported $120.
“This one’s for Charm City, to honor my roots and the community of Baltimore that has backed me from day one,” said Reese. “This city gave me my grit and made me who I am today.”
The shoe matches the team colors of the Ravens.
Recently, the Chicago player made many children in the city where she plays very happy when the second-year WNBA player was on hand at International Sports Chicago, where over 2,000 students walked away with supplies to use throughout the school year.
The event took place on Aug. 16, where the students received new Reebok backpacks filled with school supplies. At the back-to-school event, attendees were surrounded by live music and food to help set them up for the new school year. The gathering was presented by Reese’s nonprofit organization, Angel C Reese Foundation, and powered by Reebok.
Although Reese has been playing a little banged up this year, as she has missed a number of games, she is still breaking and making records in her second year in the WNBA.
Reese just tied another record with Tina Charles. This is Reese’s 45th career double-double, reaching the feat in only 60 games, while Charles got hers in the 68th game of her career during the 2010-2011 WNBA season.
She is also tied for this season’s lead with Alyssa Thomas and A’ja Wilson.
Men Who XCEL: Chike Uzoka Talks ‘Putting Your Money To Work’ At 2025 XCEL Summit For Men
Chike Uzoka will lead an informative session: on "Financial Planning: From Working for Money to Putting Money to Work."
BLACK ENTERPRISE’s XCEL Summit For Men will take place Oct. 15-17, and the speaker line-up is just as distinguished as the honorees.
On day two of the event, Chike Uzoka, founder of Valentine Global, will lead a crucial session titled “Financial Planning: From Working for Money to Putting Money to Work.” Uzoka will outline multiple strategies to convert income into generational wealth.
Uzoka, often dubbed “The Teen’s Money Guy,” is no stranger to leading large groups. He is building a budding reputation as a speaker, author, and entrepreneur coach. While his instructional seminars often focus on young men, the advice is applicable to all. Uzoka is passionate about spreading knowledge to the next generation.
In an Instagram post, Uzoka discussed his mission and why it is critical to the Black community.
“Most families don’t lack financial literacy—they just struggle to put what they know into action. Especially when what they learn online doesn’t come with a real plan to implement it. That’s where I come in as a fully licensed Financial Advisor and a speaker. My mission isn’t just to teach about wealth—it’s to make sure we can act on it!”
Schools, nonprofits, and universities, such as Rutgers, Columbia, and the NAACP, have all worked with Uzoka to bring his knowledge to their core constituents. Additionally, Uzoka authored The Young Man’s Guide to Entrepreneurship: 16 Things You Need to Know. The text offers insight into his successes and failures, and gives advice to help up-and-coming entrepreneurs avoid pitfalls.
Uzoka knows leadership requires emotional endurance. He previously hosted a breakout on how to perform under pressure and safeguard mental health in high-stakes work environments, encouraging men to acknowledge trauma instead of letting it derail them.
At the XCEL Summit For Men, Uzoka’s presence offers both tactical financial insights and an opportunity for mentorship.
Uzoka’s lived experience, navigating entrepreneurship from mismatched ideas to educational platforms, makes him a compelling voice in a summit built on empowerment and connection. To hear what Uzoka has to offer, join business leaders and entrepreneurs at the XCEL Summit for Men, Oct. 15-17, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando. Click here for more details.
VIDEO: Man Threatens Lawsuit Against D.C. Authorities Over Racially Targeting Black Residents
Unidentified man seen on video being detained in the street and not being informed of why he was in handcuffs
With the current climate in the Washington, D.C. area being volatile after being sieged by a direct order from President Trump as he has directed the National Guard to take over law enforcement efforts, a man’s video clip of him being detained is making the rounds.
A video clip of the unidentified man was posted to the Instagram account of a group that calls itself harrietsdreams. They label themselves as a Black-led abolitionist community looking out for Black people who are “at risk for state-sanctioned and inter-community violence in the DC area.”
The unidentified Black man is seen in handcuffs between a police officer and an FBI agent, being filmed as he expresses his thoughts on being detained in the streets of Washington, D.C. He claims that he was only walking down the street and was approached by at least 20 law enforcement officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Although he was caught with a weapon, he claims that he wasn’t asked about his magazines for the gun, so he can only assume that they are holding him with the possibility of planting evidence. He was ensuring that those witnessing the scene would listen to his account of the stop by law enforcement officers.
He did state that he was being detained for more than 30 minutes without any of the officers telling him what he was being held for. He has vowed that he will be filing charges against anyone who has touched him in any capacity.
As phone cameras were rolling, he told the crowd, “As an officer of the D.C. Bar, that these officers are violating my civil rights under federal law, and I will be pressing charges.”
“This is tragic. In a country where Black men are being killed by people that look just like this, I was sneered at, I was ignored, and I was not told why I was being detained.”
