Stephany DeBerry Closing Wealth Gap Through Real Estate Acquisition

Stephany DeBerry Closing Wealth Gap Through Real Estate Acquisition


Did you know the current rate of Black homeownership hovers between 44% to 45% compared to almost 80% of white Americans? When it comes to homeownership, African Americans have a lot of catching up to do. Stephany DeBerry says real estate acquisition is the solution.

The realtor is assisting communities across the country to increase the rate of Black homeownership. Less than half of African Americans across the country own their own home. Almost 20% of Black mortgage applicants were denied mortgages in 2020 versus nearly 11% of white applicants. This puts African Americans in the same position as over 50 years ago during the civil rights era.

DeBerry has served the community for over 15 years in real estate throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan (DC/MD/VA) area. She has an ardent passion for changing the narrative of Black homeownership. The veteran realtor is a top-producing agent, community advocate, coach, and certified mentor. DeBerry strongly believes in the power of education and awareness, which is evident in how she conducts affairs among clients and potential clients.

“Knowledge is power. My initial consultation with clients starts with education. As their professional adviser, I believe it is my duty to make sure that my clients thoroughly understand the process from start to finish. Some of my clients are first-generation and first-time buyers that are trusting me to assist them successfully through the transaction.”

According to DeBerry, clients become more empowered and confident when she takes time to educate them and answer their questions thoroughly. A confident client is a happier, less-stressed client.

DeBerry shares four essentials for the real estate acquisition process:

— “One of the most important is that buyers need to act sooner. Meaning they should spend less time talking about owning a home and more time invested in taking the initial steps. Time is money in this current market. Buyers sit and discuss their plans with friends and family. Take those same discussions to professional real estate agents and lenders. Get the process started sooner than later. You’ll be glad that you did.”

— “The homebuying process should not be feared. Often, I am helping people overcome anxiety and their lack of education concerning the process. I can’t stress enough the importance of education and alignment with industry professionals to properly guide them through the process. We are here to support their dream of homeownership.”

— “The big C, credit is a big deal. It’s why mortgage loan applications get denied. In some instances, potential buyers will need to come out of their comfort zones. No one grows in their comfort zone. We’re leaving old patterns and thought processes behind that have not served us well. They will need to address financial obligations and other concerns that have been allowed to linger previously.”

— “Owning a home is an investment. It is not FREE. You will need to make a monetary investment by having some skin in the game. Even if you qualify for grants and other programs, you still need access to savings, cash, etc. It does not matter what anyone else has shared with you. No money down does not mean cash is not required to purchase a house. I help clients understand the importance of having the financial means to secure their property for years to come.”

When asked what it is going to take to close the wealth gap in this country for African Americans, DeBerry believes that:

“By increasing the rate of Black homeownership, we will begin to see a decline in the wealth gap. Minimizing the wealth gap is going to take time and work throughout a system that was never designed for us to succeed in the first place.”

DeBerry believes there are some aspects of increasing the odds for success within the grasp of African Americans. For example, taking responsibility for things that can be controlled by taking an assessment.

DeBerry recommends starting with mindset:

— What are their thoughts regarding homeownership?

— Have thoughts regarding homeownership been shaped by lack (not enough resources)?

— Do they understand that homeownership can help create generational wealth and legacy?

Next, DeBerry looks at financial literacy. Finance is not necessarily taught in school, but the realtor suggests taking the initiative to get the information needed to become financially savvy. Owning a home can be one aspect of a wealth-building portfolio.

— Are clients spending more than what they’re saving?

— Do they know how to create a budget?

Having recently participated in a money management webinar for middle and high school students, DeBerry says that starting financial education early is key. Maintaining good credit is vital. Clients can’t obtain a traditional mortgage loan without a strong credit score. Taking control of finances is a crucial first step toward minimizing the wealth gap.

The American Dream of homeownership should be attainable for all people. Black Americans are in last place, with less than half owning homes. The dream of buying a home to create stability for families and a means of financial security can be realized with the help of professionals.

Purchasing a house is a critical step in minimizing the wealth gap, but DeBerry recommends that clients don’t stop there — buy another and another. There are many investment options available that align with financial goals and lifestyles. Diversifying portfolios is also an asset. Real estate is a tried and true method of creating wealth.

Black Americans can get out of the starting block by contacting a real estate professional to get inquiries answered. Leveraging support systems and additional resources will help Black Americans cross the finish line as homeowners in 2022.

Let’s close this wealth gap. Let’s go!

Women Founders Need Radical Self-Care, Here’s How to Make It Happen

Women Founders Need Radical Self-Care, Here’s How to Make It Happen


It’s no secret why women experience more burnout than men.

Women founders are arguably the most overworked and underappreciated leaders in the business world. Some 48% of them report struggling with the high expectations of being an owner, and they are more prone to experiencing burnout than men.

The instinct to take care of everything while asking for nothing in return is most prevalent among women entrepreneurs, but it’s time for a change. Women founders need radical self-care, not just “regular” self-care. Regular self-care is a stereotypical routine: bubble baths, massages and the occasional glass of wine at the end of a busy day. We as women founders need to go deeper. We need to move towards a radical-self care routine where we are putting our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing first.

The word “radical” implies that something that’s transformational. It’s a continual process that requires coordination and consistency. By using the word radical, we become intentional about doing certain activities that feed our wellbeing everyday, without cessation.

Here are the cornerstones of developing a mindset that can help steer women founders toward radical self-care — even if they’re busy.

Radical self-care is ongoing

As a Black woman founder, the urgency of radical self-care especially hits home. Although Black women entrepreneurs are starting businesses at higher rates than men or white women counterparts, they’re held back by the stress and pressure of doing it all with little or no support.

The constant pressure of living with racism, sexism and other institutional barriers plays a role in the high rates of chronic illness in communities where black women entrepreneurs work and live. For women founders of color to make a radical self-care routine that’s regular, ongoing and committed is essential to preventing the harmful effects of burnout and allowing us to be successful.

Radical self-care is saying no

It’s an act of self-care to say no to parts of the business that drain you or make it difficult to focus on what matters. It’s often seen as “selfish” for women founders to move away from the softer parts of the business, the aspects that require more human connection, negotiation and housekeeping. But if these aspects are preventing you from scaling, elevating or building your business in the ways you’d like, it’s OK to say no and give these tasks to someone else.

Saying no can also be instrumental in the negotiation process with potential clients or customers. If we suspect that we’re being charged for less than our worth, it could be time to walk away. Negotiation is an important part of being a woman founder and growing our businesses, but we also know the pay gap between men and women executives can’t be ignored. Part of radical self-care is saying no to deals, tasks and situations that diminish our value or don’t offer a mutually beneficial relationship that fills our cups and our wallets.

Radical self-care strategies in 15 minutes or less

As mentioned, self-care goes beyond bubble baths and massages and gets into building a greater sense of self-worth, actualizing our growth and recovering from the demands of being a business owner. Self-care requires time, and not every founder has extra hours in their day. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot of time on radical self-care to reap the benefits. You can arrive at healthy boundaries in 15 minutes or less by following these strategies:

Creating boundaries

Boundaries are the secret weapon to making sure you don’t drown in others’ demands while compromising your personal values. Before making any consequential decision, ask yourself the following questions:

— Am I doing this task because I feel obligated, guilty or pressured?

— Does this task drain me?

— Is this my burden to carry? Or someone else’s?

These questions can help you distinguish between a task that’s necessary for you to complete and one that pushes your boundaries in a way that leaves you feeling drained at the end of the day.

Reflect on your agenda

A simple strategy that you can do in five minutes or less is to sit in a quiet place and reflect on your to-do’s for the day. Look at your calendar and think critically about what you’re being asked to do, what you hope to accomplish and if the tasks laid out will help you move the needle in your business.

Reflect upon the benefits of each item in your agenda and how you can infuse a moment of self-care into your day. Would taking a few minutes of silence at the beginning of each meeting bring more calm and balance to your workday? Would declining an invitation or moving a conversation to email be a better use of your time and energy?

Reflect on how you can normalize a routine that centers self-care and mindfulness as opposed to putting it at the margins.

Take a movement break

For some founders, movement can stimulate new ideas and relax the mind during busy workdays. If you have access to nature or a place to walk outside of the workplace, take a 10-minute walk to bring new life to your day.

You can turn one-on-one meetings into walk-and-talks or use part of your lunch time to take a stroll at a park. It’s amazing what a quick walk can do to help you get the creative juices flowing, connect with others on your team and invite more balance to your workday.

Lean on an accountability partner

One of the biggest burdens that women founders face is the unspoken pressure to hold all of the weight of the business and lean on as few people as possible. Sometimes it can feel lonely, like you’re on an island with no one else around, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

Part of implementing a successful radical self-care routine is learning to give yourself permission to ask for help. It’s a good thing to lean on others for support and become humble about your strengths and weaknesses at any given moment.

Inviting one of your staff or employees to be an accountability partner can be another powerful way to ensure you get the most out of your self-care routine. This can mean inviting a fellow executive to remind you about your meditation schedule or asking your assistant to encourage a meeting to be a walk-and-talk instead. Leaning on your staff to help you maintain healthy self-care pathways can lead to more consistency and greater results at the end of the day.

Schedule one self-care strategy per day

You don’t have to be a superwoman. You don’t have to run your business, do 15 self-care tasks a day and still find time to spend with your family and loved ones. You can make radical self-care feel more achievable by scheduling just one strategy into your professional calendar per day.

Make sure your staff and employees know that this particular period of time is for you and you only and that you’d appreciate not being disturbed. When choosing a self-care strategy for the day, you can begin by asking yourself:

— What do I want and need right now?

— What would fill my cup?

— Would a short meditation help at this moment?

— Would turning off my phone and going off-grid help at this moment?

These simple questions can help you customize your radical self-care routine and choose the right strategy for you based on your day.

The late Audre Lorde once said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.”

Leaning into radical self-care is not just a nice thing to do for yourself, it’s an act of resistance. It pushes against the narrative that women founders have to do it all, that they don’t need help and asking for support is a sign of weakness.

Building a self-care routine that you can stick to and infuse into your daily life as a lifestyle change benefits you and everyone else around you. It’s a sign of power, courage and strength that can be felt throughout the company. Women founders who can preserve their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing while running game-changing companies are the ones who will weather the storm of the business world and emerge more resilient than ever.

This article first appeared on Blacknews.com

Scientists May Have Cured HIV In A Woman For The First Time

Scientists May Have Cured HIV In A Woman For The First Time


An American research team has reported it possibly cured a woman of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) for the first time using a stem cell transplant method

The woman becomes the fourth person and first woman to have been cured of the virus, which has infected  more than 79 million people and killed more than 36 million people. Carl Dieffenbach, director of the Division of AIDS at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told NBC News the positive news “continues to provide hope.”

“It’s important that there continues to be success along this line,” Dieffenbach said.

The treatment used to cure the woman is known as haplo-cord transplant and was developed by a team at Weill-Cornell to expand cancer treatment options. First the patient receives a transplant of umbilical cord blood, which contains stem cells that amount to a powerful immune system. 24 hours later, the patient receives a larger graft of adult stem cells, which flourish rapidly, but over time are replaced by cord blood cells.

Core blood cells are more adaptable, require less of a close match to treat cancer and cause fewer complications. However, it does not typically yield enough cells to be effective as a cancer treatment in adults. In Haplo-cord transplants the stem cells from an adult donor can compensate for the lack of cord blood cells.

For the cured patient, who has a mixed-race ancestry, the Weill Cornell team found the HIV-resistant genetic abnormality in the umbilical cord of an infant donor. Doctors then paired a transplant of the infant cells with stem cells from an adult donor.

The woman’s transplant has been considered a success. She’s been in remission from leukemia for more than four years. Additionally, three years after the transplant, the woman and her doctors have discontinued her HIV treatment and 14 months later, there are no signs of a resurgent virus.

Scientists believe they can help up to 50 patients a year in the U.S. using this method.

“We estimate that there are approximately 50 patients per year in the U.S. who could benefit from this procedure,” van Besien said of the haplo-cord transplant’s use as an HIV-cure therapy. “The ability to use partially matched umbilical cord blood grafts greatly increases the likelihood of finding suitable donors for such patients.”

According to the New York Times, the woman’s mixed race background also offers hope in developing a cure for HIV, which could help millions of Black people across the world.

“The fact that she’s mixed race, and that she’s a woman, that is really important scientifically and really important in terms of the community impact,” Dr. Steven Deeks, an AIDS expert at the University of California told the Times.

There have been only  two known cases of someone being cured of HIV. Timothy Ray Brown remained virus-free for 12 years, before dying in 2020 due to cancer. In 2019, Adam Castillejo was reported to be cured of HIV. Both men received bone marrow transplants from donors who carried a mutation that blocked HIV infection.

DSW Invests $2 Million In The First Black-Owned U.S. Footwear Factory, JEMS by Pensole

DSW Invests $2 Million In The First Black-Owned U.S. Footwear Factory, JEMS by Pensole


Designer Brands Inc., parent of shoe retail giant DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, has announced that it will commit a $2 million investment “into advancing action-oriented Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.”

The parent company is teaming up with Detroit-based HBCU Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC) alongside its president, Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, an exemplary footwear designer, according to PR Newswire.

This new partnership intends to encourage aspiring designers and provide opportunities that will incite more inclusivity within the footwear designing industry.

 

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“The footwear industry needs more diversity. The partnership we are entering into with Designer Brands and DSW is a new business model that truly empowers the consumer to influence the industry toward that goal,” said Edwards in an official statement.

“Together with Pensole, Designer Brands and DSW will provide designers opportunities to offer new products directly to consumers. Along the way we will create careers and invest in talented aspiring designers to become the future of our industry.”

In addition, the investment will focus on investing in America’s first Black-owned footwear factory – JEMS by Pensole. JEMS, which signifies “Jan Ernst Matzeliger Studio,” pays tribute to the Black footwear pioneer who in 1883 received a patent that brought footwear manufacturing to a new level and is still used today.

The goal is to not only uplift a Black-owned business, but to also spotlight student designers. PLC graduate students will produce shoe designs to be sold exclusively at DSW.

“We see the footwear industry lacking effective representation by people of color, specifically Blacks, and this $2 million investment will address root causes to remove barriers,” said Designer Brands Chief Executive Officer Roger Rawlins. “Blacks represent less than five percent of those across all design industries, thus lacking much-needed diversity. Designer Brands and DSW’s commitment with Pensole will create a U.S.-based shoe factory, with the goal of all work leading to the launch of Black designers’ brands inside of DSW.”

In the spirit of Black History Month, Designer Brands has adopted the significant theme “MORE THAN A MONTH” to honor and celebrate Black innovators, as well as extend its resources for designers of color.

Until Matzeliger’s birthday on September 25, DSW will see the opening of JEMS by Pensole and the production of its first shoes.

American Black Film Festival Launches Series with City of Miami Beach


The American Black Film Festival (ABFF), in partnership with the City of Miami Beach, will present the first installment in its biannual Business of Entertainment Conversation Series featuring three-time Emmy-nominated actor and author Dondré Whitfield.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 7, 2022 at O Cinema South Beach located at 1130 Washington Avenue. Former news anchor, journalist and Florida Memorial University professor Russell Motley will moderate the conversation.

The biannual series will bring top production experts and artists to the area to discuss the inner workings of the film and television industry. The series is an extension of the festival’s partnership with the City of Miami Beach and is free to the community. Advanced registration is requested as seating is limited.

“Miami Beach is a global arts and culture destination thanks in large part to our long relationship with the American Black Film Festival,” said Mayor Dan Gelber.

“So we welcome this new series as a natural step in our and the ABFF’s efforts to democratize the arts and make them something all can enjoy and appreciate.”

“We are excited to bring the Business of Entertainment Conversation Series to Miami Beach as an extension of our 17-year partnership with the city, and hope that it will inspire members of the community to pursue careers in film and television,” said Jeff Friday, founder and CEO, ABFF Ventures LLC.

Dondré Whitfield’s career has spanned over a quarter century. He has worked with such industry heavyweights as John Travolta, Helen Mirren, David Oyelowo, Michael B. Jordan and Kevin Hart, to name a few. Dondré was a regular on the Ava DuVernay series “Queen Sugar” for OWN, playing “Remy Newell,” a role which earned a nomination for a 2018 NAACP Award. He also recently starred in the hit BET comedy series “Real Husbands of Hollywood” opposite Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe and Nick Cannon.

Dondré’s versatility as a comedic and dramatic actor has been showcased in several of his feature films, including the Independent Spirit Award-winning and Sundance Award-winning film “Middle of Nowhere” opposite David Oyelowo that was directed by Ava DuVernay, the comedy “35 and Ticking” opposite Kevin Hart, the award-nominated drama “Pastor Brown” opposite Michael B. Jordan, the comedies “Mr. 3000” opposite Bernie Mac and “Two Can Play That Game” opposite Vivica A. Fox, and the Helen Mirren-directed film “Happy Birthday” opposite Helen Mirren and John Goodman.

Dondré’s recent and perhaps most impressive role is not on the screen, but in his community. He is the co-creator of The Manhood Tour, a global movement committed to awakening the consciousness of men, giving them the keys to manhood and teaching them how to live it in the highest degree. Dondré travels throughout the country speaking on behalf of the movement.

The American Black Film Festival, now in year 26, will return to Miami Beach June 15-19, 2022, followed by virtual events on ABFF PLAY, the festival’s custom-built platform, from June 20 -30. The festival brings together Black culture enthusiasts, artists, executives and filmmakers from around the world.

Designer Don C Is Joining The Chicago Bulls As A Creative Strategy And Design Advisor

Designer Don C Is Joining The Chicago Bulls As A Creative Strategy And Design Advisor


The Chicago Bulls have announced it has brought on influential streetwear designer Don C into the organization as its creative strategy and design advisor.

In his role, Don Crawley (known as Don C) will collaborate with the Bulls on a range of projects and initiatives including fan engagement, digital content, retail products, youth programming, and more.

According to a Bulls release, Crawley has been a lifelong Bulls fan and attended “$2 Tuesday” games with his dad at Chicago Stadium. After Crawley grew up and began traveling the world, he quickly realized the Bulls were more than just a basketball team in his hometown, but a nationwide brand with the power to connect people across the world through the internet and clothing.

“There are few things I have loved as long as I have loved the Bulls. It’s a dream come true to be able to combine my passion as a fan and my passion as a creative to help this legendary franchise to tap into the culture around the game,” Don C. told NBA.com. “Our goal will be to deepen connections with fans and make an impact in their lives. This isn’t just about designing merch, but combining bigger things like music, lifestyle and fashion to represent the Bulls as both an NBA team and a global brand. I can’t wait to work with their talented team of people.”

Earlier this season, Don C and the Bulls collaborated on a shirt celebrating the career of former Center Joakim Noah, who was drafted by Chicago with the ninth pick of the 2007 NBA Draft. In eight seasons with the Bulls, Noah was a two-time NBA All-Star and a three-time  All-NBA Defensive team selection. Noah was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1461771289862066184?lang=en

Proceeds from sales of the shirt, which features various images of Noah during his time in Chicago, went towards Chicago Bulls Charities and Noah’s Arc Foundation.

Black Americans Shoved Out Of Housing Market By Record Home Prices And Banner Low Inventory

Black Americans Shoved Out Of Housing Market By Record Home Prices And Banner Low Inventory


The dream of buying a home is turning into a nightmare for Black Americans as housing affordability has climbed to an all-time high.

Just 245,300 of the homes now listed for sale are affordable to households making between $75,000 and $100,000, according to a new analysis by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That is a massive drop from the 656,200 homes ready to buy in 2019 before COVID-19 struck.

“The surging residential real estate market of the last two years led to record-high home prices and record-low inventory,” the NAR explained. “This simultaneous ‘double trouble’ has made it increasingly difficult for consumers, particularly Black Americans, to achieve homeownership.”

Affordability in December reportedly hit a 10-year low as a lack of housing supply drove home price growth. That made homeownership unaffordable for many people, especially Black Americans. That is supposedly because many of them harvest less than the U.S. median income.

George Ratiu, Realtor.com’s manager of economic research, told Business Insider,  “The Black homeownership rate currently remains the lowest in the country, underscoring how the challenging COVID housing market has compounded long-standing systemic issues faced by today’s Black buyers.”

The NAR reported valuation nationwide is estimated to have risen by $8.1 trillion from the first quarter of 2020 through late 2021. Yet, the sizable increase in real estate values was not accompanied by a rise in homeownership as the ownership rate remained at roughly 65%
In some of her comments, Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale explained, “The low inventory challenge is particularly acute for some racial and ethnic groups who have faced greater hurdles to homeownership stemming from, among other things, lower incomes as a group.”
Observers contend that the housing gap will keep widening as Black Americans continue earning less than their white counterparts. That lower income weakens African Americans’ capability to buy houses.
At the same time, the NAR and Realtor.com®  identified the top 10 most affordable housing markets for Black households: “Akron, Ohio; Baltimore, Md.; Birmingham, Ala.; Dayton, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; McAllen, Texas; Memphis, Tenn.; St. Louis, Mo.; Toledo, Ohio; and Youngstown, Ohio. In these metro areas, Black households can afford to buy homes roughly in proportion to their income distributions.”
Leave The Crypto Accounting Paperwork To Accointing

Leave The Crypto Accounting Paperwork To Accointing


For many people, tax time is one of the most stressful times of the year. Whether you’re a business owner or just a person with a regular 9-to-5 job, tracking down forms and preparing tax reforms can make even the sanest person feel overwhelmed. That stress is further magnified if you’re someone who’s dabbled in the cryptocurrency market. Every play you’ve made throughout the year must be recorded, stashed away, and saved for when it’s time to file taxes.

Unless you’re an accountant, it’s easy to get lost in the crypto weeds. Accointing Crypto Tax Software handles all the mundane tracking and paperwork so you don’t have to. For a limited time, it’s available for $47.99. That’s a savings of 40% from its MSRP ($79). Save an additional 10% with the Gear Up For Tax Season coupon by entering promo code REFUND at checkout to get this software for $43.19.

Featured in Yahoo! Finance, Bloomberg, Seeking Alpha, The Block, and other leading publications, Accointing Crypto Tax Software tracks, manages, and tallies reports of all your cryptocurrency transactions in one place.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2BpYKdSKdXw

It’s available both on your desktop or mobile device. From the dashboard, it only takes five clicks to get a customized crypto tax report. You’ll be able to generate the needed Form 8949 to fill out your Schedule D form. From there, you can generate a TurboTax file, which you’ll be able to drag and drop online. Once you’ve done those things, you’ll be able to generate a tax report that you can give to your certified public accountant.

Additionally, with this software, you can explore the crypto market, set up alerts, research trending tokens, and share them with your friends online.

This program is rated 4.6 stars on the App Store, and users on the Google Play platform have rated it 4.3 stars. Purchase this helpful tool for $43.19 with code REFUND before the upcoming tax deadline to make the filing process much easier.

Prices subject to change.

BABY BUMP ALERT: VH1 Reality Star Shay Johnson Is Having A Little Girl


Reality television star Shay Johnson is having her first baby. The 38-year-old Love & Hip Hop alum shared the news on social media. 

Shay posted a photo from the winter issue of Kontrol Magazine. The picture revealed her growing belly, and the Atlanta native channeled her inner Beyoncé circa 2017 wearing a luxurious gold robe and headdress. 

I have kept this secret for months but I am now proud to announce I am pregnant with my first child. I’ve wanted a baby for so long and it is finally happening. Thank you @kontrolmag for sharing this moment with me. Thank you to all of my friends and family who kept my secret and made sure this moment was everything I wanted it to be. I’m excited to be a new mom and start my new journey with my new blessing,” she wrote.  

 

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 In another image from the spectacular photoshoot, she shared that her little bundle of joy was a girl. 

​​”​​ITS A GIRL!! I’m going to be a mommy. So excited!!!”

 

 

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A post shared by Shay Johnson (@iamshayjohnson)

On Feb. 19, Momma Dee (mother of her ex-bae, rapper Scrappy) shared a video of her and the Flava of Love alum at what appeared to be a gender reveal party. Seemingly excited by Shay’s baby news, she called herself the unborn child’s “Glam Grand-Godmother.”

 

 

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The father of Shay’s daughter is unknown. The reality star dated Scrappy for three years, was also linked to Andre 3000 and even booed up with Pretty Ricky’s Pleasure P while on Love & Hip: Miami.

We wish her and her baby girl the best!

Say It Ain’t So: After Paternity Test And Apology, Maralee Nichols Claims Tristan Thompson Still Hasn’t Seen His Son


NBA baller Tristan Thompson is reportedly not living up to his duties as a father, according to his most recent child’s mother, Maralee Nichols. 

Thompson’s former trainer and sidechick took her gripe with the newly-signed Chicago Bulls power forward to Page Six, giving a statement to the publication on Feb.13 regarding Thompson’s absence from their two-month-old son’s life. 

“Despite news reports stating otherwise, Tristan Thompson has done nothing to support his son. He has not made any attempt to meet their son, nor has he provided any financial assistance,” Nichol’s rep, Harvey Englander, told the news outlet. 

Though predictable, given past communications between him and Nichols, Thompson’s actions are far from posts he shared on Instagram in January apologizing to Nichols while attesting to co-parenting with the woman. The pair confirmed through DNA testing that Thompson was the newborn’s father.

“Today, paternity test results reveal that I fathered a child with Maralee Nichols. I take full responsibility for my actions. Now, that paternity has been established. I look forward to amicably raising our son. I sincerely apologize to everyone I’ve hurt or disappointed throughout this ordeal, both publicly and privately.”

The 30-year-old NBA player also apologized to Khloe Kardashian, having been caught being unfaithful numerous times. 

“Khloe, you don’t deserve this. You don’t deserve the heartache and humiliation I have caused you. You don’t deserve the way I have treated you over the years. ‘My actions have certainly not lined up with the way I view you. I have the utmost respect and love for you. Regardless of what you may think. Again, I am so incredibly sorry.”

Thompson has three children with three different women: son Prince, 5 (mother is Jordan Craig), daughter True, 3 (with Kardashian) and his newborn with Nichols.  

When Nichols reportedly became pregnant, Thompson offered to pay the woman $75,000 to abort the baby and then the money was for her to keep quiet about the child.  

“You know how I feel. My feelings haven’t changed at all. Won’t be involved at all. Btw if you think having this baby is gonna make you some money. It’s completely wrong.” 

A screenshot of a text message read, “You are aware that I’m retiring after this season. So in terms of support, it will be whatever is required monthly or for someone who’s unemployed. It’s texas (sic), so it will be only a couple hundred dollars. So you better off taking this 75k I’m offering cause you won’t get nothing near that with having a kid with a father who’s unemployed.”

A judge has yet to determine how much Thompson will pay Nichols in child support, but experts speculate that Nichols could receive as much as $40,000 per month based on the baller’s income. 

Although Thompson hasn’t addressed Nichols’ claims, the profile pic on his Instagram is of Prince and True, seemingly the children he acknowledges. He also had a recent dinner date with his baby girl.

 

 

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A post shared by Tristan Thompson (@realtristan13)

Hopefully, Thompson will support his son even if he doesn’t give Nichols access to him. 

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