MSNBC’s Tiffany Cross Reads Megyn Kelly For Filth For Bullying Naomi Osaka
by Kia Morgan Smith

July 26, 2021

MSNBC’s Tiffany Cross Reads Megyn Kelly For Filth For Bullying Naomi Osaka

Solidarity showed up in the form of an epic read by Tiffany Cross. On her show, The Cross Connection, the MSNBC anchor opened the library on Megyn Kelly over her tweets directed at Naomi Osaka last week. 

It all started when Clay Travis sarcastically tweeted about the fact that Osaka opted out of doing press and pulled out the French Open for self-care and then sat for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, released a Barbie, and appeared in a reality show. Kelly chimed in and added Osaka’s Vogue Japan spread and Time magazine interview.

Osaka blocked Kelly after explaining that those magazine photoshoots were done last year; way before she pulled out of the French Open. Kelly then tweeted that Osaka had blocked her and claimed she was only tough on the [tennis] court.

Tiffany Cross decided that enough was enough and on her essay segment, she laid out the case against Kelly and her exchange with Osaka. 

“This week I’m taking a slightly different approach, and addressing someone completely irrelevant. I’m speaking, of course, about Megyn Kelly,” Cross began.

Cross then made reference to one of Kelly’s previous moments of racialized ignorance when she gave blackface the shrug treatment; an incident that ultimately led to her being fired from NBC.

“The blackface connoisseur who had to apologize for ridiculously asking why it was racist for white people to wear blackface for Halloween, is now going after someone who’s less than half her age, but has twice her intelligence,” Cross continued. 

She also played clips of Megyn Kelly talking about how both Santa and Jesus were verifiably white. She ended by calling Kelly a high school mean girl and telling her that she does not have the range.

In the past, Kelly has also inserted herself in the affairs of Meghan Markle, Gwen Berry, and Nikole Hannah-Jones. In other words, when it comes to Black women’s business, Kelly cannot seem to help herself from Karening. 

Cross has been on point with her critiques of white people misusing their platforms. Last month, she set Bill Maher straight when he suggested that Black Latinos needed to quiet their concern over being erased in the casting of In The Heights. 

Of course, Megyn Kelly has not responded and it is advisable that she not. 

 

Wisconsin Cop Accused of Allegedly Planting Evidence In Black Man’s Car
by Kia Morgan Smith

July 26, 2021

Wisconsin Cop Accused of Allegedly Planting Evidence In Black Man’s Car

The Caledonia Police Department in Wisconsin is in the news after footage of an officer reportedly throwing a plastic bag into a car hit social media.

On Friday, the video went viral after a Facebook user called GlockBoy Savoo seemed to show that an officer chucked something into his back seat.

In the video, reportedly taken July 21, the officer can be seen approaching the back seat of the car where the door is already open. Viewers can also see something small and white travel through the air into the open car door. 

GlockBoy Savoo, thinking quickly, immediately inquires what the officer just threw into his back seat. The officer feigns cluelessness and GlockBoy Savoo turns to the back seat where a small plastic baggie filled with an unknown substance is resting. 

On Facebook, GlockBoy Savoo posted about the experience and claimed that it was the officer’s attempt to have a reason to search his vehicle.

“First time ever seeing a cop try to throw sum on me just to get reason to search the car💯 he ain’t even know I was recording 💯 you can tell he was nervous 💯.” 

The Caledonia Police Department initially confirmed that the officer in the video is indeed one of theirs and the traffic stop did happen but issued a statement of their own basically asking the public not to believe that snippet of the video and promised an investigation. 

“Please keep in mind that the cell phone video that is circulating depicts only a small portion of the entire encounter; whereas, all available video may provide more context,” said Police Chief Christopher Botsch. 

However, their statement grew legs and by Sunday, Fox News reported an extended account by the police department about what they say really happened. 

According to Botsch, an officer searched another passenger and found the plastic bag on that passenger’s person. Since the bag was empty, the officer threw it into the back seat of the car. 

“Since there were NO DRUGS in the corner tear, the officers discarded the empty packaging material in the vehicle,” the Botsch wrote. “This is what was observed in the video.” 

Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump took to Twitter and called it a clear case of police abusing their power.

The Caledonia Police Department used footage from their officers’ bodycams to draw these conclusions during their investigation of the incident. 

Possessing an empty baggie is not illegal. No arrests were made in the incident and the driver was issued a ticket for speeding.

Kanye West Lives In A Stadium In Atlanta To Channel Energy For His New Album
by Kia Morgan Smith

July 26, 2021

Kanye West Lives In A Stadium In Atlanta To Channel Energy For His New Album

Last week, Kanye West had a listening party for his fans at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. In true Kanye fashion, he decided to remain at the venue long after it was over. No, not to magnanimously sign autographs for a few hours. He remained there to live, reported TMZ.

West, not known for predictability, reportedly decided to become a stadium tenant until his new album, “Donda,” is completed. 

So in the meanwhile, West reportedly had his team set up a studio, a general living area, and even chef services to cook for him. Anyone can live in a stadium but to expect them to eat stadium nachos and imitation cheese and mystery meat hot dogs are clearly crossing the line. 

The listening party drew an estimated 40,000 fans to the stadium and West was so enthused by his supporters that he apparently decided that he would stay at the stadium and place that residual energy into his work on the album, his 10th studio LP. 

But who can be surprised? He showed up to the listening party in a red outfit that appeared to be constructed of vinyl complete with a puffer jacket, gloves and pantyhose pulled over his entire head. On the day of the party, it was 90 degrees outside. 

Speculation of West’s temporary shelter began when he was spotted walking around the crowded stadium during an Atlanta United game two days after the listening party, in the same outfit, pantyhose mask included. 

 “Donda” was set to be released on July 24 but after West caught his 2nd wind in his Summer 2021 thermal couture head-to-toe fit, the album release date was pushed back to August. 

The album was originally supposed to materialize in July 2020. 

West is definitely the textbook definition of self-care because he does exactly what he wants to do and does not bother to let pesky details like publicly announced release dates dictate his life. 

West has not responded to reports about his new residence but we’re certain that when he figures out how to make it more complex than it actually is, he will let everyone know. 

 

Learn To Play The Piano In A Few Weeks With This $20 Crash Course
by Black Enterprise Shop

July 26, 2021

Learn To Play The Piano In A Few Weeks With This $20 Crash Course

Anyone can get sounds to come out of a piano, but turning those random sounds into music takes some work. The good news is that there are few instruments that complete beginners will find easier to learn than the piano. It can take students weeks or even months to produce single notes on other instruments, but the piano is remarkably intuitive.

If you’ve had ‘learn to play the piano’ on your bucket list for some time now but have no clue how to get started, then the Complete 2021 Piano for Beginners Bundle is a great place to begin. With six courses covering 232 lessons, you’ll start tackling basic concepts on the piano and move on to the more complex notes in no time.

The Piano for Beginners Bundle is created by Skill Success, a leading e-learning hub that provides carefully curated online video courses on everything from lifestyle to business. With help from their highly-rated instructors David Brogan and Ilse Lozoya — two professional pianists with over 56 years of experience between them — you’ll be channeling your inner Beethoven in just a few weeks of practice.

The courses in this bundle feature lessons on controlling your sound, phrasing, playing arpeggios and legato accompaniments, getting stronger fingers, avoiding injuries and more. Thanks to accompanying practical videos, you can follow all the exercises at your own pace and gradually grasp the basic principles of a good piano technique.

Once you complete these lessons, then you can move on to mastering rhythmic figures as whole notes, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth and dotted notes, triplets, and many other possible combinations, all in the C major scale. You’ll also learn how to play every favorite festive song you have ever wanted to learn on the piano when you get the Complete 2021 Piano for Beginners Bundle for $19.99, or $3.33 per course.

Prices subject to change.

by Charlene Rhinehart

July 25, 2021

Naomi Osaka Wins Opening Tennis Match; Opens Up to Reporters at Tokyo Olympics

Tennis phenom Naomi Osaka is back on the court and she’s still claiming victories.

On Sunday, Osaka won her first match against China’s Saisai Zheng at the Tokyo Olympics. Saisai ranks 52nd in the world in women’s tennis, ESPN reports. Osaka defeated Saisai in straight sets — 6-1, 6-4 — in less than 1 hour and 30 minutes.

“The Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” Osaka told reporters. “So I feel like the break that I took was very needed. I feel definitely a little bit refreshed, and I’m happy again.”

This is Osaka’s first time on the court since she withdrew from the French Open in May. After facing criticism from some sports enthusiasts, Naomi went to social media to explain her decision.

“The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the US Open in 2018,” Osaka shared. “I have had a really hard time coping with that. Anyone that knows me knows I’m introverted. Anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety. Though the tennis press has always been kind to me, I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media.”

 

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Osaka also shared that she would not be participating in interviews at the French Open because “people have no regard for athletes’ mental health and this rings true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one.”

Osaka Talks to Reporters After Victory Tennis Match

This weekend, Naomi decided to break her silence. After a two month mental health hiatus, Osaka stopped to talked to reporters following her victory.

“More than anything else, I’m just focused on playing tennis,” Osaka said.

According to ESPN, the tennis superstar noted that she was “happy” to receive questions from reporters.

“I feel a little bit out of my body right now,” Osaka said. “There’s nothing wrong with my body; I just felt really nervous. I haven’t played since France, so there were definitely some things that I did a bit wrong, but I think I can improve in the matches that I continue playing.”

This weekend was a momentous occasion for the 23-year-old athlete. Osaka was asked to light the iconic Olympic cauldron at Friday’s Opening Ceremony. The four-time Grand slam winner became the first tennis player to hold the Olympic torch towards the cauldron.

“When I lit the flame, I was super honored,” she stated. “I think that’s a position that you dream about and not anyone can do it. So, for me, when they asked me if I wanted to, I was very surprised but very honored. And I’m just very happy to be here and very happy to play — especially in Tokyo.”

Osaka was born in Japan in October 1997. Her mother is Japanese and her father is Haitian. She moved to New York with her family at the age of 3. Now, she’s representing Japan at the Olympics.

“Undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honor I will ever have in my life,” Osaka shared on Instagram. “I have no words to describe the feelings I have right now, but I do know I am currently filled with gratefulness and thankfulness.”

 

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Whitney Houston Hologram Concert Tour is Heading to Vegas
by Charlene Rhinehart

July 25, 2021

Whitney Houston Hologram Concert Tour is Heading to Vegas

The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert tour is expected to debut in Las Vegas this Fall.

Last week, the late singer’s estate announced the U.S. tour of “An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert.” The six-month show will take place at Harrah’s Las Vegas starting on October 26. Tickets are on sale now at Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster.

“In 2011, Whitney and I discussed her idea of an intimate, unplugged concert tour. It was a project we called ‘Whitney Unplugged’ or ‘An Evening with Whitney,’” Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law, shared with Rolling Stone last year.

“While Whitney’s no longer with us, her voice and legacy will live on with us forever. ‘An Evening with Whitney’ is another chance for us to relive and celebrate the talent that we were so lucky to receive for more than three decades and we’re excited to bring this cutting-edge musical experience to the fans who supported the pop culture phenomenon that was Whitney Houston because they deserve nothing less.”

Pat Houston is the sole executor of the estate. She managed Whitney Houston’s career since the early 2000’s and has committed to upholding Whitney’s legacy. Although there have been many entertainment deals pitched to the estate since Whitney’s death in 2012, Pat has stated that the hologram has “taken precedence over everything.”

“Before she passed, there was so much negativity around the name; it wasn’t about the music anymore,” Pat Houston stated over lunch in 2019, writes The New York Times. “People had forgotten how great she was. They let all the personal things about her life outweigh why they fell in love with her in the first place.”

Whitney Houston Hologram Concert Tour in Las Vegas

Now, fans can revel in a special show. The concert will feature a holographic recreation of Houston from all stages of her career. Whitney Houston will “perform” alongside live musicians, backup singers, and dancers. She’ll also be surrounded by cinematic special effects, Entertainment Weekly reported. The concert set will include some of the icons biggest hits: will include such classic hits: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and “I Will Always Love You.”

This isn’t the first time that the Whitney Houston Hologram tour will be seen by fans. Last year, the Whitney Houston European tour kicked off in England.

“A hologram show is all about the imagination and creating a ‘wow factor’ that extends to an incredible experience to enjoy for years to come,” Pat Houston released in a statement last year. “Whitney is not with us but her music will live with us forever.”

Facebook is Offering 100,000 Scholarships to Black Learners Seeking Digital Marketing Certifications
by Charlene Rhinehart

July 25, 2021

Facebook is Offering 100,000 Scholarships to Black Learners Seeking Digital Marketing Certifications

Last year, Facebook announced initiatives to support the Black community.

The company earmarked $200 million to support Black-owned businesses following the death of George Floyd. The pledge is part of a broader $1.1 billion supplier diversity program designed to provided funding and resources to Black-owned businesses this year.

The organization has also launched an online application through the Facebook Elevate program to help more individuals gain access to industry-recognized career certifications. The social media behemoth is giving 100,000 scholarships to Black learners seeking gain access to vital digital skills. The scholarships can be used for the Facebook Certified Digital Marketing Associate Exam.

Facebook Digital Marketing Certification Application

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must reside in the United States and identify as Black.  On the application page, you can read the frequently asked questions to get a better understanding of how the scholarship and certification process works.

After you’ve read about the program, you can submit your application. The short application includes personal questions and a statement of goals. After approval, applicants will receive a voucher to cover the costs of the Facebook Certified Digital Marketing Associate. The cost of the exam in the United States is $99.

Set aside ample time to review the material and complete the exam. The voucher is good for 90 days from the date you claim it.

The Scholarship Learning Center provides information that will get you started on your journey. You’ll gain access to free training and resources that you can access on-demand during your training period. The Elevate page will walk you through the learning objectives and courses you can take every week to be exam-ready during Week 5.

Earning the Facebook Certification will unlock more career opportunities. Facebook has partnered with 60+companies through the Facebook Certification Career Network. Certified individuals will be one step closer to obtaining jobs at Havas Media, Facebook, BBDO, and other employers.

In addition to the 100,000 scholarships to Black learners, Facebook has also offered the CodeFWD and TechPrep programs. These opportunities provide access to computer science and programming.

 

This 72-Hour Bundle Will Keep You Updated On The Best Digital Marketing Tools
by Black Enterprise Shop

July 25, 2021

This 72-Hour Bundle Will Keep You Updated On The Best Digital Marketing Tools

It’s the year 2021, and everything is digital. By ‘everything’, we mean everything good. If you’re an entrepreneur trying to get in on all the good stuff the internet has to offer, then you’ll need to have a solid background in digital marketing.

Whether you’re just starting out and you’re ready to take off or you’re a business owner that wants to get to the next level, the 2021 Premium Digital Marketing for Entrepreneurs Certification Bundle will teach you the skills you need to thrive in a digital environment.

This 10-course bundle offers 72 hours of training in some of the best digital marketing channels. With help from highly-rated online marketing experts like Phil Ebiner, Benjamin Wilson, Isaac Rudansky, Ryan Ford and more, you’ll learn how to grow your business through email marketing and paid marketing, optimize your Google AdWords campaign to rank higher on search pages, and how to promote your business and attract customers on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

There’s even a course on how to launch your own podcast, showing you what it takes to start, record, edit, publish, grow, and monetize it. You’ll dive into the benefits of running a podcast, the gear you’ll need to get started, and more essential concepts as you make your way through the lectures. Finally, once you’ve learned these skills, the bundle offers another course designed to help you create your own online community to better serve your audience and stand out from the crowd.

Every business could benefit from some more digital marketing expertise. In the 2021 Premium Digital Marketing for Entrepreneurs Certification Bundle, you’ll find out what it takes to push your brand to the next level online. You can purchase all 10 courses right now for just $35, or just $3.50 per course.

Prices subject to change.

by Keka Araújo

July 24, 2021

Black Twitter Loses It After Air From Kanye West’s “DONDA” Listening Party Listed For $3,000

Twitter was abuzz with a hot commodity from Kanye West’s highly-anticipated listening party for his upcoming album “DONDA” in Atlanta on Thursday night.

According to the photos circulating on the social media platform, Yeezy’s air from the event was selling online for over three stacks. Yes, Ziplock bags of O2 were for sale to the highest bidder, and Twitter users reacted. 

 

As usual, Black Twitter responded to the photo with hilarity and shenanigans.

 

One Twitter user responded with something we were all thinking.

 

Besides the ridiculousness of folks selling free air to the highest bidder, the album listening party teetered on the strange side. Yahoo reported that Kanye’s event sold tickets in the range of $20-$100. The party was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., but Yeezy didn’t show up until almost 10’o clock. 

The sold-out session of 42,000 fans and celebrities anticipated hearing the rapper but was met mainly with loud banging, ramblings and Kanye pacing back and forth.

To put the icing on the weird-ass cake, basic refreshments like popcorn, chicken tenders, hot dogs and other snacks were sold at exorbitant prices, according to Hype Beast.

 

Before “DONDA,” Kanye’s last album, “Jesus Is King,” was released in 2019. Prior to that, the Chicago native’s previous album was in 2007. 

To many, the wait may have been worth it, but it just really feels like Yeezy still thinks way too highly of himself for what he offers. 

Lumberton Honda Fires Employee After Calling Customer Trinity Bethune, “Bon Quisha”
by Keka Araújo

July 24, 2021

Lumberton Honda Fires Employee After Calling Customer Trinity Bethune, “Bon Quisha”

A North Carolina car dealership did the unthinkable after a Black female customer purchased a vehicle on Thursday. 

A Facebook post shared by Tyrone Jacob, the woman’s brother, detailed the egregious act. A Lumberton Honda dealership employee was terminated after he sold a 2016 Toyota Camry to Trinity Bethune and posted a racist, stereotypical post referring to the woman as “Bon Quisha.”

“This is not how I planned to congratulate my little sister on her first car purchase. This is completely intentional, disgusting, unfair, and many other adjectives I could use to describe this situation. Rather than responding like a “Bon Quisha,” I’m responding like a Karen. This was not a mistake. With the exception of the letter “N,” her name is spelled using the first row of the keyboard.”

“Typing Bon Quisha requires effort and intent. I’m outraged that she was publicly humiliated without a public/private apology. I’m waiting to hear back from a couple of my colleagues in the legal space, but please tell me if this is something my family should explore. She’s not well at the moment. If you know her, please send love her way,” Jacob added.

The message with a photo of Bethune, posted by the dealership, has since been deleted. 

A screenshot read, “Congratulations to Bon Quisha on her 2016 Toyota Camry.”

Bethune reacted to the problematic post, saying, “I’m not sure if this is a “joke” or something, but my name is definitely Trinity Bethune,” she wrote. “I’m very offended by this post. It’s almost a racial slur. If I’m not addressed by MY name, then please don’t address me at all.”

The Fayetteville Observer reported that a person from the Lumberton Honda dealership said the employee reached out and apologized to Bethune. But the action may have been too little too late. 

 According to ABC 11, the employee was fired. 

A statement from Lumberton Honda said, “The action of this former employee does not represent the views or culture of our company.”

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