A Black, Female Engineer Holds Two World Record Titles For Her Vintage Gaming Collection
by Andrea Blackstone

July 16, 2021

A Black, Female Engineer Holds Two World Record Titles For Her Vintage Gaming Collection

Back in the 1990s, retro gaming classics from Nintendo to PlayStation were hot items for gamers who wanted to have fun at home.

Linda Guillory, 51, is an electrical engineer from Texas who holds two world titles, including the “Largest Collection of LCD Gaming Systems” and “Largest Collection of Playable Gaming Systems,” according to Guinness World Records.

She will be formally recognized later this year in the forthcoming Guinness World Records 2022.

After collecting a Red Conic basketball game when she was eight years old, a house fire wiped out some of her favorites, reports Guinness World Records reported. She still did not forget the nostalgia of the era. Her interest in collecting “thousands of vintage systems” was revived in 2003, after her brother visited her.

“We were up late one night talking trash about who had been the best player for various games we had as kids. Then he asked, ‘whatever happened to your tabletop Pacman?’ The next thing you know, I was on eBay looking for the Coleco Tabletop Pacman,” Guillory told Guinness World Records.

Guillory has a competitive spirit, too.

“I wanted to see if I still could beat my high score. As I searched, I saw dozens of games I always wanted as a child but never had. I thought I would be satisfied buying two or three. Then it seemed silly not to have the whole series,” Guillory said in the interview.

 

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Iain Simons, Director of The National Videogame Arcade in Nottingham, told the BBC that many “home computer games from the 80s were much harder than the games that kids are playing these days.”

Keeping this in mind, Guillory’s search to find new games led to filling shelves and cabinets with game treasures. Guillory even traveled to Japan to beef up her growing collection.

“Initially, I only purchased broken games to see if I could fix them. Taking them apart and working on them was just a fun pastime,” Guillory said, according to Guinness World Records.

Some vintage games are valuable.

Famitsu Game Boy Light, Pokémon Stadium Battle Set, Sega Saturn, and the Pikachu Nintendo 64  are among the 30 Rarest Collector’s Edition Gaming Consoles that could be worth a little bit of cash or bigger bucks, according to ScreenRant.

 

 

 

Retail Sales Increased As The Country Continues To Rebound Post-COVID
by Derek Major

July 16, 2021

Retail Sales Increased As The Country Continues To Rebound Post-COVID

Reuters – U.S. retail sales unexpectedly increased in June as demand for goods remained strong even as spending is shifting back to services, bolstering expectations that economic growth accelerated in the second quarter.

The rebound in sales reported by the Commerce Department on Friday was despite purchases of motor vehicles declining again because of a lack of supply caused by a global semiconductor shortage. The scarcity of new motor vehicles is boosting demand for used cars and trucks, helping to fuel inflation.

Vaccinations against COVID-19, low interest rates and massive fiscal stimulus are underpinning retail sales.

“Many retailers are benefiting from increased traffic in stores as well as higher prices for items on the shelves, a much-needed bounce back for many service sector businesses,” said Ben Ayers, senior economist at Nationwide in Columbus, Ohio.

Retail sales rose 0.6% last month. Data for May was revised down to show sales falling 1.7% instead of declining 1.3% as previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales dropping 0.4%.

Sales surged 18.0% compared to June last year and are now well above their pre-pandemic level. Demand shifted to goods like electronics and motor vehicles during the pandemic as millions of people worked from home, took online classes and avoided public transportation.

Spending is now rotating back to services like travel and entertainment, with at least 160 million Americans fully immunized against COVID-19. Retail sales are mostly goods, with services such as healthcare, education, travel and hotel accommodation making up the remaining portion of consumer spending.

Restaurants and bars are the only services category in the retail sales report.

U.S. stock index futures held gains after the data. The dollar was steady against a basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury yields rose.

BROAD GAINS

Receipts at auto dealerships fell 2.0% after declining 4.6% in May. Sales at clothing stores increased 2.6%. Consumers increased spending at restaurants and bars, leading to a 2.3% rise in receipts. Sales at restaurants and bars increased 40.2% compared to June 2020.

Receipts at electronics and appliance stores rose 3.3%; sales at furniture stores fell 3.6%. Sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument and book stores dropped 1.7%. Receipts at food and beverage stores gained 0.6%. Sales at building material stores fell 1.6%.

Online retail sales rose 1.2%, likely lifted by Amazon’s Prime Day, which was emulated by other retailers.

Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales increased 1.1% last month after a downwardly revised 1.4% decrease in May. These so-called core retail sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product. They were previously estimated to have dropped 0.7% in May.

“With the economy re-opening, services spending has begun to pick up and could pull some spending away from goods toward some services that are not captured in the retail sales report,” said Kevin Cummins, chief U.S. economist at NatWest Markets in Stamford, Connecticut.

Economists expect consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, logged double-digit growth in the second quarter. Consumer spending grew at an 11.4% annualized rate in the first quarter.

Households accumulated at least $2.5 trillion in excess savings during the pandemic, which is expected to drive spending this year and beyond. From July through December some households will receive income under the expanded Child Tax Credit program, which will soften the blow of an early termination of government-funded unemployment benefits in at least 24 states.

Gross domestic product growth estimates for this quarter are around a 9% rate, which would be an acceleration from the 6.4% pace notched in the first quarter. Economists believe the economy could achieve growth of at least 7% this year. That would be the fastest growth since 1984. The economy contracted 3.5% in 2020, its worst performance in 74 years.

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Dan Burns and Andrea Ricci)

Instagram Sensation Justin LaBoy Talks Inspiration Behind Hit Series, Respectfully Justin
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

July 16, 2021

Instagram Sensation Justin LaBoy Talks Inspiration Behind Hit Series, Respectfully Justin

Many are already familiar with REVOLT’s new late-night series, Respectfully Justin. However, some may not know the unique background of how the hit show came to be.

Hosted by Instagram star Justin LaBoy alongside Executive Producer Justin Combs, Respectfully Justin is a popular late-night series that aims to open up conversations surrounding taboo topics. The concept drew from LaBoy’s wildly popular Instagram meme account that offered humorous and original content surrounding dating, relationships, and more. What started as a social media page quickly grew into a cultural movement that captivated millions of followers due to LaBoy’s original content.

“It honestly all started as a way to share my truth with people. My comment section literally became a safe place where strangers could relate to one another,” said LaBoy. “Being able to relate to others is an important part of the human experience, especially during the pandemic when interaction was limited. My page became a familiar place and an outlet for people all over the world.”

After witnessing the incredible impact his content created, LaBoy partnered with REVOLT to further influence viewers and bring his content to the masses with Respectfully Justin. Starring LaBoy alongside esteemed actor, artist, and influencer Justin Combs, who serves as executive producer, Respectfully Justin offers viewers a front-row seat to their unfiltered content along with some of the biggest names in hip-hop.

“Justin and I had previously created Demon Time together, which was something we continued to build on. Puff caught wind of it, and we came up with a hit show concept,” explained LaBoy. “There aren’t many late-night talk shows in general, especially within the Black community. The fact that our show is so vulnerable and futuristic makes it stand out, and I know we are going to start seeing shows pop up like this. We have your favorite stars being vulnerable in every interview.”

The series continues to expand and bring original content to viewers with new episodes featuring exclusive guests every week on REVOLT.

“Just know we aren’t done— y’all are going to be excited for the remaining guests,” LaBoy shared. “One thing to anticipate is you getting to see me improve from the first show. I feel like I’m getting more out of guests. It’s important for me to continue to give my best to the fans, so I’m looking forward to the next couple of episodes, and so should y’all.”

Snoop Dogg’s Daughter Cori Will ‘Embrace’ The ‘Miserable’ Body Shamers
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 16, 2021

Snoop Dogg’s Daughter Cori Will ‘Embrace’ The ‘Miserable’ Body Shamers

Snoop Dogg’s daughter Cori Broadus isn’t allowing a little body shaming to stop her game. The hip-hop legacy is responding to the online trolls attacking her curvaceous figure.

Snoop Dogg’s 22-year-old daughter is making a name for herself as it relates to body positivity. Cori recently took to her Instagram Story to reveal some of the harsh DMs she receives from online critics.

Cori reposted a DM from someone telling her to get a breast reduction and a tummy tuck because she “has the money.”

“Like what y’all be so miserable on here,” Cori responded with laughing emojis.

In a separate post, Cori posted a mirror selfie embracing her body and addressing the criticism she receives over it.

“Like I don’t know what I’m supposed to do my sh*t just big as fu*k y’all be annoying on here, oh she 2 big oh she 2 skinny oh she this oh she that…embrace what you got and shut the fu*k up,” Cori said.

In another follow-up post, Cori posted a closeup face selfie highlighting her natural brown eyes and explained why she has no interest in getting plastic surgery done.

“A bi*ch is scared to get any kind of surgery so fu*k outta here,” Cori declared.

Her open and honest response to body shamers comes a few months after she admitted to having suicidal thoughts that her family helped her get through.

“The last few weeks my mental has not been so great at one point I tried to end my life but you & my family really give me a purpose to live & helped me realize Iife is much more than materialistic things & you gotta just keep pushing through the bullsh*t. THANK YOU,” she shared.

 

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Her revealing some of the harsh private messages she receives is a reminder for people to think before offering their personal opinions on someone else’s life.

DoJ Charges Two Men With Plotting To Blow Up Democratic Party Headquarters In California
by Derek Major

July 16, 2021

DoJ Charges Two Men With Plotting To Blow Up Democratic Party Headquarters In California

Reuters – Ian Benjamin Rogers and Jarrod Copeland have been indicted on charges they conspired to attack the Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento, the U.S. Justice Department (DoJ) said on Friday.

According to the unsealed indictment, Rogers, 45, and Copeland, 37, started plotting to attack Democratic targets after the 2020 presidential election. They also tried to get support from an anti-government group to further the cause.

The indictment does not name the militia group they contacted.

However, in a different court filing, DoJ prosecutors said that Copeland emailed the far-right group Proud Boys in an effort to “recruit others to join the plot,” and also was a member of a militia group affiliated with the Three Percenters

Both the Proud Boys and the Three Percenters have come under DoJ and government scrutiny recently, after some of their members were indicted in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by former President Donald Trump’s supporters.

An attorney for Rogers declined to comment, and an attorney for Copeland could not be immediately reached.

In numerous messages they exchanged, the two discussed blowing up buildings, the DoJ said.

In one exchange in January 2021, for instance, Rogers told Copeland: “I want to blow up a democrat building bad.”

“I agree,” Copeland responded. “Plan attack.”

DoJ and Federal agents executed a search warrant on Jan. 15 at Rogers’ home and seized a stockpile of weapons including 45 to 50 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and five pipe bombs.

Prosecutors say Copeland tried to destroy evidence during the investigation and communicated with the leader of a militia group who told him to switch communication platforms and delete the evidence.

Rogers was arrested on the day the search warrant was executed and remains in the custody of the state. Copeland was arrested on Thursday and will appear for a detention hearing on July 20, according to the DoJ

In the detention memo, prosecutors said Copeland joined the U.S. military in December 2013, but was arrested for desertion in May 2014. He received an “other than honorable discharge” in lieu of being court-martialed.

The memo says Copeland and Rogers were infuriated after President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, and they “understood they would be viewed as domestic terrorists” if they carried out their vision to overturn the U.S. government.

Their plot allegedly began on Nov. 25, 2020, as Rogers told Copeland in an encrypted messaging application: “Ok bro we need to hit the enemy in the mouth.”

Initially, it says, they discussed attacking the California governor’s mansion, though the plan later evolved and the Democratic headquarters in California became the target. Other possible targets they discussed included the corporate offices for Twitter and Facebook.

A criminal complaint that charged Rogers in the case also said they discussed attacking Democratic contributor George Soros.

The indictment does not allege that Rogers or Copeland had any involvement in the Jan. 6 attack at the Capitol.

The FBI is still searching for an unknown suspect who planted explosive devices near the Democratic and Republican committee headquarters on Jan. 5.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; additional reporting by Mark Hosenball; Editing by Dan Grebler)

Howard University Professor Warns Professor Nikole Hannah-Jones About School’s ‘Poor Practices’
by Derek Major

July 16, 2021

Howard University Professor Warns Professor Nikole Hannah-Jones About School’s ‘Poor Practices’

A Howard University professor has written an anonymous letter to Nikole Hannah-Jones warning her that working at the HBCU isn’t the dream she may think it is.

The letter, posted on Medium, congratulated Hannah-Jones on the job but added that when she saw Hannah-Jones say that she wanted to “go somewhere you are valued, not where you are tolerated,” she could relate.

“I am a member of a devalued and disrespected faculty at Howard,” the professor wrote. “The Administration’s leadership practices have soiled the bright and beautiful experiences in teaching that push me into my classes daily but have dimmed my formerly boundless, excited joy.”

The anonymous professor also told Hannah-Jones how Howard University tried to dismantle the Union of Professors created three years ago for non-tenured professors and how the school disagreed with all of the union’s requests.

“In three years, Howard has agreed to ZERO of the Union’s requests, offered a ‘best and final’ offer that included ZERO of the Union’s requests, and completely left the bargaining table, leaving little options for the Faculty beyond labor actions the campus will likely see this Fall,” they revealed.

The letter goes on to point out some of the University’s practices for non-tenured professors to Hannah-Jones. Including that they have to re-apply for their jobs after the seven-year cutoff for teaching at Howard if a professor is not on a tenured track. The letter also pointed out the low salary for professors.

“Lecturers who hold doctorates from the most rigorous programs in the nation earn $48,000/yr at Howard,” the letter states. “Less than a first-year Kindergarten teacher in Washington DC Public Schools who holds only a bachelor’s degree and just graduated in May 2021.”

While the letter points to some issues of teaching at an HBCU, Dr. Greg Carr, an associate professor of Afro-American Studies at Howard, discussed Hannah-Jones picking Howard over the University of North Carolina with Marc Lamont Hill and said that teaching at an HBCU is more than about money, it’s a calling.

“Black people tend to look at HBCUs as a rung on the ladder to success to create generational wealth and collective advancement,” Carr told Hill. “That means that teaching at HBCUs becomes a calling as much as it is an academic exercise and a lot of that gets pushed aside when one or two people whose names we know come into a Black space.”

The anonymous professor concluded the letter saying they hope Hannah-Jones joins non-tenured professors at Howard in their fight for fairness.

“As you begin your work on The Hilltop, we hope you will stand with us in insisting our Administration reach a fair and equitable contract with our Union of Professors and that they do so quickly to end a three-year-long embarrassment,” they said. “And if it comes to it, as it appears that it will, we hope you will even join us in solidarity as it may be necessary to absent ourselves from the work until fairness and equity become part of the Administration’s agenda.”

White Woman Caught on Video Falsely Accusing Black Man of Stealing Her Son’s Phone
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 16, 2021

White Woman Caught on Video Falsely Accusing Black Man of Stealing Her Son’s Phone

Another day, another case of a “Karen” causing mayhem! This time, a white woman in California confronted a Black teen who she accused of stealing her cell phone.

Similar to how Miya Ponsetto attacked a young Black boy at a SoHo hotel in New York City, minus the violence, a young Black man was accosted and accused of stealing the phone of a shopper’s son as he filmed the interaction, in a now-viral video.

As you will see in the video clip below, not only did the Black man, Ya’shear Bryant, not steal the phone, her son returns to Walmart with the phone in his hand. Instead of apologizing for being wrong, she tells him to go “F*** yourself” as she walks into the Walmart with her son, who is holding the “stolen” phone in his hand.


This interaction took place at a Walmart in Moreno Valley.

“She accused me of stealing her son’s phone, followed me outside the store. First, she was eyeing me in the store. … I know I’m Black with tattoos, so she automatically assumes I have it,” Bryant said in the video. “His location says it’s me. I [don’t] have her son’s phone, but she’s followed me outside of Walmart here in Moreno Valley.”

He continues by saying, “She runs up to me and says, ‘Excuse me, you have my son’s phone?’ I pull my phone out and tell her no, I do not, as well as my money and my ID and tell her who I am and I do not steal, and she continues.”

After Bryant posted the video to social media, the “Walmart Karen” was identified as Liz de la Torres. Based on the T-shirt she was wearing, it was also revealed that she is an employee of Kaiser Permanente.

The company released a statement:

Bryant has stated that he was “definitely pressing charges” for racial profiling.

The King Family Is Launching An Online #ForJohn Campaign To Push For A Voting Rights Protection Bill
by Derek Major

July 16, 2021

The King Family Is Launching An Online #ForJohn Campaign To Push For A Voting Rights Protection Bill

The family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Resist This PAC is launching the #ForJohn campaign to honor John Lewis and push for a comprehensive voting rights protection bill.

The #ForJohn campaign will launch Saturday, July 17, to honor the one year anniversary of the passing of politician and civil rights activist John Lewis. The campaign is co-founded by Martin Luther King III and his wife Arndrea King and will support local organizers working in critical states to fight voter suppression and push senators to pass a voting rights protection bill.

The #ForJohn campaign comes as Republican-led states have introduced and passed a bevy of voting restriction bills. So far 17 states have passed laws limiting drop boxes, mail-in, and absentee ballots and hours, ID requirements. Some states have even passed laws limiting food and beverage distribution to those waiting in line to vote.

“Our democracy is under attack. Our elected officials need to recognize the urgent moment we’re in and act now to protect voting rights and ensure American democracy is upheld.”  King III said in a statement. “#ForJohn will support the legacy of our family friend John Lewis and maintain pressure on Congress to pass reforms.”

The #ForJohn campaign plans to fight the bills by investing in local organizers who are leading efforts to pass a comprehensive voting protection bill. In the first two months of the #ForJohn campaign, it will fund the March On Voting Rights, a large civil rights mobilization effort across the country on the 58th anniversary of Dr. Kings Peaceful and historic March on Washington.

To join the campaign, donors will set a daily donation between $0.50 and $2.00. The campaign  will distribute the funds to organizers in key states who are protecting and supporting the right to vote. The fundraising model is the brainchild of Resist This, a super PAC that helped fundraise, millions of dollars for Black and Latino organizers during the 2020 election.

“Time and time again, community organizing has shown itself to be the most effective political investment one can make,” Resist This PAC founder Xander Schultz said. “The work of grassroots organizers during the 2020 Election and the Georgia run off were the difference in securing President Biden’s win and a Democratic Senate. Now, as many of these organizations pivot to focus on voting rights, #ForJohn will support them as they apply pressure to key Senators to pass critical legislation.”

by Andrea Blackstone

July 16, 2021

Artists of Color ‘Artsy’ Masterpieces Celebrated Through ARTNOIR Marketplace

Let the bidding begin on behalf of Black artists who create masterpieces!

Now is prime time for art collectors who may want to support “starving” artists through a global online art marketplace called Artsy.

Student-created art is up for grabs through an online benefit auction featuring more than 30 talented visual artists on the platform from July 13–27. The auction features emerging artists from all walks of life and races to support the artists of color through the scholarship.  According to a press release, a nonprofit organization is collaborating to bring the event to life with Artsy.

Image courtesy of JONESWORKS COMPANY- ADJEI TAWIAH – IRONY-

The “female-majority and minority-owned nonprofit,” ARTNOIR’s mission is aimed at celebrating and highlighting artists of color from around the world through their work, per ARTNOIR’s website details. The online fundraiser called ARTNOIR From: Friends To: Friends Benefit Auction 2021” is showcasing students’  visual works.

Funds raised from the auction will be used for multiple purposes. One goal is to launch the ARTNOIR Future Now Scholarship Fund to support “MFA visual art students of color currently attending a CUNY (The City University of New York) or SUNY (The State University of New York) graduate arts program.” Providing “career coaching, mentorship, art residency opportunities and exposure are some of the ways they would benefit,” according to details provided in a press release. The benefit can also empower diverse artists beyond the fundraiser. It may remind individuals that their work and how they see the world has value.

Image courtesy of JONESWORKS COMPANY – Frederick Tetteh – The Purple Towel

 

“At Artsy, we’re committed to supporting all efforts that help broaden and democratize the art world,” Everette Taylor, the CMO at Artsy, said in the press release. “We’re proud to be partnering with ARTNOIR, and leveraging our two collective platforms to use the power of art to help drive social change and uplift our creative community and the next generation of artists.”

 

Image courtesy of
JONESWORKS COMPANY –
Marcus Singleton – Nah we bout to go eat

Browse more art and bid on trendy, contemporary creations by clicking here.

 

 

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