Louisiana State University Medical Students Treat Ill Patient During Flight To Greece
Two med students from Lousiana State University were recently put to the test during a long flight to Greece.
Heather Duplessis and Lauren Bagneris responded to a flight captain’s call for medical professionals during a flight to Greece, NOLA.com reported. A woman on the flight had grown lightheaded and became ill due to low blood sugar and heat exhaustion.
Duplessis and Bagneria sprung into action to save the day. They worked to calm the patient and cool her down. They gave her juice and food while communicating with a ground-level doctor and checking her blood pressure, pulse and blood sugar, LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans said in a Facebook post.
“The patient ended up feeling much better thanks to these two talented doctors in the making and their LSU medical education,” the school said.
The two students have received nothing but praise in comments left on the school’s social media accounts.
“Well done,” one Twitter user said. “Good thing they were there,” added someone else.
“Wow, scary times. Thank them for stepping in. Hope everyone was able to enjoy our beautiful country Greece when the plane finally landed,” one Twitter user added.
Over on Facebook, many people were thankful for the students’ good deed in the sky and how they were in the right place at the right time.
“Praise God that the students were on the flight and the passenger is ok,” one Facebook user said. “They will be wonderful doctors! We’re so proud of your service.”
“Awesome,,job thank God for these two young women of color,,,,showing compassion,love ,and care for others,,,thank you LSU,” said someone else.
“So glad they were on board. Makes. Me even more proud of our grandson, Joshua, who is starting 3rd year at LSUMS,” said one supporter and proud grandparent of a fellow LSUMS student.
Michael Eric Dyson Apologizes For Calling Trump Supporters ‘Maggots’
Vanderbilt University professor Michael Eric Dyson has apologized for calling Trump supporters “maggots” on MSNBC last week.
During a segment last week, Dyson denounced recent criticisms of Critical Race Theory adding “In speaking about the maggots—I’m sorry—the MAGA.”
Dyson took the time to apologize Friday during MSNBC’s coverage of the Derek Chauvin sentencing.
“Let me apologize on this program. I was trying to be cute and clever when I was talking about MAGA, therefore ‘MAGAts,’ not ‘maggots,’” Dyson said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOCGBTm5eLk
Dyson added that he did not anticipate the backlash from White audiences in his statement. Dyson said in the following days he received a significant amount of hate comments.
“I didn’t anticipate that, you know, brothers and sisters who are White would hear it as that. So I deeply and profoundly apologize for that,” Dyson said. “But I have been hit with an onslaught of death threats and being called the N-word out of White rage for a mistake I made, for which I am willing to apologize certainly.”
Dyson also called Trump supporters “mediocre, mealy-mouthed snowflakes” during Wednesday’s broadcast.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson compared Dyson’s comments to former KKK leader David Duke and other segregationists.
“Read what he says about race, and ask yourself if he sounds any different from Bull Conner or David Duke. Only the colors have changed,” Carlson said.
Although Dyson apologized, he also defended the reaching of Critical Race Theory, which Republicans and their supporters have fought tooth and nail. The professor supported teaching Critical Race Theory, saying it’s a study of systems, not individuals.
“All critical race theory is saying as a theory of law is that it’s not about individual acts of bigotry, or bias, or racism. It is a systemic and institutional network that must be somehow discerned and dismantled.”
In addition to teaching at Vanderbilt, Dyson has also taught at Chicago Theological Seminary, Brown University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Columbia University, DePaul University, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Former Bad Boy Rapper Shyne Appointed Leader Of Belize’s Opposition Party
We reported last year that former Bad Boy rapper Moses Barrow, better known to the hip-hop world as Shyne, declared his election to his native Belize’s House of Representatives. Less than a year later, Shyne was appointed leader of Belize’s conservative opposition party, last Thursday.
Shyne took to his Instagram to send a message to his country’s constituents after being appointed.
“Officially Sworn in as Leader of the Opposition for Belize!” he wrote.
“Thank Gd for the perseverance and iron will to continue on to this point despite all challenges and difficulties. Thanks to my family, my Mesopotamia Constituents and my Opposition colleagues in the House of Representatives whose trust and confidence in me has [sic] put me in this position to receive this responsibility and privilege of a lifetime to serve as Leader of the Opposition.
“All that I have been through in my 42 years on earth has prepared me for this historic moment in time to be able to shoulder this responsibility, to deliver on this opportunity to build my Nation. I pray for continued wisdom, strength and stamina to serve and lead my Nation. The sanctity of the office I hold lies in its mandate to be a vehicle of betterment and advancement for the masses especially those disenfranchised, overlooked and underprivileged. This moment in history will forever serve as an inspiration to all people from all backgrounds especially the youth, the disadvantaged the impoverished, that there is nothing beyond their reach.”
Hon. Shyne Barrow
Leader of the Opposition
House of Representatives
MP for Mesopotamia
UDP
Shyne is no stranger to politics as his father, Dean Barrow, was elected the prime minister of Belize back in 2008, making him the first Black leader of the country. The elder Barrow also served as deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs from 1993 until 1998 and was then leader of the opposition from 1998 until the United Democratic Party (UDP) won the election in February 2008.
Zambian News Anchor Interrupts Live Broadcast To Claim He Hasn’t Been Paid
One news anchor in Zambia has gone viral after confronting his network on live television about not being paid.
Kalimina Kabinda interrupted his live news broadcast on Zambia’s KBN TV on June 19 to claim that he and his colleagues haven’t been paid their wages by the news station, The Independentreported. Kabinda had started the news roundup as he normally would before transitioning into an unexpected plea for employee wages.
“Away from the news, ladies and gentleman, we are human beings. We have to get paid,” Kabinda said, as noted by CNN “Unfortunately, on KBN we haven’t been paid. Everyone else haven’t been paid, including myself. We have to get paid.”
The news station blasted Kabinda’s on-air appeal as a “one-night stunt of fame.” But, Kabinda reposted the clip to his Facebook page saying he only did what many journalists are too afraid to do.
“Yes I did that on live TV, just because most journalists are scared to speak out doesn’t mean journalists shouldn’t speak out,” Kabinda said.
The network’s CEO, Kennedy Mambwe, blasted Kabinda’s claims in a Facebook statement and accused the news anchor of being drunk during the broadcast.
“As KBN TV, we are appalled with the drunken behaviour exhibited through a video clip that had gone viral on social media and staged by one of our part-time presenters during what should have been the main news bulletin last night,” Mambwe said, the new york Daily Newsreported.
“Members of the public may wish to know that KBN TV like any other institution, has very well established grievance procedures for all members of staff through which they can channel their complaints,” Mambwe continued. “Therefore, last night’s behaviour by Kabinda Kalimina is out of character and does not represent who we are as a station.”
He called out Kabinda’s “despicable behaviour” and encouraged viewers “to treat that ‘One-Night stunt of Fame’ with the contempt it deserves.” Mambwe said disciplinary action would be taken against Kabinda and said the network was launching an investigation into “how a drunken part-time presenter found himself on air unabated.”
Killer Mike’s Greenwood Bank Postpones Launch Again Due To High Customer Demand
Rapper Michael “Killer Mike” Render announced his Greenwood banking platform’s debut has been postponed for a second time due to high customer demand.
Greenwood’s Co-founder, Ryan Glover, told CNN Business the Black and Latinx-owned digital banking platform’s early 2021 launch date was pushed back to July due to a higher than anticipated demand after its website debuted the previous October.
The second delay, much like the first, is to ensure the platform can handle the increasing amount of customers and traffic on its site when it debuts. Greenwood has shifted its focus from obtaining customers to rolling out services to those who’ve signed up for the platform.
Last week, Greenwood’s Chief Marketing Officer David Tapscott said Greenwood’s leaders now anticipate those on the waiting list will be able to open accounts under Greenwood’s platform before the end of the year and will be open to the general public in early 2022.
“Adding [more] people onto a waitlist just delays how long it’ll take us to get through it,” Tapscott told CNN Business on Wednesday. “Our first commitment is to deliver the best product possible to the marketplace and we’re not going to rush that. We believe our customers have enough confidence in what we’re doing that they will stay with us on that journey.”
Last week, Greenwood announced fintech leader Dylani Herath has joined the banking platform as its vice president of engineering. Herath will be tasked with ensuring the company’s software can expedite Greenwood’s rollout.
Greenwood’s banking platform has received more than $40 million in Series A funding since its launch in October. The platform has also been backed by large banks including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Truist Bank. Other major investors in Greenwood include Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, Banco Popular, and SoftBank.
The bank takes its name from the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was once home to a thriving Black business community known as Black Wall Street until the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Contrarian Investing: A Potential Money Maker Or Risk Taker For Black Investors
There are no assurances when it comes to investing. That is certainly true for contrarian investing.
That investment style occurs when an investor intentionally goes against the crowd. For instance, an investor may buy stocks when most others sell and then will sell as others buy. Contrarian investing is largely about hunting for stocks that may have been oversold, or gambling against stocks that are overrated with steep valuations.
Black Americans examining investment options might want to consider contrarian investing related to stocks. But they must be sure to do some research before making such investments.
The Finder.com’s guide on contrarian investing reports how betting against the herd can bring strong returns but also can be risky. A financial comparison site, Finder.com, claims it helps people make the best decisions tied to handling money. Credit cards and various loans are among the financial products it examines.
BLACK ENTERPRISE connected via email with Sheri Bechtel, Finder’s share trading and investments editor, to share why contrarian investing maybe be a good investment choice for Black investors now.
“Contrarian investing is, in general, a smart investment strategy, because you avoid this mob mentality that pushes a stock’s value way up. Specifically for Black American investors, this strategy is a way to grow that generational wealth that helps bolster Black communities.”
That said, Bechtel added it is a tough time for the strategy right now. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of contrarians were going into airlines or cruise stocks, but those stocks have already rebounded, so the entry point has already passed for them. She says the idea is you want to get in when certain stocks are performing poorly.
“One of our contrarian picks, Suncor Energy as an example since it’s one of our picks for a contrarian strategy. That stock has seen a 35.97% return over the past year, whereas the S&P 500 has seen a 35.69% one-year gain. That’s pretty comparable.”
She offered tips on what Black investors should consider before making contrarian investments.
“Nothing is ever a sure thing, so even though you suspect a particular stock or sector is going to see gains, that won’t necessarily happen. While there may not be certain risks specifically associated with race there are other factors to consider,” Bechtel said.
She pointed out the Ariel-SchwabBlack Investor Survey noted a growing number of young Black Americans under the age of 40 participating in the stock market. While this movement is positive and helps to narrow the gap between young Black and white investors there is still work that needs to be done to ensure the same resources and engagement.
She says a good example of contrarian investingdone right is when investors jumped into crashing travel sector stocks during the pandemic. Most investors avoided that sector because no one was traveling and those stocks were nosediving. “But getting in low paid off well once the travel sector rebounded earlier this year.”
Like other investments, Black investors should do their homework before taking on contrarian investing.
“Research is essential. You’ll want to find sectors or stocks most investors are ignoring or avoiding because they’re performing poorly. Keep an eye on news that could impact these stocks down the road,” Bechtel says. “Choose wisely, and you could see a relatively small initial investment grow once that sector or that particular stock rebounds.”
She says the downside is that sometimes following the herd is the better strategy. “Sometimes they’re right. And if you’re wrong, you could lose some or all of your investment, so it’s important to do your research and make sure you have the risk appetite to potentially lose some money.”
Brooklyn Nets Owners To Use Character, Not Credit Scores For Its $2.5 Million Black Business Loan Program
Brooklyn Nets owners Joe and Clara Tsai have created a $2.5 million loan program targeting Black businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The funds are part of a $50 million commitment from the Tsai foundation’s Social Justice Fund to help minority communities. The loans will be specifically for those with credit scores of 620 or below. However, applicants will not be judged by their credit scores, meaning they’ll need solid references to receive a loan.
Two types of loans will be available for applicants. The “rapid recovery” loan offers immediate funds up to $15,000 with no interest attached for Black businesses that stayed open during the pandemic but still need funds for equipment, renovations and rent.
“We know that there is no social justice without economic opportunity, which is why we are so excited to launch the Brooklyn EXCELerate Loan Program aimed at elevating Brooklyn’s BIPOC [Black, indigenous, and other people of color] business owners post-pandemic and doing our small part to overcome barriers this community faces in accessing capital,” Clara Wu Tsai said in a statement.
The “restart” loan is designed for Black business owners who temporarily closed or reduced hours due to the pandemic. Well-referenced applicants can apply for up to $100,000 at 2 percent interest to help business owners fully reopen and normalize business operations.
When the money for the loans are paid back, it returns to the fund and new applicants can apply for a loan. The interest charges will be used for administration costs.
Black-owned businesses were crushed during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the House Committee on Small Business, Black business ownership dropped 41 percent between February and April 2020. Additionally, Forbes reported in August 2020 the pandemic nearly wiped out half of Black small businesses. Black-owned businesses also struggled obtaining Paycheck Protection Program funding.
TruFund Financial and Brooklyn Alliance Capital will oversee the loans and Gregg Bishop has been hired as the executive director of the fund. Bishop previously served as the commissioner of the New York Department of Small Business Services and believes now is the time to make equitable changes to help Black businesses.
“As the city comes back from the pandemic, we have an opportunity to do it better than we did before, to address some of the longstanding barriers preventing the accumulation of Black wealth and ensure that everyone can equally benefit from the capital that is coming into our city anew,” Bishop said in a statement.
Black Man Found In Treehouse In Georgia After Suspected Of Shooting Florida Officer In The Head
Othal Wallace, a suspected member of an all-Black pro-gun organization, was found hiding in a treehouse in Dekalb County, GA, after he was accused of shooting a Florida police officer in the head.
Last Wednesday, Daytona Beach, FL, police officer Jason Raynor was on a “proactive patrol” just before 9 p.m. He investigated a suspicious incident and managed to arrest Wallace at the scene. While he was escorting Wallace to his cruiser, the suspect turned around and shot Raynor, according to USA Today.
The incident was captured on video and released by the Daytona Beach Police Department. Wallace was reportedly being defiant and asking why was he being detained.
The police department responded after Raynor was not responsive. The assailant fled the scene in a gray 2016 Honda HRV with a California tag.
The wounded officer is being treated at a hospital, with Police Chief Jakari Young saying he is “fighting for his life.”
Authorities tracked Wallace down in Georgia but first paid a visit to his apartment, where they found a weapon cache: at least three ballistic vests, multiple high-capacity magazines, a rifle and a semiautomatic handgun, according to reports..
In a background check, Wallace, who was previously arrested for domestic battery, and one incident in which he was accused of wielding a gun to threaten a woman, was a member of the “Not F**king Around Coalition“, or simply NFAC.
The NFAC is reportedly a Black militia, pro gun group that “fights white supremacy and police brutality.”
Lil’ Kim Says Wants To Go Against Nicki Minaj In A Verzuz Competition
With the popularity of the Verzuz battles, it seems that many artists are positioning themselves to go against their musical rivals. Brooklyn, New York’s Kimberly Denise Jones, otherwise known as Lil’ Kim, knows who she wants to go against in a Verzuz matchup.
After the Saturday night battle between DeAndre Cortez Way, AKA Soulja Boy, and Shad Moss, better known as Bow Wow, people are speculating what the next one will be. According to Billboard, at yesterday’s 2021 BET Awards’ red carpet, Lil’ Kim, offered a suggestion.
“Not going to say who against, but would you do a Verzuz?” The Breakfast Club’s DJ Envy asked. “Is there anybody that you’d do it against? Or are you just ready for anybody?”
Kim straight-up responded, “Nicki.” (As in Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty AKA Nicki Minaj)
it wouldn’t make sense at all cause lil kim & nicki are from two different eras in music & have two different styles of rapping but i guess it would be interesting to watch. https://t.co/D1qmslBnlG
Nicki Minaj is being baited once again. Let’s see if Nicki will fall for this trap again. (Sidebar: a versus with Nicki would be to Lil Kim’s benefit only). Hope Nicki sees through her act.
Elderly Black Woman Sent Back to Prison For Not Answering Her Phone During Computer Class
A 76-year-old Black woman only enjoyed less than two months as a free woman before she was sent back to prison for not answering her phone.
Gwen Levi first made media headlines in May when she was released from prison after serving 16 years due to the CARES act, USA Todayreported. She was among the 4,500 prisoners sent to home confinement as a precaution to spreading COVID-19 in jails.
At the time, Levi expressed her fear of being sent back to prison once the pandemic was over. But who knew they would use such a minor offense to put the elderly convict back behind bars?
Last week, Levi was reincarcerated after she missed a phone call from officials while she was taking a word processing class online, The Washington Postreported. She has been in police custody in Washington D.C. since June 12 as she awaits a transfer to federal prison.
“There’s no question she was in class,” her lawyer, Sapna Mirchandani, said. “As I was told, because she could have been robbing a bank, they’re going to treat her as if she was robbing a bank.”
Levi was serving out year 16 of her 24-year sentence for conspiracy to sell at least one kilogram of heroin, Complexreported. Upon being released to home confinement, Levi moved back to Baltimore to be with her 94-year-old mother and was volunteering with prison advocacy organizations in hopes of getting a paid position. She was working to rebuild relationships with her sons and grandchildren before she was sent back to jail.
Levi was attending a class at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor when officials noticed at 10:51 a.m. that her ankle monitor wasn’t at her home address. She didn’t answer her phone for a few hours, and officials couldn’t get in touch with her until 1:17 p.m. when her ankle monitor showed back up at her mother’s house. Despite her being at a class, the Bureau of Prisons labeled it as an “escape.”
While speaking through her lawyer, Levi explained how “devastated” she is over the mistake.
“I feel like I was attempting to do all the right things,” Levi said. “Breaking rules is not who I am. I tried to explain what happened, and to tell the truth. At no time did I think I wasn’t supposed to go to that class. I apologize to my mother and my family for what this is doing to them.”
