Jason Whitlock Pens Dumb A** Op-Ed Dishonoring George Floyd’s Legacy

Jason Whitlock Pens Dumb A** Op-Ed Dishonoring George Floyd’s Legacy


This week, conservative journalist Jason Whitlock stepped and fetched all over the memory of George Floyd– belittling the deceased man’s name and memory after statues were erected in his honor. 

In a disrespectful op-ed Whitlock penned on June 22 for The Blaze, he claimed that the “deification of George Floyd harms black people and America.”

So not the brutality and death that white supremacy has masterfully built into the fabric of this nation? Got it.

The self-hating dotard went on to demonize Floyd’s memory, yet barely mentioned the man’s behavior who murdered him. 

“George Floyd was a victim — of his drug addiction, self-destructive behavior, and Derek Chauvin’s misconduct,” Whitlock detailed. 

“Floyd is not Jesus. He’s not Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, or Medgar Evers, black men who died tragically in service of promoting racial fairness,” he continued. “Floyd isn’t Crispus Attucks, the first man killed in America’s Revolutionary War. Floyd isn’t Emmett Till, an innocent victim of anti-black bigotry.”

Whitlock also lambasted Democrats and liberal politicians and corporations, saying that their interests were rooted in self-gain at the expense of Black people’s pain and suffering.

“George Floyd is a prop corporate media uses for attention, a pawn liberal politicians use to push policy, and a punching bag social activists use as a symbol to explain black people and promote themselves.” 

The conservative pundit also called Black men to task, saying, “The orchestrated destruction of the American Black man is an orchestrated attack on America’s moral conscience.”

“The retelling of the Black American journey as a narrative of victimhood rather than victory is the central strategy in painting the American experiment as a failure in need of a Marxist overhaul.”

Like his white counterparts, Whitlock assumes telling the truth about the terroristic nature of white supremacy promotes a victim mentality vs. accountability. 

His ill-thought-out op-ed was written on the heels of two East Coast cities erecting the monuments to honor the last nine minutes of Floyd’s life. 

A statue honoring Floyd was erected outside of Newark City Hall over a week ago, according to WSYX. The incredible bronze figure was gifted by artist Stanley Watts and will remain at the municipal building for at least one year.

In Brooklyn, a traveling statue of Floyd was unveiled on Juneteenth. The figure was designed by Chris Carnabuci and is located at the corner of Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues in Brooklyn. It will remain there for three weeks before moving to Union Square.

Houston Rapper Trae tha Truth Opening Ice Cream Shop to Hire Adults With Special Needs


Rapper and community activist Trae the Truth plans to support individuals with special needs by opening an ice cream shop.

The 40-year-old Houston native is working with a business partner to bring the Howdy Homemade ice cream franchise to Katy, Texas. The shop is slated to open on July 22nd.

This week, Trae the Truth shared the news in an Instagram post.

“I’m proud to announce me & my bro ( Rod ) @vortex_surgical just franchised to open our own ice cream shop,” Trae the Truth wrote on Instagram. “This is special because we will employ special needs young adults.” He adds, “We will give them an opportunity to work and and have a chance to be supported. We hope to change the way the world looks at everyone.”

 
 
 
 
 
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Ice Cream Shop Employs Adults with Special Needs

At the age of 46, Tom Landis decided to open a mission-focused ice cream shop to hire, train, and employ individuals with special needs.

According to the website, Howdy Homemade is on a “relentless pursuit to provide employment for individuals with special needs”. State research shows that over 11% of individuals living in Texas have disabilities relative to the entire Texas population. Howdy Homemade reports that over 240,000 special needs adults in North Texas alone are seeking employment opportunities.

Trae is well aware of the impact that disabilities can have on a person’s lifestyle and employment opportunities. His teenage son, D’Nico, has special needs. He’s been working with various organizations to provide a safe space and resources to others with disabilities.

“Anything we can do special needs-wise, is a plus for us. It elevates and supports the special needs community,” he told the Houston Chronicle.

The Howdy Homemade grand opening store event will take place at 20920 Katy Freeway Suite #S in Katy, Texas.

This Athlete Became a Mom in College, And Still Lived Her Dreams of Competing in Olympic Trials


Student athlete Mikaila Martin became a mom at 21-years-old but that didn’t stop her from living her dreams as a collegiate track and field star. It became her motivation.

Martin, who’s now a 24-year-old graduate student, competed in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. The event was held on Thursday in Eugene, Oregon. Among her team of supporters was her 3-year-old daughter, Camryn, cheering her on to the finish line.

“It was moments when I thought I was not going to make it,” Martin shared in a video uploaded by KPRC 2′s sports reporter Vanessa Richardson. “Who can juggle a child, track, and school at the same time? But I think I made it work pretty well. I want to be an example for my child in the future. I want her to see that even though I was pregnant, I still did it’.”

How this Student and Mom Became a Top Track Athlete

Martin was enjoying a standout track and field season at the University of Houston when she discovered she was pregnant. She initially thought that her pregnancy meant the end of her collegiate career. However, watching tennis star Serena Williams continue her dreams after having a baby kept her motivated.

“I was a junior in college when I gave birth and was on a scholarship for athletics,” Martin shared with Good Morning America. “A part of me was worried about it.”

At 21-years-old, Martin paused her athletic career to take care of her child. But after one season away from the game, she was ready to get back on the field and dominate. With the help of her family and coaches, Martin was able to attend school, participate in track training, and work a job. Although the pandemic posed a greater challenge, Martin still managed to be productive.

“I would find a nearby park and let her play and then put her in the wagon while I did some training,” said Martin. “During the pandemic, it was really, really a struggle.”

Martin’s created a paper schedule that has allowed her to map her time and maximize different aspects of her life. She wakes up at 6am, takes her daughter to camp, and then conquers a full day of track and school. Although Martin’s schedule is very demanding, her hard work has paid off.

Earlier this month, Martin finished 12th in the Hammer Throw at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships. That was her ticket to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials. She became the first woman from the University of Houston to earn All-American honors in the Hammer Throw, according to Good Morning America.

Future Plans

Martin is on track to graduate in May 2022. She’s currently pursuing a graduate degree in human resources. After graduation, she plans to go pro. One of the best parts of Martin’s journey is that she doesn’t have to make it to the finish line on her own.

Will Blackburn is an Associate Head Coach for the University of Houston Cougar Track & Field program. He’s supported Martin’s work ever since she’s stepped onto the college field.

“When we found out she was pregnant, on our side, nothing changed,” Good Morning America reported. “We thought, ‘Let’s go on, let’s go after your goals and aspirations.'”

“In the beginning, I thought, I’m not the same athlete I used to be,” says Martin. “But I learned to work with my body. Once I did that, that’s when things started to come into play. And you really are more focused as a mom. Before Camryn, I used to be so nervous at track meets. I would shake. Now, I’m so in the zone and focused and I never used to feel like that.”

 

Dominate Search Engines With The Help Of This Premium SEO Training

Dominate Search Engines With The Help Of This Premium SEO Training


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Exclusive: New Initiative Launched By J.P. Morgan Private Bank Hopes To Boost Generational Wealth For Black Americans

Exclusive: New Initiative Launched By J.P. Morgan Private Bank Hopes To Boost Generational Wealth For Black Americans


In a new effort to boost generational wealth within the Black community,  J.P. Morgan Private Bank is launching Diverse Wealth Initiatives.
Plans call for a new team of bankers and wealth strategists from JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s private wealth management arm to engage and support the high and ultra-high net worth of people of color across America. The initial focus will be engaging and supporting Black families and individuals.

The team also eventually plans to further the private bank’s recruitment efforts for Black private bankers, focusing on hiring, internal support, and development resources. A private bank spokesperson says those hiring goals are still being worked out.

“Diverse Wealth Initiatives has been growing organically over the past two years, as our bankers across the country embarked on a grassroots effort to engage affluent people of color through conversation, experiences and content,” David Frame, U.S. CEO of J.P. Morgan Private Bank, stated in an exclusive announcement to Black Enterprise. “They recognized and responded to the need for a stronger connection with this community – they are now executing on that vision.”

Far left: Clinton Warren, an 18-year veteran of the firm, is the Head of Investments and Advice for J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Dallas.
Middle: Deb Langford, Head of Black Wealth Initiatives. Far Right: Jason Tinsley is the Michigan Market Manager for J.P. Morgan Private Bank, as well as Chairman of the JPMorgan Chase Michigan Leadership Team.

Diverse Wealth Initiatives is developing introduction events in five major major metros —  Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans, Chicago, and Dallas – through the end of 2021. A national flagship event is in the works for 2022. Over the next three years, the private bank aims to connect its team and resources with Black individuals and families through the initiative in all 50 U.S. markets where it operates.

The private bank unit of the nation’s largest bank had assets of $1.6 trillion globally as of the first quarter of 2021. Along with targeting the very affluent, the arm works with families, family offices, business owners, endowments, and foundations. The bank reports the unit leverages global capabilities in investing, philanthropic giving, family office management, credit, and estate planning among its offerings. It offers financial advice and strategies to help wealthy clients and their families plan, invest, and borrow. The bank reports private bank clients to have investable assets from approximately $5 million into the hundreds of millions and billions of dollars.

 The drive is needed to help bolster prosperity for Blacks. Consider a massive $290 billion would be created in Black wealth reportedly if the revenue gap between what Black-owned and white-owned businesses generate were equal.  A new study reveals only an estimated 2% of Black households, or about 340,000 families, have a net worth of over $1 million. Conversely, over one in every seven White households have eclipsed the million-dollar mark.

The bank reports the initiative’s team will be led by Private Bank Managing Directors Jason Tinsley and Clinton Warren, who oversees more than a combined $50 billion in client assets.

Warren told Black Enterprise via email the genesis for the initiative began in 2019 in some of the bank’s markets, among Black bankers who started developing events focused on connecting with intimate groups of our Black clients and prospects. He added bankers at JP Morgan realized there was an appetite and an interest to have culturally thoughtful events and conversations about building and retaining wealth.

“When the pandemic hit, we saw the opportunity to take this national. All of a sudden, we were having Zoom events with 200 guests. We saw people of similar backgrounds in a Zoom together feeling comfortable and realizing that they have shared experiences.”

Tinsley reflected on why the private bank is doing the initiative now and what is the opportunity.

“We recognized a need and saw a space where we weren’t doing all we could to support and engage with this community,” Tinsley says. “Available data suggest that once black individuals achieve wealth there is one third less likely that they will pass that wealth on to the next generation, that is a problem we want to solve. Diverse Wealth Initiatives will focus on building and maintaining Black wealth for generations to come and making the Private Bank the employer of choice for Black private bankers.”

Commenting on the Diverse Wealth Initiatives’ goals, Warren told Black Enterprise via email:  “There has been a lack of consistent effort by banks in being accessible, open and intentional around bringing wealth advice to affluent and accomplished members of the Black community to address this, we will cultivate content and curate events for specific groups that may not have felt like this level of wealth guidance was for them.”

So, what returns, or other benefits, could high net worth Black individuals get if they work or invest with the private bank?

An 18-year veteran of the firm,  Warren is the Head of Investments and Advice for J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Dallas. Along with co-leading Diverse Wealth Initiatives, the bank report he leads a team of investment specialists that deliver guidance on portfolio construction, asset allocation, and manager selection across both public and private markets, overseeing more than $40 billion in client assets.  He offered some comments on the new initiative.

He says JPMorgan Chase is helping to educate and serve all families regardless of net worth.  He added it will be laser-focused on increasing generational wealth within the Black community. “Our goal is to create access to information, events, networks, and a financial platform which should minimize this gap,” he says.

Warren noted at this level of wealth, investing is only one variable that leads to generational wealth. He says building trust, having access to holistic financial guidance, multiple networks, proactive banking relationships instead of transactional ones – leads to better financial outcomes and returns.  Having a plan that includes modeling, estate planning, strategic philanthropic endeavors, strategic lending, and investments increases the probability of successful outcomes.

“The benefit is access to content, relationships, a global network, events and a platform that will put their family in a place to maximize the intent of their wealth,'” he says.

The Michigan Market Manager for J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Tinsley also is Chairman of the JPMorgan Chase Michigan Leadership Team. Along with co-leading the initiative, he manages a professional team that delivers guidance across investing, philanthropy, family office management, credit, fiduciary, and advisory services.  He oversees more than $14 billion in client assets. He has spent nearly two decades at JPMorgan Chase, working across community, business, and private banking.   He also shared on the initiative.

“In our work with clients, we have seen that Black clients tend to be more conservative with their wealth, and that can deteriorate their opportunity to build generational wealth,” Tinsley says. “Because of this, we help clients clearly define money for liquidity, lifestyle, legacy, and perpetual growth.”

He added within the Private Bank, takes the conversation beyond exposure to capital markets and now allows it to open doors to more approaches in building wealth, like using lending as a tax efficient tool or utilizing trust and estate planning.

To help establish and build the effort, Deb Langford has joined the private bank as the Head of Black Wealth Initiatives.

She most recently led Business Development for JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways (ABP), an initiative launched in 2019 that focuses the firm’s resources on three key areas where there are racial and economic disparities that create barriers to long-term financial success: education, careers and wealth.

“For JPMorgan Chase, Diverse Wealth Initiatives is a natural extension of our existing investments in the Black community in America,” she told Black Enterprise by email.

Evander Holyfield Is Honored With A Statue At State Farm Arena in Atlanta


Evander Holyfield’s statue was unveiled in Atlanta Friday, June 25, at State Farm Arena.

Per CBS4, the Hall-of-Famer credited God, his mother, Buddy Davis, and even the Boys and Girls Club for aiding him to become a successful person. A one-ton, 232-pound statue depicting the boxing champion standing with gloved hands now pays homage to the Atlanta native, according to CBS 46.

 

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“It takes an entire village to nourish a champion,” Holyfield said.  “I never would’ve been nowhere if it wasn’t for the boys club.”

Holyfield’s mother “liked that he won trophies,” although the former boxer was initially not as fond of of the boxing sport. Members of the community chipped in to assist with covering expenses for boxing classes and matches, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Holyfield stayed true to his boxing career, until the time had come to stop, due to health concerns which were reported by The New York Times.

Atlanta Fi reported that Holyfield hung up his boxing gloves for good in 2014. The boxer rose to fame after the 1984 Summer Olympics where he won a bronze medal, according to the report. In 2017, Holyfield was ushered into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, according to Sportscasting. In his career, Holyfield secured 42 wins, 8 loses, 2 draws and 27 knockout victories, according to ESPN. Financial challenges also plagued him.

Despite it all, Holyfield—who is said to be the only four-time world heavyweight boxing champion, —is still standing.

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“If you don’t quit, you’ll get there. I’m the person who just didn’t quit,” Holyfield said. “Mistakes? I made a lot of ‘em. But I didn’t quit,” Holyfield said in The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s report. Click this link to watch Holyfield’s interview with ESNEWS.

A County In Iowa Named After Slaveowner Will Be Changed To Honor Black Professor

A County In Iowa Named After Slaveowner Will Be Changed To Honor Black Professor


An overdue change is on the horizon in Iowa.

Johnson County will no longer be named after a slaveholder named Richard Mentor Johnson and instead will be changed to honor Lulu Merle Johnson who was the “second Black woman in the U.S. to earn a doctorate” and is an alum of the University of Iowa (UI) according to The Daily Iowan.

The educator will be honored with the privilege of having the county named after her instead.

 

Image – Facebook

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“We have hoped to have recognition for her, for her accomplishments in Iowa, and I think that this is such a fitting recognition for her,” Johnson’s great-niece Sonya Jackson said to The Daily Iowan.

Johnson’s father was born into enslavement and later freed. Nevertheless, his ambitious daughter managed to rise above obstacles. She became one of four Black women students at the UI, attending the institution of higher learning during an extremely segregated time.

In 1941, the trailblazer earned her doctorate and later worked at several historically Black colleges and universities as a professor and administrator, according to The Daily Iowan. She was also an activist who fought against segregation and injustice at UI, according to Iowa Now. Johnson even served as the Dean of Women at Cheyney State University, passing on her jewels of knowledge to students at the oldest historically black college.

According to Iowa Now,  the catalyst for Johnson County’s name change stems from David McCartney. The archivist, who works in UI Libraries’ Special Collections, took the initiative to spearhead an online petition. It garnered over 1,000 signatures. Over a year ago, several signers left comments that they were ready for change, or that renaming the county would make them feel prouder to hail from Iowa.

“Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson’s experience, activism, and professional achievements represent the best of Iowa and the best of Johnson County,” Leslie Schwalm said in The Daily Iowan’s article. “And because she was African American, her experience is particularly noteworthy for illuminating the significant challenges that Black Iowans and Black Iowa women in particular have faced in overcoming institutional racism, sexism, and discrimination.”

On the Johnson County’s Twitter account, a linked file confirmed that The Johnson County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to recognize Lulu Merle Johnson as the official county’s eponym on Thursday, June 24, 2021.

After all that Johnson endured in achieving her goals, her legacy of strength still lives on in a place that will bear her name.

 

Kenya Barris Partners With Interscope To Launch Record Label + Secures ViacomCBS Deal


Kenya Barris has made an indelible mark in the world of television as the creator of the hit series, “Black-ish” which spawned two other shows, “Grown-ish” and “Mixed-ish.”

Now the showrunner has decided to try his hand in the world of music by signing a joint venture with a major recording label. And he’s expanded his extensive business portfolio by starting a podcast and has reportedly secured a deal with ViacomCBS’ new BET Studios after exiting a $100 million dollar Netflix deal in January.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Barris announced that he has started a record label, Khalabo Music, which is a joint venture with Interscope Records. Khalabo Music has already signed a few artists to its roster.

“Since the beginning, the goal at Khalabo has been to tell stories that reflect our culture with honesty, specificity, and from a perspective that feels unique to a singular voice,” Barris tells The Hollywood Reporter.

“Similar to how we’ve approached our television and film content, my hope is that Khalabo Music becomes a place where artists are given the space to hone their talent while embracing the specificity and individuality of their voice and sound.”

“We try to seek out creative relationships with people who not only move culture but see where culture is going,” said Interscope Geffen A&M Records vice chairman Steve Berman. “Kenya touches people in so many different ways and he wants music to be part of that experience, so the conversation is not just about, ‘Let me find this one artist and make the best record,’” Berman continued. “He wants to find the artists and be able to plug music into his universe in many different ways. It’s the complete picture with him.”

Barris has brought on two industry veterans to help helm the latest venture. Gabe Hilfer, who will serve as Khalabo Music’s director of development and operations, and Nicole Plantin, who will serve as general manager.

“Kenya is such an important voice in culture, and I am beyond excited to pair my passion and experience with his vision,” said Plantin. “I’m looking forward to creating music together that’s just as phenomenal.”

NJ School Board Member Calls VP Kamala Harris ‘Streetwalker’ on Facebook

NJ School Board Member Calls VP Kamala Harris ‘Streetwalker’ on Facebook


Gregory R. Martucci, a member of Linden, NJ’s board of education, apologized for referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as a ‘street walker,’ according to NJ.com.

Martucci, who has served as a school board member since 2017, commented June 8 on the public “I grew up in Linden” Facebook page. He responded to a post from pro-Trump comedian and actor Terrence K. Williams that was shared on the social media page, according to MyCentralJersey.com.

“She is right off the wingnut streets of San Francisco what do you expect from a streetwalker who has no clue about America,” Martucci reportedly wrote.

A streetwalker is a term used to describe a prostitute. Harris, a former U.S. Senator, graduated from Howard University, in addition to the University of California, Hastings College of Law.

The retired Linden schools administrator and teacher penned the controversial comment, but he began to back pedal after his sentiments were widely publicized.

 

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“I would ask the public to be open to my heartfelt apology,” Gregory A. Martucci texted to NJ Advance Media. “This was an offensive comment which does not reflect who I am in both my private and public lives. My actions to this point have always reflected positive support for all women and for all cultures. I assure that I will continue to support all women and all cultures. I would ask each of you to be receptive to my public apology and sincere regret for this injurious comment. There will be no further explanation or comment from me.”

Carlos Rivas, a fellow school board, expressed dismay over what his colleague wrote.

“It was very disheartening to see the negative comments made by (Martucci) on social media,” Rivas said in an emailed statement to NJ Advance Media. “In no way, shape or form (do) I support his comments and opinions. I pride myself on respect, equality, and inclusivity, and the misogynistic slurs Mr. Martucci spread across social media are unacceptable in my opinion. We’ve come too far to display such a lack of respect for women.”

Some Twitter didn’t feel like Martucci’s apology was sincere.

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Department Of Education Has Let Colleges Off From Paying More Than $1 Billion Owed To Taxpayers

Department Of Education Has Let Colleges Off From Paying More Than $1 Billion Owed To Taxpayers


A report by a nonprofit advocacy group shows the federal government has failed to collect more than $1 billion in fines and other money owed by colleges.

The National Student Legal Defense Network (NSLDN) reviewed two years of documents through Freedom of Information Act requests and found almost 1,300 colleges across the country that owe money in fines and penalties to the Department of Education.

The NSLDN, which was founded by former Education Department officials, say the agency has failed to use its entire war chest from owners and colleges while at the same time requiring students to pay off their debts.

“The Department of Education continues to spend time and money opposing struggling student borrowers while doing nothing to collect more than $1 billion owed to the government by colleges and for-profit companies,” National Student Legal Defense Network vice president and chief counsel Dan Zibel told CNN.

There are a wide range of reasons colleges owe the fines and penalties, including misconduct and loan discharges resulting from a college’s closure, or from making false statements regarding job placement after a student finishes.

These colleges can also be cut off from federal funding as a result of the fines, however the NSLDN found  more than 200 colleges that owe money to the Education Department received money during the 2019-2020 school year.

Democrats have been pressuring President Joe Biden to find a way to cancel student loan debt for Americans. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have continuously pressed Biden to cancel up to $50,000 in relief for all Americans. Warren and Schumer recently began a second push for Biden to extend the pause on student loan payments until 2022.

Biden hasn’t committed to either ask, but earlier this month the president canceled $1.5 billion in loans for borrowers who attend the now-closed ITT Tech and other for-profit institutions.

For other student loan borrowers, Biden has directed the Education Department to look into the possibility of using an executive order to cancel student loan debt. However, more than two months later, the department and Biden have not commented on the situation.

 

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