The New York City Mayoral Primary is Tomorrow, Here’s What You Need To Know
by Derek Major

June 21, 2021

The New York City Mayoral Primary is Tomorrow, Here’s What You Need To Know

The first sign of New York City’s future will be determined tomorrow as voters will use ranked-choice voting to select the Democratic candidate for mayor.

The last weekend before the election saw every mayoral candidate combing the streets for every last vote, an alliance between two candidates, and a claim of suppressing Black voters.

Here’s what you need to know before heading to the ballot box tomorrow.

An Alliance Bring Claims of Voter Suppression

Candidates Andrew Yang and Kathryn Garcia began campaigning together Saturday in a push for residents to vote for both candidates in ranked choice voting.

Yang spent the weekend urging his supporters to vote for him first and Garcia second. However, the former sanitation commissioner did not offer the same endorsement, but the pair handed out fliers together in Queens and took photos together this weekend.

The move has upset candidate and former cop Eric Adams, who said the alliance was an effort to prevent a “person of color” from winning the race.

“For them to come together like they are doing in the last three days, they’re saying we can’t trust a person of color to be the mayor of the City of New York when this city is overwhelmingly people of color,” Adams said, according to the New York Times.

Policing Is The Biggest Divide Among Candidates

While the candidates all have their own ideas for the city’s economy, education, and housing, its policing that seems to have created the widest divide between candidates.

Yang, Adams, and Garcia, the more “moderate” Democratic candidates, have all proposed boosting police department numbers. Yang proposed having a cop on every subway. Adams in the past has praised and supported stop-and-frisk when it’s used legally. Garcia, who has also pushed adding more police, criticized other candidates for their support of police budget cuts.

Meanwhile, Dianne Morales, a former nonprofit executive; Maya Wiley, a former civil rights attorney; and Scott Stringer have all said they wouldn’t increase the number of NYPD officers in the city.

Former Citibank executive Ray McGuire wants to empower the Civilian Complaint Review Board and said he would overrule the police commissioner if he disagreed with any disciplinary actions.

Every Candidate Has Some Controversy

Yang has been criticized for leaving New York during the pandemic. McGuire has been attacked for his political inexperience. Stringer has seen his campaign turned by sexual harassment allegations. Morales, once a rising candidate, has seen her campaign take a hit due to a mutiny by her campaign staff.

Wiley has been questioned about working for current mayor Bill de Blasio and Garcia claimed ignorance about unequal pay while she was sanitation commissioner. Former Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan has faced questions about his father giving more than $1 million to his campaign and Adams has been criticized for his comments on virtual learning and questioned on if he actually lives in New York City.

Low Voter Turnout and Why We Won’t Know Who Won For A While

If early voting numbers are an indication, there will be a low voter turnout for this year’s primary. According to the city’s Board of Elections, early turnout has been low, with just over 32,000 voters casting ballots during the first two days of early voting

The city is likely to find out who is leading the election Tuesday night, however it could take weeks to get a final tally. Tens of thousands of absentee ballots will not be due until a week from Tuesday and will have to be counted.

Ranked-choice voting also adds a wrinkle that could add to the delay. Only New Yorkers’ first-choice votes will be counted right away. The city’s Board of Elections plans to reveal the first round of ranked-choice results a week from Tuesday and will release updated results once a week after that as absentee ballots are counted.

The results posted on July 6 are expected to include absentee ballots, according to the Board of Elections, but more complete results should arrive the week of July 12.

High Jumper Vashti Cunningham, Daughter of Retired Quarterback Randall Cunningham, Headed To Tokyo Olympics
by Christian Spencer

June 21, 2021

High Jumper Vashti Cunningham, Daughter of Retired Quarterback Randall Cunningham, Headed To Tokyo Olympics

Vashti Cunningham is someone to look out for in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which starts July 23.

The daughter of retired National Football League quarterback Randall Cunningham, Vashti is carrying on a legacy of excellence in sports just like her dad who played 16 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. With her high jumping showcased in May, she jumped her personal best of 6 feet 7 and a half inches at the Chula Vista Field Fest, USA Today reported.

Related stories: 21-YEAR-OLD SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON IS NOW ONE OF THE FASTEST WOMEN IN AMERICA; LANDS SPOT ON U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM 

It is no shocker that Cunningham qualified for the 2020 Olympics, having jumped at 6-5 to qualify, and she was the only one who managed to pull that jump off.

In the 2016 Olympics, when she was 18-years-old, she managed to finish in second place.

“The final was very exciting for me. I couldn’t stop thinking about it days leading up to it. I was so ready to be there,” Cunningham said. “I didn’t quite jump the height that I wanted to, but I was just happy to go through (and) to win my first trials title.”

Following her jump were Inika McPherson and Nicole Greene, with both women clearing a 6-4. However, McPherson is ahead of Greene because the former finished in her first attempt.

“This meet right here meant a lot to me. I really, really wanted the title in 2016, but I was young and just trying to navigate my way,” Cunningham said. “So, it really means a lot to me to come here today and get that title.”

With her father as her coach and Vashti gave her dear old dad family pictures of the two together.

“The feeling is just amazing. I was looking at pictures of us over the years. I sent them to him, and I was like, ‘Happy Father’s Day.’ I know that making him happy makes me feel so good. I was blessed to have my family here and my dad,” Cunningham said. “I’m happy it was on Father’s Day.”

South African Woman Denies Father’s Claims That She Faked Giving Birth to 10 Babies
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 21, 2021

South African Woman Denies Father’s Claims That She Faked Giving Birth to 10 Babies

The South African woman who recently went viral with claims she broke a world record by giving birth to decuplets is speaking out against her baby daddy, who says the entire thing was a hoax.

Mystery has surrounded Gosiame Thamara Sithole after she made headlines for (she said) giving birth to 10 babies earlier this month, The Sun reported. Tebogo Tsotetsi, the father of her alleged 10 children, sat alongside her ahead of the delivery and expressed his excitement for their arrival.

“She was seven months and seven days pregnant. I am happy. I am emotional. I can’t talk much,” he said at the time.

But, now Tsotetsi claims he hasn’t seen or heard from Sithole since June 7, just before she went into labor, as noted by Pretoria News. Sithole said that she gave birth to seven boys and three girls. But there hasn’t been any evidence of the births other than the news report.

After initially expressing his excitement for the birth of their children, Tsotetsi became doubtful. He was unable to be with Sithole during the delivery due to COVID restrictions. However, with Sithole seemingly avoiding Tsotetsi since the alleged delivery, the father is left with the assumption that the babies don’t exist.

“He (Tebego) made several attempts to visit his girlfriend, but she has failed to disclose her whereabouts and the condition of her babies,” a statement said.

“The family has resolved and concluded that there are no decuplets born between Tebogo Tsotetsi and Gosiame Sithole, until proven otherwise and wishes to apologize for any inconvenience and embarrassment,” a statement read.

The family filed a missing person’s report to determine the validity of the newborns. But Sithole says she was “blindsided” by Tsotetsi’s claims.

Sithole claims the family is “bitter” and only looking to profit from the public donations.

“I feel that they never loved me and I was forcing myself on them,” she said.

Tsotetsi is urging people to stop donating money until the 10 babies’ birth gets confirmed.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 21, 2021

Sultry Singer Chloe Bailey Blasted For Sexy Performance of Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’

Chloe Bailey gave a sultry and provocative performance of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” song during ABC News’ “Juneteenth Together We Triumph” that has the internet buzzing.

On Friday, the protégé of Beyonce gave it all she’s got belting out strong vocals while giving body-ody in a skin-tight full-bodied catsuit as she allured a captive audience. But critics were quick to chime in and criticize the vocal artist for her sensual performance. Yet, Simone’s own granddaughter, RéAnna Simone Kelly, praised Hailey and came to her defense. Kelly even stated that her “grandma was a free-spirited woman herself!! She would’ve loved that performance as much as I do!” Kelly said.

 

Bailey directly responded to Simone Kelly’s praise.

Bailey also appeared on Good Morning America earlier today.

Check out the full clip of the performance below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chlöe (@chloebailey)

by Andrea Blackstone

June 21, 2021

Naomi Osaka’s New Vogue Japan Cover Stun Fans; Social Media is Loving It!

Naomi Osaka has been taking a much-needed mental health hiatus from tennis.

Although she is taking some time to restore and renew, the tennis superstar looked flawless and unbothered on the cover of Vogue Japan. On the heels of withdrawing from the French Open, Osaka unexpectedly popped up on social media showcasing her new cover.

 

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Japan Vogue posted the cover with Osaka on Instagram, too.

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vogue Japan (@voguejapan)

Osaka’s fans began providing feedback about her cover girl look.

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If only for a moment, Osaka is back after taking a mental break. CNBC reported that Osaka’s agent, Stuart Duguid, confirmed that Osaka opted to take a surprising hiatus after she felt the brunt of stress from press interviews. The tennis star said she was taking a break to pursue mental wellness. Then, Osaka bravely wrote about her feelings on Twitter. Although Osaka drew some criticism at first, support came flooding in for the tennis champion.

According to Japan Today, the International Olympic Committee said that Osaka—in addition to other athletes can skip press conferences at Tokyo’s Olympics this summer. Japan Today stated that IOC media’s relations team provided the information, in response to a question from Kyodo News.

However, the Japan Tennis Association said the country’s Olympic tennis players are not completely off the hook. They will honor the International Tennis Federation rules and walk through a ‘media-accessible mixed zone,’ although answering questions is optional.

 

Reality Star Couple Busted For Scamming Black Folks During Pandemic, Sued By Texas AG
by Christian Spencer

June 21, 2021

Reality Star Couple Busted For Scamming Black Folks During Pandemic, Sued By Texas AG

A celebrity D.J. who goes by the name D.J. ASAP, aka Marlon Moore, and his wife LaShonda, are being accused of ripping off tens of millions of dollars from people through an illegal pyramid scheme. They are now being sued over it.

For more than a year, the couple, once featured on an OWN Network reality show called Family or Fiance, has been operating a pyramid scheme targeting Black people in their hometown of Prosper, Texas, NBC Dallas reported.

Related stories: BLACK CUSTOMS AND BORDER AGENTS SUE AGENCY OVER RACIAL PROFILING AND TREATMENT OF BLACK TRAVELERS AT MICHIGAN-CANADA BORDER 

The couple from Family or Fiance, which focuses on couples getting engaged while their families disapprove, created a company called BINT Operations L.L.C. BINT stands for “Blessings In No Time.”

On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the Moores, saying BINT is an “illegal pyramid scheme … [and the Moores had used it] to scam tens of millions of dollars from members of the African American community throughout the nation.”

One of the people allegedly scammed by the Moores is Rosetta Fleming, a wife, grandmother, and retired teacher in Mississippi who was referred to the company by a relative after hearing the Moore’s promises.

“They promised that they would give you a refund if you were not satisfied,” Fleming said.

“They wanted to say it’s for Blacks, they wanted to say it’s to build the Black community is what they wanted to say,” she added.

The BINT network charges an initial fee of about $1,400, almost the exact amount issued on the first stimulus check. Every member that Fleming supposedly recruited, most of whom are members of the Black community, were supposed to get more than $11,000 in compensation.

“…I kept thinking to myself, ‘Oh, I need $11,400. I can get out of debt’,” Fleming said.

According to another lawsuit filed on Wednesday by the Federal Trade Commission and the Arkansas Attorney General, members formed a board.

When Fleming and her husband spent about $7,000 and were never paid and never advanced, they requested a full refund, something BINT said it would honor.

Seven months later, they’re still waiting.

“I was so mad at them that they did all of this and they got this and they took our money,” Fleming said.

In the program’s Zoom calls, something Fleming says she frequently attended, members in December wanted their refunds.

“Guys, we are working all refunds, we had an active refund list and before that refund list got too long we wanted to go ahead and say hey, ‘Lets go ahead and shut it down’,” Marlon said.

LaShonda said she and her husband have received death threats.

 “Since January 2021, the State has received nearly 200 consumer complaints against Defendants alleging over $700,000 in losses of monies contributed to Defendants but never refunded,” According to the Texas AG’s lawsuit,

“The Moore’s SCAMMED, CONNED, HOODWINKED over 8,000 Black and Brown people during a pandemic,” one alleged victim wrote in the lawsuit.

Shocking: Bronx Gunman Recklessly Open Fires On Man Who Shields Himself With Children
by Christian Spencer

June 21, 2021

Shocking: Bronx Gunman Recklessly Open Fires On Man Who Shields Himself With Children

On Thursday, a gunman opened fire around two children while chasing a man, then fleeing the scene. Now, the New York Police Department is looking for the assailant and his associate connected with the Bronx shooting.

The 24-year-old victim survived the ordeal, having been brought to an area hospital, CNN reported. However, what is most concerning was the proximity and reaction of a 10-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy, who almost witnessed a stranger’s death–and possibly could have been killed themselves.

Related stories: Man Goes On Shooting Spree To Kill White Men Who Had ‘Taken From Him All His Life’

According to NYPD Detective Arlene Muniz, the children are physically OK and none were shot. The children are not related to the victim nor the suspect, and the shooting is said to be gang-related.

Surveillance video shows the victim running down the sidewalk away from the gunman before bumping into the children. Laying on the ground, the victim stumbles to get up and move. He was struck in the back and both legs, ABC News reported.

The children were inches away from getting shot as they held each other in their arms.

The victim is said to have an extensive criminal background and may have used the children as shields.

The gunman fled the scene of the crime, hopping on board a scooter operated by a second individual, according to the New York Police Department. The victim was brought to an area hospital and is now in stable condition, the NYPD said.

The two children, a 10-year-old girl, and a 5-year-old boy were not shot and were not brought to the hospital, according to Detective Muniz. An NYPD spokesperson told CNN Saturday the children are family members but are not related to the victim.

Gun violence in NYC has seen a surge: 386 shootings took place in 2020, and there have been almost twice as many shootings midway into 2021 at 634.

Ray McGuire May Not Have Much Political Experience, But He’s Ready To Change That And New York City
by Derek Major

June 21, 2021

Ray McGuire May Not Have Much Political Experience, But He’s Ready To Change That And New York City

*This is final installment of a series on the New York City Mayoral Race. Black Enterprise has talked to the top Democratic candidates and given our readers a chance to get to know Dianne Morales, Maya Wiley, Shaun Donovan, Eric Adams and Kathryn Garcia and their agendas.

Ray McGuire, born and raised in Dayton, OH by his single mom, received a special opportunity to attend a private school in the sixth grade. McGuire had to walk almost a mile to catch the school bus, but for five years he did it.,

That was the springboard that eventually led the Harvard University graduate to New York City and a career in the finance sector. Now, McGuire wants to help the city because he believes the state’s career politicians haven’t.

“I look across this city and I see what COVID has done to expose and exacerbate the conditions in healthcare, education, the economy and the criminal justice system,” McGuire told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “This city is broke and its divided It’s facing a crisis in each category.”

“I look at the other mayoral candidates and they’ve collectively been in office for more than a hundred years,” McGuire said. “I look at that and ask where are we and we’ve gone backwards.”

McGuire knows without the education he received, he wouldn’t be where he is today. The former Ivy Leaguer believes the New York public education system needs a complete overhaul and his education plan takes a long term view of educating a child.

“The only way I got here is education,” McGuire said.” Right now, if I randomly select ten Black and Brown children, two or three can read. So my plan is cradle to career. I want to transform pre-K through high school so our children get educated for once.”

McGuire’s plan will oversee a child’s education from before pre-K through high school and to either college or a career. Additionally, McGuire will pump millions into the school system to provide affordable childcare, after-school programs, mental health and trauma personnel at every school, high speed internet and expanded tutoring.

“That will start with affordable childcare and by the time they get to pre-K they’re on schedule and then I want to make sure that every kid by the end of third grade is proficient in reading and math, because education experts say before the end of the third grade children are learning to read, after that, they are reading to learn.”

Under McGuire’s plan, children will take digital and financial literacy classes in the sixth grade as well as an introduction to different career opportunities. Vocational training will start in the eighth grade and pathways to a career will be explored in high school.

It’s not just children struggling in New York City. Businesses in the city were closed for more than a year and millions of job were lost. McGuire’s economy and jobs plan includes creating 50,000 jobs by covering 50 percent of a worker’s salary for one year at small businesses that were hardest hit by the pandemic.

Additionally, the plan will allow small businesses to keep their sales tax receipts for a year to pay catch up on utilities and bring back employees, get rid of red tape for small businesses, create a job hub in all five boroughs and create one website where small businesses can handle any and everything.

The plan also involves creating infrastructure that can withstand changes in climate, working with tech companies to create a smart city and making sure BIPOC-owned small business get the capital and support they need by appointing a deputy mayor for minority and female owned small businesses.

“The plan is go big, go small, go forward,” McGuire said. “50,000 jobs for small businesses and infrastructure, not just roads and bridges, but broadband, climate resiliency in Hunts Point, Red Hook, the Rockaways and Lower Manhattan.”

McGuire was a star for his high school basketball team and the sport runs in his family. When he isn’t campaigning, he’s on the blacktop shooting with his son Leo and his stepson Cole Anthony, just finished his rookie season for the Orlando Magic NBA franchise.

The rest of McGuire’s agenda includes public safety and justice, affordable housing and quality of life. His endorsements include The Daily News (3rd in ranked choice), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) and a bevy of entertainers and athletes.

Ray McGuire wants to prove it doesn’t take a career politician to change New York, just someone who cares  and he wants its residents to hold him accountable.

“It ain’t about me it’s about we,” McGuire Told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “New Yorker need someone they can trust and believe in and I’m in this solely for the citizens of New York City. I’m not out here brokering deals.”

*BLACK ENTERPRISE reached out to Scott Stringer, but did not receive a response and Andrew Yang, who did not make himself available. 

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 21, 2021

Drake Teams Up With Live Nation Canada to Make ‘History’

“History” is being made in Canada as Aubrey “Drake” Graham is expanding the business empire he currently has by opening a new entertainment venue in his home country.

Live Nation Canada has announced that they are introducing History, which is a new live entertainment venue that will open up in Canada later this year. Live Nation is collaborating with homegrown Canadian and popular rapper and ex-actor, Drake.

“Some of my most memorable shows were playing smaller rooms like History,” said Drake in a written statement. “I wanted to take those memories and what I learned to create an incredible experience for both the artists and the fans.”

The venue, which is tentatively expected to have construction completed later this summer, has been in development for more than three years. The venue is positioned on the east end of the city, in the heart of The Beaches neighborhood, located at 1663 Queen Street East. History is slated to become an anchor of the community by delivering music, entertainment, and culture, while also pushing economic activity and making sure it is creating numerous employment opportunities.

“We saw an opportunity to bring Toronto a great new venue, and we have so much gratitude and respect for Drake teaming up with us to bring it to life in the best way possible,” said Michael Rapino, president and CEO, Live Nation Entertainment.

The venue, with a capacity of 2,500, will stand to offer many artists a versatile and intimate destination to perform their craft and connect with the fans in Toronto. This contemporary venue plans to host 200 concerts and events annually.

“History will offer guests up-close experiences with their favorite artists that are unrivaled in Toronto.  We take pride in and expect History to become an important part of the community,” said Riley O’Connor, chairman, Live Nation Canada.

The venue will include a convertible general admission area and reserved seating configurations for various types of events, including concerts, live entertainment, and galas that can also house community programs and events.

For more information, www.historytoronto.com and LiveNation.com.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 21, 2021

WATCH: Harvard Diversity Project Names 25 African American Students To 2022 Debate Team

Twenty-five African American high school students from Atlanta got the surprise of their lives when they learned this past week that they earned a coveted spot on the Harvard Debate Council’s Diversity Project’s 2022 team.

The students beat out thousands of applicants and screamed and jumped for joy as they learned that they would represent and start a yearlong journey of training in Atlanta as part of their debate residency and competition at Harvard University next summer!

As we previously reported, Brandon Fleming, founder and CEO of the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, created the program as a African American feeder institution to Harvard’s elite debate program. The announcement was made June 16 at the Book Boutique in Atlanta.

Fleming told BLACK ENTERPRISE that although 2020 and 2021 was rough business-wise because the pandemic, he feels confident that the students who have won competitions three consecutive years in a row, will rock the year ahead.

“2020 was a tough year, but we made the best of it – understanding that we had a job to do,” Fleming said.

Renee Mack Jones of OneAccord Mediation, and a parent of one of the students, Eleanor Jones, who earned a spot on the team, told BLACK ENTERPRISE, she is excited about Eleanor’s new journey.

Eleanor Jones earned a top spot on the Harvard Diversity Project debate team.
Photo courtesy of Renee Jones

 

“It’s amazing to see your child work so hard for something and then get to witness the joy on their face when they actually achieve it,” she said.

Eleanor, 16, a rising 11th grade student at Drew Charter School in Atlanta, was just as excited to see all her hard work realized when she secured a top spot.

“Throughout my entire academic career, I don’t think that I have ever wanted anything more than to be a part of the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project ( @harvarddcdp ). When I started the application process in February, I had no idea how much applying alone would change me. Now that I’m officially a part of the Harvard Diversity Project class of 2022, I could not be more excited and scared of the journey ahead. I am ready to be intrusive in spaces that are not inclusive. Thank you @_themissb_ and @bpfleming for giving me the opportunity to leave a mark on the world through this program!!!,” Eleanor said on Instagram.

The next six months the students will be in training with Fleming. Harvard instructors who will fly down to train the students in critical thinking, analysis, research, and much more.

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