Gorilla Glue Girl Is Suing Makers Of ‘Bad Idea’ Videos for Continued Humiliation
Tessica Brown, better known on the internet as Gorilla Glue Girl, is tight that people would parody her viral moment across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Spotify.
Those who publish content using a song called “Bad Idea,” which remixes her original plea for help and samples Brown’s voice, can expect a cease and desist letter from her attorney Jeffrey R. Klein, TMZ reported.
“To the extent it becomes necessary, Tessica intends to seek the recovery of all penalties, statutory damages and punitive damages for such knowing infringement as applicable,” stated the letter that TMZ obtained.
The paperwork alleges that someone who goes by the name Cocoa Brown started the viral trend.
Soon after, celebrities chime in on the fun.
As BET reported, examples like Damon Wayons’ daughter, Aniya Wayans, amplified Brown’s humiliation.
The viral video also reached the pinnacle of popularity when Cardi B uploaded her daughter, Kulture, reciting the viral moment.
A cease and desist letter is correspondence telling someone to stop potentially wrongful activities.
According to TMZ, Brown claims members on the internet are using her likeness and vocals for profit and attention without her permission, which her legal team is identifying as a copyright infringement.
It is not clear if Brown will go after those who did not monetize the remix.
Since her sticky situation, Brown has been open about her viral moment, admitting that she knew she would receive backlash for her poor decision to use a super adhesive meant for construction on her head.
The 39-year-old Louisiana native said that she was receiving requests in her DM from users who wanted to repost for $500, according to BET’s I Went Viral program.
“When I first got viral, as they say, do you know how many people were in my inbox? ‘Can I post this? Can you post this? I’ll give you $500,” Brown said.
Morehouse College Head Basketball Coach, Grady Brewer, Dies at 63
Morehouse College is mourning the loss of an alumnus who also served as the school’s varsity basketball coach for over 20 years.
Head basketball coach Grady Brewer, class of ’80, passed away on Saturday, May 29, following an illness. The coach was 63.
“The past several decades can only justly be described as the Grady Brewer era at Morehouse,” said David A. Thomas, Ph.D., Morehouse College president in a written statement. “The only thing that surpassed his presence on the basketball court was his transformative influence on Morehouse Men as a fellow student, player, alumnus, coach, teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend. Not only will his spirit continue to live on in the hearts of the Morehouse family, but his legacy will impact the sport for years to come.”
“The Morehouse College community is mourning the loss of head basketball coach Grady L. Brewer ‘80, who passed away on Sunday following an illness at the age of 63.
“A 1980 graduate of Morehouse College, Brewer served as head coach of the Maroon Tigers for the last 21 years. During that span he compiled a career record of 315-241. His career win total only sits behind Arthur McAfee, in Morehouse history.”
“This is a very sad day for Morehouse athletics,” said Curtis Campbell, director of athletics. “I have known Grady for many years. He was a great coach and an even better human being. He cared deeply about the young men that played for him and made a lasting impact on their lives — both on and off the court. He will truly be missed and remembered by many.”
Coach Brewer is survived by his wife Loletta and three sons: Ryan, who graduated from Morehouse in 2010; Xavier, who is currently a junior on the Morehouse basketball team; and Jordan.
Judge Finds a Single Mother Not Guilty After Leaving Kids in a Hotel While She Worked
WKBN reported that Shaina Bell — a single mother in Ohio who was charged after leaving her children alone in a Liberty motel room while she was at work — was found not guilty at Girard Municipal Court last Wednesday.
According to the news report, she pleaded no contest to two disorderly conduct charges. Bell was arrested at her place of employment, Little Caesars, after officers reported finding her children at Motel 6. The youth were residing there with their mother. Charges were made after the children’s father called police on Bell. The children were ages nine, seven and three at the time of the incident.
Bell’s case sparked outrage around the country. A GoFundMe campaign was organized by her mother, Danielle Hosey, a few days after Bell’s arrest to help Bell and her children secure permanent and safe housing.
“We understand that everyone has a story and we are grateful that you are listening to ours. From the bottom of our hearts we not only appreciate the financial contributions, but also the outpouring of support in the form of kind words and understanding,” a message stated months ago.
On Feb. 25, 2021, Hosey posted additional news that Bell was able to buy a home with the help of donations provided by empathetic supporters. At least $165,609 was amassed through the online fundraiser.
“She did it! She was able to buy a home. They are not settled in yet, but the biggest part of the process has been taken care of,” Hosey said in a campaign update.
WFMJ added that the judge who found Bell not guilty of charges also apologized to her, when she showed up for court about leaving her children alone. Judge Jeffrey Adler dismissed two counts of child endangerment while stating that the case sounded like a custody dispute matter. He remarked that Bell should not have ever been taken to jail.
“When the matter arose, I was personally offended that this young woman was arrested and taken to jail instead of just being served with a summons. That should never have happened. People with more serious offenses are not being taken to jail at this time,” Adler said in the video.
Florida Concert Promoter Charging Non-Vaccinated $1,000 for Ticket Fee
If you’d like to attend a concert in Florida and you are not vaccinated for the coronavirus, maybe the ticket price of the show will alter your decision about getting vaccinated.
According to a Facebook post for an upcoming punk band concert in Florida, tickets to the show “are available for a flat rate of $999.99.” UNLESS you are vaccinated or get one before the concert, then the admission price is a very discounted $18 in advance, $20 day of the show.
According to ABC ActionNews, a concert promoter in Florida has found a way to encourage fans of punk in his community to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The upcoming concert on June 26, will carry an admission price of $18 for advance tickets and $20 on the day of the show to those who show proof of getting the vaccination for coronavirus. All others will be charged $999.99 for entry into the show.
The featured acts are Teenage Bottlerocket (Fat Wreck Chords – Laramie, WY), MakeWar (Fat Wreck Chords – Brooklyn, NY), and Rutterkin (Paper + Plastick Records – Saint Pete, FL).
“Now the ticketing and safety part (READ FULLY AND CAREFULLY):
“DISCOUNTED tickets are available for $18 in advance, $20 day of show.
“To be eligible for the DISCOUNT, you will need to bring a government issued photo ID and your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (if you have lost it keep reading, we got you). You will need to have had your second shot of Pfizer or Moderna, or your single shot of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on or before 6/12/2021.
If you do not care about the discount, tickets are available for a flat rate of $999.99.”
The concert’s promoter, Paul Williams hatched the idea to make sure concert goers feel safe. “We’re just trying to do a show safely. And they should go out and get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families and their community,” Williams said.
California Senate Advances Three Criminal Justice Reform Bills Limiting Bail and Eliminating Qualified Immunity Protections
The California Senate advanced three criminal justice reform bills, including one that could end the careers of bad law enforcement officers.
California senators advanced separate bills cutting bail for misdemeanors and low-level felonies to $0 and added that bail must be refunded if criminal charges are dropped, dismissed or if the defendant shows up to all required court appearances.
The measures also limit the use of more than 150 sentencing enhancements that can add years to an offender’s sentence. Under the measure, California judges shouldn’t use enhancements if the offense isn’t violent; is related to mental health issues, childhood trauma or prior victimization; or is triggered by an old conviction, particularly if someone was a juvenile.
The third bill will create a mandatory state license or certification for police officers in California, which could be revoked.
Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Calif.) told the Associated Press the measure is designed to prevent officers who are convicted of serious crimes or fired due to misconduct, including violating someone’s civil rights, from joining another department in the state.
“It’s easier to lose a license for giving a bad perm than it is for killing an unarmed man,” Bradford said, noting that the state already licenses many other professions from doctors to barbers.
The bill also eliminates several qualified immunity provisions that prevented police from being sued for committing civil rights abuses. The measures passed the Senate with a 26-9 vote.
Sen. Henry Stern (D-Calif), who supports the measures, said the legal definitions in the bill are too ambiguous and still needs to be worked on in the Assembly.
“We need to make sure that as we go after the worst — the people who dishonor this profession — that we’re not also deterring young people from going out to be good officers,” Stern said, according to CBS Sacramento, “because we still need law enforcement officials in the state of California who have honor and who want to serve.”
Level Up Your Productivity Skills with a Yearly Subscription to Setapp
The pandemic brought many challenges for people when it comes to productivity at work.
As the world gradually reopens and moves into a new era of business, it’s essential to surround yourself with tools and resources to support your productivity.
One tool that you should have on your radar is Setapp, the next-generation productivity app that lets you organize your work in an orderly way on your Mac and iPhone.
With a collection of more than 210 apps, and a personalized app recommendation system, this app has everything you need to increase your output and boost your workflow.
All you need to do is download the desktop/iPhone app to explore all apps on Mac. Once you define the task, Setapp makes sure you have the solution.
Setapp is designed to give you a seamless browsing experience with zero distractions, in-app purchases or pop-up ads.
The app also lets you get new software without paying for costly upgrades, so you can stay up-to-date with the latest versions at no extra cost.
Setapp is probably one of the major underdog apps in the tech world.
In 2020, it was awarded The Most Exciting Collaboration Application at The Noonies, tech industry’s green awards.
TechCrunch also calls it ‘the Spotify of Mac apps’, so you know it’ll make a great addition to your collection of apps.
A year’s access to Setapp is originally priced at $119, but you can get it for $69, a 42% discount on an app that lets you discover other cool new apps every day.
Study: Nearly 57 Million People Expected To Buy Cryptocurrency Next Year. Tips To Consider Before Plunging Into The Market
Here is a jaw-dropping statistic: Nearly 57 million people are expected to buy cryptocurrency in the next year. That activity is projected, though over 20 percent of Americans have never owned crypto.
At the same time, based on a new study, a big obstacle keeping people from buying cryptocurrency is not understanding it. In fact, nearly one in four Americans do not comprehend cryptocurrency at all.
The Ascent surveyed 2,000 Americans adults in May 2021, asking them on whether they understand blockchain, where they get information about cryptocurrency, and what tools they use to invest in crypto, among the inquiries.
So, what is cryptocurrency? Basically, it is a digital form of currency and an asset class. It can be used to buy goods and services globally. Well-known cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Dogecoin and Ether. High-profile investors reportedly includes the likes of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and rapper Snoop Dogg,
In recent days, Dogecoin and Bitcoin suffered drops in value for various reasons, thumping the industry overall. The cryptocurrency market plunged $500 billion in value, falling from more than $2.5 trillion in value to $2.02 trillion, CoinMarketCap.com disclosed.
Matt Frankel, a certified financial planner at The Ascent, told Black Enterprise via email that cryptocurrencies are digital assets that, unlike fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, are not regulated or issued by any central bank or authority.
Other top findings from The Ascent study include:
Some 57% of Americans believe that those who have not invested in cryptocurrency can still make a profit.
2. Over 51% of Americans who own cryptocurrency bought it for the first time within the last 12 months.
3. Some 41% of Americans would consider receiving part of their salary in cryptocurrency and another 31% would consider receiving all their salary in cryptocurrency.
4. About two-thirds (65%) of Americans would consider signing up for a credit card that offers rewards and cash back in crypto.
5. Coinbase is the leading exchange: 67% of American adults who own or have owned cryptocurrency have used that exchange. No other exchange was used by more than 28 percent of respondents.
Reflecting on the pros and cons, Frankel says the use cases of cryptocurrencies are both as a method of payment and a store of value. Cryptocurrencies can be used to pay for goods and services at merchants that accept them, and because most — especially Bitcoin — have a finite supply, they are often referred to as “digital gold.” He added that the drawbacks are that cryptocurrencies have not been widely adopted for real-world use, and the prices are extremely unstable.
Along those lines, is now a good time to buy crypto? Frankel claims there is absolutely no way to know what the price of any cryptocurrency will do going forward. Trying to time the price of any asset rarely works out well. “If you feel like cryptocurrency is something you want to dip your toes into, the best way to approach it is to build your position in smaller increments over time, instead of buying all at once.”
He pointed out 20 percent of people who do not own cryptocurrencies are staying on the sidelines because they do not understand how to buy it. However, Frankel says, buying Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can be easier than you think.
“You can buy Bitcoin through platforms like Cash App and Venmo, and if you want different cryptocurrencies, a reputable U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange like Coinbase or Gemini is a perfectly safe and user-friendly way to buy.”
Other personal finance experts recommend that people do not buy or invest in more crypto than they can bear to lose. They say investors would do well to consider that because the market is volatile and can be unpredictable. They note while cryptocurrency has realized robust gains it also has had big declines.
Observers suggest that prospective buyers do their homework and extensive research to become more aware of the potential risks of crypto before plunging in. The Ascent’s Frankel strongly suggest watching a primer on Bitcoin or cryptocurrency — Cash App has a great one that’s easy to follow — before buying.
Additionally, there are podcasts like this that offer tips on buying and investing in crypto.
Learn How to Build Games From Scratch For Only $20
Just like making websites and apps, game development used to only lie in the hands of experts with computer science or software engineering degrees. But now, thanks to the wide range of easily accessible tools and resources available, anyone with a passion for games can create their own from scratch.
The course package features over 140 hours of training on mobile and video game building, along with the best animation development practices, Unity and Blender, and monetization. It’s valued at $3,400, and on sale for $44.99, but for one week only this Memorial Day, you can get the bundle on sale for only $20!
Comprised of 17 courses, this bundle leaves no stone unturned when it comes to teaching you how to develop the game of your dreams. For beginners, there’s a course that teaches you how to build a game without writing lines of code.
You’ll learn game development, design, and mechanics sans the coding element, so you can grow your own portfolio of simple 2D games.
The courses throughout the bundle are taught by instructors from Mammoth Interactive, and best-selling instructor and developer John Bura. They all share an impressive instructor rating of 4.2/5 from students.
If you want to delve into something more complex, you can dive into building mobile games for both Android and iOS devices with Unity and Blender.
Unity is a cross-platform game engine that serves as the backbone of half of all the games that exist today. Blender, on the other hand, is a 3D content-creation program that you can use to add art assets to your games.
The best thing about these courses is you also get to make clone games of popular titles like Flappy Bird and Angry Birds, giving you instant material to add to your portfolio.
Add game development to your repertoire of skills with this bundle. Normally $3,400, and typically on sale for $44.99, this bundle will cost only $20 for one week only this Memorial Day. Don’t miss out on a chance to change your life for a fantastic bargain.
The First Black, Woman-Owned Coffee Brand to Be Sold at Trader Joe’s
A press release announced that Kahawa 1893 became the first Black woman-owned coffee brand for sale at Trader Joe’s. Margaret Nyamumbo, Kahawa 1893’s CEO and founder, made her brand’s big debut in California. The coffee was sold in 200 of the retailer’s stores there. A rollout will reportedly follow in additional U.S. regions, according to the press release. Coffee blends include: Kenyan, Peaberry, Serengeti, Ethiopian, Safari, 1893 Espresso, Decaf, and Single-Serve Coffee.
Photo credit – @kahawa1893
The press release also stated that Nyamumbo is a third-generation coffee farmer, former Wall Street investment banker and Harvard graduate. She created her coffee company in 2017 to provide premium, traceable Kenyan coffee to consumers and help to empower female African coffee farmers with sustainable wages.
“When a consumer buys coffee at Trader Joe’s, they can scan a QR code and send a tip to a farmer’s e-wallet who will receive that money directly. Kahawa 1893 matches all tips to double the impact,” Nyamumbo stated in the press release.
The African coffee’s website stated that Kenyan women provided over 90 percent of labor in the African coffee industry. However, women farmers in Kenya are largely uncompensated. They only own 1 percent of farmland in their country, according to details provided by the coffee brand online. Nyamumbo’s native home is Kenya, so her opportunity to sell her coffee in Trader Joe’s may be extremely impactful as she seeks to help women farmers there.
Nyamumbo is excited to spread the word about her venture. On Instagram, the socially conscious entrepreneur told her followers that Kahawa 1893 is the first Black-owned, woman-owned coffee brand hitting their local Trader Joe’s store this month.
“This is a monumental move forward, not only for us, not only for the women farmers in Africa, but all women and all of the black community,” Nyamumbo said.
Naomi Osaka Prioritizes Self Care, Withdraws From French Open For Mental Health ‘Well-Being’
Last week it was reported that tennis champion Naomi Osaka is the world’s highest-paid woman for the second straight year. Due to the mental stress she has been experiencing lately, she had just stated that she will not be doing interviews at the current French Open because “people have no regard for athletes’ mental health and this rings true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one.”
According to the Sporting News, after being fined $15,000 for not attending her post-match news conference on Sunday after her victory against Patricia Maria Tig, the tennis champion has decided to take a break from the sport as she withdrew from the French Open.
Collectively, the four Grand Slam tournaments — the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open — had announced in a joint statement that they had fined Osaka $15,000 for not doing a post-game interview after her win.
“Naomi Osaka today chose not to honor her contractual media obligations. The Roland-Garros referee has therefore issued her a $15,000 fine, in keeping with article III H. of the Code of Conduct.
“We have advised Naomi Osaka that should she continue to ignore her media obligations during the tournament, she would be exposing herself to possible further Code of Conduct infringement consequences. As might be expected, repeat violations attract tougher sanctions including default from the tournament (Code of Conduct article III T.) and the trigger of a major offense investigation that could lead to more substantial fines and future Grand Slam suspensions (Code of Conduct article IV A.3.)”
On behalf of:
Jayne Hrdlicka, Tennis Australia Chair & President
Gilles Moretton, FFT President
Ian Hewitt, AELTC Chairman
Mike McNulty, USTA Chairman of the Board & President
After receiving the fine, Osaka took to social media to announce her withdrawal from the tournament as she has decided to focus on her mental health.
“Hey everyone, this isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago. I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris. I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly.”
According to CNN, Osaka received major backing from some of her sponsors as a few released statements to show support:
Nike: “Our thoughts are with Naomi. We support her and recognize her courage in sharing her own mental health experience.”
Mastercard: “Naomi Osaka’s decision reminds us all how important it is to prioritize personal health and well-being. We support her and admire her courage to address important issues, both on and off the court.”
Nissin Foods: “We pray for Ms. Naomi Osaka’s earliest recovery, and wish her continue success.”
The tennis phenom also received support from other notable people:
You shouldnt ever have to make a decison like this-but so damn impressive taking the high road when the powers that be dont protect their own. major respect @naomiosakahttps://t.co/OcRd95MqCn
doing media is forced upon us. it’s time to start protecting those that don’t want to speak…. let their game speak for them. being forced to do media shouldn’t be part of being an athlete ❤️ https://t.co/4Q68z2jHxd
I am so sad about Naomi Osaka.I truly hope she will be ok. As athletes we are taught to take care of our body, and perhaps the mental & emotional aspect gets short shrift. This is about more than doing or not doing a press conference. Good luck Naomi- we are all pulling for you!
— Holly Robinson Peete😷🥰 (@hollyrpeete) May 31, 2021
Imagine if her concerns about her mental health had been met with a caring, “We understand and want you to be well” and “Let’s make this space more kind” by tournament officials. https://t.co/YJ2T5t7U70
