• News

by Keka Araújo

May 23, 2021

Dartavius Barnes Sues Springfield Police After Body Cam Footage Showed They Tested His Baby Girl’s Ashes Like Drugs

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The father of 2-year-old Ta’Naja Barnes is suing Springfield Police after police tested his deceased baby girl’s ashes for drugs.

Body camera footage captured the heartbreaking moments Dartavius Barnes pleaded with officers not to desecrate Ta’Jana’s remains. On April 6, 2020, Barnes was stopped by police for allegedly speeding in Springfield, Illinois. While one officer investigated the shots fired in the neighborhood, walking up and down the block, another searched Barnes’ car with his permission.

“You got anything in your car?” 

Barnes responded, “Not really,” before he admitted that he had marijuana.

“No problem if I search?”

“Yeah, go ahead.” 

Less than a half-hour later, a cop informed Barnes that he found either methamphetamine or ecstasy in the man’s vehicle. Barnes, knowing that was not the case, asked the officer what he was talking about.

The law enforcement agent showed Barnes a small gold bullet-shaped urn with ashes that he had taken from the console. 

The horrified father became frantic, yelling, “No, no, no, that’s my daughter, bro! Give me that, bro! That’s my daughter!”

Barnes reached for the urn, begging the officer to give it to him. 

The officer closed the door and turned to other officers at the scene.

“This is his daughter’s ashes that Reibeling thought tested positive for meth,” the officer said.

They went to test the contents in the urn again, but the officers decided they believed the grieving father– after debating what to do. 

The cop issued him a citation for the marijuana and released him.

Barnes filed a lawsuit against the City of Springfield and the six officers in his traffic stop.

Officer Colton Redding, Officer Brian Riebling, Officer Adam Westlake, Officer Juan Resendez, Officer Nicholas Renfro, and Officer Regan Molohon are accused of unlawfully stopping, searching and detaining Barnes along with a plethora of other charges, according to the lawsuit filed with the Central District Court of Illinois.

In 2019, Ta’Jana’s mother, Twanka Davis, was convicted of murdering and neglecting the toddler by starving her. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. 

Rich by Intention founders Anjie and RJ paid off $123,000 in student loan debt after getting married.  The couple committed to changing their lifestyle and achieved their goal in less than 15 months.

“When we started our debt-free journey we initially thought it would take us over 3 years to pay off,” Anjie wrote on her blog. “We never imagined it would take us a year to pay off our student loans. It proved that when you are aligned and working towards the same goal you can achieve anything with discipline, communication, and intention.”

Married Couple Tackles Debt

When Anjie and RJ said “I Do” in 2017, they made the decision to pay off student loan debt. The couple engaged in frequent money conversations before marriage, making the transition to debt freedom a bit easier. 

The couple started identifying ways to use the money earned from their jobs to achieve their financial goals. Anjie works in healthcare and RJ holds a position in finance. When they put their money together, they were able to create a master money plan. 

“We were so laser-focused on paying off our debt that any extra money or income that came in we threw it at our loans,” Anjie and RJ shared in an email. 

Rich by Intention’s Roadmap to Debt Freedom

The couple started their debt payoff plan in February 2017. By April 2018, the couple paid off a combined today of $123,000 in student loan debt.

The first step Anjie and RJ took was to get educated about finances before marriage. They read books and listened to podcast to enhance their knowledge. They also set aside time to discuss all the concepts that were taking in.  

Next, the couple combined their income and developed a budget. During budget date night sessions, Anjie and RJ discussed their progress and action plan. They were focused on allocating as much money as possible towards their student loan debt.

Third, Anjie and RJ developed a strategy for managing income. They lived off one income and used the other income to conquer debt. Any extra money left over would go towards paying off debt.

To expedite their progress, the couple increased their income. Angie pursued a promotion and negotiated her salary. She also used her skills to land a position as an adjunct professor. RJ decided to seek out opportunities at other firms and negotiated his salary, too. 

Finally, the couple cut unnecessary expenses and lived frugally. This allowed them to keep more of the money they made. Some smart expense reduction moves included negotiating their rent price, cooking meals, and reducing shopping expenses. 

Through their brand, Rich by Intention, the couple wants to inspire people to be rich in their relationships, career, and, life. For more information about Anjie and RJ’s journey, visit their website and podcast.

Celebrity babymaker Nick Cannon, reportedly, has a seventh bun in the oven.

Wild N’ Out model Alyssa Scott posted a photo of her naked body and growing belly with the caption, “ZEN S. CANNON.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alyssa (@itsalyssaemm)

It appears Scott has already named her unborn child, although Cannon hasn’t confirmed the rumor.

The “Gigolo” rapper appears to be living up to the song title. In April, Black Enterprise reported Cannon was expecting twins with deejay Abby De La Rosa.

Cannon has four other children: Monroe, 9, Moroccan Scott, 9, Golden “Sagon” Cannon, 4 and Powerful Queen Cannon, who was born in December.

Twitter sounded off on the announcement with hilarious commentary.

Me every time it’s announced that Nick Cannon is having another kid pic.twitter.com/vjuGT03DtT

— Houstatlantavaccinated (@lovekrissyj) May 21, 2021

Future seeing Nick Cannon have 6 kids from 4 different baby mamas pic.twitter.com/O6hFVAubhx

— Zacky (@LustForCarey) May 21, 2021

Me naming all of Nick Cannon’s children for a cash prize pic.twitter.com/9IkuL4MF2Q

— k a r y. (@itsKARY_) May 21, 2021

The News: the US has an alarmingly low birth rate.
Nick Cannon: pic.twitter.com/p5HzgOK2sD

— Isabelle Masado (@bellahappyfeet) May 21, 2021

If Nick Cannon ain’t gone do nothing else, he gone get a racially ambiguous woman pregnant https://t.co/2sIleP9Ii1

— Sun Goes Down in the DM (@Kyla_Lacey) May 21, 2021

Nick Cannon kids waiting on him to come pick them up pic.twitter.com/IaUoyMZJh8

— Weekly Newsical (@WeeklyNewsical) May 21, 2021

In 2020, Cannon told Entertainment Tonight that he wasn’t built for marriage following his divorce from singer Mariah Carey. 

“I don’t believe in marriage anymore. My mindset has changed. I have done that. I don’t like doing things that I am not good at.”

We guess congratulations are in order.

After 23 years of working as a school janitor, Tylan Bailey earned his bachelor’s degree to become a teacher. This fall, he aims to start his career as a physical education teacher.

Despite working for over two decades in one area, Bailey proves that it’s never too late to change careers and pursue your passion.

“Returned to college at 40 years old,” Bailey shared on Twitter. “Graduated at 43 years old with a B.S.E in Health and Physical Education, minor in Special Education with Honors “Cum Laude”.

Returned to college at 40 yrs old, graduated at 43 yrs old with a B.S.E in Health and Physical Education, minor in Special Education with honors "Cum Laude" #GSU21 #statenotsouthern #stateneversouthern @GeorgiaStateU pic.twitter.com/7WLKWRMYvD

— Tylan Bailey (@AllDaTime) May 5, 2021

From School Janitor to Teacher

Bailey has spent the majority of his career working as a janitor at Hightower Elementary School in DeKalb Country, Georgia. He’s been the head janitor for over two decades, ensuring the school was in good condition and functioning properly since 1998.

But it was time for a change. Bailey’s lifelong dream was to earn a degree and become a teacher. In 2017, he enrolled in Georgia State University’s degree program. Bailey took classes at the College of Education & Human Development so that he could pursue the curriculum for teachers. After four years of balancing janitorial work and academic studies, Bailey achieved his goal. This month, he graduated from Georgia State University and is interviewing for roles as a physical education teacher.

“I always wanted to be a college graduate,” Bailey shared with WSBTV. “I always wanted to be a teacher. So having everything sink in at that moment was the best feeling I could ever have.”

Janitor Uses Degree to Inspire Others As a Teacher

Bailey’s work ethic has not gone unnoticed by school officials. Sheila Price, principal at Hightower Elementary, shared her appreciation for all the contributions that Bailey has made to the school.

“He’s mentored our kids and he’s been a positive role model for our students,” Price shares during an interview with WSBTV. “He’s going to be an awesome teacher. ”

The hip-hop world has lost another legend. According to a post on his official Instagram account, famed hip-hop photographer Chi Modu, 54, passed away on Saturday. 

Details of his cause of death have not been disclosed, and although his family shared the devastating news, they’ve requested privacy at this time.

“Our hearts are broken… We continue the fight ©💪🏾 . The family request privacy at this time,” the caption read.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by C H I M O D U (@chimodu)

According to Modu’s biography, he was born in Nigeria and graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey. The renowned photojournalist began working as a photographer at the Black American Harlem-based newspaper The Amsterdam News. 

From there, Modu landed a gig at Source Magazine in 1991. He became the director of photography and was the mastermind behind many of the iconic images in hip-hop that the culture has come to love. The 54-year-old’s pictures were selected for over 30 different covers. 

Modu photographed some of the biggest hip-hop celebrities in the business, including Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. His eye for a dope photo was unmatched. 

He left Source Magazine in 1997 to work as the co-creative director of C-Squared Studios. Mudo’s vision landed him numerous opportunities, and he stayed abreast of the then-up-and-coming digital photography trend.

When speaking about his craft and his ability to capture breathtaking images, Modu shared his secret. 

“A photographer’s goal is to make what can be an uncomfortable situation comfortable, so you can create images that are honest.”

“I’ve always tried to do that by first establishing a personal connection. Only then, after we connect at a human level, will my camera be welcome to document the relationship,” he explained. “Once my subjects feel safe in front of my camera, then they allow me to capture and share a part of them that few get to see.”

“I’ve always looked for images outside of what the artist wants to portray, and I look for the ones that can show who they are as people, not just celebrities,” Modu added.

The famed photographer’s work has been highlighted in numerous exhibits around the world. 

• News

by Keka Araújo

May 22, 2021

Derontae Martin’s Family Are Demanding Justice After Preliminary Report Claimed He Committed Suicide

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A family is heartbroken after authorities alleged a 19-year-old Black teen committed suicide at a prom party in rural Missouri. 

According to the Associated Press (AP), Derontae Martin and his family moved to Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis, for a better life. 

On April 24, Martin, who graduated from Central High School in 2020, went to a prom party at the house of a known racist in Fredericktown, Missouri, located 43 miles from St. Louis, and never returned home. The area is 95% white, the news outlet reported. 

Although Madison County Sheriff Katy McCutcheon declined to expound on the incident, a news release indicated that deputies and EMS were called to the home of the racist early April 25. They found Martin’s body in the attic. The initial autopsy report claimed that the young man died from a single self-inflicted gunshot to the head. However, there are no details about where the gun came from.

The young man’s family is demanding answers. 

“It’s heartbreaking,” Martin’s grandmother Kimberly Lotts said. “He wasn’t a kid that caused trouble, ran around or beat up folks, or robbed or stole. He wasn’t that kind of a kid. He was a very loving, fun-filled kid. He was a loyal, faithful friend to those that he cared about.”

His mother, Ericka Lott, described her son as “the biggest kid,” suggesting that he was kind and helpful to everyone. 

Related Story: TAMLA HORSFORD’S CASE TO BE REOPENED AFTER SIGNIFICANT OUTCRY

The teen was a football star at his alma mater and was preparing to start his academic career at a small out-of-state college after earning a scholarship.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol also reviewed the county’s investigation report and determined that he committed suicide– they are still looking for witnesses. 

The bulls**t findings are of no consolation to Ericka.

“All I do know is that somebody shot him,” Lotts said.

According to AP, Ericka stated that Martin couldn’t have possibly shot himself because he was right-handed, and his right arm was broken and in a full cast. She also claimed that she heard different accounts of what happened that don’t align with what police investigators are saying.

AP reported that the unidentified man, who the family believed might have had a hand in what happened to their loved one, had posted racist vitriol on his social media accounts, including a meme showing a hand flipping the finger. It read, “Here’s my apology for being white.”

Rev. Darryl Gray, an activist in St. Louis, told AP that circumstances surrounding Martin’s death were shady.

“The whole thing is that it was a suspicious death,” the man said. “How and why did Derontae end up in the house at this party, and how did he end up in the attic? At the very least … there is negligence here.”

He vowed that the community wouldn’t rest until it has answers.

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley donated $1,000 to each Leeds City Schools employee.

On Tuesday, the school district announced Barkley’s gift to his high school alma mater. Over $200,000 was given to employees in Barkley’s hometown for going the extra mile.

But that was only a portion of his contributions. Barkley also provided laptops for remote learners and Wifi hotspots. He secured donations from Clorox Corporation to supply the district with sanitary products during the pandemic.

According to the district’s social media page, the school system is “humbled and wish to express our sincere gratitude.” Barkley’s gifts have helped the district stay afloat and fulfill its mission. 

“We are beyond thankful to know our hometown hero and benefactor, Charles Barkley. [He] recognizes the hard work and dedication of the Leeds staff, even under the toughest of circumstances.”

Charles Barkley Gives Back to Leeds City Schools

Barkley graduated from Leeds high school in 1981. The school is located in Birmingham, Alabama in the Leeds community and is a second home to nearly 500 students.

According to state information, the district employs approximately 226 individuals. This means that Barkley may have contributed over $225,000 to the Leed community.

Leeds City Schools wrote that being a school employee is tough. They added that doing it all during a worldwide pandemic is a daunting task. Employees have had to main safety protocols to ensure the health and livelihood of everyone in the district.

“Although it’s been challenging, the Leeds staff has persevered. We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel,” the Facebook post reads.

This isn’t Barkley’s first contribution to his hometown high school. He’s been an active supporter of the education system for three decades. It’s reported that Barkley has given over $3 million in scholarships. His donations have helped hundreds of Leeds graduates attend college.

Chicago entrepreneurs Jamal and Natasha Miller went from food stamps to a multimillion-dollar enterprise in less than four years. The couple met on Facebook, fell in love, and committed to building a successful life and business together.

Meeting each other and living happily ever after with millions of dollars in their accounts would be an instant fairytale. However, Jamal and Natasha’s story was filled with the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, including making sure they had money on hand to meet basic needs while they fulfilled the vision within them.

“A little over 4 years ago Natasha and I had to make one of the most humbling decisions of our life,” Jamal shared on Instagram. “That was to get on food stamps in order to keep food on the table while I struggled to find consistent work while building our business.”

He continues, “My encouragement to all….stay focused on what God Promised and put in the work til it comes to pass.”    

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jamal Miller (@jamalmiller)

Seeking Purpose Before Profits

Before the Miller’s met, Jamal was headed towards a life of full-time ministry. He went to bible college, earned his degree in theology, and was living life as a youth pastor. But he knew there a bigger purpose and platform for his gifts. At the time, Jamal didn’t clearly understand the different vehicles he could use to minister to others.

“We put our purpose in frames that make sense to our current understanding. God does not have frames. God is not limited to one context. And that’s what I was doing. I was limiting myself to one context that made sense to me. I said I was going to be in ministry and now I was a youth pastor making $500 per month.” Jamal shares with Anthony ONeal as they chuckle about the monthly salary.

After meeting Natasha on social media, Jamal expanded his definition of what was possible. The couple started off with a blog to show people how they could engage in relationships God’s way.

Going from Food Stamps to Multi-Million Dollar Enterprise

One key step on their purpose journey was to get clear about the market they wanted to serve. Then, they had to identify ways to stand out from the rest.

The Miller’s noticed that the market was saturated with individuals and organizations focusing on marriage ministry. But they brought a different solution to the table. Instead of trying to fix people when the problem started happening, they help fix people before they start having problems. The couple believes that everything you do before you say ‘I do’ is preparation for marriage.

Without a formal education in business, Jamal and Natasha were able to put a plan in place to build their enterprise. They were willing to make employment sacrifices in order to invest in the vision. That also meant turning to food stamps in order to support their family during the tough times.

The Miller’s invested in business coaches, delegated tasks to others, worked with consultants, and invested in their business knowledge. They started asking their target audience the right questions. Then, they became crystal clear on what the needs were and how they could provide a solution. In the first three months of 2017, Jamal and Natasha’s business earned $500,000 in revenues, Forbes reported.

“As you are starting a new business, find the thing that you can become a category king at,” Jamal shared on the Anthony ONeal podcast. “[Ask yourself] How can I get into a market where I can become the best at it before anyone else and establish myself as category king?”

The Millers own an online education company. Their business gives people the confidence to accomplish their life goals and be the person God has created them to be. The couple has multiple brands under their education platform including, The One University, Leader School, and Everyday Seminary.

• News

by Andrea Blackstone

May 21, 2021

‘Trust A Black Woman’ Theme May Ring True in Stacey Abram’s book, ‘While Justice Sleeps’

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The power of books can subconsciously influence how things are perceived in real life. Stacey Abrams’ new novel While Justice Sleeps may be a good example of this. In Style reports that the former tax lawyer–turned–voting-rights-activist has been heralded as a symbol and savior of democracy. Even while penning a thriller, Abrams’s real-life theme of trusting Black women rises from the pages of the fictional book. In an interview, Abrams told In Style that the world isn’t fair yet.

“My mom was a librarian; my dad was a shipyard worker. They were both civil rights activists as teenagers,” Abrams said during the interview. “Particularly for me, knowing where I started and where I am now, I’m blessed to have what I have. I’m responsible for making certain that more people have access to their full potential. If you see something and know how to make it better, then that’s what you should be doing. That’s what I do.”

According to The Grio, when the book’s Supreme Court Justice Howard Wynn slipped into a coma, it propelled the court into limbo. A constitutional crisis placed his law clerk at the political storm’s center. Wynn’s young, African American, female law clerk is picked to be his custodian.

“All of a sudden, an unassuming person from the wrong side of every town she’s lived in holds one of the most powerful positions in the country by proxy. In a way, this whole, sometimes convoluted plot is a play on the mantra of “trust Black women” — a Supreme Court justice trusting/burdening one Black woman who works for him to save his life and in doing so save the day for many others. And how the country may say trust Black women but Avery’s experience with that idea exposes it to be a farce,” The Grio reported.

Much like the plot in While Justice Sleeps, Abrams has done heavy lifting work to help save justice, even when having the guts to fight in justice’s name invited attacks. The Daily Wire said that the failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate spread misinformation about the state’s new voting reform law. Is truth and fiction completely separate?

The Grio also said that Wynn is counting on Avery to complete an investigation by someone he deems as a smart girl who is also “preoccupied with proving herself.”

Abrams’ own journey may echo similar elements of her thriller. One Amazon purchaser who read the author’s book tied in Abram’s real-life work with the legal thriller.

“Her use of fiction to comment on abuses of power by a man sitting in the Oval Office made this blue stater chuckle a bit, too. For all of us who were already her fans because of her great work turning Georgia blue, this novel only adds to all the reasons I admire her,” the reviewer said.

• News

by Derek Major

May 21, 2021

NBA Deubts ‘That’s Game’ Global Brand Campaign Ahead Of NBA Playoffs

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The National Basketball Association has unveiled its ‘That’s Game’ global brand campaign which will begin with the NBA playoffs Saturday.

The campaign was created in a partnership with creative agency Translation and will demonstrate how the league has advanced the game, grown its community, and impacted culture throughout its storied history.

The campaign will include four TV ads narrated by SAG Award-winning actor Idris Elba and original music by Oscar-winning producer Jon Batiste. The ads will run globally in 15 languages and will feature local celebrities as the voices of the campaign in select markets.

“We are thrilled to partner with the NBA to create ‘That’s Game’ and help tell the story of this game’s impact in culture and around the world both on and off the court,” said Jason Campbell, Translation’s executive creative director. “Every hand that contributed to this work understood that truth, and we are excited to continue unpacking its meaning long into the future.”

The 60-second ad features NBA superstars LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Damian Lillard; last year’s social justice movement during the playoffs and some of the biggest moments in NBA history including Vince Carter winning the dunk contest and the Spurs winning multiples in the early 2000s.

The campaign will also feature a number of fan and celebrity engagement activations including the NBA House where some of the most relevant social content creators and influencers will come together in an LA-based “NBA House” to create exciting social moments, inviting fans into the cultural epicenter of the NBA Playoffs with custom content and programming.

RELATED CONTENT: New Basketball League Will Debut in Atlanta, Plans to Pay 16-to 18-Year-Old Players $100,000 Salary

The league will also host a watch-and-win promotion encouraging fans to tune in to receive a chance to win some of the most coveted NBA in-person experiences across the league’s marquee events during the final two rounds of the Playoffs, including a trip to NBA All-Star 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, and NBA Finals 2022, among other valuable prizes and experiences.

The campaign will also tell stories across the league and team platforms around the recently announced Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award, investments in Black communities through the NBA Foundation, and advocacy for policy change through the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition.

The NBA Playoffs begin Saturday when the Milwaukee Bucks host the Miami Heat at 2 pm eastern.