Black Magic, one of several Black-owned marijuana dispensaries in Oklahoma, is pushing to become the most innovative one in the marketplace and an educational resource for Black people who want to know how the weed industry works.

There are more than 200 marijuana dispensaries in Tulsa County, once home to Black Wall Street. With Black Oklahoma residents being 4.2 more likely to face legal problems for the possession of marijuana than White people, Black Magic is doing something about the injustice.

“Just like in general, we need to go from being consumers to owners,”  Black Magic dispensary spokesperson Charity Marcus said. “So just like in the marijuana industry, we want to go from being convicted and consumers to also being owners and providers.”

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“Black magic is for the culture, for the people. A lot of the businesses that we have worked with are Black-owned,” general manager Georgina Osorio said. “So I definitely think it shows that we can all come together and actually be successful and make this succeed and all have a vision.”

Black Magic, according to Marcus, has an innovative kiosk system that involves a door opening for customers and trying the product before checking out.

However, those interested in knowing how to make a career in the marijuana trade are welcome to stick around and ask questions.

“It’s just not going to be a dispensary where you just walk in and you just kind of pick this or that,” said Osorio. “No, if anything, we want to acknowledge the weed and what the uses are medical.”

Black Magic is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday

• News

by Andrea Blackstone

May 20, 2021

Two Girls Who Survived the Boko Haram Kidnapping Just Graduated from College

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Joy Bishara and Lydia Pogu were among the 276 girls in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria, abducted by Boko Haram terrorists from the Chibok Government Girls Secondary School on April 24, 2014.

Now they’ve graduated from Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, according to WFLA.

Rep. Fredericka Wilson (D-FL) visited the girls and offered them an opportunity to attend high school in America They agreed and received a scholarship to attend Southeastern University after moving to Virginia to embark up on their freshman year of high school. Bishara and Pogu later graduated from a high school in Oregon.

RELATED CONTENT: 82 Girls Have Reportedly Been Released By Boko Haram

“It was a lot of stress, crying, hard classes,” Pogu said to WFLA. “It was an opportunity we will forever be grateful for.”

In a column for The Guardian, columnist Akin Ojumu wrote that more than 100 of the Chibok girls remain missing. The girls left for the United sates thanks to the Virginia-based Jubilee Campaign, a human rights group that works to promote and protect vulnerable women and children from bodily harm and sexual exploitation. Particular attention is paid to human trafficking or modern slavery.

Bishara and Pogu did not give up on hope. Bishara earned her bachelor’s degree in social work. Pogu graduated with a legal studies degree and plans to attend law school, according to The Guardian.

The acutely distressing journey which began in Nigeria is even more inspiring, considering that the pair were two of just 57 girls who escaped by jumping out of the moving trucks, according to WFLA.

“I had to make the decision if I wanted to jump out and die or go with these people. My choices were die or go with them. Not knowing what they would do with me, I chose to die,” Bishara said.

Bishara added that she remembered making a deal with God about letting her live, WFLA also reported.  Better days have arrived, as Bishara expressed on her Instagram account.

“Wow! Can’t believe we are now a college graduate!!! Congratulations to you @lydia_pogu so proud of you and all you have accomplished in the past 4 years! Love you and I am excited for our next steps in life 😍🙌🏾🎊🎉🥂, “ Bishara posted on her Instagram account.

 

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• Men

by Derek Major

May 20, 2021

Barack Obama’s True Feelings on Trump: ‘Corrupt Motherf—er’, ‘Madman’, ‘Racist, Sexist Pig’, and a ‘F—ing Lunatic’

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After he left office in 2017, former President Barack Obama largely stayed out of the media spotlight and kept his true feelings on his successor Donald Trump.

That changed during the 2020 presidential campaign.

According to a new book, Battle for the Soul: Inside the Democrats’ Campaigns to Defeat Donald Trump, written by Edward-Isaac Dovere, a staff writer for The Atlantic, Obama did not mince words on his thoughts of the man who followed him.

The Guardian released excerpts of the book Wednesday, including conversations Obama had with donors and political advisers where he called Trump a “corrupt motherf—er,” a “madman,” a “racist, sexist pig,” and a “f—ing lunatic.”

The feud between the two former presidents goes back to Trump’s false claims about where Obama was born and hiding his birth certificate. In 2011, Obama hit back, roasting Trump at the Correspondents’ Dinner. Trump responded by spending his four years in office trying to destroy everything Obama did during his eight years.

The book adds that during the Republican primaries, Obama was more accepting of Trump succeeding him than Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. However, as the Trump presidency continued Obama’s presidential words changed.

“More often: ‘I didn’t think it would be this bad.’ Sometimes: ‘I didn’t think we’d have a racist, sexist pig,'” Obama said according to the book.

During the run-up to the election, Obama stumped for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris tearing into his successor for his response to the pandemic, slamming the military and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Obama’s strongest comment against Trump in the book came when it was announced he was meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin amid the Russian election interference probe.

“‘That corrupt motherf—er,’ he remarked.”

Trump will likely respond through his office, however the former president has larger concerns as New York District Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance have combined their investigations into Trump and his organization.

Trump Legal Thread 4/

The Manhattan DA case is Trump tax fraud, worth about 225 million dollars. Involved Deutsche Bank records and Trump tax filings. Trump tried to block these documents, took case to SCOTUS, lost there TWICE (unanimous verdict). Case already WAS criminal pic.twitter.com/5OniaC0whw

— Tomi T Ahonen Moved to Post, Spoutible & Mastodon (@tomiahonen) May 19, 2021

• Business

by Derek Major

May 20, 2021

SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman Announces Last Call for Restaurant Revitalization Fund

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Small Business Administration (SBA) leader Isabella Casillas Guzman announced eligible eating establishments have until May 24, 8 pm EST to submit applications requesting funds from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).

The RRF was established by President Joe Biden to ensure that eating establishments of every size across the country get the financial relief they need. The initial $5 billion cash infusion by Congress was for restaurants with gross receipts not exceeding $500,000.

Casillas Guzman has since created two additional funding allocations to ensure restaurants of all sizes aren’t left behind in the country’s recovery. A $500 million infusion for restaurants with 2019 gross receipts not exceeding $50,000 and a $4 billion infusion for restaurants with 2019 gross receipts between $500,000 and $1.5 million.

To date, the RRF program has received more than 303,000 applicants who have requested more than $69 billion in funds. Nearly 38,000 applicants have been approved for more than $6 billion.

Tom Bené, president & CEO of the National Restaurant Association said in a statement that the RRF will help thousands of restaurants do more than just stay afloat.

“The numbers speak to the commitment SBA made to educating owners and operators through their work with the Association, our state partners, and other industry support organizations,” Bené said. “The funds that have already been distributed will help accelerate the recovery of thousands of restaurants and bring much-needed capital to communities across the country.”

RELATED CONTENT: Restaurant Industry Prioritizes Diverse Leadership After Realizing There Are Zero Black CEOs

The restaurant and bar industry was nearly destroyed by the coronavirus pandemic as state restrictions turned late-night partying and dining into a take-out and delivery-only service. According to Fortune, more than 110,000 bars and restaurants in the U.S. closed in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus. The closings resulted in 2.5 million jobs being lost.

Even with the help from the government including the RRF and the Paycheck Protection Program, restaurants and bars are still struggling to survive. Open Streets programs have provided a way for eating establishments to stay open and make money.

However, Guzman believes these programs are paramount for the survival and rebuilding of one of the country’s top industries.

“If our nation’s food and beverage industry is going to fully recover, we must ensure as many of the hardest-hit businesses get the economic aid they need,” Administrator Guzman said in a statement. “We are committed to creating easy to navigate programs and removing barriers that have kept many of our nation’s smallest businesses from accessing these crucial economic lifelines. The SBA will continue to be as entrepreneurial as the small businesses we serve, and we will continue to work as fast as possible to deliver the relief our businesses need so urgently.”

• Health and Wellness

by Andrea Blackstone

May 20, 2021

Black Girls Do Bike Creates Community For Black Women Through Cycling

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According to the Sierra Club,  during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a surge in biking.

Well, Black Girls Do Bike, the Pennsylvania- based nonprofit with chapters nationwide, has long been a comfortable space where lady cyclists can support, advise, organize meet-ups/rides, and promote skill-sharing, while supporting a community of women of color who share a passion for cycling. In fact, Black Girls Do Bike encourages individuals who are passionate about introducing the joy of cycling to women and girls of color, in addition to all women, to consider heading a chapter in their location.

In an interview with The Pittsburgh City Paper, Black Girls Do Bike founder Monica Garrison said that after taking a long hiatus from riding, she returned to the activity in 2013. It was a way to manage her mental and physical health.

“As a kid, it was one of my favorite activities. Riding my bike was my first real taste of freedom and adventure,” Garrison told The Pittsburgh City Paper by email.

Garrison also informed the newspaper that as a community, Black people in the U.S. are statistically less active than other races. She added that Blacks are more likely to suffer from preventable diseases caused by poor diet and inactivity.

“The title of the group suggests that, while there is a perception that Black girls don’t bike, and Garrison says while there is some truth to that, there is a large community of Black girls and women who are riding bikes. Black Girls Do Bike boasts 25,000 members, so there is obviously a community of Black cyclists, but the stereotype still persists,” the paper reported.

May is National Bike Month. Cycling in bike-friendly cities and locations can be a way to decrease feelings of pandemic isolation, too. For more information about Black Girls Do Bike’s Pittsburgh chapter, visit the group’s Facebook page.

• News

by Andrea Blackstone

May 20, 2021

Lorraine Hansberry Residence is Recognized as National Historic Site

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On May 19, 2021, a press release announced that the former residence of Black lesbian playwright and activist Lorraine Hansberry was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, underscoring her American arts and culture contributions. Hansberry’s former residence, which is located at 337 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, was first successfully nominated to the New York State Register of Historic Places by the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project in March 2021, in collaboration with the New York State Historic Preservation Office. The historic site was officially listed to the National Register on April 2021, according to details.

“While residing at 337 Bleecker Street, Hansberry lived parallel lives: one as a celebrated playwright and the other as a woman who privately explored her homosexuality through her writing, relationships, and social circle,” the press release said.

Village Preservation — a nonprofit which has successfully advocated for landmark designation in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo — explained that in 1953, Hansberry married Broadway producer Robert Nemiroff. The couple moved to Greenwich Village. It was reportedly the most successful period of Hansberry’s writing career. She wrote A Raisin in the Sun while living in the Village.

“Honoring the very place where Lorraine Hansberry lived and worked through these State and National Register listings marks another important step in our mission to highlight the contributions of LGBT people to American history. The site is also one of what we hope is a growing number of historic places nationwide that celebrates the achievements of Black women and lesbians of color,” Amanda Davis, project manager, NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project said.

American RadioWorks reported that in 1959, Hansberry made history as the first Black woman to have a Broadway-produced show. A Raisin in the Sun was a story about a Black working-class family from Chicago that was trying to escape the ghetto.

“At the time, most people thought a play about African Americans would be a box-office flop. Instead, Raisin was a hit. It ran on Broadway for 19 months, was made into a movie starring Sidney Poitier in 1961, and is now considered a classic of the American theater,” American Radio Works said.

Broadway World reminded that Hansberry was also a dedicated activist for social justice who worked alongside writer James Baldwin and singer Nina Simone. Broadway World also said that Hansberry had at least two relationships with women who lived close by to her apartment located on Bleecker Street.

by Andrea Blackstone

May 20, 2021

Dr. Jewel Hairston Bronaugh Becomes the First Black Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

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In case you missed it, Dr. Jewel Bronaugh made history as the first African American Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In a May 13 U.S. Department of Agriculture press release, the U.S. Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, released a statement announcing Bronaugh’s confirmation.

“I am grateful for today’s confirmation of Jewel Bronaugh as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Vilsack said. “Dr. Bronaugh’s confirmation is historic, as she will serve as the first Black woman and woman of color to serve as Deputy Secretary.”

Bronaugh has a distinguished and long career as an educator and champion for farmers and rural communities. She most recently worked as the 16th Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In that role, Bronaugh reportedly expanded opportunities for small and midsized farmers and ranchers to obtain infrastructure and processing capabilities. Bronaugh also developed strategies to meet environmental and water quality goals for the Chesapeake Bay.

In January, the National Farmer’s Union (NFU) congratulated Bronaugh on her Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture nomination from President Joe Biden.

“Under Dr. Jewel Bronaugh’s leadership, the USDA will be in good hands,” NFU President Rob Larew said in a press release. “The agricultural industry is facing significant economic, environmental, and demographic challenges, and Dr. Bronaugh’s knowledge in these areas will undoubtedly be a significant asset as the agency develops solutions.”

According to the Virginia State University’s Department of Agriculture, Bronaugh is not a first-time historymaker.

“Bronaugh first made history in May 2018 when she was appointed by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to serve as the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). She was the 16th commissioner of VDACS and the first African American woman in the U.S. to serve in this capacity,” Virginia State University’s Department of Agriculture reported.

The new deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be second in command at the USDA. Bronaugh will assist with overseeing over 29 USDA agencies and nearly 100,000 employees who serve more than 4,500 locations in the United States and abroad, according to Virginia State University’s Department of Agriculture.

• News

by Christian Spencer

May 20, 2021

Violent White Man Axes a George Floyd Memorial, Community Quickly Rebuilds

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A White man was seen on video destroying a George Floyd Square memorial with an axe in Minneapolis, MN.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgDF3N8zER8

On May 16, at around 2 p.m., the man pulled up to the scene. Surveillance footage shows him emerging from a black truck with no mask ripping signs with his bare hands. He then returns to his vehicle to get an axe to chop down the small shrine dedicated to Floyd.

Floyd was a victim of police brutality by former police Derek Chauvin, who on April 20 was convicted of second-degree and third-degree murder plus second-degree manslaughter.

The man committed four-minutes worth of public damage before witnesses yelled at him.

“Get the f*** out of here,” a witnesses yelled at him.

George Floyd Square was rebuilt less than a day, with the organizers on East 38th and Chicago (the organization name as well) saying, “We fine.”

 

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A post shared by George Floyd Square (@38thandchicagogfs)

RELATED CONTENT: JUDGE POSTPONES TRIAL OF MINNEAPOLIS OFFICERS WHO WATCHED DEREK CHAUVIN KILL GEORGE FLOYD

According to The Star Tribune, the George Floyd Global Memorial was “built by members of the community who wanted to preserve the site where my nephew lost his life,” Floyd’s aunt and Minneapolis resident Angela Harrelson said in a statement. “On the anniversary of his death, we will celebrate the impact of his life on our family, friends, the community and our society.”

Harrelson also created a nonprofit called the George Floyd Global Memorial to preserve more than 2,500 artistic tributes by community members at the intersection where Floyd was killed.

The motive behind the axe-wielding White man is unknown. One possible explanation, other than he might be racist, is that the memorial site blocks off the road.

• Business

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 20, 2021

Former Detroit Pistons Player Vinnie Johnson Sues to Reclaim Minority Status for his Business

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A former Detroit Pistons basketball player who owns an automotive company has filed a lawsuit against an industry association because it stripped his company of its minority-owned certification.

According to The Wall Street Journal, former Detroit Pistons basketball player Vinnie Johnson, owner of Detroit-based Piston Group, has filed a suit against the nonprofit Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council. Earlier this year in February, the Council revoked the minority status of several of Piston Group’s subsidiaries.

Based on the court documents, Piston Group has stated that the council informed the company that the decision was because Johnson, who is Black, isn’t directly involved enough in the day-to-day operations and that his leadership team wasn’t diverse enough.

Johnson’s company is requesting the Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit for an injunction that would restore its minority certification.

RELATED CONTENT: New Jersey Man Sues Donald Trump for Foul-Handling of COVID-19 Pandemic

Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council has stated that the company’s lawsuit is without merit. It said Piston Group didn’t meet its standards for minority certification that requires a person or persons of color to own at least 51% of the company and to actively manage day-to-day operations.

“We find it unfortunate that a corporation that for years benefited from minority business advocacy has now chosen to sue the MMSDC rather than comply with the rules that the organization applies to all of its member MBEs,” Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council said, referring to minority business enterprises.

“We are confident that Piston Group’s rightful designation as a certified minority-business enterprise will be recognized by the courts, and we welcome the opportunity to present our case,” said Piston Group attorney Mark Zausmer. “Vinnie Johnson owns and controls 100% of Piston Group—this is a minority-controlled business under every applicable standard.”

Vincent Johnson known as “The Microwave” was a key player coming off the bench as the sixth man for the Detroit Pistons during the team’s championship runs of 1989 and 1990. In Game 5 of the NBA Finals in 1990, Johnson made a 14-foot shot with 0.7 seconds left on the clock to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 92-90 to become repeat champions.

While the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is trying to avoid compensating its student-athletes, particularly basketball players who bring in billions of dollars for the colleges with their athletic prowess, there is a company planning to pay their players for their natural talents. That same company has also selected a city where they will call home for this upcoming season.

Overtime Elite (OTE), a transformative new sports league that offers the world’s most talented young basketball players a better pathway to becoming professional athletes, has announced that Atlanta will be the home for its league. After conducting a year-long search, league officials had visited and studied eight cities across the United States before making their decision.

“If we could construct a city that would be the perfect home for Overtime Elite, it would look just like Atlanta,” said Overtime Elite commissioner and president Aaron Ryan in a written statement. “The city’s storied basketball history, diverse population, vibrant business community, and rich culture make Atlanta a special place. OTE is looking forward to being an active contributor to the community.”

RELATED CONTENT: Shaq’s Son, Shaqir O’Neal, Is Heading to Texas HBCU to Play Basketball and Change the Narrative

Overtime Elite offers a year-round development program that implements coaching, cutting-edge sports science and performance technologies, top-notch facilities, and a rigorous, personalized academic program. This program enhances each athlete’s journey from proficiency to pro for the next generation of athlete empowerment. The players that participate will involve the top high school juniors and seniors globally. But, unlike NCAA student-athletes, the players will receive a guaranteed minimum salary of at least $100,000 per year, plus bonuses and shares of equity in Overtime. Players will also be able to earn revenue from the use of their name, image, and likeness through sales of custom jerseys, trading cards, video games, NFTs, and more.

“This exciting announcement underscores that Atlanta is still a great place to do business. Overtime Elite will bring several well-paying jobs to our city, generate millions of dollars in economic impact and expand mentorship and programming opportunities for our young people,” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “We are pleased that Overtime Elite has chosen Atlanta to be its permanent home, and we look forward to welcoming the next generation of basketball stars to our city.”

Before the league starts in September, planning is underway for the construction of a brand-new 103,000-square-foot facility in Atlanta’s Atlantic Station neighborhood. The athletes will train, study and compete in the forthcoming venue. This project will create up to 400 construction jobs in metro Atlanta, at least 30 percent of which will be diverse and people of color.