According to KOIN, Esperanza Spalding is one of the brightest musical stars to ever come out of Portland, Oregon. She won the first of her four Grammys as Best New Artist in 2010, while beating out Justin Beiber and Drake. It was reported that the jazz bassist, singer, and Harvard music professor wants to develop the creativity of other Portland-area musicians by establishing a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artist sanctuary in North Portland.

Google slides show visual representations of what Spalding described as ‘a multi-year experiential installation’ that would be open to artists and invited guests. The space would include everything from an organic garden to a short-term artist residency.

“It would have a garden to grow healthy food, a recording studio, rehearsal spaces, a reading room, and gathering places for Portland’s talented musicians of color to share, create and collaborate,” Spalding told KOIN in an interview.

KOIN also stated that Spalding located property in North Portland with enough space to make her vision a reality. Spalding is asking supporters to donate to her creative vision through her GoFundMe campaign.

“I’m asking 300 people to give a thousand dollars by June 3,” Spalding said in her interview with KOIN. “I’ll do a private concert in gratitude for those 300 people once the money is raised … as the artists, we’ll do the rest.

Spalding also told KOIN that artists need time in the sanctuary to create the good works that are sent out into the world.

Willamette Week reported more details, stating that Spalding is looking to raise $300,000 to help purchase a 0.75-acre property in St. Johns. She plans to turn it into a multifaceted creative space catering to artists of color in a space called the City Sanctuary. The property is already under contract, according to Willamette Week.

Spalding stresses the importance of nurturing creativity in a sanctuary.

Wendy Williams has joined in on giving Nicki Minaj praise for her latest musical release.

The Queens emcee has been the topic of discussion following the re-release of her 2009 mixtape, Beam Me Up Scotty, last Friday, USA News Hour reports. Included in the project are three new tracks that hip-hop fans have been lauding for showing off her lyrical ability and solidifying her reign as the top female rapper on the scene.

Public figures who she once feuded with in the past have started to sing a new tune including Charlamagne Tha God, and even Yung Miami from the City Girls who asked Nicki to unblock her on Instagram, The Source reports.

Now the Hot Topics queen herself has decided to give Nicki her flowers after the two public figures engaged in a nasty war two years ago.

“She still has to compete with those young girls because they are people in the making, but Nicki to me is definitely an icon and definitely a legend,” Williams said while speaking with her show guest Michael Yo. “She’s done things they haven’t even touched — even if they have hit music.”

She went on to further applaud the Pink Friday rapper for being “different from the rest.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM7666lFUW4

After a Nicki fan page reposted the show clip on its Instagram page, Nick hopped in the comments to return the love to the daytime talk show maven.

“You are an icon & legend as well @wendyshow,” Nicki wrote.

It looks like fans might get to see her appear on the show in the future. The platinum-selling artist has been promoting her new music and embracing all the support coming her way.

It was back in 2019 when Minaj and Williams lobbed low blows at each other after Wendy spoke about Nicki’s brother and her husband on her show, Billboard reports. Nicki returned the shade during an angry tirade on her Queen Radio show. But it looks like her musical hiatus helped ease all the tension.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 19, 2021

Billy Porter Reveals He’s Had HIV for 14 Years, Was Using ‘Pose’ Character As A ‘Surrogate’

---

After rising to fame through his portrayal of the character Pray Tell in the hit FX series Pose, actor Billy Porter is admitting he has more in common with his beloved TV character than fans knew.

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the Emmy Award-winning actor revealed that he was diagnosed with HIV 14 years ago.

“It was 2007, the worst year of my life. I was on the precipice of obscurity for about a decade or so, but 2007 was the worst of it,” he candidly shared. “By February, I had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. By March, I signed bankruptcy papers. And by June, I was diagnosed HIV-positive.”

Since his diagnosis, Porter has kept his status a secret out of fear of being marginalized in an industry he worked so hard to rise up the ranks in. He admitted to using the character Pray Tell to subliminally share his own personal real-life story. “I was able to say everything that I wanted to say through a surrogate,” Porter admitted.

It was his religious upbringing that added to the shame Porter felt after learning his diagnosis, BET reports.

“The shame of that time compounded with the shame that had already [accumulated] in my life silenced me, and I have lived with that shame in silence for 14 years,” he said. “HIV-positive, where I come from, growing up in the Pentecostal church with a very religious family, is God’s punishment.”

Ahead of his memoir and life documentary coming later this year, the actor who’s one Oscar shy of becoming an EGOT member, shared how important it was for him to go into this next chapter of his life fully living his truth.

“Having lived through the plague, my question was always, “Why was I spared? Why am I living?” he shared. “Well, I’m living so that I can tell the story. There’s a whole generation that was here, and I stand on their shoulders. I can be who I am in this space, at this time, because of the legacy that they left for me. So it’s time to put my big boy pants on and talk.”

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 19, 2021

Joe Budden Apologizes to Olivia Dope Three Months After She Quit Due to Sexual Harassment

---

It hasn’t been a good week for podcast host Joe Budden after he had his two co-hosts turn on him and one of his former hosts accuse him of sexual harassment.

On Monday, DJ Olivia Dope uploaded an Instagram video revealing why she left her hosting position on Budden’s “See, The Thing Is” podcast after he “continuously made sexual, suggestive remarks to me that made me extremely uncomfortable, as well as fearful of dampening the mood if I didn’t laugh along.”

“I sat with this for three months, anxiously debating with myself if I feel comfortable enough to express my reasoning for my departure,” she explained. “I am here today, still uncomfortable, but I find the bravery to speak out on a very embarrassing situation.

Olivia provided exact timestamps of the Jan. 21 episode where she says certain things were edited out at his request while others were left in. She accused the “Pump it Up” emcee of making suggestions that they should sleep together and become the network’s power couple, Vulture reports. She also claimed he lauded her for being a standout among the three female hosts due to her sexy outfit.

“Joe says him and I should speak more because he ‘been wanted to f-*k me since we’ve met,” she recalled the New Jersey native saying.

“One of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to express in my life,” she tweeted shortly after posting the video confessional. “The healing begins now.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @oliviadope

Once the video made its rounds on Monday, the former “State of the Culture” host became a trending topic for all of the wrong reasons. As a result, the rapper moved swiftly in released a statement via Rolling Stone where he “sincerely” apologized for his behavior toward Dope, her former cohosts, his staff, and the public, NME reports.

“As a podcaster, it is my job to address topics and create dialogue around them,” the statement read. “During the conversation on the See, The Thing Is podcast I didn’t handle the topics with the sensitivity they deserved. I recognize my words and power in that situation created an upsetting environment for Olivia. Upon reflection, both the network and I take accountability for this.”

He continued: “We support all women’s rights to feel comfortable and protected in the workplace. We fell short of that in this instance. We support Olivia in her quest to heal, applaud her for finding the strength to share her experience, and wish her the best in all her future endeavors.”

Budden noted how he is “taking the time to listen and learn,” adding: “We have already begun to make the necessary changes to ensure this is a safe environment for all moving forward. We at the network endeavor to continue to elevate Black women’s voices and create opportunities to have constructive conversations to impact change.”

Olivia’s testimonial comes amid the shocking termination of his two co-hosts on “The Joe Budden Podcast” where they accused Budden of withholding information about their pay, among other things,” Complex reports. Budden took to his show to publicly fire Rory and call out Mal for siding with Rory.

• Women

by Andrea Blackstone

May 19, 2021

To Celebrate Malcolm X’s 96th Birthday, Scholly and the Shabazz Center Will Award Three Students $10,000 Scholarships

---

The civil rights leader, Malcolm X, was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925. According to a press release,  the scholarship search app Scholly announced the launch of the Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Scholarship Fund to celebrate the activist’s 96^th birthday. The Shabazz Center, which facilitates thought exchange around racial equity, justice, and cultural production, in the spirit of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, partnered with Scholly to offer three $10,000 scholarships to students who are pursuing higher education.

The scholarship page explained that the funding offer will be for students who are currently enrolled at any college or university, or students who will be attending college in 2021-2022. Social justice leaders and change agents who want to use their education for the advancement of equity and justice are being sought as applicants.

“If you are a currently enrolled in college or will be attending college in 2021-2022 and your passions align with this mission, then apply now! Please note, after you complete this brief form, you’ll be asked to respond to a short essay question,” directions on the website stated.

“Malcolm X and his wife Betty Shabazz are icons of the civil rights movement so the Scholly team is excited to be a part of this program to help empower even more students,” Scholly CEO Christopher Gray said in the press release. “Also to announce such a program on Malcolm X’s birthday is a great way to honor his legacy.”

Ilyasah Shabazz—one of Malcolm X’s and Dr. Betty Shabazz’s daughters—said that she wanted to create the scholarship program to honor her parents’ commitment to education and empowerment of people of color.

“The opportunity to support young developing leaders and change-makers through the Scholly Scholarship in partnership with The Shabazz Center is such a rewarding investment that equally honors the lasting legacy of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz,” Ilyasah said in the press release.

https://twitter.com/ilyasahShabazz/status/1363452480462462978

PIX11 recalled that Malcolm X’s life was cut short when he was gunned down 56 years ago inside the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights at just 39 years old. According to the news report, his family is holding a free livestream event on Malcolm X’s birthday at 6 p.m. featuring performances by Anthony Hamilton, Alice Smith, and others. Visit this link to obtain more details. You may click here to learn more about the scholarship. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2021.

• Business

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 19, 2021

McDonald’s Workers Across 15 Cities Go On Strike to Fight for Living Wages

---

With minimum wages being raised in several states over the years, one of the largest restaurant franchisors is still paying low wages to its employees and as of today, the workers have gone on strike to try to obtain better livable wages.

According to Essence, employees of the McDonald’s franchise in 15 American cities have gone on strike to obtain higher wages on May 19, the day before the company’s annual shareholders meeting. They are demanding for all employees to be paid at least $15 per hour.

McDonald’s workers have walked off the job in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, St Louis, Houston, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham, and Fayetteville.

There’s no reason for @McDonalds to be dragging their feet about raising ALL of our wages to $15/hr. They made nearly $5 billion in profits last year.

They’ll be fine, we’re struggling. #Fightfor15 pic.twitter.com/ycsWwyLiic

— Fight For 15 (@fightfor15) May 9, 2021

According to Business Insider, on “Walkout Wednesday,” the employees are getting big support from two politicians who are fighting for more livable wages for their constituents. Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had stated that they would join McDonald’s workers in strikes planned around the US for higher wages on May 19.

“When working people stand together, they cannot be defeated,” Sen. Sanders told Insider. “I’m proud to join courageous workers who are taking on corporate greed and demanding dignity on the job. The time is now to end starvation wages in the richest country in the world.”

There have been numerous reports around the country that many fast-food restaurants are struggling to hire enough workers to fully staff their establishments.

McDonald’s has responded to critics who find that they are underpaying their workers.

“It’s the responsibility of federal and local government to set minimum wage, and we’re open to dialogue so that any changes meet the needs of thousands of hardworking restaurant employees and the 2,000 McDonald’s independent owner/operators who run small businesses,” a spokesperson said.

Chaka Stewart, the man who was arrested for trespassing on Rick Ross’s property last week in an effort to avoid the police, died in his jail cell, according to Revolt

On Saturday, Stewart was found unresponsive as a medic and a guard tried to revive him using CPR and other life-saving tactics. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

One day prior to his death, Stewart had a phone conversation with his mother, Jacqueline Gordon, and he said that he was being mistreated while in custody.

She recalled him saying that “he was being beaten, confined to his cell and not allowed to take a shower. Gordon also claims that deputies told her son that he would never get out of jail,” Revolt reported.

An autopsy will be performed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner’s Office, according to WGCL-TV, reported.

According to an obituary on New Deaths, Stewart was a college-educated man who attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, near his hometown of New Orleans, and father of three children.

On May 12, Clayton County deputies pursued Stewart in a high-speed chase, which led the 40-year-old to crash his car in front of Ross’s home.

Stewart broke into Ross’s home to avoid detection. The authorities had to ask the rapper’s security permission to search for Stewart on his massive 235-acre property.

Within minutes, the police apprehended Stewart at gunpoint without harming him.

Ross’s estate is impressive, sporting 109 rooms, a bowling alley, a dining room large enough to seat 100 people, and a movie theater.

Coming 2 America used Ross’s mansion as the set of the Zamunda Palace.

The previous owner of the mansion is the famed heavyweight boxer, Evander Holyfield.

RELATED CONTENT: RICK ROSS ANNOUNCES THAT HEALTHCARE PLATFORM JETDOC IS NOW AVAILABLE IN GEORGIA

OKAYYYY!!!! Rapper Lil Jon is set to return to our television screens doing something nobody would expect from the super music producer.

The “Crunk Juice” king will be bringing his natural flair to HGTV for his Lil Jon Wants To Do What? home renovation show. The new series “offers skeptical homeowners startlingly unconventional renovation ideas that seem impossible to execute,” Page Six reports.

“I love walking into someone’s house and turning it upside down,” Lil Jon said in a statement. “When people hear my name, they automatically think… fun! That same energy goes for my designs as well. I don’t love following design trends — I would rather be the trendsetter.”

Included in some of his eccentric home reno ideas includes turning a basement into a “fully decked-out speakeasy.” His co-host, Anitra Mecadon, comes from the DIY Network show Mega Dens and also boasts a background in home improvement.

“His undaunted team can take Lil Jon’s creative vision — to maximize features that homeowners overlook or never considered — and make it a reality,” HGTV said, as captured by Complex. “With ideas ranging from removing a ceiling to expand the height of the living room to accommodate huge new windows to gutting the basement to add a fully decked-out speakeasy for entertaining, Lil Jon and Anitra push homeowners out of their comfort zones with ingenious renovations and ideas that are sure to inspire daring and dramatic transformations.”

The network also took to Twitter to announce Lil Jon’s new TV venture.

<New Show> GRAMMY Award winner, Lil Jon, reveals his passion for renovation in "Lil Jon Wants To Do What?"

Follow Lil Jon & expert designer/builder Anitra Mecadon (Mega Dens), as they win over home DIYers with a not-so-typical vision for their renovations. Coming this summer! pic.twitter.com/HcUJ0xOD0r

— HGTV (@hgtv) May 18, 2021

“GRAMMY Award winner, Lil Jon, reveals his passion for renovation in “Lil Jon Wants To Do What?””, the tweet read. “Follow Lil Jon & expert designer/builder Anitra Mecadon (Mega Dens), as they win over home DIYers with a not-so-typical vision for their renovations.”

The new show is set to premiere this summer and will be filmed in his hometown of Atlanta. The hip-hop producer has kept himself busy laying down tracks featured on some popular TV shows and film soundtracks including P Valley, Bad Boys for Life, and Euphoria, IMDB reports.

ESPN has announced that a multipart documentary series is being produced about New York Yankees legendary first baseman and current CEO and part-owner of the Miami Marlins, Derek Jeter.

ESPN Films will air the multipart documentary series about and featuring Jeter titled, The Captain. The series, which is expected to air in 2022, will be shown on ESPN and ESPN+. The Captain is being executive produced by famed Knicks fan and esteemed filmmaker Spike Lee, Mike Tollin (The Last Dance), Mandalay Sports Media, Excel Sports Management’s media arm Excel Media, and Connor Schell. This is being done in association with The Players’ Tribune and Major League Baseball.

The documentary series will tell the story and accomplishments of one of the greatest icons in modern sports who spent his whole 20-year playing career with the New York Yankees. The series will uncover the man behind the icon. Jeter, who came up in the storied franchise’s minor league system before joining the Yankees, helped turn the once-struggling franchise into a storied powerful dynasty. As Jeter forged a Hall of Fame career, he established himself as the model Yankee both on- and off-the-field and was always acknowledged by his formidable style, class, and charisma.

RELATED CONTENT:Florida A&M Scores Six-Year Deal With Basketball Star LeBron James And Nike

Jeter’s laid-back nature and his commitment to winning were a couple of his redeeming traits that came with a rare combination of competitiveness and cool. Characteristics that he has taken with him into retirement as he tackles new challenges as a team owner and executive with the Miami Marlins and as a father. As he prepares to enter Cooperstown this July, he is pulling back the curtain to reveal what it was really like to be The Captain.

Emmy-winning director Randy Wilkins (86-32, Docket 32357, Dear…) will tell the story of Jeter’s professional and personal triumphs and challenges. The heartbeat of the project is candid access to the man who helped restore shine to a team, a city, and a culture.

• Career

by Andrea Blackstone

May 19, 2021

After Backlash, Salesforce Increases Minority Hires With a Focus on Black Women

---

After public condemnation for its treatment of non-White employees, Salesforce is trying to do better.

Salesforce shared new employee diversity statistics data as of April 2021, pointing out that in April 2020, there were 4.0% Black, 5.0% Latinx and 12.7% total underrepresented minorities hired. April 2021’s numbers rose to 8.1% Black, 6.8% Latinx and 18.8% total under-represented minorities who were hired by the cloud computing leader.

Another initiative entailed “designing a company-wide strategy focused on the Black Women experience to accelerate representation, create access, address microaggressions, and develop Black leaders,” according to Salesforce.

“Building a company-wide training in partnership with a Black-owned vendor that will address microaggressions impacting underrepresented communities in our workplace. The training will enable leaders to interrupt bias and microaggressions in key talent processes and help employees recognize their role in these day to day moments,” Salesforce said in the company’s blog.

While mentioning hiring strides, Salesforce said that the company recognize the need to focus on the experience, once their talent arrives.

“We are working to create a culture where underrepresented talent doesn’t just exist, they thrive,” Salesforce said.

Several months ago, a former Salesforce employee who is Black penned and posted a letter on LinkedIn.

“I resigned because I experienced countless microaggressions and inequity during my time at Salesforce. I wrote a resignation exit letter to several leaders and I want to share it here with all of you. I have taken out identifiers because this is not about exposing or cancelling anyone. This is about me. My story. It’s about moving forward and not carrying their shame with me,” Cynthia Perry said.

Perry, a former senior manager of research in business technology, was not the only former employer who took that route. Vivianne Castillo followed the same path. Ironically, Salesforce had publicly been an advocate of racial equality and justice.

In the latest update, Salesforce mentioned that while focusing on employee experience goals, the company also trained nearly 10,000 employees through “Racial Equality Ally training” and conducted “Inclusive Promotions Training.”

“As part of our vision of building a workplace that looks like society, we published a representation goal last year of having 50% of our U.S. workforce made up of underrepresented groups* by 2023,” Salesforce said on its Equality for All page.