White New Jersey Police Officers Penalized for Labeling Black Lives Matter Protestors ‘Terrorists’
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2021

White New Jersey Police Officers Penalized for Labeling Black Lives Matter Protestors ‘Terrorists’

A white New Jersey police officer was fired and another one has been suspended for six months for portraying Black Lives Matter protestors as terrorists.

According to NJ.com, two white female police officers, Sara Erwin (who was terminated) and Sgt. Mandy Grey (suspended for six months) were disciplined because of a Facebook post that Erwin wrote and Grey replied to. The police officers worked with the Hopewell Township, New Jersey police.

The Facebook post, which was written in June 2020, stated, “Last night as I left for work I had my two kids crying for me not to go to work. I don’t think I’ve ever felt the way I did last night. And then I watched people I know and others I care about going into harms way. I love my police family like my own. So when you share posts and things on Facebook I’d really appreciate if you’d THINK before doing so. I’ve seen so many black lives matter [sic] hashtags in these posts. Just to let you know — they are terrorists. They hate me. They hate my uniform. They don’t care if I die.”

Last year, in an email to NJ Advance Media, the police chief at the time, Lance Maloney wrote:

“On Monday, June 8, 2020 the township learned that multiple police officers and township employees had been accused of improper conduct involving social media. Those officers and employees were immediately placed on leave by the Chief of Police and Business Administrator. As we continue to investigate a recent Facebook post, please know that I am sorry for the hurt that this incident has caused our community,” Maloney said. “We understand that we have the obligation to make sure that our officers police in a manner that is fair and impartial.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2021

Jam Master Jay’s Daughter Tyra Myricks Makes 7 Figures Working a Day Job and Several Side Hustles

Being the daughter of a hip-hop legend would possibly have one resting on their laurels or living off the spoils of their father’s earnings. But, this is not the case with Tyra Myricks. The 28-year-old daughter of slain legendary DJ Jam Master Jay of the seminal hip-hop group, Run-D.M.C., has, in fact, done just the opposite.

Myricks is the definition of an entrepreneur and she continues her side hustles to add to her success. Myricks maintains a regular work schedule in addition to several side hustles allowing her to pull in seven figures.

According to Business Insider, Myricks began her entrepreneurial journey in 2009 when she launched a fashion label while she was still attending high school. The money earned from the label eventually helped her pay her own way through college. Although she had plans to study pre-med, she scrapped it when she made more than double the money she paid toward her tuition.

She has a day job working with one of the most popular artists in the world, Aubrey “Drake” Graham. She works as director of design, merchandising, and development for Drake’s OVO lifestyle brand, for which she earns six figures a year. With the fashion label she rebranded as Wealth, she also has a branding and merchandising company; is the co-owner of The Method, which is Los Angeles’ first Black-owned gym. She is about to launch a pizza shop with the daughter of another slain hip-hop artist, Christopher Wallace also known as The Notorious B.I.G., T’yanna Wallace, and she’s in the process of co-creating a platform to provide young entrepreneurs with resources to start their own businesses.

“It’s not an easy game,” she tells Business Insider. “Everybody on the internet shows the glorious side, but nobody shows the treacherous side where it’s hard to get up in the morning.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2021

Warner Bros. ‘Committed’ to Hiring Black Director for Upcoming ‘Black Superman’ Movie

With the “Black Superman” movie set for a future release, Warner Bros. and DC Comics know who they want as a director. Well, kind of.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, with reports of award-winning author Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and  Me) writing the film and blockbuster mainstay J.J. Abrams (the recent Star Trek and Star Wars franchises) producing it, Warner Bros. and DC Comics have stated that they are reportedly “committed” to finding a Black director for the film.

Names, of course, have surfaced, including Creed II’s Steven Caple Jr., J.D. Dillard (Sleight, Sweetheart) Oscar-winning actress Regina King, who did a spectacular job with the drama, One Night in Miami, and Shaka King, whose Judas and the Black Messiah recently received five Oscar nominations.

The Hollywood Reporter also confirmed that this movie will not be a part of the central D.C. universe. In this version of Superman, Coates will write a different and new perspective on Superman “in the vein of the original Superman comics and will have the protagonist hail from Krypton and come to Earth.” That could make this rendition possibly be a “20th century period piece.”

In addition to this search for a Black director for Warner Bros, theGrio reported that Marvel Studios, which is preparing for the reboot of Blade, wants a Black director to take the helm. She or he will land in an advantageous situation: two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali has been enlisted to play the title character made famous in the films by Wesley Snipes.

by Black Enterprise Shop

May 6, 2021

Make Smarter Real Estate Investment Decisions With the Help of This Training

There’s money to be made in real estate. A whole lot of it. But unlike trading stocks, investing in real estate is a strategic long-term game. Of course, betting your money on property is harder than it looks, you would need proper guidance.

The Complete Real Estate Investing Bundle contains 14 hours of content spread across 8 courses to teach you how to rake in major profit from buying and flipping properties. Taught by the likes of Ben Clardy, a real estate expert who has been buying, selling, and renting houses for over a decade, and Khari Parker, author of the best-selling book The Lost Curriculum: What School Didn’t Teach Us About Personal Finance, the package uncovers all the ways in which you can turn houses into money. For a limited time, you can get the bundle on sale for a massive discount.

As the courses are spearheaded by seasoned real estate experts, you can expect to learn things that you can’t find in house-flipping TV shows. You’ll discover the barriers of real estate wholesaling. In addition, you’ll learn to control real estate deals while reducing risk and perform strategic networking.

Considering how much jargon is involved in real estate, you’ll also get to grips with contract language. This allows you to understand why each line is there, why it is important, and what it can do for you. There’s also a course on Probate real estate in which you’ll receive specialized knowledge and resources. And when it comes to sprucing up properties, you’ll learn how to make a variety of home improvement projects. Also, you’ll identify what improvements are needed to be made to get a property into rental condition. 

Make wise investments in real estate. The 8-course bundle is on sale today for $29.99, or less than $5 per course. 

Prices subject to change.

Erica P. Loewe Begins Her New Role as the Director of African American Media to President Joe Biden
by Andrea Blackstone

May 6, 2021

Erica P. Loewe Begins Her New Role as the Director of African American Media to President Joe Biden

Erica P. Loewe was recently appointed as the Director of African American Media for the White House. Loewe will join the Biden administration’s all-female communications team, as reported by VOGUE. Loewe previously served as Deputy Communications Director to House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters. Jen Psaki, President Biden’s White House press secretary, held as similar role under the Obama White House, as Communications Director.

On May 5, 2021, Loewe announced her career change in an email.

“Yesterday was my last day in the House Majority Whip’s office. Though it is difficult to leave my extremely talented Hill colleagues, I will not be going very far,” Loewe said. “Today, I begin a new role as the Director of African American Media to President Biden at the White House.”

Photo credit- LinkedIn

 

Loewe also said that it had been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Deputy Communications Director to House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, particularly during this historic period.

“I will always be grateful to Whip Clyburn, Chairwoman Waters, Yebbie Watkins and Charla Ouertatani for the privilege of being a part of their teams and the numerous lessons they’ve taught me,” Loewe added.

Before ending the email, the new Director of African American Media for the White House remarked that her most valuable lesson learned was to always respect the Chair.

Loewe’s career journey has always been headed in an upward trajectory. In 2012, she was included in BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s roundup of recent college graduates who offered advice about making the best first steps into the job market.

“Taking initiative is definitely OK: “Initiative is important, and I don’t think I was brave enough to take initiative when I first started working. Employers often appreciate that as long as you don’t step on their toes. Don’t be afraid to get to work early or stay at work late to get the job done. People will notice. Dress professionally and be yourself. Your appearance and attitude matter way more than you think,” Loewe said.

At that time, Loewe worked as the events coordinator for the University of Florida President’s Office. According to her LinkedIn profile, her field of study at the university was Public Relations/Education.

Loewe offered additional career advice on her Facebook page in 2013 about building credentials, interning, and the importance of connections. Her practical advice serves as a practical roadmap to earn future employment opportunities which could lead to a breakthrough.

 

Photo credit- Erica P. Loewe Facebook
We’ll be tuned in as Loewe continues on the path of Black excellence.
Edward Jones Financial Firm Pays $34 Million to Settle Bias Claims By Black Advisors
by Derek Major

May 6, 2021

Edward Jones Financial Firm Pays $34 Million to Settle Bias Claims By Black Advisors

A federal judge in Chicago has approved a settlement of a class action lawsuit claiming Edward Jones’ financial firm gave less lucrative work to its Black advisors.

U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood signed off on the settlement Monday, which brings a close to the 2018 lawsuit on behalf of more than 800 Black financial advisors across the U.S.

In addition to giving less lucrative opportunities, the Black advisors said they were deprived opportunities to advance, excluding from programs in which financial advisors were mentored by senior advisors, and denied clients accounts and resources due to race.

Reuters reported Edward Jones initially moved to dismiss the case, saying the group alleged only speculative claims and the case should be in St. Louis federal court. Both claims were rejected by Wood. Edward Jones, which was represented by the firm Dowd Bennett, denied the claims,

This isn’t the first time a Black employee has sued a financial services firm claiming racial bias.

Last summer, Morgan Stanley hired Marilyn Booker as its first chief diversity officer. Booker was tasked with developing a racial diversity plan for the company, but according to the Washington Post, senior officials at the firm ignored her diversity plan, avoided her, and ultimately fired her for no reason in December.

Last summer, Wells Fargo agreed to an $8 million settlement due to Labor Department allegations of hiring discrimination against more than 34,100 Black applicants for banking, customer sales and service, and administrative support positions.

Although this issue has officially concluded, the firm is still dealing with legal issues. Advisor Hub reported Amanda Daugherty, a former Edward Jones advisor, is suing the firm claiming a “forced sexual encounter” with another advisor during her training led to her termination.

Daugherty claimed she “was subjected to severe and persuasive discriminatory conduct” at Edward Jones. The firm denies the allegations.

Officer Who Shot Jacob Blake Suspended After Service Weapon Was Stolen
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2021

Officer Who Shot Jacob Blake Suspended After Service Weapon Was Stolen

Last year, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a Black man became paralyzed when a white police officer shot him as he entered his vehicle while his children were inside and witnessed the tragedy that took place. The police officer who fired his weapon in point-blank range at the victim has been suspended after his loaner service weapon was reportedly stolen weeks after the shooting.

According to ABC News, Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey, who shot Jacob Blake last summer, had been suspended from duty for three days earlier this year. He was using a borrowed service weapon after he repeatedly shot Blake at point-blank range.

Although police officials knew about the missing weapon, it took them seven months to investigate. The weapon still has not been found.

WISN has reported that Sheskey reported the theft to Racine Police and Kenosha Police on the same day of the alleged theft, Sept. 15, according to Kenosha Police Lt. Joseph Nosalik.

The stolen weapon was a Glock 17 pistol that was a loaner weapon from the police department after the Wisconsin Department of Justice investigators seized the pistol used in the Blake shooting. Sheskey told the investigators that he regularly left the weapon in his girlfriend’s locked vehicle.

“Sheskey further stated that at his Kenosha residence he had secure locations for his firearms; however, once he was forced to move, he did not have an opportunity to provide a safe location inside the home in which he was now living,” Nosalik wrote. “Sheskey did say that he believed that the night the firearm was stolen, the glovebox had been locked, as this had become a common practice.”

The memo Nosalik wrote, had been dated April 7 and indicated that the internal investigation into the stolen weapon did not start until April 2, seven months after the theft.

Meek Mill Invests More Than $50K On Popular Cryptocurrency Dogecoin
by Christian Spencer

May 6, 2021

Meek Mill Invests More Than $50K On Popular Cryptocurrency Dogecoin

Meek Mill is an investor of Dogecoin, a popular cryptocurrency. The rapper, has  92,411 DOGE in his portfolio, which roughly exchanges for $53,000 as of reporting this story, Hype Beast reported.

Related stories: DOGECOIN BITES BACK, THE CANINE CRYPTO IS SURGING IN PRICE AND VALUE 

The inspiration for Mill’s decision stems from the notion he is missing out on great investments.”I just grabbed some doge I’m tired of missing out,” he tweeted.

The feeling of missing on Dogecoin is felt by many users, which explains why the coin is performing well online.

“Dogecoin is surging because many cryptocurrency traders do not want to miss out on any buzz that stems from Elon Musk’s hosting of Saturday Night Live,” Ed Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA, wrote. “Also known as the Dogefather, Musk will undoubtedly have a sketch on cryptocurrencies that will probably go viral for days and further motivate his army of followers to try to send Dogecoin to the moon. The Dogecoin bubble should have popped by now, but institutional interest is trying to take advantage of this momentum and that could support another push higher.”

The price of Dogecoin has increased in value by 11,000% since 2020 as more people continue to use their stimulus check to invest in experimental currencies and stocks in online forums, MarketWatch reported.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE  explained, Dogecoin started out as a joke in 2013 and became a ctypotocurrency worth more than $50 billion.

Dogecoin is more than just a high-valued investment; it is a movement against Wall Street and has its own meme-filled holiday on April 20.

This year’s “Doge Day” was supposed to rally online support to push the price of the cryptocurrency to $1.

Dogecoin is just a reminder of how influential social media is on the marketplace.

Meek Mill joins other celebrities before like Elon Musk, Mark Cuban and Snoop Dogg to jump on the Shiba Inu dog meme craze.

Coincidentally, May 6 is Meek Mill’s birthday – he turned 34 year-old.

https://twitter.com/mymixtapez/status/1390155928951943171?s=20

7-year-old’s Hairstyle App to Include Representation of Black Girls
by Andrea Blackstone

May 6, 2021

7-year-old’s Hairstyle App to Include Representation of Black Girls

According to The Tennessean, 7-year-old Morgan Bugg sparked change in the name of representation and inclusion of Black girl’s natural hairstyles, after noticing an educational app lacked inclusivity. A report said that Bugg was using Freckle as a part of her online, first-grade curriculum. On its website, Freckle states that it provides teachers with the best differentiation platform so they can teach all of their students at the level that’s best for them. As a part of the education game, students can earn coins for completing learning activities.

The Tennessean reported that the young girl wanted to redeem her coins and style her own avatar at the virtual store, but no hairstyle options for Black female students like her existed. Upon returning to virtual school, Morgan informed her teacher—Kelley Anne Joyner—that it was not fair that Freckle had one Black boy hair option and no Black girl hair option.

“I felt kind of sad and jealous that there wasn’t any girl hair for me,” Bugg said in an interview with The Tennessean. “So then I just got off the store and I was really mad.”

The interview also explained that Joyner, who works at Edmondson Elementary School in Brentwood, listened to her young student’s suggestion on asking Freckle to add Black girl hair options. Bugg illustrated hair examples to enable Joyner to send them to Freckle’s support team.

Photo- Facebook

Joyner and Morgan’s teamwork made a difference. The Williamson Herald said that a second email informed the teacher of the app’s inclusive addition.

“Our product team recently added more hairstyles to the Piggy Store based directly on your feedback,” the message said, according to The Williamson Herald. “Thanks again for sharing your insightful comments on how to improve the student experience on Freckle.”

Bugg reportedly started dancing when her teacher read the email response to her, during a chat session. Then, a Zoom call with local media was later led by Williamson County Schools Communications Director Carol Birdsong.

“I feel happy, proud and warm,” Bugg said, according to The Williamson Herald.

On a final note, Buggs’s mother, Dr. Maya Bugg, is the founder and CEO of The Bugg Consulting Group L.L.C.

Photo- Facebook- Dr. Maya Martin Bugg

 

According to its website, the company ‘supports nonprofit and for-profit clients across the country as they endeavor to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive places of work and impact.’ Ironically, Bugg’s young daughter took a stand to promote inclusivity, while reminding others that representation does matter.

Photo – Facebook
Ben And Jerry’s Attacks Mister Softee After Company Is Used To Promote Former Prosecutor
by Derek Major

May 6, 2021

Ben And Jerry’s Attacks Mister Softee After Company Is Used To Promote Former Prosecutor

Philadelphia’s Democratic primary for District Attorney has become bitter due to Mister Softee, a soft-serve ice cream truck company, and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.

Last Friday, The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) parked a Mister Softee truck outside the office of District Attorney Larry Krasner to show he is “soft” on crime. The union passed out free soft-serve ice cream cones and asked people to support Krasner’s opponent and longtime prosecutor Carlos Vega.

The move offended Ben Cohen, a Krasner supporter and one half of the most iconic tag team in frozen desserts, Ben& Jerry’s. Cohen quickly clapped back, blasting the FOP as out of control and calling Mister Softee fake ice cream.

RELATED CONTENT: Ben & Jerry’s is Sick and Tired of White Supremacy, Want To Defund The Police

“To be clear, Mister Softee isn’t even ice cream,” Cohen’s post stated. “It is pumped up with a lot of hot air which is somehow frozen in a limp sort of way. It is chock full of artificial ingredients. In short, it’s fake ice cream. Just like the lies the FOP has been telling about a courageous fighter for true justice and one of the best DAs in the US. There are many reasons to reelect Krasner, who has rolled back mass incarceration while working to implement solutions that build up communities.”

John McNesby, the president of Lodge 5 of the FOP,  told the Philadelphia Inquirer Cohen “is begging for relevancy in this market and Mister Softee and Carlos Vega are the go-to-choices for Philadelphians.”

McNesby added he plans to have a truck sit outside of Krasner’s office until the May 18 primary. Mister Softee seems more of a pawn in the situation as it only had profit in mind and does not get involved in politics.

Ben and Jerry’s ice cream has been active in politics for decades, advocating for campaign finance reform and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. The company also sent a letter to former President Donald Trump essentially asking him to treat all people equally.

×