North Carolina Sheriff’s Deputy Shot and Killed Unarmed Black Man While Executing Search Warrant
It hasn’t even been several days since the guilty verdict of former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin was announced in the killing of George Floyd, yet, news comes in that another Black man has been killed in another police killing.
According to USA Today, a sheriff’s deputy in North Carolina has shot and killed a Black man while executing a search warrant. The fatal shooting took place at approximately 8:30 a.m. as several deputies from the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office were attempting to serve Andrew Brown Jr. with a search warrant at his residence in Elizabeth City, which is about 170 miles northeast of Raleigh. The victim was killed during the deadly encounter.
According to The Associated Press, while speaking at a news conference Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II stated that the deputy shot Brown about 8:30 a.m. The deputy had been wearing an active body camera when he killed the unarmed Brown at the time of the shooting. The sheriff has declined to reveal the identity of the police officer nor did he mention how many shots he fired from his weapon. He did state that there is a pending review by the State Bureau of Investigation and that the police officer has been placed on leave.
City Councilman Darius Horton has requested the immediate release of the body cam footage, the search warrant, and an explanation of what led to the police killing. “Not only do we need transparency … we need accountability. We need answers. … Let’s not hide behind anything.”
President of the Pasquotank County chapter of the NAACP, Keith Rivers, said, “When is it going to stop? We just got a verdict yesterday,” As he referred to the guilty verdict announced on Tuesday in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Chauvin. “Is it open season now? At some point, it has to stop. We have to start holding the people in charge accountable.”
School Bus Driver Out of A Job After Making George Floyd-related Remark to Black Child
A bus driver in New Orleans is out of a job for making racially insensitive comments to a Black child in Louisiana. WWL-TV reported that Rose Gabriel did not let something her son revealed to her pass by. She informed the school system last week that a George Floyd-related comment was made to her 11-year-old son, Rashad.
According to the news station, Rashad informed Gabriel that the bus driver, who is white, scolded him after his face mask slipped below the sixth grader’s nose. Rashad reportedly commented that he was out of breath, due to running to catch the bus to Trist Middle School that morning.
“Gabriel recounted what the driver said: ‘Since George Floyd, that’s what you all say, but I don’t see a knee on your neck,’” according to WWL-TV’s news report.
In the story, it was also stated that other bus riders heard the bus driver’s George Floyd comment that was also capture by the school bus’s onboard camera. During the interview, Gabriel also stated that she struggled to address her son’s bewilderment.
“I just started crying. Because she….excuse me. Don’t make him feel inferior. He’s not inferior to nothing. He’s equal to any of those students on that bus,” Gabriel said, according to WWL-TV.
Twitter credit- WWL-TV
The news station said that Gabriel drove her son to school the following Monday, then reported the school bus driver’s comment. However, the driver did admit to making the comment. The issue reached School Superintendent Doris Voitier’s desk.
St. Bernard Parish School District’s website mentions that Voitier was appointed to serve as Superintendent of the St. Bernard Parish Public Schools on August 10, 2004. According to the information provided, she represents St. Bernard Parish School’s students, in addition to the state of Louisiana as a board member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), which is the administrative body for all Louisiana public elementary and secondary schools.
According to WWL-TV, it was confirmed in a telephone interview that the school bus driver no longer works for the school system as Voitier took swift action. She reportedly informed WWL-TV that the school bus driver’s departure is a personnel matter, so it was not confirmed if the driver resigned or was fired.
David Mullings Shows Investors That Money Can Be Made in the Caribbean Market
There are very few investment firms that are minority-owned yet they continue to build a portfolio of quality public and private companies. Blue Mahoe Capital is a black-owned investment firm that is owned by David P. A. Mulling. Being that Caribbean companies are always overlooked by investors has inspired Mulling’s Blue Mahoe Capital in its quest to be more successful
BLACK ENTERPRISE engaged in a conversation with Mullings to discuss what drives him to be successful, why Blue Mahoe Capital focuses primarily on the Caribbean market, and why they have decided to invest in the entertainment industry.
You are the owner of an investment firm, Blue Mahoe Capital, which focuses primarily on the Caribbean market at this time. What steered you in the direction to dwell into an area that doesn’t seem to draw much interest?
I was born in Jamaica and having worked there, I saw the wealth of opportunity in the region. My advisor, billionaire Jamaican-Canadian investor Michael Lee-Chin, says that you should be excited to invest in a region or industry when three things are present: Perception is different from reality; inefficiencies are present and there is a lack of equity capital flowing in. The Caribbean is overlooked because of perception but being from there and working in finance allowed me to understand the reality of the investment opportunities that are present. Combine that with a love for Warren Buffett’s approach to investing and you would see the Caribbean as a value investor’s dream region, provided they understood the culture and knew the companies.
You need to establish a track record and then you can scale a business, especially an asset management. Investing in Jamaica was the perfect way to test my investment strategy, begin building a strong track record and then scale into other markets. Michael Lee-Chin built something amazing in Canada and I intend to do the same across the USA and Caribbean with his guidance.
You are investing in the entertainment industry. How did that come about and what will you be doing?
My brother Robert and I launched Realvibez, a Caribbean music video platform in 2002, eventually becoming YouTube’s first Caribbean media partner in 2008. Music is one of the largest exports from Jamaica but more investment is needed to professionalize the industry. Blue Mahoe Capital is willing to both buy and build companies in strong long-term growth industries.
We did not see a suitable company to buy and so we are building a portfolio company that brings more of the earnings back to the region while adding a more professional approach to the business of entertainment just like how hip-hop, Reggaeton, and K-pop went through transitions. Sometimes we buy companies and sometimes we build them. We have some great partners to make it a reality one of our portfolio companies and expect Carole Beckford, former Film Commissioner for Jamaica to build an amazing subsidiary.
What is it about Blue Mahoe Capital that will make it a company to watch? What will you be doing in the future that will elevate it more in the investment field?
Money has traditionally been a taboo subject in the houses of people below a certain social class and we intend to normalize the discussion about wealth creation as well as contribute to improved financial literacy, especially amongst people who look like me. However, we will be doing it with the most recognizable people of our era, musicians and athletes. We should not discount their power and definitely should not tell them to shut up and dribble or just make music.
What happens when you combine music, sports, and financial literacy with a focus on wealth creation and helping a historically disenfranchised group? What happens when an asset manager acquires stakes in public companies and pushes for better diversity policies and racial justice? Impact investing by a Black person will look very different from impact investing by the usual asset managers.
How would you advise those who have an interest in becoming vested in the investment game? What would you suggest one do to make a powerful impact?
Michael Lee-Chin told me to find a role model, get the recipe, and do not change the recipe. You can only change the recipe when you exceed the role model. I highly recommend people read about investing, gain knowledge and then pick a role model, learn their strategy and religiously implement it. It becomes your framework that allows you to control your emotions. Michael would add that you also need access to capital and investment opportunities so that means increasing your earning power, rebalancing your expenses, and opening a brokerage account right now. It has never been easier to start investing. Start with $10 if you have to but do it consistently and build healthy financial habits.
If you want to make a powerful impact then you have to think bigger. You have to get a coach and you have to pick a big hairy audacious goal as Jim Collins says in his books ‘Good to Great’ and ‘Built to Last’ because thinking small only leads to small impact. Thinking big leads to a big impact. Ask yourself what it would take to achieve the biggest goal you can think of and then work backward, step by step and begin connecting those dots going forward. Focus on building an amazing legacy that leaves positivity in the lives of as many people as you can reach.
What is one misconception that many have when it comes to being involved in your field?
The single biggest misconception is that you already have to be wealthy to get into investment management. You do not need to already have financial wealth or to look like you have financial wealth; You need a thirst for knowledge, a passion for investing, and an uncompromising desire to make your investors wealthy. You are not supposed to do this just for yourself. You are supposed to make your shareholders and investors wealthy and in turn, you will create wealth for yourself as well. Put them first and you will be quite fine. Serve them well and you will be rewarded.
Oakland Plans to Allow Some 911 Calls to Be Handled By Community Responders
Amid changes to policing across the country, the Oakland City Council is set to approve a pilot program where 911 operators will direct trained civilians to handle mental health calls.
The Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO) will be implemented in the East Oakland Area and will run as a police free operation within the Oakland Fire Department. Two person teams of emergency medical technicians and trained community members will handle mental health calls and low level 911 calls. Those include public urination, erratic behavior, and welfare checks.
According to Yahoo News, the final details are being worked out between the fire department and stakeholders.
“We don’t want [police] involved in these calls because we’re sick of the death count,” Cathy Leonard, a member of the Coalition for Police Accountability, toldThe Appeal. “We need resident-centered responses.”
Due to the pandemic and the city’s budget crisis, the MACRO program received $1.85 million of the $3.09 million the program was due to receive. City Council members, however, say the funds the program did receive is part of the effort to reduce the city’s police department budget by 50%.
The MACRO program is based on Eugene, Oregon’s CAHOOTS program, an emergency services response unit that assists the police department by taking social service and mental health calls. CAHOOTS personnel serves as the initial contact and transport for people who are mentally intoxicated, mentally ill, or disoriented.
According to a crime analysis by the Eugene Police Department, the CAHOOTS program takes an estimated 5% to 8% of 911 calls away from police.
There have been numerous incidents of police showing up to mental health checks that result in a Black man or woman’s death at the hands of police.
Last year, Daniel Prude, a 41-year-old Black man, was suffering from a mental episode after ingesting PCP and walking naked in the streets. Police discovered Prude and held him face down on the pavement for more than two minutes. He died the night of March 23.
Pretty Ricky Member in Critical Condition After Armed Robbery Attempt at Florida Bowling Alley
A member of an R & B group from Florida is in critical condition after an attempted armed robbery at a bowling alley in Davie, Florida.
According to Complex, Diamond Smith, known by his stage name of “Baby Blue”, a member of the R&B/hip-hop group Pretty Ricky has been shot by two armed men trying to rob him outside a bowling alley in Florida and has been listed in critical condition.
Baby Blue is recovering and was able to send out an early morning social media message via his Twitter account:
Thankyou everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I’m still in ICU but I’m on the road to recovery. The bullet traveled throgh my lounges is in stuck in my back. I have to learn to breathe & walk again. I have a great medical team here at the hospital. God Got Me🙏🏽
Love,
Blue
The Davie Police Department has released a statement pertaining to the incident:
“Two victims were in the parking lot of SPAREZ, next to their vehicles when two unknown armed male suspects approached. A physical altercation ensued over the attempted robbery of a gold chain necklace which resulted in the suspect firearm discharging, striking the victim in the left shoulder area. The victim that sustained a gun shot wound, was transported to local area hospital, and remains in critical condition. The two suspects did flee the scene prior to Davie Police arrival. We’re currently seeking information regarding the suspect(s). One suspect wearing a black hoodie with a face covering, second suspect wearing a grey hoodie with face covering.”
Baby Blue was at the bowling alley to celebrate the release of his latest single named, “Jerry Rice.” He is also a cast member onthe reality TV show, Love & Hip Hop: Miami.
It’s Lit: Jeopardy Announces LeVar Burton as Guest Host
Last November, after famed Jeopardy host Alex Trebek passed away from pancreatic cancer at 80-years-old, people started to speculate — and suggest — who would replace the iconic host. In the midst of all of this, Star Trek actor and Reading Rainbow host, LeVar Burton, was thrown into the mix as fans started a petition to have him become the next host of the famed game show, according to Change.org.
Jeopardy has announced the forthcoming guest hosts scheduled for the show and Burton made the list!
We can finally tell you! Here is the final group of guest hosts to close out Season 37:
The Roots star made sure to acknowledge the assistance he received in generating interest for the host Jeopardy spot via the Change.org petition launched last fall.
THANK YOU… to all y’all for your passionate support! I am overjoyed, excited, and eager to be guest-hosting Jeopardy!, and will do my utmost best to live up to your faith you in me. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! Go ahead and take my word for it, this time. https://t.co/C7mZWMok2X
Before the final list was revealed, Burton had recently spoken to Entertainment Weekly about being the permanent replacement on the television show after beloved host Alex Trebek succumbed to pancreatic cancer in November. Trebek hosted the long-running game show for almost four decades.
“I’ve thought and thought and thought — I’ve asked friends and family to help me identify someone out there who’s more qualified for the job than I am,” the revered actor and host of widespread literacy show Reading Rainbow said. “I don’t believe there is anyone out there who is better suited for this job than me. And I will go to my grave believing that.”
“I think my whole career is an advertisement for being the host of Jeopardy,” he continued.
Rep. Val Demings and Rep. Jordan Clash in Hearing Over Hate Crimes and Police Support
A heated argument took place between Rep. Val Demings of Florida and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. Jordan—who is a Republican and fiscal conservative– interrupted Demings during a hearing about the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, MSNBC reported.
Demings represents Florida’s 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Her official website pointed out that she made history upon being appointed to serve as Orlando’s first female Chief of Police in 2007.
Thus, her law enforcement background likely played a role in the clash with Jordan, since the topic of law enforcement arose during the hearing on April 20. MSNBC reported that Demings was criticizing an amendment that would prevent police departments from being defunded that was introduced by Republicans.
“ I served as a law enforcement officer for 27 years. It is a tough job and good police officers deserve your support,” Demings said at the hearing.
She further stated that it is interesting to see her colleagues on the other side support the police when it is politically convenient. Demings continued her speech by stating that law enforcement officers risk their lives every day. After she stated that they deserved better, Jordan abruptly cut in and was reminded by Demings that she had the floor.
“Did I strike a nerve?” Demings asked Jordan while banging one hand on a desk.
Demings turned in Jordan’s direction, while also saying to him that law enforcement deserves better than to be used as ‘pawns,’ then said that Jordan did not know what he was talking about. The Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee,New York Democrat Jerry Nadler, reminded that no one could shout out and restored order.
Twitter credit- @RepValDemings
While later attempting to give context to what happened at the hearing, Demings explained her position on MSNBC. She said that the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act attempts to address the increase in violence toward Asians.
“And I thought it was interesting that an amendment was presented by the Republican side of the aisle that talked about defunding the police,” Demings said.
She also stated that there was nothing in the legislation that talked about defunding the police. Demings said that if the topic was legislation dealing with hate crimes, she would think the Republicans, who say they are so in love and want to support law enforcement, would deal with the increase in hate crimes. Demings further stated that law enforcement was being used as political pawns.
The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act issue has been emotionally charged before, while the issue of anti-Asian hate crimes was being addressed. The AP and PBS reported about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s introduction of it. Grace Meng was the lead sponsor. Schumer dared his colleagues in the Senate to vote against the Democratic-sponsored COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act that he was sponsoring.
“If they do, shame on them,” Schumer reportedly said.
PBS also said that Schumer remarked that two bipartisan amendments would “strengthen” the bill. According to PBS, Schumer made the statement during a press conference in New York City. At that time, he was announcing his plans to introduce the bill later that day.
“We are saying very simply to America, to New York, to the world, ‘Stop Asian hate!’” Schumer said, according to PBS.
Diddy Faces Wrath, Black Rob Fans Feel He Failed the Late Rapper Before He Died
With the recent death of an artist who was once signed to his label, Bad Boy, Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, had offered to pay for the funeral of Harlem, New York’s Black Rob, born Robert Ross.
The “Whoa” emcee passed away last week at Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital after suffering from a number of health issues, Page Six reports. His friend and fellow rapper Marc Curry toldRolling Stone that Black Rob passed away at the age of 51 after going into cardiac arrest caused by a rare kidney disease.
Although Diddy did pay for the funeral service for his former artist, social media didn’t take too kindly to the gesture. Combs was accused of not doing anything for the late rapper prior to a social media clip that was of Black Rob offering condolences to fellow rapper, Earl Simmons, also known as DMX, who recently passed.
“Rest in power King @therealblackrob ! As I listen to your records today there’s one thing that they all have in common! You have made millions of people all over the world feel good and dance! You are one of a kind! GOD BLESS! 🙏🏿 Love. 🖤💫✨ You will be truly missed!!!! 💔”
@blowdre He did. He deleted my comment. Had over 200 likes… Then i wrote it again and have 0 likes… LOL — “Diddy didn’t say a WORD when he seen Rob needed help last week. 😂 #fakeasslove (diddy deleted my comment and i got nuff likes so I’m writing it again)
Black people stop making this man rich what the hell is he really doing for the community? His own artist are dying homeless and broke. You wanna do right by this man make sure he is buried right.
I understand your not his pops and not obligated to give him anything but I’d think just being a good human and friend you woulda helped him out. So what if he made bad decisions so what if he made mistakes. Dude you have almost a BILLLLION DOLLARS … not to mention it could have even been a tax write off for donation. How you couldn’t reach out and help is insane. You coulda got him even a little 100k townhouse somewhere and let him just rest and live. I couldn’t have a billion dollars and let one of my former star platinum artists who was my friend be out there dying homeless with nothing. The good human in me just couldn’t do that.
Digital Banking Platform for Black and Latinos Partnered with Mastercard
In case you are unaware that a digital banking services platform for Black and Latino individuals and businesses exist, Greenwood is a name to remember. According to its website, Greenwood’s founders are civil rights leader and former ambassador Andrew J. Young; rapper and activist Michael “Killer Mike” Render; and Ryan Glover, who is the founder of the Bounce TV Network. According to a press release, spending and saving securely through the use of best-in-class banking services, in addition to ways to support Black and Latino causes and businesses innovatively, can be achieved through Greenwood’s offerings.
Greenwood, which offers modern banking, is on the move. The press release mentioned that the mobile banking platform recently selected Mastercard as its network of choice for its first debit card.
“The Greenwood matte black debit Mastercard will provide cardholders a digital-centric user experience, an extensive list of security and concierge benefits, and innovative giveback programs focused on supporting Black and Latino causes and businesses,” a statement said.
On Facebook, Mastercard was thanked for supporting Greenwood’s mission. Sherri Haymond, executive vice president of Digital Partnerships for Mastercard, explained some of the reasons why Greenwood received support.
“By supporting the financial needs of individuals and businesses within communities of color we can help foster a cycle of prosperity. Greenwood and Mastercard share a commitment to creating a path to wealth creation by delivering financial solutions and resources that address systemic barriers and advance economic empowerment,” Haymond said in the press release.
She also remarked that families of color experience greater financial insecurity, because of systemic barriers in financial systems.
Where did the name Greenwood come from? Greenwood’s website further explains that the mobile banking platform was inspired by the early 1900’s Greenwood District. It was a place where Black businesses thrived and wealth recirculated.
However, The Oklahoman expounds on a disturbing time that is not yet known by everyone, although the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre is now recognized as one of the worst acts of racial violence in American history. In the article, The Oklahoman explained that during the event, mobs of white residents attacked, set aflame, and ultimately destroyed the Greenwood District. At the time, the location was one of the wealthiest black communities in the U.S. It was also known as “Black Wall Street.”
Thus, the symbol of Black economic empowerment is being revived through various platforms and initiatives, including through Greenwood, and partnerships offered by companies like Mastercard. The press release also explained that unique financial education tools, including a daily podcast, will be offered through the partnership to help provide knowledge and opportunities that address the racial wealth gap.
902-Mile Journey Called The Free THEM Walk Will Raise Awareness About Human Trafficking
Human trafficking has increased during the pandemic, according to Polaris, a nonprofit data-driven social justice movement holding the largest known data about human trafficking in North America. The nonprofit organization has undertaken a systematic examination of relevant data from the Polaris-operated U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline to carefully track the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking.
“When comparing post-shelter-in-place time with pre-shelter-in-place time in 2019 and 2020, the number of crisis trafficking situations increased by more than 40%—from approximately 60 in a 30-day period to 90. Crisis situations are those in which some assistance—such as shelter, transportation, or law enforcement involvement—is needed within 24 hours,” Polaris reported.
Kelly Diane Galloway, a traveling missionary and founder of the international humanitarian organization Ramp Global Missions, is one committed individual who is doing her part to combat human trafficking.
A press release stated that in the U.S., Ramp rescues and offers safe homes for exploited sex and labor victims. Additionally, Ramp opened Project Mona’s House. It was identified as western New York’s first and only human trafficking restoration home for women. Galloway’s missions and purposes to serve the hurting, unhoused, poor, and individuals who have been exploited by human tracking intertwine. The traveling missionary is linking the past and present through The Free THEM Walk.
“Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry. Since the global COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been an increase in the number of human trafficking cases in the United States. For this reason Kelly, Project Mona’s House and the new Free Them Center have joined forces to help victims escape exploitation and raise awareness about human trafficking in an extraordinary 902-mile journey called The Free THEM Walk,” a statement said. “Since human trafficking is modern-day slavery, this journey will mimic the Underground Railroad route with stops in 9 cities to pay homage to the abolitionists who fought to end slavery generations ago.”
Photo courtesy of Kelly Diane Galloway
From May 3–June 19, The Free THEM Walk will begin in Lynchburg, Virginia, and conclude in Buffalo, New York, at the city’s Juneteenth celebration. Other stops include Richmond, Va., Baltimore, Md. Washington D.C, New Castle, Del., Philadelphia, Penn., New York City, Auburn, N.Y. and Rochester, N.Y.
The Challenger Newsreported that Galloway’s objective is travel the journey with 100 volunteers. Additionally, the walk’s collective goal is to share with those along the way, but also ‘compare the despicable and indistinguishable characteristics of current-day human trafficking to the African ancestral history of the slave industry that provided the financial foundation for this country.’
According to a Facebook post, sponsors and donations for The Free THEM Walk are being requested. Visit the site to learn more about the upcoming walk.
Want to look this cool while also raising awareness? Check out our website where YOU can purchase your own FreeTHEM…
