50 Cent Quickly Dismisses Damon Dash’s Attempt To End Beef
50 shoots down offer to squash beef with Damon Dash
Harlem native Damon Dash cannot buy a break, as the olive branch extended to rival 50 Cent has been rejected by the “Many Men” entrepreneur.
Previously, after having a back-and-forth with his mentee and childhood friend, “It Is What It Is” co-host Cam’ron, with whom he grew up with in Harlem, he posted a video to his social media account extending an invitation to the podcast host and 50 to collaborate on business ventures. After realizing that he wasn’t looking good to his friends and fans, he posted a video to his Instagram account.
Fifty had reportedly obtained the rights to Dash’s movie, “Paid in Full,” to which the Queens businessman invited Cam to work with him to adapt it for a television series, possibly angering Dash even more before he posted the video.
“I feel like 50, Cam, me, if together we show that we could be beefing, pause, and then come together and maybe do a TV show together, something different. Or a movie or something, just showing the world that we can work together. And we would prove everyone wrong. They love us tearing each other down, and I’m not doing that sh**.”
Dash made the offer after being chastised by his older friends and confidants, who told him that the bickering he has been displaying in public lately is “embarrassing.”
The mogul, known not only for his music, television, and movie roles, as well as his business acumen, is also one of the most famous internet trolls, and he rarely disappoints. After Dash posted the video, as expected, the G-Unit executive responded, and it wasn’t in favor of meeting with the former Roc-A-Fella label owner.
He began with a tone that suggested he would agree to a sit-down with the Harlem native, he quickly reverted to the petty social media trolling that people have come to both love and hate.
“I agree with Dame 💯percent, it’s better to work together. We should sit down and figure out how to move forward. I believe we can create a path to more success. Oh wait 👀 CAM just said fvck Dame and his fake ChatGPT lawsuit. So it’s fvck you, Dame. @50centaction”
Dash seems to have quickly moved on (for the moment) as he posted that he is working on a documentary on Supreme McGriff (with Supreme’s son), 50’s longtime sworn enemy. 50, who was shot multiple times at the start of his recording career, has blamed Supreme for putting out the hit on him. Supreme is also a close friend to 50’s other enemies, Ja Rule and the deceased Irv Gotti.
Mike Tyson Settles Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Filed By Producer Ty Fyffe
While promoting a bout against Jake Paul last year, the Brooklyn boxer did not get permission to use the song, "Murdergram" featuring JAY-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule in his promotonal video
While training for his boxing match against YouTuber Jake Paul, in a viral video, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson used a song, “Murdergram,” featuring JAY-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule that Ty Fyffe produced, and since no permission was granted to use the track, the music producer sued Tyson, and the lawsuit was recently settled between the parties.
According to Billboard, the Queens producer took Tyson to court after the Brooklyn-bred fighter used “Murdergram” in an Instagram video that promoted his bout with Paul last November. Fyffe claimed that the song was used without Tyson obtaining permission, accusing the pugilist of copyright infringement. The resolution was filed in court Sept. 22, stating that there was an agreement between the litigants.
The track was released in 1998 and featured on the soundtrack to JAY-Z’s “Streets Is Watching,” showcasing fellow Def Jam artists DMX and Ja Rule. At the time of the recording, the song was intended to be a precursor to the supergroup the three emcees had temporarily formed, Murder Inc. Producer Irv Gotti used the name for his burgeoning record label, also called Murder Inc.
Although the three artists were featured on the song, Fyffe owns the rights to the music, which is why the rappers weren’t included in the lawsuit or the settlement.
“Murdergram” was heard in the 33-second video Tyson posted to his social media account several weeks before losing his boxing match against Paul in Texas on Nov. 15, 2024. Fyffe filed the lawsuit in August, citing Tyson used the track without permission and requested some of what the boxer made on Nov. 15, while also stating he was entitled to earn royalties from the use of the song.
“Neither plaintiff nor any of his representatives granted defendant Tyson permission to use the song title ‘Murdergram’ to promote his boxing match with Jake Paul,” the suit stated. “Defendant Tyson’s conduct was intentional, willful and with full knowledge of plaintiff’s copyright in the song.”
Families Face Stifling Demands As Social Security Overpayment Crisis Climbs
The agency made close to $72 billion thanks to improper payments in 2024 alone.
In addition to the rising costs of life’s necessities, more families are starting to feel the heat of being forced to repay Social Security payments to the agency, some of whom are no longer with us, Atlanta News First reports.
David Morgan of Georgia thought that he would be able to start the process of moving forward after his brother, Dennis, who struggled with addiction and mental illness, passed away in 2024. But while in the grieving process, Morgan received a letter that his brother had been overpaid by over $20,000 in benefits.
And is was David’s responsibility to pay it all back. The retired MARTA bus driver recalled receiving the letter as “devastating,” as this is an additional and unexpected expense. “Like anybody, if you stopped somebody’s source of income, what can you do? My wife and I would be devastated because we still got bills,” he said.
But this is a reality that more and more Americans are starting to face, as Atlanta Legal Aid attorney Mills Culver notes that the agency’s collection efforts extend into other federal programs, such as Medicaid and food stamps. One of Culver’s clients, Semainesh Weldemicael, a refugee from Eritrea, was told by Social Securi authorities that she owes close to $4,000.
Weldemicael feels it shouldn’t be their responsibility since it was the agency that permitted this to happen.
“I didn’t steal anything. It was the government that allowed us this. So, it was like a punishment I’m getting for nothing I do,” Weldemicael, whose family relies on benefits while caring for two mentally disabled adult children, said.
“If we don’t have it, we’re almost homeless.”
The agency generated nearly $72 billion in improper payments in 2024 alone. In April 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced plans to no longer withhold 100% of a person’s monthly check to recover debts. In the interim, the agency caps 50% of benefits for new overpayments unless the recipient appeals or receives a waiver. For an appeal, beneficiaries have a 90-day window after receiving a notice of overpayment to debate the debt or request a lower recovery rate before the withholding period begins.
The issue has caught the attention of former SSA workers, such as former Commissioner Martin O’Malley, who testified about the severity of the problem before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agingin 2024. “Through no fault of their own, we overpay them and then claw back in a rather brutal and summary way 100 percent of their check,” he said.
Check sizes have begun to shrink amid the September 2025 schedule, given the new Social Security repayment rules, according to The Economic Times. Beneficiaries who notice smaller checks are instructed to check if they are subject to repayment withholding.
In the meantime, Congress has introduced the Social Security Overpayment Relief Act in an effort to place new limits on the collection powers of the agency, adding potential restrictions on dialing back back payments to 10 years, helping people like Morgan out. After reaching out to Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, Morgan said the agency admitted to its mistake, and the lawmaker informed the senior citizen that he was not responsible for the overpayment. While his story ended on a good note, he hopes speaking out will prompt a change in a system he calls broken. “It’s already hard enough to try to make a living on a fixed income,” Morgan said.
“And when you have no income, you lose everything.”
Elevating Your Excellence: Media Maverick Emil Wilbekin Forged A Movement From Vibe To Native Son
Emil Wilbekin’s career has truly shaped an industry and our culture.
A journalist and magazine executive who has consistently operated at the vanguard of cultural discourse, Emil Kraig Wilbekin has dedicated his career to elevating the voices of Black and LGBTQ+ communities.
A Cleveland, Ohio, native, Wilbekin’s journey from an inquisitive “Mr. Reporter” to a celebrated media luminary highlights the maven’s contribution to the culture and journalism.
Wilbekin’s formative years were defined by his relentless pursuit of knowledge, a passion that blossomed despite an undiagnosed dyslexia.
He recounted rigorous summers of study and his parents’ unwavering support — his father, Harvey, a lawyer and structural engineer; and his mother, Cleota, a law judge and sociologist — instilled in him an intense work ethic and a deep appreciation for education.
“My parents were superheroes,” Wilbekin expressed, crediting their example for his drive.
His academic path forged a foundation for his career. In 1989, Wilbekin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University, where he served as editor of the Hampton Script.
He then went on to receive his M.S. degree in journalism from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in 1990. Wilbekin credits his time at Hampton with instilling a “real sense of community” and a deep understanding of Black history. Upon graduating from Columbia, he felt his HBCU education “was up to par,” proving his readiness for the rigors of the Ivy League.
Pioneering a New Era of Media
Wilbekin’s career took off in the early 1990s as a founding editor of Vibe magazine, where he quickly achieved the coveted title of editor-in-chief in 1999.
Under his leadership, Vibe received the prestigious National Magazine Award for General Excellence in 2002, a landmark achievement.
“Winning this award… was one of my greatest professional accomplishments because it was the first time an urban magazine had won, beating out Jane, Wired, The New Yorker, and Gourmet Magazine,” Wilbekin said.
During his tenure at Vibe, Wilbekin played a pivotal role in several groundbreaking moments. He worked with artists like Aaliyah and Maxwell, styled iconic photo shoots, and, notably, helped usher in a long-overdue conversation about homosexuality within the hip-hop community. He was also a consultant for Microsoft and Marc Ecko Enterprises, a contributor to Complex magazine, and managing editor of Essence.com before becoming editor-at-large for Essence magazine.
As a media maverick, Wilbekin’s career arc from music to style to editor-in-chief was not conventional, even for an ever-changing industry. He credited his success to his ability to discover and break emerging talent, as well as a keen eye for culture that transcended a single genre. While at Vibe, he was an early champion for artists who would become icons, including Mary J. Blige and Maxwell. It was his deep immersion in hip-hop culture, coupled with his journalistic instincts, that enabled him to bridge the gap between music and fashion.
In the mid-90s, he created the position of Style Editor, a title he pioneered to gain experience in a field that was not yet widely integrated into urban media.
This bold move paved the way for his eventual role as Editor-in-Chief. He styled groundbreaking photoshoots, including the iconic October 1995 cover featuring Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G., images that he says “changed everything” for the magazine’s aesthetic and influence.
In 2014, Wilbekin began a new chapter as an independent consultant and editorial content executive, culminating in the founding of Native Son Now in 2017.
Native Son is a platform and community created to inspire and empower Black gay and queer men.
The organization’s mission, he notes, is to “harness the collective power of Black gay/queer men…to ensure that our voices, visibility, and lived experiences are elevated in all of the communities in which we exist.”
A Legacy of Activism and Influence
Wilbekin’s proven dedication to social justice is as integral to his identity as his editorial prowess.
His work on Native Son, inspired by James Baldwin’s Notes of a Native Son, creates a safe space for dialogue and fellowship, filling a critical void for a community that has historically been marginalized. His activism extends to his service on numerous boards, including those for the Black AIDS Institute and The Stonewall Foundation.
His impact has been widely recognized. Baldwin’s impact and influence penetrate deep into Wilbekin’s spirit. He celebrated the prolific writer’s “heavenly birthday” on Instagram.
“Happy Heavenly Birthday, James Baldwin. Baldwin has been an inspiration for me since I was a teenager, when I was introduced to his words through my parents’ library — ‘Giovanni’s Room’ and ‘No Name In The Street’ resonated with me. When I witnessed Baldwin in real life, when I was in college at Hampton University’s Ogden Hall, I was mesmerized. His powerful words, his commanding presence, and his savoir-faire were a revelation, a reflection of sorts. It’s the knowing when Black gay men see one another — clock each other. But it was more than that.”
He continued, “When I created the early ideas of Native Son, the movement, community, and platform I founded in 2016, there was a singular figure who I felt embodied the vision — the visionary, the icon, the indomitable James Baldwin. His debut collection of essays, Notes of A Native Son, represented what I imagined this platform could (and would) be. Bold, audacious, unapologetic, and brave. The name Native Son spoke volumes.“
“This quote from the book would become the realization and manifestation of the dream. ‘The place in which I’ll fit will not exist until I make it.’ — James Baldwin. Today, I sit in gratitude for Baldwin’s life and legacy because he and his words are the gift that keeps giving, speaking truth to power, serving as an unyielding roadmap, and breathing life into generations of Black gay, queer, and gender nonconforming men today and in the future. Who else would say being a Black homosexual was hitting the jackpot but Baldwin? He owned it. Speak Life.”
“Rest in Peace and Power, Mr. Baldwin,” Wilbekiin concluded the post.
He was named one of the 100 most influential gay people in America by Out magazine in 2002 and was inducted into the Hampton University Mass Media Arts Hall of Fame in 2007.
Wilbekin’s career has truly shaped an industry and our culture.
Former Educator Launches Black Parenting Academy With Proven Strategies For Nurturing Talented Kids
Created specifically for Black parents and caregivers with children gifted in entertainment, athletics, or the arts, the forum featured an inspiring lineup of speakers
As child influencers continue to take center stage — from viral dancers and mini actors to social media sensations like four-year-old “Boots On the Ground” phenomenon Ms. Shirley, whose meteoric rise sparked both adoration and harsh judgment toward her parents — many Black families find themselves navigating uncharted territory with their children, filled with complex decisions, hidden pitfalls, and intense public scrutiny. Janice Robinson-Celeste, founder and CEO of Black Parenting Academy, has stepped up to fill this critical gap with its flagship forum, Raising A Star (Without Losing Your Mind), now available for on-demand streaming.
Created specifically for Black parents and caregivers with children gifted in entertainment, athletics, or the arts, the forum featured an inspiring lineup of speakers — from global supermodel Sessilee Lopez and performing arts school principals to top talent agents and experienced parents, including Eunice Atitsogbe, mother of mega social media star Sean “The Science Kid,” who has amassed more than 1.5 million followers.
These experts pulled back the curtain on what it truly takes to nurture young Black talent in today’s high-pressure, high-visibility world by tackling often unspoken topics such as:
• The Real Keys to Raising Successful Child Stars — Beyond Talent and Spotlight
• The Powerful Role Black Mothers Play in Shaping Future College and Professional Athletes
• The Realities of Child Modeling: Why Active Parental Support Is Essential
• Helping Your Child Stay Grounded: Managing Jealousy, Entitlement, and How to Stay Grounded
• Empowering Your Child’s Voice: Encouraging Confidence and Self-Advocacy Early On
• How to Choose the Right School and Environment to Nurture Your Child’s Talents
• Supporting Your Child Through Change: What to Do When They Want to Step Back or Quit
“This conversation was born from my own lived experience guiding my daughter, global supermodel Sessilee Lopez, into the professional modeling world at just 12 years old — a journey filled with incredible opportunities but also unexpected pitfalls and hard lessons,” said Janice Robinson-Celeste, forum host and founder of the Black Parenting Academy. “I knew I had to create this forum to help fellow parents avoid the mistakes I made, see around corners, and feel empowered to support their talented children without sacrificing their childhood, joy, or future.”
In honor of the back-to-school season, the Black Parenting Academy is offering FREE membership through Sept. 30, 2025. Members receive on-demand access to the Raising A Star (Without Losing Your Mind) forum, virtual members-only events and live Q&As, discounts on masterclasses led by world-class experts in parenting, education, financial planning, and health, and FREE access to all upcoming virtual Parenting Meetups, including:
• September 2025: Homework Hacks Made Easy: Stress-Free Strategies to Help Parents Keep Their Cool (and Help Their Kids Too!)
• October 2025: Raising Smart & Safe Black Kids in the Age of AI
• November 2025: Help My Son! Simple Strategies to Help Black Boys Read and Love School
• December 2025: Financial Survival Skills for Parents: Stretching Dollars Without Sacrificing Kids’ Needs
“As Black parents, we deserve resources that speak directly to our experiences and our children’s unique journeys,” said Robinson-Celeste. “That’s why we’re inviting every parent to join the Black Parenting Academy for FREE right now — so they can feel seen, supported, and fully prepared to help their children rise.”
Join the Black Parenting Academy for FREE to access empowering, hands-on parenting trainings and discussions designed to help raise confident, high-achieving Black children from the womb through college-aged at bit.ly/blackparentingacademy.
Diddy Seeks Short Sentence After Having His Legacy ‘Destroyed’
Diddy’s legal team is making a final push for a reduced sentence and his immediate release from jail.
Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs are working to get the disgraced hip-hop mogul a short prison sentence after having his legacy “destroyed.”
On Sept. 22, Combs’ legal team filed a new submission urging New York federal Judge Arun Subramanian to limit the Bad Boy founder’s sentence to no more than 14 months for his conviction on two Mann Act charges, CBS News reports. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Combs’ attorneys argue that his dramatic fall from grace during nearly 13 months behind bars warrants leniency, pushing for a reduced sentence that could secure his immediate release if the judge agrees.
“Mr. Combs’s celebrity status in the realms of music, fashion, spirits, media, and finance has been shattered and Mr. Combs’ legacy has been destroyed,” the lawyers wrote.
Combs’ attorneys argued in their filing that his acquittal on the more serious racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, offenses that carried a minimum 15-year sentence and the potential for life, serves as an “affirmative indication of innocence.”
“He has served over a year in one of the most notorious jails in America – yet has made the most of that punishment,” the lawyers added. “It is time for Mr. Combs to go home to his family, so he can continue his treatment and try to make the most of the next chapter of his extraordinary life.”
Combs remains in custody ahead of his Oct. 3 sentencing after the judge rejected his lawyers’ $50 million bail proposal, signaling little chance of his immediate release. Prosecutors, who will submit their recommendations before sentencing, have already indicated they’ll push for him to serve far longer than the four to five years they initially anticipated.
Combs’ legal team outlined a series of hardships stemming from his criminal case, noting that he was forced to lay off more than 100 employees, many of whom have struggled to find work due to their ties to him. His seven children have also faced “devastating consequences,” including lost opportunities in acting, television, fashion, and music. At the same time, two of his sons were even named in the nearly 100 civil suits filed against Combs since his arrest.
The filing added that a planned Hulu reality series about the family was scrapped after the allegations surfaced. Combs has also been removed from the boards of three charter schools he founded in Harlem, the Bronx, and Connecticut. Additionally, Howard University has rescinded his honorary doctorate and is returning his past donations.
Jail has been far from easy for Combs, even as it marked his first time sober in 25 years, lawyers say. He’s been threatened with a shiv by another inmate over a seat, placed on suicide watch, served food with maggots, and restricted in his access to clean water.
“Mr. Combs’s career and reputation have been destroyed,” Combs’ lawyers wrote. “His life outside of jail has been systematically dismantled.”
His attorneys described Combs as a changed man who now recognizes that his heavy drug use, including medications prescribed by doctors, fueled some of his past violent behavior. They said he has begun using his time behind bars to mentor fellow inmates, teaching them business management, entrepreneurship, and personal development skills. A program Combs views as “one of the most impactful and important endeavors of his life,” he hopes to expand into state-run facilities after his release.
“He is a humbled man who understands that the most important things in life are his devotion to and quality time with his family and his contributions for the benefit of others,” the lawyers said.
ICE Detains Second Haitian Businessman In Two Months Over Alleged Ties To ‘Terrorist Gangs’
Another prominent Haitian businessman is in ICE custody on claims of corruption and supporting terroristic gangs.
Another prominent Haitian businessman has been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on claims of supporting terrorist gangs.
On Sept. 23, Dimitri Vorbe, one of Haiti’s most influential businessmen, was arrested outside his home in Miami, Florida, and taken to the Krome North Service Processing Center, the Miami Herald reports. His arrest comes two months after Réginald Boulos, a businessman, physician, and former Haitian presidential candidate, was detained by ICE agents in Florida on allegations of aiding violent gangs in Haiti that the U.S. has designated as terrorist organizations.
“The U.S. government will remain relentless in pursuing those supporting terrorist gangs through indictments, arrests, sanctions, arms seizures and other immigration restrictions,” Christopher Landau, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of State, said a day before Vorbe’s arrest.
Vorbe and his family control Société Générale d’Énergie S.A., a private energy firm that was once among the largest electricity suppliers to Haiti’s state-owned utility. His arrest came just one day after the U.S. government sanctioned two former Haitian officials with close ties to the Vorbe family for engaging in “significant corruption” while in office.
The sanctions against Arnel Belizaire, a former Chamber of Deputies member, and Antonio Cheramy, a former senator, deem them and their immediate families “generally ineligible” to enter the United States. These actions contribute to a rising number of visa cancellations targeting Haiti’s economic elite under the Trump administration. In recent weeks, several businessmen have been barred from boarding U.S.-bound flights or denied entry upon arrival at Miami International Airport.
“With the arrests of Boulos and Vorbe, you are seeing a strata of Haitian society touched in their places of exile,” said Michael Deibert, author of “Notes From the Last Testament: The Struggle for Haiti,” and “Haiti Will Not Perish: A Recent History.”
“A message is being sent to the upper echelon of Haiti’s political and economic elite that they’re not untouchable anymore,” he added.
The Vorbe family was also known for winning major government contracts to build roads and other infrastructure under former President René Préval. In 2020, the administration of slain President Jovenel Moïse seized Vorbe’s power company amid corruption allegations, sparking mixed reactions in Haiti to his recent arrest.
“There is not much love lost in Haiti either for Dimitri Vorbe or Réginald Boulos, or many of the elite families,” said Jake Johnston, international research director at the Washington-based Center for Economic and Policy Research. “Many people will cheer it in a country with a broken judicial system as it’s some sliver of accountability, (but) we don’t know what any of this is for. … How does this all fit together into a strategy that actually benefits Haiti?”
The Brooklyn Nets Will Celebrate The Notorious B.I.G. With Special Edition Uniforms During Upcoming Season
The teams has a series of 'Biggie Nights' with the first one taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 11
After introducing a city edition uniform in 2018 that honored Brooklyn-bred recording artist Christopher Wallace, better known to the world as The Notorious B.I.G., the Brooklyn Nets are bringing the special Brooklyn Camo City Edition uniform back for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.
The Brooklyn emcee, who was shot and killed in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997, was celebrated as one of hip-hop’s most lyrical, storytelling rappers. The uniform, which recognizes the “Ready to Die” lyricist, debuted as part of the NBA’s City Edition Remix seven years ago. The Brooklyn Camo uniform initially sold out after hip-hop and sports fans were able to see it once it went on sale. The Nets stated that it remains one of the most popular in the Nets’ Brooklyn era.
“You can’t talk about Brooklyn without invoking the sentiment ‘Spread Love the Brooklyn Way.’ The Notorious B.I.G. repped Brooklyn to the fullest and had a resounding effect on everyone who calls Brooklyn home. His influence is unmatched, and it is an immense privilege to honor Biggie and his legacy as one of the most influential cultural icons of all time,” said Elliot Osagie, CEO and founder of Benin City Entertainment, in a written statement.
“Our relationship with the Brooklyn Nets has always been organic. I worked to bring this vision to reality from way back in 2017 with the raising of Biggie’s banner at Barclays Center. And now, to see how this spark of an idea has grown, and to see the future of where it is going, is a true gift to day-one fans and all those Biggie fans yet to be. We look forward to the experiences and events we have in store for them this season and beyond.”
The Nets have planned a series of “Biggie Nights,” with the first one taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, while 10 other games will see the team wearing the uniforms in celebration of one of “Brooklyn’s Finest.” On the initial evening, there will be special halftime performances (to be announced at a later date) and a Biggie bobblehead giveaway.
Tickets for the first “Biggie Night” and all Nets home games for the 2025-26 season are on sale now at brooklynnets.com/tickets.
Fans of the rapper and/or the Nets will get the opportunity to see the 2025-26 City Edition uniforms when the team holds a practice in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Potomac Playground in Biggie’s neighborhood of Bed-Stuy.
The games fans can look forward to seeing the team wearing the Brooklyn Camo City Edition are:
The fashion icon will discuss his takes on Black dandyism and the inspiration for his looks.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art will host “An Evening with Dapper Dan” on Friday, Oct. 3, to explore the fashion trailblazer’s immense impact.
On the heels of this year’s “Superfine” MET Gala, the one and only Dapper Dan will talk with Monica L. Miller, guest curator of the “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition. The sold-out event will take place alongside the exhibition. Guests will hear insights from Dapper Dan on his vision for fashion and its evolving landscape.
Dapper Dan’s impact on the fashion world remains a force, particularly with the resurgence of Black Dandyism and its influence on tailored styling.
He has remained part of fashion’s modern ecosystem, merging his talents with high-profile brands such as Gucci and Gap, while his instincts garner new acclaim. As a pioneer of hip-hop’s influence in high fashion, Dan has become a trusted voice among art institutions like the MET. He also became a member of the Costume Institute benefit host committee last February.
The newly revived focus on the 81-year-old visionary has fashion enthusiasts ready to hear about his creative prowess. While considered a fashion great, his emphasis on his Black and African heritage remains an integral part of his image beyond costume. Dapper Dan’s new house logo, a heart-shaped crest over a set of “D” initials, also debuted at the Met Gala in May. The heart emblem pays homage to this part of African culture and its Black American revival of it.
“This symbol itself has a whole history,” “Dap” told Vogueat the time. “There were slaves who used to be assigned to iron works. And when they made the iron—the fences and the windows and whatnot—they added a symbol like this. It’s called Sankofa.”
Georgia High School Now Under Fire After Visiting Students Arrived To Game In Blackface
The school superintendent has faced immense backlash for the lack of action toward the offensive visitors.
A Georgia high school is facing heat after a “blackout” theme for a volleyball game became a case of blackface.
Whitewater High School in Fayette County, Georgia, has sparked controversy over its handling of the case of blackface. In a game against LaGrange High School, visitors not associated with Whitewater decided to poke fun at the “blackout” theme, which was intended for fans to wear all black clothing to the volleyball match.
Although none of the students attended Whitewater, Fayette County’s Superintendent Jonathan Patterson acknowledged the move as a misstep that shocked the community. However, others are not letting the academic leader off the hook for the racist incident.
Georgia State Rep. Derrick Jackson condemned the offense and the initial inaction surrounding it. He blamed the school system’s policies for allowing the visitors, calling for the superintendent to step down as well. He even noted that Patterson declined to attend a press conference addressing the issue, while asserting that the Whitewater principal’s own statement seemed lackluster.
“The presence of blackface was an act of profound insensitivity, and the Fayette County school system’s failure to address it was unacceptable,” expressed Jackson. “This is a time for the superintendent to leave. We are here to demand that the superintendent take immediate and decisive action.”
Blackface has an infamous history in America, with the tactic used to mock and degrade Black Americans and their skin color. Fayette County Schools’ policy explicitly prohibits harassment or discrimination, but reports could not confirm if any of the students have faced any repercussions yet.
Other advocates, such as the Fayette County NAACP chapter, have also released statements condemning the allowance of the hateful act. Its president, Kevin Pratt, said their position remains “clear.”
“Our position is clear. We fully condone any acts of inference, hate, racism or intimidation. We stand with our entire community to ensure every student and family is treated equally, respected and protected.”
The chapter’s vice president, Quentin Pullen, also described the issue as “ironic,” noting that it could be a “teachable moment” for the Fayette County Board of Education.
In response to the backlash, Patterson agreed to work with the NAACP for sensitivity and support training for personnel, in the hopes that they will take swift action to ensure these racist acts do not happen in Fayette County schools.
“Moving forward, we are committed to ensuring this does not happen again,” wrote Patterson. “We recognize the need to strengthen the cultural awareness of our employees and gate workers.”
He continued, “To that end, we will be working closely with partners, including the NAACP, to provide training and support so that our staff can respond appropriately in the future. We will also review our student code of conduct to determine appropriate actions to ensure this does not occur again.”
