Colorado Police Officers Placed on Paid Leave After Taking Photos Where Elijah McClain Was Choked by Police
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 2, 2020

Colorado Police Officers Placed on Paid Leave After Taking Photos Where Elijah McClain Was Choked by Police

After an investigation was announced to revisit the police killing of 23-year-old Elijah McClain, it’s been reported that the police department in Aurora, Colorado, is now investigating several officers who posed for pictures near the site where McClain was detained by police officers before he died, according to NPR.

Interim Chief of Police Vanessa Wilson issued a written statement about the investigation.

“Thursday afternoon, I was apprised of allegations reported to Internal Affairs by an Aurora Police Officer alleging multiple Aurora Police officers were depicted in photographs near the site where Elijah McClain died. All involved officers were immediately placed on administrative leave with pay in non-enforcement capacities.

“I immediately ordered Internal Affairs to make this investigation their top priority. This accelerated investigation was completed this evening.

“This investigation will be publicly released in its entirety promptly upon its conclusion. This will include reports, photographic evidence obtained, officer’s names, and my final determination which can rise to the level of termination.”

ABC News reports that a joint statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and the Denver division of the FBI said it was aware of the photographs and it was “gathering further information about that incident to determine whether a federal civil rights investigation is warranted.”

Sheneen McClain, Elijah’s mother, said to ABC News, “It’s a bunch of smoke. Aurora Colorado has failed in providing justice to its citizens by allowing corrupt officials and police officers to roam the streets.”

“I am not surprised that these photos are showing up now because the whole department is corrupt. Killers being protected by cowards and cowards being protected by killers. Aurora Colorado’s senior officials should be ashamed of their leadership; it seems like they did a lot of following others to hell!”

Lawmakers Slash $1 Billion From New York Police Dept. and Move Funding to Public Housing and Community Services
by Selena Hill

July 2, 2020

Lawmakers Slash $1 Billion From New York Police Dept. and Move Funding to Public Housing and Community Services

New York City moved to cut $1 billion from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and reallocate millions of dollars to fund public housing and community services. The move comes amid national calls for police reform following the deaths of unarmed black men and women, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, at the hands of police.

City lawmakers passed an $88 billion budget late Tuesday night. According to CBS New York, more than $400 million slashed from the police department will be earmarked for summer youth programs, education, and family and social services. Another $500 million will be shifted toward youth recreation centers while $87 million will be used to expand broadband in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) houses.

As a result, the NYPD’s Police Academy class next month of more than 1,100 recruits has been canceled, saving $85.6 million, reports The New York Daily News. In addition, overtime will be reduced and cops will no longer act as crossing guards, school safety, or perform homeless outreach services. Instead, those duties will be handled by other agencies.

“We found a way to keep our patrol strength consistent and keep people safe, while saving a lot of money and reducing overtime costs,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Shaun Commodore, the tenant association president at the Carver Houses, a public housing development in Spanish Harlem, praised the move. “That is most deserving for all NYCHA developments,” he told PIX 11. He added that he hopes the Carver Houses will receive some of the funding promised to NYCHA. His ultimate dream is to open up a community center. “I would love it. I have so many visions for the money here.”

However, critics say the budget cut does not go far enough. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams says he doesn’t support it because it doesn’t include an NYPD hiring freeze.

“They’re saying that we can’t hire new teachers, we can’t hire new guidance counselors, new social work. We can’t do anything in this city except add on 1,000 police officers. That is the wrong message that we are sending,” Williams said.

Cuts to the police department were announced as protesters continue an ongoing “Occupy City Hall” demonstration. The NYPD, which is the largest force in the US, had a nearly $6 billion budget for the 2020 fiscal year.

“Protesters have not gotten what they want yet and they’re going to continue to fight until they do,” Nina Demeo told CBS New York.

This Woman Is Creating Dolls For Little Girls Of Color With Curly Hair
by Dana Givens

July 2, 2020

This Woman Is Creating Dolls For Little Girls Of Color With Curly Hair

The curly hair revolution has taken over the hair industry.

According to the Healthy Roots Doll website, 65% percent of the world’s population is said to have curly or wavy hair and now there is more of a push to show that in media representation for young children. Toys can impact how children think, act, and perceive others and themselves. For one black woman, her journey in finding self-confidence led to a new business opportunity for little girls with big curls.

Yelitsa Jean-Charles is the founder of Healthy Root Dolls, a company that creates dolls to represent the beauty in diversity for their young girls for color. Jean-Charles says she got the idea after reimagining one of the Disney princesses for a class project while she was in school. “While I was at the Rhode Island School of Design, one of my class assignments was to redesign a fairytale character. I reimagined Rapunzel as a young Black girl with beautiful natural hair to show that we could be princesses too,” said Jean-Charles in an email interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE. 

“After a few of my classmates mentioned my project looked like a doll, I discovered that many of us never had dolls that looked like us growing up. Reflecting on my own experiences growing up, I wanted to do more than paint a doll brown. I wanted to design a doll with hair girls could wash and style so they could learn to love their natural hair. I created Healthy Roots Dolls because no one should feel less than because of the kink of their curl or color of their skin.”

Zoe is the name of Jean-Charles’ first doll to be released. She hopes the doll can help other girls feel confident about their curls. In her TED Talk, she talks about the value of children and young adults seeing representation of themselves across media, hoping her dolls will leave a positive impact. “Zoe is the first and only doll with hair full of curl power that can be washed and styled with products like real hair. Healthy Roots Dolls provides an educational experience around hair play teaching kids how to care for their own hair by practicing on Zoe’s,” she explained.

“Providing children with dolls that represent the diversity of the world can help children to celebrate our differences. It also helps parent’s unpack the issues that we have in our culture about race and identity by exposing them to the people they will interact with in the world. I’m so happy that Healthy Roots Dolls is playing a role in conversations about diversity and equity.”

The Zoe doll is available for pre-order now through their website with orders expected to shipped by September.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 2, 2020

Steve Harvey’s Former Business Manager Rushion McDonald Shares Keys to Entrepreneurial Success

Sometimes things don’t work out the way you anticipate, but that doesn’t mean that you failed. In some cases, being veered away from your original plan can actually put you in a better position. That was the case for Rushion McDonald.

As McDonald is still proving, nothing can stop a person when ambition and work ethic is by your side. Mix that with great business sense and you have no choice but to end up with success. The busy entrepreneur took time to speak to BLACK ENTERPRISE about how his work ethic and drive have led him to be in a position to change in ways that keep him relevant.


You have a program entitled Money Making Conversations with Rushion McDonald, what is the premise of the show and why did you decide to be in front of the camera?

I started my career as a stand-up comedian. Showtime named me one of the top 50 funniest people in America three years in a row. But I’ve always enjoyed writing and producing, which led me to manage Steve Harvey from 2000-2016. That period did not provide me an opportunity to be in from of the camera. My job titles were writer, producer, and manager. I co-created and executive produced the Steve Harvey Morning Radio Show, created and executive produced the Hoodie Awards/Neighborhood from 2001-2016. I consulted and relaunched the syndicated Family Feud series with Steve Harvey as the host, marketed and branded three consecutive No. 1 New York Times best-sellers. Executive produced two blockbuster movies, Think Like A Man and Think Like A Man Too, and launched and executive produced the Steve Harvey daytime talk show from 2012-2016. So, when I stopped managing Steve Harvey, I realized I did not have a brand, except as his manager and needed a platform to build my legacy, so I launched Money Making Conversations in 2017.

I am using my relationships to provide the consumer and business owner access to celebrities, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and influencers. I want to stop people from tripping over small challenges and prepare them to rise above the more significant obstacles that they will face in life. The Money Making Conversations interviews provide relatable information to the listener about career and financial planning, entrepreneurship, motivation, leadership, overcoming the odds, and how to live a balanced life.

What do you think are the most important characteristics and/or attributes to become a successful entrepreneur and what is/was yours that helped you succeed?

I firmly believe that a person’s level of success is based on work ethic. Consistency, eliminating harmful habits, staying focused, and multitasking effectively is some of the lessons I share on my podcast. Most of all, you must set your high standards, not simply let other people set standards for you. Mentors are important because you should not seek advice from people who cannot understand or relate to your dreams, business, or career aspirations.

How do you balance your workload?

I understand the value of multitasking and preparation. There are 24 hours in a clock, and you have to learn to take advantage of each hour. You cannot be afraid to take time off because you are scared that you might miss an opportunity. You can never be afraid of change or missed opportunity. And don’t allow lack of experience to stop you from reaching your dreams either. That is why it is important to have mentors in your life. Surround yourself with smart people who you can trust, and maintain a leadership balance in your business that does not undermine your authority. As I often say: “Hope is not a plan; a written plan is a plan.”

What can we expect from you in the near future?

I am a business manager to Stephen A. Smith; we are executive producing and developing television projects. I am producing and marketing the 2020 HBCU Week platform in Wilmington, Delaware. Last year, nearly $4 million was awarded to incoming HBCU students. I am developing another HBCU platform that recognizes the positive impact of HBCUs, institutions: churches, barbershops, and beauty salons, and influencers on the African American culture in business, entertainment, and education. I am buying an office building in Atlanta to create and produce shows under my 3815 Media company.

What type of advice would you give to anyone who is pursuing a career in the entertainment industry and wants to become an entrepreneur? 

When pursuing a career in entertainment or entrepreneurship, always be prepared for change. Regardless of age or stage in your success, don’t let the changes in life that are happening around you become a shock to your career. Always keep evolving, keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zones, and keep surprises at a minimum, “Always stay ahead of Ignorance.”

by Dana Givens

July 2, 2020

New Chicago Mobile Drive-In Movie Theater Provides Safe Summer Fun

Due to the spread of COVID-19 and the resultant social distancing restrictions, many are having trouble adjusting to a summer without traditional activities. With restaurants still in the early stages of reopening and large-scale events shut down for the foreseeable future, it seems like most of our summer plans are canceled.

But two Chicago-based entrepreneurs have decided to use the coronavirus as an opportunity to make an old-time staple relevant again.

Percy Scott and Rita Lee are the creators of PR Pop-Ups, a mobile drive-in operation that provides a fun family outing option during the new normal.

“We came together to start PR Pop-Ups because of COVID-19. When it hit, we were looking for things to be out-of-the-box, different, and had to change the way we do business,” said Scott in an interview with Chicago Defender. “With our marketing company [Global 360 Marketing], people stopped doing concerts and having concerts because they could not get anymore due to COVID. We were talking, and Rita came up with the idea to do a drive-in.”

“We wanted to do PR Pop-Ups to give the communities of the south suburbs and people of our culture some normalcy during the time of panic,” Lee added. “When McHenry [drive-in] opened, we thought we would be the balancer in distance and an opportunity for the families to do some nostalgia and come together. Everybody is saying stay home, but we need each other to heal from all viruses.”

Currently, the drive-in operates in the Chicago suburbs with plans to spread across the area. “A lot of times, the south suburbs [of Chicago] are the first to get hit the hardest and the last to receive any help. We wanted to make sure that we did it here in the south suburbs first,” said Scott.

“We did our first drive-in pop-up in Harvey, on Mother’s Day weekend and SOLD OUT. We were right here in Harvey hosting another drive-in while all the looting and rioting was going on in Chicago and suburbs. Here, at PR Pop-ups in Harvey, we had no clue what was going on outside of our environment for that moment. It was like the United Nations here–everybody loving, laughing, enjoying a wonderful experience even amid apparent turmoil around us.”

White Hampton Inn Employee Fired After Calling Police on Black Family Using Swimming Pool
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 2, 2020

White Hampton Inn Employee Fired After Calling Police on Black Family Using Swimming Pool

A white woman who was an employee at a Williamston hotel in North Carolina has been fired after she called police on a Black woman and her children who were guests swimming in the hotel pool, according to USA Today.

A Black woman, Anita Williams-Wright, who was with her children at a Hampton Inn in Williamston, North Carolina, was at the hotel swimming pool when a white employee and two white police officers approached her asking if she belonged there. Williams-Wright started a Facebook Live as she showed the interaction she was having with them.

She also placed the video on her Instagram page.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Anita Williams-wright (@anitawilliamswright) on

The woman’s job was terminated by Hampton Inn. A statement was placed on the Hampton by Hilton Facebook page.

“Hampton by Hilton has zero tolerance for racism or discrimination of any kind. On Saturday, we were alerted to an online video of a guest incident at one of our franchise properties. We moved quickly to identify the hotel and the guest, so that we could make contact and review the matter.

Even as we communicated our expectations to the ownership and management of the Williamston property on Sunday, we learned that the team member is no longer employed at the hotel. We have apologized directly to the guest and her family for their experience, and will work with them and the hotel to make this right. We remain in contact with the hotel’s ownership about follow up actions, and to ensure that in the future, their employees reflect the best values of our brand and are welcoming of all.”

“The Williamston Police Department takes the complaint process very seriously and has initiated an internal investigation surrounding our response to this call for service,” the department said in a written statement to ABC News. “Our office will conduct a thorough and complete internal investigation. We appreciate the public’s concern and efforts to make us aware of this incident.”

Trump Calls Planned Black Lives Matter Mural Outside Trump Tower “A Symbol Of Hate”
by Derek Major

July 2, 2020

Trump Calls Planned Black Lives Matter Mural Outside Trump Tower “A Symbol Of Hate”

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that a Black Lives Matter mural that will go in front of Trump Tower is “a symbol of hate.”

According to Forbes, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last Thursday the phrase “Black Lives Matter” would be painted in large yellow letters on Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th Streets in Manhattan, which is right in front of Trump Tower.

Trump reacted to the news on Twitter Wednesday and on New York City cutting $1 billion from the city’s police department budget.

“NYC is cutting Police $’s by ONE BILLION DOLLARS, and yet the @NYCMayor is going to paint a big, expensive, yellow Black Lives Matter sign on Fifth Avenue, denigrating this luxury Avenue,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Trump also suggested the New York Police Department could prevent the mural.

“Maybe our GREAT Police, who have been neutralized and scorned by a mayor who hates & disrespects them, won’t let this symbol of hate be affixed to New York’s greatest street. Spend this money fighting crime instead!” Trump tweeted.

Julia Arredondo, a spokeswoman for De Blasio, told the New York Times Thursday this is a moment Trump cannot hide from.

“The president is a disgrace to the values we cherish in New York City,” Arredondo told the Times. “He can’t run or deny the reality we are facing, and anytime he wants to set foot in the place he claims is his hometown, he should be reminded that Black lives matter.”

Despite a poll showing 95% of Americans are in favor of some kind of police reform and growing disapproval of Trump’s handling of the nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd, the president has refused to change his stance on police brutality, the protests, or the taking down of Confederate statues.

“We have to remember the heritage and the culture of our country,” Trump said on Fox News Sunday. “I see what’s happening on television, and they are ripping down things. They have no idea what they are ripping down, but they started off with the Confederates and now go to Ulysses Grant. So what is that all about?”

De Blasio is facing his own heat in the city that never sleeps. Last month, a group of more than 200 former and current de Blasio staff members signed a letter slamming the mayor’s handling of the Black Lives Matter protests and for not following through on promises he made when he was running for mayor.

Kansas City Mayor Called N-Word, Told He “Should Swing From A Tree”
by Derek Major

July 1, 2020

Kansas City Mayor Called N-Word, Told He “Should Swing From A Tree”

On Monday, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas displayed a series of racist text messages he received on his Twitter.

According to NBC News, Lucas, an African American man who was elected last year, tweeted screenshots of messages a constituent sent him over his citywide mask requirement. In the one-sided exchange, the messenger called the Kansas City mayor the N-word and said he’d love to see Lucas “swing from a tree.”

“I’m not threatening it, but I would love to see it,” the messenger added.


Lucas told NBC the messages are ” a sad reflection of where some people are in our country” on Tuesday.

Last Friday, Lucas required city residents to wear face masks in addition to six feet of social distancing if possible. The rule went into effect Monday. Kansas City, like a lot of Midwestern areas, saw very few cases in the pandemic’s first weeks.

By April, it was being reported that half of new cases in Kansas City were African American residents. In Johnson County, 13% of the people testing positive are Black, while only about 5% of the population is Black, according to local health officials. In Wyandotte County, the coronavirus ravaged predominantly Black church congregations causing many to be hospitalized.

The state of Missouri currently has more than 22,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 1,000 deaths.

“What the hell does someone having a mask policy have to do with dropping N-bombs and talking about people hanging from a tree?” the Kansas City mayor asked. Lucas added that he is frustrated by “how vitriolic the politics of masks” have become.

The Kansas City Police Department told NBC it is not investigating the incident because no police report was made. However, a representative for Lucas said a welfare check was conducted at the home of the person who sent the messages.

 

Walmart Will Stop Selling “All Lives Matter” Merchandise In Its Stores
by Dana Givens

July 1, 2020

Walmart Will Stop Selling “All Lives Matter” Merchandise In Its Stores

The protests over the deaths of several Black people killed by police officers — including Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd — has pressured numerous corporations around the country to take action.

Earlier this month, Starbucks faced heavy scrutiny after an employee accused the company of denying his right to wear Black Lives Matter merchandise while at work. This week, Walmart announced that it will stop the sale of “All Lives Matter” merchandise from its online store and Canadian online storefront in addition to indefinitely removing all items sold through third-party sellers. The move comes in response to several employees and customers on social media expressing their concern behind the meaning of the merchandise.

“Not only does @Walmart systematically destroy small businesses and small town economies, but they also sell “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” merchandise on their website. They’re truly one of the largest cancers in the US,” said one user on Twitter. 

“We fundamentally believe all lives do matter and every individual deserves respect,” Walmart said in a statement to USA TODAY. “However, as we listened, we came to understand that the way some, but not all, people are using the phrase ‘All Lives Matter’ in the current environment intentionally minimized the focus on the painful reality of racial inequity.”

Despite the gesture, the store “will continue to sell other variations, including ‘Blue Lives Matter,’” a spokesperson for the company told NJ Advance Media. 

According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution,  Walmart Canada says that it “stand[s] against any form of racism or discrimination. We promote listening, seeking to understand, and embracing individual differences. Today, our third-party marketplace has a number of items with variations on the phrase ‘lives matter.’ We will continue to review those items to ensure compliance with our terms and conditions.”

Previously, Walmart said it would no longer display the Mississippi state flag, which features the Confederate emblem, in its stores after the state legislature voted to remove the symbol.

Obama and Biden Called George Floyd’s Family Offering Condolences and Support
by Derek Major

July 1, 2020

Obama and Biden Called George Floyd’s Family Offering Condolences and Support

Former President Barack Obama called Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, and offered his support and condolences shortly before Floyd’s memorial service.

According to The New York Times, former Vice President Joe Biden also called Floyd’s brother, who asked the Democratic nominee for the 2020 Presidential Election for “justice.”

“I never had to beg a man before, but I asked [Biden] could he please, please get justice for my brother, please,” Philonise told the Times about their conversation. “Because I need it, I just don’t want to see him on a shirt like those other guys. Nobody deserves that.”

The discussion Philonise had with Obama and Biden were significantly different from the one he had with Trump.

“It was so fast. He didn’t give me the opportunity to even speak. It was hard,” Philonise told the Times about the call. “I was trying to talk to him, but he just kept like pushing me off like ‘I don’t want to hear what you’re talking about.’ I just told him I want justice. I said that I can’t believe that they committed a modern-day lynching in broad daylight.”

“I can’t stand for that, that hurt me. I just don’t understand, man. Why we have to go through this? Why we gotta have all this pain, man? I love my brother. I’m never going to see him again,” Philonise added.

Obama has been forced to come into the  spotlight recently due to the turmoil Americans are facing in 2020. Since the coronavirus pandemic hit U.S. shores, which Trump called a Democratic hoax in February, Obama has given public comments on the pandemic, addressed HBCU and high school graduates in a virtual commencement speech, and discussed the death of George Floyd.

Many have seen Obama’s presence as a calming one during turbulent times. A poll in April showed the majority of Americans would rather have Obama handle the coronavirus response.

The Times story also mentions Obama wanted to leave the political spectrum entirely after his eight years as president. However, he has been drawn back in by Trump’s intent to destroy his legacy and the progress the country has made during his term.

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