Tracy McGrady Returns To Adidas Years After Breaking From Sneaker Brand Following 25-Year Relationship
The former Toronto Raptor player will help in bringing back the ABCD (Academic Betterment and Career Development) Camp alongside Sonny Vaccaro.
Three years after former NBA player Tracy McGrady predicted that his 25-year relationship with the German sneaker brand, Adidas, would end, and after it did, he has recently announced that they have reconciled.
In a social media post, the sneaker giant had a simple message to alert basketball and sneaker fans that McGrady is back on the team.
Along with rejoining Adidas, the company will also be bringing back the ABCD (Academic Betterment and Career Development) Camp alongside Sonny Vaccaro. The basketball camp was known for recognizing young basketball talent, particularly in the inner cities throughout the United States. The program ran from 1984-2006.
After splitting in recent years, Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady has signed a new endorsement deal to reunite with Adidas – and both sides are expected to spearhead the revival and new evolution of ABCD Camp alongside Sonny Vaccaro, sources tell ESPN.
During the summer of 2022, McGrady brought to the attention of basketball fans and sneakerheads that he was unhappy with Adidas and that he deserved better from the company, calling their relationship “rocky” and stating that the relationship would be ending.
And it did.
“The treatment that I’ve gotten from them over the last ten years; it is what it is. I deserve better,” he said to Boardroom in July 2022.
Three years and a new deal later, he once again spoke to Boardroom about reconnecting wth the brand.
“Coming back feels like home,” McGrady told the media outlet. “We made history before, now it’s about pushing the next generation to dream even bigger.
BREAKING: T-Mac is back with adidas.
The Hall of Famer and 7x All-Star has rejoined the Three Stripes, reigniting a partnership that helped define basketball culture in the 2000s.
For adidas, the reunion reinforces its commitment to celebrating greatness while shaping the… pic.twitter.com/A6tWbZ8POb
No details have been released on the length of the deal or the amount it is worth.
Throughout his career, Adidas released six signature models for the man known as T-Mac. Although he retired in 2013, he kept re-upping his contract, signing multiple shoe deal extensions with the athletic wear company.
The former player is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after being inducted in 2017.
Data Shows Drop In Black Homeownership Rates, Lowest Level Since 2021
The rate among Black homeowners fell to 43.9% in the second quarter, down from 45.3% a year earlier.
New data from the real estate platform Redfin shows a drop in Black homeownership rates, the lowest level since 2021. The rate among Black homeowners fell to 43.9% in the second quarter, down from 45.3% a year earlier. It’s the most significant year-over-year decline since the third quarter of 2021.
When comparing the numbers, the rate for Hispanic homeownership has increased slightly to 48.8% from 48.5% the previous year. There were slight declines in both the non-Hispanic white homeownership rate (from 74.4% to 74%) and the Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander homeownership rate (from 62.8% to 62.1%).
What’s Driving The Drop In Black Homeownership Rates?
There is a direct correlation between the unemployment rate and homeownership among Black Americans. The Black unemployment rate spiked in 2025, rising to 7.2% as of July 2025, up from 6.3% the previous year. It’s the highest level of unemployment for Black Americans since October 2021.
“Rising unemployment is one likely reason the homeownership rate for Black families has dropped recently,” said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “The recent wave of federal layoffs hit Black households badly because government jobs have historically been an avenue of upward mobility for Black workers.”
Fairweather also notes that the dismantling of DEI programs in workplaces across the private and public sectors is also affecting Black Americans. As a result of eliminating DEI initiatives, companies are hiring or promoting fewer Black employees.
At the same time, unemployment rates for other groups remained relatively steady, with the Hispanic/Latino unemployment rate decreasing to 5% from 5.3%. The white unemployment rate decreased to 3.7% from 3.8%, and the Asian unemployment rate increased to 3.9% from 3.7%.
Mortgage Rates Improving
While there has been some uncertainty among homeowners due to rising home prices, high mortgage rates, and economic uncertainty, there is some hope for homeowners. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has fallen below 6.5% from a peak of over 7% at the start of the year.
“Behind the decline in Black homeownership are families who aren’t building stability and wealth through housing,” said Fairweather. “For Black households who feel locked out of the American dream, the good news is that affordability is improving as mortgage rates come down, home prices are growing at less than half the pace they were a year ago, and buyers have been gaining negotiating power.”
Hopeful homeowners who are not sure if they can afford a home should seek homebuyer assistance programs, as many people may qualify. In Washington State, for example, some programs offer homebuying assistance to those who faced housing discrimination in the early to mid-20th century and their descendants.
Try Again: Judge Blocks Trump’s Attempt To Fire Federal Reserve Board Member Lisa Cook
If Cook is removed from her seat, Trump will have the room to nominate her successor, which would mean a majority of the Fed’s seven governors would be nominated by the controversial Republican leader.
As Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, challenging his attempts to remove her from her post, a federal judge blocked his efforts, citing “a strong showing that her purported removal was done in violation of the Federal Reserve Act’s ‘for cause’ provision,” CNBC reports.
In a preliminary injunction banning the President from terminating Cook, U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb defined what the provision outlined, saying “the best reading” of it is that there needs to be a legal cause related to their “behavior in office” to remove a Fed governor. ″‘For cause’ thus does not contemplate removing an individual purely for conduct that occurred before they began in office,” Cobb, who is a Black woman, wrote.
Cook filed a lawsuit after Trump proposed the idea to have her fired following allegations from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, claiming the first Black female Fed governor engaged in mortgage fraud by signing documents for two properties she owns. Denying any and all wrongdoing, Cook allegedly signed those documents prior to joining the agency.
According to Politico, federal law grants the President of the United States the power to fire members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors “for cause,” correlating to allegations of serious misconduct or malfeasance on the job. Trump used the mortgage fraud claims as cause to fire Cook; however, Cobb, who was appointed to the seat by a former President Joe Biden appointee, labeled the allegation as a weak, unproven claim that cannot justify termination.
Cook’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, released a statement celebrating the block, saying Trump’s attempt would “endanger the stability of our financial system.” “Allowing the President to unlawfully remove Governor Cook on unsubstantiated and vague allegations would endanger the stability of our financial system and undermine the rule of law,” Lowell said.
“Governor Cook will continue to carry out her sworn duties as a Senate-confirmed Board Governor.”
Of course, the White House feels differently, with spokesperson Kush Desai calling his boss’s attempt to have Cook fired “lawful” and pushing it would improve accountability for the Fed. “The President determined there was cause to remove a governor who was credibly accused of lying in financial documents from a highly sensitive position overseeing financial institutions,” Desai said.
“The removal of a governor for cause improves the Federal Reserve Board’s accountability and credibility for both the markets and American people.”
This isn’t the first attack on the Fed or its governing board from the indicted commander-in-chief. After his unsuccessful pressure on the agency and its chair, Jerome Powell, to cut interest rates, Trump once considered firing Powell. With Cook still in place, she will be able to participate in the Fed’s next two-day meeting scheduled to begin Sept. 16, where the bank is expected to cut its overnight borrowing rate.
The final say in the decision is expected to land in the hands of the Supreme Court, marking the first time ever that a sitting president has attempted to fire a Fed governor for purported cause.
If Cook is removed from her seat, Trump will have the room to nominate her successor, which would mean a majority of the Fed’s seven governors would be nominated by the controversial Republican leader. Another part of the agenda for the upcoming meeting is to vote on the nomination of Stephen Miran, the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, to the board to fill the seat of Adriana Kugler, whose August 2025 resignation sent shockwaves.
Jalen Carter Fined $57K For Spitting On Dak Prescott
'Because Carter was disqualified before participating in a single play, the suspension is considered to have been served in Week 1, and he will forfeit his game check.'
Philadelphia Eagles defensive star Jalen Carter has avoided suspension.
The NFL announced that Carter has been fined the equivalent of one game check, $57,222, as punishment for spitting on the jersey of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the opening game of the NFL season.
NFL is fining Eagles DT Jalen Carter $57,222 for spitting on Dak Prescott. The league also says the game he was ejected for will serve as a one-game suspension. “After talking to the Eagles, the NFL and the NFLPA, Jalen has decided not to appeal and focus on the Chiefs game,”… pic.twitter.com/2KjRzgJk3K
Carter was ejected from the Sept. 4 matchup against the NFC East rivals immediately for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Since the action took place before the game’s first snap, the league deemed the ejection to be a one-game suspension since he was thrown out before both teams lined up for a down.
“Because Carter was disqualified before participating in a single play, the suspension is considered to have been served in Week 1, and he will forfeit his game check,” the league wrote in a written statement announcing the penalty. “The NFL Players Association has informed the NFL that Carter will not contest the discipline and has waived his right to appeal.”
Although a video circulated after the game revealed that Prescott initially spat in the direction of Carter, the Cowboys quarterback was not penalized nor blamed for Carter’s ensuing action.
Dak Prescott looked Jalen Carter in the eyes, spit toward his feet, gave him a head nod, smiled and said “yeaaa”.
Let’s not act like Dak is a choir boy lol. In fact, the video of Dak spitting toward Carter and provoking him is probably why JC doesn’t get suspended. pic.twitter.com/6YWKReApxE
Carter did apologize after the game, which the Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champions, won 24-20, in front of the home crowd.
“You know it was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won’t happen again,” Carter said to reporters. “I feel bad for just my teammates and the fans out there. You know, I’m doing it for them. I’m doing it for my family also, but the fans show the most love. You heard them out there and not being able to start the game to finish the game just f**ked me up, but it won’t happen again.”
Judge Dismisses NAACP’s Federal Lawsuit on South Carolina School Curriculum, Restricts Race
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs say South Carolina’s Budget Proviso 1.79 is racially discriminatory and severely restricts teachers and staff from sharing certain information and knowledge about the history and experiences of Black people in South Carolina schools.
A federal judge ruled to dismiss a federal lawsuit filed by the NAACP that challenged what the plaintiffs call a discriminatory censorship law in South Carolina. The NAACP sued the South Carolina Superintendent of Education, Ellen Weaver, and two Midlands school districts over Budget Proviso 1.79 in public schools after state leaders canceled the Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course. The plaintiffs argue the proviso affects how students in grades K-12 are taught about race and slavery.
“The court recognizes that the issues raised are matters of public importance. But because Plaintiffs lack standing, the Constitution leaves their resolution to the democratic process rather than the federal courts,” Judge Sherri A. Lydon said in her filing.
As WISTV reports, Judge Lydon elaborated on her ruling, stating that the removal of the AP African American Studies was not directly associated with the budget proviso, which the plaintiffs alleged in the initial suit and July hearing, but tied to alleged controversy of the course and a planned update to the state’s public school studies standards instead, according to a memo issued by the South Carolina Department of Education.
“There is nothing preventing districts from continuing to offer AP African American Studies as a locally-approved honors course should they choose to do so,” Weaver wrote in a memo announcing that AP African American studies would no longer be offered in South Carolina public schools.
She continued that the state education department, “Maintains its unwavering commitment to teaching the factual historical experience of African Americans to our students.”
Legal Defense Fund Slams Judge’s Ruling
Critics of Budget Proviso 1.79 argue that it imposes widespread restrictions on the teaching of certain topics related to race, racial inequalities, and Black history, heritage, and culture. The proviso prompted a lawsuit filed by a group of South Carolina educators, students, an author, and the NAACP South Carolina State Conference.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs say South Carolina’s Budget Proviso 1.79 is racially discriminatory and severely restricts teachers and staff from sharing certain information and knowledge about the history and experiences of Black people in South Carolina schools. According to the Legal Defense Fund, which represented the plaintiffs, advocates claim that the proviso has also led to the removal of books by Black authors from school libraries.
“The Court’s decision to dismiss this challenge to Budget Proviso 1.79, despite its widespread harms, is deeply disappointing,” said LDF Senior Counsel Charles McLaurin. “Budget Proviso 1.79 continues to present a grave and urgent threat to the state’s K-12 public schools—especially to Black children and teachers who have had their history, heritage, and lived experiences erased from classrooms. Despite this outcome, we will continue to take every avenue necessary to challenge Budget Proviso 1.79 and ensure that South Carolina schools reflect the honest, inclusive education to which students are entitled.”
Unrivaled League’s Valuation Is At $340M After Successful Seed Funding
The Unrivaled league will add three more teams to its line-up after $340 million valuation.
The Unrivaled basketball league just received a large investment from notable entities, including Serena Ventures and Trae Young.
After closing a successful, oversubscribed Series B funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, the organization saw a large investment infusion. Investments from Serena Ventures, Warner Bros. Discovery, Alex Morgan’s Trybe Ventures, Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, and Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young pushed the valuation to $340 million.
In a press release, Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell said, “We’re continuing to align with partners who elevate our league and accelerate our strategic growth. With Bessemer Venture Partners leading this round, Unrivaled is in an unprecedented position for a new sports league.”
Bessemer Vice President Caty Rea added, “We believe Unrivaled is building the next great sports league… What impressed us most is the league’s outstanding business performance — achieving both rapid growth and impressive unit economics in its first year.”
Founded in 2023 by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled is a basketball league that employs current WNBA players in their offseason. The league stands out from the WNBA by paying players six-figure salaries and granting them equity stakes.
League athletes earned around $220,000 in its inaugural season, compared to WNBA averages ranging from $66,000 to $150,000. The 3-on-3 league’s pool of funders averages $8 million, providing players with the opportunity to earn extra income in the U.S. rather than taking their talents to other countries.
“We are really changing the outlook of the ecosystem holistically,” Bazzell said in an interview with SB Nation, “You’re seeing more leagues bumping up their pay because that’s where the space is now. We’re proud to play a part in that growth, of just the economics of these players being paid a lot of money to play basketball. That’s where we want to get to. It’s great to have brand deals, it’s great to have all this off-court stuff, but at the end of the day, we want to be able to pay them high salaries on the court.”
Unrivaled success is measurable. During its concluding inaugural season in March 2025, the league drew 11.9 million total viewers, generated 589 million social media impressions, surpassed seven figures in ticket sales, and secured more than 20 corporate partners, including Samsung Galaxy, TNT Sports, Sephora U.S., Wayfair, Under Armour, and Ally Financial.
The first and now second round of successful funding has opened the door for the league to add two more teams, Breeze BC and Hive BC, a development pool for six players, and a fourth night of games.
The Jason Reynolds/Simon & Schuster Travel Grant Is Accepting Applications
Grant recipients will receive up to $3,000 to put toward expenses associated with attending the American Library Association conference.
The American Library Association (ALA) has opened its application for the 2026 Jason Reynolds / Simon & Schuster Travel Grant.
The ALA grant, named after the children’s author, offers support to Black or African American youth and teen services librarians. Additionally, support is offered to school media specialists, who are part of public or school libraries. Up to five recipients will be awarded a range from $1,500 to $3,000.
The grant covers costs associated with attending the 2026 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago, including travel, hotel, conference registration, and entry to the Coretta Scott King Award Breakfast. Applications are being accepted until Dec. 15, 2025. The five grant recipients will be announced on Feb. 16, 2026. Awardees will also receive recognition during the Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast at the ALA Annual Conference.
Funding for the grant is provided by Simon & Schuster and is administered by the ALA.
In a press release, famed children’s author Reynolds acknowledged the significance of this support for the Black community. He conveyed his gratitude for the chance to give back.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to give back to some of the folks who’ve given so much, not just to me but to our children. I recognize that this conference is more than a good time, but also a necessary tuning fork to ensure our librarians, whether new to the stacks or seasoned veterans, get the encouragement and inspiration necessary to continue to pour into our communities,” Reynolds said.
This is not the ALA’s first time investing in the Black literary community. In 2025, the association provided similar support aimed to enable Black or African American youth and teen services librarians to attend the ALA Conference in Philadelphia. As the ALA continues to support diversity and representation among library professionals, this grant shows a meaningful way to invest in those who will educate future generations. Interested applicants can find more information online via the ALA website.
Italian Journalist Responds To Criticism But Never Assumes Accountability For Excluding Ayo Edebiri From BLM Question
Federica Polidoro focused more on the hate she has received than why she initially slighted the actress.
The Italian journalist who caught backlash for excluding actress Ayo Edebiri from a question about Black Lives Matter pushed back on assertions that her comments were tone-deaf and exclusionary.
During a press interview with Edebiri and her After The Hunt co-stars Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield, Federica Polidoro posed a question directly to the two white actors about social justice movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter.
The moment quickly went viral as Edebiri interjected herself into the response anyway. Social media questioned Polidoro’s intentions with her phrasing of the question, but the journalist’s response focused more on the hate she received from the incident.
“I find it striking that those who unjustly accuse me of racism and consider themselves custodians of justice find acceptable violent language, personal attacks, and cyberbullying,” wrote Polidoro in a formal statement to Instagram.
She added, “I would like to clarify that, rather than focusing on the thoughtful responses of Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield, the discussion continues solely on how I should have phrased the question.”
Polidoro claimed people “unjustly accuse[d]” her of racism. She further deflected by stating the “real racists” are those who took offense to her interaction with Edebiri.
“In my view, the real racists are those who see racism everywhere and seek to muzzle journalism, limiting freedom of analysis, critical thinking, and the plurality of perspectives,” Polidoro.
The defense, unsurprisingly, did not appease critics.
Notably, Polidoro’s statement did not include any apology to Edebiri or her co-stars, all of whom appeared confused and perhaps offended by how she posed the question. However, others also noted how Polidoro’s nationality may have played a role in the slight.
Global anti-racism advocates have long critiqued the Afrophobia found in Italy, particularly within its law enforcement and societal marginalization. According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Afrophobia, a specific form of racism and violence against those of African descent, has been on the rise throughout the continent.
Additionally, these anti-Black sentiments have permeated throughout Italy, which hosts a prominent immigrant community given its coastal location close to Africa. The Council of Europe’s Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) released a 2025 annual report in May that found Italy to be a significant perpetrator of racist incidents and harassment by its police.
As Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and Deputy Minister both lead far-right parties, the elected officials refuted the claims made by the council. However, the refusal to recognize this growing problem could lead to more harm to African Italians, as well as influence how Italians interact with Black people across the Diaspora.
Commenters did not let Polidoro off the hook, especially as her home country continues to struggle with heightened racial prejudice.
“You refuse to address the actual concerns about why you intentionally excluded Ayo Edebiri—a critically acclaimed Black woman actress you had the honor of being in proximity with, let alone interviewing—whom the subjects of the question are most pertinent to,” a commenter said. “This question in particular was not asked with respect or responsibility regarding her, and made your guests visibly uncomfortable…It seems to be apparent to everyone but you how inappropriate and harmful that was.”
Others also called her out for her deflection, including Djarah Khan, an Italian-Ghanaian writer and cultural activist. Khan commented in Italian about how Polidoro’s statement plays into the “provincialism” that stifles the country.
“This text is the manifesto of Italian journalism that cannot save itself from its own provincialism,” wrote Khan. “I’m Italian and I’m very embarrassed by the way [she] developed [her] profession. I’m even more embarrassed by her inability to acknowledge that such criticism could help her be a better journalist.”
Neither Edebiri nor her co-stars have addressed Polidoro’s controversial response.
Texas First Lady Put Worship Leader On Blast In The Name Of Jesus
First Lady Cassandrea Pope was in her feelings because she didn't get a hug!
First Lady Cassandrea Pope of Macedonia Worship Center in Texas is under fire for chastising and firing the church’s worship leader during service.
A TikTok user named Mahogonee posted a video of the Sep. 7 service. In her caption, Mahogonee said she’s been the lead of the praise and worship for two years.
“If you fast forward to the 2:00 mark, you’ll witness me being fired from a church that I led worship at for the past 2 years up until this morning. The way that some ministry leaders treat those who have served under them should really be studied. Let this be an example of how NOT to treat those who have done nothing but serve and help to grow a music ministry.“
The footage shows Pope approaching the pulpit during worship service to rebuke Mahogonee because she did not greet her with a proper hug. She proceeded to turn to Mahogonee, point in her face multiple times and use scripture to justify the public humiliation.
With a raised voice, Pope declared, “The word of God tells us that open rebuke is better than secret love. So we can’t have that up in this house. So if you just want to go ahead and do what you have to do today, we are going to do that. We tried to talk about it, but you didn’t want to talk about it. So I’m just going to expose it and let you know, I know how you feel. Amen. So if you need to, excuse yourself, I’m going to go ahead and permit you to do that on this morning. But if not, you can just go ahead and sing for the Lord. Amen.”
If you fast forward to the 2:00 mark, you’ll witness me being fired from a church that I led worship at for the past 2 years up until this morning. The way that some ministry leaders treat those who serve under them should really be studied. Let this be an example of how NOT to treat those how have done nothing but serve and help to grow a music ministry. Repost and share so someone else going through the same thing doesn’t feel alone ❤️❤️#publichumiliation#spiritualabuse#verbalabuse#churchtiktok#churchhurt
Commenters on the video were appalled to say the least. One commenter said the interaction revealed the impure intentions of the Texas institution.
@Ms. PettyPolly: She thought she was exposing you, but really exposed herself 🤭. She wanted a scene, but you gave her silence 👑🤌🏽. Much respect for walking away with dignity. That’s why many of us stop attending church and keep our praise private, between us and God. Respectfully!
Another respondent attributed Pope’s actions to the work of the devil.
@ApplePie200 wrote,” Hi Mahoganee. What was done on that stage was spiritual abuse at its fullest. Do not let the wrongdoing of others stray you from your path. The Devil will throw sticks, but the house of the Lord is built on solid rock, and it will not fall. Keep your head up, God is watching over you. So sorry you have to deal with this.”
After the humiliation of Mahogonee, Bishop Walter Pope took the pulpit to support the public undressing. Neither the Pastor nor the first lady of Macedonia has responded to the viral video.
Tyler Perry Accuser Breaks Silence To Force ‘Accountability’ From Mogul
Derek Dixon also shared texts that he says Tyler Perry sent him.
The actor suing Tyler Perry for $260 million, claiming sexual assault and harassment, said he is suffering from anxiety and depression due to Perry’s alleged advances.
Derek Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of Perry’s BET series The Oval between 2021 and 2025, sat down with Linsey Davis of ABC News Live on Sept. 9 to recall his complicated relationship with Perry, which allegedly included daily texts and calls and physical gropings that Dixon tried to avoid.
After filing the bombshell lawsuit against the media mogul, Dixon is hoping Perry takes “accountability for what happened” and learns to “not treat your employees this way and to never use someone’s dream to coerce them into a relationship that’s not professional.”
Speaking out for the first time since filing his civil complaint, Dixon said he didn’t “want to stay silent about it anymore” even though “it’s a vulnerable thing to talk about.”
“It’s been hard,” Dixon said. “There’s a lot of shame around it. Just trying to think what you could have done better and having to deal with the judgment of how you could’ve ended it better without being in that situation.”
Dixon was working at an events company when he met Perry in 2019. Perry took an interest in him, encouraging him to pursue acting with the promise of future opportunities. By early 2020, Dixon landed the role “he always dreamed about,” playing Dale The Oval.
In his lawsuit, Dixon claims that while working on the show, Perry began sending him text messages, some of which were sexual. In his interview with Davis, Dixon read aloud several of those texts and explained why he chose to keep the exchanges friendly despite their suggestive nature.
“One of them says, ‘What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex? Have y’all found that in therapy yet? I would hope that you would let someone hold and make love to you,” Dixon said.
“In all these texts, I tried to de-escalate them and make a joke out of them,” he added.
This is shocking! An actor, Derek Dixon, has hit Tyler Perry with a huge lawsuit filled with claims of harassment and sexual assault. pic.twitter.com/uqxZc7HtKd
That changed in January 2020, when Perry invited Dixon to stay at his guest house over after a night of drinks.
“I got into bed and then I noticed that he climbed into bed with me as well and started rubbing my leg,” Dixon said. “I jumped out of bed…he had said, ‘Turn around so I can look at you’ and just comment on how I looked. And then he got up and left. So I thought after that instance, it was pretty clear that I was not interested in that type of a relationship.”
When Dixon’s character was shot at the end of Season 2, he feared, “If I don’t make him happy, I could stay dead on the show.” After filming the scene, Dixon said Perry invited him to his trailer and asked if he was attracted to him. Trying to defuse the moment, Dixon recalls responding that Perry was an “attractive man.”
“That’s when he pushed me up against the wall and grabbed my a** again. I remember leaving his trailer and calling my friend immediately and just feeling sick about it,” Dixon said.
In a separate alleged incident at Perry’s home in June 2021, the mogul made drinks that left them both intoxicated. Later that night, Perry allegedly invited Dixon to try out a weight monitor that required him to undress.
“He reached down and pulled my underwear down and grabbed my a** and I tried to stop him and pull back my underwear up and he grabbed my arms and said, ‘No, no, no, it’s OK, just go with it.’ I said, ‘Stop, I don’t want to be naked,'” Dixon claimed.
After ending his personal and professional relationship with Perry in 2024, as well as losing rights to a script he pitched to Perry that didn’t make it past a pilot shoot, Dixon followed up with an EEOC filing in January before filing his civil lawsuit.
As for the $260 million he’s after, Dixon said “part of that number is my lost job, my lost income, the loss of a show. The other part of that is a deterrent for how do you stop a billionaire who won’t stop themselves from doing this.”
For Dixon, justice would “look like thinking I’ve made a change and that something like this won’t happen to another actor that works for him or another actor in the industry.”
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd said. “Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
