TORY, LANEZ, mugshot, Megan, prison

Petition To Extend Tory Lanez’s Incarceration Launched Amid Dubious Hearsay Evidence

Over 8 thousand people believe Tory Lanez is right where he belongs.


A Change.org petition erected by Jahad Carter, titled “Add Ten More Years to Tory Lanez’s Sentence and Deport Him After,” has amassed more than 8,600 signatures as of May 21.

The petition responds to Lanez’s 10-year prison sentence for the 2020 shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion and calls for both an extension of his sentence and his deportation to Canada upon release. Petitioners argue that Lanez must be held fully accountable and assert that doing so is vital to the protection and respect of Black women.

Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, was convicted in December 2022 on three felony charges related to the incident and sentenced in August 2023. He is currently serving his term at California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. As a non-citizen with a felony conviction, Lanez is subject to deportation following the completion of his prison sentence under U.S. immigration law.

The petition also appears to be a direct response to online speculation fueled by reports of new claims in the case. These include allegations that an unnamed former bodyguard of Megan’s ex-best friend, Kelsey Harris, confessed to witnessing Harris fire the weapon. Lanez’s attorney, Walter Roberts, has reinforced those claims.

“[Harris] fired at [Megan] three times. Mr. Peterson grabbed her arm and knocked it down, and the gun fired two more times. In essence, Mr. Peterson never shot anybody. Never even touched them. He never fired the gun. This statement aligns with the statement of the only non-party witness to the case, Mr. Sean Kelly, who, at trial, testified he saw two women fighting.”

Despite the claims, the so-called new evidence has not been submitted to any court and remains legally classified as hearsay. Alex Spiro, Meghan Thee Stallion’s attorney, spoke out about the judicial process. Spiro gave a statement to XXL Magazine, reiterating that Lanez received a fair trial and is responsible for the act of violence for which he was convicted.

“Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers, and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system. This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law,” the New York attorney’s statement read.

Nevertheless, some supporters have taken the information at face value, using it to call for Lanez’s release. Conversely, the petition’s growing support suggests that many in the public remain ambivalent towards these developments and continue to demand accountability.

RELATED CONTENT: Megan Thee Stallion Unveils Size-Inclusive Swim Line At Walmart For Hot Girl Summer

tree, North Carolina, Fort Branch Museum,

Confederate Concave Comes Crashing Down Under The Weight Of A Fallen Tree

The Fort Branch confederate civil war museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of losers.


A massive tree collapsed onto the Fort Branch Museum in Oak City, North Carolina, causing severe structural damage and rendering the building a total loss, the NC Beat reported.

The Historical Fort Branch Society announced the move on its Facebook page on May 19. The Confederate Civil War site has since relocated its artifacts to a secure location. Museum management delayed publicizing the incident until all of its memorabilia was safely moved to another location to prevent potential theft. 

“Initially, we delayed letting everyone know so that the artifacts could be moved and secured at a new location to avoid any theft,” the museum officials stated.

Although the paraphernalia of the Civil War losers was insured, officials say the coverage is insufficient to cover the costs of reconstruction. 

“We are devastated,” Historical Fort Branch said. “Please consider donating to help Fort Branch replace our museum and keep it available for future generations.”

The Fort Branch Historical Society is now seeking public donations to help rebuild the museum. Though the Confederacy monuments and memorabilia represent a dark time for America, the society believes it is important to preserve the history of failure for future generations.

The incident has garnered many reactions on social media. While some mourn the inability to celebrate the history of sedition and slavers’ rights, others express joy. As the event was revealed shortly after the conflagration of one of Louisiana’s largest plantations, Black people are having a time on social media. 

“Nottoway plantation & a confederate museum both destroyed within days of one another, along with 3 Republicans passing out & hitting the hardwood…, this is divine intervention,” An X user wrote.

https://twitter.com/DFiosa/status/1924973712853352463

Many social media users found the event amusing, opting to forgo words and express their mirth using popular memes. 

One post used an Issa Rae scene from HBO’s hit series, Insecure. 

https://twitter.com/gigilajan/status/1924891674901094652

While pondering “Who’s next” on the ancestors’ avenging list, one user expressed his joy with a clip from the kids’ show Hip Hop Harry.

Some pointed out that honoring the actions of the confederacy is questionable, with a personal anecdote. 

“My grandma’s favorite thing to say was ‘they lost the war. they are honoring being losers, I don’t get it.'”

https://twitter.com/theSheenaB_P/status/1924918006309605810

Another user professed, “I love trees!” using Beyonce’s reaction to winning her first Album of the Year Grammy Award.

https://twitter.com/dramatcpisces/status/1924896303198195899

Another post reached outside the U.S. and hoped that the destruction of hateful monuments, memorabilia, and artifacts is heaped upon the British.

The Fort Branch Historical Society is now seeking public donations to aid in rebuilding the museum.

RELATED CONTENT: Over 2,000 Confederate Symbols Remain Standing Nationwide

AI, artificial intelligence, trends, A.I., journey, technology, DryMerge, AI, job interview

The Chicago Sun-Times’ Fake Summer Reading List Exposed; Writer Admits to Using AI

The outlet claims to work was not compiled by any on-staff Chicago Sun Times employees.


The Chicago Sun-Times is facing sharp criticism after it published a summer reading list in its May 18 “Best of Summer” print supplement that included entirely fictitious book titles attributed to real-life authors.

The list featured fabricated works like Tidewater Dreams by Isabel Allende and The Last Algorithm by Andy Weir, titles made up by artificial intelligence. The booklist entries were not verified by editorial staff and presented to readers as real recommendations.

The blunder was first flagged by author Rachael King, who took to social media to sound the alarm.

“The Chicago Sun-Times obviously gets ChatGPT to write a ‘summer reads’ feature almost entirely made up of real authors but completely fake books. What are we coming to?” she wrote.

The newspaper admitted fault, stating that freelance contributor Marco Buscaglia had assembled the list using an AI tool without proper verification.

“Stupidly, and 100% on me, I just kind of republished this list that [an AI program] spit out,” Buscaglia said in an interview with 404 Media. “Usually, it’s something I wouldn’t do… I definitely failed in that task.” He added that he was “embarrassed” by the lapse in editorial standards.

The Sun-Times distanced itself from the error, clarifying that the content originated from a syndicated partner, not its newsroom.

In a public statement, the publication said, “We are looking into how this made it into print as we speak. It is not editorial content and was not created by, or approved by, the Sun-Times newsroom. We value your trust in our reporting and take this very seriously.”

But the damage is done, and it isn’t the first instance of AI-generated misinformation slipping into the media.

In 2023, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that Sports Illustrated published product review articles penned under fake bylines with AI-generated profile photos. A third-party vendor, AdVon Commerce, supplied the stories. The fallout was swift. The Arena Group, publisher of Sports Illustrated, cut ties with AdVon and removed the AI content. The magazine’s CEO was later ousted, and the editorial union said it was “horrified.”

RELATED CONTENT: North Carolina Central University Launches 1st Of Its Kind Artificial Intelligence Institute

American Airlines, kidnapping, travel, travelers, airline

US Black Travelers Now Represent A $145B Market

Black travelers contribute nearly $150 billion to the travel industry, emphasizing the importance of targeting this market.


Businesses in the travel and entertainment industries are being urged to engage the growing spending power of Black travelers.

New research from MMGY Travel Intelligence, presented in collaboration with the Black Travel Alliance and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals, revealed that Black tourists are contributing $145 billion to the sector, highlighting the value of attracting a more diverse customer base, Travel Age West reported.

Black leisure travelers have been making a major impact in the travel market in recent years, contributing $145 billion in 2023, with spending projected to average $2,992 per trip in 2025, including $1,300 per person.

“The data shown in these reports speaks to the significance of Black travelers,” said Martinique Lewis, president of the Black Travel Alliance. “It is also a wake-up call to many destinations that are considering adapting their current engagement strategy.”

Notably, 76% of Black travelers plan to vacation within the U.S. in 2025. Among them, 79% say that feeling safe and welcomed is a top priority when choosing a destination. Destinations that celebrate Black culture, support Black-owned businesses, and offer rich cultural experiences rank highest among Black travelers’ preferred places to visit.

The selections differ by generation, with Black millennials tending to choose travel destinations that celebrate Black culture and uplift Black-owned businesses, while Gen Z and Boomer travelers prioritize affordability when making booking decisions.

“Once again, the data is clear: Black people do travel, and our buying power does impact communities,” said Jason Dunn, CEO of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals. “This should no longer be a question, but a fact, and a speaking point in all boardrooms, particularly in this climate of indecisiveness.”

Black travelers often rely on recommendations from friends and family when choosing destinations, with 46% also belonging to Black travel groups. They’re also prioritizing quality, with 87% saying they’re willing to pay extra for premium upgrades like better hotel stays or preferred airline seating.

The findings underscore the significant spending power of Black travelers and their focus on safety and comfort when selecting destinations. As leisure travel becomes more closely tied to overall wellness, many are opting to spend more for a better experience. For businesses in travel and entertainment, this presents a major opportunity to tap into the growing value of the Black travel market.

“Creating memories, relaxing and exploring new destinations while feeling safe are paramount for today’s Black travelers,” said Simon Moriarty, vice president of research and analytics for MMGY Travel Intelligence.

“By offering actionable insights, these studies empower travel businesses to develop tailored strategies and solutions that resonate with the needs of each audience, driving both personalization and profitability.”

RELATED CONTENT: TSA Bans These 7  Items From Checked Baggage

Trump, Kamala, Debate

How Trump’s SBA Diverged From Harris’ Vision ForBlack Entrepreneurs

Industry experts wonder if the SBA changes are really about safer lending or just a massive attempt to scrub away anything that Joe Biden worked on.


Deals from the Small Business Administration (SBA) secured by Black-owned businesses are being terminated as new rules from the Trump administration are making it harder for them to maintain, Forbes reports. 

To make SBA-backed loans safer for the government, some of the new rules, effective June 1, are stricter than they were during President Donald Trump’s first term. One new rule requires any business receiving an SBA loan to be 100% –up from 51% — owned by U.S. citizens, who must be permanent residents for at least six months. 

The agency announced “SBA Eliminates Disastrous Biden-Era Underwriting Standards,” labeling an “era of irresponsible lending.” Business owners can expect tighter credit checks, tougher requirements on down payments, and less room to move around debt service coverage ratios. 

Some rules affect SBA’s popular 7(a) and 504 loan programs, offering government-backed financing for small businesses. The 7(a) program permits loans of up to $5 million for general business needs such as working capital, equipment, or purchasing a company. The 504 program also goes up to $5 million and is geared toward fixed assets like real estate or large machinery. Standing on its plan, Trump’s SBA claims the 7(a) program resulted in a “negative cash flow of about $397 million” in 2024, its first loss in 13 years.

The move greatly differs from what was expected if former Vice President Kamala Harris secured the Oval Office. On the campaign trail, she promised to make things easier for Black business owners to thrive with the “Opportunity Agenda.” According to CNBC, Harris wanted to work with the SBA to give Black entrepreneurs one million fully forgivable loans of up to $20,000 to start a business. 

Her campaign planned to finance them through partnerships with “mission-driven lenders,” the SBA, and community-based banks. 

However, since Trump is here, industry experts like Eric Pacifici of SMB Law Group, which advises small businesses, wonder if the SBA changes are really about safer lending or just a massive attempt to scrub away anything that will remind business owners of an easier time, spearheaded by former President Joe Biden. It’s one-part signaling a return to tighter underwriting, but also reads as a somewhat political reset rather than a coherent policy shift,’’ the founder said.

Regardless, Pacifici feels the changes will be risky for the SBA, as stricter lending standards and rules could squash good deals. Instead of increasing the economic status of business owners who may support Trump, his administration is hurting them with unnecessary moves.

RELATED CONTENT: SBA Extends Lending Licenses To More Nondepository Financial Institutions To Allow More Federally Backed Loans

Renel Brooks-Moon

San Francisco Giants Honor Renel Brooks-Moon With PA Booth Dedication

Renel Brooks-Moon received a quiet PA booth dedication after nearly 25 years with the San Francisco Giants.


After nearly 25 years with the team, Renel Brooks-Moon, the San Francisco Giants’ first public address announcer, was quietly honored with a booth dedication.

The newly named Renel Brooks-Moon PA booth now features a plaque honoring her 24 trailblazing years with the San Francisco Giants, The San Francisco Standard reports. The dedication came without a formal announcement or ceremony, and Brooks-Moon chose not to comment publicly on the tribute.

“It was the important thing and the right thing that we honored her,” said Shana Daum, the Giants’ senior vice president of communications and community relations. “Her legacy lives on in many ways, including naming the PA booth.”

The honor comes a year after the Giants parted ways with the beloved Brooks-Moon in March 2024, initially promising to rename the booth during the first half of the season. After delays, the dedication quietly took place in time for the Giants’ April 4 home opener, though it only came to light recently.

Brooks-Moon was given the title of PA announcer emeritus but was excluded from speaking roles at major events like the celebrations of life for Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda. She’s also skipped other ceremonies due to feeling unwelcome. A friend announced how tough it was for Brooks-Moon to miss this year’s home opener, which honored the 25th anniversary of the San Francisco Giants’ 2000 team.

“I recorded every player, every coach,” Brooks-Moon said then. “It was just bananas. But it was so much fun. I didn’t realize how much I really needed this after I lost what I loved the most.”

The plaque in her dedicated booth celebrates Brooks-Moon as “one of the first Black female public address announcers in Major League Baseball. Thus began an iconic 24-year career that left an indelible mark on Giants history.”

There’s also a quote underscoring Brooks-Moon’s commitment to inspiring marginalized communities to keep pursuing their dreams.

“It is my great hope that my time in the booth has inspired little girls, young women, and people of color to pursue their dreams even if those dreams seem impossible because impossible dreams can come true,” it reads.

RELATED CONTENT: City Approves $700 A Month Sleeping Pods in San Francisco

Florida Woman, Arrested , Child Neglect, Alleged Abuse, Girlfriend's Son

Urban Adventure Photographer Isaac Wright Arrested At NYC Solo Show Debut

Isaac Wright's solo gallery debut was cut short when the NYPD arrived to arrest him.


Urban explorer photographer Isaac Wright had his solo show debut cut short due to an arrest. One onlooker said, “makes people hate the police even more.”

Just two hours into Wright’s solo debut, “Coming Home,” at the Robert Mann Gallery in New York City’s Chelsea area on May 14, four NYPD officers came in to arrest him, Art News reported. The following day, a police spokesperson confirmed that Wright, the former paratrooper known as “Drift,” was released from custody and charged with third-degree criminal trespassing, a class B misdemeanor under New York State law.

“The opening night was a huge success, drawing tremendous interest and energy from the public,” Robert Mann, the founder of Robert Mann Gallery, said in a statement. “While it was marked by unexpected events, we remain committed to celebrating Isaac’s vision and invite everyone to experience the exhibition first-hand. As history has shown, the art that challenges and confronts is often the art that changes how we see the world.”

Eyewitnesses who attended the opening spotted a suspicious woman “lurking” in the gallery before Wright’s arrest. It was later revealed she was an undercover agent waiting to notify police of the photographer’s presence.

“People were talking about it later like it was a honeypot,” Edward Zipco, cofounder of Superchief Gallery NYC & LA, told NFT News. “Apparently, she was undercover. After about half an hour, she signaled to the police.”

Fellow urban explorer Vitaliy Raskalov attended the opening and said he had “never seen anything like it before.”

“The cops could’ve called him, or gone to his house,” he said. “To arrest the guy at his own exhibition, in front of cameras and everyone, it just makes people hate the police even more.”

Wright is famous for scaling fences and skyscrapers to capture high-altitude photos, including his famed shot from atop New York’s Queensboro Bridge. His recent arrest at the art show isn’t his first, as he was jailed for four months in December 2020 after illegally climbing three structures in Cincinnati.

Police searched across multiple states and even closed a highway to arrest him. Yet, in hindsight, Wright describes his time in jail as a surprisingly freeing experience. Following his 2021 prison release, his artwork began fetching thousands of dollars amid the NFT boom.

“Being locked up turned out to be a gift,” he recently told The New York Times. “It was motivating. I couldn’t understand the freedom I was trying to express until I lost it all and was forced to fight for it.”

RELATED CONTENT: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographer Celebrates Black Cowboy Culture With New Book

Allen Iverson

Larry Brown Claims Michael Jordan Blocked Allen Iverson From Signing With The Charlotte Bobcats

MJ felt that bringing 'The Answer' would 'prohibit our progress' as a team.


When Michael Jordan was a minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats many years ago, coach Larry Brown (2008-2010) wanted to bring Allen Iverson to the team, but Jordan nixed the idea, citing it would “prohibit our progress” as a team.

According to The Basketball Network, in a video interview from 2017, Brown, who started as an NBA coach (Denver Nuggets) in 1974 and retired as an NBA coach after his stint with the Bobcats in 2010, told Graham Bensinger that, at one time, he tried to bring the explosive guard to the team. Jordan, while trying to build a championship squad, liked Iverson’s game and may have felt like he would impede the progress he was trying to make with his young players.

Brown, who previously coached and clashed with Iverson, knew firsthand of Iverson’s ability but figured Jordan was right.

“I wanted to bring him to Charlotte,” Brown told Bensinger. “And Michael admired Allen, and Allen loved Michael. But Michael said, ‘Larry, if we bring him back, you’re gonna play him ahead of some of these young kids, and that’s gonna prohibit our progress.’ And he was right.”

Now, years later, and an NBA Hall of Famer, Iverson is making moves as an executive at Reebok. His current title as Vice President of Reebok Basketball has led him to spearhead a golf-inspired version of his iconic basketball sneaker, the Question Low Golf.

Starting June 4, you can catch him and Shaquille O’Neal, President of Reebok Basketball, in a Netflix series that documents the two of them working to bring Reebok to the top of the sneaker brands again. The project is titled Power Moves with Shaquille O’Neal, and will focus on the former Orlando Magic center making executive decisions to bring back the brand that sponsored him and Iverson during the heydays of their respective NBA careers.

RELATED CONTENT: Spike Lee Reveals Allen Iverson And Kobe Bryant Were His Initial Picks To Star In ‘He Got Game’

Notorious BIG, Touré, Notorious B.I.G., Netflix, Sean Combs: The Reckoning

5 Notorious B.I.G. Quotes That Show His Hustle For Wealth And Success 

Christopher Wallace was a lyrical boss.


No one captured the contrast between street life and corporate ambition quite like Christopher Wallace, aka The Notorious B.I.G. He was a lyrical genius who seamlessly connected the hustle of Brooklyn corners with the mindset of Wall Street boardrooms. His words aren’t just catchy rhymes delivered with an excellent flow, they were business manifestos wrapped in gritty storytelling.

BLACK ENTERPRISE dug through BIG’s catalog and came out with five standout quotes that showcase his brilliant perspective on getting money, building wealth, and embodying a boss mentality. What’s crazy is how relevant his financial insights still are today, even though he’s been gone for almost three decades.

Stay far from timid/Only make moves when your heart’s in it/And live the phrase “sky’s the limit.”

From the 1997 song “Sky’s the Limit.” This quote inspires the hustlers and dreamers, telling us to take calculated risks and believe in yourself while on that journey to making it. It’s a rallying call for anyone with huge ambitions to chase them.

Now I’m in the limelight ‘cause I rhyme tight/Time to get paid, blow up … 

This quote comes from the 1994 song “Juicy.” From the streets to the spotlight, Biggie looks back on his journey, how he climbed from nothing to becoming a hip-hop icon. He also speaks wisdom about grabbing life’s chances when they come your way and making the most of every win. It’s that classic rags-to-riches tale, but with Biggie’s raw perspective on turning your moment in the sun into something lasting.

Never get high on your own supply

In “Crack Commandments,” BIG borrows this line from the movie Scarface. Though it’s wrapped in street lingo, this lyric actually hits on something every business owner knows deep down: guard what you’re selling, stay disciplined about your operations, and don’t mix using your own stuff with trying to sell it. It’s pretty much Business 101, just with a grittier backdrop.

The key to staying on top of things is to treat everything like it’s your first project

In this interview clip, Biggie drops some real wisdom. The notorious one encourages people to keep grinding hard and tackling every new project with that same fire and excitement. Such a timeless piece of advice from the legend himself.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjuxbQR1

Negativity just brings failure 

Notorious BIG highlights how keeping the right attitude and energy breeds positive outcomes. He stated emphatically that negativity stunts growth and success. 

RELATED CONTENT: Salt-N-Pepa Sue Record Label, Universal Music Group, Over Rights To Their Hit Songs

Truck Driver, Arrest, Crime, Decapitating Woman

Trump Administration Is Allegedly Removing Truck Drivers Who Don’t Speak Proficient English

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signed a directive allowing the U.S. Department of Transportation to remove truck drivers who are not fluent in English. Duffy's move directly responds to President Donald Trump’s executive order on April 28.


Truck drivers will have to pass a CDL exam and a test proving they can speak English. According to NBC News, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signed a directive allowing the U.S. Department of Transportation to remove truck drivers who are not fluent in English. Duffy’s move directly responds to President Donald Trump’s executive order on April 28.

Under the order, Trump directed the revision of the English Language Proficiency Testing and Enforcement Policy. In 2016, under former President Barack Obama, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) removed the penalty of placing drivers out of service for violating federal English Language Proficiency. The Obama Administration relaxed the penalties for a citation.

However, Trump’s executive order changes it back to forcing drivers off the road.

“It is the policy of my Administration to support America’s truckers and safeguard our roadways by enforcing the commonsense English-language requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers and removing needless regulatory burdens that undermine the working conditions of America’s truck drivers,” Trump states in his executive order, adding that it “will help ensure a safe, secure, and efficient motor carrier industry.”

Concerns For Truck Drivers Who Speak English As A Second Language

The American Truck Association has praised Trump for the new penalties under the executive order in a statement.

“We thank the Trump Administration for responding to our concerns on the uneven application of this existing regulation, and we look forward to working with FMCSA and the law enforcement community on an objective, consistent, and effective enforcement standard.” 

However, others are concerned that the new guidance will lead to discrimination on the road as law enforcement agencies decide who to pull over to take the English proficiency test.

According to data from the Department of Transportation, nearly 4% of CDL holders are limited in English proficiency.  An estimated 16% identify as immigrants.

“Is it someone who has an accent or maybe someone who wears a turban?”  Mannirmal Kaur, senior federal policy manager for the Sikh Coalition, told NBC News. “Being ordered out of service could potentially be unemployment for the truck driver … with potentially limited recourse.”

RELATED CONTENT: NY AG Letitia James Targeted In Federal Probe Sparked By Trump Ally

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