Despite 23 Double Faults, Coco Gauff Secures Victory In Canada
The champion is back.
After a month-long hiatus, and despite committing 23 double faults, Coco Gauff defeated fellow Floridian Danielle Collins in the second round of the National Bank Open in Montreal on Tuesday, July 29.
Gauff won the first set 7‑5, but Collins won the second set 6‑4. Gauff then prevailed 7-6 (2) in the final set.
“It was a frustrating match for me,” Gauff told the Associated Press. “I felt like I was practicing well, and then I don’t think I transferred it today, but hopefully I got my bad match of the tournament out of the way, and I could come back stronger the next round.”
Gauff, 21, the world’s second-ranked tennis player, said she played well despite making some mistakes. The victory follows her surprising loss to Dayana Yastremska in the first round at Wimbledon in June.
“I don’t really like losing,” she said then. “I just feel a little bit disappointed in how I showed up today. I felt like I could have been a little bit better.”
Before her Wimbledon upset, Gauff won the French Open, her first singles title at Roland Garros and her second Grand Slam singles title overall. She became the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015. Gauff won her first U.S. Grand Slam title at age 19. Additionally, Gauff has secured several singles titles, including the 2019 Linz Open, 2021 Emilia-Romagna Open, 2023 Auckland Open, and the 2023 Washington Open.
Gauff, the top seed edplayer of the National Bank Open tournament, is scheduled to face former Top 10 player Veronika Kudermetova July 31 at 1 p.m.
Black-owned banks have been instrumental in fueling aspirations, backing small business enterprises, and supporting neighborhoods. These financial institutions play a major role in driving socioeconomic change and upward mobility for Black communities. Despite their role in fostering economic opportunity, many people struggle to identify Black-owned banks.
In discussions about economic empowerment and racial disparities in access to and wealth, this piece highlights several Black-owned banks that have dedicated leadership and a mission to aid underserved communities.
OneUnited Bank
OneUnited Bank is based in Boston and has branches in Miami and Compton, California, as well as offering digital services nationwide. It was established Aug. 2, 1968, under the name Unity Bank & Trust before rebranding. Now, OneUnited is co-owned by Teri Williams and Kevin Cohee. The bank stands as the pioneering Black-owned digital bank recognized as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
Industrial Bank is based in Washington, D.C., and operates branches in Maryland and New Jersey. Jesse Mitchell founded the bank on Aug. 13, 1934. It is independently owned and operated, and predominantly held by a Black board member group, which distinguishes it as a Black-owned Minority Depository Institution (MDI). As one of the leading Black-owned banks, Industrial Bank prioritizes community lending initiatives, as well as supporting small businesses.
Carver Federal Savings Bank was established in 1948 in Harlem, New York. The bank stands out as a Black-run bank led predominantly by African Americans. It is recognized as a CDFI to assist individuals in achieving homeownership and running small businesses, while also nurturing new Black talent in the banking sector within New York City. The bank proudly upholds its title as a continuously operated and Black-owned bank.
Georgia Savings & Realty Corp. was established by Louis B Toomer on Jan. 1, 1927, before being rebranded as Carver State Bank in 1962. It stands as the oldest Black-owned bank in Georgia. The bank’s primary objective revolves around aiding businesses and promoting community growth in Savannah and its neighboring areas.
Citizens Trust Bank was established on Aug. 16, 1921, in Atlanta and was founded by a team recognized as the “Fervent Five.” This financial institution is currently under the ownership of some individuals and is safeguarded by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Citizens Trust is noteworthy for being one of the few Black-owned banks in Georgia and holds the distinction of being the inaugural Black bank in the region to be affiliated with both the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. The bank provides a variety of services, such as a selection of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, housing assistance programs, and financial education campaigns.
Mechanics & Farmers Bank
Mechanics & Farmers Bank in Durham, North Carolina, was founded in 1907 by a group of nine businessmen led by Richard B. Fitzgerald and James E. Shepard. The bank officially opened its doors in 1908. Mechanics & Farmers Bank is now under the ownership and management of M&F Bancorp Inc. It holds the distinction of being a Black-owned and operating bank and is recognized as a CDFI. The bank provides a variety of traditional banking services.
GN Bank was established in Chicago in 1934. GN has a legacy of supporting African American neighborhoods in the area by offering home loans and financial services to residents on the South Side of the city. The bank has maintained majority ownership by African Americans and is dedicated to its mission and community-centric strategy.
Liberty Bank & Trust Company
Liberty Bank & Trust Company was established in New Orleans in 1972 by entrepreneurs based in Louisiana. This bank is run by African Americans and functions as a CDFI under the Liberty Bankshares umbrella. One of the aspects that draws people to bank with Liberty Bank is its distinction as a Black-owned bank, boasting assets that surpass $1 billion. Liberty Bank started with a goal to assist homeownership and aid enterprises in multiple states.
First Independence Bank was established on May 14, 1970, in Detroit. The financial institution has since grown to include branches in Minneapolis, with figures such as Berry Gordy Sr., Dr. Karl Gregory, and Robert Wright playing crucial roles during the Detroit unrest that led to its formation. The bank secured MDI and CDFI certification, making it the sole Black-owned bank headquartered in Michigan. First Independence primarily focuses on Detroit and the Twin Cities, offering services including business and personal loans, as well as financial education.
Greenwood is a digital bank headquartered in Atlanta that launched its services nationwide in 2022. The catalyst for the bank’s then-founders, Andrew Young, Michael “Killer Mike” Render, and Ryan Glover, was inspired by the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Greenwood aims to empower Black communities not solely through traditional banking services but also business tools, educational resources, and equity-focused programs.
'Oh my gosh. Inappropriate. Get 'em out of here, whoever it is.'
Sports fans were buzzing when Atlanta Dream-Golden State Valkyries’ July 29 game was paused in the fourth quarter after a green dildo was thrown onto the court.
Footage of the bizarre moment quickly went viral, sparking a wave of jokes and reactions across social media.
“Oh my gosh. Inappropriate. Get ’em out of here, whoever it is,” announcer Morgan Ragan said in the clip shared by Outkick the Coveragefounder Clay Travis.
The game was at a nail-biting moment. Atlanta and Golden State were tied at 75 with under a minute left, when the object suddenly dropped from above, bounced off the free throw line, and slid across the court at Atlanta’s Gateway Center Arena. Video footage shows the object came from the crowd, but it’s unclear where it came from.
After the object landed on the court, officials let the teams finish the play before a timeout was called. Police and security walked onto the court to retrieve the object. Dream co-owner Renee Montgomery spoke with them briefly before the game resumed.
“Police and security are headed to the area where they’re going to try and figure out the fan, of course, everyone is going to point and nominate who it was,” announcer Jacob Tobey explained.
The Valkyries ended up beating the Dream, 77-75. But more people are talking about the sex toy that landed on the court instead of the game.
The bizarre moment came weeks after the WNBA All-Stars made headlines by wearing “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts during the All-Star Game. Fans chanted “PAY THEM!” as league commissioner Cathy Engelbert presented Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier with the 2025 All-Star Game MVP trophy.
“The fans making that chant,” Collier said, “that gave me chills.”
Shannon Sharpe Sacked by ESPN Days Before Brother’s Hall Of Fame Induction
'I just wish this thing could have waited until Monday, because I hate the fact that I've overshadowed my brother.'
ESPN has parted ways with Shannon Sharpe.
According to The Athletic, the sports network has cut ties with Sharpe after he took himself off the air after a woman filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the Club Shay Shay podcast host in April.
The lawsuit was settled July 18, according to the woman’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, who posted on social media that both parties agreed to dismiss the case.
The woman, known as “Jane Doe” in the suit, was seeking $50 million for “pain and suffering, psychological and emotional distress, mental anguish, embarrassment and humiliation.” Sharpe publicly denied the allegations immediately after his accuser filed the suit in April, calling the case a “shakedown” attempt.
Sharpe, who had been off ESPN since April, has said he and the woman had a consensual sexual relationship. He promised he would return when the NFL season starts September 4. ESPN decided otherwise.
On his podcast, Night Cap, Sharpe said he was more concerned that his brother Sterling’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend would be overshadowed by the news.
Sharpe requested the network wait until August 4 to avoid diverting attention from Sterling’s honor.
“(ESPN) did what they felt they needed to do, and I’m at peace with that,” Sharpe said in the video clip. “But I just wish this thing could have waited until Monday, because I hate the fact that I’ve overshadowed my brother. The first two brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and this is what the headline’s going to be for the next couple of days.”
Haitian Security Guard Identified As Victim In Manhattan Mass Shooting, Labeled A ‘New York Hero’
RIP to these heroes.....
The names of the four victims in the July 28 Manhattan shooting are starting to be revealed, one of them being a Haitian security guard, Aland Etienne, known as a “beloved” presence in the main lobby, The New York Times reports.
The 46-year-old was working a shift at the 345 Park Avenue building when the gunman, identified as Shane Tamura, burst into the lobby. Police said Etienne ducked behind the security desk for cover, but it wasn’t enough as Tamura approached the elevators nearby and fatally shot the guard.
Family members described him as a devoted father and a well-respected employee, but his brother, Gathmand Etienne, said he was more than that — “more than a brother” — and said the tragedy shatters his family’s hearts. “He was a father, a son, and a light in our lives,” he wrote in a social media post. “Our hearts are shattered.” His sister, Mabline Etienne, said the incident has caused her to think about her brother’s “warm, inviting smile,” and she remembers him as being naturally gregarious and the pillar of the family with his lighthearted ways. “He was a great person with a great character,” Mabline said.
“Always happy, always smiling.”
It is unclear how long the Haitian descendant worked at the Park Avenue location; however, state records reveal Etienne completed a mandatory introductory course for security officers back in 2017, in addition to separate on-the-job training in October 2021. He was employed by McLane Security and held a license as an unarmed registered security guard. Manny Pastreich, president of Local 32BJ, the largest union of property service workers in the U.S., called Etienne a “dedicated security officer who took his job duties extremely seriously.”
In addition to mourning Etienne, Pastreich, who represents roughly 90,000 NYC security guards and janitors, said the tragedy should spark a conversation on how security officers give the ultimate sacrifice, risking their lives, to protect those that come in and out of the building day after day.“ Their contributions to our city are essential, though often unappreciated,” the president said in a statement.
“Aland Etienne is a New York hero. We will remember him as such.”
Another hero who risked his life for others on the tragic day was off-duty NYPD officer Didarul Islam, who was also working security, according to ABC News. As his funeral is scheduled for July 31, the Bangladeshi immigrant is remembered for joining New York City’s finest just four years ago and is leaving behind two young sons and a wife who is eight months pregnant. “Didarul Islam represented the very best of our department. He was protecting New Yorkers from danger when his life was tragically cut short,” the department said in a statement.
“We join in prayer during this time of incomprehensible pain. We will forever honor his legacy.”
Other victims were identified as Wesley LePatner, a Blackstone executive, and Julia Hyman, a young employee at Rudin Management.
As an older professional, I feel like I’m overlooked in favor of younger colleagues. How can I combat ageism and prove my value? – Seasoned and Strong
Dear Seasoned and Strong,
It’s interesting how you start your career feeling invisible and unknown, and then you work for years, acquiring numerous skills and abilities, leading teams, and driving results. Suddenly, you look up and realize that your tenure is somehow making you blend into the wallpaper.
We were taught to put our heads down, do the work, and that hard work will pay off. Unfortunately, we are constantly being tested and interviewed on a daily basis. I’m going to share something with you, Seasoned and Strong. It’s one thing to know our value–it’s another thing to show it.
I’d like you to take a step back and think about how you’re showing up. How are you showcasing your personal brand? Just doing the work, even if it’s off-the-charts outstanding, isn’t enough to stand out. We need to actively campaign for our careers daily.
Let’s get down to the basics.
What is your WHY?
Why do you do what you do? What motivates you to do your best every day? What’s most important to you? When you can identify what’s most important to you, this action reveals your values — your values align with your brand. Your WHY is going to be the thing that fuels how you show up and eventually show out (professionally) at work.
Assess Your Visibility and Create an Action Plan
Once you’ve identified your values and tied your actions to your WHY, think about how you’re truly showing up and being visible. Have you already tried to be visible? Are you trying to be visible for the right reasons? Do you know all of the skills and knowledge that make you glow up at work? Are you still showing that you’re hungry to learn new things? Once you figure these things out, create a plan of action that will help you showcase your talents and show your ask to be assigned different projects to keep you in front of leadership. The action plan could involve volunteering to serve as the subject matter expert (SME) or point of contact (POC) when leadership is out of the office or during weekly team meetings. It could involve you asking one insightful question in a meeting to signal to leadership that you are thinking strategically. It could also include serving as an internal consultant for your company and discovering new approaches to drive results.
Grow Your Network
As a seasoned employee, you probably know a ton of people. Keep those relationships fresh. Keep in touch. Have in-person or virtual coffees. Have you scheduled a skip level with the person one or two steps above your manager? This is a great way to increase your visibility and create future opportunities to shine at work. You may even acquire a mentor or sponsor by reaching out to them. To that point, consider mentoring or sponsoring one of your younger coworkers. You may find that both of you pick up some career growth tips that could benefit both parties.
Just like a fine wine, you’re getting better with age. As your name suggests, you are Seasoned and Strong. You have so much to offer, but you can’t just do the work these days to stand out. You’ve got to share your shine, too!
You got this!
Yours truly,
Your Fairygodmentor®
About Joyel Crawford:
(Photo: Kirten White Photography/BE)
Joyel Crawford is an award-winning career and leadership development professional and founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies, a consultancy that empowers results-driven leaders through coaching, training, and facilitation. She’s the best-selling author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career.
Have a question for Your Fairygodmentor®?
Submit your career and leadership questions, whether it’s about navigating a micromanager, setting boundaries, negotiating for a raise, or handling burnout. Ask Your Fairygodmentor® today!
Justin Jones at The Americana Music Association 22nd Annual Honors & Awards Show on September 20, 2023 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Tammie Arroyo/Variety via Getty Images)
Tennessee Politician Justin Jones Asked To Leave Airport Event After Failing To Confirm Credentials
Jones pointed the finger at Lee and 'corporate lobbyists' for limiting his access and labeling them as running state government.
News crew caught Tennessee representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) being asked to leave a music event at Nashville International Airport (BNA) after arriving without “confirmed credentials,” WKRN reports.
Jones arrived to witness the installation of the “Music City Loop,” a new underground tunnel that takes travelers from the airport directly to Downtown Nashville, under construction by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company. A spokesperson from the airport said Jones arrived on site slightly before 6 p.m. July 28. He was then asked to leave by Governor Bill Lee’s officials.
In a Facebook post, Jones pointed the finger at Lee and “corporate lobbyists” for limiting his access and labeling them as running state government.
“Today corporate lobbyists and Governor Bill Lee kept me out of an event announcing a public-private partnership with Elon Musk’s Boring Company, which will be built through my district,” Jones wrote.
“Despite being hosted by the state, and other white Republican lawmakers being allowed in, I was denied entry and told I was not on a ‘private list’ for an event involving state authorities hosted in my district.”
He described the governor and donors as “enriching themselves” while ignoring the needs of constituents. Jones also pointed the finger at Musk’s company, claiming it is known for constantly violating workplace safety laws.
“This project, which requires state approval, is yet another attempt by Bill Lee and his corporate donors to enrich themselves while neglecting public services and real infrastructure needs of working-class people who commute to downtown for work at bars, hotels, and restaurants,” Jones wrote.
“The everyday Tennesseans who call House District 52 home deserve to have their questions answered since they will bear the true costs of this vanity project. Shame on Governor Bill Lee, shame on the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, and shame on the corporate lobbyists selling our state to the greediest oligarch in America.”
The airport attempted to save face, claiming anyone who wanted to attend needed to RSVP first, which Jones allegedly didn’t do.
“Due to the nature of the event and associated security protocols, confirmed credentials were required for entry,” said BNA’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Stacey Nickens in a statement. “To clarify, Representative Justin Jones was not removed at the direction of Governor Bill Lee.”
In the video showing him being turned down at the event, Lee said he informed Lee’s staff that he would be attending.
This isn’t the first time Jones was denied entrance—or questioned about his appearance—at an airport event. In July, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem asked Jones to leave after he was permitted to attend.
BREAKING: TN State Rep. Justin Jones pulls political stunt — gets booted from Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem’s press conference after trying to hijack the event with a grandstanding tirade over ICE arrests.
— Project Constitution (@ProjectConstitu) July 18, 2025
Jones and other Democratic lawmakers have spoken out against the project, including Tennessee House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, Senator Heidi Campbell and Rep. Aftyn Behn, according to WSMV, particularly the hiring of Musk’s company.
Davidson County delegates are scheduled to send a formal letter to Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, demanding complete transparency on the state incentives for the project.
Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis Files Appeal With Nevada Supreme Court To Dismiss Charges In Tupac Murder
The suspect filed a motion to dismiss in the upper court
After filing an appeal earlier this year to have murder charges dismissed against him in the fatal shooting of hip-hop recording artist Tupac Shakur, Duane “Keffe D” Davis has taken his case to the Nevada Supreme Court.
According to The Associated Press, Davis, who is accused of having involvement with the killing of Tupac, has filed a motion to dismiss in the upper court due to having a previous immunity agreement with prosecutors when he initially spoke to them 27 years ago in 1998. The filing took place on July 29.
Davis’s attorney, Carl Arnold, originally filed an appeal in January, alleging constitutional violations because of a 27-year delay in prosecution. He also claimed that immunity agreements were granted to him by federal and local authorities. A lower court disagreed with the assertions, prompting Arnold to file with the Nevada Supreme Court.
“Mr. Davis cooperated with law enforcement over the course of more than a decade, relying on repeated assurances that his statements would not be used against him — yet those very statements now form the core of the State’s case,” Arnold said in a written statement. Davis was interviewed again by prosecutors in 2008 and 2009 under the same conditions of immunity. In the appeal, it was then that he described his “alleged involvement in the murder and identified the alleged shooter.”
Davis wrote a book in 2019 titled “Compton Street Legend,” where he admitted that he provided the weapon that killed the Poetic Justice actor. He also provided the details in various interviews over the years. Davis is the only man alive who was allegedly involved in the drive-by killing.
In the interviews given over the years and during conversations with law enforcement, Davis said that the killing of the “Me Against the World” lyricist was committed by his nephew, Orlando Anderson, who was killed two years later.
The former gang member, who is 62 years old, has been in jail at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas since his arrest on Sept. 29, 2023. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
Former NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Arrested For Allegedly Running Illegal Gambling Business
The 'Gil's Arena' host was arrested along with five other people suspected of participating in an illegal gambling business at his Encino mansion
Former NBA player-turned-podcast host Gilbert Arenas has been arrested after being accused of running an illegal gambling ring at his home.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, announced the arrest of Arenas and five other people suspected of participating in an illegal gambling business at his Encino mansion. Along with Arenas, known during his playing days in the NBA as “Agent Orange,” Yevgeni Gershman, AKA “Giora,” of Woodland Hills, Evgenni Tourevski, AKA “Eugene,” of Tarzana, Allan Austria, AKA “Elica,” of West Hills, Yarin Cohen, AKA “YC,” of Tarzana, and Ievgen Krachun, of Tarzana, were also taken in and charged.
The group of men was detained on a federal indictment alleging that they operated an illegal gambling business featuring high-stakes poker games.
The 43-year-old former baller is charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating an illegal gambling business, and one count of making false statements to federal investigators. The other defendants were charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business. Gershman is also suspected of being an organized crime figure from Israel.
Court documents state that from September 2021 to July 2022, Gershman, Arenas, and the other defendants were involved in the alleged illegal gambling business. The former Washington Wizards player rented out a mansion he owned to stage the poker games. Arthur Kats, of West Hollywood, was directed by Arenas to organize the games, find people to host them, and collect rent from them on behalf of Arenas.
There were also young women hired to work the games, and in exchange for tips, they served the players drinks, gave them massages, and offered companionship to the people at the poker games. The women were charged a “tax,” which amounted to a percentage of their earnings. Other people hired to work the games included chefs, valets, and armed security guards.
Gershman, an Israeli citizen, along with Valentina Cojocari, of Woodland Hills, were charged with three additional counts – conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and making a false statement on an immigration document. In 2022, Gershman and Cojocari married to obtain permanent legal status in the United States, and Gershman lied to immigration authorities to secure their legal status. The Israeli citizen paid Cojocari in exchange for her participation in the sham marriage.
If convicted, each defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
Real Estate Developers Now Optimistic On Building Affordable Housing
According to the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility, more than 9 million housing units will be needed by 2035 to address the housing shortage.
It’s no secret that the United States is facing an affordable housing crisis, as the costs of living and inflation continue to rise. At the same time, wages barely move the needle to keep pace with increasing costs.
The average cost of a home in the United States is currently around $410,800. Using Bankrate’s mortgage calculator, Americans need to make between approximately $100,000 and $135,000 per year to own a home. Average salaries in the U.S., however, are roughly $39,982.
While the housing crisis is a national issue, it disproportionately burdens Black Americans. According to the institute, nearly 60% of Black renters and 30% of Black homeowners are moderately or severely cost-burdened, well above national averages. The reasons for this are the legacies of housing discrimination that are compounded by continued supply, demand, and geographic imbalances.
Why Real Estate Developers Are Now Optimistic About Building Affordable Housing
For the last several years, real estate developers have said it is too expensive to build quality, low-income housing, particularly in the form of apartments.
However, as CNBC reports, the tide may be shifting for developers following the passage of the tax and spending bill by Congress. The legislation expands the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) by permanently increasing the 9% credit allocation to states to 12%. Developers sell these credits to help finance their projects with investors.
“It’s a big boost for the creation of more affordable housing,” Jonathan Rose, founder and CEO of the Jonathan Rose Companies, told the outlet. Jonathan Rose Companies is a real estate planning, development, and investment firm.
He adds, “This won’t solve the whole 10 million unit problem, but it’ll be a big help,” said Rose, adding that he sees a growing opportunity for investors in the space.”
The bill also lowers the financing requirements for developers. Affordable housing advocates applaud Congress for passing the bill. Proponents say the LIHTC is an effective tool for building and preserving affordable housing.
“The housing provisions included in this bill are the most consequential and positive housing legislation in decades,” David Dworkin, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference, said in a release. “Key provisions include an expansion of LIHTC, permanent preservation of the existing mortgage interest deduction, reinstatement of the mortgage insurance premium deduction, an expanded and permanent Opportunity Zones incentive, and permanent extension of the New Markets Tax Credit.”
He adds, “his legislation delivers a significant expansion of the credit by incorporating key elements of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, aimed at boosting the supply of rental homes across urban, rural, and tribal communities.”
