telomeres, shortening, cancer, Gynecologic Cancers, Black Women, Death Rates, cervical cancer, NAACP

by Jameelah Mullen

January 31, 2025

Human Rights Group Slams Mississippi For Failing To Prevent Black Women’s Cervical Cancer Deaths

The federal government, human rights activists say, is also to blame.

Human rights activists have determined that the state of Mississippi and the federal government failed to prevent Black women in the rural Mississippi Delta region from dying of cervical cancer.

In a joint report, The Southern Rural Black Women’s Initiative for Economic and Social Justice (SRBWI) and Human Rights Watch deemed the racial disparities in the rates of cervical cancer deaths “persistent and glaring.”

A lack of access to healthcare care is a major contributor to why Black women in the state are more likely to die of cervical cancer, according to the report, which was released on Jan. 29.

“As of 2022, an estimated 10.8 percent of the state’s population did not have health insurance. As of January 2023, almost 18 percent of women of reproductive age (18 to 44) were uninsured, and rates were even higher for women of color,” the report states.

Mississippi is one of 10 states in the U.S. that did not expand Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which would have provided healthcare to more low-income individuals.

Human Rights Watch argues that the state’s inability to offer affordable healthcare to these individuals led to the closing of rural hospitals and a shortage of healthcare professionals. Without affordable access to healthcare, some Black women in the state face challenges when seeking out preventative care, such as cancer screening and life-saving treatments. The Commonwealth Fund reported that in 2024, Mississippi ranked the lowest on its annual Women’s Health And Reproductive Healthcare Report.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease for American women. However, the American Cancer Society reports Black women die at a rate that is 65% higher than whites. Mississippi has one the highest poverty levels in the country; according to The World Population Review, 19% of the state’s population lives below the poverty line.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 31, 2025

Trump Says The Damndest Things: Blames DEI And Obama For D.C. Plane Crash

The investigation is still pending.

Following the plane crash that killed 67 people, President Donald Trump bafflingly pointed the blame on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, the Associated Press reports.

During a press conference Jan. 30, Trump started his first press appearance with a moment of silence and a prayer for victims of the crash that took place less than 24 hours at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Shortly after, Trump blamed the Biden-Harris administration’s—and even Obama’s—focus on diversity as the potential reasoning behind the crash.

“They put a big push to put diversity in the FAA’s program. Then, in an article, the Federal Aviation Administration, this was before I got to office, recently, second term, the FAA is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency’s website,” Trump said.

“Can you imagine? These are people that are, I mean, actually, their lives are shortened because of the stress that they have. Brilliant people have to be in those positions….”

BREAKING: In his first on-camera response to the deadly collision that killed 67 Americans, Trump blames DEI and his predecessors.

Absolutely disgusting. This man is utterly unfit to be president.pic.twitter.com/raFiedVsfe
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 30, 2025

On social media, the White House defended Trump’s air traffic control policies. “In 2018, the Trump administration announced it would do away with an Obama-era test that punished skilled applicants,” the post read.

However, in April 2019, during Trump’s first term in office, the FAA stated its Office of Civil Rights would seek “specific opportunities for people with targeted disabilities,” with the goal of enrolling up to 20 people in its Aviation Development Program.

“The candidates in this program will receive the same rigorous consideration in terms of aptitude, medical, and security qualifications as those individuals considered for a standard public opening for air traffic controller jobs,” the FAA said.

The cause of the crash is still unknown, something reporters seemingly had to remind Trump on several occasions. After his opening remarks, Trump get into minor rifts with reporters, like CNN’s Kaitlyn Collins, who called him out on it.

“We don’t yet know the names of the 67 people that were killed, and you are blaming Democrats and DEI policies and Air Traffic Control…Don’t you think you’re getting ahead of the investigation?,” she asked.

Trump said no and asked Collins if she thought the names of the victims would make a difference. “I don’t think that’s a very smart question. I’m surprised coming from you.”

We don’t yet know the names of the 67 people we were killed, and you are blaming Democrats and DEI policies and Air Traffic Control and, seemingly, the member of the US military flying that Black Hawk helicopter. Don't you think you're getting ahead of the investigation?

Trump:… pic.twitter.com/OQtVA3tdBe
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 30, 2025

Another reporter boldly asked the convicted felon how he could “come to the conclusion right now that diversity had something to do with this crash”.”

“Because I have common sense,” Trump responded. “OK?”

The DEI blame caught the attention of Americans everywhere, especially advocates like NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who in a statement according to NBC News, called Trump’s diversity blame “disgusting.”

“The President has made his decision to put politics over people abundantly clear as he uses the highest office in the land to sow hatred rooted in falsehoods instead of providing us with the leadership we need and deserve,” he wrote.

Instead of “playing politics” like he said Trump did, Johnson applauded the first responders from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia for doing what’s right. “We’re proud to see thousands of first responders in the DMV region unify to support the enormous recovery efforts taking place on the Potomac.”

Georgia Legislators Propose More Time Off For Educators

by Kandiss Edwards

January 31, 2025

Georgia Legislators Propose More Time Off For Educators

The bill introduced by five Georgia legislators will give teachers more paid leave.

Georgia teachers may enjoy a little more time off thanks to legislation introduced on Jan. 30.

Educators in Georgia work 10 months out of the year. Bill 127, sponsored by five Georgia House members, aims to give school personnel five days of paid personal or professional time off. While this is a boon for school employees, it comes with conditions.

Approval for the time off may be denied based on the needs of the school or district, depending on the day. Some days on the calendar year are deemed “essential.”

Educators across the state will not be required to provide a reason for their time off. The bill includes a clause that absolves them from disclosing either personal or professional circumstances.

“Any such grant of approval may be withheld or denied because of the failure or refusal of personnel to disclose the specific purpose for which such an absence is sought,” the bill states.

The added time off comes at a critical time as school districts across the U.S. struggle to fill positions.

USA Today reported that 86% of districts had trouble filling open positions for the 2023-24 school year. Special education, science, and foreign language positions are the most likely to go unfilled, and in high-poverty areas, the numbers are even worse.

Many teachers are leaving the profession in search of less demanding positions. Teachers have cited stress and burnout as key reasons for exiting the field. The duties of an educator are vast, and salaries are often meager, depending on the state.

The average salary for teachers in the United States was approximately $64,300 in 2022. Georgia’s teachers earned an average of $63,950, according to the National Education Association.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has been taking steps in recent years to entice and retain teachers. In July 2024, Gov. Kemp raised teacher pay by $2,500 statewide. This was not the first time Kemp had increased teacher pay.

living wage, basic needs, struggle, families

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2025

Chicago Treasurer’s Office Prioritizes DEI Effort to Ensure Black Residents Have Equal Opportunity to Financial Resources

Chicago Treasurer's Office is committing to the financial growth of Black residents.

While the current presidential administration is busy rolling back diversity and inclusion efforts, the Chicago Treasurer’s Office is remaining committed to supporting Black Chicagoans in the form of financial literacy and empowerment.

In honor of Black History Month, the Chicago Treasurer’s Office is spotlighting Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin’s dedication to ensuring Black Chicagoans have equal access to financial tools and resources. This commitment reflects Conyears-Ervin’s ongoing efforts since taking office in 2019 to launch initiatives aimed at closing the racial wealth gap, combating systemic discrimination in banking, and promoting responsible investing.

“Black History Month is about recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of Black individuals in the past and present, but it’s also about spotlighting the ongoing work to create more equality for Black Americans, who still experience significant gaps in health, wealth and more,” Conyears-Ervin said in a statement.

“My office has worked to close financial gaps by providing education to all and introducing young people to careers in the financial services industry,” she added.

Four initiatives highlight her efforts to advancing equity in Chicago:

Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow (BWTT): An annual financial empowerment summit featuring workshops, keynote speakers, and youth engagement programs aimed at addressing systemic wealth disparities.

The Youth Financial Program aims to equip the next generation with financial scholarships, wealth-building tools, and resources to make informed financial decisions.

Advancing Equity in Banking Commission (AEBC): An initiative co-founded in 2020 by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Conyears-Ervin, creating a network of leading Illinois-based banking institutions dedicated to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and dismantling systemic racism in the banking industry.

Broker-Dealer Scorecard: An initiative Conyears-Ervin began after taking office which introduced an innovative broker-dealer scorecard to assess the diversity, equity, and inclusion practices of firms working with the city. As part of the effort, she spearheaded a city council ordinance requiring the divestment of city funds from fossil fuel investments to promote socially responsible investing.

Chicago faces a stark racial wealth gap, with white families holding a significantly higher median net worth than Black, Mexican, and Puerto Rican families. This disparity stems from factors such as discriminatory policies, limited access to financial services, and unequal homeownership rates.

One study projects that the median Black household could reach zero wealth by 2053. In Cook County, household wealth in predominantly white affluent areas is over 200 times greater than in the poorest communities, which are largely made up of people of color. Additionally, research shows that 72% of white families own homes compared to just 34% of Black families.

The City Treasurer’s Office is responsible for overseeing and managing all cash and investments for the City of Chicago and its four employee pension funds. It also leads initiatives focused on financial education and supporting small business growth in local neighborhoods. As one of three citywide elected officials, the treasurer serves alongside the mayor and the city clerk.

Russel, Simmons, hip-hop, evolving, Bali, Lyor. Cohen, 50, years

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 31, 2025

Russell Simmons Accused Of Not Paying Settlement Agreements With 2 Women

The former Def Jam owner allegedly owes the women over $3 million.

Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons has been accused of not paying several million dollars in settlements to two women who accused him of sexual assault.

According to Courthouse News Services, Simmons owes two Toni Sallie and Alexia Norton Jones over $3 million after agreeing to two confidential settlements in 2023.

He was supposed to pay Sallie about $3 million while owing Jones $200,000.

The court filings were made public on Friday, Jan. 24, after the two women filed confessions of judgment in New York County Supreme Court as part of confidential settlements made with the hip-hop mogul in 2023. Sallie and Simmons agreed on their settlement on Nov. 23, 2023.

“The parties and their counsel agree to keep strictly confidential and not to disclose to anyone…any information concerning or in any way relating to the claims which Sallie has alleged caused her injuries or damages,” the agreement stated.

However, in the recent documents filed, Sallie claims Simmons has only paid about $60,000. She is requesting that the remaining $2.94 million be paid, in addition to a 20% annualized interest that started accruing in February 2024.

Sallie also informed Simmons and his attorney that they are “obligated to maintain, preserve, retain, protect, and not destroy any and all documents and data…that may be relevant to any claims asserted by Ms. Sallie concerning Simmons’s sexual assaults of her and/or anyone else.”

For Jones, she entered into a confidential agreement with Simmons on April 12, 2023, where he was supposed to pay her $300,000. She used a Jane Doe pseudonym, while Simmons was identified as John Roe.

The alleged sexual assault wasn’t mentioned in their settlement agreement but instead refers to the “alleged personal physical injuries and/or physical sickness, as well as … attendant emotional distress that Doe claims she has suffered.”

In both settlements, Simmons didn’t admit to any wrongdoing.

In November 2024, Simmons was accused of using Indonesian retirement to avoid a sexual assault lawsuit in the United States. The alleged victim requested that a judge dismiss his claim that he cannot be sued in New York because he is a “stateless” U.S. citizen who has since “retired” in Indonesia on a retirement visa granted by Indonesian authorities.

Dwyane Wade Reveals Having Nearly Half His Kidney Removed

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 31, 2025

Dwyane Wade Reveals Having Nearly Half His Kidney Removed

A biopsy after the surgery revealed the tumor was cancerous

In a recent podcast, former Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade revealed that he was having health issues and had surgery that had nearly half of his kidney removed over a year ago.

According to USA Today, the NBA Hall of Famer, while speaking during an episode of his podcast, “The Why with Dwyane Wade,” told the audience in attendance that while dealing with his health issues and after putting it off, he went to a doctor to have surgery.

“My own journey to have that surgery, I think it was the first time that my family, my dad, my kids, they saw me weak,” Wade expressed. “That moment was probably the weakest point I’ve ever felt in my life.”

Wade admitted also having urinary issues, which prompted him to go visit a physician. After discovering that the area of concern could not be biopsied, he had no choice but to have surgery to remove a tumor.

“I had a personal decision to make, and what it was was, ‘If this is cancerous if this tumor, this cyst is cancerous, on your kidney, you’re 41 years old, you probably need surgery because it’s something that needs to be removed so it doesn’t spread,’ ” Wade continues.

He explained that doctors removed 40% of his right kidney on Dec. 18, 2023. After the surgery was done, they found out that the tumor was cancerous after it was biopsied.

“What I saw in the midst of me going through my illness, I saw my family that may not always talk, may not always agree,” Wade said. “I saw everybody show up for me and be there for me, and in that process, in my weakness, I found strength in my family.”

After being selected by the Miami Heat in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2003, Wade had a legendary career with the Heat, winning three championships. In October 2024, Wade dubbed the “greatest player in Miami Heat” history, had a statue unveiled in front of the Kaseya Center, where the team plays.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 31, 2025

GloRilla Is Making Moves To Reach Billionaire Status

The Memphis rapper just announced that she is headlining 'The Glorious Tour.'

Memphis recording artist GloRilla is making strides in her quest to become a billionaire in the future as her career continues to elevate her status in the industry.

According to AfroTech, GloRilla, whose real name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods, was so determined to be successful as an artist that she was working long hours at Nike and FedEx to finance her dreams.

“I was doing 12 hours at Nike and maybe seven to eight hours at FedEx. And I was just doing all that to sponsor my rapid career so I could be able to pay for videos and studio time,” she said.

GloRilla, who is signed to Yo Gotti’s label, Collective Music Group, has admitted in a podcast discussion in June 2024 that Gotti has helped her curb her spending so that way she can be better with her finances as she works toward billionaire status. She stated that she was spending as much as she was making and had to change course. Gotti arranged for her to have an accountant which helped her with her finances.

“My first year, I blew up. This was before I got an accountant. I was just spending money, and I’m like, ‘OK, I’m getting it. I’m making it, but I’m spending it too,’” she said. “So, like, I really wasn’t just in tune… So, Gotti had got me an accountant.”

She will be adding to her finances after announcing that she is heading out on the road for her own tour. She took to X to let her fans know that she is heading “The Glorious Tour.”

AYEEEEE🥳 WE GOING ON TOUR Y’ALL!!!! It’s time for The GLORIOUS TOUR! IM SO EXCITED!!!!!! And I’m going on the road with @realbostonrichey and @keyisqueen too!!

Presale tickets will be going live tomorrow on my site at 10am local time!! All my day one GloRidaz I’ll be sending… pic.twitter.com/KElL3oE1Vt

— GloRilla 🦍 (@GloTheofficial) January 29, 2025

Fox 13 reported that she is appearing in 22 cities in two months starting in Oklahoma City on March 5. The tour will make several stops until it ends on April 18 at Coachella. Real Boston Richey and Queen Key are joining her on the tour.

But, before the tour starts, she is appearing in Inglewood at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 1 to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Honda Battle of the Bands (@the_honda)

The Glorious Tour Dates

March 5: Oklahoma City
March 6: Dallas
March 7: Houston
March 9: Jacksonville, Fla.
March 10: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
March 12: Atlanta
March 13: Charlotte, N.C.
March 14: Washington, D.C.
March 19: New York City
March 20: Boston
March 22: Cincinnati
March 23: Chicago
March 24: St. Louis, Mo.
March 26: Milwaukee
March 27: Minneapolis
April 6: Dreamville Festival
April 11: Coachella
April 12: Las Vegas
April 13: Stateline, Nev.
April 16: Oakland, Calif.
April 18: Coachella
TBD: Memphis, Tenn.

Black History Month, Permission slip, parents, Florida, students

by Kandiss Edwards

January 31, 2025

School Choice Executive Order Penalizes Public School For Teaching American History

The Trump administration just released an executive order that disadvantages public K-12 institutions.

Another day, another executive order handed down by the Trump administration. This time, the focus is on diverting funds meant for public schools under the guise of “school choice.”

On Jan. 29, President Trump signed the “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” executive order. The order is being marketed as an expansion of school choice, allowing parents to have broader options for their children’s education.

Indeed, the funding for private institutions, religious institutions, and alternative schooling is included in the order. However, the language suggests that the goal is to divert funds away from institutions that teach about the history of marginalized groups in America, prioritizing organizations that teach nationalist conservative ideology. This prioritization is referred to as “patriotic education.”

According to the order, “innocent children are compelled to adopt identities as either victims or oppressors solely based on their skin color and other immutable characteristics.”

While the teaching of America’s past wrongs — such as Jim Crow, slavery, Japanese internment, Black Codes, and Native American exile — may trigger discomfort for some, there is no curriculum in the United States that “compels” students to “adopt identities” based on race or ethnicity.

The order also dismisses the economic disadvantages faced by marginalized groups due to the aforementioned “wrongs,” stating, “‘White Privilege’ or ‘unconscious bias’ actually promotes racial discrimination and undermines national unity.”

While the order is lengthy, “Section 3, Ending Indoctrination Strategy,” outlines a 90-day timeline to eliminate funding for:

(i) All federal funding sources and streams, including grants or contracts, that directly or indirectly support or subsidize the instruction, advancement, or promotion of gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology:

(A) in K-12 curriculum, instruction, programs, or activities.

(B) in K-12 teacher education, certification, licensing, employment, or training.

The Trump administration has stressed that its definition of “discriminatory equity ideology” includes efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion policies, the teaching of America’s turbulent history casting the country in an unfavorable light, and the teaching of Black efforts to dismantle racist practices throughout the nation’s history.

The thought behind the order is not new, as states across the nation have been adopting miniature versions of the policy. The “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida, the banned books movement, the dismantling of DEI in federal agencies, and attacks on critical race theory — which is not taught at the K-12 level, but rather at colleges and universities — all culminated in this bill.

While it is titled “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,” there are radical claims within the text itself.

The order falsely claims that public institutions are engaged in “steering students toward surgical and chemical mutilation without parental consent.”

There are no documented instances of schools promoting surgical mutilation.

Public funding is being withheld and penalties imposed on institutions that promote the “social” changing of a student’s gender. Socially changing gender is defined as using nicknames given by students that do not align with gender norms or using preferred pronouns.

It remains unclear whether the order is lawful or will be enacted in its entirety, as many of Trump’s executive orders since his inauguration have been successfully challenged. The recent order to freeze Federal Funding grants was declared unconstitutional by a federal court and was quickly rescinded.

Only time will tell how this will impact the majority of America’s students attending K-12 public schools.

by Kandiss Edwards

January 31, 2025

Young Thug Is Now Allowed To Travel Through Atlanta Airport

The Atlanta native is now able to stop through the city to catch flights.

Jeffrey “Young Thug” Williams can now travel out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport after being banned from the metro area.

On Jan. 29, Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, filed a motion to allow the “Lifestyle” rapper to travel through Atlanta for business purposes. Since Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the U.S., with both international and domestic flights, the rapper would otherwise need to make alternative travel arrangements to avoid the area.

The filing specifies that Williams’ travel would be limited to “commercial air travel for business and other lawful purposes,” according to WSB-TV.

Fulton County Judge Paige Whitaker approved the motion to amend the ban within hours of its filing.

Young Thug has been granted permission to travel through Atlanta for the purposes of using Atlanta International Airport

He asked for permission this morning and was granted it 2 hours later pic.twitter.com/saQBtV5zi9
— THUGGERDAILY ひ (@ThuggerDaily) January 28, 2025

Williams’ current ban from the metro Atlanta area and travel restrictions stem from his guilty plea in the YSL RICO case, the longest recorded trial in Georgia history. Williams pleaded no contest to violating the RICO Act and participating in gang activity. He also pleaded guilty to drug and gun charges.

This is not the first time the 33-year-old rapper has sought to amend the terms of his 15-year probation and 10-year exile from the city. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on Williams’ request to utilize his home on the outskirts of metro Atlanta.

The rapper’s attorneys argue that since the home is already owned by Williams, he is not attempting to circumvent the original order.

The request, however, did expand the original terms of his plea. As an Atlanta native with multiple family members, including his children, living in Georgia, the rapper is allowed in the city for weddings, funerals, or major events like his children’s graduations. The December 2024 requests the ability to “reside/visit” for holidays and other unnamed events.

The “Worth It” rapper is also required to return to Atlanta twice a year to participate in anti-violence and anti-drug demonstrations for local youth. These demonstrations can take the form of presentations or concerts.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2025

Stevie Wonder, Janelle Monáe, And Cynthia Erivo Will Perform A ‘Really Special’ Tribute to Quincy Jones At 67th Grammys

Stevie Wonder and Janelle Monáe will headline a star-studded lineup of performers honoring Quincy Jones at the 67th Grammys.

Stevie Wonder and Janelle Monáe will headline a star-studded lineup in tribute to Quincy Jones at the 67th Grammy Awards.

Rolling Stone reports that Wonder and Monáe will lead the performance on Feb. 2. They will be joined by Cynthia Erivo, Herbie Hancock, Lainy Wilson, and other unnamed acts. The tribute has been in the works since Jones’s death last November at age 91.

With a career spanning over six decades, the tribute to Jones is expected to be a highlight of music’s biggest night.

“The entire Grammys could have actually been Quincy Jones,” executive producer Raj Kapoor said. “The wealth of work, the wealth of genres, the amount of music that he has touched — he really is the dude.”

Considering Jones’ influence and the many artists whose careers he helped shape, numerous music stars wanted to participate in the tribute.

“We’ve been working on creating something really special. We’ve had so many artists that have wanted to participate,” Kapoor shared. “I think it’s going to be one of the definitive performances of the show, [showing] how much love we have for him as a music community.”

The prestigious award show will also feature additional in-memoriam tributes and special Los Angeles-themed performances in response to the wildfires that have devastated the show’s host city. Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, Chris Martin, Jacob Collier, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, and St. Vincent are included in the tributes.

“When we decided to move forward, it was like, how do we shine a positive light on the city of Los Angeles?” Kapoor said. “Thousands of people depend on this show in Los Angeles, including the thousands of crew that actually work on this show. And then also the [wider] economic impact that the show has.”

Kapoor continued. “Los Angeles has actually been quite incredible in the past few weeks. I think we have a stronger sense of community than we have had for a very long time.”

To coincide with the tribute, “There’s a film piece that is going to honor Los Angeles,” Kapoor explained.

“I think the opening of the show is definitely going to touch on our love for Los Angeles. We’re putting a spotlight on small businesses that may have been impacted by the fires.”

The Grammys kick off Sunday, Feb. 2, live from 8:00-11:30 PM PT/5:00-8:30 PM ET on the CBS Television Network. In addition to the tribute artists, there will be performances from Shakira, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charlie XCX, Benson Boone, Raye, Doechii, and Teddy Swims.