Margaree
by Mary Spiller

November 15, 2024

Activist & Member Of Greenville 8, Margaree Crosby Dies At 82

Crosby was also the first African American woman to become tenured at Clemson University.

Margaree Seawright Crosby, a Greenville, South Carolina, Civil Rights icon, passed away on Friday, Nov. 8. Dr. Crosby was 82 and the first African American woman to become a tenured professor at Clemson University’s College of Education.

Crosby became the first African American woman to receive a full professorship at Clemson’s College of Education during her later years; before that, she was an activist. Back in 1960, Crosby was one of The Greenville Eight, one of eight Black students who conducted a sit-in at a Greenville County Public Library to protest against segregation. They took a stand against the rampant segregation and public resource inequality by quietly sitting and reading books in the “white-only” library. Crosby and the seven other students were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

The Greenville Eight’s sit-in was integral in the push to desegregate local public libraries later, and a federal lawsuit that stemmed from the incident finally led to the racial integration of Greenville’s libraries.

Crosby’s family told WYFF that she’s always been a fighter, and she’s a Parkinson’s disease fighter and a breast and ovarian cancer survivor. The South Carolina Commission of Women awarded Crosby the state’s Women of Achievement award for her work in education and activism.

She was also a Silver Star and Life Member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She made history as the first female member of the board of trustees at the Greenville Hospital System.

The Macedonia Baptist Church will handle her funeral services on Nov. 23.

Following the news of her passing, South Carolina Mayor Knox White released a statement honoring Crosby:

“Dr. Crosby made history as a young girl and part of the “Greenville 8″ who challenged segregation, then lived a long life of community service. Her legacy of service helped make Greenville a better place.”

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Erica Lee Carter, Sheila
by Sharelle B. McNair

November 15, 2024

Erica Lee Carter Passed The Torch To Fill Late Mother Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s Vacant Seat

Celebratory words poured in from local Texas leaders including Rep. Jasmine Crockett

Fox 26 reported that Erica Lee Carter, the daughter of late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, was officially sworn in to take over her mother’s seat in the 18th Congressional District of Texas. 

Carter declared her candidacy to fill her mother’s seat in August 2024 after Texas’ Republican Governor, Greg Abbott, called for a special election to fill the seat after Lee passed following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Her election didn’t come as a shock. After her mother’s death, Carter said in a statement, “I want to finish for my mom!” 

After taking the oath in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12, she addressed her fellow Congress members and alluded to her excitement about working with them.

“Thank you to the voters of the 18th Congressional District of Texas for entrusting me with the remainder of the term for the 118th Congress.

“I am honored to finish for you and in the memory of my mother, the late great Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee,” Carter said, according to Click 2 Houston. 

“I am ready to stand up and work for you. I look forward to collaborating with Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and all of my Congressional colleagues on the important issues facing the United States House of Representatives on behalf of the American people.”

Carter will fill the seat until Jan. 3, 2025. Afterward, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will serve the 18th Congressional District of Texas after the results of Election Day. 

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee held the position from 1995 until her death. Carter documented her journey on X, formerly known as Twitter, posting a picture of her seated in her mother’s old office. “It is an indescribable honor and deeply humbling to be sworn in as the next Congresswoman of Texas’ 18th Congressional District,” she tweeted. “Standing here today, I proudly take the place of my mother, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.” 

She also posted a touching comparison photo of her giving her first speech to Congress in the same spot where Jackson Lee gave her first speech almost 30 years ago. 

Local Texas leaders, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, offered celebratory words. She extended a “warm welcome” to Carter, who resembles her mother, saying she knows the former Congresswoman “is looking down with pride.”

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Rocket Community Fund: Bridging the Digital Divide Through Investment and Connectivity
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 15, 2024

Rocket Community Fund: Bridging the Digital Divide Through Investment and Connectivity

In today’s digital age, access to technology is essential for success in nearly every aspect of life, from education and employment to healthcare and civic engagement. Yet, many communities still face barriers to internet access, digital literacy, and affordable devices. Rocket Community Fund is committed to closing this gap, promoting digital equity through strategic investments and partnerships.

Police Officer, Federal Prison, Jail, Gavel, Court, Susan Lorincz
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 15, 2024

Black Disciples Member ‘Foolie’ Gets 55 Years For Committing Murder While Out On Bond

Brodrick Jaamel Sayles was sentenced for killing Demetrius Daniels in a Texas parking lot in 2020.

A gang member associated with the Black Disciples has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for a 2020 murder in Texas. 

A Harris County (TX) jury convicted Brodrick Jaamel Sayles, 37, for shooting Demetrius Daniels, 28, while he sat in his car in a Texas parking lot on Nov. 5, 2020. The Black Disciples gang member, known as “Foolie” on the streets, was captured on surveillance video going to the parking lot and hiding between two dumpsters before shooting Daniels. 

“This was a brazen ambush in broad daylight by a gang member who thought he could get away with murder,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a news release. “We’re thankful that a Harris County jury was able to see the truth and handed down justice for the victim’s family.”

Assistant District Attorney Brett Batchelor said Sayles essentially stalked Daniels, lying in wait before ambushing him.

“During the trial, we showed jurors video of the defendant looking directly at the surveillance camera, so it is clear that he is the killer,” Batchelor said. “We could track all of his movements, and we know exactly what he was doing for the hour leading up to the shooting.”

Sayles, who has an extensive criminal history, was free on bond at the time of the shooting. He had been arrested for stealing a car, burglarizing a home, possession of a firearm, and possession of crack and ecstasy/methamphetamine. Nearly a year after he committed the crime, police officers arrested him for evading arrest, aggravated assault, and felon in possession of a firearm.

“He committed the murder in November, and then the next year, in April, he is shooting at a crowd of people in broad daylight at a gas station,” Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Pearson said. “He has absolutely no regard for human life or any remorse—he knows he killed someone, and he’s out doing the same thing five months later.”

Sayles won’t be eligible for parole until he serves at least half of his prison sentence.

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Michelle Obama, former first lady, election, presidential, 2024
by Sharelle B. McNair

November 15, 2024

New Memoir Outs Secret Service Agent’s Rendezvous At Obama’s Hawaii Mansion

'Under Cover Heartbreak: A Memoir of Trust and Trauma' was released on Oct. 28.

A new memoir is dropping spicy details of a former Secret Service agent being fired for bringing a past lover to former President Barack Obama’s Hawaii mansion, ABC News reports. 

Undercover Heartbreak: A Memoir of Trust and Trauma, written by the unidentified agent’s ex-lover, Koryeah Dwanyen, details how she was invited to join the agent at the Obamas’ beachfront property in 2022 while the former First Family was away.

“No one will know. If anything, I’m the one who could get in trouble,” the agent, identified as “Dale,” said, according to Dwanyen.

Dwaynen said Dale had photos of the mansion, including Michelle Obama’s bathroom, which prompted a suggestion. “We should have sex in Michelle [Obama]’s bathroom, like a mile-high club,” Dwanyen writes.

The Oct. 28 release of the book, heaped more scrutiny on the Secret Service following a headline-generating security lapse in July 2024 which resulted in calls for operational reform. Then Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was shot at during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, causing the former agency’s director, Kimberly Cheatle, to resign. The allegations pinned on “Dale” in the memoir called for a thorough internal investigation. 

Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service’s chief of communications, confirmed one incident matching the Hawaii incident described in the self-published book. That led to the agent being terminated immediately.

“On Nov. 6, 2022, a Secret Service agent involved in protective functions brought an individual who did not have authorized access into a protectee’s residence without permission,” Guglielmi said. 

“As soon as the Secret Service became aware of the incident, the agent involved was immediately suspended and after a full investigation, terminated…The U.S. Secret Service’s top priority is ensuring the safety and security of our protectees, and any actions that compromise this commitment are addressed with the utmost seriousness.” 

Dwanyen seemingly uncovered the former agent’s secret double life. He mentioned being divorced but the writer found out he was still married after meeting him during a Martha’s Vineyard vacation in Massachusetts. He was still on duty to protect the Obamas who have a home on the upscale island, according to the New York Post.  

The agent allegedly also spoke about then-Vice President Mike Pence, whom he was cast to protect during his tenure in the White House. Dwanyen said she then emailed “Dale”‘s boss, whom she once met, to go over safety concerns about the agent, his family, and her own.

“I knew their code names. I knew what day Orangetheory was, what day [Michelle Obama] had private tennis lessons and when her personal trainer came,” she said. “Things that I should not have been privy to as a civilian.”

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RZA, knicks, national hip-hop month
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 15, 2024

RZA Connects With NY Knicks And Nike For Wu-Tang Clan Dunk High Campaign

RZA plays a beekeeper and Raekwon narrates Nike's ad for the rerelease of the legendary shoe.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the Wu-Tang Clan Dunk High’s 1999 release, Nike enlisted Wu-Tang founder and producer RZA to star in a new Nike ad, narrated by group member Raekwon, celebrating the kicks’ official comeback.

“The Hive” sees RZA performing his beekeeper duties as Raekwon talks about the significance of the bee in our natural habitat.

“Ancient Egyptians believed that bees were the Servants of the Gods and carved beekeeping instructions inside the chambers of the pyramids,” Raekwon says after announcing the killer bee in Latin. “An individual bee could not survive without the hive just as humanity could not survive without the bees.”

“We all links to the same chain,” Raekwon continues. “The black and yellow patterns serve as a warning to any predator that they ain’t nothing to f*** with.”

As RZA unveils the new reimagined sneakers, New York Knicks starters Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges also appear, watching the hip-hop legend through binoculars from afar. RZA then takes off his beekeeper hat to look directly into the camera and remind the world that it’s “Wu-Tang Forever” as the bees form the group’s signature yellow and black logo in the sky.

The ad draws inspiration from Wu-Tang Clan’s “Killa Bees” moniker and the group’s many nods to killer bees in their music. Nike’s senior global creative director, Kimou Meyer, developed the idea to incorporate this iconic theme into the spot, and director Ben Solomon brought the vision to life with the final concept, titled “The Hive.”

“We all knew that we wanted to make something that felt true to the language, energy, and culture of both Nike and Wu-Tang Clan without it feeling retro,” Solomon told ADWEEK.

The original sneakers paid homage to Wu-Tang’s 1993 debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by only releasing 36 pairs that were gifted to the group members, their family members, and a few Nike employees. Now, the rerelease is available on Nike’s SNKRS app and retails for $150.

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Snoop Dogg, Snoop Dogg, Holiday Halftime Show, nfl
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 15, 2024

Snoop Dogg Releases Lovechild Jewelry Collection To Combat The ‘Anger and Negativity’ In The World

Snoop Dogg's first jewelry collection is made with love in mind.

Snoop Dogg first-ever jewelry line carries a name he hopes will combat the world’s “anger, negativity, and division.”

On Wednesday, the rap icon released his Lovechild jewelry collection in collaboration with jewelry brand Metal Alchemist and his music and media partner gamma. The “pieces with purpose” serve as lifelong reminders that love is powerful, intentional, and worth carrying with you.

Made in the USA, the six-piece collection includes the Broadus Ring, named after Snoop’s real name, Calvin Broadus, the Cuban chain bracelet and a necklace, priced from $128 to $298.

“I chose to name the collection Lovechild because I felt like the world is so full of anger and negativity and division, and I know that I lead with love,” Snoop Dogg told The Hollywood Reporter. “The news is quick to bring you bad news, so we are stepping in with a whole new force of love.”

“Snoop, Larry [Jackson] and I built our careers from a shared foundational belief: empower others and change the way things are done,” Metal Alchemist founder Carolyn Rafaelian said. “With Snoop’s deep-rooted belief in love as an energy that transforms, and Metal Alchemist’s dedication to crafting clean, powerful precious metal innovation, Lovechild was born. Larry knew bringing us together would spark something extraordinary.”

Snoop partnered with gamma. last year in a long-term licensing agreement for exclusive rights to market and distribute the Death Row Records catalog and release two Snoop Dogg albums. The company was founded by former Apple Music executive Larry Jackson.

“It’s one thing to endeavor to create a new line in any field, it’s another to do so with a captain of industry and a successful entrepreneur by your side,” Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter.

Lovechild launches Wednesday via pre-sale at Snoop.Love. The collection will be available on Dec. 6 exclusively at Reeds’ 57 locations and online at reeds.com.

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wu-tang, just blaze, game, Project Shaolin
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 15, 2024

Wu-Tech! Wu-Tang Clan Once Had Their Own Video Game

In 1999, a Playstation video game, 'Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style,' was released in recognition of the New York City collective.

When a Staten Island hip-hop group released a song that captured the hearts of New York City fans and then the world, no one expected the phenomenon those nine emcees came together for. The Wu-Tang Clan released their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in 1992 (the theme of the album and the emcees were based on the 1978 martial arts film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin).

Inspired by the martial arts movies that came on television and were also popularized through video cassettes back then, the group was heavily influenced by the fighting styles of various movies. Several years later, in 1999, a Playstation video game, Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style was released in recognition of the New York City collective.

CBR recently discussed the origins of the game.

The video game was based on a Shaolin master named Master Xin, the group’s mentor, who was kidnapped by an enemy in hopes of stealing the power of Shaolin from him. The members of the Wu-Tang Clan were students of Master Xin, who taught them “honor, virtue, and the unwavering qualities of bravery” in the face of danger. The enemy, Mong Zhu has his minions kidnap Master Xin. This was when the Wu-Tang Clan formed together to leave Staten Island to travel to the Chinese fortress of Mong Zhu to rescue the man who was responsible for teaching them all they knew.

As they went to get their master back from the clutches of Mong Zhu, they were met with defenders of the enemy in their quest to save Master Xin. Along the way, they met different warriors and disciples of the captor, as the game is reminiscent of the same type of Chinese martial arts movies with a mix of the 70s blaxploitation films that occupied the movie screens as well.

Just like in the cinema of that time, where the villains and heroes each possessed special skills as their weapons, it was the same for members of the hip-hop group in the video game. A person playing the game ccould select a particular Wu-Tang Clan member as a fighter.

Examples included Method Man utilizing a giant, but slow hammer; Ghostface Killah used his metal fists as weapons. RZA took on the characteristics of a traditional fighter, with twin swords as his weapon of choice, while his cousin, Ol’ Dirty Bastard used an unorthodox yet effective style as his power.

Although this game wasn’t the first game patterned after a recording artist, (1994’s Revolution X starred Aerosmith, Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker was released in 1990, and 1982’s Journey Escape was made for the Atari 2600), Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style was the first video game to feature hip-hop artists and music while featuring the group members as characters you can play.

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Pharrell, American Dream
by Kandiss Edwards

November 15, 2024

Pharrell Williams X Evian Present ‘The Fountain Of Youth’

Pharrell Willimas' 'Humanrace' emphasis the need for hydration in new partnership.

Evian is partnering with Pharrell Williams’ skincare line, “Humanrace.” for its “The Fountain Of Youth Campaign.” 

The design is minimalistic; its engraving reads, “This Is The Fountain Of Youth.”

According to Forbes, Evian will produce “two limited-edition glass bottles—still and sparkling—in striking blue and green.”

Creating glass bottles was an intentional decision made by Evian and Williams. The Louis Vuitton Creative Director wants people to be more aware of the environment. 

Williams is not calling for a no-waste lifestyle, yet he thinks intentionality can make an impact.

“We need to be mindful of how we impact the planet and strive to create products that are better for it,” he said.

The “Happy” singer’s skincare routine has popped up in discussion over the years, as he has maintained his physical appearance well during his decades-long career. Williams admits self-care and body maintenance was not always a top priority for him. At one point, he didn’t understand the need for hydration in daily wellness. That is no longer the case. 

“When I was younger, I didn’t really get how important hydration was. It wasn’t even on my radar. But as I dove deeper into health, I realized water is a fundamental part of wellness. Now, it’s a non-negotiable part of my daily routine.”

Williams spoke to Forbes about how the partnership connects with Humanrace’s vision. He believes the message of “The Fountain of Youth” is timely, and the world can benefit from increased emphasis on self-care and joy. 

“When we were creating it, the goal was to make something that resonates deeply and brings that sense of happiness to life. Really, that’s what wellness and youthfulness are all about, too. Finding joy in the little things and staying connected to that youthful energy, which is why it was perfect for the latest Evian campaign – we’re both aligned on our youthful joy for life.”

Williams is drinking his water and minding his many businesses. The Evian collaboration is only one in a list of highlights for Williams, this year. The designer was recently named a co-chair of the Met Gala’s exhibit, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, which is focused on Black men’s fashion over the years.

Along with co-chairing the Met Gala, Williams released his biopic, Piece by Piece, on Oct. 11. In true Williams fashion, he opted to tell his life story using an outside-of-the-box medium, in Lego movie format. 

William’s latest collaborations suit his eccentric style and love of imagination and creativity. Though the Evian collaboration is simple in comparison, it somehow fits.

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Anita Davis, Tallahassee
by Stacy Jackson

November 15, 2024

Tallahassee To Rename Street After Civil Rights Activist Anita Davis

Tallahassee's city commission voted to rename the street to honor Anita Davis who opened doors for other Black politicians in the state.

The Tallahassee City Commission is working to rename a segment of Pasco Street after the late civil rights icon Anita Davis.

The street sign from Orange Avenue to Bragg Drive will soon read, “Anita Davis Place,” in honor of her legacy as a community leader and neighborhood activist in Florida’s state capital. According to ABC27, the location is in the area where Davis lived. The renaming is a tribute to Davis’ service as the first Black woman on the Leon County Commission and efforts that paved the way for members of the Tallahassee Black community to serve in local politics.

City commissioner Curtis Richardson credits Davis for paving the way for his political career in the Tally community. “Right now, many of the streets here in Tallahassee are named after prominent figures in our community,” he said, which BLACK ENTERPRISE recently covered, including a Nov. 11 renaming of a portion of Pasco Street now known as “T-Pain Lane.” Anita Davis Place is the Tallahassee City Commission’s latest effort to continue that tradition throughout the community. “I just think this is very deserving, it’s time and I’m happy to see it done,” Richardson said.

The Tallahassee City Commission voted to adopt a resolution to approve the renaming during an Oct. 16 meeting, according to Tallahassee Reports. Davis moved to Tally in 1979. Following 12 years as President of the state’s NAACP branch, she spearheaded significant initiatives as a member of the Leon County Commission, securing single-member districts for the commission and Leon County School Board to elect representatives centered on their specific needs. She made further strides in Tally’s Southside with the development of parks in Woodville, Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library, and a health clinic on Old Bainbridge Road. Leon County Government honored Davis with the naming of the County’s Anita L. Davis at Lake Henrietta Park in 2018 following her contribution to the restoration of Lake Munson.

Davis’ friend and neighbor, Althamese Barnes, attested to the work she’s done as a true member of the Tallahassee community. “Anita was of the people,” Barnes said. “Her forte and something this community really needed at that time was someone to work with our young people.”

Signs for “Anita Davis Place” are still in process and the city is in communication with family members to schedule a date for an official ceremony. The Tallahassee advocate died in 2021 and was buried at Tallahassee National Cemetery.

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