NCAA, HBCUs Allen University and Edward Waters University

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 9, 2024

House v. NCAA Lawsuit Nears Settlement, Bringing Students Closer To Revenue Sharing

The NCAA could start revenue sharing with student-athletes as soon as the 2025-26 school year.

The House v. NCAA lawsuit appears close to being settled and changing the landscape of college sports.

According to CBS Sports, the $2.8 billion settlement from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has received preliminary approval from Judge Claudia Wilken.

If all goes well, the suggested sharing revenue plan can start as soon as the 2025-26 school year.

“We are thrilled by Judge Wilken’s decision to give preliminary approval to the landmark settlement that will help bring stability and sustainability to college athletics while delivering increased benefits to student-athletes for years to come,” NCAA president Charlie Baker said in a written statement. “Today’s progress is a significant step in writing the next chapter for the future of college sports. We look forward to working with all of Division I, and especially student-athlete leadership groups, to chart the path forward and drive historic change.”

In September, Wilken requested that both sides revise several sections and then resubmit the proposal.

Under the proposed plan, schools will be able to share up to $22 million each year with student-athletes. It will also create bigger roster caps while opening the door for scholarships to all rostered players and potentially allow the NCAA to have more enforcement capability.

The timeline below will take place upon approval of the settlement.

Oct. 18, 2024: Former players will be notified of the decision, and a claims period will begin for eligible people. Only athletes who participated between 2016 and the beginning of the NIL era in 2021 will be eligible, but it should involve many sports.
Dec. 17, 2024 (60 days after notice): The projected amount of money to be distributed will be publicly available. The final number for specific individuals will depend on a number of factors.
Jan. 31, 2025 (105 days after notice): The window for people to submit claims for compensation, opt out of the settlement, or bring objections to the court closes.
April 7, 2025: The court will have a hearing for final approval. Notably, it will take place on the same day as the NCAA men’s basketball national championship.

NFL, Brother-Sister Duo, Ashley & Trey Smith

by Daniel Johnson

October 9, 2024

Jim Trotter, NFL Settle Discrimination And Retaliation Lawsuit

In September 2023, Trotter sued the NFL for retaliation, arguing that his contract wasn't renewed because he questioned Goodell publicly on discrimination matters and Black representation.

After the National Football League previously attempted to have a racial discrimination lawsuit brought by its former employee, The Athletic’s Jim Trotter, dismissed in May 2024, the league agreed to settle the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum.

According to Yahoo Sports, Trotter announced the settlement via a social media post. In the statement, Trotter indicated that he would also create an HBCU journalism scholarship in honor of the late Junior Seau, which the NFL agreed to donate.

“The NFL and I have agreed to resolve my lawsuit,” Trotter said. “I will be creating a scholarship foundation for journalism students at HBCUs, and the NFL has agreed to make a donation in support thereof. I am proud to have the opportunity to help and support HBCU students achieve their goals and dreams, just as scholarships afforded me those opportunities when I was a student at Howard University.”

Some personal news, with greater detail available at https://t.co/sGDuBgouAf. #PayingItForward pic.twitter.com/DDhN54eO9H
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) October 9, 2024

Trotter also explained on the foundation’s website why he named it the Work, Plan, Pray Foundation.

“(Junior) Seau was a giving soul who often ended speaking engagements by reminding the audience to work for today, plan for tomorrow, and pray for the rest,” Trotter said. “I could think of no greater way to thank him and carry on his legacy of giving than by amplifying his words in the name of this foundation.”

Trotter credited Seau with teaching him the nuances of an NFL locker room when he was a reporter for the San Diego Tribune. He said Seau “took me under his wing and taught me about the culture of a locker room and the mindset of an elite professional athlete.”

Trotter’s lawsuit stemmed from a line of questioning he delivered at the 2023 Super Bowl news conference.

Trotter used his time to press NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the lack of Black representation in team ownership and news editors in the NFL-owned NFL Media. In March 2023, Trotter announced that he was leaving the NFL Network because his contract hadn’t been renewed.

In September 2023, Trotter sued the NFL for retaliation, arguing that his contract wasn’t renewed because he questioned Goodell publicly on discrimination matters and Black representation.

Trotter’s lawsuit also alleged that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula made discriminatory comments when they were asked about player protests and diversity in the NFL. Both men denied making the statements.

According to The Athletic, when NFL Vice President of On-Air Talent Sandra Nunez asked Trotter in March 2023 if he was “in alignment” with the NFL, Trotter replied that he was “not in alignment with a newsroom that does not have Black representation in decision-making positions.”

When Trotter filed his lawsuit, he released a statement saying that his attempts to hold the league accountable on matters of inclusivity, something the league claimed to want, resulted in his firing.

“The NFL has claimed it wants to be held accountable regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Trotter said. “I tried to do so, and it cost me my job.”

Trotter’s attorney, David Gottlieb, said that Trotter has long been a paragon of principled idealism, which is reflected by his creation of the scholarship foundation.

“Jim is not only a talented journalist, but someone who lives by his ideals and principles in all aspects of his life,” Gottlieb told The Athletic. “As a perfect example of that, Jim has used this opportunity to create a charity devoted to supporting Black journalism students at HBCUs and increasing racial diversity in his professional field. We applaud him for his courage and congratulate him for his charitable work, which our firm will be proudly supporting as well.”

Ural Glanville, young thug, juror, photos, YSL, Truly humbled under god,

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 9, 2024

Former GA Deputy Arrested For Allegedly Taking Bribes From Mother Of YSL Co-Defendant

Kendra Bailey was arrested on Oct. 4.

A former Fulton County (GA) Deputy was arrested on charges of taking bribes from the mother of a YSL co-defendant.

Kendra Bailey served as a sheriff’s deputy and detention officer. However, the 31-year-old was immediately fired after accusations surfaced of her taking bribes to give jail inmates prohibited items, such as drugs. One of these inmates included Marquavious “Qua” Huey, a defendant in the already controversial trial against rapper Young Thug.

Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was arrested in May 2022 for racketeering, otherwise known as RICO, charges as leader of the alleged YSL (Young Slime Life) gang. Huey is one of the six defendants, alongside Williams, standing trial.

Police arrested Bailey on Oct. 4 on charges, including four counts of violation of oath and two counts of bribery. An additional two counts are for obtaining/procuring/giving inmates prohibited items without authorization.

According to her arrest report, Bailey received $500 through Apple Pay from Huey’s mother, Malissa, in May.

“Ms. Bailey indirectly received money from inmate Marquavious Huey by accepting $500 from Ms. Malissa Huey (via Apple Pay) on May 6, 2024,” detailed the report obtained by Atlanta News First. “This would cause a reasonable person to believe it influenced her job performance because Ms. Bailey failed to perform the official action of seizing contraband (e.g., substance appearing to be white pills) from inmate Huey.”

Huey faces 19 counts ranging from racketeering, armed robbery, aggravated assault, guns, car hijacking, and street gang participation.

This latest scandal could throw another wrench into the already-fraught YSL RICO case. The trial is expected to last years given its delays and the fact that over 100 witnesses remain to to take the stand. It is already the longest-running trial in Georgia history.

Spirit Airlines Flight, Racial Slur, Woman, FEES, FEE-FREE, BAGGAGE,

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 9, 2024

Spirit Airlines Flight Attendants Reportedly Remove Passengers From Plane For Wearing Crop Tops

After questioning the rule, the flight attendant asked the travelling duo to exit the plane.

Two women claim they were removed from a Spirit Airlines flight for wearing cropped shirts.

Tara Kehidi and Teresa Araujo intended to fly from Los Angeles to New Orleans on Oct. 4. While boarding the plane, they took off their sweaters due to the lack of air conditioning. The women thought they were fine, given their crop tops underneath. However, a male flight attendant quickly deemed their lesser clothing impermissible.

“We were wearing crop tops… just like a little bit of stomach showing,” Kehidi told KABC.

According to the women, the male flight attendant told them to “put something on” as they settled into their seats. However, the duo fought back on the request.

“He’s telling both of us (to) put our sweaters on,” Kehidi continued. “And then we’re like, ‘Oh, can we see a dress code? Like, is there a policy that says we can’t wear crop tops on the plane?”

After questioning the rule, the flight attendant asked the travelers to leave.

“They were treating us, honestly, like criminals—all because we were wearing crop tops on the plane,” Kehidi added.

“Our Contract of Carriage, a document all Guests agree to upon making a reservation with us, includes certain clothing standards for all Guests traveling with us,” the airline explained in a statement obtained by USA Today. “We are investigating the matter, and we are in contact with the Guests about their experience.”

While the Contract of Carriage does not explicitly prohibit crop tops, it does not allow “barefoot or inadequately clothed, or (if their) clothing is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature.” Passengers violating this standard are at risk of being removed from the aircraft.

Moreover, those asked to leave the flight for this reason are not eligible for a refund. After leaving the plane, the women bought Delta flights for $1,000 in order to still celebrate Araujo’s 30th birthday in New Orleans.

It remains unclear if they put back on their sweaters this time.

racial Tensions, Therapist ,Mental Health, AI theraphy

by Kandiss Edwards

October 9, 2024

‘Black Female Therapists’ Creates Mental Health Directory For Black Communities

Amber Dee is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who created a hub for Black people to find mental health professionals. Through her platform, Black Female Therapists, Dee informs Black women and men about mental health in the Black community. Though the name of the site centers on women, Dee stresses the database is made for all. Dee’s intent is to help connect people with a practitioner in their area. The LPC and businesswoman spoke with Atlanta News First about filling a specific need in the Black community and her platform’s database.

“It’s really important for you to connect with a therapist that knows background, cultural background,” she said.

Dee needed a personal therapist; she believes even practitioners need a place to vent. However, her search for a therapist yielded little fruit. She discusses the challenges of finding a therapist on the official website of Black Female Therapists.

“After getting into the field of mental health and seeking my own therapist (because I think every therapist should have a therapist), I had a difficult time finding a special fit for me. I eventually stopped complaining and started to do something about this, which sparked Black Female Therapist.”

The Black Female Therapists directory is only one facet of Dee’s platform. Contrary to its name, the site offers community and assistance for both men and women of color.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Black Female Therapists | Mental Health (@blackfemaletherapists)

Dee compiles resources such as podcasts, daily affirmations, events, and more to help people struggling with mental health.

The need for platforms like Black Female Therapist or Therapy For Black Girls is apparent.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, “Suicide was the third leading cause of death for Black or African Americans ages 10 to 24.”

The Office of Minority Health also cites that Black men commit suicide at “more than four times higher than for Black or African American females.”

Black men are not the only demographic at risk; 21.6% of children in grades 9-12 have contemplated suicide, and only 15.1% of Black people have received therapy as a whole.

The percentage of Black people contemplating or enacting self-harm is higher than the number of Black people in therapy. Working with a mental health professional is one way to help decrease the growing statistics.

Transgender woman, Missouri, Kansas City, shot

by Kandiss Edwards

October 9, 2024

Georgia Colleges And Universities Are 1 Step Closer To Banning Transgender Athletes

The request also has support from the state's lieutenant governor.

On Oct. 7, members of the Georgia State Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s 26 public colleges and universities, unanimously voted to ask for ban on transgender athletes in college sports, the New York Post reports.

The board is challenging both the NCAA and the National Junior College Athletic Association’s policies, which “align with the Olympic movement” in creating space for transgender athletes.

Georgia’s government is largely conservative; as such, Republican Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones led the movement to seek a more stringent policy for the state’s public institutions.

On Mar. 15, Jones took his grievance public and condemned the NCAA for its progressive policies on his X account.

Lt. Governor Burt Jones Expresses Support for Independent Council on Women’s Sports, Urges NCAA to Ban Biological Men in Women’s Sports

“I demand that the NCAA and these universities issue an apology and right their wrongs.”

Link: https://t.co/EjjRlkFVka #gapol pic.twitter.com/D0CBbfNCZ1

— Lt. Governor Burt Jones (@LtGovJonesGA) March 15, 2024

Georgia public colleges and university’s athletic programs are governed by the NCAA and National Junior College Athletic Association. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), made up of smaller private colleges, has a less tolerant approach to transgender athletes. Georgia is seeking a policy that mirrors the NAIA and bans only transgender women from playing any form of college sports.

“Under the NAIA’s new policies, the only athletes permitted to participate in women’s sports are those assigned female at birth and have not undergone hormone therapy,” the New York Post explained. “All athletes are still allowed to participate in NAIA-sponsored male sports.”

The policy focuses heavily on the levels of testosterone in the body:

A trans male (FTM) student-athlete who has received a medical exception for treatment with testosterone for diagnosed gender dysphoria for purposes of NCAA competition may compete on a men’s team but is no longer eligible to compete on a women’s team without changing that team status to a mixed team.
A trans female (MTF) student-athlete being treated with testosterone suppression medication for gender dysphoria for the purposes of NCAA competition may continue to compete on a men’s team but may not compete on a women’s team without changing it to a mixed team status until completing one calendar year of testosterone suppression treatment.”

While the Board of Regents is one step closer to its end goal of eliminating transgender athletes in college sports altogether, the aforementioned rules remain in place.

by Stacy Jackson

October 9, 2024

Industry 360, CultureCon Celebrates 2nd Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience In NYC

This year's Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience presents the first event of its kind to occur during CultureCon Week.

In celebration of Caribbean excellence, social impact organizations Industry 360 and CultureCon partnered to host the second year of the Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience on Oct. 2 in New York City.

Wednesday’s Caribbean-focused affair, helmed by CultureCon’s parent company, The Creative Collective NYC, welcomed guests to the Continent Brooklyn for the first event during CultureCon Week. Industry 360 Founder and award-winning Trinbagonian publicist Tenille Clarke stated in a press release that the historic partnership honors the dynamism and beauty of the Caribbean diaspora as the initiatives showcase their limitless potential and creativity to the world.

CultureCon Founder Imani Ellis greeted guests and acknowledged the ongoing partnership with Industry 360. “The Creative Collective is the largest community in the United States for Black creatives…and we’re making sure that we’re building strong ties across the diaspora,” Ellis said.

The Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience gathered guests of Caribbean descent and allies from across the region. The glamorous event featured Caribbean-inspired cuisine, cocktails, and music. Chef Scotley Inniss presented a fine dining experience for guests, paired with Caribbean-inspired cocktails from award-winning spirits brand Ten To One Rum. Grenada-born vocalist Jeverson graced the event with a live vocal performance, followed by an evening networking celebration with entertainment from DJ Danglez and DJ Kayla G. Special guests in attendance included Bahamian-Nigerian lawyer and writer Olayemi Olurin, Billboard Magazine music journalist Kyle-Brandon Denis, Grenadian-born celebrity publicist, Dr. Yvette Noel-Schure and others. Grenadian womenswear designer Felisha ‘Fe’ Noel was honored during the affair with the Cultural Legacy Award.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Joel Nomdarkham (@nomdarkham)

The Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience also presented guests with exciting announcements for 2025, like Industry 360’s new six to 8-week multidisciplined mentorship opportunity and Creative Arts Residency in partnership with Shelley Worrell’s Little Caribbean NYC and I Am Caribbean. “For Caribbean culture to be included and celebrated in such a meaningful and intentional way within the CultureCon ecosystem…is a testament to the shared values of this partnership between Industry 360 and CultureCon,” Clarke said.

More details about the New York-based residency are coming near the end of 2024.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 9, 2024

3 St. Lunatics Members Request To Be Removed From Nelly Lawsuit

Nelly's attorney informs lawyer that "that they did not authorize" the lawyer, Gail M. Walton to "include them as plaintiffs.”

In September, several members of the Nelly-affiliated St. Lunatics hip-hop group filed a lawsuit against Cornell Hayes, AKA Nelly, accusing the hitmaker of not paying royalties for their debut album, “Free City.” Now, three of the four members named in the litigation have requested their names removed from the lawsuit against the St. Louis artist.

According to Billboard, former St. Lunatics members Murphy Lee (Tohri Harper), Kyjuan (Robert Kyjuan), and City Spud (Lavell Webb) have demanded to be excluded from the lawsuit as they never authorized the attorney who filed the suit to include them in the action. The initial filing was done at a federal court in Manhattan on Sept. 18. The lawsuit alleges that after being assured by Nelly that they would be properly compensated and credited for their work, it wasn’t an issue at the time. Yet, they felt “manipulated” as the artist had them thinking they would be paid for the work done on the album.

Nearly a week later, on Sept. 24, an attorney for the “Hot in Here” rapper, N. Scott Rosenblum, sent a letter to the attorney who filed the suit stating that he is now representing Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, and City Spud and the trio had informed him “that they did not authorize” the lawyer, Gail M. Walton to “include them as plaintiffs.”

“They are hereby demanding you remove their names forthwith. Failure to do so will cause them to explore any and all legal remedies available to them.”

With the recent development, the litigation appears to be between Nelly and Ali (Ali Jones).

The other three members were recently seen performing with Nelly at the American Music Award on Oct. 6.

Another St. Lunatics member, Slo Down (Corey Edwards), was part of the group but was not named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 9, 2024

Piers Morgan Apologizes To Jay-Z & Beyoncé For Airing False Accusations Made By Jaguar Wright

Morgan apologized to the married couple and removed the comments following their denial of Wright's accusations.

Piers Morgan is apologizing for his recent interview with singer Jaguar Wright, in which the artist made false accusations against Jay-Z and Beyoncé.

Wright appeared on Morgan’s “Uncensored” show on Oct. 2. There, she touched on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ recent arrest for sex trafficking and abuse. However, while condemning Diddy’s actions, Wright also suggested that Jay-Z is a “monster” for similar acts.

“For four years, I’ve been screaming not just Diddy, but Diddy and Jay-Z are monsters,” exclaimed Wright on the show, as confirmed by the Hollywood Reporter. She later claimed that the rapper and his wife, Beyoncé, are “nasty people” who have hundreds of victims.

Moreover, she added that they put “people against their will, putting people on planes while they’re unconscious.” Swiftly after the allegations went public, Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s lawyers contacted Morgan’s team. They denied Wright’s accusations, calling them “totally false and have no basis in fact.”

Beyond her singing career, Wright has arguably become more known for her outlandish and often false statements against major celebrities. On his Oct. 8 episode, Morgan explained to his viewers why he initially invited Wright to express her controversial thoughts.

“The thing about platforms, the reality of the modern world is that pretty much everyone has a platform as long as they have something to say that other people want to hear,” he stated. “That’s why we invited [Wright] on to be interviewed. The people making these claims have an audience with or without shows like mine.”

However, after their legal team wrote to condemn and deny the allegations, Piers Morgan approved their request to cut Wright’s mention of them in the interview. He also noted that Wright “unexpectedly” brought up the married couple in the conversation.

“Jaguar [Wright], unexpectedly, made several serious allegations about Jay-Z and Beyoncé during that interview. As I said in the moment, they were not present to respond or defend themselves, but now they have,” he continued. “Their lawyers contacted us to say that those claims were ‘totally false’ and have no basis in fact, and we’ve therefore complied with a legal request to cut them from the original interview.”

While he spoke about his show’s title, “Uncensored,” the legality of the matter led to the apology and removal of Wright’s comments.

Morgan added, “Editing interviews is not something we do lightly at a show called Uncensored. But like the proverbial cries of fire in a crowded theater, there are legal limits on us, too. And we apologize to Jay-Z and Beyoncé.”

credit cards, personal finance, credit scores, debt, credit karma, FTC

by Daniel Johnson

October 9, 2024

Black Credit Card Debt And Available Options To Eliminate It

Credit card debt has risen despite high interest rates, a sign that many Americans have been relying on credit cards to get them through inflation.

According to the latest numbers from the Federal Reserve Credit Survey, Black Americans carry, on average, $4,360 in credit card debt, the third highest figure by ethnicity, according to available demographic data.

However, along with Latinx Americans, Black Americans share the lowest median credit card debt at $1,700.

According to Motley Fool, credit card debt has risen despite high interest rates, a sign that many Americans have been relying on credit cards to get through inflation.

According to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, that is precisely what occurred.

“They (Americans) used credit card debt to supplement their incomes to maintain their purchasing power,” Zandi told Time Magazine. “Families who turned to credit cards to fill in budget gaps now have higher interest payments.”

Zandi also offered a hopeful outlook, “The good news is card growth has slowed, and lenders have tightened their underwriting. There are some signs that things are starting to stabilize and level off.”

Despite the lower median credit card debt figure, New York Federal Reserve researchers found that Black and Latinx credit card holders were more likely to be delinquent on credit card debt.

However, according to CBS News, there may be a few ways to escape credit card debt through credit card debt forgiveness programs.

Usually, getting credit card debt forgiven involves contacting creditors to settle the debt for less than the original amount owed.

Another option is to work with a debt consolidation or a debt relief company, but there are typically some requirements to be met before that is an option.

Most companies require a minimum of $7,500 in unsecured debt, but that figure varies by company.

If that figure is more than what is owed to a creditor, it is likely your best bet to negotiate directly with the creditor, but if your credit score is good enough, you can also apply for a debt consolidation loan or a balance transfer credit card, which comes with a low (usually 0% APR) introductory interest rate.

In addition, credit counseling agencies can give cardholders budgeting advice and enroll them in a debt management plan that can lower interest rates and consolidate payments.

The last and, in some cases, the most desperate option is to declare bankruptcy, which essentially wipes your debts and gives you a clean slate, but it does damage your credit score and, depending on the type of bankruptcy declaration, can take as long as five years to resolve.

As Black Enterprise previously reported, there are ways to control debts proactively so you don’t have to be in a position where you need debt consolidation services.

One of the best methods is proactively tracking your credit card purchases. Most major credit card companies have systems that allow you to see your balance, so take advantage of that resource so you don’t fall behind on your monthly payments.

Another money management tip is to use a debit card or cash for purchases lower than $50 and only use your credit card for larger purchases. This will allow you to spread the cost over time in more manageable amounts.

According to Beverly Anderson, president of Global Consumer Solutions at Equifax, knowing what you spend and paying what you can are major keys to avoiding credit card debt in the first place.

“A consumer should look at how much they’re making and what they’re spending,” Anderson told CNBC Select, “Knowing exactly where you stand and what you can afford may help you better manage financial commitments.”

Anderson continued, “When a consumer is not able to pay in full, they should pay whatever they can and avoid any late payment as that may not only hurt their credit standing but further increase the interest rate.”