• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 4, 2024

3 Former Memphis Police Officers Found Guilty Of Witness Tampering In Tyre Nichols Case

Charges of witness tampering carry potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

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Three ex-Memphis police officers were convicted of federal witness tampering charges regarding the fatal 2023 beating of Tyre Nichols, NBC News reports. 

The former cops—Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, and Taddarius Bean—were accused of using excessive force, obstructing justice through witness tampering and other crimes that deprived Nichols of his rights. They all entered a not-guilty plea, but a jury disagreed. 

Haley was convicted on one count of conspiracy to witness tamper and one count of obstruction of justice for witness tampering. Smith and Bean received guilty verdicts on one count of obstruction of justice and witness tampering. None of the men were found guilty of deprivation of rights under color of the law for excessive force and failure to intervene or deliberate indifference; however, Haley received a conviction of the lesser counts for each involving bodily injury.

Charges of witness tampering carry potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison. Haley’s civil rights charge holds up to 10 years in prison. If convicted on the harshest charges, state murder charges, all three could face life in prison. 

“All of them have been convicted of something, and they’re all going to jail. That’s how I feel,” Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, said. “This has been a long journey for family.”

Nichols’ case made national headlines after he was declared dead at a Memphis hospital three days after being pulled over for reckless driving on Jan. 7, 2023. After two confrontations with the officers, Tyre was arrested following reports he was beaten. Days later, a graphic video was released on national networks showing the brutal attack. Compared to the likes of Rodney King, the video showed officers, according to family attorney Ben Crump, giving “blow by blow, kick by kick, deplorable, excessive use of for by police.”

The five officers involved in the case were members of a crime suppression team called the Scorpion Unit. They were fired after Nichols’ death for violating police department policies and the unit was disbanded. 

“Tyre’s family is relieved that all three officers were found guilty and taken into custody for their loved one’s death,” Crump and fellow civil rights Antonio Romanucci said in a statement following the Oct. 3 verdict. “Tyre should be alive today, and while nothing can bring them back, today’s guilty verdicts bring a measure of accountability for his senseless, tragic death.

“We hope this moment serves as a reminder that our fight for justice for Tyre is far from over. We will continue to push for justice in the state criminal case and civil cases so that no family has to endure this heartache again. Our thoughts are with Tyre’s family as they continue to navigate this painful journey.”

The two other officers involved in the case, Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills, pleaded guilty to civil rights violations and conspiracy charges before the trial began. Mills was the only officer to enter a guilty plea to state-level offenses.

RELATED CONTENT: Second Officer Pleads Guilty To Violation Of Tyre Nichols’ Civil Rights

• Arts and Culture

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 4, 2024

Jason Reynolds, Dorothy Roberts, And Jericho Brown Among 2024 MacArthur Foundation’s ‘Genius’ Grant Winners

Eight Black trailblazers made the MacArthur Foundation's 2024 list of 'Genius' grant winners.

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On Tuesday, the MacArthur Foundation unveiled its 2024 “Genius” grant winners. Eight Black trailblazers were awarded the $800,000 stipend.

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Among the recipients were Dorothy Roberts, a legal scholar and public policy researcher focused on racial inequities in social services; poet Jericho Brown; and dancer/choreographer Shamel Pitts.

Each fellow is initially proposed for consideration by a group of anonymous nominators and subsequently recommended to the foundation’s president and board by an independent selection committee. Since its 1981 inception, over 1,100 recipients have received the fellowship, commonly referred to as the “genius grant.”

For Dorothy Roberts, 68, an author and professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s law school, receiving the honorary grant reflects the appreciation many have for her work, even when it tackles subjects considered inappropriate by some scholars, such as the prosecution of pregnant Black women for drug use.

“I started this work in 1988,” Roberts told The New York Times. “To get this kind of recognition is very gratifying. Not only for me personally, but for all the people, especially Black women, who’ve been devalued in these systems.”

Shamel Pitts’ work founding and leading the multidisciplinary artist collective Tribe caught the attention of enough people who anonymously nominated him for the grant.

Tribe’s work as a collective of wide-ranging artists resembles world-building by seamlessly integrating spatial, lighting, and sound design elements with the dancers’ movements to produce immersive multi-sensory experiences that captivate audiences. With a special focus on representing the African diaspora, Tribe has a commitment to working toward a future free from the constraints of historical oppression.

“I hope my work promotes feeling, provokes thought, and proclaims the irresistibility of liberation, pleasure, and revolution from, through, and beyond our bodies,” Pitts said.

Jericho Brown’s poetry reinvents familiar poetic forms and rhythmic patterns to intensify its emotional impact. Through his three collections, Brown, 48, delves into themes of masculinity, spirituality, family, sexuality, and racial identity, using inspiration from personal experiences and influences from American pop culture.

“The best way to describe my work is to say I write what humans of every society all over the world historically need. I write what the spirit reads,” Brown said.

Ruha Benjamin, 46, a transdisciplinary scholar and writer, earned her grant for “illuminating how technology reflects and reproduces inequality and championing the role of imagination in social transformation,” the Foundation said. Through integrating critical analysis of innovation and focusing on the potential for positive change, Benjamin highlights the vital role of imagination and grassroots activism in influencing social policies and cultural practices.

Tony Cokes, 68, was awarded for his contributions as a media artist. He produces video works that reinterpret historical and cultural moments. By sampling and recombining textual, musical, and visual fragments, he emphasizes how dominant narratives from our oversaturated media landscapes reinforce existing power structures.

Historian Jennifer L. Morgan, 58, is a Fellow committed to enhancing our understanding of how race-based slavery emerged in early America. She sheds light on the experiences of enslaved African women during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Ebony G. Patterson, 43, is a multimedia artist based in Chicago, originally from Kingston, Jamaica. She creates intricate, richly layered, and visually captivating works that focus on the culture and aesthetics of postcolonial spaces. Her artistic practice encompasses painting, photography, video, performance, sculpture, textiles, and installation, addressing themes such as visibility and invisibility, regeneration, and mourning in postcolonial contexts.

Children’s and young adult author Jason Reynolds, 40, was named a fellow for his work capturing the rich inner lives of kids of color and creating powerful moments of human connection in his books. His writing addresses a gap he felt growing up as a Black boy in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where he rarely saw his community represented in the literature promoted at school.

Reynolds’ books blend humor, joy, and playfulness while addressing the harsh realities of racism, economic inequality, police brutality, and grief. His characters navigate friendships, uncover talents, make mistakes, seek forgiveness, confront fears, and care for parents battling cancer.

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• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 4, 2024

Don Pooh Is Taking Brooklyn Chop House To Abu Dhabi

Brooklyn Chop House is making its global debut overseas at the W Abu Dhabi—Yas Island.

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Brooklyn Chop House will make its global debut at the world’s only hotel built over a Formula 1 racetrack.

The famous NYC hotspot is making its way to Abu Dhabi as the UAE capital elevates its dining scene with the launch of a new concept at W Abu Dhabi—Yas Island, scheduled to debut by the end of the year. Brooklyn Chop House is poised to draw large crowds in Abu Dhabi by introducing its signature blend of classic steakhouse fare with bold Asian-inspired flavors to the Persian Gulf.

“We are thrilled to bring the vibrant essence of Brooklyn Chop House to Abu Dhabi,” founders Robert “Don Pooh” Cummins and David Thomas said in a press release.

“This opening is not just about introducing our signature blend of Asian-inspired steakhouse cuisine; it’s about creating a cultural fusion that reflects New York City’s energy while embracing the UAE’s warmth and hospitality.

“We can’t wait to welcome guests to a dining experience that is as unforgettable as it is delicious,” they added.

Embodying the cultural diversity that characterizes New York City, the upscale restaurant will invite guests to an artistic culinary journey. It will offer dumplings, satays, salads, soups, and its renowned selection of steaks and chops. Brooklyn Chop House Abu Dhabi will replace the Indian restaurant Angar and the Italian eatery Amici.

The new location reflects the essence of its celebrated New York locations, where it fuses innovation, culture, and culinary artistry.

Featuring a menu that blends bold flavors with classic steakhouse favorites, Brooklyn Chop House is known for its sensory experience enriched by specially curated music, artistic expression, and an atmosphere of contemporary luxury. Whether for a cozy gathering or a lavish celebration, Brooklyn Chop House Abu Dhabi promises an unforgettable experience where gastronomy, culture, and style come together.

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• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 4, 2024

Melania Trump Breaks Away From Husband’s Pro-Life Agenda By Announcing She Is Pro-Choice 

Talk about shaking the table...

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Former first lady Melania Trump has shaken things up by confirming her support of abortion rights while promoting her upcoming memoir, CNN reports. 

Trump released a video standing her ground on the issue after a take away from her memoir, Melania, prompting readers to believe she is on the opposite side of abortion rights, while her husband, GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, is pro-life. “Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard,” she said in the video, posted to X, formerly Twitter. 

“Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth: individual freedom. What does my body, my choice really mean?” 

Her stance on the hot political topic places her at odds with the former president, who has boasted about being proud of overturning Roe v. Wade. The 50-plus year legislation gave federal protections for abortion until June 2022 following the Supreme Court’s controversial ruling. As a result, a number of severe restrictions on the procedure have been planted in mostly GOP-led states such as Texas and Florida. 

Melania Trump has been seemingly absent from the 2024 campaign trail during her husband’s third White House bid. Up until recent weeks, she has kept a low profile outside of releasing videos to promote her memoir, which is scheduled to be released on Oct. 8. 

Social media users don’t seem to be buying her stance on abortion. Many have attacked her for staying silent for so long while her husband and running mate push for a pro-life agenda nationwide. “Mel, Just curious, when your husband ran on overturning Roe and has bragged about doing it for years, why the silence until now?,” @leslie007 wrote. 

Other users were calling her out for being divided from her husband. “You and your husband are so far from a united front. Just leave him already,” @maileonx said. 

Media personalities share similar sentiments. During a segment on ABC’s The View, co-host Sunny Hostin though Trump’s stance is an attempt to destroy her husband’s campaign, according to Mediaite. “I think she hates him. I also think she wants to take him out. She does not want to be the first lady anymore,” Hostin said. 

“She destroyed the Rose Garden. Who hates Christmas? Melania Trump hates Christmas. She doesn’t wanna decorate for Christmas. She doesn’t want to sleep in the same room with him. She can’t tolerate him….I really think this is her way of undercutting his bid for the presidency.” 

Fellow co-host and former Trump aide and now critic, Alyssa Farah Griffin, disagreed, pointing out that if he loses, Trump is facing serious jail time.

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by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 4, 2024

Flatbush Recognized Among 38 Coolest Neighborhoods In the World

The neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, gets its due.

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Flatbush, Brooklyn, is gaining recognition for its lively culture and community, earning a spot on Time Out‘s list of “The 38 Coolest Neighborhoods in the World.”

The global travel and leisure outlet consulted with its worldwide network of local experts to pinpoint the coolest neighborhoods worldwide. Flatbush is one of eight U.S. cities on the list. The Brooklyn community ranked No. 17 among the 38 cities recognized globally.

Flatbush is being hailed as New York’s coolest neighborhood at the moment, thanks to its proximity to Prospect Park—recognized as New York City’s best park—and its diverse array of Black-owned businesses and vibrant culture. Located along Flatbush, Nostrand, Church, and Utica Avenues, Flatbush boasts the largest and most diverse Caribbean-American-Latinx community outside the West Indies, according to Caribbeing.

Many Caribbean immigrants settled in Flatbush, Brooklyn, in the 1960s and 1970s following the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and New York City offering job opportunities in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, education, and domestic care. Flatbush represented upward mobility for West Indian families who were moving from more crowded and less well-maintained housing in Crown Heights.

Today, the lively neighborhood is dubbed the “Little Caribbean” as it serves as a hub of Caribbean culture, community, shopping, and food. The impact of its artists, business owners, creators, and residents is evident in vibrant locales such as Peppa’s Jerk Chicken, Lips Cafe, and Bodega Lounge, as well as during the annual West Indian Day Parade, which fills Eastern Parkway with dancing every Labor Day weekend.

Flatbush’s spirited tree-lined streets have housed icons like Joey Bada$$, Busta Rhymes, and Barbra Streisand, and continues to attract major talents, particularly to the historic Kings Theatre. Other famous faces either born and raised in Flatbush include Neil Diamond, Norman Mailer, and Talib Kweli.

Time Out has created a one-day itinerary showcasing some of the neighborhood’s best highlights to encourage travelers to include Flatbush in their next NYC visit. The outlet suggests visitors start their day at Allan’s Bakery to avoid the expected crowd eager for its flaky currant rolls.

Next, explore the shops at Flatbush Central, the African Record Centre, and the new Little Caribbean Duty-Free at 1399 Nostrand, all while enjoying fresh sorrel from Hibiscus Brew. For lunch or dinner, be sure to stop by Aunts et Uncles and Peppa’s. End your night with drinks at Bodega Lounge, known for hosting events ranging from wine tastings to mixers, or Miss Barbs, which serves excellent coffee and wine.

Other US cities that made Time Out’s list of the coolest neighborhoods in the world include Kerns in Portland, Oregon, at No. 5; Little River in Miami, which came in at No. 12; and East Hollywood in Los Angeles at No. 26.

• Travel and Leisure

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 4, 2024

Halle Bailey Names St. Lucia And Maldives Her Favorite Travel Destinations

Halle Bailey shares her favorite travel destinations and what places are on her bucket list.

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Halle Bailey jet-sets around the world to work and for various appearances, but there are two locations that she loves visiting the most.

The Little Mermaid star’s passion for travel has made her an ideal partner for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card from Chase in its Bold Chat Court contest, where 10 fortunate travelers will win a total of 5 million Bonvoy points (500,000 points each) to plan their dream vacations.

As part of the partnership, Bailey is opening up about her love for travel.

“I have so many favorite destinations that I’ve traveled to. My top ones would be St. Lucia, of course, and the Maldives,” she told Ebony. “It’s one of my favorite places; it’s like a dream and doesn’t feel real. I definitely want to get back there because I haven’t been in about four years.”

Bailey hasn’t been everywhere and still has “so many” destinations that are on her bucket list.

“I really want to go to Ghana and I want to go to Bali,” she shared. “I hear great things about both. I also want to go to Turks and Caicos. Man, the list can go on and on.”

As a mom to 1-year-old son Halo, traveling has become a new experience when she brings her baby boy along for the journey.

“It’s honestly been way more fun now, traveling with Halo,” she said. “Not only do I get to discover this new place, but I also get to see him see all these things for the first time. It’s the most humbling, beautiful thing in the world, and it makes me just want to travel more and go everywhere.”

Bailey continued. “I feel like I’ve finally gotten the process down pat as far as packing with him now, too. You just have to be super organized. I make checklists; it’s my new favorite thing. I check off when I know each thing is in the bag, so I know it’s there and not going anywhere.”

RELATED CONTENT: Halle Bailey Awarded ‘Best Mother’ By Boyfriend DDG After NAACP Image Award Loss

As the nation prepares for what could be a historic presidential election if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected president, one organization is already helping Black women leave America.

The Black women behind ExodUS Summit say some Black women are preparing for a potential surge in racism, similar to the backlash and fallout from former President Barack Obama’s tenure, and it’s driving their decision to leave America.

ExodUS Summit, with its event ExodUS Summit 2024, is helping Black women make the move by providing tools and strategies for an exit abroad.

Founded in 2020 by Roshida Dowe and Stephanie Perry, ExodUS Summit was launched in response to Black women feeling unsafe and exhausted in the United States and want to spend significant time abroad. Dowe and Perry partner with other experts and organizations to host virtual and live events and workshops to show Black women that they can move abroad.

Since 2020, the ExodUS Summit has helped hundreds of Black women leave the United States for sabbaticals, long-term travel, and even permanent relocation. The co-founders are hosting the fifth annual ExodUS Summit 2024 from October 11 through the 14.

“We’re witnessing a shift. Black women are no longer accepting exhaustion, lack of safety, and the overwhelming stress of a hostile environment as the norm. They are prioritizing joy, peace, and freedom, and ExodUS Summit is a critical part of this movement,” said Stephanie Perry, co-founder of ExodUS Summit.

This year’s speakers will focus on such topics as finances, health care abroad, schooling children overseas, strategies for a successful move, and preparing aging parents for a move abroad.

“We’re incredibly proud to help usher Black women and their families toward a path of liberation through relocation. The connections made during the ExodUS Summit are real and powerful. It’s more than just a virtual event. It’s a sisterhood. By stepping out of struggle, our attendees open themselves to a world of new possibilities,” Perry said.

by Mitti Hicks

October 3, 2024

Voting Rights Groups Challenge GOP Lawsuit To Protect Over 5K Voters In Georgia

The Dekalb County Republican Party's lawsuit is currently pending in state court.

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Voting rights advocates in Georgia are asking the state court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by local Republicans that could affect more than 5,000 voters for the upcoming Presidential election.

Lawyers for the Advancement Project, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Southern Poverty Law Center, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Arnold & Porter filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the Dekalb County Republican Party and an activist seeking to force members of the DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections to hold challenge hearings that could remove more than 5,000 voters from the rolls ahead of the election.   

How The Republicans’ Lawsuit Could Impact Georgia Voters

The Republican’s lawsuit is pending in state court. The lawyers, representing the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP, New Georgia Project, Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Common Cause Georgia, and League of Women Voters of Georgia, hope the courts will dismiss the suit with the motion they have filed.

“So far, DeKalb County election officials have applied the law correctly. They have declined to convene challenge hearings and they have rebuffed the petitioners’ allegations that thousands of voters, many of whom are voters of color, are invalidly registered,” a joint press release from the organizations representing the voting rights advocates reads. “If allowed, public challenge hearings could disrupt the administration of the November election and create chaos by causing the removal of voters on the eve of Election Day–-perhaps after early voting has started.”

According to attorneys, the motion to intervene intends to head off any purge proceedings before any voters are removed and the need to bring a National Voting Registration Act action if federal court arises.

“This last-minute attempt to purge more than 5,000 Georgia voters is simply a vehicle to sow chaos to undermine our election process,” said Judith Browne Dianis, executive director of Advancement Project. “Demanding that DeKalb County hold public challenge hearings would give partisan operatives an opportunity to publicly air trumped up charges of illegal voting–-when in fact the petitioners are attempting to suppress the vote in a predominantly Black county.”

RELATED CONTENT: Survey Reveals Five Distinct Political Groups Among Black Voters

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 3, 2024

Hotline Set Up For Diddy’s Alleged Victims Overwhelmed With ‘Unprecedented’ Amount Of Calls

A hotline set up for Diddy's alleged victims has been overwhelmed with calls.

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Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing about 120 civil lawsuits in response to a hotline set up for his alleged victims.

Lawyers looking to represent the disgraced hip-hop mogul’s alleged victims set up a sexual assault hotline number that received over 3,000 calls, The Mirror reports. Attorneys were looking to field calls from people who wanted to report any abuse they allegedly suffered at the hands of Combs, one Texas lawyer revealed.

Following Combs’ arrest in New York last month, the hotline received an “unprecedented” amount of calls.

“Never, ever in a 10-day period have we seen over 3,000 people come forward,” Andrew Van Arsdale, co-counsel said during a Tuesday press conference.

Following these calls, Arsdale and Tony Buzbee reportedly prepared 120 civil lawsuits on behalf of victims alleging the Bad Boy founder sexually assaulted them. At the press event, Buzbee announced his role in representing these clients, who accuse Combs of exploitation and sexual abuse.

“This is an important matter that we intend to aggressively pursue,” Buzbee said. “We will leave no stone unturned to find all potentially liable parties, to include any individual or entity who participated in or benefited from this egregious behavior.”

According to the lawyers, the claimants allegedly include 25 minors. The alleged abuses span two decades, involving both male and female victims aged 9 to 38, from the 2000s to the 2010s.

Combs continues to “vehemently” deny all allegations of wrongdoing against him.

“That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors,” attorney Erica Wolff said in a statement.

“He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court if and when claims are filed and served, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation.”

Combs has pleaded not guilty in court following his arrest in New York on Sept. 17, denying all misconduct allegations. The arrest came after a grand jury indictment that charged the entertainment mogul with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution. The day after his arrest, Combs was ordered held without bail as he “poses an ongoing and significant danger to the community, has repeatedly engaged in obstructive conduct, and presents a serious risk of flight,” prosecutors said.

The hotline number for his alleged victims is 1-800-200-7474. Additionally, if you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) or visit its website to receive confidential support.

RELATED CONTENT: Shyne Speaks On Diddy’s Arrest: ‘This Is Someone Who Destroyed My Life’

• Travel and Leisure

by Jameelah Mullen

October 3, 2024

More Than 70 Artists To Gather In Oakland To Support Black Women

The inaugural Black Tulip Cultural Week Of Action starts Oct. 3.

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Over 75 artists will gather in Oakland from Oct. 3 to 5 to address issues disproportionately affecting Black women.  

The Black Tulip Cultural Week of Action is a three-day event where artists from various mediums will use their talents to advocate for social change for Black women. They will address topics such as domestic violence, sex trafficking, high maternal death rates, and police brutality. 

“It’s really about affirming our lives and also demanding a cultural shift,” said Anyka Howard, founder of Betti Ono Foundation, the organization sponsoring the event, told KQED. “We want to reclaim that public space and usher in an energetic force around not accepting or tolerating these conditions, especially in Oakland, especially in the Bay Area.”

Ono will have a booth at the corner of Telegraph Ave and 23rd Street on Oct. 4 during the First Friday Street Fair. She is partnering with Oakland’s Dream Youth Clinic, which provides free health services and meals to young people, and the SHADE Movement, which assists survivors of sex trafficking and domestic violence.

The event will end with a day of performances and workshops at Lake Merritt. R&B artist and activist Dawn Richard, who recently made headlines for filing a lawsuit against P. Diddy, will headline the event. 

Some of the artists have first-hand experience with gender-based violence. Artist Jada Imani became an anti-violence advocate after her best friend, interdisciplinary artist Zoe Reidy Watts, was killed earlier this year, allegedly by her boyfriend. Not only has she organized a mural in Reidy Watts’ honor, but Imani is also creating a community garden dedicated to her friend. 

The Betti Ono Foundation also aims to rally support for a statewide version of the Protect Black Women and Girls Act. Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly introduced the act in the House of Representatives earlier this year. If passed, the bill would create a task force to study disparities that Black women face in education, economic development, healthcare, employment, housing, justice, and civil rights.

Maud Alcorn, Betti Ono’s arts and culture project manager, said that building community, especially in Oakland, is essential to achieving its goals. 

“It’s the most important part of having not just Black women and girls saying, ‘Hey, our lives have value and are worth fighting for, are worth protecting.’ It’s also having our allies show up and say the same thing,” Alcorn said in an interview with KQED.

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