• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 23, 2024

Chance the Rapper Passes Out Free Food to High Schoolers After Receiving $100K Donation From Raising Cane’s

Chance the Rapper gives back to high schoolers and receives a $100,000 donation toward his charity SocialWorks.

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Chance the Rapper was in the giving mood recently as he stopped by Michele Clark Magnet High School in his hometown Chicago, to treat students to lunch from a Raising Cane’s food truck.

The three-time Grammy award-winning rapper served as “Principal Chance the Rapper” on Sept. 12, greeting students and offering some of Raising Cane’s signature chicken finger meals to the excited bunch. The event was part of the $100,000 donation Chance received from the fast-food chain toward his youth empowerment charity SocialWorks.

Founded by Chance in 2016, SocialWorks supports thousands of young people each year by focusing on education, mental health, homelessness, and the performing and literary arts. The “No Problem” rapper’s latest humanitarian efforts coincide with the release of his new singles “Together” and “3,333,” which he believes is a “blessing” and testament to just moving in his purpose.

“I feel like when you do take those chances to live in your purpose and just be brave, good things come,” Chance the Rapper told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “So, the fact that this [donation] is coming right after is a huge blessing of SocialWorks.”

It was an early day for the music artist as he headed to Raising Cane’s near Chicago’s historic Wrigley Field at 9:30 in the morning to speak with the press about the new partnership. However, despite the early morning call, fans were still lined up outside the eatery for a chance to meet Chance.

“I think it also is a reminder of people supporting me,” Chance added. “Like when I got here, it’s like 40 people lined up outside. It’s early as hell. But people are coming in support. It’s not just the chicken fingers, but also me, you know what I mean?”

He continued, “I think it’s a reminder of the community that we’ve been building and what we’re building around. And so it’s a testament to me, but also to Raising Cane’s as a supporter of SocialWorks and a huge signal that SocialWorks is doing great things.”

SocialWorks is dedicated to empowering youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement while promoting leadership, accessibility, and positivity. The charity’s five initiatives—OpenMike, Warmest Winter, Kids of the Kingdom, the New Chance: Arts & Literature Fund, and My State of Mind—are designed to advocate for young people and support their success in all its forms.

With a goal to continue driving impact through innovation and collaboration, Raising Cane’s $100,000 donation will help Chance with his SocialWorks mission.

“I’m so blessed by this donation from Raising Cane’s for my charity SocialWorks. I’m always proud to collaborate with brands that put emphasis on giving back to charities and working with nonprofits,” Chance said.

• Politics

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 22, 2024

NAACP President Urges Mark Robinson To Suspend North Carolina Campaign

The NAACP leader said that people like Robinson have no place in elected office.

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NAACP President Derrick Johnson is urging North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson to suspend his gubernatorial campaign. The call comes after Robinson allegedly made racist comments on a porn site’s message board.

According to The Hill, Johnson told that people like Robinson, who allegedly referred to himself as a Black Nazi, have “no place” in government.

“Anyone who identifies themselves as a Black Nazi or who would resurrect the concept of institutionalized slavery has no place in elected office particularly as governor,” explained the racial justice organization’s president and CEO on Sept. 20. “The institution of slavery was not only inhumane, it should be something we never revisit again.”

The NAACP leader added, “The concept of Nazism too — attack and kill millions of people based on their religious belief — should be something that we learn from, never to repeat, not to celebrate. Unfortunately, the public square is being used to resurrect concepts and campaigns and policy that would demean, and in many ways, kill people that should not be a part of where we are in this society.”

Moreover, CNN first reported about the discriminatory comments a day prior. According to the news outlet, Robinson wrote that slavery was “not bad” and that he would buy into the immoral practice.

“Slavery is not bad. Some people need to be slaves. I wish they would bring it (slavery) back. I would certainly buy a few,” he allegedly wrote.

The NAACP president reaffirmed that while the organization remains nonpartisan, its supporters should not validate the campaigns of those who “belittle human beings.”

“We’re political as hell in the sense that we care and concern for individuals. We care and concern for African Americans, for women’s rights, for those who have been marginalized, for working poor people across racial lines,” he continued. “Anyone who belittles human beings to try to marginalize communities, they should not have a place in politics. They should not have a place, in our, in society because we must grow past that. We want to see an America that looks more diverse, inclusive and prosperous, and not America based on a 1930s apartheid system.”

However, prior to the report’s release, the Republican lawmaker shared a video denying the accusations.

I wanted to take a minute to address the latest outrageous lies coming from my opponent’s dishonest campaign: #ncgov #ncpol pic.twitter.com/RtteVUiozr

— Mark Robinson (@markrobinsonNC) September 19, 2024

“Guys, the news media is at it again. My opponent is at it again. You all have seen the half-truths and outright lies of Josh Stein on these ads… And now a story leaked by him to CNN is appearing now. Let me reassure you, the things that you will see in that story, those are not the words of Mark Robinson,” he explained in the clip.

Despite the controversy, Robinson remains adamant about staying in the race.

RELATED CONTENT: Email Linked to North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson Registered On Ashley Madison Amid Allegations Of Controversial Online Activity

• Sports

by Daniel Johnson

September 22, 2024

A’ja Wilson Becomes Second Unanimous MVP In WNBA History

The only other player to achieve this feat is former Houston Comets star Cynthia Cooper-Dyke.

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In a season in which she rewrote the WNBA history books, it is fitting that A’ja Wilson’s third MVP is one that makes more history for the centerpiece of the Las Vegas Aces and the face of the WNBA.

According to The Athletic, Wilson’s unanimous Most Valuable Player award marks only the second time in the league’s history that a player won the award in such a dominant fashion. The only other player to achieve this feat is former Houston Comets star Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, who recorded one of the greatest statistical seasons in league history.

Like Cooper-Dyke’s run to the trophy in 1997, there was little opposing defenses could do to stop Wilson as she set new highs in points per game, total points, and total rebounds. She also became the first player to lead the WNBA in points, blocks, and rebounds in the same season. Wilson also became the first player to top the 1,000 point-mark in a single season, amassing 1,021 total points.

Earlier in September, Aces head coach Becky Hammon told reporters that Wilson has been in a zone for pretty much the entire season. 

“I don’t want it to ever get lost on how good (A’ja) is,” Hammon said. “She just does it all. She’s in the middle of a run that sometimes I want to shake her and say, ‘Do you know how good you are?’ But then I don’t want to shake her because I don’t want to wake her up. She can just stay in whatever zone she’s in.”

With her latest MVP trophy, Wilson joins Sheryl Swoopes, Lauren Jackson, and Lisa Leslie as the only three-time WNBA MVP award winners in league history. She is also a favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year for a third time, which would tie her with Swoopes, Tamika Catchings, and Sylvia Fowles. 

Wilson all but credited a lone MVP voter for voting that she was the fourth-best player in the league during 2023’s close MVP race that eventually went to the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas. At the Aces victory parade, Wilson remarked, “Whoever you are out there that voted me fourth (for MVP), thank you. Thank you so much,” Wilson said. “I wanna say I appreciate you, ’cause that just means that I got a lot more work to do.”

As the WNBA record books reflect, she did that work in this season and then some, also propelling the USA Women’s National Team to yet another gold medal with her steady play on both ends. 

At a team meeting, Wilson told the rest of the Aces that her trophy is really dedicated to them and that she remains dedicated to the organization. “I cannot thank you all enough. I hope you guys understand how much you mean to me. I hope you guys know that this trophy is nothing without y’all. We’ve been through the ringer – and we gon’ continue to go through the ringer – but one thing y’all don’t ever have to worry about is A’ja going anywhere.”

In addition to her individual award, Wilson figures to land First Team All-WNBA honors and First Team All-Defense honors, as reflected by predictions from The Athletic and SB Nation. Wilson and the Aces head to the postseason as the number four seed in the Western Conference, where they will face the Seattle Storm at home on Sept 22.

RELATED CONTENT: Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson Adds To Legacy By Breaking Another WNBA Record

• News

by Daniel Johnson

September 22, 2024

Report: Maryland Democratic Senate Nominee Angela Alsobrooks Allegedly Claimed Improper Tax Deductions

According to a report from CNN, Alsobrooks improperly took tax breaks that she didn't meet the qualifications for.

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According to a report from CNN, Angela Alsobrooks, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee in Maryland, improperly took tax breaks that she didn’t meet the qualifications for, including one meant for low-income senior citizens.

An analysis of property records and tax documents by CNN indicates that Alsobrooks allegedly violated Maryland and local tax laws by claiming a homestead tax exemption on her residence for a decade, despite it being intended only for a person’s primary residence.

In addition, Alsobrooks claimed a senior citizens tax break on the property she holds in Washington, D.C., which cut her tax bill by 50%. The 53-year-old Alsobrooks has never qualified for that particular tax break, but according to CNN; her grandparents, who previously owned the property, likely did.

CNN spoke to Connor Lounsbury, a senior advisor for Alsobrooks, who informed the outlet that she and her attorneys are working to fix the issue with Prince George and Washington counties in Maryland and that Alsobrooks was unaware of the issue. 

“She was unaware of any tax credits attached to that property and has reached out to the District of Columbia to resolve the issue and make any necessary payment,” Lounsbury said.

In 2014, Alsobrooks purchased an additional home in what is described as an “equestrian” community in Prince George’s County. The property was listed as her primary residence and she doesn’t take a homestead exemption on that property, which her advisor said costs the aspiring Senator more money.

“When Angela bought her new property, the homestead tax credit from her previous home was not transferred,” Lounsbury told CNN. “This resulted in no financial gain for Angela. In fact, she ended up paying more in taxes than she would have had the credit transferred over. Nevertheless, Angela is working to repay any credits received on the old property.”

Alsobrooks is currently a county executive in Prince George County and as part of her duties is responsible for overseeing the county budget and its tax collection division. 

Alsobrooks reportedly used a tax exemption meant for citizens of Prince George’s County and its lower-income residents and senior citizens to save almost $14,000 in taxes between 2005 and 2017 on a property she owned in Northeast Washington; that is the property formerly owned by her grandparents who did have a senior citizens credit on the property. 

According to Washington, D.C., law, the failure to cancel exemptions that a homeowner no longer meets can lead to “penalties equal to 10% of the delinquent tax and interest accruing each month at 1.5% until paid in full.” However, it is left to the discretion of the tax district to pursue penalties and the homeowner has to decide to cancel any exemptions they do not meet. 

Ironically, Alsobrooks has made tax reform a central part of her campaign against former Republican Governor Larry Hogan, whose presence in the race has complicated things for the Maryland Democrat. On X, Alsobrooks called attention to the need for a more equitable tax system in March 2024.

“Too many Americans are struggling to get by and are forced to live paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet,” Alsobrooks wrote. “As your senator, I will fight for a fairer tax system that doesn’t deliver handouts to the top 1%.” 

Her campaign also pointed to her record of pushing for local tax relief. In 2020 Alsobrooks opposed a county measure that would have raised property taxes to recoup losses incurred by the pandemic. In 2022, Alsobrooks signed a law giving eligible elderly residents a five-year property tax credit.

According to CNN, Alsobrooks is far from the only politician running for office who has had problems with improper use of tax exemptions. In addition to Hogan, who her campaign criticized for receiving a tax break on a mansion he owns in Edgewater, Maryland, while he lived in the governor’s mansion located in Annapolis. Several other politicians, including California’s Adam Schiff and Georgia Republican candidate Herschel Walker, also claimed to have two primary residences. 

However, in Hogan’s case, governors and federal employees are exempt from residency requirements. The race between Hogan and Alsobrooks figures to remain hotly contested despite the tax-related allegations against Alsobrooks. As of August, several polls had Alsobrooks and Hogan in a dead heat, but a poll jointly conducted by The Hill, DC News Now, and Emerson College and released earlier in September had Alsobrooks ahead by seven points. 

RELATED CONTENT: Democratic Candidate Angela Alsobrooks Fights To Solidify Historic Win In Bid For Maryland Senate Seat

• News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 22, 2024

Virginia Panel Investigating Black Community Displacement By Public Universities Criticized

The Newport News task force is reviewing decisions approved by the city that led to the displacement of a Black middle-class community.

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A Virginia task force has faced criticism for its investigation of Black communal displacement by public universities and colleges in the state.

According to the Virginia Mercury, the Newport News task force continues to review decisions approved by the city and Christopher Newport University (CNU) that led to the displacement of a Black middle-class community. However, they have allegedly lacked transparency about the progress of their work and research.

The group has pushed back against accusations, with one member stating that it takes time to acquire the necessary background information on the matter. The group members appointed by the city’s mayor mainly stem from the city council and university officials.

“It seems as if we’re quiet, but we’re working deeply to get knowledgeable about the information,” stated Joni Ivey, the entity’s sole citizen representative.

The task force was launched following the findings of an investigative series initiated by the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO and ProPublica. They discovered that an all-white Newport News council in the 1960s seized 60 acres originally meant to expand a Black community. Instead, the land went to build CNU.

However, according to the Newport News community, one citizen is not enough representation. Furthermore, no residents of the historic Black communities became members. Pastoring the City, an interfaith group in the area, also brought up this issue in an editorial letter.

“We were unhappy that no resident of Johnson Terrace or other representative of the Shoe Lane neighborhood were named to the task force,” the group wrote.

They also urged for the task force to submit a timeline for their activities, as well as appoint members directly from the impacted neighborhoods. They also wanted CNU to affirm that their expected 2030 expansion will not impact other homes.

Despite this pushback, the task force remains adamant that local families will be integral to their final recommendations and report. However, their lack of direct participation leads many to question the authenticity of this notion.

The group asserted that they will collaborate with residents and the overarching CNU community. However, they left questions of how they would do so unanswered. Moreover, residents remain apprehensive to fully trust the task force’s intentions or recommendations.

“There’s a lot of mistrust there because of how they’ve handled things in the past,” explained Dwayne Johnson, whose family lives in one of the last remaining households of the destroyed neighborhood. “Are we going to be trusting of them? They have to really show us something to even earn a little bit of it.”

• News History

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 22, 2024

Mary Cowser Alexander, Educator And First Black Woman To Model In Coca-Cola Ad, Dies At 90

Alexander made her historic appearance after the soda company decided to create marketing material for 'Negro' customers.

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Mary Cowser Alexander, a small yet recognizable figure of Black history, has died at age 90. The educator was notably the first Black woman to model in a Coca-Cola ad in 1955.

Alexander, the daughter of farmers from the small town of Ballplay, Alabama, pursued her ambitions by studying at the then-Clark College in Atlanta, where she gained valuable experiences and advanced her career in education.

Alexander made her historic debut when the soda company chose to develop marketing materials aimed at “Negro” customers. According to AL.com, her father supported her entry into the ad competition after she learned of a substantial prize equivalent to a year’s college tuition. Upon winning, Alexander was featured in a yellow dress sitting alongside two male Black models, all holding glass bottles of Coca-Cola.

With this advertisement, Alexander emerged as a symbol of diversity and representation, especially during a time of racial inequality.

However, that was not the only “first” she would acquire during her lifetime. Alexander later became the first African-American female school administrator in Michigan. This position led to her appointment as the first female principal at Highland Park High School. According to her son, Detroit minister Richard Lane, she went into recruiting, helping Black students in Detroit advance their own professional careers.

The model and educator died on Sept. 19 from a heart attack. She had been suffering from scleroderma, a chronic and incurable autoimmune disease. While Lane remains saddened to see his mother gone, he maintains that her life and legacy continue on.

“It’s a slow, painful killer, and there’s no cure for it,” Lane shared. “But she’s got to be the strongest woman I’ve ever known. [Alexander] suffered gracefully. She rarely complained [and] was a woman of faith. She loved her husband and loved her family, and just was an inspiration to so many.”

Upon the news of Alexander’s passing, Coca-Cola also released a statement. The company shared that she was a pioneer for “the future of inclusive advertising.”

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mary Alexander, an extraordinary woman who has left a positive impact on our company and those lucky enough to have known her,” they wrote. “Her historic advertisement marked a significant moment not just for The Coca-Cola Company, but for the future of inclusive advertising, and helped to dismantle racial barriers. We extend our heartfelt sympathies and sincere condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

RELATED CONTENT: Black Women Celebrated At Essence Fest With Continued Support From Coca-Cola

by Daniel Johnson

September 22, 2024

Nike Collaborator Forfeits $1.2M To Government Amid Money Laundering Lawsuit

James Whitner is named in a federal lawsuit alleging that a $32M money laundering scheme.

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James Whitner, the founder of the sneaker retailing group the Whitaker Group, which includes boutiques A Ma Maniera and Social Status, gave up $1.2 million in cash which federal prosecutors initially seized in 2021 amid a money laundering probe by the government.

According to WCNC Charlotte, Whitner is named in a federal lawsuit alleging that a $32 million money laundering scheme was carried out by Whitner and his associate Antwain Freeman. The scheme allegedly included receiving payments for items such as clothes and shoes that were improperly resold to Chinese sellers by his business. 

If Whitner sold the items in the manner he is accused of in the lawsuit, then he would be guilty of breaching his contract with Nike that includes a provision that their products are not to be resold outside of the United States and to resellers, according to Complex. According to the lawsuit, Whitner is accused of using code names to hide his illegal activities from his employees. 

The lawsuit states an individual referred to as “YG” in Whitner’s records is a Chinese national who is a reseller in Asia. “YG” allegedly delivered large sums of cash to Whitner in exchange for shoes, and in addition, Whitner is alleged to have arranged for the individual in question to make payments at Freeman’s home or at another company owned by Whitner, The Foundation. 

Whitner is alleged to have made cash deposits totaling millions of dollars from 2017 through 2019, which made PNC Bank, the bank Whitner was using, question where the money was coming from, the court filing states. Whitner changed banks soon after the inquiry, relocating his business accounts to South State Bank. 

Whitner defended his business and operating model via a post to his Instagram account, writing, “We look forward to defending our business and operating model while continuing to proudly serve the communities that have embraced us over the last 20 years.”

His statement continued, “This complaint will not deter us from continuing to tell our stories and build a legacy of excellence and we will continue to vigorously defend our businesses and all that they contribute to culture, commerce and the community.”

Complex reported, on Sept. 17 an entry of default was filed in North Carolina district court, which confirms that the $1,199,530 seized at Freeman’s apartment on or around August 17, 2021 was formally surrendered to the United States government. 

According to court documents, Whitner, Flava Factory, Jaizai Investments and Trois Investments all received requests from the government to claim the money from Nov. 28, 2023, until Dec. 17, 2023. Whitner did reply to those requests with four requests for an extension, but the last deadline to claim the money came and went on Sept. 13. According to the filing, “the government has conferred with counsel for Mr. Whitner and his businesses and understands that they do not intend to submit a claim in this matter.”

Whitner is also the subject of a civil complaint filed in November 2023 that alleges that he and Freeman participated in a scheme designed to resell millions of dollars in shoe product to Chinese nationals. The complaint is similar in nature to the federal lawsuit Whitner is named in. He is one of the top collaborators with shoe and apparel giant Nike, which is headquartered in Oregon. Whitner is not facing any criminal charges as a result of that particular lawsuit. 

RELATED CONTENT: The Sneaker Industry Raked in $70 Billion in Sales, But Black Retailers Did Not Gain Much

• Celebrity News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 22, 2024

Kim Porter’s Alleged Memoir Becomes Bestseller As Diddy Faces Criminal Charges

The 60-page book, titled 'Kim’s Lost Words: A Journey for Justice from the Other Side…,' allegedly contains information Porter saved on a flash drive.

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Kim Porter’s alleged tell-all book, released posthumously on Sept. 6, is rising in the charts. The memoir has become a bestseller on Amazon as her former partner, Sean “Diddy” Combs, has been arrested on sex trafficking charges.

The 60-page book, titled Kim’s Lost Words: A Journey for Justice from the Other Side…, allegedly contains information Porter had on a flash drive and gave to her friends before her death. Porter unexpectedly died from pneumonia in 2018. She left behind her four children, having three biologically with the disgraced media mogul.

According to The Daily Mail, the book came to life through Chris Todd, a Los Angeles producer, under the pen name of “Jamal T. Millwood.” The unauthorized and unconfirmed memoir grew to #1 on Amazon’s list of Western U.S. Biographies.

Todd shared a close source to Porter shared the flash drive with him. However, he took it upon himself to share her story “from the grave.”

“I was lucky enough to meet someone that purported to have Kim Porter’s flash drive,” he told the media outlet. “I know the celebrity source pretty well [and] know how close they were to Kim and Diddy, and all the people in the hip-hop community. This was supposedly for Kim Porter from the grave, to come forward and tell her story.

Its success can also be attributed to the ongoing saga of Comb’s legal woes. A week after its release, Combs was arrested on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

Moreover, Todd added that the situation remains “dangerous.” Despite this, he feels safer to speak out following Comb’s detainment.

“This is a dangerous situation, and I didn’t want to claim ownership of Kim’s words,” he continued. ” But now I’m willing to come forward because of the recent arrest of Sean Combs. Now [that] the federal government has finally acted, I feel safer to come forward.””

Combs also pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, he remains in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York after being denied bail twice.

• News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 22, 2024

Janet Jackson Repeats Right-Wing Conspiracy Theory, Falsely Claims Kamala Harris Is ‘Not Black’

Jackson shared that she heard the Democratic nominee's father is white.

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Janet Jackson made headlines recently as she brought up right-wing conspiracy theories regarding Kamala Harris in a new interview.

The Guardian published the now-controversial interview on Sept. 20. In the conversation, Jackson detailed what “they,” not confirming who, say about the Democratic nominee’s race. According to what she’s heard, Harris is not actually Black.

Jackson stated, “Well, you know what they supposedly said? She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.”

Despite the interviewer debunking this belief, Jackson doubled down on the assertion.

“Her father’s white. That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days. I was told that they discovered her father was white.”

Jackson’s misinformation most likely stems from the extended MAGA camp, as Donald Trump also pushed the conspiracy on Harris’ identity. After the GOP nominee first questioned her race, stating that she recently began identifying as Black, he sparked further confusion on it during the presidential debate.

“All I can say is I read where she was not Black,” he reaffirmed during the Sept. 10 event. ” And then I read that she was Black, and that’s OK. Either one was OK with me. That’s up to her.”

However, Jackson seemed to suggest her belief in the matter. While she has used her platform to address social issues like Black Lives Matter before, Jackson’s political stance leans questionable by bringing up the notion.

Jackson also revealed that she remains unsure about many presidential election issues.

“I don’t know,” disclosed the mother of one when asked if America is ready for a Harris presidency and of her race. “Honestly, I don’t want to answer that because I really, truthfully, don’t know. I think either way it goes is going to be mayhem.”

While the interview also touched on her forthcoming live shows, motherhood, and her entire life in the public eye, what left fans most puzzled is her small but telling take on current U.S. politics.

RELATED CONTENT: Janet Jackson Reveals Family Ties To Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman, And Samuel L. Jackson

• Women

by Daniel Johnson

September 22, 2024

Sha’Carri Richardson’s Former High School Names Track After Her: ‘I Started My Career on This Track’

'Where I come from continues to support me no matter how far I go.'

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Track and field Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson received a hero’s welcome from Dallas ISD’s Dallas Carter, her high school alma mater, on Sept. 20. Richardson was on hand at Dallas Carter’s football game against Wilmer-Hutchins as new signage bearing her name at the school’s track complex was revealed during halftime.

According to Kens5, a Dallas CBS affiliate, the track at Kincaide Stadium bears Richardson’s name in bright white lettering and features a plaque explaining who she is and her numerous accomplishments in track and field. The track, located one mile south of Dallas Carter High School, is part of the school’s Jesse Owens Athletic Complex 

Richardson remains proud to be an alumna of the Dallas Independent School District, and a Dallas native as she shared with the crowd on hand.

“I ran on this track. I can say I started my career on this track,” Richardson said. “So, for it to be named after me now, it’s an honor. But it shows that I have a responsibility to Dallas. Where I come from continues to support me no matter how far I go. And I will never, ever, ever let people forget where I come from.”

Richardson continued, “That’s Dallas and that’s where I get my heart. That’s where I get my mindset and that’s just where I get my joy from as well. I’m gonna continue to represent very well. As long as you guys continue to show me the love that y’all have been showing me no matter what.”

Richardson, who won gold and silver medals at the Paris Olympic Games in the 4x100m relay and the 100m dash, respectively, was ranked the top high school sprinter in the class of 2018 at Dallas Carter before attending Louisiana State University. At LSU, Richardson she set multiple records in her freshman season en route to earning the attention of USA Track and Field and making her professional debut in 2019.

NBC Sports reports the track was initially named after the 24-year-old Richardson in 2023. According to the district’s website, naming the track after the school’s most famous alumni functions “as a tribute to Richardson’s remarkable achievements in sports and significant ties to the Dallas community.” 

RELATED CONTENT: Sha’Carri Richardson Takes Silver In Comeback Performance At Paris Olympics