Samsung's latest Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus smartphones are so good, you'll hardly ever stop to think about them.
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Friday, March 20, 2020
US senators sold major stock amid coronavirus fears just before market dropped
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., is under fire for selling over a million bucks in stock just before the market dropped amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Barr downplayed its threat to the economy, while at the same time offloading according to some almost 1.6 million dollars in stock after private briefings on the deadly virus, CBS News reports. Several of the stocks were in major corporations that own hotels.
READ MORE: Civil rights leaders urge Congress to consider Black workers impacted by Coronavirus
Senate records show Burr and his wife sold a significant amount of stock last month, between $600,000 and $1.7 million in 33 separate transactions beginning in late January and mid-February, just as the stock market started to crash due to COVID-19.
ProPublica was the first to report that the North Carolina senator was dumping stock after acquiring information that the public doesn’t have about the status of the Wuhan, China coronavirus.
It’s illegal for members of Congress to trade stocks based on tea spilled from lawmakers in private, which is why there are now calls for Barr to resign. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was one of the loudest voices.
As Intel chairman, @SenatorBurr got private briefings about Coronavirus weeks ago.
Burr knew how bad it would be. He told the truth to his wealthy donors, while assuring the public that we were fine.
THEN he sold off $1.6 million in stock before the fall.
He needs to resign. https://t.co/IAITMbJ3R5
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 19, 2020
On Fox News Thursday, right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson slammed Burr following reports that he engaged insider trading.
“You may have seen the news reports this afternoon that the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee sold more than a million dollars in stock in February, after learning how devastating the Chinese coronavirus could be,” said Carlson. “He had inside information about what could happen to our country, which is now happening. But he didn’t warn the public. He didn’t give a primetime address. Didn’t go on television to sound the alarm. He didn’t even disavow an op-ed he had written just ten days before claiming that America was, quote, ‘better prepared than ever for coronavirus.’”
“He didn’t do any of those things,” he continued. “Instead, what did he do? He dumped his shares in hotel stocks so he wouldn’t lose money. And then he stayed silent. Now, maybe there’s an honest explanation for what he did. If there is, he should share it with the rest of us immediately. Otherwise, he must resign from the Senate and face prosecution for insider trading.”
READ MORE: Trump called COVID-19 a ‘Chinese Virus’ draws outrage
Several other senators reportedly sold big stock stakes around the same time as Barr, according to Senate records.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler is also being called out on social media for reportedly selling between $1.2M and $3.1M worth of stock the day of a closed-door, all-Senator briefing on the coronavirus in January.
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Michelle Sneed Opens Up About Serving As First Female President At Tyler Perry Studios
It’s difficult to fathom that a century ago women were not legally allowed to vote in this country. Fast-forwarding 50 years, the chances of any female serving in an executive role across any industry were extremely slim, and for a person of color, virtually non-existent. Today, as a culture, we are peacock proud to witness the burgeoning of black female executives who are standing on the shoulders of ancestors who only reserved such distant dreams for the sweet by and by.
Scripting A Different Story
BLACK ENTERPRISE recently sat down with Michelle Sneed, who serves as the first female president of Tyler Perry Studios (TPS), overseeing all productions and development in film and television, to discuss her role, impact, and contributions to contemporary history. Since 2009, she has watched the studio evolve as there were no current females in leadership. When she took the reins in 2018, not only was it an honor to accept a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but “it was a sign that the company was embracing the times with growth and diversity and my appointment represents that.”
After leaving TPS in 2015 and returning three years later, Sneed told The Hollywood Reporter, “it’s not about me—it’s for the culture.” The position allowed someone who looked like her—a woman, an African American woman, and a decision-maker–to reside in rooms and have a voice that matters representing stories that are culturally relevant.
“I’m taking everybody with me. I didn’t get here without a million people helping me, pulling me up, and showing me the way. I’m going to pay that forward and give that back.”
Breaking Invisible Barriers
When asked to share career advice for women who feel like they’re stuck or unable to shatter the glass ceiling, Sneed emphasized believing in everything you have to offer and knowing that you deserve it because of your value. Be completely confident that you are just as capable as your male counterparts and do not allow the constant chatter such as unequal pay and other inequalities to cause us to retreat. If you exude your best energy, align with like-minded individuals, and maintain healthy, mutual relationships, you’ll be amazed at where a robust skillset, rock-solid work ethic, and great relationships can take you—anywhere your male counterparts can go!
Making The Dream Work
A strong work ethic is paramount for Sneed, which was strongly modeled by her grandparents and particularly her grandfather, who retired two years early because he accumulated so much vacation time. Her advice to her production assistants is to be that person they call first. They’re going to call the person who they know is going to make them look good, and who they know is going to work hard.
Executing the vision of Tyler Perry Studios is no small feat. According to Sneed, leadership isn’t just about being the boss but inspiring people to move to action and finding creative and supportive ways for them to buy into a shared vision. Perry exemplifies this not by shoving off orders but actually doing the work, which empowers her to want to work just as hard as he does. This alignment creates an atmosphere to attract and work with emerging talent, provide greater opportunities, and see people excel.
Disrupting Cultural Boundaries
TPS will continue to evolve as a cultural icon, inspiring the hopes and dreams of multiple generations. Echoing its slogan, “Even Where Dreams Believe,” TPS is Walt Disney from Sneed’s perspective. Although the studio campus is housed on 330 acres, the dreams and visions realized here will be unlimited, from nurturing emerging talent to supporting writing incubators to philanthropic initiatives. The campus was built for creatives to come and explore the possibilities. That is why 12 soundstages have been dedicated to others who made it possible for black creatives to follow. If you build it, they will come.
Legacy In The Making
Sneed’s legacy will be constructed beyond the acquisition of tangibles but rather the quality of her life’s work, relationships, good deeds, and the testament to her character. With a desire to strengthen her flaws and sharpen her career skills, it reduces to how she stewarded her time and her treatment of others—particularly the ones she loved and cared about the most.
One thing is for sure: she’s setting the bar high in black excellence and making a mark that cannot be erased.
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Major League Baseball and MLBPA Donate $1 Million to Emergency Food Services
Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) have announced a joint $1 million donation to help fight hunger due to nationwide school closures and quarantines stemming from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The donation will be split evenly between Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America.
“In these difficult times of navigating this pandemic, it is important that we come together as a society to help the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. in a written statement. “As an institution, baseball is extending our commitment to addressing childhood hunger and food availability issues during this crisis. We are grateful for the partnership with our players on this critical issue, which has the potential to deeply affect children and seniors.”
Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, said: “In this time of international crisis, players are eager to do their part both individually and collectively to ease the significant burdens placed on the most vulnerable people in our communities. This contribution represents one of those efforts.”
Feeding America plans on distributing funds to local member food banks in high-need areas across the United States. The funds will help feed children and families impacted by current, and possibly extended, school closures and other forms of disruptions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Meals on Wheels America will use the emergency funds to boost the size of the network to provide in-home meals to vulnerable senior citizens during this time of crisis.
“Feeding America is tremendously grateful to Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association for their commitment to helping children and families in need,” said Lauren Biedron, vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America. “Member food banks are committed to helping their communities every day as well as when disaster strikes. This donation will help people who struggle to put food on their tables during this pandemic.”
“On behalf of the nationwide Meals on Wheels network, I want to extend heartfelt gratitude to Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association for their substantial contribution in response to COVID-19,” said Ellie Hollander, president and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “It will take all of us coming together to ensure our most at-risk Americans remain healthy, and Major League Baseball and its players have set an example for others by helping us to ensure homebound seniors will continue to receive the meals they desperately need amid this evolving national crisis.”We’re on, like, Day 6. On Day 50, celebs are going to looking for Pepe Silvia.
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Thursday, March 19, 2020
California governor issues statewide stay-at-home order
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered the state’s 40 million residents to stay at home, restricting non-essential movements to control the spread of the coronavirus that threatens to overwhelm the state’s medical system.
“This is a moment we need to make tough decisions,” Newsom said. “We need to recognize reality.”
His move came after counties and communities covering about half the state’s population already had issued similar orders. He said the restriction is “open-ended,” and it could raise false hopes if he predicted how long the order might last.
People may still leave their homes for walks and exercise and for essential needs such as food and medical care. Restaurant meals can still be delivered to homes.
READ MORE: Homeless Los Angeles residents seize vacant homes for shelter during coronavirus pandemic
The Democratic governor also announced that he is mobilizing 500 California National Guard troops to help with food distribution, but said they will be in place only for humanitarian reasons.
“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement that it’s appropriate just to home isolate,” he said.
Pennsylvania earlier Thursday ordered all “non life-saving businesses” to close across the state.
Newsom earlier in the day asked the president to deploy a U.S. Navy medical ship to help the state expand its medical capacity and warned that more than half of California’s residents could contract the new coronavirus.
Newsom asked President Donald Trump to send the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship to the port of Los Angeles for use through Sept. 1, in a letter dated Wednesday. California has disproportionately aided people returning to the U.S. from foreign countries and needs the ship to help “decompress” its health care delivery system as infection rates climb, Newsom wrote. The ship is based in San Diego.
He said infection rates are doubling every four days in some parts of the state and issued the dire prediction that 56% of California’s population could contract the virus over the next eight weeks.
READ MORE: Baltimore State’s attorney to drop charges of certain crimes due to coronavirus
His spokesman later confirmed that number does not take into account aggressive mitigation efforts underway across the state. Many large counties had already been issuing shelter-in-place orders aimed at keeping Californians confined to their homes and Newsom had directed the closure of bars, gyms and other gathering spaces statewide.
“This projection shows why it’s so critical that Californians take action to slow the spread of the disease — and those mitigation efforts aren’t taken into account in this projection,” spokesman Nathan Click said in an emailed statement.
Newsom’s letter to Trump said 25.5 million people could be infected. But the state’s population is estimated to be just shy of 40 million, meaning 56% of the population would be closer to 22.4 million people. The governor’s office did not respond to questions about his calculation or offer a prediction that considers efforts to stop the spread of the infection.
“If we meet this moment we can truly bend the curve to reduce the need to surge, to reduce the need to have to go out and cobble all those assets together,” Newsom said in his evening news conference streamed live on social media.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. It can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, for some people, especially older adults and those with existing health problems. Most people recover — those with mild illness in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks, according to the World Health Organization.
“I can assure you home isolation is not my preferred choice, I know it’s not yours, but it’s a necessary one,” Newsom said. “This is not a permanent state, this is a moment in time.”
“You can still take your kids outside, practicing common sense and social distancing. You can still walk your dog,” he said. “If we are to be criticized at this moment, let us be criticized for taking this moment seriously.”
He announced that California had purchased the Seton Medical Center in Daly City. The 357-bed hospital was the city’s largest employer with about 1,500 workers, but the hospital’s owners filed for bankruptcy in August 2018.
“Even after our current public health crisis passes, it would have been imperative for this facility remain open because 27,000 patients, mostly elderly and low-income, are served there,” Democratic state Assemblyman Phil Ting said in a statement.
READ MORE: Surgeon General calls on Kylie Jenner to help combat coronavirus outbreak
In a separate letter, Newsom on Thursday asked U.S. House and Senate leaders for $1 billion to support surge planning for state and local health systems. He said that money would be needed to do things like set up state-run and mobile hospitals, housing options to help people socially distance and testing and treatment for people without health insurance.
He also asked for assistance so the state can extend unemployment benefits beyond the usual 26-week limit, expand food assistance programs, resources for the homeless and tribal communities and boost childcare programs. He further asked for assistance for schools, aid to local and state budgets and transportation relief.
“While California has prudently built a sizable Rainy Day Fund over the past ten years, the economic effects of this emergency are certain to mean that the state and its 58 counties will struggle to maintain essential programs and services,” he wrote.
It warned many California households “may fall into poverty” without a “substantial economic intervention.”
Meanwhile, not everyone was following orders to stay home. In a Northern California county where officials have ordered residents to stay home and non-essential businesses to close because of the coronavirus pandemic, a gun shop is refusing.
Alameda County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelley said Thursday that a gun shop called Solar Tactical remains open, despite the order. He said officers have advised the shop to close.
“We’ll start out nice,” Kelley said. “Then we’ll post a notice to close and then we will take enforcement.”
Solar Tactical did not answer phone calls nor immediately respond to messages sent through its website. A message on its Facebook page said the store is now operating on an appointment-only basis and urged customers to call local police to protest the effort to close it.
“Your 2nd Amendment right is no longer considered essential during forced shelter in place,” the shop said. “Please share and get the word out. Call your local officials, news stations, and Alameda County Sheriffs office to let them know how you feel about your 2nd Amendment rights being taken away.”
Gun sales have spiked as consumers who worried that people are becoming desperate and unpredictable amid the outbreak rushed to buy weapons and ammunition.
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Angelica Ross finds out boyfriend has fiancée, child after posting photos online
“Pose” star Angelica Ross stunned the Internet on Thursday when she revealed that her apparent boyfriend was actually engaged to another woman and had a child.
Just a day before the shocking bombshell, Ross, 39, had shared photos of herself and the unidentified man. In one photo, the couple is happily posing in front of a giant bubble teacup. In another, Ross smiles into the camera as her mystery man kisses her on the cheek.
READ MORE: Angelica Ross is the new face of Louis Vuitton campaign
“Finally found him and have to distance myself from him,” Ross wrote. “An early test we’re committed to passing. I miss you B.”
Finally found him and have to distance myself from him 😫 an early test we’re committed to passing. I miss you B❣️😷 pic.twitter.com/yTIiLQlVld
— Angelica Ross (@angelicaross) March 18, 2020
Fans of Ross were elated to discover that she had apparently found love in the tall, brown skin paramour.
“I love this for you!!” tweeted MTV Decoded‘s Franchesca Ramsey. “A hard test indeed but worth it. stay strong.”
Turns out, Ross’ newly announced relationship would get the ultimate test — one that would quickly lead an unhappy ending.
READ MORE: Trans actress Angelica Ross shares how Oprah helped her mother accept her
The next day, Ross retweeted her original post writing, “The internet is AMAZING. I’ve been talking to the mother of his son and fiancé all morning. #PlotTwist!”
The internet is AMAZING. I’ve been talking to the mother of his son and fiancé all morning. #PlotTwist! https://t.co/6osdc0IlDK
— Angelica Ross (@angelicaross) March 19, 2020
The actress later retweeted a fan who essentially summarized what happened for anyone who was left confused by Ross’ tweet.
“For those who don’t get it. Queen Angelica found this man and was dating. She posted this on Twitter and we all REJOICED in excitement,” tweeted @MrAndrewRoby.
“Twitter FBI probably saw the tweet and told Angelica this man has a kid and is engaged. Angelica was talking to his fiancé all morning.”
“Basically,” Ross replied.
Although at one point Ross suggested that she’d divulge the entire story on Instagram Live “with a bottle,” she later tweeted “After talking with my girl @KingAmiyahScott, I realize I am not in any condition to go LIVE on my IG tonight. Going to pray about it instead.”
After talking with my girl @KingAmiyahScott, I realize I am not in any condition to go LIVE on my IG tonight. Going to pray about it instead. pic.twitter.com/BINlDCNkw0
— Angelica Ross (@angelicaross) March 20, 2020
“Trust me, she wasn’t ready,” tweeted “Star” actress Amiyah Scott. “Let sis get ahold of her feelings/emotions first. …we can stab & talk about him later.”
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A business edge that comes with age
Two years ago, MIT economist Pierre Azoulay started a lively discussion when a working paper he co-authored, “Age and High-Growth Entrepreneurship,” revealed a surprising fact about startup founders: Among firms in the top 1/10 of the top 1 percent, in terms of growth, the average founder’s age is 45. That’s contrary to the popular image of valuable startups being the sole domain of twentysomething founders, such as Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.
The paper, written with Benjamin Jones of Northwestern University, J. Daniel Kim of the University of Pennsylvania, and Javier Miranda of the U.S. Bureau of the Census, has now been officially published, in the journal American Economics Review: Insights. MIT News spoke to Azoulay, the International Programs Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management, about the finding and the discussion it has generated.
Q: What has been the response of people to the study?
A: We’re documenting a fact, and that fact either accords with people’s intuitions, or it doesn’t. Some people are genuinely surprised because they’ve lived in the current zeitgeist, and then once they start thinking about it, they say, “Ah, it makes sense.” And then there are people who say, “Oh, I knew it all along!” But Silicon Valley venture capitalists have studiously avoided engaging with what we’ve done. And I don’t know why.
I think one line of [venture capitalist] skepticism is to say, “Well, you may well be right, but you’re studying the one-in-a-thousand firm, and we’re [investing in] the one-in-a-million firm.” Which is sort of like restating that Apple, Microsoft, and Google were founded by young people.
Yes, we already knew it is possible for very large, successful firms to be founded by very young people. The question is: Is it likely?
Q: As you continue to think about this subject, is it possible to say what accounts for the success of relatively older entrepreneurs? Experience, intellectual capital, greater business connections — what matters?
A: All of those things are not mutually exclusive, and they’re all likely to play a role. They just need to be studied separately, if you will. We have to remain agnostic. But there is one key point in my view. Forget experience: How about just knowledge? I like to say there is no such thing as a 25-year-old biotech entrepreneur. That person just doesn’t exist, because you need a PhD and three postdocs [to gain high-level knowledge]. There are lots of fields where if you want to make a contribution, you have to bring yourself to the frontier of knowledge in a domain, and that takes time. And that’s not going to be the realm of the 22-year-old.
Beyond the big platform IT companies, if you’re thinking about the broader swath of entrepreneurship across a multiplicity of sectors, then you have to acknowledge this point. In some sense, if you recognize the diversity of startups, the [founder’s] age number is going to be higher than if you’re only focused on super-high-value Silicon Valley internet companies. So we need a basic attitude adjustment.
Q. Even as people mythologize the young startup founder, there is also a tech-sector ethos that heralds serial entrepreneurship and tolerates failure, because you’re taking risks and learning by doing. Isn’t that one Silicon Valley notion that might correspond to what you discovered?
A: Yes, one thing that could explain our results is entrepreneurship being an activity you can learn to do better over time. That’s certainly something we’ve heard. We can’t pin it down, but if I had to think of the most likely stories, that’s certainly one. Even within a particular sector that demands a certain amount of intellectual capital, holding that constant, even within biotech or clean energy, you might think there is something about learning by founding, which is going to lead to a correlation between success and a higher age for founders.
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Kelis announces new cannabis cooking show on Netflix
Kelis, the “Milkshake” singer, and ex-wife of rapper Nas, has a new cannabis cooking show on Netflix that is guaranteed to bring some boys to the yard.
READ MORE: Kelis reveals she was ‘blatantly tricked and lied to’ by The Neptunes
The singer and chef announced her new show, Cooked with Cannabis, on her Instagram page and said she can’t wait to introduce cannabis culinary creations to a greater audience. The show launches on April 20, the day known as “Weed Day” in the cannabis world.
“Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love my Netflix, so this is a dream come true,” Kelis wrote on IG. “Interestingly, this was one of those things that I didn’t go looking for, it kind of came to me. As a chef, I was intrigued by the food and as an everyday person, I was interested in how powerful this topic is in today’s society. In this country, many things have been used systematically to oppress groups of people, but this is so culturally important for us to learn and grow together. I hope you all will tune in, it’s definitely going to be a good time!”
Her IG followers seemed excited about the show.
“Netflix: baby I got your money” wrote daetye4.
“bag secured! we’ll be tuning tf in!!!” commented saint.deepthroat.
“Amaaazing! Excited to watch it!” wrote browsbyarti.
“Dang just what I was looking for, I needed a new show to watch. I’ll be watching for Kelis, Kelis’s style (it deserves a separate mention), weed recipes, and the sociology. Day made!” added cremedepeche.
The reality show, Cooked with Cannabis, co-hosted by Kelis and Portland-based chef Leather Storrs, will feature three professional chefs preparing a three-course meal each episode based on themes. The winner, who creates the dishes against the clock, takes home $10,000.
READ MORE: Nas claims ex-wife Kelis wants to relocate to Colombia with their son
Helping to judge the chefs are dinner guests selected each episode to sample the meals. Among this season’s guests are rappers Too $hort and El-P, former talk show host Ricki Lake and actress Mary Lynn Rajskub, according to Food and Wine magazine.
“Cooked with Cannabis is a show where weed is a seasoning rather than the reason. It’s granular, educational, heartfelt and smart,” Storrs told Food & Wine. “The contestants had personal and romantic relationships with the herb and they knew its intricacies: medically, chemically, spiritually and as an intoxicant. Further, there was a real sense of community and camaraderie.”
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North Carolina A&T class president’s campus arrest draws outrage
Two North Carolina A&T police officers, seen on a viral video grabbing the sophomore class president by the neck and slamming him to the ground inside of a dorm, have been put on “indefinite” administrative leave.
In the video, Verdant Julius, a sophomore and 2022 class president, was arrested early Wednesday morning, after he and two students were asked to show their campus IDs as they entered the dorm. Julius and a second male student, Mantryll Williams, were allowed to proceed but an unnamed female student was reportedly stopped. When Julius asked the officers why Williams said the officer told him: “If you take one step closer I am going to have you arrested for obstruction of an investigation.”
#NCAT it’s fucking up. I know I don’t usually speak like this on the timeline but the campus police have gone too far pic.twitter.com/TzSEe6Ypc7
— Tryll⚖️ (@yoitstryll) March 18, 2020
Not knowing what “investigation” the officer was referring to, Williams said both he and Julius were alarmed. The exchange between Julius and the officers reportedly culminated into one of the officers threatening to use mace on Julius inside of the Aggie Village residence hall, for which he replied: “You’re honestly ridiculous.”
Officers responded by grabbing Julius and bringing him to the ground while kneeling on him as they arrested him. Julius was charged with resist, delay or obstruct of a public officer and trespassing, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
Williams, who shot the video that has currently been viewed more than 1.5 million times, started a petition urging campus police to drop all charges against Julius and demanding that the officers be disciplined. So far, the petition has 6,850 signatures out of a requested 7,000.
“This whole situation could have been avoidable, as everyone is in a rush to pack and evacuate campus due to the pandemic of Covid-19,” Williams wrote in the petition. “The over-policing of Black students is an ongoing problem at many HBCU’s in the country. I am outraged and disappointed this intense show of force was used against a student who simply was trying to get to his room.”
“Police are here to protect and serve, slamming to the ground should never be a 1st, 2nd or 3rd thought of a police officer to arrest someone not posing a threat and over an campus ID,” Williams adds in the petition.
A&T Police Chief Charles Wilson told the Winston-Salem Journal that Julius was released after he signed a written promise to appear in court. A&T has not identified the two officers.
However, university officials released a statement saying the two officers were placed on indefinite administrative leave while the incident is investigated.
READ MORE: Atlanta police release video of suspect in shocking HBCU shooting
“University administrators are evaluating the matter in an effort to reach an appropriate resolution,” the statement said. “Further, we have met with the individual student, as well as Student Government Association leadership, to understand their concerns. Be assured that the issue of campus safety is one of our top priorities and maintaining that safe environment requires the cooperation and understanding of every member of our community.”
A&T students gathered on Wednesday in front of the university’s police department and accused campus police of yet another incident using excessive force. Last September, a school security guard was captured on video punching a student inside the student center.
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Donna Brazile Says The Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit Revitalized Her Political Career
Donna Brazile set the stage on fire at the 2020 Women of Power Summit following her first appearance at the conference back in 2018. The veteran political strategist is known for saying what and how she feels. In 2017, a wedge was drawn between Brazile and some Democratic Party leaders after the release of her memoir, Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns that Put Donald Trump in the White House, which called out high-ranking officials and pointed out flaws in the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign.
After a year of ridicule, threats, and exile, Brazile received the 2018 Women of Power Legacy Award winner for her resilience as a political leader. That year she urged women to show up for themselves, remain politically engaged, and tell their story.
Arguably, one of the most profound pieces of advice that she shared that year was to rest before your comeback and your come-up. During her intimate conversation with Chief Brand Officer of Women of Power, Caroline Clarke, Brazile revealed that she took time to rest after three major devastating life events. The first one was after she and her family lost everything during Hurricane Katrina; the second was after her young colleague Seth Rich was murdered; and the third was after President Donald Trump was elected. After all three life-changing moments, she learned that rest was necessary in order to charge up. That included going off of the grid.
Fast forward two years, Brazile is fully rested and ready for the next chapter of her life.
This year, women waited to hear from Brazile with great expectations, but, no one expected her to say that the 2018 summit brought her back!
Before Brazile exited the main stage at the summit she told the audience, “I showed up today because two years ago when I was here–when was I left for political death also… You brought me back, Butch. You brought me back. I can trace my rise back on the political stage to the moment you had me here, Butch, with my sisters. You all gave me my power back.”
Watch the full conversation
As expected, Brazile shared many gems. Here are a few that we collected.
Top Takeaways from Brazile
.@donnabrazile on the importance of the black vote and involvement! #BEWPS pic.twitter.com/zSIVTDJuaO
— Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise) March 7, 2020
Don’t let your past define your future! @donnabrazile #BEWPS pic.twitter.com/AL9nmiImlk
— Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise) March 7, 2020
These sisters brought a white man back from the dead! Joe Biden was dead! Black women resurrected his campaign!—@donnabrazile #BEWPS #2020Elections #Election2020 pic.twitter.com/KtbmVc1kgT
— Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise) March 7, 2020
Black women – get out there and VOTE! @donnabrazile #BEWPS pic.twitter.com/FEecx8SQG8
— Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise) March 7, 2020
PUT IT ON THE TABLE! @donnabrazile #BEWPS pic.twitter.com/vqHDQDxhUL
— Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise) March 7, 2020
“Corona ain’t gone kill us. Slavery didn’t kill us. Jim Crow didn’t kill us. We faced the Ku Klux Klan. We have faced storms. We have stood the test of time and if God be with us, nobody can be against us!” @DonnaBrazile #BEWPS pic.twitter.com/5mw4VNnLmM
— Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise) March 7, 2020
We’re rooting for you, Donna!
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Debbie Allen hosts dance class on Instagram Live with rave reviews
Debbie Allen joined the list of artists who are treating fans to some uplifting entertainment amid the ongoing coronavirus chaos.
The 70-year-old Emmy Award-winning actress, dancer, and choreographer hosted a free dance class on Instagram Live Wednesday for folks practicing in social distancing by self-isolating to curb the spread of the deadly virus, Page Six reports.
READ MORE: Chrissy Teigen steals the show during John Legend’s live-stream concert
Allen’s Debbie Allen Dance Academy encouraged followers to “Make sure to use #dancewithdebbieallen if you post videos so Ms. Allen can watch them all. Spread the word!”
One fan responded to the lively visuals with, “Debbie Allen teaching people how to dance on Instagram live because everyone is stuck in quarantine is definitely the best thing i’ve ever seen.”
Debbie Allen teaching people how to dance on instagram live because everyone is stuck in quarantine is definitely the best thing i’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/b1QLqXPxcM
— 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐲 (@hrtbrkjules) March 18, 2020
“I just completed an IG class with THE Debbie Allen,” one participant tweeted. “Omg best way to work it out on a Wednesday! Thank you Miss Debbie for giving the world the gift of dance at this time. YOU ARE A LEGEND AND INSPIRATION!!!”
I just completed an IG class with THE Debbie Allen!! Omg best way to work it out on a Wednesday! Thank you Miss Debbie for giving the world the gift of dance at this time. YOU ARE A LEGEND AND INSPIRATION!!! #dance… https://t.co/xgGyINw9cJ
— JustAshlee (@MissAshleeDance) March 18, 2020
Allen also shared post-dance tips on how to cool down following the workout.
“Great workout world! Let’s do it again,” she wrote. “Don’t forget Early Bird kids class THIS Saturday at 11am PST here! See you then!💋✨ #dancewithdebbieallen @officialdadance.”
Allen joins musicians John Legend, Chris Martin, Keith Urban, Rob Thomas, Pink, Hunter Hayes, David Foster and his wife Katharine McPhee who offered fans free, private concerts on their social media pages this week.
Soul singer Erykah Badu has also announced plans to host a series of next-to free online shows from her bedroom.
Badu’s interactive Apocalypse One event will cost $1 to watch, and she will take song suggestions from the viewers.
READ MORE: John Legend, Chris Martin and other celebs live-stream free concerts for quarantined fans
The GRAMMY Award-winning singer has yet to announce a time and date but noted on social media that the show will go down this weekend.
“We gone pull it off. We gone be calm. You gone help me make it happen,” she wrote on Instagram.
The post Debbie Allen hosts dance class on Instagram Live with rave reviews appeared first on TheGrio.
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Vanessa Bryant asks judge to amend Kobe’s trust to add their baby, Capri
Vanessa Bryant is requesting that a judge add her baby daughter, Capri Bryant, to a signed trust document her husband, Kobe Bryant, left to protect his family.
Capri, who is nine months old, was born after the NBA legend had signed the most recent trust document so Vanessa filed a ‘petition to modify trust’ document in Los Angeles Superior Court this week asking for an amendment to the paperwork, saying Kobe Bryant would have wanted all of their children’s names listed on the trust documents.
READ MORE: Kobe Bryant, 19, shares his dreams of having a family in archived footage
TMZ reported that Kobe created the trust in 2003, but had amended it several times reportedly after he and Vanessa began having children, however it was last updated in 2017. The news outlet speculates that the basketball star hadn’t gotten around to updating it after the 2019 birth of his daughter, Capri, at the time of his death.
Now in the amended trust filing, Vanessa is asking a judge to do just that. By adding Capri’s name to the legal document, she and big sisters, Natalia, 17, and Bianka, 3, can withdraw “discretionary distributions” from the principal and income in the trust during Vanessa’s lifetime. The girls would get the remaining balance in the trust after Vanessa dies.
A judge will likely grant the amendment,TMZ reports.
READ MORE: Vanessa Bryant sues helicopter owner as Kobe memorial service takes place in LA
Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people were killed in a helicopter accident on Sunday, Jan. 26 in Calabasas, California. Vanessa Bryant has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Island Express, the company that owns the helicopter that crashed, saying the pilot was careless and negligent for flying in foggy and unsafe conditions, according to ESPN.
The National Transportation Safety Board has said there were no signs of engine failure from the helicopter wreckage. The accident is still being investigated by authorities.
The post Vanessa Bryant asks judge to amend Kobe’s trust to add their baby, Capri appeared first on TheGrio.
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Sanders slams reporter: ‘I’m dealing with a f***king global crisis’
Although many Democrats believe Bernie Sanders has no real chance of winning the presidential bid, the Vermont senator says he is not pulling the plug on his campaign.
Sanders popped off on a reporter on Wednesday when asked about calling it quits after losing three more states and falling behind Joe Biden in the 2020 race.
READ MORE: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez concedes ‘tough night’ for Bernie Sanders
“I’m dealing with a f—ing global crisis,” Sander said to veteran CNN reporter Manu Raju, who recounted their conversation on Twitter, New York Post reports.
“Sen. Bernie Sanders grew angry when asked about his campaign plans,” Raju wrote. “During a gaggle with reporters in the Capitol, I asked Sanders about his timeframe for making a decision, and he lashed out: ‘I’m dealing with a f*cking global crisis. You know, we’re dealing with.”
Then @LisaMascaro asked what he’s saying to his supporters, and he sidestepped the question, noting he’s sent out a statement. Then, I asked about his timeframe — and he was furious
Afterwards, he mellowed out and answered questions about the crisis for about two more minutes.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 18, 2020
Sanders’ campaign manager Faiz Shakir and campaign co-chair Nina Turner both shared Raju’s tweet.
“Our Senator @BernieSanders handling the main things and placing the right level of emotion where it belongs! He is fighting for all our streets!” Turner wrote.
Our Senator @BernieSanders handling the main things and placing the right level of emotion where it belongs! He is fighting for all our streets! #coronavirus #HELLOSomebody! https://t.co/EzGuXtfbxr
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) March 18, 2020
Sander, 78, announced on Wednesday that he is reassessing his campaign, prompting many supporters to conclude that soon will come word that he is dropping out of the race, SFGate.com reports.
Shakir said Sanders “is going to be having conversations with supporters to assess his campaign.”
Shakir also made clear on Wednesday that Sanders will not make any decisions about ending his 2020 bid with “the next primary contest at least three weeks away.”
Shakir also noted that the senator “is focused on the government response to the coronavirus outbreak and ensuring that we take care of working people and the most vulnerable.”
Meanwhile, several Democrats have called on Sanders to bow out for the sake of party unity.
READ MORE: Bernie Sanders adviser apologizes for ‘sexist’ tweets bashing Michelle Obama
Even former presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton believes if Sanders receives the Democratic Party’s nomination, it lessens the party’s chances to defeat President Donald Trump, TheGrio previously reported.
“I don’t think he’d be our strongest nominee, no,” Clinton told Good Morning America in an interview on Super Tuesday. “And that’s what this primary process is about. Let’s see who emerges, but for everybody voting today or in any of the contests ahead of time, the most important issue is who can defeat Donald Trump.”
The post Sanders slams reporter: ‘I’m dealing with a f***king global crisis’ appeared first on TheGrio.
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Meet Jack Walls: The Independent Black Artist Achieving Success Through Threadless
As more people are turning to entrepreneurship to carry out their passion projects, Black Enterprise spoke with independent artist Jack Walls of Threadless, who reflected on how he turned his dreams into a reality through the success of his artwork.
Having read many artists’ biographies and finding a passion for drawing while growing up, Walls has always been captivated by great designs. After setting out on his own at age 17 to join the Navy, Walls landed in the heart of NYC, where he began his artwork full time. As a way to further bring his designs to life and capitalize on his artwork, Walls now operates an online shop through Threadless, the e-commerce creative community that makes, supports, and sells great art. Threadless allows both emerging and established artists, like Walls, to start independent stores with Artist Shops and sell their art on Threadless’s many canvases, including tees, hoodies, bags, pouches, home décor, and more. Each purchase supports artists and enables them to monetize their work while further spreading their work’s message with the world.
Having an online shop where consumers can purchase his art designs enabled Walls to showcase his artwork through different mediums while capitalizing on his designs.
Through his personal Threadless’ Artist Shops platform, Walls is able to share his artwork with the world in various mediums and further thrive as an independent artist.
Black Enterprise connected with Walls to discuss how he got started in the art world, his continued success as an independent artist, and how other black artists can utilize Threadless’ Artist Shops to further build upon the success of their work.
How did you first become interested in art?
“I didn’t go to art school but I was always reading art books and biographies about artists. I romanticized artists’ lives to such an extent that I morphed into one myself over a period of time,” Walls explained.
“I thought art was for the privileged few. Luckily, through a series of circumstances in the early 1980s, I got a job in SoHo, which was the epicenter of the art world at the time. The Annina Nosei Gallery happened to be next door to where I was working. Jean-Michel Basquiat just happened to be represented by Annina at the time and was painting in the basement of the gallery. So I would see him around a lot, too. I was sort of in the right place at the right time.”
What is Threadless, and how did it impact the success of your artwork?
Threadless, the e-commerce creative community that makes, supports, and sells great art. “In this day and age, if someone comes along with an idea that sounds good, why not? It’s nice to have an online store,” said Walls. “Community is now on the internet.”
How does Threadless support independent artists, especially African American artists?
Transitioning to a full-time artist was not something Walls had ever imagined for himself. “I think in black society, it’s difficult to express yourself artfully in a positive way. I’ve gone through, and continue to go through a lot, in the art world. I am fortunate, I made lots of sacrifices,” Walls explained.
From his experiences, he believes that other African Americans and artists alike can achieve success just as he did. “I would like people to see my art as I see it, which is sublimely overwrought. The take-away should be joy. I want people to look at my art and see that if I have the courage to become an artist, so should they,” Walls explained.
What is your advice to other artists?
“I didn’t speak to my family for long stretches of time because all the feedback I got from my family was negative. I left home at 17, I joined the Navy. I made life an adventure, because I read books. Be bold but stay humble, that’s my advice to all the young black artists.”
Through Threadless, it is Walls’ hope that other independent artists can capitalize on the success of their designs to further achieve independence and carry out their passion.
You can follow Walls’ journey as an artist on Instagram @hifibangalore and, of course, purchase his designs at his Threadless Artist Shop.
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Charlamagne Tha God is Reportedly Considering Leaving ‘The Breakfast Club’
Author and host Lenard Larry McKelvey, better known as “Charlamagne Tha God,” has a contract with The Breakfast Club that will reportedly end at year’s end and there may be a possibility he doesn’t return to the popular morning radio show, according to The New York Post.
The controversial radio personality, who was once a co-host on the Wendy Williams radio show before his rise, is rumored to have potential deals on the table. As Page Six reports, “He loves working for [Power 105.1 parent company] I Heart Radio, but he is contemplating his next move,” the source tells Page Six. “He’s not sure what he is going to do,” said the insider. “There are a lot of potential deals in the air, and he just wants to keep his options open and think strategically.”
The Breakfast Club was started back in 2010 when Charlamagne tha God founded the show with cohorts DJ Envy and Angela Yee. The show started airing weekday mornings on Power 105.1 in New York.
In recent months, there has been friction among the team when Charlamagne conducted an interview with rapper Gucci Mane on another one of his platforms, giving rise to rumors of Yee and DJ Envy feeling slighted by their co-host for giving Gucci Mane a platform after Mane publicly dissed both Yee and Envy. Mane claims Yee pursued him romantically and he threatened to slap DJ Envy. Listeners and viewers felt that Charlamagne turned his back on his co-workers.
According to The Grio, during a recent interview on The Breakfast Club, while speaking to Love & Hip Hop‘s Joe Budden, the conversation turned toward the team re-negotiating its contract. Budden asked the hosts if they’ve re-upped their contract yet, to which Charlamagne said, “Aw naw,” Yee said no, and DJ Envy stated that he was returning
“I got five kids, I’m long term,” Envy explained. “I’m loooong term.”
“It’s renegotiation time. I wanted the shortest contract possible,” Yee said, alluding that she wants to keep her options open. “You never know if something else happens, who wants to be stuck if that’s not… Who knows?”
Charlamagne has hosted shows on MTV, including Guy Code, Guy Court, and Girl Code. He also hosted the MTV2 show Uncommon Sense. The multi-faceted entertainer is also an author of two books, 2017’s Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It and 2018’s Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me. He also has his own podcast, The Brilliant Idiots.
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Maryland General Assembly Authorizes $580 Million For HBCUs
The Maryland General Assembly has recently acted to protect funding for the state’s historically black colleges and universities.
In a unanimous vote held on Sunday, the state Senate passed a bill that cleared the House of Delegates by a 129-to-2 vote. The legislation would go to fund scholarships, faculty, academic programs, and marketing initiatives for the state’s HBCUs. This move is also a major step toward ending a 13-year old lawsuit over inequitable funding for the schools. Gov. Larry Hogan was encouraged by Adrienne A. Jones, who introduced the bill and is the first African American to serve as the Maryland house speaker, for the state to find a way to fund the settlement to their liking.
Attorneys representing the coalition’s lawsuit, which sued Maryland in 2006, praised the General Assembly for its overwhelming support. “This is truly historic,” said Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which is representing the coalition alongside the law firm Kirkland & Ellis. “We applaud lawmakers for putting in place bipartisan legislation that can bring overdue relief for HBCUs in Maryland.”
The institutions that will benefit from the funding include Morgan State University, Coppin State University, Bowie State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Funding is contingent on the state finalizing an agreement with the Coalition for Equity and Excellence in Maryland Higher Education.
“The HBCU case has been an ongoing issue and underscored the marked inequity that exists in our higher education system,” Jones said on Monday in a statement. “We have taken the necessary action to eliminate the vestiges of program duplication and level the playing field for all students.”
The bill is being sent to Hogan for signing. A representative with the governor has said that he will review the bill once it reaches his desk.
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