Drake, Sport betting, Boxing Match, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 20, 2024

Drake Loses $565K In Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk Boxing Match Bet

The 'Drake Curse' has reappeared after rapper bets on Fury.

After being knocked out by Kendrick Lamar in a lyrical battle, Drake took the financial loss at the sports betting table.

Drake’s (bad) luck is back on track after the Canadian superstar lost yet another large wager when he reportedly lost $565,000 betting on another sports event.

According to The New York Post, the “Drake Curse” has been reinstated as the “Best I Ever Had” recording artist placed a bet on boxer Tyson Fury in his matchup for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship fight with Oleksandr Usyk. That proved the wrong move as Fury lost the boxing match in a split-decision ruling that gave Usyk the victory.

The loss was the first for Fury (34-1-1) as he received a score of 114-113 from one judge, while the two others scored 114-113 and 115-112 for Usyk (22-0).

The infamous “Drake Curse” has followed the “Thank Me Later” recording artist for several years. People started referring to Drake’s betting habits as such because anytime Drake places a bet or shows support toward a sports team or meets an athlete, they allegedly suffer a defeat. Over the years, various media outlets have reported on this so-called curse, and fans have watched in either glee or despair when they found out that Drake was a supporter of a team or athlete.

Several victims of the alleged curse include tennis legend Serena Williams, boxer Anthony Joshua, the Toronto Raptors, MMA fighter Connor McGregor, the Kentucky Wildcats, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Golden State Warriors.

Drake reportedly lost $400,000 when he bet that Jake Paul would win by knockout against Tommy Fury, but Paul lost the match by split decision. He also lost $1 million in 2022 when he bet on Argentina winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Although the team did win, the game was decided by penalty kicks.

He also lost 2 million Canadian dollars in November 2022 when UFC competitor Alex Pereira knocked out Israel Adesanya.

by Daniel Johnson

May 20, 2024

Chicago Woman Says She Waited 4 Hours For Police Response After 911 Call

A Chicago mother is raising alarm regarding the Chicago Police Department’s failure to respond in a timely manner to a call she placed about a home invasion.

A Chicago mother says she waited four hours before the Chicago Police Department responded to her call about a home invasion.

“Michelle,” who didn’t provide her last name or where she lives, told NBC 5 said she left her door open around 12:30 p.m. after she let her dog out, providing an opportunity for two men to enter her home.

“I saw two men wearing masks standing inside my house,” Michelle said. “I screamed, ‘I am calling the police,’ and they bolted.”

After quickly chasing the men with a neighbor, Michelle said she called the police. She said she was instructed by a dispatcher to wait outside, which she did before calling 911 again, multiple times. On the sixth try, she contacted another dispatcher and asked to speak to a supervisor.

“A gentleman got on and said, ‘Sorry to say we have no units to send you’…Then there was an awkward pause,” Michelle recalled, according to NBC 5. “He also recommended I call my alderman. And I said, ‘Why?’ And he said, ‘Encourage him to hire more police.’ The dispatcher also asked me if I would consider defending myself …if I had a weapon or considered getting one.”

Michelle, however, does not blame the police for their delay.

Chicago Police told NBC5 that the delay was most likely because no one’s life was in immediate danger, but city politicians like 1st Ward Alderman Daniel LaSpata are seeking some measure of accountability and change from the Chicago Police Department.

“It is awful that our neighbor experienced this, everyone deserves to feel safe in their home. My staff alerted me to the issue as soon as they heard, and I am in contact with 12th District Police leadership.” LaSpata wrote in a statement. “I will continue to support any resources our districts request, and I will continue to work with the City on a proposed satellite location within West Town for the 12th District police.”

'Am I the Drama?', Cardi B, Guinness Record, Drone Album Deliveries

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 20, 2024

Cardi B Boosts Korean Noodle Maker’s Stock By 30% With Viral TikTok Post

Cardi B posted about the company's popular buldak noodles with TikToker Keith Lee in March.

Cardi B’s co-sign can lead to business success. Korean instant noodle maker saw its stock rise exponentially after the rapper posted about its product.

Cardi B originally posted about making the Samyang Food Co.’s signature buldak noodles with food review TikToker Keith Lee on March 20. She and Lee acknowledged the noodles’ viral popularity, as the 31-year-old revealed the lengths she traveled to actually find the coveted product.

@keith_lee125 Buldak Carbonara Ramen Noodle taste test 💕 would you try it ? 💕 #foodcritic @Cardi B ♬ original sound – Keith Lee

“I’ve been seeing these Buldak carbonara-flavor noodles all over TikTok, all over social media,” said the Grammy winner. “I drove 30 minutes, well somebody drove me, to a H Mart so I can finally get it.”

The duo mixed in mozzarella cheese and milk as the viral concoction requires, but were not huge fans of the spicy meal themselves. Following Cardi’s unsponsored social media promotion, the company’s stock reached a record-high increase of 30 percent. It beat out longtime rival NongShim Co. with its new market valuation of $2.5 billion, as reported by Fortune.

Cardi B’s impact contributed to a 50% jump in sales for the instant noodle product, as well as aiding its tripled first-quarter profit compared to last year. The company earned $59 million during the timeframe.

Currently, shoppers at big retailers such as Walmart and Costco can get their hands on the pink-packaged product. However, with its growing success, Samyang wants to expand to other grocers in the near future. It also released a less spicy version of its flagship ramen, widening its audience for U.S. consumers.

Cardi B is also well aware of her impact on social media, and has the partnerships to show for it, working with NYX cosmetics, McDonald’s, and Nike as a media personality. No future collaboration between the Samyang and the rapper has been revealed to the public.

Environmental Civil Rights Protections, For Black Communities, Louisiana

by Daniel Johnson

May 20, 2024

Two Black Towns In The Shadow Of Environmental Racism Fight Back Against Chemical Companies

Africatown and McIntosh are two predominantly Black communities located in Alabama's "chemical corridor," a 60-mile stretch of land.

Africatown and McIntosh, two predominantly Black communities located in Alabama’s 60-mile stretch known as the “chemical corridor,” are living in the shadow of the state’s booming chemical industry.

But residents say the industrial expansion in the Mobile area is slowly killing them.

As Reckon reports, in 2021 Finnish chemical giant Kemira, now Sterling Specialty Chemicals, completed a major expansion of its operations only about 1,500 feet from homes in Africatown, a community located in Mobile.

“Through all Africatown’s entire history, residents have tried to stop pollution. All the way back, maybe it was a quiet word or a letter that didn’t make much difference,” Joe Womack, an Africatown native and the president of local environmental group C.H.E.S.S. told Reckon. “Now we have a united voice. We have protested. We have used the courts. We have held public meetings where we hold these people and companies accountable. It hasn’t always worked, but we’re still here, ain’t we?”

For Womack, it’s been years of compromise with little return for residents.

“This is how it works,” Womack explained. “First, they ask for your arm, so you give them a thumb. That’s a good compromise. Then years go by, and they ask again, so you give them your hand. And maybe they’ll help build a few things like a museum or a welcome center. But let me tell you this: They are still looking at your arm.”

As Al-Jazeera reports, a similar story is unfolding in McIntosh, Alabama. The community of 250 is surrounded by eight chemical plants, part of a 26-plant network stretching from Highway 43 to Mobile, where Africatown is located. Residents said they were swindled out of their land due to the deceptive practices of a homebuilder who later sold the land to corporations, paving the way for a chemical industry takeover.

In 2017, Olin’s chemical manufacturing plant began belching chlorine in the air for 12 hours without warning residents of McIntosh, during which time, residents described burning lungs and dying birds. The Alabama Department of Energy eventually fined Olin $80,000 for the unauthorized release of the chemical and a failure to report it, but this has not stopped the company from releasing chemicals in the air. Olin has repeated the action four times, the latest coming in January 2022.

Michael Hansen, the former executive director of GASP, a non-profit that works to reduce air pollution and promote environmental justice, told Al-Jazeera that the practice of companies like Olin creates a sacrifice zone in communities like McIntosh and Africatown.

“Cancer is a common occurrence (in areas like those two towns). In addition to that, asthma and other chronic breathing difficulties, heart disease and stroke, difficulty sleeping, nausea, and learning impairment for children are common. It can stunt cognitive development as well as respiratory development.”

Hansen continued, “This creates a cumulative impact, and if there’s more than one plant in an area, you start looking at what is called a ‘sacrifice zone’ where residents who live near the vicinity are sacrificed for the sake of industry,”

Like Africatown, residents in McIntosh are fighting back. Andy Lang, a contract pipefitter, is also a community advocate. He and other members of the joined lawsuits against Olin in 2018, which are due to be heard in 2024.

“We’re angry and worried because while the lawsuits are held up in court by big companies, people are dying and still in danger and no one seems to care,” Lang told Al-Jazeera. “For these kids, if I don’t do something, our history’s going to be gone, but the people are coming together talking. We’ve never been this far, but we’re beginning to have a little faith, to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

by Daniel Johnson

May 20, 2024

FIFA Urges Federations To Declare Penalty For Anti-Black Racism

FIFA strongly urged all 211 national federations to both mandate racism and racist gestures as penalties.

After several high-profile players raised concerns regarding racist abuse they suffered at the hands of fans, on May 16, FIFA strongly urged all 211 national federations to both mandate racism and racist gestures as penalties and adopt a standard gesture for communicating that this violation had occurred either in the stands or on the field of play.

As ESPN reported, FIFA President Gianni Infantino pledged to make a proposal after consulting with Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior, who plays for Real Madrid and had voiced concern about facing racist taunts from fans in Spain. In a letter addressed to its member federations, FIFA called for unity. “The time has come for football to unite to unequivocally commit as a global community to address the issue of racism in the game.” The letter also wanted a panel composed of players who would “monitor and advise on the implementation of these actions around the world.”

Although the gesture from FIFA has been well-received, some say it lacks specificity. As The Athletic reported, Tony Burnett, the chief executive of an anti-discrimination charity, Kick It Out, said in a letter critical of the proposals that although FIFA’s intentions appear to be noble, they lack direction. “FIFA’s intentions to take a stand against racism appear to be genuine, but lack detail and in some cases fail to address ongoing concerns,” Burnet wrote.

Burnett’s letter continued, “Kick It Out is surprised that after consulting players, the three-step protocol is set to continue. It has failed to protect players for years, and rather than introducing new hand gestures, FIFA should focus on empowering players and their management to leave the pitch when they feel it’s appropriate. Referees also need better education.”

The letter concludes, “While players offer a genuine insight into the effects of racism, asking them to come up with solutions to tackle this issue is unfair. Many have called for more to be done, but they should not bear the responsibility for the problem. That is on those who run the game, who have a duty to protect players and need to ensure they are transparent about their actions.”

Infantino also is responsible for disbanding the FIFA Anti-Racism Task Force in 2016 ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia after claiming that it had “completely fulfilled its temporary mission,” which will likely remain a point of contention for some.

In 2022, a study uncovered that 55% of players involved in both the Euro 2020 and AFCON finals were subject to racist abuse, with Black players who missed penalties in a finals match between England and Italy subjected to the most racist abuse.

Jude Bellingham, another of Real Madrid’s star players, told CNN on April 22 that he wanted to see more severe punishment for those who direct racist abuse at players. Although Bellingham was speaking out on behalf of his teammate, he has also been vocal about the issue during his relatively brief career. In 2022, he questioned if FIFA’s executives actually cared about the racist abuses directed at the sport’s Black players.

He told CNN in April, “I do think there’s got to be more extreme consequences.” Bellingham added, “I think that’s the best way to try and stop people from doing it in the future. What would be interesting is having the players involved. The players are the ones who are having to experience it, not these people in charge of the game. So if they really want to know what they think is fair or if they are confused, there are players all over Spain and all over the world that they can speak to, and I’ll tell them to take advantage of that.”

Bellingham continued, “We can all say that we want to do things or say it should change, but I think we can all come together, regardless of what color you are, to help get rid of it because we’re all on the same team at the end of the day and we all think it’s disgusting. It shouldn’t be happening. So yeah, I look forward to seeing how the people in charge incorporate the players into the process of preventing it in the future.”

RELATED CONTENT: FIFA To Release World Cup Corruption Report

Las Vegas Aces, wnba, A'ja Wilson, sneakers

by Daniel Johnson

May 20, 2024

Las Vegas Aces Players Awarded $100K Las Vegas Tourism Sponsorship Deal, Prompting WNBA Investigation

Aces head coach, Becky Hammon, called the investigation 'odd.'

On May 17, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority announced that it would sponsor the Las Vegas Aces players and subsequently awarded each player on the team with $100,000 in addition to their existing salary. A day later, the WNBA announced that it would be investigating the team, to which members of the team and WNBA fans pushed back.

As The Athletic reports, Aces superstar forward A’ja Wilson and head coach Becky Hammon responded to the investigation in a press conference on May 18, both questioning the league’s regular investigations of the franchise.

Hammon called the league investigation “odd” and followed up by saying that the LVCVA contacted the players’ agents. “Most sponsorship people go after the top two people,” Hammon said. “In this situation from what I understand, is (the LVCVA) wanted the whole team. So they went and called individuals’ agents. I don’t know the details. I have nothing to do with it. The Aces have nothing to do with it.”

Wilson spoke at length in the press conference about her feelings about the investigation and questioned the league’s commitment to growing the game.

“I don’t understand that investigation, I haven’t really dived into it yet,” the two-time WNBA MVP said. “I just looked at my phone and was like, oh, wow. Just another thing in the life of the Aces. We can’t ever just start normal. It’s always going to be something and that’s OK.”

Wilson continued, But we’re talking about growing the game. We’re talking about taking that next step; it can’t always be investigate, investigate, investigate. It has to be we’re trying to move the needle, we’re trying to make things better for franchises, for players, for teams. I’m super grateful to be in a franchise, in a city that constantly wants more out of us. That wants us to don’t worry about stuff, just go play and go win and have fun with that.”

Aces coach Hammon & A’ja Wilson comment on possible #WNBA investigation into LVCVA deal. “We’re trying to make things better for franchises, for players, for teams. On the player side, I’m super grateful to be in a franchise in a city that wants more out of us.” @LVSportsBiz pic.twitter.com/Qp0LghEQOg
— The Sportsnista (@TheSportsnista) May 18, 2024

"When we're talking about growing the game or the next step, it can't always be investigate, investigate, investigate."

A'ja Wilson's full response to the @WNBA investigating the @LVAces $100K sponsorship by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.#WNBA @FOX5Vegas pic.twitter.com/am63B0xh0V
— Paloma Villicana (@PalomaFOX5News) May 19, 2024

BREAKING: We're doing something that's never been done before. We're going #ALLINLV and sponsoring EVERY. SINGLE. PLAYER. on the @LVAces roster this season! pic.twitter.com/ntBZVZeFJu
— Las Vegas (@Vegas) May 17, 2024

https://twitter.com/WomensHoops_USA/status/1792006342837989660?t=vw_WBMmG7BwqAL70FGiRmg&s=19

As The Next reports, the agreement includes stipulations that the team must appear at certain events and will receive branded gear to wear to promote the city of Las Vegas. In a video posted to the City of Las Vegas’ official Twitter account, the city emphasized that something of this nature has never been done before. The deal, in fact, is not dissimilar to an NIL deal, something Wilson’s college coach, Dawn Staley, jokingly alluded to in a post under the city’s announcement video.

LVCVA President Steve Hill and the LVCVA arranged the deal without the team’s knowledge specifically to comply with the WNBA’s rules, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Hill told the outlet that it is similar to arrangements the entity already has with over 100 influencers, including Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.

The part of the deal that could be a sticking point for the league is Hill’s statement to the team in the locker room that he essentially wanted the team to just play and represent the city well, and in their analysis of the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, the outlet references the document’s prohibition of teams or team affiliates from entering into understandings which “(a) sponsor, business partner or third party pays or agrees to pay compensation for basketball services (even if such compensation is ostensibly designated as being for nonbasketball services) to a player under Contract to the Team.”

Hill, meanwhile, seems to believe that everything will work out in the favor of the players of the Aces, as he told the outlet, “This is a sponsorship agreement with the players of the Aces. When I said we think this is a good deal for us, I meant it. It is our job, and we think that’s going to easily prove out.”

Hill also alluded to the pay discrepancy in the WNBA, saying, “I think everybody understands the moment. Everybody understands this pay discrepancy. What we’re able to do matters to the Aces. I think everyone is going to be happy that this elevates the Aces and elevates all of us.”

Texas Southern University, James W. Crawford, President

by Daniel Johnson

May 20, 2024

Texas Southern University Names James W. Crawford Its President

Crawford was the sole finalist for the position.

On May 16, Texas Southern University voted to make U.S. Navy Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III the university’s 14th president. Crawford previously served as the president of Felician University and is currently a trustee at Belmont Abbey College, located in North Carolina. Crawford’s military career in the Navy stretched over 30 years, culminating in his retirement as the judge advocate general, the most senior rank for an attorney in the Navy.

As the Houston Chronicle reports, Crawford will begin his term on June 1 and looks to bring stability to a university that has faced its share of scrutiny from both state lawmakers and the public due to several scandals involving university leadership. Although Crawford’s military career ended amid allegations that he tampered with the prosecution of a Navy SEAL accused of the rape of his girlfriend, officials at Texas Southern University are pleased with the appointment of Crawford.

The Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents has unanimously approved James W. Crawford III as TSU's 14th president.

His appointment begins on June 1, 2024, succeeding interim president Dr. Mary Evans Sias.

Read more here: https://t.co/hI2iGRHYmh pic.twitter.com/ibLJoRAXC2
— Texas Southern University (@TexasSouthern) May 16, 2024

Crawford, who was the sole finalist for the position, which had been filled in an interim role by Mary Sias, a board member who had come out of retirement to help the university as it searched for a new leader, was thrilled to be selected by the university, as he told the Chronicle in April, “I was taught that the most significant gift one can ever receive or give is the gift of service,” Crawford said. “To be selected to be the finalist for the presidency of Texas Southern University, a proud and accomplished HBCU, is an honor beyond measure.”

TSU’s last president, Lesia Crumpton-Young, requested to retire in May 2023 amid multiple lawsuits, including one that claims that the university’s former police chief, Mary Young, was fired for intervening in an alleged relationship between Crumpton-Young and an officer on her security detail.

TSU, like many other HBCUs, has been fighting for equal funding from the state. Although Texas created the Texas University Fund to support universities outside the UT and Texas A&M Systems’ Permanent University Fund, the high entry requirements exclude Texas Southern University from applying. Unlike Prairie View A&M, which is part of the Texas A&M System, TSU has expressed a desire to remain independent.

To that end, TSU is looking to become the first HBCU to be granted “Research 1” status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, giving them a larger share of federal grants to help offset a lack of funding from the State of Texas.

In a press release, TSU Board of Regents Chairman Brandon L. Simmons laid out his belief that Crawford is the right man for the job, saying, “James Crawford comes to Texas Southern University with a breadth of leadership experience not often seen in a university president.”

Simmons added, “He has served students as both a university president and trustee. He has served in global leadership roles under six U.S. Presidents in peacetime and wartime. He is a husband, a father of twin sons, and a former college basketball player who was drawn to Texas Southern by our students because they remind him of a younger version of himself. Our board concludes the presidential search as we began it: united in serving our extraordinary Texas Southern students.”

by Daniel Johnson

May 19, 2024

Colorado Leads The Way With New AI Regulation Law, Sparking Praise And Concerns

Although the bill has been hailed by consumer protection agencies, businesses and some politicians are concerned that the bill is too broad.

The State of Colorado has become the first state to enact a law offering protections from “high-risk” artificial intelligence applications. Although the bill has been hailed by consumer protection agencies as necessary and a landmark in protection, businesses and some politicians are concerned that it is too broad and creates a compliance burden for employees who use AI tools.

As reported by the Colorado Sun, Colorado’s Senate Bill 206 was signed into law on May 17 by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Despite signing the bill into law, Polis described his reservations about the bill in a letter to legislators. “This bill is among the first in the country to attempt to regulate the burgeoning artificial industry on such a scale,” Polis, a Democrat, wrote. “I appreciate the sponsors’ interest in preventing discrimination and prioritizing consumer protection as Colorado leads in this space.”

Polis continued, “I am concerned about the impact this law may have on an industry that is fueling critical technological advancements across our state for consumers and enterprises alike. Government regulation that is applied at the state level in a patchwork across the country can have the effect to tamper innovation and defer competition in an open market.”

The bill is not set to take effect until Feb 1, 2026, which leaves ample time for it to either become a stronger, more directed version of the bill that currently exists or turn in the opposite direction and become a weaker, more watered down version that offers little protection to employees from predatory AI programs.

Earlier today, Governor Polis @GovofCO signed the Colorado AI Act into law, establishing new individual rights and protections regarding high-risk AI systems. Read FPF's statement from @tatiianarice. https://t.co/cbjpswq5AO pic.twitter.com/4T62BWHQIE
— Future of Privacy Forum (@futureofprivacy) May 18, 2024

https://twitter.com/AdamThierer/status/1791660040082137215?t=0bV4Vph-v-8A8iXXS5tmuQ&s=19

The Colorado Technology Association (CTA), representing over 300 technology companies across the state, spoke out against the bill, warning in its own letter that lawmakers rushed to make the law without considering the technology industry.

“Many of these requirements are vague and very broad, and no one seems to have a good understanding of what their application will look like in practice,” the letter claimed.

The Rocky Mountain AI Interest Group is also against the bill, as Founder Dan Murray told the Sun via email, “RMAIIG members are still against the law and we’re disappointed it was passed and signed.” Murray continued, “We are hopeful, however, that legislators will robustly engage with Colorado’s vibrant AI/tech/startup community over the next 1-2 years to ensure the bill won’t dampen the important tech economy in our state.”

Consumer advocates, like Matt Scherer, senior policy counsel for the Center for Democracy & Technology, are against the bill for a different reason: they don’t believe it goes far enough to protect consumers from companies that want to operate in a less than savory manner.

“There are definitely still parts that I don’t like, including what I consider very weak enforcement provisions, a small business exemption that I think is way too broad, and a trade secret exemption that still leaves quite a bit of room for companies to make mischief,” Scherer told the Sun. “That said, I understand why the bill landed where it did on each of those things, and I think that this bill is as good as I could hope for given that it basically has its origins in model legislation written by an HR tech company.”

Workday, an HR technology company that focuses on employment, indicated via an email from Chandler Morse, the company’s head of public policy, to Gov. Polis that they are satisfied with the bill’s passage and agree with his assertion that the bill needs to be more focused before it is implemented.

“While we agree with the Governor about there being room for improvement before the law is implemented,” Morse wrote, “Senate Bill 205 represents a critical first step with which we hope other states will align for a much-needed common approach to AI regulation.”

Morehouse, Biden, Gaza, election, water, Georgia, graduation

by Daniel Johnson

May 19, 2024

Biden Addresses Gaza Crisis Criticism In Morehouse Commencement Speech, Met With Minimal Protests

During his speech, Biden also weighed in on the criticism he has faced over his handling of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

During his commencement address to the 2024 graduating class at Morehouse College, President Joe Biden emphasized differences between himself and Republican Party nominee Donald Trump while acknowledging dissent regarding his foreign policy toward Israel. The May 19 speech at Morehouse College, an HBCU, fits into Biden’s re-election campaign that has been aimed directly at Black voters over the last several weeks.

During his speech, Biden weighed in on criticism over his handling of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, telling the crowd, “I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family. But most of all, I know it breaks your heart. Breaks mine as well,” Biden said to the crowd. “Leadership is about facing the most intractable problems; it’s about challenging anger, frustration, and heartbreak to find a solution by doing what you believe is right, even when it’s hard and lonely.”

A single Morehouse faculty member turns around during Biden’s commencement address and puts a fist up in protest. #gapol pic.twitter.com/AONOW6Ue7u
— Maya Homan (@MayaHoman) May 19, 2024

As NPR reports, Biden’s speech was answered by Morehouse College Valedictorian DeAngelo Fletcher, who asserted in his speech that it was time for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. “For the first time in our lives, we’ve heard the global community sing one harmonious song that transcends language and culture,” he said. “It is my sense as a Morehouse Man, nay – as a human being – to call for an immediate and a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”

Some students who graduated wore keffiyehs (a traditional headdress worn by men from parts of the Middle East), others turned their backs toward Biden in protest, but largely, the commencement went without any major disruptions, as many alumni and Morehouse College President David Thomas predicted. Thomas went as far as to tell NPR ahead of the graduation that he would rather end the ceremony than have protestors arrested. “If my choice is 20 people being arrested on national TV on the Morehouse campus, taken away in zip ties during our commencement before we would reach that point, I would conclude the ceremony,” Thomas said.

Thomas was not the only Morehouse official to assure order and decorum. The Washington Post reported ahead of the ceremony that Mel Foster, an associate provost of student success, addressed the crowd, saying, “We also ask that you respect the dignity and reputation of excellence at Morehouse College,” Foster said. “Although we respect everyone’s right to free speech, Morehouse has provided guidelines to ensure we are in full compliance with the law.”

As The Hill reports, Biden is struggling not just with Black voters but with young voters and progressives. Fred Hicks, a Georgia-based Democratic strategist, told the outlet ahead of the commencement ceremony that Biden’s address is part of a concession from the Biden campaign that he needs to take action before he loses this voting bloc. “The president giving the commencement speech at Morehouse, before the preeminent Black male college in the country, is a nod to the fact that Black men and young voters are really looking at not voting this election — and he realizes, and the campaign realizes that he has to do something to try to bring them back, bring us back into the fold.”

Kamala Harris, day of unreasonable conversations, 107 Days, book tour, Trump adminsitration

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 19, 2024

Biden-Harris Administration Reveals Historic HBCU Funding Of $16 Billion

Harris announced the record-level achievement in a statement.

The Biden-Harris administration announced that federal HBCU investments and support now total more than $16 billion.

The funding eclipses the $7 billion originally allocated to the institutions, reported by HBCUBuzz. The new amount will comprise $11.4 billion from 2021 to 2023, stemming from federal grants, contracting awards, and debt relief. The vice president released a statement on the record support measure, which includes funding from fiscal years 2021 to 2024.

“As a proud graduate of Howard University, I know firsthand that our HBCUs are centers of academic excellence,” shared Harris. “For generations, these anchors of our communities have played a pivotal role in building and contributing to America’s leadership at home and abroad.”

Over $4 billion will also ensure education benefits for veterans and HBCU students needing federal financial aid through Pell Grants and work-study programs. The accomplishments hope to extend throughout the year, establishing the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to strengthening HBCUs.

She added, “We know that when we invest in the success of our HBCUs, we are investing in the strength of our Nation -– today and for generations to come.”

As the Biden-Harris ticket seeks reelection this year, these historic funding levels hope to promote their cause to diverse voters. Biden has faced some weariness from Black and young voters thus far in his campaign, leading to new initiatives and engagements by both he and Harris to revitalize the crucial demographic.

Significantly in focus is Harris, whose historic feat as the first Black woman vice president resonated with Black voters in 2020. Last year, the HBCU alum traveled to many minority-serving institutions for her Fight For Our Freedoms tour. For many HBCU graduates, Harris also shared a congratulatory video message for their commencement ceremonies.

However, as the race heats up, Biden-Harris’ achievement toward HBCUs hopes to signify that their work toward the Black community deserves another term.