Ava Raine, Dwayne Johnson’s Daughter, Makes WWE Television Debut
Simone Johnson, the daughter of Hollywood movie star and former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who made her professional debut earlier this year. A few days ago, she made her television debut earlier for WWE.
According to Sports Illustrated, Johnson, who is professionally known as AvaRaine, was announced as the latest member of the Schism, which is led by Joe Gacy. Other members of the team are Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid. Raine is the fourth member and only woman.
Raine is the first fourth-generational wrestler after following in the footsteps of her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
According to Essentially Sports, she debuted in Orlando this summer as “The Final Girl.” Her great-grandfather was Peter Maivia, who went by the moniker, “High Chief” Peter Maivia. As a professional wrestler, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008 by his grandson, The Rock.
Her grandfather was known professionally as “Soul Man” Rocky Johnson. In 1983, along with “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas, they became the first Black champions in WWE history when they won the World Tag Team Championship. Rocky is also in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Her father, who is possibly the most popular wrestler in history, is a behemoth in Hollywood. He made history when he became the first third-generation Superstar in WWE history. He has won eight WWE championships during his wrestling career.
After announcing she had signed with WWE in July, The Rock spoke to Entertainment Tonight.
“She’s made history becoming WWE’s first fourth-generation wrestler,” he said. “Very, very proud of her. She is fiercely independent. It’s very important for her to make her own way, blaze her own trail, blaze her own path. She doesn’t come to me looking for a lot, which I respect that. And I’m here watching and supporting.”
Dany Garcia, who is Raine’s mother and business partner to The Rock, proudly acknowledged her daughter’s NXT debut via social media.
It’s The Cover We Didn’t Know We Needed When Toni Braxton Sings Beyonce’s ‘Cuff It’
There’s just something about the female singers who can hit those lower-range notes.
R&B legend Toni Braxton was getting ready for the weekend when she dropped a video on her Instagram singing to Beyoncé‘s “Cuff It,” one of the fan-favorite songs from Bey’s 2022 album, Renaissance.
The video shows the iconic singer dancing in the mirror with a black and white hoodie, matching baseball cap, and her phone in hand to record the magic. The Instagram timeline was graced with a new take on the song as Ms. Braxton took the notes to a whole other level, literally.
“Getting dressed and ready for the weekend… tryin’ to cuff it up @beyonce,” she captioned the video.
The “Unbreak My Heart” singer is known for singing in a lower register, and the ToniTigerz, the name used as the Instagram story title where she reposts her fans, are always waiting to learn of the next venture for the singer..
According to Hello Beautfiul, comments from followers rolled in back to back.
The video which now has over 1 million views and users posted their thoughts for collaborations and remixes from the singer.
One user wrote, “I’m literally screaming!!! This is what I needed Toni, singing Beyoncé… umm we SO NEED A TONI BEYONCÉ COLLABORATION!!!” and another requested, “Can we get a remix please .”
“We need the Toni mix NEOOOOOW,” another user added in the comments.
Other celebrities including her mother, Evelyn Braxton, also expressed their amazement.
“You betta’ sing baby! Look at God,” Miss Evelyn commented underneath the video, while comedian D.L. Hughley commented with three fire emojis.
During a 2022 interview with Good Morning America, the award-winning artist discussed her newest movie, Fallen Angels Murder Club, that premiered in May. Braxton executive produced and starred in the film that she dedicated to her sister, Traci Braxton, who died earlier this year.
Controversial Diamond Company De Beers Names Lupita Nyong’o As Global Ambassador
Although diamonds may be forever, Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o is showcasing its “transformative power” for an impactful cause.
From cosmetics to fashion, Nyong’o has displayed her alluring Black woman prowess in major brands throughout her career. Now she has been tapped by global diamond luxury brand, De Beers, as its first-ever global ambassador, National Jeweler reported.
She will also stun in its new brand campaign, “De Beers: Where It Begins.”
De Beers takes pride in being the “only Diamond Jewellery House at source,” indicating its ethical responsibility to sourcing most of the diamonds for jewelry from their own mines in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada.
However, De Beers has been called out by human rights groups for “unethical” practices in mining diamonds and buying illicit diamonds from African rebels to fund wars, the NYTimes reports.
On Tuesday, the Wakanda Forever star took to Instagram to share a photo of herself adorned in diamonds. She also announced the celebratory news about her newest ambassadorship on social media.
“I’m honored to be the first-ever Global Ambassador for @debeersofficial,” Nyong’o began in the caption.
“This campaign brings to life the transformative power that I feel when I wear De Beers’ diamond creations, and the pride in knowing where they come from and the good they do. Even more importantly, my partnership with De Beers allows me to extend my advocacy for women and girls around the world.”
As she steps in her new role, Nyong’o is passionate about supporting De Beer’s Building Forever project, which aims to improve health and education outcomes and increase livelihood opportunities in diamond communities across southern Africa and Canada.
The brand committed to forging supportive partnerships to “engage 10,000 girls in STEM, support 10,000 women entrepreneurs, and to invest at least $10 million across southern Africa,” according to Vogue.
“Their focus on creating opportunities for women and girls in southern Africa is an effort clearly very close to my heart,” Nyong’o said, per the magazine.
Named one of Forbes’ Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women, Nyong’o has devoted to various philanthropy efforts across the world, including Mother Health International (MHI), a nonprofit organization in Uganda that strives to reduce perinatal mortality rates by providing full-spectrum reproductive healthcare to women in underdeveloped regions.
‘I Ain’t Listening to This Damn Generation’: Marlon Wayans Refuses to Let Cancel Culture Control Him
Cancel culture has been a scary thing for comedians, but Marlon Wayans says he will not be deferred.
In a time when people are being canceled for anything others don’t agree with, Wayans feels that movies like White Chicks are needed, but said the film would probably be canceled today.
In a discussion with Buzzfeed about his latest Netflix comedy, The Curse of Bridge Hollow, Wayans commented on the climate that people, especially entertainers, are facing these days when it comes to cancel culture.
“I don’t know what planet we’re on, where you think people don’t need laughter, and that people need to be censored and canceled. If a joke is gonna get me canceled, thank you for doing me that favor.”
“It’s sad that society is in this place where we can’t laugh anymore.”
The comedian also said that this generation is too critical, and that he knows his audience wants the type of humor that straddles the line between crude and funny. He expressed that he will not let detractors stop him from saying what he feels his crowd wants to hear.
“I ain’t listening to this damn generation. I ain’t listening to these folks: These scared-a** people, these scared executives.”
“Y’all do what you want to do? Great. I’m still gonna tell my jokes the way I tell them. And if you want to make some money, jump on board. And if not, then I’ll find a way to do it myself. I know my audience. My audience comes to my shows every weekend and they leave feeling great and laughing.”
“One thing about the Wayans, we’ve always told the worst joke the best way.”
According to Deadline, the White Chicks comedy starring Marlon and Shawn Wayans, and directed by their older brother, Keenan Ivory Wayans, shows the Black brothers playing FBI agents who go undercover by disguising themselves as white women.
Ye Escorted Out of Skechers’ L.A. Headquarters After Showing Up Uninvited With Film Crew
Ye made more headlines when the fashion designer formally known as Kanye West was literally escorted out of the headquarters of a sneaker brand after showing up unannounced.
In the same week that adidas announced it has severed ties with the Yeezy founder, Skechers had something to say about the music producer who was an unexpected guest at their corporate office on Wednesday.
The company made it extremely clear that they had no meeting planned, nor do they plan on getting into the Yeezy business.
“…Kanye West – also referred to as Ye – arrived unannounced and without invitation at one of Skechers’ corporate offices in Los Angeles. Considering Ye was engaged in unauthorized filming, two Skechers executives escorted him and his party from the building after a brief conversation. Skechers is not considering and has no intention of working with West. We condemn his recent divisive remarks and do not tolerate antisemitism or any other form of hate speech. The company would like to again stress that West showed up unannounced and uninvited to Skechers corporate offices.”
In other Ye news, he has returned to social media.
The mercurial rapper posted a parody article that displayed the headline, “Ye has reportedly cut ties with Kanye West.” He commented, “Had to cut ties bro.”
He also posted what he referred to as “LOVE SPEECH” to Ari Emmanuel, who is CEO of Endeavor. Last week, according to Deadline, Emmanuel put out a call for companies to stop working with Ye after he spewed what some considered anti-semitism rants in recent weeks.
“Ari Emmanuel I lost 2 billion dollars in one day and I’m still alive. This is love speech. I still love you. God still loves you The money is not who I am. The people is who I am.”
The latest post was directed at 50 Cent, after the television producer and rapper trolled Ye by placing a post on his Instagram account that said, “Curtis Jackson has reportedly cut ties with 50 Cent.” He wrote under the photo, “I’m getting rid of anybody who can get me fvcked up like kanye right now ! LOL #brasoncognac#lecheminduroi“
Ye reposted and commented, “We got Donda school designs we need to build with 50 in Houston”
The U.S. Virgin Islands Bring a Taste of the Caribbean to Philly
In addition to chart-topping acts like Tyler the Creator, Burna Boy, Bad Bunny, and Jazmine Sullivan, attendees at the Made in America Festival in Philadelphia last month were treated to a taste of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
Made in Paradise
Mocko Jumbies and dancers at the USVI activation at the 2022 Made In America Festival in Philadelphia, PA (Photo Credit: Black Enterprise/Selena Hill)
The USVI tourism department partnered with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, which powers the annual music festival, to bring Caribbean culture to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (where the festival took place) during Labor Day weekend. The USVI showcased the islands’ lively spirit through Mocko Jumbies stilt dancers and soca music while allowing attendees to swing over a photo of turquoise waters. The convivial activation served to give festival-goers a small preview of what to expect during the upcoming St. Croix Crucian Festival, taking place from December 30 to January 7. Plus, the USVI announced that one lucky festival-goer would win a free trip to the islands.
“Our environment is a lot different from Philly. We have beaches at every corner,” Ian Turnbull, the Division of Festivals Director at the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, told BLACK ENTERPRISE at the festival. “You’re at Made in America, but you can have a Caribbean paradise experience at this festival.”
2022 Made In America Festival in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Black Enterprise/Selena Hill)
This marked the second consecutive year that the USVI hosted an activation at one of the country’s biggest Labor Day weekend events. The effort was part of the USVI Department of Tourism’s mission to drive visitation to the islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. Turnbull says the islands saw an uptick in travelers from Philadelphia following Made In America last year, making the decision to return to the City of Brotherly Love easy. “We saw the numbers, and that’s why we’re here again.”
Joseph Boschulte, the Commissioner of Tourism at the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, called the USVI activation at Made In America a “resounding success.”
“Anecdotally, seeing the reception of the people was amazing,” he told BE. “Not only were they dancing with the Mockos and the entertainers, but they actually [took] snapshots of our QR code,” he said, adding that he felt “a sense of pride” seeing USVI swag gear throughout the festival.
Rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Verse Simmonds and USVI artist 5’2 at the 2022 Made In America Festival in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Black Enterprise/Selena Hill)
As part of the #MadeinParadise partnership with Roc Nation, the U.S. Virgin Islands hosted a contest to give one lucky local artist the opportunity to perform at Made in America. 5’2, a rapper, was selected by Roc Nation from a pool of other contestants that included Mic Love, Scarzeo, and Th3rd.
“I always wanted to come [to Philadelphia] as a kid, but I’m from the islands, so it’s not necessarily accessible,” 5’2 told BE after her performance. “It’s so small. It’s 32-square miles, specifically St. Thomas where I’m from. And I think that opportunity is so scarce down there. So, when I got this opportunity, I was super excited to come and show out and show them the talent that the Virgin Islands holds.”
Turnball said the USVI was incredibly proud to have the petite rapper represent their country and culture at Made in America. “She’s polished. She has some great music. She’s in right in line with the Megan Thee Stallions and the Cardi B’s of the world,” he told BE. “The whole Virgin Islands is excited about this moment because it’s not every day you get to go on a big stage [as an] up-and-coming artist.”
Book a Trip to Paradise
Ian Turnbull, the Division of Festivals Director at the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, and Joseph Boschulte, the Commissioner of Tourism at the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism [Photo credit: Black Enterprise/SelenaHill]According to Boschulte, now is the best time to book a vacation to the USVI. For one, he says, Americans don’t have to worry about the burden of traveling internationally or the possibility of getting stuck overseas due to COVID.
“We’re a U.S. territory, so you don’t need a passport,” he said. “We expect different iterations [of COVID] to come around. So being a U.S. territory, you know one thing for sure, if you come to the Virgin Islands, you know you can get home. It’s not going to be a situation where it’s locked down and you can’t make it back.”
Plus, traveling to the islands is convenient, since many services provided in the United States are offered there as well.
“I think it’s important for you to travel someplace where you feel comfortable moving around, where you feel comfortable [using your] ATM card, [and] your cell phone’s going to work,” he said. “Coming out of a pandemic, you want to make sure that you can connect with your family. You want to make sure that your money is there if you need it. You want to make sure that your health care…is good.”
He went on to stress the beauty and warmth of the islands to entice tourists. “The beaches are beautiful. Our people are genuine,” he said. “They are genuinely happy to have you experience what we have to offer in the territory.”
He continued, “The USVI is a safe destination with many options on land and on the water. We welcome you down.”
Meet the Brothers Helping Athletes like Travis Kelce Succeed Outside the Arena
Two brothers are celebrating 10 years as the owners of their Cleveland-based sports and entertainment agency, A&A Management Group.
Aaron and André Eanes have a roster of football players that includes Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Champion tight end, Travis Kelce; Cleveland Browns All-Pro cornerback, Denzel Ward;Cleveland Browns wide receiver, Donovan Peoples-Jones; and 2022 Rising All-Star and Second Team All-Rookie NBA breakout, Bones Hyland, to name a few.
The agency finds deals for its clients and helps them build their legacies in and out of the arena. Tailoring their clients’ individual goals, the brothers also help athletes take advantage of their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to the Eanes brothers about why they feel that sponsorships, endorsements, and brand partnerships should be a source of income for athletes, how they set clients up for the right deals, and why some athletes go broke after their playing careers end.
What inspired you to start A&A Management Group, and what overall goals do you have for the company?
André: Growing up, I loved the game of basketball. I always wanted to be in the NBA. When I got to high school, I stopped growing and everyone that I was used to playing with grew to be 6 feet or taller while I remained 5’10. I went from being one of the top players in the state to quickly being barely average. But I was a worker and did what needed to be done to help my team win. That is what ultimately led me to figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my life. One thing I learned from basketball was that my true passions are working in a team atmosphere, connecting with people, and doing whatever I can to add value to a team.
Aaron and I started A&A Management Group during our junior year of college and [I] graduated with a degree in Sports Administration from the University of Cincinnati.
One of the main goals I have for A&A Management Group is to build brand awareness. We are doing some great things for our clients — not only for their brands but for their communities as well. We have spent the past 10 years establishing all the right relationships and building out all the right infrastructure to ensure that we can manage our clients in the most effective way possible. My goal is to continue to show that not only to our [current] clients but also to potential clients down the road; and really change the landscape when it comes to full-service management in sports.
Aaron: The desire to help athletes avoid running out of money after they retire was a big inspiration for me starting A&A Management Group. In 2011, there were not any independent sports management firms for athletes — to my knowledge. The concept of a manager in sports was not as common as it was in music. Athletes were losing opportunities by not having a company exclusively focused on their brands, communicating their brands to a broader market, and positioning them for future opportunities. Our overall goal is to ensure financial security for our clients so that they can sustain the lifestyle they were able to create for themselves as pro athletes, even after they retire.
How do you obtain deals, sponsorships, and collaborations for your clients? How do you decide which companies would be an excellent fit for your roster of athletes?
André: To obtain deals for our clients we like to meet them where they are at. Meaning the first thing we like to do is understand what [our] clients are passionate about. We do not take a cookie-cutter approach to managing our clients. Every client is different, and our job is to take their passions and turn them into real, tangible things.
There are several factors to look at when considering which companies to partner with. One of the most important of those is brand alignment. It is extremely important to make sure that the brands and companies our clients partner with are on brand for the message they are trying to send and the story they are trying to tell.
Aaron: Everything we do centers around the passions and interests of the client. Once we understand our client’s interests, we find brands that align with them. Besides communicating to the broader public more about our clients, brand partnerships can also show off our clients’ passions. Customers are savvy and can tell if brand alignment is not there with sponsorships, so finding the right fit is important to keep the brand deals authentic.
Why do you feel that sponsorships, endorsement deals, and brand partnerships should be a major source of income for athletes?
André: During your playing years, it is most important to build the life that you want to have after you are done playing. A big part of that is off-setting your expenses with off-field sponsorships, endorsements, and brand partnerships. Being able to generate income off the field and invest/save your contract money is a huge benefit in the long run and gives you the ability to plan for life after sports.
Remember, a lot of athletes can generate more money off the field/court in one year than a person can make in their entire working career. It all comes down to having a plan and a strategy and making moves during your playing career to reach that end goal.
Aaron: I do not fully agree with that statement. I would rephrase it to sponsorships, endorsement deals, and brand partnerships should be a significant source of an athlete’s income if they want it to be
Today, unlike 10 years ago, athletes have many ways to monetize their platforms. You see great examples of athletes who are not as successful on the playing field but are highly successful in media or digital platforms as influencers. Some elite athletes do not necessarily care about doing the work required to secure endorsement deals because of the level of wealth they can create [just] from being an elite athlete.
The NBA is a prime example. Most guys in the NBA do not have a lot of endorsement deals because there just are not enough brands that can pay the money required to make most of the guys excited to partner with them. In the NFL, you see a lot more players doing deals simply because their contracts are not as high, especially when they are on their rookie deals. It ultimately depends on the athlete, but the ones willing to put in the work can surpass their on-field earnings and set themselves up for long-term financial success.
A lot of athletes go into bankruptcy after their playing careers are over. Why do you think this is, and how can they avoid that pitfall?
André: I think it has something to do with the amount of money that professional athletes make in such a short amount of time. In a normal job, typically, your pay increases as your career builds, and those careers can last for almost 30 years if not more. As an athlete, you are playing for a decade if you are lucky. So going from making $10 million per year to $100,000 in retirement is a very hard change to make if you do not plan for it. We work with our clients closely to ensure that the plan we have for them to make money outside of sports is on par with the long-term investment strategy that they have for the money that they are making while they are playing.
To avoid any pitfalls, build a strong team around you that you can trust and that helps you understand the “why.” You must know and understand everything that is going on in your orbit to achieve maximum success. I use sports as an example. No matter what position you play, there is a playbook that teams stand by. To win, you must not only understand your responsibility for any given play, but you must also understand where your teammates will be on that play as well. It is no different building your business outside of sports.
Aaron:I have thought a lot about this question. It is actually what made me want to start the business. I would say the first thing is that most people ask that question dumbfoundedly. Like OMG [oh my gosh], IDK [I do not know], how could they go broke? But, if you look at most lottery winners, they also lose the money they made in a short period. The biggest reason athletes go broke, and I believe this is changing for several reasons; still, the few reasons are because financial literacy is not taught at all in most schools, athletes are considered institutional investors in business transactions based on their net worth, so they can sign documents that waive all the financial protections the average investor has, divorce, child support, supporting family and friends, and ultimately not believing they could go broke until it is too late.
As an entrepreneur, what would you tell someone who wants to turn their passion into a career?
André: My advice would be to be patient, stay humble, and stay focused on your goals. Patience is key. I believe when we are patient, we make the best decisions possible. Understand that building a successful business has several stages. Stage one typically is not a stage anyone wants to be in, but it is critical to building the foundation of your business. Understand you may not be doing everything you want in this stage, but also be cognizant that what you are doing will benefit you and your professional growth in the long run.
Aaron: I would suggest being patient. Being an entrepreneur, unlike an employee, is a 24/7 thing. You cannot leave the office and be done with work. However, if you are genuinely passionate about what you are doing and continue to learn and work on your unique ability, you will eventually find success. Still, it most likely will not happen overnight.
Three Black Sanitation Workers Rescue Missing Girl After Being Dumped Into Garbage Truck
Three DeKalb County sanitation workers were presented with certificates of appreciation for rescuing a young woman just moments after she was dumped into their garbage truck.
On Tuesday morning, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and the police department personally acknowledgedZahMontay Cherry, Richard Jones, and Peter Williams for their honorable actions, WSB-TV reported.
“Without the attention and dedication of these employees, there is no doubt great harm, if not death, would have been imminent,” the department wrote via Twitter.
Without the attention and dedication of these employees, there is no doubt great harm, if not death, would have been imminent. Great job Sanitation! pic.twitter.com/IuxsAMe5Qs
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) October 25, 2022
On Oct. 4, Cherry, Jones, and Williams were on the job when a normal work load turned into a rescue mission in the 6700 block of Old Covington Road in Stonecrest.
When they attempted to empty a heavy trash bin, Cherry and Jones were shocked to see a young girl’s body fall out. According to Tracy Hutchinson, CEO of DeKalb County Sanitation, the pair described seeing a human arm “waving,” KIRO 7 reported.
They spotted her and alerted the driver just moments before she could have been crushed by the garbage trash compactor.
“I dumped it and a body came out. I went to the driver and I’m like, ‘Man, there’s a dead body back there,’” Cherry said, per WSB-TV.
“I saw her come out – he (Cherry) didn’t really react until I reacted. I was like ‘Whoa.’ I backed up (and) I noticed there was a little girl back there,” Jones recounted.
The little girl was reportedly missing for three days and had been sleeping in the trash container.
“So, once they brought it to my attention I initially shut off the truck because once I stepped on the gas, it would’ve automatically crushed her,” Williams said per the news outlet.
Eventually, the heroic men were able to get the young woman out safely before officers and paramedics responded to the scene.
Donda Academy Promptly Closes: Students Suffer Repercussions of Kanye’s Erratic Actions
As controversy with Kanye West continues to rise, school officials at his exclusive school in Simi Valley abruptly informed parents that the school is closed for the year.
In an email attained by The Times, Jason Angell, the principal of West’s Donda Academy, notified the students’ parents saying, “at the discretion of our Founder, Donda Academy will close for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year effective immediately.”
The news came as a result of West’s current antisemitic remarks.
“There is no school tomorrow [Thursday],” the email added.
Donda Academy, secretly guarded in Simi Valley, California was founded by Ye in 2022, in honor of his late mother. The Christian private school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, provides students with a faith-based education and rigorous core curriculum. There are about 100 students at the school and 13 full-time teachers, according to The Times.
“Each day, Donda students learn fundamentals, grow in their faith, and experience two enrichment classes,” the academy’s website read. The daily schedule included “full school worship, Core classes of language arts, math and science, lunch & recess, enrichment courses including World Language, Visual Art, Film, Choir and Parkour.”
Along with the $15,000 yearly tuition and required Balenciaga uniforms, parents whose children attend the rapper’s school were reportedly made to sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent leaks.
Angell said the school plans to “begin afresh in September of 2023.”
“Our leadership team will be working diligently to assist all families during this transition, ensuring that every scholar has what they need to succeed in their next community in a prompt and gracious manner,” the email continued.
According to NME, Donda Academy’s basketball team was excluded from a high school basketball tournament yesterday, October 26.
“We are confident that our scholars will continue to advance as the creative innovators, courageous influencers and academic leaders of the next generation,” the email concluded.
Allegedly, following West’s removal from the Balenciaga and Adidas brands, the rapper showed up unannounced to the Skechers offices in Los Angeles. The rapper was reportedly escorted off of the footwear brand’s property by two executives.
“The company would like to again stress that West showed up unannounced and uninvited to Skechers corporate offices,” Skechers representatives said.
According to Forbes, parents are unsure if they will be refunded tuition costs.
Wisconsin Man Who Killed Six People During Holiday Parade Found Guilty– Faces Life Sentence
The Wisconsin man who drove his vehicle through a parade last year, killing six people, has been found guilty.
According to The Hill, a jury in Wisconsin found Darrell Brooks, 40, guilty of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide for his role in the deadly 2021 incident. Brooks was found guilty of all 76 charges he faced, which included recklessly endangering safety, hit-and-run causing death, bail jumping, and misdemeanor battery.
Brooks will most likely spend the rest of his life behind bars, as he faces a mandatory life sentence on each count of first-degree intentional homicide. There is the possibility that he will receive additional jail time on the other charges, according to the outlet.
Brooks was in his Ford Escape when he ran the vehicle into a Christmas parade on November 21 in Waukesha, located approximately 15 miles from Milwaukee. He had just gotten into a domestic dispute with an ex-girlfriend moments before doing so. His action led to six people being killed and a significant number of people injured. The victims of the attack ranged in age between 8 and 81.
NPR reported that the jury needed only 3 hours and 15 minutes to reach a verdict.
Earlier this year, Brooks pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease, but ended up withdrawing the plea before the trial started. He gave no reason for the change and, right before the trial, he dismissed his public defenders and decided that he would represent himself.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul responded to the verdict via his social media account:
“The defendant’s despicable actions caused heartbreaking loss and pain. I am grateful to the many people who ensured that he was convicted and will face the consequences for his heinous crimes. My thoughts are with the people of Waukesha, who have responded to this horrific attack with such incredible resolve, unity, and strength.”
The defendant’s despicable actions caused heartbreaking loss and pain. I am grateful to the many people who ensured that he was convicted and will face the consequences for his heinous crimes. https://t.co/OVFNxnI4Xl
