Jordan Chiles
by Stacy Jackson

August 21, 2024

Jordan Chiles Hangs Onto Bronze Medal As Team USA Pursues Appeal

Reportedly the 23-year-old gymnast has no plans to return her bronze medal and Team USA continues the fight for its gymnastics star.

Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles continues to hold onto her bronze medal as Team USA officials work to appeal “significant procedural errors” by the Court of Arbitration (CAS).

Chiles still has possession of her bronze medal following recent orders from CAS for the 23-year-old athlete to return the award due to a reversal of scores in the floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to USA Today, Chiles has no plans to return the medal despite clearance for Romania to award gymnast Ana Barbosu a bronze medal during a ceremony on Aug. 16. The International Olympic Committee stated: “While a challenge in the Swiss Federal Supreme Court is still possible, the CAS award is immediately enforceable, and Ms. Barbosu is entitled to receive the bronze medal.”

A video produced by U.S. officials showed that Chiles’ score was filed 47 seconds after her given score, which falls within the one-minute deadline. CAS recently claimed that it was filed four seconds too late. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee explained erroneous communications between Aug. 6-9, stating, “CAS sent crucial communications to erroneous email addresses at USOPC and USAG (USA Gymnastics), an error not corrected until August 9—three days after filing, two days past the deadline to submit objections, and less than 24 hours before the hearing. This deprived us of adequate time to respond meaningfully or gather the necessary evidence. We informed CAS of our objections immediately.”

CAS declined to reopen the case, and FIG, the International Gymnastics Federation, refused an offer from the U.S. and Romania to allow Chiles and Barbosu to obtain a bronze medal for the event.

As previously mentioned by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Chiles addressed the controversy on Instagram and told fans that she remains hopeful that justice will be done and the people in charge will make things right. Chiles was awarded the bronze medal after an inquiry boosted her score to 13.766, ahead of Barbosu in the gymnastics floor final. However, the Team USA gymnast’s score was booted back to 13.666, placing Barbosu in the bronze spot and prompting the CAS to strip Chiles of the medal.

RELATED CONTENT: Jordan Chiles’ Sister Weighs In On Olympic Medal Scandal: ‘Racism Is Real’

damon dash, roc-a-fella shares, New York
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 21, 2024

Dame Dash Offers Original Roc-A-Fella Chain To Buyers Offering $10M For His Share Of The Label

Dame Dash wants to sweeten the deal for his share of Roc-A-Fella Records by offering an original Roc-A-Fella chain.

Dame Dash wants to sweeten the deal to anyone willing to pay at least $10 million for his share of Roc-A-Fella Records by offering an original Roc-A-Fella chain from off his neck.

The former company CEO took to social media on Aug. 19 to post a video announcing his plans to gift the buyer of his Roc-A-Fella shares one of his personal chains boasting the former record label’s logo.

“As we all know, one-third of Roc-A-Fella Inc, which owns Reasonable Doubt, is for sale,” Dash tells the camera. “I’ve gotten a lot of calls, a lot of offers. I don’t know if people are stunting or not. We’ll see who shows up, but I definitely got some very healthy offers and I appreciate those.”

To anyone willing to auction on the bid with the right price, Dash will heighten the sale by offering up a signature Roc-A-Fella chain from his own collection.

“If someone’s trying to hate on the price or trying to devalue it, it would be because they want to buy it like a first right of refusal,” he said. “Anything over 10 million, I’m going to sweeten the pot. You get an original Roc-A-Fella chain from off my neck.”

Dash recalled how he was the only one on Roc-A-Fella who would personally gift people chains off his neck, as he did with Kanye West and Camron.

“If I don’t give you the chain, it’s not a legit Roc-A-Fella chain,” he said. “You get one of these. This is legit. This is the old school one from off my neck.”

Dash’s announcement comes amid recent claims that Jay-Z was attempting to devalue the price of the shares by having his attorneys file a legal notice informing potential bidders of his intent to retain master recordings for his debut album “Reasonable Doubt” regardless of any entity holding ownership of the album at that time.

At the time of the news, Dash took to social media to double down on his plans to sell his shares, declaring that bidders would not be bidding on a mere album copyright but ownership over one of hip-hop’s most legendary labels.

“They can say what they want, this sh*t is still for sale,” the Harlem native wrote in an Instagram caption over the Reasonable Doubt album cover. “You’re not buying a copyright; you’re buying a piece of a company ROC A FELLA INC.”

Dash’s public auction for his ownership stake in Roc-A-Fella Records is scheduled for Aug. 29 in New York City. This follows a court order requiring Dash to sell his stake in Roc-A-Fella Records to satisfy an $823,000 debt owed to movie producer Josh Weber. The debt stems from a copyright infringement and defamation judgment related to the 2016 film “Dear Frank.”

Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records cofounder Kareem “Biggs” Burke tried to prevent Dash from selling his share, but their efforts were unsuccessful. As it stands, anyone who buys Dash’s stake in Roc-A-Fella will likely only be able to profit from proceeds generated by “Reasonable Doubt” for about five more years, after which ownership of the album will return to Jay-Z.

RELATED CONTENT: Dame Dash Claps Back After Steve Stoute Calls Out His ‘Antics’ That Severed Jay-Z Relationship

Trader Joe's, Harlem. , graffiti
by Sharelle Burt

August 21, 2024

Harlem’s New Trader Joe’s Under Fire For Controversial Graffiti Artwork 

Think they should try again?

Today.com reports that the new Trader Joe’s supermarket in Harlem, New York, is facing controversy after shoppers have deemed the in-store graffiti unnecessary. 

The colorful artwork went viral on social media, as viewers can see the graffiti posted at the store’s entrance. Opening on July 25 on 125th Street in the historically Black neighborhood and in the same building rumored to be the new headquarters of the National Urban League, shoppers didn’t seem too happy about the choice of artwork. “You can open a store in Harlem but no need to do all that,” @gnarlyheffner wrote on X. 

The store manager, Tracy-Ann Reeves, defended the graffiti, saying she wanted the inside of the store to reflect the neighborhood surrounding it. “The signs and murals in the store are something that we really do pride ourselves on, to make sure that it is connecting with the community,” Reeves said. 

“We spent a lot of time in Harlem just touring, looking at pieces at parks and wherever in the neighborhood.”

Customers have come from all over to take in the colorful decor, including depictions of the iconic Apollo Theater. However, the signage over the entrance received mixed reactions. “I think this is dope af. Kinda racist, but it’s a nice touch, lol,” @ethvnn said. One social media account accused the brand of gentrifying the neighborhood. At the same time, another compared the work to the controversial Paris Olympics performance by Australia’s Raygun, geared toward cultural appropriation, saying, “If that Australian breakdancing lady was a grocery store.”

According to PIX 11 News, a spokesperson for the grocery store spoke highly of the store’s opening in July 2024. Announcing a 100% donation of its unsold products to local nonprofits and community-based organizations, the company seemed excited about the future of the NYC-based location. “We’re honored and excited to be part of this community,” a spokesperson said. “We genuinely look forward to providing our customers with the best food and beverage values and a great customer experience.” 

Some fans celebrated the artwork, like @soulljahhh, who wrote, “Is it bad that I kinda like it?” Another user named @SceneByAshlix checked those who were critical of the work. “They hire local artists for each and every store to manage their artwork and store signs. So, based on this being in Harlem, I’m not surprised. My Boston one has MBTA trains on the wall,” she wrote.

“Never been in a Trader Joe’s before?”

The incident isn’t the first time Trader Joe’s has been criticized for allegedly being tone-deaf. In 2020, a petition circulated to have the company rename product lines with culturally specific labels, like Trader José’s for its Mexican Food and Trader Ming’s, geared toward Asian cuisine.

Kordell beckham
by Daniel Johnson

August 21, 2024

Kordell Beckham Is Having His Moment

The bundle, which features two of Beckham's favorite flavors ,White Cheddar and Hot & Spicy Cheez-Its, a homage to his idea presented in the video, went on sale online on Aug. 20 at 11am EST and will be available as long as supplies last.

Kordell Beckham, the younger brother of NFL superstar Odell Beckham Jr., is riding high, fresh off winning the latest season of Love Island USA alongside his now-girlfriend, Serena Page, and securing a sponsorship deal with Cheez-It. Beckham has been trying to escape his big brother’s shadow, and now he will get the chance to live as his own man. 

According to D Magazine, Beckham is on the cusp of realizing his dreams. As his best friend, Jay-Ron Tanner, told the outlet, “We’ve always talked about this, him blowing up and doing his thing, and it not revolving around his brother. It was just something that was destined to happen. He has too big of a personality for him not to be out in the world.”

Beckham had a chance to appear on Love Island as a 19-year-old in 2021, but his godmother, Karen Alford, advised him against it because he was still settling in Dallas. When the producers circled back a second time, Beckham jumped at the chance and now his life will never be the same.

“I was thinking to myself, because I like working, ‘What if I go back to [refueling planes] after [Love Island USA]?’ and then I realized I probably can’t do that,” Beckham mused. “Just imagine me in the vest, refueling the plane, and everyone is like, ‘Hey, is that Kordell?’”

According to TODAY, another of Beckham’s long-term dreams has come true: being sponsored by Cheez-It. After he and Page won the latest season of Love Island USA, Beckham pitched an idea to the company via a Tik-Tok video. 

In the video, Beckham delivered his idea to the company, “I have a flavor that I’ve been thinking about that y’all could make, Spicy white cheddar.”

Cheez-It teased a potential partnership in the replies, “He’s even wearing the Cheez-It red.”

Fast-forward to Aug. 19, and the company announced it would collaborate with Beckham on a Kordeezy Cheesy Couple bundle promotion. The bundle, which features two of Beckham’s favorite flavors, White Cheddar and Hot & Spicy Cheez-Its, a homage to his idea presented in the video, went on sale online on Aug. 20 at 11 a.m. EST and will be available as long as supplies last. 

Although Beckham is blowing up, he is also focused on cultivating his relationship with Page, who, ironically enough, lived close to Beckham when the two were growing up in Houston. 

According to Page, Beckham has already met some of her family members in L.A. but missed out on some key meetings.

“I’ve been in L.A. for about a year and a half now, but my life is in Houston,” Page told Chron.com. “He’s met my mom, sister, and my niece in person [while in L.A.], but he didn’t get a chance to meet my dad and my brother, who are the two most important people.”

Beckham, meanwhile, reflected on just how quickly his life has changed since winning Love Island USA with Page, “It still hasn’t hit me yet. Everything is kind of normal but different.”

RELATED CONTENT: Ashanti And Nelly Ready To Share Their Love Story In New Reality TV Show

Velma.Jones,Alpha. Kappa Alpha, bench
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 20, 2024

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Unveils Bench Dedication For Memphis Trailblazer Velma Lois Jones

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is honoring a Memphia trailblazer for her decades of history-making service.

A Memphis trailblazer is being honored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in response to her decades of history-making service.

On Aug. 17, Ms. Velma Lois Jones was honored by Phi Lambda Omega Chapter members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. with a bench dedication and unveiling at LeMoyne-Owen College, WMC reports. The community pioneer was celebrated for her years of leadership, including serving as the former Alpha Kappa Alpha International Parliamentarian, the 13th South Eastern Regional Director of the organization, and the first woman elected President of the NAACP Memphis Branch.

While on the LeMoyne-Owen Board of Trustees, Jones was named parliamentarian after becoming the longest-serving national alumni president in the organization’s history. As an educator with Memphis City Schools, Jones served on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She was the first African American teacher elected president of the Tennessee Education Association.

Phi Lambda Omega Chapter members stressed the importance of honoring trailblazers like Jones for their groundbreaking contributions to the local community.

“This event is so important because it’s important that we understand the work that has gone before us,” a Phi Lambda Omega Chapter member told Local Memphis. “We wouldn’t be able to do the things that we do or stand where we stand had it not been for people like Soror Velma Lois Jones.”

“So it is important that we not only recognize their contributions but also make a permanent mark of their contributions. And we’ve done that at LeMoyn-Owens College today,” she added.

The bench dedication comes one month ahead of Jones’s 90th birthday.

Bench dedications symbolize that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has celebrated great service leaders by giving them their flowers for their respected contributions. Last August, the Psi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. hosted a commemorative marker and bench dedication ceremony to honor Cynthia J. Finch, the 22nd South Eastern Regional Director. Sorors celebrated Finch’s outstanding work in the local Tennessee community and within the sorority.

Turks And Caicos
by Daniel Johnson

August 20, 2024

Haitian Migrants, $2M In Marijuana Seized In Turks And Caicos

According to Royal Turks and Caicos Police Commissioner Edvin Martin, 'The trafficking of illicit contraband, such as cannabis, into the Turks and Caicos Islands is an offense with serious penalties,'

After several boats carrying migrants landed in Turks and Caicos between Aug.16-20, authorities discovered more than $2 million worth of marijuana as they detained 217 undocumented migrants that sailed from the northern coast of Haiti to the island.

According to the Miami Herald, typically, marijuana comes from the opposite coast due to its proximity to Jamaica. This has caused some questions to arise about the origin of the marijuana and how it got into the boats that transported the migrants. 

On Aug. 16, 15 migrants and $131,660 worth of marijuana were seized, then the next day, two more boats carrying 41 migrants were discovered along with more marijuana, which totaled approximately $2,704,932.

On Aug. 18, yet another boat was caught near West Caicos. The vessel in question contained 144 migrants who were turned over to the Border Force to be processed and eventually repatriated to Haiti. Later, on Monday morning, at approximately 4:50 am, 17 more migrants were apprehended. 

According to Royal Turks and Caicos Police Commissioner Edvin Martin, “The trafficking of illicit contraband, such as cannabis, into the Turks and Caicos Islands is an offense with serious penalties,” Martin continued, saying that the police and other authorities “are resolute in finding the people involved in the smuggling of people and trafficking of illegal drugs and will pursue all leads to bring them to justice.”

According to The Hill, the mission undertaken by Kenyan police and backed by the United States has, so far, been struggling to complete its mission of restoring order to Haiti following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

Georges Fauriol, a senior advisor with the Latin America program at the U.S. Institute of Peace, told the outlet that the project is moving slower than most expected.

“This is not moving at the speed that I think everyone expected,” said Fauriol. “The Multinational Security Support (MSS) itself is sort of a three-legged vehicle that is missing a wheel, and everyone’s trying to figure out whether to rebuild the whole vehicle or whether to stop and actually add another wheel.” 

According to Robert Fatton, an expert on Haiti and a professor at the University of Virginia, acting Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille needs to take action and make fewer promises.

“Adding 1,500 more troops, that might help. It might prevent further advances from the gangs, but the more you wait, the less legitimate is the government,” Fatton told The Hill. “The prime minister has promised all kinds of things, [but] his promises [have] not materialized at all.  

“He runs the risk of overpromising and to generate disenchantment, which probably will eventually occur again in greater instability..So I’m not that optimistic unless there is rightful change.” 

RELATED CONTENT: Biden Administration Extends Protected Status For Up To 309,000 Haitian Migrants

Usher, Atlanta, Super Bowl, Jonetta Patton
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 20, 2024

Usher’s Mom, Jonnetta Patton, Is Her Own Culinary Superstar With New Food Business

The momager has now embarked on the food industry with her new businesses.

Jonnetta Patton is known for her managerial prowess, especially in how it has elevated her son, R&B legend Usher’s career. However, the former “momager” is now going from stages to smokehouses with her new food truck.

Her new claim-to-fame, J’s Smokehouse, opened in metro Atlanta on Aug. 2. According to WSB-TV, the entrepreneur’s current passion is the food industry.

“I enjoyed 17 years of creating one of the biggest artists in the world,” explained Patton. “I’m doing the same thing with my [cooking] incubator and now J’s Smokehouse.”

However, Patton has revitalized the traditional barbecue menu for a more inclusive selection.

She added, “What makes the menu different are our options, are vegan options. We have a pulled pork sandwich, and we have a vegan hot dog in the smokehouse. And they are amazing.”

To support his mom’s new venture, Usher stopped by its grand opening to get some good food. Patton shared that Usher was immensely proud of her.

While Patton’s success is well underway, her son has faced some setbacks as he begins his latest world tour. Off the heels of a successful Las Vegas residency, the 45-year-old had to postpone his first slew of concerts in Atlanta.

“He always wants to give you the best, and it was just very stressful,” Patton said. “It was very, very stressful, but he’s OK. And his doctors have advised him to just rest. He needs to rest because he’s a hard worker coming off a Super Bowl and then all that in between. It was too much.”

Despite the delayed start, Usher is preparing for the rest of his world tour to commence. In the meantime, Patton not only has her own food truck but also a culinary incubator to indulge all chefs in a shared kitchen experience.

RELATED CONTENT: Usher Postpones Tour To Rest And Heal, ‘I Can’t Physically Give You My Best’

Sony
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 20, 2024

Sisters Adamma And Adanne Ebo Sign Overall Deal With Sony Pictures TV To Create Drama, Comedy, Animation Series

The American-Nigerian identical twin sisters Adamma and Adanne Ebo inked an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television.

The American-Nigerian identical twin sisters behind the “Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul” feature film have inked an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television.

As part of the deal, Adamma and Adanne Ebo will develop, create, and produce drama, comedy, and animation series for all platforms, Deadline reports. It’s a job that’s completely up their alley as the sisters boast writing credits on Amazon Prime’s Emmy-nominated series “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and “Batman: Caped Crusader.”

Adamma Ebo has worked heavily alongside Donald Glover in director roles for scripted series like “Atlanta” and “Swarm.” Her next directing project includes Peacock’s mystery-drama series “Poker Face” Season 2. The two Spelman College graduates are elated to bring their talents to Sony Pictures Television.

“Sony is incredibly creator-forward, and for writers like us who have a ‘variety is the spice of life’ attitude for what we love to create and consume as avid TV lovers, partnering with the type of studio that truly supports creator-driven ideas is refreshing, creatively stimulating, and freeing,” the sisters said in a statement. “We can’t wait to make some really dope television with them.”

Sony executives expressed their excitement about welcoming Adamma Ebo, a UCLA Film School graduate, and Adanne Ebo, a Northwestern Law School graduate.

“Adamma and Adanne are dynamic and talented creators, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Sony family,” Lauren Stein, Head of Creative, Sony Pictures Television Studios, said. “We are excited to support and explore their unique creative vision and storytelling in drama, comedy, and animation.”

The Ebo sisters’ new overall deal with Sony Pictures Television comes exactly two years after they signed a multiyear overall deal with studios’ 20th Television and 20th Television Animation to develop, create, and produce live-action and animated series for all platforms. Under the deal, the sisters created “Supashawty Girls” and “Funkamatic Bangbang” in development with 20th Television Animation for Freeform, where they served as writers and executive producers alongside Tiffany Haddish and Melanie Clarik.

RELATED CONTENT: Pulitzer Prize-winning Playwright Charles Fuller Dies at 83

Record Enrollment May Not Be Enough For North Carolina HBCU, Donations Needed For Scholarships
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 20, 2024

Record Enrollment May Not Be Enough For North Carolina HBCU, Donations Needed For Scholarships

The school has launched an emergency aid campaign to financially clear all its incoming students.

Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) has started the school year with a record-breaking enrollment. However, the North Carolina HBCU needs to secure funding for its prospective students to keep them there.

The university’s president, Dr. Valerie Kinloch, assures WSOC-TV that they intend to welcome this latest cohort of students. This year’s allotment also greatly surpasses 2023, with 1,378 students entering the Charlotte-based school. Of this historic number, 604 identify as freshmen.

“I think what people would say to me is that it’s a new era of excellence,” stated Kinloch. “It’s important for us to understand how to attract students to this institution, how to create the energy, how to make sure that they are seen, they are welcome.”

This year also marks the school’s highest enrollment since before the pandemic. While the campus celebrates this milestone, some students cannot fully participate in the festivities.

Although many hope to begin classes this fall, financial concerns still loom over their academic futures at JCSU. The university has launched an emergency aid campaign to ensure the campus adequately serves this number of students.

It seeks to raise $250,000 in 10 days to financially clear all prospective students as the fall semester begins. Moreover, 300 students need this funding by Aug. 30.

Thus far, the school has asked its extended community to give back and support these upcoming HBCU scholars. Many in need have exhausted all other options, such as federal aid and additional scholarships, yet a gap remains for them to pursue their studies.

“When we talk about an average gap for students, you’re looking at anywhere between $6,000 to $10,000,” said Davida Haywood, JCSU vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “After whatever federal financial aid they receive or merit-based scholarships they may receive, what’s left is the responsibility of students and their families. We’re trying to help our students with that gap.”

The effort to support these students continues, while donations can be made on JSCU’s website.

Anthony Edward, drug test
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 20, 2024

Anthony Edwards Reveals Being Drug-Tested After Winning Gold Medal At Olympics

The Minnesota Timberwolves player was tested along with Phoenix Suns player, Kevin Durant and Golden State Warriors player, Stephen Curry

A conversation during the Fanatics Fest over the weekend (Aug. 17) in New York City revealed that three of Team USA’s basketball team members were tested for drugs after the United States won the gold medal game 98-87 over France.

During the discussion, led by former NBA player Jalen Rose at the “Boardroom Talks” segment of the weekend, Minnesota Timberwolves player Anthony Edwards, who was on stage with Phoenix Suns player Kevin Durant, they told Rose and the audience that the celebration with the team was shortlived when he, Durant, and Golden State Warriors player, Stephen Curry were pulled aside to take a drug test.

“After the gold medal—I’m not going to lie—me and him [gestures to Durant] had a—what do they call it?—a drug test,” Edwards said. “We couldn’t even celebrate in the locker room because me, him, and Steph had to take like a drug test or something.”

Rose commented that Curry should have been given a drug test after his shooting performance against Serbia during the competition.

“He supposed to have got one after the first Serbia game,” Edwards said after Rose made the statement.

In the game before the gold medal contest, Curry, who had exhibited lackluster play since Team USA stepped foot in Paris, had a breakout, typical Curry game when the United States team played against Serbia. He ended up shooting in the fashion we have come to know, scoring 36 points when Team USA sent Serbia to the bronze medal game with a 95-91 victory. Curry then scored 24 points in the gold medal game, earning the highest score in the basketball contest.

Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, with his consistent play through the tournament, won the MVP award for his work during the Olympic competition.

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