Global, International
by Shanique Yates

August 7, 2024

Black-Owned Construction Company Brings Black Americans Back To Africa With State-Of-The-Art Arenas And Hotels

Black-owned construction company, Choates Holdings, LLC, has partnered with Urban Icon International.

A new partnership aims to bring Black Americans home to the motherland with state-of-the-art sports arenas and hotels in several African cities developed by a Black-owned construction company.

Smith Choates Holdings, LLC and Urban Icon International have collaborated to continue both companies’ commitment to develop innovations in technology, community engagement, and economic growth. 

“Charles Choates formulated this whole vision of adding the sports and the NBA together in conglomerate with the hotel piece as well,” principal and CEO of Smith Choates Holdings, Darrell Choates Sr., said of his business partner during a phone conversation with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“We formed this group because we want to make sure that we invest back into our homeland, which is Africa, and the surrounding areas as well. We are very excited to be a U.S.-based organization taking on a project like this, and I think we will take on additional projects in the area as well. We’re meeting with different government officials about affordable housing, also about ventures around bringing in solar solutions to Africa.”

The project, with an overall budget of $812 million, includes the construction of six state-of-the-art multi-sports arenas coupled with luxury hotels strategically located across various African regions, including Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, and Cape Verde.

“These facilities are poised not only to elevate the sports landscape but also to stimulate local economies and promote tourism,” said the Choates Family of Companies in an official statement. “Each arena will integrate cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices, setting new benchmarks in infrastructure development.”

“Ultimately, the synergy is always there. I’ve always said that Africa is home,” said Elton Moodley, who oversees the developments in Zanzibar. “Welcome home, that’s how we look at it for you guys out in the States, that Africa is home for you all. The synergy will always be there. It’s a matter of doing exactly what Mr. Choates is doing right now: getting off his horse and making things happen in Africa. I can guarantee you that in the next few years, the best basketball players in the world will come out of Africa. That’s a guarantee.”

There has been a steady commitment to immersing American sports culture in Africa in recent years. The NBA Academy Africa, an elite basketball training center in Senegal, opened in 2018 thanks to a partnership between the NBA and SEED Project (Sports for Education and Economic Development), a non-profit organization based in Thies, Senegal.

That commitment continues thanks to the developments currently in place by the Black-owned construction company, which belongs to the Choates Family of Companies, Urban Icon International, and Black Pearl Investments.

Global, International
Courtesy of Darrell Choates Sr.

The partnership seeks to build more than 10,000 affordable housing units in Africa, integrating cutting-edge energy and technology solutions into affordable housing projects and ensuring enhanced accessibility and sustainability for communities while reducing costs and environmental impact.

The project, which is now underway, is expected to be completed over the next five years.

RELATED CONTENT: Detroit’s Legendary African Bead Museum Ordered To Be Demolished 

Charles Barkley, TNT, Inside the NBA
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 7, 2024

Charles Barkley Postpones Retirement, Renews Commitment to TNT Sports

'I'm looking forward to continuing to work with them both on the shows we currently have and new ones we develop together in the future.'

Charles Barkley isn’t retiring from sportscasting after all.

In June, the NBA Hall of Famer declared that “no matter what happens, next year is gonna be my last year on television.” But, according to a press release by Warner Bros. Discovery, Barkley has recommitted to working with TNT Sports and its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

In a written statement, Barkley said, “I love my TNT Sports family. My #1 priority has been and always will be our people and keeping everyone together for as long as possible. We have the most amazing people, and they are the best at what they do. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them both on the shows we currently have and the new ones we develop together. This is the only place for me.

“I have to say—I’ve been impressed by the leadership team who is fighting hard and have been aggressive in adding new properties to TNT Sports, which I am very excited about,” he added. “I appreciate them and all of my colleagues for their continued support and, most importantly, our fans. I’m going to give my all as we keep them entertained for years to come.”

Barkley previously voiced his concerns about the potential loss of NBA on TNT and stated that, even if TNT retained the rights to broadcast the show, he was stepping down. The popular show, Inside the NBA features talking heads Shaquille O’Neal, Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson. The show has been on TNT since its inception in 1988. One of the most-watched sports programs, it has taken home 18 Sports Emmys.

However, the NBA renewed its partnership with The Walt Disney Company and signed new contracts with NBCUniversal and Amazon. But, the league’s deal with Warner Bros. Discovery will conclude after the upcoming basketball season, following unsuccessful last-minute negotiations. Warner Bros. Discovery has threatened to sue the NBA.

The Notorious B.I.G. Featured On Variant Cover Of ‘Deadpool & ‘Wolverine: WWIII #3’
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 7, 2024

The Notorious B.I.G. Featured On Variant Cover Of ‘Deadpool & ‘Wolverine: WWIII #3’

The Brooklyn rapper appears on a second Marvel limited edition variant cover

Retailer hustl. has announced that Brooklyn hip-hop icon The Notorious B.I.G. is featured on an official Marvel 3 limited edition variant cover celebrating the release of Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII #3.

The comic is available for limited release, 3,000 books, and an additional spotlight virgin variant of 1,000 books at hustl.agency.

Elliot Osagie, chief strategy officer of The Notorious B.I.G. Estate and CEO of Benin City said, “Comic book culture and the storytelling of Biggie go hand in hand. The characters fit, the cultural intersection works, and fans love seeing the two worlds together. That’s why we came back with another cover.”

The Notorious B.I.G. returns to Marvel Comics in his second variant cover appearance. The late rapper was initially featured on a limited-edition cover of DEADPOOL (2022) #1.

“Biggie and hip-hop turned 50 this year, so we at hustl. were absolutely thrilled to work with his team and Marvel to create this variant as our way of paying tribute to one of the greatest and influential hip-hop icons of all time,” hustl. COO Keri Harris said in November 2022.

In the current issue, B.I.G. plays the role of peacemaker between the two comic book characters. He appears to break up a fioght between Deadpool and Wolverine on the Brooklyn streets he grew up on. Biggie is not in the story or the series, but the special variant cover is a limited-edition collectible issue.

This year is the 30th anniversary of Biggie’s first release, “Juicy,” off his debut album, Ready to Die. The lyrical genius was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. This year, the Library of Congress inducted Ready To Die into the National Recording Registry.

coworker, recharge, career, job, market, goals, cousin, Godfrey, Haywood
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

August 7, 2024

5 Tips For Black Americans To Consider Before Starting A Business 

Scores of people, including Black Americans, are passionate about running their own businesses. That desire makes plenty of sense as the endeavor can help you become your own boss and potentially build a hefty financial legacy for you and your family.

However, two large barriers for potential entrepreneurs are deciding where to start and what your business concept will be before taking the plunge.

Also, answering questions about your goals and how much time you will devote to the business to your financial status—personal and business—could prove helpful. Knowing and accepting those findings can go a long way from having a brilliant idea. Those aspects could be especially true when 2023 data shows just 25% of businesses survive 15 years after opening.

Though starting a business can be thrilling, there are ample factors to examine to help make the process smoother and boost your success chances. Based on research by BLACK ENTERPRISE amid Black Business Month, here are five tips you may want to consider before starting a business  

Do Your Homework

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Dig deep by doing market research to determine how to turn a business concept into a thriving business. That should include learning about who your prospective customers will be, what similar companies are operating where you are, and if there is a need and demand for your business to satisfy its target audience. The Small Business Administration site offers details on market research.

Determine The Type Of Business To Launch

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Establishing who your customers will be and what strategies to use to cater to them consistently could help determine the business you open. A solid business plan is a must before starting up, as it can help anchor how your business will be run, structured, and grow.


Get Capital For Your Venture

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Not gaining adequate capital is among the most significant reasons budding entrepreneurs fail to launch a startup successfully. A good business plan can help determine how much money you will need to determine the type of financing to get, like borrowing, self-financing, investors, or other means. Capital is essential for almost any business, so make sure you are covered there.

Establish Business Location

This business tip could be among the most significant decisions you make for your business. Consider if you will have a free-standing physical location or website. Ask yourself if both are feasible. Where you operate is vital because it can help determine how you reach customers and generate revenue.


Examine The Big Picture

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Along with the previously mentioned suggestions, there are many more elements to analyze before starting a business. They include understanding your tax burden, potential risks, and what technology, equipment, and materials you need. Also, will you have a business partner or mentor? 

Check out this site and another here for more details and additional business tips.

RELATED CONTENT: Celebrating Black Business Month 2024

Kyle Rittenhouse, Trump
by Daniel Johnson

August 7, 2024

Kyle Rittenhouse Backpedals After Facing Criticism For Saying He Wouldn’t Vote For Trump

Despite echoing right-wing conspiracy theories such as Trump's assassination attempt being an inside job and casting Vice President Kamala Harris as a 'DEI hire,' Rittenhouse did not believe that Trump was adequately supporting gun rights.

Kyle Rittenhouse, whom Donald Trump and the Republican Party platformed after he was acquitted of the murder of two people at a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, nearly four years ago, broke with Trump over what he saw as a lack of support for gun rights. 

According to Rolling Stone, despite echoing right-wing conspiracy theories such as Trump’s assassination attempt being an inside job and casting Vice President Kamala Harris as a “DEI hire,” Rittenhouse did not believe that the GOP’s presidential nominee was adequately supporting gun rights. On Twitter/X, Rittenhouse indicated that he would vote for 88-year-old Libertarian Ron Paul. 

“Unfortunately,” Rittenhouse said in a video in which he introduced himself as the outreach director for an organization called Texas Gun Rights, “Donald Trump had bad advisors, making him bad on the Second Amendment, and that is my issue. If you can not be completely uncompromisable on the Second Amendment, I will not vote for you, and I will write somebody else in. We need champions for the Second Amendment, or our rights will be eaten away and eroded each day. I support my decision, and I have no take-backs.”

In his caption on the message, Rittenhouse wrote: “You must stand by your principles.”

This, of course, incensed MAGA Twitter, whose members essentially bullied Rittenhouse, creating conspiracy theories that suggesting that Rittenhouse was a trans woman and a crisis actor. Chronic misinformation artist Dom Lucre, who was banned from the site for sharing material featuring child sexual abuse but was reinstated by Elon Musk, said that Rittenhouse’s pivot broke his heart and cryptically warned that Rittenhouse was “selected to be exposed.”

In addition to this, the organization Rittenhouse claimed to be the outreach director for, made its own post which endorsed Trump, arguing that he is “the ONLY choice for President in 2024.”

On August 2, approximately 12 hours after criticizing Trump on gun rights, Rittenhouse backpedaled after “a series of productive conversations with members of Trump’s team…I am confident he will be the strong ally gun owners need to defend our Second Amendment rights.”

Rittenhouse continued, “My comments made last night were ill-informed and unproductive. I’m 100% behind Donald Trump and encourage every gun owner to join me  in helping send him back to the White House.”

However, it is not clear if the MAGA mob is going to readily accept Rittenhouse back into their ranks. According to The Guardian, some have mocked his turn back toward Trump. “You stand for absolutely nothing and have zero backbone,” one commenter replied. Another said, “This time, try not to murder anyone while you’re backpedaling.”

RELATED CONTENT: Kyle Rittenhouse Allegedly Booed Off Stage At University Speaking Engagement, He Calls It Fake News

Jody Hall, Adoption, Pregnant, Foster Care
by Daniel Johnson

August 7, 2024

Dallas Adoption Agency Owner Accused Of Trying To Buy Incarcerated Women’s Unborn Children

The investigation started in May.

Jody Hall, a 68-year-old Dallas-area woman who runs an adoption agency, has been accused of “unethical adoption practices” in relation to a scheme to pay incarcerated women in the Tarrant County jail system to place their unborn children in her agency. 

According to Fox 4 News, Hall, who runs Adoptions International Inc., allegedly added $846 to one incarcerated woman’s account and also attempted to arrange a meeting with her boyfriend so he could sign away his parental rights. According to investigators, Hall communicated with one incarcerated woman by texting her on her jail tablet.

“I’ve helped a lot of girls like yourself. We have families who cannot have children that would love to adopt your child,” Hall wrote. “You can pick a family and start communicating with them now. We will put $100 weekly on your books, and you can spend part of it on the tablet or whatever you wish to buy.”

In another incident, Hall transferred $846 to an incarcerated woman’s account but became irate when she decided to keep the baby.

“You’re in jail and a drug addict. YOU! Did NOT keep him. You are a scammer, and I will be telling the prosecutor in your case,” Hall wrote, according to investigators. “I don’t need birth moms that lie to me just to get financial support. And I can’t give you anymore if he’s not willing to sign the paperwork.” 

According to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, the payments were unauthorized because the jail pays for any pregnancy-related or living expenses. In addition, Hall’s agency lost its accreditation in 2019 over a failure to “maintain substantial compliance with accreditation standards.”

The Texas Rangers and Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office detectives started investigating Hall in May, which culminated her being arrested at home on July 23. Hall posted a $50,000 bond, according to KERA News. The charges Hall faces constitute a third-degree felony.

They report that Hall also allegedly participated in a scheme to broker black-market adoptions from the Marshall Islands through an illegal pipeline in Hawaii. That investigation, it turns out, is what suspended her organization’s accreditation and prohibited her from conducting international adoptions by the Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity. 

According to John Hill, a reporter for Civil Beat, paying to adopt children is a violation of United States law.

As Hill told KERA News, “Five days after our reporting on Jody Hall, the one agency that is commissioned by the U.S. State Department to accredit international adoption agencies apparently read our reporting and suspended Jody Hall’s accreditation to do international adoptions. And then, a couple of months after that, they permanently canceled her accreditation. And so, she was no longer accredited by the only agency in the United States to do international adoptions.”

Hill continued, “These adoptions are oftentimes exploitative, and I think that when they crossed the line in a lot of states is: not only is there the prohibition of Marshall Islands residents flying or being flown to the United States to give up their children for adoption, but within the United States, you’re not allowed to pay for babies. In most states, you’re allowed to make payments to pregnant women to sort of maintain their health and things related to pregnancy. But you’re not allowed to just sort of say, ‘Here’s a bunch of money; we want your baby.’ And so, that is a line they’re alleging in Texas that she crossed with these jail inmates.”

RELATED CONTENT: Tuohys To Remove All Mentions Of Michael Oher As Their Adoptive Son, Under Lawyer Advisement

Shene', Black, nurses, nursing, program
by Sharelle Burt

August 7, 2024

Bloomberg Philanthropies To Donate Whopping $600M To Four HBCU Medical Schools 

'Lack of funding and support, driven probably in no small part by prejudice and racism, have forced many to close their doors. We cannot allow that to happen again, and this gift will help ensure it doesn’t.'

Bloomberg Philanthropies is giving $600 million to four historically Black medical schools—Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, Howard University College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and Morehouse School of Medicine—in an effort to secure their future economic stability.

Funding will also be granted to create a new medical school in New Orleans, the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, in partnership with Ochsner Health, a leading nonprofit academic healthcare provider in Louisiana. 

The gifts to the historically Black medical schools’ endowments are part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative. The money will help increase historically Black medical schools’ historic commitments to diversifying the medical field and training future medical professionals and doctors. The money will also help students’ financial stability as tuition keeps rising.

While speaking at the annual National Medical Association convention in New York, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Founder and former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg highlighted the value of this financial support.

“Lack of funding and support, driven probably in no small part by prejudice and racism, have forced many to close their doors,” Bloomberg said, according to the Associated Press. “We cannot allow that to happen again, and this gift will help ensure it doesn’t.”

Howard, Meharry, and Morehouse will receive $175 million each, while Charles R. Drew University will get $75 million. Five million dollars will be given to Xavier’s new medical school as a grant. 

Research has shown that Black Americans face greater health risks in comparison to white Americans. Medical experts feel that a higher presence of Black doctors is a key solution to address the long history of medical inequities. In 2022, only 6% of doctors in the U.S. were Black, although Black Americans represent 13% of the population. Nearly half of Black physicians graduate from the four Black medical schools.

Dr. David M. Carlisle, President and CEO of Charles R. Drew, called the gift “a transformative investment.”

“It will significantly enhance our ability to educate and empower diverse healthcare professionals who are committed to serving underserved communities and becoming leaders dedicated to health equity and social justice,” Drew said. “We are confident this gift’s impacts will be felt in South Los Angeles, California, across the United States, and globally for decades.”

Bloomberg seconded those thoughts.

“We have much more to do to build a country where every person, regardless of race, has equal access to quality health care—and where students from all backgrounds can pursue their dreams,” Bloomberg said. “Addressing health disparities and underrepresentation in the medical field are critical challenges, and Bloomberg Philanthropies is dedicated to making a difference. By building on our previous support, this gift will empower new generations of Black doctors to create a healthier and more equitable future for our country.”

Bloomberg Philanthropies has been a strong advocate for the advancement of Black medical students. In 2020, the organization gave $100 million to the same schools, the largest philanthropic gift from a single donor to the schools. 

The following year, an additional $6 million was given to expand the schools’ efforts to provide access to COVID-19 vaccines in underserved communities.

Sonya Massey, Murder
by Sharelle Burt

August 7, 2024

Sonya Massey’s Family Pushes For Law Change That Hinders Cops From Bouncing Between Departments 

Something can be done to stop this from happening over and over again....

The family of Sonya Massey, the unarmed Black woman killed by police in July 2024, wants an Illinois state law changed that allows police officers to be hired by other departments despite shady records, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. 

Massey’s father, James Wilburn, claimed that a reform of the controversial Illinois Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act could have prevented his daughter’s death. Signed into law by Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker in 2021, the legislation expanded efforts so decertified police officers couldn’t work for other departments throughout Illinois. 

Before a change in the law, officers could only be decertified if convicted of a felony and specific high-level misdemeanors, such as aggravated assault or domestic battery. Now, several forms of misconduct are considered grounds for decertification, including tampering with video evidence or failing to provide aid to a victim after using force. 

It was revealed that the record of Sean Grayson, the officer who shot and killed Massey on July 6, held a long line of negative offenses that should have been a red flag for hiring departments. Before being hired by Sangamon County in May 2023, Grayson had six law enforcement jobs in four years. He also had two drunk-driving convictions and was ejected from the U.S. Army for “serious misconduct.” 

When he worked for a sheriff’s deputy in Logan County, Grayson was reprimanded for ignoring a command to end a high-speed chase that resulted in a deer being hit. 

Wilburn called on state Sen. Doris Turner to start the call to have the bill changed. “Illinois can be No. 1, state senator,” Wilburn said. “Introduce the bill tomorrow, that when you resign in lieu of being fired from a police department, you don’t go on to the next one.”

He recommended it be named “The Sonya Massey Bill.”

While Turner labels herself a family friend of the Masseys, she admitted that the process isn’t that easy. “Before we file any new legislation, we always look at what’s currently on the books,” she said. The SAFE-T Act created a new process called discretionary decertification. The process allows the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to investigate a complaint of misconduct made by a citizen or law enforcement agency.

Before the tragic shooting, there was nothing on Grayson’s record that would result in an automatic decertification. Since April 2024, Chicago nonprofit Impact for Equity found no officer had faced discretionary decertification since the SAFE-T Act provision took effect in 2022. 

However, according to CNN, deaths such as Massey’s are avoidable. Grayson has been filed under what experts call a legion of “wandering officers” who go from police department to police department after being fired, forced to resign, or convicted of a crime. The International Association of Chiefs of Police says the continuous pattern should be a red flag. 

“The shooting again underscores the critical need for police agencies to thoroughly vet potential hires,” the statement read.

“The pattern and nature of frequent job changes by a police officer should raise flags about their suitability for the policing profession.”

RELATED CONTENT: Kamala Harris Calls Families Of Sonya Massey And D’Vontaye Mitchell

Husband, Wife, Entrepreneurs, 401K, couples, budget, inconsistent, money, pay, money, relationship, finance, book
by Derek Major

August 7, 2024

Husband And Wife Entrepreneurs’ 5 Tips On Being Successful In the Workplace

'A lot of the problem is that, as Black professionals, a brand is already created for us in the workplace. So, if you do not create your own brand, you will be given your own brand.'

Originally Published Aug. 23, 2021.

Entrepreneurs Raphael and Opeyemi Sofoluke want to help Black professionals thrive in the workplace and have written a book providing tips and ways to separate yourself.

Raphael is the founder of networking events, including the UK Black Business Show and UK Black Business Week, while Opeyemi is a diversity and inclusion lead at Facebook. The British couple’s new book, Twice As Hard, aims to be a handbook for Black professionals. The book includes advice and input from 40 successful Black men and women, including Matthew Knowles, the father of Beyoncé.

“There wasn’t ever a guide for Black entrepreneurs and professionals that as young adults ourselves that we could turn to, to look for advice on how to navigate White spaces,” Raphael told Business Insider.

Here are are the five biggest takeaways for Black professionals to succeed:

Build your personal brand in workplace early in your career

Raphael writes it’s important for Black professionals to work on projecting their own self-image. There is significant evidence suggesting non-Black managers and employees hold racial stereotypes about their Black colleagues, intentionally or unintentionally.

“A lot of the problem is that, as Black professionals, a brand is already created for us in the workplace,” Raphael said. “So, if you do not create your own brand, you will be given your own brand.”

Bianca Miller-Cole, entrepreneur and founder of personal branding consultancy Be Group, says in the book that a Black person in a new job has to prove they’re qualified for the job and and disprove any stereotypes colleagues may have about you.

Back Yourself

Due to the stereotypes of Black people that can persist in a workplace, the Sofolukes believe it’s important for Black professionals to have confidence in themselves.

One of the biggest lessons in Twice As Hard is not just to work hard but to vocalize the value of your work internally. It may feel uncomfortable for an employee to self-advocate, especially in an environment where they are the minority, but tooting your own horn is a must to be successful.

Kenneth Gibbs, a marketing executive at Amazon, says in the book to “never assume that your work will speak for itself, especially in an environment where there is potential to be overlooked.”

Bring your authentic self to work

Opeyemi encourages Black professionals to be their best, authentic self to work.

“We each have multiple social identities and how we draw on these identities is dependent on the environment and situation in which we find ourselves,” she writes, adding that Black people entering corporate settings may feel insecure about how their colleagues perceive them and whether they fit in.

According to the book, this is especially true for Black women, who may feel pressure to change their hair in a corporate setting. Trina Charles, an influencer, writes that “the corporate world, for the most part, does not permit a lot of self-expression of Black women, or men and that’s just the reality, so it’s either you show up or you don’t. My advice is you show up, just take that step, take that leap to be yourself.

“So if that means showing up with your natural hair out, do it—deal with the questions, nip it in the bud, and set the precedent, because, if you don’t, then you’ll have to assimilate for the rest of your time there. If you don’t set the precedent, it will be set for you.”

Combine a strong work ethic with societal capital

According to the Sofolukes, being a hard worker is not enough for Black professionals. It must be combined with networking and building genuine relationships.

“An individual can work hard and build a reputation as the go-to person, or the problem solver for their department, but if the individual is not considered a thought leader, or is not seen as someone who can drive organizational strategy, then an opportunity to progress can easily be missed,” Opeyemi writes.

Find a sponsor and a mentor

Having a sponsor is an underrated part of the work environment that can do wonders for your career. Allyson Zimmermann, a director at Catalyst, says in the book, “While mentors may be seen as career developers, sponsors are considered to be career accelerators.”

The Sofolukes write that having a sponsor is more critical to success than a mentor because for Black professionals “having a sponsor or senior leader in your corner who is willing to clear away systematic roadblocks in order to propel your career forward, is invaluable.”

In order to attract a sponsor, the couple suggests performance, potential, and passion.

“When a sponsor decides to invest in you, they do so because of what they believe you can be, and not necessarily because of what you are today—they see a greatness in you and it’s that greatness that they want to nurture,” Opeyemi writes

RELATED CONTENT:  Celebrating Black Business Month 2024

Ricard Moore, death row, execution, South Carolina
by Sharelle Burt

August 6, 2024

Black Man Who Killed Girlfriend’s Family For $1K Stimulus Check Sentenced To 145 Years In Prison

'I think about the 7-year-old losing her life, and I think everybody asks the same question about the 7-year-old—why?'

Malik Halfacre, the man who killed members of his girlfriend’s family, including a 7-year-old girl, over a stimulus check, was sentenced to 145 years behind bars, Law and Crime reports. 

Halfacre of Indianapolis learned his fate after pleading guilty in June 2024 for murdering Eve Moore, 7, Dequan Moore, 23, Tomeeka Brown, 44, and Anthony Johnson, 35, in March 2021 for a $1,400 stimulus check. Halfacre’s girlfriend, Jeanettrius Moore, was also shot but survived, hiding under a neighbor’s porch.  

The crime happened after Halfacre rifled through Moore’s purse to look for a stimulus check she received during the COVID-19 pandemic. When law enforcement arrived, they found Moore, who alerted them that Halfacre had fled with the couple’s 6-month-old daughter after the shooting. Halfacre’s sister then called the police and said the child was with her.

Halfacre knocked on the door and came inside to drop the baby off and “all of the baby’s stuff” at his sister’s home before leaving, according to a probable cause affidavit. The sister told detectives that her brother admitted to the killings.

“She then described how he called a friend on her phone, and the friend agreed to help Mr. Halfacre get out of town,” according to the affidavit. 

The friend helped police locate Halfacre, who was at his girlfriend’s home. SWAT’s arrival resulted in a standoff that lasted hours, but eventually, Halfacre was taken into custody. He then told police he and Moore were arguing “because he wanted some of her stimulus check.’ After he shot everyone, “he took the money, J.M.’s purse, and her car and left the scene.”

According to 13 WTHR, Halfacre pleaded guilty to four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He also was charged with armed robbery, felon carrying a handgun, and auto theft. Due to his criminal history, Prosecutor Ryan Mears pressed for a 180-year sentence, the maximum granted under Indiana state law, but was satisfied with the sentence.

“We are thankful for the dignity, grace, and patience the family and the survivor have shown throughout such an unimaginably difficult process,” Mears said in a statement. “The defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison, and this resolution provides finality to the criminal matter as our community continues to heal from this horrific tragedy.”

Mears and his team also considered the death penalty. “I think about the 7-year-old losing her life, and I think everybody asks the same question about the 7-year-old—why?” he said. “I have a 3- and 4-year-old.”

Victim Anthony Johnson’s wife, Gwendolyn, said her husband was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He stopped by Moore’s house just to visit and was caught in the crossfire. “He had just celebrated a birthday on March 2nd,” the widow said. “He told me that this was the happiest he had ever been. He was happy about his job. He was the number-two salesperson on his sales team.”

After seeing her story online, rapper T.I. and his wife, Tiny, donated $6,500 for Johnson’s funeral expenses.

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