• Lifestyle

by Tai Saint-Louis

September 25, 2021

Netflix Releases First Trailer For New Kanye West Documentary ‘Jeen-Yuhs’

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On the heels of a massive roll-out for Kanye West‘s tenth studio album Donda, Netflix has announced a new documentary with the release of a first look trailer.

Jeen-Yuhs gathers 20 years of behind-the-scenes footage to paint an “intimate” portrait of Kanye’s meteoric rise from rapper to global brand, Variety reports.

The two-minute first look clip finds Ye and rapper Yasiin Bey, then known as Mos Def, rapping their verses from the 2004 track “Two Words,” one of many standout cuts from Kanye’s debut album The College Dropout. While not offering fans too much insight into what to expect from the new documentary, the trailer serves to solidify the type of unreleased archival footage that will be included in the film.

Though it’s unclear whether Kanye himself was involved in the making of Jeen-Yuhs, the film’s directors have been involved with the rapper and played a role in his success since the earliest days of his career. Known collectively as Coodie and Chike, Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah worked with Ye on the video for his first single, “Through The Wire” in 2003.

They would collaborate again a year later to create one of three videos for the groundbreaking track, “Jesus Walk.” While the first two versions of the video found Kanye serving as a preacher or narrator while a rotating cast of actors played out a variety of scenes of strife and hopelessness; the black & white Coodie and Chike version quite literally found Kanye walking a day in Chicago with Jesus at his side.

Jeen-Yuhs, which is set to be presented as a multipart series, was acquired by Netflix in April for a reported $30 million, sources close to the project told Billboard at the time. Despite originally being slated for a 2021 release, Netflix did not disclose a premiere date along with the new trailer.

• News

by Keka Araújo

September 25, 2021

VIDEO: Rayshawn Mims Shaves Locs In Support of His Son Who Lost Hair While Fighting Cancer

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In an incredible act of love and support, an Ohio dad cut his massive, long locs to support his 7-year-old who’s battling cancer. 

Rayshawn Mims live-streamed the act of love via Facebook Live on September 16. In the video, 7-year-old Ahkeem Mims looked forlorn as Rayshawn asked him how he felt about losing his hair.

Mims told Ahkeem, as he began to shave his own locs, “Anything you go through, I’ll go through it with you.”

Ahkeem’s battle with bone cancer began on August 3, per the family’s GoFundMe. What Rayshawn and Shannae Mims thought was a knee sprain turned out to be cancer after a trip to the emergency room. Doctors sent the boy to Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Following Ahkeem’s treatments with chemotherapy, the adorable seven-year-old lost his hair. The family started the GoFundMe to help maintain their family (Shannae can’t work because of her son’s diagnosis). The ask was $5,000, but the family has raised over five times the requested amount.

“I took an extended leave of absence [from work]. Due to his immune system being compromised from chemotherapy, I am unable to work as I run the risk of possibly infecting him with Covid.” 

The parents have four other children who are staying with family members while Ahkeem completes his treatment.

Rayshawn took to Facebook to thank everyone for the overwhelming support. 

“Woooow! God is Good!! We would like to take this time to thank EVERYONE for your EXTREME Generosity, Love, Support, Prayers, Advice, and Most of all, you who shared your touching testimonies with us!!!!” 

“I have honestly read thousands of comments and messages in these last few days and been brought to tears many times over. You are all Amazing and have shined a beautiful light on a dark situation, and for that, we say Thank You!!!”

We wish Ahkeem and his family the very best!​​

• News

by Tai Saint-Louis

September 25, 2021

Student Protest Ends Ban On Black Anti-Racism Books In Pennsylvania School District

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After a nearly year-long “freeze,” the Central York School Board voted unanimously to reinstate access to books and other educational resources that they considered “too activist in nature.”

The list included children’s books on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and other Civil Rights leaders; the autobiography of Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai; and CNN’s Sesame Street townhall on racism.

The reversal came just hours after 200 students and parents in the Central York school district protested the censorship move ahead of the school board meeting. There had also been months of criticism across multiple platforms ahead of last week’s protest. Still, the all-White school board took months to vet these titles, stating that some parents “believe that rather than uniting on diversity, certain resources polarize and divide on diversity and are based on disputed theories and facts,” the Washington Post reports.

“What we are attempting to do is balance legitimate academic freedom with what could be literature/materials that are too activist in nature, and may lean more toward indoctrination rather than age-appropriate academic content,” said school board president Jane Johnson in a statement. “To that end, we recognize the intensity of opinions on all sides of these issues, and we are committed to making this long delay right.”

At the forefront of the conversations that led to this reversal were the students of Central York High School, who were among those protesting the school board meeting with signs that read “Education is not Indoctrination.

In a statement to the Post following the reversal, Christina Ellis, vice president of the student-run Panther Anti-Racist Union, wrote: “The reversal of this ban was surprising but not surprising in a way most think. We hope that this was a lesson for this community and leadership: that injustice cannot and will not be tolerated any longer.”

• Lifestyle

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 25, 2021

Children’s Book Author Crowned First Black Miss Pre Teen International

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This story first appeared on BlackNews.com

On September 20, the final occurrence of its four-year “HBCU Impact Day” initiative, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. raised a record $2.1 million in just 24-hours, exceeding their goal by 100%.

The organization, the initiative was launched in 2018, with a goal of raising $1 million on each HBCU Impact Day. The campaign is one of several which collectively towards a fundraising goal of $10 million over the course of four years as part of the HBCU For Life: A Call To Action initiative.

“In the fourth and final year of our HBCU Impact Day Initiative, I am pleased, honored, and excited to report that we have doubled our giving, exceeding the $2 million mark, a historic moment for Alpha Kappa Alpha, our members, other donors, and the institutions that will benefit from these funds,” AKA international president and chief executive officer Dr. Glenda Glover wrote in a statement. “This means even more support for them – our HBCUs!”

The $2.1 million total only accounts for online donations and text pledges, and does not include mail-in and pending donations. The sorority is still accepting donations via all channels listed on their website.

The funds raised have through the HBCU Impact Day initiative are already being put to good use. Over the summer, Alpha Kappa Alpha presented a $50,000 unrestricted endowment to each of 31 historically Black institutions including Bethune-Cookman University, Claflin College, Morehouse School of Medicine and the University of the Virgin Islands. The total $1.6 million in endowment funds were presented by the AKA Educational Advancement Foundation during the organization’s annual convention, which was held virtually in July.

“It’s gratifying to know that funds raised will support endowments, providing sustainability to our historically black colleges and universities,” Dr. Glover added. “I am especially appreciative to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s HBCU Impact Day.”

Dr. Glover, who created the HBCU For Life initiative, knows the good that can be done with these funds first-hand. In addition to leading Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she has been serving as the president of her alma matter, Tennessee State University, since 2013.

• News

by Tai Saint-Louis

September 25, 2021

Methodist University Investigating Viral Racist Incident Of White Student Nit-Picking Black Football Players Facial Features

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As Methodist University is handling the backlash from a viral incident of on-campus racism, one student has revealed the school’s resolution leaves a bit to be desired.

Earlier this week, the Fayetteville Observer reported that the school had suspended the Alpha Delta Pi sorority after photos surfaced on Facebook capturing a member of the organization standing in front of a photo of four MU football players. Next to the players’ faces were the words “large nostrils.”

According to the caption and comments on the since-deleted post, the photo was shared was taken during an Alpha Delta Pi gathering during which the young lady pictured was delivering a presentation on things she found attractive. That list included several physical features associated with African-Americans, including locced hair.

On September 16, MU released a statement in which they avoided addressing the specific incident, but stated the university investigates “all possible incidents racism and act on them appropriately as warranted by the facts.”

“Our goal is that all students should feel safe on our campus and should feel that MU affirms their identity and their dignity as members of God’s family of human beings,” the statement read.

The internal messaging to students wasn’t as convincing, according to Ta-Quez Harrell, vice president of the Greek Council, which sits over all fraternities and sororities at the school. Harrell, who is Black, told the Observer that the he felt the school’s statement discouraging students from taking their grievances to social media was tantamount to telling the players to “shut up and dribble.”

At press time, Methodist, a private institution in Fayetteville, NC, had suspended Alpha Delta Pi. The sorority’s national chapter has also suspended the membership of the students who were involved in the incident, as well as the Theta Epsilon chapter at MU.

“Alpha Delta Pi was outraged and deeply saddened to learn of the racist behavior of a member of our Theta Epsilon chapter at Methodist University,” spokeswoman Beth Wright told the Observer via email. “Her actions directly contradict the values of Alpha Delta Pi.”

• Health and Wellness

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 25, 2021

Mental Health Advocate Kiara ‘The Healing Chef’ Whack Explains Rediscovering Yourself Through Food

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Mental health advocate turned healing chef and author, Kiara Whack has found a way to turn her pain into passion and progress.

Whack has spent years teaching people how to preserve their mental stability by implementing proper holistic nutrition. It was her own life experiences that set her on a path to rediscovery and now the Virginia-based super chef is sharing how she turned major negatives into a life-changing permanent positive through her new memoir Dis(Re)covery: An Autobiography for Edible Consumption.

Speaking from the perspective of a mother, nutrition coach, cross fitter, domestic violence survivor, and of course a chef, Whack’s memoir serves as the blueprint on how to pick yourself up when there seems to be no way out.

Her life experiences combined with her background in psychology and elements of her personal story come together to create the inspirational journal for all to gain from.

“I created this book to help me to navigate past trauma including domestic violence, which was followed by major anxiety and depression,” Whack said. “I struggled to get back to myself mentally, emotionally, and physically. I thought I was going to be broken forever – until I discovered that my everyday attitude is dependent on what I choose to put into my body.”

As the CEO and founder of Traveling Thyme Bomb, LLC, Whack guides people on how to heal their minds, body, and soul through superfood consumption. Staying true to her years-long message that you can heal yourself through the right food and nutrition, Whack learned this firsthand while teaching herself how to look at life in new ways.

“I started to control my mood one day at a time, and eventually I was on the road to total health,” she said. “Realizing the power of food helped to save my life.”

Now with the release of her memoir, Whack is spreading awareness on how to make living a healthy lifestyle not just a diet. Through personal experiences and a psychology degree from the University of Virginia, the Hampton native realized her mental health recovery was directly tied to what she ate.

“As cliche as it may sound, there’s some truth to “you are what you eat”,” Whack told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “What most people don’t realize or even think about on an everyday basis is that our guts are directly connected to our brains.”

“Whatever someone consumes will manifest itself in their brain and from there it will either be easier or HARDER to accomplish whatever task(s) lies ahead.”

She asks that we start to “think about how you feel after eating certain foods,” and pay attention to what your body is telling you.

“There are foods known to make you sluggish, sleepy, and bloated. On the contrary, there are foods that help us better control our behaviors, reactions, gives us motivation, and increases our focus. Food even controls our emotions,” Whack said.

Moving away from the idea of going on a diet, Whack says we can start to indulge in the “endless healing remedies” achievable through food. It’s some of the many jewels she delves into in her new memoir.

“Friend of Mine” singer Kelly Price is reportedly safe and recovering from COVID-19. 

Fox 5 Atlanta reported that a spokesperson confirmed on Friday her family had filed a missing person’s report after Cobb County police couldn’t contact the 48-year-old crooner last Saturday. 

Price’s attorneys disclosed that she was recovering from COVID-19 and out of harm’s way despite not being in her Cobb County home. No additional information was given regarding Price’s missing person’s status. 

The “Secret Love” singer revealed that she had been struggling with COVID-19. She had been admitted to the hospital during the summer, and her condition worsened to the point of her being admitted into the intensive care unit.

“I found out today I have COVID,” Price wrote on her Instagram account on July 29. “I Am COVID Positive. I’m following Dr’s orders. I’m quarantined. Feeling really drained, splitting headache, but I’m not in the hospital. I’m grateful and expecting to have a quick recovery. #GodIsAHealer”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kelly Price (@mskellyprice)

Price reportedly left the hospital despite still being sick, and that’s when family members became concerned.  

Relatives told TMZ that after August, they lost contact with Price. They maintained contact with the woman during her hospital stay, but after her children received a call that she had been discharged from the hospital three weeks after being admitted– they hadn’t spoken to Price.

It’s not clear why Price has distanced herself from her family, but we are praying for her recovery.

• Business

by Justin Barton

September 25, 2021

50 Cent Says People Are More Ruthless in Business Than in the Streets. Here’s His Advice on How to Deal With It.

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Curtis James Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent, is a rapper, actor, producer and entrepreneur whose rags-to-riches story is arguably the greatest in hip-hop history.

Jackson was born and raised in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic. He grew up without a father, and his mother was murdered when he was just 8 years old. Jackson started selling drugs at 12 years old, and at 19 he was arrested, charged and sentenced for possession of crack cocaine, heroin and a firearm.

Following his early release, he shifted his focus to music, started to write rap songs and secured a record deal with Jam Master Jay. Jackson eventually signed a record deal with Columbia Records but was dropped by the label after he was shot nine times in 2000. He survived the assassination attempt, but rather than back down, he released a slew of records dissing his enemies.

Jackson pioneered the mixtape as a promotional tool, and his tireless work ethic, ferocious delivery, gritty style and melodic hooks eventually caught the ear of Dr. Dre and Eminem. He signed a record deal with Shady-Aftermath in 2002 and released his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin, in 2003.

The album went platinum nine times, and Rolling Stone included it on its list of the greatest albums of all time, writing that Jackson was the first rapper to “sell a million [units] for each time he had gotten shot.” His albums have sold a combined 30 million units since. For many, this would’ve been the peak, but for Jackson, his success as a musician was just the beginning.

A hustler to the core, he partnered with Glacéau, the parent company of VitaminWater, and launched Formula 50. His minority equity stake netted him $100 million when the company sold to Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion in 2007, according to Forbes. His pace hasn’t slowed since.

In late 2018, Jackson inked a long-term partnership with Starz worth an estimated $150 million, and since then he’s executive produced, directed and co-starred in Power, the number show on Starz and the second most popular show on premium cable at time of its release.

He now has over 20 film and television projects lined up, including a role in The Expendables, which he’ll star in alongside Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone and Megan Fox. And this Sunday, September 26, his show BMF will premiere on Starz.

I’ve followed Jackson’s career since I was child, so I was blessed to speak with 50 Cent for 50 minutes and learn about what it took for him to survive the streets, rise above his rivals and succeed in the business world. Read on for a brief summary of a few key takeaways, or watch the full interview below. It’ll be the best 50-minute investment you make, trust me.

Read the rest of the article at Entrepreneur.com

• Lifestyle

by Tai Saint-Louis

September 25, 2021

Medical Examiner Reveals Michael K Williams’ Death As Fentanyl-Related Overdose

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he New York City medical examiner revealed on Friday that beloved actor Michael K. Williams‘ death was the result of an accidental overdose. The autopsy results were shared in a short statement that simply read: “Cause of death: Acute intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine. Manner of death: Accident.”

Throughout his career, Williams was very open about his history with drug use and addiction, sharing that he started secretly using cocaine while filming The Wire in 2004, managing to keep his acting career separate from the darkest parts of his life. Detailing one of his many benders in a 2012 interview with Inside Jersey, he shared, “I was playing with fire. It was just a matter of time before I got caught and my business ended up on the cover of a tabloid or I went to jail or, worse, I ended up dead. When I look back on it now, I don’t know how I didn’t end up in a body bag.”

More recently, he told Tamron Hall that he sought out the help of a therapist after his turn as alcoholic Montrose Freeman in Lovecraft Country and a new project called Body Brokers about a sketchy rehab center.

“People often think that when a person puts down the drugs or the alcohol, that all the problems go away,” he said candidly. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. Drugs and alcohol are not the problems, they’re merely symptoms of the problem. And once those things go away, the real work begins.”

Over the last few months, the alarming rise in synthetic opioid overdoses has become a headline news across the country. A recent study published by the American Journal of Public Health found that, in 2018 and 2019, that rise impacted African American drug users more than any other ethnic group.