• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 24, 2021

Beyonce Pens Heartfelt Letter to the Beyhive In Celebration of Turning 40, ‘I’m So Grateful to be Grown, Grown’

---

Some 20 days after her 40th birthday, Beyoncé decided to pen a special message to the BeyHive.

Queen Bey returned to Instagram to share some glam shots sporting a green sequined dress with a bedazzled watermelon clutch purse.

To help close out Virgo season, Beyoncé posted a series of photo slides that showed her relishing in making it 40 years on God’s green Earth.

Over on her website, Beyoncé posted a handwritten note to her fans reliving her journey to 40.

“As Virgo Season comes to an end, I hope my fellow Virgos had great birthdays,” she said.

After being serenaded with love by her die-hard fans on her 40th birthday, Beyoncé took the time to thank them personally for all the warm wishes.

“I’m so thankful for every inspiring human who took the time to send me all the beautiful messages. I cried tears of joy and was covered in chilly bumps,” she wrote. “Your VIDEOS, your POSTS, your countdowns, your playlists, and your well wishes I will cherish forever.”

“I’m grateful to everyone involved, especially to the fans, for the time and level of detail it took to organize such beautiful tributes. I admire and respect all of you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Beyoncé openly admitted to having a new outlook on life now that she’s 40. After decades of living life on her own terms, Bey says only now is she able to fully live life freely.

“This is the first year that I really understand what it means to be alive and to live in the moment,” BeyoncÉ said. “It’s the first time that I have an understanding of how fragile life truly is, how hard life can be at times, and therefore how important it is to stop and smell the roses during the good times.”

She says she thought she had an idea of what it means to live in the moment. But it took maturing and life experience to open her eyes to enjoy the adventure life brings.

“I thought I knew that at 21 or 30…but I didn’t. The more mature I become, the more I understand and the deeper my joy grows,” the “Love On Top” singer said. “There’s a freedom and liberation knowing that I’ve made it to the other side of my sacrifice. I’m finally giving myself permission to enjoy the seeds I’ve worked so hard to plant my whole life.”

Of course, Beyoncé had to sprinkle in some girl power in her birthday message.

“Whoever tried to condition women to feel that we are supposed to feel old or unhappy when we turn 40 got it ALL THE WAY F’d UP,” she declared.

“This has absolutely been the best I’ve felt in my life. I’m so grateful to be GROWN, GROWN! Most of y’all met me when I was 15, and we have grown up together. You bring sooooo much joy into my life. I hope my art can continue to bring a little joy into yours.”

She ended the letter reconfirming how much she loves the BeyHive.

“I Love You Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep Deep.”

And we love you back, Bey!

• Lifestyle

by Tai Saint-Louis

September 24, 2021

50 Cent Surprises Fans With Pop-Up Concert At Atlanta Premier Of His Latest Starz Partnership

---

Fans in attendance at the Atlanta premiere of BMF, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s latest partnership with STARZ, were surprised when the G-Unit leader turned TV mogul himself took to the stage to introduce the series on Thursday.

Following a glowing introduction from the cable network’s CEO and President, Jeffrey Hirsch, during which he referred to 50 as “a man with whom we will be partnering for a very long time,” the rapper took the stage to share some details about the making of the series.

“I’m really excited about this project,” 50 told the crowd at the Cellairis Amphitheater. “Power was an amazing project, it was amazingly successful. It was the highest-rated show for African Americans and Latinos. I’m really proud of that. But it wasn’t a true story. This is real. So it’s a lot more exciting for me.”

Executive produced by Jackson, actress Tasha Smith and showrunner Randy Huggins, BMF is based on the life of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory. From the late ’80s through the early 2000s, the brothers led the Detroit-based Black Mafia Family, which authorities claim was one of the largest drug trafficking and money laundering rings in the city’s history. Operating between their hometown and Atlanta, Meech and T became the stuff of legend among hip-hop circles and were very active on the Atlanta entertainment scene.

“To be as authentic as possible, we had Lil Meech play his dad,” 50 said after praising the show’s entire cast, which includes Wood Harris, Steve Harris, LaLa Anthony, and rising Detroit rapper Kash Doll. “I want you to remember this because this is probably the last time this’ll even happen in television. For him to have the opportunity to play his dad was such a longshot. I had to talk to him personally and have him move from Atlanta to Los Angeles and put him with acting coaches. And he worked his ass off, and I’m so proud of him. Since he’s performed in this television show, he’s gone on to work as an independent film actor, so expect to see him.”

Following the premiere screening of the show’s first episode—set to air Sunday, Sept. 26 at 9 pm—fans were treated to performances by 50 Cent and special guests including Snoop Dogg, T.I., Flo Rida, Da Baby, Jeremih, and Lil Duval. To close out the concert, 50 premiered “Wish Me Luck,” the “BMF” theme song, featuring Moneybagg Yo and Snoop, a recurring cast member on the new drama.

The Atlanta “BMF” premier was just as star-studded backstage, with veteran actor Clifton Powell, Kandi Burrus, Monica, Anthony Hamilton, Angie Stone, Killer Mike, David Banner, Lecrae, Charles Oakley, and many more in attendance.

Following Sunday’s premiere, BMF will move to its regular timeslot of 8 pm ET/PT starting on Oct. 3. In addition to airing across all STARZ platforms in the US and Canada, the show will be available on the STARZPLAY premium streaming platform across Europe, Latin America, and Japan. The series will also be available to viewers who subscribe to STARZ through third-party platforms like Philo and HULU.

The Ultimate Road Trip

“Inspired by Nissan Pathfinder, writer Chris Atwell has written a series about the fictional Anderson Family and imagined the adventures they might have on a summer road trip with Pathfinder. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this article are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, or entities is intended or should be inferred.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Up, Up, and Away

The Andersons set out in their all-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder looking for adventure, but they planned their routes and destinations with care. Only today, a rare opportunity presents itself, and it means making a big adjustment to the itinerary if they’re going to be able to take advantage of it. The Pathfinder delivers, and the Andersons take flight. Darryl tells the story:

Now, you’ve got to understand that my wife Denise and I put together this road trip itinerary well in advance, down to the last rest stop. It’s not the kind of endeavor you want to improvise, especially with the kids in tow. After our stay in Louisville, Kentucky, the plan was to drive our new Pathfinder north to Lake Erie, then head east to Brooklyn and home.

Out of the blue, a friend of ours called with an opportunity the family couldn’t pass up—a hot air balloon ride across the Blue Mountains in Virginia! Our friend had reserved the ride for his family, but they had to postpone. Rather than cancel the reservation, he called us. He knew we were on the road and thought we might be close. Well, we weren’t. From Louisville to Blue Mountain, Virginia, we were talking about a full day’s drive. But the reservation date couldn’t be changed. If we were going to make it on that balloon, we had to leave right away.

While it’s true that I prefer not to improvise on the road, it’s good to know that the Pathfinder was built rugged and ready to take on the unexpected. So, we loaded up the vehicle’s extended cargo space, packed extra supplies for our black Labrador, Juno, in the under-floor storage, and broke east for Virginia.

After more than three weeks on the road, our new ride has come to feel like a second home. For this especially long stretch, the four of us—and Juno—settled into the comfortable passenger space, which could easily carry another four people. The car’s many safety features have provided us peace of mind on each day of our journey for both Denise and me.

I’ve never driven a car with so much innovation and proactive safety tech, like the Intelligent Around View Monitor. This four-camera system gives me a bird’s-eye view of what’s going on around us. And the Safety Shield 360, the Pathfinder’s advanced suite of safety features, goes a dozen steps further! The vehicle warns us of possible blind spots, and includes pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking.

These features came in handy several times when traffic got heavy or when my Virginia buddy’s recommended “short cuts” got complicated. Eventually, we tossed out his directions and put our trust in the navigation on the Pathfinder’s easy-to-read, touch-screen Head-Up display. I’m sure it saved us an hour of driving time, at least.

With Denise and I alternating, we arrived at Blue Mountain in time for a good night’s sleep and a daybreak balloon launch. What a thrilling experience! The views are spectacular.

Oh, there is one thing I learned about hot-air balloons that surprised me. Once you’re up in the air, there is no telling where you’ll be able to land. Everything depends on the wind speed and direction. In other words, where you land is pretty much up to the balloon!

I’m usually not comfortable with “improvisation” when I travel, at least when I’m on the ground. But plans, like the winds, do change, sometimes on a dime. It’s good to know that our Pathfinder is equipped to adapt.

• ^{Cargo: Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution. Always secure cargo. Heavy loading of the vehicle with cargo, especially on the roof, will affect the handling and stability of the vehicle.}
• ^{Intelligent Around View Monitor: Intelligent Around View Monitor cannot eliminate blind spots and may not detect every object. Driver should always turn and check surroundings before driving. See Owner’s Manual for safety information.}
• ^{Safety Shield 360:  Nissan Safety Shield technologies can’t prevent all collisions or warn in all situations. See Owner’s Manual for important safety information.}
• ^{Head-Up Display: Available Feature. Never program while driving. GPS mapping may not be detailed in all areas or reflect current road status.}

• Lifestyle

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 24, 2021

Billionaire Barbadian Rihanna Was Weirded Out By People Fawning Over Her Money Status

---

Singer, fashion, and beauty maven Robyn Rihanna Fenty is one of the most successful recording artists and entrepreneurs of our time, which is why Forbes declared her a billionaire due to her flourishing career and businesses.

Recently, the Barbadian billionaire “bad gal” acknowledged that she was taken aback by folks congratulating her on her newfound financial status.

According to Buzzfeed News, while being interviewed on the red carpet of her latest Savage X Fenty show, the talented businesswoman expressed bewilderment on her new financial status that surprised her.

“You know, it was real weird getting congratulations texts from people for money? I never got congratulated for money before. That shit is crazy.”

The “Umbrella” singer also told Access Hollywood that “It made sense when I realized that it was inspiring to people that they felt like this is something that they could achieve knowing where I’ve come from. Knowing my humble beginnings, they see the possibility, and it gives them hope. That made me feel really happy.”

Earlier this summer, it was reported that Rihanna’s wealth grew so much that Forbes announced that she was officially a billionaire.

The singer and burgeoning entrepreneur is reportedly worth $1.7 billion, according to estimates by Forbes magazine. According to Forbes, her total net worth makes Rihanna the wealthiest female musician and second only to the queen of entertainment, Oprah Winfrey, as the richest female entertainer.

Rihanna made her mark in the music world after being signed by another billionaire, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter.  Her singing talent initially led her to superstardom but, the bulk of her fortune is from her entrepreneurial efforts. Her stake in her company, Fenty Beauty, is worth an estimated $1.4 billion. And her lingerie company, Savage x Fenty, is reportedly worth an estimated $270 million. Plus, her earnings from her career as a chart-topping musician and actress add up to her being worth $1.7 billion.

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Derek Major

September 24, 2021

Migrant Camp In Texas Down To Just A Few Hundred People After Releasing Many In U.S. Sending Others Back To Haiti

---

Reuters – Only a few hundred mostly Haitian migrants were left camping out under an international bridge in Del Rio, Texas on Friday, down from nearly 15,000 people who had converged there last week as U.S. officials ramped up expulsions to Haiti and some releases into the United States.

Val Verde County Judge Lewis Owens, who has been keeping tabs on the number of people in the camp, said there were 225 people left under the bridge that connects the United States and Mexico on Friday morning.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately respond to a request for comment but on Thursday evening had said there were 5,000 people currently in the Del Rio border sector, which would include people who had been moved to federal facilities for immigration processing.

Reuters photos and videos of the camp show camping tents pitched closely together and some shelters made out of sticks and tarps.

Haitians have also set up camp on the Mexican side of the border in Ciudad Acuna, as hundreds retreated back across the Rio Grande after U.S. officials began sending planes of people back to Haiti.

Mexican officials urged Haitians to give up hopes of seeking asylum in the United States telling them instead to return to Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala to request asylum in Mexico.

U.S. President Joe Biden has faced strong criticism in recent days over the expulsions to Haiti. Rocked by the assassination of its president, gang violence and natural disasters, some 1,401 Haitian nationals have been sent back to Haiti on 12 repatriation flights since Sunday, September 19. The Caribbean island is the poorest in the Western hemisphere.

On Thursday, the U.S. special envoy to Haiti quit in protest over the Biden administration’s deportations of migrants to the Caribbean nation,

That followed widespread outrage stirred up by images of a U.S. border guard on horseback unfurling a whip-like cord against at Haitian migrants near their camp.

Most migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border can be summarily expelled under a public health order known as Title 42 that was put in place at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic early last year.

But hundreds of other migrants, deemed particularly vulnerable or otherwise not eligible for Title 42, have been allowed into the United States to pursue their immigration claims in U.S. court. Still others may be transferred to immigration detention, though DHS did not provide a breakdown of the diverging fates of migrants who had recently arrived in Del Rio.

On Friday, more than a hundred migrants were dropped off at a center welcoming migrants in Del Rio, according to a Reuters witness. From there most head to other destinations in the United States to reunite with family members.

Yet pressure is also growing on Biden to tighten the border, and Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM) is starting to return migrants to the southern Mexican city of Tapachula so they can file asylum applications there.

“We’re not taking them out of the country,” INM chief Francisco Garduno told Reuters. “We’re bringing them away from the border so there are no hygiene and overcrowding problems.”

Haitians who made the perilous, costly journey from Guatemala to Ciudad Acuna on the Mexico-U.S. border are skeptical about the merits of going back to a city where they had already unsuccessfully tried to process asylum claims.

Willy Jean, who spent two fruitless months in Tapachula, said if Mexico really wanted to help the migrants, it should allow them to make their applications elsewhere.

“Tapachula’s really tough, really small, there’s lots of people,” he told an INM agent trying to persuade him to go south. “There’s no work, there’s nothing.”

SLIM CHANCE

Official data from Mexico show Haitians are already far less likely to have asylum claims approved in Mexico compared with many nationalities, even if their chances are starting to improve.

Last year, of all asylum claims that were formally resolved, only 22% of Haitian cases won approval, compared with 98% for Venezuelans, 85% of Hondurans, 83% of Salvadorans and 44% of Cubans. So far this year, the Haitian number is up to 31%.

Asylum requests have overwhelmed Mexico’s Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR), which is scheduling appointments months away, if at all. Some Haitians in Ciudad Acuna said they had left Tapachula because they were so fed up with waiting.

“It basically pushes Haitians out,” said Caitlyn Yates, a migration expert at the University of British Columbia.

Soggy papers discarded in the grass near the Rio Grande showed that a Haitian man who applied for a humanitarian visa in August would have had to wait until December for an appointment.

Telling migrants eyeing the U.S. side of the border that it would be better to process claims before the media disappeared from Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna, INM agents swept through the camp on Thursday beseeching them to go back to Tapachula.

“We’re giving you this option,” INM official Montserrat Saldana told a cluster of migrants circled around her. “All of you who cross the river are going straight to Haiti.”

(Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Ciudad Acuna; Additional reporting by Alberto Fajardo, Lizbeth Diaz, Marco Bello, Kristina Cooke and Mica Rosenberg; Editing by Diane Craft)

• Lifestyle

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 24, 2021

In Closing Argument, R. Kelly Attorney Compares Disgraced Singer to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

---

The trial of singer R. Kelly is drawing to an end years after speculation and accusations of the sexual proclivities of the R & B performer.

On Thursday, in the closing arguments of the trial in Brooklyn, the accused entertainer’s attorney compared the embattled songwriter to civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the New York Post reported.

Kelly’s attorney, Deveraux Cannick, said the “Bump and Grind” singer is trying to prove his innocence beyond a reasonable doubt in the same way Dr. King fought for his constitutional rights.

The attorney then took the liberty to use quotes from King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, reciting, “Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of the press.”

He told the jurors that the civil rights activist had protested in streets across the United States because the government at that particular time was not being fair and true to all of its citizens.

“That’s all Robert is trying to do,” he said in his statement.

“He didn’t have to recruit women,” Cannick said. “That’s the narrative they’re perpetuating.”

Kelly, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering and eight counts of illegally transporting people across state lines for prostitution. “Prosecutors have tried to portray him as an intemperate predator who exploited his fame to attract fans into his circle, where he would demand strict obedience or else punish them,” Reuters observed.

Kelly has repeatedly denied sexual abuse accusations, which have defined him as much as his abilities as a hitmaker.

As previously reported, among Kelly’s many charges include knowingly infecting some of his accusers with a sexually transmitted disease. He is also accused of bribery, kidnapping, forced labor, and producing child pornography. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

• News

by Ashantai Hathaway

September 24, 2021

YouTuber Charged with Stealing TV Shows for His Own Streaming Platform Faces More Than 500 Years in Prison

---

A copyright infringement case could cost a YouTuber millions of dollars and hundreds of years in prison.

On Tuesday morning, police arrested YouTuber Bill Omar Carrasquillo, who is accused of stealing television shows and using it for his own streaming platform to makes millions. 

Carrasquillo, who goes by “Omi in a Hellcat” online, has dubbed himself a successful businessman, but federal agents believe him to be a criminal who started a streaming service known as Internet protocol television service, or IPTV. The service provides television shows in which he does not own the copyright. 

When authorities entered Carrasquillo’s Swedsboro, NJ, home, he wore only neon yellow underwear as federal agents placed him in handcuffs. It was broadcast live on Instagram.

Prior to this week’s arrest, in November 2019, federal agents raided his home, seizing cars, cameras and televisions.

“I’m going to go to jail for a few years,” he said in the video posted after the raid. The video has been viewed nearly two million times.

In an indictment unsealed Tuesday, prosecutors accuse Carrasquillo and two associates of stealing copyrighted material from cable companies and redistributing that content through a streaming service Carrasquillo set up and charged customers to use. 

From March 2016 until about November 2019, Carraquillo and his partners earned more than $30 million. Authorities say he used the money to establish a lavish lifestyle, buying large homes and fast cars that he flaunted on social media.

If convicted, Carrasquillo doesn’t face a “few years,” as he indicated, but instead a maximum of 514 years, prosecutors said.

Carrasquillo has publicly admitted to running a streaming business—but he has long maintained that he was not doing anything illegal. 

“I found a loophole, I ran through it, and I did great,” he told Philadelphia’s Fox 20 in his driveway after he was released from jail on $50,000 bail.

On Tuesday, a woman in Carrasquillo’s home broadcast his arrest on Instagram Live; part of the live stream was posted to YouTube. 

According to the indictment, prosecutors want Carrasquillo and his partners forfeit close to $35 million, as well as dozens of cars, including multiple Lamborghinis.

“I don’t think I ever did anything wrong,” Carrasquillo said from his driveway this week. “We are going to have our day in court now.”

• News

by Ashantai Hathaway

September 24, 2021

1 Dead and 14 Injured After Mass Shooting at Kroger Grocery Store In Tennessee, Shooter Commits Suicide: Police

---

Police said one person died, and at least 14 others were injured in a shooting inside a supermarket in Tennessee.

It happened at a Kroger in Collierville, Tennessee, roughly 30 miles east of Memphis, an upscale suburb. 

According to ABC7, Brignetta Dickerson, an employee at the supermarket, said she thought it was just “balloons popping when the shooting started.”

Dickerson was working the cash register when she said the shooting began in the deli section.

She told the outlet she ran with some of her co-workers to hide, but the gunman came right behind them and started shooting.

“He kept on shooting, shooting, shooting,” Dickerson said. “He shot one of my co-workers in the head, and then shot one of the customers in the stomach, and then my other customer got kind of like cuts because of the asphalt.”

Police said the shooter was found dead, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Some 13 victims were taken to area hospitals, and one person suffered an anxiety attack and went on their own.

“We found people hiding in freezers, in locked offices. They were doing what they had been trained to do: run, hide, fight,” the chief said without elaborating.”

The identities of the shooter and the victims were not immediately released. ABC News reports that a family identified the person killed as 70-year-old Olivia King.

According to the police, no incident led up to the shooting.

“We’re going to carry this thing as far as we can to see and make sure that there’s no else involved,” the police said, adding that there was “no credible evidence” that there was a second shooter.

According to U.S. census figures, Collierville is a growing suburb of more than 51,000 people with a median household income of about $114,000.

A Kroger spokesperson said the Collierville store will be closed until further notice.

• News

by Ashantai Hathaway

September 24, 2021

Dr. Patricia E. Bath Set to Become One Of The First Black Women Inducted Into The National Inventors Hall of Fame

---

Dr. Patricia Era Bath, a groundbreaking ophthalmologist who invented what is considered to be one of the most important surgical tools in history is being honored.

The innovative researcher and laser scientist will be honored for her historic contributions to the medical field, in the newly announced Inductee Class of 2022 by the National Inventors Hall of Fame, according to PR Newswire.

In 1986, Dr. Bath changed the world of ophthalmology when she invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment —one of the most important surgical tools in the history of ophthalmology that is still being used on a global scale today. 

The Harlem, N.Y., native used the Excimer Laser to develop a device and method for minimally invasive cataract surgery. Bath’s method involved using a faster technique that would eventually establish the foundation for eye surgeons to use lasers to restore or improve vision for millions of patients suffering from cataracts worldwide.

Dr. Bath was the first African American woman physician to receive a patent for a medical invention, and now along with Marian Croak, they will secure historic spots as the first two Black women joining the NIHF Inductee Class of 2022 on May 5.

“To know that my mother is part of the 2022 class of National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees is an unbelievable honor,” said her daughter Dr. Eraka Bath. “Her incredible path- and her contributions to the study of ophthalmology, cannot be understated. The NIHF distinction is an overdue recognition of her accomplishments.”

As the world celebrates her historic achievement, there is now official Dr. Patricia Bath merchandise that’s available for purchase through the new online store, WE RSTEM. The store includes items like mugs, tote bags, t-shirts, and more. Each purchase will go toward a scholarship fund designed specifically for underrepresented students in STEM.

“Today is truly a special day, and I wish my mother could be here,” continued Dr. Eraka Bath. “ Launching the WE RSTEM store allows us to celebrate her life, honor her achievements and inspire future generations.”

Dr. Bath will be recognized at two ceremonies in 2022: an “Illumination Ceremony” at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum in Alexandria, VA on May 4th, and the 2022 National Inventors Hall of Fame “Induction Ceremony” in Washington, D.C. on May 5th.

• News

by Ashantai Hathaway

September 24, 2021

Unvaccinated Arizona Mom Dies From COVID Days After Welcoming Baby

---

An Arizona woman who tested positive for COVID-19 while pregnant died just days after welcoming a baby girl.

Denise Cotton, 31, died on Sept. 13, some 12 days after giving birth to her daughter Kara.

 Her boyfriend Mike Jerome has now created a GoFundMe campaign to help support their newborn. The fundraising page says,”  I’m going to raise the goal in the hopes of raising more for clothes and diapers and further care for her.”

According to Jerome, Cotton began feeling sick in August but believed she had the flu. She tested negative for COVID-19 when she went to the hospital, but her symptoms continued to get worse.  She went back to the emergency room three days later. Cotton took another test that came back positive.

At the time Cotton was 36 weeks pregnant and had to undergo an emergency cesarean section to deliver her baby.

“Due to Covid she was not allowed visitors and was not even allowed to hold her newborn baby girl,” he wrote of Cotton. “She seemed to go back and forth. Some days she would make progress and others she would worsen.”

Eventually, Cotton’s condition declined to a point where “her body would stop responding to treatment” and the family removed her from life support, according to Jerome.

Jerome told local news station KSAZ-TV that Cotton was not vaccinated during her pregnancy.

“Obviously looking back, I wish she had gotten vaccinated sooner,” he said.

Baby Kara is now 3 weeks old and is out of the neonatal intensive care unit. She is being cared for by Jerome, who says he’s trying his best to carry on Cotton’s legacy.

“I tell her about her mother everyday and how much her mother loved her,” he told KSAZ-TV of his daughter. “It’s hard because I see her mother in her face when I look at her.”

According to the CDC, all pregnant people or people who are thinking about becoming pregnant and those breastfeeding are encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19.