• Lifestyle

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 21, 2021

The Fugees Reunite For International Reunion Tour to Celebrate 25th Anniversary of ‘The Score’

---

“Ready or Not” The Fugees are reuniting!

In anticipation of the 25th anniversary of The Fugees’ debut album, The Score, the group’s original members will perform together as they embark on an international reunion tour.

According to Live Nation, the group, which consists of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel, will perform their first show together as The Fugees in 15 years. They are going on an international tour that kicks off in New York City at an undisclosed location on Wednesday.

The reunion will mark The Fugees’ first world tour in 25 years and their first show in 15 years to celebrate the anni1996’sy of 1996’s The Score. The tour is being presented by Diaspora Calling and produced by Live Nation.

It will head to 12 cities as it kicks off on Sept. 22 with an intimate pop-up show in New York City. The remaining shows will start on Nov. 2 at the United Center in Chicago with scheduled stops across the world in Los Angeles; Miami; Newark, New Jersey; Paris; London; and other places before finishing the tour in Africa, with the final shows taking place in Nigeria and Ghana.

In a written statement, “Hill said, “The Fugees have a complex but impactful history. I wasn’t even aware the 25th anniversary had arrived until someone brought it to my attention. I decided to honor this significant project, its anniversary, and the fans who appreciated the music by creating a peaceful platform where we could unite, perform the music we loved, and set an example of reconciliation for the world.”

“As I celebrate 25 years with the Fugees, my first memory was that we vowed, from the gate, we would not just do music, we would be a movement. We would be a voice for the unheard, and in these challenging times, I am grateful once again that God has brought us together,” Jean added.

FUGEES TOUR 2021 DATES: 

Wed, Sept. 22 – NYC – TBA

Tues, Nov. 2 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Sun, Nov. 7 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena

Fri, Nov. 12 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum

Thurs, Nov. 18 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

Sun, Nov 21 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena

Fri, Nov. 26 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

Sun, Nov. 28 – Washington D.C. – Capital One Arena

Sat, Dec. 4 – Paris, France – La Defense Arena

Mon, Dec. 6 – London, U.K. – The O₂

TBA – Nigeria – TBA

Sat, Dec. 18 – Ghana – TBA

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 21, 2021

Four People Shot To Death In Car In Wisconsin Cornfield Were Killed In Minnesota, Police Say

---

Police in Saint Paul, Minnesota, unearthed new details into the mysterious deaths of four young adults found fatally shot inside a car in Wisconsin.

On Monday, the police released a statement saying the four victims were actually murdered in Minnesota despite their bodies being found in an SUV in a Wisconsin cornfield.

Identified as Matthew Isiah Pettus, 26; Loyace Foremann III, 35; Jasmine Christine Sturm, 30; and Nitosha Lee Flug-Presley, 30; the victims all died from fatal gunshot wounds, People reports.

The group of four had visited a bar in St. Paul on the night of Sept. 11 and were allegedly seen leaving with someone who was not in their group. A 911 call placed around 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, reported a black SUV had driven off of a rural road.

Police arrived at the scene and found the vehicle later that afternoon, 50 yards into the cornfield. Police believe the victims died less than 24 hours before being discovered.

Dunn County Sheriff Kevin Bygd did not believe the suspect was from the area, saying the cornfield “was a place these victims were randomly brought.”

Police took time gathering evidence and information before determining that the killings took place in the next state over. On Wednesday, Sept. 15, police arrested Darren McWright, who also goes by the last name Osborne, in connection to the deaths. He remains in custody on a number of outstanding warrants.

Then, two days later on Friday, Sept. 17, Antoine D. Suggs turned himself in to police in Gilbert, Arizona, after investigators announced they wanted him for questioning. Suggs is currently in jail awaiting extradition to Minnesota.

“I spent the weekend mourning the victim’s lives with their families, their friends, and our community members, and I feel in my soul how these senseless deaths shook our community to its core,” said Saint Paul Chief of Police Todd Axtell.

“We have four young lives—with all of their promise—erased. We have families left with only memories. And we have an entire community in search of answers.”

• Business

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 21, 2021

Facebook, Inc. Donates $2 Million to McBride Sisters Collection’s SHE CAN Fund

---

Facebook has committed a hefty donation to help 100 Black women entrepreneurs secure advertising and access to its private community for Black and brown business owners.

On Thursday, McBride Sisters Collection Inc. announced the $2 million donation the company received from Facebook for its SHE CAN Fund. As part of the donation, 100 SHE CAN Fund grantees will each receive $20,000 in Facebook advertising credits, mentorship, and guidance through its Facebook Elevate group for Black and Latinx & Hispanic-owned businesses.

“We understand firsthand the impact that Facebook Elevate can have on a small, Black-women-owned business, and the challenges that these businesses face in opening the doors that we ourselves found closed when we launched our own company,” said Andréa McBride John, Co-Founder and CEO of McBride Sisters Collection, Inc., the largest Black-owned wine company in the U.S.

All the businesses involved in the SHE CAN Fund will receive their own Facebook marketing expert through Facebook’s six-week business coaching workshop, Facebook Circles, Afro Tech reports.

“Moving the dial on race and gender inequality takes a village, a long-term commitment, and it requires the leaders in major industries to step up and address the inequities that Black business owners have faced, and continue to face, daily,” adds Robin McBride, co-founder and president of McBride Sisters Collection Inc.

“We are grateful to have Facebook as a partner in this fight, and in supporting the next class of Black women entrepreneurs, alongside Morgan Stanley, Silicon Valley Bank, and Brand Now.”

Launched in 2019, the SHE CAN Fund initially focused on business mentorship for Black women-owned companies within the wine industry. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was repositioned to help Black women business owners in all sectors.

Grantees currently within the fund come from an array of industries, including wine & spirits, hospitality, finance, and areas of career growth, continuing education, and professional development.

For more information, please visit https://www.mcbridesisters.com/Our-Story/SHE-CAN.

• News

by Derek Major

September 21, 2021

DHS To Investigate Images Of Agents Threatening Haitians On Horseback After Backlash

---

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas traveled to Del Rio, Texas where he had to explain why his agents were threatening and scaring Haitian migrants.

News crews and photographers recorded scenes and a bevy of photos have hit social media showing  DHS agents threatening and pushing back migrants with horses. According to the Washington Post, one agent is heard on video yelling obscenities as a child jumps out of a horse’s path.

Mayorkas told reporters Monday DHS is investigating the incident. However, that didn’t work as backlash grew and DHS was forced to release a statement on the issue.

“The Department of Homeland Security does not tolerate the abuse of migrants in our custody and we take these allegations very seriously,” the DHS statement read. “The footage is extremely troubling and the facts learned from the full investigation, which will be conducted swiftly, will define the appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken.”

The statement added Mayorkas has directed DHS’ internal oversight office to send personnel to the camp to oversee agents “full-time.”

A group of Democratic lawmakers have condemned DHS agents’ actions and behavior after photos and videos began running across social media. Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson was one of the most outspoken politicians.

“Video and photos coming out of Del Rio showing U.S. Border Patrol’s mistreatment of Haitian migrants along the border are horrific and disturbing,” Thompson said.

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also blasted the agency saying “Immigration should not be a crime, and its criminalization is a relatively recent invention.”

Some reports said the agents were whipping Haitian migrants, but others say they were actually swinging their horses’ reins and no one appeared to be struck or directly attacked by the agent. Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz told reporters agents were trying to control their horses.

A video was taken and posted by Al Jazerra of agents shouting at a group of migrants crossing the Rio Grande ““This is why your country’s s—, because you use your women for this!”

“This is why your country’s shit, because you use your women for this!” — mounted Border Patrol officer to Haitian migrant he was riding down, as he sheltered with his family.

One of the scenes we saw on the Rio Grande. Watch our video:

Full report:https://t.co/V4KeMobCfs pic.twitter.com/UdUcC7B5IS

— John Holman (@johnholman100) September 20, 2021

DHS has already begun flying the migrants back to Haiti despite the fact that most, if not all of the migrants left Haiti a decade ago after a devastating earthquake. The island is currently trying to rebuild itself after Tropical Storm Grace and another 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti less than a week apart this summer.

Additionally the country’s president Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July, throwing the country into even more uncertainty.

• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 21, 2021

A Black Family Relives ‘The Wonder Years’ In ABC Reboot, Don Cheadle Narrates

---

Millennials might remember watching old reruns of The Wonder Years as kids in the ’90s. Now the show is being rebooted, and this time around, they added some color.

Instead of starring in the show as “Kevin Arnold,” actor Fred Savage will serve as executive producer alongside Lee Daniels, Saladin K. Patterson, and Marc Velez. Actor Elisha “EJ” Williams will take the lead in the role of 12-year-old Dean Williams, Boston Herald reports.

The show still shares the story of a young boy coming of age in America in the 1960s while his adult self narrates the story. Only this time around, it will be told through the lens of a Black boy, and award-winning actor Don Cheadle will serve as the narrator.

“When you think of this time period in Black America, you don’t really think of middle-class Black people,” Daniels said. “You think ‘impoverished’; you think of what the media portrayed us to be.”

“This really sits with me and Saladin (K. Patterson, another executive producer on the show) because we are around the same age. This is our story, a story that hasn’t been told to America.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6YpXU-ro-4

In fact, many in the Black community who grew up or were raised by someone who grew up in the ’60s have heard timeless stories that shine a light on how Blacks lived at the time. Despite what was reflected in mainstream media, Black people were thriving then and still are now.

The cast includes actor Dule Hill as Dean’s father Bill Williams, Laura Kariuki and Saycon Sengbloh as Kim and Lillian Williams, and Milan Ray who plays Keisha, the new-age version of “Kevin Arnold’s” crush Winnie.

Fred Savage is excited for viewers to take in a rebooted age-old classic while telling a familiar story in an entirely new way.

“The fact that it’s a brand-new family and brand-new characters allows us to maintain some of the things we loved about the original, while also telling a wholly unique and new story,” Savage said.

The Wonder Years reboot debuts on ABC Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 8:30 p.m.

• Lifestyle

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 21, 2021

Steph Curry Surprises Wife Ayesha With a Vow Renewal Ceremony Celebrating 10 Years of Marriage

---

Even though Steph Curry’s parents are in the middle of a messy divorce, he took time out to surprise his wife Ayesha with a vow renewal ceremony.

In a move that proves that real love is still alive, Curry swooped in and blindsided his wife with a small wedding complete with a dress that he picked out, and their oldest child Riley officiating as the little mistress of ceremonies.

Ayesha, a best-selling author, and entrepreneur, who has been married to the NBA superstar for the past 10 years, gushed about the impromptu ceremony orchestrated by him on an Instagram post on Tuesday.

“A couple of weeks ago @stephencurry30 surprised me with the most beautiful vow renewal ceremony. He even picked out my dress for me and had it waiting 😭. Our big girl Riley officiated and Ryan and Canon walked me through the grass of our backyard. It’s everything I’ve always dreamed of but didn’t know could be possible in this way. A moment I will never forget. I love you @stephencurry30 .”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry)

Seems like Steph is stepping up to solidify that he’s in his marriage for the long haul. Sadly he’s been getting a front-row seat witnessing the deterioration of his parents’ union as of late.

Just last month, what turned into a shocking divorce filing by Dell and Sonya Curry quickly turned messy as his parents hurled cheating allegations at each other.

Lindsay Davis has made history at the University of Texas at Arlington, becoming the first Black graduate researcher to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry there.

Davis is recognized for helping to break the stigma surrounding women and Black people within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industry.

“It feels good to be a trailblazer,” Davis said in a UTA statement. “I am proud to set an example for underrepresented minorities who dream of using their STEM talents to make the world a better place.”

Upon her graduation in August, Davis already had a job waiting for her at her alma mater, Langston University. The Black researcher will serve at the historically Black university in Oklahoma as part of an expansion into the school’s STEM curriculum.

“Life comes full circle,” Davis said. “My experiences at UTA have equipped me to encourage other students like me to become the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Thankfully, my mentors at UTA are brilliant female scientists. Their research accomplishments inspire me to keep going.”

Davis is proud of what she has been able to accomplish in STEM and hopes to inspire the next generation of STEM students of color.

“Lindsay’s research project has provided mentorship and training for several students from diverse backgrounds,” said Kayunta Johnson-Winters, associate professor of chemistry and Davis’ faculty advisor. “Two of her mentees, both women of color, have moved on to advanced degree programs at other institutions.”

Davis’ impactful work in STEM includes research on treatment for tuberculosis, Afro Tech reported.

“We want to understand on a molecular level how FGD operates, since it is the target for further drug development for multiple drug-resistant forms of TB,” Davis said. “Once we discover the mode of action of FGD, researchers can create treatments that more effectively target the enzyme and cure patients with drug-resistant strains of TB.”

• Business

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 21, 2021

Black Female Lawyer Launches Legal Fund to Support Black-Owned Businesses Using Crowdfunding to Raise Capital

---

Elizabeth L. Carter, Esq., LLC, a Black woman-owned securities law firm, has launched a legal fund to support Black businesses that plan to raise capital through crowdfunding campaigns and other means.

The Chicago-based firm is seeking corporate and individual contributions to the #BlackCapitalMatters Gift Legal Fund, which will help subsidize securities legal services for Black-owned businesses.

Black-owned entities, including businesses, nonprofits, cooperatives, and investment funds, that are looking to raise capital in 2021-2022, and need affordable securities legal services, can apply for the fund at ELCESQ.com/legalfund (Fund contributors who wish to receive a tax deduction can donate directly to the firm’s fiscal sponsor, the Oakland-based Sustainable Economies Law Center, at TheSELC.org/blackcapitalmatters)

There are a series of legal documents, filings, and other requirements that business owners must complete ensuring they are legally compliant before they launch their campaign. Yet many business owners may not be aware of the legal requirements and therefore put themselves at risk for penalties and costly delays.

Led by Carter, the boutique law firm is the only securities firm in the country with a mission to help Black-owned businesses navigate the legal requirements that come with raising capital.

The firm often provides its services at discounted rates and has built an ecosystem of comprehensive professional support services to make it more feasible for Black businesses to raise capital. Securities law is a complex area of business law that ensures the legal compliance of raising capital from investors. Unfortunately, this complex law carries a hefty cost and is often out of the budget for the average entrepreneur.

The #BlackCapitalGift Legal Fund will allow the firm to provide legal support at below-market-rate so that more Black-owned businesses may combat the disparities in investing that they often face. Since 2015, Black and Latinx founders have received only 2.4 percent of the total venture capital raised, according to the 2020 Crunchbase Diversity Report. Due to these disparities, more and more Black-owned businesses are turning to crowdfunding to raise the capital that they need to fully launch or expand their business.

“The racial bias in financing from banks and private investors, including angel investors and venture capital firms, has caused many Black-owned businesses to turn to the general public to get the capital that they need for their businesses,” Carter said. “Oftentimes, these businesses don’t have adequate funding to pay for legal support as they launch crowdfunding campaigns. This puts them at risk of criminal and civil penalties at disproportionate rates.”

The economic hardships caused by the recent pandemic and recession have only exacerbated the need for funding among minority-owned businesses. During the first few months of 2020, 41 percent of Black businesses and 32 percent of Latinx-owned businesses permanently closed.

“Our mission is to find creative and innovative ways to counter the unfortunate reality of insufficient business capital that plague so many of our underserved businesses,” Carter said.

This story first appeared on Blacknews.com

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 21, 2021

Black Father Hires Private Investigator to Help Locate Missing Geologist Son

---

While white mainstream media brings nationwide attention to the Gabby Petito case, one Black father is working by himself to locate his son, who’s been missing since June.

David Robinson II has hired a private investigator to help find his son, Daniel Robinson, who went missing on June 23 after arriving at his job site in the desert of Buckeye, Arizona.

“If you believe you’re going to lose one of your children, it’s devastating and scary and hurtful,” Robinson told West Valley View. “You do everything you can do to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Robinson’s 24-year-old field geologist son, Daniel, was last seen driving his 2017 Jeep Renegade further into the desert for reasons unknown, said Sgt. Zachary Astrup of the Buckeye Police Department.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaEHKbrZr5Q

The Tempe resident is described as 5-foot-8, with black hair and brown eyes. Daniel is also missing his right forearm, including his hand, police said.

After nearly two months of searching and not finding his son, The elder Robinson has sought help from a private investigator and started an online petition, Yahoo News reports.

A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Daniel moved to Arizona two years ago after graduating from the College of Charleston with a major in archaeology. He temporarily worked for Matrix New World Engineering as a field geologist.

Daniel’s Jeep was involved in a crash, according to investigator Jeff McGrath’s findings from the car’s black box. It was found in a ravine with its airbag deployed and appeared to have landed on its side. Daniel’s clothing, cellphone, wallet, and keys were found at the scene, but he has yet to be located.

“The Buckeye Police Department is still working on the case,” Robinson said. “They found the vehicle, but they didn’t do a forensic-type investigation because they didn’t see any blood in the vehicle.”

“They didn’t swab for DNA or some of the typical things they would do in some type of investigations,” the worried father explained. “I expressed these concerns, and they decided—because of that—to swab the vehicle to look for fingerprints at the police compound where the vehicle is stored.”

Police suspect no foul play is involved. But Daniel’s family denies those claims.

“The narrative that’s out there is my son just walked off on his own,” Robinson said. “Of course, as a family, we don’t agree with that. We’re still working out some things.”

The family has launched a GoFundMe to help with costs associated with finding Daniel.

• Politics

by Tai Saint-Louis

September 21, 2021

Down For The Cause: Ben & Jerry’s Back Rep. Cori Bush With New Social Justice ‘Change Is Brewing’ Flavor

---

On Monday, Ben & Jerry’s announced its latest social justice flavor, Change Is Brewing, which also happens to be a partnership with Black-owned coffee retailer Blk & Bold.

According to Today, this latest limited-batch release marks the company’s support for the People’s Response Act, proposed by Rep. Cori Bush over the summer.

Introduced in late June, the People’s Response Act calls for $10 billion to be allocated toward a federal first responders unit for emergency situations where substance use or mental health crises might be at play, rather than calling in law enforcement, NPR reports.

“The flavor supports the vision of the world in which every community is safe and everyone, including Black and brown people, can thrive,” the company’s U.S. activism manager Jabari Paul said in a news conference. He added that this latest release not only serves as Ben & Jerry’s declaration of support for Rep. Bush’s bill but also continues the brand’s commitment to advancing racial justice.

In addition to its cold brew coffee base, Change Is Brewing features brownie pieces from renowned New York sweets shop Greyston Bakery and marshmallow swirls.

The new flavor is the latest in Ben & Jerry’s ongoing tradition of drawing attention to social causes through not just a catchy name and topical product packaging but also by actively sharing information about those causes through their website and social media platforms.

The Vermont-based company launched its first such campaign in 2018 with “Pecan Resist,” an opposition strategy targeting Donald Trump‘s re-election.

In December, the company partnered with Colin Kaepernick to release “Change The Whirled,” with proceeds benefiting Kap’s Know Your Right’s Camp. Earlier this year, Ben & Jerry’s made headlines when they released a statement decrying police violence and calling for an end to systemic racism.

Blk & Bold is no stranger to social justice either. Since it launched three years ago, the company has donated 5% of its proceeds to support disadvantaged youth across the country.