Rapper Blueface and Friends Caught On Video Stomping Club Doorman
There seems to be legal trouble ahead for the rapper known as “Blueface.” Sources told TMZ that the rapper attacked a doorman at a San Francisco venue on Sunday.
According to a report by TMZ, Blueface and two of his friends are accused of beating down a club bouncer and leaving him in stitches. The footage of the attack was posted online. The rapper had appeared at the front door of Skinny’s Lounge in the San Fernando Valley on Sunday night. As he and his friends approached, they were stopped at the door by a security guard and were asked to provide his identification.
Blueface reportedly informed the security guard that he didn’t have his ID and asked the guard if he knew who he was. According to reports, he even took out his mobile phone, Googled himself to show the guard who he was. Evidently, that didn’t sway the guard to allow him in, so Blueface and his crew reportedly attacked the security guard, punching and kicking him for several minutes.The video below seemingly shows the altercation. Apparently after they beat the man, Blueface took one last look at him. It appears the man doesn’t respond. Police officials stated that they received a report of a fight at Skinny’s some time after midnight and that one of the people involved was hospitalized with minor injuries. Police officers had taken a battery report and are now investigating the incident. The man who was attacked has not been identified.
According to reports, Blueface was involved in the Bare Knuckle Championship 19 fight last month where he defeated TikToker Kane Trujillo. After the bout, which took place at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Jonathan Parra jumped in the ring and punched Blueface. Parra was eventually arrested and charged with trespassing on an occupied structure.
Erica Campbell Chats About Growing During the Pandemic, And Talks About The Celebration Of Gospel Tour
Erica Campbell is a busy woman but says the pandemic made her learn how to pause and be more comfortable with herself.
She told BLACK ENTERPRISE, “I will say this, I feel like I grew through the pandemic with my relationship with the Lord because we get so addicted to our normals and when there is a new normal what should never change is who you are, I am who I am by myself, and with myself. If I can only be me in the company of other people, then you need to reevaluate some things, so I’ve learned to embrace who I am.”
While Campbell said this is the most she has spent at home, she is taking part this month in the 15th annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour along with other top-notch gospel talents.
September is Gospel Music Heritage Month, and to celebrate the gospel tour, artists will deliver some of your chart-topping gospel faves. The event will occur virtually every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on BET Network’s YouTube channel and BET.com from Sept. 19 through Oct. 10.
The event is being put on by McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden movement. Award-winning gospel artists, hailing from the Gulf Coast, West Coast, Carolinas, and DMV regions, will put their talent and artistry on full display while showing which region produces the greatest gospel hitmakers and hits.
Multi-award-winning musician and syndicated radio personality Lonnie Hunter will host the four-part “Gospel City Playlist” series, featuring legendary gospel artists like Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and Israel Houghton, and rising gospel artists such as Mali Music, Pastor Mike Jr., and the Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University to name a few.
A full list of the 2021 tour dates and artist lineup follow:
September 19: Gulf Coast
Bri Babineaux
DOE
Jonathan Nelson
L Spencer Smith
Pastor Mike Jr.
Sir the Baptist
September 26: West Coast
Erica Campbell
ïDawkins & Dawkins
Dewayne Woods
Israel Houghton
Lena Byrd Miles
Mali Music
October 3: Carolinas
Blanche McCallister Dykes
Isaac Carree
John P. Kee
Melvin Crispell III
Tasha Cobbs-Leonard
October 10: DMV
Anthony Brown
Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University, featuring Richard Smallwood
JJ Hairston
Maurette Brown Clark
ïPatrick Riddick
Visit www.blackandpositivelygolden.com for streaming information and additional details. Follow @WeAreGolden on Instagram for tour updates and to join the conversation around which playlist is best using #blackandpositivelygolden.
Lamar Odom’s Ex, Influencer and Fitness Coach Sabrina Parr, Shares Her Battle With Ovarian Cancer
Instagram influencer and fitness coach Sabrina Parr, who previously dated basketball star Lamar Odom, underwent surgery Tuesday to remove a tumor after revealing she’d been battling ovarian cancer.
In a post on Sept. 12, Parr posted a pic laying down on a CT scan machine, followed by two photos of a bulge at the center of her abdomen.
“I have been quietly battling something for quite some time, and I’m finally ready to share it,” she wrote. “I found out this year that I have been walking around with a malignant tumor inside my ovary that has grown 5 inches wide in size.”
Parr told her 286,000+ followers that she delayed sharing what she’d been going through because she had a lot to process. She delayed treatment because she wanted to ensure her personal and professional affairs were in order, including her children, niece, and AAU team.
On Tuesday, she posted a video of herself rolling on a hospital bed following her surgery.
“Surgery update: Everything was successful, my tumor is removed and I am now recovering!! They are having some issues getting my pain under control so they’ll be keeping me until that’s handled,” she wrote. “Other than that all is well!!!! Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes! I’ll check back in once I’m home and in my own bed!”
Just two weeks ago, the White House declared September Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. President Biden said in the White House briefing that his “Administration is also dedicated to protecting ovarian cancer patients through the Affordable Care Act (ACA),” and that “despite ovarian cancer rates being highest among white women, Black women are more likely to die from this disease because of lack of access to healthcare, socioeconomic disparities, and other causes still under study,” according to reports.
While ovarian cancer ranks No. 5 in leading causes of death among women, Black women are most affected.
“Between 1975 and 2016, the five-year relative survival rate for ovarian cancer increased from 33% to 48% among non-Hispanic white women but decreased from 44% to 41% in African American women,” according to cancer.gov.
Actress Lashana Lynch Reveals ‘Mean and Dark’ Responses to Her James Bond Casting
Actress Lashana Lynch is making history as the first woman to take on the 007 agent role in the latest installment of the James Bond film series.
In No Time to Die, Lynch will play Nomi, an MI6 agent who seemingly takes over for Bond. While details behind the upcoming film are hush-hush, Lynch admitted that the response to her casting was anything but friendly.
“The response was generally positive, but there were some very personal messages to me, like Insta DMs and Twitter,” the London native toldThe Guardian.
“And just conversations that my friends had heard or overheard on the [London subway] that were really mean, dark and reminiscent of an age I wasn’t even born in, where women and Black people weren’t allowed to move in certain spaces.”
The Captain Marvel star says the chatter around her casting was a reminder of how far Black people still have to go when it comes to dealing with issues of racism and discrimination.
“It also reminded me about the work that I still have to do to try to change the world in a little way that I know how,” Lynch said. She compared her experience with that of the England football players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka, who experienced serious levels of racism on social media after their team lost to Italy, the Chicago Tribunereports.
“Well, I wasn’t surprised at the response from the football, which is really sad for me to have to say,” Lynch said. “If you are a Black person in entertainment or a Black person in sport, and you ‘fail,’ you are reminded that you cannot do both. You cannot be Black and entertain and fail. You have to be Black and entertain and win it for the country and win it for the world and win it for history.”
Lynch is now giving herself the responsibility of putting on for the Black community and inspiring the next generation of “young people, young girls, and my community.”
“To have a female agent who is a Black woman, and who is young and new and fresh and very modern in her approach to her work, I think hasn’t exactly been seen before in Bond movies,” Lynch said. “And I didn’t want to mess it up.”
Exclusive: Meet Miasha Coleman, The Bestselling Author/Filmmaker Making Millions Turning Pain Into Passion Projects, And A ‘Secret Society’ Sequel Teaser
As the creator of the best-selling book turned highly-rated Amazon Prime movie Secret Society, Miasha Coleman has enjoyed a career that most authors can only dream of.
But after landing a six-figure book deal with Simon & Schuster, a movie deal with Amazon Prime, and receiving over 5,000 five-star reviews from viewers, Coleman says everyone can “just stay tuned” for what else she has in store.
The Philadelphia native celebrated the 15-year release of Secret Society by turning it into a movie. It was something she always dreamed of while growing up with both parents addicted to drugs. Having risen from adversity herself, Coleman offered encouragement while explaining her motto of writing her “way out the hood.”
“You want to look for any positive in a negative situation, you want to have, first and foremost, you want to have a strong relationship with a higher power, and have faith that whatever you’re going through at the moment is not long term, that there’s a way out of that,” Coleman told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
She says a creative living through challenging times has to find some silver lining from their trials that they can hang on to. It’s what she did when she releasedSecret Society in 2006 and self-financed the film adaption 15 years later.
(Photo Courtesy Miasha Coleman)
Coleman remained active, releasing nine additional books over the years while also working diligently to adapt her debut novel into a screenplay. When she finally landed a deal with Amazon to executive produce Secret Society, Coleman says it was all “God’s timing.”
“I see now the reason being is because this was the perfect time for the movie,” she said. “Even though the book came out 15 years ago, the subject matter is way more relevant now than it was. that and it just fits in today’s timing.”
Coleman also surprisingly credits the pandemic for being the perfect time to shoot the film.
“You would think that’s the worst time to do anything, but it turns out to be the best time for an independent person to shoot a movie, because we were able to get people, you know, at lower rates, because they weren’t working at all,” she revealed.
(Photo Courtesy Miasha Coleman)
Now, as she gears up to kick off production on a sequel to Secret Society, the fashion-forward filmmaker is excited to continue expanding on her creations.
“We’re actually very much in goal mode for part two. The script is done, and we’re looking to start shooting at the end of November into the middle of December,” she shared. “So, if all goes well, and as planned that we can see part two released probably summer of 2022.”
“I’m excited about it. And I think that what we have in the works is going to exceed people’s expectations like part one did,” Coleman added.
A true testament to turning dreams into reality, Miasha Coleman is only getting started when it comes to filmmaking. With 10 books under her belt and 15 years of experience as a best-selling author, Coleman plans to turn more of her novels into movies we can all indulge in. And she’ll do it in-between also running a multimillion-dollar clothing empire called Rich Boys Clothingthat she co-owns with her husband Rick Coleman and sons Amir and Ace.
(Photo Courtesy Miasha Coleman)
“So stay tuned. I have 10 books, so we’re trying to basically knock them all out, turn them all into films or TV series. So definitely just stay tuned,” she teased.
Gymnast Suing ‘Dog Whisperer’ Cesar Millan, Claims His Dog Killed Queen Latifah’s Pup
According to a new lawsuit, a dog once owned by Queen Latifah was mauled and killed by a pit bull that belonged to dog trainer Cesar Millan.
Millan, known for starring in the reality TV show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, allegedly tried to cover up the attack by having his staff tell Latifah her dog was hit by a car, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In January 2018, Latifah tweeted a photo of herself with Millan at his facility with the caption, “Had my first training session for my new babies with @cesarmillan! Already learning So much!!!”
Millan’s dog, Junior, showed a pattern of aggression, according to the suit. However, Latifah hasn’t filed legal action against Millan or made any public claims about the alleged incident, BET reports.
According to TMZ, the suit against Millan was filed by Lidia Matiss, a gymnast speaking up about what happened to Queen Latifah’s dog after being bit by the same pit bull.
Matiss claimed Millan was negligent and a fraud after several aggressive experiences with the dog. According to TMZ, the former gymnast seeks financial damages to “punish and/or make an example out of” the trainer.
In 2017, while visiting her mother at one of Millan’s offices in Van Nuys, California, she says the dog attacked her. The gymnast, whose mother once worked for Millan, said the dog has a history of violence yet was allowed to roam the office unattended and unleashed.
According to TMZ, the lawsuit stated the attack was severe enough to keep her from competing in gymnastics. In the suit, Matiss said the dog left major injuries as well as “embarrassment, loss of self-esteem, disgrace, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life” after repeatedly biting her legs.
“Junior possessed vicious and dangerous propensities and was inclined to attack, bite, maul, maim, and disfigure people and other animals in its vicinity,” the suit stated.
Junior died at 15-years-old, according to New York Daily News.
Justice Department Investigating Georgia State Prisons After 44 Inmate Deaths, LGBT Assaults
The Justice Department (DoJ) launched an investigation into the Georgia State Prison system, which is dealing with significant staff shortages and a culture of violence and neglect.
Last year alone, 44 inmates in the Georgia State Prison System died by homicide. Assistant Attorney General of the department’s Civil Rights Division said the investigation was sparked by reports of inmates attacking each other along with prisoner and staff assaults on LGBT inmates and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DoJ’s investigation will expand on a federal inquiry that began in 2016, focusing on the abuse of LGBT inmates. According to a USA Todayarticle, the Georgia Prison System was named in a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging “abysmal” conditions inside solitary confinement wings that have deteriorated to an extent beyond a constitutional crisis.
The Southern Center for Human Rights said 70% of the 300 inmates in solitary confinement in the state are suffering from “serious” mental illnesses.
“Conditions of confinement… are repulsive,” the civil rights group said. “Rats and roaches crawl on people while they sleep and crawl in their food. Many cells have no power and defective plumbing. Living areas reek of feces from accumulated human waste in unflushed toilets, whose flushing mechanisms are controlled by staff.
The center added that conditions are so bad and mental health services are so inadequate, inmates in solitary frequently experience frequent psychiatric breakdowns, and some become suicidal.
“This commitment includes the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) prisoners from sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual assault,” the agency said in a written statement. “We cooperated fully with the USDOJ’s initial investigation in 2016 and are proud of the service and dedication of our team since then to perform during unprecedented challenges.”
Georgia isn’t the only state dealing with issues within its prison system. More than a dozen New York politicians toured the Rikers Island Correctional Facility Monday. During that time, an inmate attempted suicide in front of state Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (D-Queens) and state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens).
The visit—which Mayor Bill de Blasio tried to block—and its uncovered issues have prompted the mayor to unveil an emergency plan to address overcrowding and staffing issues.
Kickstart Your Home Gym With These Dumbbells And Access To The Openfit App
Just because summer is almost over doesn’t mean you’ll no longer have a chance to work on your ideal physique. The truth of the matter is the so-called “summer body” transcends all seasons, and in order to achieve and maintain your fitness goal, you need to exhibit effort and consistency all year long.
If your first instinct is to seek a fitness instructor to help you shed those extra pounds, you can get the same guidance from an OpenFit Fitness App subscription. The same company acquired by LeBron James, OpenFit is designed to make healthy living achievable by integrating fitness, nutrition, and wellness in one place. As a bonus, you even get the LifePro PowerUp Adjustable Dumbbells Set so you can immediately start your home gym.
With this deal, you’re snagging a two-year subscription to an app that delivers structured programs, monthly challenges, and hundreds of live and on-demand workouts that range from barre and Pilates to cardio and strength training. It also gives you the option to create customized meal plans, track calories and macros, and gain access to healthy yet tasty recipes you can easily make at home. If you’ve always wanted to learn from experts, you can enjoy on-demand classes from top fitness trainers like Lita Lewis, Joey Thurman, Jen Widerstrom, Lisa Hubbard, and Jordan Morello.
On top of all these, the deal includes two PowerUp highly adjustable dumbbells that are useful in weight training. Starting at 2.5 pounds, you gradually increase the weight you’re lifting as you progress in your fitness journey. The pair features a sleek wooden handle that provides a smooth, stable grip, as well as a compact design that saves storage space.
All Four Former Minneapolis Police Officers Plead Not Guilty To Violating George Floyd’s Civil Rights
The four former Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers involved in George Floyd’s death pleaded not guilty to violating Floyd’s civil rights Tuesday.
Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, J. Kueng, and Tou Thao are accused of violating a federal law that forbids government officials from abusing their authority. Additionally, Kueng and Thao, who saw Chauvin pinning Floyd to the ground, have been charged with failing to intervene. All four were also charged with failing to provide first aid to Floyd.
According to the Justice Department, if convicted of causing bodily harm while violating the federal civil rights statute, all four could face up to a decade in prison and fines.
Chauvin, who was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter, is currently serving a 22.5-year sentence. If he is convicted, he will serve his sentence concurrently with the one he’s serving now.
The four former Minneapolis police officers appeared in the hearing virtually so their lawyers could argue more than 30 pretrial motions.
According to NPR, in one of the motions, Kueng and Thao have asked that their trials be separated from Chauvin’s, saying their clients would be unfairly prejudiced alongside him. Lanes’ attorney asked to join the request, which is being opposed by U.S. prosecutors, who said the charges stem from the same event.
Major changes could be coming to the Minneapolis Police Department as a result of Floyd’s case and verdict. The Justice Department is currently investigating Minneapolis Police practices to determine if there’s an unconstitutional or unlawful policing pattern.
Also, Minneapolis residents will vote in November on a ballot question that would change the city’s charter and replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a department of public safety.
On May 25, 2020, Floyd was killed when Chauvin pinned his knee to Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes. Floyd’s death, along with the deaths of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, sparked a nation and worldwide movement for Black Lives.
Black Morticians Dying In Record Numbers Because of COVID-19, Creating Voids In Their Communities
Black funeral directors have long been a stable and stellar part of the African American community.
But their role as elite and successful local business leaders is being exhausted by a growing number of Black morticians dying due to COVID-19.
About 130 Black morticians have died from COVID-19, according to the group that represents them, The Associated Press reported. The deaths of funeral workers are not monitored closely. Yet, the National Funeral Directors Association, which personifies the widespread industry, says it has not seen a matching rise in COVID deaths among its members.
The death of Black funeral directors is important because their departure could leave a void in many of their communities. They reportedly have been hailed for their business acumen, serving in other roles as elected political officers, local power brokers, and advocates for civil rights funding efforts.
Black funerals are “more celebration, and that’s no disrespect to my colleagues across the country. We’re more; I should say, intimate,” Hari P. Close, president of the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association and a Baltimore funeral home operator, told the outlet. His group represents Black morticians.
Close said that the very closeness and celebration that set apart Black funerals put morticians at risk when the pandemic hit. He added their deaths had left some successors struggling to fill their roles. “It has really had an impact—particularly in African American funeral homes,” he said.
The deaths have occurred as morticians have taken extra steps to protect themselves from COVID and have restricted the size and scope of funerals and burials to keep it from spreading.
At least 95,000 Black Americans have died of COVID, AP analysis of data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows. That figure makes Blacks the nation’s highest racial group dying from the pandemic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adjusting the figures to account for age differences shows that Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans are two to three times more likely to die of the pandemic than white people.
“This year was unlike any other year I’ve ever lived through in the funeral service,” sated Edith Churchman, the fourth-generation owner of a Newark, N.J. mortuary that serves a mostly Black clientele.
