Black Neighborhood Set to Be Destroyed To Build New Highway In South Carolina, Leaving Hundreds Displaced
Black residents in South Carolina are concerned they will soon be losing their homes with no place to go. This, after a proposed highway expansion plan would run right through their neighborhood.
A $3 billion project is in the works that requires tearing down several homes and possibly leaving hundreds of people displaced in order to wider the freeway interchange, according to the Washington Post,
The community being impacted is called Highland Terrace neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. The community is mostly Black. In fact, 94 percent of the residents are Black and brown people.
The highway expansion would widen both interchange I-26 and I-526, a freeway interchange that city officialssay is “choked with traffic.”
The project is expected to begin about two years after the plan becomes final.
Source dowell
But as the city debates whether to move forward with the plan, Black and brown residents say they were left out of the conversation and were not properly informed of the options. Most residents do not know what they plan to do if they are kicked out of their homes.
Biden’s Infrastructure Bill
The proposal comes as the Biden administration put forth a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that is currently awaiting a House vote. It includes a provision that is intended to address the many communities of color that were impacted by American freeways built over the last four decades.
During the expansion of America between 1930 and 1950, freeways, and other infrastructure were strategically built on top of Black communities in an effort to keep whites separated. This was done in a widespread practice that was called “sacrifice communities.”
While sacrifice communities are no longer legal, another practice known “eminent domain,” which is a land acquisition process, is. Eminent domain involves state and local governments seizing land that is owned by private citizens. It can be used by both federal and state governments. In most cases owners can not refuse eminent domain. When eminent domain is enforced, residents are supposed to be “justly compensated.”
R&B Singer Jaheim Arrested And Charged With Starving 15 Dogs
The R & B singer Jaheim was arrested for starving 15 dogs in his hometown of New Jersey.
On Thursday, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrest of Jaheim H. Hoagland, 44, and charged with third degree animal cruelty and failure to provide necessary care to an animal, which amounts to a Disorderly Persons offense.
Hoagland was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a hearing in this matter. The prosecutor also stated that the incident is under investigation by the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement via Facebook.
“Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Monday, September 6, 2021, at approximately 9:16 a.m. Hillsborough Township Police Department responded to the area of River Road and Chamberlain Drive for a report of a puppy in distress. Responding Hillsborough Patrol units upon canvassing the area located a total of six dogs in separate animal crates in the driveway of a Chamberlain Drive residence.
“One of the dogs located was initially unresponsive in a water filled crate and subsequently had to be euthanized. Additional dogs were found inside of separate crates which were partially filled with several inches of water and dog feces. Responding Officers encountered the homeowner identified as defendant Jaheim H. Hoagland outside of the residence. Defendant Hoagland was placed under arrest for an unrelated Somerset County Violation of Probation Warrant, along with two active Municipal Court Warrants from Hillsborough Township and Newark, New Jersey.”
There were a total of 12 mixed breed pitbull terriers, two American Staffordshire Terriers, and one mixed breed boxer that were recovered. One mixed breed pitbull terrier has been euthanized and the additional fourteen dogs were taken, examined, and released to Long Hill Kennel located in Hillsborough, NJ.
Hoagland hit the music scene with his 2001 debut album, Ghetto Love. His 2002 follow-up, Still Ghetto, featured the hits “Fabulous” and “Put That Woman First.”
Engineer Builds Million-Dollar Beauty Empire and Teaches Women to Secure Their Futures
When Lyndsey Brantley began her career as a structural engineer, she never dreamed that more than a decade later, she’d be a thriving entrepreneur running her own million-dollar beauty empire and teaching other women how to do the same.
We caught up with her to talk about how she transitioned from a corporate job to running an all-natural skincare and beauty education company, Camellia Alise.
What motivated you to leave engineering as a career to pursue the competitive beauty industry?
Well, I have a condition called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which caused me to have issues with my skin. Not only did I suffer with acne, but I also had excess hair growth that led to ingrown hairs and razor bumps when I’d try to get rid of the hair. I tried so many products, both over the counter and prescription, and nothing seemed to really work. I decided to do some research on my own and literally concoct a solution in my kitchen using natural ingredients. I was having more success with my own creation than with commercial products, and I knew there were a lot of people out there like me with the same condition, so I decided to see if I could sell my own products.
How did your experience as an engineer help you start a beauty business?
Engineers are taught to see everything in systems. We learn how to break down big concepts into smaller iterations, which I think is important to building a business. Engineers are literally taught how to build things, so whether it’s a physical structure or a business, the foundational elements are somewhat similar.
I want people to have the best skin they can possibly have because having problem skin can definitely affect your self-confidence. We now offer products to help prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs and cleansers to clear up skin problems such as acne scars, stretch marks, and cellulite.
The beauty industry is a multibillion-dollar industry, and it hasn’t always been kind to women of color, especially Black women. How do you empower other women who are interested in this field?
Educating women on how to break into the beauty industry is probably what I love most about what I do, which is why I created the Camellia Alise Academy. We have women from all over the country and even different parts of the world who travel to Houston to take our certification classes. We’re actually getting ready to host a summit in Houston that will further educate women on starting their own companies, and we’re taking our classes on tour to New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, and Orlando. When we teach women various body contouring methods, we’re not just giving them tools to start a business; we’re giving them a pathway to change their lives, and there’s no better feeling than that.
A lot of Black-owned businesses had to shut down during COVID. Given that you have a brick-and-mortar business, how did you stay alive during the pandemic, and how are you keeping the doors to your company open?
Because we also have a spa, we were mandated to close for a while when the pandemic first hit. That was worrisome, not only because we offer in-person body contouring services, but we also have certification classes for people who want to get into this industry. With our doors closed, I had to think of something quickly to make sure we didn’t go under. Since we already had a process in place to make our skincare products, we pivoted to start making hand sanitizer at a time when there wasn’t much of it to go around, and we also increased our e-commerce sales and marketing efforts to boost product sales at the time we needed it the most. Coming up with creative ideas definitely helped us.
Once we were able to reopen and start taking clients inside our studio again, we went back to making our regular products and offerings or normal wellness and detox services such as non-invasive laser lipo, skin tightening, foot detoxes, yoni steams, and facials.
What’s your goal for your company?
I want Camellia Alise to be a household name for natural beauty and beauty educational services because that’s what sets us apart. Our products are a natural option to what’s currently sold in stores, our body contouring services are a safer alternative to invasive surgeries, and our educational services help clients and potential spa owners to fill in their knowledge gaps in the beauty industry. People want to look their best without putting their health at risk and make educated choices on what’s best for them; it’s our mission to help them do that.
Shaquille O’Neal Has Great Financial Advice to Help NBA Players Keep Money Long-Term
Shaquille O’Neal could have yet another side hustle as a financial advisor!
The TNT commentator and National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer has made almost $300 million during his playing days and is the seventh highest-paid player in NBA history.
He is an entrepreneur and astute businessman, product endorser, and investor who keeps adding money to his financial portfolio. It’s safe to say that he is definitely the guy to listen to for sound financial advice.
O’Neal says, “I would simplify it for them. I would do what one of my friends did to me. I would take a $100 bill and rip it in half. And I’d say $50, don’t even look at it. Don’t look at it. Now, this other $50 you can play with. Do whatever you want. But if you’re smart, you’ll rip this $50 up and you save that. And now this $25, do whatever you want. You want a house, 10,000 square feet? Do it. You want cars? Do it, but keep it right here.
Although he no longer plays, O’Neal’s sound financial advice would be beneficial for young and old professional sports players. Although he gave this advice back in 2017, the suggestions he states still hold firm in acquiring and then maintaining financial stability.
“The NBA does a great job of, you know, preparing people and warning people,” O’Neal continues. “But you know, sometimes you just get so much money and you forget, like if you’ve got a five-year deal worth $100 million, you’re making $20 million, you spend like, $20 million in the first year, you’ll be like, You know what? I’ve got another $20 million coming. That’s how guys are thinking. I always tell them “Don’t think about what’s going on now. Think about what has to happen in the future.”
According to Sportscasting, O’Neal had made roughly $286.3 million. The behemoth superstar split his time in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics.
Straight Outta Patience: Ice Cube Almost Killed Someone For Duping His Mother Out Of $20
If it wasn’t for a missed opportunity to gain revenge, there might have never been a hip-hop group named N.W.A. or a successful rapper turned Hollywood executive who goes by the moniker Ice Cube.
In an interview with Graham Bensinger (In Depth with Graham Bensinger), the Fridayfranchise actor revealed that he almost killed a man for duping his mother out of $20.
“Somebody I knew and went to school with, um, who we knew was, uh, heavy on drugs, had went around to my house and gave my mother some cockamamie story, so she gave him $20, and I was so mad. You… you violated me and my family because you knew, you know, you wasn’t ever going to give that $20 back,” Ice Cube explained.
“So, um, me and friends was going around the corner to kill him, and, um, he wasn’t home. So, thank God. Thank God he wasn’t home. We were young and we was mad and we had a weapon and it was going to happen. It would’ve been stupid, and I wouldn’t be sitting here if it did happen.”
That is some real tea right there!
The successful entertainer was also asked about the death of his sister, who was murdered when he was only 12 years old and how it affected him.
“It made me realize how cruel the world could be,” he replied. “Uh, it made me realize something as precious as your life can be taken away by somebody you know.” He said it changed his perspective on life and its seriousness. “It just made me realize, you know, that life is not a joke. It’s precious, you know, it just made me a more serious person. You know, it robs you a little of your childhood. You know, it took away a little bit of what it is to be a kid, you know.”
Deion Sanders’ Son, Shedeur Sanders, Becomes First Collegiate Brand Ambassador For Beats By Dre
Shedeur Sanders, who is the son of former National Football League (NFL) player and current football head coach at Jackson State University, Deion Sanders, has become the youngest athlete ambassador for Apple’s Beats By Dre.
According to Apple Insider, earlier this month, Apple’s Beats by Dre signed its first collegiate brand ambassador Shedeur Sanders, who is also a player for the Jackson State University football team.
The company announced the signing via its Twitter page.
ESPNreported that Sanders was the highest-ranked recruit ever to sign with Jackson State University. After being ranked No. 61 overall in the 2021 class, he decided to play for the school shortly after his father Deion was hired as the head coach.
“I remember getting my first pair of Beats, so this feels full circle,” Shedeur Sanders said. “I’m excited to be part of a brand that inspires and represents the culture in a positive way, and that’s exactly what I want to do with my career. It’s an honor to be the first college athlete on their roster, and I couldn’t have imagined a better partnership.”
According to AfroTech, in a written statement, Chris Thorne, CMO of Beats, stated, “Shedeur exemplifies the power of forging your own path and shows us that talent doesn’t equate to a school choice. Beats has always championed those who have the courage to defy the odds, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him on our team.”
Earlier this year, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) had changed its rules to allow student athletes to make money off their names, images and likenesses, so long as the opportunities are in line with state laws. A number of student-athletes are already taking advantage of the interim policy.
First He Was His High School’s First Black Male Valedictorian, Now He’s Headed To Harvard
This teenager made history as his high school’s first Black male valedictorian and now he’s taking his brilliance to Harvard University.
Da’Vion Tatum, 18, is headed to Harvard after having secured millions of dollars in scholarships and 11 acceptances into various colleges and universities. Now, he plans to use his personal story as an inspiration to other young men, Fox 26 Houston reported.
“My story specifically can help other young Black men to know that just because society may say one thing about you, or there may be a stigma or stereotype that surrounds being a Black man, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re confined to that,” he told the outlet last month.
The Westfield High School graduate isn’t just living his journey, he’s writing about it too. The 18-year-old authored an autobiography to share what it took for him to reach his milestones. He first began writing the book while in the eighth grade.
“It was to show that regardless of what’s happening around me, I’m going to continue thriving in my own lane,” he said about his book, “I’m going to continue pushing for equity, inclusivity, and justice.”
Tatum was aware of the stigmas against Black boys and men at a young age.
“I noticed that people didn’t see me in that light because I was a young Black man. They didn’t see me in the light of the next doctor, lawyer, engineer,” he said. “The message I wanted to convey was that we are more than just a stereotype. We are more than just thugs. We are more than athletes.”
Ultimately, he wants to use his story to encourage young people to work on becoming the best version of themselves, rather than compete with one another.
“I think that’s the key. We shouldn’t always try to compete with others,” Tatum said. “We should really just try to compete with ourselves and when you do that, you’re going to keep bettering yourself.”
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to Open ‘1619 Freedom School’
Journalist and scholar Nikole Hannah-Jones is starting an after-school program to help Black children with literacy.
Hannah-Jones announced the creation of her school, the“1619 Freedom School,” which will be located in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa.
Hannah-Jones tweeted on Tuesday.
“It’s not enough to succeed if your community is struggling. You have to try to pull people up with you. I am so proud to announce the launch of the 1619 Freedom School in my hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, labeled in 2018 the worst place in the U.S. to be Black,” she said.
“I used many lessons learned from years of reporting on segregated, high-poverty schools to found the 1619 Freedom School, a free, after-school program that infuses intensive literacy instruction with a Black history curriculum.
On her site, Hannah Jones explains, “1619,” the year the first enslaved Africans were sold into the English colonies that in 1776 would form the United States, marks the birth of Black America. “Freedom School” evokes the legacy of the free, community schools launched by SNCC during the civil rights movement to educate Black youth on their history and empower them to fight their oppression to achieve social, political, and economic equality in the United States.
The school’s motto will be “Liberation Through Literacy,” Hannah-Jones said.
According to the school’s website, the program will be free and run five days a week. The school will incorporate intensive literacy instruction and a culturally responsive curriculum to bridge the academic opportunity gap among low-income public school students in Waterloo, Iowa.
It will serve primarily fourth-grade students from Walter Cunningham Elementary, the city’s highest-poverty, and most-segregated school.
Nikole Hannah-Jones is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter covering racial injustice for The New York TimesMagazine and the landmark 1619 Project creator.
Hannah-Jones also has written extensively about school resegregation across the country and chronicled the decades-long failure of the federal government to enforce the landmark 1968 Fair Housing Act.
Jury Acquitted Man Who Fired at Minneapolis Cops During George Floyd Protests
A man charged with attempted murder after firing at Minneapolis police officers during the protests that followed George Floyd’s death has been acquitted of all charges against him.
Jaleel Stallings used a self-defense argument during his July trial. He testified he fired at an unmarked white van after being struck in the chest with what turned out to be a nonlethal rubber bullet fired by police.
The 29-year-old testified in court that he thought civilians were attacking him. His lawyer told the Associated Press that Stallings had been struck by a bullet and was potentially bleeding out.
The May 30, 2020, arrest of Stallings made national headlines during a time of unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd.
Stallings was charged with two counts of second-degree attempted murder, multiple counts of assault, and other charges. His case got added attention when the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a local nonprofit group, paid $75,000 in cash to get him released on bail.
According to court documents in his case, when Stallings realized he had fired at police officers, he immediately put his gun on the ground and lay face down, with his hands on the ground.
A pretrial order from Judge William Koch said Stallings was motionless for 20 seconds and posed no obvious threat before Officer Justin Stetson and Sgt. Andrew Bittell approached him. The order says Stetson began kicking and punching Stallings in the head and neck, and Bittell began kneeing and punching him in the stomach, chest, and back.
The judge ruled that Stetson and Bittell violated Stallings’ Fourth Amendment rights during the arrest and that their actions were objectively “unreasonable.”
“Officer Stetson and Sergeant Bittell allowed their anger and/or fear to overtake their faculties and they beat Mr. Stallings for nearly 30 seconds before attempting to place him in handcuffs,“ Koch wrote. “The video evidence does not support their testimony Mr. Stallings was resisting arrest in any way, instead he surrendered to their authority.”
Louisiana Nursing Home Resident Went Missing For Days During Hurricane Ida, Found 60 Miles From Facility
Carolyn McNultyexplained how frustrated she was with the nursing home where her 96-year-old mother resided after she says the facility lost her mother during Hurricane Ida.
McNulty said she questioned the home about what their emergency plans were in place for Hurricane Ida. She thought they would be evacuated to a nearby facility.
“They didn’t tell me it was going to be a warehouse,” McNulty, 69, a New Orleans-area native, said.
But McNulty never expected what would eventually take place. Her mother, Evelyn Harden, who is blind and has dementia, was under the care of Park Place Healthcare L.L.C., located in the suburb where Ida made landfall through southern Louisiana.
Park Place Healthcare Nursing home (Screenshot)
Residents Evacuated to Warehouse
Nearly 850 residents from seven different nursing homes, including Park Place, where her mother lived, were transported to a warehouse where video later showed them laying on mattresses as floodwater washed through the building.
Elderly residents reportedly had to deal with gross and unsanitary conditions. Seven residents died, with five of the deaths deemed storm-related by the state.
The overall death toll in the state is now up to 26, according to the state.
“My daughter saw a short story from a reporter and she forwarded it to me, and that’s when I found out that my mom was in [the warehouse] and that’s when we started making our calls,” McNulty explained, saying that she was “horrified” by what her mother endured.
According to McNulty, her mother went missing and could not be located until she was tracked down a couple of days later in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, about 60 miles from the warehouse.
McNulty, a retired hospital technician, says she has no idea how her mother got there and says communication from the nursing home was nonexistent.
“She said she was hungry, and she was scared.”
In the aftermath of the storm, the Louisiana Health Department revoked the licenses of the nursing homes, all owned by Bob Dean Jr.
