by Daniel Johnson

July 7, 2024

Klay Thompson’s Mavericks Sign-And-Trade Makes NBA History With First-Ever Six-Team Deal

Klay Thompson leaves the Golden State Warriors to head to the Dallas Mavericks.

The sign-and-trade agreement that finalized Klay Thompson’s move from the Golden State Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks is heralded as the most complex trade in NBA history.

Involving a record six teams, multiple draft picks, and cash considerations, Thompson agreed in principle to a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks. However, before joining the team, the complex sign-and-trade deal had to be completed.

According to Yahoo, the Warriors received shooting guard Buddy Hield from the Philadelphia 76ers and inherited his three-year, $21 million deal along with Kyle Anderson and his three-year $27 million deal. The Charlotte Hornets received Josh Green, Reggie Jackson, and two second-round picks (2028, 2029), and the Minnesota Timberwolves received a second-round pick (2025), a second-round pick swap (2031), and cash. The Sixers received a second-round pick (2031) and the Denver Nuggets received cash. The Mavericks, of course, received Thompson and a second-round pick (2025).

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have acquired 5-time All-Star Klay Thompson and a future 2nd-round pick as part of a six-team sign-and-trade deal in exchange for Josh Green and a future 2nd-round pick.

It marks the first six-team trade in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/BKHszomMay
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) July 7, 2024

According to NBA.com, Thompson used his Instagram account to thank the fans in Golden State as he reminisced on his time as a member of the Warriors organization.

“Oh Bay Area, there are not enough words and images to convey how I really feel about yall,” Thompson wrote. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you o much for the best times of my life. It was such an honor to put that Dubs jersey on from day 1. I really just wanted to be the best I could be and help bring as many championships as possible to the region. The best part was not the rings though, it was the friendships I made that will last a lifetime. My family and I would like to thank all ok the amazing people who work tirelessly to make the Warriors organization world-class,” he said. “Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened. Until we meet again. Sea captain out.”

Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, who alongside Thompson became known as the Splash Brothers, posted about his accomplishments with Thompson and Draymond Green.

“Gonna miss you Klay Thompson,” Curry wrote. “Even though we won’t finish the journey together, what we did will never be done again. Couldn’t have imagined a better run with you and (Draymond Green). Changed the whole Bay Area. Changed the way the game is played. Killa Klay at the center of it all. Thank you for everything bro. Go enjoy playing basketball and doing what you do. Splash Bros 4 life my guy.”

According to The Athletic, the departure of Thompson arguably marks the end of Golden State’s remarkable dynasty. Despite Curry’s presence to stabilize the team, the Warriors face significant challenges ahead. These include the Warriors’ colossal miss on James Wiseman; Andrew Wiggins and Kevin Looney’s declining performances; the failure to acquire Paul George; and the ongoing repercussions of Green’s altercation with Jordan Poole, which led to Poole’s departure from Golden State despite significant investment in him as a potential star player. These issues will undoubtedly impact the franchise moving forward.

Thompson, meanwhile, gets a fresh start with an organization that is excited to have him there, as Dallas’ General Manager Nico Harrison said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have Klay join us in Dallas,” Harrison said. “As one of the league’s greatest shooters who competes on both ends, we feel Klay is a perfect fit for our team. He adds a strong, experienced veteran voice that will help us continue to build on the success we’ve seen in recent years.”

Harrison added, “Klay’s championship experience, clutch performances and calm demeanor under pressure exemplify what it takes to win in the NBA at the highest level. He will help us continue to grow towards our goal of winning another championship.”

man dead, July 4, Birmingham, partner missing

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 7, 2024

Man Found Dead Days After July 4 Disappearance; Alleged Partner Still Missing

His partner remains missing as the investigation into his death unfolds.

A July 4 celebration turned fatal as Atlanta man was caught on camera “running for his life” before being found dead days later. His alleged partner remains missing.

According to WSB-TV, the duo traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, to celebrate the holiday with the deceased man’s sister. Deundray Cottrell took the trip with a male companion his sister, Angelica Harris, claims was his partner.

According to the Birmingham police, Cottrell went missing on the night of July 4. Harris told AL.com that her brother went upstairs to check on his dog amid the fireworks. However, Cottrell never returned to the festivities, which took place at Harris’ home she shared with her husband and children. Julian Taylor Morris, his assumed boyfriend, told the family that Cottrell fled through through the backyard.

Footage from Ring cameras placed throughout the neighborhood revealed Cottrell “running for his life.” He also hopped over a fence for an unclear reason.

“It looked like he was looking for refuge,” Harris explained to the news outlet before his death was confirmed. “He was running for his life.”

She added, “He’s a well-loved, well-known, good-hearted person and there’s a lot of people hurting from him being gone. What’s happening doesn’t make sense.”

Upon finding out he vanished, Cottrell’s family immediately filed a missing person’s report. However, the report failed to enter the system until the next morning. His shoe and cellphone were later found in the backyard, with his body also recovered near the area on July 6.

While his death remains “unclassified,” police continue to search for Morris, who was the last person with Cottrell before his disappearance. Currently, a $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information pertaining to his whereabouts.

According to Harris, Cottrell worked in marketing in his home city, and was pursuing his doctorate before his death.

by Daniel Johnson

July 7, 2024

The Hot Boys Reunion At Essence Fest 24 Didn’t Quite Go As Planned

Lil Wayne opted for a separate 20-minute solo set.

Despite a press release from Essence announcing a Hot Boys reunion featuring Birdman, Mannie Fresh, B.G., Lil Wayne, and Juvenile, the event was less unified than promoted. After some of the Hot Boys performed without original member Turk on July 5, Lil Wayne opted for a separate 20-minute solo set.

According to NOLA.com, although the former Cash Money frontmen presented a less-than-united front, the group was still honored by former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, now the president and CEO of the National Urban League. Morial issued a proclamation to a Cash Money Records contingent led by Ronald “Suga Slim” Williams, who co-founded Cash Money Records with his brother Bryan “Birdman/Baby” Williams in 1991. Morial also wore a pair of red sneakers, likely a tribute to the street corner recently renamed in their honor.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, the pair of brothers had a street corner honorarily renamed Williams Brothers Way ahead of the scheduled performance at Essence Fest, which was supposed to be highlighted by a celebration of 30 years of Cash Money Records. Additionally, the pair also received honors at YouTube’s second annual Leaders and Legends gala on June 2 and were presented with the award by New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno.

Moreno praised the brothers, saying, “It is so clear that these two men who built Cash Money Records understand that to those who much is given, much is required…and they give back with such love and compassion to the neighborhood they called home and the city of New Orleans that loves them like family,” said Council President Moreno. “Their story is a source of inspiration for generations to come, proving that with vision and tenacity, dreams can indeed come true. Congrats on 30 years of Cash Money Records!”

This happening was always a possibility, but it would’ve been really special to see all four Hot Boys on stage together. But like I said yesterday, it’s a ton of complexities that come with Cash Money.

And “complexities” is about the nicest way to put it. https://t.co/mNIN5vfPJd
— Justin Tinsley (@JustinTinsley) July 6, 2024

Ahead of the reunion, Justin Tinsley at Andscape ran down just how remarkable it was that the group’s reunion was even happening, given the litany of issues the group faced, some legal, and some with each other. In June, Juvenile claimed that “Me, Wayne, Turk and B.G., all of us gon’ be on stage with Mannie Fresh and Birdman. And we done already started working on the Hot Boys album.” Perhaps that was just hope speaking, because by the night’s end, Birdman went on an expletive-laden rant, and Wayne and Turk did not perform with the group. With all this in mind, the group’s reunion album is facing further doubts.

Essence Fest — Source: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 05: Lil Wayne performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

According to Complex, during an appearance on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast, Wayne told Heyward that he had no idea about the Hot Boys comeback album teased by Juvenile and B.G. “S***, you just told me!” The rapper said, before adding, “I ain’t been to the kitchen yet. I would not lie to you. I have not been in that kitchen yet. I have no problem with going to that kitchen… but I ain’t smell it, it ain’t come through the window yet. I ain’t smell the food…. They ain’t told me nothing yet.”

real estate, discrimination, Chicago, property tax

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 7, 2024

Chicago Homeowner Receives False $30K Property Tax Increase

The $30,000 tax hike was later revealed to be an overestimation of the home's worth.

A Chicago homeowner, Darryl Lloyd, has garnered attention after his property tax bill skyrocketed from $1,800 to a debunked $30,000. He is now raising awareness about this escalating problem.

Lloyd bought his Chicago Heights home for $115,000 in 2006, with its cost justifying its then-modest property tax. This year, however, Lloyd shockingly received a 1500% property tax increase on the three-bedroom abode, costing a fifth of the home’s estimated value of $180,000. Lloyd told Fox 32 that the property value did not add up, given the 1950s home’s modest amenities.

“I was literally devastated when I saw that increase,” explained Lloyd to the news outlet. “I see 960 square feet; I don’t have a second floor [or a] basement.”

An inaccurate assessment led to a $30,000 tax hike, valuing the house at over $1 million. However, before its correction, Lloyd saw no other choice but to forfeit his homeownership and move in with family members, as he relied on disability insurance to cover his mortgage.

However, Lloyd fought the valuation with the Cook County Tax Assessor’s Office, initially meeting pushback. The office wrote the issue off as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.

“I told them that I had a substantial increase, and they were like, ‘everybody’s taxes increase,’” he recalled.

It took the news outlet reaching out to the office to take the matter seriously. They later admitted to the error.

“This property was given an incorrect assessment due to a permit that was unintentionally applied to the property,” shared a representative from Cook County. “We will process a corrected tax bill for this property in the coming weeks, ensuring that the homeowner will ultimately pay the right amount in property taxes.”

However, Lloyd is not the only homeowner in the county who has been a victim of over-assessments. The publication stated that over 4,400 homes have faced incorrect tax bills. Appealing these lofty tax hikes requires research and a substantial claim of overcharging.

While filing an appeal can lead to a lower cost, it does not guarantee keeping one’s home affordable. Moreover, the issue surrounding spiking property tax and interest rates continues to impact the country as a whole.

England, Walker Gallery, Black female artists

by Daniel Johnson

July 7, 2024

Boston’s First Black-Owned Art Gallery To Showcase Black And Brown Artists

Blkchip Gallery was opened by Tavares Brewington and the Street Theory Collective. .

Boston’s newest art gallery, located in its Seaport neighborhood, is also the city’s first Black-owned art gallery. Blkchip Gallery opened on June 27, and according to its proprietors, it is intended to attract Bostonians of color to the neighborhood.

According to CBS News, the artists and founders of the gallery want Blkchip Gallery to become a place where the community is welcome to come and learn about art. An artist, Melina Gomes, told WBZ News the importance of celebrating the art of artists of color. “What’s most important is that we’re celebrating fine artists that are people of color,” Gomes said. “Their value, who they are in this community, the legacy that we’re all building together is vital.”

Tavares Brewington, the founder of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab Street2Ivy, opened the gallery along with Street Theory Collective. Brewington explained his vision to WBZ News. “It really is an effort to have the Seaport reflect the rich cultural background of the city. It’ll be a place where we display artists–focused on lesser-known Black and Brown artists. It’ll be a place where people can come from diverse backgrounds and enjoy all of the great things here in the Seaport. And make Boston that shining city on the hill.”

Paul Goodnight, whose work is featured in the gallery, discussed the rarity of such an effort in the Seaport area, telling the outlet, “This initiative is rare for this area,” Goodnight said during the grand opening. “Displaying my work here offers an opportunity to reach new audiences and showcase the excellence that exists within our community.”

According to Boston Magazine, Boston’s Seaport district transformed from a district that only contained fishing piers and dive bars in the ’60s and ’70s to a bustling area in the 1990s. This is due in large part to public investment in the area. Though it was close to the city’s Financial District, until the Big Dig and the Boston Harbor cleanup were initiated, the area was underdeveloped and largely empty.

In stark contrast to areas like Roxbury, the Seaport district, despite its investment in creating a place that Bostonians can call home, not just someplace to visit, has remained one of Boston’s whitest neighborhoods. Jarred Johnson, director of Transit Matters, told the outlet that the City of Boston should have thought deeply about how entrenched its lack of racial diversity is while planning the district’s revitalization.

“The Seaport is sort of emblematic of Boston’s race problem. I don’t think anyone involved with its development specifically,” said Johnson. “We’re gonna build a neighborhood that’s almost entirely white and void of socioeconomic diversity.”

Johnson said, “I don’t think that was the intent. But refusing to acknowledge that Boston is a very segregated city and that there are different levels of opportunity for folks of different races—if they didn’t even acknowledge that, then there’s no way that the Seaport could have ever been successful from that point of view.”

Kimberly Barnes, former programs manager at FPAC, spoke to the outlet in 2020 about the vision of Brewington and said she feels it is beneficial that people of color and other historically underrepresented groups in Boston see themselves in Seaport. “I have been seeing more people of color walking around, which is exciting. Every Wednesday, we have Stone Soup Poetry at the Assemblage, and there’s a lot of people of color who participate in that. There’s engagement. It’s very slow, but it’ll be happening more and more.”

Barnes continued, “One of my focuses is getting more people of color, more queer artists, and younger artists into the neighborhood. People of all classes. I really want to be inclusive, just encourage a lot of creativity and communication with each other.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

July 7, 2024

Essence Festival Hosts Kamala Harris, Serena Williams, and More In its Third Day Festivities

The Black women-focused festival kicked off July 4 in New Orleans.

The 2024 Essence Festival of Culture continues its third day of inspiring events with Kamala Harris, Serena Williams, and more.

In its 30th year, the festival highlighted these influential Black women as they led conversations in politics, business, and the overall empowerment of their communities. Vice President Harris engaged in a “Chief-to-Chief” conversation with Essence’s Ventures President and CEO Caroline Wanga. During their discussion at Global Black Economic Forum HQ, Harris encouraged attendees to “unleash their power” in any space they occupy, especially as the presidential election nears.

Presented by Coca-Cola, The Essence Stage hosted a full day of panels and engagements with celebrity speakers. Williams spoke at BeatyCon: Essence Edition to discuss her entrepreneurial journey from tennis champion to beauty brand founder. Emayatzy Corinealdi and Morris Chestnut, stars of Hulu’s “Reasonable Doubt,” shared a sneak peek of the show’s second season at the festivities.

Moreover, the mothers of the NBA, Sonya Curry and Lucille O’Neal, joined Michelle L. Rice, president of TV One and CLEO TV, in a conversation on preparing Black children for greatness. Television producer Carlos King later spilled the reali(tea) on entertainment. He joined New Orleans’ very own Big Freedia, Yandy Smith-Harris, and Toya Johnson-Rushing in the fun-filled talk.

Serena Williams, Olympic, Paris, The Peninsula — Source: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 06: Serena Williams attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women in Business Dinner at the Four Seasons New Orleans on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

On the evening of July 6, the inaugural Black Women in Business dinner honored Williams with the Investor of the Year award. This year sparked Essence’s first-ever ‘Black Women In…” event, recognizing these trailblazers in diverse industries. Hosted by Rashida Jones, the occasion also honored Thasunda Brown Duckett (CEO of the Year Award), Esi Eggleston Bracey (Transformer of the Year Award), and Laysha Ward (Community Investment Pioneer Award) for their professional contributions across sectors.

On the music side, 4batz and newly solo City Girl JT rocked the stage at the Essence GU kickback. However, headliner Usher topped the night off with a special, one-night-only performance of his entire “Confessions” album. Charlie Wilson also returned to the Essence Stage for his eighth time performing at the decorated event.

More of the day’s events included the Suede: Men’s experience. At the panel, Lance Gross and Terrence J saluted their HBCU experiences and their impact on their acting careers. A further nod to Black Hollywood brought Meagan Good, Sanaa Lathan, and writer dream hampton to discuss the current industry.

With the inclusion of additional panels for authors and entrepreneurs, Essence Festival’s Day 3 further solidified its cultural legacy and impact, continuing its jam-packed line-up of honored guests.

Deaf Man, Cerebral Palsy, Sues, Phoenix Police, Brutal Beating

by Daniel Johnson

July 7, 2024

Grambling University Player Sues NCAA For Discrimination Against HBCUs; Judge Sets July Settlement Conference

The NCAA has responded to McKinney's claims by saying that it considers multiple factors in its decision to place a program in its academic reform programs, saying that there is a “multitude of non-discriminatory factors.”

Brenda McKinney, a current player on the Grambling University women’s basketball team, filed a federal class action lawsuit in Indiana in 2023 that accused the NCAA of discriminating against HBCUs through its academic reform programs. McKinney argues that the NCAA included metrics in its Academic Performance Program (APP) that it knew would have a discriminatory effect on its HBCU member organizations.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore recently denied the NCAA’s request to delay the lawsuit any further, scheduling a deposition of McKinney for July 17, one day after the settlement conference scheduled for July 16. Judge Dinsmore wrote in his order, “While Defendant’s failure to have completed the Plaintiff’s deposition prior to the scheduled date of the settlement conference may well be a failure to properly plan its necessary discovery, it is neither good cause, nor an exigent circumstance.”

As The Indiana Lawyer reported in 2023, the class action lawsuit mainly concerns the Civil Rights Acts of 1981 and 1985. It claims that the NCAA interferes with student-athletes’ ability to make and enforce contracts, a reference to the national letter of intent that student-athletes sign when they commit to attend institutions. The lawsuit also claims that an HBCU is 43 times more likely than a PWI to be given a postseason ban, which the complaint argues places students at those HBCUs at a disadvantage.

GRAMBLING, LA — A federal lawsuit filed by Grambling women’s basketball player Brenda McKinney against the NCAA seeks to certify a class of Black Division I athletes who competed for HBCU schools last year, alleging racial discrimination by NCAA’s system of academic enforcement. pic.twitter.com/u65uauVBXr
— Willi Quinn (@willi_quinn) July 4, 2024

According to the lawsuit, “Black student-athletes were not provided full information about the potential consequences of the NCAA’s discrimination against Black student-athletes at HBCUs. As a result, unbeknownst to them, they entered their Contracts with substantial disadvantages and effects.”

The lawsuit also argues that the NCAA made an “intentional decision” to “undermine the path of the Black student-athlete.”

“Although the NCAA claims to have made numerous ‘reforms’ to its academic measurements throughout several decades,” the complaint argued, “it is an intentional decision to consistently acknowledge reliable data that its ‘reforms’ hobble and undermine the path of the Black student-athlete at HBCUs but nonetheless allow the discrimination to continue.”

The complaint also attempted to situate the historical role of the education system in the treatment of Black people, “The NCAA’s design and implementation of the APP perpetuates a system that punishes Black student-athletes at HBCUs because of the HBCUs’ unique and historical role in the education of Black people within the systemic vestiges of discrimination.”

According to Sportico, the NCAA has responded to McKinney’s claims by saying that it considers multiple factors in its decision to place a program in its academic reform programs, saying that there is a “multitude of non-discriminatory factors” including “institutional challenges, resource constraints, suspensions and expulsions, injuries, personal choices, illnesses, poor team performance, individual eligibility issues, the absence of postseason play for particular sports, coaching decisions [and] enrollment status.”

Elizabeth Fegan, McKinney’s attorney, told Sportico that the lawsuit is related to the NCAA’s failure to live up to its own bylaws. “We are not trying to prevent the NCAA from monitoring academic performance,” Fegan said. “We want them to be educated and successful. But the NCAA promised in its bylaws to tie those measures to the student bodies of schools and that is where the NCAA has failed.”

Fegan continued, “It is really hard to be a student-athlete bringing these cases. They put their athletic career at risk and risk the ire of their coaching staff. We have talked to HBCU presidents who are interested [in helping] but who can’t participate publicly because of fear of retribution from the NCAA.”

by Daniel Johnson

July 7, 2024

Black Woman Named First Female Chancellor Of England’s University Of Birmingham

The 60-year-old Sandie Okoro previously broke barriers as the first Black woman to hold the position of senior VP and general counsel for the World Bank Group.

Sandie Okoro has been named the eighth Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, succeeding Lord Bilimoria, who is stepping down in July after serving the University in that role for the past 10 years. Okoro, who graduated from the University of Birmingham in Birmingham, England, is a highly regarded lawyer and champion of equality and will be the University’s first female Chancellor.

According to the University of Birmingham’s press release, Okoro sees the appointment as an opportunity to give back to the University. “The wonderful University of Birmingham is the alma mater to three generations of the Okoros: my mum, me, and my son. So my connection to it is very special indeed. I have followed the University’s outstanding progress very closely since my days there as a student on a full grant back in the 1980s – its dedication to impactful research, its focus on creating an inclusive environment for talented, minority students, and educational excellence are themes very close to my heart.”

Okoro continued, “I am truly honored and delighted to be appointed Chancellor. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to give a little something back to the amazing University that has given so very much to me and my family.”

💃🏾Thanks to @unibirmingham for the appointing me as their first female Chancellor. It’s a true honour. UoB’s focus on impactful research, excellence in education & inclusion are topics very close to my ❤️. As a proud UoB graduate I know education is the key to a bright future 💃🏾
— Sandie Okoro OBE (@SandieOkoro) July 3, 2024

Adam Tickell, who will be Okoro’s second in command as vice chancellor at the University of Birmingham, expressed his excitement in a statement. “We are excited to welcome Sandie as our new Chancellor. She is a highly respected trailblazer in the corporate legal sector and is, of course, a proud University of Birmingham graduate. To hear her talk about breaking glass ceilings and aiming high is inspirational and reflects the attitude and passion of our University and our commitment to championing equality, diversity, and inclusion.”

The 60-year-old Okoro previously broke barriers as the first British national and Black woman to hold the position of senior vice president and general counsel for the World Bank Group. During her tenure, she was primarily responsible for being the main advisor and spokesperson for all legal matters for the World Bank. Okoro was also the vice president for Compliance at the World Bank.

Okoro received an honorary doctorate from the City University of London in 2014 due to her “outstanding achievements in the legal profession and financial services.” At the time, she worked for HSBC Global Asset Management as its Global General Counsel, making her the only ethnic minority to serve in that role for the company.

Okoro told the Financial Times while employed at the World Bank that a central part of her identity and her ability to break barriers in the financial industry, both in England and abroad, is her background as a Black woman from South London. “Everybody at work knows I’m from South London, even if they don’t know where that is. It’s something I’ve worn with pride, and it’s given me a bullish sense that I can do anything,” Okoro said. “You really don’t mess with South London girls and Black South London girls in particular. We have to grow up pretty fast, and we have to grow up with a sense of turf.”

According to Okoro, her time as chair of the World Bank Group Task Force on Racism caused her to reflect on the injustices she suffered as a child. “It has completely changed my view. I thought people experienced racism in the same way, but even at this late stage, and in the post-George Floyd environment, that opportunity to challenge myself has taught me things,” she told the outlet. “It’s taken me back to my own childhood because I hadn’t been aware of how racism had affected me.”

Okoro continued, “It’s a matter of choosing what to focus on. You can choose to accept it or not to accept it, to see it or not to see it,” she says. “I don’t ignore it to the extent that I don’t think it exists, and I don’t ignore it in the wider world, but I’ve ignored the effect that it’s had on my life – and that’s very powerful because you are then in control.”

by Mary Spiller

July 7, 2024

Kendrick Lamar Delivers Music Video For ‘Not Like Us,’ Adding Clever Visuals To His Drake Diss

Kendrick Lamar's diss track music video takes several more shots at the "The Motto" rapper.

Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar has dropped a long-awaited music video for his hit diss track “Not Like Us.” On July 4, his music video took more shots at Drake, and the nail in the coffin for the Toronto rapper came just a month after Lamar performed the song six times in a row at his “The Pop Out” concert in L.A. on Juneteenth.

Not only has the video racked up over 25 million views in just over a day, but the clip features several more references to Drake and his OVO label. Lamar used the video to pay homage to the West Coast hip-hop stars who influenced his style and stack on more references to his feud with Drake, which has dominated the culture this year.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dave Free and Lamar directed the video, which included cameos from “Not Like Us” producer Mustard, Compton native Tommy the Clown, NBA star DeMar DeRozan, and the CEO of Top Dog Entertainment label Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith.

In one scene, Lamar doing push-ups atop cinder blocks references Drake’s diss track “Push Ups.”

The video also includes references to owls, which is the mascot associated with Drake’s OVO label. In one scene where Lamar smashes an owl piñata, and a disclaimer that flashes across the screen reads, “No OVHoes were harmed during the making of this video.”

The video notably includes Lamar’s partner, Whitney Alford, and their two children. In Drake’s song “Family Matter,” he alleged that Lamar’s long-time project partner and filmmaker, Free, fathered one of Lamar’s children with Alford. Lamar used the video to fire back at the “God’s Plan” artist by including cute shots of Alford, himself, and his children — Uzi and Enoch — dancing together and laughing.

The video ends with Lamar containing an owl in a cage.

by Mary Spiller

July 7, 2024

Here’s Why Applications For Historically Black Colleges & Universities Are Surging

HBCUs have seen a dramatic increase in freshman applications in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There has been a recent surge in enrollment and applications at historically Black colleges and universities. According to HBCU Connect in a July 5 report, the rising trend in Black students seeking higher education from Black spaces has been driven by several factors.

Schools such as Hampton University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Howard University have been pillars exemplifying this new trend.

The most major and influential factor in the increase in applications to HBCUs has been their more salient reputation. They are known as “centers of academic excellence and supportive campus environments.” This makes them especially appealing to students who are searching for a higher education that also has an atmosphere of community and support.

Another factor has been the rise and fall of the COVID-19 pandemic. HBCUs tend to emphasize maintaining a high level of education while also providing a safe environment in an institution well adapted to maintaining an effective learning environment during uncertain times.

According to reports, this “has positioned HBCUs favorably among prospective students and families reevaluating their college choices.”

Thirdly, HBCUs focus on affording students scholarship opportunities and offering financial aid. By increasing their pool to draw from scholarship offerings, HBCUs have helped make higher education more attainable and accessible to students with financial barriers.

Not only are the individual universities’ practices drawing in students, but the surrounding broader recognition of their unique historical and educational contributions has also played a role. Applicants are drawn to HBCUs’ well-established network of alums and sponsors.

Vice President of Student Affairs at Florida A&M University, Dr. William E. Hudson, said “With influential figures showcasing the success of HBCUs, it’s no surprise that students are drawn in.”

According to reports compiled by the White House, HBCU schools have “educated 40% of all Black engineers in the country, 50% of all Black lawyers, 70% of Black doctors, and an astonishing 80% of Black judges.”

These factors, and others, have helped increase students’ motivation to attend HBCUs.

For example, Howard received 37,000 applications in the past school year, which marks a 12% increase for its incoming freshman class. FAMU has seen its incoming applications nearly double in the past two years. As of June, FAMU—considered the top public HBCU—received an influx of 21,939 applications for the incoming freshman class and concluded its application season with an admissions rate of 18%.