TED Talks, Brooklyn, comedy show, Black-Owned Comedy Venue, black music

by Kandiss Edwards

November 1, 2024

Black Music Action Coalition Uses Lyrics To Mobilize Georgia Voters

The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) is activating in Georgia to help get out the vote. The BMAC’s mission is to utilize the power of music “to create systemic change.” The coalition’s goal is to power music to reach the masses by mobilizing—literally.

The BMAC’s “It’s Your Fight…VOTE!” bus transports Georgia residents to polling locations and political rallies. The latest destination was the “Harris For President” rally, where the buses drove members of the “Georgia Student Voter” organization. Each bus is adorned with music lyrics that speak to the culture and current political moment.

“BMAC is steadfast in our commitment to use the power of our voice to make positive, long-lasting change. We chose the words of artists who have moved the needle through music to adorn our bus and the image of the great truth teller, Muhammad Ali, to be the face of our bus as it moves through Georgia, fueled by the power of voters…It’s Our Fight…VOTE,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, BMAC CEO and President.

Historically, music and civic engagement have always been intertwined. The efforts of musical artists like Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder to speak to Black people with lyrics are cataloged in the annals of history.

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A post shared by Black Music Action Coalition (@bma_coalition)

The BMAC bus engages in this rich history by emblazoning these messages across its buses with lyrics from legends:

James Brown’s: “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud’; Queen Latitfah’s: “U.N.I.T.Y., love a Black woman from Infinity to Infinity”; Kendrick Lamar’s: “I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA”; Public Enemy’s: “Fight the power, We’ve got to fight the powers that be”; Beyonce’s: “And when they carve my name inside the concrete, I pray it forever reads– freedom.”

BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on Stevie Wonder’s continued efforts to get Americans involved in the election process.

Wonder set out on the “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour. His goal is “joy over anger, kindness over recrimination, peace over war.”

The icon was joined on stage at his Oct. 17 show in Baltimore by former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama. President Obama reinforced Wonder’s message: “Get out there and vote.”

The last day to vote in the presidential election is Nov. 5. To find a polling location in your area, go to vote.org.

Jalen Hurts, football, NFL, air conditioners

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 1, 2024

Jalen Hurts Discusses Joining President Barack Obama On Pennsylvania Golf Course

'I told him he didn’t want these problems just yet. I told him I can’t golf right now. By contract, I can’t golf. But his day will come,” Hurts reveals

The former President of the United States had some company with him while playing golf earlier this week. Joining former President Barack Obama on the golf course this week in Pennsylvania was Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, and team owner Jeffrey Lurie. Hurts revealed during a press conference that, although he didn’t get to play with the president, he warned that “his day will come.”

According to AL.com, President Obama was at the Merion Golf Club on Oct. 29 with the Eagles players and the owner. Hurts was on the golf course but could not play due to a contract clause preventing him from doing so. He admitted that he and the former president engaged in some trash talk; he told Obama that his day would eventually come for them to compete on the green.

He said that Obama was “kind of like an uncle figure out there. President Obama, all-time leader. A great presence. I guess the word is down-to-earth. I can only imagine that lifestyle and the different things that come with that, but nonetheless, to see him out there enjoying himself and talking a little trash; that was cool. I told him he didn’t want these problems just yet. I told him I can’t golf right now. By contract, I can’t golf. But his day will come.”

Jalen Hurts says he did not actually golf yesterday with former President Obama, Saquon Barkley, and Jeff Lurie. Jalen hung with the group the whole time. He says it’s in his contract that he can’t golf.

Saquon says it was one of the coolest experiences of his life pic.twitter.com/OJGFpG3wKQ

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 30, 2024

According to U.S. News & World Report, Hurts teammate Barkley did play. He commented on the experience.

“It was probably one of the coolest experiences I’ve had in my life,” Barkley said. “Very personable. He’s awesome, to be honest. I got to spend about four or five hours with him and was able to do something I love to do, play golf.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 1, 2024

Florida Man Sues Jacksonville Police Officers Caught On Video Beating Him

Le'Keian Woods has filed a lawsuit against the 4 police officers who were seen on video beating him last October

A Florida man who was severely beaten by Jacksonville police officers last year filed a federal lawsuit against the officers on Oct. 31.

According to NBC News, the incident that led to the filing occurred at a traffic stop on Sept. 29, 2023. Le’Keian Woods was seen on video bloodied and battered, allegedly at the hands of the police officers involved in the arrest. A police mugshot revealed the victim with two swollen, black eyes and lacerations on his face.

He spoke at a press conference announcing the lawsuit against the officers. The suit was filed at the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse in Jacksonville.

“I was stopped at a traffic stop, and I ran. I got kind of scared; I knew they was going to shoot me. I panicked and I ran,” Woods said.

Woods’ attorney, Harry Daniels, gave the names of the Florida police officers involved in the lawsuit: Beau Daigle, Trey McCullough, Hunter Sullivan, and former Detective Josue Garriga. The four men are accused of using excessive force. According to the lawsuit, the officers violated Woods’ Fourth Amendment right after pulling Woods over for “an alleged seatbelt violation” and brutally beat Woods after he fled.

Woods is still receiving medical care from the beating and suffers from myriad mental health symptoms, according to WTLV.

“You had three deputy sheriffs … who weighed over 200 pounds beating Le’Keian, who may have weighed 150 pounds soaking wet. He had already been tased; he was already disoriented,” Daniels said at the press conference.

Police officers claim that Woods was involved in a drug transaction before they pulled him over. He allegedly took off running when they were handcuffing two other people at the traffic stop. Authorities alleged that the video created “the illusion of an inappropriate use of force.” Last year, Sheriff T.K. Waters said, “Just because force is ugly does not mean it is unlawful or contrary to policy.”

Video footage showed officers running after Woods through a yard, a parking lot, and then a grassy area before using a stun gun on him. After Woods fell on the street, the police officers were seen hitting him in the face, bloodying his jaw, and kneeing him in the head as they screamed at him to put his hands behind his back.

Woods pleaded guilty to misdemeanor resisting police without violence, and the other charges against him, armed trafficking in cocaine, armed possession of a controlled substance, armed trafficking in amphetamine, and tampering with evidence, were dropped as part of a plea deal, according to the Florida Times-Union.

5 Tips To Survive Your 9-5 With A Side Hustle

by Kandiss Edwards

November 1, 2024

Study Says Burnout Is Affecting Millennial And Gen Z Workers

British workers are burning out. Americans are right behind them.

A new employee analysis by Vitality, a health and life insurer, shows millennial and Gen Z workers are suffering in the workplace due to mental health issues and burnout.

The study surveyed 4,000 British workers and examined productivity levels based on sick days used, access to employer support, and mental health conditions like depression.

The study shows workers making less than USD 38,000 annually are more prone to depression, burnout, and lack of productivity.

“While physical health struggles led to a 54% productivity dip, mental health issues hit harder, causing a staggering 150% loss in productive days, particularly for the youth.”

The decrease in production and burnout reportedly cost the British economy $176 billion annually.

British workers are not the only ones suffering from decreased production due to declining mental health or burnout.

Mindy Shoss, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Central Florida and associate editor of the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, says, “There are many potential causes of burnout in today’s workplaces—excessive workloads, low levels of support, having little say or control over workplace matters, lack of recognition or rewards for one’s efforts, and interpersonally toxic and unfair work environments.”

The potential causes of burnout manifest physically and mentally. These causes sometimes lead to a lack of productivity or the need to remove oneself from the work environment. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), burnout leads to a “57% increased risk of workplace absence.”

The APA lists the three dimensions of burnout:

Feelings of energy depletion or emotional exhaustion
Increased mental distance from one’s work and negative or cynical feelings toward one’s work
Reduced sense of efficacy at work

Finding a solution for burnout is tricky, as there is no one-size-fits-all cure. Individual symptoms, work conditions, and life circumstances play a factor in how to address the issue. Here are a few tips to help alleviate burnout in the workplace.

Prioritize

Not all deadlines are hard deadlines. The old adage “Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today” is exactly that: old. Jam-packing your schedule to ensure every task is accounted for daily can sometimes be counterproductive. What good is working ahead if it only leaves you exhausted and drained? Add tasks to your calendar with periodic reminders to give yourself leeway and stay on top of your work.

Delegate

If you are working in a team environment or managerial role, delegate. Ask for help managing your workload or give a smaller task to a capable subordinate.

Leave work at work

Decompress when the day is over. Your alone time is yours. Do not take the day’s work into your night’s peace. Pondering over the next day’s work leaves little space in your brain for personal reflection and rest.

Be firm about your needs

Talk to others involved and let them know what’s happening. If there is a way to lighten your home duties that will help relieve you of mental stress, ask for help. Look into mental health programs offered by your place of employment. Or seek professional help independently.

Most people need to work to sustain a decent quality of life. However, work does not have to be the reason you cannot maintain a good mental and physical quality of life.

Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Debate, donations

by Mitti Hicks

November 1, 2024

Harris Finds Trump’s ‘Like It Or Not’ Comment ‘Offensive To Everybody’

Harris has remained consistent in her messaging

As Americans inch closer to Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris is honing in on her message that her opponent, former President Donald Trump, is the worst option for women and women’s rights. During a campaign rally in the battleground state of Nevada, she told people that Trump’s latest comment that he would protect women whether they “like it or not” shows that he does not understand women’s rights to make decisions about their own lives and bodies.

“I think it’s offensive to everybody, by the way,” the AP reports Harris stated before a day of campaigning in Nevada and Arizona on Oct. 31

During a rally in Phoenix, she doubled down on her message, stating, “He simply does not respect the freedom of women or the intelligence of women to know what’s in their own best interests and make decisions accordingly. But we trust women.”

Harris has maintained consistent messaging as she crisscrosses the country to campaign. Women’s rights is one issue she hopes will influence women voters at the polls as Trump continues to struggle with the demographic.

Meanwhile, during a rally on Oct. 30 in the battleground state of Wisconsin, Trump reportedly admitted to his supporters that aides have urged him to refrain from using the term “protector” when discussing women’s rights because it’s “inappropriate.” Right after, he signals that he’s not dropping the word from his vocabulary. He went a step further and told the crowd that he told his aides, “Well, I’m going to do it whether the women like it or not. I am going to protect them.”

Political pundits have highlighted that his statements are often contradictory, especially since he appointed three justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, ultimately forming the conservative majority ruling overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022. Earlier in the year, Trump bragged about his role in overturning the constitutional right, calling it “a miracle,” as CBS reports.

While his messaging isn’t consistent, Trump occasionally states that he believes that abortion rights should be left to the states.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 1, 2024

Department Of Veteran Affairs Rehires 100 Terminated Employees

The Department of Veteran Affairs rehired over 100 terminated employees due to a court order.

Over 100 former employees from The Department of Veteran Affairs were reinstated after being fired under a controversial law that once simplified the process for removing personnel accused of misconduct.

Department officials say only 3% of the 4,000 employees dismissed under the 2017 VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act — roughly 120 individuals — have been rehired, and none of those reinstated were dismissed for serious misconduct, Federal News Network reports.

In addition to the rehirings, the department also paid out $134 million to 1,700 former VA employees who were dismissed under the Trump administration’s 2017 VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. The reinstatements and payouts were part of a settlement it reached with the American Federation of Government Employees in July 2023.

A VA spokesperson said in a statement that the department “has ensured that bad actors cannot return to work and saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.”

“VA continues to hold every employee accountable to delivering the world-class care and benefits that veterans deserve — and when they fail to do so, we take swift and decisive action,” a VA spokesperson said.

VA officials stated that under the Trump administration, they were unable to negotiate with the AFGE on implementing the 2017 law, which breached the union contract’s provisions. The department was in court from 2017 to 2023 trying to defend its position, but federal courts ordered the VA to reinstate employees dismissed under the 2017 legislation.

“The previous administration’s implementation of the 2017 law was repeatedly struck down by the courts, putting VA at risk of having to rehire individuals who committed patient abuse, harassment, and criminal activity — and putting taxpayers on the hook for more than $1 billion,” a VA spokesperson said.

Federal judges and the Merit Systems Protection Board restricted many provisions of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act from applying to most of the VA workforce. In response, beginning in April 2024, the department ceased using the Act’s authorities to expedite employee terminations related to misconduct allegations.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 1, 2024

Young Thug Gets Probation And Time Served After Passionate Speech To Judge

The total sentence is 40 years

After many interruptions and miscues during the Young Thug RICO trial in Atlanta, the recording artist has entered a guilty plea to several charges, ending the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.

According to NPR, Jeffrey Williams, known to the world as Young Thug, pleaded guilty on Oct. 31 after prosecutors requested that he be sentenced to 45 years, 25 in prison and 20 on probation. Instead, Fulton County Judge Paige Reese Whitaker allowed the rapper to go free, with conditions. “The total sentence is 40 years, to serve the first 5 years in prison but commuted to the time you’ve already served.”

CNN reported that Young Thug agreed to enter a non-negotiated guilty plea deal. Some of the charges included firearm possession and participation in criminal street gang activity, and he also pleaded no contest to racketeering and leading a criminal street gang. He was in custody for more than 900 days after he was initially booked in May 2022. He was one of 28 people named in a 56-count indictment.

The freed rapper made a statement to the court after agreeing to the terms the judge handed him.

Thug took “full responsibility” and apologized to his family and immediate circle.

“I am a smart guy, I am a good guy, and I really got a good heart. I found myself in a lot of stuff because I was just nice and cool, and I understand you can’t be that way when you reach a certain height because it could end bad.”

Thug promised Judge Whitaker that she would not see him again unless they happened to be at the same bar in the future. He told the judge that he had learned from his mistakes.

Although his freedom was on the line and he was incarcerated for the past two years, Thug expressed to the judge that her taking over the trial was “the best thing” that had happened to him because she had been fairer than the previous judge and the prosecutors involved in the case. After acknowledging that the court staff had put in extra time to work the trial, he asked the judge to allow him to go home to his family.

The “Go Crazy” rapper then told the judge that he understood his rise in the hip-hop game comes with the responsibility of being a positive role model for his community.

“I know what I bring to the table and I know what I am,” he stated. “I know the heights I’ve reached and I know the impact I’ve got on people in the community.”

In mentioning his community involvement, Thug told Judge Whitaker about doing free shows and giving back. He once gave $1.8 million to a charity that supports single parents. Thug also told the judge about contributions he made to a breast cancer organization by doing “like two or three shows that made like $700,000 apiece” while putting “millions of dollars back into my community for real.”

In his final plea, he tried to make her understand the environment he was raised in. He also assured her that he had grown up and would do better, even in his music, to showcase the positive aspects of life instead of the negative ones he rapped about previously.

Before handing Thug his sentence, Judge Whitaker stated, “I want you to be more of the solution and less of the problem.”

Her last statement to him included a warning and a wish for luck in his latest opportunity to keep his nose clean.

“Good luck to you. There better be no violations, but if there are any, you’re coming back to see me.”

The conditions Thug agreed to include no longer residing in Atlanta for the first 10 years and not being present in the city unless it is essential for family functions like weddings and/or funerals. While on probation, he has to perform community service several times a year.

Variety reported that three of Thug’s co-defendants, Rodalius Ryan (aka Lil Rod), Quamarvious Nichols (aka Qua), and Marquavius Huey (aka Qua) took pleas of their own earlier this week. Ryan, who is currently imprisoned for life for a previous murder case, pled guilty to a conspiracy to violate the RICO Act. His 10-year sentence has been commuted to time served. Nichols was sentenced to 20 years in prison after having several charges dropped; he is also required to serve seven years on probation. Huey had some of the charges against him dropped or reduced. He was sentenced to 25 years, of which only nine will be served in prison.

town homes, 20 million, San Francisco, downturn, crime, luxury home, house, Russian hill

by Jameelah Mullen

November 1, 2024

City Approves $700 A Month Sleeping Pods In San Francisco

Developers converted a bank into affordable housing units

According to Apartments.com, the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is about $3,000 per month. Brownstone Shared Housing has created a more affordable option: sleeping pods.

For $700 a month, San Francisco residents can rent a pod the size of a twin-sized bed. The four-foot-tall pod has two fans, a mirror, and a privacy curtain. The sleeping units are housed inside a building with shared restrooms, storage facilities, and a workspace. The price is ideal for up-and-coming entrepreneurs living in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., where the cost of living is 70% above the national average.

“I was living in the Presidio before and was kind of looking for cheaper options just so I could keep working on the stuff I wanted to and working on open-source projects,” Ben, a resident and entrepreneur, told ABC 7 News, San Francisco.

When the housing project gained popularity last year, the city threatened to shut it down due to a lack of proper permits. Brownstone Shared Housing Co-Founder James Stallworth said they were forced to stop renting pods to potential residents until they received the required permits from the city.

“There was never anything illegal about the pods. It’s just that we didn’t have a change of use because this building used to be a bank. So, we went through that process for about a year. In the meantime, the planning department at some point said that we can’t list it because people were complaining thinking we were renting illegal housing,” Stallworth told ABC 7 News, San Fransisco.

Additionally, Stallworth said they had to make some repairs in the building to comply with city safety standards. After a year-long process, The San Fransico Department of Inspections issued a letter of approval for the pods.

Stallworth said they are creating additional housing pods in a larger building, which is slated to open early next year.

Pastor, Houston, sexual assault, Keion Henderson

by Mitti Hicks

November 1, 2024

Alabama Chuch Sparks Backlash After Calling Black Trump Supporters ‘Stupid Negro’

New Era Baptist Church has a predominantly Black congregation.

“Stupid Negro” is probably the last thing you would expect to see on a church sign. But, for drivers riding down the street on Cotton Avenue SW in Birmingham, Alabama, New Era Baptist Church put up an election sign that read, “Attention to all Blacks who plan to vote for Trump you are an ignorant, stupid Negro.” On the other side of the two-sided billboard is a message that said, “Warning African Americans: A vote for Trump will put Blacks back to picking cotton.”

The pastor of New Era Baptist Church, which has a predominantly Black congregation, is now receiving backlash for those words.

“Churches are supposed to spread the Gospel, offer messages of God’s love, and share the life of Christ, not threaten, intimidate, and insult those who exercise their right to vote and support the candidate that is best for them,” Alabama’s Lt. Gov., Will Ainsworth posted on X. “Those responsible for this sign should be ashamed.”

Churches are supposed to spread the Gospel, offer messages of God’s love, and share the life of Christ, not threaten, intimidate, and insult those who exercise their right to vote and support the candidate that is best for them. Those responsible for this sign should be ashamed. https://t.co/fBlVTK7vhn
— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) October 31, 2024

However, Rev. Michael R. Jordan, who has pastored the church for more than 30 years, is everything but ashamed and doubling down on his messages.

“This is my ministry,” Jordan told AL.com. “This is my calling.”

A History Of Controversial Messages

This isn’t the first time Rev. Jordan has received backlash for his signs at New Era Baptist Church.

In 2013, he posted messages in support of Trayvon Martin and called the jury racist after the self-proclaimed neighborhood watch, George Zimmerman, was acquitted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting 17-year-old Martin. Then, in 2017, Rev. Jordan, who has a degree in political science, approved a message that read, “Trump deceived poor White folks.”

Google reviews highlight the backlash his messages have received over the years.

“These are today’s Godly messages on each side of this church’s sign. One can only imagine what the Pastor’s sermons are like,” a reviewer stated in response to another message on the church’s signage that read: “Blame White Christians and White pastors for supporting and breeding White Supremacy.” The reviewer continued, “I cannot believe a black Pastor would promote such racist hate, yet every sign he puts up speaks loudly of his racist views toward White people.”

“Very sad that a church takes a stand like this,” another reviewer said. “God has a special place for antichrist type Pastors. He’ll get his just rewards. That whole congregation will burn in the pits of HELL.”

But some people support Rev. Jordan.

“Pastor Jordan is incredible, and the entire congregation made me feel comfortable and at home, ready to praise God,” said James Gamez.

Black, white wealth, pandemic, average salaries

by Jameelah Mullen

November 1, 2024

Nigerian Tech Company Moniepoint Secures $110 Million Investment

Moniepoint was founded by Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike in 2015.

Moniepoint, a Nigerian-based fintech company that serves millions of entrepreneurs across Africa, has secured $110 million in funding to expand its business. The funding came from four entities: London-based Development Partners International and Lightrock, which had previously invested in the firm; Google’s Africa Investment Fund and Verod Capital are new investors.

Moniepoint—formerly called TeamApt—was named the fastest-growing fintech company by the Financial Times for two years.

The company provides various financial services, including bank accounts, loans, and business management services. It processes over 800 million monthly transactions, with a value exceeding 7 billion.

Moniepointe Co-Founder Tosin Eniolorunda says the new investor funding will help the company enhance the customer experience.

“Our mission is to help our customers solve their challenges by making our platform more innovative, transparent, and secure. The proceeds from this raise will speed up our efforts to drive financial inclusion and support Africa’s entrepreneurial potential. I want to sincerely thank the entire Moniepoint team for making this achievement possible, “ Eniolorunda said in a press release shared with Afrotech.

Adefolarin Ogunsanya, a partner at Development Partners International, also expressed his excitement about contributing to Moniepoint’s growth.

“We are delighted to lead this investment round in Moniepoint, one of Africa’s most exciting and fastest-growing companies. A profitable business led by an excellent leadership team with clear strategic vision, Moniepoint is well positioned to continue its impressive growth trajectory while driving financial inclusion for underserved businesses and individuals across Africa, Afrotech reports.

Moniepoint officials say they will continue prioritizing Nigeria, but the company plans to expand to other African countries. The company is currently assessing those markets to gauge how it can effectively meet customers’ needs.

The successful fintech firm has previously received backing from QED Investors, British International Investment (BII), and Endeavor Catalyst. Since its launch in 2015, the company has raised over $180 million since it launched in 2015.

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