Justice Department, North Carolina Reach $13.5M Settlement With Bank Over Redlining Claims

by Derek Major

February 8, 2024

Justice Department, North Carolina Reach $13.5M Settlement With Bank Over Redlining Claims

The Justice Department and the state of North Carolina reached a $13.5 million settlement with a bank to resolve allegations of redlining

The Justice Department and the State of North Carolina reached a $13.5 million settlement with the First National Bank of Pennsylvania (FNB) to resolve allegations that it engaged in redlining in predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.

“Lending discrimination violates the law and harms communities and entire families for generations,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a Justice Department release. “Today’s settlement will invest $13.5 million in expanding access to credit services for Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Charlotte and Winston-Salem that for too long have been denied to them. With this settlement, the Justice Department’s Combating Redlining Initiative has now secured over $122 million in relief for communities across the country. But we recognize how much work we have left to do, and we are not letting up in our efforts to combat discrimination in lending wherever it occurs.”

Under the terms of the settlement, FNB will:

Invest at least $11.75 million in a loan subsidy fund to increase access to home mortgage, home improvement, and home refinance loans for residents of majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in FNB’s Charlotte and Winston-Salem service areas.

Spend $1 million on community partnerships to provide services related to credit, consumer financial education, homeownership and foreclosure prevention for residents of predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in those service areas.

Spend $750,000 for advertising, outreach, consumer financial education, and credit counseling focused on predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in those service areas.

Open three new branches in predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Charlotte and Winston-Salem (two in Charlotte and one in Winston-Salem), with at least one mortgage banker assigned to each branch.

Hire a director of community lending to oversee the continued development of lending in communities of color.

Redlining is the practice of racial steering by real estate agents that direct Black homebuyers and renters to certain neighborhoods or buildings and away from others. It originated in the 1930s with government homeownership programs that were created as part of the New Deal.

The effort and settlement is part of an effort by the Justice Department to combat redlining by banks across the country.

The complaint alleges that between 2017 and 2021, FNB failed to provide mortgage lending services to Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Charlotte and Winston-Salem and discouraged people seeking credit in those communities from obtaining home loans. Instead, First National Bank’s home mortgage lending was disproportionately focused on white areas in those two cities.

According to the Justice Department, other lenders generated applications in predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods at two and a half times the rate of FNB in Charlotte, and four times the rate of FNB in Winston-Salem.

Additionally, bank branches in both cities were overwhelmingly located in predominantly white neighborhoods. The bank closed its sole branch, located in a predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhood in Winston-Salem, in 2021.

Football Champion Odessa “OJ” Jenkins Is Creating Equity For Women & Girls

by Atiya Jordan

February 8, 2024

Football Champion Odessa “OJ” Jenkins Is Creating Equity For Women & Girls

Odessa "OJ" Jenkins stands firm in her progress and allows her winning streak, resilience, and consistency to help other women and girls gain financial equity opportunities in the sport of American football.

Odessa “OJ” Jenkins, the most winningest head coach in women’s tackle football history, is attempting to live the dream of creating equity for women and girls. With fortitude, the trailblazer in women’s football is breaking barriers down as founder of the Women’s National Football Conference and CEO of Bonfire Women.

A proud manifestation of her south-central L.A. upbringing, Jenkins is no stranger to loss and adversity, but she hails from a family who were adamant about rising out of the mud. She fostered her authentic gifts in safe spaces and learned the power of marketing through her musical father and in school athletics. Growing up, Jenkins played several sports but was advised that she needed to choose a sport other than football to go to college. After playing college basketball on scholarship, Jenkins was determined to pursue her love for football. And the rest is history.

Jenkins is a Hall of Famer, a seven-time National Champion, a two-time USA Football Team captain, and a three-time Team USA Gold Medalist. She stands firm in her progress and allows her winning streak, resilience, and consistency to help other women and girls gain financial equity opportunities in American football.

Canva Design by Atiya Jordan / Video by Odessa “OJ” Jenkins

“Sports teaches you, if you don’t execute, you will lose. And we need to be the same in business. If we don’t execute, if we don’t have a plan, it will not work,” Jenkins told BE of her experience on the field. “Stick to your plan, sis.”

“You can lose the little battles, you can lose the big war.. but you have to take Ls. And you can’t ask for it to be easier in some ways. You can’t ask to sprint through it. You have got to learn in your suffering, so that you don’t do it again.”

‘PLAY IN THE SYSTEM OR GET PLAYED’

Source: **Photo by Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) / Head Coach Odessa “OJ” Jenkins with the Texas Elite Spartans during a “Got Her Back” Camp.**

Founded in 2018, The Women’s National Football Club (WNFC) is celebrating its fifth season this year. There are 16 teams competing all over the country, and 70% are women of color. Jenkins serves as head coach of the Texas Elite Spartans, the defending champion. She is proud to have 30 current HBCU alums, including American gold medalists, working mothers, and attorney Michelle Dunham of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. What’s more, WNFC Flag is launching in April.

“A lot of Black women and women of color gravitate to building the WNFC because it is a symbol [that] our mission is clear,” Jenkins told BE. “We want you to play [at] the highest level and get paid and make your life better. We aren’t kicking that responsibility to the next generation.”

Last season, WNFC represented 22 countries around the world. The organization is growing 100% each year while garnering large sponsorships with Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Riddell Sports, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Thanks to numerous partnerships, Jenkins is passionate about the “Got Her Back” Girls Football Camp from Texas Elite Spartans, which held 12 camps last year for girls ages 6-18.

Source: **Photo by Women’s National Football Conference**

“Imagine having a brand where you get to introduce something no one has ever seen before. We are introducing more new people to the fact that women play football than almost any other brand,” Jenkins said. “Our league is not centered in what the world thinks beauty is.”

‘DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE BATTLE IS OVER’

Source: **Photo by Odessa “OJ” Jenkins**

Co-founded by two dynamic women, Bonfire Women offers leadership programs that aims to equip women with “perspective skills, inspiration and clarity they need to matter more,” according to the company website. In 2023, Jenkins was tapped as CEO to build the company up by leveraging her skills in B2B SAAS tech, DEI, and team dynamics. She told BE that her intention was to lead her team in creating “a product that accelerates confidence, accelerates women’s belief in themselves, belief in equity, belief in community, and belief in their ability to lead in any place at work.”

“I think women of color and frankly B2B business companies that want to retain black women [and] want to retain women of color, know something to be true,” Jenkins explained. “One, when you have us in leadership and executive ranks, you do better financially. The numbers don’t lie.”

She continued, “Black women can come into the Bonfire ecosystem and talk about what it’s like. Talk about their fears, talk about being unsafe, talk about what they do about it. As Black women, especially those who want to lead, we take on so much of that pressure, that we don’t acknowledge the lack of fairness. In order to get on the other side of fear to courage, you have to acknowledge it.”

‘SHOUT NOW’

Flag Football is #LA28Bound! The pipeline to professional flag and tackle football for women 🏈 is HERE. #wnfc #la28 #football pic.twitter.com/y4gO5y5i0a
— WNFCFootball (@wnfcfootball) October 16, 2023

In the future, Jenkins is looking forward to more women leading and getting paid their worth, and more opportunities for women. As WNFC expands, another goal is to bring more WNFC football to the world by taking on content partnerships with platforms like Caffeine TV, a livestreaming platform for games, sports, and other entertainment.

“You don’t need license to be you, you don’t need license to do it like you want to do it,” Jenkins championed for all aspiring women leaders. “And I know it’s scary, especially when you are in environments when you are the only, but lean in on you how you are, what makes you special, what makes you comfortable, because that’s what people want anyway.”

by Sharelle Burt

February 8, 2024

Court Rules Not Wearing A Mask During COVID-19 Outbreak Isn’t Protected By Free Speech

This is a safety issue!

A group of New Jersey residents lost their fight in court for free speech.

On Feb. 5, a Third Circuit Court of Appeals court ruled in favor of school officials in Freehold and Cranford, New Jersey, after residents refused to wear face masks at school board meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. In two lawsuits filed by George Falcone and Gwyneth Murray-Nolan, the plaintiffs claim not wearing a mask constituted protected speech under the First Amendment.

In early 2022, Falcone participated in a Freehold Township school board meeting while masks were still required. According to the ruling, Falcone refused to wear a face mask and as a result, was summoned for a trespassing charge. According to the court’s ruling, he refused, and was issued a summons on a trespassing charge.

Murray-Nolan, an open opponent of the mask efficiency, attended a similar meeting in Cranford without a mask, despite a requirement for them. A few weeks later, when she returned for the next board meeting, Murray-Nolan was arrested for a defiant trespass charge for not wearing a mask — again. The arresting officers were found probable to arrest her by a lower court, since wearing a mask was required by law at the time.

Falcone alleged he was retaliated against by school boards over his refusal to cover up in public meetings. One suit was sent back to a lower court for further review, and in Murray-Nolan’s suit, she failed to show she was retaliated against. Regardless, the court ruled refusal to wear a mask during a public health emergency doesn’t equate to free speech protected by the Constitution. “A question shadowing suits such as these is whether there is a First Amendment right to refuse to wear a protective mask as required by valid health and safety orders put in place during a recognized public health emergency,” the court said.

“Like all courts to address this issue, we conclude there is not.”

Jersey’s statewide order for mask-wearing in schools was lifted in March 2022, shortly after both lawsuits were filed, according to The Hill. Both cases were dismissed, but the court reiterated in the ruling that refusing to wear a protective mask as a requirement puts everyone at risk.

“Skeptics are free to—and did—voice their opposition through multiple means, but disobeying a masking requirement is not one of them,” the ruling said. “One could not, for example, refuse to pay taxes to express the belief that ‘taxes are theft.’ Nor could one refuse to wear a motorcycle helmet as a symbolic protest against a state law requiring them.”

Ronald Berutti, attorney for both Falcone and Murray-Nolan, claims their next plan is to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

by Stacy Jackson

February 8, 2024

From Brixton Supper Club To Michelin Glory: Chishuru Wins First Star For Nigerian Cuisine

The self-taught Nigerian chef received a Michelin star in 2023 just months after relocating to the West End.

Mere months after moving to the West End in London, the West African eatery Chishuru has earned a coveted Michelin star.

Winning Michelin acclaim caps a remarkable journey for self-taught chef Adejoké “Joké” Bakare. “I’m speechless, which isn’t usually the case,” a stunned Bakare remarked upon the Feb. 5 award announcement.

Bakare opened Chishuru in 2020 after winning a local cooking competition, and ran it out of Brixton Village with one kitchen assistant. Chishuru first wowed diners with homestyle West African dishes like £18 two-course meals of Jollof and fried plantain. Now, her Chishuru, located minutes from Oxford Circus, offers a £75 tasting menu in a two-floor space.

Signature plates range from moi moi with bone marrow to seasonal shellfish swimming in a pepper soup broth. Bakare synthesizes these touches of her homeland with global techniques. As food critic Jimi Famurewa praised upon awarding a four-star review, Chishuru displays the chef’s “blazing, intuitive talent” through “the power to take your breath away.”

From a humble supper club in North London to a major restaurant player bringing West African cuisine into the spotlight, Bakare originally dreamed of food services, running a university fish-and-chips stand in Nigeria before moving to the U.K. in the 1990s. After years in London property management, she started Chishuru.

According to the restaurant, Bakare has rapidly risen to prominence in the culinary world, earning recognition as one of Code’s 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality in 2022, as well as becoming shortlisted for Innovator of the Year at the GQ Food & Drink Awards 2022 and Chef to Watch in the National Restaurant Awards.

Other West African chefs who won a Michelin Award this year include Fitzrovia’s Akoko, dubbed “one of the most memorable meals of the year.” But Chishuru stood apart as London’s first Michelin-starred West African restaurant—an ascent mirroring Chef Bakare’s goal to share her culture’s vibrant flavors globally.

Biden-Harris, small business, Increase Productivity,

by Derek Major

February 8, 2024

White House Touts Black Business Gains, Historically Low Unemployment

Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo and Senior Advisor Stephen Benjamin discussed the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to boost Black America.

In a press call Wednesday morning, White House Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo and Senior Advisor and former Columbia, S.C. Gov. Stephen Benjamin discussed the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to boost Black businesses, Black unemployment, education, and more.

When President Joe Biden took office, Black unemployment skyrocketed as the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the economy. However, in the four years since, the Black unemployment rate has fallen to 5.3%, the lowest rate since the government began tracking it.

Adeyemo noted in the press call that provisions made by the Biden-Harris administration in the American Rescue Plan ensured communities of color got the support they needed to get through the pandemic and build a better economic future.

“As a result of the actions of the Biden administration, we’re witnessing the most equitable recovery in American history,” said Adeyemo. “There’s more to do, but the president’s agenda has led to significant economic gains for Black Americans; in particular, the unemployment rate for Black Americans peaked at 16.8% in May of 2020, meaning that 1 in 6 Black workers were unemployed. Driven by the resilience of Black America in the president’s economic agenda, unemployment rates for Black Americans recovered far more quickly than in past recessions.”

Additionally, the latest jobs report shows the share of Black Americans in the workforce is above pre-pandemic levels and near its highest level in two decades.

Adeyemo also noted earnings for typical full-time Black workers are up 7.1% since before the pandemic, higher than the rate of inflation, and real median Black wealth is up 60% since 2019.

During the call, Benjamin discussed how the administration has boosted small Black businesses and Black business owners, noting the Small Business Administration has surpassed the $1 billion mark in lending to Black-owned small businesses for the third year in a row, doubling that of fiscal year 2020.

Additionally, the Biden-Harris administration has expanded access to more than $700 billion in federal contracts to small businesses owned by individuals from underrepresented communities.

Adeyemo also discussed how the administration is fighting the attacks against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, especially in the technology and education fields, to ensure equitable opportunities for everyone.

“There’s about 70 DEI leaders from across the country on campus today speaking with our domestic policy council talking about the challenges of weathering attacks that they’re facing, and it’s my and our job to go up there today and really encourage them to do exactly what the president and vice president have asked them to do since day one,” said Adeyemo. “We’ll continue to fight the attacks but really making sure we continue to speak to the values in this country and the power of inclusion.”

Adeyemo added that companies with a diverse group of leaders and a diverse workforce yield better financial results.

The two men also cited other areas where Black Americans have made significant gains, including that two-thirds of new clean energy jobs are in communities of color, making sure Black Americans have equal access to home buying by cracking down on appraisal bias, cutting Black child poverty in half and lowering healthcare costs for Black Americans and fighting high prescription drug costs and not only making education more affordable for Black Americans but by canceling $137 billion in student debt and investing more than $7 billion in HBCUs.

by Daniel Johnson

February 7, 2024

New Study Shows Black People Lose Sleep Over Police Killing Unarmed Black People

However, outside of this specific stressor, Black people typically get less sleep than white Americans on average, due to the racism baked into American society.

A new study published on Feb 5 in JAMA Internal Medicine, a medical journal, indicated that each time Black people are made aware of another unarmed Black person killed by the police, they are being robbed of a non-renewable resource: sleep.

The report disclosed an increase among Black adults in short sleep or nights with fewer than seven hours of sleep and concise rest – nights with fewer than six hours of sleep after being exposed to reports of “officer-involved killings.”

Dr. Atheendar Venkataramani, lead researcher at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, explained, “These findings show that poor sleep health is another unfortunate byproduct of exposure to these tragic occurrences. Exposure of Black Americans to police violence – which disproportionately [affects] Black individuals – adversely impacts the sleep health of these individuals. This critical keystone further impacts our mental, physical and emotional well-being.”

During the study, researchers monitored and analyzed changes in sleep duration, which had been tracked via two federal surveys, linking those with available data on officer-involved killings around the country. They discovered that approximately 46% of Black adults experienced short sleep, and 18.4% of Black adults experienced very short sleep, compared to 33% of white respondents experiencing short sleep and 10.4% experiencing very short sleep.

Trouble sleeping or insomnia is often linked to PTSD, and the researchers hypothesize that the awareness of Black people dying at the hands of the police could lead to diminished expectations of well-being, paranoia, and hypervigilance, as well as increased stress levels, which have all been associated with a lack of sleep.

According to the study’s conclusion, “Sleep health among Black adults worsened after exposure to officer-involved killings of unarmed Black individuals. These empirical findings underscore the role of structural racism in shaping racial disparities in sleep health outcomes.”

However, outside of this specific stressor, Black people typically get less sleep than white Americans, on average, due to the racism baked into American society.

In 2022, during a panel discussion at the SLEEP 2022 conference, a panel of experts argued that race is not the reason Black and other people of color get less sleep, racism is. Benjamin Reiss, a professor and chair of the Department of English at Emory University, told the AJMC that it is the history of America that wreaks havoc on Black people’s ability to rest.

“The depressing, exhausting, and soul-killing aspects of enslavement, disenfranchisement, and poverty could simply be interpreted as an aversion to work, an inability to control the body’s urges, and the need for imposed discipline.” Reiss continued, “When we see sleep disparities today, we are also seeing the effects of history that lives on in the body. The centuries-long, oppressive conditions that produce disparities are created and justified by people who took their own access to comfort, safety, privacy, and hygiene for granted.”

According to Karen Lincoln, a professor of environmental and occupational health at UCI, sleep or more accurately, sleep irregularity, is another marker of the lack of equality in America for Black people.

“However, higher incomes, having a college degree, and living in neighborhoods with more resources [don’t] necessarily protect African Americans from poor sleep quality because they are still subjected to stressors linked to law enforcement, racism, work environments, families, and neighborhoods regardless of socioeconomic status. Racism rather than race is a marker of risk for sleep problems.” Lincoln concluded her analysis by saying, “To move forward, we must listen and address the issues African American residents, communities, and organizations have identified as problems and priorities. We must all acknowledge the past, raise awareness about the current state of affairs, and work together to improve the health and well-being of all communities of color.”

jay-z, kelly, rowland, speech, grammy, Beyonce

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 7, 2024

Kelly Rowland Is ‘Proud’ Jay-Z Called Out The Grammys For Beyoncé ‘Album Of The Year’ Snubs

Kelly Rowland is in full support of Jay-Z's Grammy acceptance speech where he called out the Recording Academy's repeated snubs against his wife Beyoncé for the Album of the Year.

Kelly Rowland is in full support of Jay-Z’s Grammy acceptance speech where he called out the Recording Academy‘s repeated snubs against his wife Beyoncé for Album of the Year.

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter went viral on Sunday night when he took to the Grammy stage to accept his Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. He brought his eldest daughter Blue Ivy on stage with him as he said a speech that subtly blasted the Recording Academy’s history of snubbing Black artists.

He referenced Will Smith’s 1988 boycott against the Grammys for not airing the Best Rap Performance category and his boycott that followed 10 years later after the academy failed to nominate DMX in the Best Rap Album category despite releasing two No. 1 albums that year. He used those two examples as a segue to amplify his wife and the multiple times she’s been nominated for Album of the Year but has yet to win the category despite being the most decorated artist in Grammy history with 32 wins.

“We love y’all. We want y’all to get it right,” Jay-Z said. “I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work.”

“Think about that. The most Grammys, never won album of the year. That doesn’t work,” he added.

Jay-Z’s full #Grammys speech pic.twitter.com/qQu9G4lGYi
— chris rodgers. (@cxrodge) February 5, 2024

Beyoncé’s Destiny’s Child group member Kelly Rowland spoke with Entertainment Tonight on Tuesday, February 6, praising Jay-Z for using his moment to advocate for his wife and other Black artists.

“Shawn Carter is one of the greatest men I know, and his words ring so loud to me,” Rowland said.

She said she “couldn’t be more proud” of Jay-Z, 54, adding, “I’m just really happy for a lot of things that he said. I think that he made a lot of artists feel very seen and very heard in those minutes that he took on stage.”

https://twitter.com/OhKellyRowland/status/1755300937080398090

The “Say My Name” singer noted Jay-Z’s mention that he meant “no disrespect” to the Recording Academy. He was just being honest.

“I feel like she is an icon,” Rowland said of Beyoncé. “She is innovative, her thoughts are big and bright and she just jumps for them and does it. I think that her albums are a reflection of that, and it should be really celebrated in that way.”

Beyonce wasn’t nominated for any Grammys on Sunday. Last year, her Renaissance album lost album of the year to Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House.” She first lost to Beck in 2010 for I Am … Sasha Fierce. In 2015, she lost to Taylor Swift for her self-titled album, and in 2017 Adele beat out her nomination for Lemonade.

It’s been 25 years since a Black woman won Album of the Year. Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation album was the last time a Black woman took home the biggest award of the night.

Tap In! TikTok & Black Girl Ventures Launch The Innovate Together Grant

by Atiya Jordan

February 7, 2024

Tap In! TikTok & Black Girl Ventures Launch The Innovate Together Grant

Calling all entrepreneurs, founders, small-business owners, and creators in the beauty, lifestyle, and consumer sectors!

A new and exciting collaboration between Black Girl Ventures and TikTok is calling all entrepreneurs, founders, small-business owners, and creators to seize a rewarding opportunity to level up in 2024.

Last year, TikTok announced an investment of $1M to support the work of Black Girl Ventures to increase access to financial and social capital for Black and Brown entrepreneurs. Now, the social media platform and BGV have launched the Innovate Together Grant Program. This transformative initiative aims to empower success, offer financial support, and enable businesses to work with creators, according to a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE. The program was also designed to “redefine success by fostering innovative collaborations, amplifying brand reach, and building lasting legacies.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Black Girl Ventures (@blackgirlventures)

“Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creators are invited to apply for funding to connect with creative experts to execute creative services for business growth. (Think anything from content creation, a marketing strategy for TikTok, video production, and more. The possibilities are endless),” as encouraged in the release.

“Creators, creatives and marketing experts– encourage a business to apply as a pathway to collaboration.”

Do you have an active TikTok account? With that said, participation in the program requires you to not only have an account but you must also be able to deliver a project within three months of receiving the grant, including reporting required. Do you operate a business or brand in in the beauty, lifestyle, and consumer sectors? The program will offer applicants a chance to win 12 grants. The award levels include an “Enterprise Award” in the amount of $10,000, an “Innovation Award” of $5,000 or a Community Award of $2,500. Along with these funds, BGV and TikTok are clear in the following goals and objectives:

Facilitate collaboration between visionary business minds and influential content creators by empowering entrepreneurs to collaborate with skilled creators for creative services that enhance storytelling and authentic connection.
Provide financial support to small businesses and creators by providing a $50,000 grant pool to fuel innovative partnerships.
Assist small businesses in scaling and reaching new audiences by leveraging creative marketing and influencer partnerships to expand their reach and impact.
Support a variety of business sectors by encouraging applications from diverse industries, including culinary endeavors, fashion startups, and tech marvels.

@blackgirlventures Apply at the link in bio! #InnovateTogetherGrant #TikTokPartner ♬ original sound – Black Girl Ventures

Additionally, applicants must be available to attend an in-person business development training session in March. Applications are due by February 29, 2024 at 11:59PM EST. Apply here.

Don’t miss your chance! Good luck!

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 7, 2024

Former Employee Settles Wrongful Termination Suit Against Yeezy

Maya Stewart accused Yeezy Gap of wrongful termination after she complained about conditions at work, including having to work between 50 to 80 hours weekly with no overtime pay.

One less thing for Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, to worry about! According to Radar Online, the lawsuit filed against the eclectic fashion designer that accused his company, Yeezy, of wrongful termination has been settled.

The suit from former employee Maya Stewart was filed last year after she claimed she was terminated from her position after complaining about work conditions. The Gap was also named in the lawsuit.

Court documents obtained by Radar Online revealed Stewart and her former employers went into mediation on Jan. 19. The parties reached an agreement suggested by the mediator “and are now in the process of finalizing and circulating a long-form settlement agreement for signature.” With the deal reportedly set, Stewart said she was prepared to file a motion to dismiss the suit soon.

Stewart was hired in January 2021 as an accessories developer. In her lawsuit, she claimed that she worked between 50 and 80 hours per week but never received overtime pay. She also said the company violated meal and rest break violations in spring 2021.

After bringing those concerns to various executives, Stewart also said that her pay was reduced from $60 per hour to $50 per hour, and that during her last week at the company she had to work 21 hours a day.

In Stewart’s lawsuit, she asked for unspecified damages for the humiliation, shame, despair, embarrassment, depression, mental pain, and anguish she suffered because of the firing. In response, The Gap denied all allegations of wrongdoing and asked that Yeezy be solely responsible for any judgment that may be awarded to Stewart. However, Ye’s company stated that all actions taken against Stewart were “justified” and asked that her claims be dismissed.

“Defendants did not authorize, direct, or ratify any alleged wrongful conduct,” a Yeezy attorney stated. “[Stewart’s] claims are barred for the reason that the alleged conduct of Defendants was at all times undertaken in the good-faith exercise of a legitimate business purpose.”

Yeezy also requested that Stewart cover its legal fees.

In The Black Network Launches ‘ITBN Africa’ To Amplify Content From African Creators

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 7, 2024

In The Black Network Launches ‘ITBN Africa’ To Amplify Content From African Creators

In the Black Network is kicking off Black History Month by making history of its own with the launch of an expansion: ITBN Africa.

In the Black Network (ITBN) is kicking off Black History Month by making history of its own with the launch of an expansion. Enter ITBN Africa.

The new network includes 70 hours of original programming devoted to showcasing the dynamic creative voices that embody the richness of African cultures. Launched on Feb. 5, the network includes a slate of rich independent TV series, films, and documentaries including A Light Through Coloured Glass, GOBE, My Bald Self, Mummy Dearest, and Bachelor’s Eve.

“At ITBN we’re not just about adding more titles. We aim to celebrate the black diaspora and be a tribute to the diverse stories and rich heritage that resonates globally,” James DuBose, founder and CEO of In the Black Network, said in a press release.

“Africa’s storytelling tradition is as historic as time, filled with narratives that inspire, entertain, and educate.”

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A post shared by In The Black Network (@intheblacknetwork)

The new network debuts at a pivotal time, as major networks face criticism for the drawback of diversity pledges made during the heightened racial tensions of 2020. As diverse programming begins to decrease, African filmmakers have criticized prominent streaming platforms for actively withdrawing financial support for their content.

With more creators calling for dedicated hubs devoted to showcasing the tapestry of stories originating from Africa to global audiences, ITBN seeks to fill the void. DuBose’s new network aims to make sure these narratives don’t go unnoticed, as many other streaming networks are not embracing content from African countries.

ITBN Africa highlights a diverse lineup, including original series, documentaries, and movies spanning genres from drama to comedy, with a goal to connect, promote understanding, and introduce global viewers to the beauty and complexity of Africa.

You can watch a full highlight reel for the new network here.