miami, miami woman, animal cruelty, dog, cruelty

January 31, 2024

Miami Woman Arrested After Reportedly Cutting Dog’s Neck ‘Several Times’

Elena Barakova Cowan told police that she “had a dream that required her to complete a sacrifice to the gods to save humanity.”

A Miami woman was arrested last week after she used a knife to cut her pet dog multiple times in the neck. Police officers picked her up after a two-month investigation into the alleged crime that was committed in November 2023. According to Local 10, law enforcement arrested 37-year-old Elena Barakova Cowan of Edgewater and charged her with a felony animal cruelty charge.

She is accused of cutting the neck of her dog, Sparky, “several times.” She told police officers that she did so because she was told to do it in her dream. She was taken into custody on Friday, Jan. 26.

According to an arrest report, Cowan took Sparky to a veterinarian on Nov. 14, and after the visit, police officers visited Cowan. She told the officer that, after “she had not had any sleep in approximately four days,” she “had a dream that required her to complete a sacrifice to the gods to save humanity.” After having that dream, she awakened from her sleep and went into her kitchen, where she grabbed a knife and “cut the dog’s neck several times.”

The report stated that the dog suffered at least two superficial cuts and two other wounds that were “deeper and overlapping.” The dog survived the attack and was not returned to Cowan but was taken to Miami-Dade Animal Services, where Sparky was later adopted.

Cowan now faces a second-degree felony charge of animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill. According to Miami-Dade jail records, Cowan, a Bulgarian national, is no longer listed as a prisoner. There is also no other information on whether there are any bail arrangements, or if she was released on her own recognizance, or if she has retained a lawyer.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2024

Keke Palmer Thinks Her Hollywood Retirement Is ‘Around The Corner’

Keke Palmer is only 30 years old. But having kicked off her acting career at the age of 9, the seasoned veteran feels like her retirement is just "around the corner."

Keke Palmer is only 30 years old. But having kicked off her acting career at the age of 9, the seasoned veteran feels like her retirement is just “around the corner.”

The actress covers the February issue of Teen Vogue where she opened up about her plans for an early retirement.

“I think the timer has started,” she revealed. “I think [I haven’t retired] because I just haven’t felt it yet. But the timer, I know that it’s around the corner.”

While Palmer has no idea “when exactly” she will quit acting, she does feel like the time is near. Her main goal is to leave behind a legacy that opens doors for future film stars and not gatekeep opportunities.

“The main thing I want those legacies to be is [a call] to use your power for good, to use what you have to create spaces and systems for other people to thrive,” she shared.

“I just don’t believe in holding everything. I don’t believe in gatekeeping. I’m not a coward.”

So far, Palmer’s legacy includes winning a 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Game Show, the first woman to secure the win in 15 years. She’s also a media mogul as CEO of KeyTV and her record label Big Bosses Entertainment. Some of her biggest films include Shrink with Kevin Spacey, Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah, Lightyear with Chris Evans, and Jordan Peele’s Nope with Daniel Kaluuya.

As a mother of son Leodis “Leo” Andrellton Jackson, Palmer is also focused on raising the soon-to-be one-year-old to be curious in ways that will propel him forward.

“I want to raise him to know that if life is a school, get out there and learn,” she said.

“A part of learning in this place, I think, is to love and to know how to first be unconditionally loving to yourself, so that you know how to love others and be of service to others in a way that doesn’t disadvantage them but instead empowers them.”

Corey Hawkins, Jonathan Majors, the man in my basement, film, movie

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2024

Jonathan Majors Replaced By Corey Hawkins In ‘The Man In My Basement’

The Jonathan Majors exodus continues as the recently convicted actor gets removed from yet another film and replaced by actor Corey Hawkins.

The Color Purple star scored the lead role in Andscape‘s The Man in My Basement which is set to release on Hulu, Deadline reported. Directed by Nadia Latif, the feature film stars Hawkins, who will also serve as executive producer, and four-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe.

Based on an adaption of Walter Mosley’s novel, the film is set in the predominantly-Black neighborhood of Sag Harbor where Charles Blakey (Hawkins) faces unemployment, misfortune, and the imminent foreclosure of his family’s ancestral home. His situation takes a strange turn when a mysterious businessman, Anniston Bennet (Dafoe), appears at his door with an unusual proposal to rent out his neglected basement for the summer and earn enough money to eliminate his debts.

After agreeing to deal, Charles unwittingly embarks on a chilling journey that forces him to confront ghosts from his family’s past in a perplexing puzzle that delves into issues of race, his family’s origins of trauma, and the overall essence of evil.

It’s the latest role Majors has lost as a result of being found guilty on two misdemeanor charges of assault and harassment against his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. Since Majors’ conviction last month, he has been dropped from his role as Kang The Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and from his role as Dennis Rodman in the movie 48 Hours in Vegas.

With Marvel being owned by Disney, it makes sense why Majors was also dropped from The Man in My Basement as Andscape serves as the Black-led content studio from Disney and ESPN. Majors sat down for his first interview in the weeks after his conviction and revealed how “shocked” he was by his conviction.

“I’m standing there and the verdict comes down,” Majors shared on Good Morning America. “I say, ‘How is that possible?’ Based off the evidence — based off the prosecution’s evidence, let alone our evidence — how is that possible?”

Majors is set to be sentenced on February 6.

by Derek Major

January 31, 2024

Byron Allen’s $30B Bid To Buy Paramount Global Sends Stock Skyrocketing

Investors jumped on Paramount Global’s stock amid news of Byron Allen emerging as an unexpected bidder to purchase Paramount Global.

Variety reported shares of Paramount Global rose more than 13% in early trading Wednesday on the heels of the Allen Media Group’s unsolicited $30 billion acquisition offer to acquire the entertainment giant.

The stock was trading at over $15 a share. However, it was still well below its 52-week high of $25.93 a share. The Allen Media Group’s $30 billion offer would assume Paramount’s debt, and the group said in a statement that they have several unnamed “strategic partners” to fund the purchase.

If the Allen Media Group is successful, it plans to sell off Paramount Pictures, Paramount Global’s real estate assets, and some of its intellectual property, while retaining the company’s TV networks and Paramount+ streaming service and operating those “on a more cost-efficient basis,” according to the Bloomberg news.

Byron Allen has been trying to acquire a TV network for some time. Last year alone, Allen made a $3.5 billion bid to purchase BET and VH1 and a $10 billion bid to acquire ABC Networks. He also considered purchasing several television stations from E.W. Scripps.

Paramount Global’s TV business includes CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and BET. However, Paramount has suffered from a decline in advertising and viewership, and its streaming division is still in the red. As of September, it reported $15.6 billion in long-term debt, and Paramount Global has been rumored to be looking at mass layoffs in early 2024.

The Allen Media Group owns 36 ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX network affiliate broadcast television stations in 21 U.S. markets, and twelve 24-hour HD television networks serving nearly 220 million subscribers, including the Weather Channel and Pets.TV, Comedy.TV, Recipe.TV, Cars.TV, ES.TV, MyDestination.TV, JusticeCentral.TV, and TheGrio.TV. The Allen Media Group also owns The Grio, HBCUGO, and LOCAL NOW.

by Jeffrey McKinney

January 31, 2024

UNC Agrees To Pay Group Led By Anti-Affirmative Action Activist $4.8M

Students for Fair Admissions, run by a conservative anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum, struck another blow in its efforts to erase race-conscious admission programs at colleges and universities nationwide after the University of North Carolina (UNC) agreed to pay $4.8 million to cover the group’s fees and expenses.

According to Reuters, the figures are a response to its public records request. Courts can grant plaintiffs who reign in some civil rights cases fees for lawyers under federal law.

UNC agreed to pay Students for Fair Admissions $3.9 million to cover its fees and $900,000 for its expenses, according to the university’s records request response. BLACK ENTERPRISE has requested a comment from UNC but has yet to receive a response.

Blum’s group pursued recovery of legal fees after the U.S. Supreme Court last June ruled that consideration of race in admissions to colleges and universities violated the vow of equal protection under the nation’s constitution. Lawsuits by Blum’s group led to the court ruling against UNC and Harvard University on those matters, according to Reuters.

Some observers are concerned that the Supreme Court’s ruling could fuel lower enrollment of Black and Hispanic students at U.S. colleges and universities as schools are trying to boost diversity. Many schools have supposedly centered on boosting student diversity numbers to help promote new views on campuses.

William Michael Cunningham, owner of Creative Investment Research, commented on the settlement in an email to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“The financial burden of the settlement on UNC, and potentially other institutions, is alarming,” Cunningham, an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, said. “It diverts precious resources away from educational programs and financial aid, directly impacting students. Moreover, the chilling effect of such legal battles may deter institutions from pursuing meaningful diversity initiatives for fear of litigation, further entrenching disparities.”

According to Reuters, Blum has indicated UNC and Harvard have each spent tens of millions of dollars to fight his lawsuits. Harvard reportedly has resolved the matter; financial agreement terms with the university were not made public.

The UNC settlement comes after the Fearless Fund told BLACK ENTERPRISE last August it plans to “vigorously fight” a racial discrimination” lawsuit filed against the Atlanta-based VC fund for women of color by Blum’s organization.

Black leaders have expressed strong objections to the Supreme Court’s decision abolishing affirmative action. Some observers even question now if the workplace will be Blum’s next target.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2024

Victoria Monét Partners With Black Music Action Coalition To Launch $5,000 Music Maker Grant

Victoria Monét kicked off music's biggest week by partnering with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) to launch the BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant.

Victoria Monét is all about giving back to the next generation of music artists. And you can put that on her mama!

The Grammy-nominated singer, up for seven Grammys at Sunday’s award show, kicked off music’s biggest week by partnering with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) to launch the BMAC x Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant. Variety reports that the two parties will officially announce the grant at BMAC’s Grammy Week Music Maker Dinner, which will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

As part of the grant, rising Black talent in music will receive $5,000, gain access to mentorship opportunities, and directly connect with Monét for guidance on their career path. The grant serves as part of BMAC‘s mission to tackle systemic racism in the music industry through a series of grant initiatives, including The Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Grant, BMAC Ernie Panicciolo Music Photojournalism Grant & Celebration Event, among others.

“We are honored to partner with Victoria Monét to uplift a young and deserving Black artist and help further their dreams within the music industry,” Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, BMAC co-founder, president, and CEO says.

“Her story is one of resilience and perseverance and it is in that spirit we will continue to pay it forward. BMAC’s mission is to create a more equal playing field by breaking down barriers to entry for our community. Our BMAC Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Music Maker Dinner is a perfect room to celebrate this initiative.”

The announcement coincides with a big night for Monét as she has the strong possibility of taking home one of seven Grammys she’s nominated for, including Best New Artist and Record of the Year for her 2023 release “Jaguar II.” The “On My Mama” singer worked her way up before finding solo success, having penned chart-topping hits for the likes of Ariana Grande and Fifth Harmony before releasing her 2023 album to critical acclaim.

“I met Victoria years ago as a songwriter and to see where her gifts have brought her to today has been an incredible journey to watch,” Shawn Holiday, co-founder of BMAC said.

“As a co-founder of BMAC, I am proud to honor her work with establishing the BMAC-Victoria Monét Music Maker Grant and have the opportunity to work together to uplift the next generation of our industry.”

by Stacy Jackson

January 31, 2024

LA Woman Thrown From Hood of Speeding Car In Attempt to Rescue Stolen Dog

The dog owner attempted to stop the thief after they took her dog while she had lunch outside of a Whole Foods.

A Los Angeles woman was captured on camera clinging to the hood of a speeding car after a stranger stole her French bulldog on January 18.

According to the Daily Mail, Ali Zacharias, whose dog, Onyx, was stolen, was outside a Los Angeles Whole Foods in the afternoon when the theft occurred and a passerby filmed the incident. The dog owner attempted to stop the thief after they took the dog and hopped into what police described as a newer white Kia Forte, missing a hubcap on the driver’s side of the vehicle, KTLA reported.

Zacharias was hit by the car, according to the outlet, and bumped into the hood as it continued moving. She was thrown off the hood when the moving vehicle made a turn.

“The next thing I know, the car’s driving into me, and I fell onto the hood,” Zacharias recalled to KTLA. “It was horrifying, as he started to go faster and faster, I’m like, ‘I’m about to die. This is my death. Right now. I’m about to die.'”

The incident started when the stranger called out to the dog and seized it by the leash. Zacharias thought the stranger had taken the dog by mistake as she sat outside the Whole Foods, having lunch with the dog underneath the table. The dog owner called out to the stranger, saying, “That’s my dog. Excuse me,” but was ignored.

Zacharias did file a police report as authorities search for the vehicle. The pet owner is offering a large reward for Onyx’s return, saying, “They stole my child away from me,” Daily Mail reported.

A witness identified as Harrison Pessy said he’d “probably try to kill” someone for stealing his own dog.

French Bulldogs are a popular breed, selling for over $1,000 each, according to Daily Mail.

Goldman Sachs, One Million Black Women, OMBW, Survey, Entrepreneurship

by Jeffrey McKinney

January 31, 2024

Black And Women Businesses Among Firms That Can Pursue $10K Grants From Citizens Bank

Small businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans could pocket $10,000 in grants through Citizens Bank. The moneys will come from the bank’s annual Small Business Community Champion Award contest.

Offering a total of $300,000 in grants, the contest is geared to identify small businesses that have an uplifting impact in their communities. The Providence, Rhode Island-based bank stated that $10,000 each will be awarded to 30 small businesses that are either Citizens business banking account holders or based in selected states.

It will provide funding to 10 minority-owned, including Black, businesses and 10 women-owned businesses. Five grants will go to veteran-owned and other qualifying companies for the first time this year. Potential recipients should act fast, however, as the deadline for application is 5 p.m. ET on February 1, 2024.

Now in its seventh year, Citizens’ small-business program is part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthen local economies and communities. To date, it has been reported that over $1.2 million has been awarded, with 112 small businesses expanding their operations and boosting community growth. Citizens is part of Citizens Financial Group Inc.

And the funding is needed. Lack of capital is one of the most significant operating obstacles for emerging and mature small-business owners alike. A recent report showed that 76% of Black entrepreneurs reported that access to capital was a challenge. Based on those who have never earned money for their business, about 80% stated they could not find the proper support or pay for services connecting them to the capital.

Previous awardees consisted of minority-owned businesses, including those listed here.

New applicants must explain how they would use the money to strengthen and sustain their business as well as support their community’s growth and evolving needs and behaviors.

Mark Valentino, head of business banking at Citizens, stated, “When a small business chooses to bank with Citizens, they select a partner committed to helping them achieve their goals and impact the community. We strive to be our client’s trusted advisors, delivering personalized insights and innovative financial solutions that will give them an edge, help them meet challenges head-on, and enable them to succeed.”

Go here to learn more about the program, gain eligibility details, and apply.

Nia Long Cast As Michael Jackson’s Mother In New Biopic

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2024

Nia Long Cast As Michael Jackson’s Mother In New Biopic

Nia Long is set to star alongside Colman Domingo in the new Michael Jackson biopic as they portray the King of Pop's parents.

Nia Long is set to star alongside Colman Domingo in the new Michael Jackson biopic as they portray the King of Pop’s parents.

“The Best Man” star joins the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic “Michael” as Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson, Deadline reports. The Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International film is set for an April 2025 global release.

The 4x NAACP Image Award winner will feature alongside Jaafar Jackson, the King of Pop’s real-life nephew who will portray his iconic uncle, and 2024 Best Actor Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, who will portray Katherine’s husband, Joe. The highly-anticipated biopic is written by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan.

“Katherine Jackson is an incredible pillar of strength and grace for the entire Jackson family. As a mother, she was selfless and endured forces beyond her control yet still managed to help build a legacy beyond measure,” Long said of securing the role.

“I am honored to bring her voice to the screen and share Michael Jackson’s story with audiences everywhere.”

Fuqua, best known for directing award-winning films like “Training Day” and “The Equalizer” franchise, praised Long’s addition to the forthcoming film.

“Nia has delivered iconic performances throughout her career. I’ve been a fan for a long time because her characters stay with you,” he said.

“I’m excited to now work alongside her as she pours all of that into Katherine Jackson: a woman who was the glue, the rock, and the heart of the Jackson family during its best and its most turbulent times.”

Long’s casting comes one week after Domingo’s casting as Joe Jackson was announced.

“It’s exciting to do it with Jaafar,” Domingo told Variety. “Jermaine Jackson’s son is playing Michael, and he is breathtaking, and I think Graham King, the producer, has assembled an incredible cast.”

“The Color Purple” star went on to tease how the biopic will highlight “the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon.” Production for the film kicked off on Monday, Jan. 22, according to Jackson’s nephew.

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Brittany Griner, jersey, Baylor University, Russian, penal colony, coming home, Russia

by Stacy Jackson

January 31, 2024

Baylor University To Retire Brittney Griner’s No. 42 Jersey

Baylor will retire the jersey of women's basketball legend Brittney Griner during a Feb. 18 game against Texas Tech.

Baylor University will retire the jersey of women’s basketball legend Brittney Griner during their Feb. 18 game against Texas Tech.

Making it happen has been a priority for coach Nicki Collen, who became coach in 2021, according to the Associated Press.

Plans were delayed when Griner was detained in Russia for 11 months in 2022 before being freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange. “We’re thrilled to have Brittney back to retire her jersey,” said Collen. “I wanted to make sure this happened at the right time, and she definitely deserves the honor.”

“I’m honored to return to Baylor and celebrate where my journey started,” said Griner. “I’m grateful to Coach Nicki Collen and Baylor for this incredible moment. I look forward to being back on campus with my family to share it.”

Griner’s number 42 jersey will become the seventh women’s basketball jersey retired at Baylor, joining Odyssey Sims, Melissa Jones, Nina Davis, Suzie Snider Eppers, Shelia Lambert, and Sophia Young. The ceremony will be a long-awaited celebration of Griner’s storied career.

In her four years at Baylor, Griner amassed 748 blocks while helping the Bears go 135-15. Griner, who led the Bears to an undefeated 40-0 season and a national championship in 2012, finished her Baylor career with 3,283 points and 1,305 rebounds. She was named Associated Press Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. Collen took the team to see Griner play for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury in June 2023, saying Baylor was working to honor her.

Griner was selected first overall in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Mercury, where she has played her entire pro career. She has also won two Olympic gold medals.

The AP noted that the basketball star had a strained relationship with former coach Kim Mulkey after leaving Baylor. Mulkey claimed graduating was a requirement for jersey retirement; Griner got her degree in 2019.