by Jameelah Mullen

January 13, 2024

Thousands Of Americans Are Still Dying From Covid-19 Each Week

Americans are not utilizing available vaccines and other treatments, experts say.

More than three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Americans are still dying from the virus.

According to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) there were 1614 deaths from COVID-19 for the week ending Dec.9, the last week of complete data. The last four weeks of complete data indicate an average of 1,488 deaths per week.

To compare, there were 163 weekly deaths from the flu for the week ending Dec 9, according to CDC data.

These COVID death rates are still significantly lower than the record high of 25,974 recorded in the week ending Jan. 9, 2021.

“We do have very good vaccines that [researchers] have been able to adjust as the variants have changed and very good treatment options that have been shown to decrease the risk of hospitalization as well as deaths.” Dr. Shivanjali Shankaran, an associate professor of infectious diseases at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, told ABC News.

He said that people need to utilize these resources to make a difference.

The most recent vaccine is designed to fight the XBB variant. Currently the JN.1 variant, which is related to the BA.2.86 and the XBB, makes up approximately 61.6 % of COVID cases in the United States.

Although The CDC has suggested that the JN.1 variant may be more contagious, there is no evidence that the available vaccines won’t work to combat it.

Experts said that complacency and vaccine fatigue may be the reasons for the recent surge in COVD-19 cases. Some vaccinated Americans don’t think they require follow-up treatment after they have received the original vaccine and the booster.

“[Vaccines] don’t treat in their memory as effectively as we might like,“ Dr Cameron Wolfe, a professor of infectious diseases at Duke University, told ABC News.

He continued, ”The longer someone has gone since their last vaccine, or their most recent infection for that matter, the more likely their COVID breakthrough would occur and the more likely it’s going to be severe enough that they land in the hospital.” According to the CDC, As of Jan. 5, 19.4% of adults aged 18 and older have received the updated vaccine. Additionally 38% of adults aged 65 and older, who are more susceptible to severe illness, have been vaccinated.

RELATED CONTENT: Happy Flu Year: U.S. Slammed with RSV, COVID-19, and Flu Cases Post-Holidays

by Stacy Jackson

January 13, 2024

Federal Judge Overseeing Donald Trump’s Jan. 6 Election Interference Case Is Recent ‘Swatting’ Victim

Judge Tanya Chutkan was the victim of a late-night swatting call on Jan. 7.

A dangerous prank known as “swatting” recently targeted the home of Judge Tanya Chutkan, the federal judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s election interference case in Washington, D.C.

According to sources, Chutkan was the victim of a late-night swatting call on Jan. 7 in which a male caller falsely claimed he had shot his girlfriend and would kill himself, CNN reported. The caller provided Judge Chutkan’s address.

Thankfully, when Metropolitan Police responded, they determined there was no actual shooting at the judge’s residence.

This disturbing incident comes as Judge Chutkan continues to preside over Trump’s high-profile Jan. 6 election subversion trial.

Chutkan has already faced multiple threats related to the case. Another such incident includee a voicemail death threat last summer from a Texas woman who threatened to kill the judge if Trump was not re-elected in 2024, the news outlet reported.

Just last month in December 2023, Chutkan rejected Trump’s request to delay the high-profile trial and scheduled it to begin in March 2024, Forbes noted. The date will come right before voters in over a dozen states cast primary ballots.

Swatting has also targeted other election and government officials. Late in Dec. 2023, Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was swatted after removing Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot, The New York Times reported.

Florida Senator Rick Scott and Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also faced swatting incidents over the 2023 holidays, CNN reported.

This escalation of swatting public servants shows the danger of disinformation and politically motivated threats. Though thankfully no one was harmed in this incident, swatting wastes emergency resources and risks lives.

With the 2024 election nearing, swatting incidents are illegal intimidation of officials.

Swatting is the criminal harassment tactic of making false emergency calls to lure police to a location under false pretenses.

by Rafael Pena

January 13, 2024

Buy Now, Pay Later Payment Plans Could Put Americans In ‘Phantom Debt’

Late payments may result in substantial late fees and interest rates, potentially reaching 30%.

The surge in popularity of “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) installment plans, a significant driver of consumer spending in the latter half of 2023, is now raising concerns about the potential economic repercussions associated with these quasi-loans, aptly dubbed “phantom debt.” Wells Fargo’s economists reported that BNPL loans reached $24.4 billion in 2021, a staggering 1,000% increase from 2019, constituting approximately 2.5% of the US credit card market, Business Insider reports.

One of the major challenges in assessing the impact of BNPL is the lack of comprehensive reporting to credit agencies. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia highlighted this issue, stating, “BNPL loans are not currently reported to any of the major credit reporting agencies, and the firms themselves are understandably reluctant to share proprietary data in a competitive environment.”

As the bills for these plans come due, concerns are escalating, especially following a surge in BNPL use during the 2023 holiday season. Adobe reported a 47% increase in BNPL use on Black Friday and a 43% rise on Cyber Monday. These plans offer an alternative to credit cards, allowing consumers to pay off debts without accruing interest over specific periods.

However, late payments may result in substantial late fees and interest rates, potentially reaching 30%. A survey by PYMNTS revealed that high-income earners, making at least $100,000 annually, had a 64% usage rate of installment plans in the previous 12 months, exceeding the overall rate of 60%.

While many consumers aim to meet payment obligations promptly, concerns arise as some may eventually resort to using credit cards to settle BNPL debts. This behavior, identified in a Social Science Research Network study, swaps a 0% interest rate for potentially high rates exceeding 20%.

Wells Fargo economists Tim Quinlan and Shannon Seery Grein underscored the potential impact on consumer debt, as the lack of a central repository for BNPL monitoring makes it challenging to gauge its prevalence accurately. Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott, suggested that the increased use of BNPL might indicate a strain on consumers, especially those grappling with credit card debt and auto loans.

While the extent of the issue remains uncertain, it raises concerns, say experts, about the potential long-term effects on consumer spending and the broader economy. As billionaire investor Warren Buffett cautioned, “If you don’t have leverage, you don’t get in trouble.” The escalating popularity of BNPL demands a closer look at its implications on consumer debt and economic stability.

by Rafael Pena

January 13, 2024

Atlanta Restaurant Sparks Controversy With 4% Health Insurance Fee On Customers To Support Staff

Atlanta's JenChan’s, a family-owned restaurant in Cabbagetown, has stirred controversy by imposing a health insurance fee on customers to support its full-time employees

JenChan’s, a family-owned restaurant in Cabbagetown, Atlanta, has stirred controversy by imposing a health insurance fee on customers to support its full-time employees. The 4% health insurance fee, prominently displayed on menus, receipts, and at the restaurant, aims to address rising premiums faced by the establishment, WSFA12 reports.

Owner Emily Chan, who introduced the fee over a year ago, explained its purpose, saying, “We still have an employee that got turned down from health insurance this year. We have three different carriers for our small team, and we just felt like if we put it as a line item, then it would highlight that there’s an issue here and we need to pay attention to it.”

Despite the noble intention, the restaurant has faced threats and criticism, with some customers expressing dissatisfaction over the extra charge. Lead bartender Sam Hammer highlighted a particular incident where a customer, after dining peacefully, vented online threats against Emily, Jen, and their child. Hammer defended the initiative, emphasizing that the owners take care of their employees by including a health insurance charge for all full-time staff.

The restaurant owner remains committed to the cause, addressing what she terms a health insurance crisis. Chan hopes the line item sparks a conversation about the challenges of health insurance accessibility within the industry. She clarified, “I want people to talk about this. That’s why we have it as a line item, is because I feel like it’s worth a conversation. There’s an issue.”

While facing backlash, Chan noted that the majority of support has come from the local community. She remains resolute in maintaining the fee, asserting that no changes will be made unless Congress addresses the broader issue. Despite threats and criticism, many customers have expressed satisfaction, acknowledging the initiative and its positive impact on the restaurant’s staff.

“It’s been pretty awesome, and we’ve been really busy this weekend, just people saying, ‘Hey, I hear what you’re doing for your employees. I work in the restaurant industry, and we never had health insurance,’” Chan shared.

Chan and Hammer, while acknowledging the criticism from individuals outside their local community, emphasize the positive response from locals in Cabbagetown. The restaurant’s commitment to highlighting the health insurance issue remains unwavering, sparking conversations about the challenges faced by restaurant industry workers in accessing affordable healthcare.

Food Network, Darnell 'SuperChef' Ferguson, Criminal Charges

by Rafael Pena

January 13, 2024

Food Network’s Darnell ‘SuperChef’ Ferguson Faces Criminal Charges

The 36-year-old celebrity chef was booked into the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections.

People reports that renowned Food Network personality Darnell “SuperChef” Ferguson found himself facing serious charges, including strangulation, burglary, and making terroristic threats. The 36-year-old celebrity chef was booked into the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections on Jan. 9, with additional misdemeanor charges such as assault, menacing, criminal mischief, and theft-receipt of a stolen credit or debit card.

While the circumstances leading to Ferguson’s arrest remain unclear, court records revealed the existence of a protection order filed against him on Jan. 2. The identity of the person seeking the protection order remains undisclosed, but later reports indicate the incident involved his estranged wife Tatahda Ferguson. Authorities have yet to provide details, and queries directed to the St. Matthews Police by People on the matter have not received an immediate response.

This isn’t the first time Ferguson has had t r o u b l e with the law. After his early successes, such as culinary arts at Sullivan University and being selected as one of the two Black students for the 2008 Olympic Team, financial struggles led Ferguson down a troubling path, resorting to selling drugs to sustain himself. His life took a downturn with eight arrests and the subsequent loss of everything, including his home. Post his release from prison, Ferguson faced unemployment due to a turbulent personal life, causing consistent conflicts at his workplace, leading to multiple job losses.

It wasn’t until he turned to the church Ferguson revealed that he realized the need for a significant change in his life. Seeking an opportunity, he convinced a friend to lease a space in his restaurant for him to serve breakfast. This venture gained traction, with other restaurant owners requesting him to set up pop-ups in their establishments. By 2015, Ferguson opened his own restaurant and three others in Ohio and Kentucky.

Ferguson has made a significant mark on the Food Network, earning recognition as a celebrity chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur. Hosting shows like Superchef Grudge Match and co-hosting Season 25 of Worst Cooks in America alongside Anne Burrell, he has become a familiar face on popular culinary programs. His role as a judge on Chopped and Guy’s Grocery Games and his participation in Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions for three seasons underscores his culinary influence. Ferguson has recently showcased his skills on OWN’s The Big Holiday Food Fight and Food Fantasies.

As news of his arrest broke, the culinary world was left waiting for further updates on this unexpected turn of events involving one of its prominent figures.

SistersInc, Danessa Myricks, makeup, artists

by Lauren Nutall

January 13, 2024

2023 SistersInc Rewind: A Recap Of Black Enterprise’s Entrepreneurial Summit

Black Enterprise's very first SistersInc Summit took place on Dec. 9. Some of the country's leading Black entrepreneurs gathered to showcase their expertise and share how they managed to shatter the glass ceiling.

On Dec. 9, BLACK ENTERPRISE hosted its inaugural SistersInc Summit, which highlighted some of the business industry’s most innovative woman changemakers. Featured guests included BE’s very own deputy chief Alisa Gumbs, makeup guru Danessa Myricks, and more experts. Together, these women tackled all of the need-to-know aspects of entrepreneurship.

President and CEO of Black Enterprise Earl G. Graves, Jr. delivered the opening remarks before kicking off the event with the SistersInc Holiday Market in partnership with Sistahs in Business Expo, where attendees gathered to uplift each other’s brands and explore different vendors including Cadash and Co. and Krafted by Keyona.

To get the panels started, Myricks and Gumbs joined in conversation to discuss what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. “All of us are inspired by the opportunity to create our own destinies,” said Myricks, who founded her eponymously named makeup company in 2016. “Your commitment is the most important thing throughout the journey. Even when things are really hard, the one thing you really don’t want to give up on is you. Every part of your life’s journey is part of your entrepreneurial journey.”

The following panel included the CEO of Digitalundivided, Leah Williams, and co-founder of Brooklyn Tea, Jamila Wright, as they spoke with BE’s senior digital editor, Sidnee Michelle, about acquiring the funds to jumpstart a business. Later, Sherrill Mosee, inventor of MinkeeBlue, also hosted a workshop centered on bringing business ideas to life. Titled “Transforming Your Product Idea To Reality,” Mosee expertly guided budding entrepreneurs on how to build a business from its inception to its execution.

CEO of the Folklore Group Amira Rasool, Head of Community Partnerships, Impact and Experience at Amazon Nancy Dalton, and founder of Sistahs in Business Expo Aisha Issah Taylor also took to the stage, where they discussed moving products to shelves across the country and capitalizing on the power of retail.

Devising a business strategy is no simple feat, and building a company from the ground up requires just as much effort. To ensure financial success and accumulate million-dollar revenue, some expert advice is needed. BE’s social media editor, Tierra Smith, sat down with the founder of the BOW Collective, Nicole Cober, to gain some professional insight and discover how Cober generated millions of dollars through her groundbreaking company.

Lastly, BE’s staff writer, Jeroslyn Johnson, spoke with Nancey Harris, COO of Vontélle Eyewear, and Kalyn Johnson Chandler, founder of Effie’s Paper. Together, the three women discussed taking advantage of resources and the benefits and costs of having an accelerator. The first-of-its-kind event finished off with some closing remarks from Gumbs, who emphasized the continued relevance and importance of Black women in the entrepreneurial world.

Rick Ross, Miami Heat, Tennessee, yo gutty, jook

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 13, 2024

Rick Ross Wants To Own The Miami Heat

Ross said that his owning the team would 'be for the city.'

Miami is known for many things, such as Miami Beach, the Heat basketball team, and other highlights that make the southern city an attraction. Another well-known attraction, rapper and entrepreneur Rick Ross, represents the town well and, in a recent podcast, expressed a desire to own an NBA franchise, the Miami Heat.

The conversation occurred on “The OGs Podcast,” hosted by two former Heat players, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller. In the episode released on Jan. 10, the “God Forgives, I Don’t” rapper tells the former players and teammates that he would love to own the team since that’s his city.

Haslem questioned Ross on his dream to own the Heat franchise. “Big homie, what’s going on with the Heat? I know you got the money now,” Haslem asked the rapper. “When you gonna make that play?”

The man, who also uses the moniker Rick Rozay, immediately responded, “Oh, you already know I’m gonna keep it real now. I need y’all to walk me in there. Come on, we gotta get us a piece of that Miami Heat. One time for La Spoelstra Nostra.” (The head coach for the Miami Heat is Erik Spoelstra, who just signed an 8-year, $120 million contract to remain the coach.)

Ross tells Haslem and Miller that his owning the team would “be for the city.”

“Hey, big homie, that’s a dream; that’s a dream for Rozay, you know, just to see, you know, the city because it wouldn’t just be for me. It’ll be for the city.”

“You know somebody from the city; a part of the city come up and earn that, you know what I mean,” Ross said.

Rick Ross wants to buy the Miami Heat 👀

(🎥 @theOGsShow / https://t.co/gL68ybGeNG) pic.twitter.com/NTB0mNQLm8

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 10, 2024

Hometown pride has always been something that Rozay has displayed ever since we found out that every day he’s “Hustlin.”

by Rafael Pena

January 13, 2024

Fani T. Willis to Inspire Change at Big Bethel AME Church’s Martin Luther King Sunday Service

District Attorney Fani T. Willis of Fulton County is set to deliver an inspiring address at the historic Big Bethel AME Church’s Martin Luther King Sunday service on January 14, 2024, at 10 am in downtown Atlanta, GA.

District Attorney Fani T. Willis of Fulton County is set to deliver an inspiring address at the historic Big Bethel AME Church’s Martin Luther King Sunday service on January 14, 2024, at 10 am in downtown Atlanta, GA. The theme for this year’s Martin Luther King Day celebration, adopted by Big Bethel AME Church, is “It Starts With Me: Shifting The Cultural Climate Through The Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence,” as designated by the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

Carla Morrison, Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday Chairperson at Big Bethel AME Church, expressed enthusiasm about having Ms. Willis as the guest speaker, stating, “As a member of the History & Heritage ministry and the Chairperson for MLK Sunday, I thought this would be a great opportunity to highlight our new age women civil rights leaders by having District Attorney Fani Willis as our guest speaker.”

Big Bethel AME Church, led by Pastor John Foster, Ph. D., has a rich history as a haven for political and civil rights leaders to express their thoughts freely. Richard Marion, President of the History & Heritage Ministry at the church, anticipated the impactful message expected from DA Willis, saying, “We look forward to receiving a good and uplifting message from DA Willis.”

Fani T. Willis holds the position of District Attorney for Fulton County, Georgia, overseeing the state’s largest county with a population exceeding one million. She is the first woman to serve in this position, leading an office of nearly 390 public servants, including approximately 150 prosecutors and 90 sworn criminal investigators.

Willis has been in office since January 1, 2021. She secured her position by unseating a longtime incumbent. Her campaign centered on a dual commitment: safeguarding Fulton’s neighborhoods, reforming the criminal justice system to prioritize fairness and transparency, and focusing on transforming lives rather than mere retribution. Willis pledged to restore integrity and effectiveness to the office, a promise she’s fulfilling by assembling a new team of experienced trial lawyers and civic leaders dedicated to elevating the Fulton County District Attorney’s office to premier status in the Southeast and among the nation’s top local prosecutor’s offices.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday at Big Bethel AME Church holds special significance as the congregation continues to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., paying tribute to the influential civil rights leader while uplifting the name of Jesus Christ during this dedicated service.

Roderick Johnson, Walmart, shopping, lawsuit

by Mary Spiller

January 12, 2024

Texas Man Sues Walmart For $100 Million Or Free Lifetime Shopping At Any Of Their Stores

Roderick Jackson filed a lawsuit because the store allegedly falsely accused him of shoplifting.

Roderick Jackson, a Texas resident, is suing Walmart for either $100 million in damages or unlimited free lifetime shopping at any of the company’s locations. According to two complaints filed on Monday, Jan 8, the Waskom man completed the filings without any attorney and claimed that Walmart falsely accused him of shoplifting.

In the handwritten claims sent to the United States District Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Jackson explained that the incidents occurred at an Omaha, Nebraska, location in March of 2021. Although the complaints don’t offer much detail about the incident itself, according to NBC News, he alleged to the courts that he faced “civil rights violations based on race/color” while at the Omaha Walmart.

Jackson has requested that Walmart pay all of his court-related fees and pay him out for the emotional stress caused by the incident as well as for pain-related issues from being handcuffed by an unnamed police department. Jackson continued requesting Walmart to meet his payment amount or offer him a lifetime of unlimited shopping in their stores.

Soon after, a spokesperson for Walmart reached out to NBC News and provided a statement. It clearly stated that the company does “not tolerate discrimination of any kind.”

In the statement, Walmart said, “We are aware of Mr. Jackson’s complaint and intend to defend the company against the allegations once we have been served.”

“Mr. Jackson’s allegations are almost identical to a lawsuit he filed against our company in 2021 that was dismissed. We intend to defend the company against the allegations once we have been properly served and will quickly ask the court to dismiss any claims that are without merit.”

The company said Jackson previously sued Walmart for a nearly identical incident in the past, but the case was tossed out after Jackson reportedly failed to serve the retail chain.

First-time Host Anthony Anderson To Use Mama Doris Bowman During Emmys For ‘Playful Moments’

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 12, 2024

First-time Host Anthony Anderson To Use Mama Doris Bowman During Emmys For ‘Playful Moments’

When Anthony Anderson hosts the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Jan. 15, he'll get a little help from his mom, Doris Bowman.

When Anthony Anderson hosts the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Jan. 15, he’ll get some help from his mother, Doris Bowman.

“I can’t host the Emmys without having Mama Doris on the stage with me, so we’re finding some smart ways to incorporate her into the show,” Anderson told People.

Bowman, 70, will have a special role. She’ll fill in for the music that typically plays when a winner gets long-winded with their acceptance speech, coming out to nudge them off stage.

“As opposed to having playoff music for when people run over on their speech, my mother appears on stage just tapping her wrist and her watch like, ‘Speed this s— up, speed it up, because I want to be out of here by 11,'” Anderson joked.

The black-ish star has been helping his mother get some shine of her own through their E! documentary travel series Trippin’ With Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris. Anderson even told BLACK ENTERPRISE about the playful relationship he has with his mother who never fails to remind him who the real star of the family is.

Now that she’s become a fan favorite herself, Anderson is looking forward to seeing his mom sprinkle some of her comedic charm on the Emmys audience.

“So we’re going to see what kind of fun we can have without stepping on anyone’s toes, because we know people have points to make, thank-yous to make and mission statements to make during an acceptance speech,” he explained. “We have to be courteous to all the other nominees and actors who may be winning that night and courteous to the audience members who are watching at home.”

As for who Anderson is rooting for, the seven-time Emmy nominee took a page out of Issa Rae’s book.

“I’m rooting for everybody Black, but I’m rooting for everybody. It’s hard to do what we do. There is a science and there is a craft to it,” he said. “I’m just excited to be at the helm hosting one of the biggest nights in Hollywood.”

Black nominees include Quinta Brunson, Dominique Fishback, Ayo Edebiri, Janelle James, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Keke Palmer and Storm Reid already took home statues at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards.