• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 11, 2024

Gary Owen Reveals Pay Issues While Working On Steve Harvey Talk Show

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The Katt Williams effect continues with Gary Owen tossing his hat into the ring to talk about the low pay he received while working on Steve Harvey’s former talk show. 

Owen’s name was brought up during Williams’ now-viral interview with Shannon Sharpe. As a result, Owen took to his Getsome with Gary Owen podcast to open up about his time working with Harvey, whom Williams accused of stealing jokes from fellow comedian Mark Curry.

According to Owen, he made more from three episodes of Hip Hop Squares than he did, working three days a week for two weeks on Harvey’s former talk show.

“I just did Hip Hop Squares, the show DeRay [Davis] used to host, and I filmed three episodes in one day on Hip Hop Squares and made four times the money I made doing two weeks of The Steve Harvey Show,” Owen revealed in a clip shared online.

The House of Payne star went on to explain how he landed the gig on Harvey’s talk show after initially appearing as a guest to promote his reality show. Two episodes were filmed a day for the two weeks Owen served as an announcer. 

“It was only two people on the show every week. It was me and Steve,” Owen continued. “I just pretty much said, ‘Give it up for Steve Harvey,’ and I announced the guests and go back to my dressing room.”

Owen impressed Harvey enough to receive an offer to join the show as his “sidekick,” which could lead to his own “spinoff.” But Owen got a “bad feeling” once he met with one show producer who shot down all of his creative ideas.

“He’s shooting everything down. He goes, ‘No, no, we’ll handle that. We’ll handle the sketches,’” Owen recalled.

“You ain’t gon’ tell me that whatever you’re coming up with is funnier than what I’m coming up with,” he quipped.

The comedian also shared that he was only paid the SAG minimum wage and could not make a living from the income. He admitted to having to turn down comedy gigs during the week because of the demands of the low-paying gig with Harvey.

After just two weeks, Owen decided to quit. He later clarified that his confession wasn’t to bash Harvey because he knows “this is not on Steve Harvey. This is the powers that be behind the scenes.”

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 11, 2024

Stephen A. Smith Rips Into Jason Whitlock Saying He Is ‘Worse Than A White Supremacist’

Smith dedicated approximately 45 minutes to tearing into Whitlock.

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The feud between Stephen A. Smith and Jason Whitlock has reached a point where Smith’s response made Katt Williams’ recent criticism of fellow comedians pale in comparison.

Whitlock accused Smith of being the “Kevin Hart of the sports media” when he started his criticism of the Fast Take host and stated that his fellow sportscaster is an industry “plant” placed at the top by ESPN and Disney. He disses Smith’s journalistic skills and says because he lacks them, it’s easier to control him. He lambasted Smith by critiquing his book and saying, “It just doesn’t add up!”

HERE IS THE REASON WHY STEPHEN A. SMITH IS GOING OFF ON

JASON WHITLOCK 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/FMB6jZMShh

— ItzJustBEEZ 💜 (@ItzJustBEEZ) January 11, 2024

In the episode, Whitlock accused Smith of embellishing his life story in his tome, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes.

The post sent Smith into such a tizzy that he dedicated approximately 45 minutes to tearing into the “fat bastard.” He started his show off by acknowledging that he spoke to his pastor to warn him of what he was about to do in preparation to rip Whitlock a new one. He also stated that he told his bosses at ESPN what he was about to embark on. And then he proceeds to do so.

“I mean it from my soul when I say this is the worst human being I’ve ever known,” Smith said. “I don’t know of another human being worse than Jason Whitlock. He is a piece of s**t. He’s the dude that’s going to have a funeral and ain’t going to be no pallbearers; he is the absolute worst.”

He said that Whitlock was worse than a white supremacist.

“I could not imagine, as a Black man, knowing our history, anything worse than a white supremacist. That is until Jason Whitlock came along. He’s worse than them. He is the worst, most despicable, lying, no-good, fat-ass human being I have ever known in my life.”

In between his rant, he discusses instances of Whitlock’s shortcomings and even states he has a clause in his contract that says he will NEVER work with Whitlock. But he ends his monologue by saying, “I hate this bastard. Not even far more than a little bit. He is the worst human being any of you will ever meet. You get within a mile of his presence, wrap your arms around yourself to protect your soul. He is Cain! He is a devil! The worst.

“That’s all I have to say. Y’all have a nice day. I’m going to go about my business. I will not speak about this piece of s**t again. Peace and love.”

Smith has promised that he will never speak on Whitlock again. His adversary has responded, but Smith has kept his word so far.

• Events

by Atiya Jordan

January 11, 2024

National Run For Office Day To Boost Representation At Every Level Of Government 

This year, nearly 41 million Gen Zers (ages 18-27) will be eligible to vote in the next presidential election.

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Do you know a young person who aspires to incite change on a local or state level? There comes National Run For Office Day. Nonprofit organizations Civic Nation and Run for Something Civics are seizing a unique opportunity to increase representation at every level of government. 

The new campaign invites and encourages underrepresented people in elected office, including young people, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities, to run this election cycle, according to a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

On Jan. 23, the event will take place in New York City to raise awareness about running for local office. The community, as well as current elected officials, are welcome. To kick off the campaign, the organizations are looking to spread the message of National Run Office Day through social media, in-person events and creative content.

This year, nearly 41 million Gen Zers (ages 18-27) will be eligible to vote in the next presidential election, including over 8 million youth (ages 18-19) who have aged into the electorate since 2022. However, research supports historically low voting rates among young people of color compared to white youth. History repeated itself both in 2020 and 2022. The highly diverse population often faces many issues and barriers relating to voter participation. Civic Nation and Run for Something Civics have designated a day to provide a different pathway to electoral engagement.

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A post shared by Run for Something Civics (@rfscivics)

“Nearly 70% of races on the ballot during the November 2022 midterm elections were unopposed or uncontested, including 85% of state elections and 67% of local elections — so there is a place for young people and other underrepresented groups on the ballot,” the press release stated.

A study from IGNITE found a popular motivator behind Gen Z women and non-binary votes. In fact, approximately 70% would be more likely to vote if there were more women, people of color, and young candidates who are passionate about the issues they care about.

“Government works best when it is truly representative of the communities it serves. We can change government from the bottom up by recruiting and electing young and diverse people to local and state elected offices, especially those who have been historically left out of the political process,” said Amanda Litman, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Run For Something Civics. 

“Voting allows us to hold our elected officials accountable for the decisions they make, but when the people leading our state and local governments run for office, again and again, uncontested, it undermines the power of people and our democracy. There is a simple solution — more people should run for office. That’s why Civic Nation is proud to partner with Run for Something Civics on National Run For Office Day to ensure our elected officials at all levels are reflective of the people they represent,” said Valerie Jarrett, Board Chair of Civic Nation. 

Furthermore, the announcement provided some statistics to know:

• The median age among Americans is 38 years old, yet the average age in the U.S. Senate is 63. 
• Only 20% of people in state legislatures are under 45.
• The median age of school board members is 59.
• Thirty of the 50 U.S. governors are 60 or older, and the average U.S. mayor of a major city is 58.
• Among state legislators, only 33% are women, 10.5% are Black, 6% are Latino, and 4% are Asian/Pacific Islander. 
• Nationwide, only 0.2% of elected officials publicly identify as LGBTQIA+. 
   

• News

by Rafael Pena

January 10, 2024

Rev. William Barber Enlists Civil Rights Powerhouse Harry Daniels To Probe Movie Theater Incident

Rev. William Barber II held a press conference in Greenville, North Carolina, outlining the course of action following his expulsion from a movie theater last month.

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Renowned civil rights activist Rev. William Barber II held a press conference in Greenville, North Carolina, on Jan. 8, outlining a course of action following his expulsion from a North Carolina movie theater last month, according to ABC11. The incident occurred during a screening of The Color Purple at AMC Fire Tower 12 theater in Greenville when Barber, who suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis, was asked to leave after bringing his own stool to the venue.

In response to the incident, Barber introduced national civil rights attorney Harry Daniels during the press conference. Daniels, who will oversee the investigation into the matter, emphasized a goal of training rather than seeking termination of involved parties.

“We’re not in the position of wanting people terminated or fired; that doesn’t serve our overall desired purpose, but we can get them trained so maybe they can train others,” Daniels said during the conference.

Also accompanying Barber were advocates from the American Association of People with Disabilities, highlighting the broader context of the incident in relation to disability rights.

Barber had previously met with Adam Aron, president of AMC Theaters, on Jan. 2 in Greenville. Following the meeting, Barber expressed encouragement but also stressed the importance of broader considerations beyond his individual experience. He stated, “This isn’t about William Barber or one night in December. It’s about the law. It’s about treating every man, woman, and child who has disabilities with compassion and dignity.”

AMC Theaters issued an apology to Barber for its mishandling of the incident. Daniels characterized it as a race issue and a human rights issue. He urged empathy, saying, “Make no mistake: This was an injustice, not just to Bishop Barber, but to all of us. Every family knows someone who needs additional accommodations.”

RELATED CONTENT: Rev. William Barber II To Head Yale Divinity School Center For Public Theology And Public Policy

by Stacy Jackson

January 10, 2024

Angela Bassett Delivers Powerful Oscars Speech, ‘There Is Room For Us All’

Bassett's words resonated as a statement on inclusion, a tribute to trailblazers, and a promise to continue paving the way for diverse talent.

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After receiving an honorary Oscar at the Academy’s 14th Governors Awards, Angela Bassett brought the audience to cheers with a powerful speech that emphasized representation, praised Black women trailblazers, and paid blessings forward.

Sharing a kiss with her dear “sister” Regina King, a visibly emotional Bassett took the stage, dressed elegantly in a glittering gown befitting Hollywood royalty, at the Jan. 9 ceremony in Los Angeles. “I have considered acting my calling and not just my career,” the Black Panther actress said. “I do this work because I find it meaningful, and I hope in some way that it makes a difference and has an impact.”

A grateful Bassett shared words from actress, dancer, and civil rights activist Lena Horne. “‘It’s so nice to get flowers while you can yet still smell the fragrance,’ and indeed, it is.”

The award makes Bassett the second Black actress to receive an honorary Oscar, the first being the late Cicely Tyson, whom Bassett called her “dear friend and mentor,” in 2018. “Having a chance to work with and learn from Ms. Tyson is one of the most memorable and treasurable experiences of my career,” the Oscar winner told the audience.

Bassett said the award is a “testament” to Tyson’s legacy and represents her “contributions to this medium of film.”

She spoke to the generations of Black actors to come and paid tribute to those who paved the way for Black talent to be seen and recognized for their contributions, like Gone With the Wind actress Hattie McDaniel, the first Black person to ever win an Oscar at the 12th Annual Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 29, 1940. Bassett echoed the words of actress Fay Bainter, who said at the time that the plaque “opens the doors of this room” and “moves back the walls and enables us to embrace the whole of America.”

Ghost actress Whoopi Goldberg was spotlighted for being the second to receive the coveted award 50 years later.

Bassett also acknowledged actresses Jennifer Hudson, Halle Berry, Lupita Nyong’o, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, and Ariana DeBose as “beacons of possibility and hope for little Black and brown girls who aspire one day to pursue the dream of becoming an actor.” She mentioned standing on the shoulders of trailblazers such as Ruby Dee, Diahann Carroll, and Rosalind Cash. “Had it not been for their resilience continuing to fight through their fears and the uncertainty and their willingness as they fought for every role, I would not have had a representation of what was possible for me.”

Bassett, who BLACK ENTERPRISE reported was named in December as one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Hollywood,” proudly dedicated her Oscar to the women she’s had the honor to portray — those who “stand up when they are told to stand back,” “speak up when they are silenced,” and “remain determined when they are told they are defeated.”

She left her fellow Black actors with the confirmation that their contributions matter and their performances have uncovered different perspectives.

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 10, 2024

Tristan Thompson Becomes Special Olympics Global Ambassador

"As a Global Ambassador, I will help inspire others to be more inclusive and take action to help change the stereotypes that exist for people with disabilities.”

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RELATED CONTENT: Tristan Thompson Under Probe Over Petition to Gain Guardianship Of His Younger Brother

• News

by Rafael Pena

January 10, 2024

Teyana Taylor Alleges Iman Shumpert Neglects The Safety Of Their Children

Teyana Taylor has leveled serious accusations against Iman Shumpert, alleging he neglects the safety of their children.

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In the ongoing divorce saga between Teyana Taylor and former NBA player Iman Shumpert, the singer has leveled serious accusations against her estranged husband, claiming he neglected the safety of their children during his custody time, according to TMZ.

Legal documents obtained by TMZ reveal Taylor’s concerns about Shumpert’s parenting skills, accusing him of failing to provide proper care for their two children, even neglecting to feed them while they are in his care. The allegations go further, suggesting that Shumpert smokes marijuana around the kids and is occasionally under the influence while looking after them.

One specific incident outlined in the documents alleges that Shumpert placed the children in a rideshare in Chicago, having them dropped off at the United Center unaccompanied, while he utilized a private driver for his own transportation to the arena. Taylor contends that these actions collectively demonstrate a “clear disregard for the safety of the minor children.”

This development comes in the wake of Shumpert’s denial of Taylor’s earlier claims that she felt endangered while in his presence. Specifically, in August 2016, the ex-Cleveland Cavaliers player faced charges, including driving under the influence. A more recent incident in late July 2022 led to Shumpert’s arrest at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on felony marijuana possession charges.

Additionally, Taylor asserts in the lawsuit that Shumpert had previously crashed her vehicle and fled the scene to evade another potential DUI arrest. The legal dispute between the two continues to unfold, with Taylor now asserting that Shumpert’s alleged actions are not only impacting her but are placing their children in potentially unsafe situations.

The divorce proceedings have been marked by intense back-and-forths, with both parties presenting conflicting narratives about their marriage and parenting. As the legal battle persists, how the court will navigate this complex and emotionally charged allegation remains to be seen.

RELATED CONTENT: Iman Shumpert Wants Teyana Taylor’s ‘Cruel Treatment’ Claim Removed From Divorce Filing

• Career

by Derek Major

January 10, 2024

Labor Department Enacts New Rule Preventing Misclassification Of Workers As Independent Contractors

The Biden administration enacted a new labor rule Tuesday to prevent workers from being misclassified as independent contractors.

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The Biden administration enacted a new labor rule on Jan. 9 to prevent employees from being misclassified as independent contractors.

Fortune Magazine reports the rule could boost legal protections and compensation for millions of gig economy workers in the U.S.

App-based platforms, including Lyft, Uber, and DoorDash, are confident the new rule will not force them to reclassify their drivers as full or part-time employees. However, business groups believe the rule will create confusion for employers, and it’s still unclear how the Labor Department will enforce it.

The Labor Department rule replaces a Trump-era standard narrowing the qualification for classifying employees as independent contractors, who are not guaranteed a minimum wage and benefits, including health insurance and paid sick days.

The new rule, which will take effect on March 11, directs employers to use six qualifications to determine whether a worker is an employee or a contractor without predetermining whether one outweighs the other. 

The Trump-era rule prioritized two criteria: how much control a company has over its workers and how much “entrepreneurial opportunity” the work provides.

Labor advocates are celebrating the rule, adding that employers have exploited labor rules to misclassify workers to circumvent paying them full wages and giving them benefits. It offers an improved approach to determining whether workers are truly in business for themselves. 

In a press briefing, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su told reporters that misclassified workers “sometimes work side by side with individuals who are properly classified, doing the same work.”

“But misclassified employees don’t get paid for all of their hours,” Su said. “They’ve seen their economic security eroded because of misclassification.”

According to Fortune, Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry said in a statement that the new rule “takes direct aim” at the practices of corporations like Uber and Lyft that have taken “advantage of misclassifying workers to shirk accountability as employers, avoid paying their fair share and game a system already rigged in their favor.”

The L.A. Times reports the U.S. The Chamber of Commerce is considering challenging the new rule in court. According to the chamber’s Vice President of Workplace Policy, Marc Freedman, the new guidelines make it difficult for companies to know whether they are giving enough importance to any of the six criteria.

“It leaves employers in the dark about whether they made the right decision,” Freedman said. “The only time they can be confident is if they call a worker an employee.”

RELATED CONTENT: EMPOWERING BLACK TRAVEL ENTREPRENEURS: EMBRACING AUTOMATION FOR BUSINESS GROWTH AND UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEYS WITH SQUADTRIP

• Health and Wellness

by Stacy Jackson

January 10, 2024

Misdiagnosed! Some Black Patients Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes May Actually Have A Different Kind Of Diabetes

African Americans are more often misdiagnosed than other minority groups, according one doctor who researches atypical forms of diabetes.

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Some Black women believe they have been misdiagnosed for diabetes because of their race. Each woman discovered they had latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA), a form of diabetes often misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes, more commonly in African Americans.

A misdiagnosis could be bad news for Black patients because it could cause them to be denied medicines, technologies, and tests to manage their blood sugar. Dr. Jason Gaglia, an endocrinologist at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, told NBC News that nearly 10% of Type 2 diagnoses might actually be LADA.

Mila Clarke, one of Black women with LADA, told Kaiser Family Foundation Health News she believes race played a role in her misdiagnosis.

The now 34-year-old Houston resident was diagnosed with Type 2 when she was 26. It was more than four years before she saw an endocrinologist who told her what she was experiencing sounded like “a classic case of LADA.”

Clarke started a blog in 2016, when she was misdiagnosed, called “Hangry Woman,” sharing nutrition and tips for people living with diabetes. She shared that getting tested for the condition wasn’t easy and that when she learned about continuous glucose monitors that could be used to track her blood sugar, her doctor refused. The unnamed doctor said according to Clarke, “It’s going to be too much information, too much data for you.”

On top of that, the then-blogger voiced that it’s “really hard to vocalize your needs” without coming off as “aggressive” or “disrespectful” as an African American woman.

Professor Phyllisa Deroze also knows the struggle of getting antibodies tests. She was denied by two doctors, according to NBC News. “I just felt unseen,” she said. It was not until she had an attack of diabetic ketoacidosis that she finally got tested.

When she was misdiagnosed, Deroze couldn’t tell if she had diabetes Type 1 or Type 2 from looking at images in a pamphlet she received during a visit to a North Carolina emergency department.

Eight years later, Deroze found out she had LADA. And it was the first time the educator was told diabetes wasn’t her fault, the news outlet noted. By the time a doctor prescribed her insulin and eventually an insulin pump, it had already been a long time coming.

Some doctors think biases about weight, age, and, specifically, race are the reasons for some misdiagnoses. Dr. Rochelle Naylor, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Chicago, said to NBC News: “[As] doctors, like any other person walking this planet, we all have implicit biases that impact patient care.” It’s no surprise that African American patients are more often misdiagnosed than other minority groups, according to the doctor who researches atypical forms of diabetes.

A patient’s family history might also lead doctors to misdiagnose Black patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Moreover, LADA progresses slowly and “unmasks itself over time,” according to Dr. Gaglia. This means patients don’t get insulin right away, like those with Type 1 diabetes. But insulin is crucial for survival.

RELATED CONTENT: Post-Pandemic Diabetes Rates Concern Medical Experts

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 10, 2024

Shedeur Sanders Steals Spotlight At National Championship Media Day

The Buffaloes quarterback drew almost as many fans than the two teams that played in the championship.

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Shining in the spotlight may come naturally to him because of who his father is, so it may be in the blood. Earlier this week, on Jan. 8, Shedeur Sanders, son of NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado Buffaloes football coach Deion Sanders, attended AT&T’s Media Day at the National Championship. According to Sports Illustrated, the quarterback commanded the attention of the media and the crowd.

In Houston, where the national championship game was played between Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies (The Wolverines won by a score of 34-14), people had congregated to take in the atmosphere and the camaraderie of the teams, sponsors, and fans. Yet, for Shedeur’s meet and greet, fans reportedly waited almost an hour to meet him. Although his team had a losing record and didn’t make the playoffs, his presence outshone the players from both teams that made it to the national championship.

🚨 Shedeur Sanders showed up at the College Football Playoff Media Day yesterday, & he completely STOLE THE SHOW 🔥

A video from the CFP Press Conferences showed that a massive line of fans formed for a meet & greet with the Colorado QB…

It’s been reported that the wait time… pic.twitter.com/T1qRpBw1lU

— Blue Bloods Bias (@bluebloodsbias) January 7, 2024

It should also be noted that the Buffaloes starting quarterback grew up in Texas, so it was akin to a homecoming of sorts.

The season may not have played out the way that the Buffaloes’ and anyone following college sports expected, but the team still had a better record than the year’s previous team before Deion became the head coach. The Buffaloes came in last place in the PAC-12 division with an overall record of 4-8, which was better than the previous year’s record, 1-11.

Meanwhile, his stats set a record in his first year at Colorado. The quarterback set a single-season passing mark when he threw for 3,230 yards. He achieved that despite missing the last game due to injury. He also had 31 touchdowns with three interceptions.

When he does return for next season, he is projected to be in the running for the Heisman Trophy, which is given to college football’s best player.

RELATED CONTENT: Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders Inks Groundbreaking NIL Deal with Smoothie King