howard basketball, investment, Kaleena Smith

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 4, 2024

Grambling State Women’s Basketball Team Sets Record After Airing Out Their Opponents With 159 Points

The Lady Tigers scored a 159-18 win against the College of Biblical Studies to set NCAA record for highest margin of victory

HBCU college basketball team Grambling State University set a Divison 1 record in the women’s division when their first game of the year ended in the most-lopsided victory ever.

According to Yahoo! Sports, the women’s basketball team at Grambling State set an all-time Division 1 women’s basketball record with the highest margin of victory in any game in the history of the NCAA. The Lady Tigers posted a 159-18 win against the College of Biblical Studies (CBS) on Jan. 2. The 141-point difference was the greatest against another team. By scoring 159 points in the game, Grambling State also set the record for the highest point total scored for the university.

A new school record has been set for points earned in a single game 👏🏽#Gramfam|#ThisIsTheG🐯🏀|#ChampionshipTalk💍 pic.twitter.com/YQqAUWwgQl

— Grambling State University Women’s Basketball (@GSU_WBK) January 2, 2024

Grambling State got off to a great start when they opened the game with a 34-0 run before CBS was able to score any points. The school went scoreless until there were two minutes left in the first quarter. By the time the bell rang to signify halftime, Grambling had run up the score to 82-10. At that point, maybe they could have switched uniforms to try to make it a fair match.

What was supposed to be a normal basketball game ended up breaking the previous record for the highest margin of victory in women’s college basketball. In 2018, Savannah State beat Wesleyan of Georgia by 139 points.

Eight Lady Tigers scored double digits, with Arianna Mosley leading the way by scoring 27 points. Kahia Warmsley scored 20 points, while Amanda Blake and DeMya Young both had 15.

The women at the College of Biblical Studies shouldn’t feel too bad, as this is the school’s first year having a basketball team. The school, which is based in Houston and plays in the Southwest Region of the National Christian College Athletic Association, has yet to win a game in its inaugural season. They now possess a record of 0-7.

by Rafael Pena

January 4, 2024

Long Island Fire Department Welcomes First Black Fire Commissioner

The fire department, established in 1898, recently witnessed the swearing-in of its first Afro/Latino fire commissioner.

CBS News reports that in a groundbreaking moment for Long Island’s Brentwood community, its fire department, established in 1898, recently witnessed the swearing-in of its first Black fire commissioner on Dec. 2. Rasheen “Roc” Williams, a dedicated community member with an impressive firefighting history, now holds a crucial role in the fire department’s leadership.

Brentwood is known for its diversity — it has an 85% Hispanic and Black population — but never had a Black fire commissioner in its 125-year history until Williams took the position.

Williams, who is Black and Latino, expressed humility about the milestone but emphasized that his goal is to serve and uplift his community. Reflecting on his journey, he recalled entering the fire service as a young man, inspired by curiosity and a dare from his cousins.

“To learn the craft to be a firefighter, you have to put the knowledge in. You have to study. You have to learn. You also gotta show up,” said Williams, citing the values of courage, honor, and respect that were instilled in him by his fire department leaders.

Despite a recent injury that ended his firefighting career, Williams’ commitment to community service persisted. Elected by the community to serve among the five commissioners, his appointment is a significant moment for a community that has lacked representation of African Americans and people of color in elected positions for over a century.

His inauguration was met with applause from his extended family and colleagues. Eric Raudies, chairman of commissioners for the Brentwood Fire District, acknowledged the importance of Williams’ appointment, stating, “It speaks to the over 125 years of no representation of African Americans, people of color in elected positions here. So this is a momentous occasion. It’s a great occasion.”

Michele Robinson, second vice president of the Islip NAACP, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the historical significance of Williams’ election.

Williams hopes his journey sends a positive message that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve greatness through dedication and hard work.

As a father of five and a grandfather, Williams envisions his role not only as a leader but also as a catalyst for unity. He aims to leverage his position to address the critical need for new volunteer members and foster a sense of togetherness in the diverse community he serves.

migrants, Chicago, bus company, Texas, lawsuit

by Derek Major

January 4, 2024

Suburbs Of New York And Chicago Pump The Brakes On Migrant Buses

The mayors of New York and Chicago recently signed executive orders limiting when migrant buses directed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott can drop off migrants.

However, Abbott has circumvented those orders by directing migrant buses to stop outside the two cities and forcing migrants to take public transportation to their destination.

Now, the leaders of those areas are fighting back.

The Associated Press reports that Edison, New Jersey Mayor Sam Joshi warned he would send people back to the border if they came to his city in buses.

“Edison does not have the ability or the financial means to support migrants, and I can’t be any more clear that I am the son of immigrants,” Joshi said during a Wednesday morning interview on “Good Day New York.”

In Rockford, Illinois, located about 90 miles outside of Chicago, authorities said 355 migrants who landed on a charter flight would not be staying in the area.

Suburban areas of Chicago and New York are also making moves designed to limit when and how migrants can be dropped off. The suburb of Tinley Park, Illinois, for example, has vowed to “cite, impound or take other appropriate measures” against buses that make unannounced stops in the town.

Additionally, Broadview, a west Chicago suburb with a population of 8,000, announced it was forced to act “because the unloading of passengers in inclement or severe weather without a coordinated plan poses a significant threat to the health, safety, and welfare” of the people aboard the buses.

The moves to limit migrants from entering cities and surrounding areas come as Gov. Abbott has sent more than 80,000 migrants from Texas to Democratic-led cities since 2022. Abbott has said his actions were made partly in order to get the Biden administration to do something about the situation.

While President Joe Biden has been steadfast in saying Congress needs to solve the issue, he is considering new restrictions concerning migrants crossing the border.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have been pleading with the Biden administration for months for federal funding and assistance to help address the crisis but have been largely rebuffed. The administration did send teams to the areas to assess their responses to the crisis, which only led to finger-pointing between the administration and the mayors’ offices.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 3, 2024

This Black Mother Built A Side Hustle By Flipping Mobile Homes

Inspired to delve into real estate, Nichole took a $500 course on mobile home investments, enabling her to enter this market.

This news was first reported on blackbusiness.com

Meet Nichole Briscoe, a 39-year-old African American mom and social worker from Burlington, North Carolina, who doubled her monthly earnings from $3,000 to $7,000 as she built her side hustle of flipping mobile homes.

Nichole, living with her husband and daughter, initially aimed to invest in real estate for extra family income, she told Business Insider. However, faced with the high prices of single-family homes, she discovered a niche in the market for mobile homes. These affordable prefab structures, often serving as permanent residences, have a demand, especially for those unable to afford traditional houses.

Inspired to delve into real estate, Nichole took a $500 course on mobile home investments, enabling her to enter this market. She secured a $20,000 home improvement loan, rehabbing mobile homes in North Carolina for under $10,000. After renovation costs ranging from $3,000 to $15,000, she sells these homes for nearly double or triple her investment.

Briscoe’s flips, typically 900 sq ft with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, attract buyers without active marketing. Word of mouth and social media, like Facebook and Instagram, generate enough interest. She even has a waiting list for her properties, indicating the strong demand for affordable housing.

Making the homes even more accessible, she offers a “rent-to-own” option. Buyers pay monthly installments of $600 to $900 until they meet the sale price, allowing flexibility over three to five years.

Beyond flipping, Nichole engages in wholesaling, a strategy where she contracts with a seller at a lower price and finds a buyer willing to pay more without renovation costs. This approach has earned her about $45,000 from wholesaling 13 mobile homes.

Moreover, she has established an LLC called Eliam Properties and shares her journey on Instagram as “The Mobile Home Mami” with her over 93,000 followers. Despite her success, Nichole plans to continue balancing her social work with her real estate business, seeing the potential for a full-time transition in the future.

I do really love my job working with students,” she said. “In the future, I definitely see potential in this becoming full time but not right now.”

Be sure to follow Nichole on her Instagram @MobileHome_Mami

Syracuse, Onondaga County, Linda Ervin, New York, dewitt, Syracuse

by Stacy Jackson

January 3, 2024

New York Legislator Linda Ervin Recruits Black Successor

The first Black woman to serve as a minority leader representing parts of DeWitt and Syracuse passes the torch to an Afro-Latina legislator.

In November 2023, Linda Ervin, the first Black woman to serve as a minority leader representing parts of DeWitt and Syracuse in New York, passed the torch to 49-year-old Nodesia Hernandez. Hernandez will be one of four Black legislators, the most ever to serve at one time. She is also the first Afro-Latina to be elected to Onondaga County government.

Ervin said she stayed two extra years to recruit someone who looked like her and shared her views, Syracuse.com reported.

“It’s important in a government body made up of mostly white, mostly male, mostly suburban lawmakers who set budgets and policies on social services, health, and public safety,” Ervin explained, according to the site. The women met in the legislature chambers in early December 2023 so Hernandez could attend the Democratic caucus and observe a session. “We grow up thinking that you would never even want to step into a room like this, let alone be employed in a room like this,” Hernandez remarked.

Hernandez said she will draw on her experience as a single working mother to inform decisions about the county’s $1.5 billion budget. Issues like housing, zoning, and transportation are important to her, and she opposes spending $85 million on a new aquarium.

Like Ervin, the site noted that Hernandez wants to represent all constituents, not just those in her district. She referenced a recent viral video calling Syracuse one of the five most dangerous cities in the state. “It’s time for change. We have to make sure our county resources are available to everyone. We have to step out of that TikTok,” Hernandez asserted.

Ervin said she worked hard as a legislator and is proud to have recruited Hernandez as her successor. “She and I both grew up in public housing, so we have a different perspective about people who live in public housing, whereas some of the folks on the other side of the aisle don’t have that perspective,” Ervin explained.

Hernandez intends to carry on Ervin’s advocacy beyond district lines. “I tell her she’s an honorary county legislator for another year,” Hernandez said. “I’m definitely going to make sure I continue fighting for things she fought for and add on and build on to those things.”

Ervin has found it increasingly difficult to persist in her last term as politics becomes more divisive. She chooses her public battles carefully, like a 2022 resolution condemning the racist actions of the 1795 Board of Supervisors. It was an uncomfortable day, but Ervin felt it important to acknowledge the county’s racist history formally, Syracuse.com also noted.

After over a decade of entering the Onondaga County Courthouse through the employee entrance, Ervin is still occasionally questioned by the guards about why she is there. The 76-year-old, who has served as a county legislator since 2011, suspects it’s because she doesn’t resemble most of her 15 colleagues on the 17-member board.

Tournament of Roses Parade, North Carolina A&T, band, blue and gold marching machine,

by Lauren Nutall

January 3, 2024

NC A&T Blue And Gold Marching Machine’s Latest Achievement: Marching In Tournament Of Roses Parade

This marked the first time North Carolina A&T University's Blue and Gold Marching Machine performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade.

North Carolina A&T University’s marching band, the 235-member Blue and Gold Marching Machine, started the year with a bang, performing at the nationally televised Tournament of Roses Parade for the first time.

The long-awaited performance on Jan. 1, which was expected to be seen by more than 45 million people, is one of several recent achievements for the band—and the university.

The Blue and Gold Marching Machine has risen in status thanks to strong leadership from Dr. Kenneth Ruff, the director of bands for over two decades and a N.C. A&T alumnus himself.

“When people see our performances, they see a show from the very beginning to the end—we believe in performing outside of the box and we are always going for what is new,” Ruff told the N.C. A&T Alumni Times in October 2023.

His methods mirror those of his former mentor and band director, Johnny Hodge, Ph.D., whose guidance helped Ruff graduate from band member to band director by 2003. Now, Ruff is continuing his work to cement N.C. A&T’s marching band in HBCU history.

Its members benefit in other ways.

“Students who are members of the band sacrifice their college experience and the time they spend with family and friends. The band is their family and loyalty means everything to us because we take care of each other,” Ruff told N.C. A&T Alumni Times. “Once students graduate from A&T, employers can expect to experience someone who is professional, dedicated, hardworking and a team player.”

The school has had a number of wins recently. The Blue and Gold Marching Band was crowned the 2023 Band of the Year in Division 1 by ESPN, preserving its reputation as the leading HBCU marching band in the country. U.S. News and World Report also ranked N.C. A&T as the seventh-best HBCU in 2024.

Finally, in November 2023, Paula Groves Price, dean of N.C. A&T College of Education, received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

Track, Race, Sport, Sprint, Starting line, Track Athlete, 400 meter, university of Virginia

by Rafael Pena

January 3, 2024

Woman Track Athlete Goes Viral Outrunning Male Friend Who Doubted She Could Win Race

A Division 1 track athlete effortlessly debunked stereotypes when she took on a male friend who doubted any woman athlete could outrun him.

In a viral TikTok video posted on Dec. 17, 22-year-old Alahna Sabbakhan, a Division 1 track athlete at the University of Virginia, effortlessly debunked stereotypes when she took on a male acquaintance who doubted any woman could outrun him, according to DailyMail.

@lahnazak
Just to clarify, I did NOT want to race this man😂 I was already at the track with my bf doing a work out and he came to join. #trackandfield #running
♬ Diamondz n Roses – VaporGod

The one-minute clip showcases Alahna’s prowess as she and the young man engage in a 400-meter race, a challenging distance requiring a delicate balance of sprinting and endurance. Alahna’s narration provides context, explaining that the challenge arose when the acquaintance boasted about his athletic prowess, firmly believing no woman could beat him.

Amused by the challenge, Alahna agreed to the race, even though the acquaintance, not a regular runner, brought along his parents, family, and friends. The footage reveals Alahna maintaining a neck-and-neck position for the first 200 meters, strategically conserving her energy. As her challenger’s lack of fitness took its toll, Alahna accelerated and crossed the finish line with an impressive 57-second time, leaving the opponent trailing over 10 seconds behind.

In an interview with Today.com, Alahna shared her cool response to the challenger, highlighting that he acknowledged the race’s difficulty rather than being a sore loser. She stated, “He wasn’t like, ‘Oh, that wasn’t fair.’ He was like, ‘Yeah, that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.'”

The viral video garnered widespread attention and serves as a testament to breaking stereotypes and challenging preconceived notions about female athletes.

Streaming Services, netflix, customer, decrease, subscription, service, hull, Disney, decrease, fall

by Rafael Pena

January 3, 2024

Streaming Services See A Decline In Subscribers As Prices Rise

A surge in subscription cancellations is hitting major streaming services in the U.S., with defections rising to 6.3% in November.

Daily Mail reports a surge in subscription cancellations is hitting major streaming services in the United States, with defections rising to 6.3% in November, up from 5.1% a year earlier, according to analytics firm Antenna. Over the past two years, a quarter of U.S. subscribers to leading platforms, including AppleTV+, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, have abandoned at least three services.

The trend coincides with a steady climb in prices for streaming services, with DailyMail.com analysis revealing that it now costs Americans $121.41 per month to subscribe to ad-free plans with the eight major services and Britbox. This marks a notable increase from just over $100 a year ago.

While streaming services were initially considered a cost-effective alternative to cable TV, the escalating prices, some raised by as much as 43% in the last year, are placing pressure on customer budgets. According to CableTV.com, the average TV-only service from cable providers costs around $83 a month, challenging the perception that cord-cutting is always a financial advantage.

Major streaming platforms, including Apple TV+, Disney+, and Britbox, have recently implemented significant price hikes, further contributing to the financial strain on consumers. Netflix, in particular, discontinued its $9.99 per month ad-free plan for new members, replacing it with a $15.49 per month option, and raised the premium ad-free plan from $19.99 to $22.99 a month.

Streaming companies are exploring alternative strategies to combat rising cancellations, including offering cheaper ad-supported plans and bundle deals. Netflix, Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Disney+, and Hulu are among those selling subscriptions with commercials at discounted rates. For instance, Peacock and Paramount+ provide $5.99 monthly plans, excluding taxes.

Disney+ and Hulu are combining approaches, enticing users with bundle deals. For example, the Disney Bundle Duo Premium, which includes Disney+ and Hulu without ads, is offered at $19.99 a month, saving subscribers $11.99. The Disney Bundle Trio Premium, priced at $24.99 a month, includes Disney+ without ads, Hulu without ads, and ESPN+ with ads.

Despite the surge in cancellations, Antenna notes that some subscribers return to these services over time. The industry’s response to this challenge underscores the increasing reliance on competitive pricing and bundled offerings to attract and retain a diverse user base.

Dad Punishes Sons By Making Them Sing ‘The Wayans Bros.’ Theme Song

by Sharelle Burt

January 3, 2024

Dad Punishes Sons By Making Them Sing ‘The Wayans Bros.’ Theme Song

Talk about comedic gentle parenting...

Millennial parents find innovative ways to stop their kids from fighting during the holiday break. One dad has gone viral for making his two young sons hug it out while reciting the infamous “Wayans Bros.” theme song. The popular 1990s sitcom starred Marlon and Shawn Wayans with the late John Witherspoon as “Pops.” The theme song featured the two dancing in ’70s gear before helping an elderly woman cross the street in New York City.

It’s unclear what the two boys were fighting about but they didn’t look too happy about having to embrace each other while reciting the lyrics. “You gonna stop fighting over every little thing,” the dad can be heard saying. “Keep going…sing with a smile.”

a father made his son’s hug & sing the Wayans Bros intro cuz they kept arguing 😂 pic.twitter.com/b1M3vLUqxF
— AuxGod (@AuxGod_) January 1, 2024

The video has gone viral on X and Instagram with many fans of the show praising the “over it” dad’s resolution tactics.

One IG user said “sounds like he teaching them black history.” Another said she is taking the idea and running with it.

“I’m making my sons do this next time they snitch on each other,” @dajahs said.

It looks like parents are taking the tactic and using it with other iconic Black sitcom theme songs.

“Imma make my twins sing sister, sister 😂,” @_monsterla8 wrote on Instagram.

“Thanks for the idea.”

On X, fans took things a little further, imagining what the brothers did to their dad when the minute long video ended. Some felt the boys should have taken on the spirit of Marlon, who famously hit the camera man after he was done singing.

I bet you they probably did this to their dad after the recording 🤣 pic.twitter.com/9AKJ1FFjgj
— Tim Thomas (@Thomas22Tim) January 1, 2024

Another user said he doesn’t know if he would be able to make up with his brother.

“Just whoop me,” @diceyty wrote.

Just whoop me
— made ugly (@madeugly_) January 1, 2024

It’s unclear if the famous brothers have seen the clip yet but hopefully they do soon. Maybe we will get a Wayans Bros. biopic.

by Rafael Pena

January 3, 2024

Ex-Clerk Who Refused Same-Sex Marriage License Ordered To Pay $260K For Denial

Kim Davis has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $260,104 in David Ermold and David Moore's attorney fees and expenses.

According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who infamously refused to issue a same-sex marriage license in 2015, has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $260,104 in attorney fees and expenses to David Ermold and David Moore, the couple who won their lawsuit against her.

This ruling comes in addition to the $100,000 in damages previously awarded to the couple by a jury.

U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning dismissed arguments from Davis’ attorneys, stating that the fee request was not excessive. Bunning remarked that one claim by Davis’ lawyers was exaggerated, and another “belies logic.” The judge asserted that Davis must bear the legal costs for the couple who successfully sought to vindicate their fundamental right to marry.

“They sought to vindicate their fundamental right to marry and obtain marriage licenses,” said Bunning, who emphasized Ermold and Moore had successfully asserted their rights.

The Supreme Court had previously declined to hear an appeal by Davis, further solidifying the couple’s victory.

In addition to the lawyers’ fees, an additional $14,058 was granted for expenses. “We got every last penny that we asked for,” said Michael Garland, a lawyer for Ermold and Moore.

Davis, represented by attorneys from Liberty Counsel, a group specializing in conservative Christian religious freedom cases, plans to appeal Bunning’s ruling. This marks the latest development in a case that originated shortly after the Supreme Court granted same-sex couples the right to marry.

Davis, an evangelical Christian, cited her religious beliefs as the reason for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, a stance that led to legal action.

Despite Davis’ re-election loss in 2018, the legal battle continued, with the case involving Ermold, Moore, and another couple, James Yates and Will Smith. The recent judgment underscores the court’s stance that Davis cannot use her constitutional rights to violate the rights of others while performing her duties as an elected official.