body cam, North Carolina, Pierre, punch, excessive force, woman

by Rafael Pena

December 13, 2023

Body Cam Footage Released Of North Carolina Police Punching Black Woman

In an incident captured on body camera footage, police in North Carolina tackled, punched, and kneed a Black woman.

According to Daily Mail, in an incident captured on body cam footage, police in North Carolina tackled, punched, and kneed a Black woman, Christina Pierre, during an arrest, sparking outrage and condemnation from community leaders. The incident occurred on Nov. 13, when Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers confronted Pierre and Anthony Nathaniel Lee, who were sitting on a park bench smoking marijuana.

Both bystander and body cam footage revealed the alleged violent arrest, with officers grabbing and restraining Pierre while using alleged excessive force. The incident drew swift criticism, prompting an internal affairs investigation that resulted in the suspension of Officer Vincent Pistone, who repeatedly punched Pierre. Despite the investigation clearing six of the seven officers involved, all charges against Pierre and Lee were dropped.

Police said Pierre began ‘laying on her hands and not allowing officers to arrest her,’ so one cop began striking her thigh and shouted at her repeatedly to ‘stop resisting.’

CMPD said in a statement, ‘These are tense situations that have the potential to escalate quickly.’

‘Police use of force is never easy to watch. Officers are trained to strike large muscle groups in order to gain compliance during an arrest.’

Community leaders expressed their concerns, with Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott acknowledging the severity of the crime and the unnecessary use of force. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department defended the officers’ actions, stating that force is applied to gain compliance during an arrest. However, the incident ignited public outrage, with local residents and activists condemning the excessive use of force.

‘It doesn’t really matter, unless someone takes a gun out and points at you, you shouldn’t be beating on anyone,’ local man Abdul Evans told WSOC-TV after viewing the bystander video.

‘It took 17 blows to get her to complain. That’s insane to me,’ activist Kass Ottley told the broadcaster. ‘The use of force does not fit the situation and they are supposed to de-escalate the situation,’ she added.

‘Like many other Charlotteans, we were shocked and saddened by the video of an incident between Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and a Bojangles employee,’ the fast food chain said.

The video captured Pierre being arrested and subsequently seated in a police car, with her charges of assault on a government official, resisting officers, and marijuana possession later dropped. The fast-food chain Bojangles, where Pierre and Lee were employed, confirmed that the individuals had recently finished their shifts, expressing shock and sadness over the incident. Bojangles pledged full cooperation with any investigation and confirmed that both employees remain employed by the company.

Master P’s Son Mercy Miller Sets High School Record By Scoring 68 Points

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 13, 2023

Master P’s Son Mercy Miller Sets High School Record By Scoring 68 Points

Miller is averaging 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists a game for the Notre Dame Knights

Hip-hop recording artist and businessman Percy Miller, better known as Master P, once dreamed of playing in the NBA and may be able to see his son pursue that dream after a recent scoring outburst.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Master P’s son, Mercy Miller, set a scoring record at the high school he currently plays for when he pored on 68 points in a recent game. The 6-foot-4 guard plays for California’s Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (the same school that LeBron James’ youngest son, Bryce, just transferred from) and accomplished the feat on Monday, Dec. 11.

Mercy’s older brother, Romeo Miller, posted clips after his younger brother’s game on Monday night to his Instagram account.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Romeo Miller (@romeomiller)

The senior already had 25 points by halftime in Sherman Oaks’ contest against North Hollywood Oakwood. But his output increased in the second half when he exploded for 43 more points to finish with a record-breaking 68 points. The school record, set in 1969 by Bud Fabian, was 66 points.

Notre Dame won the game by a score of 104-44. Miller’s teammate, junior point guard Angelino Mark, created another school record when he dished out 20 assists. With this special victory, the team remains undefeated for the season at 7-0.

The coach of the Notre Dame Knights, Matt Sargeant, saw how Miller was playing and realized that he was on the verge of doing something special.

“Everything was happening kind of in the flow of the game, and then we had a really explosive third quarter,” Sargeant told the media outlet during a phone interview on Tuesday. “He had 30 in the third quarter, so at that point, it was like, ‘Oh, wait a second, he has a chance to do this. We should help support him.’”

The son of Master P is having an explosive year after signing a letter of intent with the University of Houston in November. This young season, Miller is averaging 33 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists a game, significantly above last year’s average of 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

Carla Smith Becomes The First Black Person To Head NYC’s LGBTQ+ Community Center

As only the third executive director in the center's 40-year history, Smith will be the first Black person to hold the position.

Carla Smith will serve as the newly appointed chief executive officer of New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center.

Smith, who assumes her new role on Feb. 12, has a long history of service in marginalized communities, according to the Advocate. She draws inspiration from her grandmother, who always welcomed anyone in need to her kitchen table.

She comes to the center after serving as deputy CEO of the Urban Resource Institute, the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence services. She has also held leadership roles at the New York City Anti-Violence Project, My Sisters’ Place, and Housing Works — all major social service organizations.

“I can’t imagine being in any other sector,” Smith stated, according to the Advocate.

As only the third executive director in the center’s 40-year history, Smith has some big shoes to fill. She succeeds Glennda Testone, who has led the organization skillfully for over a decade. Smith will be the first person of color to hold the position. As an African American cisgender lesbian, she reflects the diversity of the center’s constituency.

Having benefited from the center’s services when she first moved to New York City in the 1990s, Smith feels she is “coming home” to the role. “I know what the center offered me,” she said. She is eager to build on the center’s current work in healthcare, career development, youth programming, and more — including an increased focus on racial equity.

However, Smith first intends to consult with staff, board members, and clients to shape a collective vision for the center’s future direction. As she put it, “It’s really important to talk to the community,” the outlet noted. She emphasized the diversity of challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community and the intersectionality of identity. “We have to be nimble,” Smith said.

Smith emerged as the top candidate after an extensive national search that attracted 200 applicants. She holds a doctorate in education with a focus on executive leadership. When her appointment was announced, board president Rahul Tripathi praised her as “an accomplished, visionary, and dynamic leader with 25 years of experience in social services and an unwavering commitment to centering historically neglected populations.”

“I feel privileged to have this opportunity to positively impact New York’s LGBTQ+ community,” the incoming CEO summarized her outlook modestly but passionately.

Former St. Louis Prosecutor,Misusing Public Funds

by Rafael Pena

December 13, 2023

California Mom Who Sedated And Hid Son In A Closet Gets 25 To Life In Prison

Veronica Aguilar, the California mom found guilty of hiding her 11-year-old son in a closet, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Veronica Aguilar, the California mom who was found guilty of sedating her 11-year-old son and hiding him in a closet which resulted in his death, was sentenced Dec. 8 to 25 years to life in prison, People reports.

Yonatan Daniel Aguilar was discovered lifeless in a closet in their Los Angeles home in August 2016, prompting an investigation. Veronica Aguilar, 46, pleaded no contest to the charge of assault on a child causing death before receiving her sentence.

Reports indicate that Yonatan weighed 34 pounds at the time of his death, displaying pressure sores more commonly associated with elderly nursing home patients or those with prolonged immobilization. Authorities said the child died from the effects of multiple drugs, dehydration, and generalized neglect.

City News Serivce, citing court records, reported that Yonatan had been confined to the closet for three years leading up to his death. During a 2019 preliminary hearing, police testified that the boy appeared significantly younger than his actual age, describing him as “gaunt” and “frail.”

“He was deprived of food for a very long time,” Dr. Janet Arnold-Clark, a child abuse pediatrics specialist, testified in 2019. “Two inches in growth in 4 1/2 years is really marked and concerning, and the only real explanation of that is that he had been malnourished for several years.”

During the recent sentencing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler characterized the case as “tragic,” acknowledging the profound fear and terror the boy must have experienced. Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating that Aguilar’s plea reflected an outcome commensurate with the years of neglect and abuse.

Detective Sandra Platero, who testified during the 2019 hearing, said that Aguilar claimed her son was “pure evil.” The detective outlined how Aguilar administered medication to sedate the child and forced him to sleep in a closet. The boy’s stepfather, unaware of the situation, reported Yonatan’s death to 911, dispelling earlier beliefs that the child was in Mexico with a family friend.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 13, 2023

The Chicago Bulls To Honor Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, More With Inaugural Ring Of Honor

“The Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor will be a first-of-its-kind celebration honoring many of the legends who have helped shaped our organization over the past 57 years,” said Michael Reinsdorf, president and chief executive officer, Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls will present their inaugural class for the organization’s Ring of Honor, which will be implemented in January 2024.

According to the Chicago Bulls, 13 individuals being honored, along with the main attraction: the 1995-96 NBA championship team, largely considered one of the best in NBA history. The event will take place January 12 against the Golden State Warriors.

Introducing the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor!

We are excited to announce our Ring of Honor, celebrating past players, coaches, and front office staff who have made outstanding contributions.

Join us for the ceremony at our Ring of Honor Game, presented by @MagellanCorp, on 1/12. pic.twitter.com/eiSlmIGN6r

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 12, 2023

“The Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor will be a first-of-its-kind celebration honoring many of the legends who have helped shape our organization over the past 57 years,” said Michael Reinsdorf, Bulls president and chief executive officer, in a written statement. “They have deep connections to our fans and community and represent a spirit of competition, hard work, and toughness. This January, we look forward to cementing their legacy in Bulls history and inspiring the future of our organization.”

The former Bulls players from the 95-96 team being recognized for the first annual Ring of Honor are Randy Brown, Jud Buechler, Jason Caffey, James Edwards, Jack Haley, Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Dickey Simpkins and Bill Wennington. Jim Cleamons, Erik Helland, Phil Jackson, John Paxson, Jimmy Rodgers, and Tex Winter will be the coaches recognized. The executives from the front office include Ivica Dukan, Clarence Gaines, Jr., Jerry Krause, John Ligmanowski, Chip Schaefer, Jim Stack, and Al Vermeil.

According to the organization, Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor honorees must all meet a set of criteria:

Players must have spent at least three seasons with the Chicago Bulls
Players must have retired from basketball for at least three years
Staff must have made significant contributions to the Chicago Bulls
Staff must have made an impact on championships or league awards
All honorees must have significant achievements with the Bulls, made a meaningful contribution to team success, or hold records that have been sustained throughout team history
All honorees must have demonstrated high character and integrity both on and off the court and throughout their playing career and retirement

This may be the first time, at least in public, that former teammates and now adversaries Jordan and Pippen will be together after a tumultuous relationship after the airing of the documentary The Last Dance. Several players, including Pippen, felt that they weren’t given the proper credit in the documentary that was spearheaded by Jordan.

The Ring of Honor will take place every two years, with the next class being inducted in 2026.

Cam'ron, it is what it is, podcast, show, Las Vegas, Mase,

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 13, 2023

Cam’ron Defends Having O.J. Simpson On ‘It is What It Is’: ‘If He Was Guilty, We Wouldn’t Have Him On The Show’

Cam'ron defended having O.J. Simpson on his sports podcast.

Cam’ron is defending having O.J. Simpson on his sports podcast since he seemingly believes Simpson isn’t guilty of anything involving the 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman.

Simpson has become a repeat guest on Cam’ron and Ma$e’s It Is What It Is podcast. The show is all about sports. Simpson, an NFL great who played 11 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills, is qualified to offer his take on the happenings of the sports world.

But considering Simpson’s infamous 1995 acquittal of Brown and Goldman’s murders, many have criticized Cam and Ma$e for having the disgraced actor and sports star on their show. However, Cam’ron recently spoke with Complex and explained the hard work that went into securing Simpson and his unwavering support of the Naked Gun star.

“It was Ma$e’s idea to get OJ on the show,” Cam revealed. “We had a bunch of people we wanted to get and Ma$e was like, let’s get OJ. So I started making the calls.”

Cam’s first instinct was to reach out to music executive Steve Stoute, who was clueless on how to do reach Simpson until he reached out to Lionel Richie, who put Stoute in direct contact with Simpson.

“I spoke to one of OJ’s people and we worked it out, man,” Cam said. “I didn’t even know OJ was staying in Vegas. So it worked out. It was like, ‘Oh, it was really perfect. We spoke and it was a done deal.'”

As for all the chatter surrounding Simpson’s criminal past and whether or not he was involved in the murders of his ex-wife and her friend, Cam is OK with that.

“Look, if he was guilty we wouldn’t have him on the show,” he said. “Y’all want to keep convicting an innocent man. He’s innocent. If it was somebody else whiter, y’all would say, “Oh, he’s innocent.’”

Simpson was acquitted in 1995 despite outcry from the public. He would remain free from serving time in jail until 2008 when he was prosecuted for stealing sports memorabilia from the Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas. He was released in 2017.

Holiday brain, don't overcommit, set goals, keep it simple, treat yourself, relax

by Safon Floyd

December 13, 2023

Here are 8 Ways To Battle ‘Holiday Brain’

Here's what you can do to battle and defeat the inevitable holiday brain.

Originally Published Dec. 5, 2016

The arrival of the holiday season can often mean the departure of our brainpower. Who knows what happens, but it seems that the holidays are when many professionals lose focus, get lazy, misplace motivation, or simply burn out.

Welcome to the time of “holiday brain.”

With all the parties, shopping, vacations, and gatherings on the horizon, it’s a wonder how we keep any office momentum at all. The fight against office holiday brain may be inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be a losing battle—if you wear the armor to prepare for combat.

Set goals

Having realistic goals before the holidays will help you to better determine the time and effort required to reach them. As a tip, give yourself more than enough time and space to make things happen. Successfully doing what you set out to do can add to your holiday euphoria, so be sure your goals are attainable.

Don’t overcommit

You know those many tasks and projects that you eagerly signed up for in early October? Come mid-November you’re not going to want to do it. It’s just how life works. Take it very easy with end-of-the-year commitments. If possible, hold off on new or large commitments until the New Year when you’ll be revitalized and refreshed.

Keep it Simple

This aligns with not taking on anything new or robust. Try to keep your days as simple as possible so that you can push through. This is not the time for juggling or multitasking. You don’t have the capacity right now. Think “one-track and stay on it. This is as much as you can handle.

Treat Yourself

Reward yourself after each task completion. Listen, the fact that you’re getting anything done at all merits a pat on your back. In keeping with the holiday spirit, gift yourself when you’ve completed an assignment. That gift could be as small as a cup of tea, or as large as time away from your desk. Having an incentive can help boost task completion. Let this be your motivation.

Relax

If holiday brain starts to get the best of you, you may want to succumb. Take a couple of days off to feed your holiday spirit, whether that’s shopping, resting, or nothing. A little time to yourself can often be exactly what’s needed to reboot.

Tackle Big Tasks Early

The closer you getting to the holidays, the further you mentally get from your work. Try tackling your most pressing tasks before the holidays draw near. Leave the small or menial tasks the closer you get to your break.

Clarify expectations

Nine times out of 10, your bosses and colleagues are also suffering from holiday brain. This works in your favor. It isn’t likely that you’ll be asked to climb a mountain during this time, but if you are, let those asking know what you may or may not be capable of. Trust that they’ll understand.

Get active

This can help in more ways than one. Exercise works wonders for focus and productivity. Remaining active not only helps keep you sharp, but it keeps you fit. Given how those holiday meals are set up, you need all the help you can get.

Now that you’re armored, you’re ready to come up against this season. We’re rooting for you. Push through.

Grammys ‘Evaluating’ Diddy’s Invitation Amid Sexual Assault Claims

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 13, 2023

Grammys ‘Evaluating’ Diddy’s Invitation Amid Sexual Assault Claims

Diddy is nominated for a Grammy Award but could have his invitation rescinded due to his four sexual assault lawsuits.

Diddy is nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards but could have his invitation rescinded due to his four sexual assault lawsuits.

The hip-hop mogul’s 2023 “The Love Album: Off the Grid” earned him a Grammy nod and an invitation to the highly coveted award show. But with the awards coming in the wake of Diddy’s four shocking sexual assault lawsuits, the Recording Academy is now “evaluating” his invitation to the Feb. 4 ceremony, Rolling Stone reports.

“We are taking this matter very seriously and we are in the process of evaluating it with the time and care that it deserves,” the organization said in its statement.

It’s likely that Diddy’s nomination won’t be revoked, considering comedian Louis C.K. and rock musician Marilyn Manson both kept their 2021 nominations despite facing sexual assault claims. C.K. even won Best Comedy Album that year, The Fader notes.

Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. addressed the controversy ahead of the 2021 award show saying that the Academy “won’t restrict the people who can submit their material for consideration,” he told The Wrap.

“We won’t look back at people’s history, we won’t look at their criminal record, we won’t look at anything other than the legality within our rules of, is this recording for this work eligible based on date and other criteria.”

Cassie was the first to sue Sean “Diddy” Combs for sexual assault last month in a suit that accused him of rape, physical abuse, and sex trafficking, among other shocking allegations. The Bad Boy founder quickly settled out of court with Cassie just 24 hours after she filed the suit.

But in the weeks that followed, three more women came forward with claims of sexual assault in lawsuits, with the most recent being from one woman who claims she was sex trafficked and gang-raped by Diddy, former Bad Boy President Harve Pierre, and another unnamed individual when she was a teenager.

Diddy released a statement last week denying the allegations, claiming “enough is enough” on him having to sit “silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram.

pic.twitter.com/GpxzhBDWMw
— LOVE (@Diddy) December 6, 2023

Fat Joe Discusses Best Friend Of 25 Years Stealing From Him

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 13, 2023

Fat Joe Discusses Best Friend Of 25 Years Stealing From Him

"If Fat Joe bought a Lamborghini, I bought him a Lamborghini. If I bought anything, he had anything."

They say it’s the ones closest to you who will betray you, and Bronx-bred rapper. Joey Cartegena (AKA Fat Joe) knows this firsthand.

According to Complex, the entertainer spilled the beans about a close friend who stole money from him, and after confronting that said friend, the man “really feared for his safety.” Joe discussed the incident with podcast veterans Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings of Earn Your Leisure during Art Basel in Miami.

“I got my heart broken so many times. I had a best friend, the man was with me every single day for 25 years,” Fat Joe said on the podcast. “I would have died for this person. Or allegedly killed somebody for this person. If Fat Joe bought a Lamborghini, I bought him a Lamborghini. If I bought anything, he had anything.”

Then his new accountant looked into Fat Joe’s finances and discovered a shocking pattern.

“So when I go through the taxes, there’s something called a forensic accountant,” Fat Joe recalled. “We looking at everything, and my new accountant looks at me and he [bowed his head]. It says here your best friend is stealing your money and it goes back years. He’s paying his kids’ school, buying his cars with your accounts. We shared accounts where he could just go in my account and get whatever he want.”

The generous Bronx rapper even said that when he was jailed for tax evasion for four months in 2013, he made sure that his wife sent his friend $10,000 a month.

After seeing his friend, he stated: “All I could do was scream, ‘Why, why, why, why?’ Cause I would’ve gave him anything. Betrayal is hard when you deal with loyalty.”

Joe though did the right thing. He said his “friend” is no longer part of his inner circle.

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant Makes History As First Black Woman To Host Wildlife Show, ‘Wild Kingdom,’ On Broadcast Television

by Stacy Jackson

December 13, 2023

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant Makes History As First Black Woman To Host Wildlife Show, ‘Wild Kingdom,’ On Broadcast Television

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant often felt isolated as a Black woman in environmental science. A study abroad program in Kenya empowered her journey forward.

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant landed a role as the new co-host of NBC’s Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. Wynn-Grant becomes the first Black woman in U.S. history to host a wildlife show on broadcast television.

Ironically, the self-described “very urban kid” first fell in love with nature by watching TV. Growing up, Wynn-Grant’s parents only allowed her to view educational programs. “To me, there was no greater career,” the co-host said, according to Essence.

“Wild Kingdom was one of the shows that I used to watch,” she revealed. “I was kind of obsessed with the experience that the hosts were having.”

Exploring the wilderness captivated her imagination and set her on a career path.

However, as a Black woman in environmental science, Wynn-Grant often felt isolated. “As far as I knew, I was the only Black student in environmental science,” she said, recalling her time at Emory University. While family camping trips inspired her white peers, her understanding of nature mostly came from textbooks.

A study abroad program in Kenya empowered Wynn-Grant to push forward despite self-doubts. “It made me feel not only that ‘Yes, this is for me, but yes, I can do it,’” she stated. She realized wildlife conservation could be her way to purposefully protect the planet.

Years later, achieving her childhood dream of hosting a nature show, Wynn-Grant remains aware of her unique position. “I think race and identity is a really important part of the conversation here,” she affirmed. While the original Wild Kingdom featured only white male hosts, she believes her identity as a Black woman “symbolizes a lot of progress.”

Wynn-Grant is also a millennial focused on social justice — another shift from the show’s traditional hosts. However, she pointed out that “Wild Kingdom” has always drawn a diverse audience. “I have a very large, Black family, and they all watched the show back when it was on,” she noted.

By selecting her as the new face of this classic program, Wynn-Grant feels the conservation community is displaying “a commitment to inclusion.” She now hopes to inspire future generations, just as she was inspired herself: “I was so different from the host that I saw on TV. I hope that more young people, adults, everyone can be even more inspired by watching now.”

At its core, a lifelong passion has fueled Wynn-Grant’s journey. As UC Berkeley Professor Carolyn Finney observes, Black perspectives have long been excluded from environmental narratives. As the new host of Wild Kingdom, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant now has a national platform to reshape that narrative.