Black Landlord Surprises Tenants With Free Rent For The Holidays
After being evicted in 2017, Britni Ricard is gifting tenants of her own apartment complex with free rent for the month of December.
Real estate investor Britni Ricard, who is also known as Bee Marie, surprised tenants of her apartment complex with an early Christmas gift of free rent.
Residents were shocked after Ricard revealed they would not be required to pay rent for the month of December. The apartment complex owner posted a video to TikTok of the moment she gathered with her tenants to express her gratitude and present them with the unexpected holiday surprise. According to the Dec. 3 video which has garnered over 2 million viewers, Ricard told her tenants, “If I was going to give back, I want to give to people who give to me.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS. Im so grateful to God for putting me in the position to be able to give back. Gifting my tenants with FREE RENT is something ive always wanted to do.
“MERRY CHRISTMAS. [I’m] so grateful to God for putting me in the position to be able to give back. Gifting my tenants with FREE RENT is something [I’ve] always wanted to do,” Ricard wrote in the video’s caption.
Following the announcement, she revealed her plans to set up a seminar to educate her tenants on homeownership. “If I’m being realistic, and this is just me being one hundred percent transparent, what y’all are paying in rent, y’all could be paying in mortgage,” the landlord shared.
She embraced the grateful tenants with hugs and handshakes before they exited the meetup.
On September 16, 2022, the entrepreneur took to TikTok to share her experience in 2017 when she was evicted from her two-bedroom, two-bath residence. By 2022, Ricard was the owner of five duplex homes, and all ten of the two-bedroom, two-bath units were completely rented out.
Ricard is no gatekeeper in any of her career fields. The generous landlord is also the CEO of Cota Skin Care, a beauty brand that promotes the importance of self-care and maintaining healthy skin. Ricard spoke with BLACK ENTERPRISE in 2021 to share tips on how to keep melanated skin moisturized and glowing in the winter. The CEO, who turned her skincare company into a multimillion-dollar business in under two years, said that she took a leap of faith and quit her job to pursue her passion.
Tunisians Have A Big Issue With Denzel Washington’s New Role As Hannibal
Tunisia clearly didn't get the memo on our beloved Denzel Washington.
Director Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming Netflix film starring the legendary Denzel Washington already has drama surrounding it.
A French newspaper, Courrier International, says Tunisians have complained that a Black man is playing the Carthaginian general known as Hannibal. Yassine Mami, a member of Parliament, described the general, born in 247 BC in Carthage, now known as Tunis, as being of West Asian Semitic descent. Mami says Washington playing him may be perceived as putting forth a false narrative. “There is a risk of falsifying history: we need to take a position on this subject,” he told the publication.
Tunisian newspaper La Presse also published an article saying that Hannibal being depicted as a Black African is “according to Tunisians and many observers, a historical error.”
The movie is based on the life of Hannibal, considered by many to be one of the greatest military commanders in history. According to Variety, the pivotal battles he led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War will be shown throughout the film. The war hero invaded Italy on the back of a North African war elephant. The Carthaginians won several victories against the Romans, allowing Hannibal to take over most of southern Italy for 15 years.
His reign ended after being defeated by the Romans at the Battle of Zama.
While Parliament officials aren’t excited about the film, Tunisian Culture Minister Hayet Ketat-Guermazi understands it’s for entertainment purposes. “It’s fiction. It is their Netflix’s right to do what they want,” Guermazi said in response to the article. “Hannibal is a historical figure, and we are all proud that he was Tunisian. But what can we do?”
The culture minister hopes to cash in on the movie, saying she’s trying to negotiate with the streaming platform to film some of the films in Tunisia.
Meet The Owners Of Thurst Lounge, D.C.’s Newest And Only Black-Owned Queer Nightlife Space
Black Enterprise speaks with Shaun Mykals and Brandon Burke of Thurst Lounge, Washington D.C.'s newest and only Black-owned queer lounge.
Reclaiming one’s passions is all Thurst Lounge’s Shaun Mykals and Brandon Burke hope to inspire within their community, where the talents of Black queer individuals are embraced and welcomed by all. For the entrepreneurial duo, Thrust Lounge seeks to be the safe haven for this vision within the heart of Washington, D.C. Not only is the establishment the newest Black-owned lounge dedicated to LGBTQIIA+ nightlife in the district, but it’s already critical to the scene by being the sole one currently operating.
With this, Mykals and Burke are determined to foster a place of unity, upliftment, and queer joy. The co-owners have already made a name for themselves in this capacity due to the years-long success of their queer talent show, Thursday Bliss: An Open Mic Experience. Getting their start by hosting the event across many bars and venues around the area, their horizontal networking with already-established business owners in the city brought their dreams to curate a space for queer expression into fruition. The groundbreaking owners of Thurst Lounge spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about their mission, their entrepreneurial journey as two Black gay men, and what it means to bring safe spaces to the main stage.
Tell us about your story. What was pivotal in getting Thurst up and running?
SM: It all starts with Thursday Bliss, which was meant to be a one-time thing. We had artists come out and perform, and our mantra was “reclaim your passion.” We wanted our stage to be a safe space for musicians and singers, I myself am one by trade. Brandon handled the marketing on it, and it got to a point where people would come and travel to experience our event. We did that for 12 years, and we didn’t see ourselves as “party promoters,” but started to be seen as that in D.C. club scene. So we embraced it, because the majority of our audience were Black gay men, and they supported us from the beginning. After many kept saying we need our own space, and right before Covid we thought “well why don’t we try.” And here we are now.
BB: Along the way, once we decided that this is what we were going to do, we had mentors in our corner who had been instrumental, such as LGBTQIA+ clubs like Lambda Lounge in New York City. It was really deciding to lean into who our audience was, and what our authenticity was as being members of that same community. Because if it’s not us, then who would be it?
Being based in D.C., what do you think is most needed in this city and nationwide to better protect Black LGBTQIIA+ communities? How are you promoting advocacy and social upliftment outside this space and in its regular operations?
BB: Venues have to be cognizant of who they hire…I think it’s very important to establish a familial atmosphere where it’s not like the people in there are just another number, but patrons and beloved customers who you want to keep coming back. Our intent is to connect with community-based organizations, such as SMYAL and the Gay Men’s Health Alliance, that are here to increase awareness. We want to have space for those groups at Thurst to widen their exposure and help those of us in the community with a myriad of things, from mental health to relationships. It can be a place where you both have fun, but also be able to learn something new.
SM: It’s Education in general, being taught about those who do not look like you and are not the same as you, and being more accepting and inclusive when it comes to the LGBT community. More spaces that are for us would help, when you do that you educate people as well. What we’re doing, I hope that it’s a model for other people of color to decide to create LGBTQIIA+ spaces. Speaking to the totality of humans, and the whole entire being of our community, is what we want to create here. Giving a space for these organizations to host an event during the day. We want to party, but also be healthy.
How is this Thurst Lounge expanding on the rich legacy you all already cultivated with Thursday Bliss: An Open Mic experience?
SM: We have a stage, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the entire venue,and it’s going to be the new home of Thursday Bliss. We’re very excited to offer our audience a permanent space to experience the artists as they express themselves.
On the partnership with Zooza Restaurant & Lounge owners, speaking on the importance of collaboration with fellow Black entrepreneurs even if not part of the LGBT community.
BB: We met Mosab Salih through a partnership at venue where we would host Thursday Bliss. Really meeting up with him and having that conversation about our idea, as he owns Zooza Restaurant and Lounge with Doaa Aloori, we were like let’s just partner up together. And as soon as we did that, everything just took off. From finding our location, to all of the financial aspects, it gave us light at the end of the tunnel. While we had experience with our event, we didn’t have the exact inside knowledge of opening a lounge, having them on board for that was so instrumental in us being able to open.
SM: His [Salih] excitement for wanting to do something for our community, not being an actual part, it was validating to me. It makes you know that not everybody is trying to be against you just because they are not a part of what you are doing. Their support means more than just the knowledge they brought, it just shows what I would want to see in our world.
What does true inclusivity, especially for this community, look like and mean in this space?
BB: What we try to say about Thurst is that our aesthetic is to center the Black gay experience, but it is a space that is welcome to everyone. If you like R&B and hip-hop, and if you want to learn more about our community and be involved, you are welcome. There’s no restrictions on who is allowed, as long as you are there to have a good time. But what you will see is our rich cultural experience. We honor our past LGBT heroes who have gotten us to this point where we can own our own space.
On the entrepreneur side of things, what has been the hardest setback as Black gay men trying to start a business?
SM: I almost screamed everything but I stopped myself. (Laughs.)
BB: The thing I talk about the most is funding. When you have a business that is just starting, its hard to get that when you don’t have the previous revenue. We didn’t start Thursday Bliss as a way to get money, it wasn’t built for that. Having the funds to make Thurst takes a lot of creativity because traditional banks don’t want to loan to you. There’s a lot of red tape. Going through that process was the biggest hurdle to overcome. Not having that information, it’s not easily accessible, you don’t even think about what you have at your disposal unless someone else shares their story with you. You learn from other entrepreneurs in your community, and sadly we don’t have enough of those.
In the statement about Thurst Lounge, it is described with “the black queer experience is the cornerstone of its creation.” Can you expand on that notion?
SM: Brandon and I both came up at a certain time where the Black gay culture in DC was thriving, and there were several different spaces for us. Even if not Black-owned, we knew we would see people who looked like us. Now, those spaces don’t exist, the actual place is not exclusive to us. We were looking to start that whole vibe again, and we wanted to do our part by recreating that within Chocolate City.
BB: There’s a sense of home that you have when you go to a space that has been created with you in mind. That is something you can take pride in, as well as uplift and protect. Having a space like this is because we are celebrating who we are, and there’s so much joy in that. There’s even greater joy when the LGBTQIIA+ community celebrates, because we do it with such passion, and that’s why we wanted to do this.
Thurst Lounge is set to open in D.C.’s famous U Street Corridor in December 2023, and can be kept up with via its social media.
Black Woman Sues NYPD in 6-Figure Suit For Alleged Race-Based Brutality
The 23-year-old was allegedly violently detained in an incident her lawyer alleges mirrored the killing of George Floyd.
On May 2, 2020, 23-year-old Christine Greaves attended a Brooklyn funeral that was broken up by NYPD officers enforcing COVID lockdown rules on large gatherings. While recording the police presence on her phone, Greaves was allegedly violently detained in an incident her lawyer says mirrored the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police that happened weeks later on May 25.
Footage shows officers kneeling on Greaves, who can be heard pleading, “I can’t breathe,” echoing Floyd’s cries under the knee of ex-Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin. She is also heard screaming as officers allegedly punched and kicked her. Her lawyer, Ugochukwu Uzoh, said, “It’s really troubling when you watch the incident that happened, and that’s how George Floyd lost his life. Thankfully, my client is still alive.”
A lawsuit filed by Greaves in the Eastern District of New York on Dec. 3 named the city and several officers, accusing them of excessive force motivated by racial discrimination. Greaves argued in the lawsuit that she was brutalized “simply because she is black,” unlike white attendees of a Brooklyn rabbi’s funeral days earlier, which drew no police response, the news outlet noted.
The complaint alleged Captain Sean Claxton and Officer Michael Napolitano held Greaves down, with Napolitano “pinning her down and choking her by kneeling on her neck.” It added that her asthma allegedly prevented her from breathing properly.
Despite pleas from Greaves’ family to stop the assault, the officers handcuffed and dragged the 23-year-old, allegedly slamming her head and body against the police vehicle. She was reportedly denied medical care and access to a bathroom at the precinct and left with serious injuries.
Greaves was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration, but prosecutors declined to pursue the case after an investigation. She is now seeking an estimated “six-figure” settlement.
Uzoh slammed the officers’ actions as “really awful,” occurring “just before the horrible George Floyd murder.” He said his client remains traumatized long after the incident, the news outlet noted.
The lawsuit comes amid intensified discussions on police brutality in minority communities after recent high-profile deaths at the hands of officers. Greaves’ complaint pointedly argued that she endured violence that she believed white New Yorkers would not face, vowing to hold the NYPD accountable.
Other officers named in the suit are Samantha Love, Sergeant Derek Jaffe, and Sergeant Harold Thompson.
Black Women Are Bigger Spenders On Botox To Avoid Sweaty Edges
Black women are increasing their usage, and spending, on Botox to prevent their "edges" of their hairline from sweating out.
Black women are spending more on Botox to prevent their edges from sweating out. The unlikely treatment to allow longer-lasting hairstyles has made Black women flock to medical spas for the shot.
The quick procedure includes injections along a person’s hairline with Botox, as the chemical typically blocks wrinkles from forming or deepening while also stopping secretions from sweat glands. One doctor called the procedure “real edge control,” referring to the haircare product that secures the tinier hairs in place.
“The real edge control, I use Botox,” explained Dr. Jeanine Downie, a Montclair, New Jersey dermatologist. “I use 30 units altogether around the crown of your hair with a 2 CC dilution. This can be done in any woman that doesn’t want to sweat her hair out, that’s worried about her blowout.”
The pricey shots can cost upward of $1,000 per session, as reported by Business Insider. For some of Dr. Downie’s longtime patients, biannual visits are all one needs for edges that stay put. For those who typically keep their edges intact by utilizing flat irons, introducing Botox to the area has lessened their need to do so, thus avoiding heat damage.
As more and more women catch on to the lesser-known benefits of Botox near one’s hairline, Black women influencers are documenting their journeys to get the procedures as well. Former Big Brother contestant and content creator Kemi Fakunle shared her experience on her TikTok.
“It took about ten days to kick in but oh my god I’m obsessed, my hair line and my edges have been slicked and summertime ready ever since,” shared the influencer.
However, others have called it an extreme measure to better assimilate to white standards of beauty, especially in regards to one’s natural Black hair texture.
“It’s simply a visual testament to how well you have your hair ‘under control,'” says Lori Tharps, a co-author of Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America. “It keeps coming back to this idea that there’s something inherently wrong, uncivilized, unattractive, or unacceptable for polite society with our hair being not under control…The reason it feels complicated is because we’re simultaneously trying to please a white gaze and intrinsically satisfy ourselves as well.”
Tharps also noted that women should not be shamed for getting Botox, but should acknowledge the reasons behind wanting to indulge in the procedure. Despite this, the innovative treatment has been praised by the Black women who have opted in for its effectiveness in maintaining their styles while frequently working out.
Many small-business owners struggle with time management. Thankfully there are numerous time-tracking tools that can help with solving this problem.
Originally published June 28, 2017
I get asked all the time, “What are your reasons to track your time?” William Penn once said, “Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” Not exactly correct English—but you know what’s being said.
As a business owner, it’s easy to relate to that statement. Before starting to track time, you can waste huge chunks of valuable time—maybe scrolling through social media feeds or binge-watching Netflix. The result? You won’t be as productive, which means making less money.
However, small-business owners and the average 9-to-5 person alike struggle with time management.
Thankfully, there are numerous time-tracking tools that can help solve this problem. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who haven’t taken advantage of these tools because they still think that time tracking is a waste of time.
Here are 7 reasons why everyone should track their time:
Discover how you spend your days
How many times have you looked at the clock only to ask, “Where did today go?” Well, by tracking your time, you can finally answer that age-old question with clear, direct accuracy.
By recording your daily routine for a week or so, you can determine when you’re most productive and identify the time-waster, such as social media, email, or blankly staring at the wall. When you eliminate extraneous interruptions and activities, you will be able to sort your tasks, and increase your productivity and focus on the tasks that are most important.
Allows you to identify areas that need improvement
After you start tracking your time, you will be able to see the various areas where you need improvement. Seeing areas where you need improvement goes beyond eliminating those aforementioned time wasters.
For example, if you’re a graphic designer and you discover that you’re spending too much time on thumbnail logos, then you can determine what you believe is the appropriate amount of time you should be spending. It may be that you’re giving the client too many options. Instead of developing 10 different options, offer only three or four and then make any changes from there.
Helps you bill correctly
Would you rather prefer to be paid by the hour for your expertise or at a fixed rate for the finished product?
If you charge by the hour, then the client needs to know how many hours it will take it will take to finish the project. If you charge by the project, the client still needs to know how to calculate the amount of time it will take for you to complete the project. Time-tracking previous projects can help you create more accurate estimates.
Remember, clients aren’t too keen on paying for work that they believe could have been done faster. Time-tracking tools provide documentation that shows how exactly you spent your time on the project. This not only addresses any concerns a client may have regarding your invoice, it puts an end to time theft. You’re able to bill the client fairly—there is no guessing for those times and projects that you forgot to write down.
Forecast more accurately
We’ve all been guilty of setting unrealistic deadlines and budgets for a new project. Here’s the thing: After you and your employees have tracked your time on a previous project from start to finish, you’ll have a basis for future projections. This allows you to create more accurate estimations on how much time and money a project is going to take, as well as set reasonable deadlines.
Having this knowledge readily available will also allow you to take on new projects with confidence since you can be certain that projects won’t overlap nor will you or your employees get overwhelmed.
Forces you to single-task
It’s been proven that we’re just not capable of multitasking. In fact, the entire concept of multitasking is a myth. Instead of doing several things at the same time, you’re actually cycling through these tasks quickly.
“When you’re time-tracking, you’re aware that each increment of time—be it 15 minutes or an hour—is being logged. This means that you give each task its due time for the simple fact that you want to be able to log it accurately,” wrote Jeremy Anderberg. “If you’re spending mere minutes on a variety of tasks, your log will be a mess. But there’s a certain pride that comes with being able to mark down a full hour or two on a single important item.”
Eventually you’ll be able to grow and appreciate your ability to focus. There won’t be a need to multitask. “You’ll learn to block off 30 or 60 minutes per day to these simple to-dos. You will get them all out of the way in one fell swoop,” Anderberg explained.
Creates a daily routine and habits
Tracking your time gives you the opportunity to create daily routines and habits. This will ultimately help you battle procrastination and help you get the most out of your time.
Daily routines and habits can also keep you healthy, happy, and productive, and improve your chances of becoming a successful “unicorn.”
Helps you achieve a healthy work-life balance
Work-life balance is important to your personal health and productivity, along with the health and productivity of your family and community. “After all, people need time and energy to participate in family life, democracy, and community activities,” wrote Shawn M. Burn, Ph.D. “They also need time outside of work for rejuvenation, and to develop and nurture friendships and their ‘non-work selves.'”
Once you’ve tracked your time, you will notice that you now have free time to spend with your friends and family. It allows you to do more things that you actually enjoy.
When you achieve a healthy work-life balance, you can remain healthy, both mentally and physically. It helps you stay productive and motivated, and you will be much better able to avoid getting burned out.
The Loveland Foundation Provides Therapy For Black Women And Girls Rediscovering Joy
The Loveland Foundation has provided nearly 150,000 hours of therapy and funded sessions for over 18,000 recipients since 2019.
Established in 2018 by Rachel Cargle, The Loveland Foundation aims to support the well-being and healing of Black women and girls through targeted mental health resources and advocacy.
Sparked by a viral birthday wish fundraiser that raised over $250,000 for therapy access, the foundation has provided nearly 150,000 hours of therapy to those in need. According to the nonprofit organization, The Loveland Foundation partners with several mental health networks to connect Black women and girls with culturally competent care, validation, and community.
The organization has subsidized therapy costs for over 18,000 recipients through its Loveland Therapy Fund since 2019. The foundation provides up to 12 therapy vouchers to each recipient in increments of four vouchers at a time. Collaborators of the Loveland Therapy Fund include Therapy for Black Girls, National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network, and Open Path Collective.
Beyond simply writing checks, the nonprofit organization shows up for Black women and girls through creative initiatives focused on opportunity, access, validation, and healing. The Loveland Foundation held its inaugural New York Gala on Nov. 16 at The Standard Highline. The intimate affair paid tribute to the diverse partners, making their healing work with Black women and girls possible. The evening honored mental health advocates like Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of Therapy for Black Girls, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, author Alex Elle, and women’s care brand Flamingo. Beyond the glamour, the foundation’s team centered the event on Loveland’s mission to nurture Black women’s well-being through creative community-building. From sponsors to board members, BIPOC therapists to volunteers, the event upheld that well-being requires a village working compassionately together.
On Nov. 6, the foundation announced “Unraveled,” its new YouTube series, which breaks down therapy concepts and wellness topics to demystify the journey of healing. Hosted by Aseanté Renee and LaToya Maria, each episode offers digestible insights to clarify the therapeutic process for viewers.
In 2022, The Loveland Foundation launched its intimate Healers Circle, facilitated by The Axon Group, to curate support groups exclusively for therapists. These sessions created a nurturing space for therapists to check in, process, and be cared for, helping renew their capacity to hold space for others.
For those desiring to join the mission, Loveland’s website accepts donations, highlights participation opportunities, and connects Black women and girls to resources.
Midwife Opens First Black-Owned Birth Center In Washington
Faisa Farole, a licensed midwife in Washington, has opened the state's first Black-owned birth center in Federal Way, a suburb of Seattle.
A midwife is diversifying birth centers in Washington. Faisa Farole opened the Federal Way Birth Center in the Seattle suburb, making it the first Black-owned establishment in the state.
The building boasts 3,000 square feet of space to provide ample maternal care to its pregnant patients. The birth center hosts three fully stocked birth suites, exam rooms, and teaching areas. While not an all-encompassing hospital, oxygen, IVs, and medicines are available on-site.
Farole spoke to The Seattle Times about what opening this facility means for diverse communities, especially for Black mothers.
“It’s historic, but it’s also sad there haven’t been any others in the past, considering Black and brown women’s status in this maternal health crisis,” said the licensed midwife to the news outlet.
The “status” Farole is referring to is Black women being disproportionately affected by maternal mortality, with their rate being three times higher than their white counterparts in 2021, as reported bythe Centers for Disease Control. The publication also reported that pregnancy-induced deaths for women of color were at their highest from 2018 to 2020. However, Farole believes that increasing the number of midwives during delivery can decrease this statistic, especially amid hospital cuts in labor and delivery departments, and systemic gaps in healthcare services in ethnic neighborhoods.
Despite this, Farole is still battling the stigma against doulas and midwives and their efficiency in delivering safe, healthy births as opposed to standard medical providers. Washington has followed suit by allocating financial and training resources to increase the number of out-of-hospital birthing professionals.
Farole notes that research conducted by the National Library of Medicine proves that the implementation of midwives to assist in birthing journeys can result in better outcomes for expectant mothers of color.
“The [research] shows that midwifery is the answer for saving Black lives and giving women satisfactory care that they enjoy being part of, as well.”
Farole aims to foster an educative community within the center to help mothers advocate for themselves and their families while slowly but surely advancing Black women’s maternal health.
Former NFL Receiver Lorne Sam Claims Wealthy Landowner Is Forcing Him Out Of English Country Pub Due To Race
Across the pond, one former NFL player is catching hell with his pub.
Former NFL wide receiver Lorne Sam is locked in a court battle with a wealthy English landowner after claiming he’s being forced out of his business because he is Black and from the United States.
The Daily Mailreported that Sam, who played for the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos, left the sport and began running the Carington Arms in Leicestershire, England. Sam claims he was “treated differently” from previous tenants of the pub due to his African American background.
Sam is in a court feud with Alex Stroud, one of the controllers of the land trust that owns the Carington Arms, after Sam said he was forced to close after a falling out with the owners due to the pub’s interior design. Stroud is leading an effort by the Trustees of the Ashby Folville Land Trust to evict Sam and his company, Carington Hospitality Ltd., as it claims he owes $14,000 in back rent. However, in a written defense submitted to Leicester County Court, Sam’s lawyer, Philip Noble, said that after Sam took over the 19th-century inn, Stroud and his wife, Lucy, visited the Carrington Arms and told him how the decor of the pub should be improved to their taste and the catering should be aligned to friends following shooting parties on the estate.
“They asked Lorne Sam to carry out other improvements to the decor and finish in the property, despite no such improvements being necessary or required under the lease,” Noble told the Daily Mail. “They made it plain that they relied (on) the pub to host post-shooting parties… and asked Lorne Sam to organize the kitchen to cater for those demands.”
Sam isn’t the only ex-NFL player to get involved in the bar industry. Former Seattle Seahawks teammates Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman recently opened the Legion Sports Bar in Washington State. Former Los Angeles Ram Michael Bockers opened a bar in Houston, and former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees recently opened a bar in Indiana.
Noble also told the judge that the back rent was run up before Sam took over the company, and an agreement had been made with the trustees that a payment of $5,332 would clear the debt.
Russell Davies, solicitor for the trustees, denied that Sam or his company had been treated differently based on his race, adding that the Strouds are regular visitors to the inn and invested in the success of the Carington Arms.
According to Davies, Stroud organized and paid for recarpeting and the installation of new pipework and a radiator at the pub “despite being under no obligation to do so.”
Davies also said that “reasonable and proportionate” attempts were made to recover the back rent, but Sam’s company did not stick to the agreed-upon repayment schedule.
The case is expected to go to a full trial next year.
Ohio Grandmother Allegedly Targets 6-Month-Old Infant, Shooting At Point-Blank Range
The 6-month-old victim fights for its life while the Butler community calls for justice to be served.
On Dec. 9, a 6-month-old baby allegedly was shot in the head by its grandmother, resulting in a critical injury. The event occurred in the wee hours of the morning, around 1:50 a.m., in Liberty Township, Butler County in Ohio, when emergency crews responded to reports of a shooting on Dutchview Court.
Witness statements say that the grandmother, 47-year-old Mia Desiree Harris, opened fire on other family members before specifically targeting her 6-month-old grandchild. As one deputy recalled, witnesses said Harris “intentionally shot the baby at point-blank range.”
Upon arriving at the scene, Butler County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the wounded infant and rushed the baby to UC West Chester Hospital, WHIO TV 7 reported. Doctors reported the child was in critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.
Harris fled the scene before authorities arrived, prompting a search of the area. She was later found hiding at a nearby residence and taken into police custody without further incident.
For her alleged role in the attack, Harris faces three counts of felonious assault. The crime has left both community members and law enforcement personnel shocked and appalled.
Sgt. Tim Birch said, “In over 20 years on the force, I have never witnessed an act so disturbingly violent against someone so young and vulnerable.” He continued, “It is almost incomprehensible how a grandmother could commit such an evil act against her own flesh and blood,” according to the news outlet.
While the 6-month-old victim continues to fight for its life in the hospital, the Butler County community calls for justice to be served. Harris is currently being held without bond as the investigation continues, WHIO TV 7 reported.
