2022 Fashion Accountability Report, REMAKE, Rihanna, governance, ethics, ethical practices

by Stacy Jackson

December 6, 2023

Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Ethical Practices Being Questioned

Savage X Fenty received one of the lowest scores on Remake’s 2022 Fashion Accountability Report that featured 58 companies.

Savage X Fenty is being questioned for its ethical practices after receiving one of the lowest scores on Remake’s 2022 Fashion Accountability Report.

The report, from the global advocacy organization fighting for fair pay and climate justice in the clothing industry, gave the billionaire’s company a score of four out of 150 total possible points. Remake reported that Savage X Fenty was even outscored by online fast fashion retailer SHEIN, which accumulated a total of eight points.

The scorecard said Rihanna’s — who’s real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty — company “blatantly disregards industry standards when it comes to social and environmental disclosures, merely noting on its website that products are ‘imported.’”

A breakdown of Savage X Fenty’s scores revealed that the company received a zero in the Traceability, Commercial Practices, Environmental Justice, and Raw Materials categories. Scores were low for a majority of companies in the Wages and Well-Being category. None of the companies “paid all of their indirect employees living wages, including garment and supply chain workers, warehouse workers, models and drivers.”

On the upside, the singer’s company received a four for Governance, as did Fashion Nova, Boohoo Group, and 11 other companies.

Overall findings showed that “scores ranged from zero to 38, a nearly 40-point spread, indicating that commitment to social and environmental sustainability varies dramatically.” The report also revealed that “35 companies (43%) scored 10 points or less, underlining that overall social and environmental progress is being dragged down by laggard companies that make few to no commitments.”

According to Remake, 14 was the average overall score. Fellow lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret scored 10 points.

The organization looked at the practices of 58 companies. Other companies cited in the report were ASOS, Missguided, Primark, Forever 21, H&M Group, JCPenney, Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Hermès.

Zimbabwe, Uganda, Visa, restrictions, US, State Department

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 6, 2023

US Restricts Visas For Uganda, Zimbabwe Officials, Citing Repression

The United States expanded a visa restriction policy on Ugandan officials to include those it believes are responsible for undermining democracy.

Originally Reported by Reuters

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) – The United States on Monday expanded a visa restriction policy on Ugandan officials to include those it believes are responsible for undermining democracy and repressing marginalized groups in Uganda, while also announcing a new visa restriction policy for officials in Zimbabwe.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the visa restrictions and mentioned, among others, the marginalization of groups like the LGBT community in Uganda and civil society advocates in Zimbabwe. Blinken’s statements did not name any official.

Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law, considered one of the harshest in the world, was enacted in May and carries the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” an offence that includes transmitting HIV through gay sex.

In June, the U.S. State Department imposed visa restrictions on Ugandan officials after the passage of the law. The State Department also previously put visa restrictions on Ugandan officials following the country’s 2021 elections, which it called “flawed.”

“Today, I am announcing the expansion of the visa restriction policy to include current or former Ugandan officials or others who are believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda or for policies or actions aimed at repressing members of marginalized or vulnerable populations,” Blinken said on Monday.

“These groups include, but are not limited to, environmental activists, human rights defenders, journalists, LGBTQI+ persons, and civil society organizers.”

Blinken also announced a new visa restriction policy for those he said were undermining democracy in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa won a second term in a disputed vote in August, which the opposition described as a “gigantic fraud” amid criticism from election observers who say the election failed to meet regional and international standards.

“Anyone who undermines the democratic process in Zimbabwe – including in the lead-up to, during, and following Zimbabwe’s August 2023 elections – may be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy,” Blinken said.

study, bodyca, police, DOJ, study, Derek Chauvin, Body Cam Video

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 6, 2023

Alabama Cop Suspended After Video Revealed Stun Gun Used On Handcuffed Black Man

A cop in Reform, Alabama has been placed on administrative leave after a viral video depicts her laughing at a handcuffed man while using a stun gun on him.

A female cop in Alabama has been placed on administrative leave after video leaked of her laughing while using a stun gun on a Black man who was already in handcuffs. The footage of the Dec. 2 arrest gained traction for the mistreatment of the man, who began crying during the ordeal.

The woman was a part of the force at the Reform Police Department in the state. While arresting the man for a trafficking fentanyl charge, the officer ordered the man to remain still and lie on top of his car. The man did admit that he had a gun on him, as the police officer removed it from his person. However, she utilized the stun gun for unclear reasons, as seen in footage shared by The Shade Room.

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The officer then threatened to re-use the weapon as the handcuffed man cried out in pain.

“Do you want it again,” questioned the officer in the video. “Shut your b-tch ass up.”

The video was met with an outcry from the Pickens County community and nationwide, resulting in the police department chief and the Mayor of the city of Reform to issue a joint statement on the matter.

“The Reform Police Department is aware of a video circulating involving a citizen’s arrest on December 2,” expressed Chief Richard Black and Mayor Melody Davis. “The department is in the process of turning over all materials related to this arrest to the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation and has requested a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest. In accordance with City Policy, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted.”

As the video continues to make it rounds, many are calling for justice on behalf of the victim, whose identify has yet to be shared publicly, by formally arresting the officer involved for the instance of police brutality. As of yet, no further progress has been revealed by the department.

Black Girl Speaks Out After Racist Attack At Kansas High School

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 6, 2023

Black Girl Speaks Out After Racist Attack At Kansas High School

Brey'anna Brown, the 15-year Black female student that hospitalized and suspended following a racist attack at her Kansas high school, speaks out for justice.

Following a racist incident at Shawnee Missions East High School in Kansas, the victim, a Black female student, is finally speaking out with her side of the story. Brey’anna Brown was physically attacked by a white male classmate, who also hurled racial slurs at her.

The 15-year-old girl has been the subject of calls for justice following her suspension due to the Nov. 15 incident, as fellow students, faculty, and communal supporters have participated in protests against the unfairness. Brown spoke about the ordeal to local news station KCTV, telling reporters that her suspended classmate should “take a lesson” from his actions.

“He should have never put his hands on me. He should take a lesson from this and move on and do something different,” expressed Brown.

A rally was attended by nearly 100 people on Nov. 30, as the community of Prairie Village, KS, demanded the systemic racism that led to the assault at the high school be acknowledged. Alongside her parents, Brown urged her school district to take a more definitive stance against her attacker by expelling him from the school. Her father, Shaun Brown Sr., stated how the school was unhelpful in aiding his daughter, who had to be hospitalized.

“We personally had to take her to the emergency room. That is never acceptable,” said the concerned father. “My daughter, with obvious injuries to her face, broken nose, she had knots all on her forehead, the whole nine yards. I don’t understand how they could just sit there and not get her medical attention.”

While many consider the altercation to be a hate crime, given its racist motivation, the school has yet to deem the matter as such, prompting the undisclosed white student from receiving more significant consequences, such as the desired expulsion. Despite this, Brown is keeping her head held high, encouraging others to continue advocating for justice,

“Even if you get in trouble for sticking up for someone else or sticking up for yourself, still, you did the right thing and keep doing what you’re doing.”

by Atiya Jordan

December 6, 2023

Lower Income Black Households Fell Further Behind In Pandemic Era

While the richest households saw gains, according to a new analysis, 24% of Black households “had no wealth or were in debt,” in 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic era induced an economic crisis that impacted the financial security of many Americans. While the richest households saw gains, according to a new analysis, the poorest Black households remained in the red between 2019 and 2021.

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Pew Research Center prioritized its report on the stark differences in the wealth of poorer and richer families within and across racial and ethnic groups during the pandemic. Pew defines the wealthiest households as the top 25%, and the poorest households ranking in the bottom 25%.

“The typical American household had a net worth of $128,200 in 2019. By 2021, this had increased 30% to $166,900,” the report discovered.

According to the report, poorer Black households saw their debt fall from $10,100 in 2019 to $4,000 in 2021. Despite these financial gains, the feat revealed just how much Black households fall behind Hispanic and white households. During the same year, about 24% of Black households “had no wealth or were in debt,” compared to 11% of U.S. households overall. The report deemed this rate an improvement from the 29% of Black households who were in the same predicament in 2019.

On the other hand, richer Black households represented 90% of overall group wealth in 2021, which proves greater than other racial and ethnic groups. However, the racial wealth gap remained largely prevalent in the wake of the pandemic.

For instance, white households possessed 13 times as much wealth as Black households in 2019, at the median, and nine times as much in 2021. They also had five times as much wealth as Hispanic households in 2021 and three times as much as multiracial households.

In 2021, lower-income white households had 21 times as much wealth as lower-income Black households at the median. In contrast, middle- and upper-income white households had three times as much wealth as their Black counterparts.

The CARES Act provided for tax credits and stimulus payments, two of several factors that helped families boost their savings and benefit from rising home prices and low mortgage rates. Research showed U.S. households had saved about $2.3 trillion more during 2020 and the first half of 2021 than before the pandemic.

As a result, the “wealth of lower- and middle-income households overall increased at a greater rate than the wealth of upper-income households from 2019 to 2021,” the report found. These rates, though, continue to shine a light on just how much lower-income and poorer Black households continue to face a slow economic recovery.

Techstars DC Announces This Year’s Demo Day Featuring 24 Emerging Tech Companies

by Lauren Nutall

December 6, 2023

Techstars DC Announces This Year’s Demo Day Featuring 24 Emerging Tech Companies

Techstars has been distributing funding and mentorship to emerging entrepreneurs since its inception in 2006

Global investment powerhouse Techstars is hosting Washington, DC’s Demo Day this December, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. Fueled by J.P. Morgan, the event will feature 24 diverse tech startup companies who are making a difference in their industries.

On Dec. 7, Techstar will showcase a select cohort of founders, each with their own creative solution to the modern problems that plague today’s world. Following an immersive thirteen-week accelerator program, these innovators will have the opportunity to present their ideas to investors, stakeholders, and community partners.

Techstars has been distributing funding and mentorship to emerging entrepreneurs since its inception in 2006. Now, it is continuing its mission with Washington, DC’s Demo Day. Techstars’ DC Managing Director Adam Phillips spoke about the upcoming event, saying ”While talent is distributed equally, opportunity is not. It’s about changing the entire ecosystem. Backing diverse founders leads to a reinvestment in their communities and expanding access for others. This program represents Techstars and J.P. Morgan’s belief that diversity and inclusion are the catalysts of innovation and growth.”

Designed to create equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs of every background, this accelerator program is working to leverage DC’s international and cultural influence to upend the growing high growth markets as we know it. From Spain to Ecuador to the DMV, changemakers from every corner of the world are expected to attend Demo Day; participating cohort founders from across different sectors including health and finance will also take part.

Ahead of Demo Day, founders will also get the chance to participate in Founders Day, which offers exclusive access to available portfolio companies. The event will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The View of DC. View Techstars DC 2023 Class Portfolio for a full list of this year’s founders.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 6, 2023

Ohio Woman Charged After Plunging Miscarried Fetus In A Toilet

Brittany Watts, a 33-year Black woman from an Ohio suburb, has garnered national attention after being charged for leaving her miscarried fetus in a toilet at her home.

A woman in Warren, Ohio, is receiving national attention after leaving her miscarried fetus in a toilet. Brittany Watts has been charged with felony abuse of a corpse for plunging the fetus after giving birth.

On Sept. 22, the 33-year-old’s residence was investigated following a call to the police to inspect the home. What law enforcement found was the fetus in the toilet, with alleged signs of injury. According to Watts, who was 22 weeks pregnant at the time of the early birth, she “felt a big splash” that was the fetus. The Neighborhood Talk shared video of the hearing, in which Watts is visibly shaken.

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Watts was subsequently arrested for how she handled the matter, with prosecutors saying that a woman who leaves the remains in the toilet after an unsuccessful plunging warrants criminal charges.

“The issue isn’t how the child died, when the child died — it’s the fact that the baby was put into a toilet, large enough to clog up a toilet, left in that toilet, and she went on [with] her day,” said Lewis Guarnieri, an assistant prosecutor for Warren, as shared by WKBN.

However, a forensic scientist testified that no injury had been committed onto the fetus and that it died before being naturally released from her body.

“This fetus was going to be nonviable,” stated Dr. George Sterbenz.

“It was going to be nonviable because she had premature ruptured membranes — her water had broken early — and the fetus was too young to be delivered.”

Advocacy groups called for the case to be dropped, saying that was happened to Watts is an everyday occurrence and not a heinous crime of neglect. As reproductive rights are at risk across the nation due to the June 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, Watts’ case has been highlighted as an example of the dangers of being a Black pregnant woman.

As calls for justice on behalf of Watts continue, the case is moving forward, with the Ohio woman expected to stand trial in front of a grand jury.

Jamie Foxx, African American Film Critics Association, luncheon

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 6, 2023

Jamie Foxx Gets Candid About His Health Scare At Critics Choice Awards

Jamie Foxx has been seen at a public event for the first time since his hospitalization in April, accepting an honor from the Critics Choice Association for his performance in "The Burial."

Jamie Foxx is slowly stepping back into the spotlight following his traumatic health scare. The actor accepted the Vanguard Award during his appearance at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema and Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements on Dec. 4.

His in-person acceptance of the honor marks his first time appearing on a public stage since he was hospitalized for an undisclosed illness in April, as reported by Variety. Foxx was presented the award for his performance in The Burial by his co-star, Jurnee Smollett.

“Working with Jamie, I found a generous scene partner I can lean on and trust,” expressed the actress.

“Even though we were playing rivals battling it out in the courtroom, in him, I found a great cheerleader — one who, on our very first day shooting y’all he came, and right after the third take, he came up to me, he’s like, ‘Man, you are killing this role.’ Now, I don’t think he understands what that kind of support means to someone like me who’s watched him my entire life.”

Foxx came on stage to accept the prestigious award amid a standing ovation. He spoke on his condition, sharing that his walk-up was a feat as he “couldn’t do that six months ago.”

“I wouldn’t wish what I went through on my worst enemy because it’s tough,” stated the entertainer, speaking to the audience for nearly 15 minutes.

“I have a new respect for life. I have a new respect for my art. I watched so many movies and listened to so many songs trying to have the time go by. Don’t give up on your art, man, don’t give up.”

Foxx was also celebrated with his industry peers, including Sheryl Lee Ralph and Colman Domingo, for their work in film and television. As for the Unpredictable singer, he is making a steady comeback to the public arena, proving with his latest outing that his acclaimed career is far from over.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 5, 2023

Founders Of Black-Owned Watermelon Company In NYC Drive 16 Hours A Day For Fresh Produce

Meet the founders of Black Seed Brothers, a popular Black-owned watermelon company in New York City that sells farm fresh, sweet watermelons with black seeds.

Meet the founders of Black Seed Brothers, a popular Black-owned watermelon company in New York City that sells farm-fresh, sweet watermelons with seeds. They also sell fresh watermelon juice and smoothies that the locals rave about. To accomplish this, they travel up to 16 hours almost every day to bring freshly picked watermelons straight from farms in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

These brothers, some related by blood and others just good friends, bring in up to 1,000 fresh melons every week from farms in the South, and people from all over the NYC area come to buy their watermelons, available in red and yellow.

They sell watermelons with black seeds scattered through the juicy flesh, which packs more flavor and a better texture, unlike the typical seedless variety found in supermarkets. “Real black seeds from the dirt,” said Johann, one of the brothers, according to The Curious Uptowner.

Another crew member, Tyler, adds, “When you see the black seeds, you know they’re the original.”

Moreover, they are teamed up with My Health Station, a Black-owned food truck business that provides nutritious meals and snacks, to offer fresh watermelon juices. They also deliver within the city via Uber Eats.

Be sure to follow Black Seed Brothers on Instagram @BlackSeedBrothers

.Also, you can support the business by visiting its location at 139th St. & Lenox Ave., New York, NY.

This story was first reported by blackbusiness.com

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 5, 2023

Tourist Dies In China After Historic Bungee Jump

A 56-year-old man died after jumping from one of the world’s highest bungee jumps at China’s Macau Tower

A tragic accident occurred in China after a 56-year-old man died after leaping from one of the world’s highest bungee jumps.

According to the New York Post, a 56-year-old man who was traveling with a Japanese passport died after he jumped from one of the world’s highest bungee jumps at China’s Macau Tower at around 4:30 on Sunday, Dec. 3. After completing the 764-foot jump, he reportedly started experiencing shortness of breath based on a report by the Hong Kong news outlet HK01.

By the time first responders got to the scene, the man had already stopped breathing and did not have a heartbeat. They took him to Conde S. Januário Hospital, and doctors were unable to help him as he was pronounced dead a short time after arriving. According to HK1, he had no superficial injuries to his body during the jump. No details about his cause of death were made available.

The man had just jumped from the Macau Tower, the second-highest commercial bungee jump in the world, coming in a little under 100 feet from China’s Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge Bungee, where the jump is 853 feet.

The attraction opened in 2006. There was a mishap there in January 2018 after a Russian tourist jumped from the tower. Having completed a bungee jump, he was left dangling 180 feet in the air before being rescued.

Business Insider reported that AJ Hackett Macau Tower, which operates the Skypark, released a statement saying it was saddened by the “medical situation” and offered condolences to the man’s family.

“When our staff received word that he was feeling unwell after landing, they immediately administered first aid and called the authorities for help. The company is cooperating with relevant government departments.”

The Guinness World Records lists the 1,109-foot Macau Tower as the highest commercial bungee jump facility.