C-Murder, life, Darnell Jordan, sentence, conviction, upheld, Monica, Kim, Kardashian, upheld, platinum club

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 30, 2023

C-Murder Will Continue To Serve Life Sentence After Murder Conviction Is Upheld

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance ruled Nov. 13 to uphold C-Murder’s 2009 murder conviction.

C-Murder will continue his life sentence. Vance’s ruling upholds a state court decision, which found two witnesses’ attempts to recant testimonies to be “suspect and not reliable,” given the multiple times they identified C-Murder, real name Corey Miller, as the shooter.

Steve Thomas, 16, was shot and killed at New Orleans’ Platinum Club around 1 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2002.

The judge’s ruling cited Miller’s need to “put forth clear and convincing evidence of error in the state court’s findings of fact, which he has failed to do.” But the rapper plans to appeal Vance’s decision to a higher federal court.

After two trials, C-Murder was convicted of murder. His conviction was based on testimonies from two eyewitnesses, a security guard named Darnell Jordan who worked at Platinum Club, and a second witness named Kenneth Jordan.

Darnell Jordan testified to seeing 15-20 people assaulting Thomas and a flash from C-Murder’s hand, presumably a gunshot. Kenneth Jordan testified that celebrities were allowed to bypass metal detectors to get inside the club and identified C-Murder as the shooter from a photo lineup.

In 2018 both Darnell and Kenneth signed affidavits recanting their testimonies and accusing police investigators of pressuring them to give the statements. In 2019, a Jefferson Parish judge ruled against C-Murder and found the recantations not credible.

Celebrities like C-Murder’s brother, Master P; his ex-girlfriend, singer Monica, and reality star Kim Kardashian have advocated for C-Murder’s release, citing the recanted testimonies.

“I wanted to shed some light on a case that I’ve been working on for years…,” Kardashian wrote in a lengthy statement in August. “Corey Miller deserves a day in court to test the veracity of the recanted statements and to prove that he did not shoot Steve Thomas.”

I wanted to shed some light on a case that I’ve been working on for years…

Corey Miller has spent 21 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and his conviction is based entirely on the testimony of two men, whom the State dragged to trial just on material witness…
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) August 3, 2023

Members of Thomas’s family slammed Kardashian for reopening a wound by advocating for C-Murder, who they say is guilty of killing the teenager.

Dr. Marcus L. Thompson, Jackson State University, JSU

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 30, 2023

Jackson State University’s New President Officially Begins Tenure

Dr. Marcus L. Thompson has officially begun his duties as the 13th president of Jackson State University.

Jackson State University, known for its football program and being the largest HBCU in Mississippi, has a new president on its campus. Dr. Marcus L. Thompson has started his duties leading the institution.

A JSU alumnus, Thompsonm was most recently the deputy commissioner and chief administrative officer for the Mississippi State Institutions for Higher Learning. As reported by the Associated Press, the educational leader follows Thomas K. Hudson, who resigned March 31, leading to the IHL’s Board of Trustees to embark on a search.

Thompson began his new role as the university’s 13th president in November, with the Mississippi university welcoming him via a post to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The JSU family welcomes Dr. Marcus L. Thompson as the 13th president of Jackson State University. pic.twitter.com/52qWSfk13l
— Jackson State U. (@JacksonStateU) November 27, 2023

The school’s board of trustees voted Thompson in during a Nov. 16 meeting.

“The Board selected a leader who knows the unique historic importance of the university who will articulate a bold vision for the future and will be indefatigable in the pursuit of excellence for Jackson State University,” said Dr. Steven Cunningham, trustee and chair of the search committee, in a press release.

Thompson has dedicated the past 15 years of his work to uplifting those of all backgrounds in Mississippi’s public collegiate system, including the ADA/Accessibility Services Task Force and initiatives to increase accessibility for underserved and diverse scholars. The former educator received his doctorate in philosophy from the university he now leads.”

“I’m very honored to be named President of Jackson State University because I believe in its mission, purpose and most of all, the outstanding faculty, staff, alumni and students who embody our school’s motto of challenging minds, changing lives,” Thompson said in a statement.

“I look forward to working closely with all of them to develop a consensus about strategic goals and objectives we can achieve by working together.”

Minneapolis Stores Where George Floyd Was Killed Sue City, Claim Police Are Ignoring The Area

by Derek Major

November 30, 2023

Minneapolis Stores Where George Floyd Was Killed Sue City, Claim Police Are Ignoring The Area

Stores located where George Floyd was murdered have filed a suit against the city claiming Minneapolis police have ignored the area.

Several stores located at the site where George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police in 2020 have filed a suit against the city, claiming police have ignored the area.

The Associated Press reports the lawsuit, which was filed in early November, accuses the city of not policing the area since Floyd’s death. Additionally, the suit names Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other city officials, accusing them of blocking the intersection, now known as George Floyd Square, with concrete barriers for more than a year after Floyd’s death, which has blocked customers from entering the area.

According to the lawsuit, “The mayor, the city, the city council, and the Minneapolis Police Department collectively agreed to severely limit police response in the barricaded area surrounding plaintiffs’ businesses,” with police responding to only the most serious calls and actively avoiding the area.

“Criminals know the area lacks police protection, and they have now made the area so dangerous that it has become known as the ‘No Go Zone,’” the lawsuit adds.

The Minneapolis businesses that filed the suit are all located in the Cup Foods store where Floyd allegedly tried to pass off a $20 counterfeit bill, which led to the police being called and Floyd’s death. In addition to Cup Foods, a tobacco company and an investment company are named in the lawsuit, and all are owned by the same family, seeking about $1.5 million in damages.

In a statement, Frey’s spokeswoman, Ally Peters, said the city did “everything possible to open the street safely amid very tenuous circumstances.”

“When we finally did open the street, the city did so in a planned way where no one was hurt and the area remained safe for residents,” Peters added.

Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while three of his co-workers stood by and watched. Floyd’s death, along with the death of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, jump-started the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, which led to nationwide and worldwide protests.

Chauvin, who was sentenced to 21 years in prison for Floyd’s death, was stabbed in an Arizona prison earlier this month.

Ural Glanville, young thug, juror, photos, YSL, Truly humbled under god,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 30, 2023

Judge In Young Thug RICO Case Asks Media Not To Record Video After Learning Photos Of Jurors Appeared Online

Judge Ural Glanville "security issues" after finding out that websites had "inadvertent" recording of the jury

After it was revealed that media platforms showed images of jurors in the Young Thug RICO trial, the judge requested that the media not record the case.

According to Complex, Judge Ural Glanville made the request by stating that he had to address the court about the “security issues” after finding out that sites like the hip-hop platform No Jumper had “inadvertent” recordings of the jury, as the images started to circulate online. Judge Glanville made the request before bringing the jury back in on the third day of the trial.

He then asked if that was okay with the media that was present in court and said he would allow them to record audio.

Legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff, who reported exclusively from the Tory Lanez trial, sent out a post on the X platform.

This after sites like @NoJumper posted video that shows some of the jurors and wrote, “Fans on Social Media Are Already Identifying Jury Members in Young Thug’s Trial After Cameras Accidentally Revealed Their Faces.”

The 30-minute old post already has 4,300 likes. https://t.co/1wv0E4szoj

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) November 29, 2023

The 30-year-old recording artist, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was charged with conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and has been accused of partaking in street gang activity when he was arrested in May 2022. Prosecutors then hit him with another charge of participating in street gang activity, three counts of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and possession of a machine gun. Young Thug has been accused of heading an alleged affiliate of the Bloods street gang and being responsible for murders, armed robberies, and assaults committed between January 2015 and May 2022.

Along with 25 other alleged members of what prosecutors have labeled as a street gang, his labelmate, rapper Gunna, pleaded guilty along with seven other co-defendants to charges made against them.

The YSL label head has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His attorney, Brian Steele, kicked off the second day of trial by telling the court that Young Thug’s name is an acronym for “Truly Humbled Under God.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 30, 2023

Black Mom Cashes In After She Was Fired For Being ‘Very Hormonal’ During Her Pregnancy

A Minnesota dental clinic must pay a former employee nearly $100K for firing her due to pregnancy discrimination.

A dental clinic in Minnesota has been ordered to pay a former employee after she was wrongfully fired in December 2020 due to her pregnancy. The PL Dental Clinic will pay almost $100,000 to the woman who was expecting twins when she was terminated from her role.

According to CBS News, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights determined that Christina Vescio-Holland was unjustly fired for being “very hormonal” while informing management at the Coon Rapids-based clinic that she would need to begin her parental leave. A discrimination investigation was subsequently enacted, as evidence suggested that Vescio-Holland was solely fired due to her status as a pregnant woman.

Despite PL Dental blaming the termination on a performance issue, the investigation found that the cause was unwarranted. The clinic now owes $97,000 to the mother, equivalent to three years’ salary for her loss. The commissioner at the MDHR, Rebecca Lucero, stated the case was a “critical” reminder of how pregnancy discrimination can still occur despite being unlawful.

“State law has prohibited pregnancy discrimination for decades, and this case is a reminder how critical it is for employers to have supportive policies in place for pregnant employees,” shared Lucero.

The MDHR states that this form of discrimination can happen when an employee denies “temporary reasonable accommodation” to a pregnant employee, as well as refusing to promote a worker solely due to them expecting a child. Despite being prohibited, cases of pregnancy discrimination are found across the United States, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission receiving over 2,200 reports in 2022.

However, as stated on their website, the governmental agency enforces three federal laws, including Title VII and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, that protect expecting employees and those applying for jobs. With this win, Vescio-Holland wants others in her situation to “keep fighting” when facing unfairness in the workplace,

“I just want people to know that they have options when something like this happens. And don’t give up just because one door closes — keep fighting.”

Jason Weaver Celebrates ‘The Lion King’ Royalties And Double-Platinum Stats 30 Years Later

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 30, 2023

Jason Weaver Celebrates ‘The Lion King’ Royalties And Double-Platinum Stats 30 Years Later

Actor thanks his mother for helping make decision that will conitnue to make him money for the rest of his life

A chance to make a quick $2 million was very tempting, but thanks to advice from his mother, Jason Weaver has made much more and earned a double-platinum certification many years later, according to Afrotech.

Four years ago, Weaver revealed that he rejected a nearly $2 million check from Disney as a young teen for his role in The Lion King in 1994. On the advice of his mother and agent, he instead requested that the media conglomerate pay him royalties for his singing. The initial offer of $1.9 million was a substantial jump from the $80,000 payment he’d received from playing the role of Michael Jackson in the TV mini-series The Jacksons: An American Dream.”

Nearly 30 years later, the song reached double-platinum status, and he is still cashing royalty checks based on that decision. He acknowledged the savvy business decision on his Instagram account several days ago after the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” as two-time platinum on November 22.

“I definitely would like to take a moment this morning to THANK MY HEAVENLY FATHER and LORD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST FOR CONTINUING TO BLESS ME AND MY FAMILY. 😊🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💯💯💯💯 30 years later and the platinum plaques from this iconic animated film keep comin in. Wow… God is amazing, man. He is truly worthy to be praised. 💯💯💯💯 I would also like to express to everyone just how APPRECIATIVE I am for all of the love that I’ve been able to receive over the years from fans around the world who absolutely love The Lion King. Thank yall so much for the love and support! 😁🙏🏾✌🏾❤️ I definitely would also like to thank @disney, Sir Elton John and Tim Rice for giving a kid from Chicago a shot to be a part of cinematic history. THANK Y’ALL!! 😁🙏🏾💯”

He then saved some of the praise for his mother, who helped him achieve the right business move nearly 30 years ago by not accepting that $1.9 million check.

“Lastly, but most importantly… I WANT TO THANK MY MOTHER @marilynhaywood16 for EVERYTHING she’s done to help steer me in the right direction throughout the course of my life, as well as throughout my career. I share all of these accomplishments with her, because I wouldn’t have been able to achieve ANY of it had it not been for the hard work she put in, and the sacrifices that she made so that I could live out my dream. I LOVE YOU, MA!! THANK YOU!! We’re double platinum 30 years later, mane!! 😂🙏🏾🙌🏾👊🏾💯💯💯❤️❤️❤️

#TheLionKing
#IJustCantWaitToBeKing
#DoublePlatinum”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @itsjasonweaver

Weaver also stated that he accepted a check for $100,000 in addition to the royalty agreement.

Black CEOs, most valuable asset, you, take care, health

by Alfred Edmond, Jr.

November 30, 2023

6 Ways To Protect Your Startup’s Most Valuable Asset: You

As the founder, CEO, and visionary of your new start-up, your company is dependent on you.

Originally Published May 21, 2015

It started with just an idea. With time, effort, and planning, you turned it into a viable venture. Now, your startup business is proving itself in the marketplace, attracting customers and generating real sales. What are you doing to protect your startup’s most valuable asset? What is it, you ask? Look in the mirror.

Anybody who knows anything about me knows that I take health, fitness, and nutrition very seriously. As I am fond of saying, I work out because I am a professional athlete in the game of life, and I play to win. For me, it’s not about vanity or the numbers on the scale but about my ability to perform, compete, and bring lasting value to the people and things I care about, including my business and professional pursuits. The things I enjoy, the goals I want to accomplish, and my ability to bring my very best to my commitments and relationships depend on me treating life, health, and strength as the valuable gifts they are.

Similarly, as the founder, CEO, and visionary of your new startup, your company is dependent on you. So it follows that you have a responsibility to your employees, your investors, your customers and vendors, and most of all, yourself, to protect that asset. That means:

Take your health seriously

Schedule your annual physical now if it’s been more than a year since your last one. More importantly, do what your doctor says is necessary to maintain optimum health and to support your demanding entrepreneurial lifestyle. Don’t have a personal physician? Get one.

Get and stay fit

Dealing with the demands and stress of being an entrepreneur requires endurance, strength, and energy. That means committing to a healthy diet and making exercise a non-negotiable. Schedule at least three workouts a week on your calendar just as you would any business meeting–and keep those appointments. No excuses. Get professional help in the form of a personal trainer and/or a nutritionist, if necessary. Think of these not as expenses but as investments.

Get serious about making necessary changes in habits and lifestyle

Stop smoking. Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum if you drink at all. Cut out processed foods, unhealthy fats, and excess sugars. Add more lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water. Does it cost more to eat healthier? Perhaps. Are you worth it? Absolutely. And you’ll be worth even more as the size and value of your company increases.

Get adequate sleep

There will be times when you have to pull double- and triple-shifts to get the job done, but those should be kept to a minimum. Establishing a 6-hour minimum sleep rule, going to bed, and waking up at the same scheduled time daily is critical for maintaining physical health and mental focus. (Admittedly, I’m still working on this one.) Look for opportunities to supplement your sleep diet with some power naps along the way.

Come up with a plan for managing stress

Pressure, tension, and conflict can’t always be avoided but can be managed. Explore methods such as meditation, prayer, deep breathing, or just daily quiet time to keep stress from getting out of hand and impacting your health, which includes mental and emotional wellness. Need professional help from a counselor or therapist? Get it.

Take time for you and you alone

An hour a day. One day a week. A weekend each month. And at least one real vacation a year. It won’t be easy, but it won’t happen if you don’t make it a priority.

Whenever you are tempted to neglect yourself for the sake of your business, ask yourself–what would happen to my company if I became ill or died, or even just functioned at less than my best? Taking care of business must include taking care of you. Entrepreneurship can be a grind; it is not for the malnourished or unfit. You owe it to your business to be at your very best at all times.

Here’s what I know: There are few things sadder than a talented entrepreneur with a brilliant startup idea suddenly dying or falling prey to a debilitating health condition before he or she can reach the peak of his or her powers and realize the full potential of the business. You know that saying, “Health is wealth”? It’s true.

Black, businesses, business, relationships, integrity, patience, listening, tips,

by Roz A. Gee

November 30, 2023

4 Behaviors You May Be Ignoring That Can Break Down Business Relationships

All business begins with great relationships. Dr. D Ivan Young share essentials that you may be ignoring that could lead to the breakdown of business relationships.

Originally Published Jul. 8, 2018

When it comes to doing great business, healthy relationships are at the root of everything. Creating, cultivating, and maintaining relationships is the source code for success in business. Only when clients and customers know that you’re genuinely interested in helping them accomplish their goals, do you begin the process of building trust and loyalty.

Failing to connect at this core level is all the evidence one would need to take their business to your competitors. Relationships matter just as much as products and services do. Certified master coach and MBTI practitioner Dr. D Ivan Young recently share four essentials tips that promote the growth and development of healthy business relationships.

Listening

The inability to actively listen can immediately sabotage potential or new relationships. Not paying attention to a client’s needs will cost you relationship equity. So, make sure that you are fully present at all times. Most salespeople, management, and even executives will admit that they can significantly improve their listening skills. One simple way to put this into practice is by repeating back what you’ve been asked to provide—saving time, money, and mistakes. Your ability to actively listen shows that you respect and value the relationship and have the person’s best interests at heart.

Transparency

Because we’re more socially connected than ever before, the consumer is much more savvy about who they do business with. Authenticity is one of the main qualities that they look for. Not being open, honest, and upfront can make them feel like you have a hidden agenda. Therefore, it is wise to clearly discuss goals, objectives, and expectations upfront. The sooner your transparency is revealed, the more comfortable they’ll feel toward you. This considerably contributes to building the “trust” factor.

Patience

Don’t damage a potential deal or transaction because of wrong priorities or lack of patience. When you rush the process, a client can feel the pressure. When you’re more focused on profits over people, it’s a glaring sign that what you’re not focused on is bringing the best solution at the right time that’s best for those whom you serve. Remember that the primary reason they are engaged with you is to solve “their problem,” not yours. If you handle initial business well, they’ll probably keep you in mind when it comes to repeat business.

Integrity

Getting a client is one thing, keeping them is another. It’s imperative to—at minimum—stay true to your brand promise. To be exceptional, it’s recommended to overdeliver and underpromise. Many entrepreneurs are great at doing those things in the initial phases of business, but it takes consistent, high-quality delivery to build great relationships for the long-term. Keep metrics regarding your client’s experience and the service you provide. This can be accomplished through phone calls, email correspondence, or online surveys. Strategic client satisfaction creates and builds brand loyalty and produces win-win scenarios for both parties.

by Daniel Johnson

November 30, 2023

Black Dallas Magnate Kneeland Youngblood Sues ConocoPhillips For $900 Million Over Ancestral Land

Youngblood alleges the land was purchased by his ancestors, who were freed slaves.

Dallas magnate Kneeland Youngblood is suing oil and gas conglomerate ConocoPhillips, claiming that the company is allegedly depriving his family of a $900 million tract of oil-rich land. Youngblood alleges that the tract was purchased by his ancestors, who were freed enslaved people. According to The Wall Street Journal, Youngblood’s suit may be a long shot, but he believes in his prospects, telling the outlet, “If it goes to a verdict, I think we can get a lot more.”

The land is located in the Eagle Ford shale, one of America’s more productive oil regions. Youngblood and his family say that ConocoPhillips disregarded their claims to the land, instead accepting the claims of another family, the Korths, so the company could streamline payments and get drills in the ground as quickly as possible.

Although there have been oil booms all across Texas, few of them have resulted in gains for Black Texans, primarily because of the dispossession of their lands during the Jim Crow era. Youngblood’s ancestors, the Eckfords, got the land after their freedom from slavery, but their claim to the land became as clear as mud after their deaths.

Youngblood told The Wall Street Journal, “This is about legacy.”

Over the summer, Youngblood received a boon from a jury in Texas, which said that his family co-owned the land in question that the Korth family had been on since WWII. According to a lawyer for the family, Youngblood’s lawsuit will be heard in another court, but Christopher Kulander, professor at South Texas College of Law Houston, says the claim seems excessive to him because the tract of land in question is only 147.5 acres. Kulander also noted ConocoPhillips took the path of least resistance by only accepting the claims of the Korths because it meant they had fewer families to work with and less of a barrier to the oil contained within the land.

The case exposed Youngblood to his family tree, as much of his family had been lost to him due to the passage of time. His cousin, Stella Marks, a lawyer, represents the family’s interests along with a Houston lawyer the family hired. In court, however, the case is treading carefully around race, focusing instead on property ownership. Youngblood explains, “We’re not here to relitigate the Civil War.”

Youngblood’s pursuit of a $900 million judgment is not really for him, he told The Wall Street Journal, but he recognizes how transformative it could be for the rest of his family. “Regardless of the judgment, it’s not going to change my life,” Youngblood said. “But for many of my relatives, it could be transformative.”

Study: 63% Of U.S. Adults Support Same-Sex Marriages

by Atiya Jordan

November 30, 2023

Study: 63% Of U.S. Adults Support Same-Sex Marriages

Pew Research report highlights the impact of religion on the views of same-sex marriage around the globe.

Over the past decade, there has been increased public support for the legalization of same-sex marriage. But a new Pew Research study reveals just how different the world viewed the practice in the last two years.

The study analyzed several surveys in 32 places around the globe. In the United States, where Black people represented 8.8% of same-sex couple households in 2021, 63% of adults are in favor, and 34% oppose it. In that same year, about 69.7% of same-sex couple householders were white. The Supreme Court legalized the practice nationally in 2015.

In 2019, 51% of blacks supported same-sex marriages, a previous study found.

Views on same-sex marriage vary by religion, political ideology, age, education, and income, Pew Research supports. For example, 82% of Democrats and independents support same-sex marriage rights, compared to 44% of Republicans.

Additionally, in 21 of the places surveyed, adults under the age of 35 are “more likely than their older counterparts to say they favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally.”

“Religiously unaffiliated Americans (85%) – especially atheists (96%) – are the most likely to favor same-sex marriage legality.”

GLOBAL ATTITUDES

The latest research revealed that the “support for legal same-sex marriage is highest in Sweden, where 92% of adults favor it, and lowest in Nigeria, where only 2% back it.”

SWEDEN

According to the Swedish Institute, the gender-neutral marriage law was enacted in 2009. In the past 20 years, male-male marriages in Sweden have increased only modestly, while female-female marriages have soared to new heights. The Pew Research study found that only 20% of adults consider religion important to them. However, racial demographics were not included.

Somalians make up the largest group of foreign-born citizens from Africa living in Sweden in 2022, with nearly 70,000 people, Statista reported. Overall, the Black Swedish population is less than 1%.

AFRICA

In South Africa, the only place in Africa where same-sex marriage is legal, 59% of South Africans do not back the practice. Today, 84.2% of South Africans identify as Christian.

In Nigeria, where homosexuality is illegal, only 2% of adults claim they support same-sex marriage. Christians and Muslims in Nigeria are equally likely to oppose same-sex marriage, while 99% of adults say religion is at least “somewhat important” in their lives. Like Nigerians, most Kenyans oppose the practice, with only 9% in favor of it.

Pew Research’s report illustrates that the pattern of religion on the views of same-sex marriage around the globe is a consensus of its own.

“Support for legal same-sex marriage tends to be lower in places where more people say religion is somewhat or very important in their lives. Support is higher in places where fewer people consider religion important,” the research stated.