HBCU Football Attract Tens Of Thousands Of Viewers On Average, According To FCS

by Lauren Nutall

November 24, 2023

HBCU Football Attract Tens Of Thousands Of Viewers On Average, According To FCS

Jackson State University’s football team had the highest attendance numbers out of all of the schools.

HBCUs have once again had a big year in sports based on the Football Championship Subdivision’s attendance numbers, HBCU Gameday reported.

Jackson State University’s football team had the highest attendance numbers out of all of the schools, garnering an average of 30,060 attendees in just four games and filling 75% of the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium’s capacity, where Jackson State holds its games. Though it’s a decline from last year’s season, which maintained an average of over 42,000 attendees between 2021 and 2022, this year’s numbers remain impressive and continue to surpass other collegiate football teams.

Trailing behind Jackson State in sixth place is Florida A&M University, which attracted 17,616 fans per game and meets 89.7% of capacity at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Southern University immediately follows in seventh place with an average of 17,465 in-person viewers. Alabama State University and Norfolk State University snagged two of the remaining top ten positions, landing at numbers eight and nine, respectively.

HBCUs have had resounding success in 2023, particularly in the sports world. In Oct., Nike announced its fourth annual Yardrunners 4.0 Class, which spotlights popular and influential people from HBCUs across the country, such as Bowie State University, Florida A&M, Hampton University, Howard University, and more. The campaign features exclusive college apparel representing the various schools, including the often-anticipated Terminator High collection, which offers sneakers inspired by different HBCU colorways.

Earlier this November, Bridgestone also announced a new partnership with the PGA Tour to create more inclusive and diverse spaces for golfers via its Bridgestone HBCU invitational tournament. The joint venture is part of Bridgestone’s Collegiate Development Program and the PGA Tour’s Pathway to Progression program, with aims to leverage resources so that underrepresented groups are given more opportunities to succeed.

by Lauren Nutall

November 24, 2023

Former Bad Boy Entertainment President Harve Pierre Accused Of Grooming And Sexual Assault In New Lawsuit

The suit has been brought forth by an anonymous plaintiff.

Former President of Bad Boy Entertainment Harve Pierre is at the center of a new lawsuit, which alleges that the producer used his position to groom and sexually assault his previous assistant, according to Rolling Stone.

The details of the suit, which has been brought forth by an anonymous plaintiff, were revealed on Nov. 22.

“Pierre used his position of authority as plaintiff’s boss to groom, exploit, and sexually assault her,” the complaint alleges. “Pierre engaged in a year-long pattern of grooming plaintiff, leading to sexual harassment of plaintiff, and sexual assault.”

The lawsuit indicates 2016 and 2017 as the height of the alleged sexual abuse, in which Pierre allegedly inflicted physical and mental trauma upon the victim. Bad Boy Entertainment is listed as co-defendant in the complaint for its complicity in Pierre’s behavior, stating that “defendants knew or should have known that Pierre was unfit to be in a position of authority before Pierre sexually assaulted plaintiff.”

The record label broke its silence about the accusations via spokesperson, saying, “We have recently become aware of a lawsuit filed in New York by a former employee. The allegations are from many years ago that were never brought to the attention of the company. Neither the plaintiff nor the executive are current employees of the company. We are now investigating the allegations, and our top priority is the safety and well-being of our employees.”

Pierre, also known as Joe Hooker, is most known for his close association and frequent collaborations with popular R&B and hip-hop performers such as the Notorious B.I.G, SWV, P. Diddy, and more. He worked under Bad Boy Entertainment for over three decades before his departure.

This newest lawsuit comes nearly a week after Sean Combs, commonly known as P. Diddy or Puff Daddy, was subject to a federal lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend and former artist Cassie Ventura, who accused the rapper of physical and sexual abuse, including trafficking, before reaching a settlement.

“After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships,” she wrote in the initial lawsuit. Both Ventura and the anonymous plaintiff’s suits were filed under the Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily allows victims of sexual abuse to file civil cases that have passed the statute of limitations within one year, according to The Cut.

Pierre has not yet released a statement.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 24, 2023

Ludacris’ Manager Chaka Zulu Will Not Face Trial For Murder After Prosecutors State He Acted In Self-Defense

During a confrontation, the music executive shot and killed a man in outside of his restaurant, APT 4B, in June 2022.

CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace Records and longtime manager of Atlanta hip-hop recording artist Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, will not be going to trial for shooting a man outside of his restaurant, APT 4B, in June 2022.

According to WSB-TV, Fulton County prosecutors have decided to drop a murder charge against the entrepreneur after saying that he shot and killed a 23-year-old man in self-defense. Zulu was approached in the parking lot by the shooting victim and others and after an argument ensued, he was shoved and reportedly shot the man after being attacked.

BREAKING: Prosecutors in Fulton County have dropped murder and other charges against Ludacris’ longtime manager, Chaka Zulu, after they determined he acted in self-defense when he shot and killed a 23-year-old during a fight in the parking lot of his Buckhead.@wsbtv pic.twitter.com/hm9gZVjFoW

— Michael Seiden (@SeidenWSBTV) November 22, 2023

A Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis Spokesman Jeff DiSantis emailed a statement to the media outlet.

“The Atlanta Police Department made an arrest on charges determined at a standard of probable cause, which is their duty in this and all cases The District Attorney’s office investigates cases to determine what can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt at trial…Our investigation of the facts and analysis of applicable law indicates that this is an appropriate resolution of this case based on the standard of proof required. Because the defendant is now involved in a pre-indictment diversion program, we will not comment further about the matter at this time.”

At the time of the shooting, multiple sources confirmed that Zulu, his assistant, and another friend were in the parking lot of the restaurant when approached by someone who had words with Zulu. The conversation intensified and escalated as the other man reportedly kept his hand on his waistband. A young lady pushed another man away from Zulu and he allegedly grabbed the man after he was bumped by him. Then a group of three or four other men, who were standing nearby, rushed in and knocked the music executive down. A melee ensued and shots were fired.

Zulu also was reportedly shot, with the bullet hitting close to his heart.

Zulu’s attorney also released a statement regarding his client’s dismissal of charges.

“Mr. Chaka Zulu, a beloved son of Atlanta, is pleased with the outcome of the thorough investigation conducted by District Attorney Fani Willis and her team of lawyers and investigators,” the statement read. “From the beginning of this case, Mr. Zulu was committed to a fair process. He fully believes that after a thoughtful examination of all the facts and evidence related to this matter, District Attorney Willis reached an appropriate and just decision. It is not lost on Mr. Zulu that there was a loss of life under extraordinary circumstances. However, it is now time for Mr. Zulu to put this difficult process behind him, and to focus on the support and nurturing of his family. Accordingly, we respectfully request privacy at this time, and that any inquiries be directed to the office of Gabe Banks, Esq.”

RELATED CONTENT: Ludacris’ Longtime Manager Chaka Zulu In ICU After Being Shot and Wounded Outside Atlanta Restaurant

Diddy Allegedly Forced Cassie To Get Breast Implants, Then Have Them Removed

by Stacy Jackson

November 24, 2023

Diddy Allegedly Forced Cassie To Get Breast Implants, Then Have Them Removed

Diddy allegedly forced Cassie to undergo a risky procedure.

Details emerged on Nov. 21, alleging producer Sean “Diddy” Combs forced singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura to get breast implants and have them removed shortly after.

An inside source spoke to Daily Mail about the exchange which took place after Thanksgiving in 2009. According to the anonymous witness, who said she was present when Cassie and Diddy appeared for a breast augmentation consultation with celebrity surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan, the rapper allegedly forced the “Me and You” singer to undergo the procedure. Unsatisfied with the size of the results, Diddy allegedly demanded that the doctor remove the implants the next day and have them replaced with smaller ones.

Dr. Ryan, who has worked with celebrities such as Heidi Montag, Gene Simmons, Shauna Sand, and Vince Neil, informed Diddy and Cassie of the health implications of quickly removing the implants. However, the source said Diddy challenged the surgeon’s advice.

“Diddy thought they could go into surgery, like now, and take them out,” the source said. In response, the doctor said, “No way,” after explaining why it should be six months before Cassie underwent another operation.

Diddy responded, “No, they’ve got to come out, call who you need to call, they’ve got to come out.” The source said Diddy was the main person voicing his opinions about how he envisioned Cassie’s breast implants during the 2009 office visits. Meanwhile, Cassie stood topless for photos in front of the surgeon and Diddy as he continued to describe what he wanted.

“She was like his doll, like a dress-up doll. She had a flat chest. He said he wanted a full shape, sexy but not too big,” the witness said. “Men are usually kind of quiet in these consultations. It was out of the ordinary that he was doing all the talking and she wasn’t saying anything. She appeared meek. She was more like a Stepford wife, agreeable, amiable, but quiet.”

“He wanted me there,” the source said. “He needed some support. He thought there would be strength in numbers, with me helping navigate him through this.”

Although the surgeon tried to stand firm on his stance that the procedure could not be done right away because Cassie needed time to heal and the fullness in her breast was due to fluid and swelling, Diddy pressured Dr. Ryan into performing the procedure.

“Privately, Dr. Ryan told me this was mutilation, that I can’t even believe this,” the witness added. “He was saying poor Cassie, this is awful.”

The source said this was the last time she saw Diddy or Cassie. The exchange, which took place at Dr. Ryan’s office, was just shortly before the doctor accidentally drove his car off a cliff in August of the next year, while driving and texting in Malibu.

As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Cassie recently filed a $30 million lawsuit against Combs for his alleged abuse during their relationship. The allegations led to a settlement in less than a day. In the lawsuit, Cassie claimed Diddy beat her, forced her to have sex with multiple male prostitutes as he recorded the encounters, and had her use drugs.

Although the two parties reached a settlement quickly, more people are opening up to support Cassie’s claims. Daily Mail reported that the singer’s initial steps to share her truth has encouraged others to come forward and corroborate the claims. The witness refrained from speaking back then to avoid bringing up more issues in the former couple’s relationship. However, the source spoke out after the lawsuit was filed to support the claim in the lawsuit that Diddy had a very controlling nature when the couple was together.

The source spoke of how the occurrence was “always … traumatiz[ing],” further describing Cassie’s experience in the relationship as having no voice, being “treated like a rat,” and overall a “cruel” and “horrible” experience.

Cassie’s claims have also been reinforced by other people, such as rapper Young Joc, who said the rapper was the reason the singer shaved half of her head after seeing a woman with a similar haircut while at a club.

RELATED CONTENT: Diddy’s Battle With Diageo Will Resume In 2024

Former NFL Star Marcellus Wiley Faces Rape Allegations

by Rafael Pena

November 24, 2023

Former NFL Star Marcellus Wiley Faces Rape Allegations

In the lawsuit, the victim claims Wiley forced himself on her in a freshman dorm room, taking her virginity.

A Columbia University graduate has come forward to accuse former NFL defensive end Marcellus Wiley of rape during her time at the Ivy League school in 1994, according to a lawsuit obtained by The New York Post. The victim, now a sociologist and Ivy League professor focusing on race and culture, filed the lawsuit under the Adult Survivors Act, alleging that Wiley attacked her during his sophomore season as Columbia’s star running back.

In the lawsuit, the victim claims Wiley forced himself on her in a freshman dorm room, disregarding her objections and taking her virginity. The traumatic experience led to a suicide attempt by the victim, the suit claims.

“[Wiley’s] actions were intentionally designed to cause plaintiff severe emotional distress or were taken with reckless disregard of the significant and/or substantial probability of causing plaintiff severe emotional distress,” the lawsuit states, per The New York Post.

The victim recounted Wiley’s unwelcome visit to her dorm room, where she claims he forcefully ripped off her clothes and assaulted her multiple times. The victim alleged that Wiley verbally threatened her when she tried to escape, putting her back on the bed. When she reported the incident to Columbia administrators, her complaint was dismissed, purportedly to protect Wiley’s budding professional career.

The lawsuit accuss the late residential dean Kathleen McDermott of dismissing the victim’s case based on cultural differences, claiming that people from different cultures interpret things differently. Wiley faced academic probation but continued his successful football career.

The victim, along with a friend who encouraged the assault, said she faced harassment for months after reporting the incident. The lawsuit states that the victim attempted suicide during mandatory therapy, leading to a two-week hospitalization. Upon returning to campus, she claimed she discovered other women with similar stories about Wiley, leading her to join Columbia’s Take Back the Night chapter.

Wiley, a California native, enjoyed a fruitful NFL career after being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1997. The lawsuit claims that another woman reported a rape incident to Columbia’s athletics director, but it was allegedly buried until after a crucial game against Princeton. Wiley has not responded to requests for comment.

sean combs, Twitter/X, elon Musk, investor, diddy

by Rafael Pena

November 24, 2023

Diddy Hit With Second Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Victim Claims He Drugged And Recorded Her

A second lawsuit has been filed under the Adult Survivors Act, accusing Combs of sexual assault, drugging, and subjecting a woman to 'revenge porn.'

A second sexual assault lawsuit was filed on Nov. 23, under the New York Adult Survivors Act, against Sean “Diddy” Combs. In the latest suit, the music mogul is accused of drugging, sexually assaulting, and subjecting a woman to “revenge porn.” The civil suit, naming Diddy and his companies, including Bad Boy Entertainment, seeks unspecified damages for the alleged substantial and lifelong injuries plaintiff, Joi Dickerson-Neal, claims she suffered stemming from a 1991 incident when she was a Syracuse University student, as reported by CNN.

The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, demands a trial by jury and alleges that Diddy intentionally drugged Dickerson-Neal during a dinner date in Harlem, rendering her physically incapacitated. The suit further claims that Diddy sexually assaulted her, recorded the incident, and distributed the footage to others as “revenge porn.”

A spokesperson for Diddy dismissed the allegations as “made up and not credible,” describing the lawsuit as “purely a money grab.”

“This last-minute lawsuit is an example of how a well-intentioned law can be turned on its head,” the spokesperson said. “Mr. Combs never assaulted her, and she implicates companies that did not exist.” Bad Boy Entertainment has not yet provided a comment.

Dickerson-Neal’s life allegedly spiraled into severe depression and suicidal thoughts after the incident, leading to hospitalization. Despite filing police reports and speaking to prosecutors, she said that her allegations were not corroborated, and witnesses feared retaliation from Combs. The suit suggests that Dickerson-Neal continued working in the music industry, eventually leaving due to Diddy’s rising influence.

The lawsuit also connects Dickerson-Neal’s decision to come forward with the recent filing against Diddy by Cassie Ventura, his former girlfriend. Ventura accused Diddy of sexual abuse, rape, and trafficking, a case reportedly resolved amicably within a day of filing. Diddy’s representative clarified that the resolution was not an admission of wrongdoing.

by Sharelle Burt

November 24, 2023

Is ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Putting Your Financial Well-Being At Risk? Analysts Chime In

For shoppers dealing with credit card and student loan debt, BNPL may look like a breath of fresh air, but data paints a different picture.

As the 2023 holiday season starts to roll in, American consumers are expected to use the popular “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) payment plans – but at what cost?

Analysts and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York have found some key features of the plans can set consumers up for excessive debt, The Associated Press reported. The short-term loans, such as Klarna, AfterPay, Sezzle, and PayPal’s Pay, often come with appealing interest rates, allowing shoppers to make the first payment during checkout and then pay the rest in installments in the next few weeks or even months. If shoppers are already dealing with credit card and student loan debt, it may look like a breath of fresh air, but data paints a different picture.

According to an Adobe Analytics report on online shopping, the concept brought in $6.4 billion of online spending in October 2023 – a 6% increase year after year. Analysts expect online use to peak in November 2023 with spending of $9.3 billion, including a record of $782 million on Cyber Monday alone. The overall estimation is one in five Americans plan on using BNPL plans for holiday gifts.

Lead analyst for Adobe Digital Insights, Vivek Pandya, points the finger at rising interest rates, food price inflation, and resuming student loan repayments as increasing the costs for consumers. However, he says, “data has shown that the consumer remains resilient heading into the big holiday season and they are embracing every opportunity to manage their budgets in more efficient ways.”

Demishia Alford said she uses the loans for household goods, clothes, and even plane tickets, and says she will continue to do so this holiday season. Alford plans to patronize retailers including Express, Shein, and Walmart for items like a crate for her puppy, electronics, and gifts for family members. The Greensboro, NC, native said her short-term loans average close to $200 or less and are a big help as she’s paying student loans, a car loan, and said both her credit cards are almost maxed out.

“I try to stay on top of it, especially in today’s economy,” Alford said. “Debt creeps up on you.”

BNPL often follow the same model, with the lender running a soft credit check and then asking for a down payment at the time of purchase. While terms may vary, the customer agrees to make between four and six payments at two-week intervals, with zero-interest loans being a common initial offering. But if the customer misses a payment or is late, they can be shut out from using the app, or face fees up to $25 or a calculated percentage of the outstanding loan.

According to Fox Business, two out of five users are holding a BNPL debt, and one-quarter of them missed a payment in October 2023. Twenty-five percent said they paid late fees, 27% saw a drop in their credit score, and 22% interacted with a debt collector. Morning Consult Financial Services Analyst Jaime Toplin said these numbers are troubling and may get worse.

“If their personal debt situation worsens, these figures could rise, creating real problems for these users at a time when interest rates are already high,” Toplin said.

Credit scores for fans of the plans are generally 50 points lower, with the average BNPL borrower scoring between 580-669 and non-users ranging around 670-739.

Teyana Taylor Files for Divorce From Iman Shumpert

by Lauren Nutall

November 23, 2023

Teyana Taylor Files for Divorce From Iman Shumpert

Teyana makes shocking claims against her estranged husband.

Teyana Taylor has filed for divorce from Iman Shumpert after seven years of marriage, according to TMZ. The news comes just two months after the pair announced their separation in September.

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, the singer-songwriter filed for divorce in Jan. 2023, eight months before announcing the separation to the public. In the divorce filing, Taylor alleged that Shumpert was extremely “emotionally and mentally abusive” and grew insecure about the actress’s success despite his career as a basketball star.

Taylor claims that Shumpert would initiate arguments with her for no reason, even on her birthday, and then later apologized. She also claimed that she turned down several business opportunities because Shumpert did not want her to work, but after the birth of one of their children, he became upset at her not making money. Taylor alleged that Shumpert was “treating her cruelly and displaying extreme narcissistic behavior throughout the majority of their marriage.”

The lawsuit reveals details of the relationship, citing numerous instances of infidelity and prior arrests on Shumpert’s end. In August 2016, the former Cleveland Cavaliers player was arrested for driving under the influence and other charges. More recently, in late July 2022, Shumpert was arrested on felony marijuana possession charges at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. In the suit, Taylor also states that Shumpert once crashed her vehicle and fled the scene to avoid another DUI arrest.

Taylor secretly filed for divorce, but the two briefly reconciled at Shumpert’s insistence. However, their reunion was short-lived as Shumpert allegedly continued to be inconsistent and became involved in another extra-marital affair. Though Taylor initially denied infidelity being one of the reasons for their separation, she has since stated that this was done out of grace toward Shumpert, according to TMZ.

Following their split, Shumpert left their shared home in October and has spent minimal time with the couple’s two children since then, according to the suit. Taylor is requesting temporary and permanent primary physical custody, plus joint legal custody and child support.

Taylor found fame as a dancer at 15 years old when she was credited as the choreographer for the music video of Beyoncé’s popular single, “Ring the Alarm.”

She’s continued to make a name for herself in the music world as a singer-songwriter. She has since collaborated with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Pharrell, Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliot, and more. She is also a successful actress and was recently nominated for the Gotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Lead Performance for her role in the 2023 film A Thousand and One.

Shumpert is a former NBA star who has played for the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, the latter for which he won an NBA Championship in 2016. He also won season 30 of the competition series Dancing with the Stars with professional dancer Daniella Karagach in 2021.

Tyrese and Joan Pendergrass Lawsuit Has New Development

by Daniel Johnson

November 23, 2023

Tyrese and Joan Pendergrass Lawsuit Has New Development

Pendergrass filed a response, claiming that the rights for the film actually belonged to Warner Brothers and not Voltron Entertainment. Pendergrass argued that Voltron has no say in negotiations.

As Black Enterprise previously reported, Tyrese Gibson’s production company, Voltron Entertainment, is suing the widow of Teddy Pendergrass, Joan Pendergrass, claiming that she agreed to sell the rights to the life story of her late husband in 2011. In its lawsuit, Voltron claims that Pendergrass’s choice to not go through with a renewal in 2022 has cost them approximately $450,000.

A new development in the case has occurred. Joan filed a response, claiming that the rights for the film actually belonged to Warner Brothers and not Voltron Entertainment. According to the motion, Joan argued that Voltron has no say in negotiations, “thereby making Warner Bros. the successor-in-interest to Voltron with respect to the Option Agreement and Voltron no longer a party to the Option Agreement.”

On Nov. 20, Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. set a mandatory scheduling conference for Dec. 15, 2023. The magistrate also set the deadline for both parties to file a Joint Rule Report by Dec. 5.

What this means, effectively, is that the case is likely heading toward a resolution. According to the Department of Justice, in Southern California, where the case is happening, settlement conferences are used in civil cases to determine how complex a matter is before ultimately arriving at a judgment. Typically, this is done so the parties involved have an opportunity to settle out of court. A trial date will be set if no settlement is agreed to during the conference.

Tyrese has long been vocal about his desire to portray the legendary R&B crooner, releasing a statement upon the announcement that he was set to portray Teddy in a film that Warner Brothers had the rights to. Entertainment Weekly reported that it was to be produced by Donald De Line, Lee Daniels, and Tyrese, with Joan serving as its executive producer.

The multihyphenate’s excitement was palpable through his statement: “I am honored to take this journey…This is the role that I feel I was born to play. Teddy Pendergrass embraced me and before he passed, put the responsibility on my shoulders to tell his story. Being here in this time and in this space and moment with Lee Daniels, Donald De Line, Little Marvin, and Warner Bros. is an answered prayer. Teddy, I just hope we make you, your wife and family proud…Here we go!”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 23, 2023

Sean John Will No Longer Be Sold At Macy’s

A source states that "the Sean John collection has started to phase out" of Macy's since "early fall 2023."

Retailer Macy’s has announced that it will be phasing out Sean “Diddy” Combs’ fashion line, Sean John. A source has told Radar Online that the line won’t be available starting this month.

Although Diddy was accused of sexual assault by his former artist and girlfriend, Cassie, and then settled the suit 24 hours later, the source stated that the decision to stop carrying the brand was already in place before news got out about the lawsuit.

“As part of our ongoing review of our brand portfolio, the Sean John collection has started to phase out of assortment since early fall 2023,” the source informed the media outlet on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

The same source also said that Macy’s corporate headquarters have been evaluating Sean Jean for some time now. They noticed that the brand hadn’t been selling like it had in the past when it was more popular in the late ’90s and early ’00s. They stated that the hip-hop businessman’s “products are being removed” and “won’t be available on the site,” adding that retail stores are “always evaluating” the products to see “what’s relevant” to their customers and that Sean John is no longer a popular item.

Macy’s has been in business with Sean John since it debuted in 1998, and it had an exclusive agreement with the brand for over 20 years since 2010.

Diddy sold the brand to Global Brands Group in 2016. In 2021, Diddy sued Sean Jean for $25 million; in the lawsuit, he stated that he never endorsed the line nor given Global Brands Group, Sean John, or Missguided authorization to associate his name with the collection. Later that year, according to Women’s Wear Daily, the Bad Boy was able to buy back Sean Jean with a winning bid of $7.551 million.

It was reported that four other parties placed bids on the brand, but Diddy succeeded in obtaining the brand he started. Originally, 45 potential buyers were notified that the brand was up for auction.