• Celebrity News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 29, 2024

Tyler Perry Explains Why His Son Gets Only ‘Books And Legos’ For Christmas

Perry, who also makes his son fly commercial, refuses to let his son grow up to be a spoiled and entitled person.

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Tyler Perry wants his son to have a relatively normal upbringing. The billionaire filmmaker and producer explained why he only gifts his son inexpensive items for Christmas, and his decision to have him fly commercial.

Perry got real about his intention to not spoil his son despite him having a very successful father. The Six Triple Eight writer and director appeared on a Dec. 18 episode of Sherri where he revealed this shocking parenting choice.

He told Sherri Shepherd that his son, Aman, doesn’t get a Christmas list. In fact, the 10-year-old only gets two types of things for the gift-giving holiday.

“He don’t get no Christmas list,” he told the talk show host, as reported by People. “He gets two things: books and Legos.”

After Shepherd expressed her initial surprise at this simple gift, Perry responded that the boy has no job to get much else.

The actor continued, “He don’t have a job! What else is he going to get?”

Moreover, Aman doesn’t get the usual celebrity kid perk of flying in private planes. Perry revealed that he and Aman’s mother, Gelila Bekele, decided early on that their son would learn better life skills by undergoing the typical airport experience. The move came after a five-year-old Aman would start complaining about the long lines often found at TSA.

Perry remains unashamed of this decision. He emphasized the importance of Aman finding his own success before enjoying certain luxuries.

“Absolutely,” Perry exclaimed. “So that he understands I worked, he did not! So when he works, he can learn that lesson. He’s not going to be one of those ridiculous spoiled rich kids. I can’t stand that. No! He ain’t got no money!” 

For the Madea film franchise creator, he wants his son to become his own man before others decide who he is, based on his dad.

“I want him to know who he is before people start to say, ‘Oh, that’s Tyler Perry’s son!’ I want to make sure that he’s not seen in public,” explained the filmmaker. “Even when I’m at a game, I’m in the back so he can play and not be bothered. All those things are important to me so he can have as much of a normal life as he can. Very different from my childhood, but I don’t want him to be that spoiled, rich, entitled.”

RELATED CONTENT: Tyler Perry Took Joy Behar’s Advice To Get Therapy: ‘You Were Right’

• News

by Daniel Johnson

December 29, 2024

Social Media Prankster Faces Felony Charges For Spraying Bug Spray On Food At Walmart

Videos show Phoenix Influencer Charles Smith spraying bug spray on a number of items, including chicken.

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Charles Smith, a Black 27-year-old social media influencer from Phoenix, is now facing felony charges after videos uploaded to Instagram and TikTok showed a man, later confirmed to be Smith, spraying bug spray on several items, including chicken, at a local Walmart.

According to the Arizona Republic, spraying the poison on the food items led to a felony charge of introducing poison and misdemeanor charges of theft, criminal damage, and endangerment.

In addition, a judge ordered Smith held on a $10,000 bond for a separate third-degree burglary charge.

Detective Richard Encinas told the outlet that Smith voluntarily turned himself in and admitted to spraying the poison and theft.

“Through investigative means, and with assistance from the Tempe Police Department, detectives were able to identify Smith as the suspect,” Detective Encinas said. “Mesa Police contacted Smith and he turned himself in voluntarily. During the interview, Smith admitted to the theft and spraying of the pesticide.”

Smith, who posts his content on social media under the name Wolfie Kahletti on Instagram and TikTok, which has been banned, did make two follow-up posts indicating that he didn’t leave the product he sprayed out for others to pick up.

He captioned those posts “Fooled u,” “Threw them away,” and “Promise I threw them away.”

According to court documents obtained by People Magazine, Smith originally left the store and the items on the shelves. He only returned after he saw how negatively his videos showing him spraying the bug spray were received online.

“Once he left, he began to see comments online saying how horrible the act was, and he decided to return and collect the items,” the documents state.

Walmart, the store where the videos were filmed, said in a statement to the outlet that the contaminated products were removed from the store and the areas where the videos were filmed were cleaned.

“The health and safety of our customers and associates is always a top priority,” Walmart’s statement read. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our customers as we work to resolve this issue. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement during their investigation.”

According to the Mesa Police Department, this case is an example of what can happen when alleged social media pranks go too far.

“This incident underscores the potential dangers of reckless actions disguised as social media pranks,” the police department said in a statement to People Magazine.

RELATED CONTENT: Houston Teen Arrested After Video Showing Assault Of Strangers In Park Goes Viral

• News

by Daniel Johnson

December 29, 2024

Arizona Sen. T.J. Shope Thinks Kwanzaa Isn’t A Real Holiday, Gets Roasted

He posted on X, 'Yes…a fake anti-American, anti-Christian 'holiday' celebrated by our Governor in AZ...'

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According to Arizona state Sen. T.J. Shope, a Republican, Kwanzaa is a “fake, anti-American, anti-Christian holiday.” He apparently took issue with the holiday after encountering a display set up at the Capitol building by Arizona’s Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.

As the Phoenix New Times reported, Shope’s comments, which he posted on X along with a picture of the display as a quote response to an article by far-right wing outlet The Federalist, are completely unsupported by the facts about Kwanzaa.

The post read, “Yes…a fake anti-American, anti-Christian “holiday” celebrated by our Governor in AZ…”

According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, an author and activist currently chair of the Africana Studies Department at California State University.

In contrast to the outlandish claims of Sen. Shope and The Federalist, Kwanzaa is about reaffirming and restoring African heritage and culture. It is one of the few holidays in America that centers Black Americans.

Kwanzaa, celebrated between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, draws on principles found across the continent of Africa: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).

As Patience Titcombe, a Nigerian immigrant and the proprietor of Lasgidi Cafe, a Nigerian food truck in Phoenix, told The Arizona Republic, Kwanzaa is rooted in African traditions.

“Kwanzaa is rooted in African tradition, and to be able to bring a taste of home through my food… it just makes my heart warm. Kwanzaa is the one holiday that really represents our culture,” Titcombe told the outlet. “We celebrate Christmas … but there’s really nothing cut out for Black and African American people.”

According to Darlene Little, who owns the Afri-Soul Education Center, the display was set up at the Capitol through a Black-owned business associated with the center and is an optional commemoration of the holiday.

“It’s just informative for people who want to hear it,” Little said. “Nobody makes you go. Nobody makes you listen.” Little also said that Black people don’t necessarily need white people to understand or agree with the traditions of the Black community.

Others, like Patience Ogunbanjo, who also represents Lasgidi Cafe, told the Phoenix New Times that the senator’s tweet was “a bit prejudiced” and “could be defined as racist” before continuing.

“It (Shope’s comments) reflects the misunderstanding of the profound culture and the cultural significance of Kwanzaa for a lot of African Americans, not only in Phoenix, not only in Arizona, but across the United States,” Ogunbanjo said.

RELATED CONTENT: Kwanzaa Celebrations Are Kicking Off Across The South

• HBCU

by Daniel Johnson

December 29, 2024

NFL Veteran DeSean Jackson Named Head Coach At Delaware State University

Desean Jackson and and fellow ex-NFLer Michael Vick both accepted job offers from HBCUs approximately a week apart.

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DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick both accepted job offers from HBCUs approximately a week apart. The two hirings remind that HBCUs are willing to take chances on unproven but high-profile first-time coaches with NFL backgrounds. Jackson, a former NFL wide receiver, accepted his job offer on Dec. 26.

According to The Athletic, Jackson issued a statement saying that he believes that HBCUs still have much to offer in the way of producing scholars and athletes.

“HBCUs have much to be proud of in creating a more representative America. But that story is not simply a historical one. It continues to be written and includes the elevation of HBCU scholars and scholar-athletes in every field of human endeavor,” Jackson said. “The opportunity for me to help write another chapter here at DSU is a once-in-a-lifetime moment consistent with my journey as a young boy finding his way to manhood through mentorship, accountability, achievement, and discipline.”

In addition to Deion Sanders’ time at Jackson State University, where he helped bring eyes, attention, money, and highly touted prospects to that HBCU, the other best-case scenario for both Vick and Jackson is likely Tennessee State’s Eddie George, who just finished leading the team to a 9-4 record and its first OVC Championship and its first berth in the FCS playoffs.

Vick and Jackson will both be taking over programs coming off of disappointing seasons. Norfolk State went 15-31 over the last four seasons, while Delaware State went 1-11 last season, so they likely won’t be expected to challenge for an MEAC title immediately, giving them the necessary time to develop their programs.

Delaware State University’s Athletic Director, Tony Tucker, said in a statement that he believes Jackson is a perfect fit for what the university embodies.

“DeSean Jackson is a perfect fit for our institution – incredibly competitive, optimistic about the prospects for our collective future, and focused on the fundamentals of the institution: students first,” Tucker said.

Vick, who is from Newport News, Virginia, will return to the area that made him a transformational quarterback. He eventually took his generational talent to Blacksburg, Virginia, to play for then-Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer.

Coach Beamer’s son, Shane Beamer, the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks and a good friend of Vick, supported Norfolk State’s decision to hire the former NFL quarterback.

“He came and talked to our team at South Carolina in August of 2021 and I knew then that he had a passion for possibly coaching,” Beamer said. “I’m really excited for him, and I know he will crush it at Norfolk State.”

Vick’s former high school coach and longtime mentor, Tommy Reamon, will join the staff at Norfolk State. Reamon told The Athletic that he believes Vick has the charisma to be an excellent recruiter.

“I bet he and I have talked about Deion’s situation, and him 100 times,” Reamon said. “Those two kids (Vick and Sanders) are perfect examples of taking their talent, with all that charisma, to then become a head coach [in] football today. Michael has the voice. People are gonna relate to him, especially when we get in these houses.”

RELATED CONTENT: Michael Vick New Head Football Coach At Norfolk State University

• News

by Mary Spiller

December 29, 2024

Teen On Atlanta’s Most Wanted List Arrested For Double Homicide

Corey Comer was wanted in connection to the murders of 37-year-old Douglas Banks and an unnamed 17-year-old boy in Atlanta.

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Corey Comer, a 20-year-old man, was arrested on Dec. 27. He was previously on the Atlanta Police Department’s Most Wanted list for his involvement in two separate violent shootings in the past year.

Comer has been charged in connection with the killings of 37-year-old Douglas Banks in May and an unnamed 17-year-old boy in November within the city limits.

On May 6, 37-year-old Banks was shot and killed at Cleveland Avenue Park at 47 Cleveland Ave. SW. As reported by the Atlanta Police Department, authorities were dispatched to the scene at around 4:30 P.M. Banks was found and transported to the hospital in critical condition. He later succumbed to his injuries and suspected Comer’s involvement.

The second fatal shooting, in which police also suspect Comer, took place in November, and officers were dispatched to 183 Mount Zion Rd. SE after receiving calls about a shooting. When they arrived, they found a deceased 17-year-old male who suffered from several fatal gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the time medical personnel arrived.

In connection to both shootings, after further investigation of the scenes, Comer was officially named as a suspect in both killings.

Comer allegedly used an illegal switch in both of the shootings to fire multiple rounds in quick succession to kill the two victims. Atlanta police stated, “[firearm switches] are illegal devices that transform a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic one, making them highly dangerous.”

Comer was arrested this week, and a $10,000 reward was offered to assist in apprehending him.

Comer has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony as the case continues to be investigated.

Comer is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail.

RELATED CONTENT: FBI Search For Former CNBC Analyst James Arthur McDonald Comes To An End

• News

by Daniel Johnson

December 29, 2024

Mississippi Valley State’s Band Faces Backlash Over Trump Inauguration Invite While Seeking Donations For Trip

Mississippi Valley State's President Dr. Jerryl Briggs, called the invitation is a 'moment of pride' for the entire state.

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Mississippi Valley State, an HBCU in Ita Bena, Mississippi, best known as the alma mater of NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, has reportedly accepted an invitation to perform at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in January 2025.

The school is trying to raise the funds to travel. According to WLBT, the “Mean Green Marching Machine” will need to raise $350,000 to cover its expenses for the trip.

Normally, a band’s selection to perform at the inauguration of a president is an honor, but the decision of the band to accept to perform for Trump has been criticized on social media.

The band’s GoFundMe page reads, “The Mean Green Marching Machine Band of Mississippi Valley State University is seeking funds to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Inaugural Parade. The band seeks funds to acquire instruments, uniforms, provide scholarships, and other essential resources for its continued development.”

According to a press release from Mississippi Valley State University, the band became the first HBCU band to perform at the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1965, again in 1968, and President Richard Nixon’s inauguration the following year.

According to Mississippi Valley State President Dr. Jerryl Briggs, the invitation is a moment of pride for the entire state.

“This is not just a moment of pride for our university but for the entire state of Mississippi,” Briggs said. “It is an opportunity to showcase our legacy, celebrate our culture, and invest in the future leaders of our community.” This participation allows students to engage in the peaceful transition of power and gain global exposure while celebrating the university’s 75th anniversary.”

RELATED CONTENT: Morgan State’s ‘Magnificent Marching Machine’ Was Tapped To Perform At The White House’s Juneteenth Event

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Daniel Johnson

December 29, 2024

Costco Refuses To Buckle To Pressure From Conservatives To Ditch DEI

A statement from the store read, 'We believe (and member feedback shows) that many of our members like to see themselves reflected in the people in our warehouses with whom they interact.'

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Unlike John Deere, Tractor Supply Co., and Walmart, businesses that caved to pressure from far-right conservative figures, Costco is standing by its pledge to uphold its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

According to CNN, the big box wholesale retailer’s board of directors indicated in a proxy statement to its investors that the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives contribute to Costco’s core values.

“Among other things, a diverse group of employees helps bring originality and creativity to our merchandise offerings, promoting the ‘treasure hunt’ that our customers value,” Costco’s board of directors said in its proxy statement to the company’s investors. “We believe (and member feedback shows) that many of our members like to see themselves reflected in the people in our warehouses with whom they interact.”

The board continued, pointedly criticizing a proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research that the company issue a report on the risks of maintaining its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

“The proponent professes concern about legal and financial risks to the company and its shareholders associated with the diversity initiatives,” the board of directors stated. “The supporting statement demonstrates that it is the proponent and others that are responsible for inflicting burdens on companies with their challenges to longstanding diversity programs. The proponent’s broader agenda is not reducing risk for the company but abolition of diversity initiatives.”

As The Seattle Times reported, the statement from Costco’s board of directors follows recent activity from the NCPPR against DEI, decarbonization, and disarmament policies issued to American Express, Intel, General Electric, Progressive, Ford, and Duke Energy, all of whom denounced those policies in response to the group’s purported concern over potential lawsuits.

According to the outlet, that group and Stephen Miller’s America First Legal are likely to increase their targeted litigation and challenges of DEI initiatives after President-elect Donald Trump returns to power in January 2025.

In its proposal to Costco, the NCPPR also mentioned a false claim that purported that Microsoft fired its entire DEI team; those reports were later proved false according to an internal memo released by Microsoft’s Chief Diversity Officer Lindsey Rae McIntyre in July 2024.

According to Microsoft spokesperson Jeff Jones, “As we move forward, our D&I commitments remain unchanged,” Jones said in July 2024. “Our focus on diversity and inclusion is unwavering and we are holding firm on our expectations, prioritizing accountability, and continuing to focus on this work.”

RELATED CONTENT: Scholarship Programs For Underrepresented Minorities Under Attack For ‘Discriminating Against White Males’

• News

by Daniel Johnson

December 29, 2024

Homelessness Crisis Worsens: Black Americans Disproportionately Affected Amid Housing Affordability Decline

The rate of unhoused individuals continued its upward trend from 2023.

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The rate of unhoused individuals continued its upward trend from 2023, according to the latest data released by the federal government on Dec. 27. Per the data, the number of unhoused people recorded on a single night in January 2024 was 18% higher than the figure recorded at roughly the same point in time in January 2023.

According to USA Today, advocates for the unhoused indicated that the increases over the past few years are unlike anything they have seen and are a concern for them.

As Ann Oliva, the CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, told the outlet, “The numbers are just mind-boggling to me.”

Other experts, such as Shamus Roller, the executive director of the National Housing Law Project, cited the conditions that drive homelessness as a factor in the increased point-in-time numbers.

“The underlying conditions driving homelessness are not going the right direction,” Roller told USA Today. “Housing affordability is worse; it’s affecting more people across the country, and so you can’t be surprised that people are essentially falling off the back of the wagon.”

Homelessness has a more pronounced effect on racial minorities like Black Americans, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, Latinx Americans, and those listed as “Some Other Race,” according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness,

Among Black Americans, per the group’s analysis, last updated in 2023, despite Black Americans comprising approximately 13% of the population, they are considerably overrepresented among the unhoused.

Black Americans account for 37% of the overall homeless population and over 50% of those who are unhoused with children.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the data likely does not reflect the current situation due to changed policies and conditions, some of which are noted in the press release.

According to the press release, significant progress was made among veterans through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program, which helped facilitate an 8% drop in the number of unhoused veterans.

According to Adrianne Todman, the head of the HUD Agency, veteran homelessness has been trending downwards since 2010.

“No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring every family has access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve,” Todman said. “While this data is nearly a year old, and no longer reflects the situation we are seeing, it is critical that we focus on evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness. We know what works and our success in reducing veteran homelessness by 55.2% since 2010 shows that.”

Other advocates for the unhoused, like Adam Ruege, a data analyst with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, indicated that counter to Todman’s quote, the annual point-in-time count is most likely a conservative estimate of the true value of unhoused people in America.

Ruege also pointed out that since the point-in-time count is only a figure from one night, it doesn’t sufficiently contextualize the state of homelessness over an extended period.

“It’s just one point in time. It’s a picture, a photograph, as opposed to a video” Ruege told USA Today.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Americans Disproportionately Impacted As Homelessness Rates Soar To Record Highs In 2023

• News

by Mary Spiller

December 28, 2024

Tina Knowles Slams Trolls After Beyoncé’s Halftime Show: ‘You’re So Obsessed… You Cannot Help But Watch And Critique’

Tina Knowles called many of Beyoncé's haters 'obsessed' with the singer.

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Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, clapped back on Dec. 27 at some of her daughter’s halftime performance haters with an Instagram post, People reported. Knowles reposted another user’s post that read, “No matter how undeniably talented you are, people will always, ALWAYS, always have some negative ish to say.”

Tina Knowles, a 70-year-old Texas native, gave her take following Beyoncé’s Christmas Day halftime performance at the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens game.

The other user’s post reads, “Irrespective of if you like Beyonce’s music or not, it is PROOF and motivation that no matter how undeniably talented you are, people will always, ALWAYS, always have some negative ish to say. Watching Beyonce made me not care what anyone thinks of me anymore.

“The amount of hatred, and trolling this woman can receive for a FLAWLESS FREAKING PERFORMANCE is unreal to me. The moral of the story is, do you. If Beyonce ain’t worried about the haters, you shouldn’t be worried either. Go be great.”

Knowles reposted the sentiment on her account and added her thoughts in the caption. She called out those who continue to troll her daughter while she racked up the halftime performance views.

She wrote, “My sentiments exactly! It is mind-boggling to me that you would take your precious Christmas day and watch a performance of someone you hate and you don’t think has talent so that you can go talk ish about it later,😂.”

The businesswoman continued, “Obviously you are so obsessed with them, addicted to them, and secretly admire them, wish you could be them, that you cannot help but watch and critique and comment and say dumb, ridiculous stuff that makes you look like a joke!!”

Knowles, a former manager for Beyoncé’s group, Destiny’s Child, told all the haters to move on and watch something else next time if they had so many negative things to say.

She concluded, “I have learned so much from her warrior spirit, of when they go low I work harder. No weapon formed against me shall prosper.”

Beyoncé performed for a big NFL game; the Texans played the Baltimore Ravens in her hometown of Houston, Texas. The game took place on Wednesday, Dec. 25, and the multi-Grammy-winning artist delivered a hype show that earned the rights to be commemorated by Netflix. The streaming service announced that the “Cowboy Carter” singer will add the 13-minute halftime show to the platform.

RELATED CONTENT: Record-Breaking Viewing Audience Watched NFL Christmas Doubleheader On Netflix

• News

by Mary Spiller

December 28, 2024

Man Dies Trying To Save Engagement Ring From Oakland House Fire After Rescuing Family

Steven Weatherford saved his father, aunt, and brother from the fire.

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Steven Weatherford, a 37-year-old man, was killed in an Oakland fire after he saved his family from a house fire on Christmas morning. He died after his heroic act when he stayed inside the burning building to search for an engagement ring he wanted to give to his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve.

According to Fox 2, local authorities explained that when the fire broke out in the home, Weatherford managed to rescue his father, aunt, and brother. Instead of exiting with them, he returned inside to retrieve an engagement ring from a safe. He had recently purchased the ring to propose to his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve.

According to Michael Hunt, a member of the Oakland Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched after being notified about a house fire in the 3500 block of Oak Knoll Blvd., early in the morning around 6:15. After containing the blaze, Hunt reported firefighters discovered Weatherford unconscious within the home.

Weatherford was nicknamed “gummy bear” by his friends and family because of his loving personality. After the fire, his girlfriend, LaShante Mayo, said, “Steve was truly the best person you could ever meet. He loved his family, his friends, and everybody so much. He died trying to get them out of the house.”

“He was going to propose, yeah. I didn’t know, they told me this morning…I had given up on love until I had met him,” Mayo added.

Following being discovered unconscious, fire officials suggested that his cause of death was likely smoke inhalation.
At the time of the fire, Weatherford was in Oakland at his family home to celebrate Christmas.

Weatherford’s aunt, Eunice Smith, said, “This is a yearly celebration. And when I say yearly, I mean going on for 40, 50 years. It’s not one of those things where it’s every other year.”

Although the cause of the fire has not been officially declared, Hunt said it appeared to be accidental.

The Oak Knolls-Golf Links, fellow residents of the Oakland neighborhood, have created a GoFundMe campaign to help the Weatherford family through this trying time. The campaign has already raised $23,146 of its $30,000 goal.

RELATED CONTENT: Colorado Man’s iPhone Vendetta Leads to Fatal Blaze