by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 20, 2023

Giants Rookie Curses Commanders On Instagram Live, Refers To Team As ‘Bum-A** Boys’

Maryland native, Deonte Banks wanted to play near his hometown and Commanders passed on him

NFL rookie, Deonte Banks went on a rant on his Instagram Live on Sunday, Nov. 19 after his team, the New York Giants, beat division rival, the Washington Commanders. The reason for his incendiary words towards the Commanders is that Banks was not being picked in the NFL draft by the team, who chose another player over him. He has not forgotten that.

Although this is only the Giants’ third win of the season, they have gotten two of those against the Commanders.

At this year’s NFL draft, the Commanders had the number 16 pick and used it to choose cornerback Emanuel Forbes, leaving Banks to fall to number 24 and be selected by the Giants. Banks also plays the cornerback position. He reminded the Washinton team on Sunday.

“They could’ve (come) and got me at 16 and they didn’t. Now I’m 2-0 against you bum-a** boys. F**k the Commanders. They think they slick. They finna see me two times a year until the end of my career. Two times a year. Should’ve (come) and got me.”

He also threw another jab at Commanders player, Terry McLaurin(who wears number 17). Although he did play, it was a poor outing as he caught five passes for 43 yards.

“I’m just trying to figure out, though, did 17 play today? That’s all I wanna know. Did he play today? Did he play? I just wanna know if he played.”

@espn #DeonteBanks went off on the #Commanders after the #Giants win 😳 (via taebanks3_/IG) #nfl #football ♬ original sound – ESPN

The venom that Banks has for the Commanders is due in part because he grew up in Maryland and apparently wanted to continue playing in the area, according to the outlet. He played his high school football in Maryland and had his collegiate career at the University of Maryland.

Banks was able to win in front of his hometown crowd at FedEx Field, where his team won 31-9.

Agnes Scott College Senior, Madison Jennings, Receives 2024 Rhodes Scholarship

by Stacy Jackson

November 20, 2023

Agnes Scott College Senior, Madison Jennings, Receives 2024 Rhodes Scholarship

Jennings will join an international group of Scholars chosen from over 70 countries to pursue studies at the University of Oxford next fall.

Agnes Scott College senior Madison Jennings has been announced as a winner of the 2024 Rhodes Scholarship.

The award allows Jennings to join an international group of Scholars selected from 25 other jurisdictions worldwide. Decaturish stated that the scholarship will fund Jennings’ postgraduate studies at Oxford University in the United Kingdom next fall as she pursues a Master of Public Policy and an MSc in Public Policy Research. According to a press release from the Rhodes Trust Office of the American Secretary, the total value of the Rhodes Scholarship averages about $75,000 per year and can reach up to as much as $250,000 for recipients who attend four years in certain departments at Oxford. The award covers all Oxford tuition and fees, which includes a stipend for expenses and vacations while at Oxford and transportation to and from England.

In preparation for the scholarship, Decaturish reported that Jennings wrote about how leadership taught her to identify challenges, craft solutions, inspire others, and foster teamwork. “The Gullah tradition, rooted in the fusion of grassroots organizing and policy change, continues to influence my academic and professional pursuits,” the political science major wrote. “The community-based model I’ve embraced transcends cultural boundaries, and as a policy director, I intend to leverage these community-based models to demonstrate how local dynamics inform global policies.”

As president of the pre-law society and a Carter Center intern, Jennings has worked on issues, including supporting civil society organizations in Liberia and identifying policing alternatives in Georgia. The scholar has conducted research on international law in Afghanistan and the maternal health policy in Georgia. She is the project executive for the Pop Up Library for Peace to develop mobile outdoor libraries for the Savannah community. Her research has included examining workplace sexual harassment laws and public safety legislation.

“We are extremely proud of Madison and the outstanding work she has done in the classroom and in the community. At Agnes Scott, we focus on educating our students to be global citizens and inclusive leaders. Madison is a true example of both. We know that she will continue to lead and to make a difference today and tomorrow,” said Agnes Scott College President Leocadia I. Zak.

Along with her political science degree, the well-rounded young woman is completing a minor in religious studies and a Global Learning Specialization at Agnes Scott. She has also led three ballet productions as a classically trained dancer. Jennings wants to work as a policy director and focus on developing a comprehensive and empathetic humanitarian policy with a global influence.

RELATED CONTENT: 7 African American Rhodes Scholars Set a Record

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 20, 2023

Aspiring Florida Rapper Claims Self-Defense After Allegedly Fatally Shooting Manager

An aspiring rapper in Florida is on house arrest, facing murder charges after allegedly fatally shooting her manager.

Kevhani Camilla Hicks, 27, who goes by the stage name Key Vhani, was arrested last month after allegedly shooting her manager multiple times on Oct. 9 in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, NY Post reports. A video appears to show a heated exchange that involved Hicks, her manager, and another male and resulted in the death of the manager.

Hicks is seen getting out of a white Lexus sedan with the manager, who was the driver. The two exchanged words before things got physical. That’s when another man gets out of the backseat and also starts fighting with Hicks.

One man can be seen allegedly slamming a woman reported to be Hicks to the ground. Once she got up, the woman grabbed her purse and started to walk away before returning to the scene and firing shots at both men. The manager falls to the ground, and that’s when the shooter walks over and fires more shots.

The other man jumped into the vehicle and sped off, running over the shooter in the process. Police arrived and began resuscitating efforts on the manager while Hicks stood a few yards away, Local 10 reports. The manager was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Hicks was also hospitalized for blunt-force injuries and told police the alleged shooting was an act of self-defense since she was in fear for her life.

“The defendant stated she was in fear due to the victim’s size and upon hearing the victim yell ‘I’ll kill you with one hit,’” a police report states.

Her family has since set up a GoFundMe asking for support as Hicks fight s second-degree murder charges. The family claims the two men “assaulted her multiple times” before the shooting incident. Hicks’ legal team is also calling the shooting a “clear case of self-defense.”

N.O.R.E. Disappointed Jay-Z Interviewed By Gayle King And Not A Hip-Hop Podcast

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 20, 2023

N.O.R.E. Disappointed Jay-Z Interviewed By Gayle King And Not A Hip-Hop Podcast

Jay-Z recently sat down for a rare interview with Gayle King. But N.O.R.E. thinks the interview should've gone to a hip-hop platform.

Jay-Z recently sat down with Gayle King for a rare interview to promote his “Book of Hov” exhibit. But N.O.R.E. thinks the interview should’ve gone to a hip-hop platform.

N.O.R.E. recently appeared on Talib Kweli’s People’s Party podcast, where they discussed the evolution of hip-hop media platforms run by veteran rappers. The Drink Champs host uses his platform to give flowers to the greats of hip-hop.

Many have appeared on his show, including Kanye West, Nas, 50 Cent, Irv Gotti, and many more. But Jay-Z has been noticeably absent from the show, as well as others, including the shows hosted by Joe Budden and Gillie Da King.

It’s something N.O.R.E. takes issue with, as he feels Jay-Z should be interviewingd on platforms that promote the culture he represents.

“I love JAY-Z. He sat down with Gayle King, it’s a great relationship … would I rather him sit with the People’s Party? Would I rather him sit with Joe Budden’s podcast or Drink Champs or Million Dollaz Worth of Game? Of course,” he said.

“Because we’re finally in the space of us owning our own everything, and podcasts is help for that.”

King got Jay-Z to open up on CBS about everything from his work for criminal justice to addressing the longstanding debate on whether someone should take a dinner with him or $500,000. In a one-hour special titled “Brooklyn’s Own,” the conversation covered Jay’s childhood, his business career, the Knowles-Carter family, and the stories behind his lyrics.

The range of topics was similar to those discussed on Drink Champs over alcoholic beverages. With Jay-Z having ownership in the popular cognac D’usse, sitting down with N.O.R.E would seem to make sense.

The pair also share a history as former Def Jam artists who toured together on the Hard Knock Life tour that was the focus of the 2000 documentary film Backstage. Maybe Jay-Z will have a change of heart about appearing on a hip-hop podcast. In the meantime, Oprah Winfrey’s BFF has his latest interview.

OpenAI Employees Call For Board To Resign Amid Termination Of CEO Sam Altman

by Iman Milner

November 20, 2023

OpenAI Employees Call For Board To Resign Amid Termination Of CEO Sam Altman

Over 500 OpenAI employees have written a letter to the board of directors calling for their resignation amid the termination of the CEO.

Over 500 employees of the artificial intelligence company OpenAI have signed an open letter calling for the resignation of the board of directors and the reinstatement of the terminated CEO Sam Altman and board member Greg Brockman, the Wall Street Journal reports. The staff has expressed their intention to leave if their demands are unmet.

“The process through which you terminated Sam Altman and removed Greg Brockman from the board has jeopardized all of this work and undermined our mission and company,” the letter reads. “Your conduct has made it clear you did not have the competence to oversee OpenAI.”

One of the signees, the company’s chief scientist and board member Ilya Sutskever, was accused of coordinating the ousting of Altman; however, he apologized for participating in the boardroom coup via X, formerly known as Twitter, on Nov. 20.

I deeply regret my participation in the board's actions. I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we've built together and I will do everything I can to reunite the company.
— Ilya Sutskever (@ilyasut) November 20, 2023

“I deeply regret my participation in the board’s actions. I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we’ve built together and I will do everything I can to reunite the company,” he said of the shocking removal of the CEO on Friday, Nov. 17.

After Altman’s removal, OpenAI’s chief technology officer, Mira Murati, was appointed interim CEO. On Sunday, Nov. 19, the staff was informed that Altman would not be returning to the company despite the blowback from investors and several board members in the wake of his termination, Wired reports.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced on Nov. 20 that both Altman and Brockman had been appointed to lead a new advanced AI research unit and informed other OpenAI employees that the doors of the tech giant would be open to them. “We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources needed for their success,” Nadella said.

On Monday, OpenAI’s board removed Murati as CEO, appointing former Twitch leader Emmett Shear as interim CEO amid the chaos.

The remaining staff members further threatened to follow Altman to Microsoft in their letter, saying, “Microsoft has assured us that there are positions for all OpenAI employees at this new subsidiary should we choose to join,” they wrote. Employees also allege that the board failed to give substantial reasoning for Altman’s termination. “Despite many requests for specific facts for your allegations, you have never provided any written evidence,” they said.

by Rafael Pena

November 20, 2023

Memphis Woman Faces Federal Charges After Alleged Assault on Secret Service Agents

Raven Jones facing federal charges for allegedly assaulting Secret Service agents following an incident where she shot into its Memphis field office.

A Memphis woman, Raven Jones, is grappling with federal charges after allegedly assaulting United States Secret Service agents following an incident where she is accused of discharging a shot on Oct. 19 into the Memphis field office during a confrontation, as reported by Action News 5.

The 41-year-old Jones reportedly approached the entrance of the U.S. Secret Service field office, armed with her phone to record a live stream on Facebook. At the time of her arrival, the building was occupied by agents, task force officers, administrative staff, and visitors.

During the altercation, Jones allegedly brandished a 9mm handgun and discharged a single shot into the wall adjacent to the doorway. Subsequently, she placed the firearm on the floor and raised her hands above her head. Federal officers promptly detained Jones.

In an affidavit, Jones revealed that her actions were fueled by frustration with former government workers, stating, “I came here for a confrontation today with the U.S. Secret Service.”

The United States Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency operating under the Department of Homeland Security. Established in 1865 with the primary mission of combatting currency counterfeiting, the Secret Service has evolved into a multifaceted agency with two main responsibilities. First, it is entrusted with protecting national leaders, including the President, Vice President, and their families, as well as visiting foreign dignitaries and major presidential candidates. The Secret Service’s Protective Mission Division is renowned for its elite agents who undergo rigorous training to ensure the security of high-profile individuals. Second, the agency has a crucial role in investigating and combatting financial and electronic crimes such as counterfeiting, financial fraud, and cybercrime.

If convicted, Jones could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the firearms charge, along with a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

The U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are actively investigating the case. According to the outlet, Assistant U.S. Attorney J. William Crow of the National Security and Civil Rights Unit oversees the prosecution.

Jones is being held at the Shelby County Jail on a $60,000 bond. In addition to federal charges, she also faces local charges of reckless endangerment and vandalism of $1,000 or less.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the motive behind Jones’s confrontation with the Secret Service remains a focal point of the investigation.

Black-Owned Morning-After Pill, Julie, Partnering With Colleges Nationwide To Remove Stigma Around Emergency Contraceptives

by Iman Milner

November 20, 2023

Black-Owned Morning-After Pill, Julie, Partnering With Colleges Nationwide To Remove Stigma Around Emergency Contraceptives

The Black-owned morning-after pill brand, Julie, will visit 10 college campuses to educate students on emergency contraceptives.

The Black-owned emergency contraceptive company Julie will host a series of events on college campuses aimed at erasing the stigma associated with the “morning-after” pill and educating underserved communities who may lack access to the preventative measure. The “Julie: There When You Need Them” events will be free to attend, and Howard University is on the list of proposed school stops, Her Campus reports.

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A post shared by Julie (@julie)

“At Julie, we’re creating a space for those who are ‘othered’ and left out––we want to make women feel included, help them understand that their voice matters, and that they have agency over their own bodies,” said Julie Founder and President Amanda E/J Morrison, according to ESSENCE.

“When we decided to activate on college campuses, we wanted the schools where we showed up to be as diverse as the women who take emergency contraception.” The goal of the events is to introduce Julie to students and provide an open forum to share sexual health stories as well as discuss the ins and outs of emergency contraceptives.

The tour comes at a time when reproductive health and access to preventative care are under attack. Last year, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, making it even more critical for young minority women to be educated on all the family planning options available to them. In addition to Howard University, students at the University of Florida, UCLA, USC, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Michigan, UT-Austin, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Jackson State University, Columbia Law School, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham will all have an opportunity to learn about Julie as well as take home some of the brand’s products for free, Her Campus reports. At a few stops, Morrison and brand ambassadors will hand out coffee and breakfast sandwiches to students to ” make a better morning after.”

The brand’s mission to arm as many women with emergency contraceptives as possible extends outside of planned events, as Julie offers a Buy One, Give One program, which aims to donate products to states where abortion access has been limited.

“Overall, Julie believes that everybody should have access to products, information, and education to support their well-being and freedom,” Morrison says. “We are for any choice a woman wants to make about themselves. Period.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 20, 2023

LSU Honors First Black Football Players

Lora Hinton, the first Black football player at Louisiana State University attended and was recognized along with nine other former athletes.

The storied athletic history of Black players who attended Louisiana State University (LSU) is still going strong today, but there had to be a group of firsts. On Nov. 18, the school honored 10 former Black athletes who were among the first to be given football scholarships from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s.

According to The Advocate, during the first quarter of the latest football game, LSU acknowledged the first Black football players who donned a uniform for the university. The recognition took place at the contest between LSU and Georgia State. The very first Black football player accepted into the program was Lora Hinton. He was joined by nine other former LSU athletes at the game: Edmund Stewart, Mike Williams, Thielen Smith, Terry Robiskie, Robert Dow, Clinton Burrell, Charles Alexander, Dennis Kimble, and Greg LaFleur.

The 10 weren’t the only ones who were honored at the game. Five players were posthumously celebrated, along with the ones who attended. They were Richard Romain, Carl Otis Trimble, Harrison Francis, Lew Sibley, and Wilbur Stansberry. Herman Lang, the first trainer at LSU, who worked at the university from 1932 until 1971, was also honored.

Hinton told WFAB that after a former LSU player died, he felt compelled to gather the men together again while they were still around, and it was too late. The former player contacted the school, and they decided to honor him and the first 10 Black scholarship football players.

Terry Robiskie, who played for the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins as an NFL player (1977-1981) and won a Super Bowl championship as a coach for the Raiders in 1984, was the No. 1 prep recruit at the time he committed to LSU in 1973.

“Everybody was mad at me for coming to LSU. The white people didn’t want me here, and the Black people didn’t want me to come here. The Black people wanted to know, ‘Why did you come to LSU? What the hell are you doing going to LSU? We don’t go to LSU.’ And the white people told me they didn’t want me,” said Robiskie.

He and Hinton both agreed that this event needed to happen.

The former players were given an exclusive tour around the school’s newest football facility and were greeted by head coach Brian Kelly.

by Iman Milner

November 20, 2023

Snoop Dogg ‘Blows Smoke’ Up Our Arse When He Vowed To Give Up Weed

Rapper Snoop Dogg has announced a partnership with the smokeless fire pit brand Solo Stove, putting to bed "no smoking" rumors.

Rapper Snoop Dogg set the internet ablaze on Nov. 16 when he made a cryptic post on Instagram that seemed to suggest he was giving up marijuana. However, it seems fans have no reason to be alarmed as the 52-year-old West Coast legend announced a partnership with the smokeless fire pit brand Solo Stove, USA Today reports.

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A post shared by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg)

Snoop posted his first ad for the company on Nov. 20 with the caption, “I’m done with smoke. I’m going smokeless with @solotstove.” The ad’s comments were full of people who approved of his clever marketing skills. “Lmfao tricked the internet for a bag. I know that’s right,” one Instagram user commented. “Slow, long, sustained clap. A marketing masterclass,” said another. With his new partnership, Snoop becomes the official “smokesman” for the brand, with the official Solo Stove collaboration available for purchase just in time for the holiday season.

“I love a good fire outside but the smoke was too much. Solo Stove fixed fire and took out the smoke. They changed the game and now I’m excited to spread the love and stay warm with my friends and family,” he said.

The business mogul joins the likes of Saucy Santana, Jaden Smith, and many other celebrities using their popularity to promote environmentally conscious brands.

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A post shared by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg)

The newly minted Death Row Records owner also announced a collaboration with his longtime business partner, Martha Stewart. The pair have teamed up for a product line of “Best Buds Bags,” consisting of limited edition crossbody accessories complete with a lighter latch and storage to fit any green needs, according to The Source. “This bag’s got it all. From my favorite lighter, favorite color, and dime-sized secret stash pockets to stash my favorite herbs,” Snoop said.

The launch is a preview of Snoop and Stewart’s line of custom lighters slated for a 2024 release, making it even easier to enjoy the rapper’s Leafs by Snoop cannabis products.

‘Sherri’ Is The No. 2 Most-Watched Daytime Talk Show Among Women 25-54

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 20, 2023

‘Sherri’ Is The No. 2 Most-Watched Daytime Talk Show Among Women 25-54

Sherri Shepherd is doing pretty well among women viewers since replacing Wendy Williams in the daytime talk space.

The Sherri show is currently reigning as the No. 2 most-watched daytime talk show among women 25-54, The Wrap reports. Nielsen ratings from early this month show that the Sherri show averaged a 0.35 rating among women 25-54 and a 6.13 share in the same demo.

Beating out Sherri is “Live With Kelly and Mark,” which received a 0.47 rating and an 8.36 share, while The Jennifer Hudson Show came in third place with a 0.23 rating and a 3.84 share. It’s the second month in a row where Sherri held down the No. 2 spot among adults 25-54 and women 25-54.

It reflects growth for Sherri as the show was coming in at the No. 3 spot during its 2022 debut.

“Sherri’s recent climb in the ratings, hitting a 33-week high in the most recent national ratings with a .74 in HH – and coming off its two best metered-markets of the season – is indicative of the ascension we’ve seen this season,” Debmar-Mercury EVP of Programming Lonnie Burstein said of ‘the show’s national numbers.

“This is illustrated by ‘Sherri’ now being the No. 2 ranked show in the advertiser-coveted women 25-54 and adults 25-54 demographics.”

However, The Jennifer Hudson Show beats out Sherri among the women 18-34 demo with a 0.111 rating, behind Live with Kelly and Mark, while Sherri comes in third place with a 0.110 rating.

In September, Shepherd announced new changes coming to the show after firing all the producers who were left over from The Wendy Williams Show.

She also teased the celebs she would love to have as guests on her talk show.

“It has not changed. Trevor Noah, Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and that guy that she’s married to (Barack Obama) and I would love Beyonce. And maybe we need Jason Momoa.”