by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 20, 2024

Lizzo Opens Up About Sexual Harassment Lawsuits, ‘Let’s Be Clear, I Did Nothing Wrong’

Lizzo broke her silence on the sexual harassment lawsuits filed by her former dancers and shared what she’s learned from the stressful experience.

The Grammy-winning singer appeared on Keke Palmer’s Baby, This is Keke Palmer podcast on Thursday, where she openly discussed the lawsuits. She admitted feeling “blindsided” by her former dancers’ claims and their legal action against her.

In 2023, former Lizzo dancers Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez filed a lawsuit against the “Juice” singer, accusing her of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. After a judge dismissed some claims against her due to lack of evidence, Lizzo opened up on Palmer’s podcast and explained her takeaway from the year-long ordeal.

“Let’s be clear, I did nothing wrong,” Lizzo declared. “So I have no regrets, but I do have now this learned experience that is preparing me for the boss that I am becoming.”

“This experience hasn’t stopped me from being me, and I think it could have easily done that … I wasn’t even playing the role of the hero, so why would I start playing the role of a villain? I’m just me, and I’m gonna continue to be me,” she added.

Lizzo admitted to having a lot to learn after starting as an indie artist and picking up the habit of hiring her friends or becoming friends with her staff.

“People who have been following me for a long time know that when I started as an indie artist, I was hiring my friends, and that’s how it is in this industry,” Lizzo explained. “You hire your friends, and if they’re not your friends when you hire them, they become your friends.”

She continued, “That boss-employee dynamic in the music industry isn’t as intense as it is in the corporate world. I literally toured with people that I considered my best friends and sisters for years, and I hear about artists who don’t even talk to their dancers, who don’t mingle with them at all.”

“I used to be like, ‘Why it’s like that? It doesn’t gotta be like that. We can all be family, and hang out and have a good time.’ But now I see why. And I think this experience taught me how to set those kinds of boundaries, not just to protect them, but to protect myself.”

Despite the drama and legal battle, Lizzo hasn’t changed her stance on believing and supporting women. She just has reservations against those who present themselves as victims for a payout.

“I still believe women. I still believe victims because this happened to me; it’s not going to change that,” Lizzo said. “But people should not be able to just say anything about somebody and put it in the media, and ask for money. You shouldn’t be able to do those things. So I’m fighting.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 20, 2024

Rutgers Freshman Kiyomi McMiller Dazzles Crowd With Allen Iverson-Like Move

She was recently selected as Big Ten Freshman of the Week

Rutgers University freshman Kiyomi McMiller pulled off a basketball move that has people comparing her to “The Answer,” A. I.- Allen Iverson.

In 2023, the phenomenal basketball player became the first high school basketball player to sign an NIL (name, image, and likeness) deal with Jordan Brand. She inked the deal when she was a senior at HS Life Center Academy in Burlington, New Jersey. After the skillful display of ball-handling on this side of Kyrie Irving and Rod Strickland, the freshman player has been dazzling spectators with her handle.

On Sunday, Dec. 15, Rutgers played against Wagner College, and McMiller pulled off a move that seemingly mimicked a behind-the-back dribble move that reminded people of Iverson, and it had people talking.

This makes absolutely no sense.. best handles ever in the womens game.. creativity like no other.. what even is this @Kiyomi_McMiller pic.twitter.com/FrQlXw4cvb

— SSN Jay-O (@Jay_3shifty) December 15, 2024

The move was so electrifying that ESPN’s Nick DePaula reposted a video clip of a young Allen Iverson pulling a similar move in a 1998 Reebok commercial with A.I. explaining the move as he demonstrates it for the camera.

Kiyomi pulling off the AI “New Move” in game is CRAZY https://t.co/s98blyYit2 pic.twitter.com/dAoRchiw8F

— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) December 16, 2024

The original commercial:

The Rutgers freshman is already making noise. On Monday, Dec. 16, it was announced that she had been selected as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

BEEN DIFFERENT.

Kiyomi McMiller earns her first @B1Gwbball Freshman of the Week award as well as a spot on the Honor Roll 🏆

📰: https://t.co/vXqBK6bqwd #GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/DY2bXd7iw1

— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 16, 2024

McMiller helped Rutgers go 2-0 this past week, by winning games over Fairleigh Dickinson University (83-58) and Wagner (86-48). She averaged 27 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 steals for the two contests. She recorded back-to-back double-doubles with 30 points and 11 rebounds against FDU and 24 points and 10 rebounds against Wagner. She already has three double-doubles this season.

She averages 20 points per game for Rutgers, placing her at No. 3 in the Big Ten and the Top 25 nationally. She also has a total of 38 assists this year. She is a bright spot for a team with a losing record of 2-8.

McMiller and the Rutgers basketball team will play against Columbia University on Dec. 21 at noon for the Holiday Hoops game.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 20, 2024

Social Media Celebrates Norfolk State Hiring Michael Vick While PETA Criticizes

We pulling up to Norfolk?

PETA, the largest animal rights group, isn’t pleased with Norfolk State University’s decision to hire former NFL pro Michael Vick as head coach of the football team, but social media users are celebrating, HBCU Sports reported.

The HBCU hired the former Atlanta Falcons star to lead its program to potential higher heights after a disappointing 4-8 season. In a statement from PETA President Ingrid Newkirk, she pushed back against the school’s decision, while reminiscing on her experience with the retired athlete during his 2007 sentencing for participating in illegal dog fighting. “After interviewing him at PETA’s office in Norfolk, Virginia while his sentence was under consideration, and hearing him tell me bold-faced lies about his poor dogs, I came to believe that he’s a charming, charismatic, psychopath, but since I believe he won’t fight dogs ever again, PETA is focusing on working with law enforcement to bust those who still do,” Ingrid said.

His legal troubles resulted in Vick being sentenced to 21 months in federal prison before making a return to the NFL, going on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers prior to retiring in 2017. Since then, the former quarterback has become an ally for animal rights, speaking out against dogfighting in collaboration with the Humane Society and advocating for penalties against people who willingly participate as onlookers of illegal animal fights. However, in 2009, PETA published a blog called “The Day I Spent With Michael Vick,” expressing skepticism about his intention to become an “ally,” according to Fox News.

But football fans on social media support Norfolk’s decision. Some are excited about what the appointment will bring to the HBCU, including Vick’s former high school coach, Tommy Reamon, who said his phone has been ringing off the hook with anticipation of the upcoming season. “I’ve had 11 coaches call me in the last 72 hours and they all want a job and or they don’t want to play Norfolk State,” Reamon said.

“That’s nice because of Michael Vick.”

pic.twitter.com/MnEQ4Bt7iB
Tommy Reamon, who coached Michael Vick at both Ferguson and Warwick High Schools, said he's had at least 11 calls from coaches who want to work on Vick's Norfolk State Staff
— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) December 20, 2024

Dr. Sandi Hutchinson, who says she serves on Norfolk’s Board for the Athletic Foundation, said she has received a plethora of calls asking for football season tickets, looking at a possible increase in sales. “We may have to put chairs down aisles like church for the overflow,” she wrote on X.

https://twitter.com/Mom2SportsGirls/status/1870135749191831829

User @southside_gunn said the decorated athlete has done more than paid his debt to society. “Michael Vick has done more than pay his debt to society… He has done countless efforts to atone for all his f*** ups,” he wrote.

“There are legit people who have done much worse and don’t even get the consistent hate, and we ALL know why.”

https://twitter.com/Southside_Gunn/status/1869591729445413306

@sweetpea1636 shared similar thoughts, saying, “We all deserve a second chance.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 20, 2024

Alicia Keys To Receive 2024 Dr. Dre Global Impact Award At Recording Academy Honors

Alicia Keys follows Dr. Dre and Jay-Z as the next recipient of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.

Alicia Keys is set to be the next recipient of the newly coveted Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, following in the footsteps of Dr. Dre and Jay-Z.

Billboard reports that the acclaimed Grammy winner will receive the third award presentation at the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors, presented by the Black Music Collective. The event will take place at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Established in 2023, the award honors artists for their influence beyond music and celebrates their entrepreneurial accomplishments, philanthropic contributions, and global impact.

“From her timeless music to her unwavering dedication to uplifting others, Alicia has made an indelible impact on the world,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement.

“Alicia embodies everything the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award represents -– her artistry knows no bounds, her advocacy inspires meaningful change, and her influence has profoundly shaped culture. We are honored to celebrate her extraordinary legacy and the transformative contributions she continues to make in music and beyond.”

Throughout her career, Alicia Keys has earned 16 Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for her 2001 breakout hit, “Fallin.” She is tied with Adele as the fourth most-awarded woman in Grammy history, behind Beyoncé (32), Alison Krauss (27), and Aretha Franklin (18).

On the business front, Keys owns multiple ventures, including AK Worldwide, which manages her projects within and beyond music; a recording studio in Long Island, New York; her KrucialKeys production and songwriting company; and her lifestyle brand, Keys Soulcare; created in partnership with e.l.f. Beauty. As a philanthropist, she launched a $1 billion fund to support Black-owned businesses in the fight against racism and co-founded the nonprofit Keep a Child Alive in 2003, which combats HIV/AIDS and where she serves as a global ambassador.

Alicia Keys has sold over 90 million records globally, cementing her status as one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Billboard recognized her as the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the 2000s, and she ranked 10th on its list of the Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years. In addition to her 16 Grammy Awards, she has earned 17 NAACP Image Awards, 12 ASCAP Awards, and honors from the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the National Music Publishers Association.

Alicia Keys has been recognized on VH1’s lists of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and 100 Greatest Women in Music. Time included her in its 100 Most Influential People list in 2005 and 2017. She is also nominated for a Grammy at the 2025 ceremony for Best Musical Theater Album for Hell’s Kitchen.

The musical, inspired by Keys’ journey to musical stardom and featuring her songs, premiered at the Shubert Theatre in New York on April 20 and remains in production. It received 13 Tony nominations and won two: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Maleah Joi Moon) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Kecia Lewis).

Keys will be the third recipient of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, following the super producer himself, who was the inaugural honoree in 2023, and Jay-Z, who received the award earlier this year. During his acceptance speech, Jay-Z used the moment to criticize the Recording Academy for its history of overlooking his wife, Beyoncé, in the Album of the Year category.

Chris Brown, Net Worth, Burger King Franchises, investment, business, net worth, money

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 20, 2024

Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, And More Accused Of Misusing Funds From COVID-19 Pandemic Grants

That's a little selfish....

Music stars Lil Wayne and Chris Brown are on the list of celebrities accused of using funds from a COVID-19 grant designed to assist independent venues and artistic groups struggling during the pandemic for personal gains, Variety reported.

A report alleges both Brown and Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., used the money to pay themselves or throw parties at the expense of taxpayers. Hip-hop group Rae Sremmerd was also named as an artist who was eligible to receive up to $10 million from the Shuttered Venue Operations Grant (SVOG) to spend on “ordinary and necessary” expenses. They were required to make a good-faith statement to the Small Business Administration (SBA), showing their companies lost at least 25% of revenue between one quarter in 2019 and the same quarter in 2020.

Instead, the pandemic funds were allegedly used for personal use or for unrelated expenses.

Brown received $10 million for his company CBE Touring, and the “Sensational” R&B crooner is accused of paying himself $5.1 million. He allegedly spent close to $80,000 on a lavish 33rd birthday party. According to Business Insider, the grand event, held in Los Angeles, featured an LED dance floor worth $3,650 and “atmosphere models” – women in the nude covered in body paint – going for $2,100 each. The bill included over $29,000 spent on hookahs, bottle service, “nitrogen ice cream,” and damages like burn holes on rented furniture.

The party didn’t stop there. Allegedly, Brown used $24,000 in grant funding to cover the cost of driving his tour bus from the US to Tulum, Mexico, and back, in fall 2020, which included a month-long stay for him and his crew at a resort town. Close to $200,000 was also spent on a celebrity basketball tournament broadcast on YouTube, with a $20,000 payment that went to Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox.

Carter was given an $8.9 million grant, spending over $1.3 million from the grant on flights aboard a private jet and more than $460,000 on items from high-end brands, including Gucci and Balenciaga. American taxpayers footed a bill totaling more than $175,000 in music festival-related expenses promoting his marijuana brand, GKUA, and artists signed to his record label, Young Money Entertainment. Money was also allegedly used to cover nearly $15,000 worth of flights and luxury hotel rooms for women, including a waitress and a porn actress, in connection to the “Lollipop” artist’s touring operation.

Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Sen. Gary Peters, labeled the accusations “an abuse of federal resources.” He also said that the pandemic relief was intended to assist businesses and workers in need, “not super wealthy celebrities.”
Thirteen thousand art groups received funds from SVOG. The program included more than $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues after musicians initially weren’t eligible, until the SBA reversed the decision in late 2021.

100 Black Entrepreneurs, Biden, Harris, Funeral, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman,,Marcyliena H. Morgan

by Kandiss Edwards

December 20, 2024

Family Grieves Twice As Funeral Home Cremates Loved One Days Before Viewing

The Hollis family will not get an opportunity to say goodbye one last time.

A Detroit, Michigan family is grieving the loss of a loved one, Rhonda Hollis. An employee of the funeral home cremated Rhonda’s body before her homegoing service. The Hollis family is filing a lawsuit against Fisher Funeral Home in response to the employees actions, Detroit 7 reported.

Attorney Ivan Land will represent the family in what they claim is a breach of contract, negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Rhonda’s daughter Saijae Hollis is baffled by the turn of events, not knowing how the Hollis family went from planning a, Dec. 16, viewing to not having a body to view.

“I’m supposed to be at a viewing looking at my mom and I can’t,” Saijae stated.

“It doesn’t feel real.”

The deceased’s mother, Kathy Fisher, was the first to receive the shocking news after being contacted by Fisher Funeral Home four days before the scheduled viewing.

“We got the call on December the 12th that Mr. Mike Fisher had said that her body was cremated that day and I questioned him — how could her body be cremated when we didn’t have the service yet? And he stated that one of his staff accidentally had her cremated,” Kathy said.

Fisher Funeral Home provided a written statement to Detroit 7 that reveals the cremation happened eight days before schedule. The funeral home expressed its regret and assured the public the irrevocable mistake will not happen again:

“We are aware of some of the reports on social media and appreciate the opportunity to clarify the facts of what happened in this very unfortunate situation. Because of a mistake, a person who was supposed to be cremated after a memorial service was cremated before the opportunity for loved ones to gather for a service. We immediately apologized to the family and understand why they are upset. This is not reflective of the care that we provide to our community and we deeply regret that this has occurred. We have served Southeast Michigan for nearly 70 years. Nothing like this has ever happened before nor will it again.”

The deceased’s daughter shared that the families priority was to make sure Rhonda received special care and a proper send off before her cremation.

“We were hoping that we would be able to give her, her last homegoing and actually make sure she looked pretty and just send her off and the family could say their final goodbyes and we could cope from there, but it didn’t happen like that.” Saijae said.

by Mitti Hicks

December 20, 2024

Cancer Patients At Risk Of Losing Life-Saving Treatments Amid Blue Cross Blue Shield Dispute

Memorial Sloan Kettering says more than 22,000 could be impacted by 2025.

Tens of thousands of Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) cancer patients could lose access to life-saving treatments in 2025 because of an ongoing contract fight with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and the hospital.

MSK leadership recently said it was “not confident” that a deal would be reached between the two sides before the contract expires on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the New York Post. If the deals fall through, some out-of-network patients will be forced to stop their treatments or potentially face high medical costs.

MSK is one of the world’s most respected comprehensive centers devoted exclusively to cancer. For over thirty years, it has been recognized as one of the top two cancer hospitals in the country.

Who’s Impacted?

MSK says that more than 22,000 active patients, like Carrie Regan, could be impacted in 2025.

“I feel like once you have cancer […] you live scan to scan,” Regan, 41, told the outlet. She also said the thought of losing care at MSK is “crippling.”

Regan was reportedly diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2023 and has been cancer-free since March 2024. Like most cancer patients, she still goes in for monthly checkups but has been growing frustrated with a lack of answers from Anthem.

In 2023 alone, the hospital treated more than 71,000 patients. However, patients currently in the middle of treatment will continue to pay in-network costs until March 1, thanks to New York laws. That leaves time for both sides to strike a deal, but it’s cutting it close.

“While we are working overtime to negotiate in good faith with Anthem to resolve this dispute for the patients who rely on us, Anthem does not appear interested in fair resolution,” hospital CFO Mike Harrington told The Post.

Meanwhile, Anthem is painting a different picture of the negotiations. A spokesperson told the outlet that it was “confident” it would reach an agreement with MSK as both parties “continue to negotiate in good faith.”

Florida Couple Arrested After Husband Allegedly Beats 12-Year-Old Nearly 30 Minutes For Lying

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 20, 2024

Florida Couple Arrested After Husband Allegedly Beats 12-Year-Old Nearly 30 Minutes For Lying

Lance Eugene Rachel allegedly struck the boy 51 times with a belt and threatened to break his jaw.

A Florida couple has been arrested after being accused of child abuse. Allegedly, the husband beat a 12-year-old boy for almost 30 minutes after the victim supposedly lied about a misplaced couch cushion.

In a social media post from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Lance Eugene Rachel and Kimberly Corene Rachel of Kissimmee were detained after an investigation revealed that Lance abused a 12-year-old boy after accusing him of lying about a couch cushion being displaced in the home. Lance was charged with aggravated child abuse and battery by strangulation, while his wife, Kimberly, was charged with failure to report child abuse.

The incident occurred on Dec. 7 when Lance “maliciously” punished the 12-year-old preteen for allegedly lying about the cushion. He berated the child by screaming obscenities and physically abusing him for 28 minutes. The child was reportedly struck over 50 times with a belt. Lance is also accused of choking the boy and threatening to break his jaw. Some of the alleged abuse was caught on in-home surveillance cameras.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office started investigating the incident on Dec. 11 after it and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) were informed of it. Kimberly confirmed what happened in an interview on Dec. 16, 2024.

Law & Order reported that the boy suffered injuries to his arm, and although the video did not show the blows to the arm, you can hear the boy being hit with the belt, according to an affidavit. Authorities were told about the incident by family members who saw it on the surveillance video.

The boy told detectives that he “was hit a lot but didn’t count how many times.” He also informed them that Lance also hits the other children in the home, who are 2 and 3 years old.

Lance allegedly admitted to the abuse when he spoke to detectives on Dec. 16. Kimberly told detectives that she saw the beating on video. When asked if she counted the times the belt hit the boy, she admitted that she “stopped counting after reaching 15,” the affidavit said.

After their arrest, the couple was taken to the Osceola County Jail. Lance Rachel is in jail without a bond, while Kimberly has a $5,000 bond.

FAMU, Florida A and M University,DI, Black History Month

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 20, 2024

FAMU Marching Band 100 Named ESPN 2024 Band Of The Year

FAMU's Marching 100 Band bested the North Carolina A&T State University Blue & Gold Marching Machine.

Florida A&M University (FAMU) won the ESPN 2024 Band of the Year competition last week.

FAMU’s Marching 100 Band took the title for the Division 1 category when it beat last year’s champions, the North Carolina A&T State University Blue & Gold Marching Machine, on Dec. 13.

“Speechless, humbled, and proud of our AMAZING Marching 100 band students & staff on an extraordinary performance tonight during the 2024 Band of the Year in Atlanta,” Dr. Shelby R. Chipman, Director of Bands and professor of music at FAMU, wrote on Facebook. “I asked them to do one thing: follow the process from Aug, don’t leave nothing for chance during this ‘One Shot’ experience. Special kudos to the number-one band staff in the WORLD… I’m grateful and lost for words as I shed tears heading back to celebrate Commencement with some of our graduating senior band members tomorrow.!”

The competition took place last week at the Mercedes Benz Dome stadium during the HBCU Celebration Bowl. Miles College Purple Marching Machine won the 2024 ESPN Division II Band of the Year contest against the Virginia State University Trojan Explosion.

The Marching 100 was the only HBCU band to be awarded the John Phillip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Trophy, widely regarded as the Heisman Trophy of marching bands.

The school also announced that it has hired a new registrar, Antonio Witherspoon. The three-time FAMU graduate will start on Jan. 3, 2025.

“Witherspoon’s deep connection to the university’s mission and community will help propel the registrar’s office forward in helping students achieve their educational goals,” Provost Allyson Watson, Ph.D., said in a written statement. “His passion for student success and commitment to operational excellence make him an ideal fit for this leadership role. His extensive experience and deep ties to FAMU’s mission will drive transformative progress in the registrar’s office.”

by Jameelah Mullen

December 20, 2024

Congo Files Criminal Complaint Against Apple Over Conflict Minerals

The DRC is a significant source of minerals used in devices such as cell phones and computers.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has filed a complaint against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech company of using conflict minerals in its supply chain, Reuters reports.

In the complaints filed with the Paris prosecutor’s office and a Belgian investigating magistrate’s office on Monday, the DRC accused Apple France, Apple Retail France, and Apple Retail Belgium of using minerals stolen from the DRC and laundered through global supply chains in Rwanda, making them complicit in crimes committed by armed militia groups that control some of the mines in the eastern part of the country.

“These activities have fuelled a cycle of violence and conflict by financing militias and terrorist groups and have contributed to forced child labor and environmental devastation,” the joint statement by three law firms based in the United States, France, and Belgium said.

Congo is a source of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and 3T minerals used in mobile phones and other electronics. But some mines in the region are run by militia groups that have been accused of violent crimes such as mass murder and rape. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, approximately 7 million people have been displaced due to violence in the eastern part of the DRC.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Alex Kopp, senior campaigner at the Global Witness NGO’s transition minerals team, said that these armed groups use violence to take over mines in DRC for profit.

“They [rebels] basically force the workers in the mines to work for free for a day or a week, and they illegally smuggle the minerals through places like Rwanda,” Kopp said. “The minerals then get exported legally to big companies like Apple.”

Apple has denied the allegations and claims that it told its suppliers not to use minerals sourced from Congo or Rwanda.

“As conflict in the region escalated earlier this year, we notified our suppliers that their smelters and refiners must suspend sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the DRC and Rwanda,” an Apple spokesperson told the BBC.