fentanyl, los angelos county, overdose, drug, resident
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 20, 2024

1980s Kingpin Rayful Edmond III Dies In Federal Custody

He was living at a halfway house in Florida after being transferred to "community confinement" in August

Once dubbed the “king of cocaine” in Washington, D.C., former drug dealer Rayful Edmond III, 60, has recently died.

According to WUSA, the Bureau of Prisons confirmed on Dec. 17 that the former drug kingpin died in federal custody. He was living at a halfway house in Florida after being transferred to “community confinement” in August. The 60-year-old was known for being a major drug dealer in D.C. during the crack era in the 1980s. It’s believed that he controlled about a third of the cocaine trade during that time.

Details of the cause of death have not been revealed.

A Federal Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed Edmond’s transfer earlier this summer.

“We can confirm that Rayful Edmond III was transferred (not released) on July 31, 2024, to community confinement overseen by the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Nashville Residential Reentry Management Office,” said Scott Taylor.

Emond was arrested in 1989 after being accused of running a vast drug distribution network. It was reported that the operation he ran moved up to 1,700 pounds of cocaine monthly, which generated upwards of millions every week. At the time, Edmond was well-known in D.C. for his lavish lifestyle. He sponsored local basketball tournaments and was seen at high-profile boxing matches in Las Vegas.

According to The Associated Press, he was sentenced to life without parole and sent to a maximum-security prison in Pennsylvania. After discovering that he was still involved in a drug distribution network from inside the prison, he was hit with an additional 30-year sentence.

While imprisoned, he started to cooperate with the feds. Through his cooperation, federal prosecutors placed a motion to reduce his life sentence since he was credited with helping place dozens of other drug dealers in prison. He also helped break up other drug distribution rings through his assistance and even taught prison authorities how to better control the trafficking inside the prison system.

He served more than 35 years in federal custody.

Questlove To Premiere Sly And The Family Stone Documentary At 2025 Sundance Film Festival
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 20, 2024

Questlove To Premiere Sly And The Family Stone Documentary At 2025 Sundance Film Festival

Questlove's documentary about Sly and the Family Stone will debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

Questlove is gearing up for the premiere of his Sly and the Family Stone documentary at the Sundance Film Festival next month.

The Roots drummer’s Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) will premiere at the prestigious film festival in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, starting on Jan. 23. The documentary will compete alongside others focused on legendary musicians, including Selena, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and Jeff Buckley, Rolling Stone reports.

It’s the second documentary for Questlove, real name Amir Thompson, following the success of his Oscar-winning directorial debut Summer of Soul.

“It’s time good people. It’s official! SLY LIVES! ( AKA The Burden of Black Genius) will premiere at the 2025 #Sundance Film Festival,” Questlove wrote on Instagram.

“Directed by Oscar-Winner Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the film explores the life, music, and cultural impact of Sly Stone, shedding light on the challenges faced by Black artists navigating success.”

Questlove appeared on MSNBC in June, sharing that he was putting the finishing touches on the documentary that was two years in the making.

“When I’m done [with this interview]… I’m gonna actually finalize it. Today’s the last day… two years of working on [it],” he said.

The renowned musician and producer first announced the documentary in July 2022 as a passion project, citing Sly and the Family Stone as being a part of his musical DNA.

“It goes beyond saying that Sly’s creative legacy is in my DNA… it’s a black musician’s blueprint,” he said in a statement. “To be given the honor to explore his history and legacy is beyond a dream for me.”

In September, Questlove announced plans to release his third documentary, focusing on the musical legacy of Earth, Wind, & Fire.

“The story of how a band led by a genius from Chicago changed our way of thinking, our minds and our hearts,” Questlove wrote on Instagram. “Having been baptized in the Afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly, I’ve learned and rediscovered myself in the process.”

“I’m so excited to be part of the process of preserving their positive but very vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle,” he added. “This is the story of joy, persistence, love, pain, magic and self discovery. This is Earth, Wind & Fire.”

COURAGE AND TRUST MAKE CONVERSATIONS ON FAMILY FINANCES MORE FRUITFUL
by Jeffrey McKinney

December 20, 2024

COURAGE AND TRUST MAKE CONVERSATIONS ON FAMILY FINANCES MORE FRUITFUL

New data reveals that couples willing to display courage in openly discussing and managing money matters are 40% more likely to achieve relationship fulfillment than those who avoid the process.

Those who display more expansive communication instead of conflict regarding family finances find that shared decision-making and transparency build trust. Moreover, including financial planners and other experts in such interactions will be more fruitful for all family members. 

Fani Willis, Judge, Nathan Wade, Donald Trump
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 20, 2024

Judge Rules Fani Willis Disqualified As Prosecutor On Donald Trump’s Election Case In Georgia  

A Georgia Court of Appeals panel cited an “appearance of impropriety”

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was removed from the Georgia election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump by a state appeals court on Dec. 19 after months of preparation, Associated Press reports. 

The case has been paused for months as Willis anticipated her fate after an appeal was filed in response to a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, who was hired as a lead on the case. A Georgia Court of Appeals panel cited an “appearance of impropriety” in a 2-1 decision. It ruled, “This is the rare case in which disqualification is mandated and no other remedy will suffice to restore public confidence in the integrity of these proceedings.” 

While the ruling adds to the list of legal victories for Trump in criminal cases presented as a threat to his career and freedom, Willis’ office immediately filed a notice of intent following the ruling to ask the Georgia Supreme Court to review the decision.

Trump will return to the White House for a second term after being empowered by the Supreme Court’s decision to grant former presidents presumptive immunity for any “official acts” taken in office. Willis’ fate comes just weeks after Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith walked away from two federal prosecutions against the incoming president; the sentencing in a separate hush money case was put on hold indefinitely in New York.

In early December 2024, Willis was ordered to turn over all communications with Smith, which may reveal how much the two offices communicated while they were supposed to be prosecuting Trump separately.

In a statement, Trump’s attorney, Steve Sadow, celebrated the court’s decision. “As the Court rightfully noted, only the remedy of disqualification will suffice to restore public confidence,” Sadow said, according to The Hill. “This decision puts an end to a politically motivated persecution of the next President of the United States.”

Willis first stepped on the national scene after a grand jury indicted Trump and 18 co-defendants using Georgia’s anti-racketeering law. The group was accused of infiltrating efforts to illegally try to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Trump allegedly used certain powers, including calling Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and pressuring him to help find enough votes to beat Biden. Four people have already pleaded guilty.

The state prosecutor faced backlash after allegations surfaced that she improperly benefited from her romance with Wade. As a result, intimate details of Willis and Wade’s personal lives were made public during a hearing in mid-February 2024. A defendant’s motion accused Willis of paying Wade large sums for his work and benefiting while being paid for lavish vacations.

Following Willis’ removal, Trump spoke to Fox News Digital, claiming that “everybody should receive an apology, including those wonderful patriots who have been caught up in this for years.”

RELATED CONTENT: Re-elected Fulton County DA Fani Willis Speaks On Young Thug Release

hybrid work weekk, AT&T
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 20, 2024

The 5-Day-in-Office Schedule Returns For AT&T Employees As the Company Ditches Hybrid Work

Are you team hybrid or in the office full-time?

AT&T employees can kiss hybrid work goodbye as the communications company demands U.S. employees to work five days a week on-site starting January 2025, the Dallas Morning News reports.

The Dallas, Texas-based company spent months accommodating some hybrid employees while trying to figure out its push to a full-time office return. AT&T’s CEO John Stankey said during the summer of 2023 that employees would be required to report to one of the nine corporate hubs — Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Ramon, California, Seattle, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., Middletown, New Jersey, and Bedminster, New Jersey — at least three days a week. With close to 18,000 management employees returning to the hubs in early 2024, an AT&T spokesperson says the full-time return makes sense. “The majority of our employees and leaders never stopped working on location for the full work week — including during the pandemic. We always adapt our workforce model to drive collaboration and innovation to deliver the best support for our customers,” the spokesperson said. 

“As we continue to evolve our model, we are enhancing our facilities and workspaces, adapting our benefits programs, and incorporating best practices to ensure our employees are best equipped to serve our customers.”

Before consolidating to nine cities, the company supported over 300 offices across the United States. 

AT&T is following in the footsteps of other Fortune 500 companies demanding their employees return to the office full-time instead of following a hybrid work schedule. While salad chain Sweetgreen Inc. requires its support staffers to work four days in the office, Starbucks Corp. threatened termination for staff that didn’t follow return-to-office mandates. Amazon made headlines when it mandated a return, but it has been delayed due to the lack of adequate office space in certain locations. The spokesperson continued to say that AT&T doesn’t have that same issue, but the decision aligns with certain business strategies. “Our workforce strategies are implemented based on business needs and varies by organization, location and other factors,” they mentioned. 

“There is no universal policy for all employees and, as always, our strategy evolves with business needs.” 

The decision is not popular amongst employees and onlookers. According to WFAA 8 ABC, some loathe the move as it limits the flexibility promised to workers seeking extended time with their families or who moved to less expensive locations. Others wonder if the policy is another way to cull workers without traditional layoffs. However, some celebrate the return as a way to promote a healthier company culture and financial performance. 

AT&T Chief Technology Officer Jeremy Legg says service workers will be rolled out to job sites beginning Jan. 6 and is expected to be mostly complete by March 3.

amazon
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 20, 2024

Amazon Workers In Metro Atlanta Strike Just Days Before Christmas

'We’re trying to get better pay, better benefits, more time off, better winter coat—everything,' worker Gregory Dunn said.

With five days before Christmas, Metro Atlanta area Amazon workers joined a nationwide strike against the online shopping giant, WSB-TV reports. 

Commuters were able to see a group picketed outside of the Amazon facility in Alpharetta on Dec. 19 calling for leaders to give credit to their union, the Teamsters.

“We’re trying to get better pay, better benefits, more time off, better winter coat—everything,” worker Gregory Dunn said.

Close to 10,000 Amazon workers at eight facilities across state lines were expected to walk off the job after the deadline of Dec. 15 to start contract negotiations were not met.

In a statement, Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said the company has “insatiable greed” and that the strike is another demand for workers to get their respect.

While Amazon claims it has been more than accommodating, pushing fair pay and benefits, in addition to raising the minimum wage by approximately 20% over the last few years, employees feel it’s not enough.

“I have two kids that I take care of on my own and I could never made enough to really provide for them,” driver Aaron Nipper shared. “I could give them the necessities, but I was struggling to like go that extra mile off of the pay that I made.” 

Fellow drivers in other states share the same issues. Gabriel Irizarry, a driver from Skokie, Illinois, where another strike is taking place, said Amazon needs to feel what it’s like to struggle, although the company claims the strike won’t interrupt services prior to one of the busiest seasons of the year.

“Amazon is one of the biggest, richest corporations in the world. They talk a big game about taking care of their workers, but when it comes down to it, Amazon does not respect us and our right to negotiate for better working conditions and wages,” Irizarry said, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. “We can’t even afford to pay our bills.”

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel called the strike “another attempt to push a false narrative” and accused the Teamsters of illegally coercing workers to join.

“For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public – claiming that they represent ‘thousands of Amazon employees and drivers,’” Nantel said. “They don’t…”

​​The Seattle-based online conglomerate has been battling with Teamsters since 2022 when an election led to a union victory at a warehouse in Staten Island, New York, which the union now represents. In response, the company filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board.

RELATED CONTENT: Affirmative Action Ban Strikes Again As Black Student Enrollment Drops More Than Half At Harvard Law

Tyler Perry, sexual assault lawsuit, actor
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 20, 2024

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

'I'm living the freest, best part of my life.'

Tyler Perry returned to The View to let Joy Behar know how much her therapy recommendation has been working for him.

The media mogul stopped by the daytime talk show on Dec. 17 to promote his new film, The Six Triple Eight, and give the ladies an update one year after Behar suggested he go to therapy.

“I really took your advice. I went to therapy for the first time at 54 last year,” he shared in a clip shared on TikTok.

The director and screenwriter credited therapy with helping him to “really get in touch” with himself and heal from his past.

“I’m living the freest, best part of my life,” Perry said. “I’d been bound by so much trauma, so much pain, so much heartache and heartbreak and, you were right, Joy. You were completely right, and I would recommend it to anyone — the right therapist. Because the wrong ones will make you crazy as hell. But the right therapist, yeah, for sure.”

@theviewabc #TylerPerry shares how taking #JoyBehar’s advice on going to therapy changed his life! #TheView ♬ original sound – The View

Behar noted how beneficial therapy can be for anyone who needs to heal from past trauma, “or,” Perry added “even understand it.”

“I knew all the trauma, and I had all the bells and tools to understand it, ‘cause as a writer, I would always chase down the motivations of my characters, and I used that for myself,” he explained. “But I didn’t have the understanding of, now I have the information, now what do you do with it? So getting the information was so powerful.”

Perry’s last appearance on the show was in November 2023, when he promoted his documentary, Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story. In it, he shared details about his difficult childhood, the comfort he found in his mother, the grief he still feels over her loss, his troubled relationship with his father, and other challenges he has overcome.

It was then that Behar recommended Perry go to therapy, “Because that seems to be my solution to emotional issues and I always think it works,” she explained. “It worked for me, believe it or not. So?”

RELATED CONTENT: Big Sean Thanks Tyler Perry For Bringing Grandmother’s Story To Life In ‘The Six Triple Eight’

eczema
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 20, 2024

Haitian Immigrant Helps Millions Suffering From Eczema With All-Natural Skincare Line

Her company, Kiyamel Skincare, offers all-natural, science-backed solutions for eczema and sensitive skin, transforming lives across the country.

Jocelyne Firmin, a Haitian-born entrepreneur and devoted mother, has turned her personal journey into a powerful mission to provide relief for millions of Americans suffering from eczema.

Her company, Kiyamel Skincare, offers all-natural, science-backed solutions for eczema and sensitive skin, transforming lives across the country. A few weeks ago, she sat down for an interview with Jordie Clark from WMDT 47 ABC (Salisbury, MD) to share her story.

From humble beginnings in Haiti, Firmin’s entrepreneurial spirit was cultivated as she followed her mother, a street vendor, learning the art of sales. Her determination and hard work earned her a full scholarship to study in the United States. “I understood the value of the American dream and was determined to use this opportunity to become an entrepreneur,” she said.

After completing her studies, Firmin returned to Haiti to give back to her community, founding a nonprofit organization focused on empowering young women. Through this initiative, she helped build leadership skills and self-esteem among countless young women. Five years later, Firmin returned to the U.S., settling in Salisbury, Maryland, to pursue her dreams of entrepreneurship.

Her path took an unexpected turn after becoming a mother. When her infant daughter developed eczema at just six weeks old, Firmin’s maternal concern transformed into a mission to provide relief for her daughter and others suffering from eczema. Collaborating with a chemist, she developed a formula that combines natural ingredients backed by science to heal sensitive skin. Seeing the success of her creation, she launched Kiyamel Skincare in January 2021.

“I always say that I’m not profit-driven; I’m mission-driven,” Firmin shared. “When I saw my daughter’s skin healing, I knew I had to share this with others.”

Since its launch, Kiyamel Skincare has grown exponentially, supported by heartfelt testimonials from customers. The products continue to transform lives, offering relief to the 31 million Americans living with eczema, as estimated by the National Eczema Association.

Now operating out of the Eczema Store in Dagsboro, Delaware, Firmin emphasized the importance of perseverance and mentorship in achieving success.

“I’ve faced countless obstacles, but I’ve learned to find the right resources and mentors,” said Firmin. “My story is a testament that no matter where you come from, the ability to triumph belongs to you.”

Looking ahead, Firmin aims to expand Kiyamel Skincare across all 50 states and into international markets. She also hopes to see her products on the shelves of major retail chain stores. “I’m just getting started,” she said. “My dream is to inspire others to achieve their own version of the American dream.”

For more information about Jocelyne Firmin’s journey or to explore Kiyamel Skincare’s products, visit the official website at Kiyamel.com.

Also, be sure to visit the Eczema Store at 32181 Dupont Blvd #10, Dagsboro, DE 19939.

This news was first reported on Blacknews.com

RELATED CONTENT: Biden Administration Extends Protected Status For Up To 309,000 Haitian Migrants

Denzel Washington, tongue, speech, Broadway
by Keka Araújo

December 20, 2024

Denzel Washington Reminds Us That He Was From The Streets During Q&A For ‘Gladiator II’

The exchange has sparked a conversation about representation in film criticism and how white voices shape the narrative of what constitutes quote-unquote great cinema.

Denzel Washington has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and his latest comments during an interview promoting Gladiator II have set the internet ablaze. Asked about his favorite Stanley Kubrick film, the legendary actor offered an unfiltered response that has fans and critics fiercely debating.

During an interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub earlier this week, Washington, 69, was asked to name his favorite film by Kubrick, the celebrated director of classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange. Weintraub, who wore a shirt with Kubrick’s face on it, described the question as a “curveball.”

But Washington’s answer was direct and unexpected: “None of them.”

Instead of praising Kubrick, Washington shifted the conversation to the movies that shaped his cinematic world—Blaxploitation classics like Shaft and Superfly. 

He explained, “I’m not a movie buff—no, I’m not a big movie fan. I was in the street when Kubrick was making movies. I’d be the one outside looking to rob you when you came out of a Kubrick movie, OK?”

The response, delivered with Washington’s signature candor, immediately went viral. On social media, fans were divided, with some applauding his focus on Black cinema and others criticizing what they saw as dismissing Kubrick’s legacy.

Many users on X took aim at Weintraub for asking what they viewed as an insensitive question. 

“I’M SO GLAD DENZEL DID THIS!” one person wrote. “What he was really saying was why this man thought he could ask someone like Denzel, who champions Black films, to speak about a white director instead of a Black one.”

Others accused Weintraub of setting up a “gotcha” moment. “They should have known better than to try it on with Denzel,” one user wrote. “He never puts up with c—.”

By the way, Denzel has been a huge Kubrick fan for years. He was just playing this guy because he knew they weren't in the same league. https://t.co/teYRd2YVaT pic.twitter.com/fOw77SJcKZ

— Heidi N. Moore (@moorehn) December 17, 2024

Washington’s explanation vividly depicts his younger years, when he grew up in a world far removed from Kubrick’s quiet dramas and sci-fi epics. 

“I didn’t start acting until I was 20 years old and didn’t start really going to the movies until I was 20, 22, 23,” he explained. For him, the films that mattered were the ones that resonated with his community—the stories of Black heroes and antiheroes that defined the Blaxploitation era.

While some critics saw Washington’s comments as dismissive, others praised him for shifting the focus to Black cinema.

“Denzel is reminding everyone that Black stories matter too,” one supporter wrote. “It’s not always about the white ‘legends.’”

The exchange has sparked a larger conversation about representation in film criticism and the persistent dominance of white voices in shaping the narrative of what constitutes “great” cinema.

For the accomplished actor and director, the moment was less about tearing down Kubrick and more about championing the films and stories about his own experiences.

As the debate continues to rage online, one thing remains clear: Washington knows precisely who he is and the world he represents. And he isn’t about to conform to anyone else’s narrative.

RELATED CONTENT: Mississippi Governor Sings Praises Of Ole Miss Counterprotesters After ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ Shenanigans

beating
by Stacy Jackson

December 20, 2024

Judge Sentences Teen Who Bragged About Beating Elderly Man To Death In Voicemail

One of Reggie Brown's sisters walked out after hearing a voicemail of the teen bragging about the fatal beating.

The youngest of the five teens charged in connection with the fatal 2023 attack of a 64-year-old man in Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to stay in a detention facility for young people this week.

According to WUSA9, Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs sentenced the 13-year-old on Tuesday with an order for the teen, who was 12 years old at the time of the attack, to be detained until she turns 20.

The sentence is for her role in the brutal beating of Reggie Brown, who officials identified as disabled.

Brown’s family was present at the Dec. 17 sentencing, where a voicemail of the teen bragging about the beating was played out loud. Briggs said the teen talked about the beating “as if it was like making a sandwich.”

One of Brown’s sisters left the sentencing early due to the disturbing content.

“After listening to the voicemail of all the things she was saying about my brother and the way she took the belt and was…I couldn’t, I couldn’t listen anymore,” the unidentified woman said. “It just hurt my heart…For a 13-year-old girl to be able to celebrate like that, there’s no way I could sit in there and listen to that. I had to get up and leave.”

The teen was part of the group of girls who chased Brown down a Washington, D.C., alley on October 17, 2023, at approximately 12:45 a.m. After catching up with Brown, who attempted to climb a gate and escape, the teens kicked, taunted and beat him to death.

Police responded to a call to find Brown “with trauma consistent with an assault.” Brown died at the scene. The unnamed girls were charged as juveniles.

The oldest girl in the group, 15, was sentenced to three years in prison, while two others, 12 and 13 at the time, were found guilty of “second-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit assault.”

The attack was captured on video, and one of the teens was found guilty of tampering with physical evidence. The attorney for the fifth girl, who was 13 at the time of the incident, requested more time to prepare their case.

According to the 15-year-old suspect, the girls were “bored.”

Brown’s family wants justice as police continue to search for the unidentified man who allegedly initiated the attack and granted the girls permission to help him beat up Brown.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Family Opens Senior Care Center to Combat Elder Abuse

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