Black judges, judges, Biden
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 14, 2024

President Biden Breaks Record For Appointing Most Judges Of Color

Biden has appointed 40 Black women to lifetime federal judgeships, surpassing any president in a single term.

President Joe Biden appointed 233 federal judges during his presidency, many of whom are people of color. This marks a historic milestone as the first president to nominate the highest number of judges of color.

NBC News reports that on Dec. 9, the Senate confirmed Tiffany Johnson, President Biden’s latest judicial nominee for the Northern District of Georgia. This marks the 40th Black woman he has appointed to lifetime federal judgeships, surpassing any president in a single term.

Data from the White House reveals that approximately 60% of President Biden’s 233 judicial appointees are people of color. On Dec. 12, the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to consider advancing two additional nominees for U.S. district judge, Benjamin Cheeks and Serena Raquel Murillo. According to the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, if Cheeks is confirmed, Biden will have appointed 63 Black federal judges—the highest number by any president in U.S. history.

It’s an accomplishment Biden doesn’t take in vain and is “proud to have strengthened the judiciary by making it more representative of the country as a whole and that legacy will have an impact for decades to come,” White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt wrote in an email statement.

Upon taking office in 2020, President Biden was committed to addressing disparities in the judiciary and making the federal bench more representative of the nation’s diversity.

“Even before taking office, President Biden signaled to the Senate that he wanted to make sure that people who had been historically excluded from our judiciary” were included, said Lena Zwarensteyn, senior director of the Fair Courts program and an adviser at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

Biden is tied with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton with 62 Black federal judge appointees but is set to surpass them after the next Senate Judiciary Committee meeting.

“The research shows that when you have more judges that have different perspectives because they’ve worked on different types of issues or they come from different communities, it improves the decision-making and it certainly improves the trust that communities might have in these institutions. So making sure we have fair-minded judges at all levels is really important.”

Senate Democrats pledged to confirm as many of President Biden’s nominees as possible before Republicans take control of the Senate in January and Trump’s administration begins.

“This Senate will keep working to confirm more of President Biden’s excellent judicial nominees,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., tweeted last month.

RELATED CONTENT: Biden Names 2 Black Female Judges In 41st Round Of Judicial Nominees

vince carter, Buffalo Bills
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 14, 2024

Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady Become Minority Owners Of Buffalo Bills

The Hall of Fame players were teammates on the Toronto Raptors.

Two NBA Hall of Famers are now part of an NFL ownership group. According to the Buffalo Bills, former Toronto Raptors teammates Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady are two of 10 limited partners approved to join the team’s ownership group.

Tracy McGrady released a statement on social media stating it was “a dream come true for me and my family” to become part of the Buffalo Bills ownership group.

“I’m excited to share that I’ve joined the Buffalo Bills organization as a minority owner—a dream come true for me and my family,” McGrady said. “Sports have been a lifelong passion, and the chance to contribute to such a top-tier organization is a true honor. After meeting the Pegulas, understanding their vision, embracing their values, and sharing their commitment to winning, this decision felt natural. I’m incredibly proud to be part of this journey.”

Carter also released a statement thanking the Pegula family (owners of the Bills) for the opportunity to be a part of the team.

“It’s a huge honor to join this historic Bills organization,” Carter said in a statement. “I’m truly thankful the Pegula family has given me the opportunity to help the franchise continue to grow and thrive in player growth, community service, and, of course, winning the Lombardi trophy. See you soon, Bills Mafia!!!!”

McGrady and Carter join Rob Palumbo, Sue McCollum, Theresia Gouw, Rob Ward, Mike Joo, Tom Burger, Jozy Altidore, and the private investment firm Arctos.

RELATED CONTENT: FORMER NBA PLAYER VINCE CARTER ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF THE VINCE CARTER SCHOLARSHIP AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Saxon|Ye, Kanye
by Kandiss Edwards

December 14, 2024

Ye Loses Wrongful Termination Suit By Default Judgment

Isaiah Meadows said he was fired for bringing attention to issues plaguing the schools.

Superior Court Judge Christopher K. Lui has given Isaiah Meadows a default judgment in his wrongful termination lawsuit against Kanye “Ye” West’s Christian school, Donda Academy LLC., Complex reports.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Lui reached the decision after Ye and the other defendants named in the suit—Yeezy Christian Academy, Donda Services LLC, and Strokes Canyon LLC—failed to appear for the hearing with licensed attorneys.

Meadows said he was terminated as retaliation for bringing awareness to the issues plaguing the school, including water soaking into the facility’s floors.

In 2020, Meadows relocated to Los Angeles to work for the academy. He was offered a $165,000 salary and payment for accommodations in the expensive Calabasas area.

Meadows’ claimed Ye paid for housing for 3 months before halting payment. The ex-employee said after he brought awareness to the school’s health concerns, he was demoted—and his pay was significantly decreased.

Ye’s attorneys filed a motion with the court denying allegations.

Since Ye did not appear or send counsel, all statements issued on Ye’s behalf in the case have been stricken from the legal record.

Ye’s legal woes continue. Multiple former educators at the private Christian school, including Trevor Phillips, filed suit against the hip-hop impresario on April 4, alleging Ye showed a pattern of discrimination against Black employees.

In the filing, Phillips alleges,” Ye compared himself to Hitler—“minus the gas chambers”—and appeared to simulate masturbation during a one-on-one meeting in a Southern California hotel room,” NBC reported.

Phillips also alleged Kanye was aggressive and hostile toward Black employees, but spoke to white employees with respect. The case is set to go to trial in April 2025.

RELATED CONTENT: Kanye West Sued For Discrimination Against Black Employees

Jaylen Brown
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 14, 2024

Jaylen Brown Introduces Luxury Athleisure Line 741

'This collection represents the intersection of luxury and performance.'

Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown announces athleisure brand 741 after turning down $50 million in endorsement deals.

The self-funded brand includes menswear and womenswear, which includes a variety of items. In the 741 collection, you can find puffer coats, hoodies, sweatsuits, leggings, crop tops, t-shirts, gloves, hats, backpacks, and more.

“This collection represents the intersection of luxury and performance,” said Jaylen Brown in a written statement. “It’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling great and performing at your best. 741 is a reflection of who I am, both as an athlete and as someone who’s passionate about pushing boundaries, and I’m set to do this in both sports and fashion.”

Brown designed the 741 Performance collection, with each item made from premium fabrics offering superior comfort, flexibility, and durability. It was made for those who enjoy stylish designs, live an active, fast-paced lifestyle, and want to feel confident and comfortable during athletic activities or just out on the streets.

In discussions with Entrepreneur and Sports Illustrated, Brown admitted that the late Kobe Bryant inspired him to create his line.

“Honestly, I got the idea from Kobe [Bryant], rest in peace. Before he passed away, he was planning to launch his own shoe brand, sign athletes, and give them better deals and percentages. I remember reading an article about that, and I thought it was dope. I’ve gone through my own experiences dealing with major corporations and how they value your creativity and how they value you. I met with every brand, and none of them stood out. They all kind of approach things the same. I was looking for the brand of the future, not the brand of the past. And I couldn’t find it, so I had to start it.”

The collection will be available through select pop-up events and exclusive retail partnerships in the future.

You can find the 741 Performance collection at www.741performance.com.

RELATED CONTENT: JAYLEN BROWN’S 7UICE FOUNDATION SEEKS TO BRIDGE GAPS FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH

Miami Heat,Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers' Head Coach, Chauncey Billups
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 13, 2024

Players Health Insurance Startup For Young Athletes Raises $60M In Series C Funding

Tyree Burks' Players Health insurance raised an additional $60 million in Series C funding.

A Black-owned insurance startup catering to young athletes has secured an additional $60 million in funding, bringing its total investment to $100 million.

Minneapolis-based Players Health secured its Series C funding with a lead investment from New York-based Bluestone Equity Partners, a private equity firm specializing in sports, media, and entertainment.

Additional backing came from Mosaic General Partners, RPM Ventures, SiriusPoint, and TriplePoint Capital, the St. Paul Business Journal reports.

Founder and CEO Tyree Burks shared that the funding will be used to enhance the company’s AI-powered products, pursue additional mergers and acquisitions, expand the team, and broaden Players Health’s presence across the nation.

Founded in 2015, Players Health began as a platform to track injuries and allergies for youth sports athletes before expanding into insurance services for sports leagues. Over its nine years in operation, the company has onboarded over 5.5 million young athletes and boasts a client list that includes boutique fitness franchise Orangetheory, the American Youth Soccer Organization, and USA Softball, the national governing body for over 150,000 softball teams nationwide. Players Health also offers insurance coverage for kindergarten through 12th-grade school athletes.

Raised by a single mother on the south side of Chicago, Burks credits sports with transforming his life, leading him to Winona State and, eventually, the Canadian Football League. However, a series of injuries disrupted his athletic career, which inspired him to explore ways to improve youth sports.

In 2012, Burks launched a sports communication app before transitioning to focus on player safety. To grow his company, he relocated from Chicago to Minneapolis to join an accelerator program hosted by Minnesota-based sports tech company SportsEngine.

“I didn’t have a business model. I had an idea, and I refused to give up,” Burks told Twin Cities Business in 2022.

His current success came with initial setbacks and hurdles, including hiring a developer who didn’t deliver, raising money too early, and downplaying his mission in the early days.

“I was timid in the beginning—I didn’t want to be perceived as a heart-led leader who didn’t understand economics. Fundraising got easier when I went all in on the mission.”

As part of the investment, Walker Brumskine and Jake Harris from Bluestone Equity Partners will join the Players Health board of directors.

RELATED CONTENT: How Olympic Gold Medallist Sanya Richards-Ross Is Helping Black Moms Through Mommi Nation

ludacris, Rock the country, MAGA, Kid Rock
by Kandiss Edwards

December 13, 2024

Ludacris Mistakenly Thought He Was ‘Incognegro’ At Jury Duty

Ludacris really believed a fellow Atlanta resident didn’t recognize him!

On Dec. 11, Christoper “Ludacris” Bridges attempted to go incognito at jury duty in Fulton County, Georgia, and he failed.

The Fast and Furious star posted a video on his Instagram account of him walking with another jury member. Ludicrous explained to his followers that he had been dismissed from service. While his face was not visible, as it was covered in a mask, his voice was apparent. The rapper-turned-actor lamented that if he had been chosen, he would have “showed up” taking his civic responsibilities seriously.

He said, ”We didn’t get chosen for jury duty, but if we did, we would have. We would’ve shown up and showed out.”

The Area Codes rapper believed the juror had no knowledge of his identity. It is safe to say he was wrong as she quickly named the famous artist.

“Don’t nobody know who I am,” he declared.

The juror quickly responded, “You Ludacris.”

The rapper and Atlanta resident continued to deny his identity and banter about his uncanny appearance to himself. He even joked about joining a “look-alike” contest to win a few bucks.

The unnamed woman went along with Bridges’s proclamation but didn’t seem fully convinced, stating, “Yeah, sure,” at the rapper’s continued denial.

Social media users found Ludacris’s belief in anonymity humorous. The actor has an over two-decade-long career. He released his first rap album, “Word Of Mouf,” in 2003. The megastar has lived in and boisterously claimed Atlanta as his home since his debut. The rapper’s distinct voice and face have been a staple in eight Fast and Furious films, a franchise that has grossed over $7 billion at the box office.

Recently, Bridges received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, highlighting his lengthy career and many accomplishments.

His presence in Hollywood is solidified. He was honored with speeches from his famous peers, Vin Diesel, LL Cool J, and his daughter, Karma Bridges.

Ludacris expressed his heartfelt thanks to his fans, letting them know that their support is why his career thrives.

RELATED CONTENT: Ludacris Hosts ‘Welcome To Atlanta’ Summer Sendoff, Allowing Guests To Rent Out His Mansion

Don Lemon|
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 13, 2024

Don Lemon Asks Time Magazine ‘What Are You Doing?’ Naming Donald Trump ‘Person Of The Year’

We hear you, Don!

Former CNN host Don Lemon isn’t feeling Time Magazine selecting President-elect Donald Trump as “Person of the Year,” The Hill reports.

The host of “The Don Lemon Show” feels Trump shouldn’t have been given the recognition for the second time — the first being in 2016 — and asked the publication, “What are you doing?” “If they wanted to make someone person of the year, I don’t know, they could have done it to anyone. They could’ve done it to someone who actually stood for democracy, who stands for democracy in the country,” he said. 

“Now you think about what encompasses person of the year; just because you are elected President of the United States does not mean you should be a person of the year. What, Time Magazine, what are you doing?” 

The magazine dropped on Dec. 12 after Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City. According to Fox News, the publication wrote that Trump completely restructured the “course of politics.” “Since he began running for President in 2015, perhaps no single individual has played a larger role in changing the course of politics and history than Trump,” the publication wrote. 

“Trump is once again at the center of the world, and in as strong a position as he has ever been.”

However, after months of criminal investigations, including attempts to overturn the 2020 election and badgering Vice President Kamala Harris, a Time finalist, Lemon ripped into the publication over its decision. “You have someone who inspired an insurrection. You have someone who — without a doubt, the evidence is there — tried to overturn a free and fair election. You have someone who had multiple criminal counts and was found guilty on multiple criminal counts. And you name them Person of the Year,” he said.

“Is this a joke? Did we get something wrong? Did someone scam us? Are we sure about this, producers? There is a convicted felon on the cover of Time Magazine as the Person of the Year. Maybe we’re being scammed. Did someone put out a fake tweet or something about this? I don’t know.” 

The profile even touched on the 2020 election results, highlighting how Trump’s “first term ended in disgrace, with his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results culminating in the attack on the U.S. Capitol,” but labeled his political path to the presidency as “unparalleled in American history.”

Other controversial Time finalists include 2021 Person of the Year billionaire Elon Musk, podcaster Joe Rogan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Trump and Lemon have been long-time critics of each other. In 2023, the indicted businessman cheered CNN’s decision to fire Lemon, but that didn’t stop the media personality from rebuking Trump’s rhetoric during the 2024 election cycle.

RELATED CONTENT: Don Lemon Calls Out Elon Musk For Fraud And Breach Of Contract In $1.5M Lawsuit

JD Vance, Dylann Roof, Jordan Neely, invitation, game
by Keka Araújo

December 13, 2024

From Killing Jordan Neely To Hanging With JD Vance: Daniel Penny Is Living His Best White-Privileged Life

Celebrating a killer as a modern-day hero is not just about one man’s actions—it’s about the stories we tell ourselves as a nation.

America’s elite’s fascination with the white vigilante has resurfaced in the form of Daniel Penny. The Marine veteran, recently acquitted of homicide in Jordan Neely’s death, is now being lionized by President-elect Donald Trump and his goofy VP-elect J.D. Vance. Their embrace of Penny as a national hero revives a long and troubling legacy of racialized violence cloaked in the guise of righteousness.

This narrative is not new. From Bernhard Goetz’s 1984 subway shooting to Dylann Roof’s white supremacist murderous rampage, the myth of the white savior has repeatedly been weaponized to excuse or glorify lethal actions against marginalized people.

The Penny Case: A Catalyst for Division
Daniel Penny’s actions in May 2023 hyperemphasized the nation’s continued division. While some see him as a brave protector, others decry him as a symbol of unchecked white vigilantism. His acquittal for the death of Neely—a Black man experiencing homelessness and mental illness—sent shockwaves through a nation already grappling with questions of race, justice, and public safety.

Penny’s invitation to join Trump and Vance at the Army-Navy game on December 14 underscores how the political right has embraced his story as an exemplar of “backbone” in the face of supposed liberal overreach. Vance’s statement, describing Manhattan’s district attorney as leading a “mob,” reflects a broader strategy of portraying white defendants as victims of an overzealous justice system—especially when their actions target Black victims.

Historical Parallels: Bernhard Goetz and Dylann Roof
The celebration of Penny echoes the case of Bernhard Goetz, a white man who shot four Black teenagers on a New York subway in 1984. Like Penny, many lauded Goetz as a hero protecting himself in a lawless environment. Despite the racial undertones of his actions, Goetz’s acquittal on attempted murder charges bolstered the perception of him as a vigilante savior.

Fast forward to 2015, and Dylann Roof took this ideology to its grotesque extreme. Roof, who murdered nine Black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina, explicitly framed his massacre as a defense of white America. While Roof’s actions were universally condemned, his ideology was a product of the same cultural underpinnings that valorized Goetz and now Penny: the myth that white violence is justified to maintain order or protect society.

The Role of Politics in Shaping Narratives
Trump and Vance’s endorsement of Penny fits neatly into a broader political agenda. By elevating figures like Penny, they virtue signal their commitment to “law and order” while tapping into white grievance politics. Penny’s narrative aligns with right-wing efforts to paint progressive prosecutors as soft on crime and to perpetuate the idea that cities, especially those led by Democrats, are dystopian war zones.

This strategy isn’t merely about policy—it’s about identity. By framing Penny as a savior, Trump and Vance are appealing to a predominantly white base that feels threatened by demographic shifts and social progress. In this narrative, Penny isn’t just a man who subdued a subway rider; he’s a symbol of resistance against a perceived loss of control.

The white savior narrative is not only flawed but dangerous. It perpetuates the idea that violence is an acceptable solution to systemic problems like homelessness and mental illness. In Jordan Neely’s case, his death was a consequence of a society that failed to provide adequate support for its most vulnerable. Yet, Penny’s defenders have framed his actions as a necessary response to Neely’s supposed threat, ignoring the systemic failures that put both men in that subway car.

This myth also reinforces racial hierarchies by portraying white protagonists as protectors of a fragile society. It absolves them of accountability while dehumanizing their victims. Penny’s acquittal and subsequent glorification send a chilling message: that the lives of Black people like Jordan Neely are expendable in the name of maintaining order.

We must confront the systemic issues at play to move beyond these recurring tragedies. Mental health crises, racial inequality, and homelessness cannot be solved through acts of vigilantism or by lionizing those who commit them. Instead, they require public health, housing, and community-based solutions investments.

Politicians like Trump and Vance would instead exploit these issues for political gain rather than address their root causes. Their glorification of Penny distracts from the hard work of governing and a tacit endorsement of a world where individuals, not institutions, mete justice.

Celebrating a killer as a modern-day hero is not just about one man’s actions—it’s about the stories we tell ourselves as a nation. By elevating Penny, Trump, Vance, and their allies are perpetuating a dangerous myth that valorizes white violence and devalues Black lives. The current political and racial climate is not the America we should aspire to be. Instead, we must reject the white savior narrative and commit to building a society where justice is not defined by race or political expediency but by fairness and humanity for all.

RELATED CONTENT: Breaking: Daniel Penny Acquitted In Subway Death Of Jordan Neely

Cardi B Accuses Tasha K Of Hiding Assets Following Her Bankruptcy
by Mary Spiller

December 13, 2024

Cardi B Accuses Tasha K Of Hiding Assets Following Her Bankruptcy

Cardi B accused Tasha K of having several off-shore accounts that she didn't disclose during the suit.

Cardi B recently accused the YouTuber Tasha K of secretly hiding some of her assets after filing for bankruptcy following the guilty verdict in her 2022 defamation lawsuit. The decision awarded the New York rapper almost $4 million in total damages.

The original lawsuit began after Tasha K made a slew of false claims about Cardi — born Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar — accusing her of drug use, having STDs, and engaging in alleged prostitution.

According to The Daily Mail, Tasha K filed for bankruptcy in May, following the guilty verdict in the slander lawsuit. At the time, she reported having less than $60,000 in assets. The judge ruled that her bankruptcy would not tamper with the $3.4 million that she still owes Cardi B.

In the most recent court filing, Cardi alleged in a suit that Tasha didn’t disclose all of her assets at the time that she made the bankruptcy filing. Cardi accused her of having several domestic and offshore trusts that are located in the Cook Islands, Nevis, and Georgia.

Cardi’s legal team added that Tasha transferred a handful of assets to her husband’s name to keep them from investigation. Despite filing for bankruptcy, Cardi believes that Tasha is living well above the means that she claims she has; she points to her $ 7,000-a-month apartment. Cardi said that she thinks Tasha is intentionally flaunting expensive clothing, handbags, and jewelry on social media. Cardi’s attorneys filed the new documents in Florida Bankruptcy court, stating Tasha “fraudulently transferred assets and income out of her name, and into her husband’s name and/or his business.”

She hopes to have the bankruptcy case dismissed and for Tasha to be hit with a two-year ban on refining. Cardi’s first defamation lawsuit, filed in 2019, resulted in a jury finding Tasha liable for slander, libel, and invasion of privacy. She explained that Tasha’s defamatory behavior and statement caused her severe emotional distress, leading to her having suicidal ideation at the time.

The judge has yet to rule on Cardi’s news accusations, but the original suit resulted in Cardi being awarded a whopping $1 million in general damages, $1.5 million in punitive damages, another $1.3 million for her attorney’s fees, and $250,000 for medical expenses.

RELATED CONTENT: Cardi B Blasts Trump As A ‘Hustler’ At Kamala Harris Milwaukee Rally

Mercedes benz, Atlanta, HBCU
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 13, 2024

Atlanta Prepares For HBCU Celebration Bowl

Jackson State University will be on the football field against South Carolina State University on Saturday, Dec. 14

Atlanta is preparing for a weekend of competition and sports when the annual Cricket Celebration Bowl is played at the Mercedes Benz Stadium.

Jackson State University will play football against South Carolina State University on Saturday, Dec. 14, at noon. This is South Carolina’s second invitation to the Celebration Bowl, while Jackson State University is making its third trip.

This is the ninth year for the bowl, which pits the winners of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) against each other to determine who can claim to be the best football team of the HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).

This year’s match will be a rematch. South Carolina State defeated Jackson State 31-10 in 2021.

WSB-TV spoke to a South Carolina State student who is there to root her team on.

“This is our Super Bowl, and we’re here to show it,” Aubrai Brailey said.

Another South Carolina State fan, John Lee, also stated that he was there to support the game and the city.

“We’re coming to spend money. We’re coming to have fun. We’re gonna be at different events throughout the city. We’re gonna have a great time. I think we’re gonna leave a lot of money in Atlanta,” Lee said.

Andscape reported that on Friday, Dec. 13, there will be a Band of the Year competition at the stadium. Last year’s champions, the North Carolina A&T Blue and Gold Marching Machine, will defend its title against the Florida A&M Marching 100. Those two schools aren’t the only ones vying to take home a title. In the Division II competition, the Miles College Purple Marching Machine will try to defeat the Virginia State Trojan Explosion, runner-up at the 2023 Band of the Year Division II.

Virginia State University’s Band Director, Dr. Taylor Whitehead, spoke to WSB-TV about the competition and the support.

“This city loves good bands. To come here and perform for the city is a great opportunity, obviously from the recruitment standpoint,” Whitehead said.

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