by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 7, 2024

Vacant Historic Black Church In Virginia To Become Community Learning Center

First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, Virginia, has supported its Black community and members through more than worship.

A vacant yet historic Black Church in Rocky Mount, Virginia, will transform into a gathering space and learning center for its community.

Built by Black Virginians in 1899, First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount has held multiple uses since its establishment. Despite stopping its sermons in 1965, it continued to support its Black residents as a hub voter registration and community action.

Currently, despite a stint as a beauty salon, it maintains its vacancy. However, the community will restore the church as a cultural heritage center.

“The story of the First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, VA is deeply intertwined with our original church structure,” wrote the church on its restoration fundraising page. “Designed by architect Leonard Pinkard and built in 1899 by former slaves individuals and their descendants, this historic building has served as a beacon of faith, hope, and community for over 125 years.”

As for its modern iteration, the church’s leaders want the place to educate its community.

“The goal is to turn it into a place where people can gather and learn,” said Pastor Christopher Coates to WDBJ7.

As for what history it will detail, Coates shared their plans to install exhibits on the Black U.S. Soldiers from Franklin County.

“There will be a poster for each soldier to tell where he was from, what his rank was, his years of service, and any other pertinent details that the research team can put behind it,” Coates said.

However, their plans also extend to servicing attendees as it has for generations. It renovations include a complete reset of the second-floor and installation of modern upgrades that abide by ADA-compliances. They will host job training and tutoring to benefit those of all ages.

“We’re going to add some showers to help take the stress off the local warming center during the wintertime. We also want to make sure that this place is a place where people can receive job training, maybe academic tutoring, just a community hub. So, whatever there is a need, maybe the building can fill the need,” added Coates.

They hope to bring back the church’s original glory through its design, while still championing its mission to benefit Black people beyond the pulpit.

Roscoe’s Chicken And Waffles Gets Backlash For Inflatable Donald Trump Doll Near Restaurant

by Mary Spiller

December 7, 2024

Roscoe’s Chicken And Waffles Gets Backlash For Inflatable Donald Trump Doll Near Restaurant

The backlash seems to stem from a feud with a content creator.

Digital creator Epicurious Expeditions has sparked a social media feud with Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles COO Diana Vara, following the posting of a viral video showing fans how to recreate the restaurant’s iconic dish in their home. After a series of back-and-forth online, some fans are calling for a boycott of the famed chicken spot.

The controversy surrounding Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles blew up for the public when Epicurious Expeditions posted a video on TikTok teaching viewers how to cook Roscoe’s signature chicken and waffles at home, as well as telling watchers to pass on going to the restaurant in favor of doing it themselves.

COO Vare was quick to respond in a now-deleted comment on Instagram. She wrote, “You can copy the recipe, but I guarantee the recipe won’t taste the same.”

But what began the wave to cancel Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles was actually a giant Donald Trump blow-up doll. Epicurious Expeditions posted about it.

Roscoe’s House of Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles has been a well-known staple for the Black community in Los Angeles. Now they’re facing backlash after videos surfaced of an inflatable Trump doll posted outside the soul food restaurant’s Long Beach location.

Back in November, Epicurious Expeditions posted a video on Instagram showing the blow-up doll for all to see, prompting an overwhelmingly negative response from the restaurant’s predominantly Black fanbase.

Despite Roscoe’s deep-rooted connection to L.A.’s Black community, with Black politicians and celebrities singing its praises and eating at their restaurant locations, the Southern California chain seemed to ruffle a lot of feathers with the blow-up doll and what some thought was an endorsement of Trump.

To add to the discourse, Epicurious Expeditions uploaded a 2022 Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Dec. 3 that revealed multiple health code violations from the chain.

Epicurious Expeditions stated Roscoe’s “has been canceled by the internet.”

“Roscoe’s has been synonymous with Black LA culture,” the TikTok creator told Eater Los Angeles. “I grew up poor, and my mom would scrimp and save any time to take us to a restaurant that was a pillar of the Black community. For them to side with the man who supported the death penalty for the Central Park 5 and turn their back on us like this was painful.”

Vare has since defended the chain against the allegations and drama, though. In a since-deleted comment, Vare claimed that the Seabird Jazz Lounge, which is located next door to the chicken spot, had an event reserved in the space. She states that they were the ones who put the blow-up doll out front.

Vare explained, “The inflatable doll was brought from the LAGOP and URBT News, who hosted the watch party at the Jazz Lounge, which is located right next to Roscoe’s.”

She reiterated that the Trump inflatable was in no way associated with Roscoe’s, rather that it just looked that way due to the proximity of their locations.

Before Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles feud with Epicurious Expeditions, the restaurant had some hard times. The chain has been open for nearly 50 years, and its original owner, Herb Hudson, is still contending with about $27 million in outstanding debt. Through the years, they’ve faced lawsuits and tragedy, notably when rapper PnB Rock was shot and killed at their Inglewood location two years ago. They’ve since closed two of their locations.

Reportedly, though, all the negative repercussions haven’t been getting to the restaurant chain, as Vare claims, “Ya’ll can stay canceling us, but business is up 20 percent.”

Man, Conviction, Racist Threats, Pregnant Black Woman

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 7, 2024

BLM Protestor Placed In Solitary Confinement Over 250 Days Despite Oregon’s 90-Day Limit

An incarcerated Black Lives Matter protester is staging hunger strikes to draw attention to his prolonged solitary confinement.

A Black Lives Matter protestor incarcerated in Oregon has spent over 250 days in solitary confinement despite the state’s 90-day limit.

Malik Muhammad, a disabled Army veteran living with PTSD, is currently serving a 10-year sentence after pleading guilty to 14 felonies in 2022 at the age of 25, The Intercept reports. However, his treatment in prison has sparked concerns, with at least eight incarcerated individuals filing grievances against corrections staff, alleging mistreatment of Muhammad, some of which is claimed to be racially motivated.

The Civil Liberties Defense Center, which advocates for the rights of political prisoners, took on Muhammad’s case last month. The organization is challenging the Oregon State Penitentiary and Department of Corrections for keeping Muhammad in solitary confinement for over 250 days despite his disability and the state’s 90-day limit on the controversial practice.

“We are talking about a conditions-of-confinement issue,” said Muhammad’s attorney, Lauren Regan, director of litigation and advocacy at the Civil Liberties Defense Center. “Malik is designated 100 percent disabled as a combat veteran because of extreme PTSD. And the Department of Corrections knows that.”

Muhammad accepted his fate after traveling from Indiana to join BLM protests in Kentucky and Oregon in 2020. During the demonstrations, he participated in firearms training in Kentucky and later threw a Molotov cocktail at police in Oregon.

His placement in solitary confinement followed an incident where, according to Regan, Muhammad requested to speak with a supervisor after being forced off the phone so a white inmate could take his place. But instead of a supervisor, Muhammad was Tased, beaten by guards, and subsequently placed in isolation.

“The next thing Malik knows is 10 corrections officers show up outside of his cell,” Regan said. “They stick two taser guns through the slot of the cell and start firing darts into the cell, and all of them strike him. He’s got nowhere to go. And they then just start repeatedly cycling the electric shocks of the taser over and over.”

“Even after he is on the ground and completely incapacitated because he’s being electrocuted, they continue,” Regan said. “They kick and punch him.”

In May, Muhammad began his first hunger strike. He initiated his latest strike in November after spending more than eight months in solitary confinement. According to Regan, prison regulations mandate that corrections staff involve the medical team for a baseline evaluation within 48 hours of learning about a hunger strike. However, six days into the strike, no medical assessment had been conducted for Muhammad.

Solitary confinement has been shown to worsen mental health conditions, with prolonged use widely regarded as a form of torture by human rights and civil liberties organizations. The Oregon Department of Corrections sets a 90-day limit on consecutive solitary confinement, which is significantly longer than states like California, with a 10-day maximum, or New York, which caps its use at 15 days. At least 17 other states have recently considered imposing limits of 10 to 15 days.

However, according to Regan, the Department of Corrections restarts the clock whenever an individual is moved between different housing categories. This practice has allowed Muhammad to remain in solitary confinement far beyond the 90-day limit.

“The way that the DOC is attempting to sort of sneak this under the radar is that they have multiple different segregation designations,” Regan said.

Muhammad’s designation has changed from one segregated housing unit to another, “but he’s literally staying in the same solitary confinement cell,” Regan said.

Regan stated that as a veteran with PTSD, the treatment Muhammad has endured in prison will make his reintegration into society even more challenging.

“He served the country and he already really suffered through one episode of his life that has given him some of the mental health issues that may have contributed to the acts that he’s actually been convicted of,” she said.

“For the racist prison system to intentionally punish him in ways that are going to cause additional mental health impacts and just make it that much harder for him to come out and be a productive and lovely member of our community is the opposite of what the prison systems say they are doing.”

Charlamagne Tha God, Krystal Burger Chain, South Carolina

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 7, 2024

Charlamagne Tha God Brings Krystal Burger Chain To South Carolina

The radio host is opening the first of several Krystal burger joints in the state in Orangeburg.

Charlamagne Tha God is returning to his home state of South Carolina to open his first Krystal fast-food restaurant.

The popular radio and TV personality has teamed up with Atlanta-based burger chain Krystal to open several locations in South Carolina, starting with a location in Orangeburg, Post and Courier reports. The first restaurant will soften on Dec. 9 at 1486 Chestnut St.

Charlamagne, whose real name is Lenard McKelvey, and his wife, Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey, will attend the grand opening event of the restaurant on Dec. 20. It’s a homecoming of sorts for The Breakfast Club radio show host, a native of Charleston, South Carolina.

“Orangeburg is special to us because it’s the home of South Carolina State University, my mother’s alma mater, while my wife’s father is an alumni of Claflin University,” Charlamagne said. “I also have an honorary degree from SCSU, where I established the Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, so it’s a blessing to continue this mission of providing opportunities and jobs to South Carolinians.”

He added, “It’s always an amazing feeling to come back and give back. I hope the community will enjoy my favorite eats from Krystal for years to come!”

The new location will be part of nearly 300 Krystal restaurants across the Southeast. It will be the fourth franchise in South Carolina, joining existing stores in Aiken, Gaffney, and North Augusta. The Orangeburg location will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Charlamagne’s cultural impact speaks for itself, and bringing his energy to Krystal’s newest location is a game-changer,” said Krystal’s parent company SPB Hospitality CEO Josh Kern.

The grand opening event will feature local officials, performances by school cheer teams, mascots, and the marching band. Exclusive Krystal and Charlamagne Tha God merchandise and special menu items will be available at the restaurant ahead of the Dec. 20 event.

by Mary Spiller

December 7, 2024

Beloved Radio Host And Entertainment Reporter Robin Ayers Dies At 44

Her death was confirmed by fellow KBLA radio host Tavis Smiley.

Well-known radio host and reporter Robin Ayers died on Dec. 5. The KBLA host was 44.

Ayers’ death was confirmed by fellow KBLA radio host Tavis Smiley, who wrote on X, “It is with profound sadness that KBLA Talk 1580 announces the passing of our beloved colleague Robin Ayers.”

He continued, “Robin was a bright light. You could see her radiant smile through the radio. We all respected her immense talent, loved her jovial spirit.”

Ayers has been a part of the KBLA team since March of 2022 as host of “The RA Report with Robin Ayers.” Her segment ran through the weekdays and reported on entertainment news and interviews with celebrity guests.

The KBLA team is reportedly planning a memorial for Ayers following her passing.

Although Ayers’ cause of death has not yet been confirmed, the beloved journalist did reveal that she was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma, or LMS, in 2023. LMS is an aggressive form of cancer that only affects the soft tissues and muscles in the body and is most often found in the abdomen or the uterus of women. Despite her rare diagnosis, Ayers used her platform to advocate for women’s health by sharing her battle with her diagnosis. She used her platform to encourage her followers to always listen to their bodies.

According to People, Ayers has also worked with BET, Fox, and OWN and was a co-host for the YouTube-based podcast Afterbuzz TV. Most notably, Ayers was a reporter for the news outlet EURweb and worked as an entertainment correspondent for the company for nearly four years.

Lee Bailey, EURweb’s founder and publisher, posted a statement on the outlet’s website offering his condolences. He wrote, “With heavy hearts, the entertainment journalism community mourns the passing of Robin Ayers. Robin, known for her vibrant personality and passion for storytelling, died leaving a significant void in the world of entertainment journalism and broadcasting.”

More personally, he added, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Robin Ayers. Her passion for storytelling and unwavering commitment to truth brought depth and authenticity to her work. She was not just a colleague but a friend, and her impact on EURweb and the lives she touched will never be forgotten.”

Ayers is survived by her husband, Rob, and her twin daughters, Brooklyn and Madison, to whom she just dedicated a post six days before her passing. She shared an Instagram post celebrating Thanksgiving and Brooklyn and Madison’s 18th birthday. She captioned the post, “With the fam! Celebrating Thanksgiving and the twins’ 18th bday! Whoa.”

Trump Judge Mathis, election, Black voters

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 7, 2024

Los Angeles City Worker Threatens To Move Forward With Lawsuit Against Judge Greg Mathis

Mathis' attorney replied, 'Should Mr. Acosta pursue this lawsuit, we will not only vigorously defend the case, we will file cross-claims against Mr. Acosta for his illegal conduct and repeated defamation of my client.'

Popular TV judge Greg Mathis may soon face a judge himself after a Los Angeles man has threatened to sue him after accusing Mathis of pulling a gun out on him in 2023.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Ricardo Acosta has hired an attorney stating that Mathis allegedly threatened to shoot him while he was working as a dump truck Acosta was driving blocked the judge’s driveway in Los Angeles. The complaint, if filed, would sue Mathis for assaulting the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employee and inflicting emotional damage during a confrontation that took place on July 25, 2023.

Meanwhile, Mathis’ attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar, stated that the lawsuit was an attempt to extort from her client and contained a misrepresentation of what happened that day. She says that the Los Angeles Police Department did not even investigate Acosta’s accusation.

“That the LAPD did not even investigate Mr. Acosta’s claims speaks to their lack of merit,” she said. “Should Mr. Acosta pursue this lawsuit, we will not only vigorously defend the case, we will file cross-claims against Mr. Acosta for his illegal conduct and repeated defamation of my client.”

In Acosta’s complaint, he claimed that Mathis yelled, “Move the f**king truck out of the way,” while he stood behind Acosta’s truck. Acosta said he asked Mathis to move out of the way while he backed up the truck, claiming he was concerned since the dump truck was on an incline and could roll when put into drive.

He stated that Mathis refused and warned him that he “did not give a f**k and to run him over and see what happens to him.” He then said that the judge ran into his home, came out with a gun, and threatened him by saying, “I will bust a cap.”

The city worker says that the incident has caused him emotional and financial damage as he sought medical treatment and retained an attorney. He is requesting compensatory damages for lost wages, earnings, commissions, retirement benefits, and other employee benefits. On top of that, he wants general damages for mental pain, emotional distress, and loss of earning capacity.

by Mary Spiller

December 7, 2024

Sonya Massey’s Father Speaks Out About Sean Grayson’s Potential Pre-Trial Release

James Wilburn, the father of Sonya Massey, said he's "going to fight to keep my daughter’s killer in a jail cell.”

James Wilburn, the father of Sonya Massey, spoke out after the appellate court declared former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson should be released pre-trial. Wilburn addressed a crowd at the Illinois Capitol on Dec. 5.

Wilburn said, “Until an undertaker puts an embalming fluid in this body, I’m going to fight to keep my daughter’s killer in a jail cell.”

Massey was a 36-year-old Black woman shot and killed by Grayson, a white sheriff’s deputy, in her home in Woodside Township, Illinois, on July 6. Grayson shot Massey in the face after she moved a pot of water from the stove at their request.

Recently, an Illinois appellate court ruled against Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser. The appellate court denied that Grayson would be a threat to the public if released, and opposed him being reprimanded until his trial. The court ordered his release with a few behavioral conditions in just 35 days.

Grayson has been in jail since his arrest, but after this appellate court decision, Grayson could be released before his trial.
“Will it ever make sense? If these three appellate court justices think that Sean Grayson is not a danger to society, move them into their house. Let’s see if their wife and kids would allow him to move and live in their house with him,” Wilburn said.

As reported by WCIA, Wilburn also said, “My friends, my family, they try to keep me busy so that I’m not alone. It’s when I’m alone that I really, really meditate on the conversations that we used to have.”

Massey’s cousin, Shadia Massey, also spoke out, stating, “I think will hurt my auntie real bad. So I’m just asking (the appellate court) to do anything to not let him out of jail.”

Wilburn made it clear that he wouldn’t stop fighting for his daughter, no matter what the court said.

“I’m going to be in the face of those leaders in Washington, D.C. I know that we need to pass the George Floyd Policing Act. We need to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. We need to close up these holes in the safety here and our doors. Those are the kinds of things that I’ve dedicated my life to, to make those kinds of changes, whatever it takes.”

GeneralMotors, charging stations, EV, electric vehicles

by Kandiss Edwards

December 6, 2024

Georgia’s Black Drivers Paying As Much As 25 Percent More In Auto Insurance

Black Georgians are paying more to sit in that awful traffic.

Black Georgia drivers may be paying up to 25% more in vehicle insurance depending on ZIP code, according to a study by ValuePenguin.

The study looked at the insurance costs for majority Black and white neighborhoods. The analysis indicates that the higher the percentage of Black people in any given zip code, the higher the insurance premium.

“In areas where Black residents make up at least 50% of the population, annual auto insurance premiums average $3,929. That compares with $3,537 across all Georgia ZIP codes—a difference of 11.1%. In areas with 70% or more Black residents, the disparity jumps to 25.1%.”

Other variables considered when setting the price of an insurance premium are projected yearly mileage, make, model, and year of the vehicle, and whether or not the vehicle will be used for work purposes. Still, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests electric vehicles, owned in majority-white neighborhoods, will yield the cheapest results.

Average premiums for five vehicle types were analyzed in three different categories: ZIP codes with 50% or more Black people, ZIP codes with 70% or more Black people, and the average premium for every ZIP code in the state. The Toyota Rav4 is the most expensive vehicle to insure overall, 16.4% more expensive to insure in a 50% or more Black-populated neighborhood and 33.9% more expensive in a 70% or more Black-populated neighborhood.

The Tesla Model Y Long Range was the least expensive vehicle, but it was still 14% more expensive to insure in a 50% or more Black-populated neighborhood and 29.5% more expensive in a 70% or more Black-populated neighborhood.

While insurance companies continue to dictate the parameters of premium calculation, Black people need to look at options. Finding cheaper insurance or driving fuel-efficient vehicles so they can take advantage of lower premiums and taxes.

According to the study, the cheapest insurance companies for Black neighborhoods in Georgia were Farm Bureau and Farmers Insurance. The premiums are still much higher in other neighborhoods, but even a small percentage decrease is one penny less spent.

Electric vehicles are fuel-efficient, and the state of Georgia provides tax incentives, including the removal of the Ad-Valorem tax typically applied when registering a vehicle yearly. Electric vehicles can also save money on gas, one way to offset the “Black tax” associated with insurance.

CommScope, Settlement, Data Breach, Tyre Sampson

by Kandiss Edwards

December 6, 2024

Parents Of 14-Year-Old “FreeFall” Victim Receive $310M ‘Band Aid’ Settlement

Tyre Sampson died in March 2022.

The family of Tyre Sampson won a $310 million verdict from Funtime Handels GmbH. after the 14-year-old fell to his death on an amusement park ride in March 2022.

Funtime Handels GmbH. is the Austrian manufacturer the jury held liable for faulty construction of the ride, the Orlando FreeFall.

“This verdict is a step forward in holding corporations accountable for the safety of their products,” said Ben Crump, an attorney for teh family. “The jury’s decision confirms what we have long argued: Tyre’s death was the result of blatant negligence and a failure to prioritize safety over profits.”

Sampson’s father, Yarnell, tearfully spoke to reporters about his feelings after the Dec. 5 verdict.

“Ain’t no money going to solve this problem,” he said. “It won’t solve it; it’ll put a band-aid on it, maybe. But every day I wake up, and I still can’t see him.”

According to investigators, Sampson’s death was the result of an equipment malfunction. He was visiting ICON Park in Orlando on spring break with his Missouri football team when he decided to ride the Orlando FreeFall. The attraction hoists riders 400 feet into the air then plummets toward the ground.

Sampson weighed 383 pounds. The ride’s limit was 285 pounds and had no seat belts, according to the lawsuit. While suspended in the air, Sampson’s restraints released, causing the young man to fall at least 100 feet from the ride.

After Sampson’s death, Icon Park decided to permanently close FreeFall.

“We are devastated by Tyre’s death. We have listened to the wishes of Tyre’s family and the community and have made the decision to take down the FreeFall,” said an Icon Park representative.

The ride’s manufacturer did not send a representative to court, NBC affiliate WESH of Orlando reported. No attorney was listed in court records.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 6, 2024

50 Cent Will Share His Favorite Films And TV Series From Lionsgate On Ad-Free Roku Channel

50 Cent is curating a new action-packed channel of Lionsgate content on Roku.

50 Cent is lending his talents to Roku, where he’ll curate an ad-free channel featuring his favorite films and TV series from Lionsgate’s 20,000-plus titles.

On Thursday, Lionsgate announced its partnership with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, which will launch Dec. 10 on The Roku Channel, Variety reports. The 50 Cent Action Channel will dig into Lionsgate’s library of content, including films like The Expendables, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, and Rambo, and titles 50 Cent starred in himself like Expend4bles. The new channel will also play episodes of 50 Cent’s hit series Power, which spawned the Power Universe.

The channel will also integrate its programming with 50 Cent’s music, including a heist-themed lineup inspired by his iconic album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, featuring films like Empire State, Reservoir Dogs, and Man on a Ledge. Additionally, a female-led action showcase, inspired by his 2008 single “I Like the Way She Do It,” will feature titles such as Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2, The Protégé, and Haywire.

“Roku’s reach and success in the free TV space make them the perfect launch partner for 50 Cent Action,” the rapper said in a statement. “My channel created in partnership with Lionsgate will deliver exactly what my audience loves to watch all in one place. We’ll be number one in no time.”

The hip-hop mogul donned his signature bulletproof vest and white T-shirt to announce the new venture in a video trailer Roku released as part of the official announcement.

“I’ve launched a new channel called 50 Cent Action. It’s where you gotta be,” he says.

Roku executives expressed enthusiasm for partnering with 50 Cent on the new channel designed to cater to action film enthusiasts.

“We’re excited to collaborate with our longstanding partner Lionsgate and Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson on this innovative channel,” said Jennifer Vaux, vice president of content acquisition and programming at Roku. “50 is one of the biggest stars in the world, with a massive audience and an unmatched impact in the content space. Viewers are going to love this fun, unique way to explore Lionsgate’s awesome lineup of action programming, as well as behind-the-scenes content from 50 Cent.”