• News

by Atiya Jordan

November 8, 2023

Yusef Salaam Joins The New York City Council

Yusef Salaam, an exonerated Central Park Five member, won a seat on the New York City Council and now represents the central Harlem district.

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On Nov. 7, Yusef Salaam, an exonerated Central Park Five member, won a seat on the New York City Council, AP reported. The news comes decades after he spent nearly seven years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

Salaam maintained a victorious campaign after winning his Democratic primary elections by a landslide. The lifelong resident of Harlem, NY, who had no track record in politics, will now leverage his decades-long activism and education to serve as a championing voice in the central Harlem district. On the campaign trail, Salaam aimed to energize and activate voters who were eager to change the issues facing the community: housing, workforce and economic development opportunities, justice and safety, environmental justice, and more.

.#PowerPost🙌🏻🙌🏼🙌🏽🙌🏾🙌🏿™️
Early voting starts today for the general election! Honored to be the Democratic Nominee for Council District 9. Harlem let’s bring it home with a big turnout! pic.twitter.com/GW4pHlfHcp

— Yusef Abdus Salaam (@dr_yusefsalaam) October 28, 2023

“For me, this means that we can really become our ancestors’ wildest dreams,” Salaam told the news outlet before the election.

As a board member of the Innocence Project, founding member of Justice 4 the Wrongfully Incarcerated, and 25-year member of the Frederick E. Samuel Community Democratic Club, Salaam’s ambitious efforts in the community hit closer to home. He spent 12 years fighting for freedom, justice, and equality in the infamous Central Park jogger case.

Salaam was just 15 years old when he was wrongfully accused and charged with the assault and rape of Trisha Meili, a white woman, in Central Park in New York City. The following year, he and four other teenagers were convicted despite inconsistent confessions, DNA evidence exclusion, and a lack of other evidence connecting them to the crime scene. Salaam was sentenced to 5 to 10 years. Eventually, in 2002, DNA testing corroborated the confession of the real culprit, which led to the overturned convictions of all five teenagers. The teens also received a combined multi-million dollar settlement from the city.

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Though burdened by the past, Salaam is walking in his power of forgiveness and advocacy, BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported.

“I’m dedicating my life to being useful to my community, to my neighborhood, to my city,” Salaam previously told Esquire. “And to do that means letting go of some burdens of the past. Never forgetting, but forgiving. There is power in forgiving.”

Over the past two decades, Salaam has expanded his family, knowledge, and outreach. He has been on a mission to educate the public about the impact of mass incarceration and police brutality, advocating for criminal justice reform, prison reform, and the abolition of juvenile solitary confinement and capital punishment, according to his campaign website.

• Technology

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 8, 2023

From Broadway To Digital, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ Will Live Stream

This show is expanding beyond Broadway to introduce newcomers to the virtual theater scene.

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For those unable to catch “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” on Broadway, the show will be available on livestream. Jocelyn Bioh’s groundbreaking play will be available in this format for its final performance week at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City.

Playbill announced the news on Oct. 30 of the innovative way the play will be viewed by as many patrons as possible. Bioh explained how “thrilled” she is that the world premiere of her work will actually take place on a global scale.

“Reaching the widest audience possible has always been my goal with this play and I’m so thrilled that that will now be possible,” says the playwright. “I can’t wait for audiences far and wide to come to the shop!”

The inclusive measure will hopefully bring a wider audience to the world of Broadway shows to promote the same diversity that the play’s inclusion in the theater district has already accomplished. The viewing will be conducted via the League of Live Stream Theater, whose co-founder, Jim Augustine, also released a statement on the venture.

“Live streaming theater begins to bridge the gap between traditional theater audiences and those who have not typically been part of the Broadway experience,” shared Augustine. “This includes those who have never been to a Broadway show and those who have never even considered it, individuals in correctional facilities, classrooms, underserved communities, and every individual impacted by the challenges of in-person theater.”

“Jaja’s” is a modern play about West African immigrants at a Harlem hair salon as they deal with the cultural differences in their daily lives, telling a story of sisterhood and community as the women build a future for themselves. The Taraji P. Henson-produced project made its Broadway and world debut on Oct. 3, to much delight, as it portrays the multifaceted experience of Black women.

The live stream performances will be conducted from Nov. 14-19 to support the Black women-led show.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ Extends Run On Broadway

• Politics

by Sharelle Burt

November 8, 2023

To Drop Out or Not? Former Obama Adviser Gives Mixed Signals On Whether Biden Should Continue His Campaign

David Axelrod had a lot to say about the president's campaign run.

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A senior adviser to former President Barack Obama, David Axelrod, suggested President Biden should drop out of the race since he may be running against Donald Trump.

After tweeting poll numbers by The New York Times, Axelrod commented, tagging the President and suggesting Biden should do what’s best for the country. “Only @JoeBiden can make this decision,” he wrote. “If he continues to run, he will be the nominee of the Democratic Party. What he needs to decide is whether that is wise, whether it’s in HIS best interest or the country’s?”

Polls published on Nov. 5 show Trump leading Biden in five of six key battleground states — Nevada by 10 points, six points in Georgia, Arizona, and Michigan by five points, and four points in Pennsylvania. In Wisconsin, Biden took the lead over Trump by only two points.

While Biden was a favorite in the six battleground states during the 2020 elections, survey results sang a different tune regarding his popularity. It is slowly declining in supporters under the age of 30. Axelrod says his age, despite Vice President Kamala Harris expressing that the 80-year-old is ready for battle, is a liability.

“The greatest concern is that his biggest liability is the one thing he can’t change,” Axelrod wrote Sunday. “Among all the unpredictables, there is one thing that is sure: the age arrow only points in one direction.”

From Black voters, 22% were registered to support Trump in the battleground states. Survey participants claim they trusted Trump over Biden in a 59% to 37% margin regarding the economy.

However, Axelrod dialed back on his tweets. In an interview, the former political strategist said he never told Biden to drop out, calling it an “overreaction.” “It’s overreacting to say I told him to drop out,” Axelrod said. “I didn’t do that. He’s the only one to make the decision. And if his decision is ‘no, I’m the best person to take this on,’ then he will.” 

As his comments began circulating, they made it to Washington, D.C., with White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates saying, “We appreciate his thoughts.”

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 8, 2023

Jeezy Says He Tried Therapy To Stay Married To Jeannie Mai: ‘God Has Put Me in a Different Path’

Atlanta entrepreneur and rapper, Jeezy discussed his attempt to stay married in a conversation with actress Nia Long.

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Atlanta recording artist and businessman Jay Wayne Jenkins, also known as Jeezy, filed for divorce from his wife, talk show host Jeannie Mai, on Sept. 14. The couple recently had a daughter together, Monaco Mai Jenkins, and was married for two years. In a recent interview with actress Nia Long, the “Soul Survivor” rapper admitted to getting therapy to save his marriage but also said, “God has put me in a different path.”

The video was placed on Jeezy’s YouTube account and was titled, “I Might Forgive… But I Don’t Forget” which also doubles as the album title of his latest project. The two celebrities spoke of their recent breakups and crucial moments in the rapper’s life. He expressed his desire to save the union between him and his soon-to-be former wife and said that this journey had not been an easy one.

“Integrity intact, I could never say anything that would not honor somebody. But I can tell you that this has not been an easy journey. I can tell you that I’m saddened, I can tell you that I’m disappointed, I can tell you that I’m uneasy,” Jeezy told Long.

“But then again, God has put me in a different path, and that path is going to entail for me to take care of myself, and to love myself, and to be in the best situation. And I can thrive as someone who been through all the things I’ve been through.”

“I don’t like to fail at anything. I can only be responsible for myself. I can only do what I can do. I can’t expect someone else to do what I’m doing.”

The Jenkins met on the talk show The Real in 2018 and started dating after that. Three years later, on March 27, 2021, they joined in matrimony in a private ceremony. They welcomed their daughter to the world on Jan. 11, 2022. The couple reportedly still lives together.

• Entertainment

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 8, 2023

Usher Serenades Fan In A Wheelchair During Vegas Show, Spreads Inclusive Love

Usher is making sure a lucky fan gets the "Superstar" treatment.

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Usher made one special lady his “Superstar” for the evening. The R&B crooner serenaded a fan in a wheelchair at his Nov. 7 show in Las Vegas.

Usher, who has been on a successful run of shows during his Vegas residency, showcased a big heart as he sang his hit song to the lucky guest. He shared a snippet of the intimate moment on his Instagram, where the Grammy winner boasts over 11.7 million followers.

“I’m your #1 fan,” shared the entertainer, reciting lyrics from the 2004 classic. “Give me your autograph…sign it right here on my heart.”

The footage shows Usher standing next to the concertgoer as he motions the crowd to sing along before he begins singing directly to her. The heartwarming moment was admired by fans in the comments section, with one Instagram user calling the 45-year-old a “national treasure.”

“This is beautiful,” shared another supporter. “The joy on her face is priceless.”

The move is also Usher’s signature, as attendees can usually expect him to get up close and personal with a fan during a portion of the show, usually another celebrity. Most recently, the Atlanta native danced with another public figure associated with his home state, Kenya Moore. The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star posted the video of Usher stepping up to her on social media as the heartthrob asked for a “quick dance” in the middle of his show.

“[Usher] snatched my soul last night,” detailed the media personality in her caption. The duo danced for two songs as the artist ensured Moore got his signature “Superstar” treatment as well.

As his career takes on new heights, especially as he prepares for his upcoming milestone of headlining at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Usher is making sure his fans are appreciated by showcasing that extra love each night.

RELATED CONTENT: Usher Headlines New Movement To Encourage Screenings For Diabetes Awareness Month

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 8, 2023

Drake Confronted Akademiks For Remarks On His ‘Close Friend’ Sza

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Drake isn’t known for speaking up in defense of anyone. But he apparently draws the line when it comes to his “close friend” Sza.

Internet vlogger DJ Akademiks is opening up about the private conversation he had with Drake after making some disparaging remarks about the singer Sza. While speaking with DJ Vlad, Akademiks revealed the chat he had with Drake after offending Sza over the summer with his comments about her body.

“When Drake called me [about SZA] I was like [what?]” Akademiks shared. “Drake was like, she’s a very close friend of his. It was a very friendly call. He was just kind of trying to see what I thought about it because he was like ‘Ak, I rock with you too.’

“They were doing the album at the time and he was like, ‘She’s affected by things like that.’”

It was during a Rumble stream in August when Akademiks body-shamed Sza and accused her of having cosmetic surgery. Posting a bikini photo of the “SOS” singer, Akademiks made negative remarks about the BBL procedure Sza has admitted to receiving.

“The ti**ies is not looking tiddying,” he said while examining a photo of Sza. “Right now, I can’t distinguish the ti**y from the stomach. You look like you just got a whole muthafuc*ing bulletproof vest on. Your whole sh*t is flat.”

He continued. “You know you’ve been under the knife mad times. We don’t care how much you show that little botched BBL; you need to get back to the doctor one more time, and I’ma stand on it!”

It’s not the first time Akademiks has been called out for his negative comments about women. Most recently, he got into an internet feud with rapper Saucy Santana after making negative remarks about the City Girls. Their internet beef grew when Saucy threatened to sexually assault Akademiks.

As a result, the vlogger shed tears when speaking on the issue as he was afraid he would be “canceled” for responding to the “Material Gworl” rapper. Queen Latifah even entered the chat when she reposted a message from Mysonne that called out Akademiks for his history of bashing women.

RELATED CONTENT: Queen Latifah Reposts Mysonne’s Response To Akademiks And Saucy Santana Feud

• News

by Atiya Jordan

November 8, 2023

WeWork, Formerly Valued at $47 Billion, Declares Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

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After years of financial struggles, WeWork filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Nov. 6 in federal court in New Jersey. 

In a press release, the flexible workspace provider announced its next move to regain its footing among a massive debt file and hefty losses. In what the company calls a “comprehensive reorganization,” 92% of its stakeholders have agreed to a restructuring agreement, while many locations expect to close.

Under the bankruptcy agreement, WeWork is expected to erase $3 billion of its debt, CEO David Tolley told The Associated Press. The company’s bankruptcy petition listed a total of $18 billion in debt and about $15 billion in assets. It also has around $100 million in unpaid rent.

The Financial Times reported that Japanese group SoftBank committed more than $16 billion to WeWork since its initial investment in 2017. Just days before WeWork filed for bankruptcy, SoftBank was forced to wire nearly $2 billion to WeWork lenders to “recover a portion of its losses as it converts some of its existing debt into equity in the reorganized company.”

While reducing funded debt, WeWork said it is “requesting the ability to reject the leases of certain locations, which are largely non-operational and all affected members have received advanced notice.” Over 70 leases are slated to be rejected at the start of the process.

“We’ve only seen a limited recovery in office space utilization, and hybrid work patterns are becoming more entrenched than I think many people the market would have expected a couple of years ago,” said Sam Chandan, director of the Chao-Hon Chen Institute for Global Real Estate Finance at New York University’s Stern School of Business, AP reported. “So there’s a long term, very significant impact on office space demand overall.”

Chandan also noted that WeWork faced increased competition in the world of short-term office space. Among the biggest competitors include Regus, ImpactHub, and Workbar.

Adam Neumann launched WeWork in 2010, with a goal of making a profit on very short-term subleases. By 2019, after WeWork’s valuation fell to $7 billion, Neumann was dismissed. Former real estate executive Sandeep Mathrani stepped in and took the company public to resolve early expansion issues. There was too much space on long-term leases, far fewer workers available to fill it, mounting financial losses, and a lack of cash. As a result, WeWork had burnt through billions of dollars in investor capital to fund its over-exuberant expansion. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, more office workers were choosing to work from home and more vacancies piled up.

In early 2023, Mathrani resigned and left WeWork with “substantial doubt” about its ability to stay in business. In October, WeWork shares fell to a staggering low after the company told The New York Times that it missed interest payments on its debt and did not have enough cash on hand. Today, WeWork is valuing at $44 million.

RELATED CONTENT: WeWork Plans To File For Bankruptcy As Early As Next Week, Source Says

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 8, 2023

Can Issa Rae ‘Unite’ Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and Nicki Minaj Fans Through ‘Rap Sh*t’?

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If it was up to Issa Rae, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion fans would all get along. To accomplish her goal, the producer is hoping to get the rap superstars to guest star on her new hip-hop-centered scripted series.

Issa is back with Season 2 of her Max original series “Rap Sh*t.” The show follows an aspiring female rap duo working to make their mark on the music industry.

Season 1 saw guest appearances from the likes of Guapdad 4000, Timbaland, Brent Faiyaz, Tobe Nwigwe, Benjamin Crump, and Maliibu Miitch. While it remains unknown who will make guest appearances in Season 2, Issa is teasing who’d she love to have on the show in the future.

“There’s a list. We want [Megan Thee Stallion], we want [Cardi B], [Nicki Minaj] would be a nice little tie-around. If we could, like, unite them,” Issa told ET. “Maybe in season three, we can unite the fanbases.”

“Rap Sh!t” is inspired by the real-life stories of the City Girls Yung Miami and JT of the City Girls, who also serve as co-executive producers on the show. The show follows Miami-based besties Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion) as they embark on a career in music as a rap group. With the help of their manager Chasity (Jonica Booth), the trio explores and learns the harsh realities that come with making it in the music business.

With the show serving as a modern view of being a young dreamer and doer, viewers get an inside look at navigating success in the entertainment industry. When it comes to unity among women in hip-hop today, there are still ways to go.

Long gone are the days when the top female emcees can hop on a track together and create classics like “Ladies Night.” These days a female rapper can release a new song, like Megan’s “Cobra” that released on Friday, Nov. 3, and ignite riffs between fan groups.

Most recently, Nicki Minaj took to Instagram to ask her fans not to “threaten anyone on my behalf.” The “Anaconda” rapper is known for having one of the most fiercely devoted fan groups called the Barbz who aren’t afraid to bash anyone who speaks negatively on the Queen.

Between the Barbz, Bardi Gang (Cardi B fans), and the Hotties (Megan fans), there are plenty of internet feuds across social media in defense of the rappers. Hopefully, Issa’s wish comes true and she’s able to provide some type of unity among the top female rappers.

RELATED CONTENT: Issa Rae Taps Into Wine Industry With New Viarae Prosecco

• Arts and Culture

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 8, 2023

Nia DaCosta Explains Production Rumors Says It’s Not As ‘Dramatic’ As It Appears

Nia DaCosta is addressing speculation surrounding the fate of the highly-anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe film "The Marvels."

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Film director Nia DaCosta is addressing speculation surrounding the fate of the highly-anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe film “The Marvels.”

A recent Variety report claims the forthcoming film has a confusing storyline and “lengthy” reshoots that have fans and industry insiders concerned about how well the film will perform. Elsewhere, DaCosta has begun working on a separate film during postproduction that sources say is “kind of weird.”

But the “Candyman” director is defending “The Marvels” and her work on a new film, since “It happens quite a bit,” in Hollywood, AV Club reports. According to DaCosta, the Marvel film would’ve had her undivided attention if the film date hadn’t moved around so much.

“I think there’s just a lot of energy and criticism around Marvel anyway, so I’m not surprised,” DaCosta told interviewer Jake Hamilton.

“But for me personally, it was literally just that they moved the date of the film four different times. And so, instead of it being a two-year process, which I was deeply committed to, it became a three-and-a-half-year process.”

DaCosta says Marvel Studios “knew the entire time I had an obligation, a greenlit movie, with people who are waiting for me.” So when they repeatedly pushed back “The Marvels” release date, she “pushed that, and I pushed it again, and then I pushed it again. And then eventually we all knew like, ‘Okay, if this pushes again, I’m not going to be able to be in L.A. to do the rest of this in person.’”

A resolution was reached when the studio allowed DaCosta to take part in the postproduction process remotely. The reports of there being any drama about her remote postproduction work are completely fabricated, according to the filmmaker.

“We figured out the best process. And actually at the time that I left to go to London to start prep on my next film, everyone was so clear about what the film was, what we wanted, everyone knew what I wanted,” she said.

“So it really wasn’t the dramatic sort of thing that I think people are feeling like it is.”

“The Marvels” is set to release Friday, Nov. 10, and follows Carol Danvers “Captain Marvel” (played by Brie Larson) as she works to aid a destabilized universe.

RELATED CONTENT: Marvel Faces Casting Dilemma As Jonathan Majors’ Domestic Violence Case Moves Forward

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 8, 2023

Arkansas Man Arrested After Hiding 5-Year-Old Daughter From Cops To Prevent DHS From Taking Her

The father maintains that he loves his daughter.

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A man was arrested in Arkansas after being accused of hiding his daughter behind a wall so she wouldn’t be taken away from him by state workers.

According to CNN, 40-year-old Jon Thompson was arrested on Friday, Nov. 4, and charged with false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a minor, and interfering with child custody. After posting a $5,000 bond, he was released on Sunday, Nov. 6.

On Nov. 1, police officers in Tontitown, Arkansas, went to the Thompson residence to assist workers from the Department of Human Services in taking his daughter out of the home so they could place her in the custody of the state. When police officers went to his home, Thompson would not allow them in and kept telling them that his daughter wasn’t in the residence. After more than an hour, Thompson relented and then took the officers to a closet located in the master bedroom where he had his daughter hidden.

Thompson then moved some items under a clothes rack in the closet. The father “had to pull a board that was nailed to the wall” so the officers could reach his daughter, who was in a small space that may have been about 6 feet by 4 feet inside the master bedroom closet wall. The rescue of the young girl was captured on police body-cam.

Keith Lindley, a detective on the scene, stated, “There are some law enforcement encounters that stick with us over the maturity of our careers – some images and scenes are just tattooed into our permanent consciousness. This is one of those times. It’s sad. It makes us sad, but we are relieved she is safe.”

The 5-year-old girl was to become a ward of the state because her father was accused of keeping her locked in a “confined space for approximately 30 minutes without being able to leave of her own will.” The officer maintained that the little girl– though she felt uneasy–said it was a one-time occurrence, and her dad had given her a candle for light in the confined space.

“The juvenile discusses being afraid to go inside the hole in the wall, but that her dad wanted her to do so and told her if she did not go inside, she would be taken away from him,” the report said.

The media outlet reached out to Thompson, and he said, “For the record – I love my daughter,” and told CNN to speak to his attorney.