by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 6, 2023

Pennsylvania Nurse Now Faces Attempted Murder, First-Degree Murder Charges on Patients

Heather Pressdee, a western Pennsylvania nurse who was charged in May for mistreating three patients in her care, has now been charged with administering lethal doses of insulin to a total of 22 patients at five different health care facilities starting in 2020.

According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, Heather Pressdee, 41, was additionally charged with two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted murder, and 19 counts of neglect of care-dependent persons.

In May, she was charged for her mistreatment of three patients. A press release stated that additional charges were added Nov. 2.

“The allegations against Ms. Pressdee are disturbing. It is hard to comprehend how a nurse, trusted to care for her patients, could choose to deliberately and systematically harm them,” Henry said.

“The damage done to the victims and their loved ones cannot be overstated,” she added. “Every person in a medical or care facility should feel safe and cared for, and my office will work tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable for her crimes and protect care-dependent Pennsylvanians from future harm.”

Pressdee, who is being held in Butler County Prison without bail, has been charged with first-degree murder in cases where physical evidence was available to support the cause of death. Attempted murder charges are for the patients who survived and the victims whose cause of death could not be determined.

The patients ranged in age from 43 to 104. Some of the victims who received excessive amounts of insulin from Pressdee were diabetic and required insulin, and the others were not. Seventeen patients died in her care, the attorney general’s office said.

The crimes that she is accused of took place at Concordia at Rebecca Residence; Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Guardian); Quality Life Services Chicora; Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center; and Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 6, 2023

Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Cobra’ Video Now Biggest YouTube Debut In 2023

The rapper's new era is already breaking records.

Megan Thee Stalltion’s new single, “Cobra,” has solidified its status as YouTube’s biggest debut in 24 hours for a solo female hip-hop artist this year.

Complex confirmed the Houston hottie’s latest accomplishment on Nov. 4, as the video was released the day before at midnight. The video garnered over 2.15 million views, earning praise for its visual and vulnerable lyrics, taking the crown from Doja Cat’s “Demons” video. In the visual, Megan sheds her snakeskin as she speaks about her mental health journey in battling suicide ideation and a cheating partner, which many fans assume to be about Megan’s former beau, Pardison Fontaine. The on-again, off-again couple since 2021 officially broke up for good earlier this year.

Fans of the artist were shocked by her blunt lyrics, detailing her finding out about the cheating amid her mental health struggles, “Ayy, damn, I got problems / Never thought a bitch like me would ever hit rock bottom / Man, I miss my parents, way too anxious, always cancel my plans / Pulled up, caught him cheatin’, gettin’ his d–k sucked in the same spot I’m sleepin’.”

While the video showcases a deeper side to the skilled entertainer, Megan takes on reptilian form as she reclaims her life and career following the controversial shooting trial of Tory Lanez, which left the 28-year-old femcee vilified on social media. The visual aspect of “Cobra” is especially significant to the Houston native, as it is her first independent release under her own label, Hot Girl Productions. In October, the Grammy winner officially severed ties with her former label, 1501 Certified Entertainment, after a lengthy legal battle.

Megan Thee Stallion has endured trials and tribulations over the past few years. But now she appears to be back and better than ever.

Oxtail-Gate: Texas Men Arrested After Stealing 46 Packages Of Meat

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 6, 2023

Oxtail-Gate: Texas Men Arrested After Stealing 46 Packages Of Meat

The county's constable for Precinct 4, Mark Herman, showcased the entire illegal meat stash that was confiscated during a traffic stop.

Two men in Harris County, Texas, were arrested after being caught with 46 stolen packages of meat in their car. The men allegedly stole the massive amount of oxtail, steaks, and other forms of protein on Oct. 31.

The county’s constable for Precinct 4, Mark Herman, showed the entire illegal meat stash that was confiscated during a traffic stop. The tweet on the matter went viral, garnering over 6 million X impressions for the spectacle.

#NOW: Sergeant Amaya with Constable Mark Herman's Office has two suspect in custody following a traffic stop in the 29300 block of the Northwest Freeway.

The males were found to be in possession of multiple fresh meat packages stolen from different local stores.

Great work C4! pic.twitter.com/nSsAJtpkhG
— Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 (@Pct4Constable) November 1, 2023

“The males were found to be in possession of multiple fresh meat packages stolen from different local stores,” shared Herman.

The accused are Jacob Trevino, 30, and Robert Stevenson, 31.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the heist impacted four different grocery stores across Houston and Cypress, including Walmart, H-E-B, Kroger and Food Town. The value of the heist was more than $1,000. While the illegally-obtained goods included different cuts of beef and shrimp, the majority consisted of oxtail.

The delicacy, cut from the tail of cattle, has risen sharply over the years as a result of mainstream popularity, as detailed by Today in February. Traditionally, it was utilized by the Black community, especially those of Caribbean descent, in dishes. With the price rising from $9 to $14 per pound, the once-affordable meat has now become an expensive food item.

For their alleged crimes, the Texas residents are expected to appear for their arraignment hearings on Nov. 8, as they face aggregate theft charges that can be punished with up to a year in jail, in addition to a $4,000 fine.

Both accused were released on a $2,500 bond as they await trial for the Class A misdemeanor.

by Derek Major

November 6, 2023

Damar Hamlin Honors Medical Staff Who Saved His Life With Scholarships

Damar Hamlin returns to Cincinnati after nearly dying there in January.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin almost died the last time his team was in Paycor Stadium to play the Cincinnati Bengals.

On Jan. 2, Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field by medical professionals in an event that made headlines (beyond the sports pages) nationwide. Making his return Sunday night, Hamlin was inactive for the game. But, over the weekend, he treated the 10 University of Cincinnati Medical Center staffers to dinner and surprised each one of them with a scholarship in their name.

Last night I had dinner with my heroes. 10 of the UC Medical Staff that helped save my life.

I surprised them with a scholarship named after each of them that will support youth in Cincy to chase their dreams.

Wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them!🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/sEOCDkwYvk
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) November 5, 2023

Yahoo Sports reports Hamlin’s charity, Chasing M’s, will award $1,000 in scholarships over the next three years to “support youth in Cincy to chase their dreams.”

Hamlin founded Chasing M’s to pay it forward after attending Central Catholic High School on a scholarship which set him on a path to play in the NFL.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to set up a scholarship program to honor this team of professionals—my Cincinnati heroes—who helped save my life,” Hamlin said in a statement, according to Yahoo Sports.

“Today, as I look at honoring these Cincinnati heroes and lifting up young people who are trying to find their way, I’m reminded of the enormous blessing I’ve been given through my charity and the generosity of people around the world.”

Hamlin has only played in one game this season due to a logjam at the safety position.

The Bills were defeated by the resurgent Bengals, 24-18. Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 26 of 38 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown, but also threw an interception as the Bengals defense stifled the Bills for most of the game.

The loss puts the Bills at 5-4 on and on the outside of the playoff picture with eight games left in the season.

RELATED CONTENT: Damar Hamlin Returns to Football Field

by Jameelah Mullen

November 6, 2023

Late Lauryn Hill To Concertgoers: ‘Y’all Lucky I Make It On This Blood Ras Stage’

Fans certainly had thoughts after she "explained" her frequent tardiness.

Lauryn Hill is known for many things. Punctuality is not one of them. The singer has developed a reputation for showing up late to her shows, making her the brunt of countless internet jokes and fan complaints.

The hip-hop icon addressed her chronic tardiness at her concert during the Los Angeles stop of her Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour on Nov 4.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

Hill was joined on stage by her mother, who held the singer’s hand as she addressed the crowd.

“When the album sold so many records and no one showed up and said, ‘Hey, would you like to make another one?’ So I went around the world, and I played the same album over and over and over and over again. Because we are survivors, and we’re not just survivors, we’re thrivers.”

The mother of six received cheers from the audience, but some social media users did not accept Hill’s explanation.

“If God is an on-time God, then why you always…. Nevermind 😂 love you, Ms. Lauryn 💜😩 I’ll mind my business 😂,” Keairalashe said on The Shade Room’s Instagram Page.

IG user @_Journeywithjas_ chimed in, quoting lyrics from Hill’s hit song “Doo Wop That Thing. “
“‘Babygirl, respect is just a minimum.’ Time is our greatest asset. Be on time. You toured around the world off the love people have for your gifts, too, and the sacrifice people made to spend money to see you. Entitlement gives me the ick; don’t care who it is.”

This isn’t the first time the multi-talented artist has responded to complaints from fans. In 2016, she took to Facebook to explain her tardiness.

“I don’t show up late to shows because I don’t care,” HIll wrote. “And I have nothing but Love and respect for my fans. The challenge is aligning my energy with the time, taking something that isn’t easily classified or contained, and trying to make it available for others. I don’t have an on/off switch. I am at my best when I am open, rested, sensitive and liberated to express myself as truthfully as possible.”

The tour also serves as a reunion with her former Fugees bandmates. The trio will make several appearances in North America. For more information on the tour, visit the website.

Report: 62% Of Black Infants Live In Poverty

by Atiya Jordan

November 6, 2023

Report: 62% Of Black Infants Live In Poverty

One-fifth of Black infants and toddlers lived in deep poverty, which represents 50% of the federal poverty level, well above the national rate of 18.6%.

In 2021, approximately three in five Black infants and toddlers lived in households with low income, according to the 2023 State of Babies Yearbook.

What’s more troubling is that one-fifth of all Black infants and toddlers lived in deep poverty, which represents 50% of the federal poverty level. This data is higher than the national rate of 18.6% of all babies living in poverty.

“These poverty and income levels are concerning, as babies’ rapid brain development during their early years makes them particularly vulnerable to the material hardship and family stress that accompany poverty, with long-term consequences for later success in school and employment,” the report explained.

In 2022, the Black population was overrepresented in poverty. Approximately 40% of Black birthing people experienced poverty before giving birth and around the time of birth. These barriers to proper maternal healthcare and material resources are largely part rooted in systemic racism that affects wages and employment patterns and more.

“Black women have the highest labor force participation out of all females in the United States. Still, even so, there continue to be disparities in their pay, promotion, and general recognition,” The Mom Project reported.

As for Black moms who work outside the home, the labor force participation rate is highest among among white moms at 76%. But research makes clear that Black women and mothers disproportionately face risks associated with economic insecurity, including unstable housing, unsafe neighborhoods and a lack of resources. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of all Americans are projected to be people of color by 2044.

The Yearbook calls for policies to ensure a strong foundation in maternal health, infant and early childhood mental health, childcare, housing, and economic security.

Black women in the labor force

Black women carry a lot of economic responsibility. On average, Black moms work more hours in a year than their white counterparts. Despite the extra hours worked, the advanced degrees, and the evident dedication, the impact of Black women and moms is overlooked. Data shows that Black women earn less money, are underrepresented in leadership, and don’t feel valued at work. These circumstances have, in turn, proven detrimental to mental and maternal health, including the child’s well-being beginning prenatally.

Geography matters

The state where babies are born and spend their first years is an indicator of whether or not they have access to equitable resources are accessible. Low-income women and birthing people are overrepresented in counties considered “maternity care deserts.” In fact, nearly 25% of babies living in rural areas are more likely to experience poverty, with a staggering 13% living in deep poverty. In 2019, more than 25% of Black children were impoverished in 39 states and the District of Columbia. For instance, Black children are more likely than white children to reside in states where benefits from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families are at its lowest.

Maternal and infant health

The Black maternal health crisis is a pressing issue. People of color are more like to have interactions with health care providers that are “unsupportive” and “disempowering.” The Yearbook data revealed significant racial disparities in prenatal care and other indicators of maternal health such as preterm births and low birthweight. Data show that the lack of access to proper care resulted in approximately 14% of Black preterm births and 9% of Black people starting prenatal care late.

Entrepreneur Raises $1.2M In Funding To Launch New Platform For Black Women Founders

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 6, 2023

Entrepreneur Raises $1.2M In Funding To Launch New Platform For Black Women Founders

Makisha Boothe, Founder and CEO of Sistahbiz, proudly introduces “The Suite."

*Originally Reported by Blacknews

Nationwide — Makisha Boothe, Founder and CEO of Sistahbiz, proudly introduces “The Suite,” a groundbreaking web platform tailored exclusively for Black women entrepreneurs. In a remarkable collaboration, key sponsors and partners, including Impact Charitable, The New Community Transformation Fund, Gary Community Investments, Kenneth King Foundation, AJL Foundation, Dakota Foundation, Bold Legal, CEDS Finance, and The Colorado Trust, have collectively provided $1.2 million in funding to bring this transformative project to life.

Makisha founded Sistahbiz in 2018 and has since been on a mission to empower Black women business owners by offering essential resources, mentorship, training, technical assistance, access to capital, and a supportive sistahood network.

Her organization has conducted over 1,000 free business coaching calls and distributed over $1M in services and technical assistance for Black women founders. “The Suite” will help the organization scale its reach and continue to foster a vibrant community of Black women business leaders, closing racial equity gaps in entrepreneurship, and creating generational wealth through entrepreneurship.

“The Suite” boasts a wide array of features, including:

• Resource Library: Access to an extensive digital template library, providing invaluable resources for business planning and execution.

• Training and Coaching: Access to weekly group coaching, oﬃce hours, and business masterclasses and seminars led by industry experts and business coaches.

• Matchmaking: An algorithm connecting business mentors, mentees, and like-minded business besties to each other.

• Coworking and Workgroups: Participate in book studies and business challenges and collaborate with fellow Black women entrepreneurs in specialized workgroups focused on action planning and execution.

• A Directory of Vetted Service Providers: Connect to vetted marketing, operations, legal and accounting professionals.

The soft launch of “The Suite” took place on September 26, offering a select group of users an exclusive preview of its capabilities. The oﬃcial app release is scheduled for October 9, marking the moment when Black women founders from all walks of life can harness the power of this groundbreaking platform.

To be among the ﬁrst to check out”The Suite” and gain access to a 14-day free trial, Black women entrepreneurs are invited to https://app.sistah.biz

Makisha comments, “Join us in shaping the future of Black women’s entrepreneurship. Together, we will create lasting change, bridge racial equity disparities, and foster generational wealth.”

About Sistahbiz
Sistahbiz is a dynamic organization dedicated to the empowerment and success of Black women entrepreneurs. It provides an array of resources and support to enable Black women business owners to thrive and cultivate generational wealth through entrepreneurship. Its mission is to eliminate racial equity disparities in entrepreneurship by offering coaching, training, technical assistance, capital access, and a robust sistahood network. Learn more at www.sistah.biz/media

About the Founder
Makisha Boothe is Founder and Head Business Coach of Sistahbiz Global Network, a Denver, Colorado-based business accelerator for Black women entrepreneurs.

She has been honored by the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce with the Clara Brown Award, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce “Women in Business” Unsung Hero, and is a recipient of the U.S. Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Region and State of Colorado in 2007.

22-Year-Old Black Woman Awarded $2M In Scholarships Now Teaching Others How She Did It

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 6, 2023

22-Year-Old Black Woman Awarded $2M In Scholarships Now Teaching Others How She Did It

Gabriella Carter teaches others how to achieve financial success through scholarships and smart money management.

*Originally Reported by Blacknews

Nationwide — Meet Gabriella Carter, a 22-year-old woman from New York City who graduated debt-free from Princeton University and now teaches others how to achieve financial success through scholarships and smart money management.

Gabriella, who was born in Jamaica before moving to London and then Florida, has always had a strong foundation in financial literacy instilled by her parents. As a hardworking student-athlete in high school, she decided to apply for several scholarships.

“Once I figured out that there’s free money out there that other people could give to me because they believed in me and my dreams so that I could go to school for free, I jumped on it and applied to every opportunity that I saw,” she told CNBC.

Her determination paid off as she won 35 different scholarship awards totaling over $2 million, enough to graduate without debt from Princeton University in 2022. She even had over $100,000 left in her savings. But her success didn’t stop there.

While studying college, Gabriella shared her experiences on social media, realizing she could help others while also turning her expertise into a profitable endeavor. In 2020, she launched her brand called “Growing With Gabby” on both Instagram and TikTok where she earned $177,000 in 2022 and has expectations of reaching $300,000 in 2023.

Right after graduating from Princeton, she had a full-time job as a marketing analyst. Yet her side hustle was becoming increasingly lucrative. This year, she was able to quit her full-time job to focus on Growing With Gabby.

Now, Gabriella aims to be financially responsible, emphasizing saving and investing for the future. She maintains a frugal lifestyle, paying herself first and using discounts to make the most of her money. Her goal is to invest in real estate and retire early, without giving up on her creative pursuits, possibly even writing a book during early retirement.

“For me, abundance is having financial freedom,” she says. “That doesn’t mean I have to be a billionaire or the richest person, but it means that I don’t have to wake up and work every day or do something I don’t want to do for the sake of having enough money.”

The Baltimore Association Of Black Journalists To Host Multimedia Bootcamp This Month

by Lauren Nutall

November 6, 2023

The Baltimore Association Of Black Journalists To Host Multimedia Bootcamp This Month

On Nov. 10, the Baltimore Association of Black Journalists will host a multimedia bootcamp for aspiring journalists and media personalities.

The event will take place at Morgan State University’s School of Global Journalism and Communication from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open to all nearby college students. There will be three 90-minute workshops—photography/videography, digital content creation, on-air presentation—and a panel discussion featuring some of local journalism’s greatest voices.

Writing is not the same across all platforms. What is written for print is most likely not what a reporter would repeat during broadcast. That is why the BABJ is hosting an interactive storytelling workshop, which is designed to help students develop their writing skills as journalists through hands-on exercises.

The photography/videography workshop is designed to teach students how to use photographs and videos to enhance their storytelling, a key component of news reporting. At the workshop, students will learn to be versatile and adapt to different mediums by using digital cameras and smartphones for photography. For the videography portion, they will learn the essentials of creating a news package, including how to record b-roll and shoot videos from various angles.

In an age when everyone has has information available at their fingertips, people sometimes fail to differentiate between what’s real and what is not. The BABJ digital workshop will show students how to identify news and utilize social media to gather reliable information. It will also instruct participants on how to use social media for audience outreach.

Being a broadcast reporter requires a specific level of energy and cadence. The last workshop is a hands-on experience, where students will be taught how to showcase their personality on the small screen, learning the best practices to have on-air presence and how to build a demo reel for applications.

The panel discussion called “Stay Ready, So You Don’t Have to Get Ready,” in which local journalists will share their expertise and experiences in the field. Emmy-award winning reporter Stephon Dingle will moderate; WJZ Executive Producer Nicole Webb-McKnight will be featured as a panelist.

Students can register for the event here.

Roaring To Victory: Jackson State Tigers Take Home Hackathon Top Prize

by Ashlei Stevens

November 6, 2023

Roaring To Victory: Jackson State Tigers Take Home Hackathon Top Prize

Gift cards were also awarded to students who showed off their Hackathon experience of learning, collaboration and fun on social media, including winners from Spelman, Grambling State University, Rust College and Florida A&M University

The roar of the Jackson State University (JSU) Tigers could be heard loudly and proudly in Fort Worth, Texas, on Nov. 5 as JSU’s team TICODE took home the top prize—including 100,000 American Air (AA) Advantage miles—at the BLACK ENTERPRISE 8^th Annual BE Smart Hackathon, hosted by American Airlines.

A platform for students to showcase their technical skills and to be recruited for internships and full-time job opportunities at American Airlines in emerging tech, the BE Smart Hackathon brought together its largest gathering to date: 180 students selected to form 34 teams from 25 of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). During the 24-hour hack, American Airlines provided technical staff to mentor each team and guide them in preparing and delivering their presentations to the judging panel of American Airlines execs.

TICODE made a big comeback, competing last year but not placing within the top five finalists. This year, TICODE competed with returning team members Devin Brown, Khadari Johnson, and Khaylah Rose, joined by first-timers Brandon Newton and Mahlangu Nzunda. All are either junior or senior computer science or computer engineering majors who cited cohesive teamwork as a factor in their win, plus confidence in their coding abilities to create a real-world application called SOAR.

SOAR is a travel assistant app that would streamline the airport experience “from check-in to post-flight assistance, reducing queues, offering clarity and providing crucial support during unexpected circumstances,” according to TICODE’s presentation. In essence, customers should literally be able to “soar” with ease and convenience through their travel experience.

Rose, a JSU junior from Hollywood, Florida, says winning this year’s Hackathon puts her a major step closer to her career as a computer engineer.

“In a field that constantly changes, winning shows how flexible I can be when it comes to technology and innovation,” said Rose.

“This competition has literally challenged me on all aspects of the tech industry: from business to technology to creativity, winning has motivated me to learn exponentially.”

Second place this year went to Florida Memorial & Friends. This combined team included students from Hackathon newcomers Florida Memorial University of Miami Gardens, as well as one student each from Spelman College and Norfolk State University. They were awarded 75,000 AA Advantage miles each for their app, AASharp.

Coming in third place was the Sky Bison from Howard University, with their app Quickbook. They were awarded 50,000 AA Advantage miles and always kept the room’s energy high with their infamous “H-U” school chant.

Additionally, Southern University’s “The Coders” were selected as the Judge’s Choice. Their team, along with Morgan State University’s HaxLab, rounded out the top five finalists who presented a three-minute pitch before judges and the crowd of hundreds of HBCU students, tech leaders, and Black Enterprise staff. The judge’s pick for “Best Technical Solution” also went to JSU, while “Best Pitch” went to Morgan State’s HaxLab. Each team member won Beats Pro and iPads, respectively, courtesy of BE.

“It wasn’t just a Hackathon: there were resources, mentors, and professional engagements that reassured me that I belong in tech,” said Florida Memorial junior computer science major Jabulani Mzee.

“This is Florida Memorial’s first year, but it most certainly won’t be the last-–we had a blast.”

Gift cards were also awarded to students who showed off their Hackathon experience of learning, collaboration, and fun on social media, including winners from Spelman, Grambling State University, Rust College, and Florida A&M University. Follow highlights from the event by following BE on Instagram and using the hashtag #behackathon across social media platforms.