jail, doc, investigation, Kristin Clarke
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 2, 2023

US Justice Department To Probe Conditions At South Carolina Jails

Originally Reported by Reuters

WASHINGTON, Nov 2 (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday initiated civil rights investigations into two local South Carolina jails, including one facility where a man died after being tased and pepper sprayed in his cell, a top department official said.

The probe will examine whether there are systemic civil rights violations at the two jails and focus on issues such as access to medical and mental healthcare, use of force by jail staff and whether incarcerated people are protected from violence, said Kristen Clarke, the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“People confined in local jails across our country do not abandon their civil and constitutional rights at the jailhouse door,” Clarke said during a virtual press conference.

Local officials overseeing both jails said they welcomed the investigations and have been working to improve conditions in both facilities.

The investigation comes after the high-profile death of an inmate at one of the jails under investigation, the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston, South Carolina, in 2021.

Jamal Sutherland died after jail staff repeatedly tased and pepper sprayed him when he refused to leave his cell to attend a bond hearing.

The death of Sutherland, who was Black and reportedly said “I can’t breathe” during the encounter, drew comparisons to the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The Justice Department said last year it would not bring charges against two former officers involved in Sutherland’s death.

Clarke said on Thursday that there have been eight deaths in the same jail since 2022, including a man who died after being denied access to prescribed psychiatric medications.

Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano, whose office oversees the jail, said in a statement the facility was going “above and beyond our call of duty to provide assistance on mental health concerns.”

The other jail under investigation, the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia, South Carolina, has seen at least six inmate deaths since February 2022.

Clarke said local officials in South Carolina have pledged to cooperate with the investigations. If the probes reveal a pattern of constitutional violations, Clarke said the Justice Department would negotiate with jail officials on proposed reforms.

RELATED CONTENT: Young Black Inmates Allegedly Suffering Inhumane Conditions, Scorching Heat At Louisiana Prison

Breast Cancer, diagnosed, diagnosis, before, expecting, after, living with breast cancer, women, breast cancer awareness week, Breast Cancer Awareness
by Kandiss Edwards

November 2, 2023

These Organizations Help Before, During And After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Surviving breast cancer does not mean that the journey is over.

Every October the nation’s attention turns toward breast cancer awareness. A lot of messaging during this month of awareness seems to focus on a push for a cure not necessarily the push for survival. The ask for donations increases and a heightened visibility around breast cancer can be seen via social media. People adorn their attire with pink accouterments, and many survivors are given a platform to tell their stories.

Sharing resources is another level of breast cancer awareness to consider for those at risk for the disease and those coping post-diagnosis. BLACK ENTERPRISE has sourced a number of organizations that are helpful and committed to tackling the challenges Black women face when dealing with the disease.

Before Diagnosis

The hope is that you and your loved ones never have to battle with breast cancer. For many that will be the case. Before we know whether or not we need to pick up our spiritual and mental armor we need to know our diagnosis. That’s where pre-screening measures like self-exams and mammograms come into play. 

 Breastcancer.org cites the average cost for services surrounding prescreening is “$1,186.02 for deductible plans.” With inflation kicking Black Americans in the wallet these costs are far from pocket change.

To help with the exorbitant costs Many states have tools, like this one by the Georgia Department Of Health, in place to help with early breast cancer screening and mammograms.

Donate to support free resources and programming for people affected by breast cancer., prescreening is vital.

Diagnosed While Expecting

If you are an expectant parent and receive a breast cancer diagnosis your concern doubles. Not only do you need to consider your health, but you must also consider the health of your unborn child. Navigating the complexities of pregnancy and treatment can be daunting. National Cancer Institute says, “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in pregnant and postpartum women and occurs in about 1 in 3,000 pregnant women.” Their website offers a guide to give pregnant women an idea of what to expect when expecting in conjunction with a breast cancer diagnosis.

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Funding After Diagnosis 

Once diagnosed the need to strategize, research and act takes precedence. Trips to the doctor will become the norm. The choice to prioritize your bills as opposed to your health can be tempting. Organizations like The Keep A Breast Foundation recognize the financial struggle that can arise as a result of a breast cancer diagnosis. The Keep A Breast Foundation not only raises funds for research, it also helps support Black women living with breast cancer.

Limited Treatment Options

Sometimes chemotherapy, mastectomies, and radiation are not viable treatments for breast cancer. According to Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, 15% of all breast cancers diagnosed are (TNBC) Triple Negative Breast Cancer. TNBC is resistant to conventional chemotherapy and is closely associated with relapse progression to stage 4.  When the standard treatments for breast cancer are not viable, clinical trials offer hope. Organizations like When We Trial offer education surrounding clinical trials. They also help connect Black women with organizations conducting clinical trials and testimonies from survivors.

Living Beyond Diagnosis

Surviving breast cancer does not mean that the journey is over. Dealing with the toll of such a physically taxing disease can be daunting. Survivors still endure regular check-ups, residual pain, neuropathy, post-op care, and a host of other things in the name of survival. Finding a community can be a way to help fill information gaps and engage with a community that understands the cost of survival. Living Beyond Breast Cancer is an organization dedicated to creating a community for those who are blessed and sometimes burdened with survival.

RELATED CONTENT: Breast Cancer Survivor Lauren Tarpley Delivers Hard Truths About Surviving The Disease

James Smith, fbi, Eric adams, Brianna, Suggs
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 2, 2023

FBI Searches Home Of New York Mayor’s Chief Campaign Fundraiser

Originally Reported by Reuters

NEW YORK, Nov 2 (Reuters) – FBI agents searched the home of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ chief election campaign fundraiser, Brianna Suggs, on Thursday, and she was questioned by public corruption investigators, city officials and local media reported.

Adams, a Democrat, had traveled to Washington on Thursday for meetings with U.S. government officials about the city’s shelter crisis for asylum seekers and other recently arrived migrants, but abruptly canceled those meetings to return to New York.

“The mayor heard of an issue related to the campaign, and takes these issues seriously, so wanted to get back to New York as quickly as possible,” Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for the mayor, wrote in an email.

Suggs has worked for Adams since 2017, starting as an intern in his office when he was the Brooklyn borough president, according to her profile on the LinkedIn social media network.

She managed the raising of $18.4 million for Adams’ successful mayor election campaign in 2021, and has overseen the amassing of more than $2.7 million in contributions for his 2025 reelection campaign, according to campaign finance disclosures.

Suggs could not be reached for comment. Spokespeople for the FBI did not respond to requests for comment.

Asked about the search, a spokesperson for Adams’ election campaign shared a statement from campaign counsel Vito Pitta: “Mayor Adams has not been contacted as part of this inquiry. He has always held the campaign to the highest standards.”

An FBI spokesperson confirmed to the New York Times that it was carrying out a “law enforcement action” at Suggs’ home in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood, the paper reported. The Times, citing an unnamed person with knowledge of the raid, said Suggs was questioned by agents from one of the FBI’s public corruption squads.

RELATED CONTENT: Charlamagne Tha God Checks NYC Mayor Eric Adams For Partying During The Migrant Crisis

Young Thug YSL Trial Secures Jury Selection After 10 Months
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 2, 2023

Young Thug YSL Trial Secures Jury Selection After 10 Months

The Young Thug YSL trial is finally set to begin now that after more than 10 months a jury has been selected.

The Young Thug YSL trial is finally set to begin now that after more than 10 months a jury has been selected.

In what’s become the longest jury selection in Georgia judicial history, rapper Young Thug, real name Jeffery “Young Thug” Williams, is finally headed to trial, Rolling Stone reports. Nine women and three men were selected to determine if Williams is guilty of orchestrating the 2015 drive-by murder of Donovan “Peanut” Thomas.

The “Lifestyle” rapper is facing RICO charges in connection with allegedly leading Atlanta’s YSL gang in a war against rival gangs that left multiple people wounded or dead. 28 people were included in the original indictment, including Sergio “Gunna” Kitchens, with only seven remaining in the case.

Gunna and Williams’ brother Quantavious “Unfoonk” Grier accepted plea deals and received lengthy probation sentences instead of staying in jail. Meanwhile, Thug has been incarcerated in Cobb County jail since May 2022 awaiting trial that will determine his fate.

The trial is now scheduled to begin on November 27, the Monday after Thanksgiving. Jurors were instructed on how to get into and out of the courtroom without interacting with the public and are being prevented from posting anything related to the trial on social media, as it would lead to a mistrial in what’s already become the longest-running criminal case in Georgia history.

“You’re going to tell on yourselves, or somebody is going to tell on you,” Judge Ural Glanville said. “We’ve taken a long time – 10 months – to assemble a jury that is fair, just and lawful. Be mindful of the admonitions of this court.”

It remains unclear if Thug’s rap lyrics will be used against him during the trial. In June, he spoke on this from a prerecorded phone call that was played at Hot 97’s Summer Jam, Vulture reports.

“I always use my music as a form of artistic expression, and I see now that Black artists and rappers don’t have that freedom,” he said. “Everybody please sign the Protect Black Art petition and keep praying for us. I love you all.”

RELATED CONTENT: Young Thug’s Father Questions Why Trump Got Bond For RICO Charges But Not His Son

Taraji P. Henson, AARP
by Stacy Jackson

November 2, 2023

Taraji P. Henson Says Launching Haircare Line Was ‘Out Of My Own Necessity’

The “Hidden Figures” star opened up about her personal hair journey that led to the 2020 launch of her vegan haircare line, TPH by Taraji.

Oscar-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson never imagined that running a haircare line would be part of her story.

The “Hidden Figures” star opened up about her personal hair journey that led to the 2020 launch of her vegan haircare line, TPH by Taraji. “I’ll just never forget when I had to do my own hair for the first time,” Henson told LA Times. “I was in the mirror and I was crying. I had the brush and the comb stuck in my hair.” Henson recalled a moment when she had to get her hair done on set of the 2001 film, “Baby Boy.” She was embarrassed for the stylist to see her roots because her relaxed hair at the time was due for a touch-up.

It wasn’t until she had a positive experience at a salon owned by another Hollywood stylist, that she began to fall in love with her natural hair. Henson went natural at the age of 30. Finding a product that would clean her scalp while wearing her protective styles was a challenge that inspired the actress to create her own scalp-care concoction. “I understood very young that your scalp is your foundation,” Henson said. “It needs to be healthy in order for your hair to grow. But now I have this weave and all of this, how do I clean my scalp? So that was a real problem for me that I had to find a solution to, but I never saw myself starting a haircare line. It was literally out of my own necessity.”

The entrepreneur was able to test her concoction during a vacation with a friend. Henson’s friend and her daughter were irritated by itchy scalps under their weaves and were relieved after trying the product. Henson’s creation was the blueprint for TPH’s master cleanse scalp wash.

Henson is impressed by the amount of Black women who have broken into the haircare market with their brands like Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross, Sienna Naturals by Issa Rae and Hannah Diop, Flawless by Gabrielle Union and 4U by Tia Mowry.

“No one cared about our hair but us and now, all of a sudden, you got all these big brands, now they got natural [hair] commercials.”

She said it shows the “deep economic power we’re proving that we have as Black women.”

TPH by Taraji offers a range of products made to improve scalp health and all hair textures. The line features shampoos, scalp masks and curl creams made without parabens or sulfates. The latest launch includes hair strengthening products made with biotin and Jamaican castor oil. Henson also launched a collection of products that uses apple cider vinegar remove build-up that can occur from wearing protective styles. TPH products are available at Walmart, Sally Beauty, Target, CVS and Walgreens.

RELATED CONTENT: Taraji P. Henson Launches Mental Health Initiative For Women At Hampton University

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 2, 2023

Gabrielle Union Recalls The ‘Big Job’ She Lost To A ‘Prettier’ Actress

Gabrielle Union is reflecting back on a “big” role she ended up losing to a “prettier” actress.

The “Being Mary Jane” was speaking with Netflix’s Strong Black Lead on Sunday, Oct. 29, and recalled a time when her appearance held her back from securing an acting gig.

“Years ago, I was up for a big job. And after numerous callbacks, and studio tests, it was down to just the two of us,” she recalled.

“I was told I didn’t get the part because ‘She’s just prettier than you.’ For someone who had low self-esteem, it just felt like there was no place for me, for my kind of Blackness.”

The veteran actress who has starred in films like “Bring It On,” “Deliver Us From Eva,” and “Bad Boys 2” credits the gutwrenching moment with impacting her confidence in the acting world.

“It pretty much killed that confident pep in my step, and I was equating my looks to my ability to do the job,” Union shared.

Now looking back at the experience, Union, 52, is happy she didn’t get the part, which would’ve forced her to work in a toxic environment.

“I recognize that if I had gotten that job and I was around people like that, my soul would be worn down. I only want to be in spaces where I’m wanted,” she said.

“When someone shows you, by how they negotiate, what they think your real value is, that opening number, you have to take that as a sign. Because in their perfect world, you would accept that low number. And as you then have to negotiate your value, it reveals a lot about the experience that you’re about to embark on.”

Fans who watched the clip wondered who the “prettier” actress was that Union was referring to. One viewer offered their assumption that it was Kerry Washington who beat out Union for the Shonda Rhimes hit “Scandal.”

“The role was Olivia Pope in “Scandal”. It came down to her and Kerry Washington. They are both beautiful women. I think the role fit Kerry better, then Gabrielle got “Being Mary Jane”, which suited her better as well. What’s meant for you will be for you,” they wrote.

RELATED CONTENT: Kaavia James Wishes Mom Gabrielle Union A ‘Loud’ Happy Birthday
Lil Nas X Called Out For Wearing ‘Misogynistic’ Costume
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 2, 2023

Lil Nas X Called Out For Wearing ‘Misogynistic’ Costume

Lil Nas X has made a bloody mess out of his Halloween look. The artist debuted as a bloody tampon for the holiday, complete with the women’s sexual organ to finish the costume.

Upon showcasing the controversial outfit, Lil Nas X was swiftly criticized for the “misogynistic” display, as reported by the Daily Mail. Naysayers believed the “Old Town Road” singer was poking fun at menstruation, in which a lot of women, and those who menstruate but do not abide by the gender binary, suffer from pain due to it.

“It’s personal. Leave women and their feminine biological processes alone,” shared one Instagram user under his video of the costume. “Shoot jokes about masculinity and men’s affairs. Women have earned the right to confidentiality of their biological processes.”

Lil Nas X, however, has clapped back at those who hold issue with his outfit of choice, telling his nearly 8 million followers on X that they should not “pretend to be mad” to cause an uproar over it. In his mind, the rapper would prefer the press to accompany a new music release.

“I be silent for nearly 2 years y’all are not finna pretend to be mad about a tampon costume,” shared the 24-year-old. “Let me at least get new music out first.”

However, controversy is not new to the provocative entertainer. His 2 years of silence came after the rapper was previously in hot water over his depiction of hell in his 2021 music video for “Montero.” Despite the backlash, the Grammy winner kept on with the Hell imagery in a fake Nike release of the “Satan Shoes” in a collaboration with Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF, as reported by CNN.

While his tribute to the underworld has calmed over the years, it clear that Lil Nas X will never let the haters stop him from doing as he pleases.

RELATED CONTENT: Gender Non-Conforming Entrepreneur Gunned Down In Recent String Of Chicago Homicides

Brooklyn Bodega, new york city, Sanyia, Samyia Spain
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 2, 2023

Brooklyn Woman Whose Husband And Son Were Fatally Shot By Neighbor Speaks Out After Shooter’s Death-By-Cop

The grieving wife and mother who lost her husband and son to a disgruntled neighbor is speaking out after the shooter was fatally shot by police.

Marie Delille, the widow of Bladimy Mathurin, 47, and mother of Chinwai Mode, 27, is still shattered after the tragic shooting of her husband and son on Sunday, Oct. 29. While the shooter, Jason Pass, 47, was killed during a stand-off with police on Wednesday, Nov. 1, Delille tells Daily Mail his death “is not going to bring back” her loved ones.

In the wake of the shooting, Delille’s family is focused on relocating her family out of the apartment building where he husband and son were killed execution style.

“Our priority is the family’s safety; we’re working on relocating them at the moment,” Mathurin’s sister, Tiesha Christian, said. “I’m still heartbroken. There are a lot of moving parts, it’s been 48 hours and we just want to make sure the family is safe.”

Surveillance footage shows Pass fatally shooting Mathurin and Mode outside their apartment inside the Flatbush Gardens apartment building they all lived in. The family reportedly had issues with Pass since moving into their fourth-floor unit four years ago.

Things came to a head on Sunday night when Pass complained about the family making noise above his apartment. Mathurin confronted Pass with a pair of scissors and started to walk away when Pass brandished a gun. But while walking away, Pass started firing shots killing Mathurin and Mode in the process.

After killing Mathurin and his stepson, Pass can be seen calmly walking to the elevator to flee the scene. Cops caught up with him on Wednesday, on a Bath Beach, Brooklyn, street.

Pass “was stopped in his vehicle and lunged at police with a knife,” a source said. He was shot “once in the leg, twice in the chest and in the jaw,” after he exited his vehicle and attempted to run from police. Pass was taken to the hospital in a critical condition and later died from his injuries.

Delille says her family was tormented by Pass for four years. New York’s 311 cites six calls Pass made about the family. The grieving widow and mother said Mathurin had no weapon when he confronted Pass and doesn’t understand why he retaliated with a gun.

“My husband had no gun, no weapon. Why did you bring a gun to shoot my family? Why would you bring a gun to tear my family apart? Why? Why?,” she asked. “I need justice to be served.”

RELATED CONTENT: Survivor of Maine Mass Shooting Hid In Bowling Lane

Charlamagne Tha God Checks NYC Mayor Eric Adams For Partying During The Migrant Crisis
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 2, 2023

Charlamagne Tha God Checks NYC Mayor Eric Adams For Partying During The Migrant Crisis

Charlamagne Tha God is calling out New York City Mayor Eric Adams for having time to party while swarms of migrants flood the busy and cold streets of the Big Apple.

The radio personality was serving as guest host on “The Daily Show” on Wednesday, Nov. 1 when he took aim at Eric Adams amid the mounting migrant crisis plaguing NYC. Floods of migrants continue to arrive in New York from the US-Mexico border and Charlamagne thinks Adams is taking a progressive approach “in theory” to combat the issue.

“Every week, thousands are arriving in the city, and now, Mayor Eric Adams is taking a break from the club to figure out what to do with them,” Charlamagne quipped.

A news brief highlighted Adams’ attempt to ask the public for “ideas” on how to handle the growing migrant crisis as floods of undocumented immigrants fill the streets, hotels, and shelters of NYC. But Charlamagne is blasting Mayor Adams for asking for suggestions for a job he was elected to do.

“If you have good ideas for us on how to manage the situation, I am begging for your ideas,” Adams says in the clip.

But Charlamagne wasn’t having it

“No, no. Our ideas? That’s not how this works! Our idea was to elect you to handle this! Imagine a doctor asking, hmm, ‘What do you think your kidneys need?’” he joked.

Officials have been offering one-way plane tickets to migrants as they say NYC doesn’t have enough space for the growing number of migrants flocking to the city, Fox News reports. It’s a far cry from Adams’ previous criticism of Texas for how the state handled their migrant crisis.

“What bugs me is, Eric Adams was very progressive on immigration when it wasn’t a problem in New York. When it was only Texas dealing with it, he was like, ‘we need to open our hearts to the migrants.’ Now that they are coming to New York, he’s like, ‘Build the wall,’” Charlamagne said.

“What it all comes down to is, a lot of people are progressive in theory until they get tested. Half the people who want to abolish the police, the moment they get robbed, they are calling 911, like, ‘Send me your most racist cop.'”

In September, Adams blamed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for bussing migrants out of Texas into New York City saying the migrant crisis would “destroy” the city. In July, posters were placed around the city discouraging migrants from seeking asylum in the city claiming “there is no guarantee we will be able to provide shelter and services to new arrivals” and “Housing in NYC is very expensive.”

RELATED CONTENT: Eric Adams Accuses Democratic Socialists Of Carrying Swastikas, Calling For Jewish Extermination

Chicago Bulls Star Andre Drummond Shares His Sense of Scents With New Business Venture
by Rafael Pena

November 2, 2023

Chicago Bulls Star Andre Drummond Shares His Sense of Scents With New Business Venture

Andre Drummond's love for fragrance extends beyond the basketball court, making him a player in the world of colognes that demands attention – not just for his game but also for the unique scents he brings to the table.

Known for his commanding presence on the basketball court, Chicago Bulls player Andre Drummond is making a name for himself in another arena – the world of fragrances. The NBA star is more than just a casual collector; he’s a connoisseur with a passion for fine scents and a unique approach to using them. In an Oct. 31 report by PEOPLE, Drummond opens up about his love for fragrances and his partnership with Scentbird to curate a collection of his favorite colognes for consumers.

“I really believe in that moment of walking by somebody and having them say, ‘Wow, you smell really good.’ It’s a scent memory any time anyone sees me because I smelled good. I want people to remember me,” Drummond shares, emphasizing the lasting impact of a great fragrance.

For his “Pro Picks” collection, Andre Drummond selected fragrances that resonate with him in his daily life, including brands like Versace and Chris Collins. Notably, Versace holds a special place in his heart, as he wore it during the 2012 NBA draft when he was selected by the Detroit Pistons. The scent is tied to that pivotal moment in his career, and he still wears it to evoke that memory.

Drummond is unapologetically devoted to smelling good, donning cologne for every occasion, be it practice, games, a night out, running errands, or anything in between. In fact, he’s so dedicated to his olfactory quest that he’s been known to experiment with mixing colognes to craft his unique, signature scent.

“I’ve got a good system of what works together and what doesn’t,” Drummond says, acknowledging that finding the perfect combination wasn’t without its trials and errors. Currently, he’s favoring a blend of Chris Collins African Rooibos and Versace Bright Crystal, creating a “sweet, clean scent” that endures throughout the day.

However, in his quest for the perfect fragrance mix, Drummond has also had his share of mishaps, leading to unpleasant concoctions. In those moments, he doesn’t hesitate to hit the shower to wash off the undesirable scents.

Andre Drummond’s love for fragrance extends beyond the basketball court, making him a player in the world of colognes that demands attention – not just for his game but also for the unique scents he brings to the table.

RELATED CONTENT: Beyoncé Announces New Perfume Launch For Pre-order

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