by Rafael Pena

October 30, 2023

Congressman Jamaal Bowman Pleads Guilty To Fire Alarm Incident

According to Axios, Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) has pleaded guilty to a local criminal charge after he triggered a fire alarm in a House office building last month. On Oct. 19, his office announced an agreement with the D.C. attorney general to drop the charges in three months in exchange for a formal apology and a $1,000 fine, provided Bowman adheres to the conditions of a three-month probation agreement.

According to the outlet, Rep. Jamaal Bowman expressed responsibility for the incident, stating, “I am responsible for activating a fire alarm. I will be paying the fine issued and look forward to these charges being ultimately dropped.” The Capitol Police had previously completed an investigation and sent the case to prosecutors for consideration.

The charge filed by the attorney general’s office in the D.C. Superior Court was one count of a false fire alarm, as per court documents, which can result in up to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine under the D.C. criminal code.

The D.C. attorney general’s office affirmed that Congressman Bowman was treated like any other individual violating the District of Columbia law. This incident, which took place in late September, led to an evacuation of the Cannon House Office Building as the House prepared to vote on a measure to fund the government through November.

Republicans accused Bowman of trying to delay the vote and initiated efforts to censure him, strip him of committee assignments, and potentially expel him, according to the outlet. Bowman defended his actions as an innocent mistake, explaining that he believed pulling the fire alarm would open a locked door while rushing to the vote.

According to the affidavit in the charging documents, a Capitol police officer who investigated the matter observed from security camera footage that Bowman had attempted to open the door before triggering the alarm. Subsequently, the footage showed Bowman trying to exit the building through various exits before making his way to the Capitol for the vote.

Bowman’s statement conveyed his gratitude to the United States Capitol Police General Counsel’s office for acknowledging that he did not obstruct or intend to obstruct any House vote or proceedings.

The D.C. U.S. Attorney’s office, which holds the authority to charge Bowman with obstruction, declined to comment on the matter. Bowman is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 29, at which point the charges are set to be dropped following the conclusion of his probationary period.

Office aid, 16 year old, Miami, Florida, high school

by Stacy Jackson

October 30, 2023

High School Office Aide Arrested For Alleged Advances Toward A Student

Vanessa Vigil, an office aide at Miami Killian Senior High School in Miami, was arrested for allegedly making advances toward a 16-year-old student during her time working at the school.

The former Miami-Dade employee was charged with offenses against a student by an authority figure and five counts of battery, an arrest report read according to NBC News.

The report stated Vigil “knowingly and intentionally used her position of employment to solicit and pursue a relationship romantic in nature with the victim.” The report also revealed the teen accused the 35-year-old former office aide of being “… very flirtatious with him by asking for his telephone number and calling him handsome,” the report said.

According to the outlet, school surveillance caught one of the office aide’s encounters with the student on camera, supporting the accusations.

The 16-year-old said the ex-employee allegedly touched him and told him she loved him. According to the report, Vigil touched the student on multiple occasions. There were five different times the office aide made contact with the student against his will, the report said. One of the encounters led to the teen having a panic attack.

The woman “knowingly and intentionally used her position of employment to solicit and pursue a relationship romantic in nature with the victim,” the report said.

The now former Miami Killian office aide reflected on the incident in a different manner than what was said by the student. When speaking with investigators, Vigil denied the version of events shared by the teen, saying he was the one who made the advances. She said the student was flirting with her and called her pretty.

Local 10 News reported that in one incident, Vigil allegedly caressed the victim’s face and told him, “I am in love with you.” The boy recalled a time he and the former office aide were in a “small and dark” room together. “You should get out of here before I do something I’m not supposed to do,” the woman told him.

Miami Dade County Public Schools released a statement to address the allegations. “Miami-Dade County Public Schools is deeply troubled by the disturbing allegations made against this former employee. M-DCPS cooperated with the authorities during the investigation of this former employee. This type of comportment will not be tolerated as it runs contrary to the professional conduct we expect from all employees,” the statement read.

On Oct. 19, Vigil told the outlet that the allegations were false.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 30, 2023

‘Grammy Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop’ To Air On CBS In December

Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, and Black Thought will take to the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, to tape "A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop" special.

An official Grammy celebration of 50 years of hip-hop will close out the year on CBS.

On November 8, hip-hop legends Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, and Black Thought will take to the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California to tape “A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop” special, Billboard reports.

The two-hour special will air Sunday, Dec. 10, and continue the “50 Years of Hip Hop” segment that was featured in the 65th annual Grammy Awards.

Renowned acts slated to hit the stage include Big Daddy Kane, Cypress Hill, DJ Quik, and Warren G. Other history makers on the lineup include Arrested Development, the first hip-hop group to win the Grammy for best new artist, and Three 6 Mafia, the first hip-hop act to perform a nominated song on the Academy Awards and win an Oscar for their Hustle & Flow theme song, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.”

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of Two One Five Entertainment and LL Cool J are executive producing the special that includes appearances from Bun B, Common, De La Soul, and Jermaine Dupri.

Questlove is adding to the curator role he took when organizing the acclaimed 15-minute Grammy segment.

“For five decades, hip-hop has not only been a defining force in music, but a major influence on our culture,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy said. “Its contributions to art, fashion, sport, politics, and society cannot be overstated.”

The special highlights how long hip-hop has come since D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince’s hit “Parents Just Don’t Understand” became the first hip-hop recording to win a Grammy for best rap performance. However, Will Smith, Jazzy Jeff, and other rap acts boycotted the Grammys in 1989 after learning the category would not be televised.

A year later, Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff became the first hip-hop act to perform on the Grammys.

“We’d like to dedicate this performance to all the rappers last year that stood with us and helped us to earn the right to be on this stage tonight,” Smith said at the start of the performance.

by Iman Milner

October 30, 2023

Family Of Man Who Died After Jumping From Yacht Files $50K Lawsuit

The family of 20-year-old Enoch Tong, who jumped off a chartered yacht and drowned in Florida Biscayne Bay, is suing the boat company for failing to warn Tong of any potential “swimming hazard that existed.”

The family is seeking $50,000 in damages for negligence, People reports.

A lawsuit names Impulsive Life LLC, its owner Darien Fresco, Starward Yachts Inc., and Jones Boat Yard Inc. as those responsible for Tong’s death in Miami-Dade County on March 19.

The claim details that Tong entered the water and “was caught in a rip tide and began to struggle to remain afloat,” and as a result, he “drowned and sustained severe injuries resulting in his death.”

The boat was anchored at the time when Tong jumped, Pedro Echarte, the family’s attorney, said. The family claims “neither the captain nor the mate aboard that vessel warned Enoch or any of the passengers” of potential danger in the water; they believe his death was preventable, Local 10 Miami reports.

Tong’s mother, Mattie Bess, hopes that their family’s story serves as a cautionary tale.

“Today I stand before you,” she said per PEOPLE, “with a heart burdened by grief as a mother who has tragically lost her beloved son during a devastating incident. I want to ensure that no other parent has to endure the pain and heartache my family is currently going through and will go through for the rest of our lives.”

The Tong family is accusing the defendants of a litany of additional offenses related to their negligence claims including “failing to reasonably and properly train, instruct, or supervise its employees, agents, contractors, masters, officers, crew members, or seamen”; “allowing unqualified and untrained employees, agents, contractors, masters, officers, crew members, or seamen to operate the Victoria”; failing to properly equip or use the available safety and lifesaving equipment aboard the Victoria”; “failing to implement reasonable and proper safety policies and procedures for its passengers (or failing to instruct its crew of the same)”; and “failing to warn its passengers of the risks of jumping in the water, especially during poor or deteriorating weather conditions.”

Ryan E. Bowen, Minority-Owned Stock Exchange, MLB, stock exchange

by Stacy Jackson

October 30, 2023

Former MLB Player Ryan Bowen Joins First Minority-Owned Stock Exchange As Ambassador

Former Major League Baseball player and entrepreneur Ryan E. Bowen joined Dream Exchange, the first minority company to operate a stock exchange, as an ambassador.

According to the founder and CEO of Dream Exchange, Joe Cecala, Bowen represents the company’s values and vision.

“Ryan Bowen’s dedication to making a difference and his entrepreneurial success perfectly align with our goals.”

The first-round pick by the Houston Astros in 1986 co-founded Swift Mobility, which provides custom wheelchairs and online medical equipment sales.

The managing member of Dream Exchange Capital Partners, LLC, Dwain Kyles, also weighed in on Bowen’s role as an ambassador.

“Dream Exchange was founded on the principles of equality and fairness, and we are proud to have individuals like Ryan Bowen who are committed to advancing our vision.”

Kyles, the son of Rev. Billy Kyles, a civil rights leader, believes that supporting minority businesses will help “create a brighter future for all.”

The former professional baseball player known for his 98 mph fastball shares the same sentiments about joining Dream Exchange.

Bowen shared, “I am honored to join Dream Exchange as an Ambassador and to be part of a groundbreaking initiative that prioritizes diversity and fairness in the financial world.” He also believes in the possibilities for the company, which is the first minority stock exchange formed to create opportunities for minorities. “The potential for the Dream Exchange to create economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs is immense. This is a transformative moment, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

According to the press release, Bowen also managed a portfolio of businesses that amounted to more than $30,000,000 when he worked at financial institutions, including Bank One, JPMorgan Chase, and Comerica Bank.

overfathering, the fatherless generation foundation, mentor, mentorship, father, reunite

by Kandiss Edwards

October 30, 2023

Black Woman Makes History Reuniting 8,400 Fatherless Kids With Their Biological Dads

*Originally Reported by Blacknews

Nationwide — Dr. Torri J. Evans-Barton, the Founder & CEO of The Fatherless Generation Foundation Inc. (TFGF), is celebrating having reunited 8,400 fatherless children with 3,281 biological fathers. She says that she believes fatherlessness creates an identity issue along with a slew of other emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual issues.

Dr. Torri J. herself grew up without her biological father finally reuniting with him when she was 31 years old. She comments, “Finding my biological father at 31 years old caused me to discover my identity and realize the significance of a father’s role in our lives. I believe, if possible, all human beings should have the same opportunity I was provided. By reuniting with my biological father I was positioned to heal from the trauma fatherlessness introduced!”

Her reunification with her father has been the catalyst and the blueprint for helping fatherless children do the same. Her pain of growing up fatherless and healing from that pain is what led her to launch her foundation and reunite fatherless children with their biological fathers.

“Fatherlessness is an indoctrination into trauma and dysfunctional behavior that is normalized within certain communities leaving children wanting a daddy so bad, but afraid to reunite with him,” says Dr. Torri J. Her foundation normalizes reunification, has a vision of Eradicating Fatherlessness Through Reunification, and helps its clients with a step-by-step action plan to getting the successful reunite the child within their desires.

To learn more about Dr. Torri J. and The Fatherless Generation Foundation Inc., visit the official website at TFGF.org

About the Fatherless Generation Foundation (TFGF)
TFGF reunites fatherless children with their biological fathers all while providing the resources and services that strengthen, support, and elevate a commitment to fatherhood and family values. Its Commitment to Fatherhood program is the helm of the organization working with fathers to re-engage and reunite them back into the lives of their children and fatherless children to help them find their identity.

TFGF also hosts Beyond Fatherless Peer Groups in Boys & Girls Clubs and Community Centers in 98 cities within 33 states across the country. It is headquartered in Atlanta with offices in

Washington, DC, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, and St. Louis. Now, TFGF has expanded this work into Africa. Zambia, South Africa, and Nigeria are now the new homes of TFGF.

About the Founder
Dr. Torri J. is the passionate CEO of The Fatherless Generation Foundation. She is a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Coach & Practitioner, Fatherless & Reunification Expert, State Certified Family Mediator, and a National Speaker on the positive influence reunification of fatherless children with their biological fathers has on all parties involved and how reunification ignites the healing necessary to reduce the impact negative stigmas associated with growing up fatherless are having on our society. She is also the author of 4 books, Daddy… Where Are You?, Why Should I Reunite with My Absent Father?, Momma Can You Hear Me?, and a children’s book Tokyo Finds His Daddy. For 5 years, she reunited fathers live on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show with her segment “Father’s Day.”

John, H, Johnson, Day, Publishing company, Chicago, Black Business

by Atiya Jordan

October 30, 2023

John H. Johnson’s Bronze Memorial Sculpture Unveiling Set For Nov. 1

On Nov. 1, the late founder, chairman, publisher and CEO of Johnson Publishing will have his legacy immortalized in his home state of Arkansas.

The unveiling of the John H. Johnson Memorial sculpture is a daylong celebration at the Arkansas State Parks Trailhead from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Artist Susan Holley Williams devoted nearly a year to the project. She and Johnson hail from the same county in Arkansas, Desha.

“Everything I’ve done in my creative life has prepared me for this moment: creating sculpture of the legendary John H. Johnson on behalf of the state of Arkansas. I am honored.” Williams shared via Instagram. She thanked the Walton Family Foundation and the state of Arkansas for their support and commission.

The commemorative statue will be a part of the 5th annual John H. Johnson Day in Arkansas City, where the media mogul was born.

“I tend to be cautiously optimistic, and I never get overconfident. I run scared every business day and use every legal means necessary to survive and grow,” business mogul John H. Johnson told BLACK ENTERPRISE 30 years ago.

In 1987, Johnson was named BE’s first Entrepreneur of the Decade, landed on BE 100s list, and was ranked No. 1 on BE’s list of 40 Business Titans Who Shaped the World.

“For six decades, Johnson made full use of his wealth and influence to shape American history, while using his publications—primarily Jet and his flagship, Ebony—to cover the battle for civil rights and chronicle every major event that depicted the trials and triumphs of African Americans,” BE reported.

At the event, the lineup of memorable moments will include discussions with Linda Johnson Rice, the daughter of Johnson, a musical petting zoo from Mississippi Valley State, and a presentation on the architecture and history of the John H. Johnson Museum.

Guests can experience a hands-on cooking demonstration with chef Jarita Frazier-King of Soul Food Natchez. She will bring the nostalgia of the “history and culture of Black food traditions during the 1900s when John H. Johnson was a child in Arkansas City,” according to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) blog.

John H. Johnson Awards will also be presented to U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis and coach Larry Clark for their humanitarian work, former Johnson Publishing Company photographer Roy Lewis in the category of media and journalism, and Mrs. Michele Ghee, former CEO of Ebony magazine, in the category of business and entrepreneurship.

All events and activities will be free and open to the public, except for food sold by food trucks.

Lil Wayne Now Owner And Advisor Of Pickleball Team

by Daniel Johnson

October 29, 2023

Lil Wayne Now Owner And Advisor Of Pickleball Team

Rap legend Lil Wayne is joining the growing list of celebrities who have invested in the ownership of Major League Pickleball, joining the Texas Ranchers.

As CNN reported, the rapper will serve as an advisor and have input on future jersey designs in addition to his role as part-owner.

He joins an ownership group consisting of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, former NFL player and current analyst Emmanuel Acho, singer/songwriter/rapper The Kid LAROI, and LA Clippers part owner and CEO of Verbena Road Holdings Dennis Wong.

The team released a press release clarifying Lil Wayne’s role as its advisor.

“In his role as strategic advisor, Lil Wayne will provide direction for the brand to help drive national and local fandom to the sport, further strengthening the Texas Ranchers position as America’s Pickleball Team,” the press release said. “He will also support creative ideation and the development of future apparel collaborations, and work with the team to build pickleball courts in underserved areas.”

Pickleball is a fast-growing, exciting sport, which the rapper first enjoyed watching before deciding to jump in as an owner of the Texas Ranchers. “Pickleball is the moment and I’m excited to be part of the Texas Ranchers ownership group,” Lil Wayne said in the release. “I’ve enjoyed watching and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join this team of owners.”

Lil Wayne also owns Young Money APAA Sports, a sports agency he founded with Adie von Gontard in 2016. According to the site, they were the first sports agency to have a female sports agent representing a top-5 NFL draft pick, as well as represent multiple WNBA athletes and women’s softball players.

To date, the agency claims to have negotiated $1 billion worth of contracts for its clients.

by Daniel Johnson

October 29, 2023

Diddy And Diageo Continue Their Court Battle

Rap mogul Sean Combs sued liquor conglomerate Diageo Oct. 27 in New York Supreme Court, adding another chapter in a contentious legal battle.

According to the Daily Beast, Combs claims he faced “unlawful retaliation by a powerful international corporation” after he sued the company for racial discrimination in May, alleging that the company did not promote brands Combs was associated with, Ciroc and DeLeon, compared to others.

In the new lawsuit, Combs claims Diageo has blackballed him from the liquor and spirits industry. “Diageo has instructed distributors and retailers of DeLeón not to talk to Mr. Combs about his own brand. Diageo, with its massive power in the industry, is doing everything it can to send a message, not only to Mr. Combs but to others like him: Speak up and you will be punished.”

Robert T. Chin, head of Spirits at Combs Wines and Spirits, claimed in an affidavit that, “Diageo representatives began canceling meetings and failing to timely respond to communications written by Combs Wines’ representatives, which was out of the norm.”

Chin added, “And, for the first time, Diageo took the position that Mr. Combs was not allowed to attend meetings with Diageo about DeLeón.”

“This is yet another attempt by Mr. Combs to extract funds from Diageo after the organization has invested tens of millions of dollars in the marketing and development of DeLeón, in contrast to Mr. Combs’ total investment of $1,000,” Diageo said in a statement to the Daily Beast. “We are disappointed that Mr. Combs continues to damage the DeLeón brand while attempting to litigate a business dispute resulting from his own inability to effectively collaborate and sufficiently contribute. These allegations are completely without merit, and we will defend against them.”

Combs has been accused by Diageo of threatening the lawsuit to get Diageo to pay him $100 million or he would take his claims of racial discrimination public. When Combs brought his suit, the liquor conglomerate dissolved their relationship in response.

Diageo initially wanted to address these issues via an arbitrator as contractually stipulated, but Combs fought to have the case tried.

In September, the spirits conglomerate responded via a court filing that it “disproportionately supported and grown the DeLeón brand despite Combs Parties’ repeated failures to live up to their own commitments.”

GM Lone Holdout as Ford, Stellantis Set To Ratify Historic UAW Contract

by Daniel Johnson

October 29, 2023

GM Lone Holdout as Ford, Stellantis Set To Ratify Historic UAW Contract

After the United Auto Workers secured tentative deals with Ford and Stellantis, the lone holdout remains General Motors (GM), which has been the most resistant to negotiating with the union since strikes began in September.

According to the Associated Press, GM balked at the union’s choice to walk out of its Spring Hill plant, saying that the company thought it was on a path toward a deal because they had been negotiating in good faith.

Spring Hill is the biggest manufacturing plant that GM controls in the United States, employing over 4,000 workers and containing 11 million square feet of space.

The Ford Motor Company and Stellantis deals both run through April 30, 2028, and represent significant gains for the union workforce. Under the deal, workers get a 25% raise in base pay over the next four and a half years, with an 11% raise coming when they ratify the deal, a cost-of-living adjusted raise that actually raises the value by 33%, bringing the total that a top assembly line worker will make to $42 an hour.

We have a tentative agreement at Stellantis. #StandUpUAW pic.twitter.com/NsVL6w77WN
— UAW (@UAW) October 28, 2023

Record profits mean record contracts. We have a tentative agreement at Ford. #StandUpUAW pic.twitter.com/Z00T5CfQJN
— UAW (@UAW) October 26, 2023

UAW President Shawn Fain was excited about the deal, alerting workers to his excitement over keeping a facility at Belvidere, Illinois open.

“We’ve done the impossible,” Fain told workers in a call. “We have moved mountains. We have reopened an assembly plant that was closed. We’re bringing back both combustion vehicles and electric vehicle jobs to Belvidere.” According to UAW Vice President Rich Boyer, the leader of discussions with Stellantis, the deal represents about $19 billion in additional value for its workers.

Union members, like Bruce Baumhower, the president of the local union at a Toledo, Ohio plant, have signaled their desire to ratify the Stellantis deal.

Baumhower told the Associated Press, “Eleven percent is right on the hood. It’s a historic agreement as far as I’m concerned.”

He also reacted to criticism of Fain and the UAW ceding some ground in negotiations. “Anybody who knows anything about negotiations, you always start out much higher than you think is realistic to get.”

As with the Ford deal, which UAW used as a template for the Stellantis negotiations, workers who have pension plans will get a slight bump upon retirement, and those who opened up a 401 (k) post-2007 will see a large boost. Additionally, temporary workers, who had been making some of the lowest salaries at the plant will see a significant increase in their wages.

Workers are eager to return to work, as some of them had to dip into their savings accounts to help them survive while they were furloughed by Ford and Stellantis.