Nationwide — Wade Institute of Technology (WIT), an experiential Silicon Valley-based college for students of African descent pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, announced its open enrollment application period for a tuition-free master’s in engineering management.
he program integrates engineering courses with human-centered classes in leadership and management concepts. The goal is to prepare graduates for broad-based management and leadership roles in technology.
One of the hallmarks of the program is its ability to meet incoming students where they are. The coursework is adaptable to accommodate students who have STEM undergraduate degrees as well as those with bachelor’s degrees in liberal arts disciplines.
“The low representation of African Americans and students of African descent in the STEM ecosystem is appalling,” said WIT Executive Director Booker T. Wade, Jr. “With free tuition and our innovative, project-based approach we intend to prepare our students to not only meet the current demand for multidisciplinary professionals in the field of engineering, but to do so without the crippling debt that sidetracks so many Black graduates from pursuing their dreams.”
e program will include elements from aeronautics and astronautics; material sciences; leadership principles; project management; and biomedical, computer, electrical, mechanical, systems, civil, and environmental engineering. Student project opportunities include aviation training and earning a private pilot’s license, monitoring and testing watersheds, and exploring internships with NASA.
In addition to free tuition, free housing will be available for the first 10 students who enroll. Space is limited and interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Department Of Justice Starts Investigation Into NBA For Alleged Antitrust Violations Against Ice Cube’s BIG3
Former N.W.A. member, Ice Cube has been beefing with the NBA (National Basketball Association) for years by stating that the league is anti-BIG3. Now, reportedly, the United States Department of Justice is taking a look into the allegations that Cube has lodged against the NBA.
According to TMZ, the government agency launched an inquiry into the allegations several months ago to see if the NBA is engaging in anticompetitive behavior towards the league that O’Shea Jackson, AKA Ice Cube started with Jeff Kwatinetz.
It’s being reported that some current NBA players want to play in the BIG3 but are not being allowed by the NBA, although they can play in other leagues not associated with the NBA like the Drew League in California.
The DOJ is investing the NBA for alleged “anticompetitive behavior” targeted at the BIG3, per TMZ.
“Some current players have expressed a desire to play in [the BIG3] in the offseason… as the Big3 sees it, the NBA has prevented guys from doing so.” pic.twitter.com/fM6f4l8o5e
The league is made up of mostly retired NBA players.
Cube has also alleged that the NBA has discouraged potential sponsors and broadcast networks from getting in bed with them. They believe that the NBA unfairly targets his league and that NBA owners have been discouraged from making investments in the BIG3.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass has spoken about the league being supportive of Cube’s league but denies the allegations of them interfering with potential sponsors and preventing television networks from working with the BIG3.
He told TMZ, “Those claims are not true.”
“We have been supportive of the Big3 since its inception, but we declined to invest.”
A source has also revealed that Cube and Kwatinetz have already spoken to the Department of Justice earlier this year about the NBA’s alleged actions against the BIG3. They also informed the media outlet that the DOJ has already reached out to several NBA owners about this.
Throughout his playing and coaching career Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has shown his charismatic. So, Saturday Night Live mainstay Kenan Thompson had plenty of material to capture to portray the energetic football coach in a recent skit.
And, yes, Sanders gave actor a good grade for his performance.
Thompson appeared wearing a white Colorado hoodie and baseball cap and mimicking Sanders while being questioned by fellow SNL player Colin Jost. They also included a clip of when Sanders performed on the show during his football-playing career when he released the record, “Must Be the Money.” The song sampled Secret Weapon’s hit single, “Must Be the Music,” and was released in 1994 on MC Hammer’s label, Bust It Records.
“It was good,” Sanders said, according to the Associated Press. But not quite good enough: Sanders noted his son Shilo does a better impersonation.
“I’m a fan of Kenan, let’s get that straight,” Coach Prime said at his weekly press conference. “I love him. I love what he’s brought to comedy, over what? It gotta be over a couple of decades now, it seems as though,” said Sanders, who noted that he loved hosting SNL in 1995, fresh off his Super Bowl season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Thompson, who first came to attention in the mid-90s as a cast member on Nickelodeon’s skit show, All That, has been a SNL cast member since 2003. Check out his Coach Prime below:
Although the Buffaloes have a winning record of 4-3, its record n PAC-12 (Pacific-12 Conference) play is only 1-3. Despite the so-so record, the team has already surpassed expectations—and last season’s record. Last year, the Buffaloes only recorded one victory against 11 losses and sported a 1-8 record in conference play.
The now-unranked Buffaloes will next face the No. 23 UCLA Bruins which is 5-2.
Che Flores Becomes NBA’s First Openly Non-binary Trans Referee
Che Flores is the NBA’s first openly non-binary trans official. Flores, who has been officiating full-time in the league since 2022, revealed their identity to colleagues during preseason meetings in September.
Flores told GQ it was essential to openly represent because of the impact it could have on others.
“One piece I was missing for myself was that no one knew how I identified,” the basketball expert explained. “Being misgendered as she/her always just felt like a little jab in the gut. I can go through the world and even my job a lot more comfortably. I just think of having younger queer kids look at somebody who’s on a high-profile stage and not using it. And I’m not using the league to an advantage in any way. This is just to let young kids know that we can exist. We can be successful in all different ways.”
Flores is the first non-binary trans official in any major American professional sport.
They started refereeing high school games at their father’s request following graduation from Cal State Northridge. At first, Flores balked at being a referee but decided to try it.
Flores told GQ, “Once I was on the court, I fell in love with it.”
Eventually they would make their way to the Wubble (the bubble for WNBA players at IMG Academy in Florida), where they made connections that got them into summer referee camps. Flores shared their impression of the camps with GQ: “We would come in, and then every referee would assess every other referee, and we would all decide collectively who would move on and who would literally get voted off the island. It was like ‘Survivor’ with referees.”
Flores flourished in the Wubble, mastering several sets of rules in one calendar year, which veteran referee Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling described to the magazine, saying, “I mean, our [NBA] rule book is 70 pages long, and it’s written by lawyers. It’s not easy reading. You take that combined with the NCAA women’s rules, which are different also than NCAA men’s rules, which are different [from the G League’s and WNBA’s rules]—being able to do all of that within one calendar year just really speaks to [Che’s] intelligence and mental nimbleness.”
The league will also look to Flores as the standard-bearer for the NBA and how they address any security concerns that come up.
Monty McCutchen, the NBA’s head of referee training and development, told GQ, “To some degree, we’re going to have to grow in this area together. Che will have to be the communicator to let us know when and where they are feeling these kinds of issues.”
The referee, who has a 14-year career history, worked championship games at all levels, from the women’s NCAA National Championship to the G-League Finals to the WNBA Finals.
Events in Washington, D.C., and New York, hosted by the SuperPAC American Values 2024 (AV24), were thrown to celebrate the candidate’s official entry into the presidential race. Attendees lauded Kennedy’s stance on issues ranging from reparations to prison and police reform policies and health equity for people of color.
“I’m a 30-year attorney and founder of the Women of Color for Kennedy 2024. I have been practicing law and, specifically, as a trial lawyer in healthcare. And for me, the most valuable aspect of Kennedy’s campaign is his work in healthcare, specifically in medical freedom,” said Jo Saint George, an attorney whose clients face hurdles in these areas.
“I represent over 150 individuals in New York and around the country who’ve been fighting for their medical and religious liberties to choose what goes in their bodies. And Kennedy has fought for decades for that right,” she continued.
“Not only that but also for environmental rights for African Americans, environmental equity and protections are critical for our community; health equity and being able to make the right choices for each family is the No.1 quintessential value in our community. Why? Because we are impacted disproportionately by chronic disease. And, so for me, as a lawyer who watched Mr. Kennedy for decades from afar, advocating for myself and the community at large on those two key issues is why I’m supporting him.”
Among Kennedy’s other supporters are local business owner and AV24 leader Justin Faust, lobbyist Joshua Lopez, political analyst Clay D’Souza, and political consultant Alpheaus Marcus. These and other Black leaders honed in on the candidate’s fight for racial healing as well as his commitment to “uplift Black voices.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the nephew of former U.S. President and civil rights advocate John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963; and the son of Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated while running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968.
“My grandfather, John D. Slade, endorsed John F. Kennedy, Jr. in 1960. My dad, Kenyatta Slade, endorsed Ted Kennedy in 1980, and here I am endorsing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2023,” said crypto professional John Slade during the AV24 dinner held in Kennedy’s honor.
Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe Taking ‘First Take’ To HBCU Alma Maters
ESPN’s “First Take” is heading on the road to capture some HBCU football games.
The sports network has announced that the show will host and showcase two games from the alma mater of hosts Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe in November. “First Take’s HBCU Homecoming” will take place at Savannah State on Nov. 6 and the following day, Nov. 7, at Winston-Salem State.
“I’ve been a part of a whole bunch of exciting things throughout my years on First Take. But this may take the cake. To have back-to-back days at HBCUs—on campus, LIVE—providing Black colleges with national television exposure is sensational within itself,” said Smith, who attended Winston-Salem State, in a written statement. “But for the two universities to be the alma maters of Shannon Sharpe and myself…I just can’t express how excited I am. Shannon can’t wait. Neither can I. This is going to be some of the greatest moments of my career. And I know Shannon feels the same. Buckle Up! Here we come!”
“If somebody would have told me when I stepped onto that Savannah State campus that I would one day return to my alma mater in this capacity, I would have laughed. This is incredible, and to be able to come back this way means so much to me, and I am so very excited. I have to thank Stephen A. for making this happen, and I have to thank ESPN and Disney for making this possible. We get to be a part of showing the world how great HBCUs are, and that is very special. We’re coming home!” said NFL Hall of Famer Sharpe, who played his collegiate career at Savannah State.
While there, Sharpe was a three-time All-SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) player before leaving to join the Denver Broncos after being selected in the 1990 NFL Draft.
Both games will have giveaways for fans attending and are open to all staff, faculty, and students.
Former Daycare Worker In New Orleans Accused Of Burning An Infant’s Hand Maliciously
A New Orleans daycare worker arrested on Oct. 3 is accused of deliberately burning an infant’s hand using a bottle warmer. Twenty-seven-year-old Victoria Saulter was charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile, and her bond was set at $35,000.
According to Fox 8 Live, a 6-month-old baby girl was dropped off at McMillan’s First Steps Child Care around 7 a.m. on Sept. 22. At 3:50 p.m., the daycare called her mother to inform her that her child’s hand had been burned.
After she was taken to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, doctors revealed that the child was at risk of losing range of motion in her hand. Staff informed her mother that video evidence showed Saulter dipping the infant’s hand into the scalding hot water twice.
Detective Caitlyn Smith wrote in her report of the incident, “The subject (Saulter) is seen removing a bottle from the bottle warmer … (and) is then observed leaning over and placing the 6-month-old victim’s left hand into the bottle warmer twice. The victim is heard crying from the audio, and (Saulter) is heard saying, ‘Good job.’”
P.W. Reed, director of operations and the principal at the school, told the outlet, “We do have the autonomy to make sure that we’re vetting even more carefully. That we’re watching more carefully every single thing that we’re doing. Our directors are going into classrooms. We have observationists that are going into classrooms, and we’re going to keep doing the due diligence that we’ve been doing for 36 years.”
Joe Raspanti, a legal analyst for Fox 8, said of Saulter’s alleged act, “It can be generally just gross negligence. But here there was specific intent, and that level of psychopathy needs to be looked at very carefully by the district attorney. […] “It never ceases to amaze me how dark the hearts are of some of our citizenry. What that report says is very disturbing.”
Raspanti added, “This one seems to be egregious than most and I think it’s incumbent upon the DA to consider that.” If convicted, Saulter will face up to 40 years in prison.
Meet Jasmine Carter, the 29-year-old founder and CEO of Balacia, a Black-owned custom jewelry brand she started six years ago. Jasmine is called the “Engagement Ring Queen” because she has successfully introduced a simple and hassle-free approach to purchasing jewelry.
Her unique way of doing business has allowed her clients to bid farewell to overwhelming choices, confusion, and price gouging, as Jasmine is focused on making the process as effortless and enjoyable as possible. With a unique blend of innovation, creativity, and unparalleled customer service, her company’s fantastic reviews show that she offers an unforgettable, amazing jewelry shopping experience.
Black-owned custom jewelry store
With a commitment to meeting individual tastes and preferences, Jasmine offers a bespoke jewelry service with her brand, Balacia, allowing clients to bring their unique visions to life. Whether it’s a custom engagement ring, a sentimental necklace, or a one-of-a-kind statement piece, this talented designer turns dreams into reality.
Moreover, Jasmine understands the significance of ethical and sustainable practices in the jewelry industry. Every piece is crafted using responsibly sourced materials, ensuring the utmost respect for the environment and the artisans involved. With Balacia, clients can indulge in luxury without compromising their values.
Designer engagement rings and wedding bands for women and men
With its disruptive approach and dedication to customer satisfaction, Jasmine works one-on-one with her clients virtually to design their dream jewelry within their budget, using perfect quality stones and designer-quality settings.
“Engagement ring shopping is so overwhelming for most people. A lot of people go store-to-store trying to find a ring or spend months researching diamonds to try to choose a good one. I try to take away all of the stress and keep the fun in the ring shopping process! All people have to do is message me an idea of what they want, any custom ideas they have (if any), and a budget, then I will show them the best stone (diamond, moissanite, etc) and design options in their budget. I’m the jewelry expert so my clients don’t have to be. I offer a jewelry concierge experience so everyone gets my undivided attention to bring their visions to life,” describes the designer.
Perfect quality natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, and other gemstones
“Most jewelers are men, but I design engagement rings as a woman with women in mind; I always make sure their diamonds are colorless and flawless (eye-clean) so she can have a jaw-dropping ring to show off for a lifetime. My clients will never need an upgrade because their rings have the highest quality stones, and their settings are perfectly handcrafted,” says Jasmine.
With a passion for celebrating love stories and a keen eye for detail, Jasmine and Balacia bring a fresh perspective to the world of fine jewelry. Each piece is carefully curated and meticulously crafted to capture the essence of love and individuality, ensuring that every customer finds the perfect symbol to commemorate their unique bond.
The custom element adds to the story of her ring. “When you place an order with Balacia, we make it to order, so your ring is literally made for you, and we put love into every piece we create,” said Jasmine.
What sets Jasmine apart is her unwavering commitment to inclusivity: She believes that every couple deserves to express their commitment in a way that resonates with their personal style and budget. Whether it’s a classic solitaire, a vintage-inspired piece, or a modern design, Balacia offers a diverse range of engagement rings, chains, pendants, and other fine jewelry that caters to every taste and preference.
Best-rated jewelry store for customer care and quality
Jasmine’s knowledgeable team takes the time to understand each customer’s vision, guiding them through the process of selecting the perfect piece to reflect their love story. It’s no surprise that Balacia has received 100% 5-star reviews.
In addition to her dedication to incredible design skills and Balacia customer service, Jasmine is committed to giving back to the community and is partnering with nonprofits for charity jewelry collections in 2024.
As Balacia continues to make waves in the industry, its mission remains clear: to create timeless pieces that capture the essence of love, celebrate individuality, and break barriers. Her band is poised to become a leading force in the world of fine jewelry and engagement rings.
For more details and/or to support her company, visit its official website at Balacia.com
Nike Preparing To Release The Kobe 4 Protro Gold Medal In Fall 2024
A popular Kobe Bryant sneaker released by Nike almost 20 years ago is slated to return next fall to celebrate the 2024 Olympics.
According to an Instagram post from Zsneakerheadz, a Kobe Bryant sneaker will be released during the autumn months of 2024: the Nike Kobe 4 Protro Gold Medal. Several sneaker publications reported the return of the footwear, which was released in 2009 after the coveted “Redeem Team” brought the gold medal back to the United States in the 2008 Olympics.
According to Sneaker Files, the Nike Kobe 4 Gold Medal was originally released on July 19, 2009, for the retail price of $120. The expected price for the Protro version is $190.
The 2024 Olympics will take place in Paris, and this release is one of several sneakers Nike will debut to celebrate the well-watched event.
The sneaker has been described as being dressed in a white, dark obsidian, varsity red, and metallic gold color combination, much like the original 2009 shoe. The sneaker has Bryant’s Olympic No.10 on the heels, and embedded on the insoles is the date “08.24.08.”
Over the summer, Nike released the Kobe 8 Protro Halo, designed and created by Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, on the Lakers legend’s birthday on Aug. 23.
The legacy continues.
The Kobe Protro 8 ‘Halo’ marks the continuation of a storied legacy, pairing a triple white colorway with the iconic Kobe 8 silhouette, embodying the timelessness of an icon never forgotten.
Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, and the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player. During his career, he made the All-Star team 18 times and was the youngest player to reach 30,000 points. Bryant retired in 2016 and scored an NBA season-high 60 points in his final game.
The 41-year-old basketball legend died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others on Jan. 26, 2020.
Long Beach Apartment Complex Residents Say They Are Being Terrorized By Teens
Teenagers are reportedly terrorizing a downtown Long Beach apartment complex, and residents are looking for help and extra security.
According to Fox 11 Los Angeles, Camden Harbor View Apartments residents are voicing their concerns about gaining better security because of recent crimes taking place: break-ins, robberies, assaults, and several fires set in the garage last month.
They say teenagers are committing the attacks, but there are also problems with the homeless.
“They jump over the fences, getting into our pools, our hallways, stealing our packages. And we are inundated with homeless,” said resident Ty London. “My car was broken into three times. None of our doors are locked. We don’t have security whatsoever, so we are left with these bad skateboarders that are fighting tenants.”
Police officers from Long Beach acknowledged that more than a dozen teenagers brutally beat a man while he was coming home from the gym on Ocean Boulevard earlier this month.
“In early September, we increased community security and requested additional patrols by the Long Beach Police Department,” the owner of the property, Camden Living, told Fox 11. “We are continuing to work with the Long Beach Police Department closely.”
The skate park near the complex may be the blame for the troubles, resident Javier Diaz said. “They broke our doors practically and get in right there,” pointing to an open gate. “We find homeless inside the building.”
“One day I get off the train and there was probably 10 of them from 6 to 12 years old. They started jumping on me, touching me practically. One of them touched my watch and I got a little scared,” Diaz recalled. “Why don’t they show respect?”
Reportedly, the Long Beach City Council held at least one meeting about the issues last month.
