Why The Letters Of The Divine Nine Are Exclusive To Its Members
After a Nashville teacher made headlines for removing a shirt featuring Black sorority letters from a white student, conversations have emerged regarding how the situation should have been handled. However, she and other members of the Divine Nine, the organization comprised of Black sororities and fraternities, believe that the letters are not only significant to its members but also part of Black history.
The issue arose after the student was brought to school wearing the shirt with the Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. Once her teacher, a member of the sorority, noticed the child infringing upon the school’s dress code as well as disrespecting her organization, she promptly removed the article of clothing from the child.
In response to the incident causing a public reaction, the Metro Nashville Public Schools released a statement affirming that the shirt did violate the dress code but should not have been taken off the child without parental approval.
“The school will follow the district’s employee relations process and counsel the staff member on appropriate conduct in these regards,” shared a spokesperson on behalf of the school district to CNN.
Some naysayers disapproved of the teacher’s intense response to removing the shirt from the elementary student. Others, especially Divine Nine members, understood her course of action given how protective they are of the organization built out of discrimination and a desire to enact change within and for the Black community.
Lawrence Ross, author of The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities, spoke to CNN about the collective organizations’ longstanding input and impact in activism on behalf of Black people.
While traditional white sororities and fraternities excluded Black people from seeking membership, the Divine Nine was born out of a service mission and promoted as organizations for Black co-eds to join and be a part of a new legacy.
As membership expanded, including prominent world leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and, more recently, Vice President Kamala Harris, so has its attention and accessibility. While Black non-members have received criticism from the groups for wearing their paraphernalia, either for acting roles or just for show, the members have maintained that the letters are a testimony to their pledge of lifelong service.
(Shutterstock)
“It’s a big deal,” said Ross, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc. “There’s a level of dedication that goes with becoming a member … You’re pledging yourself to work on behalf of your community with those representing something larger than yourself. And it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice to do so.”
The Divine Nine has fostered its own sector of Black cultural remembrance, tradition, and celebration and hopes to be respected within and beyond its community. Ross explains that their continued work and advocacy for Black people should be protected, and that notion is essential to grasping their true purpose.
“All of these things are culturally relevant; you should listen to understand,” he said. “You can’t understand what our devotion is and has been in the Black community … without understanding the Divine Nine.”
Tyler Perry Signs First-Look Film Deal with Netflix
Tyler Perry has signed a creative partnership with Netflix to write, direct, and produce feature films under a multi-year first-look deal.
The billionaire media mogul is already working with the streamer on a slate of upcoming films including the World War II period film, Six Triple Eight, starring an ensemble cast led by Kerry Washington. The film tells the true story of the first and only All-Black Women’s Army Corp unit to be stationed overseas during World War II.
Another film is Mea Culpa starring Kelly Rowland about a criminal defense attorney who takes on the case of an artist who may or may not have murdered his girlfriend.
Perry’s previous films with Netflix include 2022’s A Jazzman’s Blues, the 12th installment of the Madea franchise (A Madea Homecoming), and the 2020 thriller A Fall from Grace.
His first-look deal with Netflix coincides with an ongoing deal with competing streamer Amazon where he agreed to write, produce, and direct four feature films, which include the police brutality drama Black, White, and Blue and the Meagan Good-led marriage drama Divorce in the Black.
Perry still is in partnership with BET where he houses his long-running scripted series, The Oval, Assisted Living, and Sistas. Perry attempted to purchase a majority stake in BET when Paramount Global put the network up for sale. However, negotiations ended in August when the company announced it was no longer seeking a buyer.
While at the the Bloomberg Equality Summit in Atlanta earlier this month, Perry expressed his disappointment with the “disrespectful” failed deal.
“I was disappointed about it for a number of reasons,” he said as captured by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The way it happened was disrespectful in a lot of ways.”
Lauryn Hill Postpones ‘Miseducation’ Anniversary Tour Stop In Philadelphia: ‘I Need To Rest My Voice’
Lauryn Hill’s focus on quality live shows prompted her to postpone the Philadelphia stop onher anniversary tour in order to “rest” her voice.
The Grammy award-winning singer has been on the road as part of the 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album. But on Sunday, October 22, Hill announced the Philadelphia show would now be November 25.
“It is with disappointment that I am writing this note to you. On the advice of my physicians, I have no choice but to postpone the show tomorrow,” Hill wrote in a statement shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I need to rest my voice to prevent any more serious strain or damage to my vocal cords.”
Hill also promised the new show date would “a special one.”
Fans supported her announcement, telling the Fugees singer to get the rest she needs ahead of continuing the tour. There were some fans who expressed their disappointment as they already made travel arrangements.
“I came from Spain only for the concert. Four days in the States and back home,” one user wrote.
“I was supposed to go tomorrow with my twin sister. The first concert we ever went was yours as a Fugee(s) in Madrid back in the 90’s. I’m very sad right now😢😭 but I understand that health is first.”
The announcement comes after mixed reviews of recent shows where attendees complained about her coming out late to perform.
“Saw some misleading tweets, the Lauryn Hill & The Fugees show was actually fire!” one attendee tweeted.
“Yes she came out late (950pm for a 730pm show) & the first few songs were a little sped up but once she got into the ballads she takes off!”
Saw some misleading tweets, the Lauryn Hill & The Fugees show was actually fire! Yes she came out late (950pm for a 730pm show) & the first few songs were a little sped up but once she got into the ballads she takes off! The Fugees set was literally perfect! #laurynhill#Fugeespic.twitter.com/pch9bUTYvO
Grocery Deliverer Returns $400 Order After Not Receiving Tip
The tipping conversation continues to gain more traction after a grocery deliverer returning a $400 order after not receiving a tip went viral.
The video, posted to TikTok by the account @shisugum, garnered millions of views after the delivery woman proceeded to placed the items ordered back in her trunk after discovering that the buyers did not tip her, despite the bill being for hundreds of dollars.
While neither party’s identity has been disclosed publicly, the video details the driver arguing with the receiving couple over the matter. In the confrontation, the woman explained how tedious it was to bring the items to the recipient’s home.
“You should see how much work this was and why I should be getting a tip because of how much work this was,” shared the service work as detailed by Unilad.
“No, you don’t deserve a tip, you’re crushing the ramen noodles for one,” one of the customers, a woman, countered.”
Upon realizing the couple would not change their mind, the delivery person began to place the items back in her car, letting them know that they can get another driver to fulfill their order without getting a tip. After noting they would report her behavior and she would likely be fired—the other customer, a man, asked who the would know she’s returned the food to the store—the woman remained adamant in her stance.
The tipping debate has received greater attention in recent years as new sectors of tipping, in regards to food and grocery delivery, has become more mainstream. Wherever one falls on the issue, service workers will continue to advocate for a living wage and tipping can help ensure that they receive it.
Blueface Ordered To Pay $13 Million To Closed Strip Club For 2022 Shooting Incident
Blueface is being forced to fork over $13 million to the former strip club whose doors reportedly closed shortly after his 2022 shooting incident.
An order filed Oct. 21 demanded Blueface to pay $13 million in damages to a now-shuttered Las Vegas strip club where he shot a man in 2022, 8 News Now reports. The ruling results from a lawsuit that Euphoric Gentlemen’s Club filed in December 2022, accusing Blueface of being the cause of the strip club’s forced closure.
Blueface, real name Jonathan Porter, was sentenced to probation earlier this month for shooting and injuring a man outside the club on Oct. 8, 2022. According to the strip club’s lawsuit, “as a direct result of [Blueface’s] negligence, willful, and reckless conduct, the club’s licenses were revoked” on Oct. 14, 2022.
One year later, the rapper must pay the closed strip club millions more than his reported $5 million net worth. The rapper will pay lost revenue of $12.6 million, plus other damages, totaling nearly $13.1 million, according to documents shared by entertainment reporter Meghann Cuniff.
A judge in Las Vegas has ordered rapper Blueface to pay $13 million to a strip club owner after he shooting a man outside the club.
The shooting victim claims he had spoken to Blueface inside the strip club earlier in the night but later made a joke about the rapper “speaking with some females in a cheap vehicle,” which set Blueface off. The Los Angeles rapper was initially charged with attempted murder. Still, after taking a plea deal, the charges were lowered to battery and discharging a firearm at or into an occupied structure.
The man shot was in court earlier this month to watch Blueface get sentenced. He went viral after snapping a selfie with Blueface and his legal team in the background.
The man who Blueface shot at back in 2022 in Las Vegas took a selfie with him in court today. pic.twitter.com/zrOakb3EpL
Blueface faced two civil cases; one was dismissed because of his sentencing in the shooting case. The rapper was arrested on a robbery charge while entering court in June on claims he stole a fan’s phone at the Palms casino.
Prosecutors only agreed to dismiss the charge after the rapper was sentenced earlier this month. But if Blueface thought he would get off with just probation, he can think again.
Brooklyn Heights’ First Black-Owned Food Business, Cloudy Donut, Celebrates A Year In Operation
Cloudy Donut has a cause for celebration. The first Black-owned food business is celebrating its one-year anniversary in Brooklyn Heights, New York, this October.
Founded in 2020 by Derrick Faulcon and Zewiditu Jewel, the donut shop has turned into a franchise chain, with its first locations starting in Baltimore. Through Cloudy Donut’s success, the business and life partners expanded into Brooklyn Heights, making a name in the sweet eatery sector not only for their delicious vegan treats but for their diversity.
Since finding its third home in Brooklyn Heights’ Willowtown section, the business has become a neighborhood hotspot and for those wanting to voyage from TikTok. According to Brooklyn Heights Blog, the vegan donuts have receivedrave reviews in Time Out New York and the Wall Street Journal.
Known for its gourmet, vegan donuts made in small batches, the weekly rotation of 44 creations for customers and their pups has become a part of its brand. Past selections include sweet potato pie, salted caramel whiskey, and strawberry champagne.
The reason for going vegan is straightforward. The owners wanted to maintain the “integrity” of the dough of its original recipe while utilizing the benefits of vegan alternatives to better serve people of color, especially when it comes to systemic health conditions.
“So, we wanted to keep the integrity of the dough and why not vegan,” Jewel told Brooklyn Heights Blog. “I mean, if there’s a way you can use vegan butter, because Earth Balance does exist, instead of traditional butter. We know people within the Black, Brown, and Asian communities are plagued with heart disease and diabetes. We can provide a healthier alternative and that’s exactly what we’ll continue to do. It was just about finding a quality product and sticking with it.”
Being an example for the communities they serve is part of their foundation.
“I think being an entrepreneur in today’s society specifically for a Black man is not an accessory, is a necessity, is essential,” Faulcon shared withtheGrio in June. “[It’s] the only way that will bridge the wealth gap in America. It’s the only way that we’ll provide our family with assets to be able to bequeath and leave behind. It’s the only way we’ll be able to employ our people.”
7 Dead in 150+ Vehicle Pileup On Louisiana’s I-55 During Heavy Fog, Authorities Report
In a tragic series of events that unfolded on Oct. 23, Interstate 55 in Louisiana’s St. John the Baptist Parish was the site of a deadly 150+ vehicle pileup.
Louisiana State Police have confirmed at least seven lives were lost in a vehicle pileup that entangled no less than 158 vehicles, as reported by CNN. The numbers continue to rise, with over 25 individuals rushed to hospitals, their conditions spanning from minor injuries to the most critical.
A meteorological phenomenon called “super fog” is reportedly responsible for the trippy sequence of events. Occurring just west of New Orleans, the dense fog materialized under damp, smoky conditions, causing visibility to plummet to less than 10 feet, the National Weather Service indicated.
Some vehicles were engulfed in flames following the initial collisions. Adding to the situation’s complexity was a tanker truck carrying a mysterious and potentially hazardous liquid. However, authorities did not provide specific details about the substance.
“Once the tanker is removed, first responders will be able to better assess the vehicles in that immediate area. It is possible that additional fatalities could be located.”
Law enforcement and first responders tirelessly worked into the evening hours, confronting the intricate challenge of safely moving the compromised tanker truck. State police emphasized the importance of this operation, indicating that only after the tanker’s removal could they gain a clearer understanding of the situation and assess the vehicles in the immediate vicinity. The grim prospect of additional fatalities remains as authorities continue their painstaking efforts.
Authorities have issued a plea to the public, urging anyone with information about missing family members traveling through the area on Monday morning to come forward. As the community grapples with the tragedy, their support and assistance are essential.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards expressed his deep sorrow and offered prayers for those who lost their lives and those who now face the difficult road to recovery in the aftermath of these events.
“I also want to thank the first responders and medical personnel who have worked so diligently to save lives and render aid,” the governor added. “The best way you can help them, besides exercising caution on the road, is to donate blood at your local blood donation center. It will help replenish supplies that are being drained today to care for the wounded.”
Lil Wayne Criticizes Wax Figure On Social Media: ‘That sh*t ain’t me’
Rap icon Lil Wayne has made headlines after responding to a new wax figure modeled in his likeness was unveiled at the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
According to a report Oct. 23, by the Daily Mail, the 41-year-old musician, who recently engaged in discussions about artificial intelligence, didn’t mince words and quickly became a viral sensation on the social media app X, formerly known as Twitter.
Sorry wax museum but dat shit ain’t me! You tried tho and I appreciate the effort.
In his characteristically candid style, Lil Wayne took to X to share his reaction to the uncanny doppelganger, stating, “Sorry wax museum but dat sh*t ain’t me! You tried tho, and I appreciate the effort.”
The lifelike representation left no detail unattended, featuring Lil Wayne’s distinctive dreadlocked hair and an array of tattoos. Notably, the wax figure sported a gleaming diamond-encrusted grill, and its molded mouth showcased the rapper’s trademark wide smile.
This incident with a wax figure bearing little resemblance to its subject is not an isolated one. Just recently, Dwayne ‘The Rock‘ Johnson found himself in a similar situation. A wax likeness of the 51-year-old Hollywood heavyweight, unveiled at The Musée Grévin in Paris, drew criticism from fans due to its noticeably lighter skin tone.
In response to the public’s concerns, The Rock said he would contact the museum to have the waxwork’s skin color “updated.” While addressing the issue, he took a lighthearted approach, sharing an Instagram post poking fun at the figurine. He reposted a humorous video by comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr, who playfully roasted the wax replica, suggesting that it appeared as The Rock had never seen the sun.
The Jumanji star expressed amusement at the video, declaring, “I knew my boy @jamesjeffersonj had this Rock wax statue in his roasting crosshairs. Legit belly laughed at this.” He also quipped, “And next time I’m in Paris, I’ll stop in and have a drink with myself,” adding a playful wink emoji to his statement.
Bronny James And Shedeur Sanders Top-Earning NCAA Athletes In NIL Contracts
In the ever-evolving landscape of college sports and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) endorsements, young student-athletes are making headlines and significant earnings. Among these emerging stars, Essence reports, are Bronny James and Shedeur Sanders.
James, the son of NBA legend LeBron James and a freshman at the University of Southern California (USC), has raked in approximately $5.9 million from his NIL contracts with prestigious brands such as Nike, Beats by Dre, and PSD Underwear.
Sanders, a start quarterback for the University of Colorado and the son of NFL icon Deion Sanders, has reportedly garnered an impressive $4.8 million from his endorsement deals.
Bronny and Shedeur are not alone in cashing in on their athletic potential. Take Angel Reese, a standout player at Louisiana State University (LSU) and a college basketball star.
In an April interview with the I Am Athlete podcast, she revealed, “The money I’m making is more than some of the people that are in the league that might be top players.” At that time, Reese was the highest-earning NCAA player on the NIL list, surpassing both male and female counterparts.
Sponsors United noted in April 2023 that Reese’s remarkable 17 NIL deals ranked her fifth in college sports, behind Rayquan Smith of Norfolk State (football and track, with 66 deals), Ky’Wuan Dukes of Johnson C. Smith University (football, with 29 deals), Lauren Burke of Texas (softball, with 22 deals), and Jon Seaton of Elon (football, with 18 deals). Reese stands ahead of the men’s college basketball leader, Armando Bancot of North Carolina, each boasting 16 deals.
An On3 report shed light on the financial magnitude of Reese’s endorsements, revealing that she earns approximately $392,000 per year from prominent companies including Bose, JanSport, McDonald’s, Outback Steakhouse, and Xfinity.
