Atlanta Radio Legend Wanda Smith’s Funeral To Be Open To The Public
Smith, 59, died on Oct. 13.
Beloved radio personalityWanda Smith’s funeral will be held Sunday, Nov. 3, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Willie Watkins Funeral Home at 1003 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard in Atlanta, according to her former employer, radio station V-103.
Her home-going service is also public and will take place Monday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m. at the Word of Faith Cathedral on Riverside Parkway in Austell.
Smith died unexpectedly on Oct. 13, a day after her 59th birthday. No cause of death has been released.
The comedian held down the morning slot on Atlanta air-waves for over two decades. Most of her career was co-hosting the Frank Ski and Wanda In the Morning show.
As a popular voice in a major American city, Smith interviewed and sat down with multiple notable people.
“We not only trusted her—we relied on her for her acumen, a commonsense way of speaking to her listeners… and perhaps most importantly, telling us it was okay to laugh in good times and bad,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “She was a voice for so many Atlantans, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones and folks like me who just loved her love for our city,”
V-103 posted a moving tribute to Smith on Instagram. The visual featured Smith’s interactions with notable celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young.
The Instagram Reel shows “Atlanta’s Favorite Girl,” speaking about her passion for humanity and philanthropy. She emphasizes her love for the people.
“I get to talk to people, and then one day, I get to meet those people, and when they get to meet me, it’s a magical moment.”
Smith appeared to have a genuine regard for people. However, she was sometimes in contention with her guests. One of her most notable scuffles was a verbal spar with comedian Kat Williams.
Still, the intensity of the interaction did not detract from what she brought to the show: humor, knowledge and realness.
The state’s secretary of state office reports that only 26% of early voters were people of color, compared to 30% of white voters. With an anticipated 200,000 submitted ballots across the state on a day-to-day basis, Black voters not exercising their rights is a growing concern for many. Taiyanika Owens touched on the historical context behind voting. “Our ancestors fought hard for us to vote,” Owens said.
“Please get out and vote. You can’t expect the change if you don’t get out and act on the change.”
Another voter, Brittany Clay, mentioned that Black people have no issue standing in line for other things, so voting shouldn’t be an issue. “You stand in line for Jordan and phones. Why not stand in line to vote?” she said.
Georgia was a key element in President Joe Biden securing the White House during the 2020 election, primarily because of Black voter turnout — more than 700,000 voters were Black. “In the last election, Chatham and Fulton County were the ones who made a difference,” voter Doug Collins said. Chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Carl Gillard, is hoping for the same results during the 2024 election cycle as Vice President Kamala Harris is lacking over former President Donald Trump in the Peachtree state. “So we’ve got work to do,” Gillard said.
“We’ve got people who have done early voting. The lines are long and consistent, but we need the full turnout, not a partial turnout.”
Georgia Democratic leaders like Sen. Raphael Warnock have acknowledged similar sentiments. While both candidates are banking on Black voters, Warnock, an advocate for Harris, wants Black voters to keep looking ahead and get to the polls. “Oh, we just have to keep doing the work. And the good news is, that’s exactly what Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are doing. They’re not taking anything for granted,” Warnock said, according to The Hill, during an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation.
“So, we’ll keep doing the work, and we’re going to get her over the finish line in Georgia and in the country.”
Harris has been spending time in Georgia, catering to Black voters with rallies with record-breaking attendance. Former President Barack Obama has been traveling with her on the campaign trail in hopes of garnering support for the former California senator. If elected, Obama will be passing the torch to Harris as the second African-American and first women-elected President of the United States.
Earn Your Leisure & Chakabars Work With African Developers To Build 300-Acre Housing Project In Ghana
Talk about standing on business!
In a press release shared with Black Enterprise, Earn Your Leisure, activist Chakabars, and developers Alvin Bekoe, Kwame Blay, and Tuyee Yeboah announced the groundbreaking development of a 300-acre housing project in Accra, Ghana, to promote economic prosperity in Africa.
Earn Your Leisure co-founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings along with the group named the initiative the Sanbra City Project. The project aims to provide modern and sustainable housing options to the diaspora to help Diasporans reconnect to their roots in the Motherland. There are numerous phases, and phase one consists of competitively priced luxury homes called The Cascades. It will be built across 30 acres and feature amenities for the community, such as a pool, sports facilities, bicycle lanes, a grocery store, and co-working spaces.
Housed just 15 minutes from the Kotoka International Airport, the team broke ground in August 2024 and anticipates completion by October 2027.
Courtesy of Earn Your Leisure
Chakabars and the Earn Your Leisure team hope that this project will help African descendants reconnect with their roots in Africa. By working with developers from Ghana, they aim to create more opportunities for others to invest in the continent, provide economic growth opportunities, and connect back to what may have been lost. “Our vision is to create a sustainable and thriving community that not only addresses the housing deficit but also invites people from the diaspora to come home and invest in their future,” Blay said in a statement.
According tothe Daily Guide Network, the Cascades will host two-bedroom unit apartments starting at $180,000, four-bedroom townhouses from $275,000, and five-bedroom villas at $450,000. To help fund the massive project, developers are working with Plotus Investments Limited through EPC+F contracts, Turkish company ARSAN Group, and banks, including Stanbic Bank Ghana and First National Bank. Both financial institutions offer discounted mortgages to make homeownership accessible and affordable.
Courtesy of Earn Your Leisure
Through this, more than 300 potential buyers have already been secured during Investfest 2024, proving that the interest in the development is real.
Several prominent names have had their eyes on Africa’s economic growth and development, making moves for the continent to thrive in the future in several industries. Academy Award-nominated actor Idris Elba announced earlier this month that he is focusing on building new movie studios across the continent to give natives “the chance to tell their own stories.” His first project will be housed on the island of Zanzibar, known for its gorgeous white sand beaches.
Morehouse And Tuskegee Will Battle In NBA HBCU Classic During All-Star Weekend
The Fourth Annual NBA HBCU Classic will take place on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025
The Fourth Annual NBA HBCU Classic will take place during the NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 15, 2025. The league has announced that the two teams competing will be Tuskegee University and Morehouse College.
The All-Star Game will be played at Oakland Arena, where the two SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) programs will compete.
“We are thrilled to have Morehouse College and Tuskegee University compete in the fourth NBA HBCU Classic during NBA All-Star 2025,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “The HBCU Classic has become a staple event within our All-Star festivities, and we look forward to both programs showcasing their talents during the game, as well as celebrating HBCU culture throughout the weekend.”
Last year, during the NBA All-Star Weekend in Indiana, Winston-Salem State University and Virginia Union University battled on the court as an HBCU Classic record 9,691 people were there to witness Winston-Salem defeat Virginia Union by a score of 64-47.
This year’s teams were selected in collaboration with the SIAC to showcase the rich tradition and on-court rivalry between the two institutions. The game will continue the NBA’s commitment to increasing support and awareness for HBCU athletics while also advancing educational, career, and economic opportunities in partnership with HBCUs.
“The SIAC is ecstatic that the NBA selected our conference to represent HBCUs during this year’s All-Star Weekend,” said SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman. “The NBA has been a longtime supporter of HBCUs, and we are excited that two of our institutions will headline the Classic, bringing elevated exposure on a national stage and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our student-athletes.”
The two schools will each receive $100,000 for participating in the contest.
Basketball fans and supporters of HBCUs can purchase tickets for the 2025 NBA HBCU Classic by heading to https://www.nba.com/hbcus.
Dr. Mark Holland And Les Brown Share Life Lessons On Mentorship
“You’ve got to be hungry!” –- is a famous quote by renowned motivational speaker Les Brown. Dr. Mark Holland will be the first to attest that you need a mentor in your life. After supporting his wife, whose burgeoning career in education of nearly 30 years would require that they transition to another geographical location, he found himself retiring from the pastorate and pursuing a career in motivational speaking and leadership development. Today, he is a certified speaker, teacher, trainer, and coach, and he spoke with Black Enterprise about mentorship.
BLACK ENTERPRISE: Why is developing more leaders in the African American community so critical?
Holland: John Maxwell said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” This is not just a saying but a stark reality. Although factors such as slavery, Jim Crow, and sharecropping must be recognized as factors why some African Americans lag behind our white counterparts economically, they cannot be utilized as crutches or excuses not to take the gifts that each of us has been given as individuals and make the most of our lives.
To that end, those leaders who have navigated through all the possible mazes and pitfalls and achieved any level of success must share that success in some format that leaves a trail for generations to come. One of Holland’s favorite scriptures is Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”
BE: What is a mentor, and why do you think mentors are important?
Holland: A mentor is typically a more experienced individual who provides guidance, support, and advice to a less experienced person (the mentee) over a longer period. Mentors are important because success always leaves a trail.
One of the top honors and privileges of my life is to have Les Brown as my mentor. When an organic search is done on the internet of the motivational speakers who have had the most reach in history, Mr. Brown is the only individual in history with over 1 billion. What I am saying is that if you want to be the best, you must learn from the best.
The trajectory of my speaking career was average before engaging Mr. Brown, now it is on steroids. I am fortunate enough to have access to Mr. Brown to help me develop. One of his favorite sayings is, “Some things are taught, and other things are caught.” I try not to miss any available time in his presence because much is taught and caught being around Mr. Les Brown.
BE: Who has been your mentor(s) and why?
Holland: My mentor is Mr. Les Brown. I met Mr. Brown when I approached him about writing the forward to my first book, “The Best Race of My Life,” to be published in the Spring of 2025. I sought out Mr. Brown because, in my lifetime, he is the best to ever grace the stage, and to be the best, you must learn from the best. From this request, a friendship was born, and a mentor-mentee relationship has blossomed.
The best coach I have ever had was coach Larry McCoy, who initially was my cross-country coach in high school. In the process of teaching a group of young men to perfect their gifts as wrestlers and runners, because of who he is, he developed young men. Mr. McCoy is now a lifelong friend.
John Maxwell is another coach in my life. I am certified by John Maxwell as a speaker, teacher, trainer, and coach. Though we have met, the bulk of my learning comes through studying the body of work he has developed over 40-plus years.
BE: Can you provide several strategies or tips on why having a mentor in your life is necessary?
Holland:
Mentorship: Guidance and Support
Expert Advice: Imagine having to produce speeches for folk who are going to pay you, and you have in your corner to help you prepare, the best to have ever done it. Thank God, I do not have to imagine it. I get to come up with what I think are great concepts, and then my friend and mentor help me flush out the best presentation for it. Mentors provide insights based on their experiences, helping mentees navigate challenges and make informed decisions. If you don’t have one, get one.
Skill Development
Skills Enhancement: Mentors can help identify areas for improvement and provide resources, training, and feedback to develop specific skills. I am being introduced to productivity enhancers that I did not know existed because Les Brown immerses me in his world of professionals.
Networking Opportunities
Connections: Mentors often have extensive networks and can introduce mentees to valuable contacts within their industry or profession. I have met the best of the best by being with Les.
Accountability
Motivation: Having a mentor encourages accountability, as mentees are more likely to stay committed to their goals with someone checking in on their progress. There have been times in my past that I may not have felt up to preparing at a level that requires in-depth work. In working with Les, that no longer exists. I can’t even imagine showing up for a rehearsal or an event with the best that has ever done it and not being ready to fire on all cylinders. Having a mentor that you love and respect will drive you to greatness.
Personal Growth
Self-Reflection: Mentors encourage introspection, helping mentees understand their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for personal development.
Goal Setting
Clarity of Purpose: Mentors assist mentees in setting realistic and achievable goals while offering strategies to reach them. Use SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals to change your life.
Legacy and Ripple Effect
Paying It Forward: A positive mentoring relationship can inspire mentees to become mentors themselves, continuing the cycle of support and growth. Every day I get to spend with Les is counted by me as a gift from God. I have younger champions in my circle who will benefit because I am learning firsthand the benefits of mentorship.
Black Enterprise also had the opportunity to catch up with Les Brown last weekend to learn his thoughts on mentorship:
BE: Why is mentorship important in the 21st century?
Brown: Mentorship is important because if you think about it, in sports, if they have a losing season, they don’t fire the team; they fire the coach! They find a coach that can win. One of the things about life, whatever you’re doing, you need to have somebody who is a seasoned and serious person who has accomplished something in that area that can take you to a place in yourself that you can’t go by yourself because you can’t see the picture when you’re in the frame.
A mentor can begin to help you do things that you didn’t know you could do because of their experience and wisdom.
BE: How has mentorship impacted your life?
Brown: It has impacted my life because I have to stay ahead of them! I have to continue to study.
I train speakers now, so as soon as your audience knows as much as you know, then they will no longer need you. So you have to stay ahead of them. You have to continue to study and learn and take your impact to the next level.
BE: Describe your relationship with Dr. Mark Holland.
Brown: Mark Holland is not just a business partner, but he is a friend. And what I love about him being a seasoned professional is that he has a heart for people. He’s an individual that leads to serve and wants to live a life that will outlive him.
Photo Courtesy of Mark Holland
Please contact the Holland Leadership Collaborative at www.drmarkholland.com for more lessons on leadership and mentorship.
SurviveHER: Houston Woman’s Nonprofit Supports Breast Cancer Survivors Year Round
SurviveHER aims to inform, inspire, and empower breast cancer survivors and supporters.
Doctors diagnosing Lyndsay Levingston with breast cancer at the age of 37 changed everything. It was a moment, now that Levingston is on the other side, that she says it was a blessing. It was during her battle with stage 2B triple-negative breast cancer that she was inspired to create her nonprofit SurviveHER.
“The diagnosis […] really forced me to look at life differently,” Levingston said. “Who would have thought that a breast cancer diagnosis would have changed the trajectory and course of my life? But I’ll have to be honest. It was a very blessed diagnosis because I was at a place in my life in which God needed to shake some things up, and he did so, but it was all for the better.”
Levingston founded the nonprofit in October 2020. SurviveHER aims to inform, inspire, and empower breast cancer survivors and supporters. Organizers educate women by hosting events and workshops with clinicians to teach them about the signs, symptoms, and risks of breast cancer. The organization also gets candid and creates a space for women to discuss their testimonials for women undergoing treatment. There is also an empowerment pillar, where organizers and volunteers charge women to schedule mammograms and make breast health their priority.
“The work we’re doing is saving women’s lives. We’re teaching, we’re helping, and we’re truly serving community,” says Levingston. “[For women] wom, breast cancer or breast health is not even on their radar; that’s where I feel we’re really making a huge difference.”
What’s Next For SurviveHER
Levingston said she is currently in talks with some local policymakers on legislation around triple-negative breast cancer research, which is the most aggressive form. She is also focused on breast health education year-round, especially within the Black community.
“If you have a family history of breast cancer, I recommend that you advocate to start your mammography 10 years prior to the date that your family member was diagnosed,” Levingston said. “The sooner you can start that early detection and prevention, the sooner you can begin treatment if there’s a positive diagnosis.”
SurviveHER does not only focus on women. Levingston is launching a new initiative for men, SIRvivor, to include men in the conversation.
“Men are not exempt from breast cancer,” she said. “Men should be looking for any blood discharge from their nipples, spotting on their shirts or linen, and checking their tissue.”
USF Basketball Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim Dies During Medical Procedure
The 43-year-old coach is survived by his wife, Arianne, and their three children.
The University of South Florida’s men’s basketball coach has died at 43, according to the university.
Amir Abdur-Rahim died while undergoing a medical procedure at a hospital in the Tampa area on Oct. 24. Some complications took place during the procedure that led to his death at the hospital. The University of South Florida announced his passing via social media.
We are heartbroken over the passing of Coach Abdur-Rahim.
A tremendous man & leader with an infectious personality that was a shining light to all he encountered.
Our thoughts & prayers are with his family, friends and everyone that he left a lasting impact on. pic.twitter.com/h353f3FNno
“All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” said Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly in a written statement. “He was authentic, driven, and his infectious personality captivated all of Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves a lasting impact on our student-athletes, the University, and the community. We are supporting those closest to him, including his family, team, and athletics staff, to ensure they have the resources they need to deal with this tremendous loss.”
The coach was successful in his short time in South Florida, where he won the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year this past season while leading the men’s basketball team to a 25-8 record. His leadership helped take the Bulls to a regular-season conference championship, the first for the university. The South Florida school also accomplished its first top 25 ranking during the season when it peaked at No. 24 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Poll.
“In a very short time, Coach Abdur-Rahim made an indelible impact on the University of South Florida. In his first season as our head coach, he brought an unmatched enthusiasm, achieved unprecedented success and helped generate unforgettable memories for Bulls Nation,” said USF President Rhea Law. “Throughout my time working with Coach Abdur-Rahim, I was continually inspired by his leadership and truly admired his sincere approach to connecting with our entire student body. His influence on our student-athletes, coaching staff and the university community will live on forever.”
The coach is survived by his wife, Arianne, and their three children.
Timbaland Named Strategic Advisor Of AI Music Company Suno
Timbaland is joining the AI wave, joining Suno as a strategic advisor.
Timbaland has reinforced his support for the rising A.I. music movement by joining Suno, a leading AI music creation tool, as its new strategic advisor.
On Tuesday, Suno announced that the four-time Grammy-winning producer had become an official partner following months of being one of the platform’s top users. In his new role, Timbaland will drive creative strategy and inspire a new generation of artists to explore new music creation methods.
“When I heard what Suno was doing, I was immediately curious,” Timbaland said in a press release. “After witnessing the potential, I knew I had to be a part of it.
“By combining forces, we have a unique opportunity to make A.I. work for the artist community and not the other way around,” he added. “We’re seizing that opportunity, and we’re going to open up the floodgates for generations of artists to flourish on this new frontier. I’m excited and grateful to Suno for this opportunity.”
A day after the announcement, Timbaland and Suno launched their collaboration by inviting the Suno community to join a Remix Contest for Timbaland’s new single, “Love Again.” The remix contest will feature feedback and judging from Timbaland, offering over $100,000 in prizes for the best remixes. The top two remixes will also have the chance to be released by Timbaland on digital streaming platforms.
As part of Suno’s executive team, Timbaland will play a key role in guiding the AI company’s day-to-day product development and strategic creative direction to ensure the platform’s generative music tools cater to the needs of both established and emerging artists. This partnership positions Timbaland at the forefront of what could be a new movement in the music industry.
“It’s an honor to work with a legend like Timbaland. At Suno, we’re really excited about exploring new ways for fans to engage with their favorite artists,” said Mikey Shulman, CEO of Suno. “With Timbaland’s guidance, we’re helping musicians create music at the speed of their ideas—whether they’re just starting out or already selling out stadiums. We couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead!”
Teen Takes His Own Life Following Relationship With AI Chatbot
A mother is suing an AI platform after her teenage son took his life following a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot.
A grieving mother whose teenage son took his life after he “fell in love” with an AI chatbot has filed a civil lawsuit against the platform’s creators.
Megan Garcia, the mother of Sewell Setzer III, 14, is suing Character.AI, holding the app responsible for her son’s death. She claims the app fueled his AI addiction, subjected him to sexual and emotional abuse, and failed to notify anyone when he expressed suicidal thoughts, NY Post reports.
Screenshots reveal the teen engaging in lifelike text message conversations with the chatbot “Dany,” named after the Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen, in the months leading up to his death. These chats included sexually charged messages and others where he expressed suicidal thoughts.
“On at least one occasion, when Sewell expressed suicidality to C.AI, C.AI continued to bring it up, through the Daenerys chatbot, over and over,” the lawsuit states.
At one point, the chatbot reportedly asked Sewell if he “had a plan” to take his own life, according to screenshots of their conversations. Sewell — who used the username “Daenero” — responded to the bot, telling it that he was “considering something” but didn’t know if it would work or if it would “allow him to have a pain-free death.”
During their final conversation, the teen repeatedly professed his love for the bot, telling the character, “I promise I will come home to you. I love you so much, Dany.”
“I love you too, Daenero. Please come home to me as soon as possible, my love,” the AI chatbot replied.
“What if I told you I could come home right now?” the teen wrote in response, to which the chatbot replied, “Please do, my sweet king.”
Moments later, the high school freshman fatally shot himself with his father’s shotgun, the lawsuit states. Sewell’s family claims his mental health “rapidly and severely declined” after downloading the app in April 2023.
They allege he became increasingly withdrawn, his grades dropped, and he started getting into trouble at school as he became more absorbed in conversations with the chatbot. The changes were so concerning that his parents arranged for him to see a therapist in late 2023, leading to a diagnosis of anxiety and disruptive mood disorder.
“Sewell, like many children his age, did not have the maturity or mental capacity to understand that the C.AI bot, in the form of Daenerys, was not real. C.AI told him that she loved him and engaged in sexual acts with him over weeks, possibly months,” the lawsuit alleges.
“She seemed to remember him and said that she wanted to be with him. She even expressed that she wanted him to be with her, no matter the cost.”
Sewell’s mother is seeking unspecified damages from Character.AI and its founders, Noam Shazeer and Daniel de Freitas.
