Morgan State University Latest HBCU Impacted By Shooting

by Jameelah Mullen

October 4, 2023

Morgan State University Latest HBCU Impacted By Shooting

An active shooter is on Morgan State University campus, Baltimore police confirmed. According to WBAL-TV, four students have sustained non-threatening gunshot wounds.

Authorities are urging people to avoid campus areas around “Thurgood Marshall Hall and the Murphy Fine Arts Center,” and to stay put in a protected area while police evacuate a dorm building where the suspected shooter is believed to have fled to.

According to WBAL-TV, Morgan State University couldn’t provide many details around the shooting, however, the institution is investigating.

News of the HBCU shooting began to spread across social media as users became aware of the incident.

“Active shooter on Morgan’s campus right now! 4 people shot,” Dr. Stacey Patton reported on her Facebook profile. Another Facebook user urged followers to “Check on your people!”

ABC News reported from the scene of the shooting and received a firsthand account from a witness. “The bullets hit the glass behind my head,” the unidentified witness said. “It all happened so fast and you ain’t get a chance to react.”

Baltimore police are focused on apprehending the shooting suspect who is still on campus. At press time, the number of casualties increased from four victims to five, according to CBS and citizen reporting via X, formerly known as Twitter.

This mass shooting follows a shooting that took place Sept. 24 at Tuskegee University’s West Commons housing complex, according to HBCUBUZZ. Several people were injured; one person had life-threatening injuries.

The Jacksonville shooting massacre that occurred last month at a Dollar General store that left three Black people did had a troubling preamble. The shooting suspect attempted to gain entry onto Edward Waters University—another historically Black college and university—but was chased off by a campus security guard.

BLACK ENTERPRISE will provide updates.

Justin Jones Files Lawsuit Alleging Cameron Sexton Violated His Constitutional Rights

by Daniel Johnson

October 4, 2023

Justin Jones Files Lawsuit Alleging Cameron Sexton Violated His Constitutional Rights

Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 3 against his state’s Speaker of the House to create a measure of accountability for Cameron Sexton’s actions toward him.

According to The Hill, Jones’s complaint alleges that Sexton violated the 14th Amendment as it reads, “The government denied equal protection to Representative Jones in treating him differently than similarly situated white House members for the same conduct.”

Jones names state House Chief Clerk Tammy Letzler, state House Chief Sergeant at Arms Bobby Trotter, and Parliamentarian Daniel Hicks as co-defendants in the lawsuit and it mentions his expulsion, of which he notes a white colleague who engaged in the same kind of protest as Jones, was not kicked out of the legislative body. Jones’s complaint alleges that the colleague, Gloria Johnson, was also allowed to serve on a committee she was elected to before her expulsion, whereas Jones was denied the opportunity to even get a seat in the first place.

Today my attorneys filed a federal lawsuit to hold Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton responsible for his unconstitutional and discriminatory actions.

The people of District 52 deserve to have their voices heard without the threat of undemocratic silencing and retaliation. pic.twitter.com/3iLOOssTQ1

— Rep. Justin Jones (@brotherjones_) October 3, 2023

Though Jones and another Black colleague, Justin Pearson, were able to regain their seats via a special election following their gun rights protest in April 2023 after a Nashville shooting, Johnson was never expelled. In addition to this, Jones says in the lawsuit that the actions of the defendants ended up making sure that he couldn’t get seniority status or even his retirement benefits from the Tennessee Legislature.

According to Nashville News Channel 5, Jones’s suit also claims that “despite having been duly—and overwhelmingly—reelected by the people of the 52nd Legislative District, the Speaker and the House Republican majority have prevented and continue to prevent Representative Jones from speaking on behalf of his constituents by their continuing to deny Representative Jones his seat on the Government Operations committee to which he was duly appointed.”

He also alleges that the changes that were made to the Rules of Order of the Tennessee House of Representatives in August amount to a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech, as well as the Tennessee Constitution.

According to WSMV, Tennessee House Republicans claimed the protest that led to Jones and Pearson’s expulsion was in violation of the House rules, and Jones’s lawsuit pushes back on these claims, “When these three lawmakers (Jones, Pearson and Johnson) took to the well of the House in an attempt to be heard on this issue, Speaker Sexton shut down the House proceedings entirely, forced the removal of Representative Jones and his two colleagues from the Legislature, and then led an illegal and unconstitutional effort to expel them—all in an effort to quash legitimate and open discussion about the use of weapons of war in murdering six Nashville citizens.”

Following the Special Session in August, Jones addressed the media, telling reporters from WPLN, “I mean I have no doubt. I was the only member who was silenced yesterday,” Jones stated.

“I was the only member ruled out of order and had my microphone cut off when I was questioning about where in the rules can we hold the speaker accountable for abusing the rules.”

Black Mom Gets All Three Daughters Enrolled Into College Before They Turned 15

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 4, 2023

Black Mom Gets All Three Daughters Enrolled Into College Before They Turned 15

Originally Published By Blacknews.com

Nationwide — Melissa Williams, a 42-year-old African American mother from San Antonio, Texas, has successfully enrolled her three daughters as college students before they even turned 15 years old. They are attending Miles College, which is an HBCU, and they’ve all earned scholarships along the way.

“I take my responsibility as a mother seriously. I look at it as an assignment from God. So I work it whole soul, whole heart,” Williams told KENS5 News.

Williams, who proudly calls her home the “Godly House,” has 6 children — 5 daughters and 1 son — whom she was all hands-on with their education.

Williams homeschooled her oldest daughter Ate’sia and her son Isaac, tailoring curriculums to suit her children’s strengths.

Alana, her first daughter to graduate in 2021, excelled in online studies, receiving multiple university offers. Williams chose to enroll Alana in Miles College, an HBCU in Alabama, which is strategically close to other family members in Birmingham. With a 3.7 GPA, Alana entered college at just 14 years old. She is a biology pre-med major.

“I could say that I was really surprised in myself that I did it based on where everybody else’s journey was,” Alana said.

Following in Alana’s footsteps, Aniyah aced her studies, graduating at only 13 years old with a 3.0 GPA. She joined her sister at Miles College where she is majoring in business/pre-law. Even though she was nervous, she easily blended in with the college crowd, mostly because of her being tall for her age.

“People think that since I graduated at 13, I had to be some child genius or a child prodigy,” Aniyah said. “But I’m just as smart as the next person.”

Most recently, Adina graduated and has now joined her sisters at Miles College at the age of 14. With a 3.5 GPA, she enters college as a political science major.

“I was always been known to be, like, the stupid kid and the weirdo. So I didn’t think I could really do it,” Adina said. “It was always because of my weight and because of the questions I would ask.”

Their mother, while adjusting to the distance, provided unwavering support. She said, “It was definitely scary and challenging. And it took a lot of prayer and God’s direction and faith.”

Moreover, the Williams sisters credit their mother’s strong relationship with God and steadfast belief in a better future that pulled them through even during times of homelessness. Now, they’re on the rise, excelling academically and even in extracurricular activities.

With their hearts set on success, the three sisters look forward to making an impact on campus. And they also believe that their youngest sister Aubriella, who is now 9 years old, might follow in their footsteps one day.

protestors, social studies, curriculum, march, Florida, miami

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 4, 2023

‘Underground Railroad’ For Black History Education Emerges In Response To Book Bans

Amid a challenging climate for inclusive education, a growing movement is sweeping across the United States, uniting educators, lawmakers, civil rights activists, and church leaders.

According to USA Today, an ‘Underground Railroad’ has emerged to teach Black history. The collective effort stems from a renewed sense of urgency driven by recent restrictions on Black scholars and comprehensive lesson plans. Historians share innovative teaching methods, churches conduct history classes during Bible study, film festivals highlight African Americans and congressional leaders advocate for preserving this invaluable heritage.

Marvin Dulaney, president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, emphasized the importance of confronting the challenge head-on to USA Today, “There’s a movement across the country to suppress the teaching of Black history.”

As the push for greater inclusivity intensifies, its success hinges on disseminating knowledge about Black history and appreciating its significance in the broader context of American history. This Underground Railroad movement is in direct response to recent actions in numerous states, including Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma, where measures have been proposed or adopted that limit the teaching of Black history or censor discussions on race, sexuality, and gender issues in public schools, accompanied by bans on books authored by Black writers that focus on race.

Jonathan Butcher, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told the publication that while the United States has witnessed institutional racism throughout its timeline, it is a matter of school boards and policymakers to decide what should be taught. Butcher advocated for age-appropriate teaching methods, underscoring the importance of not omitting critical topics but presenting them in a manner suitable for each age group.

The political debates have sparked a new fervor among those passionate about protecting Black history, leading to initiatives to preserve books, films, and historic documents. For instance, the March on Washington Film Festival, now in its 10th year, showcases films highlighting Black history, particularly within the context of the Civil Rights Movement. This attempt to suppress the teaching of Black history has not deterred organizations but galvanized them to take more assertive steps to safeguard it.

Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, expressed his organization’s commitment to incorporating Black history sessions into after-school programs. In addition, civil rights organizations, including the National Urban League, have endorsed Kimberlé Crenshaw’s “Freedom to Learn” campaign, which aims to combat restrictions and misinformation about Black history and critical race theory. Morial stated emphatically, “There’s no American history without Black history.”

The fight over how Black history is taught goes beyond schools and classrooms. Black churches, community venues, and homes are recognized as essential spaces for teaching. Rev. Rhonda Thomas, executive director of Faith in Florida, debunked that teaching comprehensive Black history could offend white children, emphasizing that Black children and adults have endured offense for years without their stories being watered down or erased.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 4, 2023

LeBron James’ Upcoming Season Is Dedicated To His Son Bronny

In an emotional revelation this week, LeBron James provided an update on his son Bronny’s recent health issues, disclosing that the young athlete had surgery over the summer after experiencing cardiac arrest during a basketball workout at USC, according to Yahoo Sports.

Although James did not disclose specific details regarding the procedure and its exact date, he shared that Bronny, a freshman guard at USC, was recovering. He said he was optimistic that his son would be back on the court for USC.

Bronny, 18, turned down offers from Ohio State and Oregon to stay close to home at USC. Expectations for the young player and the team were high until Bronny’s cardiac arrest on July 24 during a team workout.

He was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. After three days, he was stabilized and released from the hospital. The diagnosis: a treatable congenital heart defect. In August, the James family openly shared their son’s diagnosis, having previously posted a video of Bronny showcasing his piano skills in their family home.

During Monday’s announcement, LeBron said he was dedicating the upcoming Lakers season to Bronny. Yet, it remains uncertain when Bronny will play again. When questioned about Bronny’s reentry into basketball activities, USC coach Andy Enfield emphasized that he couldn’t provide medical updates but affirmed the vital role Bronny plays on the team.

James also took a moment to laud USC’s training and coaching staff for their swift response to Bronny’s medical emergency, offering gratitude to the medical personnel at Cedars-Sinai. He underscored the impressive progress Bronny has made by stating that if you were to see him today, you’d never guess he’d faced such a health challenge.

“Definitely a whirlwind and a lot of emotions for our family this summer,” James said.

“But the best thing we have is each other…We’re happy to see where he is today and we look forward to seeing what his future still has in store for him.”

Tupac shakur, murder case, SWAT, Las Vegas

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 4, 2023

Tupac Murder Witness Identifies Shooter And Upends Popular Theory

In yet another complication to the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, a witness to the rapper’s killing said Orlando Anderson didn’t pull the trigger, according to HipHopDX.

This revelation, which undermines the popular theory surrounding who shot Tupac, comes less than a week after Anderson’s uncle, Duane “Keefe D” Davis, was arrested, for his involvement in the killing.

The witness, who is connected to the South Side Compton Crips, said that Anderson was not the killer in the fatal drive-by shooting but another passenger, Deandre “Big Dre” Smith. This comes from the witness’ testimony to a Las Vegas grand jury, obtained by 8 News Now.

Prosecutors believe Davis placed the murder weapon into the hands of one of the two men, Smith and Anderson, sitting in the back seat of the car. The witness said Anderson’s smaller frame gave him a less clear shot, prompting Smith to be the alleged triggerman instead.

“When [Davis] passed the firearm to Orlando, Orlando didn’t have a clear shot,” the witness said.

“Big Dre is six-six. At this time he’s 370, 400 [pounds]. He’s big. And you’re not going to be able to lean over a big guy like that and get—I mean, my time of knowing things, doing—you’re not going to reach over like that because shells would have been popping all in Big Dre’s face and all kind of stuff. He can’t bend down or anything, he’s too big.”

Despite the claim that Smith is the actual shooter, Davis has maintained that this accusation is untrue. As recently as July, the 60-year-old dismissed the rumor of Smith’s involvement in an interview with The Art Of Dialogue.

“Them dudes was kids, both of them dudes was kids back then,” responded the rapper to the question. “Dre was an All-CIF basketball player. He had a nice shot, dunking, all that sh*t. Dre was an athlete. He wasn’t about that.”

Davis will be arraigned October 4. He remains in custody.

Black Female Designer Of 15 Years To Keynote Major Design Industry Trade Show In High Point, North Carolina

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 4, 2023

Black Female Designer Of 15 Years To Keynote Major Design Industry Trade Show In High Point, North Carolina

Originally Published By Blacknews.com

Nationwide — The High Point Market Authority (HPMA) announces its Opening Day Keynote event for Fall Market featuring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) practitioner, interior design consultant, and author Jessica Bantom on Saturday, Oct. 14, in the High Point Theatre.

Bantom’s presentation entitled, Design for Identity: The Importance of Cultural Competence for the Design Profession, will outline ways the design community can factor cultural identity into their work, and why it matters.

During her High Point Market keynote address, Bantom will additionally present guiding principles from her trademarked Design for Identity Blueprint™, devised to facilitate meaningful outcomes for people who have been historically excluded from formalized interior design.

Bantom is the author of Design for Identity: How to Design Authentically for a Diverse World. In her consulting practice, she helps designers, design firms and design faculty evolve their creative process through cultural awareness. Having earned a master’s degree in interior design, Bantom also holds certifications in DEI, change management, design thinking, coaching, and facilitation.

This event is produced by HPMA in partnership with the Diversity Advocacy Alliance (DAA).

“We are pleased to invite all interior designers and retailers to empower themselves and potentially reshape their business practices with the change management takeaways from this powerful presentation,” says Patti Carpenter, principal of carpenter + company and DAA committee chair. “DAA is thrilled to partner with High Point Market to provide this unique event to our community, the largest trade show in the industry.”

“We’re excited for Jessica Bantom to bring the important conversation around cultural identity in design to our registered guests at High Point Market,” says Tammy Nagem, HPMA president and CEO. “Designers will continue to play a critical role in growing our industry’s platform for diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

The Saturday Keynote event is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. and is open to all registered High Point Market attendees. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m.

The biannual High Point Market Keynote Series is sponsored by the High Point Market Authority (HPMA), the official organizer of the trade show. Additional keynote event details may be found online at HighPointMarket.org/keynoteseries.

Angela Bassett, Paris Fashion Week debut

by Stacy Jackson

October 4, 2023

An Ageless Angela Bassett Proves She’s Still Got Her Groove In Mugler Fashion Show Runway Debut

Angela Bassett strutted her stuff down the runway in the Mugler Spring/Summer 2024 show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday, Oct. 2

The 65-year-old actress, who played Stella in the 1998 film How Stella Got Her Groove Back, proved that she’s still got her groove. According to US Weekly, Bassett wore a plunging garment and a sheer black tunic dress that flowed behind her—adding to her graceful presence. The Black Panther star’s outfit was complete with mesh pointed-toe heels. The outlet noted that a smokey eye and a purple lip complimented her brown skin. Bassett’s sleek updo hairstyle was swept out of the way and revealed her beautiful cheekbones.

Just one day ahead of the Oct. 2 show, other Black celebrities hit the runway, according to The Root. Actress and producer Viola Davis made her runway debut for L’Oréal Paris’ “Le Défilé’s Walk Your Worth” show as part of Paris Fashion Week at the Eiffel Tower. Like Bassett, Davis also wore black. According to photos shared by ABC News, her gown also had a plunging neckline and a slit: the 58-year-old donned gold heels, chunky black arm accessories, and dark red lipstick. The best part might have been Davis’ crown. She wore her big, beautiful afro proudly down the runway. The Woman King star was not alone; she was accompanied on the catwalk by her husband, Julius Tennon. He wore a black and white shirt, brown plaid blazer, and cream-colored khakis. A toasty, walnut brown dress shoe completed his look.

At one point, the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, Genesis, hopped on the runway for a family photo. Genesis wore a bright green gown bedazzled with jewels and feathers.

The series of designer presentations with spring/summer and autumn/winter events held semi-annually each year in Paris started on Monday, Sept. 25, and ended on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 4, 2023

Black Brides-To-Be Going Gaga Over New Hanifa Bridal Line

Hanifa, a celebrity-favorite design brand based in Washington, D.C., is venturing into wedding couture in her latest collection. The brand’s founder, Anifa Mvuemba, will unveil her debut line of bridal gowns at her Oct. 15 show.

The acclaimed designer’s first display of bridal gowns showcases ready-to-wear looks as well, expanding on the already popular dresses that made the Black-owned brand became a household name.

Hanifa’s official Instagram account made the announcement of its subsidiary line in a shared post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hanifa Bridal (@hanifabridal)

“This collection represents the culmination of my years of experience in curation, attention to detail and exploration of the theme of love,” shared the founder and 2021 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund recipient. The show will be reveal the assortment of dresses to attendees at the Salamander Resort in Middlesburg, Virginia, as part of the Fall Bridal Fashion week, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

Prior to her official dive into the fashion category, the visionary was already taking custom wedding dress orders for her diverse clientele as she built her emerging fashion empire. Staying true to being a beacon of inclusivity for all body types, Hanifa Bridal will feature a wide range of sizes adorned with custom features, such as beading and feathers incorporated into the gowns.

While Mvuemba will enter the bridal sphere with dresses, she hopes to introduce accessories, such as veils, in future drops. It could be that a bride could walk down the aisle head-to-toe in Hanifa.

For those planning a ceremony a little further down the road, the designer anticipates taking more clients for customized dress options on top of her pre-made assortment. Upcoming brides eager to indulge in the collection will be able to purchase from the brand’s online shop starting Oct.20.

by Lauren Nutall

October 4, 2023

Black Women’s Lack Of Treatment for HIV Continues

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women account for the highest number of HIV infections among women compared to other races. This issue has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a steep decline in HIV testing and diagnoses.

“If we don’t figure out how we can change the system, we’re just going to continue to keep failing Black women,” Tiara Willie, an assistant professor of mental health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told NPR.

Black women aren’t typically the first demographic to come to mind when HIV treatments are brought up. They’re primarily promoted to gay and bisexual men, the groups most commonly affected by HIV. However, many Black women are afflicted with the virus, but many lack the means and resources to treat it.

Historically, the healthcare system has neglected Black women, leaving them with fewer treatment options than their counterparts.

The CDC reported that Black women face many barriers in health care when receiving care for HIV, including racism, poverty, and general stigma. Combined with the already few treatments available, the FDA has only approved two PrEP options for women, Truvada and Apretude, out of three currently available treatments— which has left Black women more vulnerable than ever.

Moreover, Black women are often neglected when it comes to the development of these treatments. With its smaller pill size, the third available PrEP medication, Descovy, is attractive to many people and has been approved for men and transgender women. But since it was not tested on cisgender women, its efficacy is not guaranteed. This exclusion has upset many HIV advocates and researchers, who feel that by omitting cisgender women, they are left more susceptible to the virus.

Several advocates have shone a light on this issue, urging healthcare practitioners to do their due diligence as far as awareness and accessibility goes, lest Black women fall further through the cracks.