by Derek Major

October 4, 2023

NYC Public Hospitals And Clinics Struggle To Deal With Influx Of Migrants

New York City’s public hospitals and clinics are overwhelmed by the influx of undocumented migrants seeking medical care, which is putting a significant strain on the city’s healthcare system.

NBC News reports in the last year, medical centers across the city have received more than 30,000 visits from undocumented migrants according to data from New York City Health and Hospitals, the operator of the city’s public hospitals.

Bellevue Hospital, located in Manhattan, has seen a quarter of overall migrant hospital visits, including birthing more than 300 babies. Many doctors in NYC’s public hospitals are overwhelmed but know they’re making a difference.

“This has been the hardest work I’ve ever done,” Dr. Ted Long, a senior vice president for New York City Health + Hospitals, who also holds a weekly clinic for patients in need of primary care, told NBC News. “But it’s been the most impactful work that I’ve ever done.”

Randye Retkin, director of LegalHeatlh, operates a taxpayer-funded legal clinic at Bellevue. Retkin told NBC News that most of the clients she sees are migrants. Many need lifesaving care including organ transplants and cancer treatment.

“Of course, we want to make sure we get to those clients or patients as soon as possible,” Retkin said. “The health care professional will say, ‘This person might need a transplant in a month or so,’ or ‘This person really can’t get the treatment they need. Can you help us out?’”

In August, New York Mayor Eric Adams, who has called out the Biden administration for its lack of movement on the migrants’ arrival, said it will cost the city $12 billion to deal with the surge. The administration countered, saying Adams has no plan or action for migrants after they leave the shelter system. Adams is now heading to the southern border to discourage migrants from coming to the city.

In addition to health services, the influx of migrants is putting a strain on the city’s education and housing systems.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 3, 2023

Jimmy Butler’s Stops Folks In Their Tracks With Bold Hairdo On NBA Media Day

As the NBA prepares to tip off another season, one name that has become synonymous with both on-court excellence and off-court flair is Jimmy Butler. Fresh off leading the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals in the 2022-23 season, Butler has chosen the grand stage of NBA Media Day to unveil a bold and entirely new hairstyle, instantly capturing the attention of fans and fellow players, Athlon Sports reported.

The Miami Heat’s official X (formally known as twitter) account couldn’t resist the opportunity to add some humor, playfully tweeting,

“Nobody does Media Day like Jimmy Butler does Media Day.”

His new hairstyle, unconventional and defying, is emblematic of Butler’s distinctive style and unwavering willingness to be his unique self. His audacious choice for Media Day has become a social media sensation, sparking a frenzy of online reactions and memes.

One fan enthusiastically exclaimed, “That’s two epic pictures in a row! Love it!” Another chimed in with, “LOVE IT!!!!! lol All you can do is laugh at this point! Haaa.”

Nobody does Media Day like Jimmy Butler does Media Day pic.twitter.com/mjCCblN2rz

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 2, 2023

Observers are quick to acknowledge the sheer entertainment value of Butler’s Media Day theatrics, with one Twitter user humorously noting, “Jimmy troll level: 1000+,” and another proclaiming, “This the funniest NBA player of all time.”

Beyond his eye-catching hairstyles and charismatic presence, Jimmy Butler is an elite basketball talent who leaves an indelible mark on the hardwood. In the 2022-23 NBA playoffs, his performance was nothing short of spectacular, with impressive averages of 23.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game according to NBA.

As the Miami Heat gear up to commence their regular season on October 25th with a matchup against the Detroit Pistons, basketball enthusiasts can look forward to the best of both worlds: the dazzling style of Jimmy Butler and his exceptional skills on the court.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 3, 2023

Black Woman Makes History With Lead Role In Upcoming Broadway Show, ‘BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical’

This story originally appeared on Blacknews.com.

Jasmine Amy Rogers, a 23-year-old African American actress, is set to take the lead in “BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical” that will debut on Broadway. The musical, which promises to bring Betty’s charm to life on stage, is premiering in Chicago this November before hitting Broadway.

This musical, directed and choreographed by Tony winner Jerry Mitchell, brings Betty Boop to life. Mitchell is all praises for Rogers, lauding her versatile talents in acting, singing, and dancing that perfectly fit the character of Betty Boop.“From the moment Jasmine walks into a room and shares that magnificent smile and her contagious laugh, you know you are in the presence of Betty Boop. And, like the cartoon Betty, Jasmine can do everything brilliantly — acting, singing, dancing — I know her performance will capture the hearts of audiences of all ages,” he told Blex Media.

Behind the scenes, a talented team including David Rockwell, Gregg Barnes, Philip S. Rosenberg, Gareth Owen, Finn Ross, and Daryl Waters are working hard on set design, costume design, lighting, sound, projection design, and musical supervision.

The musical is inspired by Max Fleischer’s iconic characters, with music by Grammy winner David Foster, lyrics by Tony nominee Susan Birkenhead, and a book by Tony winner Bob Martin.

The story follows Betty’s quest for an ordinary day away from her celebrity status. Her adventure takes her to colorful, musical New York City, delivering a message of empowerment: “You are capable of amazing things.”

Betty Boop debuted in 1930, initially as a dog-like stage performer. She evolved into a human character, becoming the world’s only female animated screen star in 1932, voiced by Mae Questel.

Moreover, it’s essential to acknowledge the Black historical connection to Betty Boop’s creation. Esther Jones, known as “Baby Esther,” inspires the character. Born in 1918 in Chicago, she was a talented child performer known for her unique singing style and black-bottom dancing.

A lawsuit in 1930 revealed the true origins of Betty Boop. A white performer, Helen Kane, sued Fleisher Studios for appropriating her “Betty Boop” character. During the trial, it was revealed that Kane had imitated Jones’ scat act, leading to the recognition of neither Kane nor Jones as the source.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 3, 2023

$8,000 Subsidy Empowers A Mississippi Resident To Buy a Home

Desire Brown‘s dream of becoming a homeowner has become reality, thanks to a generous $8,000 Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) subsidy, according to a press release.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded the funds through one of its member institutions, Citizens National Bank.

As part of its commitment to affordable housing, FHLB Dallas earmarked $6.5 million of its 2023 Affordable Housing Program funds for HELP. This program is designed to provide essential support in homeownership from income-qualified, first-time homebuyers, assisting them with crucial down payments and closing costs.

For Brown, a 34-year-old medical assistant who lives in Jackson, Mississippi, this subsidy was a game-changer. “Although I’ve been saving for a home for a long time, Citizens National Bank and HELP gave me the confidence to finally enter the market and make a decision,” she said.

The challenges of renting and living in less-than-ideal neighborhoods were the driving force behind her pursuit of homeownership.

Brown secured her initial mortgage through Citizens National Bank and used the HELP subsidy to facilitate the down payment and cover closing costs.

“We wanted to be there for her as she took this significant step and much of it was made possible by the HELP subsidy,” said Tyeisha Smith, community development officer at Citizens National Bank

Without the support of Citizens National Bank and HELP, Brown said owning a home would have remained a distant aspiration. Since 2018, Citizens National Bank has leveraged HELP funds to assist nearly 50 Mississippi residents in achieving the milestone of homeownership.

“We strive to provide affordable and flexible funding to our members through programs like HELP and other subsidies. Through their utilization of the program, Citizens National Bank is a great case study in leveraging HELP to meet customers’ housing needs,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and Director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

Visit fhlb.com/help for more information.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 3, 2023

Idris Elba Opens Up About Workaholic Habits, Therapy

Renowned British actor Idris Elba recently revealed that he’s grappling with his identity as a self-proclaimed “workaholic” and is currently in therapy to address what he described as “unhealthy habits.”

In an episode of the Changes with Annie Macmanus podcast released Oct. 2, Elba shared that he’s been undergoing therapy for approximately a year, according to CNN.

“In my therapy, I’ve been thinking a lot about changing,” Elba said in the podcast. “It’s not because I don’t like myself or anything like that. It’s just that I have some unhealthy habits that have just really formed. I’m a workaholic. I’m an absolute workaholic. And that isn’t great for life, generally. Nothing that’s too extreme is good. Everything needs balance.”

The Emmy-nominated actor recognized that the entertainment world tends to celebrate individuals who can say, “I’m not going to see my family for six months,” as they immerse themselves in their work. He acknowledged the need to “adjust” these patterns, even though he admitted that working less wasn’t an option.

Elba pointed out a peculiar aspect of his work-life balance. “The things that make me relaxed end up being work,” he noted. He cited the example that after spending 10 days on a film set, he finds working in his home studio more relaxing than “sitting on the sofa watching TV with the family, which is bad, right?”

The celebrated actor is also a DJ with performances at renowned events like the Glastonbury Festival and Coachella. Elba has also ventured into directing, helming his first feature film, Yardie, and creating the TV show In the Long Run in 2018.

Researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway found in 2016 that 7.8% of people could be classified as workaholics. These individuals spend more time at work than initially intended, often at the expense of personal hobbies and exercise.

Suge Knight Ain’t No Snitch, Denounces Recent Arrest In Tupac Murder Case

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 3, 2023

Suge Knight Ain’t No Snitch, Denounces Recent Arrest In Tupac Murder Case

Suge Knight, co-founder of Death Row Records, expressed his surprise and steadfast refusal to testify against Duane “Keefe D” Davis, the recently arrested suspect in the murder of Tupac Shakur, according to TMZ.

Knight, who was present during the 1996 shooting that killed the legendary rapper, spoke to TMZ from a California state prison, where he is currently serving a sentence. He opposes the arrest of Davis and questions the validity of the entire case.

He also challenged the widely accepted belief that Davis’s late nephew, Orlando Anderson, was the person who killed Shakur.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TMZ (@tmz_tv)

Knight told TMZ he has no intention of offering any damning testimony against Keefe D, despite Davis’s alleged confessions in interviews and interactions with law enforcement.

Knight’s decision carries significant weight, given his status in the case. He was in the same car as Tupac when the fatal shots were fired, making his testimony of paramount importance. Nevertheless, Knight has made it clear that he will not cooperate with prosecutors, effectively stating that he will not be a “rat.”

Out of the six individuals connected to the shooting, only Knight and Duane Davis are still alive. Davis’s recent arrest, following a grand jury indictment, has rekindled interest in the case, but Knight’s surprising refusal to cooperate raises new questions and adds a layer of intrigue to an already complex story.

It remains to be seen how Knight’s position will impact the case and whether it will shed new light on the events of that led to Shakur’s untimely death. The unexpected twists and turns continue to captivate those who seek answers to the loss of one of hip-hop’s iconic figures.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 3, 2023

Leaked 2018 Ye Rants Feature Critique of Pusha T, Nas, Teyana Taylor, Cardi B

In recently surfaced 2018 footage from an apparent documentary on the artist formerly known as Kanye West, the world got a glimpse into the unfiltered mind of the Chicago producer, according to Vibe Magazine.

In a candid moment, Ye, now 46, was engaged in a passionate conversation, apparently with his former manager, Scooter Braun, expressing his discontent with the state of affairs at G.O.O.D Music.

https://youtu.be/CBTrLLj-edc

“It ain’t gonna be in this situation,” he said in the video. “It’s going to be a ‘get me out of this G.O.O.D. Music situation now. And Scooter, it ain’t going to be ‘I’m still putting my name on that sh*t.’ I need to break free from G.O.O.D. Music because I am exceptional, and guess what? Good is the adversary of greatness.”

Ye then delved into the Wyoming recording sessions and the collaborations he had undertaken. He openly questioned his choices, expressing regret for giving away tracks such as “Wanna Love You” to Teyana Taylor, whose 2018 hit “Gonna Love Me” took off. Similar sentiments were aimed at Pusha T and his Grammy-nominated 2018 album, Daytona.

The Chicago native was visibly vexed, perceiving these artistic partnerships as squandering what he considered to be the equivalent of three albums on par with his 2010 masterpiece, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

As the fiery monologue continued, Ye shifted his focus to Nas, raising concerns about his contribution to “Cop Shot The Kid,” citing the rapper’s perceived off-beat delivery and lack of communication regarding the music video. Ye’s frustration was palpable as he decried a lack of appreciation from those around him, decrying their attempts to exploit his talents.

In no uncertain terms, Ye proclaimed himself the preeminent living artist, asserting his capability to excel in every facet of creativity.

https://twitter.com/PoeBase/status/1708612765756318081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1708612765756318081%7Ctwgr%5Ea577bd272c2f63f78b5225ba4213ee54c08789f0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vibe.com%2Fnews%2Fentertainment%2Fkanye-west-goes-off-nas-pusha-t-leaked-2018-recording-1234797157%2F

In a separate clip, Ye commented on Cardi B‘s career, suggesting that she was an Illuminati pawn and accusing her of not writing her own lyrics. He criticized her for perpetuating a persona that appeared to glorify ignorance and money-making, claiming that she was intentionally positioned as a replacement for Nicki Minaj, seemingly without her awareness of the larger machinations at play.

Cardi B briefly addressed these comments with a now-deleted tweet, while Kanye’s ramblings continued to stir the ever-evolving conversation about artistry, success, and influence.

Kenya Forces To Help End Violent Outbreaks In Haiti

by Stacy Jackson

October 3, 2023

Kenya Forces To Help End Violent Outbreaks In Haiti

Kenya has volunteered to send 1,000 troops to lead international efforts by the United Nations Security Council to help reduce gang violence in Haiti.

The country in east Africa offered to send forces in July after Haiti requested assistance last year to get violent outbreaks in check since President Jovenel Moise‘s 2021 assassination. On Monday, the United Nations Security Council gave the OK to deploy international assistance to Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, according to Al Jazeera.

This means Kenya and the other countries that volunteered to send troops—Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda—will get financial incentives and will likely be seen as trustworthy and reliable when it comes to helping other countries.

Nairobi-based analyst Dismas Mokua explained to Al Jazeera that Kenya will be perceived as “a very serious political capital,” globally because of its readiness to volunteer its troops during a time of need. “In the eyes of the world, Kenya becomes a dependable ally who is willing to help other countries.” Mokua said.

The east African country has a history of sending personnel to region’s experiencing unrest. Kenya’s Defense Minister Aden Duale said the country’s “very long history of global peacekeeping” includes efforts in Kosovo, Somalia, and Congo.

“Obviously, there are financial incentives. Resources are allocated to participating countries. Troops will also be given extra allowance, which is why there is high interest from officers for foreign deployments,” Mokua said, according to Al Jazeera.

The African country will not only get clout and money.

“The mission creates several opportunities for Kenya. Kenyan law enforcement agencies will get specialized, training and equipment before they are sent,” Mokua said. “This will improve the capacity of the force in the long term.”

Violence has been rampant in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, since Moise’s assassination. Al Jazeera reported that there have been 3,000 homicides, over 1,500 kidnappings for ransom, and 200,000 people–half of whom are children—forced out of their homes.

The Banned Wagon Is Making A Stop In Houston’s Third Ward To Fight Book Bans

by Daniel Johnson

October 3, 2023

The Banned Wagon Is Making A Stop In Houston’s Third Ward To Fight Book Bans

According to PEN America, Texas is second only to Florida when it comes to the number of books banned by school districts. Texas has banned 625 books, compared to Florida’s much more expansive 1,400 banned books. As a result of the bans, PEN America, Little Free Library, Penguin Random House, and The Freedom to Read Foundation have created a joint project called The Banned Wagon: A Vehicle for Change.

The Houston Chronicle reports that the wagon will be unloading on a Oct. 7 stop at Third Ward’s Kindred Stories, a bookstore owned by Terri Hamm. The Banned Wagon event will have free tote bags, “swag” items, and pizza, plus entertainment provided by DJ Double Dutch. A promotional flyer for the event, explaining the importance of The Banned Wagon, reads, “Book bans are on the rise in America, driven by new laws and regulations limiting the kinds of books that kids can access.”

According to Penguin Random House, the wagon is traveling on a tour to hand out copies of banned books to the communities most affected by the book bans.

According to Texas Scorecard, Harris County Commissioners approved a resolution which turns the Harris County public library system into a book sanctuary, joining 2,828 others across the country. As the resolution reads: “The freedom to read is under threat across the nation, and nowhere more so than in the state of Texas which challenged 2,349 books, of which at least 511 were removed from school libraries and classrooms in 2022, and is on pace to once again lead the nation in challenging and removing books in 2023.”

The Banned Wagon is coming to Kindred Stories on October 7!!!!

Book bans in America are more widespread than ever. They must be stopped. The Banned Wagon: A Vehicle for Change is road-tripping through the South this #bannedbooksweek (October 1-7) to get books to the people who n pic.twitter.com/DCHW40sGAc

— Kindred Stories (@kindred_stories) October 2, 2023

As the Houston Chronicle reported, on Sept. 1, Texas House Bill 900, also known as the Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources (READER) Act, took effect. This act makes book sellers rate books based on references to sexual content; books that are rated “sexually explicit” are taken off shelves. A complaint was filed against the act, alleging that it violates the First and 14th Amendments. Furthermore, this opens up smaller bookstores, which generally sell their books to schools at a reduced price, to face fines that could threaten their businesses. In addition to this hurdle, the act also demands that stores keep detailed records, asking for an accounting of every book they have ever sold to libraries or they could face fines.

Elizabeth Jordan, general manager of Nowhere Bookshop in San Antonio, told the Chronicle, “If I am selling a book to a school, I will have to have read the whole book to determine if it’s sexually relevant or sexually explicit. And both of those things, I think, are pretty subjective, and I might rate them differently than others might.”

She continued, “I don’t see why I would put myself at risk to do that. If all the onus is on me, all the liability is on me, and it’s not a job I’m trained to do or my employees are trained to do. I think that the ultimate end result is there’s just going to be a lot fewer books in school libraries because there are going to be fewer bookstores willing to do the work to sell those books, and that’s bad for all Texas students.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 3, 2023

Waffle House Employees Campaign For ‘$25 An Hour’ Wages

Waffle House employees are taking a stand for their workers’ rights. Those employed at locations all across the Southeast are fighting for increased security, optional meal deductions, and a pay raise to $25 an hour.

In their quest to have their demands met, employees have held rallies, back by the Union of Southern Service Workers, to spread awareness of what they require in order to continue working for the beloved breakfast chain. WSB-TV reported how organizers are speaking out on why they deserve more pay for the work and expertise that goes into serving at the restaurant.

“I am what they call a grill operator,” shared seasoned employee Gerald Green.” I am a cook. I am a rockstar cook. I have been at Waffle House for about seven years. I am the highest-level cook outside management.”

Green revealed that he makes $17.75 an hour, a wage that forces him and many others in a similar predicament to seek additional jobs in order to pay the bills.

Getting Waffle House executives to comply with the workers’ demands has been an ongoing campaign, as South Carolina employees began to strike in June 2023 for increased security and the elimination of mandatory meal deductions for each shift.

The restaurants have also gained notoriety for the uptick in violent incidents that put workers’ lives on the front lines. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, one of these ordeals resulted in the death of a 19-year-old employee back in August.

“A lot of workers are hurt by customers,” detailed Green. “A lot of workers are mistreated by customers. People say it is funny seeing people in fights all the time — like, we are not really MMA fighters like people online say we are.”

Waffle House jeopardizes the safety of its workers in severe weather as well, as it is known for remaining open through most conditions, including hurricanes, while other restaurants close down.

However, a spokesperson for the food business released a statement delegitimizing the recently held events.

“We are aware of the activities that took place yesterday at three of our locations in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, in which nearly all the people who protested were not Waffle House Associates. Very few, if any were employees, contrary to the embellished descriptions that union officials have presented in their press release and accompanying photos sent to the media. With that said, Waffle House remains proud of its long history of effectively and directly addressing Associate concerns. Our senior management teams continue to work alongside our Associates as they have done since our company’s inception.”

Despite the attempts to minimize their efforts, Green and fellow employees continue to fight for better wages and working conditions.