Black Journalist Accuses Oakland NAACP Of Betraying The City After Calling For ‘Tough-On-Crime’ Tactics

by Sharelle Burt

September 29, 2023

Black Journalist Accuses Oakland NAACP Of Betraying The City After Calling For ‘Tough-On-Crime’ Tactics

A journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle is accusing the Oakland chapter of the NAACP of backtracking on its progress, the Daily Mail reports.

Justin Phillips, who writes a weekly column for the publication, rejected a letter from the organization condemning the “progressive policies and failed leadership” of the city and demanded more officers on the street who combat crime.

Phillips wasn’t too fond of the viewpoint and, in response, said the letter was a “betrayal of NAACP values in the city.”

“From the revolutionary spirit of the Black Panthers to the impactful Black Lives Matter protests, Oakland’s legacy is steeped in Black defiance against oppressive systems,” Phillips wrote.

“The Oakland NAACP’s recent actions are a stain on the rich tapestry of progress woven by generations of the city’s sons and daughters.”

He called for the resignation of Oakland chapter President Cynthia Adams, who spearheaded the letter calling for the city to issue a “state of emergency” to conquer the rising crime numbers. Phillips, who started the column in 2021, continued, saying it’s time for some new blood in leadership.

“It’s time for the Black community in Oakland to have new voices speaking on its behalf, ones that are actually dedicated to dismantling systemic racism and advocating for true liberation,” he said.

“The Oakland NAACP is not up to the task, and the stakes are far too high to continue to gamble on their misguided leadership.”

Other Bay Area-based activists stand in solidarity with Phillip’s call to action. Host of the Black Business Roundtable podcast and community activist Doug Blacksher said the chapter isn’t aligned with the city’s values and it’s time to “break the silence.”

“The Oakland branch is currently using its position to hijack the legacy of the historic organization and using it as a weapon—a weapon!—against their opposition,” Blacksher said.

The NAACP’s July 2023 letter was supported by Bishop Bob Jackson of the Acts Full Gospel Church and highlighted recent crimes, including women being targeted by “young mobs,” according to Fox HTVU 2. They claimed residents are scared to leave their homes.

“African Americans are disproportionately hit the hardest by crime in East Oakland and other parts of the city,” the letter reads. “But residents from all parts of the city report that they do not feel safe.”

The Alameda County District Attorney’s response painted another picture: “We are disappointed that a great African-American pastor and a great African-American organization would take a false narrative on such an important matter.”

Black Millennials 4 Flint Honor 2023 Young, Gifted & Green 40 Under 40 Awardees

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 29, 2023

Black Millennials 4 Flint Honor 2023 Young, Gifted & Green 40 Under 40 Awardees

Washington, DC — A few blocks from this year’s Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s annual gala, some of the nations’ hardest working young Black, Latinx, and Indigenous environmentalist justice leaders and community activists were being honored by Black Millennials 4 Flint (BM4F) and other major environmental organizations. With the national Capitol as the backdrop, BM4F presented the 2023 Young, Gifted, and Green 40 Under 40 during an awards ceremony held in Washington. New York Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) and Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson delivered remarks recognizing the 40 awardees who grapple with complex solutions to solve the climate crisis and dismantle environmental racism.

“This year’s recipients, including our Honorary Awardee, the Children’s Environmental Health Network, are a celebration of excellence representing leaders who are positively impacting our communities, especially historically disenfranchised Black and brown communities,” said LaTricea Adams, BM4F founder, CEO and president. “This marks our 7th year of honoring those continuing the efforts our environmental elders started in their work to end environmental injustices.”

The 40 awardees come from a variety of organizations and backgrounds, including North Caroli-na-based William J. Barber III with the Rural Beacon Initiative; Alabamian Crystal Smitherman, who serves as the Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem; Raul Garcia, Vice President of Policy and Legislation at Earthjustice; David Mills with the Climate Action Campaign, to name a few. Among some of the recipients working in communities overburdened by pollution and entrepreneurs include Shamyra Lavigne with RISE St. James in Louisiana; Ashley Strozier from Communities First in Flint, Michigan; Dwayne Norris and Alejandro Alvarez, co-founders of the New York-based Soulful Synergy; Diamond Spratling, founder of Atlanta-based Girl Plus Environment; and Jordan Roberts, assistant director of Florida AM University’s Sustainability Institute. For the complete list of 2023 recipients, go to 40 Under 40 Award Recipients. Watch the full ceremony streaming on BM4F’s Facebook Live on October 26.

“You are the revolution that we need. Do not wait for anyone to give you permission. Do not let anyone tell you to wait your turn,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman. “You are ready to lead right now. And we need your relentlessness and courage as you continue to fight the fight to make our planet completely green, clean, renewable, and safe.”

Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson, a past recipient of the 40 Under 40 award, delivered an inspiring “We the people” call and response message to the standing-room-only crowd, saying: “We, the people who are going to build this movement. We the people who are going to make sure those who have been left out, locked out and pushed to the periphery get brought to the center. We the people who will demand clean air, clean water and clean soil, not just for us but for our descendants and our descendants descendants. We the people who will fight for our collective freedom and liberation because ‘ain’t nobody free until everybody is free.’ We the people are going to change this country. We the people are going to change the world. I’m so glad to be in this room right alongside you. God bless you, and congratulations!”

A panel of reviewers selected this year’s finalists from nominees, including educators, scientists, artists, policymakers, healthcare/public health professionals, faith-based leaders, social justice advocates/activists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and social media influencers, to name a few. The title sponsor was the Environmental Defense Fund. Other sponsors included Climate Power, Climate Action Campaign, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Earthjustice.

Black Millennials 4 Flint is a national environmental justice and civil rights organization that brings like-minded organizations together to collectively take action and advocate against the lead exposure crisis, specifically in African-American and Latinx communities nationwide.

For press inquiries, contact Flo McAfee at flo@summerlandstudio.com or 202-486-3673.

RELATED CONTENT: 5 Easy Ways to Go Green for a Cause

Get Into This: Walmart To Hold Annual ‘Open Call’ For Entrepreneurs

by Atiya Jordan

September 29, 2023

Get Into This: Walmart To Hold Annual ‘Open Call’ For Entrepreneurs

Calling all entrepreneurs! Is your product shelf-ready? Walmart is hosting its annual Open Call for innovative products to get in the hands of millions of shoppers.

To support its commitment in creating American jobs, Walmart is extending invitations to American entrepreneurs to expand their reach to newer heights. The annual Open Call, which also involves ECRM and RangeMe, will offer face-to-face introductions with Walmart and/or Sam’s Club merchants as well as networking opportunities.

“At Walmart, we believe in making a difference on the issues our customers and communities care about. We believe we can create more American jobs by supporting more American manufacturing,” the company said in a press release.

“By making production more affordable and feasible in the United States, we can bring our customers more products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. and manufacturers can create more jobs in America.”

The requirements to apply include:

A history of marketplace or eCommerce success
The ability to manage your own catalog
Have an assortment of products with standard product identifiers such as a Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) or a Universal Product Codes (UPCs).

Click here to learn more and to apply.

Moreover, Walmart suggests setting up a free account with RangeMe to help streamline the Open Call registration process. You can build a product portfolio and supplier profile on the platform.

Joining Walmart’s Marketplace is also another way to expand your reach. Once approved to sell there, you will have access to “innovative solutions designed to help you sell with confidence and grow a successful business on Walmart.com,” according to the release. Among them: using Walmart Fulfillment Services and Sponsored Products ad campaigns.

According to Walmart, the company has invested $350 billion in products made, grown, or assembled in America, which has supported the creation of over 750,000 U.S. jobs.

by Sharelle Burt

September 29, 2023

Is ‘Toxic Masculinity’ To Blame For The Fatal Stabbing Of 15-Year-Old Elianne Andam?

The 17-year-old accused of stabbing the friend of his ex-girlfriend in South London on Sept. 27 made his first court appearance, BBC reports. The unidentified teenager is being charged with murder for fatally stabbing 15-year-old Elianne Anda and possessing a kitchen knife in a public place without reason. According to the New York Post, Andam was protecting a friend from the teenager, her ex-boyfriend. The victim had just got off a double-decker bus on her way to school when the suspect approached them with flowers.

The victim reportedly stepped in between the former couple to break up the situation when the scorned lover allegedly pulled out a black, thin knife, putting it through Andam’s neck. The bus driver and witnesses attempted to save her while medical officials were called. Almost 40 minutes later, Andam died. As for the suspect, he fled the scene but was detained nearly an hour later.

When news of the tragic crime hit social media, an outpouring of support came from people who recognized the devastation. Popular TikTok personalities gave their take on the situation, and one thinks toxic masculinity is to blame for the attacks on young Black women.

“The radicalization and incelification of young teen boys is making them lose their innocence,” the influencer said. “And as proxy we are going to be able to see their innocence and adolescence cause they are going to be a danger to society.”

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A post shared by Onsite! (@its_onsite)

“We are failing our boys.”

Comments went both in support of her statement and against it.

“She didn’t lie one time,” one comment read. “But the way this patriarchal society is set up.. she might as well talk to the walls about this subject.”

Another said, “Stop saying OUR or BLACK BOYS & It goes BOTH ways.”

Family members gathered at the crime scene on Sept. 28, placing flowers in honor of their loved one.

In a statement, Andam’s family said they are struggling with this. “We, as a family, are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne,” it read. “Elianne was a beautiful person inside and out who loved Jesus. She was intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and had a bright future ahead.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “shocked” by the tragic news and spoke out about tougher sentencing for knife-related crimes.

“Everyone will be looking at that and be shocked as I am, appalled by what’s happened and, quite frankly, angry. It just illustrates the importance of clamping down on knife crime,” he said.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 29, 2023

U.S. Poor Face Economic Hit As Government Shutdown, Childcare Cliff, Student Loans Converge

Originally Reported By Reuters.com

WASHINGTON, Sept 29 – Lower income households and Black and Latino communities will be hit hard when a confluence of U.S. economic events kick off next week, including a sharp drop in childcare funding, economists, analysts and government officials said.

About 12.4%, some 41 million, of the U.S.’s 333 million people live at or below the poverty line, the Census Bureau calculates, which is set at about $29,678 for a household of two adults and two chidren.

That rate fell to a record low in 2021 thanks to COVID-19 federal support, but has jumped as these programs expired.

SHUTDOWN IMPACTS

Hardline Republicans in the House have rejected a deal the Republican-led House negotiated with U.S. President Joe Biden in May for $1.59 trillion in discretionary spending in fiscal 2024, paving the way for wide swaths of the government to shut down for the fourth time in a decade.

Everything from economic data releases to food benefits may be suspended beginning on Sunday, and some 2.2. million government workers may be furloughed or forced to work without pay.

The average member of the American Federation of Government Employees earns between $55,000 and $65,000 a year, but thousands of hourly workers earn much less, about $31,200 a year. These workers will all get back pay after the furlough or shutdown is over, but contract workers, who earn even less, are not eligible for the back pay.

FOOD BENEFITS FROM WIC, SNAP

A shutdown could cause a rapid loss of food benefits for nearly 7 million low-income women and children on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infacts and Children, or WIC, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Trigger Warning: Elderly Woman In ICU After Receiving Wrong Medication At D.C. Rehabilitation Center

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 29, 2023

Trigger Warning: Elderly Woman In ICU After Receiving Wrong Medication At D.C. Rehabilitation Center

Originally published on BlackNews

Kim Parker and Governor Jackson, III have been retained to represent Rosezena Jackson, a resident of the District of Columbia, regarding the egregious medical treatment received, while she was a patient at Capitol City Rehabilitation Center in Southeast DC. Specifically, then 74-year-old Mrs. Jackson was a patient at Capitol City, recuperating from a blood clot. For reasons unknown to her, Mrs. Jackson was provided another patient’s medication to which she was highly allergic. Consequently, Mrs. Jackson suffered an allergic reaction, resulting in her being intubated and placed in a medically induced coma.

In addition, her injuries were so severe, she had to have significant rehabilitation, including speech therapy. She will require future medical care for the remainder of her life. Capitol City has a well-documented history of subpar treatment of its residents including similar prescription errors.
On Sept. 8, Capitol City’s owners were notified that Mrs. Jackson, through her attorneys, would file a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against them within the next 90 days. It is their expectation that Capitol City will engage in good-faith settlement negotiations prior to the lawsuit being filed.

Although they would prefer not to engage in protracted litigation, they are prepared to stay the course to obtain justice for Mrs. Jackson. The pending lawsuit follows President Biden’s new federal standards for nursing home care, which will curtail the type of conduct displayed by Capitol City in this case.

For press inquiries, contact 410-528-5150 or gjackson@governorjacksonlaw.com

The firm is currently investigating other incidents at Capitol City Rehab and Healthcare Center involving negligence. Those who are aware of any other case involving violations at Capital City should call 410-234-2621 or visit the official website at www.kpcounsel.com/contact to submit a case for review.

Also, be sure to follow the firm on social media: https://linktr.ee/kpcounsel

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 29, 2023

Neglected And Desecrated: A Call To Preserve America’s Black Cemeteries

Margot Williams, Lisa Fager, and Yamona Pierce all hail from different corners of America—Washington, D.C., Georgia, and Texas—and share a common mission: preserving Black cemeteries.

As The New York Times originally reported, these remarkable women have witnessed the heart-wrenching desecration of Black grave sites in their respective hometowns, driving them to channel their grief and anger into an unwavering determination.

These women’s stories of resilience and unwavering commitment to restoring the dignity of Black cemeteries serve as a compelling call to action in the fight for preserving America’s Black burial grounds.

In a quiet corner of Georgetown, one of Washington’s oldest Black cemeteries is a solemn reminder of a 7-year-old girl known as “Nannie,” who died on May 18, 1856.

This year, as the nation celebrated Juneteenth, a day commemorating emancipation, the sanctity of Nannie’s final resting place was shattered. As reported by ABC4 Washington, on that fateful night, following a gathering of over 200 people who came to pay their respects on Juneteenth, Nannie’s grave was set ablaze, scorching her tombstone and destroying the heartfelt tributes lovingly placed there.

The NYT article explains that Lisa Fager, the executive director of the Black Georgetown Foundation, who is responsible for preserving this historic cemetery, was devastated when she discovered the aftermath. A senseless act of vandalism had marred a place with immense historical significance.

According to the outlet, Fager, the caretaker of the Mount Zion-Female Union Band Society cemeteries in Washington, D.C., embodies resilience and tenacity in the face of adversity. While the neighboring Oak Hill Cemetery thrives and receives ample financial support for preservation efforts, Fager’s foundation struggles to secure even a fraction of the required funds. The glaring disparity between the care extended to the Oak Hill Cemetery and the adjacent Black cemeteries is a stark reminder of these historic sites’ systemic neglect.

Margott Williams, who founded a nonprofit entrusted with the care of Olivewood Cemetery in Houston, succinctly captures the essence of their mission: “We stand on their shoulders.” In Washington, Lisa Fager single-handedly took on the city and federal government when work crews threatened to encroach on the Female Union Band Society cemetery during a bike path renovation.

According to the article, Williams has been fighting a relentless battle to restore Olivewood Cemetery, which holds the remains of 4,000 of the city’s earliest Black residents, including a dozen of her own ancestors. The cemetery’s biggest threat is uncontrolled flooding from the adjacent bayou, exacerbated by nearby development, which has washed graves into a ravine. Williams’s struggle epitomizes the dedication required to preserve and honor these historic sites. Despite Olivewood’s recognition as a historic site by UNESCO and the state of Texas, the cemetery receives no government funding for maintenance.

In Midland, Georgia, Yamona Pierce demanded that Georgia Power rectify the damage caused to Pierce Chapel African Cemetery when they plowed an access path over graves. In Houston, Williams, at the heart of her city’s Black history preservation efforts, pushed a lawnmower to Olivewood for months, eventually convincing the county to entrust her with the cemetery’s care.

According to the outlet, the exact number of surviving Black burial grounds in the United States remains unknown, and this issue is further exacerbated by limited funding. Tens of thousands of Black cemeteries are vying for preservation grants, with a recent competition drawing proposals from 5,400 such cemeteries seeking a total of $650 million, starkly contrasting the available funding from private and corporate donors.

The article concluded that the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act was passed late last year, authorizing $3 million for competitive grants to identify, research, and preserve Black cemeteries. However, Congress has not yet appropriated the funds. Consequently, this legislation remains more of a promise than a tangible solution.

This story was written by Black Enterprise contributor Rafael Pena.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 29, 2023

Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler Isn’t Feeling These High Gas Prices To Fill Up His Bugatti

Apparently, the high cost of gas just doesn’t affect poor people and the middle class. While filling up his gas tank in California, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler was caught on video complaining about the cost of putting fuel into his Bugatti.

According to Daily Mail, Butler was spotted at a Beverly Hills gas station (Jack Colker’s Union 76 Gas Station)in an Instagram Story. He spent $145 to get his gas tank full and had something to say about it. The small forward is playing on a $150 million contract, so he’s not exactly making minimum wage.

“This is highway f**king robbery. Man, I’m tryna give some of this gas back. You think if I go in and tell him that I put the wrong gas in here they’d give me a refund? This is crazy, I’m going electric,” he declared.

High gas prices are the only thing that Butler is complaining about these days. After hearing the news that Portland Trailblazers’ star guard Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks to join superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, Butler recorded a video accusing the Bucks of tampering. Rumors had Lillard going to the Heat, but reportedly the Blazers wanted too much in return.

“Yo NBA man, y’all need to look into the Bucks for tampering… Y’all didn’t hear it from me,” Butler said in the widely shared and seen video.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the three-team deal involved the Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks traded for Lillard, while the Blazers will receive Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, and Milwaukee’s 2029 unprotected first-round pick as part of the trade. The Suns will be getting Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson in this package.

Urban League Unveils The Holloman Center For Social Justice

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 28, 2023

The Urban League Of Greater Southwestern Ohio Unveils The Holloman Center For Social Justice

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio —with support from the Holloman Family Foundation and in collaboration with Fifth Third Bank —unveils the Holloman Center for Social Justice in Avondale Town Center to bridge the gap between the Greater Cincinnati community and local law enforcement.

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) proudly unveiled the Holloman Center for Social Justice (CSJ) in Avondale Town Center, following an inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony presented by Fifth Third. The ceremony included local dignitaries and public officials like Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, former ULGSO presidents Eddie Keon and Donna Jones Baker, YWCA Cincinnati’s Rickell Howard Smith, who is also the inaugural executive director for CSJ, and members of the Avondale community.

Kala Gibson, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer of Fifth Third remarked, “Our support for the Holloman Center for Social Justice reflects our unwavering dedication to creating a more just and equitable society for all. We want to ensure that social justice remains at the heart of a better future for the communities we serve.”

An impressive $1 million gift from Black philanthropists J. Phillip Holloman and his wife Gail underpinned the new 10,000-square-foot facility and was bolstered by support from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Senior Director of Community Relations at Cincinnati Children’s, Monica J. Mitchell, expressed her enthusiasm, noting, “The Hollomon Center for Social Justice support[s] youth development, community programs, and diversity and social initiatives that are closely tied to physical and mental health outcomes in children and families.”

Christie Kuhns, ULGSO President and CEO, acknowledged, “The generous contribution from Black philanthropists Phillip and Gail Holloman fast-tracked our equity efforts. The Holloman Center symbolizes our unyielding devotion to social justice in historically underserved communities.”

The social justice center’s theme, From Protest to Policy Change, speaks to the Center’s goal of catalyzing collaborative police reform in Southwestern Ohio. The Center will focus on three key areas: policy change, community engagement, and police department transparency.

Led by Managing Director Gabriel M. Fletcher, the Center’s team will actively engage in policy advocacy, data collection and reporting, community education, and organizing to advance racial equity and social justice in the region. The Center will also host various programs and events focused on health equity, voting rights, and youth engagement.

2 Chainz Spices Up Vegas Residency To Highlight Black-Owned Restaurants

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 28, 2023

2 Chainz Spices Up Vegas Residency To Highlight Black-Owned Restaurants

2 Chainz is kicking off a restaurant residency program in Las Vegas to spotlight Black chefs nationwide with Pepsi Dig In.

Starting Sept. 30, 2 Chainz will bring one of his favorite dishes—Blackened Salmon Alfredo Pasta— from his Atlanta restaurant Esco Restaurant & Tapas to Mandalay Bay’s Libertine Social and Luxor’s Public House for four weeks.

It’s among the exclusive dishes from Black-owned restaurants across the country taking part in PEPSI Dig In’s Restaurant Royalty Residency program in Las Vegas. Following last year’s success, Pepsi Dig In brings six new restaurants and their concepts to MGM Resorts International for the first time, including an addition from the multiplatinum Grammy Award-winning rapper 2 Chainz.

With the initiative bringing opportunities and awareness to Black-owned restaurants on a national scale, 2 Chainz saw the significance of joining the second edition.

“This initiative [is] to really help out Black restaurants and really try to develop and serve Black cuisines in Vegas and to people around the world,” 2 Chainz tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“The reason that I’m involved is because I have my own restaurant, obviously, I’m Black.”

We’re excited to share the top 5 finalists from your Restaurant Royalty nominations! Make sure you continue to #DigInShowLove by visiting these restaurants. pic.twitter.com/KIddeYmABO

— Pepsi Dig In (@pepsidigin) August 22, 2023

The “I’m Different” rapper is an avid foodie who enjoys introducing new cuisines to his followers and restaurant patrons. He naturally “aligned” with the restaurant residency and knew the right dish to share with the Las Vegas crowd from his Escos menu.

“It feels very organic. Vegas is a place where I have a residency. I’m out there, you know, 12, 13 times a year,” 2 Chainz says.

“And so now I have a place to go and try some great dishes, including one of mine from my restaurant, Escobar, which is the salmon alfredo.”

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A post shared by Esco Lounge and Restaurant (@escobaratlanta)

With his seven years in the restaurant industry, 2 Chainz knows the hurdles and challenges to keep the doors open. But he’s standing the test of time thanks to running a restaurant where “the energy and the atmosphere matches the food in the body.”

This year’s Pepsi Dig In Restaurant Royalty Residency will be hosted at Mandalay Bay’s Libertine Social and Luxor’s Public House and run from Sept. 30 through Feb. 6. The residency features mouthwatering dishes from Black-owned eateries across the country, including 2 Chainz’ Esco Restaurant & Tapas based in Atlanta, and Cranky Granny’s Sweet Rolls from Pflugerville, TX.

Other Black chefs who will be featured include Taylor’s Tacos from Chicago, Blk Swan from Baltimore, LoLo’s on The Water based in New York, and Bridgetown Roti in Los Angeles.