BEYhive, Beyoncé, New Jersey, Garden state, Honey Bee, renaissance, tour stop, Queen Bey, Queen Honey-Bey
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 27, 2023

Beyoncé Fan Gets Smacked For Screaming During ‘Mute Challenge’

The Bey Hive is tired of the disrespect during Beyoncé’s “Mute Challenge” and is ready to lay the smackdown on whoever tries to destroy the unified moment.

A newly surfaced video from the Houston leg of Bey’s Renaissance tour stop on Sunday, September 24, shows what happened to one man who found it funny to let out a Rick Flair “woooo” during the “Mute Challenge” portion of the show.

The video clip appears to catch the moment one Beyoncé fan smacked the man who shouted out during the now-infamous “mute challenge” that’s been taking the “Renaissance” concert experience by storm. The man is seen holding his face after a woman issued the mighty blow that was heard loud and clear throughout the muted crowd.

Fans who watched the clip appeared to agree with the woman’s act.

“DESERVED IT LOLOL,” one person wrote.

“lmao AS THEY SHOULD!!” added someone else.

The “Mute Challenge” occurs when Beyoncé sings “Energy.” During the song, Bey sings the lyrics “Lo0ok around everybody on mute, look around just me and my crew. Big energy.”

Since the tour started in May, fans have made an entire moment out of the “Mute Challenge” and look forward to Beyoncé’s “look around everybody on mute” line. Cities have started competing on who has the best “Mute Challenge” with only those who can hold the silence in unison being deemed the victor.

With the “Mute Challenge” growing in popularity, anyone who seemingly tries to ruin the moment by shouting out is met with severe shade from the Bey Hive. Videos shared online have resulted in backlash to “Mute Challenge” offenders with some being chased off social media.

https://twitter.com/YonceVocals/status/1704816377763340381

As Beyoncé inches closer to the end of her “Renaissance” tour, it’s best not to upset the Bey Hive by screaming during the “Mute Challenge.”

 

RELATED CONTENT: Beyonce’s Dancers, Les Twins, Defend Her Against Unruly Fan

Fearless fund
by Atiya Jordan

September 27, 2023

‘Injunction Denied!’: Fearless Fund Wins ‘Round 1’ Of Discrimination Lawsuit

The Atlanta-based Fearless Fund is celebrating a win in an ongoing court battle to prove that the racial discrimination suit against it is baseless.

On Sep. 26, Arian Simone, co-founder and investor at the Black-owned venture fund, posted a celebratory announcement regarding the first round of the lawsuit filed by The American Alliance for Equal Rights. The nonprofit was founded by anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum, who was instrumental in overturning race-based affirmative action policies in American college admissions.

The Fearless Strivers Grant Contest was called out in an Aug. 2 filing for violating part of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 that prohibits racial discrimination in contracts. The program awards $20,000 to Black women across the country who lead businesses. In addition, the alliance sought to place a restraining order and a preliminary injunction on the Fearless Fund.

“Today’s update – Preliminary injunction denied! We will continue to do the amazing work we do,” Simone wrote alongside a photo of her and two Black girls. “This is who we do it for: the children are our future!”

Fearless Fund assembled a powerhouse civil rights defense team to fight the lawsuit, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, and Benjamin Crump.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Arian Simone (@ariansimone)

The Washington Post reported that Senior U.S. Judge Thomas Thrash “refused to issue an injunction” that would have barred the Fearless Fund to continue offering the grant program only to Black women entrepreneurs.

Since its inception, The Fearless Fund has been investing in women of color-led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level, or series A financing.

In a 914-page response to the lawsuit, The Fearless Fund noted that “the public has a strong interest in addressing manifest racial imbalances and encouraging expressive philanthropy; the grant program furthers these aims…it promotes the very goals that Section 1981 was enacted to advance: providing Black people with economic freedom—equal access to capital to build businesses, grow communities, and support families.”

The victory for the Fearless Find comes at a time when corporate diversity efforts are facing growing legal and political pushback.

“AAER not only fails to name any of its members, but it also fails to cite a single case that suggests the failure to be considered for a discretionary gift is a cognizable harm sufficient to confer standing,” the filing continued, according to Forbes.

RELATED CONTENT: Fearless Fund And Its Lawyers Will ‘Vigorously’ Fight Racial Discrimination Lawsuit

Fani willis, Trump
by Sharelle Burt

September 27, 2023

Georgia DA Overseeing Trump, Young Thug RICO Case Says Her Family Is Being Threatened

Fani Willis, the Georgia district attorney overseeing the Donald Trump and Young Thug RICO cases, says her family is being threatened, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Willis told the crowd at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Revolt World festival in Atlanta that private information regarding her daughter, father, and ex-husband have been posted online, including racial slurs and violence. The district attorney said people’s attempts to stop her work only wastes time.

“It’s very unfair to the other people and it’s a waste of time. It’s not going to stop what I’m doing,” Willis said. “It’s been very troubling. I’ve become very private about my family because of the threats.”

In August 2023, Willis got specific with WSB-TV about the threats, saying she’s been called “slave whore” and  more.

“I’ve been called pretty much everything but a child of God,” Willis said. “I’m receiving phone calls and emails and communications that are derogatory in nature. They don’t always state what the reason is that their calling. But I’ve probably been called the N word more times in the last two-and-a-half years than most — a hundred people combined.”

Online threats were made towards the grand jury shortly after Trump and 18 codefendents were indicted. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI announced an investigation into the threats.

Willis felt the hip-hop-focused event was the perfect time to discuss Young Thug’s case, using his lyrics and fellow rapper YFN Lucci’s, as evidence.

“Because you put a beat behind it, does not make it any less than a confession and we are going to use it to convict you,” she said. “If you commit a crime and then you brag about it in a song, it’s a confession.”

On top of her casework, Willis’ office recently received a grant to test an extensive backlog of rape kits, many of which are from Black and brown victims. With more than 4,000 rape kits, several tests detected serial rapists.

“It’s very sad when you look at those cases,” Willis said. “Not only are you bringing justice to this particular young lady but how many crimes could have been prevented, if the first young lady’s kit was tested?”

‘Check In On Your Friends,’ Says Megan Thee Stallion In New Suicide Prevention PSA
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 27, 2023

‘Check In On Your Friends,’ Says Megan Thee Stallion In New Suicide Prevention PSA

Megan Thee Stallion is using her platform for a bigger purpose. The “Savage” rapper has released a new PSA for suicide prevention titled “Check In On Your Friends.”

The rapper shared the new video to her Instagram, as she got real with expectation of being “thick-skinned” and strong in the midst of struggle.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Megan Thee Stallion (@theestallion)

“But to be everything for everybody, it wears on you,” shared the 26-year-old to her over 31 million followers. “‘Black don’t crack,’ they say. But it can. I can. We all can. Y’all its OK to not be OK. Reach out to a friend if you see them going through it. No matter who you are, being vulnerable is what makes us whole.”

At the end of the video, she also shouted out her own initiative’s website, badbitcheshavebaddaystoo.com, that provides additional resources for those who struggle with mental health issues.

The announcement is part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and The Jed Foundation’s ongoing campaign, Seize the Awkward. The nationwide movement seeks to encourage young adults to talk with one another about their mental health and wellbeing.

AFSP’s CEO, Bob Gebbia, expressed their gratitude in a statement regarding the Grammy winner’s inclusion in the campaign.

“As we work to address the mental health needs of marginalized youth, our partnership with Megan Thee Stallion will help connect our Seize the Awkward campaign in a more relatable way to a younger and diverse population,” said Gebbia. “Her involvement will help ensure young people hear the message that struggling with one’s mental health is normal, and so is asking for help. We are grateful to Megan Thee Stallion for being open about her struggles and for normalizing mental health conversations.”

The Houston native also encouraged young people to be part of the support system needed to uplift someone who is struggling. “A strong support system can make a powerful difference in someone’s life,” she shared.

As the Hot Girl seems to be leaving past traumas behind, her new era has become one of advocacy and, of course, music one can bounce their “Bongos” to.

RELATED CONTENT: Megan Thee Stallion Hasn’t Had ’A Single Day of Peace’ Since Being Shot By Tory Lanez

Tim Scott Advocates Firing Striking Auto Workers
by Daniel Johnson

September 27, 2023

Tim Scott Advocates Firing Striking Auto Workers

GOP presidential candidate Tim Scott praised Ronald Reagan’s response to striking airline workers in 1981 during a Sept. 20 campaign stop in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

“Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal employees decided they were going to strike,” Scott said,” Scott told the crowd, CNBC reported. “‘You strike, you’re fired.’ Simple concept to me.” Scott, who like every other Republican candidate not named Trump, is struggling in voter polls, most likely praised Reagan because he knew it would play well with his audience, observers noted.

According to Kenneth Dau-Schmidt, a law professor at the University of Indiana Bloomington, Reagan’s response was an ill-advised gamble.

“There never had a been a president so hostile to union workers, and it could have gone bad,” Dau-Schmidt said. “If one plane went down, Reagan would have looked like a goat.” Dau-Schmidt added, “But there were no major crashes, and conservatives now just say, ’You have to be tough.'”

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 established that workers in the private sector have the right to strike if they feel their working conditions are unfair.

Sharon Block, the executive director of the Center for Labor and a Just Economy, told CNBC that under that act, you cannot simply fire striking workers. However, there is no such provision for federal workers.

Scott was not spared the ire of those who felt like he was being hostile toward the labor rights of workers in general. The United Auto Workers, who are currently organizing a strike at Stellantis and GM parts manufacturing plants, filed a formal grievance with the National Labor Relations Board on Sept. 21 after Scott made comments

In the complaint, UAW President Shawn Fain said, “Tim Scott threatened employees with adverse consequences if they engage in protected, concerted activity by publicly responding to a question about striking workers as follows: ‘You strike, you’re fired.'”

Scott fired back at the union. “The UAW is one of the most corrupt and scandal-plagued unions in America. They are showing their true colors once again and autoworkers and taxpayers will be left holding the bag together. They want to threaten me and shut me up.”

Scott, like fellow Republican candidate Nikki Haley have represented South Carolina, a state that like most Southern states, can be seen as anti-union. In 2015, Vox reported that “Right To Work” laws, which can be interpreted as a set of laws that work against unions, had spread to almost half the country. Generally sequestered in Southern states, but spreading out to other parts of the country, these so-called “right to work” laws have demonstrated an ability to cut union membership.

The AFL-CIO’s website describes the cumulative effect of these “right to work” laws as follows: “These laws make it harder for working people to form unions and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions.”

RELATED CONTENT: Sen. Tim Scott Raises $1M In 24 Hours Just In Time For Second Round Of GOP Debates

LeBron James, Bronny james
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 27, 2023

Bronny James Misses First Practice At USC But Coach Assures He’s ‘Doing Well’

University of Southern California recruit Bronny James, son of future Hall of Famer LeBron James, did not participate in the USC’s basketball team’s first official practice of the fall.

Although he wasn’t there, the team’s coach, Andy Enfield, told reporters that Bronny is “doing very well” while recovering from a cardiac arrest he suffered on July 24, 2023.

According to ESPN, Bronny missed the first practice, but Coach Enfield assured the media that the freshman, who turns 19 next week, has been in class and progressing health-wise.

“Bronny’s doing very well,” Enfield said. “But we just can’t comment on anything medically. He’s going to class and doing extremely well in school, and we’re really excited for him.”

After Bronny was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, it was revealed that a congenital heart defect was the probable cause of his cardiac arrest, but that his condition could be treated. He is expected to fully recover, allowing him to be back on the court, although no timetable has been set for his return.

“He’s around when he can be,” Enfield said. “And he’s getting caught up [with] some schoolwork and doing very well. His grades are excellent right now, and he’s being the true student-athlete.”

The anticipation to watch Bronny bring his game to USC has not been lost on the coach.

“We anticipate him being a very valuable part of our basketball team,” Enfield said. “But that’ll be all sorted out. He’s the ultimate teammate because he cares about winning, and he has such a personal relationship with all his teammates. When you watch him on the court and you’re around them, that’s the first thing you notice within five or 10 minutes — and it’s contagious.”

Bronny has already made a huge impact at the university. Nike released T-shirts with his name and number, and the $30 shirts sold out quickly.

RELATED CONTENT: Bronny James Diagnosed With Congenital Heart Defect, Full Recovery Expected

Dr. Yves Duroseau, white neighbor, doctor, NYC doctor, racist attack
by Daniel Johnson

September 27, 2023

NYC Doctor Suing After White Neighbor Allegedly Turns Water Hose On His Dinner Guests

Dr. Yves Duroseau, the head of Lenox Hill Hospital ‘s emergency department and the first doctor to publicly receive the COVID-19 vaccine, filed a lawsuit involving his neighbor allegedly attacking the doctor’s guests at his Queens, New York City, home. The incident happened on Sept 17, 2022, when Duroseau was hosting a dinner party for his sister at his home, alongside his wife and several high-profile dinner guests. Everyone in attendance at the party except for one person was an ethnic minority, and the dinner was catered by chef Vanessa Cantave, the winner of Rocco’s Dinner Party in 2011. 

According to The Independent, the lawsuit states that what happened was “reminiscent of 1960s Birmingham, Alabama, when white law enforcement officers used fire hoses to douse, assault and batter African Americans participating in civil rights demonstrations in an attempt to get them to comply and disperse.”

Duroseau ‘s neighbor, a white woman, referred to in his lawsuit as “Jane Doe,” allegedly disturbed the dinner party by showing up in the foyer of the house, uninvited, with a German shepherd in tow. Catering employees and guests stated they were afraid that the dog would attack them, as it was acting in a highly aggressive manner. The woman allegedly demanded that the partygoers turn their music down. Dr. Duroseau informed her that the party would soon be ending and asked the woman to leave. 

Not long after that, Duroseau’s other neighbor, Marcus Rosebrock, allegedly grabbed his garden hose and began spraying water at the people gathered in the backyard. In the lawsuit, Rosebrock is described as conducting himself in a “racist character” and that the water pressure was “extremely powerful and stinging in nature.”

According to the lawsuit, Rosebrock pointed the hose at the attendants of the party “with increased water pressure and violently water sprayed them in the face and body, drenching them.” The lawsuit addresses the actions of both Jane Doe and Marcus Rosebrock, seeking charges of trespassing and assault and battery, respectively.

According to Duroseau’s attorney, Derek Sells, Duroseau and his wife called 911 on the night of the alleged attack and Sells said that although Rosebrock still lives next door, there has been no significant contact between the two households since the night of the party. Rosebrock has not responded to the complaint filed by Duroseau, but his attorney, Brandon Gilliard, said that, “Mr. Rosebrock denies any of the allegations in the complaint and rejects any characterization that he is racist, or [that] his actions were racially motivated.” 

RELATED CONTENT: Women of Color for Equal Justice Submits Application to Ban Vaccine Mandates

by Iman Milner

September 27, 2023

Black Kentucky Dads Aim To Build Distillery On Land Previously Owned By KKK Leader

In April 2023, Aaron Floyd and Antonio Santago founded D.A.A.D Distilling to foster community for single fathers and boost Kentucky’s economy through their shared love for bourbon. Now their dream includes opening a family-friendly distillery on land they say was once owned by a Kentucky KKK leader.

The men, along with two other partners, plan to bring their vision to life in the Lancaster area of Garrard County, a place they frequent despite its history.

“Garrard County is a place where we come to free our minds. We came to the nature preserves here. It’s very peaceful and relaxing,” Floyd said. “We really had a strong gravitational pull to that area, and we wanted to really just reshape the area and change the ties to that particular area.”

The men of D.A.A.D also intend to debunk the myth of the absent Black father through their commitment to their own families and support of fathers in the area.

“Growing up without a father, I had a stepfather, and I actually just met my biological father three years ago,” Santago said. “After having a long conversation with him, he pretty much explained to me my main purpose of being a father and what I needed to do.”

The family-friendly nature of their planned location will provide an alternative solution for places to spend quality “daddy and me” time. “We want to be able to do more for the children as well as for the families and the communities, give back to city services as well as just be a pillar within the community and show what dads are capable of doing,” said Floyd.

D.A.A.D Distilling estimates its vision for the 100 acres of land will cost over $1 million to bring to life. It is currently raising $100,000 via its GoFundMe.

The history of racial tensions in Kentucky has continued in recent years, with KKK propaganda being posted throughout several cities in June 2023. In 2017, the state reportedly had four active Klan chapters.

Umpire, Art Williams, first black Umpire
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 27, 2023

Inspirational Story of National League’s First Black Umpire Highlighted In New Book And Mini Documentary

Whether you are a history or sports fan or enjoy stories of courage and inspiration, legendary umpire Art Williams is a name you should know.

Over fifty years after taking the field, portions of Arts’ incredible story have recently garnered significant accolades. A related news segment received a Daytime Emmy Award, the book Unbelievable! The Life Journey of Art Williams has been honored with four distinct awards in four different literary categories, and the associated documentary short has been selected for twenty-five film festivals in the United States and abroad. September 18 has officially been proclaimed Art Williams Day in the City of Bakersfield, California.

Art was born in Arkansas to a family of sharecroppers, and after relocating to California, he was signed to the Detroit Tigers organization right after high school. His pitching career was cut short by an injury, but Art persisted in life and in the sport. Through hard work and determination, he ultimately reached his goal of becoming the First Black Umpire in the National League when he officiated the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres on September 18, 1972. This historic milestone came six years after Emmett Ashford’s American League debut and twenty-eight years before the American and National Leagues were united under the Major League Baseball umbrella in 2000.

In the five-plus decades since the groundbreaking accomplishments of Art and Emmett, only nine other African Americans have become Major League Baseball umpires. Although Art passed away in 1979 at 44, his younger brother, 82-year-old Dr. Audie Williams, is doing everything he can to keep Art’s legacy alive.

Mookie Betts – Dodgers outfielder / second baseman and one of Major League Baseball’s most dynamic, well-rounded superstars – has stressed the importance of bringing culture to the game and providing opportunities for everyone to be successful.

 “The goal I set out to accomplish is getting blacks in baseball, not necessarily on the field, but just around the field and maybe in the front office.” “All of us have talents, and it’s important for us to find it,” he said. “I found mine in baseball, and I just want to use my platform to help others find theirs.”

Dr. Williams, a veteran, retired coach, and educator, understands the mission. Through his company, Let’s Play Ball! Productions, he will continue sharing his big brother’s story, encouraging representation in baseball and beyond, and inspiring anyone with a dream to persevere, no matter the obstacles.

On this and every September 18, please take a moment to honor Art Williams and his tremendous achievements, and then dedicate some time and attention to setting goals, nurturing specific talents, sharing your gifts with the world, and encouraging others to be great, too.

Lorri Dotson, Founder and CEO of Founder and CEO of VIGCE LLC
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 26, 2023

Entrepreneur Lorri Dotson Invests In Dream Exchange, The First Minority-Owned And -Governed Stock Exchange

Dream Exchange announced Lorri S. Dotson, a visionary leader, and trailblazing entrepreneur has decided to join a growing group of esteemed investors in the first minority-owned and governed stock exchange. Dotson’s journey began in Chicago, Illinois, where she grew up witnessing her parents’ entrepreneurial spirit and resilience. Her parents’ entrepreneurial legacy greatly influenced her path, as they owned multiple businesses, including one of the first black-owned oil and gas service stations in the 1970s.

Driven by her passion for innovation and community empowerment, Dotson recognized the transformative potential of Dream Exchange. As a minority-owned stock exchange, Dream Exchange aims to provide equal access and opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs and investors. Dotson’s investment showcases her commitment to supporting minority-owned businesses and creating an ecosystem within the financial industry.

“I invested in Dream Exchange because I believe in the power of innovation and the potential for positive change in the financial industry. This platform disrupts traditional norms and creates opportunities for underrepresented groups to access capital markets. By supporting Dream Exchange, I am investing in a future that embraces equal opportunity for all.” – Lorri Dotson

“The arrival of our investors is not merely a financial transaction; it is a testament to the strength of our vision and the promise of our organization. Their partnership symbolizes a shared commitment to growth, innovation, and long-term success. We are truly fortunate to have them by our side as we embark on this extraordinary journey.” – said Founder and CEO Joe Cecala.

“We welcome the recent round of investors with open arms; let us not forget the profound impact their support will have on our collective journey. Their belief in our mission is a testament to the potential we hold and the transformative power of our vision. Together, we will forge new paths, break barriers, and create a future that surpasses all expectations.” – said Managing Member, Dwain Kyles

 

This news was first published on blackbusiness.com

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