Rev. Al Sharpton Heads To Atlanta To Lend Support To Fearless Fund Co-Founders
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 26, 2023

Rev. Al Sharpton Heads To Atlanta To Lend Support To Fearless Fund Co-Founders

In a resolute stand against efforts to undermine affirmative action and diversity initiatives, Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network, is making his presence felt in Atlanta.

The veteran civil rights leader headed to the southern city Sept. 26 to extend his support to Fearless Fund co-founders Arian Simone and Ayana Parsons. The women have faced legal action and scrutiny initiated by conservative activists due to their organization’s financial support for Black women entrepreneurs.

This lawsuit, marked by controversy and widespread condemnation, represents a disturbing trend aiming to erode the hard-won civil rights gains achieved in Corporate America. It follows the contentious Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. Soon after this decision, a group of Republican Attorney Generals issued a letter threatening Fortune 100 companies, warning them that their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts might be perceived as discrimination.

Rev. Sharpton had expressed concerns when the Supreme Court weakened affirmative action, anticipating that right-wing fundamentalists would redirect their focus toward Corporate America. Their legal action against the Fearless Fund, an organization working to level the playing field for Black female entrepreneurs, confirms these fears. Some conservative activists are willing to dismantle any opportunities for Black and Brown Americans to attain the American Dream. In response, the National Action Network has organized a rally in Atlanta to stand up against these forces seeking to suppress progress.

Notably, after the June Supreme Court decision, anti-affirmative action activists filed a lawsuit against the Fearless Fund in a District Court in Atlanta. The case specifically targeted the Strivers Grant Contest, which provides $20,000 grants to Black female entrepreneurs, alleging that it violates the Civil Rights Act of 1866. The legal team representing the Fearless Fund has categorically rejected this argument put forth by conservatives.

Today, NAN leads a rally to support the Fearless Fund and its co-founders, standing alongside their legal team and other supporters. This legal battle is a critical test for right-wing activists seeking to dismantle DEI efforts. From May 2020 to October last year, companies pledged $340 billion towards racial equity, with a significant portion of these commitments coming from the financial sector. Some pledges made following the 2020 murder of George Floyd have been retracted due to political pressures, while others have yet to meet the benchmarks they set for themselves.

The rally, led by Rev. Al Sharpton, sends a powerful message that efforts to curtail diversity and inclusion initiatives will not go unchallenged.

Chandler Jones
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 26, 2023

NFL Player Chandler Jones Alleges He Was Hospitalized Against His Will And Injected With ‘Unknown Substance’

NFL player Chandler Jones alleges he was taken to a mental health hospital against his will by the Las Vegas Fire Department and injected with an ‘unknown substance.’

He posted about the incident, claiming he “don’t know what” he was injected with on his X profile, formerly known as Twitter, account on Feb. 25, 2023. He then claims that he didn’t do anything wrong and that the police officers who took him told him that “people were concerned about” him because of recent online posts.

The posts on his account are photos of handwritten notes he allegedly wrote. With the caption from his post saying, “First day out but I’m still aligned,” the four-time Pro Bowl player explained what transpired while he was hospitalized last week; he didn’t specify a date.

“First day out, if my fans and friends are wondering, I was taken in by the Las Vegas fire department last week against my will. I was injected with (I don’t know what). They said it was a court hold, and the Las Vegas police put me on it.”

“I answered my front door and a group of 5 to 7 were there to put me in an ambulance where I was later injected and I asked them not to.”

He said he did not have a cell phone or a way to communicate and then said he was taken to Seven Hills Behavioral Health Hospital. Once there, he claimed he tried to reach out to the Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler “6 to 7 times asking for help,” but although he left several messages, Zeigler never returned his phone calls.

After writing that he spent the first night sleeping on the floor, he added that his brothers and father came to visit him, supplying him with food and clothes. He says every week he misses a game, that’s $1 million he is not pocketing. He even mentions that he worked out while in the hospital.

“All I know is whoever put me here had bad intentions. I’m too strong of a person to be mentally broken. For all of my friends that know me, THEY KNOW!!!”

The Daily Mail reported that the week before this occurred, Jones took to his social media to accuse Raiders owner Mark Davis of protecting the identity of someone who allegedly molested his goddaughter. Before the latest incident, the NFL team placed him on the non-football illness list last week, ruling him out for the team indefinitely.

‘It’s a personal situation and a private matter,’ Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels stated.
“We have dealt with it, and I am not going to talk about it.’”

Jones has not played a game this season and is not allowed in the Raiders facility.

Travis Kelce
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 26, 2023

Internet Drags Travis Kelce For Dropping His Black Swag To Align With Taylor Swift After Dating African American Woman

Travis Kelce has the streets talking after seemingly ditching his Black girlfriend for Taylor Swift and changing his appearance.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end recently went public with the pop star, who attended his game with his family over the weekend. Amid the confirmed romance, fans are taking notice of how Kelce switched up the style of his facial hair.

What used to be a beard and connected mustache while dating his ex, Kayla Nicole, has turned into a clean-shaven face with a bushy mustache since going public with Swift.

“This is so funny to me,” one X user wrote over screenshots of Kelce’s old look with Nicole and his new appearance while with Swift.

Many joined in and started joking about Kelce for seemingly changing his style based on who he’s dating.

“Went from yo bro” to, “u know why I stopped ya,” one user wrote.

“G went from ‘Hold it down dawg’ to ‘Hold The Line Soldier!” added another.

It was just last month when Kelce and Nicole’s breakup after five years of dating was confirmed, Sportskeeda reports. Nicole shared a since-deleted TikTok where she bashed herself for thinking the NFL star would propose to her after five years.

“You’re not stupid Kayla. No, I am actually. Thought I’d get wifed after dating for 5 year. That’s 1,825 days.”

One month later, and Kelce appears to be confirming dating rumors with the superstar singer. Swift was seen watching the two-time Super Bowl champion play at Arrowhead Stadium alongside his family on Sunday, People reports.

Kelce jokingly admitted that he “threw the ball in her court.”

He continued, “I’ve seen you rock the stage at Arrowhead [Stadium]. You might have to come see me rock the stage at Arrowhead and see which one’s a little more lit.”

“We’ll see what happens in the near future,” Kelce added.

RELATED CONTENT: Meet the Brothers Helping Athletes like Travis Kelce Succeed Outside the Arena

Raphael Saadiq, Beyonce, Toni Tony Tone
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 26, 2023

Raphael Saadiq Gave ‘Cuff It’ To Beyoncé But It Was Meant For Tony! Toni! Toné!

After winning a Grammy for co-writing Beyoncé’s “Cuff It,” Raphael Saadiq is finally ready to admit who the song was originally penned for.

The famed singer-songwriter is hitting the road for a tour that includes a highly anticipated reunion of his beloved R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! The soul-singing trio will perform a number of their classic hits including “Anniversary,” “Whatever You Want,” and “It Never Rains.”

But there was a new song that could’ve been added to the setlist if Saadiq, 57, hadn’t given it to Queen Bey instead.

“That record was going to be a Tonyies record, the part that just sounds like [mimics the ‘Cuff It’ guitar riff],” Saadiq told Vulture.

“But I gave it to a friend of mine and said, ‘I got this record. I was going to do it, but what about Beyoncé?’”

Saadiq shared the vision he had for Beyoncé’s rendition of the song and credited super-producer The-Dream for getting the ball rolling.

“She’s one of those people where if she’s feeling it, she’s going 100 percent in. I said, ‘It’s going to move people. It’s going to work, I’m telling you.’ I think she just put it away,” he said. “From what I heard, The-Dream eventually found it. And he was like, ‘What is that?!’”

The celebrated songwriter, who has penned a number of classics for artists like Solange‘s “Cranes in the Sky,” D’Angelo’s “Untitled,” and all of the hits performed by his old group Lucy Pearl, knew he had another hit on his hands.

“I already knew it was one of them joints,” Saadiq said of “Cuff It.”

“I always said, if you drop the right music on an artist, it could go, but I’m glad she has so many eyeballs on her, you know what I mean? You can’t really trick people, it’s got to be good.”

It was the first time Saadiq had written for Beyoncé, and it ended up garnering him a Grammy for Best R&B Song.

“Beyoncé’s a hard worker. I told her, ‘I’ve always knew we would work together at some point.’ Like I said, it’s all about timing,” he shared.

RELATED CONENT: It Feels Good! Raphael Saadiq Announces Tony! Toni! Toné! Tour Dates

erica mena
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 26, 2023

Erica Mena Says ‘Love & Hip Hop’ Cast Depicted As ‘Zoo Animals’ After Being Left Out Racism Roundtable

Erica Mena is clapping back after being left out of “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta’s” roundtable on racism and colorism.

The “Love and Hip Hop” veteran was ousted from the show after she called Spice a “monkey” during a heated exchange filmed in “LHH Atlanta”‘s current season. With the show approaching its season finale, a roundtable on racism was organized among the remaining cast members.

But Mena is speaking out to ask why she wasn’t invited to sit down and talk it out with others who have “said things just as bad.” The reality star wrote a lengthy statement on Instagram in response to the racism and colorism roundtable and accuses the franchise of seemingly using her to “save face.”

According to the axed “LHH” star, she continued filming the show for seven months before she was fired. Mena believes the show fired her only after it decided to air the scene and received backlash from viewers.

“They had this footage for months. They chose to edit it how they wanted and aired it,” she wrote in a comment SHARED by The Shade Room.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

Mena wonders why, if she is being used to “save face” for the network, then why not have her present for the roundtable discussion?

“Desperate to save face but true and only reason a statement was even made by the network was because the backlash,” Mena claims.

Steve Honig, the reality star’s rep, also released a statement blasting the network for leaving Mena out of the discussion.

“It is very disappointing Erica was not included in the discussion about the incident that occurred while filming the show and that the network chose to silence her voice,” Honig told Radar Online.

“She would have welcomed an opportunity to discuss what happened in a way that was productive and made this roundtable truly a valuable moment of learning for all. It is also worth noting that the network continued filming with Erica for more than seven months after the actual incident occurred, despite claims that filming with her was stopped after it happened.”

RELATED CONTENT: Erica Mena Fired From ‘Love and Hip Hop Atlanta’ After Calling Co-Star A ‘Monkey’

Deborah Roberts, 20/20, ABC
by Iman Milner

September 26, 2023

Deborah Roberts Secures Her Spot As Permanent Anchor For ‘20/20’ After 27 Years With ABC

Storied investigative journalist Deborah Roberts has been named permanent co-anchor at ABC News’s “20/20,” continuing a legendary career that began in 1995.

She joins the ranks of Diane Sawyer, Connie Chung, and Hugh Downs, who have all anchored the popular news series during its 26-year history. About Roberts’ new appointment, ABC News President Kim Godwin said that the industry vet “is a skilled investigative journalist, oftentimes trekking across the country to conduct hard-hitting interviews, providing viewers with relevant, insightful information. Deborah is an empathetic reporter, bringing humanity to every story.”

“Deborah brings her love of storytelling, her deep commitment to the truth, and most of all, her humanity to everything she does,” said David Muir, who will co-anchor alongside Roberts. “I cannot wait to stand beside her on ‘20/20.’”

The 63-year-old journalist has used her dynamic reporting skills to help build the Emmy-winning culture of “20/20,” making her promotion a full-circle moment.

“Once you have really planted yourself firmly into a program like this, as I have over the years, you look for more,” Roberts said.

Recruited by her mentor and news icon Barbara Walters in 1995, Roberts joined the ABC team as a reporter and has worked across several of the network’s news programs, including “Good Morning America” and “The View.”

In 2021, Roberts received a Peabody Award for her work on the “20/20” special “Say Her Name: Breonna Taylor.”

“Deborah Roberts is one of a kind — a first-class journalist who brings heart, authority, and integrity to every story she covers,” said Godwin. “Along with David Muir, she embodies the DNA of ‘20/20,’ inspiring the team and people around the world with every thoughtful word, inspiring report, and impactful interview.”

Roberts believes her move to co-anchor will give her “a little more ownership” of the program and “more of a say in what it’s all about.”

She replaces former “20/20” co-anchor Amy Robach, who left ABC after a heavily publicized affair with her “GMA3” co-host TJ Holmes and will continue reporting across other shows. Roberts, a Georgia native, has been married to beloved “Today Show” host Al Roker since 1995.

RELATED CONTENT: Deborah Roberts Reflects on Childhood, New Book, and Advice She Would Give Her Young Self

Keying car, James Michael Fay , Georgia Man
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 26, 2023

Georgia Man Is White And Wrong For Knifing Woman’s Car After She Legally Parked In A Handicapped Spot

A man in Gwinnett County, Georgia, was arrested for keying a car with a knife that he believed was parked in a handicapped spot illegally, threatening the lives of the children inside the vehicle during the incident.

The 61-year-old perpetrator, James Michael Fay, took matters into his own hands on Sept. 23 when he surveyed a vehicle that he believed lacked the necessary documentation to park in the designated area, as reported by WSB-TV. Taking it upon himself to deliver his form of justice, Fay took a knife and ran around the car, scratching it from top to bottom.

However, the vehicle owner, Syreeta Mack, had her children inside the car, which was parked at a nearby Walmart. The car’s dashcam and Mack’s 16-year-old daughter recorded the crime, with her 2-year-old sister also present.

After the teenager sent her mother the footage of the live incident, Mack confronted the man in the store and called law enforcement. She asked why he felt the need to put a knife to her car, to which he explained that there was no tag according to his sight.

However, Mack proclaimed that a tag was indeed on her vehicle. Nevertheless, police arrived to arrest Fay and charged him with a misdemeanor of criminal trespass damage.

After Fay bonded himself out of jail, WSB-TV’s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief went to speak with him about what led to his actions.

Fay maintains that he never saw the handicapped tag, but when asked if that gave him the right to proceed as he did, he claimed to be justified in his action.

“If she was parked illegally, then yes,” responded Fay to the question, implying that leaving a note would not have been enough.

Mack still believes the violence committed was extreme when he could have easily minded his own business. This instance is part of a recent pattern of white people committing intimidating acts against Black people who are going about their daily lives, with the perpetrators often being referred to as “Karens.”

“People need to mind the business that pays them,” Mack said. “If you feel like someone is doing something illegal, call the police. You don’t have to step in and be a vigilante because you can end up being a perp instead.”

RELATED CONTENT: 14-Year-Old White Boy Accused Of Trying To Drown A Black Boy Released From Jail

by Stacy Jackson

September 26, 2023

‘The View’ Co-host Sunny Hostin Says Theory Shows Gay People ‘Have Noses For Each Other’

“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin recently had a few thoughts on a theory about how gay people identify one another.

During Monday’s “Hot Topics” discussion on the ABC morning talk show, the lawyer shared some research that found “homosexual people have a nose for each other.” She also said that “gay men have different scent attraction” and gay people “can actually smell under their arms and, in a blindfold test, can tell which person is gay and which person isn’t.”

Hostin’s comments were an extension of a conversation the talk show’s moderator, Whoopi Goldberg, started about the dating series “Naked Attraction.” The full-frontal nude dating show follows contestants who choose dates based on their naked bodies.

In a clip posted to the talk show’s Instagram page, Goldberg shook her head in disagreement with her co-host’s theory.

“I know too many gay people that say my gaydar is down,” Goldberg added to the conversation.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The View (@theviewabc)

According to a 2005 scientific study published by The National Library of Medicine, Swedish researchers found that the sense of smell was linked to sexual orientation. The findings covered by The Independent stated that gay men preferred the body odor of other gay men.

“I’m very embarrassed to admit that [my husband] Manny and I got so obsessed with this show that we binged it yesterday and watched all eight episodes. I learned things that I never heard in my life,” Hostin said. The journalist said she witnessed some “pretty” sights during her and her hubby’s binge session of the Max series.

At one point in the conversation, Goldberg asked, “People actually want to see this?” before answering her own question with “Apparently.”

The “Day of Hot Topics” episode aired on ABC on Monday, Sept. 25.

RELATED CONTENT: Sunny Hostin Responds to Accusations That Her Son Got Into Harvard Because She Bought a Building

Iman, Céline, boycott
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 26, 2023

Iman Boycotted Céline After Designer Whined Of Being ‘Forced’ To Work With Black Models

Supermodel Iman is recalling the time she boycotted the luxury fashion house Céline, whose former creative director she accused of racism.

An old video clip from Iman’s September 2022 appearance on “Sway’s Universe” recently surfaced online that sheds light on why she took a stance against the fashion powerhouse a decade ago. Iman called out Phoebe Philo in the interview for allegedly complaining about being “forced” to work with Black models.

Iman cited Philo’s racist complaints as the reason why she has “never” purchased a Céline bag.

“She has the right to her runway, and I have the right to my pocketbook,” Iman quipped.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by the Jasmine BRAND (@thejasminebrand)

It was 2013 when Naomi Campbell joined Iman’s Diversity Coalition, which called out major fashion brands for their history of racism toward Black models and consumers.

“There were more Black models on the catwalk when I started in the 1970s than there are today,” Iman told the Evening Standard at the time.

“The absence of models of color sends a message to our young girls that they are not good enough, they are not beautiful enough.”

“Photography and the runways are such powerful tools, and say such a lot about our society. It is so much bigger than the catwalk,” she continued.

While brands like Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Chanel, Armani, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Victoria Beckham, Roberto Cavalli, and Marc by Marc Jacobs were included in the open letter sent to the fashion governing bodies in New York, London, Paris, and Milan at the time, there was one designer who was called out by name.

“Phoebe Philo—she’s a cool girl. But Céline has never had a colored person showing in their collection. Ever,” Bethann Hardison, a former model and model agent, claimed. “And yet they have the best accessories; every Black woman who has money buys her accessories.”

It was then that Iman announced her boycott against the French luxury fashion brand.

“Not me,” she replied, “I walk the walk. I can get another It-bag. I have my wallet. I make a conscious decision not to buy that stuff.”

RELATED CONTENT: Supermodel Iman Talks New Documentary, Tokenism, and First ‘Vogue’ Shoot with Gayle King

Deion Sanders, Colorado State, CU
by Iman Milner

September 26, 2023

To Date, Deion Sanders Has Generated Over $90M For The University Of Colorado Boulder

Coach Deion Sanders has been a major asset for the University of Colorado Boulder (CU). From ad deals to celebrity endorsements and increased media coverage, the NFL Hall of Famer has reportedly generated $90.6 million in revenue for the Division I school, according to Yahoo Finance.

And his tenure, along with the school’s growing popularity, has only just begun.

“CU Boulder has been the epicenter of the national sports world, which has provided unprecedented exposure for our university across the country,” CU Chancellor Phil DiStefano said. “I am impressed by the excitement that has permeated campus, which is less quantifiable but certainly as important as record-setting merchandise and ticket sales.”

Coach Prime and the Buffaloes have ignited a firestorm of interest and fandom for the school, resulting in a 2,544 percent increase in sales for the online team store, the second highest-grossing month since Sanders’ arrival. CU has also enjoyed a surplus in funds from donors: around $2 million since September 2022.

Additionally, “The Prime Effect” has helped shine a brighter light onto the players that make up the Buffaloes team by way of major NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals and vested interest in their talents. Running backs Charlie Offerdahl and Alton McCaskill starred alongside Coach Sanders in an ad for California Almonds, while the team’s quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way player Travis Hunter rank among the top 10 in NIL deals for all collegiate athletes.

“I’m so happy for our students, alumni, and fans who have all been savoring this incredible experience,” DiStefano said. “Most of all, I’m immensely proud of our coaches and student-athletes, who have demonstrated incredible poise amidst all of this attention and whose hard work is the reason we’re enjoying such a successful start to the season.”

Though the Colorado Buffaloes suffered their first loss on September 23 to the University of Oregon, 42-6, the numbers don’t lie when quantifying the overnight public infatuation with the school’s football team and its superstar coach.

×