by Sharelle B. McNair

September 21, 2024

Underground Atlanta’s Owner Is Looking For $40M From The City To Start Massive Development

These are the types of developments that are needed.

Underground Atlanta’s owner, Lalani Ventures, is seeking $40 million from the city to build a development that would be added to the historic site, BisNow reports.

In collaboration with Exact Capital, the team would build a new, mixed-use apartment tower that would include 405 units of student, income-restricted, and market-rate housing, art incubators, and retail and public spaces. Lalani said the project would cost $160 million.

A breakdown in financing includes a $22.5 million taxable construction loan and $7.5 million in federal and state tax credit equity, according to documents filed with Invest Atlanta.

It also projects $77 million in permanent financing, including more than over $55 million in federal and state tax credit equity.

Lalani announced the firm will search for financing once the idea is approved by the City of Atlanta. According to Fox 5 Atlanta, Invest Atlanta’s board approved a $40 million tax-exempt bond issue on Sept. 19 in order to help finance 163 of the 405 affordable housing units.

“We’re grateful for the support of Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta,” said Lalani’s CEO, Shaneel Lalani. “The vote on Sept. 19 was an important step in the process. Going vertical allows us to build a beautiful new residential community in downtown Atlanta at Underground,” he said. “This is part of our overall vision to create Atlanta’s top arts and entertainment community. Having residents live right here will create more vibrancy for this beloved property with historic roots, which in turn will have a great impact on downtown Atlanta.”

The project is expected to be completed in two years, and expected to be available for use in 2027.

The construction project would be the first new development the site has seen in decades and would give the space a needed boost to match the influx of permanent residents as well as give some flavor to its iconic landscape.

In the 1960s, the Underground was looked at as Atlanta’s top nightlife destination, hosting clubs and entertainment such as Dante’s Down the Hatch, Scarlett O’Hara, The Front Page, and a wax museum.

In the 1980s, once the nightclub scene headed to the Buckhead neighborhood, Underground began to thrive as a shopping mall but has since been on the downswing. Lalani has been active in bringing the area back to life and has been an advocate for affordable housing in downtown Atlanta.

On top of the Underground project, he is hoping to convert 20 floors of a 30-story office on Peachtree St. into residential suites. In 2021, he purchased the property, once known as One Park Tower, for $12.8 million.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 21, 2024

Stevie Wonder To Tour Battleground States Leading Up To Presidential Election

Stevie Wonder is hitting the road for a 10-city U.S. tour to coincide with the upcoming presidential election.

Titled after Wonder’s new politically-aimed single, the “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour will make stops in key battleground states, NBC News reports. The 25-time Grammy Award-winner will kick off the tour on Oct. 8 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, with stops in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Greensboro, Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis before closing out on Oct. 30 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The official announcement says the tour calls for “joy over anger, kindness over recrimination, peace over war.” It also notes that “as a special thank you,” Wonder will offer a designated number of complimentary tickets “to those in our communities who are already working tirelessly to fix our nation’s broken heart.”

The tour announcement comes one month after Wonder delivered an electrifying performance and speech at the Democratic National Convention about the “importance of action.”

“Now is the moment to understand where we are and what it will take to win: win the broken hearts, win the disenchanted, win the angry spirits — now is the time,” the legendary singer told the crowd.

“This is the moment to remember when you tell your children where you were and what you did … We must choose courage over complacency. It is time to get up!” he said, changing his tone to appeal, “and go vote!” He then launched into his 1973 classic “Higher Ground.”

Dates for Stevie Wonder’s “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour are listed below:

October 8: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, PPG Paints Arena
October 10: New York, New York, Madison Square Garden
October 12: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wells Fargo Center
October 15: Baltimore, Maryland, CFG Bank Arena
October 17: Greensboro, North Carolina, Greensboro Coliseum
October 19: Atlanta, Georgia, State Farm Arena
October 22: Detroit, Michigan, Little Caesars Arena
October 24: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Fiserv Forum
October 27: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Target Center
October 30 Grand Rapids, Michigan, Van Andel Arena

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 21, 2024

Tracee Ellis Ross Speaks Up For Childless Women, ‘You Do Not Need to Push Out A Baby To Help Push Humanity Forward’

Tracee Ellis Ross issued an impassioned speech on behalf of all childless women who have been "mothering the world" in their own way.

Tracee Ellis Ross issued an impassioned speech for all childless women who have been “mothering the world” in their own way.

The Black-ish star was one of many famous faces who appeared virtually during a livestream rally event Oprah Winfrey hosted for Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday night. Celebrities like Chris Rock and Ben Stiller also appeared during the “Unite for America Rally” to support Harris ahead of the presidential election.

Ellis Ross also appeared and praised Harris and Winfrey for setting an example for “childless women.” The Girlfriends star transformed her message into a speech honoring childless women who play vital roles in families and communities worldwide.

“I would like to say to you two women, ‘Thank you for what you represent,'” Ellis Ross said in a video clip shared online. “Because as a 52-year-old, childless woman, I wanna say to the people who think that a woman’s worth is measured in her baby count.”

https://twitter.com/votekamala/status/1836949468924547372?s=46&t=qmzb_I2N1DzN_GymACe90A

“I mean, shout out to all the amazing mothers,” she continued.

“But the childless women have been mothering the world and elevating culture as aunties, godmothers, teachers, mentors, sisters, and friends, and the list goes on. And you do not need to push out a baby to help push humanity forward.”

Winfrey agreed, telling Ellis Ross, “Amen to that,” while the audience cheered on.

Many who watched the video applauded Ellis Ross and shared their testimonials about contributions from childless women.

“This is so right. My sister-in-law was childless, and the most loving aunt, teacher, friend, sister, human,” one person wrote.

“In high school, a female coach & a female guidance counselor were the two school administrators that the lost & hurting students would seek out,” another user shared. “They went so far beyond & above to comfort & guide students to successful lives. Neither had children.”

Ellis Ross is one of Diana Ross’s five children and one of two of Ross’s kids who don’t have children. Evan Ross, Chudney Ross, and Ross Naess all have children, while Tracee and Rhonda Ross Kendrick have no children. Ellis Ross once shared her mindset on remaining child-free and happy.

“My ability to have a child is leaving me, but, like, I don’t agree that that’s what ‘fertile’ means. I don’t agree that that’s what ‘woman’ means,” she said on Glennon Doyle’s We Can Do Hard Things podcast.

“The heartbreak does come up, and I get to hold that gently and lovingly and then remind myself, like, ‘I woke up every morning of my life, and I’ve tried to do my best, so I must be where I’m supposed to be,’” she said.

by Mitti Hicks

September 21, 2024

Early Voting Begins In Three Key States

Early voting has begun in Virginia, Minnesota, and North Dakota for the 2024 Presidential Election Cycle.

With less than two months until Election Day, voting for the 2024 presidential election is officially underway, as early voting has begun in three states.

Early in-person voting kicked off in Virginia on Sept. 20, making it the first state to offer voters this option so early, ABC News reports.

If 2020 indicates what to expect, it could be a large turnout. Data from the Virginia Department of Elections shows that more than 1 million votes were cast in person during early voting, accounting for 40% of Virginia’s vote last presidential election cycle.

People in Virginia can cast their in-person early ballots by Saturday, Nov. 2.

Meanwhile, Minnesota and South Dakota also kicked off early voting. Voters can turn in their absentee ballots in person to an election office or other designated location versus mailing them.

Early voters in Minnesota rival those in Virginia. The Office of the Secretary of State says more than 1.9 million voters cast an absentee ballot last presidential election cycle, and more than half of the ballots were reportedly cast before Election Day.

While these three states are the earliest to vote, a dozen more states will follow by mid-October.

The latest polls show a deadlocked race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. A new set of polls from The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Siena College found that Harris and Trump are tied at 47% nationally. However, Harris has an edge in the key state of Pennsylvania, 50% to 46%.

The latest survey from NAACP, in partnership with Hart Research and HIT Strategies, examined the attitudes and issue priorities of millions of Black voters. The survey found that over half of Black voters say the highest priority for our elected leaders should be “protecting our rights and freedoms.”

Queen, Latifah, Kennedy Center Honors, Dana Owens, Dionne Warwick, Debbie Allen, first female rapper

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 20, 2024

A Queen Latifah Biopic Is On The Way!

'Queen Latifah’s story is one of triumph that needs to be shared with the world,' says Jesse Collins.

The details about Dana Owens’ life are about to be told to the masses! According to Forbes, Owens, better known as Queen Latifah, will have an upcoming biopic for viewing audiences. The New Jersey-bred entertainer, who started her career as a rapper, has worn many hats, including movie producer, actress, singer, and many other titles that we will learn about in the project.

The biopic will be produced by Latifah’s production company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, which she owns with her partner Shakim Compere. They will be working in collaboration with fellow rapper and entertainer Will Smith and his Westbrook Studios company and Jesse Collins Entertainment.

Queen Latifah and Flavor Unit Entertainment will produce a biopic from Will Smith based on the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning star’s life and career.https://t.co/3fisHWJ9E6 pic.twitter.com/FegEVjc6R3

— Forbes Entertainment (@ForbesEnt) September 19, 2024

This project is the first of several that the three companies will be doing that will showcase the lives and careers of several prominent hip-hop artists.

“We all came into this industry together, and hip hop has shaped each and every one of us,” said Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere in a written statement. “Hip hop’s impact has expanded beyond just music and has created a lasting impression on culture and society overall. It is a dream to be able to collaborate with friends and colleagues that have not only a shared understanding but are able to tell these stories that were the backdrop of our lives.”

Smith, who also started his career as a rapper before becoming one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors, will work with Miguel Melendez under the Westbrook Studios umbrella; Collins and Dionne Harmon will perform their work through Jesse Collins Entertainment; and Charlie Mack has also signed on as a producer on the project.

“Queen Latifah’s story is one of triumph that needs to be shared with the world. Joining forces with such amazing people to educate and inspire through storytelling is just the beginning of the impact this partnership will have,” Collins said.

No further information was released about when the project will be released and/or who will portray Latifah and others in the biopic.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 20, 2024

James Earl Jones Had A Delayed Diagnosis Of Type 2 Diabetes Decades Before His Death

James Earl Jones' exact cause of death remains unknown while details of his type 2 diabetes diagnosis resurface.

James Earl Jones passed away earlier this month at the age of 93. His cause of death remains unknown while details of his type 2 diabetes diagnosis resurface.

The EGOT recipient lived with diabetes for many years before his Sept. 9 passing. Jones opened up about his late diabetes diagnosis during a 2016 appearance on The Rachael Ray Show. He was already well into his 60s when he learned he had been living with the chronic disease for years.

“I fell asleep on a bench in the middle of the gymnasium one day,” Jones explained. “And a doctor who was there said, ‘That’s not normal,’ and he encouraged me to go get checked out.”

After a visit to the doctor, a lab test confirmed that Jones had type 2 diabetes. He admits the diagnosis came as a shock and “hit me like a thunderbolt,” he told Healthline at the time. But it eventually led to a complete lifestyle change for Jones and his entire family.

“I realized when I was diagnosed with diabetes, my whole family became diabetics,” he shared. “Not that they suffer the same things that I do, but they understand, and we have to work as a family in living with diabetes. They became my support group, as well as my doctors.”

It was an illness that ran in his family, with his mother and some other family members having had type 2 diabetes. Jones also knew that certain ethnic groups were more at risk than others.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 38.1 million American adults had diabetes in 2021. Over one-fifth of these individuals were living with undiagnosed diabetes. The highest rate of diagnosed diabetes is found among American Indian or Alaska Native adults, followed by Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults, with white adults having the lowest rate.

Jones was diagnosed in his 60s, a common age group among new diabetes diagnoses.

“Diabetes and other age-related diseases like obesity and abnormal cholesterol are more prevalent as we get older,” said Noa Tal, MD, an endocrinologist of the Pituitary Disorders Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California.

It’s also not uncommon for diabetes to go unnoticed before finally being diagnosed.

“Unfortunately, [type 2 diabetes] does go under the radar sometimes,” Tal adds.

Once Jones was aware of his diabetes, it took help from his wife and son to keep him on track and accountable for his eating habits.

“There were tough changes, like not having my favorite strawberry shortcake,” he shared. “My wife and son helped me, keeping a close eye on everything and being watchdogs. They’ve both helped keep me in line.”

Jones was best known for his roles in Field of Dreams, The Lion King, and Star Wars. He served as a trailblazer in Hollywood and became one of the first African American actors to play a recurring role in a daytime drama in 1965 (As the World Turns).

He enjoyed a career that spanned well into his 80s and earned numerous accolades, including two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts, and the Kennedy Center Honors. He also received an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. In 2022, a Broadway theatre was renamed in his honor.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 20, 2024

Nelly Sued By St. Lunatics Over 2001 Album ‘Free City’

Ali, Murphy Lee, Kyjuan, and City Spud are suing Nelly after accusing him of cutting them out of the credits and the royalty payments from the album.

After releasing a hit single, Country Grammar, St. Louis native Nelly gathered his friends, formed a group, the St. Lunatics, and recorded music. Now, his former group members are suing him, accusing him of not rightfully compensating them for the work that the group did with him.

According to Billboard, the former group members filed a lawsuit against Cornell Hayes, AKA Nelly, stating that he left them out of proper crediting as well as royalty payments for the album that they did together.

The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court on Sept. 18. The album they are referring to is Free City, which was released a year after the success of Nelly’s hit single, Country Grammar. After being assured by Nelly that they would be properly compensated and credited for their work, it wasn’t an issue at the time. Yet, they felt “manipulated” as the artist had them thinking that they would be paid for the work done on the album.

“Every time plaintiffs confronted defendant Haynes [he] would assure them as ‘friends’ he would never prevent them from receiving the financial success they were entitled to,” the lawsuit reads. “Unfortunately, plaintiffs, reasonably believing that their friend and former band member would never steal credit for writing the original compositions, did not initially pursue any legal remedies.”

The members of St. Lunatics were Ali (Ali Jones), Murphy Lee (Tohri Harper), Kyjuan (Robert Kyjuan), and City Spud (Lavell Webb). Although another member, Slo Down (Corey Edwards), was part of the group, he is not named as a plaintiff.

The rappers claim that they were more involved in the writing of songs but weren’t sufficiently credited. That includes Nelly’s first hit, Country Grammar where he and producer Jason Epperson are the only writers listed. They also claimed that during the time of the recording, Nelly “privately and publicly acknowledged that plaintiffs were the lyric writers” and “promised to ensure that plaintiffs received writing and publishing credit.” Yet, over 20 years later, they “discovered that defendant Haynes had been lying to them the entire time.”

After hiring an attorney in 2021 to find out what was really on the books with the Universal Music Publishing Group, they were rebuffed by Nelly’s attorneys, who “expressly repudiated” their claims to credit.

“Plaintiffs had no alternative but to commence legal proceedings against Defendants,” the lawsuit reads.

Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Tackle ,Kevin Johnson, Killed, Los Angeles

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 20, 2024

Former Super Bowl Player Arrested After Allegedly Assaulting 82-Year-Old At Gym

Former New England Patriots player Patrick Pass is scheduled to appear in court in December.

A retired NFL player was arrested after it was alleged that he assaulted an 82-year-old man while both of them were at a local Planet Fitness in August. According to WJAR, the incident took place in North Providence, R.I., where police officers arrested former New England Patriots fullback Patrick Pass on Sept. 18.

The assault allegedly took place at the gym on Aug. 28. Pass purportedly struck 82-year-old Juan Muriel after the two argued over the use of exercise equipment, police said. Muriel fell to the floor and suffered injuries to his back.

#Patriots Super Bowl legend Patrick Pass was arrested after assaulting an elderly man at Planet Fitness:

“Pass allegedly shoved the man, causing him to fall to the ground, after an apparent argument over a piece of exercise equipment, an investigation revealed.”

(Via @boston25) pic.twitter.com/XvQfX0eqWX

— New England Sports Fellow (@NESportsFellow) September 20, 2024

WPRI reported that surveillance video revealed that Muriel went to the machine to wipe it down, thinking it was unoccupied, and that’s when the argument with Pass, who was standing near the equipment, started, according to North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero Jr.

“I believe the victim thought the machine was vacant, meaning he thought he was able to use it,” Ruggiero said.

Authorities state that Pass is facing a charge of assaulting a man over 60 years of age, causing bodily injury, and disorderly conduct. According to court documents, the former football player was released on $10,000 personal recognizance at his arraignment.

Police said he was scheduled for a court appearance in December.

A spokesperson from Planet Fitness said:

“At Planet Fitness, the safety and security of our members is our top priority, and we take these types of incidents extremely seriously. The membership of the person in question was cancelled, and the local franchise group has been working closely with the authorities on their ongoing investigation. For additional information, we ask that you please reach out to the local authorities.”

A reporter from WJAR spoke to Pass at his home, and he responded, “Look at me, do you think I’m going to do that? Really? Please, come on,” said Pass. “I have better things to do than try to assault someone.”

Pass is scheduled to appear in court in December.

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 20, 2024

State Department Announces U.S. Passports Can Be Renewed Online

We love a streamlined process!

American travelers will soon be able to renew their passports online, CBS News reports.

The U.S. State Department announced on Sept. 18 that a new system will be rolled out that will bypass the dated method that required passport holders to print out a form and mail in a check. In a statement, the agency says the new way will be more efficient. “By offering this online alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department is embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient passport renewal experience possible,” the statement read.

“Thanks to increased staffing, technological advancements, and a host of other improvements, the average routine passport is being processed today in roughly one-third the time as at the same point last summer, and well under the advertised six to eight weeks processing times.”

The public beta version of the new process was released in June 2024 and is available 24/7. However, for now, only adults and those living in a U.S. state or territory will be able to renew their passports online.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing shortages led to extensive wait times of up to 18 weeks for passport renewal as demand dropped. In 2023, as travel limitations diminished, the demand increased and further strained the system. It wasn’t until late 2023 that the department announced the processing time was back to normal. Data from the agency revealed that 48% of Americans had passports in 2023, a massive increase from 5% in 1990.

According to the Associated Press, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter hopes to expand the passport renewal process for Americans living abroad, those looking to renew a second passport, and children’s passports. “This is not going to be the last thing that we do,” she said.

“We want to see how this goes, and then we’ll start looking at ways to continue to make this service available to more American citizens in the coming months and years.”

She did say that regardless of the new process, the processing time is still six to eight weeks. “The benefit of online passport renewal is that it’s a more convenient service,” Bitter said. “We don’t expect to have a different service standard for people who apply online versus people who apply by mail. We just want to make sure that we give the American people a choice to be able to do either.”

Travelers will still have to pay to renew their passport through a secure website. A charge of $130 will stay in place.

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 20, 2024

Civil Rights Groups Pressure Major Corporations To Keep Their DEI Programs Alive

Hopefully this will work....

Several civil rights organizations wrote a letter to the CEOs of major corporations pleading with them to keep their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs alive amid pressure from online critics and litigation threats, Associated Press reports.

The letter was sent on Sept. 19 and signed by 19 organizations calling for the leaders of Fortune 1000 corporations to stay committed to DEI initiatives, claiming those that don’t risk shirking their trust and responsibility to employees, consumers, and shareholders. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, policies, and practices make business sense, and they’re broadly popular among the public, consumers, and employees,” the letter read.

“But a small, well-funded, and extreme group of right-wing activists is attempting to pressure companies into abandoning their DEI programs.”

Groups taking a stand include the NAACP, the National Organization for Women, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Their words target companies such as Ford Motors, John Deere, and Harley-Davidson, which recently announced they would pull back on DEI policies following pressure from conservative activists.

In August 2024, Harley-Davidson announced they trashed their policy in April 2024, claiming the company no longer has “hiring quotas” or a “supplier diversity spend goal.” However, in a statement, they said they are committed to listening to their company base. “We remain committed to listening to all members of our community as we continue on our journey together as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world,” the statement read.

Black business owners have openly expressed concerns about how that lack of policies will affect their businesses; some highlighted the Fearless Fund. The funds, geared toward Black women entrepreneurs, faced a lawsuit by a conservative group, claiming its $20K grant contest to support Black women entrepreneurs was “discriminatory.” Tech CEO Barbara Jones-Brown feels the lawsuits are strategic.

“There are grant programs that are giving people $100,000, $200,000, and $500,000. They were giving [$20,000], and they get attacked,” Jones-Brown said.

“It’s all calculated. All of this stuff is strategic. They know exactly what they’re doing to dismantle all of this.”

The organizations who published the letter share similar sentiments. According to CNBC, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinsons, the corporations cutting DEI only hurt themselves. She expressed how LGBTQ+ consumers have $1.4 trillion of buying power and that moving away from DEI is the “wrong decision for business.” “Consumers are two times more likely to want to buy from brands that support the community,” she said.

“This is, bottom line, the best thing to do for businesses, and that’s why I think that we’re seeing so much energy from employees, from consumers, and shareholders starting to push back on these decisions.”

The groups also claimed companies rolling back DEI commitments are cutting their Corporate Equality Index scores by 25 points. On a 100-point scale, Brown-Forman, Molson Coors, and Ford went from a perfect score of 100 to 75. Tractor Supply & John Deere dropped from 95 to 70, and Harley-Davidson’s took a massive hit, from 45 to 20.