Haiti, Dominican Republic
by Iman Milner

September 20, 2023

Dominican Republic Closes Borders With Haiti Amid Canal Dispute and Racial Tensions

On Sept. 15, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic announced the closure of all land, air, and sea borders to its neighboring country, Haiti.

After building a wall at its border with the violence-ravaged country, the Dominican Republic turned its attention to immigration, deporting tens of thousands of Haitians, The Washington Post reported. The plan comes amid an ongoing disagreement over Haiti’s plans to build a canal along the Massacre River. By closing the former’s only land border, the Dominican Republic stokes longstanding racial tensions between the nations by locking Haitian people in their country, which has been overrun with bloodshed and poverty. Haiti is also struggling with access to clean water and a failing healthcare system. As previously reported, over 80% of Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, is under gang control, and large-scale killings have crippled the population with fear.

Dominican officials maintain that the decision to close its borders is necessary, due to Haiti’s violation of a decades-long treaty that “governs the fair use of waterways” shared by the two countries. The 1929 agreement prevents either nation from altering the natural course of their shared waters. Abinader has called the country’s canal plan a “totally inadequate construction without any type of engineering” and a “provocation that this government is not going to accept,” the Post reported. Haitian officials vehemently disagree with Abinader’s remarks, calling the move by Abinader a bid for reelection at the demise of its people.

“The canal issue is just an element to reactivate hatred,” said the Rev. Germain Clerveau, a Haitian priest who has lived near the border for decades.

According to The Associated Press, the canal project began in 2021, with 65% of the work completed before the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Maismy-Mary Fleurant, a former officer with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, believes Dominican officials are simply joining in on centuries of anti-Blackness hurled at Haiti, dating back to the reign of Rafael Trujillo.

“These actions are not driven by concerns for international law,” he said, “but rather by local politicians aimed at demonstrating who can be the most vehemently anti-Haitian. Unfortunately, Haitians consistently bear the brunt of these local political maneuvers.”

RELATED CONTENT: ‘All The Smoke’: Haitian Gang Leader Vows To Defend Country Against ‘Abusive’ Foreign Armed Forces

Lyft Introduces Feature To Connect Women And Non-Binary Riders And Drivers
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 20, 2023

Lyft Introduces Feature To Connect Women And Non-Binary Riders And Drivers

Lyft has a new feature aimed at connecting women and non-binary riders with other women and non-binary drivers.

The rideshare app’s “Women+Connect” feature puts women and nonbinary people in the driver’s seat by giving them the ability to match with more women and nonbinary riders. The new feature was highly requested by users who were looking for a safer driving and riding experience for women and nonbinary people.

Those who use the feature can turn on the preference in the Lyft app and prioritize matches with other nearby women and nonbinary riders. If no women or nonbinary riders are nearby, drivers with the preference on will still be matched with men or available drivers as Women+ Connect is a preference feature, not a guarantee.

(Image courtesy of Lyft Women+Connect)

“Women+ Connect is all about providing more women and nonbinary people the opportunity to earn money on their terms and giving riders more choice,” Lyft CEO David Risher said.

“We hope this gives millions of drivers and riders another reason to choose Lyft.”

The feature also offers more women access to Lyft’s flexible earning opportunities as drivers. Whether they’re driving to build a business, supporting their family, or simply earning money, they can do so under safer conditions.

(Photo courtesy of Lyft Women+Connect)

For years, rideshare drivers have used the Lyft platform, making close to $36 per hour, on average, including tips and bonuses.

“This opens up a new opportunity to make money in those twilight hours where there’s income potential,” Cametria H., a driver since 2018 who has given over 2,000 rides.

“It could lead to cool experiences, chats, and camaraderie within this community.”

“Women+ Connect” is launching in early-access cities, including Chicago, Phoenix, and San Diego. Lyft is looking to roll out the feature in more cities very soon.

RELATED CONTENT: Uber and Lyft Drivers May Not Get The PayDay They Were Hoping For; Wage Increase Vetoed

Deion Sanders, Tomekia Reed, Jackson State
by Daniel Johnson

September 20, 2023

Jackson State Women’s Basketball Coach Calls Out ’60 Minutes’ Over Depiction Of Jackson, Mississippi, In Deion Sanders Profile

Jackson State Women’s Basketball Coach Tomekia Reed did not like how the TV news program 60 Minutes talked about Jackson, Mississippi, during its unprecedented second profile in two seasons of former Jackson State Coach Deion Sanders–and she took to X, formerly Twitter, to let everyone know. 

Reed made it known in a pair of tweets that her problem was not with Sanders.

“My post is not about Prime! So don’t start that,” Reed wrote, according to HBCU Sports. “I am proud of his move, his opportunity, and I cheer for them every game. He is showing that once a HBCU coach gets a chance they can make it happen! My post is about how 60 minutes could have showed a better Jackson, MS.”

Reed also questioned if an abandoned house the program showed was even located in Jackson. 

The current head coach for the Jackson State Tigers, T.C. Taylor, also weighed in on 60 Minutes’ portrayal of Jackson. Taylor, who Sanders endorsed to players as his choice to take the reins at Jackson State before he left for Colorado, agreed with Reed.

“It gave a bad look on Jackson, I thought,” Taylor said during a team press day. “Jackson has plenty of bright spots. There’s some good things going on in the city with this program and Jackson State in itself. When you see things like that and how they portrayed it, you know, they’re the media, so they control the narrative. But if you’re from here, born and raised here, you know what the city of Jackson is all about and the state of Mississippi.”

60 Minutes has not yet responded to any criticism of their profile publicly.

 

The CBS program briefly mentioned the water crisis Jackson experienced in 2022 while Sanders was the head coach at Jackson State University, juxtaposed against the bountiful water fountains on the Boulder campus.

During the water crisis, Sanders described the situation as one born from inequality.

“When you just sit there and think about Jackson is the darn state’s capital and we dealing with this issue, we dealing with raggedy streets and I mean unpaid situations and, even at HBCU level would or overlooked and underserved it, it’s unbelievable,” Sanders told USA Today at the time.

RELATED CONTENT: Deion Sanders Uses Shade To Sell Shades

Jeezy and Jeannie Mai
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 20, 2023

The Internet Thinks ‘Family Values and Expectations’ Led To Jeezy and Jeannie Mai’s Split

Jeezy and Jeannie Mai’s divorce was reportedly imminent as the pair were at war over their “different family values.”

Insiders are spilling the tea on what prompted Jeezy to file for divorce from Mai last week after two years of marriage. According to sources, the rapper and former talk show host were at odds over “certain family values and expectations,” ET reports.

“They had different views, and each felt like their needs weren’t being completely met,” the source claims.

The “Put On” rapper filed for divorce on Thursday in Fulton County Superior Court, claiming the marriage was “irretrievably broken” with “no hope for reconciliation.” Jeezy, real name Jay Wayne Jenkins, cited the prenuptial agreement they signed the day before their 2021 wedding and is seeking joint legal custody of their daughter, Monaco.

The former couple lasted four years in total after making their relationship debut in January 2019. By September of that year, Jeezy and Mai made things Instagram official and went on to tie the knot in Atlanta on March 27, 2021.

They welcomed their daughter, Monaco, in January 2022 and appeared to be going strong up until Jeezy shocked fans with his divorce filing. Only one week before the filing, Mai celebrated Jeezy’s book release in an adorable video including their daughter.

“I’m endlessly grateful for your voice in this world. Honored to walk beside you my love🖤,” she wrote in her caption.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jeannie Mai Jenkins (@thejeanniemai)

Shortly after the filing, Jeezy took to Instagram to share a series of photos with a subtle caption seemingly in response to their split.

“Too focused on who I’m becoming to focus on who’s not coming with me,” he captioned the post.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @jeezy

This is the second divorce for Mai following her nearly decade-long marriage to actor Freddy Harteis from 2007 to 2018. This will be Jeezy’s first divorce.

RELATED CONTENT: Jeezy Files For Divorce From Jeannie Mai

TORY, LANEZ, mugshot, Megan, prison
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 20, 2023

Tory Lanez Transferred To State Prison Looking Like A Whole Different Man

Tory Lanez’s mugshot has been released as the disgraced rapper makes his way to state prison to serve out his 10-year sentence.

The “Say It” singer’s mugshot was unveiled on Wednesday, September 20, one day after he was transferred to North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, TMZ reports. Lanez appears annoyed in the photo, with a scowl on his face and messy hair.

The mugshot and prison transfer come one month after Lanez was sentenced to 10 years for negligent discharge of a firearm, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm. Those charges stemmed from an incident where Lanez was found guilty of shooting at Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020 and injuring her feet.

Lanez was found guilty just days before Christmas 2022 and has been incarcerated ever since. Megan shared an emotional testimony during the trial and revealed the depressive state she’s been in while living through “torture” since the shooting.

“I started walking away and I hear Tory yell, ‘Dance, bi–h!’” Megan said through tears, as described by The Hollywood Reporter.

“I froze. I just felt shock. I felt hurt. I looked down at my feet, and I see all of this blood.”

“Tory was basically telling me I wasn’t s–t, and I said, ‘Actually, you ain’t s–t. This is where you at in your career. This is where you at with your music.’ And I feel like that really rubbed him the wrong way,” she continued.

Following Lanez’s sentencing, he took to Instagram to issue a statement saying he won’t “stop fighting till I come out victorious.”

While he took responsibility for “verbal and intimate moments that I shared with the parties involved,” Lanez continues to claim he’s innocent of the shooting.

“In no way shape or form was I apologizing for the charges I’m being wrongfully convicted of,” he wrote. “I remain on the stance that I refuse to apologize for something that I did not do.”

Last week, Lanez was denied bail while he awaits the next steps on his attempts for an appeal.

RELATED CONTENT: Tory Lanez Accused Of Calling Reporter ‘Googly-Eyed B*tch’ After Losing Bail Hearing

Oprah Winfrey, Cindy Crawford, show, model
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 20, 2023

Oprah Deletes Old Show Clip With Cindy Crawford After Model Says She Was Treated Like ‘Chattel’

Cindy Crawford isn’t holding back regarding her 1986 appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show, where she was allegedly treated like “chattel.”

The famed supermodel got candid in the Apple TV+ docu-series The Super Models. Crawford and fellow iconic “supers” Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington reflected on their rise in the fashion industry.

In a clip from the new doc shared by Daily Mail, Crawford recalled her introduction to the world through a 1986 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show with her Elite Modeling Agency rep, John Casablancas. The budding fashion star was only 20 years old but remembers how Oprah seemingly encouraged her to show off her body to the audience.

“Did she always have this body? Stand up just a moment, now this is what I call a BODY,” Oprah said.

Crawford appeared nervous while standing up to give the audience and viewers a good look at her frame.

“I was like the chattel or a child, be seen and not heard,” Crawford said of how she felt at the time.

“When you look at it through today’s eyes, Oprah’s like, ‘Stand up and show me your body. Show us why you’re worthy of being here.”’

Now, as a 57-year-old mother of two, Crawford reflected on the moment and deemed the footage inappropriate.

“In the moment I didn’t recognize it and watching it back I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that was so not okay really.’ Especially from Oprah!”Crawford quipped.

Winfrey still had the old show clip visible on YouTube up until Tuesday evening, when it quietly disappeared from her channel hours before the documentary premiered. She could be seen directing questions to Casablancas about the “training period” Crawford might’ve been through.

“With Cindy, it was much more psychologically she was not sure she really wanted to model… little by little, her ambition is growing,” Casablancas told Winfrey in response to Crawford.

“She’s getting a sense, and I’m saying it now on this program, if she wants to, she can be No.1 in the business,” he continued.

Crawford’s candid reveal and Winfrey’s swift response highlight the scandals that could come in response to the new four-part documentary available to stream on Apple TV+ starting Sept.20.

LIL KIM, memoir, edits are finally done, 30 years, rapper, artists hip hop
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 20, 2023

Controversy Brewing Over Lil Kim’s Heavily Edited Ebony Magazine Cover

Lil Kim denied a photographer’s claims that she chose the heavily edited photo displayed on the latest cover of Ebony magazine.

The Queen Bee took to social media to seemingly debunk claims made by Ebony photographer Keith Major, who claimed Kim was “in control” of the extremely photoshopped cover shoot. The criticism started after Ebony debuted the cover photo on Tuesday, September 19.

“There will never be another like @lilkimthequeenbee — she still is and has always been “That B***,” Ebony captioned the post unveiling the cover photo.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by EBONY (@ebonymagazine)

The cover photo received a swarm of mixed reactions, with many commenting on Lil Kim’s appearance in the Fall 2023 Hip-Hop 50 commemorative print edition.

“this GOTTA be AI cuz that look nowhere near Lil Kim,” one fan wrote.

“Harpo…. Who dis woman?” asked someone else.

After catching wind of the negative response, Major hopped into the comments to defend his involvement, after one viewer asked who the photographer was.

“Man she wanted to be in control in the retouching so this is what we got,” Major said in a response captured by The Shade Room.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

But, once Kim was made aware of Major’s claims, she took to her Instagram Story to agree with fans and accuse Ebony of going with a photo she didn’t approve of.

“Who is this?! Cuz [sic] that’s not the photo I approved or any other content they’ve put out,” Kim wrote alongside a screenshot of the heavily edited photo.

The “Lady Marmalade” rapper claimed to have told Ebony’s team that the photo “looked like a painting” but claimed they “didn’t wanna listen.”

“They said they loved it. It’s the sabotage for me. The funny s—t about this is that this is THEIR retoucher 🤣😩🤦‍♀️,” Lil Kim claimed.

A member of Kim’s team doubled down on the rapper’s claims, saying they have “receipts” that the photo they chose wasn’t the one that was used. But when looking at a side-by-side of both photos, there wasn’t much difference.

Keith Major has been behind many celebrated Ebony covers, including Jonathan Majors’ Valentine’s Day-inspired shoot and one more recently with rapper Busta Rhymes that gives him a king-like persona in his hometown of New York City.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by keith major (@keithmajor)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by keith major (@keithmajor)

It might be why Major was quick to defend his honor when it came to this Lil Kim cover.

RELATED CONTENT: Lil Kim’s Baby Girl Slays The Runway For New York Fashion Week

sergio brown, nfl, missing
by Derek Major

September 20, 2023

Ex-NFL Safety Sergio Brown Suspiciously Pops Up On Social Media After News Of His Mother’s Homicide

Former NFL safety Sergio Brown, who was recently declared missing by authorities, appeared in a video uploaded to social media Monday, September 18, two days after his mother was found dead.

People magazine reported the video was posted on Instagram under the account “intplayerwithapassport.” The video came two days after police discovered the body of Brown’s mother, Myrtle Brown, 73, in Maywood, Illinois. Cook County Medical Office Spokesperson Natalia Derevyanny told People that the former football player’s mother died due to “multiple injuries due to assault,” and her death was a homicide.

Brown began the video by saying “fake news” repeatedly. The former safety did not explicitly refer to his mother in the video, but said “It has to be the FBI” and that the agency paid him an “unwarranted” visit on “Bob Marley’s Death Day.”

The 35-year-old athlete also claimed that the Maywood Police Department “kidnapped” him twice. He then added that he thought his mother was “on vacation” and that “it had to be the FBI or Maywood PD,” without clarifying who the “it” he referred to is.

According to Derevyanny, Myrtle Brown was pronounced dead Saturday. The Maywood Police Department has not commented on the situation.

People was unable to verify the owner of the Instagram account that the Sergio Brown video was posted on, but photos on the account date back to 2021 and contain pictures of the NFL safety.

Meanwhile, Nick Brown posted photos of his brother and mother on Facebook on September 16.

“I’m going to keep on pushing and won’t let you down,” he captioned the photo. Nick Brown posted less than a day after Sergio Brown posted his Instagram video.

Brown attended Notre Dame for college and played seven seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Buffalo Bills. He played 94 games in the NFL, starting 15, collecting 109 tackles and one interception.

RELATED CONTENT: Former NFL Player Sergio Brown Missing After His Mother’s Death

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 20, 2023

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Dress Newborn Son in Pink For Family Photoshoot

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky introduced their second bundle of joy to the world through a fashion-forward family photoshoot.

The Bajan singer and Rocky posed it up in their first official family-of-four photoshoot, over a month after baby Riot’s birth. In photos unveiled by People, Rihanna, 35, and Rocky, 34, take turns holding the boys RZA, 16 months, and Riot Rose, seven weeks.

The “Diamonds” singer sported a denim bomber jacket with a dark navy poots set. Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, paired Rih’s look with denim jeans, a white tank top, and a plaid shirt.

RZA sported his own little denim jeans with a gray and red sweater with yellow sleeves, while Riot topped everyone’s look in an all-pink ensemble that included a baby-sized du-rag.

Rihanna, who welcomed Riot on August 1, shared how “complete” she feels after welcoming her second child.

“Rihanna feels her family is now complete. It’s something she’s always wanted,” a source said.

For those wondering why the “Umbrella” singer opted to debut her second son in an all-pink outfit back in March, Rihanna spoke with British Vogue and explained she likes to “push it” when dressing her elder son, RZA.

“One of my favorite outfits he has is a miniature version of one of Rocky’s,” Rihanna said of a tartan kilt she had made for RZA.

“I like to dress him in things that don’t look like baby clothes. I like to push it. I put him in floral stuff. I put him in hot pink. I love that.”

“I think that fluidity in fashion is best. I always shop in the men’s department, you know,” she added.

Rihanna unveiled her second pregnancy while headlining the Super Bowl in February. The couple followed up with a small hint at their new baby’s name in the Beats Studio Pro commercial Rocky directed and starred in, featuring his new single “RIOT (ROWDY PIPE’N).” In that ad, Rihanna sends Rocky on a diaper run throughout New York City.

The pair have been going strong since debuting their romance in 2020. They are longtime friends who showed off their chemistry in Rocky’s 2013 music video for his single “Fashion Killa.”

https://twitter.com/DamnRihanna/status/1703824711212257625

high school, principals, lawsuit, photos
by Daniel Johnson

September 20, 2023

Allegations Of Racism Emerge In Lawsuit By NYC Sweetgreen Employees

Fast casual restaurant chain Sweetgreen is being sued by ten employees who allege that racist incidents occurred at seven of its locations across New York City.

The lawsuit claims that co-workers and managers facilitated a hostile work environment by subjecting employees to the “N-word” daily, along with other racial slurs. In addition, the lawsuit alleges those managers gave preferential treatment to Hispanic/Latine workers and refused to hire or promote their qualified Black workers. The plaintiffs say managers leaned into racial stereotypes, often praising the Hispanic/Latine workers for their work ethic while calling the Black employees lazy.

The problems did not stop at the store level, as the lawsuit claims that complaints were carried to Sweetgreen’s HR department and were ignored for years. The suit additionally makes allegations that managers would sexually harass the female workers, touching them in inappropriate ways and making repeated sexual commentary.

Sweetgreen, known for serving salads, released a statement to CNBC, “At Sweetgreen, we are committed to diversity as well as a safe and inclusive workplace. We take these accusations seriously and do not tolerate any form of harassment, discrimination, or unsafe working conditions.”

Sweetgreen’s representative also said that the company could not make any further comments about the situation because it is a pending legal matter. 

When the lawsuit was first filed in March 2023, there were only two plaintiffs, but the updated complaint added eight more. They are seeking to receive monetary and punitive damages in addition to having the fees related to attorney costs covered. In New York City law, companies are to be held responsible for the behavior of their managing employees. The lawsuit, filed in the Bronx Supreme Court, names Donald Izquierdo and Edwin Ventura as defendants, along with Sweetgreen’s corporate division. It cites an incident where an employee made several sexualizing remarks near Izquierdo, including a comment about a female employee having “d***-sucking lips.”

As reported by New York Eater, an unnamed manager is accused of calling employees at the Gansevoort Street location “monkeys” regularly and failing to curb the use of the “N-word” by non-Black employees.

Avi Mermelstein, one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers, told New York Eater, “For too many Black employees, having to listen to managers and co-workers use racial slurs is just a part of their daily work environment.”

Mermelstein continued. “That’s both wrong and illegal. Being exposed to constant harassment creates a hostile and psychologically unsafe work environment, and companies simply must do better to protect their employees.”

RELATED CONTENT: YouTube Defeats Racial Bias Lawsuit By Black, Hispanic Content Creators

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