by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 12, 2024

Nene Leakes Returns To NBCUniversal For ‘Emmy After Party’

Nene Leakes is making a soft return to the NBCUniversal platform after accusing Bravo and Andy Cohen of racism.

Nene Leakes is making a soft return to the NBCUniversal platform.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta alumna will join Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix and E! News‘ Justin Sylvester for Sunday night’s Live From E!: Emmy After Party, Deadline reports.

Leakes’ return to NBCUniversal comes two years after she dropped her lawsuit against Bravo and Andy Cohen, claiming racism and discrimination at the network. With her snappy clapbacks and comical shade, the RHOA OG became a figurehead during her 12 seasons, starring on the show and serving as top peach holder.

However, things went left when Leakes announced her departure ahead of Season 12 and followed up with calls for a boycott against Bravo for racial discrimination. Leakes went as far as to send out a series of tweets accusing Andy Cohen, an executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise, of being “racist” in a rant that included former talk show host Wendy Williams.

I will ALWAYS eat and eat good! Believe that. I have ALWAYS believed in multiple streams of income so the leakes are good you ole cocaine head and you ole racist. No one knew you until YOU knew me. Remember I’m ICON. Don’t forget
— NeNe Leakes (@NeNeLeakes) September 28, 2020

In 2022, Leakes fired off more accusations at Cohen, including being blackballed and abused by the Watch What Happens Live host.

“I am happy I was able to help all the other black women get job opportunities that are working for them,” she wrote in a since-deleted tweet captured by the New York Post‘s Page Six. “He stopped me from working because I was a threat to his career! Yet he was able to abuse me for years.”

After making the bold claims against Bravo and Cohen, Leakes dropped her lawsuit that same year without prejudice. “All Parties consent and stipulate to the preceding dismissal. No party will seek recovery of costs or attorneys’ fees in any submission to this Court,” a statement said.

In 2023, she appeared on Reality with the King podcast, where she expressed interest in returning to RHOA.

“I don’t have any hard feelings,” Leakes said about Cohen. “I’m a Sagittarius. So at some point, I may be mad with you, but then I get over it. I’m not the kind of girl that carries a grudge or hold[s] the grudge forever. I’m also not [an] a** kisser.”

She continued, “I hate that we’re in this place. I really wish it was a way for us to find our way back to each other because, you know, life is short, and you just don’t want to carry ill feelings for the rest of your life. You don’t have to work together to do anything. But it would be nice to either just to just work through the issues.”

One month later, Leakes elaborated on her openness to return to RHOA.

“If I had to go back it will be 100% for the fans,” she said. “The check is not a bad check although I think my check should be bigger…the check is not a bad check.”

Cohen has resisted speaking on Leakes or the possibility of her return to Bravo. Following the recent exit of RHOA star Kenya Moore and the return of Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks, fans have called for Leakes’ return.

There are no signs of Leakes returning to the show she helped put on the map. Fans can catch her on Live From E!: Emmy After Party airing on E! Sunday at 11 p.m. ET and 8 p.m. PT.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 12, 2024

TikTok Star Reesa Teesa Shares Purchase Of First Home And ‘She Didn’t Need A Man To Do It’

Reesa Teesa 'did a thing' and bought her first home following her TikTok success.

One year after breaking the internet with her viral “Who TF Did I Marry?” saga, TikTok star Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johnson purchased her first home.

In a video shared with TikTok on Sunday, Reesa shared her excitement about becoming a first-time home buyer.

“So I did a thing today…. I MUST thank @SoldbySteele, who was absolutely the first phone call I made when I was ready to buy,” she wrote in her caption. “I could not imagine doing this with anyone else.”

@reesamteesa So i did a thing today…. I MUST thank @SoldbySteele who was absolutely the first phone call I made when I was ready to buy. I could not imagine doing this with anyone else. #reesaboughtahouse #reesateesa #firsttimehomebuyer #proofoffunds ♬ I'm Every Woman – Whitney Houston

In the video testimonial, Reesa sat alongside her Realtor, Amber Steele, and thanked her for helping her close on her first home without any outside assistance.

“Ever since our phone call on that faithful day when I was at the quick trip on Riverdale Road and you told me, ‘If you want to do it by yourself, I will represent you.’ And you have been there every step of the way,” Reesa shared.

She also made sure to include that she was her own “proof of funds,” which Amber confirmed while subtly shading Reesa’s exes.

“No, you got the proof of funds. I made sure she did,” Amber said. “She didn’t need a man to do it. She did it all by herself.”

Reesa also announced her plans to skip having a housewarming, which fans supported and celebrated her new milestone with messages of love.

“Congratulations 🎊🎈🎉 you should still make an Amazon wish list for stuff for house 🏡,” one fan suggested. “I didn’t have a housewarming either 😂.”

“A curse turned into such a huge blessing!!!!” added someone else.

Another fan shouted out Amber for being “such a pivotal character in the story” of Reesa’s post-divorce glow-up.

Reesa’s move toward homeownership follows her TikTok series getting picked up by ABC Signature to become a TV adaptation starring Natasha Rothwell and executive produced by her. The TV deal is the first big move in entertainment Reesa has made since signing with the Creative Arts Agency (CAA) in March.

The social media star’s success follows her viral moment in 2023 when she candidly recalled her tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband. In 50 videos that totaled around eight hours of watch time, Reesa looked back on her two-year relationship with “Legion,” her ex-husband whom she accused of being a pathological liar.

According to Reesa, Legion (later identified as Jerome McCoy) lied about everything from where he worked to his family structure. It wasn’t until multiple attempts to buy a home together fell through that Reesa realized Legion’s real social security number wasn’t the one he put on their marriage license.

Once Legion’s real identity was revealed, it didn’t take too long for the couple to go their separate ways. Reesa took about a year after their divorce to share her experience on TikTok, which McCoy attempted to deny. However, Reese went on to gain social media fame with the nearly 40 million views she’s received to date and jumped from 8,000 TikTok followers to 3.6 million.

She recently revealed to The Cut that she only made around $5,000 from her success on TikTok. However, after acquiring social media fame, Reese’s attorney estimates her earnings for 2024 to reach $2 million and increase to $4 million by 2025.

With a TV production on her marital woes in the works, Reesa will enjoy the show from inside her new home.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 12, 2024

HBCU Football Players Have Options Outside The NFL

Undrafted players have options like Brazil's Galo Futebol Americano League, United Football League, and Canadian Football League among others.

As great as the talent pool of athletes who attend and play on HBCU football teams is, only one player has been selected from an HBCU in the NFL draft in the last three years. Even more bleak, a quarterback from an HBCU hasn’t been drafted into the league in almost 20 years, making the league a place that Black quarterbacks will probably not make it to. Yet, several players are lucky enough to take their talents to other professional football leagues around the globe.

According to Andscape, one of those former student-athletes, Davius Richard, who played for North Carolina Central University, was able to explore his goals in a world other than the National Football League. After not hearing his name called during the NFL Draft, he did have a couple of teams in the United Football League contact him. In July, he became a member of the Houston Roughnecks for the upcoming 2025 season.

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue my football career,” Richard told the media outlet. “Houston was really the biggest contender as far as the most persistent as far as getting information. Ultimately, during the draft, they said they was gonna call me and sign me. So later on that day, or later on the next day. The GM called me later on that night, gave me the rundown, and told me they planned on signing me.”

Tairiq Stewart, who also played at another North Carolina HBCU, North Carolina A&T University, wasn’t selected in this year’s NFL Draft, although he was invited to minicamp with the New England Patriots. He is now playing for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League—not the NFL, but still employed in a professional sports league. After playing for the Elks in the previous season, he will play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in September.

“This is the second-best league in terms of football in the world,” Stewart said. “I’m among those elite athletes, so regardless, I am completing my task of being a professional athlete. We got some HBCU guys throughout the league, and they’re actually stars. They shine in their roles. So if I was talking to a person attending an HBCU right now or just a person playing college football in general, HBCU or not, this is a better league to play in.”

Another player is making his mark in yet another league that doesn’t isn’t the NFL, the Galo Futebol Americano league in Brazil. Former Prairie View A&M University player Myles McHaney IV took his professional playing dreams overseas.

“I was excited to have the opportunity to go to Brazil. It is an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to live in another country and play professional football,” McHaney said. “I wasn’t worried about living in Brazil. I actually love learning about other cultures and seeing different parts of the world. I am happy to meet new people and build new friendships with my teammates. This is a true learning experience for me.”

So, although many HBCU athletes have goals to make it to the NFL, all isn’t lost. Many other football leagues are open to welcoming them to play in their leagues, so their dreams of playing professionally are not cut off because the National Football League didn’t select them.

by Daniel Johnson

September 12, 2024

National Civil Rights Museum To Host Discussion About Black Men’s Prostate Health

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the discussion will feature healthcare professionals, health equity advocates, academics, and prostate cancer survivors who will all discuss what the current state of the disease is in the Black community

On Sept. 16, the National Civil Rights Museum will host a discussion about prostate cancer inequities in Black men. The panel discussion, titled “Tackling Prostate Cancer Disparities in Black Men,” is part of the museum’s Catalyst for Change Speaker Series and will be streamed online on the museum website and their YouTube channel.

According to the press release, September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The discussion will feature healthcare professionals, health equity advocates, academics, and prostate cancer survivors who will all discuss what the current state of the disease is in the Black community and how early detection, prevention, and treatment options play a part in helping to keep Black men alive.

The panelists at the event are Dr. Duane Loynes, assistant professor of Urban Studies at Rhodes College and the associate director of Equity & Culture at the Institute for Health Equity & Community Justice. Dr. Loynes will moderate the discussion in addition to panelists Dr. Walter Rayford, associate professor in the Department of Preventative Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Center, Dr. Rayford is also a urologist; Clarence Williamson, the co-founder of Man2Man, a prostate cancer awareness organization, and a survivor of Prostate Cancer; and Ken Carpenter, the founder of Carpenter Primary Care as well as a survivor of prostate cancer.

In conjunction with the museum, Pfizer is a partner for the event. Angel Riemer, vice president of Public and Policy Affairs, said, “We are so pleased to be partnering with the National Civil Rights Museum for this special event. It’s hugely important to have events like these that give all stakeholders an open forum to discuss health disparities in prostate cancer. Pfizer is working every day to reduce healthcare disparities by leading and investing in a variety of programs, including our support of this initiative. We encourage anyone who is interested to sign up for this free, hybrid event, and I look forward to hearing from all of the panelists next week.”

According to Dr. Russ Wiggington, the president of the National Civil Rights Museum, “One of the most glaring disparities in healthcare today is the unequal impact of prostate cancer on Black men. Black men are 70% more likely to develop prostate cancer during their lifetime than white men, and they are also twice as likely to die from the disease,” Dr. Wigginton said. “Despite significant advancements in cancer diagnostics, therapeutics, and healthcare delivery, racial disparities in prostate cancer outcomes persist. More must be done to bridge the health equity gap.”

The event is free, and an in-person reception is scheduled to follow at 7:30 p.m. Registration for the event is strongly encouraged and can be accessed through the museum’s website. According to the museum, through its Catalyst for Change Speaker Series, the museum hopes to raise awareness of some of the most pressing issues that affect Black Americans.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 12, 2024

Bevel Announces 25K Business Grant To Invest Fest Vendor Double Dutch Aerobics

The company was founded by Double Dutch World Champion Michelle Clark and Sean Clark, Master Double Dutch Aerobics Instructor.

Bevel, the Black-owned, Atlanta-based grooming brand, has announced that it has presented Double Dutch Aerobics with a $25,000 business grant.

Bevel was the official grooming partner of the 4th annual Invest Fest, which took place on Aug. 23-25 in Atlanta at the Georgia World Conference Centre. The company’s CEO, Damon Frost, announced the grant on a recent episode of Earn Your Leisure‘s Market Monday Podcast. Double Dutch Aerobics, also based in Atlanta, was among the over 300 vendors who participated in the annual festival and was selected for the grant by Bevel.

The company was founded by Double Dutch World Champion Michelle Clark and Sean Clark, Master Double Dutch Aerobics Instructor.

“At Bevel, we are committed to serving our customers with product solutions to address their unique grooming needs and through giveback initiatives that we believe make a real impact in the community,” said Bevel Marketing Leader Breann Davis in a written statement. “We are grateful to Rashad, Troy, and the entire Invest Team for allowing us to partner with amazing companies like Double Dutch Aerobics and elevate the next generation of entrepreneurs who share our commitment to the community.”

The Clarks, originally from Brooklyn, NY, are a married couple and the owners of the first-ever Double Dutch Aerobics Studio in the world. They teach both adult and children classes. The Certified DDA Instructors have toured around the country, taking Double Dutch Aerobics to over 30 cities. Through their travels, they have successfully taught over 100,000 kids and adults how to jump Double Dutch.

Bevel was started in 2013 by Tristan Walker, and the company has revolutionized the standards expected in the grooming industry. Their products are made to care for the needs of Black and brown men, ranging from merchandise that covers the spectrum for hair, beard, shave, skin, and body care.

by Shanique Yates

September 11, 2024

Families Pay Tribute To 9/11 Victims 23 Years Later ‘We Will Never Forget’

"Today is a day of solemn remembrance as we mourn the souls we lost in a heinous terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001,” said Vice President Harris in a statement.

It has been 23 years since tragedy struck and changed our nation forever. On the morning of Sept. 11. 2024, the families of loved ones lost during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks gathered to pay their respects, vowing to never forget.

The ceremony on Wednesday morning honored all 2,983 of the lives lost during the attacks that took place on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C, as well as the individuals aboard Flight 93 in Stoystown, Pennsylvania, on that fateful day when al Qaeda hijackers attacked the nation, CBS News reports.

Additionally, the ceremony honored the lives lost during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which many consider “something of a deadly dress rehearsal for 9/11.” There were six lives lost during the attack that occured just eight years before Sept. 11th.

“Twenty-three years is like 23 seconds,” said one man in attendance in honor of his sibling. “On Sept. 11, my brother disappeared, but this place has become my altar,” one man said at the podium. “This ceremony is essential because that day he disappeared, but if I come here and I speak his name out loud, and you hear his name, he will never, never disappear.”

Survivors of the deadly attack were also at the memorial, with one man, Jan Demczur, recalling the events that transpired that day.

“I was firsthand who was there, and I know a lot of people who survived and not survive,” he said. On Sept. 11, 2001, he was among the window washers trapped in a North Tower elevator when the first hijacked plane struck the World Trade Center before using their tools to chip away at a wall to break free.

“I put my foot inside the hole, start kicking that, and there’s another wall,” said Demczur, “and I see the light.”

Along with family and friends, others in attendance included the nation’s current leader, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris. Former President Donald Trump and his current running mate, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, were also present at the ceremony.

Today is a day of solemn remembrance as we mourn the souls we lost in a heinous terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.

We stand in solidarity with their families and loved ones. We also honor the extraordinary heroism on display that fateful day by ordinary Americans helping… pic.twitter.com/2hrHTjsSox
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 11, 2024

“Today is a day of solemn remembrance as we mourn the souls we lost in a heinous terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001,” said Harris in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with their families and loved ones. We also honor the extraordinary heroism on display that fateful day by ordinary Americans helping their fellow Americans. We will never forget.”

RELATED CONTENT: September 11th Coverage Ignores Way Too Many

Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Debate, donations

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 11, 2024

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Greet Each Other During 9/11 Ceremony Just Hours After Facing Off During Debate

Good they can put their differences aside for a great cause...

NBC News reports that just hours after the debate, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump met again during the 9/11 ceremony in New York City.

The two presidential nominees stood close to each other at the site of Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan after shaking hands and engaging in a brief conversation. President Joe Biden and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg stood in between Harris and Trump as GOP Vice Presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), former New York City Mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) looked on.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris meet and shake hands again just hours after the debate at 9/11 ceremony. pic.twitter.com/Adq6cNSdFl
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) September 11, 2024

Just 12 hours prior, the two met for the first time ever while debating key topics that concern the American people. Tuesday’s handshake between Harris and Trump ended an eight-year streak of no handshakes on the presidential debate stage, according to ABC News. However, there are no rules in place that require the candidates to shake hands before or after the debate.

Twenty-three years ago, on Sept. 11, 2001, two planes, led by terrorists, crashed into New York’s Twin Towers, resulting in them collapsing, killing and injuring thousands of people. During the ceremony, a widow who lost her husband on that frightful day criticized Biden for telling reporters that he would be “doing 9/11” when he mentioned his plans to attend the memorial. The woman referred to it as “quite a flippant remark.”

The President released a statement touching on the bravery and heart of Americans who survived the traumatic event. “On this day 23 years ago, terrorists believed they could break our will and bring us to our knees. They were wrong. They will always be wrong,” Biden said.

“In the darkest of hours, we found light. And in the face of fear, we came together — to defend our country and to help one another. Today, our longest war is finally over. But our commitment to preventing another attack on our people never will be.”

Harris, Biden, and Trump will also be traveling to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to commemorate the sight of Flight 93, which was hijacked by four al-Qaeda terrorists on the same morning of the 9/11 attacks. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement saying the Biden-Harris duo would attend all ceremonies because “they want to honor the 2,977 lives that were lost on that tragic day and support the families and also their loved ones who are still, still feeling a horrible pain.”

Biden and Trump also reunited after last visiting the sites in 2020. In 2021, for the event’s 20th anniversary, the former President skipped out on appearances but made stops at a police station and a firehouse. He celebrated the anniversary via video in 2023 saying, “no one who lived through the horror of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks can ever forget the agony and the anguish of that terrible day.”

“It was a terrible day. We will never forget,” he said.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 11, 2024

Former Danity Kane Member Dawn Richard Sues Diddy For Sexual Assault

Richard claimed that the 54-year-old groped her while working as one of his artists.

Former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard has sued Sean “Diddy” Combs for sexual assault while also alleging she saw him being violent toward Cassie and Kim Porter.

According to Rolling Stone, Richard claimed that the 54-year-old groped her while working as one of his artists. Richard initially met Combs in 2004 on his MTV show “Making the Band.” While in his presence from 2009 to 2011, Combs reportedly forced himself into her changing room. He reportedly touched her butt while also attempting to grab her breast, as detailed in the lawsuit filed on Sept. 10.

In addition to the unwanted touches, Richard alleges Combs “manipulated her with mantras that submission to his depraved demands was necessary for career advancement, instilling in her the belief that such abuse and exploitation were required for female artists to succeed in the music industry.” The lawsuit also stated that Combs called the show contestants “fat,” ugly,” “b-tches” and “hoes.”

Prior to his directed attacks at Richard, she allegedly witnessed him assaulting his former girlfriends. Kim Porter, the deceased mother of three of Combs’ children, reportedly left his studio in 2005 with her face visibly beaten. In 2009, Richard also claims she saw a drugged-up Diddy assaulting his other partner, Cassie, in his Los Angeles residence. The lawsuit detailed that he threw the “Me & You” singer against the wall, choked her, and dragged her up a flight of stairs.

After Richard and fellow “Dirty Money” girl group member Kalenna Harper advised Cassie to leave, Combs reportedly threatened them.

“Y’all b-tches don’t get in my relationship,” he allegedly yelled. “Don’t tell my b-tch [Cassie] what she need to be doing … Just make money and shut the f-ck up … I end artists … I shelve careers … You could be missing … You b-tches want to die today.”

However, the abuse did not stop. Richard detailed other incidents, accusing the disgraced media mogul of locking her in a car for two hours. He also allegedly forced her to rehearse for two days without sleep, causing fatigue and a skin rash. After she revealed Combs’ actions to her father, the entertainer allegedly told the parent to “think about your daughter’s career” when he came to rescue her.

A federal investigation and multiple lawsuits continue to swirl around Combs. However, he has yet to respond to the latest onslaught of allegations against him.

howard basketball, investment, Kaleena Smith, Wilberforce University, Unrivaled,

by Shanique Yates

September 11, 2024

Former Phoenix Suns DEI Manager Sues Team For Discrimination, Seeks $60M In Damages

A former Phoenix Suns program manager filed a lawsuit against the organization citing discrimination and wrongful termination.

A former Phoenix Suns employee has sued the organization for alleged discrimination and wrongful termination.

According to ESPN, Andrea Trischan, the Suns’ former diversity, equity, and inclusion program manager, filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity and the Arizona Attorney General’s office’s civil rights division. She is seeking $60 million in damages.

The Arizona attorney general’s office says it “does not confirm the existence of investigations or provide comments on any potential investigations,” despite reports that it is leading the investigation.

“Ms. Trischan filed a formal complaint … due to ongoing racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation she experienced while employed with the Phoenix Suns,” said Sheree Wright, Trischan’s attorney, in an email to the renowned sports outlet. “Specifically, Ms. Trischan endured overt racist comments and a hostile work environment that went unaddressed despite being reported to HR and executive leadership.”

Trishchan officially accepted the position as the Phoenix Suns’ program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion just six days after the NBA announced that the team’s then-owner, Robert Sarver, was suspended for one year following a league-wide investigation into claims of a “troubling workplace culture” and misconduct during his 18-year tenure as the organization’s majority owner.

Additionally, the NBA fined Sarver $10 million, and within two months of the investigation, Trischan said she was made privy to a budding diversity council led by the team without her knowledge. The Suns deny all claims.

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1832815920592335118

Moreover, Sarver announced that he planned to sell the team after the investigation.

“A former employee who last worked for the organization in 2023 was terminated after less than 10 months due to repeated failure to perform her job duties,” said Suns and Mercury senior vice president of communications, Stacey Mitch, in a statement to ESPN. “This individual filed a baseless charge with a state agency and is now trying to use ESPN reporting from 2022, specific to previous ownership, to make egregious claims in order to support her ridiculous demand for $60 million from the Suns organization.”

Under her leadership, Trischan was tasked with helping to address the issues reported to ESPN by current and former Phoenix Suns employees. Following the investigation into Sarver’s misconduct, the NBA ordered the Suns to not only address their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs but also “retain an outside firm to evaluate and make recommendations with respect to workplace training programs, policies and procedures, and hiring and compensation practices—with a focus on fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace.”

Shortly after Trischan learned of the diversity council that was brewing without her knowledge within the organization, another investigation revealed that the council would include several Suns executives, including executive vice president and chief revenue officer Dan Castello, senior vice president of ticket sales and service Kyle Pottinger, the team’s general counsel Melissa Goldenberg, and then-team president and CEO Jason Rowley.

Per the complaint filed by Trischan, shortly after she launched an investigation into the claims of misconduct against the aforementioned executive, she was instructed by her direct manager, Kim Corbitt, who is also the team’s head of human resources, to “cease her investigation into the report.”

“This interaction underscores how Corbitt’s approach aligns with practices that perpetuate a hostile work environment, rather than addressing underlying issues,” read the statement from Trischan.

The filing also claims that Corbitt told Trischan that the executive’s reasons for joining the diversity council were an effort to “reshape their image.”

It is important to note that all of the Suns executives mentioned in the 2022 report filed by ESPN are no longer with the team except for one.

“Ms. Trischan’s claims regarding the diversity council are misleading,” said a spokesperson for the Suns. “The purpose of the diversity council, which is comprised of the entire executive team and other leaders in the organization, is to listen to the diversity data and information on DE&I initiatives to continue to further the organization’s DE&I commitment.”

According to Trischan, she was placed on a performance improvement plan in late May and terminated from her position in July 2023.

While Trischan and the Phoenix Suns have explored mediation to settle the dispute, no agreement has been reached. Additionally, she has until Nov. 13 to file a formal lawsuit, which her attorneys say is already prepared and ready to be filed.

Kamala Harris, Trump, Philadelphia, debate

by Mitti Hicks

September 11, 2024

4 Key Takeaways From First Harris-Trump Debate

The two candidates clashed on stage as they debated a wide range of issues, including the economy, abortion, foreign policy, immigration, and even race issues.

Americans watched Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump debate for the first—and possibly the last—time on Sept. 10 in Philadelphia on ABC News, less than two months before Election Day.

The two candidates clashed on stage as they debated a wide range of issues, including the economy, abortion, foreign policy, immigration, and even race issues.

Here are four key takeaways from the debate for Black voters before heading to the polls.

Harris Hones In On Plan To Fight For The Middle Class

Right off the bat, the first topic during the debate was the economy. As ABC moderator David Muir pointed out, the economy and cost of living are the No. 1 issue among voters.

While Harris danced around the first question of the night, whether she believes Americans are better off than they were four years ago, she said she was the only candidate on stage with a plan to lift up America’s middle-class and working people.

“I intend on extending a tax cut for those families of $6,000, which is the largest child tax credit that we have given in a long time, so that those young families can afford to buy a crib, buy a car seat, buy clothes for their children,” Harris said. “I love our small businesses. My plan is to give a $50,000 tax deduction to startup small businesses, knowing they are part of the backbone of America’s economy.”

Trump said his economic plan is to increase the tariffs on imported goods.

“Other countries are going to finally, after 75 years, pay us back for all that we’ve done for the world, and the tariff will be substantial,” said Trump.

Trump Doesn’t Answer If He Would Veto Nationwide Abortion Ban

There was a lengthy back and forth between Harris and Trump when ABC News moderators asked the candidates about the issue of abortion. In the past, Trump has touted that he is “proud” to be the most “pro-life president in American history.”

Moderators asked Trump twice if he would veto a nationwide abortion ban if he were re-elected.

Trump doubled down on his position that he does believe in abortion exceptions in the cases of rape or incest.

He says, “I’m not signing a ban, and there’s no reason to sign a ban because we’ve gotten what everybody wanted. Democrats, Republicans, and everybody else and every legal scholar wanted it to be brought back to the states,” Trump said. “I’m not in favor of an abortion ban, but it doesn’t matter because this issue has now been taken over by the states.”

When moderators asked Harris if she would support any restrictions on a woman’s right to an abortion, she replied, “I absolutely support reinstating the protections of Roe v Wade.

Harris Calls Out Trump’s Controversies On Race

Muir asked Trump about his allegations last month on how he didn’t know how Vice President Harris was Black until several years ago when she happened to “turn Black.” Muir asked Trump if he believed it was appropriate to weigh in on the racial identity of his opponent.

“I don’t care what she is, I don’t care,” Trump responded. “You make a big deal out of something. I couldn’t care less. Whatever she wants to be is okay with me […] All I can say is I read where she was not Black, that she put out, and I’ll say that. And then I read that she was Black, and that’s okay.”

Harris replied to his remarks, calling it a tragedy that Trump has attempted to use race to divide the American people throughout his career.

“Let’s remember how Donald Trump started. He owned buildings, and he was investigated because he refused to rent property to Black families,” said Harris. “Let’s remember this is the same individual who took out a full-page ad in the New York Times calling for the execution of five young Black and Latino boys who were innocent, The Central Park Five. [He] took out a full-page ad calling for their execution. This is the same individual who spread birther lies about the first Black president of the United States. I think the American people want better than that.”

Trump Doubles Down on False Claims About Haitian Migrants “Eating Dogs”

On the topic of immigration, former President Trump brought up false claims floating around about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating pet dogs and cats of residents even though city leaders reportedly said the claims are false with “no credible reports” of pets being harmed.

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what’s happening in our country,” said Trump. “She’s destroying this country, and if she becomes president, this country doesn’t have a chance of success. Not only success, we’ll end up being Venezuela on steroids.”