Here’s one for Black excellence. Floyd Mayweather Jr. proves that his business acumen extends beyond the boxing ring. After retiring from his legendary career, the champion fighter has turned to…
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Global superstar The Weeknd has pledged $1 million to aid relief efforts for those impacted by the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires. His donation will benefit the Los Angeles Fire…
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The Game hit the front lines of the Los Angeles wildfires, assisting firefighters across the city. The Compton legend hit Instagram and shared the work he has been doing, serving…
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by BeyGOOD (@beygood) BeyGOOD has announced the creation of the LA Fire Relief Fund with a $2.5 million donation to support families…
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GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum artist and humanitarian 21 Savage, alongside his Leading By Example Foundation, celebrated the holiday season with their sixth annual toy drive at The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in DeKalb County, Atlanta. Partnering with Dekalb County, the event brought joy to over 1,000 families and children, distributing more than 3,000 toys, clothes, food, bikes, and other Christmas gifts.
The event was highlighted by a special recognition from Congressman Hank Johnson and Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, who presented 21 Savage with four proclamations and two community action awards. Among the accolades was the declaration of December 21st as “21 Savage Leading By Example Day” in DeKalb County, honoring his dedication to social impact initiatives.
This toy drive follows the success of the foundation’s August ‘issa back to school drive,’ which introduced the Leading By Example Social Impact Village in partnership with Amazon Access. The event featured prominent Atlanta nonprofits, including the Decatur-DeKalb chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and Wealthy Habits. The drive also marked the launch of Master Your Money Financial Success 101 Guide With 21 Savage, a financial literacy toolkit developed with Wealthy Habits, distributed to over 3,000 students and available online for free.
Since 2018, 21 Savage has championed financial literacy, partnering with Get Schooled to launch the “21 Savage Bank Account” campaign. Through his foundation, he has educated over 1,000 students on financial literacy, facilitated job placements at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and provided nationwide access to financial education via the Bank Account At Home program.
21 Savage continues to exemplify the spirit of giving, leaving an indelible mark on his community through consistent advocacy and philanthropy.
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Jay-Z’s social justice arm, Team Roc, has taken legal action against the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) and the city’s government, accusing them of obstructing efforts to investigate claims of wrongful convictions and police misconduct.
The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday (Nov. 19), alleges that the KCKPD has failed to comply with a public records request made under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) in November 2023. According to Team Roc, despite paying $2,200 in fees, the department has withheld crucial documents related to allegations of officer abuse and misconduct. The 225 documents provided, the group claims, were mostly irrelevant, consisting of personnel and training records instead of the requested information.
“Kansas City residents have suffered enormously as a result of KCKPD abuses,” the lawsuit states. “Some have been framed for crimes they did not commit; some have been coerced into providing false testimony; some have been sexually assaulted; some have endured brutal beatings; and some have even been killed. Rather than promoting a culture of transparency and accountability, the KCKPD has a long history of turning a blind eye to, at best, and even covering up, if not worse, abusive and/or corrupt conduct by its officers.”
Team Roc has been actively seeking transparency from KCKPD since 2021, previously filing lawsuits to obtain records detailing complaints against officers and documents on the training and oversight of the department’s investigative division. The current lawsuit highlights a systemic pattern of alleged misconduct within the department, including framing individuals, coercing false testimony, sexual violence, excessive force, and even fatal incidents.
“When good faith efforts are met with bad faith tactics, the fight for transparency continues in court. Truth deserves no less. The people of Kansas City, Kansas, deserve no less,” Team Roc wrote in an Instagram post announcing the lawsuit.
Attorney Alex Spiro, representing Team Roc, emphasized that the organization has a right under KORA to access the requested records, which could shed light on the alleged abuses. However, the government’s resistance has made legal action necessary.
“The government has attempted to block our access to those files, and so we’re suing to see what they don’t want us to see,” Spiro explained.
Team Roc’s lawsuit seeks to compel the release of the withheld documents and to hold the department accountable for its alleged failures in transparency and accountability. This latest legal move underscores their commitment to uncovering the truth and advocating for justice in Kansas City.
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ABC News along with other news outlets have reported that a deadly shooting took place at Tuskegee University this past weekend during its 100th homecoming celebration, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
The university released an official statement to the press after the shooting stating, “The university is in the process of completing student accountability and notifying parents. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”
As of today (November 11), an arrest in the shooting has been made. Jaquez Myrick, 25, of Montgomery, has been arrested and charged federally with possession of a machine gun. Authorities say Myrick was found in possession of a handgun with a machine gun conversion device.
He is not charged for firing or using the gun in the shooting.
Law enforcement found Myrick leaving the scene of the shooting, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. confirmed Sunday afternoon. Myrick is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Facility until he is picked up by a federal agency, a sheriff’s office spokesperson said.
Macon County Sheriff André Brunson said he believes there are multiple suspects in the shooting.
“If you‘ve seen some of the videos, there was shooting all over the place. So, I think there will be multiple suspects,” he said. “We’re going to deal with it and try to get every last one of them.”
Officials say an 18-year-old was confirmed dead at the scene. Macon County authorities have identified him as Latavion Johnson. He was a graduate of Charles Henderson High School in Troy, but he was not a student of Tuskegee.
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Jason Lee, founder of the media brand Hollywood Unlocked, has won the District 6 seat on the Stockton City Council, marking a return to his childhood hometown. Lee, who first led in the March primary with nearly 42% of the vote, clinched the general election against incumbent Kimberley Warmsley with 55.7% of the total vote, according to Stocktonia.
This victory reflects Lee’s commitment to engaging with his roots in Stockton, where he plans to focus on community-driven initiatives and local development. His transition from entertainment mogul to public servant has garnered widespread attention, signaling a new chapter for Stockton’s leadership.
Lee shared a statement, which you can see below.
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WhyHunger, a non-profit organization working to end hunger and the injustices that cause it – held its 2nd annual Amplified concert Presented by EY on October 15 at NYC’s Irving Plaza, kicking off its 39th annual Hungerthon fund-raising and education campaign.
Hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr., the evening’s musical talent featured iconic Grammy Award winners and Tonight Show house band The Roots, award-winning 18-year-old guitarist, songwriter and bandleader Grace Bowers and her band The Hodge Podge, as well as Cuban “international funk champion” (NY Times) Cimafunk – captivating the audience with sets across funk, hip hop, blues, and soul.
Founded by the late singer/songwriter Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayers in 1975, WhyHunger has music in its DNA. Honoring its origins, the organization harnesses the power of music to fuel the food justice movement. The 2nd annual Amplified event raised a gross total of $545,000 to support WhyHunger’s ongoing work to end hunger and protect the human right to nutritious food. More than 91% of funds raised will support community-based solutions for people in need across America.
iHeartRadio served as the Amplified 2024’s Premier Audio Partner, including on-air, digital, and social promotion on six iHeartRadio New York stations including 710 WOR, Z100, 103.5 KTU, Q104.3, Power 105.1 and 106.7 LITE FM.
Jenique Jones, WhyHunger Executive Director, said “Our 2nd Amplified concert was a dynamic celebration of the unique power of music and community to drive social change. An unforgettable kickoff to our Hungerthon campaign, the support of these artists, sponsors and fans will enable us to address the pressing challenges of food insecurity at a grassroots level, and to confront the broader social and economic causes of food injustice.”
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Weldon Angelos, founder of The Weldon Project and president of its social justice initiatives, has become a leading voice for cannabis reform and criminal justice advocacy since his release from prison. Having once been a promising music producer, Angelos now finds himself at the forefront of a movement to repair the harm caused by the war on drugs, using his influence in both entertainment and activism to make a lasting impact.
Cannabis Reform and Social Justice
Angelos’ experience in the criminal justice system has fueled his dedication to cannabis reform. He explains, “The relationship between the legal cannabis industry and social justice is crucial, especially as more states move toward legalization. The war on drugs disproportionately impacted marginalized communities, particularly people of color.” For Angelos, cannabis reform must go beyond legalization; it must include efforts to expunge convictions and provide clemency to those still incarcerated. “Equity programs should be at the forefront, ensuring communities most affected by prohibition have access to business opportunities.”
He envisions the cannabis industry playing a vital role in supporting broader social justice efforts, stating, “The legal cannabis industry has the potential to be a vehicle for positive social change, but only if we make social justice a priority.”
A Documentary with a Purpose
Angelos’ upcoming documentary promises to shed light on the broader fight for justice reform, featuring powerful moments from his own journey. “One of the most impactful moments for viewers will be seeing the raw footage of my release from prison,” Angelos shares. But the documentary also highlights the efforts of those who advocated for his freedom, including icons like Snoop Dogg and Senator Cory Booker. “It captures their passion for reform, and I hope viewers feel inspired to take action and fight for what’s right.”
Angelos’ goal is to create a sense of urgency around cannabis-related incarcerations. “This documentary isn’t just about my personal journey—it’s about a movement to right these wrongs.”
Collaborating with Snoop Dogg on Reform Efforts
Angelos has a long-standing relationship with Snoop Dogg, both in the studio and in the fight for justice reform. “Snoop’s unwavering support in pushing for clemency for people like Michael ‘Harry O’ Harris was transformative,” Angelos recalls. “Using his platform to bring attention to my case and others like mine showed me the power of combining culture with advocacy.”
Snoop’s commitment to justice reform has been an inspiration to Angelos, who sees their partnership as an example of how music and activism can intersect. “It’s a reminder that when you have a platform, you can use it to make meaningful change,” Angelos reflects.
REEFORM: Redefining the Cannabis Industry
Angelos’ venture, REEFORM, is more than just a business—it’s a movement focused on providing opportunities for those previously criminalized for cannabis offenses. “With REEFORM, we’re not just advocating for legalization but for real equity,” Angelos asserts. “We’re dedicated to creating job opportunities, offering financial support, and reshaping how the cannabis industry views its responsibility to communities impacted by the war on drugs.”
By highlighting the stories of those incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis offenses, Angelos aims to change the narrative surrounding cannabis. “Cannabis can be a force for positive change, and we want REEFORM to be a model for how the industry can actively participate in social justice,” he says.
A Movement for Change
Despite progress, Angelos acknowledges that significant barriers remain in achieving full cannabis legalization and equity. “Federal legalization is a major hurdle,” he says. “Until we have that, we’re left with a patchwork of state laws that can still leave people vulnerable.”
Another challenge is ensuring that communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs have access to the legal cannabis industry. “High barriers to entry—like licensing costs and financing—lock many people out of the industry,” Angelos points out. “We need more equity programs and financial support to change that.”
Weldon Angelos has come full circle, from music producer to reform advocate, using his platform to lead the fight for cannabis reform and social equity. Through The Weldon Project, REEFORM, and his documentary, Angelos continues to push for change, proving that one person’s story can inspire a movement. “The fight isn’t over,” he says. “We won’t stop until justice is achieved for everyone affected by cannabis prohibition.”
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