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10 Unforgettable Super Bowl Moments

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Every February, hundreds of millions of viewers gather around their TVs with cases of beer, plates of wings, and a room full of friends to take in the most important event in sports, the Super Bowl. While the teams facing off vary with each season, Americans (and fans abroad) remain glued to the screen. The Super Bowl isn’t just about the football players; it is a night for musicians and brands to flex their chops for the masses with electrifying performances and inescapable advertisements. Bands reunite. Catchphrases are born. And the occasional wardrobe malfunction occurs. Before the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks meet each other at the line this Sunday, take a look back at some of our favorite Super Bowl moments from years past.

UPTOWN Doug Williams

Doug Williams made football history in 1988 when he became the first African-American to quarterback the Super Bowl. This made for such a media frenzy that he was allegedly asked during Media Day, “How long have you been a Black quarterback?” Williams and the Washington Redskins mowed over the Denver Broncos 42-10, and he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. To date, Williams is the only Black quarterback with a Super Bowl ring.

In 1991, at the start of Operation Desert Storm, Whitney Houston took the stage at the Super Bowl to perform the National Anthem. Americans were unsure about entering into combat, and her jovial demeanor and flawless rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was just the display of hope that audiences needed. This would be remembered as one of the most uplifting and patriotic performances in the history of the broadcast, and was even re-released after 9/11.

Super Bowl XLI - Indianapolis Colts vs Chicago Bears - Halftime Show

In one of the most highly regarded halftime shows yet, Prince shut down Super Bowl XLI with a classic rock-themed (and only subtly sexual) performance. His setlist included his own songs, selections from Queen, Jimi Hendrix and Tina Turner, and the FAMU Marching 100. The show ended serendipitously, as Prince belted out “Purple Rain” while precipitation poured into Miami’s Dolphin Stadium.

In 2000, Budweiser honored the complexity of Black male friendships with their Super Bowl spot, “Whassup?”, featuring filmmaker Charles Stone III and some friends chatting on the phone and drinking beer during a football game. The commercial was actually based on a short film by Stone, and went on to win a few awards. The phrase became a pop culture staple, featured in shows like “The Simpsons” and films like “Scary Movie.”

UPTOWN Janet Jackson Justin Timberlake

Janet Jackson has never been one for modesty. So viewers were expecting something provocative when it was announced that she would be playing the halftime show at the 2004 Super Bowl. But no one was prepared when Justin Timberlake performed “Rock Your Body” with the singer, and ripped a piece of her corset top away to expose an almost completely bare breast. Jackson absorbed the blame for the alleged mishap, and became the most searched term in internet history. (Youtube creator Jawed Karim credits the blip for sparking the idea for the video sharing website.)

Christina Aguilera‘s soulful voice and strong pipes had everyone thinking she would rock the National Anthem at the 2011 Super Bowl. But the pop star seemed to get carried away with the song. Aguilera got tangled up in her own riffs and runs, mixed up some of the words, and tried to make up for the slip-up by adding even more vocal acrobatics. Onlookers found the flub hard to ignore, and cameras on the field even caught a few players giggling.

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The Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts squared off against each other in the 2007 Super Bowl. But this game was more than just a border war. The matchup was the first time in NFL history that two African-American coaches, Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy, would be competing for the championship. They were also the first Black coaches to lead their teams to the Super Bowl. The Colts were able to clench the win, 29-17, but the two are still good friends.

Super Bowl XXVII set the bar high for halftime performances when Michael Jackson delivered a high-powered set for thousands of fans in the stadium and millions more at home. The King of Pop performed career hits “Billie Jean”, “Black Or White” and “Heal The World”, during which he used the field, the stage and the stands to send a feel-good message about joining together to create a harmonious world for our children.

UPTOWN Destiny's Child

Beyonce began the year 2013 with a bang (and a blackout) when she headlined the Super Bowl XLVII Pepsi Halftime Show. Queen Bey performed tracks from her solo career amid a dizzying display of fire and lights, and was joined on stage by Destiny’s Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The voltage on her set was so high that the lights of the Superdome burned out for some time after she finished, causing many fans to dub the game “The Beyonce Bowl.”

Only months after her mother, brother and nephew were tragically murdered by her estranged brother-in-law, Jennifer Hudson delivered a chill-inducing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to kick off the 2009 Super Bowl. Although Hudson was physically shaken, her voice showed unimaginable strength. Years later, she would perform again at the event, this time with the Sandy Hook Elementary School choir.

LeToya Luckett on Vintage Beyonce Shade: ‘Everybody Knew Their Role’

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Courtesy of Vibe Vixen

It’s been years since the original Destiny’s Child lineup graced a television screen, but fans were up in arms when an old interview of the foursome hit the net. In it, a young Kelly Rowland claims to be the ‘second lead vocalist’ and upon doing so Beyonce is accused of throwing shade at her comment by coughing. While none of the original four went out their way to address the throwback interview, LeToya Luckett shed light on the now controversial video.

“I suddenly start getting texts on a particular day, I guess as soon as it surfaced and they were like, ‘your face.’ And I was like, ‘What face? What are you talking about?’ So I went and I looked and I died laughing because I don’t even know where that came from or why we were looking like that.” The former group member told MTV during a Single Ladies promotions interview. The singer insist “people are making it out to be something that it was not” because “what if the girl had to cough?” She asked the network.

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Philip Seymour Hoffman Found Dead In NYC Apartment

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Philip Seymour HoffmanCourtesy of The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won the Oscar for best actor in 2006 for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in “Capote” and created a gallery of other vivid characters, many of them slovenly and slightly dissipated comic figures, was found dead Sunday in his Greenwich Village apartment with what law enforcement officials said was a syringe in his arm. He was 46.

The two officials told The Associated Press that glassine envelopes containing what was believed to be heroin were also found with Hoffman. Those items are being tested.

The law enforcement officials, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak about evidence found at the scene, said the cause of death was believed to be a drug overdose.

Hoffman — no matinee-idol figure with his tubby, lumpy build and limp blond hair — made his career mostly as a character actor, and was one of the most prolific in the business.

The stage-trained actor’s rumpled naturalism made him one of the most admired performers of his generation. He was nominated for Academy Awards four times in all.

Hoffman spoke candidly over the years about past struggles with drug addiction. After 23 years sober, he admitted in interviews last year to falling off the wagon and developing a heroin problem that led to a stint at a rehabilitation facility.

The law enforcement officials said Hoffman’s body was discovered in a bathroom by a friend who made the 911 call and his assistant.

His family called the news of Hoffman’s death “tragic and sudden.

“”We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone,” Hoffman’s family said in a statement.

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SNL Highlights Black History Month With ’28 Reasons’

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SNL Highlights Black History Month With '28 Reasons'

After all the hoopla surrounding “Saturday Night Live”‘s lack of a Black female cast member and the subsequent hiring of Sasheer Zamata, it was a given that they would need to do something to acknowledge Black History Month. Well this past weekend, SNL aired a skit entitled ’28 Reasons’ and boy did it deliver!

The skit featured Zamata, Jay Pharoah, and Kenan Thompson (well … duh) doing a presentation for their class. During the presentation, they list 28 reasons to hug a Black guy. Reason #1? “Give a Black guy a chance!” Reasons #2-28? “Slavery.”

It was so unexpected that I literally choked on my drink when I watched this weekend. When the teacher (Kate McKinnon) stops a white student (Bobby Moynihan) from playing “devil’s advocate,” I cried with laughter. If you missed it, watch the hilarious clip below.

What People Do For Money: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Sons Want to Sell His Nobel Medal and Bible

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By Colby Carrington

Bernice King, daughter of the late Martin Luther King, Jr., makes some incredibly grotesque accusations against her own brothers in an open letter printed in the Atlanta Journal Constitution this afternoon.

The 50-year-old Atlanta minister shared that her brothers Dexter and MLK III want to sell two of the family’s most treasured heirlooms: a Nobel Peace Prize Medal and a Bible belonging to the slain civil rights leader.  And they’ve even gone so far as to file a lawsuit against her when she wouldn’t turn over the items.

She writes:

On January 20, as we observed my father’s 85th birthday and The King Holiday, my brothers, Dexter Scott King and Martin Luther King, III, notified me that they want to sell to a private buyer our father’s most prized possessions, his Nobel Peace Prize Medal and his personal Bible which was used by President Barak Obama as he was sworn in for his second term in office and subsequently signed by him.  I am absolutely opposed to the selling of these extremely sacred items and I expressed my opposition to my brothers.  Although these items have been under my care and custody for the past few years, they have remained in a safe and secure location since my father’s assassination, and my mother’s death in 2006.  After I refused to immediately transfer these items to another location at their request, consequently on January 31 my brothers through The Estate of Martin L. King, Jr., Inc filed a lawsuit {Civil Action No. 2014cv241929} to force me to turn these items over for the express purpose of selling them.  In my opinion, there is no justification for selling either of these sacred items.  They are priceless and should never be exchanged for money in the marketplace.

While I love my brothers dearly, this latest decision by them is extremely troubling.   Not only am I appalled and utterly ashamed, I am frankly disappointed that they would even entertain the thought of selling these precious items. It reveals a desperation beyond comprehension. As Mark 8:36 teaches, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”  Our Father MUST be turning in his grave.

As a minister of the Gospel, the thought of selling my daddy’s Bible troubles my mind, vexes my spirit and weighs on my soul.  The thought of profiting from the sale of the Peace Prize Medal, which my father accepted 50 years ago this year on behalf of the greatest demonstration of peace this nation has ever seen, is spiritually violent, unconscionable, historically negligent, and outright morally reprehensible.   This is especially true in light of the fact that my father gave away every dime of the Nobel award money to support the civil rights movement.

This isn’t the first instance of in-fighting amongst the siblings.  Last August, the brothers, who manage the MLK Estate, filed suit against Bernice and The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change on the grounds the center had been negligent in its handling of King memorabilia.  The case is still ongoing.

Suzanne Basso To Be Executed for Murdering Mentally Handicapped Man

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A Texas woman is to be executed on Wednesday, February 5, for the brutal 1998 murder of mentally disabled man, Louis “Buddy” Musso.

After being convicted in 1999 of leading a group of thugs in the torture and killing of Musso, 59, in order to cash in on his life insurance policy, the woman, Suzanne Basso, is only the 14th woman to be executed in the U.S. since 1976.

Basso’s lawyer argued that the 59-year-old woman is not mentally competent enough to face execution because of delusions and that the state statute governing competency was unconstitutionally flawed, also questioning the legal admission of a medical examiner’s testimony. This all came after a state judge last month ruled that Basso had a history of fabricating stories about herself, sought attention, and manipulated psychological tests. Basso and her attorneys filed three appeals over the years, all of which were denied.

Coleen Barnett, who prosecuted Basso, says, “She would pretend to be different things.” She continues, “[In] one setting she would pretend to be blind. One setting she would pretend she couldn’t walk. One setting she had the voice of a little girl.” At a competency hearing, Basso acknowledged that representations about her background were fabricated — that she was a triplet, worked in the New York governor’s office, and had a relationship with Nelson Rockefeller.

She and her son met Musso, who had the intellect of a 7-year-old child but cared for himself, at a church carnival in New Jersey.  He left there to move in with her in Jacinto City, east of Houston. From there, Musso was led to believe that he and Basso would wed. Court documents detail the extensive abuse Musso endured days before his body was found in a ditch by a jogger. He’d been bathed in a solution of bleach and pine cleaner and scrubbed with a wire brush. The man’s body was found on the morning of August 28, 1999.

Basso is slated to receive a lethal injection today at 6pm CT but her lawyer Winston Cochran has filed a last-minute appeal to stay the execution.

 

Utah Teacher Courtney Jarrell Pleads Guilty To Sexual Misconduct With 17-Year-Old Female Student

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Uptown-CourtneyJarrellA former Utah high school teacher has plead guilty to reduced charges after being accused of carrying on an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old female student, according to the Daily Mail.

Courtney Jarrell, 23, pleaded guilty Friday, Jan. 31, to three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery after agreeing to be stripped of her teaching license. Jarrell is awaiting sentencing, which is set for April 8. She faces up to three years behind bars, but prosecutors are not expected to seek jail time.

Jarrell’s attorney, Kenneth Brown, says the woman had a consensual relationship with the Riverton High School student and did not pressure the teen in the alleged acts, which include touching her genitals at different times at Jarrell’s home early last year.

The school district received a complaint in March of 2013 that Jarrell had sexual contact with one of her female students. Jarrell taught math at Riverton High School and coached the sophomore girls’ basketball team.

[Image: KSL]

NY: ‘City as Canvas’ Exhibits Graffiti at the Museum of the City of New York

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The Museum of the City of New York has a new graffiti exhibition entitled City As Canvas: Graffiti Art from the Martin Wong Collection. Martin Wong was a California-born artist who moved to New York in 1978 and immediately became enthralled by the work of graffiti artists. He befriended many of them while working at Pearl Paint, an art supply store on Canal Street in Manhattan. He is recognized as a pioneer graffiti collector. He donated his collection to the Museum of the City of New York in 1994 before returning to the west coast. City as Canvas will run from February 4, 2014-August 24, 2014

The exhibition features seminal paintings and “black book” sketches by CEY (Cey Adams), DAZE (Chris Ellis), DONDI (Donald White), FUTURA 2000 (Leonard McGurr), Keith Haring, LADY PINK (Sandra Fabara), LEE (Lee Quiñones), RAMMELLZEE, SHARP (Aaron Goodstone), TRACY 168 (Michael Tracy), ZEPHYR (Andrew Witten), and many more New York graffiti artists, as well as photographs by Charlie Ahearn, Henry Chalfant, Martha Cooper, and Jon Naar that show the era’s graffiti-covered subways and buildings.

“Graffiti art is now widely admired, but many questioned its merits during the movement’s development in the 1970s. Martin Wong had the foresight to collect graffiti art and advocate for young ‘writers,’ just as New York City’s street art scene was on the cusp of gaining international prominence,” said Susan Henshaw Jones, the Ronay Menschel Director of the Museum of the City of New York. “Understanding the importance of graffiti as an urban statement, the City Museum embraced the opportunity to acquire Martin Wong’s collection, which included many works by artists living just blocks away. We’re thrilled to show this rare collection for the first time since Wong donated it 20 years ago.”

Aside from the many works of art on display, there will also be documentary presentations, including a specially edited version of Manfred Kirchheimer’s Stations of the Elevated, a 46-minute film that he produced, directed, edited, and filmed in 1981. There will also be workshops and panel discussions held by some of the foremost NYC graffiti artists of the era. For more information on the events surrounding the exhibit, please click here.

[Image: Sane Smith • Untitled, ca. 1989 • Ink on paper • Museum of the City of New York, gift of Martin Wong]


Our Untold Stories: In 2013, Over Half of All Missing Persons Were Female

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Nearly 40 percent of those who disappear are minorities, according to the National Crime Information Center.

Stats reported on the Black And Missing Foundation‘s website note a total of 240,411 minorities reported missing in the U.S. from January 1 to December 31, 2013**.

In 2013, a total of 627,883 people were reported missing, of which 316,435 were female. According to the organization, most of the women who disappear are from the states of New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Florida.

 

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The Black And Missing Foundation (BAMFI ) was organized in 2008 to help bring justice to the families whose voices go unheard.

Starting February 6, BAMFI will launch Our Untold Stories, a new series of programming that explores the missing persons cases of Teleka Patrick, Dashad Smith and Pamela Butler.  The series airs at 7pm ET every Thursday this month on BAMFI’s You Tube channel.

**from Jan-Dec 2013 surveys of missing reports, via Black and Missing/FBI

CVS Drops Cigarettes From Its Shelves

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CVS Stops Selling Cigarettes
CVS plans to pull tobacco products from all stores by October 1, becoming the first US chain drugstore to stop selling cigarettes.

In a statement released Wednesday, CVS Caremark, the nation’s second-largest drugstore, announced plans to phase out cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco. The decision will comply with other states that have previously banned the sale of tobacco in pharmacies.

President Barack Obama released a statement supporting the decision of the chain. Obama says the decision is a “powerful example” and says the decision will help his administration’s efforts to reduce tobacco-related deaths and disease and bring down healthcare costs. First Lady Michelle Obama said in 2011 that Obama had finally kicked the habit.

CVS Caremark, which serves as the prescription benefits manager for the US government’s Medicare program, feels the bold move will strengthen its image and position as a healthcare provider. Anti-Tobacco groups previously petitioned against CVS for “causing smoking related diseases for which they also sell medicines.” Analysts report that the decline in cigarette sales and adult smoking rates contributed to the choice to drop the cigarettes from shelves.

“I think it will put pressure on other retailers who want to be in healthcare,” said CVS Caremark Chief Medical Officer Dr. Troyen Brennan.

Pulling cigarettes from shelves will put a small dent in their profits, cutting about $2 billion in revenue. Instead of cigarette sales, CVS will now turn its focus on programs that help smokers to quit.

Michael Dunn Trial Begins, Reminder of Trayvon Martin Case

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Michael Dunn TrialJury selection began on Monday, February 3, in the trial of Michael Dunn, who is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Florida teen Jordan Davis over a dispute for loud music.

Dunn also faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder for shooting at three other teenagers.

The circumstances of the high-profile trial are similar to the Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman case. The case will be tried by the same prosecutor, State Attorney Angela Corey. Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges resulting in a public outcry with marches and rallies reported around the country. February 5, 2014 would have been Martin’s 19th birthday.

Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law will be a major factor in the outcome of Dunn’s murder trial. As in the trial against Zimmerman, Dunn’s defense team will argue self-defense as justifiable homicide. Both of the teens, Martin and Davis, were unarmed at the time of their deaths.

Dunn told authorities he had asked the teens to turn down the music from their car radio that was parked next to his at a Jacksonville gas station. In statements to police, Dunn said he “reacted after having seen a gun barrel in the window of the teen’s car and after hearing a profanity-laced string of threats against him and his girlfriend while the teens motioned they were opening the door,” according to CNN.

Police statements say at least eight shots were fired into the car carrying the teenagers. The shots killed Davis and wounded several other passengers, all teenagers.

A gun was not found during a police search of the teens’ car.

After the shooting, Dunn and his girlfriend left the scene out of fear that the teens were gang members and that other violence would follow, Dunn’s attorney, Robin Lemonidis said.

“When all the evidence has been flushed out, I believe that it will be extremely clear that Mr. Dunn acted as any responsible firearm owner would have under the same circumstances,” Lemonidis added.

Given the outcome of Zimmerman’s murder trial, do you think State Attorney Corey is the right person to try Dunn?

George Zimmerman And DMX Will Go Toe-To-Toe

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In what’s shaping up to be a real shit show, George Zimmerman and DMX will go toe-to-toe in the boxing ring on March 1. Yes, you read that correctly. A child killer will go up against a crackhead rapper in a bout many are erroneously assuming will bring slain teen Trayvon Martin justice.

When news of this “celebrity” boxing match was released last week, we all couldn’t help but wonder who would go against Zimmerman. I even daydreamed about Floyd Mayweather Jr. rocking Zimmerman’s jaw like he did to Canelo Alvarez. But punk-ass Zimmerman, who has reportedly been studying boxing, had his own ideas on who should step into the ring with him. Rapper The Game quickly accepted the challenge, but of course Zimmerman turned the muscle man down. Then, we learned that Zimmerman actually wanted to fight Kanye West because the rapper has a history of attacking defenseless people. (You caught that irony, right?) Man, Kanye would’ve whipped that ass like he did that teen.

But now, we have to settle for DMX. I say “settle” because X isn’t fit to drive much less fight. Does he even have a valid driver’s license in any state at this very moment? There’s a reason Zimmerman is willing to box DMX. It’s because he thinks he can win, and sadly, so do I. In fact, if I were a betting woman — and a race traitor — my money would be on Zimmerman. But who knows? Maybe DMX will summon the infamous crackhead strength and beat the shit, literally, out of Zimmerman. That’s basically what the rapper has promised TMZ:

“I am going to beat the living fuck out him. I am breaking every rule in boxing to make sure I fuck him right up. Once I am done with him, I am going to whip my dick out and piss on him, right in his motherfucking face.”

But in all seriousness, this Pay-Per-View boxing match won’t bring justice to Trayvon Martin, his parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, or the people whose hearts collectively broke when Zimmerman was acquitted of murder. It’s just going to put some serious dough in promoter Damon Feldman’s pockets and allow Zimmerman to support an unnamed charity — one whose mission is most likely as scary as the implementation of “Stand Your Ground” laws.

I’m not the only one who thinks this brawl isn’t a good idea. There’s a We The People petition calling for the Obama Administration to stop the boxing match, citing Feldman and Zimmerman’s attempt to allegedly profit from racial hate in America. More than 97,000 people have signed the petition. If it gets 100,000 signatures, the White House will have to respond.

So this begs the question, will I watch? Yes, but I’m hoping to find an illegal stream of the fight, so none of my coins end up in Zimmerman’s hands.

Celebrity Mixologist Darryl Robinson’s Death Under Investigation

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Darryl Robinson DeathCelebrity mixologist Darryl Robinson was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment early Wednesday morning, police report. His death is under investigation.

Police responded to a call from a close friend who had not heard from the bartender and was unable to reach him.

Shortly after midnight, Robinson, 50, was discovered dead in his second-floor bedroom with no trauma.

Robinson was famous for mixing up cocktails on the Cooking Channel’s “Drink Up” in 2010. Reruns of the show still air on the network.

When news broke of Robinson’s death, a spokeswoman for the network responded, “At learning of this morning’s sad news, our thoughts go out to Darryl’s family and friends.”

Robinson was known around NYC to be the man responsible for the “sexy sippers” at hot spot Hudson Bar before starting his own mixology business, DR Mixologist He expanded his brand by appearing on “Access Hollywood,” VH1’s “Morning Buzz,” and “The Wendy Williams Show.”

He often shared his concoctions on his personal blog. His February 1 entry, “The smoking Super Bowl cocktail,” was his last. “A lot of mixologists like to infuse things, but I want to be accessible. I’d rather you feel comfortable and ask a question and know that the answer isn’t that complicated,” he wrote.

No signs of foul play or forced entry were reported and no drugs were found at the scene, law enforcement sources said. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death shortly.

Georgia Woman Arrested For Allowing Sex-Offender Boyfriend Around Daughters

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A Georgia woman is behind bars after police say she allowed a man who molested two children back into her home, according to WSBTV.

Darrika Driver, 31, of Clayton County, allowed her 22-year-old boyfriend, Natavious Mays, to move in with her after he was released from prison for molesting two girls, now aged 12 and 14. Officers said Mays molested the 14 year old again after he returned to Driver’s home. Court records indicate he recorded the assault with his cellphone. It’s unclear whether the 14 year old is Driver’s daughter.

A judge made the statement in court that Driver intentionally lied to law enforcement about Mays’ residence, knowing that he, a convicted sex offender, was not allowed to live with her children.

Neighbors say police broke down the door to the apartment looking for Mays and Driver, but they say the couple had moved out a couple of days prior. Police located the couple and arrested them. Driver faces charges for child cruelty and harboring a sex offender and is being held without bond. Mays made his first court appearance on Wednesday in relation to charges of aggravated child molestation, production of child pornography, and failure to register as a sex offender. Mays is currently on probation for a previous offense.

First Look: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Stars in Epic Romance ‘Pompeii’

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Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, best known as Simon Adebisi from the hit HBO show “Oz,” is starring in the new epic Pompeii.

The film, which also stars Kit Harington (Jon Snow on “Game of Thrones”), is the story of a slave turned gladiator named Milo (Harington) who is trying to save his true love amidst the chaos of an erupting Mount Vesuvius, with the help of his friend Atticus (Agbaje). But the flick isn’t just about the romance; the gladiators also get violent and heroic. Here’s what Agbaje had to say about the physical training:

“It’s rare that you get this privilege in Hollywood where the production and the director are so dedicated to getting the cast to look like the specimens that you expect in the film. The hours of training really helped Kit and I create a bond and organic brotherhood that you see on the screen.”

Pompeii will be released on Februrary 21, and will also be available for viewing in 3D. Watch the exciting trailer below!


South Florida Man Attacks 10-Year-Old; Bites Another Victim’s Face Before Being Killed By Police

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South Florida deputies shot and killed a violent man, who is speculated to have been high on drugs, on Tuesday. According to authorities, the naked man attacked a retired New York City police officer before chasing a 10-year-old boy in Delray Beach. The assaults continued when the 6-foot-3, 250-pound man attacked an 18-year-old male, biting his face. The former officer and 18-year-old both visited the hospital where they were treated for their injuries. Police tased the man to no avail. The 18-year-0ld victim fought the man off with a box cutter, later saying that the man appeared to have supernatural levels of strength.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said “He’s obviously delirious on something,” adding, “He is a huge guy. He takes a fighting stance. They’re trying to get him on the ground. He starts charging them. The taser did not affect him.”  A police sergeant fired three times, once to the torso and twice on the lower part of the body. The man was taken to Delray Medical Center, where he died. It has yet to be determined whether the unidentified man was on narcotics and if it was the drugs or the bullets that killed him.

Black Olympians Step to the Forefront During 2014 Sochi Winter Games

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For 90 years, the Winter Olympics have been a mostly exclusionary event for Black athletes. This year, however, the Sochi, Russia games, which begin this week, will see a different hue, with Black athletes taking the stage like never before. According to an article on The Root, nearly four decades since American pairs skater Tai Babalonia became the first Winter Olympian of African heritage in 1976, we are witnessing a great achievement in the stride towards diversity in the Winter Olympic games. In 1980, American bobsledders Willie Davenport and Jeff Gadley became the first Black men to compete in a Winter Olympics. Eight years later, in Calgary, ice skater Debi Thomas, a Stanford University student, became the first Black Winter Olympian to win a medal, bringing home the bronze.

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Ice Skating Legend, Debi Thomas

The 2014 Sochi Olympics, which begin tomorrow, will witness Shani Davis back in action. The 31-year-old speed-skating veteran is looking to defend his Vancouver Gold Medal in the 1,000 meter race and become the first male Olympian to win the same individual event in three successive Winter Games, since a Swedish figure skater in 1928. Already boasting four Olympic medals, Davis will be chasing the medal tally of two American speed-skating legends: Eric Heiden, who has 5 medals, and Bonnie Blair, who has 6.

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Shani Davis will defend Gold in Sochi during the 2014 Winter Olympics.

In Sochi, there are five African-American women on the six-woman U.S. bobsled team. The U.S. will send out three teams in two-person competitions. This means that for the first time in Olympic history, Black athletes will have moved to the front of the sled. The two Black drivers, Elana Meyers, who won bronze in Vancouver as a brakeman-push athlete, and Jazmine Fenlator, ranked seventh in the world, will compete together. Olympian Lolo Jones, who lost her lead in 2008 after stumbling over the next-to-last hurdle in a race, finishing in seventh, will return and go for Gold in Sochi, this time alongside the Jamaican bobsled team. The Jamaican bobsledders, whose 1988 Calgary victory was chronicled in the hit 1993 film, Cool Runnings, have had a decade-long absence from the games.

Mendeecees Harris: A Free Man?

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By Jaia A. Thomas

During the recent reunion episode of Love and Hip-Hop New York, one notable cast member was missing from the raucous and name calling – Mendeecees Harris. You may remember him as the fiancée of the multihyphenate cast member, Yandy Smith. Smith, a talent manager, was actually one of the creators of Love and Hip-Hop New York, in conjunction with her former boss, Mona Scott-Young. As speculations swirled this season about the marital and paternity status of many cast members, viewers were perhaps most intrigued by one cast member whose voice was omnipresent but who went sight unseen during the entire season. Where was Mendeecees Harris? Why was he in prison? And when would he be released?

In January 2013 Mendeecees Harris was arrested and charged with narcotics conspiracy and money laundering. Specifically, Mr. Harris was charged with knowingly, willfully and unlawfully combining and conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine (Schedule I Substance) and 1 kilogram of heroin (Schedule II Substance). Such narcotics charges are punishable by a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, plus fines. While the laundering charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years, plus fines.

In conjunction with the documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, the Court seized specific assets from Mr. Harris and his co-conspirators, including such valuables as a Hublot “King Power” in 18kt rose gold ($45,000) and Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date Chronometer in 18kt yellow gold ($40,000). All in all, federal authorities seized over $406,950 in jewelry. Authorities also seized countless sums from various safe deposit boxes (e.g. $488,900 in a Sovereign Bank safe deposit box, $300,200 in a Bank of America safe deposit box and $122,000 in a Chase safe deposit box).

In December 2013, Harris’ co-defendant Ronald Walker (aka Kellz) pled guilty to the narcotics conspiracy and money laundering charges. He admitted to arranging for the distribution of at least 40 kilograms of cocaine and at least 1 kilogram of heroin through Mendeecees (aka Uno) and others. He also admitted to laundering millions of dollars through corporations in his name. Consistent with his plea agreement, Walker was sentenced to the minimum 10 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. As a result of Walker’s conviction, $2.5 million worth of assets seized in connection with the investigation were forfeited to the government, including cash and homes in Queens, New York and Fulton County, Georgia.

But where do things stand with Mendeecees’ case? Apparently as of November 2013, no public docket entries have been made by the Court Clerk. Both the Bureau of Prisons and Harris’ attorney report that Mendeecees is currently not in federal custody, but do not offer any additional information or comment. The most recent activity in Mendeecees’ case was an order requiring the parties to inform the Court by November 15, 2013 as to whether the defendant would be requesting that infamous detention hearing. Curiously, no public filings appear on record thereafter.

If a detention hearing is eventually scheduled and held, the Court will hear testimony and determine whether there is probable cause that Harris committed the alleged offenses. If so, the judge must then decide whether any conditions of release would adequately ensure that the defendant is not a risk of flight or a danger to the community. However, with confirmation that Mendeecees is currently not in federal custody and no recent court filings, there is a likelihood that the case has already been resolved and the details of that resolution are sealed.

Part II of Love and Hip-Hop New York Reunion premieres February 10, 2014. Check your local listings…

Jaia A. Thomas is a bi-coastal sports and entertainment attorney. For more information: www.jatomaslaw.com or @jaiathomaslaw. Patrice Sulton is an attorney in Washington, DC, specializing in criminal defense, civil rights, and entertainment law.

NMAAHC Ambassador: Adrian W. Rich

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ADRIAN RICH

Name: Adrian W. Rich

Title/Occupation: IT Consultant/Entrepreneur

Current City: Bowie, MD

Age: 43

On the NMAAHC Ambassadors Program: What inspired him to join: Did you see 12 Years a Slave? Or the “Roots” mini-series in thh ’70s when John Amos played Kunta Kinte and you, as a 7 year old kid only knew him as the ‘James Evans’? And how as a 7-year old, seeing John Amos as Kunta Kinte and not shucking and jiving on Good Times, kinda sent your little mind racing about what being black actually meant?  The epiphany of that 7-year old many years ago is what inspired me to want to support an institution that could more completely describe the phenomenon of being black in America. * Why he believes the Museum is an important project: This museum must tell the story of a people whose contribution would be easily overlooked and underestimated as emerging American generations lose a visceral feel for living along-side slavery and Jim Crow.* Why African American philanthropy is important for the success of this project: If we, as African-Americans, don’t support it; if we don’t sacrifice for it; if we don’t extol it—then why should it exist?

REFLECTIONS: First job: Special Education teacher in Baltimore. * Advice he’d have given himself 10 years ago: Follow your passion and keep chopping wood—if it were easy everyone would do it. * Most valuable business lesson: Separate people from the problem and focus on problem solving.  If you cannot solve problems with the people around you either you or them need to be upgraded or replaced. * What’s the best lesson learned from a past mistake: Fail forward –  persevering through failure may eventually turn into success and success achieved through persevering is equivalent to growth and innovation. * Working on currently:  Recently launched an IT consulting firm focused on the Homeland Security market and the commercialization of Quantum computing technology.

DIVERSIONS: Currently reading: The Lean Startup by Eric Ries * Last fun purchase: Microsoft’s Surface Pro 2 tablet PC *Recently discovered: The floecist Akua Naru.  Her lyrics, her music & her consciousness has blown me away.  * I keep trying to tell people that….: “I am really not a nerd BUT Quantum computing technology will change our lives like the light bulb did!”

A FEW FAVORITES: Hotel: The W * Getaway: Paris, France or any Melia resort * Place to meet for a drink: Little Havana in Baltimore * Meal: the Half Angus/Half Pork Belly burger at Open Road in Falls Church, Va. * Guilty pleasure: Crabs! I have them almost every day.

Stay tuned for more profiles in our NMAAHC Ambassador/Black philanthropy series.

Former Warner Music Executive Allegedly Embezzled Over $1 Million

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danielle smith, warner music exec

Danielle Smith turned herself into Manhattan authorities Tuesday, after flying herself from California to New York to face embezzlement charges.

Smith, 45, donned in a frumpy wool coat, black glasses and winter scarf, plead ‘not guilty’ to 1st degree grand larceny charges. As a music executive for Warner Music’s Atlantic Records, based in Manhattan, Smith would scout and sign artists and handle their travel arrangements, in addition to their lodging. She allegedly used the corporate credit card,  to fund her lavish lifestyle, including vacations, luxury goods and personal charges, totaling $1.3 million over the span of 4 years. Smith resigned in 2011 after an investigation in the credit card purchases were investigated. Her lawyer, Scott Leemon, has represented rappers 50 Cent and Jim Jones.

In 2012, Smith was named one of “Hollywoods Power Women” by the Hollywood Reporter, for being a top fundraiser for the Obama 2012 presidential campaign. For his re-election bid, Smith raised between $200,000-$500,000 for the president.

Smith is currently being held on a $1 million dollar bond. Her mother has agreed to put up her retirement fund for her daughter’s bail.

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