TikTok Is Helping Diverse Students Break Into Songwriting With a New Summer Songwriting Academy

TikTok announced earlier this week that it is launching the Summer Songwriting Academy, a program to help students with less access to resources find the words and the platform to express the experiences and the inequalities of their communities.

Talented musicians have organically been using the social platform to share songs that have a positive impact on people in their community. TikTok states that it is committed to amplifying that impact and has made an agreement to partner with the nonprofit After-School All-Stars, as well as with music publisher Sony/ATV and Syracuse University’s Bandier Program to launch the inaugural Songwriting Academy. 

According to the press release, “The Songwriting Academy allows All-Stars students the chance to showcase their unique voice and perspective through the creation of original lyrics honed with the mentoring and coaching of industry experts. Students will work through a curriculum designed by The Bandier Program that will cover music theory, use of technology, and the business of the music industry.”

“To celebrate the Songwriting Academy, we’ve invited notable friends from our music community to share their personal success stories: Timbaland, Jozzy, Tiagz, Jack Harlow, JetsonMade, DJ Dahi, Ilsey Juber, Tainy, Anitta, Melanie Martinez and Mikey Keenan.”

According to Rolling Stone, Danny Gillick, TikTok’s senior manager of music content and label partnerships, came up with the idea after working with After-School All-Stars on COVID emergency food programs. 

“We set out to build a program to give students from underrepresented communities the opportunity to be heard and to connect with like-minded individuals in the creative community,” Gillick said in a statement. 

The program, which started on June 24, will allow artists to go LIVE each week for the next four weeks to share their content based on stories and their creative processes around some of their biggest recordings. In-app, TikTok will feature the hashtag #BehindTheSong on its Discover page for the music community to share their talent and creativity. 

“Music has a rich history in speaking out against injustice and speaking up for the rights and freedoms of all people,” said After-School All-Stars Executive Vice President of Programs Carlos Santini in a statement.

“Our after-school programs sit in the very cities that have experienced the inequities brought by COVID-19 and the ongoing racism that has yet again been exposed through police brutality and the death of George Floyd and many others in the Black community. Our collective voice will be heard in a bigger way because of this amazing collaboration.”

To view and experience the live streams, viewers can tap the TikTok Summer Songwriting Academy banner in TikTok’s Discover page or go to @afterschoolallstars on TikTok. 

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An Ohio City's Campaign Got More People to Buy Electric Cars

In just three years, Columbus managed to exceed its goal of more than 3,200 new BEVs and plug-in hybrids .

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Beware the ‘White Ninjas’ Starting Riots and Scapegoating Black Folks

Something in milk ain’t clean, as old Southerners used to say.

America is enduring yet another racial crisis. The recent murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Rayshard Brooks taking place during a global pandemic has people of all races united in protest. However, not everyone at the recent protests is on the side of Black people. Others were starting fires, damaging public property, working against the protests, and scapegoating Black people in the process. These actions are doing a huge disservice, only furthering the demonization of Black America.

White Ninjas

Jonathan Douglass, a rising writer, actor, and opera singer from Brooklyn, New York called these kinds of people “Ninjas.” In the context of white people, he calls them “White Ninjas.”

“White Ninjas have other agendas to accomplish and using the Black Lives Matter movement as a means to stoke chaos. For them, it’s about asserting dominance, and essentially co-opting a movement meant to elevate Black people, but instead, turning it into a disheveled mess. They are committed to performing ally theater for their own selfish benefit; are almost always undercover cops, or even feds, and often look like a bargain bin Fred Durst. These people are the most dangerous because they move like shadows in the larger swarm of cops, and pretend to be against them when we can clearly see their god–n bullet-proof vests.” They have been the bane of the existence of most, if not, all race riots since the turn of the 20th century.”

I have a theory that isn’t based on any real scientific evidence but is wholly based on the knowledge I have of Black people. During riots, Black people will loot. The looting process is part of the survival for those genuinely in need, and also a place where opportunism thrives. My good friend and cohort of the Adultish podcast, Afiya Augustine, spoke with me about the three stages of the looting process for Black people:

1. There are the looters taking goods for immediate use in their own homes;
2. There are the looters taking items to sell so that they can make money to survive;
3. And there are the looters who are there to take whatever they can get their hands simply because the opportunity has presented itself. Like an opportunistic infection, they see a way to take advantage of a situation and go for it.

Usually, Black people do not set fire to public property at the outset of public outcry. That is not our initial answer to inflicted injustices upon our people. I won’t attest that we have not engaged in such behavior in the past, but it isn’t Black America’s immediate form of protest. However, that is definitely something White Americans do. New York Magazine published several examples of “white people rioting for no reason,” and none of these are in response to systemic issues.

The Ways White Ninjas Move

Wesley Somers, a 25-year-old white man from Nashville, Tennessee, was arrested on charges of felony arson, vandalism, and disorderly conduct for setting fire to Nashville’s Historic Courthouse.

There is no way to decipher what this young man’s motives were for vandalizing a courthouse. Perhaps, he did this in protest. Maybe he was giving the middle finger to the justice system because it was created to work against Black people. Or, he was one of many angry people taking advantage of the current social unrest to “blow off a little steam.”

When the media initially brought attention to the vandalization of the courthouse, the images they showed were of Black people protesting peacefully. Thankfully, several people took photos of him setting the fire, reported it in response to the false media narrative, resulting in his arrest. Thank goodness for smartphone cameras.

 

Black Protestor caught 2 White Protestors tagging Starbucks. pic.twitter.com/06LuT4ryb8

— gregarious (@gryking) May 31, 2020

These “allies” were caught spray-painting Black Lives Matter (BLM) onto the side of a Starbucks. The protesters who caught them had words with them about their actions.

(Twitter screenshot)

And who can forget the woman in the wheelchair during the Target looting, “Jennifer.”

“Jennifer’s” contribution to the social unrest created opportunities for her actions to be manipulated. Conservative media outlets focused on “Jennifer” covered in foam after she was violently doused with a fire extinguisher.

However, later in the video, you’ll find that Jennifer had a sharp object, shown in the photo above, and stabbed several protesters as she attempted to protect Target. This Target in Minneapolis refused entry to peaceful protesters whose eyes were burning from tear gas fired by the police. The refusal set in motion what led to the weaponization of the fire extinguisher. A White man perpetrated the fire extinguisher attack, but it isn’t easily seen in the circulated videos.

Below, “Jennifer” gets up out of her wheelchair and is able to walk with no problem.  Ask yourself, why would this seemingly disabled woman fake a disability?

Allies do not engage in ally theater.  Black people should not have to deal with dissidents disempowering Black voices. If you aren’t here to follow Black people’s lead when it comes to matters affecting us, to listen to the nuances of systemic racism, and scapegoat Black people, then your allyship is not wanted or needed.

 

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This editorial does not necessarily reflect the views and sentiments of BLACK ENTERPRISE.

 

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2 Lawyers, One Black, the Other Muslim, Face Possible Life Sentence

A Black man and a Muslim woman, who are both attorneys, are looking at the possibility of serving 45 years to life in prison for vandalism according to The Huffington Post.

The daily protests, which are taking place worldwide, were put n motion after a video clip was shown of a Black man, George Floyd, being killed at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.

Originally, two lower court judges allowed the defendants to be out on $250,000 bond on June 1. But the two defendants were sent back to the Metropolitan Detention Center a couple of days later after the government appealed.

According to a press release from The United States Attorney’s Office, Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., released this written statement.

“Amid largely peaceful demonstrations taking place on the night of May 29, 2020, these defendants allegedly hurled Molotov Cocktails at NYPD vehicles without regard for the potentially deadly consequences,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “Such criminal acts should never be confused with legitimate protest. Those who carry out attacks on NYPD Officers or vehicles are not protesters, they are criminals, and they will be treated as such.”

The seven-count indictments each charge the two attorneys with “the use of explosives, arson, use of explosives to commit a felony, arson conspiracy, use of a destructive device, civil disorder, and making or possessing a destructive device.”

The press release also details the case against Mattis and Rahman. It states that “an NYPD surveillance camera recorded Rahman tossing a Molotov cocktail at an NYPD vehicle parked near the 88th Precinct in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, then fleeing in a tan minivan. Police Officers pursued the minivan and arrested Rahman and Mattis, who was the vehicle’s driver. In the vehicle, the NYPD found several component items for Molotov Cocktails, including a lighter, a bottle filled with liquid suspected to be gasoline and toilet paper, additional bottles and toilet paper, and a gasoline canister.”

If convicted on all counts, the defendants face sentences of up to life imprisonment.

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How to Pick the Best Microsoft Surface Laptop or Tablet (2020)

If you're having trouble figuring out whether to get the 2-in-1 Windows tablet hybrid or a traditional laptop, we're here to help.

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In Lockdown, Mathematicians Crack a Stubborn Geometry Riddle

The rectangular peg problem asks a seemingly simple question: Does a closed loop include the corners of every kind of rectangle?

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Review: Food Network Kitchen App Is Long on Recipes, Short on Diversity

The cable-TV cooking channel’s Kitchen app is full of videos from celebrity chefs, but the lack of racial representation feels more glaring than ever.

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How to Get Safari's New Privacy Features in Chrome and Firefox

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Lazarus Chakwera sworn in as Malawi president after historic win

The opposition candidate won nearly 60% of the vote to defeat the incumbent.

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Black Lives Matter: Black Arabs inspired to join anti-racism protests

George Floyd's death in the US has inspired black Arabs to protest over racism and discrimination.

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Viewpoint: 'I feel like I was accidentally hired'

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Disney to Redesign Splash Mountain Due to the Ride’s Ties to Racism and Slavery

Black Lives Matter protests and calls to dismantle white supremacy ramped up in recent weeks following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other black men and women by the hands of police. As a result, the rise in racial and social consciousness nationwide has pressured many corporate companies to confront their own racist past, including Uncle Ben’s, Aunt Jemima, and Cream of Wheat. But those aren’t the only brands getting a marketing makeover: Disney announced that it will redesign its Splash Mountain theme park attraction due to its problematic ties to racial stereotypes.

Walt Disney announced Thursday that Splash Mountain will be “completely reimagined,” reports CNN. Created in 1989, the popular log flume ride is based on the controversial 1946 film Song of the South, which has long been criticized for its racially insensitive portrayals of African Americans as well as its glorification of slavery and the antebellum South. The film is best known for the song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1948. The notorious film, however, has been locked away in the Disney vault for decades.

The announcement comes as more than 20,000 people signed a petition on Change.org asking the company to change the ride’s theme from Song of the South to the 2009 animated film Princess and the Frog, which features Disney’s first Black princess Tiana.

“While the ride is considered a beloved classic, its history and storyline are steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes,” reads the petition. “There is a huge need for diversity in the parks and this could help fill that need.”

In response, Disney revealed that the new Splash Mountain concept will be inspired by Princess and the Frog. “It speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year,” said the company.

Disney added that the design for the new ride is underway.

“Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important,” Disney said. “It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou.”

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Video of Shane Dawson objectifying Willow Smith resurfaces

YouTuber Shane Dawson‘s “disgusting” reaction to an 11-year-old Willow Smith has gotten him in big trouble, again.

An almost decade-old clip of the popular influencer has resurfaced. In it, he appears to be masturbating to a poster of an under-aged Smith.

READ MORE: Willow Smith will explore her anxiety while trapped in glass box for 24 hours

While he did it for laughs, the footage brings into question the YouTuber’s sense of humor.

Smith popped on the scene in 2010 with her debut single, “Whip My Hair.” Backed not just by her parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith but also ROC Nation head Jay-Z, the kid-friendly club banger was a hit out the gate. It brought a lot of attention to the pint-sized pre-teen and her fan base included tons of adults.

Dawson was one (or at least it seems).

In a skit, Dawson pretends to be sexually attracted to Smith in a six-second video. The internet comedian posted the gag and immediately received push back, being called disgusting by users disappointed by its inappropriateness.

Disgusting video found by @stre_ed where Shane Dawson pretends to masturbate over a poster of then 11 year old Willow Smith while sexualizing lyrics of her debut song. Truly depraved man. pic.twitter.com/e8WF9OX5Nl

— J+ = DANGERS TO SOCIETY (@KRMGDN) June 25, 2020

Dawson is 12 years older than Will Smith‘s 19-year-old daughter. The age difference is alarming and speaks to one of the reasons the young girl dropped out of the industry. Even as a kid, she said she felt that all the attention she received was not good for her.

Willow has yet to publically comment on the video, but her and older brother, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jaden Smith, respectively, called him out.

To Shane Dawson … I’m done with the excuses.

— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) June 27, 2020

SHANE DAWSON I AM DISGUSTED BY YOU. YOU SEXUALIZING AN 11 YEAR OLD GIRL WHO HAPPENS TO BE MY SISTER!!!!!! IS THE FURTHEST THING FROM FUNNY AND NOT OKAY IN THE SLIGHTEST BIT.

— Jaden (@jaden) June 27, 2020

Simultaneously, Dawson was getting canceled for his past use of Blackface as well as other racial offenses he has made.

READ MORE: Jada Pinkett Smith admits daughter Willow is ‘very curious’ about polyamorous relationships

Jaden also called him out for doing Blackface “on the regular,” says the young people have to support content creators whose morals support Black people.

This Man Was Also Doing Black Face On The Regular. As The Youth We Need To Support Creators Who Support Us And Our Morals. This Is Not Okay.

— Jaden (@jaden) June 27, 2020

Dawson issued a 20-minute apology video entitled, “Taking Accountability.”

The 31-year-old comedian says that he has made excuses for himself in the past. One way he has previously justified his actions was to say that he was only trying to be edgy and funny. Today, however, the YouTuber was more remorseful for his actions.

“I was at least 20 when I started YouTube, and I made the decision to play stereotypes of Black people, or Asian people, or Mexicans, or pretty much every race.”

“I made that decision. I said, ‘Oh this is funny,’ and I put that on the internet,” Dawson said, The New York Post reported. “Now, years later, I look back at that, and … when I say I hate that person, I mean it in the most intense way possible.”

Dawson claims he hated himself, an angry, closeted homosexual, for years.

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Educators march on Georgia’s state capitol to say, ‘Kids’ Lives Matter’

Black Lives Matter, but so do kids’.

This is precisely why a group of educators is pushing to “dismantle systemic racism” in Georgia schools.

Last Friday, teachers of all kinds gathered to march on the golden dome of Georgia State’s capitol. Their demands seem simple; to ask the legislature to focus more resources on underserved children throughout the state.

READ MORE: Black Lives Matter protests have not caused increase in COVID-19 cases: research

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Brittany O’Neal, a first-grade teacher, said that she thought of the “Kids’ Lives Matter” protest about two or three weeks ago. She then posted her idea on social media to gauge support for her brainchild.

There were many who were also concerned about students of color and leaped at the opportunity to organize real solutions to change how the education system is structured.

Claudine Miles, a former Atlanta charter school administrator turned educational consultant, worked with her to form a group called Civic Georgia and developed the concept of the Educators for Black Lives march.

Adobe Stock

 

Despite the legislative session in Georgia ending and it being too late for elected officials to review their proposal, they did submit a list to be considered in the future.

The following are a list of demands from the Educators for Black Lives:

• End “zero tolerance” discipline, and implement restorative justice.
• Actively hire more Black teachers.
• Mandate Black History and Ethnic Studies in K-12 curriculum with a social justice lens.
• Fund more school counselors.
• Invest in Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum & Training.
• Redesign the school funding formula and while including stakeholder input (participatory budget).
• Design well-rounded assessments instead of high-stakes testing.
• Fund wrap-around service to support community needs (ie. food banks).

Students in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

The advocates hope to bring awareness of the issues outside of the General Assembly. They hope their message will convey from the school boards to Congress, The AJC reported.

“We really believe there is power here to start a movement,” Miles said.

The group is getting backed by other civil rights organizations, including Atlanta Coalition for Educational Equity, the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples’ Agenda, and the NAACP.

Attorney Gerald Griggs, a leader of the Atlanta NAACP, marched alongside protesters. 

“The country is awakening to the issues of systemic racism,” he said.

READ MORE: Black Lives Matter network establishes $12M grant fund

Griggs is best known for representing one of the educators during the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal, which involved teachers and principals in the Atlanta Public Schools district who allegedly cheated on state-administered standardized tests in 2009 and subsequently went on trial between 2014 and 2015.

The two-hour-long march started at 3 p.m. at the south of downtown of Rosa L. Burney Park on Windsor Street. They made stops outside the city jail, the headquarters for Atlanta Public Schools, the Georgia Department of Education, and Atlanta City Hall before they arrived at the Liberty Plaza across the street from the Georgia State Capitol.

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An open letter on racism in philanthropy and the trials of a Black founder

In 2018, feeling frustrated about racism in philanthropy, I wrote a version of this letter to a philanthropist and decided not to send it. I did some revisions and decided to share it because I want my testimony on the record. I want founders of color to know they are not alone. If funders find points of reflection in this, then that is a good thing too.

Dear “Jane,”

For all that I learned from The Huxtables, the 1980s sitcom family, what I never saw was how this Black family dealt with pain. I know that they didn’t arrive without struggle. Nor did they live absent of pain. I also wonder if they, in part, were the example of Black excellence because they didn’t talk about their pain.

“If you’re silent about your pain, they will kill you and say that you enjoyed it.” — Zora Neale Hurston

This thought leads to self-reflection. Am I leading Camelback Ventures because like my baseball hero, Jackie Robinson, I may not be the best, but I am good enough, and able to endure the pain of turning the other cheek? If the answer is yes, then I need to take my seat at the table on different terms.

READ MORE: Do Black lives matter enough for you to hire them for leadership positions?

 

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In #NewOrleans for #Collision or #GiveNOLA? Come through and get with Camelback founder/CEO Aaron Walker at one of our fave neighborhood spots, @pulpngrindnola (local & Black & woman-owned!) or visit link in our bio for more ways you can support the #camelbackfam today! #supportblackbusiness #supportsmallbusiness #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #startup #diversity #ruthlessforgood #nolaentreprenuer #followyournola

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Silence cannot be a condition of my participation. I cannot make you do anything, but this is an invitation for us to build something different, and perhaps better, than what we have now.

You may be wondering: what pain? You receive a six-figure salary; you have a $3 million budget; you’ve been written about in the NYT, and are asked to speak at conferences worldwide. All true. And yet, …

I work to impress, and also impress upon you, why I am deserving and why Black lives are so important. We meet. And then meet again. It can go on like this for years. I highlight my strengths with data and stories. I turn my weaknesses into lessons learned.

I frame the work so you understand. And then (re)frame again when you do not. I blame myself because I haven’t figured out your language.

Then the wait begins. And waiting is the worse part. I feel unsure of myself. My mind fills in the space.

Do I need to be more like the white people you fund? I don’t believe you would never admit this because what kind of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) warrior would you be if it were true.

I tell myself this story that if I was someone else you would not be equivocating. But I don’t believe that either. In those moments when I “think big,” you’ve told me enough to my face, that I can imagine you say it more behind my back, that I need to scale down my ambitions.

While I wait, I fight my instincts. My favorite sport is baseball. It is the place where I cultivated my quiet confidence. All those times on the pitcher’s mound when I struck a motherf*cker out and then just turned my back on him while he walked back to the dugout.

But this is not baseball, I cannot just turn my back. So, I send an email update with our accomplishments. I forward you a newsletter with Instagram-worthy photos hoping that the joy in Black faces inspires you.

The process is like waiting for the bus that never comes. I cannot stand the thought of walking away, even if that is the rational choice. Maybe what I am trying to avoid is the regret of feeling that you don’t believe in me (or your stated anti-racism).

As the wait continues, I dream of a moment like that in Tara Westover’s memoir, “Educated.” Tara, a student at BYU, needs more money than her job provides. When she receives financial aid she, “began to experience the most powerful advantage of money: the ability to think about things besides money.”

I crave that feeling. To have thoughts make sense. To look at our fellows and staff and be present.

“Sometimes I think pain is just a lack of understanding.” — J. Cole

This whole process leaves me feeling powerless. I wonder if I feel powerless, do you feel powerful? And if you do, does it feel good? It doesn’t feel like a partnership at all. Maybe it does to you. Maybe I don’t understand what is really going on here.

(Photo: Adobe)

Oscar Wilde once said everything in life is about sex, except sex. Sex is about power. I might also add that food and alcohol can be about power too. I’ve engaged in all three to feel powerful. To experience something that I can have control over. It sounds silly to say that I feel power over a sandwich or a drink, but it feels safer to riot over my own body, than to riot in the public. Here there is no one to police my behaviors.

READ MORE: Companies touting Black Lives Matter face workforce scrutiny

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” — FDR

The idea of you reading this is scary. I believe that as long as I don’t lose (or win) the way you want me to, I will be punished. But I also know that “from the right angle a Black boy pulling himself up looks like suicide.” I’ve killed parts of myself to get here. That is punishment enough.

This is not intended as an act of defiance or self-immolation. It is about rescuing parts of myself. It is a pronouncement that while there is some fear of what I will find on this self-rescue mission, the thing I value more is me. Not whether you recognize or like that person or approve of my choices.

For a while, my favorite album was Solange’s A Seat at The Table. There’s an interlude which says “If you don’t understand my record, you don’t understand me. So, this is not for you.” Exactly. I’m at peace with that now.

What BIPOC entrepreneurs have essentially been saying is “let me breathe!” The oxygen in this world is money. Philanthropy has its knee on many of our organization’s necks — and the question is will you wait “nine minutes” until we’re dead or get up.

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Aaron Walker is Founder and CEO of Camelback Ventures, an accelerator that identifies, develops, and promotes early-stage underrepresented entrepreneurs with the aim to increase individual and community education, and generational wealth. Aaron is on a journey to live in the spirit of his baseball hero, Jackie Robinson, who said “a life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” With this ethos, Aaron taught ninth grade English in West Philadelphia, put together deals for companies large and small as a lawyer, and supported new ideas to improve education as a portfolio director for the NYC Fund for Public Schools. Aaron is humbled to say that he graduated from the University of Virginia and Penn Law School. He also knows that this doesn’t entitle him to anything and is ready to earn his keep.

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Rikers Island jail to discipline 17 staffers for transgender woman’s death

More than one dozen uniformed staff members at the Rikers Island jail complex will face disciplinary action as fallout mounts from the death of a transgender woman at the New York jail.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that 17 employees will be disciplined for their connection to Layleen Polanco‘s death while in custody a year ago, The New York Daily reports.

A corrections captain and three officers have been suspended without pay thus far, and each person will be subject to an internal investigation by the Department of Corrections. The other 13 uniformed employees are expected to be hit with administrative charges of failing to complete watch assignments. The latter group is also accused of inefficient performance and false logbook entries, according to the news outlet.

READ MORE: Transgender woman’s Rikers Island death was preventable, family says citing new footage

Polanco died in June 2019 after suffering an epileptic seizure while in solitary confinement. Rikers staff are required to do wellness checks on prisoners in solitary confinement every 15 minutes. NBC News released video surveillance footage that shows an hour-long gap between checks ins.

“The death of Layleen Polanco was an incredibly painful moment for our city,” de Blasio stated. “What happened to Layleen was absolutely unacceptable and it is critical that there is accountability.”

Polanco family lawyer David Shanies stated that the family is grateful for the actions against the Rikers staff, but hopes the mayor implements future reform that will address such incidents.

READ MORE: Minority corrections officers barred from guarding Derek Chauvin file discrimination claims

“We welcome news of discipline, but until we know the who, what, and how, there is no knowing how meaningful this announcement is,” Shanies said. “If the mayor wants to take meaningful action, he should start by announcing that the City will implement the two dozen reforms urged by the Board of Correction in response to Layleen’s death.”

Cynthia Brann, correction department commissioner, is also committed to the investigations and hopes this is a message to Rikers staff from the top to the bottom.

“We are committed to ensuring that all of our facilities are safe and humane,” Brann stated. “Even one death in our custody is one too many, and this swift and fair determination on internal discipline makes clear that the safety and well-being of people in our custody remains our top priority.”

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Morehouse College to honor athletic scholarships, despite canceling fall sports

Morehouse College has decided to withdraw from competing in collegiate-organized sporting events this fall due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the private historically Black institution announced on its website Friday.

On the bright side, the school plans to leave student-athlete scholarships intact, as announced in a public letter to the Morehouse community issued by President David A. Thomas, who said that health and safety must be prioritized as the school seeks to reopen for in-person learning in coming months.

“I write to inform you that due to the COVID-19 virus, Morehouse College will not participate in intercollegiate athletic competition” and the move “will affect our cross country and football sponsored athletic teams,” Thomas said in the statement. “I want all of our scholar-athletes, parents, and alumni to know that the College will honor all athletic scholarship awards.”

READ MORE: Malcolm Jenkins isn’t sure the NFL should play this season

Morehouse, an all-male school in Atlanta, is believed to be the first college football program to cancel its season as a result of the global health crisis. At least four football games scheduled in the HBCU circuit, including the annual Southern Heritage Classic that pits Jackson State University against Tennessee State University, have been canceled thus far, ESPN reports.

The status of winter and spring Morehouse sports teams are unknown at this time. The Maroon Tigers compete in Division II of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

“Like all of the decisions we’ve made related to COVID-19, this was a difficult one but was made with the health and well-being of our students and community in mind,” Thomas said. “It follows my intention to maintain a safe campus in hopes that our students will be able to return in August.”

Thomas is also concerned about the risks that come with team travel.

READ MORE: Morehouse School of Medicine learns about $40 million grant from TV briefing

“Sporting events also invite individuals to our campus who will not be subject to the testing and monitoring that we plan to implement for our students, faculty, and staff,” he wrote.

According to the school’s website, COVID-19 forced Morehouse to complete the spring semester exclusively online beginning in late March. The formal commencement for spring graduates was pushed back to December as social distancing orders prevented large gatherings.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama addressed all HBCU spring graduates via a virtual speech on May 16. He spoke of the challenges they face amid coronavirus.

“These aren’t normal times. You’re being asked to find your way in a world during a devastating pandemic,” Obama said. “A disease like this just spotlights the inequalities and extra burdens that Black communities have historically had to deal with in this country.”

Thank you @BarackObama for your support for HBCUs—and for believing in the Class of 2020 as they set out to change the world. #ShowMeYourWalk pic.twitter.com/dqgqvbmksS

— UNCF (@UNCF) May 16, 2020

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ICYMI: Dog goggles and a plant audience

Some of the stories you may have missed this week.

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Trump executive order relaxes hiring standards for federal jobs

On Friday, June 26, President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to make federal jobs more attainable by placing more emphasis on skillset and less on education achievement of a job candidate in the hiring process.

As reported by The New York Post, the order was created and signed as an effort to make a more even playing field for those seeking federal employment. More than two-thirds of American adults do not have a college degree. Therefore, this merit-based approach would provide job seekers with adequate ability but without a degree access to more opportunities.

READ MORE: Federal judge orders Trump to release migrant children due to COVID-19 

“The federal government will no longer be narrowly focused on where you went to school, but the skills and the talents that you bring to the job,” the president said during the signing ceremony at the White House.

According to the order, federal agencies will convert from a college-degree based hiring method to more of a merit-based hiring method. The former method “excludes capable candidates and undermines labor-market efficiencies,” the order says.

The federal government is the nation’s largest employer with about 2.1 million civilian workers.

The signing coincided with a meeting the President had with the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board. His daughter and senior advisor Ivanka Trump is the policy co-chair, and according to the president, was the leading force behind the order.

Ivanka stated that she would like to see private sector employers adopt a similar hiring policy as well.

READ MORE: Trump administration extends visa ban to non-immigrants

“This will allow us to better recognize the talents and competencies of all Americans we hire,” Ivanka stated.

Applicants with college degrees will still be eligible to apply and receive said federal jobs, but it will no longer be a requirement for some job openings. The acting chief of the Office of Personnel Management, Michael Regas, said he is on board with the new standards because the old ways were “limiting opportunity for those with diverse job backgrounds.”

“Those without a degree are at a major disadvantage in the federal hiring process. While education credentials are critical in many lines of work, such as the medical and legal field, this is far less clear in other areas,” stated Regas, who oversees all hiring for federal jobs.

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First vaccinations begin in Africa for COVID-19 trial

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Africa’s first participation in a COVID-19 vaccine trial started Wednesday as nervous volunteers received injections, while officials said the continent of 1.3 billion people cannot be left behind.

The large-scale trial of the vaccine developed at the University of Oxford in Britain is being conducted in South Africa, Britain and Brazil. South Africa has nearly one-third of Africa’s confirmed cases with more than 106,000, including more than 2,100 deaths. The country late Tuesday reported its biggest one-day death toll of 111.

“I feel a little bit scared but I want to know what is going on with this vaccine so that I can tell my friends and others what is going on with the study,” one of the vaccine trial volunteers, Junior Mhlongo, said in Johannesburg.

The African continent now has nearly 325,000 cases as countries loosen restrictions under economic pressure from citizens who say they have to feed their families. Shortages of testing materials and medical supplies remain a problem as Africa could become the world’s next hot spot.

READ MORE: ‘Africans are not lab rats’ trends after French doctors’ vaccine comments

The pandemic was delayed in Africa “but is picking up speed very quickly,” the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief John Nkengasong said Wednesday, with a steep increase in the number of cases and deaths.

Vaccine volunteers are seated, at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg Wednesday, June 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Siphiwe Sibeko)

“Unless we act now, Africa is at risk of being left behind on the global vaccine,” he warned a continental discussion and urged that local manufacturing and scientific expertise play a key role.

Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa all have highly developed clinical trial capabilities, said Salim Abdool Karim, chair of South Africa’s ministerial advisory committee for COVID-19.

Many other sub-Saharan African countries also have clinical trial capacity, said Daniel Bausch, director of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team.

“We’re not only needing but capable of participating” as the world races for a vaccine, South Africa’s Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.

A medical staff member prepares a syringe, at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg Wednesday, June 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Siphiwe Sibeko)

African leaders have been outspoken about the continent being elbowed out in the intense global competition for medical supplies in this pandemic, as well as what the World Health Organization’s Africa chief, Matshidiso Moeti, called the “distortion of the global market for key items.”

READ MORE: Ghana’s Minister of Tourism to Black Americans: Come home to Africa

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged that the initial supply of any COVID-19 vaccine be deployed where it’s most needed, rather than based on the “ability to pay.”

Tedros also announced that as of this week, all 54 of Africa’s countries now have the lab capacity to test for the coronavirus.

In February, just two African nations could test for the virus. The continent’s first virus case was reported on Feb. 14.

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Puma Honors Former NBA Player God Shammgod and His Legendary ‘Shammgod’ Crossover With Signature Sneaker

More than 20 years after God Shammgod created an iconic ankle-breaking crossover, the former NBA player-turned-coach now has his own custom sneaker.

The 44-year-old former point guard is best known for creating the widely-used “Shammgod” crossover during the 1997 NCAA Tournament. The move gained instant notoriety and is still used today by NBA players such as Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Dirk Nowitzki. Shammgod also personally taught his signature move to NBA legend Kobe Bryant who also thanked the New York native for teaching him how to dribble.

“It all started with Kobe Bryant, for me. Kobe was the first kid I ever worked out in my life — I was 17 he was 16. That’s how we became so close, he always said I taught him how to dribble,” Shammgod told MavMoneyBall.com.

In addition to his crossover and crafty dribbling skills, Shammgod is recognized as a high school legend at New York’s La Salle Academy, where he was a teammate of future NBA player Ron Artest. Shammgod also played in the 1995 McDonald’s All-American game alongside future NBA players Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, and Stephon Marbury. He played two years of college basketball at Providence before being drafted to the NBA in 1997. After playing for the Washington Wizards during the 1997–98 season he then went overseas. Although he only played in the NBA for a year, he managed to establish a legacy as one of the greatest dribblers in the history of the game.

 

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@godshammgod12 unboxes the Legacy Shammgod. Available now.

A post shared by PUMA Basketball (@pumahoops) on Jun 16, 2020 at 6:45am PDT

To pay homage to Shammgod’s contributions to basketball, Puma released “The Legacy Shammgod” sneaker earlier this month. The shoe, which retails for $100, was designed with extra ankle support in the colors of black, white, and red in honor of his high school.

“I’m honored that a company like Puma would do something like this for me,” Shammgod told Mavs.com. “It means a lot to me and it means a lot to my supporters and the young kids that look up to me as far as basketball is concerned. It’s a dream come true.”

The sneaker also features his initials, “GS,” on the tongue as well as instructions on how to perform the “Shammgod” dribble on the sole.

“Inside the shoe, on the sole, it has a tutorial on how to do the (crossover) move, because everywhere I go everybody wants to ask me, ‘Hey, can you show me the move?’” he explained. “If you look at my shoe, I put the concrete lining on the bottom of the shoe because I’m from New York City and we call that ‘The Concrete Jungle.’ He added, “Everything on my shoe means something significant.”

The Legacy Shammgod sneaker is a project that was about two years in the making, thanks, in part, to hip- hop billionaire Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, who works as a creative director for Puma’s basketball division.

“Jay-Z’s best friend, Emory Jones, does consultant work with PUMA, and he came to me and asked me if I would be interested in consulting with PUMA,” Shammgod said. “They had called Jay-Z and they just said: “Hey, I think you should do a deal with Shammgod?’ I guess they believed in what I was saying.”

 

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Legacy Shammgod……. June 15th in @puma stores or online. @pumahoops @puma #CrossOvaToGod #HarlemWeDidIt

A post shared by God Shammgod (@godshammgod12) on Jun 8, 2020 at 5:27pm PDT

In conjunction with the sneaker’s release, Shammgod teamed up with the Share for Life Foundation to donate facial masks to a public housing complex in Harlem, New York, near where he went to middle school.

“I’ve partnered up with Share For Life, a nonprofit organization founded in New York that does after school programs, gives out food to the homeless, they work for disadvantaged communities in the city,” he told MavsMoneyBall.com. “With the shoe, I’m donating over 2,000 masks to Grant Houses housing project in Harlem, a place where I went to school right up the block. This housing project has the leading rates of COVID-19 deaths in the city. We’re also working on a food program for the Marcy Houses housing projects. It’s always been about the community, especially now. It’s not just about a sneaker, it’s about the culture.”

Share For Life founder Janine Saulsbury says that Shammgod’s role has been pivotal for the nonprofit.

“He’s an ambassador for us in that he helps to bring awareness to the organization and provide services and donations and sponsorship support, so he’s really important to us,” she told Mavs.com. “Shamm is very passionate about the services that we provide to young people with the coronavirus, and also the unrest in the country.” She added, “there’s almost 500,000 residents that live in the New York City Housing Authority, and most of them live below the poverty level. So that’s one of the reasons why Shamm wanted to get involved.”

 

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Come to @puma where you create your own legacy. Legacy Shammgod collection coming soon. Which ones should be next? #CrossOvaToGod #LegacyShammgod #PumaHoops #Puma

A post shared by God Shammgod (@godshammgod12) on Jun 20, 2020 at 1:28pm PDT

Today, Shammgod is keeping his legacy alive as the player developmental coach for the Dallas Mavericks, with emphasis on ball-handling and defense. Although he initially aspired to have a longstanding career in the NBA, he says getting a sneaker named after him surpassed even his wildest dreams.

“It’s something that I just thought would never happen—even if I had played 20 years in the NBA. So, for it to happen now is a testament of the PUMA company being aware of the culture and it’s a testament to all of the hard work that I put in and just keeping my faith in God and knowing His plan is better than my plan. Everything is becoming clearer, and God is giving me a sense of purpose as far as reaching young kids and helping young kids develop as people and as athletes.”

 

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