How Rihanna’s Non-profit is giving back during Black History Month

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February marks an important month for the culture including the headliner of this year’s Super Bowl halftime performance. Not only does this history maker excel at her craft, she is a dedicated philanthropist with her own innovative nonprofit. 

In 2017, Rihanna received the Harvard Humanitarian of the Year award and in 2021 she became the wealthiest woman in music– reaching billionaire status.

Born and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna founded the Clara Lionel Foundation in honor of her grandparents in 2012. CLF advocates for environmental and social justice projects throughout the United States and Caribbean. The non-profit notes these areas are among the most disaster-prone regions in the world and have been especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. 

CLF’s climate resilience programs develop and construct emergency preparedness solutions, like upgrading infrastructure and keeping health care accessible during crises.

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“CLF’s goal is for the Caribbean to become the world’s first climate-resilient zone by helping communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters,” says Christine Platt, Director of Communications at CLF.

These mitigation techniques and models can be expanded into more regions to proactively influence change in the world. The foundation’s latest initiative, With/Stand, embodies a commitment to global collaboration.  CLF has funded programs in over 35 countries and all 50 states, spanning climate justice, natural disaster response, covid pandemic relief, education, and racial equity.

“CLF prides itself on focusing its support of climate justice initiatives led by Black, Indigenous, people of color, with 100% of our current Caribbean partners being BIPOC-led. And that’s because we understand that environmental justice is intricately interconnected with racial injustice,” Platt says.

This Black History Month, CLF is running a campaign to honor climate change reform pioneers such as Colonel Charles Young, the first Black Superintendent of the National Park Service. 

Platt said “At CLF, we are always celebrating, highlighting, supporting, and amplifying the work of Black environmentalists, both domestically and in the Caribbean.” Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation has spent more than $54 million on justice initiatives in the Caribbean and United States.

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The Source Magazine Remembers Trayvon Martin On What Would’ve Been His 28th Birthday

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Today marks what would be the 28th birthday of a young man by the name of Trayvon Martin, that not only in the United States but the rest of the world came to know because he chose to defend himself against his assailant George Zimmerman and his life was taken as a result.

George Zimmerman claimed that he saw Trayvon leaving a store and that he looked suspicious, so he decided to follow him. After following him, a physical altercation transpired between the two of them and an unarmed Trayvon took a bullet to his chest and died on the scene. Trayvon died two weeks after his 17th birthday on February 26, 2012. As for Zimmerman, he received was a jury acquittal for second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in July 2013.

Trayvon didn’t get the chance to tell his parents goodbye, attend prom, or pretty much any of the things that are enjoyed by teenagers. His parents Sabrina Fulton and Tracy Martin have to live with the burden that their child did not receive any justice for what happened to him.

Almost nine years after his untimely death, Trayvon Martin’s legacy in the fight for human and civil rights for Black people in America is everlasting. His name still stands among the victims of gun violence by rogue police officers and overzealous citizens that came after him such as Mike Brown, Tamir Rice, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and countless others.

Happy Birthday King! (RIP)

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Today In Black History Month #BHM: Amadou Diallo Shot And Killed By NYPD 24 Years Ago

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24 years ago on this date, a 23 year old Guinean immigrant named Amadou Diallo was murdered by four plain clothes NYPD police officers in his hallway after they unloaded 41 shots into Diallo in front of his Bronx apartment. The haphazard officers hit Diallo with only 19 shots; less than half of what was discharged from their weapons.

All four the officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing after a mixed jury in the Empire State’s capital city acquitted the officers. Claiming the impossibility of a fair trial in NYC, an appellate court ordered that that the trial be switched to Albany. Amadou’s family filed federal and state charges of wrongful death and civil rights violations in 2001, which resulted in a $3 million dollar settlement from the city.

Interestingly enough, the Justice Department decided that Diallo’s civil rights were not violated.

Artists such as Immortal Technique and Wyclef Jean have referenced the tragedy in their songs, which became one of the most pivotal cases in the fight against police brutality.

Deaths at the hands of law enforcement such as George Floyd, Botham Jean, Eric Garner and Breonna Taylor will always be a reminder that the challenge of injustice against Black and Brown people must be confronted.

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On This Date In Black History Month: At Least A Dozen HBCUs Get Bomb Threats On First Day Of #BHM One Year Ago

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Last year on the first day of Black History month, at least a dozen Historically Black Colleges and Universities received bomb threats, causing the schools to either evacuate or dismiss classes for that day altogether, showing the relentless commitment to racism in this country, especially towards its specialized, secondary learning institutions.

**From the report dated Feb 1, 2022**

The FBI is actively investigating bomb threats at the following schools: Mississippi Valley State University, Morgan State University, Alcorn State University, Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, Kentucky State University, Fort Valley State University, Howard University, Xavier University, The University of the District of Columbia, Spelman College, and Edward Waters University.

According to the report, Morgan State closed their campus for the day(February 1) due to the alleged threat.

The FBI released a statement via USA Today about the bomb threats which read, “The FBI is aware of the series of bomb threats around the country and we are working with our law enforcement partners to address any potential threats. As always, we would like to remind members of the public that if they observe anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement immediately.”

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Is Casanova Coming Home? Ice from ‘The Joe Budden Podcast’ Provides an Update

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Is Casanova headed home? Cas has been sitting behind bars on federal racketeering charges for some time, but perhaps that time is coming to a close. Speaking on The Joe Budden Podcast, Officially Ice gave an update.

I saw Casanova this week, shout out to him,” Ice said. “He sends everybody his love. He said he’s looking to get sentenced soon, and he thinks he’ll be out.”

Ice added, “He’s in Essex. I got somebody over there, and when I went to go see them, he just happened to walk out at the same time.”

In Nov. 2022, the Brooklyn-born rapper sponsored a Thanksgiving event at Children of Promise in Brooklyn, New York. Children of Promise’s mission is “to partner with children and families impacted by mass incarceration to dismantle the stigma and heal from the trauma plaguing Black and Brown communities.”

The event, which had fellow rapper Jay Critch in attendance, included activities and giveaways for the children of the program. Casanova sent in a video message for the attendees. “Children of Promise we giving back. We don’t stop giving back behind bars. You know what it is.”

In May 2022,  Casanova pleaded guilty to numerous crimes in his Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) case.

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Gillibrand, Schumer, Bowman And A Host Of Hip Hop Legends Announce $5M For Universal Hip Hop Museum

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Ahead of the 50th anniversary of hip hop, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY-16) joined together at the construction site of the Universal Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx to announce $5 million in federal funding to help preserve and celebrate hip hop music’s history and influence over American culture. The Universal Hip Hop Museum will become a tourist hub honoring the music genre’s influence over art, music, fashion, film, marketing and entertainment, and celebrating the pioneers who built the culture, such as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, DJ Red Alert, Run DMC, and KRS-One. The funds attained by Sen. Gillibrand, Sen. Schumer, and Rep. Bowman will go toward the construction of the facility, as well as K-12 educational programming.

The lawmakers were also joined by New York State Senator José M. Serrano, New York Senator Jamaal Bailey, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., former Peekskill Mayor and hip hop artist Andre Rainey, KRS-One, G. Simone, Roxanne Shanté, Grandmaster Flash, Eric B., and Grand Wizzard Theodore.

“The Bronx has historically been a creative incubator, nurturing so many genres of music ranging from doo-wop to salsa, but few genres have left a greater mark than hip hop music,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “It is amazing to see that what started as a party in the basement of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue became a global phenomenon that spawned artists and entrepreneurs like Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Pitbull, and 50 Cent. With the 50th anniversary of hip hop right around the corner, I am proud to have secured funds to help the Universal Hip Hop Museum celebrate everything that is beautiful about hip hop culture.”

“Since its birth in the Bronx 50 years ago, Hip Hop culture has transcended language, race, age, in addition to geographic and socioeconomic barriers. It is a uniquely American art form that has become a global cultural movement. That’s why I’m so proud to deliver $5,000,000 to the Universal Hip Hop Museum, which will serve as the ‘Official Record of Hip Hop’,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. “This museum will allow visitors from all around the world to come together in the Bronx and immerse themselves in Hip Hop culture of the past and present, as well as provide an important space for educational programs to empower our youth.”

“Hip Hop is a global movement that transcends beyond our borders. As a proud supporter of the creation of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, I am excited that there will be a cultural and artistic representation of Hip Hop’s profound impact on the world right here in this community,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman Ed.D (NY-16)“The $5 million in federal funding secured for the Universal Hip Hop Museum demonstrates a commitment to recognizing the historic contribution Hip Hop has made in this country. For people who were disconnected from their continent, from their language, from their culture, and from their ancestry, Hip Hop represents the rebirth of a civilization. The pioneers of Hip Hop created a vessel that grew to impact nearly every facet of American culture and this funding is only the start of prioritizing and honoring those in our country who have paved the way for many generations to come.”

“The Universal Hip-Hop Museum will serve as an important space for the preservation and celebration of Hip-Hop culture,” said New York State Senator José M. Serrano“Born in the Bronx 50 years ago, the cultural phenomenon known as Hip-Hop has changed the world and influenced music globally. My sincere thanks to Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, and our Congressional delegation for their support of this important cultural venue” 

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Kanye West Under Police Investigation for Video of Him Grabbing Woman’s Cellphone

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Kanye West is in trouble with the law after a video surfaced of him grabbing a woman’s cellphone. The Ventura County Sheriff’s office confirmed that Ye is under investigation for alleged battery after a video surfaced of the the artist taking the woman’s phone as she photographed him from inside her car and then throwing it into the street.

According to the Ventura County Star, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an alleged battery incident involving celebrity Kanye West near the Sports Academy on Rancho Conejo Boulevard in Newbury Park late Friday afternoon, officials said. The incident was reported around 4:37 p.m. after a reported altercation between West and a woman, said sheriff’s Capt. William Hutton. Hutton said that no arrests have yet been made, but it is an ongoing active investigation.

In the video, Kanye can be heard saying something to the effect of “Y’all ain’t gonna run up on me like that. If I say stop”…”stop with your cameras.”

The woman says she was not running and responds by saying, “Kanye, you’re a celebrity.”

Ye then took the phone from her hands and threw it into the street before returning to his SUV and driving off before law enforcement arrived on the scene.

No arrests have been formally made as of Sunday afternoon.

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Michael B. Jordan Jokes about Lori Harvey Breakup on SNL Monologue

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Breakups can be hard, but sometimes they can also be funny. Michael B. Jordan took to SNL this weekend (where he was joined by Lil Baby as a musical guest) to poke fun at the breakup- and himself.

The Creed actor and director cracked jokes about how his breakup with Harvey was his first public breakup (the two ended things in June of 2022). He joked that while most people get in shape after a breakup, he was already in peak physical condition from shooting Creed, to which he responded, “So I had to be like, ‘All right, I guess I’ll learn a new language,’” following up with, “estoy en Raya!” in heavily English-accented Spanish.

He appeared to take a few subtle jabs at Harvey by parading out four female cast members including Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Punkie Johnson, and Ego Nwodim, who all fawned over the star with Nwodim going so far as to rock a wedding dress.

He then noted that he didn’t have to worry about the internet finding many sad images of him online thanks to the famous “sad Michael Jordan” meme.

He also shared a throwback clip of himself at age 16 when he made his soap opera debut, joking about his “howling scene.”

The full opening monologue can be seen below.

He also appeared in skits mocking Southwest Airlines, a “Alpha” male confidence seminar host, a video game voiceover session, and more.

Lil Baby performed hits including “California Breeze” and “Forever.”

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Seven People Shot Dead In Another California Mass Shooting

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As the country still reels from the mass shooting in SoCal’s Monterey Park tragedy, where 11 people were killed and at least ten others were wounded by a single shooter, another mass shooting has occurred in the Golden State; this time in the Northern CA’s coastal city of Half Moon Bay, where seven people were fatally shot. It has also been reported that all of the victims in the shooting were Chinese American farm workers.

The suspect, 67-year-old Zhao Chunli, was arrested after driving to a police station.

California has been the epicenter for the country’s latest mass shootings, that have now climbed to 39 in the first 24 days of 2023. California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted that he was at a hospital meeting with victims of the earlier mass shooting when he was pulled away to be briefed about the second attack.

Four of the shooting victims of the shooting attack were discovered at a mushroom farm while the other three were later found at a nearby trucking business. An eighth victim is being treated in hospital and is in a critical condition.

This kind of shooting is horrific. It’s a tragedy we hear about far too often, but today it’s hit home here in San Mateo County,” the San Mateo County Sheriff’s office said in a statement. San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Dave Pine told the Associated Press that the shootings were committed by a “disgruntled worker”.

“We are sickened by today’s tragedy in Half Moon Bay,” Mr Pine said in a statement. “There are simply too many guns in this country and there has to be a change.”

Just hours after the attack, seven were injured and one person was killed in a shooting in Oakland, about 40 miles northeast of Half Moon Bay.

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Jay-Z And Yo Gotti’s Team Roc Prison Reform Program Drops Lawsuit Against MS State Prison

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According to recent reports, Team Roc’s attorneys have dropped their lawsuit against the Mississippi State Penitentiary, but they vow to revisit their concerns if the conditions go downhill again.

The Parchman Farm has undergone several renovations since the lawsuit was filed by Team Roc, but the correctional facility is still open even after several fatal stabbings and unsanitary living conditions at the apex of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NBC has reported that the Parchman Farm has received new stainless steel showers, toilets and sinks after the previous restrooms were crumbling and littered with rat feces. MSP also now boasts new sports facilities including basketball, flag football and boxing and upgraded heating and air conditioning ventilation systems.

The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice, which means that the lawsuit can be refiled at any time. Team Roc recently visited the MSP with a film crew and the footage is scheduled to be turned over to the Justice Department for further review.

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