Detroit-based financial company Ally Financial Inc. gathered 50 talented students from 10 HBCUs across the country to host the innovative entrepreneur competition, Moguls in the Making.The company worked with Detroit native, entertainer and entrepreneur, “Big Sean” through his Sean Anderson Foundation, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to host Moguls in the Making. The purpose of the program is to inspire students and provide them a platform to equip them with the resources to pursue a future in entrepreneurship.50 students were selected by Ally and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, out of over 500 applicants, to compete in the weekend-long challenge that was held from March 29 to March 31.The young entrepreneurs represented from TMCF member-schools: Alabama A&M University, Elizabeth City State University, Florida A&M University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Tennessee State University and Virginia State University.Each student worked in teams of five from their respective schools to develop business plans to address economic mobility issues that various industries are facing in the Motor City.They had the opportunity to pitch their solutions to a panel of judges including Big Sean; Andrea Brimmer, Ally chief marketing and public relations officer; Anand Talwar, deposit and consumer strategy executive; Tommey Walker, principal of Detroit vs. Everybody; and George Spencer, executive vice president of business development and innovation & entrepreneurship at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.  Since Detroit is known as a city for its entrepreneurial success, it was the perfect place to provide a platform for the future leaders to obtain the best business skills to succeed.The young moguls participated in entrepreneur workshops by TMCF, mentoring sessions taught by Ally employees, attended a financial education class, met Big Sean and heard from local business leaders, including TMCF President & CEO, Harry L. Williams, and Ally Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Brown.Big Sean, who is a big advocate of inspiring the youth, found it important to provide students with the chance to obtain the knowledge they needed to have bright futures and become the leaders they are destined to be.“I’m passionate about inspiring and helping young people,” Big Sean said. “This is all about finding and creating opportunity for our next generation of entrepreneurs.”Students from Florida A&M University (FAMU) were the big winners of the competition, walking away with Ally internships, a $5,000 scholarship and MacBook Air computers for each team member."By bringing Moguls in the Making to Detroit, Ally Financial is able to showcase our home city of Detroit while investing in the future of aspiring business leaders to help them realize their full potential," said Brimmer. "As a company committed to economic mobility and diversity and inclusion, we're happy to work with like-minded organizations as well as other notable Detroit natives to bring this initiative to life."To learn more about Ally Financial Inc. check out their social media platforms here:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ally/Twitter: https://twitter.com/allyThis piece is brought to you by Ally Financial,...

After a photo of four smiling teachers holding a noose circulated online, parents are demanding the school's principal step down. According to KTLA, the four educators seen in the now-viral photo teach at Summerwind Elementary. The school is located in Palmdale, California, a nearby Los Angeles suburb.All four first-grade teachers captured in the photo are currently on administrative leave as the school district investigates. Summerwind Principal Linda Brandts was also suspended for her part as she took the photo. "You hate them little Black babies. You hate them little Spanish babies. All them little minorities. You hate em!” Darrin Harper told Fox 11.An email with two photos was sent to school staff earlier this month. The other photo showed the noose hanging in the office. Reports state Brandts was the person sharing the email containing the photos.  Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.“We want her gone from this school and that’s just it. We want her out of here. I do personally! I do,” Harper added. “Because I know what she about. The pictures prove it, that’s what she about and that’s what she allows to go on. So, she needs to go.”The Los Angeles Times reports the photo could be connected to a tragic incident involving a student. One of the teachers in the controversial photo was Jennifer Garcia.She taught 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez in her first-grade class. The young student was tortured to death by his mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, and her partner, Isauro Aguirre, in 2013. Garcia allegedly reported signs of abuse before the boy’s murder but her calls for investigation into the matter went unanswered.“They are evil,” Garcia said in testimony last June. Fernandez received a life sentence and Aguirre was sentenced to death for his part in the murder.An authority within law enforcement suggested the photo was taken as an expression of joy at Aguirre's sentencing. The student's cousin refuted the possibility. “Do not tie that horrible picture with my cousin,” Emily Carranza told the publication.Amid the scandal, other parents like Breyon Clemmon have come out against the school. She said there are many instances of racism at Summerwind. When she brought up an incident, her concerns were ignored."I’ve requested that my kid be taken out of one classroom because that teacher, in particular, has shown prejudice discrimination against my kid and when I requested the black teacher I got grief for that,” Clemmons said.Palmdale School District Superintendent, Raul Maldonado released a statement last week stating the district will investigate.“This afternoon it has been brought to the Palmdale School District’s attention that an incident involving the discovery of a noose and possibly inappropriate responses to that discovery occurred at Summerwind Elementary School. The Principal has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of the matter.”However, the issue becomes murkier for the district. Brandts is being considered to become the district's next superintendent. Now, check these out:    Alyssa Milano Tried Calling For A 'Sex Strike' And The Twitterverse Has Questions Civil Rights Organizations Are Fighting For Crystal Mason, Who Was Imprisoned For Voting, To Be Released From Prison Two Georgia Students Arrested After Plotting To Kill Black And Disabled Students At Their High School...

This 99-year-old great-grandmother from Virginia continuously inspires her community with her zest for life.WUSA 9 reports Hattie Louise Jones continues to encourage her Arlington neighborhood with her dedication to exercise, work and her love for life.Jones, who will be a centenarian later this year, says she began her job as an Army Navy Country Club coat check after she retired from her position at IBM over 40 years ago.The mother of three drives herself to the club every weekday and works out on a daily basis; she also reportedly has the flexibility to prove it."I just bring them over my head and touch the wall," explained Jones who also loves to dance.Born in 1919, Jones completed high school in Ithaca, New York in the late 1930s. However, her general manager Pat King attests that she's far from done learning or teaching others."She has more energy than somebody half her age. She's unbelievable," said King. "I don't what the secret sauce is, but I want some of it." Jones' family even shared that they have video footage of their matriarch "shaking her booty" at her birthday celebration last year."She has a character that will not allow giving up," said Clarence McGill, Jones' youngest son. He attributes his mother's youthful spirit to her enthusiasm to just get out and get things done.Perhaps the key to one's fountain of youth is somewhere between staying active and resisting annoyances. Last year, a group of centenarians shared that their longevity came from a lack of stress from men. Brooklyn resident Lucille Watson told Blavity, "I got to travel and have lots of boyfriends.” She added, “That’s much better than a husband. Why break up the fun?” Jones' marital status is unknown. However, her 69-year-old son told a reporter that although he just retired, he is following her blueprint by continuing employment and pursuing other passions."She's very sassy," McGill stated before adding "it's impossible" to duplicate her energy.Jones does not plan on retiring or becoming a bore anytime soon. She's looking forward to partying with her three sons, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren for her 100th birthday celebration on September 22.Now, check these out:Bill Nye Is Fed The F**k Up With Everyone About The State Of Our PlanetBen Carson’s New Proposal Could Leave 55,000 Children HomelessSouth African Government Comes To The Defense Of Caster Semenya Amid Controversial Testosterone...

Written by Adewole S. Adamson, University of Texas at AustinMelanoma is a potentially deadly form of skin cancer linked to overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Sunscreen can block UV rays and therefore reduce the risk of sun burns, which ultimately reduces the risk of developing melanoma. Thus, the promotion of sunscreen as an effective melanoma prevention strategy is a reasonable public health message.While this may be true for light-skinned people, such as individuals of European descent, this is not the case for darker skinned people, or individuals of African descent.The public health messages promoted by many clinicians and public health groups regarding sunscreen recommendations for dark skin people is incongruent with the available evidence. Media messaging exacerbate the problem with headline after headline warning that black people can also develop melanoma and that blacks are not immune. To be sure, blacks can get melanoma, but the risk is very low. In the same way, men can develop breast cancer, however, we do not promote mammography as a strategy to fight breast cancer in men.This message is important to me as a black, board certified dermatologist and health services researcher at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, where I am director of the pigmented lesion clinic. In this capacity I take care of patients at high risk for melanoma.Melanoma in black people is not associated with UV exposureIn the U.S., melanoma is 20 to 30 times more common among whites compared to blacks.In blacks, melanoma usually develops in parts of the body that get less sun exposure, such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. These cancers are called “acral melanomas,” and sunscreen will do nothing to reduce the risk of these cancers.When was the last time you had a sunburn on the palms or soles? Even among whites, there is no relationship between sun exposure and the risk of acral melanomas. Famously, Bob Marley died from an acral melanoma on his great toe, but sunscreen would not have helped.The research on the association of UV radiation and melanoma among blacks is lacking. Most studies assessing the relationship exclude patients of darker skin types. In the largest study of this question to date, no connection was found between UV index or latitude and melanoma among black people.Racial disparities in melanoma outcomes are not related to UV exposureMany dermatologists often point out that black patients tend to show up to the doctor with later stage melanoma, which is true. However, this is an issue of access and awareness and has nothing to do with sunscreen application. Black people should be aware of growths on their skin and seek medical attention if they have any changing, bleeding, painful, or otherwise concerning spots, particularly on the hands and feet.However, the notion that regular application of daily sunscreen will reduce an already extremely rare occurrence is nonsensical.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.UV radiation does affect dark skin and can cause DNA damage; however, the damage is seven to eight times lower than the damage done to white skin, given the natural sun-protective effect of increased melanin in darker skin. To be clear, using regular sunscreen may help with reducing other effects of the sun’s rays such as sun burns, wrinkling, photoaging and freckling, which are all positive, but for the average black person sunscreen is unlikely to reduce their low risk of melanoma any further.If sunscreen was important in the prevention of melanoma in dark-skinned patients, then why have we never heard of an epidemic of melanoma in sub-Saharan Africa, a region with intense sun, a lot of black people, and little sunscreen?In certain sub populations of black people, such as those with disorders causing sun sensitivity, albino patients, or patients with suppressed immune systems, sunscreen use may reduce risk of melanoma. But if you don’t fall into one of these categories, any meaningful risk reduction from the application of sunscreen is unlikely.Melanoma public health messaging must changeWhen it comes to the public health message related to sunscreen, skin cancer, and black people a one-size-fits-all approach misses the mark. The facts simply do not add up for the recommendation of sunscreen as prevention of melanoma in black people. Many dermatology and skin cancer focused organizations (a few of which I’m a member), promote the public health message of sunscreen use to reduce melanoma risk among black patients. However, this message is not supported by evidence. There exists no study that demonstrates sunscreen reduces skin cancer risk in black people. Period.This issue of regular sunscreen use in black people was made even more pressing after the release of a study last week on sunscreen absorption in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This study showed that significant amounts of certain chemical sunscreen ingredients can get in the blood when used at maximal conditions, with unknown impacts on human health. To me, the most shocking part of the study was that most of the participants were black, the group least likely to derive any meaningful associated health benefits from sunscreen, while being exposed to potentially harmful levels of chemicals.As dermatologists and public health advocates, we can do a better job educating patients and the public about melanoma prevention, without promoting public health messages that are grounded in fear and/or lack evidence. Black people should be informed that they are at risk of developing melanoma, but that risk is low.Any dark skinned person who develops a new, changing or symptomatic mole should see their doctor, particularly if the mole is on the palms or soles. We don’t know what the risk factors are for melanoma in black or dark skinned people, but they certainly are not UV rays.Adewole S. Adamson, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine (Division of Dermatology), University of Texas at AustinThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original...

I would describe myself as a self-proclaimed ghetto girl with the ability to still spit out, "it’s a B to the O-W, Wow even your girl fall in love when I smile." And I did just that at eight years old. I vividly remember watching the "Bounce With Me" music video on BET, swooning over this boy with straight backs, a glistening Mickey Mouse chain and an oversized Ohio State jersey — repping the state and city I was from (and now my alma mater). It was safe to say I was in love from that point on. Much like other children and teen girls wrapped up in the sheer fandemonium of teenage heartthrobs like B2K and Pretty Ricky, I covered every inch of my walls and ceiling with Bow Wow posters and images from magazines like J-14 and Right On, making it so easy to feed this growing puppy love.Me and Bow Wow.In my eyes, Bow Wow could do no wrong, and he didn’t. But he did grow up right before our eyes. I remember removing the posters from my walls (temporarily of course) when rumors surfaced that he was dating Ciara, and later being confirmed by the ever so popular song "Like You," with the two giving us a glimpse of their budding love. Teenage me hated every bit of it, but I still sang the song — and every song in between and to follow. I would feel that shift of feelings again with songs like "Let Me Hold You" and the album cover of Unleashed, where he made two A’s with his hands. Even then, I didn’t hate Bow Wow. But I did I feel let down by the boy I hyperventilated over at the sight of him in a local Kroger? Yes. But still, no hate like so many others.Who Told Bow WOW It Was Okay To Remix Da Baby “Suge” ??🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/kIVwdtDJOs— Freshmen 2019 (@Freshmann2019) May 8, 2019Who Told Bow WOW It Was Okay To Remix Megan “Big Ole Freak” ??🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/hQJxtESQHA— Hood Starz ⭐️ (@HoodStarzMusic) May 10, 2019If this isn’t considered “good” I don’t know how the new niggas critique hip hop anymore. Flows clean, delivery dope. He’s flowing exactly like everybody else these days. What’s the problem? https://t.co/rdVFYlp9pR— Lord BAElish (@RyanHMusic_) May 8, 2019I have still not been able to pinpoint the disdain so many feel for him. Is it his association with TV personalities who leave a trail of drama wherever they may go? Is it the #BowWowChallenge, that led to memes and weeks of him being clowned? Somehow, Bow Wow’s recent acts over the years, although deemed corny, still don’t explain the growing trend of hating on anything he does, whether it’s of quality or not. This is not a cape. This is simply me pondering how everyone has seemed to have forgotten everything he's done in his career. While I could lay out numbers, albums and movies (and don’t forget that scooter game on Yahooligans), I’m not here to do that. Instead, I’m reminding you all of that feeling, a feeling we once all had."Thank You," a song off his second album Doggy Bag, said it all:“As much as the girls like me, you would think it’d make the fellas sick / But they be right wit’ em’, singing, not missing a lick”This still applies, even in wake of all of your fake hate. You were all once right there with Bow...

Brittany Bowens, the mother of missing four-year-old Maleah Davis, was hounded by angry protesters as she left a courtroom on Monday.Bowens was at a Houston courthouse on Monday for a hearing for ex-fiancé Derion Vence, who was charged with tampering with Davis’ corpse, reports Chron. The hearing was rescheduled for a later date. Vence was charged after investigators began to notice inconsistencies in his story. A neighbor’s surveillance camera showed Vence walking into the family’s home with Davis and leaving without her. He was also spotted with a large bottle of bleach and garbage bag as he left.As Blavity previously reported, cadaver dogs detected the “scent of decomposition” in the car Vence was driving when the toddler disappeared. Forensic evidence was also found in the apartment. Davis remains missing.As Bowens exited the courthouse, she was confronted by a mob of people who accused her of being complicit in her daughter’s disappearance. Bowens allegedly cancelled the couple’s engagement before leaving town to attend her father’s funeral. On Friday, activist Quanell X, who is acting as Bowens’ spokesman, admitted she suspected Vence was molesting her daughter, reports KTRK."She told him she was giving back his ring and that she was not going to marry him. I believe that caused him to snap in anger," Quanell said. "There is a reason to believe, based on what I know now, there's issues of him possibly molesting young Maleah."Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.The protestors had those accusations on their mind.One critic said Bowens “let it happen.” Another asked "Why isn't she locked up?"The mob also chanted “Justice for Maleah!”Tamisha Mendoza, a cousin of Davis’ biological father Craig Davis, is also questioning Bowens."You said you had suspicions that he was molesting her, why did you stay?" said Mendoza. "Why didn't you remove yourself from the situation? Furthermore, why didn't you remove her, even if you didn't want to leave that situation? You could have sent her to her dad. You could have sent her to her grandparents. You could have sent her anywhere except for leaving her there."Meanwhile, Craig wants Vence to explain himself."I'm not putting the blame on anybody," Craig said. "I just need the questions that aren't answered to be answered. There are so many unanswered questions. It's not for the public to answer to them for me. It's not for the police to answer them for me. It's not for the news to answer them for me. It's for Darion to answer for me."Maleah remains missing. Vence currently in police custody and may not appear in front of a judge until July, according to KHOU. A judge initially set his bond at $1 million but it was later reduced to $45K based on the charges.Now, check these out:'Scent Of Decomposition' Detected In Vehicle Of Man Engaged To Maleah Davis' MotherProtestors March In The Rain As Eric Garner's Killer Goes To Trial Five Years After Putting The Black Father In A Fatal ChokeholdTwo Georgia Students Arrested After Plotting To Kill Black And Disabled Students At Their High...

Shaquille O'Neal helped one teen, who shares his struggle of finding the right pair of shoes, get his shoe game tight. Atlanta-area teen Zach Keith knows how hard it is to find the perfect pair of shoes. He wears a size 18 and he's only 13 years old. Zach's mother, Brittany Keith, wrote about her troubles shopping for her son on Instagram earlier this month.After seeing the post, Atlanta news station CBS 46 reached out to the NBA great to help Zach find shoes for any occasion. Shaq was more than happy to help the young basketball player.LOVE SHAQ: Shaquille O'Neil just bought a teen with big feet 10 pairs of shoes after hearing the boy's mom couldn't afford sneakers 😭🏀 https://t.co/RFBpzBb0u3 pic.twitter.com/sqRZiDUAk7— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 9, 2019Before O'Neal became the Big Diesel, he had issues finding shoes to fit his feet as well. The NBA Hall of Famer now wears a size 22 and can afford custom shoes.But when the athlete was younger, he had to turn to Bruce Teilhaber, the owner of Friedman's Shoes in Atlanta. Teilhaber gave Shaq a free pair of shoes for prom after the O'Neals revealed they could not afford the $180 shoes. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.So the former Lakers great and CBS 46's Sharon Reed teamed up to take Zach to the same store. "Like, whoa," the teen told the outlet. "He wants to buy me shoes, out of all people?"Shaq purchased 10 pairs of size 18 shoes for the budding athlete. "This will help a lot," Brittany told CBS 46. "I won't so much have to worry about buying him dress shoes. He hasn't had a pair of dress shoes in about four or five years because its been hard trying to find the ones that actually fit." Zach is thankful for Shaq's generosity.USA Today reports the two intend to keep in touch as the eighth-grader at J.W. Stewart Middle School graduates to Douglas County High School. The teen plans to pursue a basketball career and Shaq wants to serve as a resource for his development. In the meantime, the TNT basketball analyst will try his hand at politics by running for sheriff in metro-Atlanta for 2020. Now, check these out:   Alyssa Milano Tried Calling For A 'Sex Strike' And The Twitterverse Has QuestionsCivil Rights Organizations Are Fighting For Crystal Mason, Who Was Imprisoned For Voting, To Be Released From PrisonTwo Georgia Students Arrested After Plotting To Kill Black And Disabled Students At Their High...

Update (May 14, 2019): The transit worker who was photographed eating on a train by writer Natasha Tynes will not face disciplinary action.Barry Hobson, the chief of staff for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, confirmed the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority bus operator will not get in trouble, report NBC News. The unidentified woman isn’t allowed to speak to the media due to her union contract.Hobson also explained why the woman was eating on the train. She was on her way from one job post to another when a delay forced her to make a quick decision."Generally, she would have gotten to her next stop and had her breakfast," he said. "But the train was late. So she thought, 'I'm just going to throw my breakfast down now.'"On May 8, two days before Tynes tweeted, Metro Transit Police Chief Ron Pavlik sent an email instructing officers to stop writing citations for several offenses including spitting, fare evasion and eating on the train. It appears snitching is somewhat of an epidemic in the district. The bus driver was aware of the notice when she decided to have her breakfast, according to Buzzfeed News.“Understanding this email, our operator clearly was doing no wrong,” the union said in a statement.Even if there was no email, the woman would not have faced serious disciplinary action for eating on the train.“This kind of incident wouldn’t be expected to result in more than counseling for a first offense,” said a WMATA spokesperson.Even though the driver’s job isn’t in jeopardy, she suffered in a different way. She had no clue Tynes posted her picture until she was shown the screenshots. The woman was “humiliated” after she found out.“She has children that go to DC public schools,” Hobson said. “She’s very embarrassed and wishes [Tynes] had not done this.”The woman isn’t mad at Tynes for being concerned but wishes the writer would have opted for a formal complaint.“[Tynes] tried this matter in the court of public opinion and the verdict is not going in her favor,” Hobson concluded.Original: Author Natasha Tynes threw a Black woman under the bus during a ride on the D.C. Metro. The writer, activist and social media lead for the World Bank tweeted a photo of a Black Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (MATA) worker eating breakfast. According to WUSA 9, at 9 a.m. Friday lambasted the worker on Twitter for eating on the train.“When you’re on your morning commute & see @wmata employee in UNIFORM eating on the train," she wrote in a now-deleted tweet. "I thought we were not allowed to eat on the train. This is unacceptable.”According to the Jordanian-American writer's tweet, the unnamed worker responded "worry about yourself" and continued to eat her meal.Tynes tagged the Metro Rail in her tweet. A reply from the account told her they would look into the matter. Rail riders are reportedly not allowed to eat on the train, but it isn't clear if the rule applies to workers as well.Immediately after posting the photo, Twitter users criticized Tynes for reporting the woman to Metro Rail.Wow @NatashaTynes you’re a fucking snitch pic.twitter.com/cOsRcSlv5J— Curious Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🙅🏽‍♀️ 🇧🇧🌈 (@IBJIYONGI) May 10, 2019  Users pointed out Tynes' anger was not about the eating. The true bone of contention was the alleged defiance. And it’s worth noting the issue wasn’t the food! It was this Black Woman’s refusal to bend to the demands of @NatashaTynes that brought on this post & subsequent complaint with the train company.— LeslieMac 🖤 (@LeslieMac) May 10, 2019 One of the worker's defenders said the woman may have eaten on the train because of a lack of time.. @NatashaTynes gave NO thought to the fact that sis was probably riding to the starting point of her shift and that was her only opportunity to have breakfast real quick. Also guess what, employees for companies do sh*t customers don’t/can’t ALL THE TIME.— Naima Cochrane’s Burner Acct (@stillnaima) May 10, 2019 Tynes' recent tweet came amid the rollout for her novel, They Called Me Wyatt. Before the social media storm, the book was set to be released June 11.I hope you know I went out of my way to create a Goodreads account, just to give you 1 Star.— mp (@friasmp) May 10, 2019However, the distribution network releasing the book has announced they are seeking to cancel it due to her comments. A word from us on what happened this morning with Natasha Tynes in DC. pic.twitter.com/gJY4lZLFUQ— Rare Bird (@rarebirdlit) May 11, 2019Rare Bird has asked publisher California Coldblood to also take action reprimanding the author. Regarding Natasha Tynes' actions this morning in Washington DC: pic.twitter.com/LvBq8YoONH— California Coldblood (@CalifColdblood) May 11, 2019 Natasha Tynes thought she was gonna get a black woman fired for eating breakfast on the train, instead her new book is being canceled by her distribution network pic.twitter.com/2IvgA9pamM— brunch bewt black ✊🏿 (@moeshamitchel) May 11, 2019 Since the outcry, Tynes has set her Twitter profile to private. Additionally, the Metro Rail service has yet to issue an official statement on the employment status of the worker involved.Now, check these out:   Oakland Hosts Its Second 'BBQ 'N While Black' Party A Year After BBQ Becky Called The Cops On Black Men Having A Cookout African Union Working Towards Unifying 55 Nations With New Continental Passport Lawyer Brittany Barnett, Who Kim Kardashian Works With To Free Offenders, Criticizes Media For Focusing On The Wrong Things...

Update (May 14, 2019): Following a storm of criticism, historic Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta released a statement on Mother's Day officially announcing all women are allowed to join the student organization.The backlash stemmed from a late April report published by the Washington Blade claiming the sorority wanted to exclude trans women. International Executive Board members purportedly issued a diversity statement on Jan. 12, assuring members that Zeta Phi Beta “values all people, regardless of race, age, gender, gender expression, ability, disability, creed, religion, or walk of life” but will only permit cisgender women to join.In response to the uproar, the sorority rebuked charges of bigotry and made it clear all women can be part of Zeta Phi Beta and there is no ban as previously believed. The organization did admit, however, to releasing the controversial January diversity statement. Apparently, the diversity statement was taken out of context. The organization was in the midst of updating its membership guidelines."Since our founding on January 16, 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has sought to create a sorority that embraces and values all of our members. Sadly, a previous diversity statement made by our organization fell short of that goal and for that, we offer our deepest apologies," the exclusive statement issued to Essence read."We have always aimed to foster an inclusive and diverse sisterhood and remain committed to being an organization that embraces scholarship, provides true service and sets the standard for sisterly love."There was never a ban, the statement continued. Zeta Phi Beta said they currently has trans women members and will continue to welcome all women of all walks of life to join.“[Transgender members] have always been entitled to the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as any other member and shall retain the rights, privileges and responsibilities they were endowed with once they took the oath and became a member.”Original story:  Few, if any, Greek organizations have national policies concerning transgender people, but it was recently announced that Zeta Phi Beta was going out of its way to explicitly ban any transgender women from joining their house. The Washington Blade obtained a copy of a new "diversity statement" that was released by the Zeta Phi Beta International Executive Board on January 12, which says that in order to become a member of the organization "an individual must be a cisgender woman.”Zeta Phi Beta is one of the biggest greek organizations in the world, with over 100,000 members and over 800 chapters in the U.S., Africa, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. The sorority dates back to 1920 and was originally created at Howard University. On their website, they say the sorority was created by five women who "believed that sorority elitism and socializing overshadowed the real mission for progressive organizations and failed to address fully the societal mores, ills, prejudices, and poverty affecting humanity in general and the black community in particular." Although most greek houses do not have explicit policies on transgender members, The Blade said many fraternities and sororities are seen as hostile toward LGBTQI people, particularly black trans women. Some local chapters of sororities have made an effort to change for the better but most have either ignored the issue altogether or held up their bans on trans women.Thankfully, some houses are changing their ways and committing to being more open to a diverse array of members. In 2017, the 132-year-old sorority Alpha Chi Omega lifted its ban on transgender women. The Washington Blade said Zeta Phi Beta did not respond to requests for comment.Now, check these out:A Brooklyn Councilman Has Been Named The World’s Tallest PoliticianRapper Lil Nas X, Whose Song Was Kicked Off The Billboard Country Charts, Just Remixed His Hit With Billy Ray CyrusLesley McSpadden, Mike Brown's Mother, Loses Race For Ferguson City Council...

A Black woman is suing the state of Pennsylvania for falsely arresting her. She claims authorities attempted to have her serve time for felony crimes believed to have been committed by a white woman.The Appeal reports Jada Noone filed a federal civil rights petition alleging wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution and unreasonable seizure after spending over two weeks in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility. The suit also alleges the police department withheld video evidence that would later exonerate her from the felony drug trafficking charges over a year later.The 22-year-old was arrested by Wilkes-Barre State Trooper Scott Hawley on May 30, 2017 and charged with two separate felonies. She was charged with a count of conspiring to commit drug trafficking and a count of drug possession, reports Citizens Voice.The charges stemmed from a drug bust in which the undercover traffic attendant Hawley bought over $300 in heroin the year prior. Hawley wrote in the affidavit for her arrest that it was Noone who sold him the drugs. However, the seller was described as “a white female with bright pink/red dyed hair."The officer reportedly suspected Noone because she was associated with the drug dealer, her ex-boyfriend Akee Miller. The young woman's legal counsel says they believe the officer assumed that the girl working for Miller was Noone and did no further investigation.However, Noone's attorney, Theron J. Solomon, says the evidence collected by the district attorney's office "did not constitute probable cause." Furthermore, the video of the interaction between the cop and the dealer makes it evident that the woman was not Noone. The white woman described to have crooked teeth, red hair and a large chest tattoo, are all identifiable characteristics that are not present on the previous defendant's body. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.State Deputy Attorney General Daniel Gallagher has previously demanded proof that Noone is a Black woman. Recently, he commented on the discrepancies pointed out in regards to the tape last December. Doubling down that his team "believed it was her” who committed the crime, he stated that he could not discern if the chest tattoo was temporary or if the young woman had oral surgery since the 2016 recording took place. He added that the video was not enough to prove she wasn't the one who made the drug deal. “She looks absolutely nothing like me at all," said Noone. "They still knew this and they still tried to get me to plead guilty to a misdemeanor. I was scared that I was going to go to jail for this, and I had absolutely nothing to do with it.”Noone, who had no prior convictions, received a $75,000 bond. In fact, her bond nearly seven times higher than that of surrounding counties for the same crime. Additionally, she spent 15 days behind bars. “The worst part about all of this is that Trooper Hawley had the video for a full year before Jada was even arrested,” said Solomon. On June 15, 2017, she was released after agreeing to receive a reduced bail for waiving her preliminary hearing and sending the case straight to trial.A year later, on June 11, 2018, Judge David W. Lupas and Lazerne county prosecutors agreed to dismiss all charges against Noone.Additionally, Solomon says the mystery white woman in the video recording was identified to the police but still has not been charged with the crime.Noone is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.Now, check these out:Ben Carson’s New Proposal Could Leave 55,000 Children HomelessWhether He’s Ready Or Not, The Feds Are Indicting Pras From Fugees For Campaign Finance FraudTwo Georgia Students Arrested After Plotting To Kill Black And Disabled Students At Their High...

New Snapchat filters have taken over the internet but some people aren’t feeling it and for good reason.Snapchat released two filters that allow users to switch genders. One of them places long hair and makeup on the face while the other gives a beard and chiseled jaw. Everybody and their mama has been enjoying the new feature.So, I did this #Snapchat gender swap filter that everyone is talking about. This is what I got!!! Yeah, I’m happy to be a man 😂😂😂 #GetUpDC pic.twitter.com/jo6Jp1ayu3— Michael Quander WUSA (@MikeQReports) May 14, 2019This new #Snapchat filter is terrifying! (The filter is the one on the left.) pic.twitter.com/r61vZVABZa— theblerdgurl™️ (@theblerdgurl) May 11, 2019One Twitter user pointed out something many people probably didn’t consider.These new Snapchat filters got y’all out here having fun with gender roles, joking about sex with your homeboys, and sporting beards with lashes. All we ask is that you keep that same energy when you interact with actual transgender and non-binary ppl. Thanks, management 🏳️‍🌈— Miss Clean Legs (@luckygoddessn7) May 11, 2019“These new Snapchat filters got y’all out here having fun with gender roles, joking about sex with your homeboys, and sporting beards with lashes,” user luckygoddessn7 wrote. “All we ask is that you keep that same energy when you interact with actual transgender and non-binary ppl. Thanks, management.”Lucky wasn’t the only person who wasn’t feeling the gender-bending. Her tweet went viral and she received numerous responses from people who agreed with her assessment.Yes, the "what I would look like if I was a man/woman" thing has been bugging me a little. I *know* it's all innocent fun, but I also know that there are people silently struggling with gender dysphoria being hurt by it.— jill (@Grocklecatjill) May 12, 2019My husband literally said “Watch the straights try to have fun while simultaneously being problematic.”— _TonyMike (@_TonyMike) May 12, 2019When I put it on it horrified me at a deep level and I had to stop looking, and I figure that's just a taste of what trans folks have to deal with living in a world full of mirrors. So, yeah.— Black Hole-chan, won't you come... (@emote_control) May 13, 2019Agreed. Sincerely, a trans person.— Eddie (@music4life_101) May 13, 2019 By the way, she's raising money for her gender affirmation surgery.  Feel free to show a girl some love through this journey and donate and RT this for me: Pay for it and I might just let you try it after 😂😜https://t.co/45YuE7l267— Miss Clean Legs (@luckygoddessn7) May 12, 2019Check your privilege, y’all. Then proceed:  Now, check these out:Two Georgia Students Arrested After Plotting To Kill Black And Disabled Students At Their High SchoolCivil Rights Organizations Are Fighting For Crystal Mason, Who Was Imprisoned For Voting, To Be Released From Prison'Scent Of Decomposition' Detected In Vehicle Of Man Engaged To Maleah Davis'...

Ph.D. student India Jackson is one step closer to her dreams thanks to the generosity and kindness of strangers. Jackson was accepted into a prestigious summer internship at NASA. However, she could only think about how she could afford to live in Houston during the 10-week program at the Johnson Space Center. “I have to pay for rent in two places now, I have to rent a car, I have food, I have my child. What am I going to do?” she told The Atlanta Journal-Consitution.The DeKalb County, Georgia, resident obtained her bachelors, masters and now will earn her doctoral degree in physics at Georgia State University. In the past, she has taught at local colleges but the NASA opportunity was unlike anything she had before. According to The AJC, NASA will give her a living stipend to cover some expenses but it would not be enough to live on. She has a 12-year-old daughter to take care of as well.With GSU not providing extra financial support and the modest NASA stipend, she needed to find the cash fast to make her dreams a reality. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.To her surprise, the 32-year-old's cousin, Dasha Fuller, launched a GoFundMe campaign with the original goal of $8,000, 11 Alive reports. Nearly 250 people donated to Jackson's cause giving her approximately $8,500 in six days. “It really caught me off guard. It was amazing and it was overwhelming, and I was just blown away,” she told The AJC.The kind gesture was all she needed to get the ball rolling on the next phase of her academic career. With the funds in hand, she brought her plane tickets and set up her housing for the 10-week stay in Texas. “When things have to get done, they have to get done,” Jackson commented. “I’m just blessed enough to be living in a time where everything is technology-driven, and this GoFundMe account was able to reach people around the world in order to help my cause.”The mathematician will be analyzing high-intensity radiation events and predicting solar flares as an intern. Once she finishes her Ph.D., Jackson plans to work in the field of space travel. She also has a desire to venture to the International Space Station and work with the solar telescope. "I got so much love from ppl I can’t reply to all...thank you to all my Decatur/Lithonia family!! I may live downtown but I rep the east hard and everywhere I go," she wrote on Facebook thanking everyone after the successful campaign.Now, check these out:   Alyssa Milano Tried Calling For A 'Sex Strike' And The Twitterverse Has Questions Civil Rights Organizations Are Fighting For Crystal Mason, Who Was Imprisoned For Voting, To Be Released From Prison Two Georgia Students Arrested After Plotting To Kill Black And Disabled Students At Their High School...