BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA: The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to locate a woman who went missing on Christmas Eve.
Tiffany Hicks’Bay, 39, was last seen around 2:30 p.m. at a home on Highcroft Drive near Leland.
Officials say she’s 5′2″ and weighs around 120 pounds.
She’s possibly driving a silver 2011 GMC Terrain with N.C. tags HDW-9369.
Anyone with information should contact Det. Nowell at 910-880-4854 or call 911.
Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder, Maulana Karenga called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba – the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning "common". Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the seven.
On this, the fourth day of Kwanzaa the days principle is UJAAMA.
Ujamaa (Cooperative economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Kwanzaa is a secular festival observed by many African Americans from December 26 to January 1 as a celebration of their cultural heritage and traditional values.
Two time boxing champion Gervonta Davis is preparing for a chance to win another world title this Saturday, but on Thursday he took a moment to make a huge gesture by offering to cover the funeral costs for a 21-year-old Baltimore woman, Destiny Harrison, who was fatally shot inside her own hair salon over the weekend.
“I’m just hearing about this sadness,” Davis, also a Baltimore native, tweeted on Thursday. “Prayers and love to her family. If I can do anything like pay for the funeral or anything like that..Reach out!”
Davis later posted an Instagram story later that night appeared to confirm that the funeral payment had been made. Davis’ coach later confirmed the news with WJZ-CBS Baltimore, noting that the story had really touched the boxer.
After the season one finale, Carl Weathers who portrays Greek Karga in the Disney Plus show The Mandalorian took to Twitter to thank all of those who have supported the The Baby Yoda Show, The Mandalorian:
Thank you amazing fans for the wonderful words tweeted regarding The Mandalorian. Your enjoyment and appreciation for the work done by the creators, directors, cast and crew fills us all with pride. Until fall of 2020, “Do the magic hand thing, baby”! #BePeace.
The Mandalorian returns for season two in the fall of 2020.
Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder, Maulana Karenga called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba – the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning "common". Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the seven.
On this, the third day of Kwanzaa the days principle is UJIMA.
UJIMA: "To build and maintain our community together and to make our Brother's and sister's problems, our problems and to solve them together."
Kwanzaa is a secular festival observed by many African Americans from December 26 to January 1 as a celebration of their cultural heritage and traditional values.
Mariya Russell is a Michelin star chef who is the Chef de Cuisine at the Chicago restaurant Kumiko and Kikko. She was awarded the Michelin star in October, 2019 and became the first black woman to ever receive this honor. Russell was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio.
The Michelin recognition is “mind blowing” and Russell’s thought “a good amount” about its historic nature and how hard her team has worked to get to this point.
As for being the first black woman to receive a Michelin star, she commented about the importance of representation not just in the culinary world but in all industries.
“Thinking about [being] the only Black woman doing this is really, still very much so, blowing my mind. Representation is really important in all kinds of things, but in an industry like this, I think it’s really cool. It’s not an easy industry to work in, so I understand why people don’t do it, but to be recognized for my hard work, but on top of that also being a Black woman is really cool,” she shared. “I’m very grateful for my journey. It hasn’t been very easy — at all — but I’m really grateful for all the people that have crossed my path and taught me something.”
Michelin stars are a rating system used by the red Michelin Guide to grade restaurants on their quality. The guide was originally developed in 1900 to show French drivers where local amenities such as restaurants and mechanics were. The rating system was first introduced in 1926 as a single star, with the second and third stars introduced in 1933.According to the Guide, one star signifies "a very good restaurant", two stars are "excellent cooking that is worth a detour", and three stars mean "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey".[2] The listing of starred restaurants is updated once a year.
Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder, Maulana Karenga called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba – the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning "common". Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the seven.
On this, the second day of Kwanzaa the days principle is Kujichagulia.
Kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) - Self-determination - Responsibility for one's own future.
Kwanzaa is a secular festival observed by many African Americans from December 26 to January 1 as a celebration of their cultural heritage and traditional values.
On Monday morning Royal S. Freeman was sworn in by Charlotte County Clerk as Sheriff of Charlotte County. In a courtroom packed with supporters Freeman took the oath of office.
Freeman won the recent election by a landslide taking two-thirds of the vote. His support crossed all lines – racial, age, education, and sex.
Upon taking office in January Freeman will become the first African-American in the history of Charlotte County to become sheriff.
Charlotte County’s slate of constitutional officers reflects well on the citizens of our county. Of the five constitutional officers, Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, and Commonwealth’s Attorney, three are women and two are African-Americans holding office.
Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder, Maulana Karenga called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba – the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning "common". Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the seven.
On this, the first day of Kwanzaa the days principle is Umoja.
Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Kwanzaa is a secular festival observed by many African Americans from December 26 to January 1 as a celebration of their cultural heritage and traditional values.
The Lower Insulin Costs Now Act will help make cheaper generic insulin available more quickly.
Underwood’s bipartisan Lower Insulin Costs Now Act will reduce the cost of insulin by helping lower-cost, generic insulin become available sooner. The Lower Insulin Costs Now Act will allow the FDA to continue to review applications for generic insulin beyond the looming March 2020 cut-off date, creating access to new treatments that can lower the cost of insulin for those who rely on it to survive. Over 1 million Illinoisans are living with type I or type II diabetes, including one in four seniors and a growing number of children in America. Along with Underwood, the legislation was led by Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), and Mike Kelly (PA-16).
"Over the past two decades, the cost of insulin has skyrocketed—it’s unaffordable. I've heard from countless families in our community about the hard decisions they make to afford their insulin, including rationing their supply or going without. This is unacceptable—over 7 million Americans rely on insulin to survive," Rep. Underwood said. "There isn’t a person I won’t work with to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and I’m thrilled my colleagues in Congress and the President supported this advancement toward making lower-cost, generic insulin available more quickly."
Former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean was indicted by a grand jury for murder in the fatal shooting of Atatiana Jefferson in her home on October 12.
Twenty-eight-year-old Jefferson was playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew when Dean entered her backyard. She rose up to take a look out the window when she was shot, according to police records. Dean, 35, was indicted by a Tarrant County grand jury.
The arrest warrant mentions three times that Dean didn’t announce that he was a police officer when he went around the house. Dean didn’t provide a statement to Forth Worth investigators on why he shot, according to officials. Usually, in such investigations, it’s common for a cop to give a statement to investigators and to the internal affairs division of their police department.
Jefferson’s family lawyer, civil rights attorney S. Lee Merritt, announced Dean’s indictment , saying, “Though her family is relived [sic] by the news, we need to see this through to a vigorous prosecution & appropriate sentencing.”
The Virginia Union University’s Board of Trustees alongside university president Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, have made the bold decision to lower undergraduate tuition rates by 32-percent. This change amounts to a $5,000 reduction, reflective of where VUU’s tuition costs were listed over a decade ago. The decision moves the university towards its goal of offering greater access and affordability to a more diverse student body. The new tuition rate will begin with the Fall 2020 semester and all enrolled students will be eligible.
“We realize how crippling student loan debt has become for students nation-wide,” said Dr. Hakim Lucas, President & CEO of Virginia Union University. “Students enroll in college seeking a career path that will allow opportunity for long-term financial stability. However, they end up spending most of their working years paying back student loans. Virginia Union is doing what it can to ensure that students in the Commonwealth and across the nation have access to an education that will equip them with the tools they need to be successful, while avoiding the crippling bill waiting at the other end of graduation.”
The tuition change is part of the university’s “Access to Excellence” initiative. VUU generated the new financial structure after months of investigating tuition, room and board, and fees of peer university’s in Virginia and comparable universities nationally. A close review of the cumulative amount of student loans and default rates of those loans was also conducted. Currently, the annual tuition at VUU is $15,530 plus $1,753 in fees. The study concluded that making the cost adjustment with tuition makes VUU the highest value and lowest cost HBCU in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The new annual undergraduate tuition will be $10,530 plus $1,753 in fees. That amounts to $351 per credit hour, a 32-percent reduction. 97% of VUU’s students receive financial aid which will continue to be offered under the new model. Those who qualify for state and federal awards will see their dollars go further because of the lower tuition costs. Students will also be able to take advantage of new extended payment options to include 5- or 6-year payment plans.
“This was an important decision for the Trustees as we work to meet the needs of our students,” said Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman of the VUU Board of Trustees. “Virginia Union University is a special place where students are nurtured academically and spiritually. We want to ensure that anyone who desires a high-quality education has access to it without accumulating a mountain of debt. This decision will change the future for our current students by reducing and, in some cases, eliminating their student loan debt. It will also give opportunity to students who may have felt that higher education was financially impossible.”
While undergraduate tuition will go down, students seeking a master’s or Doctorate degree will see an increase. Master’s program tuition will cost $451 per credit, an increase of $92, and Doctorate tuition will cost $551 per credit, an increase of $295 per credit hour. The increased rates for these programs align with current pricing trends and keeps VUU as a competitive and affordable option among peer institutions.
For more information and to request an interview, please contact Pamela Cox at phcox@vuu.edu or (804) 937-7936.
Nike’s new “True to 7” shoe with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has already sold out on the first day of its North American release, according to the company’s website.
“This Air Force 1 season, Nike partnered with a collective of collaborators to design an AF1 that connects to their life personally. Colin was identified because we believe his voice and perspective inspire many generations on and off the field,” said a Nike spokesperson in an email.
The $110 black-and-white shoe sports an embroidered portrait of Kaepernick on the heel tab, reflective Swoosh and his personal logo on the tongue.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture will welcome visitors for no-pass entry and extended hours next Thursday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Dec. 30.
Starting on Dec. 26, the museum will be open 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Individuals will be able to enter the museum without a pass on Dec. 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30. Groups of 10 or more require a pass every day. Regular visitation procedures will resume Dec. 31. The museum’s full visitation policies are found at nmaahc.si.edu/visit.
Universal Pictures has released a short teaser trail for its Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson. Get your first peek of Hudson portraying Franklin by watch the trailer below.
B. Stephen Carpenter II, professor of art education and African American studies and interim director of School of Visual Arts at Pennsylvania State University, has been appointed to the position of dean of the College of Arts and Architecture. Professor Carpenter will start his new role on January 1.
Dr. Carpenter will oversee the college’s academic programs in music, theatre, visual arts, art education, graphic design, art history, architecture, and landscape architecture. The College of Arts and Architecture is currently home to 1,225 undergraduate and 265 graduate students, 200 full-time and 60 part-time faculty, and 120 full-time staff. The college is also the home of the Center for the Performing Arts, the Palmer Museum of Art, Penn State Centre Stage and Penn’s Woods Music Festival, which serve as important cultural resources and provide educational outreach programs for Penn State and area communities.
“I am eager to take on the challenge and responsibility of being the dean of the college,” Professor Carpenter said. “The college is defined by the complexity and breadth of disciplinary engagements that reside within the range of arts and design fields. It is this very complexity and breadth that renders my role as dean a desirable challenge and a logical next step, given my interests and vision for what the arts and design can offer to a large research institution, and to contemporary society at this historical moment.”
Dr. Carpenter, who joined the faculty at Penn State in 2011, is a graduate of Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. He holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in arts education from Pennsylvania State University.
While the debate continues over Confederate monuments , support is growing for a new memorial on Monument Avenue in Richmond Virginia to honor African-American Civil War heroes.
The new monument would commemorate the Battle of New Market Heights from September 1864. in which six regiments of black Union troops laid siege to the Confederate defenses of Richmond -- and won victory. It was one of the first attacks of the Civil War, exclusively led by African American commanders.
The newly crowned 2019 Mrs. Universe, Zozibini Tunzi recently appeared The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and discussed becoming Mrs. Universe, fighting gender-based violence, and why she did not change her natural hair for the contest.
The MEAC (Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference) champion North Carolina A&T put up fantastic offensive numbers against the SWAC (South Western Athletic Conference) champion Alcorn State and won the HBCU National Championship at the 2019 Celebration Bowl.
The 64-44 victory gives the Aggies their third straight HBCU national title and their fourth overall.
North Carolina QB Kylil Carter completed 18 of thirty passes for 364 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also rushed for 96 yards. Junior Korey Banks had 122 receiving yards and two touchdowns while running back Jah-Maine Martin rushed for 110 rushing yards and 2 Touchdowns.
“I just give all the praise to my guys, offensive linemen and my receivers,” Carter said. “Without them, it wouldn’t have been possible. I give them all the praise.”
The game featured 1,034 combined yards, 108 points and 45 first downs.
The Aggies are now 3-0 against Alcorn State in the Celebration bowl
The Aggies finished the season with a 9-3 record. They joined Winston-Salem State (2011-2013) as the latest teams to win three consecutive HBCU National Championships.
“I’m very proud of my football team,” NC A&T coach Sam Washington said. “I thought they played with a lot of courage, effort, and want to. They came out very confident. They started fast and finished strong. I am very proud of that.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed S3945, also known as the "Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act" (CROWN Act), which clarifies that prohibited race discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of “traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles.” The law was introduced after Andrew Johnson, an African-American high school wrestler at Buena Regional High School, was forced to cut off his dreadlocks in order to compete in a match on December 19, 2018 -- exactly one year ago today.
“Race-based discrimination will not be tolerated in the State of New Jersey.” said Governor Murphy. “No one should be made to feel uncomfortable or be discriminated against because of their natural hair. I am proud to sign this law in order to help ensure that all New Jersey residents can go to work, school, or participate in athletic events with dignity."
“I’m grateful to Governor Murphy for signing this important legislation and applaud Senator Sandra B. Cunningham and Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, who led the CROWN Act and Crown Coalition advocate Adjoa B. Asamoah, who worked tirelessly to end the implicit and explicit biases against natural hair,” said U.S. Senator Cory Booker. “Discrimination against black hair is discrimination against black people and no one should be denied a job, an education, or face discrimination because of their hairstyle.”
“We’re pleased that the Governor and the Legislature have codified the interpretation set out in our guidance document from earlier this year: Race discrimination includes discrimination based on traits inextricably intertwined or closely associated with race, including hairstyle,” said New Jersey Division on Civil Rights Director Rachel Wainer Apter. “Employers, housing providers, and places open to the public, including schools, cannot police natural black hairstyles.”
The CROWN Act updates the "Law Against Discrimination" to clarify that prohibited race discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of “traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles.” As defined in the bill, the term “protective hairstyles” includes, but is not limited to, “such hairstyles as braids, locks, and twists.” This change is intended to remove any confusion or ambiguity over the scope of the Law Against Discrimination and its applicability to race discrimination predicated on such traits.
Primary sponsors of the bill include Senators Sandra B. Cunningham, Nia H. Gill, and Shirley K. Turner and Assemblymembers Angela McKnight, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Shanique Speight, and Britnee Timberlake.
"I am proud to see New Jersey become just the third state in the nation to put an end to this discriminatory practice. This law will ensure people of color are free to wear their hair however they feel best represents them, whether that be locks, braids, twists or curls. No one should ever be told it is ‘unprofessional’ to embrace their culture,” said Senator Cunningham. “It is unacceptable that someone could be dismissed from school or denied employment because they wear their hair exactly how it grows, but that has been the reality for many black and brown individuals. Today, here in New Jersey, we've changed that.”
“We should not tolerate discrimination in any form and this law protects the civil rights of all peoples,” said Senator Gill.
In the last few years, we have seen several cases in New Jersey and around the country where children were sent home from school, or denied participation in extracurricular activities because of how they choose to wear their hair,” said Senator Turner. “Hair discrimination policies, rooted in Eurocentric beauty standards, have no place in our schools or our workplaces. It is time we get rid of them once and for all.”
“Unfortunately, it’s all too common for African-Americans and people of color to be subjected to discrimination at work or school for wearing their hair in braids, twists, and dreadlocks or embracing their natural curls,” said Assemblywoman McKnight. “A student at Buena Regional High School in New Jersey was forced by a referee at a wrestling tournament to either cut his dreadlocks or forfeit the match to comply with association rules. With this law, the student would have been protected from this kind of discrimination.”
“If a person of color wants to embrace their cultural identity by wearing their hair in a certain style, they should be free to do so without fear of prejudice,” said Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson. “No one should be told to straighten, cut or change their hair in any way to meet certain norms. It’s time we enshrine these values into our law.”
“It’s almost unbelievable to think that in 2019, people face discrimination because of the way they wear their hair, or because of how their hair naturally looks,” said Assemblywoman Speight. “For many people, their hair is a reflection of who they are, and everyone should have freedom to be who they are, and be protected from racial bias.”
“Every person in New Jersey, regardless of their race, should be able to wear their hair with dignity and without discrimination,” said Assemblywoman Timberlake. “This law seeks to give added protections to communities of color and prevent prejudice and discrimination in the workplace and in the hiring process.”
“We thank Governor Murphy and the legislature for passing the CROWN Act in this historic week of legislation that is affecting the lives of New Jerseyans in general and New Jerseyans of color in particular,” said Amol Sinha, Executive Director of ACLU-NJ. “While natural hair might seem like an irrelevant front in the never ending battle against discrimination, we know that hair discrimination is too often used as a proxy for racism in ways that directly impact the success of people of color in schools, courtrooms, and board rooms. Adding hair discrimination to the protections offered in the Law Against Discrimination is an influential recognition of the myriad ways that racism expresses itself and provides people with a powerful tool to combat it.”
