Arizona
A Phoenix woman is facing new charges after she allegedly spent money intended for her children on her boyfriend’s rap album. Shanesha Taylor, who gained national attention this summer for leaving her kids in a hot car when she went for a job interview, received more than $100,000 in donations from concerned citizens. A court ordered her to put at least $40,000 of the money in a trust fund for her two children, but instead she allegedly spent much of the money on studio time for her boyfriend’s rap album as well as luxury items. Prosecutors in Phoenix say that the initial charges against her for endangering the lives of her children and other charges will now be reinstated since she failed to meet a deadline ordering her to bank some of the money for the kids’ futures. Taylor is due back in court in December.
California
After just two seasons, “The Queen Latifah Show” has been canceled. The show, hosted by the former Hip Hop star, Jazz singer and actress, will shoot and air until 2015. The show is executive produced by husband and wife team Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. “The Queen Latifah Show” won a daytime Emmy for outstanding hairstyling and was a nominee for an NAACP Image Award for outstanding talk series. Latifah, 44, thanked her staff and fans on her Facebook page.
Florida
Myron May, the Florida State University (FSU) gunman who was killed after the shooting three people at FSU allegedly said he was hearing voices about three months prior to his murderous rampage. As late as Oct. 7, May told a New Mexico police officer that he was being watched and that he heard voices coming through the walls of his apartment. Although he was an alumnus of FSU, it’s unclear as to what drove May to go to the college campus in Tallahassee and begin shooting. None of May’s intended victims died, although they were hospitalized with small wounds to the legs and other areas. The U.S. Postal Service has also been following up with a number of packages that May sent to a number of people, although at press time, none of the packages were said to have been found with anything hazardous inside.
Georgia
Atlanta-based Greta Prince, who won the Essence magazine R&B Star search, has been signed to SRT Entertainment. Her first single, “Forever,” is already available online and hitting radio across the country. Prince says she wants to sing “about love, relationships and finding your lifelong partner in a positive way.” SRT is a multi-media company based in Jackson, MS.
Louisiana
Wadworth Alcott Davis, a 105-year-old resident of New Orleans, passed early this month and was laid to rest last Saturday. Davis had an amazing life of teaching. He was a model student himself, graduating from high school as valedictorian and going on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He went on to teach and even became a principal for 15 years. Davis was also a spiritual leader in his community, serving as a Sunday school teacher and in a variety of positions with his church. In addition, Davis was a recognized speaker, poet and community servant throughout his long life.
New York
The New York City Police Dept. has been accused of killing another unarmed Black man. This time, a rookie cop shot and killed Akai Gurley, who was not committing a crime. According to reports, Gurley was leaving a public housing apartment when he was shot by an officer who was apparently startled when Gurley came through the stairwell. “We’re not demonizing the police, but this young man should not be dead,” said Al Sharpton regarding the incident. Akisha Pringle, Gurley’s sister characterized her brother as an “innocent guy walking down the stairs who was killed for no apparent reason at all.””According to the Huffington Post, police in New York City often conduct what are called “vertical patrols” inside the buildings of public housing by patrolling from the roof all the way down the stairs of a building where crimes tend to take place. According to police, Officer Peter Liang and his partner were patrolling a stairwell when Gurley and his girlfriend opened the stairwell door. Liang was startled and fired his weapon, killing Gurley almost immediately. A The New York City Police Department says that an investigation is underway and that Liang has been reassigned to modified duty until the investigation is complete.
A video on social media shows a New York police officer beating a man over the head with a nightstick in the subway. The officer is trying to remove the man from the subway because he did not pay the fare. According to television station WPIX, which first obtained the footage for broadcast, 20-year-old Donovan Lawson and the cop were locked in a struggle already when someone with a smart phone began recording the incident. When the officer first strikes Lawson on the head, blood begins dripping from his head. In addition, bystanders reported that the cop punched Lawson three times and also used pepper spray on him. In the video, Lawson appears to be trying to get away from the officer, but he is pulled through the turn style where other officers are coming to assist in the alleged arrest. The case is under investigation, but Lawson has been charged with attempting to obtain transit without paying, resisting arrest, obstructing government administration, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Virginia
A teacher at a high school in Norfolk is under fire after she reposted photos of interracial couples attending her school’s prom last spring with the comment, “… every White girl’s father’s worst nightmare or nah?” Amy Strickland, who is the Booker T. Washington assistant principal, posted the comment and the photos, much to the chagrin of many of the school’s students. Many walked out of class in protest and have gotten the NAACP involved. The students and NAACP have brought the incident to the attention of the school board but have yet to receive a response. The heat is increasing on the school board, as the Norfolk Federation of Teachers has sided with the students, releasing its own statement that it feels the board’s actions are “disturbing” and that “the lack of urgency in which the school and the administration addresses these types of issues adds to the problem.”
Texas
From March 6-8, 2015, Houston will become the site of the only national conference for young women affected by breast cancer. Although breast cancer is less common in younger women, more than 250,000 women living in the U.S. today were diagnosed before their 41st birthday, and 13,000 more will be diagnosed this year. Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is an opportunity for education and inspiration among people who can relate to each other. The event’s speakers include Dr. Susan Love, Dr. Don Dizon and Hollye Jacobs, as well as wellness activities and workshops addressing the unique issues that young women with breast cancer face. Participants will learn about the latest medical information, survivorship and quality-of-life issues; discuss how to cope with the side effects and long-term implications of treatment; and network with other young survivors. Healthcare professionals will lead sessions on topics such as nutrition, sex and intimacy, dating, fertility and family planning, parenting and ways to implement healthy lifestyle changes. Social and wellness activities will include a cocktail reception, BBQ, yoga, belly dancing, Zumba and a boot camp. For information, visit youngsurvival.org.
