WSSN Stories

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. 

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé has propelled herself into the highest Grammy echelon: The star singer claimed a leading nine nominations Tuesday, making her tied — with her husband Jay-Z — as the most nominated music act in the history of the awards show.

Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” reeled in record and song of the year nominations, while “Renaissance” — which ventured into the world of dancehall music — netted an album of the year nod. With Jay-Z also earning five nods this year, each spouse now holds the record for the most-ever Grammy nominations at 88 apiece.

Kendrick Lamar came away with the second-most nominations, with eight. Adele and Brandi Carlile both received seven nods. Harry Styles, Mary J. Blige, Future, DJ Khaled, The-Dream and mastering engineer Randy Merrill each picked up six.

Nearly half of this year’s leading nominees — announced by the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, John Legend, Machine Gun Kelly and Smokey Robinson —are women and more than half are people of color, according to the recording academy. The ceremony will be held Feb. 5 in Los Angeles.

“This makes me feel very proud, but it makes me conscious of the fact that we have to maintain the work we have done,” said Harvey Mason jr., the Recording Academy’s CEO. He said there have been strides in the peer-driven voting system and increased membership, but he still believes more progress can be made

By Jill Munroe | EUR

In the film, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett,) Shuri (Letitia Wright,) M’Baku (Winston Duke,) Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. However, when Namor (Tenoch Huerta,) king of a hidden undersea nation, alerts them to a global threat and his disturbing plan to thwart it, the Wakandans band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

EUR’s Jill Munroe spoke exclusively with Moore about how much comic book material was sourced for the sequel and incorporating the strife within marginalized communities into the storyline.

Moore said a lot of inspiration comes from the comics. “Certainly, with how Namor and Atlantis have found themselves on opposite ends with Wakanda. But there’s no single storyline that we pulled from. As we always do, we combed through all the great stuff that’s been published and picked the best moments,” he explained.

“Building a sequel around a character’s passing is something we’ve never had to do before and never had to consider. It is a little bit of art imitating life to that extent. So you want to make sure it’s holistic when you’re telling a story. The movie’s themes are also dovetailing, with some of those comic book inspirations to tell one singular story,” Moore added.

In telling the story of the Talokan, bits of Aztec and Mayan history were included via language and symbols. Moore says their goal was not to be derivative in the conflict and to be as honest as possible.

ATLANTA, GA – Observers might assume the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda (People’s Agenda) is elated to hear reports of record turnout after working diligently to educate voters and reassure them that their ballot will count in the first election since the state passed stricter voting laws as a result of false accusations of voter fraud. However, activists say they were happy for the turnout but were dismayed to witness confusion, frustration, fear, and apathy at a level that harkens back decades. The misinformation and threats of violence didn’t just suppress votes, it caused seasoned election workers to stay home, and made it difficult to recruit canvassers and poll workers.

“Don’t get me wrong, the People’s Agenda and other groups like Black Women’s Roundtable and Black Voters Matter did a tremendous job turning out voters. We did work. But it shouldn’t have been this hard,” said Helen Butler, executive director of the Peoples Agenda.  “There were still fights in the courts, many of the election workers were confused about procedures, and on the ground a lot of people just didn’t want to hear anything about the election. They felt misled, lied to, lied on, and just didn’t want to be bothered. Some people even thought they could get locked up for voting because of tickets.  We were proud of our young voters, many of them helped to get out the vote, but we did run into more young people than usual that were a bit disillusioned due to the confusion.”

Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable co-convener, Felicia Davis, adds, “When, for no factual reason, the state government decides to change laws to make it harder to vote, the onus should not be under-resourced non profit organizations to educate voters on new laws and make sure poll workers have a clear understanding of those laws. The Secretary of States office should shoulder that burden. But, it’s clear that they did not put forth sufficient effort to educate voters and election workers across the state.”

When Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger recertified the results of Georgia’s last presidential election he announced during a news conference in December of 2020 “We have now counted legally cast ballots three times and the results remain unchanged.” Raffensperger added, “Georgians can now move forward knowing that their votes, and only their legal votes, were counted accurately, fairly, and reliably.”

Despite Raffensperger’s forceful defense of the integrity of the 2020 election, Governor Kemp went on to sign SB202, a restrictive voting law that reduced the number of ballot drop boxes, criminalized the distribution of water or snacks to voters in long lines, and slashed the time to request and return absentee ballots from 176 days to 59 days.

“Our legislature focused on fraud that did not exist rather than address the chronic systemic issues that have created problems at the polls for years,” exclaims Butler.  “Several counties experienced technical glitches with the eNet system that checks voters in, there were issues with printers, scanners, and an insufficient number of poll workers. Some places  had incorrect ballots and, in Cobb County,  a judge just extended the date to return ballots to Nov. 14 for more than 1000 voters that never received absentee ballots they requested. Instead of haphazardly changing the rules, perhaps we should work on improving the ones we have,” Butler adds.

The People’s Agenda worked throughout Georgia alongside other organizations including: Clayton County Black Women’s Roundtable, GA STAND UP, Black Youth Vote, Black Male Initiative, and the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s Unity ’22 Campaign, to register, educate, and mobilize voters. They hosted a civic-minded comedy show, a gospel luncheon, knocked on doors, phone banked and their five-day Power of the Ballot Bus Tour visited Macon, Augusta, Albany, the Atlanta Metro to hold events, rallies, wave signs and canvass neighborhoods.

“This election was a manifestation of the change that’s been underway over the several years. As a part of the civil legacy its deeply disturbing to know that some Black youth are disenchanted with the electoral process but it’s understandable when there have been so many lies and so little accountability,” Davis notes. “I was happy to see that many of the dedicated voters we registered stood in lines determined to cast a ballot. It was also encouraging to see leaders like Melanie L. Campbell and Latosha Brown united continue the fight for justice.”

For more information about the People’s Agenda, or to volunteer, email coalition@bellsouth.net or visit http://thepeoplesagenda.org.

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, all is vanity. [Eccelisates1:2-5]. All man does lead to futility – pointless. Solomon drew this conclusion from how he felt despite his enormous wealth, life status, and position in society. No matter what he did—he found absolutely nothing that fully satisfied his heart.  Nothing gave him a deep sense of fulfillment. Whenever he found something that pleased him, the sense of gratification was temporary and short-lived; it soon passed away. So, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Absolutely nothing!

If you succeed in the things of this world and fail to save your soul, then you have failed miserably. If you miss Heaven and go to Hell, what a fool you are, what a wasted life you have lived! I tell you, there is nothing more important that your soul salvation! Do not be blinded and deceived by the lust of the flesh and the eyes in this sinful and perverted generation.

To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Indeed, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot give heed. The word of the LORD is a reproach to them; they have no delight in it” [Jeremiah 6:10].

“As a river leads a man through sweet meadows, green woods, fertile pastures, fruit-laden fields, by glorious buildings, strong forts, famous cities, yet at last brings him to the salt sea; so, the stream of this world carries along through rich commodities, voluptuous delights, stately dignities, all possible content to flesh and blood, but, after all this, brings a man to death, after death to judgment, after judgment to hell.” [ Earthly Pursuits – End Miserably- Bible Hub -T. Adams.]

 What tragedy! Repent before it is too late!

BALTIMORE, MD – The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. congratulates Brother Wes Moore on his historic Maryland Gubernatorial Election win yesterday to become the first African American Governor-Elect of the state.

Brother Moore, a 2000 Sigma Sigma Chapter initiate at John Hopkins University and a member of Delta Lambda Chapter in Baltimore, is an investment banker and television producer, who has also authored five books, including The Other Wes Moore and The Work.

“Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. congratulates Brother Wes Moore on his historic Maryland Gubernatorial Election win last night,” said General President Willis L. Lonzer, III, Ph.D. “As Maryland’s first African American governor, Brother Moore continues the Fraternity’s unparalleled legacy of leadership and firsts. He joins the list of Alpha’s other men of distinction in public service, who are US senators and congressmen, mayors, state representatives and senators, city councilmen, and others, who proudly serve the United States as a nation, states, cities, and communities. We look forward to the progressive and thoughtful leadership he will provide to the state of Maryland and the example he offers to the people of the United States of America.”

Brother Moore, who graduated from Hopkins, received a master’s degree from Wolfson College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He also proudly served several years in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserve.  In addition, Brother Moore, the former CEO of The Robin Hood Foundation – one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty organizations, was the host of Beyond Belief on the Oprah Winfrey Network, as well as the executive producer and writer for Coming Back With Wes Moore on PBS.

In July, Winfrey, endorsed Brother Moore through a campaign advertisement, calling him a “transformational leader.”

“This moment that we’re in demands of different type of leader,” said Winfrey. “For governor in Maryland, you have one in my friend, Wes Moore.”

Brother Moore, who is married with two children, lives in the Guilford community in north Baltimore.

“With the Fraternity’s General Office headquartered in Baltimore, MD, we are especially excited and proud to have a fellow Alpha Brother leading the state, who lives in the city and has led a life of dedicated public and community service,” said Brother Sean L. McCaskill, the Fraternity’s executive director. “We are committed to providing our support to him in the state as well as fostering further opportunities to provide service to our communities.”

African Americans are more likely to die from cancer than any other ethnic group

LOS ANGELES, CA— The American Cancer Society (ACS) announces the launch of “Get Screened for Cancer Day” taking place Wednesday, November 16, 2022, to highlight the need for cancer screening in the African American community and the importance of having conversations with loved ones about getting screened. The nationwide screening campaign features partnerships with community-based organizations and celebrity influencers as well as a social media campaign to encourage individuals to get screened, learn how to have the conversation with others, and share personal screening stories.

“Today is the day to have The Conversation about cancer screenings with your loved ones and then be The Conversation for yourself,” stated Dr. Robert Winn, director and Lipman chair in Oncology of VCU Massey Cancer Center and a member of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors. “Schedule screenings you have missed and do what it takes to get your family and friends to their appointments — whether that is making the phone call or committing to drive them to the doctor’s office. Early detection increases the likelihood of survivorship, and we all have a responsibility to take that message to the masses.”

Regular cancer screening can detect changes in your body before cancer develops, and screening tests like mammograms and colonoscopies can catch cancer early when it may be easier to treat

“You can’t play around with your life,” said Dave Ford, colon cancer survivor and ACS Cancer Action Network board member. “Loving yourself means that you’re going to do the right thing to get screened, so you can be around to witness a childbirth, weddings, a high school and college graduation of your children or a grandchild. Getting screened gives you a greater chance of survival.”

One in two men and one in three women will face cancer in their lifetime. Yet, many wait until they have symptoms to visit a doctor. Screening tests, for people without symptoms, check certain parts of the body at regular intervals to detect changes that may develop into cancer and can catch them early.

“The COVID pandemic highlighted health disparities throughout the African American community, and cancer screenings are not exempt,” said Dr. Winn. “More and more African Americans put plans for screenings on pause, and it has the potential to move the needle in the wrong direction for a population that already has the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group for most cancers.”

Cancer screenings are safe, effective, and should be a regular part of your life. Cancer doesn’t wait and neither should you. Talk to your loved ones about getting regular cancer screening. Even if you think you don’t need to, talk to a doctor about what screening tests may be right for you. There are resources available for people who don’t have a primary care doctor, who are uninsured or underinsured, or who have never been screened. Many states also have free or low-cost cancer screening programs.

Find guidance and screening resources for you or a loved one at cancer.org/get-screened.

About American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. We are the only organization working to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Find more information at cancer.org.

(BUSINESS WIRE) —- DiCello Levitt today announced the expansion of its Washington, D.C. office with the addition of three attorneys. They include senior counsel, Bernadette Armand, and associates Elizabeth Paige White and E?viealle Dawkins. The three will work closely with Birmingham-based partner Diandra “Fu” Debrosse Zimmermann, an acclaimed mass torts and civil rights lawyer who is the first Black woman ever appointed plaintiffs’ co-lead counsel in a multidistrict litigation, In Re: Abbott Laboratories, et al., Preterm Infant Nutrition Products Liability Litigation.

DiCello Levitt already boasts one of the nation’s premier civil rights practice groups, and these additions bring important depth to the practice, while significantly expanding the firm’s presence in our nation’s capital. The firm has represented plaintiffs in numerous high-profile civil rights matters, including the June 2022 police shooting death of Jayland Walker, an unarmed Black man in Akron, Ohio. DiCello Levitt also represents a group of women in the largest international sex trafficking lawsuit in U.S. history, and the plaintiff in another high-profile police brutality case, among many others.

“We’re excited to welcome Bernadette, Paige, and E?viealle to our civil rights practice group in D.C.,” said Mark DiCello, the firm’s co-founder. “This new group of attorneys represents the rich breadth of experience DiCello Levitt can bring to any complex civil rights, mass torts, and class action cases, and the understanding that many clients in this space are looking for representation by attorneys who look like them.”

“I’m honored and incredibly excited to work closely with this amazing, talented group of diverse attorneys who are as committed to justice and civil rights as I am,” said Debrosse Zimmermann.

“DiCello Levitt has the experience, passion, and grit to go up against the most powerful corporations and governmental institutions across the United States, and I’m proud to be a part of such a distinguished team that has been widely recognized for its leadership in the fields of civil and human rights litigation.”

Bernadette Armand

Years of representing clients accused of some of the most serious crimes in Washington gave Armand deep experience and insight into the tenuousness of civil and human rights in the U.S. She challenges government officials at all levels, from police officers to politicians, to honor the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of certain inalienable rights for all—especially those harmed when leaders trample on those rights. Armand joined DiCello Levitt after serving as supervising trial attorney for the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where she was the lead trial attorney on homicide and other serious felony matters.

Elizabeth Paige White

White’s practice focuses on civil rights, police brutality, and wrongful death cases. She began her career in public service, working as a public defender at the Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem in New York City, handling hundreds of charges from felony narcotics to violent crimes. She later joined the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, defending adults and juveniles in serious felony cases including violent sexual assault and homicide. While working for the Public Defender, White successfully argued a series of writs of habeas corpus over the conditions at the D.C. Central Detention Facility, which subsequently led to a number of individuals being immediately released.

E?viealle Dawkins

With experience in grassroots organizing and advocacy in the public and political spheres, Dawkins has developed deep personal perspectives on justice and responsibility that are foundational to her legal practice. At DiCello Levitt, Dawkins will apply her insight to litigation work on behalf of plaintiffs injured by civil or human rights abuses, environmental hazards, and other acts of corporate malfeasance. Prior to joining DiCello Levitt, Dawkins honed her litigation research skills on claims ranging from consumer protection and toxic tort to data and privacy.

About DiCello Levitt

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

Choose a Door. Door number 1 or Door number 2?

Door #1. Follow the Lord and He will be your provider, your shield, your reward, and your victory. He will give you everything you need to serve Him. He will not only allow you to serve Him, but because of your faith He will walk with you. He will restore your meaning and purpose and He will be your salvation in the midst of wickedness.

Door #2. Don’t believe God. Think He’s hiding something good from you. Believe you can get away with evil. Have faith in the idea, that God is lying about the destructive nature of sin. Let sin rule over you and instead of being priests to the nations you will fill the world with stubbornness, brutality, murder, hatred, division, and eventually every thought in your imagination will be evil.

Now Christ offer some advice.

“Enter by the narrow gate – For wide is the gate and broad is the path that leads to destruction, and many enter through it – Door #2.

But small is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Door #1. [Matthew 7:13-14].

I tell you, of all the decisions that God puts before us, there is none more significant, none more important than choosing the right door.

There are only two pathways—one leading to destruction, and the other leading to life. One is readily found; the other must be searched for. One is popular; the other is unpopular. One is easy; the other is difficult. Choose wisely, for your eternal destiny depends on this choice.  “Enter!” “Do it now!” Time is running out. The gate will not always be open. The choice is between the way of life and the way of destruction. Let’s make a deal!

Christ beckons one and all with the first word of the text, “Enter!”

May you not be found among the majority – enter through the narrow way. As Moses said long ago: [Deuteronomy 30:19-20] I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing, and the curse. So, choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? | California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom has not yet endorsed a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, but former President Barack Obama did 10 days before the General Election on Nov. 8.

Citing her “proven leadership, integrity, and record of getting things done,” Obama’s endorsement of Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA-13) for mayor of Los Angeles can be seen on a video released by her campaign.

Bass was an early supporter of Obama’s presidential run and campaigned for him in 2007.

“I am asking Los Angeles to vote for Karen Bass for mayor. I know Karen. She was with me in supporting my campaign from the beginning, and Karen Bass will deliver results,” Obama stated when making his endorsement official. “Make no mistake, there is only one proven pro-choice Democrat in this race. Karen has always been on the right side of the issues we care so deeply about.”

President Obama’s support of Bass follows endorsements from President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Bernie Sanders and more than 250 other endorsements from community leaders, labor unions and elected officials since the June primary.

Bass is the only candidate endorsed by the Democratic Party and Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County Action Fund. Her leadership has also earned her the endorsements of the Los Angeles Times and La Opinión.

“I am humbled and honored to have the support of President Barack Obama,” Bass said in a letter. “President Obama brought us faith in our government and hope for the future of our country. It is impossible to overstate the impact of his work leading this country for eight scandal-free years advancing social and economic justice in the nation and the world.”

While Gov. Newsom has yet to endorse a candidate running for mayor of Los Angeles, he has endorsed other state and local Democrats running for office.

Statewide, Newsom is endorsing Dr. Shirley Weber, California’s first Black Secretary of State. In a local Los Angeles race, he is endorsing Black educator and community organizer Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) who is running for State Senate District 28 against fellow Democrat and Black civil rights attorney Cheryl C. Turner.

Bass is in a tight race with billionaire and Republican-turned-Democrat Rick Caruso.

Responding to a question on Fox 11’s “The Issue Is” show, Newsom said “I have deep respect for the both of them and have not gotten involved in this race.”

Newsom’s political advisers, a firm called Bearstar Strategies, are also chief consultants for the Caruso’s campaign.

In the 2018 gubernatorial primary, Bass endorsed former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa over Newsom. But, August 2021, Bass, members of the group calling itself Women Against the Recall (WAR), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-37), held a news conference to openly support Newsom in the recall election held Sept. 14, 2021.

The Black Women Organized for Political Action PAC (BWOPA-PAC), California Black Women’s Collective PAC and Black women leaders throughout the state called out Gov. Newsom’s reluctance in declaring support for Bass.

“He stated that he supports Black Women, but his administration doesn’t demonstrate that he wants us at his decision-making table.  He selectively supports Black women candidates even when they have overwhelming support from the party leaders and our community like in the case of Congressmember Bass,” the coalition said in a “open letter” in October.

Bass is running to be the first Black woman mayor of the second-largest city in the country. She stated that “President Obama’s support underscores the contrast in this race and inspires” her campaign.  She has stated her plans are to solve homelessness, make the city of Los Angeles safer, and create affordable housing.

“She has devoted her life to serving her community, from working in the emergency room to saving California from a budget crisis to delivering relief during the COVID pandemic as a member of Congress,” Obama stated.

StormyWeather Banks, a Fashion Designer and Boutique Owner recently announced the grand reopening of her newly remodeled and expanded boutique, StormyWeather Designs in Bellflower California. The grand reopening took place with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring beautiful statement jewelry, structured and relaxed handbags, on trend accessories, jackets, and apparel. The event was well attended by Bellflower City Officials, local celebrities, and the community. Those in attendance included: Larry Wehage (Bellflower Chamber of Commerce President), Dan Koops (Bellflower Councilmember), Actress Camille Calvin (Lifetime’s “Deadly Cheers”), Actress Samantha Bailey (CBS’s “The Young and the Restless”), and many others.

“I am excited about this expansion, but more so grateful for the support of the community and the City of Bellflower over the last 10 years,” says Banks.

StormyWeather is a respected designer, retired LAUSD fashion design teacher, and a minority-women owned business. Her boutique is located at 16737 & 16739 Bellflower Boulevard in the City of Bellflower offering selective custom designs, apparel consultation on making the perfect prom dress, wedding dress and an unveiling of her new sewing and manufacturing shop for those who want to learn how to sew.

Sewing classes are available on Monday and Thursday from 11am – 1pm and 4pm – 6pm. The classes are open to individuals ages 6 years old and up.

To learn more about StormyWeather Designs, visit:

 https://stormyweather-designs.myshopify.com/.

Stay connected with StormyWeather Designs at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stormyweatherdesigns-266515007325099/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stormyweatherdesigns/