Source: Live Nation / Radio One Atlanta LOS ANGELES, CA (Sept 17, 2018) – Due to overwhelming fan demand, platinum selling artist Drake is adding a seventh show in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 20 th and a third show in Atlanta on November 18 th to the ‘Aubrey and The Three Migos Tour. In addition, Drake announced the rescheduled date for his previously postponed St. Paul show will take place on Sunday, November 11th. All tickets purchased for the original date will be honored. Produced by Live Nation, the North American outing also features special guests and “Walk It Talk It” collaborators Migos . The full routing can be found below. The tour follows a stellar summer for Drake, including the release of his hit singles “God’s Plan” and “Nice For What,” and the release of his fifth number one studio album Scorpion. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets for the newly added dates before the general public beginning Tuesday, September 18 th at 10am local time through Thursday, September 20 th at 10pm local time. Tickets for the new dates will go on sale to the general public this Friday, September 21 st at Ticketmaster.com starting at 10am local time. UPCOMING AUBREY AND THE THREE MIGOS TOUR DATES: *Newly Added Dates in Bold Tue Sep 18 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena Fri Sep 21 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena Sat Sep 22 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena Mon Sep 24 New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center Wed Sep 26 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Thu Sep 27 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Sat Sep 29 Houston, TX Toyota Center Sun Sep 30 Houston, TX Toyota Center Tue Oct 02 Houston, TX Toyota Center Fri Oct 05 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Sat Oct 06 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Mon Oct 08 Phoenix, AZ Gila River Arena Wed Oct 10 Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Smart Home Arena Fri Oct 12 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Sat Oct 13 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Sun Oct 14 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Tue Oct 16 Los Angeles, CA The Forum Wed Oct 17 Los Angeles, CA The Forum Fri Oct 19 Los Angeles, CA The Forum Sat Oct 20 Los Angeles, CA The Forum Fri Oct 26 San Francisco, CA Oracle Arena Sat Oct 27 San Francisco, CA Oracle Arena Mon Oct 29 San Francisco, CA Oracle Arena Thu Nov 01 Seattle, WA Tacoma Dome Sat Nov 03 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena Sun Nov 04 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena Tue Nov 06 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place Wed Nov 07 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place Sun Nov 11 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center Fri Nov 16 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena Sat Nov 17 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena Sun Nov 18 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
WENN.com Famous Dex, Kamaiyah and Travis Scott are among the acts slated to take Stage 1 Watch the show LIVE HERE Juice Wrld, YG and Young Thug are among the acts slated to take Stage 2
A fter spending nearly three decades behind bars for a crime that he didn’t commit, a Brooklyn native is turning the pain from his experience into something positive. John Bunn , 41, is advocating for education in prisons and launched a program that provides inmates with books, CNN reported. John Bunn was wrongfully convicted of murder as a teenager and exonerated after 27 years of fighting for his freedom. He says the power of reading saved him. Now, he's building libraries in prisons. https://t.co/Xt7iFmbIGI pic.twitter.com/zdjnFVXQaA — CNN (@CNN) September 15, 2018 In August of 1991—when Bunn was 14-years-old—police officers came to his Crown Heights apartment and took him to the 77th precinct for questioning in relation to the murder of a Rikers Island corrections officer, the news outlet writes. Although Bunn told officers that he had nothing to do with the crime, he was put in a line up with adults, wrongly identified as the individual responsible for the murder, and placed behind bars. He was charged with murder and robbery and sentenced to nine years to life. From that day on, he and his family tirelessly fought for justice. Going to prison was a tough journey for Bunn. He reportedly dealt with abusive guards who he claims attacked him because of the nature of his case. He developed depression and anxiety. Bunn struggled to communicate with his family while he was imprisoned because he was illiterate. That barrier motivated him to learn how to read and write. He started reading children’s books and dictionaries and worked with teachers to develop his skills. That experience fueled his passion for education and he then went on to get his GED in prison. Reading became an escape from his situation. “I wrote my mother one day … and I said, “They can lock my body, but they can’t trap my mind,” he told CNN. “The power of reading made me feel that way. I felt trapped without a voice for so long, but the power of reading could take my imagination, and take me to anywhere in this universe.” In May 2018—with the help of a non-profit called the Exoneration Initiative—he was exonerated. Shortly after being released from prison, Bunn launched his own non-profit called A Voice 4 The Unheard. Through the organization, he’s focusing on growing the libraries at Riker’s Island and putting literature into underserved schools. His organization has donated over 20,000 books. “There’s no greater feeling than me feeling like I’m existing for a purpose, and this is what gives my life purpose right now. Through my nightmare, I found my dream,” he said. Organization’s like Bunn’s are needed. According to the Literacy Project Foundation , three out of five people in U.S. prisons have trouble reading. SEE ALSO: Everything We Know About The National Prison Strike Museum May Be Built To Memorialize Black Prisoners Whose Bodies Were Found In Texas [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3825344″ overlay=”true”]
T he National Park Service is continuing to preserve landmarks that are embedded in the fabric of American history. According to Diverse Issues in Higher Education , the agency recently provided 18 historically Black colleges and universities with grants in efforts to conserve historic buildings and statues that live on campuses. National Park Service Awards $8.6M to HBCUs for Preservation Projects https://t.co/1U3qithspS #HBCU #HBCUnews — HBCU Lifestyle (@HBCU_Lifestyle) September 10, 2018 The grants—which total $8.6 million—will be put towards the revitalization of structures as well as projects that are relative to preservation, the news outlet writes. The grant money was provided through the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund. Amongst the HBCUs selected for the grants are Howard University, Clark Atlanta University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, Delaware State University and others. “HBCUs have played an important role in our country’s pursuit of equality, civil rights, and higher education for all Americans,” National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith said in a statement, according to the news outlet. “These grants will help restore and enhance landmark buildings that are a source of pride on campuses in nine states.” Howard University plans on using the grant to upgrade their Founders Library. There has been a concerted effort to involve HBCUs in preserving Black sites across the country. In July, a program dubbed “Preservation in Practice” was created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Park Service and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as an avenue to empower students at historically Black colleges and universities to pursue careers in historic preservation. SEE ALSO: Program Aims To Increase Racial Representation In Historic Preservation, Urban Planning Nina Simone To Be Honored By The National Trust for Historic Preservation [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3825344″ overlay=”true”]
C oming of age as a young woman of color comes with several obstacles for many. Many Black and brown girls across the country are disproportionately impacted by poverty, education inequality, unjust treatment within their schools, sexual harassment at higher rates than other races and other problematic circumstances that negatively affect their daily lives. The Power of You Teens —a New York City-based non-profit organization—was created as an avenue to empower girls of color and show them that their circumstances don’t determine the heights that they can reach. Founded in 2014 by Felicia Gibson Jaycox , the organization was designed to help girls between the ages of 12 and 18 build a strong sense of self-esteem. POYT aims to nurture and empower the next generation’s leaders so that they are equipped to make an impact in their communities and beyond. The organization offers mentorship opportunities for girls where they are given guidance from women who are making moves in their respective fields and monthly group workshops that are designed to help girls cultivate a strong self-image, deal with anxiety, and learn how to set goals. POYT gives its participants the opportunity to pay it forward by participating in volunteer projects in their local communities. The program also exposes girls to arts education and STEM through workshops. Each year POYT hosts The Empowerment Experience in Harlem; a free day-long event that features inspirational speakers, workshops and seminars, information about higher education and different career paths, entertainment, and a marketplace. The purpose of the event is to inspire young girls to reach their full potential. This year’s theme is “The Future is Female.” “While girls of color have made progress in recent years, real challenges remain. We recognize powerful girls grow up to be secure and confident women setting the stage for their futures as innovative leaders,” Gibson Jaycox told NewsOne. “Our programs are designed to combat the negative influences many young women face. We want girls to be brave and walk boldly in their power. We want girls to be agents of change so they can make a positive impact in their community and the world.” The next The Power of You Teens Empowerment Experience is slated to take place on October 6 in Harlem, New York. It’s being hosted to coincide with the International Day of the Girl. Learn more about The Power of You Teens . SEE ALSO: Initiative Led By NFL Hall Of Famer Empowers Youth To Become Leaders RunGrl Empowers Black Women Long Distance Runners [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3825344″ overlay=”true”]
D iversity numbers in the tech industry remain stagnant. Despite African-Americans being one of the top demographic groups for digital consumption, when it comes to forging career paths in the tech industry there isn’t a level playing field. According to a study released by the National Urban League , at major social media and tech companies, less than five percent of employees are Black. Disrupt Harlem Code Squad —a free Harlem-based tech and entrepreneurship program—is aiming to change the status quo by empowering opportunity youth through STEM education. The program—which is an initiative led by the Harlem Business Alliance —was created as an avenue to connect young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 to the New York City tech industry. Over the course of 15-weeks, program participants are provided with one-on-one training, courses on how to code, field trips to the headquarters of tech giants in the New York City area, and ongoing mentorship. Disrupt Harlem Code Squad also puts the emphasis on entrepreneurship; empowering students to design their own mobile and web apps. After completing the program, some of the participants are aligned with internships in the tech industry and others continue to expand their skills at a full-stack developer coding program led by The Knowledge House. As New York City’s tech landscape continues to expand and there are talks about it transforming into the next Silicon Valley, its imperative for opportunity youth from inner-city communities to be able to compete in this industry. Furthermore, tapping into this talent pool can be a solution to closing tech’s diversity gap. “Through our Disrupt Harlem Code Squad initiative, HBA aims to level the playing field for Harlem’s opportunity youth when it comes to entering the tech industry. African-Americans represent less than 2 percent of employees at major tech companies,” Regina Smith , Executive Director, Harlem Business Alliance, told NewsOne. “Shifting the narrative starts with exposure. One of the catalysts for change is introducing STEM education programs to all inner-city youth. We educate young adults about coding, career pathways in tech as well as basic business fundamentals. We realize our youth possesses tremendous untapped potential and it is our responsibility to invest in the next generation of leaders.” Disrupt Harlem Code Squad has proven to be effective and impactful. Some of the students have received job offers from major tech companies and others have launched their own businesses. Many of the program participants pay it forward by serving as mentors. “Disrupt Harlem Code Squad targets a vulnerable subset of our community—young adults who are under or unemployed—and gives them the tools to make a positive change in their lives. Tech is a growing industry, but members of our community weren’t being prepared to have those careers,” said Disrupt Harlem Code Squad Program Director Philomena Boateng . “We’ve made our program free because we recognize they don’t have the resources that other “non-traditional” students do to pay the high cost of programs like these. We believe that by educating our youth on a new career path, we’re also giving them the means to improve their economic situation on a long-term basis. We put real action behind inclusivity efforts in tech that some companies only talk about.” As the program gears up for its next cohort, it aims to continue to make an impact in the lives of youth. The program is currently accepting applications and the deadline is September 16. Learn more about Disrupt Harlem Code Squad . SEE ALSO: Harlem’s The Lillian Project Empowers Black Women To Step Into Entrepreneurship Black Women Fight Back Against Racial Profiling At Harlem Restaurant [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”2714511″ overlay=”true”]
Lil Wayne Reveals Suicide Attempt At Age 12 Hip-hop fans have long known the story of Lil Wayne ‘s tragic gun accident at age 12. As the rapper has always said, he was fooling around with his mother’s gun when it went off, shooting him in the chest and narrowly missing his heart. His life was saved by an officer passing by , whom he shows gratitude to this day. Now, with the release of the Carter V (finally) on the horizon, the rapper is now coming clean about the details of that story. Apparently, the “accident” was actually an attempt at taking his own life. As Billboard revealed in their latest cover story on the rapper, they were able to hear an advanced preview of the album and the outro features Wayne speaking explicitly about the accident actually having been an attempt on his own life. Wayne says that his mother told him he would no longer be permitted to rap, and he was apparently so distraught over this new rule that he saw no further reason to live. In addition, they reveal that Wayne had always planned to include the track on his severely pushed-back project, but added new verses after the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain earlier this year. Are you shocked to discover that Wayne has been keeping such a painful secret all these years? Splash
Image via Joel Saget/Getty Botham Jean’s Mother Speaks Out Against Smear Campaign F**k the police . Periodt. Botham Jean ‘s mother is sick and tired of the f***ery that is currently taking place within the Dallas Police Department. The boys and girls in blue are doing everything in their power to besmirch Botham’s good name. A name that, according to what family lawyer Lee Merritt told CNN , had never once been associated with crime or arrest in his 26 years of life. “The Dallas Police Department investigators were interested specifically in finding information that could help assassinate his character,” attorney Lee Merritt told reporters. “Twenty-six years on this earth he lived his life without a blemish. It took being murdered by a Dallas police officer for Botham Jean to suddenly become a criminal.” Jean’s mother also had words for the people who are protecting the woman who murdered her son. “I’m calling on the Dallas officials … please come clean. Give me justice for my son because he does not deserve what he got,” Allison Jean said. There aren’t even proper words to describe the unbridled anger that we feel toward cops when things like this happen. Then they have the nerve to chide Black folks for wearing socks with pigs on them…
Source: GoodLifeStudio / Getty We live in a world where people will tell you what you can’t do just because they can’t do them. Thank goodness for the strong minded folks who don’t let the naysayers stop their shine. Like deaf dancer Chris Fonseca . The London native developed meningitis at a very young age he was made completely deaf in both ears. But if you think the impairment was a hindrance on Chris’ dreams, think again. He joined Studio 68 dance Training Academy in 2014 and has been encouraging others to follow their dreams ever since. Hit the flip for more. via GIPHY
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