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Detroit Youth Choir Receives $1 Million Donation

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T he Detroit Youth Choir fell short when it came to taking home the America’s Got Talent title, but upon their return to the Motor City, they received a memorable surprise. According to the Detroit Free Press , the choir was awarded $1 million. #BREAKING : The Detroit Youth Choir will get $1 million anyway after its stellar performance on @AGT . https://t.co/uz5qO96wsP — Detroit Free Press (@freep) September 20, 2019 The donation was a collective effort between local businesses and organizations. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan surprised the choir with the gift before scores of people during their homecoming celebration. Amongst the companies who contributed to the donation include the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, DTE Energy Foundation, Skillman Foundation, Huntington Bank, and Bank of America. Other donors included the Ballmer Group, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Dakkota Integrated Systems and the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. “I was watching you guys and you and Kodi Lee are on that stage, and my heart’s in my throat,” Mayor Duggan told the youngsters after they returned home. “When they announced it was Kodi Lee, I was a little disappointed for a second. But I was like, ‘He deserves a million dollars; he was great.’ The only thing I thought was unfair was there should’ve been two first prizes.” The America’s Got Talent stage isn’t the only notable one that the predominately Black choir has graced. They’ve performed at several Detroit Pistons games and were a part of the CityLab Detroit summit in 2018. “Our kids are your average Detroit young person,” choir director Anthony White told The Detroit News . “They relate to every young person in America and the world. There are no egos, all of our kids are good kids. We just want to represent to the country how good these young people are.” America’s Got Talent winner Kodi Lee —a musician who is autistic and blind—won $1 million and will perform at the Paris Theater in Vegas. SEE ALSO: Meek Mill Unveils Renovated Basketball Courts For Youth In Philly Russell Westbrook Launches Tech Education Program For Los Angeles Youth [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3039818″ overlay=”true”]

Detroit Youth Choir Receives $1 Million Donation

Telling It All: Chingy Resurfaces To Give His Side Of His Career Downfall, Ludacris Beef & Sydney Starr Rumors

Source: SplashNews / Splash News Chingy Resurfaces To Give His Side Of The Story It has been quite some time since we’ve seen Chingy surface in the public eye. Even while touring earlier this year, it seems like he still kept a low profile. The last headline about the rapper was his confusing backing of Donald Trump in 2016, though he quickly ended up backtracking following those comments. The peak of his career was definitely not one to be laughed at, but when he was dominating the charts before the days of social media, tons of rumors flared from beef with Nelly and his label head Ludacris. Eventually, his career began to free fall–but no one really ever knew why. Now, we’re getting every answer we could have imagined back then. Chingy sat down with BET recently to discuss everything under the sun including past beefs, legal problems, and of course, those infamous Sydney Starr rumors . You can watching the latest episode of #FindingBET down below!

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Telling It All: Chingy Resurfaces To Give His Side Of His Career Downfall, Ludacris Beef & Sydney Starr Rumors

‘Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness Reveals He’s HIV Positive & Details His Daunting Diagnosis Day

Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Jonathan Van Ness Talks About His HIV Diagnosis In New Memoir Queer Eye   star  Jonathan Van Ness has revealed he’s HIV positive and is speaking publicly for the first time about living with the diagnosis. In a recent interview with the New York Times — which ran accompanied by an extract from his forthcoming memoir Over the Top– Van Ness opens up about being diagnosed at the age of 25. After fainting at work, Jonathan visited Planned Parenthood, which is where he found out he had HIV. Even though there are currently more than one million people living with HIV in the United States, the stigma surrounding it is still very real. After revealing his own diagnosis, Van Ness recalled his reluctance to discuss his status once his career launched him onto millions of TV screens. “When  Queer Eye  came out, it was really difficult because I was like, ‘Do I want to talk about my status?’ And then I was like, ‘The Trump administration has done everything they can do to have the stigmatization of the LGBT community thrive around me.’” Jonathan also goes on to speak openly about his experiences as an addict and a sexual abuse survivor. “It’s hard for me to be as open as I want to be when there are certain things I haven’t shared publicly,” he said. “These are all difficult subjects to talk about on a makeover show about hair and makeup. That doesn’t mean  Queer Eye is less valid, but I want people to realize you’re never too broken to be fixed.” After revealing such personal details about his life, Van Ness has been bombarded with support from friends, fellow celebrities, and fans who watch him on TV every week. He shared a photo to Instagram following the headlines about his HIV diagnosis thanking everyone for their support. View this post on Instagram Having the opportunity to write my book and share my story with you is the most important opportunity I’ve ever had. The first article about the book came out today from the @nytimes & I’m relieved I can speak fully about the things that shape my experience in life. The book speaks to some extremely difficult times but it’s also filled with my humor, joy and voice & I can’t wait to share it with you fully. Thanks so much for your support so far, it means the world. Article link in bio Isak Tiner words by Alex Hawgood A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) on Sep 21, 2019 at 8:23am PDT Jonathan Van Ness’ memoir Over The Top will be available on September 24.

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‘Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness Reveals He’s HIV Positive & Details His Daunting Diagnosis Day

Hi Hater: Ben Carson Is Still Out Here Trashing Trans Rights And Putting The Dud In HUD

Source: Ron Sachs/CNP/AdMedia / SplashNews / Splash News Ben Carson Denies Referring To Transgender Women As “Big Hairy Men” After SF Comments Go Public Once upon a time, Dr. Ben Carson was hailed as a medical genius but ever since it was discovered his politics are anything but progressive and his regard for his own race is questionable at best he keeps on making shaky moves — the latest of which was documented by the Washington Post. According to WaPo reports, while visiting HUD’s San Francisco office this week Carson expressed concern about “big, hairy men” trying to gain access to women’s homeless shelters during an internal meeting. Three people present told the WaPo they interpreted Carson’s remarks as an attack on transgender women. Carson’s comments visibly shocked the 50 or so staffers in attendance at the Tuesday meeting, and at least one woman walked out in protest, witnesses to the comments said. Two of the agency staffers said that Carson also lamented that society no longer seemed to know the difference between men and women. SMH. Seriously. WTF. This is coming from the Housing and Urban Development SECRETARY. We’re talking about a group of people who are often subjected to worse housing discrimination than ANYONE. Often subjected to being shunned by their own families. Often in more need of housing than most other groups of people. And the highest government official in the department tasked with making sure AMERICANS in need of shelter talks about them. LIKE This? Another government official told the WaPo that Carson has repeatedly mocked transgender people in internal meetings in Washington. “His overall tone is dismissive and joking about these people,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It’s disrespectful of the people we are trying to serve.” Of course once the reports hit the media a HUD senior official released a statement that said: “The Secretary does not use derogatory language to refer to transgendered individuals. Any reporting to the contrary is false.” The official, who asked not to be named because he wasn’t present at the meetings in SF or Washington, said Carson was referring to men who pretend to be women to gain access to battered women’s shelters — and not singling out transgender women as “big, hairy men.” Who would you believe though? The officials at the meetings or the one who wasn’t? According to the three officials at the meeting in San Francisco, Carson prefaced his remarks about transgender people by saying he believed in fairness and equality, but not “special rights” for any class of people. Carson said that “transgender people should get the same rights as everyone else, but they don’t get to change things for everybody else,” according to one staffer who took notes during the meeting. There have already been calls for Carson’s resignation. U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat from Virginia called the remarks “revolting,” according to The Hill . “These comments only affirm that his recent efforts to erase the Equal Access Rule are rooted in ignorance, not sound policy. By allowing shelters to discriminate against transgender Americans, the Secretary is putting lives in danger,” she said. We agree. PLEASE American people make it stop.

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Hi Hater: Ben Carson Is Still Out Here Trashing Trans Rights And Putting The Dud In HUD

BTS: Emmy Nominee Niecy Nash Plots Her Awards Outfit Options With Christian Siriano [Photos]

Source: Benjamin Lozovsky / Benjamin Lozovsky Niecy Nash Turned To Christian Siriano For Emmy Night Style Multi-time Emmy nominee Niecy Nash , this year nominated for the first time in a drama portrayal for When They See Us , recently visited New York City to sip Sterling Vineyards wine, the Official Wine of Emmy Awards Season, and plot her look with frequent fashion collaborator, Christian Siriano. Source: Benjamin Lozovsky / Benjamin Lozovsky In the studio, the two enjoyed Sterling Vineyards Vintner’s Collection Chardonnay as Niecy perused pieces from Christian’s new collection. The two sketched together as Christian showed Niecy through different fabrics, fits, and inventive ideas for making Niecy’s look one of a kind, just like her. Check out more photos from behind the scenes and watch the Emmys to find out what Niecy ended up wearing!

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BTS: Emmy Nominee Niecy Nash Plots Her Awards Outfit Options With Christian Siriano [Photos]

14-Year-Old Becomes One Of The Youngest Students To Attend George Washington University

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B lack teenagers across the country are reaching new heights in academia and making history in the process. Months after 14-year-old Sydney Wilson became the youngest student to be admitted into Spelman College , a Washington, D.C.-based teen has hit a major milestone. According to The GW Hatchet , 14-year-old Curtis Lawrence is one of the youngest students to attend George Washington University full-time. At just 14, Curtis Lawrence, is navigating campus life at George Washington University, thanks to a program at his high school called Schools Without Walls. https://t.co/uJCPaIOkam — News4JAX (@wjxt4) September 8, 2019 Lawrence attended a magnet school on the university’s campus called School Without Walls. The school allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses at the university so that they can earn both a diploma and an Associates of Arts degree. Lawrence was selected to participate in the Associate of Arts Cohort that provides 15 sophomores from the school with the opportunity to earn a degree. Lawrence’s parents were aware that he was gifted from an early age. At 2-years-old he learned how to read and started studying science and math. He skipped several grades during elementary school and middle school and was homeschooled during eighth grade. He then went on to attend School Without Walls which led him to the GW Early College Program. Lawrence plans on fully immersing himself in on-campus activities. He is a member of the African Student Association, the Black Student Union, and the Caribbean Students Association. He’s currently taking courses centered on African history, astronomy, calculus, and geology. “I feel like I was prepared for the academics because Walls is a very rigorous high school, it’s the top high school in D.C., so a lot of the work that we did reflected the work that I’ll be doing here in college,” Lawrence told the news outlet. “Most of the high school experience is replicated at GW for me in some kind of way.” After completing his associate degree at George Washington University, he plans on studying computer science at Florida A&M University. SEE ALSO: 14-Year-Old Sydney Wilson Becomes Youngest Student Accepted Into Spelman #BlackExcellence: 11-Year-Old Academic Standout Dionn Megginson Starts High School [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3039818″ overlay=”true”]

14-Year-Old Becomes One Of The Youngest Students To Attend George Washington University

Billionaire Robert F. Smith To Eliminate Student Loan Debt For Parents Of Morehouse Graduates

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B lack billionaire Robert F. Smith has been dedicated to helping Morehouse College students overcome their financial obstacles. In May, he made a monumental announcement during the school’s commencement ceremony; sharing that he would eliminate the student loan debt for the entire 2019 graduating class. Smith is taking his philanthropic efforts a step further. According to Business Insider , he has vowed to pay off the student loan debt for the parents of those graduates. The billionaire who promised to pay off student loans for an entire graduating class just pledged to pay off their parents' educational loans, too https://t.co/hvZhXQ8tpy — Business Insider (@businessinsider) September 20, 2019 The gift is being donated to the Morehouse Student Success Program. Through the initiative, 400 Morehouse students and their parents and guardians will have their debt paid off in an effort to bring them closer to financial freedom and provide a solid foundation for building wealth. The donation that the Vista Equity Partners founder made in May was reported to be worth $34 million. “With the Student Success Program in place, there is a model for all colleges and universities, starting with Morehouse and HBCUs, to receive gifts from alumni and other supporters that can offset the burden of student loans and give students the freedom to pursue their dreams, the capital to invest in the economic growth of their families and the time that they can give back meaningfully to strengthening their communities,” Smith told the news outlet. President of Morehouse College David A. Thomas says that Smith’s gift will be transformative in the lives of Morehouse alumni and their families. “It is our hope that our graduates will use their newfound financial freedom to pursue their career goals, to lead and serve the community, and to remember the spirit of the gift given to them by paying it forward to support the education of future classes of Morehouse Men,” he said in a statement. As part of the program, Morehouse will conduct a research study exploring the impact that the elimination of debt has had on the trajectory of their lives. The initiative will also provide current students with financial literacy resources and scholarships. Programs like the Morehouse Student Success initiative are needed. Student loan debt has continued to rise within our country and has disproportionately impacted students who attend historically Black colleges and universities. According to the United Negro College Fund , one in four HBCU students borrows at least $40,000 to attend college. SEE ALSO: Billionaire Robert F. Smith Pledges To Eliminate Student Loan Debt For Morehouse’s Class Of 2019 Morehouse Receives $1.5M Gift From Black Billionaire Robert F. Smith [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3039818″ overlay=”true”]

Billionaire Robert F. Smith To Eliminate Student Loan Debt For Parents Of Morehouse Graduates

The Met To Present Its First Opera Composed By A Black Musician

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F or the first time in its 136-year history, New York’s Metropolitan Opera will host an opera created by a Black composer, The Hill reported. The Met to stage its first opera by a black composer https://t.co/NijtLp8Dqo pic.twitter.com/ggb4I0W8br — The Hill (@thehill) September 20, 2019 As part of its upcoming programming the opera house will feature Fire Shut Up in My Bones ; a piece created by Grammy-winning jazz musician Terence Blanchard . Blanchard’s project was inspired by a memoir penned by journalist Charles M. Blow . The book captures Blow’s coming-of-age journey as a Black man in America. It details the traumatic experiences that he endured as a child and explores topics like racism, poverty, sexuality and spirituality. “There is a level of you never really know yourself until you write about yourself. You also don’t fully know the people around you until you have to examine them. I had always been angry about my father’s alcoholism. I felt sympathy after writing the book, because I had to explore it in a way that I hadn’t thought about it before,” Blow told The St. Louis American . “One thing I’ve learned as a journalist is that if you tell your own story, then it belongs to you. If somebody finds something out about you and they tell it, it belongs to them.” The opera made its debut in June at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Blanchard is beyond excited to bring it to New York City and make history. “I wish my father was alive,” he told the New York Times. “He was an avid opera fanatic.” For decades Blanchard has composed the musical scores for several pivotal films. The Louisiana native—who launched his career with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra—has worked on the music for Spike Lee films including Mo’ Better Blues , Do the Right Thing , Malcolm X , BlacKkKlansman , Inside Man , When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts and others. He’s garnered many awards for his work including six Grammys. Fire Shut Up in My Bones is slated to premiere at the Metropolitan Opera house during its 2021-22 season. SEE ALSO: ‘Bolden’ Movie Review: ‘Beautiful Story About A Forgotten Pioneer Of Jazz Music’ Pharrell Williams Launches Music Education Program In Partnership With Verizon [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3887442″ overlay=”true”]

The Met To Present Its First Opera Composed By A Black Musician

10-Year-Old Girl Goes Viral For Posting Video Celebrating Her Beautiful Afro

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It’s not a secret that our children’s hair has been under attack lately , but one little Nashville girl is turning being bullied into a moment of empowerment and self-love. This week, middle school student Promise Sawyers posted an amazing video of herself explaining how regardless of being made fun of, she will continue to keep wearing her natural afro “bigger and better” to school. “I told my mom and she said, “Don’t forget who you are and whose you are! And I said, “Okay. So today, I’m going back to school and I’m coming back bigger and better. And don’t allow anyone to steal your joy, don’t give them that much power. I am Promise Miamor Sawyers” The fifth-grader told FOX 17 Nashville News that when she started the school year at Head Middle Magnet she was wearing braids, but decided to take them out and rock her afro. But the kids at her school had a lot “of mean things to say.” According to FOX 17, her mother, Qui Daugherty, said that “in their house, they meet negativity with positivity,” so before Promise went to school the next day, she “asked her how she felt that morning.” “I felt confident and pretty,” Sawyers replied but says she was discouraged by all the negative comments. “At my old school, people thought my hair was cool.” That’s when Promise made her video to hype herself up for the day. “The video was made at that point, like she’s really taking a stance,” Daugherty told Yahoo Lifestyle . “The immediate family was more proud of that moment, but we had no idea the impact that it was gonna make and the amount of messages.” Since the video went on social media, it’s garnered more than 2 million views and more than 100K shares. Looking at all of the positive comments, Daughtery feels “blessed.” “It’s impacted people in so many different ways. It’s made a huge impact behind the scenes that has blessed me personally.” Promise has also inspired Kelly Clarkson who had her on her show on Friday, along with Tracee Ellis Ross , who said that she was “empowered” by the middle schooler. “I saw your video and I was so moved because your hair is an extension of your legacy, what you come from, your story and everything that you are and your beauty,” the Golden Globe winner said to Promise, who was in tears. “And I am so glad that you know that at 10-years-old what it took me so long to learn about myself. And you are such an example.”   We love it!  You go Promise! RELATED NEWS: That Little Black Girl’s Hair In The H&M Ad Isn’t The Problem. Perhaps The Problem Is You. HAUGHT OR NAUGHT: H&M Under Fire For Neglecting A Young Black Models’ Hair, The Popular Retailer Defends Hairstyle #LocLife: Ava DuVernay Encourages Black Folks To Show Off Their Luxurious Locs With Pride [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3058336″ overlay=”true”]

10-Year-Old Girl Goes Viral For Posting Video Celebrating Her Beautiful Afro

See Ya In Court: Vallejo Residents File Lawsuit Against “Out Of Control” Police Department For Civil Rights Violations

Source: MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images / Getty Vallejo Police Department Sued By Residents For Civil Rights Violations Vallejo residents are sick and tired of being on the receiving end of racism, brutality, and police violence by local authorities and they’re going to court seeking justice. According to The Guardian, the people of Vallejo have filed a lawsuit against the city for numerous civil rights violations in the wake of the 55-shot killing of a sleeping Willie McCoy earlier this year. Delon Thurston, a massage therapist, is one of those suing. She says she was driving home from work last October when a Vallejo police officer pulled her over for allegedly making “an abrupt left turn” and then along with another officer “dragged” her out of her car and threatened her with a Taser. The officers then forcibly searched her body, touching her breasts and genitals, she alleges “I honestly felt like it was a Sandra Bland moment,” Thurston said, referring to the 28-year-old black woman who died of apparent suicide in a Texas jail cell after being arrested during a traffic stop in 2015. “I didn’t know what was going to happen to me and I had to breathe all the way through it and be antagonized all the way to the station and I never got read my rights as they were pushing my face to the cement.” Another *alleged* victim of police misconduct, Deyana Jenkins, claims she was pulled over at gunpoint for no reason and shocked with a taser before being arrested or read her rights. Adrian Burrell had his head slammed against a wooden post after he refused to stop recording officers holding his cousin at gunpoint. This is the type of s#!t that makes us hate and fear the police. We can only hope that these lawsuits yield results that hold cops accountable.

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See Ya In Court: Vallejo Residents File Lawsuit Against “Out Of Control” Police Department For Civil Rights Violations