F ormer President Barack Obama wants a few great civic-minded innovators to join his fellowship program. The Obama Foundation Fellowship announced that it is accepting applications for its fellowship program, which supports emerging global leaders committed to solving public problems in creative ways. The foundation would love to hear from individuals working in a wide range of fields, from the arts and business to media and the nonprofit community. Today, we’re opening applications for the Obama Foundation Fellowship to empower and equip civic innovators: https://t.co/viZBi5j2wx pic.twitter.com/rWWSCHb90B — The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) September 6, 2017 The fellowship program is a two-year, non-residential program that is scheduled to begin in April 2018, with the first fellowship gathering. The application deadline is Oct. 6, and those chosen for the program will be notified in February 2018. SEE ALSO: Barack Obama Is The JFK Foundation’s 2017 Profile In Courage Award Winner ‘Am I My Brother’s Keeper?’ Obama: ‘Yes, I Am’ [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3358541″ overlay=”true”]
Shemar Moore Sues Criminal Minds Costar A lot of drama going on on the set of Criminal Minds this week! First, actor Thomas Gibson was fired for kicking a writer …now, Shemar Moore is suing one of his former castmates for $60k after stealing it from his nonprofit. Via E!News : Shemar Moore was in a Los Angeles court yesterday to testify against his former Criminal Minds co-star, Keith Tisdell. Moore claims that Tisdell owes him approximately $60,000 and demands that his former colleague and friend repay him, E! News can confirm. “We became friends…We went into business together,” Moore explained to Judge Hayden Zacky yesterday. Moore started a charity organization to help those who battle Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that plagued his mother. Tisdell was involved in the charity, titled Baby Girl LLC. According to court documents, Tisdell was arrested in January on suspicion of embezzlement but he subsequently admitted to grand theft. Moore told the judge that the theft went unnoticed on his part for a long time, however, an audit revealed that cash from Baby Girl LLC was missing. As a result, Moore confronted Tisdall about the missing money and Tisdell—according to Moore—vehemently denied any wrongdoing. “In my mind, he wasn’t man enough to look me in the eye and fess up. I’ve done a lot for him because he had me, my friends fooled. I’m not here for money. I’m here because he betrayed a friendship. This is not OK. You don’t do this to people.” SMH! Can’t trust anyone out here. Hopefully Shemar gets every cent back… AKM-GSI
J.R. Smith Hosts Charity Casino Night Gala To Benefit His Youth Foundation Cleveland Cavaliers baller J.R. Smith hosted the first ever Charity Casino Night Gala on Friday, March 25th for his nonprofit, the J.R. Smith Youth Foundation. Organized by New Generation Management, the swanky black-tie affair was held at Stage 48 in New York City and raised a whopping $45K for the Foundation. 100% of proceeds from the evening will go towards fulfilling the J.R. Smith Youth Foundation’s mission in supporting young people through the arts, education, sports and other beneficial activities such as scholarships, grants, and programs designed to help further their goals. The event was powered by clean fashion technology brand Crep Protect, as guests arrived dressed to impress for an evening of philanthropy and positivity. The event was emceed by renowned TV and radio sportscaster, Tina Cervasio. The night included unlimited light bites, an open bar with guests sipping on specialty cocktails curated by Hennessy, and a VIP gifting suite and custom photo booth courtesy of mattress company, Casper. Guests gambled for a good cause — enjoying a poker tournament, silent auction and raffle consisting of luxurious in-kind donations from big-name brands including EA Sports, Equinox, Recovery Pump, Skullcandy, Rockstar Games, John Allan’s and others. With items like tickets to this year’s ESPYS and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony among other amazing products up for grabs, select guests even got to score an exclusive meet & greet with J.R. during the night thanks to a partnership with Charitybuzz. Tons of celebrities graced the room, with special appearances from notable NBA and NFL players and Hollywood influencers, including: Victor Cruz (NY Giants), Iman Shumpert (Cleveland Cavaliers), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Brooklyn Nets), Jaiquawn Jarrett (NY Jets), Ty Lawson (Indiana Pacers), Teyana Taylor (Singer, Actress & Entrepreneur), DJ Clue (Power 105.1) & Carl Lentz (Celebrity Pastor to the Stars) But the most extraordinary champion of the evening was Special Olympics Gold Medalist, Brad Hennefer. A personal and inspirational friend to J.R., Brad doesn’t let adversity stop him from changing the world. Hennefer is the founder of Golf for Life, an organization that offers golf clinics for individuals with Down Syndrome. As his first-ever Casino Night Charity Gala came to a close, Smith expressed gratitude for the night’s overwhelming support and the impact it would have on youth nationwide on behalf of the J.R. Smith Youth Foundation, sharing: “This is all about the kids. I’m a firm believer in investing in the youth. At the end of the day, they’re all that we have.” Continuing his trend of giving back, the next stop for J.R. will be in his backyard of Cleveland, OH where he will be hosting a bowling tournament on March 30th for his Foundation. For more information about the J.R. Smith Youth Foundation, please visit http://www.teamswish.com (Photos: Shareif Ziyadat Productions)
Tis the season to get folks high…about homelessness? Denver7 reporter Jennifer Kovaleski tells us about this nonprofit’s unique approach to fight homelessness by giving away pot.
Anna Marie Cardwell (nee Shannon) confirms she was abused as a child by Mark McDaniel, the convicted molester who reportedly dated her mom June Shannon. This was years before she and her family became reality stars, a stint that’s now over after TLC canceled Here Comes Honey Boo Boo last week. Now 20, Anna Shannon says registered sex offender McDaniel “would try and touch me and all that stuff” when she was eight and he dated her mom. Cardwell, who went by “Chickadee” on the show, says she doesn’t know what to believe in the wake of shocking reports that June is seeing him again. “I’m just confused,” she says of the scandal that got the hit show canceled. “I’m hearing one story from Mama and another one from someone else.” The question of whether June Shannon and Mark McDaniel are still involved romantically has been hotly debated, and denied by the former on social media. McDaniel released from a Georgia prison in March after serving a 10-year sentence for aggravated child molestation, and June says they are not dating. “Mama said the story isn’t true and she hasn’t seen Mark since he’s been out of jail,” Cardwell says. “My whole body believes that she is telling the truth.” “But my mind is going back and forth,” she admits, “from you know, hey, she’s telling the truth or she’s not telling the truth, but most of me believes her.” She may want to go with her mind on this one. According to reports, she was car and house hunting with him earlier this fall. There are even photos. Cardwell also says that June, who split with partner Sugar Bear earlier this year, was skeptical of Anna’s abuse claims back when McDaniel was arrested. “A week or so after it happened, I talked to Mama and she was upset, crying and saying, ‘I don’t believe you, I don’t believe you, why would you do this to me?'” “And I was like, ‘Mama, he did that to me and I can’t do anything about it,'” Anna laments. “‘You were never there to see it you were always at work.'” Cardwell moved in with her grandmother after the molestation, only moving back in with Shannon in 2012 before Here Comes Honey Boo Boo ‘s premiere. “Me and Mama realized we needed to put this behind us and get our relationship back on track and that’s what we did, that’s what we have been doing,” Cardwell says. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and Family 1. Reality TV Family This family is way more famous than you are. It’s just unclear why, exactly. Cardwell, who is a mom to 2-year-old daughter Kaitlyn, says that if the dating rumors are true, she would be sad and worried for her own little girl. “I would feel hurt. I would not feel betrayed, but I would feel hurt. You know the past should be in the past and it should stay in the past and not come back out.” “I would not let her see Kaitlyn unless Mark is out of the picture or away because I don’t want him nowhere near my child,” Anna says. “Nowhere close.” Better keep your guard up, Anna.
Apparently Kim Kardashian is not the only celebrity afraid of Ebola . According to The New York Daily News, Ariana Grande skipped a scheduled appearance at a charity in New York City this week because she was petrified of contracting Ebola. Grande had been booked to sing for the nonprofit charity Pencils of Promise at its annual gala Wednesday night; all proceeds at the event were bookmarked for education for kids in developing countries. “Everybody got there and was waiting for her to arrive and she was also supposed to be a surprise musical guest,” a guest tells the newspaper. “No one was told she wasn’t coming… when I overheard organizers say she’s not coming, she doesn’t want to come. She’s afraid of flying because of Ebola.” Organizers confirmed that the young pop star missed the event due to “a scheduling conflict.” Grande’s cancellation came in the wake of an Ebola scare in Manhattan after Dr. Craig Spencer contracted the disease in West Africa. He then returned to The Big Apple and rode the subway, walked The High Line, went to a Brooklyn bowling alley and took an Uber from Williamsburg to Harlem. Spencer works for Doctors Without Borders and had been treating Ebola patients Guinea before returning to New York on October 17. Fortunately, the Pencils of Promise event raised $2 million even without Grande attending. 23 Facts About Ariana Grande 1. Her Name Was Inspired By a Cartoon Ariana’s name was inspired by Princess Oriana from Felix the Cat!
Well, isn’t that special … Burglars Return Stolen Computers To Sexual Assault Services Charity Via HuffPo reports: The thieves broke into the San Bernardino County Sexual Assault Services office on the night of July 31, according to a press release from Cal Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES). Candy Stallings, the nonprofit’s executive director, said the burglars had shimmied between floor boards and walls to get past the building’s high security system. They also clipped multiple alarm wires, CBS Los Angeles reported. Within minutes, six computers with hard drives, a laptop and a bag of valuables were taken. Police called Stallings the next morning around 4:30, according to NBC Los Angeles. They told her more suspicious activity was taking place at her office. But when Stallings arrived, she found a surprise. “All my stuff was in front of the door,” she told the station. “There was a shopping cart, and there were the PCs that were taken, there was the laptop. Everything was there.” In that laptop, an investigator discovered the note. It read: We had no idea what we were takeing [sic]. Here your stuff back. We hope that you guys can continue to make a difference in peoples [sic] live. God bless. “We were all pretty shocked,” Stallings added. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I was in disbelief. I got chills. I got very emotional.” “This is the first time in my career I have seen the return of stolen items,” San Bernardino Police Lt. Paul Williams told NBC. “It appears the guilt of taking the property caused the return of the items.” Someone steals what isn’t theirs, then evokes the blessings of God. You just have to shake your head at such blatant religious hypocrisy. They are still trash!
Samuel is the Hollywood power couple’s third child. By Jocelyn Vena Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have welcomed their first son into the world. Garner gave birth to the couple’s third child in Santa Monica, California, this week. “We are happy to announce on February 27, Jennifer gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Samuel Garner Affleck,” Ben shared on his Facebook page Wednesday, after reports surfaced that his two daughters Seraphina, 3, and Violet, 6, would now have a baby brother. Garner and Affleck announced the pregnancy in August 2011. At the time, insiders shared that it had always been in the couple’s plan to have three kids. “I would have thought [he wanted a boy]. At first … I really thought so,” Garner said in an interview with Jay Leno in January. “And then [Ben] kind of said, ‘Well, we have girls. We know how to do girls. My girls love me. I’m the big guy in the house.’ So now I’m not sure.” Meanwhile, in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show, Garner called the possibility of having a boy “cool and different,” adding, “It would be so weird to have a boy.” Garner spoke to Us Weekly in 2011 about how she manages to balance work and family. “You have to have a great nanny, and you have to have a supportive husband,” Garner said. “We figure it out day by day. It’s always messy, and it’s never as glamorous as people think it is, but we get through, and as long as the kids are happy, it’s all good.” As for fatherhood, in an interview back in 2008, Affleck said that he hoped he’s a good dad. “I hope so. I think we all like to see ourselves as good dads, but there’s also that fear, ‘Oh, I don’t want to be like my father,’ or, ‘I hope my kid doesn’t turn out like me.’ You know, I have those feelings too,” he told the U.K.’s Mirror. “So the key is optimism.” Share your well-wishes for the parents in the comments below!
Program executive produced by U2 guitarist airs on MTV March 2 at 8 p.m. By MTV News Staff U2 guitarist the Edge has addressed many social issues through music. He tackles a new epidemic — the growing number of homeless youth — in the MTV documentary “The Break,” for which he serves as executive producer. “The Break” premieres Friday, March 2, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Today, over 1.5 million youth in America have found themselves living in various states of homelessness stemming from all sorts of circumstances. “The Break” introduces viewers to three young people who refuse to give in to the despair and overwhelming weight that landing on the outskirts of society has placed upon them. The documentary delves deep into the journeys of these three young individuals as they take steps to rebuild their lives once they are provided with the tools and guidance necessary to emerge out of homelessness and rejoin society. First, viewers will meet Nancy, a 20-year-old woman who was involved in abusive relationships and has been homeless for two years. Nancy will need to regain her independence and change the behavior that has held her back throughout her life. Then viewers will be introduced to Rob, a talented drummer who came to New York with dreams of becoming a star. After a downward spiral, Rob will have to clean up his act in order to get a fresh start and rebuild his life. Lastly, Ava ran away from her conservative home after clashing with her family over her lesbian lifestyle. With the opportunity to receive training and experience, the academically gifted young woman will be inspired to pursue her dream of becoming a police detective. Providing the trio with support is Anne Mahlum, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Back on My Feet. The organization uses running as a vehicle to promote the self-sufficiency of the homeless population, providing them with support and resources to help them get closer to their goals. Back on My Feet helps Ava, Nancy and Rob finally have access to the opportunities to create functional, healthy lifestyles. In addition to producing the program, the Edge also wrote the original song “No Home Like Place” for the documentary. Related Artists U2
President/CEO of Together We Rise talks to MTV News about song, slated for March release. By Jocelyn Vena Justin Bieber Photo: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images Justin Bieber ‘s fans are working to give back the same way the pop star readily does. Several of Bieber’s biggest fan groups, as well as the nonprofit Together We Rise and Brush Buddies (the makers behind the singing Bieber toothbrush), have all teamed up to work on a charity single. “They’re all working on pieces of the video and the lyrics. Right now, they’re putting together videos and thank-you’s.’ We’re working on the back end,” Danny Mendoza, President/CEO of Together We Rise, which focuses on helping foster children in the U.S, told MTV News about the project. “It started with a young lady named Vivian, she runs the Justin Crew fan club and she approached it on Twitter. She approached it and she had a lot of fan support,” he continued. “She took it upon herself to take a leadership role, and then she contacted me because she needed some guidance. We just decided we’ll help you do it. Justin Bieber had tweeted about us in the past and helped us get some recognition, so it was a thank-you to him as well. Proceeds from the song will go toward Bieber’s Believe charity drive . It will drop in March, just in time for his 18th birthday on March 1. “I’m almost 100 percent positive that they know,” Mendoza said of Bieber’s camp’s knowledge of the project. “Justin Bieber inspired a lot of young people to give back. It’s a thank-you for helping us and we want to give back in your honor.” Bieber is certainly not a newbie to the world of charity. Mendoza said that having a pop star like Bieber being so socially conscious has been incredible for the charities he helps bring attention to. “He definitely has the right people around him … They made it a priority that giving back is more. I think his relationship with [his manager Scooter Braun’s brother] Adam Braun and his charity [ Pencils of Promise ], he was able to see hands on a lot of it.” After Bieber tweeted this week about the Trillium Gift of Life Network, the Ontario-based organ donation network has seen registrations skyrocket to more than 1,200 people, four times the amount the network usually receives. What charity do you want Bieber to promote? Leave your comment below. Related Artists Justin Bieber
