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Billionaire Robert F. Smith Pledges To Eliminate Student Loan Debt For Morehouse’s Class Of 2019

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G raduates of Morehouse College received the gift of a lifetime at their commencement ceremony on Sunday morning. According to CNN , philanthropist and billionaire Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off the student loan debt for the entire 2019 graduating class. Morehouse College seniors got a surprise Sunday when billionaire investor Robert F. Smith announced during his commencement speech that he would pay off their student loan debt https://t.co/oNsu57sS3w pic.twitter.com/eYyi8q2jpe — CNN (@CNN) May 19, 2019 The historically Black college awarded Smith with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree for being a trailblazer in the realm of business. The entrepreneur and investor—who founded and leads the venture capital firm Vista Equity Partners—has invested in the progression of Morehouse. In January, he donated $1.5 million to the school for the creation of a scholarship fund and the addition of an outdoor study area on campus. Unbeknownst to students and faculty, Smith planned on topping that generous donation by giving graduates the gift of being student loan debt free through the establishment of a new a grant. “On behalf of the eight generations of my family who have been in this country, we’re going to put a little fuel in your bus. Now, I know my class will make sure they pay this forward,” he said during his speech. “I want my class to look at these (alumni) — these beautiful Morehouse brothers — and let’s make sure every class has the same opportunity going forward because we are enough to take care of our own community. We are enough to ensure we have all the opportunities of the American dream.” There were 400 seniors that were a part of the graduating class and Smith’s gift is estimated to be $40 million. The graduates were overjoyed and many of them were in disbelief. Morehouse President David A. Thomas says that the erasure of debt will be a key factor in helping the graduates thrive. Student loan debt has continued to rise within our country. According to Forbes , there is currently $1.5 trillion owed. Paying it forward is nothing new to Smith. He was the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s largest private donor and has been an advocate for education and combating global poverty. SEE ALSO: Robert F. Smith, Angela Bassett To Receive Honorary Degrees From Morehouse Morehouse Receives $1.5M Gift From Black Billionaire Robert F. Smith [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3852506″ overlay=”true”]

Billionaire Robert F. Smith Pledges To Eliminate Student Loan Debt For Morehouse’s Class Of 2019

Jenelle Evans: I’m Fighting to Win Back Custody of Kaiser!

Earlier today, we reported on yet another shocking development in the life of former Teen Mom 2 star Jenelle Evans. Jenelle’s youngest son, Kaiser, was removed from her care by Child Protective Services on Friday and turned over to his father, Nathan Griffith. The agency usually only takes such drastic measures in cases where there’s reason to believe that there’s an immediate danger to the child’s safety. The exact nature of the threat to Kaiser is unknown, but the decision to remove the boy from Jenelle’s custody is a reportedly a result of a recent incident in which her husband, David Eason, shot and killed the family dog during a fit of rage. Upon learning of that incident, Griffith called 911 and requested that police perform a welfare check on his son. “I guess there was a dispute with my ex-fiancée and her husband and he shot a dog. And there’s been multiple 911 calls of abuse,” Griffith told police. “And I’m just trying to figure out where my son’s at and what I should do in this situation right now. I’m just so confused right now. … I just want to make sure my son is safe.” On social media, Evans has been uncharacteristically quiet. But in an interview with Us Weekly , the controversial former reality star spoke out about her efforts to regain custody. “I’ve been fighting to get my son back,” she tells the tabloid . “Kaiser was taken away Friday without my consent, before Mother’s Day, and I have been in touch with my lawyer pertaining this matter,” Evans adds “Kaiser was taken from his daycare by his grandmother [Nathan Griffith’s mother, Doris] with no notice or call to me.” Evans admits that Griffith’s mother acted with the authorization of CPS, but still feels that she the decision was unjust: “CPS told Doris to take Kaiser without my consent and still have no legal paperwork signed by the judge stating my kids are taken from me,” she tells Us . Interestingly, Jenelle claims that Nathan is on her side in all of this: “Our current custody order is still in place,” Evans says. “Nathan is to have supervised visits and only supervised by Doris. “Surprisingly, me and Nathan have been getting along, so I’m willing to maybe let his visits be unsupervised. Me and Nathan have been in contact during all of this. He doesn’t want Kaiser taken from me.” Jenelle has already lost custody of her eldest son, Jace , who has with her mother, Barbara Evans, for most of his life. According to Jenelle, Barbara is currently withholding visitation rights, a development which she blames on the fact that she was recently fired from MTV  as a result of the dog shooting incident. “My mom is keeping Jace from me, nobody else,” she says. “I only had Ensley with me for Mother’s Day this year. And my mom is taking it out on me for being let go from MTV.” As for her tumultuous relationship with Eason — which has now cost her her dog, her job, and her relationship with her sons in just the past week — Evans says the marriage is currently “healing.” “My relationship with David now is still in a healing process, of course,” Evans explains. “We are going to start going to marriage counseling because he feels as if we both need it. “I completely agree. Not considering divorce unless he refuses counseling with me.” In her surprisingly candid comments, Jenelle expresses hope that her family situation will reverse course now that it seems to have hit rock bottom. “At this time, I want to focus on what’s best for myself and my family,” Evans says. “My lawyer has been advising me on what to do and what has gone wrong in this whole situation.” From there, Jenelle encouraged fans to be wary of information they receive from the media: “Any rumors that come out, I would like for everyone to just step back and think, ’Is this from Jenelle? No, it’s not true,’” she concludes. “I’m very open with the public and my life and will continue to be. “Right now, I need this time to just hang out with my family. I need them so bad right now.” The future of Jenelle’s custody arrangements remains very much in doubt, but the developments of the past two weeks are unlikely to help her standing in family court. We’ll have further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available. View Slideshow: Jenelle Evans: CPS Just Friggen Took Kaiser! Seriously, Dude! [UPDATED]

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Jenelle Evans: I’m Fighting to Win Back Custody of Kaiser!

Felicity Huffman Pleads Guilty in College Admissions Scandal, Breaks Down in Court

Just over a month after Felicity Huffman agreed to plead guilty to charges of fraud for her role in the nationwide  college admissions scandal , the veteran actress officially entered her plea on Monday, May 13. Wearing a dark coat and a pleated dress, the former Desperate Housewives star did so inside of a courtroom in Boston, multiple outlets have confirmed. In response to Huffman’s plea, prosecutors have recommended a four-month jail sentence. But, on a later date, a judge will have final say over the star’s exact punishment. Huffman has admitted to paying $15,000 to admissions consultant William “Rick” Singer and his nonprofit organization, Key Worldwide Foundation. A federal indictment has alleged that this so-called charity was really just a front for accepting bribes, however. Singer then facilitated cheating on Huffman’s oldest daughter’s SAT test by having a proctor correct the teen’s answers after the fact. Over two dozen wealthy individuals were snared in this operation, with Huffman and fellow Lori Loughlin the most well-known among them. While addressing Judge Indira Talwani on Monday, Huffman broke down in tears explaining that her daughter really had been seeing a neuropsychologist since the age of eight and had been receiving extra time on exams since she was 11.  She told the judge that neither her daughter nor the neuropsychologist had any knowledge of the bribery scheme. At one point, witnesses inside the courtroom confirm, Huffman grew so emotional about her error in judgment that she needed a minute to compose herself. Huffman broke her silence on the scandal on April 8, announcing that she planned to plead guilty and accepting full responsiblity for her actions. “I am in full acceptance of my guilt, and with deep regret and shame over what I have done, I accept full responsibility for my actions and will accept the consequences that stem from those actions,” she said in a statement. It continued: “I am ashamed of the pain I have caused my daughter, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the educational community. “I want to apologize to them and, especially, I want to apologize to the students who work hard every day to get into college, and to their parents who make tremendous sacrifices to support their children and do so honestly.” She then turned her attention to Sophia, the 18-year old daughter for whom Huffman paid to have test scores altered: “My daughter knew absolutely nothing about my actions, and in my misguided and profoundly wrong way, I have betrayed her. “This transgression toward her and the public I will carry for the rest of my life. My desire to help my daughter is no excuse to break the law or engage in dishonesty.” The ex-American Crime star and husband William H. Macy, who got married in 1997, are also parents of 17-year-old daughter Georgia. While Huffman allegedly “made arrangements to pursue the scheme for a second time” for her younger daughter, she ultimately opted “not to do so,” per legal documents. Under her plea deal, Huffman is prohibited from running for office, owning a firearm and ammunition, and faces other restrictions. She will return to court for her sentencing on September 13. Loughlin, meanwhile, has taken the opposite approach from Huffman. She has not pleaded guilty and plans on fighting all fraud and bribery charges against her, despite these accusations being extreme in nature. The former Full House cast member is accused of shelling out $500,000 as part of an elaborate scheme to pretend that her two daughters were on their high school rowing team. In exchange, Singer arranged for an official at the University of California to place the young women on the school’s athletic recruitment list — thereby lowering their admission standards. Both teenagers were subsequently accepted to this college. After the actress and husband Mossimo Giannulli, rejected a plea deal in April, they were hit with additional charges of money laundering conspiracy They now face 40 years in prison .

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Felicity Huffman Pleads Guilty in College Admissions Scandal, Breaks Down in Court

60-Year-Old Grandmother Named Cheyney University’s Valedictorian

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A 60-year-old grandmother from Philadelphia is living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. A few years ago, Rhonda E. Davis made it a priority to go back to school and get her college degree and she went above and beyond her goal by not only earning two degrees from Cheyney University but graduating as the institution’s Class of 2019 valedictorian, Philly.com reported. This 60-year-old Philly grandmother lived in the dorms at Cheyney. Now she’s the Class of 2019 valedictorian. | Inquirer https://t.co/k2T2BtqLVG — Philly Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) May 10, 2019 The commencement ceremony was a culmination of a long journey for Davis. Pursuing her education was no easy feat. Davis’ mother had her at the age of 16. She was the oldest of six children and once she was a teenager she had to start working to help provide for her younger siblings. Her education was ultimately put on the back burner. Davis eventually started a family of her own and once her kids got older and her husband started working with SEPTA, she wanted to try something new and believed that education was the answer. After telling her husband that she planned on going to college to earn her degree, he decided to leave her. The lack of support didn’t stop the grandmother of 11 from going after what she wanted. She was awarded a scholarship through Cheyney University’s Keystone Honors Academy. Davis left her Southwest Philadelphia house and lived on campus where she became a source of inspiration for many of her fellow students. She would often tutor other students and give them advice about staying on the right track. At Cheyney, Davis displayed academic excellence. She earned a degree in graphic design and one in fine arts and finished with a 3.97 GPA. Her children and grandchildren were all in attendance at her commencement ceremony and her mother live-streamed the event from her Virginia Beach home. For Davis, the graduation was a full circle moment. She visited the HBCU in the 70s and loved the school. As for what’s on the horizon for Davis, she plans on growing her jewelry box business and creating children’s books. Her educational journey isn’t coming to an end anytime soon. Davis wants to pursue her master’s degree in fine arts. She hopes that her story inspires others to take charge of their lives. “Nothing changes, if nothing changes,” she said during her speech at the graduation ceremony. “You have to be the person who initiates that change.” SEE ALSO: West Point Makes Black History With Its 2019 Graduating Class Mother Surprised With Degree At Son’s College Graduation [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3852506″ overlay=”true”]

60-Year-Old Grandmother Named Cheyney University’s Valedictorian

Boxer Tony Harrison’s Gym Hosts Prom Dress Drive For Detroit Teens

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P rom season is in full swing, but for many students, the event that is often considered a pinnacle in the high school experience isn’t a reality due to financial setbacks. A Detroit-based boxing gym is paying it forward by providing underserved teenage girls with prom dresses so they won’t have to miss out on that special moment, the Detroit Free Press reported. Detroit boxing champ's gym gives away prom dresses for teenagers https://t.co/rXjTjddboS — Detroit Free Press (@freep) May 5, 2019 The SuperBad Fitness boxing gym—which is owned by professional boxer Tony Harrison —collected over 50 dresses to give away to students in need who are preparing for their upcoming proms and graduations. Those who operate the gym transformed one of the facility’s rooms into a mock boutique where teens have been coming in to choose from a collection of new and gently-used dresses that were donated locally and from individuals across the country. The teens were also able to choose items from a collection of jewelry, handbags, and shoes to complete their looks. Aware of how costly prom can be, Harrison and his team wanted to host the prom dress drive to ease the financial issues that many students in the local community are dealing with. “It lifts a financial burden. We want to help other girls. Prom can cost so much,” said DeArra Henderson , who is leading the community outreach for the initiative. Harrison, who took home the World Boxing Council’s super welterweight title last year, has continually used his gym as an avenue to give back to his community. The gym has a tutoring center that serves nearly 50 kids each day. “He’s like a parent to each and every one of these kids,” his girlfriend Jasmine Bradley , who oversees the gym’s tutoring center, said in a statement . “And that’s why they love him so much. They feel it. They want to be better than him. They want to be like him. He’s probably the most selfless person I know. “We are trying to reach out to the kids in the neighborhood, and try to show them something different than what is being shown on the regular.” SEE ALSO: Teen Becomes St. Thomas High School’s First-Ever Black Valedictorian Philando Castile’s Mother Pays Off Lunch Debt For High School Students In Minnesota [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3851904″ overlay=”true”]

Boxer Tony Harrison’s Gym Hosts Prom Dress Drive For Detroit Teens

99-Year-Old Black Woman Veteran Gets Second Chance To Walk Across Graduation Stage

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N early 70 years ago World War II veteran Elizabeth Barker Johnson was faced with a tough decision. She had to choose between attending her college graduation at the risk of losing her job or going to work. Johnson—who was a teacher at the time—chose her job and sadly missed out on the opportunity to walk across the stage at the Winston-Salem State University commencement ceremony and receive her degree. According to the Winston-Salem Journal , the North Carolina-based institution reached out to Johnson and invited her to attend their upcoming graduation. 99-year-old will finally get to participate in graduation 70 years after earning her degree from @WSSURAMS @wssualumni https://t.co/Xdsouqvz12 — Winston-SalemJournal (@JournalNow) May 3, 2019 Johnson, 99, was a part of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the Women’s Army Corps. The group was the only all-Black woman battalion that served overseas during WW II. She was stationed in England. After returning home, she became the first woman to attend Winston-Salem State University under the GI Bill. Johnson earned her teaching degree from the university in 1949. After finishing school, she quickly landed a job in education, but unfortunately due to work restrictions she was unable to attend her graduation. “I couldn’t get anyone to substitute for me back then, so I had to miss my graduation. It was terrible,” she told the news outlet. While celebrating her birthday with loved ones at a retirement community in Hickory last Thursday, she was surprised with a WSSU graduation cap and gown along with an invitation to walk across the stage during their May 10 commencement ceremony. Johnson says she’s humbled by the honor and her family members are nothing short of proud. “That’s going to be probably the highest honor of her life,” said her son David Johnson . “The fact that she gets to graduate now, after all this time, is going to melt her heart. She deserves it.” WSSU Chancellor Elwood Robinson says the university is inspired by her journey and is excited to give her this special opportunity 70 years later. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx recently paid homage to Johnson for her service, impact, and influence in North Carolina on the U.S. House Floor. SEE ALSO: Teen Becomes St. Thomas High School’s First-Ever Black Valedictorian Philando Castile’s Mother Pays Off Lunch Debt For High School Students In Minnesota [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3851716″ overlay=”true”]

99-Year-Old Black Woman Veteran Gets Second Chance To Walk Across Graduation Stage

Jena 6 Defendant Theo Shaw Becomes A Lawyer

I t’s been nearly a decade since a group of Black teenagers—known as the “Jena 6”—were excessively charged for the alleged assault of a white teen in Louisiana following several racist incidents that took place within their school. Their case garnered national attention; putting the focus on racist loopholes within the country’s criminal justice system. For Theo Shaw —one of the individuals who was convicted—experiencing injustice first-hand ignited his passion to pursue a career in law. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune , Shaw recently became a lawyer. From 'Jena 6' defendant to a promising career, Theo Shaw is officially a lawyer https://t.co/9KWc9wZHbC — NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) April 27, 2019 He was sworn in by Chief Justice Bernette Johnson at the Louisiana Supreme Court on April 26. For Shaw, the swearing-in ceremony inside the courtroom was a full circle moment. In 2006, he sat in a courtroom along with five other Black teens facing an attempted murder charge that could have put him behind bars for 50 years. Through the power of protest and a strong legal team, the felony charges that the teens faced were lowered to misdemeanor charges and Shaw’s criminal record was expunged. Shaw went on to attend community college, he earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and studied law at the University of Washington. He’s done work with legal advocacy organizations that include the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Innocence Project New Orleans. During the ceremony, Shaw was surrounded by family, friends, and individuals who were instrumental in fighting for his justice. “Being wrongly arrested and incarcerated as a teenager motivated me to become a lawyer,” Shaw told Because of Them We Can in a statement. “After being caged for nearly seven months, I left that jail with a conviction in my heart to stand and fight with all people at risk of losing their freedom.” He hopes that his story will inspire others to make an effort to change the landscape of the criminal justice system. SEE ALSO: Meek Mill And Lawmakers Propose Probation Reform Bill Meek Mill’s Hateful Judge Is Everything That Is Wrong With The Criminal Justice System [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3851904″ overlay=”true”]

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Jena 6 Defendant Theo Shaw Becomes A Lawyer

Jourdan Dunn – Model in a Nipple Dress of the Day

A few days ago – a model named Jourdan Dunn – went out to an event in a see through dress with her dark nipples out….for all to see. People cared. I was not one of those people. But I do like black girl nipples and have since I was a young kid reading a magazine in the school library that was seen as informative and educational but that I was just into for the tits…I won’t name that magazine cuz people will call me racist…even though it really isn’t…it was just the spot for the tits….they just happened to be black tits…that I loved staring at…which is actually the opposite of racist… So I guess there’s that. TO SEE THE REST OF THE PICS CLICK HERE The post Jourdan Dunn – Model in a Nipple Dress of the Day appeared first on DrunkenStepFather.com .

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Jourdan Dunn – Model in a Nipple Dress of the Day

Pupil Prejudice: Ohio Student Banned From Prom Over Racist A$$ Promposal Sign 

Source: Hill Street Studios / Getty Student Banned From Prom Over Racist Sign Promposals have become the most anticipated part of prom season, aside from the outfits — but some people just take things too far. An Ohio student has been banned from attending prom after his school district claimed his promposal sign used racist language. The sign read, “If I Was Black, I’d Be Picking Cotton. But I’m White, So I’m Picking You For Prom.” Janice Wyckoff, the superintendent at Clear Fork Valley Local Schools, told reporters: “To be frank with you I thought, ‘Oh my goodness; this is awful. Kids need to understand, when you’re celebrating things it doesn’t give you a pass on using inappropriate racial slurs. I don’t believe that this is any group think on the part of the student body. This is one person making a bad decision that’s going to reflect on everybody. This is actually a terrible day in the Clear Fork Valley.” The student has not been identified, and Wyckoff doesn’t know if the student is a junior or senior. She added that the student is remorseful, has deleted the social media post and learned the power of his words. Mmmhmm.

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Pupil Prejudice: Ohio Student Banned From Prom Over Racist A$$ Promposal Sign 

Michael Eric Dyson’s 6-Year-Old Grandson Called ‘N***er’ At School, Threatened By Student Who Said He’d Get A Gun

Source: Derrick Salters/WENN.com / WENN Michael Eric Dyson’s Grandson Threatened At School Michael Eric Dyson is shedding light on a scary situation involving his grandson. The activist and author told Fox 5 D.C. that his six-year-old grandson was called the N-word and threatened at his elementary school in Northwest D.C. According to Dyson, little Maxem Dyson was targeted by a fellow first-grader, a white boy, who said he’d “get his father’s gun.” “He says, ‘I’m going to go home and get my father’s gun and come back and shoot you,’” said Dyson. Unfortunately, this represents for us the deep and abiding roots of white supremacy that are set loose in this country. How can a six-year-old kid know to call his classmate the N-word?” Dyson and his family members are livid that the child was allowed to finish out the school day after the incident and has yet to face disciplinary action. School officials say they acknowledge that the boy made a threat, however, they’re still determining if a racial slur was used. (SMFH) D.C. Public Schools provided a statement to Fox 5 that read; “DCPS is committed to maintaining safe and welcoming environments for students and staff. We will provide Mann the support it needs to adequately address this issue and continue to partner with our school communities to ensure meaningful learning and positive interactions occur within all of our school buildings.” Michael Eric Dyson also tweeted about the incident: This is a small part of the story of how my grandson, a student at DC’s Horace Mann School, was called “nigger” and threatened by a kid who said he would go home & get his father’s gun & return $ shoot him. This is heinous; this vitriol seeps inside the psyches of young whites. https://t.co/ukqYg3YeDU — Michael Eric Dyson (@MichaelEDyson) May 1, 2019 What do YOU think is the appropriate disciplinary action for this situation??? Something HAS to happen, right?

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Michael Eric Dyson’s 6-Year-Old Grandson Called ‘N***er’ At School, Threatened By Student Who Said He’d Get A Gun