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NBA legend Charles Barkley donates $1M to New Orleans school of 2 Black girls who proved ‘impossible’ mathematical puzzle

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — NBA legend Charles Barkley has made the first of 10 promised donations to a New Orleans school where two of its students made mathematical history in 2023.

St. Mary’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school in the eastern part of the city, received Barkley’s $100,000 gift last Friday.

“We are forever grateful for Mr. Barkley’s gift and his support of our students,” Pamela Rogers, the school’s president, said in a statement. “This transformative gift will assist students as they excel and achieve whatever dream they create within the walls of St. Mary’s Academy. His generosity supports the mission of St. Mary’s Academy and reinforces our commitment to educating young people.”

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Barkley was moved to make the donation after seeing two seniors at the school — Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson — discuss their “impossible mathematical discovery” in a feature on the news program “60 Minutes.” The two students found a way to prove the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry without circular logic — something mathematicians have been trying to do for nearly 2,000 years.

They gave a presentation at the American Mathematical Society’s Annual Southeastern Conference in 2023.

“Mr. Barkley is thrilled to support St. Mary’s Academy and is very focused on transforming future generations through education and opportunities. He has a love and passion for what the academy stands for and how it is shaping the lives and futures of young girls in New Orleans,” a representative from the Charles Barkley Foundation said.

Since graduating from St. Mary’s, Johnson started studying environmental engineering at LSU and Jackson is attending Xavier University of Louisiana, pursuing a degree in pharmacy.

St. Mary’s officials said the school plans to use Barkley’s donations to enhance the school’s “educational experience and provide students with opportunities to grow and develop in the classroom and the New Orleans community.”

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Travis Kelce’s Team Denies “breakup contract” With Taylor Swift – Where Is The Buzz

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Travis Kelce’s PR firm, Full Scope, has issued a statement denying the authenticity of a leaked document that claimed the star tight end had a “breakup contract” with Taylor Swift.

The alleged contract, which was widely circulated online, stated that Kelce and Swift would be ending their relationship on September 28, 2024. The document was purported to be from Full Scope PR.

However, Full Scope has vehemently denied any involvement in creating or authorizing the document. In a statement, the firm called the document “entirely false and fabricated.”

“We have engaged our legal team to initiate proceedings against the individuals or entities responsible for the unlawful and injurious forgery of documents,” the statement added.

The news of the alleged breakup contract has come as a shock to many fans of the celebrity couple. Kelce and Swift have been romantically linked for several months, and their relationship has been the subject of much speculation and public interest.

Neither Kelce nor Swift has personally commented on the leaked document or the allegations of a breakup.

Update:

In a subsequent statement, Full Scope PR has clarified that the document in question was not simply “false and fabricated,” but was in fact a “complete forgery.” The firm has emphasized that it has “never issued or authorized any document related to Travis Kelce’s personal life.”

Full Scope has reiterated its commitment to taking legal action against those responsible for creating and spreading the forged document.


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Black Horror Movies, TV Series to Watch After ‘The Deliverance’

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Horror is one of the oldest and most enduring film genres. Turns out you don’t need sound to be scared at the movie theater. Nowadays, that extends to the multitude of streaming platforms available in the comfort of our homes. The most recent title to grab everyone’s attention is Lee Daniels’ “The Deliverance.” Viewers can’t stop talking about the over the top, demonic possession thriller starring Andra Day, Aunjanue Ellis-Tayloy, Mo’Nique and Glenn Close.

If you’ve already watched “The Deliverance” multiple times and need new jump scares to obsess over, we’ve got you covered. Make sure the lights are on and the doors are locked as you check out our handy roundup of fan favorite Black horror movies and TV series.

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Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being severely burned by her partner

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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after 80% of her body was burned in an attack by her partner, a hospital official confirmed Thursday. She was 33.

Owen Menach, a spokesperson at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, said the long-distance runner died early Thursday, the morning after her organs failed. She had been fully sedated on admission.

Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.

Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, told journalists at the hospital that he had lost a daughter who was “very supportive” and said he hoped to get justice.

“As it is now, the criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing,” the father said. “He is still free and might even flee.”

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said Monday that Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of gasoline, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday. Ndiema was also burned and was being treated at the same hospital.

Menach said Ndiema was still in the intensive care unit with burns over 30% of his body but was “improving and stable.”

Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near Kenya’s many athletic training centers. A report filed by the local chief said Cheptegei and Ndiema were heard fighting before the attack over the land where her house was built.

The Uganda Athletics Federation eulogized Cheptegei on the social platform X, writing, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”

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Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare called the attack “a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete.”

Kenya’s Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said that the government would ensure justice for the victim.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society, which in recent years has reared its ugly head in elite sporting circles,” he wrote in a statement.

Uganda’s First Lady Janet Museveni called Cheptegei’s death due to domestic violence “deeply disturbing.”

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said, “Rebecca’s participation in the Paris 2024 women’s marathon was a source of inspiration, pride and joy.”

The United Nations strongly condemned Cheptegei’s death.

U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric recalled the words of Secretary-General António Guterres who said, “We still live in a male-dominated culture that leaves women vulnerable by denying them equality in dignity and rights.”

Every 11 minutes on average, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member somewhere in the world, according to figures from UN Women, the agency promoting gender equality, and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime.

“We, of course, think that the true numbers are much higher,” Dujarric said.

He said the denial of women’s rights leaves societies less peaceful, economies less prosperous, and the world less just, “but a different world is possible.”

In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner and steeplechaser Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds. In 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was found dead and a postmortem report stated that she was strangled. In 2021, long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death at her home. Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, was arrested and charged with murder, the case is ongoing.

Kenya’s high rates of violence against women have prompted marches by ordinary citizens in towns and cities this year.

Four in 10 women, or an estimated 41% of dating or married Kenyan women, have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their current or most recent partner, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022.

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Friendship, Magic, and Defiance: New ‘Wicked’ Trailer Explores the Connection Between Ariana Grande’s Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba – Where Is The Buzz

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A new trailer for the highly anticipated Wicked blockbuster has dropped, giving fans a glimpse into the special friendship between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s lead characters, Glinda and Elphaba. The two-part film adaptation of the beloved musical stars Oscar-nominated actress Erivo as Elphaba, the misunderstood future Wicked Witch of the West, and Grammy-winning pop star Grande as Glinda, the Good Witch.

Directed by Crazy Rich Asians filmmaker Jon M. Chu, the film also features an all-star cast, including Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz. The new trailer offers an exciting look at the bond between Glinda and Elphaba before the events of The Wizard of Oz unfold.

The trailer opens with a dramatic announcement, “Fellow Ozians, the Wicked Witch of the West is dead,” as a witch’s hat lies ominously in a pool of steaming liquid. The scene quickly transitions to a vibrant display of magic and intrigue, with the words “discover everything that happened before Dorothy dropped in” flashing across the screen.

Grande’s Glinda makes a dazzling entrance, arriving in her iconic bubble, while Erivo’s Elphaba is shown hiding in the shadows. A voiceover ominously warns, “Don’t let her get away,” setting the stage for the unfolding drama.

The trailer then takes viewers back to the beginning, with Glinda narrating, “Let me tell you the whole story; our paths did cross at school,” as scenes of the two witches’ first meeting are revealed. Their friendship is further explored in a tender moment where Bailey’s Fiyero, standing in a forest with Elphaba, asks, “Why is it you’re always causing some kind of commotion?” Elphaba’s enigmatic response, “I don’t cause commotions, I am one. Some of us are just different,” hints at the challenges she faces.

The bond between the two witches deepens as Glinda encourages Elphaba, saying, “Listen to me, you can do anything,” to which Elphaba confidently replies, “I know,” before dramatically breaking through a window and soaring into the sky on her broomstick. The pair is also seen exploring the bustling streets of Emerald City, while Goldblum’s Wizard of Oz ominously declares, “The best way to bring folks together is to give them a real good enemy.”

The trailer reaches a climax as Glinda urges Elphaba not to be afraid, only for Elphaba to declare, “It’s the wizard that should be afraid of me,” before she takes flight once again. The trailer’s powerful imagery is underscored by Grande and Erivo’s stirring rendition of the musical’s iconic song, “Defying Gravity.”

Serving as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the Wicked film delves into the origins of the strained relationship between the two witches, who were once close friends. In the classic story, Elphaba is known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda as the Good Witch of the South, with their bond long fractured by the time Dorothy arrives in Oz.

The first part of Wicked is set to hit theaters on November 28th, and fans are eagerly anticipating this new cinematic journey through the land of Oz.


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Black Teens Solve Pythagorean Theorem With Trigonometry

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For many high school students, math class can be one of the most painful parts of their school day, full of complex equations with no real world applications. That’s why they make calculators, right?

But Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, students at St.Mary’s Academy in New Orleans, took on one of those complex equations and did something even some of the most renowned mathematicians thought was impossible – proved the Pythagorean Theorem using only trigonometry.

If you’re getting awful flashbacks of your high school math classes, we don’t blame you. But in case you need a refresher, the theorem, named after the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras, is the equation used to calculate the longer side of a right triangle by adding the squares of the two shorter sides, or a2 + b2 = c2. And while there are over 300 proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem using algebra and geometry, scholars believed a proof using trigonometry was impossible.

The challenge was presented to the students by their math teacher, Michelle Blouin Williams, who said she was less interested in a solution and more interested in seeing the student’s ingenuity.

Jackson and Johnson admitted that it was the $500 cash prize that initially motivated them to enter the school-wide challenge. But once they started trying, they didn’t give up until they found a solution after months of work. Their success caught the attention of “60 Minutes,” and their feature story caught the attention of former NBA star Charles Barkley, who promised to make a 1 million dollar donation to the all-girls Catholic elementary and high school.

“[Barkley] has a love and passion for what the academy stands for and how it is shaping the lives and futures of young girls in New Orleans,” a representative from his foundation said in a statement.

Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson have since graduated from St. Mary’s but the pride in their achievement will last forever.

“It’s an unparalleled feeling, honestly, because there’s just nothing like it, being able to do something that people don’t think that young people can do,” Johnson told New Orleans CBS affiliate WWL-TV.

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Mugshot Released Of 14-Year-Old Georgia School Shooter Colt Gray – Where Is The Buzz

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Authorities have released the identity and a photo of the 14-year-old suspect accused of carrying out a deadly shooting at a Georgia high school.

Colt Gray, a student at the school, is believed to be responsible for the incident that left four people dead. According to Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, a school resource officer confronted Gray shortly after the gunfire erupted, leading to his surrender.

“Gray realized that if he did not give himself up, he would have been shot,” Sheriff Smith stated. The suspect has since been interviewed by investigators from the sheriff’s office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

“His statements are ‘helping our investigation,’” Sheriff Smith added.

While details about the motive behind the shooting remain under investigation, the incident has sent shockwaves through the community. Counseling services have been made available to students, teachers, and staff affected by the tragedy.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and to understand what may have motivated Gray to commit such a violent act. The community is grappling with the loss of life and the impact of this senseless tragedy.

 


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White House calls out Supreme Court over declines in Black student college enrollment

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The White House condemned the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling on affirmative action following recent data that shows enrollment for Black students saw declines on several college campuses.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Washington University, Amherst College, and Tufts University were among a half-dozen campuses that reported a decrease in their Black student populations and an increase in the number of white students enrolled.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told theGrio that the Biden-Harris administration had warned that the recent enrollment numbers could be a reality following the Supreme Court’s conservative majority outlawing race-based admissions programs on the campuses of Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.

Karine Jean-Pierre, White House, theGrio.com
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 12: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds the daily press briefing at the White House on August 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

“Their decision moved the nation backward… and upended decades of precedent that allowed America’s colleges and universities to build … diverse environments,” said the Biden spokesperson. 

As previously reported by theGrio, according to data released last month, MIT saw an 8% drop in its Black student enrollment, declining to just 5% compared to an average of 13% in recent years. Similarly, Amherst saw its Black student population drop to 3% from 11% in the past year. NBC News reported that Washington University and Tufts saw a 4 and 2.6 percentage-point drop among Black first-year students, respectively. 

The sharp declines are not positive signs following the controversial SCOTUS ruling that alarmed students of color, civil rights groups, and education advocates. The nation’s highest court ruled in favor of litigants who argued that Harvard and UNC’s affirmative action programs violated the equal protection clause under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Last summer, the Biden administration urged colleges and universities to find alternative ways to foster diversity on campuses. The Department of Education issued guidance and resources on ways institutions can ensure they still “reflect the beautiful diversity of our country.”

Affirmative Action, Supreme Court, theGrio.com
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 31: Proponents for affirmative action in higher education rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court before oral arguments in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina on October 31, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“We know that talent exists in all communities. It’s clear more work remains to be done and we’ll continue calling on schools to build pathways for upward … mobility and success,” said Jean-Pierre, who added, “This is something that is incredibly important.”  

The White House press secretary said, “That aside,” the administration has taken other actions to promote education and opportunity for Black Americans, including its “historic investments” in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), totaling more than $16 billion. 

Jean-Pierre also noted President Biden’s canceling of student loan debt, which, according to the Center for American Progress, has totaled more than $168.5 billion for nearly five million borrowers.

“We’ll continue to do everything that we can to ensure that Americans have access to educational opportunities,” the Biden spokesperson told theGrio. “That is our commitment, that is the president’s commitment, and you have seen that along the way.”

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Marlon Wayans Recalls Run-In with Tupac Right Before His Death

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Image for article titled Marlon Wayans Shares Story About Run-In with Tupac Just Moments Before His Death

Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer // Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives (Getty Images)

More than 28 years after his tragic passing, people continue to share fascinating stories about Tupac Shakur and his life. The latest person to do so was Marlon Wayans during his Wednesday interview with Shannon Sharpe on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast.

The 52-year-old comedian shared a story about running into the “All Eyez On Me” MC with actor Omar Epps just 20 minutes before he was fatally shot during a 1996 drive-by shooting in Las Vegas.

He said, “I saw Tupac in Vegas at The Luxor 20 minutes before he got shot. I seen Suge and all these cars and thugs and reds. I turned white. I was like, ‘Maybe we shouldn’t go over there. Let’s just wave from here.’”

He continued, “Omar was like, ‘Nah, we gotta go say what’s up and pay our respects.’ ‘Pac was a huge star at this time. And I was like, ‘Are you sure? It sure looks like a lot of trouble over there.’”

Despite them questioning whether or not they should go up to Pac, they eventually caved and approached the superstar rapper.

Wayans added, “I give him a hug, we all talk, kick it for five minutes and the BMW pulls up. Me, Omar, and Mitchell get in a cab and we pull off. I’ll never forget the look on Tupac’s face as we pulled off. He was looking at us like, ‘Man, I miss that freedom; I miss that fun.’ He was just in this chaos. There was a part of him that wished that — it was like the innocence. He could just go with the innocence. And so we left and then 20 minutes later we heard he got shot.”

Before this run-in with Pac, Wayans worked with the MC on the classic 1994 film, “Above the Rim.”

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Peacock Orders Series Adaptation of The Burbs Starring Keke Palmer – Where Is The Buzz

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Peacock has announced a straight-to-series order for The Burbs, a new series adaptation of the 1989 horror-comedy film of the same name. The series, set to star Emmy Award-winner Keke Palmer, will be executive produced by Palmer, Celeste Hughey, and Seth MacFarlane.

Hughey, known for her work on Palm Royale and Dead to Me, will write and executive produce the series. Palmer, who will also be the executive producer, will star in the lead role. The series will be filmed at the same location as the original film, the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood.

Joining the executive producing team are Brian Grazer, Kristen Zolner, and Natalie Berkus for Imagine Entertainment; Erica Huggins and Aimee Carlson for Fuzzy Door; and Dana Olsen, the writer of the 1989 film. UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio behind the series.

The series adaptation of The Burbs will follow a young couple returning to the husband’s childhood home. Their world is upended when new neighbors move in next door, bringing old secrets of the cul-de-sac to light and new deadly threats shattering the illusion of their quiet little neighborhood.   

The Burbs is the latest project from Fuzzy Door under its overall television deal with UCP. The series is expected to begin production later this year.


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