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Detroit Lawsuit Leads to Changes in Use of Facial Technology

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It’s no secret that law enforcement’s use of facial recognition technology disproportionately affects Black people more often than it does any demographic group…and it’s been like that for years. But one city plans on making changes to how it uses the technology, thanks to the wrongful arrest of a Black man nearly six years ago.

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Last month, along with agreeing to pay Robert Williams $300,000 in a settlement agreement, the City of Detroit agreed to revise how police use facial recognition to solve criminal cases, according to the Associated Press.

The Detroit police will now go back and look at all cases between 2017 and 2023 in which facial recognition was used and will notify a prosecutor if an arrest was made without evidence independent of the technology.

Robert Williams’ wrongful arrest

Williams was arrested in 2018 after someone stole watches from a store in the Detroit area. The only evidence Detroit Police had was an image from the store’s surveillance footage. Officers then sent the image to the Michigan State Police so they could run a search using face recognition technology, and what came up was an expired driver’s license photo of Williams, according to the lawsuit.

Although Williams said he was not the man in the image, Detroit police still used his photo to create a photo lineup and show it to a man who was not a witness to the crime and only saw the store’s surveillance footage.

Despite this, an officer, who has not been identified, still applied for an arrest warrant.

In April 2021, Williams filed a civil rights lawsuit against the detective, the city and the city’s chief of police with the help of the ACLU and the University of Michigan’s Law School’s Civil Rights Litigation Initiative.

More from the ACLU:

The lawsuit alleges that the detective, through his omissions in the warrant application, misled the magistrate judge, resulting in issuance of an arrest warrant without the required probable cause. It also alleges what discovery in Mr. Williams’ case and several more recent facial-recognition false arrests in Detroit have since made obvious: That the city lacked any policy for law enforcement use of face recognition technology at the time the technology was used in this case, and that Detroit failed to train its police officers on the dangers of misusing face recognition technology in their investigations.

Past examples of facial recognition affecting Black people

Even before Williams’ wrongful arrest, facial recognition technology had already been doing Black people dirty.

In 2018, 28 members of Congress, including six members of the Congressional Black Caucus, were falsely identified as suspects charged with a crime on Amazon’s facial recognition technology.

In December 2020, a Black man in New Jersey filed a lawsuit after he was wrongly identified as a suspect who shoplifted from a hotel gift shop. He spent 10 days in jail.

In July 2021, a Black girl was banned from a Michigan skating rink after facial recognition software misidentified her for a different Black girl who got in a brawl at the business on a prior date.

In August 2023, a pregnant Black woman was falsely identified and arrested as a carjacking thief in Detroit thanks to the technology.

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Madison Beer’s Fiery New Single “15 Minutes” Takes Off! – Where Is The Buzz

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Pop star Madison Beer is setting the charts on fire with her latest release, “15 Minutes”! The track, which dropped today across all platforms, is already making waves.

Not only is “15 Minutes” burning up the airwaves, but the accompanying music video has fans buzzing. The visually stunning video has already racked up over 17,000 likes and 1,000 comments on YouTube in less than an hour, showcasing Beer’s captivating presence.

The song’s infectious energy is further amplified by its impressive debut on Spotify’s New Music Friday Chart, landing a coveted spot at number 4.

Here’s a taste of the song’s captivating lyrics: “Fifteen minutes ago, I was layin’ in bed / Then I had a crazy thought in my head / So I took the keys and got in the car / Don’t know how I got here, but baby, here we are.”

With its catchy melody and rebellious spirit, “15 Minutes” is sure to become a summer anthem. Don’t miss out – stream it now!


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Dorothy Wells is 1st Black, woman Episcopal bishop of Mississippi

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JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The new bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi is being formally installed Saturday, and she is first woman and first Black person to hold the post.

The Rev. Dorothy Sanders Wells was elected bishop in February and has been in the leadership role since May. She is being ordained and consecrated by the Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Wells succeeds former Bishop Brian Seage, who was elected in 2014 and had been in the role since the 2015 retirement of his predecessor.

The Mississippi diocese has about 17,600 members in 87 congregations.

Wells is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and studied vocal performance at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned a law degree from the University of Memphis and practiced law for 18 years in Memphis before becoming a priest.

Rev. Dorothy Sanders Wells, a native of Mobile, Ala., sits on a stage at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School campus in Ridgeland, Miss., Friday, July 19, 2024, before being formally installed Saturday as the first woman and first Black person to hold the post of bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

She earned a master of divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry degree from Emory University.

Wells told the Clarion Ledger that she does not focus on being the first woman and first Black person to become the Episcopal bishop of Mississippi.

She was previously rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown, Tennessee, and chaplain of the church’s preschool. She had been there since 2013. She said leaders of the Mississippi Diocese are looking for ways to help small, rural congregations serve their communities.

“It is a priority to re-energize and get people excited again about all of the ministry opportunities that we have,” she said.

Wells said she wants people to emphasize their faith in everyday interactions.

“If it ends when our time together ends on Sunday mornings, then we have already missed the message,” Wells said. “That should be the beginning. When we walk out the doors, that becomes the beginning of us showing that radical love and hospitality.”

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The Evolution of Kendrick Lamar

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Kendrick Lamar – Control (Lyrics HD) (Kendrick Verse ONLY)

In 2013, Lamar shook the hip-hop world with his guest feature on Big Sean’s “Control.” During his verse, he called out all his peers, saying that he wanted to take all of their “core fans.” The artists he called out included J. Cole, Big Krit, Wale, Pusha T, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean and Jay Electronica. This is what seemingly started his long-running feud with Drake.

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First Look Revealed! “Tell Me Lies” Season Two to Return on Hulu September 4th – Where Is The Buzz

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Get ready to dive back into the toxic world of Baird College! Today, Hulu revealed seven first-look images from the highly anticipated second season of their Original series “Tell Me Lies.” The drama is back with a double premiere on **Wednesday, September 4th, 2024.

The second season picks up right off where the first left off: Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco, played by Jackson White, return to college after a pretty eventful summer break. Midway through a dramatic breakup, their undeniable connection kept tugging them back into a new iteration of their addictive—and at times destructive—dynamic.

But it’s not all about Lucy and Stephen. The new season explores more of their friends, especially the unintentional consequences on their relationships owing to the first season’s events.

The returning cast includes Grace Van Patten, Jackson White, Cat Missal, Spencer House, Sonia Mena, Branden Cook, Alicia Crowder, and the brilliant casting addition of Tom Ellis. Thomas Doherty will appear as a recurring guest star throughout the series.

It also stars Meaghan Oppenheimer returning as showrunner and executive producer, with Emma Roberts, Karah Preiss, Matt Matruski of Belletrist Productions, Laura Lewis, Stephanie Noonan of Rebelle Media, Shannon Gibson, Sam Schlaifer, and Carola Lovering. For the novel, she is a consulting producer. The series comes from 20th Television.

So, buckle up for some more heartbreak, backstabbing, and intoxicating allure of a love that won’t stay healthy. Season two of “Tell Me Lies” is going to be even more addictive than the first one. Mark your calendars: September 4th. Get Obsessed!

Check out the new images below.

 

WrigleyPippa

Wrigley and Pippa

StephenDiana

Stephen and Diana

Puswas

Puswas

LucyLeo

LucyLeo

Bree and Evan

Bree and Evan

TELL ME LIES

TELL ME LIES – “Season 2” – Tell Me Lies Season 2 picks up as Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) return to college, not speaking after their dramatic breakup at the start of the summer. Yet while very much at odds, they find themselves in a new version of their addictive dynamic – which is as infuriating as it is inescapable. Meanwhile, the story expands deeper into the lives of Lucy and Stephen’s friend group, as the fallout from Season One impacts all of their lives in unexpected ways. (Disney/Josh Stringer) TOM ELLIS


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Sean Kingston, mother federally indicted in $1 million fraud scheme

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MIAMI (AP) — Rapper and singer Sean Kingston and his mother have been indicted in South Florida on federal charges of committing more than $1 million worth of fraud.

Kingston, 34, and his mother, 61-year-old Janice Turner, made their first appearances Friday in federal court, according to court records. A Miami grand jury returned an indictment earlier this month accusing Kingston and his mother of participating in a scheme to defraud victims of high-end specialty vehicles, jewelry and other goods through the use of fraudulent documents.

Kingston was booked into the Broward County jail on similar state charges last month following a May 23 arrest at Fort Irwin, an Army training base in California’s Mojave Desert where he was performing. Turner was arrested the same day as her son, when a SWAT team raided his rented mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

According to the federal indictment, Kingston and Turner falsely claimed that they had executed bank wire or other monetary payment transfers for high-end items when no such transfers had taken place. Investigators said Kingston and Turner then kept over $1 million worth of fraudulently purchased items despite not paying for them.

The warrants for the state charges say that from October to March, they stole almost $500,000 in jewelry, more than $200,000 from Bank of America, $160,000 from a Cadilac Escalade dealer, more than $100,000 from First Republic Bank and $86,000 from the maker of customized beds.

On Thursday, a SWAT team raided the South Florida mansion of rapper Sean Kingston (above) and arrested his mother on fraud and theft charges that an attorney says stems partly from the installation of a massive TV at the home. (Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, file)

The Jamaican American performer had a No. 1 hit with “Beautiful Girls” in 2007 and collaborated with Justin Bieber on the song “Eenie Meenie.”

Robert Rosenblatt, an attorney for Kingston and his mother, didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment from The Associated Press. He previously said they looked forward to addressing the charges and were “confident of a successful resolution.”

Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Anderson, was already serving a two-year probation sentence for trafficking stolen property.

His mother pleaded guilty in 2006 to bank fraud for stealing over $160,000 and served nearly 1.5 years in prison, according to federal court records.

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Terrell Davis’ Viral Arrest, Black Mayor Called N-Word And More

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Michael Jackson (R) leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse with his mother Katherine Jackson (L) in 2005

Michael Jackson (R) leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse with his mother Katherine Jackson (L) in 2005
Image: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images)

This year marks 15 years without the King of Pop, and even after all this time, his family still can’t get it together. Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, has been fighting against her son’s estate controllers after they “secretly” sold half of the late singer’s music catalog worth $600 million to Sony Music Group back in February, according to BillBoard. – Phenix S Halley Read More

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Peacock Unveils Dramatic Trailer for Bel-Air Season 3 – Where Is The Buzz

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Peacock’s hit drama series “Bel-Air” returns for a third season, offering a fresh take on the classic “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” sitcom. This season promises a summer filled with personal growth, budding partnerships, and challenges for the entire Banks family.

Set in modern-day Los Angeles, “Bel-Air” reimagines Will’s journey from West Philadelphia to the affluent world of Bel-Air with a dramatic twist. Will grapples with newfound opportunities and dreams bigger than ever before. He finds an unlikely ally in Carlton, who seeks to overcome addiction and rebuild his life. While their partnership brings exciting wins, it also exposes the vast differences in their backgrounds.

The trailer hints at mounting pressure for both Viv and Phil as they navigate personal and professional challenges. Hilary’s romantic life takes a turn with LaMarcus, and Ashley experiences the blossoming of youthful romance as she approaches high school. Even Geoffrey’s past comes back to haunt him.

Inspired by Morgan Cooper’s viral trailer that reimagined the beloved 90s sitcom, “Bel-Air” offers a contemporary lens on themes of ambition, self-discovery, and the complexities of navigating two vastly different worlds. The series stars Jabari Banks as Will and features a creative team led by showrunner Carla Banks Waddles and executive producer Morgan Cooper.

Season 3 of “Bel-Air” premieres on Peacock on Thursday, August 15th.


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Megan Thee Stallion’s foundation launches Emergency Power Program for Houston senior citizens

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Megan Thee Stallion is giving back to her hometown of Houston with the launch of a new program.

The rapper’s Pete and Thomas Foundation is partnering with Bread of Life Inc. to launch the Emergency Power Program, which will provide generators to senior citizens in Houston. The goal of the program is to ensure senior citizens have access to electricity during natural disasters.

“It’s been painful to watch the elderly population in Houston suffer without electricity during these devastating storms,” Megan said in a press release per Us Weekly. “That’s why we wanted to partner with Bread of Life to take a strategic approach to this problem and secure generators to help protect our senior citizens. We need to do our part to provide our elders with the best resources possible to withstand future emergencies.”

Megan Thee Stallion, thegrio.com
Megan Thee Stallion, shown performing on May 24, in Napa, California, is offering emergency power help to senior citizens in her hometown of Houston through her foundation. (Photo by Dana Jacobs/FilmMagic)

The announcement comes after Hurricane Beryl touched down in the Caribbean and in parts of the United States, with reports of over 2.5 million Houston customers losing power for days, according to KHOU 11. At least six people between the ages of 50 and 78 suffered heat-related deaths due to lack of power in “sweltering heat,” the news outlet reported. 

Although the storm dissipated over a week ago, thousands are still without power, according to the press release. 

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“We want to expand our support of the most vulnerable people in the city, and Hurricane Beryl, the derecho and other storms have highlighted that our seniors are in dire need of assistance,” Bread of Life founder Rudy Rasmus said. “Through our partnership with Megan Thee Stallion and her Pete and Thomas Foundation, we hope to provide generators to senior personal care homes this hurricane season. Our goal is to provide generators to our most vulnerable seniors ahead of storms or other events that knock out power so there is no interruption in service.”

Megan founded the Pete and Thomas Foundation, which is named after her parents, in 2022. The organization aims “to uplift and assist women, children, senior citizens and other underserved communities,” according to its website

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TikTok Users Drag Woman for Comments About Heels in the Club

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A woman just shared some unsolicited fashion advice for Gen Z ladies on TikTok. And while her intentions were good, the comments on her post were not. And now the woman is being dragged on the app for everything from her fashion choices to a statement she made about her age.

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Thirtysomething TikTok user @RaeChristine shared a now-viral video, which has received over eight million views to date. In her one-minute mini rant, she says she wants to see fewer sneakers and more stilettos in the club.

“I don’t know what’s happening to club culture but the girlies are not wearing heels in the clubs anymore,” she said in the video. “Do we need to come out of retirement and teach the girls how to wear heels, or like what heels to shop for when going out to the club?”

“Part of the thrill of going to the club is dancing on the couch in your heels,” she adds.

But Black TikTok wasn’t picking up anything this woman was putting down, and they weren’t shy about letting her know in their comments.

Here’s where they think she got it wrong:

Don’t Tell People You Don’t Look Your Age, Let Them Tell You

In her video, @RaeChristine tells viewers that she’s 34, but added “I know I don’t look my age.” That opened the door for a flood of comments, like:

“I need people to stop thinking they don’t look their age. You look every bit of your age. You don’t look bad though ☺️!”,

“The randomly inserted “I know I don’t look my age” is sending me 💀,” and

“I ran straight to the comments after ‘I know I don’t look my age’ 😂😂😭.”

And this hilarious stitch:

If You’re Coming to TikTok With Fashion Tips, Please Come Correct

TikTok didn’t mind that @RaeChristine was giving the girls tips on how to look cute in the club. But as far as they were concerned, the shoes she’s seen wearing in the video were not club cute.

The comments were relentless, like:

“In 2010? 😂 I’d wear those to church ONLY. Leave gen z alone pls those heels deserve jail time,” and “

“They said you got on bingo night heels 😂😂😂😂😂.”

One user even dropped a seriously funny response video, saying:

“If you was gonna talk about these young girls wearing these heels in the club, honey you was supposed to show up and show out what it looks like. That’s not what you did.”

But not everyone thought she got it wrong. In fact, one TikTok user defended green dress lady’s wardrobe choices calling it “the perfect outfit for the grown and sexy club.

Whether your idea of club cute is a pair of Air Force 1s or a four-inch stiletto, the lesson here is to each their own.

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