News — Atlanta

An 18-year-old Atlanta rapper, Metro Marrs, was arrested after he threw $10,000 on stage during his high school graduation ceremony on Friday. According to Rap-Up, the incident occurred at the Langston Hughes High School and the rapper showered the stage with the money to celebrate their graduation.

In the video of the incident, the rapper, who is wearing a graduation gown, can be seen walking on the stage throwing the money while the other graduates cheer him on and scramble for the cash. The school authorities were, however, not too pleased with his actions. And in the aftermath of the incident, he was arrested by the police.

The Bye Felicia rapper later posted an Instagram video of him being whisked away from the premises by officers. He was charged with attempting to start a riot and disorderly conduct and slapped with a ticket.

Explaining the motive behind his actions in an interview with The Shade Room, the Quality Control signee said he was trying to be generous to some of his fellow grads who may have been tight on finances. He also added the COVID-19 pandemic had prevented him from meeting his classmates over a long period.

“I was creating a moment that would be memorable,” he said. “I had to do that for the last time. Everybody was lit! We graduating high school!”

The rapper’s action was met with mixed reactions, with people saying it was unnecessary while others commended him. “Mahhh man this is trash! At the Graduation?!,” a user replied to his Instagram post.

“I wish somebody did this at my graduation,” another user commented on the post on The Shade Room. A user also wrote: “That ain’t no reason to detain somebody like huh.”

Nevertheless, Metro Marrs said the school authorities weren’t too mad about what he did and they actually root for him. “They root for me, they’re on my side,” he said. “They’ve seen me develop (as an artist) while I was in school. I’ve been doing music since 9th grade.”

Clark Atlanta University’s first-year student, Emory Pruitt, continues soaring up high the academic ladder despite the obstacles that have come her way, and she is a testament to the fact that age is just a number when it comes to setting your sights on achieving success.

Though this year has been very challenging particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic and the numerous setbacks that it has come with, that hasn’t deterred Pruitt from reaching yet another incredible milestone in her life.

After enrolling at the Clark Atlanta University at the age of fifteen in Fall 2020, Pruitt wrote her name in the history books as she became one of the youngest students in the HBCU’s history, as well as the youngest student in recent memory, the university said in a statement.

A commendable feat, Pruitt, however, did not have it easy. Back in high school, the Tennessee native, who graduated with a commendable 3.7 GPA, became an object of ridicule and was also racially targeted just for having big ambitions. Nevertheless, she was still able to sail through with some encouragement and backing from her family.

“It actually was the dedication and my family that pushed me each day,” Pruitt, now 16, said. “I should thank the people that doubted me; that just made me work even harder.” 

In an effort to ensure she had a hassle-free high school education devoid of any bullying whatsoever, Pruitt’s mother, Karen, ultimately decided to enroll her in online classes at Penn Foster High School. Karen told the university that decision eventually paid off as her daughter stuck to her books.

“I know that this was the best choice to protect her and her feelings; no one should have to defend the color of their skin,” Karen said.

Talking about her daughter’s enrolment at the university, Karen said: “Words would not be able to describe how thrilled and excited she was to have come across a dream come true.”

Though classes for the 2020-21 academic year are currently being held online due to safety and health reasons as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the university says the teen is adjusting to college life just fine.

“We are honored that this exceptional young woman chose Clark Atlanta University to continue her studies and we look forward to supporting her through all of her endeavors,” Associate Vice President/Dean of Admissions, Lorri Saddler, said. “Ms. Pruitt has already accomplished so much in just 16 years and we know she’ll continue to build on her successes.”

Pruitt also has some company as her brother, Elijah, also gained admission to the university for the 2020 academic year.

The Atlanta Hawks and the Ressler Gertz Family Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Hawks Principal Owners Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz, are committing $40 million into Black-owned businesses to create sustainable wealth and economic opportunity in the Black community.

The investment plan includes a long-term, comprehensive plan to provide financial, marketing and educational resources to Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the city of Atlanta.

The Ressler Gertz Family Foundation has committed to giving $5 million to the Herman J. Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE), the largest non-profit centre for Black entrepreneurs in the nation, to expand its reach and provide financial support to local Black-owned businesses through increased access, opportunity and exposure as well as expanding future RCIE programming.

According to the foundation, the gift will also increase RCIE’s ability to provide Black entrepreneurs access to corporate partners and capital as well as utilization of all Hawks marketing channels. 

The Hawks, on the other hand, announced a plan to expand their diversity and inclusion program with a $25 million commitment over the next decade. The NBA Players Association and the Hawks Foundation have also pledged to commit $10 million to provide economic opportunities within Atlanta’s Black community.

“Systemic barriers have prevented the Black community from pursuing the educational, employment, and business opportunities necessary to fully contribute to and benefit from our growing local economy,” said Ressler in a written statement.

“Jami and I take our responsibility as owners of a professional sport franchise in the great city of Atlanta very seriously—and with that responsibility is a commitment to devote resources to organizations that are making tangible, impactful change. In my career, I have built and supported many businesses, and I believe that the access to mentors and capital, opportunity to market products and services, and exposure to customers that RCIE provides is invaluable to the growth of the Black business community in Atlanta. We look forward to adding our resources, connections, and platform to this brilliant organization and its mission,” he added.

“Forging pathways to equitable opportunities that help create and accelerate Black-owned businesses across our nation matters more than ever before. That’s why the partnership between the Ressler Gertz Family Foundation and Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is momentous,” said H. Jerome Russell, president of H. J. Russell & Co. and chairman of RCIE.

This is not the first time the Ressler-Gertz Family Foundation has donated to support Black businesses. The foundation recently teamed up with Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon to invest $65,000 in small Black-owned businesses that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Due to the economic devastation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have had to learn how to adapt to a new reality, leaving them uncertain about how to move forward towards profitability.

This week, Google announced that they will be investing $2.35 million across several tech startups within Atlanta, the city recognized as the next Silicon Valley for emerging Black-owned tech startups. The funds will be distributed through the Black Founders Fund to 36 Atlanta-based businesses. Through Google, the fund has been able to invest in over 70 startups across the country with $100,000 business grants totaling $5 million to help these businesses continue to grow and thrive amid the global pandemic.

“We are committed to helping Black founders who have been deeply impacted by COVID-19 and who are disproportionately locked out of access to the funding they need to succeed,” said Jewel Burks Solomon, head of Google for Startups US, in a press release according to BET.com. “By combining cash awards with Google for Startups mentorship and programming, we hope to help create a more level playing field for these founders, who are building amazing companies and making an impact on their communities.”

Atlanta-based businesses that have been named recipients include Healthy Hip Hop, Just Add Honey, Portrait Coffee, Origyn, Laine London, Jax Rideshare Rentals, Mar Dat, TruDiary, Vibe Ride, and LVNGbook.

“The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund will have a considerable impact on the growth of Portrait Coffee,” said Aaron Fender, founder of Portrait Coffee, tells Hypepotamus. “This capital and support come at a critical time, allowing us to hire more team members and purchase additional manufacturing equipment to support our growing business.”

This news comes with Google’s recent partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide more digital skills workshops for HBCUs around the country as part of their $175 million commitment to racial equity back in June of this year.

Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd, known for his many roles in Spike Lee Films, was shot and killed Saturday on the south-west side of Atlanta, where he resided.

The incident occurred around 1:45 a.m. According to a statement by police spokesman Anthony Grant, officers responded to a call for an injured person, and upon arrival, they found the actor unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds to his back. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Grant declined to provide further details on the incident, however, said that homicide detectives are working to determine the cause of the shooting.

On Sunday, Lee took to Instagram to announce Byrd’s death and honor Byrd’s work, saying he “did his thang” in all his films, including Clockers, Chi-raq, Bamboozled, He Got Game, and Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, just to name a few.

“May we all wish condolences and blessings to his family,” Lee wrote. “Rest in peace, Brother Byrd.”

Byrd was also a stage actor for the Broadway show, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, with co-stars Whoopi Goldberg and Charles S Dutton, which was nominated for a Tony in 2003.

Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis tweeted, “Loved working with you Byrd, what a fine actor you were. So sorry your life ended this way. Praying for your family.”

Fellow actor and community activist Elisabeth Omilami told WXIA-TV Atlanta that Byrd was a “brilliant dancer, actor, and friend.” She said, “He was a special person whose personality filled up the whole room; when he entered, you knew he was there. He fought his way through this very racist and difficult Hollywood system and was able to maintain a career through it all.”

Omilami said that he had just finished the film Freedom’s Path with her husband, Actor Afemo Omilami.

“What a man, what a talent … what a crazy loss,” actor Lori Petty wrote.