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The civil rights icon’s childhood home in New Orleans will not be a museum after objections from her descendants

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — After Candice Henderson-Chandler moved to New Orleans and acquired her first home in 2021, she learned it played a key role in town’s civil rights history and was the childhood home of distinguished activist Oretha Castle Haley. Henderson-Chandler, who’s black, soon founded a nonprofit organization and planned to show a part of the property into a museum to honor the history.

She also listed a property on the rental site Airbnb, promoting her civil rights heritage, and sold museum memberships and civil rights-era products similar to “Freedom Fighter” citrus candles on her nonprofit’s website.

But on Thursday, a majority of the New Orleans City Council rejected Henderson-Chandler’s plans in a vote that might have modified the zoning plan to permit for the museum. Opponents of the museum warned that it was yet one more attempt by outside interests to commodify and profit from Black cultural heritage. Haley’s three sons and 7 grandchildren said in a statement that Henderson-Chandler was exploiting the civil rights activist’s legacy against their wishes.

“In our nation and our history, often the only thing they could leave you was your name — that is the history of Black people in the United States,” said council member Jean Paul Morrell, who voted against the museum. “If all you have is a first and last name, there’s a reason why people in this town care so much about who uses your name and how.”

In 1960, Haley co-founded the New Orleans chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality, considered one of the leading groups of the Civil Rights Movement. She was an instigator of change who played an “extremely significant” role in leading protests and sit-ins to desegregate New Orleans, said Clyde Robertson, director of the Center for African and African American Studies at Southern University in New Orleans. Haley died in 1987, and a boulevard in town is now named after her.

The Haley family’s property at 917-919 North Tonti Street in Tremé, considered one of the oldest black neighborhoods in the country, served as a secure house where participants of the 1961 Freedom Rides fighting segregation on public buses could eat and spend the night. Since 2023, the property has been entered into the National Register of Monuments because the “Castle Family House”.

Haley’s younger brother, Johnny Castle, 79, remembers waking as much as prepare for varsity as a teenager and sometimes encountering a group of civil rights activists on the family home. Castle inherited the property in 1998 and held on to it for years while town of New Orleans and a local university discussed purchasing the home for preservation. The plans fell through and Castle said it could now not afford to keep up the property, relinquishing it as a part of bankruptcy proceedings in 2011.

Years later, he connected with Henderson-Chandler, a Chicago native, after she purchased the property. She said she initially planned to create a space where women of color could heal, but became fascinated by the home’s heritage. Castle “called me night after night, and I just fell in love with the story through his eyes, his storytelling and his countless memories,” Henderson-Chandler said.

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Castle, who lives in Georgia, said his relatives overestimate his sister’s influence in shaping the estate’s legacy. He said his parents, the owners of the home, also helped open its doors to activists. He supported Henderson-Chandler’s vision for a museum and community center.

“It’s a historic legacy that Candice continues and shares with the community,” he said.

One of Haley’s sons, Michael, also met with Henderson-Chandler after learning she owned the home. He said she initially told his family she planned to show the place into a wellness center.

“She never said she wanted to create any kind of museum” or anything related to his mother’s legacy, he said. He discovered her plans through social media posts that included photos of his mother. Henderson-Chandler said she has made efforts to contact Haley’s family.

Michael Haley and other members of the family sued Henderson-Chandler under the Allen Toussaint Legacy Act, a Louisiana law that protects the commercialization of deceased people’s identities without the consent of their heirs. In August 2023, a civil judge issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Henderson-Chandler from “representing the legacy of Oretha Castle Haley in any way.”

Henderson-Chandler, who’s difficult the order, continued with plans for the museum, omitting mention of Castle Haley and specializing in the broader civil rights movement. Her lawyer, William Aaron, said Haley’s legacy does not represent the whole Civil Rights Movement in New Orleans and that a museum on the property could discuss the contributions of dozens of other activists.

“All of this could happen without any mention of Oretha Castle Haley,” Aaron said in an interview.

Haley’s descendants strongly disagreed with the claim that the estate’s meaning could be disconnected from Haley.

“How are you going to do it? She lived there!” Haley’s son, Okyeame Haley, told town council. “You will have a museum in the house where she lived, but her legacy will not be included. This is gibberish.”

“Everything at 917 (North Tonti Street) represents the legacy of Oretha Castle Haley, period,” one other of her sons, Sundiata Haley, told town council.

Haley’s granddaughter, Simone Haley, has stated that she believes the motivation behind creating the museum is money and that her family is not interested in commercializing the heritage. She addressed Henderson-Chandler directly on the council meeting.

“I like the concept that you are attempting to honor people. “I believe that stories should be told, but there is a right way to tell a story,” she said, sparking a verbal altercation between her and considered one of Henderson-Chandler’s friends.

Supporters of the museum identified that the home Haley owned in town and where she later raised her circle of relatives was now in disrepair and questioned why it was allowed to occur. Michael Haley said in an interview that the second property had not been in their family’s possession for several many years and had no bearing on the matter of the proposed museum. Supporters argued that thwarting the museum’s construction would eliminate the chance to share town’s history with the subsequent generation.

Henderson-Chandler said she consulted with other community members and received the blessings of veterans of the Civil Rights Movement.

Councilmember Morrell said relatives of two other distinguished city civil rights activists who died told him they’d not been informed about plans to display their legacies in a museum, which Henderson-Chandler’s attorney raised.

“If you want to tell someone’s story, you have to talk to their family about it,” Morrell said.

Haley’s grandson, Blair Dottin-Haley, said that in voting down the museum, the City Council was following what “our ancestors would have wanted from us.”

“We will always stand and fight against those who want to take our culture, appropriate it, mishandle it and mismanage it,” he said.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Elaine Welteroth and Jonathan Singletary welcomed their second child

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Elaine Welteroth, Jonathan Singletary, Elaine Welteroth has baby, Black famous mothers, Black mothers, Black maternal health, birthFUND, theGrio.com

Elaine Welteroth has a brand recent bundle of joy!

The 37-year-old media personality and founding father of birthFUND welcomed her second child, a son named SantiGold, together with her husband, musician Jonathan Singletary, in early November.

While Welteroth said People Magazine that she and her growing family are “healthy and happy” – she admitted that she has been affected by sleep problems since welcoming the most recent member of the family.

“I’m not sure my brain is working at full speed,” she told the web site. “I’m sleep-deprived, but I’m fine, I’m fine.”

Recalling the precise day she went into labor, she stated that she just knew it was the day.

“His birth was largely orchestrated by God,” she explained. “I just instinctively said, ‘I’m going to send my kid to school, and when he comes home, he’ll have a little brother.'”

In addition to her general spidey senses, Welteroth had an impulse to be outdoors, so she went to the park.

“The moment I sat down on the grass, I felt the first contraction,” she said. “I assumed, ‘Let’s go, honey.’ “It’s happening.”

Still, there was no immediate sense of urgency for the young mother of two, even stopping to do some Reiki within the park together with her midwife. Shortly thereafter, she returned home for what she described because the “most beautiful” and “peaceful” home birth. SantiGold’s peaceful delivery could also be a part of the inspiration behind his name, which she said means “peace” in Thai.

“I think you’re more confident in the process the second time around,” she noted, adding, “You can trust the method more. The baby was born inside three hours, I could not consider it.

Welteroth, who welcomed her first child, a boy, together with her husband in April 2022, has long touted her second pregnancy as a “redemptive pregnancy.” Its first stage was marked by complications and anxiety. Halfway through, after learning concerning the full scope of the Black mother’s health crisis, she began working with a midwife and decided to have a house birth. She also learned what number of families couldn’t afford the life-saving care of midwives and doulas, which led her to launch the FUND birth fund earlier this yr.

Elaine Welteroth shares her pain story in Advil's 'Believe My Pain' campaign

It was through the organization’s official opening that she learned she was pregnant together with her second child, announcing the primary group of beneficiaries. Now her organization is preparing to reward 41 more families.

“I started with the mantra: ‘We are the ones who have to save ourselves,’” she said. “I’m just very, very proud of our team and that we can help women and families, especially in this moment when we see how the system is failing families. I am truly encouraged and hopeful.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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The ultimate Black-owned gift guide for Divine 9 members

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When it involves honoring the wealthy legacy of the Divine Nine, selecting the proper gift is about greater than just aesthetics – it’s about celebrating the history, culture and unwavering bonds of Black Greek letter organizations. Whether it’s Founders’ Day, inheritance ceremonyor just to point out like to a valued senior or fraternity brother, a meaningful gift reflects the pride, strength and purpose these organizations embody.

From stylish accessories to memorabilia that captures the essence of those organizations, these Black-owned brands can assist you to honor the spirit of service and sisterhood – or brotherhood – that outline the Divine Nine experience.

Truth 2 Code

(Photo: True 2 The Code)

Truth 2 Code offers a variety of fashionable accessories for members of the Divine Nine. Adding street style to classic Greek pieces, the True 2 Greek collection allows members to point out off their letters and private style.

Estelle coloured glass

(Photo: Estelle Colored Glass)

Although they might not be sold as a Greek seller, Estelle coloured glass prepares amazing gifts for members of Greek literary organizations. With a wide selection of coloured glassware designs, consider giving your favorite soror or fraternity brother a set of glasses of their organization’s colours.

(*9*)

DVN

(Photo: DVN)

DVN is a Greek clothing brand that hopes to redefine traditional Greek accessories by offering designs that completely fit people’s on a regular basis style. Founded by Danielle Render, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., DVN combines progressive design and meticulous craftsmanship to create jackets, necklaces and custom pieces that allow all D9 members to “represent their affiliations with confidence and authenticity.”

Vontélle Divine glasses collection

(Photo: Vontélle)

Designed for us, Vontélle is a Black woman-owned eyewear brand offering optical frames and sunglasses that complement Black facial expression. Vontélle “Divine” Collection combines the brand’s mission to create better-fitting, vibrant, fashion-forward styles with colours and patterns inspired by historically black sororities and sororities.

Betty Plus promotion

For over 30 years Betty Plus promotion, Black, a family business, is a one-stop shop for Greek accessories, clothing and custom embroidery. Offering deals for every Divine 9 organization, Betty’s Promo Plus offers collections of transition gifts, holiday gifts and more.

Fashionably Greek

(Photo: Fashionably Greek)

Fashionably Greek provides a various range of trendy and customizable clothing options, offering clothes and niknaks for all D9 sororities and choose fraternities (Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi). Its products are perfect for any occasion, from homecoming to social events and even to the office.

University nativity scene

University nativity scene is certainly one of the biggest Greek accessories stores. This Black family-owned business offers a big selection of merchandise for each D9 and non-D9 Black Greek organizations. Customers can shop online or visit a store near Tennessee State University in person.

Macy’s Divine Nine Fraternity and Sorority Collections

(Photo courtesy of Macy’s)

Macy’s Divine Nine Brotherhood collection AND Kasper Sorority Collection pay tribute to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations by offering men’s and girls’s clothing that highlights the distinct colours of every organization. These business-style garments are perfect for members to subtly have fun their affiliation at work events and/or branch meetings.

Black-owned brands will be able to shop from Oprah's 2024 favorites list

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Lifestyle

Why Denzel Washington quit drinking at 60

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Denzel Washington, alcohol use, sobriety, drug abuse, Gladiator II, Denzel Washington retiring, theGrio.com

Denzel Washington has been sober for nearly a decade, but he had one particular vice: wine.(*60*)

In a brand new profile, the 69-year-old actor talks about his history with wine, drugs like LSD and growing up in New York within the Seventies. Esquire magazine..(*60*)

“Wine is very difficult,” he warned. “It’s very slow… It’s not like boom.”(*60*)

He explained that, unlike harder substances, he had “the perfect idea for wine tasting and so on – and that’s how it was in the beginning.”(*60*)

“And this is a very subtle thing,” he added.(*60*)

Washington said his habit really took off in 1999, when he built a house with a ten-thousand-bottle wine cellar and “learned to drink the best of it.”(*60*)

He added: “My passion was wine, and now I was pouring $4,000 bottles just because it was left.”(*60*)

The “Gladiator II” star eventually developed an intake management system; he frequently ordered the 2 best bottles of wine available at his favorite liquor store.(*60*)

“And my wife says, ‘Why do you only order two?’ I said, “Because if I order more, I’ll drink more.” So I limited it to 2 bottles and drank each in the course of the day,” he told the publication.(*60*)

Even though she drinks wine day by day, the “Equalizer 3” star said she never drank alcohol while working or preparing for a task, even while filming “Flight,” which tells the story of an alcoholic pilot.(*60*)

“I would clean up and go back to work – I could do both,” he said. “Regardless of the months of shooting, bang, it is time to wrap up. And then boom. Three months of wine and time to get back to work.(*60*)

The actor admitted that when he was younger, it was easier to take care of this pattern.(*60*)

“Two months off and we’re going. But the drinking was a fifteen-year pattern. And truth be told, it didn’t start in 1999. It began earlier,” he explained.(*60*)

Washington, who was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, described what it was like growing up there within the late Seventies. Spending time on projects with individuals who exposed him to heroin, cocaine, hard alcohol and more, he admits that he experimented but personally “never got hooked on it.” (*60*)

In fact, much of those formative years experiences were passed on to a few of Washington’s best and most complex figures. Still, he said, “I am unable to consider a single role where I said, ‘Man, that is me.’ Completely me? No, no.(*60*)

Since he quit drinking, he appears like “everything is opening up to him.”(*60*)

Will one of Denzel Washington's last films be

“It’s like you’re seventy,” he said. “This is real. And it’s okay. This is the last chapter – if I get one other thirty, what do I would like to do? My mother lived to be ninety-seven.(*60*)

The husband and father of 4 also pays more attention to fitness today, due to Lenny Kravitz, who introduced him to his trainer.(*60*)

“I’m doing everything I can,” he said.(*60*)

As he noted in the course of the “Gladiator II” press session, he’s also enthusiastic about upcoming projects which will become his last – and yes, they include two more “Equalizer” movies.(*60*)

“People love these daggone ‘Equalizers,'” he said. (*60*)

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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