Traci Braxton, 'Braxton Family Values' Star and Singer, Dies at 50

Photo Credit: Twitter/ @iamtracibraxton

R&B singer and reality television personality, Traci Braxton, best known musically for her singles "Last Call" and "Broken Things," is dead at 50.

Braxton's publicist, Thomasina Perkins-Washington, confirmed the star died Saturday, following a lengthy battle with esophageal cancer.

Perkins-Washington said Braxton was "surrounded by family and friends at the time of her passing," in a media release.

She also shared some words from the late artist's husband, Kevin Surratt:

"We have come to a time where we must inform the public that after a year of privately undergoing a series of treatments for Esophageal cancer, our beloved Traci Braxton has gone on to glory," read the statement.

Braxton released two solo albums. In 2014, her debut effort "Crash & Burn" reached No. 11 on Billboard‘s Top R&B Albums chart and featured the single “Last Call,” which reached No. 16 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart.

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Her sophomore effort "On Earth" was released in 2018. The album's lead single "Broken Things" featuring guest vocals from three of her sisters, peaked at No. 24. on the R&B chart.

While Braxton may have only enjoyed moderate success as a solo artist, her collaboration with her four sisters on WeTV's "Braxton Family Values," raised her profile significantly. Appearing alongside Grammy winner Toni, Traci, Tamar, Trina and Towanda, for seven seasons on the show chronicling the everyday ups-and-downs of the musical family — she became a fan favorite. That success led to her hosting her own radio show and a burgeoning acting career.

"Needless to say, she was a bright light, a wonderful daughter, an amazing sister, a loving mother, wife, grandmother and a respected performer. We will miss her dearly," the "Un-Break My Heart" wrote.

Her son, Kevin Surratt Jr., also posted a tribute.

"I love my mother forever and this hurts so much but I'm at peace knowing she's not in pain anymore," read his post on Instagram.

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Former 'Empire' Star, Jussie Smollett, Sentenced to 150 days in Jail for Lying to Police in Hate Crime Hoax

Cook County Sheriff's Office

More than four years after Jussie Smollett, 39, faked a racist and homophobic attack against himself that polarized the nation, the former "Empire" actor and R&B singer has been sentenced for his crimes.

Thursday, Cook County Judge James Linn called Smollett, arrogant and selfish in a nearly 30-minute speech before sentencing him to five months in jail for lying to Chicago police.

"There's a side of you that has this arrogance, and selfishness and narcissism that's just disgraceful," Linn said. "You're not a victim of a racial hate crime, you're not a victim of a homophobic hate crime. You're just a charlatan pretending to be a victim of a hate crime, and that's shameful."

In addition to the jail time, which was scheduled to begin immediately after sentencing, Smollet was given 30 months of felony probation and ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago. He also was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine for making false reports to police that he was the victim of a hate crime.

Following the judgment, a visibly agitated Smollet, removed the mask he had been wearing throughout the proceeding and declared his innocence.

Jussie Smollett after the sentencing: “I am not suicidal. If anything happens to me when I go in there, you must all know that.” pic.twitter.com/xe2wYpQJ4O

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 11, 2022

"If I did this, then it means that I stuck my fist in the fears of Black Americans in this country for over 400 years and the fears of the LGBT community. Your honor, I respect you and I respect the jury, but I did not do this," he pleaded to Linn, before turning to the court. "And I am not suicidal. And if anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself. And you must all know that."

The Black and gay actor reported to police in January 2019 that two men wearing ski masks beat him, put a noose around his neck and hurled racial and homophobic slurs at him on a dark Chicago Street before he managed to fight them off. Smollett's attack made international headlines, sparked a debate on racism that reached the White House and was the catalyst for a manhunt in Chicago that cost the city $130,000.

His story began to unravel, however, when brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, revealed to investigators that Smollett paid them $3,500 to carry out the attack, alleging that he was upset that a threatening letter sent to the "Empire" studio had not been taken more seriously.

Both brothers testified in his trial in December 2021. Olabinjo Osundairo said Smollett told him that he'd received hate mail at the TV studio in Chicago "and he had this crazy idea of having two MAGA supporters attack him," a reference to then-President Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again." Osundairo believed the plan was to publicize the attack on social media, not to involve police, he said.

The jury convicted him on five counts of disorderly conduct — for each separate time he was charged with lying to police in the days after the alleged attack.

As he was being led from the courtroom and taken into custody, Smollett proclaimed his innocence again and raised a fist in the air.

Major League Soccer Reaches a Deal to support Black Banks, Hoping to Help Close the Racial Wealth Gap

Major League Soccer (MLS) and National Blank Bank Foundation (NBBF) leaders join with Dr. Bernice A. King to announce MLS’s historic $25 million transaction with Black-owned banks across the country. L to R: NBBF Co-Founder Brandon Comer; Black Players For Change Founder and MLS veteran Quincy Amarikwa; King Center CEO Dr. Bernice A. King; MLS Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Sola Winley; NBBF Co-Founder Ashley Bell.

MLS Will Leverage Historic $25 Million Loan With Black Banks

Major League Soccer is attempting to do its part to help close the racial wealth gap.

Thursday, the league announced a partnership with the nonprofit National Black Bank Foundation (NBBF). Through it, the league will leverage a $25 million loan with eight Black banks.

According to MLS, the historic deal would mark the first time any sports league has participated in a major commercial transaction exclusively with Black-owned banks.

"Major League Soccer's partnership with the National Black Bank Foundation is a tangible step in the efforts to close the racial economic gap in the United States, and it's the right business decision for us," MLS Commissioner said Don Garber of the reasoning behind the move in a statement. 

"As a league, we continue to increase our initiatives in support of racial justice. In order to make a genuine impact, economic justice must be part of the equation. This transaction with a syndicate of community-focused Black banks is an important measure, and it is our hope this will raise awareness of the importance of Black-owned banks and their impact on the economy."

Dr. Bernice A. King, National Black Bank Foundation board member and King Center CEO, added, "I brought MLS and NBBF together because I saw an opportunity to create a partnership with the power to transform lives in Black communities and change hearts and minds throughout our nation. This deal undoubtedly marks an important moment in the continuing struggle for civil rights in the United States."

According to the Federal Reserve, the Black-white economic gap in the United States has remained virtually untouched since the Civil Rights Movement. Historical efforts by Black families to escape the continuum of poverty by building intergenerational wealth, primarily through homeownership and small business entrepreneurship, have been thwarted by racialized credit access. In 2020, lenders denied Black mortgage applicants at a rate 84% higher than white borrowers.

The terms of the loan have yet to be disclosed, but it is known the interest and fees will be paid in advance, creating what's called Tier 1 capital — which the league says will almost immediately allow the banks to offer more loans and lines of credit in Black and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.