Reporter: Nyumia Rodrigue, Solomon Atah – Guest Analyst: Deba Uwadae – Producer: Marcel Adig – News Editor: Nuwayla Mazrui-Helmrich – News Anchors: Nuwayla Mazrui-Helmrich, Ernest Kanjo. We do not own rights to songs played on the program.
One of the first tasks undertaken by any newly elected president is to consider his or her appointments for the new administration’s Cabinet. And that’s no different for President-Elect Joe Biden. Looking back at the Democratic challenger’s campaign, it’s no secret that Biden’s campaign was fraught with questions regarding his political record on the African American community. Throughout his campaign and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, many accused Biden of building his career on the betrayal of Black voters. His record clearly shows, for example, that he was the leading liberal opponent to busing in the 1970s, and in the 1980s and 90s was one of the leading architects of mass incarceration.
Yet, to his credit, since his triumph in the presidential election, Biden has already earned praise from progressives for tapping a selection of race experts and academics to fill economic positions on his transition team. With an apparent focus on bridging the racial wealth gap between Black and white Americans in the country, the new hires are reportedly working to help shape his policies on small-business lending, housing, and health.
The racial wealth gap is a key indicator in the overbearing presence and persistence of institutional racism in America. The average Black family holds only 13% of the wealth of the average white family; according to the Federal Reserve, in 2019, Black families owned a median wealth of $24,100, compared to the median wealth of $188,200 owned by white families. And with more and more data documenting the aggravated impact on Black businesses resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic this year, it seems this disparity is set to increase.
Leading President-Elect Biden’s transitional economic team is Mehrsa Baradaran, author of the book The Color of Money, which many tout as the leading resource on race-based economic disparities in the country. Baradaran is an outspoken proponent of slavery reparations. In her book, Baradaran argues that closing the racial wealth gap begins with “acknowledging past wrongs and providing compensation for damages both as a means of closing the wealth gap and correcting white supremacy”. She was also a consultant on this issue for several other democratic candidates in the 2020 elections, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Some of the other members of Biden’s landing team that have prompted approval and excitement from progressives include Don Graves, who previously worked for the Obama administration and was the Head of Corporate Responsibility for KeyBank, and Tene Dolphin, the first Executive Director for the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce.
It was the hope of many on the left that these picks signaled the Biden’s administration’s commitment to addressing systemic racism in the country by acknowledging that racism has been embedded into policy and taking the necessary measures to enforce parity. That is, until earlier this week, when it was reported that Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel was under consideration for a Cabinet post.
In 2016, reports showed that the two-term Mayor had played an active and willful part in the cover-up of Laquan McDonald’s murder at the hands of Chicago police in 2014. Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old boy, was shot in the back 16 times while walking away from police. And in 2017, police body cam footage was publicly released and clearly showed that McDonald had posed no immediate threat to the police. In a city still grappling with generations of systemic racism and police brutality, the public outrage effectively ended Emmanuel’s political career in Chicago.
In light of this legacy, it is no surprise that progressives are outraged by Biden’s apparent pivot from his commitment to the African American community, and has left many wondering if Biden’s administration will reflect the policies and values championed by his transitional team, or if Black voters, who are credited with his presidential win, must ready themselves for yet another Biden betrayal.
With this week’s latest Heisman rankings going out, I find it challenging and confusing why the country does not give the University of Florida Quarterback Kyle Trask more respect and higher rankings. They still have Mack Jones of Alabama leading off at number 1. Justin fields of Ohio State University at number 2. Trevor Lawrence of Clemson University at 3. Kyle Trask of the University of Florida at 4. Zack Wilson for BYU at 5. And lastly, Ian Book of the University of Notre Dame round out the top 6.
Now is it just me, or when you have a quarterback that leads the nation in touchdowns pass in 28 has the 3rd best QBR (quarterback rating) in the country and has only thrown 3 INTS on the whole year. Granted, I understand that he has one loss on the season to the now 5th ranked Texas A&M Aggies, but I really am not sold on Mack Jones. You have Trevor Lawrence that hasn’t played in two weeks. Kyle Trask has 12 more touchdowns than Jones, but the county and Committee believe that Mack Jones is undefeated in the SEC and has more passing yards and a higher QBR. All will become come clear when these two meet in the SEC championship game this year. If you think about it, Kyle Trask is a gamer and knows how to win a game. He’s special.
For a year of uncertainty and new looks, I thought this would be the year I could actually see one of these none power five schools get in and participate in the college football playoff. With BYU and Cincinnati being the two notable teams this year making a great case so far, the CFP is still not having it this year. Both of these teams are undefeated and have been blowing the meme opponents out the water. On top of that, both teams are ranked in the top 10. it has gotten to the point where you have groups like BYU asking to put more games in their schedule to have a better chance. Over the year, we have seen these none power five schools compete and win games. When they are given the stage, they have always risen to the occasion. From the Boise States in 2007 to the UCF’s and Memphis of the past two years, It’s time to give the little guys a chance. I believe 2020 should be the year we see that the next step takes place.
On November 18th, All eyes were on the 2020 NBA Draft.
This year’s draft was very different due to COVID-19 safety precautions. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the selections virtually, similar to the way the NFL conducted their draft. We had not seen any college action since March 11th, when the season was cut short due to a rise in Coronavirus cases. It was during the conference tournaments, wherein in many situations, stars are born. Exceptional play, along with memorable shots, help raise the draft stock. These young men stayed focused on mental and physical health during such a trying time is honorable. There were a total of 60 players selected between 2 rounds.
The top 10 picks are:
1. Minnesota
2. Golden State
3. Charlotte
4. Chicago
5. Cleveland
6. Atlanta
7. Detroit
8. New York
9. Washington
10. Phoenix
Top 10 draft prospects:
1. Anthony Edwards 6’5 G Georgia
2. James Wiseman 7’1 C Memphis
3. Lamelo Ball 6’7 PG Australia(NBL)
4. Obi Troppin 6’9 PF Dayton
5. Onyeka Okongwu 6’9 PF Southern California
6. Addis Bey 6’8 SM Villanova
7.Deni Avdija 6’9 SM Europe
8. Isaac Okoro 6’6 SG Auburn
9. Killian Hayes 6’5 PG France
10. Devin Vassell 6’6 SG Florida State
Let’s hope for a successful, healthy, and long career for all these young men.
Friday’s Ohio Division I state championship game between #11 ranked Pickerington Central Tigers and St. Xavier Bombers (Cincinnati) was a lopsided victory. St. Xavier defeated Pickerington Central 44-3 to end the Tiger’s perfect season and halt their quest for back-to-back titles and their third title in four years.
St. Xavier’s wide receiver Jalen Patterson exploded straight out the gate catching four touchdown passes in the first quarter.
Bombers quarterback Brogan McCaughey threw for almost 300 yards in the first quarter alone, completing 22 out of 33 passes and four touchdowns. Patterson also tied an Ohio state championship receiving record.
The Bombers also played a great game on defense lead by Grant Lyons.
Friday’s game was the first meeting between St. Xavier and Pickerington Central since 2016 when the Bombers beat the Tigers 29-27 in the semifinals to go on and defeat St. Ignatius (Cleveland) in a double-overtime thriller for the state championship.
Meanwhile, the Tigers came in averaging 257 yards rushing managed just 20 total rushing yards in the first half. A lot of that was credited to Lyons and nose guard Giovanni Albanese.
Pickerington Central got on the board with a 27-yard field goal at the start of the second quarter, but St. Xavier answered with two more touchdowns, including a 60-yard punt return by Gabriel Dubois.
Bomber’s coach Steve Spect in a post-game interview expressed how proud he was of these young men conquering all the craziness of 2020, and now they are state champions.
Both programs deserve a standing ovation.👏🏾
@ohsaasports
The world has had prolonged crises in the past, but none has the kind of adverse effect the Coronavirus has in just over a year. A year for China, but for the United States, eight months now. If a pandemic hit hard on every single sector and every single way of life, then it is not a joke. Since there was no ready treatment and vaccine for COVID-19, which emerged almost unannounced, its immediate response was human behavior.
One – hand washing, which was recommended to be done as many times as possible. In some places, people complained they didn’t have drinkable water, let alone the one with which to wash their hands. True to an extent, but what about those who have water. And the one with which to wash hands, but deliberately refuse to do so?
Two – mask-wearing! As simple as it is, mask-wearing is a way to cover facial openings such as the nose and mouth through which the virus can penetrate. Not only have some people disrespected this measure, scores of others perpetually and openly displayed non-mask wearing in public places. The Summer protests with people marching bare face are still fresh on our minds.
Hardly had those protests faded out than a candidate for an election gave his supporters the green light to come to massively attended rallies without masks. And even when he contracted the virus and beat it, his rallies still had many people not wearing masks.
The third point sounds mysterious – social distancing. Science has established that close contact, especially with people having the virus, would create room for infection. So, social distancing becomes a way of reducing or preventing its spread. Even after guidelines and strict measures, some people have continued to organize social events that promote close interaction – birthday parties, baby showers, graduation ceremonies, dance parties, and you name it.
How else can human behavior be controlled? We have heard a loud cry by Doctors, Nurses, and other healthcare personnel virtually begging people to stay at home so that the spread of the virus could be reduced. This is because they, frontline workers, face tortuous moments taking care of sick people, especially at this time when cases have tripled and hospitals running short of space and staff.
Experts have said with the vaccine at the corner, there is some hope, but things can only get back in good shape if people display good behavior vis-à-vis the spread of the virus. They say if people change their attitudes and the vaccine checks in, we could be out of this by the fall of next year. Some soothing news, isn’t it? But are we ready to mine our behavior? Are we ready to keep wearing the mask and social distancing? Well, we better be and overcome this pandemic or remain stubborn and keep falling prey to it. The first option is the better one; there is no doubt about that.
This is the Apex 1 Radio News Magazine!
The Starfish Assignment is an independent organization that works with officers to address the areas that need help the most in the community that they serve. While patrolling the neighborhood, Columbus Police Officers Joshua Bell and Mike Daymut realized that many families, especially in the height of this pandemic, will not have a warm meal this holiday season. Therefore, this led them to pitch their idea to the Starfish Assignment to offer assistance. Columbus Police Officer Pete Casuccio, executive vice-President of the Starfish Assignment, loved the idea, and that’s how the first-ever “Cops & Gobblers” came alive.
On Wednesday, officers from the fifth Precinct in South Linden, alongside members from the Starfish Assignment volunteers, gave away thanksgiving dinners to one hundred and fifty families giving them something to smile about this holiday season. They gave each family frozen turkey, a bag full of stuffing, cranberry sauce, instant potatoes, gravy mix, corn, green beans, and cornbread mix. Kemba Financial group credit union-sponsored this giveback initiative, and all of the donations were from Walmart on Morse Road. The Organization and the CPD met at the Douglas Community Center then proceeding to the Winsor neighborhoods.
In an interview with 10TV-WBNS, Officer Daymut, who originally pitched the idea to Starfish Assignment alongside another officer (Bell), stated that “Anything we can do to put a smile on people’s faces, puts a smile on our day.” Officer Bell also added that “It’s been a trying time, now more than ever, just any opportunity we have to give back to the community is good.”
And so, with this belief, dozens of other officers within the South Liden Precinct also participated in the first-ever “Cops & Gobblers.” For any of the residents who were not home at the time, picking it up at the Douglas Community Center located at 1250 Windsor Avenue was an option. One of the residents who were not home at the time approached one of the officers and said, “thank you.” Those who were home also thanked the officers after receiving their Thanksgiving Dinners.
Communities and law enforcement officers are encouraged to become volunteers with Starfish Assignments because “no one can do everything, but everyone can do something” (their slogan)
Overall, the event went accordingly; however, the hopes were that every door that got knocked on could receive the gift of giving. It was the only disappointment to a very successful first-ever “Cops & Gobblers.”
This Sunday, November 22nd, at 12:30 p.m., at the Precinct 19 Substation located at 2070 Sullivant Avenue in Columbus, Officers from 19, 8, and 10 Precincts and Franklin Township Police Department will be teaming up with Starfish Assignment again. This time they will be delivering Thanksgiving bags provided by a local charity to the Westside families in need.
Written By Quentin Patterson & Okon Ekpenyong
COVID-19: Questions, Yet No Answers! That life has not been the same since the Coronavirus set in is no longer news. What is even more certain is that life shall never be the same again. For months now, in most places in the world and for over a year in China, the question of when this shall come to an end has lingered in the minds of people. A question that has found no answer in the longest period than any other asked in modern times or should we say at least, in recent years. Unlike other crises, COVID-19 launched an attack on every human being, regardless of age, gender, race, social status, and name. It checked in so fast and swept people and dreams. Its behavior became even more complex and hard to understand. In the age of science and technology, what kind of virus and disease would ravage the world so mercilessly like this? Still, more unanswered questions! In March, when the Coronavirus showed its ugly face in the United States, Summer was at the corner. Having been told that the virus doesn’t withstand high temperatures, the first hope was that the Summer heat was going to be the natural solution to the so-called disease without a vaccine. Behold, Summer came along with a terrifying increase in the number of cases. Was heat or high temperature not able to extinguish the virus anymore – yet another unanswered question! An attempt to find solace and an answer in the fact that people interacted more in the hot season and will stay home more in the cold season only ushered in another complex phase of the Coronavirus. With temperatures dropping, Coronavirus cases have tripled and now appearing to be worse than any time in the history of the new pandemic. So, when therefore is the time the virus’s spread is negligible? Another question! And so these scores of unanswered questions have characterized this long period of pandemic time with its huge impact commonly known to the world. Can the discovery of a vaccine be 90% effective by the Pharmaceutical giant FIZER be the beginning of the solution to the Coronavirus and COVID-19? For once, let this be a question that has an answer, and let the answer be YES. Let the YES be the power of the tongue and be claimed. YES, this time! This is the Apex 1 News Magazine! Broadcast editorial was written and presented on the Apex 1 News Magazine of Nov. 6, 2020, by Ernest Kanjo
They say what you wear speaks volumes, so if you leave the house, especially on a Sunday morning. And you are heading to church looking like a hot mess; not only would the pastor talk about you, but that old lady in the corner who doesn’t say much because she’s always falling asleep. However, she happens to be awake that day and gives you that “mama look.” Kaboom!! Would you blame it on the designer, or it is not what you wear but how you wear it that rocks the fashion runaway. Be careful because even at the height of this pandemic, fashion still arises like ocean waves. So, what you wear and how you wear it matters.
And today, at the Fireproof Columbus on High Street near Ohio State University Campus, not only did the designer of these beautiful outfits do a fantastic job, but the models rocked it.
Xuena Pu, a recent graduate from the Columbus college of art & design was the designer and stated that her culture influences her designs.
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