JAY-Z Checks Jermaine Dupri Over His NFL Deal Then Sign A Deal Says Funk Flex
Jay-Z can always find a friend in fellow hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Diddy came to Hov’s defense after the billionaire was hit with backlash for signing a partnership deal with the NFL two weeks ago. Critics and fans accused the “4:44” rapper of betraying Colin Kaepernick and using his cause to advance his own bank account. But Jay-Z’s longtime friend Diddy broke his silence Monday morning to defend Hov’s deal and encourage members of the black community to stick together.
“Hov is one of the greatest to ever do it, he has been there more than anybody from the hip hop culture, including me,” the Bad Boy CEO said in a caption. “He always has been so selfless and fights for other people. We as a people can not be divided and conquered at this time!!”
Diddy went on to address those who have been defending Kaepernick against Jay Z and pitting the two against each other.
“I’m so proud of @kaepernick7 and the attention he was able to bring and the efforts he continues to make. I’ll continue to support him in every way possible. ?I’m also proud of my brother JAY Z for showing how it should be done! It’s time to play chess not checkers, I believe he is going to do some incredible things.”
Details of the deal were scarce, but the NFL claims Jay Z was hired to “enhance the NFL’s live game experiences and to amplify the league’s social justice efforts.” Jay Z has since said he plans on furthering the movement Kapernick started when he began kneeling during the national anthem three years ago. Diddy said despite what critics believe, he trusts that Hov’s intentions are in the right place.
“I was just watching everything last week but it hurt me to my heart because I know this man personally. He’s one of the most genuine and intelligent black leaders we’ve ever had. We cannot go against each other, there’s not enough of us. I applaud Jay Z and I applaud the NFL for bringing him in.”
Jermaine Dupri Denies Jay-Z Told Him To Turn Down NFL Deal
Did JAY-Z check Jermaine Dupri for signing a deal with the NFL last year?
Hov continues to get some backlash from supporters of Colin Kaepernick over his new deal with the NFL. Urban Islandz reported last week that JAY-Z signed a deal with the NFL for “social justice” and will also be a part-owner of a team. Some folks think that he is undercutting Kaepernick’s cause by aligning himself with an organization that has blackballed the ball player for kneeling. However, the rap icon says that he is moving on to actionable items and that it’s time to get past kneeling.
On Monday, New York radio personality Funk Flex tweeted out that he had a phone call with Jermaine Dupri who told him that he received a phone call from JAY-Z last year when he signed a deal with the NFL. According to Funk, the “Story of OJ” rapper wanted to know how deep Dupri was with the NFL because he doesn’t think its a good idea. Perhaps he is saying that Hov is a hypocrite because he has now signed a huge deal with the same organization and will likely be the owner of a team.
“I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH JERMAINE DUPRI… HE CONFIRMED THAT WHEN HE WAS WORKING WITH THE NFL LAST YEAR HE DID GET A CALL FROM JAYZ ASKING HIM.. ‘HOW DEEP ARE U IN WITH THE NFL?’ EXPRESSING… ‘THAT MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD IDEA,'” Funk Flex tweeted.
The full details of JAY-Z’s deal with the NFL has not yet revealed, but it’s possible that he has an aced up his sleeve, but first, he had to get a seat at the table. Maybe we should all just wait and see what he is up to because he does have a point about getting a position at the table in order to effect change from within.
Funk Flex also weight in on the settlement deal that Colin Kaepernick made with the NFL, saying that he has not been as aggressive as he was since signing the deal.
“This subject matter has been weighing on me for a sec,” he wrote on IG. “I’ve spoken to Jermaine, Fat Joe, Nessa, Pio and TT…. My opinion is probably not what the people I have relationships want to hear but it’s bothering me so I need to discuss… Colin has taken an incredible unselfish stand for bringing light to social injustice that will never be duplicated… and even though his settlement was under 10million for him and Eric (Which covered mostly lawyer fees) I’m not 1,000 percently ok that Colin excepted the deal because it feels that since the deal Colin hasn’t been as aggressive as he once was.”
“If Jayz saw what we all saw in the press conference and feels working from the inside while being paid and receiving a “stake” in a team is the answer and can spearhead social justice from the inside he is our HERO for life,” Funk Flex continues. “BUT if he and the air personalities/social media influencers that Roc nation manages or wants to be managed by them have spun the “believe in Jayz… give him a chance” campaign to line pockets… this will be remembered and NOT swept under the rug in a few months! TRUST! Time will tell!#JustMyOpinion.”
Jay Z To Buy Minority Interest NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers
Jermaine Dupri is denying that Jay-Z told him to turn down a deal with the NFL last year, despite DJ Funk Flex's claims to the contrary. According to Dupri:
"He and I never had a conversation where he told me, 'don't do what you're doing.' What our conversation was... 'you know what side I'm on, I understand what you're doing.' That's what the conversation was," Dupri shared with Big Tigger.
Earlier this week, Bryan-Michael Cox had claimed that Jay had convinced Dupri to turn down a similar deal last year. On Monday, Funk Flex tweeted that he had spoken to Dupri and that he confirmed that such a conversation did take place.
But Dupri is saying that the conversation with Jay was along the lines of "You know which side I'm on. I understand what you're doing."
Well, it seems that while Jay did not tell Dupri not to partner with the NFL, he was hoping that he would not. But now both music moguls appear to be on the same side.
Will JAY-Z Soon Become Part Owner Of An NFL Team? {VIDEO}
Shawn "Jay Z" Carter will be the largest percentage African American owner of a football team. The 49 year old billionaire is in the midst of purchasing approximately a 5% interest in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
We spoke with 2 people close to the deal who told us that Jigga is in the final stages of buying the ownership rights to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will still be majority owned by the Rooney Family - led by Art Rooney II - but Jay will now have input into the NFL!!
And the greatest rapper is paying a steep price for that ownership. It's rumored that Jay is paying somewhere between $100 and $200M for the interest in the team.
He's buying his interest directly from the Steelers. The 5% interest, used to belong to David Tepper, but he was no longer able to be a minority shareholder in the Pittsburgh Steelers ownership group, once he bought the Carolina Panthers.
The Steelers ownership group currently consists of 18 owners, including five members of the Rooney Family (who own the majority of the team). The most noteworthy non-Rooney ownership members are former Steelers wide receiver John Stallworth and entertainment executive Thomas Tull.
According to a person close to the situation, Jay Z has already gone through the vetting process, and the other NFL owners gave him the thumbs up. So the deal is all but done.
Now the next question on the plate - will Jay sign Colin Kaepernick to his team???
Rihanna BLASTS Jay Z Over His New NFL Deal - 'Wrong' & 'Shady'
Jay-Z’s partnership with the NFL may be taken to the next level.
Days after JAY-Z announced a new partnership deal with the NFL to help combat social injustice, TMZ reported that the billionaire mogul has plans to become a part-owner of an NFL team soon. Sources say that Hov is going to have a “significant ownership interest” in a team, although the specific team was not immediately made known. Sean “JAY-Z” Carter does have experience in team ownership from buying a stake in the Brooklyn Nets, although he sold it in 2013.
The ownership plans comes as part of a broader deal that Jay has conjured up with the league, one that he’s been facing backlash for all week. On Tuesday the NFL announced that Roc Nation will now have a hand in entertainment efforts as well as helping the league address social justice issues. The league has been the scene of controversy since Colin Kaepernick began protesting police brutality in 2016 by kneeling during the national anthem.
Since then, JAY-Z took his own stance against the NFL, turning down the offer to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show and criticizing other artists for doing so, all based on the fact that the league has yet to hire Kaepernick back since his protests. When asked in a press conference Wednesday about his change of heart, the Brooklyn rapper said it was time to move past kneeling and take action.
“Now we all know what’s going on, what are we going to do? Because the kneeling was not about a job. It was about injustice. ‘Let me bring attention to injustice.’ Everyone is saying ‘How are you going forward and Kaep doesn’t have a job?’ This wasn’t about him having a job.”
His words sparked debate among fans and critics, those of which have said JAY-Z is using Kaepernick’s sacrifice as a money grab. But the 49-year-old mogul has a history of fighting for the culture. It was only months ago he and Meek Mill teamed up to create the REFORM alliance to help parolees who are unfairly trapped in the legal system.
So this new twist of his ownership interests only adds a layer to an already complicated situation. Details of the amount of money JAY-Z will receive from the multiyear partnership were not made available.
Nessa: 'Jay-Z Helped The NFL BURY Colin Kaepernick
Jay Z has been coming under fire over the last couple of days - after signing an agreement with the NFL to help them figure out how to deal with their "diversity" issues.
Now pop superstar Rihanna is coming out - and Blasting her longtime friend and mentor - even co-signing a post that called him "shady".
Many of Jay Z's critics claim that the rapper, who is a billionaire, is selling out his people for a check. Others say that his agreement undermines NFL player/activist Colin Kaeperneck, who is currently being banned from the league.
Rihanna in this case seems to be one of Jay's biggest critics. She recently liked a post by activist Shaun King which called Jay Z "shady."
Here is the proof:
Jay Z helped make Rihanna become the star that she is today. It was Jay that first signed Rihanna to Def Jam and Jay Z that was featured on Rihanna's first mega-hit song Umbrella.
It was only less than a year ago when the 31-year-old shaded the NFL and reportedly declined an offer to entertain during the 2019 installment because of her support for ex-NFL star Colin Kaepernick. "The NFL and CBS really wanted Rihanna to be next year’s performer in Atlanta. They offered it to her, but she said no because of the kneeling controversy. She doesn’t agree with the NFL’s stance," another insider told Entertainment Tonight. "The offer and exposure would have been great for Rihanna as she’s planning a new album and tour but she stuck to what’s right in her eyes." Among the other stars who reportedly declined appearances during the halftime show included Cardi B, Pink and Adele.
Nessa Slams Jay-Z Over NFL Deal, Jay says: 'I Think We've Moved Past Kneeling'
Nessa, media personality and the girlfriend of Colin Kaepernick has continued to call out Jay-Z over his new partnership with the NFL.
She addressed the issue once again, directly via an Instagram post:
"It's typical for the NFL to buy different PR looks to cover up their dirt-that's nothing new. But what is disgusting and disappointing is Jay-Z let them use him. Whether Jay-Z knew it or not (I don't doubt his intelligence-so I would think he knew) he helped the NFL bury who he said is an iconic figure, Colin Kaepernick," she wrote.
She continued, "Don't tell me there's a "master plan and wait for it" because the ONLY reason anything would ever change is because THE PEOPLE are loud and clear and won't let the league buy their loyalty with their disingenuous moves. The people are letting the league and anyone who works with them know that they aren't buying the bs."
She ended the post by thanking fans for their ongoing support of Kaepernick.
Jay-Z had previously stated that he had spoken to the former NFL QB before inking his deal - Kaepernick's camp that a conversation ever took place.
Nessa, media personality and girlfriend of Colin Kaepernick has spoken out against Jay-Z's new partnership with the NFL.
The league blackballed Colin Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, because he took a knee during the singing of the national anthem in protest of police brutality and social injustice in America.
"I don't mind you doing a business deal - but I do mind you wrapping it in social justice when you're working with an organization that denies someone an opportunity," Nessa reportedly said on Hot 97 on Wednesday after catching wind of Jay's deal.
“I don’t mind you doing a business deal - but I do mind you wrapping it in social justice when you’re working with an organization that denies someone an opportunity.” - Nessa
Captain Cristobal@CRS_One
“He didn’t just take a knee, he Put the work behind it. And he lost his career for it”
"The disappointment in Jay-Z isn't in the partnership. The disappointment is wrapping it in social justice.
"He didn't just take a knee, he Put the work behind it. And he lost his career for it."
She continued:
"Jay has phenomenal music, he's done so much nobody's taking that away from him! Do your business! But don't talk to me about that League when they're doing dishonorable things."
“Jay has phenomenal music, he’s done so much nobody’s taking that away from him! Do your business! But don’t talk to me about that League when they’re doing dishonorable things.”
Captain Cristobal@CRS_One
“This person working with this league wore Colin’s Jersey - But some people don’t understand what’s going on.
“You don’t have to report to anybody! - but don’t you dare call it a social justice reform attempt when it comes to working with that company. Don’t mess with my family!”
Captain Cristobal@CRS_One
Imma take a line from Flex - I got a Story to tell - that’s what it is! - Nessa
The Kaepernick Effect: Is Jay-Z’s new deal with the NFL a conflict of interests?
Jay-Z has spoken out about his controversial new partnership with the NFL, saying that he thinks we have moved "past kneeling."
Jay answered questions alongside NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, where he was asked whether he'd kneel or stand.
"I think we've moved past kneeling, and I think it's time to go into actionable items."
Adding, "No, I don't want people to stop protesting at all. Kneeling — I know we're stuck on it because it's a real thing — but kneeling is a form of protest. I support protest across the board. We need to bring light to the issue. I think everyone knows what the issue is — we're done with that," he said. "We all know the issue now. OK, next. What are we moving [on to] next? ... And I'm not minimizing that part of it, because that has to happen, that's a necessary part of the process. But now that we all know what's going on, what are we going to do? How are we going to stop it? Because the kneeling was not about a job, it was about injustice."
After facing criticism, Jay-Z stated that he had spoken to Colin Kaepernick about the deal, something Kaepernick's girlfriend Nessa and his attorney denies.
If you are baffled by the move that Jay Z just made with the NFL then you don't actually listen to his music.
He's a proud capitalist. It's the primary theme of his career.
Last year he dissed people who performed at the Super Bowl. Wore a Kaep jersey.
They made him an offer.
Shaun King✔@shaunking
Jay Z is what I would call a woke capitalist.
Woke describes his capitalism, but let's be clear, he's a capitalist, and if a good deal comes along, even if it means working with the NFL at the expense of Colin Kaepernick, he'll make the deal.
I don't think Jay Z violated a single one of his core principles by making a deal with the NFL while they actively ban Colin Kaepernick from ever playing another game for the rest of his life.
That's all I'm saying.
I wouldn't do it, but I'm not Jay Z.
Shaun King✔@shaunking
To be very clear...
Jay Z DID NOT speak to or consult with Colin Kaepernick before he made this deal with the NFL. He openly said that to the NY Times.
Sometimes people avoid advice and counsel that they know good and well will conflict with their money.
Meek Mill Score Big Legal Win, Conviction Thrown out, Judge Dismissed From Case
(L to R) Jay-Z, Colin Kaepernick, Roger Goodell
[OPINION] While the deal between the hip-hop powerhouse and the league may have drawn criticism from some, there is something to be said for having a seat at the table as a means of creating power and making change
Tuesday, Black Twitter and MAGA-loving conservatives alike all lifted their brows in collective surprise when it was announced that Jay-Z and the NFL had decided to join forces.
Yes, the same NFL that unceremoniously blackballed former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for having the nerve to care about Black and Brown people.
According to the official press release, through his company Roc Nation, Jay-Z will be co-producing the Super Bowl Halftime show and also contribute to Inspire Change, a foundation the NFL started in response to public outrage over their mishandling of Kaepernick’s peaceful #TakeTheKnee protest. In interviews with reporters for the The New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, both the rapper and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell clarified that the relationship went much deeper than just having the hip-hop mogul perform at games.
“He was very quick to say that he does not want this to be about him performing, that it was broader than that,”explained Goodell. “It quickly went beyond that. Do I hope he’ll perform in the Super Bowl sometime in the next several years? Yes. But I think we’ll all know if that time comes. He’ll know in particular.”
“We don’t want people to come in and necessarily agree with us; we want people to come in and tell us what we can do better,” he added. “I think that’s a core element of our relationship between the two organizations, and with Jay and I personally.”
While that insight made for a great sound bite, many still weren’t convinced this was a good idea.
Black journalist and social commentator Ernest Owens, for example, was sharp and vocal.
Ernest Owens✔@MrErnestOwens
So the NFL is forming an entertainment and "social justice" partnership with Jay-Z and his Roc Nation agency.
Jay Z hasn't spoken with Colin Kaepernick about this and yet says he was an "inspiration."
If this isn't Black capitalism exploiting the movement I don't know what is.
On the complete other side of the aisle there was longtime Beyonce and Jay-Z detractor, Tomi Lahren, chiming in about why conservatives saw this as a betrayal as well.
Tomi Lahren✔@TomiLahren
Jay-Z will be consulting with the NFL for the Super Bowl halftime show and other performances because apparently the league doesn’t hate America and law enforcement officers at a level satisfactory enough for the former drug dealer.
To be fair, Jay and Goodell both said they made it a point to speak with Kaepernick prior to announcing their plans, but declined to reveal any details about what those conversations entailed or how the athlete personally felt about them joining forces.
When asked how he could ever be in cahoots with the NFL while Kaepernick remains unsigned, Jay responded, “I think that we forget that Colin’s whole thing was to bring attention to social injustice so in that case this is a success — this is the next thing. There’s two parts of protest: the protest, and then there’s a company or individual saying ‘I hear you, what do we do next?’ For me it’s about actionable items, what are we gonna do about it? We get stuck on Colin not having a job, you know what I’m saying? And this is more than that.”
“I support any protest that’s effective,” he continued. “I’m into action, I’m into real work — I’m not into how it looks from the outside. If protesting on the field is the most effective way, then protest on the field. But if you have a vehicle that can inspire change and speak to the masses at the same time, it’s hard to steal the narrative away.”
While I understand why this stance might anger the anti-captitalist crowd, objectively speaking he does have a point. In a perfect world, the NFL and any other institutions that have played a hand in anti-blackness would disappear into a cloud of smoke and be magically replaced by a more just and equitable bastions of diversity and inclusion.
But we don’t live in a perfect world, and since the NFL isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, there is real merit in having them partner up with accountability partners who will not only call them out when they mess up, but also make sure they come up with solutions that will create real change.
Now is Jay-Z the ideal accountability partner to make this happen? Only time will tell, but we’ve all learned over the years that it’s never a good idea to underestimate the Carter family.
For all we know, Beyonce could be planning to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show again next year, and prance onto the field on the back of a unicorn with Kaepernick riding shotgun in his new team jersey.
As fantastical as that sounds, it’s also exactly the sort of unapologetically Black, public spectacle both Hov and his wife have become notorious for playing out in front of mainstream (i. e white) audiences for years now.
Beyonce and Jay-Z are rich enough to not only get into rooms most people of color are banned from, but also powerful enough to flip over some tables in the process, and they do so with no real fear of backlash because, no matter how much their haters scream on social media, who in their right mind is really gonna yell “security!” on one of the most famous power couples in the world?
So yeah, while I understand the knee-jerk reaction to give a side-eye to this business deal, I also think it’s best we all chill out and wait to see what comes of this. Because despite what woke Twitter might have you believe, activism doesn’t just happen on picket lines and at highly publicized social justice marches. Sometimes the person fighting for you the hardest, is ironically the one wearing a suit and sitting right across the table from “the enemy.”
Meek Mill slams ‘racist as hell’ Las Vegas Hotel for barring him, threatening arrest
Meek Mill is finally getting some justice in his decade long legal battle.
An appeals court in Pennsylvania overturned rapper Meek Mill’s conviction in a drug and gun case that dates back to his arrest in 2007 when he was 19 years old. The unanimous decision came from three judges who granted Meek, born Robert Rihmeek Williams, a new trial based on new evidence that brings up questions of police misconduct, according to the Associated Press. The judges said they believe Meek would likely be acquitted if the case is retried. The Pennsylvania Superior Court also overturned Meek Mill’s parole violations that sent the “Championships” rapper to jail for five months in 2017. The court also threw the infamous judge who kept Meek on probation for ten years off the case. Meek Mill and his legal team have spoken out against Philadelphia judge Genece Brinkley several times, accusing her of having a personal vendetta against the rapper.
“We conclude the after-discovered evidence is of such a strong nature and character that a different verdict will likely result at a retrial,” the court said. The decision comes on the heels of the 32-year-old launching Dream Chasers Record Label in a joint nation with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation on Tuesday. Meek will act as the president overseeing the label and its staff. Meek Mill reacted to the back-to-back blessings on Twitter. “I’m not on probation right now … new label with jayz!!! Today was lit already “wtf GOD” you ba actin a fool,” he tweeted. Meek has been counting up wins ever since his release from prison in 2018 and has become the face for criminal justice reform. In April, he and Jay-Z announced the REFORM alliance to help reduce the number of parolees that become trapped in the system, serving unjust parole sentences. In June, the “Dreams and Nightmares” MC became a co-owner of Lids Hats apparel company.
Meek Mill Pulled Over By Cops In Kingston For A Photo Here Is The Video
A popular Las Vegas hotel has come under fire for barring rapper Meek Mill from the property and threatening to have him arrested for trespassing. Video of the hip-hop star confronting staffers at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas about their seemingly racist policies sparked debate across social media after it was shared online. The footage shows Meek attempting to make it make sense after the security team is unable to explain exactly why he is not permitted on the premises.
In a series of tweets and videos, Meek documents the encounter after he arrives at the hotel Saturday afternoon for the DJ Mustard concert, but security staff refuses to allow him in the building, as noted by Rolling Stone.
“If you come from our culture you should never step foot in the cosmopolitan hotel they just really racist as hell …. something really has to be done in Las Vegas what they doing to black people,” Meek Mill tweeted. If you come from our culture you should never step foot in the cosmopolitan hotel they just really racist as hell .... something really has to be done in Las Vegas what they doing to black people!
In the video, one of the security guards says that the decision to bar the rapper is “way bigger than me,” and then threatens to have him arrested for trespassing if he steps foot onto the hotel property.
“I’m gonna be arrested for what? Being a rapper?” Meek Mill asked.
“The cosmopolitan hotel …. and it’s a few other hotels that be doing this to black entertainers because they don’t want too many blacks on they property! Vegas notorious for this too its not just me!!!”
The beloved Philly rapper and his lawyer, Joe Tacopina, believe the hotel turned him away because Mill is black.
In a letter sent to the Cosmopolitan, Tacopina writes: “… We have learned that the Cosmopolitan maintains a list of African American recording artists who should be denied access for no other reason than their culture and skin color.” The Cosmopolitan said in a statement that it did not comment on legal matters, according to philly.com. “Our guests’ safety and security always remains our top priority,” it said. Meanwhile, many across social media think Meek being barred from the hotel is less about race and more to do with his criminal record.
In April 2018, he was released on bail after a five-month stint in prison for parole violation. He is currently on probation for 11 years and using his plight to fight for criminal justice and probation reform.
Jay-Z and Meek Mill announce 50Million criminal justice reform organization headed by Van Jones
Meek Mill got pulled over in Kingston last night, and when he asked the cops why he was being pulled over, they say that they wanted a photo with the famous rapper. The Philly rapper is certainly not the most famous international star to touch down on Jamaican soil recently, but he is undoubtedly getting the most love, even from police officers.
Drake and DJ Khaled was in Jamaica in December, and the cops didn’t even look in their direction, but as soon as Meek stepped out of his private jet, all eyes were on him and in a good way. Rather than asking for drivers license and insurance, the two police officers simply ask the Dreamchaser rhymer for a photo and send him on his way.
It appears Meek rounded up his entire crew for a fun-filled vacation this week in Jamaica. He has been documenting his vacation on Instagram, and all of his other rapper pals stateside should be envious given the polar vortex that gripped more than half the country. The Midwest and some other places saw some record cold temperatures, but of course, none of that is affected Meek Mill who is soaking up some sun, water, and Red Stripe beer in hot and sunny Jamaica. Meek Mill has a bad history with police officers, but this time the experience was unlike the ones that sent him to prison and cost him a lifetime of probation. Check out his reaction in the video clips below.
Meek Mill, Jay-Z and others start criminal justice reform foundation @REFORM
Meek Mill speaks onstage during the launch of The Reform Alliance at John Jay College on January 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for The Reform Alliance)
Billboard topping rap artists Jay-Z and Meek Mill teamed up to announce the launch of the Reform Alliance, an organization devoted to criminal justice reform. The initial backers of the initiative, who come from a wide range of fields, have ponied up $50 million to get the work started.
Besides Jay-Z and Meek Mill, a group of all-star funders from the worlds of sports, business, and tech include are also partners on this venture including: Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Brooklyn Nets co-owner Clara Wu Tsai; Third Point LLC CEO/founder Daniel S. Loeb; Galaxy Digital CEO/founder Michael E. Novogratz; and Vista Equity Partners CEO/founder Robert F. Smith.
Several district attorneys from around the country were also in attendance, including Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez and Cook County Illinois D.A. Kim Fox. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, who has been an avid supporter of Meek Mill and criminal justice reform in general, sat in the front row for the event.
This diverse and wealthy group of civic minded individuals not only pooled together their resources for this cause, but also selected Van Jones as the founding CEO of the Reform Alliance. Jones, a former White House advisor during the Obama administration, has years of experience in the social justice space as the founder of several organizations with various goals such as teaching children from under-resourced communities how to code and helping people impacted by unjust parole and probation policies.
At the launch event for the Reform Alliance at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan, Meek Mill explained to a packed theater why he is committed to this organization.
“Creating the Reform Alliance is one of the most important things I’ve ever done in my life. If you thought my case was unfair, there are millions of others dealing with worse situations and caught up in the system without committing crimes. With this alliance, we want to change outdated laws, give people hope and reform a system that’s stacked against us.”
Meek Mill speaks onstage during the launch of The Reform Alliance at John Jay College on January 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for The Reform Alliance)
The Philadelphia native’s interactions with the law over the past few years sparked the #FreeMeekMill hashtag. The 31-year-old has been in the criminal justice system since he was 18, shuttling in and out of jail on various parole violations that were acquired after he was given a lengthy 10-year probation sentence as a teen. Many have argued that the restrictive probation rules and the length of the probation sentence handed down to Mill were unfair and that the violations handed down by Judge Genece Brinkley were unjust. Even Mill’s initial arrest over a decade ago that sparked this domino effect was found to be predicated on a lie. As Mill stated, the only thing separating him from the 4.5 million other Americans currently on probation or parole is his celebrity status. He has the money, resources, and platforms to bring attention to the larger issue and that is where the Reform Alliance comes into play.
Not Reinventing the Wheel
Van Jones envisions the Reform Alliance as an amplifier, not a replacement, for the work countless grassroots organizations have tirelessly done for decades.
“We are looking for deep alignment and partnership with groups who are out there on the front lines. We can be side by side and get something done in this space,” said Jones. “We’re not going to reinvent the wheel. We are here to accelerate the wheel that has already been built by grassroots people and that’s what the Reform Alliance is all about.”
“I’m from Marcy Projects, I’m from Brooklyn. This has been a part of my life,” said Jay-Z. “This is communities we grew up in, friends I have, people around me. I grew up with this issue. We have to applaud him because every setback he had, he came back stronger and that takes a really dedicated person. We’re all prisoners to this. Until everyone’s free, no one is free.”
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Michael Novogratz, Robert Kraft, Michael Rubin, Van Jones, Meek Mill, Clara Wu Tsai, Dan Loeb speak onstage during the launch of The Reform Alliance at John Jay College on January 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for The Reform Alliance)
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots who got to know Meek Mill while Mill was incarcerated, explained how even just from a purely economic standpoint, the rapper’s situation made no sense.
“Taxpayers are paying to keep [Mill] going [to jail], and he’s not employing all the people he could employ and generating all the tax dollars he could,” Kraft said. “It’s a cuckoo system even forgetting the social impact it has.”
The NFL has been at odds with activists players like Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid who protest against police violence in the Black community by kneeling during the national anthem.
Beyond Meek Mill
Meek Mill, who had to get permission to attend the New York City event because he is still on probation until 2023, was not the only person in attendance who had been directly impacted by the criminal justice system.
At the opening of the event, men, women and even some children were featured in recorded interviews and also in person Topeka K. Sam, who, with support from her family and legal experts, got herself successfully removed from federal supervision, led their conversation. She now works to help those impacted by incarceration.
“We don’t speak about the people, who are being sentenced to lengthy terms of post-incarceration and probation and are then subjected to arbitrary harassment, which leads to violations, then prison, then parole, then probation, then prison again,” said Sam. “It’s an ongoing cycle that ends today.”
Sam went on to note that women are often overlooked in the conversation about criminal justice reform.
“Women are being incarcerated at rate 800% greater than our male counterparts and 85% of us are survivors of sexual violence and trauma,” she shared. “Also, 80% of all women who go to prison are mothers. We can not forget about women in this conversation and the impact the system has on women and our children.”
Before handing over the event to singer Victory Boyd to close the launch, Jones reminded the crowd that the Reform Alliance will strive for the ambitious goal of getting 1 million people out of the probation and parole system by “fighting different.”
“We’re going to focus on the two-thirds who are caught up on probation and parole. That is a revolving door. There are tricks and traps instead of help and support. We’re going to dismantle that revolving door. We’re gonna fight different,” Jones said. “When you take the most powerful stories and combine them with the most powerful story telling platforms on Earth, you’re gonna get change. We’re gonna fight different.”
Keep up to date on the Reform Alliance’s initiatives on Twitter and Facebook.
Meek Mill on Ending The Beef w/ Drake, 6ix9ine Getting Locked Up + Awful Prison Conditions {VIDEO}
Meek Mill, 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin, and Jay-Z today announced the formation of Reform Alliance, an organization setting their sights on reform in the American criminal justice system.
Joined by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Brooklyn Nets co-owner Clara Wu Tsai, and other high-profile business leaders at a news conference in New York on Wednesday also announced CNN host Van Jones will serve as CEO.
Meek Mill Speaks On Possible Drake Collabo, Justice Reform, Kanye West & Spits A Freestyle
Meek Mill will not be going to the White House to meet with Donald Trump and JAY-Z has everything to do with the decision. A day ago, Meek Mill was locked and ready to visit the White House for a meeting with President Trump to discuss prison reform. Participants in the meeting include activists, other victims of the prison system, and members of Congress. Turns out JAY-Z and other celebrity friends of Meek Mill told him not to go and he then canceled the visit.
Meek spoke to TMZ about his decision not to attend the meeting saying that the focus will be on himself and on the President and he wants the focus to be solely on the mission. “Unfortunately, the focus turned to the President and Myself which concerned me that it might take away from creating a positive result from today’s discussions,” the Philly rapper said.
Despite canceling his appearance at the White House, Meek Mill says he remains committed to helping reform the criminal justice system. The Dreamchaser rapper was released from prison last month after months of battling the justice system. Meek Mill’s legal team says the rapper was unjustly imprisoned for violating his probation violation for a crime that he did not commit. His original arresting officer was ousted as a corrupt cop and hundreds of cases he was involved in is now under scrutiny.
Meek Mill Talks Nicki Minaj, Opioid Addiction, Talks With T.I. + More
From trials and tribulations, to dreams and nightmares, Meek Mill stops by the Morning show to talk Justice reform, relationship with Owners of sports Team, and gives a snippet of new music to come in what may be his most honest interview to date!
Meek Mill says he doesn’t feel free In his first interview since he was released from prison {VIDEO}
Meek Mill pulled up to The Breakfast Club this morning fresh after being released from prison two weeks ago. Originally Meek was supposed to be serving a 2-4 year sentence for violating his parole in 2017, but after only serving 6 months he was released thanks to The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordering him to be released immediately on an “unsecured bail.” Over the course of his time in jail Meek has become a household name and a symbol for criminal justice reform.
His sentencing spawned the #FreeMeek movement and reached media outlets across the country sparking a new debate about criminal justice. After getting out Meek has spoken about criminal justice reform and looks to continue the fight to help bring people home as he doesn’t want others to go through what he went through.
Meek Mill Gets Standing Ovation at Philadelphia 76ers Game after taking first PIC Since Being Released From Prison Today!
In his first interview since he was released from prison, the rapper spoke about feeling entrapped in the US criminal justice system, saying that he has not felt free “since I caught this case at the age of 19.” He added that a lot of people are depending on him since his release on Tuesday.
Hours after his release from prison on Tuesday, rapper Meek Mill arrived at the Philadelphia 76ers’ playoff game.
Meek Mill has been released from prison today after serving over 5 months. Check out the first photo of Meek Mill since his release. He is heading to the NBA Playoffs game where the 76ers will take on the Miami Heat in Game 5 of their NBA playoff series.
That n**** mr1stroke ain't got NO life ON GOD I'm tellin u he here spoutin off all that racist s*** non-stop ya'll. AIn't u got somethin better to do? Damn boi u hatin too much, start appreciatin
every one is winning in this society but blacks, i dont think any one ever sit down and realize the black community is int a crisis, because they are so used to live like this, thats why its good to step out the box and look from the outside to see how f***** up it is, black people have to buy their breakfast, lunch and sandwiches from the same illegal immigrants they are fighting for, thats why the black community is in so much poverty you wake up and give your first dollar to someone else before you even make your first dollar for the week, but its just me, niggers are too smart they dont see anything wrong with that, they rather be up here raising their blood pressure trying to argue with me while they are dodging bullets everyday, seriously who lives like that and see it as a way of life?
Clay trust me i understand where you are coming from, and i feel you but we have to face the reality of this society, i respect any man who is willing to grow, i my self tell people i support Donald Trump because his policies have been working for my family business and my personal business, we have grown by 33% this year and have made many deals that we could not imagine because we grow the capital so fast, so we dont care who others support as long as they are happy but we are not dumb enough to buy to that Negro nonesense by following what white people say when ever its not working for them.
so lets talk about Jay Z where was he when Kaepernick was fighting? well as any one who knows Jay z he was waiting for opportunity he is a business man, the same old negro game, how come jay z has never form a boycott against those companies that are destroying the black community, Kaepernick dont need Jay z to hire him that would be negro penny compare to Nike money, it does not matter how muc Jay z owns negros will still be running like slaves to keep those white slave owners wealthy so they can pass it down to their kids, thats why there are no black onwership in the league, let see how long Jay z will own it before he is force to sell it, i am happy for him, but i have to speak the truth just like i speak the truth about my self
if jay z wants to help let see the businesses in the black community start to own by blacks, our own coffee shop, our own corner stores, our own dry cleaners and liquor stores, our own 5 star restaurants, our own building managment allow us to be owners, until then negros will struggle, and will commit more crimes, and have less value for life, because they have nothing to live for and look for, so how does Jay Z and his NFL will help, those young brothers you are talking about will make money and grow broke after marrying some white chicks they will not help build the community.
1 Stoke I feel you feel me for a second. I Jay as an owner as a time for change. He just opened the door for other blackmen with money to finally break into the Good Ol Boy Club. His Rock Nation Management Company has negotiated some of the best contracts acroos a few sports for young brothas. I'd rather see the brothas running that ball for someone who looks like him over the other man. Remember Jay is straight street. I knew he had an angle last week when he made the deal with Roger Goodell. We know that most American sports are made up of about 80% blackmen but 95 of the owners are white its time for change. He might hire Kappernick as his next power move. I would say lets sit back and watch his movements if he is on some bull$hit ima be the first one to speak on it. Peace..
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