October 6, 2024

Good morning. Welcome to our weekly Sunday newsletter. This week we dive into Michael Jordan’s groundbreaking lawsuit against NASCAR, the Justice Department’s investigation into the haunting legacy of the Tulsa race riots, and the alarming rise in prescription drug prices that is leaving millions of Americans struggling to afford essential medications.

Revving Up Change: Michael Jordan’s 23XI and Front Row Motorsports Challenge NASCAR’s Charter System

By Lisa D.Tinsley

In a major shakeup for motorsports, Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing has joined Front Row Motorsports in filing a federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, accusing the organization of monopolistic practices. The lawsuit alleges that NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France, have employed anti-competitive tactics, stifling fair competition in the sport and limiting opportunities for teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans.

At the heart of the dispute is NASCAR’s “charter” agreement, a system that guarantees teams a share of the sport’s revenue. After two years of tense negotiations, most Cup Series teams signed a seven-year extension, but 23XI and Front Row Motorsports refused, citing unfair terms. The teams argue that NASCAR’s take-it-or-leave-it offer left them with no choice but to file suit, as their valuable charters—worth millions—were on the line.

23XI Racing, led by Jordan, has expressed frustration with NASCAR’s leadership, calling for a system that promotes healthy competition and fair profits. “I love the sport of racing… but the way NASCAR is run today is unfair,” Jordan said. Represented by renowned antitrust lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, the teams are demanding changes to how revenue is shared and how decisions impacting their costs are made.

“Everyone knows that I have always been a fierce competitor and that will to win is what drives me and the entire 23XI team each and every week out on the track,” Jordan said in a statement. “I love the sport of racing and the passion of our fans, but the way NASCAR is run today is unfair to teams, drivers, sponsors and fans. Today’s action shows I’m willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.”

campus chronicles // hbcu edition

• Homecoming celebrations at HBCUs are vibrant, drawing alums and students together to celebrate their shared heritage and achievements. The Harris-Walz campaign aims to harness this festive spirit, deploying trusted surrogates including local Black elected officials, national leaders, renowned HBCU alumni, and prominent figures from the hip-hop and cultural spheres to critical states such as Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

• The American Nurses Foundation is thrilled to announce that its $339,000 grant, Diversify Nursing Research through Support of Minority Institutions, awarded to Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College in April, is already producing tangible results by focusing on increasing ethnic minority nurse researchers and expanding the diversity of topics and perspectives in nursing research.

• Tuskegee University launched a new flight school degree program this fall, thanks to $6.7 million in federal funding from Alabama Senator Katie Britt, who visited the campus to review plans for the initiative. Pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the program will offer a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science (pilot track) and provide students with flight training at Moton Field, where the historic Tuskegee Airmen trained. With an anticipated initial enrollment of 25 students, the university aims to address the growing pilot shortage by training a new generation of aviators in the tradition of renowned figures like General Chappie James and Captain Alfred Anderson.

national news

• A report by Patients for Affordable Drugs reveals that prescription drug prices have surged, making medications increasingly unaffordable, especially for people of color. The report states that one in three Americans struggle to afford their prescriptions, with Black and Latino patients aged 65 and older being disproportionately affected.

• The shooting of Michael Brown, Jr. by a white police officer ten years ago ignited protests in Ferguson, Missouri highlighting longstanding issues of police brutality and economic inequality in the predominantly Black community. While some changes have occurred, many residents feel that substantial progress has been frustratingly slow, with few new businesses and minimal affordable housing since the tragedy. Activists and community leaders continue to emphasize the need for greater investment and systemic change to address the deep-rooted barriers that persist in Ferguson.

• The U.S. Justice Department is currently reviewing the 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma Race Massacre, one of the deadliest episodes of racial violence in U.S. history. This massacre, where a white mob destroyed the Black community of Greenwood, also known as “Black Wall Street,” left hundreds dead and entire neighborhoods in ruins. The review is part of the Civil Rights Division’s Cold Case Initiative, launched under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, and aims to assess historical documents, witness accounts, and research to determine if any legal action or reparations can be pursued. The Justice Department plans to release a comprehensive report on their findings by the end of the year.

black history in quotes 

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our community in numbers

Community: October is National Disability Awareness month. In America, 13.9% of adults have a cognitive disability, 12.2% have a mobility disability, 7.7% have an independent living disability, 5.5% have a vision disability, and 3.6% have a self-care disability.

Health: African American nurses account for 11% of the registered nurse workforce in the United States and even less than that are African American men. 

Business: According to the Federal Aviation Administration, less than 4% of pilots in the U.S. are Black.

culture

Michael Vick’s journey as a Black quarterback is a pivotal part of the narrative surrounding the evolution of the position, despite the stigma he faced early in his career. Although he is no longer an active player, Vick remains deeply connected to football and has created a documentary for Prime Video titled Evolution of the Black Quarterback, which explores his experiences alongside those of others who have shaped the role. Reflecting on his path, Vick expressed that his journey to become one of the league’s most revered athletes was initially frightening, as he questioned his potential to succeed as a quarterback.

Our editor, Lisa D.Tinsley, would like to thank you for spending part of your day with KISA News Radio.

See you next Sunday.

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