Here’s everything you need to know today.
Adam Venit, the agent accused of groping Terry Crews, will not be charged. Prosecutors say the incident falls outside the statute of limitations. Police investigated the incident before sending it to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, where they determine the case was not a felony. (Variety)
Black Panther is headed to $1 billion. The film has made over $900 million and could hit the billion-dollar mark after opening in China. (Forbes)
Michael B. Jordan has pledged to support inclusion riders by adopting the initiative as policy for his production company, Outlier Society. Jordan wrote on Instagram, “In support of the women & men who are leading this fight, I will be adopting the Inclusion Rider for all projects produced by my company Outlier Society. I’ve been privileged to work with powerful woman & persons of color throughout my career & it’s Outlier’s mission to continue to create for talented individuals going forward.” (Instagram)
Fans of actress Laverne Cox have started a petition to get a Barbie made in her image. Jason Preston tweeted Tuesday, “The time has come for the first transgender Barbie doll. Sign the petition to include @Lavernecox in Mattel’s new ‘Inspiring Women’ BARBIE doll line.” The petition has the support of Cox and if the Barbie becomes a reality it would be a major milestone for Cox and the trans community. (HuffPost)
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has reportedly dubbed Meek Mill‘s arresting officer one of the most corrupt in Philly. Reginald Graham is one of 29 officer’s who has been placed on a “do not call” list, meaning prosecutors have been warned to keep them off the witness stand. (TMZ)
Dwyane Wade visited students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Wednesday as students made their way to class for the first full day of school since the shooting. Wade told the students, “What you guys have been going through, and I was hearing you guys have been amazing from afar, and I just wanted to come and say I’m inspired by all of you.” (TMZ)
South African triathlete Mhlengi Gwala was reportedly attacked on Tuesday when three men attempted to hack off his legs with a chainsaw. Gwala was able to escape and is expected to walk again. (TMZ)
A federal appeals court has ruled that an employer’s religious beliefs do not provide them the ability to discriminate against transgender employees. The ruling comes after the owner of a funeral home in Michigan told his transgender employee that her transition went against his religious beliefs. (Advocate)
Opportunity Hub (OHUB) is tackling the issue of diversity and inclusion in tech with HBCU@SXSW. The initiative seeks to recruit and sponsor HBCU students to attend SXSW, focusing on giving Black and Latinx student the chance to immerse themselves in all the tech events the festival has to offer. Now in its third year, OHUB CEO Rodney Sampson says, “By 2053, the average net worth of an African American family is projected to be zero. We can and must work to disrupt these statistics at scale by ensuring that minorities from socially disadvantaged communities are exposed, educated, trained and provided access with definitive opportunities to build a high demand career in tech, launch and grow a high growth startup company and create multi-generational wealth.” (OHUB)