The 44 Percent: Shaq returns to Miami, AKA support for Kamala, Sha’carri shines

This past Monday, when NBA legend and entrepreneur Shaquille O’Neal came to the Walmart in Doral to sell his new snacks, it felt like watching a folk hero hold court.

Across the ocean in Paris, France, Olympic gold medalist Sha’carri Richardson wore long nails and had her hair done in a way only she could present. She also wore a custom bustier made from Nike sneakers that she got from Black designer Cierra Boyd. Our ability to make space and things our very own is unique, and an ability in which we all take pride.

INSIDE THE 305

‘I’m the ambassador of fun’: Shaq returns to Miami to share his new brand of snacks

“Mira, Shaq!” yelled a woman at the Doral Walmart. She was running at full speed with a basketball under one arm and held her phone camera out with the other.

Former Miami Heat star Shaquille O’Neal attracts a crowd wherever he goes and the launch of his new Shaq-a-licious gummy snacks at the Walmart near the 87th Avenue exit off the Dolphin Expressway Monday afternoon was no different.

Nearly 100 fans, some wearing Heat jerseys, some sporting Reebok Shaq sneakers, excitedly took videos and photos of the NBA legend who helped the Heat win its first NBA title in 2006 as he handed out samples of his new snacks. The snacks are available in six varieties including wild berry, which O’Neal called his favorite flavor.

On the first day of school, this high school in Little Haiti celebrates its first A rating

Herald reporter Clara-Sophia Daly wrote about the first day of school at Little Haiti’s Miami Edison Senior High School, a school that earned an A rating.

As the sun rose over Miami Edison Senior High School in Little Haiti, there was a resounding sense of pride among the students, teachers, administration, district staff, and even the crosswalk guard.

“We are so proud to be here – we are an A school! We work hard for it. It was not easy, but we did it,” said crosswalk guard Loretta Duncombe, as she stood outside the front gate ushering students into the school

“Welcome back y’all, welcome back,” she said to one student. “Let’s go, let’s go,” she said to another.

Thursday was the first day of school for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and there was excitement and nervousness at schools all over the county. Miami Edison had a celebratory first day, touting their new A-rating from the state. The high school, which has a large population of students from other countries, has struggled in the past with its performance. But this school year has started on a note of optimism.

OUTSIDE THE 305

Kamala Harris’ Sorority Sisters Launch a PAC

Vice President Kamala Harris’ sorority members launched a political action committee in support of her presidential campaign. Harris is famously a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., one of the most prominent Black sororities in the world.

Good sisters always come through.

Vice President Kamala Harris ’ sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, has launched a political action committee that could send even more money to her campaign, which already has shattered fundraising records.

According to a Friday filing with the Federal Election Commission , the new committee is called “Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority PAC, Inc. (AKA AKA 1908 PAC).”

“I am proud of my sorority sister,” reads an Instagram caption under a photo of the Democratic presidential nominee and a woman named Kiahna W. Davis, who is listed as treasurer of the PAC.

Kenyan commander denies Haiti police had to rescue his forces during joint operation

Herald reporter Jacqueline Charles reported on the challenges Kenyan military officials are facing as they attempt to manage trouble in Haiti.

The head of the Kenyan support mission in Haiti is refuting allegations that his forces had to be rescued by Haitian police after armed gangs fired on them during a recent joint operation to protect a city 28 miles east of Port-au-Prince from being overtaken.

Godfrey Otunge, the force commander of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission, told the Miami Herald that while his officers were fired upon by armed gangs during the operation with the Haiti National Police last month in rural Ganthier near Haiti’s border with the Dominican Republican, the combined forces acted together to return fire.

HIGH CULTURE

Something Out Of Nothing: Designer Cierra Boyd reflects on FRISKMEGOOD sneaker bustier worn by Sha’Carri Richardson

Olympic gold medalist Sha’carri Richardson turned heads with a custom Nike sneaker corset that was designed by Black designer Cierra Boyd and has gone viral. Victoria Hernandez talked to Boyd about the moment and more.

Everyone saw it. Sha’Carri Richardson staring down the competition as she trotted to her first Olympic gold medal. But then there’s the track star’s exquisite bustier top made out of SNEAKERS when she attended the USA men’s basketball gold medal game in Paris.

The Nike Dunk bustier is from FRISKMEGOOD, a high-fashion brand owned by designer Cierra Boyd, who started the company in her mother’s attic after she finished fashion school. Boyd’s eye-catching creations and authentic personality have built a loyal following who celebrated Richardson’s viral moment with her.

Wally Amos, creator of Famous Amos cookies, dies at 88

Wally “Famous” Amos created a cookie brand that conveyed sophistication. Famous Amos cookies were more expensive than other options, so if you went to someone’s house and they were there, it was a major moment.

Seattle TImes reporter Clay Risen eulogized the Black business owner that made people smile around the world.

Wally Amos, an indefatigable entrepreneur who in 1975 took a $25,000 loan from a few friends in Hollywood to start Famous Amos, one of the first brands to push high-quality cookies in its own stores and one of the world’s best-known names in baked goods, died Tuesday at his home in Honolulu. He was 88.

His children Shawn and Sarah Amos said the cause was complications of dementia.

At a time when flavorless, preservative-packed cookies were about the only thing available to consumers not blessed with a baker in the family, Amos’ confections stood out. Derived from a recipe he had learned from his aunt, they used real ingredients, no coloring or chemicals added, and he kept them as close to handmade as possible, even as his company exploded into national distribution through the early 1980s.

Where does “The 44 Percent” name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter’s title .