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Anime fans, get ready to experience the slam dunk of a lifetime! The critically acclaimed film The First Slam Dunk is set to hit Netflix in 75 countries on August 25. This follows its successful exclusive streaming debut in Japan on June 10.

Based on the iconic manga by Takehiko Inoue, the film has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with its thrilling basketball action and heartfelt story. Directed by Inoue himself, The First Slam Dunk brings to life the unforgettable final game that was never before animated.

The film’s immense popularity is evident in its numerous awards, including the prestigious Japan Academy Prize for Anime. Its overwhelming positive reception, particularly in Asia, has made it a cultural phenomenon.

Netflix’s decision to add The First Slam Dunk to its extensive anime library underscores its commitment to bringing the best of Japanese animation to a global audience. Join the millions of fans who have already fallen in love with this incredible film.

My watched The First Slam Dunk on Netflix and discovered the magic of anime.

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Isaac Hayes’ estate has filed a lawsuit against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s campaign for “continued unauthorized use” of the Sam & Dave song “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

Issac Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, announced the news on social media on Sunday, claiming that the Trump campaign used the song, which was co-written by Isaac Hayes, at its rallies from 2022 to this year. The family is seeking a $3 million payment for licensing fees, THR reported.

The campaign used the single as recently as Aug. 9 at a Montana rally. Issac Hayes’ family says Trump’s office was “apparently aware” they had “no permission” to use the song, according to a legal letter obtained by THR. 

“We the family of @_isaachayes Isaac Hayes Enterprises, represented by Walker & Associates, are suing Donald Trump and his campaign for 134 counts copyright infringement for the unauthorized use of the song ‘Hold on, I’m Coming’ at campaign rallies from 2022-2024,” the official Isaac Hayes account wrote on X. 

The family demanded “the cessation of use, removal of all related videos, a public disclaimer, and payment of $3 million in licensing fees by August 16, 2024,” and will seek additional legal measures if Trump and his campaign fails to comply.

Isaac Hayes III elaborated on the lawsuit in a post on his own Instagram on Sunday, saying that “Donald Trump epitomizes a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continuous use of my father’s music without permission but also through his history of sexual abuse against women and his racist rhetoric.” 

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“This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it,” the son of the soul singer wrote. “We stand in solidarity with all musicians whose work has been co-opted without consent by divisive political campaigns. A musical performer’s art is a reflection of their soul, not a tool for promoting hatred or bigotry. It’s time for all artists to unite and demand respect for their creative legacies.”

The family’s attorney James L. Walker, Jr. filed a Notice of Copyright Infringement on Aug. 11, in which they requested the campaign release “an official statement as an official disclaimer that the family and Hayes Estate ‘have not authorized, endorsed or permitted use of the Isaac Hayes Enterprises’ property at any point, now or in perpetuity throughout the universe’,” according to the filing, per THR. 

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If you thought the saga of Vash the Stampede concluded with Trigun Stampede, get ready for a new chapter! Trigun Stargaze, the much-anticipated next season, is set to drop later this year, picking up 2.5 years after the events of its predecessor.

We had the privilege of speaking with Yoshihiro Watanabe, Associate Producer at Studio Orange, and Katsuhiro Takei, Producer at TOHO, about what fans can expect from this exciting new season. Here’s an exclusive peek into what’s coming next for Vash and his companions.

Vash’s New Chapter: What’s Changed?

Vash the Stampede is a mysterious gunslinger. Can you tease any new details or intriguing elements fans can expect regarding Vash’s character development in the upcoming season of Trigun Stargaze?

“It will take place 2.5 years from Stampede, and there are some changes happening with Vash that we can’t reveal just yet. However, these changes will be both exciting and intriguing for fans.” While specific details are under wraps, it’s clear that Vash will undergo significant evolution, promising new layers to his enigmatic character.

The Angel Arm: Unveiling the Mystery

Vash’s weapon, the Angel Arm, is shrouded in mystery. What were the challenges of depicting its abilities and mystery in the anime?

“For the final episode, Director Kenji Mutō wanted a ‘hard light’ effect, a concept that doesn’t actually exist. The effects team managed to achieve this with incredible satisfaction.” The portrayal of the Angel Arm’s immense power was a technical challenge, but the team’s innovative approach delivered a visually stunning representation that left a lasting impact.

The Creative Process: Behind the Scenes

TRIGUN STAMPEDE was highly beloved by fans. A lot goes into the creation of animation series of this magnitude. What does your creation process as a producer entail?

“The story’s structure is actually quite simple—a tale of two brothers where everything magnifies and escalates. Director Kenji Mutō conceptualized focusing on this relationship, which we all felt was crucial. It’s about emphasizing the core relationship and letting it drive the narrative.” The straightforward yet powerful storytelling approach is at the heart of what makes Trigun resonate so deeply.

Balancing Humor and Seriousness

Vash’s journey is often filled with humor. Can you share details of how TRIGUN STAMPEDE balanced the comedic tone with the more serious aspects of the story?

“Director Kenji Mutō envisioned a more humorous or comical tone, integrating these elements into the scripts and storytelling. As a producer, my approach tends to be darker, so it’s Mutō’s vision that brings in the lighter, comedic aspects. This balance helps to maintain the series’ unique tone.” The blend of humor and seriousness contributes to the show’s distinctive and engaging narrative.

Crafting Action Sequences

The execution of the action sequences is just amazing!! What is the process of executing those animation sequences?

“It heavily relies on the animation skills and creativity at Studio Orange. Director Kenji Mutō designs the storyboards to allow more flexibility for the animators, encouraging creative freedom.” This collaborative process ensures that each action sequence is not only visually spectacular but also creatively driven.

Focus on Relationships

How do you work on the dynamics and portray the relationships as they evolve throughout the series? What is your focus on that?

“Since our focus was on a simpler story with fewer characters, the relationships between characters like Meryl, Reburto, and Wolfwood became more intimate. This close-knit dynamic allows for a deeper exploration of their connections.” By concentrating on a smaller core group, the series effectively highlights the nuances of their relationships which will continue in Trigun Stargaze.

Wrapping It Up

With Trigun Stargaze set to drop later this year, fans can look forward to a fresh and thrilling continuation of Vash’s saga. From evolving character arcs to breathtaking action sequences, the new season promises to deliver everything that made the original series so beloved—and more.

What are you most excited about for Trigun Stargaze? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to spread the word among fellow fans. Don’t forget to watch all the seasons on Crunchyroll! Stay tuned for more exclusive insights and updates right here!

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Uh oh…. He’s back. It looks like Elon Musk has decided to give former President Donald Trump back his account after three long years, and supporters and critics alike are all tuned in to watch for the GOP nominee’s next tweet.

“He’s back” is trending on X, so it’s safe to say the public is ready for more Trump tweets. And if the former president is truly back on X, then this means his unhinged but classic tweets are sure to follow. In honor of Trump graciously returning to X, let’s take a look at his most iconic shenanigans on the app.

“Covfefe”

To this day, many Americans still don’t know what the former president meant when he tweeted the word “covfefe.” Actually he tweeted this, “Despite the constant negative press covfefe” in 2017.

Although it was an obvious misspelling of “coverage,” Trump played along with the internet joke, even challenging people to decipher the meaning of his made-up word.

The Insurrection on the US Capitol

It all started with a tweet and a speech.

Jan. 6, 2021 went down as a day that will forever live in infamy. The former president was impeached citing his role in the violent attack on the Capitol which left multiple people dead, and he still is facing several lawsuits— notably in Georgia— for allegedly interfering with state elections.

Trump woke up bright and early that historic day to tell his supporters to “STAY STRONG!” and demand that former Vice President Mike Pence not certify the 2020 election which Trump lost.

After a memorable list of back-to-back tweets about alleged fraudulent votes happening across the nation, Trump stood in front of a crowd of red hat wearers to suggest they march to the Capitol to “peacefully and patriotically” protest.

As we all know, the protest was anything but peaceful, as thousands of insurrectionists breeched the nation’s Capitol, damaging property, attacking security, and intimidating politicians

Donald Trump vs Kim Jong Un

During his four-year term, the former president spoke multiple times about his rocky relationship with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un. Back in 2017, Trump took to X to ask why Jong Un insulted him when the U.S. president wouldn’t do the same.

Despite his promise to “NEVER call him [Jong Un] ‘short and fat,’” Trump did just that. He went on to say how he tried “so hard” to be Jong Un’s friend.

Throughout Trump’s presidency, the world saw tensions between the two leaders grow. In early 2018, the former president took to X to call out Jong Un again saying “…please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”

“Fake News”

Do we need to say more?

Trump has made it excruciatingly clear how little he thinks of media outlets who post “fake news” about him. The former president coined the term back in 2016, but since then, “fake news” has become just as quotable as his actual slogan, “Make America Great Again.”

Reports from The Independent show Trump has publicly referred to journalists and media organizations as “fake news” over 2,000 times, and even a live document, created by the Press Freedom Tracker shows exactly how Trump feels about the Press.

No matter how you feel about him, you have to admit, Trump definitely has a way with words… even if they’re factually incorrect.

It’s unclear if the former president will remain on X throughout election season, but one thing users can expect is entertainment in the meantime.

Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.

I recently threw out about 95% of my physical compact disc (CD) collection. I didn’t want to, but they’ve been sitting in boxes in my storage for the past four years, unopened, in a back corner — it was time. 

Of course, as soon as they were gone, I had immediate anxiety about the collection of music I’d just dedicated to a landfill. Sure, most of that music is probably on streaming services, but I don’t even know all of the albums I threw out, which means for the more obscure music, I will probably never hear it again. And there were hundreds of mixtapes and albums I burned myself, including Little Brother’s debut album “The Listening,” which I burned to CD using the University of Maryland-College Park’s finest ethernet connection. My version of “The Listening” included songs that ended up on the final released album and some songs that ended up being on The Foreign Exchange’s “Connected” album, which turns 20 on Aug. 24, and at the time, was one of the most different sounding hip-hop albums I’d ever heard. 

The first song I heard from The Foreign Exchange, the collective of rapper/lyricist Phonte Coleman and producer Nicolay, was “Nic’s Groove,” a song I thought was on “The Listening” (because I downloaded that whole album together and it was part of that batch of songs) but didn’t sound like it fit. Once I learned that this song was for a different, more musical project, I couldn’t wait to hear it because I loved “Nic’s Groove,” and still do today. As a musical production, it is perfect. 

The album was worth the wait. “Connected,” was a revelation of a project. While it didn’t sound like “traditional” hip-hop (at the time), it was a hip-hop album, through and through. It also demonstrated how multifaceted and talented Phonte is as an artist. Over a lot of synthesizers and melodic chords, Nicolay created the perfect music sound beds for Phonte to explore his various skill sets. From rapping and singing to adding harmony where appropriate, Phonte became a revelation as an artist; there’s a reason that Drake, one of the most famous artists on the planet has called Phonte, and Little Brother, an influence. It put hip-hop in a different light. While Kanye West took over hip-hop and gave every kid from the suburbs a license to pick up a microphone, “Connected” had a neo-soul vibe, but for rappers. 

Music

It turns out you can spit real-life bars on slow synths, muted drums and an assortment of keyboard patches, which isn’t novel or original in 2024, but in 2004, wasn’t the norm. For a group trying something different, Phonte and Nicolay showed up and showed up big. Upon relistening to the album, I couldn’t help but feel like if this very album were released today, it would be welcomed with even more open arms than in 2004, when it was a critical darling and lauded by every outlet. 

Interestingly, The Foreign Exchange also set a blueprint for the future in how you could work together without sitting in a room together. On a personal level, Damon Young and I, when creating our now defunct, award-winning website, Very Smart Brothas, used The Foreign Exchange as a North Star of sorts. “Connected” was crafted entirely without Phonte and Nicolay meeting in person, but by piecing the entire album together through email and instant messaging. Damon and I didn’t meet for the first time until our first book release party in Washington, D.C., in April 2011, three years after we started the blog with Liz Burr. We wrote and published a book together without meeting in person and rarely speaking on the phone. We pieced the book together, similarly, via email and instant messaging. While we didn’t title our book “Connected,” we certainly could have and the message would have worked as well as it did for The Foreign Exchange. 

In 2024, I often revisit “Connected” because it reminds me of a younger, more fun time in my life. I’d just started blogging a few months before the album was released; music felt so fun and interesting and soundtracked so many of the summers and best weeks of my life then. “Connected” is one of those albums that connects me, no pun intended, to a time in life that has real memories attached to it. For that, it will always be an album that holds significance in my life. 

We’re connected, now, and forever.

Panama Jackson is a columnist at theGrio and host of the award-winning podcast, “Dear Culture” on theGrio Black Podcast Network. He writes very Black things, drinks very brown liquors, and is pretty fly for a light guy. His biggest accomplishment to date coincides with his Blackest accomplishment to date in that he received a phone call from Oprah Winfrey after she read one of his pieces (biggest) but he didn’t answer the phone because the caller ID said “Unknown” (Blackest).

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If you thought Season 3 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime was a wild ride, buckle up—Season 4 promises to turn up the excitement even more!

We had the exclusive chance to chat with the show’s producer and the manga and light novel editor about what’s in store. From diplomatic dramas to new character dynamics, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming season.

Diplomacy on the Menu

How might Rimuru handle diplomatic relations with other nations?

“Season 3 was pretty diplomatic, and by becoming the demon lord, Rimuru gains more trust. But it’s not just about Rimuru; it’s also about the people working under him. Everyone has to work harder and be more diplomatic. This season will focus on navigating these complex relationships.” Expect intricate political maneuvering and maybe a few tense negotiations as Rimuru and his team balance power and diplomacy.

Animation Evolution: Bright Lights and New Dialogues

How might the animation style evolve in Season 4?

“The new season will be really fun because there’s going to be a festival with the new nation. It’s going to be bright and pop compared to all the battles you’ve seen before. Characters who didn’t get to talk to each other will have more dialogue, leading to new relationships.” Get ready for a visual feast and more dynamic character interactions that promise to enrich the storyline.

Shifting Political Landscapes

How could the political landscapes shift in Season 4?

“Politically, it’s more about which factions are going to appear. The main one is the Council of the West, which is essentially the world alliance. It will be interesting to see whether Rimuru will align with the world or become his own ruler, potentially leading to self-centered political maneuvers.” The shifting allegiances and emerging factions will add a new layer of complexity to the narrative.

Conflicts Beyond the Battlefield

What could be the main conflicts in the upcoming season?

“Until now, the series focused a lot on military conflict, but it’s going to shift to more economic conflicts. Think of commercial wars and logistical issues, such as how materials are moving from place to place. These economic struggles will reflect real-life scenarios and offer a fresh take on conflict.” Prepare for a new type of strategic drama that goes beyond physical battles.

Rimuru and Milim: A Friendship Blossoms

How will the relationship between Rimuru and Milim develop?

“Milim didn’t have friends before. To him, Rimuru is his best friend ever. This relationship will continue to evolve, with more playful interactions. Milim will be more goofy and get scolded more, which will add a humorous element to their dynamic.” Their growing friendship will be a highlight, providing both heartwarming and comedic moments.

The Council of the Eight-Star Demon Lords

What role will the Council of the Eight-Star Demon Lords play in Season 4?

“Now that Rimuru is a demon lord, other demon lords and their subordinates will come to check him out and see if he’s legitimate. Throughout the series, you’ll see more of these high-ranking figures coming to assess Rimuru and his status.” Expect increased interactions with powerful entities that could influence Rimuru’s journey.

Wrapping It Up

Season 4 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is shaping up to be an exhilarating new chapter with diplomatic intrigue, colorful festivals, and evolving character dynamics. Whether you’re excited for the new economic conflicts or the deepening friendships, there’s plenty to look forward to.

What are you most excited about for the upcoming season? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and make sure to share this with fellow slime fans. Don’t forget to watch all the seasons on Crunchyroll! For more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes peeks, stay tuned to our site! 

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Another day, another Black celeb being messed with in Paris. Ayesha Curry’s time at the Olympics seemingly came to an unexpectedly unpleasant ending over the weekend. According to recent reports, the wife of Stephen Curry was involved in an intense encounter with the French police over the weekend that’s made its way to the internet.

Curry was in Paris for the Olympic games, supporting her US Olympic Champion husband, as the New York Post reported. Per a video uploaded by The Hollywood Fix, Curry was with Sonya Curry (mother of Steph Curry) and Golden State teammate Draymond Green at an undisclosed location in Paris when the encounter took place.

Ayesha was carrying her youngest son Caius, according to reports, and also seems to be with Curry’s oldest son, Canon, in the video. “Look, they won’t let us go back over there where we came from,” Sonya is seen telling the officers in the clip, pointing in another direction. “They won’t let the driver come here, and they won’t let us go back over there.”

A man translating in the video explains that French President Emmanuel Macron was in the area. “So nobody’s allowed to cross the street right now until he’s passed,” the man says.

Later in the clip, however, Green alleges that one of the officers struck the baby. “So even after you hit the baby in the head, there’s still nothing y’all can do to get them out of here,” Green asks. As The New York Post reports, it is not clear when the alleged hitting happened and which officer Green was accusing.

This is not the first instance of bizarre stories coming out of France when it comes to Black celebrities visiting the country, from this week’s news of Travis Scott’s arrest to the Kelly Rowland moment at Cannes earlier this year.

As The New York Post reports, the family was in attendance for Team USA’s Gold medal game against France on Saturday. The team defeated the home country 98-87, bringing home the gold for the United States. Curry himself scored 24 points in the nail-biting game.

Ayesha and Stephen Curry share four children together, including their youngest, Caius. The two tied the knot in 2011.

Whether you’ve dreamt of your wedding since a child or are just trying to figure out where to start, having a wedding planner could be your biggest decision.

For couples who grew up in families where a simple cake cutting with Polaroids would do, a planner may seem like a costly luxury. But as many couples face an endless array of choices, especially in an era of social media where new trends and ideas spread fast, wedding planning can sometimes feel like a full-time job.

So what are the benefits of hiring a wedding planner? Are all wedding planners the same? We asked three Black wedding professionals to weigh in on the decision to hire a planner, and break down the most important considerations before appointing anyone. Meet the pros and see our individual interviews with them edited into one Q&A conversation below:

Suzette Spann Scarborough is the founder of Envisioned Event By Suzette, a full-service event planning company based in Brooklyn, NY, with deep expertise in wedding planning, travel experiences, and etiquette coaching. Spann Scarborough started planning weddings officially after a successful career in human resources and an inspiring conversation with Monique Greenwood, the creator of the Black-owned bed & breakfast Akwaaba Mansion. With decades of experience, Spann Scarborough infuses purpose and mission into her work with a goal to “showcase the beauty of life through celebration, travel, and knowledge that inspires and empowers.”

Marc Wilson is the founder and creative director of The Style Marc, a full-service luxury event and design studio, offering special services for floral and destination wedding design. Wilson began his journey in event design and floral artistry when an unexpected job transition in the home textiles industry gave him the financial freedom to travel and consider starting his own business. He was bold enough to talk a top-level NYC floral business owner into letting him intern for free, gained expertise in floral work, and then started booking his own top-tier corporate clients.  

Now Wilson’s Harlem-based business designs everything from private parties to bat mitzvahs to corporate events and weddings around the world. He recently served as an executive board member of The National Society of Black Wedding Event Professionals.

Jazmine Boutte is the founder of Dulce Events and Design, a full-service event and wedding planning business, based in New Orleans and now, New York City. After spending her entire childhood and teen years planning birthday parties, Boutte’s love for event planning went to the next level seven years ago when she planned a cousin’s baby shower.

With a background in public relations and marketing, Boutte works to create signature events that go beyond basic and feature memorable moments. Her experience in festival and conference planning makes her expertise even sharper, and she strives to meet a diverse range of client needs.

First, what types of wedding planners are there?

Wedding planning isn’t one size fits all. While some couples will desire a planning partner from the moment they get engaged, others will want to bring in a planner later in the process. What are the most popular different roles?

Boutte: There is a planner, a designer, and then there’s a day-of coordinator (I happen to be all three). So your planner is someone who literally works out all of the logistics. They are helping you plan your day from start to finish.

A designer doesn’t do any of that. The designer is focusing on how your event is going to look and how it’s going to come together. So they may just come up with the ceremony look and a reception look, and they’re literally coming there to decorate and they’re leaving. They only handle the design process. 

And then a day-of coordinator… They just come the day of and they’re just pretty much making sure that the run of the show is happening on time.

Spann Scarborough: [Day-of planners] plan, they organize, they’ll put things together so that you have an organized, easy-flowing day.  

Then you have planners who plan and design. That means that they can transform a space… They can create design decks, they can create renderings.  

Then you have planners who plan, design, and they produce. Producing is very different… producing is a high, extreme level… They can have foresight on things before they happen but also become MacGyvers in the midst of things happening.

I can only imagine the things that pop up on a wedding day! Great! So if a day-of wedding planner can help my day run smoothly and a venue already offers one, then I don’t need a full-service wedding planner, right?

Wilson: I don’t believe in “day of.” It’s month of. A good planner cannot come to you a week before your wedding and help you when they haven’t spent time understanding who you are and what’s important to you. Unless you know exactly what it is, you give them a list and say, these are the things I need you to take care of for me, and that’s it, then fine. But that’s not our client, our client, our people who it’s important in making not just their personal moment special, but the overall experience for their guests special. So planners are crucial to me.

Spann Scarborough: Hire a great planner because they can save you time and money and bring a lot more value to you with what you’re looking for out of that day, including venues that provide staffing for you. There are some things that the venue is not going to do, like if your ceremony is not happening at the venue, they’re not going to go to your grandmother’s church and help you through your wedding rehearsal.

I had a wedding [where] we literally had to be in five different places at the same, on the same day. The bride was in one hotel. The groom was in a separate hotel, different parts of Brooklyn…That venue is not going to go to that level of detail with you. They’re not going to make up hair and make up schedules.

All of these things, just keep in mind… I don’t want people to feel that it’s impossible. It is not — when you have the support and the expertise that is available to you. 

So about that whole saving money thing… How can spending money on a wedding planner actually save you money?

Boutte: Your event planner is able to negotiate better deals for you. When you’re viewing a venue, there are certain things you don’t think to ask about. 

A planner may think to ask, okay, ‘well, if my date gets canceled, what is the rescheduling process?’ Most venues don’t even allow you to reschedule it within the following date[s]. Some do it only for within the year. So as a bride or someone who is not used to events, you don’t always think about those questions.”

Spann Scarborough: Planners can save you money… I’ve had clients where they have gone to a venue that I have a partnership with. They didn’t tell me beforehand, or they hired me later, and they paid more than they would have paid if they came through, if they were introduced by me. 

There are relationships that planners have that can save you money and allow you to reap benefits. And on the strength of the relationship, there are vendors who will do things for our clients because of the relationship they have with me or with the planner themselves.

And it also saves you time. Time is money, time is a nonrenewable commodity. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. As a person who’s getting married and trying to build this life with your future partner, you don’t have the time. And it’s also not your warehouse of expertise. 

I have done this hundreds of times versus the five times you may have done it. So there’s value that I think is undervalued and underrepresented when couples, and particularly couples of color, are planning to get married and their decisions around not having a wedding planner is very costly. 

Besides saving money, are there other things planners can do for me that will make my wedding better?

Wilson: I tell people all the time, you really need to have a planner, because why should you as a bride want to sit there and deal with all of these little nuances? Because the list could be 15, 20, pages of nuances of things that you need done. You know, who’s going to wrangle your bridesmaids? Who’s carrying the ring? Are you having a ring bearer? Having a dog? The variations are unfathomable and they’re millions of them. So wedding planners, to me, are crucial.

Boutte: You don’t want to be stressed out thinking about, okay, what time is the DJ going to make the announcement to cut the cake? Or you might have a cousin [or] auntie and they’re wanting to party as well. So they’re not really paying attention to their duties. I really think the benefit is it relieves a lot of stress for the couple. You want to show up and enjoy your day. You don’t want to think about the little things. 

Spann Scarborough: I always try to prepare my couples because this is when the people in your life start to pull on you. So it becomes a lot emotionally. And so I’ve had to assist couples through that being their sounding board, you know, reassuring them. Sometimes giving them language on how to respond to certain things.

A lot of people are surprised by the intensity of outreach and [the] needs of their guests that happen right before the wedding. Having, the right people around you to support you through that is going to be extremely helpful. And setting boundaries.

None of this is to be depressing. There are so many sides to the journey to matrimony. When you have someone [who] knows what typically comes and how to navigate, you have support in a way that you may not have imagined. That relationship with your planner is like nothing ever. 

Okay, you’ve really got us thinking harder about this… Let’s say I’m all in on a planner. Is there anything else I need to do in this process?

Boutte: Definitely set a budget because I know people — they’re always like ‘Oh no, I don’t have a budget.’ Everyone has a budget. So a budget is literally the first thing you do, even prior to picking out a planner, because you have to set aside money for your planner as well. 

Definitely the budget, then hire [the] planner just because it’s things that planners pick up on that you may not think to ask, and then you allow them to help you source out your venue and find your other vendors but definitely set that budget first and then [hire] a planner.

Did you enjoy this special advice for wedding planning? If you so, follow our “Black Love & Marriage Wedding Series” for weekly tips and encouragement to celebrate your nuptials. 

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Rachael Lillis, the iconic voice behind beloved Pokémon characters Misty and Jessie, passed away on August 10, 2024, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was 46.

Lillis’ passing was confirmed by her fellow Pokémon voice actor and close friend, Veronica Taylor, who portrayed Ash Ketchum. Taylor described Lillis as a “bright light” in the industry, whose impact will be felt for generations to come.

Beyond her iconic roles in Pokémon, Lillis lent her voice to a wide range of animated characters, including Jigglypuff in the Super Smash Bros. series, Stella in Fate/Stay Night, Cocco in Hunter x Hunter, and Utena in Revolutionary Girl Utena.

In May 2024, Lillis’ family publicly shared her cancer diagnosis and launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her medical journey. The outpouring of love and support from fans and colleagues alike was overwhelming, with Lillis expressing deep gratitude for the kindness shown to her.

Donations to the GoFundMe page will now be used to cover Lillis’ final medical expenses, memorial services, and support causes close to her heart, including cancer research.

Lillis will be remembered as a talented artist and a compassionate human being. Her legacy will live on through the countless characters she brought to life.

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