No matter what you’re dealing with, Mary J. Blige has a song that will get you through it. New romance, post-break up glow up, self-confidence pep talk and of course, heartbreak, Mary has you covered.
The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is the soundtrack to Black culture. If you’re at a cookout, “Family Affair” is absolutely getting played. Later in the evening, your tipsy aunts will definitely belt out “I’m Goin’ Down.” She spans generations, gender, race and religion.
To celebrate her class of 2024 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we’re highlighting some of our favorite Mary J. Blige songs. Also, shoutout to Kool & The Gang; A Tribe Called Quest; Big Mama Thornton; Dionne Warwick; and Suzanne de Passe, who are also set to be inducted.
In celebration of 4/20, meet Blounts & Moore, a friend group from North Carolina who decided they wanted to join the cannabis industry in an attempt to establish legacy wealth and awareness.
In the second episode of this three-part series, we’ll discuss the stigma of cannabis within the Black community, how the company talks to the youth about cannabis, and more.
Sharon Tucker, was elected as mayor of the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana in a historic democratic caucus on Saturday.
Tucker, who is a member of the Eta Upsilon Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. currently serves as a city councilwoman. The Journal Gazette reports that she was elected mayor in the second round of voting that took place during the Democratic caucus when she met the requirement of 50% of the votes plus one. She will take over the position from the previous Mayor Tom Henry who, according to the Associated Press, died March 28 due to a medical emergency caused by stomach cancer.
Derek Camp, chairman of the Allen County Democratic Party, told the Associated Press that Tucker will serve the remainder of Henry’s mayoral term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2027.
Tucker will be the first Black mayor or Fort Wayne and the city’s second woman mayor. Her sorority sisters celebrated the historic moment and released the following statement:
“Eta Upsilon Zeta Chapter extend our sincere and heartfelt congratulations to our Sorority sister, Mayor-elect Sharon Tucker. She has, once again, made history in the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana as the first African American woman and second woman elected to the office of Mayor. We know, first-hand, the passion and heart she has to serve and positively impact the people of this city. Mayor-elect Tucker’s focus on mental health, enhancing our neighborhoods and fair and safe housing has made a difference in the lives of many residents. The journey forward is one that builds on the legacy left by Mayor Tom Henry, and will be a strong foundation for more growth and evolution for Fort Wayne. We encourage all who have a true love for this city to come to the table for collaboration and bipartisanship to bring the best of ourselves for a better Fort Wayne!”
Tucker is set to be sworn in officially as mayor next week.
A horrifying assault on a 15-year-old McDonald’s employee has shocked the St. Louis community, leading to the arrest of 25-year-old Johnny Ricks. The attack, which took place on April 7, left the teenager, Aryiah Lynch, with severe injuries including a fractured skull, a broken nose, and damage to her frontal lobe.
According to the St. Louis County Police, the assault began as a confrontation inside the McDonald’s restaurant, located in St. Louis County. Ricks and a group of unruly adults had initially caused a disturbance at the drive-thru window, leading staff to invite them inside to place their order. Once inside, the group became increasingly disruptive, throwing items around the restaurant and spitting on several employees.
The situation escalated further when Ricks became enraged, hurling a food tray at an electronic menu screen, causing its destruction. The altercation spilled out into the parking lot, where a disturbing video captured Ricks dragging Lynch by her hair, slamming her head onto the concrete, and stomping on her head repeatedly.”This assault has been a life-changing experience for her,” Lynch’s mother, Shawnunique Phillips, shared on a GoFundMe page created to cover her daughter’s medical expenses. The fundraiser has already garnered $13,000 of its $15,000 goal.
In the video shared by Phillips on Facebook, which has since gone viral, at least a dozen people can be seen grappling and exchanging punches in the parking lot. Aryiah Lynch outnumbered and overpowered, was left defenseless against the brutal assault.
Ricks, with a long rap sheet dating back to 2016, faces charges of felony assault and second-degree property damage. His criminal history includes charges of theft, fraud, excessive speeding, disorderly conduct, and even littering. In April 2023, he was arrested for aggravated assault.
The incident has prompted an outcry from the community, with many calling for Ricks to face additional charges such as child endangerment or attempted murder. Lynch, although traumatized by the attack, has been discharged from the hospital after undergoing surgery and hopes to return to work soon.
Jimmy Williams, the owner of the McDonald’s location where the incident occurred, expressed his concern for the safety of his employees and customers in a statement, saying, “Ensuring the safety of both our employees and customers is paramount to me as a local business owner, and we have a strict workplace violence policy at my restaurants. My team is fully cooperating with the St. Louis County police in their investigation.”
Johnny Ricks is currently being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 25. It remains unclear whether he has retained an attorney. The community awaits justice for Aryiah Lynch and hopes that such a senseless act of violence will lead to stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Kevin Hart shed some light on his monumental career, personal life and craft as a comedian on Sunday night’s episode of “60 Minutes.” Helmed by Anderson Cooper, the segment is a revealing and intimate portrait of the popular comic, and we’re breaking down the three biggest things we learned from watching.
Popular comedian Kevin Hart attends the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor at The Kennedy Center on March 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
Hart is 5-foot-5. Yes, officially.
Cooper’s first question for Hart was one that has been widely reported on: Just how tall is Kevin Hart, really? As The Hollywood Reporter points out, Cooper explains that GQ once reported that he was 5-foot-5-inches tall, The Los Angeles Timeswrote 5-foot-4, and “some other place” reported 5-foot-2.
“Well, that place is bulls–t,” Hart quipped back to Cooper. “’GQ’ finally got it right. [I’m] 5-foot-5, like with a shoe on, like a sneaker. Now, if I put a boot on, I can get to 5’5″ and a half.”
Breaking down his often self-deprecating style of humor, Hart continued, “It’s talking about the things that you aren’t afraid to laugh at about yourself.”
“I’m really confident that the laugh that I’m getting, you’re not laughing necessarily at me as if I’m a joke. You’re laughing at the experience,” he said. “I’m giving you an experience through a story that is relatable. And more importantly, I’m saying things that other people just don’t have the heart to say.”
Wanda Sykes helped him at a low point
Hart also touched upon his controversy surrounding the 2019 Oscars ceremony, which he was set to host. Following backlash from past homophonic comments he made on social media and in sets resurfaced, Hart stepped down. While he initially did not apologize before eventually giving way, Hart credits Sykes for helping “understanding” to come.
Recommended Stories
“Later on, the understanding came from the best light bulb ever,” Hart explained. “Wanda Sykes said, ‘There’s people that are being hurt today because of comments like the ones that you made then, and there’s people that were saying it’s OK to make those comments today based off of what you did then.’ It was presented to me in a way where I couldn’t ignore that.”
“In those moments of despair,” he added, “great understanding and education can come out of it if you’re given the opportunity.”
Is Hart a billionaire?
Cooper continued to ask what many have often wondered about Hart, currently reportedly the highest-paid comedian in the business: Is he a billionaire?
“None of your business,” Hart responded to the question. “Man, are you trying to get me robbed?”
“I mean, hopefully, and even if I don’t or if I’m not, I think the better side to what I’ve done is create what can become the new norm for other people in the business of funny, for other people in the business of entertainment, right,” he added. “Not just being a part of the business, but learning and understanding how to be the business.”
Check out the full “60 Minutes” segment on Hart here.
Photo: The Hollywood Curtain/Bauer-Griffin (Getty Images)
We know celebrities know how to dress to impress at movie premieres and award shows. But the stars with the best style also know how to put a great look together when they shop for groceries, have dinner with friends or cheer on their favorite sports teams.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite times Black celebrities slayed in jeans, sweats and sneakers.
A 15-year-old girl, Kaylee Gain, is in critical condition after a violent school fight in Missouri left her with severe head injuries. Kaylee’s parents shared that her head was bashed into the concrete during the altercation.
After waking up from a brief coma, Kaylee has made progress in her recovery. She can now walk without assistance, although her parents must be right beside her for support. To help with her balance, Kaylee wears a belt around her waist as her equilibrium gets easily disrupted.
One of the critical procedures Kaylee underwent was the removal of her left bone flap to allow her brain space to swell from its injuries. Doctors plan to put it back in place to further aid her recovery.
The other teen involved in the fight remains in custody at a juvenile detention center. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the circumstances and appropriate charges.
In a show of support, a GoFundMe campaign set up for Kaylee has raised nearly $500,000 to assist with her medical expenses and ongoing care.
Despite her progress, Kaylee faces challenges in her recovery. She can only speak in short sentences, and doctors have cautioned that even a slight fall could pose a significant risk to her health.
In Black neighborhoods, parks are half the size of parks in white neighborhoods and nearly five times as crowded. As nations recognize Earth Day, an event meant to promote protecting and sustaining the planet while enjoying nature responsibly, it’s apparent that Black children lack equal access and freedom to experience nature regularly.
Minorities in low-income neighborhoods across the nation struggle to find open and high-quality park and playground spaces in their communities. As a result, kids of color face higher risks of physical health issues such as obesity, as well as mental health struggles like anxiety, depression and a lack of concentration.
Across the country, people of color in low-income neighborhoods struggle to find open and high-quality park and playground spaces in their communities (Adobe Stock Image).
“When you think about what kids need in order to thrive, kids learn through play,” Lysa Ratliff told theGrio. Ratliff is CEO of KABOOM, a nonprofit organization that works with communities to build playgrounds for children. “Kids experience and navigate life through play and not having access to great places to play is detrimental to their full development. If you’re in a community that is full of nothing but concrete and abandoned buildings, that environment affects the development and behavior of the kids that live there.”
Dr. Yolanda Lawson is president of the National Medical Association, an organization founded to amplify the voices and interests of patients and doctors of African descent. She says being active in outdoor spaces has excellent long-term benefits. “We see all kinds of health issues when kids aren’t around green parks and playgrounds,” she says. “Poor sleep, behavioral changes and higher obesity rates. Green space is important to us all, but especially important when you talk about children.”
It’s no accident that Black neighborhoods have fewer parks and playgrounds for their children. According to a 2022 report by KABOOM, the disparities could be the result of discriminatory land and housing policies. “It’s interconnected with all of the other disparities that we see in communities of color,” Ratliff said. “If you think about the history of redlining and the infrastructure that has been built in our country, it’s where investments have been made.”
Along with parks and playgrounds, communities of color are also deprived of natural green spaces and the ensuing health benefits. (Adobe Stock Image).
Venora Avil, a Black mother in Brooklyn, said she feels the same way. She lives in Brownsville with her two children ages 4 and 6. There’s a small playground a few blocks from her apartment, but it hasn’t been renovated or improved in decades. “I want my kids to be active, so I take them there a lot, but the park is falling apart,” Avil said.
The closest green park is 30 minutes away, which is difficult for her to visit consistently. “I know it’s important to be around trees and nature at least sometimes,” Avil said. “So even though it’s not convenient for us, I try to get them to Prospect Park when I can.”
In addition to a shortage of parks and playgrounds, communities of color are deprived of natural green spaces and the associated health benefits. A 2020 report published by the Center for American Progress, a public policy research and advocacy organization, explained that the United States has historically kept people of color away from public land and natural locations.
“For more than a century, the movement to protect parks, public lands, and other natural places in the United States has been dominated by white people and perspectives,” the report said. In fact, 68% of Black people live in a “nature deprived” area, compared to 23% of white people.
Recommended Stories
Lawson says it’s going to take action from community organizations and local governments to create and improve more outdoor recreational spaces in neighborhoods that need them. “There are things we can do through our housing authorities to make sure there are policies that preserve and develop green spaces,” she said.
On the advocacy side, organizations like KABOOM identify specific neighborhoods that need parks. Then partnerships are forged with local groups and leaders to draw the right investments and plans to build or improve the parks.
“We’ve got a lot of problems to solve especially in the racial equity space where we have inherited a legacy of racial policies,” Ratliff said. “But luckily we can solve this problem. We know what we need to do. We just need to build more playgrounds and parks for our kids.”
Unfortunately, the world only recognizes Lo-Letha Toland-Hall as the Black Uber driver chased in a video by an armed white man. Ms. Toland-Hall, 61, died after being shot multiple times by William Brock, police said. – Kalyn Womack Read More
Taylor Swift’s latest album, ‘THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT,’ debuted on Spotify with 313.7 million streams on its first day of release, marking a watershed milestone in music streaming history. This milestone not only represents Spotify’s largest debut in history but also establishes a new standard for album launches on the platform, breaking all previous records.
The album’s unprecedented success on Spotify solidifies Taylor Swift’s status as a powerhouse in the music industry, as she becomes the first artist to achieve over 300 million streams for an album in a single day. With ‘THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT,’ Swift has once again demonstrated her unparalleled ability to captivate audiences worldwide with her poignant lyrics and infectious melodies.
Furthermore, Swift’s domination extends beyond album streams, as her collaboration with Post Malone, “Fortnight,” also made waves on Spotify. The single debuted at #1 on the global Spotify chart, amassing an impressive 25.2 million streams in just one day. This feat not only secured the top spot on the chart but also broke the record for the biggest single-day streams globally.
In addition to its global success, “Fortnight” soared to new heights on US Spotify, where it garnered 10.875 million streams in a single day, surpassing the previous record holder, “Anti-Hero.”Taylor Swift’s influence on Spotify is further underscored by her remarkable presence on the platform’s charts. With ‘THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT,’ Swift occupies the entire top 16 positions on the global Spotify chart, showcasing the album’s widespread appeal and dominance in the streaming landscape.
From pensive pieces like “But Daddy I Love Him” to bouncy choruses like “Florida!!!” and “So High School,” every song on the album contributes to its obvious success, resonating with fans all over the world.
