Kamala Harris, book tour, Howard

Kamala Harris Spices Up Campaign Trail With Secret Greens Recipe As Top Chefs Rally Behind Her Run

Harris's cooking prowess has gained its own traction as her campaign heats up.


Kamala Harris is serving up more than politics on the campaign trail—she’s dishing out cooking tips while top chefs whip up support for her run.

The presidential hopeful recently went viral on social media for sharing her secret ingredient to greens. For Harris, adding some Tabasco hot sauce to the soul food staple will add extra vinegar and tanginess to the side dish.

“And then I cheat with a little Tabasco…Tabasco has that right amount of vinegar,” she expressed in the viral social media video.

She detailed her recipe, which also includes white vinegar, chili peppers, bacon, and garlic. With her secret recipe, Harris reportedly became the go-to for greens duty for her friend’s annual Christmas Eve dinner party.

However, Harris’ food takes have gained traction before. The Washington Post recently listed seven tips aspiring cooks can learn from Harris’ food videos.

Of the tips, Harris emphasized to viewers that bacon can provide a lot of flavor to a dish and that mayonnaise can be quite versatile. Moreover, she shared that occasionally shopping locally while being flexible about ingredients can help one prepare new meals. Incorporating new tools and gadgets can also help in the process.

Supporting the part-time chef and full-time politician, top chefs recently raised over $200,000 in a “Cooking for Kamala” event on Aug. 29. Celebrity chef Padma Lakshmi and actor Joel McHale co-hosted the virtual fundraiser, which followed the trend of different groups supporting the nominee. Other chefs and restaurateurs, including José Andrés and Marcus Samuelsson, took part in the initiative.

“For me, when we have a leader that cares about food issues — and I know Vice President Kamala Harris cares about them — when you have a leader that knows and understands the power of feeding one another, that’s the power to build longer tables,” explained Andrés during the event, as reported by Good Morning America.

RELATED CONTENT: Win With Black Men Fundraises $1.3 Million For Kamala Harris

Lawsuit, Miami hotel records, Sean Diddy Combs, Subpoena

Sean Combs Named In Subpoena Of Miami Hotel Records

The entertainment mogul has yet to be charged with a crime.


The potential federal indictment of Sean Combs appears to be picking up steam. The disgraced mogul was named in a subpoena requesting records from a Miami hotel regarding any documents or records involving Combs and his ex, Daphne Joy. Joy shares a son with 50 Cent.

According to TMZ, the subpoena requests records dating from Jan. 1, 2008, to the present day. The subpoena also requests check-in dates, check-out dates, room numbers, guest preferences, requests, room service and other billing information, email and physical addresses, phone numbers, and any forms of payment used. 

According to Marca, the hotel is the same one at which Combs allegedly assaulted Joy. Prosecutors also requested that the hotel provide Diddy’s IP addresses and those of his guests during that time period. The subpoena filed in the Southern District of New York by federal prosecutors is the clearest sign yet that charges could potentially be forthcoming for Combs. 

Although the entertainment mogul has yet to be charged with a crime, the subpoena suggests that these documents could potentially corroborate any evidence recovered during the federal government’s raid on his homes in March 2024.

In April, the Washington Post reported that any developments would likely take months to materialize. Michelle Simpson Tuegel, a Dallas attorney who has worked on high-profile sexual assault cases, told the outlet that the feds were likely still conducting their evaluations of Combs’ digital materials and information.

“When you’re dealing with someone like him who may have cellphones, multiple systems, multiple laptops, and who just conducts a lot of business and probably has a lot of communication, there’s going to be a lot of digital information,” Tuegel told the outlet. 

In an April 2024 op-ed for The Guardian, Tayo Bero pointed to the November 2023 lawsuit filed by Combs’ former protegé Cassie Ventura as the focus point for the mogul’s legal troubles. That suit, Bero noted, also contained allegations of sex trafficking. 

“Combs’s most recent legal drama (as far as we, the public, know it) began back in November, when his former longtime partner, Cassie Ventura, filed a $30m lawsuit in federal court accusing Combs of a decade-long cycle of violent sexual abuse and trafficking that started when she was just 19 years old,” Bero wrote.

Bero continued, “Combs denied the allegations, and settled the suit a day later for an undisclosed amount. But then other victims –- both male and female –- came forward with their own disturbing allegations of systematic sexual abuse by Combs and his associates going all the way back to the 90s. And, like many of the other high-profile men entangled in #MeToo accusations, Combs’s house of cards has continued to crumble since.”

RELATED CONTENT: Diddy Drops Sean John Lawsuit As Other Legal Battles Continue

Chick-Fil-A, monkeys

Black Man Outraged As Chick-fil-A Drive-Thru Receipt Labels Him ‘Monkeys’

Marquise Vanzego was shocked to see his order name as "Monkeys" while receiving his food.


A Black man in Maryland is calling out a local Chick-fil-A for labeling him as “Monkeys” while at the drive-thru.

According to Today.com, Marquise Vanzego looked at his receipt to see an unusual name. Vanzego told the news outlet that he went to the La Plata Chick-fil-A to order a meal on Aug. 23. However, as he went through the drive and heard the name “Monkeys” called out, Vanzego could not believe his ears.

However, the order matched his, confirming his fears that he had been labeled the racially charged word. He equated the incident to other instances of racial profiling.

“You start to think about all the other incidents that may have occurred that you heard about on the news with racial profiling,” expressed Vanzego.

While his first name, Marquise, sounds slightly similar to monkeys, the notion that someone, especially a Black man, would be so named should have raised concerns from the employee. However, perhaps due to Vanzego’s Blackness, the drive-thru worker, described as a white male, wrote the name down.

Upon notifying management of the distasteful mix-up, the supervisor apologized and offered a refund for his distress. However, Vanzego went public with the ordeal, sharing his letter to Chick-fil-A’s headquarters and its CEO, Andrew Cathy. He detailed his “outrage and disgust” with being referred to as “Monkeys.”

“I would like to take this time to express my outrage and disgust over an appalling incident I experienced at the Chick-fil-A in La Plata, Maryland,” expressed Vanzego in the letter. “This racist and derogatory labeling is not only deeply offensive but also humiliating as a 52-year-old African American adult male. The sheer hurt of seeing that word takes me back to a painful history, one where my ancestors endured the same dehumanizing racism that was meant to strip away their dignity.”

He added, “The fact that such a vile slur was used so casually in this day and age is a stark reminder that the trauma of those times is still very much alive.”

The marketing director for the locally-owned franchise declined to comment. However, the chain’s corporate office did note that this experience is “unacceptable.”

“This Chick-fil-A is independently franchised and operated,” they wrote in a statement. “The franchisee of this restaurant has apologized to the guest. However, this experience does not meet our expectations and is unacceptable.”

Vanzego hopes that the employee will take accountability for his actions and understand the significance of using that term.

RELATED CONTENT: Chick-fil-A May Soon Expand Beyond Chicken Sandwiches With Family-Friendly Streaming Platform

Dollar General, cash-back fees, Dollar Tree, Kroger

Report Exposes Millions Made By Grocery And Dollar Stores In Cash-Back Charges

Kroger, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General have earned over $90M by charging customers for cash back.


A new report has revealed hefty profits that grocery and dollar stores make in cash-back charges. Retailers like Kroger, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General have racked up millions by charging customers to take out cash.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau exposed that over $90 million was earned in fees for taking money out. While conducting the report at eight of the nation’s largest retailers, such as Dollar General, CVS, Walmart, and Target, they found that three major retailers earned the most through the charges.

While retailers make significant cash through the fees, the profits don’t match the cost. According to the report, the cost to process the transaction may only amount to pennies. Despite this, these stores, in particular, are charging customers at a much higher margin.

At the multiple dollar stores, fees start at $1 to take out cash under $50. Kroger, a grocery chain with stores throughout the U.S. under different names, charges .50 to .75 cents at its stores like Ralph’s and Harris Teeter for patrons to get $100 or less.

However, the issue disproportionately impacts lower-income communities, where most dollar stores are located. While dollar stores are many people’s sole option for accessing cash, the spiked rates to do so could be predatory.

“While retail chains had long provided cash back on debit card purchases for free, the CFPB has found that dollar store chains and other retailers are now charging fees for access to cash,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “Many people living in small towns no longer have access to a local bank where they can withdraw money from their account for free. This has created the competitive conditions for retailers to charge fees for cash back.”

Upon the findings, Dollar Tree and Dollar General released statements on the hiked fees. Both companies expressed that they are helping customers by providing an option to gain cash despite the disproportioned costs.

“Like many retailers, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar offer cash back as a convenient service for our customers,” said a Dollar Tree company spokesperson, as detailed by Supermarket News. “Shoppers who want to take advantage of our cash-back offering are charged a clearly disclosed fee, which in turn helps offset the variety of costs we incur to offer this helpful service.”

Dollar General stated, “While not a financial institution, Dollar General provides cash back options at our more than 20,000 stores across the country as a service to customers who may not have convenient access to their primary financial institution. These services may also help customers save money on fees compared to alternative, non-retail options such as check cashing locations or ATM fees.”

Despite their stances, smaller and/or lower-income areas continue to face additional fees while companies secure massive profits.

RELATED CONTENT: Dollar General Gets Rid Of Self-Checkout Lanes In 12,000 Stores

Las Vegas Aces, wnba, A'ja Wilson, sneakers

A’ja Wilson Shows Love To Her AKA Sorority Through New Sneakers At WNBA Game

The shoes featured the sorority's signature colors of salmon pink and apple green.


A’ja Wilson is a proud Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated member, with shoes that prove it. The Las Vegas Aces star wore sneakers featuring her sorority’s colors during a recent WNBA game.

Wilson rocked the new pair of Nike LeBron 21 PEs (Player Exclusive) during the Aces match against the Atlanta Dream on Aug. 30. In true fashion with the Black Greek organization, the shoes featured salmon pink and apple green in their colorway. Nice Kicks posted close-up images of Wilson performing in her special edition sneakers.

According to Sports Illustrated, Wilson became a member of AKA while at the University of South Carolina. She pursued membership while still leading the Gamecocks to a national championship. Moreover, Wilson solidified her star power as the NCAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and three-time SEC Player of the Year.

Wilson continues to make an impact in her professional career. Since joining the Aces in the 2018 WNBA draft, Wilson has taken the team to back-to-back championships, securing both victories and being named the Finals MVP in 2023. The athlete is stacked with accolades, making her a dominant force in the league while remaining true to her memberships elsewhere as well.

AKA’s official Instagram account also praised the 28-year-old upon her win as a consecutive champion. In the celebratory post, the sorority deemed Wilson their “MVP sister.”

While seeking a third championship this year, the sneakers did not stop the show as Wilson bagged another Aces win. In her 37 minutes of playing time, ESPN reported the center earned 26 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, and blocks.

The all-star is a force on and off the court. She showcased her multiple sisterhoods while continuing to rack up new stats. As the playoffs near, Wilson hopes to make both her home teams proud with another Finals win.

RELATED CONTENT: Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson Adds To Legacy By Breaking Another WNBA Record

OG Maco, Atlanta, dies

Hip-Hop Legend Fatman Scoop Dies At 53 Following Collapse On Stage

Celebrities like Ciara and Missy Elliot paid tribute to Fatman Scoop on social media.


Fatman Scoop, considered by many to be one of the greatest hype men to ever exist in hip-hop, died on Aug. 30 after he reportedly collapsed on stage during a concert. The rapper’s family confirmed his death in an Aug. 31 Instagram post. He was 53 at the time of his death. 

According to NBC News, Fatman Scoop, whose real name is Isaac Freeman III, was performing at the Green and Gold Party, a summer concert in Hamden, Connecticut, when he experienced a medical emergency while on the stage. 

Lauren Garrett, the mayor of Hamden, issued a statement offering condolences to Freeman’s family and thanking those who assisted with his emergency.

“On behalf of the Town of Hamden, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Isaac Freeman, known as Fatman Scoop,” Garrett said. “He was a wonderful performer with a wide following as evidenced by the thousands of fans that came to see what would be his last performance at Hamden Town Center Park.”

Garrett continued, “I am grateful to the audience members and to our paramedics that attempted to offer life-saving assistance. For anyone who is having difficulty processing and mourning Isaac’s loss, particularly after witnessing the tragedy unfold at town center park, we will be hosting grief counseling with our social worker.”

The family’s post to Freeman’s IG page served as a somber tribute to the performer whose voice seemed to possess boundless energy.

“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic FatMan Scoop,” the family wrote. “Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.”

The post continued, “FatMan Scoop was not just a world-class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and friend. He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage. FatMan Scoop was known to the world as the undisputed voice of the club. His music made us dance and embrace life with positivity. His joy was infectious and the generosity he extended to all will be deeply missed but never forgotten.”

Freeman worked with several artists, including Missy Elliott, Ciara, Timbaland, Magoo, and Mariah Carey. 

Some of those artists, like Ciara and Missy Elliott, shared their tributes to Freeman on social media. 

Elliott wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Prayers for Fatman Scoop family for STRENGTH during this difficult time. Fatman Scoop VOICE & energy have contributed to MANY songs that made the people feel HAPPY & want to dance for over 2 decades. Your IMPACT is HUGE & will be NEVER be forgotten.”

Ciara captioned a video she posted of Freeman in the studio on the same platform, writing, “Rest Easy FatmanScoop! You were truly one of the best voices in hip-hop! I’m so glad I got to experience your greatness! We will all miss you greatly.”

RELATED CONTENT: Rapper Scarface Hospitalized For Unknown Medical Condition

Brandy, thriller, The Front Room

Brandy Promises New Thriller ‘The Front Room’ Will Leave Moviegoers ‘Afraid’

Brandy shares how 'taken aback' she initially was by the spiritual and religious undertones in 'The Front Room' script.


Brandy Norwood and Kathryn Hunter star in the new psychological thriller The Front Room. In it, everything goes to hell for newly pregnant Belinda (Brandy) after her mother-in-law (Hunter) moves in and tries to get her claws on the child.

The film sees Belinda trying to support her husband, Norman, in caring for her mother-in-law, Solange, a charismatic evangelical with racist views who claims to possess Holy Spirit powers and struggles to make it to the bathroom. With the goal of securing Solange’s inheritance at the forefront of their intentions, Belinda and Norman’s at-home environment is turned upside down when Solange takes over the front room they intended to turn into a nursery for their newborn.

The Front Room marks the iconic Grammy Award-winning singer and actor’s return to the horror genre nearly 30 years after making it out alive in 1998’s I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. But while Brandy’s first horror film served as a classic slasher, the horror in The Front Room is far more psychological—and hilariously absurd.

“I think they’re going to love it,” Brandy tells BLACK ENTERPRISE of the new film. “I think they’re going to be afraid. I think they’re going to laugh. I think they’re going to relate to the characters, and they’re going to have a good time.”

Solange’s holy terror is directed at her daughter-in-law, Belinda, and stepson, Norman. They’re a typical millennial couple: deeply in love and eager to start a family but struggling to make ends meet in an inflation-driven society. After recently buying their house, the couple is struggling to pay the mortgage while expecting their rainbow following a stillbirth the pair are still struggling to cope with.

When the opportunity to secure Solange’s inheritance presents itself, Norman and Belinda can’t pass it up—even if it means dealing with Solange’s odd prayers, weak bladder, and refusal to correctly pronounce Belinda’s name. According to Brandy, this situation sets the stage for Belinda to be taken advantage of.

“I think she’s kind-hearted. I think she has a very, very good heart. I think she has empathy for the elderly. I think she has empathy for family. And I think she takes advantage of that,” Brandy explains of her character’s dynamic.

“And she can see that early on that I’m very inviting,” she adds of Solange. “I’m very welcoming. I want her to feel like she’s family. And I think she takes advantage of that.”

The film tackles deep themes of religion and spirituality in a more sinister way, with Solange’s character appearing to take control of Belinda through prayers in another language and relics placed over the baby’s crib. Considering the deep religious aspects of the film, Brandy and Hunter shared how it impacted their approach to their roles.

“I read that and I was taken aback,” Brandy says of her initial response to the script. “But I like the way it was written and how it was executed and how we were able to rehearse it and bring it to life in a powerful way.”

“I think it’s a very powerful and resonant theme in how religion is used to appropriate and manipulate,” Hunter adds. “And it’s very much alive and kicking as a means to an end today, unfortunately, in many different cultures. And quite frightening. So it works.”

Press play below for the full interview, and be sure to check out The Front Room when it hits theaters nationwide on Sept. 6.

RELATED CONTENT: She’s Back! Brandy Makes Long-Awaited Return As Cinderella in New Disney+ Musical

Meghan Markle, Rwanda, purses

Meghan Markle Invests In Luxury Purse Line Woven In Rwanda

Cesta Collective is a sustainable luxury brand that weaves handbags in Rwanda.


Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, continued her efforts to invest in women-owned businesses by investing in Cesta Collective, a sustainable luxury brand that weaves basket bags in Rwanda and finishes the bags in Italy. 

According to The New York Times, Markle initially discovered the brand while doing the mundane: online shopping. 

Markle told the outlet via phone, “I spend a lot of time just Googling, looking for brands. When people are online looking for things or reading things, I’m trying to find great new designers, especially in different territories.”

After Markle wore a Cesta handbag to a dinner date she and Prince Harry had in May 2023 with Cameron Diaz, Gwenetth Paltrow and their spouses, the brand immediately felt the effect of the royal’s notoriety. Cesta founder Erin Ryder told The New York Times that the effect of Markle’s co-sign was immediate and pronounced.

“We were on our way to Mexico to shoot a look book,” Ryder said. “We got off the plane, got our internet on and, all of a sudden, this one style that had been a little bit sleepy was totally sold through, and we were getting a lot of ‘back in stock’ sign-ups. We knew there had to be some reason that these were selling so quickly, so Courtney did some internet sleuthing to find out. We had more sales in one day than we’ve ever had.”

Following that occurrence, Markle, Ryder and the other co-founder of Cesta, Courtney Fasciano, cultivated a relationship, which culminated in Markle becoming the brand’s first outside investor during the summer of 2024. According to Fasciano and Ryder, Markle’s ownership stake is a minority stake although they declined to say exactly what her percentage or amount of funding was. 

Markle has relished her role as a tastemaker, as she told the outlet. “Times where I know there is a global spotlight, and attention will be given to each detail of what I may or may not be wearing, then I support designers that I have really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven’t gotten the attention that they should be getting,” Markle said. “That’s one of the most powerful things that I’m able to do, and that’s simply wearing, like, an earring.”

Regarding Cesta, founders Ryder and Fasciano prioritize responsible production and fair wages for their artisans. Despite selling their bags for hundreds of dollars and generating about $1 million annually, they remain the company’s only full-time employees and emphasize that profit isn’t their primary focus. Like Markle, they aim to invest in women, but Cesta’s founders also seek to expand into new markets and collaborate with female artisans in developing countries.

Markle, for her part, sees what her influence makes possible as a healthy alternative to the competitive nature of business, calling herself a dolphin, not a shark. 

“Investing in them has helped me line up for this chapter where I’m investing in myself,” Markle told the New York Times.

Markle referred to her venture capital initiative as “dolphin tank,” which operates differently from “Shark Tank.” Markle’s portfolio now contains between five and 10 brands, which she believes are complementary to her American Riviera Orchard brand. Markle added, “These are friendly waters.”

RELATED CONTENT: Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchid Brand Delayed In Difficult Search For CEO

HBCU Track Legend, Jamaican Olympian, George Rhoden, Dies, Olympic

HBCU Track Legend And Jamaican Olympian George Rhoden Dies At 97

Rhoden was a standout rack and field athlete at Morgan State University.


George Rhoden, a former Olympian representing his home country of Jamaica and a former track athlete at Morgan State University, died on Aug. 24 at 97.

According to a press release issued by Morgan State University, Rhoden is believed to be the best 400m runner Jamaica has ever produced. In 1952, at the Helsinki Olympic Games, Rhoden became the first Jamaican to win a gold medal in track and field by winning the 400m race. 

Rhoden also helped the famed Golden Quartet win a gold medal in the 4×400 relay and turned in a silver medal-winning performance in the 800m race. Rhoden was greeted with a hero’s welcome when he returned home following the Olympics.

Rhoden was considered one of the best long sprinters of his generation, and he proved that his designation was correct despite not having medaled in the 1948 London Olympics, his first Olympic competition. In 1950, Rhoden broke the 400m world record, clocking a time of 45.8, announcing his presence as an emerging force on the track.

Rhoden also won the AAU and NCAA Championships, winning the 200m and 400m events between 1949 and 1951. Following these performances, Rhoden cemented his status through his performance in Helsinki. 

After his track career concluded, Rhoden settled in as a coach, teaching physical education and coaching track and field at Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia. He was also a member of the International Olympic Committee and the president of the Jamaican Amateur Athletic Association.

Rhoden was the last surviving member of Jamaica’s Golden Quartet, a nickname given to the Jamaican 4x400m team composed of Rhoden, Herb McKinley, Arthur Wint, and Les Laing. 

Rhoden is mourned by his family, friends, and the country of Jamaica as a whole; he and his Golden Quartet compatriots ushered in Jamaica’s entry as a track and field powerhouse on the global stage. 

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (formerly the Jamaican Amateur Athletic Association) issued a statement to the Jamaica Observer, mourning Rhoden’s passing. 

“George Rhoden was one of the building blocks of our sport in Jamaica. He demonstrated true grit and determination in every single one of his races and was a dependable team member,” Garth Gayle, the president of the JAAA said. “He would grind out every event, giving everything for his team and his country. His performances in 1952 will always be remembered as they laid the groundwork for the strong track and field nation we are today.”

RELATED CONTENT: Alvin Attles, HBCU Athlete Turned NBA Legend, Dies At 87

Stevie Wonder, new track, unity, DNC

Stevie Wonder Releases New Track Calling For Unity After DNC Appearance

Stevie Wonder's new song is titled "Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart?"


Legendary artist Stevie Wonder dropped a new track on Aug. 30, titled “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart?” In a call for people to come together following his appearance at the Democratic National Convention, Wonder is carrying the sentiments of his speech over into his music.  

The new track features a call for Americans to stand united over a backing acoustic guitar. In the hook, he sings, “Can we fix our nation’s broken heart? Are we brave enough to try?”

Despite the song’s lyrics not being overtly political, the timing of the track’s release suggests that Wonder is thinking about the upcoming November presidential election and calling for everyone to get involved. 

Notably, Wonder took the stage on the third night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21 and gave a powerful address to the crowd before performing his 1973 hit “Higher Ground” off his album Innervisions

During his speech, Wonder told the audience in Chicago’s United Center that he formally endorsed Democratic candidates Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. 

Wonder began, “This year, I pray very hard for peace to come to our world’s nations, but also to each one of our hearts, even though our hearts have been beaten and broken. Beyond prayer, I know the importance of action.” 

Wonder, 74, continued, “Now is the moment to understand where we are and what it will take to win: win the broken hearts, win the disenchanted, win the angry spirits — now is the time.”

“This is the moment to remember when you tell your children where you were and what you did. We must choose courage over complacency. It is time to get up and go vote!”

The “Isn’t She Lovely” singer encouraged those in the audience to reach for “Higher Ground” before performing his hit of the same name.

Wonder previously made a political appearance at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, where he expressed his support for then-candidate Barack Obama.

RELATED CONTENT: Janet Jackson Reveals Family Ties To Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman, And Samuel L. Jackson

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