tWitch, Allison Holker Boss
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Allison Holker Boss and Stephen tWitch Boss attend the 2022 Industry Dance Awards at Avalon Hollywood & Bardot on October 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images)

Stephen “tWitch” Boss Supporters Call Out ‘Money Hungry’ Widow Amid Interview And Tell-All Book

'This is by far the most tacky, classless, opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life.'


Stephen “tWitch” Boss’s widow is facing backlash from his family and supporters over her tell-all book and interview, in which she accused him of being a drug addict.

Allison Holker came under fire on Tuesday shortly after her candid interview with People went live. In addition to Boss’ cousin, Elle, who took to X to defend her late family member, his close friend Courtney Ann Platt echoed Elle’s statements in a scathing and lengthy Instagram post.

“This is by far the most tacky, classless, opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life,” Platt wrote.

She went on to second Elle’s claims of Holker requiring Boss’s family to sign NDAs to attend the former dancer and DJ’s funeral. Platt also accused Hoker of mistreating Boss’s mother before bringing her attention to the widow’s new book where she accuses Boss of using drugs prior to his death by suicide in December 2022.

“Here you go and write a book with all the dirty laundry smearing his name and attempting to dim the bright loyal, loving, light that was your husband, my friend,” Platt wrote.

Platt also blasted Holker for dropping Boss’ last name from her “social media platforms 48 hours after he passed” and for “shamelessly sharing the pages” of Boss’ journal in her tell-all book.

“This smear campaign for a buck is absolutely not what he would have ever wanted. No matter how bad he was hurting. Not for second. You’re a living, breathing bulldozer,” Platt, a former New York Knicks City Dancer, added.

“Stick to your own demons. Shame on you Allison, shame on your money hungry team. Let my friend Rest in Peace not your PR.”

Many of Boss’s family members and some friends expressed support for Platt’s post, including Boss’s brothers, who shared it on their Instagram Stories and Boss’s cousin, Zachary Boss Silas, who also revealed that he had to sign an NDA to attend the late star’s funeral as Holker claimed it was necessary to “protect his legacy.”

Ryan Guzman, who co-starred in Step Up Revolution with Boss, also blasted Holker’s interview on his Instagram Stories, saying her tell-all book made him “sick to his stomach” and that he felt “the same way” as Platt described in her lengthy Instagram caption.

Boss died Dec. 13, 2022, leaving behind three children he shared with Holker. He was 40 years old.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘tWitch’ Boss’s Family Speaks Out After His Wife Alleges He Was A Drug Addict

Trump, approval polls, immigration policies
(Photo: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

Let It Be Known That Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts Hurt Black Americans

Trump touted that the tax cuts would benefit the middle class.


President Donald Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expired on Dec. 31, 2024, and the research paints a grim picture: the cuts hurt Black Americans and worsened income inequality.

Trump touted that the tax cuts would benefit the middle class in what has been characterized as the most extensive revision to the Internal Revenue Code since Ronald Reagan’s administration.

Research from Vanderbilt Professor Beverly Moran, a scholar of race and U.S. income taxation, reveals more than 80% of the tax cuts benefited corporations, tax partnerships, and high-net-worth individuals. 

There was little advantage to America’s middle class, and when breaking down the data, the benefits for Black Americans were even smaller. Part of the reason why many Black Americans did not reap the benefits has to do with home ownership.

How Tax Cuts Exasperated Disparities

According to Moran, the federal income tax can give homeowners an upper hand. However, many Black taxpayers cannot reap the benefits that include the ability to deduct home mortgage interest, local property taxes, and the right to avoid taxes on up to $500,000 of profit on the sale of a home.

According to figures from the National Association of Home Builders’ Eye on Housing, as of the fourth quarter of 2023, 45.9% of Black Americans owned a home in the United States, significantly lower than the homeownership for White Americans, 73.8% in the same period.

In 2023, a CNN report revealed a key fact that Black Americans have known for some time: it’s harder for middle-class Black people to secure a mortgage than low-income white people, even when Black Americans come to the table with higher credit scores and income. As Moran observed, Black people are charged higher rates than their white counterparts.

Trump’s 2017 tax cuts made closing the income and race disparities worse. Black taxpayers ultimately paid higher taxes than white taxpayers with the same income and employment factors.

According to Moran, the disadvantages expand to wealthy shareholders, who she said benefit from corporate tax savings.

Shareholders in the U.S. are corporations, pension funds, and wealthy individuals who are majority white. Sixty-six percent of white families own stocks compared to less than 40% of Black families.

As Trump’s tax cuts expire, it remains unclear what the GOP-led Congress will prioritize in 2025.

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Joyel Crawford, fairygodmentor, contributor
(Photo: Kirten White Photography/BE)

New Year, New You?: Here’s The Secret To Sticking With Your Intentions All Year Long

New Year’s resolutions often seem like a setup for failure


Dear Fairygodmentor,

I start the new year off with a ‘New Attitude’ like the Patti LaBelle song, but without fail, I fall off the New Year’s Resolution wagon. How can I make a new start and stick with it?

Signed,
I’m on the Struggle Bus

Dear Struggle Bus,

I hear you! New Year’s resolutions often seem like a setup for failure. Did you know research shows 23% of people quit their resolutions by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January? On the bright side, 46% stick to them for six months, but only 8% make it all year.

Here’s the good news: with a few mindset shifts, you can defy the odds and stay on track. Let’s dive in!

1. Words Matter

Resolutions can carry a heavy, negative connotation. Let’s reframe them as intentions. According to Oxford, an intention is “a thing intended; an aim or plan.” Simply put, it’s a goal or target—a more positive and purposeful perspective.

2. Reflect on the Why

Reflection is the most overlooked yet critical step in planning. Pause to consider where you are, where you want to go, and why.

Ask yourself:
– What does success look like?
– What accomplishments am I proud of so far?
– What are my opportunities to grow?
– What fears are holding me back?
– What gets me out of bed in the morning?

These questions aren’t just for reflection—they guide you in setting meaningful intentions. They shift you off the hamster wheel of daily life and onto a path of progress.

3. Make It SMART

To turn intentions into achievements, they need structure. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

For instance, instead of saying, “I will lose 40 pounds,” break it down:
– “I will lose 3 to 8 pounds this month by working out 3 to 5 days a week, drinking 64 ounces of water daily, and making healthier food choices.”

Still too big? Start smaller:
– “I will move for 30 minutes a day and drink 64 ounces of water this week.”

Still too big? Try:

– “I will move for at least 10 minutes a day and drink at least eight ounces of water with each meal.”

Small steps prevent goal paralysis and build momentum.

4. Remember to Daydream

Visualization is a powerful tool. Imagine what success feels, looks, sounds, and even tastes like. Write down these details or record a video journal to refer back to when you need a boost.

5. Use the Buddy System

Accountability is key. Find a buddy who will keep you honest and motivated. For example, if your intention is to be kinder to yourself, have your buddy ask daily, “Were you kind to yourself today?”

You can even rate your self-kindness as a percentage to keep it measurable. Schedule regular check-ins, set calendar reminders, and help each other stay on track.

Struggle Bus, sticking to your intentions doesn’t have to feel impossible. By shifting your mindset, reflecting on your why, structuring your goals, visualizing success, and leaning on accountability, you can become one of the 8% who see their intentions through to the end.

Happy New Year! You’ve got this!

Yours truly,
Your Fairygodmentor®

About the Author:

Joyel Crawford is an award-w I’minning career and leadership development professional and founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies. She is the best-selling author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career.

Have a question about handling a micromanager, navigating work with natural hair, or negotiating a job offer? Submit your questions to Ask Your Fairygodmentor® today!

Connecticut’s First Black Woman U.S. Attorney Announces Resignation 

Connecticut’s First Black Woman U.S. Attorney Announces Resignation 

Best wishes to U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery


Vanessa Roberts Avery, Connecticut’s first Black woman to serve as U.S. attorney, announced her resignation effective Jan. 17, CT News Junkie reports

Avery was appointed by President Joe Biden in May 2022 as the 54th U.S. Attorney  and first Black woman in the state to hold the prestigious post. In her resignation statement, Avery called her tenure the “honor of a lifetime” and celebrated the “talented” public servants that worked alongside her. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as United States Attorney, and I am profoundly appreciative of President Biden for trusting me to serve our nation and the people of Connecticut in this position,” Avery wrote. 

“I have been especially honored to lead an office of extremely talented public servants who are dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism and committed to the cause of justice.”

As the new administration is scheduled to take office on Jan. 20, it is a common practice for political appointees to resign in advance, according to Fox 61

During her time in office, Avery and her team focused on building positive relationships with the community as well as local, state and federal law enforcement. The focus resulted in a decline of violent crime and opioid overdose deaths by leading programs such as HEAT (Heroin, Opioid, and Addiction Taskforce) and Fed-Up.

“Together, we have employed collaborative, data and intelligence-driven strategies to make our communities safer for all who live in our state.”

Connecticut’s Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal praised Avery for her work and called her leadership “insightful”:

“I regret, but fully understand, Vanessa Avery’s departure, and I am grateful for her dedicated, highly successful service as U.S. Attorney,” Blumenthal said.

“Her leadership has been insightful and incisive –- inspiring to her excellent team working to protect public safety and the rule of law.”

Attorney General William Tong said that while he is not sure where Avery is going after leaving this post, he is sure that she’s just getting started by looking back on all the success she had in the state. With her United Against Hate initiative, Avery heightened awareness of hate crimes and pushed to build stronger community ties across the state with a specific target toward communities that are resistant in reporting crimes due to fear of retaliation.

“Together, we have employed collaborative, data- and intelligence-driven strategies to make our communities safer and ensure justice for all who live in our state,” she said.

“I am confident that this office will continue to make Connecticut a safe place to live and have a positive impact in our communities.”

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Gabrielle Union, actress, Hollywood, Black actresses, award
(Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.)

Gabrielle Union Curates An IPSY Icon Box Of Beauty Products For Black History Month 

The actress's IPSY Icon Box will be available Feb. 1.


Gabrielle Union has teamed up with IPSY Icon Box for a Black History Month campaign aimed at promoting health, confidence, and self-love.

The actress and Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder is curating the February Icon Box for the world’s largest beauty subscription service. Union’s Icon Box includes makeup, skincare, and hair products that embody her belief that beauty is a journey of self-expression and should be used to peel back their unique layers with unapologetic confidence.

“Collaborating with IPSY on the Icon Box and being part of its Black History Month social content has been such a meaningful experience for me,” Union said in a press release.

“As a Black female founder, it’s important to me to find ways to highlight the joy found in self-expression and vibrancy found in the Black experience.”

Icon Box by Gabrielle Union will launch on February 1, showcasing a diverse selection of brands, including LYS Beauty, Kosas, Elemis, and Benefit Cosmetics, along with her own brand, Flawless by Gabrielle Union. The box will also feature tips from the Bring It On star on how she uses beauty to continually redefine her happiest, most confident, and authentic self.

“Through this collaboration, I hope I can empower everyone to hold space for the many versions of themselves and help them find the looks that celebrate each one,” she said.

Along with curating the February Icon Box, Union will narrate IPSY’s upcoming Black History Month social campaign, Black Joy Is Beautiful. The short film, celebrating the art of embracing, loving, and expressing your authentic self, will debut at the beginning of February.

To further amplify the “Black Joy Is Beautiful” social campaign, IPSY will showcase inspiring stories, content, and products across its platforms, celebrating the beauty and resilience of the Black community throughout Black History Month. Additionally, IPSY’s February Limited Edition Mystery Bags will feature two designs inspired by an ode to hair, which were created by students from Project Level, a Bay Area nonprofit supporting the creative needs of at-risk and underserved youth.

“During the month of February, IPSY will also provide our members with exclusive access to Black-owned brands, including Fenty Beauty, Briogeo, Danessa Myricks, Pat McGrath Labs, and Buttah Skin, via our online IPSY Shop,” said Kristy Westrup, chief merchandising officer at IPSY.

Interested beauty enthusiasts can visit www.ipsy.com and check out the brand’s socials @IPSY during the month of February.

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WNBA, Angel Reese, nickname, Chicago Sky
(Photo: Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty Images)

Angel Reese Lands Cover of Winter 2025 ‘Vogue,’ Shares Love For ‘Basketball and Fashion’

'I was always in my mom’s closet, putting on her stuff. I liked to carry a purse. Hair done. I wanted to look put together. I still do.'


Angel Reese brought her love for basketball and fashion to her first cover shoot for Vogue.

The WNBA star, featured on the Winter 2025 cover alongside Olympic gold sprinter Gabby Thomas, revealed her lifelong passion for sports and serving looks. Basketball came naturally to Reese as she continued the legacy of her mother and grandmother in the sport. Fashion followed with Reese, who recalled her love for pretty clothes from her mom’s closet.

“It’s always been both: basketball and fashion,” Reese said.

“But I was a fashion girlie from young too. Like—let me find this picture my mom sent,” she told writer Maya Singer while digging through her bag for her 5-year-old self wearing a cute pink dress and tiara and flashing a pose at the camera.

“I was always in my mom’s closet, putting on her stuff. I liked to carry a purse. Hair done. I wanted to look put together. I still do.”

As for her love for serving fashionable looks when showing up for games, Reese would practice the runway walk she learned from Tyra Banks and her cohorts on America’s Top Model in her living room.

The Chicago Sky rookie is just months away from entering her sophomore season in the WNBA, but she dreams of one day walking the runway as a model. Her focus remains on the game, where she averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 32.5 minutes per game during the 2024 season.

On the other hand, Thomas is just beginning to explore the world of fashion, discovering what styles make her feel most confident. After winning gold medals in individual and relay events at the Paris Olympics, Thomas is in high demand for global appearances.

es“I’ve been so in athlete-world, I feel like I’m just starting to get a sense of what I like,” Thomas said. “Not that I don’t have my own style. I do, but then I put on something like that white Carolina Herrera dress that I wore to the show, and it’s like, Oh, oh-kaay. Since then, I’ve been doing more ‘pretty’ looks. And more polished. Same with the hair and makeup, I’m growing with that too.”

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Brandy Norwood, Cinderella, cinderella, descendants, rise of red, money, Disney, Disney original
Brandy in Los Angeles on November 10, 2022. (Photo: Randall Michelson/Getty Images for Blaze PR)

Brandy’s Debut Memoir Will Reveal Her ‘Work And Healing’

Brandy is set to share 'her full story' in her debut memoir, set to be released on Oct. 7.


Singer/actress Brandy is set to open up in her first-ever memoir.

People reports release the untitled memoir will be released Oct. 7 and share “her full story.” From her early days in Mississippi to the release of her debut album, Brandy, at just 15 years old, readers will learn Brandy’s perspective on her rise as a multifaceted entertainer.

“I am so excited to finally share my full story in book form,” Brandy said. “This memoir is the result of countless hours of reflection, work and healing. I hope readers will find comfort and inspiration in these pages.”

According to a statement, “Brandy’s raw and inspiring memoir is a testament to hope, resilience and the strength needed to make peace with the past.”

Brandy had already acted in the early ’90s sitcom Thea before going on to star in the hit sitcom Moesha. She made history as the lead in the 1997 TV movie Cinderella, becoming the first Black actress to play a Disney princess.

She continued to dominate the screen with roles in films like I Still Know What You Did Last Summer while continuing to release chart-topping follow-up albums like Never Say Never, Full Moon, and Afrodisiac.

In total, Brandy’s Never Say Never and Brandy albums are both multi-platinumFull Moon went platinum, and Afrodisiac went gold. But with all highs come some “unimaginable lows,” which the memoir also plans to tackle with the goal of inspiring readers.

“It’s such an honor and such a blessing to be able to inspire people, to be able to have purpose that way, to be able to encourage young girls to dream big and to go after what you want,” Brandy said.

Brandy’s memoir, published by Hanover Square Press, is now available for preorder.

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Jamaica, travel, violent crimes, Jamaican restaurant
(Photo: aboodi vesakaran/Pexels)

Toronto To Celebrate ‘Jamaica In January’

'Jamaica In January' a Caribbean food festival returns for a second year.


“Jamaica In January” is celebrating its second year in Toronto, as the first few weeks of winter bring dropping temperatures and the arrival of snow.

Canadians will again gather to celebrate Caribbean culture, despite the chill, blogTO reported. Jamaican Eats Magazine is organizing the “Jamaica In January” festival, which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

The festival is led by Grace Cameron, who discussed the 2024 event’s success and her predictions for 2025.

“Despite the bitter cold and predictions of a snowstorm, the reception last year was amazing,” Cameron said. “We had several hundred people, and some started arriving before the noon start time.”

Jamaican Eats Magazine, dedicated to showcasing Caribbean cuisine, organizes various events to highlight the cultural diversity of the Caribbean people.

This year’s event includes drum circles, a performance by Jamaican folklorist Miss Tania, and an exciting game of Jeopardy!.

The festival will culminate in the “Grudge Match: Jamaica vs. Trinidad and Tobago,” a culinary showdown between Trini chef Lovina Smith and Jamaican chef Nicholas Douglas. The competition promises to bring intense flavors and fierce rivalry as these chefs go head-to-head in a battle for supremacy.

“Jamaica In January” not only provides a chance for Canadians to explore Caribbean culture but serves as a testament to the growing appreciation for this vibrant heritage.

If you’re in the Toronto area and not in the mood for Caribbean food, there are plenty of other culinary options to explore up north.  BLACK ENTERPRISE has documented a few must-visit food establishments that will make your trip memorable. For a full list, click here.

RELATED CONTENT: Caribox Gifting Company Honors Its Heritage By Launching A Caribbean-Themed Line Of Gift Boxes

MLK, BAM EVENT
(Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Academy of Music)

Brooklyn Academy Of Music To Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At 39th Annual Tribute Event

BAM's annual tribute to Dr. King will gather community members, artists, and civic leaders for a day of activism, music, and activities.


BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso will welcome artists, activists, and community members to BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House on Monday, Jan. 20, for the 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

According to a press release, the annual event is “New York City’s largest celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King.”

The event will feature performances in remembrance of the late civil rights activist’s journey toward justice and equality. Kiri Moore of Ailey II will perform an excerpt from the former Alvin Ailey artistic director Judith Jamison’s 1984 choreographic work, Divining.

The intergenerational pop-up choir community, The Fire Ensemble, will perform its blend of gospel, soul, and musical theater. The choir, founded by Kentucky-born composer Troy Anthony, centers BIPOC and queer voices who perform works rooted in predominantly Black musical styles. During this year’s event, the choir welcomes community members to participate in its tribute performance. (Individuals interested in lending their voices are encouraged to sign up to attend rehearsals.)

The youngest member of the Little Rock Nine, Carlotta Walls LaNier, will deliver a keynote address, sharing her historic journey in desegregating Central High School in 1957.

BAMKids will present If “You Can’t Be the Sun, Be a Star!” The interactive event invites families to participate in mural-making, a vintage photo booth and movement workshops as they reflect on Dr. King’s legacy.

A screening of Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, a documentary that explores the work of South African photographer Ernest Cole, will take place at 1:00 p.m. at BAM Rose Cinemas.

BAM’s 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. King is free and open to the public. For more information on tickets, seating, and a complete list of events, visit BAM.org.

Check out highlights from last year’s tribute.

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Whoopi Goldberg, millennials
Whoopi Goldberg became widely known in 1985 when she won a Golden Globe Award as Best Actress for The Color Purple. By 1993, Goldberg had already been the highest-paid actress and had more than 150 television and film appearances to her credit. Goldberg is a historical first, a Black woman with an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar. With decades of work, Goldberg's current estimated net worth is $60 million: (Photo: Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty Images)

Whoopi Goldberg, Ketanji Brown Jackson Among Literary Nominees for NAACP Image Awards

The literary nominees for the 56th NAACP Image Awards face fierce competition.


Whoopi Goldberg, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Joy-Ann Reid, and others will compete for Outstanding Literary Work at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.

The 2025 NAACP Image Awards nominees were announced on Jan. 7, featuring nine literary categories—eight Outstanding Literary Work awards for various genres and one Outstanding Graphic Novel category—that honor diverse genres and authors, Variety reports.

The Outstanding Literary Work –Biography/Autobiography competition is intense, featuring powerhouse Black women and a posthumous nomination vying for the win.

Among the nominees are Goldberg’s Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me, Jackson’s Lovely One: A Memoir, and Reid’s Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America.

Nominated in the Outstanding Literary Work–Fiction category are A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams, Grown Woman by Sarai Johnson, Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver, One of Us Knows: A Thriller by Alyssa Cole, and What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris.

Grown Woman, which tells the story of four generations of Black women working to move forward and heal from past trauma, also earned Johnson a second nomination in the Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author.

The Outstanding Literary Work–Nonfiction five nominations include A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune by Noliwe Rooks, The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine, and The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America by Larry Tye.

Additional literary categories include Outstanding Literary Work—Instructional, for which Tabitha Brown earned a nomination for her book I Did a New Thing: 30 Days to Living Free (A Feeding the Soul Book), as well as Loving Your Black Neighbor as Yourself by Chantee Griffin and Black Joy Playbook: 30 Days of Intentionally Reclaiming Your Delight by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts.

Other categories to be celebrated include Outstanding Literary Work–Poetry, Outstanding Literary Work–Children, Outstanding Literary Work–Youth/Teens, and Outstanding Graphic Novel.

Taraji P. Henson received a nomination in the children’s book category for You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book. Poetry and children’s fiction writer Kwame Alexander received two nominations, one for This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets in the Poetry category and another for Black Star: The Door of No Return in the Youth/Teens category.

Winners will be revealed on Feb. 22 during the Image Awards’ two-hour live broadcast from the Pasadena Civic Center, airing on BET and CBS. This year’s theme is “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence.”

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