The content creator made a name for himself on social media for his updates and breakdowns of emerging technologies.
The internet community is mourning the loss of tech influencer Lamarr Wilson.
Wilson died at his home Nov. 21, his family confirmed. He was 48. The content creator made a name for himself on social media for his updates and breakdowns of emerging technologies.
The L.A. County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined a cause of death, with Peopleconfirming via public records that the influencer died by suicide.
Prior to his death, the “Unboxing Guy” built an empire across various social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. He not only shared information on new tech gear from video game consoles to the latest phones, but sparked conversation on how these technologies really served customers and enthusiasts.
He eventually had over 3 million followers on multiple platforms.
Throughout his influencing career, Wilson scored numerous partnerships with major tech brands such as Google, Xbox, Apple, and Nintendo. His videos also led to more elaborate projects, including two web series for Mashable. For his work on George Takei’s digital series, Takei’s Take, where he co-hosted its first episode in 2013, he won a Webby Award for online film and video in technology.
Wilson’s family made a statement to Facebook about losing the “go-to member” of the family.
In their “in memoriam” post, the family explained how Wilson had already set up grander opportunities and accomplishments for the upcoming year. This included a judging appearance at the @CES Innovation Awards in January, which his family said signified his influence and work in consumer technology.
Wilson recently celebrated his birthday, noting his weight loss achievement and his contentment.
“I feel good, I’m genuinely at peace, and a key is keeping people out of my life who are determined to disrupt it with their inner chaos,” wrote Wilson in October. “We’re not here on this Earth long enough to tolerate that. Don’t let that happen to you!”
Spreading Holiday Joy Far And Wide: Michelle Obama Says The Obamas Send Over 100,000 Cards Each Year
"It's a lot of folks that we want to thank."
Michelle Obama revealed just how much holiday cheer she and her husband, Barack Obama, spread each year.
The former first lady shared the massive number while appearing on the Dec. 15 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live after she noted that family, friends, and professional colleagues receive the coveted Christmas cards each holiday season.
Kimmel then asked how many.
“You know, we checked. It’s over 100,000,” she said, according to People. “But that incorporates friends, family, business people [and] foundation people, so it’s a lot of folks that we want to thank.”
The “foundation people” seemingly refers to those associated with the couple’s Obama Foundation, which is overseeing the development of its long-awaited Obama Presidential Center. Its namesake, the former president, recently revealed at another speaking engagement, coinciding with the center’s summer opening.
Outside of her own family’s tradition, Michelle Obama spread the Christmas spirit with another family, joining their impromptu Christmas Card photo shoot.
As for the Obamas’ own Christmas celebration, the first lady of the house also detailed what is behind their gift-giving plans.
“Everybody gets a gift, [but] I’m generally the one who is orchestrating it,” she told Kimmel.
Since stepping away from the White House, the Obamas have maintained a public face while still advocating for Democratic causes and campaigns. As a family, they also share their own Christmas pictures on social media.
Barack Obama has also used this end-of-year season to recognize his favorite movies, books, and songs.
Mary Ann Petty Honored After 53 Years As Albany, Georgia’s First Black City Employee
Petty was celebrated for more than five decades of public service.
On December 18, the City of Albany (Georgia) honored Mary Ann Petty, the city’s first Black female customer service record clerk who rose to become director of administrative services.
Petty began working for the city at just 19 years old, after Albany was legally required to integrate its workforce under desegregation laws. Her hiring marked a turning point in the city’s history, placing her at the center of a court-mandated effort to open downtown offices to Black employees.
At the time, Petty said she did not fully grasp the significance of the role.
“My first response was, I didn’t want the job, you know, because I’m 19 years old. I wanted to stay home,” she recalled. It was only after officials explained the importance of the court order that she accepted the position.
“I did not know at that time how significant it was, but as time passed, I realized where I was,” she said.
Her early years on the job were marked by hostility and discrimination. Petty said she was forced to eat lunch in a boiler room, endured cruel remarks, and was treated as an outsider.
“I realized my first day on the job I wasn’t a welcomed sight, I was a sight that was unwelcome,” she said. Despite those challenges, she remained with the city for more than five decades.
“Through those years, it is wonderful and beautiful, everything has changed, and I have had a magnificent 53 years with the city of Albany,” Petty said.
According to WALB, more than 53 years later, colleagues, city leaders, family members, and friends gathered at the Albany Civic Center to celebrate her historic legacy. The event featured moments of reflection, emotional tributes, and music.
Albany City Manager Terrell Jacobs praised Petty’s commitment to public service. “She’s a legend,” Jacobs said. “It has to be a ministry of yours to serve people, sometimes when they don’t want to be served.”
Petty noted the transformation of city leadership over the decades, pointing to the diversity now present in Albany’s government. “In 1972, you wouldn’t have seen” many of the Black leaders who now hold positions of authority, she said.
As she closed the ceremony, Petty offered words of encouragement to those continuing the work she began. “Continue to stand,” she told the audience. “At the end of the dash…I’m taking my seat for you.”
Fela Kuti Becomes First African Musician Honored With Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
The late Afrobeat pioneer and political activist is recognized decades after his death for reshaping global music and using sound as a tool of resistance.
Fela Kuti, the Nigerian musician whose sound and politics reshaped modern African music, has been named the first African artist to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Recording Academy announced Dec. 19.
As reported by NPR, the posthumous honor places Kuti among an elite group of artists — including The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, and Jimi Hendrix — recognized for “creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording.” Kuti, who died in 1997, was never nominated for a Grammy during his lifetime.
Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour praised the decision, calling Kuti’s work transformative. “Fela Kuti’s music was a fearless voice of Africa — its rhythms carried truth, resistance and freedom,” N’Dour said. “It inspired generations of African musicians to speak boldly through sound.”
Often referred to as the “Black President,” Kuti was both a cultural icon and a political force. He pioneered Afrobeat, a genre defined by layered rhythms, extended compositions, horn-driven arrangements, and vocal chants. His performances were famously large, sometimes featuring more than 30 musicians and dancers, along with dual bass guitars and baritone saxophones. Kuti himself played multiple instruments, including saxophone, keyboards, guitar, and drums.
Rejecting industry conventions, Kuti avoided love songs and commercial party music, released multiple albums in a single year, and refused to perform recorded songs live. His tracks frequently stretched well beyond traditional song lengths, with some lasting more than 40 minutes.
During a stay in Los Angeles in 1969, Kuti connected with members of the Black Panther Party, a turning point that pushed his music into openly political territory. He became a vocal critic of Nigeria’s military governments and apartheid in South Africa, placing himself in direct conflict with authorities.
That activism came at a steep cost. After the release of his 1976 album, “Zombie,” which condemned Nigeria’s military rule, government forces raided his Lagos compound. According to reports at the time, the property was burned, Kuti was severely beaten, and his mother, activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, later died from injuries sustained during the attack. Despite repeated arrests and imprisonment, Kuti remained defiant.
Amnesty International later designated him a “prisoner of conscience.” He was released after the military regime was overthrown in 1985.
Kuti died from AIDS-related complications in 1997, a revelation that helped spark broader public awareness about the disease in Nigeria. More than one million people reportedly attended his funeral.
His influence has only grown since. His album “Zombie” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame last year, and his life inspired the Broadway musical “Fela!,” produced by Jay-Z and Will Smith.
For many artists, Kuti’s legacy remains foundational. Malian singer Salif Keita said, “Brother Fela was a great influence for my music… His legacy is undisputed.”
Trump Unveils White House President Plaques, Labels Obama ‘Divisive’ While Praising Himself
The 'Presidential Walk of Fame' installed along a White House colonnade has drawn mixed reactions from lawmakers.
The White House has installed a series of plaques along a colonnade that sharply criticize several former presidents while offering glowing descriptions of President Donald Trump’s time in office, according to statements from administration officials. The plaques are mounted beneath presidential portraits displayed as part of what the White House describes as a newly added “Presidential Walk of Fame.”
Several of the displays target Democratic predecessors, including Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, using language that critics say promotes misleading or false claims about their records.
One plaque positioned beneath an image labeled “Autopen,” used in place of Biden’s portrait, refers to him as “Sleepy Joe Biden” and calls him “the worst President in American History.” The text accuses Biden of “severe mental decline,” labels his family a criminal enterprise, and alleges he was controlled by “Radical Left handlers.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt toldNBC News that Trump personally authored much of the content.
“The plaques are eloquently written descriptions of each President and the legacy they left behind,” Leavitt said. “As a student of history, many were written directly by the President himself.”
The Biden plaque repeats Trump’s long-standing claim that the 2020 election was corrupt, and blames Biden for inflation, immigration challenges, and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. It states that the exit from Afghanistan was “among the most humiliating events in American History” and links global conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, to what it calls Biden’s “devastating weakness.”
Another plaque targeting Obama identifies him as “Barack Hussein Obama” and describes him as “one of the most divisive figures in American history.” It criticizes the Affordable Care Act as the “‘Unaffordable’ Care Act,” condemns the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement, and repeats Trump’s claim that Obama oversaw what the plaque calls the “Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax.”
The plaque for former President Bill Clinton concludes by noting Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Clinton’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In contrast, two plaques detailing Trump’s presidency portray his leadership in highly favorable terms. One credits his first term with creating “the Greatest Economy in the History of the World,” citing tax cuts, deregulation, and foreign policy initiatives. Another highlights his second term, praising tariffs, immigration policies, and cultural issues, while declaring, “THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
The White House has not responded to questions about how the plaques were funded or installed.
Reaction on Capitol Hill has been divided. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said she was troubled by the displays. “These are individuals who served and were elected by people around this country,” she said. “Let’s not have President Trump trying to redefine the contributions… That’s inappropriate.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a close Trump ally, downplayed the controversy, saying, “There may be some amusement there,” but added that lawmakers should remain focused on policy priorities rather than the plaques.
DOJ Releases Epstein Files Photos Featuring Clinton, Michael Jackson, Chris Tucker, And Other Celebrities
Newly disclosed images tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation show prominent public figures in social settings, though officials stress the materials are released without context and do not allege wrongdoing.
The U.S. Department of Justice on Dec. 19 released a new set of photographs and documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, including images of former President Bill Clinton and several well-known celebrities, as required under federal transparency legislation.
As reported by People, the materials were made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates that records related to Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation be released in a searchable format. The newly disclosed files include photographs showing Epstein alongside high-profile political figures, entertainers, and socialites. However, officials emphasized the images were released without explanatory context and do not accuse those pictured of criminal conduct.
Among the images are several photos of Clinton socializing with Epstein and his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. One image shows Clinton relaxing in a hot tub and swimming pool with Epstein and Maxwell, alongside a woman whose face has been obscured. Other photographs depict Clinton standing between Epstein and another man with his arms around them, and seated near a woman on what appears to be a private aircraft.
Another photo shows Clinton attending a dinner with Epstein, Maxwell, and Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger. Separate images include Epstein posing next to the late pop star Michael Jackson, who is wearing dark sunglasses and a black jacket with a white flower pinned to his lapel.
Actor Chris Tucker also appears in multiple photos, including one showing him embracing Maxwell on an airport tarmac. Kevin Spacey, who has faced previous sexual misconduct allegations unrelated to Epstein, is visible in a group photo alongside Maxwell, Clinton, and others. Magician David Copperfield is shown in one image wearing a bathrobe and embracing Maxwell.
A spokesperson for Clinton directed inquiries to a statement posted on X by Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff Angel Ureña. “They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn’t about Bill Clinton,” the statement said. “Never has, never will be.”
The statement further argued that Clinton severed ties with Epstein before his crimes became public, adding, “There are two types of people here. The first group knew nothing and cut Epstein off before his crimes came to light… We’re in the first.”
The Justice Department reiterated that individuals appearing in the photos are not accused of wrongdoing. The release comes as part of an ongoing process that remains incomplete. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Dec. 19 that the department is not yet able to publish all Epstein-related materials due to the scale of required redactions.
Today, the Department of Justice publicly released materials related to Jeffrey Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Additional responsive materials will be produced as our review continues, consistent with the law and with protections for victims.…
“Additional responsive materials will be produced as our review continues, consistent with the law and with protections for victims,” Blanche wrote in a post on X.
Officials said hundreds of thousands of pages remain under review, and further disclosures are expected as the process moves forward.
Keith Lee Named TikTok’s First U.S. Creator Of The Year At Inaugural Awards Ceremony
The food reviewer and influencer was honored in Los Angeles for his impact on small businesses and community-driven content across the platform.
TikTok has named food critic and influencer Keith Lee its first-ever Creator of the Year in the United States, recognizing his rapid rise and widespread influence during the platform’s inaugural U.S. TikTok Awards.
Lee, 29, received the honor on Dec. 18 at a ceremony held at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The event marked the first time TikTok hosted its awards show in the U.S., following earlier ceremonies in Australia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Germany.
“I never in a million years thought I was going to be standing on this stage,” Lee said while accepting the award, appearing emotional as he addressed the audience.
As reported by People, Lee has gained national attention over the past year for his straightforward food reviews, many of which spotlight independently owned restaurants. His posts have been credited with driving significant business to small eateries across the country, often after he shares candid feedback about his dining experiences.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Lee said the platform offered him more than just visibility. “This means more to me than I can explain,” he said, referencing his upbringing and the opportunity TikTok gave him to share his story.
He also emphasized how the app has allowed him to elevate others, saying it gave him “a platform to be able to show small businesses around the country,” a mission that has become central to his online presence.
Lee acknowledged the personal challenge of embracing recognition, noting, “It’s hard to do something for myself, because I always put other people in front of me, but this is for me.”
During his speech, Lee thanked his wife, Ronni, who attended the ceremony, crediting her for encouraging him to begin posting food content, which ultimately led to his success.
In recognition of Lee’s win, event host LaLa Anthony announced TikTok would donate $50,000 to Feeding America, tying the honor to Lee’s community-focused values.
The awards show, themed “New Era, New Icons,” was streamed live on TikTok and Tubi and featured performances and creator recognitions. Singer Ciara headlined the night with a live performance, celebrating her influence on viral music and dance trends on the app.
Other notable winners included “Love Island USA” Season 7 contestant Jeremiah Brown, who received Rising Star for expanding his content into book discussions and community engagement, and Mariah Rose, who earned MVP of the Year for her sports commentary covering the NFL and NBA.
The ceremony highlighted the growing impact of digital creators and TikTok’s expanding role in shaping modern entertainment and culture.
Brick-By-Brick: Rockhouse Foundation Surpasses $11M in Giving As Recovery Efforts For Hurricane Melissa Take Center Stage
Director of Partnerships Vanessa Moore spearheads the recovery charge for Hurricane Melissa and a better Jamaica.
The Rockhouse Foundation, the esteemed charitable vanguard of the 51-year-old Rockhouse Hotel and its sister property, Skylark Negril Beach Resort, has reached a historic milestone, raising more than $11 million USD to modernize the educational infrastructure of Western Jamaica. Since its inception in 2004, the foundation has moved beyond simple charity to execute a profound transformation of six area schools and the total expansion of the Negril Community Library, creating a sustainable model for social responsibility within the tourism sector.
Photo Courtesy of Rockhouse FoundationPhoto Courtesy of Rockhouse Foundation
At the heart of this mission is the Savanna-la-Mar Inclusive Academy (Sav Inclusive), a pioneering institution built entirely from the ground up by the Foundation. Born from a visionary dialogue between Foundation President Peter Rose and a hotel staff member seeking resources for her autistic son, the academy represents a rare, fully inclusive environment where children with and without disabilities learn side by side. What began in 2017 with 30 preschoolers has flourished into a vibrant campus of 265 students through Grade 6, boasting a therapeutic sensory room, a dedicated team of speech and physical therapists, and a fully solarized, eco-conscious infrastructure.
Photo Courtesy of Rockhouse Foundation
To steward this expanding mission, the Foundation recently appointed Vanessa Moore as director of Partnerships. A Jamaican native whose professional journey came full circle in November 2024, Moore brings a formidable background as a high-level executive for MTV, the Oprah Winfrey Network, NBC, and TMZ. Her appointment continues a familial legacy of service; her father, Bertel Moore, served as the Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar and the CEO of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation, embodying a deep-seated commitment to the community that Vanessa now carries forward.
Moore’s transition from Hollywood’s brand boardrooms to Jamaican advocacy was catalyzed by a personal awakening regarding social justice and the needs of the underserved.
“My heart was truly rooted in the space of advocacy and activism,” the multihyphenate reflected on her career pivot. “I saw something very special about the DNA of the Rockhouse brand; it was rooted in families and community. Those things are what carry life on.”
Compassion in the Wake of Crisis
The Foundation’s impact has never been more vital than in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which left 82% of Westmoreland without power.
In a period of unprecedented challenges, the foundation demonstrated its logistical agility by raising over $500,000 via GoFundMe to provide immediate relief. This effort has been instrumental in rebuilding homes for employees and pupils, such as young Rojuan—a student with cerebral palsy who gained the ability to walk and talk through the Academy’s specialized care—and Zendaya, whose family of eight is being supported with a new home.
The foundation also moved quickly to protect its student families and staff. Under Moore’s direction, the Foundation’s separate relief, which came in clutch for displaced hotel employees, surpassed $100,000.
“The Rockhouse Foundation Hurricane Recovery Fund will provide direct support to rebuild the Sav Inclusive School and to help the students, families, and teachers most affected by the storm. Your donation — large or small — will go directly toward: Providing direct assistance to the hardest-hit families, students, and teachers. Repairing and rebuilding damaged classrooms and therapy spaces. Replacing essential educational and therapeutic equipment lost to flooding. Restoring a safe, nurturing environment where our students can return and thrive,” the organization’s GoFundMe explained.
Photo Courtesy of Rockhouse Foundation
While the Jamaican government estimates the cost of school damage at upwards of 15 billion Jamaican dollars, Moore notes that 80% of the effective relief has come from grassroots and international NGOs. Operating out of Skylark Negril Beach Resort, partners like World Central Kitchen have served over two million meals, proving that the private sector is now the primary engine of recovery for the island’s western region.
“It’s a call to action for the world to stand up as human beings and be kind and decent world citizens to help your fellow brother. As a person who has been an advocate for the underserved for many years, it breaks my heart to know there are citizens of Jamaica who will be without electricity potentially through March of next year,” Moore explained.
This humanitarian work is fueled by the success of the Rockhouse Hotel, which in 2025 was awarded a prestigious MICHELIN One Key, recognizing it as a “very special stay.”
By underwriting 100% of the Foundation’s administrative costs through its hospitality operations—including the acclaimed Miss Lily’s and the boutique Skylark resort—the organization ensures that every cent of public donation goes directly to the children.
From the new hydroponic farm to the expansion of Sav Inclusive through high school, the Rockhouse Foundation is the powerhouse of integrating world-class tourism with local empowerment.
Opinion: Clip Culture And Paid Campaigns Are Threatening Black Creator Communities
Black creators and Black-owned businesses are being targeted online to fuel chaos.
Written by Brandy Star Merriweather
The aftermath of The Streamer Awards was a microcosm of what has been happening behind the scenes to Black professionals in the creator community. Although there were small microaggressions that sparked recent conversations, there has been a domino effect of more misleading social clips and rumors that have been able to fuel a clear divide. This is the result of the very damage and self-inflicted, perpetuated trauma that continues to undermine and destroy the progress we’ve made.
I believe Black creators and Black-owned businesses are being targeted online to fuel chaos, increase paid, incentivized online engagement, and destroy our community. After a year of observing ‘clip’ servers, TikTok pages, and X pages that post recurring false information–- I was able to spot patterns. Some of the same accounts are fueling rumors and narratives that damage our community and its successful leaders.
Controversial social conversations always have a better chance in becoming a trend due to consumers’ heightened emotions, but when the same pages, with the same sponsors are leading the false narratives and out of context clips-– when will we realize we are being used and socially manipulated?
This year, it’s no secret that Black creators have risen to a level of stardom and priority that has changed how we consume traditional content. Young stars like Kai Cenat, Zoe Spencer, Brooklyn Frost, IShowspeed, Reginald, and more have kept millions entertained this year. These creators and their platforms represent versions of Black excellence. Their Live storytelling has the power to teach, inspire, and impact generations around the world. Relationships are maintained only if direct communication and clarity are given internally. If not, we start to see a shift in these creators’ dynamics, online and offline, due to social narratives, the creators’ communities, and outside opinions telling the creators how to think toward each other and Black-owned businesses.
This is not new-– in 2020, “Racist Jokes, Microaggressions, and Tokenism in the Influencer World” was written by Lindsay Dogson, where she highlighted stories from creators who were vocal about their experiences with their peers and their communities online and behind the scenes. We saw a pattern of powerful creators using their platforms to ostracize Black creators.
Today, we see the same systems. New businesses have risen in the creator economy, powered by inexperienced bros who are working together to build monopolies by gaining investments, vastly acquiring companies, and excessively using the names and work of Black creators. We are seeing the mental health of those very creators decline as they suffer in silence, being used in a broken system they have been accustomed to being a part of.
With the increase of AI, these systems are only getting quicker, louder, more manipulative, and impactful. As consumers, we have to be conscious and make rapid systems to support each other even more. It’s clear our community has been targeted, and the only way to change this is to unite more to debunk false online narratives, protecting each other when we can, and seeking direct clarity with one another offline and online.
One of the primary drivers of this manufactured chaos is the emergence of engagement-based platforms and third-party aggregators that profit directly from outrage. These systems are intentionally designed to amplify controversy, particularly when it involves Black creators and Twitch stars, because the emotional volatility surrounding our community produces higher clicks, higher shares, and higher ad revenue.
Studies on digital engagement models have repeatedly shown that negative content—especially content centered around conflict or moral panic—spreads 60% faster than neutral information. This is the exact reason “clip farms” and aggregator pages often cherry-pick moments, strip away context, and publish distorted narratives. The more inflammatory the interpretation, the more the algorithm rewards it. What’s even more alarming is that some of these accounts share backend networks, sponsorships, and financial pipelines, meaning they rely on coordinated sensationalism to remain profitable. The result is a digital ecosystem where misinformation about Black creators is not accidental—it’s incentivized, reacted to, and profitable.
This evidence underscores a critical truth: the divide we are seeing is not organic conflict arising from the community itself but a manufactured cycle created by those who benefit from our fragmentation. When profit is tied to controversy, Black creators become recurring targets, and the trauma experienced within the community is perpetuated at scale. This directly aligns with the thesis that Black creators and Black-owned businesses are being strategically targeted and socially manipulated for engagement and revenue to benefit their competition.
A second factor fueling this harmful dynamic is the lack of representation and cultural competence within the companies and teams that profit the most from Black creators’ success.
As the creator economy expands, investment firms, management agencies, and tech startups are entering the space with little understanding of the cultural nuances and community ties that shape Black digital expression. Many of these entities are led by individuals who have never collaborated with, supported, or uplifted Black creatives prior to recognizing the financial value of their influence. This often results in exploitative business practices—using Black creators’ images for pitches, collecting inflated percentages through predatory contracts, and strategically positioning them as “front-facing diversity” while withholding meaningful power behind the scenes.
The significance of this evidence is clear: when institutions lack cultural understanding or diversity in leadership, they inevitably mishandle the communities they profit from. Their decisions—whether intentional or rooted in ignorance—reinforce the same patterns of tokenism and emotional labor that Black creators have fought against for years. This directly connects back to the thesis by illustrating how systemic exploitation, not simple miscommunication, drives the online chaos that harms our community.
Some might argue that the online controversy surrounding Black creators is simply a reflection of normal internet discourse—messy, fast-moving, and fueled by passionate fans. They may say that every creator, regardless of race, faces misinformation and drama. While that may be partially true, it overlooks the disproportionate scale, frequency, and consequences faced by Black creators. The data patterns, repeated targeting, and coordinated amplification reveal that this is not random engagement—it is a systemic issue. The harm is deeper, the stakes are higher, and the long-term impact on careers, mental health, and Black-owned businesses is significantly more severe. Ignoring this context minimizes the real, measurable manipulation happening behind the scenes.
The evidence is unmistakable: Black creators are being deliberately pushed into cycles of digital conflict and misinformation, not because of who they are, but because their cultural impact generates profit for those who exploit it. This manipulation threatens the health of our community, the futures of rising stars, and the integrity of Black-owned businesses that deserve protection—not distortion.
If we want to shift this reality, we must build intentional unity, challenge false narratives in real time, and prioritize direct communication over algorithm-fed assumptions. The lack of positive “clip” server systems and social armies to counter the negativity is doing us a disservice. The call is simple but urgent: protect each other, verify before you amplify, build media, and refuse to let manufactured chaos define our community’s future.
Sip The Season: Diaspora Holiday Drinks Stirring History, Heritage, And Holiday Cheer
From creamy coconut punches to ruby-red hibiscus infusions, these drinks carry deep cultural histories.
During the holiday season, African, Caribbean, and Latin American diaspora communities celebrate with joyful gatherings that feature drinks that bring cheer to families and friends. The beverages, which include creamy coconut punches and ruby-red hibiscus infusions, have deep historical roots, migration stories, and tales of community resilience and joy across generations. Each drink represents the diasporic celebration of togetherness.
The following selection of diasporic holiday beverages will enhance your festive mood.
Puerto Rican Coquito
Puerto Rican Coquito, a creamy coconut-based rum punch, is a cherished holiday tradition throughout Puerto Rican communities, especially among families and parranda, or festive circles. The drink originated in Puerto Rico, but now people enjoy it throughout the Caribbean region and in the U.S., particularly in diaspora regions such as New York and Florida. At parrandas, Caribbean Christmas parties, people share Coquito as a symbol of their home and cultural heritage.
Caribbean Sorrel
The Caribbean Sorrel drink is ruby-red in color and is made by brewing the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant with ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and sometimes adding rum and sweeteners. Many regions consume Sorrel throughout the year, but it remains a traditional beverage for Christmas and New Year festivities across the Caribbean. Sorrel connects diasporic cultures through the use of hibiscus, which originates from African culinary traditions that crossed the Atlantic.
Haitian Crémas
Haitian Crémas is a sweet, creamy holiday beverage that features coconut, along with evaporated and condensed milks, spices, lime, vanilla, and Haitian rum. Haitian families and diaspora communities in North America, especially those living in Miami, New York, and Boston, enjoy this drink during their year-end celebrations. Crémas brings holiday warmth and nostalgia to the table, delivering a rich taste that showcases Haiti’s heritage.
Trinidadian Ponche de Crème
Ponche de Crème from Trinidad is a Caribbean cream punch that resembles eggnog and uses milk, eggs, sugar, rum, nutmeg, and citrus notes from Angostura bitters or lime zest. Trinidad and Tobago, along with the wider Caribbean community, love this drink during Christmas time and holiday celebrations.
Caribbean Ginger Beer
The English-speaking Caribbean communities, along with their diasporic families, enjoy Caribbean Ginger Beer, a spicy fermented ginger beverage made from grated ginger, water, sugar, lime, and cloves. The beverage is labeled non-alcoholic, but it tends to pack a punch. Black diasporic communities across Caribbean islands have adopted this drink as a holiday tradition.
Caribbean Peanut Punch
Among Caribbean families and street vendors, the Caribbean Peanut Punch remains a beloved beverage, combining peanuts or peanut butter with milk, condensed milk, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Occasionally, rum or stout beer gets mixed into the drink. The beverage may have originated in Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago before spreading to diaspora markets. During holidays and special occasions, people serve this drink to deliver comfort and energy. The creamy, spiced flavor of this drink is essential for festive menus and homes that celebrate Caribbean heritage and culinary traditions.
