by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 24, 2024

Ice Cube Reveals ‘Last Friday’ Movie Might Be On The Way

'We finally got some traction with Warner Brothers. They have new leadership,' said Cube.

After the success of the fourth installment of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s “Bad Boys” series, we might be in line for the sequel to Ice Cube’s “Friday” series after years of setbacks and false hope.

In a recent episode on Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav’s Sirius XM show, “Flavor of the Week,” Cube discussed the possibility that the fourth “Friday” movie is closer to fruition.

Less than two years ago, Cube was on “Drink Champs” talking about how Warner Bros. rejected the script for what is tentatively titled “Last Friday.” Now that there is new leadership at the studio, Cube has revealed that it should happen soon.

“We finally got some traction with Warner Brothers,” Cube stated. “They have new leadership. My man Mike DeLuca, who used to be at New Line [Cinema] when I first started, when I first did the first ‘Friday’ and ‘Players Club’ and ‘All About the Benjamins.’ Mike DeLuca was there, so now he’s running Warner Brothers.

“Mike DeLuca was there, right, so now he’s running Warner Brothers, and him and my man Michael Gruber was like, ‘Yo, what the f**k is going on with Friday? Man, let’s get this sh*t back online.”

Cube reiterated his frustrations with Warner Bros. and stated that some key actors from the movie passed away over the years, such as John Witherspoon, Tiny “Zeus” Lister Jr., and Anthony Johnson.

“I was a little hot ’cause they had took so long,” he continued. “Because John Witherspoon passed away, Tiny passed away, A.J. Johnson passed away. Man, we keep losing people. And y’all keep d**king around not doing the movie the way it need to be done.”

But it looks like that barrier has been broken, and we could be viewing “Last Friday” soon.

“They want to do it. But the key is it gotta be done,” he said. “So, they finally came to their senses.”

The original “Friday” was released in theaters back in 1995. The sequel, “Next Friday,” came out in 2000, and two years later, in 2002, the last movie in this series, “Friday After Next,” was seen by the world.

Charleston Slave Badges, The National Museum of African American History

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 24, 2024

The National Museum Of African American History And Culture Acquires Charleston Slave Badges For Searchable Exhibit

'It is a story that involves the juxtaposition of profit and power versus the human cost.'

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture will display the largest and most complete set of historic Charleston Slave Badges available through an online search.

The collection features 146 rare badges dating back to 1804, including those with makers’ marks and two with personalized inscriptions, The Smithsonian reports. To share the badges and their history with a large global audience, the museum has launched a Searchable Museum feature at SearchableMuseum.com/SlaveBadges which details the historical significance of Charleston Slave Badges and the museum’s recent acquisition.

“We are honored to share the story of enslaved African Americans who contributed to building the nation,” Mary Elliott, NMAAHC museum curator, said.

“It is a story that involves the juxtaposition of profit and power versus the human cost,” Elliott added. “The story sheds light on human suffering and the power of the human spirit of skilled craftspeople who held onto their humanity and survived the system of slavery, leaving their mark on the landscape in more ways than one.”

The digital exhibit allows visitors to interact with the artifacts and explore the legislated system of leased enslaved labor in Charleston, South Carolina. It highlights those who benefited from this system and explores how enslaved African Americans navigated slavery using their abilities, skills, and intelligence. The new Searchable Museum feature also offers insights into collecting, archaeology, vocational training, and the concept of freedom beyond detailing the history of Charleston Slave Badges.

Established in Charleston in 1783, the Charleston Slave Badge system was used as a form of control and profit. Enslaved African Americans leased out by their owners were required to wear registered badges identifying their occupation, whether as skilled craftsmen or servants.

This system imposed strict surveillance and limited their self-government within the city while working. Today, these badges serve as reminders of the enslaved people’s skills and contributions to building the city of Charleston.

It was a legal system between enslavers and city government where slave owners paid a registration fee to the city for each enslaved person whose labor they leased out. In return, the city issued badges, most often made of copper, that identified these leased laborers. Enslavers profited from leasing the skills of African Americans, while the city benefited economically and from the skilled labor that helped shape Charleston’s urban development.

Those wearing the badges had some freedom to move about the city while working, allowing them to interact with a broader network of enslaved Black individuals. In certain cases, they also retained portions of their earnings and could use the funds to secure freedom for themselves and their families.

The collection was compiled by Harry S. Hutchins Jr., a renowned collector who worked with co-authors Brian E. Hutchins and historian Harlan Greene to write and publish the book, Slave Badges and the Slave Hire System in Charleston, South Carolina, 1783–1865.

“Partial Gift of Harry S. Hutchins, Jr. DDS, Col. (Ret.) and his Family, dedicated to the individuals these Slave Hire Badges represent, and their descendants,” Hutchins wrote in his credit line for the collection.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 24, 2024

New Documentary ‘The Debutants’ Celebrates Black Girlhood Through The Cotillion Experience

The movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

A new documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, celebrates the beauty of Black girlhood through the age-old cotillion experience.

The Debutants follows three “debs”—Teylar Bradley, Amelia Boles, and Dedra Robbins—as they navigate the challenges of coming of age and make their transition into adulthood, NBC News reports. The film is directed by Contessa Gayles and produced by NBC News Studio.

The Debs wrestle with paying bills and financial management, family tension, and self-discovery in a judgmental world where adulthood comes all too quickly.

“I know a lot of times Black girls, in particular, are adultified at a young age,” Gayles said. “It kind of doesn’t allow us the opportunity to live fully in our girlhood and then to make that transition, and then have that transition be celebrated.”

It follows the 2022 Stark County Debutante Cotillion in Canton, Ohio, a Black debutante ball was revived to offer the cotillion experience as a program for Black girls, many of whom live below the poverty line. With cotillion experiences being predominantly white since their U.S. inception in the early 1800s, the documentary initiates a dialogue at the intersection of class, race, and gender.

Archival footage and personal video blogs recorded by the Debs were combined to craft the documentary. Also, archival footage was used to create “intergenerational dialogue between the older generation and the current generation of Gen Z girls,” she said.

Considering the skipped generations of debutante balls, the documentary captures the divide Gen Z has with the traditional cotillion experience, which includes the girls twisting up their faces during waltz lessons where their male dance partners are told to handle the girls like “you’re holding a delicate flower.” Other scenes show the traditional debutante dance between father and daughter where Robbins, who does not have a relationship with her father, wonders why she couldn’t share that moment with her mom instead.

Gayles aimed to document an intergenerational conversation in which cotillion co-chair Nicole Bush openly discusses the heavily gendered aspects of the traditional debutante ball. With how much times have changed since debutante balls were introduced in America in the 19th century, Bush admits to struggling with how to “rethink” tradition.

“That would make a better program for us, I know it would, to the community. But it’s just not within my values system; I’m old-school,” she told NBC News.

Mrs. Alberta Williams King, Ebenezer Baptist Church

by Stacy Jackson

June 24, 2024

Remembering Mama King: Ebenezer Baptist Church Honors Resilience And Love In The Face of Tragedy

The event will commemorate the tragic 1974 shooting that claimed the life of Martin Luther King Jr.'s mother, Alberta Williams King.

On June 30, 2024, a commemoration event titled “Faith Over Fear, Love Over Hate” will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1974 shooting at Ebenezer Baptist Church.

The program, set for 4:00 p.m. in the church’s Heritage Sanctuary, will honor the lives of Martin Luther King Jr.’s mother, Alberta Williams King, and the faithful Deacon Edward A. Boykin, killed during the devastating event.

Half a century before, on June 30, 1974, an armed assailant entered the church during a service, a press release details. In the wake of this senseless violence, Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., despite losing his wife, delivered a profound message of love and forgiveness. Dr. Angela Farris Watkins, granddaughter of the Kings, reflected, “Grandaddy’s message of love in the face of that tragedy continues to inspire us today. We honor his legacy as well as the legacy of our grandmother, Mrs. Alberta Williams King, and of Deacon Edward A. Boykin, by reaffirming our commitment to building a world where all people can live together in peace.”

“…What was not taken that day is the living legacy of Mama King, Deacon Boykin, and the enduring faith of “America’s Freedom Church” and its commitment to bearing witness to God’s Kingdom,” said Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, which was previously vandalized following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

This commemoration event serves as a testament to Ebenezer’s ongoing legacy of faith, love, and resilience. It offers an opportunity for the community to unite in remembrance, healing, and renewed commitment to the power of faith and love over fear and hate. The event will feature addresses from Rev. Warnock, Congresswoman Lucy McBath, King family members, and Leonard Dungee, CEO of Hope Hustlers. Survivors from that fateful Sunday will also share their experiences along with musical tributes from the Christine King Farris Memorial Choir.

The event, organized by Ebenezer Baptist Church, The King Center, The King Family, and The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, is open to the public and will be live-streamed. The Heritage Sanctuary is located at 407 Auburn Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30312.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 24, 2024

Dwyane Wade Sees More Scrutiny On WNBA With Increased Exposure

'It's a good thing because everybody is talking about the W[NBA]," Wade said. "It's a bad thing because you're getting a chance to be exposed.'

Three-time NBA Champion Dwyane Wade gave his thoughts recently regarding the reemergence of interest in the WNBA this season with the additions of rookies like Angel Reese (Chicago Sky) and Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever). He did warn that with the increased exposure there will be more scrutiny as more eyes are watching the league.

According to Sports Illustrated‘s “Inside the Heat,” on a recent episode of Wade’s podcast, The Wine Down, the Miami Heat legend had a chance to discuss the impact of this season’s rookies who have made some noise for the WNBA. Wade, who was born in Chicago and is a minority owner of the Chicago Sky, commented on what he feels the league will experience with the newfound attention, which hit the league suddenly with rivals Reese and Clark, barely out of college, entering the WNBA.

“This league now is up there on a pedestal,” Wade said. “It’s a lot of darts coming at you…It’s tough. A lot of them just wanna hoop and make good money and take care of their family.”

With Clark coming into the mostly Black players league, the Fever rookie has been babied by the media, some say, based on what they perceive as the other players bullying her. Although it’s common in most sports leagues for the rookies to have a reality check when they get to the pros, the complaints about Clark being treated with kid gloves has brought up the issue of race. Yet, Wade doesn’t think the extra attention to Clark is an issue, but cautions that other aspects concerning the league will be revealed since everyone is now watching.

“It’s a good thing because everybody is talking about the W[NBA],” Wade said. “It’s a bad thing because you’re getting a chance to be exposed and a little bit more, the people in the W to the world and how nasty it is.”

The two aforementioned players went up against each other on June 23 with Reese and the Sky getting the victory over Clark and the Fever, 88-87. Athlon Sports reported Reese, who is in line to win the coveted Rookie of the Year award, put in a solid performance by scoring 25 points and pulling down 16 rebounds. Wade showed his support for Reese when he posted on X a photo of her with the crown and fire emoji.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 24, 2024

Jonathan Majors Will Lead Supernatural Revenge Thriller, First Role Since Conviction

Jonathan Majors landed his first starring role since his conviction for third-degree assault and harassment.

Jonathan Majors appears to be in his comeback era following his conviction for third-degree assault and harassment.

The axed Marvel star has been tapped to lead a supernatural revenge thriller set to begin filming later this year, Deadline reported. Majors will star in Merciless as a top CIA interrogator who must embrace his darkest instincts to confront an evil spirit that has possessed the woman he loves.

The thriller is based on an original screenplay by Frank Hannah and will be directed by Martin Villeneuve.

“Merciless intertwines themes of possession, revenge and personal justice within a haunting narrative. It explores the psychological descent of John, played by Majors, and the supernatural forces challenging his sanity,” Villeneuve says.

Christopher Tuffin will produce the film as part of his new global media venture which works to disrupt the status quo by refusing “to let the court of public opinion and selective prosecution undermine great art and artists.”

“In graduate school, I had the good fortune to study screenwriting under Blacklist scribe Millard Lampell and learned from him the dangers of letting politics undermine due process and deprive artists of their careers,” Tuffin says.

“I consider it an honor and a privilege to be working with Jonathan who is such a great talent now that this matter has been adjudicated.”

It’s a big step for Majors in the wake of his fall from grace following his domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari in New York City last year. The Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania star was arrested in March 2023 on allegations he choked, assaulted, and harassed Jabbari following a physical altercation.

Following a two-week trial that ended in December 2023, Major was found guilty of misdemeanor assault and harassment in a split verdict. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to complete a year-long counseling program while avoiding any jail time.

Last week, Majors broke down in tears while being presented with the Perseverance Award at Hollywood Unlocked’s annual Impact Awards. Iyanla Vanzant, who presented him with his award, held his head as he cried in her arms.

“I’m imperfect. I have shortcomings — I acknowledge them,” Majors said during his acceptance speech.

BREAKING: Jonathan Majors takes the stage and immediately breaks down in tears as he accepts a Perseverance Award. He’s comforted by presenter Iyanla Vanzant who kisses his forehead and cheeks, rubs his shoulders and dries his tears. He first offers thanks to “Lord and savior… pic.twitter.com/jVytEQnfgf
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) June 22, 2024

Merciless will be the first film Majors has booked to lead in since his high-profile assault case.

Deion Sanders Colorado Buffaloes, Jackson state football, new book, Atlanta falcons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 24, 2024

Deion Sanders Named As One Of Atlanta Falcons’ Mount Rushmore Players

He was drafted by the NFL team out of college and played with them from 1989–1993.

Colorado coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has been recognized again for his play throughout his NFL Hall of Fame career. A video released by NFL Throwback, titled Every Team’s Mount Rushmore, acknowledged his greatness when he played for the Atlanta Falcons.

The video, which debuted on YouTube on June 19, features every NFL team’s four greatest players. Sanders was celebrated alongside quarterback Michael Vick, a four-time Pro Bowler, wide receiver Julio Jones, who made the Pro Bowl seven times, and quarterback Matt Ryan, who won the league’s MVP Award in 2016.

Sanders was a very explosive and flamboyant cornerback who played for the Falcons after the team selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. He also took turns playing as a wide receiver and return specialist while playing with the team. Essentially Sports reported that the college football coach was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro selection. Although Sanders won two Super Bowls during his career, it was after he left the Falcons. He won his first championship while playing for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX in 1994 and then again the next season after signing with the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX.

Now, as a successful college coach, people are still watching the former cornerback, who, during his playing days, was known as “Prime Time” for his ability to bring attention to himself. He recently appeared on The Joel Klatt Show to address his future with Colorado after his two sons, Shedeur and Shilo, who play for Colorado, leave the school with a hopeful place in the NFL.

“I’m a leader of men, not a follower of men,” Sanders said. “I’m a father, not a baby daddy. I lead my sons. I don’t follow my sons. My sons, Travis (Hunter) included, are getting ready to migrate to the NFL. I’m not following them to the NFL. So, I plan on being here and being dominant here.”

Stephen A. Smith, ESPN, Stephen A. Smith

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 24, 2024

ESPN Reportedly Offers Stephen A. Smith $90M Deal To Stay At Network

Smith is looking for a hefty pay raise after his contract expires next year.

ESPN’s push to keep Stephen A. Smith on its channel continues. The network has offered the First Take cohost a five-year, $90 million deal to stay, according to Puck.

Smith’s contract with the sports cable company expires in 2025, but ESPN plans to make Smith one of the highest-paid personalities if he extends his reign on the network. According to the New York Post, ESPN pitched a lucrative deal to Smith’s agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME), that would make his salary comparable to that of athletes.

Despite the hefty pay raise, Smith has higher aspirations for his next paycheck. Puck reports Smith wants $25 million a year, and is willing to talk to other networks that may cough up that amount.

Sports media reporter James Andrew Miller, the co-author of the ESPN oral history, Those Guys Have All the Fun, appeared on the SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast and confirmed that Smith expects to cash in on his next contract.

“Stephen A.’s deal is coming up,” Miller said on the show’s June 13 episode. “In fact, I think there have been preliminary talks already that have started. He’s looking for a big, big number. And I also feel, given the content world, he doesn’t even have to have another offer from one entity for that big number.”

He added, “I think what ESPN is up against is the possibility that WME could go out and create an architecture where Stephen A. has a podcast, a this, a deal with this, a deal with that, whatever, and at the end of the day, it’s $20 million a year.”

Right now, The Stephen A. Smith Show also covers the 56-year-old’s opinions in and beyond sports. However, a new opportunity could allow Smith more flexibility while expanding the topics he discusses as a media personality.

Smith originally stared with ESPN in 2003, but was fired after several years. His second stint with the worldwide leader has seen him become a superstar at the network.

It remains unclear if the 56-year-old will agree to ESPN’s deal.

Harlem Globetrotters, LSU, Alexis 'The Show' Morris, For 2024 World Tour

by Stacy Jackson

June 24, 2024

Harlem Globetrotter Alexis Morris Seeks To Empower Women As AND1’s First Female Ambassador

'There is a continuous need for female representation in sports and especially street culture.'

Harlem Globetrotter Alexis Morris is the first female ambassador for basketball apparel and sneaker brand AND1. The 2023 NCAA champion aims to empower women, inspire youth, and break barriers in sports and streetball.

As the brand’s first and only female signee, Morris will participate in community events and support initiatives celebrating women in sports. According to Footwear News, the AND1 team believes Morris’ story aligns with the brand’s DNA and will inspire young women to pursue basketball.

https://twitter.com/and1basketball/status/1801632869279748207

“AND1 is a movement powered by Black people, Black culture, inner cities, and urban basketball,” the guard told Andscape between workouts on June 23 at the brand’s annual Open Run event in New York. “I am all of those things.”

She views this partnership as a homecoming. Morris grew up in Beaumont, Texas, with limited resources and had to fight for her spot on the streetball court full of boys.

The deal allows Morris to design her signature collection while empowering Black athletes and creators.

“There is a continuous need for female representation in sports and especially street culture,” said Morris, who attended Louisiana State University. “People try to push out street culture, but it’s the foundation of what started basketball. It’s the swag.” She also plans to showcase a more androgynous style: “You don’t have to be the girliest of the girls to wear my collection,” she said.

Additionally, Morris is exploring NIL deals under her brand with AND1 and seeking the first female athlete to join her team. She’s also looking forward to join the WNBA. Morris was drafted by the Connecticut Sun but was cut during the 2023 preseason. Instead, she made her pro debut as a Harlem Globetrotter in February as part of the team’s 2024 World Tour.

Playing in the WNBA will give her the opportunity to live out her childhood dream. If she can make the W, she hopes the league will embrace the street culture vibe and all the streetball moves she’s mastered as a Harlem Globetrotter.

Move-In Day Mafia, Foster System, College, HBCU

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 24, 2024

Move-In Day Mafia Helps Kids In Foster System Settle Into College

The nonprofit was founded in 2022 to help HBCUs students from foster care backgrounds.

College move-in days can be a mixture of excitement and stress for incoming freshman. Thankfully, Move-in Day Mafia assists teens who aged out of foster care settle into school before class begins.

Teej Mercer started the nonprofit in 2022 with 13 dorm room makeovers at Paul Quinn College in Dallas. Its mission stemmed from her love and care for the youth, especially the many in her community that were accepted into HBCUs. However, Mercer noticed that students that came from foster care lacked the support to fully settle into their dorms.

“Move-in Day Mafia started in 2020 when I met a young college grad from an HBCU that had aged out of foster care,” explained Mercer to WSB-TV. “Her social worker drove her to campus, pulled up to the curb, let her unload what little she had and then bounced basically.”

Graduating from an HBCU herself, Mercer fulfilled a need for teens without the assistance to make each room their own. Focusing on HBCU students, Mercer and her squad of volunteers help supply and decorate each room for its new student. As the newly-established young adults begin their academic careers, the “mafia” seeks to show them that they have supporters along the way.

The Howard alum added, “I just couldn’t imagine someone who’s 18 going through that transition alone. So, I resolved that I was going to do something about it.”

For these students, the room symbolizes more than a typical dorm. One of the dorm designers explained that its a first for many scholars they’ve helped.

“We have a lot of students tell us that they’ve never even had their own room before. So, it’s really important that all the way down to the wallpapers, the headboards, their favorite colors, their inspirational quotes that they may like,” explained volunteer Mina Starks. “Those are just like the little bitty details we try to make sure that we execute in the rooms.”

However, the work does not stop once the dorms are completed. The mafia continues to provide monthly care packages to each student as they matriculate through school. As the mafia seeks to expand their efforts, more funding and volunteers remain crucial to their mission.

RELATED CONTENT: Nia Long Started College Fund Before Motherhood