wrestler, NFL, Buffalo Bills, Gable Steveson

by Mary Spiller

June 2, 2024

Olympic Gold Medal Wrestler Signs With Buffalo Bills Despite Never Having Played Football

The Miami Dolphins were reportedly also interested in wrestler Gable Stevenson.

Two-time NCAA-winning wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is making the move on to football. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Steveson has signed with the Buffalo Bills as a potential defensive line player — despite never having played football before.

The Bills confirmed that Steveson will join its roster after releasing punter Matt Haack. The 23-year-old wrestler signed a one-year contract, which is standard for rookies. Reports also suggested that the Miami Dolphins were interested in Steveson, but the Bills won out on the contract.

The wrestler has found success in the athletic department throughout high school, college, and his professional career but has never played football before. His first time was when he began working out with the Buffalo Bills.

Stevenson told ESPN, “I have been fortunate to compete at the highest level of competition in my sport, but am looking forward to the challenge of seeing how my wrestling skills may translate to football.

“I am grateful to Coach [Sean] McDermott, [general manager] Brandon Beane, and the Buffalo Bills organization for giving me this opportunity.”

McDermott is confident in the 6-foot-1, 275-pound Steveson’s ability to catch on to the game. McDermott has a championship high school wrestling background and believes Stevenson’s talents are transferable to the defensive line.

The Bills were impressed with his physicality and raw athletic talent, which will put him comfortably on the short list of practice squad candidates in the 2024 season.

Steveson attended the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he won a gold medal and made history as the youngest to ever do so at 21 years old. He was a super heavyweight competitor.

His achievements mean that if he goes on to win a Super Bowl with the Bills, he could potentially join fellow athlete Bob Hayes as the only other athlete to have a gold medal and a Super Bowl win.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 2, 2024

Hip-Hop Cookie Shop Accused of Misappropriating Black Culture With ‘Doughp Dealer’ And ‘Purple Drank’ Menu Offerings

A new hip-hop-inspired cookie is accused of misappropriating Black culture to sell its menu items.

A new hip-hop-inspired cookie shop in Indianapolis faces criticism from locals who think the eatery is misappropriating Black culture to sell its menu items.

WISH-TV reports that Cookie Plug saw a steady number of diverse customers during its opening week following its launch on May 20. Hip-hop references are displayed throughout the shop, including graffiti-covered walls, a boombox hanging from the ceiling, and illustrations showcasing boxes of cash telling patrons, “Thank you for supporting your neighborhood doughp dealer.”

On the menu, customers can select from a variety of “phatties,” a marijuana term for joints that the shop uses to describe its cookies, and a purple lemonade drink Cookie Plug dubbs the “purple drank,” named after the underground street beverage lean or “Sizzurp,” a combination of alcohol and drugs that increases the chances of a fatal overdose or seizure.

Doreen and her husband, Michael, opened their franchise of the California-based cookie shop, looking to tap into the local market of cookie lovers. However, some locals, like Feeray Phillips, believe the shop is using racist “tropes” to market its products to an unknowing audience.

Now This Is Wild pic.twitter.com/akx81tDpwE
— Shawn K The King  (@SKTheKingYT) May 31, 2024

“When the franchise is not aware of what the terminology they’re dealing with and, to be honest, tropes as gimmicks to sell people lemonade and children lemonade, that’s a problem,” Phillips said.

Phillips recalls how deadly “Purple Drank” was for the Black community and doesn’t think it should be used to promote food items, especially to children.

“Why is the entire theme of the organization (franchise) based on drug references terminology?” he asked.

“You are painting the picture that drugs and hip-hop are synonymous, which is not the truth.”

But Doreen, who is white, says the menu items have nothing to do with Black culture and are just regular words she’s used to describe certain products.

“I grew up at this time and I’ve never done drugs. ‘Purple drank’ is just that, ‘purple drank.’ It’s lemonade.”

Erik Martinez founded Cookie Plug and admits incorporating his love for hip-hop into the company’s marketing strategy.

“That’s exactly my point. You can be a proud American and love hip hop and love cookies and love graffiti, and you don’t have to fit in a box,” Martinez said.

He went on to reference rapper 50 Cent, saying, “America has a thing for this gangster ish’ they do. That’s why I thought, ‘Let’s make this cookie shop gangster.’ That’s really all it is.”

by Mary Spiller

June 1, 2024

Michelle Obama’s Mother Passes Away At 86

Marian Robinson died on May 31.

The mother of former first lady Michelle Obama, Marian Robinson, has died at 86 years old. Robinson died on May 31, according to NBC News.

“She passed peacefully this morning, and right now, none of us are quite sure how exactly we’ll move on without her,” a statement from the family read.

Following the news’s release, Michelle Obama shared a heartfelt message on X in remembrance of her beloved mother.

She wrote, “My mom Marian Robinson was my rock, always there for whatever I needed. She was the same steady backstop for our entire family, and we are heartbroken to share that she passed away today. We wanted to offer some reflections on her remarkable life.”

Some reflections recalled how Robinson left her hometown of Chicago to support her daughter after she moved into the White House with former and first Black President Barack Obama following his 2008 election win.

Michelle said, “We needed her. The girls needed her. And she ended up being our rock through it all.”

She continued, “She relished her role as a grandmother. … And although she enforced whatever household rules we’d set for bedtime, watching TV, or eating candy, she made clear that she sided with her ‘grandbabies’ in thinking that their parents were too darn strict.”

My mom Marian Robinson was my rock, always there for whatever I needed. She was the same steady backstop for our entire family, and we are heartbroken to share she passed away today. We wanted to offer some reflections on her remarkable life: https://t.co/F7T6q625PC
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 31, 2024

The Obama family, including Barack and Michelle, as well as Michelle’s brother, Craig Robinson, and his wife, Kelly, and Marian Robinson’s grandchildren, Avery, Leslie, Malia, Sasha, Austin, and Aaron, issued a joint statement that said, “There was and will be only one Marian Robinson. In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life. And we will spend the rest of ours trying to live up to her example.”

Barack also expressed his emotional condolences on Robinson’s passing in a tweet.

“There was and will be only one Marian Robinson. In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life. And we will spend the rest of ours trying to live up to her example,” the former president said.

Michelle has often talked about the strong childhood lessons given to her by both of her parents.

The Princeton University and Harvard Law School graduate said, “We were poor. We lived in a small house, but what they gave us was a feeling of importance, a belief that our voices mattered at a very young age, a sense of understanding, of pushing through, and resilience.”

“And what that does for a kid — when your parents trust you, it encourages you. It tells you that if my mom thinks I can do this, that I must be capable.”

by Mary Spiller

June 1, 2024

Former ‘Apprentice’ Producer Claims Trump Called Black Contestant ‘N-Word’ During The Show’s Filming

Pruitt accused Trump of calling a Black contestant the n-word during show running discussions.

Bill Pruitt, a former show producer for the reality television show The Apprentice, has lodged claims against former President Donald Trump for reportedly using the N-word during the filming of the show.

On Thursday, May 30, Pruitt wrote that Trump called a Black finalist contestant, Kwame Jackson, the n-word on film back in 2004 when the first season was airing.

Pruitt was one of four producers on the show, and although he signed a nondisclosure agreement with a potential fine of $5 million, it expired this year.

Pruitt described Trump using the word while discussing Jackson’s performance with showrunner Jay Bienstock, Trump employee Carolyn Kepcher, and the other show producers.

He said, “‘Yeah,’ he says to no one in particular, ‘but, I mean, would America buy a n***** winning?’”

He continued to explain that Trump was “serious, and he is adamant about not hiring Jackson.”

Jackson went on to lose to his white counterpart contestant, Bill Rancic.

“Afterward, we film the final meeting in the boardroom, where Jackson and Rancic are scrutinized by Trump, who, we already know, favors Rancic. Then, we wrap production, pack up, and head home. There is no discussion about what Trump said in the boardroom, about how the damning evidence was caught on tape. Nothing happens,” Pruitt continued.

According to CNN, Trump’s campaign team denied all of Pruitt’s claims.

Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign spokesperson, said in a statement, “This is a completely fabricated and bulls*** story that was already peddled in 2016. Nobody took it seriously then, and they won’t now, because it’s fake news. Now that Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrats are losing the election, they are bringing up old fake stories from the past because they are desperate.”

Pruitt described the show as a “long con” built around Trump’s confidence. He wrote that the show elevated Trump “from sleazy New York tabloid hustler to respectable household name.”

Pruitt accused the entire show of misleading viewers about Trump’s character, as he even made misogynistic comments toward the women on set.

“In the show, he appeared to demonstrate impeccable business instincts and unparalleled wealth, even though his businesses had barely survived multiple bankruptcies and faced yet another when he was cast,” he wrote. “By carefully misleading viewers about Trump – his wealth, his stature, his character, and his intent – the competition reality show set about an American fraud that would balloon beyond its creators’ wildest imaginations.”

by Mary Spiller

June 1, 2024

Patti LaBelle Wants To Do New Music And Collaboration With ‘New Best Friend’ Cardi B

Patti LaBelle and Cardi B teamed up last year for a food collab.

Music legend Patti LaBelle revealed in an interview during her 80th birthday on May 23 that she is working on new music and might be looking to collaborate with her “new best friend,” Cardi B.

While on the red carpet of her birthday bash, she told Entertainment Tonight of working with Cardi, “Why not? She’s like one of my new best friends, and to know that she was into Patti LaBelle! She’s like my new buddy.”

The “On My Own” singer discussed new music she’s working on, People reports.

“I haven’t had an album out in 20 years and so I’m working on that now. It should be out at the end of the year,” LaBelle explained. “It’s called 8065. I’m 80 years young and 65 years in show business.”

LaBelle’s 80th birthday party was packed with some of her closest friends and biggest names in the industry, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Gayle King, Gladys Knight, Sherri Shepherd, and Debbie Allen.

LaBelle called it an emotional moment, “Everybody in the industry that I know was here, and I had a lot of tears, but I had to keep on my lashes, so I couldn’t cry too much.”

LaBelle shared some advice she’s learned in all her years in the industry with People. She told the outlet, “I’ve learned to be kind when people are not kind. You always take the high road, and I’ve known that for a long time, but as I mature in age, I know how to do it even better now, how to take the high road and meet all of my bad feelings and just pray for those who make me feel less.”

In November of last year, LaBelle and 31-year-old Cardi B collaborated on a social media campaign. The pair combined their desserts, Cardi’s Whip Shots alcoholic whipped cream and LaBelle’s Good Life pies. At the time, LaBelle expressed praise for Cardi.

“I’ve been her mother in my mind for a long time because she’s just all that and a bag of chips. And I’m all that and a bag of chips,” LaBelle told People.

Cardi agreed that it was an honor to meet LaBelle.

“I feel like I’m not worthy; I just feel so shook! I’m super starstruck. I’m on my best behavior.”

by Daniel Johnson

June 1, 2024

Judge Rules Against Bun B’s Trill Burgers Amid Recipe Theft And Financial Misconduct Lawsuit

Trill Burgers' assets have been frozen until a future hearing.

Bernard “Bun B” Freeman’s restaurant Trill Burgers has been entangled in a lawsuit that alleges Freeman and his business partners, Andy Nguyen and Nick Scurfield, stole the recipe for the smashburgers from their former business partners, siblings Patsy and Benson Vivares. In addition, the Vivareses allege that they were pushed out of the business. Meanwhile, Freeman and his partners allege that the Vivares siblings stole $45,000 from Trill Burgers following the concept’s debut at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2021 to pay off debts at Sticky’s Chicken, another restaurant they owned at the time.

Houston rapper Bun B files lawsuit against former partners for embezzlement of Trill Burgers funds. https://t.co/zaPJBU3BEh pic.twitter.com/iXIXXJVJyC
— Atlanta Black Star (@ATLBlackStar) April 3, 2024

As Chron.com reports, on May 23, a judge ruled in favor of the Vivares siblings, granting an injunction against the restaurant and its owners, as well as any related companies. This means that Trill Burgers remains open for business as normal, but it will not pay out any management fees to its current ownership group. In addition, Trill Burgers has been ordered to repay attorney’s fees and cannot hire any additional counsel. For Freeman and his partners, this means that the $5,000 monthly payments from Trill Burgers will cease pending the lawsuit’s resolution.

As a result of the injunction, the Vivares siblings must also be notified two weeks before any transactions in excess of $10,000 and receive copies of all financial activity relating to the LLCs formed after they left the company. Since the pair left, LLCs were created for the restaurant’s flagship brick-and-mortar establishment, the pop-up Trill Burgers stands at Houston Texans games, and Trill Tenders, a pop-up serving chicken tenders.

Lawyers representing Trill Burgers say that this arrangement could cripple the establishment and also makes it impossible for the company to pay its employees, its lease, and other required expenses to remain operational.

As KPRC reports, an attorney representing Freeman and Trill Burgers, Charles Adams, argued that some of the Vivares’ allegations could be considered racist tropes. In their countersuit, they allege that Freeman’s associations made them fearful. “Patsy and BJ were dumbfounded, hurt, angry, and scared given Bun B’s connections and the nature of the allegations.”

Adams stated, “The attempt to portray Mr. Freeman as a gangster and a thug that the Vivares were afraid of is directly contradicted by Patsy Vivares’ own words in their text communications about the theft and dissolution of their partnership ‘I also want you to know that I knew and felt the respect you had for me and I was always proud of that, so I never wanted to ruin it bc I was humbled at the fact that of all the people in the world you could have worked on a food concept with, you chose us.’”

As Chron.com reports, the judge ruled in favor of the Vivareses by granting them the temporary injunction, but the lawsuit will continue to drag on while the restaurant celebrates its one-year anniversary at the flagship location. The court has scheduled the next hearing related to the case for June 10 to rule on the outcome of an emergency motion Schurfield filed to strike down the injunction due to an application filed by Trill Burgers to settle the matter via arbitration. Other hearings related to the case are scheduled for later in 2024, with both teams of lawyers seeking a resolution via jury trial.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 1, 2024

Eminem Faces Backlash For Megan Thee Stallion Diss In New Song ‘Houdini’

Megan Thee Stallion fans question 'why' Eminem took aim at her in his new song 'Houdini.'

Eminem is back in his early 2000s era with controversial rap lyrics that take aim at female pop stars. Only this time it’s not Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, or Mariah Carey the rap veteran is making jokes about– it’s rap superstar Megan Thee Stallion.

The Grammy Award-winning Eminem has come under fire across social media for his new song “Houdini,” which refers to Megan Thee Stallion’s 2020 shooting incident with Tory Lanez. In the song, released on May 31, Eminem resurfaces the shooting that put Lanez behind bars for 10 years.

“If I was to ask for Megan Thee Stallion if she would collab with me/Would I really have a shot at a feat?” Eminem raps in the song’s first verse.

He even made sure to caption the lyrics in the official music video for the song to make sure everyone understood the lyrical pun.

Not too long after releasing the single, a clip of the diss began to circulate online, which garnered strong responses from Megan Thee Stallion supporters.

“But why,” one person asked.

“He’s grown enough to be her dad this was lame and embarrassing especially at his big age that’s why he fell off,” added someone else.

https://twitter.com/ayeejuju/status/1796403975484473463

The song comes after Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in August 2023 for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in her foot in July 2020. Lanez filed his latest appeal in February and continues to maintain his innocence.

Since his sentencing and incarceration, some rappers have expressed their support for the “Say It” singer, including fellow Toronto native Drake, rappers Fivio Foreign and Meek Mill, and singer Chris Brown.

Many others have chosen to stay silent about the situation, which rapper Soulja Boy called out during an Instagram Live in January 2023.

“Yall ni***s out here shooting b****s and ain’t nobody gone say nothing? I’m the only n***a in the whole rap game that’s gonna say something? OK, cool,” Soulja Boy exclaimed.

“Well, Tory Lanez you a b***h,” he said. “You a b***h na on me. Y’all watched this n***a shoot this b***h and everybody said, ‘He ain’t do it.’ Man, f**k yall lame a*s n***as.”

Rapper 50 Cent publicly shared his change of heart after he initially doubted Megan’s reveal of Tory Lanez being her attacker. Megan Thee Stallion has since used her story to advocate for the need to protect Black women.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 1, 2024

Pinky Cole Hayes Selected To Uncover The Nation’s Best Black-Owned Restaurants For Pepsi Dig In

You can nominate your favorite restaurant.

Pepsi Dig In has teamed up with Slutty Vegan Founder and CEO Pinky Cole Hayes to uncover the best Black-owned restaurants across the country with help from patrons.

As part of the third consecutive year of Pepsi Dig In’s Restaurant Royalty program, the platform designed to amplify Black-owned restaurants, it wants diners to nominate their favorite Black-owned eateries for the reward program. Prize perks of this year’s program include foodie experiences across the country and bringing a nominated restaurant to MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas.

Cole Hayes’ role involves using her experience and insights to inspire the next success story among Black-owned restaurants. Her ongoing partnership with Pepsi Dig In aligns with the campaign’s support of her thriving vegan food empire since its early stages.

“Slutty Vegan wouldn’t be where it is today without its community of fans. From the start, they’ve been dedicated and loyal in supporting Slutty Vegan’s journey from a food truck to a multi-city restaurant chain and $100 million brand,” Cole Hayes says.

“That’s why I’m thrilled to be partnering with Pepsi Dig In, a platform that has been there for me since the beginning, to inspire even more foodies to be vocal about their favorite restaurants and help crown them Restaurant Royalty.”

This year’s winning fan-nominated restaurant will receive a feature in the Pepsi Dig In Restaurant Royalty Residency in Las Vegas as part of an ongoing partnership with MGM Resorts International and one-on-one mentoring from Cole Hayes. Foodies and restaurants can take advantage of the Rewards for the Royalty program.

For the Black-owned businesses, five of the most-nominated restaurants will receive point-of-sale hardware courtesy of Square to enable future growth, $4,000 in Yelp digital media credits, digital promotion by Pepsi Dig In and EatOkra, the largest database of Black-owned restaurants, and enrollment in Black Restaurants Deliver, a program designed to help with building online presence and ordering capabilities.

Specially selected fans will enjoy a plethora of prizes, including a grand prize trip for two to the Super Bowl in New Orleans in 2025, an intimate chef’s table experience in New York City, an opportunity to take part in the 2024 Pepsi Dig In Day celebrations, curated food tours, and roundtrip JetBlue travel certificates to take flight to their next adventure.

Fans have until June 30 to submit their favorite local restaurant on DigInShowLove.com and enter for a chance to win various food-centric experiences. Find Black-owned restaurants at EatOkra. Participants can nominate their favorite restaurants at DigInShowLove.com.

Former Baltimore Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake , lawsuit

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 31, 2024

Black Business Owners, Economic Advocacy Groups Sue Federal Government Claiming Corporate Transparency Act Is ‘Too Intrusive’

The Treasurer’s Corporate Transparency Act now requires over 32 million small businesses across the country to report private information regarding the “beneficial owner.”

Boston-based advocacy groups and Black women business owners filed a lawsuit against the federal government over what is described as invasive financial requirements in legislation.

The Treasurer’s Corporate Transparency Act now requires over 32 million small businesses across the country to report private information regarding the “beneficial owner” to the federal government. Names, date of birth, address, and government ID all need to be included.

The suit, filed on behalf of three Massachusetts-based Black women business owners, the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) and the African Community Economic Development of New England (ACEDONE), alleges that by doing this, business owners of color would sustain another burden on top of several disproportionate hurdles, along with putting immigrant business owners at risk. The suit also describes the term “beneficial owner” as too vague, stating it can refer to anyone with ownership or control of the business.

Lawsuit filers are asking for a judge to rule the law as unconstitutional. “This lawsuit is our way of standing up for the business owners that we support and the community we represent,” Abdul Hussein, ACEDONE’s CEO, said.

According to ICLG, the suit highlights investment concerns by arguing the legislation may discourage investment in small businesses. If business owners don’t adhere to the provisions of the measure, owners face potential fines and up to two years behind bars for “overly burdensome, vague and confusing requirements.” The bill could also deter potential investors from supporting small businesses.

One of the plaintiffs’ biggest concerns is that one of the provisions allows the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which collects the data, to share investors’ information with other entities like law enforcement agencies and foreign governments. Michael Kippins, litigation fellow at Lawyers for Civil Rights, says this just adds extra stress to targeted business owners. “People of color, immigrants, non-English speakers, and low-income individuals who own small businesses already face significant burdens in creating and running those businesses,” Kippins said.

“Now the federal government threatens them with fines and prison time.”

Prior to the new act, business owners were required to file basic information about the business and owners with a state agency like the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. However, new provisions, according to the suit, are “overreaching” with the more intrusive requirements with threats of criminal prosecution.

However, the Treasury Department doesn’t see it that way. In a statement, a spokesperson said the department is certain the new transparency act “plays a vital role in protecting the U.S. financial system, as well as people across the country, from illicit finance threats like terrorist financing, drug trafficking, and money laundering.” Regardless of what the department feels, Nicole Obi, president and CEO of BECMA, believes it’s a priority to fight back. “BECMA’s membership includes hundreds of black-owned small businesses that could be unfairly targeted by the federal government under this new law,” Obi said in a statement.

“Our mission is to drive economic equity for Black-owned businesses and communities. We have to challenge a law that threatens the viability of so many diverse businesses across the state.”

The Treasury spokesperson encouraged businesses to seek guidance from its website for information on filing requirements and deadlines.

Black Twitter, Donald Trump, NY’s All-Black Appellate Bench

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 31, 2024

Black Twitter Reacts To Possibility Of Donald Trump Appeal Being Overseen By NY’s All-Black Appellate Bench

Black Twitter is having a field day with the possibility of Donald Trump's appeal being overseen by an all-Black appellate bench in New York.

Black Twitter is having a field day with Donald Trump’s guilty verdict and the likelihood of the former President filing an appeal that gets overseen by New York’s all-Black appellate bench.

Trump made history on Thursday, May 30, when he became the first former President to be convicted of felony crimes. A New York jury found the 45th commander-in-chief guilty of all 34 charges related to a scheme to falsify records to cover up the hush money he paid to porn star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election.

On Friday, Trump declared his plans to appeal the landmark verdict on several grounds, the New York Times reports. Amid news of the verdict and Trump’s move to appeal, Black Twitter dug up a photo of the all-Black appellate bench Presiding Justice Dianne T. Renwick put together in February for Black History Month.

Social media is convinced that the historic all-African-American bench that only heard arguments on February 14 will be reorganized to oversee Trump’s appeal. Shortly after a photo of the all-Black Appellate Division, First Department surfaced online, many started to sound off.

New: Trump's appeal oral arguments will take place in front of the first all-Black women appellate bench.https://t.co/LJHpFpaWPE pic.twitter.com/KO3qc7levt
— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) May 31, 2024

“Black Jesus and the Exonerated 5 are very happy indeed!!” one person wrote.

“Look at Gawd,” added someone else.

Despite the celebratory response from non-Trump supporters, the likelihood of the one-time all-Black Appellate Division, First Department overseeing Trump’s appeal is very small.

The bench, comprised of Presiding Justice Dianne T. Renwick, Justice Troy K. Webber, Justice Tanya R. Kennedy, Justice Bahaati Pitt-Burke, and Justice Marsha D. Michael, was only put in place on February 14 in honor of Black History Month.

The current Appellate Division, First Department, is comprised of a diverse group of men and women, with only one member being Black. However, even the possibility of an all-Black women’s appeals court presiding over a Trump appeal adds to his critics’ happiness with his guilty verdict.