Bay Area Couple Finds Success In Luxury Kid Party Rentals
The Bay Area couple struggled to execute their child's birthday party but found a gap in the market.
Bay Area parents Tayo Lanlehin and Dolu Lanlehin have turned a gap they spotted in California’s luxury children’s party market into a six-figure enterprise.
The couple founded Bay Area Kids Rentals in 2022 after Tayo struggled to find child-sized seating for her son’s first birthday. She told CNBC that every detail of the “First Trip Around The Sun” party theme came together except the chairs.
Unable to find equipment that suited her vision, Tayo had to borrow a picnic table and benches. She said she “ruminated on the gap in the market for weeks” before spending about $2,000 on 48 children’s chairs that she stored in her basement.
Those chairs became the foundation for Bay Area Kids Rentals, which generated more than $295,000 in revenue in 2025, CNBC reported.
Their earliest breakthrough came through social media. Tayo explained that she shot her shot with NBA player Andrew Wiggins’ partner, Mychal Johnson.
“I direct messaged her with a link to our website saying, ‘We have luxury kid party rentals, and we would love to be a part of your kid’s birthday, if you’re doing a party,’” she said.
Johnson responded within 25 minutes and put them in touch with her planner. The company went on to manage four family events until the family relocated to Miami in 2024.
According to the couple, their most affluent clients appreciate simplicity.
“Flexibility and having limited touch points are critical in the luxury space,” she said.
The business has remained profitable since its launch, though the couple said they reinvest earnings to expand offerings, which now include mini-bumper cars, ball pits, and themed furniture.
Dolu said the surge in demand is a bit of a shock and requires sacrifice, as he often leaves his job to set up parties. Tayo works in strategic partnerships at Blue Shield of California. Dolu is head of product for Chegg Skills. According to Dolo, “Tayo does a nice job of seeing around the corner,” while he focuses on analytical work and market research.
Their goal now is to scale carefully while maintaining the premium experience that has defined their brand.
Former White House Press Office Chief of Staff Yemisi Egbewole took to TikTok on Dec. 1 to react to the news, calling the New Jersey senator marrying “a woman” “very interesting.”
“OK, so Corey Booker got married and … to a woman, and this is just very interesting, just an interesting update about Cory Booker. Cory Booker married a woman. He is now happily married,” she said as she seemingly shoots a quick side eye in the clip.
“Will a married Booker run for 2028?” she asked in her caption.
The video has earned more than 30,000 likes and over 2,000 comments, with many viewers picking up on Egbewole’s subtle shade regarding the senator’s sexuality.
“This is the most polite, inscrutable shade I’ve seen in a while. Expert level 😂😂😂,” one person wrote.
Some commenters pushed back, defending Booker and questioning the implication that she was suggesting he might be gay.
“He dated Rosario Dawson for years, and this girl looks just like her. I had no idea people thought he was gay, never got that vibe from him,” one user wrote.
“Corey Booker is a democrat. Do we really think he needs to be in the closet to hold elective office in 2025? Buttigieg won Iowa,” added another.
Booker (D-NJ) married Lewis, a managing director at a global investment firm, in two intimate ceremonies over Thanksgiving weekend: a civil wedding at the federal courthouse in Newark, New Jersey, and a private interfaith celebration in Washington, D.C. He was previously in a long-term relationship with Dawson, an actress, which ended in 2022.
Booker, a vocal LGBTQ+ ally, has addressed rumors about his sexuality in the past, telling The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2018 that he is straight and believes candidates should run “as their authentic self.”
Mo’ Money! WNBA Increases Salary Offer To Players In Recent CBA Talks
After proposing a minimum salary starting at more than $220,000, the league increased the offer to $225,000 annually.
Just a day after the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Association Players Association (WNBPA) extended the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to continue talks on a new deal, the league offered to increase average and maximum player salaries.
According to USA Today Sports, the WNBA has proposed “a maximum $1 million guaranteed base salary with projected revenue sharing raising max players’ total earnings to more than $1.2 million in 2026.”
An anonymous source revealed the latest information to the outlet.
This development comes shortly after the extended CBA, which was scheduled to end Nov. 30 was extended again until Jan. 9, 2026, giving both sides more time to reach a mutual agreement.
The WNBA has never had a work stoppage.
With the latest proposal, the salary cap will also rise to $5 million per team per season, a significant increase from this past season’s $1.5 million cap. That number would reportedly increase over the life of the CBA, tied directly to annual revenue growth.
The WNBPA has been pushing for increased revenue sharing and a pay structure similar to the NBA’s. WNBA players receive 9.3% of their income from the league, while NBA players received 44.74% in 2025.
With the minimum salary being $66,079 last season, the supermax was worth $249,244. That meant that only five WNBA players made more than $225,000 last season: Kelsey Mitchell ($269,244), Arike Ogunbowale ($249,032), Jewell Loyd ($249,032), Kahleah Copper ($248,134), and Gabby Williams ($225,000).
Before the recent CBA was signed in 2020, the league and union had agreed to a 60-day extension in 2019, shortly before the previous CBA was set to expire on Oct. 31, 2019. They finally negotiated a new deal on Jan. 14, 2020, and made it official three days later on Jan. 17.
Costco Is Suing The Trump Administration For Full Refund Of Tariffs
Trade data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency reveals that importers, including Costco, have paid nearly $90 billion in IEEPA-related tariffs as of September.
Costco Wholesale is suing the Trump administration for a full refund of all duties it paid under Trump’s executive order for “reciprocal” tariffs.
According to the BBC, lawyers representing Costco filed the lawsuit over Thanksgiving weekend at the U.S. Court of International Trade. Costco is asking the court to consider all tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as unlawful.
“Because IEEPA does not clearly authorize the President to set tariffs … the Challenged Tariff Orders cannot stand, and the defendants are not authorized to implement and collect them,” Costco’s lawyer wrote in the lawsuit, NBC News reports.
Companies Have Paid $90 Billion in IEEPA-Related Tariffs
While it’s unclear how much the world’s third-largest retailer is seeking, Costco lawyers said business has suffered because of the tariffs. Trade data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency reveals that importers, including Costco, have paid nearly $90 billion in IEEPA-related tariffs as of September.
Costco’s Chief Financial Officer, Gary Millerchip, told investors during a May earnings call that about a third of the company’s sales in the U.S. are imported products.
The retailer filed the lawsuit before Dec. 15, which makes it easier for Costco to recover any funds it paid to the government.
Trump is the first president ever to use the IEEPA law to impose import duties. Two lower courts have already ruled that Trump overstepped his authority by using emergency powers to impose tariffs. The lower court kept the tariffs in place while the case was argued. The case is now in the hands of the Supreme Court, and several other companies are trying to protect their rights to refunds if the justices strike down the tariffs.
The cosmetics company Revlon, eyeglass maker EssilorLuxottica, motorcycle manufacturer Kawasaki, Japanese auto supplier Yokohama Tire, canned food seller Bumble Bee, and other smaller businesses have filed similar suits.
How Amazon’s Generative AI Is Empowering Black Innovators & Entrepreneurs
Generative AI is redefining what growth looks like for small businesses.
For generations, Black innovators and entrepreneurs have driven cultural and economic growth, launching businesses, shaping industries, and influencing trends that define global markets. Yet too often, these visionaries have had to build with limited resources, navigating systems that have not always recognized or supported their contributions.
Historically, conversations around technology and innovation have excluded the very communities most impacted by them. While breakthroughs in automation and artificial intelligence have promised speed and opportunity, access has not always been equitable. Smaller, underrepresented businesses have often been left to compete without the same tools, networks, or scale.
Now, that reality is shifting. With the rise of generative AI, Amazon and AWS are helping to level the playing field by creating new pathways for Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and creators to innovate, build, and thrive in the digital economy.
“For me, it’s about access and empowerment,” said Dr. Nashlie Sephus, principal AI/ML evangelist for AWS Responsible AI. “Generative AI gives Black professionals the same sophisticated tools that major enterprises use, but without requiring massive infrastructure. It’s a chance to shift from being consumers of technology to being creators and owners of new businesses, new platforms, and new narratives.”
From Access to Empowerment
Amazon and AWS envision generative AI as a bridge between imagination and execution. The goal is to allow underrepresented innovators to spend more time creating and less time navigating barriers. Services like Amazon Bedrock and Amazon Q make AI approachable for users at any skill level, allowing them to build, test, and scale ideas using natural language instead of complex code.
“We see generative AI as a way to lower the barriers that have historically kept brilliant ideas from scaling,” said Diya Wynn, principal responsible AI lead at AWS. “You shouldn’t need a Ph.D. in machine learning to leverage AI’s power. These services are built so anyone with vision and determination can participate.”
Through programs like the AWS Impact Accelerator and partnerships with HBCUs, incubators, and community organizations, Amazon pairs technology with mentorship and funding support. The result is a model where equity is built into the foundation of innovation.
Leveling the Playing Field
Generative AI is redefining what growth looks like for small businesses. Entrepreneurs who once needed large teams to compete can now use AI to automate marketing, forecast demand, and design new products in a fraction of the time.
Dr. Sephus described this shift as transformational for founders who often balance family, work, and community responsibilities. “Think of a startup founder in Jackson or Detroit. With AWS’s generative AI, they can build tools that previously required a full engineering staff. That changes the competitive dynamic. Small doesn’t have to mean limited.”
Wynn agreed, adding, “Generative AI means a small business can deliver customer experiences that rival Fortune 500 companies. It allows founders to compete on the strength of their ideas, not their budgets.”
Building a Responsible Future
As AI becomes more integrated into daily business operations, Amazon and AWS are equally focused on building it responsibly. Their Responsible AI framework ensures that fairness, transparency, and inclusivity are embedded at every stage, from model development to deployment.
AWS provides tools such as AI Service Cards that document model capabilities and guardrails within Amazon Bedrock to ensure ethical and safe outputs. Wynn emphasized that responsible AI is a people-centric practice—one that prioritizes education, transparency, and the diversity that reflects AWS’s global customer base. Diverse teams, diverse data, and diverse perspectives all play a role in ensuring that technology works for everyone.
“Bias doesn’t disappear on its own,” Sephus noted. “At AWS, we actively test, audit, and refine our models. Technology plus community is where transformation happens.”
Building Legacy, Not Just Businesses
For Black innovators, generative AI is not only a technological advancement but also an opportunity to amplify creativity and ownership. It helps turn ideas into action faster than ever before, opening new doors for entrepreneurship and expression.
“Black innovators already bring unique cultural and lived perspectives to the table,” Sephus said. “Generative AI gives those voices a megaphone. It’s about scale, visibility, and impact.”
Wynn added, “Think about generative AI not as a tool to replace you but one to supplement you.” For too long, we’ve been toldto adapt to systems that weren’t built with us in mind. This moment is different. We have the chance to shape it.”
Looking Ahead
As Amazon and AWS continue to expand their AI capabilities, from automation and forecasting to creative design, the focus remains on ensuring that access and equity move forward together. Generative AI is not only redefining what is possible in business, it is reimagining who gets to lead it.
Dr. Sephus summed it up best: “This is your moment. Don’t wait for permission to innovate. The technology is here, the resources are here, and the opportunities are here. With AI, Black professionals can move from being underrepresented to being undeniable.”
By combining responsible innovation with intentional inclusion, Amazon and AWS are helping build a future where every creator, entrepreneur, and innovator has the tools to turn vision into legacy.
EMBARRASSING! Trump Administration Refuses To Honor World AIDS Day Because ‘An Awareness Day Is Not A Strategy’
The State Department defended its stance by stating "awareness is not a strategy."
The Trump administration has prompted the United States not to commemorate World AIDS Day for the first time in decades.
Held on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day is a global recognition of HIV/AIDs and the lives the illness has taken, all while spreading awareness on the ongoing fight to eliminate the epidemic around the world. Since its establishment in 1988, the U.S. has honored the international day alongside fellow countries worldwide. However, this year’s “strategy” to combat the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic and accompanying stigma looks different in America.
Under the Trump administration, the State Department announced that the U.S. would break tradition again by not officially commemorating World AIDS Day. An official stated that “an awareness day is not a strategy” as its reasoning for not taking part in the global campaign, as reported by NPR.
While symbolic recognition has taken place in past years under Presidents of all parties, Trump has opted for a different approach to addressing the health issue. The current U.S. President did nothing symbolic to honor those who died and still fight the disease, with over 1.2 million U.S. residents currently dealing with the disease as of 2023, according to research listed by KFF.
The State Department also instructed that no personnel officially commemorate the international day. In a statement, spokesperson Tommy Pigott emphasized the government is “modernizing our approach to countering infectious disease.”
“Under the leadership of President Trump, the State Department is working directly with foreign governments to save lives and increase their responsibility and burden sharing,” also wrote Pigott.
However, this shift could greatly impact the funding for global health treatment and initiatives aimed at reducing HIV/AIDs. The U.S. has previously poured billions into HIV/AIDS awareness and care, thus making this current shunning of the international day a concern for advocates.
For some activists, the move indicates the Trump administration’s lack of care about eliminating the disease and helping carriers manage it. The U.S. has also scaled back its funding and support through international aid, with this current move feeling like another hindrance to advancing AIDS treatment. The issue sparked protests in D.C. over the decision not to recognize the day.
“Is this a symbolic act? Yes, it is, and it symbolizes something that is actually devastating and chaotic,” says Mitchell Warren, the executive director of AVAC, a global HIV prevention organization based in the U.S.
However, the omission of participation in World AIDS Day aligns with the Trump administration’s actions toward global health initiatives, especially given Robert Kennedy Jr.’s role leading the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has remained a staunch conspiracist and anti-vaccine advocate in his policy-making.
The funding cutback has already disrupted services in heavily impacted areas, including several African nations such as Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Many afflicted with the disease have already faced hurdles to get their medicine as funding continues to fluctuate.
The move also dismisses those within America who died and continue to live with the disease, with a wide majority being people of color. Black and Hispanic people are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDs, with systemic medical racism also playing a role in their diagnosis and subsequent treatment. KFF also reported that Black women have the highest rates of new diagnoses, accounting for 39% of cases, as well as HIV-related deaths.
“So what’s missing is political will, and that lack of political will was on devastating display when the White House announced that it would ban commemoration of this pandemic. It’s truly depraved and outrageous,” explained another protestor, Asia Russell, executive director of Health GAP, a global HIV advocacy organization.
Big Perm! A$AP Rocky Makes Hair Rollers A Fashion Statement With New $100 Beanie
The hair rollers beanie left fans divided on the vision of the fashion-forward hip-hop icon.
The newest look from A$AP Rocky is raising eyebrows.
The rapper, actor, and fashion trendsetter debuted a new beanie featuring foam hair rollers filled with fake hair. The father of three recently stepped out to promote the beanie and new merchandise from his AWGE line.
The Harlem native seemingly paid homage to Black women and old baller culture by including hair rollers atop the acrylic beanie.
The beanies are part of his “Album never Dropping” merch, an apparent joke at he and his partner Rihanna’s ongoing break from the music industry. The captivating beanies also come at a hefty price tag of $100, significantly higher than getting a pack of hair rollers and a beanie at a beauty supply store.
Some fans found the design unique as it makes traditional Black experiences a part of innovative fashion. However, not everyone on the internet was impressed by the unusual accessory.
“Why would I buy this when I can roll my own hair and put a black hair net on just like he did,” questioned one commenter.
Supporters felt like it was a tribute to the 1990s and his New York upbringing. They thought it championed the hairstyles found in Black beauty salons, but the price shocked many, given how cheap hair rollers are in real life.
While some considered the item too gimmicky, A$AP Rocky has decided to test his fashion influence with the new look. He has already established himself as a mainstay in streetwear. In fact, the 37-year-old became the latest ambassador for Chanel, furthering his standing in high fashion.
‘Seniors On The Runway’ Allows Elderly Folks In Atlanta To Hit The Catwalk As Models
The organization wants older people to get on the catwalk and regain confidence in their strut.
Older residents in Atlanta can finally strut their stuff with a new event focusing on seniors.
While many may assume older people want to take things easy, this new initiative allows them to show off their confidence no matter their age. Called “Seniors on the Runway,” the fashion show allows older participants to embrace their model behavior.
Put on by Carrie “Dr. Tut” Tut Hamilton, the event began in 2006. Hamilton wanted a way for seniors to feel empowered and beautiful as they aged gracefully. Instead of doing leisurely activities, these older models hit the catwalk to strut away any pre-conceived notions about what they can do as seniors.
“I want them to see that in their golden years, they don’t have to rock chairs—they can rock runways,” she said toCBS News Atlanta.
Since its inception, Dr. Tut has helped 400 seniors embrace their older beauty and learn new struts in life. She not only puts on the show but also helps them with modeling techniques to help them feel their most beautiful on the runway.
Many of its participants have even become veteran models. Returning every year to put on the show, they encourage all older people in Atlanta to reclaim their power and agency, one strut at a time.
“I want to show the confidence, the wisdom, the stature—everything that comes with my journey to where I am right now,” shared one model, Lisa Edwards. “Every step means something.”
Furthermore, Dr. Tut wants to instill in every older model that there is no age limit on pursuing their dreams and finding a new purpose. With every show, she inspires another senior citizen to remain confident in their skills and abilities, while reminding them not to count themselves out.
As “Seniors On the Runway” continues practice for its next debut, it remains an organization dedicated to uplifting older people as they hit their best era yet.
Black Women Impacted By Ongoing HIV Crisis In The South
Despite advances in HIV prevention, thousands of new cases occur annually, with Black communities in the South—especially women—often overlooked.
Despite advances in treatment and prevention since the 1980s, HIV still disproportionately affects Black communities in the South, with its impact on Black women often overlooked.
Recent research shows that thousands of new HIV cases are diagnosed each year. In 2023, over 39,000 of these cases were diagnosed in the U.S. and its territories among people aged 13 and older, USA Today reports.
Of these cases, 81% were men, 38% were Black, and 51% were in the South.
Black women represented half of all HIV diagnoses among women, despite comprising just 13% of the female population. The South accounted for more than half of these diagnoses and 56% of HIV-related deaths, though it makes up roughly one-third of the U.S. population.
“The burden of HIV in the South is overwhelming,” said Athena Cross, vice president and chief program officer at AIDS United. “Not only are there risks, there’s also not necessarily the education and awareness around HIV prevention. There is still a lot of stigma culturally across the South that prevents people from being willing to access care, or even be able to follow through on a diagnosis.”
Many underestimate the disease due to overall declines in cases. Since the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, men have been the primary face of HIV and the main users of PrEP and sexual health services.
While PrEP use has grown recently, Black people represent just 12% of users, the South accounts for 39%, and only 9% of users are women. Another barrier is the limited number of hospitals and healthcare providers in the rural South, compounded by widespread anti-LBGTQ+ stigma, which contributes to ongoing misinformation and ignorance about the disease.
Tori Cooper, a Black woman in the South and director of community engagement at the Human Rights Campaign, sayid she has seldom been offered an HIV test over the years.
“You have to find some people who have a judgment-free view of HIV,” she said. “You have to have people who simply love and support you, and for many people, that’s a challenge.”
Leading the charge on solutions is Masonia Traylor, a Decatur, Georgia, native and activist who was diagnosed with HIV at 23. Now 38, Traylor is the CEO and founder of Lady BurgAndy Inc., a nonprofit supporting women and youth affected by HIV/AIDS.
Other initiatives include AIDS United’s Melanated Movement, which empowers young women to run educational programs on HBCU campuses, and SisterLove, a southeastern U.S.-based organization advocating for women’s AIDS, sexual, and reproductive justice for over 35 years.
“HIV is not an evenly distributed virus. It really does impact some of the most vulnerable communities. And that was true four decades ago, and it’s still true today,” said Rashad Burgess, vice president of corporate responsibility at Gilead Sciences.
Struggling Housing Market Creates Win For Buyers As Sellers Are Forced To Lower Prices
Rates on the higher side of 6% result in sizable monthly mortgage payments in comparison to 2020.
As America’s housing market continues to struggle, potential homebuyers are lucking out as homeowners are being forced to lower their asking price to stay competitive, The Independent reports.
The decrease in prices shows the market is cooling off from the skyrocketing COVID-19 housing prices, but it’s still not fully out yet—rates on the higher side of 6% result in sizable monthly mortgage payments compared to 2020. As inflation continues to be a factor in Americans’ willingness to open their wallets, data from The Wall Street Journal show that about 20% of active home listings in October had a price cut.
Home prices on the high end can result in a longer wait time for the seller. Data from the National Association of Realtors supported that narrative, highlighting that listings sold after a price cut spend, on average, five times as many days on the market as those priced correctly from the beginning.
Housing experts find the narrative is a plus for both homeowners and buyers, as homebuyers are receiving record-setting discounts as sellers wrestle with their expectations. “Most homeowners have seen their home values soar over the past several years, which gives them the flexibility for a price cut or two while still walking away with a profit,” Zillow Senior Economist Kara Ng said, according to Fox Business.
“These discounts are bringing more listings in line with buyers’ budgets, and helping fuel the most active housing market in three years. Patient buyers are reaping the rewards as the market continues to rebalance.”
Homes priced correctly from day one reportedly sell faster and fetch an estimated 100% of the asking price. Once a house has been on the market for three months, the process of lowering the asking price typically begins.
Despite home prices nationwide still rising despite buyers’ pushback on spending, data from real estate company Redfin shows 2025 as the strongest buyer’s market tracked, highlighting 36.8% more sellers than buyers across state lines. The math adds up to over 528,000 homeowners struggling to find a buyer.
The increase of housing inventory is shown heavily in East Coast states like Maryland, at 34%, Virginia, at 27% and North Carolina, coming in at third place, at 34%. Arizona, Nevada, and South Dakota came in at 27% and 23%, while Washington settled in the middle at 25%. Some of the country’s largest metro areas also saw a spike in inventory thanks to the discount presented to buyers.
Cities in California, like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, saw sizable reductions. In LA, some homes were cut by $61,000, while in San Fran, the average was $59,001. Sellers in San Jose saw an average discount of $70,900. In New York City, the median cumulative price cut was $50,000.
