by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton
September 13, 2024
Kevin Hart Shuts Down Plant-Based Hart House Eateries
On Aug. 25, 2022, comedian and entrepreneur Kevin Hart opened Hart House, a 100% plant-based fast-food restaurant in Westchester, California. Now, a little more than two years later, the restaurant and three other locations have closed for good.
A social media post from the restaurant chain’s Instagram account, myharthouse, announced the sad, unexpected news on Sept. 11.
“Thank you. 💚
To our team, guests, and community, who helped make the change we all craved.
A Hartfelt goodbye for now as we start a new chapter.”
View this post on Instagram
When the eatery first opened two years ago, it was touted as a place to get hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, salads, and sides, including french fries and tater tots, but as an alternative vegan meal as all food that was served was 100% plant-based. It also offered drinks and milkshakes. All Hart House food was free of preservatives, corn syrup, hormones, antibiotics, and artificial flavors and colors.
According to Eater Los Angeles, Hart House CEO Andy Hooper confirmed the closing in a written statement: “The response to the product has been incredible, and we thank our committed team, our customers, and our community partners for helping make the change we all craved, and for their unwavering support of Hart House.” No reason was given for closing the restaurant.
The other Hart House restaurants opened over the next year. After opening the Westchester location in August 2022, the second location opened in November in Monrovia. In May 2023, the Hollywood location debuted, and then, in June, the University Park location opened.
Hart acknowledged to the world in 2020 that he had adopted a mostly plant-based diet as part of his health and wellness journey. He then began working with Hooper to develop the concept and menu for what became the now-shuttered Hart House.
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by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton
September 13, 2024
Mary’s Pizza Shack In California Files For Bankruptcy Protection
While the company restructures it will stay open and no restaurants will close
A California pizza chain has filed for bankruptcy protection but is not closing its doors. Mary’s Pizza Shack has been operating for 65 years but has alerted its customers that the company has filed for bankruptcy.
The company assures customers that all of the restaurants will remain open and will not close in the near future.
Mary’s Pizza Shack has mentioned that the filing is “the final step of a larger process” that was started years ago to “preserve the Mary’s Pizza Shack brand.” It announced in 2022 that it was changing its business model from a single corporation to smaller family-owned units. This was being done to improve guest experience by having third- and fourth-generation owners work with the next generation of crew members from Mary’s Pizza Shack.
After a restructuring plan in February 2023, Mary Fazio’s descendants (her granddaughters), the Mary of Mary’s Pizza Shack, will take over the brand.
“This year, we celebrated 65 years of being in business, and we’re not going anywhere! The legendary recipes you grew up on are staying the same, and gift cards will continue to be honored and sold at all locations.”
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Fazio opened the original Mary’s Pizza Shack in 1959. It was stationed in a small pink building in the Sonoma County community of Boyes Hot Springs. The restaurants, best known for its pizza, now offer meatballs, sandwiches, and salads.
Last year, the chain closed three restaurants in Dixon, Napa, and Novato, and the previous year, it closed two restaurants in Santa Rosa Sebastopol and two in Shasta County.
If customers have questions or want further information regarding the bankruptcy filing, an email can be sent to info@maryspizzashack.com, or the company can be reached via telephone at (415) 408-7533.
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by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton
September 13, 2024
Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts Proposes To Girlfriend Bryonna Burrows, She Accepts
After Burrows was spotted with the engagement ring last week, the pair confirmed the news.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is one step closer to marriage. It was recently announced that he is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Bryonna “Bry” Burrows.
According to Essence, the pair confirmed the news on Sept. 13 after Burrows was spotted with a ring at the last Eagles game in a social media post.
Our good sis Bry Burrows got her ring! Congrats to her and Jalen Hurts! pic.twitter.com/JSuh6nWR03
— Queer Latifah 🥂 (@TheAfrocentricI) September 7, 2024
The media outlet was given exclusive photos of the occasion after the NFL player recently asked for her hand in marriage. The couple officially went public when they were seen together on the football field after the Eagles took the NFC Championship in January 2023.
In an interview with Essence last year, Hurts publicly ‘claimed‘ Burrows, and although they weren’t engaged, he stated that he was “spoken for.”
“I’m not married or anything like that. But I am spoken for.”
“I knew a long time ago. I mean, to this point in my life, that’s an irreplaceable feeling. I think that’s what allowed us to get to where we are now.”
It was big news among the media when Hurts brought Burrows as his date when he was honored at the Time100 Next Gala in New York City on Oct. 24. Hurts was listed as a rising leader in 2023 as part of the Time100 Next’s Phenoms list.
Burrows, who obtained an M.B.A. at her alma mater, the University of Alabama, works as an artificial intelligence partner for IBM.
After Hurts led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2023 (although the team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs), he signed a contract that, at the time, made him the NFL’s highest-paid player. He inked a $255M five-year contract extension, of which $179.3 million is guaranteed, which averages out to $51 million annually.
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by Mary Spiller
September 13, 2024
Consumer Reports Finds Dangerous Levels Of Lead In Some Brand’s Cinnamon Products
Consumer Reports listed 12 brands in their concerning review.
According to the nonprofit Consumer Reports, several cinnamon brands were found to have high traces of lead in some companies’ spice products.
As USA Today reports, Consumer Reports focuses on assessing the safety of goods through performance reports. A recent wave of testing results found that there are abnormally high levels of lead in cinnamon powder and multispice powders from 12 examined brands, including “Paras, EGN, Mimi’s Products, Bowl & Basket, Rani Brand, Zara Foods, Three Rivers, Yu Yee Brand, BaiLiFeng, Spicy King, Badia, and Deep.”
Consumer Reports stated that this list of brands had lead levels in their cinnamon products greater than 1 part per million ppm. According to the nonprofit, any higher than this cutoff indicates that the products should be recalled. Consumer Reports food safety experts advised people to “avoid those products” due to their study’s findings.
The director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, James Rogers, explained that eating a quarter teaspoon of any of the mentioned brand’s cinnamon products would expose the consumer to more lead than an individual should be exposed to in an entire day.
Rogers continued, “If you have one of those products, we think you should throw it away. “Even small amounts of lead pose a risk because, over time, it can accumulate in the body and remain there for years, seriously harming health.”
As reported by the Mayo Clinic, frequently repeated lead exposure can cause “immune system suppression, reproductive issues, kidney damage, mood disorders, cognitive issues and hypertension in adults [and] in children, lead exposure can contribute to slower growth and development, behavioral issues, seizures, and other physical symptoms.”
Following the release of the Consumer Reports findings, Paras and EGN affirmed the nonprofit that they would be moving forward with removing their cinnamon powder products from stores and discontinuing their sale.
Deep, Yu Yee Brand, and Mimis rebutted by telling Consumer Reports that they “tested their product or relied on tests from their suppliers.”
They claimed, “No lead levels exceeding 1 part per million were found in our ground cinnamon.”
RELATED CONTENT: Perdue Foods Recalls Over 167,000 Pounds Of Chicken Over Potential Metal Contamination
by Mary Spiller
September 13, 2024
New Studies Show That Indigenous Gullah Geechee People’s Homeland Are At Risk Due To Climate Crisis
The Gullah Geechee community is made up of over 1 million people along the coast.
The Gullah Geechee community, which is spread between Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida, is at risk of losing its ancestral homeland due to water pollution, increased storm surge, and disruptive climate impacts.
The community, one of the oldest Black-indigenous groups in the United States, has over one million people along the 400-mile stretch of coast. The group has occupied the Gullah Geechee corridor since its enslaved West African ancestors arrived there nearly 400 years ago. The Gullah Geechee people have since preserved their unique African traditions, but they are now under threat due to the climate crisis.
In 2019, the elected Chieftess of the Gullah Geechee Nation, Queen Quet, told Congress, “We knew Gullah Geechee culture would not continue to thrive or survive if we get displaced from the Sea Islands.”
“It’s a very unique community that has its dialect and maintained a certain type of connection to nature, the land, and the water.” The resiliency manager at the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and descendent of the ancestral Gullah Geechee lineage, Erica Xavier-Beauvior, added, “There is a lot of spirituality that is embedded into this community that isn’t found in mainstream ways of society.”
Those living along the Gullah Geechee corridor have faced increasingly dangerous damage from hurricanes and tropical storms. Some have already been displaced due to irreplaceable infrastructure damage following Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, North Carolina. Upwards of 2,000 residents have been forced to relocate.
According to NASA, it will only get worse. As the climate crisis progresses, sea levels are rising much faster in the Southeast part of the United States. The Gullah Geechee people living along the corridor of their ancestral homeland are faced with rallying for help with restoration or committing to relocating from their sacred homeland.
“Our stance is, you are a sovereign being that knows you belong to the coastline and have the option to leave if you wish,” Xavier-Beauvior said.
“I have seen buyouts and collaborations with counties, but when it comes to accepting these offers, we also need to think about what information is provided so that people know what they are giving up.”
So far, aid has begun to come from both public and governmental support through funding and policy changes. Most recently, the Biden administration has gathered up to $295 million to be available for eligible states to help the communities within them withstand the “damages of climate change.” The Georgia and Florida areas of the Gullah Geechee corridor were both eligible for $40 million and $20 million from the funding pool, respectively.
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by Jeroslyn JoVonn
September 13, 2024
Nick Cannon To Host Honda Battle Of The Bands In Los Angeles At SoFi Stadium
Honda Battle of the Bands is coming to Los Angeles and Nick Cannon will serve as the celebrity host.
Nick Cannon will be tapping back into his Drumline role as he gears up to host Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) in February 2025.
On Thursday, the America’s Got Talent host was announced as the master of ceremonies for next year’s premier showcase for historically Black college and university (HBCU) marching bands. The popular event will make history with its first-ever HBOB held on the West Coast on Feb. 1, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
“Get ready, LA, the bands are coming,” Cannon says in a 90-second commercial that teased his role as the celebrity host and the full lineup of schools participating in the HBCU competition.
The full lineup of HBCU bands set to perform includes:
- Alabama A&M University – Marching Maroon and White Band
- Alabama State University – Mighty Marching Hornets
- Hampton University – The Marching Force
- North Carolina A&T University – Blue and Gold Marching Machine
- Southern University – Human Jukebox Marching Band
- University of Arkansas Pine Bluff – Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South
Along with hosting its first-ever West Coast showcase, HBOB revamped its approach to the band selection process. In July, the Honda Legacy Council selected North Carolina A&T University and Southern University to perform at HBOB 2025.
Each university then challenged another eligible HBCU marching band to perform at the upcoming live event. North Carolina A&T University challenged Alabama A&M University, while Southern University challenged Alabama State University.
On July 16, Honda launched a public voting phase, inviting fans from 52 schools to help select the final two bands for the lineup. Hampton University and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff were chosen to battle it out as the community selected the live show.
“Oh, and you know I’m getting in on the action,” Cannon says in the ad.
The actor and entrepreneur has appeared in many films and television shows throughout his career, but among his most notable roles is that of Drumline lead Devon Miles, the talented street drummer from Harlem who enrolls in a Southern university, expecting to lead its marching band’s drumline to victory. The classic 2002 film heightened public awareness and excitement about the innovation and creativity that define HBCU marching band and dance troupe culture.
Cannon expressed his excitement about hosting the first-ever HBOB on the West Coast.
“Honda Battle of the Bands has been a cherished celebration for fans of HBCU marching bands, resonating deeply with generations who hold Black culture close to their hearts,” the Wild ‘n Out star said.
“Hosting HBOB’s first-ever West Coast show is an honor. We’re going to create unforgettable moments together.”
As part of HBOB, Honda will provide an institutional grant to each of the six schools participating to support their music education programs and cover the bands’ travel expenses for the Invitational Showcase in Los Angeles. Aiming to support bands for HBOB, Honda is paying it forward by issuing an HBOB Legacy Grant to the 52 bands that participated in the voting process.
“Honda is thrilled to continue our longstanding support of the HBCU community through HBOB, which is a core part of our Drive the Legacy initiative,” said Jasmine Cockfield, the project leader for Honda Battle of the Bands at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “We congratulate each of this year’s participating HBCU bands and are confident that they will put on a memorable show for HBOB fans that promises to be a showcase for the ages.”
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton
September 13, 2024
Former University Of South Carolina Employee Accused Of Committing ‘Serious’ Financial Violations
South Carolina informed Taylor Edwards, the former director of football player personnel of 'serious violations of NCAA legislation.'
A former University of South Carolina employee is accused of committing “serious violations” of NCAA legislation before leaving the institution in July. According to The State, Taylor Edwards, the former Director of Football Player Personnel for the South Carolina Gamecocks, left the school barely six months after signing an extension and receiving a raise.
He signed the contract in January and his annual pay was raised to $300,000.
According to emails obtained by The State, former South Carolina Football Director of Player Personnel Taylor Edwards committed “serious” NCAA violations. https://t.co/UaTzrU3bLP
— Jordan Kaye (@jordankaye_23) September 12, 2024
Based on a letter obtained by the media outlet, South Carolina Athletics Human Resources Manager Christina Sergi allegedly sent the former director an email with the subject line stating: “Meeting with the Athletics Director.”
The email said, “As previously discussed, the athletics department has determined that you have committed serious violations of NCAA legislation and your contractual obligations to the University sufficient to justify the termination.”
Publicly, the school did not release any details about Edwards’ exit.
Edwards was employed by the university from Jan. 25, 2021, to July 3, 2024, overseeing the Gamecocks’ recruiting operation. He also served as a liaison between the school’s football program and South Carolina’s NIL collective, The Garnet Trust. Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer brought Edwards on when he was hired by the school in 2021.
On July 3, Edwards responded to Sergi’s email and included Andy Humes, USC’s senior associate athletics director for compliance services, stating, “As per your conversation with Gregg Clifton (Edwards’ attorney) earlier this morning, please be advised that I will be resigning my position with the University of South Carolina, effective August 1, 2024.”
“If you have any questions,” he added, “please don’t hesitate to contact Gregg or me at your convenience.”
Although no violations were stated in the email, USC spokesman Charles Bloom told The State that the University of South Carolina has not been served with a notice of allegations from the NCAA.
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by Mary Spiller
September 13, 2024
VP Kamala Harris Takes 5-Point Lead Over Trump Following Tuesday Debate
The Morning Consult Survey indicated that 50% of participants claimed they would vote for Harris if the election were to happen today.
According to a survey conducted by the Morning Consult following the highly publicized debate on Sept. 10, Vice President Harris has begun to widen her lead over former President Trump in the public eye.
The Morning Consult poll found that Harris is leading by five points over Trump, rising from the only three and four points lead she held in the same survey before the Philadelphia debate hosted by ABC. In the following days, Harris has been regarded as largely successful during the debate. The rising support for her is reflective of the public opinion of her. Over 50% of poll respondents indicated that they would vote for Kamala Harris if the election were to be held today. In contrast, only 45% of respondents said they would vote for the former president following Tuesday’s debate.
More surprisingly, she also leads Trump among independent voters, comparing her 46% support to his 40%.
The Morning Consult analysts wrote, “It’s too early to say whether Harris’ debate performance is the key driver of our latest head-to-head numbers, as our short-term trends suggest she was already building momentum ahead of Tuesday’s televised match-up.”
The analysis posited that Harris’ moving debate performance will continue to offer her momentum among voters.
In addition to the larger polling, more immediate data suggested that Harris is favored as the winner of the debate after she managed to draw Trump into spreading “conspiracy theories,” shouting, and avoiding eye contact with her. Poll respondents claimed that she outperformed him while discussing issues of immigration and abortion and overall seemed to dominate the stage over him.
The Morning Consult survey was conducted just one day after the debate and prefaced that it took data “among at least 3,317 likely voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.”
Harris and Trump met for the first time on the Philadelphia debate stage in a pivotal moment for the vice president.
Harris introduced her different policy ideas to Trump and stood on her own without President Biden.
Trump has since said that he will not enter into another debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump told media outlets, “We’ve done two debates, and because they were successful, there will be no third debate.”
RELATED CONTENT: Donald Trump Rejects Second Presidential Debate with VP Kamala Harris, Says First Win Was Enough
by Roz A. Gee
September 13, 2024
Former NFL Star Turned Entrepreneur Is On A Mission To Teach Everyone How To Win The Money Game
Former NFL linebacker Brandon Copeland has spent his life chasing down opportunities—both on and off the field. But since hanging up his cleats, Copeland’s mission has shifted to a different kind of pursuit: financial empowerment. A man of many titles—retired pro athlete, Ivy League professor, entrepreneur, and now author—Copeland is now leading the charge to teach everyday people how to take control of their finances, one play at a time.
During his decade-long NFL career, Copeland was known for his athletic prowess, but what many didn’t see was the work he was putting in off the field. While his young teammates focused on game strategy, Copeland saved and invested most of his earnings and planned for his financial future.
“I saw too many guys who were making life-changing money but didn’t know how to make it last,” says Copeland. “I didn’t want to be one of them, and I didn’t want my teammates to fall into that trap either.”
Over time, he became known as the “Money Professor” in the locker room, sharing his knowledge with teammates who wanted to make their money last long after their playing days ended.
That same drive and passion for financial education are now at the core of his entrepreneurial journey. A graduate of the Wharton Business School, Brandon now teaches “Life 101” at the University of Pennsylvania, a financial literacy course he created that covers essential topics like budgeting, investing, credit management, and retirement planning.
But his latest project might be his most ambitious yet. He is taking his financial expertise to the masses with his newly released debut book, Your Money Playbook: How to Earn More, Build Wealth, and Win at Life.
A Financial Game Plan for Everyone
With rising inflation, growing economic uncertainty, and the increasing impact of AI on the job market, managing money has become a critical skill for all ages.
“Financial literacy should not be reserved for the wealthy or for those who can afford high-priced consultants,” says Copeland. “Everyone deserves to know how to manage their money, how to invest, and how to build a legacy.”
In Your Money Playbook, Copeland offers actionable advice that doesn’t just tell people what they should do but shows them how to do it. The book’s structure also mirrors the game Copeland knows oh so well—football—breaking down complex financial concepts into four digestible “quarters.”
According to Brandon, these are the four fundamental principles to follow when tackling your financial fears and creating a winning game plan:
Diversify Your Income – Don’t rely on just one source of income. Find ways to create multiple streams, whether through side hustles, investments, or other passive income opportunities.
Invest Early and Often – The sooner you start investing, the more time your money has to grow. Copeland stresses the importance of starting small if necessary, but starting now.
Cut Costs Wisely – Smart spending doesn’t mean cutting out all the things you love. It’s about finding creative ways to save on everyday expenses and making sure your spending aligns with your long-term goals.
Plan for the Future – Building wealth isn’t just about today; it’s about creating a legacy for tomorrow. Copeland encourages readers to think beyond themselves and consider the financial future of their families and communities.
A New Chapter for Copeland—and for Financial Literacy
Copeland admits that his early NFL years came with a steep learning curve, but he’s determined to help others avoid the same pitfalls he saw his peers face with the release of his debut book.
“Your Money Playbook is about more than just making money—it’s about creating peace of mind and giving people the tools to face whatever challenges come their way,” says Copeland.
Brandon Copeland is now on a mission to level the financial playing field by democratizing access to financial education and giving people the tools they need to win—not just in their financial lives but in life overall. And with the same drive that made him a standout on the field, he’s proving that true success isn’t just about what you earn but what you learn.
Your Money Playbook is now available to readers and promises to be a game-changer for anyone looking to level up their financial game.
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