by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 23, 2024

Tamera Mowry-Housley ‘Incredibly Blessed’ To Receive Trailblazer Award At 16th Annual Pink Pump Affair

Tamera Mowry-Housley feels "incredibly blessed" to be honored as a Trailblazer.

Tamera Mowry-Housley’s 30 years of innovation on and off the screen is being celebrated as she gears up to receive the Trailblazer Award at the 16th annual Pink Pump Affair.

Taking place on Sunday, May 19, 2024, Mowry-Housley is among the distinguished honorees set to be recognized by the Special Needs Network (SNN) for their contributions within their respective fields. The Emmy-winning host, author, actress, producer, and entrepreneur is being honored as a Trailblazer for her dedication to advancing women’s health, wellness, and inclusivity and for her commitment to empowering others through her platform.

From her start as a child star alongside her twin sister Tia Mowry to transparently tackling real-life issues and conversations as a co-host on The Real,” Mowry has continued to serve as a voice for underrepresented groups.

“I feel incredibly blessed and honored to have been considered for the ‘Trailblazer Award.’ It’s hard for me to believe I’ve been pursuing my passion for more than 30 years now!” she shared in a press release.

“While there have been some challenging times throughout my career, I’m grateful that most of my experiences have been positive. All these experiences have helped shape who I am today, and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support and love I’ve received. I’m forever grateful for this journey.”

One look at her social media shows how committed Mowry-Housley is to promoting self-love, family, and motivation to her 11.7 million followers. From her motherhood testimonials to the positive affirmations she shares just because the Sister, Sister star is leading by example and taking action toward motivating transformative change.

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The Pink Pump Affair’s Trailblazer Award honors individuals who have forged paths for others through groundbreaking work in their field or through community activism. Past honorees include Angela Bassett, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Alfre Woodard, Holly Robinson Peete, and Tisha Campbell.

Held during Autism Awareness Month, the annual charity event is hosted by Special Needs Network (SNN), a leading non-profit organization that advocates for individuals with disabilities and their families. In addition to Mowry-Housley, this year’s honorees include Alva Adams-Mason, Director of Multicultural Business Alliances at Toyota, who will receive the Game Change Award for her work promoting diversity in the automotive industry; Cristy Romero will receive the Self-Advocate Award for advocacy work in disability rights; and Entrepreneur and Autism-Self Advocate Michael Jett will receive The Areva Martin Everyday Advocate Award for his retail innovation and commitment to DEI initiatives.

This year’s ceremony will be hosted by comedian Kym Whitley, with famed Los Angeles news anchor Pat Harvey serving as mistress of ceremonies.

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 23, 2024

More Walmart Locations Say Goodbye To Self-Checkout Lanes Replaced With Staffed Checkout Lanes

This is good news-- More jobs and personal experiences.

Customers at certain Walmart locations will have to get used to staffed checkout lanes, as more stores are eliminating self-checkout options.

Two stores — one in Missouri and one in Ohio — are hoping to improve customers’ in-store experience by eliminating self-checkout lanes. The grocery giant confirmed that construction in the Cleveland Steelyard location and a St. Louis-area Supercenter will take place after hours and will be finalized in close to two weeks.

Based on feedback from customers, employees and the trend of local shopping patterns, spokesperson Brian Little says the move helps the service provided to shoppers.

“We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service,” he said.

Several of the country’s largest retailers have been reevaluating their self-checkout lanes. According to Fast Company, in February 2024, Target cut back on self-checkout lanes in select stores by reducing the hours of customer usage. Their decision helped combat the “shrink” in the retail industry — the loss of products due to theft.

Dollar General also reversed the trend, removing self-checkout stands in 300 stores with the highest level of shoplifting and merchandise losses. In other stores — 9,000 total — the discount retailer giant converted most or all of its self-checkout registers to regular checkout with cashiers. “We believe these actions have the potential to have a material and positive impact on shrink,” CEO Todd Vasos said.

Three Walmart locations in New Mexico followed the same procedure in 2023.

Researchers also found that self-checkout aisles produce a concept known as “partial shrink,” where inventory is lost because customers do not know how to properly scan and pay for all of the items in their transactions.

Before deciding to remove self-checkout aisles, a number of Walmart stores limited access to self-checkout lanes to users of the company’s Walmart+ or Spark delivery apps. Target changed their policy to a limit of ten or fewer in the self-service lanes, which assisted with making the checkout process twice as fast as when there were no limits.

American-based retailers aren’t the only ones adopting these changes. After a study found retailers in the United States, Britain, and other European countries with self-checkout lanes and apps sustained a loss rate of approximately 4% — more than double the industry average — Booths, a British supermarket chain, removed self-checkout stations in all but two of its 28 locations.

Damon Dash, Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G., P Diddy

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 23, 2024

Damon Dash And Jay-Z Thought Diddy And The Notorious B.I.G. ‘Were Copying Us’

Damon Dash and Jay-Z were convinced that Diddy and The Notorious B.I.G were "copying" their real lives.

Damon Dash recalls the early Roc-A-Fella days when he and Jay-Z allegedly accused Diddy and The Notorious B.I.G of “copying” their style.

The Roc-A-Fella co-founder appeared on Patrick Bet-David’s PBD Podcast where he shared tales from the ’90s when he and Jay-Z were on the come-up in hip-hop while Diddy and The Notorious B.I.G. had Bad Boy Records dominating the scene. Jay and B.I.G. knew each other from their time attending Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, New York, and it made Dash feel comfortable enough to smoke marijuana with the “Juicy” rapper.

From hanging out and spending so much time together, Dash says he and Jay became convinced that they were influencing Diddy and B.I.G. to imitate their real lives.

“Because we were getting the money and popping the bottles and all that, in that moment, we had always felt that Biggie and Puffy were copying us. They’d see us in the club and it seemed like the next day, a record would be made,” Dash asserted.

According to Dash, Jay and B.I.G.’s forms of hustling were on two different levels. According to Dash, the “Hard Knock Life” rapper was pushing narcotics from state to state with help from high-level contacts, while B.I.G. was limited to holding down the streets of Brooklyn.

“We was really getting money. No disrespect to Biggie but it was a different hustle. We weren’t on the streets pitching work. We were [about] connects, connects, connects,” Dash explained.

The belief that Diddy, then known as Puff Daddy, and B.I.G. were possibly biting their style led to tension between the crews that took time to move past.

“But that lifestyle of [a] hustler, that was us. That was them copying us, for sure. So we kinda had problems,” Dash admitted. “I was run up [on] sometimes. I was confrontational with Biggie and them at first, but we finally got cool.”

RELATED CONTENT: Damon Dash Ordered to Sell Roc-A-Fella Shares

Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & the Gang, Roll Hall of Fame

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 23, 2024

Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & the Gang To Be Inducted Into 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Others who will be honored include Dionne Warwick.

Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, and Kool & the Gang are among the distinguished list of inductees into the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The legendary musicians will be present at the 39th annual induction ceremony taking place at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Oct. 19 and streamed live on Disney+, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Joining the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, and iconic rap and funk groups are Cher, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, and Peter Frampton.

Others will be honored and celebrated including Dionne Warwick, who, along with Jimmy Buffet, Norman Whitfield, and MC5, will receive the Musical Excellence Award. Blues and R&B legend Big Mama Thornton will be awarded posthumously with Alexis Korner and John Mayall with the Musical Influence Award, and renowned businesswoman, music and film producer Suzanne de Passe will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

It was Kool & The Gang’s first time being placed on the nomination ballot and enough votes garnered them a coveted spot on the induction list. While Mary J. Blige has been nominated before, she finally reached the induction level.

“Beyond Grateful!!!!!! This is incredible!!! God always has the final say!!!! Thank you to my fans all over the world!!!! Tears of Joy!!!! @rockhall #rockhall2024,” she captioned a celebratory Instagram post.

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It’s big news for Blige, who is toying with the idea of retirement ahead of new music. She told People last week that her upcoming release could be her last.

“This is another album, and it’s probably my last studio album.

She quickly took it back, noting how “Everybody says that. I mean, OK. I guess it’s not then.” But Blige reiterated the possibility of her next album being her last.

“Nah, I’ve been doing it for a while. I love it, I enjoy it, and it might be the last studio album. It might be,” she said.

As for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it will be Osbourne’s first time inducted as a solo artist but second induction after his group Black Sabbath was inducted in 2006. Mariah Carey, Eric B. & Rakim, Lenny Kravitz, Sade, Jane’s Addiction, Oasis, and the late Sinéad O’Connor were also up for nomination but didn’t receive enough votes to make this year’s list of inductees.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 23, 2024

Slutty Vegan Founder Blessing Atlanta High School With Sponsored Prom

Pinky Cole Hayes is covering prom for Atlanta's Benjamin E. Mays High School.

Slutty vegan founder Pinky Cole Hayes is giving the gift of prom to one lucky high school in Atlanta.

The Pinky Cole Foundation is blessing students at Atlanta’s Benjamin E. Mays High School with a fully covered prom that includes prom attire, catering, decorations, a DJ, and souvenirs, WSB-TV reported. Cole Hayes was present at the school on April 22 to announce the donation just ahead of the prom on April 27.

“I was the prom queen at my high school, and I cherish the memories I created at my prom,” she said. “It is important for me to support my community by helping people have experiences that will impact them for the rest of their lives, and I hope that my contribution does just that.”

A staff member from the public school, named after the renowned educator, author, and civil rights activist, Benjamin Mays, expressed their appreciation for Cole Hayes’ act of kindness.

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom that springs from the soul. We extend our deepest appreciation to The Pinky Cole Foundation and Slutty Vegan for their generous sponsorship of the Benjamin Elijah Mays 2024 prom,” Dr. Lizzette Kenly, ELA Department chairperson and Prom Coordinator at Mays High School said.

Based in Atlanta, The Pinky Cole Foundation frequently gives back to the Black community through financial support to help amplify entrepreneurial pursuits and fight poverty. Cole Hayes launched the foundation in 2019 to empower young people of color through grassroots and local initiatives that equip them with the skills needed for successful risk-taking, innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

Her philanthropy efforts and activism include launching PETA’s Push for Food Justice, providing life insurance policies to 25,000 Black men, paying rent for local businesses in need, and covering the full tuition of 30 Clark Atlanta students.

charity, tattoo shop, Axe of Kindness, Rochester

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 23, 2024

Black-Owned Tattoo Shop Makes Giving Back Part Of Its Business Practices

Since its establishment, Axe of Kindness has been dedicating a portion of its profits to charity organizations in Rochester, NY.

A tattoo shop in Rochester, New York, is doing more than design work. Axe Of Kindness donates at least 10% of its gross income to nonprofits dedicated to uplifting the community.

The shop’s owner, Adrien Moses Clark, started the business for his skillset and desire to help. Now, he is helping support over eight of Rochester’s charitable organizations. On Axe of Kindness’ website, he further explains this purpose combined with passion.

“AOK was born of a love of tattooing and the immense desire to answer a call from within to do more for the underprivileged, underserved, and all of those in need of help in our community,” the website details. We welcome tolerant, accepting, and reasonable humans from all walks of life to be a part of this journey with us, and we wish you well along the path.”

The space is meant for those who love tattoo designs and support good causes. Officially over a year in business, Clark continues to build up his clientele that share his values. Fostering that community through social media and word-of-mouth was critical to his expansion. He has since added two other tattoo artists to his roster, renovating the shop as it grows.

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The organizations who have benefited from his mission, including the Bivona Child Advocacy Center, said the community is “lucky” to have someone like Clark with this giving mindset.

“He is amazing,” said Bridget Martin, the center’s director of development. “Adrien is an incredible supporter because he truly understands our mission. Not only does he provide financial support, he uses his voice to inform others of the work we do…This community is lucky to have him in it.”

Some might doubt a business’s longevity with an ingrained practice of giving to charity. However, Clark is living proof that charity as the focus of one’s business can still lead to success.

Montana Fishburne, Laurence Fishburne, Probation, Arrest

by Stacy Jackson

April 22, 2024

Laurence Fishburne’s Daughter Montana Fishburne Issued 24-Month Probation Amid 2022 Arrest

Montana Fishburne, the daughter of "The Matrix" actor Laurence Fishburne, allegedly assaulted an officer in 2022 after calling 911 on her ex.

Actor Laurence Fishburne’s daughter, Montana Fishburne, has been handed a 24-month probationary sentence following her arrest in 2022.

The 32-year-old found herself in legal turmoil after a January 2022 incident with Broward County law enforcement, in which she was charged with battery against a police officer. US Weekly reported that court documents reveal that Montana had dialed 911, alleging harassment and threats from a former boyfriend. However, cops arrived, and no one was home.

Accounts state that Montana allegedly unleashed a torrent of verbal outbursts at the officers despite being instructed “multiple times to back up.” The escalating situation culminated in Montana striking one of the deputies, leaving swelling and redness on the officer’s ear.

Initially pleading not guilty to the felony charge, she ultimately entered a no-contest plea on April 10. According to Montana’s attorney, Michael Grieco, “There is no admission of guilt and no conviction. The case will be sealed and put in the rearview,” and Montana can “move on with her life.” The attorney revealed Montana’s probation term would conclude upon successful completion of a 13-week anger management program.

The 32-year-old is the product of Laurence’s union with his ex-wife, Hajna O. Moss.

Lately, Montana has been active on social media, documenting her journey toward becoming a certified yoga instructor, a path she attributes to her mother, whom she called her “very first teacher & lifelong Guru” in a Feb. 5 Instagram post.

People mentioned that at age 18, Montana ventured into the adult film industry, asserting at the time, “Being in an adult film is not a big deal…It’s something I always wanted to do. I have always been comfortable with my body and sexuality.” She acknowledged not seeking parental approval but emphasized, “I never did it to hurt them.” In 2010, she told TMZ that Laurence was not happy about her career with Vivid Entertainment as a porn star. “I’m not going to speak with you ’till you turn your life around,” “The Matrix” actor allegedly told his daughter during that time.

Since revealing that Montana “embarrassed” him, the actor has been seen on Instagram in more recent years, embracing his daughter.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 22, 2024

A Black Photographer Captures The Tradition Of ‘Wash Day’ In New Photobook

Photographer Tomesha Faxio showcases the beauty of wash day, a routine of haircare for Black people, in her new photobook.

Wash day is not the same for every Black person, but self-care is present in each ritual. Photographer Tomesha Faxio displays the tradition of Black haircare, whether it’s curls, coils, or locs, in her new photobook.

Despite varying salon waits, or straining one’s neck to reach the kitchen sink, wash day is essential to Black people. The maintenance can involve many steps, like steam treatments and hair masks, but cleansing and conditioning are at the core.

The timeframe can also range as well, with many textures requiring more time to detangle or lock in moisture. However one configures their method, the act is one of renewal to ensure its health. To celebrate this cultural act, Faxio captured the routine and stories of 26 Black families for “Wash Day.” The photographer explained to CNN her unique intentions with showing Black people in everyday hairstyles.

“I think that there’s been beautiful work done on our hair portraiture and work that’s been done with the hair styled in all these beautiful, intricate ways,” she detailed. “But I hadn’t, at that time, seen a ton of work where the hair was just as is, and that’s what I wanted to capture.”

As a movement toward natural hair became popular in recent years, so has the criminalization of it. Hair discrimination emerged as a legal debate, despite the Crown Act passed in many states. However, “Wash Day” is a celebration and call to action for Black people to be proud and protective of their natural tresses.

“So many of us have learned to accept ourselves more fully, and, in turn, are able to teach our children to do the same. We are now more informed about why we grew up thinking our hair was ugly… we can see that these views are steeped in racism,” wrote Faxio in the introduction of her photobook. “While our children will likely continue to contend with non-inclusive beauty standards, we are putting them in a better position to understand and eradicate them.”

Wash Day is still a plight beyond these worldly implications. Parents labor to ensure their children’s hair is healthy. The youth take in the experience for their own adulthood. For Faxio, the preparation for “Wash Day” only deepened her love for it, and hopes this feeling resonates with readers.

“It’s work. But spending time with these moms and thinking about how we are able to pass on love of our hair — an inheritance of pride and joy in our hair, to our kids,” shared Faxio. “It just renewed my love for the process.”

Released on April 2, “Wash Day: Passing on the Legacy, Rituals, and Love of Natural Hair” is available now.

by Stacy Jackson

April 22, 2024

12-Year-Old Jaylen Griffin’s Body Found In Attic Near His Family’s Home

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia confirmed that the boy's body had been left in the attic for a "significant amount" of time.

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin from New York has taken a grim turn after his dead body was discovered in an attic near his family’s home, bringing closure to a four-year-long search.

A maintenance worker stumbled upon Jaylen’s remains in the attic of a multi-unit house on 107 Sheffield Avenuey five miles away from his home. According to Daily Mail, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia confirmed that the boy’s body had been left in the attic for a “significant amount” of time and extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.

The pre-teen’s father, Brian Griffin, now has closure since the discovery. However, his mother, Joann Ponzo, died in September 2023 due to illness and a “broken heart” without learning of her son’s fate. The family has endured unimaginable grief, as Jaylen’s brother, Jawaan, was also shot and killed in front of their home in November 2020.

The discovery has left the neighborhood grappling with questions. WIVB said neighbors witnessed activity of unfamiliar faces frequently moving in and out of the house where Jaylen’s body was found, in addition to continuous police activity.

“The search for ‘Where’s Jaylen Griffin?’ has come to a close. But now the search is ‘What happened to Jaylen Griffin?’ Who would do something like this to a 12-year-old boy?” said Pastor Tim Newkirk of GYC Ministries, who is close to the Griffin family. “How did he end up here? Was he moved? The questions are still remaining…How long was he dead? How long was he deceased? Was he found in something that was locked and had to be opened? And did a certain aroma come out that would be a major complaint to this community? This looks like the type of community where if anything is taking place, somebody will report it or say something.”

In a bid to unravel the truth of the discovered body, Crime Stoppers of WNY is offering a $7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of Jaylen’s killer. A candlelight vigil has been scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. to mark what would have been the young boy’s 16th birthday.

Giancarlo Esposito, Italian, New York, memoir, book, publishing

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 22, 2024

‘Breaking Bad’ Stopped Giancarlo Esposito From Arranging His Own Murder For Insurance Money

Giancarlo Esposito reveals how his role in "Breaking Bad" saved his life.

Actor Giancarlo Esposito is opening up about the “self-annihilation” he contemplated before landing his award-winning role on the hot television show Breaking Bad.

Esposito’s ascent to new heights in his seasoned acting career with the role of Gus Fring in AMC’s Breaking Bad marked a long-awaited milestone. Before this breakout role, he was a familiar presence in early Spike Lee films such as School Daze, Do The Right Thing, and Malcolm X. His exceptional performances in movies like Fresh and The Usual Suspects underscored his versatility and talent as an actor.

However, despite having over 100 acting credits to his name dating back to the early ’80s, Esposito still found himself down and out in 2008 and contemplating gruesome ways he could help his family. The Parish star was so broke, that he considered arranging his own murder so that his four children could receive his life insurance money.

“My way out in my brain was: ‘Hey, do you get life insurance if someone commits suicide? Do they get the bread?’ My wife had no idea why I was asking this stuff,” Esposito revealed on SiriusXM’s Jim & Sam show.

“I started scheming. If I got somebody to knock me off, death by misadventure, [my kids] would get the insurance. I had four kids. I wanted them to have a life. It was a hard moment in time. I literally thought of self-annihilation so they could survive. That’s how low I was.”

https://twitter.com/ArtOfDialogue_/status/1779589188146303346

Esposito credited this idea as his first thought of having “a way out” of being broke and depressed after decades in Hollywood. Thankfully, he opted out of the decision due to the “trauma” he didn’t want to inflict on his family. He also got the break he needed when he landed his iconic role on Breaking Bad, which ultimately changed his career and opened the door for roles in The Mandalorian, The Boys, and more.

“That was the first inkling that there was a way out, but I wouldn’t be here to be available to my kids,” Esposito added. “Then I started to think that’s not viable because the pain I would cause them would be lifelong, and there’d be lifelong trauma that would just extend the generational trauma I’m trying to move away from. The light at the end of the tunnel was Breaking Bad.”

Esposito appeared in 26 episodes of Breaking Bad as Gus Fring and reprised the role for the prequel series Better Call Saul. The role landed him a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He told British GQ earlier this year he would be open to playing Fring again in a prequel series on the villain’s life.

“Yeah, I would love that,” he said. “My backstory is he was a military guy who worked his way up through the ranks and could have become president, even possibly the dictator and have taken over. But he wanted to do something that could not be controlled by others, and he wanted to control his own destiny. And so he took off to create a new life for himself in America and become a meth dealer, a businessman.”