• Fashion & Beauty

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 19, 2024

Victoria’s Secret Hires Former CEO Of Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty For $18M

Rihanna's Savage X Fenty CEO jumped ship to Victoria's Secret who has reportedly offered the fashion executive $18 million to work remotely.

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Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty lingerie brand just lost its CEO to Victoria’s Secret, who has reportedly offered the fashion executive $18 million to work remotely.

On August 14, Victoria’s Secret announced the addition of Hillary Super, the former CEO of Savage X Fenty, who will begin her new role effective September 9, The Star reported.

“(Victoria’s Secret) welcomes Hillary as our new CEO to power the business’s next chapter and deliver the foremost tenet of our transformation strategy: accelerating growth in our core business in North America,” chairwoman Donna James said in a press release.

“We are particularly impressed with her merchant leadership capabilities paired with an operator’s discipline and bias for driving value creation.”

Victoria’s Secret dropped millions to acquire Super, who is set to receive a base salary of $1.2 million and a $1 million signing bonus. Her employment agreement also includes an annual cash bonus that is said to range between $2.1 million to $2.4 million and equity in the veteran lingerie brand, which is typical for company executives.

As part of Super’s ownership in Victoria’s Secret, she will receive a one-time stock award valued at $5.75 million, which will fully vest in three years, along with an annual equity grant in 2025 valued at $7.7 million. Between her salary and equity in the company, Super’s employment agreement totals over $18 million.

She’ll be allowed to work hybrid with some remote days and be forced to relocate from Los Angeles to New York City to be closer to the NYC headquarter office. Super will also make frequent company travels to Columbus, Ohio, to visit the primary corporate offices in nearby Reynoldsburg.

Super replaces Martin Waters, the former CEO who led Victoria’s Secret following its separation from its former parent company, L Brands, in 2021. Since making the transition, Victoria’s Secret has tried to rebrand itself from a sexy lingerie brand for supermodel-type figures to a more inclusive company for all body types.

Inconsistent marketing was named as the reason why Waters’ approach to the company didn’t work. As part of the company’s strategy to attract new customers, Victoria’s Secret acquired the direct-to-consumer lingerie brand Adore Me for $400 million in January 2023. Adore Me is regarded for its inclusive approach and online-only model, which garnered $250 million in revenue in 2022.

Waters believed Adore Me’s acquisition would improve the experiences of Victoria’s Secret and Pink customers. However, analysts say there has yet to be any visible impact. The new inclusive approach Victoria’s Secret is looking to take on is right up Super’s alley as she led Savage X Fenty, which is known to bring the sexy to people of all sizes and backgrounds.

Many are hopeful that finally having a woman lead Victoria’s Secret will help better position the company against its top competitors, ThirdLove, Savage X Fenty, Skims, and Lively, which are all either led by or founded by women. All of Victoria’s Secret’s CEOs have been men since it went public.

RELATED CONTENT: Rihanna Expands Empire With New Fenty Hair Line

• Entertainment

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 19, 2024

Louisiana Artist Lambasts 50 Cent For Not Having Local Talent Perform At Humor & Harmony Weekend

The music lineup included big-name artists like Master P--who is from New Orleans--DaBaby, Moneybag Yo, and Muni Long.

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50 Cent is facing backlash from one Louisiana artist who took offense to the lack of local talent who performed at his Humor & Harmony Weekend.

The G-Unit founder recently hosted his inaugural comedy festival in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he performed alongside a lineup of big-name artists like Master P, DaBaby, Moneybag Yo and Muni Long. Despite Master P, a New Orleans native, taking the stage, rapper Hurricane Chris lashed out at 50 Cent for not including more Louisiana artists in the performance lineup.

“You threw a motherfcking concert in Louisiana and didn’t book no Louisiana legends, didn’t put no bankroll in any Louisiana legends’ pockets, but you paid the police half a million dollars,” said Chris. “What kind of b*tch *ss sh*t is that?”

“You taking advantage of my city ni**a cuz sh*t cheap and sh* cost way less than it cost where you from,” Chris continued. He named a few artists he felt 50 should’ve had to perform, like Boosie, Webbie, or himself.

“Shreveport had cheap ass land. He came and bought that sh*t,” he added.

Noting the $500,000 the Hip-Hop mogul reportedly gave to the Shreveport Police Department, Chris feels that money could’ve gone to the community to help the youth.

“That f*cking money could have went to anything to help the youth, we don’t need more money invested into the police,” he said.

The “Aye Bay Bay” rapper took his rant to Twitter, telling 50 Cent that the Shreveport government was using him to make money for the city and not the people.

“When I got my deal, I saw Shreveport was a place that was looked at like a cheap investment, but we still protected our home front to make sure we would keep what’s ours,” Chris wrote. “The city is using 50 Cent to make the city money, not the people’s half a mill on police. You just fed the beast.”

When I got my deal I saw Shreveport was a place that was looked at like a cheap investment but we still protected our home front to make sure we would keep what’s ours the city is using 50 cent to make the city money not the people half a mill on police Yu just fed the beast

— King Cane⚡️™ (@hurricanechris6) August 18, 2024

According to Hurricane Chris, the city of Shreveport doesn’t need concerts and comedy shows. “We need for people like me who defend ourselves to have their rights respected by the state,” he tweeted. As for giving money to the Shreveport police, Chris thinks it’s part of the city’s pipeline to prison.

“Louisiana has the 4th worst educational system in America and they use jail as profit but my people just wanna party,” he wrote.

Hurricane Chris’s recent rant comes one month after he took a subliminal jab at 50 Cent’s impending festival. At the time, Chris took issue with 50 “pop up in a city and don’t ask the streets what’s really poppin.”

“While this weekend may have served as proof of concept for some, for me, it just confirmed everything I already knew,” 50 told KSLA. “The City of Shreveport has officially earned its spot on the national scene as a place open for business, investment and tourism. All Roads Lead to Shreveport. Thank you to all of the people who came out to support us for a great cause.”

RELATED CONTENT: 50 Cent Brings Hollywood To Shreveport With Inaugural Humor And Harmony Weekend

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 19, 2024

Pro-Palestinian Protesters Take Over Chicago With Demonstrations Ahead Of DNC 

Hopefully everyone stays safe....

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Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters are expected to take over the streets of Chicago while the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is in town, Politico reports. 

The main group behind the organizing is March on the DNC 2024. After Vice President Kamala Harris announced her presidential campaign, the group met for over an hour to strategize on its approach, which was once aimed at President Joe Biden, or “Genocide Joe” as they like to call him, over policies on Israel. “We all came to a consensus that it’s not going to make a difference; that [Harris] represents this administration,” said the Chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Hatem Abudayyeh. 

“We’re going to stay full steam ahead.”

Banners bearing the name “Killer Kamala” are flying as protesters storm the streets of the Windy City despite Harris’s push for stricter restrictions on the Israeli government, including an arms embargo. An arms embargo is a type of sanction used to coerce states and non-governmental actors to improve their behavior in the interests of peace and security, and Harris does not support this move. 

Nearly six large protests are scheduled during the DNC, but the biggest is set for Aug. 19. Thousands are expected to march up the street from the United Center, where Harris and running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are scheduled to give acceptance speeches. Labeled as a “family-friendly march,” the demonstration was organized by a pro-Palestinian coalition of advocates from Michigan, New York, California, and Indiana who fight for various causes and issues.  

Since Harris called for a cease-fire ahead of other blue leaders, some activists wondered if a softer approach made more sense. “There is admittedly a change of tone, and for many, a sense of a breath of fresh air,” Linda Loew, an organizer for Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws coalition, said. “But rhetoric and promises are simply not enough. We certainly are glad and welcome the support of any and all Democrats who say that they’re for any of these issues, but we need to see action.”

Two protesters were already arrested on Aug. 18, according to The Hill. One woman, 23, was arrested for criminal defacement of property and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. Another man, 28, faces similar obstruction charges and was taken into custody for criminal damage. As an estimated 50,000 people are expected to visit Chicago for the convention, including delegates, political adversaries, journalists, and more, local authorities have plans in place with the Secret Service for safety precautions. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said that people who vandalize the city or engage in violent protests will be arrested. “We’re going to make sure that people have their First Amendment rights protected, that they can do that in a safe way,” Johnson said. 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, once under consideration as Harris’s vice presidential candidate, is all for protests as long as they are peaceful. “There are a lot of people who are inside the hall who will believe in some of those messages and carry that with them,” Pritzker said. 

“But importantly, the Democratic Party doesn’t shut people out and disallow them from expressing their First Amendment rights.”

RELATED CONTENT: Gen-Z Graduates Face Employment Market Concerns About Pro-Palestine Protests

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 19, 2024

Rapper YG Brings Rival Gangs Together For A Walk In Compton

The Compton rapper led the two gangs, the Treetop Pirus and Fruit Town Pirus for a peaceful walk

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Rival gangs in Los Angeles banded together in the streets of Compton on August 18 with the help of Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson, who is known to the world as YG.

According to TMZ, over the weekend, the Compton-bred rapper was given credit for bringing rival Compton gangs, the Treetop Pirus and Fruit Town Pirus gangs, together when he organized a peaceful walk with the two factions. The media outlet reported that friends, family members, and children all took part in the friendly gathering.

Compton was made famous in the hip-hop world when five up-and-coming recording artists took the world by storm with a controversial record, “F**k tha Police.” Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and MC Ren formed N.W.A. (N**gas With Attitude) and immediately showed the world what Compton was about and placed such a mark in the game that the area spawned many other people who made their mark in the world. Names like The Game, Kendrick Lamar, and even actor Anthony Anderson hail from the small neighborhood located in Los Angeles.

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YG is a rapper who started his recording career in 2008 when he and DJ Mustard (The producer behind Lamar’s latest hit, “Not Like Us”) started their label, “Pu$haz Ink.”

The Compton rapper led the walk by the two gangs, which it started at Gonzales Park, where local residents gathered and took photos with the rapper and several people who were at the get-together. The Game was also seen at the function hanging out with the locals.

Although no specific reason was mentioned for why this took place, it was reported that YG has been speaking to both sides for some time to get both on board with getting together to make this happen. But YG had another reason to celebrate as he just released his latest project, “JUST RE’D UP 3” on August 16.

RELATED CONTENT: Rapper YG Donates $150,000 to GirlCodeLA

• Sports

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 19, 2024

Jamal Hill Is A Paralympic Swimmer Making Waves For Disability Awareness

Hill intends to teach others how to swim, no matter the obstacles or barriers in their way.

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Jamal Hill did not know he had a disability until it forced him to relearn how to move. Now, the swimmer is sharing his story as he prepares to make waves in this year’s Paris Paralympics.

The Paralympic medalist took home bronze in the 50-meter freestyle during the 2021 Tokyo Games. Now, he will build upon his legacy again for the S9 disability category. Hill was 10 when he discovered he had the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder.

The degenerative nerve disease abruptly placed Hill in a paralytic state, leaving him hospitalized for days. It was unclear if he would ever walk again, let alone swim.

“Prior to that experience, I could run, jump, everything any relatively normal 10-year-old kid can,” Hill said in an interview with WBUR’s Here and Now. “I had to relearn how to walk. [I] also had to relearn how to work my hands, how to write, how to hold pencils, hold doorknobs. I retained 0% nerve capacity from my knees to the soles of my feet, and then from my elbows to my fingertips, 30% nerve capacity.”

However, determination and hard work persevered. Hill forged a new way of living for himself while still pursuing the pinnacle of athleticism. For the Paralympic athlete, who has 0% nerve capacity from his knees to his feet, training the parts of his body he can control has helped him reach the finish line in record time.

He described his swim technique to the publication, explaining how core strength is critical to the effort.

“Ultimately, any swimmer will tell you that you got to kick from the hips,” explained Hill. “That doesn’t change. So when I kick, I don’t feel it go all the way through the toe. I imagine a little bit more like a whipping sensation, just having some faith that it’s making it there, and it’ll get me across the pool.”

He added, “It’s all based on core strength. The legs and the arms are secondary levers. The core is everything. And I have a very strong core. That said, the arms and the legs help. And I don’t have 100% of either one.”

Despite the setbacks, Hill found a lane for himself to still accomplish his ambitions.

He added, “…the attitude that I was raised in — and really, I think that all Paralympians have — I think all people have who are really, again, like just committed to living the best life they have, regardless of the cards they were dealt is just that.”

He did not recognize his power or impact, however, until winning his first medal in the national championship. Now, Hill helps teach all youth, particularly those of diverse backgrounds, from race to disabilities, the life-saving skill of swimming.

His current mission is to teach a million people a year by 2028. The goal carries the same vigor and determination that first led him back to the pools despite the obstacles.

“You know, not just saying it as a pipe dream, but actually being held accountable and being challenged to believe in that on a daily basis, it’ll really get you some unbelievable places.”

RELATED CONTENT: Charlotte’s ‘Evolutionary Aquatics’ Club Creates Safe Space For Black Adults To Learn To Swim

by Daniel Johnson

August 19, 2024

New York Restaurant Irie Jerk Receives Much-Needed Boost From Popular Tik-Tok Star

Nuvan told NBC News that instead of idolizing famous people, more people should look to community institutions like Gordon and her restaurant for inspiration.

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Niki Gordon runs Irie Jerk, a small “hole in the wall” Jamaican restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, that sells an average of 400 pounds of jerk chicken daily. Gordon’s restaurant was not always as vibrant as it is now before a Tik-Tok star helped give her restaurant a boost to its popularity. 

According to NBC News, Nicolas Nuvan and his videographer, Jaime, spotlighted Gordon’s establishment as part of Nuvan’s focus on New York’s boroughs, which he told the outlet is often wholly spontaneous. 

“It’s just me and my filmer Jaime, and we almost never have a plan,” Nuvan said. “Sometimes we’ll walk like 30 blocks, and nothing will happen. And sometimes we’ll go out, and we’ll walk around, and something will happen. I’m just somebody that’s interested in cultures and communities and sharing with people.”

Gordon and her establishment felt the result of Nuvan’s focus on Caribbean communities in New York to his 2.3 million followers on TikTok, which she relayed to NBC News. Gordon also discussed her family’s influence on her and her work ethic. 

“I think about my grandmother, born 1915,” Gordon said. “I have two nieces who graduated from Howard University. The younger one is summa cum laude, just got her nanotechnology degree from Johns Hopkins. They are descendants of a lady that used to sign her name with the red X because she couldn’t read.”

Gordon continued, “Giving up is not an option. Had she given up, I wouldn’t be here to tell you her story of how much sugarcane she used to chop. So, they have to persevere. She chopped sugarcane so I wouldn’t.” 

Nuvan, meanwhile, said that instead of idolizing famous people, more people should look to community institutions like Gordon and her restaurant for inspiration. 

“Growing up, we idolize famous people,” Nuvan told NBC News. He added that he believes that Gordon and other people in the community do extraordinary things and “are the people that we should be learning from.”

For her part, Gordon looks at the community, particularly the Caribbean community in New York, as one family that always comes together when they face challenges. 

“We have every nation you can think of — everyone,” Gordon said. “And the good thing is we all come together. One thing affects the Jamaican. It affects a Guyanese. It affects a Bajan. It affects a Trini. We just all come together. You know what I mean? Because it’s one Caribbean, and that’s what we have here in Brooklyn.”

Gordon also marveled at the fact that she has customers from every corner of the world who come to her shop to eat her chicken, telling NBC News, “I have customers from Singapore, California, London,” Gordon said. “I mean, these people flew here just to get my chicken. Miracles happen every day. And they do exist.”

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 19, 2024

Dr. Cornel West Disqualified From Michigan’s November Ballot 

His campaign said he will fight the Michigan Bureau of Election.

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Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Bureau of Elections disqualified independent presidential candidate Cornel West from the Nov. 5 General Election ballot due to a technical state law violation. 

A letter dated Aug. 16 from Michigan’s elections director, Jonathan Brater, said the affidavits of identity submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office in June 2024 for West and his vice presidential running mate, Dr. Melina Abdullah, weren’t notarized properly. 

The official said West’s affidavit of identity was notarized in Colorado and, under state rule, required proper notarization to match in Michigan. “Your affidavit of identity was not notarized in compliance with the state’s laws where it was notarized (Colorado), and therefore is not a valid notarization under the Michigan Law on Notarial Acts,” Brater wrote. 

According to The Detroit News, Brater’s letter also claimed Dana L. Manning, West’s affidavit notary, “failed to identify what notarial act was being performed.” The letter claimed Manning’s notary stamp and certifying signature were on a different page from the affidavit. There were also some alleged “unfilled blanks,” and the notary certificate failed to include Manning’s office title.

West was informed on July 26, which gave the candidate five days, by Aug. 2,  to provide evidence to challenge the disqualification. A previous press release said that West’s campaign submitted more than enough petition signatures to secure his place on the Michigan ballot as an independent candidate for president. “We are confident that the support we’ve garnered, especially from communities that feel unheard, will translate into substantial voter turnout,” West said.