NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 05: (L-R) Bridget Kelly, Blake Newby and Kirstin Stinson Newby speak onstage during 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Black Women Celebrated At Essence Fest With Continued Support From Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola has been the presenting sponsor of Essence Festival since 1995.
Coca-Cola continues to uplift Black women as the presenting sponsor of the Essence Festival of Culture (EFOC). The iconic beverage brand commemorated the occasion with a specialty bottle and nonprofit donations.
Since 1995, Coca-Cola has helped power Essence Fest. Complete with immersive panels, engagements, and performances, the festival connects Black women and men nationwide to celebrate the culture. For EFOC’s 30th year, Coca-Cola also released a special edition bottle to highlight the remarkable anniversary.
According to the beverage giant, because of its long-standing relationship with Essence, Coca-Cola remains committed to amplifying the voices of Black women. Charece Williams Gee, a vice president at the company, shared in a press statement, “The Coca-Cola Company looks forward to ESSENCE Festival of Culture each year as a celebratory moment to uplift and empower The Black Woman, the CEO of Her community,” shared Williams Gee. Our sponsorship of ESSENCE Festival of Culture allows us to support and celebrate Her profound impact and cultural contributions while fostering a sense of community through thought-provoking conversations, memorable experiences, make-you-dance entertainment, and ongoing empowerment.”
Coca-Cola hosted dialogues and movement sessions within its main booth throughout the four-day event. At its eponymous stage, the brand and Essence introduced the cast of their joint online series, “If Not For My Girls,” to audience members. The cast spoke on the show’s themes of friendship and solidarity among Black women ahead of its sixth season.
Moreover, the company gave back to the New Orleans community by donating up to $30,000 to Vincent’s Vault Food Pantry. The nonprofit combats food insecurity, particularly for HBCU students at the Xavier University of Louisiana.
The charity was highlighted at the Coca-Cola Kickback Kitchen, where cooking demonstrations were on full display for guests. Also, in true fashion, Coca-Cola provided the refreshments with Smartwater and Simply hydration stations.
According to Coca-Cola, it aims to promote diversity, creativity, and Black excellence through its ongoing support of Essence Fest.
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes prepares to drive on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 13, 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo: Dan Istitene-Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Race Car Driver Lewis Hamilton Gets Emotional After Ending 945-Day Winless Streak
'When I came across that line, something released in me that I guess I've been holding on to for a long time. It was the most emotional end to a win that I've ever experienced.'
It’s been almost three years since Lewis Hamilton won a race, 945 days to be exact. He has broken that streak and was moved to tears when he won the Formula One British Grand Prix.
According to ESPN, Hamilton explained why it was an emotional win for him as his last victory occurred at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“When I came across that line, something released in me that I guess I’ve been holding on to for a long time. It was the most emotional end to a win that I’ve ever experienced. I’ve always wondered why I never cry, and I always thought I guess it doesn’t happen to me, but it hit me hard this time.”
He stated that he had thoughts of quitting and pondered if he was good enough to continue.
“I think after such a difficult year in 2021, we just tried to continue to come back, but also, we as a team have had a really difficult time, and there were just so many thoughts and so many doubts in my mind along the way, to the point of, at times wanting to not continue. So to arrive and to continue to get up and to continue to try and to finally succeed is honestly the greatest feeling I can remember having.”
“That’s the longest stint that I’ve not had a win, 945 days, and a lot of emotion has accumulated over that time,” Hamilton said. “So this one feels like it could be one of the most special ones for me … if not the most special one.”
At least Hamilton was able to win again before leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari. Earlier this year, he announced that he is leaving Mercedes after the 2024 season, after being with them for over a decade. The Associated Press reported that last year, Hamilton finalized a two-year contract extension with Mercedes. The company stated that the race car driver activated a clause in his contract that allowed him the opportunity to sign with Ferrari.
Man Accused Of Cyberstalking Ex, Allegedly Paid Strangers For Photos
Dominique Ward says her ex Micah Berkley has been cyberstalking her and her daughters by paying strangers for photos and videos.
In a disturbing case of cyberstalking and electronic harassment, Dominique Ward, a Chicago mother of three, alleges that Micah Berkley, the father of her twin daughters, is exploiting social media to gather information about their children.
This unsettling situation, which began after the two broke up in 2020, has escalated to the point where Berkley reportedly offers monetary incentives for photos and videos of the twins. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Ward was shocked to discover a Facebook post by Berkley containing recent pictures of their twin daughters from a Target shopping trip in 2022. In the post, Berkley wrote, “I got to see you the other day…What you don’t know is that there is a community of love surrounding you, sending Daddy pictures and videos…” This incident of cyberstalking left Ward feeling violated and unsafe.
The extent of Berkley’s electronic harassment is alarming. He has allegedly offered varying amounts for different types of information, ranging from “$25 per photo” and “$50 for videos” to “$10,000 for anyone who can bring the girls to him for ‘a peaceful, arranged meeting.'” Berkley admits to these actions, claiming it’s “technological warfare” intended to frighten Ward.
Despite Ward’s efforts to seek help, she has encountered significant obstacles. Law enforcement and social media platforms have been largely unresponsive to her pleas, highlighting the challenges in addressing cyberstalking and electronic harassment. An analysis of Illinois police data reveals a concerning trend: arrests for electronic harassment are rare, even as complaints increase. Ward’s attorney, Lindsay Nathan, has also struggled to find recourse. Their attempts to engage Chicago police, Cook County prosecutors, and Facebook have been met with explanations of why action cannot be taken. This lack of response reflects a broader issue in dealing with modern forms of intimidation like cyberstalking.
Experts point out that while state laws have evolved to address electronic harassment, law enforcement and judicial systems often lag behind. Ward’s experiences with the Chicago Police Department illustrate this gap. Officers have suggested difficulties in proving Berkley’s direct involvement and prosecutorial reluctance.
Black Politicians Stand Behind President Joe Biden After He Vows To Stay In The Race–And ‘Beat Donald Trump’
Together we stand, divided we fall.....
Several Black politicians are declaring that they stand with President Joe Biden after he promised he is “firmly committed to staying in this race.”
Biden released a two-page letter to congressional Democrats vowing to remain in the race amid continuous public calls for him to step down. “I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally: I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024,” Biden wrote.
Biden explained the process through which American voters elected him. “We had a Democratic nomination process and the voters have spoken clearly and decisively. I received over 14 million votes, 87% of the votes cast across the entire nominating process,” he said.
“I have nearly 3,900 delegates, making me the presumptive nominee of our party by a wide margin. This was a process open to anyone who wanted to run. Only three people chose to challenge me.”
This morning, I sent a letter to my fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill. In it, I shared my thoughts about this moment in our campaign.
It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/ABtAaJrr0n
According to South Florida Caribbean News, Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fl.) released a statement on her stance on her colleagues going against the president, saying, “Any ‘leader’ calling for Biden to drop out needs to get their priorities straight and stop undermining this incredible actual leader who has delivered real results for our country,” she wrote.
“And when you contrast that with a dangerous figure like Donald Trump pushing a radical agenda to be [a] dictator on day one and destroy our democracy, we must do everything in our power to defeat him; Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is the ticket to do just that.”
“Trump knows what Project 2025 is and has said he will be a dictator on ‘day one.’ Trump did help incite an insurrection on January 6th, MAGA Republicans brag about overturning Roe v. Wade and want to ban abortion nationwide and Trump continues to lie EVERYDAY!” the 81-year-old wrote.
Taking a different approach, Vice President Kamala Harris decided to barely mention her boss’ name or to dive in on comments regarding his debate performance. Instead, during the 2024 Essence Festival in New Orleans, Harris highlighted the importance of the election. “This is probably the most significant election of our lifetime,” Harris said.
“In 122 days, we each have the power to decide what kind of country we want to live in.”
Reps. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), current chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and former Chair Joyce Beatty (D-Oh.) issued support of the president despite the extreme pushback from other lawmakers. “The voters in Nevada care about a thriving and equitable economy, taking on big corporations to lower costs and protecting the hard-fought freedoms, rights and opportunities we’ve earned,” the statement from Horsford read.
“They know President Biden and Vice President Harris are fighting for them,” Horsford continued. “Like me, they don’t want to see Donald Trump back in the White House and are ready to work and VOTE to ensure that doesn’t happen. We’re not going back, we’re moving forward.”
The CIA recently gave George Hocker a prominent place in its museum.
In 1957, George Hocker became one of the first Black officers in the CIA after a friend encouraged him to apply to the organization while they were both undergraduates at Howard University. At that time, Hocker was selected to join the CIA on part-time duty, but Hocker soon found himself passed over for promotions and sponsorships that went to his caucasian colleagues.
In his recent return to the CIA headquarters, the organization gave him a prominent place in its museum, marking another first in Hocker’s venerated career.
This is despite Hocker’s recollection of the CIA that some within the organization held the racist belief that Black officers couldn’t be spies.
“There was this scuttlebutt going around the Agency that Blacks could not be spies because they would stand out anywhere in the world… The lightbulb went off for me and a couple of my friends—if anybody were to stand out in the world, it’s going to be white guys because 90-plus percent of the world are people of color, some kind of color. I had decided that I was going to break this mold of people saying Blacks couldn’t be spies—we can do this, and the world needs us,” Hocker said in an interview for the CIA’s blog.
This would be a theme throughout Hocker’s tenure at the CIA, where he would become the first Black officer accepted into the agency’s paramilitary course, the first Black officer to open a new CIA station, and the first Black branch chief within the Directorate of Operations (D.O.)
In January, Hocker penned an op-ed for Newsweek, detailing how his attendance at the March on Washington in 1963 strengthened his resolve.
“I joined the CIA in 1957 as a file clerk to make money to help pay for my education at Howard University. Higher-ups told me that I’d never become a spy because Black people were not intelligent enough and could not ‘blend in’ anywhere. I believed it. At the March on Washington in 1963, that changed,” he recalled.
“Standing only 100 yards from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as he described his now famous ‘dream,’ I had a revelation. It felt like a wave of self-discovery coursed through my body. I realized that I did not have to give in to racists. I determined I would become a spy.”
Hocker continued, placing his tenure at the CIA with other notable Black spies. “It was never lost on me that, while I was fighting for my country’s interests in some of the world’s most dangerous regions, my fellow Black Americans were facing war zones of their own at home. The battle for civil rights and freedoms was often bloody. The same government that counted on me was doing awful things that directly impacted my friends and family. I myself had been brutalized by police as a teenager. I knew the pain of being Black in America.”
Hocker concluded, “Many Black patriots have faced that contradiction. James Lafayette, an enslaved man, spied for America in the Revolutionary War. Harriet Tubman, a conductor on the Underground Railroad, spied for the Union during the Civil War. Spying for the United States doesn’t mean agreeing with everything it does; it means being part of the effort to protect the nation and make it better.”
Roc Nation Co-Presidents Celebrate 5th Anniversary With New Artist Signings, Collaborative Mixtape ‘We Don’t Chase Trends’
Roc Nation co-presidents Shari Bryant and Omar Grant have big plans to celebrate their fifth anniversary with the entertainment empire.
Roc Nation co-presidents Shari Bryant and Omar Grant are doing it real big in honor of their fifth anniversary leading the entertainment empire.
Since Bryant and Grant took the helm in 2019, Roc Nation’s roster has experienced remarkable growth in each artist’s career, adding to a collective boost in the label’s cultural impact. Given their backgrounds, with Bryant previously serving as the GM/Partner of Alamo Records and Grant having undertaken tour manager roles for Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and more, the two industry leaders joined Roc Nation to develop its roster of emerging artists from the ground up.
Beginning with a few promising talents with modest followings, the label has since nurtured these new artists into cultural powerhouses like Maeta, whose 860K global streams in 2019 grew 70x to a shattering 60M global streams in 2023. Ambre’s three million global streams in 2019 saw a 17x increase after rising to 50 million in 2023. Kalan.FrFr, whose recently released album has cultivated the support of musical power players Ty Dolla $ign, Tyga, and G Herbo, among others, has seen his social growth shoot up 840% since both presidents came on the scene.
“I’m confident when I say I truly believe we’ve created some next-generation superstars in the short time we’ve been in this role,” Bryant tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“It’s also worth acknowledging how our internal team has also grown. The artists we work with are deeply supported by a powerful engine of marketers, A&R reps, managers, and more — I’ve seen a lot of growth not only in the volume of team members over the years but as skilled professionals as well. It’s been very cool to collaborate with teams on ideas and see their innovations come to life to drive our talent forward.”
Through Bryant and Grant’s leadership, Roc Nation has forged partnerships with streetwear giants like PUMA for Hip Hop 50, challenged the status quo of NYC’s rap scene through their artists, and leveraged the legendary influence of iconic predecessors like Jadakiss, DJ Guru, and Jay-Z whose footsteps are followed by Roc Nation’s new talent.
It’s a full-circle role for Bryant, who got her start in the entertainment industry working as an intern at Roc-A-Fella Records at just 16 years old. From there, she spent the last two decades continuing her climb up the industry ladder, working at Def Jam Recordings, Warner Bros, Atlantic Records, and holding the title of GM/Partner of Alamo Records.
Now, as co-president at Roc Nation, Bryant oversees the label’s marketing efforts, enhancing artist visibility and leveraging all facets of the Roc family, from sports to fashion, to create comprehensive marketing strategies. The challenges she’s faced in previous roles have prepared her for the tough decision-making in her current leadership position.
“I think there’s always certain challenges women, especially Black women, face in the entertainment industry. I’ve worked hard to get here,” she says. “There’s an old saying we must work twice as hard to get half the credit. That work sometimes meant fighting to get your voice heard, your ideas considered, taken as seriously as some of your peers.”
“Fortunately, those experiences helped me develop a sense of confidence and certainty in myself,” she continued. “It’s easy to be swayed or question yourself –- especially in an industry where there really is no single formula for success. At Roc, my job requires listening to my intuition often, and every experience I’ve had over the years has helped me do that.”
With new artists constantly emerging and taking up space within the popular music scene, both Bryant and Grant remain dedicated to building a legacy, a mission that lies at the core of Roc Nation’s DNA.
“We don’t chase trends. If one kind of sound is popping off on the West Coast, or we see another saturating the East, we don’t necessarily feel the need to mold our artists into that,” Bryant says.
“We’re focused on staying true to each artist’s essence. We’ve been in the game long enough to understand trends change. Many of our artists don’t really fit into a traditional box; some have sounds that blend multiple genres that you can’t quite put your finger on.”
Now at the five-year mark of their Roc Nation careers, both co-presidents have an exciting lineup planned for this summer, including new artist signings, collaborative album releases, and some first-ever initiatives for the label.
“We’re excited for a lot coming down the pipeline at the label,” Bryant teased. “We saw a lot of success doing a compilation project last year and the rapport and inspiration it built among our artists. So we’re eager to see what another iteration of that looks like this year.”
Baltimore Teacher Keeps His Job After Student Hair-Braiding Controversy
The teacher then defended his actions of posting students on his page.
A Baltimore teacher will keep his job after a viral TikTok of students fixing his hair caused concern. He initially sparked controversy by recruiting some of his female students to undo his braids while in class.
After posting the heavily critiqued video, Marquise White revealed that he was placed under a performance evaluation. However, his success as an educator led to his decision to continue teaching at Baltimore’s Maya Angelou French Immersion School. The Neighborhood Talk re-shared the footage of his update to social media.
“Not only did I have [my character] working in my favor, I had the grades, the test scores, the evaluation reports from being observed by my principal,” he detailed. “This was never for clout; I don’t post my videos for clout. I’ve been [a] content creator for several years; I was [one] before I was a teacher. As an educator in today’s age, you’ve got to find ways to connect with your students. One thing for me is utilizing my social media because the students enjoy it.”
White initially faced backlash for recording several students coming to his class to unbraid his hair. Naysayers deemed the behavior inappropriate and took away from the learning environment. However, the influencer further defended himself and his reasoning behind posting the TikTok of his students.
“Not only do I create content with my students because it’s entertaining, and I use it as an incentive, I also use it to benefit my school community,” said White.
He then recalled when the school’s principal enlisted him to use his platform to successfully source solar eclipse glasses for students. However, while he can keep teaching, he will still face a five-day suspension.
Despite this consequence, he intends to return for the upcoming school year. Moreover, he said he won’t let “haters” stop him from posting content as a teacher.
“I’ll be back at the school in August doing what I do best, making learning fun and impacting the lives of countless students,” he ended the video. “Some people will never like you because your light irritates their demons…but shine anyway.”
A’ja Wilson Becomes Las Vegas Aces’ All-Time Scoring Leader
The 2023 WNBA Finals MVP now has 4,301 points surpassing Sophia Young-Malcolm's 4,300 career points.
Many records are being made this WNBA season, as WNBA champion A’ja Wilson made another one. In a recent game, the 2023 WNBA Finals MVP became the Las Vegas Aces’ all-time leading scorer.
According to The Las Vegas Aces, on July 7, in a 104-85 victory against the Dallas Wings, on the way to scoring 28 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, Wilson took her place at the top of the Aces’ scoring list when she surpassed Sophia Young-Malcolm’s 4,300 career points. The victory increased the team’s record to 13-7 while adding another loss to the Wings total to place their record at 5-17.
With Wilson’s 28-point total, she now has 4,301 career points.
Celebrating A’ja Wilson on becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and the dub 🗣️
The @LVAces outlast the Dallas Wings 104-85. Their 104 PT outing marked a szn high
Along with grabbing that record, Wilson’s 10 rebounds give her 1,854 for her career, moving her up to 31st place on the WNBA career rebound chart. She’ll move up that list after grabbing another 53 rebounds to get to 30th place with Cheryl Ford. Wilson’s two blocked shots (396 for her career) get her closer to taking over the 14th place on the WNBA list. Tina Charles is in that slot with 397 blocked shots.
ESPN reported that with Wilson grabbing 10 rebounds, this was her 11th double-double of the season. Her 540 points this season is the most by any player over a 20-game span within a season in WNBA history.
The team, looking to take the title for three consecutive seasons, scored more than 100 points for the second time this season. The 104 points set a season-high for points in a game. Las Vegas will play their next three games on the road as they embark on a trip to Seattle to play the Storm on July 10. The Dream is up next when they travel to Atlanta on July 12. The next team the Aces will play on this three-game road trip will be against the Washington Mystics when they go to the nation’s capital on July 14.
Kai Cenat Reveals Twitch Nearly Banned Him For Blasting Fireworks Inside Home
The streamer revealed the indoor fireworks were simply a stunt to trick his viewers.
Kai Cenat’s antics almost got him banned from Twitch. The streamer revealed that the platform nearly removed his channel for showing fireworks going off inside his home.
Complex reposted a clip of the incident that occurred on July 3. Cenat had Mr. Beast, a popular YouTuber, come on his show in celebration of the holiday. The duo went live at his home with seemingly hundreds of fireworks behind them. However, the stream quickly went wrong in front of Cenat’s massive viewership. Currently, Cenat has over 12 million followers on Twitch.
Kai Cenat’s stream with Mr Beast ended after AMP Davis lit up fireworks inside. pic.twitter.com/pEHilscXgp
“You’re going to pay for everything I got, bro,” exclaimed the 22-year-old to AMP Davis, a gamer, who lit up one of the boxes while Mr. Beast was not in the room.
Cenat appeared to get angry as Davis lit some of the fireworks. He also yelled at him to “stop playing” about doing so. The two began to fight for the box of explosives, with Cenat hurling expletives at him.
“It’s not July 4th, b-tch a-s n-gga,” yelled Cenat.
After the fireworks went off, Cenat could be heard outside the room screaming, “Why would you do that?” to the culprit.
The stream abruptly ended as the fireworks went off inside, potentially causing harm to all in the home. The display of recklessness and danger violated Twitch’s rules, leading to Cenat’s potential banning.
Per the platform’s community guidelines, streamers cannot post dangerous activity or encourage others to do so.
“We also prohibit activity that may endanger your life, lead to your physical harm, or encourage others to engage in physically harmful behavior,” the regulations detail. “We do not make exceptions for self-destructive behavior performed as a stunt or gag made in jest or meant to entertain when the behavior could reasonably be expected to cause physical injury to anyone on our service.”
However, in a YouTube video posted the next day, Cenat explained that the fireworks were simply a ruse. In reality, the room was a fake. He detailed that he and Mr. Beast spent a month creating an outdoor replica of the stunt.
“They told us ASAP, we can get banned for blowing it up. We didn’t know this whole time,” the video creator shared. “That’s why the VOD went down. If anyone went to check the VOD, the VOD disappeared. I was on the verge of getting banned. I had to hurry up and tell my rep-–the people that represent me on Twitch-–I had to show them everything; I had to show them the whole set.”
Since its release on July 5, the video has garnered over 3.6 million views, adding to the spectacle for which Cenat is infamous.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: (L-R) Caroline A. Wanga, CEO, Essence Ventures and Vice President Kamala Harris speak onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Kamala Harris For President? Black Voters At Essence Festival Weren’t Opposed
Black voters expressed during the 2024 Essence Festival that although they support, Biden, they're would favor electing Harris for president.
Democrat leaders and Black voters gathered in New Orleans for the 2024 Essence Festival of Culture and navigated a delicate balance between supporting Joe Biden and advocating for Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential presidential candidate.
Many attendees believe Harris for president would be a natural progression if Biden stepped aside. Amaiya Bridgewater, who will be voting for the first time this year, told the Washington Post that it would be cool if Biden stepped aside if it meant getting a Black woman president. Essence Festival attendee Malina Crear said she supports Harris. “She is very qualified for the job, and I look forward to voting for her in the 2024 election,” she said. Alexandria Henderson said having a Black woman in the office would be great, but she fears the “retaliation” that could become present afterward. April Sheris said she would be more excited if Harris were at the top of the ticket.
Vice President Harris addressed the crowd without directly mentioning Biden, emphasizing the election’s significance. “This is probably the most significant election of our lifetime,” Harris said on stage. “In 122 days, we each have the power to decide what kind of country we want to live in.”
Democrats and Black voters alike grappled with party loyalty and representation complexities. Fox59 reported that many Democrats view Vice President Harris as more suitable than white governors such as California’s Gavin Newsom or Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer. Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic consultant, warned that bypassing Harris for president if Biden steps down would be “malpractice” and potentially divisive for the party. Rep. Joyce Beatty rallied support for the current administration, declaring, “We got a Black vice president of the United States of America, a sister who came here to be with us today…So, let’s not get it twisted. I know who I’m voting for. I’m with the Biden-Harris team because we’re still going to have a sister in the White House fighting for us and making a difference.”
A recent CNN poll, highlighted by BLACK ENTERPRISE, reveals a surprising shift in voter preferences. The survey, conducted on July 2, suggests growing support regarding Harris for president. In a hypothetical matchup against Trump, Harris demonstrates stronger appeal than Biden. While the incumbent president lags behind Trump by a significant 6-point margin (49% to 43%), Harris narrows the gap to a mere 2 points (47% to 45%), falling within the poll’s 3% margin of error. Notably, Harris outperforms Biden among crucial swing demographics. She edges out Trump among independents by a slim 43% to 40% margin and commands a substantial 12-point lead (51% to 39%) among moderates from both parties.
