• Lifestyle

by Stacy Jackson

December 19, 2023

Black-Owned Holiday Decor Company On Mission To Normalize Black Representation

Three women founded Black Paper Party, specializing in ornaments and wrapping paper depicting Black Santas, grandmothers, aunts, and more.

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In 2019, three Black women working at the Walmart headquarters in Arkansas discovered a shared passion for Christmas. Madia Willis, Jasmine Hudson, and J’Aaron Merchant also wanted more representation of Black culture in holiday decor. Over lunch, they devised business ideas combining their expertise in design and merchandising.

Initially selling wrapping paper and ornaments on Zazzle, the positive customer feedback convinced them of the concept’s viability. As Merchant stated, “We knew we had something good going.” The 2020 racial reckoning provided further incentive to launch a company showcasing authentic Black characters. Willis recalled, “We were like, ‘Alright, this is the time for us to put our brains together and see what we can come up with.'”

In 2020, the trio founded Black Paper Party, specializing in ornaments and wrapping paper depicting Black Santas, grandmothers, aunts, and more. According to Hudson, the goal was to accurately portray “the nuanced features of the Black diaspora” with natural hairstyles and other thoughtful details. She emphasized, “These are not your average characters painted brown. These characters have the nuanced features of the Black diaspora and are culturally representative.”

Today, major retailers like Walmart, Target, and CVS sell Black Paper Party products, including holiday cards, gift tags, and stockings. Hudson said Black women frequently express appreciation for the representation. She stated, “A lot of them are saying that this was the first year they don’t have to go hunting for a Black Santa.”

According to CNN, a recent Shark Tank appearance yielded a $250,000 investment from Barbara Corcoran in exchange for 10% equity. Hudson said the funding will facilitate inventory growth, new hires, and website upgrades. The national exposure also expanded brand awareness. As she articulated, “You can’t beat that type of exposure. We definitely want to bring the message of representation during seasonal celebrations to the masses.”

While 2022 saw small Valentine’s Day and Easter collections at Walmart, the founders envision products celebrating Black History Month at various retailers by 2024. The overarching mission, Willis stated, is ensuring “different perspectives of life” consistently appear on store shelves, not just occasionally. As she asserted, “It’s time for the seasonal industry to reflect different perspectives of life. A lot of retailers were behind the curve.”

Overall, Black Paper Party remains committed to normalizing and amplifying Black representation across holidays through original, culture-conscious designs sold widely to the mainstream public. Their success proves the strong demand for such products.

• Entertainment

by Stacy Jackson

December 19, 2023

Anita Baker Accused Of Onstage Misconduct In Houston

The queen of soul was met with a mix of criticism and support after she responded to disruptive fans during a performance in Houston.

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Anita Baker’s recent performance at Houston’s Toyota Center in Texas had the audience split on how to react. Videos surfaced across social media showing the renowned singer getting into an altercation with audience members, leading to divisive opinions online about her onstage behavior.

In one video clip, Baker stops mid-song to call out people in the front row, demanding they stop recording her set, according to TMZ.

There was another instance where she asked security to remove certain individuals from the show altogether.

Baker’s actions led to intense criticism of her performance, which some fans deemed “sloppy” and lacking focus. Some audience members felt Baker concentrated more of her energy on combating slights from the crowd than on delivering a solid show. Others went so far as to accuse her of forgetting her own lyrics because she was distracted by her confrontations with attendees, and found it unacceptable from a star of her caliber.

However, not all feedback was negative. Baker still had supporters praising her singing and stage presence, saying she ultimately performed well. They came to her defense by noting that those who were ejected were behaving inappropriately beforehand, thus provoking the star’s response.

This was not the first time this year that Baker was involved in a spat with fans. The artist also was involved in a feud between Babyface and his followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, according to TMZ. 

Meanwhile, the performer is continues her multi-city tour. Following the Houston date, Baker put on a show for a Dallas audience last night and has upcoming California shows on the schedule. 

Fans and critics alike are likely to see Baker’s name come across their screens at some point after her night in Houston. Her latest actions have proven that Anita Baker can keep her name in the spotlight.

• Women

by Stacy Jackson

December 19, 2023

Detroit Spa Owner Cultivates ‘Soft Life’ Escape For Black Women

The owner of Detroit's Woodhouse Spa has spent nearly two decades embedding the essence of the soft life into her business.

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A new era is dawning for Black women: the “soft life” movement, which emphasizes gentleness, self-care, and unwinding deeply rooted expectations of resilience. This shift toward prioritizing mental health and happiness was once an unattainable luxury but is now being embraced as a necessary paradigm.

Cheryl Hudson, owner of Detroit’s Woodhouse Spa, has spent nearly two decades embedding the essence of soft life into her business. Situated downtown, the spa offers more than relaxation — it provides a glimpse of escape where Black women can embrace self-care without reservation.

Hudson explained that as native Detroiters who appreciated spas, “My husband and I thought, ‘There’s no place like this in Detroit. We should open a spa.'”

Serendipitously spotting a franchise ad in 2005, Hudson took action.

Under Hudson’s leadership, Woodhouse Spa has evolved as a critical sanctuary supporting the wellness of Black women in Detroit amid a cultural shift away from requiring constant resilience. Hudson recognized that “there’s a brand-new clientele of market here that we need to reintroduce ourselves to.”

Recent renovations and upgrades provide a luxurious embodiment of the #softlife ethos.

Manager Christina Woodall described the spa’s holistic experience: “It’s not just about skincare or waxing…it’s the scent, the feel of every product, the serenity of the music.” This multifaceted environment nurtures Black women rather than depleting them.

Understanding the soft life movement means recognizing self-care is more than indulgence; it’s prioritizing mental health and self-love. As Woodhouse Spa’s transformation shows, it invites redefining success on one’s own terms, with tranquility and self-compassion.

The “strong Black woman” archetype has long been a double-edged sword: a testament to fortitude yet also a burden of silent endurance. While admirable, the perpetual resilience described by this narrative has overlooked Black women’s profound need for rest, vulnerability, and gentleness. The soft life movement seeks to restore that balance.

• Entrepreneurship

by Sidnee Michelle Douyon

December 18, 2023

Meet The Entrepreneur Behind The Newest Black-Owned Luxury Fragrance Brand

Meet Patrick Whitney, the founder and CEO of American Luxury Unlimited (ALU), one of few Black-owned luxury fragrance brands that offers a unique and sophisticated selection for both men and women.

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This story was first reported on blackbusiness.com.

Meet Patrick Whitney, the founder and CEO of American Luxury Unlimited (ALU), one of few Black-owned luxury fragrance brands that offers a unique and sophisticated selection for men and women. Although only one year old, Whitney’s brand is a rising star in the luxury fragrance industry and is already making waves with its commitment to quality, sustainability, and representation.

Whitney’s passion for bringing head-turning fragrances to the market began with a simple compliment. After purchasing a fragrance from a popular store, he received compliments wherever he went. This inspired him to create his own fragrance brand that would embody confidence, admiration, and success.

“I wanted to show that luxury items didn’t have to come from foreign brands with a long history; rather, they could be made in America by people of all backgrounds,” he says.

ALU fragrances are crafted with the finest ingredients, sourced from sustainable suppliers who use ethical and environmentally responsible practices. The brand is committed to cruelty-free practices, using no animal products or derivatives in its fragrances.

The brand’s flagship fragrance line, The Gold Standard, features three eaux de parfums that will provide you with a go-to scent and give you the feeling of being the best of the best. These long-lasting scents are perfect for any occasion and have been praised by celebrities, politicians, athletes, and business leaders alike.

For women, ALU offers a luxurious fragrance called Ms. Influential that embodies confidence, ambition, and inspiration. The fragrance opens with bright, invigorating, citrusy notes that make a lasting impression. The dabber bottle is the perfect size and shape to take in your purse, and the elegant design makes it a stylish addition to your vanity.

The brand also highlights stories of women who use their influence for good, like former WBC, WIBA, IBU, & IWBF Women’s Boxing Champion Melissa St. Vil, who dedicates her time outside the boxing ring to advocate for children with autism.

Each of these scents comes in the form of 10ml fragrance oil roll-ons that are perfect for those on the go and offer even longer-lasting smell goods. Special gift sets that combine 1.76/2oz bottles of its fragrances with the 10ml fragrance oil roll-ons are also available. The brand is also introducing limited-edition Gold Standard 24kt fragrances, some featuring real gold flakes inside the bottle.

Whitney says his company is more than just another fragrance brand; it’s a movement. He comments, “ALU is committed to empowering people of all backgrounds to feel confident and successful. The fragrances are a reminder that luxury is not about price or brand name; it’s about feeling good about yourself.”

For more details and/or to support the brand, visit the company’s official website at AmericanLuxuryUnlimited.com. 

The products are also available for purchase at Amazon.

RELATED CONTENT: 8 Black-Owned Fragrance Brands For Perfume Lovers To Indulge

by Jameelah Mullen

December 18, 2023

Sarasota County Hopes To Be The Future Home of The Florida Museum Of Black History

Officials are expected to decide on a location in May 2024.

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Florida State officials are searching for locations for the future Florida Museum of Black History, and Sarasota County is vying for the opportunity. Shantel Norman, group sales manager for Sarasota County, highlighted the county’s rich African American history. 

“Sarasota is on the US Civil Rights Trail, right up there with iconic sites such as the Edmund Pettus Bridge and Ebenezer Baptist Church. Sarasota is the southernmost site on the trail. Why? Because of our beach desegregation story,” Norman said in an interview with WNMF.

The US Civil Rights Trail also includes Eatonville, America’s oldest incorporated Black community. Founded in 1887, Eatonville is the hometown of famed writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston. 

Sarasota County was the home of the 1955 Beach Wade-Ins. Civil rights activist Neil Humphrey led residents onto then-segregated Lido Beach to protest Jim Crow laws. 

Norman represented Sarasota County before the governor-appointed Florida Museum of Black History Task Force, whose role is to “provide recommendations for the planning, construction, operation, and administration of a Florida Museum of Black History.” When choosing a location, the nine-member committee will consider the city’s demographics and historical factors.

“Before July 1, 2024, the task force will submit a report detailing its plans and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.”  

Members of the task force include Sen. Bobby Powell, Terri Lipsey Scott, and Committee Chair Sen. Geraldine Thompson. 

Sarasota will compete with Amelia Island, the home of American Beach — one of the only beaches in Florida that welcomed Black people during segregation. Other cities being considered are Daytona Beach, Opa-locka, County, Panama City, and St. Augustine. 

All locations will be evaluated. The next committee meeting is Jan. 12, 2024.

RELATED CONTENT: N. Anthony Coles New Council Chair Of National Museum Of African American History And Culture

• Money

by Jeffrey McKinney

December 18, 2023

6 Reasons To Sell Your Home During The Holidays

For home sellers, the holiday shopping season can bring much more than buying gifts, eating turkey, and sharing tidings of joy.

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Originally published Dec. 23, 2017

For home sellers, the holiday shopping season can bring much more than buying gifts, eating turkey, and sharing tidings of joy.

The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s has the potential to be “the most wonderful time of the year” for sellers for multiple reasons, experts say.

Those reasons include the ability to reach more motivated buyers, face less competition, and acquire offers from individuals seeking tax benefits for the upcoming year.

Of course, the traditional wisdom is that spring and summer are the best times to sell and that there are fewer buyers during the colder months. But others contend that it makes good business sense to sell before the home-buying season kicks off in the spring, when housing inventory rises and sellers face more competition.

Here are several key reasons to consider selling your home during the holidays:

More Time to Search for Houses Online

Many potential buyers take vacation during the holiday shopping season, giving themselves more time to perform home searches and see your listing.

People Relocating Are Often Anxious to Close

With companies often relocating workers from one location to another, these workers typically need to find a home fast. They often are willing to push away savings and comfort, making them ideal buyers for sellers. Additionally, January is oftentimes the month when transfers occur. Since many of these buyers can’t wait until spring, sellers also can act before then.

Lack of Competition

Many sellers perceive the holiday season as a bad time to sell, leading them to take their house off the market or not list it. That can work in another seller’s favor, particularly if there is a low inventory of homes like yours available to be purchased.

Tax Credits Boost Activity

Tax and financial benefits make winter a good time to sell. Many people, including first-time home buyers, are eligible for multiple tax credits during the upcoming year if they buy a house before the current year ends. Some families take money from IRAs with no penalty to help their children buy their first home. Others are rushing to buy before the tax benefits fall into the approaching year.

More Foreign Buyers

A rising number of home buyers from other countries are becoming more infatuated with the U.S. housing market. They often don’t follow the same schedule or calendar Americans do, which makes them more serious about house hunting during the holiday season than others.

Position Yourself to Buy Later

If you are able to sell now, it will provide an opportunity for you to buy during the spring or summer, when more houses are listed.

RELATED CONTENT: 41-Year-Old Mom Buys $62K Home In Italy To Dodge High Costs In U.S.

• Health and Wellness

by Daniel Johnson

December 18, 2023

Kamala Harris Talks Maternal Mortality Crisis On ‘Married To Medicine’

Harris implored the states which have not signed on to her initiative expanding postpartum care offered under Medicaid to do so, and soon

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On Dec. 17, Vice President Kamala Harris joined Dr. Jackie Walters on the popular Bravo television show “Married to Medicine” to discuss a few things Harris wanted mothers to know about the work she has been doing around maternal healthcare.

Harris implored the states that have not signed on to her initiative expanding postpartum care offered under Medicaid to do so soon, saying, “In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, the United States of America, we have the highest rates of maternal mortality, that Black women in our country, in this era are three times more likely to die in connection with childbirth. I think it’s inexcusable.”

Harris continued, “We have been fighting for states to expand Medicaid coverage. We need all the states to sign on, and we need to let moms know that they’re actually entitled to Medicaid coverage for up to 12 months of postpartum care and that’s one of the things that we need to get the word out.” 

In 2021, Harris called on states to expand their Medicaid postpartum healthcare benefits from two months to 12 as part of a larger initiative from the White House to address maternal mortality and morbidity. In the fact sheet released by the Biden-Harris administration, attention is placed on the fact that Black women’s outcomes are exponentially worse than white women’s:

“This maternal health crisis is particularly devastating for Black and Native American women and women in rural communities. Black women are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications as white women, and Native American women are more than twice as likely, regardless of their income or education.”

Harris continued the work in 2022, launching a government strategy to improve maternal care nationwide. The White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis outlined actionable items for a dozen governmental agencies to bring to bear in order to create more equitable outcomes for women looking to have children.

According to the factsheet, the Biden-Harris administration “also recognizes that addressing the maternal health crisis in the United States requires immediate action. That is why, in addition to urging Congressional action, the White House has mobilized over a dozen federal agencies to develop the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.”

In the latest developments in Harris’ crusade to address the maternal mortality crisis, ahead of the conversation with Walters on Dec. 15, the Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice-President, Kristine Lucius, and Domestic Policy Council Director Neera Tandem convened a roundtable discussion on innovations in maternal healthcare. Per the readout, several new Medicare, Medicaid, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiatives were announced. They included the creation of a Transforming Maternal Health Model by the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the office that governs the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

 According to the readout, “This 10-year payment and care-delivery model will support participating state Medicaid agencies in developing and implementing a whole-person approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care for women with Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage.”

It will also help the health outcomes of women giving birth, provide more access to doulas, midwives, and birth centers, and reduce the number of C-section operations.

The HHS also announced an initiative to improve maternal mortality and morbidity using a data-driven approach.

“HHS will partner with states seeking to utilize data and organizational change to reduce the 50% of deaths that occur in the postpartum period. As part of the collaborative, HHS will provide states with the opportunity to work closely with a core team of quality improvement and clinical experts.”

RELATED CONTENT: Kamala Harris To Attend HBCU Celebration Bowl In Atlanta

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 18, 2023

Racist Couple Charged With Burning Cross Outside Neighbors’ South Carolina Home

The suspects allegedly threatened a Black female tenant as well.

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A white couple has been arrested and faces second-degree harassment charges after a cross was posted and set on fire outside their Black neighbors’ home in South Carolina.

The incident took place in the town of Conway, at the home of Shawn and Monica Williams.

Worden Butler and Alexis Harnett are accused of deliberately placing the flaming cross deliberately in front of the Williamses’ house on Nov. 23. Officers responded after the Williamses reported being “stalked and harassed” by their neighbors. Both victims said they were fearful for their lives as the incidents became more “frequent and threatening.”

According to Horry County Police, Harnett yelled racial slurs at the Williamses even while they were speaking to law enforcement, all of which was caught on the officers’ bodycam. Preliminary investigations determined that Butler placed the cross “in full view of the victims’ home” and set it on fire. Harnett would often threaten bodily harm against the victims and told them she had “killed a Black woman in the past.”

Horry County Police Chief Joseph Hill released a statement on Dec. 14 saying that hate crimes in his county are unacceptable.

“The individuals responsible will be held accountable for their actions and the hurt they have caused the victims and the greater Horry County community,” Hill said. “We will continue to support the victims and stand with them against such indecency.”

The victims said the last two years have been a nightmare, and the cross-burning left them “speechless.” Butler allegedly posted the couple’s address on Facebook, claiming he was “summoning the devil’s army” and “about to make them pay.”

The NAACP is launching an investigation into the racially motivated attack. Along with the Charleston Jewish Federation, AFFA Action, and Mother Emanuel AME Church, the groups put out a joint statement calling for urgency for lawmakers to create a hate crime bill in the state. “The recent cross burning in Conway, South Carolina, is an appalling manifestation of hatred and racism that has no place in our society. It is deeply disheartening that, in 2023, such acts of racism persist in our communities,” read the statement.

“It is also disheartening that South Carolina remains one of only two states in the U.S. without a hate crime law, and a few powerful senators continue to block debate on this critical legislation. This legislative inaction is not only hurtful to the victims of these crimes but also to the members of all communities that are targeted with hate-motivated violence.”

The Palmetto State is only one of two states that don’t have local laws in place criminalizing hate crimes. Several hate crime bills have made it to the House floor over the last three years, but none have ever been signed into law.

However, the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act, named after the reverend killed in the Emanuel AME Church attack in Charleston, South Carolina, was passed in March 2023. The bill mandates five years in prison for a murder conviction, assault, or other violent crimes sparked by the hatred of the victim’s race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, or disability.

• Politics

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 18, 2023

Donna Brazile Says GOP Doesn’t Have The ‘Guts’ To Say Trump Is ‘Unfit’ For Office

Donna Brazile is calling out the GOP for seemingly being too afraid to admit how "unfit" Donald Trump is for office.

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Former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile is calling out the GOP for seemingly being too afraid to admit how “unfit” Donald Trump is for office.

On Sunday, Dec. 17, Brazile appeared on ABC News’s This Week, where she blasted the possibility of another Trump presidency while lauding former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as one Republican who has “shown some courage” in speaking out against Trump, The Hill reports. Not only is Brazile against Trump possibly taking office again, but she doesn’t understand why the GOP is allowing him to be the front-runner in another presidential election.

“Look, I’ve watched all of the Republican debates; I’m probably one of maybe two Americans that have found these debates to be very interesting because, on one hand,” she explained.

“Donald Trump has remained the front-runner and the reason why is because none of them have the guts or the gall to say what they are privately saying to each other and to their friends and maybe their family, that he is unfit for office.”

Brazile was also asked about comments made by Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who expressed criticism and support of Trump despite running against him for the 2024 election.

“What [Haley] tried to do today was just, like, try to go down the middle and say, ‘Well, I like this, but I don’t like that,’” Brazile said. “If you cannot point out your differences with the front-runner, then I don’t think you have a strategy to win.”

She continued. “After all, [Trump] controls the Republican Party. He controls the MAGA movement. He’s in charge, and if you are not willing to say that I disagree with him that immigrants poison the blood of the country, or I disagree with him on the election results. If you are not willing to disagree and point out your own vision, then I don’t think you are electable.”

Trump is leading in polls ahead of the 2024 election, while current President Joe Biden is seeing new lows, the Wall Street Journal reports.

RELATED CONTENT: Eldridge Cleaver Case Could Foreshadow Trump’s Removal From Colorado Ballot

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 18, 2023

Drake Reacts To Being Tipped 20 Cents During Live Stream

"Um, thank you for the 20-cent tip, appreciate that. That’ll go to a good cause.”

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Canadian superstar Drake went on a live stream on Dec. 17, and was given an unheard-of tip that he graciously accepted.

According to Uproxx, Drake was on the kick.com platform for a promoted $100,000 sub giveaway that was supposed to have taken place during and after Drake was on the live stream.

Drake on Kick.

Sunday 17th Dec 8:00PM EST

$100k sub giveaway during and after stream from Drake & Kick!

Make sure you’re live! 📺 pic.twitter.com/ft57zUZEFR

— Kick.com (@KickStreaming) December 15, 2023

At some point during the live event, as Drake spoke, he seemingly notice a donation sent online. In the video clip, which was posted by XXL, Drake said, “F**k Drake for the night.” He then paused to take a sip of a beverage, and he came back and he said, “That’s what she said.”

Then he smiled and said, “But, no, honestly, forget about me, um, thank you for the 20-cent tip, [inaudible name], appreciate that. That’ll go to a good cause.”

Someone tipped Drake $0.20 during his stream. 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/uepZIGml0F

— XXL Magazine (@XXL) December 18, 2023

In the same session of that live stream, the OVO artist used the time to throw shade at, presumably, another recording artist.

“And to the rest of you, the non-believers, the underachievers, the tweet-and-deleters, you guys make me sick to my stomach, fam. Look in my eyes. You guys wanna do something? That’s what I thought.”

Drake with a message via Kick

“And to the rest of you… the non-believers, the underachievers, the tweet-and-deleters, you make me sick to my stomach fam” 😭pic.twitter.com/JiA5Yc1qdF

— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) December 18, 2023

Complex reported that fans felt Drake was sneak dissing producer Metro Boomin, who recently took to social media to complain about his project Heroes & Villains not getting as many Grammy nominations as Drake’s Her Loss album.

In a since-deleted post, Boomin wrote, “Yet Her Loss still keeps winning rap album of the year over H&V. proof that award shows are just politics and not for me. Idc about awards honestly, the true award and reward is knowing that the music I spend so much time on brings joy to people’s everyday lives.”

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