“Welcome to thee Paris Olympics,” Megan says before sticking out her tongue for her signature “ahhh” sound.
In the spot, the “Savage” rapper spots an all-red jumpsuit with red leather thigh-high boots and red hair highlights to match. She flaunts her gold nails and red lipstick while doing her own trot to match the lineup of horsemen trotting behind her.
“Look at my hot girl,” Megan says, as the video shows a glammed-out horse with red highlights to match hers. “Bonjour,” the talking horse with wings says in response before breathing out fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgmsdupL0w
Meg’s fantasy comes to a close as the camera shows her in a board room explaining her Olympics pitch to executives. The horse with red tresses stands alongside her.
“And that is the Olympics hot girl style,” Megan tells the room.
“So it’s a winged, fire-breathing, talking horse,” one executive asks.
“Duh!” Meg replied.
“That is the Ahhlympics,” she adds.
“What do they not get about this?” the horse asks at the end.
The comical new ad is to promote the 2024 Olympic Games taking place in Paris beginning July 2024. No word on if Megan will appear in more Olympic ads but the latest one is the perfect tease ahead of the summer games.
“As America gathers together today on Thanksgiving, we wanted to surprise the nation with an Olympic moment as big as the holiday, and what better way to do that than with ‘Thee Olympics,’ featuring Megan Thee Stallion and dressage horses at Versailles,” Jenny Storms, NBC Universal’s chief marketing officer of sports and entertainment, said in a statement.
Issa Rae Says Having Multiple Streams Of Income Is The Key To Success
Actress, writer, and producer Issa Rae says the key to success is having multiple streams of income as she launches a recording company.
Originally Published Feb. 21, 2020
Actress, writer, and producer Issa Rae says the key to success is having multiple streams of income in a recent interview with Billboard.
The interview delved into Rae’s newest venture, a recording company called Raedio, that she and her business partner, Benoni Tagoe, launched in October. Tagoe described it as an audio content company comprising publishing, live events, music supervision, a music library, and a label that’s a joint venture with Atlantic Records.
“I always say that I model myself after Diddy, Ellen, and Oprah: Oprah for being able to diversify her businesses and being a major influencer in that way; Ellen for being able to make a business out of being herself; and Diddy for his business acumen in expanding beyond hip-hop. I’ve looked to them in terms of ways to make my own imprint,” Rae said
During the interview Rae was asked where she got her business acumen from. “It comes from being on the internet,” she said. “When I just wanted to put out some s**t that I had written, and then being forced to market it and then build a team around it and then having ideas about promoting it.
“Even from a young age, my mom used to call me bossy. Only now do I realize that I wanted to be that,” she continued. “I wanted to be a boss because, why the f**k not? I liked feeling like I was working or in business. I liked feeling like a leader. And it is not always fun, by any means, but there’s an element of accomplishment that I feel in executing projects.”
Along with the record label, Rae has recently partnered with Los Angeles-based creatives on a coffee shop in Inglewood and invested in a streaming analytics business, according to Moguldom.
“South L.A. is my home and joining Ajay and Yonnie as owners of this community-driven endeavor is a dream come true,” she said about the coffee shop. “Hilltop’s mission to uplift our communities through food and fellowship falls right in line with my passions and I’m proud to highlight and amplify such a meaningful business.”
Black Actors Praise SAG’s New Hair And Makeup Requirements, ‘We Feel Heard’
Black Hollywood actors "feel heard" now that SAG-AFTRA has finally addressed their long-overlooked concerns about hair and makeup.
Black Hollywood actors “feel heard” now that SAG-AFTRA has finally addressed their long-overlooked concerns about hair and makeup.
Details into SAG-AFTRA’s recently reached deal with Hollywood studios reveal the new provisions for hair and makeup that will greatly benefit actors with more textured hair who have faced discrimination in the past. As part of the new contract, principal performers or those who have speaking roles will be able to consult with production about their hair and makeup needs ahead of filming, Rolling Stone reports.
If production is unable to meet their requirements, the actor will receive compensation for seeking outside help that will cover a minimum of two hours in the styling chair. Actors and stylists are praising the new provision that addresses industry discrimination that historically underserved and damaged textured hair.
“You can tell the minute somebody touches your head whether they know what to do with it,” Linda Powell, the SAG-AFTRA national executive vice president said.
“All of us have felt, at some point, disrespected in the chair because of a lack of understanding of who we were when we sat down.”
Actress Meagan Good has grown up in the industry. Starring in films like Eve’s Bayou as a child to her current starring role on Amazon Prime’s Harlem, Good has enough experience in the business to know the struggles that come with hair and makeup as a Black actor.
It was after one hairstylist seared her scalp with a hot comb that she learned early on to bring her own hair and makeup kit to set. She also educated other Black actors to do the same.
“You’re on set and everybody else is working, but those moments when you jump out of hair and makeup, you’re now in your trailer rushing, spending 15-20 minutes trying to redo what could have been done right,” she explained.
Now SAG-AFTRA and the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), are set to meet with IATSE, which represents hair, makeup, and other entertainment crews, to ensure an increased number of hair stylists and makeup artists who are qualified to work with actors of all races and ethnicities.
Additionally, both parties will invest in training makeup and hair experts on how to work on all hair textures and skin tones.
“There are so many persons of color that have been discriminated against and it seemed like it was just a normal thing that we dealt with and we didn’t always feel heard,” Towanda Underdue, a SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee and board member says. “But now we feel heard.”
Report Shows Racial Health Disparities Among Black Tennessee Residents
Black policymakers, corporate executives, advocates, and community leaders are concerned about the state of Black health in Tennessee.
In its first-ever health equity report, BlueCross BlueShield revealed data based on the stark racial care disparities Black Tennessee residents face in behavioral healthcare, maternal healthcare, cancer care, and more.
From reproductive rights, HIV prevention, and local community health resources to affordable housing and generational wealth, Black policymakers, corporate executives, advocates, and community leaders are concerned about the state of Black health in Tennessee. The Nashville Tennessean reported that a town hall meeting was held at the 47th National Black Caucus of State Legislators on Nov. 26 to provide tools capable of developing and implementing policy and legislative engagement on these issues.
NASHVILLE! Tomorrow, members of the TBCSL present, “The BlackOut” Meet & Greet to welcome @nbcsl77 for the 47th ALC at Soul! Bringing the best sounds from Nashville’s own @kennysmoov ! This event is free & open to the public so bring a friend! pic.twitter.com/WqIbfhZP1D
A longstanding history of racial bias and health inequity is prevalent among Black communities across the United States. These obstacles put Black people at higher risk of untreated chronic illnesses, as well as at higher risk of being underserved in critical situations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social determinants of health are the conditions in “which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems” that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes.
For instance, Knoxville residents of predominantly Black neighborhoods are more than twice as likely as those in largely white neighborhoods to owe money for medical bills, Urban Institute credit bureau data reported, which marked one of the widest racial disparities in the country. People with medical debt avoid seeking care, become sicker with treatable chronic conditions, and have even been denied care because they owe money.
“The TN Black Caucus is extremely concerned about the state of our community’s health and excited about this town hall,” https://netep.org/ Tennessee Black Caucus State Legislators Chairman Rep. Sam McKenzie told the Nashville Tennessean prior to the event. “We are bringing experts from Meharry (Medical College) and across the nation to strategize on how we can best inform behavior of our people and discuss needed policy changes in our state governments.”
According to data analyzed from publicly available sources and BlueCross members, racial and social factors influence health outcomes in six areas: behavioral health, cancer, child and adolescent well-care, chronic condition management, COVID-19, and maternal health.
Drug Overdose: Since 2014, the drug overdose rate among Black adults has increased by 270%, compared to 58% for white Tennesseans.
Breast Cancer Mortality: Black women in Tennessee have the ninth highest death rate from breast cancer in the US, and only 63% of Black Tennesseans ages 50 and older were screened for colorectal cancer.
Cervical Cancer Mortality: Black Tennesseans are three times as likely to die of cervical cancer compared to their white counterparts.
Maternal Mortality: Black patients were two and a half times more likely to have a pregnancy-related death than white patients.
Youth Violence: Black children and teens are twice as likely to die than white children and teens in Tennessee.
Diabetes: Black women in Tennessee are twice as likely to die from diabetes than white women.
High Blood Pressure: Black adults are 40% more likely to have high blood pressure and less likely to have it under control than white adults.
Vaccinations: Black children were 40% less likely than white children to be vaccinated against the flu in 2021.
The Tennessee Black Caucus takes pride in serving and improving the quality of life for African Americans via policy, advocacy, and action.
Thanksgiving Turkey Fryer Explosion Shatters North Carolina Home
A North Carolina family narrowly escaped tragedy when a turkey fryer exploded inside their Burlington home.
A North Carolina family escaped serious harm after a turkey fryer exploded inside their Burlington home Nov. 22, as reported by WAVY. Authorities revealed that the blast, fueled by a propane tank connected to the fryer, was so forceful that it shattered windows at the back of the house.
Investigators said the person cooking the turkey fell asleep and left the boiling oil unattended.
Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unattended cooking, Burlington Police Chief Daniel Shoffner said.
“There’s more house fires due to unattended cooking, or cooking incidents, on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year,” Shoffner told WAVY. “We want people to be safe; stay safe this holiday season. You know, be cautious when you’re cooking. If you are using a turkey fryer with oil or anything else.”
Shoffner said unattended cooking is one of the leading causes for home fires, especially during the holiday season.
In a report by The Hill, the U.S. Consumer and Product Safety Commission reports that an average of 1,600 cooking fires occur just on Thanksgiving—more than three times the daily average for such incidents.
As families prepare for holiday feasts, safety officials are emphasizing crucial precautions. Shoffner issued a reminder for people to stay vigilant during the holiday season. He urged caution while cooking, especially when utilizing turkey fryers with hot oil.
The chief advised, “You know, be cautious when you’re cooking if you are using a turkey fryer with oil or anything else.”
Experts recommend against frying turkeys indoors and stress the importance of maintaining a safe distance between the fryer and anything that could potentially catch fire. With the potential for high-risk situations during Thanksgiving preparations, authorities are urging households to prioritize safety, ensuring that holiday celebrations remain joyful and free from peril.
8 Tips To Accelerate Your Climb Up the Corporate Ladder
These strategies can help you boost your visibility and get the corner office you deserve.
Originally Published Feb. 20, 2015
Many times, people think that unleashing their entrepreneurial spirit requires stepping out on their own. Wrong! You can do it right in the workplace and become an entrepreneur. Troy Nash, a United States Air Force veteran, is the first African American principal at the top commercial real estate firm in Kansas City’s history. Newmark Grubb Zimmer is a leading commercial real estate firm in the world.
Passionate about education, Nash earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics, a master’s in political science, a joint J.D./M.B.A. from the UMKC Bloch School of Business and School of Law, and a Ph.D. in education from St. Louis University.
He has been able to advance in his career, from success as a city councilman, serving on the board of directors for entities such as People to People International and Arvest Bank, a $14 billion financial institution, as a gubernatorial appointee to the $2.2 billion Missouri Housing Development Commission; and as a developer for a $3 billion project in the Kansas City region—Village West, the largest tourist attraction in the state of Kansas, Sprint’s Worldwide Headquarters, and most recently the $1.3 billion facility for the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Below, Nash shares eight key actions that have helped in his climb:
1. Strengthen skills: We are all born with natural talent. It is up to each of us to cultivate that talent. The responsibility lies within each of us to reach for the top regardless of our camp.
2. Face fears: Do not be afraid to fail. Many people allow fear of failure to keep them imprisoned by mediocrity. Rely on your instincts and inner voice. Excuses are the sound of noise. You may not see how to get there, but you have to keep climbing.
3. Climb with purpose: You have to climb with a clear head. It is important to control what you see and hear. What goes into your mind will come out of your mouth. Do not listen to the naysayers. Success starts in your mind. Wealth is produced by your mind. Commit to lifelong learning to improve your business and your skills.
4. Innovate: Sure, they are watching you as you climb the ladder. However, the people who are watching are passive. You must actively pursue your career and business. It is important to always do your best. Be open to discovering new processes and ways to win. More importantly, understand what success looks like to you. That is why the ladder is invisible—because it is formed and fashioned by each person.
5. Be prepared: Take time to research your target market. Understand what your internal and external customers require. Go to your meeting prepared. You need to know as much as possible so you can serve the customer. Everyone has a customer! Show up and be on time. Your actions are speaking and displaying respect or a lack of respect. The details matter when your focus is on being at the top of the ladder. Respect people, and they will take you seriously.
6. Expand education: Preparation through education is invaluable. Whatever your level of education, seek to attain an even greater certifiable level. Knowledge makes you sharp and sets you apart—there’s no getting around it.
7. Develop a broader perspective: Seize the opportunity to look past your own parameters of comfort to the wider world. Cultivate your thinking by exposing yourself to travel by networking across industries and cultures.
8. Consider community: Never lose sight of the opportunity to proactively build up the communities that build you. Volunteer your time and your service corporately and individually. Share your time, influence, and mentorship. Help others reach their goals.
Marquita Miller is the founder and CEO of Five Star Tax and Business Solutions — a full-service accounting firm in Kansas City, Missouri. A small business expert contributor on CBS & FOX morning shows, Miller is a published author, business strategist, motivational speaker, and well-known advocate of entrepreneurship. A recipient of Kansas City’s Influential Woman and Woman Who Means Business award, Miller is also a conference speaker and workshop facilitator for TD Jakes Ministries. www.marquitamiller.com. Twitter:@MarquitaMMiller www.facebook.com/MarquitaMMiller
A Winning Network: 3 Critical Relationships For Career Survival
As you climb the ladder, it's vital to ensure you have established several critical relationships for career survival.
Originally Published Feb. 16, 2015
When high-potential clients are promoted into a greater role or join a new organization, we spend some time evaluating their network to ensure they have established several critical relationships for career survival. There is a lot of research out there that underlines the strength and value of your network. One of the reasons leaders tend to struggle during transition is because they are unable to create new supportive networks. In fact, research conducted by the Executive Leadership Council, revealed that African-American women face serious challenges in their climb up the corporate ladder; and 31% of surveyed executives attribute their challenges to weaker or less strategic networks.
As leaders, it is important to take stock of who is in your circle, who is supporting you, and who is advocating for you when you are not in the room.
Does your professional network include the following individuals?
(Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images)
1. An internal adviser/mentor. Someone who can share their perspective on the politics and guide you on how to manage the politics so you can move your ideas and initiatives forward. They can be a peer, manager or direct report, as long as they have a solid understanding of the political landscape and the key players you interact with. This relationship can also help to reinforce your understanding of the corporate culture, how decisions are made, assumptions that govern operations as well as decode many things that are left unsaid in companies.
(Photo: AzmanJaka/Getty Images)
2. An internal advocate. This person keeps an eye out for you and is invested in your development as much as their own. Your advocate is the person who will consistently promote your ideas, recommendations, and achievements with others, and is comfortable letting you shine. These individuals can be hard to find; sometimes they may be your direct manager (if you are lucky), the overall manager of your business unit, a c-level executive, or board member. The key here is not to limit the number of advocates. Consider two or three advocates to protect yourself from sudden departures.
(Photo: Ural Mont/Pexels)
3. An external adviser or mentor. This individual is someone outside of your company, maybe a former manager, mentor, or someone who you are who can provide an external, unbiased perspective and share insights about macro trends and best practices.
Your external adviser will help you push through uncomfortable experiences, challenge you, as well as help you to see new possibilities or opportunities. You want someone who is not going to hold their tongue when you are clearly in the wrong, who will go the extra mile to help you figure out how to course correct, and encourage you to try different strategies.
It goes without saying that all of these relationships are grounded in trust and are mutually beneficial. You should be clear on what you have to offer and how you are going to invest in your relationships. Additionally, your relationships are fueled by follow-through and accountability and you will often have to drive these. Finally, be sure to diversify your relationships, in terms of gender, ethnicity, thought leadership, industry, function, and level.
Derek Chauvin Survives Prison Stabbing, Questions Raised on Facility Security
Former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, Derek Chauvin, was stabbed in a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona.
Former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, Derek Chauvin, was stabbed in a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona, on Nov. 24, as reported by The Associated Press. The incident has sparked concerns about the security and communication within the prison system.
Chauvin, who is serving simultaneous 21-year sentences for violating Floyd’s civil rights and second-degree murder, was seriously injured in the knife attack. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office confirmed that he is expected to survive the assault, shedding light on the gravity of the incident. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) acknowledged the attack, revealing that it occurred around 12:30 p.m. at the Tucson facility.
Attorney Gregory Erickson, who represented Chauvin in a civil case, expressed dismay over the lack of information provided to Chauvin’s legal team and family regarding his condition.
Erickson commented, “As an outsider, I view this lack of communication with his attorneys and family members as completely outrageous. It appears to be indicative of a poorly run facility and indicates how Derek’s assault was allowed to happen.”
Despite the serious nature of the attack, neither Chauvin’s legal representatives nor family members have received updates on his condition, adding a layer of concern to an already distressing situation. According to the outlet, Erickson highlighted the lack of transparency surrounding the incident, further fueling doubts about the stability of Chauvin’s condition.
The Tuscon facility, where the assault occurred, has come under scrutiny for lapses in security and staffing issues, according to the AP. These revelations raise questions about the safety measures within the prison, especially for high-profile inmates like Chauvin.
Chauvin’s assignment to the Tuscon prison began in August 2022, and the recent incident adds another layer of complexity to an already controversial case. The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 triggered widespread protests and discussions about systemic issues related to police treatment of Black individuals.
Notably, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal of Chauvin’s murder conviction just last week, solidifying his legal standing but not quelling the ongoing debates surrounding his actions and their consequences.
Brooklyn Man Charged With Killing His Mom May Be Released Due To Undetermined Autopsy
David Drummond is suspected of killing and then stuffing his mother into a box in the apartment that they shared
A New York City man, who is currently being held at Bellevue Hospital for a mental health evaluation after allegedly killing his mother, may be back on the streets.
According to The New York Post, 30-year-old David Drummond, who is suspected of killing his mother and stuffing her body into a box, might be released due to the city not having an autopsy report determining his mother’s cause of death. A judge has ordered him to have a mental health evaluation, and according to an unnamed hospital worker, without the cause of death, if he passes the assessment, he could land back on the streets uncharged for the suspected murder.
A source revealed, “The [assistant district attorney] said they didn’t have enough to indict him. He’s literally going to be in the community when we let him go.”
The person also stated that Drummond has “a long psych history.”
“We have no good option. He can’t stay in the hospital indefinitely, but it’s not safe to release him into the community.”
Drummond was taken into custody earlier this month, moved from the Department of Correction, and sent to Bellevue Hospital.
The New York Post reported earlier this month that Drummond’s mother was found dead inside a box at her Brooklyn apartment on Nov. 4. A social worker discovered the box while making a home visit at her home in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. Law enforcement said that Drummond admitted hitting her.
Due to his mother’s remains being badly decomposed, the autopsy hasn’t been completed yet, and authorities don’t know how she died, with the possibility that she may have died from natural causes. Without a cause of death, prosecutors are unable to present a grand jury with any evidence to try to indict Drummond.
“The cause of death is unclear. Without an autopsy, they can’t confirm his statement that he hit her,” a source told the media outlet.
“There’s a possibility she died of natural causes.”
“It’s not typical for an autopsy to take this long, but the body was decomposed, so it’s taking longer,” the source explained.
The suspect is currently housed in a civilian unit at Bellevue for his court-ordered mental health evaluation, but they can’t continue to hold him if he’s not considered a threat, the unnamed worker said.
Ahmaud Arbery’s Father Accuses Ex-DA Case Of Being Delayed On Purpose
The case against former District Attorney Jackie Johnson remains at a standstill.
The father of Ahmaud Arbery is making bold claims about the current state of the prosecution against ex-District Attorney Jackie Johnson. Marcus Arbery Sr. has accused the case of being delayed on purpose to not hold Johnson accountable for trying to cover up his son’s murder.
Johnson was indicted in September 2021 on two counts, one felony for violating her oath of office and a misdemeanor of hindering a law enforcement officer, Newsone reported. The official was accused of attempting to protect the two men who killed Arbery while he was running in a subdivision within the Georgia city in February 2020.
On Feb. 23, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery was murdered during a racially motivated hate crime while jogging in Satilla Shores, a neighborhood near Brunswick in Glynn County, Georgia.
The case against the former Brunswick Judicial District Attorney has been left in a stagnant state, with no substantial progression since the charges. Johnson was accused of colluding with father and son duo Greg and Travis McMichael.
“The evidence shows that Johnson showed favor and affection for McMichael throughout the pendency of the case — including when she was making decisions as the DA over his case,” detailed prosecutors’ legal filing, as reported by NBC News in May 2022.
According to the slain 25-year-old’s father, Johnson sided with the McMichael’s, utilizing her authority to undermine the incident, including trying to ensure the son would not be arrested for the crime. The father was revealed to be a former investigator who worked under Johnson up until 2019.
Her unethical closeness to those under investigation was further solidified as the Associated Pressrevealed 16 calls between the prosecutor and McMichael patriarch in the shooting’s aftermath. Arbery Sr. also shared, in an interview with Action News Jax, that Johnson “believed” McMicheal and subsequently attempted to “cover it up.”
While relieved of her duties for the city, Johnson is still a legal attorney in the state, with no date currently scheduled for her next hearing. Despite this, the Attorney General’s office in Georgia remains adamant that the case is still ongoing, regardless of the delay.
