Tamela Mann Launches ‘Mama Mann’s Kitchen Seasoning Blend’
Mann's seasoning blends were developed in collaboration with chef Erica Barrett.
Tamela Mann, gospel legend and host of YouTube’s cooking series MamaMann’s Kitchen, has launched her own seasoning line, Mama Mann’s Kitchen Seasoning Blend Collection.
The seasonings were developed in collaboration with chef Erica Barrett, the Season 5 winner of Food Network’s BBQ Brawl. The four-blend set was designed to deliver what Mann calls “love you can taste.”
In a press release, Mann said, “These spices come from the same heart that’s been cooking for my family for years—with flavor, warmth, and faith at the center. They’re full of flavor, easy to use, and will remind you of grandma’s down-home cooking.”
The collection features the “For Everything” blend for everyday dishes, a “Garlic Mix” for comforting home meals, and the “All Things Blackened” blend for a bold kick. The line also includes a dessert seasoning, “Just For Pie,” which Mann says is “like dessert at grandma’s house.”
Mann said the line is an extension of her mission to inspire confidence in the kitchen. “From my kitchen to your home, I’ve crafted my new spice blends with loving care,” she said.
Mama Mann’s Kitchen, launched on YouTube under MannTV, was created by Mann and her husband, actor and producer David Mann, to share and create beyond their music and stage endeavors.
According to the press release, the series and the seasoning aim to “make cooking simple and joyful for everyone—whether cooking solo or with family,” she said. The Meet the Browns and The Color Purple actress said she sees food as a natural extension of her artistry and faith.
“My goal is to help families bring a little more joy to the table and remember that food, like love, is best when it’s shared,” she said.
Balancing Motherhood And Entrepreneurship: 4 Ways To Build A Brand With Purpose And Heart
Get clear on who you are in your business and what your work stands for
ByAzhelle Wade
When I found out that I was pregnant, I cried. The tears that flowed from my eyes down my cheeks carried relief, fear, and a quiet mourning for my business. I was all but certain that this pregnancy would be the end of The Toy Coach.
Four months postpartum I realized something no one told me: motherhood does not erase who you are. It amplifies it. Having a child will make you more you.
Instead of worrying about opportunities you may miss out on, get clear on who you are in your business and what your work stands for. Why do people love working with you, and why do you love working with them? What sends you into a negative spiral and what breaks you out of it? ALL of that, will be amplified by your new arrival, and bring you the most elating and most deflating of times.
If you are a future mama, an expectant mama, new mama, or mama again, here are 4 ways that I have grown with purpose and heart while building a sustainable brand.
Toss the rulebook and design what you need
During pregnancy, everyone told me what my postpartum would be. Then I landed in the ER at 33 weeks with severe preeclampsia and delivered a strong preemie. No one’s script applied anymore. So I made my own.
My maternity leave became a season to nurture my baby, my body, and my business. My husband and I stayed home together for the first 10 weeks of my baby’s life and we cared for him together during the day while taking separate shifts at night. When my husband was on newborn duty, I used small pockets of quiet to care for the foundations of my company. I rewrote my email onboarding for The Play Pattern newsletter and gamified it so each subscriber received a personalized path.
For the first time in years I had the freedom to approach my business with gentle care and love. To this day, when I look back on the emails I wrote during my mat leave, I smile at the love and honesty that poured through them. That magic could’ve only been captured then.
I encourage you to do pregnancy, maternity leave, and motherhood in your own way. Your mind may crave stimulation or rest. Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to listen to it.
Time block without flexibility.
Even before kids, I was an avid timeblocker, and post-kids it’s even more important. I keep a private Google calendar called “My Ideal Week.” It has two roles I honor, 1. founder and 2. mom. Mondays and Fridays are blocked for full-time mom duty. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., are my work windows. Client calls book only inside preset slots, which protects the energy my clients deserve and the presence my family needs.
Having boundaries did not reduce my ambition but it DID increase my efficiency. My team and clients know when they can count on me, when I will deliver, when I will respond, and I always know what kind of workday lies ahead.
Try building your very own Ideal Calendar. Start by taking note of your most frequently booked consultation call or meeting times, and build blocks that incorporate those times, since they work for your business. Then build in time for content creation, build in time for client work and another block for client delivery. Blocks should be 2-5 hours for best efficiency, because, most likely, you won’t be able to focus on one task or one category of task beyond those times. Timeblock your lunch and even the time you post content! Most of your timelocks will be set to “free,” so they don’t actually clog your calendar, but some things, like content creation or client work timeblocks, should be set to “busy” so you don’t find your time clogged with meetings or other commitments.
Add new offers slowly, remove old offers fast.
Before my son, I built a busy business with a complex mix of products and services. Now I add new offers slowly and remove old ones fast. New services always take more time than you expect to set up, and time is a precious resource for parents. I often ask myself, “If we cut this, would our customers be clearer on what we offer and our results better for them?” If the answer is yes, it goes. Simplicity creates focus and better outcomes for everyone.
Before you add an offer or service to your business, ask yourself if it aligns with your purpose, what it will cost you in resources (time counts), what it will cost to deliver to your customers, and what the ROI will be for both you and your customers. Start with an MVP or minimal viable product offer first. If it works, launch it. If it doesn’t, tweak and test again. When you drop an offer, don’t be afraid to offer refunds and a clear explanation as to why that service is no longer available. Your best customers will want you to stay in business, and will understand if you need to make changes to do just that.
Lead with tenderness
For me, nurturing a child is a daily reminder that every person I serve was once a child who wanted to be seen. My company has always encouraged new toy inventors, but motherhood deepened that instinct. I listen longer. I offer guidance, even when someone is not ready to buy. That generosity builds trust, referrals, and a community aligned with my mission to end gatekeeping in the industry. Leading with tenderness is not soft; it is operational. It is how we codify listening, access, and care in the way we work.
To do this, you can run a reputation audit. Write what you want your business to be known for in three words. Write what you think it is already known for, in three words. Then ask five former clients the same questions: How would they describe working with you? How would they describe your business in three words? Compare the answers. If you find a gap, choose two concrete changes to make this quarter, such as a response-time standard, clearer office hours, or a simple access policy that reduces gatekeeping. Revisit the audit every six months.
Conclusion
Building a sustainable brand requires complete harmony in what makes you happy emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. It does not ask you to choose between profit and purpose. But it does ask you to be clear, consistent, and courageous. Define your non-negotiables, track your profit, and build simple systems that promote your client’s success. When your daily choices match your mission, customers feel it, teams rally behind it, and your brand gains longevity.
Spike Lee Unveils Upcoming Levi’s Air Jordan 3 At Recent Knicks Game
The sneakers are slated to be released in spring 2026.
Mars Blackmon himself, Spike Lee, wore the upcoming Levi’s Air Jordan 3 collaboration while watching his beloved New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 9, Sneaker News reports.
The denim footwear, shaped in the iconic Air Jordan 3 design, fit snugly on the Brooklyn legend, who sported it from his courtside seat. The sneaker is slated to hit stores and online retailers in spring 2026..
The social media post shows the Do the Right Thing filmmaker matching the sneakers with Knicks socks in orange and blue. He even sported his famed blue and orange eyewear while showing off the footwear.
“LEVI’S x AIR JORDAN 3 👖 One of three upcoming 2026 colorways was revealed by @officialspikelee during the Knicks/Nets game on November 9th.”
There are expected to be three colorways for the combined companies’ collaboration. Sneakerheads will notice the Nike Air insignia with the Levi’s tag, a customary feature on the fashion brand’s merchandise.
Levi’s and Nike released a joint sneaker in 2008. According to Footwear News reported that they ran it back in 2018, collaborating on an Air Jordan 4 version. They continued the partnership by making a customizable Nike By You model, a three-way connection with Japanese designer Nigo, and the Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble.
The other colorways that will be released are Denim/Black/Gym Red and Denim/Sail/Gym Red/Ocean Fog. The expected retail price is $225.
Lee witnessed his hometown team blowout their cross-city rivals, the Brooklyn Nets, 134-98.
Memorial Honoring Black WWII Soldiers Silently Removed From U.S. Military Cemetery In The Netherlands
A memorial recognizing Black WWII soldiers was quietly taken down at a U.S. military cemetery in the Netherlands.
Dutch media reports that two informational panels about African American soldiers in World War II were removed from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten’s visitor center, Newsweek reports. An anonymous local official said the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), the U.S. agency overseeing the site, did not notify authorities in Limburg province about the removal.
The Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, just east of Maastricht, is the final resting place for over 8,200 American soldiers, with another 1,700 listed as missing and memorialized on site, according to the ABMC. About 1 million African American soldiers served in Europe during World War II, and 174 are buried or honored at Margraten, per the Dutch research project Black Liberators. It is the only U.S. military cemetery in the Netherlands.
On Nov. 10, a spokesperson for the Black Liberators project confirmed the panels had been removed. The exact timing of their removal is unclear. The panels were first added to the visitor center in mid-2024, partly due to efforts by then-U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, Shefali Razdan Duggal, but were “removed again earlier this summer,” the spokesperson said.
“We have to guess for the reasons,” said Theo Bovens, a Dutch lawmaker who also serves as the president of the Black Liberators.
The removal appears linked to President Donald Trump’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, a stance that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended in reshaping the Pentagon and the U.S. military. In March, Arlington National Cemetery removed references to Black and female service members from its website, while the Pentagon reinstated a page honoring U.S. Army Major General Charles Calvin Rogers, a Black Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, following public outcry.
News of the removal of the Margraten panels has sparked widespread reaction on social media.
U.S. quietly removes memorial to Black WWII soldiers at Netherlands American Cemetery pic.twitter.com/0mW9msuyOO
“These men and women fought and died for freedom only to have their memory erased. This is unacceptable. Restore their memorial NOW,” Equity Network tweeted.
“Quite literally no greater patriots than our WWII heroes,” another user wrote. “This is absolutely disgusting and straight-up, 20th-century style racism.”
Debbie Allen To Direct Maya Angelou Play ‘Phenomenal Woman’
Debbie Allen will direct the first, and only, stage play authorized by Maya Angelou’s estate.
Renowned performing arts icon Debbie Allen has been tapped to direct the upcoming play based on Maya Angelou’s life and legacy.
Announced on Nov. 10, Allen will direct Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou by Angelica Chéri, aiming for a 2028 world premiere, Playbill reports. This marks the first, and currently only, stage production authorized by Angelou’s estate.
Details on the play remain limited, though press notes indicate it will explore and expand on “the legend and legacy of Dr. Angelou’s immeasurable impact on the world.” After developmental runs at North Carolina’s Black Repertory Company and Houston’s The Ensemble Theatre, Allen expressed excitement and pride in directing the play about the iconic figure, whom she knew personally.
“Like Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Dr. Maya Angelou was the impactful genius of her time,” Allen said in a statement. “The poetry that she delivered radiated a folk spirit of African American people that became classic and traditional. This production will dramatize and sing the soul and the essence of her being from child to legend. The audience will discover so many wonderful, unknown events in her life that catapulted her to RISE. I am beyond humbled, excited, and honored to helm this production as director. I had a very personal relationship with Dr. Maya Angelou, and know her legacy resonates with thousands and thousands of young people in the performing arts today.”
This project adds to Allen’s distinguished Broadway career, which includes performances in Purlie, Raisin, and Ain’t Misbehavin’; the lead role of Anita in the 1980 revival of West Side Story; and starring in the 1986 run of Sweet Charity, Bob Fosse’s final directing credit—both earning her Tony nominations. Allen rose to fame in the musical film Fame, later reprising and choreographing the TV adaptation. She also choreographed the short-lived 1980 Broadway musical Carrie, directed a 2008 revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and is currently directing a Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.
The North Carolina jury held Kennard liable for criminal conversation ($250,000) and alienation of affection ($1.5 million), the Charlotte Observer reported.
Akira Montague’s attorney, Robonetta Jones, praised the outcome as justice for her client and accountability for the plaintiffs.
“The evidence presented in this case overwhelmingly supported my client’s stance that Brenay Kennard not only alienated the affections of Akira’s husband but also inflicted emotional injury on his children as well, “Jones wrote in a statement to People. “Akira, her family and I would like to thank all those who have supported her on this journey.”
In a statement to People, Kennard, who counts nearly three million followers on TikTok and 274,000 on Instagram, and Timothy Montague both spoke out over what they believe was an unjust verdict.
“The truth will always be the truth, and it’s easy to believe the lies, especially when playing the victim card,” Kennard wrote. “[Akira] may have won the battle, but not the war. God will have the final say.”
Similarly, Timothy stands by his testimony that the marriage was loveless. Thus, Kennard should not have been held liable for the union’s dissolution.
“It’s easy to make someone out to be the villain when you don’t want to face the truth or take accountability,” he wrote. “The marriage was NOT full of genuine love. All parties involved know that. God will get the glory.”
The lawsuit filed in Durham County Court accused Kennard of having an affair with her manager, Timothy Montague. At the time of the affair, Timothy was still married to his now ex-wife, Akira Montague. The suit alleged that Kennard engaged in behavior designed to seduce Montague and publicly flaunted their relationship online. Kennard publicly shared images of his children, which Akira claimed caused emotional anguish. Furthermore, Akira claims the affair deprived their children of a two-parent home.
North Carolina is one of only six states that still permits the tort of alienation of affection, allowing a spouse to sue someone they believe interfered with their marriage.
Kennard not only faces the civil judgment, but the impact on her brand following the high-profile ruling could be significant. Collection efforts may include seizing future earnings and monetized content revenue streams unless a settlement is reached.
Candace Parker Joins Pro Athlete Community As Co-Chair
'What PAC is doing is truly transformational for athletes, and I’m proud to be part of a movement that’s redefining what life after sports can look like.'
The Pro Athlete Community (PAC) recently announced that it has brought on former WNBA player Candace Parker to join its Board of Advisors.
Parker is joining the organization’s advisory board as Co-Chair, becoming PAC’s first woman in that position. She joins NFL superstars and Super Bowl Champions, broadcasters and analysts, Devin and Jason McCourty on the board.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Candace Parker – a legend whose leadership and purpose inspire far beyond the court – as Co-Chair of the Pro Athlete Community (PAC) Board of Advisors, joining @devinmccourty and @jasonmccourty“
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining PAC’s Board of Advisors,” said Parker in a written statement. “For many professional athletes, retirement marks the start of a brand-new chapter—one that can be full of opportunity, growth, and reinvention. While the transition can be challenging, it’s also an exciting chance to discover new passions and purpose. What PAC is doing is truly transformational for athletes, and I’m proud to be part of a movement that’s redefining what life after sports can look like.”
In her new role, Parker will help advance PAC’s mission to provide athletes with better opportunities after their playing careers, away from the sports in which they built their careers. That includes top-tier education, business opportunities, and mentorship, helping them create meaningful jobs and lives beyond their playing days.
She will be directly involved with efforts to increase access for women athletes and ensure that they receive equal representation within PAC’s network. Parker will work with PAC Co-Founders Chip Paucek and Kaleb Thornhill to help the organization match the growth of women’s sports in the past two decades. That includes further elevating and amplifying opportunities for PAC’s athletes from women’s sports.
“We’re building something really special here,” said Pro Athlete Community Co-Founder and CEO Chip Paucek. “To have someone of Candace’s caliber – as a person and former athlete – take a leadership position in PAC speaks volumes. We look forward to working with her to continue growing our network of dynamic athletes and maximizing our impact.”
PAC was formed as a first-of-its-kind community built exclusively for professional athletes to navigate life beyond sports, comprising a collective of more than 1,600 athletes.
The Fifth Annual Battle Of Jollof Continues Tradition Of Feeding The Black Diaspora
The event proved that jollof rice continues to bring the community together.
The Fifth Annual Battle of Jollof cooked up some high energy in New York for those across the Black diaspora.
The event, which took place Nov. 7 at Pier 36, featured the best jollof makers as they represented their countries’ take on the signature West African dish. As the competition blended with cultural tradition, only one country could take home the crown for the best jollof of the year.
The high-profile event featured star-studded attendees across the entertainment industry. From Nigerian-American rapper Wale to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills‘ Bozoma St. John, the cook-off inspired those, no matter their background, to dig in. Other celebrity attendees included media host Speedy Morman, NBA and WNBA stars OG Anunoby and Arike Ogunbowale, and Afrobeats artist King Promise.
This year, Nigeria earned the title of the world’s top Jollof rice producer. Fans and judges tried out the two dishes, created by Ghana’s Chef Nana Wilmot and Michelin-recognized Chef Ope Amosu from Nigeria. While a close competition, the Naija nation reigned supreme with their recipe.
However, jollof was not the only dish on the menu. Delicacies from other nations, such as Senegal and Ethiopia, were on full display for attendees to try.
Beyond the Battle of Jollof, the event had other contests that brought the community together. Nigeria bested Ghana again in a friendly yet fierce celebrity basketball game, winning 80-74. During the game’s halftime, a 1-versus-1 tournament was held alongside a DJ Battle with Supersmashbroz and DJ RB Nice.
Including partnerships with Tequila Don Julio, Wingstop, and Crown Royal, attendees sipped on specialty cocktails as winners took home bedazzled bottles of the spirits. To keep the fun going, the battle also hosted cultural activations and community-focused experiences, all centered on Black unity and heritage.
As the Battle of Jollof continues another year, it fulfills its purpose of bridging culture, community, and incredible eats for all to enjoy.
Morgan Freeman Slams AI’s Unauthorized Use Of His Voice: ‘You’re Robbing Me’
Morgan Freeman is cracking down on AI’s unauthorized use of his iconic voice, with his lawyers taking legal action.
Morgan Freeman is publicly denouncing the unauthorized use of AI to replicate his iconic voice, calling it a violation of his intellectual property.
The Oscar-winning actor’s deep, commanding voice has defined his career across film, TV, and music—from Driving Miss Daisy and The Shawshank Redemption to his award-winning narration in March of the Penguins. But as AI increasingly replicates famous voices, Freeman, 88, says the technology has cost him valuable work and exploits his signature sound.
“I’m a little PO’d, you know,” Freeman told The Guardian. “I’m like any other actor: don’t mimic me with falseness. I don’t appreciate it, and I get paid for doing stuff like that, so if you’re gonna do it without me, you’re robbing me.”
In fact, after learning of several projects using his iconic voice without permission, Freeman says he has begun taking legal action.
“Well, I tell you, my lawyers have been very, very busy,” he admitted.
Despite recent industry shifts, including the backlash over Tilly Norwood, a fully AI-generated actress unveiled this summer by technologist Eline Van der Velden, Freeman shows no signs of retiring. Guilds, actors, and filmmakers have criticized AI taking starring roles, but the veteran actor, who began his career in the 1960s, remains committed to his craft.
“Sometimes the idea of retirement would float past me, but as soon as my agent says there’s a job or somebody wants you or they’ve made an offer, the whole thing just boils back into where it was yesterday: how much you’re going to pay, where we’re gonna be?” he said.
“The appetite is still there. I will concede that it’s dimmed a little. But not enough to make a serious difference.”
As for Tilly Norwood, Freeman doesn’t view her, or any AI-generated talent, as a genuine threat.
“Nobody likes her because she’s not real, and that takes the part of a real person, so it’s not going to work out very well in the movies or on television,” Freeman said.
African Nations Ink $4B Military Deals With Russia In Shift Away From Western Dominance
Many African nations in the Sahel region have welcomed the opportunity with Russia.
African nations have built a budding relationship with Russia, securing multi-billion dollar military deals that threaten the West’s impact on the continent.
Russia has a growing impact, particularly in Africa’s Sahel Region. Countries in the area, such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have responded positively to Russia’s welcome. The latest instance of business is through military-industrial contracts, which Sputnik reported 46 African countries have signed on for thus far.
Russian state-owned arms export company, Rosoboronexport, confirmed the matter to its native news outlet, as reported byBusiness Insider Africa.
“We work with Rwanda, Uganda, Congo, the DRC, Nigeria, and Angola, which ensures us a significant geographical presence,” shared Aleksandr Mikheev, CEO of Rosoboronexport.
On a cultural level, many of these nations have begun shedding ties to the Western nations that once ruled as colonial powers. Nations are ridding of this colonial influence by removing them from federal implementation, such as reinstating indigenous languages as national ones.
In Burkina Faso, the West African country has also done away with Western dress attire in the courtroom. Fellow nations have also dismantled French military bases, another indicator of the disavowing of this presence.
The imports of Russian arms comes from a growing desire by African countries to advanced their militaries. Nations who signed on to this pricey contract will gain access to high-grade military equipment, as well as maintenance services and technologies.
Russian initiatives across Africa have also spread to training programs for civilians, furthering integrating the European nation into African society. This news of Russia’s growing impact, however, is not wholly surprising.
The country was a main exhibitor at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) event last year, displaying battle tanks, flamethrowers, and rocket launchers among its assortment of guns. What these countries plan to do with this foreign weaponry remains unknown, but the advancement of their military prowess could spark international discussion and concern.
This news comes as Western powers like the United States have become ostracized from their international allies under the Trump administration. Donald Trump also recently threatened military action in Nigeria over claims of increased Islamic terrorism against Christians in the area.
In the meantime, it appears that Russia will capitalize on this opportunity as the U.S. promotes a stricter foreign policy.
