‘Make A Pointe’ With Misty Copeland: Petition For More Pointe Shoe Emoji Skin Tones
Veteran ballerina Misty Copeland wants the community to help her #MakeAPointe.
Copeland launched a petition on Sept. 21 to encourage Apple and the Unicode Consortium to expand its skin tone options for the pointe shoe emoji. NBC News reports the campaign kicked off on Thursday and had garnered over 7,000 signatures by Friday.
“This petition isn’t just about an emoji. It’s about ensuring the art of ballet, in all its forms, celebrates every dancer’s story and shade,” Copeland said.
“My journey in ballet has been filled with moments of triumph and challenge,” Copeland wrote on the official campaign page. “One of those challenges was the ubiquitous ‘European Pink’ pointe shoe, a shade that didn’t reflect my skin tone. Time and time again, I found myself coloring my pointe shoes, striving for a match closer to my own shade. It was a constant reminder of the subtle ways dancers of color have not been included.”
Copeland’s campaign acknowledges the diversity efforts companies have made toward changing the industry standard of the “nude” ballet shoe, a norm that led many dancers of color to master the “pancaking” technique. Dancers match their “true” skin tones by putting their own makeup shade on top of the pink-peach-colored shoes.
Copeland, who made history in 2015 after becoming the American Ballet Theatre’s first Black female principal dancer, has been a vehicle for change throughout her career. In a 2022 interview with NPR, Copeland opened up about her struggle to make her melanated skin look like the other dancers’, even being told to paint her skin white.
Widening the color spectrum for Apple’s pointe shoe emoji is Copeland’s next step toward ensuring “a world where ballet, both on the stage and in digital spaces, reflects all of us.” To date, the petition has collected over 19,000 signatures.
Copeland is encouraging campaign supporters to create content and make their own statements on social media regarding the matter.
“This is an important show of inclusivity and welcomeness, and I want to encourage Apple to join by creating the many tones of the pointe shoe emoji,” she said.
She followed up her call to action on Instagram with a video on the brief history of the pointe shoe.
Megan Thee Stallion Takes The Stage with Beyoncé, Leaving Tory Lanez Drama Behind
She’s a Savage! Megan Thee Stallion took her long-awaited place on stage with Queen Bey at Beyoncé‘s highly anticipated Houston stop of the “Renaissance World Tour” on Sept. 23.
Beyoncé had the rapper join her on stage to perform “Savage Remix” live for the first time ever in their shared home city. Although Megan was originally set to headline at the Global Citizen Festival the same weekend, she dropped out to surprise fans at the Beyoncé concert, Pitchfork reports.
The 28-year-old appeared in a head-to-toe camouflage fit, rapping one of her verses. She shared some footage of her look, and incredible figure, to her over 31 million followers on Instagram.
This show is a major comeback to performing for the hip-hop Grammy winner. It follows her recent VMA performance, where she took the stage with Cardi B for their newest single, “Bongos.”
She had stepped away from the spotlight in the aftermath of the Tory Lanez trial. While Lanez, who was found guilty of three felony counts for shooting Megan, is currently serving out his 10-year sentence, he and his fans continue to show their dislike for Megan.
Beyoncé’s Houston show was jam-packed with artists across the decades, including modern R&B songstresses Normani and Coco Jones. Former Destiny’s Child members LaTavia Roberson, Latoya Luckett, Michelle Williams, and Kelly Rowland also reunited in the VIP section.
The performance was especially significant to Megan as the song garnered the artist two Grammys: Best Rap song and Best Rap Performance at the 2021 awards ceremony.
From Beyoncé, “Bongos,” and a new brand deal with Hot Cheetos to support her alma mater, Texas Southern University, this stallion is unstoppable.
Chris Brown Faces $2 Million Suit Over Defaulted Popeyes Chicken Loan
Chris Brown was hit with a $2 million lawsuit by City National Bank (CNB) for allegedly defaulting on loans meant to purchase two Popeyes Chicken franchises.
According to The Blast, the “Fine China” singer and a group of investors, including The Dream, applied for the money in 2018 in Georgia. CNB also filed the lawsuit in California, where Brown resides. The bank revealed in court documents that the 34-year-old Virginia native was the guarantor for the loan and owed “unpaid principal and interest.”
“As of February 17, 2023, Borrower and Guarantors owe $2,140,901.74 in unpaid principal and interest.”
He is on the hook for $1,314,367.40.
Brown has reportedly invested in fast-food franchises for almost ten years, according to 25 Fast Facts about the singer by US Weekly in 2015. The “Another Round” singer, outside of the two Popeyes Chicken restaurants, owns 14 Burger King franchises. And the investment has proved to be lucrative for him– his net worth is $50 million.
According to Burger King’s website, the requirements to secure a franchise from the fast-food organization are– the person must have a net worth of $1 million and $500,000 in liquid assets. The “initial franchise fees and costs” are“a flat franchise fee of $50,000 USD for a franchise agreement with a term of 20 years. Prospective franchisees also pay an initial New Entity / Application Fee of $5,000 USD to help with the costs of processing the application. There is also a $280 USD background check fee, as well as varying application costs for Managing Owner / Managing Director and other application / administrative requirements. These fees do not include any of the initial costs typically associated with starting a restaurant.”
Brown is definitely about that multiple-income stream life. On Sept. 21, the entertainer posted the launch of his NAMI slides by his brand Auracles, which he shares with John Dean of Renowned fashion brand fame.
“NAMI 2.0 🎱✨ Deep Sea Black Nami Slides September 30th at Theauracles.xyz @Theauracles_
“A MESSAGE FROM THE FUTURE! Introducing NamiWAVE foam..our newest creation is THEE most comfortable & Durable Slide you will own. Other features include Haters will be unbearable, Hoes will be mad, and confidence will be on 10,000%. This Nami Slide 2.0 also will BIODEGRADE in 2 years under the right circumstances, lessening our global footprint! Let’s change the world and flex while we do it!!! LFGG! BLACK Nami release September 30th, 9 AM PST, at Theauracles.xyz #NAMI@chrisbrownofficial@nosailes@deano_32”
Saucy Santana Confronts Stigma Head On With His First Ever Beauty Deal
29-year-old trendsetter and Hip-Hop artist Saucy Santana is taking matters into his own hands, as he becomes the beauty ambassador for Black, female-owned brand, Thread Beauty.
Santana uses his platform to push for representation in the beauty industry, especially for Black LGBTQAI+ creatives. Now, the trailblazing artist and makeup lover is representing his community and doing it in full glam.
Founded in 2011 by The Lip Bar Inc CEO Melissa Butler, thread Beauty is Gen-Z focused, clean and cruelty-free annd inspired by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Thread beauty is committed to creating products that cater to all beauty lovers with diversity, inclusivity, allyship and self-expression at the forefront of the brand’s identity—and the collaboration with Saucy Santana is a major extension of that commitment.
The partnership itself is not only a step forward for representation, it also demonstrates that beauty brands not only have the opportunity to challenge traditional standards but have the responsibility and the influence to be the catalyst for change.
Courtesy of Thread Beauty
“Prior to launching thread beauty, we weren’t seeing diversity in the beauty space, especially when it comes to men in makeup,” Butler said.
“Who better to be the face of a beauty brand championing unapologetic self-expression and genuine authenticity than ‘the’ Saucy Santana?”
Butler continued: “We are overwhelmed & overjoyed that we get to embark on this first partnership with him.”
BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to Saucy Santana about his collaboration with Thread Beauty, the importance of representing LGBTQAI+ creatives in the cosmetic industry and what he hopes supporters will take away from the partnership.
How does it feel to represent the community, considering you’ve been a longtime advocate for bringing LGBTQ creatives to the forefront of the cosmetics industry.
I feel that this collaboration is truly a win for the culture, especially being a Black, male-presenting and feminine gay man signed to a beauty deal is just great representation and visibility for my community. It’s hard to secure opportunities like this, especially in the spaces that I am in, such as Hip-Hop & Rap, being a black, dark skinned and feminine gay man, so I really appreciate the recognition and thread beauty for just giving men like me an opportunity to be seen and visible in a positive light within the beauty space.
I was getting my nails done the other day, and I was smiling to myself watching a boy who looked like me, with a bald face haircut and lined up beard, sit down and get his acrylic tip nails put on. I was so happy and so proud that more people are living their lives how they want and feel comfortable just being themselves. Our representation might not be plentiful, but we’re growing and that’s having an impact. I think people seeing me and others like me, it’s making people feel more comfortable doing what they want to do & accept us for who we are.
What do you think beauty brands can learn from this collaboration?
Thread beauty being Black-owned, female-founded, affordable and offering 26 shades of foundation, including deeper melanin tones in the foundation and concealers is really ground-breaking. You don’t really see a lot of makeup brands doing that. Typically once brands get to a certain medium-deep brown shade, they stop, a lot of brands don’t usually even offer a deep enough shade for me. So I just think this is a great thing and more brands should create a more inclusive shade range for BIPOC people.
What does inclusive beauty mean to you?
I remember, back in the day, when I was getting make-up, foundation colors would stop at certain colors, and they wouldn’t really go that deep for darker skin tones. They would have two shades and then it was up to us to figure it out. I love that thread beauty just goes so deep, and is truly inclusive all into the deeper shades of their product line- especially the‘face it’complexion sticks. That was one of the first things that attracted me to working with the brand, knowing that it would be catering to everyone and that even my dark-skinned followers and fans could find something to love with the brand.
Courtesy of Thread Beauty
What do you hope your fans take away from this amazing collaboration?
That they can do it too! We all have our own battles, even in the gay community. Boys like me, who are dark skinned, feminine and plus sized, get counted out within the community and don’t get a lot of opportunities. So, for me to be the first celebrity face of thread beauty shows people that we are able to be accepted for who we are, and it just speaks volumes. It’s making us more visible and helping us win.
What is your favorite product from the cosmetic line?
Definitely the multi-useface it complexion sticks andcover it complexion fluids. I love that thread beauty offers 26 shades of foundation in a truly inclusive line up catering to the BIPOC complexion range. I hear they’re expanding the line up soon too! I love that the shade range includes deep, dark melanin-rich shades for a flawless chocolate complexion. I have a perfect foundation shade-200 in their line up & a cream contour shade match-240 that’s even darker & richer. That’s not common at all! Oh and they also have the most bomblip gloss- my fave is the glossy clear gloss it! I literally throw one in every bag when I’m heading out.
Saucy Santana Confronts Stigma Head On With His First-Ever Beauty Deal
Twenty-nine-year-old trendsetter and hip-hop artist Saucy Santana is taking matters into his own hands as the beauty ambassador for Black, female-owned brand, Thread Beauty.
Santana uses his platform to push for representation in the beauty industry, especially for Black LGBTQIA+ creatives. Now, the trailblazing artist and makeup lover is representing his community and doing it in full glam.
Founded in 2011 by The Lip Bar Inc CEO Melissa Butler, Thread Beauty is Gen Z-focused, clean, and cruelty-free and inspired by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. The company is committed to creating products that cater to all beauty lovers with diversity, inclusivity, allyship, and self-expression at the forefront of the brand’s identity. The collaboration with Saucy Santana is a major extension of that commitment.
The partnership itself is not only a step forward for representation, it also demonstrates that beauty brands not only have the opportunity to challenge traditional standards but have the responsibility and the influence to be the catalyst for change.
(Image courtesy of Thread Beauty)
“Prior to launching thread beauty, we weren’t seeing diversity in the beauty space, especially when it comes to men in makeup,” Butler said. “Who better to be the face of a beauty brand championing unapologetic self-expression and genuine authenticity than ‘the’ Saucy Santana?”
Butler continued: “We are overwhelmed and overjoyed that we get to embark on this first partnership with him.”
BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to Saucy Santana about his collaboration with Thread Beauty, the importance of representing LGBTQIA+ creatives in the cosmetic industry and what he hopes supporters will take away from the partnership.
How does it feel to represent the community, considering you’ve been a longtime advocate for bringing LGBTQ creatives to the forefront of the cosmetics industry?
I feel that this collaboration is truly a win for the culture, especially being a Black, male-presenting and feminine gay man signed to a beauty deal is just great representation and visibility for my community. It’s hard to secure opportunities like this, especially in the spaces that I am in, such as hip-hop and rap, being a Black, dark skinned and feminine gay man, so I really appreciate the recognition and Thread Beauty for just giving men like me an opportunity to be seen and visible in a positive light within the beauty space.
I was getting my nails done the other day, and I was smiling to myself watching a boy who looked like me, with a bald face haircut and lined up beard, sit down and get his acrylic tip nails put on. I was so happy and so proud that more people are living their lives how they want and feel comfortable just being themselves. Our representation might not be plentiful, but we’re growing—and that’s having an impact. I think people seeing me and others like me, it’s making people feel more comfortable doing what they want to do and accept us for who we are.
What do you think beauty brands can learn from this collaboration?
Thread Beauty being Black-owned, female-founded, affordable, and offering 26 shades of foundation, including deeper melanin tones in the foundation and concealers is really ground-breaking. You don’t really see a lot of makeup brands doing that. Typically once brands get to a certain medium-deep brown shade, they stop, a lot of brands don’t usually even offer a deep enough shade for me. So I just think this is a great thing and more brands should create a more inclusive shade range for BIPOC people.
What does inclusive beauty mean to you?
I remember, back in the day, when I was getting make-up, foundation colors would stop at certain colors, and they wouldn’t really go that deep for darker skin tones. They would have two shades and then it was up to us to figure it out. I love that Thread Beauty just goes so deep, and is truly inclusive all into the deeper shades of their product line—especially the “face it” complexion sticks. That was one of the first things that attracted me to working with the brand, knowing that it would be catering to everyone and that even my dark-skinned followers and fans could find something to love with the brand.
(Photo courtesy of Thread Beauty)
What do you hope your fans take away from this collaboration?
That they can do it, too! We all have our own battles, even in the gay community. Boys like me, who are dark-skinned, feminine, and plus-sized, get counted out within the community and don’t get a lot of opportunities. So, for me to be the first celebrity face of Thread Beauty shows people that we are able to be accepted for who we are, and it just speaks volumes. It’s making us more visible and helping us win.
What is your favorite product from the cosmetic line?
Definitely the multi-use “face it“ complexion sticks and “cover it” complexion fluids. I love that thread beauty offers 26 shades of foundation in a truly inclusive line up catering to the BIPOC complexion range. I hear they’re expanding the line up soon, too! I love that the shade range includes deep, dark melanin-rich shades for a flawless chocolate complexion. I have a perfect foundation shade-200 in their line up and a cream contour shade match-240 that’s even darker and richer. That’s not common at all! Oh, and they also have the most bomblip gloss: my fave is the glossy clear “gloss it!” I literally throw one in every bag when I’m heading out.
Indiana Woman Allegedly Erronerously Stabs 1-Year-Old Niece Over Burger King Chicken Sandwich
An Indiana woman allegedly erroneously stabbed her one-year-old niece after her pitbull jacked her Burger King chicken sandwich. She’s now behind bars.
The incident occurred at a Days Inn Hotel in Castleton, Indiana, on Sept. 19. Sharon Key’s niece was reportedly lying on the bed while her mother bathed her brother in the bathroom. The woman allegedly aimed the knife at the dog after it nabbed her food and “accidentally” stabbed her baby niece, hitting the girl in the face and neck. Upon hearing her daughter scream, Key’s sister ran out of the hotel’s bathroom to find her baby girl screaming as blood soaked the bed. The woman’s sister frantically explained the alleged stabbing was an accident before running out of the room, leaving the worried mother to seek emergency help for her injured baby.
Indianapolis Metro Police Department (IMDP) verified the mother’s story with surveillance camera footage it obtained. A cowardly Key would later be found hiding in the bushes at the Days Inn. The one-year-old was in critical condition before being upgraded to stable condition at Riley Hospital, according to Law and Crime.
William Young, a police officer for the IMPD, expressed how distressing the officers who received the call were.
“All of our officers, you hear that come across the radio, your heart drops. You want to get here as soon as you can. A lot of our officers, paramedics, fire — they have children that are infants, so you could imagine when they arrive, what our officers go through.”
The aunt’s sister revealed that Key had been staying with the woman and her children at the Days Inn. Key has also battled with drug addiction and mental health issues and reportedly had been drinking alcohol for most of the day the stabbing occurred.
The embattled woman was charged with two counts of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and one count of negligence of a dependent that resulted in serious bodily harm. If convicted, the first count “carries a maximum penalty of two-and-a-half years in prison and a $10,000 fine.”
The second charge’s punishment varies by the level of severity.
One of the most staggering statistics exposed was that 62% of employees felt their negative experience at work has affected their physical wellness. Conversely, only 27% of employees at “desk-based” jobs, considered “knowledge” workers, felt that they actually had a positive relationship with their workplace.
Work morale is so abysmal that 83% of those unhappy in their current positions would be willing to take a pay cut in order to feel better mentally..
These results have led researchers to encourage employers to shift their work dynamics so that employees have a better experience, which can lead to better productivity. President and CEO of HP Inc., Enrique Lores, said in a statement that the findings should not discourage employers.
“There is a huge opportunity to strengthen the world’s relationship with work in ways that are both good for people and good for business,” shared Lores, as reported by Entrepreneur. “As leaders, we must always reject the false choice between productivity and happiness. The most successful companies are built on cultures that enable employees to excel in their careers while thriving outside of work.”
What is primarily causing these negative sentiments is the stressors and inability to maintain a work-life balance, as management must do a better job at ensuring the general well-being of those under their supervision. Remaining fulfilled outside of one’s work responsibilities and managing work expectations from both parties is the suggested remedy to employment discontentment.
Great Depression Era $10,000 Bill Sells For Whopping $480,000 At Auction
A $10,000 Great Depression era, uncirculated bill in perfect condition sold at a recent auction for almost $500,000.
The bill, featuring Abraham Lincoln‘s secretary of the treasury Salmon P. Chase, was sold at the Long Beach Expo U.S. Coins Signature Auction, in Dallas. The $480,000 purchase breaks the previous record of $384,000 from September 2020, USA Today reported.
The bill had been decommissioned in 1969, which made the $100 bill the highest monetary note issued in the United States.
“Large-denomination notes always have drawn the interest of collectors of all levels,” Dustin Johnston, vice president of Currency at Heritage Auctions, said in a press release. “The $10,000 trails only the $100,000 gold certificate issued in 1934, and of the 18 examples graded by PMG, this example is tied for the highest-graded.”
Other items also went for large sums of money. A 20-dollar coin minted in 1899 sold for $468,000, and a $5,000 note sold for $300,000. At the end of the auction, which concluded Sept 24, a total of $15,545,589 had been pulled in.
The 1899 coin featured a portrait of the head of the Statue of Liberty; around 30 still exist. “It takes an extraordinary coin to rise to the top of an auction with such consistent high quality, and this 1899 double eagle is that kind of coin,” said Todd Imhof, executive vice president of Heritage.
High denomination bills were printed throughout the 1800s and into the early 1900s but were discontinued by the U.S. Treasury because they were not often used by the public. In 2009, the number of $10,000 bills was around 336, the number of $5,000 bills was around 342, and the number of $1,000 bills was around 165,362; which explains the premium price fetched for these uncirculated and pristine larger denomination bills.
Simone Biles Condemns Gymnastics Ireland For Racist Incident
Simone Biles is making it known that racism has no place in sports. She has condemned Gymnastics Ireland, the national governing body for the sport in Ireland, for a harrowing incident that showed a young Black competitor blatantly skipped over during an awards ceremony.
The incident occurred in March 2022, according to the Daily Mail, and shocked viewers as the little girl’s excitement turned to sadness when she was embarrassed by the medal bestower.
Upon being notified of the video, Biles expressed her disgust. She also revealed that the girl’s family contacted her following the incident, and the world-renowned gymnast sent her a video to lift her spirits. She also emphasized that there is “no room for racism” in the world of sports or in general.
when this video was circulating, her parents reached out. It broke my heart to see, so I sent her a little video
there is no room for racism in any sport or at all !!!!
When the clip made the rounds on social media again this past week, Gymnastics Ireland made an official statement apologizing to the young girl for what happened. Her family, however, remains adamant that racism was the cause. They also claim that they have yet to receive a just apology for the ordeal, which the organization stated was handled through a mediation back in August.
The woman who handed out the awards, who is no longer affiliated with the organization by her own choice, said the move was “unintentional” but agreed that her actions were not “acceptable.”
While the family is still exploring legal options, Biles’ video to the young girl encouraged her to continuing working hard at her passion and to never let racism make her feel less deserving.
“I wanted to let you know that I saw how you were treated at your GymSTART event recently,” Biles said, according to the Daily Mail. I was completely shocked and wanted to let you know that you deserve a medal just like all of the other girls. I know you’ve worked incredibly hard at the sport and I wanted to say I am rooting for you from here. Sending you my very best and know that there are so many of us here to support you.”
In 1983, when Malone was a sophomore at Louisiana Tech, he impregnated a 13-year-old, Gloria Bell. Malone was 20 years old. He denied fathering the child, and upon meeting the son, Demetress Bell, 17 years later, he told him, that he would have to make his own way in life. The child, who grew up to become an NFL offensive lineman, eventually reconciled with Malone.
This has not stopped Malone’s past from coming up whenever he is honored, and the fact that multiple college institutions are simultaneously facing fallout from sexual violence has not helped.
“I wonder what message the university believes it sends to our students when it installs a statue on our campus of a wealthy and famous man who sexually abused a minor when he was a star athlete,” Louisiana Tech history professor Drew McKevitt told the Illuminator.
When Malone was asked about his past by the Salt Lake Tribune during festivities around the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was less than diplomatic.
“I’m not discussing any of that. I don’t care,” Malone said. “That’s my life, it’s my personal life, and I’ll deal with that like I’ve had to deal with everything. So… whatever.”
Louisiana Tech’s administration offered several examples of its employees trying their best to keep the topic on sports as when Eric Wood, Louisiana Tech’s athletic director, and Jim Henderson, the president of the University of Louisiana System, which includes Louisiana Tech, offered their insight.
“The university is recognizing former student-athletes who have been inducted into the highest professional halls of fame,” Henderson said.
This is a very similar tone to Malone’s stated desire to leave his past in the past—even if it will always follow him.
