by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 15, 2023

Kandi Burruss Criticized For ‘Weird’ Interview With Sukihana After YK Osiris Apologizes For Forced Kiss

YK Osiris is doing damage control after facing backlash online for his alleged sexual assault of reality star Sukihana.

The Love & Hip Hop star has been trending across social media after a now-viral video shows Osiris attempting to force a kiss on Suki during a basketball competition. Suki has since responded to the exchange saying she was “hurt” by the experience.

“I am hurt and I am scared to stand up for myself,” Sukihana tweeted on Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/SaycheeseDGTL/status/1669053205949341717

“I drink to hide that I’m very sensitive. I feel things more then the average person. I stopped drinking yesterday but today I’ve been crying all day,” she wrote in a follow-up tweet before deactivating her account.

“I asked God to strengthen me and use me to help others and to order my steps in his word. I just want to go away for awhile.”

Amid the backlash, YK Osiris took to his Instagram Story to issue a public apology to Suki and all who he offended with his actions. According to the singer, he was trying to be “playful” with Suki and wasn’t aware that he “violated” her “boundaries.”

But Osiris didn’t face criticism from everyone. While Amber Rose called him out to defend Sukihana, rapper Meek Mill hopped on Twitter to defend the singer.

“Don’t do this to him please he a good kid …. Just slap him and he gotta let you something,” Meek tweeted.

“We don’t need our young bulls tore down for mistakes in this hyper sexual era…. I support suki … hold that sh*t down on some street sh*t.”

Elsewhere, singer and reality star Kandi Burruss has also come under fire for how seemingly nonchalant she was when her co-host got a little too “aggressive” with his advances toward Sukihana when she appeared on “Kandi Koated Live” in February.

During the “Sex and Relationships” episode, Kandi’s co-host DJ Aone made a few vulgar statements to Suki. The comments were so extreme, Kandi even told Aone he was being too “aggressive” with Suki.

But Kandi’s laughing during the exchange is rubbing spectators wrong months later. Amid debates over Suki’s recent exchange with Osiris, social media revisited her appearance on Kandi’s podcast and is calling out the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star and her co-host.

“Second-hand embarrassment for Men. I’m sorry y’all gotta deal with weirdo activity like this ladies.. y’all deserve better,” one Twitter user wrote.

“Sexual harassment and kandi is just laughing it off,” added someone else.

Kandi has yet to respond to the current conversation but considering how much steam it’s gaining, she most likely will.

RELATED CONTENT: Sukihana Trends After YK Osiris Forces Himself On Her At Public Event, Amber Rose Defends Her

by Sidnee Michelle Douyon

June 15, 2023

Celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month with ‘Taste of the Caribbean L.A’

Caribbean Heritage Month honors the rich tapestry of Caribbean culture, celebrating its traditions and contributions to the global society. This dedicated month is a powerful platform for raising awareness, promoting understanding, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the Caribbean diaspora’s diverse existence. During Caribbean Heritage Month, individuals of Caribbean descent go even harder at embracing their roots, celebrating their cultural identity, and sharing their histories.

By shining a spotlight on the vibrant customs, cuisine, music, and history of the Caribbean, this month-long acknowledgement not only pays homage to the region’s unique heritage, but also promotes inclusivity and unity among diverse communities.

Caribbean Heritage Month reminds us of the lasting legacy and ongoing contributions of the Caribbean diaspora, reinforcing the importance of cultural diversity and the valuable role it plays in shaping our global society and our palates.

Caribbean

Los Angeles, a city renowned for its diverse and vibrant cultural makeup, is often celebrated for its ability to bring together people from all corners of the world through film and food. However, one glaring absence in the city’s cultural mosaic is the representation of Caribbean culture. Despite the significant presence of Caribbean diaspora communities throughout the United States, the lack of Caribbean restaurants, festivals, and dedicated cultural spaces leaves a void in L.A.’s cultural landscape.

Celebrity Chef Bernard James, a 20-year veteran of the culinary and restaurant industry, recently opened “Taste of the Caribbean L.A.” in Hollywood to combat this issue. He has cooked for Kyrie Irving, Akon, Christina Milian, T.I., and Trinidad James, to name a few celebrities. He began cooking with his grandmother, as a child,d and incorporates a lot of her West Indian recipes into his five-star menu.

The cuisine is a blend of African, European, Asian, and indigenous approaches that create a unique fusion of flavors. Like many Caribbean influences, Chef James incorporates innovative remixes of ingredients from the West Indies and food from around the world.

What will separate Taste of the Caribbean L.A. from other restaurants is that it will be the only restaurant in L.A. that has indoor dining until 4 a.m. During the day, the restaurant is open for a high demand of pick-up and delivery app orders. The restaurant will open for dining from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. and treat diners with live soca music and beloved carnival vibes. BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with owner and chef Bernard James on the importance of Caribbean heritage in Los Angeles and abroad.
Caribbean
Is this Hollywood location intentional as there are not many Caribbean restaurants, especially ones with dine-in options?
Chef Bernard James: There’s not a lot of Black-owned spots in Hollywood. I set a goal, I saved and got the locations. I came to California in 2008, stayed at the Renaissance and had a restaurant in New York City. When I came to L.A., I was looking for Caribbean food and couldn’t find any. So I put on Facebook in 2013 that I was bringing my NYC restaurant to L.A.. My Hollywood dream.
What was your biggest struggle as a Caribbean immigrant with a passion for all things culinary?
    It’s the craziest story, man. I took the first real opportunity to leave the island and make more of myself. I had three contracts for Caribbean Cruise line, and that was my opportunity to leave Guyana to come to U.S. I had $9 in my pocket. When I left, my shoes had holes in them. I was making $150 a week, but it was free living and I got to travel the world.

As not only the owner but also head chef, what’s your #1 go-to dish that you would recommend to customers and family alike?

Everything is excellent, but definitely the jerk salmon! Everyone goes for the chicken but the salmon is a good way to please the pescatarians also.

 

 

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Taste of The Caribbean L.A. (@tasteofthecaribbeanla) • Instagram photos and videos

Caribbean food possesses a unique ability to transcend borders and unite cultures, effortlessly bringing people together. Chef Bernard James is doing exactly that. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, check it out for yourself.

YouTube Cuts Candace Owens’ Coin For Anti-Trans Rhetoric In Videos
by Sharelle B. McNair

June 15, 2023

YouTube Cuts Candace Owens’ Coin For Anti-Trans Rhetoric In Videos

YouTube is warning Candace Owens that her anti-trans videos may affect her pockets.

NBC News reports that the streaming platform had demonetized videos on the conservative commentator’s channel for violating its monetization policies on hateful content. YouTube says the violations come from Owens’ continuous misgendering or deadnaming members of the trans community. While the policy isn’t publicly listed, YouTube released a statement saying they consider deliberately misgendering, referring to using pronouns not preferred by trans individuals, as a potential violation of its monetization policy.

Owens used her platform to address the issue. On an episode of The Candace Owens Podcast, she claims YouTube gave her the option to “delete every video that I’ve ever done pertaining to gender in which I have accurately gendered someone.”

Google spokesperson Michael Aciman said YouTube hadn’t removed the hosts’ videos but blocked “several videos” on her channel for a monetization violation. Their policy guidelines on hateful and derogatory content state YouTube can block advertisements from running on a video that “promotes discrimination, disparages, or humiliates an individual or group of people,” including disparagement of the LGBTQ community, Aciman said.

Not one to mince words, Owens spoke out on her episode, “I Have An Announcement To Make.” She doubles down, claiming she hasn’t misgendered anyone. “If you properly gender someone, you can have your YouTube account hit. If that person does not feel that they are that gender that day,” Owens said, according to Newsweek. “So reality does not matter on YouTube, people’s feelings about reality does, which is a shocking thing.”

According to Twitter, her channel still has some sponsors behind her, like Omaha Steaks and Birch Gold.

Bank of America Commits $500 Million to Funds Led by Minority, Women Entrepreneurs
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 15, 2023

Bank of America Commits $500 Million to Funds Led by Minority, Women Entrepreneurs

Bank of America Corp (BOA) on Thursday said it has committed more than $500 million in equity investments to funds led by minority and women entrepreneurs, more than doubling from its initial commitment of $200 million.

The bank has committed equity to more than 150 funds, which to date have invested in over 1,000 companies that span 40 states, it said.

These companies are led by 1,500 diverse entrepreneurs and employ over 21,000 people.

“As a company, we looked at how to support women and diverse entrepreneurs,” Tram Nguyen, global head of Strategic and Sustainable Investments at Bank of America, told Reuters.

“Capital to under-resourced entrepreneurs has the effect of unlocking their potential to grow their businesses locally and to create economic opportunity,” Nguyen said.

Typically these fund managers have the experience of having founded businesses before or experience investing as part of a larger fund. Now they’re taking that experience and going off to start their own fund, she said.

One of the funds is Zeal Capital Partners, founded by Nasir Qadree, which provides founders with the resources they need to scale their business to the next level of growth.

It is an early investor in Esusu, one of the few Black-owned unicorns, the statement said. Unicorn refers to unlisted companies that have a valuation of $1 billion.

U.S. banking giants like Bank of America have expanded their racial-equity pledges in the years after 2020, when the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a police officer sparked global protests.

“Each time we support a minority or women-led fund, they in turn support diverse entrepreneurs, which ultimately helps us toward achieving our goal to advance racial equality and economic opportunity,” Nguyen said.

(Reporting by Saeed Azhar; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Mark Porter)

Related: BANK OF AMERICA NAMES NEIGHBORHOOD BUILDERS RACIAL EQUALITY AWARDEES WHO ARE ADVANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITY COMMUNITIES

TikTok Video Praises Sesame Street’s Black Hair Representation And Goes Viral
by Iman Milner

June 15, 2023

TikTok Video Praises Sesame Street’s Black Hair Representation And Goes Viral

A Tiktok video shared by a grateful mother highlighting Black hair representation on Sesame Street has gone viral.

The long-running children’s program has never shied away from being inclusive of all people on a deeply nuanced level and one mother found herself overjoyed by its ability to still surprise us all. TikTok user, @haiamabeauty, recorded a segment in which a Black muppet explains how her hair is cared for by her auntie. “Next my auntie rinses the regular conditioner out and puts leave- in conditioner in and detangles my hair one more time,” the character said. To add an extra layer of authenticity, all of the action takes place at the sink of the character’s kitchen.

The video has already raked up over two million views and has been reshared by users across multiple social media sites.

@haiamabeauty @Sesame Street leading the way! I loved watching this episode with my kid. ➿💕🙌🏾 #naturalhaircare #naturalhairkids ♬ original sound – haiamabeauty

This isn’t the first time Sesame Street has taken the time to provide Black children with an affirming moment for their hair. In 2010, a character named Shirley sang about her love for her hair and its texture. “Don’t need a trip to the beauty shop cause I love what I got on top,” she sang in the video. ‘It’s curly and it’s brown and it’s right up there!”

Throughout the clip, Shirley rocks several different natural styles, expressing love for them all. “I love my hair!” she sings repeatedly. With legislation still being passed to end hair-based discrimination across the nation, teaching Black children to see their crowns as assets and not unwelcome burdens is as important as ever. It’s never too early to learn to love everything about the things that make you special and few shows drive home that point more effectively than Sesame Street.

Delivery Gone Wrong: Black Women Draws Gun On Uber Eats Driver Who Walked Up In Her House
by Sharelle B. McNair

June 15, 2023

Delivery Gone Wrong: Black Women Draws Gun On Uber Eats Driver Who Walked Up In Her House

An Uber Eats driver in Columbus, OH learned a hard lesson after his delivery attempt went wrong.

Shar’Daya Hardin, with the handle @DayxMarie, posted a video of what happened when she caught an Uber Eats driver trying to break into her home. She claimed she ordered some food and, after it took almost two hours to be delivered, she fell asleep. Hardin told BLACK ENTERPRISE she thought she was “bugging” when she heard banging on her door. “All my deliveries are ‘no contact’ so I’m used to them leaving it at the door,” Hardin said. “I heard bumping against my door and him on the handle….But I realized he was pushing his body against the door.”

When she woke up, she opened the door and pulled her gun in order to protect herself. The mother of three said the driver started begging her to forgive him. “He instantly started saying ‘I’m sorry please don’t tell on me…sorry sorry sorry.’”

She also noticed he never had any food in hand.

After trying to report the man to Uber Eats, she claimed they blocked her. “I reached out to Uber and the police and Uber Eats instantly locked my account so I couldn’t get his information,” Hardin said. “I asked them for it to make the police report, but she ended the call saying due to the driver stating it was violence she could no longer talk to me.”

Other women in the thread shared their Uber Eats horror stories. One Twitter user said she ordered food and when the delivery person returned, he saw her dog and son – who is six foot five inches tall – and changed his mind. Hardin, who is a make-up artist, says she was scared at the moment but knew what she had to do. “I’m a mother with children so my children and my own safety comes first.”

Disgraced Comedian Bill Cosby Sued By 9 More Women In New Sexual Assault Case
by Iman Milner

June 15, 2023

Disgraced Comedian Bill Cosby Sued By 9 More Women In New Sexual Assault Case

Bill Cosby is at the center of a new sexual assault lawsuit for alleged past crimes committed against nine different women in Nevada.

Taking advantage of a new law that lifts the statute of limitations in the state, former model Janice Dickinson, actress Lili Bernard, Janice Baker-Kinney, Rebecca Cooper, Linda Kirkpatrick, and Angela Leslie are among the accusers who seek to get justice against the disgraced entertainment icon.

According to Forbes, the lawsuit alleges that between 1979 and 1992, Cosby repeatedly used drinks and barbiturate pills to subdue and then sexually assault women. The majority of the incidents took place in a Las Vegas hotel where the comedian and actor often stayed.

The lawsuit would be treated as a civil case; therefore, Cosby does not stand to do more prison time if convicted.

“In a deposition filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, defendant Cosby admitted to obtaining drugs to use on women with whom he wanted to engage in sex,” the lawsuit reads. “Now, these Plaintiffs have come forward to stand up for themselves, after they were sexually abused and assaulted by defendant Cosby.” The women are seeking punitive damages in the form of compensation from Cosby.

The 85-year-old actor was released from prison in June 2021 when his conviction was overturned on the grounds that prosecutors violated his rights by breaking their promise to not charge him if he testified during his trial.

“Mr. Cosby is a Citizen of these United States but these judges and lawmakers are consistently allowing these civil suits to flood their dockets—knowing that these women are not fighting for victims—but for their addiction to massive amounts of media attention and greed,” Andrew Wyatt, Cosby’s publicist, said in a statement regarding the most recent charges, according to Forbes.

To date, over 60 women have come forward with allegations against the man once regarded as “America’s Dad.”

Attorney General Letitia James Receiving Death Threats Amid Trump Prosecution
by Iman Milner

June 15, 2023

Attorney General Letitia James Receiving Death Threats Amid Trump Prosecution

New York Attorney General Letitia James has had to strengthen her security detail as threats to her life have followed her pursuit of federal charges against former President Donald J. Trump.

On June 12, 2023, James took part in a live taping of Pod Save the World and admitted that concerns of lone wolf attacks have increased amid growing partisan upset, according to Politico. “I’m really concerned, obviously, because they are feeding into all of this anger that, unfortunately, currently exists in our society and we find ourselves more polarized than ever, I think, since the Civil War,” James said. “Here in the city of New York, and in the state of New York, we’re taking precautions.”

This isn’t the first time James has been pursued by Trump supporters emboldened by the former president’s threats.

In an attempt to block her efforts to investigate him and his businesses, Trump filed a lawsuit against James in September 2022 when the attorney general went public with claims that the organization responsible for the former president’s professional dealings had misled banks and others about the value of his assets, including golf courses and the popular hotels bearing his name, according to PBS. Trump’s supporters launched an all-out attack on James, including racially and sexually charged threats.

Trump dropped the lawsuit after Florida Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks fined him $1 million for a “pattern of abuse of the courts.”

James says Trump’s legion of supporters will not deter her. “Am I concerned about my personal safety? I don’t think about it. The reality is I’ve got a job to do each and every day. And again, I cannot be paralyzed by fear. I’ve got to wake up each and every day with this fire in my belly to represent the interests of the citizens of the state of New York to serve this state,” she said.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 15, 2023

The Grammys Finally Add African Music Performance Among Three New Award Categories

African Music Performance is among three new categories coming to the 66th Grammy Awards in 2024.

The Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees voted to include three new categories to the Grammy Awards: Best African Music Performance, Best Pop Dance Recording, and Best Alternative Jazz Album, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

A meeting was held last month that resulted in the total number of categories increasing to 94. The addition of Best African Music highlights the significant rise of Afrobeats in mainstream music, with acts like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Tems all winning Grammys from their chart-topping hits.

On June 13, the Grammys announced the three new award categories on social media.

After noticing how Afrobeats dominated the nominees within the Global Music category that launched in 2022, the new Best African Music category aims to “recognize recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent,” the Academy stated.

Along with Afrobeats, other subgenres include Afro-fusion, Afro-pop, Bongo Flava, Ethio jazz, Kizomba, High Life, Fuji, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian drill, Afro-house and South African hip-hop.

“These changes reflect our commitment to actively listen and respond to the feedback from our music community, accurately represent a diverse range of relevant musical genres, and stay aligned with the ever-evolving musical landscape,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the academy, said in a statement.

“By introducing these three new categories, we are able to acknowledge and appreciate a broader array of artists – and relocating the Producer Of the Year and Songwriter Of The Year categories to the General Field ensures that all our voters can participate in recognizing excellence in these fields. We are excited to honor and celebrate the creators and recordings in these categories, while also exposing a wider range of music to fans worldwide.”

With African music receiving its own Grammy category, it leaves room for other genres like Latin music, K-pop, and Arabic music to earn nominations within the global music category.

RELATED CONTENT: Tems’ ‘Free Mind’ Breaks Female Record Spending 17 Weeks At No. 1

Rapper Yo-Yo Chefs It Up With New Cooking Show, ‘Downright Delicious’
by Lauren Nutall

June 15, 2023

Rapper Yo-Yo Chefs It Up With New Cooking Show, ‘Downright Delicious’

Yolanda Whitaker, better known as Yo-Yo, has launched a cooking show where she demonstrates how to achieve her favorite dishes, USA Today reports. From stuffed bell peppers to hearty shrimp and grits smothered in a rich gravy, Yo-Yo is dishing out her tips for making the most out of each meal, according to Aspire TV.

Yo-Yo, who is affectionately called Auntie Yo-Yo, was raised in South Central. Her break-out appearance came in 1990 when she appeared on rapper Ice Cube’s debut, “It’s A Man’s World.” From there, her career flourished. Yo-Yo went on to appear in the Oscar-nominated film Boyz in the Hood and several television shows, including Martin. Not only is Yo-Yo a star in the world of entertainment but she also mentors young girls ​​in the Intelligent Black Women’s Coalition. 

The Grammy-nominated MC announced the venture earlier this year. A special episode of the show premiered March 7, 2023 in celebration of Women’s History Month, according to Essence.

“I am excited to have a cooking show,” she told the publication in February. “The kitchen is my happy place, where I connect with my family and friends! It brings me great joy to hop in the kitchen and whip up delicious meals packed with flavor, and now my fans and the audience get to hang out with me!” 

Though her meals seem elaborate, Yo-Yo has made relatability a large selling point.

“I’m not a fancy chef…I’m Yo-Yo from around the way, who can throw down in the kitchen. No big fancy chef stuff!” she said. “But I promise you everything I make is downright delicious, and you will always have a good time.” 

Yo-Yo’s new show premiered June 6, 2023 on Aspire TV. She cooked up buttery brioche lobster rolls topped with shrimp. New episodes premiere every Tuesday on Aspire TV. 

RELATED CONTENT: Unconventional Cooking Show Starring R&B Singer Chris Brown’s Aunt Set to Premiere Feb. 1

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