Snoop Dogg Embraces Gay Couples In ‘Doggyland’ Kid Series, ‘Love Is Love’
Snoop Dogg shows support for the LGBTQ+ community through his "Doggyland" kids series.
Snoop Dogg seems to be addressing backlash from the LGBTQ+ community over his comments about gay couples in children’s content by highlighting diverse families on his kids’ show, Doggyland.
On Oct. 16, Doggyland debuted a new song, “Love is Love,” featuring The Voice contestant Jeremy Beloate, who voices the character Zippy. In the track, Snoop’s animated dog character, Bow Wizzle, raps about the beauty of love and the many forms a family can take, with the music video showing Bow Wizzle giving high fives to same sex couples and their kids.
“This one’s for ALL PARENTS out there! We see you, we love you & we celebrate YOU,” Doggyland captioned a promotional video.
The hip-hop mogul expanded his message by partnering with Beloate and GLAAD for Spirit Day, a day dedicated to supporting LGBTQ youth. He discussed his support for gay couples and how the new song helps him engage with the community and celebrate diverse family dynamics.
“Love is a record that my kids program, Doggyland, presented me,” Snoop shared. “The song it’s teaching love is love. It’s teaching parenthood. It’s teaching the situations that kids and the world is going through right now in a beautiful way through song, dance, melody, and I’m just trying to get more understanding clarity on how we live and the way we live.”
Featuring Beloate, an LGBTQ+ artist, reinforces the song’s message of inclusivity and helps teach children about the diversity of family dynamics.
“And I felt like this music is a beautiful, you know, bridge to bringing understanding,” Snoop explained. “This is a program that we’ve been doing for years, where we involve kids, and these are things that kids have questions about. So, now, hopefully we can help answer these questions, and you know, help them to live a happy life and understand that love is love.”
The song’s release comes after Snoop faced backlash in August for comments he made about taking his grandkids to see Lightyear in 2022, which included a scene of two women kissing and raising a child together. While Snoop did not issue a direct statement addressing the criticism, he appears to be responding through his Doggyland series.
“It’s a beautiful thing that kids can have parents of all walks and be shown love, to be taught what love is,” Snoop told Beloate. “Being able to have parents from all walks of life, whether it be two fathers, two mothers, whatever it is, love is the key.”
10 Black-Led Organizations Championing the Fight Against Poverty Locally and Globally
700 million people remain trapped in deprivation worldwide
Annually, on Oct. 17, the world marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, a day meant to spotlight the grip of poverty on poor communities and to call for action. Yet in 2025, about 700 million people remain trapped in deprivation worldwide. The chasm of inequality looms large even in affluent societies. Closing that gap calls for leadership that sprouts from the communities it seeks to uplift. Black‑led organizations, often operating on limited resources, are stepping forward, championing solutions that are both sustainable and give dignity. This list shines a spotlight on 10 groups.
Realizing the Dream
Realizing the Dream, the brainchild of Martin Luther King III, operates as a nonprofit committed to eradicating poverty, strengthening community ties, and nurturing peace through means. Headquartered in Atlanta, its initiatives span the United States. Founded in 2006, the organization blends domestic poverty‑reduction efforts with peace‑building projects guided by a framework that echoes Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival
People’s Campaign, co‑led by Rev. William Barber II and Rev. Liz Theoharis, is a grassroots movement that presses for both economic and racial equity in a swath of U.S. policies: healthcare, a living wage and voting rights among them. It weaves together a coalition of groups across the country, having taken shape in 2018‑2019 as an outgrowth of King’s 1968 Poor People’s Campaign. By casting poverty as an emergency, it calls for deep‑seated reforms that go far beyond charity, striving to lift the voices of those who are poor.
The Youth Café (TYC), a youth‑driven pan‑African nonprofit based in Kenya, strives to empower youth across arenas of education, entrepreneurship, governance, and health. Since its launch in 2012, it has operated in 22 nations, holding fast to the view that sustainable poverty alleviation demands the participation of emerging leaders.
Pistis Foundation, established by pastor Godman Akinlabi, functions as a Black‑led enterprise that brings wealth‑creation initiatives, shelter, health services, and educational aid to Nigerians struggling with poverty in underserved locales. Since its inception in 2018, the foundation has pursued a strategy pairing assistance with economic empowerment to confront the many layers of poverty.
Ripples Foundation
Ripples Foundation is a Black‑led nonprofit, officially registered in the United States, that now runs programs across Africa. Its mission focuses on women’s empowerment, achieved through village-level women’s enterprise initiatives, community-development projects, micro-business support, and a fair-trade branding model. Founded in 2005, the organization planted its roots in 2011. Ever since, it has been helping women in some of the continent’s most impoverished communities to launch their own enterprises and reclaim economic agency.
PeP Africa International (PEP) is a Black‑focused development nonprofit accredited by the United Nations, and its footprint now stretches across more than 45 countries worldwide. The organization runs development programs, offers skills‑training workshops, and advocates on behalf of young people both in Africa and throughout the diaspora. PEP holds that genuine youth engagement is the key to breaking poverty cycles and shaping a global future.
Black Futures Lab, the brainchild of Alicia Garza, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, aims to advocate for and channel resources into Black constituencies. With a footprint and a network of state and local outposts, the Lab works to reroute funding streams and policy decisions toward Black communities, grounded in the conviction that economic security is inseparable from political power.
Until Freedom, an intersectional social‑justice collective, directs its resources toward people who feel the weight of poverty, systemic inequality, and state‑inflicted violence. Led by people of color, the organization is headquartered in the United States and builds campaigns and partnerships within marginalized neighborhoods. Since its emergence in the mid‑2010s, Until Freedom has woven anti‑poverty work into the fabric of justice and change in reparative systems.
WISE Fund (Women Invested to Save Earth), founded by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland, operates as a Black‑led philanthropic vehicle that dispenses grants, coaching, and support to Black-, Indigenous-, and women‑of‑color‑led organizations worldwide, with attention to climate‑vulnerable low‑income settings. The fund has become active, aiming to confront the intertwined challenges of climate change and poverty by channeling resources into communities steered by marginalized women.
IAMSK — short for I Am My Sister’s Keeper is a Black‑led nonprofit operating in Memphis’ Shelby County in Tennessee. It provides a blend of housing, childcare assistance, tutoring, nutritious meals, and comprehensive wrap‑around services to mothers and families facing vulnerability. Founded in 2018, IAMSK works to bridge the gaps that often leave mothers on the margins of aid, offering dignity‑centered support right within their community.
NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson has teamed up with fellow former NBA player Al Harrington and his company, Viola, to launch a craft THC soda, IVERSON, with Horticulture Co., a plant-based wellness company.
The product, which is scheduled to launch Oct. 20, will blend premium THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol, which is found in cannabis) with natural fruit flavors.
“It’s time to Drink Different! My new craft soda is on the way. @viola@drinktempters“
“Allen and Viola have always been about breaking barriers and leading culture,” said Al Harrington, CEO and Founder of Viola, in a statement. “Partnering with Horticulture Co. allows us to take that same mission nationwide — creating a product that brings wellness and community together in a new way.”
IVERSON is a plant-infused alternative to alcohol that can have the calming effect that comes with cannabis. Three flavors will debut with the launch of the alternative drink, which matches the traits attributed to the former Philadelphia 76ers legend.
Bubba Chuck Berry – a bold, fruity blend inspired by Iverson’s nickname and signature energy.
Cran-Apple Crossover – a crisp, refreshing fusion that pays homage to his unforgettable moves on and off the court.
96 Nectarine – a smooth, golden flavor celebrating the year he entered the league and changed basketball culture forever.
The THC beverage will be available beginning Oct. 20 at Specs, Total Wine, and throughout select Circle K locations nationwide. IVERSON can also be purchased online at drinkviola.com.
The product launch comes after the former NBA guard announced to the world that he has been sober for six months. He revealed that tidbit during a recent interview with CBS Mornings‘ Maurice DuBois.
“When you get drunk, you’re not how you usually are,” he told DuBois. “The more and more I see it on other people, the more and more it makes me happy about the decision. And the more and more I see how the people around me appreciate it, I love it.”
On Oct. 8, Talia C. Teneyuque, 32, rejected a plea deal that would have kept a conviction off her record, M Live reported. She faces felony charges of food stamp fraud exceeding $1,000, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
At the hearing, Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Aaron M. Majorana said he would drop the felony charge if Teneyuque pleaded guilty or no contest to a one-year misdemeanor count of larceny between $200 and $1,000. Accepting the offer would have allowed the prosecution to recommend a delayed sentence, effectively placing her on probation.
She also would have had the option to repay the amount owed, either in full or through garnished Bridge Card benefits, with the conviction not remaining on her record. However, Teneyuque’s defense attorney, Emilie K. Lyday, stated that her client was rejecting the plea deal and wished to move forward with witness testimony.
Kristie M. Giorgis, an eligibility specialist with Saginaw County’s Department of Health and Human Services, testified that Teneyuque was not violating any rules by receiving benefits while running her baking business. She recalled speaking to Teneyuque when she applied for food assistance and state-of-emergency relief from Consumers Energy in December 2021, disclosing during a phone interview that she lived with her five children and ran a home-based baking business.
Giorgis testified that Teneyuque spent 20 to 30 hours a week baking and sold her goods online for about $1,000 per month through CashApp. Teneyuque reportedly spent half of her earnings on baking supplies. DHS approved her application, and she signed an agreement promising to “use my benefits legally and will not sell, trade, or give away my benefits online or in person.”
Regulatory Agent Katrina Tibbits of MDHHS’s Office of Inspector General testified that in 2023, Teneyuque reported earning only about $305 per month, which she said was insufficient to cover her bills. Tibbits added that a search of social media led her to what she believes is Teneyuque’s baking business page, Luvn a Jar.
“It appeared there was the potential for her to be making much more than $300,” Tibbits said.
The hearing concluded with Judge Clark approving Assistant Prosecutor Majorana’s request to send Teneyuque’s case to Circuit Court for trial. She remains free on bond.
Turkey Leg Hut Founder Arrested In Kidnapping Case, Accused Of Helping Known Felon
Turkey Leg Hut founder Nakia Holmes has been arrested for allegedly hindering the arrest of a known felon accused of kidnapping.
The legal woes and scandal continue to plague Turkey Leg Hut founder Nakia Holmes after being arrested for allegedly assisting a known felon.
Holmes was arrested on Oct. 15 and charged with one count of hindering the apprehension or prosecution of a known felon, the Houston Chronicle reported. Harris County court records indicate she is accused of obstructing the arrest of a man charged with aggravated kidnapping.
The Turkey Leg Hut owner is accused of assisting Johnathan Saizon, who allegedly kidnapped and assaulted an ex-girlfriend on Oct. 8 with a tire iron while out on bond for previous felony charges. Saizon also faces charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault of a family member.
Holmes was pulled over for an expired registration while accompanied by the wanted felon’s mother, who shares her address. She initially told officers no one was home, but later changed her statement. Detectives say the suspect fled through the back door and jumped several fences before being caught.
Upon her arrest, Holmes identified herself as the owner of Turkey Leg Hut and reported having just $700 in assets. She and Saizon reportedly share a residence in Cypress. Her bond was set at $10,000, and she remains in custody with her next court appearance set for Oct. 17.
Saizon, 38, faces several felony charges, including aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault of a family member.
Holmes reportedly filed for divorce from Lynn Price last month in Harris County. The pair co-founded the popular Third Ward restaurant Turkey Leg Hut, which has since closed following years of controversy.
In April, Price was indicted on federal arson charges after the Department of Justice accused him of hiring three men to set fire to Bar 5015, a nearby business owned by a former partner he was allegedly feuding with. Federal prosecutors also claim Price operated a chop shop and sold drugs out of the Turkey Leg Hut. Holmes has not been charged or implicated in the case.
WNBA Announces Next Season’s All-Star Game Will Be Hosted By Chicago Sky
'The WNBA is thrilled to bring AT&T WNBA All-Star back to Chicago, which will undoubtedly deliver unforgettable competition and community outreach,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.'
The WNBA announced that the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game will be held at the Wintrust Arena, home of the Chicago Sky. It will be the second time the event will occur in Chicago. The contest will happen July 25.
“The WNBA is thrilled to bring AT&T WNBA All-Star back to Chicago, which will undoubtedly deliver unforgettable competition and community outreach,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a written statement. “Together with the Chicago Sky, we look forward to celebrating the game’s brightest stars, engaging WNBA fans around the world, and showcasing the energy of one of basketball’s most iconic cities.”
The arena is also home to Sky center Angel Reese, one of the most popular players in the league, who will be in her third year when the All-Star game takes place next year.
Along with all the favorite and best players in the WNBA participating, there will also be several events throughout the All-Star Weekend. Community events are being planned for Chicago residents and basketball fans, as the WNBA is committed to involving the young audience in and around Chicago. WNBA Live, described as the league’s interactive fan festival showcasing players, features interactive events with fans and planned functions, including fashion, music, and culture, at McCormick Place.
Along with the off-court events, the league will have the 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge, which will take place a day before the All-Star matchup on Friday, July 24.
“The Chicago Sky [is] thrilled to welcome the 2026 WNBA All-Star game back to Chicago. We can’t wait to build on the success of the previous All-Star game and celebrate the explosive growth of the league by showcasing the WNBA’s biggest stars on a world-class stage,” Chicago Sky Chief Executive Officer and President Adam Fox said. “We are so excited to welcome fans from around the globe to the WNBA All-Star game in our beautiful city with its storied basketball legacy. We are appreciative of everyone who worked with us to make this event happen.”
More information about the schedule of events and other things associated with the All-Star game will be announced in the coming months. Tickets for all events will go on sale in 2026.
‘Instability’ Concerns As Admiral Alvin Holsey Steps Down From U.S. Navy
Admiral Alvin Holsey's abrupt departure comes just days after the U.S. military’s fifth deadly strike in the Caribbean against a small boat that was accused of carrying drugs.
There are growing concerns of instability following the retirement announcement from U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey in December, less than a year after he took over as head of the U.S. Southern Command.
Adm. Holsey became the leader of the U.S. Southern Command in November, overseeing the area that includes the Caribbean Sea and waters off South America. Military leaders usually stay in the role anywhere between three and four years.
Republicans want more information from the White House on the legal justification and the details of the deadly strikes. Meanwhile, Democrats assert that the strikes violate U.S. and international law.
In a statement posted on X, Adm. Holsey said he will retire from the U.S. Navy on Dec. 12.
“It’s been an honor to serve our nation, the American people, and support and defend the Constitution for over 37 years.”
He added, “The SOUTHCOM team has made lasting contributions to the defense of our nation and will continue to do so. I am confident that you will forge ahead, focused on your mission that strengthens our nation and ensures its longevity as a beacon of freedom around the globe.”
Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Holsey’s “unexpected departure” sends an alarming signal of instability within the chain of command.
“Admiral Holsey has served our nation with distinction for nearly four decades, and I thank him for his dedication. The American people are safer and our country is stronger because of his service,” said Senator Reed.
“However, this unexpected resignation is troubling. At a moment when U.S. forces are building up across the Caribbean and tensions with Venezuela are at a boiling point, the departure of our top military commander in the region sends an alarming signal of instability within the chain of command.”
Hegeseth thanked Holsey for his more than 37 years of “distinguished service” to the nation on social media and noted that he began his career through the NROTC program at the private, historically Black college, Morehouse, in 1988.
VIBE And Rolling Stone Merge To Expand Hip-Hop And R&B Coverage, Led By Datwon Thomas
The two publications will team up to expand hip-hop coverage.
VIBE and Rolling Stone are joining forces in a merger aimed at strengthening and expanding hip-hop and R&B coverage across both legacy music brands.
Announced on Oct. 16, the partnership will expand VIBE’s coverage of hip-hop and R&B on Rolling Stone while diving deeper into hip-hop culture, Billboard reports. As part of the collaboration, VIBE will release special collector’s print editions and debut a new video interview series spotlighting influential figures across music, sports, and fashion.
VIBE’s longtime editor-in-chief, Datwon Thomas, will serve as strategic advisor to assist with the transition.
“Coming back to VIBE in this role is deeply meaningful to me, and I am proud to remain connected to such an iconic brand that has been such a big part of my life,” Thomas said. “The opportunity to help guide VIBE into the next phase of its growth and continued legacy is an honor.”
The merger will have Rolling Stone investing in VIBE across video, podcasts, longform journalism, social media, and experiential initiatives.
Said Julian Holguin, CEO of Rolling Stone, “This historic team-up will enable Rolling Stone to level up the publication’s hip-hop and R&B coverage, allowing RS to dive deeper into the culture.”
“VIBE will continue to power cultural conversations and reestablish itself as a driving force for commentary and reporting,” Holguin said. “Our goal is to continue the mission VIBE was founded on while leveraging Rolling Stone to amplify its presence across all platforms.”
The merger of the two Penske Media Corp. (PMC) brands comes one month after MRC—owner of The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard—and PMC—publisher of Rolling Stone, Variety, and Deadline—announced the creation of a joint publishing venture combining their editorial brands.
Following the announcement, respected R&B journalist Mya Abraham confirmed her departure from VIBE due to the merger.
“Due to the VIBE/Rolling Stone merger, my time as R&B Reporter has come to an end,” Abraham wrote on X. “I’m still processing today’s news, so bear with me as I get through the calls/texts/emails/DMs. Just know it’s been the joy and honor of my life to document R&B in this capacity. 🤎”
New Georgia Project, Voter Turnout Group Founded By Stacey Abrams, Closes
The group had struggled financially in recent years.
The New Georgia Project, the powerhouse voter mobilization group founded by former Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Stacey Abrams, announced it will cease operations, The Associated Press reports.
Founded in 2013, The New Georgia Project has struggled financially in recent years. It was also hit with ethics complaints and a record $300,000 fine in early 2025 from the State Ethics Commission after being accused of violating Georgia campaign finance laws between 2018 and 2019, under the leadership of Sen. Raphael Warnock until his 2020 Senate bid.
Former employees say they were laid off in December 2024 after media reports described the organization, known as an organizing force that helped boost Democratic electoral advances, as a “climate of chaos.” In a statement, organization directors say its closure comes at a time when there is a need for new leadership to step up.
“We recognize that the work of building a just and truthful world remains urgent,” the statement, submitted by board chair Rev. James Woodall, said. “This moment calls for strong and courageous leaders to step forward, guided by principles and purpose.”
Once responsible for bringing in millions of dollars in donations and being credited with turning the deep-red state blue in 2020, and known via its face-to-face voter organizing strategies, Abrams called the organization’s issues “disappointing.”
The New Georgia Project’s closing, along with another Abrams-founded organization, Fair Fight, puts things in limbo ahead of state Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff seeking reelection in 2026 and the governor’s race, according to The Associated Press.
Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running, hoping to be the state’s first Democratic leader since 1998.
The group’s vibrant purple and orange or lime green t-shirts were a familiar sight in urban Atlanta neighborhoods and rural towns. Stephanie Jackson Ali, the organization’s former policy director who was laid off in July, said the group was one of a kind.
“For progressive politics, I haven’t seen anything yet that is going to replicate the amount of outreach, door knocks, conversations that New Georgia Project was able to achieve,” Ali said.
However, other groups are working just as hard behind the scenes to ensure the Democratic Party continues to have a place in the Peach State.
Black Voters Matter co-founder Cliff Albright cautioned voters not to think that “no work can be done in the state” with the New Georgia Project’s absene, but can see why the narrative is being floated around. “What happened was people did not continue to invest in the work, post-2020, the way that they did during 2020,” Albright said. “And so we’ve started to see the results of that disinvestment.”
Barcelona Court Rules Burger King Was Justified To Fire Employees Who Hosted Off-the-Clock Parking Lot Party
The terminated Burger King employees argued that what they do in their free time shouldn't affect their employment.
The Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain, ruled in favor of Burger King, which fired employees for hosting a drinking party in a parking lot during the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Rayo reported.
The high court ruled in favor of the Home of the Whopper, which argued it had the right to terminate an employee because of activities they partake in off the clock. Judges said yes—when it impacts the company.
The activity in question took place during the height of the global pandemic when a group of Burger King employees engaged in what is known in Spain as a botellón—or a drinking gathering in the street—in the parking lot of a restaurant location.
The party resulted in the employees being fired. The group argued that what they do in their free time shouldn’t affect their employment. In the beginning of the legal proceedings, one judge said the employees should be charged with serious misconduct under Article 39 of the Hospitality Labor Agreement (ALEH). However, under Article 40.2 of the same agreement, such practices were not categorized as very serious misconduct (e.g., fraud, disloyalty, or abuse of trust).
Burger King said otherwise, terminating the employees because they couldn’t trust them anymore. The party was in violation of internal rules, causing economic damage and putting the company’s reputation in harm’s way.
During the COVID pandemic, Burger King says it enforced strict health measures that the employees in question were aware of, making the misconduct more serious. Ultimately, the high court sided with the restaurant in its July 25 ruling.
In the U.S., legal experts warn that what employees do off the clock could jeopardize their employment, regardless of their level. Most recently, a viral moment at a Coldplay concert cost two high-level employees their jobs.
According to The Gazette, the men’s basketball head coach of the University of Texas, Chris Beard, was fired following his arrest due to an alleged altercation with his fiancée. Even when she scaled back on the allegations, the the university proceeded with the termination process.
Attorney Wilford H. Stone recommends that the employer investigate and confirm all facts instead of relying on social media popularity or just unconfirmed gossip, which can lead to costly legal proceedings. Some states are “at-will,” including Florida, Arizona, Iowa, and Maryland, meaning workers can be fired for almost anything. However, that doesn’t mean an employer can’t be sued.
If contracts are in place, Stone recommends that both the employer and employee’s sides be reviewed thoroughly. Several lay out a definition of “cause” for termination, highlighting guidelines that must be contractually followed before a dismissal.
