• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 17, 2023

South Florida Gas Stations to Return to Normal After Suffering Shortages During Rainstorms

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Now may be the time to get that Tesla you’ve been looking at.

After rainfall that brought havoc to some South Florida communities last week, affected areas also suffered a lack of fuel at gas stations. According to CBS Miami, the torrential rainfall that struck areas in Florida caused flooding that affected the delivery of fuel at gas stations in areas located in Miami-Dade and Broward.

Last week, Port Everglades, which is a seaport in Fort Lauderdale, said that there was an ample supply of fuel supply but they were not operating at full capacity due to some of the pumping equipment not being operational because of the flooding. They were waiting for things to dry up, causing a delay in the distribution of fuel to the gas stations. Supplemental supplies were being brought to Tampa and Port Canaveral.

Area residents were updated on Monday by Broward Mayor Lamar Fisher.

“It’s a fluid issue. We have terminals here that are privately owned by the gas facility folks. So what’s happening is their pumps were inundated with water. So they are trying to get these pumps in working order to get the fuel out of their tanks to the tankers to get it to the gas stations. There is no issue with fuel, we have plenty of fuel here at the docks, we have plenty of fuel that is out and coming toward us to Port Everglades. It’s unfortunate that those private companies’ tankers are those issues of getting the fuel out,” said Fisher.

The mayor is anticipating things returning back to normal sometime later this week. He is requesting patience from everyone as some gas stations in the area had run out of gas.

“Right now there are seven terminals open out of 12. There are seven that are now, it’s just a matter of time. Normally, we have 1,200 trucks that are getting fuel out on a daily basis, we’re about 50 percent right now,” he said.

Nick Cannon is seemingly convinced Black women are not feeling him due to him having numerous children with so many women.

The Masked Singer host recently appeared on Way Up With Angela Yee where he explained why he thinks Black women aren’t too fond of him.

“I feel like Black women are really upset with me for some reason,” Cannon said.

“And, specifically, that group, and I love them, it’s…I think it’s that love-hate thing. It’s love-hate because they be on me, they on me so heavy.”

The Wild N’ Out creator elaborated his point by sharing the connection he has with older Black women while feeling like younger Black women “expect more” from the father of 12.

“Let me say this, a certain demographic, certain age group because older Black women love me…My mama them, grandmas, aunties…‘Ah, he just like your daddy!’” Cannon said.

“You know what I mean?…Like, I get that energy from the elder statesmen, but the young girls is like…I think they expect more from me.”

According to Cannon, younger Black women might be disappointed in the comedy star considering how many children he has with multiple women.

“So that’s where that comes from, it’s like, ‘Oh, we thought you was one of the good ones…Even the corny ones is crazy!’” Cannon said. “You know what I mean?…I get that in my comments.”

The negative comments Cannon sees are from Black women who think it’s hard for him to be a present father to his 12 children.

“…This is what I see in the comments a lot…They say, ‘Oh, money don’t make you a good father, just because you can provide for them, what about the recitals?…” Cannon explained.

But he welcomes the critiques and is calling on Black women to hold him accountable.

“I rise to the occasion. I accept the challenge,” he said. “Hold me accountable Black women, please!…Watch me work!”

These two divas connected decades ago and have never failed at giving each other their flowers.

Award-winning actress Angela Bassett has been named one of the most influential people of 2023 for TIME magazine’s annual “TIME100” list, and the star’s dedication was written by the one and only “Queen of Rock ‘N’ Roll,” Tina Turner. 

 

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In the dedication, Turner reflected on Bassett being casted to portray her in the iconic biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It.

“I was a little bit skeptical when work began on the 1993 film,” the 83-year-old retired singer wrote. “First of all, who are they going to find to sing, dance, and act like me? Then, I looked up, saw Angela, and immediately started to smile.”

Turner praised Bassett for her hard work in playing the role how it needed to be. She went on to describe Bassett as strong, determined, and a woman with big dreams.

“‘She’s perfect,’ I said, and I was right,” Turner added. “You never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.”

The “Proud Mary” songstress celebrated the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star in the way she overcomes obstacles and masters any role she’s given.

“That’s your gift, becoming your character with conviction, truth, dignity, and grace, even when it’s painful, and takes everything you have and more. It’s not just acting, it’s being,” Turner continued.

“Whether you’re Tina Turner or the Queen of Wakanda, we believe in you because you believe in yourself,” Turner concluded. “You honor all the women you play, just as you honored me. And you’re still perfect.”

Bassett was nominated for an Academy Award for best actress for her portrayal of Turner.

Angela Bassett as Tina Turner in 1993's 'What's Love Got to Do with It.'

Bassett's transcendent and heartfelt performance as the legendary singer earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 66th Academy Awards. pic.twitter.com/ax1Wo4XMuO

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) August 16, 2022

The first year Jerome D. Love hosted the Texas Black Expo, he ended up $100,000 in the hole. As a young graduate from the University of Texas at Austin with a new degree on his resume, Love was brazened, and nothing was going to stop him from bringing his bold ideas to life. Two decades later, he now has a track record of success as a real estate investor, sought after speaker, author and the producer of the largest Black business tradeshow in the southeastern United States.

The Texas Black Expo is an annual four-day trade show and business conference that connects Black businesses owners with potential customers, partners and investors. It also provides a platform for entrepreneurs to learn about the latest trends and network with other business leaders. Inspired by the Indiana Black Expo, Love has taken the event from a few hundred attendees to tens of thousands each year, contributing millions of dollars in economic activity for the Houston area.

In addition to the actual trade show, the Expo also features educational sessions for youth and teens, workshops on various business topics for aspiring and new entrepreneurs, social events and its flagship event, a corporate luncheon featuring a well-known businessperson. This year’s keynote speaker is NBA Hall of Famer and business icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

“We are ecstatic to have someone of Magic Johnson’s caliber supporting this event by speaking to attendees at the 20^th anniversary of the Texas Black Expo,” Love said. “His life is a masterclass in resilience, ingenuity, tenacity and faith – all the characteristics necessary to be successful in business.”

Hosting the Texas Black Expo each year brings a level of personal satisfaction for Love, but it’s the knowledge that he’s fulfilling what he believes is a calling from God that keeps him going. His goal is to educate and empower Black business owners so they can not only contribute to their communities but also build generational wealth.

“It’s my belief that economic prosperity creates awesome communities, and what better way to create those awesome communities than through entrepreneurship? No one is coming to save us, so as African Americans, we have to strengthen ourselves. We have more opportunities now to build wealth than we have ever had, and I created a Black business tradeshow to make sure we don’t get left behind,” Love said.

The Texas Black Expo, which operates as a non-profit organization, offers programming year-round. When Hurricane Harvey ravaged the greater Houston area, TBE gave emergency micro-grants to business owners to help them stay afloat. Similarly, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he developed the We All Eat program, which helped local restaurants stay in business while providing free meals to families in need. That program alone was funded at a rate of over $10 million. A summer business camp for teens, free business consulting for start-ups, a pitch competition, college scholarships, a podcast and many other initiatives demonstrate the effectiveness of a person with a grand vision and faith to execute it.

“Honestly, I’m not special. I believe anyone can accomplish what I’ve accomplished, especially if you have faith in God and yourself, and you’re willing to brings others along for the ride,” Love said. “Working together is the best way for us to move the needle and lessen the wealth gap for Black people in this country.”

For more information about the Texas Black Expo, visit www.tbesummercelebration.com.

• Arts and Culture

by Iman Milner

April 17, 2023

A Dream Come True: TODAY Show Host Sheinelle Jones Performs Alongside Idol Janet Jackson

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All of our favs are on tour this year and though our wallets may never recover, it will be worth it.

Starting things off is THEE pop Queen, Janet Damita Jo Jackson, whose “Together Again” tour opened this weekend at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. The 56-year-old icon is embarking on what may be one of her final tours and making it super-special for her supporters along the way.

For one big fan of Jackson, Sheinelle Jones, the tour has already been a dream come true. Jones, who works for TODAY, wore the singer’s historic “Rhythm Nation” outfit for Halloween, and was invited by Jackson, herself, to take part in the moment, which was captured on video by the show.

“I would love for you to join me (on stage),” Jackson said to Jones. “You should.”

And that she did.

“You didn’t have to ask me twice. I am hours away from hitting that stage and living my best life,” she said before the concert. With a short amount of time to learn the choreography before joining Jackson onstage for “Together Again,” Jones said she was determined to get it just right, spending two hours in her room rehearsing.

“You’ll be fine,” Jackson told Jones as she left her with the dancers to learn the choreography. And when the time came, Jones was ready to deliver. “Suddenly, my nerves melted away and I just embraced the magic of the moment and the next thing I knew I was dancing with Janet Jackson,” she said.

Jones realized she was living the dream of so many Black girls who grew up idolizing the “Control” singer. “To take that little girl who was dancing and making up moves in my basement and to be on stage with her, it’s crazy,” Jones said.

We stan a queen who loves her fans as much as they love her!

Fantasia Barrino-Taylor is returning to school and she has her family to thank for the inspiration.

The former American Idol superstar has enrolled at Central State University, a public historically Black university located in Ohio, to study business, as she strives to be an example for her three children and anyone working to reach their goals.

 

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A post shared by Fantasia Taylor (@tasiasword)

According to People, the 38-year-old dropped out of high school when she a teenager, and received her GED in 2010.

“I’m a businesswoman now and I desired to continue to sharpen my sword and better my craft,” Fantasia told said.

“I want to break generational curses. When it comes to my family, my girls, my children, I want to show them that no matter what she’s been through, you can always get back and go after it again, and that’s what I am doing.”

“I want to be the example, I want to use my platform, my social media, to show people—men, women, Black, white, young, old—that if you have a dream, it doesn’t have to have a timeline,” Fantasia said.

“It doesn’t have to look a certain way and, in fact, looks better when it has a bunch of bruises and scars because that means you fought for it.”

The honorary Sigma Gamma Rho sorority sister, who recently appeared on E!’s Celebrity Prank Wars with her The Color Purple co-star Taraji P. Henson, said her grandmother used to tell her “anything worth having is worth fighting for.”

Fantasia uses that advice to inspire others to “stay in the ring” and keep going.

The R&B singer partnered with The American Red Cross this year to donate blood and help those who suffer from sickle cell disease. Fantasia encouraged her followers to understand the importance of the matter, emphasizing the “Black excellence” in the blood of the Black community.

• News

by Iman Milner

April 17, 2023

Morgan Freeman Calls Black History Month and Term “African American” Insults

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Morgan Freeman, better known as the narrator in our heads, has a few choice words about being Black in this country.

On his recent press tour for the Zach Braff film, A Good Person, the Academy-Award winning actor set the record straight on a few race-related topics during a conversation with The Sunday Times.

“Two things I can say publicly that I do not like,” Freeman said. “Black History Month is an insult. You’re going to relegate my history to a month?” He’s not alone in his stance as moves continue to be made to eradicate what little Black history is taught in schools.

The 85-year-old doesn’t do many interviews; therefore, this rare moment is one that has caused quite a stir.

“Also, ‘African American’ is an insult,” he added. “I don’t subscribe to that title. Black people have had different titles all the way back to the n-word and I do not know how these things get such a grip, but everyone uses ‘African American.’ What does it really mean? Most Black people in this part of the world are mongrels. And you say Africa as if it’s a country when it’s a continent, like Europe.”

Freeman’s thoughts seemed to echo the sentiments of another Oscar winner, Denzel Washington, who famously said, “I’m very proud to be Black, but Black is not all I am.” When The Sunday Times reporter brought up the quote to Freeman, he agreed with Washington’s feelings: “You can’t define me that way,” he said.

The conversation around whether or not to be defined by your race—in good ways or bad—is one that comes down to the autonomy of choice. Black as a descriptor in front of a title, be it “Black actor,” “Black athlete,” or “Black-owned business,” can either feel reductive or merely reflective of what is. It all depends on the subject.

• Celebrity News

by Stacy Jackson

April 17, 2023

Oprah Winfrey To Deliver Keynote Speech for Tennessee State University’s 2023 Commencement

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The graduating class at this Nashville HBCU is in for a treat.

Television producer, actress, and author Oprah Winfrey will deliver the 2023 undergraduate commencement speech at her alma mater, Tennessee State University.

“Commencement is always a special time for our students and their families, as it marks a major milestone in our student’s lives and a sign of success for them,” said TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover.

Following the completion of her high school years at East Nashville High School, the global media leader received a full scholarship to attend TSU, where she majored in speech communications and performing arts.

“To have Ms. Winfrey as our speaker will be a life-changing moment for graduates and the university. She is someone who has walked the TSU campus as a student, sat in some of the same classroom, and knows first-hand the value of a TSU education,” Glover added.

According to WBLS, while Winfrey attended the HBCU she became the youngest and first Black woman to land a job as news anchor at Nashville’s WLAC-TV, now WTVF-TV. The media mogul was only one credit shy of her degree when she decided to leave school to pursue her broadcast journalism career.

Winfrey returned to TSU to complete the final paper for her studies and graduated in 1986. In addition to a visit from the philanthropist, TSU will have United States Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (Miss.) address graduate students at an indoor ceremony.

“Ms. Winfrey and Congressman Thompson are trailblazers, history makers, and HBCU graduates, adding to the excitement and anticipation for both commencement ceremonies,” Glover said.

 

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TSU’s undergraduate commencement will be held on Saturday, May 6 at 8 a.m. CDT, in Hale Stadium. The graduate session with Thompson will be May 5. Over the course of both days, more than 800 students will receive degrees in various disciplines.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 17, 2023

Whoomp, There It Is! Black Professionals Reportedly Filing Lawsuit to Stop Release of “Freaknik” Documentary

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Hulu has a documentary coming out about Freaknik that has our aunties, uncles, and parents expressing their concerns—in the form of a lawsuit.

Earlier this month, Hulu teased the upcoming documentary Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told, Variety reported. The documentary highlights the infamous Spring break festival that swept the ’90s and had many in a chokehold.

Taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, each year, swarms of people, primarily students from HBCUs, would flock to the city to turn up Uncle Luke style up until the festival ended in 1999.

Now the new generation will get a chance to see what exactly went down and led to Freaknik’s demise when Hulu releases the documentary, which was executive produced by Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell himself.

Hulu Sets 'Freaknik,' Gerald Blanchard and Park Avenue Peerage Docs – Variety executive producer, Luther Campbell. https://t.co/Gys4G4zy8S

— Luther Luke Campbell (@unclelukereal1) April 6, 2023

But not everyone is on board with the documentary’s release. A group of Black women professionals, comprised of one politician, three high-level corporate executives, and one judge, have lawyered up and are threatening to sue Hulu in hopes of stopping the documentary’s release, News One reports.

One woman, a married mother of three who makes over $1 million annually, believes the documentary shows her in an “unflattering light” and there are already videos circulating online she doesn’t want her children to see.

The Rickey Smiley Morning Show discussed the possible lawsuit and thinks the debate of fair use could come into play about the Freaknik footage that is over 25 years old. Some who attended Freaknik have taken to social media to express their concern about the documentary’s release.

One woman posted a TikTok that went viral on Twitter with one person claiming that “All the Freaknik aunties scared.”

https://twitter.com/TrainLikeDime/status/1644942141049786369?s=20

“I’ve been to several Freakniks. 94′ was one that I attended. I’m just praying that Jesus be a fence,” the woman said in the video.

Others recalled officer Thaddeus Lloyd, who was suspended with pay in 2012 after a graphic throwback photo of his behavior at the ’91 Freaknik surfaced online, Daily Mail reported.

The new documentary is slated for a mid-April 2024 release, which would mark the 30th anniversary of the famed 1994 Freaknik celebration.

Chris Tucker has never played about his love for Michael Jackson. Tucker rose to prominence as a comedian with his portrayal of the “King of Pop” in his standup shows and movie roles.

So it’s no big surprise of the drastic measures Tucker took to meet Jackson in person. In a recent interview with GQ, the Friday star recalled meeting the music icon after his celebrity status grew thanks to the Rush Hour franchise.

“I was in New York for two days waiting to meet MJ,” Tucker said. “I took a private jet there.”

After the 48-hour wait, Tucker gave up hope and was headed back to LA when he got the message in the middle of his trip that MJ was in NYC ready to meet him.

“I said, ‘Well, I ain’t heard from him, I got to go.’ Took a private jet back to LA and as soon as I landed, I had a message: ‘Michael Jackson wants to meet you tomorrow morning.’ I was still on the plane,” Tucker explained.

“I went up to the captain and said, ‘I’ll pay you whatever you want to take me back to New York.'”

From there Tucker became good friends with Jackson who would often encourage the rising film star to keep up the hard work.

“He used to always say, ‘Let’s make history,'” Tucker said of the late King of Pop. “‘We want to see more of you, Chris! What are you doing?'”

Tucker would go on to star in MJ’s 2001 video for “Rock My World” and perform his signature impersonation of the “Thriller” singer throughout.

Currently, Tucker has returned to the big screen alongside Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Viola Davis in the new film, Air, about the start of Michael Jordan’s life- and culture-changing endorsement deal with Nike that was hatched in 1984.