Great friends make sure you feel your best.

Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph has implemented a new policy on set, embracing “no negative body talk.”

According to SheKnows, Ralph’s co-star Lisa Ann Walter who plays the fiery second-grade teacher Melissa Schemmenti on the ABC sitcom, said the new habit has shifted her personal perspective of how she feels about her body.

“When I was growing up… white girls were not supposed to have meat, were not supposed to have booty, were not supposed to have any of it,” Walter, 59, said during a recent red carpet interview. “And as a Sicilian girl who was blessed with [a butt] that people are paying for now, I was taught that didn’t look like a Charlie’s Angel, so I had to be self-loathing.”

@j.simonemedia

#LisaAnnWalter thanks co-star #SherylLeeRalph #bodypositivity #friendship #abbottelementary #naacp #ImageAwards

♬ Best Friend – Brandy

Walter said it wasn’t until she met Ralph, 66, that she could let go of her habit of self-loathing throughout her career.

“One of the things that [Sheryl] has done for me — besides become a beautiful dear friend and besides be [ing] a great cast mate, we feed each other with our acting — is she has said to me, ‘I will not allow any of that negative [body] talk,’” Walter continued. “‘I know you’re making jokes, but I’m not having it anymore. You are beautiful, and this is what it is, and you will own it, and you will love it.’”

Tyler James Williams, who also stars in the sitcom as Gregory Eddie, recently shared how his workout routine to fit the standards for a previous project caused his body to shut down.

“I was really pushing my body to the limit,” he told Men’s Health in January. “By the time December hit, it just crashed. Everything shut down.”

He explained that his early 20s consisted of hiring trainers, heavy lifting, and force-feeding himself. Williams shared the time he chugged down a shake with 1,600 calories, only to throw it all back up. Williams said he entered a stage where he experienced severe stomach pains before an X-ray showed his bowels were inflamed and clogged with scar tissue.

Kelis remained in positive spirits after her frightening car accident while en route to Big Bear Mountain over the weekend.

The “Milkshake” singer took to Instagram on Monday to share a video of what happened when she “almost fell off a cliff.”

“My plan was to take the kids to the snow, but we almost fell off a cliff!” she captioned the post.

“So make the best of what ya got, n always be prepared lol.”

 

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A post shared by Kelis (@kelis)

Kelis was all smiles in the video while explaining how her car “got stuck” and she was forced to wait hours for a tow truck to come save the day. Video clips showed the singer’s car leaning into a pile of dirt and snow.

“We’ve been out here awhile. But we had all our snowboarding gear so God is good,” she shared.

The “Caught Out There” singer then directed the video to her Big Bear fashion that included a white fur-trimmed coat, pink inner fur, a green scarf, and silver boots.

“I figure if you’re going to be in this situation, you should at least look your best,” she said while laughing.

Kelis was layered up “to keep warm,” and was able to take her car accident in stride. She showed off the light on her winter hat that helped alert rescuers to the wreckage sight.

“Things could be worse,” Kelis said. “Rescue fashion.”

Fans praised the singer for remaining upbeat and positive despite the stressful and traumatic experience.

“The way this super inconvenient situation turned into a OOTD moment. Love! 💗✨ #ThingsCouldBeWorse !!” one fan wrote in response to the video.

“Omg …. Not you almost falling off a cliff in style,” added another. “it’s not even funny but I’m glad your smiling and making light of a scary situation. I hope the kids aren’t too shaken up. I would have been a nervous wreck.”

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 1, 2023

Cut the Check: TD Bank Agrees to a Massive Settlement of $1.2 Billion in Ponzi Scheme

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Financial institution, TD Bank, has been named in a Ponzi scheme organized by disgraced financier Allen Stanford, but still stands on the grounds of not being involved.

CNN reported the bank agreed to a massive settlement of $1.2 billion to a court-appointed receiver who will pay back victims of the scheme. The Canadian-founded bank issued a statement proclaiming its innocence.

“As has been the case throughout these proceedings, TD expressly denies any liability or wrongdoing with respect to the multi-year Ponzi scheme operated by Stanford and makes no admission in connection to any Stanford matter as part of the settlement,” the statement read.

The settlement came shortly after other banks named in the scheme reportedly negotiated a settlement. USA Today reported HSBC Holdings is set to pay $40 million and Independent Bank will dish out $100 million. The settlements will first need to be approved by a judge.

Stanford was found guilty in 2012 on 13 counts of fraud-related charges in Houston. Prosecutors claimed Stanford sold billions of dollars in fake certificates of deposit provided by Stanford International Bank Ltd., an offshore bank in Antigua, victimizing thousands of clients. TD Bank was named after a lawsuit said the bank collected the deposits in U.S. and Canadian dollar values and continued to ignore warning signs about the Antigua-based bank for years.

Clients were allegedly told the purchased certificates of deposit averaged a rate of return between three and four percent higher than U.S. certificates and the bank made “safe” investments in stocks and bonds. However, that wasn’t the case, as the money was actually used to fund Stanford’s lavish lifestyle, purchasing multiple homes in the Caribbean and United States.

Counsel representing the receiver, Kevin Sadler, was ecstatic with the outcome. “Given all the challenges faced by the receivership since 2009, this is nothing short of a monumental recovery,” Sadler said. “We look forward to obtaining prompt approval of the settlements and distributing these much-needed funds to the Stanford victims.”

Rapper and entrepreneur Ice Cube, who is usually at odds with the NBA has called them out once again, after the league reportedly is thinking about rule changes.

For the past several years, the NBA has been trying to restrict the “time management” of its players, who tend to be weary at the end of the 82-game season. To combat the tiredness that professional players experience, coaches have been implementing what has been called, “load management” to rest their players throughout the NBA season.

The NBA has been trying to discourage teams from keeping their best players off the courts when they are not injured. Fans have become disappointed when their favorite players come into town but aren’t participating in the contest because the game may not be deemed important.

In a Twitter post by Bleacher Report‘s Eric Pincus, he stated that the league is looking to put in place a target score for the NBA. They have started testing it in the G League recently.

A target score is a number that a team would reach in order to outright win the game, as opposed to the game being played within a specific time. This would eliminate the wear and tear the athletes put on themselves when playing long games. It would also prevent networks from having to broadcast past the allotted time the game is typically played.

The NBA has been testing the Target Score for G League overtimes this season (and fourth quarters at the Showcase in Vegas). It could make its way to the NBA, but more likely just for OT to limit broadcast time and reduce spikes in player minutes: https://t.co/cNyG42DHvJ

— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) February 28, 2023

NBA Central posted about what may take place regarding the target score experiment.

The NBA could reportedly implement a target score for overtime games, per @EricPincus

“That would prevent overlong broadcasts and overloading player minutes, like Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard’s playing 46 minutes in a double-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings… https://t.co/CIDTJDrRUw pic.twitter.com/X91eAYb4QQ

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 27, 2023

Ice Cube, in typical fashion, made sure to remind folks that his Big3 league implemented the target score rule over five years ago.

Larsa Pippen wasn’t expecting the grill session she endured while appearing on The Tamron Hall Show and called out the host’s “negative” interview style.

The Real Housewives of Miami star, 48, appeared on Hall’s show on Tuesday where she was forced to open up about her budding relationship with Marcus Jordan, 32. With 16 years between them, Hall couldn’t help but ask Larsa the obvious when it came to her romance with someone nearly 20 years her junior.

“I’ve dated guys that were a lot older than me. Scottie is 10 years older than me,” she said. “So, I don’t really view age as you’re mature or immature.”

“I don’t feel like that determines if you’re mature or not. I feel like if you can drink at 21, then you can go to war at 18,” Larsa continued. “I feel like there are different circumstances that I feel like age doesn’t really determine your level of maturity.”

In addition to the 16-year age gap between Larsa and Marcus, the two have close ties to two former teammates who do not get along. Larsa is the ex-wife of Scottie Pippen and Marcus is the son of Michael Jordan.

2020’s The Last Dance documentary shared the story of the Chicago Bulls’ success in the 90s. It also highlighted where things started to go wrong between Scottie and Michael. Years after playing as teammates, Scottie and Michael still aren’t on good terms, and Tamron wanted to know why Larsa would date the offspring of someone her ex-husband doesn’t like.

“I can’t basically explain how someone else feels. That’s how Scottie feels and he has a right to feel the way,” Larsa explained.

“I personally don’t really care about other people out here. I feel like I live my truth. I’m happy. I feel like we get along. He’s my best friend. And so as your best friend, I feel like we have a lot in common.”

But the Bravo star was visibly bothered by Hall’s probing and waited until the commercial break to call her out. Once they returned, Hall let the audience know that Larsa confronted her for being “negative.”

When Hall told Larsa she only based her questions on what’s been made public in the media and on the show, Larsa defended herself claiming “There’s a lot that goes into these shows that you don’t really see.”

Hall’s response wasn’t exactly the sympathy Larsa might’ve been hoping for.

“What you’re saying is that y’all are equally mean? I don’t know,” Hall responded.

“No, we’re not mean to each other. I feel like you don’t have it right,” Larsa told her.

Hall told Larsa that she didn’t want the reality star to think “Tamron Hall judges you for anything.” But it’s clear that damage had already been done.

Fans have been praising Hall for “eating Larsa Pippen up,” as one viewer put it.

Not Tamron Hall eating Larsa Pippen up, chile. pic.twitter.com/M6IZUQzy2B

— n a t a l i e (@nataliethehero) February 28, 2023

Why did Larsa Pippen go on Tamron Hall thinking it would be a soft ball interview?

— Tone Bee (@TeeliciousB) February 28, 2023

https://twitter.com/yas_realitea/status/1630878742716334080?s=20

Wendy Williams is out and about these days.

It’s been four months since the 58-year-old former talk show host was released from a wellness facility.

According to People, Williams is healthy and living a holistic lifestyle.

“I want to be on TV, stuff like Seth Meyers, Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, The View, stuff like that. I am formerly retired,” Willams said to the paparazzi after she was spotted shopping at a Petco in New York City.

“I’m shopping for kitty litter because I have a wax museum in Paris and one in California,” the television personality said. “I’m going for a week in Paris and then three weeks in California and then immediately fly back,” she said.

“[She] regularly attends the gym and is focused on her overall wellness at this time… travel is a part of her enjoyment,” Williams’ publicist Shawn Zanotti told People.

Fans expressed mixed feelings about Williams as she returned to the spotlight. Although some think she looks fine, others are concerned.

This month, the former host was spotted at New York Fashion Week at Daniels Leather’s fashion show. Fans wondered about her health when the designer, Nadeem Waheed, posted Williams on Instagram, thanking her for coming to his show.

 

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A post shared by Nadeem Waheed (@danielsleather)

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Williams appeared in good spirits during this past holiday season when she released a video clip on Christmas ahead of the debut of her podcast, The Wendy Experience. The clip also showed Williams promoting new merchandise associated with her catchphrases and former talk show.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 1, 2023

Former Tennessee Cop Who Slept Around, Files Lawsuit — Says She Was ‘Groomed’ for Sexual Advances

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There are new developments in the case involving a former cop accused of sleeping with multiple coworkers.

Rolling Stone reported in a new lawsuit filed by Maegan Hall, the disgraced former Tennessee police officer is suing the city of La Vergne and three of her superior officers, claiming she was “sexually groomed.” Hall, who is married, said she was vulnerable in a department dominated by much older men. She was subject to constant objectification and harassment. Hall claimed members of the department threatened her job if she did not return their sexual advancements.

The ordeal lead Hall to bouts of self-harm, leaving her hospitalized in December of 2022. The lawsuit stated she was seeking mentorship but received everything but that. “Where Ms. Hall sought role models at her new job, she instead found predators,” the lawsuit said, as reported by The New York Post. “In place of offering professional development, her supervisors and the chief of police groomed her for sexual exploitation.

Hall was terminated in January, along with LPD chief, Burrel “Chip” Davis and Sergeants Henry “Ty” McGowan and Lewis Powell, who were named in the lawsuit. The case made headlines, with Hall’s face being used on social media memes and photoshopped pornography. After being fired, Hall secured a job at a local restaurant but lost it due to the “extreme degree of publicity” she faced as the butt of ongoing viral jokes and harassment from the media.

The alleged escapades, including officers Larry Holladay, Patrick Magliocco, Ty McGowan, Juan Lugo-Perez, Gavin Schoeberl, and Detective Seneca Shields, promoted an investigation from the department, uncovering uncomfortable truths about the chief. The lawsuit claimed Davis once asked Hall to come to his office to “dance” for him, tried to get her to agree to “lunch dates,” and constantly described her clothing as “hot girl summer s–t.”

Powell, Lugo-Perez, McGowan, and Shields were terminated, but Holladay and Magliocco remain employed but currently suspended. Sources were unaware of the amount of the lawsuit, but it is seeking lost wages, medical expenses, mental suffering, emotional distress, and “reputational harm.”

• Business

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 1, 2023

Founder of Largest Black-Owned Cause Marketing Agency Proves Diversity is Good For Business

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Diversity, equity and inclusion are good for business at CMRignite, the nation’s largest Black-owned cause marketing agency. The firm, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been able to achieve exponential growth in staff and revenue by prioritizing diversity as a best practice for its business model.

Since the company was founded by Jacqueline Moore in 1995, CMRignite has been on a mission to develop innovative, cross-cultural marketing campaigns that lead to real, positive change. While many agencies struggle to hire and retain diverse talent, CMRignite has intentionally and methodically built a staff that is 70% Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ and/or people with disabilities. In addition, the company acquired a Washington D.C.-based marketing agency in 2022, creating an even more diverse team of creatives and communicators.

The agency’s current client list includes organizations like U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, National WIC Association, NAACP, Wisconsin Department of Tourism and the University of Wisconsin.

“I knew I wanted to build an agency that would make an impact and leave a legacy, and I also understood the importance of reaching the multicultural market in an authentic way long before it became popular,” said Moore, chairman and CEO of CMRignite. “Hiring the best and brightest talent allows us to compete at the highest level, yet it’s our diversity that sets us apart. I believe it’s one of our biggest assets.”

Moore understood the potential of tapping into emerging multicultural markets in the mid-90s, and she sought to satisfy that need. It paid off. Today, with a staff of close to 60 full-time employees, CMRignite is an award-winning agency that recently earned a spot on the INC 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in the United States based on its unprecedented three-year growth rate of 709%.

Data provided about some of CMRignite’s most recent marketing campaigns confirms that many of its multicultural ads perform two to three times better than the general market industry average.

“Our team’s talent, coupled with their diverse lived experiences, allows us to create compelling campaigns that get results for our clients. Our strategies are designed and developed in an inclusive environment, and that matters,” said David Bowles, president of CMRignite. “In an industry that often struggles with diversity, I hope our story inspires others because it proves that diversity is good for business.”

A 2023 employee engagement survey found that 90% of CMRignite’s employees felt the agency’s mission is the reason their jobs are important, and more than 90% of employees said they believe their work offers a sense of purpose and motivation.

“If you want to compete in the marketplace, you have to be inclusive. I’m extremely proud that we have built a team that defies the industry norm and actually reflects the diversity of America,” Bowles added. “It hasn’t been easy, but when you make diversity a priority, it can transform your business.”

This news first appeared on blacknews.com

• News

by Stacy Jackson

March 1, 2023

Top Black Woman at FDNY Reportedly Prepares for Termination

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She was told she was headed for the door.

FDNY lawyer Terryl Brown is the highest-ranking Black woman at the agency, but reportedly, she is preparing her final days with the New York Fire Department after she was told on Monday that she was getting fired.

The New York Post reported that a well-informed source said the termination was decided by FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, who Brown allegedly became a threat to after she was previously backed by the fire officers and chiefs union for commissioner.

The source said several deputy chiefs have recently been demoted, while others have resigned as a result of the turmoil Kavanagh has caused in the agency. Brown’s firing is also being joined by the termination of Deputy Commissioner for Public Information Frank Dwyer, a longtime spokesman for the FDNY.

“You have all these negative stories [about the department now], and they don’t involve a scandal. They created all these problems,’’ the source said about the current FDNY administration.

According to another source, Brown and Dwyer were described as “consummate professionals, always maintaining the interest of the Fire Department,” adding that “They had a respect that was deep-seated and sincere. It’s really a disgrace what [foes are] doing to these two people. … There was reverence for them and always a compass that pointed true north. Absolutely a disgrace.’

“Like every commissioner, Commissioner Kavanagh is putting together a leadership team that will help her deliver on the priorities set out for the FDNY,” the FDNY said in a statement Tuesday.

“On behalf of all New Yorkers, we thank these members for their service to the Fire Department and to the City of New York, and wish them well. New Yorkers can rest assured that the FDNY is as prepared as ever to keep them safe and respond to any and all emergencies.”

Reportedly, neither Brown nor Dwyer were given an official termination date as of yet, and four higher-ranking chiefs have filed a lawsuit to prevent the demotions.