by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2023

Oprah Winfrey Celebrates 69th Birthday at Lavish Dinner with Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey started the celebration of her 69th birthday in style with a lavish star-studded private dinner.

The OWN Network founder was in good company while attending the 25th-anniversary dinner for Anastasia Beverly Hills on Saturday, where she was presented with a gourmet birthday cake, Page Six reported. Winfrey looked stunning in a fully sequenced brown pantsuit and cream-colored blouse.

The Super Soul Sunday host posed for photos with stars like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Heidi Klum. On Sunday, Kardashian shared a photo of Winfrey’s two-tiered berry-covered cake while wishing the billionaire mogul a happy birthday.

“Happy Birthday @Oprah,” Kardashian captioned a selfie with Winfrey. “@Sharonstone said it best last night toasting to you that you mean the world to the world! Happy Birthday!”

J. Lo also posted a slide of photos from the night and included her smiling selfie alongside Winfrey and Kardashian. Others in attendance included Kim Kardashian’s mom Kris Jenner, Sharon Stone, Sofía Vergara, Priyanka Chopra, Jessica Alba, Rita Wilson, Cindy Crawford, Ashley Tisdale, Maria Menounos, and model Alessandra Ambrosio.

The former Victoria’s Secret model also shared a post wishing Winfrey a happy birthday.

“Got to spend some time with the birthday queen @oprah 💫 Happy birthday 🎂🎉💐,” Ambrosio captioned a photo of her with Winfrey, Klum, and Vergara.

Ambrosio also shared a video of the ladies singing Winfrey “Happy Birthday” before she blew out the candles on her cake.

Anastasia Soare also shared a sweet birthday tribute to Winfrey on Instagram Monday.

“Happy birthday @oprah 👑 “YOU mean the World to the World “ like @sharonstone said last night !!” the beauty mogul captioned her post.

 

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A post shared by Anastasia Soare (@anastasiasoare)

Winfrey, whose actual birthday was Sunday, took to her website to share a special birthday message to herself where she thanked everyone for the warm wishes and reflected on her life blessings.

“Today, as many of you know, is my 69th birthday. For me, it is such a reward to be turning 69 and to be strong and healthy,” she wrote on Oprah Daily.

“This time last year, I was getting over a double knee operation, and now I have never felt better.”

She continued, “As I turn 69, I choose not to focus on the number. For me, the number has always just been a marker. Instead, I choose to celebrate the time I’ve spent living, taking note of all the shifts, the wins, the accomplishments, how much I’ve grown over the past year and I look forward to all that is to come.”

Trevor Noah, Grammys, hosting, comedy
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2023

Trevor Noah Shares His Preparation for Hosting The 2023 Grammys: ‘This Is Going to Be the Biggest Year’

Trevor Noah is hosting the Grammy Awards for the third consecutive year Sunday and the comedian is telling BLACK ENTERPRISE how he’s preparing for the big show.

The comedian is fresh off ending his successful reign on The Daily Show and is getting back to business in a major way. The 65th Grammy Awards could make for some legendary live TV moments.

With it being his third year hosting music’s biggest night, Noah feels confident in entertaining the live audience in Los Angeles and the millions who will watch worldwide.

“I put the same amount of effort into every show that I do,” Noah tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “The team is a really well-oiled machine at this point, so I’m lucky to be a part of it.”

After a year of chart-topping album releases, the list of 2023 nominees puts major contenders against each other for the night’s biggest awards, including Album and Song of the Year. Even Noah is excited to find out who will take home which award.

(Photo: Michael Schwartz/CBS ©2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved)

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen this many what I would call, like, big mainstream names in the Album of the Year category before,” Noah says. “So, I mean, it’s really tense, and it’s exciting because, at the end of the day, it’s a celebration.”

With Beyoncé and Adele both nominated for Album of the Year, the two singers are headed for a rematch following Adele’s win for Album of the Year in 2017. Elsewhere, Beyoncé could make history as the most awarded person in Grammy history depending on how made categories she wins for her 2022 album, Renaissance.

“It is about to be a whole debate,” Noah jokes. .

“It isn’t just Adele and Beyoncé , but it’s also going to be will Beyoncé become the most awarded person? Not just performer, but person in Grammy history? And I think if she wins four awards, that happens.”

The 65th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena airs Sunday, February 5, at 8 to 11:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS and on Paramount +.

22-Year-Old Basketball Coach Fired After Impersonating a High Schooler During JV Game
by Stacy Jackson

January 31, 2023

22-Year-Old Basketball Coach Fired After Impersonating a High Schooler During JV Game

Sit down Arlisha, and let the kids play.

Arlisha Boykins, an assistant coach for the Churchland High School Truckers girl’s basketball team in Portsmouth, Virginia, was fired after impersonating a 13-year-old and trying to play in a junior varsity game.

According to TMZ, Boykins, 22, pulled the stunt earlier this month when the team found itself short a player because a member was away for a club basketball tournament on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Boykins decided to insert herself into the lineup rather than allowing her team to step on the court with one less baller.

In footage obtained by WAVY, Boykins is seen dressed out in a number 1 jersey, actively playing amongst the other high schoolers during their matchup against Nansemond River. Highlights of the video shows Boykin dribbling the ball to the hole for a layup, blocking shots attempted by the opposing team, and setting up for a free throw shot that she missed. The coach is even caught in the act as she high-fives the Truckers student-athletes on the court following a scored point.

According to sources, the varsity coach encouraged the stunt Boykins attempted.

“Coaches always preach to the kids about integrity and those types of things, so I was just shocked,” the 13-year-old’s father said.

The outlet reported that Boykins has been fired as an employee of Portsmouth Public Schools and the varsity coach has also been terminated for rooting on the distasteful behavior.

Parents and players have decided to withdraw and not participate in the remainder of the season. As for the 13-year-old, family members shared she has no further interest in attending Churchland High School in the upcoming academic year as she is focused on pursuing alternative opportunities.

Currently the situation is under investigation by the school division, and the 13-year-old’s family is awaiting an apology from the school division.

NeNe Leakes Says Her Son Brentt Is ‘Not Gay’ Despite Him Seemingly Coming Out on TikTok
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2023

NeNe Leakes Says Her Son Brentt Is ‘Not Gay’ Despite Him Seemingly Coming Out on TikTok

NeNe Leakes is shutting down speculation surrounding her youngest son’s sexuality after he seemingly came out on TikTok.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta OG served as guest host on Monday’s episode of The Breakfast Club, where she denied her son Brentt’s TikTok claims of being gay.

“Brentt is not gay,” NeNe declared. “Not to my knowledge.”

NeNe noted her conversation with her 23-year-old son after friends started reaching out to the Bravo star in response to a surprising TikTok video her son posted on Saturday where he appeared to come out as gay.

“He called me up and was like, ‘Mom, everybody is asking if I’m gay because I did this TikTok thing,’” she explained. “And I said, ‘It’s OK if you are gay. It’s fine with me.’”

But according to NeNe, her son was just trying to be funny on social media and wasn’t making any major reveals about his sexuality.

“And he was like, ‘OK, Mom, I’m not gay,’” NeNe revealed.

In the TikTok video, Brentt is holding a piece of paper ahead of shooting it into a waste basket.

“If I miss I’m gay,” the caption reads.

After Brentt misses the shot, he then snaps his fingers before walking about the room.

@kingbrentt Damn #viral #fyp ♬ original sound – nudy georges

If Brentt did decide to come out as gay, NeNe has no issue. The Glee star didn’t know “what the big deal” was, telling host Charlamagne tha God that her son’s “happiness is the most important thing.”

“I don’t need to ask him, ‘Are you gay?’ What I like to say to people is … ‘Whatever makes you happy.’ If my son today says he’s gay, I’m 100 percent OK with it,” NeNe quipped.

Brentt has yet to respond to the chatter surrounding his TikTok video but did repost his mom’s Breakfast Club statements to his Instagram Story with a series of laughing emojis.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 31, 2023

Motown’s First Hit Singer, Barrett Strong, Passes Away at 81

Motown has taken another loss.

CNN reports that legendary singer and songwriter, Barrett Strong, passed away at 81. The Motown Museum made the announcement via Twitter with a black- and- white picture.

The Twitter thread takes music lovers down memory lane, giving the story of Strong’s humble beginnings. Strong was introduced to Motown founder, Berry Gordy, in 1959, after impressing singer Jackie Wilson with his vocals while on tour with his siblings. He then moved to Detroit from Mississippi and released his first single “Let’s Rock” in the same year. According to the Museum’s tweets, Strong mistakenly started his songwriting career after eavesdropping a conversation between Gordy and Motown songwriter Janie Bradford. Motown’s first hit song, “Money (That’s What I Want),” was created minutes later.

Gordy shared a statement, shared by CNN, expressing condolences on Strong’s passing. “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Barrett Strong, one of my earliest artists, and the man who sang my first big hit,” Gordy wrote. “Their hit songs were revolutionary in sound and captured the spirit of the times … Barrett is an original member of the Motown Family and will be missed by all of us.”

Some of Strong’s most prolific work came later when he paired with fellow songwriter, Norman Whitfield. The two co-wrote some of Motown’s most iconic hits including “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” sung by both Gladys Knight and the Pips and Marvin Gaye. According to the Twitter thread, he also wrote several hits for The Temptations like “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” released in 1971 and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” which he won a Grammy Award for in 1973. Edwin Starr’s “Where I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home) also came from Strong’s pen.

Back in 2004, CNN reported the Motown legend was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

 

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 31, 2023

Twitter Drags Black Podcast Host for Saying He’s African and Doesn’t Have ‘Generational Trauma’ Like Blacks

Looks like someone was uncomfortable with being in the hot seat.

Emmanuel Acho, host of Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, had some things to say about his Black experience on a recent episode of Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsey’s The Higher Learning podcast.

Acho testified to feeling differently about the racism African Americans experience since his parents were born in Nigeria. He claimed to not have the same “generational trauma” many deal with.

“All the while, I have the privilege and luxury of not having generational trauma, because my parents were born in Nigeria,” Acho said. “So my method is removing some of the sting, because I don’t have that sting, and trying to deliver it in a manner that people can receive it.”

Lathan immediately jumped to educate the NFL analyst on why his statements were so offensive. The media personality questioned Acho’s tactics of “schooling” white people, claiming his ideology is actually dangerous. “A Black man acting as an emotional butler for white people and serving them the most unspicy brand of racial discourse and accountability can be harmful,” Lathan said. “We’re fighting for our lives.”

Twitter followers were definitely Team Lathan on the matter and jumped in to give their opinion on the controversial take. Other Nigerians talked about their experiences with generational trauma.

Some followers felt the Emmy winner was confused.

The 32-year-old jumped on Twitter to defend his words, responding to Lathan and saying the show was a “set up” by the producers. “Your producers lured me into committing by misleading me about the topics of ‘conversation,'” Acho tweeted. “You manipulated my relationship w/ Rachel in order to publicly air your grievances as opposed to preparing me for a productive dialogue.”

The former Bachelorette contestant was silent on Twitter regarding the viral issue.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 31, 2023

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Say ‘Bad Boys 4’ Will Happen

What you gonna do when they come for you?!? IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME!

Well, it looks like Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett will team up again.

On Tuesday, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence made it official: another chapter in the Bad Boys series is on the way.  On their social media accounts, the duo announced that they’re definitely returning as the undercover police officers we have grown to love.

On Smith’s Instagram account, he filmed himself screaming into the camera.

“I wish I was you not knowing what I’m about to show me!” he says behind the wheel of a vehicle. in the video, he pulls up to a house, gets out of the car, and in his excitement, he goes to the door and knocks on it several times. As the door is being opened, Lawrence promptly blurts out, “It’s about that time?”

As the two show each other love and act as if they had not seen each other since the last movie, they announce that Bad Boys 4 is coming. As they tell us, they seem confused since the last title was Bad Boys for Life, seemingly admitting that this next installment should have been named Bad Boys 4 Life, but, it did not matter as both were happy to bring us the news!

 

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A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

According to Variety, Sony Pictures has confirmed that the latest sequel is already in early pre-production. The script was written by Chris Bremner with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah making their return as the directors. They directed Bad Boys for Life, which debuted in 2020, exactly 25 years after the initial Bad Boys movie.

Bad Boys for Life made $426.5 million at the worldwide box office.

Last summer, in an exclusive interview with Ebony magazine,  Lawrence said that there would be “at least” one more movie in the Bad Boys franchise.

Lovin’ It: America’s First Black-Owned McDonald’s Set To Reopen After Renovations
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 31, 2023

Lovin’ It: America’s First Black-Owned McDonald’s Set To Reopen After Renovations

There aren’t many places people can go to get a good hamburger and a Black History lesson.

If you are looking for that, head out to Chicago and visit America’s first Black-owned McDonald’s. The Chicago Crusader reports the historic fast food restaurant was closed due to much- needed renovations but will be open just in time for Black History Month. Owner and operator Yolanda Travis said the new and improved restaurant offers new technology allowing customers a modern food ordering experience plus a safe space for students of Hyde Park Academy High School, who Travis says visits often, to charge their laptops and phones with a hub.

With the restaurant looking so fresh and so clean, Travis will be keeping some historical elements as well. Food & Wine reports a mural of Herman Petty, the franchise’s original owner, and McDonald’s first Black President and CEO, Don Thompson, has been preserved and kept for patron’s view. “There are very few Black historical sites on the south side of Chicago, so this was my opportunity to give back to the community, Travis said according to Food & Wine.

The restaurant first opened its doors in 1968 after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s assassination. According to the Chicago Crusader, the timing of this historic Chicago site was crucial. The Black population in the area was growing and jobs were scarce. A book entitled, “Building the Black Metropolis: African American Entrepreneurship” talks about how McDonald’s came up with a “survival strategy”, sending Black managers temporarily to manage a restaurant in neighborhoods filling up with Black residents.

One thing that went missing during renovations was a fireplace that will now be used for a classroom setting. Since the restaurant is set for a grand opening in February, the section will be used to host Black History lessons and will include a large flat screen television showcasing interesting facts about fellow pioneering Black McDonald’s franchisees.

Nike Partners With Tiffany & Co. to Release New ‘Air Force 1 Low’ Sneakers, Consumers Are Titling Their Heads at the Result
by Stacy Jackson

January 31, 2023

Nike Partners With Tiffany & Co. to Release New ‘Air Force 1 Low’ Sneakers, Consumers Are Titling Their Heads at the Result

Unofficial leaked images have sneakerheads in a frenzy right now.

Famed jeweler Tiffany & Co. entered its first collaboration with Nike, and the companies advertised the upcoming release of the new shoe; sneaker lovers were heavily opinionated about the result of the product.

According to Insider, both companies teased the collaboration on their social media channels over the weekend, revealing the specially designed shoe box for the sneaker, which the companies have named the Nike Air Force 1 Low Tiffany & Co. “1837.”

The leaked images feature the all-black sneaker covered with nubuck leather and tied together with black laces. The shoe also appears accented with the Nike swoosh, and the inside sole is colored in the signature Tiffany blue. The back label is presented in black embroidery while a silver bar sits underneath with the words “Tiffany&Co.” engraved on it.

https://twitter.com/thesolesupplier/status/1620073670243934208?s=20&t=F50ETlQ_MZWlq56TTE8MMA

Since the advertisement tease and leaked images, the companies have received pushback regarding the sneaker’s appearance.

https://twitter.com/Staccato_Lo/status/1619845726355488768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1619845726355488768%7Ctwgr%5Ee7ead90757841eb03bfa0f1c5bec12bf00af27ef%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fnike-and-tiffany-and-co-collab-not-impressing-sneakerheads-2023-1

“So let me get this straight. Tiffany Co. (a company that’s known for working with different precious metals to make jewelry) decides to put a LEATHER shoe buckle on their $400 black AF1 ???” one Twitter user wrote about the shoe accent, adding that it’s another Nike shoe that makes no sense.

“I would expect a more luxurious product from Tiffany & Co. I wouldn’t find motivation for this colab at $400, let alone $600,” another commented. “I appreciate exclusive or truly limited but just branding Tiffany & Co on what looks like a suede pair of AF1s definitely doesn’t award such a price.”

Other social media users questioned the effort behind crafting the shoe, describing it as a “lazy misstep.”

“Sadly since society has proved that they’ll buy any trash that is released, Nike will put out collabs with hype companies and sign off on them, especially a pair like this, because it takes little to no extra effort to make and charge $400 without batting an eye,” another tweet read.

“Who in Nike are accepting designs like this?” another questioned.

Sole Retriever reported that the collaboration has an expected spring release date of Mar. 7.

Other accessories by Tiffany & Co. will be available to purchase with the sneakers.

COVID-19, Mask, Health
by Sidnee Michelle Douyon

January 31, 2023

U.S. to End COVID-19 Emergency Declarations on May 11

U.S. to end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden’s administration on Monday said it will end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11, nearly three years after the United States imposed sweeping pandemic measures to curb the spread of the illness.

The COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) were put in place in 2020 by then-President Donald Trump. Biden has repeatedly extended the measures, which allow millions of Americans to receive free tests, vaccines and treatments.

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) said in a statement the declarations, which were set to expire in the coming months, would be extended again until May 11 and then terminated.

“This wind-down would align with the Administration’s previous commitments to give at least 60 days’ notice prior to termination of the PHE,” OMB said in an administration policy statement.

The government has been paying for COVID-19 vaccines, some tests and certain treatments under the PHE declaration. When it expires, those costs will be transferred to private insurance and government health plans.

PHE’s expiration will also end directives, known as Title 42, that expel migrants from Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border back to Mexico, OMB said.

OMB said in a separate statement that Biden would veto a proposed bill in the U.S. Congress that would eliminate COVID-19 vaccine mandates for health care providers working on certain federal programs.

COVID-19 cases are declining in the United States, though more than 500 people continue to die each day from the disease, government data showed.

(Reporting by Rami Ayyub, Costas Pitas and Caroline Humer; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

 

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