Actor Shemar Moore is finally part of the “Girl Dad Gang” after welcoming his first child with girlfriend Jesiree Dizon.

On Tuesday, a rep for Moore, 52, confirmed the S.W.A.T star and Dizon, 39, welcomed a baby girl, People reported.

“Shemar Moore and his partner, Jesiree Dizon, are happy to announce the birth of their baby girl,” the rep said. “The family is very happy and healthy.”

It’s their first child together and Dizon’s third. The model also shares daughter Charli, 5, with actor Stephen Bishop and her son, Kaiden, from a previous relationship.

After People shared the big news, Moore reposted the announcement to share his excitement with his fans and followers.

“Ya boy is officially a Dad!!! Dreams come true!! The rest of my life is here! ❤️🙏🏽🙌🏽,” he captioned the post.

 

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A post shared by Shemar Moore (@shemarfmoore)

On Wednesday, Moore introduced baby Frankie Moore to the world in a photo holding his infant daughter.

 

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A post shared by Shemar Moore (@shemarfmoore)

The baby news comes just a few weeks after Moore revealed the pregnancy and the special meaning behind the expected delivery date during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

“I’m Shemar Moore, 52½ years old. My mother is in heaven, right now it’ll be the three-year anniversary on February 8,” he shared. “And on February 8, I’m going to make one of her dreams come true because, in real life, Shemar Moore is about to be a daddy.”

Moore admitted that he started to doubt his chances of becoming a father as he got older in age.

“I’m so excited. I’m sorry she can’t be here,” he said.

“I was worried for a while that it was a ‘that ship has sailed’ kind of thing but God had my back, and things lined up.”

Now with a child to carry on his legacy, The Diary of a Mad Black Woman star is at peace.

“It’s going to be the best part of… My life is already pretty grand, but I know whenever God does call my name, once I get this experience, I’ll be able to go to heaven whole.”

Girls Trip 2 is in the works and the entire cast is set to return—but not if Twitter has the final say!

According to our timelines, fans are demanding Tiffany Haddish be replaced with another comedic actress.

On Tuesday, it was announced that the sequel to 2017’s Girls Trip was beginning production and will take place in Ghana, Variety reported. Writer-director-producer Tracy Oliver confirmed that this time around, the ladies would embark on a quest to Afrochella, Ghana’s premiere cultural and music event instead of Essence Fest in New Orleans.

In the six years since the original film, Haddish’s fan club has seen a drastic decline in wake of her child abuse lawsuit with fellow comedian Aries Spears in September 2022.

The lawsuit was dismissed with Haddish expressing her “regrets” for filming the disturbing 2014 skit with Spears dubbed “Through a Pedophile’s Eyes,” Forbes reported.

The original Girls Trip was praised for its comedy, strong storylines, and celebration of Black Girl Magic. However, considering Haddish’s recent scandal, a growing number of fans don’t want her back.

https://twitter.com/mefeater/status/1617603026348552194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1617611024202620930%7Ctwgr%5E3e90805b0f44c6d22a8d1ff2b2b991cf1158b6a2%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewsone.com%2Fplaylist%2Ftiffany-haddish-girls-trip%2F

“Can they switch out Tiffany Haddish with the woman who plays Ava on Abbott,” one fan asked.

“Be prepared for Haddish to make a bunch of fetishizing comments,” added someone else.

Under another announcement on the sequel, a fan asked if Abbott Elementary star Janelle James could replace Haddish.

“Can we have Janelle James replace Tiffany Haddish?” they asked in a tweet that received over 4,000 retweets.

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“OH MY GOD this would be perfect!!! have tiffany’s character miss the flight and they meet Janelle in the airport or the resort or something 😭😭,” another person wrote in response.

Another fan said producers should add Janelle James to the film “regardless” if they recast Haddish or not. The latest chatter around Haddish seemingly hints at a growing desire to cancel the Los Angeles native.

Haddish might need Girls Trip 2 to help redeem her appeal though.

• News

by Diamond Jeune

January 25, 2023

Black Man Previously Convicted of Marijuana Charges Now Owns a New York Weed Dispensary

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Roland Conner’s story exemplifies how one can overcome life’s hardships with perseverance and determination.

The 50-year-old is making headlines after recently opening Smacked, New York’s second weed dispensary,  on January 24.

According to Spectrum News NY1, this venture is significant for various reasons.The list includes Connor becoming the first “justice-involved individual,” a term used to describe a person or family member who previously had marijuana convictions, to own a business.

Conner has been charged with multiple marijuana-related crimes that go as far back as 1991 and even went to jail. Still, with New York’s Cannabis Control Board’s 2022 release of 36 dispensary licenses, Conner turned his life around: 28 of those licenses went to people negatively affected by the system.

 

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A post shared by Patricia Nicole | Artist (@patricianicolemusic)

During an interview with the news outlet, Conner shared his appreciation for the city’s gestures. “I really appreciate the way New York is actually looking to give back—not really give back, but undo some of the harm that was done back then.”

Later, Conner recounted his past sentence and claimed that although he doesn’t “dwell” on it often, that unfortunate event in his life led him and his family, including his wife, Patricia, and son Darius, to where they are now.  “It was a time in my life I don’t really dwell on too much, Conner said, “But it really got us here.”

In addition to the weed dispensary, Spectrum News NY1 reported that Conner has had a prosperous career in property management. He is currently in charge of “transitional housing” in the Bronx area. Conner tells the outlet that his life’s mission is to help those participating in illegal activity and prevent those affected family members from repeating the cycle.

For more information on Conner’s store Smacked, click here.

Boxing legend Mike Tyson is on the receiving end of a $5 million lawsuit accusing him of “violently” raping a woman outside a nightclub in the early 1990s.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that an affidavit filed earlier this month by an anonymous victim in Albany County Court accused Tyson of sexually assaulting her outside a popular Albany dance club—Septembers—three decades ago, WTEN reports.

“I met Mike Tyson in the early 1990s at a dance club called Septembers,” the affidavit states.

“My friend and I were hanging out with him and his limousine driver. Tyson told us about a party and asked us to join him. My friend was going to drop off her car and Tyson said he would pick her up in the limousine.”

While on their way to pick up the victim’s friend, Tyson allegedly tried to kiss her, the affidavit reads. The victim told Tyson “no,” but the boxer reportedly continued to attack her.

“I told him no several times and asked him to stop, but he continued to attack me,” the woman said. “He then pulled my pants off and violently raped me.”

“As a result of Tyson’s rape, I suffered and continue to suffer from physical, psychological, and emotional injury.”

Darren Seilback is an attorney representing the victim who claims to have done his due diligence before taking on the case, Fox News reports. According to Seilback, his office determined the allegations were “highly credible.”

The victim is seeking $5 million in damages for the alleged attack. She also wants her identity kept under wraps out of fear of public scrutiny.

“This will be in the news across the country and plaintiff’s identity must be protected,” the affirmation read.

As for a statute of limitations, the lawsuit was filed as part of New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which allows for a “lookback period” where victims of sexual assault and abuses over 18 years can pursue time-stricken claims in court.

Had the act not been passed in May 2022, Tyson’s alleged rape would have fallen under the statute of limitations and been barred from a legal claim.

The lawsuit comes 30 years after Tyson was found guilty of a 1992 rape and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released in 1995 after the last four years of the sentence were suspended.

Deion Sanders’ oldest child is apologizing on Twitter after admitting to “exaggerating” her claims of “murders” and robberies at Jackson State University.

Deiondra Sanders, 30, the eldest of Sanders’ five children, posted a video on Sunday apologizing for shocking claims she made about the HBCU her father coached at for three seasons before leaving in December.

Her apology came after her recent appearance on the Baller Alert Show, where she made claims of feeling unsafe at JSU during her father’s time coaching their football team, The Clarion-Ledger reports.

“The thing that people don’t know is like … it is more than football in Jackson,” Deiondra said.

“When my dad makes a decision, he thinks about all aspects of his kids. People don’t realize he has to get his kids to go to that school, also.

She went on to make claims of regular “killings” and “stealing” taking place at the school while praising her father for “giving back” by coaching the team for three seasons before taking a coaching position in Colorado.

“People don’t know that they are killings on the (Jackson State) campus every few months. Yeah, they don’t know that,” Deiondra said.

“They are breaking into the locker rooms and stealing from the students. It is kind of like my dad giving back to the community, but what is the community giving back to my dad? He doesn’t feel safe there.”

When asked if Deion felt safe at the school, Deiondra explained her claims were her thoughts on the school.

“I don’t know what he felt. I am just saying I would not have felt safe there. I don’t know what my dad felt,” she said. “I would feel safe on campus, but the stuff I would see and hear … my dad gave a lot to Jackson for him to be doing stuff like that. What more could he have done? He did all that he said he would.”

Following backlash over her claims, Deiondra took to Twitter days later to post a video apologizing for how she “exaggerated” her claims.

“It may not have been every few months but it did happen, lets not get it twisted!!” Deiondra tweeted. “Its a-lot y’all dont know about but I do apologize for exaggerating. I had no ill intent with my comments.”

It may not have been every few months but it did happen, lets not get it twisted!! Its a-lot y’all dont know about but I do apologize for exaggerating. I had no ill intent with my comments. pic.twitter.com/O2X5Oas9hw

— Deiondra Sanders (@DeiondraSanders) January 22, 2023

“I would like to apologize for a comment that I recently made concerning the JSU murders,” she wrote.

“I do feel that I exaggerated due to the fact, that every time I did come to town I was made aware of shootings, murders and robberies on campus, around the campus, and in the city. I really do apologize for what I said. It’s just that it did happen while my family was there that the public was not made aware of. But, I should not have exaggerated like that and I do apologize to the whole JSU community and JSU campus and everybody apart of JSU.”

Sometimes it takes a village when recovering from divorce.

Actress Meagan Good discussed her divorce from DeVon Franklin on Tuesday’s episode of The View and, according to People, thanked Whoopi Goldberg for the helpful conversations as the actress went through her separation from the preacher.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve rediscovered myself in a lot of ways,” the actress said to The View co-hosts.

“Also I gotta say again, Whoopi was very instrumental in that, because we had some really good conversations I needed to have that were illuminating for me and eye-opening for me,” she said.

“I’m like, ‘All right, Lord, if you allowed it, what’s next, Dad?’ It’s exciting for me low-key. I feel like I get to start my life over in some ways and have a second chance at whatever’s supposed to be next,” Good continued.

“I’m really embracing that, excited about it. I don’t know what to expect and that’s kind of amazing,” she added.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Good and Franklin reached a divorce settlement last April stating that neither will pay spousal support. In addition to their agreement to terminate the right to request spousal support, Good’s former name will be restored.

The couple released a joint statement after filing for divorce in December 2021. They were married for nine years.

“We are incredibly grateful for the life-changing years we’ve spent together as husband and wife. We are also extremely thankful to God for the testimony being created inside us both and for blessing our lives with each other,” the pair said in their joint statement.

Good and Franklin documented their journey as a couple in the best-selling book, The Wait: A Powerful Practice for Finding the Love of Your Life and the Life You Love.

On The View Good and Goldberg also reflected on their roles together on their show Harlem.

.@MeaganGood looks back on meeting our #WhoopiGoldberg for the first time when she was just 10 years old while playing an extra in #Soapdish and reflects on working with her now on their show #Harlem!

"It's been a joy. I feel very, very privileged." https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/HcXqyIAVgM

— The View (@TheView) January 24, 2023

• News

by Diamond Jeune

January 25, 2023

Alexia Henderson Named VP of Strategic Partnerships and Marketing at Magic Johnson Enterprises

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Alexia Henderson’s career is elevating to new heights after she landed a promotion at Magic Johnson Enterprises. 

Henderson, who has worked with the company for six years, is now the vice president of strategic partnerships and marketing. Earlier this month, Henderson shared the exciting news on her Twitter page. 

“So excited to announce that I’ve been named the new VP, Business and Marketing at MJE! So excited for this year and thankful to @MagicJohnson for believing in me!” the South Carolina native wrote while thanking legendary basketball player turned mogul Magic Johnson. 

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On Tuesday, during an interview with AfroTech, Henderson said her new role entails everything from “contractual obligations” to “executing deals.” In addition, the publication reported that Henderson will be responsible for MJE’s marketing, communication, and social media.  

“This is an opportunity for me to perfect and get even better and refine the craft, but then there’s still an opportunity for me to learn because the one thing I enjoy about where we are is, Mr. Johnson, is in so many different industries,” Henderson told AfroTech.

Later, Henderson listed the different things Johnson has been a part of over the years and the best part of her position.

“So, it’s not just sports, it’s not just entertainment. We’ve been at the forefront of some of the metaverse. He has a life insurance and annuities company. He has an infrastructure fund. He has all these sports teams that he owns and could be looking to get more,” she said. “So, I think there’s excitement around not knowing what business opportunities could be coming, but I get to work on it. That’s the part that’s probably most exciting for me on a professional level.”

Prior to Henderson’s new role, she was senior manager of marketing and communications in 2017 and was promoted to director of marketing and communications the following year.

• Legal

by Stacy Jackson

January 25, 2023

Elderly Couple Planned Murder-Suicide, Wife Shot Sickly Husband But Didn’t Finish the Plan

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She was tasked with carrying out the hardest parts of the plan.

Ellen Gilland, 76, was charged with first-degree murder of her terminally ill husband, 77-year-old Jerry, after she shot her spouse as part of the couple’s planned murder-suicide.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the couple had been planning a deal for three weeks that if her husband’s illness worsened, she would kill him and take her own life after.

Ellen Gilland reportedly shot her husband in the head inside the hospital room on the 11th floor of AdventHealth Daytona Beach. When she decided she couldn’t go through with the rest of the plan, she found herself in a four-hour stand-off with authorities.

During a recent news conference, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young, said Jerry Gilland wanted his wife to end things if his illness got any worse.

Shortly after Bethune-Cookman University rescinded its agreement to hire NFL Hall of Famer Ed Reed, he had reportedly lined up some “billionaires” to invest in the school.

NFL Hall of Fame 2020 inductee Edgerrin James wrote just that on his Instagram, but due to the decision made by administrators at the HBCU, the school won’t be benefitting from donors such as Shaquille O’Neal and others–at least for now.

James seemingly chastised the administrators at the school by declaring that “Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy” when they decided against bringing Reed on to lead the football team after he criticized the school’s campus conditions.

Larsa Pippen, the ex-wife of NBA champion Scottie Pippen, has seemingly gone Instagram official with Marcus Jordan, the son of Scottie’s former teammate Michael Jordan.

On Tuesday, Larsa, 48, shared a photo standing alongside Marcus, 32, in front of a flower display made in the shape of Michael’s NBA jersey. Larsa tagged the Trophy Room store in Orlando, Florida, where the photo was taken.

“Checks over stripes,” The Real Housewives of Miami star captioned the post.

Marcus left a comment to show his approval of their first Instagram post together.

“That’s what I like, that’s what we like!✔️™️✖️🏆✨,” he wrote.

 

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A post shared by Larsa Pippen (@larsapippen)

Larsa sported cut jean shorts and a black mesh top that revealed her black bra. Marcus wore a black t-shirt with red and black patterned pants from Palm Angels.

Her caption appeared to express her allegiance to the Nike brand behind Michael Jordan’s dominating athletic apparel brand. The post is the first time Larsa has posted Marcus to her page in a move that seemingly confirms the dating rumors that have followed them since last year.

She first started fueling dating rumors with Marcus in September 2022, months after she finalized her divorce from Scottie in December 2021. The lengthy divorce came after their initial split in 2016 after 19 years of marriage and welcoming four children.

Larsa has played coy about the status of her relationship with Marcus despite their public dates and paparazzi sightings.

“I have a lot of friends,” she said about the dating rumors. “I mean, I’m very social. I was married for 23 years. This is the time for me to really, like, hone in on my relationships, so that’s kind of what I’m doing.”

But insiders have been confirming the pair are, in fact, dating.

“They are having fun together,” a source shared. “Larsa’s divorce from Scottie was finalized at the beginning of this year and she’s enjoying that freedom.”

With a 16-year age gap and close ties to two former teammates who don’t get along, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding Larsa and Marcus’s relationship. But it’s clear the pair are unbothered by Scottie’s beef with Jordan and Larsa being nearly 20 years older than her beau.