The new season of the reimagined The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, simply titled Bel-Air, returns February 23. A familiar face from the original series, which aired between 1990 and 1996, will be joining the cast in a recurring role.

According to Entertainment Tonight, the release of the trailer for the season two  of Bel-Air brings the return of the original Ashley Banks, Tatyana Ali. Ali will play Mrs. Hughes, an English Literature teacher at Bel-Air Middle School who sees potential in Ashley (Akira Akbar) and help her by lending her some books from her personal collection.

Carla Banks Waddles, showrunner and executive producer of Bel-Air, gave a brief synopsis of the second season in a statement:

“In season 2, the show will continue to find ways to push the envelope and feel refreshing and unique while also honoring the heart of the legacy series…We love that the Banks family is aspirational, but more important, they’re accessible and grounded. This entire cast brings so much of themselves to this show—talent and enthusiasm, but also a real respect, genuine love, and thoughtfulness for these characters and their relationships. I love talking with them and hearing how they see and experience these characters. It all leads to a very collaborative and rich storytelling process that feels authentic.”

Ali is just the latest original cast member to make an appearance on the hit show.

In the first season, Daphne Maxwell Reid, who played the role of Aunt Viv (replacing Janet Hubert, who was the original Aunt Viv), and Vernee Watson-Johnson, who played the role of Will Smith‘s mother Viola “Vy” Smith, appeared in the ninth episode. The two women played the roles of Helen and Janice, members of the Art Council Board of Trustees.

Last spring, Deadline reported that the series was Peacock’s most-streamed original series.

Jerrod Carmichael is reportedly in hot water again for the jokes he delivered at the 2023 Golden Globes last week.

In addition to receiving backlash from audience members and social media users, new reports claimed that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) president, Helen Hoehne, wasn’t too fond of the comedian’s jokes either. 

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, some of Carmichael’s banter addressed the primary reason the Golden Globes Awards didn’t have a live broadcast in 2022: the lack of diversity within the organization caused high-profile names to boycott the event. 

“This show, the Golden Globe Awards, did not air last year because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — which I won’t say were a racist organization, but they didn’t have a single Black member until George Floyd died. So, do with that information what you will,” the 35-year-old said.

Later, Carmichael claimed he was given this opportunity to host the Golden Globes ceremony because he was Black and disclosed that his paycheck was allegedly $500,000, while other sources told The Hollywood Reporter it was $750,000.

During his monologue, Carmichael brought up Hoehne’s name when he highlighted that he had previously turned down the hosting gig three times before meeting with the HFPA president. The Carmichael Show star wrapped up the joke by stating that the gathering and the salary offer felt like “a trap.”

Following the jabs, several sources shared different accounts of Hoehne’s reaction to Carmichael’s remarks on Jan. 18 with The Hollywood Reporter.

Although it is reported that an emotional Hoehne had to be comforted by friends, a source shared that the entire situation was “awkward.” At the same time, another insider revealed that Carmichael took a joyous occasion and made it heavy with some of his comments.

Despite the claims of Hoehne being visibly upset by the jokes, a source close to HFPA denied those accusations.

Since then, a few members of HFPA have refused to comment on Carmichael’s hosting performance, and Hoehne has yet to respond to the events that transpired that night. 

• Career

by Stacy Jackson

January 20, 2023

Time for Change: ‘TIME’ Names Black Woman as Company’s First Chief Marketing Officer

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Reaching its centennial year, this brand believed it was “Time” for an upgrade to the team.

On Jan. 9, TIME selected Sadé Muhammad as its first Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to focus on impact, market strategy, and driving business growth.

According to TIME, Muhammad is the first CMO since the brand became an independent company in 2018 under the ownership of Co-Chairs, Lynne and Marc Benioff.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sadé, who has a proven track record of innovation, revenue generation, and building trust with audiences,” said TIME CEO Jessica Sibley. “As TIME enters a pivotal moment in its 100-year history, Sadé’s background as a marketer, trained journalist, and change-maker makes her the perfect person to lead TIME as our Chief Marketing Officer.”

Muhammad’s role will focus on accelerating the TIME brand as she oversees integrated marketing, customer success, branded content, and communications. As CMO, she will also supervise TIME’s newest division that focuses on impact.

“My passion is harnessing the power of authentic brands to get audiences to listen and, in turn, unlock their unique power to affect change,” Muhammad said.

“TIME is one of the world’s most trusted storytellers and I am thrilled to bring our partners’ stories to life with imaginative ideas to inspire a smarter, better marketplace,” she added.

With over a decade of experience in marketing and advertising, Muhammad came to TIME following her position with Forbes, where she founded its award-winning B2B ad business, the brand’s Representation & Inclusion Practice. Muhammad used her position to motivate partners to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as part of their company’s growth strategy. The Practice called for Muhammad to lead all business development, sales and marketing strategy, client relations, and execution of sponsorships.

Muhammad studied Magazine Journalism at Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She received a honor as one of the International News Media Association’s 30 Under 30 for Achievement in Advertising. Muhammad got her career started as part of the NBC Page Program.

The backlash continues for ESPN sports analyst Stephen A. Smith.

Former Saturday Night Live player, Leslie Jones unleashed some not-so-nice words to the boisterous Smith. Jones, who is guest hosting The Daily Show this week, addressed Smith and his hairline for his seemingly disrespectful comments about upcoming Super Bowl halftime performer, Rihanna.

Earlier this week, Smith appeared on Sherri Shepherd‘s talk show. After Shepherd asked if he was excited about Rihanna performing, he replied, “Ladies and gentlemen, she’s a lot of things. She’s spectacular, actually. And congratulations on new-momma-hood. There’s one thing she’s not. She ain’t Beyoncé.”

Jones had a response of her own.

“Duuude, no!! Why would you do this to yourself? You know what, Stephen A. Smith? You need to act like your hairline and back the f**k off!”

She acknowledged that Smith did apologize for his statement later on after realizing he had sparked controversy. Smith went on his personal Instagram page to clarify his comments about the artist and new mother. He said, “I want Rihanna to know: You’re a superstar. You’re sensational. You’re spectacular. You’re no joke and you are a worthy person to be doing the Super Bowl halftime show.”

“I apologize for creating whatever brouhaha comes of this. I gotta be more careful, where people twist it and turn it into something it ain’t. My bad on that.”

He ended the clip by calling her sweetie, which infuriated Jones. The Daily Show guest host continued to point out the blatant disrespect.

“How dare you call Rihanna Sweetie!” Jones stated. “You calling her Sweetie like you know her. She don’t know you. But you know who she does know: Beyoncé! And neither one of these ladies needs your opinion, Sweetie. While you trying to save your life in the back of that dark a** bus!”

Check out the clip below:

Beloved star, LeVar Burton, made his debut in the entertainment industry as an actor, but what ultimately captured fans’ hearts was his hosting 1983’s children’s series Reading Rainbow. 

Almost 40 years later, Burton is returning to children’s entertainment by hosting a new podcast, Sound Detectives, which is slated to premiere on Stitcher, a media company. 

Sound Detectives‘ premise follows two inspectors, Detective Hunch and Audie the Ear, investigating why sounds are disappearing from the world. According to The Hollywood Reporter, what makes Sound Detectives different from other podcasts is that each episode occurs in various locations, and children can take part in the adventure by using their listening skills to differentiate the sounds. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LeVar Burton (@levar.burton)

Burton created the podcast along with Julia Smith and Joanna Sokolowski. Earlier this month, the 65-year-old spoke in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show and revealed how his love for radio began as a child. Burton, who lived overseas because of his family’s military background, explained that listening to the radio was his only form of entertainment, because he didn’t have access to English-speaking television programs.

While raving about how this helped expand his imagination, Burton said, “That is where I discovered that theater of the mind, listening to a story unfold and connecting to it purely in my imagination based on what I was hearing. It’s a real different experience. I loved the opportunity to be able to tap into that aspect of ourselves, the aural nature of the human being and what it can bring to us in our lives.”

Later, Burton disclosed why he seized the opportunity to create a children’s podcast. He stated, “It’s really about satiating the curiosity of kids, giving them an opportunity to use a different part of their brains and different skill sets than we normally use in a very visually dominated world.”

Burton’s Sound Detectives podcast will be his second project with Stitcher. The star’s first was LeVar Burton Reads.

Sound Detectives is scheduled to premiere this spring.

• Politics

by Stacy Jackson

January 20, 2023

VP Kamala Harris Prepares for Fight of ‘Life’ Along With Democrats on Roe v. Wade 50th Anniversary

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The fight continues after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned women’s constitutional right to abortion.

As January 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Vice President Kamala Harris is moving forward with her focus on reproductive rights as she prepares to join Democrats in Florida on Sunday, in their continuous fight for abortion rights.

According to reports, Harris will gather in support of Florida Democrats in their attempt to protect abortion from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is reportedly seeking his presidential run in the 2024 election.

Harris’ speech will make clear that Democrats are not backing down from the issue, and the administration intends on pushing the abortion fight in the midterm elections.

“The vice president will make very clear: The fight to secure women’s fundamental right to reproductive health care is far from over,” Kirsten Allen, a spokesperson for Harris said in a statement. “She will lay out the consequences of extremist attacks on reproductive freedom in states across our country and underscore the need for Congress to codify Roe.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kamala Harris (@kamalaharris)

According to administration officials, President Joe Biden will mark the anniversary with a proclamation.

“The administration has taken actions with our limited authorities,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, said on Wednesday in regards to President Biden’s call for national legislation.

“Women must be empowered to make decisions about their own lives and health care, and those decisions should not be politicized or second guessed by politicians,” she added.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Vice President Harris commented during a meeting in September with civil rights and abortion activists that the Supreme Court has created a healthcare crisis in America following its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Women’s constitutional right to abortion was stripped away by the Supreme Court in June 2022, a ruling praised by former President Donald Trump.

Currently, Florida bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 20, 2023

Toxic Taco: Man Allegedly Ingests Rat Poison at Taco Bell in Colorado

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Everyone likes their food a specific way, but poison is never on the menu. A customer at a Taco Bell in Colorado got sick after eating a burrito, allegedly laced with rat poison, at a local Taco Bell last Sunday.

Arapaho County Sheriff’s Department was called to the fast food restaurant in Aurora around 1 p.m. regarding a customer disturbance. Officials told CBS News the customer got into an argument with employees about his order and a soda machine malfunction. Taco Bell manager, Lary Swift, said the customer ordered three bean and cheese burritos and received a fourth one for free, and went home.

A few hours later, Deputy John Bartmann said a local hospital contacted the sheriff’s department saying they had a patient who had possibly consumed rat poison after eating the food he ordered, becoming violently ill.

Swift told CBS News that police came back accusing his employees of poisoning someone. “We didn’t do anything like that. It didn’t even add up. It’s ridiculous,” Swift said. Authorities claimed they saw a greenish-gray substance inside some of the food, but are not sure what it is just yet, according to The Huffington Post. The Taco Bell closed shortly after and is under investigation to see how this could have happened. All surveillance videos and other possible evidence had been collected by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office investigators.

Bartmann said the hospital claimed enough rat poison was found in the burritos that it could have been very serious to the victim’s health.

An email from Taco Bell’s corporate communications department stated that the safety of their customers is a top priority. “The franchisee who owns and operates this location has informed us that they are working with local authorities in their investigation.” The sheriff’s department is looking at the crime as “criminal attempt homicide.”

Swift said the customer was a regular and this wasn’t the first time the employees have had an issue with him. He once threw a taco at an employee.

• News

by Diamond Jeune

January 20, 2023

Black Developer of Atlanta Micro Home Community Gifts Black Woman with Her Own Home

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Lisa Williams rented a townhome in Atlanta for 12 years, until she was given a 60-day notice to vacate the residence.

But little did she know that Booker T. Washington, a real estate developer who built a Black-owned micro home community, South Park Cottages in College Park, GA with his team, would make her dream of being a homeowner come true. 

“I’m elated. I feel so blessed and I feel that everything that I and I get a little emotional because everything that I went through it led to this,” Williams said according to 11 Alive News. This is Williams’ first time as a homeowner.

Washington’s mission, with the creation of South Park Cottages, is to help individuals achieve their goal of owning a home at an affordable price.

South Park Cottages is a small-scale neighborhood of 29 micro homes in Atlanta. The properties range in size from 400 to 600 square feet, costing about $180,000 to $230,000.

South Park Cottages is described as a modernized cottage community because the property features tall ceilings and balconies. It is also the “first Black-owned micro-community in the country.” 

Washington opened up about the range of people interested in the property.

“At South Park Cottages, we have a spectrum of people buy a home here. You have empty nesters. You have people downsizing. You have millennials. You have gen x-ers just starting out,” Washington, the South Park CEO said.

Washington disclosed why his dreams of helping others own an affordable home are more significant now than ever before.

“The average home in the Atlanta metro area, which is well over $425,000, there is a majority over 70% of individuals that don’t make incomes to meet that level,” he said.

After Williams received a property, more good news started pouring in for South Park Cottages.

The company gained the support of WNBA player Angel McCoughtry after she bought one of the homes as an investment property.

“These are affordable homes but you get the features of a million dollar home,” said Washington, according to the outlet.

Washington shared that he and his company plan to expand the micro-community in different locations, such as Union City, so that everyone could get a home-owning experience.

South Park Cottages is expected to be completed in March.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 20, 2023

School Bus Scuffle: Parent Slaps Georgia Bus Driver While Kids Climb Out of Window

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Parents shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of their kids on a school bus.

A substitute bus driver is being investigated after a viral video on TikTok showed children climbing out of a school bus window at a busy intersection. WSB-TV reported that a school bus driver for Paulding County School District in Georgia was suspended after participating in a fight with a parent.

NEW: Video from Paulding County parent with child on bus – after driver refused to let kids without yellow tags off – appears to show a woman assault the driver before she drove off. Video has been circulating online showing students climbing out windows. More at 6 @ATLNewsFirst pic.twitter.com/Moo8Wngs8D

— Zac Summers (@ZacOnTV) January 19, 2023

https://www.tiktok.com/@sierrapb/video/7190093211682180398?embed_source=121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_card_play&refer=embed&referer_url=www.wsbtv.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fpaulding-school-bus-driver-suspended-police-investigating-bus-stop-dispute-with-parents%2FERQT2JBZ6RBZLCHFTIPTW4CJQI%2F&referer_video_id=7190093211682180398

When police arrived at the scene, traffic was backed up, a vehicle was blocking a school bus, and some upset parents were trying to rectify the situation. One parent was seen pounding on the door to get the driver to open it. Another video obtained by WSB-TV showed a parent slapping the bus driver in the face. That’s when the bus driver shut the door and drove off with the kids. In that same video, the students of Allgood Elementary were seen with their heads out of the window and heard screaming.

The incident occurred at the Old Harris Road and Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway bus stop for Allgood students, which parents say is a very busy stop. “That’s so unsafe, and all of the traffic on 278 is rushing by at 60 mph,” a parent said. “That’s crazy.”

Comments left under the viral video both praised and criticized the incident. “The kids need to learn about the emergency exit please show your kids and the emergency window if there is one,” one comment said. Another praised the parents for moving quickly and helping more than their own children. “Those mommas! Jumped right into action and they were everyone’s mommas for as long as they needed to be.”

Further down, one comment questioned if the driver was just doing their job of keeping the student safe. “Sooooo, the bus driver was doing her job by trying to keep the kids safe, then this happened? I’m confused.”

School district parents are calling for immediate disciplinary action. The Dallas Police Department confirmed they will be handling the investigation.

By Sharon Bernstein

(Reuters) – Florida will not allow high school students to take a new Advanced Placement (AP) class in African American Studies, saying in a letter to College Board, the nonprofit that develops the courses, that the pilot version “lacks educational value.”

The letter to the educational nonprofit – which runs the Advanced Placement Program – was the latest move by the conservative administration of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis to criticize and even outlaw some educational efforts about racism and slavery.

The College Board administers the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Advanced Placement tests that help students gain college credit while in high school. It is developing its first African American Studies course through a pilot program at 60 high schools.

“As presented, the content of this course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value,” reads the Jan. 12 letter by Florida’s Office of Articulation and posted on Twitter by an ABC News journalist.

Florida is one of several states that have banned public schools from teaching “Critical Race Theory,” an academic framework that teaches “racism is more than the result of individual bias and prejudice. It is embedded in laws, policies and institutions that uphold and reproduce racial inequalities,” according to the NAACP. Some conservatives view teaching this as inaccurate and harmful.

In its letter, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) did not indicate how the interdisciplinary course, which draws on literature, the arts, political science and other disciplines, broke state law or lacked educational value.

However, the letter went on to say that the state might reconsider its stance should the content of the course change.

“In the future, should College Board be willing to come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content, FDOE will always be willing to reopen the discussion,” the letter said.

The move sparked swift backlash among some civil rights activists and Democratic lawmakers who said it was discriminatory.

“Ron DeSantis wants to pretend that Black history isn’t American history. Leaders like him are the reason why Florida has seen a huge surge in hate crimes and acts of racism over the last two years,” said newly elected Florida congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost.

“The State of Florida will allow AP European and American studies — but AP African-American studies is ‘contrary to Florida law’?” posted Martin Luther King Jr. III on Twitter. “Please explain how this isn’t blatantly racist. Floridians deserve a clear answer.”

The College Board said in a statement to Reuters that the course aims to “explore the vital contributions and experiences of African Americans.” It is a humanities course and as such does not teach theory, the statement said.

The Florida Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on Thursday, or confirm that it had sent the letter rejecting the course.

The College Board did not directly address Florida’s letter. But the nonprofit said in a separate statement to Reuters that the course was still under development.

In a separate move this week, the presidents of Florida’s state college system said they would not provide funding for course or activities that “compel” a belief in Critical Race Theory, without pointing to any specific programs that did.

(Reporting by Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, California; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Aurora Ellis)