• News

by Diamond Jeune

January 17, 2023

11-Year-Old Boy Belting Broadway Song Lands Him a Free Trip to New York City Thanks to Delta

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Nathan Broxton‘s vocal abilities, animated expressions, and admiration for the theater landed the 11-year-old an opportunity of a lifetime, a free trip to New York City to see his first live Broadway show courtesy of Delta Airlines.

This surprise comes after the California native went viral for his rendition of Matilda: The Musical’s “Naughty.”

In the clip previously shared on Broxton’s mother Samantha’s TikTok account on Jan. 7, the preteen was seen dramatically singing along to “Naughty” as he continuously stared into the distance and moved his arms.

Days later, the video made its way to Twitter and started generating millions of views after social media users Kendra Jones and Ayanna Prescod shared the video on their respective accounts. The clip then caught the attention of several individuals from the theater community, including Bebe Neuwirth, who described the event as “fantastic.”  

 

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A post shared by Samantha Sophia (@raisingself)

At the same time, April Reign, former managing editor for Broadway Black, retweeted the recording and claimed that given Broxton’s recent performance, it appears the preteen is destined to have a successful future on the Broadway stage. 

Reign wrote while mentioning Broxton’s parents, Samantha and William K. Broxton’s social media handles, “When @RaisingSelf and @WKBroxton’s son walks across the stage to receive his #Tonys, you can say ‘I remember him when…'”

Despite the overwhelming support from numerous fans, on Jan. 11, Broxton’s mother, Samantha, disclosed that only more good news was underway after revealing that they had received a free trip to New York City from Delta Airlines.

When you're made for the stage, there's no better place to see your dreams than NYC ✈️🫶

— Delta (@Delta) January 12, 2023

In a tweet, she wrote, I am in shock. @Delta airlines is sending Nathan and the entire family to see his first Broadway musical in New York City!!!!!” Shortly after Samantha’s tweet, the airline company replied to the post by saying, “When you’re made for the stage, there’s no better place to see your dreams than NYC.”

Details regarding what shows the Broxton family will see or when the event will occur have not been released to the general public.

Singer Jaguar Wright has the streets talking after her husband posted a shocking video showing the singer face down on the ground during a recent arrest.

The embattled singer has made headlines in recent years for making salacious claims against major A-listers like Diddy, Jay-Z, and her ex-boyfriend, Common. But this time around, Wright is in hot water due to her own actions.

In a video shared online over the weekend, Wright, 45, appears to be seen lying face down on the ground while being detained by police. The singer can be heard shouting profanities at the arresting officers.

“Jaguar Wright and Solar from Carbon Nation assaults Jaguar’s husband at the barbershop. Jaguar was arrested…….” the TikToker captioned the video, which features explicit language.

@ear2theground

Jaguar Wright and Solar from Carbon Nation assaults Jaguar’s husband at the barbershop. Jaguar was arrested……. #jaguarwright #solar #arrested #fyp

♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design

The video was seemingly recorded by Wright’s husband who can be heard behind the camera explaining what took place. According to Wright’s husband, the singer came to a barbershop with a friend by the name of Solar who helped the intoxicated singer assault him.

“She came up here and assaulted me while I was at a f***ing barbershop…Her and f***ing Solar came to the barbershop… bruised me and assaulted me,” he said.

He also accused his wife of throwing their late son’s ashes out the car window.

“Throwing [her son’s] ashes out the car, calling n***as b***hes and h**s,” he said. “Somebody else called the cops on her. I can’t calm her down.”

He continued, “I never caused this to my wife…She did this to herself. Hanging out with… motherf***ing sex cultists… they both f***ing drunk as f**k.”

The husband claimed the incident stemmed from an altercation that took place the night before where he and Wright wrestled over a gun and the cops were called to stop her. Wright’s husband asked for prayers for the “Stay” singer.

“Please pray for her…Please, please, please pray for her. Pray for us… I don’t know why she did this sh*t, bro,” he said.

Shortly after the arrest, Wright was back on Instagram to post a seven-minute video where she blamed “bloggers” for the recent violent encounter.

“God Got Us- #viral #jaguarwright #Fame #GOD,” she captioned the post.

 

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Wright last made the news in 2020 when rapper Common denied her claims of being sexually assaulted by the award-winning lyricist during their time as a couple, The Source reported.

Talk about keeping a secret!

Anika Noni Rose has been coupled up with Greenleaf star Jason Dirden for years and nobody was the wiser until the happy duo decided to announce their wedding on a magazine cover!

The Tony Award-winning actress covers the latest issue of Brides magazine alongside her husband, actor Dirden, where they not only announced their private wedding but debuted their beautiful Black love!

“The Music Issue is here, and actress, vocalist, and Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Disney’s Princess Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog,” is Brides latest cover star!” the outlet captioned the announcement post.

“🎶 @anikaaroundtheworld and @jasondirden kept their relationship quiet for years—until now, neither have publicly announced that they were dating, let alone engaged or married!”

 

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The Dreamgirls star followed up with a set of photos showcasing her and Dirden’s bridal spread in the magazine. Rose also sent a nod to her history-making Disney princess role as Tiana in The Princess and the Frog.

“Soooo, did a big something. Princess has found her Prince,” she captioned the post. “And @jasondirden and I are very happy. Thank you @brides for covering. You’re about to get these pics!”

 

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A post shared by Anika Noni Rose (@anikaaroundtheworld)

Fans and friends have been flooding Rose’s comments section with messages of congratulations to her and Dirden. Rose is known for her acting in films like Dreamgirls, For Colored Girls, and Everything, Everything.  Rose’s talent also helped her make history as Disney’s first, and so far only, Black princess.

Dirden gained acclaim with his portrayal of Basie Skanks in the Greenleaf series that ran from 2016 to 2020. He’s also been seen in BET’s American Soul, House of Payne, and Mahalia.

John Legend took to the live stage to share how “blessed” he and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, are to welcome a new addition to their growing family.

The EGOT-winning singer/songwriter and entrepreneur was performing at a private concert on Friday, Jan. 13, when he informed the crowd that he had just welcomed “the little baby this morning,” People reports.

“What a blessed day,” he said.

The “All of Me” singer went on to share that while he “didn’t get a lot of sleep,” he “feels energized” after spending “a lot of time” at the hospital, bringing his little bundle of joy into the world. After breaking the big news at his concert, attendees were the first to take to social media to share the baby news with the rest of the world.

“@johnlegend just told us he had a baby this morning,” one concertgoer tweeted.

https://twitter.com/astonfenly/status/1614101095470727168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1614101095470727168%7Ctwgr%5E6afda82d52ca5863e79af9797d152822ebd56628%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpeople.com%2Fembed%3Furl%3Dhttps3A2F2Ftwitter.com2Ftwitter2Fstatus2F1614101095470727168id%3Dmntl-sc-block_1-0-17-iframeoptions%3De303DdocId%3D7095332

This is a rainbow baby birth for Legend, 43, and Teigen, 37, after sharing their heartbreaking pregnancy loss in October 2020. The couple is already parents to a daughter, Luna Simone, 6, and a son, Miles Theodore, 4.

 

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A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen)

Teigen and Legend announced their third pregnancy in August 2020 in the singer’s “Wild” music video. But the following month, the couple lost the pregnancy due to a partial placenta abruption, Page Six reports.

Teigen posted intimate hospital photos showing her and Legend, heartbroken, with their late son, Jack. In October 2020, she defended sharing the photos in an essay she penned for Medium.

“I knew I needed to know of this moment forever, the same way I needed to remember us kissing at the end of the aisle, the same way I needed to remember our tears of joy after Luna and Miles,” the former Lip Sync Battle judge explained at the time.

Legend supported his wife’s decision to share the photos telling Good Morning America in November 2020, “I [didn’t] want to commemorate this pain … [but the photos are] something to remember him by.”

• Career

by Stacy Jackson

January 17, 2023

Database Makes Black Women with Ph.D.s in Physics More Discoverable

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Out of the 2,000 physics Ph.D.s that are awarded in the U.S. each year, less than 0.5% of those are reportedly given to women of African descent.

Doctor of Cosmology and University of New Hampshire professor, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, is tackling the lack of representation in scientific research through Cite Black Women+ in Physics and Astronomy Bibliography, a database that lists professional publications by Black women who hold Ph.D.s in physics-related disciplines.

According to Forbes, after about two years compiling the database with two research assistants, the list contains nearly 4,000 linked entries published from around 180 women and gender minorities.

“Part of it is saying, ‘We’re here and we’ve been making intellectual contributions,’” Prescod-Weinstein said. “Specifically, I want Black students to be able to find this resource and to be able to see themselves.”

African American Women in Physics founder Jami Valentine Miller finds the database useful for bridging the gap between Black women Ph.D. physicists and potential cofounders, in addition to helping them launch and fund their own startups.

“Being able to verify and see that track record of research, I think, will help people have a stronger package when they’re seeking venture capital,” Miller told Forbes.

“Often, we hear that employers and search committees can’t find qualified candidates,” she added. “This database will help to alleviate that issue because it will now be much easier to find more diverse candidates based on their publication records.”

Prescod-Weinstein’s database, which is said to be the first across all fields of science targeting work by Black women, covers about 50 years of research.

According to TechCrunch, the market for U.S. startup funding reached $216 billion in 2022, with a study from Crunchbase showing Black women received less than 1%.

“The way that people pick research directions is not at all scientific,” Prescod-Weinstein said. “So why not add the social factor into it where people can say, ‘Actually, I’m going to go build research programs from citing Black women’”?

Good Morning America co-hosts and lovers T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach are planning to go the extra mile in the name of love.

According to RadarOnline, sources say that the couple is looking forward to exchanging wedding vows after the dust settles in court with their exes.

Last month, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that Holmes officially filed for a divorce from his second wife of almost 13 years, Marilee Fiebig. The news came after Holmes and Robach both separated from their respective spouses in August.

Robach is almost officially divorced from Melrose Place actor Andrew Shue, according to a source, and is supportive of her new beau as he hashes out his settlement.

“She wants him free so they can get married and prove to everyone how serious their relationship is,” the insider said.

After keeping their relationship a secret for months, the source added, “they’re relieved it’s all out in the open now.”

Since Holmes’ filing, he and Robach have gone public and were spotted in Miami during a romantic stroll on the pier.

“They’re happy and in love,” another source said.

For Robach, who is reportedly worth $50 million, money won’t be the issue that stands in the way of her relationship with Holmes. A source confirmed that she is even willing to support Holmes financially if he loses his fortune at the end of his divorce settlement.

“Amy and T.J.’s attitude is to hell with anyone who stands in their way,” the source continued.

However, the battle continues as the GM3 co-hosts gear up for a possible lawsuit against ABC. The couple reportedly plans to sue the company in light of their suspension after information about their relationship was made public, according to a recent story by BLACK ENTERPRISE.

It has been weeks since the pair were taken off air pending investigation of any company policy violations.

Mary J. Blige partied with the best of them for her 52nd birthday on Saturday. The Grammy award-winning singer celebrated her special day in New York City with a slew of familiar faces.

A-listers like Queen Latifah, Usher, and Fat Joe hit up Cipriani Wall Street for the No More Drama singer’s private birthday dinner courtesy of CÎROC, DeLeón Tequila, and Blige’s own Sun Goddess. Blige came dressed to impress in two different outfits, with one sparkly ensemble from Matthew Reisman.

Others in attendance included Chrissy Lampkin, Joey BADA$$, Lala, Toya Johnson, and DaVinci.

The birthday soiree was the perfect event for Blige to showcase her official line of wines, Sun Goddess, a venture she announced in 2020. As a real-life enthusiast herself, it was only natural for Blige to enter the wine space after she partnered with winery owner Marco Fantinel.

“I have always been particularly fond of white wines that demonstrate freshness, minerality, and purity. Pinot Grigio is undoubtedly among my favorite varieties,” she shared on her brand’s website.

“One day, I asked a friend of mine, ‘What is the best Pinot Grigio in the world?’ and he quickly responded that the best Pinot Grigio came from Friuli Venezia Giulia. In deepening my knowledge of this little Italian region, I was introduced to Marco Fantinel, owner of one of the leading wineries of this area.”

Sun Goddess, a mix of pinot grigio ramato and a sauvignon blanc, takes its name from Blige’s childhood memories of her love for the energy of the sun, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter.

“After walking through the vineyards and tasting with the Fantinel family, I felt extremely connected to the place, and more importantly, the people,” Blige said.

“In that moment, I felt the same magical energy I have long tried to capture from the sun and knew this was an incredible opportunity to partner with someone who shared that passion and together we could try to create something that evoked that feeling.”

Michael B. Jordan isn’t the only one moving on.

After news broke of his ex-girlfriend Lori Harvey dating again, the 35-year-old actor is reportedly dating British model and influencer Amber Jaspen. Sources close to the Black Panther star claim he is “enamored” with his new love interest.

“It’s early stages but Amber and Michael are really keen on each other,” the Daily Mail reported.

Jordan has been spending time in the U.K. prompting a recent minority stake purchase in the professional football club, AFC Bournemouth. During his time there, sources say Jordan and Jaspen have been on multiple dates. The 26-year-old model seems to be liking the attention received from Jordan. Daily Mail reported the Manchester-native shared a screenshot of Jordan liking one of her Instagram Stories, using the caption: “Wifed off now.”

“They make a handsome, cute couple and are both financially independent. Watch this space,” a source said, according to Daily Mail.

It’s good to see the Creed star is getting a fresh start. After Jordan and Harvey went their separate ways, People reported that sources claimed the two were “completely heartbroken” about the split and they “still love” each other. While neither of them have made a statement on the reason for the split, some believe it was due to Jordan wanting something more “serious” with Harvey. One source said the actor “matured a lot over the course of their relationship and was ready to commit for the long term.”

 

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A post shared by Lori Harvey (@loriharvey)

Harvey broke the internet over the weekend after making it Instagram official with Snowfall actor Damson Idris. The British actor shared a photo of him kissing Harvey on the cheek as well as posting pictures of the two of them together at Harvey’s 26th birthday party.

Love After Lockup star Monique Robinson has called out instigators on social media for criticizing her weight in comparison to her romantic partner, Derek Warner Jr.

After the couple’s love story went viral, social media users pointed out their size difference, as Robinson, 35, is a plus-sized woman and Warner, 29, appeared to be shorter and more slender.

 

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A post shared by Monique 💕 (@miss.nique)

“The fact that I’ve been bullied and ridiculed online HEAVILY for the past 4 days UNPROVOKED is crazy to me,” Robinson wrote in a note she posted as a screenshot.

“Idk why people are so obsessed with my weight and my relationship with Derek. Y’all get on the internet and be fake caring about mental health and “protecting” black women and all i see on these blog sites is black men and women in the comments bullying another black woman about her weight. This show was filmed months ago. Me & Derek have been together almost 3 years already! He love it here. We living in our truth. Love is love,” she concluded.

Prior to Robinson’s public statement to the online trolls, she exchanged words with vlogger, Funky Dineva, who questioned Warner’s attraction to his plus-sized partner.

 

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Other users took to their accounts to add to Dineva’s fat-shaming.

Robinson and Warner met over the prison pen-pals website in 2020, and after Warner served nine years for drug possession and distribution, the couple united.

Robinson works as a client service representative at VCA Chicago North Animal Hospital, while it is unknown where Warner is employed.

Black women have had enough when it comes to hate speech.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) has introduced the Leading Against White Supremacy Act of 2023, looking to place criminal charges on people who share hate speech.

The Congress website says the bill will “prevent and prosecute white supremacy inspired hate crime and conspiracy to commit white supremacy inspired hate crime and to amend title 18, United States Code, to expand the scope of hate crimes.” Those engaging in hate speech could still face criminal charges even if they don’t act on the threats.

The bill proposes penalties for anyone publishing “material advancing white supremacy, white supremacist ideology, antagonism based on ‘replacement theory’, or hate speech that vilifies or is otherwise directed against any non-White person or group, and such published material.” It also takes a hard stance on hate speech promoted on social media, listing platforms as a place where “hate speech motivates another person to go out and commit a racist crime against others,” as reported by The NY Post. “These heinous and virulent crimes are inspired by conspiracy theories, blatant bigotry and mythical falsehoods such as ‘replacement theory.’ All instances must be prevented and severe criminal penalties must be applied to their perpetrators.”

Hate-fueled crimes have stemmed from online activities.

In 2022, a white supremacist killed 10 people inside a Buffalo supermarket in a predominantly black neighborhood. The NY Post reported that prosecutors said the killer planned the attack because he cared “for the future of the White race.” After Dylan Roof slaughtered nine people at a church in Charleston, SC, CNN reported that a website was found featuring pictures of Roof and statements on why he chose Charleston. “I chose Charleston because it is most historic city in my state, and at one time had the highest ratio of blacks to Whites in the country.”

With a Republican-filled house, some feel the bill will not pass. Fox News stated that the bill has no current cosponsors.