Tracee Ellis Ross, Tracee travels, roku, original series, ross
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 23, 2022

Cold Weather Where? Tracee Ellis Ross Heats Up Instagram With Bikini Pics From Jamaica Vacation

Tracee Ellis Ross is enjoying her holiday season in the warm sunny skies of Jamaica and has sultry bikini pics to prove it.

The Black-ish star took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a few photos from her Jamaica vacation. The 50-year-old actress stunned in the shots that showed off her toned physique and ageless beauty.

“JM,” she captioned the post.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross)

Celebrities and fans flooded Ross’s comments section with praise for her stellar appearance. Gabrielle Union gushed over how “gorgeous” Ross looked. Model Ashley Graham left a series of heart eyes.

Ross has been open up about her health and fitness journey after admitting to finding “comfort” and “solace” from eating and drinking over the courage of the pandemic-caused lockdown of 2020.

“I didn’t transform my body and exercise like a crazy woman … and as a result, my body feels different,” Ross admitted in an Instagram post.

“I sat more than I’m used to; I didn’t do the same amount of cardio that I like.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross)

After taking on “extra weight,” Ross realized it wasn’t anything she should be ashamed of.

“The softness that I’m experiencing in my body … all of use have our own version of that … it’s actually something to say thank you for,” the Girlfriends star explained. “My body has been incredibly wise. Thank you for keeping me safe during COVID.”

“With all the sharpness and harshness and violence and fear that has been around, perhaps the softness of my body is a blessing,” she continued. “It has been able to nurture me in a way that my mind could not.”

Ross ended by shutting down the “judgment” she and others had about their bodies and the transformations that occurred throughout the pandemic.

“I don’t think my physical body is the most important thing to come out of this very difficult time,” she said. “This is a time to offer compassion everywhere, to our bodies, to each other.”

Fire Department
by Stacy Jackson

December 23, 2022

This Girl Is On Fire: First Black Woman Captain Appointed For Little Rock Fire Department

She’s the only Black woman to make her way to the top ranking for this fire department.

A promotion ceremony at the Little Rock Fire Department’s training space on Murray Street marked a moment in history as Quatecia Wilson became the first Black woman to advance to the position of fire captain in the history of the LRFD.

According to Arkansas Times, the celebration took place on Wednesday, where Wilson was promoted to captain.

Wilson described the promotion as “monumental, [but] not the end of my journey, and it is not the highlight of my job.”

The fire department, located in Little Rock, Arkansas, congratulated the captain on Facebook alongside another promoted employee.

Wilson has been employed with the department for over nine years. During the promotion celebration, she saluted the leaders of the LRFD who came before her, retired personnel, friends, family, the engine team, and her Eudora hometown.

“I hope that I will do you guys justice in carrying this torch forward,” Captain Wilson said.

As part of the ceremony, Wilson exchanged pins and embraced comments from loved ones like her father, Robert Liggins. Wilson’s mother, Wanda James, had the honor of placing the pin on her daughter’s uniform.

“Whatever word exceeds proud, that’s what I am of you,” James said.

Even Wilson’s son, Logan, chimed in on his pride in his mother’s accomplishment.

“I believe that she will never give up,” he said.

This marks one of the most recent in-person celebrations following the pandemic that forced the world to communicate virtually.

“The mission of the Little Rock Fire Department is to provide immediate fire and emergency medical service in a professional and efficient manner,” the LRFD wrote on the department’s website.

Their value statement covers 10 areas: life safety, integrity, talent, transparency, leadership, excellence, respect, opportunity, character, and knowledge.

“We are committed to being good stewards with the resources, equipment and responsibilities we have been entrusted with,” the statement said. “We are committed to providing leadership and guidance to our fire personnel.”

“We are committed to exercising the opportunity to serve our community with compassion and professionalism,” it added.

Cheslie Kryst April Simpkins tWitch
by Niko Mann

December 23, 2022

Mother Of Cheslie Kryst Opens Up About Losing Child To Suicide Following Death Of tWitch

The mother of Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst is opening up about her daughter’s death following the news that 40-year-old Stephen “tWitch” Boss passed away from suicide on Dec. 13. Kryst died by suicide in January at the age of 30.

April Simpkins spoke to Today about the pain of losing a child who is also a public figure to suicide. In addition to winning the title of Miss USA in 2019, Kryst was also an attorney, model and correspondent for Extra. Simpkins said that the news of tWitch’s death reminded her of losing her own child.

“His passing … put me on the outside looking in,” said Simpkins. “I saw a news flash on my computer and that’s how I learned of his passing — and I imagine for some, that’s how they learned of Cheslie’s passing — and I immediately went into disbelief and wanting to understand what had happened, and then it just triggered those same feelings for me, and my heart ached for him.”

“It’s easy to make this assumption that they were this person 24/7 when they were not. One of the things that was very difficult for me to deal with was not just that Cheslie passed, but … dealing with your grief while simultaneously having so many people who did not know her personally … want to speak on her.

Simpkins confirmed her daughter’s suicide on social media and said that Kryst had high-functioning depression, which she hid from everyone.

“Today, what our family and friends privately knew was the cause of death of my sweet baby girl, Cheslie, was officially confirmed,” she wrote.

“While it may be hard to believe, it’s true. Cheslie led both a public and a private life. In her private life, she was dealing with high-functioning depression which she hid from everyone – including me, her closest confidant – until very shortly before her death.”

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A post shared by April Simpkins (@aprils_hr)

Simpkins also said she avoids certain words and phrases to help her cope with her grief. She also allows herself to share memories of her daughter the way she really was on social media. Simpkins shared the last picture the two took together before Kryst passed away on Instagram.

“I forced myself not to start any sentences with the words, ‘I wish,’ because that felt like salt on a wound. I did not start sentences with, ‘If only I had,’ or, ‘Why didn’t I do that?'” she said. “Instead, I forced myself to start sentences with phrases like, ‘I feel grateful that,’ or, ‘I’m thankful for.’ It helps to calm some of the sting of that grief in that moment.”

Simpkins also shared that her daughter had a suicide attempt before her death. She noted that how she responded extended her daughter’s life. The grieving mother added that listening and not dismissing people when they say they are not okay can have a huge impact.

“When someone says to us, ‘I’m having a rough time dealing with blank,’ and we’ve come back with words like “You’ll be OK. Sleep it off. You’ve got this. You’re so strong. You can handle it. You need a vacation,’ those are ways that we’re dismissing someone saying I’m not OK. People are telling us. We’re not listening with the right set of ears.”

Biden,Juneteenth, church
by Derek Major

December 23, 2022

Supreme Court To Hear Challenges To Biden Student Loan Debt Plan In February

The Supreme Court will hear two challenges to President Joe Biden‘s plan to forgive the student loan debt of millions of borrowers across the country.

The Washington Examiner reports the justices will hear the two challenges on Feb. 28.

In the first challenge to the plan, Biden v. Nebraska, six Republican-led states (Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, and South Carolina) argue Biden’s plan violates the separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act. The second challenge, Department of Education v. Brown, involves two plaintiffs claiming the Department of Education failed to offer public comments on the plan.

Biden’s student loan debt plan will forgive $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 annually or households with less than $250,000 in income. Additionally, Pell Grant recipients would receive an additional $10,000 in forgiveness. According to Forbes, 60% of Black college students and half of Latino and Native American students have a Pell Grant.

Biden’s plan has been on hold since October as it worked its way through the courts and the Supreme Court left the plan blocked until it hears the case in February. In response, the president has again extended the pause on student loan payments through next summer.

“It isn’t fair to ask tens of millions of borrowers eligible for relief to resume their student debt payments while the courts consider the lawsuits. For that reason, the Secretary of Education is extending the pause on student loan payments while we seek relief from the court,” Biden said, according to ABC News.

About 26 million of the 40 million borrowers the Biden administration says are eligible for student loan forgiveness have requested it. According to Sound Dollar, student loan debt is currently the second-highest debt Americans carry, valued at $1.59 trillion.

The initial pause on student loan payments occurred in March 2020 during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. CNN reports the latest extension of the student loan pause is the eighth since the payments were stopped.

Since the pandemic, college enrolment has declined for three straight years, which has led some schools to cut their tuition rates in half.

Candace Owens, Megan Thee Stallion
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 23, 2022

Candace Owens Defends Megan Thee Stallion But Seemingly Throws Shade at the Black Community

Amazingly, conservative pundit Candace Owens has come out in defense of Texas rapper Megan Thee Stallion. But did she use the trial actually to disrespect the Black community?

Owens’ rants typically slant toward disrespecting Black people and Black culture, and she usually fights for anything that goes against the Black community. She appears on her recent podcast to discuss the Tory Lanez trial. She may be defending Megan but seemingly uses her bully pulpit to once again throw shade toward the Black community to her conservative white audience.

As Owens rightfully talks about the disrespect shown by some people who may not believe Megan or her story, it seems as though the controversial host is using the Tory Lanez trial as an excuse to attack the Black community and use this as a way to continue her agenda to an audience full of mostly white conservatives.

She brings attention to the story by insisting that this is “not the fault of white people or white media,” with an emphasis on the word white. She says it’s more of a cultural issue for Black people. She goes into a story about her having a crush on a “Black guy” named “Jamal” who, while in class, was asked a question by a teacher regarding the subject of snitching. She then goes on a semi-rant about how “snitching” is perceived in the Black community and that if given a choice to “snitch,” she would do so in a heartbeat.

She said that her feelings for this “filthy animal” (referring to Jamal) changed after an exchange with her high school teacher, Mr. “White.” She claims that the teacher allegedly asked Jamal if he witnessed his daughter getting shot and killed in a “drive-by” shooting, would he tell the police what he saw? The student purportedly said that he “would never snitch” because that would be against this alleged “Black code” Owens speaks of. She seemingly uses this memory of what happened as a precursory to her telling her audience about the trial of Tory Lanez, who is accused of shooting the W.A.P. rapper in the foot.

Owens then proceeds to describe the aspects of the case.

Watch the whole rant below:

Henrietta Lacks, Morgan State University
by Stacy Jackson

December 23, 2022

Lest We Forget: ‘Immortal’ Henrietta Lacks Honored With Statue in Virginia Hometown

This woman is due her flowers and more.

A statue of Henrietta Lacks, the Black woman whose “immortal” cells were used for medical procedures without her permission, will be sculpted and installed in her hometown of Virginia in her honor.

According to CBS News, the bronze statue will replace a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Roanoke’s Henrietta Lacks Plaza, formerly known as Lee Plaza.

Attorney Ben Crump joined Lacks’ family on Monday for a press conference and unveiling of the sketch of the statue, which Black artist Bryce Cobbs drafted.

“Today, here in Roanoke, Virginia, at Lacks Plaza, we acknowledge that she was not only significant, she was literate and she is as relevant as any historic figure in the world today when you consider issues of genetic justice, reproductive rights and stem cell research,” Crump said during the press conference.

Roanoke Vice-Mayor Trish White-Boyd and the Harrison Museum of African American Culture fundraised $183,877 through the Roanoke Hidden Histories initiative to cover costs for the statue. The funds will also be used toward an additional project that includes a documentary highlighting the town’s history.

“This beautiful woman was born Aug. 1, 1920, right here in Roanoke, Virginia,” White-Boyd said at Monday’s press conference. “And we want to honor her, and to celebrate her.”

Gynecologist Dr. Howard Jones collected the woman’s cells following her death from cervical cancer at John Hopkins Hospital in 1951. Without consent, Dr. Howard studied and used Lacks’ cells, which he observed would double every 20 to 24 hours, different from other cancer patient cells.

“Having reviewed our interactions with Henrietta Lacks and with the Lacks family over more than 50 years, we found that Johns Hopkins could have – and should have – done more to inform and work with members of Henrietta Lacks’ family out of respect for them, their privacy and their personal interests,” John Hopkins Medicine wrote on its website.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Lacks’ family filed a lawsuit in 2021 against Thermo Fisher Scientific, the medical company that benefitted from her cells. The company filed a motion to dismiss the suit, saying the matter was “decades too stale to proceed.”

Reportedly, the statue is scheduled to be completed in October 2023.

Baked Goods, Dessert, Pie
by Jasmine Jackson

December 23, 2022

Black Girls Culinary Founder Puts You On: Aunty Wendy’s Holiday Pumpkin Cake Recipe

The holiday season is the perfect time for aspiring chefs to whip up new and old dishes to get straight, no-chaser feedback from the most honest people you know—your family.

Dee here from Black Girls Culinary—a Facebook Group and online community I created to help Black women find their way around the kitchen to become their greatest cooking selves. After teaching my own sister to fry a chicken to perfection, I knew my calling was in the “online kitchen,” where I could show others how to create a bit of culinary magic.

My time as a chef began when I was just six years old. As many of you probably know, the best tea is spilt in the kitchen by family members, and little me loved some good gossip! So, my mom put me to work. It took some stumbling and figuring things out, but before I knew it, I was running the show and measuring from the heart to make meals my whole family enjoyed. I’m even in charge of mac & cheese duties during the holidays, which I know you all know is a big deal. There really aren’t many great pleasures beyond sharing a well-cooked meal with loved ones paired with a good glass of wine, I always say…

In holiday fashion, I wanted to pass the spotlight onto “Aunty” Wendy Osborne, who is one of the most beloved members of our Black Girls Culinary Facebook Group. Her dish ideas are always a huge hit with members, and this holiday pumpkin cake recipe I’m about to walk you through is no different. I know you will love this one, and it’s perfect for sharing.

The last thing I want to say is that anyone can cook if they put their mind to it. You don’t need fancy training to become a star in the kitchen. Just start with the basics and follow recipe instructions to a T at first. Pay attention to your strengths and what you’re best at, and clock how flavors work with each other. Soon enough, you won’t need any recipes because you’ll be able to whip up whatever you want and eyeball ingredients with ease. You got this!

Holiday pumpkin cake

  • 4 large eggs
  •  2 cups granulated sugar
  •  2 cups pumpkin puree
  • 1 cups canola or vegetable oil
  • 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Frosting

  • 1 Pkg cream cheese
  • 1 unsalted butter, softened
  • 5 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
  2. In a large bowl, add the eggs, sugar, pumpkin, oil, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and whisk to combine.
  3. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and stir until just combined, don’t overmix.
  4. Add batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until center is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, no batter.
  5. Set cake aside on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting it so the frosting doesn’t melt.

Frosting

  1. In a large bowl, add the cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, salt, and whisk until smooth and fluffy or beat with an electric mixer.
  2. Add frosting to your cake and enjoy!

About Davicia “Dee” Harris

Davicia “Dee” Harris is the founder and administrator of Black Girls Culinary, a Facebook Group dedicated to creating a safe space for Black women to connect, mentor, and inspire each other on their cooking journeys. Having successfully taught her sister the art of cooking on Facetime, the longtime home chef found purpose in sharing her gifts with others online. Harris has grown her virtual community from 200 to 50,000—all united by their love for a well-prepared meal and sharing it with loved ones. Together with her leadership team of fellow home cooks, bakers, and professional chefs, Harris has cultivated a judgment-free zone where Black women of any skill level can come to hone their craft.

About Aunty Wendy

My name is Wendy Osborne, and I consider myself a foodie, but I have not always been one. My love for cooking stemmed from reading cookbooks and magazines and seeing beautifully plated food. I started with a passion for baking a lot, and my passion shifted to the desire of wanting to prepare a variety of meals for my son and me, with a huge focus on plating. My meals are very diverse, but no matter what I prepare—and I plate intentionally—making sure to add colors from different vegetables. When my son and I sit down to dinner,  my goal is to mimic the feeling I get when I dine at a nice restaurant, so we always eat on proper dinnerware with nice plating. Create the type of space in your home that you would pay to dine in outside of your home.

Al Roker, Sued, DEI Initiative, Black Cartoon
by Stacy Jackson

December 23, 2022

Today Show Weatherman Al Roker Announces Social Media Fast From Twitter

Everyone needs a break from their social media every once in a while.

Al Roker, co-host and meteorologist of the Today Show, announced to his Twitter followers that he would be taking time away from the social media platform. According to Parade, the TV personality tweeted his parting message on Dec. 21, 2022.

“Thank you Twitter. We had some great times but it’s time to take a break,” he wrote in his post.

Although the weatherman won’t be sending out any tweets in the coming days, he listed his other social media platforms that will remain active for fans to connect, including Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

https://twitter.com/alroker/status/1605628169230303232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1605628169230303232%7Ctwgr%5Ee7f87de9003f3d2dc0779cf95dd5315cc0e205e8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fparade.com%2Fnews%2Fal-roker-shocks-fans-announcement-leaving-twitter

Hello Magazine reported that fans were saddened upon learning of the unexpected news.

“This saddens me, but your health is more important. Take this time with your loving family, enjoy your retirement, and keep walking,” one fan replied to Roker’s tweet. Another Twitter user added, “Happy Holidays, Al. I hope you are feeling better. Look forward to continuing following you on FB & IG and hope to see you back on @todayshow when you are up to it.” One thanked him for sharing his light over the years, adding, “You are a treasure. Merry Christmas & know that we love you!”

The reason behind Roker removing himself from the platform has not been shared. However, the weatherman is still recovering from his hospitalization after blood clots were found in his legs and lungs.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Roker made a virtual appearance on the Today show this month as the show’s staff members serenaded him at his New York City home amid his absence since November due to his health scare.

Reportedly, Roker is not the only celebrity who has decided to exit the platform since Elon Musk‘s recent takeover.

After Elon Musk Vows to Step Down, Twitter Users Want Snoop Dogg to Take Over as CEO
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 23, 2022

After Elon Musk Vows to Step Down, Twitter Users Want Snoop Dogg to Take Over as CEO

Snoop Dogg has been selected to become the CEO of Twitter after the What’s My Name? lyricist asked Twitter users if he should inherit the role Elon Musk has running the social media platform.

Earlier this week, Twitter owner Elon Musk placed a poll on his profile asking if he should step down as the social media platform’s CEO. Half the poll respondents told him to get back to running Tesla. There is speculation that since Musk said he was interested in purchasing Twitter, he has focused less on Tesla. The lack of focus on the electric vehicle company has decreased the stock price during the year.

According to NASDAQ, Tesla has lost

With a final tally of 17,502,391 votes, almost 60% (57.5%) of those who cast a vote wanted him to step down as CEO. Another 42.5% of Twitter users wanted him to continue the job on the platform.

On the other hand, later that day, Gin N Juice rapper Snoop Dogg posed his own question: “Should I run Twitter?”

The Doggfather got a vastly different result when he posed that question. It seems that most people who took the poll want to see Snoop Dogg running the day-to-day duties of Twitter.

After 3,398,119 Twitter users voted in the poll, an astounding 81% of poll takers overwhelmingly want the weed-smoking recording artist to take over the reins from Musk.

 

Snoop set a record, according to the Guinness World Records. They have confirmed that Snoop’s poll is the “biggest yes ratio in a Twitter poll.”

Some Twitter users responded to the thought of the rapper taking over the platform.

Snoop recently announced that a biopic on him is in the works. Menace II Society director Allen Hughes will direct the biopic, and Black Panther co-writer Joe Robert Cole will write the screenplay, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Maybe if Snoop became CEO of Twitter, it will be in the movie.

Antonio Brown, Bankruptcy
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 23, 2022

Antonio Brown No Longer a Wanted Man, Arrest Warrant Withdrawn

The arrest warrant for former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Antonio Brown is no longer valid.

According to The Associated Press, the former NFL player will have no charges filed against him after an alleged domestic incident involving the mother of his children in Florida last month. Prosecutors have stated that after investigators reviewed all evidence presented, they have determined that the misdemeanor battery charges will not be applied to Brown.

According to the Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit, the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) will not be charging the former wide receiver for the incident that occurred on Nov. 28, 2022.

The office said that based on the information police officers received that evening, they felt they had probable cause to issue an arrest warrant on one count of misdemeanor first-degree battery. The allegations included domestic violence and battery.

Last week, after interviewing the alleged victim, it was determined that they “could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt a battery took place.” The alleged victim spoke to the Assistant State Attorney and Victim Assistance Advocate on Dec. 16. While discussing the incident, she “recanted her previous allegations” against Brown. Since a decision was made not to pursue charges, the previously issued warrant for Brown’s arrest was withdrawn.

BLACK ENTERPRISE reported earlier this month that the Tampa Bay Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Brown. He was allegedly involved in a domestic battery incident and was wanted for a battery charge.

“On November 28, 2022, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the suspect and victim were involved in a verbal altercation at a home in South Tampa. At some point later on, the argument turned physical, after the suspect threw a shoe at the victim. The suspect also attempted to evict the victim from the residence and locked her out of the home,” according to Tampa.gov.

“The suspect, Antonio Brown, 34, is wanted for battery. There is a court-authorized warrant for his arrest.”

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