Former NBA Player and Head Coach, Paul Silas Passes Away at 79
The National Basketball Association (NBA) world is mourning after learning that former NBA All-Star and longtime head coach Paul Silas died at 79.
According to an announcement by the Houston Rockets, Silas, the father of the current head coach, Stephen, died over the weekend. The New York Times reported that his daughter, Paula Silas-Guy, revealed that he died of cardiac arrest on Saturday night.
The Fertitta Family and the Rockets organization are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, father of Rockets head coach Stephen Silas.
Our heartfelt thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/EOMSjv23t5
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also released a statement on the former head coach’s death.
We mourn the passing of former NBA All-Star and head coach Paul Silas. Paul’s lasting contributions to the game are seen through the many players and coaches he inspired, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family. -Adam
Silas was the first coach LeBron James played for when he entered the NBA in his rookie year.
According to CNN, Silas played in the NBA for 16 seasons and won three NBA championships. He was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks (now the Atlanta Hawks) at No. 10 in the 1964 NBA Draft. He was a graduate of Creighton University.
The former NBA coach won two championships when he played with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976. Three years later, he obtained a third one with the Seattle Supersonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) in 1979. He was a two-time All-Star and an All-Defensive player five times during his career.
He became a head coach in 1980 when he took over the reins of the San Diego Clippers (now the Los Angeles Clippers) for three years. He also coached the Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Hornets.
His record as an NBA head coach was 387-488.
He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Silas leaves behind his two children, Stephen and Paula.
Black Enterprise’s 2022 Ultimate Buy Black Holiday Gift Guide + Sephora’s Black Beauty Bosses Picks
This year’s BLACK ENTERPRISEUltimate Buy Black Holiday Gift Guide is a must-have!
Treat your loved ones with these products and services from a wide range of Black-owned businesses, including software, fashion and beauty products, food, tech, games, and so much more.
We said ULTIMATE so we have to add some beauty picks from Sephora’s Black-owned businesses that are on the TOP of our list!
Sephora’s Black Beauty Bosses Picks
Danessa Myricks Beauty
As a makeup artist, photographer, and entrepreneur Danessa Myricks has mastered the perfect beauty application and image and made a name for herself as one of the most creative in our makeup industry.
Danessa Myricks Image DanessaMyricks.com)
Here’s what we love from her collection at Sephora:
Danessa Myricks Beauty (Courtesy Sephora)
Lightwork Vol. IV: Transcendence Palette
$125
The Lightwork Vol. IV: Transcendence Palette focuses on eye-catching shades and opulent multichrome textures that work for the entire face. It also features a selection of 4 different palette finishes and 14 different hues that deliver intensity with each application. The palette allows wearers to easily achieve both subtle & dramatic effects with multichrome, metallic and glass-like finishes.
Tracee Ellis Ross is our best friend in our head. Tracee says PATTERN focuses on healthy hair & encourages each hair texture to take up as much space as it desires.
Instagram)Pattern Tracee Ellis Ross (Image Sephora)
Wash Day Essentials Kit
$25 (Value $34)
A super-duo designed to help strands start fresh, the Wash Day Essentials kit contains two of Pattern’s most loved formulas. The Hydration Shampoo gently cleanses curls and coils without stripping strands, and Tracee’s holy grail Leave-In Conditioner restores softness and suppleness. When combined, hair is left nourished, bouncy and defined.
Considered the secret behind Hollywood’s most flawless faces, expert esthetician Shani Darden sets herself apart with her results-oriented approach to skin care.
(Image Shani Darden.com)(Image Sephora)
The Ultimate Glow Set
$88 (Value $135)
A youthful glow shouldn’t be complicated, and Shani’s foolproof set makes it easy and effective. Alternate nightly between age-defying Retinol Reform® Serum and brightening Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum and add firming Intensive Eye Renewal Cream twice a day for maximum benefits with minimal irritation.
Rihanna stay wanting us to shine bright like a diamond and this Fenty Skin Butta Drop Shimmering Whipped Oil Body Cream will have your body parts doing just that! Get into it!
(Photo: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)
Fenty Skin Butta Drop (Image Sephora)
Butta Drop Shimmering Whipped Oil Body Cream
$44
Get ya holiday glow on with this limited-edition soft gold shimmer-infused Butta Drop that features a festive, cinnamon-inspired scent. The thick, rich, luxed-up body moisturizer buttas you up with a nourishing whipped oil cream loaded with nearly 25% rich butters and restorative tropical oils and extracts.
Nancy Twine is the Founder of Briogeo, a refreshing deviation from a market saturated with products backed by big-name celebrity stylists and deep-pocketed corporations.
(Image Briogeohair.com
Mega Moisture Hair Duo
$44 (Value $64)
A deeply nourishing hair mask paired with Briogeo’s new 3-in-1 leave-in spray to detangle, hydrate, and provide UV protection for healthier-looking hair. This green smoothie-inspired value set is fortified with phytonutrient-rich ingredients like spinach, chia seeds, and cocoa seed butter to restore and lock in moisture for shinier, more manageable hair.
Award-winning men’s grooming brand, Bevel, is providing men with the best gift set for curly and textured hair this season. The Bevel On-The-Go Holiday Gift Set includes Bevel’s top-selling shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and Dark Cassis body wash in convenient, travel-ready 3.4oz pouches.
The Bevel On-The-Go Holiday Gift Set is available on GetBevel.com and select Target and Walmart stores.
AbsoluteJOI Essentials Skincare Set
(Image: Essentials Skincare Set / Courtesy of AbsoluteJOI)
Gift your loved one with this easy to use, minimalist skin care routine made by a Black woman physician, Dr. Anne Beal. The holiday bundle includes a hydrating gel foam cleanser, toner, cleanse oil, daily hydrating moisturizing cream, and skin refining night oil.
Popular and in-demand, the ultra lux gift set is available on Nordstrom.
BIPOC Box Nutcracker Gift Set
(Image: Nutcracker Cocoa Gft Set / Courtesy of BIPOC Box)
Brent Wesley, the entrepreneur, beekeeper, musician, and father of five, created BIPOC Box. The Nutcracker Gift Set includes six classic coca and white chocolate cocoa drink mixes each, two glazed ceramic handless mugs with silicon wrap, Maya Chile Chocolate Caramel popcorn, Len McAddy Pine and Balsam Fir Home Candle, Pinole artisan chocolate bar, and more.
The Nutcracker Gift Set is available at BIPOC Box.
The Guilty Grape Peach Mango Bubbly
(Image: The Guilty Grape Peach Mango Bubbly / Courtesy of The Guilty Grape)
The Guilty Grape, founded by twin sisters, is bringing the festivities right to your doorstep with their new Peach Mango Bubbly, a sparkling wine with lively bubbles and flavors. With a taste of crisp citrus, ripe sweet mango, and freshly picked peaches, this wine is a party in a glass.
The Peach Mango Bubbly is available for preorder on The Guilty Grape.
Brough Brothers Bourbon Whiskey
(Image: Courtesy of Brough Brothers)
Brough Brothers Bourbon comes from the first Black-owned distillery in Kentucky founded by three brothers. The bottle is designed to represent a piece of Kentucky’s vibrant culture: bourbon, basketball, boxing, and horse racing.
Created by a Hampton University alum, HBCyoU Dolls share the magic of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The HBCyoU Student Body President Doll, Hope, with her curly hair and light brown skin tone, is designed to give children a sense of ethnic familiarity and be an aspirational role model.
The HBCyoU Dolls are available on Amazon and Target.
Naturalistas Peety Deluxe “Crown and Coils” styling head
(Image: mypurposetoys.com)
Black-owned toy company, Purpose Toys, created a new styling head, the Naturalistas Peety Deluxe “Crown and Coils” styling head. The styling head was created for children with type-4 hair, and the kit includes 20 accessories with an educational tool that teaches natural hair management.
The “Crown and Coils” styling head is available on Amazon.
Games
Little Likes Kids Joyful Carousel Memory Card Game
(Image: Joyful Carousel Memory Card Game / amazon.com)
Little Likes Kids, founded by momprenuer Kemi Tignor, offers an educational game designed to aid in child cognitive brain development, learning, and memory. For ages three and up, the Joyful Carousel Memory Card Game teaches kids the value of being kind and playing together.
EQ Kids Crew! Full Bundle Set
(Image: EQ Kids Crew! Full Bundle Set / somocomlab.com)
Momprenuer Chelsea Elliott, founder of Somocom Lab and Macro Social Worker, offers the perfect gift set for every parent and teacher.
The EQ Kids Crew! Full Bundle Set includes a 5-inch spinning wheel with seven core emotions, an 80-page EQ Kids Crew! Writing + Drawing Journal, a little octopus that helps reduce anxiety and calm the mind, and a comfort bag for game storage and other comforting items.
The EQ Kids Crew! Full Bundle Set is available on Somocom Lab.
Fashion Apparel
GO(O)D Vibes Hoodie – Black/White Logo
(Image: GO(O)D Vibes Hoodie-black/white logo / goodcoapparel.com)
“If the Vibes ain’t GO(O)D, we don’t want it!!” according to G(O)OD Company Apparel founder Donny Harper. The men’s GO(O)D Vibes Hoodie-black/white logo is a Jersey-lined hood with dyed-to-match flat drawcords.
(Image: Caribbean Multi Pfeiffer Robe / fenoel.com)
Part of a stunning holiday collection, the Caribbean Multi Pfeiffer Robe is heavily influenced by the Caribbean heritage of Felisha “Fe” Noel, a womenswear designer from Brooklyn, NY.
The Caribbean Multi Pfeiffer Robe is available here.
Ooshie Moroccan Dream Collection
(Image: (left) Red Blurred Lines – Caftan (right) Maxi Dress -Blurred Lines Print / Courtesy of Ooshie)
Melissa Hill, momprenuer, former model, actress, designer and founder of Ooshie, created a go-to brand for day-to-night wear, as well as luxury travel attire for vacations and holidays. The most recent Moroccan Dream Collection includes a plethora of chic designs to gift your loved one for their next trip.
Image: Squad Travel Bag Red / Credit: Pardon My Fro
For future girls trips, Pardon My Fro designer Dana Bly invites you to travel with style with her spacious, large travel bag for a 3-6 day trip in any season.
Available in blue and red, the Squad Travel Bag is available here.
Jrumz, founded by award-winning audiologist Dr. Lana Joseph, offers these customizable, ergonomic earphones for anyone who needs a high performance set of wired earphones. They also offer a level of active noise cancellation.
The Expression Wired Earphones are available here.
PopCom
PopCom founder and serial entrepreneur Dawn Dickson-Akpoghene provides smart technology for vending machines by bringing data and innovation to the vending space.
This company offers an opportunity to gift the entrepreneurs in your life with retail solutions that allow rapid retail expansion, incredible customer experiences, and powerful sales data.
Get Into It: Janet Jackson Announces 2023 ‘Tour Together’ With Ludacris
Janet Jackson will be Fast and Furious next year with Ludacris on the road.
Announcing a 33-city tour that will take place in 22 states and will begin next spring in Hollywood, FL, Jackson hits the road with Ludacris for “Together Again.” This will be her ninth concert tour and her first in four years. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The “Nasty” singer made the announcement on her Instagram account.
She appeared on Instagram Live to let her fans know that she is going back on the road.
“You guys, I miss you so much, I am so excited to see you,” she tells her followers in the video. “You guys have no idea, I’ve missed you so much, so much, and I can’t wait to be with you. I’m so excited.”
The tour is being produced by Live Nation and the five-time GRAMMY®️ Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame®️ Inductee and 3x-Grammy Award-winning rapper, Ludacris will be heading to 33 cities starting on April 14th in Hollywood, FL. The last date of the tour will take place on June 21 at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA.
The “Together Again” Tour will be the celebration of Jackson’s 50th anniversary in entertainment and spotlight the milestones of her most critically acclaimed albums – 25 years of “The Velvet Rope”, and 30 years of “janet.” The tour will feature her biggest chart-topping hits and some new music.
Tickets for the selected dates will go on sale starting this Friday, Dec. 16 at 11 AM local time on LiveNation.com.
Enhance The Work-From-Home Experience With Edge Full Kit, Available At An Additional 20% Off Through The Winter Savings Event
Over the past two years, professional norms have shifted perhaps more quickly than ever.
As a result, there’s been a boom in work-from-home opportunities as employers have allowed professionals to conduct their daily operations from the comfort of their homes rather than brick-and-mortar offices.
The opportunity to work from home has undoubtedly come with its benefits. Comfort, familiarity, and ease of stress from not having to commute are just a few. However, only some have the proper infrastructure to make working from home enjoyable.
The Edge® Full Kit can enhance your work-from-home experience and make it more streamlined and enjoyable. For a limited time, you can purchase the Work from Home Kit for $64.99. In addition, with a site-wide Winter Savings event, you can take an additional 20% off by using the code WINTER20. The Winter Savings event ends on December 15. The 20% off coupon can be used on additional items from the Winter Savings Collection.
The Edge® Full Kit is the ideal productivity set. It includes a phone and tablet mount, a 280-lumens light, and a wireless charger. In addition, the Edge mount offers hands-free phone accessibility, allowing you to extend your screen while keeping all your needed information at eye level.
The wireless charger is fully compatible with iPhone MagSafe devices (12 and above) and all Android devices that support wireless charging. It’s constructed with CNC-machined aluminum and with N52 magnets.
The Edge light provides 280 lumens of pure brightness. It can be toggled between three levels of brightness. Those who struggle with lighting during Zoom or Team meetings will appreciate the illumination. It can also be used without a cable.
While this product is excellent for those who work from home, it can be used and enjoyed by just about anyone who uses a computer. So take advantage of the additional Winter Savings discount and purchase it today to enhance your productivity.
Dorion Renaud’s ‘Buttah Skin’ is Headed to New York to Celebrate a Special Event with Macy’s
You may have seen him on BET’s College Hill, on E!’s Keeping Up with the Kardashians, alongside close friend Malika Haqq, or playing the role of Percy on Bounce TV’s In the Cut, but he’s making a special appearance for NYC fans this week, and he’s bringing his famous skincare products with him.
Dorion Renaud, founder of Buttah Skin, will be in New York City for two special appearances at the Allure Store on Wednesday, Dec. 14, and at Macy’s Herald Square on Friday, Dec. 16 for a meet and greet. Visitors in NYC are invited to join Renaud as he celebrates Buttah Skin’s in-store launch and holiday offerings this season.
As previously featured by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Renaud is an actor, model, and entrepreneur with a skincare journey that started at an early age. We got a chance to catch up with the man behind the fast-growing skincare line to get some tips to help men and women care for their melanin-rich skin tones this winter.
Why should people make Buttah Skin part of their winter skincare routine?
Buttah Skin products target dryness, discoloration, oiliness, and blemishes.
“Hydration is key with the weather changes, especially in the colder months. We have an incredible three-step customizable kit that comes with a gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum and choice of moisturizer — the CocoShea cream helps protect the skin from the elements and drastic weather changes, and the Oil-Free gel cream is perfect for those with oily, combination skin, to infuse more moisture in the skin this time of year.”
Renaud recommends using a hydration mist before sealing it in with a good moisturizer or sunscreen. This step will provide an extra layer of protection for the skin.
“Even if the sun isn’t out every day, sunscreen is still vital for skin protection!”
Why is it important to use natural and organic skincare products?
“I think it’s important for us to use more natural and organic products because it’s just better for you and less harsh on the skin. We like to keep it simple at Buttah Skin with gentle products that are formulated for protection, brightness, and hydration.”
Buttah Skin products are clinically-validated, cruelty-free, and combine ingredients derived from natural sources with high-tech formulations.
What is Buttah Skin’s message to Black men?
“I think it’s important for Black men to embrace skincare, in general — which is something that I’ve hoped we’ve been able to accomplish at Buttah with the look and feel of our product. When I first started the company, I would receive DMs from other men that were ashamed to ask me questions about how to take care of their skin. I want Black men to know that there isn’t anything to be ashamed of — you should take pride in your appearance and want to maintain it.”
“I hope that Black men will just have a sense of pride when they look at themselves in the mirror and to feel comfortable when they engage in their own self-care practices. My goal is to help us unlearn myths that skincare is somehow effeminate or negates your sexuality.”
“Skincare and self-care is for all of us.”
What is next for Buttah Skin?
Renaud says there is a lot to look forward to for the future of Buttah Skin, including bringing new products to the market and expanding into more retail locations.
Buttah Skin’s recent Macy’s holiday campaign stars himself alongside Sevyn Streeter, Alycia Bella and Asiah Collins.
(Image : Courtesy of Newhouse PR)
Renaud has been featured in press outlets like Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Essence, Forbes, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and more. The brand has also earned celebrity attention from the likes of Beyoncè, Amber Riley, Nina Parker, Keri Hilson, 2Chainz, and more.
He recently appeared in the HBO Max documentary, The Beauty of Blackness, as well as Women’s Wear Daily, New York Magazine, Ebony, InStyle, PopSugar, The Los Angeles Times, The Breakfast Club, Byrdie and The Root. He also appeared in the COLLEGE HILL: CELEBRITY EDITION Reboot which airs on BET+.
More on the man behind the line
“I’m originally from Beaumont, Texas and my journey as an entrepreneur started at home. My father owns and operates a barbershop and shoe repair in my hometown. Looking back, it was also my first introduction into seeing self-care, especially in the Black community. I started working in the shop at eight years old, and learning everything about the business, including working the register. That foundation laid the groundwork for me to become an entrepreneur later in life.
“Like most teens, my skin started changing with puberty. A lot of products that were made available at that time didn’t really work well for my skin. By the time I had done reality TV and started modeling and acting, I noticed my skin would break out from the use of harsh studio makeup. By the time I was 19 or 20 and modeling in NYC, a photographer told me to grab some shea butter on the way to a shoot. I started using that along with a gentle cleanser and an expensive vitamin C serum suggested to me, which at the time I couldn’t afford. With time, my skin began to clear up on its own. I also started hosting skincare parties in L.A. and inviting my celebrity friends, which eventually led me to meeting my business partner that would help me with launching Buttah Skin in 2018.
“Buttah came from my upbringing in the South. I would always hear Buttah being used as a compliment — ‘His skin looks like buttah’ or ‘It’s buttah, baby.’ It was a name that I knew would resonate with the Black community. It was a name that I knew when people saw it on the shelves, they would know that it was made for them.”
Alonzo Mourning Champions Fight Against Kidney Disease Primarily Affecting People of African Ancestry
At the height of his Hall of Fame NBA career, Alonzo Mourning was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease and underwent a kidney transplant mid-season while playing with the Miami Heat. The giant NBA power forward, who pushed himself and his body to reach peak conditioning, was forced to call a timeout on his career.
It wasn’t the first tough decision Mourning had to make. At age 11, growing up in Chesapeake, VA and undecided about who he wanted to live with after his parent’s divorce, Mourning opted to stay in a group home. After one year in a group home, he eventually got picked up by his foster mom, the late Fannie Threet. “I had so many angels around me that helped contribute to my well-being as a person and professional athlete,” Mourning told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“This helped me evolve into being the #1 HS [high school] recruit in the country and then being drafted to the NBA in 1992.”
The picture of health, an elite athlete at the top of his game, and an NBA superhero, Mourning was in shock when his doctor confronted him with news of a seemingly career-ending kidney disease. “I was a the top of my game, and my health, so I was afraid and unsure when I received the news,” said Mourning.
“After researching and becoming more knowledgeable about kidney disease, I saw it as an opportunity to beat kidney disease, and also help people battling kidney disease.”
After the kidney transplant in 2003, Mourning helped secure Miami’s first NBA championship in 2006 before retiring in 2008. In 2010, several years after Alonzo’s transplant, scientists found APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD) was genetically driven (caused by variants of the APOL1 gene) and primarily affected people of African ancestry.
“The vast majority of people who have this disease don’t know they have it or that there is a genetic cause,” said Mourning.
Mourning has partnered with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to launch “Power Forward,” an educational initiative aimed at raising awareness of AMKD, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and genetic testing.
“African Americans are disproportionately affected by APOL1-mediated kidney disease, which is crucial because AMKD can lead to rapid kidney failure and progresses quickly without obvious symptoms at first,” Mourning told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Understanding the statistics and getting tested can help identify AMKD variants and save lives. As Mourning fills his role as Vice President of Player Programs for the Miami Heat and continues his advocacy work with Athletes for Hope, AMKD is at the front of his priority list.
“We must get educated, be proactive, and get people to the doctor for a yearly checkup.”
“A simple blood test can identify if you have two variants in your system. If you do, you can start the process to receive the best possible medical solution.”
Saweetie is aiming to inspire and educate the next generation of “Icy Babies” through a new six-week financial literacy course.
As part of Saweetie’s “Icy Baby Foundation” the rap superstar launched an official initiative to empower kids and teenagers with the skills they need to follow their dreams, she said in a statement.
Youth between 7-17 years old are eligible to participate in the six-week program where they’ll receive a funded debit card, educational resources, and information about saving, budgeting, and financial planning.
“I want to continue using my foundation and resources to financially empower young children and students, especially in Black and Brown communities,” Saweetie said of the initiative.
“The long-term goal for the Icy Baby Foundation is to increase financial literacy amongst kids and propel them to brighter futures,” she added.
“My grandmother and I have worked on this for a few years so it’s exciting to finally implement this course and program for young people.”
The “Tap In” rapper kicked off the initiative in Elk Grove near Sacramento last month and hosted an event scheduled in Oakland on Saturday. The program officially launches in January 2023.
As mentioned, Saweetie launched her “Icy Baby Foundation” with her grandmother, Roxane Harper. The organization is focused on financially empowering Black and Brown youth through financial literacy and education and cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets within underserved communities.
“Financial illiteracy is a systemic problem impacting the Black and Brown communities, especially in the lower economic demographic,” Harper said.
“It is passed down through generations but can be broken with education and resources. We are trying to break that cycle through our Icy Baby Foundation.”
Saweetie’s grandmother went on to share the success of the kick-off event in Elk Grove and how many kids signed up for the program.
“We had 400 students at the Sacramento event, and almost 100 signed up for the six-week financial literacy course,” Harper explained. “Those students will receive a debit card with money and an additional fund per each class that they complete.”
She continued. “We look forward to meeting the youth this Saturday. We will also have a kickoff event later this month in Las Vegas. Our goal is to reach as many young people as we can and educate them about financial literacy before they reach adulthood.”
Actions to Take Now to Help Enlarge Your Refund and Trim Debt in Upcoming Tax Season
With 2023 almost here, you may do well to start preparing now to file your 2022 federal tax returns.
One downside, according to experts, is that tax refunds next year will come in smaller amounts, as several tax breaks tied to the COVID-19 pandemic expired in late 2021. However, the good news is there are steps you can take to help boost your refund, as well as trim your tax debt, before the year ends.
Getting a refund is still a big deal for many reasons. For instance, it can help pay off high-interest rate credit cards, boost or rebuild an emergency fund, and erase Christmas debt, among other benefits.
Based on a report, the average tax refund was $3,039 this year, up from $2,827 in 2021. Reflecting on taxes, “2022 is the year of the great reset,” Mark Steber, chief tax information officer for Jackson Hewitt told CNET. “A lot of things that were put into place for 2021, and some part 2020, will revert back to pre-pandemic years, which can lead to refund shock or, more importantly, balance-due shock.” While it is unknown what the amount will be, the changes could affect the size of tax refunds next year.
“The news for this tax season surrounds the tax credits and deductions that were not extended into 2022,” Mark Jaeger, vice president of tax development at TaxAct, said via The Ascent. The bottom line is, you may still get relief from tax breaks, but in lower amounts.
According to the IRS, some tax credits have reset to the levels from 2019. As such, the IRS reported the amount per dependent for those eligible for the Child Tax Credit will be $2,000 for the 2022 tax year, versus $3,600 in 2021. Qualified taxpayers with no children who got around $1,500 in 2021 for the Earned Income Tax Credit will get $500 in 2022. The Child and Dependent Care Credit reverts to a maximum of $2,100 in 2022, rather than $8,000 in 2021. You can get more information here.
Tax returns for 2022 are not due until April 18, 2023, and the earliest you can file is late January. Still, there are actions that can be taken now to help bring savings when tax season arrives. Check out this site and another here to get more helpful tips.
December is National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month
‘Tis the season to be jolly, right? Although the holidays are all about cheer and joy, they can also be challenging for many. Some of the holiday activities can be a little overwhelming, giving way to holiday stress — cooking meals, shopping, cleaning, entertaining and traveling, to name a few. For these reasons, December is recognized as “National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month.”
When stress is ignored or bottled up, it can be mentally and emotionally draining and affect overall health. Luckily there are certain things that we can do to cope with stress and manage the holiday season.
Acknowledge your feelings. Everyone—adults, teens and even children – experiences stress from time to time.
Give yourself a break. Spending some minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression.
Ask for help. Sometimes stress can exceed what we are able to manage, even with the support of family and friends. In times like these, reach out to your healthcare provider or mental health professional.
Knowing yourself, your stressors, and the techniques to cope with stress can make all the difference in having a stress-free holiday. Enjoy the holidays!
Tamar Defends Yung Miami After She’s Mocked Once Diddy Announces Baby With Another Woman
Rapper Yung Miami has come under fire after Diddy announced the birth of his daughter, Love Sean Combs, over the weekend.
Bad Boy Founder Sean “Diddy” Combs, 53, shocked the world when he took to Twitter on Saturday to announce that he secretly welcomed a daughter he named after himself, Page Sixreports.
“I’m so blessed to welcome my baby girl Love Sean Combs to the world,” the hip-hop mogul tweeted..
“Mama Combs, Quincy, Justin, Christian, Chance, D’Lila, Jessie and myself all love you so much! God is the Greatest!” he added.
I’m so blessed to welcome my baby girl Love Sean Combs to the world. Mama Combs, Quincy, Justin, Christian, Chance, D’Lila, Jessie and myself all love you so much! God is the Greatest!
With the announcement coming amid Diddy’s public high-profile romance with Yung Miami, many have been commenting on the baby news and making a mockery of the City Girls member. One songstress came to Caresha’s defense after The Shade Roomposted the news to its Instagram page.
“Before y’all start commenting… there is a shortage of billionaires ok,” singer Tamar Braxton wrote.
Diddy and Yung Miami have confirmed their relationship while still both identifying as “single” since going public with their romance, ETreports.
But despite Diddy and Yung Miami confirming their unconventional relationship, the jokes and criticism over Diddy’s baby announcement didn’t stop. By Monday, Yung Miami had enough of staying quiet and took to Twitter to sound off.
“I’M NOBODY SIDE BI*CH LETS [sic] JUST MAKE THIS CLEAR ON THIS GOOD MONDAY! I don’t come 2nd to no bitch!” she wrote.
I'M NOBODY SIDE BITCH LETS JUST MAKE THIS CLEAR ON THIS GOOD MONDAY! I don't come 2nd to no bitch!
“Diddy won’t even look half of y’all b*tches way!” she continued. “Majority off y’all praying upon a falling star bi*ch plssssssss!!!!!!!”
She also explained why she still identifies as single.
“I don’t want a man cause all y’all’s be in my dm 🤭,” Yung Miami quipped.
Amid Yung Miami’s Twitter rant, the identity of Diddy’s new baby mama was revealed as Dana Tran, 28, a cybersecurity officer and massage therapist, Page Six reports.
