Daejhanae Jackson Arrested for the Beating Death of Shanquella Robinson, Awaits Extradition to Mexico
The person who is allegedly responsible for the beating death of an American in Mexico has been apprehended and is awaiting extradition back to the country the crime occurred in.
According to Metropoli, law enforcement officials have arrestedDaejhanae Jackson, a “friend” of the murder victim, Shanquella Robinson, who died after being seen in a viral video being beaten by someone who she was with on a birthday excursion.
The suspect was arrested by Interpol (The International Criminal Police Organization) agents on November 28. A Mexican judge had issued an arrest warrant for Robinson, charging her with the crime of femicide.
The incident took place in October while the group of friends was staying in a luxury villa at a Cabo Villas complex located in San Jose del Cabo.
Based on a report by CBS News, Robinson, a 25-year-old woman from North Carolina, had embarked on a birthday trip with several friends and died after being beaten, an act that was captured on a mobile phone.
Initially, Robinson’s family was told by her traveling companions that she had passed away from alcohol poisoning, on October 28.
“When the autopsy came back, they said it didn’t have anything to do with the alcohol,” Salamondra Robinson, Robinson’s mother, told Queen City News. “[They] said that she had a broken neck and her spine in the back was cracked. She had been beaten.”
The actual beating was seen in a video that went viral. During the filming of the video, no one intervened as Robinson was being assaulted. A male voice is heard saying to her, “Can you at least fight back?”
After the video clip was posted to social media, questions emerged about why none of Robinson’s friends tried to stop the altercation.
Mexican Woman Found Dismembered After She Flew To Peru To Meet Her Online Lover
Online dating is a popular way for individuals to find romantic partners successfully. However, women take a major risk when they choose to fly across the globe to meet their lovers face-to-face.
Blanca Arellano, a 51-year-old woman, flew 3,000 miles to Peru to meet 31-year-old to meet Juan Pablo Jesús Villafuerte, a medical student with whom she formed a lengthy relationship online, only to be found dead.
Screenshot via YouTube/El Universal
According to New York Post, after informing her family in July about her trip to pursue a romantic relationship with Villafuerte, Arellano cut off communication on Nov. 7 and was reported missing on Nov. 12. Unfortunately, her remains were later found washed up on a beach.
Karla Arellano reported her missing aunt on Twitter with the words, “I never thought I would be in this situation, but today I’m asking for your support to spread this post and find one of the most loved and important people of my life.”
“My aunt Blanca Olivia Arellano Gutiérrez disappeared on Monday November 07 in Peru. We fear for her life,” she added.
Jamás creí estar en esta situación, hoy pido apoyo y difusión para localizar a una de las personas más amadas e importantes de mi vida. Mi tía Blanca Olivia Arellano Gutiérrez desapareció el día Lunes 07 de Noviembre en Peru, ella de origen Mexicano, tememos por su vida+ pic.twitter.com/4aHRuv0zAW
In an alarming conversation, Villafuerte told Karla her aunt would return to Mexico amid their breakup.
“I decided to communicate with Juan P since he was the only contact she had in that country and that is where our fear was triggered,” she wrote.
According to Daily Mail, Peruvian authorities found a silver ring attached to a severed finger washed up on a local beach. A faceless head and an arm were also discovered.
Screenshot via YouTube/El Universal
A torso without organs was found the following day at the end of a canal that passes in front of Jose Faustino Sanchez Carrion National University, where Villafuerte is a student.
Screenshot via YouTube/El Universal
Traces of Arellano’s blood were discovered throughout Villafuerte’s apartment, and Villafuerte reportedly posted her organs in Tik Tok videos days after she disappeared.
“We have no words to express what we are experiencing,” Karla tweeted on Wednesday. “My aunt was a kind, warm person, full of light, intelligent, dedicated, loving and that is how she should be remembered.”
Villafuerte was accused of femicide, human trafficking, and organ trafficking. Although he denies his involvement in the crime, he remains in police custody as the investigation continues.
LeBron James Ripped Reporters For Failing to Ask Questions About Jerry Jones’ 1957 Photo Protesting Black Children Attending High School
LeBron James is often questioned about matters that take place off the basketball court.
Several weeks ago, reporters flooded him with questions regarding the controversy surrounding his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, Kyrie Irving, who had tweeted a link to a movie that some considered antisemitic.
During a question-and-answer session with reporters following Wednesday night’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, James had a question for the media in attendance.
James asked reporters why he received zero questions about a picture that was taken in 1957, but has resurfaced on social media recently, showing Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in a crowd of white students preventing six Black children from entering the school. At the time, Jones was a 14-year-old student who participated in the protest at North Little Rock High School back.
“I have one question for you guys before you guys leave. I was thinking when I was on my way over here, I was wondering why I haven’t gotten a question from you guys about the Jerry Jones photo. But when the Kyrie thing was going on, you guys were quick to ask us questions about that.”
As some of the reporters tried to interject, he stopped them and continued, saying:
“When I watch Kyrie talk and he says, ‘I know who I am, but I want to keep the same energy when we’re talking about my people and the things that we’ve been through,’ and that Jerry Jones photo is one of those moments that our people, Black people, have been through in America. And I feel like as a Black man, as a Black athlete, as someone with power and a platform, when we do something wrong, or something that people don’t agree with, it’s on every single tabloid, every single news coverage, it’s on the bottom ticker. It’s asked about every single day.
“But it seems like to me that the whole Jerry Jones situation, photo — and I know it was years and years ago and we all make mistakes, I get it — but it seems like it’s just been buried under, like, ‘Oh, it happened. OK, we just move on.’ And I was just kind of disappointed that I haven’t received that question from you guys.”
Hip-hop music producer Pete Rockposted the video to his Instagram account today.
Wow, so Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was one of the bullies trying to stop his Black classmates from desegregating Central High in Little Rock in 1957. https://t.co/IZm9DuTUhMpic.twitter.com/G4o7H2G9qp
Four Black Construction Workers Sue NY-Based Company After Alleging Racial Discrimination
Four Black construction workers have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of New York after they allege that they were subjected to racial slurs and shorted their pay.
The lawsuit against Troy, New York-based Redburn Property Services, a commercial property management andconstruction firm, alleges that supervisors even told one employee he would have to perform oral sex on a company owner to get a raise, according to a racial discrimination lawsuit.
Members of the all-Black crew were terminated, allegedly after they complained about the incidents and alleged pay disparities among their white counterparts.
According to Construction Dive, the workers reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) unsafe conditions in an area known as “the dungeon,” where Black employees were assigned to work, but white employees allegedly were not.
The pattern of discrimination and harassment the complaint also alleges ties into workers’ safety as the group of Black employees claim their white supervisors refused to give Black workers protective equipment such as fall protection and respirators on dangerous jobs.
Instead, the lawsuit alleges the supervisors supplied white employees with these items.
The lawsuit claim gets even more specific to allege that Black employees were ordered to clean up used condoms after a supervisor held a sex party in a model apartment, Construction Divereported.
In addition, Black workers who tested positive for COVID-19 were allegedly threatened with being fired if they disclosed to others that they had contracted the virus.
“It’s an old boys club,” associate attorney Stefanie Shmil told Construction Dive.
Shmil is a member of New York City-based Phillips & Associates, which is the firm representing the group of Black workers in the lawsuit.
“They feel like they can get away with behavior a little easier than they could in an office setting. Regardless of whether it’s at a construction site or in an office, no person should be subjected to any sort of discrimination,” Shmil stated to the outlet.
The Black workers are seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages, according to Construction Dive.
Redburn Property Services reportedly did not respond to emails or answer any calls from Construction Dive seeking comment.
The Daily Gazette reported that Redburn principal Jeffrey Buell stated the firm was investigating the charges and issued a statement that reads:
“The allegations in the complaint are incredibly difficult to read and fly in the face of our core values. We have immediately launched an internal investigation, but given the seriousness of the allegations, we are in the process of engaging outside counsel to conduct an independent investigation. Outside counsel will have the autonomy and ability to follow the facts wherever they lead, and we are fully committed to taking any remedial action that may be appropriate. Our company and its leaders remain committed to a workplace free of harassment and discrimination.”
Here’s How Buying Black This Holiday Season Can Help Businesses Owned By HBCU Alumni
The purchasing power of Black Americans has never been greater than it is now, and Black entrepreneurs who are HBCU alumni provide a great way for Black shoppers to support Black businesses.
NewsOnereports that HBCUs have been incubators for young Black entrepreneurs for decades. Despite the numerous social and economic barriers, HBCUs have continued to produce countless successful entrepreneurs both nationally and locally. Dozens of HBCU alumni that have become business leaders are paramount to Black business and many still use lessons learned in school to help guide them today.
“My HBCU experience instilled confidence within me to know I was on the same level as my counterparts that graduated from household name universities.” Cornell Conaway, a Bowie State University alumnus and the founder of Gainz Sportsgear said in an interview with Forbes.
Gainz Sportsgear specializes in producing fitness accessories for athletes and gyms and features an HBCU collection of weightlifting gear.
Kadidja Dosso, a Hampton University alum and the owner of Dosso Beauty, an organic beauty supplier, discussed how her HBCU inspired her to reach places she never imagined.
“I’ve never seen so many beautiful, driven Black people in one space constantly motivating you to be better and to do more and strive for the best,” Dosso told Forbes.
“I’d always dreamed big, but I was never able to see it first hand.”
“Going to an HBCU, especially Hampton, allowed me to see all the things I could accomplish.”
While many credit HBCUs for its number of Black doctors and lawyers, HBCUs have also given the U.S. a litany of successful Black entrepreneurs including Shawn Wilkinson, a Morehouse College alumnus who is the founder of Storj and BLACK ENTERPRISE founder and Morgan State University alumnus Earl Graves Sr.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans are expected to spend between $942.6 and $960.4 billion this holiday season. However, due to rising inflation and a looming economic recession, many are expected to spend less on gifts and put more thought into what they give family and friends.
Supporting Black businesses and HBCU alumni this holiday season could be a way to spend less and show those you bought gifts for that you really put thought into it. BLACK ENTERPRISE has created its own holiday gift guide with affordable food, drink, and clothing options that are all from Black-owned businesses. Hundreds more Black businesses across the country can be supported due to the Black business boom of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Take a Trip on Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship, WISH and Unlock Hidden Magic With the Whole Family
By Kia Morgan Smith, Managing Editor of Digital, BLACK ENTERPRISE
It was a mesmerizing ascent into a whimsical world of wonder where happiness served as the main course on the Disney cruise ship Wish.
Along with my granddaughter Madisyn, I had the pleasure of joining Disney for an enchanting escape onboard its newest state-of-the-art ship for a Very Merrytime Christmas cruise on behalf of BLACK ENTERPRISE.
From the moment we stepped aboard, we entered a fantasy world, complete with Disney characters socializing with guests, a winding staircase in the backdrop, and a gorgeous Grand Hall as a picturesque centerpiece.
Then we set sail on a multidimensional voyage filled with more magic than our little hearts could hold.
The Grand Hall aboard the Disney Wish (Image: Disney)
(Image: Black Enterprise)
The Disney Wish is not just a place for kiddos to unload laughter, but it’s designed for families to play together and even “laissez les bons temps rouler” with Tiana at the New Orleans-inspired Bayou Lounge!
Maddie and Kia at a special meet and greet with Tiana (Courtesy Black Enterprise)Tiana’s Bayou Lounge (Courtesy of Disney)
With African Americans representing a mere 11% of cruisers, according to a 2017 Cruise Lines International Association report, I was curious about this cruise, having only cruised twice before — but never with Disney. And since most of my family members haven’t cruised at all, it was a chance for them to meander vicariously through me!
For me, taking my 10-year-old granddaughter Madisyn on this unique excursion was less about DisneyBounding and more about bonding. It was also key for Maddie to get to know me outside of just being her fussy grandmom who insists she keeps her room clean.
And let’s just say I scored some serious cool points at sea!
Madisyn at the Frozen Dinner Experience (Courtesy Black Enterprise)
So for a moment in time, we wandered into an immersive yet idyllic landscape, unlocking adventures and helping the Avengers save the day.
“Avengers: Quantum Encounter” follows Ant-Man and The Wasp as they embark on their first public speaking engagement on behalf of the Avengers. (Image: Black Enterprise)
We conquered quests, visited Arendelle for a Frozen engagement party, and were Captain Minnie and Mickey’s special seafaring guests!
Maddie with Mickey and Minnie (Image: Black Enterprise)
Maddie at the Frozen Dinner Experience (Image: Black Enterprise)
And to top it off, we got to see Black Panther Wakanda Forever on the ship on the movie’s opening night!
With Maddie and my good friend Renee Mack Jones, we were whisked beyond Mickey’s ears at Port Canaveral in Florida onto a massive 140,000-ton cruise liner. We soon got a front-row seat to see how Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar infused an enchanting storytelling experience coupled with Disney’s signature unparalleled service that is the hallmark of the Disney way.
LEFT to RIGHT Kia Morgan Smith, Renee Mack Jones, Madisyn (Courtesy Black Enterprise)
And the Wish is the fifth cruise ship owned and operated by Disney Cruise Line, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co. Wish, the largest ship in the fleet and the first of the Triton class, made its maiden voyage earlier in 2022. So it’s new new.
(Courtesy Black Enterprise)
Saying the trip on the Wish was amazing is an understatement. So, where do I even begin? Let’s start with my favorite part — the food!
Cruise ships are notorious for having an abundance of food. But the Marceline Market on the Disney Wish will activate a next-level affection for food.
Named for Walt Disney’s early childhood hometown in Missouri, Marceline Market is a stylish food hall inspired by popular marketplaces worldwide.
Renee at a whimsical display inside the Marceline Market (Image: Black Enterprise
If you have an appetite for just about everything like I do, the Marceline Market will be your go-to eatery aboard the Disney Wish. There are eye-catching cuisines at a number of stations that truly serve up just about whatever wets your whistle.
Mickey waffles were plenty at the Marceline Market (Image Black Enterprise)
Guests will find an ever-changing menu in a vibrant, free-flow setting with indoor and outdoor seating and ocean views all around.
And the food whipped up by their top-tier chefs is EXCELLENT! (Be sure to click the video above to see it!)
Featuring 10 food stalls and a café-style beverage bar in the center, Marceline Market feels like an old industrial loft converted into a bustling marketplace, but with a distinctly Disney design twist. Because at this locale, the local proprietors are Disney characters, with each station inspired by beloved animated films such as “Tangled,” “Ratatouille,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Zootopia” and more.
Wear your stretchy pants because this place will have you hankering for more delicious all-you-can-eat fare.
Let’s discuss Maddie’s favorite spot — the Oceaneer Club!
Illustrations everywhere! Maddie at the Oceaneer Club (Image: Black Enterprise)
This kids club is not your ordinary babysitting service.
The extraordinary Oceaneer kids club is a must-see, and trust me when I tell you, your kid will probably demand to stay and play.
The Oceaneer Club is like a high-tech hangout for kids aged 3 to 12 filled with endless entertainment — from storytelling, arts and crafts, a whole Star Wars-themed hanger with life-like animals, an Avengers hub with interactive games, an Imagineer area where they can learn to draw famous Disney characters and so much more.
Disney Wish Oceaneer Club Marvel (Image: Disney Cruise Blog)Madisyn in the Star Wars hanger at the Oceaneers Club (Courtesy Black Enterprise)Madisyn in the Star Wars hanger at the Oceaneers Club (Courtesy Black Enterprise)Madisyn in the Star Wars hanger at the Oceaneers Club (Courtesy Black Enterprise)Madisyn hanging out at the Avengers hub at the Oceaneer Club (Courtesy Black Enterprise)Madisyn hanging out at the Avengers hub at the Oceaneer Club (Courtesy Black Enterprise)Disney Wish Oceaneer Club Imagineering Lab (Image: Disney Cruise Blog)
Kids are saturated with fun-filled experiences! And to top it off, parents can check in their children from the Grand Hall on deck 3 and then send them soaring “down the rabbit hole” on a twisting slide to land directly and securely into the central hub of Disney’s Oceaneer Club on deck 2. How cool is that?
Disney Wish Oceaneer Club Slide (Image: Disney Cruise Blog)
The immersive family dining experience at “Avengers: Quantum Encounter,” Frozen, and Disney’s signature 1923 restaurant
One especially unique experience with the “wow” factor at Disney is the cinematic formal dining adventure.
I set our dine-time at 5:45 p.m. each evening on the three-night cruise. That meant we would dine at each of the three dining halls for a rotating dinner experience, and our waiter would follow us to each restaurant and serve us!
The first night we dined at ‘Avengers: Quantum Encounter’ at Worlds of Marvel, and it was simply magnificent.
Maddie outside of the Worlds of Marvel restaurant aboard the Disney Wish (Image: Black Enterprise)
“Avengers: Quantum Encounter” follows Ant-Man and The Wasp as they embark on their first public speaking engagement on behalf of the Avengers. Anxious to impress, they host a special presentation of the most powerful Super Hero technologies, such as Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s arc reactor, and Ant-Man’s Pym Particles, giving guests an up-close look at holographic models, field reports, and iconic scenes from Marvel movies displayed on the screens surrounding the room.
(Image: Disney)
Simply incredible. It was by far one of the most dynamic dining experiences I’ve ever encountered.
The next night it was all about Arendelle and a theatrical dining experience.
For this majestic dining experience, we were seated front and center and “invited” to attend a royal engagement party for Queen Anna and Kristoff, picking up the story where Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” left off. Elsa and Olaf hosted the celebration with catering provided by their friend Oaken’s “Hearty Party Planning Service… and Sauna” and live entertainment by “local” musicians who specialize in Nordic renditions of familiar “Frozen” songs.
It was quite a lively and fun experience that had Maddie captivated from beginning to end. Note: the pièce de résistance was a woman playing the violin like nobody’s business! You can see her in the pic below.
Maddie front and center enjoying Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (Image: Black Enterprise)Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (Image: Black Enterprise)
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (Image: Black Enterprise)Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (Image: Black Enterprise)Maddie enjoying Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (Image: Black Enterprise)
Our last dining experience landed us at restaurant 1923, named for the year The Walt Disney Co. was founded.
Image: Disney)
After partying in Arendelle and putting in work as an Avenger, we were welcomed at 1923 for an elegant celebration of the company’s legacy, paying homage to the golden age of animation mixed with classic Hollywood glamour with a dash of Disney eclecticism.
Special glass cases were draped with more than 1,000 drawings, props, and other tools of the trade, providing an inside look at the evolution of Disney animation from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” to “Frozen 2.”
There were so many more sights and scenes from bow to stern on the Wish. From pirate parties, fireworks, fun at the plentiful pools, and there are even private adult-only restaurants. And let’s not forget about a stop at Disney’s private Island, Castaway Cay!
Maddie enjoying fireworks after the Pirate Party (Image: Black Enterprise)(Image: Black Enterprise)Castaway Cay (Image: Black Enterprise)
I could go on about all the excellence, but you’ll have to stay tuned for part TWO of my Disney Wish experience!
But one more thing: I have to mention how INCREDIBLY NICE everyone was on the cruise. From the housekeeping staff to dining to just everyone you see and meet, they all are remarkably NICE! Where does Disney find all these nice folks?
And don’t tell anyone, but I went ahead and booked a cruise already for 2023! Yes, I REALLY did!
So hopefully you were inspired enough to book your 2023 or 2024 trip. If so, you’d better jump on the bandwagon by visiting https://disneycruise.disney.go.com! And while every Disney ship will be magical, this experience outlined above is exclusive to the Wish.
Every little brown boy and girl really should feel and experience this kind of love, light, and magic — especially in a world that can be so dark.
Maddie meeting Mickey and Minnie
Hopefully, I’ll see you around the river bend real soon!
Thank you to the Disney family for inviting my family. This is a sponsored post.
Food Network Celebrates Kwanzaa With New Series The Kwanzaa Menu Hosted by Tonya Hopkins
Tonya Hopkins, aka “The Food Griot,” is a show host, legacy cook, drink designer, culinary history consultant and now host of new series, The Kwanzaa Menu, premiering Monday, Dec. 26 on FoodNetwork.com.
In the series Tonya invites some of her favorite people to celebrate Kwanzaa and its traditions through food and conversation. In each of the seven episodes Tonya and a special guest prepare a recipe that is connected to the day’s celebration. Together they will commemorate each day of Kwanzaa by cooking meaningful dishes and discussing the Nguzu Saba, the seven principles, and history of the holiday. When presented together, the collective dishes create a meaningful and celebratory Kwanzaa Menu.
Series guests include, entrepreneur and actor Kareem Grimes (All American, For the Love of Jason); Kenya Parham, cultural strategist, strategic communicator, entrepreneur and thought leader, and Tonya’s sister; Dr. Thomas A. Parham, President of California State University, Dominguez Hills, author, scholar and Tonya’s father; actor, director, speaker, author, entrepreneur and food enthusiast Taja V. Simpson (Tyler Perry’s The Oval); Blue Telusma, columnist, social justice advocate, and spiritualist; and chef Brittney “Stikxz” Williams who creates dishes spotlighting the Caribbean diaspora.
“Celebrating Kwanzaa through good food and drink not only allows us to reconnect to the vibrance of our culinary history that greatly informs who we are as Black people, our very identities — but also to take pride in that which has so profoundly shaped American foodways at large, for centuries,” said Hopkins.
“I intentionally chose fresh, naturally delicious, nutritious ingredients for each of the recipes to remind us of the culinary brilliance our ancestors brought to this New World and served up in ways that have long contributed to vitality and longevity.”
Viewers will be treated to a seat in the kitchen as each episode, aligned with one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, features a special dish and conversation as Tonya and her guests cook up a very special Kwanzaa menu.
Episodes include:
Umoja (Unity) | Amazing Hibiscus Mulled Wine Kwanzaa Mimosa
Tonya is joined by her sister, Kenya Parham, and they prepare Amazing Hibiscus Mulled Wine Kwanzaa Mimosa, a recipe to celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa and the principle of Umoja (unity) which emphasizes the importance of unity in all areas, including family, community, nation and race. Traditionally libations, served in a Kikombe Cha Umoja (Unity Cup) are presented to acknowledge and honor the family units of present and past, and the center black candle of the Kinara is lit.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) | Crispy Akara (Black-Eyed Pea Fritters) with Savory Smoky Sesame Sauce
The principle of Kujichagulia focuses on building one’s identity as a person and a community and in honor of that, Tonya cooks up her Crispy Akara (Black-Eyed Pea Fritters) with Savory Smoky Sesame Sauce with the help of special guest, Kareem Grimes. The majority of Black Americans descended from (or passed through) the West African region and the recipe is a way to make culinary contact and acknowledge that point of origin and ancestral journey. On this day, the first red candle on the Kinara is lit.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) | Good Deeds Greens
In this episode actress Taja V. Simpson joins Tonya to make Good Deeds Greens, a dish that embodies the principle of the day, Ujima. Ujima focuses on collective work and shared responsibility for both achievements and setbacks in the community and comes to life with this all-hands-on-deck recipe as they work together to clean and dice up the southern-style greens for this special dish. The first green candle on the Kinara is lit.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) | Black Sable Rice Calas
The principle of Ujamaa reinforces the third day’s principle, Ujima, by encouraging support of each other economically and within the community. Blue Telusma helps Tonya in the kitchen to prepare Black Sable Rice Calas and discuss the origin of this dish created by Black women, as well as the history of Black Americans as the first food vendors and successful culinary entrepreneurs in America. The second red candle is lit on the Kinara.
Nia (Purpose) | First Fruits Harvest Smoothie Bowl
The principle of Nia means purpose and encourages us to move through life with intention, being mindful with our words and actions. In this episode, sisters Tonya and Kenya discuss restoration through healthy plant-based living while building this red, black and green First Fruits Harvest Smoothie bowl. On this day, the second green candle on the Kinara is lit.
Kuumba (Creativity) | Yassa-Inspired Grilling
The principle of Kuumba is a time to reflect on leaving the community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it; to celebrate creativity and ingenuity by paying homage to creative works (culinary, visual art, dance, music, literature) focusing on our rich history and vibrant future. Tonya is joined by Chef Brittney “Stikxz” Williams, and they set creativity ablaze, developing a new seasoning blend that incorporates Caribbean influences over open-fire grilling. On this day the third red candle on the Kinara is lit.
Imani (Faith) | Cassava with Peanut Stew
On the seventh and final day of Kwanzaa, the last green candle on the Kinara is lit for the principle of Imani. Imani acknowledges that at the root of all we do and who we are is spirit. On this day the focus is on spiritual faith, a faith in one’s infinite possibilities, and a faith that persists through life’s challenges and adversities. Tonya and her father, Dr. Thomas Parham, a distinguished pillar of the community, share space in their family kitchen and learn from one another while making a dish representative of Africans in the New World, Cassava with Peanut Stew.
Fans can join the conversation on social using #KwanzaaMenu and find recipes and more at FoodNetwork.com.
Tonya Hopkins, a.k.a “The Food Griot” is a Culinary History Consultant, Wine & Spirits Storyteller, Cocktail Cognoscenti and Provider of Nonfiction Food & Drink Narratives Across Many Mediums.
She helped cofound the nonprofit James Hemings Society as an organization and platform to recognize and actively uphold the timeless Black culinary talents that so profoundly shaped the development of fine dining in the Americas.
Tonya was the first and only food historian to be featured and appear in episodes of the long-running, daily show, The Chew and she served as the foremost food historian for the best-selling celebrity chef cookbook “Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration.”
In the beverage arena, Tonya teaches wine education classes at a Black-owned wine boutique in Brooklyn (Good Wine: A Food Lover’s Wineshop) and creates historically informed, culturally-relevant cocktails for a range of clients, including drink design & wine curation for award-winning chefs seeking her help with what best pairs with their fare for the multi-course meals they’re invited to make at the famed James Beard House.
Ms. Hopkins custom-researched and wrote the “African Origins of Beer” narrative prominently displayed onsite at Harlem Hops, the nation’s first 100% African-American owned & operated craft beer bar & restaurant, in addition to designing its inaugural wine list and creating the flagship cocktails.
Tonya serves as the lead Culinary History Advisor for the Old Stone House of Brooklyn’s Food & Public History program where she launched a seasonal spirits sipping series to convey inclusive American history through the “liquidy lenses” of pillar potations (e.g., rum, gin, brandy, American whiskey and bourbon).
Tonya is an active Advisor on the Museum of Food & Drink’s (MOFAD) “African/American: Making the Nation’s Table” exhibition and she currently produces and hosts the weekly multi-media show “Savory & Sweet: Food History & Culture” on WURDRadio.com: which is one of just a few Black-owned and operated talk radio stations in the nation.
The Kwanzaa Menu is produced by Best Wishes Studio for Food Network.
Shaunie O’Neal and Pastor Keion Henderson Share How She’s ‘Evolved’ Into New ‘Destination ‘I Do’ Series
Shaunie O’Neal is transitioning from her Basketball Wivespost to serving as a preacher’s wife alongside her husband, Pastor Keion Henderson.
The newlyweds tied the knot at the Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club in May, as noted by People. The cameras were rolling for Shaunie’s big day, and the nuptials are currently being shared on her new VH1 special, Shaunie & Keion’s Destination “I Do.”
Speaking with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Shaunie and Pastor Keion spoke openly about deciding on a destination wedding to control the guestlist and their transitions in the wake of getting married.
For Shaunie, she’s had to adjust to life as a first lady for the first time in her life and get her fans used to the idea of her being married to a pastor. But the Basketball Wives executive producer is confident that the new show will introduce viewers to her “graduation” in life.
“I think that it is a journey of the new space that I’m in,” she told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“I think it was important, especially for the Basketball Wives fans, it was important for me to show them me evolve into this new life that I have now. Because it’s always been so many questions of like, Oh, my God, you know, how are you a pastor’s wife now? And how do you just jump from one to the other? I think this special kind of shows my graduation.”
For Pastor Keion, reality television is a new space he’s had to get acclimated to after marrying a reality star and television producer.
“[it was] Quite frankly, frightening up front,” he revealed. “Because, you know, I live in a world where there isn’t much forgiveness offered, but a lot is needed.”
“But the more the days go by, the more comfortable I become in that reality and express the comfort of my own skin,” he explained. “It actually becomes preferable to the former.”
As for Shaunie’s adjustment to first lady duties, she feels it was a role she was prepped for, having grown up in the church.
“I think what the world doesn’t realize is that I’m already a church girl, I grew up in church, my mom was a church pianist, and my brother played the drums,” she shared. “I was a church secretary for a couple of years.”
“I know what a First Lady represents,” she continued. “I probably am not your typical first lady. But I do know what that is.”
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing as Shaunie shared her challenge of being her version of a first lady instead of who she felt people expected her to be.
“I struggled with thinking that I had to conform to what the people’s expectations of a First Lady was,” she said.
“And I think once Keion assured me and just affirmed in me that being my genuine self is all that he would ever look for me to be, that’s all I needed to hear.”
“I can’t meet everybody’s expectations, and then I probably never will. And that’s okay,” Shaunie added.
“My husband is fine with me being genuinely me. And that’s what I’m going to be. I think in doing that, I still accomplished many of the first lady expectations by bringing my genuine self and love and care for the people with me because that’s just who I authentically am.”
Shaunie & Keion’s Destination “I Do” premiered on Monday, Nov. 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and will run for three weeks.
Package Theft Costs Reach $19.5 Billion; Here Are 4 Tips To Help Prevent It
Holiday shopping season is upon us, and that means scores of people are about to spend their hard-earned cash to buy gifts for friends, family, or themselves.
Though it can be a fun time, experts suggest that you be aware it is also a time when thieves vigorously scavenge for packages left outside homes. Consider, that package theft cost Americans an estimated $19.5 billion mostly in 2022, based on a survey from SafeWise, a home security website. That means roughly 260 million packages vanished from porches nationwide in the last 12 months—50 million more packages than 2021.
The findings came from the responses of 1,000 Americans quizzed by SafeWise; over 15% of respondents were Black Americans.
Other top findings revealed that three in four Americans have had a package stolen in the last year, with the average dollar amount lost to thieves ranging between $50 and $100. With data showing no decline of people shopping online, the analysis surmised that the package theft numbers will keep rising.
James A. Samuel, Jr., founder and CEO of ANJEL Tech, shared via email that package theft is a big deal for all, especially during the holiday season. Yet, he notes, that the African American community can be disproportionately affected because of a “second order effect” of the digital divide. He explained the most popular doorbell cameras are reliant on Internet and or Wi-Fi connection. He added that Black communities are documented to be “under-connected” to such devices at higher rates than the general public.
“Therefore, the ability (and digital resources) to connect to these safety systems is equally diminished, which leaves these communities and populations increasingly vulnerable to this type of theft crime.”
So, what can you do to help avoid package theft, particularly with Christmas approaching fast? SafeWise’s lead reporter and safety expert Rebecca Edwards offered some tips.
Prevent porch piracy by tracking your packages and requiring a signature for delivery. Both strategies are free and can be set up when placing your order or after getting your shipment confirmation. Further, you can request packages be held for pickup at a delivery center or storefront.
Most carriers like FedEx, Amazon, and USPS give you the option to track your packages with updates as they get closer to your house. Real-time alerts can help you arrange for someone to pick up the package right after delivery and sometimes even let you opt to have it delivered later if needed. Requiring a signature for delivery means that the carrier won’t just drop it on your porch. They must hand it to someone, so if you aren’t there when they attempt to deliver, they will try again.
Another good option is to ask your neighbors for help. If there’s someone on the street, the block, or in the building who’s always home, check if they’re willing to receive packages for you. And consider using package lockers—either at a depot like Amazon Lockers or placing one on your front porch.
If you want to use a doorbell camera or another type of security camera to help you monitor deliveries, look for one that has extra features like two-way talk so you can let delivery people know where to place a package to keep it out of sight or even call out a package thief if one is approaching your door.
Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr. passed away at 66, Variety reports.
The character actor was known for his roles in films such as Die Hard and Top Gun. Gilyard was also a regular on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger, and Matlock. Before his death, Gilyard was employed as a film and theatre professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) College of Fine Arts.
The film chair of UNLV, Heather Addison, released a statement announcing the sad news on Nov. 28.
“Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength for everyone around him,” said Addison in the statement.
“Whenever we asked him how he was, he would cheerfully declare that he was ‘Blessed!’ But we are truly the ones who were blessed to be his colleagues and students for so many years. We love you and will miss you dearly, Professor G!”
Gilyard was best known for his roles as a computer expert-terrorist in Die Hard, his role as Conrad McMasters on Matlock, and the part of Jimmy Trivette in Walker, Texas Ranger. The actor was born on Dec. 24, 1955, in Moses Lake, Washington. He spent one year at the Air Force Academy before attending Sterling College, California State University, Long Beach, and California State University, Dominguez Hills. Gilyard graduated with a bachelor’s degree in acting and won roles on Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life in the 1980s.
After Walker, Texas Ranger ended in 2001, Gilyard went on to earn his master of fine arts degree in Theatre Performance at Southern Methodist University. The actor told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2017 that he was wired to teach.
“I’m wired to teach. And I’m a professional, but the profession has to feed the classroom. It’s what stimulates my characters because I’m in touch with people’s lives in the 21st century.”
“I work best as an artist when I’m in a fertile arena,” he continued. “That means creative and imaginative. Being with all those millennials — I don’t understand what they’re saying but I’m siphoning off their energy.”
According to The Guardian, Gilyard had been ill for some time, but further details were unavailable.
