Cincinnati city Hall, mayor,councilwoman,

Cincinnati Councilwoman Catches Heat For Celebrating Viral Brawl, Says Victims ‘Begged For That Beat Down’

Not only is Parks catching heat from social media critics, but other political dignitaries are calling for her to resign.


Cincinnati City Councilwoman Victoria Parks is catching flack for a Facebook post where she celebrated the viral July 26 brawl. “They begged for that beat down!,” she said, according to WCPO 9. 

Parks commented on a post discussing the brawl that resulted in three arrests and several being sent to the hospital with injuries. It also led to numerous conversations about race relations in America and safety concerns in the Ohio city.

After celebrating the results of the fight, Parks said she was “grateful for the whole story.” 

Not only is the councilwoman catching heat from social media critics but other political dignitaries are calling for her to resign, including fellow council member Meeka Owens.

“Making comments that inflame a violent incident is never acceptable,” Owens said in a statement. “I would never expect an elected leader, a colleague of mine, to make such damning, irresponsible statements. I don’t know if I can have an authentic conversation about safety and about how we move things forward in the city, with a colleague who is actually condoning violence.”

The 67-year-old’s comments also caught the attention of failed presidential candidate and former DOGE co-director Vivek Ramaswamy, who is now running for governor of the state.

“This isn’t actually about race. This is about people in their country and in their city just feeling safe when they go out to have a good time in the city,” the Cincinnati native said during an interview on NewsNation’s CUOMO.

However, he believes Parks’ comments held “a racial undertone.”

“I just reject the idea of taking a situation like this and using it to achieve some sort of cultural end,” he said. “But I do think it’s a real issue that we can’t sweep under the rug, either.”

Videos on social media show a white man started the fight by slapping a Black man, identified as Montianez Merriweather, in the face. Things escalated when another assailant retaliated by punching the man. Shortly after, another Black man, who was some feet away, jumped in.. 

It didn’t take long for the white man to be beaten down in the middle of the street.

While Ohio Congressman Phil Plummer took to X to demand for Parks to step down over her “disgusting” remarks, the seasoned legislator, who has served since 2021 announced that she won’t be seeking re-election in the January 2026 primaries.

RELATED CONTENT: TikTok-Fueled Boycott Exposes Deep Divide Between Black Americans and Africans; It’s Time To Knock It Off

Bodycam Footage,kids , Stolen Vehicle Chase

2 Suspects Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Pinky Cole’s Bentley

The vehicle was stolen outside her new Atlanta sandwich shop, Voagies, in May


Earlier this year, Slutty Vegan’s Pinky Cole posted on her Instagram account that her Bentley was stolen outside her new Atlanta sandwich shop, Voagies, and now the Atlanta Police Department has revealed the suspects in what is being labeled a luxury vehicle theft ring.

According to 11 Alive, police have arrested 20-year-old Kindred Pierce and 21-year-old Albert Brown for allegedly stealing Cole’s vehicle. Officials have stated that they were involved in a series of thefts involving luxury vehicles. The duo was taken into custody July 29.

Authorities have speculated that Pierce and Brown were responsible for the “multiple coordinated auto thefts” of several other luxury vehicles throughout Atlanta, including at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The APD released a statement to the media outlet saying, “This case demonstrates the power of collaborative policing and our commitment to dismantling organized criminal networks that target Atlanta’s residents and visitors,” the department said in a written statement.

An incident report stated that Derrick Hayes, Cole’s husband and owner of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, arrived at Voagies that day, and as he got out of his vehicle to greet friends, he noticed that the Bentley Bentayga was leaving the spot where it was parked.

“He noticed his car starting up and saw his car leaving the area,” the incident report states.

The Bentley had the keys inside and was left running. Three men riding electric scooters got in the car, took off, and headed toward I-20.

When the incident took place in May, Cole took to her Instagram account to express what had happened.

“We at Voagies, and somebody just stole the car that we just got out of the shop yesterday, in front of the restaurant — while we got people standing in line, ordering food.”

“And they left the scooters on the ground. If you see a Bentley in Atlanta, a black Bentley, send me a DM — the police are on their way, but somebody just stole it,” Cole says in the social media post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pinky Cole Hayes (@pinkycole)

There was no word on whether the car was ever recovered.

RELATED CONTENT: HEROES IRL: Black Couple Detains Suspected Arsonist In Runyon Canyon, 6 Months After California Wildfire Aftermath

Diddy, delay, trial, judge Prison, Sean combs

Prosecutors Say Diddy Poses A Flight Risk And Ongoing Threat In Bail Opposition

The feds want Diddy to remain behind bars while he awaits sentencing.


Federal prosecutors are firing back at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ latest bid for bond, calling him a flight risk and a danger due to his history of violent behavior.

On July 31, federal prosecutors filed documents arguing why the disgraced hip-hop mogul should stay behind bars while awaiting sentencing for his two Mann Act convictions, TMZ reports. The feds say that Combs’ charges highlight “aggravating—not mitigating—factors,” pointing to his history of violence as proof of why he poses a danger to others. They also say he’s a clear flight risk given the serious prison time he could be facing.

The filing came a day after Combs requested to be released on $50 million bail while he awaits an Oct. 3 sentencing. He’s also asking Judge Arun Subramanian to overturn the conviction, claiming he never personally had sex with the prostitutes he allegedly arranged to sleep with his ex-girlfriends during his frequent “freak-offs.”

While the Bad Boy founder was acquitted of the more serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges, his conviction under the Mann Act still holds him liable for transporting individuals across state lines for sex. But Combs isn’t going down without a fight.

His July 30 filing claims that he never arranged travel or engaged in sex with any of the prostitutes; he merely filmed the encounters between his exes, Cassie and “Jane,” as a voyeur and amateur pornographer. He also argues that the women coordinated the encounters themselves.

Now, he’s asking the judge to grant a new trial focused solely on the Mann Act charges, which he hopes to overturn. His filing comes weeks after his conviction on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution in violation of the Mann Act, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

In their latest filing, prosecutors say Combs is now facing a “substantially higher” sentence than the four to five years they initially anticipated. It’s now up to the judge to determine the rapper’s fate.

RELATED CONTENT: Diddy Makes Another Attempt To Get Out Of Prison

Marlon Wayans, transgender

Marlon Wayans Says John Witherspoon Was Labeled ‘Ghetto’ By A Major Network

'And they wanted us to have a different father...like a Danny Glover type, and we was like, No.'


In an interview, Marlon Wayans revealed that John Witherspoon was initially rejected for the role of “Pops” on The Wayans Bros. 

In an interview with Keke Palmer on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast, Wayans recalled that at one point, NBC executives thought Witherspoon’s character was “too ghetto” for the potential audience.

“We did a table reading, and they thought, Witherspoon’s character, ‘Pops, ‘ was too ghetto. And they wanted us to have a different father…like a Danny Glover type, and we was like, ‘No.’”

The network preferred a more tamed character to play the father of Shawn and Marlon Wayans. The creatives refused, which led them to sign with The WB. The show became the flagship property for the young network.

“We was like ‘Wait, hold on, Danny Glover, you say?’ But then, the WB was starting, and it was like, ‘I think that’s a great combination.’ So, everything is God. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and it’s not about the doors that close; it’s the ones that open up.”

Luckily, the NBC’s critiques did not lead to content changes on the show. Witherspoon’s character became beloved by many. The Wayans Bros. ran from 1995 to May 1999 on the WB. After five seasons, the show went into syndication. As the younger Wayans said, the character of “Pops” had “the flavor.”

To this day, many of his scenes and monologues have made their way into the cultural consciousness. 

Marlon praised Witherspoon, who died in 2019 at age 77, as more than a comic: “He was family. He was honest. He made people laugh the way we all needed.”

After the success of the show, Shawn and Marlon Wayans became Hollywood royalty with the success of the Scary Movie franchise. Marlon Wayans will star in the September horror film, Him, produced by Jordan Peele.

RELATED CONTENT: Marlon Wayans Gets Real About Black Representation And Mental Health, Suggests People ‘Stay In Therapy

Kamala Harris, day of unreasonable conversations, 107 Days, book tour, Trump adminsitration

Kamala Harris To Release Book Chronicling Her ‘107 Days’ Campaign For Presidency

'107 Days' offers a behind-the-scenes look at her journey as the Democratic presidential nominee following President Joe Biden’s abrupt withdrawal last year.


Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ book on her 2024 presidential run will released September 23. 

The book’s title,107 Days refers to Harris’s 2024, swift and historic presidential campaign. Published by Simon & Schuster, the memoir offers behind-the-scenes look at her journey as the Democratic presidential nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal last year.

In a video announcement shared July 31, Harris described her run as “intense, high-stakes and deeply personal.” 

“Since leaving office, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on those days, and with candor and reflection, I’ve written a behind-the-scenes account of that journey,” she added. “I believe there’s value in sharing what I saw, what I learned, and what it will take to move forward.”

Harris became the first woman of color to run for president from a major party, though she ultimately lost the general election.

She remarked on the historic nature of the campaign, “Just over a year ago, I launched my campaign for President of the United States. 107 days traveling the country, fighting for our future—the shortest presidential campaign in modern history.” 

“In writing this book, one truth kept coming back to me: sometimes, the fight takes a while,” Harris said. “But I remain full of hope, and I remain clear-eyed.”

In a press release, Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp called Harris “an American leader.”

“107 DAYS captures the drama of running for president better than just about anything I’ve read. It’s one of the best works of political nonfiction Simon & Schuster has ever published,” Karp said. “It’s an eyewitness contribution to history and an extraordinary story.” 

The announcement comes alongside Harris’s confirmation that she will not run for governor of California in 2026. However, rumors of a potential 2028 presidential bid continue. She is expected to launch a book tour this fall, including an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, her first televised interview since the election.

107 Days follows Harris’s 2019 memoir, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, which chronicled her rise from prosecutor to senator to vice president. 

RELATED CONTENT: Remember That Time Hulk Hogan Threatened To ‘Body Slam’ VP Kamala Harris?

Real estate, black millennial, home, buying, market, home, tips

Black Content Creators Who Make Real Estate Approachable

These content creators make real estate approachable


A wave of professionals in real estate is reshaping the industry through their social media influence. They guide home buyers and sellers through the process, sharing insights that motivate future investors and contribute to community prosperity. From Atlanta to Los Angeles, these tech-savvy agents and investors are expanding their brands and empowering their followers through videos and candid discussions. Here are seven influencers who are making the real estate world more approachable, captivating, and diverse.

Quiana Watson

Quiana Watson hails from Georgia and specializes in the luxury real estate sector, where she’s the proud founder of Watson Realty Co. Watson has remarkable achievements in the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Her work encompasses presenting properties and providing guidance to clients, as well as sharing stories of successful customer experiences, her community involvement, and philanthropic activities.

Montaz Maurice

Montaz Maurice is a real estate agent based in Maryland who provides clients with guidance on residential real estate matters, including legal advice and negotiation strategies. Maurice has a background in law and is recognized as one of the top 10 realtors in the state of Maryland. 

Melissa Burns McClendon

Melissa Burns McClendon is a real estate agent and investor based in New Orleans, Louisiana,  where she resides and works with her team at Latter & Blum Compass. Burns McClendon’s content focuses on understanding real estate market trends and assisting clients in buying homes, while also exploring property investments for long-term financial security.

Sharelle Rosado 

Sharelle Rosado is a real estate professional who focuses on Florida’s Tampa Bay region. Rosado is now making moves into the Southeastern area as well. Rosado is the founder of Allure Realty and a prominent figure on Netflix’s show Selling Tampa. Through her work on the show and in her business endeavors, Rosado showcases high-end property. The real estate pro also shares stories of client relocations and offers mentorship opportunities, particularly geared toward women of color looking to build their presence in the real estate industry.

Kofi Nartey

Renowned luxury broker and speaker Kofi Nartey is based in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, California. Nartey’s expertise is highly regarded by entities such as Christie’s and The Wall Street Journal. Nartey delivers engaging content that features property, valuable investment tips, and motivational business stories.

Kymber Lovett Menkiti

Kymber Lovett Menkiti, a Washington, D.C. native, resides in the metro area. With a wealth of experience, Menkiti serves as the founder and CEO of KW Capital Properties, leading The Menkiti Group. Additionally, Menkiti is a community development and real estate investor. Menkiti’s content covers a range of topics, including investment cases, brokerage leadership, lifestyle, and local culture.

Jemal King

Jemal King is a Chicago native who has been working as a real estate entrepreneur since 2010. Throughout his career in the real estate industry, King has amassed a portfolio worth millions. King has also successfully developed his own unique personal brand. King’s focus is on sharing advice on building wealth through real estate investments and various business endeavors, along with offering perspectives and insights.

RELATED CONTENT: Real Estate Developers Now Optimistic On Building Affordable Housing

biscuits,

How ‘Eat My Biscuits’ Brought An Atlanta-Based Breakfast Concept To The Great Food Truck Race

From DMs to the Food Network


Vanetta Roy, Chef Kedric Barrett, and Chaya Conwell brought biscuits, brilliance, and Black excellence to The Great Food Truck Race—and they’re just getting started.

Sometimes all it takes is one DM to change the game.

When Eat My Biscuits founder Vanetta Roy was contacted via Instagram by a casting agent for The Great Food Truck Race, she didn’t have a truck. What she had was a bold concept, a brick-and-mortar restaurant in East Point, Georgia, and a whole lot of confidence in her culinary brand. “They said, ‘You have a food truck, right?’ I said, ‘Nope.’ They said, ‘I think they’ll get one for you.’”

That leap of faith led to her assembling a powerhouse team: pastry and cocktail savant Chaya Conwell and veteran private chef Kedric Barrett. Together, the trio stepped into a six-week, high-stakes reality competition that would test their skills, patience, and teamwork like never before.

While the show is known for its intense culinary challenges and camera-ready drama, the Eat My Biscuits crew quickly learned they were the only team without an actual food truck. “They gave us an RV,” Vanetta recalled. “So we had to adjust. That changed everything about how we operated—from prep space to cooking equipment.”

What followed was a chaotic mix of mechanical failures, long shoot days, and cooking in extreme heat—with no ventilation. “I was under that truck trying to plug in the generator, in the dirt,” said Chef Kedric. “I felt like Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon: ‘I’m too old for this s***.’”

Despite the setbacks, they pushed through. Fresh biscuits were rolled daily from scratch. Custom dishes like the Deep Dive Seafood Biscuit, Georgia Peach Cobbler Biscuit, and the unforgettable Savannah Banana Biscuit became crowd favorites. “We sold out more than once,” Kedric added. “People were coming back looking for more.”

While each team member brought their own flavor to the kitchen, it was their chemistry and balance that made the Eat My Biscuits trio stand out.

“Chaya’s the young hothead,” Vanetta laughed. “She’s bold, creative, and her cocktails are like baked desserts in a glass—beautiful and powerful.” Chef Kedric, on the other hand, was described as “the zen master,” keeping everyone focused and centered. “I’m more vocal,” Vanetta admits, “but I’m flexible. Ked brings the balance we need.”

Their dynamic worked because they respected each other’s lane, held space for conflict, and always circled back to community, love, and a shared mission.

Eat My Biscuits isn’t just a cheeky name. It’s a full sensory experience rooted in flavor and confidence. What started as a fried biscuit moment at Vanetta’s original Chicago restaurant, Surf’s Up, grew into a vision. “I realized biscuits could be sweet, savory, sexy, risky—even suggestive,” she said. “It’s a culmination of who I am.”

After moving to Atlanta post-COVID and teaching for 25 years, Vanetta opened her East Point location in 2023. The restaurant offers brunch, lunch, handcrafted cocktails, and a vibe you can’t replicate.

Their experience on The Great Food Truck Race was challenging, but it has bonded them for life. “We made lemonade out of grapes,” Vanetta said. “And I’m proud of that.”

Chef Kedric echoed the sentiment: “Being on a food truck in that kind of environment opened my eyes. I have so much more respect for folks who do this day in and day out. It’s not just cooking, it’s survival.” He also highlighted a major career moment: “To get guidance from Tyler Florence—a Michelin-starred chef—that’s something I’ll never forget.”

The biggest takeaway? Stay flexible. “Don’t overthink it,” Vanetta said. “Have a plan, but be ready to pivot. And if your team is solid, you’ll find your way back to each other, even after hard days.”

The restaurant continues to grow, with Atlanta diners flocking to East Point for chicken cheddar biscuits, peach cobbler creations, and cocktails crafted like couture desserts. Kedric continues to build his private dining brand, while Chaya is developing her gourmet dessert line and handcrafted drink menu.

As Chef Kedric reflected: “It made me appreciate people who work in food trucks a lot more. Because we do private chef stuff in houses, but people who are in food trucks every day, that’s a different kind of grind.”

And for Eat My Biscuits, the grind is just the beginning of something even greater.

Catch the Eat My Biscuits team on The Great Food Truck Race: Truckin’ Awesome premiering Sunday, August 3 at 9pm ET/PTon Food Network,  and streaming the next day on HBOMax.

RELATED CONTENT: Food Truck vs. Brick-and-Mortar: Which Restaurant Model Works Best?

Jeezy, adversity for sale, restaurant

Jeezy Unveils Self-Portrait By Fahamu Pecou, Proceeds Will Support Atlanta Arts Initiatives

Created by Fahamu Pecou the portrait coincides with the 20th anniversary of Jeezy's debut album, "Thug Motivation: 101."


Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins debuted a self-portrait created by Dr. Fahamu Pecou.

The unveiling took place at the Johnson Lowe Gallery in Atlanta. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Jenkins’s debut album, Thug Motivation: 101, the gathering was a celebration of longevity and transformation. 

The sale of the image will benefit Jeezy Jenkins’s Street Dreamz Foundation and Pecou’s African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta. The portrait displays the rapper in an all-white ensemble. He sits atop what appears to be a stool reading a fictitious book, They We Didn’t Realize We Were Seeds. Additionally, Jenkins is surrounded by symbolic imagery: a school chair, a clear backpack filled with cowrie shells, engraved with his signature snowman emblem, and more.

In an essay on Substack, Pecou wrote about the significance of Jeezy’s legacy and metamorphosis over the years. She celebrates his decades-long journey and likens his walk to that of Black people in general. Dr. Pecou believes the Soul Survivor rapper’s music is “both mirror and map—a reflection of struggle” and “a blueprint for transformation.”

“This collaboration is a celebration of legacy—not just Jeezy’s or mine, but the broader legacy of Black creativity that thrives in the face of constraint. It honors what we’ve survived, what we’ve built, and what we continue to imagine,” Pecou wrote.

The event highlighted a growing trend where artists and musicians partner to channel creativity in order to uplift their respective communities. 

Indeed, Jeezy has been on a roll supporting Atlanta communities. On July 26, the rapper partnered with Local Initiatives Support Corporation to organize a community day for College Park residents.

Atlanta and its artists continue to thrive and continue its rich cultural history. The unveiling reflects Jeezy’s ambition to merge art, business, and social uplift in ways that generate both inspiration and impact.

RELATED CONTENT: Jeezy Sues Longtime Manager, Business Partner For Mishandling Earnings While Withholding Financial Records

Desmond Watson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Rookie Desmond Watson Placed On Non-Football Injury List For Weighing Over 450 Pounds

'It's just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more,' head coach Todd Bowles said.


Desmond Watson, an undrafted NFL player who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April, weighed 464 pounds earlier this year, and even though he has lost a couple of pounds since then, the team has placed him on the non-football injury list because of his weight.

According to The Associated Press, the 6-foot-6 rookie defensive tackle is the heaviest player in the NFL, and the team is working with him to bring his weight down to a comfortable playing level. He went to the University of Florida for his collegiate career, and Tampa Bay’s head coach, Todd Bowles, wants to give him more time to get healthier so he can get on the field for the Buccaneers.

“It’s just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more,” Bowles said. “That’s kind of where I’m at right now. He’s working at it, and we’re working with him, and that’s all you can ask right now.”

Watson has been focusing on his weight loss and is currently working with a team nutritionist; however, there is no confirmation as to what the team’s target weight is for him to consider, which would allow him to play for the franchise.

“I don’t have a timetable on what we can get him down to or when that comes,” Bowles said. “He’s from Armwood, he went to Florida, so he’s used to the heat. That’s not a big factor in it. We’ve just got to see what happens.”

It was recently reported that the Bucs have told the defensive player that he has to run 10 laps, even in the brutal heat of Tampa Bay. 


https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1949945530743763302

The team seems to have confidence in his playing abilities, but also wants to monitor his health.

RELATED CONTENT: Why Robert Golden Walked Away From The NFL To Build A School In His Hometown

ColorComm

ColorComm ‘Breaking New Ground’ In 10th Annual Conference Marking Growth In Communications

Women and men across sectors assembled to celebrate the occasion while navigating a new era in the industry.


ColorComm recently celebrated 10 years of driving change and diversity in the communications industry with its annual conference.

ColorComm returned to Miami to mark a decade of growth and community as it builds upon its network of diverse communications professionals. Women and men across sectors, including tech, corporate, entrepreneurship, and media, assembled to celebrate the occasion while navigating a new era in the industry.

Taking place from July 24-26, hundreds of attendees gathered at the Fontainebleau Hotel to talk about “Breaking New Ground,” this year’s conference theme. Meeting new faces and reconnecting with past guests, the first day hosted a thought-provoking yet inspiring on the “Elephant in the Room,” Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Panelists such as Ron Busby, president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers Inc.; Vanessa Santos, entrepreneur and investor; and Soon Mee Kim, chief DEI officer at Omnicom CCN, discussed how to repackage DEI initiatives that drive change under an evolving political climate.

The night culminated in ColorComm’s 2025 Circle Awards. The organization’s CEO, Lauren Wesley Wilson, and the event’s emcee, Star Jones, welcomed guests and recognized trailblazers w=in communications.

Honorees included Malaak Compton-Rock, founder of The Angelrock Project; Meredith O’Sullivan, co-founder of The Lede Company; and Cristal N. Downing, executive vice president and chief communications officer at Merck.

The ceremony also highlighted ColorComm’s first male honorees, one of which included Damon Jones, chief communications officer at Procter & Gamble. In his speech, Jones encouraged conference attendees to stay strong.

“To everyone in this room tonight and who is here in this moment, we stand as a testament the transformative power of representation,” he explained. “Both the physical manifestation of a gathering and the spirit that fills the hallways when we’re together, we just speak volumes to each other. We pour into each other, and we reinforce the importance of visibility and connection. But importantly to the enduring impact of those who dare to challenge convention together.”

He continued, “My message this evening is very simple. Stay the course. Stay the course constructively, challenging the status quo with unapologetic honesty.”

Panels ranged from legacy building and modern leadership to protecting one’s peace amid social change. Attendees also engaged in sessions about navigating motherhood with a career, running a podcast, and joining the right corporate board, with additional wellness activities such as vision workshops and sound bath exercises.

The professionals also joined a Lunch & Learn featuring radio and media greats Rocsi Diaz and Sybil Wilkes, while Cari Champion moderated a “Get in The Game” panel on excelling as a female executive in a male-dominated field.

Attendees nationwide participated in this holistic experience, while emphasizing how its 10th year celebration allows for greater access to this established legacy. Wesley Wilson also detailed her pride with BLACK ENTERPRISE about ColorComm’s success in the communications industry.

“Over the past fourteen years, ColorComm has transformed into the nation’s leading business community,” shared the founder. “Over the past 10 years, ColorComm has produced the premier business conference for intergenerational leaders in the communications, marketing, advertising, and broader business community. We are proud to celebrate 10 conferences and 14 years in business.”

RELATED CONTENT: XCEL Summit For Men 2025

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