by Kandiss Edwards

July 11, 2025

Chaka Khan Did A ‘Sweet Thing’ At Her Granddaughter’s Wedding

Chaka Khan took a break from her iconic 'Queen's Tour' to participate in her granddaughter's wedding as a flower girl.

Chaka Khan, an iconic singer and family woman, shared a heartwarming, intimate moment with fans.

The singer revealed via Instagram that she was the honorary flower girl at her granddaughter, Daija Jade Holland’s, wedding. Khan walked down the aisle in a white gown adorned with golden patterns, alongside a young ring bearer. The Chaka Khan and Rufus singer’s Instagram celebrated the sweet gesture with a caption acknowledging the moment.

“A beautiful family moment worth celebrating 💐💜Chaka Khan’s granddaughter, Daija Jade, recently tied the knot — and Chaka was right there to witness the joy, love, and magic of the day. Even more special? Chaka stepped into the role of honorary flower girl for the ceremony. Congratulations to the radiant newlyweds!” the caption read.

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A post shared by Chaka Khan 💋 (@chakakhan)

Chaka Khan’s connection with Daija Jade is particularly meaningful. The I’m Every Woman crooner gained custody of her granddaughter when Daija was just nine years old. Also, the grandma and granddaughter duo share a birthday, making their bond even more unique.

Khan has often spoken candidly about this experience, stating that raising Daija later in life felt “meant to be,” as it allowed her to be a more effective and present mother figure than she had been in her earlier years. Over the years, the two-time divorcee and teen mom has admitted to struggling with drug usage. Furthermore, she spent years working in the demanding entertainment industry.

“There’s a lot of things I missed as a young mom, because I was too busy growing up myself,” Khan told The Guardian in 2017. “I’m better at it now. I adopted my granddaughter — my son’s daughter — when she was nine. She’s just turned 16. Becoming a mother again later in life was meant to be.”

While taking time to fulfill grandma and flower girl duties, Khan is also on a national tour. The “Sweet Thing” singer is allowing fans to experience her greatness live. Those interested will have several opportunities to see her on tour in late 2025. She is scheduled to perform across various cities in the United States as part of The Queens: 4 Legends 1 Stage tour, which also features Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Stephanie Mills.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

September 19 2025: Greensboro NC at First Horizon Coliseum
September 20 2025: Atlanta GA at State Farm Arena
September 21 2025: Memphis TN at FedExForum
September 25 2025: Newark NJ at Prudential Center
September 27 2025: Milwaukee WI at Fiserv Forum
September 28 2025: Detroit MI at Little Caesars Arena
October 3 2025: Washington DC at Capital One Arena
October 4 2025: Atlantic City NJ at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
October 5 2025: Cleveland OH at Rocket Arena

For more information about Chaka Khan’s tour dates and to purchase tickets, you can visit her official website, Live Nation, and Ticketmaster.

'Grey’s Anatomy’ , James Pickens Jr. , Prostate Cancer

by Mitti Hicks

July 11, 2025

Black Americans At Increased Risk For Pancreatic Cancer

While more research is needed to understand the exact reason why this disparity exists, some studies have shown that socioeconomic and environmental factors play a significant role.

Black Americans are more likely to get pancreatic cancer than any other racial or ethnic group, according to data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program with the National Cancer Institute.

As researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine Pathology point out, not only is the incidence of pancreatic cancer higher in African Americans, but they are more often diagnosed with advanced and inoperable cancer.

While further research is needed to understand the exact reason for this disparity, some studies have shown that socioeconomic and environmental factors play a significant role.

Cigarette smoking causes 25% of pancreatic cancer cases, which is more common among African Americans. Other risk factors include diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, and obesity.

Mitigating Risks of Pancreatic Cancer in Black Americans

According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, there are some steps the Black community can take to mitigate the risks of pancreatic cancer. For starters, individuals at higher risk should listen carefully to their bodies and be aware of any symptoms that are unusual or out of the ordinary.

Some examples of pancreatic cancer symptoms include back or stomach pain, unexplained weight loss, jaundice, and digestive challenges.

To study the prevalence of pancreatic cancer within the community, researchers also add that Black Americans should consider clinical trials.

“People with pancreatic cancer who participate in clinical research have better outcomes, and every treatment available today was approved through a clinical trial,” according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Despite comprising nearly 14% of the U.S. population, the network says Black Americans make up only 5% to 7% of cancer clinical trial participants.

“In the fight against pancreatic cancer, clinical trials often provide the best treatment options,” the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network says. “Without increased enrollment, it is very challenging to approve new and better treatment options.”

Other things African Americans can do to help prevent pancreatic cancer include adopting a healthy lifestyle with foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, limiting red and processed meat, being active, and limiting alcohol.

Michael Jordan, lawsuit, NASCAR, antitrust

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 11, 2025

Michael Jordan’s Former Mansion Being Rented Out Through Airbnb

The Highland Park, Ill., property is available for a minimum seven-night stay.

After having his mansion on the market, off and on since 2012, Michael Jordan was able to sell the property last year, and now the new owner is using the home to rent to anyone via Airbnb.

According to NBC News, the Highland Park, Illinois, property where the NBA Hall of Famer once resided is listed for rental on the popular bed and breakfast website. The Champions Point mansion, which is two stories, is listed as a seven-bedroom, 17.5-bath estate that lies across 7.39 acres of land and can house as many as 12 individuals.

John Cooper bought the property in December 2024 after the house had been on the market for over a decade. Business Insider initially reported in 2023 that the property’s purchase price was almost half the original sale price, as Michael Jordan had the mansion originally listed at $29 million. The price was at a discounted $14,855,000, amounting to $265 per square foot when the original asking price was $517 per square foot. NBC News reported that Cooper was able to snag the property at an even bigger discount, as the purchase price was $9.5 million.Cooper has stated that he still doesn’t know what he will do with the property for the long term, but anyone who is looking to rent it out would have to do so with a minimum seven-night stay.

“I am still considering many different uses for the property,” Cooper told the media outlet in a written statement. “Some great uses require zoning relief, but in the meantime, short-term rentals are a permitted use to bring exposure to the property and generate some revenue.”

Amenities for the home include a full-size basketball court, a pool equipped with fish, a tennis court, a putting green for golf enthusiasts, and even a piano room, to name a few: nine bedrooms and 19 bathrooms with a guest house on the premises. The house is fully furnished.

Cooper said he can see the property being rented for “a family or group of friends celebrating a milestone.”

by Mary Spiller

July 11, 2025

Oh Lord! Deputies Drag Longtime Member From Church Over Legal Spat

Allie Thompson was forcibly removed Mt. Olive M.B Church by deputies, due to a court order barring her from attending services.

A Sunday service at Mt. Olive M.B. Church in Scott County, Mississippi, turned chaotic on Father’s Day when longtime member Allie Thompson was forcibly removed by deputies, following a court order barring her from attending the house of worship.

Exclusive video obtained by 3 On Your Side showed Thompson being dragged from the mother’s board section of the church by two Scott County deputies. In the footage, Thompson can be heard crying out, “You’re hurting me!”

“I was wrestled to the floor. One got my right arm. Twisted it. I said, No, you’re hurting me!” Thompson recounted the scene, describing it as painful and humiliating.

According to Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee, Thompson and several others had received court-ordered letters instructing them not to attend services after a prior altercation at the church.

“They violated the court’s order and came to the service anyway,” Sheriff Lee said, noting deputies made several attempts to remove Thompson peacefully before she was physically escorted out.

The tension at Mt. Olive began to brew from ongoing disagreements over leadership and church governance.

Thompson says the conflict began when she and other members raised concerns about Pastor Charles Bell’s decision-making.

“He called himself appointing a finance committee. The church did not vote on that. We have bylaws and rules that we govern by,” she said.

Thompson also accused Pastor Bell of excluding her husband, a longtime deacon, from key decisions. “Why doesn’t he include my husband, who is the oldest man and deacon of the church? He makes decisions without his knowledge,” she added.

Addie Johnson, who served as a Sunday school teacher for decades, was also affected. “I am the Sunday school teacher here. Mr. Johnson came in this morning and told me his pastor asked him to teach the Sunday School lesson, and he’s taking it over. I was not informed,” she said.

Court records show that in October 2024, Mt. Olive leadership filed a restraining order and preliminary injunction against seven members, including Thompson.

The complaint alleges that those individuals assaulted a deacon during a Sept. 15 incident that resulted in hospitalization and that they also verbally threatened the pastor, first lady, and other members.

Thompson denies any involvement. “All the preachers that have been here and gone, if you get in touch with them, they will tell you that I have been a faithful warrior. Nothing but welcoming greeting guests as they come in. They would tell you that,” she said.

by Kandiss Edwards

July 11, 2025

Essence Executive Avoids Diaspora Discourse Yet Addresses Other Festival Criticism

Richelieu Dennis, an executive of Sundial Media Group which owns Essence, spoke about the mounting criticism about the decades-old festival.

Essence executive Richelieu Dennis sat down with columnist Will Sutton and Dr. Ashonta Wyatt to discuss the criticism surrounding the Essence Festival of Culture.

Dennis is the executive chairman of Sundial Media Group, which owns Essence Ventures. The criticism of this year’s event began immediately after its conclusion. Dennis chose to address discourse surrounding crowd control, super lounges, and the number of artists head-on, NOLA reported.

While the executive chairman said the corporation was “listening” to all of the feedback, he made sure to note that some of the public’s demands were unreasonable. Yet, he and the Essence team remained socially observant and tweaked what was possible.

“Sometimes the expectations are reasonable. And sometimes they’re unreasonable. When they’re reasonable, or even if they’re unreasonable, we take all of that into account. Our team (does) an excellent job of social listening, so we’re listening to everything that’s being said every day. Not just when we come here. Across the board we take that information and we say, ‘OK, what are the things that we can change and what are the things that we should not change?’”

“One of the biggest changes this year came as a result of the 2023 Essence Festival of Culture’s historic attendance. While the support can be seen as a success, the lack of space led to safety issues.

“Two years ago, it was very crowded. It was very unsafe. We got it. We’ve always taken pride in the fact that when Essence comes to New Orleans, New Orleans becomes safer. So you saw we took on more space,” he said.

A large portion of the interview focused on New Orleans’ participation in the event and its corporate sponsorship. While much was made of Target’s involvement in the event, Dennis said the company has not wavered in its monetary support.

However, he did state that other companies, such as Ford, have also revoked their support. As a businessman, Dennis says Target’s assistance is needed due to rising costs. The financial subsidies from the city of New Orleans are helpful, but not enough.

Eventually, the conversation shifted to discussing the impressive musical lineup. An extensive roster of celebrities was slated to perform, causing delays and less time to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions. One of the artists who took heat for these delays was rapper, singer, and Grammy winner Lauryn Hill, known for starting her shows when the spirit moves her. The 4 am start time of her show received swift condemnation from fans and foes. However, Dennis took a moment to absolve Ms. Hill. He stated emphatically that the delays were not her fault.

Although accountability and transparency are great, Dennis did not address the allegations of Black American erasure levied by multiple Black media outlets, including Ebony and The Root. As Dennis and Essence’s Chairman are both African immigrants, many feel that the inclusion of the “Jollof vs Gumbo” cook-off and multiple non-American Black content creators and performers is an indicator that the event, firmly rooted in Black American and Southern culture, is being globalized to the point of losing its identity.

The claims of many appear anecdotal, as many Black American talents and activities were included in the festival. Still, the conversation rages online. Only time will tell if Essence executives were “listening” to that particular piece of discourse as closely as they have listened to others.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 11, 2025

Phoenix Suns Gives Devin Booker Largest Contract Extension In NBA History

Booker agreed to a two-year, $145 million maximum contract extension with the franchise.

Phoenix Suns basketball player Devin Booker has just signed the largest contract extension in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA), thus making his annual salary the highest of any player in the league.

According to ESPN, this announcement comes several days after the NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, extended the contract of this year’s NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who inked a $285 million supermax extension. After signing the extension, Gilgeous-Alexander’s annual salary increased to $71.25 million. With Booker’s recent deal, he will be making $72.5 million per year. Booker agreed to a two-year, $145 million maximum contract extension with the franchise.

STAYING IN THE VALLEY 🏜️

Official: Devin Booker has signed a contract extension! pic.twitter.com/7x6pjb2eGY

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 10, 2025

The Suns announced that the franchise signed the team’s all-time leading scorer July 10.

“This moment means so much to me and my family,” said Booker in a written statement. “Ten years ago, my NBA dreams became a reality when I was drafted here, and Phoenix is my home. I love this city and am proud of what we have accomplished over the past decade. I am grateful to Mat Ishbia and the entire Phoenix Suns organization for the partnership. Thank you, fans, for your loyalty and support. More to come!!”

The Suns gave Booker the record contract extension despite the team not making the playoffs this past season after having a losing record of 36-46 and finishing in 11th place in the Western Conference. The team lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals. The Suns just participated in a seven-team trade that sent former Booker teammate Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.

“Devin Booker is the embodiment of the Phoenix Suns, representing the best of our organization, our community and our future,” said Suns owner Mat Ishbia. “As the team’s all-time leading scorer, his on-court achievements are unparalleled and the result of his relentless preparation and unwavering pursuit of excellence. His character, leadership and ‘I’ll do it’ mentality define the standards and culture we uphold. Moreover, his connection with our fans is unique – his impact resonates across the Valley, and his tireless efforts in supporting Arizona’s youth and families reflect the deep community bond we cherish.”

NYPD, Sean Bell, film, Eyes In 'Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story'

by Mary Spiller

July 11, 2025

Family Seeks Answers After Teen Dies in NYPD Custody

Thomasina Cheatham says Saniyah was "all smiles just hours before," alleged suicide in police custody.

The family of 18-year-old Saniyah Cheatham is demanding answers after the Bronx college student was found dead in an NYPD holding cell, with officials calling the death a suicide.

According to the NYPD, Cheatham was discovered unresponsive in a cell at the 41st Precinct station house on Longwood Avenue just before 1 a.m. on Saturday.

Officers claim that she used a sweater to asphyxiate herself. Despite allegedly performing CPR until emergency responders arrived, Cheatham was later pronounced dead at Lincoln Hospital.

The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is now reviewing the circumstances of her death, CBS News reported.

“The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division investigation remains ongoing,” the department said in a statement.

Cheatham, a student at Bronx Community College, had been arrested Friday night following an alleged altercation with her friend.

Her family stated that both women were taken into custody after the fight, which happened just hours after Cheatham attended a July Fourth cookout in Crotona Park.

Her mother, Thomasina Cheatham, said the news of her daughter’s death does not align with the person she saw earlier that day.

“She was happy and I was happy to see her,” Saniyah’s mother said, recalling their time at the family gathering.

The NYPD has not yet confirmed the details of the altercation, but stated Cheatham was alone in her cell when she was found unresponsive around 12:40 a.m. The medical examiner has not officially determined the cause of death.

Though police have labeled the death a suicide, Cheatham’s mother remains skeptical. “She was all smiles just hours before,” she said, casting doubt on the official narrative.

The case has raised new concerns about conditions in NYPD custody and the treatment of detainees. Advocates for Cheatham and family members are calling for complete transparency, including the release of surveillance footage and detailed accounts of Cheatham’s final hours.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 11, 2025

Snoop Dogg’s NFT Gift Launch In Partnership With Telegram Sold Out In Minutes

Snoop Dogg's latest NFT launch hints at a major shift in the market.

Snoop Dogg is continuing his business venture in the NFT space with his latest digital partnership that sold out in minutes.

On June 9, the iconic hip-hop mogul partnered with cloud-based messaging app Telegram to debut the platform’s first-ever celebrity digital gift drop, TMZ reports. The launch saw an “unprecedented” response, with nearly a million non-fungible tokens (NFTs) sold on Telegram in just 30 minutes.

The success counters the prevailing narrative that the NFT market is “dead.” To amplify the launch, Snoop dropped a new track called “Gifts,” accompanied by a music video showcasing the full lineup of digital collectibles, including a vintage car, swag bags, a digital dog, cannabis-themed items, and a variety of other symbols.

Following the launch, Telegram founder Pavel Durov took to X to boast about the $12 million made from Snoop’s latest NFT drop. According to Durov, the collection was “inspired by Snoop’s iconic style.”

“Blockchain minting and the secondary market go live in 21 days. It’s going to be wild,” he added.

The Gifts Snoop just sold out of on Telegram are animated visuals users can showcase on their profiles or convert into the platform’s in-app currency, Stars. While the feature is gaining traction, the broader NFT market has struggled in 2025, with volumes dropping 61% in Q1 to $1.5 billion, down from the $ 3.8 billion it generated the year prior. Over the past 30 days alone, sales volume has declined by another 41% to just over $403 million, with transactions down by more than 55%, according to CryptoSlam.

However, Snoop’s sold-out NFT drop may signal a shift in the market. An X user, who leads NFT strategy at TON, pointed out that Telegram gifts aren’t entirely new; collections like “Plush Pepe” were released in January. Still, they noted the overwhelming response to Snoop’s collection “could be the start of a new NFT narrative,” while also acknowledging that “technically it could not mean anything” long-term.

by Kandiss Edwards

July 11, 2025

European Court Backs Runner Caster Semenya, Igniting Sports Divide

After a 2023 dismissal, Caster Semenya was awarded a victory in appeal. The European courts ruled the athlete's claim did not receive a fair ruling.

Caster Semenya continues her fight following a major court ruling.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that she did not receive a “fair hearing.” On July 10, the ruling was handed down by Switzerland’s highest court. The ruling revives Semenya’s challenge against eligibility rules in athletics, Reuters reported.

The organization ruled 15-2 that Switzerland’s Federal Tribunal did not conduct a “rigorous judicial review. The decree sends the case back to Switzerland.

While the court did not rule on the discrimination Semenya alleges, the court believes the Olympian has a right to continue fighting. The court awarded Semenya €80,000 (about $94,000) for legal costs.

The Olympic gold medalist was kicked out of track and field after the court ruled that her naturally high testosterone disqualified her from competing. Semenya expressed her gratitude for the court’s ruling upon leaving the proceedings. She also pledged to continue the fight.

“Today, my patience in this journey has been rewarded with a result that will pave the way for all athletes’ human rights to be protected,” she said.

The runner-turned-coach did not make any statements on her social media platforms. Still, she posted photos acknowledging her longstanding fights. The first was Black “power fists” with an image of her standing in front of the European Court of Human Rights signage. She also posted an image of Audre Lorde’s, Your Silence Will Not Protect You. Seemingly, this is a nod to her commitment to speaking up against what she believes is an injustice.

✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/wSlfqhiNHz
— Caster Semenya (@MightyCaster) July 10, 2025

The athlete was assigned the female gender at birth. Additionally, she identifies as such. Other athletes with similar conditions take testosterone suppressants to comply with the International Association of Athletics Federations regulations, but Semenya refused. According to the regulations, female athletes’ testosterone levels must be lower than 2.5. The Swiss Court dismissed Semenya’s claim in 2023.

World Athletics defended the rules as a “necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of protecting fair competition in the female category,” according to Reuters.

Semenya is now 34 years old and will most likely no longer compete.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 11, 2025

McDonald’s Manager Stabbed To Death By Employee In Michigan

The mother of six was killed after a verbal altercation with the employee

A manager working at a Michigan McDonald’s was arrested after she allegedly killed her manager after stabbing her several times before she attempted to flee the scene.

According to Fox 2 Detroit, 39-year-old Jennifer Harris, a mother of six and manager at the Eastpointe McDonald’s, had been stabbed to death by a 26-year-old employee July 10. Harris, who was known as Jamma, had been working at the fast food restaurant for 15 years before the fatal incident. Police authorities did not identify the employee.

The deadly incident took place before 8 a.m. as the two women were involved in a verbal altercation. After arguing, Harris requested that the employee leave the McDonald’s, and she did, but a person who was at the drive-thru stated that the young woman came back, but with a mask on her face. Upon her return, she stabbed Harris several times.

“She started stabbing her and I ran for help and basically asked everybody like “help help” or whatever,” the witness said. “I tried to stop her – it was no stopping her. She stabbed her everywhere.”

Police stated that a customer who is a CPL (Concealed Pistol License) holder saw what happened as he waited in line at the drive-thru. He pulled out his weapon and fired it into the air to get her to stop stabbing Harris. When the shot was fired, the suspect ran out of the restaurant. The man then exited his vehicle and caught up with her, and held her at gunpoint until police officers arrived at the scene.

The owner and operator of the franchise released a statement saying that the restaurant will be closed “until further notice” as they cooperate with police on the matter.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones,” said Yusef Alcodray in a written statement. “Violence of any kind is unacceptable in my restaurants, and we are taking this matter extremely serious, as the safety and well-being of our employees and customers is our top priority. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation, and the restaurant will remain closed until further notice.”

The children’s father is reportedly incarcerated, leaving them without either parent.