Kai Cenat, Streamer, live, twitch, mental health

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2025

Kai Cenat Explains Why He Didn’t Attend The Met Gala

'I didn't go because I'm not gonna lie, the brand that wanted to host me...I didn't really, like, wanna do that brand'

Although he was given an opportunity to attend May 5’s lavish Met Gala, popular streamer Kai Cenat said he did not attend because he didn’t want to be affiliated with the brand that “wanted to” host him.

The exclusive event is a must-attend event for those who want to be considered a part of the elite in the fashion and entertainment industries. It’s a playground for the likes of Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, the Kardashians, Pharrell Williams, and Andre 3000.

Cenat, a New York City native and resident, went on his stream to explain why he bypassed the annual event. This year’s theme, by the way, was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” acknowledging the evolution of Black dandyism.

“I had an opportunity to go to the Met Gala, chat. But, I didn’t go because I’m not gonna lie, the brand that wanted to host me… I didn’t really, like, wanna do that brand.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by No Jumper 🏀 (@nojumper)

He didn’t reveal the brand. Complex reported that the streamer was invited to an afterparty that was thrown by one of the co-chairs of the event this year, Pharrell Williams.

Cenat took his camera to the event and livestreamed for about an hour, chatting with attendees. “Along the way, Kai also wound up in conversations with the Mattel team and Jacob Arabo, founder of Jacob & Co. Elsewhere, he was introduced to Pharrell’s son, Rocket,” Complex reported.

It’s easy to see why Cenat can mingle with that crowd. He was named as one of Forbes‘ top Black influencers, coming in at number 24 on the Forbes Top Creators List of 2024 in October. He reportedly has $8.5 million in earnings and has close to 50 million social media followers.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 6, 2025

Lauryn Hill Visits Harvard, Talks Importance Of Community When Songwriting

Hill came to the school as part of its speaker series

Lauryn Hill visited Harvard University for a memorable roundtable discussion on her approach to songwriting. Her words went viral and the acclaimed Grammy winner received a standing ovation for her appearance.

Lauryn Hill was spotted at Harvard University speaking to students about the importance of finding community, as she opened up about her approach to writing music. pic.twitter.com/mAm5uoqnO4
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) May 3, 2025

The “Killing Me Softly” singer began by stating how long it has been since she did an interview. While she expressed concern that her words could be “underwhelming,” her message clearly resonated.

“I find what I love…I find what I care about, and then I write about that,” she told the audience. “I have mind and emotion and need combined. And that’s what I do.”

Hill, the lead singer of The Fugees who later recorded the classic The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, came to Harvard as part of the university’s speaker series.

The 49-year-old revealed how purpose and other values go into crafting her songs, but community remains a driving force.

“Purpose, love, [and] passion connecting,” she emphasized. “You talk about community; to me, community is huge. Curating community, finding community, people who understand you, who get you. Who can appreciate, who can reflect you? Who can resonate so you’re not in a vacuum? You can bounce ideas off someone, they can also articulate appreciation, you can articulate appreciation back. I think these are very healthy and important things in the world.”

Hill last appeared at the school in 2023 during the 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. According to Hot New Hip Hop, her discussion focused on the challenges of being a Black female artist in the music industry.

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 6, 2025

University Of Kentucky President Defends Canceling LGBTQ+, Black, And 1st Generation Graduation Ceremonies

'...We believe complying with the law is the best way to protect our people and our continued capacity to support them'

University of Kentucky (UK) President Eli Capilouto said the school’s decision to cancel LGBTQ+, Black, and first-generation graduation ceremonies is the best way to “protect our people,” the Lexington Herald Leader reports.

Capilouto defended his stance in a video sent to students and staff just days after announcing the university would no longer host events for graduating minority students as threats from the Trump administration targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices mount.

“We have made tough decisions — decisions that in and of themselves cause concern and, in some cases, hurt,” Capilouto said.

“Canceling celebrations for people on our campus who haven’t always seen themselves reflected in our broader community is one example. We’ve taken that action because we believe that’s what is required, and we believe complying with the law is the best way to protect our people and our continued capacity to support them.”

Students looking forward to the university’s Lavender Graduation ceremony for LGBTQ+ students and Harambe Unity Graduation Celebration honoring Black and first-generation students were disappointed by the decision.

One was Jay Stringer-Vaught, graduating with a master’s degree in library science.

“Why is UK okay with accepting my gay dollars, but they’re not okay with celebrating a gay person?” Stringer-Vaught said. “I feel angry, I feel betrayed as a student at the University of Kentucky. It feels like a slap in the face.”

The student couldn’t afford the required regalia in order to attend the university-wide Rupp Arena commencement. In addition to his mother being in a wheelchair, the Lavender Graduation was deemed a smaller ceremony with more accessibility for his loved ones.

In early 2025, colleges and universities were ordered to comply with a law passed by the Kentucky legislature banning all DEI practices by June 30.

The popular public university was also identified in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for “allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.”

“The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination,” the March 14 letter from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon read, according to Kentucky Kernel, the University of Kentucky’s student newspaper. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.”

Capilouto feels the attack on the university, along with 45 other institutions, is related to a collaborative effort with the PhD Project, a networking organization that houses networking opportunities for UK doctoral students.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 6, 2025

New Orleans Entrepreneur Steps Into Success With Online Shoe Business

The entrepreneur used his own shopping bot to get shoppers the sneakers they want.

A New Orleans entrepreneur has found new success with his idea of an online shoe business, DSneakerXpress.

Darrick Jones began to explore his entrepreneurial dreams during the COVID-19 pandemic. He took his passion and expertise in all things sneakers to connect with a new clientele and meet the demand.

For many sneakerheads, shopping “bots” often buy out the latest drops, taking the opportunities away from consumers. Now, Jones has rigged the system back into the hands of real people. He doesn’t do it to make a profit but to help put a smile on his clients’ faces with a new pair of kicks.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dshoota (@darrickkkk_)

“The love of it. I don’t do this for money. I love helping people get the shoes they need, or like a kid that is looking for their first pair of Jordans…I love being able to provide for them, the look on their face,” said Jones to WGNO.

His system of botting led to an expansive shoe collection, one that he uses to sustain his resale business and appease new clients. His roster even includes some celebrities, like rappers Lil Baby and Rob49.

“You ever heard of a sneaker bot where you get shoes online, and they automatically caught them. So, I bought the Jordan 5s and made like $1,500. It then started growing and growing, and boom, we are where we are at,” said Jones.

However, not just technical skills have led to his growth. Jones continues to build his network by attending sneaker conventions, leading to even more sales for the entrepreneur. He says the experience of learning from other resellers or wholesale sneaker vendors is crucial as he scales up his operations.

“I get to learn how this person gets their shoes from this particular website, or they have this particular bulk buy or wholesale plug, and then, I get to interact with other people in the same space as me,” said Jones.

Although it’s all in his love for the sneaker game, Jones also thanks his family and friends who have supported him on this journey. He encourages all business enthusiasts to just start, as all good things take time.

“Keep going, don’t ever stop. Rome wasn’t built overnight. You can post like a thousand reels or post a thousand pictures, and nobody buys. But somebody might buy a thousand, 2,000, 3,000, four. You know what I’m saying? Never give up. Never give up,” emphasized the growing entrepreneur.

His assortment of items for sale also extends to highly coveted apparel. From limited edition sneakers to designer jackets, DsneakerXpress is stepping into greatness.

howard basketball, investment, Kaleena Smith, Wilberforce University, Unrivaled,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2025

Detroit’s BIG3 Team Gets A Name And Date For Home Opener

NBA Hall of Famer George 'The Iceman' Gervin will coach the team

When BIG3 decided to become a location-based basketball league, one of the cities granted a franchise was Detroit.

And the city is ready to be part of Ice Cube’s three-on-three summer basketball league.

GameAbove Sports, which owns and operates the Detroit franchise, has named the team the Amplifiers. The roster will be announced after the BIG3 Combine and Draft, which takes place May 15, 2025.

The Amplifiers’ home opener is Sunday, July 20, at Little Caesars Arena.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GameAbove (@gameabove)

NBA Hall of Famer George “The Iceman” Gervin is the Amplifiers’ head coach.

“We’ve been building toward this moment for years, and now Detroit finally has its BIG3 team,” said Gervin, who played college basketball at Eastern Michigan. “This city lives and breathes basketball. The Amplifiers will represent Detroit with pride and give fans an exciting summer.”

Ice Cube, the league’s co-founder, told Click on Detroit that it was an easy decision to award the city a franchise. “The stands are always full,” he said. “People love to go out, look good, dress good, and have a good time.”

The former N.W.A. member also gave advice on how to be successful as a player in the league, which is entering its eighth season.

“You’ve got to have an all-around game, or you’re not going to be successful,” he explained. “You’re going to get cooked out there. You get to see everybody pull out every trick to get a bucket.”

The Detroit Pistons of the 1980s were labeled the “Bad Boys” of the NBA, thanks to the fiery play of Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, and Bill Laimbeer. Ice Cube seemingly expects the same of the Amplifiers. This season’s Pistons team lost to the New York Knicks in the opening round of the playoffs, but Ice Cube was still impressed.

“They all have grit, and that’s what you need,” he said. “You’ve got to have a chip on your shoulder. It seems like it’s back to Detroit basketball.”

Other cities that will host BIG3 teams this season include Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Interview: André 3000 reveals why his new solo album has no bars — and no boundaries

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2025

André 3000 Drops Latest Instrumental Album Moments After Met Gala Appearance

The project is titled 7 piano sketches

When OutKast member André 3000 appeared at the Met Gala in New York City on May 5 with a piano on his back, it was because it was a promotion for his latest project that dropped after his appearance.

The album is titled 7 piano sketches, which is labeled as “a collection of instrumental music recorded solo on the piano.” This marks the second solo album from the lyrically rich recording artist, although, once again, to the dismay of hip-hop fans, there are no “bars” from Andre. It’s a follow-up to his Grammy-nominated album, New Blue Sun.

In a press release, André stated that this album was composed prior to the recording of his first solo offering. In fact, he said it was recorded almost 10 years ago while he was staying with his son in Texas. There was nothing but a piano, beds, and TV screens.

In a written statement, he said, “The original title for it was ‘The Best Worst Rap Album In History,’ and here is an excerpt from the original liner notes:

‘It’s jokingly the worst rap album in history because there are no lyrics on it at all. It’s the best because it’s the free-est emotionally and best I’ve felt personally. It’s the best because it’s like a palette cleanser for me.’”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by André Lauren Benjamin (@andre3000)

The Met Gala appearance was also used to introduce Benji Bixby, an evolution of André’s previous fashion line, Benjamin Bixby. The bespoke piano creation was done by Burberry in collaboration with Benji Bixby. Law Roach styled the creation for Andre to wear at the Met Gala’s Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. The event was themed to celebrate “craftsmanship, structure, Black history, and the evolution of dandyism.”

The album can be streamed from various platforms.

Tracklist for seven piano sketches:

(WARNING: NO BARS)

bluffing in the snow
and then one day you’ll …
when you’re a ant and you wake up in an awesome mood, about to drive your son to school, only to discover that you left the lights on in the car last night so your battery is drained
hotel lobby pianos
blueberry mansions
off rhythm laughter
i spend all day waiting for the night

Virginia City, TIkTok, viral video, antiracism center, university of Minnesota

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 6, 2025

Racists Help Minneapolis White Women Who Called A Child The N-Word Raise Over $675K

In the fundraiser description, Hendrix doubled down on the accusations saying,"I called the kid out for what he was."

Racist comments from anonymous donors who raised over $700,000 on the Christian crowd-funding platform GiveSendGo started to pour in in support of a woman from a Minneapolis suburb who went viral for admitting to calling a child the N-word at a public park, NBC News reports.

Users chose anonymity or their seemingly racist handles referencing to Nazi symbolism to drop comments like “White Unity Will Unite,” “Black excellence fatigue,” “Aunt Jemima,” “Whitestandstrong,” and “White rise” after later being removed from the fundraiser page, with a $1,000,000 goal. “These young generations of whites are sick of the bullying, intimidation, and being made to shut up about race issues,” WhiteTexasMommy wrote on the fundraising page in correlation to a $50 donation.

Another comment read, “They call us racist because we are white. Nothing will ever make them happy. They’ve been given trillions of dollars. They’ve been allowed into our schools and neighborhoods, forced upon us at every turn, and they still aren’t happy,” Heywildrich wrote with a $88 contribution.

GiveSendGo Co-Founder Jacob Wells condemned the racist nature on X and said comments have since been disabled. “We remain committed to ensuring all funds raised are delivered to the campaign recipients as intended,” he wrote.

“We unequivocally condemn the hateful comments that sought to fuel division and harmful narratives.”

At GiveSendGo, we recently disabled comments on the fundraising campaigns for Karmelo Anthony and Shiloh Hendrix due to the unacceptable volume of racist and derogatory remarks. At the time comments were turned off, both campaigns had raised approximately $500,000 with around…
— Jacob Wells (@jacobawells) May 3, 2025

Community notes on the post claim the company refused to disable comments on a fundraiser for Karmelo Anthony, a Black Texas teenage track star accused of murdering a competing white athlete, claiming they “explicitly called for the death of White citizens.”

The fundraiser titled “Help Me Protect My Family” was created by the woman in the viral video, identified as Shiloh Hendrix. Hendrix claims her personal information, such as her address and Social Security number, was leaked as she and her children faced threats online. “I fear that we must relocate. We have been threatened to the extreme by people online,” Hendrix wrote.

“Anything will help! We cannot and will not live in fear.”

In the fundraiser description, she doubled down on the accusations of the Black child stealing from her 18-month-old’s diaper bag. “I called the kid out for what he was,” the mother wrote.

by Stacy Jackson

May 6, 2025

Rihanna, A$AP Rocky Debut Baby No. 3 At Met Gala

RiRi's baby bump was on full display as she arrived to the Met Gala

It’s baby number three for power couple Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, who pulled up to the Met Gala Monday with news about the new addition to the family.

In celebration of the 2025 Met Gala theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” Rihanna posed for photos in a pinstripe ensemble which styled what sources confirmed to TMZ, was a baby bump. Donning his own brand AGWE, A$AP Rocky, who is a co-chair of the gala this year, chatted with reporters about his partner’s look for the evening. Unsure of what the Fenty Beauty founder was going to pull up to the gala in, the rapper was clear on this — she was coming in whatever doesn’t “cover her baby hump.”

“It feels amazing, you know,” the proud father told reporters, according to the Associated Press. “It’s time that we show the people what we was cooking up. And I’m glad everybody’s happy for us ’cause we definitely happy, you know.”

Speculation surrounding the couple’s new baby surfaced after she stepped out in an all-gray fit, earlier in Manhattan on Monday. People noted that Rihanna’s separate arrival to this year’s Met Gala was almost an hour after the carpet ended. However, reporters were on full alert as the singer pulled up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and stunned in her black and gray corset look.

https://twitter.com/FentyHeadlines/status/1919573950675247427

“Honestly, it’s a blessing nonetheless,” Rocky told the AP. “Because you know how like some people in other situations at times can be envious of other people. But we’ve been seeing love for the most part. And we real receptive to that and appreciate that, you know what I mean? That’s love.”

Debuting a new baby during major events is a familiar habit of the Hollywood couple, who previously announced their last pregnancy with son Riot during Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance. Their first child, RZA, was born in May 2022.

Carmelo Anthony, soccer trial, Puerto Rico, invstment

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2025

NBA Hall Of Famer Carmelo Anthony Tapped As NBC Sports Studio Analyst

'I’m thrilled to join the NBC Sports family. I’ve always used my platform to help grow the game, and I’m excited to bring fans a fresh perspective as we usher in a new era of NBA coverage and programming.'

NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony will be joining NBC Sports as an analyst when the network starts airing NBA games this fall.

The network announced the news during its coverage of the Kentucky Derby over the weekend.

“NBA Top 75 All-Time Player, Class of 2025 Naismith Hall of Famer, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and now NBC Sports Analyst. Welcome to the team, Carmelo Anthony!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NBA on NBC and Peacock (@nbaonnbc)

In August 2024, the NBA renewed its partnership with The Walt Disney Company and signed new contracts with NBCUniversal and Amazon. The airing of games will begin in October when the 2025-26 season gets underway. NBC Sports originally announced Anthony’s hiring in February.

“Watching the NBA on NBC growing up shaped my love for the game,” said Anthony in a written statement. “Now, I’m thrilled to join the NBC Sports family. I’ve always used my platform to help grow the game, and I’m excited to bring fans a fresh perspective as we usher in a new era of NBA coverage and programming.”

Melo is slated to be in the studio one or more nights per week through the playoffs.

The former NBA player was one of the most respected players in the league during his career. He suited up for the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets, including stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets, and the Portland Trail Blazers, before ending his storied career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

During his only season playing in college, he led Syracuse University to its first and only NCAA men’s basketball tournament championship. After winning the championship, the talented player was drafted at No. 3 in the first round by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft.

After retiring, Melo hit the road running with his entrepreneurial pursuits. In April, he revealed that his cannabis brand, STAYME7O, and agency, Grand National, have launched in New York.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 6, 2025

From Service To The Stage: Howard Graduate Talks Leaving Navy To Study Acting At HBCU

Rebecca Celestin explained why she left the Navy to pursue her love of acting, particularly at Howard University.

This soon-to-be Howard University graduate has had an unusual journey to her acting career. Hailing from the Navy, Rebecca Celestin’s decision to pursue acting resulted in her attendance at the HBCU.

Celestin always had a knack for the arts, before deciding to enter the military. She began her studies in film school at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The Miami native then joined the Navy, completing an eight-and-a-half-year stint in the military. She was about to extend her contract, but her passions had other plans.

“I served in the Navy for eight and a half years, and while I was in the Navy, leading up to my second contract, I knew that that was going to be my last contract because I was like, ‘I don’t feel fulfilled.’ Almost like I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to. What I was meant to,” she told The Dig, Howard’s school publication.

She had previously shied away from acting, despite having an affinity for the craft. She doubted a future career in it, primarily due to her appearance and potential disapproval by her Christian Haitian parents. Despite these fears, the dream still stayed with her, forcing Celestin to make a move for her own fulfillment. She chose Howard because of its renaming of its college of fine arts to honor the alum who not only impacted the school but also the world of movies.

“I chose Howard because of Chadwick A. Boseman,” explained Celestin. “The way he lived his life, to know that he was going through what he was going through and still was fulfilling what he believed was his purpose. He still did what he felt God wanted him to do, and wanted him to leave on this earth, and I thought that was just a powerful, beautiful thing.”

She added, “I’m like, ‘I want to be that; I wanna do with what they’ve done, and I want to make the impact they’ve made in the industry.’”

While her time in the Navy did not last forever, her military experience developed the discipline to pursue a career with long, fluctuating hours. Moreover, her age has offered the emotional wisdom required to perform certain scenes.

“Since I’m pursuing this at an older age, I have so much that I can grab from to say, ‘I’ve dealt with this, I felt this; I know what this is,’ so I can bring it to the work that I do on stage or on film,” explained Celestin.

Since attending Howard, she has learned the “foundation of acting” alongside other courses, from playwriting to dance and singing. She believes learning all these facets of performance will shape one into a “triple threat” in the industry.

Celestin, whose stage name is Rebecca Celeste, has earned applause from her peers and professors. She has earned multiple roles in several school performances, winning the 52nd Owen Dodson Award for Best Supporting Actress for her comedic role in The House That Will Not Stand.

Now, she has a new love for Shakespeare that matches her new degree. The upcoming HBCU graduate hopes to embark on this next career phase.

“You don’t need a lot of time on this planet…You don’t need a lot of time in your industry, in your field to make a positive impact on the world, on the people next to you. You don’t even have to think so grand as far as the world. Sometimes it’s just your community, your inner circle that you can inspire.”