Tap Into These Black Men’s Grooming Products For the Holidays
by Ahsan Washington

December 4, 2025

Tap Into These Black Men’s Grooming Products For the Holidays

Black men's grooming industry exists at the crossroads of cultural care and intention.

The experience of holiday shopping changes completely when you shop with care and cultural awareness and intentionality. The Black men’s grooming industry exists at the crossroads of cultural care and intention because it has historically lacked representation. However, Black founders have driven innovative developments. 

This guide features grooming brands that develop products that truly cater to textured hair and melanin-rich skin and the daily routines that build Black men’s confidence. Supporting Black-owned grooming brands represents a year-round commitment to wellness, dignity, and community development.

Bevel

Tristan Walker established Bevel as a high-end grooming brand specifically designed for men of color. The brand delivers specialized shaving systems together with haircare and skincare products plus beard and body care items which target typical problems of coarse and curly hair. Through its online platform and expanded retail presence Bevel delivers specialized grooming solutions to customers. Recipients of Bevel gift cards can create personalized grooming systems which work perfectly to enhance their shaving and beard maintenance and skin care practices.

Scotch Porter

Scotch Porter is a grooming brand for men of color that was started in 2015 by barber-entrepreneur Calvin Quallis. It’s products are specifically designed for textured hair and skin to maintain healthy beards and soften hair while reducing dryness and irritation. Scotch Porter offers beard kits and cologne + body-care bundles as complete holiday gift sets through their website and multiple retail locations.

Golden Grooming Co.

Golden Grooming Co. provides a grooming product line specifically designed for men of color that includes beard care products along with hair, skin, and body care items. The product range includes beard oils, balms, shampoos, body washes, and bundles that deliver nourishment and hydration to textured hair and melanin-rich skin. The “bundle” packages from Golden Grooming Co. serve as thoughtful complete grooming gifts that help people establish their grooming routines.

Solo Noir

Andrea Polk, an entrepreneur and licensed aesthetician, founded Solo Noir to provide a clean beauty grooming line that includes multitask skincare along with beard care and shaving essentials. The product line aims to reduce grooming routines while solving typical skin issues for men of color including dryness and ingrown hairs and uneven skin tones through natural carefully developed products which exclude harsh chemicals. Customers can purchase Solo Noir products through its website in addition to their grooming kits and skincare and beard-care products. Solo Noir makes perfect gifts for people who want minimalistic grooming routines or straightforward effective systems to start their grooming journey.

Aaron Wallace

The grooming brand Aaron Wallace presents “The Grooming Trifecta” a special bundle for Black men. The three-step grooming set contains a cleanser together with facial moisturizer and beard and hair oil to simplify beard and skin and hair care. The products deliver hydration and detoxification and nourishment to textured hair and melanin-rich skin while protecting against dryness, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs. The Trifecta bundle is an affordable and practical gift choice for people who want to establish a basic daily grooming routine. 

Levi Fisher

This men’s grooming brand under Oyin Handmade provides beard and hair care products. The product lineup features a black-soap and honey-based cleanser alongside a hydrating leave-in “Go Tea” spray, featuring tea tree oil and softening beard butter and serum. Levi Fisher delivers natural ingredient-based products without harsh chemicals at affordable prices which makes it perfect for people who want mild grooming solutions at reasonable costs. Products can be purchased through its online store. 

Go Nutz

Go Nutz markets its personal-care grooming brand through a “360°” trimmer system which extends body grooming capabilities beyond traditional hair and beard care. Men who practice full-body grooming can find practical and distinctive grooming upgrades through Go Nutz devices which make excellent holiday presents.

Frederick Benjamin Grooming

Michael James established Frederick Benjamin Grooming after spending 10 years in the beauty-care industry to enhance grooming services for men of color. The brand provides complete grooming solutions through scalp treatment and hair/styling products, shaving essentials, and beard care products that address coarse hair and dry scalp and razor irritation and ingrown hairs. It’s all about delivering clean ingredient products with specific solutions for men of color. Originating from a barbershop-based concept, Frederick Benjamin sells its products through online platforms and plans to extend its retail presence.

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BET, SCOTT MILLS, LOUIS CARR,
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 4, 2025

BET’s Scott Mills’ Era Comes To A Close As Louis Carr Becomes New President

Paramount has named Louis Carr as BET’s new President, following Scott Mills’ announcement that he is stepping down after 23 years at the helm.

Paramount has selected Louis Carr to lead BET as its new president, replacing Scott Mills, who has been at the helm for 23 years, the company announced in a press release.

Announced on Dec. 3, the same day Mills confirmed his departure, the appointment caps Carr’s 39-year tenure at BET. Throughout his career, he helped transform multicultural advertising by bridging the network with global corporations, ultimately positioning BET as the leading platform for Black audiences worldwide.

“BET and its commitment to Black and Brown communities has been my life’s work. It’s a privilege to lead the brand to the next level of excellence and impact,” Carr said in a statement.

A powerhouse behind the scenes for decades, Carr has generated billions in ad sales for BET. He has spearheaded major partnerships with companies like Procter & Gamble, Walmart, Unilever, McDonald’s, Meta, and Toyota, directing their investments toward diverse communities. His expertise across linear, digital, and social media helped establish BET’s industry-leading database of insights on Black consumers.

Carr’s data-first philosophy has guided content, campaigns, and strategy for brands pursuing both results and cultural resonance. He’ll now build on his long-standing leadership at BET in his new role as president, reporting directly to George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media at Paramount.

“Louis’ leadership has been integral to BET’s success for nearly four decades,” said Cheeks. “His vision for the future will drive innovation, deepen BET’s cultural impact, and position the brand for continued growth.”

Mills, who served as the president and CEO of BET Media Group, overseeing the BET cable network, BET+, and BET Studios, issued a lengthy statement announcing his departure and highlighting the network’s major milestones under his leadership.

“After 23 years at BET, I’ve made the difficult decision to step down as president and CEO. Leading this extraordinary brand and serving the Black community alongside all of you has been an incredible honor and privilege,” Mills said. “Your talent, passion, and unwavering commitment to BET’s mission have driven all that we’ve accomplished as a team. As I reflect on our journey, I’m deeply proud of what we’ve built.”

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Quinta Brunson, Temple University
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 4, 2025

Quinta Brunson Launches Fund To Provide Free School Trips For Philly Students

Quinta Brunson has launched a new fund to provide free school trips for students from underserved communities in Philadelphia.

Quinta Brunson is deepening her connection to her hometown of Philadelphia by supporting future school field trips for students.

On Dec. 2, Giving Tuesday, Abbott Elementary star and creator Quinta Brunson launched The Quinta Brunson Field Trip Fund in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, the Philly Tribune reported. The initiative aims to raise money to provide free school trips, giving students from underserved communities greater access to educational experiences outside the classroom.

Brunson, celebrated for her breakout comedy series highlighting Philadelphia’s public schools, shared her excitement about launching the fund, recalling that school trips were some of her most memorable learning experiences as a child.

“They opened my world, sparked my creativity, and helped me imagine a future beyond what I saw every day,” Brunson said. “Going somewhere new shows you that the world is bigger and more exciting than you believe, and it can shape what you come to see as achievable.”

The fund builds on Brunson’s ongoing support for her hometown, including a $25,000 donation to the School District of Philadelphia’s Groceries for Good program for students facing food insecurity. In return, the city honored the Emmy-winning actress with a key to the city and a personalized mural at her former elementary school, Andrew Hamilton School in West Philadelphia. Brunson credits the school and a retired teacher there for inspiring her Emmy-winning series.

“I’m proud to support Philadelphia students with experiences that remind them their dreams are valid and their futures are bright,” she added in her statement.

The fund seeks to cover the costs of field trips for over 117,000 students in Philadelphia’s public schools, with an emphasis on visits to the city’s museums and landmarks. It aligns with research showing that students who participate in school trips achieve higher academic outcomes and greater long-term success. One study found that these students earned better grades, had higher high school (95%) and college (63%) graduation rates, and made 12% more annually as adults — benefits tied to increased engagement, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning.

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at&t, cellular network
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 4, 2025

AT&T Ends DEI Programs While Seeking Trump’s Approval For Wireless Spectrum Deal

AT&T ends its DEI programs while seeking FCC approval from Trump-appointed Brendan Carr for a wireless spectrum deal.

U.S. wireless carrier AT&T has pledged to drop its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as it seeks the Trump administration’s approval to acquire wireless spectrum assets.

In a Dec. 2 letter to Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, the Dallas-based telecom giant said the legal environment around DEI programs has shifted, The New York Post reported. The company, which employs more than 110,000 people in the U.S., emphasized its longstanding policy of advancing and compensating workers based on merit, noting that it will no longer implement hiring or supplier quotas tied to race, gender, or sexual orientation.

“We have … adjusted our employment and business practices to ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and related requirements, including ending DEI-related policies … not just in name but in substance,” David McAtee, senior executive vice president and general counsel at AT&T, wrote in the letter.

The pledge follows AT&T’s November 2024 agreement to buy wireless spectrum licenses from U.S. Cellular for $1.02 billion, a deal that still needs FCC approval. Under the Trump administration, the FCC has required telecom companies to drop DEI programs to move transactions forward.

T-Mobile and Verizon have already scrapped their DEI initiatives while pursuing major deals, including T-Mobile’s $4.4 billion purchase of most of U.S. Cellular’s operations and its joint venture with KKR to acquire Metronet. Verizon also ended its DEI program before the FCC approved its $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications.

In February, Carr also launched a probe into Comcast’s DEI efforts.

Carr said AT&T’s letter reaffirmed its earlier pledge to eliminate DEI-related policies, following conservative backlash over a former employee training program that reportedly described racism as a “uniquely white trait.” Employees were urged to review materials related to critical race theory, including one resource that claimed, “White America, if you want to know who’s responsible for racism, look in the mirror,” according to City Journal’s Christopher Rufo.

Following the announcement, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump criticized AT&T on social media, calling it the latest example of how Trump’s crackdown on DEI has turned diversity initiatives into a “bargaining chip” for companies.

Despite ending DEI programs, AT&T will maintain its employee groups, some of which have existed for over 50 years, McAtee confirms. These networks — such as women’s or Black employee groups — focus on protected characteristics, but staff can join freely without regard to demographics. The company also announced that it will stop participating in surveys that focus on protected characteristics.

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Shilo Sanders, NIL, lawsuit
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 4, 2025

Shilo Sanders’ Legal Team Fires Back at Bank Transfer Allegations Following Bankruptcy Proceedings

States that he is "entitled" to profits that he earned after his initial filing of bankruptcy

After being accused by a bankruptcy trustee of making unauthorized bank transfers totaling approximately $250,000, former Colorado Buffaloes player Shilo Sanders’ attorney responded by stating that he is “entitled” to profits that he earned after his initial filing of bankruptcy.

According to USA Today Sports, attorney Keri Riley has requested that the bankruptcy court dismiss the trustee’s complaint against Sanders. In a court filing on Oct. 22, the Trustee, David Wadsworth, accused the football player of skirting bankruptcy laws by allegedly transferring funds between accounts. He is asking that the money be returned to the original account.

“All of the funds paid into, and subsequently out of Big 21 post-petition were post-petition earnings of the Debtor,” Shilo Sanders’ attorney stated in a recent court filing obtained by the media outlet. “The Trustee acknowledges in the Complaint that the Debtor was earning money from NIL Deals both pre- and post-petition. As alleged in the Complaint, the NIL Deals were and remain the Debtor’s primary source of income… While the estate is entitled to ‘proceeds’ or ‘profits’ from the assets of the estate, the law expressly excludes ‘earnings from services performed by an individual debtor after the commencement of the case.’”

In October 2023, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy after being sued by a high school security guard over an incident from 2015. The guard, John Darjean, alleged that Sanders assaulted him at the school, causing him injuries. Sanders was a no-show for the trial, and Darjean was awarded a default judgment of $11.89 million. Sanders has yet to pay Darjean.

Sanders has also been sued by his former law firm over work done in the lawsuit brought by Darjean and in the bankruptcy case. 

According to USA Today, Barnes & Thornburg LLP filed legal papers against Sanders on Nov. 17, alleging the firm is owed nearly $165,000 for services rendered. 

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halle berry
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 4, 2025

Halle Berry Says Gov. Gavin Newsom ‘Should Not Be Our Next President’

Halle Berry says California Gov. Gavin Newsom “should not be our next president,” citing his veto of a menopause‑care bill.

Halle Berry is publicly blasting Gavin Newsom’s plans for a 2028 presidential run, saying the California governor “should not be our next president.”

The Academy Award-winning actress stunned the audience at the Dealbook Summit on Dec. 3 by criticizing Newsom during a speech on how women are treated in Hollywood and corporate America, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Catwoman star highlighted Newsom’s veto of a menopause bill she had advocated for nationwide, which aimed to support research and education on women’s health.

“At this stage in my life, I have zero f–ks left to give,” Berry said, before drawing gasps from the crowd for her thoughts on Newsom.

“Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one, but two years in a row,” she added. “But that’s OK, because he’s not going to be governor forever, and the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying.”

Berry spoke on how women are often “devalued” as they age and feel pressured to maintain a more youthful appearance.

“Our culture thinks that at 59 years old, I am past my prime, and that women my age start to become invisible in Hollywood, in the workplace, on social media,” she said. “Women are pressured to stay forever 35. We’re complimented if we seem to be aging backwards or defying gravity, as if that’s even possible, and if we somehow manage to look younger than our years, it’s suggested that’s the gold standard that our worth should be measured by.”

Her remarks about Newsom came ahead of his scheduled appearance at the Dealbook Summit. The bill Berry referenced, AB 432, introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, aimed to improve and expand menopause care by requiring health insurers to provide guidance on menopause-related treatments and mandating training for healthcare providers. However, Newsom vetoed the bill for a second time in October—the same month he announced he is considering a 2028 presidential run, contingent on the 2026 midterm election results.

“Fate will determine that,” he said at the time.

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Pete Hegseth
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 4, 2025

Pete Hegseth Allegedly Pushed U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey Out Over Concerns Of Controversial Boat Bombings

Holsey announced his retirement in October 2025, saying after 37 years of defending the Constitution, it has been “an honor to serve our nation.”

A troubling report revealed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth may have forced top U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey into retirement just one year into his tenure after expressing concern over the legality of the lethal strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, The Independent reports. 

The report from The Wall Street Journal alleges Hegseth and Holsey, who oversees military operations in the Caribbean, had been at odds since the Trump administration started bombing the alleged drug boats during the summer of 2025. Holsey allegedly was concerned about the legal measures of the Caribbean operation and pushed back against parts of the mission that “fell outside of his direct control.” Hegseth reportedly grew frustrated with the admiral not moving fast enough to tackle the alleged drug traffickers. 

Citing two Pentagon officials and former officials, the Secretary warned Holsey that when orders are made, he has no choice but to follow them. “You’re either on the team, or you’re not,” Hegseth allegedly said during a meeting held this year.  

“When you get an order, you move out fast and don’t ask questions.”

Shortly after, Holsey announced his official retirement in October 2025, CNN reported. In a post on X, Holsey said Dec. 12 is his official retirement date after 37 years of defending the Constitution, calling it “an honor to serve our nation.” “Serving as your commander and deputy for the past 34 months has been a tremendous honor,” Holsey wrote. 

“The SOUTHCOM team has made lasting contributions to the defense of our nation and will continue to do so. I am confident that you will forge ahead, focused on your mission that strengthens our nation and ensures its longevity as a beacon of freedom around the globe.”

Hegseth followed up with his own bouts of gratitude for Holsey’s service. “On behalf of the Department of War, we extend our deepest gratitude to Admiral Alvin Holsey for his more than 37 years of distinguished service to our nation as he plans to retire at year’s end,” Hegseth said in a X post.

As reports of tension behind the sudden retirement emerged, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell pushed back, calling the narrative “fake news.”

“This is a total lie. Never happened. There was no hesitation or concerns about this mission,” he said in a post. 

However, while Hegseth is being accused of “war crimes” for allegedly greenlighting the deadly strikes, killing over 80 people, and intensifying tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, lawmakers and former officials are questioning the timing. Former Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Todd Robinson called the move “shocking.” “Having [Holsey] leave at this particular moment, at the height of what the Pentagon considers to be the central action in our hemisphere, is just shocking,” Robinson said. 

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, shared similar sentiments. “Never before in my over 20 years on the committee can I recall seeing a combatant commander leave their post this early and amid such turmoil,” the congressman said. 

Hegseth’s controversial moves have prompted bipartisan lawmakers to launch investigations into the follow-up strike and the entire operation.

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NAACP, N.C. Republicans, Redistricting
by Kandiss Edwards

December 4, 2025

Carmalitha Gumbs First Woman Ever Elected As South Fulton, GA, Mayor

Mayor-elect Gumbs pledged renewed transparency, community-based policing and economic development.

On Dec. 2, Carmalitha Gumbs, a longtime city council member, became the first woman to be elected mayor of South Fulton.

Mayor-elect Gumbs pledged renewed transparency, community-based policing, and economic development tailored to the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Gumbs, who will take office in January, said she sensed a shift the moment she walked into City Hall after her historic win, CBS News reported.

“This was not on my bingo card,” she said. “But the fact that we made history is overwhelming and exciting.” 

Her campaign emphasized restoring public trust in a city that incorporated as recently as 2017 and has already seen three mayors in eight years. Gumbs made clear her top priority is to make government more open. 

“We have to over-communicate. People shouldn’t feel blindsided or left in the dark,” she said. 

On public safety, she plans to boost community policing, add mentorship for younger officers, and explore competitive pay adjustments.

“We have a very young police force,” Gumbs said, adding it needs stronger guidance to rebuild relationships with residents. 

Gumbs also laid out an economic vision that recognizes each district’s unique identity, from rural-style communities to entertainment hubs, with tailored strategies to attract business without sacrificing neighborhood character.

“We have to stop acting like two cities. We’re one city, and we have to promote our strengths,” she said. 

To foster collaboration, Gumbs plans to host individual meetings with all city council members to coordinate goals and chart a path forward for her first 100 days in office. 

Gumbs replaces incumbent Khalid Kamau, whose tenure as mayor was marked by no shortage of scandals, including multiple inquiries into misappropriated funds and unsanctioned travel.

Her election signals a turning point for the young city, one built with hope but marred by political instability. Gumbs said she is committed to healing division: “Even if you didn’t vote for me, I still represent you,” she told CBS News. 

As South Fulton awaits its new mayor’s swearing-in, residents have high hopes that Gumbs turns campaign promises into action.

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Terence Crawford, Canelo Alvarez, bellts,
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 4, 2025

Terence Crawford ‘Ain’t Paying’ WBC ‘Sh-t’ After Title Is Stripped For Non-Payment Of Sanctioning Fees

Crawford responds, 'What makes you better than any of the other sanctioning bodies? What makes you better than the WBO, the IBF, or the WBA?'

Undefeated boxer Terence Crawford had his World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight title stripped for failing to pay the sanctioning fees to the boxing organization.

The organization announced that the champion is no longer the super middleweight titleholder. The other titles he owns, the WBO, IBF, and WBA, are not affected by this decision. WBC stated that Crawford, almost three months after beating Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed champion on Sept. 13, has still not paid the sanctioning fee of approximately $300,000. They noted that the cost is typically 3% of the fighter’s purse, but they chose to charge only 0.6% since he allegedly made $50 million from the bout.

WBC stated that 75% of the sanctioning fee would go to the José Sulaimán Boxers Fund, which the Nevada Community Foundation administers. The mission of the fund is to assist fighters worldwide who need humanitarian assistance.

They also put Crawford on blast, claiming he has failed to “comply with express mandates of the WBC Rules & Regulations.” He allegedly has not paid the Boxer’s Bout Fees for his last two fights against Israil Madrimov and Saúl Álvarez. After sending multiple communications to the boxer, his manager, and attorney, they say that they received no response from any of them, not even acknowledging the communication effort.

So, due to the non-payments and the lack of responses, the organization “had no choice but to act, considering Champion Crawford had received ample notification and multiple opportunities to address and resolve the situation.”

The boxer did respond in a profanity-laced social media video post. Apparently, his failure to pay is not because he doesn’t have the money, as evidenced by his $50 million purse, but because he felt the organization had the audacity to demand more than the other sanctioning bodies. During the video, he called out the WBC president, Mauricio Sulaiman.

“I ain’t paying yo ass s**t!” he said in the video.

“What makes you better than any of the other sanctioning bodies? What makes you better than the WBO, the IBF, or the WBA? Everybody accepted what I was giving them, but you. You, the WBC, think that you’re better than everybody.”

WARNING: Adult language

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Disability Lawsuit, Senior Living Facility
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 4, 2025

HUH? HHS Adds New Remote Work Conditions For Disabled Employees, Leaving Folks Confused As Hell

Federal agencies are required to give reasonable accommodations (RA) such as providing interpreters and accessible technology to disabled workers unless the accommodations would result in “undue hardship.”

New conditions for disabled Health and Human Services Department (HHS) employees to have their remote work requests approved are leaving them confused, Government Executive reported. 

A policy document that allegedly hasn’t been shared with the workforce in its entirety states that all requests for remote work, telework, or reassignment must now be approved by an official at the assistant secretary level or above. In the past, approvals had to be signed by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Chief Human Capital Officer, Thomas J. Nagy Jr. In addition, the new policy bans granting telework as a temporary accommodation without approval from an official at the same level. 

Federal agencies are required to provide reasonable accommodations (RA), such as interpreters and accessible technology, to disabled workers, unless the accommodations would result in “undue hardship.” 

The move resulted in major outcry from unions and disability advocates. Eric Pines of Pines Federal Employment Attorneys feels the new requirements will deter employees from applying for an RA. “If you are going to put the deciding level so high as the assistant secretary… you’re going to make it much, much harder, on a practical level, for reasonable accommodation requests to be handled in a timely manner,” he said. 

According to Stat News, there are more than 3,000 pending RA requests in the system, including those from disabled employees who rely on them to function properly at work. The uncertainty has left some employees confused and panicking about job security. 

HHS claims it needs roughly six to eight months to clear the current RA backlog at the CDC alone. 

Pines says the action could open the doors for an abundance of discrimination lawsuits. “That would not be good for the agency because they’re going to have a lot of discrimination cases against them in the [equal employment opportunity] arena, and it’s not good for the employee because they are basically going to have to jump through many, many more hoops to get the accommodation that they either had in the past and was effective or they believe would be effective in the future,” he said. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a HHS agency, faced major backlash after requiring its employees to return to the office full-time amid a mandate from the Office of Personnel Management. However, the January 2025 mandate listed an exception for those “excused due to a disability, qualifying medical condition, or other compelling reason certified by the agency head and the employee’s supervisor.”

Officials from the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883, which represents CDC employees, condemned the new requirements, placing some of the blame on the political climate. “We are looking at an agency that’s supposed to be at the forefront of public health, putting the health and safety of its workers with disabilities at risk,” local President Yolanda Jacobs said in a statement. 

“Under this new policy, it seems like political appointees are practicing medicine without a license instead of allowing workers’ medical doctors to make the best recommendations for their patients.”

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