Teyana Taylor attends The 2023 Met Gala celebrating Karl Lagerfeld at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2023 in New York City. (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Multihyphenate Teyana Taylor Dives Back Into Chef Dreams With Culinary School
The multitalented singer shared her emotional connection to cooking.
Teyana Taylor is a talent in many capacities, from singing to acting and creative direction. Now, the multihypenate will embark on her latest quest—culinary school.
The “Gonna Love Me” singer shared how she began a culinary program in July. She posted about her first day in cooking class with her nine-year-old daughter, Junie, whom she shares with ex-husband, Iman Shumpert.
“Went into my first day of Culinary school with a banggggggg … A dream I’ve carried in my heart for so long is finally becoming a reality and I’m feeling every bit of it,” wrote the actress.
The mother of two talked about how cooking has become a therapeutic outlet for her and her busy life.
“Cooking and baking have always been more than just hobbies for me; they’ve been my passion, my peace, my therapy,” continued Taylor. “Through every twist and turn in my life and career, the kitchen has been a safe space. So it was always a goal of mine to get my degree in Culinary Arts & Pastry Arts, but I never got around to it due to my crazy work schedule, mommy life and simply life.”
The soon-to-be chef and pastry maker dived deeper into her emotional connection to cooking. She noted how this experience will grant her the opportunity to “show up” for herself as she often pours into others. After putting her newly revived music career on pause, Taylor became a creative director for many of her fellow R&B artists.
Now, the singer has reconnected with her childhood hobby to her greatest delight.
“Honestly, finding my way back and going to school at this time is important because it’s the time [when] I get to show up for me. No matter how hectic life gets, I find comfort in the rhythm of it all—the chopping, the stirring, the creating.”
Taylor will be adding to an already busy year ahead. The singer recently released her new single “Bed Of Roses,” with an accompanying music video featuring her new beau, actor Aaron Pierre.
She will release a full LP, Escape Room, later this year. As for her acting resume, she will co-star alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another.
Taylor Rooks Launches Foundation to Uplift Underrepresented Voices and Help ‘Rewrite Someone’s Story’
Taylor Rooks is paying it forward through her new foundation.
Emmy-winning sports journalist Taylor Rooks is expanding her impact beyond the media world with the launch of a foundation named in her honor.
On July 11, Rooks announced the Taylor Rooks Foundation (TRF), dedicated to supporting underrepresented communities through funding, community engagement, and providing meaningful opportunities, according to Sports Illustrated. Backed by the Players Philanthropy Fund Inc., the foundation finds ways to amplify underrepresented voices by addressing often-overlooked needs through purpose-driven action.
“I believe that equity starts with access-access to care, to confidence, to opportunity,” Rooks said in a statement. “My work is rooted in trust, community, and the radical idea that a single act of support can rewrite someone’s story.”
Ahead of its unveiling, TRF kicked off its good deeds last month by making a donation to the Lower East Side Girls Club, where Rooks spent time connecting with the girls through games of jump rope and hula hoop.
“Funding from the Taylor Rooks Foundation supports the Lower East Side Girls Club’s free innovative programming and vital services offered to female-identified and gender-expansive youth, their families, and the broader Lower East Side community in NYC,” a LES Girls Club representative said in a statement. “The Foundation’s generous contribution helps further our mission of creating joy, power, and possibility at a critical moment when the need is more urgent than ever.”
Next, the foundation is turning its focus to supporting educators by donating to Teachers’ Supplies for Success, which helps provide essential classroom supplies and equipment. The initiative addresses a critical need, as many American teachers face financial strain trying to stock their classrooms, often spending between $500 and $750 out of pocket each year, with some investing even more.
“The mission behind TRF means a lot to me, and the steps ahead are just as important as our first,” Rooks wrote on Instagram.
ATL Fans Fed Up With ‘Dukes And Boots’ Festival, Attendees Calling Trail Ride A ‘Scam’
The festival did not match many expectations of a Black trail ride.
Atlanta did not show out at the “Dukes and Boots” festival, where frown lines seemed more popular than line dancing.
What was supposed to be a day of Black country excellence reportedly turned out to be sweaty and unorganized. While many traveled to the Atlanta event to put their boots on the ground, some left feeling discontent. The Neighborhood Talk re-shared footage of audiences not enjoying the trail ride. A “trail ride” is a Black southern celebration that typically features horseback riding, line dancing, and live music..
Audience members did appear to appreciate Pleasure P and Lloyd taking the main stage at the event, which took place at EchoPark Speedway in Metro Atlanta. Other attendees called the entire festival a “scam” for the organizers’ apparent treatment of ticketholders.
One TikToker explained several issues getting into the event. The social media user noted how there was not ample shade to protect attendees from the heat. She also explained that parking felt too far from where the festival took place.
Furthermore, the TikToker felt that the expectations of a trail ride experience did not match the reality.
“Once you get they literally had nothing. Nothing fun…just tacos and vibes,” shared the content creator. “…I did not see not one man on a horse which really made me mad because I thought I was about to find the cowboy of my dreams.”
Those who were a part of the event’s services also expressed their disappointment. A vendor for Dukes and Boots posted a video sharing how they were placed away from the actual festival and potential customers.
The festival’s location was partly to blame, as the race track allowed heat to permeate through the festival. Fans also noted that they were not allowed to bring blankets or outside food to make the party their own, which is also customary for a traditional trail ride.
The experience was intended to celebrate Black southern culture, particularly as cultural phenomena like the “Boot on the Ground” dance and Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album have made Black country music mainstream. However, Atlanta fans felt that the “Dukes and Boots” festival missed the mark.
Car Thieves Break Into Beyoncé Team Vehicle, Jacks Singer’s Unreleased Music
The incident now has some sensitive information regarding the singer at risk.
Local thieves reportedly broke into a vehicle belonging to Beyoncé’s dance team while the singer performed in Atlanta.
The thieves left with a bunch of the Beyoncé’s confidential property, including hard drives that held unreleased music. According to 11Alive, the incident happened two days before the singer kicked off her four-day stint in Atlanta for her Cowboy Carter tour.
The break-in occurred July 8 as the vehicle’s drivers, a choreographer and dancer for the R&B superstar, parked at a local food hall. The team members left their Jeep Wagoneer at approximately 8 p.m. that evening, keeping it in the parking deck for about an hour.
However, the two returned to find the SUV’s back window busted open with two suitcases missing. The suitcases reportedly held the hard drives filled with the singer’s plans, including the music watermarked with “Beyoncé.” The suitcases even included past and future set lists as well as footage plans for the tour. It also held the victims’ personal items such as two laptops and designer sunglasses.
The police report detailed that the thieves took off with “personal sensitive information” regarding the Grammy winner. While the theft happened right before the singer took the stage at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz stadium, Beyoncé remained expectedly mum on the unfortunate incident.
Atlanta police have already issued an arrest warrant, but have yet to take the undisclosed perpetrator into custody. Their identity has also been kept under wraps. However, Atlanta police have reminded drivers to stay aware and prevent car theft through their “Clean Car Campaign.”
“We know quick stops can turn into costly mistakes. It only takes seconds for a thief to spot valuables and break in,” said the APD in a news release. “Take your bags, phone, and anything important with you every time you leave your car. Don’t give criminals an easy win.”
Despite the setback, Beyoncé kept the rodeo rolling as she completed all four shows at the stadium through July 14. Her husband and frequent collaborator, Jay-Z, also made a special cameo on stage for the final two nights.
10 Black Nonprofits To Support On Social Media Giving Day
Social Media Giving Day clears a path, making it more accessible to support. Here are 10 Black-led nonprofits to donate to.
Millions of us scroll, like, and share on social media regularly as it has become a normal activity in our daily lives. However, there’s an opportunity to use all those hours we spend online to do something meaningful. July 15 is Social Media Giving Day.
This philanthropic day, which began in 2013, reminds us that our online interactions can serve a far greater purpose than mere entertainment consumption. We can use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok to shine a spotlight on important causes, get people excited, and even raise money for Black nonprofit organizations that really need it.
Many Black-led nonprofits operate with limited funding and resources to effect positive change within underserved communities that often lack essential services. These organizations address critical issues, including mental health, social, reproductive, and environmental justice; youth empowerment; and economic advancement.
Social Media Giving Day clears a path, making it more accessible to support. Here are 10 Black-led nonprofits to donate to.
Anderson Center for the Arts
Founded in 2018, the Anderson Center for the Arts serves as a multifaceted cultural hub in unincorporated East Harris County, near Houston. The organization is led by its Founder and Executive Director, Michelle L. The center offers an extensive array of arts and culture support programs through the work of Houston native Bonton, a seasoned educator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. This organization provides artist studio residencies with financial support, offering free arts education, camps, and rental spaces for performances and events, while also backing community-focused art installations and public theater shows. The center delivers essential arts access to East Harris County’s underserved areas while boosting Black creatives, which drives community growth and development.
BroSis emerged in 1995, through the collaboration of Khary Lazarre-White and Jason Warwin, to support Harlem’s youth. BroSis operates with approximately 43 full-time staff members to deliver diverse programs, including after-school and summer leadership activities, rites of passage, and college and career wellness support. The organization has initiated environmental projects, such as the Frank White Memorial Garden, and community organizing initiatives, in addition to providing training for educators and youth workers. Through their dedication to empower youth as change agents, they have achieved measurable results.
Nebraska Black Women United began its journey in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2007, thanks to Carmen Tapio’s efforts, and she continues to serve as its president and advocate. The NBWU organizes numerous professional development activities, including “Financing Your Future,” along with mentorship opportunities and business resource-sharing programs to foster community building. Through the establishment of leadership pathways and economic opportunities, the organization aims to elevate the status of Black women in Nebraska.
Springboard to Opportunities
Established in 2013 by Dr. Aisha Nyandoro, Springboard to Opportunities is a resident-driven entity that provides financial services designed to help people overcome obstacles. The primary programs it operates encompass coaching, emergency cash assistance, tax preparation, and financial advocacy. The Magnolia Mother’s Trust program delivers $1,000 monthly support to Black mothers, and its six-year-old initiative has gained national recognition through accolades such as the TIME100 and Heinz Award. Springboard to Opportunities established a groundbreaking guaranteed income program for Black mothers, which led to their national acclaim.
The African American Leadership Forum (AALF) emerged in Minneapolis through the collaborative efforts of Gary Cunningham and his colleagues in 2006. Adair Mosley currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer. AALF provides a range of services, including policy advocacy, leadership training, grant-making, and community-building, across six systemic impact areas. The organization concentrates its efforts on funding and supporting Black-led initiatives across Minnesota.
The establishment of Inner-County Outreach (ICO) in Aberdeen, Maryland, occurred in 1986 through the efforts of Pastor Nathaniel Johnson, along with members of Aberdeen Bible Church. The organization continues to uphold its faith-based leadership while providing various services to support vulnerable families in Harford County. The range of services they provide encompasses affordable housing referrals, a food bank, tutoring programs, summer camps, counseling, and mental health support. ICO functions as a foundational support network for Black families within the region
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) emerged in 1992 through the efforts of Dr. Beverly Wright. The organization strives to combat pollution disparities throughout the Cancer Alley area while simultaneously developing future leadership talent. The DSCEJ presents an array of services, including community air and water monitoring, environmental health training, and GIS mapping, while also engaging in policy advocacy and providing student internships and EJ Communiversity education.
The Black United Fund of Illinois (BUFI), a Chicago-based entity, was established in 1985 through the efforts of Henry L., in partnership with Rep. Bobby Rush. Currently, Carolyn Day serves as the executive director. BUFI implements a range of programs that provide financial support to Black-led nonprofit organizations and assistance to local small enterprises. A Safe Passage student safety initiative operates alongside an entrepreneurial/business center in South Shore, while junior mentorship programs through Upward Bound are also offered. The extensive reach of BUFI is evident through its operation of over 450 local initiatives, which generate approximately $2.5 million in revenue.
Shanti Das established Silence the Shame around 2015 in Atlanta. As CEO, Das delivers mental health workshops, along with peer support groups and stigma awareness campaigns, including National Silence the Shame Day, through corporate partnerships and City of Atlanta seminars. The objective of their mission involves leading initiatives for mental health advocacy that respect cultural nuances within Black communities. Through their robust Instagram activity combined with city outreach initiatives, they demonstrate readiness for both social media interaction and community involvement.
Black Women for Wellness operates as a nonprofit entity based in Los Angeles and has spent nearly 30 years working to empower Black women through health equity initiatives. The organization, which was founded in 1997 through the efforts of local mothers and activists, continues to operate under executive leadership. Black Women for Wellness offers a range of services, including reproductive justice efforts, chronic disease prevention, and nutrition and fitness programs. The organization also provides sexual health education and engages in policy advocacy and community wellness initiatives, such as Sister in Motion.
Promoted But Panicking? Here’s How To Silence Imposter Syndrome
Doubting your crown doesn’t mean you didn’t earn it
Dear Fairygodmentor, I was recently promoted, but I can’t shake the feeling that I don’t belong in this role. How do I overcome impostor syndrome? – Doubting My Crown
Dear Doubting My Crown,
Congratulations on this new promotion! What a wonderful testament to the hard work, knowledge, skills, and abilities you’ve showcased to reach the next level in your career.
This is a time to celebrate and recalibrate. And of course, your Imposter Syndrome monster has come to rear its ugly head again. She doesn’t belong here; she’s not invited to this party!
Firstly, please take a pause for the cause and celebrate how far you’ve come. I want you to think back to your first day of work. Remember the butterflies you had about doing the job for which you were hired? Those butterflies are just a reminder that you care and want to do a great job. Can you recall the challenges that you struggled with surrounding learning the job? Remember navigating the personalities and departments you worked with and understanding how to rock that role?
I bet you had the same kind of self-doubt back in the day. Your mind was swimming with worries that you weren’t doing a great job when everyone else was giving you evidence to the contrary. All signs were pointing to “Yes” when you finally took off your training wheels of worry and started cruising the road to career success. I bet you even started teaching other new people how to do things you seem to do so easily.
This newest career milestone is no different than your first day. Yes, the stakes are higher because you were promoted. And now with this new role, you feel like 2Pac singing “All Eyez On Me.” You may feel like everyone has you under a microscope. And yes, folks are watching you.
Let me give you a little insider tip from being a hiring manager. We want you to be the one. The one who possesses all of the job’s requirements. The one whose past performance helps us predict future success. The one who was able to articulate their success and future wins for the business.
You most certainly belong in this new role. You are the one. They wouldn’t have promoted you if they didn’t think you were the best candidate for the job.
Now, your next assignment is to own your role. You are the one. It’s perfectly OK to walk into that office or your next teleconference with your head held high, crown straight, and marinate in the confidence that you are the one. The learning curve may be steep, but you’ve done it before and you’ll do it again. Give yourself the space and grace to learn and showcase the magic that you possess.
The next time your Imposter Syndrome Monster starts creeping back into your consciousness–– get those butterflies in formation, tell that monster to go away, because ain’t nobody got time for that today–you have important work to do because you earned it.
You got this!
Yours truly,
Your Fairygodmentor®
About Joyel Crawford:
(Photo: Kirsten White Photography)
Joyel Crawford is an award-winning career and leadership development professional and founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies, a consultancy that empowers results-driven leaders through coaching, training, and facilitation. She’s the best-selling author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career.
Have a question for Your Fairygodmentor®?
Submit your career and leadership questions, whether it’s about navigating a micromanager, setting boundaries, negotiating for a raise, or handling burnout. Ask Your Fairygodmentor® today!
Gervonta Davis Arrested On Domestic Violence Charges In Florida
Davis is facing a misdemeanor battery charge and is slated to return to court July 29
Domestic violence charges have been levied against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis after he was arrested on an alleged assault against a former girlfriend in Florida.
According to ESPN, the boxer was taken into custody July 11 in Miami Beach, stemming from an accusation of domestic violence, drawing a misdemeanor battery charge for the incident. He was transported there by the Doral Police Department. The 30-year-old was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a $10,000 bond but was released. He is slated to return to court July 29.
The arrest comes nearly a month after he allegedly assaulted the mother of two of his three children on Father’s Day outside of her home in Doral, according to an incident report by the Doral Police Department.
According to an incident report, Davis’ former girlfriend, who is also the mother of two of his children, told police officers that the two engaged in a verbal altercation over “personal matters and Gervonta having insecurities about the sexuality of their son.” On June 15, after the boxer arrived at her residence to pick up their children, the situation was elevated, and after he placed both children in his car, he allegedly punched her “on the rear of her head with a closed fist” and also slapped her in the face.
She retrieved the children, which angered Davis even more. She stated that he revved the engine of his car in a threatening manner, but she was able to extricate herself from the situation without further incident. She went to the local hospital for medical treatment.
The report also stated that there had been “approximately 10” undocumented physical altercations between the two of them.
Davis has had issues with the law previously that have included domestic violence. In December 2022, he was arrested after he allegedly hit a woman with a “closed-hand type slap.” The charges were later dropped.
It was reported earlier this year that Davis is slated to fight Aug. 16 in Las Vegas for a rematch with Lamont Roach. The last bout between the two ended in a majority draw in favor of Davis.
Supreme Court Green-Lights Trump’s Plan To Disrupt The Education Dept.
The ruling lifts a lower court’s ruling that had indefinitely paused action
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that President Donald Trump can proceed with his plan to gut the Department of Education and carry out mass layoffs. It’s another win for Trump, thanks to the conservative majority on the high court.
The ruling lifts a lower court’s ruling that had indefinitely paused Trump’s plan. The Supreme Court’s decision put that ruling on hold as legal challenges continue to play out.
Within two hours, the Education Department sent notices to employees indicating that it will resume shrinking the department immediately, CNN reported. Nearly 1,400 employees could be laid off.
“The Department appreciates your service and recognizes the difficulty of the moment,” read a notice sent to some employees. Some of the Education Department staff who received the notices are those who were laid off in April before a federal judge intervened. The lower court blocked his effort by highlighting that the Education Department was created by Congress and should only be dismantled by Congress.
The notice continued, “This RIF action is not a reflection upon your performance or conduct and is solely due to agency restructuring, as described in previous correspondence.”
The department told employees they would be let go on Aug. 1.
Liberal Judges Call Majority’s Decision ‘Indefensible’
The Supreme Court’s decision was split 6-3, with the three liberals on the court ruling against it. In a scathing dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s senior liberal member, wrote that he colleagues made an “indefensible” decision to let Trump proceed with taking part in an agency that should be dismantled only by Congress.
“The majority is either willfully blind to the implications of its ruling or naive, but either way, the threat to our Constitution’s separation of powers is grave,” Sotomayor wrote.
Trump praised the high court’s decision on Truth Social.
“The United States Supreme Court has handed a Major Victory to Parents and Students across the Country by declaring the Trump Administration may proceed on returning the functions of the Department of Education BACK TO THE STATES,” Trump said, thanking the Supreme Court for their decision. “Now, with this GREAT Supreme Court Decision, our Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, may begin this very important process.”
According to McMahon, the cuts will “promote efficiency and accountability” and return education to the states.
With No One Else To Blame For ‘Nonexistent’ Jeffrey Epstein List, Trump Points The Fingers At Obama
Once avid Trump supporter Candace Owens called the accusation against Obama “outright embarrassing.”
The now “nonexistent” Jeffrey Epstein files, which were once claimed to be on the desk of Attorney General Pam Bondi, seemingly have the MAGA clan in disarray, causing President Donald Trump to point the finger of blame at former President Barack Obama.
In a bizarre Truth Social post, Trump says the files, that once existed and now allegedly don’t, were created by “Obama, Crooked Hilary, and the losers and criminals of the Biden administration. Several MAGA loyalists have called for AG Bondi to resign after the Justice Department and the FBI released a memo claiming there was no evidence of a list of powerful men Epstein allegedly had of those who participated in his underworld of sex trafficking and pedophilia. Even once avid Trump supporter Candace Owens called the accusation “outright embarrassing.”
However, Trump isn’t seeing the issue, since the list was allegedly curated by the first Black president of the United States. “Whats going on with my ‘boys’ and in cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!,” Trump wrote. “We have a PERFECT administration, the talk of the world, and ‘selfish people’ are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it’s Epstein, over and over again.”
While investigating a video from the prison where the disgraced former financier was last seen, Bondi also claimed it was confirmed that Epstein died of suicide, but was questioned about a minute missing from the footage.
Rumors of the MAGA movement’s downfall were fueled after Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino mentioned thoughts of resigning, according to CNN, and then failed to show up for work on July 11.
Social media reposted a video of Bondi telling Fox News anchors that the files were all on her desk in February 2025. When asked about the context of the files, she said she hadn’t seen anything yet.
While several conservative dignitaries have put a side-eye to the report, social media users have turned on Owens, who in recent months has backtracked on her support of Trump. “Wait- the files were with a corrupt DOJ for last 4 years, and you DON’T believe they could have been altered and fabricated to muddy the waters? What happened to you, Candace?” one X user wrote.
Others were holding her accountable in the comments section, saying that she is one of the reasons Americans have to deal with such issues because Owens and others voted for him.
