Winnie Harlow — photo credit: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 11, 2025

Winnie Harlow Makes History As First Person With Vitiligo Honored With A Madame Tussauds’ Wax Figure

Winnie Harlow is making history for the vitiligo community.

Winnie Harlow has made history as the first person with vitiligo to be honored with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds, marking a major milestone for the vitiligo community.

The acclaimed supermodel unveiled her wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York on June 25 in celebration of World Vitiligo Day. From her slender frame and iconic smize to her stunning golden-brown hair and dazzling diamond engagement ring from NBA fiancé Kyle Kuzma, Madame Tussauds nailed every detail in crafting her wax figure.

She later took to Instagram to express her excitement and gratitude for the meaningful tribute.

“What a dream come true 🥹🤍✨ The First Wax figure with Vitiligo!!” she wrote.

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After finding fame following her debut on Cycle 21 of America’s Next Top Model, Harlow has become a powerful voice for the vitiligo community and a champion for skincare awareness. Her wax figure at the iconic Madame Tussauds stands as a testament to her ongoing advocacy and impact.

“I don’t cry a lot, but I love to cry,” Harlow told Essence. “I’ve cried three times already, and I’m so grateful for that, happy tears.”

Reflecting on how the moment represents not just a milestone in her personal journey but a powerful celebration for the entire vitiligo community, Harlow likened her wax figure to a “landmark” that packs a powerful message.

“I feel like this is a landmark for confidence, for standing in yourself and your purpose, and I’m really honored to be able to come here and see me in life form,” she said.

From modeling to fashion and launching her inclusive skincare line, Cay Skin, Harlow took a moment to reflect on how it’s been to see many of her dreams come to life.

“So many people look up to me for representation, but truly, I’m still that little girl who wanted to see herself on a billboard, who wanted to see herself on a cover,” she said. “Through the work I’ve done as a model and entrepreneur, I’ve been able to create the kind of community I once longed for—not just for others, but for myself too.”

Cassie, Diddy — Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage

by Kandiss Edwards

July 11, 2025

‘Freak Off’ Participant Apologizes For His Role In Cassie’s Trauma

A male escort and participant in Diddy’s “freak offs” is publicly apologizing for his part in facilitating Cassie Ventura’s trauma.

A male escort is apologizing for his role in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura’s, exploitation.

The male escort, identified as “Don,” expressed his ignorance of Ventura’s turmoil. During the trial, Ventura gave testimony about sex acts she participated in with escorts, called “freak offs.” Don was one of those escorts. Yet, he did not know Ventura was sometimes an unwilling participant. In an interview with People, he expressed his heartfelt apologies.

“I would do everything in my power to explain how sorry I was that I was a part of a situation that she’s going to view as a nightmare for the rest of her life,” he told the publication. “I wish I had some type of inkling of what was actually going on so that I could not be a participant.”

The participant in the freak-off says that Ventura was not the only one of Diddy’s women with whom he was involved. On the stand, Ventura and a woman identified as “Jane” professed their willingness to engage in sexual activities to make the mogul happy. Yet, they claim Combs also used nefarious means to coerce them, including violence and blackmail. However, Don says as a family member and man with multiple women in his life, he feels complicit in their trauma.

“Even though in my experience they seemed as willing participants, I know that there’s a difference between going through what you went through in private and then putting on a good face for your partner because this is what your partner is enjoying — and you want to bring that type of joy to [your] partner, but it may not be something that you’re necessarily comfortable with,” he told People.

The violence against Ventura has been proven. Before Combs was put on trial for sex trafficking and racketeering, 2016 security footage of the rapper violently attacking Ventura surfaced. The prosecution used the footage of the assault to emphasize Combs’s violent tendencies. However, the violence, along with Cassie and Jane’s testimony, was not enough to convince a jury to convict.

On July 2, Combs received a split verdict on his charges. While exonerated on the trafficking and racketeering charges, he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

He is currently being held in custody while awaiting sentencing on Oct. 3.

Druski — Photo by Udo Salters/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 11, 2025

Druski Leads Snipes Back-To-School Campaign Alongside His Comedy Collective

Druski brings his signature character-driven comedy to SNIPES’ new back-to-school campaign.

Druski is bringing his comedic flair to a new campaign that’s all about getting kids back to school with a smile.

The actor, comedian, and social media star teamed up with global sneaker and streetwear giant Snipes for its back-to-school campaign, “Style is in Session.” As part of the multiplatform campaign, Druski stars in a branded content series where he’ll bring his signature humor to various school roles, from an over-the-top principal to a no-nonsense gym coach, all while spotlighting Snipes’ latest styles and affordable price points, all in one place.

To keep the campaign true to Druski’s brand and resonate with his 22 million social media followers, the Coulda Been Records founder enlisted a few familiar faces from his comedy crew. Navv Greene steps in as the cafeteria and hall monitor, The Ugliest Rapper Alive plays the rebellious student, Chris Too Smoove dishes out style commentary, and Lou Young takes charge as the detention supervisor.

“I enjoyed working with SNIPES on this campaign,” Druski said in a statement. “It was a collaborative approach on the creative where they gave me the freedom to interject personalities from my world into the content, which helped to organically connect the two spaces. It was entertaining to play various school characters while highlighting SNIPES in a fresh way. I look forward to continued work with SNIPES as they’ve shown they are authentic and true to the culture.”

The digital-first campaign will go beyond social media, bringing real-world impact through exclusive community events, giveback initiatives, in-store and online deals, and back-to-school meet-and-greets with Druski. It’s all part of an effort to create authentic connections between fans, SNIPES, and Druski while spotlighting top product categories like backpacks, footwear, and accessories during one of the biggest shopping seasons of the year.

“This isn’t just another back-to-school campaign,” said Kelley Walton, SNIPES USA CMO. “We’re creating buzzworthy, snackable, and shoppable content that speaks to our consumers in an authentic and relatable way. Druski’s connection with our core audience makes him the perfect partner to elevate our brand energy and reinforce us as cultural leaders in sneakers and streetwear.”

“Day One,” the first installment of the “Style is in Session” campaign, debuted on July 7. A follow-up titled “Final Bell” is set to drop later this summer, with the full campaign capturing the entire back-to-school shopping journey.

the PhD Project, DEI, anti-equality, diversity, academia — (Photo: Amy Elting/Pexels)

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 11, 2025

Shareholders From 30 Major Corporations Vote Unanimously Against Anti-DEI Policies

Catalyst CEO Jennifer McCollum says the data proves just how important DEI is to company culture and the market value as some companies with anti-diversity policies represent more than $13 trillion.

The anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies don’t appear to be working for a number of major corporations, as data shows their shareholders are going against the embedded anti-DEI practices, AfroTech reports.

Data from the nonprofit Impactivize revealed anti-DEI proposals from big-name corporations, including Costco, Mastercard, Levi Strauss, McDonald’s, Walmart, and Coca-Cola, failed by wide margins as shareholders rejected the claims. The majority of votes came in between 98% and 99%. Nancy Levine Stearns, founder of Impactivize, says the numbers speak loud and clear about where the shareholders stand. “Shareholder voting margins send a clear message: Investors understand that diversity is good for business,” Levine Stearns said.

“The overwhelming tallies are significant, corporate governance experts told me.”

Several companies followed suit with President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order, terminating DEI initiatives throughout federal agencies. Companies like Target and Tractor Supply Co. took the order as a call to dial back on their DEI practices that helped their companies grow in revenue and support. Target suffered after its announcement resulted in a 40-day boycott curated by civil rights and religious leaders Rev. Al Sharpton and Jamal Bryant.

Merck CEO Rob Davis labeled diversity and inclusion as a “strategic imperative,” while Jennifer McCollum, president and CEO of research firm Catalyst, says the data proves just how important DEI is to company culture and market value, as some companies with anti-diversity policies represent a market value of more than $13 trillion. “Inclusion has never been a liability — it’s a competitive advantage and a business imperative,” McCollum said. “The data proves that organizations committed to opportunity and fairness will outperform peers, retain talent, and build lasting trust.”

The Trump administration deemed DEI as “illegal,” which was another reason corporations moved their policies to non-existent. Nearly 16 state attorneys general threatened lawsuits against businesses that failed to stand firm and comply with both federal and state laws. But legal experts say companies — both large and small — don’t need to do anything since it’s very much legal. “DEI isn’t illegal, and it’s not going anywhere,” attorney and Impactivize advisory board member Jon Hymanan highlighted, according to Yahoo Finance.

“Companies backing away from DEI aren’t protecting themselves—they’re setting themselves up to fall behind.”

“To preserve the social fabric of a nation founded on the principles of equality, justice, and liberty, I encourage you to stand firm as well.”
Prior to shareholders holding companies accountable, some corporations never touched their DEI initiatives, instead enhancing them. Companies like Costco Wholesale and e.l.f Beauty saw an increase in foot traffic, which resulted in a massive increase in revenue.

Fatman Scoop, Heart Disease, death — (Photo courtesy of The Legion Media Group)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 11, 2025

Harlem To Recognize Fatman Scoop By Co-Naming A Street After Popular Recording Artist

The corner of 109th Street and 5th Avenue will be co-named Isaac "Fatman Scoop" Freeman III Place

A Harlem street corner will be renamed in honor of one of its hometown heroes, Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III, in August.

The Freeman Family has announced that the Harlem recording artist, who died while performing on a Connecticut stage last year, will be honored with the co-naming of a street on the corner of 109th Street and 5th Avenue. The ceremony will take place on Aug. 9, at 2 p.m., as the street will be co-named “Isaac ‘Fatman Scoop’ Freeman III Place.”

The ceremony is being done in partnership with NYC Council Member Dr. Yusef Salaam and the Forever Fatman Scoop Foundation.

“Scoop has always represented Harlem with pride,” said his brother, Kendell “Sav” Freeman. “This co-naming is a tribute not just to his artistry but to his ongoing commitment to uplifting the community that raised him.”

The ceremony is expected to bring together friends, family, local leaders, and community members in a celebration of legacy, culture, and Harlem pride. The event is open to the public.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Corner of 109th Street & 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10029

The popular recording artist got his start in the entertainment industry by promoting records for Tommy Boy Records, even being featured in promotional ads before he was known for his booming voice and the ability to hype crowds. He released a record, “Be Faithful,” in 1999, that can still be heard on radio stations and clubs around the world. He was also a featured artist on two songs in 2005, “Lose Control” by Missy Elliott and “It’s Like That” by Mariah Carey.

On the day he collapsed, Scoop released two records, Bingo Players and Disco Fries, “Our House” and “Let It Go” with Dyce Payso. The video for “Let It Go” came out on Aug. 30, 2024.

The 56-year-old Scoop was performing at the Green and Gold Party in Hamden, Connecticut, on Aug. 30, 2024, when he shouted one of his signature catchphrases and collapsed. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The official cause of death was listed as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a spokesperson for the Connecticut medical examiner’s office told ABC News.

Chaka Khan — (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation)

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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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 — (Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels)

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 — (Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images)

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.”

Atlanta church, medical debt — (Photo: Andrew Patrick/Pexels)

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.

Richelieu Dennis, Essence Magazine — Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE

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.