by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 5, 2025

Cam Newton Admits ‘It Hurts’ To Be Unable To Provide Like He Did As An NFL Quarterback

'I'm going into a different phase of my life that's going to require a different form of myself.'

Cam Newton, a former NFL quarterback, current podcaster, and sports analyst, appeared on a recent podcast and revealed that “it hurts” knowing he cannot provide financially as he could before retiring from professional football, earning as much as $6 million a year.

Newton, a father to eight, appeared on Special Forces to discuss not making the type of money he made as a professional athlete. Not making the millions he previously made has worked on his psyche, knowing that the checks are not that big anymore. He says he has to have a different mindset in the future to continue to provide for his family.

“I’m going into a different phase of my life that’s going to require a different form of myself,” Newton told the show’s hosts.

“Being in the NFL, everyone knows there’s a large sum of money that comes to you in a short span of time, and being away from the game for three years, those checks don’t come in the same. Like I got eight kids.”

He reveals that it’s painful not having the funds he had before and realizing that not having those funds coming in like that anymore has made him feel more like an average man while feeling like he was Superman.

“It hurts me knowing that I can’t provide like I once did. It hurts thinking that I’m Superman, but in reality, I’m just a man,” he said.

He admits to reaching a point in his life where he knows he has to change things to adjust to his new way of living, especially at 35.

“There’s a famous quote that says in order to get something that you’ve never had, you go to do something that you’ve never done. At 35, I can literally say, ‘OK, now I’m getting prepared for this next chapter of my life.'”

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He last played for the Carolina Panthers in the NFL in 2021.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 5, 2025

Jalen Hurts Can Do Many Things But Can’t Help Reporter Be More Handsome

Black does not crack, especially when it comes to Jalen Hurts.

Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts helped his team get to a second Super Bowl in three years, but he couldn’t help a concerned reporter with his girlfriend.

At Super Bowl Week’s Opening Day on Feb. 3, a reporter asked the swoon-worthy quarterback how he could get more handsome.

The Shade Room reposted the comedic interaction.

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“Jalen, how can I get more handsome? My girlfriend says you’re the most handsome QB in the league. Have any advice? I’m desperate. Is there something I can do with my hair? Anything,” asked the reporter.

“I don’t know If i can help you on that one,” Hurts responded. “It sounds like a DNA thing.”

Hurts has become a delight to football fans and those fangirling over the quarterback’s looks. According to Andscape, the 26-year-old has emerged as a sex symbol. Many have used the viral clip of him chewing gum to assert their thirst over the elite athlete.

@coordinatorofgossip Oop! This is Eagles QB Jalen Hurts 😍 Maybe sports is interesting after all 👀🥰😂😂 Mr Jalen can i have a piece of gum 🤣🤣 #jalenhurts #quarterback #eagles #eaglesfootball #love #coordinatorofgossip #FastTwitchContest #jerrirussell #fyp #viral #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #royal #royalpage ♬ original sound – CoordinatorOfGossip

Sadly, Hurts is off the market. He got engaged to Bry Burrows last September. The couple, who met in college at the University of Alabama, have also remained strong throughout the season. Burrows celebrated with Hurts after he led the Eagles to another NFC championship.

Despite this, Hurts still has a lot of traction for his “’90s fine” face card and superior athleticism to match. He has a chance to add a Super Bowl title to that resume when the Eagles again face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 5, 2025

Let Her Cook: GloRilla Is Now Ambassador For All Of Rihanna’s Fenty Brands

GlorRilla will be the face of all the brands under Rihanna's Fenty empire.

Rapper GloRilla is officially a part of the Fenty family. The rapper has become the first-ever artistic partner for multihyphenate Rihanna’s brands.

The Grammy-nominated artist will now be the face of popular brands such as Savage X Fenty, Fenty Beauty, and its accompanying skin and haircare lines. GloRilla celebrated the new partnership with her “Glo Up Close” campaign.

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The rapper showed off her finest nightwear attire and face card in the all-encompassing campaign. While rocking lingerie from Savage X Fenty’s Puff Cherries collection, GloRilla also wore products from Fenty Beauty, such as its soft-lit foundation and body cream. Her sleek hair was courtesy of Fenty Hair’s Controlling Type edge control gel.

GloRilla spoke about the honor of being the first-ever ambassador of the entire Fenty portfolio. She also gave Rihanna her flowers, calling the entrepreneur an “icon” that she hopes to make proud.

“I’m beyond excited to be the first joint partner for Fenty brands for spring 2025. Rihanna has always been such an icon and inspiration, and being chosen to represent her vision across Savage x Fenty and Fenty Beauty is an honor, GloRilla said in a statement obtained by Rolling Stone. “This spring season is all about celebrating confidence, boldness, and embracing your glow. I can’t wait for y’all to experience it all.”

However, this is not the first time Rihanna has nodded to GloRilla. The “Diamonds” singer went viral last June for rapping along to GloRilla’s hit single “T.G.I.F.” She recited the lyrics to her partner and father of her children, A$AP Rocky, sparking laughs across social media.

As for the Memphis native, GloRilla has already had a monumental year. Taking off on a successful debut album, “Glorious,” the 25-year-old will venture off on a headlining tour in March. With two Grammy nominations under her belt, GloRilla will continue her rise to hip-hop superstardom, complete with a Rihanna co-sign.

ludacris, Rock the country, MAGA, Kid Rock

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 5, 2025

Ludacris Signs With United Talent Agency

The artist is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Def Jam debut, 'Back for the First Time.'

Recording artist and Fast & Furious regular Chris “Ludacris” Bridges has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA).

According to Deadline, the talent agency will represent the multi-platinum, Grammy-winning rapper and actor in all ventures, including film, television, music touring, and other entertainment vehicles.

Although he has signed on to UTA, his managers and partners, Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon of Ebony Sun Entertainment, still represent him.

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Last year, Ludacris celebrated the 25th anniversary of Incognegro, his debut album, which was released independently (Disturbing tha Peace) on August 17, 1999. It was re-released after he signed with Def Jam South in 2000 and aptly renamed Back for the First Time.

He has sold over 20 million albums since starting his career as Atlanta radio station personality Chris Lova Lova.

The Illinois-born rapper is a three-time Grammy winner who has had five number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, 56 Hot 100 charted singles, and 18 different Top 10 Hot 100 records.

As an actor, he has appeared in many movies and television series. He is best known for recurring role in the Fast & Furious franchise, playing Tej, an intelligent, tech-savvy mechanic vital to Vin Diesel’s character Dominic Toretto’s crew. He has appeared in seven of the franchise’s 11 films and will appear in the new installment next year.

In fact, a promo was just posted to the entertainer’s social media account for an upcoming Super Bowl ad with ice cream maker, Häagen-Dazs which is premiering its first-ever ad for the big sporting event. The spot features Ludacris with his Fast & Furious co-stars Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez.

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by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 5, 2025

T.I. And Tiny Harris Win Back $53.6M In Lawsuit Against Dollmaker

The couple won a lawsuit against MGA after accusing the company of stealing the dolls' likeness from their girl group, OMG Girlz.

After initially winning a $71 million judgment in September 2024 against MGA Entertainment for stealing the likeness from their girl group, OMG Girlz, and then having the $53 million in punitive damages taken away, a judge has reinstated the money that T.I. and Tiny Harris won.

According to The Los Angeles Daily News, U.S. District Judge James Selna, who initially wiped away a jury’s decision to award $53.6 million to the plaintiffs, has reversed the decision after the two sides met again on Jan. 6.

The Harrises also won $17.8 million in profits when the jury handed down the decision on Sept. 23, 2024. T.I. and Tiny sued MGA Entertainment for copying the likeness of the OMG Girlz group which featured their daughter, Zonnique Pullins, and two other girls. MGA made seven dolls that copied the girl group.

The OMG Girlz are getting their $53 million in punitive damages from toymaker MGA over the OMG Dolls!

Judge Selna changed his mind! Order issued today!https://t.co/j2RowsXgcy pic.twitter.com/jNQX3JtrIQ

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) February 4, 2025

After a jury ruled for T.I. and Tiny, Selna later ruled that there was not enough evidence to show that MGA acted in a manner that would legally warrant the punitive damages in the infringement case. So the court temporarily negated the $53.6 million and set a hearing for both sides to plead their case.

The hearing centered on whether the jury’s verdicts were advisory or if the amount of the award would be left up to Selna. The judge upheld the ruling after stating that both sides had agreed to a jury verdict.

“The parties consented to a jury trial and there was no indication that the verdict on punitive damages was to be treated as an advisory verdict,” Selna said.

US Weekly reported that during the Sept. 6 trial, T.I. testified that “you can hold (the dolls) up to these pictures and see. Anyone with eyes can see that this picture influenced this doll.”

MGA’s founder, Isaac Larian, called T.I. and his wife as “extortionists,” saying that the group did not influence the dolls’ designs.

proud boys, Enrique Tarrio, Capitol riots, Jan. 6 riots, Trump

by Mitti Hicks

February 5, 2025

Judge Awards Proud Boys Trademark To Black Church It Vandalized

The judge's ruling means the Proud Boys, including the people associated with it nationwide, can no longer use their own name or the group's traditional symbols without permission from Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Proud Boys no longer own the rights to its name. A Washington, D.C. judge awarded the Proud Boys’ trademarked name to the Black church the far-right group vandalized four years ago. Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier’s ruling fulfills a $2.8 million default judgment against the group by a different judge in 2023 so the church could recover damages incurred during a 2020 attack.

Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, and several other of his followers attacked the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in a night of violence during a pro-Trump rally in December 2020.

“The Church has a long history of standing up for justice and against all forms of hate,” the church’s pastor, Rev. William H. Lamar IV, told CNN. “We are determined to hold the Proud Boys accountable and will continue this fight.”

What The Judge’s Ruling Means For The Proud Boys

Bosier’s two-page ruling says the Proud Boys’ trademark will be transferred to the church. Her ruling means that the organization, including the people associated with it nationwide, can no longer use its own name or the group’s traditional symbols. The church has to give the group permission to use it. The New York Times reported that the ruling also prohibited the Proud Boys from selling any merchandise with its name or symbols without consent.

Bosier’s ruling also allows the church to seize money from the Proud Boys if they sell merchandise with the name or familiar logos. To no surprise, rather than accountability for his actions, Tarrio calls for the church to revoke its nonprofit status. He also says the judge should be impeached.

“This organization, masquerading as a church, must be subjected to a thorough audit, and its nonprofit status revoked immediately,” Tarrio wrote on X.

“The judge’s conduct in this case necessitates impeachment and investigation.”

Tarrio, who claims to follow Jesus Christ, adds, “I hold in contempt any motions, judgments, and orders issued against me.”

The former Proud Boys leader was serving a 22-year prison sentence for seditious conspiracy before Trump pardoned him last month, along with other Jan. 6 rioters.

Judge Neal E. Kravitz described the December 2020 attack on the Black church as “highly orchestrated” that featured “hateful and overtly racist conduct” from Proud Boys members, CNN reported.

According to Kravitz, several Proud Boys members leaped over the church’s fence and headed directly to a Black Lives Matter sign. The judge said they then broke the zip ties that held the signs in place, tore the sign down, and stomped on it while loudly celebrating.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 5, 2025

‘Sweet July’ Is The 2nd Business Ayesha Curry Shut Down Since 2025 Began

The boutique store has been around to serve the Oakland community since 2021.

Ayesha Curry is closing one chapter of her life. The entrepreneur and chef is shutting down her home goods store and cafe, Sweet July, in Oakland over safety concerns.

Curry opened Sweet July in 2021, offering the Oakland community a place to gather and source items for their lifestyle. The boutique will close on Feb. 9, as confirmed by its Instagram post.

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“In order to prioritize the safety of our patrons and staff, we have made the diﬃcult decision to close our Sweet July cafe and store in Oakland,” the post captioned. “We have loved being a part of Oakland and are grateful for the community that has opened their arms and embraced us. It has been an honor to serve you.”

The Oakland establishment had become the flagship location for Curry’s Sweet July brand, which includes clothing, jewelry, and even a skincare line. According to its website, the company was founded as a “love letter” from Curry to the town that “embraced and supported” the mother of four. Its assortment of goods stemmed from Black-owned brands and those local to the Bay Area.

However, the brand noted that although its signature store was closing, Sweet July’s future lives on.

“While this chapter comes to a close, Sweet July has exciting new ventures on the horizon that we can’t wait to share,” the post continued. “Visit us on our last day, February 9th, and enjoy some coffee and bread pudding.”

Curry did not speak further on the safety issues that led to this decision. The Independent reported the store did encounter one break-in in 2022, but the incident did not result in any arrests.

However, the move could relate to Curry’s other venture closing. The chef recently announced that her Las Vegas restaurant, International Smoke, would shut down this year. Curry started the eatery inside the MGM Grand Hotel with Chef Michael Mina in 2019. Known for its elevated yet inclusive barbecue delights, the restaurant’s San Francisco location will remain standing despite its removal from MGM.

Sweet July’s online hub will remain open for patrons to source home and self-care items specially curated by Curry.

RELATED CONTENT: Ayesha Curry & Sydel Curry-Lee Talk Luxury Wine

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 5, 2025

99 Problems, But Grammys Ain’t One: JAY-Z Now Most Awarded Rapper In History

The Brooklyn billionaire broke a tie with Ye after Beyoncé won Album of the Year.

With Beyoncé’s Grammy win for Album of the Year on Sunday night, her husband, Jay-Z, who has writing credits on the popular project, is now the most awarded rapper in Grammy history.

The Brooklyn rapper broke a tie with his former friend/collaborator, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.

Jay-Z becomes the most awarded rapper in #GRAMMYs history with 25 wins, breaking a tie with Kanye West. pic.twitter.com/aSxNU1Blkt

— chart data (@chartdata) February 3, 2025

It was a sensational night for Beyoncé as well. She also took her first country Grammy award when she won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “II Most Wanted,” which featured Miley Cyrus. She added another Grammy to her very large collection after winning Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter.

Did the Grammy committee listen to Jay-Z at last year’s ceremony when he blasted members during his acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award? In a moment that went viral, the hip-hop mogul and billionaire defended his superstar wife and called out the hypocrisy that the person with the most Grammy awards in history still had not won the biggest one yet.

The “Hard Knock Life” rapper chastised the Recording Academy while standing on stage with his daughter Blue Ivy, who has also won a Grammy.

“We love y’all,” Jay-Z said before going in. “We want y’all to get it right. I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. The most Grammys; never won Album of the Year. That doesn’t work.”

Well, now it works. At current count, the Carter family has a combined 61 Grammys.

California, High Schools, Fourth of July, raise money, grants, Businesswomen, Financial Literacy, broke

by Jeffrey McKinney

February 5, 2025

Report: 86% Of Black Americans Worry Tariffs Will Boost Consumer Prices This Year

Fifteen percent of Black Americans started stockpiling items in response to expected tariffs.

A new report shows that 86% of Black Americans are convinced that tariffs will raise consumer prices this year.

That possibility, stemming from President Trump’s proposed tariff plan, has already caused many to change their shopping habits.

The findings suggest that those asked fear the potential detrimental impact of tariffs on their wallets. On Feb. 4, China imposed 10% to 15% tariffs on U.S. goods after America levied a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. Trump has delayed the 25% tariffs he previously announced on products from Canada and Mexico for a month.

A survey of 1,007 Americans was conducted last month on how tariffs could impact their shopping habits, plans, and bank accounts. It was commissioned by manufacturing equipment seller Bid-On-Equipment and executed by Digital Third Coast, a Chicago-based digital marketing agency, which provided findings on the 269 Blacks surveyed.

The data showed that 78% of Blacks plan to change how they shop due to potential tariffs. Seventy-seven percent are worried about how the tariff plan will affect them financially, and 76% say the threat of tariffs will raise prices. Fifteen percent started stockpiling items in response to expected tariffs.

Overall, the survey revealed that 64% of respondents plan to reduce dining out and takeout spending. Though most people want to support domestic products, 68% cite higher costs as the main barrier to buying American-made goods.

The analysis also showed that 68% of Black Americans contend tariffs could help revive U.S. manufacturing, which accounts for 11% of GDP. Currently, 78% of Blacks declare buying U.S.-made goods is important to them.

In general, it has been reported that the proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China could boost costs by over $800 for each U.S. household this year. Observers also say tariffs could elevate prices, including on homes, automobiles, electronics, groceries, and gasoline.

Allison Hadley, a spokesperson for Bid-On-Equipment, talked about some of the revelations that surfaced from the survey.

“We conducted this survey on January 10, and I think it’s significant that even then, over two in three Americans think overall, tariffs will affect them negatively, and a similar amount are already changing their shopping habits.”

She added, “Not only that, but 12% of Americans were stockpiling items they thought would be affected by tariffs. It seems people are very anxious about the economic fallout from these tariffs.”

burial grounds, enslaved people, Staten Island, New York City,landmarked, Black gravesites

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 5, 2025

Texas Cemetery Unveils New Monument For Unmarked Black Gravesites

The graves had remained unmarked for more than a century.

The community of Taylor, Texas, came together on Saturday to unveil a monument dedicated to honoring the hundreds of unmarked gravesites belonging to Black residents.

The Historic African American Burial Section is a reclaimed site at Taylor City Cemetery dedicated to honoring what was once a segregated area of the cemetery reserved for Taylor’s Black population, Fox 7 Austin reports. The monument stands before a vast gravesite, where grass far outnumbers headstones, despite approximately 750 individuals resting beneath it.

From the front gates of the cemetery, thousands of graves are visible—except for a section of land toward the back. This area, reserved for Black burials, remained unmarked for over a century.

The monument now honors those who never received a grave marker. Some of the oldest graves date back 140 years, predating Taylor’s establishment as a city.

“I want people to know where we came from,” said Leslie Mae Washington Hill, the Welfare Workers Club president.

“I feel like we are finally coming to know how to love each other.”

City councilmember Gerald Anderson acknowledges his ancestors are among the unmarked graves.

“I think people being seen and being recognized goes a long way in this life and the next life and the afterlife, you know,” Anderson added.

“Just for the family to have some closure by being able to come out and remember their loved ones and seeing where they are, being able to find their grave and say their goodbye that some people never got to say.”

Many grave markers were lost over time. Now, descendants can use an online tool on the cemetery’s website to find precise directions to their loved one’s final resting place, even if no gravestone remains.

“They say the dead don’t rest until they have a marker, and so I think a lot of people here finally found some peace; the families found some peace,” Anderson said.