Mielle Organics, Founder, Products, Hair loss

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 30, 2025

Mielle Launches Kalahari Melon & Aloe Vera Hair Collection To Combat Textured Hair Concerns

The key to a successful washday is useful products!

Award-winning textured hair care brand Mielle launched the Kalahari Melon & Aloe Vera collection to help the textured hair community address issues such as hydration and moisture retention, PR Newswire reported.

By continuing the brand’s commitment to developing science-supported formulas, the Kalahari Melon & Aloe Vera lineup will give users an “extended stay” with increased moisture presence and hydration for up to five days. A study with 1,000 Black participants found that 92% of the demographic want long-lasting moisture on wash days, in addition to heightened hydration and nourishment in between days, to resist dryness and breakage. Mielle’s CEO and founder, Monique Rodriguez, said it feels good to give customers a break from managing their hair with the new formula. “From day one, Mielle’s foundation has been deeply rooted within the Black community. We learned from our Mavens and Mavericks and listened to their challenges to understand that hydration and moisture were their top concerns,” Rodriguez said.

“It means everything that we can provide science-based solutions that address our community’s most pressing hair challenges, freeing them to spend less time managing their hair and more on their passions, ambitions, and living life to the fullest.”

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The new formula elevates the benefits of Kalahari Melon seed oil from South Africa. Found in the desert, Kalahari Melon seed oil thrives on intense moisture and hydration through the environment’s conditions and relentless sunlight. It’s often celebrated for its intense hydrating properties.

According to Glossy, the five-product collection includes shampoo, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, finishing oil, and curl pattern cream. All products are being sold for $15.99 at stores, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS Ulta, Target, and others, and are the first launched product following the company being acquired by Procter & Gamble (P&G) in 2023. Mielle’s president, Omar Goff, celebrated P&G for having an extensive consumer market knowledge program. “We invest heavily to speak to consumers in different ways, whether it be in direct focus groups or digital engagements, so the voice of the consumer was loud in the development process,” Goff said.

“We had a lot more access to testing capabilities and quality controls through [P&G’s] laboratories.”

Mielle will be taking a new approach to marketing the collection, partnering with social media beauty influencers like Jackie Aina and running a 30-second commercial featuring viral hip-hop duo Flyana Boss. The product lineup will also be seen in the big lights of New York City’s Time Square in addition to a five-day hair challenge and placement within the WNBA partnership.

telomeres, shortening, cancer, Gynecologic Cancers, Black Women, Death Rates, cervical cancer, NAACP

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 30, 2025

Black Women Face Higher Risks of Developing And Dying From Cervical Cancer, Research Shows

Research explores why Black women face higher risks of developing and dying from cervical cancer.

New research highlights how much more vulnerable Black women are to developing cervical cancer and facing higher mortality rates from the disease than any other group.

On Wednesday, BlackDoctor.org unveiled findings from the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program, which show how cervical cancer disproportionately affects Black women. Studies show that Black women are 41% more likely to develop cervical cancer than white women and are 75% more likely to die from it.

St. Jude identified three key factors contributing to the higher cervical cancer mortality rate among Black women: medical mistrust, insufficient follow-up care, and limited awareness about HPV vaccinations and the virus itself, which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Black women are more likely to receive a late-stage cervical cancer diagnosis, contributing to lower five-year survival rates for a largely preventable disease.

One key factor behind delayed diagnoses is a generational mistrust of the medical system. Another factor is that Black women have the lowest follow-up rates after abnormal screenings. According to Human Rights Watch, these issues worsen with age, with Black women over 70 being three times more likely to die from cervical cancer, even though screening guidelines end at 65.

Many people are unaware of how HPV is transmitted and the importance of HPV vaccinations. The virus, primarily spread through sexual contact, is the leading cause of cervical cancer. While most HPV infections cause no health issues, certain high-risk strains can develop into cervical cancer if not detected and treated early.

HPV has more than 100 strains, with some considered high-risk because they can lead to abnormal cell changes in the cervix.

“If someone has one of those, a lot of times there are no symptoms. It can just continue to affect the cervix, leading to abnormal cells,” Joyce Idehen, MD, said.

“Over time, if there’s no detection or awareness, it can continue to develop and eventually turn into cancer.”

Another contributor to disparities is medical racism and implicit bias within the healthcare system. Primary care providers (PCPs) can deprioritize or overlook preventive screenings for Black women, leading to delayed diagnoses and worse health outcomes.

Studies have shown that Black patients are less likely to receive timely screenings, proper pain management, or referrals to specialists compared to white patients. Researchers stress the importance of tackling these systemic issues just as much as promoting individual health advocacy.

When it comes to prevention, cervical cancer is preventable through regular Pap smears, HPV vaccination, and safe sexual practices. Both men and women should take an active role in their sexual health by engaging in open conversations and advocating for early detection. Raising awareness and ensuring equal access to preventive care can save lives.

“For women, take ownership of your preventive care—get your routine Pap smears and, if not vaccinated as a child, get vaccinated now,” Dr. Idehen suggests.

“For men, get vaccinated and take responsibility for your sexual health. Prevention is key, and it’s never too late to make these health changes.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 30, 2025

Meta Settles Trump Lawsuit Over Account Suspension, Agrees To Pay Trump $25M

Lots have changed.....

Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta has settled a lawsuit from President Donald Trump for $25 million over suspended social media accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021 riot, NBC News reported.

A notice of the settlement was filed in federal court in San Francisco, where Meta spokesperson Andy Stone confirmed Trump will receive a $25 million payment from the company in addition to $22 million toward Trump’s presidential library fund and legal fees. The settlement also does not require Meta to admit to any wrongdoing.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg has switched from silencing the 47th president on social media platforms to being seen front and center at the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. Hours later, he hosted a party in Trump’s honor. Meta has overturned its content moderation policies – and DEI policies – to align more closely with the Trump administration. New policies allow insults towards the LGBTQ+ community and the termination of its independent U.S. fact-checking program. Instead, the company will move toward an model like the one used by X, owned by Elon Musk, with a “community notes” system instead.

Zuckerberg also promoted longtime Republican and former White House chief of staff Joel Kaplan to be the company’s chief of global policy, according to CNN.

Meta is the second major corporation to have to dish out payments to the indicted president to settle a lawsuit since winning the 2024 election. In December 2024, ABC announced a payment of $15 million to end a dispute where Trump accused anchor and veteran White House appointee George Stephanopoulos of defaming him.

Zuckerberg was one of many vocal critics of the Jan. 6 attacks and Trump’s refusal to condemn his supporters. On Jan. 7, 2021, the tech guru said Trump “intends to use his remaining time in office to undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to his elected successor, Joe Biden.” Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts remained locked until February 2023.

The President wasn’t always a fan of The Social Network movie subject either. Shortly before the 2024 election and Zuckerberg’s inauguration appearance, Trump published a book of photographs in August 2024, threatening that the Silicon Valley CEO would “spend the rest of his life in prison” if he did “anything illegal” to influence the presidential election.

Zuckerberg’s switch-up has caught the attention of many critics, including Jesse Eisenberg, the actor who played him in the 2010 film. During a podcast appearance, the actor said he is sad about the CEO’s decision to scrap the fact-checking system and says he can no longer defend him. “And now that the platform is so powerful and owns all these other things, I guess I feel a little bit sad,” he said.

“Why is this the path you’re taking?”

by Jameelah Mullen

January 30, 2025

Roxanne Shante To Receive Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Roxanne Shante gets her flowers and makes history at the same time.

Rapper Roxanne Shante will be the first female solo rapper to receive the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement award.

The trailblazing lyricist will be honored during the Special Merit Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 1, 2025, one day before the Grammy Awards. Roxanne Shante will receive the prestigious honor alongside other musical icons, including Prince, Frankie Beverly, Dr. Bobby Jones, and jazz musician Taj Mahal.

In a statement on the Grammy’s website, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said it is a “privilege” to honor these musical legends.

“Each of this year’s Special Merit Award recipients has left an indelible mark on music, from paving the way for others to innovation that forever has changed the trajectory of the musical landscape,” Mason said.

Born Lolita Shanté Gooden, the Queens native garnered national attention when she debuted her hit single “Roxanne’s Revenge.” Released in 1984, “Roxanne’s Revenge” was a diss track in response to UTFO’s single “ Roxanne, Roxanne.” The popular rap battle sparked the “Roxanne Wars,” where over 30 Hip Hop artist recorded their own Roxanne-themed diss tracks. In 1985, “Roxanne’s Revenge” spent 12 weeks on the Billboard R&B singles chart.

Before she became an international household name, the rapper was already making waves in New York’s local hip-hop scene. At just 10 years old, the emcee defeated rappers twice her age and earned the winning prize of $50. The moment was depicted in the 2017 Biopic Roxanne, Roxanne.

The mother of two appeared on CBS Mornings to discuss her monumental career with Gayle King. The 55-year-old said she was inspired by comedian Nipsey Russell, who incorporated rhymes into his comedy acts. The rapper said that rhyming is second nature to her now.

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“It’s a second language to me,” the rapper told King. “It was just as easy as breathing.”

Plies, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Brag, president, vice president

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 30, 2025

Plies Says Kamala Harris Lost 2024 Election Because She ‘Wasn’t Hateful Enough’

Plies appears to be subtly shading Stephen A. Smith and anyone who didn't vote for Kamala Harris.

Plies calls out those who were OK with “going against our own” by not voting for Kamala Harris last November.

In an expletive-riddled Instagram rant shared on Tuesday, the rapper explained why he thinks Harris lost the presidential election: not being “hateful enough.” According to Plies, the former vice president lost despite running against a “flawed candidate” like Donald Trump, and she “couldn’t have done a goddamn thing different” when it comes to her campaign.

“They would have got any different motherfu**ing results. And if she should have done anything, maybe she should have had her own motherfu**ing Project 2025 against us,” Plies quipped. “Maybe she should have talked about any motherfu**ing DEI.”

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Plies continued. “Maybe she should want to kick everybody out of the motherfu**ing country and hate people for what they motherfu**ing identify with.”

“So if you want to say anything, say she wasn’t motherfu**ing hateful enough.”

The “Bust It Baby” rapper made sarcastic comparisons between Harris and Trump, who kicked off his return to the White House with swift executive orders to end DEI efforts nationwide and lay off all federal workers with DEI-related roles. There have also been increased ICE raids in cities across the country to remove migrants who had been seeking asylum.

“Maybe if she would have hated the same motherfu**ing people he hated, maybe she would have got followed,” Plies said.

He highlighted the hypocrisy of certain Trump supporters, who criticized Harris during the election for the state of the economy under President Joe Biden but are now singing a different tune with Trump back in office.

“It was all about the motherfu**ing economy. Stupid….. Now, all of a sudden, he get in the motherfu**ing White House. ‘It was never about the economy.’ Cause y’all know he can’t do a goddamn thing to fix it!”

Plies wrapped up his rant by pointing out that Trump won two elections against women who were “more qualified” than him for the presidency. Yet, they lost—something many see as a clear indication that America is not ready for a woman to lead the country.

“Both times he the motherfu**ing won, he two and O against motherfu**ing women, and both motherfu**ing women was more motherfu**ing qualified than him,” Plies declared. “That don’t say sh*t about the women that tell you everything about this fu*k a** country.”

Many took to the comments section to applaud the rapper for speaking out and expressing their support.

“Hate and racism won pure and simple,” one person wrote.

“Not one lie told,” added another.

Some assumed Plies was subliminally shading Stephen A. Smith, who recently said he felt like a “fool” after voting for Kamala Harris.

“I think he’s talking about Stephen A and a few others and I absolutely love it 😂,” one user quipped.

Trump, Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro, oil

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 30, 2025

BHM Celebrations Paused As Trump’s New Defense Secretary Professes ‘Diversity Is Not Our Strength’

What's next?

New Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that “diversity is not our strength” as the agency placed a pause on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month observances amid President Donald Trump’s federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ban, The Associated Press reported.

The announcement, made via a Defense Intelligence Agency memo on Jan. 28, affects 11 annual events, including National Hispanic Heritage Month in September, Pride Month and Juneteenth in June, and Holocaust Days of Remembrance in April. The pause was insinuated by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the memo read, and is seemingly not the policy throughout the Defense Department. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. “We are receiving questions across the workforce on the way forward,” the memo said.

“DIA will pause all activities and events related to Agency Special Emphasis Programs effective immediately and until further notice.”

Following Trump’s executive order, agencies have struggled with ways to interpret it due to a lack of compliance guidance, but Hegseth took the order as a green light to create a task force to guarantee no DEI programs stay in the Pentagon. During an appearance on Fox News, he made it clear that diversity has no place in the agency. When asked “what’s happening with DEI,” the newly appointed secretary said it’s not going well because “it’s dead.” “Like the President said in his inaugural, we will be merit-based and colorblind. And that is the case at the defense department. DEI is going to be ripped-out, root and branched because we want everyone treated equally with high standards and held accountable, with war-fighting, lethality, and readiness front and center,” Hegseth said.

“We don’t have time for emphasizing differences … .one of the dumbest phrases in military history is ‘our diversity is our strength.’ Our diversity is not our strength…”

Pete Hegseth: "Diversity is not our strength" pic.twitter.com/CORHjHgPZm
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 30, 2025

While the former news anchor claimed that people who don’t want to conform can work elsewhere, a number of military personnel have already confirmed their commitment to staying on the side of diversity. Days after the department announced they would remove lessons about the Tuskegee Airmen from its recruit teachings, U.S. Air Force officials said such measures won’t be tolerated, according to USA Today.

Alabama Senator Katie Boyd Britt referred to the decision as “malicious compliance.” The pushback resulted in the decision being reversed. Air Force Chief of Staff General David W. Allvin said the legacy and decorated valor of the nation’s first Black airmen to serve in the military “will continue to guide our newest recruits and all who serve in our ranks.”

RoDina Williams, Illinoisan, Doctorate In Clinical Laboratory Science

by Stacy Jackson

January 30, 2025

60-year-Old Graduates With Bachelor’s From Alabama A&M University

Brooks said his mother was with him every step of the way as he worked to complete his bachelor's degree at Alabama A&M.

For Allen Brooks, working full-time and going to school was tough but determined to fulfill a promise to his late mother, the 60-year-old Brewton, Alabama, native returned to Alabama A&M University and completed his bachelor’s degree over three decades after leaving the school in 1986.

Brooks officially became a college graduate in December 2024 after he completed a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in business management from Alabama A&M. “It was tough. The classes [were] tough. I was still working eight hours a day and going to school, but it was worth it,” Brooks told ABC‘s Good Morning America.

The 2024 grad initially enrolled at Alabama A&M in 1982. On a partial band scholarship, Brooks said he was only committed to the band and allowed his grades to drop while he attended the HBCU in Huntsville. “…After a while, I got to a point where I had to leave school,” he said. “Things [came] up, and then I had to get a real job to support myself.” Brooks left Alabama A&M in 1986 and started a family. As he moved along with his life, his mother, Sarah Pearl Brooks, always wished for him to return to school and complete his studies. Brooks made a promise to his mother, “I said, ‘Mom, one day, I’m going to do it,'” he recalled. In 2020, he returned to enroll at Alabama A&M to complete his bachelor’s. Brooks said he juggled his courses while working a full-time job.

Brooks’ daughter, Brionna Washington, is proud of her father’s accomplishment. “He is the epitome of walking in YOUR purpose and not FOR SOCIETY!” she captioned a video on TikTok of the family supporting Brooks on graduation day. Moved to tears, family members held up signs to represent Brooks’ mother, who died as her son completed his final course.

https://www.tiktok.com/@_brionnaofficial/video/7449005342433922350

Pearl Brooks died in July, months ahead of her son’s graduation ceremony for his bachelor’s degree.

Salary, expectations, California, financial, embezzlement scam limitations, money, Black women, taxes, deductions, e file, turbo tax, moving expenses, money mindset, Georgia

by Mitti Hicks

January 30, 2025

Report: Black Consumers Have $2 Trillion In Buying Power

Beyond their buying power, Black consumers are setting digital trends and leading engagement. Black audiences spend 32 hours on apps and websites on their smartphones and tablets.

As some companies in America try to move away from diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, a new report shows doing away with DEI initiatives could be costly. Black consumers have $2 trillion in buying power. As Black America continues to grow and embraces the nuances of its diverse identities, Black people are also looking for companies that reflect them to earn their business long-term.

Companies risk missing out on Black consumers’ business. According to Nielsen’s Diverse Intelligence Series report Engaging Black Audiences: How Brands Impact, Grow and Win with Inclusion, 67% of Black Americans are likely to seek out new brands if businesses fail to align with causes they care about.

Beyond their buying power, Black consumers are setting digital trends and leading engagement. According to Nielsen’s report, Black audiences spend 32 hours on apps and websites on smartphones and tablets, two hours more than the total U.S. population, so connecting with Black consumers is essential.

“Reaching Black consumers may not be a challenge—but connecting with us can be. Black consumers are leaning into platforms that emphasize conversation and create a sense of connection,” says Charlene Polite Corley, vice president of Diverse Insights & Partnerships at Nielsen.

She adds, “To win with this community who wields $2 trillion in buying power, brands must prioritize engagement strategies that center diverse Black experiences and cultural nuances.”

How To Connect With Black Consumers

The report highlights how Black culture drives current digital trends. Internet slang like “periodt,” “bae,” and “cap” are all examples of how brands adopted African American Vernacular English (AAVE) on social media. According to the report, memes, for example, draw from iconic Black moments and influences.

What has been frustrating for Black consumers is how companies fail to attribute these phrases and images to the origins of Black culture.

Given this community’s time with digital media, Black consumers have become the “general market” on digital platforms. Instead of shying away from DEI efforts, businesses have an opportunity to connect. Organizations can do this by deepening partnerships with Black creators. The report also highlights podcasts to foster connection with Black audiences. Black listeners outpace engagement with audio—from podcasts to radio.

Another opportunity is women’s sports. There has been growing momentum in these sports, particularly the WNBA. Star athletes like A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese drive up enthusiasm among Black consumers.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 30, 2025

Milwaukee’s Older Black Men Are Becoming Most Susceptible To Opioid Crisis

Older Black men in Milwaukee are dying from drug overdoses at alarming rates despite the opioid crisis slowing down for others.

As the opioid epidemic slows for others, there is a growing number of older Black men in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who are dying of fentanyl-related causes.

A new report by The Baltimore Banner, The New York Times, and Stanford University’s Big Local News reveals that Milwaukee County is among dozens of U.S. counties where drugs are disproportionately claiming the lives of Black men born between 1951 and 1970. The data highlights a critical crisis: older Black men in Milwaukee accounted for 12.5% of all drug-related deaths between 2018 and 2022, despite representing only 2.3% of the population. Their drug mortality rate was 14.2 times higher than the national average and 5.5 times higher than that of other Milwaukee County residents.

After initially uncovering the growing crisis in Baltimore, the Times and the Banner quickly found similar issues in dozens of counties across the nation, the Wisconsin Watch reported. The Wisconsin Watch and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service are among 10 news outlets that are looking into the research further.

Six other Wisconsin counties — Brown, Dane, Kenosha, Racine, Rock, and Waukesha — ranked among the top 408 nationwide for drug-related deaths from 2018 to 2022. However, Milwaukee was the only county in Wisconsin with such an alarming rate of Black men dying drug-related deaths.

The numbers have only continued to accelerate in the years since the analysis ended, even as the opioid crisis declines nationwide. Medical examiner data reveals that drugs claimed the lives of 74 older Black men in Milwaukee County in 2024. This group accounted for 17.3% of all drug-related deaths in 2024, up from 16.2% in 2023, and 14.1% in 2022.

Hamid Abd-Al-Jabbar’s tragic story highlights a trend among drug-related deaths in Milwaukee. Abd-Al-Jabbar was working as a peace activist after spending years in prison for shooting and killing a man during a 1988 drug house robbery.

He experienced a life of pain, trauma, and abuse he harbored internally without asking anyone for help. Drugs were an outlet for Abd-Al-Jabbar, cocaine in particular. But he died in February 2021, at age 51, after ingesting a drug mixture that included fentanyl and cocaine.

Abd-Al-Jabbar’s story mirrors that of many older Black men who have died from drug-related causes. The majority used cocaine laced with stronger fentanyl — the fast-acting drug that has fueled the national opioid crisis. Many also had a history of incarceration.

The disparities in Wisconsin are compounded by the state’s high incarceration rate for Black men, one of the highest in the nation, along with some of the country’s most significant gaps in education, public health, housing, and income. Limited options and persistent stigma prevent a generation of Black men from accessing drug treatment. While a network of organizations offering comprehensive care provides hope, these resources are vastly insufficient to meet the community’s needs.

“Black men experience higher rates of community violence, are often untreated for mental health issues, and experience greater levels of systemic racism than other groups,” said Lia Knox, a Milwaukee mental wellness consultant. “These all elevate their risk of incarceration, addiction, and also death.”

by Kandiss Edwards

January 30, 2025

Olympian Runner Gabby Thomas Fears Potential ‘Stalkers’

Olympian Gabby Thomas fears she is being stalked by unnamed fans.

Olympic runner Gabby Thomas believes a group of men are stalking her across the country.

The triple gold medalist posted a video on TikTok asking her followers for advice. Thomas claims three to six men appear to have access to her flight information and have shown up at various airports, including those in Chicago and Miami.

“They show up at the front door of the airport at the correct concourse, or they show up at my gate, which means they have flight tickets and get past security,” Thomas said. The Olympian now fears for her safety.

@itsgabbythomas They know the airport, day, time, gate, everything!!! Who do I report them to?? #fyp ♬ original sound – Gabby Thomas

Some may doubt that merely showing up and requesting signed photos amounts to stalking, but according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), if done without a “legitimate reason,” that is exactly what constitutes stalking. Given that the 2024 gold medalist has previously signed memorabilia for the men, continued requests could be considered both stalking and harassment.

The DOJ defines stalking as the following:

Making unwanted phone calls
Sending unsolicited or unwanted letters or emails
Following or spying on the victim
Showing up at places without a legitimate reason
Waiting at places for the victim
Leaving unwanted items, presents, or flowers
Posting information or spreading rumors about the victim on the internet, in public places, or by word of mouth

State laws vary regarding how stalking is handled as a criminal offense. The barometer is based on the “fear and emotional distress, as well as the requisite intent of the stalker,” the DOJ states.

Thomas’s experiences span multiple states. At this point, she is taking control by making the public aware and drawing attention to the men’s actions. Documenting the continued pattern of behavior is the first step in proving a suspect is indeed stalking.

If you suspect you may be in danger from a stalker, contact your local police.