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Megan Thee Stallion, Kendrick Lamar And Keke Palmer Secure 2025 Webby Award Nominations
The Webby People's Voice voting period is open from Tuesday, April 1 through Thursday, April 17
The 29th annual Webby Awards ceremony is on the horizon, and several of Black Hollywood’s biggest stars are among the nominees.
The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences presents the awards to digital innovators in various categories, including websites, podcasts, apps, software, games, and social media influencers.
In the General Video & Film category, Megan Thee Stallion snagged a nomination for her hit, “Mamausi,” which pays homage to anime culture. The statuesque rapper will compete against Kendrick Lamar, who earned a nomination for his chart-topping single, “Not Like Us.”
Keke Palmer is nominated for two Webbys this year. Her podcast, Baby, This is Keke Palmer, is in the running for Best Host and Best Talk Show.
Palmer is no stranger to the Webbys. In 2024, the actress won four awards. She earned the Best Host and Best Video Series Awards for Baby, This Is Keke Palmer. She also received the Best Advertising/PR Award for Dinnervention, a collaboration with Hello Fresh. Additionally, the starlet was honored with the Special Achievement Award.
In the television and film category, The Jennifer Hudson Show was nominated for The Spirit Tunnel, during which the show’s staff lines up to serenade guests with original songs or chants featuring catchy beats as they make their way to the stage. RuPaul’s Drag Race is also among the nominees in this category.
A$AP Rocky received two nominations: the digital ad for his collaboration with Puma is up for Best Edit and The Fashion and Lifestyle awards. If the rapper attends the awards ceremony, he will likely be accompanied by his girlfriend, Rihanna. Her Fenty Beauty brand is nominated for two Webbys.
This year, the academy introduced new categories for content creators to acknowledge the growing influence of digital creators in marketing and entertainment.
Nominees in these categories include Kai Cenat, who gained internet fame for his comedic streams on Twitch. Cenat also received a nomination in the Top Video or Film Comedy category for the short video “Thanksgiving,” which features Druski and Kevin Hart.
Fans can visit the Webby website to vote for their favorite nominees. The winners of the 29th Annual Webby Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 22. The awards ceremony will be streamed live on Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube on Monday, May 12, at 5:30 p.m. EST.
The offer letter was submitted on April 2 in a letter to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Under a law upheld by President Donald Trump, TikTok’s Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance, is required to sell the platform to an approved buyer or risk having it banned in the U.S. President has floated the idea of extending the deadline but said he “expects” a deal to be made on time.
White House officials said, “If and when there is an announcement on TikTok, it will come from President Trump,” however, according to NBC News, he has leaned on Vance and national security adviser Michael Waltz to lead the effort to save the app from going black. Vance, who worked in the venture capital space before entering politics, is trying his hardest to avoid a deadline extension, highlighting that deals involving more capital take a certain amount of time. “Typically, some of these deals that are much smaller and involve much less capital take months to close,” Vance said.
“We’re trying to close this thing by early April. I think that the outlines of this thing will be very clear. The question is whether we can get all the paper done.”
Prior to Trump taking office, former President Joe Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, giving ByteDance until January 2025 to sell the app. Bipartisan efforts supported Biden, with lawmakers pushing a narrative of national security concerns, claiming the company was sharing U.S. user data with the Chinese government.
The FBI and the Federal Communications Commission warned that TikTok could share user data like browsing history, location, and biometric identifiers with China’s authoritarian government. However, TikTok defended itself, saying that has never happened and it wouldn’t do so if asked.
The U.S. government has yet to provide evidence of its claims.
After the President said, “We have a lot of potential buyers,” the Trump administration listed “four different groups” they are working with to potentially solidify a sale. Amazon is now on the list with Project Liberty, an organization led by former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, with support from “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary, Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian, and internet celebrity “Mr. Beast.”
Other potential suitors include former video game CEO Bobby Kotick, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, and Microsoft. Last-minute bidders wanting to knock Amazon out of the bidding war are also listed, including the founder of payroll firm Employer.com, Jesse Tinsley, who said he offered ByteDance over $30 billion for the platform and Wyoming small business owner Reid Rasner, who threw in a bid to pay the company $47.5 billion in exchange for ownership.
20-Year-Old Man Arrested After Money Dispute Leads To Alleged Double Murder
By pure coincidence, Sessoms was apprehended in Michigan on the same day on unrelated burglary charges.
A 20-year-old man, who reportedly believed that his mother stole his money, has been charged with the murders of his parents in a motel room.
Jason Sessoms was accused of fatally shooting his father, 42-year-old Marvin Sessoms, and his mother, 38-year-old Maleeka Sessoms, inside the Extended Stay Kansas City motel in Northland on March 29.
Kansas City police officers responded to the motel in the 4300 block of North Corrington Avenue at approximately 3:45 a.m., where they discovered the Sessoms couple unresponsive, their bodies riddled with gunshot wounds, according to Kansas City Police Department spokesperson Capt. Jake Becchina. Marvin and Maleeka died at the scene.
By pure coincidence, Sessoms was apprehended in Michigan on the same day on unrelated burglary charges. A subsequent interview with the suspected killer’s 10-year-old brother, who was traveling with Sessoms, provided a harrowing account. The juvenile allegedly told Michigan police that his older brother had killed their parents earlier that day, according to court documents.
Further investigation revealed that the Sessoms family had been en route to Georgia to visit Marvin Sessoms’ sister. However, they had returned to the Kansas City area to retrieve the youngest son’s laptop. The sister also told investigators that the family had been fleeing because Jason Sessoms believed someone had “put out a hit on him,” according to the affidavit.
In Michigan, Sessoms was armed with two handguns when he was arrested. He is currently being held at the Van Buren County Detention Facility in Paw Paw, Michigan, facing charges of home invasion, attempted disarming of a police officer, unlawful driving away of an automobile, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting and obstructing a police officer. A Michigan judge set his bond at $2 million.
Kansas City Police Department detectives traveled to Michigan to interview Sessoms about the killings of his parents. During the interview, Sessoms initially provided conflicting accounts, attempting to deflect blame. He first claimed a “tall and buff” Hispanic male had killed his parents and intended to harm him. However, after detectives confronted him with evidence, Sessoms provided multiple, varying versions of the events leading to his parents’ deaths, according to court documents.
The Clay County Court has charged Jason Sessoms with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. No information has been released regarding when Sessoms will be extradited to Missouri to face these charges.
The motive for the killings, as alleged by authorities, stemmed from Sessoms’ belief that his mother had taken his money to rent the motel room. The details provided by the 10-year-old child and the family members painted a picture of a volatile individual.
Sessoms faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in Clay County, Missouri, following the deaths of Marvin and Maleeka Sessoms. He is currently detained in Michigan on separate charges, pending extradition.
Morehouse College Becomes First HBCU To Win National Boxing Tournament
21-year-old Kaleb Hudson and 20-year-old Elijah McLean brought home national championship belts
Morehouse College boxed its way into history when they became the first HBCU (historically Black college and university) to be involved in the U.S. Intercollegiate Boxing Association National Tournament.
According to Atlanta First News, the Morehouse Boxing Club participated in the tournament, and two of its members, 21-year-old Kaleb Hudson and 20-year-old Elijah McLean, were able to bring home national championship belts. McLean defeated Glenville State University’s Aaron O’Connor to take home the 168-pound Men’s Open title. Hudson took down the University of Washington’s Evan Lee to win the 140-pound Beginner B bracket.
Morehouse Chief of Police, Charles Prescott, helped the boxing club by raising money for the athletic group, even going into his own pocket to pay for the club’s lodging and travel. He took to his Instagram account to acknowledge the boxing club’s historic victory.
“This week, history was made at Morehouse College!
“Our Morehouse College Boxing Club hit the road and traveled to the National Intercollegiate Boxing Association’s National Championship, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements. Out of seven participants, we brought home impressive results: two National Champions, one 2nd ranked Champion, and four who finished in the top four in their weight classes.
“This marks a monumental moment for Morehouse College as we celebrate our first-ever National Boxing Champions and make HBCU history as the first team from Morehouse and the first HBCU to achieve this honor.”
On the school’s Instagram account, it also stated that the boxing club’s publicity chair, Alofamonie “Moni” Galoia, fought in the tournament as well.
“Alofamonie ‘Moni’ Galoia, the Club’s Publicity Chair and student at Clark Atlanta University, also competed fiercely in the women’s division at the USIBA National Championship.”
Morehouse Boxing Club President and Founder, Jacobey Bell, shared that there were financial obstacles to participating, but the club benefited from the tournament being a local event.
“It’s hard for us to get funding, a lot of times. We got lucky this year with the tournament being in Macon.”
Savannah State University’s New President, Dr. Jermaine Whirl, Gets The Ultimate Welcome From Students
Dr. Jermaine Whirl previously led Augusta Technical College, and held numerous administrative and faculty roles at other public institutions.
Savannah State University has welcomed its new president, Dr. Jermaine Whirl, to lead the HBCU.
On April 1, Dr. Whirl officially began his tenure at Georgia’s oldest public historically Black university. Prior to his appointment, Whirl served as president of Augusta Technical College (ATC) since 2020. He will bring over two decades of experience as an administrative leader and faculty member at multiple public institutions.
“I am looking forward to returning to the beautiful city of Savannah and helping to shape the next generation of leaders in our area and region,” Whirl said in a statement on the school’s website. “Working with our alumni and community partners, I think we can take an SSU education to the next level and provide more opportunities for the Tiger nation.”
His previous experience also extends to roles at South Carolina’s Greenville Technical College (GTC), Georgia’s Savannah Technical College (STC), Georgia Southern University (GSU), and East Georgia State University (EGSU).
His plans for SSU include making it a doctoral-degree-granting institution. Moreover, he aims to make SSU a “primary driver” of economic development and “increased social mobility” for the greater Savannah region.
His ambitions also range from making SSU the “anchor institution” of Savannah by fostering new partnerships across many sectors to achieving a placement in the U.S. News & World Report’s Top 25 HBCU list by 2035.
He reportedly reigns as the youngest president in HBCU history at 39 years old. The school community celebrated his new start with a serenade, made popular by The Jennifer Hudson Show, at a campus building.
Whirl replaces SSU’s interim president, President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, JD. Robinson Alexander expressed her well wishes to Whirl ahead of the leadership transition.
“As interim president for the last 21 months, I have had the opportunity to implement many changes that I think will lay a firm foundation for Dr. Whirl’s ambitious goals,” said Robinson Alexander. “Although I am sad to leave the SSU community, I am encouraged that I am leaving it in good hands.”
During his tenure at ATC, Whirl oversaw a 20.3% increase in headcount within three academic years starting in 2021. He additionally fostered education partnerships with neighboring universities, the city of Augusta, and Amazon.
His years-long achievement resulted in numerous awards, including the Leadership Award from the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce. With a master’s degree in adult education and community leadership from Armstrong State University (now GSU) and an Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Valdosta State University, he brings abundant knowledge and expertise to launch a new era at SSU.
New York Black-Jewish Coalition Calls For Anti-Masking Legislation With New Ad Campaign
A coalition of Black and Jewish advocacy groups is calling for legislation to increase penalties for crimes committed while wearing a mask.
UnMaskHateNY, a coalition of Black and Jewish advocacy groups, has launched an ad campaign advocating for New York State legislation that would impose additional penalties on crimes committed by masked offenders.
The ad campaign seeks to counter “misinformation” about the legislation, which some have mistaken for a “mask ban,” Times of Israel reports. The bill would not prohibit masks, but would increase penalties for crimes committed while wearing one.
“With all the confusion in the debate about regulating the conduct of people wearing masks, we thought it would be helpful to set the record straight,” the ad says. “People can wear masks to their heart’s content, but they can’t wear masks and engage in intimidating, harassing or threatening activity.”
Titled “Fine, Not Fine,” the 30-second ad features images distinguishing acceptable mask use — such as for sports, medical reasons, or religious purposes — from unacceptable use, like concealing one’s identity during violent protests or vandalism. The commercial will air this week on cable TV and digital platforms.
“The text only prohibits the wearing of a mask in situations in which they’re used to hide the identity of a person engaging in intimidating, threatening, or harassing activity. Nothing less, nothing more,” the ad says.
The campaign aligns with New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s efforts to pass the legislation as part of the state budget. The bill seeks to create the offense of “masked harassment,” increasing penalties for crimes committed while wearing a mask “with the primary purpose of menacing or threatening violence” or “causing a person or group to reasonably fear for their physical safety.”
The New York branch of the American Civil Liberties Union called the legislation a “mask ban” and warned that it could “open the floodgates to disproportionate enforcement.” If passed, the masked harassment law would operate similarly to hate crime legislation, which enhances penalties for offenses motivated by discrimination.
Wearing a mask without engaging in criminal activity would not be impacted. New York had anti-masking laws for over a century until they were repealed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cory Booker Made History With A 25-Hour Speech But His Background In Politics And Public Advocacy Is 26 Years Long
Booker began his political career at 29 years of age.
Written By Candace McDuffie
April 1, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) made history by having the longest Senate speech in history by holding the upper chamber’s floor for over 25 hours. This was no April Fool’s Day prank. As he poignantly criticized President Donald Trump’s second White House term and the Republican Party’s tentative spending cuts, Booker beat out segregationist and former South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond’s record when he spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in an effort to block the Civil Rights Act back in 1957.
“These are not normal times in our nation,” he said as he began his speech Monday night. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”
Booker’s marathon speech was highlighted by the fact that he didn’t drink water or eat food throughout its entirety. The 55-year-old politician credited his athletic past as a former high school football player as the reason for his resilience. He also stated that prayer and faith played a role in pulling off his viral stunt.
“I just really lean on faith that we can get through this and I’m just so grateful for my colleagues who really covered me in prayer,” Booker told reporters according to The Hill. Besides galvanizing the left with a fervent anti-Trump speech, his career has been an impressive one steeped in authenticity, resolve, and advocacy for people.
Booker’s Modest Beginnings
Booker was born in Washington, D.C. before moving to northern New Jersey when he was a young boy. He has regularly spoken about the racism he experienced, growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood. His parents, Cary Alfred and Carolyn Rose Booker, were not just civil rights activists — they were also two of the first Black executives at IBM. He attended Stanford University and received a bachelor’s degree in political science as well as a master’s degree in sociology.
When Booker wasn’t playing varsity football, he also was in charge of a student-run crisis hotline. He went on to attend Yale Law School and operated free legal clinics for low-income residents in Connecticut. He was involved in the National Black Law Students Association and the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Booker obtained his juris doctor in 1997.
A Bright Political Future
Booker began his political career at 29 years of age. He returned to New Jersey after finishing his education and took an interest in local politics. In 1998, he defeated four-term Newark City Council incumbent George Branch. To draw attention to the city’s drug and crime problems, Booker went on a 10-day hunger strike and resided in a tent close to drug-dealing areas.
He later ran for the mayoral seat against Sharpe James, who questioned Booker’s Blackness during his campaign. Booker lost the election and finished his council term in 2002. However, he devoted his time to starting nonprofit organizations that equipped Newark residents with community resources and services. The Democrat would run again for mayor in 2006 — and win.
Powerful Two-Term Mayoral Tenure
When Booker became Newark mayor, he was the third consecutive Black person to govern the city since 1970. The politician zeroed in on city reform, which included an overhaul of the police department and Newark’s structural financial deficit. Booker patrolled city streets to bring down crime, shovelled out driveways for elderly residents and worked tirelessly on gun control measures.
In 2012, he saved a woman from a house fire and wound up suffering second-degree burns on his hands as well as smoke inhalation. Not only did the Toronto Sun dub Booker “super-mayor,” but he appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, received a $100 million donation from Mark Zuckerberg for the city’s education fund and gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention.
When a special election was held to fill Frank Lautenberg’s Senate seat after his death, Booker easily won the race.
New Jersey’s First Black Senator
When Booker was sworn into the Senate in 2013, he became the first Black person elected since former President Barack Obama in 2004. He also became New Jersey’s first Black senator. One year later, he was re-elected for a full six-year term. During this stint, he was a vocal proponent of same-sex marriage, an increase in the federal minimum wage, and higher taxes for the wealthy.
Booker also co-sponsored legislation that worked to reform the criminal justice system, and the bill was ultimately signed into law in 2018. He also introduced a bill to study the impact of slavery on generations of Black people and possible reparations for descendants of slaves.
Booker’s Ambitious 2020 Presidential Bid
On Feb. 1, 2019, the first day of Black History Month, Booker made an email announcement to his supporters that he was running for president in 2020.
“The history of our nation is defined by collective action; by interwoven destinies of slaves and abolitionists; of those born here and those who chose America as home; of those who took up arms to defend our country, and those who lined arms to challenge and change it,” he explained in a video.
Even though he was a notable public figure, Booker could not garner the momentum he needed as the campaign season advanced. Instead, polls displayed promise for his Democratic competitors including former President Joe Biden. Booker later failed to qualify for the sixth Democratic debate. In 2020, he revealed that he was suspending his presidential campaign.
Serial Entrepreneur Briana Kelly Celebrates Grand Opening Of The Beautiful Medical Spa
B Beautiful Medical Spa aims to make luxury an empowering experience for all clients.
Seasoned nurse and entrepreneur Briana Kelly has expanded her professional ambitions with a medical spa that had its grand opening on March 30.
B Beautiful Medical Spa, located in the Chamblee, Georgia about 15 miles from Atlanta, hopes to provide patients with a luxurious, relaxing experience as they pursue wellness treatments. B Beautiful aims to become a new standard of self-care.
B Beautiful offers multiple services for skin enhancements to help one achieve their physical goals. For facial rejuvenation, Kelly’s services include botox treatment, dermal fillers and collagen boosts. These facial treatments also range from VI Chemical Peels to microneedling. However, those just wanting a boost in their skincare regimen can also take part. B Beautiful has a host of facials with LED therapy and microdermabrasion to reveal one’s best face yet.
It’s also no secret that weight loss treatments are a popular resource for those struggling to shed pounds. Kelly’s clientele also receives consultation for Semaglutide injections. The injections benefit patients by helping with appetite control while regulating one’s metabolism.
Kelly has years of experience serving clients at her Quality of Life Home Healthcare Agency in Philadelphia. Now, her new team of licensed experts can empower women to feel confident and beautiful in their skin.
“When guests come to the spa, I want them to feel completely relaxed and immersed in an unforgettable experience, especially for those who have never had a wellness spa experience before,” said Kelly in a press release. “From the moment they walk in and take in the soothing atmosphere to the moment they leave with visible results, I want this to be a one-of-a-kind experience that they’ll never forget. Everyone deserves to be pampered and leave feeling confident and beautiful.”
Kelly shared her excitement with BLACK ENTERPRISE, and gave praise to her staff and support team for “playing a part” in the final result and helping her accomplish the spas opening. The Beautiful Medical Spa offers “all aesthetic treatments,” Kelly told BE, including “beauty enhancement services, facials, chemical peels, microderma abrasion, microneedling.”
Producer Princess Banton-Lofters is one of Kelly’s supporters along with Quiana Watson and Jazzy McBee. Banton-Lofters, known for conceptualizing The Real Housewives of Atlanta among others projects, shared a word of wisdom with BE for Black female entrepreneurs, navigating the current anti-DEI climate and lack of funding extended to women:
Those who attended her grand opening witnessed her VIP medical spa with free botox treatment, prizes, and more to celebrate the business’ launch. Now, new patrons can indulge in B Beautiful’s elegant approach to helping people gain long-lasting skin radiance.
