• News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 2, 2024

Black Women LEGO Collectors Build Community On TikTok

Black women who love building epic Lego sets have built a community through TikTok.

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Black women are building a community of fellow classic toy lovers. This assortment of LEGO collectors have found one another through TikTok.

Many have posted videos as part of a “showing off” trend, accompanied by the song “Mr Pot Scrapper” by rapper BossMan Dlow. Black women, and even men, get to display their massive collections and connect with fellow LEGO lovers. One TikTok user, Alyssa Evans, spoke on the joy of finding others like her who shared in the hobby.

“I didn’t expect it to go the way that it did,” she explained to NBC News. “I didn’t expect to find a sense of community because LEGOs as a hobby is a non-POC, male-dominated hobby. So when I saw other women of color posting about it, of all different ages, it warmed my heart.”

Evans has an expansive collection, one she takes immense pride in. From Lego flower sets to the toy’s version of Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” Evans has gained traction online from those in awe and fellow building-block enthusiasts.

@uhleesuh01 lego, pls add me to your pr list #legos #fy ♬ Mr Pot Scraper – BossMan Dlow

Black women like Evans have expressed the hobby is a stress-reliever for Adult Fans of Legos or “AFOLs.” As a result, seeing others partake is also a reassuring feeling that their joy is not uncommon.

“I’ve definitely found a sense of community in it,” expressed Evans. “There’s not really that ‘alone’ feeling anymore. Before it wasn’t a hobby that I shared; I did it for myself. I didn’t know there were other women out there. It heals my inner child.” 

Moreover, the company shared in the excitement of seeing more diverse LEGO users.

“We are thrilled to see the engagement by Black women using LEGO bricks as a creative outlet to celebrate the passions they have,” explained Alero Dawn Akuya, Lego’s vice president of brand development, to the news outlet. “The Black community is rich with creativity, inspiration, and positivity and we are humbled that the community is recognizing our products to express themselves and their personal stories!”

LEGO has also committed resources and funding to the Black community. In 2020, amid Black Lives Matter protests, the company promised a $4 million donation for initiatives benefiting Black children. Akuya continued on Lego’s commitment to building a greater society for all.

Akuya added, “Making everyone feel welcome to the LEGO universe is critical to our purpose for being, and we make an active effort to ensure our product and marketing activities reflect this ambition.”

RELATED CONTENT: LEGO Releasing New LGBTQ+ Toy Set For Pride Month

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 2, 2024

Rihanna Shines Bright As Female Artist With Most Diamond Hits

Rihanna added 4 more diamond hits to her accolades.

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Rihanna can now add a new achievement under her belt. The singer has made history as the top female artist with the most diamond-certified hit songs.

The “Diamonds” singer herself has earned four new diamond certifications, breaking a tie with other artists, per The Daily Mail. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) bestowed her 2007 single “Umbrella” and 2016 hit “Work” with the plaques. The songs featured rappers Jay-Z and Drake, respectively. Additional songs include her solo release “Needed Me” and “Stay,” which featured Mikky Ekko.

Of the accomplishment, Rihanna boasted her new status to social media, specifically X. She posted a screenshot of her accolades for most diamond singles and certified titles for a woman in the music industry.

ain’t no back n forth pic.twitter.com/hXnIN7ZGap

— Rihanna (@rihanna) May 31, 2024

“Aint no back n forth,” shared the mother of two, alluding to who the top female artist is. Other hits part of her staggering 7 diamond certifications also include “Love the Way You Lie,” “We Found Love,” and, fittingly, “Diamonds.”

While fans celebrate the Grammy winner’s success, they also anticipate more news of his highly-anticipated next project. Since the 2016 release of her critically acclaimed album “Anti,” the singer took a significant break from music. She has become a greater figure in the beauty and fashion industry, which took off after she launched Fenty Beauty in 2017.

However, Rihanna is not done chasing diamonds yet with additional reports of a comeback tour in the works. Despite this, the singer has been quite busy growing her businesses and family. She gave birth to son Riot, her second with rapper ASAP Rocky, in August 2023. The working mom also expanded Fenty Beauty into the skin care realm, while still remaining the face of her lingerie and athleisure brand, Savage X.

While her priorities continue to expand, Rihanna made sure to celebrate herself and the music that helped shape her career.

RELATED CONTENT: Fake AI Photos Of Rihanna At Met Gala Trick Social Media Users

• Education

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 2, 2024

Student Living in Homeless Shelter Graduates As High School Valedictorian

Hogan will attend an HBCU in the fall.

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A young man has successfully navigated his studies while living at a homeless shelter. The student, Elijah Hogan, graduated as valedictorian at his Louisiana high school.

Hogan lived in Covenant House, a homeless shelter for young people, as he sought to obtain his high school diploma. The student started classes at Walter L. Cohen High School remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also faced even more worries at home. However, he believes his community at the shelter and his school inspired him to keep going.

In his speech at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 24, Hogan thanked his community for helping him reach this accomplishment. He was one of two valedictorians, ending his matriculation with a 3.93 GPA.

“The speech in itself was more of a thank-you letter to the school, to the staff, to the students and to their parents for helping us to get past our school years and get us where we are now graduating, going off in the world,” Hogan told Good Morning America.

The newly-crowned valedictorian struggled at the beginning of his high school experiences, with the adults in his lives noticing his growth from a shy young boy to a capable young man. His case worker at Covenant House, Jarkayla Cobb, noted how he overcame his traumatic life shift to reach new opportunities.

“He was very shy. He had very little words at first, so it’s just awesome to see how much he’s developed and become so well-spoken over the last seven or eight months that I’ve been a part of his life and just been able to push and encourage him to go after everything that the world has to offer,” explained Cobb.

Homelessness has surged in Louisiana in recent years, especially in the Black community. According to Axios, homelessness in its most populous city of New Orleans rose by 7% for Black individuals. Nationwide, the amount of unhoused, unaccompanied youth also had a 15% increase, per the Louisiana Weekly.

However, the 19-year-old’s journey speaks to the importance of holistic support for those struggling with homelessness. He encouraged young people to remain committed to their education, no matter the obstacles.

He added, “There is a time and place where you can have fun, but try to keep yourself organized on some of your education as well, because without your education, you will not be able to get through the hardships and meet the people that helped you along the way.”

Hogan will continue his academic journey at an HBCU, Xavier University of Louisiana. There, the valedictorian hopes to pursue a degree in graphic design.

RELATED CONTENT: Gen-Z Graduates Face Employment Market Concerns About Pro-Palestine Protests

• Legal

by Daniel Johnson

June 2, 2024

Florida Deputy Who Killed Black Airman Roger Fortson In His Own Home Fired

The family of Roger Fortson still wants criminal charges brought against the deputy, says attorney Ben Crump.

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Deputy Eddie Duran, the person who shot Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old U.S. Air Force Senior Airman, has been fired following an investigation into the incident. The investigation concluded that Duran’s discharge of his firearm constituted a violation of departmental policy. 

As NPR reports, on May 31, the Okaloosa County, Florida, Sheriff’s Department said in a press release that the incident never should have happened. “This tragic incident should have never occurred,” Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said. “The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual.”

Benjamin Crump, one of the attorneys representing Fortson’s family, said that while it was a step toward justice, it was not justice for the family. “The actions of this deputy were not just negligent, they were criminal. Just as we did for Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson, and Breonna Taylor, we will continue to fight for full justice and accountability for Roger Fortson, as well as every other innocent Black man and woman gunned down by law enforcement in the presumed safety of their own home.”

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, Fortson was killed by Duran on May 3, shortly after Duran and other officers entered his apartment in response to a complaint over an alleged argument he was having with his girlfriend. Fortson, however, was alone in his apartment when Duran and the officers entered the apartment and shot Fortson six times. Fortson was actually on a FaceTime call with his girlfriend during the incident. He later died at a local hospital.

Crump called for the department to come clean in a May 16 News conference. “When you make a mistake, you own up to it,” Crump told reporters. “You don’t try to justify killing a good guy. The Okaloosa Sheriff’s Department needs to own up to this. Tell the truth.”

Crump told CNN on May 31 that he expects charges to be filed. “While the criminal investigation is still ongoing, we fully anticipate charges to be filed against this officer,” he said. “The video footage provides damning proof that this was a brutal and senseless killing of a young man who was simply enjoying time alone with his dog while video chatting with his girlfriend.”

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is still investigating.

Related Content: Gun Presence Does Not Justify Killing Of Florida Airman, Experts And Supporters Say

• News

by Daniel Johnson

June 2, 2024

Exonerated Five Member Says Trump Verdict Is ‘Karma’

Santana described his experience of seeing Trump found guilty as surreal.

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Raymond Santana, a member of the Exonerated Five, believes that the 34-0 verdict handed down in Donald Trump’s New York hush money case is a result of the now-convicted felon’s bad karma. Santana, now an actor, is one of the individuals Trump took out several full-page ads in New York City papers about in 1989, calling for New York to adopt the death penalty following the attack and arrest of the then-teenagers despite their innocence. Santana is one of five Black and Latino teenagers wrongfully convicted of a 1989 rape in Central Park. They were exonerated in 2002 after spending five to 13 years in prison.

As The Hill reports, Santana commented during an appearance on CNN where he spoke with anchor Victor Blackwell. 

“For me, it was about karma,” Santana said. “It was the example of, this is what happens when rich billionaires who stand on white privilege now have to answer, right?”

Santana continued, “So it becomes a surreal moment. It also becomes a moment where you just got to take it in, right? This is the stuff that we had to deal with of 1989: going through trial, hearing the conviction, hearing a guilty verdict. And then, now having to sit there and wait for sentencing. I understand that process all too well.”

Santana’s 1989 reference was a call back to when he and four other Black and Latinx teenagers were wrongfully convicted of the rape of a white woman who was jogging in Central Park. They ended up serving time until 2002 when advancements in DNA evidence collection proved that there was nothing connecting them to the crime. 

Blackwell referred to Trump’s call for their execution during the segment, saying that the newly minted felon “called for the death penalty to be reinstated in New York” against the 14- and 15-year-old young men. 

Santana described his experience of seeing Trump found guilty as surreal, telling Blackwell, “And, so, I think now, it’s like, you get to see a person of Donald Trump’s stature right,” Santana said. “Who was a former president, and now you get to see that he’s not above the law, that he can be touched. That he can have this experience that’s very similar to mine. It becomes a moment that is a surreal moment. It’s a full circle moment for me.” 

Al Sharpton, who often defended Santana and the other members of the Exonerated Five, also referred to their ordeal in his own statement regarding Trump’s verdict. 

“These children had to hear vitriol from people whose anger was incited by a man who spent a small fortune on full-page ads calling for their execution. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Donald Trump is the criminal, and those five men are exonerated. I’m reminded of Dr. King’s proverb that the arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice.”

As the Associated Press reported, Sharpton also referred to the fact that Trump and the Exonerated Five were tried in the same courthouse. 

“This is the same building that Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise all passed into, day after day, as they endured a show trial for a crime they did not commit.”

Salaam, now a New York City councilman, released a statement via Twitter/X explaining that he was not taking pleasure in the verdict but exhorting the country to be better. 

“We should be proud that today the system worked,” Salaam wrote. “But we should be somber that we Americans have an ex-President who has been found guilty on 34 separate felony charges. We have to do better than this. Because we are better than this.”

RELATED CONTENT: GOTEEM! Donald Trump Found Guilty Of 34 Felony Charges In Hush Money Trial

• Legal

by Daniel Johnson

June 2, 2024

University Of Virginia Settles For $9 Million With Families Of 2022 Mass Shooting

The families believe that they are owed more.

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The University of Virginia will pay $9 million to the families of the victims as part of a settlement following an investigation into the university’s response to the 2022 mass shooting. However, the families feel they deserve more than just financial compensation, and their lawyer stated this is only the beginning of a longer journey for justice.

As the Associated Press reports, the families are requesting the immediate release of the independent probe, which was delayed due to fears that it would have interfered with the criminal trial of Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., a former member of the university’s football team who shot and killed three football players and wounded two other students. 

Kimberly Wald, an attorney representing some of the families, told the AP that the settlement is an indication that more work needs to be done. “This settlement today is only one small step for these families — there is much to be done. If there is one lesson, even one lesson that we can learn from that report, we need to know it now…We need to protect lives now.”

According to Wald, UVA’s agreement will pay out $2 million to the families of Devin Chamber, Lavel Davis Jr, and D’Sean Perry, the maximum settlement allowable under Virginia State law. According to the university, the agreement was authorized by Virginia’s Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. 

UVA Rector Robert Hardie and its President, Jim Ryan, said in a joint statement that the slain players had a positive impact on the university community. “We will forever remember the impact that Devin, Lavel, and D’Sean had on our community, and we are grateful for the moments they spent in our presence uplifting UVA through their time in the classroom and on the football field.”

Meanwhile, Happy Perry, the mother of D’Sean Perry, told reporters that the probe’s report should be released if it will keep similar tragedies from occurring. “As a mom, I want to know what happened. It is my right to know what happened. At this point, it is an issue of public safety and national security that we get that report.”

As WAFE reports, Brenda Hollins, the mother of Mike Hollins, one of the wounded students, said in a press conference that she needs to see greater transparency from the university. “You see how easily it can happen and how quickly something like this can happen. They were on a bus going on a school trip to see a play. It was so easy for this to happen and for the small things to fall through the cracks. They’re overlooked. We have to do something.”

Wald agreed with Hollins’ concerns, saying, “We have to know what happened here, why it happened, and really be able to use that information to implement change.”

RELATED CONTENT: Victims in Texas School Shooting Killed in Single Classroom, Authorities Say

• Arts and Culture

by Daniel Johnson

June 2, 2024

Black British Writers Face Inequality In Publishing

Black books by British authors remain underrepresented in England’s book market despite efforts at increasing equity from figures in publishing.

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Publishing in the U.K. is undergoing a continuation of the call for more equality. Black books by British authors remain underrepresented in England’s book market despite efforts at increasing equity from figures in publishing.

As The Bookseller reports, according to data from Nielsen Bookscan’s Total Consumer Market Data, only 23 Black bestsellers were among the top 1,000 authors in 2023. Their sales totaled $12.1 million, compared to the $834.9 million generated by all book sales. 

Fleur Sinclair, the new president of the Booksellers Association and owner of Sevenoaks Bookshop in Kent, told The Bookseller that the pathways for Black authors need to be broadened because they face unique barriers in the publishing industry. “With Black authors being still in such a minority, if you like, they can’t afford to have just the same old publishing model… If we’re trying to change the offering, and we’re trying to change the landscape, then we’ve got to think about different ways in which those authors and their books will be better supported.”

The book printing type, that is, a paperback or a hardcover book, also matters for authors in the British market. If a book is well presented with an attractive cover, it can buck the trend of paperbacks tending to be preferred over hardcovers. The book then stands a better chance of getting picked up off the shelf and purchased than a similar book that is not as well packaged. 

Will Smith, the co-owner of Sam Read Bookseller in Grasmere, told the outlet that Black British writers are underpromoted compared to even their Black American counterparts. “While we now see more books published by Black British writers, we often see publishers promoting Black American authors rather than Black British writers,” Smith said. “It’s often surprising how being a rural bookshop shapes publishers’ perception that we will sell fewer Black writers.”

Nels Abbey, the co-founder of the Black Writers Guild, added that it is not uncommon to field calls from Black writers in England who feel left out by their publishers. “It is far from unusual to receive distress calls from Black writers who have been all but deserted by their publishers,” Abbey said. “We are aware of situations in which publishers have performed well beneath the most basic of expectations: failing to send out proofs for quotes, near no promotion whatsoever, refusal or inability to engage with the author’s concerns, etc.”

Some publishers, like HarperCollins, have implemented programs like its Ethnicity Development Circle, which promises to mentor every employee of color in its company and works in concert with its senior sponsorship program for “ethnic minority leaders.” 

As The Guardian reported, in 2020, the Black Writers Guild in the U.K. called for change through a letter addressed to HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, and Macmillan. 

The letter stated in part: “The protest movement sweeping the world since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has forced an international soul-searching to understand the pervasive racial inequalities that haunt most sectors of our society – including our own major institutions and industries.”

The letter continued, ”Publishers have taken advantage of this moment to amplify the marketing of titles by their Black authors and release statements of support for the black communities who have been campaigning for equality for decades.”

In 2023, the Black Writers Guild wrote an op-ed for The Bookseller, calling for more representation to join its fight for equality in the publishing industry. 

“The Black community has long shown the world what we can achieve together and the Black Writers’ Guild is an example of how we are affecting the publishing industry. There’s a well-known African proverb that says: ‘If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ We couldn’t have achieved all we have without the dedication, commitment and support of you, the members. We can achieve so much more together, so we call on you writers – the romantics and poets, come with your beautifully crafted stories of love, joy and pain.”

RELATED CONTENT: Colin Kaepernick Starting Publishing Company and Releasing Memoir

• Food

by Daniel Johnson

June 2, 2024

New Orleans Prepares To Celebrate Juneteenth With A Culinary Feast

Some of the city’s best chefs will cook over an open flame, a tradition that dates back several centuries to the practices of enslaved Black Americans and Africans on the continent.

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New Orleans is preparing to celebrate Juneteenth in the most New Orleans way: through culinary excellence. Seven chefs will participate on June 16 at Grow Dat Youth Farm during the Third Annual Afro Freedom Afro Feast Juneteenth Celebration. 

As Eater New Orleans reports, the event is intended to celebrate the community’s elders and the city’s culinary tradition. Some of the city’s best chefs will cook over an open flame, a tradition that dates back several centuries to the practices of enslaved Black Americans and Africans on the continent. 

Seringe Mbaye, a managing chef at Dakar Nola, told the magazine that he is enjoying how the event has grown over the past few years. 

“This event has become bigger than me, which has always been my intention,” Mbaye said. “Seeing it grow, seeing so many chefs doing a tremendous amount of work in the community, it’s just amazing. We are sharing our story and inspiring youth, not just for African American communities, but for our own community here in New Orleans.”

Charly Pierre, who works for the Haitian restaurant Fritai and has been involved from the start, told Eater that the change in venue has made the event more accessible to more people. 

“The first year we were on a farm in Mississippi, which was beautiful, but the centralized location at Grow Dat makes it more accessible to more people. I love where this is going. It’s a lot of work on the production side, but this group really puts their heart into it. We draw people, not just from New Orleans but from all over the country. “

Chef Martha Wiggins, who represents Café Reconcile at the celebration, told Eater that the bond she shares with Mbaye makes it one of the events she commits to each year. “Serigne is like a brother to me. I love the community that it encourages, the spirit behind the event. I trust those involved. The values and mission are a perfect fit.”

Wiggins continued, “It all comes together very organically for us. One of the things I really love to do is slow cook in big pots, which is why field peas and collards work so well for me. We all collaborate well and show up authentically. We have constant conversations about the history of race and civil rights in New Orleans. We talk about Juneteenth, but more importantly, the idea that every month is Black History Month.”

The Juneteenth Celebration began on Ben Burkett’s farm in Petal, Mississippi, in 2021 but moved to New Orleans City Park in 2023. In addition to Mbaye, Pierre, and Wiggins, Chefs Nina Compton, Prince Lobo, Kaitlyn Guerin, and Shonda Cross will also participate in the event. In a press release announcing the event, Mbaye called attention to the synergy between the location of the event, its mission, and the values of the New Orleans community. 

“We will converge at the Grow Dat Youth Farm to focus on sustainability, the land’s beauty, and its bountiful harvest while honoring our ancestors who cultivated this very soil,” Mbaye said. “We invite everyone to join us in commemorating history, celebrating culinary artistry, and inspiring our community while supporting the growth of our local youth.”

Julie Gable, the co-executive director of Grow Dat Youth Farm, and Lily Mejia, the development manager of the Farm, indicated their excitement for the event via a joint statement in the press release. “Grow Dat Youth Farm is pleased to be the host site of Afro Freedom Afro Feast in collaboration with Dakar NOLA,” the pair said. “As a youth-serving organization committed to solidarity and the love of land, we take pride in the land we steward being used as a space for folks across the African Diaspora to commune, to celebrate, and to honor our ancestors on Juneteenth – and that our young leaders can bear witness to and participate in this joy!”

RELATED CONTENT: Rhode Island To Celebrate Juneteenth As A State Holiday

• Sports

by Mary Spiller

June 2, 2024

Olympic Gold Medal Wrestler Signs With Buffalo Bills Despite Never Having Played Football

The Miami Dolphins were reportedly also interested in wrestler Gable Stevenson.

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Two-time NCAA-winning wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is making the move on to football. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Steveson has signed with the Buffalo Bills as a potential defensive line player — despite never having played football before. 

The Bills confirmed that Steveson will join its roster after releasing punter Matt Haack. The 23-year-old wrestler signed a one-year contract, which is standard for rookies. Reports also suggested that the Miami Dolphins were interested in Steveson, but the Bills won out on the contract.

The wrestler has found success in the athletic department throughout high school, college, and his professional career but has never played football before. His first time was when he began working out with the Buffalo Bills.

Stevenson told ESPN, “I have been fortunate to compete at the highest level of competition in my sport, but am looking forward to the challenge of seeing how my wrestling skills may translate to football.

“I am grateful to Coach [Sean] McDermott, [general manager] Brandon Beane, and the Buffalo Bills organization for giving me this opportunity.” 

McDermott is confident in the 6-foot-1, 275-pound Steveson’s ability to catch on to the game. McDermott has a championship high school wrestling background and believes Stevenson’s talents are transferable to the defensive line. 

The Bills were impressed with his physicality and raw athletic talent, which will put him comfortably on the short list of practice squad candidates in the 2024 season. 

Steveson attended the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he won a gold medal and made history as the youngest to ever do so at 21 years old. He was a super heavyweight competitor. 

His achievements mean that if he goes on to win a Super Bowl with the Bills, he could potentially join fellow athlete Bob Hayes as the only other athlete to have a gold medal and a Super Bowl win.

RELATED CONTENT: Video: Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Keon Coleman Takes Customer’s Order At Louisiana Restaurant

• Food

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 2, 2024

Hip-Hop Cookie Shop Accused of Misappropriating Black Culture With ‘Doughp Dealer’ And ‘Purple Drank’ Menu Offerings

A new hip-hop-inspired cookie is accused of misappropriating Black culture to sell its menu items.

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A new hip-hop-inspired cookie shop in Indianapolis faces criticism from locals who think the eatery is misappropriating Black culture to sell its menu items.

WISH-TV reports that Cookie Plug saw a steady number of diverse customers during its opening week following its launch on May 20. Hip-hop references are displayed throughout the shop, including graffiti-covered walls, a boombox hanging from the ceiling, and illustrations showcasing boxes of cash telling patrons, “Thank you for supporting your neighborhood doughp dealer.”

On the menu, customers can select from a variety of “phatties,” a marijuana term for joints that the shop uses to describe its cookies, and a purple lemonade drink Cookie Plug dubbs the “purple drank,” named after the underground street beverage lean or “Sizzurp,” a combination of alcohol and drugs that increases the chances of a fatal overdose or seizure.

Doreen and her husband, Michael, opened their franchise of the California-based cookie shop, looking to tap into the local market of cookie lovers. However, some locals, like Feeray Phillips, believe the shop is using racist “tropes” to market its products to an unknowing audience.

“When the franchise is not aware of what the terminology they’re dealing with and, to be honest, tropes as gimmicks to sell people lemonade and children lemonade, that’s a problem,” Phillips said.

Phillips recalls how deadly “Purple Drank” was for the Black community and doesn’t think it should be used to promote food items, especially to children.

“Why is the entire theme of the organization (franchise) based on drug references terminology?” he asked.

“You are painting the picture that drugs and hip-hop are synonymous, which is not the truth.”

But Doreen, who is white, says the menu items have nothing to do with Black culture and are just regular words she’s used to describe certain products.

“I grew up at this time and I’ve never done drugs. ‘Purple drank’ is just that, ‘purple drank.’ It’s lemonade.”

Erik Martinez founded Cookie Plug and admits incorporating his love for hip-hop into the company’s marketing strategy.

“That’s exactly my point. You can be a proud American and love hip hop and love cookies and love graffiti, and you don’t have to fit in a box,” Martinez said.

He went on to reference rapper 50 Cent, saying, “America has a thing for this gangster ish’ they do. That’s why I thought, ‘Let’s make this cookie shop gangster.’ That’s really all it is.”

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