‘I’m not gonna be racist, OK’: White Woman Goes Viral for Awkward Racially-Charged Wedding Speech
A white woman who tried to give a heartfelt speech at her friend’s wedding went viral after her awkwardness turned racist.
A TikTok user received over one million views for a video posted last week showing the seemingly racist speech at an interracial wedding. The TikTok user gave a “CRINGE WARNING” while explaining the video.
“So my brother got married this past weekend and this was one of the speeches from friends…,” she captioned the post. “Think miss girl was nervous, but wheeww had a few of us like.”
⚠️CRINGE WARNING⚠️ So my brother got married this past weekend and this was one of the speeches from friends… 😬🫣 Think miss girl was nervous but wheeww had a few of us like 😳😅
The video shows the white woman, identified as Shannon, standing before wedding guests, informing them that she doesn’t know the Black groom but is willing to welcome him as “part of the family.” Then things got racially awkward.
The woman warned the groom that he “better take care of her girl” because she “knows where he lives.” The speech continued to worsen.
“You’re a part of the family, I swear to God,” she quipped.
“Like, I’m not going to be racist, you guys, I’m just saying.”
Murmurings could be heard from the audience of wedding guests who were taken aback by the speech.
“I’m not gonna be racist, OK,” she said before telling the guests she was joking while flipping her hair.
Shannon applauded the newlyweds for “outstepping the stereotype” and noted how much she “loves Black people.”
Viewers had questions for the TikTok user who posted the video, including if the bride “had any other friends” who didn’t give such racially charged speeches.
“But what kind of a person even has a friend like this?” one user asked.
“Now I’m questioning the bride. And because I question the bride, I question the groom too.”
The TikTok user insisted the wedding was beautiful, and outside of the racist speech, everyone had a great time.
First Black Woman On New York Stock Exchange to Share Her Experience on Wall Street at Penn State
She set the tone as one of the only three Black women to ever work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Pennsylvania State University (PSU) announced that its Behrend Speaker Series will continue on Nov. 10 and will feature Martina Edwards, the first Black woman with a seat at the 1,366-member NYSE. According to the university, as Edwards prepares to discuss topics like the racial wealth gap, attendees will also learn about her work on Wall Street.
The finance graduate from Tuskegee University took her place as a member of the NYSE as a trader for Merrill Lynch, an investment management division of Bank of America.
“It was a whirlwind for me working in a dynamic, fast-paced, male-dominated environment with high stakes trading activity, a steep learning curve, and little to no room for error,” she said on her website.
PSU revealed that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred when Edwards began her first week at the Exchange.
“What I am most proud of during my time at the NYSE was advocating for a mock trading night for about 70 Scholars from SEO,” Edwards said in the university release.
“Access, exposure, and mentorship are factors when considering the dearth of underrepresented talent on Wall Street. I believe firmly that talent is broadly distributed, but not always evenly developed,” she said.
In addition to her role at the NYSE, Edwards provides capital, coaching, and connections to underserved entrepreneurs as the chief of strategic partnerships for Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, a Georgia nonprofit where she reportedly raised $25 million to fund underserved businesses.
“My professional journey has taken me to many places from Merrill Lynch, to business school, to US Trust,” Edwards shared on her website.
“One of the most fulfilling roles I have ever served in was as SEO’s Senior Director, Alternative Investments Program, hosting conferences in NYC with allocators of capital for emerging managers and managing an Alternative Investment Fellows program designed to help underrepresented first and second-year investment banking analysts more effectively compete for roles in private equity,” she added.
Her talk will commence at 7:30 p.m. in McGarvey Commons, in the Reed Union Building, and is open to the public.
‘You Kind of Ripe’: Actor Michael Ealy Reveals Actress Taraji P. Henson Said He Smelled on Set of ‘Think Like a Man Too’
Imagine shooting a scene with Taraji P. Henson, only for the Oscar-nominated actress to tell you that you stink—literally!
That’s what happened when actor Michael Ealy cozied up with Henson to capture a romantic scene for the 2014 film Think Like A Man Too. Ealy recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where the star opened up about the embarrassing moment.
“So Taraji, who I love immensely; we’re from the same hometown,” Ealy shared.
“One of the coolest people you ever meet and the most talented people you will ever meet—we are doing a scene in Think Like a Man Too, and I [had] just had a kid. I didn’t get a chance to really, like, work out or prepare for this role and stuff.”
Being the committed actor he is, Ealy decided to do a round of pushups to buff up his physique ahead of the shirtless scene.
“Right before this scene where I’m like shirtless in the bed with her and stuff like that, I did about 250 pushups right, not in a row…in about 20 to 25 minutes while they are setting up the shot,” he explained.
“Like I said, I was just working my ass off to try and to pump up the muscles, get the blood flow going. That’s a trick. That’s what everybody does.”
But leave it to Henson to be completely honest with Ealy about what was going through her mind.
“I was glistening and I’m laying down with her and we were in between takes, and she’s like kind of like in here, because I’m kind of on top of her,” Ealy continued.
“We’re just sitting there in between the take, and she says to me, she goes, ‘Hmmm, you kind of ripe.'”
The actor recalled trying to defend himself against Henson’s brutally honest response.
“She was like, ‘Michael Ealy is not perfect.’ And I was like, ‘Taraji, you saw me doing the pushups,'” he jokingly shared. “Come on. You know what I’m going through.”
Since making the reveal, many on Black Twitter have been roasting the actor for the awkward moment with Henson.
17 Unmarked Graves Found During Search for Tulsa Race Massacre Victims
An additional 17 unmarked adult gravesites were found at the Oaklawn Cemetery as the city continues its search for the unidentified victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
NBC News reports archaeologists discovered 11 fully exposed graves and one partially exposed grave west of two headstones belonging to Reuben Everett and Eddie Lockard, the only two known graves in the cemetery.
Oklahoma State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck told NBC Monday that the researchers also found another five graves at the Tulsa cemetery and that hand excavation work is being conducted to determine if any of the burials are candidates for exhumation.
The site is reportedly littered with archaeologists, forensic scientists, and multiple experts assisting in collecting DNA samples from the remains.
“Much like last year, we’re trying to do every step of this process as respectfully as possible,” Stackelbeck told NBC.
The excavation, which started in late October, is the second excavation conducted by the city of Tulsa as part of a multiyear investigation into the 1921 massacre in the Greenwood District. The area was once an affluent Black community known as Black Wall Street, full of Black-owned businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and doctor’s offices.
Details of how the incident started vary, but according to the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, it allegedly involved a Black teenager, Dick Rowland, who was riding an elevator operated by a young white woman named Sarah Page.
Accounts of the incident spread by word of mouth and an alleged article in the May 31, 1921, edition of the Tulsa Tribune spurred a confrontation between armed Black and white groups outside the courthouse where Rowland was held.
Shots were fired, and Black men and women retreated to the Greenwood District. The next day white rioters reportedly burned 35 city blocks to the ground, more than 300 people were killed, and more than 800 people were treated for injuries.
The charges against Rowland were later dismissed, and none of the rioters were prosecuted or punished. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum launched the investigation into the gravesafter reports that there were mass graves in the city.
Last year, an excavation effort at the Oaklawn Cemetery uncovered the human remains of 19 people. The remains were taken to a lab for DNA analysis and then reburied.
The recent excavation is expected to be completed later this month.
Autopsy Reports Reveal Master P’s Daughter Tytyana Miller Died From Accidental Fentanyl Intoxication
Earlier this year, Tytyana Miller, the daughter of hip-hop mogul Master P, died under the suspicion of a possible drug overdose. Details have now been released that reveal her cause of death.
According to The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, the 25-year-old Miller passed away from accidental fentanyl intoxication. The report states that she died at a private residence and lists no other cause of death.
The 52-year-old entrepreneur posted a message announcing that his family was dealing with the death of Tytyana on May 29 via his Instagram account.
“Our family is dealing with an overwhelming grief for the loss of my daughter Tytyana. We respectfully request some privacy so that our family can grieve. We appreciate all of the prayers love and support. Mental illness & substance abuse is a real issue that we can’t be afraid to talk about. With God, we will get through this. #MyAngel”
The following month, according to Complex, the father was no longer grieving but, instead, celebrating his daughter.
“We ain’t gonna grieve no more; we’re going to celebrate because now I’m going to be able to take care of millions of kids and save millions of lives,” Master P said while onstage. “I’m going to get out here and play my part… Mental illness and substance abuse is a serious thing.”
In July, the “No Limit” soldier sat down with Gayle King to talk about the loss of his daughter, who shared her struggle with addiction through appearances on Growing Up Hip Hop.
He opened up about his thoughts regarding what he and his family went through dealing with her death.
“I love her and think about her every day, and it took me and my family to go through something that I just can’t stop thinking about, but I realize that I have to get out here and help and save other kids.”
Black Nonprofits Supporting Black Businesses Among Recipients Gaining $1 Million In Grants
Three Black nonprofits supporting Black businesses were among recipients that recently gained a combined $1 million in grants.
They were winners of the inaugural Truist Foundation Inspire Awards. Nonprofits supporting Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and women-owned small businesses nationwide were invited to offer ways to help those firms better deal with complex challenges, based on a news release.
Black-owned Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative (AWBI) won first place for helping address the city’s racial wealth divide by bolstering Black businesses via research and data, growth and scale, workforce development, retention, and anti-displacement. The Atlanta-based startup landed $250,000 for its project.
“It’s an honor to accept the inaugural Truist Foundation Inspire Award on behalf of the entire Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative community,” said Jason Hudgins, director of strategic programs for AWBI.
“This initiative is not just about business solutions. It really is about looking down the street and seeing Black business owners—and the children they are raising—and understanding how one investment changes that family, the next generation, and a community for generations to come.”
Truist Foundation President Lynette Bell said, “Our first Inspire Awards has been an intensive but incredibly rewarding experience. Reviewing submissions from over 127 nonprofits has shown us the breadth of good being done by organizations to address the key issue of systemic barriers facing small business owners.”
Other recipients included Beautiful Ventures, a Black-owned nonprofit that accelerates the entrepreneurial success of Black, story-driven, creative businesses for lasting wealth creation, business sustainability, and narrative influence. As well as Black Wall Street AVL, a Black-owned nonprofit that prepares women of color to start, grow, and scale businesses in marginalized communities.
Both organizations gained $25,000 each in grants as runners-up in the awards contest.
Some $1 million was presented to all recipients, including an audience favorite, runner-ups, and eight semifinalists. Grants were also awarded in other areas, including to finalists in leadership and development workshops and group forums.
Truist Foundation teamed with Solve, an effort by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to help identify nonprofits and work with small businesses in underserved communities.
Orion Pictures President Alano Mayo Empowers Inclusive Storytelling
Veteran industry executive and producer Alana Mayo is taking the necessary financial and creative risks to bring unique artistic and underserved visions to the movie screen.
As president of MGM’s Orion Pictures, the 38-year-old New York native is making the movies she wants to despite Hollywood’s history of exclusion and lack of originality. She is a young, Black, queer woman whose efforts have multiplied since taking over the television company’s mantle in 2020.
“If you had the privilege, as I do, to be alive in this moment and in a position where you can either tell stories or partially determine which stories are told, I don’t know how you can’t be excited about what’s being left on the table,” Mayo told NPR.
She continued: “That’s when I started going into rooms and saying: ‘You all are missing an opportunity here. And financially, you’re leaving money on the table. And also, why wouldn’t we want to be making more of this? This is some of the most exciting art that’s coming out from our industry today.”
Growing up in Chicago, Mayo loved films, but during her film and creative writing studies at Columbia University, she discovered the underlying problem behind the system that greenlit these films.
“I couldn’t believe how homogenous they were in terms of who’s on screen and who’s behind the camera,” she said.
“I was genuinely like — oh, this system is, by design, exclusionary of a lot of people. I realized it was completely broken.”
In her role, Mayo has been instrumental in authorizing the film drama, Till, released on Oct. 14, 2022. The true story is based on Mamie Till, an educator and activist who pursued justice after the brutal murder of her 14-year-old son, Emmett, in 1955.
She also gave the green light to Anything’s Possible, a coming-of-age story that follows a high school romance between a transgender girl and her crush. The film, which is actor Billy Porter’s feature directorial debut, was released on Amazon this summer.
Mayo’s producing background is a testament to her commitment. Before her presidency, she served as vice president of production at Paramount Pictures, where she worked on Denzel Washington’s award-winning 2016 film Fences, and as VP and Head of Originals at Vimeo.
She was also Michael B. Jordan’s secret weapon as the head of production and development at his Outlier Society.
“Her experience and taste is what attracted me to her and her fearless ability to be a risk-taker in our ever-changing business is what really connected me with her,” Jordan once said, per Deadline.
Emmy Award-Winning Writer, Producer and Actor Lena Waithe To Serve As 2023 American Black Film Festival Ambassador
ABFF Ventures LLC today announced Emmy AwardÒ-winning writer, creator, actor and founder of Hillman Grad Lena Waithe will serve as the ambassador for the 2023 American Black Film Festival (ABFF).
As ambassador, Waithe, who has been an influential advocate for under-represented storytellers in Hollywood, will help bring awareness to ABFF’s mission of showcasing Black talent and discovering new voices and will collaborate with the festival for one-of-a-kind moments. The 27th ABFF will be held June 14-18 in Miami Beach followed by a virtual event June 19-25 on ABFF PLAY, https://abffplay.com/.
“Lena is a powerhouse in the film and television industry and a trailblazer for emerging creative artists,” said Nicole Friday, festival producer and president of ABFF Ventures LLC.
“Her commitment to elevate diverse voices personifies ABFF’s commitment to diversify Hollywood. We are excited to have her unique perspective and talent as our 2023 ABFF Ambassador.”
“I am so honored to have been chosen as ABFF’s 2023 Festival Ambassador,” Waithe said. “I am excited to collaborate with the festival to shine a light on unique and groundbreaking stories and the creatives behind them.”
Since its inception, the highly anticipated festival has become a cornerstone for diversity in Hollywood. It has premiered the work and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers, actors, writers and stand-up comedians and is recognized as the standard bearer of excellence for Black creativity. Continuing its legacy to empower Black artists and showcase a wide range of entertainment content, in 2023 ABFF will introduce three new cultural initiatives to its robust lineup including “About Women,” which will highlight the work and support comradery among women of color in the film and television industry; “Pro-Hollywood,” highlighting how professional athletes are using their platform to impact diversity in the entertainment industry; and “ABFF Pride,” a new series of screenings and talk events centered on the LGBTQIA+ community aptly timed to take place during Pride Month. The festival will continue to feature studio premieres independent films, master classes, panels, talent showcases, networking and hospitality events.
Waithe’s connection to the ABFF brand was previously established as an honoree at the ABFF HONORS, a coveted award show that salutes excellence in television and film. Waithe received the “Industry Renaissance Award” which is presented to content creators whose exemplary work in film and television contributes to changing perceptions of people of color in the entertainment industry.
As founder and chair of Hillman Grad Lena oversees a slate of projects that give marginalized storytellers access to the industry, including projects at Warner Bros., Netflix, BET, Disney, Amazon, Universal, Focus HBO, HBO Max and Showtime. Her company most recently negotiated an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, which includes HBO Max, cable and broadcast networks.
(Image: Courtesy of ABFF Ventures LLC)
Waithe created and executive produced the critically acclaimed Showtime series THE CHI, which has received a Peabody Award nomination, and she also received two NAACP Image Award nominations. Her semi-autobiographical series, TWENTIES, which she writes and executive produces for BET has been praised for being the first primetime series starring a masculine presenting Queer woman of color in a lead role. Recently, Waithe executive produced the film BEAUTY for Netflix, and is currently working on producing a Sammy Davis Jr. biopic. Other upcoming projects include: the feature directorial debut of A.V. Rockwell’s A Thousand and One which is set for a March 2023 release; Chang Can Dunk for Disney+; and Being Mary: The Mary Tyler Moore Documentary, directed by James Adolphus.
On the acting front, Waithe can be seen in the critically acclaimed third season of Master of None: Moments in Love on Netflix, which she co-wrote and executive produced. Waithe received an EmmyÒ Award in the category of “Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series,” for the series’ “Thanksgiving” episode making her the first Black woman to ever do so. Her credits also include HBO’s Westworld, Justin Simien’s horror satire Bad Hair, Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, Netflix’s #BLACKAF and their animated series Big Mouth, NBC’s This is Us and many more.
Waithe made her feature film screenwriting debut with Universal’s Queen & slim, directed by Melina Matsoukas and starring Academy Award® nominee Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner. An advocate for queer representation throughout the industry, Waithe has been honored with such recognitions as The New York City LGBT Community Center’s “Trailblazer Award,” a GLAAD “Media Award,” The Trevor Project’s “Hero Award,” the MTV Awards “Trailblazer Award,” and OUT Magazine’s “Artist of the Year.”
The list of former ABFF ambassadors includes, Issa Rae, Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, Idris Elba, Tracee Ellis Ross, Regina Hall, La La Anthony, Jay Ellis, Morris Chestnut, Omari Hardwick, Common, Taraji P. Henson and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
ABFF sponsors and partners to date are City of Miami Beach, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Presenting) and UPS (Premier).
For festival information, including submission deadlines and how to obtain an ABFF pass, visit www.abff.com. Follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.
Former Bank Executive Latasha Causey Becomes First Black Woman Track President in NASCAR History
Phoenix Raceway is preparing to start its engines with a new superior set to lead the track in 2023 and beyond.
NASCAR announced that Latasha Causey would become the new president of the track in Avondale, making her the first Black woman track president in NASCAR history. The former bank executive and Phoenix native will reportedly replace Julie Giese, becoming the second woman to hold the position at the track.
According to ABC 15, Causey stated, “I have been fortunate to call The Valley’ home’ my entire life, and I could not be more grateful to become the next leader of Phoenix Raceway.”
“I’ve been a business leader for well over 20 years,” Causey told the outlet on Tuesday. “That is what I bring to the table. But, I am also a community leader. I have been a long-time community leader and servant leader here in this community. Whether through my volunteerism, non-profit boards or just really getting my hands dirty in the community.”
NBC reported that the Arizona State University graduate is a founding member of the NASCAR Accelerators host committee alongside other business leaders who serve as Arizona’s ambassadors for NASCAR. Causey was named one of 2021’s Most Influential Women in Arizona, in addition to an honor from the Phoenix Business Journal as a part of their 2018 Outstanding Women in Business Awards.
“Latasha’s track record speaks for itself as a highly experienced executive that prioritizes relationships and giving back to the community – also core values of ours at NASCAR,” said Chip Wile, NASCAR senior vice president and chief track properties officer, in a statement released by the speedway.
Causey said NASCAR is “a sport that brings people together, and as a result, Phoenix Raceway plays a key role in showcasing our great community to visitors across the country every year.”
“I cannot wait to help build upon the great work that’s already been done in making this facility one of the true gems in sports and entertainment,” she added.
Causey will begin work at the track on November 28, following NASCAR Championship Weekend, Nov. 4–6.
Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young Teams Up With McGraw Hill for New HBCU Scholarship Program
Former Atlanta mayor and activist Andrew Young is the face of a new scholarship program for students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
The 1951 Howard University graduate teamed up with education giant McGraw Hill to give HBCU students a chance to pursue an education without the financial burdens of college, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Named the Andrew Young HBCU Scholarship program, this initiative is funded by an initial $50,000 investment thanks to McGraw Hill Education. Next fall, 10 first-year students who plan to be a part of the HBCU legacy will reap the benefits of financial support and McGraw Hill’s existing civil rights education curriculum.
“Every young adult needs a fair chance,” said McGraw Hill President Sean Ryan.
Young, who recalls spending no more than $400 a semester, graduated college debt-free. Today, data indicates that the average cost of college in the United States is $35,550 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses.
“The challenge today is how do you get an education and get a job to help pay you to pay back all of that money you borrowed that is going to leave you in debt,” said the nation’s first Black U.N. ambassador.
“College should not destroy your credit rating and set you back before you start.”
According to a recent report, HBCU graduates have an average debt of $32,373, which is 19% higher than those at non-HBCUs.
“Although many Americans are burdened by their student loan debt, borrowers who attended HBCUs have been especially hard hit, due to the impacts of systemic racism on wealth accumulation for families and unequal resource distribution among institutions,” as stated in Paying from the Grave by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL).
The program was inspired by Matt Daniels, the chair of the law and human rights division at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C. civil rights. He was instrumental in designing the Civil Rights: A Global Perspective, in which students will delve deeper into the “non-violent social justice principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., according to its website.
“We want to use this to plug the gap,” Daniels said of the scholarship.
“For many students, HBCUs are usually the first ladder out of poverty.”
