Alfonso Ribeiro Hits The Streets For An Old School Family Road Trip, Talks How to Avoid Being Typecast
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 15, 2021

Alfonso Ribeiro Hits The Streets For An Old School Family Road Trip, Talks How to Avoid Being Typecast

Although one would consider that Alfonso Ribeiro, a very successful actor who has had a very extensive and long career acting on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and as a former child star, he has been one of the few who has sustained an almost blemish-free career well into his adulthood.

And he’s a busy man as the current host of American’s Funniest Home Videos and husband to wife, Angela, and dad to three children Alfonso Lincoln Jr, Anders Reyn, and Ava Sue. 

So a busy life sometimes calls for a break. Ribeiro recently took a country road trip with his family.

Alfonso Ribeiro Road Trip (Instagram)
Alfonso Ribeiro Road Trip (Instagram)

 

The father of three took to his Instagram page to share some snapshots of him and his family posing near a treehouse. In the first slide, the family stood in front of a tent-like structure, which was surrounded by tall trees.

Alfonso Ribeiro Road Trip (Instagram)
Alfonso Ribeiro Road Trip (Instagram)

Yet, with recent interviews, it seems as if Ribeiro doesn’t appreciate being able to work in an industry that is quick to throw people out if they feel they aren’t relevant anymore.

In a recent interview with Pop Culture, America’s Funniest Videos long-time host seems to have a thorn in his side because ever since his role as Carlton Banks on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, he feels he’s been typecast.

“I’ve always said that the idea that you can do something so well in your life that no one will allow you to do it again, is very difficult to go through. Imagine being the greatest home run hitter in the game and never being allowed to go hit home runs because you hit home runs. Doesn’t make sense. But in show business that sometimes is the case. So having to reinvent myself by turning myself into myself, which is weird, but being able to do that and get a nomination and get the recognition for what I’ve been able to do with that was very special.”

He has given advice on how fans can possibly help their favorite artists avoid the issue of being expected to play the same successful role that an actor may be known for.

“Every actor typically gets one, maybe two opportunities after whatever they’re really known for. Support them in those roles. Really, if you’re a fan of somebody on a show, and they do something else, make it a priority to go watch whatever it is they’re doing even though it’s not what you’re used to seeing them do. Be a fan. Support them as a fan. And at the end of the day, it’s always box office. If you go and do something new and it does really well, guess what? You get to keep doing it. If it doesn’t, then they start thinking, ‘Well, really, they just love him for that character.’ So just if you’re a fan of someone, watch everything they do. And that, to me, is probably the only way to break that cycle of like, ‘They’re famous for this. Well, that’s all they can be famous for.'”

Check out more of his vacation pics.

The Executive Leadership Council Appoints Gail Coles Johnson Vice President And Chief Human Resources Officer
by Jeffrey McKinney

September 15, 2021

The Executive Leadership Council Appoints Gail Coles Johnson Vice President And Chief Human Resources Officer

An accomplished corporate executive, Gail Coles Johnson has been appointed vice president and chief human resources officer for The Executive Leadership Council (ELC).

Her selection is momentous as the ELC calls itself the pre-eminent global organization focused on developing Black corporate C-suite and board leaders. It is a major advocate for corporate equity issues.

In her new role, Coles Johnson’s responsibilities will include developing and executing a human resource strategy supporting The ELC’s business plan and its overall strategic direction. Specifically, she will lead The ELC in succession planning, talent management, change management, organizational and performance management, training and development, and compensation.

Further, she will provide strategic leadership by articulating HR needs and plans to ELC leadership. She also will lead the HR function, including managing HR staff and external HR resources.

Prior to joining ELC, Coles Johnson was assistant vice president, human resources at AT&T. She spent over 30 years at the telecommunications giant in progressive executive capacities. That included leading a team of HR professionals to deliver companywide talent and HR initiatives. Her efforts included working one-on-one with executive team members and direct reports of the chairman on a host of high-impact improvement initiatives.

Through her persistent and engaging coaching style, she has made an indelible impact on AT&T’s global workforce and corporate model. She has been invited to serve as a public influencer, driving workforce attraction and retention in the workplace.

Through her persistent and engaging coaching style, she has made an indelible impact on AT&T’s global workforce and corporate model. She has been invited to serve as a public influencer, driving workforce attraction and retention in the workplace. She has been recognized for compiling award-winning mentoring programs as well as strategic planning workshops for clients. She has been a keynote speaker and panelist, addressing diversity, equity and inclusion, leadership development, and talent acquisition.

She is a current member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation Board and a past member of the Bowie State University School of Business Advisory Board and the National Black MBA Board.

Coles Johnson has a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed Executive Education programs at Harvard Business School and Cornell University.

 

Lawmaker Accused Of Kicking Boy In The Crotch Pleads Guilty To Three Charges
by Derek Major

September 15, 2021

Lawmaker Accused Of Kicking Boy In The Crotch Pleads Guilty To Three Charges

Kansas lawmaker Mark Samsel, accused of kicking a high school child in the testicles, has pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges and was placed on a year’s probation.

Samsel received probation for his actions as part of a deal he made with local prosecutors. Under the deal, Samsel is restricted from using social media for personal purposes and cannot have any contact with the student he kicked or another student who complained of an encounter with Samsel. The politician also agreed to write a letter of apology to both students.

Samsel faced three misdemeanor charges of battery for what the local prosecutor called “rude, insulting or angry” interactions with two students during an April 28 art class at Wellsville High School, about 45 miles southwest of Kansas City. Additionally, Samsel asked students about their sex lives, masturbation habits, suicide, God, and more in numerous videos posted to Twitter.

Samsel, a Republican, said he demonstrated a kick to the groin on one kid but did not actually kick him.

Franklin County Magistrate Judge Kevin Kimball initially sentenced Samsel to 90 days in jail for three disorderly conduct charges but suspended the sentence in favor of probation.

The identities of the students were not revealed as they are underage. One of the students told a sheriff’s deputy that Samsel manhandled and kicked him.

According to ABC News, Samsel, who has been a member of the Kansas House of Representatives since 2019, said in a Facebook post “extreme” stress caused him to have “an isolated episode of mania with psychotic features” in a classroom.

The Kansas City Star reported that Samsel said he is receiving mental health treatment and forfeited his teaching license.

Samsel defeated Democrat Roger Sims in a landslide last November, receiving 77% of the vote. The politician earned a degree in political science, public administration, and business administration from Missouri Valley College and earned a law degree from the University of Kansas Law School in 2010.

Courtney B. Vance Honors Michael K. Williams in Emmy Awards Acceptance Speech
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 15, 2021

Courtney B. Vance Honors Michael K. Williams in Emmy Awards Acceptance Speech

After the death of critically acclaimed actor Michael K. Williams, many of his peers have spoken out about his work and his character.

One of his co-stars, fellow esteemed actor Courtney B. Vance praised and honored Williams in an acceptance speech this past Sunday when he received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He also blasted HBO for canceling the series they both appeared in, Lovecraft Country.

According to Deadline, Vance was awarded an Emmy for his guest-starring role as George Freeman in the HBO drama Lovecraft Country. In his acceptance speech on Sunday at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, he paid tribute to his late friend and Lovecraft Country costar, Williams, and spoke about him backstage after the show.

“I love him. We recently met for the first time. I’ve been following him, and he’s been following me for a number of years. We met at an event in New Jersey about two-and-a-half, three years ago. We were just overjoyed to share the same dais and couldn’t wait to get offstage so we could hug and just say how much we loved each other. And the idea that shortly after that, we would be playing brothers in Lovecraft Country. This is his. We were brothers. I died in the series, and we said goodbye to each other, so it’s just too painful to really think about, so I just honor him everywhere and every way I can.”

Lovecraft Country had garnered 18 nominations in total, although HBO canceled it. Vance spoke of his disappointment with that decision.

“I’m very, very happy and at the same time, I’m very sad because of Michael and because we’re not still doing the show. In my mind and in my spirit, it doesn’t make sense… I’m sad for audiences that we don’t get to see like Game of Thrones; we don’t get to see seven years, eight years of following these characters and learning more about that time period and learning about our people and their struggles. And where Misha’s mind is going to go so, that’s very painful for me as an actor.”

President Biden’s Child Tax Credit Is A Big Hit Among Republican States And Voters
by Derek Major

September 15, 2021

President Biden’s Child Tax Credit Is A Big Hit Among Republican States And Voters

Reuters – A one-year expansion of the U.S. child tax credit, a policy championed by President Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats over Republican opposition, has disproportionately benefited states that voted for former President Donald Trump in 2020, a Reuters review of Treasury Department data has found.

Congressional Democrats are now seeking to extend the expansion for four additional years as part of $3.5 trillion social spending legislation opposed by Trump’s fellow Republicans. The one-year expansion – part of COVID-19 pandemic relief legislation signed by Biden in March, is expected to funnel $105 billion to American families, many still hurting from the economic effects of the public health crisis.

The current expanded tax credit has proven popular, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found, supported by 59% of U.S. adults including 75% of people who identified themselves as Democrats and 41% of people who identified as Republicans. The poll was conducted online Sept. 9-10, based on responses from 1,003 adults and with a credibility interval of 4 percentage points.

The policy’s support among Republicans far outstripped their 11% backing for Biden’s overall job performance in a separate Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The policy’s popularity, experts said, might benefit Democrats in elections next year that will determine whether they retain control of Congress for the second half of Biden’s term. Democrats are defending razor-thin majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives.

“That could make a difference in a whole lot of places where we have close Senate and House races,” said Norman Ornstein, an expert on elections at the American Enterprise Institute.

The top 10 states by average monthly child tax credit payments in August – all from the West and Midwest – were: Utah, Idaho, South Dakota, Alaska, Nebraska, Wyoming, North Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and Montana, with monthly payments ranging from $515 to $456 in August. All voted last year for Trump over Biden and all but Kansas have Republican governors.

Of the 10 states with the lowest average payments, only one – Florida – backed Trump, also having a Republican governor. Massachusetts residents received the smallest average household payment in August: $387.

In Wisconsin and Arizona – states that Biden narrowly won last year and are shaping up to have competitive Senate races next year – average payments in August were just under $450.

The policy gets cash to families even before they square annual tax bills. Republican-led states tend to have lower household incomes than states with Democratic leadership such as California and New York, thus benefiting more from the policy, which reduces tax credits to upper-income households.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

The economic stimulus law, called the American Rescue Plan, raised the existing child tax credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children over age 6 and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under age 6, while upping the age limit from 16 to 17. Families benefit from the full credit if they earn up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent.

Since July, the U.S. Treasury has given more than 35 million households about $250 to $300 a month for each child under age 18, a policy some analysts say is already significantly reducing childhood poverty.

A four-year extension would make it a significant slice of the proposed $3.5 trillion spending package being pursued by Democratic congressional leaders. That legislation is opposed by congressional Republicans as too expensive. Even some Democrats including pivotal Senator Joe Manchin have questioned its price tag.

The tax credit already is being felt by Americans benefiting from it.

Lolitha Maria Scott, a 41-year old call center worker in Phoenix with five children, described the tax credit as a lifeline that she thinks should continue beyond this year because many working parents like her struggle to keep up with rising rent bills.

“I understand people say it’s costly for the budget but it also helps the American people,” Scott said in an interview.

Scott said the policy helped cement her plan to vote for Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, who is seeking re-election next year in Arizona.

Jeremy Monk, 43, an occupational therapist in Palm Bay, Florida, voiced concern that paying for such policies could lead to higher taxes in the future. Monk, a Republican, said in an interview that taking the payments made him feel like he is robbing from his children’s future.

“It puts a little bit of a shiver up my spine,” said Monk, who added that he put his tax credit payment in college savings funds for his son and daughter. (This story corrects seventh paragraph to specify that Kansas governor is not a Republican)

(Reporting by Jason Lange and Chris Kahn; Editing by Will Dunham and Scott Malone)

LeBron James and Wife Savannah Celebrate Eight Years of Love With Heartwarming Posts
by Alexa Imani Spencer

September 15, 2021

LeBron James and Wife Savannah Celebrate Eight Years of Love With Heartwarming Posts

LeBron James and his wife, Savannah James, nee Brinson, commemorated their eighth wedding anniversary with sweet messages to one another on Instagram. The high school sweethearts shared photos of their wedding and growing family.

“Our own personal Met Gala 8 years ago. Happy Anniversary Queen!!” LeBron wrote in a post. “Who am i w/o you in my corner, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Love you”

The caption was written under a photo of himself and James during their private wedding celebration. The NBA star, dressed in a blue velvet suit jacket, kissed Brinson’s forehead while she smiled in her strapless gown and veil.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames)

James also shared love for her husband on social.

In the photos, James playfully posed with LeBron while sitting on a couch, stood hugged up with her husband in front of a car, and smiled with their children near a beach. Together they have three children, sons Bronny and Bryce, and a daughter, Zhuri.

“Happy Anniversary to my forever scary movie partner, my forever feet warmer, the Capricorn to my Virgo, my bestie, my babe!!!” she wrote. 8 years down, forever to go! Love you deep!! #LookWhatWeDid”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @mrs_savannahrj

The couple has expressed their love for one another in past interviews. In a conversation with ESSENCE years ago, James shared how she supports LeBron’s success.

“I’m his support system with whatever he needs. If he needs someone to listen to him,” she said. “If he needs to talk or if he says, ‘Hey babe, I’m tired. Can I take a nap?’ I will say ‘Yeah, baby. Take a nap,’ and keep the kids occupied. It’s a part of the role that I play as the mother of his kids and being his wife. The balance that I create in our house is for his success. He is very busy and I understand that, and the kids are at the age now that they get it. Being there for him is a huge part of his success.”

The NBA player told The Hollywood Reporter in 2018, “I listen to a lot of rap music, and a good friend of mine said, ‘You wasn’t me with me shooting in the gym.’ But in all actuality, Savannah was with me shooting in the gym when I [had] absolutely nothing.”

“[Savannah] was down when I was at my high school, no cameras, no lights. And she was there with me. You wouldn’t be talking to me right now if it weren’t for her.”

Rick Ross Gifts Son Wingstop Franchise For 16th Birthday
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 15, 2021

Rick Ross Gifts Son Wingstop Franchise For 16th Birthday

The value of becoming an entrepreneur is an important lesson that Black people are trying to employ in the present and future generations to obtain generational wealth. Rick Ross, the Miami-based rapper, is doing his part by giving his son his own Wingstop restaurant as a present for his 16th birthday.

The Wingstop franchise owner asked his 13 million-plus followers on Instagram to wish his son, William L. Roberts III, a happy 16th birthday and announced that Roberts is now the owner of his first Wingstop franchise.

“Everyone wish my son @mmgbigbank
HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY !!!

Today he became the owner of his 1st
@wingstop franchise.

Your now officially a BOSS !!!
Keep Going.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Biggest Boss Rick Ross (@richforever)

The 45-year-old rapper, who opened his first Wingstop franchise back in 2011 in Memphis, Tennessee, recently announced that he launched Thighstop to stay competitive amid the nationwide shortage of chicken wings.

Thighstop is a digital brand that allows customers to order from the newly launched menu through a website where the thighs can be picked up or delivered through DoorDash. According to the website, eleven Thighstop flavors, which are handcrafted with sides and dips, can be selected with or without the bones.

It has been reported that Ross now owns 28 Wingstop restaurants throughout the United States. Earlier this year in April, the Grammy-nominated rapper signed on as an equity partner, adviser, and spokesperson for Jetdoc, a digital healthcare platform that connects people with a licensed healthcare professional within minutes.

Ross, the CEO of Maybach Music, stated that he would appear in creative campaigns, digital and television ads, and other promotional activities. He will also assist in educating and informing consumers of this innovative offering in healthcare.

Black Lives Matter Protesters Arrested Outside Met Gala Event
by Ashantai Hathaway

September 15, 2021

Black Lives Matter Protesters Arrested Outside Met Gala Event

As celebrities flaunted their outfits on the red carpet at the exclusive Met Gala event, police were arresting Black Lives Matter protesters outside of it.

Several protesters were arrested outside of Monday’s annual Met Gala event held at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute. The protesters were there to speak against New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, calling on him to defund the police. It was in response to a series of incidents where people argue De Blasio has defended and dismissed the wrongdoing of the NYPD.

According to one of the flyers obtained by Daily Mail, the protest was organized by an “autonomous group of NYC abolitionists who believe that policing does not protect and serve communities.”

 Twitter hashtags have led many to believe the group is called the “#FireThemAll” protestors.

The flyer states:

”The NYPD has a total financial allocation of $11 billion per year. This money goes towards racist policing that destroys Black and brown communities while people who are struggling do not get the resources they need. CARE, not COPS, is the answer,” the flyer states.

Some of the protesters were captured on video by bystanders. The recording shows protestors shouting, “Black Lives Matter,” as the NYPD calls for them to “Move back.”

In other videos shared online, Black Lives Matter protesters began shouting Mike Rosado. Rosado is a 24-year-old man from the Bronx who was gunned down by uniformed police in August. 

Another video takes a disturbing turn, as police officers were shown rushing into the crowd and forcefully taking down multiple protesters and arresting them with zip-tie handcuffs.

De Blasio has faced mounting criticism for the way he has approached protests and policing. Following the murder of George Floyd, De Blasio enforced an 8 p.m. citywide curfew that people argue resulted in more violence from police officers.

It is unclear how many protesters were arrested.

Shaquille O’Neal Reveals What Calmed Him Down After Flying Into a Fit of Rage, Ripping 5 Urinals Off Bathroom Wall After NBA Game Defeat
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 15, 2021

Shaquille O’Neal Reveals What Calmed Him Down After Flying Into a Fit of Rage, Ripping 5 Urinals Off Bathroom Wall After NBA Game Defeat

One of the most dominant big men who ever played the game of basketball, Shaquille O’Neal, is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame because of his play and winning four championships in the NBA.

But before the accolades and the championships were won, the 7-foot, 1-inch player had no success in the playoffs while playing for his first team, the Orlando Magic. After being moved to the Los Angeles Lakers and before winning his first championship, O’Neal flew into a fit of rage and ripped five urinals off the locker room walls after being swept by the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.

While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, O’Neal admitted to the talk show host that after ripping the urinals out of frustration, (around the 16:45 mark), the Los Angeles Laker’s general manager at the time and fellow Hall of Famer, Jerry West, told him something he never knew that calmed him down.

“So, you remember when I first got to LA in ’96, we would always lose in the playoffs. We would always get swept. So this was the time where, you know, ‘Shaq, he’s a great player but is he really a great player? He’s not winning championships.’ I never thought we would win. So, you know, every year we got better, Kobe and myself, but then when it come to the playoffs, we would lose. So, and one last time before we hit three in a row, I just went in the office, and I just ripped five off the wall.”

Then West hit him with the gem that made O’Neal retreat, which pacified him in the moment.

“Jerry West came in, and he told me a story I didn’t know. He said, ‘Son, calm down. I went to the Finals nine times before I won it with the Lakers,’ so I didn’t feel as bad. So, like, I’m ripping a urinal off, and I was like, ‘Hold on, you went to the Finals nine times and lost?’ He said, ‘Calm down! You’ll get it! You’ll get it!’”

 

Black Nurse Who Threatened to Kill Vice President Harris Faces Five Years in Prison
by Ashantai Hathaway

September 15, 2021

Black Nurse Who Threatened to Kill Vice President Harris Faces Five Years in Prison

A Black nurse who wanted to assassinate Vice President Kamala Harris could face five years in prison. Sentencing is set for Nov. 19.

Just a few weeks after being sworn into office, Niviane Petit Phelps recorded a video of herself where she explains she planned to kill Harris, “Kamala Harris, you are going to die,” Phelps said into the camera, according to an affidavit. “Your days are numbered already.”

According to Phelps, someone paid her $53,000 to kill Harris, adding: “I’m going to do the job, OK .”

The 39-year-old nurse, who lived Miami Gardens, FL, also recorded five more threatening videos, according to court documents.

Phelps also sent them to her incarcerated husband through JPay, a media app inmates use to communicate and stay connected with family and friends. She pleaded guilty Friday to six counts of making threats against the vice president. Each count is connected to the 30-second videos in which Phelps said she would assassinate Harris.

Phelps gave several reasons to investigators why she made the threats, including that Harris, born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, was not actually Black. She also believed a conspiracy theory that Harris put her hand on her purse instead of a Bible on inauguration day, which Phelps found to be disrespectful.

On Feb. 13, Phelps made two more videos, according to court documents. In one video,  Phelps said that Harris’s “days are numbered already.” In the second, Phelps says that $53,000 is Harris’s “number,” referring to an amount of money she was paid to hurt the vice president.

Phelps, a mother of three, also recorded two more videos, the affidavit states. In one, Phelps said she was “going to the gun range” until the vice president “leave[s] the chair.” She told the Vice President, according to court records, “50 days from today you will die.”

×