Source: Apple+ “Truth Be Told” First-Look Trailer Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer , Emmy-winner Aaron Paul and Emmy-nominated Lizzy Caplan deliver the goods in this gripping first-look trailer for Apple’s upcoming Apple TV+ limited series “Truth Be Told” that looks absolutely amazing (and stressful). The series follows podcaster Poppy Parnell (Octavia Spencer) as she is compelled to reopen the murder case that made her a national sensation and comes face to face with Warren Cave (Aaron Paul)–the man she may have mistakenly helped to put behind bars. Her investigation navigates urgent concerns about privacy, media and race. “Truth Be Told” premieres globally November 1st on Apple TV+ (a new home for the world’s most creative storytellers) set to launch in over 100 countries and the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac and other platforms, including online at tv.apple.com for just $4.99 per month with a 7-day free trial.
Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz Even before signing to Roc Nation, Megan Thee Stallion had the internet going nuts thanks to her impressive rap skills accompanied by a naturally voluptuous physical degree. Now that her star is ascending like a Super Saiyan she’s getting some big name features on her records and the latest top notch rapper to get on a track with the Houston heartthrob is ATL’s own Gucci Mane. Linking up for her video to “Big Booty,” Gucci keeps it calm and collected while Megan and a team of rump shakers demonstrate their twerking expertise much to the delight of Guwop and viewers at home. Thank you, Megan and company. Check out the visuals for “Big Booty” below and try not to get aroused if you’re at work or around ya mama.
Source: Sasha Nialla / Courtesy of NABU We all know that reading is fundamental; however, it’s also important for children to see themselves in the stories that they read. In 2017, only 7% of children’s books were published by Black, LatinX or indigenous authors. As we move towards a more diverse population, the lack of representation across the diaspora in books is appalling. Non-profit organization NABU saw this inconsistency and decided to help close the diversity gap with NABU Publishing. Source: NABU Team Photo / Courtesy of NABU NABU Publishing is founded by Taniya Benedict, Tanyella Evans, and Isabel Shein. Together these women are making sure that reading is not only accessible but also representative of marginalized communities. Benedict who is the Director of Global Operations and Programs shared, “The significance of seeing one’s reality in a storybook, should not be taken lightly. When you grow up reading in your mother-tongue, and actively seeing yourself represented in illustrations, you develop self-confidence that is unbound and powerful. You begin to believe that you are the creator of your own destiny, and this intrinsic belief ultimately leads to self-actualization.” Currently, only 13% of children’s books published in the US in the last 25 years contain any kind of multicultural content. NABU publishing is actively changing this. The publishing company was birthed when the co-creators of NABU realized how much talent was in Haiti and Rwanda. They created a network of authors and illustrators who are creating engaging children’s stories for their respective local markets (and in their local languages) to help increase and encourage literacy amongst children. NABU Publishing is helping to take this a step further by translating the stories into bilingual English editions for the US children’s book market. This is incredible for second generation children and parents who want to make sure their children have diverse books or books with characters represented from their home country. Source: NABU Book / Courtesy of NABU Every month, they will be releasing two new children’s books from up and coming authors and illustrators. To launch their program, today, on International Day Of The Girl, NABU Publishing chose two stories from their Haitian collection: Princess Maniya and Lila Plays Soccer. The books feature the original Haitian Creole and English translation side by side and strong girl protagonists. What a way to promote and encourage bilingual behavior amongst children! Given that NABU is a non-profit, the proceed from the books will fund NABU’s early childhood literacy work in Haiti as well as enable them to commission more creatives to create books in their language. Source: NABU Book / Courtesy of NABU The organization is even going a step further by utilizing a one-to-one model. For each book that is sold, NABU will give a free digital copy to children in Haiti who are reading on tablets and smartphones. If you look on the back of each book, you’ll find a QR code and readers can see a live tracking of how many pages children in the NABU programs have read! So cool. There are over 7,000 languages spoken in the world today and almost half of them are in danger of extinction. For Black communities, story telling has often been a way of passing down traditions, history and more. This is the direct way that culture survives. By creating NABU Publishing, the organization is encouraging the preservation of languages, traditions, and overall culture so that the next generation can benefit and thrive. While your children may have access to books, there are many that do not. Purchase a copy for your child here and a digital copy will be sent to a child in Haiti. If you want to go a step further, you can donate $50.00 to NABU and it gives one child and their family access to reading materials in their mother tongue. If $50.00 is too much at the moment, you can donate $7.00 a month (that’s less than your Spotify subscription), which will give one hour of reading a day for a child. Click here to donate . We love organizations that support young Black girls to see themselves, their strength, and their potential. Learning fundamental life skills and resilience through reading is an easy way to build our next doctors, lawyers, engineers, CEO’s and Presidents. You can find out more information at www.nabu.org . DON’T MISS: Artist Lawrence Lindell’s Love Letter To Women Of Color, ‘From Black Boy With Love’ This 6th Grade Class Turned Themselves Into Iconic Book Covers For Black History Month Michelle Obama’s Memoir Has Officially Become 2018’s Best-Selling Book [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”2958408″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Kevin Hart Speaks On Accident, Police Report Released The California Highway Patrol has released a detailed report about the crash that left actor Kevin Hart with serious back injuries. Jarred Black was driving the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda muscle car with Kevin and his girlfriend as passengers when the accident occurred. Police are reporting reckless driving by Hart’s friend was the cause of the accident, according to NBC. While turning, the driver “quickly accelerated,” which caused the right rear tire of the muscle car to break traction and resulted in a loss of control, the agency said. The car hit a tapered curb and a vinyl fence before going down the embankment and hitting a tree, according to the CHP report. Kevin Hart spoke out for the first time since the September car crash as the CHP report was released. In a released a statement through his attorney, mentioning Jared Black and his fianceé, Rebecca Broxterman, the two other individuals who were in the car when the accident occurred. In the statement obtained by EW. “I have nothing but love for Jared and wish him and Rebecca a speedy recovery.” So far, neither Jared Black nor Rebecca Broxterman has addressed the crash publicly. In related news, Kevin Hart will not fully return back to work until early next year, according to his attorney.
Source: HECTOR RETAMAL / Getty The NBA was shoring up what looked to be a fruitful union with China, but now tension between the sports league and the communist nation looks to be growing by the day. After Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of Hong Kong protestors, he set off a flurry of debate regarding free speech and the price of going into business with an entity known for its rigidness. To explain the rift in full, back on October 4, Daryl Morey tweeted out support of the Hong Kong protestors who are combating an extradition bill and other restrictions that infringe on the civil rights of those living in the semi-autonomous region. This tweet came just ahead of the Los Angles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets on the schedule to play in China this week. NBA commissioner Adami Silver offered not one, but two statements to satisfy China’s concerns around Morey’s tweet. Silver did say that he would not find Morey in contempt and won’t limit free speech in the league. Morey’s tweet, which has since been deleted, angered Chinese leaders to the point of upending a potential windfall of money. China’s state-run CCTV has since suspended all NBA pre-season games after issuing a statement. “We’ve noticed NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s response to the inappropriate remarks by Houston Rockets GM Morey. We are strongly unsatisfied and opposed to Adam Silver’s claim of supporting Morey’s rights of having freedom of speech,” CCTV5, a sports channel, said Tuesday on its social media page. “We think any remarks that challenge national sovereignty and social stability are outside the category of freedom of speech.” The Rockets were one of the more popular teams in China, due in part to the team drafting now-retired star Yao Ming number one overall in 2002. Yao, now the chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, has not made any public comments about the rift despite his history with the Rockets and the NBA. The fallout from Morey’s tweet has been substantial, with community events, ticket sales getting halted, and Chinese celebrities shouting down the Rockets and the NBA in the process. The league, which enjoys a strong following due to the aforementioned Yao’s time with Houston, also has a $1.5 billion deal to stream games with the Tencent media company, with the service blacklisting Rockets games. Further, the CBA is no longer collaborating with the Houston Rockets. Despite the apologies from Silver and from Rockets superstar James Harden, China does not appear satisfied with the team’s effort for repairing the issue. Several Chinese fans were also ousted from pre-season games featuring the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers for holding fans that read “Free Hong Kong.” Additionally, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has urged the NBA to pull out of China, including the hosting of a training facility in Xinjiang, where it is thought that around a million Chinese minorities, the Turkic Uyghurs, are being held in so-called “re-education camps.” To underscore the seriousness of things, a CNN reporter attempted to ask Rockets players James Harden and Russell Westbrook if they will continue speaking out on social issues, most especially in the light of Morey’s Hong Kong utterance. An NBA spokesperson shut down the questioning promptly. #NEW : CNN reporter Christina Macfarlane ( @chrissymacCNN ) is quickly shut down by the Houston Rockets' media officer as she tries to ask a question about the NBA's ongoing standoff with China. pic.twitter.com/FP6jgBHUwu — Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) October 10, 2019 — Photo: Getty
Source: Splash / Splash News Record labels have no morals or scruples. Case in point, Tekashi 6ix9ine ‘s old recording home, 10K Projects, has reportedly offered the loose-lipped rapper a new deal worth up to $10M. Yes, the same Tekashi who dropped dime on his associates with the hopes of him being able to duck a potential 47-year sentence in order to walk free with time served, if all goes to plan. According to TMZ , the Brooklyn rapper will get the loot in exchange for two albums; an English and a Spanish language project. Last week, two of Tekashi’s former Nine Trey Blood associates were found kidnapping and racketeering charges , thanks in part to Tekashi Snitch9ine dropping all the dimes. The things is, Tekashi isn’t due to be sentenced until December. The judge may not be too keen on him potentially earning major moolah off his illicit behavior. There’s also the fact that him being a federal informant puts a permanent target on his back. God forgive something goes wrong as a consequence of his dry snitching, will the label be held responsible or accountable? Nevertheless, it seems Tekashi is intent on continuing his rap career . Good luck with that. — Photo: Splash
Source: FayesVision/WENN.com / WENN Well, Fresh Prince fans, looks like Will Smith is doing more than bringing Bel-Air Academy clothing to your lives – he’s reportedly developing a spin-off to the popular NBC sitcom. The Hollywood Reporter shared info that Smith is overseeing the development of a new Fresh Prince of Bel-Air spinoff series. Even better? Westbrook – the new company overseen by Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith – will be handling production. The original show aired from 1990 to 1996, co-created by Quincy Jones and saw Smith rise as a magnetic personality on TV. Back then, Smith portrayed a fictionalized version of himself alongside the late James Avery (first things first, rest in peace Uncle Phil), Janet Hubert, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons and more. RELATED: Will Smith’s Bel-Air Athletics Collection Has Just Arrived For A Limited Time RELATED: Will Smith To Star As Nicky Barnes In Netflix’s ‘The Council’ RELATED: Will Smith & Jay-Z Will Be Bringing Emmett Till’s Story To ABC
Source: Estrop / Getty Gucci can’t seem to keep to themselves out of trouble. The brand most recently was in trouble for a sweater that resembled Black face and now they are in the hot seat again. Whew chile, where is Dapper Dan ?! Alessandro Michele, the Creative Director for Gucci, presented his Spring 2020 collection in Milan and while the clothes were well received, a certain accessory, less so. An anklet went down the runway but it wasn’t just any anklet. The anklet features “golden bullets” which are actually Gucci Beauty lipsticks; however, the design looks more like an ankle monitor or individuals on house arrest. For things to go into production, it often goes through several rounds of approval. The fact that this made it from in house to runway lets me know that there probably weren’t many (if any) Black people who were a part of the decision making process. While Gucci has promised to come up with new diversity and inclusion and even hired an exec for the position, if people of color are not placed in high levels throughout the organization, things like this happen. Gucci has been lucky it has not been damaging to the brand, especially when Black spending power reaches $1.2 trillion dollars. It may be in part because of their close relationship with Dapper Dan and celebrities like Beyoncé; however, for how long will their social currency protect them? Consumers took to Twitter to express their displeasure and confusion from the brand. We rounded up some of our favorite responses. Keep on clicking to see them all. Beauties, we want to know what you think? Was this out of line or an honest mistake? Are you still rocking with Gucci? Sound off in the comment section below.
Source: ANGELA WEISS / Getty Colin Kaepernick & Team Release Fact Check To Clear Up Rumors Colin Kaepernick hasn’t been on a football field since 2016, which feels like forever and a day go at this point. The last time he was on the field, he was playing quarterback for the 49ers, before his kneeling activism lead to him being blackballed by the NFL. Yesterday, Kap’s agent Jeff Nalley released a fact-checker in an effort to clear up any the of rumors or misleading information people have about the activist. In the letter, he points out that during his last season on the field, the 49ers landed 4th in dropped passes with 29th in pass-blocking efficiency, all while having the worst-ranked defense in the entire NFL. This letter seems to be another attempt for his agent to blast NFL teams on record, as TMZ reports Nalley has reached out to every NFL team and reportedly gotten little-to-no response. “Not a single team has offered Colin a job since the 2016 season, in which he began his peaceful protest. Not a single team has brought Colin in for a workout. Seattle brought Colin in for a visit but did not work him out. Afterward, Pete Carroll said Colin is a ‘starter in this league’. No other NFL team has interviewed or worked out Colin in the past 3 seasons, despite other false statements in the media to the contrary.” One of the rumors Nalley addressed in this letter were those circulating that Colin was demanding a specific salary, along with the longstanding rumor that he doesn’t even want to play again. His team made sure to make it clear that those allegations specifically are “completely false” and the notion Colin doesn’t want to play is just plain wrong. In fact, he says Colin has been working out 5 days a week for over three years now, and at this point, he’s just hoping to play again. He also goes on to address why Colin opted out of his 49er deal in the first place, if he’s even eligible to play again, and more. Nalley closes the letter out in a college essay fashion, pretty much laying out how he doesn’t understand the issue. “In summary, it is difficult to think of another young player in NFL history with statistics and character as impressive as Colin’s not being given an opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster after what he has accomplished.” At this point, it may be time to try a different approach, or for Colin, a different agent. No matter how pissed off people may be about his kneeling or his NFL settlement check, any agent with respect on their name would get a callback and a conversation, even if it’s not what they want to hear. Something has got to give because these same old tricks from 2016 clearly aren’t getting the job done and there are more than enough quarterback positions open for someone of Kaepernick’s caliber. You can read the letter in its entirety down below. The agent of Colin @Kaepernick7 set the record straight about his desire to play football. pic.twitter.com/YTh7Bq8yjD — rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) October 10, 2019
Source: Jeffrey Mayer / Getty Prince Estate Furious Trump Won’t Stop Using ‘Purple Rain’ At Rallies That guy in the White House keeps staring up trouble with musicians who, quite frankly, just aren’t fans of his and don’t play about their art. You would think Cheeto curmudgeon would be more focused on important things–ya know, like his impending impeachment inquiry , running the country, or trying to be a decent human being–but that would be too much to ask. According to reports from TMZ , y’alls lil President was on the road having the time of his life and turning up to Prince’s “Purple Rain” in the process. As is stands, everyone is still pretty clueless how and why this would tie into his re-election campaign theme, but here we are. This unfortunate event unfolded in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Target theater during a Trump rally. Omg. They are playing Purple Rain at the Trump rally!! That is INSANE!! @PRNFamily @prince #NO #RESIST pic.twitter.com/b2oYmtccY4 — Sara Savoy (@SaraSavoy) October 11, 2019 The crowd looks like they’re enjoying themselves (duh, it’s Prince) but there are still several problems with this. Most importantly; we all know Prince would have never approved of this and on top of that, this isn’t the first time he’s pulled this very move. Princes’ estate has even already told Trump they don’t want him playing any of Prince’s music, at any time, ever. “President Trump played Prince’s “Purple Rain” tonight at a campaign event in Minneapolis despite confirming a year ago that the campaign would not use Prince’s music. The Prince Estate will never give permission to President Trump to use Prince’s songs.” This marks one year to the day that Prince’s estate wrote a letter to the Cheeto-in-Chief and telling him not to play his music, and yet, he did it again. At this point, it seems like some calculated shade and pettiness is afoot. Hopefully, the legend’s estate understands now that they need to take action–not just send warnings–as we know this guy doesn’t play by the rules.
