Source: Pharoh Martin / Radio One Digital K. Michelle has a bitter taste in her mouth when it comes to men but her taste for great liquor is quite on point. Celebrating the success of her historic collaboration with Jack Daniels, the Memphis singer rolled by Hot 107.9 and sat with Reec to talk about her new song with the City Girls & Kash Doll entitled “Supahood”. According to her, men are “evil” but they don’t have to be. K. Michelle gives 7 rules to avoid being a f*ck boy. The Latest Music, Celebrities and Interviews: Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Close Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Email Submit _____
Source: Jeff Kravitz / Getty Tonight’s Emmys made some serious history. First up, Jharrel Jerome’s win for When They See Us made him the youngest person to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie as well as the first Afro-Latino to win for acting, Deadline reported . He beat out other nominees Mahershala Ali ( True Detective ), Benicio Del Toro ( Escape at Dannemora ), Hugh Grant ( A Very English Scandal ), Jared Harris ( Chernobyl ) and Sam Rockwell ( Fosse/Verdon ). The 21-year-old earned the coveted trophy for his portrayal of the Exonerated Five-member Korey Wise , who, as a teenager, was wrongfully convicted of the rape and assault of Trisha Meili in 1989. During the young actor’s acceptance speech, he thanked his mother, show creator Ava DuVernay and the five men the limited series was based on. “I feel like I should just be in the Bronx right now, chilling, waiting for my mom’s cooking or something,” Jerome began. “But I’m here in front of my inspirations, I’m here in front of people who I’m so motivated by, and the reason I’m here is because [of] actors like the people I was in the category with. I have to thank my mom, who’s with me today, my beautiful mother. I couldn’t do it without her. My dad… of course Ava [DuVernay, creator of the miniseries], thank you for giving me this opportunity, Netflix, my team… But most importantly, this is for the men that we know as the Exonerated Five. Raymond [Santana], Yusef [Salaam], Antron [McCray], Kevin [Richardson], and King Korey Wise, thank you so much, it’s an honor, it’s a blessing.” (Peep how relieved presenter Angela Bassett looked when she opened up that envelope and saw his name) Jharrel Jerome thanks “The Exonerated 5” in his acceptance speech for #WhenTheySeeUs #Emmys #Emmys2019 pic.twitter.com/1T94C5RHTl — The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) September 23, 2019 Backstage, he told the press that he’s glad he can represent Dominicans in the industry. “It’s a blessing and I hope this is a step forward for Dominicans, for Latinos, for Afro Latinos. It’s about time we’re here,” adding when he was the youngest to win this award, “well damn, that’s incredible.. kids are smart too.” Jharrel Jerome reflects on becoming the first Afro-Latino to win an acting #Emmy : “I hope this is a step forward for Dominicans, for Latinos, for Afro-Latinos. It's about time we are here” | https://t.co/wKARQy4lP8 pic.twitter.com/RKNbIAhWqj — Variety (@Variety) September 23, 2019 When asked about the Academy continuing to award stories that center on Black plain, he replied, “Unfortunately, I think our strongest stories are the stories of pain considering that’s what we go through on a daily basis. It is unfortunate that comedies or light pieces of work aren’t as praised and aren’t sent to the award season.” “The truth is our pain needs to be told. So if it has to be for the next 20 years where we are just painfully telling our stories until we can move on then I guess it has to be.” Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN / Getty Pose’s Billy Porter also had the crowd on their feet when Kerry Washington read his name of the winning envelope for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. The Tony winner became the first openly gay Black man to win an Emmy in the Lead Actor category. Porter plays the iconic Pray Tell, on the hit FX show, which is set in New York City’s ball scene during the 1980s and ’90s at the height of the AIDS epidemic. He stars alongside Mj Rodriguez , Indya Moore , Dominique Jackson , Angelica Ross , and Hailie Sahar , the largest cast of trans actors on a TV show in history. “I am so overwhelmed and I am so overjoyed to have lived long enough to see this day,” the 50-year-old began, quoting James Baldwin : “It took many years of vomiting up the filth I was taught about myself and halfway believed before I could walk around this Earth like I had a right to be here.” “I have the right,” Porter continued. “You have the right. We all have the right.” After thanking his team, the Pose cast and co-creator Ryan Murphy , Porter urged the crowd to keep working to change “hearts and minds.” “We are the people, we as artists are the people that get to change the molecular structure of the hearts and minds of the people who live on this planet. Please don’t ever stop doing that. Please don’t ever stop telling the truth. I love you all. They’re telling me to please stop. God bless you. God bless you. If I forget anybody, I’m sorry. I love you all.” Backstage, the Tony, Grammy, and now Emmy winner got emotional when talking about the importance of LGBTQ people seeing themselves on television. “Visibility and representation are the only things that create change. It’s when we are visible that we have the power to create empathy through the way we tell stories. Being black and gay and out and being in this position and speaking from where I get to speak from is the change,” Porter said. His voice broke as he added: “I hope that young queer people of all colors can look at me and know that they can.” Billy Porter has an emotional moment backstage after his #Emmys win, “I hope that young, queer people of all colors can look at me and know that they can.” https://t.co/G6ooSCPL2j pic.twitter.com/0u3HW65fd3 — Variety (@Variety) September 23, 2019 While no Black women took home a statue tonight, we want to celebrate these two brothas who gave fearless performances and continue to make us proud with their talent, spirit, and presence. Congrats Jharrel and Billy! RELATED NEWS: Billy Porter Getting Ready For The Emmys Is A Whole Mood #BlackExcellence: Jharell Jerome Is Hollywood’s New Breakout Star! #Snubbed: 10 Black Women Who Deserved Emmy Nominations [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3059309″ overlay=”true”]
T he Detroit Youth Choir fell short when it came to taking home the America’s Got Talent title, but upon their return to the Motor City, they received a memorable surprise. According to the Detroit Free Press , the choir was awarded $1 million. #BREAKING : The Detroit Youth Choir will get $1 million anyway after its stellar performance on @AGT . https://t.co/uz5qO96wsP — Detroit Free Press (@freep) September 20, 2019 The donation was a collective effort between local businesses and organizations. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan surprised the choir with the gift before scores of people during their homecoming celebration. Amongst the companies who contributed to the donation include the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, DTE Energy Foundation, Skillman Foundation, Huntington Bank, and Bank of America. Other donors included the Ballmer Group, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Dakkota Integrated Systems and the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. “I was watching you guys and you and Kodi Lee are on that stage, and my heart’s in my throat,” Mayor Duggan told the youngsters after they returned home. “When they announced it was Kodi Lee, I was a little disappointed for a second. But I was like, ‘He deserves a million dollars; he was great.’ The only thing I thought was unfair was there should’ve been two first prizes.” The America’s Got Talent stage isn’t the only notable one that the predominately Black choir has graced. They’ve performed at several Detroit Pistons games and were a part of the CityLab Detroit summit in 2018. “Our kids are your average Detroit young person,” choir director Anthony White told The Detroit News . “They relate to every young person in America and the world. There are no egos, all of our kids are good kids. We just want to represent to the country how good these young people are.” America’s Got Talent winner Kodi Lee —a musician who is autistic and blind—won $1 million and will perform at the Paris Theater in Vegas. SEE ALSO: Meek Mill Unveils Renovated Basketball Courts For Youth In Philly Russell Westbrook Launches Tech Education Program For Los Angeles Youth [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3039818″ overlay=”true”]
F or the first time in MasterChef history, a Black woman has won the competition. According to Atlanta Black Star , Dorian Hunter edged out her competitors during the final cook-off of the show’s 10th season and took home the title. ‘MasterChef’ Names Dorian Hunter Season 10 Winner, First Black Woman Victor Wins $250k https://t.co/8DtxvraCtP pic.twitter.com/DueL05LG4D — Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) September 19, 2019 Hunter—who plans on releasing a cookbook in the near future—won $250,000 and the opportunity to be mentored by the show’s judges Joe Bastianich , Aaron Sanchez , and Gordon Ramsay who also serves as MasterChef ’s executive producer. Her winning menu featured seared sea scallops with cornmeal tuille, sweet corn puree and pickled swiss chard. She served applewood smoked short ribs for her entrée and topped the meal off with a lemon blueberry tart. Hunter says competing on the show and coming out victorious has been life-changing and that she’s ready to continue her journey in the realm of culinary arts with her cookbook that will include soul food recipes with a twist. She also wants to use some of her prize money to open up a restaurant. “It is enough for me to at least feed the idea. I don’t have to go to the table with nothing, so I am definitely going to have to get investors or some sort of a loan, or find the rest of the money somewhere else, but it is going to be a nice start,” she told Parade . “I always say that having the title is more than the money. I am hoping to be able to work the title to, ultimately, open up that restaurant.” She added that she’s looking forward to being trained by the judges and says that their tutelage is more valuable than the money. SEE ALSO: Twins Launch Philadelphia’s First Black-Owned Delivery Service Black-Owned Biscuit Brand Lands Distribution Deals With Walmart, Whole Foods, Other Retailers [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3887442″ overlay=”true”]
B lack teenagers across the country are reaching new heights in academia and making history in the process. Months after 14-year-old Sydney Wilson became the youngest student to be admitted into Spelman College , a Washington, D.C.-based teen has hit a major milestone. According to The GW Hatchet , 14-year-old Curtis Lawrence is one of the youngest students to attend George Washington University full-time. At just 14, Curtis Lawrence, is navigating campus life at George Washington University, thanks to a program at his high school called Schools Without Walls. https://t.co/uJCPaIOkam — News4JAX (@wjxt4) September 8, 2019 Lawrence attended a magnet school on the university’s campus called School Without Walls. The school allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses at the university so that they can earn both a diploma and an Associates of Arts degree. Lawrence was selected to participate in the Associate of Arts Cohort that provides 15 sophomores from the school with the opportunity to earn a degree. Lawrence’s parents were aware that he was gifted from an early age. At 2-years-old he learned how to read and started studying science and math. He skipped several grades during elementary school and middle school and was homeschooled during eighth grade. He then went on to attend School Without Walls which led him to the GW Early College Program. Lawrence plans on fully immersing himself in on-campus activities. He is a member of the African Student Association, the Black Student Union, and the Caribbean Students Association. He’s currently taking courses centered on African history, astronomy, calculus, and geology. “I feel like I was prepared for the academics because Walls is a very rigorous high school, it’s the top high school in D.C., so a lot of the work that we did reflected the work that I’ll be doing here in college,” Lawrence told the news outlet. “Most of the high school experience is replicated at GW for me in some kind of way.” After completing his associate degree at George Washington University, he plans on studying computer science at Florida A&M University. SEE ALSO: 14-Year-Old Sydney Wilson Becomes Youngest Student Accepted Into Spelman #BlackExcellence: 11-Year-Old Academic Standout Dionn Megginson Starts High School [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3039818″ overlay=”true”]
B lack billionaire Robert F. Smith has been dedicated to helping Morehouse College students overcome their financial obstacles. In May, he made a monumental announcement during the school’s commencement ceremony; sharing that he would eliminate the student loan debt for the entire 2019 graduating class. Smith is taking his philanthropic efforts a step further. According to Business Insider , he has vowed to pay off the student loan debt for the parents of those graduates. The billionaire who promised to pay off student loans for an entire graduating class just pledged to pay off their parents' educational loans, too https://t.co/hvZhXQ8tpy — Business Insider (@businessinsider) September 20, 2019 The gift is being donated to the Morehouse Student Success Program. Through the initiative, 400 Morehouse students and their parents and guardians will have their debt paid off in an effort to bring them closer to financial freedom and provide a solid foundation for building wealth. The donation that the Vista Equity Partners founder made in May was reported to be worth $34 million. “With the Student Success Program in place, there is a model for all colleges and universities, starting with Morehouse and HBCUs, to receive gifts from alumni and other supporters that can offset the burden of student loans and give students the freedom to pursue their dreams, the capital to invest in the economic growth of their families and the time that they can give back meaningfully to strengthening their communities,” Smith told the news outlet. President of Morehouse College David A. Thomas says that Smith’s gift will be transformative in the lives of Morehouse alumni and their families. “It is our hope that our graduates will use their newfound financial freedom to pursue their career goals, to lead and serve the community, and to remember the spirit of the gift given to them by paying it forward to support the education of future classes of Morehouse Men,” he said in a statement. As part of the program, Morehouse will conduct a research study exploring the impact that the elimination of debt has had on the trajectory of their lives. The initiative will also provide current students with financial literacy resources and scholarships. Programs like the Morehouse Student Success initiative are needed. Student loan debt has continued to rise within our country and has disproportionately impacted students who attend historically Black colleges and universities. According to the United Negro College Fund , one in four HBCU students borrows at least $40,000 to attend college. SEE ALSO: Billionaire Robert F. Smith Pledges To Eliminate Student Loan Debt For Morehouse’s Class Of 2019 Morehouse Receives $1.5M Gift From Black Billionaire Robert F. Smith [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3039818″ overlay=”true”]
F or the first time in its 136-year history, New York’s Metropolitan Opera will host an opera created by a Black composer, The Hill reported. The Met to stage its first opera by a black composer https://t.co/NijtLp8Dqo pic.twitter.com/ggb4I0W8br — The Hill (@thehill) September 20, 2019 As part of its upcoming programming the opera house will feature Fire Shut Up in My Bones ; a piece created by Grammy-winning jazz musician Terence Blanchard . Blanchard’s project was inspired by a memoir penned by journalist Charles M. Blow . The book captures Blow’s coming-of-age journey as a Black man in America. It details the traumatic experiences that he endured as a child and explores topics like racism, poverty, sexuality and spirituality. “There is a level of you never really know yourself until you write about yourself. You also don’t fully know the people around you until you have to examine them. I had always been angry about my father’s alcoholism. I felt sympathy after writing the book, because I had to explore it in a way that I hadn’t thought about it before,” Blow told The St. Louis American . “One thing I’ve learned as a journalist is that if you tell your own story, then it belongs to you. If somebody finds something out about you and they tell it, it belongs to them.” The opera made its debut in June at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Blanchard is beyond excited to bring it to New York City and make history. “I wish my father was alive,” he told the New York Times. “He was an avid opera fanatic.” For decades Blanchard has composed the musical scores for several pivotal films. The Louisiana native—who launched his career with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra—has worked on the music for Spike Lee films including Mo’ Better Blues , Do the Right Thing , Malcolm X , BlacKkKlansman , Inside Man , When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts and others. He’s garnered many awards for his work including six Grammys. Fire Shut Up in My Bones is slated to premiere at the Metropolitan Opera house during its 2021-22 season. SEE ALSO: ‘Bolden’ Movie Review: ‘Beautiful Story About A Forgotten Pioneer Of Jazz Music’ Pharrell Williams Launches Music Education Program In Partnership With Verizon [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3887442″ overlay=”true”]
It’s not a secret that our children’s hair has been under attack lately , but one little Nashville girl is turning being bullied into a moment of empowerment and self-love. This week, middle school student Promise Sawyers posted an amazing video of herself explaining how regardless of being made fun of, she will continue to keep wearing her natural afro “bigger and better” to school. “I told my mom and she said, “Don’t forget who you are and whose you are! And I said, “Okay. So today, I’m going back to school and I’m coming back bigger and better. And don’t allow anyone to steal your joy, don’t give them that much power. I am Promise Miamor Sawyers” The fifth-grader told FOX 17 Nashville News that when she started the school year at Head Middle Magnet she was wearing braids, but decided to take them out and rock her afro. But the kids at her school had a lot “of mean things to say.” According to FOX 17, her mother, Qui Daugherty, said that “in their house, they meet negativity with positivity,” so before Promise went to school the next day, she “asked her how she felt that morning.” “I felt confident and pretty,” Sawyers replied but says she was discouraged by all the negative comments. “At my old school, people thought my hair was cool.” That’s when Promise made her video to hype herself up for the day. “The video was made at that point, like she’s really taking a stance,” Daugherty told Yahoo Lifestyle . “The immediate family was more proud of that moment, but we had no idea the impact that it was gonna make and the amount of messages.” Since the video went on social media, it’s garnered more than 2 million views and more than 100K shares. Looking at all of the positive comments, Daughtery feels “blessed.” “It’s impacted people in so many different ways. It’s made a huge impact behind the scenes that has blessed me personally.” Promise has also inspired Kelly Clarkson who had her on her show on Friday, along with Tracee Ellis Ross , who said that she was “empowered” by the middle schooler. “I saw your video and I was so moved because your hair is an extension of your legacy, what you come from, your story and everything that you are and your beauty,” the Golden Globe winner said to Promise, who was in tears. “And I am so glad that you know that at 10-years-old what it took me so long to learn about myself. And you are such an example.” We love it! You go Promise! RELATED NEWS: That Little Black Girl’s Hair In The H&M Ad Isn’t The Problem. Perhaps The Problem Is You. HAUGHT OR NAUGHT: H&M Under Fire For Neglecting A Young Black Models’ Hair, The Popular Retailer Defends Hairstyle #LocLife: Ava DuVernay Encourages Black Folks To Show Off Their Luxurious Locs With Pride [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3058336″ overlay=”true”]
T he maternal mortality crisis continues to disproportionately affect Black women. According to new research released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , for women over the age of 30, Black women are four to five times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth. Entrepreneur Kimberly Seals Allers is aiming to reverse this alarming trend through her app Irth and she recently received $200,000 in funding to push her efforts forward, Black News reported. New App to Help Save Pregnant Black Women and Their Babies Gets $200K in Funding https://t.co/FCktPt7ZjJ pic.twitter.com/d3EUFpR0sw — Black News (@BlackNews) September 5, 2019 The app was designed to combat racial bias in the healthcare space; especially for Black moms who are expecting. The digital platform features reviews and ratings of health facilities and healthcare providers so that individuals can make informed decisions when it comes to seeking the best care during their pregnancy journey. The grant was donated by the Tara Health Foundation which focuses on the well-being of women and girls. Seals Allers—a notable author and journalist—says that her personal experiences inspired her to create Irth. After enduring racial bias at the hospital where she delivered her child—a facility that her white friends praised—she saw first-hand how Black mothers are often mistreated. “At that time of my life, I was on student insurance and I was not yet married. Despite my career and academic accomplishments, I was treated like an unwed black woman with basic insurance. I lived that. It was clear to me that not all people experience the same place the same way,” Seals Allers said in a statement. Several individuals and organizations have stepped up to back platforms that are focused on addressing issues surrounding maternal health. Tennis star Serena Williams recently invested in the maternal healthcare startup Mahmee which provides expecting parents with a comprehensive dashboard that tracks the health of the mother and child. Parents can also utilize the platform for educational resources. SEE ALSO: Serena Williams Invests In Startup Focused On Maternal Health The Role Racism Plays In Maternal Health Is Having A Disastrous Effect On Black Mothers [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3887442″ overlay=”true”]
T wo Black women entrepreneurs paid it forward by giving back to students in need at their alma mater. Pinky Cole , the creator of the plant-based burger restaurant Slutty Vegan, and Harlem Hops owner Stacey Lee —both alums of Clark Atlanta University—helped 30 seniors who attend the historically Black college pay off their debt, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. These two women went back to their alma mater and asked for a list of seniors who wouldn’t be able to graduate due to outstanding balances. Then they partnered to clear them. https://t.co/UmdvX9MfAp — #becauseofthemwecan (@Becauseofthem) September 12, 2019 Lee, who founded Harlem’s first-ever Black-owned beer bar, was determined to find a way to assist students who are struggling with the cost of tuition. She contacted Cole to explore ways they could join forces and eliminate financial burdens for students so they’d be able to walk across the graduation stage. Cognizant of how the student debt crisis has hit HBCUs the hardest, the women were motivated to utilize their resources to make a difference in the lives of students of color. Cole and Lee—who are members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated—connected with the school and asked for a list of seniors who needed to pay off debt so they would be able to graduate. They randomly chose 30 students to help and surprised them on campus to let them know that their outstanding balances have been handled. “God has been so good to us both. It just felt right,” Cold told Because of Them We Can . “Growing up in a single-family household, and being the first to go to college, I know what it feels like to not know where the money is coming from. But there were people who believed in me despite my circumstances and I wanted to be that person for someone else.” Since the inception of her fast-growing business, which has evolved into a staple in Atlanta, she has donated over $100,000 towards the education of college students in need. Entrepreneurs are stepping up to help students of different ages tackle their debt. In June, a Black-owned barbershop in North Carolina raised money to help high school seniors pay off their debt so they would be able to graduate. SEE ALSO: Black-Owned Barbershop Pays Off Debt For Students In Charlotte Billionaire Robert F. Smith Pledges To Eliminate Student Loan Debt For Morehouse’s Class Of 2019 [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3039818″ overlay=”true”]
