Jessica McGowan/Getty Images Oprah Campaigns For Stacey Abrams In Georgia Oprah sent a strong message out to Georgians today; “Vote for Stacey Abrams!” The mogul was in Marietta, Georgia today to campaign for the candidate vying to become America’s first black female governor. While there she told attendees who came out in DROVES, that she was there on her volition after scouring for Stacey’s number. She also added that she wasn’t paid for the appearance. “I wasn’t asked, I just called Stacy up three days ago. Yes. I didn’t even know her. I am an independent woman. I have earned the right to do exactly what I want to do. I’ve earned the right to do what I want to do when I want to do it. I’ve earned the right to think for myself and vote for myself,” she added. “Nobody paid for me to come. Nobody even asked for me to come here. I paid for myself and I approved this message.” She also shunned people considering not voting and told a story about Otis Moss Sr. who walked 18 miles to vote in an election but was told he was too late to cast a ballot. He never got a chance to vote before he passed. “When I go to the polls and I cast my ballot, I cast it for a man I never knew. I cast it for Otis Moss Sr., who walked 18 miles one day just for the chance to vote,” said Oprah.” When I go to the polls, I cast the vote for my grandmother who died in 1963 before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and never had a chance to vote.” “For anybody here who has an ancestor who didn’t have the right to vote and you are choosing not to vote wherever you are in this state or this country, you are dishonoring your family,’ she said. “Honor your legacy and honor your right to citizenship in this, which is the greatest country in the world!” Atlanta’s Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was also in attendance in support of Abrams. Magic happens when we use our voices to support leaders who share our values. It was an honor to join @Oprah in support of GA’s next governor, @StaceyAbrams ! Three HBCU graduates. Three women leaders. I don’t know how it gets more magical than this! #thelastweekend #Vote pic.twitter.com/tybReMYynd — Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) November 1, 2018 After the rally, Oprah went canvassing door to door. What would YOU do if Oprah showed up at your doorstep???
Photos by Prince Williams/WireImage #FamilyHustle: Toya Tries To Help Tip Repair His Marriage In this clip from Monday’s “ Family Hustle ” episode, Toya gives T.I. advice on how to step up his husband game. Toya did warm Tiny that she would have to speak to her hubby, just to see if she could mediate their issues, but it seems like she bit off more than she could chew. Were YOU watching?
Photo by: Andrew Lipovsky/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Sheck Wes Makes His Tonight Show Debut With “Mo Bamba” Jimmy Fallon and the good people over at the Tonight Show always have a good musical performance up their sleeve, and Wednesday’s show did not disappoint. After a special appearance from Desus and Mero , the crowd was treated to even more New York-ness with a performance from Harlem-native Sheck Wes and his platinum single, “Mo Bamba.” Check out the performance down below to see how one of the biggest songs of the moment translates live, you don’t wanna miss this:
Five Great Lesser-Known Black Horror Films When you think of Black horror films …beyond Tales From The Hood and Candyman , you probably draw a big-time blank. Well, not to worry. We’ve got you covered with a few highly-yet-undeservedly looked-over horror flicks with Black actors holding the reigns. If you’re looking for a fright on this Hallow’s Eve and want to see a few melanated faces on your screen at the same time…we’ve got you covered. Here are five slept-on Horror films with African American characters in lead roles. The films we’ve picked here run the gamut in release dates — from genre-defining classics from 50 years ago, to 90’s flicks, to recent films you can pull up on Netflix right now. Hit the flip for your spooky watchlist. And trust us, the Black character DOES NOT die first in any of these selections! Let us know if these are flicks you’ve seen/enjoyed in the comment section… Getty/YouTube
BACARDÍ ‘Liberate Your Spirits’ Halloween Bash with Ciara and Swizz Beatz in Brooklyn Ciara Courtesy of BACARDI Last night, BACARDÍ hosted its Liberate Your Spirits Halloween bash, where guests left behind their inhibitions to do what moves them. At the epic event, guests tapped into their celestial and sinister spirits as they enjoyed spooky BACARDÍ libations and killer performances from singer-songwriter Ciara , rapper Swizz Beatz , and DJ twin-sister duo, Nina Sky . Ciara , who just celebrated her 33 rd birthday last week, is back in the music scene after a three-year hiatus and already climbing the charts with new hits “Dose” and “Level Up.” Last night, the ATL singer dressed as Nakia, Lupita Nyong’o’s character in the Blockbuster film Black Panther . Ciara and Swizz Beatz drew spirited crowds of party guests as they sipped on BACARDÍ Zombie cocktails and snapped photos in front of a BACARDÍ sign arranged from dead roses. As they got decked out transformations into their “sinister and celestial spirits”, guests enjoyed BACARDÍ Zombies – a Caribbean-inspired cocktail, made with BACARDÍ Superior and BACARDÍ Black and served in chilling tiki glasses – as well as creations like Rosemary’s Cocktail and the Jungle Bird. Courtesy of BACARDI The evening performances kicked off with a set from Nina Sky, followed by an epic performance by Ciara, complete with back-up dancers also dressed in Black Panther inspired attire. The singer and dancer performed both new and old hits, starting with her iconic fan-favorite “Goodies,” then going on to perform her current single “Dose.” Ciara ignited the crowd with the classic throwback “Tootsie Roll,” choreographing a dance that everyone joined. She encouraged guests to liberate their spirits before going on to perform her classic hit “1, 2 Step.” To close out her performance, Ciara sang her new viral dance single “Level Up” to a roaring crowd. CiCi didn’t realize she was in for a surprise herself when BACARDÍ and Swizz Beatz presented her with a birthday cake onstage post-performance. The crowd erupted in Stevie Wonder’s rendition of “Happy Birthday” as Ciara blew out the candles to a custom Halloween themed cake made by BCakeNY in Brooklyn. Closing out the evening on a high note, BACARDÍ collaborator and award-winning producer Swizz Beatz treated the crowd to exclusive music from his new album, Poison, dropping officially later this week. For more shots of dope moments from last night’s Halloween extravaganza, hit the flip!
Image via Lola Brooke Lola Brooke Drops New Single “Bipolar” Remember where you heard it first ! She may only stand 4’9 but she has the effervescence of a lioness. Lola Brooke born Shyniece Thomas is a rapper and a songwriter. A native of (Bed Stuy) Brooklyn, New York, Lola has been writing music since she was eight years old but started her career as an artist at the age of twenty-three. In 2016 she signed with Team80, a New York City-based independent record label. Lola then dropped her first music video to a freestyle titled “2017 Flow” (released January 1st, 2017) which brought light to the artist’s talent; with the motto “Bars is back” felt throughout the freestyle as an anthem, Lola had given people something to look forward to. Lola’s delivery was clear and she was able to showcase her ability to stand out. She soon decided to quit her job and pursue her career full time. With the help of her team, Lola has been able to push her way into the music industry building a buzz around her name and gritty style, while also maintaining a growing fan base through consistency. Today we are proud to premiere Lola’s new single “Bipolar”! Check out the song and music video below. That girl is good. What do you think? Hit us up with your thoughts in the comments section.
Woman Claims She’s Engaged To A Ghost After Having Sex With 20 Paranormal Peens It’s Halloween and there’s no shortage of strange stories about white folks circulating on the internet. That said, one English woman is going viral after she claims to have had sex with 20 ghosts. She also says she’s now engaged to an apparition that hit it right. From Huffington Post : “Amethyst Realm, 30, of Bristol, says she has had sex with at least 20 ghosts since she was a teenager but wasn’t looking for a new relationship when she went to Australia on a business trip. However, she says that changed on a nature hike when she came into contact with an apparition and felt sparks like none she’s ever known.” “Realm didn’t think it could amount to anything serious because she says spirits tend to stay in one place, but something amazing happened on her flight home: She felt the presence of her lover on the plane, and apparently not stowed in cargo.” She told The Sun: ‘ ‘ I couldn’t believe it. I was happy and excited — so excited that we had to do something about it. So we headed to the plane loo,’ And, well, I am now a member of the Mile High Club.” Nine months later, Realm says he popped the question and she’s ready to have cute Casper babies. So how did it all happen? Well, she at least didn’t claim to have seen him. She told The NY Post : “There was no going down on one knee — he doesn’t have knees. But for the first time, I heard him speak. I could actually hear his voice, and it was beautiful. Deep, sexy and real.” Realm is reportedly counting on Casper to eventually pick out her engagement ring. She then plans to do a Pagan “handfasting” ceremony, “i n which their hands are tied together, symbolizing their connection,” she said. “It’ll be somewhere in the English countryside. We haven’t discussed the details yet, but I think it will be quite a big do.” Will she get along with her phantom in-laws? Stay tuned.
Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images Someone we actually LOVE… Anok Yai Dresses As Avatar For Halloween A model who shot to fame after being discovered at Howard University’s homecoming has gone viral again. Anok Yai who attended the school’s 2017 Yardfest and was photographed looking picture perfect is once again turning heads, this time for Halloween. The Sudanese beauty won Halloween four days in advance when she dressed as Neytiri from the 2009 “Avatar.” DOESN’T SHE LOOK INCREDIBLE??? When Anok isn’t shutting down Halloween she’s celebrating being the first black model to open a runway show for Prada since 1997. We see you, Halloween Queen! More avatar Anok Yai on the flip.
You Can Trade In Unwanted Halloween Candy For Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups There’s really not much you can find wrong about a holiday that revolves around acquiring as much candy as possible, but sometimes, the goods kids pick up going door-to-door just aren’t the right assortment. Luckily for children in New York , Reese’s knows about the struggles of Halloween candy collection and making sure you get what you actually want, and they’ve got you covered with an innovative vending machine that will let people exchange their bad candy for Reese’s. “No tricks here,” the company wrote in a tweet announcing it’s 5th Avenue candy converting machine. “Trade in your Halloween candy for Reese’s candy. What’d you expect from the GOAT of Halloween?!” No tricks here. Trade in your Halloween candy for Reese's candy. What'd you expect from the GOAT of Halloween?! #ReesesCandyConverter #NotSorry pic.twitter.com/bTrjF2IFay — REESE'S (@reeses) October 30, 2018 The machine is only going to be active for 5 hours (or until it runs out of the 10,000 cups stored inside) on Halloween night. Lucky children can trade in their Milk Duds for one of the most top-tier candies of all time, a unique experience that raises the question: Why hasn’t this ever been done before?! But that’s not the only thing the peanut butter cup OGs have been in the news for lately. Even though most of us can’t think of anyone who has ever looked at a Reese’s Cup and thought it should be more compact, Hershey’s recently announced plans to launch a new thinner version of the treat with 40% less of the good stuff. “Reese’s Thins” are set to launch in March. “This product is about 40% thinner than the original cup, and it appeals to those consumers who want something sweet with more permissibility,” Hershey North America’s President Michele Buck said on a recent call with investors . But for today, Reese’s is absolutely killing it for Halloween, and hopefully by next year, they can roll out these vending machines around the US–but maybe they should just keep ’em out year-round. Do y’all wish there was a candy-trading vending machine when you were a kid?!