Source: SplashNews / Splash News Tiffany Haddish Celebrates With Lego Movie Cast Tiffany Haddish showed up for the premiere of her latest film ‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part’ this weekend looking like a snack in a white Balmain dress. She was joined by cast mates Chris Pratt, Alison Brie and Elizabeth Banks. She ready for sure! Hit the flip for more photos from the premiere
Source: Megan Q Daniels/Getty Images / Getty Congratulations!!! Bennett College Keeping Its Accreditation After Getting $8 Million Donation The Bennett Belles are having a triumphant day! Bennett College will keep its accreditation after donors helped the historically black college raise $8 million. The North Carolina college had a Monday deadline to raise $5 million to help keep their accreditation. WXii12 reports that during a 90-minute gathering Monday afternoon, school officials announced that they’ve raised $8.2 million. As of today, we have raised $8.2 million! We could not have done it without any of you! We are forever grateful! THANK YOU! #StandWithBennett #BennettCollege #BennettBelles #BennettMatters #HBCUsMatter — Bennett College (@BennettCollege) February 4, 2019 Bennett’s deadline came from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges voted to remove Bennett’s membership due to financial instability in December. “When we were cited in December that we would be removed from membership in SACS, we were told that we did not meet one standard, which was financial resources. And so, SACS has 90 to 95 standards, and that’s the only standard we did not meet. So, to that extent we have to produce $5 million to demonstrate financial stability,” Bennett College President, Phyllis Worthy Dawkins said. “This $5 million can be used to support operations of the institution, can be used to support student gap funds and can be used in a variety of different ways,” Dawkins said. “We also are still liquidating some of our assets, so that does not include that amount (already raised), and we’re also seeking loan forgiveness, so a combination of things will make up the $5 million, so I feel confident we’re going to make it.” Donors included local college High Point University and the nation’s first black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. who pledged $100,000 to the institution. We’re happy to hear the news that another HBCU will continue to stand. Congrats Bennett!!!
Source: Anthony Barboza / Getty Here’s some key events that happened on this day brought to you by Black Facts 1. 1997 – First 24-Hour Black Movie Channel BET Holdings and Encore Media Corp. launch BET Movie/Starz the first 24 hour Black Movie channel. 2. 1997 – Black Facts Online Goes Live! Black Facts Online, the premiere spot for Black history goes online. 3. 1990 – Original Sit-In Revisited In Greensboro, North Carolina, Joseph McNeil, Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair), Franklin McCain and David Richond repeated the original sit-in of 30 years prior, by having breakfast at the Greensboro Woolworth store. 4. 1990 – Ida Wells Postage Stamp Issued Ida Wells, a black reformer who compiled records on lynching, is the subject of a United States Postal Service stamp. 5. 1978 – The first stamp of the U.S. Postal Service’s The first stamp of the U.S. Postal Service’s Black Heritage USA series honors Harriet Tubman, famed abolitionist and “conductor” on the Underground Railroad 6. 1974 – Good Times premieres “Good Times” premieres on CBS. 7. 1967 – Poet Langston Hughes dies Poet Langston Hughes dies. 8. 1965 – Selma Demonstration Ends in 700 Arrests More than seven hundred demonstrators, including Martin Luther King Jr., arrested in Selma. 9. 1965 – Actress Ruby Dee in Shakespeare Festival Ruby Dee was the first African American actress to play a major role at the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford Conn. 10. 1960 – Sit-in Movement in Greensboro, North Carolina Four students form North Carolina A&T College started Sit-in movement at Greensboro, N.C., five-and-dime store. By February 10 movement had spread to fifteen Southern cities in five states. 11. 1952 – Singer Rick James born Rock/Funk singer Rick James is born 12. 1937 – Actor/Comedian Garrett Morris born Actor/Comedian Garrett Morris, formerly of Saturday Night Live, born in New Orleans, Louisiana. 13. 1926 – Negro History Week Begins What is now known as Black History Month, was first celebrated on this date as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson. It became a month long celebration in 1976. 14. 1902 – Langston Hughes One of the most famous poets, Langston Hughes was born in the year 1902. Hughes came from the Harlem Renaissance, the early stages of the Black Arts Movement. Hughes was well known in the streets of Harlem, making him one of the greatest poets of all time. Before his death in 1967, he wrote fifteen collections of… 15. 1887 – J. Robinson patents food carrier Robinson, J. Dinner Pail Feb. 01, 1887 Patent No. 356,852 16. 1871 – 1st Black to Speak in US House of Representatives Jefferson Long of Georgia became the first Black to make an official speech in the House of Representatives. He opposed leniency to former Confederates. 17. 1870 – Jonathan Jasper Wright Jonathan Jasper Wright is elected to the South Carolina Supreme Court. He is the first African American to hold a major judicial position. 18. 1865 – First African American Before US Supreme Court John Sweat Rock (1825-1866), a noted Boston lawyer, became in 1865 the first African-American to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the first Black person to speak before the U.S. House of Representatives. 19. 1865 – Ratification of the 13th Amendment The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress. Ratification was completed December 6, 1865. 20. 1834 – Henry McNeal Turner Born Henry McNeal Turner was born on what is now Hannah Circuit, near Newberry, which was then in Abbeville County, South Carolina. Young Turner was “bound out” to the hardest king of labor in the cotton fields and the blacksmith’s trade in Abbeville until his “manhood” at age 12. He possessed an insatiable craving for…
Source: Lawrence Bryant / LB Photography J. Cole will perform during the the halftime show at the NBA All-Star Game at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. on Feb. 17., the NBA revealed late Tuesday. 2019 GRAMMY® Award-nominated artist and North Carolina native @JColeNC will take the court in his home state to headline the 2019 #NBAAllStar Game halftime show (Sunday 2/17 @NBAonTNT )! pic.twitter.com/eT6mTdJRYB — NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2019 Cole, a North Carolina native, is expected to perform a medley of his hits during his halftime performance. Meek Mill will also be involved this year as the Philly native will open the night with a performance and entertaining introduction of the All-Star teams, according to Sports Illustrated . The 2019 NBA All-Star Game is slated for Feb. 17th, 2019.
Vanity Fair Finally Nails Their Hollywood Issue Cover We’ve been dragging Vanity Fair for YEARS over their lack of inclusion on the covers of their Hollywood Issue, so it’s only right we applaud them as they’ve really nailed it with this year’s cover stars — beginning with Chadwick Boseman who is smack dab on the front page, not tucked into the fold unlike so many black actors before him. Boseman shares the front cover with Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet, two of today’s most acclaimed young stars. The inside cover features Nicholas Hoult, ‘Roma’ breakout star Yalitza Aparicio, Rami Malek and the QUEEN herself Regina King… but the diversity continues with John David Washington, Tessa Thompson and Henry Golding joined by Elizabeth Debicki. Interestingly enough, the cover also mentions inside features like an oral history of the original Hollywood Issue — which did include Angela Bassett, and a celebration of Cicely Tyson by Viola Davis and Annie Leibovitz. So yeah. Vanity Fair you get KUDOS! Keep up the excellent work. John David Washington even acknowledges the power of his presence in the issue saying, “I realized it’s not about me,” says John David Washington—photographed here with Tessa Thompson—about being on the cover of V.F.’s Hollywood Issue. “It’s about somebody who looks like me in Kansas or North Carolina, Middle America or in the South, who sees a cover like this and will be inspired to change their environment.” Hit the flip for more great moments from the magazine
Vanity Fair Finally Nails Their Hollywood Issue Cover We’ve been dragging Vanity Fair for YEARS over their lack of inclusion on the covers of their Hollywood Issue, so it’s only right we applaud them as they’ve really nailed it with this year’s cover stars — beginning with Chadwick Boseman who is smack dab on the front page, not tucked into the fold unlike so many black actors before him. Boseman shares the front cover with Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet, two of today’s most acclaimed young stars. The inside cover features Nicholas Hoult, ‘Roma’ breakout star Yalitza Aparicio, Rami Malek and the QUEEN herself Regina King… but the diversity continues with John David Washington, Tessa Thompson and Henry Golding joined by Elizabeth Debicki. Interestingly enough, the cover also mentions inside features like an oral history of the original Hollywood Issue — which did include Angela Bassett, and a celebration of Cicely Tyson by Viola Davis and Annie Leibovitz. So yeah. Vanity Fair you get KUDOS! Keep up the excellent work. John David Washington even acknowledges the power of his presence in the issue saying, “I realized it’s not about me,” says John David Washington—photographed here with Tessa Thompson—about being on the cover of V.F.’s Hollywood Issue. “It’s about somebody who looks like me in Kansas or North Carolina, Middle America or in the South, who sees a cover like this and will be inspired to change their environment.” Hit the flip for more great moments from the magazine
Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). Papa John’s has had a presence in college towns and on college campuses for over 25 years. Today, we’re proud to announce that we’re continuing that legacy by partnering with Bennett College , a private, all women’s historically black liberal-arts college in Greensboro, North Carolina, in a fundraising campaign to protect the college’s accreditation. 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 Bennett College, which has over a century-long legacy of preparing women of color to lead with purpose, integrity and a strong sense of self-worth, is one of the two existing women-only historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. Last year, the college launched a fundraising campaign to reach its February 1 goal of $5 million. The viral #StandWithBennett social campaign has already garnered the support of various celebrities and prominent HBCU alumni and helped the school reach about 30% of its goal, but Bennett will need additional assistance to meet its deadline. SEE ALSO: 7 Experiences You Can Only Have At An HBCU With ten franchises in the Greensboro area and our renewed commitment to doing better in the communities we serve, partnering with Bennett College to raise funds to protect the college’s accreditation status was a natural alignment. As part of this partnership, we will be offering a $500,000 grant to the college as well as supporting a national campaign to inspire locals, students, corporations and customers to participate in the school’s fundraising fund. We shared last year that the values that would drive the transformation of Papa John’s would be equity, fairness, respect and opportunity. We’re proud to support Bennett College, which not only shares these values but embodies them in their continual pursuit of inquiry, civic engagement, social justice, lifelong learning, and equity for all. If you would like to get involved in supporting Bennett College, please visit http://www.bennett.edu/standwithbennett/ . Check out some celebrities that went to HBCU’s below! ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : R. Kelly’s Daughter Speaks Out Following ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ Reactions Pastor Facing Prison Time For Stealing Almost $35,000 From Congregation Cuteness Overload: Tia Mowry-Hardrict’s Baby Girl Cairo Is Adorable [PHOTOS] [ione_media_gallery src=”https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com” id=”1548490″ overlay=”true”] Follow @TheRSMS
One of the most anticipated projects of the year is one step closer to coming to life. J. Cole has confirmed the studio sessions for a new Dreamville Records compilation are done. As reported by Complex the North Carolina MC has announced that all the recording for the Revenge Of The Dreamers II I is in the bank. He took to Twitter to express his gratitude and excitement. “The Revengers sessions are done thank you to every artist and producer that came through. I love y’all, that sh*t was beautiful. Next step, finish the songs and let the [world] feel em.” The Revengers sessions are done thank you to every artist and producer that came through. I love y’all, that shit was beautiful. Next step, finish the songs and let the feel em. — J. Cole (@JColeNC) January 17, 2019 While it is still unclear how the album will take shape one thing that is for certain is to expect an all-star cast of contributors. The sessions were apparently invite only and the who’s who Hip-Hop were on call. Confirmed in the house at the Atlanta, Georgia creative assembly included Rick Ross, Swizz Beatz, Big Krit, Wale, Akon, Ludacris, T.I., and more. I’m not gon say I’m in the room wit both of them now… cuz @RickRoss Ross in here wit us too https://t.co/3RsbTBZEZI — Wale (@Wale) January 9, 2019 Media was also invited to sit in the sessions which provided fans intel in real time as the days went by. Below is a brief video capturing what is believed to be a track featuring Ski Mask The Slump God. #ROTD3 My mans ski was not playin last night pic.twitter.com/E5lsSEKpAN — Shawn K (@ShawnKAllDay) January 14, 2019 With vocals and beats now laid it is time for the Dreamville team to put all the pieces together. According to Cole’s manager Ibrahim Hamad they have a lot of material to narrow down from. “Just put 124 songs/ideas in a playlist on this flight and that’s not even every song on the hard drive yet # ROTD3 # Dreamville “. Just put 124 songs/ideas in a playlist on this flight and that’s not even every song on the hard drive yet #ROTD3 #Dreamville — Ibrahim H. (@KingOfQueenz) January 17, 2019 Revenge Of The Dreamers III is slated for a summer 2019 release. Photo: Alex Huggan/WENN.com
Source: Michal Oska / EyeEm / Getty R.I.P Rapper & Mother Of Six Killed In Shooting 31-year-old Tampa rapper Nina Ross Da Boss and a companion are dead after a shooting on North Tangerine Place near East Yukon Street according to WFLA . Tampa Police said that the shooting happened just before 11 p.m. on Tuesday night. WFLA wrote that details are limited, but Nina Ross Da Boss (real name Jimmiel Spillman-Ingram) was in a car with an unidentified male. Spillman-Ingram’s car was found crashed into a nearby home and caused some minor damage. According to reports, she leaves behind six children including a two-month-old. “It’s been so rough for me and for my grandchildren. My heart is so torn. No child should have to go through that of losing their mother,” said Nina Ross Da Boss’ mother Yolanda Baker. Spillman-Ingram was also a member of the Exciting Faith Alive Church in Tampa, and her pastor, Antonio Hawkins, told WFLA that his last encounter with her was just a few months ago, when she came to church. Her mixtape, The Only Shit Poppin’, has been heard more than 1,700 times on Datpiff.com, and a video for “Chiraq” has nearly 30,000 views. So sad. Hit the flip for more photos of Nina and her family before he passed. R.I.P.
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty #TrumpShutdown Leads To TSA Call-Outs Causing Long Lines At Airports Most people are already underpaid, the idea of working long, hard hours for FREE is completely out of the question. According to DailyMail , hundreds of TSA workers have called out of work “sick” with “blue flu” rather than work for free during Donnie Trump’s b!t¢h fit shutdown of the government. The result is huge lines that create 90-minute waits at major airports like LaGuardia and JFK in New York. There were so few employees that even the TSA Pre-Check was closed completely. At JFK, it is reported that 170 agents called out every day last week. Long, long lines at LaGuardia. #TrumpShutdown pic.twitter.com/mDq1uvt73G — Andries W. Coetzee (@andries_coetzee) January 6, 2019 At Dallas Fort-Wort airport the TSA call-outs are up 200%-300%. In North Carolina, call-outs at two airports staff are 10% higher than usual. Unreasonably long lines have also been reported at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Utah’s Salt Lake City airport and the Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. Add this to the fact that if the government doesn’t open soon, tax returns will NOT be sent out. Bottom line is, Trump is going to make America suffer for his lil’ f**ka$$ wall, that’s not “great”. Continue reading →
