December 2024

Gratitude for 2024:

I am grateful for my strength. I am grateful for my growth. I am grateful for new beginnings. I am grateful for my loved ones. I am grateful for life's lessons. I am grateful for simple joys. I am grateful for clarity. I am grateful for my journey.

- I am Affirmations -

Turn hot chocolate into a festive frozen after-dinner treat that is sure to be a hit after the holidays.

Hot Chocolate Martini​
4 cups (or more) ice
4 oz Baileys
3 oz Alcohol-free Vodka
1/2 cup hot chocolate mix
Whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for serving

In a blender, blend ice, Baileys, vodka, and hot chocolate mix until smooth. Add more ice as needed to thicken as desired. Pour into 2 glasses. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Don't Mute DC: Ronald Moten, a longtime community activist and co-founder of #DontMuteDC, has opened the first Go-Go Museum and Café in Washington, D.C. The museum is more than 8,000 square feet and features a café, recording studio, outdoor stage, and three exhibition and interactive areas. The museum is open to private tours for ticket holders, with a public opening set for February 19, 2025.

A Seat At The Table: After partnering to expand Hilltop Kitchen + Coffee in Los Angeles, Issa Rae, Yonnie Hagos, and Ajay Relan recently opened 'Somerville' restaurant inspired by South Central's 1940s jazz scene. The restaurant offers American cuisine, craft cocktails, fine wines, and live music.

Black Girls In Stem: PBS Kids recently premiered a new computer science education series, Lyla In The Loop. This animated show follows the adventures of Lyla, a 7-year-old Black girl who, with her friends and family, uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate everyday challenges. Visit the Lyla In The Loop website to check out the series, games, and activities for kids.

My Kind of Present: Ardean Miller, the founder of Mah Melanin, a gift-wrapping brand focused on bringing cultural inclusivity to the gift experience made history as the first Black-owned gift-wrapping brand sold in Lowe's and the Hallmark Store. The brand has received recognition from celebrities like Master P and Teddy Riley and has been spotlighted by several organizations, including the NBA and QVC.

Hair For It: Former marketing executive for companies including Uber and Netflix, Bozoma Saint John, recently launched Eve by Boz, a wig and haircare brand. The brand features 171 products, including wigs in five hair types, five lengths, and three lace colors along with complimentary hair care items like shampoos and hair perfume oils. This self-funded brand is manufactured in Accra, Ghana, where Eve by Boz also has a retail store.

Whip Game Proper: Rajah Caruth, a senior motorsports management student at Winston-Salem State University, recently earned his first Most Popular Driver Award in the Craftsman Truck Series. Caruth became the third Black driver to win a national series race joining Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace.

Bushwick Birkin: After launching Telfar in 2005 and rising to become one of the most sought-after designers in the industry, founder Telfar Clemens recently opened the first-ever flagship store in New York City's SoHo area. The brick-and-mortar store comes after a run of successful pop-ups. The store will feature a variety of Telfar bags and an in-store studio where shoppers can broadcast themselves on Telfar TV, the 24-hour streaming network Telfar uses to announce new releases. ⁠

Is There A Doctor In The House?: If you find it difficult to find a Black doctor, the Find A Black Doctor directory is here to help, offering a comprehensive list of doctors, dentists, psychologists, and specialists in all 50 states. Founded by Dr. Dina Strachan, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, the goal of the site is to address health disparities and improve patient outcomes by connecting individuals with healthcare professionals who understand their unique needs. Disclaimer - the site is full of ads which can be a distraction when searching.

The Lip Balm Revolution Tired of chapped lips? Ditch your old lip balm for KOBEE'S (as seen on Shark Tank!)- the game-changing alternative that's got everyone buzzing! The lip balm (and butters) are made with simple yet powerful ingredients, offering a natural and effective solution for keeping your lips hydrated and healthy. It's an ideal choice for those who love minimalism and are conscious about the environment. Shop KOBEE'S Lip Balms

Growing His Legacy: Milwaukee Bucks NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo launched a venture capital firm, Build Your Legacy Ventures, that focuses on sports and entertainment. Backed by institutional investors and tech veterans, the firm currently backs Women's 3-on-3 League Unrivaled.

Intersection of Sports & Culture: Jerry Lorenzo's Fear Of God launched a multiyear partnership with the NBA and WNBA. The collection focuses on the following teams: Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, and New York Liberty. Check out the collection here.

Leveling Up: The SpringHill Company, founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, and Fulwell 73 — founded by Ben Winston, James Corden, Leo Pearlman, Ben Turner, and Gabe Turner — have officially inked a deal to merge their companies, creating a powerhouse player in unscripted, live and branded entertainment content.

They Tried It, God Blocked It: Morgan State University won its second case against Towson University for attempting to duplicate its doctoral program. ⁠ Eight commissioners agreed the duplication could harm Morgan’s program, hinder its pursuit of Research 1 status, and impact its plans to establish the nation’s first HBCU-hosted federal lab. ⁠This decision follows a broader effort to address historical inequities, including a $577 million settlement for Maryland HBCUs in 2021.

Not So Fast: If you're a business owner, you've probably seen content online or commercials reminding you to file your FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report by December 31st. A U.S. District Judge in Texas just turned the CTA and the FinCEN BOI Reporting Rule on their heads, issuing a preliminary injunction on the Corporate Transparency Act and the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting requirement. Find out why and what that means if you haven't filed the report yet.

The Guys Are Back: After TNT lost its NBA broadcast rights after this season, many worried what would happen to the popular show Inside the NBA with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, and Ernie Johnson. The show will be licensed to ESPN/ABC beginning the 2025-2026 season. While it's great news for fans of the show, Barkley is concerned and didn't hold back from expressing how he feels.

Turning Pain Into Purpose: It's no secret that missing white women get more media coverage than non-white women. To combat what's known as "Missing White Woman Syndrome" the father of Gabby Petito is collaborating on a television series to raise awareness about the thousands of missing and unsolved murders of people of color and Indigenous people whose cases often get too little attention.

A League Of Their Own: More than 70 years after the dissolution of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), the Women's Professional Baseball League (WPBL) is launching with six franchises in the summer of 2026.

READ: REEL by Kennedy Ryan​
​New York Times Bestselling author Kennedy Ryan is one of the best romance writers of our time. Taking place during the Harlem Renaissance, REEL follows Neenah Saint as she navigates forbidden attraction, scandal, and circumstances beyond her control that put her dream in jeopardy.

WATCH: Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…​
​Jamie Foxx is hands down one of the most talented people in the entertainment industry. After experiencing a health scare last year, Foxx is returning to stand-up comedy and he’s ready to tell all. Mark your calendar and watch the premiere of his new special Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was… premiering December 10th on Netflix.

LISTEN: GNX by Kendrick Lamar​
​Kendrick Lamar shocked fans with the release of his new album GNX on November 22nd and he did not disappoint. It's a good one. He also released a video for "Squabble Up" and paid homage to many including Issac Hayes, Ice T, The Roots, and more. One of the reasons Kendrick has resonated with so many people this season is because it's been a long time since we've seen a Hip Hop artist truly showcase artistry. It's something we didn't know we've been craving and it's refreshing. Oh yeah, he's also going on tour with SZA beginning April 2025. Here's how you can get tickets.

Resting your mind, body, and spirit is not lazy.
It's required. It's resistance.

For the last two years my fellow college alum, Cari Adams, and her sons have collected over $7,000 in support of snacks, socks, and more to the Community Crisis Services which provides crisis, domestic violence, homeless and protective services to the Hyattsville, MD community.

They are collecting donations again this year through 12/15/24. You can click the button below to purchase an item on the Amazon list. All donations will be delivered to the Community Crisis Services on 12/23/24.

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