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Posts published by “goodblacknews”

Laila Ali and Antonio Brown Honored by Variety Magazine as Sports Personalities of the Year

By goodblacknews on July 13, 2015
Variety Names Laila Ali and Antonio
COURTESY OF LAILA ALI AND ANTONIO BROWN (via Variety.com)

Variety has named retired boxer Laila Ali and NFL player Antonio Brown the Sports Personalities of the Year as part of its inaugural Sports Entertainment Breakfast Presented by Mercedes-Benz.
The breakfast, which will be held July 14 at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, celebrates the accomplishments of athletes in their respective sports and will include discussions with other prominent players including Chris Bosh, Willie McGinest and Matt Barnes about the next New All-Star Athlete.
Ali, who went undefeated in the ring, is being feted as the first female sports personality of the year. The award recognizes not only her accomplishments as a boxer but also as a TV host, CEO, mom, wife, advocate for children and author.
Brown, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will receive the male sports personality of the year. He’s the first player in NFL history to record at least 1,000 receiving yards and at least 1,000 return yards in the same season. Brown made his acting debut in HBO’s new series “Ballers.”
The breakfast includes a panel on what athletes must do to become 2015’s the New All-Star Athlete. Ten-time NBA All-Star Bosh (Miami Heat), Hall of Famer McGinest (New England Patriots) and NBA star Barnes (Memphis Grizzlies) will discuss the changing role of athletes. From reality show competitions to social-media followings, athletes are taking a larger role in pop culture, and the New All-Star Athelete is meant to measure that.
The panel also includes sports executives Justin Castillo (CAA), Mark Ciardi (producer), Jon Weinbach (Mandalay Sports Media) and Eric Weinberger (NFL Network).
article by Reece Ristau via Variety.com

Usher Partners with Yoobi to Offer Back-To-School Collection at Target, Donates to Classrooms in Need for Each Product Sold

By goodblacknews on July 12, 2015

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JULY 09: Musician Usher attends Yoobi X Usher VIP Launch Event at Siren Studios on July 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Yoobi)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JULY 09: Musician Usher attends Yoobi X Usher VIP Launch Event at Siren Studios on July 9, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Yoobi)

According to Billboard.com, Usher was in Hollywood on Thursday evening to celebrate the launch of the Grammy Award-winning singer’s collaboration with year-old Los Angeles-based school supplies company Yoobi, co-founded by CEO Ido Leffler.
480162630“Mixing street smarts with school smarts” is the slogan for Yoobi X Usher, a new back-to-school collection being sold at Target exclusively and on Yoobi.com. Curated by Usher and designed by artist Jonni Cheatwood, the collection features folders, pencil cases, composition books and binders splattered with vibrant slashes of pink, yellow-green, black and gray. For every product purchased, one product will be donated to a classroom in need. “So it’s philanthropic in addition to culturally just being cool,” says Usher.
When asked why he partnered with Yoobi, Usher said, “Preparing future leaders through my New Look Foundation has always been about having the proper tools to succeed in life. If they don’t have the tools, young men and women from underserved communities can’t even begin to understand the idea of having a new or different perspective. So that’s where this collaboration came together: giving young people the tools and supplying them with hope.”
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)

Nigerian Student Segun Oyeyiola Turns Vintage Volkswagen Into $6,000 Solar-Powered Car

By goodblacknews on July 12, 2015
Segun Oyeyiola, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, in Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, has converted a Volkswagen Beetle, using mainly scrap parts donated by friends and family, into a $6000 wind and solar powered car. He describes his creation as “Nigeria’s future car.”
The reinvented vintage Beetle comes fitted with a giant solar panel on the roof—exploiting Nigeria’s abundance of sunlight—and a wind turbine under the hood that takes advantage of airflow while the car is in motion. Also, to ensure the car does not collapse under the added weight of the installed technologies, it comes with an extra-strong suspension system.
The car is still in the early stages of design, and still requires a lot of work to reach the optimal target (the batteries for the solar panel take four to five hours to charge). However, now that Segun has succeed in building a working prototype, he plans to take his final university exams and then get straight back to working on the eco-friendly car.
His concern for the environment has always been his motivation, this has helped him dedicate much of his time and resources to creating the automobile despite many critics labelling his pursuit ‘a waste of time’. “I wanted to reduce carbon dioxide emission[s] going to our atmosphere that lead to climate change or global warming which has become a new reality, with deleterious effect,” he said. “Seasonal cycles are disrupted, as are ecosystems; and agriculture, water needs and supply, and food production are all adversely affected.”
article by Chinedu Agbatuka via venturesafrica.com

The Week Designers Showed Black Women Love Feat. Tinashe, Ciara And Joan Smalls

By goodblacknews on July 12, 2015

On the heels of Teen Vogue giving prominence to Aya Jones, Lineisy Montero and Imaan Hammam on their August 2015 cover and Karrueche securing a new gig at Wilhelmina Models’ New York division last week, the melanin movement spilled into this week as Tinashe, Ciara, and Joan Smalls all scored new gigs in the fashion world.
As if performing for her idol Janet Jackson at the BET Awards and hopping on Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint Tour wasn’t enough, Tinashe is moving way up, starring in Ralph Lauren’s Denim & Supply fall campaign. Not only is the 22-year-old prepping us for autumn with classic plaid looks paired with vintage jeans, but she also had the opportunity to cover Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Rhythm Band’s iconic 1970’s hit “Express Yourself” beside Cody Simpson. Blessings on blessings on blessings.
Ciara (Photo via vibe.com)

Ciara’s 2015 has revolved around love and fashion and after being chosen as the latest celeb to rep Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, CiCi danced her way to Brand Ambassador status for Topshop USA. The mother showed face at the Fashion Retail Academy Awards in London Wednesday night, rocking a trench coat-styled black dress from the retailer with matching open toe heels where owner, Sir Phillip Green made the official announcement.
READ: Ciara Is The New Face Of Roberto Cavalli’s Fall/Winter 2015 Campaign
For those that weren’t in attendance, Ciara took to her Instagram account to share a selfie she snagged with the billionaire CEO and made the public service announcement herself. And of course, in true gentlemen fashion, Ci’s boyfriend Russell Wilson showed love and support via his Twitter saying, “Congrats! @TopShop couldn’t pick a more Dynamic woman!” Cue the aww’s here.

Joan Smalls (photo via vibe.com)

Joan Smalls is still doing big things in the modeling industry, this time showing off her physique in her undies for Calvin Klein. Also landing a fall campaign for a major brand, Smalls’ facial structure in the ad may have actually stole the shine off the intimates collection, itself, with the tagline ‘the original sexy’ fitting for the Afro-Latina model.

article by Erica Nichole via vibe.com

Obama to Become 1st Sitting President to Visit a Federal Prison

By goodblacknews on July 11, 2015

obama_nsa_reuters_img

Washington (CNN) President Barack Obama next week will become the first sitting President to visit a federal prison, the White House announced Friday.  Obama will visit El Reno Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno, Oklahoma, next Thursday, where he will meet with inmates and law enforcement officials, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

At the prison, Obama will also conduct an interview with VICE that will be a part of a documentary airing this fall on HBO focusing on America’s “broken criminal justice system,” according to a press release from VICE. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, El Reno is a medium security federal correctional institution.

At a news conference last week, Obama said reforming the criminal justice system was a top priority for his remaining time in office.  On Tuesday, Obama will speak at the 106th Annual NAACP Convention in Philadelphia, where Josh Earnest said the President will outline “injustice” in the system and highlight ideas for reform.

The visit to El Reno will be a part of a two-day trip to Oklahoma. On Wednesday, the President will start his visit in Durant, where he will speak to the Choctaw Nation and make remarks on expanding economic opportunity.

article by Allie Malloy via cnn.com

Serena Williams Wins 21st Grand Slam by Defeating Garbiñe Muguruza for Wimbledon Singles Title

By goodblacknews on July 11, 2015

Serena Wins Wimbledon (Photo via latimes.com)
Serena Wins Wimbledon (Photo via latimes.com)

They will start preparing the red carpet in New York City soon for Serena Williams.
She won the Wimbledon tennis title Saturday, her sixth and her 21st Grand Slam title, by beating a young Spaniard, Garbiñe Muguruza, 6-4, 6-4.
That meant that Williams had completed her second “Serena Slam” — four major titles in a row — and also meant she would be gunning for a rare calendar-year Grand Slam at the U.S. Open in New York, starting in late August.
Only one other player in the modern era of tennis has achieved that, Steffi Graf in 1988, when she also won an Olympic gold medal. Mo Connolly in 1953 and Margaret Court in 1970 are the only women who have previously won calendar-year Grand Slams.
Williams, typically, started slowly against the 20-year-old, 20th-ranked Muguruza, falling behind in the first set, 1-3 and 2-4. But she roared back for a 6-4 victory and kept rolling to a 5-2 lead in the second set.
Usually, at this point on the women’s tour against the No. 1 and always dominant Williams, the other player packs it in.

Not Muguruza. To the delight of the packed Centre Court crowd of 15,000, she broke Williams’ serve twice to get back on serve, but then yielded at love in her 4-5 service game.
article by Bill Dwyre via latimes.com

FASHION: Wilhelmina Models Searching for a 2015 Summer Goddess; Chance to Win a Modeling Contract and Trip to Miami Beach

FASHION: Wilhelmina Models Searching for a 2015 Summer Goddess; Chance to Win a Modeling Contract and Trip to Miami Beach

By goodblacknews on July 10, 2015
Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 9.50.54 PMScreen Shot 2015-07-10 at 9.51.00 PM
We found another contest for you and this is a great one. The modeling agency that represents Keri Hilson, DJ Kiss, Sharaya J, Kilo Kish and Karrueche Tran is offering a genuine opportunity for a young woman of any color, hue or shade to become the 2015 Summer Goddess. And we can get behind that!
Wilhelmina Models, one of the most respected names in modeling, is partnering with European Wax Center, the leader in the beauty services industry, in this modeling venture. And Dave Coba, President and CEO of EWC could not be happier, “This model search with Wilhelmina Models is the culmination of our efforts to celebrate and reveal the beauty in all women. Through this partnership with Wilhelmina, we are making the dream of becoming a model a little more attainable.”
Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 9.51.14 PMLadies, if you are at least 5 feet 8 inches tall and 18 to 30, this may just be the contest for you. This nationwide search to find a young woman who is confident, possesses a beautiful look, and an inner beauty even the camera can capture is certainly a great opportunity. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a contract with Wilhelmina Models and a pass entitling her to one year of complimentary waxing services at European Wax Center’s located nation wide. The five finalists will all receive six months of brow waxing.
You can certainly enter on-line http://www.wilhelminamodelsearch.com/wms.html but if you happen to be in Miami tomorrow or Los Angeles next weekend, enter in person.

"Empire" Star Jussie Smollett Honored by The Black AIDS Institute

By goodblacknews on July 10, 2015

Black AIDS Institute 2015 Heroes In The Struggle Reception Gala Reception And Awards Ceremony
Source: Paul Archuleta / Getty

2015 has been a breakout year for Empire star Jussie Smollett.
Before performing at the 2015 BET Awards, Jussie was honored by the Black AIDS Institute during the annual Heroes In The Struggle (H.I.T.S) gala. H.I.T.S pays tribute to Black Americans and the Allies who have contributed in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Previous inductees of the gala include Maxine Waters, Magic Johnson and President Bill Clinton.
According to Euroweb, Smollett was overjoyed when he heard the news about the honor.
“I got the call from Phil Wilson (President and CEO, Black AIDS Institute) who’s been one of my mentors since I was sixteen. He asked if I would be honored by the organization and I said of course. I love what the Black AIDS Institute has done and all of the lives that they’ve changed. I love Phil and to be honored by him is everything.”
Jussie was presented the honor by his sister Jurnee Smollett-Bell and actor/activist Wilson Cruz. Other recipients of the 2015 award include the executive director of Empower U community health center, Vanessa Mills, Gregorio Millett, the Vice-President and Director of public policy for AMFAR and Janssen Therapeutics.
Jussie even spilled the tea about when we can expect his album to drop and what we can expect to hear from season two of Empire.
“It’s going to be fun. For ‘Empire’ season two, I’ve been recording with everybody from obviously Timbaland to Jim Beanz and also Swizz Beatz and Ne-Yo so it’s going to be dope. It’s going to be excellent!”
article by Veronica Hilbring via hellobeautiful.com

Deborah Johnson is the 1st African American to Win the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction

By goodblacknews on July 10, 2015

johnson-deborahDeborah Johnson was selected to receive the 2015 Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. The prize is administered by the University of Alabama School of Law and the ABA Journal.  Johnson is the first woman and the first African American to win the prize.
HarperLee-PrizeJohnson will be recognized September 3 at a ceremony held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. She is being honored for her book The Secret of Magic (G.P Putnam & Sons, 2014). The novel is the story about a young woman attorney who works for Thurgood Marshall in 1946. She is asked to investigate the murder of a young Black war hero in Mississippi.
Johnson is a native of Missouri but grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. She currently resides in Columbus, Mississippi.
article via jbhe.com

Chris Tucker Premieres His First-Ever Comedy Special On Netflix Today (VIDEO)

By goodblacknews on July 10, 2015

(PHOTO COURTESY: Netflix)
(PHOTO COURTESY: Netflix)

“Rush Hour” and “Friday” star Chris Tucker is getting back in the comedy game with his first ever stand-up special, which launches exclusively on Netflix today, Friday, July 10th.  In the special, Chris Tucker shares experiences from childhood to present day, as well as doing his always-anticipated impersonations.  To watch the trailer for “Chris Tucker Live,” click below:

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)