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Posts published in “Family”

FAMILY FUN: Pantene Enlists NFL Players for Dad and Daughter Hair Campaign [WATCH]

By goodblacknews on February 7, 2016

football dad doing hair
Pittsburgh Steelers’ DeAngelo Williams and his daughter (photo via eurweb.com)

article by Ny MaGee via eurweb.com
Hair care brand Pantene enlisted NFL stars to create “dad dos” for their little darlings in a series of how-to hair videos, PeopleStyleWatch notes.
Featured in the video are Pittsburgh Steelers’ DeAngelo Williams, the New Orleans Saints’ Benjamin Watson and the Dallas Cowboys’ Jason Witten. The video series is part of the brand’s “Strong Is Beautiful” campaign, which highlights the importance of father and daughter bonding.
“Research shows that quality time spent with dads is key in raising daughters who are more self-confident, self-reliant and more successful in school and in their careers,” Pantene says in a press release.
Check out the clips below to see the footballers attempt to create their daughters’ requested hairstyle — twisted pigtails, braided pigtails, a ballerina bun and a princess puff. The hilarious results may not be perfect but the memorable moment these dads share with their daughters will certainly last a lifetime.
“We hope our new series of how-to videos shows dads how easy and fun it can be to spend quality time with their daughters by doing their hair,” Jodi Allen, a vice president for P&G, says in a release. “The quality time spent with their daughters now will foster the next generation of strong and beautiful women.”
“My hands get a little bit in the way,” says the Dallas Cowboys’ Jason Witten as he fails miserably at creating a ballerina-style bun on his 3-year-old daughter, Landry.
While the “dad do” results aren’t always perfect, they are beyond precious. And hey, as these dads know better than anyone, you can always throw on a helmet (daddy/daughter bike ride, anyone?) to cover any number of hair sins.
Check out the videos below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgdYPllFXes&w=560&h=315]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SG3Y-_2Yj0&w=560&h=315]

Obama Administration Pushing for Higher Pay for Black Single Mothers

By goodblacknews on February 4, 2016
BE_President Obama
President Barack Obama (photo via blackenterprise.com)

article by Stacy Tisdale via blackenterprise.com

In a closed call for members of the media, the White House highlighted ways in which President Obama’s economic policies have helped all African Americans but called out initiatives it’s pushing that will put more money in the pockets of single black mothers, particularly by passing the Raise the Wage Act.

The Act, which would raise the minimum wage to $12 over the next 5 years, was introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash), and Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va) last April.
Jason Furman, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, citing a study by the Economic Policy Institute, (EPI), told reporters one of the Wage Act’s most significant impacts would be felt by African American mothers, 40% of whom EPI estimates would see bigger paychecks.
“Steps like raising the minimum wage disproportionately helps those, like African American mothers, who were disproportionately affected by the economic downturn,” Furman tells BE.com.
“One of the lessons of our recent economic experience is that when you work to strengthen the overall economy it does have widespread benefits to all groups, but that’s not enough.  It’s just not enough,” he adds.
At the current minimum wage, a single mom who works full-time to support two children is left more than $4,500 below the poverty line. At $12 per hour in 2020, that full-time working mother of two would earn enough from her job to safely be out of poverty, the EPI report finds.
To read more, go to: http://www.blackenterprise.com/money/obama-administration-pushing-for-higher-pay-for-black-single-mothers/

Lifetime Sets Movie about NBA Star Kevin Durant’s Mom Wanda "The Real MVP" Pratt; Queen Latifah Produces, Cassandra Freeman Stars

By goodblacknews on February 3, 2016
Cassandra Freeman Traci Thoms
Cassandra Freeman, Traci Thoms (Photo via deadline.com)
Cassandra Freeman (Inside Man, Single Ladies), Tracie Thoms (Cold Case, Rent), Pauletta Washington (Wilma), Daniel Bellomy, Nic Few (Major Crimes, The Exes), and Demarius Mack (Real Husbands Of Hollywood) have been cast in Lifetime original movie with the working title of The Real MVP: The Wanda Pratt Story, based on the life of NBA star Kevin Durant’s mom. Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere’s Flavor Unit are executive producers. Production is currently underway in Vancouver on the film, which will bow on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8, on Lifetime. A&E Studios is producing.
Nic Few 2Daniel Bellomy 2The film tells the true story of Pratt, a single mom who struggled and sacrificed to raise her two sons, Tony and Kevin. When he was named 2014’s NBA Most Valuable Player, Kevin Durant dedicated his speech to Wanda, naming her “the real MVP” for all of her sacrifices that allowed him to pursue his dreams. It was a moving moment (see it by clicking here).
Pratt and Shelby Stone (Bessie) also executive produce the movie, and Gina Ford and Brynee Baylor are co-executive producers.
Freeman stars as Wanda, Thoms as her best friend and confidante, and Washington will play her mother Barbara. The adult Kevin and Tony will be played by Bellomy and Few, respectively, and Mack plays young Tony. The film is directed by Nelson George (Life Support, A Ballerina’s Tale) and written by Yolonda Lawrence (Witches Of East End) and Ligiah Villalobos (Ed).
article by Denise Petski via deadline.com

Rapper 2 Chainz Donates 5-Bedroom House to Family Of 11 In Need (VIDEO)

By goodblacknews on January 20, 2016
(CREDIT: YouTube)
The profits from 2Chainz’s mega-successful “Dabbin’ Santa” Christmas sweaters is being used for the utmost good. The “Hair Weave Killer” has donated a five bedroom, three bathroom home to a family of 11 through his TRU Foundation.
The TRU (To Reassure U) Foundation is a nonprofit based out of Atlanta which aims to help families living in the Southside of Atlanta and its surrounding areas. 2 Chainz found out about this family in need through a GoFundMe campaign created by Atlanta’s Progression Church, as told in a video posted on Tity Boi’s YouTube Channel. The family, which has nine children including two sets of twins, was living in squalid conditions in a heatless two-bedroom apartment, where they were facing eviction. The father was unable to work due to health conditions.

READ: 2 Chainz Makes $2 Million From “Dabbin’ Santa” Christmas Sweaters; Gives Back to Those in Need

“We ain’t know where we was gonna go,” the family patriarch says. “We was not looking forward to nothing like this. It is way over our head, but we gonna learn how to deal with it. But we thank God for it. … Now we don’t have to cry no more. We don’t have to worry nothin no more.”
2 Chainz, who noted he didn’t want to receive anything from his charitable deed, said that he was looking forward to just helping others who needed it most.
“I’m looking forward to seeing their smiles,” 2 Chainz says. “I’m looking forward to the kids growing up knowing that Uncle 2 Chainz came through. All you gotta do is pray… Keep praying. You gotta have faith. You gotta believe.”
To see the heartwarming video, click below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkUiq0X-ALo&w=560&h=315]
article by J’na Jefferson via vibe.com

Cher Donates Supply of Fresh Water to Flint, Michigan Residents

By goodblacknews on January 16, 2016

Cher (photo via hollywoodreporter.com)
Cher (photo via hollywoodreporter.com)

Cher announced today that with the help of Icelandic Glacial™, she is donating 181,440 bottles of water to the  people of Flint, Michigan.

After reading about the catastrophic situation in Flint, a city of 100,000 people who are predominately African-American and have not had clean water in over a year, Cher contacted her friend Brad Horwitz, an investor in Icelandic Glacial. Horwitz contacted the company’s Chairman and Co-Founder, Jon Olafsson, about Cher’s desire to purchase water for Flint’s residents. Icelandic Glacial committed to doubling Cher’s purchase which is being trucked in to Michigan beginning Monday, January 18th.

The water will reach The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan (www.fbem.org.) beginning Wednesday, January 20. FBEM will immediately begin the distribution process to those who need it most for drinking, cooking and washing. The water will go directly to community centers, food banks and fire houses focusing in on low-income housing areas where 40% of Flint’s population is living below the poverty line. The bottles, once finished, will return to the food banks and will be recycled with money raised going right back into the food banks.

Cher has been an outspoken critic of the state’s lack of response and commitment to Flint while children were being poisoned by the toxic water through her Instagram and Twitter accounts for the last several weeks.

“This a tragedy of staggering proportion and shocking that it’s happening in the middle of our country. I am so grateful that Icelandic Glacial has come on-board to help the city of Flint.  I cannot wait for the water to get there to help these people who have been poisoned because the water they’ve been getting out of their taps has been polluted for so long and remains that way without the state or the federal government stepping in with any substantial plan to resolve this problem,” Cher said.

“We are humbled and honored to help the people of Flint get through this crisis,” said Jon Olafsson. “Together with Cher, we also hope to raise awareness to help get the families of Flint the assistance they need during this difficult time.”

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (follow @lakinhutcherson)

NFL's Devon Still Announces Daughter Leah ‘Really Beat Cancer!’

By goodblacknews on January 12, 2016

Leah Still smiling as she finishes last 5 day treatment
Leah Still smiling as she finishes last 5 day treatment (photo via eurweb.com)

Leah Still, the 5-year-old daughter of NFL defensive end Devon Still, will be discharged from the hospital Tuesday after completing her final cancer treatment.
Her pops tweeted the good news on Monday, saying, “She really beat cancer!


Leah was diagnosed with Stage-4 neuroblastoma in June 2014. With a 50-50 chance of survival, Leah was being treated at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The former Cincinnati Bengals and current Houston Texans player has been documenting his daughter’s journey on social media using the hashtag #LeahStrong.
Still also shared the number of hours and days Leah spent battling cancer.
“41 days of chemotherapy, 40 days of antibody therapy, 19 days of radiation, 7 hours surgery and 1 win!” a photo he shared on Twitter stated.
Read more at http://www.eurweb.com/2016/01/devon-still-announces-daughter-leah-really-beat-cancer/#OhjXkgD9Hxufib0g.99

2 Chainz’s ‘Dabbin’ Santa’ Sweaters Make $2 Million, Help Him Give Back to Those in Need Via T.R.U. Foundation

By goodblacknews on January 1, 2016

IMG_8983-1200x800
2 Chainz (photo via clutchmagonline.com)

According to Forbes, 2 Chainz conquered Christmas with his timely and super cute “Dabbin’ Santa” sweaters. While the rapper has been toying with merchandising ideas for years, he finally found a hit when “the dab” (a dance) found its way into primetime courtesy of NFL star Cam Newton.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySilAPr6fW4&w=560&h=315]
“I don’t want people to think this was an overnight success. We’ve been trying with a bunch of designs for a couple years now. This is just timing meets opportunity,” he explained. “There’s the whole dab thing, and Atlanta’s always been somewhere that actually moves the culture a little bit. We have been the backbone of hip-hop for the past couple years. So with dabbing coming out of Atlanta, it just began to grow legs and start moving on its own.”
The sweaters became wildly popular and grossed around $2 million in revenues for 2 Chainz and his team. Instead of spending the profits on frivolous things, the Atlanta native decided to help others.
“I had a numerous amount of celebrities helping with the shirt. It was on the NFL, it was on TNT, it was on Good Morning America, it’s on ESPN. So I could not continue receiving those blessings without giving back at the end of the day,” he said.
2C380-SantaDab-Black_t3q74u
A large slice of the profits went into 2 Chainz’s T.R.U. Foundation, which is “dedicated to promoting balanced, respectful and enriched relationships and aim to create life changing moments and help build a positive outcome for our young generation.”
Because of the “Dabbin’ Santa” craze 2 Chainz’s organization was able to pay the rent for one family for an entire year, and donate a minivan to another. The move not only benefitted the families in need, but also helped 2 Chainz as well.
“For us, it’s about putting it together independently, with nobody really being the boss. We’re creating our own way to give back, to do something for people,” he told Forbes. “We’ll trickle down to the kids and lead by example. Like I say, actions speak louder than words. We could have spent this money on possessions, but giving a family that needs it will actually go further for them and for me.”
article via clutchmagonline.com

Anonymous Donor Pays Homeless Chicago Family’s Rent For a Year For Christmas

By goodblacknews on December 25, 2015
Latoya Ellis (CREDIT: ABC7 Chicago)
For those who may have wondered if there’s any good left in the world, just turn to Chicago woman LaToya Ellis as proof there are still people with kind hearts.
The mother of three fell on hard times when she was laid off from her managerial position at the fast-food sandwich chain Jimmy Johns, and later evicted from her apartment. Ellis stayed with friends and family for a while, but eventually moved into a homeless shelter.
Ellis’ story was then covered by local TV Station ABC 7, which quickly went viral with many wondering how they could lend a helping hand. Ellis, who is also an advocate for the homeless, was overwhelmed by the support, but quickly received the best Christmas present when a donor called Ellis and said he’d cover a year’s worth of rent in the neighborhood of her choice.
“It’s indescribable. I didn’t know how to process it,” Ellis said, recalling her reaction when she received the phone call. “No one has ever done anything like that for me.”
Her new home now allows for her children to have their own rooms, and since the gracious gift from the anonymous donor, good samaritans have also offered basic needs such as household supplies, gifts for the children and job services.
Ellis plans to use her year wisely by saving money to open a catering business and eventually finish up her bachelor’s degree. She also intends to spread the goodwill.
“Most of all, I just want to pay it forward,” she said. “I’m going to continue advocating, I’m going to continue volunteering — it’s not just about my family.”
article by Shenequa Golding via vibe.com

Sony Offers Free Admission to ‘Concussion’ for NFL Players, Families

By goodblacknews on December 23, 2015

'Concussion' Free Admission Offered to NFL
Will Smith in “Concussion” (PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY)

Sony Pictures Entertainment is offering NFL players and their families free admission at Cinemark Theaters to Will Smith’s “Concussion,” which opens on Christmas Day.
The studio said it has already reached out to current and former NFL players by holding private screenings in each team’s city in advance of its opening.
“This is a movie for the players, so we wanted to give them a chance to see it before its nationwide release and free admission during its run in theaters,” producers Ridley Scott and Giannina Scott said. “The movie is so inspiring. Will Smith gives one of the best performances of his career as Dr. Bennet Omalu, a man who shined a light on the truth.”
Players will receive complimentary admission for themselves and one guest by presenting their NFLPA membership card at any Cinemark theater. Cinemark has almost 500 theaters with about 4,500 screens in the U.S.
Omalu is a forensic pathologist who fought against the NFL’s efforts to suppress his research on the brain damage suffered by professional football players. The film was directed and written by Peter Landesman, based on Jeanne Marie Laskas’ 2009 GQ article “Game Brain.”
“Concussion” also stars Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Albert Brooks. It’s a Columbia Pictures presentation in association with LStar Capital and Village Roadshow Pictures.
article by Dave McNary via Variety.com

Meathead Movers Offers Services for Free to Victims of Domestic Abuse

By goodblacknews on December 12, 2015
Aaron Steed remembers helping a woman move items out of her home years ago so she could flee an abusive relationship.  Steed and his moving company had moved many women in similar situations, but this time things turned scary.
He remembers the woman’s abusive boyfriend coming home, flinging a toaster toward the wall and accusing Steed of taking his items, leading Steed to call 911.  Looking back, the company owner says it was all worth it. His Meathead Movers helps victims of domestic violence get away from their abusers by moving their belongings for free.
“To our unfortunate surprise, during the first two or three years running the company, I’d be the one who would pick up the calls,” said Steed, 35, of Avila Beach, in San Luis Obispo County. “I’d periodically get calls from someone — usually a woman — fleeing an abusive relationship. There were a lot of intense moments and crying.
“I remember the conversations pretty vividly and feeling a tremendous amount of panic and sadness. Handling those phone calls made it very real very quick. As the jobs went on, we realized we were potentially saving lives.”
He felt bad taking money in these situations, so shortly after the company was created 18 years ago, that became company policy — free moving services to people fleeing violent situations.
The company, which Steed and his brother started in San Luis Obispo while both were still in high school, now has four offices in California, including a Santa Ana location that opened in January 2014.