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Today, former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin who killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder. Three other officers were also at the scene of the crime on May 25, 2020. Since then, we have seen the anger, hurt, frustration, and heartache of Black people and those who identify with us across this nation. We've seen image after image of Black people that have been killed unjustly killed--Ahmad Arbery, Brionna Taylor, Mike Brown , Trayvon Martin , Freddie Gray, and the list goes on. We've endured the dehumanization of us and we're tired. Last night, the fever in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Louisville, Kentucky reached an all-time high with protesters who were angry at the injustices. Louisville was where Breonna Taylor lived. CNN reporter Omar Jimenez along with his producer and photojournalist were reportedly arrested while attempting to cover the story. This piece is not about the riots. It's a call for us t...

Yesterday, Kerry Washington brought a bit of sunshine with her singing a snippet of "Miss Celie's Blues" (Sister) from The Color Purple movie   for her American Film Institute (AFI) announcement.  The Color Purple was the AFI Movie Club choice for the day. Washington said her father was a big Stephen Spielberg (movie's director) fan and her mother loved The Color Purple book. She would watch the movie over and over with her family and sing  "Miss Celie's Blues." Washington said she knew she was too young to be singing such a mature song but loved singing it as a kid. "Miss Celie's Blues" (Sister) appeared to be sung by the character Shug Avery (Margaret Avery) in the movie but was recorded by Tata Avery. This year, Washington played in the Hulu series Little Fires Everywhere . She's also played in the Netflix movie American  Son.  Kerry Washington (photo cred: Instagram/Kerry Washington) What ...

Jill Scott shared a heroic story on Instagram of how her mother saved a man's life. The title of the singer's story was "Pretty nightgowns in da hood." Scott was going through her closet and saw clothes that reminded her of her mother and aunts. She said, "So, I'm in my closet and I'm finding some things that remind me of my mom and my aunts, and I'm thinking like, "What a great way to grow up if you were a girl...to see these women. These brave and funny and passionate women all around you. How cool that had to be, to be there." The Philly native explained that she witnessed a lot and probably more than she should've but was grateful for it. She said that her mother and grandmother loved nightgowns and would buy them with matching robes from the thrift store. One day, after hearing several loud knocks at the door, Scott, her mother, and grandmother put on their robes and rushed downstairs. When her mother, opened the door, ...

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, Amanda Seales wants us to know that caring for your mental health is more than a monthly thing. In a TikTok video, Seales channeled one of her characters named Toprah Shanks to deliver her message. Seales delivered her PSA while doing the Wipe Challenge (#wipechallenge). The Wipe Challenge is when you turn into a different person after spraying and wiping down the mirror, similar to the Don't Rush Challenge. The Insecure actress said, "And on this last week of Mental Health Awareness Month, I just want to remind you everybody that your mental health is to be aware of not just for a month but at all times...Because we can't simply wipe trauma away. We must heal. Make yourself your passion project and go on goddess!" And that's the truth!  Amanda Seales has always spoken out about mental health. In 2018 , The Real co-host shared the fact that she attends therapy to help deal with her issues. Her TikTok v...

On tonight's "Waiting to Exhale" soundtrack celebration on IG Live, Babyface shared a funny story about Aretha Franklin asking him for dating advice 5 years ago. After doing a show at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA in 2015, Aretha Franklin met Babyface backstage and told him that she'd been dating a young man. Franklin, who was in her 70's at the time was not sure if she should date the young man and wanted to get the producer's opinion. After hearing the details about Franklin's love interest, Babyface advised her that he didn't sound trustworthy. Aretha Franklin told Babyface she would let him know what happened. About a month later, Franklin called Babyface and told him he was right about her love interest. According to Babyface, she said, 'You was right, Face. He wasn't the one. He wasn't the one. He wasn't nothin' but a ---' Well, ain't that something!  🤣 Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018. ...

Actress and minister of Going Beyond Ministries Priscilla Shirer shared her natural hair story and secrets on IG Live today. After receiving numerous questions about her long thick natural hair, she decided it was time to do a video. Shirer said, "I've decided that sometimes, to a woman, hair = ministry." Shirer started getting a perm at about 13 years old. During previous years, her mother would use the hot comb to straighten her hair. When Shirer was 24 years old, she noticed a circular patch of hair that had broken off on the side of her head. After she visited a doctor and they plucked a few strands from different parts of her hair, the doctor concluded that Shirer's hair was growing in healthy. However, it was something that she was doing to her hair that was making it break off. As a result, her doctor told her to stop relaxing her hair for 6 months. While driving home, Shirer had a breakthrough. She originally had no intention of following the doctor...

Last night, Tamia and Eric Benet gave R&B lovers a real treat after singing "Spend My Life with You" on IG Live. It's been 21 years since the song was released in 1999. The duo sang like they did when the song was first released--- so good!  After the performance, they both wished everyone a happy date night. Tamia and Eric Benet's performance have been added to the list of virtual concerts  artists are doing on IG Live because of the quarantine. "Spend My Life With You" was #1 on the Billboard charts and peaked at the #4 position on May 29, 1999. In 2000, Eric Benet and Tamia were nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by Duo or Group with Vocals. What do you think of Eric Benet and Tamia's IG Live performance?

Teyana Taylor just released her tribute song and video "Made It" for the graduating class of 2020 on Instagram. The "Made It" video features Taylor dressed in a cap and gown standing behind a podium while singing. There are also graduates in the back of her and all of them have diplomas in their hands. "Made It" also includes a montage of actual graduates dressed in their cap and gowns. Many of them did the "Don't Rush" challenge, which shows the graduates dressed in regular clothes one minute and the next minute they're in their caps and gowns. There is no doubt that it has been a tough year because of the pandemic. The class of 2020 will be the first class to graduate virtually due to Covid-19. When the camera pans to the audience, the seats contain tablets with faces of the graduates on them. In her caption, Teyana Taylor thanked graduates that contributed to the video. She also said this: Unfortunately, this pandemic ...

Singer Amerie reconnected with her artsy side during the quarantine. Yesterday, the 40-year-old  posted a digital illustration on Instagram of herself rocking pink hair.  "Stay Home" was Amerie's theme for the illustration referring to the  quarantine. The art piece featured her dressed in a golden yellow t-shirt and gray sweat pants. Her caption read, "Got back into illustration recently & drew something comfy and cozy...plus the pink hair that I'm still too scared to do on my own head lol." The singer's hair is black with light brown highlights. Along with drawing, Amerie also hosts her own book club called Amerie's Book Club on social media. Books are selected and announced on the first of the month via YouTube, Instagram, and Instagram Live. Wrap-ups are at the end of the month. Some of Amerie's most notable songs include her 2002 hit "Why Don't We Fall in Love," "Talkin' to Me," and 200...