Joy was in the headlines this week. From Jamie Foxx on the mend after a “medical complication” to Lizzo advocating for drag queens to Halle Bailey continuing to shine, there were definitely stories that warmed your heart. Check out This Week In Good Black News.
Lizzo Celebrates Drag In Tennessee
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Tennessee is waging a political war on drag queens, attempting to ban the art form across the state. On April 22, Lizzo pushed back during a concert in Knoxville Tenn., bringing 20 drag queens on stage. According to CBS News, Lizzo said she was told to cancel her show but refused, telling the audience, “In light of recent and tragic events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee. Don’t go to Tennessee.’ Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most? The people who need to feel this release the most?”
See the clip above.
Jamie Foxx Is Recovering
Nick Cannon is sending his thoughts and prayers to Jamie Foxx. pic.twitter.com/6s5PxZXlSn
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) April 24, 2023
Jamie Foxx, 55, is thankfully recovering from what has only been described as a mysterious “medical complication.” On April 24, Nick Cannon told Entertainment Tonight, “I know he’s doing so much better because I’m actually about to do something special for him and doing him a favor.” Cannon didn’t reveal just exactly what the favor was, but he did say that it would be “out there soon.”
Foxx had been receiving medical care at a Georgia-based facility earlier this month after failing to show up to a movie set on April 11 due to an illness, causing a halt in filming. The production has since resumed while Foxx continues to recover.
Cincinnati Barber Goes Viral
Vernon Jackson is the latest viral sensation on TikTok for giving free haircuts to disabled children after he heard how they were being treated at barbershops. Due to the popularity of the TikTok videos, the owner of Noble Barber & Beauty in Cincinnati, Ohio, started the “Gifted Event,” which allows people to donate for the haircuts. Jackson recently sat down with Jennifer Hudson and said, “I wanted it to be a name that was empowering for the child and for the families. They’re gifted and live life a special way, so why not call it gifted?”
See the interview above.
Brittney Griner’s Wife Is Officially A Lawyer
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This time last year, Cherelle Griner was fighting for her wife Brittney Griner to be released from Russia, who was bogusly accused of drug charges. Brittney is now home and this week Cherelle shared some good news, she is officially a lawyer. In May, she received her Juris Doctor degree from HBCU North Carolina Central University. Now, she has passed the bar exam. “You may now address me as Counselor! “ Cherelle wrote on Instagram.
Biden-Harris Announce Their Re-election Campaign
Every generation has a moment where they have had to stand up for democracy. To stand up for their fundamental freedoms. I believe this is ours.
That’s why I’m running for reelection as President of the United States. Join us. Let’s finish the job. https://t.co/V9Mzpw8Sqy pic.twitter.com/Y4NXR6B8ly
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 25, 2023
Despite pundits and polls calling for President Joe Biden to drop Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate, the Biden-Harris administration officially announced their re-election 2024 campaign. While there is still more work to do, there have been some huge wins for Black communities under their first term: record low Black unemployment, historic funding for HBCUs, the introduction of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, more Black judges appointed to the federal bench than any administration in history, the passing of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act and the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
New Orleans Student Receives More Than $9 Million In Scholarship Offers
🎓🎉 Congrats to New Orleans senior Dennis Barnes who has set a NATIONAL RECORD with offers from 125 colleges totaling more than $9 million in scholarships – more than any other college bound senior in U.S. history. https://t.co/QODn2iYTYB pic.twitter.com/qnN7NCBfI6
— WWL-TV (@WWLTV) April 24, 2023
Dennis Barnes, a 16-year-old student at the International High School of New Orleans, received at least $9 million in scholarships, according to USA Today. Due to a near flawless academic record and a 4.98 grade point average, he was accepted to 170 colleges. Bares told USA Today, “I am still getting letters. Decision letters were an overflow in my mailbox. I’m proud of myself. I’m a Black man and you don’t find that too often in the Black community.. it stands out.”
Barnes will announce the college he will attend on May 2.
Halle Bailey Celebrates Her ‘Little Mermaid’ Doll
American actor-singer Halle Bailey, who plays Ariel in Disney's live action film ‘The Little Mermaid,’ became emotional after seeing a mermaid Barbie doll created in her likeness pic.twitter.com/Imos3tQwev
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 26, 2023
Mattel has unveiled a new line of dolls inspired by the characters from the highly anticipated new film Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which stars Halle Bailey. The 23-year-old singer and actress celebrated the news, telling Entertainment Tonight, “This is the new Little Mermaid doll! I am literally choking up because this means so much to me. And to have one that looks like me, that’s my favorite Disney character, is very surreal. And look, she even has my mole! See? And the hair, and the tail…I’m just stunned, so I don’t quite know what to do with it, but I’m gonna steal this and take it home.”
The Little Mermaid hits theaters on May 26.
Zendaya Makes Surprise Appearance At Coachella
Did it all for love @Labrinth @Zendaya
Tune in tomorrow for more Weekend 2 on the @YouTube livestream at https://t.co/w4QG9AcB3R pic.twitter.com/Sp8MumCa25
— Coachella (@coachella) April 23, 2023
While Zendaya is known as an award-winning actress, ten years ago she had a huge hit with her song “Replay,” which was from her only solo album Zendaya. During a Sunday performance at Coachella, she shocked the audience when she joined friend and collaborator, Labrinth, during his set. They sang two songs that they co-wrote, “I’m Tired” and “All for Us,” which have both been featured on Zendaya’s hit series, Euphoria. See the clip above.
Twelve-Year-Old Goes Viral For Singing At His Parents’ Vow Renewal
@kemorenemillsMy son singing at our vow renewal 🥰 ♬ original sound – kemorenemills
Aiden, a 12-year-old from Florida, has gone viral for singing at his mom and dad’s vow renewal ceremony. Aiden beautifully sang an emotional version of Calum Scott’s “You Are The Reason.” The ceremony took place March 23 in Port St. Lucie, but went viral this week. His mother, Kemorene Mills Armstrong, told Good Morning America, “From the beginning, it was very emotional, and then you heard all the guests in the background. They were crying, so I got even more, teary-eyed, so I had to be looking up because all of the tears would be flooding down. So it was a special moment.” Grab a tissue and see the clip above.
Gervonta “Tank” Davis Lets Ryan Garcia Keep His Earning Despite Their Agreement
Gervonta Davis Let Ryan Garcia Keep his fight Earnings (Purse) after beating him & they previously bet the whole purse goes to the winner 💯🫱🏾🫲🏽 https://t.co/S3kr6c3fUP
— Raphousetv (RHTV) (@raphousetv2) April 23, 2023
On April 22, Saturday, Gervonta “Tank” Davis won his matchup at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas against Ryan Garcia. In an extremely kind gesture, Davis, who was awarded $10 million after winning the fight due to their agreement that the winner would take all, allowed Garcia to keep his $5 million. In a post-match interview, the Baltimore native said, “Nah, he can take the money. He can take the money. He can take it.”
