Author: Melodi Blackmon, DI

Barbados native Rihanna received the 2019 Urban Luxe award for her Fenty casual wear. What We Know: On Monday, December 2, actress/singer Rihanna showed up to the red carpet for the 2019 Fashion Awards. The 31-year-old definitely received her award in style. She rocked beautiful, fresh cornrows and wore a satin mint green mini dress from her Fenty line with a matching shawl, gloves, and heels. According to Essence, this specific award was created to “honor contemporary labels that elevate the concept of casual”. In 2018, Off-White’s Virgil Abloh was the winner of this very special and distinguished award. Legendary…

Civil rights leader Rosa Parks has been honored with a statue in Alabama. What We Know: On December 1, 1955, Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. Sixty-four years later, the late pioneer is being honored with a statue in the same city. On December 1, 2019, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, the first African American mayor of the city, and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey unveiled the new statue of Parks near the Montgomery Plaza. There are also four granite markers near Parks’ statue that are dedicated to the plaintiffs in the Browder…

Legendary actor and singer Billy Dee Williams, who is also known for his role as Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise, has come out as gender fluid. What We Know: 82-year-old Williams recently had an interview with Esquire magazine, while promoting the new addition to the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Williams also took the opportunity to come out stating he identifies as gender fluid. “I say ‘himself’ or ‘herself’ because I also see myself as feminine, as well as, masculine,” expressed Williams. “I’m a very soft person. I’m not afraid to show that side…

Last week, we reported that rapper Kanye West announced he was creating his first opera entitled, Nebuchadnezzar. On Sunday, November 24, West debuted Nebuchadnezzar at the Hollywood Bowl. What We Know: Harlem rapper Sheck Wes, who is also known for his hit single, “Mo Bamba” starred as the main character, Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was an ancient Babylonian king that is mentioned throughout the book of Daniel in the Holy Bible. Although West didn’t make an appearance until the end, he was the offstage narrator for the play. Throughout the play, West also snapped pictures of highlights from the Book of Daniel…

An Atlanta woman is facing twenty years in prison for impersonating an NBA player and taking out a loan. What We Know: According to CNN, 51-year-old Annie Ford has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. During her hearing at the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito stated that Ford had created false statements under the unknown NBA player’s name. She had also faked his signature on an excessive amount of papers that were needed to apply for a loan. In October and November 2013, Ford applied for…

Rapper Kanye West announces that he is creating his first opera entitled, Nebuchadnezzar. What We Know: On Sunday, November 17, West made an appearance at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. Lakewood Church is famously known as a non-denominational church that is founded by senior pastor Joel Osteen and his wife/first lady, Victoria. During his appearance, West not only preached a sermon about his faith but, he also took the time out to announce that he would be creating his first opera, Nebuchadnezzar. West decided to name the opera, Nebuchadnezzar, after the actual Biblical character who was an ancient Babylonian king…

Marquis Jefferson, the father of recently slain Atatiana Jefferson, has died at the age of 58. What We Know: In October, we reported the unfortunate shooting incident that killed 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson in her Fort Worth, TX home. On Saturday, November 9, Atatiana’s father, Marquis Jefferson died of a heart attack at Methodist Charlton Medical Center in Dallas, TX. Bruce Carter, a spokesman for Jefferson told The Washington Post that Jefferson wasn’t sick before his fateful heart attack but, he had been full of grief since his daughter’s death. “When you heard him talk about his daughter, you thought he was…

Los Angeles native/rapper/singer Kevin McCall was arrested at a Fulton County courthouse in Atlanta, GA. What We Know: 34-year-old McCall entered the Justice Center in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, November 5. While headed to the courtroom, McCall was also recording himself on Instagram Live. It’s no secret that the Grammy-nominated artist has been in a legal custody battle for years over his 5-year-old daughter Marley Rae, with his ex, America’s Next Top Model season five winner and Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Eva Marcille. According to WSB-TV, a Fulton County deputy noticed McCall was recording and asked him to stop,…

Philadelphia native/actor Richard Gere is welcoming a new addition to his family at 70! What We Know: In February of this year, Gere and his 36-year-old activist wife, Alejandra Silva, welcomed a baby boy named Alexander. Prior to baby Alexander’s arrival, the loving couple tied the knot in April 2018 after dating for a year and a half. USA Today reports that the Gere’s both have children from previous marriages. Gere has a 19-year-old son named Homer from his second marriage to model/actress Carey Lowell. Silva also has a son, 6-year-old, Albert, from her first marriage to mining magnate, Govind…

A young, black male was recently stabbed to death at a Maryland Popeye’s restaurant over their popular menu item, the chicken sandwich. What We Know: On Monday, November 5, 28-year-old Kevin Davis was among the many people in line at the Oxon Hill Popeye’s who were anxiously waiting to order the infamous chicken sandwich. Prince George County Police Chief Hank Stawinski told Fox News that Davis had begun to “methodically” skip the line, which was the first mishap in this altercation that went wrong. The restaurant had already made a separate line that was reserved for customers waiting to specifically…