Triple Crown

From Hypebeast - 

The Antetokounmpo Siblings Become First Brother Trio to All Win NBA Championships

Back-to-back NBA champs. 

By Joyce Li

Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks have officially claimed the title as the 2021 NBA Champions, giving brothers Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo their first championship ring in the league. The two siblings are now on the same level as younger brother Kostas Antetokounmpo, who previously won the 2020 NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. The historical feat marks the first trio of brothers in the NBA to all win a league title.

Post-championship game, Giannis said during an on-court interview, “A lot of people was making jokes last year when Kostas won his championship with the Lakers. Obviously at the dinner table it was awkward a little bit because he had the ring before me. But now me and Thanasis have ours. But now me and Thanasis have the ring too, so we’re happy.”

Giannis' reaction to him, Thanasis and Kostas all being NBA champs 🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/njD2vxW8pa

— ESPN (@espn) July 21, 2021

https://hypebeast.com/2021/7/antetokounmpo-siblings-first-brother-trio-all-win-nba-championships

A Classy Gesture

From the Irish Mirror -  

Olympics 2021: Huge amount of goodwill for Ireland's Olympians after classy gesture during opening ceremony

Aren't we a great bunch altogether?

BY DAVID KENT

The whole Irish team bowed in unison towards the Japanese welcoming party in what was a lovely nod to the different culture they are immersed in for the duration of these Games.

And that gesture in particular has got huge praise online.

You have done us proud @Kelly64kg @weerooster @TeamIreland @PattyFblp 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Y30u9XWSu4

— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 23, 2021

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/olympics-2021-huge-amount-goodwill-24604744.amp 

Mr. SOUL! Trailer

From Rolling Stone - 

‘Mr. Soul!’ Documentary Chronicles History of ‘Black Tonight Show’

Award-winning film will be available on HBO Max starting August 1st

By CLAIRE SHAFFER

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/mr-soul-documentary-trailer-1200947/

Pulled His Car Over to Have Some Fun

 

I just pulled my car over, and served these girls 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/cBLjrQ7o6A

— Julian King (@itsjulianking) July 19, 2021

Love Has No Labels | Diversity & Inclusion | Ad Council

Eric. Eric. Eric.

From HuffPost - 

Eric Clapton Says He Won’t Perform Where Vaccine Is Required, Gets Feedback

“I reserve the right to cancel the show,” the “Tears in Heaven” singer wrote in defiance of Boris Johnson’s vaccination order.

By Ron Dicker 

Veteran rocker Eric Clapton declared Wednesday he would not perform where proof of vaccination is required, defying U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s order on large indoor gatherings.

Britain, where the delta variant of COVID-19 is threatening pandemic recovery, eased coronavirus restrictions this week. But Johnson said nightclubs and concert venues must require verification of inoculation status.

Eric Clapton: “I won’t perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present.”
Also Eric Clapton: pic.twitter.com/LgPjGTe8Fs

— Tony Rossi (@toeknee_rawsee) July 21, 2021

I'm sure Eric Clapton and all the Republicans claiming it’s their right not to prove they’re vaccinated in a pandemic—because of “liberty”—won't mind the people serving their food in restaurants deciding not to wash their hands after using the restroom—because of “freedom.” https://t.co/JaLNLr942V

— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) July 21, 2021

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/eric-clapton-vaccine-concert_n_60f92b68e4b0ddf0097ba9de?ncid=NEWSSTAND0001

I Love Bear!

From HuffPost - 

Watch This Viral TikTok Singer Blow Minds In The Most Unexpected Place

Bear Bailey had given up on his dream of being a singer. Then TikTok and his local gas station changed everything.

By Josephine Harvey

At age 33, Bear Bailey thought his dream of being a singer was dead. Then TikTok and his local gas station helped bring it back to life.

Bailey has gained more than a million TikTok followers in less than two weeks since he started posting videos from the Super Serve station near his home in Houma, Louisiana. In the viral clips, the cashiers make song requests and Bailey serenades them at the checkout counter, provoking heartwarming (and often hilarious) reactions from surprised shoppers around the store. 

“Bear! I’ve been waiting for you,” cashier Melissa McGee, known to locals as Mama, shouts in one clip as Bailey walks in and breaks out into a cover of John Legend’s “All of Me.”

@bearbailey1

All Of Me by @johnlegendofficial #cover #foryou #foryoupage #tiktok #adayinmylife TikTok muted the sound on last one! #viral #letsgo #tag him yall!

♬ original sound - Bear Bailey

@bearbailey1

Night shift by the ##commodores ##cover ##foryou ##foryoupage ##adayinmylife ##gasstation ##letmeknow ##unity

♬ original sound - Bear Bailey

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tiktok-singer-bear-bailey-gas-station_n_60f76b4ce4b0d1bafbf83b00

 

15 Scariest Bridges In The World

Sell Your Old Tech. Here's How.

From Readers Digest - 

If You Have This at Home, You’re Losing out on $264

By Carrie Madormo

Anyone up for making a quick $200? Go ahead and sell these items you aren't even using. We'll show you how!

When was the last time you upgraded your smartphone, tablet, or laptop? OK, now try to remember what you did with your old tech once the shiny new products arrived. Chances are, you stuffed them in the kitchen junk drawer or in the basement—where they’re now collecting dust. Yep, that’s what most of us do…because we don’t know what to do. We can’t just throw them away, and we’re not sure how to recycle them. Luckily, there’s a third option, and it comes with cash. Selling your old tech items is a way to give them new life while clearing out your clutter and making some extra money.

According to Decluttr.com, the average American household has about $264 worth of old tech items just sitting around. It can feel intimidating to jump in and start selling those items, though. We sat down with Decluttr CMO Liam Howley to learn the fastest, easiest ways to start cashing in on your old tech. 

https://www.rd.com/article/old-tech-thats-worth-money/

Shocked But Not Surprised

From The Nation - 

Our ‘Racial Reckoning’ Is Turning Out to Be a White Lie

Black demands for full citizenship are being treated as entitlement and calls for racial accountability redefined as white persecution.

By Kali Holloway

With inevitable regularity, racial injustice and violence lead to moments of national conflict when even white Americans can no longer ignore the issue. And just as inevitably, instead of addressing this country’s pervasive racism and anti-Blackness, white Americans locate the problem somewhere within Black people themselves.

We’re in yet another of those moments, as last summer’s promised “racial reckoning” turns out to be a white lie. Black demands for full citizenship and equality are being treated as entitlement, calls for white racial accountability redefined as white persecution, and anti-racism falsely construed as anti-whiteness. To reestablish unchallenged white dominance, a movement of white resistance, or anti-anti-racism, is working tirelessly to blot out what it sees as a problematic presence—purging Black folks from democracy by stripping voting rights, erasing Black struggle from history by banning the teaching of slavery and its legacy, and prohibiting protest that threatens the white supremacist status quo.

We can be shocked, but certainly not surprised. This nation has a long history of counterbalancing any move toward Black liberation with the insistence that Black existence is better wholly removed or more tightly controlled. In an 1814 missive addressing the prospect of African American emancipation, Thomas Jefferson advocated for Black expatriation to another country, contending that without the yoke of slavery around their necks, African Americans were “pests in society.” Abraham Lincoln, even as he drafted the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, told a delegation of Black leaders invited to the White House that “your race suffer very greatly…by living among us, while ours suffer from your presence,” and placed the blame for “white men cutting one another’s throats” on Black folks requesting equality, claiming “but for your race among us there could not be war.” Lincoln suggested the solution was for Black people to “sacrifice something of your present comfort” by picking up stakes and relocating abroad, an idea the president would support until days before his assassination.

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/black-lives-matter-backlash-2/

The Rock is Small Compared to . . .

 

He's 6'5! But Charles Barkley makes the Rock look small, and Shaq makes him look like a shrimp! pic.twitter.com/xjogU83L51

— JustLizzy🖤🤍💜 (@LustJizzy) July 17, 2021

Stand Here for Dance Party

First Black Graduate of Grinnell College

From Black Enterprise - 

MEET 107-YEAR-OLD EDITH RENFROW SMITH: THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO GRADUATE FROM GRINNELL COLLEGE IN IOWA

by Andrea Blackstone

Edith Renfrow Smith, left, was the first Black woman
to graduate from Grinnell College.
Facebook - Bethany Retirement Community

Edith Renfrow Smith—who turned 107 on July 14—is an undeniable trailblazer who refused to let adversity crush her dreams.

Smith was the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College in Iowa and was honored on campus with a dedication of the school’s Edith Renfrow Smith Black Women’s Library.

According to Grinnell College, the school also has the Smith Gallery, where “student art exhibits” are showcased. And if the educational institution has not previously landed on your radar, musician Herbie Hancock is another noted Grinnell College product who also has personal ties to Smith’s family.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/meet-107-year-old-edith-renfrow-smith-the-first-black-woman-to-graduate-from-grinnell-college-in-iowa/

Naomi Osaka Making History With SI Swimsuit Cover

From USA Today - 

Naomi Osaka becomes first female Black athlete on a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover

By Scott Gleeson

Sports Illustrated magazine cover image
for 2021 Swimsuit issue on sale July 22
featuring a photo of Naomi Osaka by
Yu Tsai, Sports Illustrated

Naomi Osaka appears on the cover of this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, becoming the first female Black athlete to do so. 

Osaka's cover comes on the heels of her controversial withdrawal from the French Open after decision to not speak with media to protect her mental health. The four-time Grand Slam champion is poised to compete in the Tokyo Games later this month. 

SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day said in a statement: "There’s no question that Naomi is one of the best athletes in the world, and a cover spot felt obvious. She’s spent her formative years racking up titles and is headed to the Olympics. But we celebrate Naomi for her passion, strength and power geared towards consistently breaking barriers when it comes to equality, social justice, and mental health."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2021/07/19/naomi-osaka-cover-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issue/8011368002/ 

Black Girls on FIRE!

From Black Enterprise - 

UNDEFEATED: FIRST BLACK GIRL DUO WINS INTERNATIONAL DEBATE COMPETITION AT HARVARD

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Harvard Diversity Project (@harvarddcdp)

https://www.blackenterprise.com/undefeated-first-black-girl-duo-wins-international-debate-competition-at-harvard/ 

Dude Says What We're Thinking

From Bored Panda - 

Dude Keeps Protesting Annoying Everyday Things With Funny Signs (35 New Pics)

By Liucija AdomaiteIlona and Baliūnaitė

dudewithsign

When you see the fast fashion giant Zara proudly selling “Dude With Sign” shirts for their summer collection, you know the Dude has gone mainstream. And how couldn’t he? With a whopping 7.5 million followers, New Yorker Seth Phillips has gained a cult following for his truth bombs that protest anything from loud engines, phones that shatter easily, “x” in espresso, and other very specific, small things that add up to our daily lives.

And luckily, there’s always something new to protest against. Like, hot coffee in summer or verifying you’re not a robot. So today, we collected some of the Dude’s most recent signs for y'all dudes and dudettes who have had enough. Of what? Let’s say, just everything. 

dudewithsign

https://www.boredpanda.com/dude-holding-signs-protesting/

Athletic, Creative, and Super Talented

An excerpt from The Columbus Dispatch - 

Blacklick teen's customized sneaker artwork draws attention of athletes and celebrities

By Allison Ward

Gabrielle Anderson, 17, paints a show for a client
in the likenesses of Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris.
The Blacklick teen is a big-time basketball player
who is getting attention for her artwork on sneakers.
Fred Squillante / Columbus Dispatch

In between games with her traveling basketball team at a tournament in Tennessee last week, Gabrielle Anderson tried to keep up with running her business.  

She had too many orders of her hand-painted, customized sneakers to take a weeklong break from Graffiti by Gabby, the company the Blacklick 17-year-old started last summer. 

“She was painting in the hotel room,” said her mother, Celia. “We had to say, ‘We’d love to do the team movie, but she’s got to work tonight.’” 

Although a highly competitive and successful athlete who has committed to playing basketball at Harvard University in 2022, Gabrielle has found herself highlighted on ESPN and the SEC Network — not because of her skills on the court but because of her artwork.

A Graffiti by Gabby Creation
Courtesy of Gabrielle Anderson

https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/2021/07/20/ohio-teen-gabrielle-anderson-creates-customized-sneakers-celebrities-athletes/7891484002/

 

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Black Emmy Nominations

An excerpt from Black Enterprise - 

RECORD NUMBER FOR DIVERSITY IN 2021 EMMY NOMINATIONS

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton 

(Image: Twitter)

With the history of award shows typically favoring white performers and creators and being voted on by more white people as well, it has stirred up a call for more Black entertainers to get their nod with more diverse nominations at The Emmys.

According to Deadline, with the announcement of the latest Primetime Emmy Nominations, this is a record year when it comes to diverse talent being recognized (or, at least nominated) for the upcoming Emmy Awards.

There were a record 49 BIPOC nominees who were acknowledged in the acting and reality hosting categories. That number led to a 17% increase over last year’s diversity record of 42 BIPOC nominees.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/record-number-for-diversity-in-2021-emmy-nominations/

Black-Owned Ice Cream Makers

An excerpt from NewsOne - 

Black-Owned Ice Cream Makers You Should Support

There is no better time than now to support Black-owned businesses.

By NewsOne Staff 

What better way to counter the rising temperatures than with some freezing cold ice cream? That’s a trick question because while the obvious answer is to go grab some ice cream — which people can find anywhere — the better answer is to figure out where to get your ice cream from.

Baskin Robbins shops are easy enough to find, but that mega-business has been around for nearly 80 years. What about some of the local mom-and-pop ice cream shops? I’ll do you one better: What about those even fewer Black-owned ice cream shops — why not shop there?

Now, arguably more than ever, Black-owned businesses need our patronage. And what better time to start than on a sweltering National Ice Cream Day?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Humans of New York (@humansofny)

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Creamalicious Ice Cream (@socreamalicious)

 https://newsone.com/4174315/black-owned-ice-cream-makers/

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She Created Her Own Tequila Brand

An excerpt from Essence -

She Wanted A Healthier Spirit, Now She’s The First Black Woman To Lead A Tequila Brand

AFTER STARTING OUT AS AN OCCASIONAL TEQUILA DRINKER, NAYANA BECAME AN ENTHUSIAST DUE TO THE LOW-SUGAR CONTENT OF TEQUILA. NOW SHE'S AN ENTREPRENEUR SUCCESSFULLY SELLING THE SPIRIT. 

By VICTORIA UWUMAROGIE

MADDI IBANEZ

Nayana Ferguson was only an occasional tequila drinker when she met her husband, Don, in 2014. He loved the drink, and taught her about the different expressions, or types, including Blanco, Reposado and Anejo, and they came across some amazing, sip-worthy tastes.  It didn’t take long for her to become a tequila enthusiast.  

“We started tasting different tequilas and started learning more about the history of this amazing agave spirit,” she tells ESSENCE. “It takes the agave plant around seven to eight years to grow to maturity, just to get to the point where the tequila-making process begins. It is unlike any other spirit in the world, which is why tequila has become so popular now.”

In addition to being impressed with the story behind the spirit and admiring the flavors, Nayana, a pancreatic cancer survivor, found that since tequila is a drink naturally low in sugar, it was a superior option for her as she prioritizes keeping her sugar intake low. 

~~~~~~~~~~

As her appreciation for it grew, she was soon inspired to find ways to bring flavorful, but still healthy versions of the spirit to the masses. So she decided to develop a premium tequila with Don. That’s how Anteel Tequilla, named with the Antillean Crested Hummingbird in mind that the couple encountered during a trip to the Dominican Republic, came to be. During that trip, he proposed to her. It was also the first time they broached the topic of creating their own tequila brand, a discussion that was delightfully interrupted by the hummingbird that would be the brand’s logo and the inspiration for its name. 

                                                                        ~~~~~~~~~~

The tequilas, which are already attracting serious clientele by generating nearly a quarter of a million in sales and receiving rave reviews (they have won gold at the SIP Awards, as well as silver and bronze at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition) can currently be found in eight states. (Michigan, California, Georgia, Texas, Florida, the New York metro area and Colorado). The brand has plans to expand to more states in 2022. It can also be purchased on the Anteel Tequila website, which ships nationally.

https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/anteel-tequila-nayana-ferguson/

Many American High School Students are Heading to Europe for College

An excerpt from the Observer - 

Why American High School Students Are Flocking to European Colleges

By Arick Wierson 

For many high school seniors and their families, it boils down to simple economics. Even after factoring in the higher costs of travel, the all-in cost of studying at most European universities pales in comparison to the costs of attending college in the U.S.

“With just a handful of exceptions, across continental Europe, $10,000 a year is pretty much as high as it gets as far as tuition—and most are a lot less,” remarked Jennifer Viemont, a Lisbon-based American who runs Beyond The States, an online resource and full-service consultancy that helps match American teenagers with European-based undergraduate programs. “That’s quite a bit less than most state schools and a mere fraction of what it costs to attend the top American colleges and universities, which top out at over $60,000 a year in tuition. Throw in room and board, travel, books and extras, and you could easily spend $75,000 a year in the U.S.” 

https://observer.com/2021/07/us-high-school-graduate-attend-europe-university-trend/

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The Best Heist Movies You've Probably Missed

An excerpt from Looper - 

The Best Heist Movies You've Never Seen

By Patrick Phillips

Widows (2018)

With bold new additions to the superhero set, a handful of caustic social satires, a few artistically ambitious genre offerings, and a couple of potent comedic farces, 2018 is certain to earn a place one of the better years for movies of late. Unfortunately, it'll also go down as the year that moviegoers completely balked at paying respects to two high-quality, female-fronted heist flicks. The first was a fun but flighty addition to the Ocean's franchise by the name of Ocean's Eight. The second was a legit modern feminist crime classic that should've been one of the year's biggest hits.

That film was Steve McQueen's bracing, politically savvy crime saga Widows. For those who missed out, Widows was adapted by McQueen and Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Sharp Objects), it's set on the streets of modern-day Chicago, and it follows four women thrown together and forced into a life of crime thanks to their criminal husbands.

Read More: https://www.looper.com/144414/the-best-heist-movies-youve-never-seen/?utm_campaign=clip

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS THAT WILL RESTORE YOUR FAITH IN HUMANITY!

Truck Drivers Helped to Save a Life

From Upworthy (April 2018) - 

13 truck drivers parked side by side in the middle of the night to save a life.

By Eric Pfeiffer

Around 1 a.m. on April 24, semi-truck drivers in the Oak Park area of Michigan received a distress call from area police: An unidentified man was standing on the edge of a local bridge, apparently ready to jump onto the freeway below.

Those drivers then did something amazing. They raced to the scene to help — and lined up their trucks under the bridge, providing a relatively safe landing space should the man jump.

Fortunately, he didn't.

This photo does show the work troopers and local officers do to serve the public. But also in that photo is a man struggling with the decision to take his own life. Please remember help is available through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. pic.twitter.com/RBAlCIXT1o

— MSP Metro Detroit (@mspmetrodet) April 24, 2018

Black-Owned Etsy Shops

From Elite Daily - 

These Black-Owned Etsy Shops Are Creating Fire Fashion & Beauty Products

BY THERESA MASSONY AND MARGARET BLATZ 

https://www.elitedaily.com/style/black-owned-etsy-shops-fashion-beauty-products

Restaurant Owner Repairs Junk Cars and Donates Them To Those in Need

From Black Enterprise - 

South Carolina Restaurant Owner Turns Junk Cars Into Treasures, Donates Them to Those In Need

By Andrea Blackstone

Eliot D. Middleton fixes old cars,
then gives them to others in need of transportation. Image - Twitter

Who knew that run-down rides and ribs go together like peanut butter and jelly!

Well Eliot D. Middleton, 38, a restaurant owner from South Carolina, must have had an inkling of some sort because he will give you some ribs if you give him your raggedy car so he can fix it and transform it into a treasure to give to people in need of transportation in the rural area, according to CNN.

The community helper is honoring his father’s legacy by turning inoperable cars into working vehicles. So far he has “collected 100 cars and surprised 33 community members with a repaired ride — without asking for a single thing in return,” according to the outlet.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/south-carolina-restaurant-owner-turns-junk-cars-into-treasures-donates-them-to-those-in-need/amp/

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The Most Famous Invention From Every State

An excerpt from the Family Handyman - 

The Most Famous Invention from Every State

By Marissa LaLiberte

Which great American invention comes from your state? 

Alabama: Windshield Wipers

DI STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK

On a trip to New York City in 1902, Mary Anderson realized what a nuisance the falling snow was for her streetcar driver. Anderson couldn’t drive, but back home in Birmingham, she sketched up her design for windshield wipers. Don’t miss these other 16 things you didn’t know women invented.

https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/the-most-famous-invention-from-every-state/

The Most Photogenic Architectural Wonder in Every State

From Trip Trivia - 

The Most Photogenic Architectural Wonder in Every State

Arizona:  Chapel of the Holy Cross

The Chapel of the Holy Cross located in Sedona, Arizona stands out for several reasons, not least of all because its sleek, minimalist design is unlike the ornate, Gothic Revival elements typically found in Catholic church architecture. The Roman Catholic church, completed in 1956, replicates the natural form and color of the surrounding red rock in the desert landscape, standing 250 feet on a butte, with a simple cross as its frame and the surrounding windows as its most notable feature. The interior is just as straightforward, with nothing but a few pews and an altar, letting the natural beauty outside the chapel be the primary focus. 

https://www.triptrivia.com/most-photogenic-architectural-wonder-in-every-state/X_M1N7nODQAGebh0?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1310997129&utm_term=SA0115

https://www.triptrivia.com/

"Mom, Do Not Leave Your Kids With This Guy!"

From Bored Panda - 

Dad Sends His GF These Pics Whenever She Asks If Their Babies Are OK While He’s Watching Them (30 New Pics) Interview With Artist

By Jonas Grinevičius and Justinas Keturka

We’ve all got that one person in our lives who is a total dad You know what I mean—they keep making puns and dad jokes and doing whatever they can to brighten everyone’s day in their own unique way. Father of two Kenny Deuss, from Antwerp in Belgium, is a total dad in the best possible way and I for one relate to him quite a bit (I make everyone groan with my dad jokes and I used to live in Belgium).

Whenever Kenny used to look after his firstborn and his girlfriend would be out, she’d ask him if little Alix was doing all right. That’s when humor-loving Kenny had a brilliant idea. He began photoshopping replies to the love of his life’s queries in the form of pictures. In them, he and the toddler would be in various dangerous, adventurous, and comic situations.

Since the very first photoshop, Kenny has amassed a following of over 157k fans on Instagram who eagerly await his latest photo-edited masterpiece. What’s more, the dad’s also started photoshopping pictures with his second child, Aster, who was born just this year, in 2021, as well.

#1 

Happy Birthday Alix! Even Though We Only Have A Small Party Due To Covid, We’re Having A Blast!

#2 

We Spend Two Days At The Belgian Coastline. Apparently There Are A Couple Of Aggressive Seagulls There. If Someone Finds Their Nest With Aster In It, Please Let Me Know

https://www.boredpanda.com/father-photoshops-baby-dangerous-situations-on-adventure-with-dad/

How To Write A Eulogy

An excerpt from the Mirror - 

How to write a eulogy for a funeral - where to start and what should you include

A eulogy at a funeral for a loved-one is like a best man's speech except everyone is crying, it's no wonder some people find the prospect of delivering one daunting

By Emily Sleight 

A eulogy is often a key part of a funeral, you will have a chance to talk about your loved one’s life and what they meant to you, they can be very emotional.

It is often regarded as an honour to be asked to give a eulogy, as it means you played a big part in the life of the deceased.

If you've been tasked with putting together a eulogy you might be feeling pretty anxious about it, but thankfully there is no real right or wrong in what you say.

You just need to think about your audience, and establish a basic structure so you’re feeling prepared and confident.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-write-eulogy-funeral-start-24524052

From Reffing to Fighting For His Life

An excerpt from the Undefeated - 

A year ago, Tony Brown was reffing his first NBA Finals. Now, he’s fighting for his life.

The veteran referee opens up about the pancreatic cancer diagnosis that changed his course

BY TONY BROWN, AS TOLD TO JERRY BEMBRY

Tony Brown worked Game 4 of the 2020 NBA Finals
between the Heat and Lakers.
JESSE D. GARRABRANT/NBAE VIA GETTY IMAGES

As I watch the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns play for an NBA championship, I can’t help but revisit this stage of the season a year ago.

It was Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat. LeBron James against Jimmy Butler. The NBA bubble.

It was also, in Game 4, the moment I reached the pinnacle of my professional career. After 19 years as an NBA referee, after over 1,000 regular-season and 35 playoff games, I stepped on the court to work my first Finals.

Most eyes at tipoff were, I’m sure, focused on the star players who are the driving force in this league. I’m sure back home in Atlanta the eyes of my wife and my three kids were focused on me as I finally got the opportunity to work the NBA’s premier event.

It was career validation: I was considered one of the best referees in the world. 

When this season began, my goal was to experience that exhilarating moment again.

But life threw me a curveball.

Pancreatic cancer. Stage 4.

Honestly, I don’t know what’s in store for me.  

But with the love of my wife, my kids, my NBA family and my friends in the trenches alongside me, I’m well armed for this battle for my life.

https://theundefeated.com/features/a-year-ago-tony-brown-was-reffing-his-first-nba-finals-now-hes-fighting-for-his-life/

Common Courtesies

From Buzzfeed - 

People Are Sharing The Unwritten Rules Of Life, And I Never Thought Of These

FOLLOW THESE!

by Ryan Schocket

On Tuesday, Reddit user u/0_7_0 asked, "What is one 'unwritten rule' that you believe everyone should know and follow?" People responded with a bunch of valuable tidbits we all should listen to.

1. "If I show you a picture on my phone, don't go swiping sideways."

—u/Soft-Problem

2. "If you borrow something, return it in the same condition."

—u/Ryastor

3. "Stand back before boarding a bus, subway, metro, or elevator so that those on can get off quickly without having to wait for you to back up first."

—u/Lightmareman

4. "Don't watch loud videos on your phone at a restaurant. Can't believe this isn't common courtesy anymore."

—u/penguinmanbat

5. "The last one to go to bed has to turn all the lights off."

—u/Rebeca2277

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanschocket2/people-are-sharing-the-unwritten-rules-of-life-and-i-never

Woodturning - The Pencil Globe !!

Jamie Foxx Tributes Anita Baker By Singing Some Of Her Classics! | BET A...

i say a little prayer | aretha franklin | acoustic cover ft. arlissa | s...

If by Rudyard Kipling - Read by Sir Michael Caine

Nina Simone - Feeling Good (Official Video)

Discover Local Black-Owned Eats!

https://www.eatokra.com/

Another Brilliant Black Doctor Sounding the Alarm

An excerpt from Zenger - 

America’s First Black Female Transplant Surgeon Says Organ Donation Is Racially Lopsided

The number of organ donors in the black community is alarmingly low. Velma Scantlebury is working to change that.

By Vandita Agrawal 

Dr. Velma Scantlebury, who earned her Doctor of Surgery in 1989,
has performed over 2,000 transplants. (Courtesy of Velma Scantlebury)

The nation’s first black female transplant surgeon says that while donated organs are allocated equitably along racial lines in America, African-Americans continue to face unique disadvantages in the life-saving process she has worked in since 1989.

Velma Scantlebury told Zenger that the black community needs greater awareness about the need for more organ donors among nonwhite Americans. She points to the Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program, founded in 1991.

African-Americans have a more difficult time getting on kidney transplant lists, even though they are more likely to have end-stage renal disease. They trail whites in access to kidney transplants. Scantlebury said her black patients face inequality in health care, poor treatment by some doctors, lack of insurance, late referrals to specialists and a lack of health literacy.

“They are often diagnosed late, due to a lack of equity of health care. When referred to transplant, many have difficulty navigating the system to get the required tests. Hypertension and diabetes are more common in African-Americans, and despite this, many patients are neglected when it comes to getter their kidney function checked,” said Scantlebury, who has performed more than 2,000 transplants.

https://www.zenger.news/2021/07/05/nations-first-black-female-transplant-surgeon-advocates-for-better-care-for-african-americans/

First Black Female Chair of Surgery @ Albany Medical College

 

Albany Medical College appoints the first Black female chair of surgery at an academic health science center in the US: Dr. KMarie King Learn more: https://t.co/diQSAaBLYd @KmarieMD @amcollsurgeons @societyofBAS @womensurgeons pic.twitter.com/4hNtgDfGHT

— Albany Med (@AlbanyMed) July 6, 2021

https://www.blackenterprise.com/meet-the-first-black-female-chair-of-surgery-at-a-u-s-academic-health-science-center/

"Is Angela Working?"

An excerpt from The Mirror - 

Woman escapes date with 'violent' man with life-saving secret signal to club DJ

The woman asked the DJ at a Liverpool pub the question that alerted him to her situation. He knew exactly what she meant and helped her to leave with the aid of a security guard

By Tim Hanlon 

A distressed woman needing help to escape a potentially violent date used a private signal to the DJ at a Liverpool pub to get away.

She was saved by asking the DJ if Angela was working and, knowing immediately what she meant, he helped her out of the difficult situation.

At the city centre pub, the DJ responded by saying yes, Angela was working and told the nervous woman to get inside the booth with him.

He then called for help from security, and asked a guard the same question, which led to the woman being helped out of the back of the venue and into a taxi.

The man, who shared the episode on a Liverpool hospitality industry Facebook page, is now calling on other venues to train its staff to know what to do in these types of situations.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/woman-escapes-date-violent-man-24495152

Four Phrases to Use When Stopped by Cops

An excerpt from Good - 

The Four Magic Phrases to Use When You’re Stopped by the Cops

Everyone should know their rights.

By Brandon Weber

 Whether it's a traffic stop that turns into “We smell something in your car" or a “driving while black" situation, you have rights when you're pulled over, and it's for the best if you actually use them. So how does this work, anyway? Well, you have rights when you're pulled over. These have been established via case law, and ultimately, some stem from the Constitution itself. In order, here are the magic phrases, along with some graphics to help you remember.

1. “Am I free to go?"

In any situation involving the police, you can ask this question. Some people ask it slightly differently: “Am I being detained?"—which is a version of the same question. Basically, if they've got nothing on you, they have to let you go. If they answer no to that question, you are in fact not free to go. In that case, you are suspected of doing something, and it's their job to try to get you to admit to it or to say a bit too much and incriminate yourself.

https://www.good.is/articles/4-magic-phrases-cops

Football players give student clothes

High School Students Create Wheelchair Stroller for Teacher's Husband

One Smart Cookie - Historical Spelling Bee Winner = 14 Year Old Black Girl!

From HuffPost - 

Spelling Bee Champ Is A Speed-Reading Math Whiz Who Holds 3 World Records

Zaila Avant-garde, 14, also made history at this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee.

By Elyse Wanshel 

Zaila Avant-garde competes in the first round of the
Scripps National Spelling Bee finals in Orlando, Florida, on July 8.
JIM WATSON VIA GETTY IMAGES

This year’s spelling bee champ is F-A-S-C-I-N-A-T-I-N-G.

Zaila Avant-garde, a 14-year-old from Harvey, Louisiana, made history Thursday when she became the first African American winner and the second Black champion in the Scripps National Spelling Bee’s 96-year history.

But that may not even be the most interesting thing about the teen.

Zaila, who dipped her toe into competitive spelling just two years ago, knows how to speed-read and discovered that she could divide five-digit numbers by two-digit numbers in her head, according to The New York Times.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/spelling-bee-champ-speed-reading-math-whiz-3-world-records_n_60e856eee4b0b0220ededff8?ncid=NEWSSTAND0001

Dad interrogates daughter's first date via doorbell camera. - 1062899

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head (Fingerstyle)

Stand By Me - Ben E. King (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover) on Spotify & Apple

He's A Chess National Master!

From the NY Times - 

Remember the Homeless Chess Champion? The Boy Is Now a Chess Master.

By Nicholas Kristof

Tanitoluwa Adewumi two years ago.
Credit...Christopher Lee for The New York Times

Once upon a time a 7-year-old refugee living in a homeless shelter sat down at a chess board in school and learned how to play. His school then agreed to his mom’s plea to waive fees for him to join the chess club.

The boy wasn’t any good at first. His initial chess rating was 105, barely above the lowest possible rating, 100.

But the boy, Tanitoluwa Adewumi — better known as Tani — enjoyed chess as an escape from the chaos of the homeless shelter, and his skills progressed in stunning fashion. After little more than a year, at age 8, he won the New York State chess championship for his age group, beating well-coached children from rich private schools.

I wrote a couple of columns about Tani at that time, and readers responded by donating more than $250,000 to a GoFundMe campaign for Tani’s family, along with a year of free housing. It was heartwarming to see Tani running around the family’s new apartment, but I wondered: Is this kid really that good?

It turns out he is. This month, as a fifth grader, Tani cruised through an in-person tournament in Connecticut open to advanced players of all ages and won every game. He emerged with a chess rating of 2223, making him a national master.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/08/opinion/sunday/homeless-chess-champion-tani-adewumi.html

Twin MDs fight entrenched racism in medical world

https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-business-coronavirus-pandemic-education-health-215deeefc26994290faf84746e9c9808

Another Brilliant Sista!

From Blavity - 

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, Who Helped Develop COVID-19 Vaccine, Joins Harvard’s Faculty

Corbett plans to expand vaccine research in her new laboratory with the goal to create universal vaccines.

by Sìmone Stancil

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett / Photo Credit: Timothy Nwachukwu

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, one of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) lead scientists, is joining Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as an assistant professor, the university announced.

Corbett is most widely known for playing an integral role in the development of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine, which has proven to be up to 94.1% effective, according to the CDC. 

“I am delighted to welcome Kizzmekia to the School. Working in public health is a calling, and I am proud to work each day supporting an amazing team of researchers who have devoted their professional lives to helping others live full, happy, and healthy lives,” Michelle Williams, dean of the faculty at Harvard Chan School and angelopoulos professor in public health and international development, said.

“Kizzmekia is a natural fit here. Her success in the lab is matched only by her commitment to using science to improve people’s lives, especially for communities that have too often been left behind by advances in health care,” she added.

As a professor in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Corbett is spearheading the new Coronaviruses & Other Relevant Emerging Infectious Diseases (CoreID) Lab to study and understand the correlation between hosts’ immune systems and viruses that cause respiratory illness. Her goal is to create novel and potentially universal vaccines.

https://blavity.com/dr-kizzmekia-corbett-who-helped-develop-covid-19-vaccine-joins-harvards-faculty?category1=news&category2=Wellness

Daughters Of NASA Trailblazer Katherine Johnson Remember Her Legacy

FAMU's Dillard Tops Golf Ranking

From PGA Tour - 

Florida A&M’s Mulbe Dillard IV tops final APGA Collegiate Ranking

Top-five players earn APGA Tour playing privileges and benefits in 2021

By Chris Richards

After a record-setting four years at Florida A&M, Mulbe Dillard finishes his career as the No. 1 player in the APGA Tour Collegiate Ranking.

The top-five players in the 2021 APGA Collegiate Ranking have been finalized, with Florida A&M University’s Mulbe Dillard IV finishing No. 1 and earning an exemption into the Korn Ferry Tour’s REX Hospital Open. Dillard’s teammates Mahindra Lutchman, Cameron Riley and Prince Cunningham also finished in the top five, while Michigan State’s Andrew Walker finished No. 2 and rounds out the inaugural class of the APGA Collegiate Ranking.

“The path to professional golf has never been stronger for Black golfers, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for the top players in this year’s APGA Collegiate Ranking,” said Ken Bentley, co-founder and CEO of the APGA Tour. “This year’s inaugural class is an important step forward as the APGA Tour continues to grow and provide opportunities in professional golf to Black players.”

All five players receive APGA Tour membership and entry into this season’s tournaments, starting with the APGA Tour event at TPC Louisiana, May 31-June 1. Additionally, this year’s class receives travel costs associated with playing APGA Tour events and the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament.

https://www.pgatour.com/university/news/2021/05/26/florida-a-and-m-mulbe-dillard-iv-tops-final-apga-collegiate-ranking.html

HBCUs Matter

From Blavity -

These 6 Black Philadelphia Judges All Graduated From The Same HBCU

HBCUs have produced 80% of the Black judges in the country.

by Tomas Kassahun

Six Black Philadelphia judges sat down for an interview with CBS Philly to talk about their common denominator: Hampton University, one of the most renowned HBCUs in the country.

Judges Roxanne Covington, Jonathan Irvine, Kai Scott, Mark Moore, Sharon Williams Losier and Lillian Harris Ransom, expressed their gratitude for HBCUs and emphasized the need for more diversity in courtrooms.

"When I come out from the back, you’ll see people’s faces change when they see you,” Irvine told the news station of being a Black judge in the city. “I don’t know whether that’s good or bad. You need to see diversity. Sometimes, you need to see people who look like you.”

Scott said it's not only important for the court to have diversity in race, but also in terms of gender and socioeconomic background.

“It’s important that the bench represents the entire community,” she told the station.

https://blavity.com/these-6-black-philadelphia-judges-all-graduated-from-the-same-hbcu?category1=news&category2=politics

Meet the 29Yr Old Entrepreneur Who Owns The largest African American Own...