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MICHELLE OBAMA IS ONCE AGAIN ‘MOST ADMIRED WOMAN’ IN 2019 GALLUP POLL

 

In another election, Obama wins again! According to ABC News, former first lady Michelle Obama has been named the “most admired woman” in the world for the second time in as many years. the annual Gallup Poll, Obama earned that title with 10% of the votes and was the only woman on the list to compile a double-digit percentage. She has been named as the most admired woman the past two years after 25 years that saw Hillary Clinton finish first 22 times. Obama has had a higher percentage of the votes the past two years than during her eight years as first lady, never earning more than 8% of Americans voting for her.

Although she finished in the top spot this year with 10%, it was down from 15% last year. Current first lady Melania Trump received 5%, which lands her in second place with the queen of talk Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, and teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg—each named by 3% of U.S. adults who placed votes. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley rounded out the rest of the top 10.

In the same poll, former President Barack Obama, for the 12th time (a record he shares with former President Dwight Eisenhower), was named most admired man, which was a tie with the current president, who appears at the top for the very first time, Donald Trump. Obama’s 18% is in line with his 2018 (19%) and 2017 (17%) numbers, all of which are high for a former president. Eisenhower is the only other former president who received double-digit mentions at any point after leaving office.

As it has been with recent bipartisan politics, the results of the poll are sharply divided along party lines: 41% of Democrats named President Obama, while 45% of Republicans chose Trump. The former president also picked up 3% of Republicans and 12% of Independents while Trump drew 2% of Democrats and 10% of Independents.

  1. Michelle Obama’s most recent book, Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice, was released on Nov. 19. It is a companion piece to her critically acclaimed memoir Becoming.                                                                                                                Source :Black Enterprise
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JAY-Z ANNOUNCES DESIREE PEREZ AS NEW CEO OF ROC NATION

Few days ago, Jayz announced Desiree Perez as the CEO of Roc Nation, according to a press release. Perez will “lead development and growth across all aspects of Roc Nation including music, management, all new business development, philanthropy, publishing, touring, and TV and film development.”

Perez was most recently chief operating officer of Roc Nation; she will be taking over the role from the previous CEO, Jay Brown, who was named vice chairman. Both roles are effective immediately.

“Desiree is one of the most driven women I’ve ever met,” Atlantic Records COO and Co-chairman Julie Greenwald recently told Billboard.com. “I always kid her and say, ‘When are you taking a vacation?’ She never does, because she’s always working. She’s there morning, noon and night, really driving that business. Everyone looks at Roc Nation as synonymous with Jay-Z, but she’s really the engine that drives it.”

According to Crunchbase.com, Perez has been an associate of Jay-Z for two decades and has a long track record running his enterprises. She participated in the negotiation of the Beyoncé Formation stadium tour and played a large role in the Rihanna-Samsung deal. She has been in charge of operations at Roc Nation including labeling operations and publishing.

“I respect Desiree enormously,” UMG chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge told Billboard. “She’s tough yet extremely pragmatic and is someone you can do business with. Operationally, she’s very experienced and has the ability to resolve complex and difficult issues while maintaining a great sense of humor throughout the process.”

For Perez, this news comes the same week she was named “Executive of the Year” by Billboard, with the publication writing: “Desiree Perez has quietly become one of the most formidable figures in the music business.”

Brown, the former CEO who is now vice chairman, fostered and discovered superstar artists including Rihanna and Ne-Yo. He previously served as executive vice president of Def Jam Recordings from 2005 to 2008, and as senior vice president of Elektra Records from 1999 to 2004.

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OMAWUMI,VIVIAN ANANI,OTHERS COVER TW MAGAZINE’S DECEMBER ISSUE

It’s the season to be jolly and Today’s Women Magazine is bringing us more than enough reason to be jolly with their December issue.

In the spirit of the holidays, TW Magazine’s latest edition is all about celebrating love & life while still focusing on the important issues.

Omawumi, Nengi Adoki, Vivian Anani & Ronya Man are the cover stars of this issue and are also the stars in the forthcoming movie, “Chat Room”.

They had a chat with TW Magazine on the making of the movie with a purpose of enlightening the world on issues of sexual violence.

TW also had a chat with director and filmmaker, Chikwe Ibekwe about the remarkable story that birthed the movie.

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NEW JERSEY BECOMES THIRD STATE IN THE US FORBIDDING HAIR DISCRIMINATION

New Jersey becomes the nation’s third state to have a law that prohibits hair discrimination.

The legislation surfaced Thursday after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law making it unlawful to discriminate based on hairstyles related to race. New Jersey joins California and New York among states in America banning discrimination based on hair.

Murphy’s action comes after the New Jersey Assembly Labor Committee on Monday robustly passed a hair discrimination bill co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Angela McKnight.

The legislation was initiated after Andrew Johnson, a black high school wrestler at Buena Regional High School, was forced to cut off his dreadlocks in order to compete in a match a year ago.

The fresh law Murphy signed, known as the “Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act” (CROWN Act), includes discrimination on the basis of “traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles, Murphy’s office reported.

“Race-based discrimination will not be tolerated in the State of New Jersey,” Murphy said in a statement. “No one should be made to feel uncomfortable or be discriminated against because of their natural hair. I am proud to sign this law in order to help ensure that all New Jersey residents can go to work, school, or participate in athletic events with dignity.”

U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey added, “I’m grateful to Governor Murphy for signing this important legislation and applaud Senator Sandra B. Cunningham and Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, who led the CROWN Act and Crown Coalition advocate Adjoa B. Asamoah, who worked tirelessly to end the implicit and explicit biases against natural hair.”

New Jersey Assemblywoman Angela McKnight on the New Jersey General Assembly floor. (Image: New Jersey General Assembly Office)

“Discrimination against black hair is discrimination against black people and no one should be denied a job, an education, or face discrimination because of their hairstyle,” Booker continued.

The CROWN Act updates the “Law Against Discrimination” to clarify that prohibited race discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of hair. As defined in the bill, this includes, but is not limited to, “such hairstyles as braids, locks, and twists” according to a news release from the governor’s office. This change is intended to remove any confusion or ambiguity over the scope of the Law Against Discrimination and its applicability to race discrimination predicated on such traits.

Main sponsors of the bill along with McKnight include senators Sandra B. Cunningham, Nia H. Gill, and Shirley K. Turner and Assembly members Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Shanique Speight, and Britnee Timberlake.

“I am proud to see New Jersey become just the third state in the nation to put an end to this discriminatory practice. This law will ensure people of color are free to wear their hair however they feel best represents them, whether that be locks, braids, twists or curls. No one should ever be told it is ‘unprofessional’ to embrace their culture,” stated New Jersey State Senator Cunningham. “It is unacceptable that someone could be dismissed from school or denied employment because they wear their hair exactly how it grows, but that has been the reality for many black and brown individuals. Today, here in New Jersey, we’ve changed that.”

Earlier this month, Booker officially supported the CROWN Act with the launch of a new federal bill. A Democratic presidential candidate, Booker’s bill basically calls for banning discrimination based on hair textures and hairstyles frequently tied to a particular race or national origin.

Further, U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, joined by Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), and Barbara Lee (D-CA).

McKnight is an official member of the national CROWN Coalition, co-founded by Dove along with the National Urban League, Color Of Change, and Western Center on Law and Poverty. The coalition, among other things, aims to advance efforts to end hair discrimination largely against black women and girls.

McKnight stated, “Unfortunately it’s all too common for African Americans and people of color to be subjected to discrimination at work or school for wearing their hair in braids, twists, and dreadlocks or embracing their natural curls.”

Source: Blacknetrprise

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BEYONCÉ LAUNCHES THE ADIDAS X IVY PARK COLLECTION

Adidas and Beyoncé introduced the first adidas x IVY PARK collection, which goes on sale in stores and online on Jan. 18, 2020.

“It is a dream come true to re-launch IVY PARK as the sole owner,” said Beyoncé in a press release. “My team has worked hard with the adidas team in bringing my vision to life for this first collection and I am grateful and proud. From the accessories to the clothes and footwear, I wanted to design and re-imagine pieces that serve as favorite armor for anyone who acknowledges the strength in their individual style and lives freely and boldly.”

Beyonce

Credit: Parkwood Entertainment, Photo by Melina Matsoukas

She added that the adidas x IVY PARK collection “celebrates power, freedom, and individuality for anyone who has the confidence to take chances and live unapologetically.” The clothing gear includes gender-neutral apparel and accessories. Complemented by four footwear styles, adidas x IVY PARK reinterprets iconic adidas classics with statement colors and a fresh design approach.

“Adidas is the creator’s brand and has always championed the creative mindset,” said Torben Schumacher, General Manager adidas Originals and Style. “With Beyoncé we have the shared goal of putting creativity at the forefront of everything we do to go beyond what we’ve done before and create something entirely new. The first adidas x IVY PARK collection unites the vision of Beyoncé with adidas’ expertise and authenticity in sport and innovative design; the undeniable work ethic and steadfast point of view of Beyoncé shows through in every detail within the collection.”

Beyoncé and adidas came together to design clothes that combine fashion and storytelling and champions the values of inclusivity, community, and diversity. The partnership celebrates and acknowledges Beyoncé’s ownership of IVY PARK as one of the first black women to be the sole owner of an athleisure brand.

adidas

Credit: Parkwood Entertainment, Photo by Mason Poole

The collection is available online at adidas.com and in select stores next year. Prices range from $25 for accessories to $250 for outerwear.

The partnership with adidas serves as the basis for the Queen to relaunch Ivy Park, the athleisure company she co-created and is now the sole owner of after buying out Topshop owner and billionaire Phillip Green in November 2018. 

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NIGERIAN WOMAN BURNS HER WIGS, MAKEUP KIT AND CLOTHES AS SHE GIVES HER LIFE TO CHRIST

A Nigerian lady who burnt her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life, took to Facebook to share what inspired the decision.

Lorritha Ezekiel Olorunda disclosed that she gave her life to Christ after a commercial motorcyclist preached to her while on her way home from the market.

The Facebook user said she disposed her ‘worldly’ outfits after the commercial motorcyclist played a “cassette of revelation” by a lady who God allegedly saved from hell and sent to the world to save souls.

 

She wrote;

 

Good morning brethren, I want to appreciate God for what he has done in my life, it was all about yesterday I went to market as I was returning God used the byke man to minister to me although my husband has been preaching these things to me but the devil never allow me see to it, the byke man God used him to save me and through one cassette of a revelation by one sister that God saved from hell and send her to the world to save souls, my people please am begging all of us there’s no gain in all these things, be urself be natural say no to all these worldly things today and be saved, some people might be surprised seeing this post even my husband was surprised today on the action.

I took even my family when they heard it, most of these items you are seeing here cost me a lot but what does it profit a man to gain the world and loose his soul, my dear ladies that can’t do without trouser please read Deuteronomy 22vs5, have you ever asked yourself Where’s all these attachment and weavon coming from?

I was once a victim of this but I don’t want us to be found in hell when God remembers us, have you tried asking your self if I die today where am I going? Please theres still time for us to amend our ways before it’s late, thank you all and God bless you for reading and I pray for the grace for us to enter the kingdom of God on the last day because that day will be terrible.

Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)

Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)

Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)

Nigerian lady burns her wigs, makeup kit and clothes after giving her life to Christ (photos)

 

 

 

Source: LIB

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NIGERIAN-BORN CHINYELU ONWURAH SWORN IN AS MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NEWCASTLE centralisation

54-year-old British-Nigerian Chinyelu Susan Onwurah has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament for Newcastle Central.

Onwurah who became Newcastle’s first black MP in 2010 and re-elected in 2019, took to her official Twitter handle to thank the people of Newcastle Central and vowed to represent them properly.

Onwurah Wrote: “Today I was sworn in as Member of Parliament for Newcastle Central. It is an honour & a privilege to represent you, the people of Newcastle Central. However, you voted I am your voice in Parliament & will do all I can to help you.”

 

Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa also sent a congratulatory message to Onwurah, she wrote: “Hearty congrats and best wishes.”  

Onwurah’s mother was from Newcastle. Her father, from Nigeria, was working as a dentist while he studied at Newcastle University Medical School when they met and married in the 1950s.

Onwurah was born in Wallsend, Northumberland, her family moved to Awka, Nigeria, in 1965 while she was still a baby. Just two years later the Biafra War broke out, forcing her mother to bring the children back to Tyneside, while her father stayed there in the Biafran army.

She graduated from Imperial College London in 1987 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and was elected to Parliament in 2010 with a majority of 7,466.

 

 

Credit: LIB

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HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS CHARLIZE THERON OPENS UP ABOUT HOW HER MOTHER SHOT AND KILLED HER DAD IN SELF-DEFENCE

Hollywood actress Charlize Theron has never hidden the fact that her mother killed her father in self-defense when Charlize was a teenager, but she hasnt spoken much about the experience publicly. Now, the Bombshell star opened up to NPR about what exactly happened that night.

During the interview, Charlize said that her father, Charles Theron, was drunk and threatened her and her mother Gerda one night in 1991 when Charlize was 15.

“My father was so drunk that he shouldnt have been able to walk when he came into the house with a gun,” she said. “My mom and I were in my bedroom, leaning against the door because he was trying to push through the door.”

“So both of us were leaning against the door from the inside to have him not be able to push through. He took a step back and just shot through the door three times,” she said. “None of the bullets ever hit us, which is just a miracle.”

Gerda ended up shooting her husband and killing him to save herself and her daughter. “In self-defense, she ended the threat,” Charlize said.

The actress also said her father was a “very sick man” who “was an alcoholic all my life.”

“I only knew him one way, and that was as an alcoholic… It was a pretty hopeless situation,” she continued. “Our family was just kind of stuck in it. And the day-to-day unpredictability of living with an addict is the thing that you sit with and have kind of embedded in your body for the rest of your life, more than just this one event of what happened one night.”

Watch Charlize talk about that fateful night and how therapy has helped her over the years:

However, Charlize also said that, “of course, I wish what happened that night would have never happened. It’s unfortunately what happens when you don’t get to the root of these issues.”

Charlize added that she shares her story of family violence “with a lot of people.”

“I’m not ashamed to talk about it, because I do think that the more we talk about these things, the more we realize we are not alone in any of it,” she said. “I think, for me, it’s just always been that this story really is about growing up with addicts and what that does to a person.”

 

 

Credit: pulse.ng

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NEWLY CROWNED MISS WORLD AFRICA NYEKACHI DOUGLAS UNVEILS HER MISS WORLD’S ‘BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE’ PROJECT

 

Nyekachi’s project focuses on the riverine slum in Lagos, and how to help make the lives of growing children through education, personal hygiene and healthcare.

Watch the video below.

 

 

Credit: Bella Naija

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MOMS OF CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME SHOW UP AT COURT HEARING OF SINGLE MOM WHO LEFT HER SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD AT THE HOSPITAL, TO SHOW SUPPORT

Diana Elliot was feeling overwhelmed when she left her 14-year-old son Sheldon, who has down syndrome, at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. She was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree child cruelty.

Elliot was granted a signature bond Thursday in lieu of the $10,000 payment by a judge, WXIA’s Kaitlyn Ross reported. She was also granted a new support system, full of people she had never even met.

“Diana turned around and gasped when she saw them in the courtroom,” Ross posted on Facebook. “She had never met any one of these women and started crying when she realized they were there to support her.”

Other mothers who understand how she was feeling, showed up to court for her.

When the assistant district attorney asked Elliot where she would be living if released, Carla Griffin raised her hand.

“She will live with me. We are family now,” she said.

Griffin had a similar experience to Elliot 10 years ago, when she too left her 17-year-old special needs son at the hospital.

Elliot also found encouragement in the courtroom through the organization Black Mama’s Bail Out, who according to Ross, was willing to pay any expense it would take to get her out of jail. Other mothers with children who have down syndrome were also found in court supporting Elliot.

“This isn’t just today. We are not leaving her. We are not leaving this family. We are in this for the long haul,” said Sheryl Arno, Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta.

The association has set up a donations fund for Sheldon, Elliot and their family.

The 37-year-old left the eldest of her four children outside the hospital in a red minivan on December 4, reports The Washington Post. A nurse noticed the nonverbal teenager while on her break, Lieutenant Jeff Baxter said Tuesday in a press conference. After days of searching, police finally found who left Sheldon.

The single mother was living out of a hotel in DeKalb County at the time.

“She indicated that there were a lot of things going on in her life that were making it hard for her to support her family,” Baxter said. “She just kind of felt like she could no longer care for her kids.”

Baxter said there are certain responsibilities that come with raising a child, but he also could not imagine the difficulties in raising a special needs child.

Before her arrest, Elliot had no prior record. Her children were placed in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Macon defense attorney, Brian Jarrad, represented her pro bono. He too raises three children with down syndrome.

The Department of Children and Families still has custody of her children. Until she regains custody, she will be able to see them if and only when the department allows, reports CBS 46.

Source: blavity.com

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