Gabe's Musings

Friday, April 19, 2019

Cardi B Ain't Copping Pleas, Rejects Deal in Connection with August Strip Club Brawl

“They do anything for clout,” raps Cardi B and her hubby boo Offset in their newest video, but what Cardi won’t do is accept a plea deal.

Fox News for Negroes? Upcoming 'Black News Channel' Looks Pretty Conservative

Thursday’s announcement of the launch of a groundbreaking news channel aimed at black audiences set the internet on fire. There would finally be a news organization focused on issues important to the black community.

Get a Free Better Than Sex Mascara and Mascara Melt Off With a $35 Too Faced Purchase

It is a pretty bold claim to make that mascara is better than sex, but Too Faced is confident when naming their products. If you love to stock up on their mascaras, eye shadow palettes, highlighters, and more, you’re in luck. Right now, with a $35 purchase, you can get a free mini Better Than Sex Waterproof mascara…

Yes, Issa Rae Is Too Booked and Busy for Insecure Right Now. No, 'Busy' Doesn't Mean 'Baby'

Issa Rae is a busy woman. She is a Cover Girl, she’s building up that IMDb filmography, and I’m sure there’s likely some other pending projects we’re not even aware of yet.

'Move the Campus': #GentrifyingGeorge Says Students Should Move Howard University If They Have A Problem With Gentrification

Howard University’s yard isn’t a dog park, but the historic black university in Washington, D.C., has been reduced to as much by colonizing residents who have made it their home (and Lassie’s).

10-Year-Old Raniya Wright Died of Natural Causes, Prosecutor Says

Raniya Wright, the South Carolina fifth grader who died after a fight at her elementary school last month, died of natural causes, according to Colleton County coroner Richard Harvey and prosecutor Duffie Stone, who spoke at a news conference Friday.

Finally Try Out a 15 Pound Weighted Blanket For Just $35, the Cheapest We've Seen

Have you been looking to try out a weighted blanket, but didn’t want to pay the hefty price tag? I don’t blame you. Some blankets can cost well over $200, but weighted blankets are said to be incredible for those who have anxiety. If you want to try one out, but are working on a budget, we’ve got a deal for you.

Mueller Report Reveals How Black Activists, White Tears and Racism Helped Trump Become President

Hidden in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s now-public but heavily-redacted “Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election” is a trove of information concerning the plot to use black grassroots organizations to help Donald Trump become America’s 45th president.

The Alleged Mistress of Pizza Godfather Herman Cain Is Ready to Describe His Sausage to a Senate Committee

Ginger White is a woman on a mission. And that mission, it appears, is to keep former pizza guru Herman Cain off the Federal Reserve Board, and she’s willing to go as far as describing Cain’s private parts to the Senate Banking Committee.

Russia Report Catches Sarah Huckabee Sanders in a Lie and When Pushed on It, She Lies Again

The Devil’s mouthpiece aka White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, aka Suckabee, takes all her cues from the president.

This Is the Cheapest Roomba We've Ever Seen

The Roomba 614 is the most entry level Roomba, but still, we’ve never seen an authentic iRobot vacuum for $150. Hell, we’ve never seen one for under $200.

Remy Ma Under Investigation for Allegedly Punching Love & Hip-Hop Co-Star

Since her release from prison in 2014, “All the Way Up” rapper Remy Ma has gone to great lengths to rehabilitate her image. She’s become invaluable to VH1's Love & Hip-Hop empire, she’s joined husband Papoose in becoming the unofficial brand ambassadors for “Black Love,” and she co-hosts the popular talk show State of…

Ariana Grande Was Paid Twice As Much As Beyoncé For Coachella Performance

One year later, Beychella is still on the minds of many. With the release of her new Netflix documentary, it is evident that Beyoncé has made a cultural impact on our society. The performance celebrated every facet of blackness imaginable and paid homage to those who paved the way for so many, but even after this…

Lil Yachty Is Behind the 'Real Ass Bitch' Aura of 'Act Up' by City Girls, Says He Wrote Most of the Lyrics

On April 18, 2019, The Toxic Masculinity Brigade held an emergency meeting after receiving a press release informing them that the “real ass bitch, give a fuck about a nigga” lyric that has annoyed their ashen spirits has been brought to you by none other than Lil Yachty.

Friday's Best Deals: Kate Spade, HyperX, Smart Scale, and More

A J.Crew Factory sale, Nanoleaf smart light panels, and a discounted AeroGarden lead off Friday’s best deals from around the web.

Exclusive: Roxane Gay and Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom to Release 'Badass' Podcast Called Hear to Slay

Attention fellow badass women! There’s a new podcast coming just for you. I mean, everyone else can listen, too, but it’s made for the badasses.

First Look: When They See Us Full Trailer Released 30 Years After Attack That Forever Changed the Lives of the Central Park Five

The much-anticipated series chronicling the Central Park Five, When They See Us, is nearing its debut, and we now have more footage to whet our appetite.

io9 Star Trek: Discovery Goes Out With Sound and Fury, Signifying...Something | Jalopnik Ken Block’s

io9 Star Trek: Discovery Goes Out With Sound and Fury, Signifying...Something | Jalopnik Ken Block’s New Ford Raptor Is About to Start Another Trend | Kotaku The Emulator In Capcom’s Home Arcade Is Stirring Controversy | Lifehacker Is It Safe to Leave My Smartphone on My Wireless Charger? | The Takeout Ask The Salty…

Study: Cannabis Can Reverse the Aging Process in the Brain

Just in case you need another reason to smoke a joint, a study reveals that cannabis may actually reverse the aging process in the human brain.

In the study, which was led by researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany and published in the journal Natural Medicine, scientists found that cannabis helped older mice retain certain cognitive abilities that usually digress with age.

According to the study, older mice were given a small amount of THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, over a period of four weeks. In turn, the mice regressed to the mental state of a two-month-old mouse. On the other hand, younger mice who were exposed to THC performed slightly worse on tests that measured their memory, behavior, and ability to learn.

“[The] results reveal a profound, long-lasting improvement of cognitive performance resulting from a low dose of THC treatment in mature and old animals,” the study reports.

Andras Bilkei-Gorzo, a neuroscientist who participated in conducting the study, told Voice of America that they were bedazzled by their findings. “The treatment made the young brain old and the old brain young. So, that was something that was above our imagination,” Bilkei-Gorzo said, as reported by voanews.com.

This scientific discovery could help researchers find ways to slow down or even reverse the cognitive aging process of humans. It may also lead to a medical breakthrough when it comes to treating age-related diseases like dementia.

“Cannabis preparations and THC are used for medicinal purposes,” the study reports. “They have an excellent safety record and do not produce adverse side-effects when administered at a low dose to older individuals. Thus, chronic, low-dose treatment with THC or cannabis extracts could be a potential strategy to slow down or even to reverse cognitive decline in the elderly.”

Editor’s note: This article originally published May 11, 2017.

The post Study: Cannabis Can Reverse the Aging Process in the Brain appeared first on Black Enterprise.

Racial Profiling or Nah? TSA Scanners Are Singling Out Black Women

For black women throughout the world, “Don’t Touch My Hair” is much more than the pinnacle of Solange’s discography, it’s dogma—or an ominous warning that both life and limb can be lost should you cross that line.

Get Glowing Skin This Spring With Ole Henriksen's 20% Off Sale

As we head into the warmer season, it is important to take care of your skin. Wearing sunscreen is critical during the summer months, but there are more ways to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. If you’re not already using a vitamin C serum, you should because it can brighten, firm, and hydrate your skin. If you’ve…

Slavery, But Make It a Bodice-Ripper: Ancestry.com to Pull Offensive, Ahistorical Ad

The DNA testing company Ancestry.com says it’s pulling an ad depicting a mixed-race couple during antebellum slavery after a furious—and well-deserved—backlash accusing the company of romanticizing and whitewashing the reality of interracial sexual relationships during that period.

Revisiting Zhané's Debut Album, the Perfectly 90s Album, Pronounced Jah-Nay

When I think of the 90s, there are a few specific groups, songs and television shows that immediately come to mind. Martin, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jodeci, SWV, Wu-Tang Clan, Jade’s “Don’t Walk Away,” Groove Theory’s “Tell Me,” (for my money, one of the best and most 90s songs of all time) and indisputably Zhané’s…

Black Millennials Are More Optimistic Than Their Peers and Don’t Want to Drive Your Uber, According to New Survey

Think of a millennial in the workplace, and a host of stereotypes probably pop up. Maybe you envision a beanie-clad, kombucha-swilling engineer hunched over a laptop in an open office. Or maybe a 30-something manager sorting invoices over cold avocado toast. Or maybe you picture someone juggling a bunch of gig jobs:…

Turn Heads This Wedding Season With a Completely Unique, Perfectly Tailored Suit From $289 [Exclusive]

Custom tailored suits aren’t just for Very Important Business People with Super Platinum Medallion status and briefcases that cost more than your rent. At Indochino’s prices, custom suiting is attainable for all, and that’s especially true with our exclusive sale.

Thursday, April 18, 2019

3 Years After the World Lost Prince, His Heirs Still Have Yet to Receive a Penny: Report

It has now been almost three years since the world lost the musical genius, legend and icon known as Prince, but his estimated $200 million estate remains mired in all kinds of drama, with his heirs yet to see one dime.

NYC Council Votes to Bar Companies From Testing Job Applicants for Marijuana

In what’s being called a groundbreaking measure, New York City’s City Council has passed a bill banning most companies from testing job applicants for marijuana.

Fox News Host Laura Ingraham's Gonna Learn Today: Don't Come for Chrissy Teigen Unless You Want That Smoke

Don’t come for Chrissy Teigen unless you’re called.

Black Cannabis Business Owners, Pioneers, and Trailblazers to Celebrate on 4/20

Whether or not you plan on celebrating 4/20—a national holiday for cannabis culture—there is no denying the impact and growth of the “green rush” and the lucrative opportunities that the cannabis industry offers as more states and popular opinion shifts toward marijuana reform and prohibition.

Here’s a roundup of nine black entrepreneurs, pioneers, and trailblazers paving the way and profiting in the cannabis industry.

Fab 5 Freddy

Legendary hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy will make his directorial debut on 4/20 with the release of Grass is Greener, a Netflix documentary that tackles the controversy surrounding marijuana, its influence on music and pop culture, and the devastating impact its criminalization has had on black and brown communities. The film features interviews with Snoop Dogg, members of Cypress Hill, DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Chuck D, Damian Marley, and Killer Mike.

Much of the film centers on the instrumental role that cannabis played in black music. “Cannabis was integral in that development. The prominent architects of jazz were cannabis users, particularly down in New Orleans,” My film looks at this history.”

The documentary also examines how racist propaganda was used to influence public policy and demonize and disenfranchise people of color. “A concerted effort was mounted that led to the criminalization of cannabis in 1937 and the continual focus on people of color,” he said.

The former TV host of Yo! MTV Raps says he was inspired to make the film by a friend who had been arrested for his involvement in the underground cannabis market and, as a result, was shunned from working in the industry legally due to his criminal record. “We see a lot of white guys on TV specials who were never involved in cannabis business. Now, they can happily make millions of dollars.” On the other hand, “people of color have been disproportionately targeted and focused on by these unjust laws,” said Freddy.

Grass is Greener will premiere on Netflix on April 20, 2019. Watch the trailer below.

CJ Wallace

Think BIG Founder (Image: CJ Wallace)

Inspired by his late father, hip-hop legend Christopher “Biggie Smalls” Wallace, CJ Wallace founded Think BIG, a company that creates curated cannabis products rooted in three core pillars: creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. “Cannabis has been a huge tool for my family for as long as I can remember,” Wallace told BE. “Both of my parents used cannabis to access their creativity and to deal with the stresses that they went through.”

Think BIG advocates for safe use of cannabis through the development of new products, stories, research, and charitable projects, while promoting the plant’s ability to aid in personal expression, health, and wellness. The brand also strives to be a champion of criminal justice reform—advocating for the decriminalization of the plant. “Many people don’t know my dad was arrested for a cannabis conviction before he died,” said Wallace. “So had he lived, he would have been dealing with the criminal justice system like so many other black men.”

Hope Wiseman

Dispensary Owner Hope Wiseman (Image: Instagram)

At the age of 25, Hope Wiseman became the youngest African American dispensary owner in the country in 2017 when she opened Mary and Main, a medical dispensary in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The former star of E!’s WAGS Atlanta encourages people of color to invest in the industry as it continues to grow. “This will be bigger than the dot-com boom,” Wiseman told BE at the 2018 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit. “African Americans should be focusing on positioning themselves to be valuable in the industry—figure out what your niche is in the industry,” she advised.

Snoop Dogg

[Snoop Dogg at the Lucca summer festival in Italy in July 2015 (Image: iStock/stefanodalleluche)]

In addition to being one of the most important cultural figures in the cannabis industry, Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus is reportedly making major profits from the plant. In 2015, he co-founded the venture firm Casa Verde Capital, which invests in ancillary cannabis businesses that do not touch the plant. That includes agtech, health & wellness, financial services, technology, media, compliance and laboratory technology. According to TechCrunch, Casa Verde Capital closed its debut fund with $45 million last year. Prior to that, Casa Verde Capital had already invested over $1 million in cannabis businesses. Half of their funding is allocated towards follow-up investments.

Brittany Moore and Alphonso T. Blunt Jr.

Blunts+Moore Dispensary (Image: Instagram)

Brittany Moore and Alphonso T. Blunt Jr. opened the first equity marijuana dispensary in Oakland last December. Aptly named after the founders, the “Blunts + Moore” dispensary offers over 500 cannabis-infused products, including flower, pre-rolls, edible, vapes, and CBD products. According to a Black Enterprise report, the founders worked in the cannabis industry for years before opening the dispensary:

Blunt is a lifetime Oakland resident and Castlemont High School graduate and has worked for Alameda County for 13 years. His roots in Oakland run deep; he has built long-standing relationships in the community. Incidentally, he has been working to open his own dispensary since 1999.

His partner Moore has several years of operational experience as the general manager of cannabis dispensaries in Colorado and California. Moore is a member of several community organizations working to create participation and economic empowerment for the cannabis businesses that include the Hood Incubator, Minority Cannabis Business Association, NORML, and Women Grow.

Dasheeda “The WeedHead” Dawson

Dasheeda “The WeedHead” Dawson at the 2018 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit (Black Enterprise)

Dasheeda “The WeedHead” Dawson is a global cannabis advocate, award-winning executive strategist, and the author of How to Succeed in the Green Rush, a workbook for entrepreneurs, contractors, and professionals looking to transition their skills into the legal cannabis industry. As an industry thought leader, Dasheeda is helping to change the image of cannabis as mainstream medicine. She is also the founder and CEO of MJM Strategy, a digital-focused strategy and management consulting firm in the cannabis industry.

Mary Pryor

Mary Pryor, co-founder of Cannaclusive (Twitter.com/MsMaryPryor)

In 2017, Mary Pryor teamed up with two other women of color, Tonya Flash and Charlese Antoinette, to create Cannaclusive, a photography and financial education firm that provides stock imagery of people of color using cannabis for brands and media and educates people of color about investment opportunities in the industry. According to its website, “Cannaclusive was created to facilitate fair representation of minority cannabis consumers.” The founders say they “were inspired by the growing opportunities yet disappointed by the diversity issues taking root in mainstream cannabis culture.”

Mike Tyson

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Mike Tyson is taking full advantage of Nevada’s marijuana industry, which brought in more than half a billion dollars in 2018 alone. Earlier this year, the former heavyweight champion opened a 40-acre marijuana resort in Southern California called Tyson Ranch that produces high-quality strains of THC and CBD. The cannabis champ also announced a partnership with Planet 13, a top dispensary in Las Vegas, which exclusively sells Tyson Ranch cannabis products, reports KTNV.

Click here for more black cannabis entrepreneurs.

The post Black Cannabis Business Owners, Pioneers, and Trailblazers to Celebrate on 4/20 appeared first on Black Enterprise.

Be A Greener Parent With These Eco-Friendly Baby Products

Becoming a mom has made me super conscious of the amount of waste we create, especially because little kids go through so much stuff in their first couple of years. I want to make sure that we, as a family, are as responsible as we can be, so that our son can have a comfortable Earth experience.

Pioneering Hip-Hop Journalist Dee Barnes, Now Homeless, Gets a Hand-Up From Wendy Williams

Life has admittedly not been easy for hip-hop media pioneer Dee Barnes, but perhaps things will start to get a little brighter with the help of talk show host Wendy Williams.

Magic Johnson Joins Ice Cube’s Bidding Group to Acquire Sports Networks From Disney

Rapper, actor, and entrepreneur O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson Sr. announced Wednesday that Magic Johnson has joined his underdog bid to acquire 21 regional sports networks (RSN) from Walt Disney Co. “Very happy to add Magic Johnson to our bidding group for Disney’s RSNs,” wrote Jackson in a tweet.

Very happy to add Magic Johnson to our bidding group for Disney’s RSNs. pic.twitter.com/0MoaOdTfLt
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 17, 2019

Jackson has placed a bid to buy the RSNs through his 3-on-3 basketball league, Big3, which he founded in partnership with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz in 2017. The traveling summer league gives former NBA stars the opportunity to compete in half court 3-on-3 games while offering sports fans a cherished moment of nostalgia. Should he win the bid, Jackson plans to air content from celebrities and athletes such as Snoop Dogg, Serena Williams, and Will Smith, who has also joined the project.

As of now, it has not been confirmed whether Johnson, who abruptly stepped down as president of the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month, will be lending financial support to the effort.

The regional sports network airs Detroit Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings games, along with 21 sister stations. The local networks have been for sale as part of The Walt Disney Co.’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets. According to the Los Angeles Times:

Disney agreed to sell the sports networks to get clearance for its $71-billion takeover of 21st Century Fox Inc.’s entertainment empire, a transaction that closed last month. Regulators were concerned that Disney would have too much control over sports television if it owned both ESPN and the regional broadcasters. Disney has to sell the networks within 90 days of the Fox deal’s completion on March 19.

In addition to Big3, other offers in the final-round bids for the sports networks have been submitted by telecom billionaire John Malone and his Liberty Media Corp. in partnership with Major League Baseball along with the Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. All offers are reportedly in the neighborhood of $10 billion.

The post Magic Johnson Joins Ice Cube’s Bidding Group to Acquire Sports Networks From Disney appeared first on Black Enterprise.

Beyoncé and Michelle Obama Are Drunk in Love

Beyoncé and Michelle Obama have been out in these streets hailing each other’s praises and it’s honestly the kind of content that makes paying my internet/phone bill worthwhile.

The 10 Best Deals of April 18, 2019

We see a lot of deals around the web over on Kinja Deals, but these were our ten favorites today.

#StayWoke: Don’t Let Russia Report Blind You, Trump’s Trying to Put Undocumented Immigrants Out of Public Housing

On the eve of the biggest literary release since Superhead’s first book, the Trump administration, being the cauldron of sneaky shit done while America isn’t paying attention, has proposed a new rule to end public housing aid for undocumented immigrants.

Oops Upside Your Head: 65-Year-Old Woman (and Her Bat) Give Burglar the Business

Clarese Gainey of Gainesville, Fla., is about that action.

Disguise Your Cat’s Litter Box With This Bench, Now Down to Its Best Price Ever

Let’s get this out of the way – cat boxes are gross. I understand that life isn’t like Meet the Parents and I cannot teach my cats how to use a toilet. So, they have to use a box in the corner of my room. But man, litter boxes are not pretty to look at and they smell even worse. If there is any way I can hide the cat…

Donald Glover Presents a New Adidas Collection and — Plot Twist — Mo’Nique Is Involved

What goes on in Donald Glover’s mind?

Trial Over Black Man Shot by Alabama Police Officer, Now on Its 9th Judge, Set for Trial

Three years ago, a white police officer shot and killed an unarmed black man in Alabama.

via Instagram

Beyoncé, Queen of Benevolence, Is Re-Releasing Lemonade Across All Streaming Platforms

Beyoncé knows that 2019 has been a shit show, so not only did she bless us with a Beychella documentary on Netflix, she’s also re-releasing the audio from her album Lemonade. A benevolent queen.

Express Is Acknowledging Spring With a 40% Off Sitewide Sale

Spring is certainly something to celebrate, and Express is using the incoming warmer temperatures (fingers crossed!) as an excuse to take 40% off everything for men and women, including clearance. But like the seemingly never-ending cold weather, this sale won’t last forever, so snag the styles you want — everything…

For The Love of Money

My friend Toni and I text a lot and for good reason. We are the same age. We divorced young. We have small children. We work together.

HBO Tells Real Life Night King to Kill It With Game of Thrones Memes

HBO knows that all of us are super-hype about this last season of Game of Thrones, and yes, that includes the Night King and his White Walkers but they don’t want old blue eyes using GOT for his political bullshit.

Oops Pow Surprise: Kodak Black Arrested at U.S. Border, Faces Weapon and Weed Possession Charges

Welp. The ashen troglodyte known as Kodak Black (born Bill K. Kapri) has been arrested on weapons and gun charges.

WNBA Star Lindsey Harding Becomes Philadelphia 76ers' First Female Coach

Lindsey Harding is used to breaking records. During her time as a guard at Duke, she became only the sixth player in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 250 steals. In 2007, she was named the Naismith College Player of the Year and won the WBCA Defensive…

Pages - HTML

Translate

Pages

Pages

Pages

Friday, April 19, 2019

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Fab 5 Freddy

CJ Wallace

Hope Wiseman

Snoop Dogg

Brittany Moore and Alphonso T. Blunt Jr.

Dasheeda “The WeedHead” Dawson

Mary Pryor

Mike Tyson