Lifestyle
Black in Style: Kobe Bryant’s custom-made ring sparks controversy

Four years after his tragic death, basketball fans and non-fans alike proceed to honor and reflect on the impacts of Kobe Bryant’s legacy. Throughout his legendary profession, Bryant acquired a lot of accomplishments, including five NBA championship rings. Since his passing, fans have especially cherished any memorabilia honoring the basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Now, they’ve a likelihood to purchase a custom duplicate of Bryant’s 2000 NBA Championship ring.
Unlike most dupes that will exist, this ring was designed by Bryant himself as a present to his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant. Recently, the late basketball player’s father posted the ring for bidding through Goldin Auction, reigniting an old family rift. After they opposed his 2001 marriage to wife Vanessa Bryant (née Laine), the Lakers star’s relationship along with his parents further spiraled in 2013 when Bryant took his parents to court for attempting to auction off his highschool memorabilia without his consent. While they reached a settlement in court, the connection remained strained as his parents missed his 2016 championship game.
“Our relationship is s–t,” Bryant told ESPN in 2016. “I say (to them), ‘I’m going to buy you a very nice home, and the response is ‘That’s not good enough’? Then you’re selling my s–t?”
Despite the controversy, bidding for the 14-karat gold diamond ring is currently sitting at $141,000, and the auction ends on March 30.
Rare items of Richard Roundtree, Prince, Muhammad Ali, Cardi B, Whitney Houston, and more Black icons to be auctioned

While the late Richard Roundtree’s most well-known role is arguably none apart from Detective Shaft in the Seventies “Shaft” franchise, he eventually traded in his black patent leather jacket for a Stetson hat and cowboy boots.
Roundtree starred in the ‘70s Western film “Charley One-Eye” and later in the ‘80s series, “Outlaws.” For anyone seeking to stay ahead of the cowboy-core curve, items personally owned by Roundtree during that era are set to be auctioned off by GWS Auctions as a part of its upcoming “Artifacts of Hollywood and Music” auction. The collection features a leather belt holster worn by the actor during “Outlaws,” several different hats, including fedoras and a Stetson, one-of-a-kind Western-inspired David Yurman jewelry, and more.
In addition to Roundtree’s items the “Artifacts of Hollywood and Music” auction includes items by a few of Hollywood’s and history’s biggest names. Other stand-out items include a glove worn by Michael Jackson, Prince’s “Purple Rain” tambourine, a boxing glove and shoes worn and signed by Muhammad Ali, a dress once owned by Whitney Houston, the black latex dress Cardi B wore in the “Bodak Yellow” video, a signed photograph of a young Dionne Warwick, a pair of sunglasses, bracelet, and ring Jamie Foxx wore while co-starring in “Dreamgirls,” and so far more.
According to a release, a portion of the proceeds will profit a company necessary to the late Roundtree in addition to lead auctioneer Project Row Houses. Online bidding is already underway with live bidding set to kick off on Saturday, March 30, at 7 a.m. PST.
A brand new Black woman-owned fragrance brand debuts at Sephora
Brown Girl Jane is celebrating one other milestone. This week, the Black woman-owned fragrance brand and 2023 Sephora Accelerate alum made its debut on sephora.com.
“We have always been about creating a community and a brand that we wish we had when we were out in the world — one that both spoke to a wider audience and told stories of people who are oftentimes left out of the conversation,” co-founder Nia Jones said, per WWD. “We started the brand on sisterhood and that continues to be our North Star.”
Introducing their effective fragrance brand at Sephora, Nia and her sister and co-founder Malaika Jones are joining the retailer’s catalog of Black-owned brands, including Rihanna’s Fenty, Forvr Mood by Jackie Aina, Chris Collins, and more. In honor of its Sephora debut, Brown Girl Jane released a brand new exclusive scent: Carnivale Eau de Parfum ($102). With fruity floral notes like Caribbean mango, whipped musk, and vanilla, Malaika describes the fragrance as “the best party in the Caribbean, in a bottle.”
Click here to find Brown Girl Jane fragrances.
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Warby Parker x Theophilio
Edvin Thompson, founding father of Theophilio, teamed up with Warby Parker to create an eyewear design honoring his Caribbean heritage. Inspired by a pair of sunglasses worn by his father in an old family photo, Thompson designed the “Shaunie” sunglasses in tribute to his childhood nicknames, with an oversized, rectangular silhouette that’s each modern and nostalgic.
“These sunglasses are like a memoir for me,” Thompson said in an announcement, per Warby Parker. “I see my adolescence and my parents in them, but I also see the shape of things still to come. This collaboration is all about where I’m coming from as a designer and where I’m going next.”
In addition to the three Jamaica-inspired colorways available on Warby Parker’s website — Shade (black), Lemon Slice (yellow), and Sorrel (red) — Warby Parker and Theophilio also collaborated with Black Fashion Fair to curate an exclusive color, Soursop (green).
Learn more in regards to the collection at blackfashionfair.org and warbyparker.com
Áwet New York partners with UPS to highlight emerging BIPOC designers

UPS helps move fashion forward — and not only beyond its mailroom. Recently, the courier company teamed up with designer Áwet Woldegebriel of Áwet New York to launch a novel opportunity for designers of color.
Livewear, a New York City storefront, is described as a luxury space where emerging fashion, accessories and jewellery designers (and more) can apply to showcase their work. Understanding the financial disparities minority-owned businesses often face, UPS and Áwet’s year-long partnership will cover operating expenses for participating designers to be featured in-store, allowing designers to retain 100% of the profits generated from their participation. Additionally, the creatives chosen to look in Livewear will get a chance to design the subsequent UPS “Be Unstoppable” collection, which not only highlights the winning designer’s creativity but in addition focuses 100% of its profits back into funding the subsequent generation of fashion creatives.
Click here to learn more.
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz collaborate with Pinterest to spotlight Black artists

Last month, Alicia Keys and her husband Kasseem Dean, popularly referred to as Swizz Beatz, debuted their impressive art collection on the Brooklyn Museum. In an exhibit coincidently named “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys,” the musical couple displays 98 pieces by 37 Black artists — including Nick Cave, Amy Sherald, Lorna Simpson, Ernie Barnes, Derrick Adams and Arthur Jafa — from their personal art collection. In addition to highlighting the notable Black artists in the gathering, the couple has joined forces with Pinterest to virtually highlight Black art.
Chioma Nnadi’s debut British Vogue issue as head of editorial content has arrived

British Vogue is officially in a brand new era — one now helmed by a Black woman.
After succeeding Edward Enninful as head of editorial content in October 2023, Chioma Nnadi’s debut issue has arrived. The April issue stars FKA Twigs on its cover in the famous “pin needle” dress by Loewe; inside, the entertainer gives an intimate have a look at her life in an interview with Nnadi. The recent issue also features a viral feature celebrating the kind of actress and screenwriter Ayo Edebiri and more.
In her editor’s letter, Nnadi explains that after spending the last 20 years rising through the ranks at Vogue as a fashion editor in the U.S., upon returning back home to the U.K., she was reinvigorated during Fashion Week.
“…Back on home turf with the new responsibility and supreme honor of taking up the mantle at British Vogue, I knew my first cover star needed to be someone who defined that inimitable spirit. Luckily for me, it was an easy choice. FKA Twigs is an artist who represents the ideal of the modern British eccentric: she is a shape-shifter who rejects conformity and takes real joy in clothes,” she wrote.
Other Black covers we’re loving straight away include Regina King as she stuns on the duvet of Harper’s Bazaar and opens up about grief and perseverance; iconic supermodel Iman on the duvet of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia; Kevin Hart on the duvet of Wall Street Journal magazine, and Black women in the sweetness industry on the duvet of Essence.
Lifestyle
Tabitha Brown refers to negativity after he talked about the influence of the target boycott on black authors: “I pray for love to find you”

Tabitha Brown will all the time be in favor of black authors, black corporations, content creators and creations, regardless of what haters can say.
After Backlash after she told about how the target boycott affects black authors on Tuesday, May 20, a 46-year-old web personality and the writer doubled her support of her peers in the film sent Instagram.
“This is my prayer for you”, the founder of “Donny’s Reptipe” began in a movie, returned to all users flooding her comments and DM “uneducated” hate news.
“I pray for love to find you, true love. I pray that she finds you and keeps you tightly,” she continued. “I pray that somebody will love you sufficient to see you, see you whenever you do not feel good, see you whenever you need real support, to see you whenever you need sympathy to see you whenever you need kindness. I pray that somebody loves you sufficient to sacrifice your life.
In the video signature, Vegan influence on food explained that he was not withdrawing from his support in the near future.
“There is no hatred and ignorance that will stop me from using my platform and voice to support and raise small companies, black companies, black content creators, black authors,” said. “Take it with God because he gave me my voice, blessed me with a platform and I’m going to use it.”
Earlier on the same day, Brown devoted a moment to share an insight into how the destination boycott, began at the end of January after the retailer announced that he would withdraw the DEI initiative, influenced some of her peers. In the filmShe noticed that she had just received a plaque from the New York Times bestsellers on the occasion of her kid’s book “Hello Im, Sunshine”, and made her think about other black authors who try to move the titles from the shelves at the Big Box seller.
“Target is a huge seller of books that sells our books, so because of the boycott, many books of our black authors did not sell well, because people did not buy books because they are sold in target,” explained Brown. “This influenced their sale. This affected their ability to be on the New York Times bestseller list. But the bigger problem is that it also affects the next contract.”
Although she noticed that she wanted boycotters to be “attentive” on the impact of not shopping in Target, she also encouraged people to support black authors through other channels “because if not, they may not display their number.”
She also turned to publishers, calling them not to consider selling the last five months for the “truth” of these authors.
“These numbers do not reflect … their truth,” said the actress. “They are talented writers with beautiful stories and they have something that they did not do on them.”
When a boycott began for the first time, Brown was one of the first to defend black corporations. In January she received a bottle when she called for consumers to consider black corporations and black authors, trying to send a message to the seller.
In his film on Tuesday, Brown updates the followers of a boycott, saying that “he prays that it has soon ended and we receive resolution.”

(Tagstranslate) Tabitha Brown
Lifestyle
Schools announced to the National Battle of the Bands

Another national battle of bands will happen in Houston on August 23 at the NRG stadium.
According to Webber Marketing, he accomplished a press conference. The company is working With the unit of Harris – Houston Sports Authority and Lone Star Sports & Entertainment to bring the public the national battle of the Pepsi Battle of the Batts. It shall be the eleventh anniversary of the event.
Eight schools will present talents of musicians participating in the National Battle of the Bands.
“Officially, there is the composition of the National Battle of Pepsi in Pepsi in Pepsi and we bring 8 most dynamic marching teams in the country to the NRG stadium in August!”
“We try to raise the platform and experience each year,” said Derek Webber, general director of Webber Marketing and executive producer of the National Battle of the Bands. “NBOTB is more than a performance. It’s a move that celebrates tradition, talent and impact of HBCU throughout the country.”
Recommended schools are:
- Alabama A&M University – Marching Maroon & White
- Albany State University – Marching Rams Show Band
- Florida A&M University – “100” marching
- Jackson State University – sound boom in the south
- Langston University – Marching Pride Band
- North Carolina A & T State University – Blue & Gold Marching Machine
- Prairie view a & m university – Marching Storm
- Texas Southern University – “Ocean of Soul”
The event will include several functions for the community except and in reference to NBOTB.
2025 nbotb Weeknitowe Wydłody includes:
- Emerging Experience Conference: Powered by JPMorgan Chase, combining innovators and small business leaders. Free of charge with registration.
- Fan experience (Saturday, August 23 at NRG Center from 12:00 – 15:30):
Free, community -oriented event that enlivens the energy of the NBOTB weekend. The impressions of the fans are the following foremost activations: - Pepsi experience: Interactive experience with national performances of artists, live entertainment and the living market of suppliers and partners.
- HBCU College & Career Fair: An event wealthy in resources that mix students with HBCU and profession possibilities through details about parties, representatives on the spot and lots of others.
- Walk from the competition: Dynamic showcase of step and walking culture, celebrating black Greek letter organizations and HBCU tradition.
- Nbotb cares community outreach: Transfer of initiatives corresponding to feeding the involvement of the homeless and youth.
To get details about the event, people can go to the website www.nationalbattleofthebands.com. Information can be available through social media: @Nationalbattleoftheofthebands on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube. @Nationalbotb on Twitter.
(Tagstotransate) Battle of the Bands
Lifestyle
Prayer led Bobby Brown to search for therapy after losing Whitney Houston, daughter of Bobbi Kristina and son Bobby Jr.

Over the years, Bobby Brown had to endure great regret, including the worst nightmare of every parent, the death of a baby.
During the looks ofJennifer Hudson Show“On Monday, May 19, a 56-year-old R&B singer opened on how he moved in regret after the death of his daughter Bobbi Kristina, son of Bobby Brown Jr. and his ex-wife Whitney Houston.
“First of all, a lot of prayer, which absolutely took me to the point where I accepted therapy in my life,” said Brown Hudson. “I accepted going to the therapist and really solve all the problems I had in me.”
Brown, who was married to the manager Alicia Eteredgedge since 2012 and has five additional children, assigns her family and stays near his family members, “when times become” as a source of strength.
“They are still there because (regret) doesn’t end. It’s not like it is going to simply disappear. It will likely be with you ceaselessly, nevertheless it’s about coping with it and really being attentive to yourself. Paying attention to how you’re feeling that day and informing someone how you’re feeling.
Brown and Houston, who had a famous but passionate relationship, were married for 14 years from 1992 to 2007. They welcomed Bobbi Kristina, their only child together, in 1993 on February 11, 2012, Houston died by accidental drowning related to the use of drugs on the hotel on the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills. She was 48 years old. Bobbi Kristina died in an especially similar way on July 26, 2015, on the age of 22, and on November 18, 2020, Bobby Brown Jr., whom Brown shared with Kim Ward, also died of drug overdose. He was 27 years old.
From the death of Bobbi Kristina, who in July in July within the tenth anniversary, Brown honored his heritage while launching Bobbi Kristina Serenity HouseNon -profit, which provides resources to victims of domestic violence.
Brown told Hudson that his daughter was not largely due to domestic violence.
“What happened to my daughter, I don’t want it to happen with a child of another man or a woman,” said Brown. “That is why we have Bobbi Kristina Serenity House to be a safe haven for those who undergo domestic violence.”
He added: “It’s time to speak. You know, people have to speak and ask for help. And when you don’t ask for help, a friend must ask for help. We must watch out for themselves. House of peace is there, as I said, be a safe haven for those who have to escape from a situation that is not healthy.”

(Tagstranslat) Bobby Brown
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