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Eastside Golf Invitational Proves Golf Is For Everyone – Essence

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1 month ago

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Under a warm September sun at Liberty National Golf Course in Jersey City, New Jersey Eastside Invitational Golf Tournament It felt like a historic moment within the making. With sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, black athletes, celebrities and business leaders gathered on the pristine fairways not only to play, but to redefine what golf could appear to be.

Invitation, presented by Mercedes-Benz USAwas greater than only a sporting event — it was an announcement about inclusivity, luxury, and the facility of representation. Stars like Anthony Anderson, Terrence J, Angie Martinez, CC Sabathia, and Victor Cruz got here out in support, adding their voices to the growing chorus that golf really is “everyone’s game.”

The Eastside Golf Invitational proves that golf is a game for everyone

Erica J. Bolden, head of diversity and inclusion at Mercedes-Benz USA, was the driving force behind this groundbreaking partnership with Eastside Golf, a brand founded by Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper. Both former collegiate athletes, Ajanaku and Cooper founded Eastside Golf with a mission to make the game more accessible to communities of color. Their iconic logo—a black man in mid-swing in jeans and a sweatshirt—quickly became a logo of cultural fusion, combining streetwear with a sport that had long been the domain of the elite.

“When we first approached Eastside, we knew it was about more than just sponsoring an event,” Bolden said. “We wanted to help them create real, lasting change, and golf was a powerful way to do that. This partnership is about more than branding—it’s about changing the way people see the sport and who has a place in it.”

The Eastside Golf Invitational proves that golf is a game for everyone

The relationship between Eastside Golf and Mercedes-Benz USA goes beyond the superficial level of sponsorship. Bolden emphasized the importance of constructing long-term, sustainable change within the communities they serve. “Anything I do in the community, I want to make sure it’s mutually beneficial. I don’t want it to be just a sponsorship where we slap our logo on something and go away,” she explained.

The partnership not only lifts up black athletes and entrepreneurs, but additionally opens doors for future generations. Mercedes-Benz has supported the Morehouse College golf team and provided scholarship funding for college students excited by the game. “We’ve made it clear that we’re building a pipeline for talent,” Bolden said. “There are internships, scholarships, even emergency funds to make sure students don’t lose out on opportunities to succeed.”

The Eastside Golf Invitational proves that golf is a game for everyone

Liberty National Golf CourseWith its world-class facilities and iconic backdrop, it has hosted prestigious events just like the PGA Tour. But the sight of black golfers, celebrities and entrepreneurs having fun with the course was groundbreaking in a sport where diversity had been left behind. For many years, golf had been synonymous with exclusivity, a world that seemed far faraway from the lived experiences of many black athletes and fans. But the Invitational was a daring statement that it was time for change.

The roots of exclusion in golf run deep. From the times of Charlie Sifford and Althea Gibson fighting for his or her place on the course to Tiger Woods breaking barriers, the game has struggled with diversity. But Ajanaku and Cooper are a part of a brand new wave of innovators pushing the game into uncharted territory. Mercedes-Benz, with its heritage of luxury and innovation, saw the vision and joined forces with Eastside Golf to make an actual impact.

The day of the Invitational was electrifying. Celebrities and competitors strolled the course, joking with one another, however the camaraderie was full of purpose. Eastside Golf, which began as a vision between two friends, is now making waves in an industry that has historically been slow to alter. “I love seeing how diverse it is now,” Bolden noted, taking within the scene. “Started by two black men, originally thinking about the black community, but now expanding beyond it. That’s what makes the partnership so special—now it’s everybody’s game.”

The Eastside Golf Invitational proves that golf is a game for everyone

The Invitational wasn’t only a golf tournament; it was a culture shift. Eastside Golf’s signature apparel, from fitted caps to polo shirts that remember black culture, was worn with pride by attendees, a walking billboard for what the brand stands for. But as Bolden notes, it’s the brand’s growth and continued deal with giving back that sets it apart. “They started small, but now their ambassadors are everywhere, and they’re still giving back. That’s what I love most—they haven’t lost sight of where they came from.”

By the top of the day, the event’s significance was undeniable. Black athletes, influencers, and executives reclaimed an area that always felt off limits. “That’s how you make a lasting impact—you have to engage, feel it, and be there,” Bolden said. “And we’re just getting started.”

The Eastside Golf Invitational proves that golf is a game for everyone

Looking ahead, Bolden sees even larger things for Eastside Golf. “I’d like to see more women involved in the game. And with the pace at which Eastside has grown, I know we’ll see even more progress. This partnership is about more than just golf—it’s about changing the culture.”

As the sun set over Liberty National (with a closing performance by rapper Fabolous), the Eastside Golf Invitational wasn’t just in regards to the celebrity competitors or the luxurious setting. It was in regards to the power of representation and the long run of black excellence in golf. Eastside Golf and Mercedes-Benz USA are coming together to prove that the sport isn’t only for the elite—it’s for everybody.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Gayle King slams Megan Thee Stallion, calling her a ‘slut’ after confessing she lied about her relationship with Tory Lanez

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3 hours ago

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November 2, 2024

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Gayle King responds after Megan Thee Stallion admits she lied during 2023 interview. (Photos CBS Mornings / YouTube)

Gayle King is not concerned after hearing Megan Thee Stallion call her a “bitch” within the Prime rapper’s latest documentary “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words.”

In a latest Instagram video, the “CBS Mornings” host immediately responded, saying, “Hey, I’m sitting here minding my very own business. People contact me and say, “Hey Gayle, Megan Thee Stallion just called you a bitch.”

“I do know you are expecting me, or possibly you’re thinking that I even have something negative to say. I do not. I even have nothing but great, great love and respect for Megan Thee Stallion. I’m at all times rooting for her,” King added, before turning to what she considers more necessary topics, equivalent to the 2024 election next week.

Gayle King responds after Megan Thee Stallion admits she lied during her 2023 interview. (CBS Mornings Photos/YouTube)
Gayle King responds after Megan Thee Stallion admits she lied during her 2023 interview. (CBS Mornings Photos/YouTube)

Fans responded to King’s message, defending the “Savage” rapper. Two said, “She didn’t mean it that way,” and “She said the word b—tch out of endearment, but clearly didn’t admit that Meg had lied to her.”

A 3rd fan scolded the 29-year-old for calling King by name: “I’m sorry, no matter what context she said, respect your elders… it was inappropriate and disrespectful.”

In a documentary that aired on Halloween, Megan Thee Stallion gives fans insight into her personal thoughts and feelings following the rapper’s sentencing Tory Lanez. Lanez was found guilty of three felony charges in 2022 following a 2020 shooting incident that left Megan shot within the foot.

After the controversial and widely discussed trial, the “Hot Girl” coach had a one-on-one interview on “CBS Mornings,” during which King asked her if she was intimate with Lanez.

Megan denied it on the time, but almost eight months later, during her testimony in court, she confessed that she and Lanez were close.

At the time, a lot of Lanez’s supporters and Megan’s haters took this confession as ammunition and justification for his or her claims that Megan was falsely accusing Lanez of shooting her too.

In the document, she truthfully explained why she lied to King within the interview. She said, “Fuck yeah. I lied to Gayle King, bitch. First of all, I don’t know if this female dog even wanted to ask me this shit. I thought we were going to talk about this shooting. Why are you asking me about fucking Tory? That’s not what this is about.”

The “Bigger In Texas” artist continued, “Even if I… fucked that nigga once, possibly twice on a drunken night. You kept knocking me out of my fucking mind.

Megan’s second confession is now causing backlash from fans who imagine Tory is, the truth is, innocent. Many people imagine that Megan’s former best friend, Kelsey Nicole – who was present on the time of the shooting – was the actual wrongdoer within the situation and imagine that she was the one who pulled the trigger on Megan.

Prior to the incident, Kelsey was also romantically involved with the Toronto resident, which many imagine sparked an argument between the three of them in a automobile that resulted in Megan being shot in the summertime of 2022.

Lanez is currently serving a 10-year sentence and plans to appeal his case while maintaining his innocence.

One of Lanez’s representatives released a statement to TMZ in response to the video wherein Megan admits to lying. They said: “The fact that Megan lied about her sexual relationship with Tory clearly makes her an unreliable witness. If someone lies to millions of people, how can you trust what they say next time?”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Roy Wood Jr. explains why he left “The Daily Show”

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6 hours ago

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November 2, 2024

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Roy Wood Jr. was on the short list of people that could develop into host of “The Daily Show” after Trevor Noah. Many people guessed or assumed that he would eventually get the job. One day, Wood announced that he was leaving this system. Why? We enter “Masters of the Game”, which is now streaming on theGrio platform.

There is quite a bit to this story, but let me provide you with the shortened version. Every time I hear a few black person voluntarily leaving their job, I feel anxious. Can we actually ensure there will probably be one other one??? Maybe I’m silly, but anxiety should not be logical. But I asked Wood why he left, and his most vital point was this: he needed to be in charge of his future. He was on The Daily Show waiting for them to make a call, and that meant putting his future in other people’s hands. He desired to be the captain of the ship that was his profession.

Wood told me he left his job not knowing what lay ahead. I love the courage he showed. Leaving a job without knowing where you are going takes courage, especially while you’re a parent. I also admire his persistence in controlling his profession. We often rush to do what we were hired to do as a substitute of attempting to create a situation where we do what we would like. Wood has built his skilled life around doing what he wants. Not everyone can do that, but there at the moment are more tools that can help you try. Just take heed to Wood discuss leaving “The Daily Show” and see what you concentrate on yourself and your job. Don’t miss Wood on “Masters of the Game,” now streaming on theGrio.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Bad Acting’ Under Fire as Singer Kamala Harris’ Impassioned Speech Provokes Backlash

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9 hours ago

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November 2, 2024

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Jennifer Lopez is getting loud in regards to the politics of the ultimate days of the presidential race. The actress is one in all several Puerto Rican artists who’ve expressed support for Vice President Kamala Harris as election day approaches.

Lopez, 55, collected votes for the Democratic candidate during an event in Las Vegas on October 31. Her presence on the political event got here days after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe ridiculed Latinos at a Donald Trump rally.

The comic included a lot of racist jokes at their expense and likewise called Puerto Rico a “garbage island” during an event at Madison Square Garden. Lopez is from the Bronx, New York, but her parents were born and raised in Puerto Rico.

Jennifer Lopez slammed for faking emotion during Kamala Harris’ rally speech. (Photo: Jlo/Instagram.)

The island is a territory of the United States Commonwealth of Nations and its structure was developed by Congress, although the territory oversees its internal government.

Document describes Puerto Rico as “a state free from an overarching authority to administer its own local affairs, but affiliated with the United States of America and therefore part of its political system in a manner consistent with a federal structure.”

As the Oscar-nominated actress spoke to Nevadans, she echoed Harris’ campaign to shape a way forward for unity and inclusion.

“I promised myself I would not get emotional, but you recognize what? … We needs to be guided by emotions. We needs to be nervous. We needs to be afraid and outraged. We should. Our pain matters; we matter. You matter,” Lopez told supporters. At times he appeared to be holding back tears.

As the “Pretties” star prepared to say, “I am American,” Lopez closed her eyes, clenched her fist and apparently took a breath to regain her composure. She then delivered impassioned words, noting her Puerto Rican heritage but additionally her American upbringing. “And yes, I was born here and we are Americans,” she exclaimed.

Her ability to emote returned when she said, “I like Hollywood endings. I like it when a good guy, or in this case a good girl, wins. With an understanding of our past and confidence in our future, I will proudly cast my vote for Kamala Harris for President of the United States.”

Although Lopez was praised for a few of her on-screen performances, not everyone was convinced that her displays of emotion were real.

“Bad acting,” wrote a Trump supporter. Someone else is critical he wrote“Her acting skills have not improved.” Several others said her speech solidified their votes for the previous president.

Even Lopez’s use of a teleprompter was met with criticism, with one person writing, “I read and I’m a good actress.” A like-minded person wrote: “This isn’t authentic to me. I believe that the speech must be top-notch. Real feelings and emotions. Nothing written down, just an honest conversation straight from the heart.”

The comments were further derailed when the conversation brought up Lopez’s personal life. One Instagram user said, “JLO, you always choose the wrong guy!” The artist is within the technique of divorcing Ben Affleck, her fourth husband since 1997. The poor decisions also include her past romantic relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Their story has resurfaced amid speculation in regards to the tycoon’s bizarre tapes of other celebrities exposing themselves. The tycoon is currently in prison on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges and is awaiting trial set for May 2025.

He is in custody on the controversial Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The comment said: “Forget about emotions. You should be ashamed!” While signing autographs, Lopez recently faced questions on her past with the music director and the alleged tape. This crime provoked her to run away.

Others who criticized her rally look were distracted by her latest look. – What happened to her face? – they asked, seemingly noticing that her cheeks seemed fuller than in previous outings. However, her fans left comments like, “She was amazing! The best celebrity speech ever! Let’s go!”

Other Latin stars who’ve expressed support for Harris include Lopez’s ex-husband, Marc Anthony, as well as superstar Bad Bunny.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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