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Eastside Golf Invitational Proves Golf Is For Everyone – Essence

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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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Widow of Stephen ‘tWitch’ boss Allison Holker slammed for dating a white boy after years of naive comments about raising children in white communities

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Allison Holker, widow of Stephen “tWitch” Boss, is clearly living her best life along with her recent man, but some fans aren’t too completely happy along with her.

On November 20, Holker posted a photo of her and her boyfriend Adam Edmunds embracing in what appears to be a street. She wore a dark dress with matching heels while her lover kept it casual in light pants and a dark shirt.

Stephen “tWitch” Boss’s widow, Allison Holker, is being slammed for finding love again two years after losing her husband. (Photo: @sir_twitch_alot/Instagram)

She wrote: “Thankful and happy! @adam.edmunds” in the caption.

Before dating Edmunds, Holker was on target to succeed in 10 years of marriage to “So You Think You Can Dance” star Stephen “TWitch” Boss. The couple met in 2006, but only made their relationship public in 2012. They married a yr later, in 2013.

However, Boss tragically committed suicide in December 2022, leaving Holker with two children and a stepdaughter with Holker.

Since her soft begin to her relationship with Edmunds, Holker has faced criticism about her leaving the Boss too quickly.

One person commented on this topic post“I frolicked in her shoes. My husband committed suicide a month after Twitch, which was almost 2 years ago, and I can not even imagine being in a relationship with someone that quickly. I even have two daughters who lost their dad and that is what I’m focused on without delay.”

Another one that responded in a different way said, “Can I just remind everyone who says ‘she moved on quickly’ that the marriage vows are ’till death do us part’ and NOT ’till death do us part’ you then will likely be sad for 10 years.” I can move on! Be completely happy for her. She has someone who will love her again and people beautiful girls of hers. If you possibly can’t be completely happy for her then possibly don’t comment…. I’m just saying…”

But another person felt concern for Holker’s two mixed-race children, Maddox, 8, and her 5-year-old daughter Zaia, whom she had with Boss.

The commenter, who is seemingly also a white woman with mixed children, said: “Why do so many WW have black children and then choose WM? I hope you teach your children about their culture and the reason…jmo.”

This is a topic that Holker considered. She and Boss were interviewed on “Entertainment Tonight” in 2020, when the Black Lives Matter movement was at its peak. Two parents expressed it their younger children were too young to grasp, regardless that Holker’s oldest daughter, Weslie Fowler, 16, asked questions and talked to her adolescent friends.

Holker even admitted to being “naive” about the subject at times because he grew up in a “very white community.”

But she said, “It’s time for us to tear down these walls. We have to open our eyes (to the fact) that this is really happening,” Holker said. “Just saying you’re not racist is not enough. We need to join in and help, because we are all in this fight. This is our world. This is the human race and we all need to be together and united.”

Later, the creator, entrepreneur and Boss said they might discuss the subject with their children after they become old. Holker continued: “We have mixed children and we would like to share this recommendation, this role and this education with them. “I think we’re not just educating our kids, but we really just want to educate others.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Lil Wayne, GloRilla and more will headline the Atlanta college football concert series

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Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Lil Wayne and GloRilla, Lil Wayne GloRilla AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, Lil Wayne Glorilla State Farm Arena, AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, college football concert series, Lil Wayne Glorilla college football concert, theGrio.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lil Wayne, GloRilla AND Camila Cabello are preparing to make their presence felt during the holiday concert series leading as much as the college football national championship game.

On Thursday, it was announced that the hit makers will headline the AT&T Playoff Live! will begin on January 18 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The two-day series will happen before National College Football Playoff Championship January 20, the same day as the presidential inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“The incredible line-up for this year’s AT&T Playoff Live playlist! will deliver an unforgettable experience in Atlanta where sports and music thrive together,” said Mark Wright, vice chairman of media services and sponsorships at AT&T. “It’s a great way to kick off the championship weekend and keep fans excited, regardless of which team they support.”

Hip-hop stars Lil Wayne and GloRilla will take the stage on January 18. Singers Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox are expected to perform on January 19.

Along with a series of live shows, country music artists Kane Brown and Ashley Cooke will perform in the Allstate Championship Tailgate, which will kick off the game day festivities. The tailgate performance will happen in front of Mercedes-Benz Stadium at Georgia International Plaza and The Home Depot Backyard.

Championship game ticket holders will have access to the tailgate concert.

Playoff Playlist Tickets Live! the series will go on sale on November 25 at 10:00 a.m. EST.

Previous performers in the concert series include Lenny Kravitz, Jack Harlow, Latto, Saweetie, Pitbull, Doja Cat, Usher, Meghan Trainor and Sting.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Richard Lawson’s ‘Lusting’ Over Meagan Good’s Sexy Post Has Fans Recalling His X-Rated Twitter Controversy, His Divorce From Tina Knowles

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Richard Lawson has outraged fans because his admiration for his ex-partner has left many social media users puzzled.

The 77-year-old actor has an eye fixed for talent and wonder, and Meagan Good is the epitome of each, or at the very least that is in accordance with a comment Lawson left on the actress’ last post.

The glamorous Good, 43, had all eyes on her when she donned a sparkling gold gown on the red carpet of the 2024 Ebony Power 100 Gala, and again when she posted pre-event footage of herself posing for the camera on the 2024 Ebony Power 100 Gala on social media. house.

The person behind the lens panned the camera from the ground to the highest of Good’s head as she served up her best glowing eye, twirled around and seductively moved forward.

Richard Lawson is known as out for appearing to “lust” his on-screen daughter Meagan. Good days after the actress revealed her engagement to Jonathan Majors. (Photos: Mrrichardlawson/Instagram; Meagangood/Instagram.)

Richard, like over 55,000 others, noticed this charming clip. In the comments he simply wrote, “MYYYYY GODDDD.”

Good was inundated with countless comments praising her appearance and congratulating her upon the news of her recent engagement to Jonathan Majors. The “Harlem” star revealed the connection news on the red carpet at an event in Los Angeles on November 17.

However, reactions to her post were tempered when Instagram blog accounts focused on Richard’s comment. Among the outraged reactions was one one who thought he was drooling on the sight of Good.

“Old men are so embarrassing,” one person said, while one other added: “She is beautiful though. However, saying it this way is a little scary.”

“This woman is the same age as your daughter,” the person wrote.

The “All My Children” veteran is the daddy of two adult children: 45-year-old daughter Bianca Lawson and son Ricky Lawson.

Someone else commented“He just played her daddy in a movie. Now that the movie is over, he’s trying to be a DADDY in real life.”

Lawson and Good starred in Tyler Perry’s “Black Divorce” this 12 months. They played father and daughter within the Netflix film, during which Good found herself in an abusive marriage after which divorced her on-camera husband, Cory Hardrict.

The project was released to the masses inside two years of Good, Richard and Hardict’s public divorces.

Lawson was previously married to Tina Knowles for eight years after they separated in July 2023. Around the time Knowles filed for divorce, Richard’s X-rated social media activity was revealed.

Twitter users got here across his liked tweets on the app, revealing that he had liked several pornographic videos and photos. A comment referring to the scandal reads: “I understand why Tina divorced him, it’s just embarrassing.”

A second comment on an analogous topic stated: “See, that was his problem on Twitter. He doesn’t know how you can lust alone.

In his defense, supporters said Richard wasn’t lying when he made the “MYYYYY GODDDD” remark.

One person wrote: “He just recognized her beauty!” Another user commented: “Richard has good taste, leave him alone, he won’t hurt anyone.”

Lawson, who also played the “For Colored Girls” playboy, sparked controversy when he wrote in 2022 that Kelly Rowland in her Catwoman latex costume was “bordering on soft porn.” He laughed indignantly when a fan jokingly suggested that Knowles desired to wear an attractive outfit.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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