Lifestyle
Percival Everett wins the National Book Award for his Huckleberry Finn-inspired epic “James.”

NEW YORK (AP) – Percival Everett’s “James,” a daring reworking of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” won the National Book Award for fiction. The winner in the nonfiction category was “Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling” by Jason De León, while the finalists included Salman Rushdie’s memoir about his brutal stabbing in 2022, “The Knife.”
The youth literature prize was awarded Wednesday night to Shifa Saltaga Safadi’s coming-of-age story “Kareem Between,” and the poetry prize was awarded to Lena Khalaf Tuffah’s “Something About Living.” In the translation category, the winner was “Taiwan Travel Diary” by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King.
Evaluation panels composed of writers, critics, booksellers and other representatives of the literary community chosen from lots of of submitted entries, and publishers nominated a complete of over 1,900 books. Each of the winners of the five competitive categories received $10,000.
Everett’s victory continues his remarkable development over the past few years. Little known to readers for many years, the 67-year-old was a finalist for the Booker and Pulitzer Prizes for such novels as “Trees” and “Dr. No” and the novel “Erasure” was adapted into the Oscar-nominated “American Fiction”.
Continuing Mark Twain’s classic about the wayward Southern boy, Huck, and the enslaved Jim, Everett tells the story from the latter’s perspective and highlights how in another way Jim acts and even speaks when whites usually are not around. The novel was a finalist for the Booker and won the Kirkus Prize for Fiction last month.
“James was well received,” Everett noted during his speech.
Demon Copperhead novelist Barbara Kingsolver and Black Classic Press publisher W. Paul Coates received Lifetime Achievement Medals from the National Book Foundation, which awards the awards.
Speakers praised diversity, disruption and autonomy, whether it was Taiwanese independence or immigrant rights in the US. The two winners, Safadi and Tuffaha, condemned the years-long war in Gaza and U.S. military support for Israel. Neither mentioned Israel by name, but each called the conflict “genocide” and were met with cheers – and more subdued reactions – after calling for support for the Palestinians.
Tuffaha, who’s Palestinian-American, dedicated her award partly to “all the incredibly beautiful Palestinians this world has lost, and all the wonderful ones who survive, waiting for us, waiting for us to wake up.”
Last yr, publisher Zibby Owens withdrew support for the awards after learning that the finalists planned to sentence the war in Gaza. This yr, the World Jewish Congress was amongst critics of Coates’ award, citing partly his reissue of the essay “The Jewish Onslaught,” which was called anti-Semitic.
National Book Foundation executive director Ruth Dickey said in a recent statement that Coates was being honored for his body of labor, not for any single book, and added that while the foundation condemns anti-Semitism and other types of bigotry, it also believes in free speech.
“Anyone who looks at the work of any publisher over the course of almost fifty years will find individual works or opinions with which they disagree or find offensive,” she added.
The National Book Awards took place way back in mid-November, shortly after the election, and supply an early glimpse of the book world’s response: hopeful in the wake of Barack Obama’s 2008 victory, when publisher and honorary winner Barney Rosset predicted a “new and uplifting program.” ; grim but determined in 2016, after Donald Trump’s first victory, when fiction winner Colson Whitehead urged viewers to “be kind to everyone, make art and fight power.”

This yr, as lots of gathered for a dinner ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street in downtown Manhattan to have a good time the seventy fifth anniversary of the awards, the mood was certainly one of sobriety, determination and goodwill.
Host Kate McKinnon joked that she was hired because the National Book Foundation wanted “something fun and light to distract from the fact that the world is a bonfire.” Musical guest Jon Batiste led the crowd in a round of “When the Saints Go Marching In” and sang a couple of lines from “Hallelujah,” the Leonard Cohen standard that McKinnon somberly performed at the starting of the first “Saturday Night Live” after the 2016 election.
Kingsolver admitted that she feels “depressed at the moment”, but added that she has faced despair before. She compared truth and like to natural forces equivalent to gravity and the sun, that are at all times present whether you may see them or not. The screenwriter’s job is to assume “a better ending than the one we were given,” she said.
During Tuesday evening’s reading by the award finalists, some spoke of community and support. Everett began his turn by confessing that he really “needed this kind of inspiration after the last few weeks. In a way, we need each other. After warning that “hope just isn’t a technique,” he paused and said, “Never has a situation seemed so absurd, surreal and ridiculous.”
It took him a moment to understand that he wasn’t discussing current events, but fairly was reading James.
Lifestyle
10 black brands of footwear that are in style and business

On the heels of New York Fashion Week, it appears to be suitable for emphasizing the style of footwear. Black company Curator 10 distinguished black shoes that shine with creativity and innovations. Shooting designers behind these brands again define the style landscape and prove that the support of black corporations is essential for the black style and culture in addition to economy and existence. Their daring projects and powerful messages still encourage, which provides undeniable influence on the world of fashion.
Aminah Abdul Jillil
Aminah Abdul Jillil founded her luxurious brand footwear in 2012, acting as a creative director. Known for daring projects and signatures of large arches, brand Priorities for quality and craftsmanship. The high -class footwear brand is meant for girls and children and is on the market in over 50 countries and cooperates with Macy’s. Each project reflects the Amiina background in dance, combining elegance with dynamic, speaking silhouettes.
Brother Vellies
Creative director Aurora James founded his brother Vellies in 2013, introducing aesthetics of footwear, which marries the normal African artistry with contemporary luxury. The footwear company is taken into account to be the behavior of African design traditions while obtaining global recognition. Mark offers a number of handmade The consumption of footwear, which incorporates shoes, apartments, heels, sandals and mules, all made of top quality materials. At a time when climate change is an issue, Vellies’s brother was about sustainable development and ethical production on the subject of the production of his products.
Cute
Kahmune has established a brand new standard in the footwear industry, celebrating diversity, while providing premium craftsmanship. Jamela Achempong founded Kahmune in 2016 to assume the concept of “naked” in fashion Fighting for locating shoes It matched her skin tone. The brand has handmade shoes in 10 unique shades of melanin, which make sure the switching on buyers who are various shades of the skin. The shoes are made in Italy, combining high -quality materials with timeless, sophisticated patterns.
Jessica Rich
In 2018, Jessica Rich launched its brand. Rich created an attractive, elegant and stylish footwear line for confident women. The collection could also be Bought from retail sellers Throughout the country and led to cooperation with Steve Madden. Rich gained recognition of the industry after winning the prize, a prize with Footwear News designer of the yr appeared, strengthening its appearance in the style industry.
Both collections
Just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the brave, trend brand of footwear was introduced with a characteristic style that combines the taste of the eastern and west coast. Devlin Carter founded Sia Collective, introducing an modern tennis room with DOPE heel designs. . The shoes of the footwear disrupts Traditional aesthetics of shoes with fresh, eye -catching styles. Each tennis liner incorporates a component that distinguishes SIA and is a mirrored image of Carter’s personal journey. Sia Collective has loyal supporters because of its creative and supporting borders. Characteristic designs are available to each men and women.
Sunni Sunni
Sunni Dixon learned the art of footwear design and created a fusion of a street class and style, the inspiration of Sunni Sunni in 2020. The brand is Inspired by black culture and the era of the chocolate city of DC. Sunnickie Sunnickie projects embodies daring aesthetics that challenges traditional fashion. The brand specializes in Unisex shoes and shoes. Sunni Sunni carved a transparent space in the footwear industry, defining modern cultural elegance.
Armando Cabral
Armando Cabral, a model that became a designer, launched his brand of footwear in 2009, debuting from the gathering I emphasized quality design. Specializing in leather shoes, the brand is thought for well -thought -out design and attention to detail. By attracting inspiration from African heritage, Armando Cabral projects mix cultural elements with luxury, positioning the brand as a high name in footwear. Cabral Armando shoes are elegant and timeless elements that are pretenders in the luxurious footwear industry.
Kendall Miles Designs
Kendall Miles founded its luxurious brand footwear in 2015. The footwear line is handcrafted and made of premium materials similar to leather and fur. Footwear specializes in different stylesIn this apartments, shoes, sandals and pumps, all known for prime quality and attention to detail. As an organization coping with black, Kendall Miles combines sophistication with unique craft skills and establishes a robust presence of luxury footwear in the marketplace.
Cattle
This luxurious brand of footwear, created for girls by women by Women, introduced in 2019 by Diana Dube. Bydose is thought for its elegant, minimalist design and offers elegant and fashionable footwear, specializing in simplicity and sophistication. Bydose connects premium artistry with modern, sophisticated aesthetics. The brand quickly drew attention to the timeless charm and high -class, stylish shoes.
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Joanne Vernay
Joanne Vernay is totally vegan, using biodegradable fabrics as an alternative of leather or polyurethane, which makes it an ecological brand in its project. The collection was Created by Dyandra Raye footwear designer In 2018 and offers an opulent design together with concentration on sustainable development. Designs derive inspiration from fruits and vegetables. High -class style and environmental awareness distinguishes the brand in the marketplace of luxury footwear.
(Tagstranslata) Footwear industry
Lifestyle
Anthony Macki’s interview on “The Pivot” causes a debate on masculinity, parenthood, success and others

Raising black boys in America in 2025 sounds as complex as all the time, especially should you take the word of Anthony Macki on this matter.
The 46-year-old father of 4 boys and actors recently appeared in “Pivot“Podcast to debate his profession, parenting and way more, including the way in which he instilled certain values in his sons.
“Over the past 20 years we have experienced the death of an American man … But I raised my boys to become young men,” said the star of “Captin America: Brave New World.” He added: “They literally killed masculinity in our homes, for one reason or one other.
Developing further, he said that he was teaching his sons who’re on the age of 15 to eight to be respected and humble, say “yes, sir” and “yes, lady”, open doors for girls and turn out to be suppliers.
Mackie added that when he leaves town, his 15-year-old son becomes a “man of the house”.
“If I’m not there to protect, he must be there to protect,” said the actor.
To keep his sons humble, the actor “twisted metal” said in his home that “they do not do the whole internet of flying SH …”.
“I keep my boys humble,” he said, “My boys never had a couple of Jordan.”
His comments about his value and thoughts on the “death” of Masculinity received mixed reactions online. While some decided that his attitude was fascinated, a homophobic recording, others praise him as a “traditional” sensitivity and seriously treat his responsibility as a father. There are others who of their defense noticed that Mackie mentions how the homosexual character has expanded its viewpoint in the identical conversation.
The actor explains that growing up within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, culture was raging homophobia. However, at the identical time he comes from New Orleans and, seeing local cultural figures, similar to Big Freedia Rise and going to art school, Mackie was also exposed to many strange artists. Receiving a strange figure, he said, let him higher understand many individuals in his life, including his roommate, brother and others.
“I used my art to improve,” he said.
He also expressed his thoughts concerning the widespread belief that tough work would result in success.
“We lie to our children,” he explained. “We tell our children if they do this good grades and go to programs.”
The way he sees it: “Success is not earned.”
Then he said that a person could possibly be essentially the most “brilliant mother f …”, but still requires someone who will touch their concert.

(Tagstranslate) Anthony Mackie
Lifestyle
6 dances of the line that serve black joy

Dancing has been a key element of expression in black culture for a very long time. In addition, dance connects people in the community to experience black joy. One of the common types of collective dance is line dance, during which a bunch of people dancing in the line, performing the same dance steps to music that shared the choreography. At the worst time, at the worst time, at the worst time, Black company I’ll meet six classic dances that show energy, ingenuity and creativity of black culture. These dances are a way to have fun, and in addition reflect the living soul of black expression in the form of movement.
Shoes on earth
Shoes on earth are a reasonably latest dancing of the line that has social media in the clutch. The song Call and Response 803 Fresh leaves southern Carolina Rides and raises dance. Dancers are frequently wearing cowboy shoes and waving fans in the air. Shoes on earth will definitely be nearby for a few years.
Buying
The Cupid Shuffle is a well-liked Cupid dance song (Bryson Bernard), which was Published in February 2007. The energetic rhythm and straightforward choreography made the song and dancing the basis of all dance floors during cruises and family conventions so that people could synchronize and dance.
Electric slide
“Electric Boogie” is the song of Marcia Griffiths, which was released in 1983. She became widely known for his relationship with Electric Boogie Dance, which is known as an electrical slide. A catchy rhythm of the song and electric moves of dancing boogie catapulted her in the pantheon of line dances. The electric slide remains to be performed at events and other events, and sometimes for the popular song Frankie Beverly and Maze “Bet and Let Go”.
Wobble
“Wobble” is a VIC linear dance song that was released in 2008. The song is an incredible party and dance hit because of the easy -to -learn dance movements and a catchy rhythm. Dance consists of easy steps during which the demonstrator moves asideHe moves the hips up after which climbs forward or step back with music. His fun and interactivity are the principal causes of success over the years. Wobble remains to be a favourite at wedding parties, clubs and events.
Cha chas slide
“Cha chas Slide” is a funk linear dance song DJ Casper, which was released in 2000. Tune introduces suggestions step-by-step He moves to the dance like the left and right slide, the “cha cha” step and the bend. This is primarily at parties, weddings and fitness classes. Due to the joyful optimistic pace and the fact that it engages the audience, the Chas Cha chas remains to be a modern linear dance.
Soul railway line
The Soul train line is a dancing tradition, which was first introduced in the television program, which was broadcast in 1971–2006. The Soul train line consists of two rows of dancers directed to one another. People or couples dance in the middle lane created by the dancer line. While people at the front show their dance movements, others in the audience support the dancers sliding down the line. The Soul train line is exclusive, very expressive and spiritual. It stays favorite at parties, weddings and social events.
(Tagstranslatate) dance music
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