This op-ed was submitted from a member of our enthusiastic community of readers. If you’re interested in sharing your opinion on any cultural, political or personal topic, create an account here and check out our how-to post to learn more.The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word “crown” as “the top or highest point of something.” That definition dovetails perfectly when considering the brand-new legislation, recently signed into law in California, that legally protects K-12 students and persons in workplaces from discrimination based on their natural hair. For hundreds of years now, Black hair as an expression of one’s self has been at the heart of Black identity and consciousness. But also, for countless years, within a myriad of spaces—whether the military, schools, or workplaces—rules and policies have existed that severely limit or outright deny Black people the option of wearing their hair as they so choose. California’s  “CROWN” Act, “CROWN” being an acronym for  “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair”, makes California the first state in the United States of America to outlaw discrimination based on hairstyle choice.The CROWN coalition, led by California State Senator Holly J. Mitchell, is composed of an impressive and diverse array of heavy-hitters, who tirelessly worked in partnership to pass the CROWN Act. The CROWN coalition includes but is not limited to the National Urban League, a historic organization focused on Black rights and equality, as well as Dove; purveyors of hair products and other grooming products owned by Fortune 500 company Unilever. The partnership of such varied groups (state legislators, a Fortune 500 company, and a minority advocacy group) shows just how deep and important the subject matter of hair discrimination is.  California State Senator Holly J. Mitchell, when speaking about the historic legislation, stated, “The CROWN Act will prohibit employers and schools from enforcing purportedly race-neutral grooming policies restricting natural hairstyles. Additionally, while anti-discrimination laws presently protect the choice to wear an afro, afros are not the only natural presentation of Black hair. SB 188 (the CROWN Act) ensures protection against discrimination based on hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles.”Some might express surprise when learning of just how rampant and pervasive hair discrimination still is. Issues around and discriminatory behavior related to the wearing of natural hairstyles exist both within the nebulous world of general discrimination (i.e: offensive comments about hairstyle, employees not receiving promotions or certain assignments based on their hairstyle). And additionally, even in 2019, some workplaces still have explicit workplace policies, within their employee manuals, that prohibit Black, natural hairstyles in the form of afros, braids, and locks. Here’s a pop quiz for you—when did Black women in the United States Army first become able to wear their hair styled in braids or locs? Wait for it—2017. That right—2017.In 2017, US Army Regulation 670-1, was revised to state that Black women serving in the army would now be able to wear their hair in “dreadlocks/locks”, a style that had previously been explicitly banned within the army’s grooming codes. That such an important and storied organization as the United States Army had previously enforced discriminatory hair practices serves to show just how pervasive discomfort and prejudice is towards Black natural hairstyles. The CROWN Act, within the text of the bill, goes into detail about the history and chronology of discrimination based on natural hairstyle, reading, "The bill points to the history of anti-Black racism in the United States and the role it has played in shaping Eurocentric beauty standards and ideas of what constitutes a professional appearance. Professionalism was, and still is, closely linked to European features and mannerisms, which entails that those who do not naturally fall into Eurocentric norms must alter their appearances, sometimes drastically and permanently, in order to be deemed professional.”In 2018, a truly heartbreaking video clip went viral. Andrew Johnson, a Black high school wrestler in New Jersey was at a wrestling match when the referee (who was white) demanded that he make a soul-crushing choice—he could either cut his hair, which was in a natural, locked style, or he would have to forfeit the wrestling match. After making the decision to proceed with the match, which this young man had been practicing and preparing for, a woman comes behind him with scissors and proceeds to cut his individual locs off, one by one, while the audience and other student-wrestlers look on. In direct response to this shocking and videotaped display of overt discrimination, the State of New Jersey recently introduced similar legislation, banning discrimination based on natural hairstyles.  Additionally, New York City recently banned discrimination based on natural hairstyles. It is also remarkable that the California CROWN Act, which was recently signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, was unanimously voted for by the California State Assembly.The passage of California’s CROWN Act struck a chord within me, as I reflected, as a Black woman, upon my own history with hairstyles. Several years ago, I grew out my own hair relaxer, after having had a relaxer in my hair since I was about 12 years old. I have also noticed over the past few years, at my hip Black hair salon on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, I rarely see other patrons having hair relaxers applied to their hair anymore. For what it’s worth—whether because of the current absence of hair relaxer in my hair, or the months of prenatal vitamins that I took while pregnant with my second child, my hair is healthier and thicker than I ever remember it being. That my hair is thriving and doing so well has made me ask myself some difficult questions about what the underlying reason was for my decades-long commitment to hair relaxers, prior to stopping my use of them in 2017.As for many little Black girls, the arrival of summer signals the time for cornrows and braided styles, and our 5-year old daughter is no exception. Braided styles serve as an excellent protectant against hair damage, and make hair management while swimming and engaging in other summer activities a breeze. A few weeks ago, our 5-year old patiently endured a 4-hour hair-braiding session and emerged from it with a head full of gorgeous braids. As she moved her head from side to side, admiring her appearance in the mirror, my mommy pride surged. It is my hope that laws like the CROWN Act, and other similar legislation, will help to ensure that in her future, whether at school or eventually, at work, others will look at her and treat her with the same admiration and respect for her appearance that I feel.New city and state laws require that employers and organization leaders be constantly cognizant as to the changing national conversation around social mores and discrimination. To this end, employers should constantly be creating and disseminating workplace policies that address these issues. Additionally, it is key that employers, in the instance that an employee does engage in illegal discriminatory behavior, perform a thorough and independent investigation into said behavior, and to swiftly and definitively perform any corrective measures necessary. Triangle offers policy-writing services, and also performs expert-level investigations into allegations of...

Rain Pryor Vane, actress and daughter of the late Richard Pryor, has officially filed to run for Baltimore City Council in 2020, writes The Baltimore Sun.A happy Birthday indeed. Guess who registered to run for Baltimore City Council!! Rain Pryor Vane made it official today! More details to follow! #Baltimore #baltimorecity pic.twitter.com/WrQ0Tv3ist— Rain Pryor (@RainPryor) July 16, 2019 Pryor, who submitted paperwork on her 50th birthday Tuesday, indicated she is running as a Democrat. The writer is looking to unseat first-term Councilman Ryan Dorsey, who she claims does not listen to the needs of his constituents regarding the city's crime rate.  "It's kind of, 'My way or the highway,'" Pryor said of the incumbent's mentality.In response to her filing, Dorsey said Thursday that he welcomes Pryor's competition, as well as third Democratic candidate Nichelle Henson."I welcome Ms. Pryor, Nichelle Henson, and anybody else who may join the field, and look forward to campaigning on my record of legislative accomplishments and service to the constituents and communities I represent," the Baltimore native said.  Pryor says her interest in public office began when she witnessed her daughter being the subject of tormenting and harassment at her elementary school in 2017. The conflict with school administrators served as a catalyst for her to officially enter the race. "I'm listening to the people who have lived here for generation after generation," the author said. "We need to keep them here and invite new people to come and stay in our community."Born in Los Angeles, Pryor relocated to Baltimore in order to avoid the "Hollywood craziness" that came with being the child of a celebrity. Per the Sun, she was influenced by an anecdote on Maryland written by Octavia Butler, a late science fiction author. I lived in Baltimore for 13 years. Perhaps to you, that’s a “hot minute”. I have had family here since the 1920s and a few who still reside here. I want to serve my district and community and provide towards its growth. So, before you judge, hear me out. 😉 https://t.co/KaXV2XNbOm— Rain Pryor (@RainPryor) July 17, 2019The Democratic primary is scheduled for April 28,...

Point 'Em Out is an editorial series where Blavity Arts writer Ida Harris explores the latest and the greatest in Black art. Thanks to modern-day technology, we get to be virtual consumers of yesterday's icons and today’s most innovative Black artwork, and — if we're lucky — the Black geniuses who produce them.Very few humans reach global greatness in their lifetime. Yet, when they do, it is due to some noble accomplishment that us mere mortals don't even have the audacity to execute, much less even dream of. Often they are public figures who sacrifice themselves for the greater good. These types of people trade in their basic being to carry the weight of the world upon their shoulders. Nelson Mandela is these types of people. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nelson Mandela Foundation (@nelsonmandelafoundationsa) on Jul 4, 2019 at 3:58am PDTIt seems that Mandela lived most of his revered life as a global servant, on the public stage, from his early years as a student activist to later years as president of South Africa. The world over has witnessed Madiba, which he is affectionately called, protest racial laws in his fight against apartheid in South Africa as a ranking member of the African National Congress (ANC). He captivated followers as he resisted "white domination" and "Black domination," as he strived for "the ideal of a democratic and free society," which he discussed in his famous four-hour "Speech From the Dock" in 1964.Mandela served a 27-year bid for sabotage and was incarcerated for some time at Robben Island, the most infamous prison in Cape Town. Many reveled in Mandela's reemergence into society when he was released from prison in 1990 and celebrated when he became the first democratically-elected president of South Africa. He went on to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.Because Mandela's pedigree as an iconic freedom fighter developed under the world's eye, one might assume to know all there is to know about his awesome sauce. However, it may be news to know that our dopest African leader was a visual artist on the low. Reproductions of his works are available through House of Mandela, a digital gallery preserving Mandela's creative legacy, which is run by his family.At the age of 83, Mandela began painting to "step out of his comfort zone and turn his memories into art," his daughter Dr. Makaziwe Mandela, wrote on the gallery's website. The statesman started with the Struggle Series, a collection of sketches on paper depicting images of a fist, a set of hands bound by handcuffs, hands breaking handcuffs, a hand holding another hand, a child's hand nestled in an adult's hand and an artist statement. Each image symbolizes and is titled for its respective phase in the struggle: struggle, imprisonment, freedom, unity and future. View this post on Instagram A post shared by House of Mandela Art (@houseofmandelaart) on Mar 15, 2019 at 12:22am PDTRobben Island is another collection of colorful charcoal drawings that highlight aspects of the prison; "The Window," "The Lighthouse," "The Harbor," "The Church" and "The Cell," which features Table Mountain in the distance. In this series, viewers get a whiff of Mandela's visual memory. View this post on Instagram A post shared by House of Mandela Art (@houseofmandelaart) on Feb 19, 2019 at 1:00am PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by House of Mandela Art (@houseofmandelaart) on Mar 4, 2019 at 1:04am PSTThe most profound image is a stand-alone piece titled "27," which obviously represents each year Mandela was held captive in a concrete jail cell due to his social justice activism, recognizing freedom requires a fight. View this post on Instagram A post shared by House of Mandela Art (@houseofmandelaart) on Aug 1, 2018 at 10:00am PDTBorn July 18, 1918, Mandela lived till the ripe age of 95. Although he transitioned in 2013, his legacy is infinite. It is refreshing to learn that despite his radical history and political and social background, he made space for his creative spirit. Along with every piece of himself he leaves us, his artistic footprint is just powerful.101 birthday blessings to a real...

If we ever need a reminder about the legal oppression of Black people, we don't need to look too far back in time. The United States ended the traditional Jim Crow era in the mid-1960s, legally putting a stop to racial discrimination on paper, while also making way for the new Jim Crow era of today. Still, the optimistic bunch can say we are 50 years removed from those horrendous times. While 50 years is not long, our brothers and sisters in South Africa have only half as many years of legal segregation behind them. Apartheid — the institutionalized racial segregation that took place on the Continent — ended just 25 years ago. To put that time frame in context, Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love To You" was the No. 1 song in the U.S. and O.J. Simpson was gearing up for the ride of his life. Meanwhile, South African hero Nelson Mandela took his post as the nations first Black leader since its colonization.Each year, July 18 is remembered as Nelson Mandela Day. In an effort to celebrate Mandela and honor his legacy as a political trailblazer, let's examine South Africa's five Black presidents and their contributions to the nation.  1. Nelson Mandela (1994–1999) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nelson Mandela Foundation (@nelsonmandelafoundationsa) on Jul 4, 2019 at 3:58am PDTSouth Africa's first Black president is a global icon. Born July 18, 1918, Rolihlahla 'Nelson' Mandela spent the majority of his life fighting against racial oppression in his homeland. Before becoming the first Black leader of South Africa, the activist co-founded the nation's first Black law firm in 1952, Mandela & Tambo. In 1964, the South African government infamously sentenced Mandela to life in prison for sabotage. Mandela was released once the ban imposed by the South African government against his political party, the African National Congress (ANC), had been lifted. At that point, he had spent about 27 years in jail. After taking office as the first president of South Africa on May 10, 1994, he continuously broke barriers and remains among the most influential political activists and philanthropists in history.2. Thabo Mbeki (1999–2008) View this post on Instagram A post shared by zolelwa pearl momoti (@zolelwapm) on Jun 19, 2019 at 6:30am PDTBorn June 18, 1942, Thabo Mbeki had tremendous shoes to fill as the next elected successor to follow the Mandela presidency. Also a member of the ANC, Mbeki left South Africa in 1962, returning after the end of the party's ban. During Mandela's term, he acted as deputy president.Although his political reign was not as spotless as Mandela's — like his 2008 resignation stemming from a multibillion-dollar scandal he was later exonerated from — the leader is known for taking a "for us by us" approach when it came to addressing African conflicts. Though many find his intervention in Zimbabwe controversial, his foundation lists Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo among the many countries he's assisted.3. Kgalema Motlanthe (2008–2009) View this post on Instagram A post shared by YourFineArtPhotography (@yourfineartphotography) on Nov 8, 2018 at 4:50am PSTThe third Black president to govern South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe was born July 19, 1949, and led South Africa for one year. According to South African History Online, Motlanthe was unjustly sentenced to prison in 1977 and served 10 years for his involvement with the banned ANC. It seems as though he was not overly ambitious to lead South Africa, but he remained committed to the role. During his governance, Motlanthe changed his tune and took a more serious approach to the HIV/AIDS epidemic overlooked by his predecessor. After his one-year term, Motlanthe became South Africa's deputy president, under former President Jacob Zuma.4. Jacob Zuma (2009–2018) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jacob G Zuma (@presjgzuma) on Jan 26, 2019 at 1:16pm PSTBorn April 12, 1942, South Africa's fourth Black president took office on May 9, 2009, but stepped down on February 14, 2018, and is currently under investigation for alleged mass corruption. However in 1998, many years before all this controversy, Zuma won the Nelson Mandela award for outstanding leadership. While allegations of deception may taint his political legacy, he's also been credited with slightly improving the economy, furthering the fight against HIV/AIDS, successfully acquiring the first FIFA World Cup in Africa, and addressing issues in education.5. Cyril Ramaphosa (2019–Present) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@cyrilramaphosa) on May 25, 2019 at 6:00am PDTCyril Ramaphosa , who was born November 17, 1952, acted as deputy president during Zuma's second term. Listed as one ofTime 's 100 Most Influential People, Ramaphosa finished Zuma's term and was re-elected as South Africa's fifth Black president in May 2019. With the legacy of the ANC resting on his shoulders, the successful businessman has his hands full in his new political position. Though he's issued the same promises new presidents make, only time will reveal the effect he has on South Africa.It seems as though none of Nelson Mandela's successors have been able to live up to his greatness. Then again, he did set the bar pretty high. Each listed president has sacrificed their comfort, and sometimes their freedom, to build a political party that stands for the people. As South Africa grows and the apartheid era becomes a memory regulated to history books, hopefully future leaders reach and exceed Mandela's...

Fed up with partisan bickering on both sides of the aisle, presiding member of the House and Democratic representative of Missouri Emanuel Cleaver threw in the towel on Tuesday. Earlier this week, House Democrats and Republicans convened to decide whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s remarks were “in order” regarding President Donald Trump’s racist Twitter storm attacking Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar. Pelosi condemned Trump for his “racist tweets,” sparking tense partisan debate, and a successful House vote to censure the president with the support of only four Republicans.According to Insider, when Republicans moved to strike Pelosi’s comments from the record and described several Democrats as “anti-American,” Rep. Cleaver lost his cool. “We don’t ever, ever want to pass up, it seems, an opportunity to escalate, and that’s what this is. We want to just fight. I abandon the chair,” he said, before tossing the gavel and walking away from the podium. While presiding in the House, @Repcleaver: "We don't ever, ever want to pass up, it seems, an opportunity to escalate, and that's what this is…we want to just fight. I abandon the chair." pic.twitter.com/tEikUaRYPt— CSPAN (@cspan) July 16, 2019Following Cleaver’s declaration and stunning exit from the House floor, Democratic Rep. G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina presided over the remainder of the session. Soon after, House members voted on a motion to strike Pelosi's comments, which failed in a 190-232 vote. An additional vote was conducted to determine whether Pelosi was allowed to speak for the next 24 hours; that motion passed. Cleaver is the co-chair of the House Civility Caucus. After his walkout, Cleaver said he’s “increasingly frustrated with the childish rancor of our public discourse,” in a statement.  “I call on all of my colleagues and all of America to listen more and talk less, to show compassion for those who are in pain, and to resist the temptation to fight when others wish to...

Activists worldwide are mourning the loss of fellow changemaker and journalist Hodan Nalayeh, who was killed in a terrorist attack Saturday near Somalia's southern port city of Kismayo. Hodan Nalayeh dedicated the last year of her life showing the world all the beauty & prosperity that Somalia has to offer. Today’s Al-Shabaab attack on her+other journalists & humanitarian aid workers wasn’t random; they are funded to undermine any efforts of stability in Somalia pic.twitter.com/ujCFsrRluD— Hanna Ali (@HannaAli) July 12, 2019 According to NBC News, the Somalia-born reporter and 26 others perished after armed gunmen opened fire at the Asasey hotel. Per the news site, Nalayeh's husband Farid Jama Suleiman also lost his life in the ambush. "She spent her life devoted to serving the Somali people and reporting on positive, uplifting stories," a statement from the late journalist's family read. "Her dedicated mission was to spread light and love to the Somali world through her work in journalism. She died serving the Somali community everywhere and doing what she loved most. She brought inspiration and hope to the Somali people through story telling. She will be deeply missed." Born in the African nation, CNN reports Nalayeh moved to Canada when she was six years old. The 43-year-old had only returned to her native country last year, explaining she wanted to cover a side of Somalia not centered around war and violence.  A respected storyteller, Nalayeh was the founder of Integration TV, an internet news service dedicated to "building a community of inspiring and uplifting stories for Somalis worldwide."A mother to two boys from a previous marriage, Nalayeh spoke candidly earlier this year about the cultural difficulties being a divorced parent."Society judges you," she said to African Women in Media. "They look down on women that are single parents. Men think that you may be an easy catch. You're half a woman because nobody's gonna pay dowry for you. All these crazy ideas like you are just not as worthy when you are divorced."Learning to enjoy the simple life of living back home. I love attending events that stimulate the mind and leave you wanting to do more for your society! #KBF2019 #MySomalia pic.twitter.com/v4imbmd1GJ— Hodan Nalayeh (@HodanTV) July 7, 2019"But you know what, my journey sharing that with one of my followers and them realizing that life happens to many of us and we can start over, we can learn, we can grow and you don't have to be ashamed."Many across social media mourned her death, sharing anecdotes of her many accomplishments.May Allah have mercy on Hodan Nalayeh and her husband. Inalilahi wa inailayhi rajiuun. Wow this is heartbreaking.— Yasin Osman (@yescene) July 12, 2019Hodan Nalayeh was an incredible journalist, full of energy, enthusiasm and exuberance. She loved her people and country. She was a bright light of hope in Somalia. Ilaahay naxariistii Janno ha ka waraabiyo. pic.twitter.com/1eor792VWa— (((Yusuf Hassan))) (@MPyusufhassan) July 12, 2019Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.It is with great sorrow & regret we confirm the unexpected & tragic loss of Hodan Nalayeh & her husband Farid Jama Suleiman.Please keep Hodan & Farid in your duas. I's the wish of our family that you honor our privacy at this time of mourning. pic.twitter.com/d2FEtzjOQN— Integration TV (@IntegrationTV) July 13, 2019In a statement obtained by NBC News, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau condemned the attacks and promised to work alongside other nations in order to combat future terrorist acts."Her loss is deeply felt in Canada, and in Somali and journalistic communities around the world," Trudeau said. "Canada strongly condemns this heinous attack, and will continue working with Somalia and other international partners to address the root causes of terrorism and violent...

In what is an easy explanation of mistaken identity, a cake decorator misheard a birthday cake request for Disney princess Moana and delivered a marijuana-themed confection instead.The now-viral post reads: "So my mama called and ordered me a cake telling them how much I loved Moana. (Because really I do) Well needless to say these people thought she said marijuana."The mishap occurred at a Dairy Queen in Milledgeville, Georgia and recipient Kensli Taylor Davis believes it was just a situation of the Telephone game gone awry. The baker in question apologized and offered to design a replacement dessert."I think they thought that she said 'marijuana' because we are from south Georgia and kind of have an accent. So, 'Moana,' marijuana?" Davis explained to 13 WMAZ.Despite the honest mistake, Davis asserts the cake was "tasty" and plans to reorder from that same Dairy Queen again."It won't be 'Moana' or marijuana. I just won't get a design at all. I'll just get a regular ice cream cake if I have to," Davis...

Missy Elliott reflects on her career, speaks about uplifting brown women and discusses new music in her new cover story for Marie Claire. “I am a champion for my brown, dark women. If we knew how special we were, we would be unstoppable.” Missy has been representing for brown women since the release of her first album Supa Dupa Fly in 1997.  Known for her cutting-edge music videos, as a singer, rapper and producer Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott has been able to redefine and re-shape hip-hop culture in her own image.  View this post on Instagram DID SOMEONE SAY DRIP DRIPPING💦💧💧💦💦💧💧JULY iSSUE of @marieclairemag LOOK AT MY LAST POST too! Cop this issue http://MarieClaire.com/Missy-Elliott Stylist: @juneambrose Interview: @smashfizzle Photographer: @michaiahcarter Hair: @kellonderyck & @ogx_beauty Makeup: @themuaalex & @covergirl Manicure: @nails_by_lisalalinda Entertainment Director: @maxwelllosgar Set Design: @laurennikrooz & @themagnetagency On-set Production: @elisemc4 & @onefourthreeproductions60A post shared by Missy Elliott (@missymisdemeanorelliott) on Jul 15, 2019 at 6:39am PDT In June, she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as the first female hip-hop artist to receive the accolade. The impact and longevity of Missy’s career have been rare and undeniable. But the achievements and icon status do not come without hard work and discipline. During the interview, she told Marie Claire that she “feels crazy” if she doesn’t make it to the studio every day. Missy’s ability innovate and push past all boundaries in the music industry is something she’s been cultivating since she was a child. She confessed to the magazine that she knew she would be an icon when she was in kindergarten. Whenever asked what she wanted to be, young Missy Elliott would respond “I’m going to be a superstar.” Now the rapper is on track to release new music. The Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that new music is coming saying to Marie Claire, “it’s time to make street dudes enjoy dancing again.”When asked what she wants us to be thinking when we finish listening to her next album she responded “There’s no one like Missy. No...

A white security guard pleads not guilty after he pulled a gun on a Black police officer in uniform. Security guard Seth Eklund pulled a gun on Lucas County’s Sheriff's Deputy Alan Gaston. Eklund pleads not guilty to a charge of aggravated menacing. Monday is his first court appearance.   According to ABC 13, Gaston entered the IRS office in full uniform with his badge and firearm visible to ask a question. The incident occurred on May 31 while Gaston was on duty. He says he stopped at the IRS office to ask for a phone number. The security guard commanded the deputy to put the firearm in his car, and Gaston refused.  Video footage shows the security guard drew his gun on Gaston. Eklund points his gun at Gaston’s back and then follows him to the elevator.  "Basically preparing myself to be shot at that moment. Bracing for a shot in my back," Gaston told ABC 13.  He also said that in that moment he thought he was going to lose his life. "There's really no way to know how you're going to act when there's a gun pointed at you and when you think you're going to lose your life," said Gaston. The deputy is dealing with emotional and psychological trauma because of the event. He and his wife have filed a civil lawsuit against the security guard and the security guard company and are in pursuit of compensation. The deputy is currently on medical...

Some of our best memories growing up are of loved ones reading stories from our favorites books before bed. Unfortunately, not everyone has the benefit of being treated to a comforting story each night. With the help of the internet, two fearless girls are changing that narrative one night at a time.Zaria and Hailey Willard are two sisters from Delaware who are spearheading a campaign to connect fellow book enthusiasts by hosting live reading gatherings every evening on various social media platforms. "Sunday we go to the library and pick out books for the week," Zaria, 13, told Good Morning America Tuesday.  View this post on Instagram #zandh #blackgirlswhoread #futureboss #books #readingisfundamental #welovebooks #beautyandbrains #smartypants #love #sisters #melaninpopping #doverdelaware #delaware #youngandgifted #sisters #blackgirlswhorock #livingforchange #naturalhair #melanin #blackentrepreneursA post shared by Zaria X Hailey (@zariaxhailey) on Apr 12, 2019 at 5:18pm PDT"We like reading because sometimes people can't read themselves or they're young or their parents don't have time." Eight-year-old sister Hailey is a Dr. Seuss fan and told the morning show her favorite books by the late author are Green Eggs & Ham, Are You My Mother? and Go Dog, Go. Convincing mom to allow them to start their own online community was no easy feat, but Victoria Willard said she eventually obliged after seeing her daughters' desire to start a movement rooted in positivity."I can't hold them back from that," Willard said.Like any parent would, Willard does have stipulations on what Zaria and Hailey can do, regulations she refers to as "mom terms." Some of these rules include no responding to messages or comments before she sees them first and no devices at the dinner table and use of mobile phones after 9 p.m. Their newfound venture has led to incredible opportunities. Willard says her two girls are developing their own children's book series."One is the writer and one is the illustrator ... it's about blended military families," she explained.Onward and upward, Zaria and...

André 3000 of the Atlanta-based rap group Outkast was last seen taking photos and playing a Mayan flute in Philadelphia.  In the last few days, several residents reported seeing the iconic rapper strolling the streets of Philly, Los Angeles and New York. The typically low-key musician was playing a Mayan flute for fans. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports one unsuspecting fan, Dayna Allen, did not know she came in contact with the six-time Grammy winner.Three stacks walked up behind her in a restaurant in the Los Angeles International Airport on July 7. When she boarded her flight to Philly, Allen saw the lyricist already seated, she confirmed in a Tweet. "I looked at [Benjamin] and he looked at me and I was in total shock," Allen told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "I immediately regretted not saying anything [at the restaurant], because it was like he wanted to be recognized."  Andre 3000 is on my flight! He came up to me playing the flute in the airport and being distracted I swore it wasn't him but now I see it really is him 😭— Damnnnn Dayna (@Dayna_Bonaduce) July 8, 2019Another woman identified as Alessandra Hankinson saw him wearing overalls and a black shirt.  View this post on Instagram A musical genius, Andre 3000! 🎵🎶A post shared by Alessandra Mercedes (@ssandra_mercedes) on Jul 12, 2019 at 1:34pm PDTIn a third sighting, a Philly resident decided to capitalize on the moment. Twitter user Russ Jackson spotted Three Stacks near a church and asked him about the flute. Apparently, the "Hey Ya" rapper "picked it up a couple of years ago and that he’s trying to get really good at it," Jackson told the Inquirer.  Wasn't tripping. It's him. 3 Stacks in the flesh. And his flute game is A-1. pic.twitter.com/xbQTqjsJiC— Russ Jack (@Russ_Jack) July 9, 2019As more people shared their interactions with the 44-year-old, some speculated he may have a project in the works. Something possibly featuring a Mayan flute. If we got a whole album of Andre 3000 only playing the flute I would still be happy. https://t.co/e1vEGrDTjj— AJA 🇬🇾 (@yorokobitamashi) July 8, 2019If you play a flute in a public place, Andre 3000 will magically appear and challenge you to a flute duel. https://t.co/CvT90UIaZY— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) July 11, 2019Over the past year, Three Stacks has made quite a few appearances. He was in Oakland for his 43rd birthday. He reunited with his old group mate and friend Big Boi to celebrate the high school graduation of Big Boi's son. There were also other instances where the Atlanta-native interacted with fans.Entertainment Weekly reports the artist is in the City of Brotherly Love shooting a 10-episode AMC anthology series Dispatches from...

In a wide-ranging interview that will air on Fox Sports 1 on Wednesday and Thursday, Memphis Grizzlies center Dwight Howard addressed a number of rumors about his personal life and explained how he felt as he went through it all."I'm not gay... It hurt at first to go through it. I sat at home and I was like 'I never want to come outside again.'" @DwightHoward spoke on the allegations that he was gay. (🎥: @FairGameonFS1 | @KristineLeahy) pic.twitter.com/WcXz2WtOfY— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) July 16, 2019Howard's personal life was unfortunately thrust into the spotlight against his will last year when a man named Masin Elije wrote a lengthy Twitter thread that included a number of claims that Howard has since disputed. I was afraid to speak but today my life was threatened after I was sexually harassed, threatened and manipulated, by someone I respected, my ex boyfriend NBA player Dwight Howard, and his camp also “”catfished”” by his disrespectful ass PASTOR pic.twitter.com/n1I1fwDcUw— Ah-Mazìn (@MasinElije) November 25, 2018According to Elije, he met Howard while filming and episode of Wild N' Out and they soon began a sexual relationship. Elije says he ended the relationship months later when he discovered Howard was having unprotected sex with transgender prostitutes at sex parties. Although Elije was criticized for allegedly publicly outing Howard without his consent, Elije said Howard's family members and friends were harassing and threatening him, leaving him no choice but to go public.  The star NBA center, who was traded from the Washington Wizards on July 5, has repeatedly denied they were ever in a relationship and says he felt like he needed to address his sexuality after what happened last year and told FS1 Host Kristine Leahy that he was not gay.“I’m not gay. It’s a lot of people who are and they have to hide, and there’s people who have mental issues and they have to hide. There’s people who have different problems in life and they have to hide. They have to put on the mask every day, and it’s like, I don’t wanna wear no mask, I just wanna be,” he said.“The situation was an allegation with a guy who said—It ended up being a situation that was—it went viral. People were talking about it, and it upset me because I didn’t even know who the person was. Why would somebody who I never met, never had any contact with, make up a whole story about me? And I saw all the hate, the pure hate, from people that I’ve never met before, just pile up everywhere I went against me.”Elije filed a lawsuit in March stating Howard threatened him in November after demanding Elije sign a non-disclosure agreement. According to Elije, he and Howard were in a relationship and had recently broken up. After the initial threat, Elije wrote about intimate aspects of their relationship on Twitter and said Howard's family members were now harassing him."Mr. Elije started receiving threats to his safety and well-being via a multitude of phone calls, text messages, communications on various social media platforms and emails, all of which were from unfamiliar or disguised sources," Elije's lawsuit said.Howard has countersued Elije, who wrote and deleted a response to the video clip on Wednesday but continued to share tweets from others that criticized Howard. “I think that liberated me because I saw how a lot of people would feel, whether they’re gay or they’re straight, or whether they have issues, people are afraid to be who they are,” Howard said during the interview.“They’re afraid to just step out and be, like you said, because they’re afraid of what other people might say or think about them. And so that situation made me realize, you not like this, but just be you, be...