The family of Otis Byrd, the Mississippi man found hanging outside his home last month, are seeking an independent investigation into his death.

Attorney Dennis Sweet III says the family does not believe Byrd died by suicide. They are hiring independent experts to do an investigation outside of the state and federal ones currently being conducted.

Byrd was hanged with a bed sheet in a tree in the woods near his home. His family had reported the 54-year-old man missing on March 2nd, after he hadn’t been heard from by March 8th.

[Image: Mississippi Department of Corrections]

Authorities are still trying to determine whether he was murdered or took his own life.

The FBI says they shared their autopsy results with the family about a week after Byrd’s death. Still, the family wants more answers.

“The family still has limited information,” Sweet said. “The family wants information.”

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Seven people were killed early Tuesday morning when their plane suddenly crashed in foggy conditions on the way back from watching the NCAA Championship game. Illinois State University associate head basketball coach Torrey Ward and the university’s deputy director of athletics for external operations, Aaron Leetch were among those who died on the eight-seat Cessna 414.

“Both men were well-respected and much-loved colleagues in our Athletics department,” university President Larry H. Dietz said in a statement. “I join with the Redbird Athletics family and the entire campus in mourning the loss of these two men and the others aboard.”

The group had been attending the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship in Indianapolis. They were returning to Bloomington when their plane crashed. Ward and Leetch had been guests of Scott Bittner, who invited a group of friends to travel with him. Bittner’s father-in-law, Scott Barrows, said the group used an experienced pilot for the flight.

The plane took off from Indianapolis at around 11 p.m. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the aircraft at around 12:15. The wreckage was found about three hours later in a field only two miles east of the Bloomington airport. All seven passengers were pronounced dead on the scene.

The other passengers on the plane were Terry Stralow, who owned a popular local bar called Pub II; Thomas Hileman, 51, the pilot; Andy Butler, 40, a regional representative for Sprint; and Woodrow “Jason” Jones, 45, a senior vice president with Secord-Jones Wealth Management Group.

All seven passengers were found belted to their seats. According to the McLean County coroner’s office, Hileman, Leetch, Jones and Stralow were identified through dental records. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the wreck. Authorities have yet to say the cause of the crash.

Ward is survived by his children Torrey and Tamia, according to the university.

Reggie Lynch, the center for the Redbirds, told ESPN that head coach Dan Muller got the team together for an early 8 a.m. huddle on Tuesday to break the news.

“He was just the coolest coach,” Lynch said. “He was a good dude, like, he was your friend. He was a great dude. He made friends with everyone. … I’m hurting so bad right now.”

Leetch is survived by his wife and his two daughters, Avery and Emmersen. His Facebook and Twitter pages are filled with pictures of his family, especially his young children.

Bittner, 42, also left behind his wife and a 10-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter. He owned a meat processing plant in Eureka, Ill.

“He always told me that he wasn’t my boss, that I didn’t work for him, I worked with him,” an emotional Terry Wertz, a Bittner’s Meat Co. employee for some 15 years, told The Associated Press. “He was awful good to me and my family. If I needed anything, he’d do anything for you.”

[Source]

A Columbus, Ohio man pleaded not guilty to 19 charges Monday. The charges stem from the HIV-positive man allegedly molesting two 12-year-old girls—one of whom is now pregnant—and fondling a third girl, age 14. If convicted, he will be sentenced to life in prison.

Keith Anthony Allen, 27, had access to the two preteens because one of them is related to his girlfriend, while the other was the girl’s friend who would visit her home at times. Court documents say that the molestation occurred between September 1 and March 22.

“I was outraged when I saw that police report,” said Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien.

Allen is said to have not only been aware of his HIV-positive status when he molested the girls, but he also supposedly had consensual sex with a woman while aware of his condition. It is not clear at this time whether the girls or the woman are HIV-positive.

Franklin County prosecutors have hit Allen with 19 charges, including rape, felonious assault, and gross sexual imposition, reportedly. He has been in jail since March 25 with no bond set, and will be sentenced to life if convicted of having sex with a child under the age of 13.

Allen’s bail is set at $1 million.

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Supporters of South Carolina Officer Michael Slager are attempting to raise funds for the policeman, who was charged with the murder of an unarmed man Tuesday. The campaign was originally set up on GoFundMe, but the crowd-funding website has taken down the page, citing that it was in “violation” of their Terms and Conditions.

Slager, 33, was charged with shooting 50-year-old Walter Scott to death, after a video surfaced of Scott running away from the officer after a traffic stop, at which point Slager proceeds to shoot into Scott’s back. It appears that Slager, then, moves a Taser close to Scott’s body to support his claim of self-defense. Slager was fired Wednesday.

ThinkProgress obtained a statement from GoFundMe that explained why the campaign for Slager was terminated. “After review by our team, the campaign set up for Officer Slager was removed from GoFundMe due to a violation of our Terms and Conditions,” Kelsea Little, the public relations manager for GoFundMe wrote in an email.

Supporters who run Slager’s Twitter page announced the fundraiser has moved over to Indigogo.

“We’re campaigning to show our Support for Officer Michael T. Slager! We believe in all of our LEOs and want to publicly support them! Although he may have made mis-steps in judgement he was protecting the community,” the campaign page reads.

“Michael is a former Coast Guardsman with two stepchildren and a wife who is expecting a child, served for more than five years with the department without being disciplined. Please help in any way you can. He has served five years with the department without being disciplined,” the page concludes.

As of Wednesday evening, the effort had raised $116 by six donors.

The seventh season of Real Housewives of Atlanta may be winding down, but that doesn’t stop the Georgia co-stars from throwing shade at each other. Kenya Moore is covering the latest issue of Kontrol magazine, talking about her new hair care line, Moore Hair Care, Phaedra Parks and Phaedra’s estranged husband Apollo Nida, all while throwing shade at on-screen rival NeNe Leakes.

On whether she thinks NeNe will write a check to Detroit Public Schools:

“No, I don’t think so. People can see the type of person she is. She used it to show the world how disgusting and evil she is. Why would you shortchange some kids because you want to be in a pissing contest with someone?”

On fans thinking she and Cynthia Bailey are an unlikely pair:

“How so? We’re both models/beauty queens that love fashion, worked in New York, and know most of the same people. Now that things have changed between Cynthia and NeNe, it’s been a lot easier to develop a deeper friendship for Kenya. You no longer have someone constantly telling you who to be friends with and to choose.”

On how she feels about Phaedra & Apollo:

“I definitely feel redeemed from the feud with Apollo and Phaedra. This was quite evident with the airing of Sunday’s show with Kenya and Phaedra making amends and hopefully slowly working to build a better friendship. Only time will tell.”

FOX’s Empire  is currently off the air after its highly popular first season, and the Cookie Lyon withdrawal is on high. For fans who can hardly wait for the show’s return, leading lady, Taraji P. Henson, will be hosting Saturday Night Live this Saturday. The 44-year-old actress recently dished on hosting the long-running show for the first time and Empire‘s highly anticipated second season.  

The Washington, D.C. native called the opportunity to host SNL a “dream come true:”

“Legends do SNL. I’m a legend! So look at the floor when you talk to me or you’re fired. I’m a legend! You gotta treat me different. You gotta treat me legendary!”

On the previous SNL Empire spoof:

“Take a dip, Chip! My publicist called and said, ‘You know you’re a legend when SNL spoofs you.’ So then I puffed my chest out and walked a little different.”

On Empire’s second season:

“I’m interested in seeing what [Cookie] was doing during those 17 years she was locked up. I really want to get into her jail life.”

Taraji is also reportedly returning to CBS’s Person of Interest for a guest appearance soon.

Two young Mississippi White women will be sentenced on Thursday for their involvement in the death of a Black man. The women were apart of a racist group that went around hunting Black people to attack.

Sarah Adelia Graves and Shelbie Brooke Richards , both 21, will be sentenced for killing James Craig Anderson. Both suspects admitted to riding in a truck, driven by Deryl Paul Dedmon, who ran over Anderson in June 2011. He later died after being beaten and run over.

Richards admitted that she encouraged Dedmon to assault Anderson when they arrived in a hotel parking lot, and then yelled a racial slur. When Dedmon returned to the truck, Richards urged him to run over Anderson with the vehicle.

In the spring of 2011, the women and others conspired to harass and assault African Americans in Jackson, MI. On numerous occasions, the co-conspirators used dangerous weapons, including beer bottles, sling shots and cars, to cause bodily injury to African Americans. They specifically targeted Blacks they believed to be homeless or under the influence of alcohol and less likely to report an assault.

In separate hearings, Graves pleaded guilty in December to a conspiracy count, facing up to five years in prison. Richards, who plead guilty to conspiracy and concealing the crime by lying to police, faces eight years in prison. Six White men have been sentenced earlier, receiving prison terms ranging from four years to 50 years.

When the dreadlocked Dominick Davis was released from prison after a six-year stint, the Jacksonville, FL resident found himself subjected to a prejudicial society that treated him like a second class citizen. I wish I could have been there to hear him lament about a desire to change his image to “fit in.” It would’ve been at that point that I, a Black man with a fade who regularly wears tailored suits, would’ve told him straight up, “It’s not you, it’s them.”

Davis recently cut his dreads because he believes dreadlocks are associated with criminal behavior and other negative assumptions, so he decided to go bald in order to encourage youths to “clean up their image.” While there’s nothing wrong with outgrowing a hairstyle (hell, I cut my cornrows off in 2002 and I’m NEVER going back) the problem with him and his “Save Our Sons” initiative is that it’s more focused on appeasing prejudice than challenging it.

Look, I truly appreciate the fact that the “Save Our Sons” initiative is working on addressing stereotypes, but the fact that Dominick Davis is more concerned with what white people think of Black boys than what Black boys think about themselves is troubling as hell. Racism is not new. Prejudice is not executed in a vacuum. The same racist ideologies that affect boys with dreads, gold teeth, tattoos, hoodies and cornrows is the same racism that got young Black boys tortured, lynched, and burned alive in suits, ties, suspenders, and dress shirts with clean fades 70 years ago. Racism doesn’t give a damn what your hairstyle is, what clothes you wear, what car you drive, or what neighborhood you live in. Racism exists to demean people based on the color of their skin and there’s no amount of Whitenicious that can bleach out the essence of our collective Blackness.

If Davis is truly concerned with helping young Black children, he should encourage them to embrace their melanin. Teach them to embrace the hairstyles we use to bring out our intrinsic beauty. Show these kids that it is OK to put on a suit, but remind them that they are doing so to cultivate themselves, not to appease an oppressive society. Until Davis realizes that it’s society who needs to change their racist ideologies towards Blacks, cutting his dreads off won’t do a damn thing to end racism.

LAB

Lincoln Anthony Blades blogs daily on his site ThisIsYourConscience.com, he’s an author of the book “You’re Not A Victim, You’re A Volunteer” and a weekly contributor for UPTOWN Magazine. He can be reached via Twitter @lincolnablades and on Facebook at This Is Your Conscience.

R&B singer Fantasia has released some somber news regarding her love life. She posted a photo, which has since been deleted, of wedding rings on her Instagram page accompanied by a melancholy message: “It is Done…The Kids and I Will Always Love You♥ i got to stay strong for Granny.. He was the best man I knew kendall you are loved.”

It was rumored last fall that the “Without Me” singer privately married Charlotte, North Carolina COO of Metro Transportation, LLC., Kendall Taylor. Many fans who have followed Fantasia were hopeful that her new relationship would be lasting, because over the years, her relationships have deteriorated in front of the public.

In 2010, the singer found herself in the center of major controversy when she was openly dating a married man, Antwaun Cook. After a whirlwind of invasive stories about the couple and undergoing an abortion, Fantasia attempted suicide. She and Cook broke up not too long after that. Cook and his wife have since reconciled. He and Fantasia have one son together.

This news comes just one week after the American Idol winner announced that her beloved grandmother died. She has been sharing pictures with fans of her herself at the funeral, her grandmother’s casket, and old photos of her now-deceased loved one.

In one photo showing a pregnant Fantasia, her mother, and her grandmother, she wrote, “At my Baby Shower.. She never Missed Anything.. Grandma Please Baby.

A Tupac biopic is in the works, but the show will have to go on without John Singleton. The respected filmmaker explained on his Instagram page that he decided to leave the project because it seems that those in charge “aren’t really respectful of the legacy of Tupac Amaru Shakur.”

Singleton, who directed such classic films as Higher Learning, Baby Boy, and Rosewood, will be replaced as director of the movie with Carl Franklin, who directed the 1995 drama Devil in a Blue Dress. Those keeping up with developments on the movie about the iconic ’90s rapper wondered what brought about the change.  Singleton recently told fans that the makers of the movie don’t care about Tupac, and not only that, but they are trying to sue his mother.

“How you gonna make a movie about a man when you suing his mother to get the rights to tell his story?!…this movie will not be made with love!” he wrote.

But Singleton assured Pac fans that he will not give up on portraying the controversial figure’s story. He says he plans to make his own Tupac film.

“To Pac’s real fans just know I am still planning a movie on Tupac … It doesn’t matter what they do mines will be better,” he promised.

He added that the makers of the current biopic don’t know anything about “Black people and culture,” which is a part of what Tupac stood for the most during his short life, before he was gunned down in Las Vegas at the age of 25.

The relatives of Walter Scott, the unarmed man who was seen on-camera being shot down by South Carolina police officer Michael Slager, are dealing with a true tragedy, but they don’t want their city to turn into the next battleground between citizens and police.

According to the NY Daily News, the family is worried about the repercussions of what may happen in their South Carolina town should activists arrive to protest. Despite his recent leadership in seeking justice for Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner and others, the Rev. Al Sharpton’s help has reportedly not been requested from the Scotts. The family prefers protestors stay away from the North Charleston area to prevent it from becoming “another Ferguson type of circus.”

The family’s attorney revealed that Scott’s loved ones appreciate the support from Sharpton, but the Politics Nation host was not invited to funeral services.

“The funeral is only going to be close family members,” the attorney said. “The Reverend Al has called and expressed his support and condolences…The family is very appreciative.”

Sharpton remarked on contacting the family, and confirmed that he will not be attending the funeral. “We had no plans to go down,” he said. “They are in mourning and we would never come unless they asked. We’re willing to be helpful to the family but only when needed.”

Though the Scott family hasn’t requested Sharpton’s presence, others in the area have reached out to him, he said.

“I have been invited to preach in North Charleston, SC, on Sunday and to help lead a healing prayer vigil that afternoon by local clergy who have worked on this case from the beginning,” read a statement from Sharpton.

Since the shooting of Walter Scott, and the release of the footage, Slager has been fired by the Police Department, and is now being charged with the murder.

Source: NY Daily News

Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj haven’t been dating for too long, but the two are going stronger than ever as they are exploring their new relationship. Obtaining the nickname “Omeeka” from fans, the two seem to be in a completely different place since they’ve gotten together. While we’ve heard some of Nicki’s thoughts on Meek, the Philadelphia rapper is now sharing his own raw thoughts on Nicki, and revealing how much she’s changed him as a man.

“That’s my baby right there. Sh*t-s real. I’m like, ‘I don’t really hold hands, but I’ll hold hands with you.’ She knows that. Like, I don’t really do things but certain people make you do certain little stuff, and it be like, ‘Sh-t, I don’t care.’ They can catch me in the pictures doing anything nowadays, holding an umbrella for Nicki, you know what I’m saying?’” he told XXL about their relationship.

Meek also reveals how he feels about winning over the girl of his dreams, even if it’s also the girl of many people’s dreams, stating, “I got the girl that I wanted, not what they wanted, you know what I’m saying. What I wanted!” Meek is set to head on the road with Nicki for the U.S. leg of her Pinkprint Tour, which kicks off in America this summer.

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Rapper DMX, who was recently accused of sticking up a fan and robbing him of $3,200 at a New Jersey gas station, is claiming that those allegations are flat out lies and that trouble like this is a necessary evil.

Gossip site TMZ ran into the rapper at an airport and gave him a chance to tell his side of the story. “I have no idea what [the robbery] is about. It comes with the territory, you know. People are gonna take shots, try to accuse you of things. It’s not the first thing I’ve been accused of that I didn’t do. If I did it, you’d have known about it.”

Though DMX admits to being present at the gas station that night, he said he has no motive to rob anyone. “I make way more than [$3,200] doing a show. Why would I want that type of trouble for myself?”

The gas station incident is only one in a string of bizarre events involving the troubled rapper this week. On Tuesday, right after being accused of the stick up, DMX was filmed walking through an airport while delivering a fire and brimstone sermon to a crowd of spectators. “I’ll stomp a nigga out in the name of Jesus,” X said, “because right now, God needs warriors.”

Gabrielle Union has no problem talking about her marriage to Dwyane Wade, and all of the funny moments that come with it, and it turns out there are a fair amount of them. The Being Mary Jane actress stopped by the Meredith Vieira Show, where she talked about some of the intimate details of her marriage to the NBA baller, including how she goes to the bathroom in front of him.

When the host asked about being in the honeymoon phase, and Dwyane being romantic, Gabrielle answered, “He does it every day. We don’t leave the house without kissing me and telling me he loves me.”

While fans are used to seeing Gabby well dressed onscreen and on the red carpet, she admitted she gets comfortable when she’s home with the hubby. “I led with that early on,” she said about wearing sweatpants to bed. Let’s get this out of the way and a head wrap, honey. And I am going to go to the bathroom and hope you have reading material because I am going to be in there awhile. Let’s just get it out of the way early. I’m regular. How about that.”

Her answer about whether he leaves the toilet seat up was pretty great, but it was the news afterwards that shocked the audience, as she stated, “We have actually motorized toilets. It senses when you come and for him it will go up and also down. I have a different toilet than he does. We have our own toilets and he actually put a urinal in his bathroom. I don’t know what happens in there because we are no longer sharing a toilet which I think is the best thing to happen to our relationship.”

The Being Mary Jane 2-hour season finale is next week on BET at 10 p.m. EST.

Tavis Smiley made it known that, unlike much of America, he isn’t a fan of Lee Daniels’ hit Fox show Empire. During a discussion on diversity in Hollywood on PoliticKING With Larry King, Smiley criticized the highly popular show for its lack of cultural positivity and its perpetuation of negative stereotypes about Black people.

“There is a debate in the Black community that hasn’t really surfaced, hasn’t really boiled to the top yet, but I hear it in barbershops and other places,” Smiley said. “Whether the problem with Empire is that it advances the worst of every pathology that Black people have—crime and drug dealing and this and that and the other…A lot of people are looking for positive characters that may come out in the second season. But the first season, everybody is, ‘Ahhh!’”

Any television show like Empire that has been catapulted into seemingly overnight success will draw its fair amount of naysayers. Though the show currently boasts millions of viewers, some have expressed the same concerns as Smiley.

Lee Daniels, the show’s creator, responded to Smiley’s statements at the Hollywood Radio & Television Society’s Hitmakers luncheon, and during an interview with ET. “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” Daniels said. “I adore Mr. Smiley. I think he’s a very smart man.”

Daniels went on to defend his vision for the show. “This is the American dream. This is no different than what Joe Kennedy did when he came over here with the Kennedys,” Daniels said. “The idea that Black people should be any different from White people says that we’re different. We’re the same.”

Model/socialite Amber Rose has made no secret of her desire to get back with estranged husband Wiz Khalifa – and a string of recent events suggest a reconciliation may be in their future. Last week, Rose posted a photo of her and Khalifa on Instagram, recognizing him as her #ManCrushEverday. In the caption, she declared her undying love for him, as well as hopes that they’d one day get back together.

Not long after, photos surfaced of the couple attending Tamar Braxton’s Easter celebration in Calabasas with their 2-year-old son Sebastian. Attendees of the function said that they arrived as a family and that Rose and Khalifa were extremely affectionate during the soiree.

Braxton has publicly sided with Rose’s decision to get her man back, writing on Instagram, “Talking about #LoveandWar my kind of girl!!! @amberrose I’m pulling for the BOTH of y’all! That post made my day!! Jeez I love a girl who will FIGHT for the one she loves.” 

This is a sharp contrast to their relationship just a few months ago. Khalifa hopped on Twitter and accused Rose of keeping him from their son, while Rose revealed in a radio interview that he was just being bitter because she cut their child’s hair against his wishes. Rose filed for divorce months back amid rumors that she caught her husband cheating.

Rose and Khalifa’s divorce proceedings have not been finalized, but given their new amicable status, many suspect they will pump the brakes on it and decide to give love another try.

Should Rose fight for her marriage or cut her losses and move on:?

Coachella 2015 swarmed with some of the most talked about celebrities in the industry. The spring music and arts festival brought a number of talented acts to the stage, including FKA Twigs, Drake, The Weeknd, Azealia Banks, and more.  Those in attendance took advantage of the highly-anticipated outing to snap some stylish pictures.

Here’s a gallery of celebs in Instagram pics soaking up the California sun and enjoying a weekend at Coachella 2015.

Christina Milian, Karrueche Tran, Amber Rose, and Vanessa Simmons took a short break from watching the bands to pose for a laid-back photo together.

Vanessa and her sis, Angela Simmons, chilled out with friends while camped out at the festival.

Beyoncé arrived at Coachella rocking fashion-forward spring gear.

Drake, possibly reflecting on his well-received show or recuperating from the surprise tongue kiss Madonna planted on him during their performance.

British fashion model Jourdan Dunn rocks sleek, blue hair as she poses with her boho-chic model friends.

Rihanna used a bunch of bobby pins to adorn her latest long, auburn locks while enjoying the festivities.

Azealia Banks, who also rocked the Coachella stage, asked her IG fans to check out her carefree spring ensemble.

Quincy Brown took a break from promoting his new movie, Brotherly Love, to kick it with Amber Rose and take a quick selfie.

Model Chanel Iman feels on top of the world at Chella as she stands on top of a trailer with a beautiful California sunset behind her.

Iconic songstress Mariah Carey is busy hiring an entire new team to assist her in diving back into music and acting. Carey let some employees go, and some of her employees let her go—or at least that’s what her former publicist is saying, although Carey is vehemently denying it.

It was widely reported this week that Carey’s longtime publicist, Cindi Berger, decided after 15 years of working for the diva to quit. She offered a short and sweet explanation on why she left.

“I care very deeply for her personally, but I felt that professionally it was time for us to move on,” Berger said.

But Carey insists that it was she who sent Berger packing. TMZ reports that the “Touch My Body” singer had given a letter to the publicist that gently informed her that she was fired.

Carey reportedly wrote, “I’ve done a lot of soul-searching this past year … and I found myself asking if I was truly employing a healthy perspective (not to sound too Oprah about it all :).”

“So I think it’s time for us to take a break Cindi,” Carey continued, adding that she is attempting to “bring a fresh approach to this new phase in my career.”

Berger’s camp has alleged that they never received such a letter.

Carey is clearly perturbed about the misunderstanding. According to Carey’s letter to Berger, she was going to have her highlighted in a Hollywood trade magazine for her “Women of Power” award win. But now that the singer suspects Berger leaked the story of her quitting to the media, she is now reneging on the magazine feature, Carey’s manager reportedly stated.

While it is still a mystery how Carey and her publicist parted ways, she has already found someone new. The singer hired Chris Chambers, who has worked with such celebrities as Drake and Quvenzhané Wallis.

After parting with her longtime music partner, Jermain Dupri, last year, she has brought on Stella Bulochnikov and Brian Sher for management and TV production work. She also left Universal Music Group to reunite with L.A. Reid and Sony’s Epic Records.

“Mariah is creating a whole new team around her,” one source said. “New life, new relationships, new label, new management, new publicist, new residency, new, well, everything.”

On May 6, Carey will start her residency at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, where she will sing her string of No. 1 hits. She will release a “greatest hits” album later this year as well.  Lastly, the busy singer is said to be working on a Christmas movie.

By Caprece Cotton-Sturdivant

Inspiration is everywhere and this is especially true of social media. There are so many different apps to connect you with friends, family, and even like-minded people who share your same interests. Whether you’re looking for uplifting messages or just for a few laughs Instagram is where it’s at. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve purchased beauty products or even clothes based on something that I saw in an Instagram post.

Beauty and fashion bloggers are some of my favorite people to follow on the ‘Gram because they offer helpful tips and advice, while showcasing fierce personal style. Here are 10 chic fashion and beauty bloggers you should be following on Instagram:

Kéla Walker (@KelaWalker)

TV Host and producer Kéla Walker showcases her fierce style on her website KelasKloset.com and slays on IG daily. If I raided her “Kloset” I wouldn’t want to leave!

Patrice J. Williams (@patricejwill)

My favorite frugal fashionista and TV personality Patrice Williams of LookingFlyOnADime.com shows you how to own your fab while keeping your
coins. Amen!

Danielle Gray (@styleandbeautydoc)

The doctor is in and she’s fabulous! Blogger, writer, and style expert Danielle Gray keeps us up to date on all things beauty and fashion on her site StyleAndBeautyDoctor.com. Her makeup tutorials are always on point, as well as her style posts. You won’t be disappointed.

Christina Brown (@lovebrownsugar)

Digital media maven and style influencer Christina Brown keeps her readers posted on what’s hot, while slaying the NYC streets with her fierce style. In addition to her site LoveBrownSugar.com, she also is editor of BabyBrownSugar.com, as well as co-founder of @styleinfluencers. This mama does it all!

Blake Von D (@blakevond)

Law student and style blogger Blake Von D was born to slay and she does so effortlessly on her Instagram and website BlakeVonD.com. This charismatic beauty is the epitome of effortless style.

Jessica C. Andrews (@dressupwithjess)

She’s a journalist, fashion maven, and co-founder of both the GlamzonsBlog.com and @styleInfluencers. Her glamorously bold style shines through on both the red carpet and in her editorials.

Diana Cole (@thecolecollection)

Style blogger Diana Cole gives you a daily glimpse into her chic life as a mom and wife living in beautiful South Africa. Dressed up or down she always keeps it fresh.

Alissa Wilson (@stylishcurves)

Alissa Wilson’s site StylishCurves.com is the one of the go-to sites for plus-size women looking to dress their best. Her impeccable style and winning smile make her posts one to watch.

Ty Alexander (@gorgeousingrey)

Beauty and lifestyle editor Ty Alexander was at the forefront of the grey hair movement with her naturally gorgeous locks. As editor of GorgeousInGrey.com, she’s witty, sweet, and real. Plus her love of sneakers rivals my own.

Folake Huntoon (@stylepantry)

Last but most certainly not least blogger Folake Huntoon of StylePantry.com inspires daily with her outfit posts. Whether she’s in jeans or a dress she slays every look.

Tina Knowles is officially off the market! The mother of Beyoncé Carter and sister Solange Knowles Ferguson married actor Richard Lawson over the weekend in a small ceremony held on a yacht off the coast of Newport Beach, California. The 61-year old former wardrobe designer for Destiny’s Child said her ‘I do’s’ for the second time in what was intended to be a private ceremony. But per usual, gossip site TMZ captured exclusive photos of the wedding party, decked all in white, partying and celebrating the married couple aboard the fancy ship.

Reportedly, Tina and Beyoncé showed up around noon to check out the boat. They left together in an SUV before returning for the ceremony. Guests included Solange and husband Alan Ferguson, Jay-Z and 3-year-old Blue Ivy. Mama Tina wore a custom Romona Keveza garment, reminiscent of what Solange wore on her wedding day last November. “I’m at my happiest I’ve been in a long, long time,” Tina once said of the relationship. Beyoncé posted the above photo of her mom and new step father on her website, congratulating their union.

Tina divorced her daughters’ father, Mathew Knowles, in 2011, after 30 years of marriage. Mathew’s relationship with his daughters is strained after evidence of extramarital affairs and children emerged.

Lawson has appeared in several films and popular TV shows, including Sister, Sister, All My Children, Half & Half, For Colored Girls and The Bernie Mac Show.