Hulk Hogan is the latest celebrity feeling the backlash from old racists rants caught on tape.  World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) abruptly ended its contract with the wrestling legend Friday over the comments, which focused on Hogan’s daughter Brooke Hogan and the black men he thought she was dating.  And sleeping with.

RadarOnline and the National Enquirer released transcript excerpts of the shocking comments Hogan made.  In an even messier turn of events, the transcript is from an unauthorized sex tape made with Heather Clem, the then wife of one of his friends.  (The tape is at the center of a $100 million personal injury lawsuit Hogan filed against Gawker, the site which originally published portions of the sex tape.)

In the comments, Hogan, real name Terry Gene Bollea, admitted to being racist.  In addition to dropping the N-word with reckless abandon, he also apparently would rather his daughter Brooke sleep with a rich black man if she were to sleep with any at all.

From RadarOnline.com:

At that point on the tape, the former “Hogan Knows Best” star bemoaned how a “black billionaire guy” had offered to fund her music career.

He also attempts to use bizarre, twisted logic in an attempt to justify his bigotry at the man.

“I don’t know if Brooke was f*cking the black guy’s son,” Hulk raved, the sources add.

“I mean, I don’t have double standards. I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f*cking n*ggers. But then when it comes to nice people and sh*t, and whatever.”

According to sources, he said: “I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f*ck some n*gger, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n*gger worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!

“I guess we’re all a little racist. Fucking n*gger.”

As the fallout continues, the born-again Christian tried to make amends with an apology.  In a statement to PEOPLE, Hogan said:

“Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it.

This is not who I am. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise. I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs.”

– Colby C.

We bet you never considered that Bill Cosby was getting his Quaaludes from his gynecologist, but that’s exactly what he testified to in a deposition from the now-infamous 2005 sexual assault civil case.

The Washington Post reports that Cosby obtained his drug of choice, which his attorneys refer to as “disco biscuits,” from Dr. Leroy Amar, a Howard University graduate and Hollywood gynecologist. Amar prescribed Quaaludes for Cosby’s sore back, according to the Post.

“Did he know when he gave you those prescriptions that you had no intention of taking them?” a lawyer asked Cosby during his 2005 deposition.

“Yes,” Cosby replied.

“Did you believe at that time that it was illegal for you to dispense those drugs?”

“Yes,” Cosby answered.

But then Cosby allegedly assaulted a friend of Amar’s, Tamara Green, and the physician confronted the comedian, according to the deposition as reported by the Post. Cosby denied it.

There’s no clue why Cosby was seeing a gynecologist. Aside from a GYN sending a man for semen analysis if there are complications with his partner becoming pregnant, there’s little to no need for a man to visit the GYN. It seems the Quaalude prescriptions were the only reason for Amar and Cosby’s doctor-patient relationship.

“I would not doubt in a minute that Amar would sign a prescription to give anybody anything they wanted. That’s just the way he was,” said Meldon S. Hollis Jr., to the Post. “He was unscrupulous.” Hollis is a former Washington-area lawyer who once represented Amar and later blamed him for the loss of his law license

Amar, who earned his medical degree from Howard University, has been accused of being grossly incompetent and negligent. As a result, his license was revoked. When he switched fields from gynecology to cosmetic surgery, there were cases of surgeries going wrong. He’s also evaded paying taxes.

Source/Source

Inside the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II Reveal Room

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but you sure can improve it. And that’s exactly what Converse did with the cult-favorite Chuck Taylor sneaker.

On Thursday, July 23rd, Converse, Inc. unveiled the Chuck Taylor All Star II sneaker in Boston, which is the company’s hometown.

According to a press release, “the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II is designed to meet the demands of the creative lifestyle and built for the next generation of self-expression.” To that end, the footwear and apparel company has incorporated many new features in the Chuck Taylor All Star II. The new details of a Nike Lunarlon sockliner; nonslip padded tongue; super soft micro-suede lining; premium canvas; high foxing, monochrome matte eyelets; tonal pinstripes; and statement embroidered All Star patch improve comfort, wearability, and style.

The new Chuck Taylor All Star II launches Tuesday, July 28th, and will retail for $70 for low-tops and $75 for high-tops at Converse retail stores, select retailers, and Converse.com. The classic-style sneakers will be available in black, white, red, and blue.

Though it appears on numerous calendars of good repute, trying to pinpoint the exact origin of National Tequila Day turns up nada. But then again, no one really needs a well-vetted reason to celebrate tequila, now do we? That it’s Friday, July 24 is reason enough.

Start your summer Friday off right with one of these tequila inspired cocktails.

Coco Paradiso (Inspired by the Hurricane)

1 1/2 oz 1800 Coconut
1/2 oz White Creme de Cacao
1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1 1/2 oz Unsweetened Passion Fruit Juice (Ceres)

For Garnish:
A pinch of finely ground coffee
A Slice of lime

Combine all in a shaker and shake with one cube to mix. Strain into a Hurricane Glass and fill with ice, gently swizzling to fully chill the glass. To garnish, add a pinch of ground coffee on top and slice of lime.

Tequila Mockingbird
Created by Greg Seider

1 Jalapeño pepper slice
2 oz Patrón Silver Tequila
1.5 oz Watermelon-Basil Purée **
.75 oz Fresh lime juice
.75 oz Agave syrup (one part agave nectar, one part water)

In a shaker, muddle the jalapeño slice. Add the remaining ingredients and fill with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and double strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.

*Watermelon-Basil Purée

2 cups Chopped fresh watermelon
7 Basil leaves
Purée both ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Refrigerate until needed.

Mucho Mango
Created by Esteban Ordonez (NYC)

1.5 oz Patrón Citrónge Mango Liqueur
3/4 oz Pyrat Rum
1/2 oz Mango Nectar
3/4 oz Lime Juice
3 Medium Basil Leaves
2 Dashes Hibiscus Bitters
Pink Peppercorn Salt*

In a cocktail shaker, combine the first five ingredients, fill with ice and shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe that has been rimmed with the peppercorn salt. Garnish by floating the basil leaf and placing a few peppercorns on it.

* In a mortar combine 1 tsp of pink peppercorns with 3 tsps of coarse grain salt and grind to a medium grain powder.

Tequila Refresca
From Food Network Kitchens

Ice cubes
1 ounce tequila, white or gold
Dash Campari
6 ounces grapefruit soda,(recommended: Fresca)
Small wedge fresh pineapple, grapefruit, and lime

Fill a goblet or rocks glass with ice cubes. Add the tequila and a dash of Campari to give the drink a slight blush and balance the sweetness of the soda. Top off with the grapefruit soda. Skewer the fruit and stir into the cocktail. Drink.

Serve with a plate of wedged pineapple, a small bowl of your favorite chili powder, and coarse salt, for dipping.

Salpicon de Mango (Mango Splash)
Created by Esteban Ordonez (NYC)

1.5 oz Patrón Citrónge Mango Liqueur
1 oz Patrón Silver Tequila
3/4 oz Lime Juice (or the juice of a medium-sized lime)
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
3/4 oz Orange Juice
Long Splash Chilled Club Soda

Fill a large rocks glass or double old fashioned glass with ice. Combine all ingredients over the ice, adding the club soda in the end gently. Stir to mix all ingredients and garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig if desired.

Smoky Margarita
From Mexicue Kitchen & Bar, NYC

Mole bitters
1 oz chili simple syrup
2 oz lime juice
1 oz tequila
1 oz mezcal
Chili salt

Rim rocks glass with chili salt. Fill shaker with ice; add tequila, mezcal, lime juice, and shake until chilled. Fill rocks glass with ice and strain the margarita into the rocks glass. Garnish with lime.

Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of the late Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, passed away at the age of 22 at Peachtree Christian Hospice in Duluth, GA, after nearly six months in a medically-induced coma.

Entertainment Tonight reports that Bobbi Kristina was surrounded by her family at the time of her death.

“She is finally at peace in the arms of God,” the Houston family said in statement to ET. “We want to again thank everyone for their tremendous amount of love and support during these last few months.”

Almost three years after Houston was found unconscious in a bathtub in Beverly Hills Hilton, Bobbi Kristina was found unresponsive in a bathtub in her Georgia townhouse. She was taken to North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, GA, where she required a ventilator to help her breathe. Later, she was moved to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta and doctors placed her in a medically-induced coma. She was moved to a rehab center and then a hospice, which is where she remained until the end.

The events leading up to Bobbi Kristina being found in a bathtub are unclear. However, her boyfriend Nick Gordon was suspected of being physically abusive to her before the incident. Bobby reportedly banned Gordon from visiting Bobbi Kristina in the hospital, because Gordon allegedly refused to comply with suggested rules.

In 2014, Bobbi Kristina was plagued with rumors of rapid weight loss and possible drug abuse. In the midst of her ordeal this year, Gordon went to rehab after a tragic and embarrassing interview on Dr. Phil. When he left rehab, he was slapped with a lawsuit from Bobbi Kristina’s conservator, who alleges abuse; manipulation; and theft.

Bobbi Kristina was born on March 4, 1993 in Livingston, NJ. At 6 months old, Bobbi Kristina made her television debut when her parents sat down with Barbara Walters for an interview. However, public glimpses of Bobbi Kristina were rare until her parents hit a very low point in their careers and appeared on the 2005 Bravo reality show Being Bobby Brown.

Bobbi Kristina was about 12 when the showed aired. She seemed to be an afterthought for her parents, who seemed high or inebriated most of the time. But after her parents divorced two years later, Bobbi Kristina became her mother’s staunchest supporter and protector, even after Whitney’s death.

The Houston and Brown families haven’t released details for a memorial service for Bobbi Kristina Brown.

Do you dislike vacuuming, but don’t want bare floors? Well let me introduce you to Ruggable, a two-piece rug system that is actually washable.

Unlike traditional rugs, Ruggable can be washed in a machine. The two-piece system includes a rug pad and removable cover, which can be popped in a washing machine for easy stain removal. The rug pad, which can be purchased separately if necessary, should be spot cleaned.

Not only is Ruggable functional, but it is also stylish. The coverings are available in a myriad of designs, from solid colors, to patterns, to stylish shags, to traditional.

The floor covering that I fell in love with has a white geometric pattern over a grey background (similar to the one pictured below) and works perfectly in my mid-century modern home office. Now, I’m deciding on another one for my kitchen, which is a heavy-traffic area, so being able to wash the rug in a machine will save a lot of time.

Ruggable also makes it easier to switch your decor, without purchasing an entirely new Ruggable system, because the rug pad can be used with any appropriate size cover.

Ruggable ranges in size from a 2.5′ x 7′ runner to 5′ x 7′. There are plans to expand the collection to include 8′ x 10′ systems also. The prices range from about $49.99 to $99.99 for the cover and $29.99 to $49.99 for the rug pad. They can be purchased at Ruggable.com and 100 Lowes stores in California.

Gone are the days of waiting and paying for a professional rug cleaner thanks to Ruggable.

#PurplePurse PSA shoot. Me & #GlamSquad @takishahair @CarolaGMakeup & our director @giantmiles

A photo posted by Kerry Washington (@kerrywashington) on Jul 25, 2015 at 4:48pm PDT

Kerry Washington takes a Scandal break to film a financial abuse and domestic violence PSA for Purple Purses.

  #poolsideSunday I needed this!!!!! #GodIs " class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />   A photo posted by taraji p henson (@tarajiphenson) on Jul 26, 2015 at 10:49am PDT

Taraji P. Henson takes a break from filming the second season of Empire to catch some rays at the Summer Sizzle in BVI.

Thank you all so much for every birthday message. I tried to respond to as many pics that I was tagged in too! I’m simply blessed! This pic is capturing the thought of me being so excited about the power in me to create and attract great things! Keeping my thoughts and surroundings aligned with the ONE……God! I’m also in thought about the state of the world we live in! What part can I play to make it better? My heart goes out to the family of #SandraBland and to COUNTLESS others gone to soon! Now we add the violence that took place in Lafayette, Louisiana to the list of innocent lives taken and many others injured! I’m reminded of the scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” I love you guys!

A photo posted by Michelle Williams (@realmichellew) on Jul 24, 2015 at 7:57am PDT

Michelle Williams reflects on her birthday.

  We love this little guy! Hopefully @todd167 & I can get one with as much swag as he has. @yandysmith & @mendeecees you guys are raising an amazing young man!   A photo posted by Kandi Burruss (@kandiburruss) on Jul 25, 2015 at 7:01pm PDT

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker getting prepped for the arrival of their soon to arrive bundle of joy. (And did she just drop a hint that they’re having a boy?)

Thanking mama after last night’s delicious dinner at Cumpa Cosimo!

A photo posted by John Legend (@johnlegend) on Jul 25, 2015 at 9:35pm PDT

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen get their Italian eats on.

  Ready for mind blowing news! I’m pregnant!!! Yah!! Ice & I are so excited! I announced it Friday on our new talkshow @iceandcocotalk which airs Aug 3rd. On the show I get into all the details about getting pregnant,the sex and how far along I am!! I was so overwhelmed I cried!e   A photo posted by Coco (@coco) on Jul 27, 2015 at 6:27am PDT

Ice T and Coco Austin break baby news.

Well well well, hotel robes sure have changed… ummmm yes please! #HongKong

A photo posted by Gabrielle Union (@gabunion) on Jul 26, 2015 at 10:22am PDT

Gabrielle Union marvels at the hotel robes in Hong Kong.

New shoot : @khloekardashian for @complex #khloekardashian by me

A photo posted by Steven Gomillion Photographer (@stevengomillion) on Jul 27, 2015 at 9:08am PDT

Khloe Kardashian get some sexy shine in the upcoming issue of Complex, shot by photog Steven Gomillion.

Brothers 4 Life #RR #Dblock @therealkiss

A photo posted by therealswizzz (@therealswizzz) on Jul 25, 2015 at 9:19pm PDT

Swizz Beatz and Jadakiss hit the Brooklyn Museum for a birthday party.

We need this movie to win! Aug 14!! #straightouttacompton

A photo posted by @ludacris on Jul 25, 2015 at 11:18am PDT

Ludacris and Usher attend a Straight Outta Compton screening.

– Colby C.

In this week’s issue of New York Magazine, 35 women who’ve accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault were photographed for a group cover.  The feature story details each of their stories, which individually are disturbing enough but in total, are overwhelming.

From New York Mag:

There are now 46 women who have come forward publicly to accuse Cosby of rape or sexual assault; the 35 women here are the accusers who were willing to be photographed and interviewed by New York. The group, at present, ranges in age from early 20s to 80 and includes supermodels Beverly Johnson and Janice Dickinson alongside waitresses and Playboy bunnies and journalists and a host of women who formerly worked in show business. Many of the women say they know of others still out there who’ve chosen to remain silent.

– Colby C.

2015 has been a year full of celebrity baby and wedding news.  Continuing the trend are newly engaged Empire stars Grace Gealey and Trai Byers.

Gealy, who just turned 31, was spotted wearing a wedding ring at a surprise birthday party Byers threw for her in Chicago on Sunday.  The couple is believed to have started dating in the Spring, although neither ever officially confirmed their relationship status.

Byers, who celebrated his 32nd birthday just a week ago, posted this photo from the party.

Had so much fun celebrating @gracegealey’s life!! Happy Birthday to an exquisite human being! Thank you @kinmontchicago for hosting us. Amazing spot, wonderful food, UNFORGETTABLE night.

A photo posted by Trai Byers (@traibyers) on Jul 27, 2015 at 12:13pm PDT

The two have been successful thus far in keeping their business to themselves but now that the cat’s out of the bag, I’m pretty sure their continued privacy is a thing of the past. Obviously there’s been no word on wedding dates but Gealey is from the Cayman Islands so if the bride’s hometown dictates location tradition holds, an island wedding is sure to be spectacular.

On the hit series, Gealey, who plays A&R exec Anika Calhoun,  is engaged to the head of Empire Entertainment CEO Lucious Lyon, the father of Byers’ character Andre Lyon.

Season 2 of Empire returns on September 23.

Image credit: Getty

– Colby C.

In an attempt to silence supporters of Sandra Bland, like the online hack group Anonymous, who say she was already dead when her mugshot was taken, Waller County, Texas officials released July 28th video footage of her in jail earlier this month.

“This video should demonstrate that people who are out there going through a lot of trouble to spread lies and mis-truths on Waller County — we are not going to stand idly by and allow that to happen,” said Waller County Judge Trey Duhon at a press conference.

Duhon added that the several hours-long video was released following death threats to local officials.

The video shows Bland arriving at the Waller County Jail, Duhon said. She is seen being interviewed, changing into an orange jumpsuit, and making several phone calls. The footage also shows Bland being put into one cell and then taken to another.

Bland, 28, was found hanging from a garbage bag in her jail cell on July 13th three days after her arrest for a far-from routine traffic stop. An autopsy concluded that her injuries were consistent with suicide. Her family, who calls her Sandy, disputes whether she would have committed suicide. She had just taken a job at her alma mater Prairie View A&M University, said her family. Bland was laid to rest on Sunday, July 26th.

Texas officials previously released a highly-edited dash-cam video of State Trooper Brian T. Encinia arresting Bland.

Authorities are investigating the death threats made against to county officials.

Source

Prosecutors are seeking to charge Bobbi Kristina Brown‘s boyfriend, Nick Gordon, with involuntary manslaughter, following her death this month, according to law enforcement sources who spoke to TMZ.

The sources say Gordon allegedly obtained drugs for Brown the day she was found unconscious in a bathtub in January. Gordon has claimed that both he and Brown got high that morning.

Prosecutors believe it was criminal for Gordon to supply Brown with drugs since he knew her habit was so severe she would indulge to the point of unconsciousness.

They, however, may have a difficult time charging Gordon. An autopsy of Brown didn’t find any obvious signs of foul play and the toxicology report can only determine if she was under the influence, not the circumstances of her acquiring the drugs, who gave them to her, etc.

But there was a third person in Brown’s home the day of her ordeal — Max Lomas. Prosecutors are willing to offer Lomas a deal on two drug-related felonies. If he details what happened in her home that day, they will offer him probation on the drug charges and immunity in the Brown case, according to TMZ’s sources.

Brown Boy Bad(?), a new docuseries by automotive journalist and producer Sékou, delves into current issues in the news and how that overlaps with being Black in America.  Specifically the series features successful Black fathers discussing their views on parenting and racism while test-driving a new vehicle.

“With #BlackLivesMatter elevating the social justice call-to-action after the recent killings of unarmed Black men by white police officers, I wanted to leverage my experience in automotive journalism to present the same narrative in a unique way,” says series creator Sékou, author and founder of the lifestyle automotive brand, SimplyRides.com.

“Brown Boy Bad(?) helps shine a light on the subconscious stereotypes that we all harbor. And, in the case of the police officers, these instantaneous impressions can be life-threatening for Black men,” he continues.

Check out episode 2 below.

“Til this day, I never stopped. You see, a bitch ass n***** can’t write my raps. You know why? You don’t have the heart, or the mindframe, or the motherf***ing intellect, bitch n*****. You don’t even know how to pronounce these motherf***ing words of my motherf***ing raps, bitch.”

— Nicki Minaj blasts ex-boyfriend Safaree Samuels for claiming he was a ghostwriter for many of the hits off The Pinkprint, at a July 28th concert. In the song “Lifeline,” Safaree raps, “My bars on The Pinkprint no one will ever match.” Since Nicki had no problem dating a “bitch ass n*****” with little “motherf***ing intellect,” what does that say about her?

Check out the video below of Nicki addressing Safaree below.

Herman Turner, of Westchester County, NY, wants to know how and why his wife Raynette Turner died in a police holding cell Monday.

“I want to know why I can’t hold her anymore,” Herman Turner, 49, said to the New York Daily News.

The mother of eight was waiting in a Mount Vernon, NY jail to be arraigned for shoplifting Monday afternoon when she died. She had reportedly been caught shoplifting at food-service supplier, Restaurant Depot, on Saturday and was arrested. After waiting through the weekend to be arraigned, Raynette was dead on Monday afternoon.

Herman said he waited in court all day for his wife of 23 years to be arraigned and was simply told to come back the next day. However, two detectives confronted him with news of his wife’s death shortly after he returned home.

“I don’t know what happened,” Herman said. “They won’t give me a time of death … what happened … nothing.” The Turner children, who range in age from 8 to 21, were “completely distraught,” said their father.

Police transported Raynette, who had bariatric surgery last year, to a hospital across the street from the jail when she complained of feeling ill. Just about two hours later, they returned her to her holding cell, and by Monday afternoon she passed away.

Although an autopsy hasn’t been performed, Mount Vernon Deputy Commissioner Richard Burke said “no foul play” is suspected in Raynette’s death. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of her death.

“Somebody didn’t do their job and my wife died for it,” Herman Turner told the New York Daily News.

Source

Ray Tensing, the former University of Cincinnati police officer who shot unarmed black motorist Samuel DuBose in the head, pleaded not guilty on charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter.  His bail has been set at $1M.

Tensing, 25, pulled Dubose over for not having a front license plate.  Tensing’s account of the story was that DuBose was belligerent and tried to drag him, causing Tensing to shoot DuBose, a father of 13, in self defense. Two other officers corroborated his story. However, body cam video documenting the horrific event paints a very different picture.

After repeatedly asking for DuBose’s license, Tensing tries to open the car door.  DuBose reaches for the ignition, starts the car, and at that point Tensing fires one round into his skull.  The car lurches forward and goes forward a distance before hitting a lamp post and stalling.

“I think he lost his temper because Mr. DuBose wouldn’t get out of his car. When you see this, you will not believe how quickly he pulls his gun and shoots him. It’s so senseless,” Hamilton County Joe Deters lamented.

Tensing surrendered to police yesterday and returns to court on August 19. He faces life in prison if convicted.

– Colby C.

In the footsteps of Peter Pan and the Sound of Music, NBC is presenting another live musical for the holiday season and this one will have you easing on down the road.  That’s right, a three hour long live presentation of The Wiz is coming to a television near you this December.

Casting rumors are running rampant with chatter about both Beyonce and OITNB’s Uzo Aduba being considered for the role of Glinda, the Good Witch.  NBC held an open casting in June to cast the principal role of Dorothy with an unknown actress.  No final decisions have been announced.  However, the network did reveal this week that the current cast lineup is as follows:

• Mary J. Blige will play Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West
• Queen Latifah will play The Wizard
• Stephanie Mills, Dorothy from the original Broadway production, is to play Auntie Em

The live tv musical will be directed by Kenny Leon (“A Raisin in the Sun,” “Fences”) and choreographed by Fatima Robinson (“The Voice,” “Dreamgirls” film, “VH1 Hip Hop Honors”).

The Wiz Live! airs Dec. 3 on NBC. A Broadway revival in collaboration with Cirque du Soleiel is being planned for the 2016-2017 season.

– Colby C.

On Thursday, Confederate flags were discovered on the grounds of the Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta.

As you may know, Ebenezer Baptist Church is where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was baptized and served as pastor, along with his father. The historic site to commemorate his life and legacy is adjacent to the church.

“This act by a cowardly and misguided individual or individuals is provocative to say the least,” said the Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, who is senior pastor at Ebenezer. Warnock also labeled the incident an act of domestic terrorism.

Surveillance video shows two white males placing the flags, said Atlanta Police Chief George Turner. Police are working with the National Park Service, Joint Terrorism Task Force, and Atlanta’s Homeland Security Unit.

According to a televised HLN report this morning, the police are investigating this as a hate crime.

Although this violation is despicable, it’s not an isolated occurrence.

“It was disturbing and sickening but, unfortunately, not very surprising. This is the church of Martin Luther King, Jr. We’ve seen this type of ugliness before. Not just in the 1960s, but in recent years as well,” said Warnock.

Source

This is probably every working parent’s nightmare, but Houston parents Sharonda Ross and Lawrence Matthews weren’t dreaming when they discovered their 10-month-old son was left alone in the dark at a day care center.

The parents were forced to break into Joann’s Day Care to rescue their son, Jordan, and now authorities are investigating their claims.

Ross had an arrangement since April with the day care to pick up her son following the end of her shift as a security guard, ABC News reports. Her shift ends at 6 p.m. and the day care center officially closes at that time.

However, Ross went to the center on Monday and found the parking lot empty and the building locked with all the lights out. She pulled and banged on the door, but no one answered. She called the facility and no one picked up the phone. Thinking that her husband picked up the child, Ross went home.

“I was thinking this isn’t happening. I’m dreaming,” she told ABC News. “I’m going to wake up and it’s going to be a dream. I’m just at a loss for words.”

The “terrified” couple soon realized Jordan was alone and rushed back to the facility.

“I banged on the window to see if someone maybe fell asleep. I heard my baby crying louder after the third time. I knew that was my baby,” Ross said. “That’s when I told my husband to break the window.”

[Homepage image: Shutterstock/Main image: KTRK]

While Ross filmed the entire incident, Matthews broke a window and carefully climbed over the broken glass. On the video, a baby’s cries can be heard in the background while Matthews reassures him by repeatedly saying, “We are here, Jordan.” Seconds later, the father comes back to the window with Jordan in his arms and hands him carefully to his sobbing mother.

Jordan fortunately wasn’t hurt, and the parents aren’t facing any charges, according to ABC News.

They day care owner apologized to Ross and Matthews, but said she wouldn’t terminate the employee who left Jordan alone.

“First I’m deeply, terribly sorry,” Joann Davis said. “I thank God he was OK. … It was our mistake. I’m not saying it’s not … but the main thing is the baby’s OK, and I’m sorry as I can be.”

Now, Ross isn’t sure she’ll ever send Jordan to Joann’s Day Care again.

“I don’t see myself allowing him to go to day care,” she said. “I’m going to be at work and asking, ‘Is my baby by himself? At what point did you forget my child was there?’”

As we get into UPTOWN’s 2015 Food and Wine Festival July 30th–August 2nd, meet the hip and skillful chefs and sommeliers that will make this culinary weekend in the beautiful Napa Valley a must attend event for foodies and vino lovers everywhere.

By Kym Allison Backer

Andre Hueston Mack

What’s a man to do when he’s obsessed with wine? For Brooklyn-based sommelier and winemaker Andre Hueston Mack, an annual immersion in wine country in Dundee, Ore., was a natural step—and he’s pleased to see that his countrymen are joining him in spirit. “Quite recently, the U.S. has surpassed France as the number one consumers of wine in the world,” he points out. Mack, who explains that a sommelier’s knowledge extends to all beverages and even to cigars, has a few simple tips to maximize your experience. “Drink what you like with whatever [food] you like,” he advises. “One of the keys to enjoying wine is understanding that it’s all about the journey, not the finish line. It’s expiratory, so taste as much wine as you can!” moutonnoirwines.com

The McBride Sisters

Andrea and Robin McBride may have spent most of their childhood apart, but when they finally reunited and discovered a shared affinity for wine and winemaking, it wasn’t long before business beckoned. Now, 10 years after setting up shop as négociants (wine merchants), the sisters are expanding the business, which emphasizes sustainable farming. “We have gone from importing small, boutique wines from New Zealand to launching eco. love Wines in 2011 and now introducing the world to Truvée Wines,” says Andrea. “Wine culture is really taking shape here in the U.S. and we’re all over it! There are a lot of changes in how we enjoy wine, not just over dinner anymore, but in so many other parts of our lives, wine is included.” mcbridesisters.com

Julius Russell

You might want to align your next visit to Chicago or New Orleans with a scheduled pop-up dinner crafted by Julius Russell. The multi-course, multi-city themed dinners have been sold-out hits, but Russell, owner of Chicago’s A Tale of Two Chefs that off ers private chef and catering services, is quick to point out that while his dishes are always infused with his appreciation for NOLA cuisine, he keeps experimenting—the name of the company hints at his penchant for both classic and evolving tastes. “My team and I are having a lot of fun with making our own sausages, playing with unique and seasonal vegetables. We are placing diff erent items on the smoker and changing how they are used.” taleof2chefs.com

Judson Todd Allen

When Judson Todd Allen changed his approach to food, it changed his life. “I associated fl avor with fat, sugar and salt and as a result, that was the basis of my diet,” says the Chicago-based chef, who tipped the scales at over 350 pounds before attaining— and maintaining—a 160-pound weight loss. These days, Allen’s catered events showcase a sizzling combination of his food science background and stints at Paris’s prestigious Le Cordon Bleu and the Ritz with the new tastes and flavors he comes across in his international travels. “Expect some dope concepts that allow your taste buds to travel around the world, such as an Italian classic dish that meets Korean BBQ street food for the very first time and a Southern New Orleans staple that is kissed with a modern Latin flair.”

Michele Wilson

It didn’t take much time after her graduation from Howard University for Oakland, Calif. native Michele Wilson to return to her hometown with the intention of bringing her love for soulful tastes to the mainstream. Her first solo restaurant, Gussie’s Chicken and Waffles, is newly rebranded as Gussie’s Southern Table and Bar, and Wilson has made a few other tweaks behind the scenes. “I wouldn’t say my culinary focus has changed,” she says, “but I have become increasingly more interested in the sustainability of food and, more so, getting to know where the food actually comes from—tracing it back to the actual farmers and fishermen. It’s become more important to pay closer attention to how the food is grown and finding people that truly stand behind their product.”

Roble Ali

Roble Ali doesn’t sit still. Bravo’s popular Chef Roble & Co., which showcased the launch of his busy catering company, is a couple of years behind him now, but in true form, he has even more on his plate these days. He’s the culinary field correspondent for ABC’s The Chew, the official chef of BMW—crafting menus and making appearances at upscale events around the country—and dishing up international street food at the newly-launched Streets in Brooklyn’s popular Williamsburg neighborhood. With new projects and partnerships on the horizon, Ali keeps his focus on evolving, starting in the kitchen. “If any chef says that they have a signature dish, they are not a real chef. That’s not my decision to make—it’s your decision to make. I make it for you,” says the always in-demand Roble. robleandco.com

– Colby C.

Girlfriends’ Getaway 2, the sequel to last year’s popular TV One film, is about four girlfriends who travel to Puerto Rico for a destination wedding, only to face chaos when a simple affair turns into extravagant, expensive nuptials.

Just in time for National Girlfriends Day, tomorrow, August 1, we sat down with stars Essence Atkins, Terri J. Vaughn, Garcelle Beauvais, and Malinda Williams to find out about some of the best trips they’ve taken, where they’re going next and real-life takeaways about destination weddings.

Girlfriends’ Getaway 2 premieres Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET on TV One.

TERRI J. VAUGHN

When traveling for fun, I’m focused on: Relaxing on the beach, with a yummy cocktail.

Best trip I’ve taken to date: Just recently I headed to Bermuda for a “business” trip. It was spectacular traveling with my girls from Girlfriends Getaway 2 and our husbands. We had a fantastic time. The people of Bermuda know how to make you feel special. The island, the beaches, and water, are so clean!

Where I want to go/where I’m going on my next vacation: Fiji

Where I’d want to have a destination wedding: I’m cool with a courthouse wedding and then going away for the honeymoon. LOL. Weddings are stressful enough to plan without it being in a whole other country.

GARCELLE BEAUVAIS

Best trip I’ve taken to date: I went Positano Italy for a wedding. It’s so beautiful there that it’s surreal.

Where I want to go/where I’m going on my next vacation: I would love to go to Brazil with girlfriends and Paris with my soul mate.

Place I’d want to vacation if someone else were paying: Bali

Where I’d want to have a destination wedding: Italy, South of France or Jamaica.

ESSENCE ATKINS

When traveling for fun, what I focus on…: depends on the place I’m traveling to and who I am with. When I went on my honeymoon, for example, my husband and I just wanted to lounge and luxuriate. We didn’t want to feel compelled to sightsee, so we chose to go to the Banyan Tree Mayakoba. It’s a really romantic and wonderful resort where you don’t have to leave your villa if you don’t want to, but there are still plenty of options both on property and nearby if you want adventure.

Best trip I’ve taken to date:

• Alone: Zihuatanejo (yes, inspired by Shawshank Redemption, one of my favorite films)
• With a friend: Egypt with Gabrielle Union
• Romantic: Weekend in Paris and home for rehearsal on Monday

Where I want to go/where I’m going on my next vacation: Maldives with my husband.

Place I’d want to vacation if someone else were paying: Luxury Safari in West or South Africa

Where I’d want to have a destination wedding: Italy. If George and Amal Clooney would only gift us their private estate for the weekend, that would be perfect.

One thing I learned about destination weddings that I didn’t know before filming: You have to consider weather and the “rainy” season, if it’s an island.

MALINDA WILLIAMS

When traveling for fun: I’m focused on food and relaxing by the water.

Best trip I’ve taken to date: Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Place I’d want to vacation if someone else were paying: Morocco

Where I’d want to have a destination wedding: I wouldn’t.

One thing I learned about destination weddings that I didn’t know before filming: Everybody you love won’t be able to make it.