Quite a bit of the focus on Thanksgiving Day goes to food, but this Turkey Day we encourage you pay attention to the libations — wine to be exact because no one has time to mix cocktails when there’s football to watch, pie to eat, and food porn to snap. Here are four Moët-Hennessy wines that pair well with traditional Thanksgiving sides, desserts, and of course the main course. Pop those bottles!

SIDES

Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay, 2013 (SRP $60)

• Tasting notes: 2013 Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay is a powerful wine that opens with fresh melon and fig notes and is layered with allspice, cinnamon, and caramel aromas.
• Pairing: With delicious creamy oak and nutty savory notes, this chardonnay pairs perfectly with grilled vegetables or soft cheeses as well as candied yams or stuffing!

Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir (SRP $38.99)

• Tasting notes: This Pinot Noir from New Zealand has a subtle palate with transparent flavors of red fruit and earthy textures, which leads to a balanced and intriguing finish.
• Pairings: This wine pairs perfectly with classic earthy Thanksgiving side dishes such as mushrooms or stuffing.

MAIN COURSE

Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec, 2013 (SRP: $19.99)

• Tasting notes: The wine boasts intense fruit notes of blackberry, cherry, and plum.
• Pairings: Terrazas Malbec is best enjoyed with delicious cranberry topped turkey, potatoes, beets, or other root vegetables.

DESSERTS

Cloudy Bay Late Harvest Riesling, 2008 (SRP: $24.99)

• Tasting notes: The palate has a luscious sweet entry with layers of apricot, honeycomb, and quince. Bright natural acid balances the rich palate and contributes to its refreshing finish. Great aromatic length.
• Pairings: Rieslings are extraordinarily versatile with desserts and can be paired with light and buttery pastries, cream-based desserts, or apple tarts and pies.

[Main image: Shutterstock]

This probably doesn’t come as a surprise, but Kim Kardashian West is expecting an extravagant push present for delivering husband Kanye West‘s son — you know, because a precious newborn isn’t enough.

Kim revealed in a blog post that she initially didn’t believe in push presents, but then saw the gifts her friends received after giving birth. “Do you guys believe in a push present?” she questioned. “I never did, but all of my friends do!!! We have the funniest e-mail chains discussing it. One friend got a special diamond ring she always wanted, and another friend got a new car!”

So what exactly does Mrs. Kardashian West want as a push present? A Lorraine Schwartz diamond choker similar to the ones she wore to the Art + Film Gala, which cost between $500,000 and $750,000, but could cost as much as $1 million, according to reports.

“I like the idea of a push present—after nine months of pregnancy it’s a sweet and well-deserved thank you,” she explains on her blog. “We women go through an entire pregnancy carrying a baby … of course it only makes sense that we get something amazing to show how amazing we are! LOL!”

Kim’s baby is due in December, but she could be induced as early as Thanksgiving.

Kanye gave Kim five gold Cartier bracelets for carrying daughter North West. Click to find out which other high-profile celebrity moms received push presents in our gallery, “Celebrity Moms & The Push Presents That Made Labor Bearable [PHOTOS].”

“I tried to break up with [Common] so many times. They don’t get it. They don’t understand. I’m exaggerating a little bit it was just kinda like we were growing apart. I told him that I needed space. I tried to give him the fade [Laughs]. Me and Common are still close too. He’s the most compassionate human being I’ve ever met. But it’s all about the chemistry.”

— Erykah Badu explains why she broke up with Common over the phone in an interview with The Breakfast Club. They dated from 2000 to 2002. Common has been open about how Erykah broke up with him and how their relationship affected him.

“‘Hey, I don’t wanna be in this relationship no more. I’m liking somebody else’ … [The relationship] taught me a lot of things, and when it happened I kinda really got into myself and really learned about myself and I was able to move on, and now me and E are real cool.”

Read more about Erykah’s mixtape But You Cain’t Use My Phone, her fallout with Azealia Banks, Twitter trolls, the inspiration for “Tyrone,” dating some of the hottest emcees in the game, and more here.

Minneapolis police are seeking three white men in the shooting of five Black Lives Matter protesters last night, Nov. 23rd.

Black Lives Matter Minneapolis members have been camping outside the Minneapolis Police Department’s 4th Precinct in protest of the police shooting of Jamar Clark last month.

On the activist group’s Facebook page, members said they asked the men, whom they call “white supremacists,” to leave the encampment and were escorted away. They say the men opened fire in retaliation.

Police say the five victims suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Black Lives Matter Minneapolis has vowed to continue the fight for #Justice4Jamar.

Wear all black tomorrow. 2pm at the precinct. We will not be intimidated. #4thPrecinctShutDown

— Black Lives MPLS (@BlackLivesMpls) November 24, 2015

ColorofChange Executive Director Rashad Robinson released a statement via email following the shooting:

“Our hearts and minds are with everyone on the ground in Minneapolis, we hope for safety even as those on the front lines continue to confront the very conditions to led to last night’s horrific shooting.

More than 50 years after the civil rights movement, Black lives continue to be under attack. Peaceful protesters were gunned down while exercising their first amendment rights and the police responded by spraying those very protesters with Mace. There have been long-time concerns from the Black community in Minneapolis about white supremacist connections within the police department. The very president of the Minneapolis police union has been accused of having ties to white supremacists, and multiple charges of misconduct and police brutality targeting the Black community and Black fellow officers have been filed against him.

Meanwhile, this is happening mere days after presidential candidate Donald Trump, the Republican party’s leading nominee, published a grossly inaccurate image on his Twitter account, originally posted by a neo-Nazi, with made-up crime statistics meant to stoke the flames of violence, anger, intolerance and fear in the hearts and minds of his constituents.

Let this be a call to action for every person in America. The hard work of undoing systemic racism and building a country where black folks are free from both state and vigilante violence, cannot wait. Every presidential candidate has a plan to deal with ISIS but no plan to deal with the homegrown anti-government terrorists and white supremacists who have been responsible for nearly twice as many murders in this country since 9/11. We are calling on all of them to make this a high priority agenda for their candidacy.

We stand in solidarity with the protesters in Minneapolis and across the country who continue to fight for justice and in support of a national people-led movement to transform policies, practices, institutions and culture that endangers Black lives. We are calling for a Department of Justice investigation not only into last night’s shootings but also into the negligence and the possible connection between white supremacist organizations and local police officers.”

RELATED: Trump Condones Attack On Black Protester

Source

[Image: Doualy Xaykaothao/Minnesota Public Radio News]

Kate Spade shoppers have filed a lawsuit in California that alleges the lifestyle brand advertises deceptive discounts on outlet store merchandise, which is “made to be sold at that discounted price, not anything higher,” according to Racked.

For example, a $142 Kate Spade purse at an outlet store was allegedly advertised as 70 percent off the $355 retail price, according to one of the plaintiffs, as reported by the fashion website. However, she claims the handbag wasn’t intended to ever sell for $355. “Upon information and belief, thousands of consumers … were victims of Kate Spade’s deceptive, misleading and unlawful pricing schemes and thousands more will be deceived if Kate Spade’s practices continue,” the lawsuit reads.

One can infer that if the handbag was manufactured to sell at $142 all along, then it has a lower quality than a handbag intended to sell for $355, and that isn’t actually a good deal.

But Kate Spade isn’t alone in its alleged deception. Michael Kors settled a similar class action suit brought by New York consumers for $4.9 million. T.J. Maxx was sued this summer for the similar deceptive advertising practices.

[Image: Stephen Maturen via Getty Images]

NPR reports that police arrested one man early Tuesday afternoon. “A 23 year old white male was taken into custody in the City of Bloomington in relation to this case,” reads a Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) press release. “His name will be released upon charging. The search for additional suspects continues.”

Another man, who MPD describes as a 32-year-old Hispanic male, was arrested shortly after the first man.

Tuesday evening, MPD revealed they released a man who was arrested earlier in connection to the shooting of the Black Lives Matter activists, who are camping outside the 4th Precinct in protest of the police shooting of Jamar Clark.

Two other white men, ages 21 and 26, have turned themselves into police.

Following the arrests, Raeisha Williams, the communications chair of the Minneapolis NAACP, appeared on CNN and reportedly stated the police were in cahoots with the “white supremacists” who tried to kill the protesters. When asked about the arrests of two suspects, Williams stated, “We’re hearing two [arrests] at this time. But we don’t necessarily trust that. We know that the police department is behind this, this is our personal belief after receiving witness accounts … We believe the police department is facilitating the injustice, bullying the protesters.”

Black Lives Matter Minneapolis reports via Facebook that “2,000+ march[ed] to reject white supremacist terrorism, and reject white supremacist police violence.”

[Image: Black Lives Matter Minneapolis]

We Black folks always have to put our own twist on things and Thanksgiving Day is no different. The hashtag #ThanksgivingWithBlackFamilies and accompanying memes took over Twitter yesterday with users revealing how Turkey Day goes down in their family. From the which-mac-and-cheese-is-best debate to religion to young cousin problems to thieving and/or feuding relatives, no subject was off limits. So if you’re stuck today working a full day, here’s a “Weekday Distraction.”

Fall delivered a season of icons, geniuses and movements.

By Musa Jackson

The soul of New York Fashion Week was in East Harlem at The Museum of The City of New York as iconic supermodel Beverly Johnson celebrated the release of her new memoir, The Face That Changed It All. Still impossibly gorgeous, Johnson held court with VIPs such as Brian Maillian and fashion notables Renauld White, Audrey Smaltz, Harriet Cole and Freddie Leiba.

Another legend arrived in East Harlem and set the streets atwitter: Pope Francis. His papal visit to catholic school Our Lady Queen of Angels shut down the streets, causing a divine commotion, which was witnessed up close by my own queen, my mother Pansy Jackson.

Urban World Film Festival Ambassador Tyrese headlined a star-studded opening with T.I., Rev. Run, rapper David Banner and iconic ballerina Misty Copeland. But the film Chapter & Verse, set in Harlem, directed by Jamal Joseph and starring Daniel Beaty, Omari Hardwick and Loretta Devine won over the audience which included actors Preston Holmes and Malik Yoba, as well as film director Warrington Hudlin. Meanwhile, over at Sol Studio, an Empire frenzy took place when the show’s creator Lee Daniels [left], star Jussie Smollett [left], and music producer Swizz Beatz attended the opening night of rock diva Nona Hendryx’s first solo art show. But it was the appearance of her musical sisters—a vibrant Sarah Dash and always energetic Patti LaBelle—that had me dreaming of a LaBelle reunion!

Media man Nathan Hale Williams chose Harlem to host the launch party for his juicy new novel Ladies Who Lunch and Love. The soiree—hosted by media personalities Patrick Riley and Bevy Smith—was full of beautiful people, including TV host Tai Beauchamp, Apollo Theater PR diva Nina Flowers, UPTOWN CEO Len Burnett, fashion stylist Philip Bloch and Beverly Johnson.

The Apollo Theater continues its reign of relevancy as CEO Jonelle Procope inducted the unholy trinity of comedic geniuses Jackie Moms Mabley, Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor into its Walk of Fame. Rain Pryor and Richard Pryor Jr. were present to salute their father’s enormous legacy.

Minister Louis Farrakhan and Musa Jackson

I also ventured out of Harlem to witness a historical event. As The UPTOWN Harlem Ambassador, I was invited to the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March in DC. Among the over 1 million there included superstar rapper Snoop Dogg, Oscar-winner Common, comedian Dave Chappelle and more. Afterwards, I attended a private soul feast at Boss Shepherds for Uncle Gene, a.k.a. Minister Louis Farrakhan.

Lupita Nyong’o and Musa Jackson

Lastly, but certainly not least, flawless Lancôme spokesmodel, recent Vogue cover girl and Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o dazzled a packed audience at MIST Theater with a conversation brilliantly moderated by Michaela Angela Davis. The actress talked about her role in the The Public Theater play Eclipsed (which is rumored to be headed to Broadway), her consistent red carpet slayage, her character in the upcoming, highly-anticipated Stars Wars film and her impact as a rising international icon. Congressman Charlie Rangel surprised us all with a city proclamation declaring “Lupita Day in Harlem.”

It was the perfect end to an epic fall.

The new Celebration Bowl in Atlanta will be a national showcase to elevate Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Executive director John Grant intends for the event to offer much more than just football.

By Jenny DeLoach Zimmerman

John Grant has something to say. His statement will be college football’s newest postseason bowl game, the Celebration Bowl.

At noon Saturday, Dec. 19th, live on ABC, the inaugural Celebration Bowl will kick off from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, featuring the champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against the champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Grant, the chief executive officer of 100 Black Men of Atlanta for the past 14 years, will lead the Celebration Bowl as executive director.

“It’s not about who wins. I say, let’s all win,” Grant said. “I’m all about creating opportunities for people to win. When people win, our communities win. When communities win, our nation wins. That’s what this bowl game is about. If we’re able to do that, it will have meaning inclusive of the sport, but way beyond the sport.

“That is a statement worth making.”

Having made his home in Atlanta since 1985, Grant joined 100 Black Men of Atlanta at age 30 in 1988. Through three decades with the 100 -– whose mission emphasizes youth development and empowerment -– and with some influential guidance, Grant has developed a knack for taking the wheel. Helping to shape the Celebration Bowl as both an HBCU headliner and an opportunity to grow something bigger is a task for which he is prepared. For nearly 20 years, Grant helped direct the Atlanta Football Classic, an annual HBCU game presented by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta at the Georgia Dome.

“One of the mantras of 100 Black Men of Atlanta is, ‘What they see is what they’ll be,’ he said. “So, being CEO of an organization, first, of leaders, has given me the opportunity to grow myself personally. But leading leaders requires a skill set that I’ve been able to learn over the years through being mentored by people like Ambassador Andrew Young and former Mayor of Atlanta Maynard Jackson – being mentored by a number of successful men who invested in me.

“The Celebration Bowl is bigger than just the game itself. The Celebration Bowl is something important in the American landscape through the vehicle of sports. Being able to educate the nation to the significance of the colleges and universities in both the MEAC and SWAC conferences and those beyond is something that I think is different from any other bowl game played. This one has a unique value to it.”

Grant, recently selected as an inductee into the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau’s 2015 Hospitality Hall of Fame, serves on several boards in the metro area, including the Atlanta Sports Council, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Central Atlanta Progress, Georgia Humanities Council, Emory University Center for Ethics, and the National Wildlife Federation. He also served on the working committee and advisory board for the Center for Civil and Human Rights along with the Early Learning Commission for the United Way. He is poised to bring a great mix of elements together in making the Celebration Bowl a marquee Atlanta event.

“I’ve made many, many relationships both in the city and the sponsorship arenas,” he said. “So bringing that experience to this bowl game I believe adds tremendous value to the success of this property in Atlanta.”

And, combined with Grant’s standing in the corporate community, it’s a great development for Atlanta. With the most significant population of HBCU alumni in the nation, Atlanta, a top travel destination and the college sports capital of the South, is perhaps the most natural location (with the world’s most bustling airport) for fans and alumni to gather for the season-ending festivities.

“All that makes it unique,” Grant said of his city. “Foremost, Atlanta offers a richness of history relevant to the nation and to African-Americans – really to all of America – which no other city in this country can claim. The appropriate question would be, ‘Why not Atlanta?’ I think the answer is clear.”

A Commitment to Diversity

The Celebration Bowl, owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, will build on the company’s commitment to diversity, and, more specifically, HBCU programming. ESPN Events Senior Director of Events Clint Overby calls the new bowl game a culmination of what began with the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, an ESPN Events venture that for 11 years has showcased teams from the two HBCU conferences in a season-opening football game with a bowl-like atmosphere.

“The Celebration Bowl is an extension of that commitment,” Overby said. “Not only does it have a complementary effect to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, it has a legacy effect beyond the MEAC/SWAC Challenge as something we can build out over time, create a history around and really demonstrate the commitment that not only ESPN has but, I think, the City of Atlanta has toward HBCUs.”

ESPN, as well as MEAC and SWAC officials, sees Grant as the ideal person to lead the event.

“I’ve known John a long time,” said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp. “John comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge, and he really knows the city of Atlanta. When you have someone with that type of experience, someone with that type of passion for HBCU football, you really can’t go wrong.”

ESPN immediately saw in Grant someone with substantial ability, as well as solid connections in the local community and the charisma to seize each opportunity to build up this event.

“We wanted someone who can be an advocate for us in the community and work within the local Atlanta corporate base, while at the same time working with our staff in Charlotte (N.C.) to pull off a great event,” Overby said.

Dr. Dennis Thomas, MEAC commissioner, looks forward to witnessing the culmination of talks between the MEAC, the SWAC and ESPN that began more than 10 years ago, when the MEAC/SWAC Challenge was in its infancy. At that time, the MEAC had an automatic qualifying bid for the Division I-AA playoffs, and the conference’s membership wanted to keep that AQ. Years passed, and the MEAC/SWAC Challenge grew, and all sides continued to have discussions about the prospect of a postseason bowl game.

“Finally this past year, the membership, and ultimately the presidents and the chancellors that make up our council of CEOs, had final approval,” Thomas said, “and ESPN … I give them credit, all the way from (ESPN President) John Skipper to (ESPN Executive VP, Programming and Scheduling) Burke Magnus to (ESPN Senior VP, College Networks, Programming) Rosalyn Durant to (ESPN Events Senior VP) Pete Derzis to Clint Overby, for making it happen. I guess all the stars lined up for us. [ESPN] has done an excellent job in involving diversity in their programming – and this is one of the reasons the postseason bowl game is so important. It adds another element to our branding, and it gives our student-athletes and our coaches the bowl experience; it enhances recruitment for not only student-athletes but all students for our institutions. The game being on ABC really speaks to ESPN’s commitment and courage to activate what they are committed to.”

ESPN Events, which operates 12 other college football bowl games, places a premium on developing a bond between those events and the communities in which they thrive. Each bowl game hosts ancillary events, including fan zones that maximize the family atmosphere during the pregame and tailgate festivities, charitable activities such as visits to local children’s hospitals, wellness forums, and abundant opportunities for the participating schools to gain exposure with potential new students and fans.

ESPN will collaborate with 100 Black Men of Atlanta to do that here, and Grant says he anticipates activities such as the Robotics Showcase and Invitational, which introduces young people to STEM (science, technology, engineering, math); youth symposiums that bring together young high school males to talk about and understand their path to a successful future; and fan experiences that engage people with health fairs and screenings, job fairs, college fairs.

“The Celebration Bowl will do something in that realm that no other bowl event does,” Grant said, “with the intent of engaging the community, particularly young people, and exposing them to the college experience.”

Overby concurs.

“We think the city of Atlanta will embrace it, and we look forward to building that up over time,” he said. “Fans should expect a celebration – great bands, great teams, great football, and a great atmosphere. That’s the objective. We want to make sure the players, coaches, fans, all come away from the event feeling really good about it, and we want to provide a great experience for them. That’s critical to our operation. That’s our best marketing.”

Sharp is ready to put his conference’s member schools in a spotlight they are eager and deserving to experience.

“It takes it to the next level,” he said. “We never had our own bowl game. Now we do. To actually have an agreement with ESPN, the game’s going to be on ABC, in the Georgia Dome – we really have a platform for our member institutions, our student-athletes and our coaches on a prime-time network to really show what both conferences are all about …

“For me, you can’t use the word excited too much; I tend to do so. Meeting with my presidents and chancellors, and then the coaches – to play for the SWAC championship in Houston is something they love. But then to have another game to move on to? It was insane when we announced that we had gotten the deal done to get this game. I’m really just looking forward to being in the building on the 19th.”

The excitement is, of course, contagious. Look no further than to Grant.

“My greatest aspiration for this bowl is that when fans finish watching this game that they walk away knowing something that they did not know before, that there is an experience that they have like no other, because they learned something,” he said. “There’s something meaningful that occurred that awakened something in them, a desire to know more. We’re uniquely positioned with a wonderful name that allows us to celebrate, to ignite the fire of celebration of a number of things – family, the holiday season, celebrating education, celebrating sports, celebrating the ideals that this nation provides, that if you’re willing to put in the effort, there is no other country that provides opportunity like the United States of America. And the Celebration Bowl opening up one of the great spectacles of sport – the college bowl season, and the competition surrounding that – the Celebration Bowl can help all of us recognize the valuable role that these young men and women play in exhibiting the best of what this country has to offer, and it’s something worth celebrating.”

Jenny DeLoach Zimmerman is a veteran journalist who lives in Central Florida. This is her first article for UPTOWN Professional magazine.

By Satchel B. Jester

Imagine brunching poolside in Miami and gluttonously indulging in rum glazed ribs and chicken, succulent grilled lobster with ponzu butter, shrimp and smoked cheddar grits and red velvet pecan sticky buns. That’s a reality under the culinary control of the city’s own Chef Richard Ingraham. Where did these skills originate? Like any good Southern boy, Ingraham credits his family.

“I watched my grandmother and my uncle cook which led me into the kitchen at 10 years old,” he says. “But, I’d never really planned for my career to be anchored in food.” The 6’2”, 45-year old first entered entrepreneurship as a hairstylist, transforming the tresses of women into short coifs resembling the likes of Halle Berry and Anita Baker. After leaving his Wahl clippers in Miami, Chef RLI traded conditioner for cooking oil, took residence in Atlanta and matriculated at the Art Institute of Atlanta, obtaining credentials to become the culinary beast he is today.

After a stint teaching culinary arts, he baked his brand to perfection becoming the personal chef for celebrities including Asante Samuels, famed couple Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, Chris Bosh, Sanaa Lathan and Kelly Rowland, with additional clientele in homes across the United States. “It floors me that people depend on my company to nourish their lives,” says Ingraham, whose favorite holiday dishes include rib roast, sausage-filled stuffing and sweet potato custard. “And I am thankful for the ability to employ other chefs and provide a livelihood for them and their families.” As the holidays approach, Ingraham is clear on the position he plays in feeding his own bloodline. “Since I’ve become a ‘celebrity chef’, my mom kind of steps aside and lets me do all the work!”

CHEF RLI’S SWEET POTATO CUSTARD RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup pureed sweet potato
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• Dash of salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup condensed milk
• Mini Marshmallows for garnish

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

• Six 5-ounce custard cups
• Large baking or roasting pan
• Electric mixer

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter six 5-ounce custard cups; set cups in a large baking or roasting pan.
2. Boil sweet potato (in the skin) until soft.
3. Next, remove the skin and place in the electric mixer along with sugar, butter, egg yolks, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Mix until well incorporated. Add evaporated milk and condensed milk and continue mixing.
4. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until stiff. Fold whites into the potato mixture until well combined. Pour mixture into the prepared custard cups.
5. Heat about 5 to 6 cups of water until nearly simmering.
6. Place the pan with the cups in the hot oven, and then fill the outer pan with very hot water until the water is about halfway up the side of the custard cups.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are firm. The center of the custards may jiggle a bit. Allow a little more time if you’re using larger custard cups, and less time if using very small or shallow cups.
8. Remove cups from water immediately and place on a wire rack to cool. Cover the cooled custard with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.

[Image: Bob Metulus]

Associate editor Satchel Jester shares the luxury items on his holiday gift list that should be on yours too!

Cire Trudon Oduers D’Hiver Holiday Gift Set
Bring warmth to chilly Winter afternoons with three warm, ultra-luxe, captivating candles. The Cire Trudon Odeurs D’Hiver Holiday gift set contains Gabriel (notes of leather and cashmere wood), Gaspard (mandarin meets intense mysore sandalwood) and Melchior (citrus and spices). Burn, baby burn! $210 | CireTrudon.com

Hennessy XO
If you’re looking to give the most original gift this holiday season, look no further than Hennessy X.O, as it is considered “The Original” and the benchmark, which all “Extra Old” Cognacs are measured against. X.O’s flavors of candied fruit and a subtle and lightly spicy nose create a complete harmony, a mark of its power and roundness and a flavor that’s perfect for the holidays. $249 | Hennessy.com

Disaronno Wears Cavalli
What’s cocktailing withpit couture? This year, after successful past partnerships with
Moschino and Versace, Disaronno has partnered with Roberto Cavalli to design a limited edition bottle for the holiday season. The bottle is pulled directly from the
runway, featuring Cavalli’s signature leopard prints draped in white and gold
embellishment. $29.99 | ReserveBar.com

HAGH Tote
After Santa laces you with your requested objects of desire, you need something
a bit more fashionable and intentional than a knapsack to hoist your goodies. HAGH apparel introduces their boldly brazen “My Shit” tote for such needs. It’s self-explanatory. What’s mine is mine! £39.99 | HAGHApparel.uk

Amazon Echo
Move over Siri, there’s a new digi-chick on the block! Introducing Alexa, a cloud-based voice service, who effortlessly fills the room with sound, provides information, answers questions, reads the news and all that jazz! And get this, she’s not temperamental -– she’s always on and ready to work! $179.99 | Amazon.com

Dermalogica
Love the skin you’re in and treat it as such. These products from Dermalogica, direct
descendants of the fountain of youth, do everything from exfoliating and soothing to
buffing and tightening, all without leaving the comfort of your vanity. $20-$82 | Dermalogica.com

DL Warfield Art
Proud to be an American? Even in trying times, the American flag stands as a symbol. Legendary art influencer and curator DL Warfield presents a collection of remixed flags that represent different passions, genres, ideas and cultures. While sending a message, they also become ultra swanky and forward adornments for any collector’s display. Price Available Upon Request | DLWarfield.com

Sasha and Malia Obama join President Obama during the pardoning of National Thanksgiving Turkey Abe.

When you’re President of the United States of America you can eat anything your stomach desires on Thanksgiving — including the turkey that wasn’t lucky enough to get a pardon. We’re pretty sure Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha weren’t disappointed by the spread the White House chefs prepared because just writing about their Thanksgiving Day menu has my mouth watering all over again.

The turkey was roasted with thyme, and the honey-baked ham was covered in an apricot-mustard glaze. There was prime rib and creamed horseradish.

The Obamas ate three kinds of starches: macaroni and cheese, sweet potato gratin, and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes.

And two stuffing: cornbread with chorizo and “roasted peppers oyster,” according to the White House.

But we know Michelle wouldn’t have a table without veggies. The Obamas ate collards greens, kale, and turnip greens, in addition to a kale Caesar salad and green bean casserole.

As for dessert, it was pie all the way. The White House served banana cream, coconut cream, pumpkin, apple, pecan, and cherry pies.

Hungry for leftovers yet?!

Source

Sindika Dokolo owns the largest collection of African art on the planet. With his ever-growing influence, he is placing the art world on notice.

By Isoul Harris

Porto, the second city of Portugal, is widely known as the birthplace of Port wine, the sweet indulgence often sipped for dessert. But, the gorgeously ancient city’s newest respect rises from the art world and not its vineyards. Earlier this year, the highly-lauded exhibit, “You Love Me, You Love Me Not,” featuring 50 African artists and over 100 works—including sculpture, photographs, paintings and video—opened in Porto and became an instant sensation, attracting over 40 thousand visitors. Sindika Dokolo, Danish-Congolese philanthropist and husband of Isabel dos Santos (the daughter of Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and reportedly Africa’s first female billionaire) is an executive and board member at the Angolan cement company Nova Cimangola. He is also responsible for bringing the exhibit to Portugal and he owns each work. Dokolo has amassed beyond 5,000 pieces of classical and contemporary African art—making him widely recognized as possessing the largest and most important collection of this variety in the world. “This exhibit does not tell you what Africa is or who Africans are, instead it tells you what both are not,” says Dokolo, the head of Fundacio Sindika Dokolo, his philanthropic organization, which, as a result of the exhibit’s success, was invited by Porto to establish a satellite headquarters in the city. His carefully chosen works seemingly describe both the expertly-curated “You Love Me” as well as his nearly priceless and historically consequential personal assemblage. Although young at 43, his nature is quite serious. The importance of his namesake foundation’s partnership with Angola’s former colonial ruler Portugal weighs heavily. “They have invited us as a cultural enrichment to the city and there is no prejudice involved,” says Dokolo. ‘It means that we are not yelling in the desert and that people are involved and that they get it. I want the foundation to participate in making Porto worth visiting for its cultural heritage and vibrant scene. This will be historic.”

Below, Dokolo—who recently announced that FSD acquired three classical African pieces from European collections that had been looted during the Angolan Civil War—shares his insight on several topics from why the term “Tribal Art” is racist to the very cloudy process by which art is valued.

Tribal vs. African Classical Art
“Thanks to my journey, I have educated my eye with African Classical Art. The term tribal actually means nothing. The definition of primal means ‘Art from people that do not know how to read or write’ which is not cool. It is condescension. Some of the classical art should not be in private hands. Africa has a cultural DNA of engaging with art in a way that the art world has not yet explored or discovered.”

Rethinking Museums
“We should engage with art at an early age. We have to drag our younger generation to museums and galleries. We need to rethink museums in the same way that the church needs to rethink the way it relates to people. The concept of the museum is dusty, cold and at the root of the problem. There is literally a string that keeps you from the art. There is an invisible bubble around the art world.”

Establishing the Value of an Artist
“The real value of art is in how it engages with society. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying and stupid and completely out of touch. You must consider if something is completely revolutionary and relevant. Picasso was revolutionary because his work was relevant. A lot of art today is just about the aesthetics or the story or the marketing and there is no relevance within the context of the world. The art world is going to have to make the extraordinary effort to put themselves in question. There is a moral responsibility. Art is important to civilization.”

The Price of Art
“The price of an art work should be the reflection of its value. The biggest possible inner-value is how revolutionary and full of impact has an art work been. The art world today is full of bubbles. It’s basically full of sub-primes. I don’t know if I am revealing a secret and will be labeled a whistler. But, as long as everyone believes it, as long as people are sheep it will work. There is only so much tension you can place on this rope before it will snap.”

Think you have nothing in common with celebrities? Think again. For Thanksgiving Day, many notable people, like the Obamas and La La Anthony, celebrated with friends and family or indulged their philanthropic side. One thing is for sure, they all, like Countess Vaughn, expressed gratitude for their amazing lives.

Countess Vaughn showed off her new body after undergoing liposuction and changing her eating habits by opting for smaller portions.

Russell Simmons had his eyes on dessert during a “compassionate meal with friends.” Earlier in the day, Uncle Rush shared his views on Thanksgiving Day.

The Kardashian-Jenner clan and their men were thankful.

Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Steadman Graham, and friends enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at the Rainbow Room in New York. Oprah said she refused to cook this year.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon and their twins, Moroccan and Monroe, came together.

The Obamas served Thanksgiving dinner to homeless veterans in Washington, D.C.

Sean Combs and his mom Janice Combs worked the camera on Turkey Day.

Grace Gealey showed her gratitude to her higher power while snapping a selfie with fiance Trai Byers.

Amber Rose was focused on son Sebastian during dinner.

Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Chris Bosh, Adrienne Williams Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, and La La Anthony joined their forces for the #TheAnthonyBoshWadeThanksgiving.

By Glenda Swain

Shannon Watkins is a marketing dynamo. As senior director/group director of POWERADE at the Coca-Cola Company, she leads this $750MM sports drink brand for the company through the development and execution of strategy, marketing and retail programs.

In the sports marketing industry, branding is everything and the keen ability to connect with your consumers is equally as important. While I am very familiar with The Coca-Cola Company, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the grassroots strategy that has made POWERADE a favorite among those who dare to believe.

UP: Tell our readers a little about your background and how you landed on a brand such as POWERADE.
Watkins: My background is actually in biology and research. I attended Fisk University and graduated with a degree in Biology. My first job was with a major company in the CPG industry where I was the liaison between the research team and the brand teams. I learned a lot about marketing while I worked with the brands and I wanted to know more about it.
I went back to school and got my MBA and returned to the company and started working on major brands from then on. I also made sure I connected with others in the marketing field who could show me the ropes and give me more insight into how to become successful in the field.
After I joined The Coca-Cola Company, I began working in our Venturing and Emerging Brands division. I then moved to Coke Zero where I was instrumental in working on the College Game Day partnership. I also worked on the Dasani brand before moving into my role on POWERADE.

UP: Sports marketing is big business and major companies are leading the way. Why has the Coca-Cola Company been so successful in this space?
Watkins: I believe that Coca-Cola is successful because we appeal directly to the masses of people who have overcome obstacles and those who have to dig in to be great. We are serious about our brands and want to always make sure we are sending the right message to our consumers.
The category leader typically appeals to the “elite” athlete or those who are at the pinnacle of their game. We tend to feel that our brand identifies better with meeting people where they are, helping them “power through” and reach their destination. We like to call POWERADE “belief in a bottle” and that resonates with our target audience.

UP: POWERADE has a partnership with Derrick Rose. When he got injured earlier this year, you decided to run a powerful ad featuring a narrative by Tupac Shakur. What statement were you trying to make with that spot?
Watkins: We actually shot that commercial well before Derrick got hurt. We planned to launch it later in the year, but once we learned of his injury, we met with primary stakeholders and we all agreed that we should move the launch of the campaign up and release the spot early.
We did this because we wanted Derrick to know that we supported him as a partner and that although he has suffered numerous injuries at this point, there is still greatness within him and that he, like the rose in the concrete, will flourish despite the obstacles that have come before him.
We are very proud of this campaign and we are equally as proud to say that the use of the late Tupac Shakur’s narrative was completely endorsed by his mother, Afeni Shakur and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. This is the only fully-endorsed initiative that has the support of his family and we are thankful for that.

UP: There is also a partnership with Jimmy Graham where a commercial recreates his tough childhood – is there a subliminal message that suggests Powerade relates to “overcomers” in some way?
Watkins: Absolutely! We started out with the Derrick Rose campaign and we just finished the Jimmy Graham spot. The whole concept suggests that “we are all just a kid from somewhere” and there are many aspiring athletes out there who can certainly relate.
POWERADE has intentionally connected with this demographic to inspire belief as well as offer support to those who need it.
We also reached out to our consumers to learn about their personal stories and have recently launched Agenda.complex.com/powerade targeted to teens and others who demonstrated tenacity and have overcome obstacles to reach their athletic goals. We are proud of the “Just A Kid” campaign because it’s very relatable.

UP: You have made a significant dent in the sports drink category so far, what’s the growth strategy for POWERADE?
Watkins: We are going to continue to build effective campaigns and strategies that will encourage our target market to continue to power through to reach their full potential. We will also provide the type of support necessary to ensure that their stories are brought to the forefront so they can be an inspiration to others.

Courtesy of HypeHair.com

For most of us, Erykah Badu is both bae and the auntie we wish we had to call on for anything from fashion and spiritual advice to singing for money in Union Square and finding our true spiritual selves. Seriously. And, her #IDGAF eccentric fashion force was in full bloom while hosting the 2015 Soul Train Awards this past weekend in Las Vegas, including her red carpet look which features a dramatic fitted floor length black ensemble with gold lattice back crowned with a Lincoln-esque top hat.

In fact, just about every costume change during the taping included a top hat that made Pharell’s Arby’s hat take several seats. And, Ms. Badu rocked the hell out of every one of them.

Continue reading …

[Image: Earl Gibson/BET/Getty Images for BET]

“To whom this may concern. I am single! Jimmy couldn’t fork up a dime for our divorce. There’s an active restraining order that he continues to violate. No sex tape even physically exists. Do you really think he could afford a camera? I gave him money multiple times and put minutes on his Obama phone. You better take a U-Turn on that bus. Everyone in Pasadena knows you’re a joke. Gang Member? You lost your job at Taco Bell. Your penis is NOTHING to brag about! Is it normal for a penis to smell like corn chips?

I chose to not be in the spotlight. I am an amazing author (3 Books on Amazon) and I am currently working on a short film that I wrote & directed and putting the final touches on my highly anticipated album! I’m too busy to interact with you bugaboos. Take care and god bless! LV”

— Lark Voorhies allegedly went in on estranged husband Jimmy Green in an Instagram post she claims was the work of a hacker. She tweeted The YBF’s screen grab of the post, writing, “My Instagram account was hacked. I never wrote such things! LV.” Hmm, notice how she concludes the tweet in similar fashion as the Instagram post. Also, she hasn’t deleted the offensive post yet. (See the post below.) Lark also apologized for the post while again claiming to have been hacked and comparing herself to an angel … Oh, Lark.

The 2015 Soul Train Awards were a big moment in the careers of Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Jill Scott, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, and many others.

Erykah Badu hosted the awards show to rave reviews.

Boyz II Men, Fantasia, Brandy, Bobby Brown, and Tevin Campbell paid tribute to iconic producer and singer Babyface, who also received the Legend Award.

Jill Scott was awarded the first-ever Lady of Soul Award, last night. Jilly from Philly also took home the award for Best R&B-Soul Female Artist.

Bruno and Mark Ronson nabbed awards for Song of the Year and Video of the Year for their collaboration, “Uptown Funk.”

The Weeknd won trophies for Best R&B-Soul Male Artist and Album of the Year for Beauty Behind the Madness.

Check out the complete list of winners on the next page.

Best New Artist – Jidenna

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist – The Weeknd

Centric Certified Award – Tyrese

Video of the Year – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”

Best Gospel and/or Inspirational Song – Lecrae, “All I Need Is You”

Album of the Year – The Weeknd, Beauty Behind the Madness

Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year – Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist – Jill Scott

Song of the Year – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”

The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award – Common & John Legend, “Glory” (From the Motion Picture Selma)

Best Dance Performance – Silento, “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)”

Best Collaboration – Omarion Ft. Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko, “Post to Be”

Who manages YOUR career?

As the baby boomer generation continues into retirement, generations X and Y and millennials have become a larger part of the workforce. Ethnic, racial, gender and lifestyle diversity are also changing the landscape. Competition is at an all-time high and the question of who manages your career is answered in one word – YOU!

The probability of maximizing your career success is low if you rely solely on “tried and true” career strategies of the past:

• Find a good company and stay your entire career
• Move up or move out
• Compensation is the measure of success
• Only hard skills matter
• It is all about who you know
• If I am the best at what I do, I will be rewarded

This is not your daddy’s career! Today, you must be intentional and develop innovative strategies to ensure success. It all starts with you managing your own career.

CAREER PLAN: A good career plan is a road map that guides you to your career destination.

1. Start your career plan by “beginning with the end in mind,” one of the “Seven Habits of Highly Successful People” as stated by Stephen Covey. Identify where you want to end up. What are your short term (1 to 3 years) and long term (3-5 years) career goals? While having a well-conceived plan with milestones is important —taking ACTION is more important.
2. Know your authentic self. Creating a career plan can be difficult if you are unclear about your values, priorities and passions–because a great plan starts with knowing who you are and what you want to do. Answer these questions to get started: What do you value; money, benefits, recognition, flexibility, travel? What is your personal mission statement? What would you do for free? What are you good at? What are your skills, competencies and talents? Use the answers to these questions as input to help you align your strengths and desires with your career objectives.
3. Take action. A plan with no action is a dream. Don’t spend your career dreaming! Document your career plan, share the plan with those you trust, review the plan regularly to assess your progress.

BALANCE: Managing your career takes diligence and discipline. We sometimes hear “It’s easier to find a job when you have a job.” Psychologically, this makes sense, but in practice this is difficult because of time constraints.

1. Recognize that you have many demands on your time. You have to decide what you are going to eliminate, add or re-prioritize. Commit to a specific amount of time to invest managing your career. Start by being mindful of how you use your leisure time (TV, social media, hobbies). All are time-wasters you can re-invest in your career, without sacrificing time for your current job or family. Block time on your calendar weekly to take specific actions related to your career planning and development.
2. Treat finding a new job and professional development like it is a job, not a hobby. You should engage in specific tasks weekly, like identifying a mentor, networking, acquiring new skills, gaining certifications, leveraging social media and joining professional associations. However, you will not be able to complete all the tasks in a short time frame – it takes time. You will have to balance your time, energy and resources to determine which tasks generates the best ROI for your career search.
3. Reward yourself for achieving interim milestones to positively reinforce progress you are making towards meeting your career goals. Share your successes with your trusted advisors and supporters. Remember, success breeds success and positive action creates momentum towards your final destination.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Understand your skills, knowledge and competency gaps in order to develop a comprehensive plan to address.

1. Assess your current inventory of skills and competencies vs those required for the new career that you seek. Compare and contrast your resume with resumes of those in the position that you desire. Scan online job postings at Monster.com, Indeed.com, CareerBuilder.com, etc. for position descriptions of roles you are targeting. Leverage LinkedIn profiles of established professionals in the area you are seeking. Review company specific website job postings for positions you seek. The results will help you design your career and development plan.
2. Enhance your brand. Do you know your brand? What do people say about you? About your work? It is up to you to define or re-define your brand to make it work for you and not against you. There is an old saying “it is not who you know, but who knows you” therefore, Network, Network, Network…take opportunities to go with colleagues after work to socialize, hit golf balls or just grab a quick lunch. Are you leveraging social media – and not just pics of your kids or pets on Facebook. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete, accurate and up to date. Engage on LinkedIn by endorsing others, sending follow up notes, posting a story of interest or posting awards/recognition received. It is up to you to create a compelling brand that translates into job opportunities.
3. Identify a Mentor and/or coach. A mentor is a trusted advisor who has relevant experiences in the field or area that you are aspiring to be in. Someone who is willing and able to invest time helping you learn and understand the written and unwritten rules of success. In contrast, a career coach is someone who has expertise (certified) in guiding you, asking questions and holding you accountable to execute your career plan. This is typically a paid engagement for a specific period of time. Ideally, you should have both because they play different roles.

Managing your career is not easy. But with the right attitude, strategies, tools and resources, you can develop and execute a career plan that works. As you navigate your career, you will inevitably have peaks and valleys. However, when YOU manage your career you will be able to successfully handle whatever happens. Remember your career is not a destination – it’s a journey.

Charmaine Ward and Keith Millner are co-founders of Coaching Catalyst, a boutique firm specializing in coaching, consulting, and leadership development. They help individuals, team, organizations Perform Better, Smarter and Faster. Certified as ICF, John Maxwell and NLP coaches, collectively they have more than 50 years of experience in executive and senior leadership roles in sales, marketing, operations management, diversity and corporate philanthropy. www.coachingcatalyst.com | info@coachingcatalyst.com | Twitter@coachcatalyst4u | Linkedin Coaching Catalyst

[Main Image: Shutterstock]

Once again, Porsha Williams was involved in a physical altercation on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. But Cynthia Bailey all but admitted to provoking the fight.

So what began as a girls’ day that Kenya Moore dubbed Cynthia’s bachelorette party (yeah, I’m still confused about that one), ended with Cynthia getting mad at Porsha for allegedly saying, “whatever, bitch.” Despite the fact that the women, especially the two in question, were throwing bitch around as a term of endearment all day, Cynthia took offense to how Porsha said it and began all the drama. Porsha really couldn’t understand why Cynthia turned a full 180 and offered a weak “sorry, not sorry” apology. The situation escalated. Cynthia had her hands in Porsha’s face and vice versa. The episode ended before the altercation came to blows, er, kicks, but TheJasmineBrand reports that Cynthia kicked Porsha in the stomach.

Porsha tweeted in her defense while the scene aired.

I hate to be taken to that place with someone I try to support… I try #RHOA

— Porsha Williams (@Porsha4real) November 30, 2015

Love ya but can’t be the punching bag… is how I felt that day🤔

— Porsha Williams (@Porsha4real) November 30, 2015

I don’t know … Just wanted to make it right https://t.co/D4yollgp8l

— Porsha Williams (@Porsha4real) November 30, 2015

Cynthia didn’t address the fight or what really set her off, after the episode aired, but in October she discussed the fight with Steve Harvey on his eponymous talk show, reports TheJasmineBrand.

“I don’t condone violence in anyway, it’s not who I am. However, I do feel like if I’m in a threatening situation I have the right to defend myself and I just removed her from my personal space — but with my foot instead of my hand … It’s a long story, you guys have to watch the show …. but I was just really upset that I allowed myself to be in a situation where I couldn’t figure out how to get out of it without something like this happening and I really made sure that I did what I could to make it right. You know.”

It seems Cynthia misplaced her aggression for her husband Peter Thomas onto the easiest target, Porsha. Who do you think is to blame?

[Image: BravoTV.com]