The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation Announces $12 Million Covid-19 Relief Fund

Oprah Winfrey - Photo Credit: OWN Network

The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation announced today the newest grant recipients of Oprah Winfrey’s $12 million COVID-19 Relief Fund. The $12 million in grants support organizations in Oprah’s “home cities” of Nashville, Chicago, Milwaukee, Baltimore and Kosciusko, Mississippi that are helping underserved communities currently experiencing a disproportionate impact from the pandemic. Winfrey previously announced she was giving $10 million to help those affected by the pandemic and has committed an additional $2 million in support, bringing the total figure to date to $12 million. 

Grammy Award-winning Q Parker Releases New Single "I Need You"

Photo Credit: Q Parker

GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter Q Parker releases his new single "I Need You" from his forthcoming album, The Bridge Project: Brothers United. The track serves as the forthcoming album's second single, coming in right behind its lead single "Made For" featuring Q Parker, Avery Wilson, Deitrick Haddon, and Eric Dawkins. In light of the current political state of unrest, “I Need You” champions unity, humanity, community and brotherhood. The Bridge Project: Brothers United, a musical and visual project with a goal of unity, cultural advancement which bridges the gap in genres of mainstream and gospel, is slated for a fourth quarter 2020 release. 

The Roots Partners With Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote for Virtual Festival Experience

Michelle Obama - Photo Credit: Paras Griffin—Getty Images

This year, in partnership with Michelle Obama’s national, nonpartisan nonprofit organization, When We All Vote, The Roots are launching the 13th Annual Roots Picnic as a virtual broadcast experience on Saturday, June 27th, exclusively on YouTube. The event is Executive Produced by Shawn Gee (Live Nation Urban), Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tarik Trotter (Two One Five Entertainment) and Dan Parise (DPS).

The Roots - Photo Credit: Recording Academy 

Fans can anticipate performances by The Roots, H.E.R., Roddy Ricch, Lil Baby, SZA, Kirk Franklin, Snoh Aalegra, Earthgang, G Herbo, Polo G, D Nice and Musiq Soulchild (backed by The Roots) and appearances by Michelle Obama, Lin Manuel Miranda, Chris Paul, Tom Hanks, Liza Koshy, Kerry Washington, Tracee Ellis Ross, Janelle Monáe, and Elaine Welteroth. 

Towanda Braxton Launches Age-defying Skin Care Line "Ladybug Skincare"

Toward Braxton - Photo Credit: @itowandabraxton

Towanda Braxton is finally letting fans know her secret to her flawless skin. Known as the "Responsible One" of the Braxtons, Towanda has deemed it as her responsibility to help others combat wrinkles, acne, dull skin, and other skin impurities with her new cosmetic line, "Ladybug Skincare."

Towanda has always had a keen interest in the beauty and skincare industry since she was a child, but after meeting the “Skin God” Charlotte Wilson of Glow Skin Enhancement, she took actions into her own hands. Towanda decided to take her acquired knowledge and create her very own skincare line called “Ladybug Skincare” backed by Charlotte Wilson. The products are created for all skin types, and gives the user a young, natural, and refreshing glow. Her mission is to educate others on how to keep their skin looking and feeling healthy, one step at a time. With that, she plans on spreading her knowledge across the world, and become a Go-To for all things skin care. The affordable line features A Bar Day & Night Soap,Timeless Ageless Morning Toner, Timeless Ageless Day Moisturizer, Timeless Ageless Night Lotion, Anti Aging Serum, and Glow Sunscreen. 

Billy Porter Graduates From ‘Quarancuts’ Virtual Hair School

Billy Porter - Photo Credit: Barba 

One of the less discussed challenges of the lockdown following the COVID-19 outbreak has been that individuals all over are finding themselves in dire need of a haircut with spouses, partners, parents and children are suddenly being drafted as amateur barbers and stylists – with potentially catastrophic (stylistic) results. 

To help remedy the situation and deliver some much-needed relief, New York City’s Up-Scale men’s grooming boutique Barba, in partnership with agency, Terri & Sandy has launched the Quarancuts Virtual Hair School.