The Rock Hall is preparing to induct one of its biggest classes as Vandross and Wu-Tang enter the Hall on their first try, while Sade will be inducted on her second try.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2026 induction class, and it might be a list that both Gene Simmons and Chuck D can agree on.
In an announcement on Monday during “American Idol”, the Rock Hall revealed that Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan were among those to be inducted into the illustrious institution. Three other notable inductees, Queen Latifah, Fela Kuti and MC Lyte, were inducted into the Early Influence wing.
The eight performers voted into this year’s class:
● Phil Collins
● Billy Idol
● Iron Maiden
● Joy Division/New Order
● Oasis
● Sade
● Luther Vandross
● Wu-Tang Clan
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While the list of inductees is stacked, several notable acts missed their chance to be part of this year’s class, including Mariah Carey, New Edition and Lauryn Hill.
Due to the class breakdown, 18 total acts are going to the Hall this year, ranging from Rick Rubin to Celia Cruz. The induction ceremony will take place in November in Los Angeles and will be aired on ABC and Disney+ in December. In previous years, the ceremony was aired live on Disney properties from 2023 to 2025, but it appears there will not be a live broadcast this year.
Vandross and Wu-Tang enter the Hall on their very first ballot. Sade reached the Hall on her second ballot, while Lyte and Latifah had not been previously nominated. Kuti had been nominated twice before, but made it this year.
Of those not inducted, New Edition was the winner of the “fan vote,” an annual tally of online votes. However, their collective vote didn’t sway the Rock Hall panel, as the Boston-based group didn’t earn a spot in the top eight.
Simmons drew plenty of ire earlier this year after Outkast was inducted into the Hall, reiterating his belief that the Rock Hall belonged primarily to rock music.
“It’s not my music,” Simmons told the “LegendsNLeaders” podcast in an episode published in February. “I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language. And as I said in print many times, hip-hop does not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, nor does opera or symphony orchestras.… How come the New York Philharmonic doesn’t get into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Because it’s called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
Simmons had longed for Iron Maiden to be included in the Hall, repeatedly slamming the institution for failing to induct the group. With them finally making it this year, maybe now he’ll stand down a bit on his belief. Or maybe not.
The more intriguing question is, will this lead to performances from the likes of Sade, Wu-Tang or even Latifah and Lyte?
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B-Side Bangers: Al Green
The hits made them stars, but the deep cuts made us fans! See if you know any of these “B-Side Bangers” by Al Green.
Showing love to the icons of Black music while they’re still here to receive their proverbial flowers is what we strive to accomplish in our goal with the B-Side Bangers series.
Thankfully, not only does living legend Al Green fit the bill to a tee, the critically-acclaimed “Last Of The Great Soul Singers” is also celebrating an anniversary this week as he commemorates an astounding 52 years since the release of his classic fifth studio album, I’m Still in Love with You, on October 23, 1972.
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Spawning three hit singles with “Look What You Done for Me,” the fan-favorite “Love and Happiness” and timeless title track “I’m Still in Love with You,” Green officially solidified his legend status with this album just half-a-decade into his career — his previous effort released only nine months prior, Let’s Stay Together, could arguably be considered the breakthrough. A mainstay on each update to Rolling Stone Magazine‘s coveted “500 Greatest Albums Of All Time” list, I’m Still In Love With You was both a success during its time —it topped the R&B Album chart for the entirety of December 1972 — and, as we can see today, the handful of decades that’ve followed.
Following in the B-Side Bangers tradition, we dug through the crates to find Al Green gems that don’t often get the love they so rightfully deserve. The 79-year-old Arkansas native has released an astounding body of work over the past six decades, including 29 studio albums — oftentimes he’d even drop twice a year — and just as many compilation LPs filled top to bottom with hits. Of the many soul classics within that collection, you better believe we found some serious deep cuts to put you all onto as well. Enjoy the selection!
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BET President Louis Carr teases return of Soul Train Awards as he lays out plans for network’s new era
Three months into his new gig, Carr has big ambitions for the network, from the return of the Soul Train Awards to community-focused programming.
Barely ninety days into his tenure as president of BET, Louis Carr is prepared to help shape the legacy network’s future.
Carr, who has served in various roles at the network for over four decades, succeeded Scott Mills last December in a move that stunned many outside the network, including the new president himself.
“I didn’t see it coming,” Carr told Forbes’s Jabari Young in a recent sitdown interview for “The Enterprise Zone” podcast.
“What I saw was: I’ve had an amazing career. It’s time to go do something else.”
The executive’s résumé reads like an ad agency’s dream. Before taking over as network president, Carr was primarily focused on ad sales. During his tenure, he and his team brought in over $10 billion in advertising revenue. Being a longtime steward of one of Black America’s most beloved entities isn’t lost on Carr, who understands the network will have to adapt, especially in the wake of recent changes.
In March, BET+, the network’s streaming platform, was absorbed into Paramount+, the streaming app for the network’s parent company. Paramount also purchased Tyler Perry’s stake in BET+. A highly publicized sports show with Cam Newton, dubbed “106 & Sports,” lasted only eight episodes and despite the clamor for beloved award shows like the Soul Train Awards and the BET Hip-Hop Awards to return, there’s a new mission statement and focus at the network.
“We have a new slogan out: BET is something you can believe in.”
In a different era of BET, there were shows like “Teen Summit” and “Ed Gordon” to help combat misinformation from proliferating in the community. With the vastness of the internet and the amplification of select voices, BET’s future also includes returning to one of its core missions: serving Black America at large and being focused on that initiative.
“We’ve decided the lanes that we’re going to play in,” Carr told Young. “Those lanes are community, culture, and connection.”
He added, “I think brands that serve Black consumers have to be engaged in the community. They expect that. They expect to be seen. They expect to be heard. They expect to be respected. And they expect to be understood, and we do that 24 hours a day. Our brand was created and led by black culture. That’s what we do, probably better than anybody else. We understand what’s going to be hot and what’s not anymore.”
“We’re just like every other media brand trying to figure it out,” Carr told Young. “What is the new paradigm, what is the new model we need to operate under… and that’s the exciting part. The excitement is, who’s the first to figure it out? I think that we have a better chance than most brands that are serving our community.”
Carr’s vision for the network includes more programming leaning toward sports and comedy, the latter of which was a staple for the network in the ’90s and early 2000s. Along with sports and comedy programming, the network is looking into microseries and microdramas and original series, a social program centered on mental health.
And the network is likely bringing back the Soul Train Awards, according to Carr.
“That’s the one,” he told Young, who was more than excited to hear the news. The show, which routinely celebrated the best in R&B, was put on an indefinite pause in 2025 along with the BET Hip-Hop Awards. “I think that’s the one everyone wants to come back.”
With four decades at the company under his belt, Carr has championed “reinvention and change” for his tenure. The network is entering a new chapter under the Paramount Skydance merger, while at the same time looking to bring new things and familiar ones back to the airwaves. It begs to be seen what BET will look and feel like as Carr begins his first full year in the position, but his ideas and desire seem poised to bring BET back to the forefront of Black consciousness.
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To Us! Scot Louie Hosts Mixology Class To Celebrate Shein Trends Collection
To us! Cultural tastemaker and vibe provider Scot Louie hosted a mixology class to celebrate his Shein collection.
To us!
Celebrity stylist, cultural tastemaker and certified vibe provider, Scot Louie, combined the best of his worlds, this week, with a mixology class in celebration of his Spring/ Summer trends collection with Shein. And it makes total sense, with countless viral Tik Tok audio, it was an organic way to show off the things he loves most, fashion, drinks and fun. His trend edit with Shein packs both. Filled with flirty pieces like a satin mermaid skirt, statement tops like the metallic bra perfect for Coachella, or a denim short set with faux leather lapels serving quiet luxe, a time will be had in his pieces.
The intimate dinner and mixology experience at Apotheke NYC, brought out the likes of Jenee Naylor, DeAndre Brown, Blake Newby, Chee Smalls, Carolyn Gray, Pierrah, Destiny Owusu, Marissa Pelly and more who all wore their favorite pieces from the collection. According to the media alert, the room doubled as a living lookbook with tailored suiting, textured layers, soft neutrals, and statement accessories all in conversation with the collection on display.
Louie worked the room while fabulously hosting, toasting, and even stepping behind the bar as cocktails were crafted. It was a photo opp at every turn.
Louie’s collection is currently available on Shein. Shop, here.
To Us! Scot Louie Hosts Mixology Class To Celebrate Shein Trends Collection was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
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Morehouse College Student-Athletes Assists Zaxby’s Staff During Lunch
April 13, 2026
‘Support like this makes a real difference for our student-athletes,’ said Morehouse Athletic Director Harold Ellis
Morehouse College has a partnership with Zaxby’s, a fast food restaurant that serves mostly chicken fingers, wings, salads, and sandwiches, and student-athletes from the school joined the staff to assist with serving lunch in March.
The event took place on March 27 at a local Zaxby’s that caters to and serves the college crowd and diners in the area. The students went to the eatery to show appreciation for the popular chain’s support throughout the school year.
“Support like this makes a real difference for our student-athletes,” said Morehouse Athletic Director Harold Ellis in a written statement. “SJAC Food Groups. LLC have been tremendous partners to our program, and we were proud to spend time serving alongside their team and showing our appreciation for their commitment throughout the season.”
Morehouse has received support from Zaxby’s across several sports in the program. The restaurant supplies the athletes with meals after games and during long competition days to help keep them focused.
The school took the time to return the favor by helping staff members serve customers that day, becoming teammates with them.
“ZAXBYS is proud to partner with Morehouse College, an institution rooted in excellence, leadership, and legacy,” said an SJAC Food Groups executive (The company that owns Zaxby’s). “Together, we aim to support student success, enhance campus experiences, and create meaningful connections through great food and community engagement.”
The year has been a good one for Morehouse Athletics. The Maroon Tigers have won championships in men’s basketball regular season and tournament play, cross country, and indoor track & field. The football team has had its most successful season in seven years, and baseball and golf are currently doing well, enjoying their strongest campaigns in more than a decade.
This past weekend, the baseball team staged a successful comeback to win its game against Clark Atlanta, 17-14, moving it into fifth place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SAIC).
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Hunter Biden Challenges Donald Trump’s Sons To A Cage Match, Social Media Goes Full Fight Club
Biden challenges Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump to a cage match, turning political dysfunction into a full-blown spectacle.
As the United States continues to search for the flux capacitor to get us out of this alternative version of America, the slide to hell continues to be paved with even more absurdities.
Brace yourself.
According to Reuters, there could be a potential cage match between two rival president’s sons. I know this feels like a bad dream or satire or a storyline ripped from professional wrestling, but it’s surely inching toward reality.
The idea gained traction on Thursday when Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, publicly challenged Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump—the eldest sons of President Donald Trump—to a fight. The unexpected challenge reportedly stemmed from a conversation with Andrew Callaghan, a left-leaning social media personality known for his unconventional reporting style. According to Biden, Callaghan floated the idea of organizing the bout, and Biden didn’t hesitate.
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“I told him I’d do it—100% in if he can pull it off. And if he can’t, I’m still coming,” Biden said in a video posted to Callaghan’s Channel 5 Instagram account, leaning into the chaotic energy that has defined much of the discourse surrounding political families in recent years.
So far, there has been no official response from the Trump Organization or the White House, leaving the proposal in a strange limbo between serious consideration and internet-fueled spectacle. It’s also unclear whether such a fight could—or would—ever be sanctioned, staged, or even legally permitted.
Interestingly, the timing of the challenge coincides with broader plans by the White House to commemorate the nation’s 250th year of independence. Among those plans is a June 14 event expected to feature professional fighters from Ultimate Fighting Championship, underscoring how combat sports have increasingly crossed over into mainstream entertainment and political culture.
The surreal nature of the proposed Biden-Trump family showdown recalls another high-profile “fight” that never materialized: the much-hyped 2023 cage match between tech billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Like that matchup, this latest challenge may ultimately generate more headlines than actual punches.
Still, the idea of political rivalries spilling into physical confrontation isn’t entirely new in American history. One of the most infamous examples remains the 1804 duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, a violent clash that ended in Hamilton’s death and permanently altered Burr’s political future.
Whether this modern-day “duel” remains hypothetical or evolves into something more tangible, it reflects a broader shift in how politics, media, and spectacle increasingly collide in the public arena.
See social media’s reaction to the proposal below.
Hunter Biden Challenges Donald Trump’s Sons To A Cage Match, Social Media Goes Full Fight Club was originally published on cassiuslife.com
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The Fumble: Geno’s Dawn Staley Disrespect, Mike Vrabel’s Dianna Russini Rumors, & Talking NBA Drama With Jemele Hill
Breaking down the latest news in sports culture from the week.
Both the men’s and women’s NCAA championship journeys were controversial this year, and for the ladies, it peaked in the Final Four.
UConn’s Geno Auriemma couldn’t accept defeat and turned Dawn Staley’s South Carolina win into a drama-filled event when he accused her of not shaking hands, which overshadowed her win.
Though her team was blown out in the Finals by UCLA, her time to shine was ruined, and The Fumble cohosts Samaria Terry and Rodney Rikai debate the situation with Rikai removing race from it.
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“Stop that on the internet,” Rodney begins. “Yo, there are people who don’t like certain individuals within a certain class or a certain group or demographic. It does not mean they feel that way about everybody. That’s so small-minded and ignorant. Every time somebody has an interaction with a Black woman, everybody feels, ‘Oh, cancel that person.’ It’s just like, ‘Shut up.’ The two of them have a great relationship. I mean, he coached her. Team USA, obviously, we’ve seen them in previous years. They have nothing but the utmost respect for one another, but they just didn’t have it at that time.”
The NFL Draft is still weeks away, but we’re getting insider information no one asked for after some suspicious photographs of New York Times reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel were spotted getting cozy at a resort.
Samaria has some firsthand knowledge on the situation, having worked in Nashville where Vrabel was a head coach from 2018-2023.
“You know what’s funny is this was a running joke when I was in Nashville, right? Just a rumor because people always questioned why Dianna was getting all the stories,” Samaria remembers. “How is she breaking news within the facility? You don’t live here. We’re actually sitting here covering the team day in and day out. And then you go on Twitter and Dianna has broken something that has happened, a trade or whatever. Anything that had to do with Mike Vrabel, she was breaking it. So there was always this rumor that they had something going on. But I just kind of took it with a grain of salt. Because I already know the stigma that women in sports have.”
To talk more about Russini/Vrabel drama, the crew chatted it up with sports journalist Jemele Hill, who also broke some current NBA news and the tight MVP race.
The Fumble: Geno’s Dawn Staley Disrespect, Mike Vrabel’s Dianna Russini Rumors, & Talking NBA Drama With Jemele Hill was originally published on cassiuslife.com
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Independent review found ‘structural weakness’ led to N-word incident at BAFTA Awards, not ‘institutional racism’
BAFTA apologized to members on Friday (April 10) following an independent investigation that concluded it fell short of its diversity goals on awards night.
After an independent investigation concluded that the incident involving the N-word showed “structural weaknesses” within BAFTA, the organization addressed its members.
The organization sent an email to members on Friday (April 10), making apologies out to the Black community, “for whom the racist language used carries real pain, brutality, and trauma,” and the disability community for “including people with Tourette Syndrome, for whom this incident has led to unfair judgement, stigma, and distress.”
“What was supposed to be a moment of celebration was diminished and overshadowed. We have written to those directly impacted on the night to apologise,” the statement from the organization said.
While Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting at the BAFTA Awards on Feb. 22, a shout from the audience interrupted them, specifically someone shouting the N-word. It was Tourette activist John Davidson, who was attending the event for the nominated film, “I Swear,” which is inspired by his experience with the neurological disorder. Later, it was explained that Davidson’s tics were causing him to involuntarily shout out the slur, as well as other curse words while different presenters took the stage throughout the night.
Many criticized BAFTA for creating an environment where such an incident was allowed to take place, and also the BBC for broadcasting the moment with Jordan and Lindo, even though the show was pre-recorded.
The independent review of the incident done by RISE Associates concluded that there was no “evidence of malicious intent on the part of those involved in delivering the event, but found “structural weakness in BAFTA’s planning, escalation procedures and crisis coordination arrangements.”
“In particular, the organisation did not fully appreciate the nature of the risk associated with a live broadcast appearance, early warning signs were not escalated, and the absence of a clear operational command structure limited BAFTA’s ability to respond effectively once the incident occurred,” RISE Associates wrote.
The review further explained its reasons for why it did not blame the BAFTA incident on institutional racism, instead pointing to BAFTA’s planning of the event, saying the organization fell short in its preparation and “risk governance systems.”
“However, it would be wrong to describe the event as evidence of institutional racism, as this misses an important point. Institutional racism means that racial bias is built into systems, policies, and culture,” the independent review said. “In such systems, discriminatory outcomes appear regardless of individual intent. The available evidence does not support that conclusion here. Instead, the evidence suggests something different. BAFTA’s planning and risk governance systems have not kept pace with its diversity goals.”
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Military Diversity Promotion Controversy Mounts Thanks To Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
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Critics say decisions by Pete Hegseth are stalling Black and female officers’ advancement, raising alarms that the armed forces are drifting away from equity and toward exclusion.
A growing sense of unease is spreading among some Black current and former service members, who fear the U.S. military, often seen as an opportunity for many Black folks to reach financial stability and a middle-class livelihood, may be sliding backward toward an era marked by exclusion rather than progress.
Capital B News reports that critics point to recent decisions under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as evidence of that shift. Theodore Johnson, now a prominent voice on military and racial equity issues, argues that promises of a “color-blind meritocracy” have not materialized. Instead, he says, recent firings and stalled promotions suggest the opposite. “It is neither color-blind nor a meritocracy,” Johnson told the news site, warning that the system appears to be growing less equitable.
Black Americans make up roughly 17% of active-duty personnel—higher than their share of the overall U.S. population—but concerns persist about representation at the highest levels of leadership. Johnson and others argue that senior ranks increasingly resemble “country-club nepotism,” rather than reflecting the best-qualified candidates regardless of race or gender.
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Those concerns intensified following reports that Hegseth has moved to block or delay the promotions of multiple Black and female officers across the military’s branches. According to reporting cited by lawmakers, at least a dozen such promotions have been affected. Additional reports indicate that four candidates—two Black and two women—were removed from consideration for one-star general positions, raising questions about both the rationale and the legal authority behind those decisions.
The issue has drawn scrutiny from Capitol Hill. Kirsten Gillibrand has called for greater transparency, while members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic Women’s Caucus have condemned the moves as “outrageous and wrong,” emphasizing the officers’ decades of service and warning of a broader rollback of diversity efforts.
The Pentagon has pushed back strongly. Spokesperson Sean Parnell dismissed the allegations as unfounded, insisting that promotions remain merit-based and free of political influence.
The controversy comes at a volatile moment, as tensions escalate between the U.S. and Iran. President Donald Trump recently issued stark warnings about potential conflict, prompting further concern from civil rights leaders. Derrick Johnson, head of the NAACP, went so far as to call the president’s rhetoric “dangerous,” underscoring the broader climate of instability surrounding both military policy and national leadership.
See the ongoing reactions to Hegseth’s battle with military diversity below.
Military Diversity Promotion Controversy Mounts Thanks To Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was originally published on cassiuslife.com
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New Swedish Exhibit Will Reclaim Of Legacy 18th Century Black Diarist Through His Own Words
April 12, 2026
The famed Black Swede will have his own works displayed in the landmark exhibition.
An under-researched historic Black diarist will get his own shine in a new Swedish exhibit.
The National Museum in Stockholm will explore the life of Adolf Ludvig Gustav Fredrik Albrecht Couschi, also historically known as Badin, particularly through the writings he left behind. The exhibit, titled “Badin – Beyond Surface and Mask,” will not only examine his controversial remembrance in Swedish history, but also his own perception of his livelihood.
Badin arrived at the Swedish Royal Court in 1760. According to The Guardian, he appeared before the royals as a “gift” to Queen Louisa Ulrika. He was granted the name Badin, a French word for “joke” or “prankster,” as he rose through the ranks of civil society.
Before entering Sweden, historians believe Badin began his life as an enslaved person. He “belonged” to various noblemen across Europe before landing in the country.
Badin documented his life through his diary entries and an autobiography on his life throughout Swedish society. As he became more immersed in the country’s noble circles, he held new titles including chamberlain, court secretary, ballet master, and civil servant.
While historians slighted his memory, Badin will receive an, what many feel as overdue spotlight at the museum. Although not an unknown figure in Swedish history, famous works offered a surface-level, if not outright racist, depiction of the famed Black Swede.
However, a fellow Black Swede wants to change the narrative surrounding the diarist. Artist Salad Hilowle has paid homage to his muse through a new commissioned film, which will accompany Badin’s own works throughout the exhibit.
“I’m always talking about how he [Badin] was an image, and he was the other, and now the other is also an artist. Time has changed in Sweden. It’s a super strong moment,” explained Holowle.
The film, “Maroonen” or “The Marooned,” speaks on Badin’s experience as a Black man whose life is summed up in others’ words.
Hilowle added, “The image of him is everywhere, but no one seems to hear or read his own voice.”
Badin lived in Sweden at a time when only 20 Black people officially existed in the country. However, his experience as a notable figure in the Royal court makes his legacy unique, yet the exact details were previously unknown.
“He has an in-between position in the court,” shared the exhibition’s curator, Åsa Bharathi Larsson. “He is free, but he isn’t part of the royal family. We don’t know anything about his real family, but he has a status and a different relationship with the royal family than perhaps other court servants had.”
Badin’s own name may also hint at how he navigated life as a Black man during this era. The Queen ensured his education, but he could have adopted a comedic persona to evade perception as a threat.
With Badin’s life and death shaped by others, the film and exhibit will spark a new interest in the authentic life of the famed Black Swede. Now, the Black diarist’s words will speak on his own behalf for the first time in history.
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Canada returns 11 artefacts to Turkey in the first repatriation between the countries
One of the works repatriated to Turkey from Canada this week Courtesy of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry
The first repatriation of Turkish artefacts from Canada took place earlier this week, marking a historic milestone and setting an important precedent in international law. Turkey’s minister of culture and tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, announced via social media that seven manuscript pages, two printed work pages and two modern calligraphy works have been returned through a Canadian federal court ruling.
“This development has been recorded as the first official repatriation of cultural property from Canada to Türkiye,” Ersoy wrote on 31 March. “We protect our heritage and return history’s entrusted treasures to the lands where they were born.”
Dating from the 17th to 19th centuries, the Ottoman-era manuscripts being repatriated feature Arabic and Turkish calligraphy on a range of topics from Islamic jurisprudence, Sufism, history and literature. While analysis revealed the removal of the original bindings from some pages and the addition of some modern miniatures—interventions deemed commercial and not authentic—the items retained their status as cultural heritage.
One of the works repatriated to Turkey from Canada this week Courtesy of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry
Ersoy added that the repatriation is a “meticulous process” initiated by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that “carries significant weight as a strong international precedent”. He thanked a team that includes the Turkish General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, the Presidency of Turkey’s Manuscripts Institution, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts and the Turkish embassy in Ottawa.
The artefacts were handed over during an official ceremony on 30 March at the Canadian Conservation Institute in Ottawa, where representatives of Turkey’s ministry of culture and tourism received the items from Canadian officials, completing a legal and diplomatic process that began more than a year ago.
According to Ersoy, the artefacts were first intercepted by the CBSA as they were being transported from Istanbul to Vancouver. After the case was referred to the Canadian Ministry of Heritage, official communication with Turkey initiated the technical and legal proceedings. Scientific reports and legal documents presented by Turkey led the Canadian Federal Court to rule that the artifacts are Turkish cultural property under national law, authorising their return.
Canadian and Turkish officials during the repatriation ceremony on 30 March at the Canadian Conservation Institute in Ottawa Courtesy of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry
He emphasised that the repatriation not only restores Turkey’s cultural property but also highlights the progress of international cooperation in protecting cultural heritage, in line with the 1970 Unesco Convention. No information has been released indicating whether the buyer of the artefacts had purchased them knowing their illicit provenance or believing them to have been legally exported.
Experts consulted by The Art Newspaper said that while Turkey is a significant channel for antiquities smuggled from across the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Western Asia, they were surprised that the first interception of Turkish artefacts happened in Vancouver rather than Toronto. British Columbia has Canada’s third largest community of Turks, after Ontario and Quebec, estimated at over 8,000 in the last census in 2021, with most settled in Vancouver. Turkish Airlines began non-stop flights between Vancouver and Istanbul a few years ago to serve the growing community.
“It’s excellent news that the pages were intercepted and returned,” says Dominique Langis-Barsetti, an archaeologist at Université Laval in Québec City who has worked extensively in Turkey. “That’s the heart of the 1970 Unesco Convention to prevent the illicit import/export of cultural property,” of which both Canada and Turkey are signatories.
“Art historians everywhere welcome the recovery of works of art removed illegally from their country of origin,” says Hector Williams, a Vancouver-based archaeologist, professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and the secretary of the Canadian Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles. “It is a welcome first step for Canada’s cultural relations with the Republic of Türkiye, a valued Nato ally, that our officials should have intercepted and returned these artworks to their country of origin, especially at a time when Canada is benefitting from the return of First Nations works from major collections like those of the British and Vatican museums.”
Investigations by both the museum’s internal team and experts from Turkey’s Ministry of Culture suggested the gold and carnelian artefact was exported illegally
Hundreds of ancient objects have been repatriated and ground-breaking new discoveries have emerged from the country’s heritage ambitions in recent years
Critics say Turkish government polices give short shrift to religious minorities’ cultural heritage
Exclusive: The Besties Behind Brown Sugar Babe’s New Drop Are Letting Us In
Brown Sugar Babe is your go-to for captivating scents that uplift your well-being. Explore the magic of their new collection.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the hack to smelling good is simply Brown Sugar Babe. Ever since I was introduced to the brand by beauty expert Kayla Greaves, I have been in love. From the titles of the scents to the undeniable notes, BSB has cracked the code.
The Black-owned skincare brand was founded by Maekaeda Gibbons. It began as a personal journey into aromatherapy and self-care. She found that calming fragrances eased stress during a demanding time. Gibbons created the brand to help others access those same benefits. BSB believes self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. It uses scent to support mental, physical, and emotional well-being. What began as small batches has grown into a trusted brand. BSB remains committed to quality, customer feedback, and its core mission. That mission is creating effective, feel-good products that help people pause, reset, and truly be well.
Their latest itiration, Fragrance & Friendship, plays on the power of scents and sisterhood. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to speak with Maekada and Blake Newby, half of one of the bestie duos featured in this dynamic collection.
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In the film, the “exhale” represents a moment of release. Which fragrance in the collection do you feel best captures that specific moment of finally letting go and being yourself with your friends?
Maekaeda: Rebirth feels like the truest expression of that “exhale” moment. It captures that shift where you’re no longer holding anything in. You can show up fully as yourself, without explanation. That’s what friendship at its best offers: a space to release, reset, and just be. The scent itself reflects that emotional lightness. It’s airy, clean, and softly warm, almost like the feeling of taking a deep breath after you’ve let something go.
What does “playing” in this classic film mean for the modern Black woman’s luxury experience? How are you reclaiming or evolving that narrative for a new generation?
Maekaeda: Referencing Waiting to Exhale was less about nostalgia and more about honoring a cultural moment that centered Black women choosing themselves. What we’re doing now is evolving that narrative to reflect where we are today. For us, luxury isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about softness, ease, and having the space to exist without constant pressure.
This collection reframes friendship as part of that luxury experience. It’s about investing in the moments, the rituals, and the people that allow you to feel grounded and seen.
Blake: The seaweed in Agua Davina is such a nostalgic note for us. We spoke about this at the Atlanta launch event, but our first vacation together was to Mexico. For three straight days, we just relaxed by the beach, sipped margaritas, and enjoyed girl time. We know that vacations often make or break friendships. It’s where you figure out who enjoys traveling in the same manner as yourself — and it was there that we realized yet another synergy in our vibes. We’d also like to add that we have traveled to Miami together 4 times and have remained friends each time. LOL
Maekaeda: We approached each fragrance from an emotional standpoint first, rather than starting with notes. We asked ourselves what “Perfection” or “Rebirth” actually feels like in real life—how it shows up in your body, in your relationships, in your everyday moments.
From there, I picked scent profiles to mirror those feelings. For example, “Perfection” is less about flawlessness and more about balance, so it combines more refined, elevated notes with warmth to keep it grounded. “Rebirth,” on the other hand, leans into freshness layered with skin-like warmth, capturing that feeling of starting over while still feeling like yourself. The goal was for the fragrances to feel instantly recognizable on an emotional level, even before you can fully describe why.
Blake: Timeless is truly the fragrance that we’d assign to the current era of our friendship. With us becoming friends later in life, we’re now 100% in the era where we’re realizing that this is definitely a forever thing. She’s stuck with me, I’m stuck with her, it’s Timeless.
You both navigate the beauty and media industry at high levels. What did you learn about the chemistry of fragrance during this process that surprised you?
Blake: While both of us have witnessed the fragrance process up close throughout our careers, this is the first time that we’ve so intimately experienced that process from a Black woman’s lens. Learning more about Maekaeda’s intricate approach to crafting BSB’s oils, while also being able to pick her brain on the sophistication of her nose, proved that fragrance isn’t just sensorial; it’s also cultural.
With a price point of $65, these are positioned as accessible luxury. Was it a conscious decision to make high-end scent profiles—like caramelized fig and white tea—attainable for a wide community of women?
Maekaeda: Absolutely. That is the basis of my entire business. The oils are typically priced at around $65 for each launch. It was very intentional to create something that feels elevated while still being accessible to our community. There’s often a perception that high-quality fragrance has to sit at a certain price point, and we wanted to challenge that.
By incorporating more traditionally “luxury” notes like caramelized fig and white tea, we were able to deliver a scent experience that feels rich and layered, without making it feel out of reach. For us, luxury is as much about how something makes you feel as it is about the formulation, and we wanted more women to be able to access that feeling in their everyday lives.
On Timeless: The combination of fruit and coffee is bold. What kind of “shared moment” does this scent represent—is it a morning coffee catch-up or a late-night gala?
Maekaeda: Timeless really lives in that in-between space. It captures those moments that start one way and evolve into something else, like a quick get together that turns into hours of conversation, or a day out that lingers longer than expected. The fruit brings a brightness and ease, while the coffee adds depth and a bit of intrigue. Together, it feels familiar but slightly unexpected, which is very reflective of those shared moments that end up meaning more than you planned.
Maekaeda: Agua Davina definitely carries that sense of escape, but it’s less about a physical vacation and more about a mental reset. The sea minerals bring a clarity and openness, while the ginger adds a subtle warmth and energy. It’s grounded, but still expansive.
We thought of it as the scent you reach for when you need to step away and recalibrate whether that’s with your friends on an actual trip or just carving out a moment of stillness in your everyday life. It’s about creating that feeling of space, wherever you are.
Maekaeda: Rebirth felt essential because friendship and transformation are so deeply connected. The people closest to you are often the ones who witness your evolution in real time, they see you through changes, challenges, and new chapters.
Including a scent centered on Rebirth acknowledges that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Your friends are part of that process, they support you, reflect you back to yourself, and create space for you to become who you’re meant to be next. The fragrance mirrors that duality of newness and familiarity, capturing the feeling of stepping into something new while still feeling fully grounded in who you are.
Exclusive: The Besties Behind Brown Sugar Babe’s New Drop Are Letting Us In was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
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Black Americans Take A Different Approach To Debt Management — Here’s How To Cut Expenses
April 11, 2026
Sticking to a disciplined budget and improving financial literacy are ways to help bolster debt management.
When it comes to debt management, Black Americans view that strategic approach differently than other groups.
Consider Blacks carry higher auto loan debt ($20,000 versus $18,000), medical bills ($6,100 compared to $5,600), and buy now, pay later debt ($1,345 against $1,221). Roughly 28% of Blacks possess student loans in contrast to 19% of all Americans.
The data was furnished to BLACK ENTERPRISE by Clever Real Estate, a platform that operates as a real estate marketplace. It quizzed 1,000 U.S. adults on their debt levels and attitudes on debt, including 202 Black Americans. Clever provided a breakdown of the statistics on the Black Americans surveyed.
Clever data analyst Clara Haverstic indicated by email that the findings that Black Americans are more likely to carry student debt are consistent with discoveries from this report. According to her, the findings reveal a systematic lack of financial resources for Black students entering higher education, with generational financial disparity playing a large role.
“A history of low wages and an inability to build generational wealth continue to impact Black households when it comes to repayment,” she told BE.
Further, the data disclosed 22% of Black Americans are less likely to have a mortgage than 29% of Americans overall, reflecting broader numbers displaying lower homeownership rates for Blacks.
Some 54% of Black Americans with debt reported that they’ve missed or delayed a debt payment in the past year, 10 percentage points more than all Americans. Likewise, 66% of Blacks say they can pay all their bills on time, versus 72% for everyone.
However, Black Americans with debt have lower median debt amounts overall, $139,000, much less than $178,000, for all respondents. And 48% of Blacks are much more likely to say they see their finances improving in 2026 versus 38% for all.
Even so, 34% of Blacks with no debt are ten percentage points less likely to say they are prepared for an unexpected large expense against 44% of non-indebted Americans entirely, according to Clever data.
The upside is that there are multiple options to bolster debt control, reduce financial stress, and ultimately cultivate wealth.
The first step to managing debt is to avoid taking on new debt. The second step is to start paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first. Haverstic says, ”Paying off this debt first keeps it from growing higher.
Financial literacy is one of the best ways to become empowered and avoid being taken advantage of, Haverstic says. She indicated It gives you tools to navigate major financial decisions like saving for higher education, buying a home, and investing for retirement. She suggested starting with resources like the FDIC or CFPB, or see what informational resources your bank offers.
Consider establishing a disciplined budget and sticking to it, helping you identify how much you are spending and where. Haverstic noted people frequently are not aware of how much they are spending, noting things like dining out add up. Thus, checking spending habits is essential. “It makes you stop and think before making a purchase. “
Research reveals other actions you may do well to consider. They include trimming needless costs like subscriptions and coffee runs, using the extra cash to pay off debt. When you can, many experts advise making additional payments on your debt over what is required. This strategy can help to accelerate the time to erase liability.
Creating an emergency fund if you don’t already have one is also a good idea. This is a cash reserve set aside to cover unplanned expenses, such as car maintenance, home repairs, medical emergencies, and job loss. It is often recommended to have at least three to six months put away to take care of unforeseen costs.
Don’t forget to consider working with a credit counselor or financial advisor. Even though it might cost money, the investment might be worth it. They often can help with everything from creating a realistic budget based on your expenses and income to working with creditors to negotiating lower interest rates and monthly payments.
Another benefit is they can help make sure your creditors are paid on time and assist you with paying debt faster, both of which can help build credit scores.
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Jack Harlow Clowned Over His Oversized Utility Hat In Video for ‘Say Hello’
Copyright © 2026 Interactive One, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
After claiming “he got Blacker” for his new R&B-inspired album, Monica, Harlow is once again the butt of the jokes after showing up in a ridiculous-looking hat in his new music video.
Jack Harlow is getting flamed again on social media, this time for his hat in his latest visual for his single “Say Hello.”
After claiming “he got Blacker” for his new R&B-inspired album, Monica, Harlow is once again the butt of the jokes after showing up in a ridiculous-looking hat in his new music video.
Normally, Jack Harlow would be the star of his video, but it’s his oversized olive green utility hat that stole the show as he walks down a busy New York City street singing the song.
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Just like when he dipped into his neo-soul bag, the jokes about his choice of headwear were instantaneous and downright hilarious on social media.
“I have NEVER seen a hat like this in all my natural life,” wrote popular social media comedian KevOnStage.
Another person wrote, “Jack Harlow heard the critiques and got a bigger hat. Unbelievable.”
“This can’t be serious fr… like he done jumped straight into his neo-soul Jill Scott era this is way too deep in that Black cosplay lane. Labels really be shelving actually talented Black artists but approving this?? I’m irritated,” another post read.
The criticism of Harlow’s hat follows after social media blessed him with some clever names after he announced his new project and those headass statements that followed.
We’re not sure if this is the publicity Harlow wanted, but you know what they say: “bad publicity is still publicity.”
Maybe Harlow can channel the jokes and memes into some album sales.
You can see more reactions below.
Jack Harlow Clowned Over His Oversized Utility Hat In Video for ‘Say Hello’ was originally published on hiphopwired.com
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Drew Sidora ordered to vacate home as estranged husband Ralph Pittman awarded primary custody of kids
The couple has been in divorce proceedings since 2023, Sidora saying in her initial filing that “there is no chance or hope of reconciliation” between the two.
A judge has ordered actress and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Drew Sidora to vacate her shared home with her estranged husband, Ralph Pittman.
The update comes after the couple officially separated almost three years ago. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, a judge has ruled that due to the “current financial circumstances of the parties,” Sidora and Pittman must continue splitting the expenses of the home until she has moved out. The reality star has a deadline of May 31 to leave the home.
Pittman will temporarily take over primary custody of their two children, Machai and Aniya, during the school year. Previously, Sidora had primary custody. In August, she and Pittman will have an alternating weekend schedule.
According to TMZ, the judge’s decision came after claims that under Sidora’s custody, the children had excessive absences from school.
Addressing this latest update, the lawyer for Sidora told the publication, “This matter is still being actively litigated, and is in the middle of the final trial. The Second Temporary Order is, in fact, temporary, and does not reflect the final outcome of the case.”
The couple both filed for divorce in 2023, after nine years of marriage, within one hour of each other.
Sidora said at the time of her filing, “there is no chance or hope of reconciliation” between the two. She later called Pittman a serial cheater and said he was mentally and financially abusive in their relationship, as well as physically aggressive on one occasion.
In recent seasons of “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Sidora showed that she and Pittman were still living together, but he was in the basement and was allowed upstairs to prepare their children for school in the mornings.
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