Respect: Burger King’s Rule Models Series Spotlights HBCU Trailblazers

source bk crown

source bk crown

Some talk about it, others are about it! In collaboration with The Source and HERSource (media), Burger King has launched the “Rule Models” content series, a new initiative highlighting inspiring individuals from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By now, most have heard the phase” “You Rule” !!! The series plays on the phrase “Rule Models” instead of “Role Models,” emphasizing that these featured figures aren’t just traditional leaders but trailblazers making and rewriting the rules in their respective fields. Through this campaign, Burger King reaffirms its commitment to promoting diversity and supporting HBCUs, spotlighting those making meaningful contributions to their communities and industries.

The Rule Models series celebrates outstanding HBCU alumni and students breaking barriers and leading by example. These individuals reflect the values of leadership, innovation, and resilience—qualities that HBCUs cultivate. In a society where representation is crucial, these stories of success inspire future generations. By sharing these stories, Burger King, along with The Source and HERSource,” aligns its brand with leadership and community impact, reinforcing its dedication to uplifting voices that often go unheard while motivating others to aspire to greatness.

Hip-hop has long influenced global culture, but it has evolved into a space that fosters entrepreneurship, activism, and social change in recent years. As the genre continues to shape young people’s lives, the need for positive role models is more evident than ever. Rule Models captures this moment by highlighting figures who embody the spirit of hip-hop’s success and leadership, particularly those with ties to HBCUs. These individuals excel in their careers and shape the future for the next generation of leaders.

Heather Lowery, CEO of Femme It Forward and partner at Live Nation, is one of the featured Rule Models. As a graduate of Spelman College, Lowery’s experience at the esteemed HBCU allowed her to explore her identity, build confidence, and embrace boldness. Her journey has made her a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, where she continues to break barriers and empower women. Lowery’s commitment to creating space for others, especially within the Black community, makes her a true leader who inspires future generations of HBCU students.

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Heather Lowery crowns August Howellbey

August Howellbey, a nursing student at Howard University, is another inspiring individual highlighted in the series. A recipient of the Burger King Foundation scholarship, Howellbey represents the next generation of healthcare professionals. His dedication to his studies and passion for helping others exemplify the spirit of giving back to the community. Howellbey’s story shows how financial support and mentorship can uplift students from HBCUs who are determined to make a difference in the world, especially in healthcare.

August on HU Campus sign

“It is truly special when well known brands close to the community show up and support its loyal consumers. Burger King is a trusted brand and it was a pleasure having them work with The Source and HERSource to celebrate the trailblazing work of Heather Lowery while mentoring Howard University’s August Howellbeyn — they RULE!” says owner and publisher, L. Londell McMillan.

Burger King’s sponsorship of the Rule Models series reflects its larger mission to support diversity and inclusion through scholarships, partnerships with HBCUs, and educational initiatives. The company is committed to amplifying the stories of exceptional individuals from HBCUs, ensuring their contributions are recognized and celebrated nationally.

The Rule Models series inspires and reminds readers of the importance of representation and leadership within the Black community. By showcasing the accomplishments of HBCU alumni and students, Burger King and The Source provide a platform for these individuals to share their journeys. Readers are encouraged to follow the series, share the content, and support HBCUs as these institutions cultivate tomorrow’s leaders.

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Burger King’s Infuriatingly Catchy ‘Whopper Whopper’ Song Is Now Available On Spotify

Not to sound 10,000 years old, but you don’t hear songs as ringtones out in the wild anymore. People either keep their phone on silent, or vibrate, or stick with the default ringtone. This is a net positive, all things considered, but I sometimes miss the days when “The Final Countdown” or “So Fresh, So Clean” would alert the stranger waiting in line in front of you at the grocery that their doctor is calling with News.

Like everything else from the 2000s, songs as ringtones are due for a comeback — and when that happens, you’ll be haunted by “Whopper Whopper” when you least expect it.

Burger King has released the catchy (maddeningly so) song on Spotify. If you’ve watched any NFL game this season, you already know it. For everyone else, I’m sorry. In my defense: Whopper Whopper Whopper Whopper, you rule! The fast food chain’s Spotify page also includes “Burger Cheese, Burger Cheese,” as well as a six-track EP of jingles like “Chicken Chicken” and “Crispy Fella.” Good luck to your Spotify Wrapped.

Burger King is on the joke. “When I wrote to the fast-food company to request an interview about the origins and evolution of this hit jingle, several days later I finally got a reply,” Catherine Rampell wrote in an op-ed for the Washington Post. “It was a link to yet another reprise: ‘Burger-cheese, burger-cheese, burger-cheeeese…’ (‘I think you just got rick-rolled,’ said the unsympathetic editor who urged me to write this piece.)”

Burger King isn’t expected to have a Super Bowl ad. Or maybe “Whopper Whopper” will strike when we least expect it. Like at the State of the Union.

DaBaby’s Burger King Meal Was Pulled After His Homophobic Comments At Rolling Loud Miami 2021

A prevailing narrative, that has often been proven true, is that good music will successfully “un-cancel” an artist. Anyone can make a problematic statement or do something off-putting, but as long as the hits keep rolling in, they can continue on a somewhat normal path to stardom. DaBaby learned in 2021 that that may not be the case in his situation. The rapper was set to debut his own Burger King meal collaboration but revealed in a recent trip to Full Send Podcast that the fast food powerhouse halted the effort after his homophobic comments at Rolling Loud Miami 2021.

In a clip posted to Twitter, the “Suge” artist shares that the “Jonathan Kirk Meal,” titled after his real name to push forward the authenticity of Burger King’s ingredients, was well underway. “I shot a commercial for it and everything,” he told the Kyle Forgeard Full Send co-hosts. However, the planning for it occurred right around the controversial Rolling Loud set that turned many against him and Burger King pulled the plug.

Though the rapper appeared to have come to terms with it, speaking on the matter a year later, there was an air of dismissiveness in his tone that matches the many defenses he made for his actions following the festival. For those curious about the meal itself, DaBaby shared that he insisted the burger had no mayonnaise to which a few of the Full Send co-hosts enthusiastically added their disdain for the condiment.

Check out the clip of DaBaby’s Full Send Podcast interview above.

Lil Wayne Seemingly Did The Absolute Minimum To Fulfill A Branded Tweet Obligation

An awesome side effect of being successful and popular is that once you reach a certain level of fame, you can leverage your social media following for serious income opportunities. For example, it was reported in 2019 that Kim Kardashian earned $1 million per branded Instagram post, while the same year, Kylie Jenner was apparently raking in $1.2 million per post. That seems like an easy way to make a ton of money, and today, it appears Lil Wayne shared a sponsored post of his own while putting in as lil effort as possible.

This morning, at 8 a.m. PT on the dot, Wayne tweeted, “Sourdough @BurgerKing #AD.”

Here’s the tweet:

And here’s a screenshot of the tweet in case this work of art gets taken down:

@LilTunechi/Twitter

Back in 2018, Burger King introduced the Sourdough King sandwich, which was only available for a limited time. Today, it was reported that the sandwich is making a return in a variety of iterations, but just until April 19. Wayne conveyed none of this information, which is presumably what his ad was meant to be about. Based on his tweet and without that context, one could infer that the rapper was trying to start a conversation about bread with the burger chain and Anthony Davis, or perhaps he was demanding that BK “ad” sourdough bread to their menu.

Criticism aside, while Wayne’s ability to get his point across could be questioned here, we probably wouldn’t be talking about Burger King right now if Wayne had tweeted a more conventional ad. It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, so congrats to Wayne for being a genius marketer.