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Disney Channel Introduces Its First Trans Character On Show “Raven’s Home”

July 14, 2022 by newhiphopnews

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The Fierce Awakens,” the 15th episode of the fifth season of Raven’s Home, premiered on Friday, and episode writer Nori Reed posted to Instagram to commemorate the occasion, writing that she “may have created the first ever trans character for the Disney Channel.

Transgender actress Juliana Joel makes history by portraying the first trans character in Disney’s Raven’s Home.

Juliana Joel is an actress, known for Truly, Madly, Crazy!, Full Beat (2018), and Always. Additionally, actress Juliana Joel is well-known for her work on American Gigolo (2022), Absolute Dominion, and Disney Television Discovers Talent Showcase (2021).

In addition, she is currently in the headlines after she is portraying the role of a transgender in Disney’s latest show called the Raven’s home. Moreover, this has received so much media attention because this is the first live-action trans character on the network.

On her Instagram page the actress writes:

1st out Trans character on Disney Channel? I can finally share that I’ve joined the season 5 cast of Raven’s Home on Disney Channel !

A personal story I shared with
Raven on set:

Growing up as a kid in Florida (like many other kids) I dreamt of being on the Disney Channel, specifically on That’s So Raven. It was my favorite show & Raven Baxter was my best friend in my mind. It was my escape from what I was going through internally. Coming from a typical Puerto Rican family, I didn’t think being an actor was possible esp for someone like me, I thought you had to be born into that world. Fast forward to becoming an actor I then told myself I wasn’t young enough to be on Disney anymore & even if that wasn’t the case I’m TRANS! I’d never seen an out trans actor or character on the Disney Channel. EVER. Needless to say I cried in my dressing room after walking onto that set the first time. It was a moment where it hit me that I not only get to live out my childhood dream on a version of my favorite show…I get to do it as my authentic self and with a character that is openly trans. But it was really more than just being on the show. With all of the anti-trans hate and narratives in media and society, it was a win. I claimed a dream and space for myself while so much of the world is trying to erase me & my community. And now I get to be that person I wish I had to watch on TV growing up. So never tell yourself it can’t happen because it can, in ways you never dreamt possible.

Massive shout out to @norireed the writer of this episode who created my character Nikki. She is such a talented, badass person and comedic genius.

And of course thank you to the entire cast & crew for being so welcoming, every episode was such a blast to be a part of. Go check out the crazy talented main cast of the show.

Ready to meet Nikki?! Make sure to tune in to tonight’s episode “The Fierce Awakens” directed by @ianreedkesler 6PM PST/ 9PM EST on @disneychannel & @disneynow

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California’s New $300 Billion Budget Will Increase Plant-Based Options In School

July 14, 2022 by newhiphopnews

California Governor Gavin Newson just approved a $308 billion state budget, which includes historic investments in supporting the proliferation of plant-based meals at schools across the state. As part of the budget, $100 million will be used to support schools in procuring plant-based foods, as well as sustainably produced foods, California-grown foods, and foods to accommodate the dietary needs of students. An additional $600 million will be invested in upgrading school kitchen infrastructure and in training and compensating food service workers, who will be tasked with preparing new plant-based meals and increasing scratch-cooking—which is an important factor in expanding these types of meals in schools.

With this development, California is the first state to invest public funds into plant-based school meal programs. California’s new $300 billion budget includes funding for initiatives that will increase plant-based meal options at schools.

Should more states implement plant-based lunches?

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Today In Hip Hop History: Too $hort’s Fourth LP ‘Shorty The Pimp’ Turns 30 Years Old!

July 14, 2022 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Oakland rapper Too $hort released his fourth studio LP, Shorty The Pimp.

Inspired by a 1973 blaxploitation film of the same name, the album’s sexually braggadocio lyrics and funk-inspired production held true to the style Too $hort had established for himself over his past six projects. And although Too $hort rarely strayed away from his proven formula, his progression as an artist is evident on this project.

Commercially, this album had great national reception and was Too $hort’s most popular album to date selling 82,000 copies in its first week. The project debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 chart, where it peaked, and #11 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart.

Although Too $hort was never hailed as the greatest lyricist of his era, the production and instrumentation of his projects brought him such acclaim. On this project particularly, the instrumentation and composition from Shorty B alongside production from Ant Banks and Too $hort himself is strong enough to stand solo and still be considered a satisfying pseudo-funk album. Check out “In The Trunk” as an exemplary track from the album below.

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[WATCH] Styles P Comes To Aid Of Girl Being Assaulted By Police In Front His Juice Bar

July 13, 2022 by newhiphopnews

L.O.X.’s Styles P has rapped and stood for social justice long before his healthy living ventures and that was shown yesterday in front of Styles’ juice bar in Yonkers when the rapper confronted Yonkers Police officers who were being overly aggressive with a woman they were attempting to detain.

The teen girl can be heard screaming for help in the video in front of Juices For Life In Yonkers while several officers were attempting to place her in handcuffs. A female bystander recorded the incident to ensure police didn’t overstep their authority. Not long after, Styles can be heard in the video calling the cop on top of the teen a “bitch” before the officer attempted to confront the D-Block veteran, but with no laws broken, the officer was forced to listen to the legendary rapper’s anti-police brutality tirade.

In typical gentleman fashion, Styles took to social media later last night to apologize for not controlling his temper during the confrontation, however, he did contend that somebody has to stand up against an obvious problem that continues to haunt urban communities.

The post [WATCH] Styles P Comes To Aid Of Girl Being Assaulted By Police In Front His Juice Bar appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Gangstarr Dropped ‘Full Clip: Decade Of Gangstarr’ 23 Years Ago

July 13, 2022 by newhiphopnews

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On this day in Hip Hop history, famed rap duo Gang Starr released their first compilation album, Full Clip: Decade of Gang Starr.

Dropping a year after the duo’s most popular album Moment of Truth, this compilation album contained some of the group’s biggest singles stemming from their prolific 10-year career.

It’s common knowledge Gang Starr had one of the longest successful careers in Hip Hop and this double LP greatest hits compilation is proof of their longevity. Only after the passing of 2Pac had there been a greatest hits compilation spanning two discs. The sheer volume and quality of this project perfectly describe the ability of one of rap’s most underrated tandems. Commercially, the project did fairly well peaking at #33 on the Billboard 200 chart and making appearances on music charts in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Sweden. The album was certified gold in the year of its release and continues to sell copies across the globe. Following this release, the group went on to take a four-year hiatus before putting out their final LP The Ownerz in 2003.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Gangstarr Dropped ‘Full Clip: Decade Of Gangstarr’ 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Funeral Service Scheduled For Jayland Walker Today

July 13, 2022 by newhiphopnews

Today has been declared a day of mourning in the City of Akron. Family, friends and supporters will gather today to remember the life of 25-year-old Jayland Walker.

Jayland Walker, a back man, was shot to death last month by Akron police after a brief chase.The incident is being investigated by state agents.

Walker was unarmed when he was shot, according to authorities, but police say a handgun was later found in the car. Akron police said they initially stopped Walker for a “traffic and equipment violation.”

Visitation for Jayland Walker will be held from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. today at the Akron Civic Theatre with the funeral scheduled to begin at 1:00pm. A livestream video feed will be available online to view here.

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SOURCE LATINO: FLOTUS Jill Biden Under Fire For Saying Latinos Are Unique As “Breakfast Tacos”

July 13, 2022 by newhiphopnews

The FLOTUS attempt to compliment Latinos left a bad taste in a lot of mouths on Monday.

The First Lady was speaking in San Antonio, Texas at the annual conference of UnidosUS. As she attempted to praise the advocacy organization’s longtime leader, Raul Yzaguirre, Biden said the Latino community is “as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio.”

Her poor choice and use of an analogy did not go over well in the Latin community. The FLOTUS also made a stir for her mispronunciation of “bodegas” in the same speech.

At a “Latinx IncluXion” conference, Jill Biden says the Hispanic community is as “unique” as tacos.pic.twitter.com/Vb5wJyYGWB

— RNC Latinos (@RNCLatinos) July 11, 2022

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists said in a statement that Biden and her speech writers ought to “better understand the complexities of our people” who should not be reduced to stereotypes.

“NAHJ encourages @FLOTUS & her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people & communities. We are not tacos,” NAHJ tweeted.

“Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions.

Do not reduce us to stereotypes.”

NAHJ encourages @FLOTUS & her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people & communities.

We are not tacos.

Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions.

Do not reduce us to stereotypes. pic.twitter.com/KQIq5gwsht

— NAHJ (@NAHJ) July 12, 2022

Dr. Jill Biden and her Press Secretary Michael LaRosa tweeted an apology in response to being slammed for her remarks.

“The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community.”

The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community.

— Michael LaRosa (@MichaelLaRosa46) July 12, 2022

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The post SOURCE LATINO: FLOTUS Jill Biden Under Fire For Saying Latinos Are Unique As “Breakfast Tacos” appeared first on The Source.

LeBron James Say Brittney Griner Should Question Whether She Wants To Come Home

July 13, 2022 by newhiphopnews

LeBron James suggested WNBA star Brittney Griner should question if she ever wants to return back to the United States after being detained in Russia for over 120 days.

During a promo for his HBO show, The Shop, King James says “How can she feel like America has her back?” He then added, “I would be feeling, ‘do I even want to go back to America?’”

The Phoenix Mercury center has been held in Moscow since February as she’s accused of having under a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage when she was arrested at the airport.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist faces charges that could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Griner says she’s “terrified” she may be held in Russian custody “forever.” She revealed in a handwritten letter sent to the White House in which she pleaded for her freedom.

“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.”

Ginger, 31, continued, “I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you.”

The Kremlin has been blamed for using Griner as a political pawn while the State Department has said the American basketball center was “wrongfully detained. The White House says the POTUS is committed to bringing home all Americans who are imprisoned overseas.

James, 37, later went to social media to explain his comments on Griner.

“My comments on ‘The Shop’ regarding Brittney Griner wasn’t knocking our beautiful country,” he tweeted. “I was simply saying how she’s probably feeling emotionally along with so many other emotions, thoughts, etc inside that cage she’s been in for over 100+ days! Long story short #BringHerHome”

Watch the promo for the episode that airs on Friday below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Former Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber III Died From Heat Stroke

July 12, 2022 by newhiphopnews

As previously reported, famed Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III was found dead last month in his apartment in Texas, however, his autopsy has revealed that Barber’s body was found in his apartment where the thermostat was set to 91 degrees.

The autopsy also unveiled that there was no evidence of trauma or drug overdose found in Barber’s body and “no clear evidence of natural disease found.” An incident report from the Frisco Police Department found officers reporting that Barber hadn’t been seen for almost three weeks before his body was found on June 1.

Barber was selected by the Cowboys as the 109th overall pick in the 4th round of the NFL Draft in 2005 and played his entire career except for one season for the Cowboys with the lone season he played for the Chicago Bears before retiring.

He was just 38-years-old.

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