Usher honored his mentor L.A. Reid with the icon award at the 6th annual Culture Creator Brunch. “Our honorees share in our collective experience that is sometimes met with doubt, frustration, and unnecessary complication,” says Culture Creators founder Joi Brown. “Yet we march on as a collective village that continues to produce excellence because experience has taught us that we don’t get to quit.”
She continued: “I didn’t know what Culture Creators was to become when I started, but I’m clear on where we’re headed.”
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This year, Usher presented Reid, a music industry veteran and mentor, with the Icon Award. L.A. Reid’s acceptance of the honor was preceded by a video montage, which included personal congratulatory remarks from the likes of Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, 21 Savage, DJ Khaled, and Jermaine Dupri, to name a few.
Guests were also treated to captivating performances by Amber Riley and host Coco Jones. Culture Creators also introduced three new awards that were given out on the red carpet, Community Advocate, Blog of the Year, and HBCU Rising Culture Creator.
Presenting sponsor Netflix welcomed Culture Creators’ guests to a lush photo experience via the Strong Black Lead Portrait Studio. Empowered partner CÎROC treated guests to a number of curated specialty drinks like the DeLeón Blanco Pink Paloma, Summer Citrus Sunset, and a few of their summer spritzers during the immaculately designed post-show reception. Additional partners included Pivotal Ventures, Lexus, and Morgan Stanley.
2022 saw the event expand and evolved as it highlights the achievements of thought leaders, philanthropists, executives, entertainers, artists, and other pillars of African American culture in an intimate setting among key players.
In other news, Usher has a new single with City Girls slated for a July 1 release.
Long Island University today announced Grammy Award-winning audio engineer and producer Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton has joined the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment as Director of the Music Technology, Entrepreneurship & Production program.
The Roc Nation School and Young Guru also announced a full-tuition scholarship to be awarded to one highly qualified student. Apply for the scholarship today, here.
Keaton is an accomplished music producer, record executive, audio engineer and DJ who works with the music industry’s top artists, spanning from JAY-Z to Rihanna to Mariah Carey. He has garnered multiple Grammy nominations, and in 2019 Keaton won a Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album for mixing the album Everything Is Love by The Carters.
Keaton co-founded and co-leads the label Jamla, which houses Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed lyricist Rapsody, and newcomers Reuben Vincent and Ian Kelly.
“Education is a valuable platform to show talented students how to navigate the music industry, preserve music history, and share their culture with the world,” Keaton said. “Joining the Roc Nation School is an incredible opportunity to offer my experience as a guide for up-and-coming artists and producers.”
Keaton previously served on the faculty of the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music as an artist-in-residence and has lectured at New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Music and Emory University.
“The Roc Nation School is the premier destination for the next generation of professionals in the music industry who have the opportunity to learn directly from top executives and artists,” said Long Island University President Kimberly Cline. “We are thrilled to welcome Young Guru to the Roc Nation School’s leadership team. His decades of experience and expertise in the music business will be an incredible asset to the school.”
The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment offers undergraduate degrees in applied music; music technology, entrepreneurship and production; sports communication and marketing; and vocal performance. It also offers a BS, MS and PhD in sports management.
Keaton joins a growing roster of exceptional artists and industry elites such as super producer 9th Wonder, visiting professor and artist in residence at the Roc Nation School, who teaches courses in hip-hop history and the making of an album.
The Roc Nation School Speaker Series features nationally and internationally recognized speakers who are invited based on their expertise and accomplishments providing Roc Nation School students with incredible opportunities to interact with these global leaders. Recent speakers include:
· Andrew Gould: VP, Music Publishing, Roc Nation
· Adam Silver: NBA Commissioner
· Don Garber: MLS Commissioner
· Desiree Perez: CEO, Roc Nation
· Michael Rubin: Executive Chairman, Fanatics; 76ers Partner
· Adam Petrick: Global Director of Brand and Marketing, Puma
Roc Nation Hope Scholarships provide 25% of enrolled students with full tuition and individualized support and mentorship. The Roc Nation Hope Scholars are selected from a pool of academically competitive, first-time freshmen with the highest need.
International sportswear brand PUMA announced the establishment of the PUMA Hope Scholarship Fund for students in the Roc Nation school. Previous scholarship opportunities have also been sponsored by NBA Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball and artist Megan Thee Stallion.
Angie Martinez and Fat Joe exercise their philanthropic efforts.
The two NYC natives have joined together with Pepsi Stronger Together and Gamesa to launch a $100,000 nationwide scholarship program. The initiative will support Music and Arts Education for underserved youth.
“Any time we can create a path to help students and kids find their way, I’m always down to do so,” says Martinez.
The program launched on June 12 in conjunction with the annual Puerto Rican Day parade. Both Angie Martinez and Fat Joe were deemed the Padrino (Godfather) and Madrina (Godmother) of the annual parade.
“As an entertainer with a public platform, I take my responsibility to blaze a trail for the future very seriously,” said the Bronx native. “It’s important that we empower our youth – especially from underserved communities – so they have the confidence and foundation to reach their full potential.”
Through this program, PepsiCo’s community investment and the PepsiCo Foundation will continue their commitment to provide more than 4,000 community college scholarships to support Black and Hispanic students pursuing 2-year and 4-year degrees. Since 2020, the scholarship program has been expanded to 20 U.S. cities, and the Foundation has awarded nearly 1,800 in scholarships.
High school seniors in the US can apply at PepsiStrongerTogether.com until September 20, 2022. The scholarship recipients will be announced at iHeartRadio’s Fiesta Latina concert in Miami will be later this year.
United Justice Coalition (UJC) has announced a one-of-a-kind social justice summit on July 23 at Center415 in New York City, which will bring together the country’s top activists, entertainers, attorneys, entrepreneurs, professors, experts, media personalities, organizations, and more to discuss combating social and racial injustice.
The UJC is a think-tank of specialists from various industries that joined together informally in 2019 to share resources, information, ideas, and assistance in order to align on strategic solutions to fight structural injustice across the United States. They’ve collaborated behind the scenes over the years to raise awareness about important issues, draft and push bipartisan legislation, laws, and policies, and mobilize support for grassroots organizations around the country.
UJC’s founding advisory board members are made up of Team ROC, along with a list of powerful figures including Charlamagne Tha God, attorney Ben Crump, Dream Corps founder Van Jones, attorney Angela Rye, Mysonne, attorney Alex Spiro, Gayle King, Michael Eric Dyson, Until Freedom co-founder Tamika Mallory and more.
“The United Justice Coalition started as an informal meeting of the minds, but it has quickly evolved into a more purposeful initiative to create change in our communities,” Team ROC and UJC founding member Dania Diaz said. “Our goal for this summit is to spark discussion and collaboration and take a solution-oriented approach to reforming America’s antiquated policies. At the end of the day, we are all bonded by one common goal – to eradicate injustice.”
Speaking exclusively with The Source, Diaz spoke about what led to this event, creating it, and the important work it will do in the future.
The Source: What recent activities led to the creation of this one-of-a-kind social justice event?
Dania Diaz: When the United Justice Coalition formed in 2019, we knew early on that we wanted to host a summit to bring the broader public together in conversation, collaboration, and action. Unfortunately, when the pandemic occurred, we had to pause on the Summit idea and found other ways to make impact. Over the years, we have worked together to amplify critical issues, advance just policies, and leverage support for on-the-ground organizations across the country and now we’re incredibly excited to take it to the next level and bring the vision for the UJC Summit to reality.
How complicated was it to put this event together, but also not lose track of current developments in social justice?
Everything of value requires thoughtful and intentional work. And you have to be passionate and care about what you are doing. So with that said, it’s neither complicated nor easy, but necessary and required. The UJC’s incredible advisors keep one another abreast of the issues of collective concern.
Some advisors are families that have lost loved ones to police violence, some members are organizing masses on the ground to protect our civil rights, some are litigating cases of wrongful conviction – pro bono. Others are using their media platforms to amplify issues, or are in the classroom educating the next generation of social justice leaders. We come together with our individual expertise and unique lens to keep one another informed and to collectively take action. For example, Team Roc’s justice work in Parchman Prison in Mississippi, where the DOJ recently declared that the conditions violated the Constitution’s 8th and 14th Amendments, was supported by the UJC’s body of experts.
This event brings experts together from various industries – how important is it to have and what is hoped for when you combine these various minds?
This Summit is about advancing justice through thoughtful, diverse, collaborative learning and exchange. In order to achieve that we need to engage different perspectives and viewpoints to be shared, so productive solutions-focused conversations can take place. We want everyone who cares about social justice, criminal justice reform, equity and human life to be at the Summit. If you are seeking to learn, share, network, take action – we want you at the Summit.
Multi-platinum artist, philanthropist and entrepreneur Big Sean was awarded at the inaugural Juneteenth Honors Ceremony.
Hosted by the Juneteenth Foundation, the ceremony highlighted Black excellence and those esteemed individuals who have an extraordinary track record of service to the Black community. The event aired on Fox Soul Sunday night.
Coolest thing about my Dad is he wanted to be my Dad and you could see it in his actions. Everybody doesn’t have that. Love you
The importance of advocacy and service was instilled in Sean at a very young age by his late grandmother, Mildred V. Leonard. She was a World War II veteran and one of the first Black female officers in the army. Last Wednesday (6/15), Mildred’s battalion was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal at the Military Women’s Memorial.
Mildred was part of Women’s Army Corps’ 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female battalion sent overseas during the war. The battalion’s success led to the desegregation of the military.
Following these incredible accolades and awards, Sean and his non-profit, the Sean Anderson Foundation, will continue to assist, uplift and empower underserved communities. The foundation is currently planning its annual D.O.N. (Detroit’s on Now) Weekend to celebrate and give back to the Detroit families, entrepreneurs, teachers and long-standing institutions who are the backbone of the city.
NBA great Shaquille O’Neal is returning to his hometown of Natick, New Jersey to help improve the community. O’Neal unveiled two projects last week, including a new basketball and multi-use court.
The four-time NBA champ held a 3-point shooting contest, offering up laptops to local students who made a shot. O’Neal shared “I played here in the morning and until late at night. When those street lights went on, I ran my butt home.” He continued motivating the Brick City kids and told them to “follow their dreams.”
Shaq also showed off a 33-story affordable apartment tower, where the basketball superstar will be living in its penthouse, called “Shaq Tower 2.” The $80 million building will be the largest mixed income complex in New Jersey. Governor Murphy said the new apartment complex is a win-win for Newark. Twenty percent of the units will be affordable. The historic development project will also offer 12,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space.
Rolling Loud revealed its lineup for this year’s New York edition. Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky and Future will serve as headliners for the three day festival. Returning to Citi Field from September 23 to September 25. Future is also headlining Rolling Loud Miami in July and Toronto in early September.
Last year’s festival which sold out featured headliners and performers like Travis Scott, 50 Cent, A$ap Ferg, Bobby Shmurda, Joey Bada$$, and others. This year also includes a long list of must-see performers.
New York 2022 will officially be Big Sean’s first time performing at RL fest. Other artists set to perform at the traveling Hip-Hop festival include Lil Uzi Vert, Westside Gunn, Lil Baby, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie,Shenseea, Don Toliver, Busta Rhymes, Erica Banks, Fivio Foreign, 21 Savage and more.
Tickets for Rolling Loud New York 2022 went on sale Friday, June 17.
Check out the full line up below and for more details on ticketing information click here.
More celebrity boxing is coming this summer with the announcement Thursday evening (June 16) of popular recording artist and recurring celebrity boxer DDG (“Moonwalking in Calabasas”) set to return to the ring to face off against chart-topping Atlantic Records recording artist and first-time celebrity boxer PnB Rock(“Selfish”) on July 30 in Los Angeles, California at Crypto.com Arena and Pay-Per-View.
“I said I wasn’t getting back in the ring unless it was another artist,” tweets DDG on Twitter with a promotional flyer featuring PnB Rock and himself. “LETS GET IT!!! Get tickets now.”
Brought to you by Social Golves Entertainment and Bash Boxing, the two hip-hop stars will join as co-headliners of the upcoming boxing match between Los Angeles recording artist Blueface and NBA champ-turned-podcaster Nick “Swaggy P” Young. Bout against PnB Rock marks DDG second celebrity boxing match with a decisive win against YouTuber Nate Wyatt in June 2021 at Battle of the Platforms in Miami.
In his fight against PnB Rock, DDG hopes to inspire the end of senseless gun violence in today’s hip-hop that has taken the lives of so many prominent hip-hop stars in recent years. He encourages other artists to join celebrity boxing and settle their differences with their fists, instead of resorting to gun violence.
In a follow-up tweet, DDG tweets with money bag emojis: “This shit more than a boxing match, it’s a movement! Rappers put the GUNS down & put on the Gloves. Ni**as out here killing for free when u can just punch it out for a BAG.”
This shit more than a boxing match, it’s a movement! Rappers put the GUNS down & put on the GLOVES niggas out here killing for free when u can just punch it out for a BAG
PnB Rock has yet to comment on the upcoming bout at press time.
DDG is scheduled to perform headlining shows in Chicago, Atlanta and New York City leading up to the fight with more show announcements on the way.
In related news, DDG and popular recording artist Toosii agreed to a boxing match last summer after the two exchanged words over DDG’s ex-girlfriend Rubi Rose. More as the story develops.
Tickets for DDG vs. PnB Rock are available now at AXS.
Rolling Loud revealed its lineup for this year’s New York edition. Nicki Minaj, A$AP Rocky and Future will serve as headliners for the three day festival. Returning to Citi Field from September 23 to September 25. Future is also headlining Rolling Loud Miami in July and Toronto in early September.
Last year’s festival which sold out featured headliners and performers like Travis Scott, 50 Cent, A$ap Ferg, Bobby Shmurda, Joey Bada$$, and others. This year also includes a long list of must-see performers.
New York 2022 will officially be Big Sean’s first time performing at RL fest. Other artists set to perform at the traveling Hip-Hop festival include Lil Uzi Vert, Westside Gunn, Lil Baby, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie,Shenseea, Don Toliver, Busta Rhymes, Erica Banks, Fivio Foreign, 21 Savage and more.
Tickets for Rolling Loud New York 2022 go on sale this Friday, June 17. Check out the full line up below and for more details on ticketing information click here.
The Martin cast will reunite for one special 30-year anniversary episode, airing on June 16th, exclusively on BET+. The cast begins the trailer dedicating the reunion episode their fallen friend and castmate, Thomas Ford. Ford passed away in 2016.
Hosted by comedian, Affion Crockett, the Martin Reunion is set to include interviews with Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Payne II. The special will showcase musical guest performances, behind-the-scenes commentary and surprise guest appearances.
The trailer gives a glimpse of special guests including Snoop Dogg and Brian Mcknight, who both appeared on an episode during the sitcom’s 5 seasons. Mcknight sung “Never Felt This Way” during Martin’s (Martin Lawrence) heartfelt proposal on Gina, (Tisha Campbell).
The trailer ends with a question that fans of the show have asked for the last 25 years: “Can there be a Martin reboot?”
Get ready to hit the couch for a reunion like no other on June 16th, exclusively on BET+. Check out Martin: The Reunion trailer below.
JULY 1
LETS GET IT!! Get tickets now 
(@PontiacMadeDDG) 
