Michael B. Jordan launches “Hoop Dreams Classic” to showcase HBCU athletes

Written for The Link Entertainment by

Kiara Desirai, Author at The Link Entertainment

Actor Michael B. Jordan is working to promote HBCUs around the country with the student-athletes benefits from them. The “Hoop Dreams Classic” will be a basketball showcase featuring the nation’s top Division 1 HBCU men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Jordan plans to launch the program December 18th in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center. A portion of the earnings from the event will be donated to groups in the Newark region that support HBCUs.

“As a Newark native, I am committed to bringing change to the community and am honored to be able to present The Hoop Dreams Classic as a way to celebrate the value of community, education, and Black college experiences. Through our shared love of basketball, I look forward to bringing the communal spirit of HBCUs to the city that helped shape me into the man I am today.” Jordan stated.

To amplify HBCUs and their student-athletes, Jordan will produce a one-day event where a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to organizations working to advance HBCUs in the Newark area.

HBCU Gameday reported that the event will include two games featuring two of the biggest rivalries in HBCU basketball: North Carolina A&T versus Howard, and North Carolina Central versus Hampton.

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George Crum paved the way for James Lindsay’s Rap Snacks to succeed

Written for The Link Entertainment at

Kiara Desirai, The Link Entertainment

By: Kiara Cooper

George “Crum” Speck was a Black American chef who was born in Saratoga, New York during the early 1900s. He is also the person we need to thank for those delicious potato chips we crave from time to time.

George Crum’s invention has allowed many other potato chip ventures to soar and James Lindsay is a great example of a soaring Black-owned potato chip brand.

James Lindsay, who is known as the Official Snack of Hip Hop, is the CEO of the potato chips brand, Rap Snacks. Rap Snacks began its journey in 1994 . In 2003, Lindsay later allowed rap stars to help endorse his chips with cartoon images and the opportunity for them to have their own personalized flavors.

The brand has historically been placed in 26 cities around the United States, Rap Snacks never reached mainstream outlets due to distribution and expensive manufacturing processes. That put him in a difficult place in the market, where large companies can have other options to partner with chip brands, such as Frito-Lay, rather than Rap Snacks.

Lindsay is working to go through companies a few at a time so he can get into those marketplaces or mom-and-pop stores.

He is one of the many Black owned companies that has been thriving for over 25 years. In over two decades he has expanded his product line by including noodles and more unique flavors to accommodate the celebrities that grace the Rap Snacks bag.

Recently, the company decided to partner with Slutty Vegan burger restaurant in Atlanta to create its first vegan potato chip in order to provide a culturally diverse option for their audience.

While Rap Snacks is still in the forefront for Lindsay, he has been the brand manager for artists like Master P and Meek Mill where he “connects brands with corporate America.”

Mogul and now business partner, Master P, who is also a great advocate for Black owned brands and companies, has been supporting Lindsay’s efforts for years along with his son, Romeo miller. He secured a deal in 2019 with Walmart to carry his Rap Snacks chips in 4,200 stores nationwide.

So the next time you reach for a snack remember Rap Snacks.

Taraji P. Henson directing and producing high school comedy

Taraji P. Henson is making her directorial debut for a high school comedy movie through her TPH Entertainment. Henson will also star in and produce the project through BRON Studios.

‘Two-Faced’ will follow a Black high school senior, Joy while also exploring racism and culture in the process. Henson will play Joy’s mother while Joy will take us through a journey of her efforts to try and attend the college of her dreams that is halted by her school principal, Jerald, after she confronts him with evidence of his racist past. However, with the help of her friends, Joy sets out to expose Jerald for who he truly is.

Henson will direct from a script written by Cat Wilkins, who recently graduated from the MFA Screenwriting Program at UCLA. The screenplay for “Two-Faced” won first place in the feature comedy category at the 2020 UCLA Screenwriters Showcase.

“After two decades spent in front of the camera, I’m thrilled to finally jump behind it for my feature directorial debut!” Henson stated why she took on the opportunity. “What first attracted me to this project was Joy — she is the character I needed to see in films growing up, but never had. It’s important that stories be told from a woman’s point of view and partnering with BRON Studios and the amazingly talented Tim Story — both who use their platforms to help elevate women and people of color — feels like the perfect match. I can’t wait to bring this hilariously heartfelt script by Cat Wilkins to life!”

Taraji P. Henson will be working alongside Sharla Sumpter Bridgett , Aaron L. Gilbert on behalf of BRON, and Tim Story of The Story Company will be producing as well as Christine Conley, and Trent Hubbard will executive produce the project.

Tim Story was excited for Henson’s directorial debut and was quick to express Henson’s accomplishments.

“I could not be more excited to support one of the most talented people I have ever known,” Story said. “Taraji and I have done three movies together and I knew it was only a matter of time before she would make this leap to directing and I am honored to produce this film along with BRON Studios. Taraji is like family to me and I cannot wait for everyone to see her directorial vision of this hilarious script by Cat Wilkins brought to the screen.”

Taraji P. Henson has been accomplishing many opportunities such as hair care products, films, and now directing since her breakout role form Baby Boy. In recent news, Henson was pursuing a spinoff to hit show ‘Empire’ with a storyline all about Cookie Lyon which is Henson’s fictional character. Although Taraji P. Henson’s ‘Empire’ spinoff will not be picked up by Fox. Henson is looking to explore Hulu and ABC to launch her spinoff show.