If you haven’t already heard about it, “The Woman King” is box office king, led by queens, actress Viola Davis and director Gina Prince-Bythewood. However, surprising analysts with a $19 million box office debut didn’t come without its online critics. “Time to Boycott the Woman King movie. The film is about the Dahomey & Benin that traded slaves into the…
You don’t have to be a tennis aficionado to understand the significance of what is playing out on the U.S. Open court in Flushing Meadows, New York. The No 22-seeded Frances Tiafoe became the first American man to reach the U.S. Open semifinals since 2006 by slamming past both Rafael Nadal (#2-seeded) and Andrey Rublev (#9-seeded). Tiafoe’s aggressive play on…
Bobby McFerrin would not be happy. According to a new survey, 45% of people around the world have not felt happy since early 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oracle Happiness Report, which summarizes the surveys of approximately 12,000 consumers and business leaders from 14 countries, also states that about 25% of people don’t know or can’t remember what it…
Jennifer Hudson’s brand is on fire. During the 2022 Tony Awards, the singer, actor and producer earned her way into the elite EGOT club, joining just 16 other artists. Hudson won a Tony for her role as a producer of A Strange Loop, which was crowned as Best Musical. With that win, Hudson became the youngest, the second black woman,…
It’s graduation season and scores of celebrities and regular folks alike are being awarded with an honorary doctorate. Some of the 2022 recipients include Taylor Swift, Taraji P. Henson, Angela Bassett, Maria Shriver, Bobby Bones, and Dwyane Wade. Honorary degrees are academic awards given by universities to individuals in recognition of their exceptional talent and contributions to society or lifetime…
It’s hard to believe that this month marks more than 20 years since my 15 seconds of fame on CBS’ hugely popular reality show, Survivor: The Australia Outback – The Reunion. I’ll never forget that hot day on the CBS television lot in Los Angeles, California. After more than an hour waiting outside alongside other special guests, mostly CBS Survivor…
Second chances come to those who embrace the opportunity to walk a different path, to lead a productive life, to rewind their bruised brand. Meet Gabrielle Petty, the young woman who was put up for adoption shortly after she was born and her mother was sentenced to prison. Falling into the trap of desperation which led to bad decisions, Perry…
Chicago’s very own Chance the Rapper continued to pay it forward while celebrating his 29th birthday last weekend. Bypassing parties and gifts, Chance instead headlined a meal give-away on the city’s South Side. The record producer, singer and rapper posted an Instagram video that showcased the give-away at the Discover Customer Care Center and featured a Chance-mascot dancer. At least…
A personal brand is often influenced by what others perceive us to be, how others feel about what we say or do and especially how we look. Whether or not we agree with it, this perception of our personal brand might then be forced into our channels of influence. These could include social media, in-person gatherings, and word of mouth,…
The controversial remarks by director Jane Campion about Venus and Serena Williams; the alleged drunk pilot removed from a JetBlue flight; PACE, a senior living program that enables some of our elderly to age at home, and a Nigerian doctor’s push for equal access to vaccines. What do these four references have in common? They each have a brand. Two…