Ashlee Marie Preston, a black transgender activist and media personality, is the creator the viral "Thrive Over 35" hashtag. The hashtag went viral last June as part of Preston's efforts to draw attention to stats that show the average lifespan of a trans woman of color is 35-years-old -- a statistic, Preston says, many people are shocked to hear."That wasn't surprising to me, because if you don't see us, you most certainly don't hear us," Preston told Blavity, as part of our "Regarding" video series.Preston was born in Louisville, Kentucky (the "land of God doesn't make mistakes" she calls it). Growing up, Preston said she always felt different, but she didn't have language to express her trans identity. So at 19, she moved to California because she wanted to experience the world through a different lens than what she had grown up around."When I found my community in Los Angeles, I finally found the courage to transition and step into my full authenticity," Preston said. "Although I was ready to live as my authentic self, society wasn't ready to accept that."Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news. View this post on Instagram Someday you’ll look back and realize it was all worth it...🏅✨💫 . . . . . . . . . #gaze #drift #ThriveOver35 #content #shoot #photooftheday #photography #bestoftheday #picoftheday #influencer #photoshoot #media #production #setlife #set #studio #Hollywood #LosAngeles #LA #LGBT #LGBTQ #queer #trans #transgender #instagram #instagood #insta #daily #instadaily #entertainmentA post shared by Ashlee Marie Preston (@ashleemariepreston) on Jul 6, 2018 at 9:31pm PDTPreston says she began experiencing discrimination, bullying, and harassment at her job. But when she went to human resources, they didn't know how to handle it. Instead of advocating for her, Preston says they decided to fire her."I lost my job, I lost my apartment and I ended up on the streets of Hollywood," Preston told Blavity.She wasn't even able to go to a homeless shelter. Men's shelters wouldn't take her because they saw her presentation as a "disruption" and a potential liability. Women's shelters wouldn't accept her because of her assigned sex at birth. "So essentially the streets was the only place I had to turn to, that welcomed me with open arms" she said. People assumed that Preston's family had abandoned her, but the activist admits that not only did they not know she was homeless, they didn't know she was trans. "I was so afraid of having that conversation that I decided to suffer in silence, instead of reaching out and leaning on those who probably wanted to be just as much a part of my life as I wanted them to be."Preston finally reached a point where she knew she had to speak up.  Many of her friends were discovered dead in hotel rooms -- dumped off in dumpsters or shot in the head on side streets, she said. She didn't want to be another statistic."I've always been a fighter," she said. "And I was determined that I wouldn't end up like my peers."So, she fought back through a somewhat unconventional means: she started a podcast."Shook with Ashlee Marie Preston," gave her an opportunity to examine news, politics, entertainment and pop culture through the social justice lens. She essentially provided a voice for marginalized communities.  Social media soon took notice. Several editors reached out to Preston and asked her to contribute to their publications. View this post on Instagram No one can tell our stories better than we can...🎬 . . . . #documentary #film #soundengineer #sound #tech #staytuned #filming #set #studio #transgender #trans #studiolife #production #bestoftheday #media #socialmedia #justice #LGBTQ #queer #LGBT #LosAngeles #LA #Insta #instagood #instagram #instadaily #instapic #picofthedayA post shared by Ashlee Marie Preston (@ashleemariepreston) on Mar 28, 2019 at 5:07pm PDTIn 2017, she became Editor-In-Chief of Wear Your Voice magazine, which historically made her the first trans person to become Editor-In-Chief of a national publication. Still, she was shocked to discover transphobia within the feminist community"Although I had this historical moment that made me feel  so empowered and triumphant, black trans women were still being murdered at exponential rates," she said.Tired of people turning a blind eye to the experiences of black trans women, Preston decided to take action. In June 2018, to celebrate her 34th birthday, she commissioned a baker to bake a cake that had the pictures of 77 black trans women who had all been murdered under the age of 35.  View this post on Instagram Thank you for all the birthday wishes! 🙏🏾 Today I turned 34! ❤️ Sadly the average life expectancy for a black trans woman in America is 35 years old...I had @cakeandart place the photos of 77 black trans women who were murdered under 35 years old on my cake. I’m rolling out the #ThriveOver35 campaign today which is intended to help black trans women reimagine themselves somewhere other than an open casket. Please use this hashtag for every birthday under and over 35 years old to remind our sisters brothers and others that we’re not only surviving we’re THRIVING!! ✊🏾✨💫 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #Thrive #live #birthday #happybirthday #happybirthdaytome #celebrate #blacktranslivesmatter #blacktranswomen #women #trans #lgbtq #lgbt #masterpiece #queer #facts #statistics #picoftheday #bestoftheday #instagram #instadaily #daily #instagood #media #losangeles #LA #campaign #blacklivesmatter #blm #prideA post shared by Ashlee Marie Preston (@ashleemariepreston) on Jun 7, 2018 at 6:19pm PDT"While we always want to remember those who've lost their lives simply for being who they are, we also want to address those issues that still impact many of us today," she said. "So what I would encourage us all to do is to get really honest about how much black lives really matter, and for us to stop putting these limits on which black lives are worthy of being liberated.   Watch the video above for the full interview and let us know what you think!Now check these out:Oprah Said She's 'Thinking About' Opening An All-Girls School In The U.S.LeBron James' I Promise School Exceeds Expectations As Students Show Tremendous Academic AchievementDonald Glover's New Film 'Guava Island' Includes An Alternate Rendition Of 'This Is...

This weekend, Jaden Smith graciously shared his Coachella stage with Will Smith, and it seems the veteran artist gave his son a run for his money.Social media lit up Friday when The Sunset Tapes rapper brought out his father during his Coachella set.HuffPost reports the young artist and Just Water founder had only 10 minutes left on stage when he introduced his superstar dad to the crowd.The Grammy Award-winning rapper performed the official remix of Jaden's hit single, "Icon," from his debut album, Syre.The father of three shared his love for his son as he was met with great excitement and applause from the crowd.When his performance was coming to an end, Will Smith hyped up the crowd one more time by saying, "Ain’t no way I’m going off like that! Run it one more time!”Jaden's sister, Willow, brought out their mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, when she stepped on stage at Coachella for a brief appearance. It was an all-out family affair.The event spread online, and many responded to the news with glee.Everyone needs family that hypes them up like Will and Jaden Smith pic.twitter.com/rsST9yJ2Uq— winst (@winsthenlose) April 20, 2019Will Smith is the GOAT. Rapper turned actor. His son, Jaden Smith has plaques now. He hops on his sons biggest song and performs with him at Coachella. And oh yeah, Jada is his wife. ICON.— Kane Brock (@kane_brock) April 22, 2019Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.I mean, OBVIOUSLY never go to Coachella, but that clip of Will Smith performing with Jaden warms my heart 🤓— Pat Shand (@PatShand) April 22, 2019Will Smith aparece en Coachella y canta junto a su hijo Jaden. No te pierdas las imágenes: https://t.co/qvmHYc5FgC#Espectáculos pic.twitter.com/KooON3QClc— Plano Informativo (@Planoinforma) April 21, 2019The duo shared separate videos of the iconic event on Instagram, and social media loved every bit of it.  View this post on Instagram Done Did ‘dat! #coachellaA post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith) on Apr 19, 2019 at 8:28pm PDT View this post on Instagram I Love You CoachellaA post shared by Jaden Smith (@c.syresmith) on Apr 19, 2019 at 8:43pm PDT"That’s what I’m talking about !!! Family history in the making! Legendary music for life," wrote one."Good to see the fresh prince blessing the mic again!!" stated another."Coolest DAD ever," replied a third.It could be argued that Will stole the show at the very end. Who is going to give the hardest-working family in music and show biz their trophy? It must be done.Now, check these out:Coachella Security Guards Say They Are Underfed, Underpaid And MistreatedOhio Mother Says Her Kids Were Kicked Out Of Their Christian School For Being Born Out Of WedlockGeorge Zimmerman Banned From Tinder And Bumble After Using The Dating Apps Under Fake...

The only Black-owned movie theater in Maryland is attracting crowds nationwide and for good reason.HuffPost reports Anthony Fykes and Robert Wright opened the only Black-owned movie theater in all of Maryland on March 7. At the time of the theater's opening, the co-owners didn't know how important their love for cinema would be for movie-goers.#GrandOpening #RibbonCutting Welcome to town #NextActCinema! First black owned theater in #Baltimore! Two theaters with 42 luxurious leather seats! #ReserveToday https://t.co/yXAWR5ufP1 pic.twitter.com/jsPux6bHkP— CITYpeekBalt (@CITYpeekBalt) March 27, 2019The Next Act Cinema theater is a renovated version of the previous Pikes Theater. The suburban establishment was completely gutted and made anew.The film space is advertised as an "independent boutique theater that offers a unique, personalized movie-going experience." Black Business details the establishment as posh with an intimate atmosphere. The theater is home to 86 brand-new all-leather seats in two separate theaters with large screens and surround sound. Next Act Cinema also provides movie-goers the ability to order popcorn, drinks or a full meal from your seat.Additionally, the bar is reportedly even more expansive, featuring beer, wine, soups, sandwiches, pizza, salads, seafood and much more.The news of their historic accomplishment spread online and resulted in an uptick in interest across the country. The establishment has been receiving both great support and enthralling reviews. #NextActCinema in #Baltimore was a welcomed treat! My server, Michelle was especially welcoming. It’s black owned and for the culture 4real. Imagine going to see a movie with ALL your favorite cousins. It was a great experience. Can’t wait to go again!— Passa Ja❌ (@passajax) March 30, 2019 Packed up the car and drove a whole hr to support the new, Black-owned #NextActCinema movie theater in Pikesville, Md. A bar, restaurant & movie theater with reclining leather seats & swivel food trays with wait service. Best way to see #CaptainMarvel!https://t.co/sLQ2uIp1Yt pic.twitter.com/9IueRdu3Kx— Ayanna Smith (@dcpublicist) March 24, 2019 What a thrill to meet with one of the Co-Founders of the new Next Act Movie Cinema in Pikesville, MD. Congratulations to business partners #AnthonyFykes #RobertWright for thinking outside of the box! 🎥 🍿 pic.twitter.com/rqB9uHiing— Nicole Kirby (@nkirby) April 2, 2019 ”I’ve gotten emails from Texas, from Chicago, from South Carolina, from California,” Fykes told reporters. “The support has been very humbling for us because we didn’t know that what we were doing could have such a social impact.”Fykes, 38, and Wright, 41, met as coworkers at a medical management company years ago and have remained friends. Sharing their deep-seated interest in film and cinema a few years ago, the partners came up with the idea when Wright invited his friend over to his home theater where he regularly hosted major sports events, show premieres and movies. He expressed that he wanted to recreate the space so many of his close confidants could enjoy, and the two decided to venture on the new business together.While studies have shown that Black Americans' viewership at movie theaters have risen by nearly 3 million in just three years -- likely due to movements that have resulted in more representation -- Black communities remain to see little to no theaters available in their communities at all. Still, Black-owned theatres have been successful in America for centuries, and it seems the tides are ready to turn again.Maryland’s Only Black-Owned Movie Theater Draws Crowds From Across The Country - When Anthony Fykes and Robert Wright met, they immediately connected through their love for movies. But the pair never imagined that a shared passion for cinema would lead them to open their own ... pic.twitter.com/frXdBh2YDC— effinfun (@effinfun) April 20, 2019“Robert and I realize that we’re standing on the shoulders of other people that have been here before us,” Fykes added. “But along with that, we are also standing side by side, holding hands with others that are here now.”He also recalled one recent response online that touched on the power of their creation and impetus for such enthralled rallying for viewer participation.“There was a comment from a customer that said, ‘At NextAct Cinema in Pikesville, Maryland: Us watching 'Us' inside of Us,’" Fykes recollected. "That comment right there resonated with me because we hadn’t thought about it in that way. We didn’t know what we were doing could have such an impact.”Now, check these out:Ohio Mother Says Her Kids Were Kicked Out Of Their Christian School For Being Born Out Of WedlockT.I. Partnered With A Georgia Church To Bail 23 Nonviolent Offenders Out Of Jail On EasterDoes Legalizing Marijuana Help Or Harm Americans? Weighing The Statistical...

In an exclusive report from The Daily Beast, multiple security guards working for the lavish Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival claimed they were underfed and mistreated during their time in Indio, California. Writer Amy Zimmerman references interviews with security guards and a lengthy statement from Antonio Cannady, a screenwriter who signed up to be a security guard for the music festival this year. He blasted Coachella and the security companies they hire for providing barely any food to them, substandard sleeping conditions and discrimination of Black security guards. "You would think Golden Voice after boasting about profits of $114 MILLION would be a corporate leader and trickle down some of that success and provide air craft hangars that house military cots, that way those bussed in to work their butts off for them can have a decent place to rest and not have to struggle with the stressful weather conditions," Cannady wrote."Not only must bussed in Black security guards deal with the living conditions during their tenure of the event. They also must deal with the daily and constant harassment of Golden Voice Security Guards."Cannady and other security guards who spoke to The Daily Beast said for the entire month of April, security guards slept on the ground, which gets wet in the morning, and were asked to bring many of their supplies to make it through the month. If you did not bring your tent, mattress or sleeping bag, you were forced to sleep on the grass or search for cardboard. This arrangement was in direct contrast to some of the other security companies, who slept in military-style barracks that had floors and cots. Cannady claims most of those sleeping in the barracks were white, and everyone else struggling to find a place to sleep was Black. Security guards also struggled to find food. Although they were asked to bring their food, Cannady said many could not afford to and went hungry over 12-13 hour shifts. Sometimes the security company that hired them would provide breakfast or lunch, but generally, this was done on an ad hoc basis and was not consistent. Cannady claimed one morning, they gave everyone only a Twinkie or a Moon Pie.  These problems were only one part of the issue many saw with how the security guards were treated. "There are roughly one-hundred and fifty security guards on our campground, 95 percent Black. Adjacent to our campground is another security guard company, mostly White. Based on my experience here, a racial undertone does exist," Cannady wrote, adding that the white security guards for Golden Voice Security Guards often harassed the Black guards working for the other subcontractors. Cannady compared them to the Ku Klux Klan and said they had "zero regard or respect for the chain of command." According to him, the Black security guards let this happen because many were afraid of losing their jobs.For the guards who spoke to The Daily Beast, there was little that they could do to change things. They said the contractors would fire anyone who complained and could easily find replacements who would work under those conditions. Now, check these out:Lizzo Gets Her Hair Braided, Honors Nipsey Hussle and Outraps Your Faves All In One ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ SetJohn Legend Takes Chicago Police Union To Task In Scathing Op-EdYes, Beyoncé You Can Have All Our Money For Your New 'Homecoming'...

According to city records, a New York Police Department officer implicated in multiple false arrests has yet to be disciplined and was even given a promotion in December 2017.Almost three years ago, Black investment adviser Darrell Williams was arrested on his way home from work after officer Xavier Gonzalez accused him of pickpocketing an undercover officer. Officer Gonzalez fabricated a statement from painter Anthony Osei, claiming his wallet or phone had been stolen. Osei told the Daily News, prosecutors and police that he never said this and did not have anything stolen that day. Williams sued the city and included an affidavit from Osei reiterating that the statements under his name were fabricated.“I defended him (Williams) because it was the right thing to do,” Osei told the Daily News. “A cop came up to me and said, ‘Did he take your phone?' I said, ‘No, I have my phones and wallet.’ Two weeks later, I get a call from the prosecutor. I told them the same thing."Williams, whose wife works for the police department, says Gonzalez faked the charges to accrue more overtime pay. According to the Daily News, Gonzalez made more than $31,000 in overtime pay in 2017 and nearly $36,000 in 2018 on top of his $94,000 yearly salary. Officers are often looking for "arrest overtime," which kicks in when an arrest is made at the end of a shift.  Williams, who was paraded through the police station in his suit, had his financial license suspended while the case was being investigated, spent $1,500 on a lawyer and faced intense scrutiny at his job. The case was dismissed after two months, but Williams said he has anxiety around police officers and struggles to take the subway. The city ended up paying Williams $100,000 in a settlement but never levied any disciplinary charges against Gonzalez. “I have no trust in cops anymore,” Williams said during an interview with the Daily News. “He’s putting perfectly innocent people in handcuffs. People who don’t have the resources I have, they could go to jail for something they didn’t do."His lawyer, Joel Berger, slammed the city's prosecutors for dismissing the case, saying, “They covered it up. The district attorney's office admits they never kept any notes about their conversation with Osei. All they do is dismiss the case, but they make no record of why."In Williams' lawsuit, he spoke to Gonzalez's partner, who confirmed that he spoke to Osei and that the painter denied having anything stolen. He also confirmed that Gonzalez did not speak to Osei himself, even though he said he did in the police report. Officer Gonzalez was promoted to detective and now works in the Brooklyn Special Victims division. Berger has sent multiple messages to the district attorney's office asking for Gonzalez to be reprimanded for his conduct in the case, citing another instance where he fabricated evidence. The city was forced to settle that case for $25,000.“This case vividly demonstrates the failure of the city’s prosecutors to do anything about police lying,” Berger said.Now, check these out:Kim Foxx Was Not Wrong: The Lonely Road Of An Elected Prosecutor Of ColorNYC Council Passes Bill Banning Employers From Testing Job Seekers For MarijuanaNYPD Owes $700K To Black Former Detectives Who Sued Them For Racial...

Earlier this month, two victims of a prison assault at the hands of a white supremacist prisoner filed a federal lawsuit. The two victims claim the prison staff at Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Ohio, laughed as they watched a video of the attack. Furthermore, the officers overseeing the facility allegedly said, "Just let them die," as they begged for medical attention.Shamieke Pugh and Maurice Lee are both seeking $75,000 for what they said was "callous indifference" by the prison staff. In a video that went viral earlier this month, Pugh, Lee and two other Black incarcerated men are seen handcuffed to a table while another prisoner, Greg Reinke, pulled out an eight-inch knife and stabbed each of them multiple times. The attack, which took place in June 2017, ended only when one of the four men got out of his handcuffs and stopped Reinke. Reinke is serving a life sentence for murder but was given another 54 years for the attack. He also attacked a correctional officer recently and was given an additional 32 years behind bars. While the district prosecutor and prison officials have denied that there was any collusion between Reinke, a member of the prison's Aryan Brotherhood, and guards, Pugh and Lee both question how Reinke was able to get an 8-inch knife past officers and a key to his handcuffs. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.In the lawsuit, they say guards either gave Reinke a key or should have discovered a key on him as he was being strip-searched. According to the federal suit, the guards stood behind another gate and "laughed as Mr. Pugh, Mr. Lee and the other inmates were stabbed."The guards only came to help after one of the Black inmates got loose and attacked Reinke. They pepper-sprayed the Black inmate and helped Reinke up. Guards waited 10 minutes before calling health officials and nurses, even as the four men bled profusely from dozens of stab wounds. The prison's warden, Ronald Erdos, was named in the suit along with other officers and nurses. The federal lawsuit lists 11 charges of civil rights violations and questions why Reinke was allowed to move around freely despite his long history of violence in prison. Now, check these out:New Research Proves LAPD Special Unit Disproportionately Pulls Over Black DriversPhiladelphia Prosecutor Plans To Fight Newest Mumia Abu-Jamal AppealBlack Teen Wrongfully Accused Of Killing Rabbi Sues Miami-Dade Police...

NFL player David Irving announced his retirement from the league on Instagram Thursday and did so while sparking up.The former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle said he decided to protest the NFL's strict anti-marijuana policy, Yahoo Sports reports. Irving also criticized the league's dependence on prescription drugs, particularly those that have a high rate of abuse.Irving began his livestream holding a blunt while smiling. "Pass the blunt, bro,” he said to the camera as his followers tuned in.“So, basically guys, I quit,” Irving said. “They want to talk about a suspension and all this other nonsense. I’m outta there. I’m not doing this s**t no more. It’s a lot of reasons why I've come to this decision.”Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.On February 26, Irving was suspended indefinitely after violating the league's substance abuse policy for the third time in three seasons, Deadspin reports. The development came just a few weeks shy of Irving becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. Concerns over conditions like CTE aside, football is rough on the body; Irving made it clear he believes marijuana is a better, safer way to find pain relief for the bruises and injuries that occur in professional football, particularly compared to pills.“If I’m going to be addicted to something, I’d rather it be marijuana, which is medical,” Irving said. “It’s medicine, I do not consider it a drug; rather than the Xanax bars or the hydros or the Seroquel and all that crazy s**t that they feed you. ... Plants over pills.”Alright so I guess David Irving is done with football.“So, basically guys, I quit... I’m outta there. I’m not doing this shit no more.” pic.twitter.com/vS6t0iJF4u— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 8, 2019 The New York Post reports the Dallas Cowboys were not considering resigning Irving. Over his four-year career, Irving has dealt with multiple suspensions related to his weed usage, including missed drug tests, leaves of absence and has also faced a domestic violence accusation (which was later recanted by his girlfriend).Irving stated that while he does love the NFL, he feels the league's policies on marijuana do not have the players' best interests at heart. He referenced the more liberal weed policies of other professional sports leagues and compared himself to Colin Kaepernick, who famously found himself unable to secure NFL employment after taking a stand on police brutality.“They try to make me seem like the bad guy," Irving said. "I’ll Kaepernick myself before they Kaepernick my a*s ... football does not define me.”Irving has accumulated 12.5 sacks, 12 pass deflections and 56 tackles in his 37-game career.The NFL has made its stance on marijuana very clear. Last year, Blavity reported the NFL ruled players must continue to use highly addictive opioids to manage their body pain, rather than marijuana. Ex-NFL players have publicly come out against the policy in recent years, including Ricky Williams and Clinton Portis.Now, check these out:Former NFL Player Ricky Williams To Open A Marijuana-Friendly GymThe NFL Rules Players Must Continue Using Addictive Opioids Instead Of Marijuana To Manage PainNearly 50 Workers At A Chicago Hospital Were Fired For Reportedly Accessing Jussie Smollett’s Medical...

Today is Earth Day, fam. Over the years, the demand for a greener environment has only gotten louder — especially when the impact of a poor planet on POC and the poor are taken into consideration. Here is a list to help begin to address how that process can happen.1. Make your own all natural cleaning supplies with ingredients already in your kitchenDIY is the wave and has always been instrumental throughout human history. The use of all natural products — products you probably already have at home — not only saves you money and the environment, but your health as well. According to the American Lung Association, many commercial products contain harsh chemical ingredients that can prove harmful to your health.“Manufacturers are not obligated by U.S. law to list all ingredients in consumer products. Products that are labeled ‘green’ do not necessarily mean they are safer,” the ALA said.However, with simple, everyday ingredients — like lemons, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, baking soda, olive oil, and salt — you can make everything from a carpet cleaner and stain remover, to a toilet bowl cleaner and air freshener.Asides from house care, there are plenty of DIY solutions for your melanated skin. My personal favorites, which I do at least once a month, are tumeric, honey, milk face masks, and this egg, honey, olive oil hair mask.2. Stop the (junk) mail; go paperlessGoing paperless not only saves the environment, but receiving online notifications and emails for payments reduces the risk of notices getting lost in the mail and arriving late. Living a paperless life is also extremely easy, just contact your provider.For those situations where you can't go paperless, like junk mail, there are solutions for those too. There are numerous websites designed to help remove your name and address from various mailing lists. Parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles are also susceptible to junk mail so sharing information, is always caring.3. Use re-useableStop.drinking.bottled.water. The costs of buying cases of bottled water can certainly add up. According to experts, the average adult should be consuming the equivalent of about 7.5 plastic water bottles a day. Who’s going to carry that many water bottles around? In addition to being impractical, disposable plastic water bottles are awful for the environment and potentially hazardous to our health.The solution: reusable water bottles. They are not only cost-effective, but they are also practical. You can fill up reusable bottles nearly anywhere for the gorgeous cost of nothing. And, to make sure you are always drinking that good-good, you can buy a bottle with a built-in water filter. Starting at just $10, these bottles turn free tap water into liquid purity, whereas a plastic bottle can cost anywhere from $1 - $4.The same goes for bringing reusable cloth bags and totes with you when you go shopping. Many stores across the country have implemented a .4 to .10 cent surcharge for each bag they provide. Leaving a few totes in the trunk of your car for whenever you go on a grocery run can not only save you a bit of change per trip, but will go a long way towards saving the environment.4. Change your light bulbsOur parents’ bulbs aren’t cutting it anymore. According to money.com, old school bulbs, “use most of their power to produce heat rather than light.” And so, halogen bulbs are quickly becoming a thing of the past, as they also do not last as long.Now there are two choices:Compact fluorescent light bulbs — which are a bit more expensive than the old school bulbs, but they last way longer. The downside is they contain mercury and so disposing of them in the trash can be harmful to the environment. LED bulbs are a great alternative. Though more expensive than CFL bulbs, they last longer and contain no mercury.5. Use power strips to make unplugging easierIn your kitchen, you probably have a microwave, coffee machine, toaster, electric kettle, and whatever the newest version of the George Foreman Grill is, all plugged up and ready to go. For what? Just in case you decide to host an impromptu brunch on a Wednesday morning before work?And what about the living room? A television, DVD player, gaming console, some sort of Roku/Apple TV situation, and those speakers you paid too much for before the Superbowl. Do I have to mention the bathroom? With your electric toothbrush, blow dryer, flat iron, electric razor, and clippers, it is simply a lot.When all these items are not in use, they surge “phantom power” that is costing you money. Buy a powerstrip, better yet buy a surge protector if you want to protect your products.Items like your refrigerator, cable box, and wifi, you will want to leave plugged in, so those you can plug separately or use different power strips. But for items not often in use, you can plug and unplug them as a group to save you time (from having to unplug them individually), money, and the environment.Now check these out:Ring the Alarm: It’s Time Black Folks Get Serious About Climate ChangeHere’s How The Clean Air You Breathe Is Being Threatened By Trump And Wheeler’s Dirty PlansThis College Student Sacrificed His Spring Break to Pick Up Trash On Miami...

An Ohio Christian school kicked out two of its students, citing their mother's alleged promiscuity as the cause.The Beacon Journal reports mom Summer Grant is speaking out after two of her daughters were banned from continuing their studies at Chapel Hill Christian School Friday. The ban comes 30 days before the end of the school year. Grant says that the Akron school's administrator, Pastor John Wilson, claims the reason was mostly due to her having committed "adultery." The young mother, who has never been married, has two daughters by two different men and says Wilson cited this as the cause for his concerns.The two students in question are Summara-Rayn, a 10-year-old in the fourth grade, and Summaia, a 7-year-old in the second grade. The two girls are high-performance students who are regularly recognized for their academic achievements. Grant also says that her daughters have had little to no behavioral issues at school. They have attended the school for some time, but recently transferred to the Cuyahoga Falls campus, which is where the incident unraveled over time.Grant told the publication that harassment about her personal life began over a year ago when her youngest daughter started the first grade at the institution.Wilson reportedly would ask the 30-year-old about her relationships and even inquired from the children about with whom they lived. Grant says his questions became more frequent until one day he flatly stated his concerns.Citing an issue with both young girls' scholarships last July, Wilson sat down in a one-on-one with Grant and allegedly proceeded to agonize her about when she would be marrying Summaia's father, the youngest of her children."It wasn't about whether they had their scholarship in place," Grant said teary-eyed. "It was more or less about me just not living right. ... It was an uncomfortable conversation, but I sat through it because I really wanted my children to go to the school."The issue let up until last week when the eldest daughter had a communication issue with her bus driver. On Wednesday, the driver told authorities he called Summara-Rayn's name, and she did not respond. The student later said she didn't hear him calling her because she was in conversation with a friend. The following day, Grant approached the man about the dispute, which spiraled into police being called to de-escalate the situation.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.The very next day, Grant received a phone call from Wilson who informed her that she and her children were no longer welcomed at the Christian school. The publication notes that the mother has the conversation recorded."He said the bus incident just shed a light on many problems that we have with you,” Grant recalled about their conversation. Wilson reportedly accused Grant of living in sin and opposition of the Ten Commandments. He also purportedly stated that although it wasn't a requirement for mothers of the students to be married, it is a “strong recommendation.”CBS News reports Grant later spoke out about the incident on her Facebook page. She stated that she only spoke out so that the pastor could be made aware of how inconsistent his actions are with righteousness."I understand I'm not married and fornication would be what I committed not adultery!" she wrote. "However I've been the same unmarried women with children who have different fathers since the day he first accepted me [and] my children and the money for them to attend and that's where he's wrong.""I’m sorry I didn’t get married in the time frame he thought I should of, but I wanted to bad!" she added. "But that’s just not what was for me at the time. I’m trying to change my life. Getting rid of old negativity that wasn’t good for me [and] my children. Trying to live [and] love right. [Trying] to be a better woman... Don’t knock me, pray for me."School administrator Wilson released a statement to CBS in response to the controversy, writing, "The written agreement we have established with our parents ... are meant to reflect a common commitment to the cause of Christ... The unfortunate reality of a relationship of this nature is that individuals occasionally decide to act in a manner inconsistent with this written agreement and, as a consequence, separate themselves from the community."The note also infers that Grant and her children's behavior became a safety concern of their student body."Recently this did occur with one of our families. Unfortunately, portions of an audio recording were presented, which expressed only a small portion of the administration's and Board of Education's concerns. While we believe it would be wrong to make public the particular circumstances that led to this separation, out of concern for the privacy of the family, we also felt that dismissal was necessary in order to protect the safety of our school children and their families."  The children's grandmother is currently watching over the elementary school girls as Grant decides on how she would like to move forward. One thing that's for sure, however, is that Grant does not want her children in attendance at a school where they are neither welcomed nor wanted. “As a man of God, you’re never supposed to turn your back on somebody who falls short. I just want him to know that this is not right," Grant stated.Now, check these out:T.I. Partnered With A Georgia Church To Bail 23 Nonviolent Offenders Out Of Jail On EasterBank Account Takeover: How A Business Lost Over $20,000 In One DayAlabama Senator Doug Jones On HBCU Funding, MLK's Legacy, And Listening To Black...

Doug Jones, Alabama's Democratic senator, made history in 2017 when he was elected to the traditionally red state. Since his victory over alleged sexual predator (and racist) Roy Moore, the former prosecutor has been on a mission to serve all people.His win came as a surprise to many — but not to black women who contributed 98 percent of his votes. Now, those same black women and other black residents of Alabama, are making sure Jones maintains his promise to establish a more progressive Alabama.  Blavity had a conversation with Jones about his opinions and plans to address several issues that disproportionately impact the black community. He says he acknowledges the importance in funding Alabama's 14 — more than any other state — HBCUs, rural Alabama's rise in maternal mortality, and the need to address the health of black mothers.Jones also provided his take on what the Democratic party needs to win black vote, and what is being done to improve the state's unjust criminal justice system.In honor of Dr. King's legacy, senators recently took turns reading excerpts of his famous Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Jones was emotional as he read Dr. King's poignant words written over 50 years ago. The senator told Blavity the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. were just as necessary in 2019. "We need that kind of leadership now more than ever," said Jones of Dr. King. "My favorite line [from the letter] is, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' That goes beyond just black and white issues today. It looks at immigration, gender, [and] religion. We need to look at where we were, what we did, and how far we've come, because we seem to be moving back a little bit."Now, check these out!Roy Moore Eyes 2020 Senate Seat Despite Losing To Doug Jones In 2017 ElectionWhile Trump Continues To Attack Rep. Ilhan Omar, Defense From The Democrats Is Barely FoundGeorgetown University Students Believe The School Owes Reparations To Slavery...

Twenty-three nonviolent offenders spent Easter at home thanks to T.I.'s successful efforts to bail them out of jail just hours before the annual holiday.Per Fox 5 D.C., seven women and 17 men were released from DeKalb County Jail in Georgia early Sunday morning. The "Motivation" rapper partnered with Love & Hip Hop star Scrapp Deleon and the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, to orchestrate their release. "It's almost like finally meeting the good Samaritan – somebody who you don't know that you didn't see coming," senior Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant said about the just-released individuals. "They're appreciative to be able to press the refresh button."The act was orchestrated through the church's "Bail Out" initiative, which began the first day of Lent on March 6. The original goal was to raise $40,000 so New Birth could bail inmates out of prison in time for Easter. The news site reports donations soared to $120,000 in just 40 days.The Bail Out program also pledges to pair beneficiaries with a mentor to conduct weekly check-ins. Additionally, some of the funds raised will be allocated to start a college fund for children of the former convicts."It's like a whole new clean slate," said Tyron Pollard, one of the men released Sunday. "I was doing drugs before I got locked up … but I don't want to do nothing but do right and strive to be a model citizen for my kids."Just last month, the self-proclaimed "King of the South" was recognized by the Georgia Senate for his philanthropy and dedication to his community, as Blavity previously reported. Now, check these out:Flint Will Receive $77 Million In Loans To Help Resolve 5-Year Water CrisisDallas Cowboys Player Smokes A Joint While Announcing He's Quitting The NFL To Protest Its Weed PolicyBlack Former Fox News Anchor Sounds Off On 'Racist'...

Coachella’s crappy audio equipment was no match for Lizzo.The show went as planned until it was time for the singer to perform her hit song “Juice.” The song began correctly but skipped over a bridge and played the chorus, reports Variety. The mix-up confused Lizzo and her dancers, so she cut the music altogether.The “Good As Hell” artist asked for her infamous flute and gave one hell of a solo.Watch Lizzo command the crowd with a flute after ANOTHER #Coachella screw up at her show, “If they ain’t gonna get the music right, I’m gonna get the music right... That’s why I got my music major.” Full story here: https://t.co/XNY9624lhU pic.twitter.com/4Q0HIIAVOM— Variety (@Variety) April 22, 2019The crowd helped her out by singing parts of the song’s chorus. Lizzo’s dancers were also on point.Lizzo did Juice a capella after a brief tech hiccup at the start of the track. True icon. #Coachella pic.twitter.com/w58PZUDLtj— Jules LeFevre (@jules_lefevre) April 22, 2019“If they ain’t gonna get the music right, I’m gonna get the music right,” Lizzo said. “That’s why I got my music major.” This is the second time Coachella has messed up Lizzo’s audio. During the first weekend, her audio cut out in the middle of her performance, but she never missed a beat.WOW shout out to the back up dancers for Lizzo's #Coachella set... WHO KEEP DANCING WHEN THE AUDIO BREAKS pic.twitter.com/GQ5LfHwZwW— ‎‎‎‎ ◢‎‎‎ ‎‎‎ 𝙆𝙃𝘼𝙞𝙇 ‏‏ ◣‏ (@KhailAnonymous) April 15, 2019“It’s my first time playing Coachella, so ain’t nothing gonna f**k my time up, b***h!” she said. “So when I’m headlining next time, I’m gonna need my motherf**king ears to work.”Despite Coachella’s production issues, Lizzo’s star is on the rise. Her debut album, Cuz I Love You, scored the top spot on the iTunes charts. She acknowledged her accomplishment during her second Coachella set, according to The Star Tribune.“This is my first time coming out on stage since releasing my No. 1 album,” she said. “Did I say No. 1 album? I meant No. 1 album.” View this post on Instagram ‪ITS OFFICIAL— #CUZILOVEYOU IS NUMBER 1 IN THE US!!!! IM FLOORED BITCH IM MOPPED BITCH IM SWIFFERED BITCH IM BROOMED‬A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating) on Apr 19, 2019 at 12:35pm PDT She also added new dates to her sold-out North American tour. View this post on Instagram The 1st tour sold out so damn quick we had to do it again!!! Allow me to introduce the *DRUMROLL PLEASE* 🥁.................. Cuz I Love You Too Tour❤️ are we coming to ur city tho?! 🤔 Fan presale starts 4/23!!!! SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL LIST AT LIZZOMUSIC.COM TO GET THE CODEA post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating) on Apr 22, 2019 at 7:03am PDT Lizzo’s appearance at Coachella was meaningful for the outspoken musician, according to Billboard.In love with @lizzo ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nuBTdEEvay— Coachella (@coachella) April 22, 2019When a fan asked why she chose to perform at the festival despite the festival owner’s problematic past, she had a great answer.“I’m doing what I gotta do to make sure my big black ass voice is heard,” she responded. “Can’t wait to dismantle the hate that funds this country ... but until then, imma be putting big, black, femme, lgbtq+ bodies on stages and telling our stories.”Now, check these out:Lizzo Gets Her Hair Braided, Honors Nipsey Hussle and Outraps Your Faves All In One ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ SetJohn Legend Takes Chicago Police Union To Task In Scathing Op-EdYes, Beyoncé You Can Have All Our Money For Your New 'Homecoming'...