Author: Melodi Blackmon, DI

Melodi Blackmon is a writer, Virgo, wife, and an Atlanta native. She recently earned her Associates Degree in Mass Communications this summer. She is also a Digital Intern with Black News Alerts. Follow her on her social media to get to know her more.

Yonkers, New York native/rapper DMX has admitted himself into rehab. What We Know: The world found out about Earl Simmons aka DMX admitting himself into rehab on Saturday, October 12 via a post on his Instagram account. This news comes as a surprise after XXL reported last month that he had signed a new deal with Def Jam Records and was just starting his tour. Many of his colleagues and friends commented their support of the “Who We Be” rapper’s decision, including rappers like Casanova, Scarface, and hip-hop mogul/record label executive, Russell Simmons. “Love you and always will keep your head…

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While leading a climate change protest in Washington, D.C., two-time Oscar-winning actress, Jane Fonda was arrested. What We Know: CBS reported that Fonda, 81, and fellow protestors were participating in the actress’s weekly #FireDrillFridays event. This is a series created by the Monster-In-Law star that is held on Capitol Hill to “demand that action by our political leaders be taken to address the climate emergency we are in.” WUSA reporter Mike Valerio recorded Fonda’s arrest while being on the scene. Protestors can be heard chanting loudly in the video, “What do we want? Climate Justice!” while watching Fonda get apprehended…

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The state of California has officially banned the use of small plastic bottles as toiletries in hotels. What We Know: California Governor Gavin Newsome signed a bill on Wednesday, October 9th, that will begin to ban hotels from providing toiletries in their hotel rooms. This will help to limit the countless amount of plastic containers that are constantly disposed of by hotels and their guests. Set to take effect in 2023, the bill was co-authored by Assembly Member Ash Kaira of San Jose as AB 1162. AB 1162 will apply to all lodging establishments that have more than fifty hotel…

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On Saturday evening, October 5th, actor Tyler Perry debuted the first black-owned studio, Tyler Perry Studios. What We Know: Tyler Perry, star of all the Madea movies, as well as, writer, producer, and director launched a star-studded, red carpet event for his 330-acres studio, Tyler Perry Studios. Black Hollywood came out in full effect to support Perry, including Samuel L. Jackson, Ava DuVernay, Viola Davis and Halle Berry, just to name a few. Tyler Perry Studios is not only the first black-owned studio in America but, it is also independently owned by Tyler Perry himself, with no partners or corporate…

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Love & Hip-Hop reality stars Safaree Samuels and Erica Mena officially tied the knot Monday, October 7. What We Know: The expecting couple threw a luxe wedding ceremony at the Legacy Castle in New Jersey. The wedding was red-themed and the groom did not disappoint. While retrieving his wife’s garter belt, Samuels wore a red suit that matched the huge floral centerpieces that were made by Venus Et Fleur. “You look so beautiful,” gushed the new husband as he admired his wife in her wedding dress that showed off her baby bump. Mrs. Samuels wore a thigh-high slit gown that…

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Keonyae Banks, a gym trainer from Compton, CA, went viral earlier this year when he admitted to having twins as “baby mamas”. Now, he plans to marry them both. What We Know: In May of this year, Banks shocked the world after acknowledging the fact that he’d gotten twin sisters, Nia and Nydia pregnant at the same time. Nia gave birth to her baby girl, Madison in May and Nydia delivered her son, Keonyae, Jr., in June. Of course, the thriving “throuple” has received their fair share of judgment. Banks even confessed that after each of the twins gave birth,…

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Tameka “Tiny” Harris, wife of hip-hop artist T.I. and a member of the 90’s R&B group, Xscap3, had $750K worth of jewelry stolen from her. What We Know: On Sunday evening, October 6, Harris and a friend went out for drinks at Midtown Atlanta bar, Bar Amalfi. While enjoying her night out, someone broke into Harris’ Lamborghini. In the center console, there was a bag that held wedding rings, watches and stud earrings that all belonged to The Family Hustle reality star. Harris and her friend left the bar at approximately 9:45 p.m. This is when Harris noticed that the…

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Mathew Knowles, the father of R&B singers Beyonce and Solange Knowles, reveals he’s battling breast cancer. What We Know: Being that October is breast cancer awareness month, Mathew Knowles, 67, revealed that he’s battling breast cancer. During an interview with Good Morning America host Michael Strahan, Knowles explains how he found out about his diagnosis. Knowles says that around July of this year, he and his wife began to notice small dots of blood on his shirts and in their bedsheets. NBCNews states Knowles’ first reaction was, “Why me? Of all the things I could get, why would I get…

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Love & Hip-Hop reality stars Safaree and Erica Mena announce that they are expecting. What We Know: Safaree Samuels and Erica Mena originally met each other while filming the VH1 reality show, Scared Famous. By December 2018, the couple had gotten engaged. The two lovebirds announced their pregnancy on Love & Hip-Hop’s YouTube account. “I’m excited. I didn’t think I would be able to do this,” says Samuels, as he rubs Mena’s pregnant belly. This will be Samuels’ first child and Mena’s second. She has a son, King Conde, by American rapper, Raul Conde. Samuels has had previous relationships with…

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GiGi Hadid stops an unidentified woman who decided to crash the Chanel runway. What We Know: On Tuesday, October 1, an unknown woman somehow sneaked on to the Chanel runway during one of their Paris fashion week shows. While wearing a black and white Chanel-like tweed suit from top to bottom, the woman ran from her seat and joined the models as they walked. With celebrities such as rapper Cardi B, K-pop star Jennie and French actress Isabelle Adjani in the audience, security was extremely tight but, that didn’t stop the unnamed woman from making it to the runway. As…

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