Black Excellence

Love & Marriage: Detroit” returns for an all-new season starting September 7

Love & Marriage Detroit follows a group of African American couples with deep ties to the reemerging city of Detroit.

Published

1 month ago

August 9, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Photo Credit: Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN)

Oprah Winfrey Network’s ”Love & Marriage Detroit” is set to return for an all-new season beginning Saturday, September 7 at 9/8c, immediately following the season finale of “Love & Marriage: Huntsville” at 8/7c.

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Love & Marriage Detroit

Following a group of African American couples with deep ties to the reemerging city of Detroit, “Love & Marriage: Detroit” features Russell and Kolby Harris, Brandon and Kristina Bowman Smith, and Anthony and Dr. LaToya Thompson. The couples are determined to thrive in their community and are focused on building the best lives possible for their families.

In an emotional new season, Kristina re-evaluates her marriage to Brandon and restarts her singing career, Kolby and Russell clash over the possibility of having another child, while LaToya struggles to balance her work as a doctor and wine entrepreneur and family as a wife to Anthony. Meanwhile, two new couples, the Dobines and the Samuels, threaten to shake up the group’s dynamics.

Catch up with the Harrises, the Smiths and the Thompsons:

RUSSELL & KOLBY HARRIS

Russell and Kolby Harris have been married for four years and have a young daughter together.

The Harrises (Photo Credit: OWN)

At the beginning of the season, the couple are expecting their second child and Russell is already talking about the possibility of having a third, but Kolby, who only wanted one child, is having trouble getting through to her husband that she may have a different vision of the future. Kolby also feels she carries the burden of being the stricter parent when Russell doesn’t discipline their young daughter. Russell continues to work as a pastor and runs his non-profit, Soar Detroit, which focuses on literacy and sports, all while working to revitalize a newly purchased gym. Kolby is a rising social media influencer, but being pregnant and caring for their two-year-old is taking up most of her energy in recent months.

BRANDON & KRISTINA BOWMAN-SMITH

Brandon and Kristina Bowman-Smith have been married for 12 years and have two young daughters.

The Smiths (Photo Credit: OWN)

When the new season begins, Brandon and Kristina’s marriage is on shaky ground and the couple reveals that they have separated. Kristina, a stylist and influencer in Detroit who has devoted the last decade to raising their children, needs to decide what her life as a single mother looks like. Brandon is the owner of Star Factory, an artist development program, where he trains young people of Detroit with a dream to become singers and recording artists. Many of the couple’s marital woes stem from Brandon’s focus on his profession and the hours spent away from home. After a break-in at the Star Factory, will Brandon and Kristina realize they need each other to pick up the pieces in their business and marriage? Will the couple be able to resolve their differences to keep their family together?

ANTHONY & DR. LATOYA THOMPSON

Anthony and Dr. LaToya Thompson have been married for 15 years and share two sons and a daughter.

The Thompsons (Photo Credit: OWN)

Anthony works for a touring company and owns a production studio. LaToya is still the main breadwinner as a successful physical therapist and the owner of Opulence Wines, but Anthony still doesn’t like to admit this. Despite LaToya’s professional accolades, she is evaluating her work/life balance and struggles with mommy’s guilt. She is also coming to terms with her perfectionism and worries if she is passing this burden on to her children. In the new season, Anthony expands his work with the men’s organization he founded where the goal is for men to have an outlet to discuss relationships and life.

Love & Marriage: Detroit new couples

MARCEL & KIMBERLY DOBINE

Marcel and Kimberly Dobine have been married for 8 years and share two young children.

Kimberly is an event planner, designer and founder of the Posh & Popular brand, while Marcel works in the mortgage industry.

The couple are working on their communication, with Kimberly feeling she needs Marcel to talk through their issues and family dynamics more openly.

They also realize they are in an incredibly hectic chapter in their lives and need to make a better effort to set aside time for just the two of them.

Marcel and Kim are good friends with the Thompsons and are friendly with the Harrises. But Kimberly has a more complicated past with Kristina, with whom she had a friendship several years ago which fizzled away when Kimberly felt Kristina was not a person she could count on. Will Kimberly and Kristina’s fractured friendship create a divide in the friend group?

BRAVO & LAKEITA SAMUELS

First introduced in season one with a larger presence in the new season, Bravo and Lakeita Samuels are high school sweethearts who have been together for 20 years and married for six. Together, they have two daughters.

As a social service manager and managing their home, Lakeita wishes Bravo was more present in their household. Bravo is a successful hospitality entrepreneur who owns several clubs and restaurants around Detroit, but Lakeita is struggling over Bravo’s frequent late nights. Bravo just wants Lakeita to understand that he is working so hard to build their family legacy and secure their financial security.

How to watch

The all-new season of begins Saturday, September 7 at 9/8c, immediately following the season finale of “Love & Marriage: Huntsville” at 8/7c.

“Love & Marriage: Detroit” will then move to its regular time slot of 8/7c on Saturdays beginning September 14.

For more information, please visit the series page.

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Black Excellence

In Memoriam: William Goines, first Black member of Navy SEALs

William Goines, the first Black member of the modern-era SEALs in the early 1960s, died June 19 at the age of 87.

Published

1 month ago

July 28, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Master Chief Petty Officer William Goines died Monday, June 10. He was 87 years old. (U.S. Naval Institute)

William Goines is the first Black member of the modern-era SEALs in the early 1960s.

Goines passed away June 10 at a hospital in Virginia. The cause was a heart attack, said his wife, Marie Goines.

He was 87.

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William Goines was a NAVY SEALs

In 1962, William “Bill” Goines became the first African American Navy SEAL.

Navy SEALs are the United States Navy’s elite special operations force. SEAL is an acronym for Sea, Air, and Land, which exemplifys all the environments in which SEALs are trained to operate.

Early beginnings

Goines was born in Dayton, Ohio, on September 10, 1936. He attended all-Black Lockland Wayne High School where his affinity for the Navy began while watching the movie The Frogmen, which focused on the US Navy’s UDT or Underwater Demolition Teams, the precursors to SEALs.

Due to segregation, Blacks were not allowed in Dayton’s public swimming pools.

“We were never allowed to swim in that pool,” Goines told the Enquirer. “When integration came to the area, the way I understand it, they filled the pool in with rocks and gravel so nobody could swim in it.”

Yet, Goines did not let that stop him and taught himself how to swim in a nearby creek, the Little Miami River, and a pool in Hartwell, Ohio.

Upon graduating from high school in 1955, Giones joined the Navy and underwent grueling training for two years.

William Goines died Monday, June 10. He was 87 years old. (U.S. Naval Institute)

Master Chief Petty Officer William Goines died Monday, June 10. He was 88 years old. (U.S. Naval Institute)

After an 11-month tour in Malta, Goines was among the first group chosen to serve on the newly established SEAL teams. Of the 80 men selected upon the official 1962 inception of the teams, Goines was the only Black man.

While Fred “Tiz” Morrison is often credited with being the nation’s first Black Navy SEAL, Morrison served in the Navy’s underwater demolition teams during WWII and Korea. Goines has the distinction of being the first Black Navy SEAL as the SEAL teams are known today.

Goines went on to serve three tours in Vietnam with SEAL teams before serving five years with the Chuting Stars, a Navy Parachute Demonstration Team.

Life after Navy SEALs

After 32 years of service, Goines retired in 1987 as a master chief petty officer.

He received many commendations such as the Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Following his retirement, Goines became a police chief in the Portsmouth, Virginia, school system for more than a decade. He later volunteered to help recruit people of color into the SEALs, according to Cincinnati.com.

Goines is survived by his wife.

Black Excellence

Dr. Shanté Williams named new General Director of Opera Carolina

Williams new role makes her the first woman and first person of color to lead Opera Carolina, which was founded in 1948.

Published

2 months ago

July 10, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Dr. Shanté Williams

Notable businesswoman Dr. Shanté Williams is officially the new general director of Opera Carolina, which took effect on July 1.

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Dr. Shante Williams makes history

Williams, a distinguished venture capitalist, business owner and private investor, succeeds James Meena, who served as general director and principal conductor.

This new appointment makes Williams the first woman and first person of color to lead Opera Carolina in its 75 year history.

“Opera Carolina’s remarkable 75-year history of excellence in opera, education and community leadership make it one of the premier arts organizations in North Carolina,” Williams said.

“Having been fortunate enough to serve on the board of directors, I am especially honored to carry the organization’s remarkable reputation forward. I look forward to leading the business operations as Maestro Meena continues to serve as Artistic Director. With a dynamic staff and passionate board, we will embrace and expand the company’s role as a leader in Charlotte’s artistic community and an agent for healing, inspiration and joy.”

Career

Before Opera Carolina, Williams served as CEO of Black Pearl Vision and global CEO of its parent company, Black Pearl Global Investments, a $25 million venture capital fund. She has used her wealth of scientific knowledge as well as her passion for innovation to solve complex problems across the industries of health, finance and real estate.

Opera Carolina finds an innovative new general director

The organization initiated a multi-year succession-planning process to identify a new general director. Following an interview process with the board of directors, the group approved Williams’ appointment. The announcement advances the succession plan and brings dynamic new leadership to the acclaimed organization.

“On behalf of the entire board of directors, I am thrilled Dr. Williams is joining us as our next general director,” said Board Chair Carol Kendrick.

“As a Charlotte native, she brings to the role a track record of success in fundraising and business, and we were collectively impressed by her extensive credentials and past support of Opera Carolina. We are confident we have found the right person to lead and inspire our community as we emerge from the pandemic and raise Opera Carolina to the next level of excellence.”

Opera Carolina will launch its 75th season on Oct. 30 with a benefit concert featuring renowned Italian singer Andrea Bocelli.

For more information about the upcoming season, visit operacarolina.org/75years.

Black Excellence

The Franchise Game, aimed to increase Black franchise ownership, comes to Metro Dallas area in August

The Franchise Game, the US’s first and only African American Franchise Symposium and Trade Show, is coming to Plano, Texas for a second year on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Published

2 months ago

July 8, 2024

Unheard Voices Staff

Tarji Carter at the Franchise Symposium

The Franchise Game, the US’s first and only African American Franchise Symposium and Trade Show, is coming to Plano, Texas for a second year on Friday, August 16, 2024.

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About The Franchise Game

The Franchise Game, spearheaded by Tarji Carter/The Franchise Player, Marketing Expert, Dessie Brown, Jr. and Brand Consultant, Daylon Goff, will take place at Yum! Restaurants International Corporate Campus from 8am-5pm CST.

Own Your Future

The symposium aims to bring together experts and industry leaders to discuss the secrets to success, challenges, and opportunities in franchising. The theme for this year’s event is Own Your Future: Franchising as a Path to True Independence.

Tarji Carter with Shannon Sharpe

The Franchise Game Schedule of Events

The day will kick off with a welcome from James Fripp (Chief Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Officer, Yum! Brands).

Discussions with industry heavyweights to include:

Rachel Proctor (Mayor of DeSoto, TX and Multi-Unit Franchisee, Salata Salads)
Andre Walters (Retired NFL Player, Multi-Unit Franchisee, Duck Donuts),
Aicha Bascaro (Founder/CEO, American Franchise Academy) Tanya Nebo (Owner of Nebo Law Firm)
Dominique Maddox (Founder of EATS Brokers)
Shawn Caric (VP of Franchise Development, Smoothie King)
Pam Gore (Director of Development Marketing, Dine Brands)
Maureen DeStefano (VP of Franchise Development, Potbelly Sandwiches)
Tarji Carter herself, on behalf of The Franchise Player.

Roland Parrish (CEO of Parrish Restaurants, Ltd, which owns and operates 24 McDonald’s restaurants in Dallas and the surrounding areas) will serve as the Guest of Honor for this year’s Fireside Chat.

“As we go into our second year of organizing this expo, we are still looking to attract multi-unit franchisees, owner/operators, potential investors, athletes, entertainers, and industry influencers,” says Carter, who has worked with some of the world’s most delicious brands, including Cinnabon, Carvel, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin, Wingstop, Edible Arrangements, Fuddruckers, and Bojangles’.

“We are looking to increase franchise ownership and wealth across the African American community by providing education, resources, and opportunities to aspiring franchisees and small business owners.”

Sessions

With the expo happening during Black Business Month (August), The Franchise Game also consists of sessions from franchisees, lawyers, business development officers, and operation managers.

Sessions include:

A Day in the Life of a Franchisee (where attendees will learn from some of the industry’s best multi-unit franchisees)
Talk to My Attorney! (where attendees will learn about the legal rights and responsibilities from franchise attorneys)
Recipe for Success – Identifying The Ideal Franchisee (where top representatives from leading franchise brands will share insight on what makes an ideal franchise candidate)
From One to Many: Mastering Multi-unit Ownership (where franchise veterans will provide detailed insight into the transition from the brand’s franchisee training to the essential skills you must acquire independently to achieve exponential growth)
Taste of Ownership: Acquiring a Restaurant Franchise (an in-depth session on evaluating potential purchases)
Franchise Freedom: Seizing Opportunities Amidst DEI Challenges (where Carter, The Franchise Player, will explore the urgent need for marginalized groups to enter franchising now amidst increasing threats to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) laws).

“This event is for all individuals who want to know more about franchising,” Carter adds. “Whether it be a novice, who just wants to get their foot in the door, or a current franchise who’s looking to expand into multi-unit franchising or diversifying their portfolio.”

Sponsors include Inspire Brands, American Franchise Academy, NeboLaw, GoTo Foods and Ben & Jerry’s.

Before the symposium and trade show, The Franchise Game will also hold a VIP Reception on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at On the Marquee in Frisco, TX.

To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit: www.thefranchiseplayer.com/tfg.