Tag Archives: Man Candy Monday

Derek Luke Launches Foundation to Empower Youth

Derek Luke may have played a guidance counselor on TV, but he’s putting in work off screen too.

The 13 Reasons Why star launched Derek Luke Foundation to steer kids toward their dreams in his hometown of Jersey City. Why?

“People talked to me about how to get a job. No one had ever talked to me about how to pursue my dream,” Derek told NJ.com.

Now he’s passing that recipe of success on by supporting programs and initiatives that focus on African American issues with his Foundation.

The Hershey’s kiss coated cutie (can’t help it, guys) kicked off the Foundation with four days of festivities in the Garden State.

Starting on Wednesday with free haircuts and school supplies for kiddies at David’s Barbershop on Kennedy Blvd.

Friday was Kings Night, a men’s empowerment forum at New Jersey Armory, where Derek served as keynote speaker. He plans to hold one every other Friday going forward.

Saturday was an all day activities fest filled with education based games, including using hip hop as a learning tool.

The Foundation wrapped on Sunday with Jersey’s Derek Luke Day with a Love Unity in the Community theme at Audubon Park. Sunday funday had bouncy houses, petting zoo, raffles, prizes, face painting and more. How could it get better? With spa services for moms, thanks Luke.

Good time for a good cause.

Tracy Morgan Upgrades Hometown Playground

Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way.

Tracey Morgan (being the faithful Brooklyn-nite he is) did just that last week by returning to the ‘hood to officially open the gates of shiny and new Marcy Park.

TBS and The Last OG comedian donated $215,000 to renovate the Bed-Stuy playground.

“Thanks to Tracy and TBS for making it possible for NYC Parks to refurbish Marcy Playground, a beloved Bedford-Stuyvesant park that was in need of some TLC,” Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said in a statement.

Including new basketball backboards with the TBS logo, of course. Fresh asphalt and a mural from artist Askew One.

It’s the first upgrade Marcy Park has gotten in a decade, according to NYC Parks department.

Yet it’s the back in the day times Tracy remembers most.

“I played on this court as a kid. I actually cut my finger on a glass bottle here and the blood I spilled on the court was for these kids. This is for Brooklyn. It makes me so happy.” Tracy said at the event.

Drake’s Taking Over Miami with Philanthropy

Last name Ever, first Name Greatest.

Guess Drake was rapping about his giving game on “Forever” because he’s seriously on a roll in the 305.

On Monday he was writing checks to a college student and Miami Senior High School. On Tuesday the “God’s Plan” rapper was surprising shoppers at Sabor Tropical Supermarket with $50,000 worth of groceries.

According to Wral.com, Drake pulled up to the market with a megaphone announcing his good deed. No doubt the cameras (Drizzy had a film crew with him) caught the delight of the lucky shoppers as he shook hands and took selfies.

ā€œNo one knew he was coming at all, we just came to do groceries. Cameras were being set up so we were all wondering what was to happen,ā€ shopper Guille Deza toldĀ E! News.

A real king [went] out and paid for everyoneā€™s groceries in the store, all the while encouraging people to more lol. BE GOOD AND ITā€™LL COME RIGHT BACK AROUND!!! so much love and bless this man 100 times over for all his generosity,ā€ Deza wrote on Instagram.

Drizzy wasn’t done yet. He surprised residents at a local homeless shelter–Lotus Village–and wrote a $50,000 check for the organization. Plus, donated a van…andĀ showered 130 women at the shelter with a $150 Target gift card. And handed out toys and games for the 140 kids living there.

Drake’s generosity spree even got to him. He posted on InstagramĀ ā€œLast 3 days were the best I have had in a very long timeā€¦thereā€™s nothing like seeing people experience a joyful moment when you can tell they really need it the most.ā€

Okay, Drake you may be G.O.A.T on giving.

Stephen Curry Surprised LA Teen Battling Cancer with Warriors Tickets

Stephen took a break from shooting his powerhouse three pointers against the Clippers Saturday (Go Warriors!!) to show love to his No. 1 fan sitting court side.

Thirteen-year-old Jaylen Winzer from South LA has been dreaming about meeting his idol for a while now.

Judging by the two championship rings he got to rock, it was worth the wait.

Jaylen, who suffers from a rare bone cancer, shared his story with ABC7 last year. Family friend Shirell Henderson used her foundation, BrittiCares International, to raise awareness of Jaylen’s condition.

The Foundation also decorated Jaylen’s room with all things Golden State before he returned home from the hospital.

Steph used FaceTime to invite the teen and his family to the game.

Soon after Jaylen and Steph were exchanging gifts. Jaylen got Steph a tee with the “I’M A WARRIOR FOR JAYLEN” in it and the Golden State logo, of course.

Steph gave Jaylen the jersey and sneakers he was playing in.

Let’s hope he aired out the jersey.

“I appreciate you coming,” Curry said.

“I appreciate you having me,” Jaylen replied.

Cha-Ching! Ne-Yo Invests $2.3 Million in Tech School to Attract Minority Coders

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Ne-Yo has been M.I.A lately. Perhaps it’s due to a new house, new baby (it’s a boy!), new album and upcoming tour.

Whew!! I’m winded from just writing that sentence.

Luckily, what hasn’t changed is his gentlemanly ways.

Hence, the Miss Independent crooner’s announcement of investing $2.3 million dollars into a San Francisco-based technical school, Holberton, so underprivileged kids can learn to code.

ā€œEverybody knows that tech and all these things are the wave of the future,ā€ Ne-Yo told Tech Crunch. ā€œI just love the fact of what theyā€™re doing with the school ā€” that theyā€™re making it easier forĀ underrepresented people in the world of tech. Theyā€™re giving them a platform and access to this knowledge that they probably wouldnā€™t get otherwise. I think thatā€™s one of the coolest things about this whole situation.ā€

Another dope thing is Holberton doesn’t charge tuition until after the student gets a job. You read that right. If and when they do, the school takes 17 percent of a salary.

Plus, the odds of getting selected are def in minorities favor—Holberton’s current class is made up of 40% female and 53% of color, according to Tech Crunch.

No wonder Ne-Yo is also a member of the Holberton’s board of trustees.

ā€œIā€™m definitely going to be hands on,ā€ he said. ā€œI donā€™t know if Iā€™m going to do every day because thereā€™s this little music career thing that iā€™ve got going on,ā€ he joked. ā€œSo thereā€™s that but iā€™m definitely going to be hands on.ā€

Ne-Yo is definitely swapping the gentleman for philanthropist.

MCM | Jesse Williams Drops Truth Bomb During BET Awards

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It’s safe to say Jesse Williams put us all in a trance last night at the BET Awards. Only it wasn’t his gorgeous green eyes that had us hypnotized, although it always helps, but his truth bombs about cultural appropriation.

The Grey’s Anatomy star lit into those who love to bottle up our slang, our dance moves and our fashion style to sell to the masses. Yet, cringe at our efforts to recognize the whole package. Black Lives Matter. The fact that a little brown boy playing in a park alone results in several holes in his body by the police. Without any arrests. Shows it doesn’t.

And that’s what J.W. is hoping to change. Through his involvement with orgs like the California Endowment Sons & Brothers that guides young Black boys to reach their potential through literacy and youth empowerment. Jesse is a boardmember. The actor turned activist is also on the board of directors for the Advancement Project; a civil-rights org seeking community based solutions to racial inequities.

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And still finds time to take part in POTUS’ “My Brother’s Keeper” program.

Between Jesse Williams’ stirring humanitarian acceptance speech (check out his full speech below) and Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar’s chain-breaking performance of “Freedom.”

We’re all woke.

Man Candy Monday | Players Serving Up Holiday Cheer

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What better occasion than the holiday season to pull the sheet off of ‘Man Candy Monday’s’ section? None. After all it is the season of giving and it’s high time I give the guys some love.

While everyone is talking about one particular man that made a major fumble–not of the NFL variety, although–on national TV, I’d rather focus on the fellas that scored off the field for charity. Besides, If I see another Steve Harvey meme I won’t have anymore clean underwear. TMI…I know. Sorry.

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Chris Bosh took a break from the hardwood to host his 5th annual Santa Bosh Workshop in Miami over the weekend. Local kids gorged on holiday treats, games and took photos with their favorite dinosaurĀ Miami Heat ballplayer for his Team Tomorrow Foundation.

Not to be outdone, OKC Thunder’s Russell Westbrook also played chocolate Santa when he stopped by the City Rescue Mission. The NBA player gave 65 homeless kids new Jordan’s and backpacks. It was one of several good deed missions Westbrook completed through his Why Not? Foundation that aims to motivate kids to ask, “why not?”

Earlier this month, Westbrook took some lucky kids on a Christmas shopping spree on his dime. Annnnd prior to that he swapped nasty school lunches with Subway boxes for the students at Fillmore Elementary School.

Good deeds by good dudes!!