::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Statement -- Harvey Mason, Jr. addresses Bruno Mars pulling out of Grammy nomination pool While artists who made the first rond ballot for a Grammy are lobbying for votes, Bruno Mars and his partner Anderson .Paak bowed ot of te process. Silk Sonic have witdrawn their album “An Evening With Silk Sonic” from consideration. In 2018 they won in every single category for which they were nominated. Fans of nominees like Jay Z and edric Lamar were salty.  Mars told Rolling Stone, essentialLy they wanted to attend but not as nominees, “We truly put our all on this record, but Silk Sonic would like to gracefully, humbly and most importantly, sexually, bow out of submitting our album this year,” Mars said. “We hope we can celebrate with everyone on a great year of music and partake in the party. Thank you for letting Silk Sonic thrive.” The two artists have their fair share of gramaphones individally and as a uunit. Together as Silk Sonic the group has won 4 Grammys. Mars has a bountif...

The Claflin University Presidential Honor of Distinction was presented at the funeral of William Fairfax, Jr. on Septembr 22. to a "loyal son of Claflin University and visionary leader." Young Mr. Fairfax wo died at 24, was saluted with the distinction for making an impact on the student body at the HBCU located in Orangeburg, SC. His presence there placed the school on the radar of the White house, where Vice Pres. Kamala Harris visited while he was her Assistant Press Secretary. University President, and fellow member Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc, Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack presented the honor to the Fairfax family during his remarks at a Celebration of Life service held in Maryland's Prince Georges County at the Ebeneezer AME Church. The SLICE NEWS as encapsulated details from te live stream of te service that reflect Mr. Fairfax's characteristics that made im worty of the honor and a summary of the proceedings. We learned in the nearly 4-hour event from friends and family re...

By Mona Austin Embattled Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. resigned on Monday amid a sex scandal.  Falwell tried to get ahead of the brimming controversy by releasing a statement Sunday admitting  his wife Becki had an affair with a former business partner who threatened to blackmail them  unless he receveid a large sum of money.   The now ex-Chancellor wrote, " Becki had an inappropriate personal relationship with this person, something in which I was not involved – it was nonetheless very upsetting to learn about.” This revelation continues a thread of accusations about inappropriate conduct that has clouded his image as a leader of an uber-Conservative institution. Falwell had alrady taken an indefinite leave of absence from the school earlier in Augsut when a photo of him standing next to a woman with his pants unzipped on a yahct surfaced. The Board of Trustees at the school requested his departure at the time.  The formal resignation arr...

The LSU Tigers on Monday night, swiped the 2020 National Championship form the Clemson at the NOLA Superdome. ESPN said of the leading team, "With its 42-25 victory against No. 3 Clemson, a team that had won its previous 29 games over 741 days, LSU made its pitch to stand among the greatest teams in 150 years of college football." Lauren Daigle sang the National Anthem. POTUS and FLOTUS were in attendance. Trump said he liked both teams. Former Tiger, Odell Beckham, Jr. celebrated the players from his alma mater by handing out cash. USA Sports explores whether the monetary gifts violates rules as college athletes are not paid. But, in this case it's no-harm-no-foul since an LSU athletic official told The Advocate on Tuesday that the paper Beckham handed to junior wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jontre Kirklin was "play money." Everyone who saw the moment unfold thought the money was real.

Actor Cuba Gooding, Jr. was arraigned in a Manhattan court on Thursday and released without bail on accusations of forcible touching and sex abuse. The Oscar winning entertainer, known for his roles in Jerry McGuire and Boyz N the Hood said he was not guilty of groping a woman at a bar. His attorneys believe a video from the 2008 incident will clear his name. CBS has more.

buzzz worthy. . . (ATLANTA, GA) - - With a style that combines raw truth, real life and body-rocking humor, author  Willie Moore Jr.  gives readers a guide to navigating the difficult challenges within personal and family relationships. Alongside his wife Patricia, Willie reveals the uncomfortable realities that come with dating, marriage, and parenthood to provide no nonsense solutions to anyone who wants to build a happier, healthier relationship.  As a native of the Ferguson Florissant area of St. Louis Missouri, he saw first hand the effects of unhealthy relationships in the broken families of the neighborhood. Himself the product of adoptive parents, Willie learned early on the importance of family. After transitioning from RnB singer Pretty Willie to father, husband and counselor to millions of radio listeners, he realized that he was not alone in the issues he’d faced in over two decades of learning to be successful in his relationships.  ...

buzzz worthy. . . Sports figures are no strangers to the automobile indusstry or the field of broadcasting.  Odell Beckham, Jr. has combined his interest in both worlds to become the voice over talent for a luxury car dealer in New Jersey. FAR HILLS, N.J.  -- The New York Giants are enjoying one of their best seasons in years, and record breaking receiver  Odell Beckham, Jr.  is an indispensable part of their success.  But, Beckham isn't just connected to one winning team.  He's also a spokesperson for one of North Jersey's most successful and respected automotive groups –Tom Maoli's Celebrity Motor Car, another team having a terrific season. "It's obvious  Odell Beckham, Jr.  is driven to be the best," explains  Tom Maoli , principal and owner of Celebrity Motor Car.  "And our mission at Celebrity Motor Car is also to be the best.  That's why we're so excited to have Odell part of our winning team, not just as an owne...

buzzz worthy. . . The Washington Post reports John Hinckley, Jr., the would-be assassin of Pres. Ronald Reagan, has regained his freedom. Hinckley will be released from St. Elizabeth, a psychiatric hospital in Washington, DC after 35 years to the care of his mother in Williamsburg, VA. At the time of the assassination attempt he was ruled not guilty by reason of insanity.  Reagan was rushed to the hospital and survived the shooting. A Paul Friedman ruled Hinckley, now 61, who was 25 years old when he pulled the trigger on the late president was walking out of the Washington Hilton Hotel, is ready to leave the hospital. Doctors have said for years he was no longer suffering from insanity and he has been living with his mother for 17 days out of the month.   His release date (Aug. 5) comes with restrictions. Hinckley must volunteer or seek employment and will be followed by Secret Service periodically. The gunman stated he had purchased the weapon he used on March 31...

buzzz worthy. . . "Guilty By Color" Brings Together Diverse Talents, Proves Hollywood Love Affair With Mafia Continues       Giovanni Gambino and Richard Pryor, Jr. collaborate on timely, hard-hitting tale of racism and police injustice       NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2015  -- Author Giovanni Gambino, together with Richard Pryor, Jr., have penned an emotional page-turner of a story that is as relevant today as it's ever been. "Guilty By Color" examines the effects that institutional prejudice can have on individuals, a phenomenon that the late comedian Richard Pryor experienced firsthand. "Guilty By Color" is available at Barnes & Noble and available today on Amazon .   "Giovanni Gambino is the real deal. He's not just a Gambino. He is The Gambino," says long-time friend and associate Joseph David Savoy. Incidents of police brutality make headlines today, thanks in part to social media, but they're nothing new for...

buzzz worthy. . . Thirty-two years before Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr. pastored one of the Bay Area’s fastest growing churches, he was a timid fourth grader who was ridiculed by his teacher: “You will never be good at English,” she said. “You will never be good at public speaking.” Those angry, biting words changed young Charley’s life.  He owned them, at first. But then, he pressed reset making the choice to prove this teacher wrong. Now at the age of 41, Dr. Hames leads over 2,500 worshipers at  Beebe Memorial Cathedral  in Oakland, CA and can be heard by millions each week as the "Voice of Inspiration" on San Francisco Bay Area's 102.9FM   KBLX  Radio.  Hames has now released his first book,  PRESSING RESET: When Life Forces You To Start Over Again , and urges the churched and unchurched to stop dwelling in the past because God gives us all a clean slate.  “When...

buzzz worthy. . .     Laila Ali, Chandra Wilson , James Pickens, Jr.,  Kym Whitley  and Arjay Smith Join Pageant Producer Lisa Ruffin for   20 Year Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant Los Angeles -  The beautiful athlete and television personality  Laila Ali  will inspire the hearts of many when she hosts the 20 year anniversary of the  Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant  (LMAA) on  Sunday, August 4, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.  Pageant producer  Lisa  Ruffin  has planned a luminous affair for her participants and attendees this year with a host of celebrity judges that include ABC-TV's "Grey's Anatomy" stars   Chandra Wilson  and  James Pickens, Jr ., OWN TV star  Kym Whitley  from "Raising Whitley," Nicklelodean's  Arjay Smith  and "Girlfriends"   Golden Brooks ....

Nashville, TN - Award winning gospel songwriter and vocalist Oscar Williams , Jr. is currently on a summer mission to impact the world with the gospel of music.  Oscar Williams, Jr and Perfected Praise were selected out of over 100 applicants to participate in the Rhythm Road Program that sends American musicians to non-westernized countries to help promote and teach American based music.  The program is also designed to strengthen and build U.S. relations with the countries the musicians visit.  This is Oscar’s first year with the Rhythm Road Program which will have him tour four countries: CYPRUS (Larnaca); LEBANON (Beirut, Jezzine, Kharley, Tripoli); Poland (Warsaw, Kielce, Krakow); Romania (Bucharest, Constanta).   Recently featured on the CBS Morning News , Oscar and his singers (Thelma Guyton, Tracy Smith , Meaghan Williams) have performed at several Ambassador’s residences and met Presidents and Prime Ministers creating an experience that has be...