Samson Dauda wins the 2024 Mr. Olympia

Samson Dauda defeated two previous Mr. Olmypias, Derek Lundsford Hadi Chopan to win the 2024 Mr. Olympia.

Along with Sandow Trophy Dauda also won the first-place medal, the people's champion trophy and $600,000, the largest payday for a winner in event history.

2024 Olympia Top 10 Contenders

• First Place – Samson Dauda ($600,000)
• Second Place – Hadi Choopan ($250,000)
• Third Place – Derek Lunsford
• Fourth Place – Martin Fitzwater
• Fifth Place – Andrew Jacked
• Sixth Place – Hunter Labrada
• Seventh Place – William Bonac
• Eighth Place – Rafael Brandao
• Ninth Place – Brandon Curry
• Tenth Place – Akim Williams

CHECK OUT THIS INTERVIEW WITH THE CHAMP!

URBAN LEAGUE OF ESSEX COUNTY CELEBRATES COMMUNITY SERVICE OF 5 HONOREES AT ANNUAL R.E.D. GALA OCTOBER 16

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we do not always see or recognize people or organizations that are working steadfastly behind the scenes to improve the community. These heroes make it their mission or devote their time to stimulate social justice and economic empowerment to traditionally underserved populations.

The Urban League of Essex County, a major nonprofit organization, invites the public to celebrate five distinguished honorees whose contributions have mirrored the organization’s mission to help African Americans and disadvantaged residents achieve economic and social advancement.

The occasion is the Urban League’s annual R.E.D. (Racial Equity Diversity) Gala to be held at Nanina’s In the Park, in Belleville, NJ on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM. This year’s theme is “Our Children’s Literacy Crisis – The Urgency of Now.”

The honorees include Mosaic – NJ Advance Media, PNC – Grow Up Great, Dr. Charles Payne of Rutgers University, Source of Knowledge Bookstore in Newark, and former NJ Supreme Court Justice Hon. Gary S. Stein. The event is also an opportunity to recognize two major sponsors, Wells Fargo and PSE&G. Urban Leage President & CEO Vivian Cox Fraser, said, “We are pleased to have such outstanding honorees and sponsors as we bring them and the community together to celebrate them and to raise funds to continue our vital work.”

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The dinner and awards ceremony is the Urban League’s most important fundraiser of the year to support its array of programs and services including individual counseling, groups seminars, social service assistance, and community outreach that results in home ownership, housing assistance, new entrepreneurship, upskilling and employment, and financial literacy.

A recent study showed that more than 80 percent of third graders in Newark district schools cannot read on grade level. A major Urban League initiative for 2024-2025 is to increase its portfolio of services through technology to improve the literacy and reading proficiency of the youth of Newark and the surrounding Essex County.

PSEG is an ongoing sponsor and the President of PSEG Foundation and Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Calvin Ledford Jr., remarked “PSEG's vision is powering a future where people use less energy, and it's cleaner, safer and delivered more reliably than ever. Our public service efforts help empower our customers, our communities, our workforce and other stakeholders. As a long-time partner of the Urban League of Essex County (ULEC), we’re proud to support ULEC's efforts to combat the literacy crisis and aid in helping underserved residents achieve social and economic advancement.”

Wells Fargo is a prior honoree and an ongoing sponsor. “Wells Fargo is proud of its longstanding support of The Urban League of Essex County,” said Tomas Porturas, Senior Community Impact & Sustainability Specialist. “Through their commitment to literacy and community service, ULEC is making a meaningful difference in the lives of children in underserved communities. Wells Fargo is proud to join ULEC’s efforts to ensure that every child across Essex County has access to a quality education and reading resources.”

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The Urban League has a tradition of bestowing honors in the name of the National Urban League’s first executive director, Whitney M. Young, Jr., and in the name of the founder of the Essex County affiliate, William M. Ashby. Each year, it has these awards and additional awards for people and organizations deserving special recognition:

Community Impact Award Honoree: MOSAIC - NJ ADVANCE MEDIA
Mosaic is an innovative news platform that celebrates the mosaic represented by the richness of New Jersey’s diverse cultures.

Corporate Citizen Award Honoree: PNC GROW UP GREAT - PNC BANK
For 20 years, PNC Grow Up Great® has helped children from birth to age 5 discover their love of learning through volunteerism by its employees.

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award Honoree: DR. CHARLES M. PAYNE
Dr. Payne, a Professor at Rutgers University-Newark, directs the Joseph Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Research with a focus on urban education and social inequality.

William M. Ashby Award Honoree: SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE BOOKSTORE
Serving the Newark community since 1992, Source of Knowledge is not only a bookstore, but a community center that specializes in Black art, Black literature and culture as well.

Diversity Champion Award Honoree: HON. GARY S. STEIN
The Honorable Gary S. Stein served on the New Jersey State Supreme Court for more than 17 years and subsequently filed a major public interest lawsuit challenging New Jersey's extreme racial and socioeconomic segregation of its public schools as unconstitutional.

For more information on tickets, sponsorships, and donations, contact Ms. Patricia Sermon, Chief Operating Officer, Urban League of Essex County, Newark, NJ, patsermon@ulec.org, www.ulec.org, 973-624-9535 x294.

2nd Annual HBCU First LOOK Film Festival at Howard University Unveils All-Star Programming Schedule

The HBCU First Look Film Festival, dedicated to inspiring the next generation of diversity in film, TV and broadcasting, reveals their second annual screening, speaker and programming slate, taking place November 8-10, 2024, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

As the nation's only film festival honoring HBCU educated filmmakers, executives and content creators, the three-day festivities include celebrities and "I Aspire" honoree changemakers committed to building bridges with HBCU students to Hollywood in support of "A Celebration of Black Cinema x Activism."

Highlights include:

A Conversation on Power, Passion & Perseverance with NAACP Image Award-winning actress Naturi Naughton-Lewis.

Moderated by Emmy Award-winning host, comedienne and actress Loni Love, the two will discuss the state of the industry and navigating its landscape.

Masterclass with creator and showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll (All American, Found)

Career Development with speaker Keanna "KJ" Rose, a 2024 "I Aspire" 100 honoree, speaker, author and FAMU alum 

Screening and Talkback true crime series "Killer Relationships w/ Faith Jenkins"

My HBCU Joy Awards Luncheon honoring Keshia Knight-Pulliam, Stacy Milner (HBCU Los Angeles), and TeeJ Mercer (Move-In Day Mafia). 

The annual HBCU First LOOK Film Challenge, which received over 200 film submissions, will award three winners with internships. 

Closing Night at the Movies: 'The Honorable: Shyne' Documentary 'Exclusive' Clip & Conversations Reception.

Informational sessions celebrating iconic Black film titles include:

STRICTLY BUSINESS: A discussion on independent filmmaking and entrepreneurship with production companies

THE BLACK GODFATHER: A panel on documentary filmmaking, music licensing and supervision 

BEAUTY SHOP: From costume design to character makeup, a talk about the glitz and glam of production

DREAMGIRLS: A conversation with today's young, gifted and Black actresses 

SCHOOL DAZE: How to Identify your career niche and market your brand

– More programming to announced –

For film enthusiasts and students, tickets can be purchased via www.hbcufirstlook.com and HBCU First LOOK Festival app.  For more information, visit all social platforms @hbcufirstlook #hbcufirstlook #blackfilmmakers #myvoiceviewvote #IAspirechallenge

Sponsors and media partners include AARP, HBCYOU, Café Mocha Network, Andscape, NBC Universal, TV One, Oxygen, HBCUGO.TV, Howard University Television + Film, Howard University Television (WHUT), Howard University Radio Network HBCU SiriusXM Channel 142, L.A.I. Communications, and the Mocha Podcasts Network. .

About HBCU First LOOK Film Festival

Founded by Howard University alumni Sheila Eldridge, the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival is inspiring a new generation of minority talent in the film, television, and broadcasting industry by teaching HBCU students' practical skills to improve their craft, and creating places to showcase their work, and connecting executives and students to a pipeline of talent and career opportunities.

Cydney Gillon Wins 8th Olympia Title and Retires From Sport

Cydney Gillon won her eighth consecutive Olympia title in the Figure category. Gillon has won the Figure Divison every year since its inception in 2017. 

After making history she retired from the sport. The champ will be missed and is truly a legend in the sport.

Cydney posted the following message on Instagram to her supporters and fans:

8 consecutive, FIGURE OLYMPIA titles was just a dream, turned into goals, turned into reality.

Huge thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my competitive journey these last decades. 18 years has flown by.

AND Today marks the END of my DYNASTY.

I’ve done my best to represent this category and our sport to the best of my ability. Now it’s time to pass the torch.

Can’t wait to see who will hold the Figure Olympia Champion title next!

Now time for me to close this chapter, frolic in the streets and enjoy my 30s with my friends, family and new opportunities pouring my way.

- Your 8x Figure Olympia Champion

2024 Figure Olympia Results & Prize Money

• Winner — Cydney Gillon ($50,000)
• Second Place —  Jessica Reyes Padilla ($20,000)
• Third Place —  Lola Montez ($12,000)
• Fourth Place — Natalia Soltero ($7,000)
• Fifth Place — Rhea Gayle ($6,000)
• Sixth Place — Cherish Richardson
• Seventh Place — Ericka Morales Morgan
• Eighth Place — Lena Ramsteiner
• Ninth Place — Tessa Meetze
• Tenth Place — Madison Dinges

Barack Obama message to Black men who don't want to vote for Kamala Harris

Former President Barack Obama addressed men within the Black community that have issues with voting for Kamala Harris at a campaign stop in Pittsburgh Thursday. Watch his message below:

Former President Barack Obama has a “tough talk” at the Black voters for Harris event in East Liberty. He addressed that Black men have not been as enthused about Harris as during his first run, and he sought to encourage them to join Harris’ movement pic.twitter.com/gDFZhsdLxC

— Ryan Deto (@RyanDeto) October 10, 2024