The international community is distancing itself from President Donald Trump, while Haiti is pulling receipts on his corrupt past.
– Surprise, surprise. While Donald Trump has been spewing racist statements and creating xenophobic laws, Haiti has been pulling receipts. Soon after Trump’s alleged “shithole” statements, the Caribbean nation unsealed and released information about ex-dictator Jean-Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier’s money laundering through his Trump Tower property in the early ’90s. (Daily Beast)
– Lupita Nyong’o will attend the annual MLK Now event at Harlem’s Riverside Church. The Oscar winner in addition to Black Thought of the Roots, A Wrinkle in Time star Storm Reid and author Baratunde Thurston will speak and participate in the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy. (The Root)
– In honor of MLK Day, Google’s Doodle is from artist Cannaday Chapman in collaboration with the Black Googlers Network (BGN), one of the largest employee resource groups at Google. The image depicts a young girl perched on her father’s shoulders, enthralled by the power and eloquence of Dr. King’s words. The scene is evocative of Dr. King’s dream for children everywhere to one day live in a better world. (Google)
– The reviews are in and critics are loving Ayesha Curry’s new restaurant, International Smoke! The San Francisco establishment recently opened and boasts Southern-style barbecue with a global twist. One critic says the ribs “are some of the best I’ve had in the Bay Area.” (Eater)
– Hawaii was in a state of panic on Saturday after an emergency missile alert was sent out. Apparently, someone by accident, triggered the nuclear warning siren system that brought up alerts on phones to “seek immediate shelter.” On the upside, one man in Hawaii took advantage by partaking in an abandoned buffet bar. (CNN)
– Twenty years after dropping Illmatic, Nas is revitalizing his iconic album with an orchestra. On Feb 2, PBS will air the rapper’s live concert with National Symphony Orchestra performing songs from the album with a classic symphony. In the trailer, Nas talks about his journey of going from a Queen’s public housing project to Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center. (Billboard)
– Nineteen-year-old Kamiyah Mobley is asking for leniency for Gloria Williams, the woman who stole her as a baby and raised her as her own. Abducted when she was just eight-hours-old, Mobley never knew that she didn’t belong to Williams until she asked for her social security card to apply for a job. (Daily Mail)
– Cory Booker is coming to a podcast app near you. The U.S. Senator launched a podcast entitled “Lift Every Voice,” that will be dedicated to shining a light on overlooked issues of injustice and inequality and sharing inspiring stories of change. He’ll be sitting down with grassroots activists, stakeholders, and organizers who are overcoming injustices and making a positive change in their communities. (Apple)
– The 49th NAACP Image Awards air tonight, but ahead of the annual event, a couple winners have been announced. Idris Elba, Tiffany Haddish, Jordan Peele, SZA and Mary J. Blige have won honors for their work in movie and music. (Kansas City)
