Hayley Hynes
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Today, Black comedians are among the most celebrated and widely recognized names in the entertainment industry – but it wasn’t always that way. Just a few decades ago, it was rare for People of Color to see themselves represented on TV, but all that changed thanks to the work of Keenen Wayans. The 66-year-old comes from a family of funny (and talented) people , including siblings Damon, Kim, Shawn and Marlon. While he got into Tuskegee University on an engineering scholarship , Wayans dropped out one semester before graduating to focus on comedy. After moving to California and learning the tricks of the trade from Robert Townsend, the Harlem native never looked back. For Almost 45 Years, Keenen Wayans Has Been A Pioneer In Black Comedy (Photo by Pool DENIZE/PELLETIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) Keenen Wayans was in his early 20s when he headed out west, but it didn’t take long for him to find work. By 1982 he was making appearances on the hit TV series Cheers ; this was followed...
Most who make a name for themselves in the world of rap don’t plan on spitting bars forever. Instead, many of the best lyricists hustle hard to stack cash and then invest it accordingly so they’re set for life. Thanks to this approach, Chamillionaire’s net worth continues to grow long after he stopped rapping full-time. The Houston-bred entertainer came up in the early 2000s and is best known for his The Mixtape Messiah series (the original of which is the longest and most bought mixtape in Texas history). Early on, Chamillionaire started making smart financial decisions that eventually landed him the role of entrepreneur in residence at venture capital firm Upfront Ventures. Read on to learn more about his journey! Chamillionaire’s Confidence Helped Get Him Started In The Rap Game (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Strong networking skills helped Chamillionaire get his foot in the door of hip-hop alongside his friend Paul Wall. The ambitious duo connected with Michael “5000” Watts,...
Ambitious people can be notoriously independent, but most figures who’ve made it to the top couldn’t possibly have achieved their goals alone. Instead, political leaders, monarchs and even company CEOs have relied on teams of mentors and experts to guide them for centuries. Historically speaking, just because advice comes from a confidant doesn’t mean it will be good, but that’s why it’s so important to go over some good questions to ask a mentor when you think you’ve found your match. Like with therapy, your first connection might not be the perfect fit, but that doesn’t mean the right mentor isn’t out there waiting to guide you to new heights. Good Questions To Ask A Mentor That Might Help Outside The Workplace Most people seek out mentorship in hopes of securing their dream job, but the experts you connect with can have valuable insight that can transform your personal life too. Make it a priority to ask questions about them in the vetting process, such as why they decided to...
As lavish as it might seem being born into Hollywood royalty, there’s a lot of pressure on the shoulders of nepo babies . Siblings Jaden and Willow Smith know this all to well, as their parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have been walking red carpets and causing controversies at award shows for decades. Though they got involved in the entertainment industry as children (Willow’s acting debut was in 2007’s I Am Legend alongside her father), the brother-sister duo has made a point to carve out their own lane instead of following in their parent’s footsteps. While she’s an undeniably talented musician, there’s been talk of Willow Smith’s college plans over the years, suggesting she could take a hiatus from the studio to pursue other fields. The 23-year-old comes from an affluent family, but still, she’s made a name for herself as a singer, actress and visionary. Her first single, “Whip My Hair” blew up in 2010; in 2024, Smith continues to impress on her Empathogen LP, which Vogue...
Before you close your laptop and get ready to enjoy the long weekend, there’s one last thing to check – is your Labor Day OOO message ready to go? If you’re not familiar, “OOO” stands for out-of-office, which many employees will be in lieu of Monday’s (Sept. 2) holiday. Setting up an auto-response not only lets people know you’re not available, but it also clarifies when they can expect to hear back. It “shows that you’re conscientious and organized while providing people with the information they need to get their needs met in your absence.” The process might seem trivial to some. However, if maintaining good communication is important to you, taking 15 minutes to set up a strong Labor Day OOO message can save tons of email anxiety for you and others. A delayed response (even over a holiday) can be perceived as “digital snubbery, a lack of interest or even negligence,” as TexTex Pander puts it. To keep you away from that drama, we’ve crafted some templates that colleagues and...
In 1972, Thom Gatewood was captain of the University of Notre Dame’s football team , even earning himself a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. Little did the athlete know that by 2020, his future grandson, AJ Dillon (also known as Quadzilla), would be playing professionally in the NFL , even breaking regularly breaking records in the league. Unfortunately, it was confirmed on Aug. 28 that the 26-year-old won’t be joining the Green Bay Packers on the field for the 2024 season due to a neck injury. On the bright side, this period of recovery will give Dillon more time at home with his wife, Gabrielle Toonen, and their son, Algiers Dillon III (or Trey), who shares a birthday with his dad. After developing his skills at Lawrence Academy, a private boarding school in Groton, Massachusetts, the Baltimore-born running back was off to Boston College. Dillon became the team’s all-time rushing leader with 1,589, 1,108 and 1,685 yards in his three years respectively. As for touchdowns,...
JuJu Smith-Schuster wasn’t a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but the 27-year-old hasn’t let that stop him from shining on the field. He prepared for his professional career while playing wide receiver and safety at Long Beach Polytechnic High School as a teen, even gaining recognition as a five-star recruit from Rivals.com. The next natural step for Smith-Schuster was to play at the college level, joining the University of Southern California’s Trojans team from 2014-2016. During that time the athlete made a name for himself as one of the top wide receivers at his level, helping to secure him a rookie deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As he returns to a previous team for the 2024 season, football fans are curious about JuJu Smith-Schuster’s net worth , which is reportedly in the multi-millions. Since 2017, California Native Has Played For Three NFL Teams (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) After being drafted No. 62 overall in his rookie season, Smith-Schuster went on to...
Football may be a dangerous sport, but it’s one of America’s favorites; this is just part of why NFL players are paid so handsomely . Anyone hoping to be drafted must be three years out of high school, giving them time to mature mentally and physically before joining their heroes on the field. Maryland’s Tavon Austin was a 22-year-old standout from West Virginia University when he joined the St. Louis Rams in 2013. In the decade following that, he played nine NFL seasons with five different teams before announcing his retirement in August 2024. Thanks to his shorter stature, speed and skill, Austin became known as the “Pocket Rocket.” While the second half of his time in the league was less glamorous than the first, the Baltimore native will always be remembered for his accomplishments. His love for the sport was obvious even in high school, at which time he was twice named the Maryland Consensus Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Austin set state records for career points...
The NFL has been through a lot of changes since being founded in 1920, from the number of teams in the league to the players hoping to bring home the coveted Super Bowl rings every year. As legends and hall of famers announce their retirement , the NFL continues to entertain and make room for new talent to shine, such as Jahmyr Gibbs. Born on Mar. 20, 2002, the Dalton, Georgia native was a force on the football field long before he was drafted in 2023. As a high schooler, Gibbs rushed for 897 yards and ten touchdowns in his sophomore year; as a senior, the young athlete led the state with 2,554 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns. He’s constantly finding ways to improve his game, which is just part of what propelled him through his rookie year with the Detroit Lions . Read on to uncover more about Jahmyr Gibbs’ net worth and his biggest achievements so far. As A High Schooler, Jahmyr Gibbs Had Multiple Offers To Play College Football (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty...
Today’s job market is competitive, so if you’re looking for ways to stand out, you’ll want to listen up. Some people are lucky enough to get hired off of word of mouth or their resume alone, but more often than not, candidates who wind up securing their dream jobs (and salary) are those who put in work on their applications. Having a concise, well-designed CV is a great start, but now, many positions ask job hunters to include a cover letter too. A lot of time and effort can go into perfecting these things, but if it puts you on track toward the career of your dreams, every minute is well spent. If you’re wondering how to go the extra mile, read our guide on how to ask for a letter of recommendation below. It’s worth noting that employers rarely ask for something like this outright; instead, applicants include contact information for their references on their resumes. The Muse Career Coach Tara Padua says that exceptions occur in “ junior roles where someone lacks experience or...
Amazon has come under harsh scrutiny for its treatment of employees in recent years, from accusations of systemically shortchanging paychecks to driving employee injuries by urging them to focus more on speed than safety. It might not be a dream career path for the average American, but for consumers, the multi-purpose company is driven by efficient customer service. They’ve mastered the art of promptly bringing packages to your door, but now, Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is revolutionizing the shopping world . Its capabilities are undeniably impressive, although not everyone is ready for the takeover of artificial intelligence. What Is Just Walk Out Technology? The first store to offer the Just Walk Out experience was an Amazon Go convenience store in Seattle in 2018; now, over 100 third-party retailers across the country allow people to grab their items and leave without waiting in a line or partaking in a transaction. “ They hated standing in lines in 1924, they hate...
Many singing shows have come and gone since American Idol was in its prime, but few contestants have made as much of an impact without actually winning as Jennifer Hudson. You might recall the Chicago native from season three of the reality series, where she quickly won over the hearts of audiences with her stellar vocals and down-to-earth energy. Much to the viewers’ surprise, Hudson was voted out early in the competition, but she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing her dreams. Instead, Jennifer Hudson’s net worth is now in the multimillions thanks to her decades of dedication to her craft . The mother of one is the youngest of three on her maternal side but found out as a teenager that her absent father was responsible for 26 other children. She was only seven when she took an interest in singing in the church choir, and it was her grandmother, Julia, who encouraged Hudson to get involved in community theater. She’s cited Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle and the late Aretha...
With less than a month until the NFL season officially begins, football enthusiasts are already mentally crafting their dream fantasy leagues. Last-minute additions and trades are still being made amongst the teams, including one new addition to the Washington Commanders that some were surprised to see. After six years away from playing in the NFL, Martavis Bryant’s net worth isn’t as high as many of his contemporaries. Still, with the right attitude and support system, the 32-year-old is confident he can make a comeback after a bumpy history of being suspended from other teams over drug use . Bryant grew up in Calhoun Falls, South Carolina, where he developed a love for sports early on. He ran track in high school and was a standout football player, earning him first-team all-state as a senior. After grad, Bryant spent one year at the Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia to pass NCAA initial eligibility standards before heading off to Clemson University in 2011. The 2010s...