All Vaxxed Up & Ready To Go
...praying for DMX.
Welcome back to The Update! This newsletter is a companion to The Andrea Brown Podcast, a weekly show that recaps the latest in news, culture, and innovation.
The show drops every Wednesday. Click on one of the links below to listen on your preferred platform:
ABP on Apple Podcasts | ABP on Spotify | ABP on Google Podcasts | ABP Online
Don’t forget, anything underlined in this letter is a link. Click to learn more!
I want to start by offering up a prayer for Earl Simmons, better known as international rapper and actor DMX. He suffered a heart attack late last week and has been hospitalized, on life support since then.
His family is set to make a statement to the public at some point today. Let’s keep them lifted. 🙏🏾
Let’s jump into the headlines:
news.
The CDC says we can travel again so I hope you’re ready to move around! There’s no telling how long these guidelines will be in place as experts are concerned about a rise in cases now that restrictions are being relaxed.
On the podcast, I asked everyone to say a special prayer for student loan forgiveness because President Biden is finally considering forgiving up to $50K for each borrower. Stand & agree with me!
Chauvin Trial Update: I’ve never seen so many law enforcement officers testify against one of their own. This week the jury also heard from a doctor who refuted the defense’s claim that drugs contributed to George Floyd’s death, saying that he died due to a lack of oxygen. Not that we didn’t all watch it, or anything like that.
Voter Suppression Update: Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms of the ATL has issued an executive order to counteract the effects of the recent statewide laws put in place by GOP governor Brian Kemp. I don’t know how the city supersedes the state, but the energy seems right.
you should know.
Things are going downhill quickly for Deshaun Watson. This week, two of his 22 sexual assault accusers went public. Subsequently, his endorsement deals with Nike Reliant Energy and Beats by Dre were suspended indefinitely. I was skeptical about this story from the beginning, and I still have questions about how all these women who don’t know each other all found the same lawyer, but as their stories come out, all similar in nature, it makes it hard for me not to feel hurt and disgusted. Jesus, take the wheel.
The latest Verzuz battle between the Isley Brothers and Earth, Wind, and Fire took place over the weekend - and if you’ve ever spent any amount of time around older Black men I’m sure it was nostalgic for you. If you missed it, check out the playlist here:
Tidal | Apple Music | SpotifyYou’re going to love it. It’s incredible to me that both of these groups have been making hits for over half of a century, and I’m glad they were celebrated while they could feel the love.
the wknd guide.
As I do every week, I’ve gathered up everything you should watch & listen to and read. Grab it by clicking the link below
That’s all folks. See ya next week.