A photo posted by Muhammad Ali (@muhammadali) on Dec 15, 2015 at 9:57am PST

My “voice,” as writers call it, has been missing. I’ve been searching for it for quite some time. Just ask my parents, Stiletto Jill, Michael Tillery, Nate Jones, Freshalina and Dallas Penn. They all know. Ask, the Lord above, for He certainly knows.

Muhammad Ali has left us, and suddenly I’ve found my voice.

His passing marks the end to an era, and you “best believe” he was an era all by himself. When he told us he “shook up the world,” he never lied.

Not only did he change the world in the ring, he altered the landscape outside of it, forever. When he refused to accept induction into the United States Army on April 28, 1967, almost 50 years ago, he demonstrated a brazen act of courage (not defiance) never before seen. It could have cost him his career, and while he experienced a setback, a three-year banishment from the boxing, he never wavered, and ultimately returned to the ring to become a champion, again.

He was focused and dedicated to his craft, but he made it look easy and beautiful. Yes, Mr. Ali, was indeed pretty. His charm was of legend, his heart, of gold.

Stories of Muhammad Ali’s friendships and rivalries with fellow boxers, George Foreman and Joe Frazier, are like parables.

Ali was an enigma and a master of ceremony “at the same damn time.”

At age 42, Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Syndrome. The manner in which he lived with and battled against the disease demonstrated strength and the will to endure. Remember when he carried the Olympic torch? Where were the dry eyes in that moment?

Muhammad Ali didn’t just touch Louisville (his birthplace,) Chicago, New York, and Kinshasha, Zaire, he touched the world. His legacy will live on, not only in his own children and grandchildren, but also in the lives of anyone he has ever influenced.

We lost him, but he will never be gone from us.

Float like a butterfly, Champ.

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Stuart Scott passes away at age 49

In early December, sitting alongside her MNF crew, Suzy Kolber tearfully expressed love and support for Scott in what was an eerie foreshadowing of what we learned today.

This morning, with bated breath, ESPN anchor Hannah Storm delivered the news — Stuart Scott lost his battle with cancer.

Three times, cancer went to war with Scott, and each time, he resolved to fight back.  He displayed strength and dignity that will lead as an example in the fight for life for years to come.

Most importantly, he taught a great lesson about fatherhood, and his two daughters, Taelor and Sydni, were his greatest inspiration throughout.

Stuart Scott may or may not have known just how inspirational he was to others. It was not only because of the way he fought cancer, but also by the way he carved an indelibal niche in sports and television.

I remember when I first noticed him at the anchor desk on ESPN.  To be honest, I was taken aback by his lexicon.  I wasn’t ready for his style of melding hip hop and sport.  I wasn’t sure I liked it and at times, I found it corny.  But, once I got with the program, watching him became a prerequisite for my daily sports intake.

The tributes to Scott are pouring in.  ESPN crafted a truly beautiful tribute, narrated by Robin Roberts.  The NFL Sunday Countdown crew, all clearly shaken, took time this morning to speak about “Stu” and his impact on their lives.  

On social media,  my timeline quickly flooded with sadness, disbelief and gratitude. Media outlets like Black Enterprise, BET, CNN, and the NFL Network sent tweets, as did many pro sports franchises. Rich Eisen, Chris Webber, Russell Simmons, and other celebs have also acknowledged Scott, often referring to him as a “mentor” and “role model.”

Scott’s last tweet was November 14th.  On, November 11th, via his verified account, he refuted rumors that he was under hospice care. I believe him. It seems like something he would have refused.  A fighter until the end.

Rest in peace, sir.

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Ray Rice released by the Baltimore Ravens amid new viral evidence of domestic violence

Ray Rice, on a grand scale, has been outed as a domestic abuser.

The NFL, on a grander scale, has been outed as an enabler.

In mid-February, footage surfaced of Rice dragging his then fiancée, Janay Palmer, out of an Atlantic City hotel casino elevator, her limp body dangling like a rag doll, while he looked around to see who was near (or perhaps watching).

In March, both Rice and Janay were handed assault charges, they apologized in a press conference (why she had to apologize is beyond me), he had intervention treatment — then they were married.

In July, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell levied a two-game suspension on Rice. One that would allow him to return in Week 3 to help his Ravens teammates face their rivals, the Cleveland Browns.

In another presser after the suspension was announced, Rice had these things to say….

“My actions that night were totally inexcusable.”

“That night, I just replay over and over in my head. That’s not me. My actions were inexcusable, and that’s something I have to live with the rest of my life.”

“I just don’t want to keep reliving the incident.”

“I’m trying to move forward, and every time I have to keep reliving it, it doesn’t bring any good to me. I take full responsibility for what happened.”

“My wife can do no wrong. What happened that night was something that should’ve never happened.”

Clearly.

There was backlash from the paltry suspension, especially from domestic violence victims and proponents alike who felt the punishment was too light.

That spawned the strengthening of and already questionable NFL domestic violence policy that suspends a player 6 games for a first time offense, and requires a lifetime ban for a second.

Today, TMZ released full video of the elevator incident. Watch it below and let’s continue to talk…

First of all, Rice appears to have spat upon Janay. In turn, she, his then fiancé, shoved him off and that’s when he punched her, which caused her to hit her head on the elevator’s hand rail. She was knocked out like a prized fighter’s opponent hitting the floor of a boxing ring.

In light of this revelation, guess what? The NFL and the Ravens decided that it was time to take real action, and Monday, Ray Rice was released from the team and suspended from the league, indefinitely.

Too little, too late, but Goodell and Company had no choice.

A league that purports to be female fan friendly and sells millions of dollars of merchandise to women, didn’t see fit to truly admonish Rice for his abusive actions against a woman he loved — a woman who who would be his wife and who bore him a child.

Yet, A VIDEO surfaces, showing the world an NFL player’s dastardly actions, and suddenly, it’s time to make a move.

It’s all,”bye-bye, Ray Rice.”

Its highly unlikely that another team will ever pick him up.

The league and the Ravens will try to get past this, swiftly. Coach John Harbaugh expressed that he hopes The Rices “can work it out,” as if a woman who gets spat upon and knocked out like a man should have the pleasure of making a go of it with her abuser, once agin.

For the sake of the players who worked so hard in the off-season, and toiled through training camp, they league and the Ravens will get past this. There is football to played, you know?

I am a football fan, and yes, I want to watch the games, but damn I just don’t want to see this scenario played out again.

For Janay Rice, and other NFL wives/girlfriends who are or have been victims of domestic violence, this policy that was written must be revisited.

As a matter of fact, it should have been written long ago, when OJ was wearin’ on Nicole, or before Jovan Belcher killed Kasandra Perkins.

The policy was in place before Ray McDonald allegedly assaulted his pregnant fiancée, but that case is slow motion, too.

McDonald is actively playing football, pending investigation while his fiancée is likely relegated to the shadows, surely fearful for herself and her unborn child, and perhaps complicit in order to keep the peace and to help him save face for the sake NFL glory and paychecks.

The good in this, and I use that term with caution, is that it sheds light on domestic violence, which occurs every single day, in every walk go life, to women and men. It’s a subject that bears more discussion and deserves more attention. ALS deserved more, too, and then came the ice bucket challenge, and it worked wonders in raising money and awareness.

What can we do to raise awareness of DV? What type of challenge can/will be created, and will the NFL be at the helm?

History says otherwise, but this subject isn’t going away easily.

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Russell Westbrook ROCKED IT for girlfriend Nina Earl

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, Russell Westbrook, proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Nina Earl.

This love story began on the campus of UCLA, where they both studied and played basketball.

Nina’s stunning (and very large) ring was designed by Jason of Beverly Hills, who also designed Dwyane and Gabrielle’s rings.

NBA cats are hittin’ jump shots in the matrimony department!

Congratulations are in order….

Images via Instagram.

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Meet The Wades

Dwyane Wade shared this beautiful wedding photo of he and Gabrielle and the boys. Those young fellas are sharp as a tack!

Black love is unstoppable…..

#FamilyFirst

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A Peek Into The Wade Union Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union were married yesterday outside of Miami, Florida. They swore their guests (or legally binded them) to secrecy, so cameras and cell phones were forbidden, but that didn’t stop their loved ones and friends from sharing their excitement just before and after the ceremony. Let’s …

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A Peek Into The Wade Union

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union were married yesterday outside of Miami, Florida.

They swore their guests (or legally binded them) to secrecy, so cameras and cell phones were forbidden, but that didn’t stop their loved ones and friends from sharing their excitement just before and after the ceremony.

Let’s just say, Instagram is a helluva drug.

I scoured “The Gram” to give you a glimpse of #TheWadeUnion, which by the way, is the most creative damned wedding hashtag ever!

Obvious observation indicates that this was a formal, all black and white affair.

Enjoy the flicks!

Gabrielle enjoyed her pre-wedding festivities with an amazing glow….

Dwyane and Gabrielle rode in style to their rehearsal dinner….

The couple wed at the Redlands Island Castle….

…and that ain’t all –

The gentlemen who attended were gifted with a custom Dwyane Wade for The Tie Bar bow tie….

Gabrielle wore (I think) one of these gowns, designed and illustrated by Dennis Basso….

Dwyane’s sister Tragil, and mother Jalinda looked gorgeous on their way to the ceremony….

Tragil Wade….

The Anthony’s and The Boshes attended…

Udonis and Faith Haslem, the coolest, I must say….

The soon-to-be Harts, Kevin and Eniko….

Miami Heat Owner, Micky Arison, and his wife Madeleine were in attendance….

Quentin and Miya Richardson arrived with the newlyweds, Dorell and Mia Wright…

Miya and Mia were stunning…

I love Mia’s jumpsuit….

Caron and Andrea Butler were all smiles….

Adewale and Dr. Amira Ogunleye…..

Ludacris and his love, Eudoxie, were there…

Hollywood power couple, Salim and Mara Brock Akil….

Checkout Irie, the Miami Heats official DJ, and NFL free agent, Donta Stallworth….

Celebrity jeweler and creator of the engagement and wedding rings, Jason Arasheben (Jason of Beverly Hills), was there with his wife, Lisa….

Kenny McCraney, Director of Team Services for the Miami Heat and his wife, Marva….

Gabrielle’s good friends, Lindsay Faulk and AJ Johnson…

Dwyane’s trainer, Ed Downs, and his lady, Jessica Vashon….

Chef and restauranteur, Amaris Jones…

Dwyane’s business parter, Michael James Giron….

Filmmaker Will Packer and his wife, Nina…..

BET’s Stephen Hill, Terrance J, and celeb managers, Fred Whitaker and Chantel Christopher…

Everyone was beautiful, right?

More pics are coming, I’m sure. I’ll do my best to keep up!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Wade!!!!

DISCLAIMER – All photos are via Instagram and are the property of those who posted them.

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