Category: Culture, Society & Lifestyle

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Arts & Entertainment Celebrity Culture, Society & Lifestyle Music Industry Society & Culture

The Mirror Reflects Again: Legendary Music Archive Mojim.com Resurrects as MojimLyrics.com to Safeguard Global Asian Cultural Heritage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAIPEI / HONG KONG — For over two decades, if you listened to Mandopop, Cantopop, J-Pop, or K-Pop, your internet routine looked exactly the same: open a search engine, type the song title, and append the magic word: “Mojim.”

When the iconic, plain-text lyric archive Mojim.com abruptly went offline years ago, it didn’t just break millions of hyperlinks—it erased a vital piece of digital cultural heritage for the global Chinese and broader Asian diaspora.

Today, after a grueling, silent two-year engineering marathon, a dedicated team of independent developers and music lovers has announced the official revival of the platform at its new home: MojimLyrics.com.

A Two-Year Journey of Silent Devotion

Driven by pure nostalgia and a refusal to let decades of musical history evaporate into internet oblivion, the grassroots team spent the last 24 months rebuilding the massive platform from scratch. Operating completely out-of-pocket during late nights and weekends, the team has successfully cleaned fragmented legacy databases, optimized search indexing, and redesigned the architecture for the modern web.

MojimLyrics.com is launching not as a commercial entity, but as a non-profit public service dedicated to the global Asian community. The revived platform aims to bridge generations, offering a seamless, ad-light archive where users from Taipei to Toronto can access rare indie lyrics, forgotten 90s classics, and mainstream hits alike.

The 2026 Challenge: Keeping the Servers Breathing

While the portal is officially live, maintaining a global database of this magnitude in 2026 presents staggering financial hurdles. To ensure the site remains fast, secure, and accessible to millions of concurrent global users, the team faces substantial infrastructure costs, including:

  • High-Availability Global Servers & CDN Bandwidth to support seamless cross-border access.
  • Modernization Gaps to process, clean, and upload missing lyric data from the 2024–2026 era.
  • Enterprise-Grade Cybersecurity to protect the public archive against modern web threats and DDoS attacks.

With personal savings entirely exhausted by the initial two-year rebuild, the founders are turning to the very community that grew up with the site, launching an official Donorbox Crowdfunding Campaign to keep the lights on.

A Call to the Global Community

“This was never just a website; it was a digital museum of our collective youth,” said the core development team in a joint statement. “We spent two years giving Mojim its second heartbeat. Now, we need the community’s help to keep it beating. Whether it is the cost of a single cup of coffee or a concert ticket, every donation directly funds the servers keeping our shared musical heritage alive in 2026 and beyond.“

The platform will remain entirely free to use, keeping the internet’s original, open-access spirit alive. Music lovers who wish to protect this cultural treasure can learn more about the resurrection story and contribute to the server fund immediately via their official crowdfunding portal.

About MojimLyrics.com

MojimLyrics.com is the spiritual successor to the legendary Mojim.com, one of the world’s largest and most historically significant Asian music lyric repositories. Rebuilt over two years by an independent, non-profit collective, the platform serves as a public cultural archive for the global Chinese and Asian diaspora, preserving decades of musical history in an open-access format.

Media Contact

  • Organization: MojimLyrics Project Team
  • Website: https://mojimlyrics.com
  • Campaign Link: https://donorbox.org/mojim
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Amusement, Gaming & Casino Arts & Entertainment Culture, Society & Lifestyle Gaming Health & Medicine

WaifuLive Opens Public Alpha for Its Browser-Based AI Companion — a Real-Time 3D Anime Waifu You Can Talk To, Customize, Pose, and Bond With

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, Canada — WaifuLive today announced the public alpha launch of WaifuLive (waifu.live), an advanced AI companion that lives in your web browser. Combining a real-time 3D anime character, conversational AI, emotional memory, and natural voice, WaifuLive lets anyone chat, customize, pose, and build an ongoing relationship with a fully interactive virtual companion — on desktop, mobile, tablet, and VR headsets, with nothing to install.

WaifuLive is built as a loving, modern continuation of the fan-driven 3DCG (3D Custom Girl) lineage — the legendary Japanese character-customization art style that a passionate global modding community kept alive for over a decade. WaifuLive brings that craftsmanship into the browser era and pairs it with today’s generative AI, delivering the look fans love with companionship that actually talks back.

What’s live in the alpha today

  • Conversational AI companion — natural, memory-aware chat. Your companion remembers your conversations, tracks affection and relationship milestones over time, and responds with personality and context.
  • Natural voice (TTS) + voice input (STT) — she speaks with a real, expressive voice in multiple languages (English & Japanese), listens via your mic with on-device voice activity detection, and reacts to the emotion in your voice, not just the words.
  • Deep character customization — outfits, wardrobe, hairstyles, skin and color options, and adjustable body proportions, faithful to the 3DCG customization heritage.
  • Real-time 3D, anywhere — a toon-shaded, anime-styled 3D character rendered live in WebGL/WebGPU. Works on phones, tablets, desktops, and VR/AR headsets (Quest, Wolvic) with no app store and no install.
  • Hands-on posing & animation — drag-to-pose with anatomical joint limits so poses stay believably human, two-bone inverse kinematics for natural reach, a learned AI pose-assist layer, and gesture-aware locomotion — nudge her and she’ll walk, run, or move to where you want her.
  • Interactive presence — idle micro-motion and breathing, touch reactions, mini-interactions (gifts, games), and a memory layer (photos, album, diary, relationship history) that makes the companion feel persistent.
  • Multiple scenes & environments — swap settings and camera framings for the mood you want.
  • Optional mature mode — intimate companion experiences are available, kept entirely separate from the default PG-rated experience.

 

On the roadmap

  • Smarter, warmer conversation — richer long-term memory, personality depth, and proactive companionship.
  • Higher-fidelity voice — fine-tuned, character-specific voice models for even more natural delivery.
  • Expanded animation & gaits — a growing library of motions and refined locomotion (walk / run / crawl).
  • More platforms & immersion — deeper VR/AR, mobile, and full-body presence.
  • Creator & customization tooling — broader wardrobe, character, and scene options for the community.
  • Licensing & white-label — companion technology for partners and platforms (see below).

“WaifuLive started as a love letter to the fan 3DCG community and a question: what if that character could actually know you?” “The alpha is our invitation to that community — and to the next generation of fans — to help shape what an AI companion should be.”

 

A platform play for the companion and adult-entertainment economy

Beyond the consumer app, WaifuLive’s stack — real-time 3D avatars, voice cloning, conversational AI, and an age-gated mature-content pipeline — is built to be licensable. The company is in early conversations with creator platforms, adult-entertainment, and interactive-media partners interested in white-label AI companion experiences, interactive 3D avatars, and next-generation fan engagement. Partnership and licensing inquiries are open.

Join the alpha

The alpha is live now at waifu.live — free to try in any modern browser, no download. Alpha testers help prioritize the roadmap and shape the companion’s personality, customization, and features.

 

About WaifuLive

WaifuLive builds advanced AI companions that combine real-time 3D characters, conversational intelligence, and natural voice into persistent, customizable relationships in the browser. Rooted in the celebrated fan 3DCG character-customization tradition and built for the AI era, the company’s flagship product, WaifuLive, is available at waifu.live.

Categories
Books & Literature Culture, Society & Lifestyle Leisure Activities Retail Society & Culture

CollectorHome Launches Real-Time Price Sync for Collectibles Store Owners — Powered by Live eBay Market Data

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Vancouver, Canada — CollectorHome (collectorhome.com), the social marketplace and price intelligence platform for collectors, today announced the launch of its Store Integration & Price Sync feature — a first-of-its-kind tool that lets independent collectibles retailers automatically keep their online store prices aligned with the real-time secondary market, without spreadsheets, manual research, or third-party repricing tools.

The feature is now live for merchants running Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce stores, with a one-click OAuth connection flow that takes under two minutes to set up.

The Problem It Solves

Independent collectibles retailers — selling board games, trading cards, vinyl records, comic books, action figures, RPG titles, and more — face a uniquely difficult pricing challenge. Secondary market prices for collectibles can shift by 20 to 40 percent within weeks as new print runs are announced, licenses expire, or a title goes viral in a community. A store owner who set prices three months ago is almost certainly leaving money on the table — or, worse, selling below the current going rate for items that have quietly appreciated.

Until now, keeping up required manually tracking eBay completed listings, cross-referencing price guides, and updating each product listing by hand. For stores with hundreds or thousands of SKUs, that task is effectively impossible to do consistently.

“Store owners are passionate about their inventory — they shouldn’t have to be data analysts too,” said a CollectorHome spokesperson. “We’ve spent years building a price intelligence engine that tracks the collectibles market across dozens of live sources. This integration just puts that engine directly inside the tools merchants already use every day.”

How It Works

Setting up the integration requires no technical knowledge. Merchants navigate to their CollectorHome dashboard, select their platform, and authenticate via the platform’s native OAuth flow — the same secure handshake used by major app marketplaces. CollectorHome never stores plaintext API credentials; all access is governed by revocable OAuth tokens.

Once connected, CollectorHome scans the merchant’s product catalog, matches items against its reference database by UPC or barcode, and maps each product to a live price signal. From that point forward, every time CollectorHome’s market data refreshes — pulling completed sales data from eBay, catalog data from sources including Discogs, BoardGameGeek, MusicBrainz, OpenLibrary, UPCItemDB, and more than a dozen additional authoritative databases — the merchant’s mapped products are automatically evaluated against their current store prices.

Merchants choose between two sync modes:

  • Auto-Update Mode: When a mapped product’s market price shifts beyond a configurable threshold (for example, more than 10% from the last known price), CollectorHome pushes the updated price directly to the Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce listing — no action required.
  • Notify-Only Mode: CollectorHome fires a signed webhook to the merchant’s endpoint of choice, delivering a structured payload of every changed item, its old price, and its new market price. This is ideal for merchants who want to review changes before applying them, or who have custom ERP and inventory systems.

 

Both modes support per-product markup adjustments, connection-level global markup percentages, and automatic currency conversion for stores operating outside the United States — so a UK-based retailer selling in GBP automatically receives USD-to-GBP converted prices, live from exchange rate data.

Live Data from eBay and Beyond

The price intelligence behind the sync is CollectorHome’s continuously updated reference database, which aggregates market signals from a curated set of authoritative sources. Completed eBay transactions form the backbone of secondary market pricing for rare and out-of-print items, reflecting what collectors are actually paying today — not a manufacturer’s suggested retail price that may be years out of date.

For newer or more standardized inventory, the system draws on catalog sources including BoardGameGeek for tabletop gaming, Discogs for music on physical media, MusicBrainz for recordings, OpenLibrary and Google Books for published titles, and broad product databases including UPCItemDB, EanData, and Icecat for general retail. Items confirmed by multiple independent authoritative sources receive higher confidence scores; eBay-only confirmations are flagged for merchant review rather than being published silently.

This multi-source architecture means CollectorHome price data is significantly more reliable than a single-marketplace scraper, and significantly more comprehensive than any single vertical database.

Catalog Enrichment: Merchants Make the Database Smarter

In a novel data flywheel built into the integration, every merchant connection actively improves the platform for all users. When a store connects its catalog and CollectorHome encounters barcodes it has not yet indexed — items that exist in a retailer’s warehouse but haven’t yet made it into the reference database — those items are automatically queued for enrichment. CollectorHome researches each unknown barcode across its source network, creates a new reference item entry if confirmed, and begins tracking its market price immediately.

This means that a specialty board game shop connecting to CollectorHome doesn’t just receive pricing data — they contribute pricing coverage for titles that may benefit dozens of other collectors and merchants on the platform. Over time, this makes CollectorHome’s coverage of niche collectibles categories progressively more comprehensive.

Items enriched through merchant connections that can only be confirmed via eBay (as opposed to an authoritative catalog source) are flagged with a “Pending Review” indicator in the admin panel, giving CollectorHome’s editorial team visibility into items that need human verification before their data is published to the broader community.

Built for Store Owners, Not Developers

Every aspect of the integration was designed to require zero technical expertise to operate. The product management dashboard, accessible from any web browser, gives merchants a full view of every mapped product: current market price, store price, last sync timestamp, and per-item adjustment controls. A “Push Now” button triggers an immediate price sweep for any connection on demand, independent of the automated sync schedule.

For merchants who do have technical teams, the platform exposes a documented REST API for programmatic product mapping management and price queries, along with HMAC-SHA256-signed webhooks compatible with standard web frameworks in any language.

The entire connection and sync flow is designed around the principle that a store owner should be able to go from “I just heard about this” to “my prices are live and updating automatically” in under five minutes.

Availability

The Store Integration & Price Sync feature is live now at collectorhome.com for all merchant accounts. Supported platforms at launch are Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Additional platform integrations are planned for future releases.

Merchants can connect unlimited store integrations from their dashboard. Pricing details for merchant accounts are available on the CollectorHome website.

About CollectorHome

CollectorHome is a social marketplace and price intelligence platform purpose-built for the global collectibles community. The platform combines a continuously updated market price reference database — spanning board games, trading cards, vinyl records, comics, action figures, RPGs, and more — with social discovery features that connect collectors around shared interests. CollectorHome supports nine languages and serves collectors and independent retailers worldwide.

Learn more at collectorhome.com.

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Beauty & Hair Care Culture, Society & Lifestyle Lifestyle Services U.S

Skin Organics Sugaring Expands Punta Gorda Flagship Studio with New Website, VIP Memberships, and Master Sugarist Certification Program Serving Sarasota, Charlotte, Manatee & Hillsborough Counties

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Punta Gorda, FL — January 2026

Skin Organics Sugaring today announced the continued expansion of its flagship Punta Gorda studio, including the launch of a new client-first website, the introduction of VIP Membership programs, and the addition of Skin Organics Education—an in-house training initiative where all newly hired sugarists complete the Master Sugarist Certification to ensure a consistently premium experience for every client.

The announcement reinforces that Skin Organics Sugaring is actively taking appointments, growing service availability, and hiring additional sugarists, while maintaining the brand’s high standards for technique, comfort, cleanliness, and results.

A growing studio—backed by a certification standard

As client demand continues rising across Southwest Florida and Tampa Bay, Skin Organics is expanding its team and protecting service quality through a structured education model.

Skin Organics Education now operates as an extension of the Punta Gorda flagship studio, delivering the Master Sugarist Certification program—designed to ensure each sugarist is trained to Skin Organics standards before serving clients independently. This approach supports growth while keeping the experience consistent from appointment to appointment.

Serving Southwest Florida and Tampa Bay-area clients

Skin Organics Sugaring serves clients throughout:

  • Charlotte County: Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte
  • Sarasota County: Sarasota, Venice, North Port
  • Manatee County: Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto
  • Hillsborough County: Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Plant City, Temple Terrac

With new hiring underway, clients across these regions can expect expanded scheduling availability while maintaining Skin Organics’ signature service quality.

New website improves booking, support, and client access

Skin Organics’ newly launched website was designed to streamline the client experience by offering:

  • Clear viewing of services and pricing
  • Online tools to book, reschedule, or cancel appointments
  • 24/7 support via website chat and social messaging

Clients can book directly at https://skinorganicssugaring.com/book-appointment.

VIP Memberships deliver savings and priority access

Skin Organics also introduced three VIP Membership options for clients who want consistent self-care, savings, and priority scheduling. VIP benefits include ongoing discounts, VIP calendar access, and the ability to book farther in advance—up to 90 days with the top tier.

Membership details are available at https://skinorganicssugaring.com/membership.

Quote from Jacqueline Joy, Founder of Skin Organics Sugaring

“Skin Organics has grown because our clients value quality and consistency. The new website and VIP Memberships make it easier than ever to stay on schedule, and Skin Organics Education ensures every new sugarist we hire meets our Master Sugarist standard—so our clients always receive the best experience.”

Location and contact information

Skin Organics Sugaring (Flagship Studio + Education Studio)

25074 E Olympia Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Text or Call: (941) 841-1444

Website: https://skinorganicssugaring.com/

Book Appointment: https://skinorganicssugaring.com/book-appointment

VIP Memberships: https://skinorganicssugaring.com/membership

About Skin Organics Sugaring

Skin Organics Sugaring is a premium sugaring hair removal studio based in Punta Gorda, Florida. Known for an elevated client experience focused on comfort, consistency, and care, Skin Organics continues to expand through its new website, VIP Membership offerings, and Skin Organics Education, where all newly hired sugarists complete the Master Sugarist Certification to maintain the highest service standards.

Categories
Business Celebrity Culture, Society & Lifestyle Sports World

Crown Complex Announces The New Professional Basketball Team Coming to the Crown Arena March 2026!

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Crown Complex Announces The New Professional Basketball Team Coming to the Crown Arena March 2026!

FAYETTEVILLE, NC (October 17, 2025) – The Crown Complex is excited to announce the launch of the inaugural season of Fayetteville Liberty Professional Basketball at the Crown Arena in 2026. A new chapter in Fayetteville’s sports history is about to be written. The Fayetteville Liberty, Fayetteville’s first professional basketball franchise since the Fayetteville Patriots (NBA D-League), is preparing to launch its inaugural season as part of The Basketball League (TBL).

The Liberty will mark a milestone with their official press conference on December 12, 2025 at the Alpha Academy at 2:00pm. The event will introduce the team to the city, highlight corporate partners, and share the broader vision for the inaugural season.

The following day, December 13, 2025, the Liberty will host their final player combine and flagship tryout, where athletes from across the region will compete for a spot on the inaugural roster. This event is expected to draw scouts, media, and fans alike, setting the stage for the Liberty’s first season.

The finalized roster will be unveiled in early 2026, with training camp and community activations leading up to the March 2026 season opener.

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Tickets will be available at the Crown Box Office, Fort Bragg Leisure Travel Office, and online at Ticketmaster.com. starting October 31, 2025.

About Fayetteville Liberty

With the guiding vision of “Building Hope in the Community One Possession at a Time,” the Liberty are establishing themselves not only as a competitive professional basketball team but as a cornerstone of community engagement, youth empowerment, and regional pride.

A Team for the City, By the City

At the helm is Team Market Owner Robert L. Edwards Jr., a lifelong Fayetteville resident and entrepreneur who has worked tirelessly with his leadership team to ensure the Liberty is more than just another sports franchise.

“Our mission is bigger than basketball,” Edwards explained. “The Liberty represent the spirit of Fayetteville—the resilience, the culture, and the vision for what this city can be. We are here to win games, yes, but more importantly, to create opportunities, to inspire the next generation, and to unite this community under one banner.”

The Liberty will play home games at the Crown Complex Arena, one of the region’s premier sports and entertainment venues. This marks a significant step for both the Crown Complex and the City of Fayetteville, expanding their portfolio of professional sports tenants alongside the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (MiLB) and Fayetteville Marksmen (hockey).

The addition of professional basketball helps further position Fayetteville as a regional hub for sports tourism and entertainment, creating new opportunities for local businesses, job growth, and cultural visibility.

Hope.Community & Liberty City Ambassadors

Beyond the hardwood, the Fayetteville Liberty are committed to initiatives that reach deep into neighborhoods, schools, and community organizations. This commitment is embodied in the Hope.Community movement and the Liberty City Ambassadors Program (LCAP).

Through these programs, the Liberty are building platforms for the next generation:

Free Youth Camps: Annual basketball and leadership camps, with more than 200 kids expected at the first sessions. These camps emphasize fundamentals while teaching teamwork, resilience, and goal-setting.

Scholar of the Year Awards: Students across Cumberland County in grades 1–12 will be recognized each year for achievements in academics, leadership, and service.

 

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School Day Game: A special gameday where thousands of students attend for free, combining basketball excitement with lessons in leadership, sportsmanship, and responsibility.

Community Givebacks: The Liberty are already active with Alpha Academy, United Way, Build Better Youth, the Dogwood Festival, and others to provide mentorship, resources, and volunteer support.

About the Crown Complex

Located in the heart of Cumberland County, the Crown Complex is a state-of-the-art, five-venue complex consisting of a 4,500-seat arena, a 9,200-square foot ballroom, a 10,880-seat coliseum, an exposition center with 60,000 square feet of unobstructed space and a 2,440-seat theatre. Managed by Oak View Group, the Complex is home to the Fayetteville Marksmen hockey team (SPHL) and Fayetteville Fury indoor soccer team (NISL) and hosts a variety of other sporting events, family shows, concerts and special productions year-round. The flagship venue of the Crown Complex, the Coliseum, opened in October of 1997. The Crown Expo Center is designed as a full-service, multi-purpose exhibit and meeting facility. The Expo boasts 60,000 square feet of unobstructed event space that can be adjusted in size to meet the needs of any client. Adjoining the Crown Expo Center, the 9,200-square foot Ballroom and Hospitality area is utilized for meetings and gatherings for groups of up to 650. Easily adaptable to theatre or classroom style seating for speaking presentations, the Ballroom is also an ideal location for wedding receptions, proms, anniversary dinners and more. An in-house, connected kitchen provides complete food service to all facilities throughout the Complex. This is provided by Oak View Group Hospitality, the Crown Complex’s exclusive caterer. Seating just over 2,400, the Crown Theatre showcases a wide range of theatrical events, concerts and comedy shows. The theatre hosts a number of concerts, family and special entertainment as well as a variety of Broadway productions to complement an assortment of community events. The Crown Arena has the capability to meet the needs of a wide range of activities including catered functions, exhibitions, banquets, rodeos, circuses, basketball, wrestling, concerts and other sporting events. The Arena seats up to 4,500 and provides 11,552 square feet of unobstructed space. The Crown Arena is host to a tenant roller derby team, the Rogue Rollergirls, and the TBL Professional Basket Tea Each year, the Crown Complex also hosts a variety of outdoor events including the Cumberland County Fair. 

On the web:crowncomplexnc.com

On Facebook:facebook.com/crowncomplexnc

On X: twitter.com/CrownComplexNC

On Instagram: instagram.com/crowncomplexnc

About Oak View Group (OVG)

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 

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Media contact:

Gary Rogers, Oak View Group | Crown Complex

Director of Marketing

Gary.rogers@oakviewgroup.com

Anna Deaton, Oak View Group | Crown Complex

Marketing Manager 

Anna.deaton@oakviewgroup.com

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Banking, Finance & Investment Industry Business Culture, Society & Lifestyle Education

A New Literary Movement Is Here to Rewrite the Narrative for Black Women Everywhere

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A New Literary Movement Is Here to Rewrite the Narrative for Black Women Everywhere

“BLACK WOMEN AREN’T STRONG: WE’RE RESILIENT!” Volume 1 Officially Launches

 Featuring 12 Courageous Co-Authors Redefining What Strength Really Means

[Fredericksburg, VA — December 1, 2025] After generations of being labeled strong, expected to endure the unimaginable, and praised for surviving what should’ve broken them, Black women now have a platform to reclaim the language around their lives, their softness, their humanness, and their identity.

On December 17, 2025, Tameka Chapman, award-winning business growth strategist, global speaker, and founder of energizeHER™, will officially release Volume 1 of her groundbreaking anthology series:

BLACK WOMEN AREN’T STRONG: WE’RE RESILIENT!

This release marks the beginning of a historic literary and cultural movement designed to challenge the mythology of “strength” that has long silenced Black women’s emotional truths.

The inaugural volume features 12 powerful co-authors who courageously peeled back the layers of their lives, allowing readers to witness their valleys, their breaking points, but also their resilient rise. Together, these women stand as a collective voice for Black women worldwide who are unlearning survival and embracing their right to feel, heal, be soft, be human, and be whole.

Volume 1 Contributing Authors:

Lantoinette Clarke (Foreword Author), Alicia Sylve, Bria Collins, Carleeka Basnight-Menendez, Czarina Lynell, Dr. Lori Lewis, Psy.D., Kymme Browne, Latoya Vickers, Lois Larkins, Nandria Shaw-Rocio, ShaDonna McPhaul, and Tina F. Foy.

These women represent musicians and vocalists, CEOs, corporate menopause consultants, licensed Christian therapists, salon owners, autism advocates, self-care leaders, storytellers, screenwriters, film directors, business advisors, community builders, and Evangelists.

Different journeys; different battles; one sound of resilience.

________________________________________

From the Visionary, Tameka Chapman:

“Unfortunately, for most Black women, we never knew the word ‘resilient’ because we were called strong… strong-minded, strong-willed, able to handle tough situations that should have caused collapse. At home, we didn’t have the luxury of not doing things because they were too hard. We didn’t complain about it because it wasn’t allowed. We were expected to do as we were told and to not show emotions even when it didn’t seem fair. Yet, here we are as adult Black women trying to find ourselves, trying to explain and over-explain who we are as Black women, and trying to fit into a mold that was created with us in mind.”

This anthology does not glamorize suffering. It dignifies the women who lived through it. Each chapter is a testimony of truth and transformation.

LIVE BOOK LAUNCH EVENT: December 17 @ 8PM EST

A global interactive experience featuring:

• Author stories

• Healing-centered conversation

• The book highlight trailer premiere

• Special guest speakers

This night is more than an unveiling; these black women are reclaiming their identity of resilience.

To pre-order the book, visit www.energizeher.us

Register for the launch event, visit https://resilientblackwomen.eventbrite.com 

________________________________________

Media Contact & Interview Booking:

Email: energizeherPR@gmail.com

Website: www.energizeHER.us

________________________________________

Tameka Chapman and her co-authors are now accepting media interviews, podcast features, speaking engagements, and event appearances to discuss the book and the movement it stands for.

Categories
Arts & Entertainment Culture, Society & Lifestyle Education Family & Parenting Military Industry

Cumberland County Veterans Council Presents the 2025 Veterans Day Parade

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Cumberland County Veterans Council Presents the 2025 Veterans Day Parade

 

“Vets Giving a Hand to Vets” – Honoring Our Heroes in Fayetteville

 

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Cumberland County Veterans Council proudly invites the community to come together in celebration of our nation’s heroes at the 2025 Veterans Day Parade, taking place Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina.

 

This year’s theme, “Vets Giving a Hand to Vets,” highlights the spirit of unity, service, and gratitude that defines our military community. The parade honors the courage and sacrifice of all who have served—and reminds us to support our veterans not only on Veterans Day, but throughout the entire year.

 

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Parade Participants

 

The 2025 Veterans Day Parade will feature an inspiring lineup of local, regional, and national organizations, including active-duty military, veterans’ associations, schools, civic groups, and community organizations.

 

Participants include:

 

Law Enforcement & First Responders

• Fayetteville Police Motorcycles/SUV

• Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry

• Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office

• Cumberland County Government

• Cape Fear Valley Hospital Systems (Cumberland County EMS)

• Fayetteville City Fire Departments

 

Veteran Service Organizations

• Cumberland County Veterans Services

• Cumberland County Veterans Council (CCVC)

• Special Forces Association Chapter 1-18

• Disabled American Veterans Chapter #46

• American Legion Post 32 Family (Post, Sons of the Legion Squadron 32, and Legion Riders)

• Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 North Carolina

• VFW Post 670 Cpl. Rodolfo P. Hernandez

• Veterans Helping Veterans Group

• Fort Bragg Chapter, Association of the United States Army (AUSA)

• Veterans Empowering Veterans

• Sergeants Major Association

• Women Veterans Interactive Foundation, Fayetteville Chapter

• Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 15-1

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of North Carolina

• SSG James B. Dennis VFW Post 6018 and Auxiliary

• Fayetteville Buffalo Soldiers MC

• Cape Fear Chapter, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

• Headhunters PT 78, Military Order of the Cootie

• Chapter V, 173rd Airborne Brigade Association

 

Community, Civic, & Business Participants

• NCWorks Career Center of Fayetteville

• All American Amateur Radio Club

• Kappa Lambda Chi Military Fraternity, Inc. (Fayetteville Delta Chapter)

• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Upsilon Zeta Fayetteville

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (Delta Gamma Sigma Military Task Force)

• Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter Armed Forces Committee of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

• Pi Mu Phi Military Organization

• Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Military Ministry

• Fayetteville Christian Servicemen’s Center

• Armed Services YMCA – Fort Bragg

• The Rick Herrema Foundation, Inc.

• Off-Road Outreach

• Pro Heating, Air, & Electric

• Mission BBQ

• MO’s Heroes

• Freedom at a Price, Inc.

• Horsemen of Colors

• Sons of Confederate Veterans Fayetteville Arsenal Camp #168

 

Youth, Schools, and Bands

• Cumberland County Schools Student 2 Student (S2S) Clubs

• Cumberland Virtual Academy School S2S Club

• Westover Middle School S2S

• Pine Forest Middle School JS2S

• Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC)

• 12 JROTC Units representing E.E. Smith, Paul R. Brown, Douglas Byrd, Jack Britt, Pine Forest, Seventy-First, South View, Terry Sanford, Westover, Clinton High, Freedom Christian Academy, and Alpha Academy

• Marching Bands:

• Terry Sanford High School Marching Band

• South View High School Marching Tigers

• Cape Fear High School Marching Colts

• Gray’s Creek High School Marching Band

• Jack Britt High School Marching Band

• Douglas Byrd High School Marching Band

 

Motorcycle, Car, and Specialty Groups

• Vette’s Unlimited of North Carolina

• Premier Street Jeepz & Jeepherz

• Military Vehicle Preservation Association

• Soldiers United Motorcycle Club

• US Spyder Ryders Fort Bragg Chapter

• 2-6 Military Slingshot Riderz

• Fayetteville Elite Ryderz

• Fort Bragg Military Jeepers

• Changin Lanez Car Club

• Mopars of Fayetteville Car Club

• Cape Fear Team Corvette

• Stewardship Classic Car and Truck Club

• Veteran Enforcers Motorcycle Association

• Kindah Temple 62 Motor Patrol Unit

 

 

• Fort Bragg, AAFES (Exchange)

• Sand Hills District of Scouting America

• Joseph L. Pillow Council No. 1, Order of the Knights of Pythagoras

• Shawn Knisley Marine Corps Detachment #983 / Toys for Tots Cumberland County

 

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A Message from the Cumberland County Veterans Council

 

“This parade is a celebration of service, sacrifice, and unity,” said Dr. Toshiba Narcisse Parade Director and Sr. Vice President of the Cumberland County Veterans Council. “We invite the entire community to come out, wave your flags, and cheer for the men and women who have given so much for our freedom. Let’s make sure our veterans know they are appreciated—not just on Veterans Day, but every day.”

 

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Event Details

 

📅 Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM

📍 Location: Downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina

📧 Inquiries: ccvcveteransparade@gmail.com

 

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About the Cumberland County Veterans Council

 

The Cumberland County Veterans Council (CCVC) serves as a united voice for the veteran community, advocating for resources, awareness, and recognition for those who served. CCVC brings together local veteran service organizations and community partners to ensure no veteran is forgotten or unsupported.

 

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Join us in honoring our heroes. Celebrate, salute, and stand with our veterans—this Veterans Day 

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All Things Bright Launches Inaugural Cheer and Dance Holiday Classic in Hope Mills

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The holiday season in Hope Mills will shine a little brighter this year as All Things Bright, LLC presents its first-ever Cheer and Dance Holiday Classic. The highly anticipated event, hosted in partnership with Hope Mills Parks and Recreation, will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Families, athletes, and community members are invited to gather for a festive afternoon of spirited performances, competition, and celebration.

The Cheer and Dance Holiday Classic represents the vision of Tameka S. Bright, founder of All Things Bright, LLC. With more than 13 years of experience in cheerleading and an impressive record that includes four Collegiate National Championships, Bright has long been dedicated to creating opportunities for youth to showcase their talents while building confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.

“This competition is more than just an event—it’s a platform to inspire young athletes and bring our community together during the holiday season,” said Bright. “Cheer and dance have been such influential parts of my life, and I am honored to share that passion through this inaugural showcase.”

Sponsorship Opportunities to Support Youth and Community

All Things Bright is seeking community partners and sponsors to support the event and the young athletes who will participate. Sponsorships not only provide valuable resources for the competition but also allow local businesses and individuals to demonstrate their commitment to youth development and community engagement.

Several sponsorship levels are available:

  • BRIGHT Sponsor – $1,000 (2 available)
  • Megaphone naming rights
  • Social media presence
  • Vendor space
  • 10 live event mentions
  • Event speech opportunity
  • Logo placement on champion shirts
  • Logo on digital displays
  • SPARKLE Sponsor – $750 (3 available)
  • Pom and bow recognition
  • Social media promotion
  • Vendor space
  • 7 live event mentions
  • Logo placement on champion shirts
  • Logo on digital displays
  • SPIRIT Sponsor – $500 (5 available)
  • Social media promotion
  • 5 live event mentions
  • Logo placement on champion shirts
  • Logo on digital displays

Sponsorship inquiries and donations can be directed to ShaDonna “Mo” McPhaul at 910-574-3346. Donations by check can be made payable to All Things Bright.

A Celebration of Talent, Teamwork, and Holiday Spirit

The Cheer and Dance Holiday Classic will welcome high school teams from across the region, creating an opportunity for athletes to perform in a competitive environment while also celebrating the joy of the holiday season. With spirited routines, dazzling choreography, and a festive atmosphere, the event promises to be a highlight for families and fans alike.

Beyond the performances, the Classic will serve as a gathering point for the community, offering vendors, local engagement, and a space for families to come together in celebration. By blending competition with holiday cheer, the event captures the essence of the season while promoting positive values such as dedication, perseverance, and community pride.

Building a Legacy Through Cheer and Dance

Founder Tameka Bright has long envisioned creating a signature event that would not only highlight the region’s talent but also contribute to the growth of young athletes. Through All Things Bright, she continues to expand opportunities for youth, offering platforms that encourage both personal and athletic development.

“The Cheer and Dance Holiday Classic is just the beginning,” Bright emphasized. “We are building a tradition that will uplift our youth, strengthen community connections, and shine a spotlight on the incredible talent right here in North Carolina.”

Event Details

  • Event: All Things Bright Cheer and Dance Holiday Classic
  • Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
  • Time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Location: Hope Mills Parks and Recreation
  • Presented by: All Things Bright, LLC

Media Contact

All Things Bright, LLC

Phone: 202-258-2677

Email: allthingbright2023@gmail.com

Sponsorship Inquiries: ShaDonna “Mo” McPhaul, 910-574-3346

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Kindah G.E.N.T.S. Announce Brims & Bowties Brunch to Empower Local Youth

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The Kindah G.E.N.T.S., an initiative of Kindah Temple No. 62, is proud to announce the upcoming Brims & Bowties Brunch, a youth-focused community event taking place on Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at The Gathering Place, 421 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, NC.

The brunch will feature entertainment by DJ J30, a youth DJ and TikTok creator, and will be hosted by Jordan from “Goat Talk” Productions, who will serve as the Special Youth Host. Admission to the event is a $20 donation, with proceeds going to support youth mentorship and development programs. Attendees are encouraged to wear either a suit with a bowtie or business casual attire.

Mentorship and Empowerment at the Core

The brunch is organized by the Kindah G.E.N.T.S. program, which stands for Gentlemen Empowered to Network Towards Success. Currently mentoring, teaching, and coaching 23 young gentlemen, the program focuses on equipping youth with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s world while building a foundation for the generations that follow.

“This event is more than a brunch—it’s a celebration of youth potential, leadership, and community,” said Ernest E. Logan III, Youth Director for Kindah G.E.N.T.S. “Our young gentlemen are learning not only how to carry themselves with confidence, but also how to build networks that will prepare them for success in life.”

A Legacy of Community Service

Kindah Temple No. 62, a constituent Temple of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdiction, Incorporated—widely known as the Prince Hall Shriners—has long been dedicated to benevolence, charity, and fraternity. With a mission rooted in civic, economic, and educational development, members have made significant contributions to the Fayetteville community and beyond.

Their commitment to service is evident in initiatives such as:

  • Volunteering as mentors at Ferguson Easley Elementary School.
  • Sponsoring annual community events including the End of Year Cookout, Book Bag Giveaway, and Easter Egg Hunts.
  • Providing Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to families in need.
  • Supplying resources to programs such as Operation Blessing.
  • Supporting numerous other charitable and community service efforts.

The Brims & Bowties Brunch is the latest example of how the organization combines mentorship with engaging, community-centered activities. By involving youth leaders like DJ J30 and Jordan of Goat Talk Productions, the event highlights young voices while reinforcing the values of responsibility, creativity, and leadership.

An Open Invitation to the Community

The Kindah G.E.N.T.S. extend an open invitation to all community members to join the brunch. Whether you are a parent, mentor, business leader, or supporter of youth development, your presence will help foster an environment where young men are celebrated and encouraged to strive for success.

“The more our community comes together to support our youth, the stronger our future becomes,” added Logan. “We are excited to welcome everyone to this event, as it truly takes a village to raise and empower the next generation.”

Event Details

  • What: Brims & Bowties Brunch
  • When: Sunday, October 5, 2025 | 2:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Where: The Gathering Place, 421 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, NC
  • Donation: $20 per person
  • Attire: Suit with bowtie or business casual

Contact Information

For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

Ernest E. Logan III

Youth Director, Kindah G.E.N.T.S.

Phone: 910-527-3676

About Kindah Temple No. 62

Kindah Temple No. 62 is a proud constituent of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdiction, Inc., also known as the Prince Hall Shriners. The Temple is a non-profit organization committed to benevolence, charity, and fraternity. Its members actively support civic, economic, and educational initiatives both locally and worldwide, with a strong focus on mentoring and uplifting youth in the Fayetteville community.

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The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame, Inc. Proudly Announces the Class of 2026

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The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame, Inc. Proudly Announces the Class of 2026

 

FAYETTEVILLE, NC — The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame, Inc. is honored to announce its distinguished Class of 2026, celebrating alumni and contributors whose dedication, talent, and impact have left a lasting legacy on E.E. Smith High School athletics and the broader community.

 

This year’s inductees represent excellence across multiple sports and decades, reminding us of the rich tradition of Golden Bulls athletics.

 

Class of 2026 Inductees

• Ezekiel Best – Track & Field, Class of 1999

• Milton Blue* – Football, Class of 1968

• Jeffery Brown – Swimming, Class of 1983

• Clyde Chesney* – Football, Class of 1967

• Robert Davidson – Baseball, Class of 1981

• Katrina Lee – Track & Field, Class of 1991

• Benjamin Major III – Track & Field, Class of 2009

• Tacara Morrisey McGregor – Track & Field, Class of 2007

• Ronald McKnight – Basketball, Class of 1996

• Ruben Pierce – Track & Field, Class of 1982

• Oscar Polite* – Football, Class of 1966

• Douglas Ray* – Tennis, Class of 1974

• Howard Smith* – Football, Class of 1955

• Leonard Sanders* – Contributor

• Arthur “Monk” Smith* – Contributor, Class of 1943

 

(*Deceased)

 

Celebration & Recognition Events

• Introduction Ceremony: The Class of 2026 will be formally introduced during the E.E. Smith High School Homecoming Game on Friday, October 31, 2025.

• Induction Ceremony: The official Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

 

Honoring Legacy, Inspiring the Future

 

The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame continues to honor past athletes, coaches, and contributors whose achievements inspire future generations of Golden Bulls. The Class of 2026 reflects decades of dedication, athletic prowess, and service to the school and community.

 

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more about the Hall of Fame, please visit: eesmithalumnisportshalloffame.com.

 

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Media Contact:

ShaDonna “Mo” McPhaul

Public Relations Director

E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame, Inc.

📧 mo@themoyouknow.vip📱 (910) 574-3346