5+ day, 17+ hour ago (310+ words) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched Giving Machines at malls nationwide, letting shoppers donate to families in need this holiday season. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched its annual holiday giving campaign by placing donation-focused vending machines throughout Almonte Springs Mall in Florida. On Nov. 20, the community gathered for the unveiling of three Giving Machines donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the holiday season, Click Orlando reports. The machines, open through Dec. 14, let shoppers make direct donations of moving kits, mobile shelters, and more to families and nonprofits in need. "With as little as five dollars to fifty dollars, you can donate something as simple as underwear to a homeless shelter here in Florida. You can also donate a goat to a family in Africa," said Elder Daniel…...

3+ week, 1+ day ago (352+ words) The Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons and Eastern Stars of the District of Columbia has won the right to retain ownership of its historic location in the District's U Street corridor, a neighborhood once known as the hub of Black business, arts, and culture." The organization, through its charity, the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons and Order of the Eastern Stars Educational Charitable Foundation, received approval from the D.C. Council to retain its tax-exempt status of its building, located at 10th and U.." The temple's tax-exempt status was at risk due to a name change and required reapplication. In 2022, the former Prince Hall Freemason and Eastern Star Charitable Foundation became the Prince Hall Free & Accepted Mason and the Order of the Eastern Star Charitable Educational Foundation (PHFAMOESCEF). "In 2022, we at the foundation wanted to keep the tax exemption, but when we…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago (507+ words) Living Faith Christian Center in Louisiana is under fire for allegedly being unconcerned with the needs of God's children. The King Center and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will hold a food distribution event to help feed Metro Atlanta families, a starkly different response from some other churches and organizations that have witnessed the economic downturn and government shutdown affect millions of citizens, leaving them'without SNAP benefits. "When we come together in love and service, we embody the very spirit of the Beloved Community," King said in a statement. She added, "This partnership is not just about food, it's about hope, dignity, and the power of unity to transform lives." According to the release, King and Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant will be present from 11 a.m. to noon to speak with attendees and give remarks beginning at 11:30 a.m. Mike Lewis Productions LLC is…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (948+ words) His influence spans from defining the essential, aggressive contours of the Southern sound to advocating for radical mental wellness and establishing vital business infrastructure for Black creators. Banner's professional journey began not with immediate solo stardom, but with intellectual curiosity and regional pride. He first emerged as a founding member of the duo Crooked Lettaz in the late 1990s, cultivating a raw, geographically specific sound that served as a necessary challenge to the traditional coastal dominance of hip-hop. The foundation soon fueled an explosive solo career, propelling the distinctive, bass-heavy production signature of the South to the top of the national charts. The relentless demands and intense scrutiny of the entertainment machine'a ceaseless gauntlet of studio sessions, national tours, and the establishment of ventures like Banner Vision'eventually extracted a severe, debilitating toll. Crucially, Banner transcended the role of artist by becoming…...