After years of distinguished service in various health and humanitarian organizations, Benjamin Geller has decided to run for Dutchess County Legislator in New York’s 4th District. Campaigning with the slogan, “The People’s Voice,” Geller hopes to establish transparent, approachable, and accessible communication between elected officials and the public.

Currently, Benjamin Geller works as an emergency medical technician for an advanced life support agency. He also does clinic work in West Africa and has been assisting the vaccine site operations in Dutchess County. Admittedly, Geller is not a politician by trade. Instead, he is a seasoned public servant—and that differentiates him from most elected officials.

As opposed to viewing it as a disadvantage, Benjamin Geller is proud of his notable public service background and humanitarian work in lieu of extensive political experience. In fact, it’s because of these experiences that he was asked to run by the leadership in New York. His profession and passion provide him with insight into the needs of the people he seeks to represent.

Benjamin Geller’s primary motivation for running is not only to continue but expand his ability to serve his community. And if his past performance is any indicator, the public can be assured that he is not working towards a personal agenda. “I want to start a revolution of waking up America and starting the conversation that brings healing to our nation,” explained Benjamin Geller.

The global community has witnessed the widening division in the United States and the suffering this has caused. For Benjamin Geller, rebuilding the country should take precedence over partisanship. From his years of doing his best to make his community a little better one day at a time, Geller knows that he can reach out to the average American voter and promote unity. The lifelong public servant knows that this unity starts with simple acts of neighborly kindness. “I want voters to show some extra love to their neighbors. Mow your neighbor’s lawn, check up on the elderly lady next door, hold the elevator,” said Geller.

Focusing on his fellow New Yorkers, Benjamin Geller recognizes the diligence, passion, and strength of the people he hopes to represent, lead, and serve. His goal is to be instrumental in lowering their taxes and addressing the mental health crisis running rampant in America. These are some of the responsibilities that he believes an elected official who has the best interest of their constituents at heart should champion. Already, Benjamin Geller exhibits one of the most crucial qualities of a leader—having a vision for the future.

As often happens when a person contemplates the possibility of significant life changes in the pursuit of grand undertakings, Benjamin Geller leans on the lessons from his past. During one of his travels to Africa, a wise physician told him that “we are meant to live extraordinary lives.” Geller has every intention to lead such a life. He is even open to the opportunity of running for Congress in 2026. Regardless of where life takes him, Geller will devote himself to serving the people of New York.

For more information on Benjamin Geller and his campaign for Dutchess County Legislator, you can visit his website. 

Source: Jennifer Hudson’s Instagram account

Movie fans have not seen much of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson lately, but there is reason to celebrate as her film Monster is set to stream on Netflix starting on May 7. The drama film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival three years ago and finally landed with Netflix after going through negotiations with other streaming platforms. 

Monster is an adaptation of the 1999 novel written by Walter Dean Myers. The story revolves around the character of 17-year-old African-American boy Steve Harmon, whose life turns upside down overnight when he gets accused of murder. The character struggles to make sense of things, including his parents. Jennifer Hudson plays Steve’s mother alongside Jeffrey Wright, who plays the father. 

The family drama sees Steve’s life spiral downwards as the honor student from an elite high school is arrested and faces charges for a fatal robbery incident. A complicated and heart-wrenching legal battle ensues, and the characters are caught in a web of uncertainty, confusion, and fear as Steve faces the worst possible scenario – spending a lifetime behind bars. 

The film’s trailer gives excited fans a glimpse of Steve’s warm and likable character, someone who attempts to thrive in the arts through his photography. As he comes of age, he goes through experiences that normal boys his age go through – falling in love with a girl, attempting to belong, and finding his inner strength to combat life’s challenges. 

Monster was made possible through the collective effort of executive producers John Legend, Nasir “Nas” Jones, Jeffrey Wright, and director Anthony Mandler. Its release on Netflix comes at a time when all of the world has been introduced to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement that hopes to address systemic racism in the United States. It highlights realities on how many African-Americans are being targeted and marginalized because of the color of their skin. The movement was amplified by a series of events that resulted in the senseless deaths of innocent African-Americans at the hands of authorities. 

The film depicts this hard reality that many African-Americans face today in the United States and other parts of the world. It hopes to promote the need to uphold communities that are fair and just so that the senseless killings never happen again and young African-Americans are given a chance to establish themselves as peace-loving and productive citizens. 

Jennifer Hudson revealed in an interview with ET that she has never felt closer to any role before than playing Steve’s mother in the movie. As a mother to her 11-year-old son David, she fully empathizes with the desperation and struggles of her character. 

“When you are family like the Harmons, and you have a child that could not be walking a better path, and you still can’t protect them, and they still end up in those types of scenarios and situations. It leaves a parent like, ‘Oh my god, what can you do?'” Hudson shares. “What do you do when you’ve already done what you’re supposed to as a parent, and your child has done what they’re supposed to as a child? It’s scary.”

American actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays the role of Steve Harmon in the film. He has appeared in other films, including 12 Years a Slave and Ender’s Game. 

REFERENCES: 

https://www.etonline.com/jennifer-hudson-explains-why-her-emotional-role-in-monster-meant-even-more-as-a-parent-exclusive

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jennifer-hudson-shares-why-her-230219447.html 

https://www.inspiredtraveler.ca/jennifer-hudsons-new-netflix-movie-is-coming-soon/

Source: DJ Khaled’s Instagram account

A few days ago, rapper and Yeezy owner Kanye West made the news again as fans were quick to notice that he is still wearing his wedding ring two months after his wife Kim Kardashian filed for divorce. A black and white photo of West was posted by his good friend DJ Khaled on Instagram when he visited the latter’s house early one morning. In the photo, West was seated with his arms stretched upwards, giving everyone a clear view of his wedding band. 

Kanye West has been married to Kardashian for seven years, and they have four children together: North, seven, Saint, five, Chicago, three, and Psalm, who will be turning two in May. Just this April, West filed his response to Kardashian’s petition asking for joint legal and physical custody of their four children. 

Despite the emotional turmoil that West and Kardashian are experiencing at the moment, a source close to the couple told People that the divorce is proceeding smoothly. 

“Kim and Kanye are getting along,” the source reveals to People. “They have both stayed true to their commitment to making the best situation for the kids. Kim is very happy that they have managed to keep things calm. She thinks Kanye is a good dad. She wants him to be able to spend as much time with the kids as he wants.”

In the same report, the source also revealed that Kardashian is happy once again and that she believes that divorcing West is the best course of action moving forward. The support of her mother, Kris Jenner, and siblings is allowing her to brave this season. Since she filed for divorce, Kardashian has been staying in the Hidden Hills mansion with her children, the same home she shared with West when they were still together. 

Sources reveal that it is highly likely that Kardashian will continue to stay in the mansion even after the divorce is completed. It was previously reported that Kanye West and Kardashian previously agreed that they do not want the children to go through stress. He is known to love his children deeply and wants to make sure that they remain happy. 

Amidst his very public divorce proceedings, Kanye West put aside his personal battles to do a good deed for his friend, the late DMX, who passed away last April 9 due to a heart attack brought about by a reported drug overdose. Balenciaga designed a custom memorial shirt for DMX that was commissioned by the Yeezy brand. In 24 hours, the stocks were sold out, and the West-initiated event generated a whopping $1 million for the family of the late rapper. 

DMX, born Earl Simmons, was 50 years old when he died. On April 24, Kanye West once again appeared in his tribute, set on the same day as his funeral. To further express his deep love for his deceased friend, West designed the elaborate stage together with his Yeezy team. The Sunday Service Choir performed on that same stage, and friends of the late actor and rapper also shared warm sentiments and their fondest memories of him on it. West, however, opted to keep a low profile throughout the tribute. 

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.bosshunting.com.au/culture/kanye-west-balenciaga-dmx/ 
2. https://deadline.com/2021/04/kanye-west-sunday-service-choir-perform-at-dmx-memorial-1234743020/ 
3. https://www.tmz.com/2021/04/25/kanye-west-raise-million-dollars-dmx-balenciaga-shirt-profit-family/ 
4. https://www.vulture.com/2021/04/dmx-funeral-service-memorial-barclays.html 
5. https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2021/04/24/dmx-cause-of-death/
6. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a36286734/kanye-west-still-wearing-wedding-ring-kim-kardashian/ 
7. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9525699/Kanye-West-wedding-ring-despite-divorce-proceedings-Kim-Kardashian.html 
8. https://people.com/tv/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-kept-things-calm-amid-divorce-says-source/ 

A person’s hair tells a story. One’s hair should be able to reflect where one has been and where one is going, whether that person is off to make a lasting first impression or is about to land multi-million dollar deals. For many years, Kelly Cahen has stayed on top of her game as an award-winning hairstylist. Today, she shares her trade secrets through her book entitled Scissors Make Cents: Business, Ethics & Empowerment Essentials for Running a Hair Salon that Thrives. 

Scissors Make Cents is more than just a book; it’s an essential investment. The author reveals her unique experiences as a stylist and hands-on business owner in hopes of enlightening and empowering others like herself in the industry to push their boundaries. The book provides a “one-of-a-kind education experience that combines entertaining stories of personal experience and encouragement with tasks and accountability for stylists or salon owners who are looking to build a rock-solid brand.”

While hair professionals may enroll in academies to learn about the craft, nothing is better than learning from someone who has walked the talk. Kelly Cahen has established a name for herself in the hairstyling business, both locally and nationally. Her hands have created some of the most iconic looks for professional athletes, top models, and celebrities. Kelly is the founder and owner of 1213 Hair Salon in Richmond, Virginia, a hair establishment known for its unparalleled customer service, clean and modern design, and dynamic team of hair professionals.

Furthermore, Kelly Cahen is well-traveled, having explored throughout Europe. She acquired some of her distinct skills during her time at the London and Ireland Wella Institutes in 2012. The experience opened her eyes to all the possibilities one can do to one’s hair, and she wanted to bring her knowledge back home to Virginia.

Kelly Cahen specializes in multi-dimensional color, hair extensions, and small business coaching. She was named a Master of Beauty by the Empire Beauty System and Nick Arrojo. Merging her vision to help other entrepreneurs in their business pursuits and passion for hair, Kelly wrote Scissors Make Cents to make a difference in her field. The award-winning stylist wanted to provide her readers with a glimpse of her firsthand experiences and a detail-oriented guide that takes aspiring entrepreneurs through the real behind-the-scenes of the salon business. The author seeks to instill that despite the challenges in the hairstyling business, there is also great joy in it. 

“Choose to be the person, the small business owner, and the professional you want to be, putting your best out into the world and expecting nothing but the best back. Is this entitlement? Hell no. It’s grit. It’s hustling. It’s working hard with a dedicated focus on systems, strategy, and your life goals. You can have goals, or you can achieve them. What are you going to do with yours?” expressed Kelly Cahen. With Scissors Make Cents, the stylist and author is taking a crucial step to uplift other individuals and help them achieve their goals. The book goes beyond merely providing readers with know-hows but aims to help them find integrity and joy and living the best life possible. 

To learn more about Scissors Make Cents, visit its website.

Those who wish to establish themselves in their respective industries may have to face the fact that translating one’s vision into reality may come at an expense. Success may seem unattainable for some, and failures may hinder an individual from emerging triumphantly, but for those who use these misfortunes as propellers toward the pinnacles of victory take center stage and become the limelight of a variety of trades. In the case of Samuel Thomas Jones, an up-and-coming artist, odds were stacked against him, but today, he stands as a source of motivation for others, providing much-needed inspiration and spreading a message of hope for those who struggle to thrive and get ahead.

More popularly known as Cooli Highh, this emerging singer, songwriter, content creator, and powerhouse has been creating a buzz across the music industry by truly attesting to the possibility of attaining success, even for those who lack the needed support and resources to get there. The path was admittedly daunting and seemed impossible at the beginning, but Cooli continued to persevere. As a result of his unparalleled drive to transform his visions into actions, this go-getting individual has become one of the fastest-growing artists across the realms of music and entertainment. Because of the milestones he has achieved over the years, he strives to reach the summits in order to inspire others to follow suit.

Born in the pristine beaches and world-class family attractions of San Diego, California, this power player is no stranger to real-life struggles, daunting challenges, and insurmountable trials. Having experienced abandonment and maltreatment at the age of three, Cooli Highh managed to rise above it all, drawing strength from the misfortunes he experienced over the years. Determined to make a name in a highly competitive industry, Cooli rose through the ranks, overcoming countless adversities and translating his dreams into reality.

Cooli Highh has been making waves across the industry throughout his career with his exceptional command of beats and rhythm. After his debut album entitled 48 Hrs, this multi-talented artist has graced the industry with finesse. Since he incorporated a fresh approach to music, he has garnered more traction, collaborating with renowned singer and rapper 21 Savage on a song entitled “Codein Crazy.” This year, he is expected to work on a quick project with an artist named Rockie, along with the release of his Trap Tape.

Aside from Cooli Highh’s remarkable rise to fame because of his musical prowess, he is also dedicated to inspiring others to thrive amid trying times. Through his podcast entitled “#TheHighhLife,” this powerhouse aims to motivate those who struggle to get ahead and encourage them never to lose sight of their goal. Cooli Highh not only delivers music that touches the hearts of many listeners, but he also seeks to become a beacon of hope for people who wish to stand out amidst their seemingly unforgiving circumstances.

As can be gleaned from his journey, Cooli Highh has sufficiently proven that no dream is ever too big for go-getting individuals. No matter how difficult the path may be, people who are genuinely driven will take it upon themselves in order to translate their dreams and materialize their goals. When one puts their hearts into their crafts, everything will be within arm’s reach.To know more about Cooli Highh, you may listen to his songs through Spotify.