Latest news with #Latifah
Black America Web
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
2025 Phi Beta Sigma Conclave Welcomes 8 New Honorary Members
Source: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. hosted its 2025 International Conclave, drawing nearly 10,000 members and supporters. This historic event celebrated the fraternity's legacy of service and inclusivity, while spotlighting its newest honorary inductees—an extraordinary group of leaders spanning education, entertainment, sports, and ministry. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Founded in 1914 at Howard University, Phi Beta Sigma has long championed the motto 'Culture For Service and Service For Humanity.' This year's conclave underscored that mission, with the fraternity unveiling a commemorative paver on Tampa's Riverwalk, symbolizing its enduring impact. RELATED STORIES: Delta Sigma Theta Induct 8 Women: Queen Latifah, Fawn Weaver, and More Alpha Kappa Alpha Welcomes Trailblazing Honorary Members Sigma Gamma Rho Honors 2025 Inductees for Excellence and Local Impact The 2025 honorary inductees exemplify Black excellence: Dr. Howard Fuller , a civil rights activist and education reformer, has dedicated his career to empowering families through equitable education. , a civil rights activist and education reformer, has dedicated his career to empowering families through equitable education. Edward 'Special Ed' Archer , a hip-hop legend, has influenced music and culture for over three decades, producing for icons like Tupac Shakur. , a hip-hop legend, has influenced music and culture for over three decades, producing for icons like Tupac Shakur. Leon Robinson , an actor and musician, is celebrated for his roles in classics like The Five Heartbeats and Cool Runnings . , an actor and musician, is celebrated for his roles in classics like and . Dr. George Koonce , a Super Bowl champion and academic leader, inspires as one of the few NFL players to earn a PhD. , a Super Bowl champion and academic leader, inspires as one of the few NFL players to earn a PhD. Fred Hammond , a Grammy-winning gospel artist, revolutionized urban praise and worship music. , a Grammy-winning gospel artist, revolutionized urban praise and worship music. Dr. John K. Pierre , Chancellor of Southern University Law Center, has advanced diversity and innovation in legal education. , Chancellor of Southern University Law Center, has advanced diversity and innovation in legal education. Dave 'Unk' Huie , a marketing entrepreneur, exemplifies service through philanthropy. , a marketing entrepreneur, exemplifies service through philanthropy. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries Jr., a pastor and financial wellness advocate, empowers communities through his bestselling books and radio show. This conclave not only celebrated these honorees but also reaffirmed Phi Beta Sigma's commitment to uplifting communities worldwide. As International President Chris V. Rey stated, 'This class represents the diversity of excellence we celebrate.' READ MORE STORIES: 2025 Phi Beta Sigma Conclave Welcomes 8 New Honorary Members Nicki Minaj Contacts Congresswoman Over Alleged TDE Affiliate 'Threat' 'City High' Singer Robbie Pardlo Passes Away at 46 SEE ALSO
Focus Malaysia
5 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
SMI courts more CG controversy with re-appt of director who was ‘rejected' a month ago
PROPERTY developer South Malaysia Industries Bhd (SMI) which is facing backlash over shareholder rights and corporate governance (CG) practices is now embroiled in a controversy surrounding its e re-appointment of Latifah Abdul Latiff as the company's independent non-executive director (INED). This follows the company's 53rd annual general meeting (AGM) on June 25 whereby SMI had an unprecedented all four resolutions proposed by its current board of directors 'rejected and voted down', including that of Latifah's re-election, prompting her resignation on the same day. According to a Bursa Malaysia filing dated July 15, the 64-year-old former Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd senior vice president/business banking head was appointed to her old INED role which she failed to seek re-election effective that day. However, it was understood that proxies representing three major shareholders – Target 1 Sdn Bhd, Honsin Apparel Sdn Bhd and HIQ Media (M) Sdn Bhd – who collectively hold 50.05% of SMI's shares were unhappy with Latifah's re-appointment. After all, the trio had been instrumental in ensuring a decisive rejection of Latifah who had offered herself for re-election during last month's SMI AGM. For the record, the other three rejected resolutions included: The re-appointment of Messrs UHY Malaysia PLT as auditors of SMI until the conclusion of its next AGM; Approving directors' fees and benefits of up to RM350,000 to non-executive directors of the company and subsidiaries; and Authority to allot and issue shares in general pursuant to Sections 75 and 76 of the Companies Act 2016. Similar trend last year 'This incident mirrors a similar situation earlier on March 27, 2024 during which shareholders had rejected the re-election of executive director Leow Thang Fong who also resigned on the same day as the AGM following this rejection,' a market observer told FocusM on condition of anonymity. 'Yet, in a highly questionable move, the board re-appointed Leow as CEO barely a month later on May 1, 2024.' The market observer contended that Latifah's and Leow's re-appointments have raised serious questions about SMI's adherence to the fundamental CG principles and the board's respect for shareholder decisions. 'Such practices could significantly undermine shareholder confidence and damage the integrity of Malaysia's capital market,' he justified. 'Given the importance of maintaining strong CG standards and protecting shareholder interests, we believe that a scrutiny by the relevant market regulators – namely, Bursa Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) – into these developments is warranted.' At the close of today's (July 17) market trading, SMI was unchanged at 31 sen with no transaction done while its market capitalisation stood at RM65 mil. – July 17, 2025
New Paper
02-07-2025
- Health
- New Paper
'If he needs to go, we will let him go': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies at 26
Few had expected Mr Samuel Lim Hong Xiang to survive after his grandmother's domestic helper poured acid down his throat when he was just three months old. But Mr Lim defied every medical prognosis and lived on. Despite severe damage to his vocal cords and tongue, Mr Lim graduated with a master's degree in pathology from the University of Melbourne and, earlier in 2025, fulfilled his dream of becoming a speech and language therapist at Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities. But in June, barely five months into the job, Mr Lim was diagnosed with nose cancer. He died on June 28 at the age of 26. Mr Lim is survived by his parents, Mr Lim Boon Keong and Madam Tan Poh Ling, both in their early 50s, as well as a 20-year-old sister and a 23-year-old brother. "We were told he had stage 4 cancer," Mr Lim's father told The Straits Times. "But in his final week, he looked fine. He said he didn't feel any pain. He wanted to live." Madam Tan said that despite the diagnosis, Mr Lim remained hopeful. He had received his first chemotherapy treatment three days before his death and had expressed his hope to return to work. Mr Lim's first interview with the media appeared in The Sunday Times on Oct 21, 2012, when he was 13 and known as the boy who survived a horrific acid attack in June 1999. Back then, Mr Lim's parents, who were engineers in the family business, had left him in his grandmother's flat. His parents' helper Latifah was in the kitchen, while Mr Lim, who was then three months old, was asleep in the living room. The grandmother's helper Sumiyem, then 17, took the opportunity to pour sulphuric acid in Mr Lim's mouth, as she was jealous of Ms Latifah and wanted to get her into trouble. Ms Sumiyem was later jailed for eight years. The attack caused severe injuries to Mr Lim's mouth, throat and vocal cords. His upper airway was destroyed. He had to be fitted with a tracheostomy tube in his neck to help him breathe and a gastrostomy tube in his stomach for feedings. Throughout his life, he never tasted food and never once asked for it, his parents said previously. "I don't hate her," Mr Lim told ST in 2012, referring to his attacker. Mr Lim grew up to love music, and tried everything from swimming and hip-hop dance to badminton and piano. He went on to attain Grade 9 in guzheng and Grade 8 in piano and music theory. Mr Samuel Lim loved music and had studied piano and guzheng. PHOTO: ST FILE Over the years, he had performed in numerous concerts and helped to raise funds for charities. His final piano performance was in April, at a Beautiful Mind Charity concert, said his mother. Mr Lim's teachers at Yuan Ching Secondary School described him as an inspiring student and a role model, in messages left in a memorial book at his wake. In 2019, he received the Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in linguistics and multilingual studies at the National Technological University (NTU). Mr Samuel Lim graduated with a master's degree in pathology from the University of Melbourne. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MR SAMUEL LIM'S FAMILY In December 2024, Mr Lim graduated from his master's programme and the family celebrated the occasion with a road trip in Melbourne. On Jan 10, Mr Lim began his first job - at Thye Hua Kwan as a speech and language therapist. "He wanted to return to Singapore to contribute to the society," said Madam Tan. "He told me that he was also hoping to save up and buy an HDB flat one day." Mr Lim's father added that his son had always wanted to live independently and he was proud to earn his own income. Mr Samuel Lim and his family celebrated his master's degree graduation with a road trip in Melbourne in December 2024. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MR SAMUEL LIM'S FAMILY Mr Lim sought medical attention on May 14 for a nose bleed, and a specialist appointment was scheduled for him in July. But on June 6, Mr Lim felt that something was not right and headed to the accident and emergency department at the National University Hospital. When he arrived, his nose started bleeding persistently and he was hospitalised. He also experienced severe headaches and facial pain, said Madam Tan. Over the following two weeks, he underwent scans and biopsies, ultimately leading to the diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. Mr Samuel Lim's sister said her brother showed her that "it's not the adversity itself that defines our lives, but how we choose to respond to it". PHOTO: COURTESY OF MR SAMUEL LIM'S FAMILY Even though his stint at Thye Hua Kwan was short, Madam Tan remembered how Mr Lim was so committed that "he burned the midnight oil to work on their reports". His sister Yong Zhen, an undergraduate at NTU, said her brother had taught her the most important lesson in her life: "He showed me that it's not the adversity itself that defines our lives, but how we choose to respond to it." Mr Lim also inspired medical professionals who had walked with him from the time he suffered the attack, such as Associate Professor Daniel Goh. The senior consultant paediatrician at Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute at NUH said: "Samuel faced significant adversity in life from a very young age. Despite that, he faced life with boldness, strength and bravery. "He never let his physical limitations determine him. He lived life to the fullest and surmounted all barriers to achieve what many could not have imagined." Prof Goh also highlighted the unwavering support from Mr Lim's family at every stage of life, which showed how love and a strong community can play a vital role in a person's well-being and ability to overcome adversity. Even in his final hours, Mr Lim's strength did not waver. "He fought till the end," said Madam Tan. "Just hours before his condition turned, he was walking around the hospital full of life. "He was determined to live and he refused to let go," she added. "I told him... if he needs to go, we will let him go. We want him to be able to leave peacefully." Mr Lim will be cremated at Mandai Crematorium on July 2.
Perth Now
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Queen Latifah reveals her first paycheque was just 87 bucks
Queen Latifah's first paycheque was "87 bucks" from Burger King. The 55-year-old Hollywood actress and rapper - who was born Dana Owens - had humble beginnings flipping burgers at the fast food chain long before she became a global star. She told First for Women magazine of her first job: "Burger King, at 15 years old: my first check was for 87 bucks." Now she's in her 50s, the Girls Trip star star feels women should support each other more. She told the publication: "In our 50s, we have to support each other as women. We don't compliment each other enough, and we should. "We are more confident in our skin now-more comfortable than we were in our 20s, 30s and 40s. No one should think life is 'over' after a certain age. I still have so many things I want to do! This is the greatest time for women to lock in on their own health-and finally put themselves first." Meanwhile, the Ladies First hitmaker is set to be the subject of an upcoming biopic and she's excited to be able to tell her own story. She told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024: 'We've been talking about it for a while. "We've seen a lot of people tell our stories who weren't there and really have no idea how much more involved these stories are. It's important to see how it all happened from people who were actively in the room."
NZ Herald
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Queen Latifah hails ‘genius' Sly Stone
Queen Latifah has hailed Sly Stone as a 'genius'. The 55-year-old star has taken to social media to heap praise on the funk legend, who 'passed away peacefully' following a lengthy battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Alongside a throwback video of Stone performing on stage, she wrote on
