Latest news with #Leroy
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Malcolm-Jamal Warner carried a heavy load for Black America
There were three television characters who really mattered to me as a kid: Michael, Leroy and Theo. In elementary school, 'Good Times' was the television show that most closely resembled my family. And seeing reruns of Ralph David Carter's portrayal of a precocious young boy learning what it means to be poor, gifted and Black is what moved his Michael from fiction to family for me. By middle school, I was no longer wearing cornrows like Gene Anthony Ray, but I tried everything else to be like his character Leroy from the television show 'Fame.' For some of my classmates, the performing arts were a fun way to express themselves, and the show was inspirational. For me, it was my way out of the hood, and Leroy was the blueprint. Through the Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy, I was able to take professional dance lessons for free and ultimately earned a dance scholarship for college. But it wasn't a linear journey. Despite being gifted, I struggled academically and required summer classes to graduate from high school. That's why I connected with Theo, whose challenges in the classroom were one of the running jokes on 'The Cosby Show.' The family never gave up on him, and more importantly, he didn't stop trying. Through the jokes about his intelligence, the coming-of-age miscues (and the dyslexia diagnosis), the storylines of Theo — like those of Leroy and Michael — often reflected struggles I foolishly thought no one else was experiencing when I was growing up. It is only through distance and time are we able to see moments like those more clearly. In retrospect, the three of them were like knots I held onto on a rope I had no idea I was climbing. This is why the Black community's response to the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner this week isn't solely rooted in nostalgia but also in gratitude. We recognize the burden he's been carrying, so that others could climb. When 'The Cosby Show' debuted in 1984, there were no other examples of a successful two-parent Black family on air. We were on television but often trauma and struggle — not love and support — were at the center of the narratives. So even though Black women had been earning law degrees since the 1800s — beginning with Charlotte E. Ray in 1872 — and Black men were becoming doctors before that, the initial response from critics was that the show's premise of a doctor-and-lawyer Black couple was not authentically Black. That narrow-minded worldview continued to hang over Hollywood despite the show's success. In 1992, after nearly 10 years of 'The Cosby Show' being No. 1 — and after the success of 'Beverly Hills Cop II' and 'Coming to America' — the Eddie Murphy-led project 'Boomerang' was panned as unrealistic because the main characters were all Black and successful. The great Murphy took on the Los Angeles Times directly in a letter for its critique on what Black excellence should look like. However, Black characters like Michael, Leroy and Theo had been taking on the media since the racist film 'The Birth of a Nation' painted all of us as threats in 1915. It could not have been easy for Warner, being the face of so much for so many at an age when a person is trying to figure out who he is. And because he was able to do so with such grace, Warner's Theo defined Blackness simply by being what the world said we were not. This sentiment is embodied in his last interview, when he answered the question of his legacy by saying: 'I will be able to leave this Earth knowing and people knowing that I was a good person.' In the end, that is ultimately what made his character, along with Leroy and Michael, so important to the Black community. It wasn't the economic circumstances or family structure of the sitcoms that they all had in common. It was their refusal to allow the ugliness of this world to tear them down. To change their hearts or turn their light into darkness. They maintained their humanity and in the process gave so many of us a foothold to keep climbing higher. YouTube: @LZGrandersonShow
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Families file lawsuit accusing manufacturers of poisoning their land: 'You don't know what's safe'
Families file lawsuit accusing manufacturers of poisoning their land: 'You don't know what's safe' Landowners in north Georgia have filed a lawsuit alleging that carpet and chemical manufacturers contaminated soil and water with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as forever chemicals. According to environmental experts, the contamination has exposed nearby families to "catastrophic" levels of PFAS. What's happening? As Atlanta News First reported, Dalton landowners have said that decades of PFAS exposure from companies like 3M, Shaw Industries, and Mohawk Industries have polluted their land, impacting their property values and posed serious health risks. Testing on a family's property near carpet plants in Dalton showed PFAS contamination. Per the lawsuit and attorneys representing Leroy and Amber Fletcher, the landowners, the test found PFAS levels thousands of times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's limit of four parts per trillion. "It could be in the deer; it could be in the fish," Amber Fletcher said, per Atlanta News First. "You don't know what's safe." Their lawsuit alleges that carpet manufacturers treated flooring materials with PFAS-containing products, which release the forever chemicals through the air. They said the chemicals were dumped into local sewers, which led to the spread of contaminated biosolids on land. The contamination is extensive, according to experts. The lawsuit claims that the companies knew the risks for decades but kept using PFAS without proper warnings or safeguards. Why does the lawsuit matter? PFAS are a group of toxic chemicals often used in the production of various everyday products, including food packaging, cosmetics, nonstick cookware, and clothing. They're also found in food and water. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. They are known as forever chemicals because they can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down, potentially contaminating soil, water, and wildlife habitats in the process. PFAS have been linked to multiple negative health effects, including decreased birth weight, kidney and testicular cancer, and increased cholesterol levels, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The Dalton lawsuit could help raise awareness of PFAS contamination and highlight harmful corporate practices that affect nearby communities. What's being done about the contamination? Experts and lawmakers are working to limit human exposure to PFAS. Scientists are exploring ways to either remove them from drinking water or break them down into harmless compounds. Lawmakers are working to reduce PFAS exposure by keeping them out of everyday products. In Illinois, lawmakers passed the PFAS Reduction Act, a bill that aims to ban sales of certain household items containing PFAS by 2032. Similarly, the European Commission is proposing to ban forever chemicals from various consumer products. You can limit your exposure to PFAS by supporting eco-conscious brands. Learning about greenwashing also helps you identify corporate irresponsibility and understand how companies may mislead customers about their products' safety and environmental impacts. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
West Australian
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Sam Kerr says Leroy's in Perth is fave coffee ahead of leaving WA with Kristie Mewis and baby Jagger
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has said farewell to her hometown for now after she was in Perth to support the national team's four-game stint. The Fremantle-born was spotted at Perth Airport on Wednesday with her partner Kristie Mewis and baby son Jagger in tow. Kerr was in charge of hauling the family's multiple suitcases while Mewis attempted to shield their little one from prying paparazzi cameras. At the weekend, they enjoyed a brunch with Kerr's parents, with Mewis seen holding their two-month old in a baby carrier. Kerr was quick to snap an update for Instagram telling her fans where they could get Perth's best coffee. The 31-year-old came to the conclusion that Leroy's in Peppermint Grove had the best beans and baristas on hand. Their departure comes after Kerr stepped out to train with the Matildas for the first time since injuring her ACL during a Chelsea training camp in Morocco in January last year. Kerr was not part of the squad's friendlies against Slovenia and Panama. During Australia's first match against Slovenia at HBF Park, Kerr sent fans into a frenzy, and for their running shoes, with a pre-game signing session. Kerr and Mewis began their relationship around 2020 before confirming they were a couple on social media in August 2021 and were engaged by 2023.
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Maison & Objet, the Paris-based home and lifestyle trade show, announces leadership change
Translated by Nazia BIBI KEENOO Published July 3, 2025 Maison & Objet, the influential Paris-based trade fair known for showcasing global trends in design, lifestyle, and interior décor, is undergoing a leadership transition as part of a broader strategic transformation. Organized by SAFI and held twice a year, the show attracts thousands of industry professionals and retailers from around the world. Mélanie Leroy, who has served as managing director since 2023, announced her departure in a LinkedIn post, describing it as a personal career shift and the beginning of a new chapter. Mélanie Leroy - DR Her exit comes as Maison & Objet evolves to meet shifting dynamics in the global design and events industries. Trade fairs are facing growing pressure to adapt to changing retail habits, increasing demands for digital engagement, and rising expectations from both exhibitors and visitors. Leroy brought a strong corporate background to her role, having previously held senior positions at L'Oréal, Carrefour, Casino, and IDKids. At IDKids, she led the ConsoBaby community platform and oversaw the company's marketplace strategy, product development, and retail media activities. During her tenure at SAFI, Leroy helped reposition Maison & Objet for a fast-changing landscape. She modernized the show's identity, expanded its digital platform MOM (Maison & Objet and More), and introduced a refreshed event calendar designed to differentiate each edition through targeted themes. She also launched the Women & Design network to elevate the visibility and leadership of women in the design & Objet will return to Paris Nord Villepinte from September 4 to 8, shining a spotlight on emerging talent. Held in tandem with Paris Design Week, the trade show continues to serve as both a launchpad for rising designers and a key business destination for the international design Leroy's departure, Maison & Objet enters a new chapter—one that reflects the evolving demands of the international market and the growing intersection of design, innovation, and cultural relevance. Copyright © 2025 All rights reserved.
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Maison & Objet, the Paris-based home and lifestyle trade show, announces leadership change
Maison & Objet, the influential Paris-based trade fair known for showcasing global trends in design, lifestyle, and interior décor, is undergoing a leadership transition as part of a broader strategic transformation. Organized by SAFI and held twice a year, the show attracts thousands of industry professionals and retailers from around the world. Mélanie Leroy, who has served as managing director since 2023, announced her departure in a LinkedIn post, describing it as a personal career shift and the beginning of a new chapter. Her exit comes as Maison & Objet evolves to meet shifting dynamics in the global design and events industries. Trade fairs are facing growing pressure to adapt to changing retail habits, increasing demands for digital engagement, and rising expectations from both exhibitors and visitors. Leroy brought a strong corporate background to her role, having previously held senior positions at L'Oréal, Carrefour, Casino, and IDKids. At IDKids, she led the ConsoBaby community platform and oversaw the company's marketplace strategy, product development, and retail media activities. During her tenure at SAFI, Leroy helped reposition Maison & Objet for a fast-changing landscape. She modernized the show's identity, expanded its digital platform MOM (Maison & Objet and More), and introduced a refreshed event calendar designed to differentiate each edition through targeted themes. She also launched the Women & Design network to elevate the visibility and leadership of women in the design sector. Maison & Objet will return to Paris Nord Villepinte from September 4 to 8, shining a spotlight on emerging talent. Held in tandem with Paris Design Week, the trade show continues to serve as both a launchpad for rising designers and a key business destination for the international design community. With Leroy's departure, Maison & Objet enters a new chapter—one that reflects the evolving demands of the international market and the growing intersection of design, innovation, and cultural relevance.
