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We got the chance to interview the lead voice actor for Jessica’s Little Big World, Lucinda Cunningham (Jessica Williams), along with show runners, Tiffany Ford (EP/Co-Creator), Ben Levin (EP/Co-Creator), and Matt Burnett (EP/Co-Creator). We talk about the different dynamics that exist with Jessica taking the spotlight as the youngest sibling, the risks the show takes, and how Jessica’s imagination plays out throughout the show. You can check that interview out above and read the review of the show below.

You can quote me on this. From 2018 to 2023, Craig of the Creek was the best cartoon on the air. It achieved greatest of all time status. The internet loved them ‘creek kids’ even when that Warner Bros. Discovery merger didn’t love them back and canceled them. My heart was hurt then, but knowing we had the spin off Jessica’s Big Little World waiting in the wings was enough to let me bump that Celine Dion because I knew with this spin-off, my heart would go on.

Jessica’s Big Little World hits the ground running and captures a childlike wonder much different than its predecessor. In Craig of the Creek, we see the world through Craig Williams eyes and his dynamic with his family. With the spotlight now being on Jessica, the world as she sees it feels much softer than her older brother Craig. The background colors of Jessica’s Big Little World are filled with soft pastels. The characters we’ve seen before are drawn with a lighter feel to them. Obviously, this is due to there being different artist, but it serves as such a great difference between Jessica and Craig’s reality.

Little Jessica, Big Differences

One of my favorite things about the show is getting to see the different dynamics between Jessica and her siblings. Craig is soft with Jessica but has moments where he is short with her like Bernard can be with him. However, Bernard is never short with Jessica. Bernard speaks softly to her, is patient with her, and serves as more of a guide. We see Jessica isn’t antagonistic with Bernard but is often in awe of him. I am such a fan of how the mother, Nicole Williams, often says, Miss Jessica when talking to her daughter. Jessica’s journey in the show is wanting to be a big girl, and I feel the nickname her mother gives her acknowledges that. That acknowledgment is important as we then start seeing how Jessica envisions her older self in the mirror, which then comes to life.

Big Jessica (voiced by Ozioma Akagha) is such a delight on screen. She’s dressed like she stepped out of a Janet Jackson video. I’m a huge fan of her presence as it shows how Jessica’s imagination works. Big Jessica is also entirely relatable as children often wonder and try to envision what their adult self will look like. Jessica’s Big Little World captures perfectly the way that children see things. We see Jessica try to be more of a big kid, fail, then set plans for herself to succeed (just like a kid would).

The show is giving us an incredible look at Jessica Williams as a little girl headed toward her coming of age story, but first she’s gotta master becoming a big kid. Lucinda Cunningham continues to do amazing work capturing not only Jessica’s humor but innocence as well. We’re seeing how Jessica makes friends, what it looks like for a child wanting to take on more responsibility, and most importantly, we get to see her flourishing in a loving environment. I am three episodes in and loving this series.

Although Craig of the Creek, got taken from us too soon. Jessica’s Little Big World truly feels like a baton pass, movement, and most of all an avenger for a show that was doing groundbreaking work. Now, with Jessica’s Big Little World sole focus on Jessica, we get to see her stepping up to take over and show why this spin-off not only stands on its own two feet but why it will be a contender for goat status as well.

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The post ‘Jessica’s Big Little World’ Spins the Block for Cartoon Network appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.

Good afternoon, folks! Today I want to discuss which picks I got correct and which ones I got wrong! So, let’s get started, shall we?! I predicted that the Chiefs would beat the Jags 27-21, but the final score was 17-9 Chiefs over the Jags in a close game. Despite the win for the Chiefs, their offense did not really play all that well. Luckily, their defense stepped up and forced the Jags offense to kick field goals and not scoring touchdowns. If the Jags offense started scoring touchdowns, they would have won the game. I predicted that the Bills would beat the Raiders 31-17, but the final score was 38-10 Bills over the Raiders in a blowout. I predicted that the 49ers would beat the Rams 37-20, but the final score was 30-23 49ers over the Rams in a close game. I predicted that the Giants would beat the Cardinals 27-24, but the final score was 31-28 Giants over the Cards in a very close game. The Giants in the second half came all the way back from 20-0 deficit and the Cards offense had no answer at all and they started to get bad penalties again. The Giants have suddenly realized that they were going to go 0-3 if they did not win this game. They had to go to San Francisco. However, the Cards offense in the first half played much better than last week against the Commanders. They improved offensively. Now, all the Cardinals have to do is to find a way to finish games and execute better. I predicted that the Cowboys would beat the Jets 30-23, but the final score was 30-10 Cowboys over the Jets. I predicted that the Steelers would beat the Browns 23-20, but the final score was 26-22 Steelers over the Browns in a close game.

I predicted that the Packers would beat the Falcons 24-21, but the final score was 25-24 Falcons over the Packers in a very close game. I predicted that the Broncos would beat the Commanders 34-24, but the final score was 35-33 Commanders over the Broncos in a very close game. The Commanders came all the way back from 21-3 scoring 32 unanswered points. Although, Russell Wilson somehow caught a Hail Mary pass and scored a touchdown. The Broncos failed to tie the game at 35 apiece.  I predicted that the Pats would beat the Dolphins 21-17, but the final score was 24-17 Dolphins over the Pats. I predicted that the Panthers would beat the Saints 19-13, but the final score was 20-17 Saints over the Panthers in a close game.

Overall, I have gotten 6 out of 10 picks correct!!!! Now, let’s get to the NFL week 3 picks, shall we?! The first game I will predict is the Saints @Packers game. I think the Saints will beat the Packers 20-16 in a close game. The next game I will predict is the Broncos @Dolphins game. I think the Dolphins will beat the Broncos 31-25. The next game I will predict is the Bills @Commanders game. I think the Bills will beat the Commanders 31-27 in a very close game. The next game I will predict is the Colts @Ravens game. I think the Ravens will beat the Colts 35-17. The next game I will predict is the Panthers @Seahawks game. I think the Seahawks will beat the Panthers 27-14. The next game I will predict is the Bears @Chiefs game. I think the Chiefs will beat the Bears 24-13. The next game I will predict is the Cowboys @Cardinals game, the America’s Game of the Week. The Cowboys have been destroying teams. Their best player on the defense is Micah Parsons, but their star cornerback Trevon Diggs has suffered a torn ACL and will likely be out for quite a while. The Cards on the other hand have lost Budda Baker, LJ Collier and Josh Woods. The Cards offense will have to find a way to deal with Micah Parsons who can be anywhere on the defense. You don’t know where he is. I think the Cowboys will beat the Cards 35-13. The Cowboys might be a bit too much for the Cards to handle. The next game I will predict is the Steelers @Raiders on Sunday Night Football. I think the Steelers will beat the Raiders 34-20. The next game I will predict is the Eagles @Bucs game on Monday Night Football. I think the Eagles squeak out a win over the Bucs 30-20. The last game I will predict is the Rams @Bengals game also on Monday Night Football. I think the Bengals will beat the Rams as their revenge from the Super Bowl 31-21.

So, what do you guys think about the NFL week 3 picks?! I would love to hear your thoughts and comments down below!

Stay tuned for NFL updates.

The post Week 2 NFL Prediction Updates and Week 3 Picks! appeared first on The Nerd Element.

Ayesha Curry, the founder and CEO of lifestyle brand Sweet July, added skincare products to her wheelhouse in July and has already expanded the new branch.

Curry, born in Canada and of Jamaican heritage, recently went to Instagram to announce the newest addition to her Sweet July Skin line, Soursop vitamin C serum. 

Soursop is a fruit found in tropical regions of the Americas and Caribbean countries, such as Jamaica.

“It’s finally here. Beyond excited to announce our @Sweetjulyskin Soursop Vitamin C Serum,” she posted. “This is a gentle Vitamin C serum infused with soursop extract, ferulic acid, and green tea to visibly brighten, firm, and hydrate to reveal your most radiant-looking skin. “

The Vitamin C serum retails at $65. Other products in this vegan skincare line include the Pava Exfoliating Cleanser ($39), The Pava Toner ($32), and Irie face oil ($60).   

The company also offers skincare accessories, including face towels, headbands, and reusable face rounds ranging from $22 to $38. 

The entrepreneur told Vogue that her mother and grandmother inspired her to create these products b

“Throughout my life, I’ve learned a lot about skincare and the natural benefits derived from superfoods like papaya and guava from my mother and grandmother. In pairing those ingredients with proven actives, we’ve developed a skincare experience that is great for your skin but also truly enjoyable. I’m excited to share a little bit of my Jamaican culture with everyone through these products,” she told Vogue.

Sweet July Skincare is featured on both Black Is Remarkable and Buy Black Store, which features Black-owned businesses on Amazon. 

In an interview with E! News, Curry discussed her partnership with Amazon 

“I am so excited to have our “Sweet July” products selling in Amazon’s store, and I’m honored to be a Black business owner selling in Amazon’s store alongside so many other amazing brands,” she shared.

Curry will also support other Black-owned businesses by sharing her favorite products from the Black Is Remarkable storefront and the Buy Black Store. 

“Amazon and I are both extremely committed to supporting Black-owned businesses, and they are making it easy for customers to discover and shop the incredible selection these businesses provide,” Curry told E! News. “I also love using the new Small Business search filter, which helps customers filter their searches to discover products from small business brands and artisans while shopping.”

Sweet July Skincare products start at $22 and can be purchased on its website or omazon.com. For more information about the Sweet July Lifestyle Brand, visit www.sweetjuly.com.

RELATED CONTENT: Ayesha Curry Dishes On First Skincare Line, Says She Created ‘Recipes for Your Face.’

As a toast to the new autumn season, BLACK ENTERPRISE would like to share an empowering conversation with the founder and CEO of La Fête Wine Co., Donae Burston. He dropped seasonal sipping tips, business knowledge, and receipts about his journey to becoming the world’s No.1 rosé wine brand.

As a Black-owned brand, La Fête has been a disruptor in the alcohol industry since its inception in 2019.

The world traveler is no stranger to the wine industry, having worked with iconic luxury brands for over 15 years. After one conversation, we captured the essence of Burston’s ongoing quest to bridge the gap between Black buyers, winemakers, decision-makers, and restaurateurs.

Leveraging his connections, Burston witnessed firsthand just how quintessential the multicultural consumer is to the industry.

“When you get into the alcohol business, it is extremely challenging when you don’t have a celebrity as the face of the brand. Certainly we caught a lot of flack in the beginning,” Burston told BE.

“Now some other brands have caught onto our messaging, and they’re starting to see that the value and the growth of the category is really outside of the cliche,” he continued.

“Immerse yourself in every aspect of the business,” Burston advised, crediting his thirst for knowledge despite facing the challenges of inviting people of color, an audience often overlooked in the wine industry and the conversation.

I tried the wine!

Burston suggested that we warm up our chilly nights with his rosé, its delicate sweetness and freshness reminiscent of a sunset on a beach. The liquid gold paired perfectly with a hearty grilled salmon meal. The exquisite La Fête Blanc danced on my palate. Its vibrant, fruity flavors transported me to the dance floor as if I were on a honeymoon island.

Burston said that La Fête is where the party meets approachable luxury. “You can consume it however you want.”

La Fête is home wherever you are.

Burston is the 2023 Breakthru Tastemaker, leading a legacy for his wine brand La Fête du Rosé by creating an ecosystem for Black and Brown wine founders.

“Knowing that I have to start to let go and bring on a team that is far more better than I am at things has been a game changer,” Burston explained. “Instead of trying to do everything not well, we’re going to do things amazingly well by bringing in the talent.”

The movement continues in the wake of DEI casualties despite the slowing down of business connections with major retailers. Burston started strong with generous donations to The Roots Fund and continues to support organizations that expose underrepresented youth to the world via travel. All Abroad Inc. was their first beneficiary and partner.

In a continuous effort to connect the Black community with wine, La Fête Wine Company is currently sponsoring The Roots Fund’s HBCU Wine Tour in partnership with Michael Lavelle Wines.

“For La Fête, we need to be where that consumer is,” Burston said. He contemplated just how far and wide his brand continues to go.

“Here, it is brand validation and brand association. It’s about brand discovery in other places and bringing a piece of home with you.”

Cheers to that!

RELATED CONTENT: The Luxurious Rise Of The Youngest Black-Owned Wine Company