This Week in Good Black News: Travis Scott's Toy Drive, Mariah Carey's Holiday Milestone, and Swizz Beatz’s Son's College Acceptance
From holiday cheer to unforgettable milestones, this week in good Black news is filled with heartwarming stories.
Travis Scott brought the spirit of giving to Houston with his annual Winter Wonderland Park, distributing toys, food, and scholarships to local families. Over in Beverly Hills, Niecy Nash-Betts and Adrienne Maloof combined festive fun with philanthropy at their lavish holiday party supporting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” continues to break records, and Swizz Beatz surprised his son Kasseem with the ultimate 18th birthday gift.
For more on these stories and more, keep reading.
Travis Scott brings holiday cheer to Houston
Rapper Travis Scott and his Cactus Jack Foundation returned with their annual Winter Wonderland Park this year.
For the fifth year, the “SIKO MODE” emcee brought holiday cheer to his hometown of Houston.
Joined by his daughter Stormi, the rapper distributed over 2,000 toys, including Nike Cactus Jack sneakers and 1,000 food bags to local families.
The event, featuring appearances by Santa Claus and Don Toliver, also spotlighted the Waymon Webster Scholarship Program, which has awarded over $1 million to HBCU seniors since 2019.
Niecy Nash hosts Christmas extravaganza toy drive
Travis Scott wasn’t the only star giving back before Wednesday’s Christmas holiday. Niecy Nash-Betts and Adrienne Maloof hosted their annual holiday party on Dec. 21, 2024, at Maloof’s Beverly Hills estate, blending festive fun with philanthropy.
“I love a party with a purpose,” Nash-Betts told VIBE, highlighting the event’s toy drive for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The estate dazzled with Christmas decor, from gingerbread houses to Santa Claus, creating a magical atmosphere. Guests enjoyed curated music, intimate seating, and lively conversations, embodying Nash-Betts’ vision of a gathering that “fellowships” and gives back.
Bow Wow nearly left in tears following daughter’s Christmas day speech
Bow Wow was reminded Christmas morning of his contributions as a father when his daughter, Shai Moss, delivered an emotional tribute that nearly brought him to tears.
In her heartfelt message, Shai called the veteran emcee her “rock, built-in bestie, food partner, and everything,” expressing deep gratitude for his sacrifices.
“Christmas is all about love, family, and togetherness. Thank you for being an incredible dad. I love you,” she said before embracing him. Bow Wow later admitted, “She almost had me y’all… I went to the bathroom and let my tears fall, then came back out a G,” calling it the "best gift ever."
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Snoop Dogg’s daughter Cori is expecting her first child
Snoop Dogg’s daughter, Cori Broadus, shared exciting news this week: she and fiancé Wayne Deuce are expecting their first child together.
“This baby is so unplanned, but we are soooooo blessed,” Cori told E! News, adding that despite her lupus diagnosis, both she and the baby, a girl, are “doing perfectly fine.” Her parents are thrilled, though Snoop hoped for a grandson.
Cori and Deuce, engaged since November 2022, postponed their wedding after her stroke earlier this year but are now back on track. Their journey, including wedding planning, is featured in a reality series that premiered on December 5.
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” hits new milestones
Mariah Carey's holiday classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” has topped the Billboard Hot 100 for an unmatched 17th cumulative week, becoming her longest-reigning No. 1 hit.
Celebrating its sixth seasonal No. 1 since 2019, the festive anthem also broke records on the Streaming Songs chart with 21 total weeks at No. 1. Carey, who now holds 19 Hot 100 chart-toppers, remains one hit away from tying The Beatles’ record of 20.
Swizz Beatz delivered the ultimate surprise on his son’s 18th birthday
Swizz Beatz gave his son Kasseem Dean Jr. an 18th birthday surprise he’ll never forget, revealing his acceptance to New York University during a yacht party. Guests greeted Kasseem with NYU gear, shouting, “Welcome to NYU!” as he hugged his parents, Swizz, Mashonda, and stepmother Alicia Keys.
Notably, Swizz has ties to NYU as a former Producer in Residence at its Clive Davis Institute.
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Usher gives his daughter’s classmates a dance lesson in an adorable clip
Usher, joined by his wife, Jennifer Goicoechea, made a memorable visit to his 4-year-old daughter Sovereign Bo’s preschool for parent-teacher day, giving the kids a special dance lesson.
The Epic Records VP of A&R described her role as helping artists “make music, put on shows, [and] do videos” before proudly introducing her husband as “an entertainer.”
The R&B crooner introduced himself, saying, “Sove gets to call me daddy, but the rest of the world knows me as Usher.”
After explaining his inspiration from Wreck-It Ralph’s Vanellope, he taught the kids his signature move, “The Glitch.”