Patti LaBelle celebrated her 80th birthday with a surprise party in New York, attended by an array of stars including Whoopi Goldberg, Gayle King, Gladys Knight, Sherri Shepherd, Debbie Allen, Tamron Hall, Andy Cohen, and Tina Knowles. LaBelle was deeply moved by the turnout, saying, "I was crying after seeing all the guests who came to surprise me. Everyone I know in the industry was here, and I had a lot of tears. But I had to keep on my lashes, so I couldn't cry too much." Happy 80th Birthday, Patti LaBelle!
Music legend Gladys Knight also celebrated her 80th birthday this past Tuesday. Knight shared on Instagram, "80 years of beautiful life, love, service, celebration, achievement, falling, faith, fun, lessons, blessings, friendship, collaboration, soul sharing and more. I am so grateful to celebrate another amazing birthday. I am honored to live this wonderful life." President Biden honored Gladys Knight in March with the National Medal of Arts.
Congratulations to Pastor Jamal Bryant, who announced his engagement to Christian motivational speaker Pastor Karri Turner after over five years of leading New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. Bryant shared his joy with his congregation, saying, “I can’t tell you how happy I am, how happy my family is, how happy my children are, and I hope my church is happy for me.” His ex-wife, Gizelle Bryant of The Real Housewives of Potomac, expressed her support by writing, “Congratulations! Very happy for you!”
In viral news, a TikTok video captured a young girl in New York defending her mother, who she claimed was falsely accused of stealing luxury sunglasses. The Black Information Network reported that the mother and daughter were seen standing outside the store, with the young girl angrily confronting New York Police Officers. The theft suspect was described as a black female with long braids and a white shirt, and the girl also accused her aunt of the theft.