Whew chile.  'black-ish' is going there in its final season.  And it's the conversation we ALL need to be having.  We've got an exclusive sneak peek at this week's episode inside.

Black male vulnerability is always a hot topic.  Are black males allowed to show emotion - pain, sadness, fear - to the public?  Or, is the question, should they?

It seems like such a moot topic in 2022 - the era of normalizing wellness and mental health - but it's STILL a thing in certain communities.

Of course, there's generational differences in the way folks feel men - especially black men - should handle their emotions.  So y'all know "Take it like a man" Dre (Anthony Anderson) and "Wear my heart on my sleeve" Junior (Marcus Scribner) - who is suffering through a break up - were going to butt heads on this.  But it's a necessary convo folks need to see play out.  Watch the sneak peek below:

"black-ish" (@blackishabc) airs TUESDAYS at 9:30/8:30c on ABC! 

The series finale airs April 19, 2022.  Get your tissues ready!

Photo: ABC

Chile, your girl Tina has had it with the "experiment" that is "Ready To Love" and she calls out Paul while explaining why she wanted to self-eliminate.  And it's not pretty.  Watch our exclusive sneak peek inside.

Folks have been extra mad at "Ready To Love" star Tina for basically self-eliminating from the entire dating process the show is about because she claimed it was too hard dating 4-5 men she wasn't vibing with immediately.  So when the cast came together to talk to host Nephew Tommy on tonight's episode, things get heated.  And Tina's not the only one who gets called out.

In the sneak peek, Tina is confronted after ghosting the process and drops a bomb about Paul. Nephew Tommy asks Tina her reasons for ghosting everyone on the show, and she calls Paul a liar, saying he and someone they called on 3-way confirmed he was solely doing the show to promote his upcoming book.  He apparently wasn't actually there to find love, and pressured Tina to self eliminate so he could have her to himself.

Chile, you gotta watch.

"Ready to Love" is Friday night's top original cable series among African American women, and we can see why.   Tune in for new episodes on Fridays at 8/7c and catch up on the Watch OWN app.

Photo: OWN

Disney put a 2022 gender-swapped spin on the classic fairy tale Cinderella where a female mogul-in-the-making joins forces with an orphaned sneaker lover from Queens to achieve their ultimate sneaker dream. TheYBF chopped it up with Sneakerella stars Lexi Underwood and Chosen Jacobs to ask them everything about their unique film. Find out what they told us inside…

Boy meets girl…with a twist.

Disney’sSneakerella is a reimagination of the classic fairy tale Cinderella, however, the film adds a modern-day gender-swap version of the traditional narrative. There’s no damsel in distress, no glass slippers, and no pumpkin carriage. The new narrative includes a female mogul-in-the-making, a Hip Hop opera, basketball, and a Fairy Godfather!

Sneakerella is set in the vibrant street-sneaker subculture of New York City. El (played by ChosenJacobs) is an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens who works as a stock boy in the shoe store that once belonged to his late mother.

El hides his artistic talent from his overburdened stepfather and two mean-spirited stepbrothers who constantly stomp on any opportunity that comes his way. When El meets Kira King (played by Lexi Underwood), the fiercely independent daughter of legendary basketball star and sneaker tycoon Darius King (played by retired NBA legend John Salley), sparks fly as the two bond over their mutual affinity for sneakers.

With some help from his best friend and a sprinkle of Fairy Godfather magic, El finds the courage to use his talent to pursue his dream of becoming a ‘legit’ sneaker designer in the industry. 

TheYBF’sJames Terrell chopped it up with Lexi Underwood about her unique lead role as Kira King and the importance of little girls seeing representations of themselves in roles that encourage female empowerment.

”She’s a mogul in the making in the midst of an industry that - until recent years - has really been male dominated,” Lexi shared. “I feel like that’s important to see - representation. It’s really dope imagery.”

PERIODT.

Peep the clip below:

Working on the film, Lexi was given the inside scoop on the sneaker industry and learned that making a sneaker isn’t as easy as it seems. Check it:

Chosen Jacobs is a huge basketball fan, so working with four-time NBA champion John Salley was literally a dream come true. He grew up watching documentaries about the "Bad Boy Pistons" and that era, so he was ecstatic.

"To meet him in person, he's a friendly giant. He's so funny, charismatic and made me feel so comfortable [on set]. I'm sure we ruined some takes just laughing and joking," he shared. 

So dope. 

The young actor is also a vocalist and he shared the top two artists he would love to work with in the future. Find out who he said below: 

Sneakerella is now available to stream on Disney+

Photos:Disney/John Manno

The cast of ”Love & Marriage: DC” stepped out to The Park at 14th for the premiere and TheYBF.com was on the scene to get the scoop on what fans can expect from the new series set to shed light on positive black love and relationships. Get into it…

After leaving the “Real Housewives of Potomac," Monique Samuels and her hubby Chris Samuels are making their return to the reality TV limelight on Carlos King’s spin-off series, “Love & Marriage: DC.”

The brand new series will give fans an inside look at the 38-year-old’s life as a wife to the former NFLer and a mom to their three children while keeping several businesses afloat.

The couple is joined by other successful black couples - their friends Erana and Jamie Tyler, as well as DJQuickSilva and his wife Ashley Silva - as they navigate running their businesses while juggling their personal lives and friendships in the D.C., Virginia, and Maryland area.

Before the show’s debut, the cast made their way to The Park at 14th in Washington, D.C. for the red carpet premiere. YBF correspondent Nicole Williams was on the scene to chop it up with cast about the show, what they’ve learned and how they’ve evolved.

After saying goodbye to reality television more than two years ago, Monique and Chris shared with us what the difference is between this cast and the cast from “that other show." They also told us they're going to stay authentic to themselves and you can either love it or hate it.

”We have a real story and we are not afraid to show who we are,” Monique told Nicole on the carpet. Peep the clip below:

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by TheYBF (@theybf_daily)

DJ QuickSilva and his wife Ashley Silva shared what they learned about each other after filming the show.

”He learned that the star of the family is me,” Ashley joked before her hubby gave a good answer. Check it:

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by TheYBF (@theybf_daily)

Check out more flicks and videos from the premiere event below:  

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by QUICKSILVA (@djquicksilva)

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Erana Tyler (@therealeranatyler)

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Ashley Brittney Silva (@ashleybrittney)

"Ready to Love" stars Demetrius, Carmen, Clifton and Donovan were in the mix:

Fun times. 

"Love & Marriage: DC" premiered on OWN last night and here are some social media reactions: 

Not obsessed with “perfect” marriages. Asking for tips on how to get through rough patches is a huge difference. I give tips all the time to any random person who needs them. My bad for needing to be poured into the way I do for others. Wrong place, wrong time #LAMDChttps://t.co/ijBvj9MZoX

— Monique Samuels (@iammrssamuels) May 15, 2022

The worse thing you can do if you’re marriage is struggling is to be on reality television. #LMDC#LAMDC

— Ola Ojewumi (@Olas_Truth) May 15, 2022

Actually I’m saying that other show because it literally is that other show #LAMDC#LAMH#THENIGHTCAP#LMDChttps://t.co/KLk75qJPFE

— Monique Samuels (@iammrssamuels) May 15, 2022

I’m enjoying it so far. #LAMDC#LMDChttps://t.co/QFwbnMdRht

— Terrence L Giles (@PowerMan24) May 15, 2022

Monique reintroduces herself, and speaks on being done with Reality TV until Carlos King approached her with this show. #LAMDCpic.twitter.com/dni2feUMVz

— jay (@JaysRealityBlog) May 15, 2022

Did you watch? New episodes air Saturdays at 9/8c on OWN.

Photos: YBF Correspondent Nicole Williams

Awkwaaaard.  Maybe switching to "Love & Marriage: DC" was a good move for Monique & ChrisSamuels so they could focus more on strengthening the communication in their marriage.  Because based on the exclusive clip we just received from tomorrow's episode, they DO NOT see eye to eye.  Watch inside.

Now that the Samuels have taken their talents - meaning their super cute family - over to OWN from Bravo's "Real Housewives of Potomac", we've been getting an even deeper peek into their 10-year marriage. 

On this premiere season of "Love & Marriage: DC," Chris and Monique are opening up about the issues in their marriage we might not have noticed previously - and that's the communication issues.

While The Samuels are discussing their trip to Kenya, things got heated and hella awkward when Monique didn't feel like Chris was being open and vulnerable with her.  When he seemingly refused to understand where she was coming from, the ultimate silent treatment was enacted and the cameras were told they could leave, since Monique wasn't feeling their discussion anymore. AT ALL.  The visible frustration seems to be happening a lot with these two.

Watch the exclusive clip above!

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Monique Samuels (@mrsmoniquesamuels)

Hopefully we'll see that Monique & Chris have worked through some things on the trip, which looked amazing btw. 

What do you think will happen?!

"Love & Marriage: D.C." airs Saturdays at 9/8c on OWN.

Photo: OWN

Otis & Charlana have reached the end of the experiment on "Put A Ring On It," but hold off on the marital celebration right quick.  Because Otis just got READ about his toxicity.  We've got an exclusive sneak peek at the season finale, inside.

One of the three couples on OWN's "Put A Ring On It" has definitely triggered folks more than others.  And that would be Otis and Charlana.

After Otis basically gaslit his partner, Charlana, by attempting to make her feel lie a "weak woman" for saying she doesn't want to have male friends outside of their relationship (chile, wut?!), the internets were about done with his toxicity. The fact these two made it to the end of the experiment is shocking.  But here we are.

Otis and Charlana who have been together for three years. While Otis says he values communication, Charlana says that he shuts her down any time he doesn't like what she has to say. Charlana also thinks Otis is also incredibly controlling and believes that the woman should be submissive. Charlana has no problem standing up for herself, but her strength doesn't always solve problems when pitted against Otis's manipulation.

On tonight's season finale, Dr. Nicole and Otis discuss Otis’s journey, and there seems to be a disconnect between Otis and Charlana.  He believes they have "come so far," and Dr. Nicole basically said, "Nah.  Not according to Charlana."

Watch the exclusive sneak peek below:

Will Shay and Charlie be putting a ring on it or ending up alone?

Also in tonight's finale – Ken and Shorty's relationship comes to an end. The remaining two couples evaluate their journeys. Otis and Fonzo buy rings, but Dr. Nicole tells one of them they aren't ready for marriage.

The "Put A Ring On It" season finale airs tonight (Friday) at 9/8c.  Will you be watching?!

Photos: OWN

Shay and Alfonzo may have ended up engaged, but in our exclusive sneak peek at tonight's "Put A Ring On It" reunion, we see there's been a MAJOR shakeup.  Watch inside.

Shay and Alfonzo are looking back at their engagement during tonight's episode of "Put A Ring On It".  But it's the  major reveal from them that has us GAGGED.

Host Egypt Sherrod doesn't pull any punches when she sits down with the three couples -- and their dates! -- to talk about the journey.  When she got to Shay and Alfonzo, they talked about her decision to call him her “spouse” and why that spouse term almost was a moot point....because they separated after the proposal that aired!

Watch above to see their explanation and a look at her NEW diamond ring.  Get your shades because it's a DOOZY.

The Season 3 Reunion airs tonight (Friday) at 9p/8CT on OWN.

Photo: OWN

Their friction has been bubbling under for a while now, but this Sunday, "RHOA" stars Kenya and Marlo actually let each other have it.  We've got an exclusive sneak peek at this Sunday's upcoming episode inside.

Newbie Marlo Hampton might be new to holding a peach, but she's been a friend-to-the-show long enough to get to know Kenya Moore and the other ladies pretty well.  So we're not that shocked Marlo & Kenya - despite both being members of "The Talls" - are facing off these days.

In Sunday's episode, we see the two go toe-to-toe at lunch in front of all the ladies. Kenya's not here for what she sees as Marlo being rude and condescending about how exactly people should give back to those in need.  It doesn't help that last week, Marlo called Kenya out saying she wasn't actually sick when Kenya skipped out on the "girls night pampering" intended to cheer up Sheree after her "prison bae" dipped on her once again.  Marlo said because Kenya had on a full face of makeup when she facetimed her to find out where she was....Kenya couldn't have possibly been sick like she claimed.

Needless to say, the beef boiled over at lunch.  Things were said and wigs were insulted, chile. Check out our exclusive sneak peek above!

"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" airs Sundays on BRAVO at 8PM ET/PT.

Photos: Bravo

The "RHOA" ladies are getting a few familiar faces at this week's dinner party at Sheree Whitfield's house.  We've got the exclusive sneak peek inside at how a little "game" the group played almost made the vibes go left thanks to Drew Sidora.

One of the "RHOA" originals is headed back to your TV this Sunday as Lisa Wu (no more Hartwell) joins her girl Sheree at her dinner party. Friend of the cast, Monyetta Shaw, is also at the party, so it's a full house for sure.

After ongoing drama this season between Kandi Burruss and Marlo Hampton, Kenya and Marlo, as well as between Drew and newbie Sanya Richards Ross, the ladies all decide to at least try to make it a positive vibe all around by playing a game of “Yass Queen!”  They were to go around the table sharing positive sentiments about each other. Kandi and Marlo hashed out their differences, and Drew...well...did not.

Watch our exclusive sneak peek below:

"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" airs Sundays at 8PM ET/PT on Bravo!

Photo: Bravo

Taking it back to how we used to do things is sometimes a form of self-care. HUSTLE star JordanHull is an advocate for unplugging and breaking free from technology. Find out what she told us about how her flip phone has been her saving grace, plus what she, Queen Latifah and AdamSandler bonded over on set inside….

Self-care comes in many different forms. Sometimes, just doing tasks the old way can become a form of preserving one’s self.

Every week, we all spend countless hours mindlessly scrolling through our phones’ apps, soaking in content, gathering information and communicating with family and friends. Sometimes, we need a break. And sometimes, taking a break means going back to how we USED to do things - before ish got some technical and complicated.

Millennial actress JordanHull knows all too well. She landed her breakout role on “The L Word: Generation Q,” the sequel to SHOWTIME’s groundbreaking 2004 series “The L Word.” Now, she’s starring opposite of AdamSandler and Queen Latifah in Netflix’s newest film HUSTLE.

Being an actress during these times isn’t just perfecting your craft. These days, actors and actresses are online quite a bit, making their presence known on several platforms to promote their brand. But sometimes, you just need a technological break. We all do. Jordan has found a way to enjoy that break, but still stay connected. She ditched her fancy phone for a flip phone. For work, she uses her iPhone without a SIM card, but if you need to reach her, you'll have to hit her up on her limited flip phone.

“I feel like I have so much more space in my mind, and a lot of boundaries where it comes to work and where work comes to my personal life,” she told YBF correspondent James Terrell.“So, I really enjoy it and would recommend anybody that feels like their brain needs a break from the iPhones.”

In Netflix’s HUSTLE, Jordan plays Alex, who is the daughter of Queen Latifah and Adam Sandler’s characters.

The film follows Stanley Sugerman (Sandler), a travel-weary Philadelphia 76ers scout who has higher ambitions of being a coach but remains stuck on the road looking for the next unknown talent. His search around the world leads him to Spain, where he discovers Bo Cruz (Utah Jazz forward JuanchoHernangómez), an incredible streetball player with a troubled past. Stanley and Bo connect on and off the court over their shared passions for the game and family. Together they want to prove they can win, in basketball and in life. Jordan plays Alex Sugerman, who is a creative teenager with dreams of attending film school. She plays an important role in the movie as she tries to assist her dad with preparing Bo Cruz for the NBA.

Fittingly, the film was produced by LeBronJames and MaverickCarter.

Jordan shared how she bonded with Queen and Adam over Jazz music on set. They put her on to music she hadn’t yet discovered.

“With Adam and Queen, I would ask them their favorite genre of music and stuff like that and surprisingly we all aligned on Jazz music. I’m such a huge fan and they both introduced me to Horace Silver and Charles Mingus and it was just like a really, really special time to bond, not only over the movie we’re making, but also music.”

Sweet!

You can watch Jordan flex her acting chops in HUSTLE, which is currently streaming on Netflix.

Photos:  Netflix

Sadly, “Queen Sugar” is coming to an end as the final season is set to premiere. But before The Bordelons’ final goodbye, TheYBF.com chopped it up with stars OmarDorsey and TinaLifford to talk about their on-screen relationship and how they relate to their roles. Get into our chat inside…

Over six seasons, “Queen Sugar” has captivated audiences as it gave an intimate look at Black Southern life and all it entails through the eyes of one family, The Bordelons.

Fans have grown to love the entire family, but stars OmarDorsey (who plays Hollywood) and TinaLifford (who plays Aunt Vi/Violet) hold a special place in many hearts as they were the ultimate symbol of mature Black Love - something we don’t often see on television.

There's a huge age gap between Hollywood and Violet, but they break down the stereotype of the younger man/older woman relationship, showing when two people have genuine love for one another, nothing else matters. They are the "ying" to each other’s "yang" and it’s refreshing to see a Black man and Black woman show love and support for one another no matter how hard and overwhelming life can get.

Looking at their relationship, some would call it #CoupleGoals, much like singer Ciara and NFL QB RussellWilson. Over the years, fans of CiCi have often asked her what was HER prayer that manifested Russ in her life.

YBF correspondent James Terrell chopped it up with Omar and Tina where he asked Omar what was Hollywood’s “prayer” to manifest a woman like Aunti Vi in his life.

”This relationship is something Hollywood has always longed for,” Omar said. “Of course, he made that special prayer to find someone who he can be a complete partner to. So when he found Vi, he found exactly what he was looking for.”

Take a listen to his full response about what a relationship should be below:

If you can’t see the video above, watch below:

A fan fave, Aunt Vi def stole the hearts of many viewers. Everyone has been rooting for her to win following all of the trauma and turmoil she endured over her lifetime. When asked if there was ever a moment of art imitating life, she couldn’t think of a scene that she could directly identify with. However, she said Aunt Vi’s role taught her something about life that she needed. 

“There’s this saying in theater that every character you play, it represents something that you need to know or learn, or deal with in your life at that moment. And Aunt Vi is absolutely a perfect fit for me,” she shared.

Tina talked about wanting to change the narrative in terms of how we see ourselves and stepping outside of the box. Below, she she explains how her real-life and Aunt Vi’s life cross below:

If you can't see the clip above, click below:

”Queen Sugar” ending is bittersweet. Omar and Tina said they knew “it was time” to wrap up the series and that they were excited about going out with a bang.

”We knew that we had the responsibility to bring it on home after seven years,” Omar explained.

Check out the clip below where they dish about the process of filming the final season:

If you can't see the clip above, click below:

Tonight is the night! Season 7 of “Queen Sugar” will premiere Tuesday, September 6th at 8PM EST on OWN. Chile, grab your tissues! You already know the series is going to have us all in our feelings.

Photo: Getty 

“Queen Sugar” stars BiancaLawson and RutinaWesleyreflect on the past six seasons of the hit OWN series and both ladies share the cheat code on learning to trust your power to allow your talent to take you to places you’ve never been. Find out what they told us inside….

Over six seasons, ”Queen Sugar” stars BiancaLawson and RutinaWesley played roles that Black women everywhere could relate to. Throughout the series, Darla (played by Bianca) and Nova (played by Rutina) portrayed multifaceted Black women, who were fearless, yet vulnerable, reminding us (and the rest of the world) it’s OK for Black women to be human.

The ladies sat down to chat with YBF correspondent JamesTerrell about learning how to trust your power and allowing yourself to be human as you work towards your dreams. If Rutina could give advice to her younger self, she said she would tell herself to slow down and to believe she “got this.”

”I’ve seen myself do some things through these last seven seasons that I didn’t think I could do - or would have to do,” Rutina said. “But, to just trust yourself. That’s a big thing… when you actually can just trust yourself. It’s easy to trust someone else, but do you trust you?”

”I can have perfectionist tendencies,” Bianca shared. “And then it’s like, not that deep,” she said.

”Don’t take everything so personally because it’s usually not about you. Know your power. It’s OK to honor yourself. Don’t project this mystical excellence on other people because you have it too!,” she concluded.

Both ladies acknowledged how honing in on your own power is what can/will help you to achieve what you’ve set out to do.

Peep the clip below:

If you can not view the clip below, click play below:

Outside of acting, Rutina is an amazing dancer! And we may see Nova bust a move or two in the upcoming season.

And guess what? She shared she inherited her dance moves from her father, who was once a contestant on “Star Search.” She shared a clip of her dad’s performance during a “Star Search” episode that aired in 1987. Watch his footwork below:

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Rutina Wesley (@rutina_wesley)

”My mom said I came out the womb dancing!," Rutina exclaimed."She was like ‘You came out the womb just kicking and screaming.’”

The "True Blood" alum shared her father was doing a show with singer DeanMartin when she was a baby and when the music started playing, she instantly began kicking and waving her arms. She said her dad told her Dean told him, “That girl is going to be a star.”

”I don’t know if it’s true. I was like, ‘Dad did this really happen?’,” she laughed. “My dad is like my twin. I wanted to be a dancer. I decided to start acting in high school, but I definitely wanted to be a dancer. Like, that was my first love.”

Watch the clip below:

If you can’t see the clip above, press play below:

Love it!

The seventh (and final) season of “Queen Sugar” premieres tonight at 8PM EST on OWN. We already have our box of tissues and snacks ready. Will you be tuned in?

Missed our interview with "Queen Sugar" stars OmarDorsey and TinaLifford?! Catch up HERE. 

Photos: Kathy Hutchinson/Shutterstock

Hulu is set to premiere a new legal drama titled “Reasonable Doubt,” which tells a story about a man who was wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t do. TheYBF.com chopped it up with the show’s stars AngelaGrovey and TimJoe about how the series tackles trauma. Find out what they shared inside…

”Reasonable Doubt” is Hulu’s new legal drama - produced by KerryWashington& LarryWilmore - about a man named Damon Cook (played by MichaelEaly) who was wrongfully incarcerated for a crime he didn’t do. He ended up confessing to a crime he didn’t commit so he could eventually walk free after serving several years in prison. Former public defender Jacqueline “Jax” Stewart (played by EmayatzyCorinealdi) works as a high-powered civil and criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, but is forced to help Damon as well as confront painful secrets from her past.

YBF correspondent JadaWatts chopped it up with the show’s stars AngelaGrovey (who plays Krystal) and TimJoe (who plays Daniel) to talk about how the show handles the complexity of black characters and telling stories about the Black experience.

The show highlights traumatic experiences Black men currently face in America simply due to the color of their skin. Angela shared how the show carefully told the story about what actual people experience in their everyday lives.

”I think that it’s a whole story, not just pieces of things for dramatic flare,” Angela explained. “I think that they take care of how we talk about things. I don’t think that it’s meant to retraumatize people, which I think sometimes people use for dramatic effect.”

Peep the clip below:

We definitely can appreciate a show that tells a FULL story verses using Black trauma to make money.

”Reasonable Doubt” debuts today, September 27th, on Hulu.

You’ve heard about Joe Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and you likely still have tons of questions - like “Will my Sallie Mae loan be forgiven?!” Well, we've got you! TheYBF’s Founder & CEO NatashaEubanks chopped it up with AshleyHarrington, Senior Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer in the Office of Federal Student Aid at the Department of Education, to get the real tea so we can get our coins! Catch our exclusive inside…

There’s a lot of drama surrounding Joe Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, so we had to reach out to the source to get all of our questions (and yours) answered, so we can all benefit financially.

The YBF’s founder and CEO, NatashaEubanks, sat down with AshleyHarrington, Senior Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer in the Office of Federal Student Aid at the Department of Education, to get the FACTUAL scoop on how these programs will actually impact us - the good, the bad AND the ugly.

There are actually several loan forgiveness programs, but the two major ones are Student Loan Forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

”This is a once in a generation life changing policy that will directly impact millions of people and millions of people that look like us,” Ashley dished.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program was created by Congress in 2007 to forgive loans for people who work in public service after 10 years of repayment. However, it was for qualifying loans, so there was confusion about who qualified and who the program would help. Tons of people have been rejected over the years. When Biden got into the White House, his administration prioritized student loan forgiveness from Day 1.

If you work in government (federal, state, local or tribal), in the military, or for a non-profit, you likely work for a qualifying employer and you should apply for PSLF before October 31st so you can take advantage of these additional credits. And get this - there’s no cap on the amount forgiven!

”It’s a huge deal. The average borrower is getting $50k-$60k forgiven. I have seen stories of borrowers getting $300K, $150K forgiven. It’s a very real thing for people to be struggling in debt in public service for a while. So, this program was really targeted so people can get in public service and stay in public service. A lot of folks have to take out a lot of debt to do that. I’m one of them. I’m waiting. Working towards my PSLF. It’s not about your income, how much debt you have. It’s about your service,” she explained.

You should apply to get into the program despite the status of your loan. The deadline to apply is October 31st.

Once students loans are forgiven, it’ll give borrowers the ability to feel like they can actually save money for their future.

”Just the ability to actually feel like you’re in the middle class and that the middle class is obtainable because half the time it doesn’t feel like that. A lot of Black folk have middle class income, but don’t have middle class lifestyles because of student loans. It’s the ability to really think beyond this debt,” Ashley said.

The ability to get out from under student loans will change people’s lives.

There’s tons of controversy around Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan. The plan will cancel out $10,000 of federal student loans for Americans earning under $125,000 or $250,000 for married couples. The Biden-Harris Administration is also providing up to $20,000 in loan forgiveness for Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the Department of Education.

So, what’s the real issue?

”The real issue is that we have 44 million people, 1 in 7 adults, with students loan,” Ashley said. “Over 90% of that is from the federal government, so this is a federal problem. We created the student loan crisis. All of what we’re doing is fixing a broken system that doesn’t work. Whenever a system doesn’t work, it disproportionately doesn’t work for Black and Brown people. Black women have to take on more debt than anyone else. We know that. It’s a system that doesn’t work fundamentally doesn’t work and it’s a system we fundamentally can change,” she explained.

Why does this program statically and practically help Black women the most? Ashley said we have a legacy and history of discrimination in this country with Black people being shut out of opportunities to obtain and sustain wealth.

”We have the racial wealth gap. We’ve got the racial income gap and pay gap and that’s exacerbated by gender. We know that Black women are disproportionately burdened by all of this,” she said.

A lot of people have student loans who didn’t finish and guess what - you can still apply!

”There’s a lot of people who never finished, so they got the debt and no degree,” she said.

Tragic.

So, what about parents who received Parent Plus Loans to help their children get through college?

”Absolutely [it’s open] to Parent Plus borrowers,” Ashley confirmed.

What about Sallie Mae loan borrowers? Tons of borrowers received federal student loans from the company that eventually sold their loans to Navient. Navient is a private loan lender, and now the loans are technically classified as private loans.

”Yes, Sallie Mae did sell all of their portfolio to Navient, but they are still federal loans, which means you can still consolidate into the direct loan program,” Ashley said.

If you’re trying to get the PSLF, you need to consolidate before 10/31. For one-time debt relief, you needed to consolidate before September 29th.

Tons of gems were dropped. Be sure to watch the entire interview below to be sure you didn’t miss anything:

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by TheYBF (@theybf_daily)

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by TheYBF (@theybf_daily)

Below are the websites you can visit to get more information on Student Loan Forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness:

One Time Debt Relief

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Remember when Quadd called Toya's husband Dr. Eugene Eu-GYNA on social media? Yeah, they didn't sit well with Toya or Eugene. And they finally have it out on the upcoming "Married To Medicine" reunion finale. We've got an exclusive sneak peek inside.

Things get heated between the Harris couple and Quad Webb during Part 3 of the reunion.

Apparently, the former friends have been heavily beefing for quite a while now, so now that their fighting has reached a boiling point, it all exploded on the final installment of the reunion.

Quadd has been calling out Eugene covering up for Toya's "behavior" and smart talk and heavy spending, saying it's driving him to be unhealthy.  She alludes to Toya being too selfish to care how it's all tearing up the good doctor, and now Toya is pushing all the way back.

After Quadd called Eugene Eu-GYNA (rhymes with vagina), challenging his manhood, that was the last straw.  And the yelling ensued.  We've never seen Eugene this mad.  Which means Toya was MAD mad.

Quadd's explanation for coming for them?  They came for her and shamed her about her divorce.  Watch the fireworks in our exclusive sneak peek above.

Also in the episode: Kiran and Eugene try to settle the score. Scott surprises everyone, revealing a shocking career move. The women join the stage and Contessa confronts Damon.  The ladies get down and dirty as a surprise reprise from Vegas has everyone hot and bothered.

“Reunion Part III” airs Sunday, Nov. 6 at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT

Photos: NBC Universal

As the star of the hit Prime Video series "Harlem,"Tyler Lepley is no stranger to the importance of representation in the entertainment industry. And with gentrification becoming a growing concern for the historic neighborhood of Harlem, Tyler is speaking out about the significance of the show portraying authentic Black culture. Find out what he told us inside…

For more than a century, Black Excellence has been a consistent force behind American culture thanks to its people, resilience, and diversity. People from all over the world have long been inspired and enthralled by the mystique, style, and history of Harlem, New York.

In the hit series "Harlem,"Tyler Lepley plays the role of Ian Walker, a passionate, creative, and well-studied chef striving to make it in the big city. But off-screen, Tyler is just as passionate about using his platform to elevate and represent the black community.

As the star of the hit series "Harlem," Tyler Lepley is no stranger to the importance of representation in the entertainment industry. And with gentrification becoming a growing concern for the historic neighborhood of Harlem, the talented actor is speaking out about the significance of the show in portraying authentic Black culture.

In a recent interview with YBF correspondent JadaWatts, the new dad again shared his thoughts on the significance of "Harlem" in today's climate.

”It’s something that’s so necessary," Tyler said. "It’s necessary to feel as an individual. It’s necessary to show and display as an artist. It’s necessary to consume and watch as a viewer. And it’s something I take great pride in"

He continued, "As black people, having the pride that we have…specifically also being a voice for this culture in Harlem, which is just very specific, it’s rich in culture and it’s continuing to being gentrified daily. So, we have to fight for what we still got. We got to keep it here. It’s been an absolute treat to be able to be a voice for that.”

The actor also spoke about how the show has resonated with audiences, both within and outside the Black community. He also talked about what “Harlem” means to him and how compelling storytelling can help us in the fight for what we believe in and what we take pride in.

Watch our exclusive interview below:

If you can’t view the video above, watch below:

The first two episodes of "Harlem" Season 2 premiere Friday, February 3rd on Amazon Prime Video.

Photo: Amazon Studios

Finding the balance between brutal honesty and kindness in friendships can be a delicate dance. “Harlem” stars Meagan Good and Jerrie Johnson share their perspectives on the importance of honesty in friendships and the need for finding the right balance in our new exclusive interview. Find out what they told TheYBF.com about finding the perfect balance and more inside…

Meagan Good and Jerrie Johnson are two of the four leading ladies in Prime Video’s hit series “Harlem,” created and executive produced by Tracy Oliver. Following a group of four aspirational Black women who graduated from college together, the series explores sisterhood and the complex dynamics that exist within Black communities.

On the show, Camille (played by Meagan) and Tye (played by Jerrie) both share their honest opinions with their friends, although they have slightly different approaches. However, both actresses agree that communication is key in finding a healthy balance between brutal honesty and kindness within a friendship.

Now, fans are ready to laugh, cry, and celebrate with the ladies for Season 2.

YBF correspondent Jada Watts spoke to the show’s leading ladies about how to find that balance between being brutally honest with your friend without hurting their feelings. The ladies (who are friends in real life) shared that they’re a little softer in their approaches to each other in real life, but they expect each other to be honest.

“I think that’s important that if you can have that in a friendship, where when someone asks, you offer the truth and you’re brutally honest about it,” said Meagan. “Or, when you feel like someone just needs to know [something] and they’re probably not going to ask, but it’s important because you want to protect them and you love them.”

Jerrie Johnson believes that honesty, even if it's harsh, is the best policy.

“I will say, we call brutal honesty ‘brutal honesty’ because we are so accustomed to niceties," Jerrie explained. "I’m not talking about people being kind. But people like, putting flowers over stuff. Women always have to put flowers over stuff because if I’m direct, then it can seem like I’m being bitchy or being this or being that. And so I don’t ever think our honesty is brutal. I think it’s just honesty without all of the other beating around the bush, or flowers, or things like that."

Megan shared an anecdote about how her sister, La’MyiaGood, checked her for gaining too much weight and how she needed her sister to be brutal about it because the “beating around the bush” from her other family members wasn’t doing her any favors.

The ladies also discussed how historically black women haven’t had the luxury of exploring self-care and nurturing their mental health, but now they do. Watch our exclusive interview below:

If you can’t view the video above, watch below:

The first two episodes of "Harlem" Season 2 premiere Friday, February 3rd on Amazon Prime Video.

Missed our interview with "Harlem" hottie Tyler Lepley? Catch up HERE.

Photo: Amazon Studios/Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Prime Video

"Bel-Air" stars Simone Joy Jones (who plays Lisa Wilkes) and Jordan Jones (who plays DJ Jazzy Jeff) chop it up with TheYBF about Season 2! The TV stars can't help but wonder if the show’s writers have some kind of secret bug planted in their homes because they often find themselves relating to their characters' storylines on a deep and personal level. Here’s what they told us inside…

The second season of Peacock’s “Bel-Air” premieres this week, and fans can't wait to see what's in store for the beloved characters.

As the dramatic re-imagining of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" returns for its second season, Will and the Banks family begin to see how their dreams might clash with the world of Bel-Air, and each character must consider what risks they're willing to take to achieve personal success. As they confront their community's and their own expectations of themselves, they will soon discover who they truly are beneath it all.

”Bel-Air” stars Simone Joy Jones, who plays Will's love interest Lisa Wilkes, and JordanJones, who plays Will's best friend/fellow DJ, are spilling the tea on how the writers seem to have mind-reading abilities when it comes to their personal lives.

In a recent interview with YBF correspondent Jada Watts, the pair revealed that they often find themselves relating to their characters' storylines on a deep and personal level.

When asked if there was a particular scene or moment where they felt like they had been there and done that before, Jordan replied, "Oh, all the time. That was actually the craziest question you could have asked. Yeah, seriously, both of us."

Simone chimed in, adding, "We're real friends in real life, all of us, and so we go through things together. And then we'll show up to work, and we'll be like, 'What the...? Were they listening?'"

Jordan agreed, saying,"No, for real. All jokes aside, sometimes it's a little too close where I'm like, 'Y'all know about my life or something like that?!’”

Ha!

It's clear that the writers behind Bel-Air have a knack for tapping into real-life experiences and emotions to create compelling storylines. Simone and Jordan both agreed that this makes it easier for them to bring out the emotion and authenticity in their performances.

”There's a moment where Lisa says, 'This is like...I'm embarrassed. I really felt like I was that girl who let such and such slide,' and we've all been that girl," Simone revealed, hinting at what fans can expect in the upcoming season.

With the writers seemingly able to channel their personal experiences into the show, fans can expect even more relatable and authentic storylines in season 2 of Bel-Air.

As they shared their own experiences, they also gave advice to young viewers about adulting.

Jordan referenced how Viola Davis and KevinHart had been working for years before their careers took off, emphasizing the importance of patience and hard work. Simone added that it's essential to “stay present” because “you never get today back” and dropped a funny GloRilla reference.

Watch the full interview below:

**If you can't see the video above, watch below:

It's clear that these two "Bel-Air" stars not only bring their A-game to the screen but also have a lot to offer off-screen as well. We can't wait to see what season 2 of Bel-Air has in store for us, and we hope to see more of Simone and Jordan in the future.

“Bel-Air” Season 2 premieres Thursday, February 23rd (with new episodes streaming weekly) on PEACOCK.

Photos: Greg Gayne/PEACOCK

If you thought "Bel-Air" Season 1 was fire, wait until you hear about what's coming up in Season 2! In our exclusive interview, “Bel-Air” star Coco Jones opens up about her experience filming the upcoming season and the close bond she's formed with her co-stars, while Jabari Banks gets real about the pressure of taking on such an iconic role. Dive into the world of Bel-Air inside…

The second season of Peacock’s “Bel-Air” premieres this week, and fans can't wait to see what's in store for the beloved characters.

As the dramatic re-imagining of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" returns for its second season, Will and the Banks family begin to see how their dreams might clash with the world of Bel-Air, and each character must consider what risks they're willing to take to achieve personal success. As they confront their community's and their own expectations of themselves, they will soon discover who they truly are beneath it all.

“Bel-Air” star Coco Jones, who plays Hilary Banks in the show, recently opened up about the family dynamic on set in an interview with YBF correspondent Jada Watts. When asked about the family relationship dynamics, Coco shared that she was initially closed off and distrusting due to the false promises she heard as a child in the entertainment industry. However, as she spent more time with the cast, she learned that they were hardworking, multi-talented, and kind human beings who taught her things about life in different ways.

”I think me personally, growing up as a child in the industry, I became very closed off and distrusting just because you hear a lot of false promises since you're a little kid, and then you just start to believe that everybody is 'cap'," Coco explained.

"I had a hard time really letting people into my full heart, but with time, spending my full days and nights with all of these amazing people, I realized they are literally like me. They just have passion for these things, they're hardworking, they're multi-talented, they're kind. They have no egos about them, no pridefulness. They're just good solid human beings who are hilarious and who can teach me things about life in all these different ways, and it feels like I do have a second family."

Coco’s co-stars, Cassandra Freeman (who plays Aunt Viv) and Akira Akbar (who plays Ashley Banks), also spoke about their love for the show's luxurious fashion and their next-level makeup. They also gave advice and tips for viewers.

Watch their full interview below:

As for another "Bel-Air" star...

Jabari Banks told us how his life "got flipped, turned upside down" when he landed the role of a lifetime as the new Fresh Prince in "Bel-Air."

The young star opened up about his initial reaction to the news, and let's just say, it's safe to assume he was in shock.

"I mean, I was kind of stunned like when I first got that call from Will I was super stunned I just went straight to sleep because I was like I think like am I in a dream is this real," Jabari explained.

We can only imagine how he must have felt - a mix of disbelief, excitement, and probably a little bit of fear. But fast forward to today, and Jabari has fully embraced his new role and is ready to bring his own spin to the beloved character of Will.

Watch his full interview below: 

“Bel-Air” Season 2 premieres Thursday, February 23rd (with new episodes streaming weekly) on PEACOCK.

In case you missed, check out our interview with "Bel-Air" stars Simone Joy Jones and Jordan Jones HERE.

Photos: Todd Williamson/NBCUniversal

Get ready for exclusive behind the scenes tea of the highly anticipated Season 2 of Peacock's hit series,“Bel-Air.” In a new interview, TheYBF sits down with showrunner Carla Banks-Waddles and director Morgan Cooper to discuss the creative process behind the upcoming season. From crafting characters with depth to exploring powerful themes that resonate with audiences, learn how the dynamic duo brings the world of Bel-Air to life like never before inside…

”Bel-Air,” the modern-day reimagining of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” has become one of the most talked-about shows of the year. With its gripping storyline, relatable characters, and bold themes, audiences were eagerly awaiting the release of Season 2. And now, it’s finally here.

YBF correspondent Jada Watts was able to sit down with two of the masterminds behind Bel-Air: showrunner/co-executive producer Carla Banks-Waddles and director Morgan Cooper. The YBF creatives gave us to give us a glimpse into the magic behind crafting character journeys that resonate with viewers.

At the heart of the hit series is the story of a black family navigating the hardships and victories of life in the affluent neighborhood of Bel Air. As Carla explains, finding the balance between each character's individual journey and their relationships with one another is key to the show's success.

”The writer's room spends a lot of time at the beginning of the season just talking about what is the journey like, where do we leave them in season one, and where do we want to start them in season two," she explained.

“We've got 10 episodes to send them on a journey, 10 episodes to tell a movie about the Banks family. And so we do that for every character. Like [Aunt] Viv, what does she want, what's she gonna do, what's going to be the interesting stories for her, and for Will and for Carlton, and not just them individually on their journeys but even interweaving in the relationships.”

The "Bel-Air" showrunner goes on to describe the importance of not only exploring each character's passions and struggles but also weaving them together in a way that feels organic and surprising for viewers.

She continued, “We've got a marriage, we've got parents, we've got cousins, and so just really being able to look at the stories that people loved season one and the dynamics that people loved season one and the pairings, and sort of like what kind of journey can we put them on season two that feels fun, it feels relevant, that feels surprising, and just really a whole ride of a full season for each of them and just watching it unfold.”

With a talented cast and crew behind her, Carla is excited for fans to see where the Banks family's journey takes them next.

Watch her full interview below:

Our conversation with Carla revealed the meticulous crafting of each character's journey, leaving us eager to learn more about the mind behind the show's themes.

Enter director Morgan Cooper, the visionary behind "Bel-Air's" striking visual language and bold exploration of issues like race, family, and survival. We sat down with Morgan to gain insight into his creative process and explore the themes that have made "Bel-Air" such a resonant and thought-provoking show.

The “Bel-Air” director is no stranger to bold storytelling. His viral fan film "Bel-Air," which reimagined the classic sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" as a gritty drama, caught the attention of Will Smith himself and ultimately led to the creation of the drama series.

Morgan's vision for "Bel-Air" goes beyond simply retelling the story of the Banks family. In our interview, he delved into the powerful themes and messages that he hopes the show will convey.

”The theme of Bel-Air is the story about a black family and the experiences that they have in their life and the challenges that they experience and how they work through them together," Morgan said. ”And how things play out in this bubble that is Bel-Air for a black family. We explore survival skill…is a theme on the show. We explore passions that have laid dormant that are now being revitalized within us."

The "Bel-Air" director also acknowledges the difficulties of being in a family."Being in a family is hard and sometimes sparks fly with the people that you love, but it's important to work through those in a way that is positive and additive towards people's lives," he said. “Those are all things that are infused into the themes of the show.”

With these themes at the forefront, Morgan is excited to deliver a thought-provoking and entertaining series that will leave viewers eager for more. Watch his full interview below:

We are so ready!

”Bel-Air” Season 2 premiered on Peacock this week (with new episodes streaming weekly). Will you be tuning in this season?

Also, if you missed our other exclusive interviews with "Bel-Air" stars Jabari Banks, Coco Jones, Simone Joy Jones, Jordan Jones and more, click HERE and HERE.

Photos: Robin Marshall/Peacock