Author: business
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Former 'Bachelorette' couple confirms their wedding 'is coming'Entertain This!
Former ‘Bachelorette’ couple confirms their wedding ‘is coming’Entertain This!
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Henry Winkler, daughter celebrate podcast on iHeartRadio Music awardsEntertain This!
Henry Winkler, daughter celebrate podcast on iHeartRadio Music awardsEntertain This!
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Dara Reneé talks 'Descendants' at iHeartRadio Music AwardsEntertain This!
Dara Reneé talks ‘Descendants’ at iHeartRadio Music AwardsEntertain This!
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George Birge talks about his favorite Lady Gaga songEntertain This!
George Birge talks about his favorite Lady Gaga songEntertain This!
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Planting People Growing Justice Books is more than a bookstore
Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.
Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.
This week we have Planting People Growing Justice Books in Minneapolis, MN.
What’s your store’s story?
Planting People Growing Justice Bookstore, a Black woman-owned social enterprise, is dedicated to promoting social justice and leadership through the power of books. Founded with a mission to inspire change, we specialize in literature that celebrates African American heritage and culture while fostering critical thinking and civic engagement. Our bookstore serves as a welcoming community hub, offering a curated selection of diverse books that encourage education, empowerment and growth.
What makes your independent bookstore unique?
Planting People Growing Justice Bookstore is more than a bookstore — it’s a social enterprise dedicated to creating a lasting impact. For every book purchased, we donate a book to inspire readers and promote literacy — a commitment that has allowed us to donate over 38,000 books to date.
We are proud to be at the heart of the Rondo Renaissance, building an arts and cultural hub that fosters community growth and meaningful change. Our customers love the vibrant, welcoming space we’ve created and our dedication to championing diverse stories that inspire learning, leadership and social justice.
What’s your favorite section in your store?
Our local apparel section celebrates culture and our local community. The bracelets are handcrafted by our bookseller, Jacob Deisch, and the t-shirts are designed by local artisans.
What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?
“The Myth of Race/The Reality of Racism: Critical Essays” by Mahmoud El-Kati is a powerful book that dispels the myth that race is rooted in science, carefully examining how the concept of race has evolved and been used as a tool to divide rather than unite.
El-Kati skillfully weaves a new narrative that emphasizes celebrating culture, understanding one’s ethnicity, and honoring unique cultural experiences. He defines racism as prejudice fueled by power and offers profound insights for combating it while fostering a collective vision for community building. It’s an essential read for anyone committed to understanding and dismantling systemic racism.
What book do you think deserves more attention and why?
“The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World” by the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Adams serves as a reminder that ordinary people can have an extraordinary impact by choosing joy. Joy is not just a feeling but a state of mind that compels one to take action. Joy is a conscious choice to embrace our shared humanity and common destiny.
What books/series are you most excited about coming out in the next few months and why?
“When I Hear Spirituals” by Cheryl Hudson is a celebration of Black history and culture. It demonstrates the unwavering faith and audacious tenacity of the ancestors who have paved the way to a brighter future.
Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?
Shopping at local, independent bookstores helps build a more just and inclusive society by fostering community dialogue and nurturing a vibrant cultural ecosystem. Books play a critical role in community building and creating connections across cultures. Local bookstores act as essential gathering places that promote critical thinking, civic engagement and servant leadership.
By buying local, you ensure that resources are reinvested in the community. Independent bookstores like ours actively support the community by hosting book giveaways, hiring local talent and showcasing the creativity of local authors and artists. Every purchase you make strengthens not just the bookstore but the community as a whole, helping to create a richer, more connected world.
What are some of your store’s events, programs, or partnerships coming up this quarter that you would like to share?
Planting People Growing Justice frequently partners with local organizations to offer all kinds of events from writing workshops with the local arts council, food experiences in collaboration with local restaurants and more.
The store hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month at the Rondo Community Library.
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Jonathan Majors reportedly admits Grace Jabbari assault in new audio
Jonathan Majors’ tumultuous relationship with Grace Jabbari is back in the spotlight, as a resurfaced audio clip seemingly shows the former Marvel star confessing to assaulting his ex.
In the newly released audio clip, obtained by Rolling Stone and published on Monday, Majors reportedly can be heard admitting to strangling Jabbari and pushing her against a car during a conversation with the British dancer and movement coach. Majors was convicted in late 2023 for attacking Jabbari in a different incident during a car ride in Manhattan.
Per Rolling Stone, the couple’s conversation was “captured in the aftermath of a days-long fight between Majors and his then-girlfriend.”
The release of the audio comes just days before the much-anticipated premiere of Majors’ film “Magazine Dreams,” which had been previously scrapped from its original December 2023 release.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Majors and Jabbari for comment.
Grace Jabbari confronts Jonathan Majors over assault: ‘Something inside of you’
Majors appears to show remorse for his assault of Jabbari in the resurfaced audio.
“I’m ashamed I’ve ever,” Majors begins, according to the 28-second clip published by Rolling Stone. “I’ve never (been) aggressive with a woman before. I’ve never aggressed a woman — I aggressed you.”
Following his March 2023 arrest over a domestic violence altercation, Majors faced eight misdemeanor counts at trial involving assault, aggravated harassment and harassment. At the time, Jabbari alleged he struck her in the head with his open hand, twisted her arm behind her back and squeezed her middle finger until it fractured.
“You strangled me and pushed me against the car,” Jabbari says to Majors in the clip, to which Majors replies, “Yes, all those things are under ‘aggressed,’ yeah. That’s never happened to me.”
Jabbari later probes Majors for an explanation for the assault, asking the “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” star if he attacked her because she “said something sarcastically, in your eyes.” In response, Majors says, “Well clearly, it’s more than that.”
“Something inside of you,” Jabbari says as a follow-up. Majors replies, “Yeah, towards you.”
Jonathan Majors says there are ‘no excuses’ after assault conviction
In December 2023, a six-person jury convicted Majors for his assault of Jabbari following a two-week trial that the actor had hoped would salvage his damaged reputation and restore his status as an emerging Hollywood star.
A Manhattan jury found Majors guilty of one misdemeanor assault charge and one harassment violation. The “Creed III” star was also acquitted of a different assault charge and of aggravated harassment. Majors pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
In April 2024, Majors was sentenced to a 52-week in-person therapy domestic violence program in Los Angeles, a representative from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirmed to USA TODAY at the time. An order of protection was also issued for Jabbari. Majors originally faced up to a year behind bars for the assault conviction.
However, Jabbari’s legal battle with Majors was far from over. The dancer sued Majors in March 2024 for allegedly abusing her and embarking on an “extensive media campaign” to destroy her reputation. The defamation and assault suit, which was settled in November of that year, accused Majors of battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and malicious prosecution.
Majors reflected on the fallout from his assault conviction in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published Friday. While Majors didn’t address Jabbari’s allegations directly or the events of their relationship, the actor said “there has to be accountability for writing your own story.”
Majors also revealed in the interview that he had been a victim of childhood sexual abuse, which he began working through in therapy after the trial. “There are no excuses, but by getting help, you begin to understand things about yourself,” he told the outlet.
The Emmy-nominated actor has also been accused of abuse by former girlfriends Emma Duncan and Maura Hooper, according to allegations documented in a February 2024 report from The New York Times. The Times investigation also revealed a history of “volatility” on the set of Majors’ HBO series “Lovecraft Country,” including contention with female co-workers that led to complaints to the network.
Jonathan Majors finds love with Meagan Good after Grace Jabbari assault
Majors announced his engagement to “Harlem” star Meagan Good in November 2024 while attending the Ebony Power 100 Gala in Los Angeles.
The couple sparked dating rumors in May 2023. The following month, Good began attending Majors’ assault trial in New York.
Good opened up about pursuing a romance with the controversial actor despite his legal troubles in a July 2024 interview on the “Today” show.
“At the end of the day, one thing I know is that I can always look myself in the mirror when I trust my spirit, when I trust God,” Good explained. “When I ask God, when I move to the beat of my own drum — I can always look and say, ‘I’m proud of that.’ Whatever happens, I have peace in my heart and I have harmony in my heart.”
(This story was updated to add new information and a photo.)
Contributing: Naledi Ushe, Kim Willis, KiMi Robinson, Brendan Morrow, Anna Kaufman and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
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David Archuleta talks about Lady Gaga at iHeartRadio Music AwardsEntertain This!
David Archuleta talks about Lady Gaga at iHeartRadio Music AwardsEntertain This!
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Boy band JO1 takes a selfie at the iHeartRadio Music AwardsEntertain This!
Boy band JO1 takes a selfie at the iHeartRadio Music AwardsEntertain This!
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JoJo Siwa wears large headpiece for iHeartRadio Music AwardsEntertain This!
JoJo Siwa wears large headpiece for iHeartRadio Music AwardsEntertain This!
