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Tag: Queens

  • Resorts World NYC Launches Live Table Games

    Get ready, New York City! April 28 is a date you’ll want to mark on your calendar, as Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) is set to make history. For the first time ever in the city, live table games are coming to Queens, promising an exciting new entertainment experience for residents and visitors alike.

    A Historic Launch for NYC Gaming

    Resorts World NYC will officially open its doors with over 240 live table games, including fan favorites like blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette. This launch marks a significant milestone, bringing a Las Vegas-style casino experience directly to the heart of Queens. Alongside the new table games, the casino will continue to offer thousands of slot machines, complete with multi-million-dollar jackpots.

    Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, expressed his excitement, stating, “New York City has never seen anything like what we’re planning for April 28. Once the Gaming Commission’s final testing is complete, live table games will be open and operating right here in Queens for the first time in the history of New York City.”

    Community Impact and Celebrity Partnership

    The expansion isn’t just about new games; it’s also about community growth. RWNYC now employs over 2,200 people, effectively doubling its workforce. DeSalvio anticipates thousands more jobs will be created over the next three years. The grand opening ceremony is set to be a star-studded event, with rapper Nas, Genting Chairman KT Lim, elected officials, and community leaders participating in a ribbon-cutting and ceremonial dice throw.

    Nas, a Queens native, forged a partnership with Resorts World as part of its massive $5.5 billion expansion. This venture builds on the resort’s 15-year legacy of community engagement and promises to generate billions for education and transit in Southeast Queens. Nas has also been expanding his business empire, recently announcing the opening of three new restaurants in Midtown Manhattan.

    Are you excited about the launch of live table games at Resorts World NYC? What games are you looking forward to playing? Let us know in the comments below!

  • Chichi Eburu: Juvia’s Place Founder on Melanin Beauty

    In the vibrant world of beauty, where inclusivity is finally taking center stage, Chichi Eburu stands out as a true pioneer. As the CEO and founder of Juvia’s Place, she’s not just creating makeup; she’s crafting a legacy rooted in celebrating melanin and empowering Black women. Eburu reflects on winning a Melanin Beauty Award, sharing the profound significance of her brand’s mission and the beauty practices she holds sacred.

    From Humble Beginnings to a Beauty Empire

    Eburu’s journey began in 2016 with a modest $2,000 and a powerful dream. From a small two-bedroom apartment shared with her children, Juwa and Olivia (who inspired the brand’s name, Juvia), she laid the groundwork for what would become a multi-million dollar makeup empire. She credits her family and community as her living “moodboard,” drawing inspiration from their love for “rich, bold, unapologetic colors like deep reds, warm browns, and golds that sparkle.”

    Juvia’s Place entered the beauty industry, estimated at $450 billion globally, as a trailblazer for makeup inclusivity for darker skin tones. Eburu recognized the need for products that truly represented and enhanced melanin-rich complexions long before many other brands. Her own frustration with makeup that muted her skin or left a greyish cast fueled her commitment to creating shades that celebrate warm undertones.

    A ‘Skin-First’ Mission

    Eburu’s devotion to melanin continues with Juvia’s Place’s “skin-first” company mission. The brand prioritizes “high-performance formulas that nourish as deeply as they enhance,” addressing the gap where many complexion and color products compromise on care, especially for textured, acne-prone, sensitive, or melanin-rich skin. This commitment ensures that every shade of brown beauty feels seen, beautiful, and cared for.

    Sacred Beauty Practices and Family Influence

    Eburu describes her current phase as one of “focus and fast pace,” juggling product development for 2026 launches and holiday season demands. Yet, amidst the whirlwind, her self-care has become “quieter and more intentional” – moments of stillness, fresh air, prayer, and hydration. These simple acts help her reconnect with herself.

    Her beauty practices are deeply sacred, starting with her hair. She finds ancestral connection in braids, seeing them as storytellers holding memory, culture, and personal journeys. Her skincare ritual is simple yet intentional: cleansing, exfoliating, and sealing with African butters—a grounding reminder to nurture herself. Makeup, for her, is adornment, a way to explore and celebrate her features, femininity, and mood.

    My hair and my braids don’t just style me… they tell a story. They hold memory, culture, and the most personal parts of my journey as a Black woman. — Chichi Eburu

    The women in her family, particularly her mother and aunties, profoundly shaped her ideals of beauty. They taught her that beauty is more than appearance; it’s about “how confidently you show up” and the “authentic version of self.” This philosophy is woven into the fabric of Juvia’s Place.

    Honoring Melanin and Embracing the Future

    Eburu honors her melanin with “dignity and pride,” celebrating it loudly and unapologetically. She sees her skin as a “safe haven” and adorns it in colors that make it pop, caring for it through thoughtful routines. She believes her melanin allows her to break boundaries and embody confidence. “What don’t I love?” she asks about being a Black woman with beautiful brown skin. “I love the depth of being a Black woman, the way our beautiful brown skin holds stories, culture, and impact.”

    Looking ahead, Eburu is excited about expansion and new product innovation, exploring new categories to meet the Juvia’s Place consumer. She emphasizes the importance of balancing bold artistry with integrity, especially as AI influences the beauty industry. “The future of beauty is skin-first and ingredient safe,” she asserts. “We’re moving toward a space where consumers demand truth, transparency, and representation that reflects real people.”

    What does honoring your melanin mean to you? Share your thoughts and favorite Juvia’s Place products in the comments below!

  • 10th Annual Fine Wine Festival Celebrates Black-Owned Wines

    Imagine this: the iconic Citi Field in Queens, New York, filled with the buzz of excitement, the clinking of wine glasses, and the beats of incredible music. That was the scene at the 10th Annual Fine Wine Festival on September 6th! MadameNoire was there, soaking in the VIP experience as we celebrated ‘Timeless Elegance’ alongside a fantastic selection of Black-owned wines from across the country.

    An Electric Atmosphere and VIP Treatment

    From the moment we stepped into Citi Field, the energy was palpable. Attendees were greeted with warm smiles, setting the stage for a day filled with wine tasting, dancing, and pure celebration. VIP guests were treated to thoughtful gift bags from Pattern and personalized wine glasses before heading to an exclusive upstairs area. There, delicious appetizers like spicy aioli-drizzled crab cakes and buttery chicken and waffle bites whetted our appetites for the main event: the wine tasting!

    Discovering Black-Owned Wine Gems

    The ‘Timeless Tasting’ area was a treasure trove of Black-owned wine brands. We were particularly impressed by The Smith, a brand founded by a dynamic married couple from the NYC area. Their bold, fruit-forward wines, crafted from California grapes, have quickly made a name for themselves. Raxize Smith-Maylor shared how a trip to Napa Valley sparked her passion, leading her to get certified and eventually launch the brand in December 2022 with a Red Wine Blend and a Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc.

    Raxize beautifully combined her background in fashion and product management to create The Smith’s sleek, eco-friendly branding. She emphasized the challenges of breaking into the wine industry, noting that less than 1% of winery owners or head winemakers are Black, and women make up only 14% of winemakers. Despite the odds, The Smith is thriving, having secured distribution in Connecticut and earning industry praise. ‘This is all self-funded,’ Raxize revealed, highlighting their passion and investment in the brand.

    Another standout was Takina Wilson’s Castlebridge Wine brand. Her Cabernet Sauvignon captivated us with its bold, full-bodied flavor profile, featuring notes of blackberry, dark chocolate, and cherry, all leading to a smooth finish. Takina shared that her journey started simply by making wine for fun and as gifts. Realizing the potential, she refined her ideas and launched her first product, a crisp Rosé, in 2022. She’s now expanding nationwide, with her bold Cabernet being a particular favorite.

    Exclusive Tastings and Electrifying Music

    After exploring the tasting arena, VIP guests enjoyed an exclusive session led by Maba Ba of Flying Whale Wine. Known for their sustainable and innovative approach to winemaking from southern France, Flying Whale offered delightful samples, including a red wine with a softer finish and an exquisite Gold Rosé with notes of cherry, vanilla, and spice. The wines were rich, well-structured, and left a lingering, vibrant finish.

    As the evening progressed, the energy shifted to the dance floor. DJ Miss Milan, Doechii’s official DJ, kicked things off with an electrifying set of R&B and hip-hop. Then, Grammy-winning producer Jermaine Dupri surprised everyone with his own dynamic DJ performance, spinning iconic hits that had the crowd going wild. An impromptu Electric Slide even broke out, creating a perfect, unforgettable ending to the night.

    The 10th Annual Fine Wine Festival was more than just an event; it was a celebration of culture, entrepreneurship, and the incredible artistry behind Black-owned wines. It was a night filled with ‘Timeless Elegance,’ great company, and unforgettable flavors.

    Have you attended the Fine Wine Festival before? What are your favorite Black-owned wine brands? Share your thoughts in the comments below!