Vaughn Lowery is a native of Detroit and the youngest of five siblings, a graduate of Cornell University's ILR School. Core duties: global diversification strategy, production management, and ecological implementation. The grandson of the late civil rights defender and recipient of the presidential medal of freedom, Joseph Lowery. Lastly, a distinguished member of the Alpha Phi Alphi Fraternity, Incorporated (Alpha Chapter).
La Liste – the global authority behind the “Top 1,000” Restaurants reveals its anticipated hotel ranking, spotlighting the most exceptional stays around the world.
This year, 10 standout properties share the top honour with an elite score of 99.5:
La Liste’s ranking is powered by a unique, transparent algorithm that aggregates hundreds of guidebooks, trusted media titles, and online guest reviews to deliver a true global consensus.
The 2025 edition also honours trailblazers redefining luxury travel, with Special Awards in six categories: Sustainability, Innovation, Style and Design, Heart and Soul, Hotel Openings of the Year (emerging destinations), and Hidden Gems.
GT2 Stradale is a leading name at the event dedicated to automotive excellence
Maserati is ready to return to the spotlight at the Motor Valley Fest, an iconic open-air event and tribute to the excellence of the Land of Motors in Emilia-Romagna, due to bring to life the city of Modena from 5 to 8 June.In a symbolic year when the brand is celebrating its iconic logo, Maserati is once again emphasising its link with its home city for over 80 years.
After recently announcing the return of production of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio to the Modena plant on Viale Ciro Menotti (thus soon to become a luxury hub in the production of super sports cars), Maserati is opening the doors of the production site to welcome enthusiasts from all over the world and invade the city with a programme packed with experiences to combine heritage, innovation and the most beautiful cars in the range.The festival is an opportunity to admire the new GT2 Stradale in Powder Nude livery, on show in the main display in Piazza Roma. In the meantime, the nearby Motor1 stand is a GranCabrio Folgore, the 100% electric convertible with 800V technology by Maserati, in the Orange Devil body colour. Both super sports cars are symbols of the House of the Trident’s “made in Modena;” indeed, the GT2 Stradale, together with the MC20 and MC20 Cielo, is produced in the city’s historic plant, whereas production of the GranCabrio – together with its sibling the GranTurismo – will move here starting from Q4 2025.
The site on Viale Ciro Menotti is the beating heart of the brand. Therefore, during the festival, we will be opening the doors of the Showroom to the public for events and special promotions at the Maserati Store and Factory Tours.
Visits on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June can be booked between 10:00 and 19:00 (reservations via the https://maseratifactorytour.modenatur.it/ website), for a journey through the brand’s past and future.
The weekend is also dedicated to two special events with the passing of the convoy for the 4th Moto & Supercars Motor Valley Fest, and the parade entitled “Mini vs Abarth: the challenge taken back up at the Motor Valley Fest.”
There will also be an opportunity to dip a toe in the past at the Classics Pavilion in the Giardini Ducali, where vintage cars will be paying homage to the tradition and artisanship that made the car manufacturer a global icon.
Maserati’s participation in the Motor Valley Fest thus marks another stage in the celebrations of the Year of the Trident, the anniversary of the logo designed 100 years ago and a symbol of the brand’s excellence around the world. A journey that will lead the brand to the celebrations of a century in racing in just under a year. In 1926, the Maserati Tipo 26 – the first car in history to bear the famous emblem on the bonnet – took part in and won (in its class) the Targa Florio with Alfieri Maserati at the wheel.
Larger-Than-Life Sculptures by Mr. Flower Fantastic to Debut in Oklahoma City and Indianapolis at Games 1 & 3
Fans Invited to Honor Their Teams and ‘Give Them Their Flowers’ in a One-of-a-Kind NBA Finals Experience
WHAT:
ESPN is bringing the energy of the NBA Finals to life with Blooming Into Greatness—a bold, immersive fan experience debuting during Game 1 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, and Game 3 in Indianapolis at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Towering floral sculptures of team logos and NBA Finals imagery will bring the experience to life, welcoming fans in for photos and to “give their team their flowers,” as they place floral blossoms onto the team logo to help complete the art installations. Created by renowned floral artist and sculptor, Mr. Flower Fantastic, the captivating experience, serves as a living tribute to the greatness happening on the court during the NBA Finals.
You can watch the entirety of the NBA Finals on ABC, beginning Thursday, June 5. You can find more information about ESPN’s 2025 NBA Finals coverage here.
With WeHo Parade Float Featuring Chrishell Stause + After Party at Beaches Tropicana
Iconic lifestyle fashion brand GUESS joined the Pride celebrations in West Hollywood yesterday with their very own float featured in the annual WeHo Pride Parade lineup. Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause led the festivities from atop the float accompanied by Dancing with the Stars’ Ezra Sosa both dressed in the brand’s latest looks.
Following the parade, the celebrations continued with an after party hosted at Beaches Tropicana. Guests including influencers Angel Merino, Denzel Dion, Manny Gutierrez, Rickey Thompson, Tori Kay, Victoria Lee Robinson and more enjoyed a VIP experience with complimentary drinks for an afternoon filled with good vibes and a high energy atmosphere.
In addition to the brand’s presence at the Weho Pride celebration, GUESS Watches has launched its 2025 Worn With Pride capsule collection, honoring the LGBTQ+ community through vibrant design and continued support of The Trevor Project. GUESS Watches has partnered with The Trevor Project since 2021 and will contribute $25,000 to the organization in 2025. The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. Purchases from the Worn With Pride collection will not affect the donation total.
A fifty-year legacy, one iconic silhouette: this is Oakley® Ellipse, eyewear made for the past, present, and future. Uniting chapters of history and design evolution into a single frame, Oakley Ellipse merges a DNA of wrapping inventions in art with a vision for a limitless future, celebrating decades of groundbreaking innovation while forging the next fifty years.
Oakley Ellipse features bold, curved details inspired by the ’90s, fused into a circular frame. The design is an ode to the signature ellipse of the Oakley logo, reflecting a semi-centennial of rejecting the norm, pushing the limit, and innovating beyond reason to create era-defining products that defy technology and time.
Futuristic, contemporary, and retro all at once, Oakley Ellipse pairs modern stem contours with a distinctive Plutonite® lens shape, engineered with PhysioMorphic™ Geometry for a close-to-face fit. Lightweight materials, Unobtainium® earsocks, and multiple Unobtainium® nose pieces ensure secure, all-day wear. Complete with Prizm™ Lens Technology, the eyewear enhances color and contrast, bringing every detail into sharp focus.
Oakley Ellipse is available in seven colorways, including a limited 50th anniversary edition featuring an exclusive 50 Midas Fleck colorway with Prizm™ 24k lenses.
Past, present, and future converge starting from June 2025, when Oakley Ellipse will be available on Oakley.com, Oakley stores, and partners worldwide.
Announces Comprehensive All Black-Owned Liquor Portfolio
Six Premium Brands, Including Ikonic Spirits, Brotha Whisky, and Timeless Vodka to Exclusively Serve Hollywood Hills Ceremony
The inaugural Leafy Change Maker Awards, revealed today, features a complete, all-Black-owned liquor portfolio, showcasing six distinguished brands that will exclusively serve the June 3, 2025, ceremony in the Hollywood Hills. The comprehensive selection includes Ikonic Spirits, Common Ground Spirits, Brotha Whisky, South Central Wine, Acquired Taste, and Timeless Vodka, creating the most extensive showcase of Black-owned spirits at any major awards ceremony.
This groundbreaking partnership positions the Leafy Change Maker Awards as a pioneer in demonstrating how environmental advocacy events can simultaneously champion economic empowerment and Black entrepreneurship. The carefully curated portfolio spans premium vodkas, craft whiskeys, artisanal wines, and specialty spirits, ensuring exceptional beverage experiences while making a powerful statement about intersectional social justice.
“We’re not just featuring Black-owned brands—we’re celebrating the innovation, craftsmanship, and community impact these entrepreneurs represent,” said [Event Organizer Name], Founder of the Leafy Change Maker Awards. “This portfolio demonstrates that supporting Black-owned businesses and environmental justice aren’t separate causes—they’re interconnected movements that strengthen our communities.”
Complete Black-Owned Spirits Portfolio:
Ikonic Spirits leads the premium vodka category with their award-winning smooth vodkas and signature cocktail blends, recognized nationally for quality and community reinvestment initiatives.
Common Ground Spirits brings artisanal craft distilling expertise, featuring unique flavor profiles that celebrate cultural heritage while maintaining premium production standards and sustainable practices.
Brotha Whisky represents the finest in craft whiskey, combining traditional distilling methods with innovative approaches to create distinctive spirits that honor both heritage and excellence.
South Central Wine offers premium wine selections that reflect the rich cultural landscape of Los Angeles, bringing local terroir and community pride to the Hollywood Hills venue.
Acquired Taste showcases specialty spirits and unique flavor combinations that represent the creative innovation driving the next generation of Black-owned beverage companies.
Timeless Vodka rounds out the vodka category with premium distilled spirits known for their exceptional smoothness and commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Unprecedented Industry Showcase
This comprehensive portfolio represents the largest single-event showcase of Black-owned liquor brands at any major awards ceremony, creating unprecedented visibility for these businesses within influential environmental, entertainment, and business circles. The collaboration provides each brand with access to key decision-makers, potential investors, and high-profile clientele during BET Awards Week.
“This partnership creates a blueprint for how major events can leverage their purchasing power for meaningful social impact,” said Marvin Green. “We’re not just buying beverages—we’re investing in Black entrepreneurship and demonstrating that premium quality and social consciousness go hand in hand.”
Integrated Event Experience:
Welcome Reception: Signature cocktails featuring Ikonic Spirits and Timeless Vodka. Awards Ceremony: Curated wine service from South Central Wine. Networking Hour: Craft whiskey tastings from Brotha Whisky and specialty selections from Acquired Taste. After-Party: Full premium bar featuring Common Ground Spirits and complete portfolio. Economic Impact and Community Investment
The partnership represents a significant economic investment in Black-owned businesses, with each brand benefiting from exposure to the event’s 300+ attendees, comprising environmental leaders, entertainment industry executives, investors, and community advocates. This creates sustainable business development opportunities that extend far beyond the single evening.
The selection process prioritized brands that demonstrated both exceptional quality and community commitment, ensuring that featured companies aligned with the awards ceremony’s values of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Cultural Significance During BET Awards Week
Launching during BET Awards Week amplifies the cultural significance of this all Black-owned portfolio, creating a powerful platform where environmental consciousness meets celebration of Black excellence in entrepreneurship. The timing provides maximum visibility within entertainment industry circles, which are known for supporting socially conscious business practices.
Setting New Industry Standards
The Leafy Change Maker Awards’ commitment to an exclusively Black-owned liquor portfolio establishes a new standard for major events, demonstrating how awards ceremonies can serve as catalysts for economic empowerment while maintaining premium quality experiences.
The Shanghai EPrix brought a return to permanent circuit racing, switching the focus firmly back onto energy management. Maserati MSG Racing started the day strong and with promise but were unable to convert their race strategy to points at the chequered flag due to failures with Pit Boost.
Both practice sessions showed the potential of the Maserati Tipo Folgore, with Jake Hughes and Stoffel Vandoorne finding the pace around the Shanghai International Circuit. Albeit qualifying not generating a duels appearance, both Jake and Stoffel made a step forward to start higher up the grid compared to recent races. Jake was unlucky to miss out on a duels appearance by hundredths of a second, settling for ninth on the grid.
Both drivers made a good start, managing the first few corners well to retain position. Stoffel was on an early Attack Mode strategy, taking his first four minutes in the early stages of the race. Starting higher up, Jake focused on getting track position before looking to take his first Attack.
Following suit from Tokyo, Stoffel was one of the first into the pit lane for his Pit Boost. The top twelve, including Jake, left their Pit Boost until the second wave towards the end of the Pit Boost window. Unfortunately, it was at this point the race got away from the team as both cars suffered a Pit Boost charger failure.
Maserati MSG Racing did everything they could to regain the lost positions, but energy consumption became critical. Jake and Stoffel took their last Attack Modes in the final few laps of the race, managing to climb up the grid, but there wasn’t quite enough time left in the race for either of them to get back in the points.
Tomorrow sees the second Shanghai EPrix, where Maserati MSG Racing will take the learnings from today to make steps forwards. The absence of Pit Boost will shift the race strategy on Sunday, and the team will focus on improving on their energy and tyre management to be in the fight for the race podium.
Driver Statements
Jake Hughes, Driver, Maserati MSG Racing: “In the end, what was looking like a very strong and positive day has ended on a flat note. We looked very quick through both free practice sessions, but when we came to qualifying, we had a similar issue to what we’ve been having lately with the new tyres and just couldn’t make the most of the grip. We qualified ninth which was better than lately, but I really feel like we had the car to challenge for more today. The race was looking very strong; I was leading at one point, cycling through the top three. There were some things that weren’t perfect in the race, but the main thing was we had a Pit Boost failure for the second race in a row. That put us at the back of the pack, and we went all in on getting up the grid, leading to us running out of energy on the last lap. When you’re put in this position with the pit stop, you have nothing to lose, but we do need to understand why this happened because it’s cost us today.”
Stoffel Vandoorne, Driver, Maserati MSG Racing: “That was a difficult race. We were going pretty good after the start; they took attack mode early, got to the lead of the race after a couple of laps, positioned ourselves in the right group before the Pit Boost. Unfortunately, it was the Pit Boost where it went wrong for us. We had an issue with the charger, and we lost a good number of seconds. This dropped us to last into no man’s land, and we had to completely change the strategy and approach. It was difficult to be efficient because we were alone on track and couldn’t benefit from the slip stream. I took the second Attack Mode late to try and recover some positions, finishing just outside of the points. Looking at it, we were only a couple of seconds from the podium, but the six seconds lost in the Pit Boost ultimately cost us points today.”
Cyril Blais, Team Principal, Maserati MSG Racing: “Disappointing day today overall, especially the race. We had a decent strategy for both cars, and we tried to push forward from qualifying. I think we were in the mix to score points with both cars, targeting the top six finish, but unfortunately, we had an issue on both cars in the Pit Boost, which cost us. After that, it was a little bit difficult to climb back into the points. We tried our best but couldn’t do better than the edge of the points. It’s not our day today, but I think the potential is there, which is a positive. We need to do better. Now we have our heads down and full focus on bringing home points from the race tomorrow.”
Maria Conti, Head of Maserati Corse: “We knew that the Shanghai double-header would be challenging. Racing in China, where Formula E took its first steps, still produces very intense feelings. The team is taking home from today’s race a series of important lessons that make us even more aware, united, and focused towards our goals for the season. With Maserati’s centenary celebrations in racing on the horizon, we believe that the Shanghai double-header is an opportunity to enrich our racing history and connect with a new generation of motorsport fans. We will do our best tomorrow when we’ll be getting back on the starting grid to battle to be one of the best and to write another important chapter in the history – almost a century of it – of Maserati in racing all over the world.”
Today, the Jeep® brand confirms that the all-new Jeep Cherokee is set to arrive in late 2025.
Reimagined from the ground up, the next-generation Jeep Cherokee will redefine North America’s most popular vehicle segment, bringing midsize SUV customers a new, efficient and powerful hybrid propulsion option from Jeep.
“The all-new Jeep Cherokee headlines our efforts to deliver more product, innovation, choice, and standard content to customers than ever before,” said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep CEO. “Jeep Cherokee will boast competitive pricing that strikes at the core of the largest vehicle segment and sits perfectly between Jeep Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee to bolster our winning mainstream lineup.”
The new Jeep Cherokee respectfully honors its rich history with an innovative eye toward the future as the Jeep brand continues to meet the needs of every driver and every journey. From industry-leading ICE vehicles to plug-in hybrid leadership to all-electric offerings, the new Jeep Cherokee joins the mission to empower customers with the freedom to adventure their way with unmatched Jeep capability and innovation.
While Japan’s major cities sizzle under the summer sun, the Tohoku region offers a cooler, cultural escape with three exciting festivals. Tohoku is cementing itself as a prime “off-the-beaten-path” destination for travelers looking to avoid the crowds – as these vibrant celebrations welcomed more than 4 million visitors last August – with anticipation already building for an even more exciting summer this year.
Aomori Nebuta Festival
Held from August 2-7, 2025, theAomori Nebuta Festival is one of the most fabulous events in all of Tohoku. Its giant papier-mâché dolls, called nebuta, enchant more than 3 million visitors every year. These brightly lit three-dimensional floats – measuring up to 30 feet wide and 16 feet tall – take a full year to build. A total of 22 floats parade through the streets depicting gods and spirits, local personalities, kabuki actors, and TV characters from historical taiga dramas. Aomori City is about three hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train. Once there, it’s just a 10-minute walk along the waterfront to Rasseland, where the floats are displayed.
Akita Kanto Festival
Held from August 3-6, 2025, the lantern-lit Akita Kanto Festival is a centuries-old tradition dedicated to praying for a bountiful harvest of the five sacred grains: wheat, rice, beans, foxtail millet and Chinese millet. With roots tracing back to the 17th century, the festival captivates visitors with timeless charm as 46 glowing lanterns illuminate the summer night sky. Akita City is easily accessible by train and bus from neighboring areas and cities in the region. The festival is held between Nichomebashi Bridge and the Sanno Jujiro Crossroads: Nichomebashi Bridge is about ten minutes on foot from Akita Station, which can be reached from Tokyo by the JR Akita Shinkansen bullet train.
Sendai Tanabata Festival
From August 6-8, 2025, throngs of visitors and locals alike will gather at the Sendai Tanabata Festival to celebrate the legend of the star-crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who live their lives separated by the Milky Way. The couple can only meet on one night a year, on the 7th day of the 7th month, through the Tanabata festivals that occur across Japan. Depending on the calendar used, the date could mean July or August. The city’s shopping arcades come alive with vibrant handmade decorations and streamers, while festivalgoers don colorful yukata (summer kimono). Visitors can easily get to Sendai via Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo in just 90 minutes.
ABOUT JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (JNTO)
As the official tourism board, JNTO seeks to inspire international travelers to visit Japan. Focusing on sustainability, diversity and preservation of its history and culture, JNTO encourages travelers to explore the country while supporting local businesses, learning about indigenous cultures, and helping conserve its natural sites.
The Creator’s Nature Blend launches a new line of serums, tinctures, extracts, and tonics.
The power of pure, organic botanicals infused with faith, prayer and love, restores skin, hair and body to factory-setting glory, as God intended.
Black and Christian-owned company, The Creator’s Nature Blend is a fresh new herbal skin care and holistic wellness line offering hand-made facial serums, tinctures, tonics and beauty products, cultivated from pure, organic, natural botanicals. The company advocates beauty from the inside out as well as utilizing high performance, superior quality ingredients harvested from the earth.
Founded by Christian health educators and Black farmers who advocate utilizing the wisdom of obtaining optimal health through the power of what grows on earth, simple, pure, natural and health-building ingredients are the secret behind The Creator’s Nature Blend.
Based on the ideology that “pure & natural” is best, only ingredients that “actually grow” are the building blocks of these product formulas. Plant-based ingredients and medicinal herbs are the secret to the product line’s remarkable results for customers who use it.
Each product is locally sourced from wildcrafting, farmlands and is cultivated in small batches. Love, faith and prayer are intangible, yet necessary ingredients that are always prioritized and infused into every product. Co-founded by seasoned health expert Melissa Summers Beauperthuy and her brilliant husband and farmer Mario Beauperthuy, The Creator’s Nature Blend team advocates utilizing the wisdom of obtaining optimal health through the power of what grows on earth – simple, pure, natural and health-building ingredients. The result is smooth, glowy, sun-kissed, makeup-optional skin from the serums, strong, healthy hair from the tonics and gently achieved, radiant good health and well-being for customers who indulge in the luxuriously fresh, restorative elixirs and tinctures.
The full product line is available online at www.thecreatorsnatureblend.com. The flagship product, the Skin Restoration Serum tightens pores, smooths wrinkles, fades scars, evens out discoloration and fades dark circles. Packed with high end, skin regenerative ingredients including Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Purslane, Plantain and Comfrey, the carefully crafted blend transforms, rejuvenates and restores skin’s natural glow.
In addition to product benefits of reducing scars and wrinkles, balancing skin tone, tightening skin, increasing elasticity, brightening dark circles, the serum achieves a youthful glow in the user’s skin through natural and gentle stimulation of the skin regeneration process. The Skin Restoration Serum stimulates skin regeneration, reduces scars and wrinkles, evens out discolorations, fades dark circles, tightens skin and increases elasticity.
In addition to topical remedies, The Creator’s Nature Blend offers impeccable tinctures, extracts and tonics that produce elevated health benefits from the inside out including its Bitter Melon Tincture and Ginkgo Biloba Extract.
The Bitter Melon Tincture is a powerhouse blend designed to boost wellness and vitality in critically important areas for overall well-being. Key benefits include blood sugar management, weight loss support, anti-inflammatory properties, cholesterol reduction, boosts white blood cell defense, enhances iron levels, improves respiratory health and boasts antiviral properties.
The Ginkgo Biloba Extract is an ancient, refined botanical that harnesses a myriad of benefits for the mind, body, and skin. Derived from one of the oldest living tree species, Ginkgo Biloba is renowned for its cognitive enhancements. It boosts memory retention, improves focus, and promotes overall mental clarity. Rich in antioxidants, the Ginkgo Biloba Extract aids in improving blood circulation, which results in increased stamina and vitality.
The Muscadine Seed & Skin Syrup is a sophisticated, harmonious multi-beneficial elixir crafted from the finest muscadine grapes, renowned for their exceptional health benefits. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities work synergistically to fortify the immune system while boosting energy levels. By combating free radicals and supporting collagen production, this extract can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and maintain a youthful complexion from the inside out. Rich in polyphenols, this syrup provides a formidable ally in the fight against oxidative stress and is a powerful anti-cancer agent.
The Ultra Hair Growth Tonic is a meticulously crafted topical formula that combines nature’s finest botanical ingredients to unlock the secret to radiant, flourishing hair. Consistent use of the Ultra Hair Growth Tonic yields thicker, more voluminous hair through the proprietary combination of some of nature’s most formidable powerhouse ingredients including Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamins E and D, Papaya Leaf, Foxglove, Perilla (plant) and Houttuynia Cordata (plant). Rich in antioxidants, it protects against environmental damage, supports hair vitality, reduces breakage, and encourages growth.
