LeBron James and LIFEWTR Unveil Purpose-Driven Partnership to Inspire Communities

It's not on the same level as "The Decision," but LeBron James' move to PepsiCo in 2021, after nearly two decades with rival Coca-Cola, was a big deal. 

Now the basketball billionaire — who has already played heavily in marketing for PepsiCo brands Mtn. Dew and Ruffles — is expanding his alliance with the company.

Wednesday James and PepsiCo's premium bottled water brand LIFEWTR announced a multi-year partnership. 

The deal will purportedly support the Lakers star's passion for community empowerment, an initiative that holds true to the brand's mission to help people thrive.

"LeBron James' unwavering dedication to uplifting individuals and communities mirrors our mission at LIFEWTR to help people thrive," Zach Harris, Vice President, Water Portfolio at PepsiCo Beverages North America, said in a statement. "We are thrilled to work with him to further the LIFEWTR brand's commitment to helping underrepresented voices flourish."

Everything I do always has a bigger purpose, much like @lifewtr, which makes me excited for the work we’ll do together!! Inspiring and championing others. More to come! 💧💪🏾👑 pic.twitter.com/LcnjtZkzqu

— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 13, 2022

"I've always loved LIFEWTR and how every detail – from the original art showcased on its bottles to the brand's efforts to champion diverse voices – serves a bigger purpose," James, 37, added. "LIFEWTR is all about inspiring creativity, and I want the kids in my I PROMISE program and people everywhere to be inspired by the exciting work we'll do together."

Specifics of the program were not provided, but LIFEWTR said the collaboration with LeBron will include the debut of dedicated programming that will be announced later this year. It added that the NBA legend and LIFEWTR will work together on such efforts as the LeBron James Family Foundation's mission to “support underserved communities across the U.S.,” and the I Promise School, which James established to “provide a new approach to urban education for underserved students and families in Akron, Ohio.”

The company said the partnership signals the next chapter in James' ongoing relationship with PepsiCo, describing LIFEWTR as having a demonstrated history of supporting diverse communities and the evolution of the partnership is in service of the commitments just like its parent company through The PepsiCo Racial Equity Journey.

According to PepsiCo, the initiative elevates diverse voices within the company, among supply chain partners, and the communities it serves, while helping to dismantle longstanding racial barriers for Black and Hispanic Americans through a $400 million and $172 million investment over five years.

Adam Wade, Singer, Actor and First Black Game Show Host on Network TV, Dies at 87

Courtesy Everett Collection
Gameshow pioneer Adam Wade in 1975. 

Adam Wade, a prolific musician and actor who became the first Black game show host on network television in 1975, is dead at 87.

Wade's family announced his passing on his official Facebook page on Thursday.

"It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our husband, father, brother, friend, Adam Wade," the post read. "Arrangements are being made for his memorial and we will keep you updated; it is a great loss for everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep our family in your prayers."

No cause of death was given on the post but his wife singer and actress, Jeree Wade, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that he died at his home in Montclair, NJ, of complications from Parkinson's disease.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wade followed a somewhat unusual road to stardom.

While working as a laboratory technician for Dr. Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine, he was asked to audition for a music publisher by a friend. Within a couple of years, he had left college and was recording for Coed Records full-time in Manhattan.

The talented jazz pianist crooner soon became the toast of the town, eventually earning gigs opening for the likes of Tony Bennett and comedian Joe E. Lewis at the legendary Copacabana nightclub.

By the early 1960s, Wade was on fire. Boasting a singing voice often compared to his idol Nat King Cole — whose brother Freddy he had performed with earlier ins his career — he notched three consecutive Billboard Top 10 hits that year.

The ballads “Take Good Care of Her,” which reached No. 7, “The Writing on the Wall” (No. 5) and “As If I Didn’t Know” (No. 10), made him a star but his career began to stumble late in the decade as the world's tastes in music changed.

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Undeterred Wade added acting to his entertainment portfolio and the move from behind the microphone to the front of the screen proved a fortuitous one.

Roles in television shows such as "Tarzan," "The FBI" and "Adam 12" expanded fans' perception of Wade as an entertainer. In 1971 he made the move to the big screen with a role in "Shaft." Several other movies and shows would follow, ultimately giving him the chance to be a pioneer in another industry.

In 1975 he became the first Black game show host on network television. Wade was master of ceremonies for "Musical Chairs," which was filmed at the famous Ed Sullivan Theater and ran daily on CBS.

On the show, contestants competed to complete the lyrics of songs and respond to questions about music. They were helped along by guest performers like The Spinners, Sister Sledge and Irene Cara. The controversial experiment didn't last long. The show, which some affiliates refused to carry, was canceled in less than five months.

I'm so sorry to hear the passing of actor/singer/game show host, Adam Wade.
Among his many accomplishments, he will always be the first Black American man to ever host a TV game show, "Musical Chairs."
My condolences to all whose lives he touched.https://t.co/d1v5B5hZit

— Marsha Warfield (@MarshaWarfield) July 8, 2022

His time on the show did not go unrewarded, however. Wade, who returned to recording after the stint and even understudied for Ben Vereen on Broadway in "I'm Not Rappaport" in 2002, met Jeree on the set of "Musical Chairs."

The couple, and frequent collaborators, married in 1989 and had four children.

Singer Ashanti Hopes to Uplift Children With First Book

Photo credit: @walik1 @redcarpetimages/Instagram

After finding success as a singer, songwriter and actress — Ashanti has set her eyes on conquering the literary world.

The Grammy Award-winning singer, who has sold over 27 million records, released "My Name Is a Story" today.

Inspired by her struggles as a child, the 41-year-old artist's first outing as an author is a picture book starring her younger self that aims to instill confidence in its readers.

"I wrote this book to remind children that every name is special and deserves to be honored and celebrated," she wrote on Instagram about her reasons for writing the book.

She added, " Every name tells a story. What’s in a name? Everything! Saying each other’s names correctly is one way to value and see people fully. My hope is that MY NAME IS A STORY will be an inspiration to anyone who has been made fun of because their name was different, or had their name mispronounced or not pronounced at all."

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The star dropped by the Essence Festival of Culture earlier this month to celebrate the book launch by swapping stories with and signing copies for fans. She had so much fun that the session lasted an hour longer than intended according to reporting by PEOPLE.

"The stories were like, 'I'm so glad that you're doing this because I always felt embarrassed when it was time for the teacher to call out everyone's name and she would stutter on my name,' " Ashanti told the publication about her conversations with fans. "I didn't want them to feel like that."

The book is available to order on all major platforms now.