VIDEO: James Wright's funny and raucous video sends throngs of shoppers in search of Patti Pie

R&B diva Patti LaBelle's sweet potato pies have been sold exclusively at Walmart for weeks but this past weekend they were flying off the shelves after a video from Patti LaBelle fan James Wright Chanel went mega-viral!

The video snagged nearly 7 million online views because of its funny and raucous review of the pie.

After just one bite Chanel, who is also a singer, began singing a Patti song and said "I turned into Patti after eating this" and he continued eating and singing Patti songs in-between bites of pie.

If you want to snag a pie, you better call Walmart central because the sweet potato pie is sold out in Walmart stores across the country. Walmart is moving pies from low demand areas to those where the sweet potato pies are in high demand.

So what's Patti LaBelle's response?

LaBelle tweeted some love to Chanel. She later called the singer to say she loved him and to thank him for the Patti Pie review.

Now I want some Patti Pie!

The National Book Foundation honors Maya Angelou for outstanding contributions to the literary world

For nearly fifty years, Dr. Maya Angelou has moved us with her lyrical poetry and dynamic prose. Works like Phenomenal Woman and I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS have become literary classics. Her poem On The Pulse of Morning, written for President Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration, garnered her the first of three Grammys (even more impressive because she was the first African-American and woman to recite an inaugural poem). She's also received an NAACP Image Award and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Now Dr. Angelou can add another award to her long list of accolades. The National Book Foundation honored her with The Literarian Award for outstanding contributions to the literary world. Fellow legend, Nobel Laureate, and longtime friend, Toni Morrison presented her with the award at the National Book Awards ceremony last Wednesday. Ms. Morrison spoke warmly of her friendship with Dr. Angelou and praised her talent and kindness.

The phenomenal woman herself was all smiles when she took the stage to a standing ovation from the crowd. Dr. Angelou, who spoke without notes, said she was "pleased" to be honored. Check out the interview to hear why after dozens of other awards and more than thirty honorary degrees, the Literarian Award is so special to her.

At a chic soiree in Dumbo on Monday, smartly dressed professionals sipped cool cocktails while feasting on crab cakes and delicious desserts to celebrate 25 fly female entrepreneurs.

Attendees at the Beauties and Brains Behind the Brands event. Photo Credit: Kizzy Cox

A cool cocktail. Photo Credit: Kizzy Cox

The sold-out event was the brainchild of Renae Bluitt, founder of the In Her Shoes blog, which serves as a kind of inspirational guidebook for women "committed to realizing their dreams." This year marks the 3rd anniversary of The Beauties and Brains Behind the Brands and to commemorate the milestone she brought in a little help from a fly fella—Alzo Slade.

Renae Bluitt and Alzo Slade. Photo Credit: Kizzy Cox

Slade photographed the 25 honorees in their element to help "tell their stories through images," said Ms. Bluitt.

The Beauties and Brains Behind the Brands honorees. Photo Credit: Kizzy Cox

The result was an eclectic mix of photos taken everywhere from stylish salons to NYC streets. She also partnered with Essence who gave attendees the opportunity to win their new monthly BeautyBox which will include 5 hand-picked luxury products delivered straight to winners' homes starting in October 2015.

It would hardly be a business networking event though without an opportunity for entrepreneurs to do what they do best—grind! So entrepreneurs had the opportunity to share their bounty at the marketplace where shoppers could buy a variety of goods including natural hair care products, clothes and...if they happened to overspend, advice on how to keep their finances in check with Tonya Rapley, author of My Fab Finance Financial Planner. Ms. Rapley enjoyed a steady stream of people coming to her table for advice and networking, "I've connected with so many women."

Meanwhile, attendees like Astrid Malone, drew inspiration from seeing dozens of successful black women living their dreams, "It's nice to see women of color, African-Americans come together and be inspiring for one another." Ms. Malone, a fashion and lifestyle writer, and an aspiring business owner, was also impressed by the down to earth vibe of the gathering. No one is "pretentious, they're just mingling," she said.

One of those unpretentious ladies was Miriam Milord, owner of BCake NY, located in Prospect Heights. Ms. Milord had attended one of Bluitt's previous parties and was so impressed with the positive energy she wanted to be a part of it. She asked Ms. Bluitt if she could provide the desserts for the next Beauties and Brains event...and the partnership proved to be a sweet one! Guests were treated to delectable cake lollipops, mini-cupcakes, and cookies while Ms. Milord networked with other entrepreneurs. She believed the support women business owners received there was crucial, "We're not supported enough so we need to support each other."

Miriam Milord, Owner, BCake NY, talking with an entrepreneur attending the Beauties and Brains Behind the Brands event. Photo Credit: Kizzy Cox

Cake Lollipops, mini-cupcakes, and other delectables from Ms. Milord's BCake NY. Photo Credit: Kizzy Cox

Knowledge is also an important part of that support, which was shared freely in a 5-person panel featuring Ms. Bluitt; Mr. Slade; Miko Branch, co-founder of Ms. Jessie's; Tai Beauchamp, host of TLC's Dare to Wear and Pamela Edwards Christiani, beauty and style director for Essence. One piece of advice that resonated quite strongly with the audience came from Mr. Slade who stressed the importance of hard work over appearances in making your dreams a reality, "If you're in it for the shine or the Instagram post, you won't make it." He encouraged people to stop talking about what they're going to do and just do it.

But for all the networking opportunities, inspiration and recognition Beauties and Brains Behind the Brands provided, for some business owners, like Fifi Bell-Clanton, co-owner of "The Crabby Shack" (which catered the event) the classy evening served an even more basic function. Laughing, she said, "It's so nice to get dressed up and not smell like crab."

Gwendolyn Niles (left) and FiFi Bell-Clanton co-owners of Crabby Shack. Photo Credit: Kizzy Cox

Kizzy Cox is a host with What's The 411, an award-winning entertainment and lifestyle television show.

Kizzy has always had an interest in travel, the African Diaspora, and communications. She has studied acting, singing, and all types of dance. Kizzy's favorite pastimes include reading, writing, public speaking, and continual self-improvement! So she's happy to be working at What's The 411, where she can combine her myriad interests all in one show. It's all the more exciting since Kizzy began her career in communications with the television show, What's The 411, directly after graduating from Hunter College. Kizzy sees this as a way to further the brand and bring the show's unique take on entertainment and lifestyle to a whole new audience. In her original role at What's The 411, she wrote stories for the show's weekly newsletter and the website. Later she conducted on-camera interviews with celebrities such as Queen Latifah and John Leguizamo, in addition to many others.

The travel bug eventually hit Kizzy and brought her to the Dominican Republic where she studied Spanish and had the unique opportunity to work at the radio station, Supra FM, as a guest host commenting on current events in Spanish. As great an experience as that was, Kizzy couldn't stay away from her beloved NYC too long and so she returned to work on show development for Backdrop at the Emmy award-winning TV station NYC-TV.

Kizzy's love of Latin culture and her own West Indian culture, led her to work as a travel and cultural events correspondent at the internet show, En La Escena. She then worked at MTV in product development for all Viacom web brands. Kizzy also hosts and produces her own show, Make It Happen Now!, which airs on BCAT. Kizzy is looking forward to expanding not only her repertoire but her perspective and that of What's The 411's viewers, by bringing the best of hot NYC events that expand your mind, work your body and stir your soul!