November 12 | Volume 40 No. 33

Firstline Brands Names NASCAR Driver Rajah Caruth WavEnforcer Brand Ambassador

Westsidestory Newspaper

Assemblymember Lori Wilson Speaks Out on Mass Shooting in Her District

Bo Tefu | California Black Media

HOUSTON, TX

Firstline Brands, the leading textured hair accessory company in the U.S., has named NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth as its first celebrity brand ambassador for WavEnforcer. The partnership pairs Caruth's growing presence in motorsports with WavEnforcer's 40-year legacy as a staple in men's grooming to inspire a new generation of men to level up their grooming game through social media content and event activations. The partnership kicked off at the EcoSave 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, October 9, 2026, where Caruth piloted the #77 Chevy Silverado for Spire Motorsports showcasing WavEnforcer by Firstline Brands as an associate sponsor. "WavEnforcer was the first brand my father Robert A. Bowser created 40 years ago to provide multicultural men with innovative and culturally relevant accessories and tools like do-rags and boar bristle brushes to help them groom and protect their hair and it was those early products that allowed us to become the first Black-owned textured hair accessory manufac turer with national retail distribution," said Joni Odum, President and CEO of Firstline Brands. "Rajah represents the pioneering spirit and authenticity that define WavEnforcer and we're proud to welcome him to the Firstline family." Caruth is currently 12th in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series playoff standings with eight top 10 finishes, two top five fin ishes and one pole. He competes for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet. Before moving to the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, Caruth competed full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He made the playoffs twice and won races at Nashville Superspeedway in 2025 and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024. His first win made him the third African American driver to win a NASCAR national series race, joining Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace. "My hair is a huge part of my culture and identity, so proper grooming is essential," said Rajah Caruth. "WavEnforcer provides me with the products to maintain my style and take care of it while training, traveling, and even just relaxing." WavEnforcer content and brand activations featuring Caruth began rolling out on October 9, 2026, and can be found on @wavenforcer, @firstlinebrands and @ra jahcaruth_ on both Instagram and TikTok. For questions about this partnership or image requests, please email [email protected].

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) has spoken out following a deadly shooting at a Spirit Halloween store in Fairfield that left a pregnant woman dead and six others wounded, ex pressing condolences to the victims and their families while calling on the community to support one another. In an Instagram post, Wilson said the shooting had shaken the community and acknowledged the lasting impact of gun violence on those affected. “Our community was rocked by gun violence,” Wilson stated. “Sadly, we are not alone in expe riencing the devastating impact of these senseless acts of violence, but that does not make the pain or trauma any less profound.” The shooting occurred Friday, Oct. 30, inside the Spirit Halloween store at Solano Town Center. Police said seven people were shot in what investigators described as a targeted incident involving one suspect. The woman who died was identified as 31-year-old Constance Hages, who was pregnant. Three male victims, ages 16, 19, and 32, were reported in critical condition, while a 23-year-old man was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Two other men, ages 19 and 43, were treated and released. Wilson thanked local first re sponders for their swift response and acknowledged the support of state and federal partners as the investigation continued. She also expressed sympathy for those in jured and for Hages’ family and loved ones. “My heart breaks for everyone who experienced this tragedy first hand, for those who were injured, and for the families and loved ones grieving a loss,” she stated. “As a community, we must come together to support one another, surround those impacted with compassion, and prayerfully work toward healing and wholeness.” The investigation has since led to the arrest of a 17-year-old boy. Fairfield police said a school re source officer identified the sus pect after reviewing surveillance footage. Authorities arrested him Monday following a SWAT operation at a home in Suisun City. The Solano County District Attorney’s Office announced that the teenager would be charged as an adult. He faces two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon, and multiple firearm enhance ments. Police believe another customer was the intended target of the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing as the 17-year-old suspect faces adult charges. As Fairfield mourns Hages and those injured recover, Wilson urged residents to support one another and help the community heal.