The happy parents... (Image: Getty)

Isn’t She Lovely was my father’s song for me. Sure, it was Stevie Wonder’s song for his daughter, Aisha. But my dad adopted it the first time he heard it and it became ours. He sang it to me throughout my childhood and we danced to it at my wedding, kicking off a party that lasted all night.

Before Wonder’s amazing Songs in the Key of Life album came out, my dad’s theme song for me was another Stevie classic: You Are the Sunshine of My Life. He’d twirl a pint-sized me through our living room, deftly guiding me around the coffee table and into the dining room, doing the lindy hop while my mom watched us from the kitchen through smiling eyes.

It sounds idyllic, right? It was. They were perfect moments in the midst of what became a monumentally imperfect life, as all lives do. But they are the images that last, the memories that keep me whole even when it feels that the entire world is breaking apart.

As I grew up and life became more complicated and difficult and less magical and musical, my father’s unblemished view of me and his unlimited belief in me remained. They were all-powerful in their ability to calm and reassure me, to motivate and instruct. In fact, their power seems to deepen as time goes on, even now, when he’s no longer here. That’s the everlasting impact a good father, his support and encouragement, can have on a child.

That Jay Z’s first public response to the birth of his daughter with Beyonce has come in the form of a song called Glory is not surprising. After all, like Stevie Wonder, music is his medium, it’s his business and it makes sense that in his newborn baby he’s found a new muse. Musical icons from Wonder to Lauryn Hill (Song for Zion), Erykah Badu, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds (The Day), and Will Smith (Just the Two of Us) have penned tributes to their children before.

What is unique is that Jay Z, with his front-page prominence, kingpin swagger, and that rare mix of corporate-and-street-cred, chose to express his joy, amazement, gratitude and abiding love for this child openly and honestly, sending a message and serving as an example for fathers everywhere, especially black ones.

I can attest, as the child of a man who never played an instrument or wrote a lyric, but who used song, affection, humor, towering expectations, and firm guidance, to express his love for me daily, that the impact on little Miss Carter of her daddy’s attention will be far beyond what any fame or outsized level of material wealth will ever afford her. No doubt Jay Z, who didn’t have a father care for him in this way, understands that. So does Beyonce, who before becoming Mrs. Carter, was clearly a daddy’s girl.

My prayer for Blue Ivy Carter is no different than my prayer for every child: That she be deeply loved and grow to live a life that bears testament to that love by carrying herself with dignity and grace and doing her part to make the world a better place. She’ll have every advantage; may she grow to use them all well.

In the short-term though, my prayer for her is a simpler one. May she continue to inspire her daddy to make music that may make other men take their rightful place—with pride and joy—in the lives and hearts of their own children. If she does no more than that—ever—the world will be a bit better for sure.

But when Jaxson flat-out suggested in media interviews that the Kardashian-Humphries nuptials were a “staged” event, Kim K. immediately struck back and announced she was suing her ex publicist for at least $200,000.

According to Kardashian’s attorney, Jaxson’s allegations damaged Kim K.’s reputation and violated a confidentiality agreement.

The ongoing Kardashian drama is sure to take a few more twists and turns before it’s all hashed out one way or another. In the meantime, the Kardashian situation holds lessons for the rest of us: While you might not be a high-profile person whose every move is tracked by the paparazzi, you may one day have to consider suing someone.

In fact, if an individual or organization has wronged you and caused you physical, professional, emotional or financial harm or damage, you may be entitled to legal recourse that could net you a significant amount of money.

Suing someone can be a fairly lengthy process depending on the situation. Still, if you have a good case and are comfortable with the idea of filing a court lawsuit, the compensation for damages or losses you’ve incurred may make your efforts worthwhile.

Here are just a few situations where you might need to sue an individual, corporation or another entity, and lessons to heed in each scenario.

BREACH OF CONTRACT

If you hired a contractor or vendor to perform a specific job or task and they failed to perform as specified in your agreement, you may have the right to sue them. A breach of contract occurs when one party in a contract fails to follow through on the terms or conditions previously agreed upon.

You will need to show proof of a written agreement or show that you have some type of enforceable oral contract to the courts. Without this proof, your claim will not hold any weight and you will not be able to pursue legal action. Depending on the nature of your claim, many breach-of-contract cases can be settled in small claims court, where you can represent yourself. In other instances, however, you’d be wise to seek out the help of a skilled lawyer.

In the Kardashian case, Jaxson is accused of violating a confidentiality agreement. But his defense—so far at least—is that while he was sent such a confidentiality agreement, he never actually signed the agreement.

Lesson: A contract isn’t legally binding until it’s fully executed (i.e. legally signed) by both parties.

PERSONAL INJURY SITUATION

If you or a family member were harmed by a defective product or service by a corporation, or someone was hurt on the premises of a store, business facility, or even someone else’s home, you may be able to sue on the grounds of negligence that led to personal injury.

In this type of situation, your best bet is to retain a personal injury attorney and work on a building a solid case. Personal injury cases can range from being quite straight-forward to quite complicated.

For example, if you are walking in a retail store and a worker who is stocking inventory causes an entire row of heavy metal shelves to collapse on you, there may be little doubt that you got injured. But to what extent? Expect to have to provide medical proof of specific injuries and proof that the individual or corporation caused your injuries.

Damages to your reputation, as Kim Kardashian may find, can be more of a gray area. If Kardashian’s efforts to muzzle her former PR agent wind up in court, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jaxson argue that he didn’t damage Kardashian’s reputation, but that she did that all on her own – via her quickie divorce filing, her previous sex tape, etc.

Lesson: Any time you want to claim injuries of any kind, document everything and be prepared to show a judge how you were “before” an incident (physically, reputation-wise, etc.) and “after” the incident in question.

LOSS OF INCOME FROM FAILURE TO PERFORM

If you hired a specialist to complete a job so that you could generate income through your business, and they are guilty of a breach of contract, you can also sue them to recover you lost income.

As a case in point, assume a company or individual promised to provide 24/7 tech support and website services to keep your business website up and running online. But then the system crashed and no one bothered to return your frantic calls and emails for five straight business days. Such a disaster could cost you untold amounts of money and make you consider suing.

Again, it’s important to work with an experienced attorney to go through all of the details of the situation and calculate the extent of losses and financial distress you’ve experienced.

Lesson: Paperwork, a strong timeline documenting the events, and past financial records can help establish to a court whether or not you have a bona fide claim for loss of income.

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

When an individual or corporation copies your work or infringes on a copyright you own in any way, you have the right to sue. This can be a complicated situation in the creative field because so many people are able to create derivatives of your work without your knowledge. Still, if you come across blatant copyright infringement, you can pursue a lawsuit with the help of a copyright lawyer.

Other types of lawsuits might be based on employment discrimination, medical malpractice or deceptive advertising.

Lesson: In all circumstances, you have to think about whether the cost, the time, the effort and the emotional toll of a lawsuit are worth it. If you think it is, then a lawsuit may be in your best interest – no matter how difficult the case appears in the beginning.

“Ask The Money Coach” is a syndicated column written by personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, co-founder of the free financial advice blog, AskTheMoneyCoach.com. Follow Lynnette on Twitter at @themoneycoach.

(Image: Getty)

For all of his fame, Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean is enigmatic as he is ubiquitous. Yes, we know that his wife is superstar Alicia Keys and the 33-year-old’s music is all over the radio and probably your iPod too. In fact, his image, in TV and print ads, helped bring “Reebok Back” while his personal life has become fodder for celebrity gossip blogs. But beyond those scandalized accounts of Swizz and his appearances in advertisements and on songs, there’s not much we really know about Swizz Beatz.

Behind the beats, cameos and catchphrases lies a visionary. Parlaying his celebrity and wealth into access into upper crust circles of influence  Swizz has made forays into the worlds of art, education, finance and philanthropy. BE Next linked up with him to discuss how the kid that produced “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem” became a sought-after consultant and collaborator for luxury brands like Lotus and Christian Louboutin. What we learned is, according to Swizz, limits are self-imposed.

Click here to read the full interview at BlackEnterprise.com/BENext

In this episode of Brand New You with our host Karen Taylor Bass (PR expert and CEO of thebrandnewmommy.com), Price opens up about other turning points in her life that lead to the release of her latest album, Kelly, and how she is reinventing herself, embracing her confidence, and moving on.

Videographer: Melissa Johnson

Funny business (Image: Press)

There are only a few great talents who can disappear from the spotlight and return to a warm embrace from devoted fans. Chris Tucker is one of them. After the release of third installment of the blockbuster trilogy, Rush Hour 3, Tucker left the business and has remained low-key until now. The funnyman is preparing to embark on his first comedy tour in three years, kicking off on August 19,  and plans to invite his loyalists back into his world one joke at a time. BlackEnterprise.com caught up with Tucker to talk comedy, bad movies and good business sense.

BlackEnterprise.com: Long time no see! Your fans have missed you. What have you been up to?

Chris Tucker: Just traveling and enjoying life. I’m also doing a comedy tour from August to September.

BlackEnterprise.com: Why return now?

I have never stopped doing standup in-between films, but now I really have the time. I’ve missed it, so I’m looking forward to being on the road again.

BlackEnterprise.com: In addition to acting, you’re also producing films. What inspired that transition?

Honestly, the lack of good movies being made. I decided to take matters into my own hands and plan to produce the kind of projects that I’m interested in.

BlackEnterprise.com: Was that always a part of your plan?

Tucker: Yes, I always wanted to do my own thing and I love movies. It’s always been my dream to put my imprint into movies and develop compelling stories.

BlackEnterprise.com: How important is it for actors to work behind the camera to become truly successful financially?

I think it’s good if you want to get more of your vision out there. If you’re directing, you got to tell the story to the audience the way you want to and it also gives the actor a little more pull to make that character the way he or she sees fit. So yes, if you can eventually direct, do so. I don’t think it will necessarily ensure financial success; but it will allow you to share your vision with others. I believe if you continue to do good work and accept great projects as an actor, eventually the money always comes because your work will speak for itself.

BlackEnterprise.com: What do you consider your first “big break”?

Tucker: Of course, Def Comedy Jam for my comedic career, but for my acting, definitely Friday. That film became a cult classic—something that no one would have imagined. I auditioned for that role completely improv. We had fun making that film.

BlackEnterprise.com: Folks are still reciting lines from that film! How have you grown as an entertainer?

My personal experiences and opportunities have helped me grow. I’ve been blessed to learn from legends like Sidney Poitier, Quincy Jones, Ruby Dee, Harry Belafonte and James Earl Jones. All of them gave me great advice, and I admire those people who can teach you to learn to appreciate “here is where you [are]” and “where you should take it” as far as your career.

Continue reading on the next page

BlackEnterprise.com: Why have you taken a break from acting?

Tucker returns to centerstage (Image: Press)

Good movies just aren’t being made right now. If I was presented with one I most certainly would do it, but I haven’t come across any. I will return to doing film when the time and project is right.

BlackEnterprise.com: At one point you said you were no longer going to play characters who used drugs because you had played a few. How important is it not to get pigeon-holed?

It’s important to keep on reinventing yourself because it will open up more opportunities for you. I never thought about it then until I got caught into [those kind of roles]. It’s so easy to do the same thing that you’ve always done because [people] want you to continue to do that.

BlackEnterprise.com: What’s the best money advice you’ve ever received?

Best money advice I received came from Sidney Poitier (mimicks Poitier’s voice) “Don’t be out there spending all your money because you never know, man. Just save it, just save.” (Laughs)

BlackEnterprise.com: What’s the best financial advice you’d give?

Invest in things that aren’t too risky and that you understand; invest in people who you believe in and trust. Whether it’s in a restaurant business or comedy club, make sure that the people you work with are dependable and reliable. In the past, I have invested in good businesses, but I would do it differently and make sure to find a good, strong partner who knows that business so they can be they can be the creative person ,and I would be the money person.

BlackEnterprise.com: Whats the best money move you’ve ever made?

Building my mother’s house. It’s big enough for everybody (I’m the youngest of six children) to come and visit. At the end of the day the most valuable thing is family. You can make all the money in the world, but with family and love it means nothing.

BlackEnterprise.com: What advice do you have for comedians entering the game today about how to manage their businesses and brands?

Work—stay on the stage—because that’s where you develop new material. When you think about branding yourself, make sure not to put yourself in a box so you can broaden your audience. You should just be known as a funny guy to White, Black, Asian, Latin, whomever like Oprah Winfrey, Coca-Cola or American Express everyone knows these brands Manage your business by trying to have a [future] plan, and always get good advice from people you trust and people who have done what you’re doing before. Listen, learn and apply that to what you’re doing.

Also, always keep that passion, because that’s your value. If you have that, magical doors will continue to open for you.

To get tickets to Chris Tucker’s upcoming show or to see the tour schedule, visit livenation.com.

Click here to see Chris Tucker talk about his side hustles and his first job here.

These gospel powerhouses are not only phenomenal singers, but handle their business as well. (Image Courtesy of Columbia Records)

Sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell sparked an music revolution as duet Mary Mary with their 2000 release “Shackles (Praise You),” and went on to platinum status with their album “Thankful,” reaching R&B and hip-hop audiences, and changing the face of contemporary gospel. Now, these fly soul sisters are back with their latest release, Something Big, which hits stores Tuesday.

BlackEnterprise.com caught up with the three-time, Grammy award-winning artists on the best money advice they’ve received, why smart negotiating is an important part of the music business and how being out of the box has catapulted their careers.

Videography and editing by Marcia Wade-Talbert and Melissa Johnson.