Judge Kicks ‘Nightmare’ DC Squatter To The Curb After Ruling Lack Of Tenant Rights
Court documents revealed Romero has a history of staying in numerous properties around the nation’s capital rent-free for months while going through evictions.
A Dec. 11 ruling from a judge found Shadija Romero, a squatter in Washington D.C., had no tenancy rights and sided with homeowner, Rochanne Douglas, in a lengthy court battle, KATV reported.
The ruling came after a judge had to ponder whether Romero had legal rights to stay in the home as an Airbnb guest; however, that was before her past came to light. According to the Daily Mail, the nightmare for Douglas began when Romero made a 32-day reservation at the short-term rental, with her contract ending March 29, 2025. After 30 days, she did not leave and began making false residency claims. She also started the process of putting utilities in her name and meddling with the security cameras.
Douglas served Romero with a 30-day notice to vacate and offered $2,500 in exchange for her signing a document admitting she is not a legal tenant. The squatter signed the document, but when her Nov. 15 eviction date arrived, she claimed the arrangement “no longer works for me” and failed to leave the property.
Until the judge’s ruling, Romero was still residing at the property.
Court documents revealed that Romero had a history of staying in numerous properties around the nation’s capital rent-free for months while facing evictions. During an interview, Romero denied ever being evicted, but when she took the stand, she said she didn’t remember being evicted and argued that it was irrelevant to the case.
Documents reveal Romero once had a one-year lease at the Jamison at Dakota Apartments in October 2021. In a suit against the tenant, the property owners claim she stayed months past the end of her lease and failed to pay anything between May 2022 and January 2023, similar to the issue with Douglas’ property. She once signed a legal agreement to pay Jamison $35,000 in back rent, but court records show she never followed through.
As a result, she was evicted 8 months after she stopped paying.
A background check showed 12 judgments and liens against Romero, including landlord-tenant cases in Maryland and Virginia. But siding with Douglas, the judge granted her authority to have Romero removed and evicted from the property immediately.
As the case has received national attention, lawmakers are under pressure to address gaps in some of the country’s squatter laws, as D.C. has historically leaned toward tenant protections. Experts recommend thoroughly screening short-term guests, in addition to verifying with platforms like Airbnb.
Placing time limits under 30 days was also recommended, if feasible. Lastly, being organized with documentation on all communication, property conditions, and booking terms is key, should another case like Douglas’ come to light.
Russell Wilson Appears As Guest Analyst on CBS Sports During Giants’ Bye Week
The quarterback may have a new career once he leaves the game
Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson has had a career worth talking about, and as a current quarterback with the New York Giants, he is QB3 (Third quarterback behind the Q1 and Q2) and may be nearing the end of his football career. However, with an opportunity to showcase a possibility for when he does leave the game, CBS Sports brought him on board as a guest analyst during the Giants’ bye week.
After signing with the franchise via free agency, he started the season as the starting quarterback, but has been pushed down the depth chart, so football fans are preparing for his retirement from the game. Wilson appeared on the program and made it clear he knows he can still play in the league, so this doesn’t mean he is done yet.
According to TalkSport, he made that clear when he referred to a game this season in which he threw three touchdowns and 450 yards.
“I threw for 450 yards and three touchdowns against Dallas. I can still flick it,” he said. “I know I’m capable of it.”
He reiterated his desire to stay on the field, saying he went to New York because he felt he could win there.
“I came here because it was an opportunity to win. I wanted to win, and now, unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that this year as a team. It’s been a tough year in that way.”
“But there’s been a lot of amazing guys in this locker room that I thoroughly enjoy in terms of friendships and relationships and teammates,” Wilson concluded.
The question for most football fans is whether Wilson will be able to sign with another team during the offseason, since his contract with the Giants was for one year.
But if he is unable to latch onto another team, there’s always the broadcast booth.
Holiday Gift Guide To Healthy Haircare Products – And They’re All Black-Owned
These innovative brands are rooted in culture
On the tenth day of Christmas, BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Holiday Gift Guide focuses on Black-owned haircare brands that celebrate every type of textured hair. Each brand presents a straightforward solution to essential care for curls, coils, and kinks through a combination of products using science-backed luxury formulas and moisture-rich handmade staples.
Tracee Ellis Ross established Pattern Beauty to provide a haircare collection that focuses on curls with its shampoos, conditioners, styling creams, and tools, designed for curly, coily, and tight-textured hair. Ross developed Pattern to honor textured hair and address the lack of inclusive haircare products. Pattern launched after extensive research and development spanning more than ten years, and has built a loyal customer base since its introduction in the United States. The brand delivers texture-specific haircare solutions to customers worldwide through its online platform and major retail outlets.
Bread Beauty Supply
Bread Beauty Supply, founded by Maeva Heim, simplifies haircare routines for textured hair. The brand offers minimalist, clean haircare essentials like washes, conditioners, creams, and oils that hydrate and define without fuss. Launched in 2020, Bread Beauty Supply is sold online and at retailers like Sephora. BBS focuses on clean, vegan, cruelty-free formulas that make everyday haircare joyful and accessible for curls, coils, and waves.
TPH by Taraji Henson
TPH by Taraji Henson, a hair and scalp care line designed by actress Taraji P. Henson, offers a range of scalp-first haircare and styling products that cleanse, moisturize, strengthen, and repair hair of all textures. Henson’s TPH beauty brand has wide distribution through major retailers and online platforms and provides specific solutions for scalp health together with general hair vitality.
Cécred
After six years of development, Beyoncé launched her science-backed haircare brand, Cécred, in February 2024. Beyoncé created the brand to deliver transformative results for every hair type through its repair-focused, resilient, and radiant texture-enhancing formulas. The brand provides a luxurious haircare collection which uses bioactive keratin ferment technology alongside botanical formulas to nourish and protect hair of all textures. Cécred reaches customers worldwide through its extensive distribution network.
Oyin Handmade
Jamyla Bennu established Oyin Handmade from natural food-grade ingredients. The brand creates moisture-rich hair products which exclude sulfates, silicones, parabens, and phthalates, thus attracting customers who have dry, textured hair. The food-grade method used by Oyin delivers moisture and texture through honey and botanical oils, which provide gentle, effective care that resembles self-care. Oyin started its journey during the early 2000s by transforming kitchen creations into a nationally established product line. Products are available through online sales and independent retail stores across the United States.
Donna’s Recipe
Lifestyle influencer Tabitha Brown and co-founder Gina Woods created Donna’s Recipe to provide clean, vegan haircare products. The brand offers shampoos, conditioners, oils, and styling products that include biotin, sweet potato extract, and botanical butters and deliver nutrient-dense formulas for growth and moisture and overall wellness. Donna’s Recipe started in 2021, and now sells its products through Ulta Beauty and on its website.
TGIN (Thank God It’s Natural)
The natural haircare brand TGIN, which was established by Chris-Tia Donaldson, focuses on wellness and community impact through its beloved products. TGIN’s product range includes sulfate- and paraben-free solutions that provide hydration and strengthening benefits while defining natural hair textures. Through its website and major retailers, TGIN continues to grow, introducing new collections such as the Miracle Styling line. TGIN combines its moisture-rich formulas with a philanthropic and health advocacy mission to deliver both performance and purpose.
Adwoa Beauty
Julian Addo established Adwoa Beauty as a clean luxury haircare brand which delivers non-toxic high-performance formulas through natural and ethically sourced ingredients to hydrate, define, and support the scalp. Adwoa has built a loyal customer base because of its unique combination of scientific innovation and natural ingredients. Adwoa Beauty transforms haircare into a nourishing ritual through its online store and select clean beauty retailers, making it perfect for people who want both luxury and effective results.
These haircare lines, which include artisanal classics and celebrity-backed innovations, demonstrate how beauty based on texture can serve a purpose while remaining enjoyable. which help build confidence and nourish hair while encouraging self-care.
Nas Gets Early Preview Of Hip-Hop Museum In The Bronx Following $1M Investment
Nas gets an early look at developing Hip-Hop Museum in the South Bronx.
Nas’s $1 million investment in the developing Hip-Hop Museum in the Bronx earned him an exclusive early look at the project.
The iconic Grammy-winning rapper toured the future Bronx location of the developing Hip-Hop Museum on Dec. 10, alongside representatives from Resorts World New York City, TMZ reports. Donning hard hats and protective gear, the “Illmatic” rapper got an early look at the active construction site and what’s to come.
Set to open in October 2026, the groundbreaking museum will celebrate Hip Hop’s 50-year legacy, showcasing culture-shaping contributions from every coast and era through immersive artistic installations. Though other hip-hop museums exist nationwide, including the National Hip-Hop Museum in Washington, D.C., the South Bronx museum will serve as the official museum of record for the genre, located in hip-hop’s birthplace.
“It’s 55,000 square feet, and it’s dedicated to the preservation and celebration of hip-hop on a global level, not just from the Bronx level or New York City level. We’re celebrating the global history of hip-hop,” museum CEO Rocky Bucano said at the 2025 Black Tie Gala in October.
Nas has taken a hands-on role in the museum’s development, making a $1 million pledge at the gala, which aimed to raise $50 million for construction and programming. With support from his partners at Resorts World, Nas helped raise $2 million in total contributions, supporting both the preservation of hip-hop culture and job creation in the community that gave it birth.
Nas and the Resorts World team are riding the momentum from their September win, when a community advisory committee approved the expansion of the nation’s largest casino in Southeast Queens. The $5.5 billion project now moves to the State Gaming Commission, which will select winners for three downstate casino licenses by year’s end.
Resorts World, already operating a racino, a combination racing track and casino, in Queens, is now one of five remaining city proposals competing for the licenses after three Manhattan casino bids—including a Times Square project backed by Jay-Z—were rejected. The combination of the casino expansion and the launch of the Hip-Hop Museum will further cement Nas’ legacy in hip-hop history.
VIRAL VIDEO: Amazon Driver Goes Postal After Man Allegedly Spits In Face
The Amazon driver says the man called him an idiot and the n-word before spitting in his face.
An Amazon driver went viral for documenting a confrontation with an allegedly racist man who he claims spat in his face.
The delivery driver, whose name is David McDonald, shared a video of the bloody cyclist and others walking in a neighborhood. In the clip’s description, he recalled the situation that led to things getting physical.
According to the Amazon driver’s account of the incident, the cyclist accused him of nearly hitting him with his delivery truck. Its On Site reposted the TikTok footage of the viral incident.
“So I’m minding my business, making deliveries at an intersection. The man you see all [bloody] in the video was riding his bike traveling eastbound. I was trying to cross that street traveling northbound.”
The delivery driver continued explaining that he had to inch out closer on the obstructed road to make sure he could continue safely. The cyclist considered the move too close for his comfort, leading him to become aggressive with the man.
The cyclist proceeded to allegedly call the Amazon worker an “idiot” and the n-word, to which the driver responded by hoping he slipped and fell off his bike. As the driver continued his shift, however, the cyclist had more to say about the ordeal.
While the delivery driver made his next stop, the cyclist biked over to approach him. McDonald claimed the cyclist yelled and hurled out threats, despite his not wanting to keep up the exchange.
After telling him to move away from his truck so he could make the next delivery, the cyclist allegedly grabbed him and spat on him. McDonald immediately got out of his vehicle to fight back for the disrespect.
It resulted in his video documenting the bloodied man while an older couple, who did not witness the original encounter, questioned him. Unaware of what happened earlier, the couple began to condemn the driver for the assault.
However, McDonald stood his ground, arguing that his actions were warranted after the spitting assault.
“He spit on me, and I beat his a–,” shared McDonald before emphasizing his plans to call the police.
Despite the older couple blaming him for the bloodied man, the Amazon driver kept the same energy about his actions.
“Ride the f-ck up out here. Don’t spit on me again. Watch what you do. You don’t know who I am or what I got going on …that’s the upmost disrespect,” he said to the banged-up cyclist in the TikTok.
After the couple refused to listen to his side about what led to the fighting, McDonald walked away to the apologists of the man and his apparent racist actions.
“Whatever, I bet God wouldn’t have tolerated it….I don’t give a f–k about none of that. He needs to have more self-respect and more self- control…keep condoning that racist a– bullsh-t.”
In the description, McDonald said his girlfriend overheard the entire ordeal on the phone. Those in the neighborhood also offered their doorbell footage to prove his case. McDonald even launched a GoFundMe to make up for lost wages as he recovers from the incident.
Toxic Air: Metro Atlanta Mother Sues Landlord Over Fecal Matter Spewing From Apartment Heater
The single mother of four had to immediately vacate the property following the discovery.
A single mother of four in Metro Atlanta is suing her landlord after discovering fecal matter blowing from her home’s heater.
Tiarra Logan had been in a year-long battle with her landlord over a sewage issue that led to even grosser discoveries. Despite informing her landlord about the sewage backup, the issue persisted and affected other parts of the home.
Logan initially moved to the Metro Atlanta neighborhood of Snellville three years ago to escape a domestic situation. Coming all the way from California, this current housing ordeal left her with limited options. Now, she and her four children must share a hotel room during the holidays, a situation she deems unfair and preventable.
“We shouldn’t be living like this,” Logan explained to Atlanta News First, before adding, “I don’t have family here. I left California to come here for safety. It took me wanting to see something different for them, so that’s why I’m here.”
She first discovered the sewage problems last year, but the landlord, STAR Borrower SFR6 LP, and the property manager for Invitation Homes gave her household remedies to resolve the issues.
“I complained, ‘What’s going on? What’s that smell? They told me, ‘Just pour bleach down the drain. Everything’s going to be fine,” Logan said.
After months of no real progress, property management sent a contractor to investigate the matter. Despite the contractor finding no issue, things began to escalate as the sewage backed up into the tub and toilet.
Her children also began to get sick, with another contractor finding the backup in the sewage tank. Invitation Homes is calling the issue resolved upon the discovery. However, the smell still lingered, and black spots appeared in the heater vents.
The contractors did not fix the sewage leaks, with additional fees and rent issues also adding to her rental woes. However, the Metro Atlanta mother tried to keep up with the charges to conceal her address.
“The reason I kept paying my rent was because I didn’t want my address exposed,” Logan continued. “With an eviction being filed, your name can be searched, and the address pops up.”
Fees from renters’ insurance and home liability began to pile up, and a double rent charge made matters worse. The issues led to an eviction notice on her account. However, she successfully fought the problem, with a Gwinnett County Magistrate Court judge ordering Invitation Homes to repay her $6,000 and to repair the damage to the home.
Months later, the property group still has yet to repay her, insisting on giving her a credit instead. Now that her address was made public, Logan opted to move out to protect her and her children’s safety. However, she needs the ruling’s money to do so effectively.
It wasn’t until this November that another contractor discovered the sewage that had leaked into the home’s HVAC unit.
“We were blowing fecal vapors throughout the home the entire time,” Logan shared.
Experts deemed the water in the overflowed toilet extremely hazardous, forcing Logan to evacuate her family abruptly. Now, she remains in limbo for her next home, as Invitation Homes continues to grapple with several controversies. Last year, the property group settled a $48 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission for reportedly deceiving renters, including letting them live in unsafe conditions.
What Is The Best Way To Sell A Profitable Business?
A well-planned sale secures long-term financial stability, preserves the company’s legacy, and opens new opportunities for both the seller and buyer.
Selling a profitable business is one of the most significant financial decisions you can make as a business owner. A well-planned sale secures long-term financial stability, preserves the company’s legacy, and opens new opportunities for both the seller and buyer. While each transaction is unique, successful sales follow a structured process designed to maximize value while minimizing risk.
Whether you’re ready to sell now or planning a transition in the future, a thorough and disciplined approach can set the stage for selling your profitable business in the best way possible.
Synergy Business Brokers offers the following insights on how to sell a business, attract qualified buyers, and structure a deal strategically to make a substantial difference in your outcome.
Preparing Your Business for Sale
Preparing a business for sale involves thorough planning to strengthen its position and attract better-qualified buyers. The goal is to present a business that’s financially sound, operationally stable, and well-documented.
By following a clear, structured sequence, you can position the company for maximum value.
Organize Financial Documentation
Buyers rely on accurate, well-prepared records to evaluate performance and assess risk. In most transactions, sellers should provide at least three years of financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports.
Clean, consistent records show operational discipline. They also make it easier for buyers to secure financing and speed up the due diligence phase. In addition to financial statements, buyers often request tax returns, accounts receivable and payable summaries, as well as inventory reports and capital expenditure records.
Many owners work with a certified public accountant (CPA) to prepare their adjusted financial statements, which remove one-time expenses, personal costs, and discretionary spending that won’t continue after the sale. These adjustments provide buyers with a clearer picture of the company’s true earning power, which is crucial in determining its value.
For example, if a business shows $2 million in annual revenue with $300,000 in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), but the owner also runs $50,000 in personal expenses through the business, the adjusted EBITDA would be $350,000. The higher figure can increase the company’s valuation and overall sale price.
Strengthen Operational Readiness
Buyers often look for businesses that can thrive with minimal involvement from the current owner. A company with clear systems, trained personnel, and documented processes reduces risk and increases buyer confidence. Key areas to address include:
Standard operating procedures (SOPs): Document essential workflows for production, sales, marketing, and service delivery.
Staff training and leadership: Ensure the team can manage daily operations without relying on a single individual.
Customer relationship: Strengthen contracts, diversify the customer base, and reduce dependence on any single account.
Technology and infrastructure: Modernize systems were needed to support scalability and efficiency.
When operations run smoothly, buyers see more than just profit — they see a business with stability and growth potential.
Enhance Business Value
Strategic improvements made in the year or two leading up to a sale can substantially increase the price buyers are willing to pay. Improving margins, building recurring revenue streams, diversifying income sources, and investing in your brand’s reputation can all be advantageous steps.
Many business owners unintentionally weaken their negotiation position by overlooking key steps. Avoiding these pitfalls can help preserve and even increase value:
Incomplete financials: Disorganized or inaccurate records can delay or derail a sale.
Overvaluation: Unrealistic pricing can turn away serious buyers.
Owner dependency: If the business relies too heavily on the owner, buyers may lower their offer or walk away.
Lack of preparation: Last-minute fixes do not impress buyers. Planning builds trust.
Neglecting confidentiality: Sharing sensitive details too early in the sale process can damage relationships with employees, customers or suppliers.
Market the Business
Buyers need to understand what sets the business apart from other investment opportunities. A broker or advisor prepares a confidential information memorandum (CIM), a professional document outlining the company’s performance, strengths, and opportunities. It provides a snapshot of value without revealing proprietary details, and potential buyers only view the CIM after signing a nondisclosure agreement.
Targeted outreach follows, focusing on quality over quantity. This can include direct contact with strategic acquirers, private equity firms, or qualified individual buyers. Strategic marketing speeds up engagement, builds competition, and strengthens your negotiating position. It ensures the business reaches the right buyers, at the right time, with the right message.
Determining Your Business’s Fair Market Value
Establishing fair market value is one of the most important steps in selling a profitable business. A precise valuation gives you a strong foundation for pricing, marketing, and negotiations. There are different valuation methods to use, each giving you a unique perspective on value:
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Income approach: The income approach focuses on the company’s ability to generate cash flow. It projects future earnings and is often used for profitable businesses with stable or predictable revenue.
Market approach: The market approach involves comparing the business to similar companies that have recently been sold in the same industry. This approach reflects real-time market behavior and can be effective in sectors with consistent transaction data.
Asset-based approach: The asset-based approach determines value based on the company’s tangible and intangible assets, minus liabilities. This method suits asset-heavy businesses such as real estate operations, manufacturers, or distributors.
Seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE): The SDE method adds owner benefits, non-recurring expenses, and discretionary spending back to net profit. It gives buyers a clear view of the earnings available to a new owner.
EBITDA multiple: The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) valuation uses multiples varying by industry, market conditions and risk profile. Strong financial performance and growth potential will typically increase the multiple.
Which Factors Influence Business Value?
Several internal and external elements shape your business’s final valuation. While financial performance carries significant weight, there are also nonfinancial drivers that have a major impact. These include consistent revenue growth over several years, documented operational systems, favorable industry trends or market conditions, as well as a clean legal and financial history.
Ultimately, a business with strong fundamentals and well-documented systems typically commands a premium price. Working with an expert can help you accurately determine your business’s value.
The Role of Third-Party Valuation
Professional valuation firms use industry standards, financial modeling, and market data to produce a defensible value range. This independent perspective helps avoid overly high or low pricing, providing a strong foundation for negotiations.
Buyers often trust professional valuations more than seller estimates. A formal valuation also helps align expectations between stakeholders, reduces pricing disputes, and speeds up the deal timeline. It’s one of the most effective investments in the entire sales process.
Finding and Qualifying Potential Buyers
The success of selling a profitable business relies on finding the right buyer. The goal is to identify individuals or organizations that possess both the financial capacity and strategic motivation to execute a successful purchase.
A structured outreach process ensures confidentiality, efficiency, and strong deal momentum from the first point of contact through negotiation. The process starts with a focused marketing plan that uses a CIM to target serious buyers. This document captures attention while protecting sensitive details. Marketing strategies are carefully tailored to each buyer type.
Strategic acquirers, such as companies seeking to expand, can be contacted directly through industry networks. Private equity groups and institutional investors are contacted through professional databases and financial platforms. Individual entrepreneurs or owner-operators are reached through targeted listings on specialized business-for-sale platforms.
Qualifying Potential Buyers
Each potential buyer undergoes a thorough qualification process. Their financial capacity, acquisition experience, and operational expertise set serious, capable buyers apart from the rest. Qualified buyers demonstrate genuine intent, have the resources to close the deal, and have a timeline that aligns with your selling objectives.
Throughout this process, a business broker acts as your intermediary, maintaining confidentiality, screening inquiries, and presenting only the most suitable prospects to you. They use their market knowledge, network, and buyer database to identify prospects who are financially sound and strategically compatible. The broker also manages communications on your behalf, ensuring that responses to buyer questions are timely, accurate, and reflect your goals.
Negotiating the Sale and Structuring the Deal
Negotiations begin when a qualified buyer submits an offer. The offer includes a proposed price, structure, payment terms, and contingencies. Rather than accepting or rejecting immediately, sellers should review each element carefully and respond strategically.
Synergy Business Brokers
Negotiation is rarely just about price. Other terms can create significant value, even helping to bridge gaps between stakeholder expectations. Key negotiation points include:
Final purchase price and valuation basis.
Payment structure, including upfront cash, financing or installments.
Transition and training periods.
Noncompete agreements and seller involvement after closing.
Contingencies and conditions tied to performance or due diligence.
Liability and warranty allocation.
Closing date and timeline expectations.
Deal structure is a major element of the negotiation:
A cash-at-closing structure provides immediate liquidity and a clean exit, making it ideal for those who prefer minimal transaction involvement
A seller-financed structure allows the buyer to pay part of the price over time, which can broaden the pool of qualified buyers and sometimes lead to a higher overall price
An earnout arrangement ties a portion of the purchase price to future performance, aligning incentives and sharing risk
In some transactions, a hybrid structure combines these elements to meet the needs of both parties.
Managing Expectations
Buyers often negotiate to balance risk. For example, a buyer may agree with the asking price, but request that a portion of the payment be structured as an earnout. This means part of the purchase price is paid over time, based on the business meeting specific performance targets after closing. In this case, the buyer is reducing the risk of unforeseen changes in market conditions or revenue.
Maintaining flexibility while protecting your core objectives can lead to a stronger outcome. Clearly define and communicate timelines, which will help you avoid unnecessary delays, preserve buyer interest, and keep legal or financial teams aligned.
An experienced broker guides these negotiations, helps evaluate offers objectively, and keeps communications solution-oriented.
Due Diligence and Closing the Transaction
When both parties sign a letter of intent, the buyer starts verifying the information presented during negotiations. This confirms the business’s legal standing, financial performance, and operational stability.
A smooth due diligence process builds trust, protects value and moves the transaction toward closing with fewer surprises. Legal and financial steps involved include:
Finalizing the purchase agreement: Legal teams will refine terms, warranties, and indemnities based on due diligence findings.
Securing financing: Buyers confirm their funding sources or loan approvals before the closing date.
Asset transfers: Titles, intellectual property, leases, and key agreements are assigned or transferred.
Resolving contingencies: All agreed conditions, such as regulatory approvals and consents, are met.
Review the closing statement: Both parties verify all financial adjustments and allocations.
Signing the final documents: The buyer and seller execute the purchase agreement and supporting paperwork.
Disburse funds: Payment is transferred according to the agreed structure, and ownership formally changes hands.
Closing follows quickly after successful due diligence. Strong preparation, clear communication, and experienced advisors help keep the process on schedule. By anticipating buyer concerns and resolving issues promptly, you can preserve the deal’s value and lay the groundwork for a seamless transition to new ownership.
Setting Yourself Up for a Successful Sale
The best way to sell a profitable business begins long before listing it on the market. It starts with understanding value drivers, organizing documentation, and positioning the business as a desirable, low-risk investment. By preparing operations, financials, and marketing materials in advance, you can create momentum and attract serious buyers who can move through negotiations and due diligence quickly.
Treat the process as a strategic journey. When every step is intentional and well-executed, with support from a reliable business broker, the sale delivers more than just a strong price. It creates a smooth transition, protects your legacy, and sets the foundation for future opportunities.
NAACP Launches AI-Focused Healthcare Initiative To Address Equity Gaps In Medicine
The Ace Your Health initiative aims to provide a equity-first framework for AI to benefit healthcare services.
The NAACP has launched a new initiative utilizing AI to bridge equity gaps in healthcare.
The civil rights organization has announced the ACE Your Health Initiative in collaboration with Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical company. The initiative aims to provide an “equity-first, human-centered approach” to healthcare service strengthened by AI.
In a white paper, the NAACP detailed the initiative’s plan and methodology toward further implementing healthcare in AI. The association intends for the advanced technology to work beyond illness prevention. It can also advance treatment and diagnosis of diseases within underserved communities. The initiative even intends for AI to assist with data collection as the need for diverse clinical trials remains.
“As a physician, I’ve seen what happens when systems are built without the people they are meant to serve,” said Dr. Chris Pernell, director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity, in a press release. “AI can transform patient care, but only if it reflects the real lives and experiences of our communities. When Black, Brown, and underserved patients are missing from the data, they are missing from the solutions. Health AI must be built with dignity, transparency, and centered on the communities it’s meant to benefit.”
However, the association also emphasized the need for responsible usage of AI. Despite the technology offering abundant medical opportunities, rising concerns about an “AI divide” persist. This issue primarily stems from inequitable integration, particularly with biased datasets.
To combat this, Ace Your Health will implement a model to foster accountability and ethical responsibility as the technology becomes more deeply ingrained across various healthcare services. The initiative will later publish equity impact assessments, using fairness metrics and inclusive data practices to ensure these changes.
To engage the community, the initiative will also focus on AI literacy. This additional element will ensure patients and providers are aware of how the technology will serve in these capacities.
“Even as AI promises to deliver more personalized and predictive healthcare, the perils — both known and unknown — require attention to ethics, safety, and equity,” added S. Craig Watkins, Ph.D., ACE Your Health AI Taskforce chair. “The ACE Your Health initiative is poised to leverage the wide range of voices — clinical, community, and industry — necessary to build an AI governance framework that is actionable, impactful, and inspired from the ground up.”
With this framework in place, Ace Your Health will put Black and Brown communities at the forefront of healthcare advancement. Ahead of its release, the initiative will rely on guidance from industry leaders, healthcare systems, policymakers, and others as it holistically develops this plan.
Sticky Fingers: Postal Worker Caught On Camera Hiding Mail In Her Pants
She was seen on video allegedly using a stolen T.J. Maxx card
Jovanni Jamison-Lewis, a postal worker in Suffolk County, Long Island, was arrested after allegedly being caught on camera stealing items from envelopes and using them for her personal benefit.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office alerted the media of the arrest and arraignment of the 35-year-old Jamison-Lewis. She has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor; and Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor.
The alleged crimes took place at the Oakdale Post Office.
“Suffolk County residents depend upon the reliability of the mail service every day, and my office is committed to investigating and prosecuting any public officials who tamper with it for their own personal gain,” said District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney in a written statement. “I want to thank the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General for their hard work and cooperation in this case.”
While under investigation by the post office on Nov. 19, Jamison-Lewis allegedly stole two envelopes containing gifts for the intended recipients. The envelopes were mailed as part of an undercover operation in which an investigator sent the items to the post office. In one envelope, there was a greeting card and a T.J. Maxx gift card; in the other, a greeting card and three lottery scratch-off tickets. Jamison-Lewis allegedly stole the envelopes but returned the cards to them for mailing.
The next day, she was seen on surveillance video at a T.J. Maxx, using the stolen gift card.
The post office investigators, along with agents from the USPS Office of the Inspector General, arrived at the Oakdale station Nov. 24 and arrested Jamison-Lewis. When she was detained, she was allegedly found with two stolen pieces of mail in her pants and four more in her pocketbook. She was also discovered with the items purchased at T.J. Maxx on Nov. 20.
After obtaining search warrants for her residence and vehicle, investigators allegedly found an additional 20 pieces of stolen mail.
Jamison-Lewis had just celebrated a year at the job, being hired in November 2024. She resigned Dec. 1.
FTC Warns Senior Fraud Losses Soared In 2024 — How To Protect Yourself
Seniors have been consistently targeted by a wide range of scams.
New data from the Federal Trade Commission show that reported financial fraud losses among older Americans increased sharply in 2024, totaling billions of dollars.
A wide range of scams has consistently targeted seniors, the FTC revealed in a report to Congress. In its annual report to the Senate and House Judiciary committees, the FTC said that “consumers reported losing about $12.8 billion to fraud in 2024” and that older adults accounted for a significant share of those losses, including large individual losses. Older consumers often reported the largest individual dollar losses. People age 80 and older reported a median loss of about $1,600 in 2024, higher than for younger groups.
Older adults most frequently reported losses to investment scams, business impostors, government impersonators, and romance scams, and social media was a common method of initial contact for investment scams, the FTC said. However, there are steps consumers can take to avoid becoming victims of fraud.
Federal and consumer advocacy resources offer clear guidance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and FTC jointly advise consumers on safe financial practices.
Don’t wire money. Wiring money is like sending cash. Once you send it, you usually can’t get it back.
Don’t pay with gift cards, because gift cards give scammers instant control of the money.
Don’t pay with cryptocurrency, as the currency lacks legal protections and is difficult to reverse.
Research all potential business entities or business partners.
“Report fraud to the FTC…at ReportFraud.ftc.gov,” they wrote, noting information helps protect the broader community from scams and bad business practices.
Furthermore, independent organizations also emphasize awareness and education. The Better Business Bureau advised that a key step in preventing scams is to become familiar with common scams targeting older adults and to encourage older adults to ignore suspicious calls or messages.
Additional support is available through the AARP Fraud Watch Network, which provides free helpline services to help spot and avoid scams. AARP’s online resource encourages people to seek guidance when they see signs of fraud and offers “tips on how to spot a scam,” as well as steps to take after detecting one.
