Earn Your Leisure:
Leaders of a Financial Revolution

 Earn Your Leisure Co-founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings have triggered a paradigm shift that has raised the financial consciousness of Black America

WRITTEN BY: SELENA HILL  |  COVER IMAGE: TY DAVIS  |  COVER VIDEO BY: EDWIAN STOKES

On a cool Saturday morning in mid-March, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings entered a swanky hotel lobby in downtown Austin, Texas, exhibiting a confident, subtle New York swagger that commands the room. Donning dapper streetwear while standing at 6’3” and 6’2”, respectively, it’s easy to mistake them for professional athletes or, perhaps, rappers or hip-hop music executives. Nonetheless, even those who don’t recognize them can tell they’re a big deal.

 

We sat down at the Diner Bar inside The Thompson Austin Hotel, where they both ordered oatmeal. Bilal’s bowl is topped with walnuts and blueberries and comes with a side of fruit. The 39-year-old says he tries to eat healthy as much as possible, while Millings, 41, prefers a light meal ahead of their big day. Later that afternoon, they’ll be taking the stage at South by Southwest (SXSW), one of the world’s largest music, tech, and culture festivals. Their demeanor, however, is calm and self-assured. But that’s not surprising. After sharing stages with Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, and Floyd Mayweather at arenas like Madison Square Garden in New York and the Royal Hall in London, this is just another day at work for the dynamic duo.

 

Hours later, Bilal and Millings are greeted with loud cheers and applause when they step on stage at SXSW to moderate a live conversation with rap veteran Jadakiss, Grammy-nominated artist and producer Ryan Leslie, and rising indie artist LaRussell. The focus of the discussion, however, is not on the artists’ music careers but rather on their journeys into entrepreneurship and wealth creation. The panel discussion published on YouTube the following week as another episode of Earn Your Leisure (EYL), the wildly popular financial literacy podcast Bilal and Millings launched in 2019. The YouTube video has since racked up over 88,000 views – a mere drop in the bucket for EYL, which has amassed more than 50 million downloads and is consistently ranked in the Top 20 Business Podcasts in the U.S., peaking at No. 1 on the Apple Podcast charts.

Bilal and Millings created EYL to enlighten underserved populations starved for economic empowerment. They carved their own lane, explaining sophisticated finance principles and economic trends through the lens of hip-hop, sports, and entertainment.  Their unique approach—which feels like a college business course being taught in a barbershop—has helped EYL accrue a cult-like following that includes over 2 million social media followers. It has also turned EYL into a multifaceted platform that includes an online university, a podcast network, a TV show, live events, and a world tour. Furthermore, it has cemented Earn Your Leisure as the culture’s go-to source for financial knowledge and transformed how urban communities think about money.   

Bilal and Millings created EYL to enlighten underserved populations starved for economic empowerment. They carved their own lane, explaining sophisticated finance principles and economic trends through the lens of hip-hop, sports, and entertainment.  Their unique approach—which feels like a college business course being taught in a barbershop—has helped EYL accrue a cult-like following that includes over 2 million social media followers. It has also turned EYL into a multifaceted platform that includes an online university, a podcast network, a TV show, live events, and a world tour. Furthermore, it has cemented Earn Your Leisure as the culture’s go-to source for financial knowledge and transformed how urban communities think about money.   

Bilal and Millings created EYL to enlighten underserved populations starved for economic empowerment. They carved their own lane, explaining sophisticated finance principles and economic trends through the lens of hip-hop, sports, and entertainment.  Their unique approach—which feels like a college business course being taught in a barbershop—has helped EYL accrue a cult-like following that includes over 2 million social media followers. It has also turned EYL into a multifaceted platform that includes an online university, a podcast network, a TV show, live events, and a world tour. Furthermore, it has cemented Earn Your Leisure as the culture’s go-to source for financial knowledge and transformed how urban communities think about money.   

LESSONS IN BUSINESS

Four years ago, before EYL was conceptualized, Millings worked as an educator at a public school in The Bronx, New York, while Bilal was a financial adviser. As lifelong friends who grew up in a small working-class community in Westchester just 20 minutes outside New York City, they understood the importance of creating multiple revenue streams. “We knew that we could not save our way to wealth,”

Millings told BLACK ENTERPRISE. So, the friends set out to create a business together. Their first venture was a blog called Fashion Wavve circa 2015. An early student of social media, Bilal’s goal for the fashion blog was simple: “Build it up, get a following, and then have people pay us to promote their brands,” he said. “I’ve been studying social media for a long time,” he continued. “I saw social media as a business opportunity before there was a term called ‘influencer.’”

The plan worked. “We got the [Instagram] page up to 10,000 followers, but we didn’t really have a strong passion for it, so it kind of died off,” he admits.

Later, Bilal and Millings partnered with two friends to launch an innovative app called Jock Drive that used technology to enhance a DJ’s performance and allowed them to store their records in a cloud service rather than carrying physical records. They outsourced a company in India to build the app, but that “didn’t go well” due to the time difference and cultural differences.

“Apps can be very expensive and can take a lot of time to get done,” said Millings. As a result, the four friends lost $30,000 and an unaccounted amount of time that they had invested into the app. Yet, the lessons they learned about business operations were invaluable.

“We kind of learned the hard way,” says Millings. “It was a business lesson that had to be learned. Sometimes it’s better to pay more to get the job done correctly or have it built in an area that you have access to,” he said. “We saw the idea. We saw that it could be lucrative, and we were like, let’s just go after it. I’m not sure how much we studied the space. I’m pretty sure we could have been more diligent about that.”

Likewise, Bilal says Jock Drive taught him the significance of “understanding what you’re actually doing [and] being knowledgeable, that’s important—and being hands-on.”

Most importantly, “it didn’t discourage us,” Millings added. “There are no failures. There are only lessons.”

https://www.instagram.com/fashionwavve/?hl=en

“
Financial literacy is the essential tool that can create generational and sustainable wealth for our communities

– Troy Millings

CLASS IS IN SESSION

Meanwhile, while working for the New York City Department of Education, Millings felt compelled to offer students taking summer school classes practical information. He began incorporating financial literacy into his lesson plans and asked Bilal to lecture his students about money. Eventually, the longtime friends created a complete curriculum on finance for the students. They also began recording the lectures and sharing the videos on social media. “Spend, saving, sharing. That’s pretty much the three things you can do with your money,” Bilal told a classroom of 14-year-olds in a recording dated July 15, 2017. “No matter how much money you make, if you spend everything that you make, how much money are you going to have after that? Nothing.”

His videos teaching financial literacy to teens became popular on his Instagram page, where he regularly shared money tips with his 40,000 followers. Wanting to expand his reach, he decided to create the Earn Your Leisure podcast to discuss the money plays behind sports, entertainment, and business. Naturally, he asked Millings to be his co-host and partnered with longtime friend Michael MacDonald, the third co-founder of EYL, to launch a revolutionary podcast focused on equipping Black communities with the tools, information, and resources needed to acquire wealth.

“Financial freedom is the root of empowerment,” he said. “When you look at mass incarceration, health issues, poor education, violence, these are all issues that stem from a lack of financial resources. Achieving financial stability and financial freedom is our only chance at changing our condition in America and in the world.”

The timing of the podcast launch in January 2019 was perfect. Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z’s music had ignited a new generation of hip-hop lovers to take an interest in financial literacy. Plus, Dame Dash’s viral interview on The Breakfast Club in 2015 about the importance of entrepreneurship and ownership also signaled that the culture was hungry for financial knowledge.

“It helped make the ground fertile,” said Bilal. “A lot of different factors came into play. COVID definitely helped accelerate [our growth]. Even hip-hop, different people putting messages in their music from Nip to Jay to Rick Ross.” That set the stage for EYL’s success. “A lot of different ingredients made the meal. We didn’t plan it, but it was definitely good timing.”

The Business Blueprint

  QUOTE: “I always kind of thought it would be big before we started. I always had the vision.” – Rashad Bilal During the first few episodes of Earn Your Leisure, Bilal and Millings used an iPhone to record themselves as they dissected business case studies like the launch and growth of Airbnb. Their consistent, authentic, and digestible delivery quickly resonated with listeners from the streets all the way to Wall Street. Within the first seven months, the podcast accumulated over 6,500 subscribers and an average of 20,000 plays per episode. ‪It also began to rank on national podcast charts. “We were [ranking on] top 10 podcast charts by like episode 11. So, off the rip, we had a good following, and it just never really slowed down,” said Bilal. “It was a consistent build-up.” Bilal and Millings used the growing popularity of the podcast to secure interviews with high-profile entrepreneurs like billionaire Mark Cuban, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, and hip-hop mogul Dame Dash, who shared their personal blueprints for business success. Millings says he was surprised by the meteoric rise of EYL and the overwhelming response they received from listeners. “When I started seeing the numbers, I was like, ‘wait, we have 2,000 people listening?’ And every week, that number kept going up,” he said. On top of that, “our social media was exploding. The clips were going viral.” Not only did the hosts develop a global fan base, but they were changing people’s lives. We received “messages [from] people saying, ‘I’m in jail and I just listened to this episode. What y’all do is incredible, man! I wish I would have had this information. I probably wouldn’t be here,’” recalls Millings. Bilal, on the other hand, says he was confident in EYL’s ability to become a financial juggernaut from day one. “I always kind of thought it would be big before we started. I always had the vision.”  

From Classes to the Masses

 

 

By early 2020, Millings says he realized that EYL was making a greater impact than he ever could as a teacher.

“I’ll never forget on March 11, 2020, sitting at home, and I was just like, ‘this is going to change the world. I’m never going back to the school again,’” he said, recalling the day he resigned. By then, EYL was generating enough revenue to supplement his six-figure teacher salary through its YouTube channel, ad sales, merchandise, and live events.

By April 2021, the show boasted over 5 million downloads, a whopping 422,000 YouTube subscribers, and 702,000 Instagram followers. To satisfy their audience’s insatiable appetite for financial knowledge, the co-founders partnered with Matthew “MG The Mortgage Guy” Garland to launch “EYL University,” which includes dozens of online courses and webinars on a range of topics like real estate, cryptocurrency, credit, stocks, content creation, advertising, and e-commerce. They also launched the EYL podcast network, which produces and distributes shows like Inside The Vault with Ash Cash, Market Mondays with investor Ian Dunlap, and High Level Conversations hosted by thought leader 19 Keys. Furthermore, the duo secured a deal with iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s The Black Effect Podcast Network that same year.

Media outlets couldn’t help but notice EYL’s viral celebrity interviews, podcast growth, and burgeoning social following. They were featured in national publications like Forbes and Black Enterprise and on Power 105.1 radio’s The Breakfast Club. In 2021, the co-founders landed a TV show called “Assets Over Liabilities,” where they interviewed hip-hop stars and influencers about business, on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Revolt television and digital network. Later that year, they signed with United Talent Agency, a global talent agency based in Beverly Hills that represents the likes of Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, and Charlize Theron.

EYL’s momentum continued in 2021 when over 4,000 people flocked to Atlanta to attend its inaugural economic empowerment conference, Invest Fest. The monumental event celebrated the marriage of culture and commerce, educating the next generation of Black investors and entrepreneurs on cryptocurrency, the stock market, real estate, insurance, and estate planning.

The number of Invest Fest attendees more than doubled to 14,000 people in 2022 and featured business titans like Tyler Perry, Rick Ross, and Chick-fil-a chairman Dan T. Cathy. It also marked the start of EYL’s partnership with Steve Harvey and Harvey Ventures to produce events.

“We’ll pay a lot of money for entertainment. We will pay top dollar to see our favorite artists. But when it comes to investing in yourself, back in the day, it just didn’t happen like this,” said Harvey during his fireside chat at Invest Fest. “This is an amazing thing to see 12,000 who are trying to invest in themselves,” continued the legendary actor, comedian, and entrepreneur. “It’s a lot of young people in here. That’s a great testament as to where we’re headed as a people and what you two brothers have accomplished in a very, very short period of time. You filled the void that was so needed.”

In October 2022, Harvey and the co-founders took Invest Fest overseas, holding a three-day conference in London. The sold-out summit featured speakers like actor and host Terrence J and Black financial experts 19 Keys, Wall Street Trapper, Ian Dunlap, and Patricia Bright.
With no signs of slowing down, earlier this year the globetrotting pair launched the Market Mondays World Tour sponsored by Ally, which kicked off in Los Angeles in March, followed by a tour stop in Toronto in April. The tour is slated for London in June, Chicago in October, and Ghana in December. The financial powerhouses are also preparing to host the third annual Invest Fest in August, which promises to be their biggest and best event to date.
“This year we are expecting 20,000 people,” said an EYL rep in an email to BE. “Invest Fest 2023 will include an even larger vendor marketplace showcasing over 400 small businesses and live podcast stages with interviews from top entrepreneurs.”

Transforming the Culture QUOTE: “It’s a financial revolution.” – Troy Millings EYL’s impact on the culture is palpable. EYL is where rapper-turned-podcaster Joe Budden detailed his decision to walk away from a $20 million deal with Spotify. EYL is also where Murder Inc. CEO Irv Gotti opened up about selling his masters for $300 million and where Ryan Leslie revealed how he turned $100,000 of Apple stock into $16 million. Other notables, such as billionaires Robert F. Smith and Tyler Perry, have shared their financial missteps and mistakes on the podcast. “We’re the ladder that gets the message from the billionaires up here in the clouds to the everyday person,” said Millings. “We’ve become the messenger of getting their message across and [sharing] their blueprint.” Despite making tremendous strides, the flourishing podcast has a long way to go to reverse the 400 years of oppression that has left Black Americans economically disenfranchised. According to a 2021 American Progress, the average Black household had about $142,330 compared to $980,549 from a white household before the pandemic—giving Black households 14.5% of the wealth of white households. Today, NPR reports that for every dollar the average white American has, the average Black American has only about 17 cents.” “When we talk about the wealth gap, and we talk about how much African Americans’ average income is, it is disparaging. It feels discouraging,” Millings said, admitting that the reality of the widening racial wealth gap is grim. The former educator predicts that Black people collectively won’t reap the dividends from EYL for at least another decade. “It’s a financial revolution. So, the impact we won’t see for five to 10 years, maybe 20 years down the line.” Yet, he believes change, although gradual, is promising. “The mindset is changing. Investment strategies are changing. Planning is changing. The creation of companies is changing. The level of awareness for entrepreneurs is changing.”

Knowledge is Power

Outside of helping Black people around the diaspora achieve financial freedom, Millings and Bilal attest that the information they learn from their interviews has increased their financial prowess and business acumen.
“One of the benefits of sitting down with people, is we get to learn everything that they know,” said Millings. For example, he noted that episode 12, featuring celebrity mortgage broker Matthew Garland, changed his perspective on profiting from a multi-family home.
“I was living in one. I was like, ‘Why am I not thinking of this? Why am I not doing this?’” he said.
“Episode 11 is still probably one of my favorite episodes,” said Bilal. That episode featured restauranter Derrick Faulcon, who served five years in federal prison before opening Home Maid in Baltimore, and later Cloudy Donuts in Brooklyn, New York. Not only did Faulcon share his success story, but he gave a breakdown of his revenue model and strategy to secure profits.
“The way he looked at business from a holistic standpoint, getting the most out of the opportunity, as opposed to letting nothing go to waste and being very efficient, that was something that I still carry to this day.”



The Mission Continues QUOTE: “When you think of Earn Your Leisure, it’s more than just financial literacy. It’s more than just business investing. It’s a boutique luxury brand.” – Rashaad Bilal According to the hosting pair, Earn Your Leisure went from earning less than $100,000 in its first year in business to a remarkable eight-figure evaluation in 2022. Now, their aiming to scale EYL into a global media empire. “It’s important to have a more expansive range of content,” said Bilal. “I was actually talking to Diddy about how important news was. News, I think, is truly important. Scripted content, biographies, movies, TV series – different things outside of the current offerings we have now.” Millings added, “There’s a reason why you see us in London, and we keep going back. There’s a reason why you’re going to see us in Africa multiple times, and we’re going to keep going back.” They also plan to continue to change the perception of finance from a traditional white businessman in a suit to Black creatives in tracksuits and sneakers by staying true to themselves and their duality. “We can be on Drink Champs, or we can be on Bloomberg. We can be on Crenshaw or CNBC,” said Millings. “We get plenty of people who are from Wall Street who are like, ‘y’all are speaking for us, bro. You’re saying things that we can’t say. We appreciate y’all.’ And there’s somebody on the corner that’s like, ‘Yo, bro, I’m so glad that y’all teaching that because I never learned it.’ There’s a perfect blend of us representing the everyday person.”

Economic Emancipation

Bilal and Millings agree that EYL is larger than them. It’s a movement that is breaking cyclical poverty and shifting wealth into the hands of Black Americans one show, event, and seminar at a time.
“Financial literacy is the essential tool that can create generational and sustainable wealth for our communities,” said Millings. “Without it, we’re likely to perpetuate the same mistakes, remain uneducated, and uninformed, and pass down the financial fears and traumas of the generations before us.”
Bilal, who describes himself and Millings as “financial liberators,” says their ultimate goal is to “be able to empower people. Be able to change people’s mindset and change people’s lives when it comes to finance. And also, just to inspire people to think bigger than their current circumstances and realize that anything is possible.”
He adds, “It would be great to be championed as the people that democratized business and made the playing field more equal for people who were disenfranchised when it came to financial literacy and business investing.”
“This is a world mission,” said Millings.

Masthead


Story By: Selena Hill, Deputy Digital Editor, BLACK ENTERPRISE

Editor: Seimond London, Copy and Research Chief, BLACK ENTERPRISE

Photographers: Ty Davis and Maddam X

Stylist: Michael Barnett

Creative Director: Terence Saulsby, SVP, Chief Creative Officer, BLACK ENTERPRISE

Web Developer: Deven Robinson, Dir., Digital Production, BLACK ENTERPRISE

Videographer: Edwian Stokes, Video Producer, BLACK ENTERPRISE

Manager: Justin Barton, SVP, Digital and Strategic Partnerships, BLACK ENTERPRISE

50 Cent, harrasment, instagram, lawsuit
(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
by Kandiss Edwards

January 10, 2025

50 Cent To Host A Superbowl Comedy Block Party In New Orleans

Fox 8 reported that Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will perform a comedy show in New Orleans the weekend of Superbowl LIX.

The Superbowl Comedy Block Party will occur Feb. 9, one day before the Superbowl. The event will feature D.C. Young Fly, Chico Bean, and veteran comedian Bill Bellamy. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at MahaliaJacksonTheater.com.

The veteran entertainer is taking a backseat for this production, as the rapper has just completed a Vegas residency. On Dec. 27, the rapper began performing at the PH Inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. It is reported that the star earned $15 million for six live shows.

While the rapper’s catalog is full of popular tunes, nostalgia did not save his show from criticism. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the fan criticism that began on the first day of the residency.

Jen G, also known as Vegasstarfish, posted on her Instagram account after attending the first show. The content creator believed the production value for such a famous rapper was severely lacking. Jen G wrote that the sound was unbalanced, and the hypemen were lackluster.

“I’ve seen 50 Cent perform in warehouses in Memphis, TN (where I’m from) decades ago, and it was pure magic. His limited-time residency in Las Vegas was the opposite of that. The sound was balanced poorly, making it impossible to hear the performance. His hypemen were unrelenting and overbearing, making it difficult to hear anything,” she wrote.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Jen G. (@vegasstarfish)

Initially, Jackson did not respond to the criticism. But 50 Cent wouldn’t be 50 Cent if he remained silent. In a video posted to X by an attendee, the Power producer sounded off on the haters. The In Da Club rapper reminded fans that his catalog is gritty. As far as 50 Cent is concerned, the street sounds do not require theatrics, and fans should be pleased that, at his age, he is showing up and giving his best.

“What, you thought I was gon’ be out here rollerblading like Usher and s**t? I seen some **it [where] Chris Brown was flying in Africa. I don’t have records that require me to fly in Africa,”

Now that the residency has ended, Jackson can focus on events like the Super Bowl Comedy Block Party. Hopefully, the production value of the event will meet fans’ lofty expectations.

RELATED CONTENT: 50 Cent Says It’s ‘Good News’ NFL Will Continue Partnership With JAY-Z And Roc Nation

wildfires, California, Los Angeles, fire, Hollywood, insurance
(Photo: Pixabay/Pexels)
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 10, 2025

Paper Trails, Cash Advances, And More Insurance Settlement Insight For Those Who Lost A Home Or Business In The LA Wildfires

An overview of the prolonged insurance claim process for those affected by the LA wildfires.

Three active fires have blazed in Los Angeles, California, displacing over 80,000 people and destroying more than 2,000 structures. For those facing the long road to rebuilding after losing everything, the first step for many will be navigating the process of working with their home insurance providers.

As The LA Times cites, filing an insurance claim is a lengthy and often complex process. However, it’s one of the many steps necessary after losing a home or business. Resolving a claim can take months — or even years — and the significant reductions many insurance companies have made in coverage for fire-prone areas only add to the stress and uncertainty.

California’s Department of Insurance offers a top 10 list of tips for wildfire victims, including thoroughly reviewing your insurance policy, tracking living expenses, and documenting all correspondence with your provider. Other recommendations include obtaining a contractor’s rebuild cost estimate and considering legal assistance to navigate the claims process.

Once in a safe location, victims should contact their insurance company to file a claim and provide a detailed account of the incident. An insurance adjuster will assess your claim to determine the insurer’s liability and the payout amount.

If your property was destroyed, insurance providers are obligated to immediately pay at least one-third of the estimated value of your personal belongings (known as contents) and a minimum of four months’ rent based on the local rates in your area. Michael Soller, a spokesperson with the California Department of Insurance, confirmed that the payments are required if an adjuster has inspected your home.

Claimants can request cash advances from insurance providers to cover living expenses, including renting furniture. Some companies even offer services to fully furnish temporary homes, including towels, sheets, and kitchen utensils.

Annie Barbour, a coordinator for United Policyholders, a nonprofit focused on insurance and consumer rights advocacy, advises maintaining a detailed paper trail. Documentation should include records of conversations with specific personnel and their timestamps, photos of receipts for expenses like hotel stays and pet boarding, images taken before any cleanup or debris removal, an inventory of damaged or destroyed property, and follow-up emails after speaking with your adjuster.

“You want that paper trail: ‘I talked to you on this date, this is what I heard you say,’” Barbour said.

“That’s huge. It keeps you from having to take two steps forward and one step back,” especially as adjusters often get reassigned midway through the process.

After an adjuster’s inspection, Barbour suggests seeking a second opinion from an experienced construction professional or an independent public adjuster. However, the Department of Insurance advises attempting to settle your claim directly with your insurance company before considering hiring a public adjuster or lawyer.

What claimants receive depends on their insurance policy and the specific coverage benefits included. Generally, insurance companies are obligated to cover damage on a “like and kind” basis, meaning you are entitled to the amount necessary to rebuild or repair a home of comparable quality and value.

“So if you had an older home and it didn’t have any crown molding, it didn’t have wood floors, they’re not going to give you an upgrade,” Barbour said.

Local assistance centers are available to help replace essential documents lost in the fires, such as passports, driver’s licenses, and birth, death, or marriage certificates. They can also assist with having your property taxes reevaluated.

For renters, the rental policy will likely cover the cost of lost belongings and temporary housing. However, it depends on the policy; some only cover house fires, not wildfires.

Business owners filing a claim must complete a proof of loss form or schedule an appointment for an adjuster to assess the property. Gather all relevant business records, including documentation of the value of damaged inventory, equipment, or structures.

Depending on the policy, you may receive coverage for commercial property damage, loss of income, and relocation expenses. Claimants must access the property to document the damage in detail, secure it, and make temporary repairs to prevent further harm.

RELATED CONTENT: Jay-Z’s Attorney Cites Loophole In Hopes of Getting Assault Lawsuit Thrown Out

Trump, EEOC, DEI
(Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr)
by Mitti Hicks

January 10, 2025

Trump To Become 1st Felon In Executive Office After Supreme Court Rejects Bid To Postpone Sentencing

In a last-minute attempt, Trump asked the Supreme Court to consider whether he was entitled to an automatic stay of his sentencing. Justices rejected his application narrowly, 5-4.

President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced in his hush money case, making him the first felon to hold the executive office. Trump faced up to four years in prison, but New York State Judge Juan Merchan did not impose any punishment. Instead, Merchan sentenced him to ” an unconditional discharge,” meaning his conviction stands with no further penalties.

Trump briefly addressed the court by video, stating his criminal trial and conviction have “been a very terrible experience.”

The President-elects sentencing comes one day after the Supreme Court denied President-elect Donald Trump’s request to delay sentencing in his criminal hush-money case. In a last-minute attempt, Trump asked the Supreme Court to consider whether he was entitled to an automatic stay of his sentencing. Justices rejected his application narrowly, 5-4.

In May 2024, a jury of 12 unanimously found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide reimbursements of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The payments were disguised as legal expenses.

Two of the Supreme Court’s conservative justices — John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett — joined the three liberals on the high court in denying Trump’s request for a delay. The remaining four justices, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Clarence Thomas, would have allowed Trump’s bid to postpone sentencing, according to the BBC.

Three lower courts in New York rejected Trump’s legal team’s request for a delay, prompting Trump’s legal team to petition the Supreme Court to intervene on Wednesday. The Supreme Court decided on Thursday. Justices in the high court reportedly denied Trump’s petition and said his concerns should be addressed during his appeal.

Trump Hints at Appeal

Its decision surprised many, especially since last year, the 6-3 conservative majority handed Trump a significant victory by ruling 6-3 that US presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for “official acts” undertaken in office.

This ruling ultimately ceased federal prosecution against Trump on charges that he illegally interfered in the 2020 election. Since then, Trump’s lawyers have tried to use the Supreme Court’s ruling to convince judges that presidential immunity protections should also apply to the president-elect in the Manhattan criminal case.

Manhattan prosecutors have pushed back on that idea, stating, “It is axiomatic that there is only one President at a time.”

Judge Merchan sentenced Trump ten days before his Inauguration. Trump will make history as the only president sentenced on criminal charges.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump made remarks to the media from his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, alluding to further appeals.

“So I’ll do my little thing tomorrow. They can have fun with their political opponent,” he said.

RELATED CONTENT: Let It Be Known That Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts Hurt Black Americans

Golden Globe Award, gift bag
Wikimedia Commons
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 10, 2025

The Golden Globes Gift Bag Is Basically Filled With $1M Worth Of Excess

This year’s Golden Globe winners and presenters received luxurious swag bags valued at $1 million.

Golden Globe winners and presenters walked away with more than just trophies and screen time — details have emerged about the luxurious $1 million swag bags gifted to every winner and presenter.

The Robb Report curated $1 million gift bags featuring 28 luxury items for the awards show winners and presenters, People revealed. Highlights from “The Ultimate Gift Bag” include a $40,000 facelift and a $60,000 yacht trip, among other extravagant offerings.

“It’s a privilege to collaborate with the Golden Globes® in creating a one-of-a-kind gift that mirrors the prestige and glamour of ‘Hollywood’s Party of the Year,’” said Luke Bahrenburg, President of Robb Report and Head of Luxury Sales at PMC.

Recipients were treated to an array of exclusive vacation options, including a luxury yacht excursion through Indonesia’s Coral Triangle, a private flight and stay in Finland to witness the Northern Lights, and the most extravagant offering — a three-night stay in a beachfront villa in Turks and Caicos valued at $507,492.

On the beauty front, guests were treated to high-end treatments, including a $40,000 non-surgical stem cell facelift for one lucky recipient and a $1,400 oxygen facial at The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills, offered to 25 attendees. The luxury wellness gifts continued, including personalized dance and workout sessions from FORWARD__Space valued at $25,000, a $15,000 NordicTrack Ultra 1 treadmill, and La Prairie’s Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate serum, priced at $935.

This year’s luxury gift bag, which doubled in value, featured the centerpiece Atlas Bespoke Weekender Bag, a curated selection of cigars and premium alcohol, including rare vintage Liber Pater wines valued at $34,800. It also included extravagant excursions, such as a $272,000 wine-tasting and dinner experience in Bordeaux, France, and a $5,500 trip to the Komos Foundation in Tequila, Mexico.

“This year’s collection embodies the pinnacle of luxury, offering recipients an extraordinary journey through bespoke craftsmanship, exclusive experiences and iconic brands that define excellence,” Bahrenburg said. “Every detail reflects our commitment to celebrating the best in class, from meticulously curated travel adventures to rare, indulgent treasures.”

RELATED CONTENT: Golden Globes Releases Statement Promising a Commitment to Diversity and Transparency

ayesha curry|wine
Ayesha Curry in 2019 (Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)|
by Jameelah Mullen

January 10, 2025

Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s MGM Grand Restaurant Is Closing After 5 Years

The popular eatery says goodbye to the Sin City.

International Smoke, Ayesha Curry and Chef Michael Mina’s Las Vegas restaurant will close on Jan. 19. The Barbecue restaurant, located inside the MGM Grand, opened in December 2019. 

The restaurant features a variety of delectables curated by Curry and Mina, such as Ayesha Fresh-Baked Cornbread, Miso-Braised Chilean Seabass, and black truffle Ceaser salad, as well as several vegan options. In a 2022 interview with People, Curry said she wanted to provide an inclusive culinary experience for guests.

“I was like, ‘We need to create some sort of full, vegan spread where somebody can come in and say, ‘I’m going to do the vegan tasting menu,’ and it’s just as good if not better than everything else that we’re offering,” Curry said.

“So, just really focusing on being inclusive of all of the customers and guests that come through the door.”

Mina found inspiration for the restaurant through his travels. In 2020, Curry’s business partner told Haute Living in 2020, “The restaurant concept stems from both Ayesha’s and my own personal travels around the world. First the start of all cooking, and every country shares this culinary spark.”

Fans of International Smoke are not out of luck; the restaurant’s San Francisco location will remain open. The Michelin-award-winning chef Michael Mina owns five other restaurants in Las Vegas, including Bardot Brasserie, located at the Bellagio Hotel. 

International Smoke appears to be the latest casualty of MGM’s restaurant shake-up. In October of last year, the hotel giant closed Della’s Kitchen; the following month, Avenue Cafe permanently closed its doors to make room for a Netflix-themed restaurant. Despite the restaurant’s closure, Curry still has plenty on her plate. The businesswoman owns the lifestyle brand Sweet July, which includes a skincare line, a coffee and tea line, and a flagship store in Oakland, California. The mother-of-three also hosts a cooking show, Ayesha’s Home Kitchen, on The Food Network and has authored three cookbooks. 

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Jason Whitlock
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 10, 2025

Jason Whitlock Doubles Down On Derogatory Remarks About Joy Taylor

Jason Whitlock is standing on the controversial remarks he made about Joy Taylor.

Jason Whitlock is reinforcing his controversial remarks about Joy Taylor amid a shocking lawsuit that accuses Taylor of having intimate relationships with her superiors to advance her career.

Whitlock used the latest episode of his Fearless podcast to respond to criticism he’s been receiving since referring to Taylor as nothing but “big cans and that peanut butter skin.” He is convinced that nothing he said was profane or derogatory and opened up a forum for debate from those who can support their stance biblically.

“I’m going to double down and stand on it because, in this moment, that type of raw commentary is necessary so that the point lands with everybody,” Whitlock said in a clip shared on X.

“I don’t think saying that Joy Taylor has a big rack is profane, in my opinion. Maybe I’ll listen to the rest of y’all. Hit me over email, hit me over Twitter or X, and explain to me how big rack is some sort of over-the-top inappropriate word or big cans is some sort of over-the-top inappropriate word. Explain that to me cause you’re talking to someone who is a recovering profanity-oholic. You’re talking to someone who you know used to say MF as a term of endearment, and I’ve corrected a lot of that.”

He continued, “I’m not ready to go there that big cans and a big rack is somehow across the profanity line. I just don’t buy it, but maybe some of you all can explain it to me. Back it up with some scripture when you try to explain it to me. Don’t just come to me with your opinion, back it up biblically, and maybe I’ll listen. So what I said, big rack, a pair of cans and peanut butter skin. Someone walked me through how peanut butter skin is some derogatory, inappropriate description of Joy Taylor or any woman.”

Whitlock states, “Everyone that I know likes peanut butter skin.”

Whitlock is reacting to Joy Taylor being named in a bombshell lawsuit filed by former Fox Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji. The lawsuit, filed against Fox Sports, also includes accusations against Skip Bayless and Fox Sports executive Charles Dixon for sexual misconduct.

Faraji claims that Bayless offered her $1.5 million for sex and that Dixon groped her at a party. She accuses Taylor of bullying her after confiding to her about the alleged encounters with Bayless and Dixon. The lawsuit seeks class-action status for Faraji and other nonexempt Fox employees who have worked in California for the past four years. Faraji is requesting unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.

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Vikings.Rondale Moore, Die,25
(Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 10, 2025

Shaw University Hires Lamar Manigo To Lead Football Program

The new head coach returns to the university after previously holding the position of the Bears offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2021

Shaw University announced that it is bringing back a former employee to lead its football program.

The HBCU has hired Lamar Manigo as the new head football coach of the Shaw Bears. He is making a return to Shaw University, where he previously held the position of the Bears’ offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2021 when he led the team to some of their best offensive statistical seasons in the school’s history.

“I am honored and excited to return to Shaw University as head football coach,” said Manigo in a written statement. “This is a homecoming for me, and I look forward to working with our talented student-athletes to build a program that makes our university and alumni proud.”

The head coach is going back to Shaw after a stint with another HBCU, Virginia State University, where his position was assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach. He played a major role in the school’s resurgence as they recently appeared in the 2024 CIAA championship game, as the number one seed, where they lost a close game to Virginia Union, 17-13, allowing Virginia Union to repeat as champions.

“We are happy to welcome Coach Lamar Manigo back to Shaw University,” said George Knox, Director of Athletics. “His passion for the game, dedication to mentoring student-athletes, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our vision for the football program. We are confident that he will lead the Bears to new heights.”

Manigo comes with a proven track record of success, along with a dedication to developing the skills of student-athletes both on and off the field.

The university has scheduled a press conference to introduce Manigo as the new head coach on January 21, 2025, when he will speak about his plans to make the program a success.

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Kyrie Irving, SpongeBob x Nike Kyrie 5
(Photo: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 10, 2025

Kyrie Irving Signs 3 NBA Players To Endorse His Sneaker Brand ‘ANTA’

“These guys are my brothers, players I’ve shared the journey with. Together, we aim to inspire the future of basketball and create a legacy that resonates globally” said Irving.

ANTA Basketball and the brand’s Chief Creative Officer, Kyrie Irving, announced the signing of three NBA players to join the team as brand ambassadors.

The company brings on Cleveland Cavaliers’ Caris LeVert (who was teammates with Irving during their time with the Brooklyn Nets), Los Angeles Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr., and Dallas Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford (who is currently a teammate of Irving’s). ANTA states that they “exemplify the values of teamwork, resilience, and excellence,” which aligns with the brand’s mission.

“These guys are my brothers, players I’ve shared the journey with. Together, we aim to inspire the future of basketball and create a legacy that resonates globally,” said Irving in a written statement.

All three players will appear in NBA games wearing various sneakers from the KAI collection (Irving’s signature footwear).

This is Irving’s latest signing as the brand’s chief creative officer. During the 2024 NBA Playoffs, he signed his father, Drederick Irving, to a deal for his own signature shoe, making Kyrie the first professional athlete to sign his parent to a shoe deal.

With this announcement, the company also introduced the latest from Irving, the KAI 1 Team Shoe.

“This shoe is built for the next generation. We spent countless hours studying AAU and streetball players to create a shoe that meets their needs while reflecting my storytelling and style. The KAI 1 Team Shoe is not just for me –- it’s for the everyday player striving to create their own story,” Irving proclaims.

The Mavericks point guard signed a five-year deal with Chinese sportswear brand ANTA after he was dropped by sneaker giant Nike following a social media posting by Irving that caused controversy. After sending out a link to the film Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America!, Nike, along with the media and various groups, denounced him as they labeled the movie as antisemitic.

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 X’clusive Looks Beard Sauce
photo credit: Blacknews.com
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 10, 2025

Single Mom Went From Waitressing To Launching A Multi-Million-Dollar Beard Care Brand

As a single African American mother, her story is about resilience, innovation, and empowerment, inspiring others to dream big and pursue their purpose.

A prayer for change and a moment of inspiration transformed Marcinda Hankins’ life, taking her from earning $300 a week as a waitress to building X’clusive Looks Beard Sauce, a multi-million-dollar beard care brand that’s revolutionizing men’s grooming. As a single African American mother, her story is about resilience, innovation, and empowerment, inspiring others to dream big and pursue their purpose.

After being laid off from JPMorgan Chase in 2018, Marcinda, who is based in Frisco, Texas, faced significant challenges as both a woman and a single mom. She launched a salon suite business offering makeup and facial services to support her family. However, when the pandemic brought unforeseen difficulties, she worked part-time at a cigar lounge, and that’s when her lightbulb moment happened.

“Men often asked if I had anything that could make their beards feel as good as their faces after a facial,” Marcinda recalled. “I realized a gap in men’s grooming and decided to fill it.”

With her background as a licensed esthetician and insights gathered from the men she interacted with at the lounge, Marcinda crafted a formula to change the face of men’s grooming. By addressing the skin underneath the beard, Marcinda’s beard sauce provides much-needed hydration and prevents the common issues of dryness, itchiness, breakage, dandruff, and split ends.

“I wanted to create more than just a product; I wanted to deliver an experience. Too many men don’t know how to care for their beards properly, and my mission is to educate them while offering something that truly works.”

With her expertise as a licensed esthetician, Marcinda created X’clusive Looks Beard Sauce. Unlike most beard oils, her product hydrates the beard and nourishes the skin underneath, tackling dryness, itchiness, breakage, split ends, and dandruff without leaving a greasy residue.

A Mission to Empower Women

Beyond business success, Marcinda is committed to empowering women, especially single mothers, to follow their dreams.

“I’ve been in a place where I felt overlooked and stuck,” she shares. “Through faith and persistence, I found my purpose. I want to inspire women to believe their ideas matter and can lead to extraordinary success.”

Revolutionizing Men’s Grooming

Marcinda’s X’clusive Looks Beard Sauce is earning rave reviews from men nationwide who report healthier, fuller, and itch-free beards. Its natural ingredients, including honey for its healing properties, make it ideal for men with sensitive skin or persistent beard issues.

She is also collaborating with esthetician schools to educate future professionals on caring for the skin beneath the beard.

To support her brand or for partnership opportunities, visit MyXclusiveLooks.com

This story first appeared on Blacknews.com

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