lawsuit, Floyd Mayweather, Boxer, unpaid wages
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Floyd Mayweather’s Gym Employees Stage Walk Out Protest Due To Unpaid Wages

The employees allege that Mayweather's team has not paid them their due wages in weeks.


The workers at Floyd Mayweather’s Los Angeles-based gym are protesting their A-list employer over unpaid wages.

The Mayweather Boxing and Fitness employees claim that they have worked without pay for multiple weeks, leading to this demonstration against the establishment and its owner. According to the Daily Mail, employees protested at the gym holding signs that said “modern-day slavery” and “The $ Team Has No Money $.”

Mayweather is known for his luxurious lifestyle and affinity for acquiring cash, which led to his moniker “Money.” Aided by the lofty checks he has earned throughout his successful boxing career, he has an estimated net worth of $400 million. Given this, those on his payroll are fed up with their unpaid wages.

“We’re out here just letting everybody know that they have not been treating us right,” explained one employee to the Daily Mail. “Even if you work for a different company and you ain’t getting paid, you’re scared to show up and say something because you know how businesses do. They silence you and they fire you because everything’s “at will.”

However, the employees are also calling out the illegal nature of this unjust action. They claim that the wage theft violates the California Labor Code. Mayweather’s company could face fines of $100 or $200 if found guilty, depending on how many violations it has accrued.

Despite this, the fines would seem like a drop in the bucket for the multimillionaire. At the height of his boxing career, Mayweather made $275 million in one night for his 2018 match against Conor McGregor, as reported by Forbes.

While the 15-time world champion may still have money to blow, he may have to cough up even more cash for his employees. The Daily Mail reported that if he does not grant their checks after 30 days, the employees can potentially receive a full day’s wages for each day they remain unpaid.

In addition to their option to sue, Mayweather may face a sizable payout if he allows the issue to continue. However, the employees remain unclear whether the 47-year-old has heard their complaints.

“Who knows if he’s aware or not? We don’t,” another employee said. “I was told that we can’t tell him and I can’t tell him that our studio’s closing. He was here two weeks ago. We’ve been silenced.”

Furthermore, his business venture may be in greater trouble beyond the employee payment dispute. The employees allege that the gym location may also shut down due to unpaid rent.

Mayweather had another California location that shut down after facing a lawsuit over unpaid rent.

RELATED CONTENT: Floyd Mayweather Plops Down $100K Monthly Rent For Unit In Manhattan

Vikings.Rondale Moore, Die,25
(Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)

Chris Goode, Former Alabama Cornerback, Named Head Coach At Miles College

Goode is a former NFL cornerback.


On Jan. 3, Chris Goode, a former standout cornerback for the University of Alabama in the mid-1980s, was named the head coach of the Miles College Golden Bears.

According to a press release from Miles College, Goode will be formally introduced as the university’s head football coach during a press conference on Jan. 7.

Fred Watson, director of Athletics at Miles College, said in a statement that he expects Goode to continue the positive momentum generated by the Miles College football program.

“We are excited for the future of Miles College football under the direction of Coach Chris Goode and are confident that Coach Goode’s leadership will bring continued success to Miles College football,” Watson said.

Previously, Goode coached in the Arena Football League, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Birmingham Steeldogs, but has never been a head coach at the collegiate level. Despite this, Miles College President Bobbie Knight is optimistic about what Goode could accomplish.

“Chris Goode’s leadership and dedication to student development makes him the ideal choice to guide our football program forward,” Knight said. “We are excited to see how his guidance and vision will propel our student-athletes to continued success both on the field and in the classroom.”

Goode was a cornerback in the NFL, but based on his career numbers, he was not a standout during his seven-year career with the Indianapolis Colts.

Goode compiled seven interceptions, six fumble recoveries, two sacks, and one touchdown across 96 regular season games.

Post-retirement, Goode served as the president of the National Football League Player Association’s Birmingham chapter and became involved in multiple business and sports-related ventures, including Goode Elite Prep, a post-graduate academy for student-athletes.

According to Sports Illustrated, Goode will be taking over for Sam Shade, who led the Golden Bears to a 10-3 record and a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in 2024, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, and finished their season nationally ranked for the first time.

RELATED CONTENT: NFL Veteran DeSean Jackson Named Head Coach At Delaware State University

DreamWorld Bakes, Philadelphia
Photo by Atiya Jordan

DreamWorld Bakes, Black Woman-Led Micro Bakery, Opens First Brick-And-Mortar Location In Philadelphia

Ashley Huston began the business during the COVID-19 pandemic as a home-based side hustle.


Popular Philadelphia bakery business DreamWorld Bakes, founded by Ashley Huston, has finally opened a brick-and-mortar location in East Kensington. On Jan. 2, the Black woman-led bakery had its grand opening at 2500 Coral Street.

As CBS News reported, Huston said, “Opening a bakery has always been my dream. DreamWorld Bakes is my love letter to Philly and proof that with enough hard work and a sprinkle of magic, anything is possible.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorated the grand opening, and DreamWorld Bakes supplied a complimentary Baby Spice cake bite for the first 100 visitors to the in-person store location.

DreamWorld Bakes’ grand opening marks a significant moment in its long journey of milestones.

Huston’s business began in her home kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic as a side hustle to earn money. It has since grown into a Philadelphia staple in the bakery community.

Huston continued, “This bakery is the culmination of so much hard work, love, and a little bit of magic. I want DreamWorld Bakes to be a space where everyone can feel a spark of joy and wonder and, of course, enjoy some incredible treats.”

Huston’s accomplishments keep rolling in. She was recently chosen as Philadelphia Magazine‘s 2024 Best of Philly bakers. She’s entirely self-taught and even had the honor of creating Patti LaBelle’s 80th birthday cake.

DreamWorld Bakes is well known for creating unique pastries from fresh and local Philly ingredients, and now Huston’s place can provide a safe and local in-person community with its new grand opening.

DreamWorld Bakes employee and baker Willow Eagono expressed her appreciation for Huston and all the mentorship that she’s provided.

Eagono said, “Ashley is the first person who taught me anything about baking. To be able to learn from her and now be in a space where she’s doing everything feels really exciting.”

RELATED CONTENT: 8 Black-Owned Restaurants You Should Visit While In Toronto

Nextact, Baltimore, movie theater
Photo by Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Black-Owned Baltimore NextAct Cinema Closes

The NextAct Cinema was founded in 2019 by brothers Anthony Fykes and Robert Wright.


One of the only Black-owned and family-operated movie theaters in the United States closed its doors this week. NextAct Cinema shut down on Dec. 30, as reported by CBS News.

NextAct didn’t give a reason for the closure.

The theater announced on social media, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of NextAct Cinema on December 30, 2024. For the past seven years, we’ve had the privilege of bringing the magic of movies to Pikesville and creating a space where stories came to life, memories were made, and connections were built.”

The post continued, “Your unwavering support, from attending screenings to sharing laughs and celebrating milestones with us, has meant the world. NextAct Cinema was more than just a theater; it was a community, and that was only possible because of you.”

The post concluded, “While this chapter is coming to an end, we will forever cherish the incredible moments we’ve shared with each of you. Thank you for being part of our story.”

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, NextAct Cinema is a Black family-owned movie theater that opened in Baltimore in March 2019.

The theater was founded by brothers Anthony Fykes and Robert Wright and received mostly positive reviews after its opening. Wright and Fykes wanted to create an “independent boutique theater that offers a unique, personalized movie-going experience.”

NextAct Cinema works to combat a “cinema desert,” or a place lacking movie theaters. This is particularly prominent in Black communities across the country.

Fykes said then, “We didn’t want to be an AMC. We don’t want to be a Cine-Bistro. The idea behind NextAct Cinema is that you are coming to a theater that feels like your home.”

RELATED CONTENT: Entrepreneur Opens Houston’s 1st Black-Owned Drive-In Movie Theater

BuyBlack.org, Zuri', AI Assistant Pilot Program
Photo by Thirdman/Pexels

BuyBlack.org Launches ‘Zuri’ AI Assistant To Connect Communities With Black-Owned Businesses

The new AI virtual assistant, Zuri, is in its pilot phase.


BuyBlack.org is launching a pilot program for its AI assistant, Zuri, which will be available to Black-centered organizations on a risk-free trial basis, according to a press release.

The program enables Black news outlets, chambers of commerce, and businesses to embed Zuri into their platforms.

“Zuri is more than just a digital assistant; it’s a bridge to economic opportunity,” said David Derryck. “For Black chambers, media outlets, and bloggers, Zuri is a tool to help elevate Black-owned businesses and promote local economic development. Our goal is to support these organizations with a modern, user-friendly tool, making it easier for people to connect with and support Black-owned businesses.”

Zuri connects users with a variety of Black-owned businesses, including restaurants, clothing shops, community organizations, and more. The service is managed by BuyBlack.org, which handles installation, maintenance, and updates. Pilot users will also receive impact reports tracking audience and customer interaction with the tool.

Key Features of the Zuri Pilot Program:

  • Discover Local Black-Owned Businesses: Zuri connects users to Black-owned restaurants, retailers, services, and more within their communities, encouraging local engagement and support.
  • Hassle-Free Setup and Maintenance: BuyBlack.org handles everything, from initial setup to ongoing updates, allowing chambers to fully focus on their mission of advancing Black economic empowerment.
  • Impact Reporting: After the pilot, participants will receive a report detailing Zuri’s impact, including metrics on usage and community engagement.

Potential participants can email partnerships@buyblack.org or call 510-800-7241 to participate in the pilot program.

BuyBlack.org is not alone in supporting Black small businesses. BLACK ENTERPRISE recently reported that Bishop T.D. Jakes’s Good Soil Movement acquired the e-commerce hub, Nourysh.

Like BuyBlack.org, Jake’s Good Soil movement aims to support the growing number of Black-owned businesses by purchasing Nourysh. By acquiring Nourysh Solutions, Jakes Enterprises is advancing its efforts to build an all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs. Nourysh provides services such as payment processing, online product placement, SMS marketing, and analytics for entrepreneurs who lack the staff and resources to manage these tasks individually.

RELATED CONTENT: DEI Is Surviving Thanks To Artificial Intelligence And Employee Skill Set

Ice T, traffic stop, viral video, NJ police
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Ice-T speaks to fans during New York Comic Con 2022 on October 08, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for ReedPop)

Ice T Gets Into Heated Confrontation With New Jersey Cop In Viral Video

As of Jan. 4, the video has been viewed over 2.2 million times, and has created more discussion online about police officers who appear to be on power trips.


A video from May 2024 depicting rapper Ice-T confronting a New Jersey police officer over a vehicle registration issue has resurfaced and spread like wildfire across the internet.

According to NJ.com, Ice-T, whose real name is Tracy Morrow, was pulled over by the officer for what the Unspoken Crime Murders YouTube channel described as a missing front plate on his Porsche.

Morrow, who ironically, in addition to his rap carer, is also known for playing a police detective in the long-running TV series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” initially attempted to inform the officer that he was on the way to the DMV to renew his registration, which expired in 2021, and his driver’s license, due to a system issue the DMV experienced the day before.

Although the video does not show the location of the DMV, Morrow indicated to the officer that he was only a mile away from the building where both of those issues could be fixed.

After the officer told him that he wasn’t supposed to be driving without either a valid driver’s license or registration, the rapper offered up a solution.

“Why don’t you follow me right to this garage, the DMV is right here. You don’t gotta be that serious about this,” Morrow added. “Well, you can, but you don’t have to.”

To which the officer replied, “Well, this is serious.”

The rapper continued, arguing that the DMV was close enough for him to park his car and walk to it.

“I could park this car right here and walk to the DMV,” Morrow told the officer.

At this point, the officer responds to Morrow by informing him that he plans to tow the rapper and Law and Order actor’s car, to which Morrow pointedly objects.

“You’re not gonna tow my f—— vehicle, let me park my car right here,” Morrow told the officer.

The officer responded by asserting his control of the situation and reminding Morrow to respect him as an officer of the law.

“You’re not gonna move your car, give me the keys right now and I’m gonna tow your vehicle. Try to be more respectful of me, and I’m gonna be more respectful to you,” the officer said.

Morrow relents a bit and gives the officer his keys, but then he gets out of the vehicle and demands his paperwork be returned to him.

“Give me my paperwork, you’re an (unclear expletive). Give me my f—— paperwork, get this on camera,” Morrow said while looking directly into the officer’s body camera.

At this point, Morrow pulls out his phone and begins recording the officer, who then calls dispatch for backup.

A sergeant responded to the call for backup, and Morrow and the officer explained what happened before his arrival on the scene.

The sergeant played the middle ground in the encounter, allowing Morrow to park his vehicle and walk to the DMV as requested. He also allowed the officer to write citations for his observed violations.

Although he tried to talk the officer out of writing up two of the violations, the officer wrote four violations for Morrow.

According to the description of the video posted by Unspoken Crime Murders, “Despite the tense exchange, the actor resolved the issue by paying the fines in full.”

NJ.com attempted to reach representatives for Morrow, but none were successful as of Jan. 3.

As of Jan. 4, the video has been viewed over 2.2 million times and has created more discussion online about police officers who appear to be on power trips.

RELATED CONTENT: Olympic Sprinter Fred Kerley Arrested After Police Confrontation In Miami

Nicki Minaj, lawsuit
Lightspace Studios, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nicki Minaj Faces Lawsuit From Tour Manager Alleging Assault, Verbal Abuse, And Emotional Distress

An attorney for Minaj said in a statement to Billboard that the lawsuit is a 'frivolous' matter.


Brandon Garrett, a former day-to-day manager of Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 tour, sued the rapper in Los Angeles Superior Court on Jan. 3, alleging that she assaulted him as she flew into a rage backstage during the show’s Detroit stop.

According to Billboard, Garrett’s complaint describes an incident in April 2024 in which he was summoned to the rapper’s dressing room backstage at Little Caesars Arena and confronted by Minaj (referred to in the lawsuit by her government name, Onika Maraj) and her former manager, Deb Antney, about allegedly sending another employee to pick up Minaj’s prescription medication in his place.

Per the complaint, “Ms. Antney asked why Mr. Montgomery was picking up prescriptions on behalf of Defendant Maraj,” the complaint reads, referring to Minaj’s birth name.

The complaint continued, “Plaintiff responded that he had Mr. Montgomery pick up a prescription in the past because Defendant Maraj wanted it immediately, but Plaintiff was occupied at the venue with Defendant Maraj in the quick change room during a performance because one of Plaintiff’s job duties was assisting Defendant Maraj with dressing during performances.”

According to Garrett’s depiction of events, Minaj was “visibly upset,” then “angrily screamed,” “Are you f—ing crazy having him pick up my prescription? You have lost your f—ing mind, and if my husband was here, he would knock out your f—king teeth. You’re a dead man walking. You just f—ed up your whole life and you will never be anyone, I’ll make sure of it.”

After more yelling and screaming at Garrett, hospitality manager Luke Montgomery, who had gone to pick up the prescriptions, was allegedly berated and screamed at by Minaj. She then demanded to know which prescriptions he had picked up.

The situation allegedly escalated when neither Montgomery nor Garrett could supply this information. According to the lawsuit, after the rapper read cell phone messages between Montgomery and Garrett, she approached Garrett and “got very close to his face” as she kept yelling at him.

The complaint states, “At this point, Defendant Maraj open-handedly struck Plaintiff on the right side of his face, causing his head to swing backwards as his hat flew off his head,” Garrett also alleges that after this occurred, members of Minaj’s security team “swarmed in close” before Minaj allegedly “struck Plaintiff on his right wrist,” which knocked “the documents in Plaintiff’s hand onto the floor.”

However, despite the complaint, Judd Burstein, an attorney for Minaj, said in a statement to Billboard that he had not been served with a lawsuit, and if the reports, which originated from TMZ, were accurate, the lawsuit is a frivolous matter.

“At this time, no complaint has been served upon Mrs. Petty, and therefore, we are unaware of the specific allegations. However, if the lawsuit is as reported by TMZ, it is completely false and frivolous. We are confident that the matter brought by this ex-assistant will be resolved swiftly in Mrs. Petty’s favor,” Burstein wrote.

Garrett is suing Minaj for intentional infliction of emotional distress and assault and battery. He is seeking punitive and exemplary damages, general damages, and other relief.

RELATED CONTENT: Nicki Minaj And Husband Kenneth Petty Must Pay Security Guard $500K

CeeLo Green, confederate flag, Instagram
(Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Ceelo Green Under Fire For Wearing Confederate Flag Hoodie In Instagram Post

Ceelo Green captioned the post "soul" and "rebel."


Fans of rapper Ceelo Green are expressing their disappointment with the “I’ll Be Around” songwriter. On Jan. 2, Green posted a photo on Instagram of himself donning a Confederate flag hoodie.

He captioned the controversial picture with the hashtags “soul” and “rebel.”

In response to Green’s post, dozens of his fans took to the comment section to give their opinions on his choice of clothing.

The post has since received over 2,000 likes, but commenters were offended by Green’s photo, and they let the “Crazy” artist know exactly what they thought about his insensitive outfit choice.

One commenter wrote, “Love you lo, but you bout to get unfollowed.”

Another fan added, “You could’ve kept this one to yourself, unc.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEVMVl6u_Bp/?igsh=OHV3ZmE1Z2Izczg1

The Confederate flag has a long and violent history associated with racism and white supremacy and often stood as an indication of deep South support in the Civil War era.

Another commenter suggested that Green leave controversial pics to other artists like Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.

They commented, “Leave this kinda work to Kanye. [You too] cool for this one bro.”

However, others believe there may be a common thread between Green’s latest post and the pictures that preceded it. The former Goodie Mob member posted two others the same day, one showing him draped in the African American flag and another wearing an American flag sweater.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DETjY37Nm_6/?igsh=MTE5Y2w2eHFudHRvZw==

An online user pointed out, “What’s the issue? His last few posts have been flags! We’re so quick to judge! Process it for a minute & keep watching! The Dungeon has always been ahead of its time!!!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DERIeALtJQP/?igsh=Yjd4eDY4MG52d3Ji

Ceelo Green addressed a few of the comments directly underneath his post. In one where a fan asked him what’s changed between 1998 and now, he responded, “Nothing has changed, unfortunately, and that’s the point.”

Derrick Rose, Chicago, film
(Photo: Julieta Alvarez/Creative Commons via Wikimedia Commons)

NBA Star Derrick Rose Debuts As Filmmaker With Short Honoring Chicago Roots

'Becoming A Rose' is a film Rose has dedicated to his hometown, Chicago.


Retired NBA star Derrick Rose will debut as a director on Jan. 4 at the United Center with his short film “Becoming A Rose,” which he has dedicated to his hometown, Chicago. The film, which has a runtime shy of four minutes, was co-directed by the former Chicago Bulls player in collaboration with his shoe sponsor, Adidas.

According to The Athletic, a private screening of the film was held on Jan. 2 before its public debut. Rose donned black sunglasses at the screening because he knew he would become emotional, partly because his son, 12-year-old PJ Rose, narrates the film.

“That’s why I had to wear the glasses, because I knew I was going to get emotional. I can’t explain it. That’s something that you see in movies, or I’m normally on the couch watching somebody get this,” Rose told the outlet.

https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1875343256902602976?s=19

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson marked Jan. 4 as Derrick Rose Day. Although the Bulls’ game against the Knicks, another team Rose played for during his career, is being marketed as “Derrick Rose Night,” the film is about the city that made him.

“I want the city to feel like they can stunt on another city or state and be, like, ‘Look what we got. Look what we made,’” Rose told The Athletic. “Because it’s no way that I could tell my story without telling the city’s story.”

According to Joakim Noah, his former Bulls teammate and friend Rose, whose nickname “Pooh” was given to him by his grandmother, is a rare talent who thrived in the spotlight of leading his hometown team.

“Pooh’s as special as they come. When that crowd (Saturday) is going to chant ‘MVP,’ it’s bigger than just basketball. It’s just beautiful to see how far he’s come. This story is about more than just winning a championship. This is a painful story. This is as soulful as they come. This is a Chicago story,” Noah told the outlet.

Although the film is a coming home of sorts for Derrick Rose, the basketball player, it is also a settling of the learned values of Derrick Rose, a citizen of Chicago.

As he told The Athletic, Rose was determined to use Black and Latinx people from Chicago as opposed to hiring outsiders.

“We could shoot this film, and we could have used everybody from different cities and fly them in, but we used people who were from here. A lot of us were (Black and Brown people) on the set working. That’s where I see us, our team, adapting: giving in different ways, finding unique ways to show gratitude,” Rose said.

He continued, “When you look at the economy and really think practically about what’s going on and how people are hurting, coming back here and just seeing the visual, certain places still look the same. Every year I’m going to come back, it may still look the same. I’m going to say that for the next 10, 20 years The question is going to come up, ‘Who’s going to change it?’ I’ll answer the question: It’s going to be me. It’s going to have to be me or my team to change it. Taking responsibility, taking ownership in it…but doing it smart and doing it the right way by employing people and giving people opportunities.”

Rose concluded, “This is going to represent a Chicago feel, a Chicago way, of presenting ourselves to the world. It’s all intrinsic. It’s all real, and I hope you guys love it.”

RELATED CONTENT: Former NBA Superstar Derrick Rose To Open A Chicago Flower Shop

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

Trump To Be Sentenced For Hush Money Conviction

Judge signals unconditional discharge, sparing jail time for the convicted felon.


President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sentenced on Jan. 10, with Judge Juan Merchan granting the option to appear in person or virtually.

On Jan. 3, Judge Merchan upheld Trump’s conviction but indicated he was leaning toward sparing him jail time. He referred to the decision as an “unconditional discharge, ” which would make Trump a felon without affecting his freedom.

Although Trump would be a felon by definition of law, carrying the distinction of being the only felon to occupy the White House in American history, an unconditional discharge reportedly carries virtually no penalty for his conviction.

Trump had faced a potential four-year prison sentence but could still appeal Judge Merchan’s decision to uphold the jury’s verdict. The ruling rejected Trump’s argument that his 2024 presidential election victory should overturn his conviction.

According to Judge Merchan’s ruling, “To dismiss the indictment and set aside the jury verdict would not serve the concerns set forth by the Supreme Court in its handful of cases addressing presidential immunity nor would it serve the rule of law.”

Judge Merchan continued, “On the contrary, such (a) decision would undermine the rule of law in immeasurable ways,” adding in his ruling that “the sanctity of a jury verdict” is “a bedrock principle in our nation’s jurisprudence.”

Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said in a statement that Trump’s sentencing could potentially become a distraction but did not comment on any plans to appeal Judge Merchan’s ruling.

“President Trump must be allowed to continue the presidential transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the witch hunts,” Cheung stated. “There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”

Trump’s lawyers also invoked the Justice Department’s long-standing precedent not to prosecute sitting presidents and the recent Supreme Court ruling granting presidential immunity in their calls to dismiss the jury’s decision. Judge Merchan also addressed their arguments in his Jan. 3 ruling.

“Binding precedent does not provide that an individual, upon becoming president, can retroactively dismiss or vacate prior criminal acts nor does it grant blanket presidential-elect immunity,” Judge Merchan wrote.

The New York Times reported that no other defendant convicted of the same felony as Trump has received an unconditional discharge. All others faced some combination of jail or prison time, probation, conditional discharges, community service, or fines.

RELATED CONTENT: U.S. Court Of Appeals Rejects Trump’s Appeal Of $5M Judgement Against Him

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