• Uncategorized

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 6, 2024

Formerly Bankrupt Black Entrepreneur Launches Financial Program For High-Income Earners

Eric McLoyd has launched the Financial Freedom Accelerator, the first-ever financial community dedicated to Black, high-income earners.

---

Eric McLoyd, an African American entrepreneur and graduate of Northwestern University-Kellogg School of Management who once faced bankruptcy and was hospitalized for four months after a car accident, has launched the Financial Freedom Accelerator, the first-ever financial community dedicated to Black, high-income earners.

Often, Black high-income earners suffer in silence and feel guilty about not properly managing their finances. “Our goal is to break those barriers, boost financial literacy, and foster a supportive network of financial excellence within our community,” said McLoyd , whose inspiring comeback story is the driving force behind this groundbreaking initiative.

“I almost lost my life in a car accident and filed bankruptcy to retain more of the settlement. I spent a six-figure settlement in less than a year, and the trauma from that experience haunted me for decades. I’ve since dedicated my life to helping others get the guidance, accountability, and support they need to build wealth and recover from financial trauma. We are incredibly proud to introduce a transformative space where Black high-income earners can connect, learn, heal, and grow together.”

The Financial Freedom Accelerator aims to accelerate its members’ wealth and financial literacy through focused daily content, exclusive networking, and personalized wealth-building strategies.

Key benefits of the community include:

• Access to personalized one-on-one financial coaching that provides tailored guidance to help you achieve your unique financial goals.

• Improve financial decision-making with daily bite-sized content focused on money mindset, budgeting, debt management, leveraging other people’s money, interest rates, estate planning, and more.

• Gain valuable insights from top financial experts.

• Expand your network with exclusive events that connect you with influential professionals and potential collaborators.

• Access premium resources, including the Udemy-hosted Financial Freedom Accelerator online course and templates.

• Leverage a vetted network of professionals offering services in estate planning, insurance, financial advisory, accounting, bankruptcy restructuring, real estate, and more.

The Financial Freedom Accelerator is a robust financial network and a testament to overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness. It offers a supportive environment where members can ask questions, share their stories, celebrate their victories, and navigate their financial journeys together in a structured environment.

For more information or to become a member, visit ControlYourFinances.co/copy-of-financial-freedom-accelerator.

This story was originally reported by Blackbusiness.com.

RELATED CONTENT: Jaylen Brown Launches His Own Athletic Brand, Credits Kobe Bryant As Inspiration

• Entrepreneurship

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 6, 2024

Meet The Founder Of The 1st Black-Owned Gift-Wrapping Brand Sold In Lowe’s And Hallmark Store

Learn how one company is breaking barriers by wrapping gifts.

---

Ardean Miller, the trailblazing entrepreneur behind Mah Melanin, is the founder of the first Black-owned gift-wrapping brand to partner with Hallmark Store and Lowe’s franchises nationwide.

With a commitment to cultural representation, she founded Mah Melanin to fill a void in the market for products that celebrate the beauty and diversity of Black culture.

“When I founded Mah Melanin, I wanted to create more than just beautiful gift wrap. I wanted to spark a movement—a place where our stories are told, our beauty is celebrated, and our community is uplifted,” she says. “Partnering with these iconic retailers is a testament to the growing demand for products that resonate with our experiences and heritage.”

Breaking Barriers and Empowering Communities

This partnerships with Hallmark and Lowe’s represents a significant step toward greater diversity and inclusion in the retail space, reflecting a broader cultural shift. This groundbreaking achievement highlights the increasing recognition of the importance of culturally authentic products that inspire and empower.

Under Miller’s leadership, Mah Melanin has grown from a small startup to a nationally recognized brand. The company has gained endorsements from industry icons like Teddy Riley, Master P, and Denise Boutte and has been spotlighted by major organizations, including a feature by the NBA and a finalist in QVC’s “The Big Find.”

Inspiring the Next Generation of Black Entrepreneurs

Miller is dedicated not only to her brand’s success but fostering the growth of other Black entrepreneurs by offering mentorship, resources, and collaboration. Through her efforts, she aims to build a legacy that inspires future generations to break barriers and achieve greatness, she says.

Mah Melanin’s journey reflects a commitment to celebrating Black culture and amplifying Black and Brown voices through its products, making a profound impact in the marketplace and beyond.

Explore their products at MahMelanin.com and be sure to follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram

Originally reported by Blackbusiness.com.

RELATED CONTENT: 3-Year-Old Caught Unwrapping Everyone’s Christmas Presents at 3 a.m.

• News

by Daniel Johnson

November 5, 2024

Failed Senate Candidate Herschel Walker Mistakingly Calls Donald Trump His Son’s Name

When Trump took the stage after Walker left, he indicated that he would put Walker in charge of a planned missile defense system

---

Failed Senate candidate Herschel Walker appeared at a rally for former President Donald Trump in Macon, Georgia, on Nov. 3, where he tried to make the case that his good friend Trump is a patriot who loves his country.

According to The Daily Beast, before Walker got to that point in his speech, he mistakenly referred to Trump using his son, Donald Trump Jr.’s, name before correcting himself.

“Let us not let Donald Trump down, because he’s not going to let us down. It is time for it to stop, and it stops [s] on Tuesday when we get to the polls, and we vote for my friend and your friend Donald Trump Jr.,” Walker said before issuing a correction and saying, “Donald J. Trump.”

According to The New Yorker, Walker’s candidacy was arguably the worst-run Senate campaign in history, due in part to his inability to give a coherent speech on the campaign trail but also because multiple scandals involving the former Heisman Trophy winner came up during his campaign.

Despite the litany of issues surrounding Walker, he still took the contest against incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock to a run-off, which Warnock won, 51% to 49%

In one of the more bizarre turns in a campaign that has featured a fascist rally in New York City, when Trump took the stage after Walker left, he indicated that he would put Walker in charge of a planned missile defense system.

This, of course, did not go over well on social media, and the idea was soundly ridiculed.

According to The Rachel Maddow Show producer Steve Benen’s op-ed for MSNBC, Trump’s idea to put Walker in charge of the system directly contradicts what he previously said about putting impressively intelligent people in charge of the system.

“In case this isn’t obvious, Walker has no qualifications whatsoever related to missile technology or national security, and putting the most ridiculous Senate candidate of his era “in charge” of such a project would be utterly bonkers,” Benen said.

Based on his comments at the rally, Trump has no clue what a missile defense system is or what it does.

“We will build a missile defense shield, all made in the USA—wrapped around our country to defend ourselves and our country. It’s all gonna be made in the United States, and a lot of it in your great state. We’ll put Herschel Walker in charge of that little sucker,” Trump said.

According to Defense One, building such a system in the United States would be logistically impossible, but Trump has been talking about it since at least 2019 and brought it up again at the Republican National Convention.

“We will replenish our military and build an Iron Dome missile defense system to ensure that no enemy can strike our homeland. Israel has an Iron Dome. They have a missile defense system,” Trump said. “Why should other countries have this, and we don’t?”

According to the outlet, Trump’s plans might as well come from the screenplay for Star Wars.

“A Republican White House and a Republican Congress spent billions but got nowhere with the scheme. Thirty years later, Donald Trump is trying to pull the same fast one, relying on the same group (The Heritage Foundation) to sell the snake oil. It may be rhetorically appealing, but it is utterly without scientific merit or strategic sense,” they wrote.

RELATED CONTENT: Georgia Senate Candidate Herschel Walker Pretends U.S. Is Past Racism In New Ad

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 5, 2024

Diddy’s Children Sing Him Happy Birthday Over The Phone Amid His Incarceration

Diddy celebrated his 55th birthday with his children over the phone while he remains in jail.

---

Sean “Diddy” Combs marked his 55th birthday in jail but got to hear his children sing him “Happy Birthday” over the phone.

His seven children came together on Monday for a heartfelt Instagram video post showing them gathered around a phone to send their hip-hop mogul father warm wishes on his milestone birthday. Combs made it to 55 years of life but celebrated his birthday behind bars for the first time.

“Happy Birthday, Pops! We love you! 🎂❤️,” his children captioned the Instagram post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Justin Dior Combs (@princejdc)

The video shows Quincy Brown, 33, Justin Combs, 30, King Combs, 26, Chance Combs, 18, twins Jessie and D’Lila Combs, 17, and baby Love Combs celebrating their father’s 55th birthday by singing him “Happy Birthday” over the phone and having a cake in his honor while he remains in custody. Each child sent the Bad Boy founder a personal birthday message, and he told each of his kids how much he loved them.

“I love y’all so much. I can’t wait to see y’all. I just want to say I’m proud of y’all, especially the girls, I mean all of y’all, just for being strong,” Combs said through the phone.

“Thank y’all for being strong and for speaking out in support of me. I love y’all. I got the best family in the world. My birthday, I’m happy.”

As for “speaking out in support” of the disgraced hip-hop mogul, the Combs children have come together on group Instagram posts to defend their father’s honor. Last month, the Combs kids shared a message about how “devastated” they are in the wake of their father’s arrest and incarceration on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

The Combs children denounced the allegations against their father and declared their unity amid the added attention they’re facing during the high-profile case.

“Many have judged both him and us based on accusations, conspiracy theories, and false narratives that have spiraled into absurdity on social media,” they wrote. “We stand united, supporting you every step of the way. We hold onto the truth, knowing it will prevail, and nothing will break the strength of our family.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Quincy (@quincy)

Most recently, there were reports that Combs’s sons, Quincy, Justin, and Christian, confronted Ray J over things he’s said about their father amid his arrest. Ray J admitted to Wack 100 that he attended a “great party” that was spoiled by “little kids trying to fight a big boy.”

Singer Chris Brown de-escalated the melee and got both sides to walk away. Ray J later confirmed that it wasn’t the first time Combs’ sons have attempted to physically attack him over things he’s said about their father.

Combs was arrested in New York City in September, with Manhattan federal prosecutors alleging that he was involved in a racketeering scheme that included sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, and bribery. He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted. Diddy has pleaded not guilty and continues to maintain his innocence.

The embattled producer and entrepreneur has faced numerous lawsuits since last November, with additional cases emerging during his incarceration. Combs has repeatedly been denied bond and will remain in custody until his trial begins in May 2025.

RELATED CONTENT: Non-Disclosure Agreements For Diddy’s Alleged ‘Freak Offs’ Revealed

• Entrepreneurship

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 5, 2024

Jayson Tatum Looks To Invest In Potential WNBA Team In St. Louis

Jayson Tatum is joining two billionaires in their bid to bring the 16th team of the league to the Missouri city

---

The WNBA is looking to add an expansion team to its current roster, and NBA champion Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics is moving toward being an investor to bring that team to his hometown of St. Louis.

According to Sportico, Tatum is joining two billionaires in their bid to bring the league’s 16th team to Missouri City. The ownership group is being led by billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman. Chaifetz’s previous investments include the Alpine F1 team, Major League Pickleball, and the Drone Racing League. Hoffman is a real estate developer who owns a St. Louis Blues minor league affiliate, the Florida Everblades.

However, despite the interest in having a WNBA team in their city, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says there will be stark competition from at least 10 others.

“The good news is we have a lot of demand from many cities,” Engelbert said before the WNBA Finals. “I’d say 10 or so, maybe even plus at this point, because I think the more people are watching the WNBA and seeing what we’re growing here and seeing these players and the product on the court, the more people are interested in having it in their cities.”

Tatum has informally agreed to invest in the potential WNBA team. He wants to contribute behind the scenes to the group’s pitch to other potential investors and the league itself.

The presentation shown to other potential investors highlights the city’s basketball history dating back to the St. Louis Hawks, who won the 1958 NBA championship. The team may have a home at Chaifetz Arena, where the St. Louis University basketball team calls home. The arena, a 10,600-seat venue, was named after Chaifetz, who donated $12 million to his alma mater a little more than 15 years ago in 2007.

RELATED CONTENT: NBA STAR JAYSON TATUM SEEN HOOPING IN HOWARD UNIVERSITY JORDAN BRAND SNEAKERS DURING FINALS

• Politics

by Daniel Johnson

November 5, 2024

Trump Campaign, Georgia Republicans Challenge Election Procedures In Georgia

The Trump campaign filed a new lawsuit alleging that it is illegal for counties to allow voters to return absentee ballots until Nov. 4

---

After a Georgia judge rejected a Republican lawsuit to stop counties from opening election centers during the weekend on Nov. 2, the Trump campaign filed a new lawsuit alleging that it is illegal for counties to allow voters to return absentee ballots until Nov. 4.

According to WTOC, Trump campaign Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the lawsuit at an event on Nov. 2: “The Republican National Committee and team Trump, we filed litigation. We learned that in four counties, including Fulton County, Democrat election officials were—one trying to process ballots after the deadline last night and two trying to open additional drop boxes that were not predetermined prior.”

According to The New York Times, Judge Kevin M. Farmer of the Superior Court of Fulton County dismissed earlier arguments from lawyers for the plaintiffs and flatly told the lawyers in court after reading Georgia election law aloud, “That seems to indicate that personal delivery to the registrar and not to a drop box is kosher. And more than kosher, lawful.”

According to Reuters, the Georgia Supreme Court sided with the Republican National Committee’s lawyers in another case.

Georgia’s high court ruled on Nov. 4 that Cobb County couldn’t extend its deadline for counting approximately 3,000 absentee ballots sent out before Election Day, reversing a lower court’s decision.

However, GOP election officials in Georgia have been unwilling to accept claims of election interference from former President Trump and his political allies.

According to Politico, Gabriel Sterling, the COO for the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, posted to his X account that no election laws had been broken on Nov. 2.

“To be clear, no election laws were broken in Georgia today. The law clearly states that govt buildings can be used to receive absentee ballots. A judge said so this morning. Monitors, observers, & SOS investigators were all in Fulton locations. One hundred and four ballots dropped off there,” Sterling said.

The challenges from the Trump campaign and other Republican parties are likely grounded in an attempt to establish challenges to the 2024 election if the former president loses again.

However, Trump and Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, have not seen eye to eye after Trump urged him to “find” ballots in Georgia that would have overturned President Joe Biden’s win in Georgia during the 2020 election.

That instance was a key part of the lawsuit charging Trump with election interference in Georgia, which has now stalled after Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis’ romantic involvement with a top prosecutor on the case became the focus of the defense team.

Raffensperger said, “The eyes of the world are on Fulton County. Local officials must ensure that every process from now until election day and after is transparent and in accordance with Georgia law, given the history of controversy in the county’s election administration.”

Dana Remus, an attorney who is working as outside counsel for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, called the lawsuits “silly” during a phone call with Politico reporters.

“In this last home stretch, we’re seeing a lot of frankly really silly suits,” Remus said. “So, when they bring these cases, we respond, and then we’re clearing the record and winning.”

RELATED CONTENT: Donald Trump Claims He Had ‘Every Right’ To Run Interference In 2020 Election

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 5, 2024

Nicki Minaj Revives #StudentOfTheGame Tuition Charity After Sharing College Plans

Nicki Minaj has her sights set on college and plans on taking a few Barbz along for the ride.

---

Nicki Minaj is headed to college and wants to help her fans do the same.

On Monday, the chart-topping rapper followed up on a tweet she sent over the weekend about her plans to finally enroll in college 24 years after graduating high school.

“Barbz, as you may recall; 2 days ago, I mentioned me getting a college degree & that I’d share more on the Major & other details at a later time,” she wrote. “I wanted to also mention that I plan on resuming my #StudentOfTheGame Charity for Barbz who need help with College.”

Minaj launched her Student of the Game charity spontaneously in 2017 after several fans reached out to her on X asking for help with college-related expenses. She assisted a number of students before announcing plans to establish a charity to support them. By the following year, she had formalized the process into an official initiative.

“Ok just send one tweet w|hashtag #StudentOfTheGame saying how much $ you need & what it’s for,” she wrote at the time, as captured by Rolling Stone. “All $ will b paid directly towards the tuition, books, etc. I’ll fave ur tweet & DM you if you’ve been chosen, for more info. Not every faved tweet will get a DM.”

The Queens, New York, native graduated from NYC’s celebrated Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in 2000 with plans of becoming an actress. She secured a role in the Off-Broadway play In Case You Forget in 2001 before deciding on a career in music.

By 2007, the “Anaconda” rapper released her first mixtape, Playtime Is Over, and followed up one year later with Sucka Free. In 2010, 10 years after graduating high school, Minaj released her debut album, Pink Friday. The album was a major success, reaching the top of the U.S Billboard 200 and becoming the highest-selling female rap album of the 21st century.

RELATED CONTENT: Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday Nails Pop Up In New York City

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 5, 2024

Non-Disclosure Agreements For Diddy’s Alleged ‘Freak Offs’ Revealed

Attendees could not reveal details of the event

---

What happened at Diddy’s alleged “freak off” parties, were supposed to stay at the ”freak off.” People who attended the once-secret parties were given a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to sign which prevented them from speaking about activities that took place at the infamous events.

According to TMZ, the NDA was in effect for the life of the signee plus 20 years after they died or a total of 70 years, whichever is longer. Guests could not share any details related to Diddy, his family members, current or former partners, spouses, or friends of business associates unless given expressed permission. There was no recording at the parties, including photos, video, or audio allowed. The activities could not be revealed via social media, during audio and video interviews, or written about in books, newspapers, or any platforms.

There’s wide speculation about who attended these parties and why no one has spoken up about the alleged “freak offs.” The NDAs may be the reason why anyone who may have gone has been silent.

The former Bad Boy Entertainment executive is currently incarcerated after being arrested on federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty and is tentatively scheduled for a trial start date in May 2025.

He was arrested in Manhattan on Sept. 16, following months of speculation, after several people had filed lawsuits against him in the last year. The plethora of legal paperwork filed against the entertainment mogul started in November 2023 after his former girlfriend and artist, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura filed an explosive lawsuit accusing him of troublesome acts against her, including sexual abuse, physical beatings, and sex trafficking. Less than 24 hours after she filed papers, the lawsuit was settled.

CNN reported that additional lawsuits filed against Diddy were made anonymously by two men, one who claimed to be 10 years old when the alleged assaults took place as the victim auditioned for the mogul. The embattled executive has denied the latest allegations as well as the previous ones. The most recent lawsuit brings the total to 27 cases.

RELATED CONTENT: Quincy Brown Faces Backlash For Releasing Family Vlog Amid Diddy’s Sex Trafficking Case

• Politics

by Mitti Hicks

November 5, 2024

Election 2024: It’s Illegal In Some States To Take A Ballot Selfie In A Voting Booth

Some states ban ballot selfies and pictures with your ballot.

---

We get it. There’s no better feeling than exercising your right to vote. But a word of caution: post the iconic “I Vote” sticker once you’re outside. It’s illegal in some states to take ballot selfies or photos in a voting booth.

No ballot selfie is worth the misdemeanor. In South Carolina, for example, a misdemeanor could result in up to one year in jail and a $100 fine.

“Pictures of the ballot itself are strictly prohibited in South Carolina,” the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division says in an advisory on social media. “South Carolina voters are not allowed to use a camera inside the voting booth.”

South Carolina is not alone. At least a quarter of states ban selfies and photos of your ballot. In fact, according to Ballotpedia, ballot selfies are illegal in 15 states, including in some key swing states such as Georgia, North Carolina, and Nevada. Ohio has some of the strictest laws with ballot selfies. It’s a fifth-degree felony in Ohio, carrying a $2,500 fine and up to a year in prison.

“We know that everyone is excited to vote, and we LOVE that! Many people want to document the moment with a selfie or a picture. While it’s fine to take a selfie, we still have to obey Ohio’s election law. We kindly request that voters refrain from taking a picture of their ballot before placing it into the tabulator,” Wyandot County Board of Elections officials told WLWT in a statement.

Where Can You Take Ballot Selfies?

Ballotpedia indicates that 26 states allow ballot selfies, including the swing states of Pennsylvania and Michigan. The critical swing state of Arizona joins Texas, West Virginia, and Tennessee in limiting ballot pictures to absentee/mail-in ballots only. States and jurisdictions that are unclear include New Mexico, Louisiana, the critical swing state of Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.

In an election that has already proven to be a tight race, with voters from both sides expressing how it’s the most “consequential election” in recent history, it’s best to avoid problems at the polls and err on the side of caution. If you feel compelled to post, leave it on the voting sticker.

RELATED CONTENT: Mother-Daughter Duo Organizes Nationwide ‘Pajama Party’ To Support VP Kamala Harris On Election Night

• Women

by Stacy Jackson

November 5, 2024

‘#VOTECAUSEICANT’: Rihanna Gives Her Followers A Nudge To Vote

Rihanna shows support for VP Harris as she encouraged her fans on Instagram to vote on her behalf, since she isn't a U.S. citizen.

---

Rihanna may not be a U.S. citizen, but that does not stop her from encouraging her fans to vote.

The Grammy Award-winning artist took to Instagram on Monday with a message to her fans to make their votes count, especially since she isn’t able to. “Me trying to sneak into the polls with my son’s passport,” the singer joked as she’s seen riding around in the Nov. 4 reel. She followed the message with the hashtag #votecauseicant.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri)

“When protecting p—ies and firing p—ies can happen all in one vote,” Rihanna captioned her reel, which included the hashtag #TanSuitSeason, a nod to her support for Vice President Kamala Harris, who wore a tan suit at the Democratic National Convention, to mimic former President Barack Obama, who sparked outrage among Republicans after he flaunted his tan fit at a press conference 10 years ago. According to MSNBC, the attire was deemed “unprofessional” and indicated Obama’s “lack of seriousness.”

Rihanna’s post surprised some fans who recently learned the “Where Have You Been” artist isn’t a U.S. citizen. The mother of two was born in Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados. According to Visit Barbados, after meeting New York producer Evan Rogers, who was visiting her hometown on vacation, he arranged a meeting for her in New York, which led to her emigrating to the U.S. at age 16 and signing with Def Jam in January 2005.

The “Lift Me Up” artist has used her platform before to assert her stance during election season. In 2018, Rihanna vocalized the importance of voting to her fans. “It’s ELECTION DAY America!!! The Barbadian singer stated. “The most important day for the rest of your lives…If you’re tired of complaining about the state of the country and government, get up and do something about it!” The Savage X Fenty founder clapped back at a fan who questioned if she is “even a U.S. citizen,” in which she responded, “I’m an immigrant tryna get yo country together.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

Rihanna continues to stand her ground against commenters who oppose her political opinions. The singer has already fired back at some social media users who responded to Monday’s post. “Shut up, Karen,” she told one user who wrote, “Illegal voting is a crime. Maybe she should be arrested for trying.” Another user challenged Rihanna’s post and stated, “That attitude is why we want to make America [great] again. You want to cheat to win. So disappointing.” The “Diamonds” singer responded, “When y’all stop burning ballot boxes, come check me.”

A third comment read, “The people who are against having a secure border are essentially saying it’s okay to break a window & enter in that way…This is exactly why celebrities shouldn’t be posting their political opinions. How are you gonna misguide your fans? Stick to music, sis.” The billionaire entrepreneur told the user, “Stick to your discounted crotch. We out here fighting for its rights!”

In 2018, Rihanna demanded former President Donald Trump cease playing her music after she learned her track “Please Don’t Stop the Music” was playing at one of his rallies in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“Me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies,” NBC News reported she said at the time as she endorsed Democratic candidate for Governor of Florida, Andrew Gillum.

RELATED CONTENT: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell Is Spending Election Day Abroad In Spain