Jeremy Pope, Law Roach, Nicholas L. Ashe, Keith Boykin

by Daniel Johnson

June 13, 2024

7th Annual Native Son Awards Honor Black Queer Men

Native Son Awards honored the achievements and contributions of Black Queer men to society

On June 12, the Native Son Awards honored the achievements and contributions of Black Queer men to society. According to a press release from the Native Son Awards, those honored for “rewriting narratives and shifting the Black queer voice and visibility and how they show up in the world” are: Law Roach, Jeremy Pope, Bill T. Jones, Chris Chambers, Keith Boykin, and Gabriel Maldonado.

As The Hollywood Reporter reported, Native Son was founded in 2017 by Emil Wilbekin. Wilbekin, a professor and community organizer, has enjoyed the growth of the event over the last seven years, as he told the outlet in a statement.

“In the seven years since the inception of this Awards show, we’ve seen it grow, exponentially, to become a most anticipated tradition in the community where we gather to celebrate, not only Black queer excellence, but also Black queer joy,” Wilbekin wrote.

“We are so excited to recognize these 2024 honorees — an amazing group of men who truly personify the spirit of Black Queer Excellence in all that they do.”

The press release stated that Native Son “is a movement that exemplifies the duality of being Black and gay in a society that often shuns and belittles their unique experiences. This movement aims to create a safe space where the Black gay male community can fellowship, celebrate and empower each other, and—most importantly—see themselves. From the world-renowned to the up-and-coming, Native Son aims to connect and celebrate the members of this influential, yet long ignored community in the realms of arts, business, media, fashion, politics and healthcare.”

Roach is a renowned celebrity stylist who boasts a clientele list including Zendaya, Megan Thee Stallion, Kerry Washington, and K.Michelle in addition to becoming the editor of British Vogue and the first person to receive the CFDA’s Stylist Award in 2022; Pope is a multi-hyphenate who is also a Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, and two-time Tony Award nominee; Jones is a two-time Tony Award winner and choreographer, director, dancer, and writer; Chambers is a Public Relations and communications professional who has worked with artists like Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Usher, and Erykah Badu, in addition to being the founder and CEO of The Chambers Group; Boykin is a New York Times best-selling author, television and film producer, and provides political commentary for various networks; Maldonado is an activist, organizer, and the CEO of TruEvolution, a non-profit organization that is focused on LGBTQ+ justice and HIV+ equity.

According to the press release, “The annual Native Son Awards celebrates Black gay and queer men who are maverick and trailblazers and who have broken barriers -both professionally and personally. Native Son is committed to inspiring and empowering Black gay and queer men with a mission to harness their collective power, ensuring that their voices, visibility and lived experiences are elevated.”

The awards will be hosted by former CNN anchor Don Lemon and will have awards presented by TV and film star Nicholas L. Ashe, fashion designer LaQuan Smith, the President of Color of Change Rashad Robinson, and writer, thought leader and 2024 Native Son Gala co-chair Darnell L. Moore. The awards, presented by Cadillac and Gilead Sciences, will be available for viewing via the Native Son accounts on Facebook and YouTube.

Will Smith, Martin lawrence, Saudi Arabia, Bad Boys, movie premiere

by Jeffrey McKinney

June 13, 2024

‘Bad Boys: Ride Or Die’ Does Numbers Despite Hollywood Not Boosting Projects With Black Americans

Fresh report suggests that Hollywood could benefit by addressing current disparities and grow economically by doing so.

Originally Published May 7, 2024.
Updated June 13, 2024

Will Smith continues his reign of summer box office hits with the release of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die. The movie is the fourth in the Bad Boys franchise led by Smith and Martin Lawrence. It premiered June 7, grossing $104 million worldwide, according to Variety. CNBC reported on the evolution of the film industry. The rise of streaming networksand actor strikes has changed the landscape of film and television. As a result, Black film and TV is one of the places where Hollywood is cutting back.
Recently Issa Rae, actress, producer and director, spoke to the declining landscape.“You’re seeing very clearly now that our stories are less of a priority,” reports Net-A-Porter.Smith’s success shows that the “lack of priority” is short-sighted, there is a market for Black stories and fans will support quality content. Earlier this year, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on Hollywood’s blind-spot and how it is affecting the bottom line.

A new analysis suggests that Hollywood sacrificed $49.4 billion over roughly a decade by not engaging the Black American community more on industry projects.

According to a fresh report by Creative Investment Research, the calculation measures what Tinseltown gives up by undervaluing projects geared toward diverse audiences. The finding also surmises the film industry loses $15.3 billion annually by not partnering more with Black filmmakers, studios, and their audiences.

The discoveries come after consulting firm McKinsey & Co. recently indicated Hollywood foregoes $30 billion annually by not banding with Black, Latinx, and Asian-American/Pacific Islander communities through assorted ways. It reported that $10 billion a year could be gained by ending the Black inequity gap alone.

William Michael Cunningham, an economist and owner of Creative Investment Research, told BLACK ENTERPRISE his firm’s report suggests that Hollywood’s economic performance is intrinsically linked to its ability to diversify and include more representative content and creators.

“By addressing current disparities, the industry not only stands to gain economically but also to secure a more sustainable and innovative future.”

Cunningham declares that his firm’s analysis broke down several identified areas to quantify the revenue impact of increased diversity in Hollywood. They include audience expansion, global market reach, ancillary products, risk mitigation, longevity and loyalty, and brand value enhancement.

He proclaims that the largest impact could come from risk mitigation through diversity. Cunningham stressed that the industry could benefit substantially by avoiding box office flops through more consistent audience engagement with diverse content.

“A conservative estimate of a 10% reduction in losses from flops would equate to $2 billion in saved costs annually, contributing $20 billion over a decade.”

Cunningham shared that more substantial social impact and brand value could be game-changing. He projected that enhanced stock value, attracting better talent, and securing more favorable deals could help boost the valuation of major studios by $6 billion. He says that’s based on those studios’ current market cap of around $200 billion.

He is also upbeat about the prospect of global market reach. Films with diverse casts and culturally resonant stories, like “Black Panther,” have shown the ability to increase box office receipts significantly.

“Assuming diverse films capture an additional 2% of the global box office market, approximately $42 billion in pre-pandemic years, this could mean an extra $840 million annually. Given a sustained effort over 10 years, this could contribute about $8.4 billion.”

Further, he claims expanded audience engagement and increased consumer spending on ancillary products in the overall U.S. merchandising and entertainment markets might add $6 billion in revenue.

Another area Cunningham cites is the longevity and loyalty of diverse content. He projected syndication, reruns, and streaming rights can add significantly to a film’s lifetime revenue.

“If diverse content extends the average revenue-generating lifespan by even 20% and considering the U.S. film and TV industry’s revenue from these sources is about $25 billion annually, this could generate an additional $5 billion over a decade.”

Former LAPD Officer Reveals Information Into Diddy’s Alleged Involvement In Tupac Shakur Murder

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 13, 2024

Former LAPD Officer Reveals Information Into Diddy’s Alleged Involvement In Tupac Shakur Murder

A former LAPD detective recalls the confession he received that named Sean "Diddy" Combs as an orchestrator in the murder of Tupac Shakur.

A former member of the Los Angeles Police Department recalled the confession he received from Duane “Keefe D” Davis that named Sean “Diddy” Combs as an orchestrator in the murder of Tupac Shakur.

Greg Kading got candid with New York magazine in an editorial feature that relived the details surrounding the high-profile cases involving the murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. LAPD Detective Greg Kading, who retired in 2010, was able to pull a secret confession out of Davis 15 years before he was charged with involvement in Tupac’s 1996 murder.

However, a legal arrangement known as the proffer agreement barred prosecutors from using the confession in court. What transpired is that Davis walked away a free man until his arrest in 2023.

In that original confession, Kading received information from Davis that claimed it was the Bad Boy founder who conspired with Davis’ faction of the Crips gang to kill both Tupac and Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight. Combs allegedly told Davis and a room full of Crips that he wanted “them dudes’ heads.”

According to Davis’s account of the meeting, Combs offered them $1 million for the hit job. Davis recalls telling Combs, “Man, we’ll wipe their a** out quick.” He later told Kading that he would have done the job for $50,000.

It was four years ahead of Kading’s retirement when he was called in 2006 to join a resurrected investigation into the death of the Notorious B.I.G. The revived case was a result of the late rapper’s mother, Voletta Wallace, filing a $400 million wrongful death lawsuit against the LAPD in 2002 in response to a Rolling Stone article where a lead detective on the case, Russell Poole, claimed that rogue cops were responsible for her son’s murder.

After four years of a legal battle with Wallace’s attorneys, the LAPD concluded that the best way to prove the police hadn’t killed Biggie was to figure out who did. Hence, what led Kading to Davis years later.

Davis’s confession, which included Combs’ hit-for-hire offer, shocked Kading and other detectives. But Davis revealed the personal reason behind Tupac’s 1996 murder after his nephew, Orlando Anderson, was physically attacked by Tupac and a gang of Blood gang members following the Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas.

Davis gave details of assisting his nephew, who fatally shot Tupac with a gun provided by their close confidant, Eric “Von Zip” Martin. After word got out of Tupac’s shooting, Davis claimed Combs called Martin “Zip” shortly after to ask, “Was that us?” While the murder was personal in nature, Davis still wanted his million-dollar bounty Combs allegedly offered the group.

Davis and Anderson allowed Martin to handle the payment with Combs, but the payment never came. To this day, Combs has denied what he claims are Davis’s “nonsense” claims.

Davis is set to begin trial in the Tupac murder this November. But Kading thinks the former gang member will strike a deal with prosecutors before the trial.

“They’ll give him a sweet offer just to put this thing to rest,” Kading said. “The whole thing will be anticlimactic.”

After decades of investigating, Kading believes Tupac’s murder was a result of gang retaliation, while Biggie’s was an act of revenge.

“It’s the strangest paradox,” he said. “Tupac Shakur’s case, and really Biggie’s too, at the very base of it, they’re just so simple.”

All the while, Combs has managed to keep his name far from the Tupac murder case. But the allegations and lawsuits surrounding Combs at the moment have given new interest into Davis’ claims of the Bad Boy founder having some involvement in the murder of Tupac Shakur.

Morehouse, honorary degree, lynching victim

by Sharelle B. McNair

June 13, 2024

Morehouse Innovation, Entrepreneurship Center Hosts Over 100 Stakeholders For 2024 Ascend National Conference

Morehouse always supports small business growth!

Morehouse Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC) will welcome over 100 stakeholders from across the U.S. as it hosts the 2024 Ascend National Conference.

The conference will be held from June 11 to 13, and stakeholders will represent a variety of industries, including financial institutions, education, prime contracting, and leadership supporting entrepreneurs of color. According to a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE, the innovative conference aims to address a plan for long-term sustainability for underrepresented businesses and communities.

With a jam-packed itinerary including interactive training sessions, engaging discussions, and collaborative workshops led by subject matter experts, the concise sessions will serve as supportive efforts to gain innovative solutions for the future of these businesses to grow sustainably. “Despite minority-owned employer firms contributing $1.48 trillion and 9.43 million jobs per year to the U.S. economy, there is a significant disparity in inequitable access to educational resources and capital and procurements opportunities for business owners of color,” MIEC Executive Director Dr. Tiffany Bussey said.

“It is through our partnership with Ascend – a national network of highly qualified business educators, successful entrepreneurs, and inclusive organizations – that businesses of color gain the knowledge, resources, and connections needed to scale and grow middle market diverse business in underrepresented communities.”

With the valuable resources and information obtained at the conference, the results will create a pipeline of strategies for Ascend Core Cities and National Cohort.

MEIC has served as an added resource for students of Morehouse College, an Atlanta-based HBCU, and neighboring communities to foster innovation and entrepreneurial leadership since 2004 – making it the perfect location to host the conference. As a technology startup and small business pre-accelerator supporter, Ascend Atlanta was launched in 2017 in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase. Since its establishment, Ascend has serviced over 125 minority-led companies within the Metro Atlanta area — raising $5.5 in capital and $13.5M in revenue across all participating industries, including creating 278 jobs.

Morehouse and MEIC have always supported the growth of diverse and Black-owned businesses in and outside of Atlanta. In May 2024, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting, the school announced a partnership with Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to create programs designed to help Atlanta business owners enter airport concessions.

Under MEIC’s leadership, the first class of the Airport Concessioner Accelerator Program welcomed 20 business owners into the eight-week program. Bussey described the program as more practical than a degree course. “Our intent and our goal is at the end of the program, not that they become concessionaires, but that they understand what it takes to be a concessionaire and then make that strategic decision: ‘Is this for my business or is it not?'” she said.

Cohort participants will learn skills related to securing capital, marketing, and scaling their business to succeed in the airport environment.

Monica McNutt, Stephen A. Smith, WNBA, ESPN First Take

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 13, 2024

Monica McNutt Reassures Followers That All Is Well Between Her and Stephen A. Smith

She took to X to say, 'I’m on the road covering finals as previously scheduled, but squeezing in a couple dope opps, will share soon.'

With all the attention geared towards Caitlin Clark and her WNBA debut, the conversation about the professional league is finally getting some shine in the mainstream. Last week, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith tried to take credit for regularly talking about the league on his First Take program but was met with resistance from fellow sportscaster, Monica McNutt. In response to his declaration, she told Smith that he “could have been doing this three years ago” if he wanted.

Stephen A. Smith: “Who talks about the WNBA, who talks about women, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?”

Monica McNutt: “Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to.”

Stephen A.: “Wow.” pic.twitter.com/szQXOPQ3h4

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 3, 2024

That discussion occurred on June 3, and she hasn’t been back on the program since, leaving Smith speechless.

She did alert her X followers that she was alive and well and that she and Smith were “all good.” She explained that she had been on the road covering the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics.

Good Morning, Good People

A lil PSA for those of us that are concerned, me FT & SA all good. I’m on the road covering finals as previously scheduled, but squeezing in a couple dope opps, will share soon. The way ya’ll rocked with me though 🫶🏾.

— McNutt Monica (@McNuttMonica) June 10, 2024

McNutt appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and discussed the incident and why she felt so passionate about the topic regarding coverage of the WNBA.

“It’s unfair to the women that have been there building the league to this moment so that Caitlin Clark’s popularity can take it to the next level. So, by the end of the show, my tone had changed, and I kind of needed to put my foot down a little bit.”

She made it a point to mention that Clark will make the league more exciting and attract more attention. She also wants to acknowledge that there are other great players in the WNBA holding it down.

“So while Caitlin is fantastic and I think she’s going to have an incredible career in the WNBA, there were women that were worthy of coverage prior to her arriving and I just will not be silenced when it comes to that.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 13, 2024

Jonathan Majors’ ‘Perseverance Award’ Announcement Sparks Mixed Reactions

Social media has mixed reactions to Jonathan Majors being celebrated for his "perseverance" at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards.

Jonathan Majors will be celebrated for his “perseverance” at this year’s Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards, and social media has divided opinions.

The fourth annual award show will take place at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom on Friday, June 21. Tiffany Haddish will host the ceremony, which will award Cardi B, Fat Joe, Christian Louboutin, DaBrat, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and Majors. Cardi B will receive the Inspiration Award. Fat Joe will receive the Culture Award, Jonathan Majors will receive the Perseverance Award, Christian Louboutin will receive the Innovator Award, and DaBrat and Jessica Harris-Dupart will receive the Spirit Award.

The Perseverance Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates unwavering determination and the ability to inspire others despite facing adversity. Majors’s receiving the accolade comes on the heels of his being found guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in December 2023 for a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari in March 2023.

Considering his recent conviction following a high-profile trial, there have been strong responses online regarding news of Majors receiving an award of any kind. Many sounded off after The Hollywood Handle announced Majors’ upcoming accolade and the inspiration behind the award.

Jonathan Majors is set to receive the Perseverance Award at Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards.

The award is “given to an individual who has shown that no matter what adversity they face, they will continue to aspire to inspire…” pic.twitter.com/ddn2yONbcu
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) June 12, 2024

Many critics questioned why the film star would be awarded so soon after his sentencing.

“Why are we awarding criminals?” one critic asked.

“Shouldn’t that be given to the woman who he assaulted?” asked another.

But a fair share of Majors supporters also applauded Hollywood Unlocked for seemingly trying to help revive his career following his conviction in a case where they think he’s innocent.

“Good, he ain’t done nothing wrong as far as I’m concerned!” one fan wrote.

“Man lost his job for having boundaries in a relationship and running from being hit,” added someone else. “Or slightly putting his hands on her to protect himself. He deserves more than an award.”

The Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania star was sentenced to a 52-week, in-person domestic violence intervention program as a result of the conviction. Majors experienced a swift fall from grace in the form of losing his Marvel role as Kang the Conqueror, his lead role in a movie tentatively titled 48 Hours in Vegas, and seeing his unreleased film Magazine Dreams removed from the theatrical release calendar.

He was also dropped from his management team at Entertainment 360 and his PR team at the Lede Company, forced to step down from two nonprofits, and lost out on endorsement deals with the U.S. Army and the Texas Rangers and his Valentino-sponsored appearance at the Met Gala.

Others set to be honored at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards include Jasmine Crockett, a U.S. representative from Texas’ 30th congressional district, who will receive the Social Impact Award, and Ben Crump, a civil rights and personal injury attorney, who will receive the Community Award.

Fantasia Barrino, Yellopain, and Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard will perform. Tickets for the event are on sale now, and a pre-recorded taping will air exclusively on The Zeus Network.

by Shanique Yates

June 13, 2024

White Man Indicted For Allegedly Plotting Race War At Atlanta Rap Concert

Mark Adams Prieto was indicted after an FBI investigation uncovered his plans to incite a race war by executing a mass shooting at an Atlanta rap concert, targeting specific racial and religious groups.

An Arizona man is currently facing charges after a months-long investigation proved that he was plotting a mass shooting at an Atlanta rap concert to “incite a race war.”

Mark Adams Prieto was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday (June 11) after an investigation led by the FBI found evidence that he was allegedly attempting to start a race war ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election.

Member of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Phoenix, Arizona, detailed information surrounding the investigation, which began in October 2023, was submitted in court through an affidavit. Per the court document, a reliable source reported that Prieto allegedly “expressed a desire to incite a race war before the 2024 United States Presidential Election.”

The source also revealed that they spoke with Prieto at various gun shows over three years, ultimately leading to a politically charged conversation where Prieto’s comments allegedly became “suspicious and alarming” and included “advocating for a mass shooting and specifically targeting ‘Blacks, Jews, or Muslims.’”

“Prieto believes that martial law will be implemented shortly after the 2024 election and that a mass shooting should occur prior to the implementation of martial law,” the source told FBI agents. In late 2023, the source also said that Priet asked if they were “ready to kill a bunch of people.”

This instance is what the FBI used in the affidavit as an example of “Prieto’s desire to recruit people to help him carry out an attack.” The investigation also found proof that Prieto worked as a vendor at a gun show in Prescott, Arizona, selling numerous firearms from his collection. According to the source, the FBI was warned of Prieto’s desire to conduct trades “off book” through cash or trade to “avoid possible issues or interactions with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.”

From this past January to March, Prieto was under surveillance by the FBI, and in mid-January, undercover agents went to a gun show to connect with Prieto and their confidential source.

“Prieto divulged his plan to commit crimes of violence against African Americans in Atlanta, Georgia. Specifically.” He also disclosed plans to carry out a mass shooting at a yet-to-be-determined rap concert in the city to both the source and undercover agents.

“The reason I say Atlanta. Why, why is Georgia such a [expletive] upstate now? When I was a kid, that was one of the most conservative states in the country. Why is it not now? Because as the crime got worse in LA, St. Louis, and all these other cities, all the [expletives] moved out of those (places) and moved to Atlanta. That’s why it isn’t so great anymore. And they’ve been there for a couple, several years,” read a statement shared in the court filings about Prieto sharing his ideas around the proposed Atlanta attack with the undercover agents and their source, who has not been identified.

According to Prieto, he wanted to carry out the attack at a rap concert because “there would be a high concentration of African Americans” at the event.

He later shared that his plan would be executed at a rap concert likely to be held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta’s midtown neighborhood on May 14 and May 15. Later reports confirmed Prieto’s desire to hold off until June to put the planned attack in motion.

Ultimately, officers stopped Prieto while traveling to visit his mother in Florida in mid-May.

“Prieto was stopped by law enforcement driving east from Arizona through New Mexico along Interstate 40,” said the USDOJ. “Prieto was in possession of seven firearms and was taken into federal custody. Law enforcement then executed a search warrant at his home in Prescott. Law enforcement found more firearms in his residence, including an unregistered short-barreled rifle.”

He now faces charges for firearms trafficking, transfer of a firearm for use in a hate crime, as well as possession of an unregistered firearm; all convictions carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

On the other hand, Prieto’s possible conviction for Possession of an Unregistered Firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. If charged separately, Prieto could also face 15 years in federal prison for each charge.

A trial date has not yet been scheduled.

These Black Businesses Face Benefits And Obstacles In Aim To Grow

by Jeffrey McKinney

June 13, 2024

These Black Businesses Face Benefits And Obstacles In Aim To Grow

Working directly with public and private procurement officers among ways Black middle market businesses can grow.

Mid-size businesses are often shunned and less understood overall, although they make huge contributions to America’s economy. One important sector standing out in that landscape with even scarcer comprehension is Black-owned middle-market businesses.

That discovery emerged in “2024 Insights and Perspectives from Black Leaders in the Middle Market,” a fresh research report released June 12 by the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) at Ohio State University in alliance with Wells Fargo Commercial Bank.

The “first-ever” analysis shows that those firms grew faster than their peers, while facing new obstacles as minority business enterprises (MBEs).

The findings came from researchers who interviewed 13 Black middle-market business owners and leaders in decision-making roles. Their organizations are from different industries including construction, logistics, financial services, and information technology. Their companies have annual revenues ranging from $20 million to $500 million. Wells Fargo sponsored the report.

OPPORTUNTIES EXIST AMID ONGOING CHALLENGES

Notably, middle-market businesses are often viewed as potentially strong acquisition targets by investors for multiple reasons. Their attributes include strong revenue growth, resiliency in uneven economic times, and greater flexibility for operational improvements than larger firms.

An intriguing revelation from the report was that companies led by Black business leaders outpaced the overall middle market in 2023. According to the report they grew revenues (17.7% versus 12.4%), employees (11.5% opposed to 9.6%), and research and development spending (28% compared to 19%). According to Moses Harris, Black/African American segment leader for Wells Fargo Commercial Banking.

Harris shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE exclusively by email that while that data is encouraging, there is also tremendous room for improvement. He stated that only five of the more than 4,000 publicly traded companies in the U.S. are majority-owned by Black leaders. He said that means there is untapped opportunity for successful small black businesses to take their companies to the next level.

More specifically, Harris says taking their businesses to an elevated level may call for those firms to focus on building more revenue-growth strategies. He said that he could possibly achieve that by working with organizations like the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council and NCMM.

He suggested they unite with their local Black Chamber of Commerce and other trade-specific organizations with supplier diversity initiatives to help bolster engagement with private and public procurement officers.

“Deepening rapport and relationships with those organizations help provide access and introduction to CPOs (chief procurement officers) that they might not have gotten on their own.”

Further, he says that to serve diverse clients better, the middle-market banking industry needs to continue to evolve. That includes being more intentional about advancing the creditworthiness, unique strengths and capabilities, and industry concentrations of the Black leaders and their firms.

“To be candid, we are not where we want to be as an industry, but we are on a journey, working to build greater opportunities for mid-market Black-owned firms. In fact, the point of this research is a step to help us get there.”

He explained all the previous research on Black business centered on small business. He said the new report is a call for action for the nation’s business ecosystem and corporate leaders to learn and better understand the needs of mid-sized Black firms, stop overlooking them, and explore solutions.

Harris affirmed the lack of inclusion of diverse folks in the economy has cost the U.S. $16 trillion over the last 20 years, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

“Our economy just hasn’t worked for Black people. Advocacy, storytelling, and data help decision-makers understand the nuances of what needs to be accomplished – to propel Black-owned firms into the future. This story needs to be elevated so more people can participate in the conversation. People just don’t know. It’s not that they don’t care! They just don’t know.”

Among key findings from the report included:

“A shared sentiment that diversity initiatives and programs are shifting away from Black-owned businesses.”
“Clear feelings that an MBE designation means less today than it once did; or that the opportunities such certifications have become watered down or less available to Black-owned companies.”
“A view that programs that contribute to the initial success of Black-owned businesses often end up limiting future growth.”
“Frustration by Black business leaders at what they view as broken government contracting and certification processes, with some even contending that the programs put in place to help Black entrepreneurs are ultimately hurting them instead.”

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAMS: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

Harris explained federal contracting programs are likely a big reason the report shows Black middle-market businesses, on average, are 50% younger than their peers overall. “Adoption of these programs takes time, and much of the growth in number is likely connected.”

James Hill, chair of the Department of Operations and Business Analytics at The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business, offered this take among comments, “Black-owned businesses often must go through supplier diversity programs and certifications, where their majority-owned counterparts can go straight to procurement. These additional steps are structural barriers they must overcome.”

Harris added government and corporate supplier diversity programs are a double-edged sword. “Initially, they spur business but ultimately limit Black-owned firms’ growth, as often lucrative procurement decisions are made with business decision-makers that sit outside the supplier diversity channel.”

EXPERIENCE CONTRIBUTING TO BLACK BUSINESS SUCCESS

The survey revealed experiences and strategies as well that have helped Black businesses succeed. It showed that discrimination is a universal experience that is not likely to go away anytime soon, but it does not define Black business owners or their paths forward. It was also mentioned that establishing and maintaining a network of peers and an economy in which Black business leaders are valued can help generate opportunities and overcome challenges.

Addressing that, Harris stated, “Black business owners are often emphatic about not wanting to win opportunities solely based on their designations. Instead, they seek to win based on their unique qualifications and the perspectives they bring to the table.”

CDO, chief diversity awards and honors summit, DEI, Diversity, equity, inclusion, Lifetime Diversity Crusader Award,

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 12, 2024

BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Chief Diversity Officer Summit & Honors Event Acknowledges DEI Leaders Past And Present

BE brought together Black executives working to make sure DEI initiatives are implemented in companies nationwide.

BLACK ENTERPRISE held the second Chief Diversity Officer Summit & Honors event in New York City June 11. BE brought together Black executives who are working to make sure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are the norm throughout corporate culture nationwide, and to acknowledged the incredible work of DEI officers by awarding the CDO Changemaker Award among others. Longtime advocates and pioneers who have championed and implemented DEI, before it became popular to do so, were presented the Lifetime Diversity Crusader Award.

Maurice Cox is the former vice president of Diversity & Inclusion Development PEPSICO. Now retired, Cox stressed the importance of tenacity and urged those who follow in his footsteps to look deeply at their surrounding landscape to locate “barriers” that need to be eliminated.

Ronald Parker accepted honors for his work as former president, CEO and expanded roles and PepsiCo. Parker thanked BE and its late founder Earl G. Graves Sr. for his unwavering support throughout the years.

James H. Lowry, senior advisor of Boston Consulting Group and president and founder of James H. Lowry & Associates, reminisced about the inception of BE. Lowry emphasized the importance of BE highlighting Black business.

While shocked to be honored for her life’s work, Jackie Glenn—founder and CEO of Glenn Diversity Inclusion & HR Solutions—expressed deep gratitude for the acknowledgment. She emphasized scripture Isaiah 40:31 in her acceptance.

Susan Reid, managing director and Global Head of Talent for Morgan Stanley, took the opportunity to show gratitude to those who lead. Shouting out her mentors who led the charge in the work and helped her propel in her career.

Yolanda Friend, Inclusion and Diversity lead for Accenture North America, shared a personal message about family, loss, and love. Her message—while somber—was uplifting and contained a call to action to attendees, letting them know DEI work of begins at home.

WNBA, 2024 Season, Basketball, DICK BARNETT, BIG3

by Stacy Jackson

June 12, 2024

WNBA Sees Highest Attendance Record In 26 Years Within First Month Of Season

From jersey sales to social media likes, the women of the WNBA have fans eager to watch them take the court.

The 2024 WNBA season is off to a scorching start, shattering records left and right. Fans have been flocking to arenas like never before, with over 400,000 attendees in the first month alone–-the highest in 26 years.

It’s not just packed stands; more than half the games have been sellouts, a staggering 156% increase from last year, according to the WNBA. As the league’s 28th season commenced on May 14, not only did people show their support for the league in person, but more viewers than ever tuned in to watch the women’s league on networks such as ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ION, and NBA TV. Viewership nearly tripled, with 1.32 million average viewers, up from 462,000 last season.

Specific games saw even higher spikes, like a 2.34 million peak for the Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun opener, the most-watched WNBA game ever on Disney platforms.

Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison gave insight into what may have led to the increase in support for the league. “What’s happening now in women’s basketball is confirmation of what we’ve always known: The demand is there, and women’s sports is a valuable investment.” He added, “We’re encouraged by growing engagement across all our verticals, especially as we welcome new and diverse audiences into our fandom.”

The numbers are proof of the soaring engagement of the WNBA, and viewers showing support for the women’s league have diversified significantly. Tip-Off week resulted in a 124% increase in viewers under 35 years old. Furthermore, viewership consisting of young girls showed a 139% increase. More people of color have also tuned into this year’s season. Comparing the viewership statistics to last year, there was a hefty increase among Black and Hispanic supporters.

The rookies of the league are thought to have helped attract a larger audience for the league, as previously noted by BLACK ENTERPRISE. Highlights of newcomers such as Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark have led to significant engagement on social media. Additionally, the WNBA mentioned that Los Angeles Sparks’s Cameron Brink and Las Vegas Aces’ Kate Martin were among other rookie players to receive a lot of attention on social media. Social media for the league has seen a 380% increase in video views during the first week compared to last season.

https://twitter.com/NBASTORE/status/1799103403949531316

Revenue from jersey sales has skyrocketed as well. Clark, Reese, and Brink are in the top 5 for jersey sales within the first week of the WNBA. Compared to last year, sales through the WNBA Store are up 756% versus the same period last year, already setting a single-season record. WNBA League pass subscriptions are up by 335% compared to the previous season.