sierra gates, gates, monster numb, love and hip hop atl, Atlanta, Entrepreneur

Reality Star Sierra Gates Launches Monster Numb With Fiancé

One of her latest ventures is Monster Numb, a numbing cream developed with her fiancé, Xzavia Thomas.



Sierra Gates, an Atlanta-based beauty mogul and media personality, has significantly impacted the urban culture.

A leading cast member on VH1/MTV’s Love and Hip Hop Atlanta for the past seven years, Gates has used her platform to share her inspiring testimony. Beyond television, the recently engaged personality runs a thriving beauty bar in her hometown and tours the world with her glam class “Microblading the Sierra Way.”

With 2.4 million Instagram followers and thousands of daily views on her website, Gates continues to expand her brand. One of her latest ventures is Monster Numb, a groundbreaking numbing cream developed with her fiancé, Xzavia Thomas.

In April, Gates shared her experience on Instagram after getting a tattoo from her stomach down to her calf. The entrepreneur used her numbing cream product, Monster Numb, which worked so effectively that she felt no pain during the tattooing process. However, once the numbing effect wore off, she experienced intense pain and had to be hospitalized. This incident highlighted the potency of Monster Numb, which is now available for purchase.

“Oh my god, I’m just so excited about all the new things Monster Numb is set to do,” Gates says.

In an exclusive interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Gates candidly shared her motivations for success and her commitment to empowering young women. 

Gates’ Journey 

Gates became a young parent like her mother. “I had to decide between staying in school and struggling or getting a job to care for my daughter,” she says. So she hustled through multiple jobs at South DeKalb Mall, revealing an innate entrepreneurial spirit.

“I ended up working both jobs simultaneously until I got caught,” she laughs.

This relentless drive led her to establish her first business ventures, laying the groundwork for her future successes.

“My daughter finished high school and went to college, something I didn’t have the opportunity to do,” she says. This determination to create a better future for her daughter fueled Gates’ drive and ambition, propelling her forward despite numerous obstacles.

Developing Monster Numb

Bringing Monster Numb to market was a meticulous process that required extensive testing and refinement.

“We tested multiple products over six months,” she says. “We did a concentrated focus group, and after months of trial and error, we came up with the perfect combination and developed the most potent product on the market.”

The tattoo Numbing Cream Market is estimated to reach $2 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.6%. Beyond tattoos, tattoo-numbing creams can also be employed for various applications. They are also widely used for piercing, waxing, and other hair removal procedures

Gates’ tested the product during that marathon tattoo session.

“I decided to get a huge leg tattoo that took 12 hours in one setting. I felt no pain, thanks to Monster Numb. But within 48 hours, I was admitted to the hospital. My body went into shock, and I had to be hospitalized for nine days,” she reveals.

This period was a physical and emotional trial for Gates and a profound learning experience.

“It taught me that all the people you think will be there to help you might not show up,” she says. “So many people I thought would support me didn’t even send a flower or check on me.” This realization pushed Sierra to reevaluate her support system and reinforced her determination to be self-reliant. Despite the setbacks, she turned this crisis into a testament to her resilience, using her story to inspire others.

Gates, Sierra Gates, Monster Numb, Love and Hip Hop Atl, Entrepreneur
Source: Monster Numb, numbing cream. Photo Credit: Monster Numb

Ink Responsibly

Monster Numb distinguishes itself from other numbing creams with its powerful formula and rapid efficacy. “Monster Numb is extremely fast-acting, painless—you don’t feel anything,” Gates asserts. 

The cream’s potency is evident in its ingredients. “Monster Numb is 5% Lidocaine and 2% Epinephrine HCI. “Our Lidocaine is so powerful, our cream has the highest percentage of Lidocaine in a single dosage,” she notes. This high concentration ensures maximum pain relief, allowing users to endure tattoo sessions comfortably. 

While Monster Numb is designed for tattoo enthusiasts, its applications extend to various beauty and skincare procedures. “It’s essentially the ‘go-to’ product for body art, including tattoos and piercings!” Gates explains.

Gates’s motto for the product, “ink responsibly,” reflects its commitment to safe and effective usage. Purchases are limited to five products per checkout. In addition, it is always a best practice to consult a physician and adhere to FDA guidelines before using any topical numbing agent. 

Empowering and Uplifting

“I just want to, you know, always use my platform to encourage girls that look like me and speak the glory and the greatness of God—that’s first and foremost,” Gates emphasizes. Her dedication to inspiring others is intertwined with her faith and commitment to personal growth and community support.

“I made a promise to myself and God: if you get me there, I promise you I’ll never stop talking about you. So I want to continue to do that.”

Gates’ upcoming projects include expanding her “Get A Girl Seasoning” line and launching new products that, like “Monster Numb,” that showcase her excitement and relentless innovation.

Gabby Douglas, Gymnastics, Olympics, ankle injury, us championships

Ankle Injury Hurts Gabby Douglas’ Final Chance For A 2024 Olympic Trials Invite

The Olympic gold medalist plans to recover from her injury and focus on training for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.


Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas’s path to the 2024 Paris Olympics has come to a halt. Due to an ankle injury, she has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming U.S. championships in Fort Worth, Texas.

The injury happened during a training session this week, setting back the 28-year-old’s ambitious comeback bid after an eight-year hiatus from the sport, which, according to ESPN, would have made her the oldest American woman Olympian to compete in gymnastics since 1952. Douglas exuded a sense of achievement even with the unexpected withdrawal. “I love this sport, and I love pushing my limits,” she said. “I hope I can inspire both my peers and the next generation of gymnasts that age is just a number, and you can accomplish anything you work hard for.”

As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Douglas embarked on her return after an eight-year break from the sport after securing back-to-back team golds in London in 20212 and Rio in 2016. Douglas clarified to fans that she never announced an official retirement but “wanted to take a step back and work on myself and my mental state.”

According to ESPN, earlier this month, Douglas encountered challenges on the bars at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, ahead of withdrawing from the competition. The U.S. championships would have been the gymnast’s final opportunity to secure an invite to the Olympic trials in Minneapolis, scheduled in June. The trailblazer, who became the first Black woman to capture the Olympic all-around title in 2012, is set on recovering from her injury and preparing for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

“I proved to myself and to the sport that my skills remain at an elite level,” she said.

As Douglas gears up for the 2028 competition, preparing to take the mat at 32, she plans to reunite with Lowell Taub of Range Sports, her longtime representative.

RELATED CONTENT: The Olympics Selects Sculptor Alison Saar To Create 2024 Paris Artwork

Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock Protects Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport From State Legislature’s Control

Way to go, Sen. Warnock!


Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) secured a provision in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that will keep Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport under local control. 

The new provisions secured on May 24 come following an offer to amend it during the Commerce Committee’s FAA markup early 2024. It provides additional protections and clarity if the state legislature attempts to take over control.

“Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world, connecting tens of millions of travelers to the incredible history, culture, and businesses that make up ‘The A.’ It’s only right that the City of Atlanta continues to control this gateway to the city,” Warnock said. “My provision helps protect millions in revenue flowing from Hartsfield-Jackson to Atlanta and helps enable the city to continue supporting minority-owned small businesses. I was proud to secure these meaningful protections to guard against cynical state politicians trying to seize control of the airport.”

The first attempt from the Georgia State Legislature to take over Hartsfield-Jackson happened in 2019. New protections supported by the FAA make it much harder for a hostile takeover. It also helps protect revenue for the City of Atlanta and makes sure the airport can continue to promote contracts with minority-owned businesses and contractors.

In a statement, ATL’s Mayor Andre Dickens thanked Warnock for his continuous support of local economic security.

“Owning and operating the world’s busiest airport is something the City of Atlanta takes great pride in. ATL is the region’s premier economic generator, providing roughly 63,000 jobs with an annual $66 billion economic impact on the state of Georgia,” Dickens said. 

Warnock, alongside colleague Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), has been working tirelessly to keep all airports in the Peachtree state safe. In early May 2024, it was announced Georgia would receive $120 million for airport infrastructure upgrades across the state thanks to the Airport Infrastructure Grant program funding, according to WRDW. Osoff said the law “will continue to deliver long-overdue upgrades to Georgia’s infrastructure for years to come.” 

Warnock, who described Georgia as “one of the nation’s most important aviation states,” said he’s excited to see “major funding awards to strengthen our airports and improve the flying experience for consumers and workers alike.”

Local airports are permitted to use the funding for runway upgrades, taxiways, airport safety, airport-transit connections, and roadways. Augusta Regional at Bush Field will receive $2,682,631, and Daniel Field will get $294,000. Smaller airports like Millen received $113,000 worth of funding, followed by Kaolin Field in Sandersville and East Georgia Regional in Swainsboro, receiving $144,000.

Shante Broadus, Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg’s Wife Opens ‘The Players Club’ In Downtown Los Angeles

Snoop Dogg's wife, Shante Broadus, has launched a real-life Players Club experience in Downtown Los Angeles.


Snoop Dogg’s wife, Shante Broadus, has launched a new adults-only business that brings a real-life “Players Club” experience to Downtown Los Angeles.

Named after the 1998 film created and directed by Snoop’s longtime West Coast rap comrade Ice Cube, the certified “Boss Lady” is introducing a new strip club to the City of Angels. Snoop and his wife announced the new venture on Instagram on Monday, May 27, in posts that collaborated with the strip joint.

“THE PLAYERS CLUB💰DTLA📍NOW OPEN: 5PM – 2AM 🍾✨ PROUDLY OWNED BY @bosslady_ent,” the strip club captioned its post.

It was appropriately accompanied by music from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s 1992 hip-hop classic “Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang.”

Snoop followed up with a video post that included photos and video clips from what appeared to be an opening night event. Mrs. Broadus was seen hyping up her dancers and showering them with dollar bills. The “Gin and Juice” rapper posed alongside his wife and a few dancers, expressing his pride and support for her new business endeavor.

Sources say Shante’s Boss Lady Entertainment is hosting a private star-studded party at the club this week to celebrate further and market the new hot spot, TMZ reports. Attendees include Tiffany Haddish, Too $hort, Big Boy, and Cedric the Entertainer with DJ Drama and DJ Sky High Baby keeping the good vibes flowing.

The launch follows auditions for dancers that took place over the Memorial Day weekend. Broadus has plans for The Players Club to be a celebratory place for entrepreneurs, professionals, and beautiful people to come together for a good time.

Described as the “newest and most exclusive” gentleman’s club in the area, according to a press release, The Players Club “is poised to redefine luxury and liberation in the city’s nightlife scene.”

“I am thrilled to introduce The Players Club to Los Angeles,” Shante said. “This club is more than just a venue; it’s a celebration of empowerment, beauty, and entrepreneurship, providing a space where everyone can feel like a boss.”

The Boss Lady also plans to stay true to the essence Ice Cube brought to “The Players Club” movie 26 years ago.

RELATED CONTENT: Dr. Dre Feels Snoop Dogg ‘Does Too Much’

André 3000

André 3000 Closes Out Atlanta Jazz Festival Performing ‘New Blue Sun’

The former OutKast member performed at the free annual celebration which took place at Piedmont Park


Former OutKast member André “3000” Benjamin, who released an instrumental flute album last year, was the featured and closing act at this year’s 47th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival. Fans were gifted with the sounds of his flute as he performed songs off his solo offering, “New Blue Sun.”

According to Atlanta News First, André 3000 closed the festival, and fans gave their opinion of his set.

“I really liked it,” said Kimoni Jiggetts. “It’s good music to just kind of focus to, and so given this is my first time seeing him live, I’m excited to see him in any capacity.”

The festival was not only open to the public, there was no admission price, which wasn’t lost on this fan.

“Anytime you get a free André 3000 concert, you really just have to take advantage of that,” said Kenny Okafor, who regularly visits the Atlanta Jazz Festival.

The festival reportedly brought out approximately 150,000 attendees over the three-day event.

The free annual celebration of culture, community, and jazz took place at Piedmont Park from Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27. The festivities were open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Hip-hop fans were anxious upon hearing that Andre was finally releasing a solo album, something people have been yearning for since the duo (his rhyming partner, Big Boi, who has released several projects as a solo artist) stopped recording as a group. So, when fans got the news that he was releasing an album, the music world was happy, but he said he would not be rapping on the album.

In an interview with NPR, he expressed that he doesn’t have it in him to rap, but he still wants to record music.

Baltimore High School Students, National Debate Tournament

2 Baltimore High School Students Secure Historic Win At National Debate Tournament

Nevaeh Rita Sencion and Saidah Ervin emerged triumphant by a single vote over the country's top-ranked high school policy debate team.


Over Memorial Day weekend, high schoolers Nevaeh Rita Sencion and Saidah Ervin made history by becoming the first African American women’s debate team to clinch victory at the prestigious National Catholic Forensics League’s Grand National Tournament in Chicago.

The students, members of Baltimore City College High School’s policy debate team, engaged in a grueling competition, participating in five two-hour debates each day for two consecutive days, pitting their skills against some of the nation’s top debate teams.

According to WMAR-2 News, the dynamic duo emerged triumphant by a single vote over the country’s top-ranked high school policy debate team, arguing that the “United States federal government should substantially increase fiscal redistribution by providing a federal jobs guarantee, increasing Social Security, and/or providing a basic income.” Months of meticulous preparation, including crafting speeches imbued with poetic elements, paved the way for their success.

Ervin expressed her elation, stating, “…we knew we had it in us, but like being able to hear in front of a room that big and hearing all the cheers for us is a really, really big feeling.”

Sencion and Ervin’s achievement holds profound significance as they sought to represent inner-city students in Baltimore and Black women debaters. “We have the very unique responsibility –- and almost indebtedness -– to other Black debaters, other Black programs, the legacy of Black debate that’s come before us that has opened the doors for us to be able to continue to advocate for ourselves, for our communities,” Sencion said.

Under the guidance of BCC’s Speech and Debate Director Patrick Daniels, who has led the team for two decades, the duo ascended to the pinnacle of success, shattering traditional perceptions of debate as an exclusively white, male-dominated activity. Daniels envisions their triumph as a catalyst for change and an inspiration for future generations.

After graduation next week, Sencion and Ervin plan to continue their debate careers in college, with Sencion attending Wake Forest University on a debate scholarship and Ervin heading to the University of Kentucky as a leadership scholar. They also intend to return to their high school alma mater to coach and judge the next generation of debaters.

RELATED CONTENT: Georgia Teen Earns Associate’s Degree Before High School Diploma

O.J. Simpson, , Estate, Goldman

O.J. Simpson’s Estate Charged With $500K Tax Lien, Lawyer Says

His lawyer it says it could impact the settlement owed to Nicole Brown-Simpson and Ron Goldman's families.


O.J. Simpson owed the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman millions when he died earlier this year. Malcolm LaVergne, Simpson’s lawyer and now executor of his estate, contacted the families in April to discuss their probate claims against the former athlete’s estate.

The lawyer told TMZ that the state of California has placed a $572,402.69 tax lien against Simpson’s estate. This changed his plan to settle for part of a $33.5 million judgment awarded to the families in 1997. 

Although Simpson was acquitted in his murder trial, he was later found liable for Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman’s deaths in a Santa Monica civil court. The judgment was for $33.5 million in 1997, but interest on the unpaid debt has caused it to skyrocket to $100 million.

LaVergne’s team met with the Goldman family at his Las Vegas office last month. According to the lawyer, a rep for Nicole Brown Simpson’s estate did not show up for the meeting. They reviewed Simpson’s tax returns, 401K, bank statements, and other assets. Goldman’s lawyers were told they’d be accepted into the estate, which would help satisfy the debt. 

LaVergne said he’s still investigating to determine how much the estate is worth amid the unforeseen tax lien. The lawyer told TMZ he was blindsided by $500K debt, and he plans to fight the lien in court before he can determine if there will be anything left over to pay the two families. 

LaVergne did say that there are some valuable items in the disgraced athlete’s estate that could be liquidated to help cover some of the costs. These items include Simpson’s Heisman trophy (which may be a replica), fine art, golf clubs, an SUV, and a grand piano. They are also considering auctioning some of Simpson’s personal items, which include video reels, furniture, and photos. 

AI-Generated, Fake News, cop, revenge, murder, story, viral

Prom Revenge-Murder Story Is AI-Generated Fake News, Police Say

The story was posted to TikTok account called Dax News which has now been removed from the platform.


A Viral TikTok video about a man murdering a teen at her prom in Livonia, Michigan, was proven to be fake. 

In the now-deleted video, the narrator explained details of a murder that allegedly occurred after the Livonia High School prom. According to the video, a man named Douglass Barnes killed a teen girl named Samantha McCaffery. The video claimed the murder was revenge for Samantha’s father, who was allegedly a cop, for killing Barnes’s son several years ago. Livonia police have confirmed that the story is fabricated.

“It’s not going on in Livonia. It’s fake news going around social media,” Livonia Police told Fox 2 News Detroit.

They went on to say that Livonia High School doesn’t exist in Michigan, and they would not find a person named Douglass Barnes in the state. A reverse-image search of the photo in the video resulted in stories about another fake murder, which suggests that the image may be AI-generated.

Other AI-generated news websites have reposted the story, which helps to make it appear legitimate.

Earlier this month, the popular social media platform said it would start labeling AI-generated content; however, this story had no label.

AI-generated fake news is a growing problem. A recent study that was co-authored by researchers from Google, Duke University, and other fact-checking groups shows that hoaxes now make up an alarming 60% of all fact-checked claims that include media. Fake news isn’t the only problem caused by AI. Scammers have used the technology to clone voices, which can lead victims to think they are speaking with someone they know. A former teacher was arrested in April after investigators found that he used AI to mimic his former supervisor’s voice in a fake racist rant.

Click here for tips on how to spot fake news online.

RELATED CONTENT: Diversity In Artificial Intelligence Could Help Make It More Equitable

NYC Parents, Remote-Learning

NYC Parents Outraged by DOE’s Summer Remote-Learning Simulation

New York City parents are not happy with the Department of Education (DOE) after being asked to log on alongside their children for a remote-learning simulation during summer break.


New York City parents are not happy with the Department of Education (DOE) after being asked to log on alongside their children for a remote learning simulation during summer break. The move is set to help the system better prepare for this form of learning following a technical meltdown on a snow day in February 2024.

Families are being asked to voluntarily log into their school systems on June 6 for a non-instructional activity during a pre-scheduled time slot. Administrators warn that the more people who participate, “the more accurate and useful” the data from the event will be. According to the New York Post, given the new expectations, parents are even more enraged about the winter incident.

“I didn’t even know about this. But I won’t be participating,” said Manhattan parent Alison Devlin.

“I don’t think my son will participate because he’s wrapping up his senior year, and we don’t have time for this nonsense,” said another mother from the same New York community. Starita Boyce Ansari, a parent of a Manhattan high schooler, added, “Instead of remote learning, invest in remote tutoring. Schools in public-housing zip codes have far less support than those in townhouse zip codes.”

Faculty members have also voiced their concerns about the remote-learning activity.

“I think this decision is completely asinine and indicative of how this broken bureaucracy tries to function,” said Adam Bergstein, an English teacher at Forest Hills High School in Queens. “To assume students will be getting up and logging on a computer for no pedagogical reason is not only a waste of time but highly unproductive for all parties involved.”

Another teacher from a Brooklyn middle school who wished to remain anonymous said that the DOE’s decision to change the date previously set aside for professional development into one to test out remote learning is “misguided and a useless waste of resources.”

“The DOE is sending its instructional staff the message that they do not value the professional development they have on offer and would rather have us test a system that will have little to no impact on the remainder of the school year and will have to be retested in September anyway,” the source said.

They added, “That, or they feel it is not in their best interest to spend time helping their already overburdened instructional staff develop best practices to reflect the evolving landscape of education, particularly in areas of instructional technology.”

The remote-learning simulation results from the aforementioned February incident, when school Chancellor David Banks assured city public school families that their system was prepared to go virtual during a snow day. Instead, when thousands attempted to log into the system, they were met with glitches and error messages.

At the time of the incident, Banks blamed IBM, citing that the firm responsible for handling authentication for the virtual platforms was “not ready for prime time.”

Banks also urges families to participate in the virtual remote training session to ensure that they are better equipped to go remote in the future.

“In a world where extreme weather conditions are more commonplace, it is essential that our school system is prepared to pivot to virtual learning and that our students don’t lose critical instructional hours,” said Banks in a statement. “We are encouraging every family to participate in this test to help us ensure that our families are ready to go remote if and when the time comes.”

American Airlines, TikTok, First Class, Discrimination, passenger,

American Airlines Sued Over Alleged Removal of ‘The Only Black People On A Flight’ After Complaints Of ‘Offensive Body Odor’

The lawsuit claims that American Airlines removed eight Black men from the plane during their connecting flight to New York from Los Angeles.


American Airlines has a lawsuit on its hands after three passengers allege that eight Black men were unjustly removed from a flight due to a complaint about a passenger with body odor. They were the only Black people on the flight from Phoenix to New York.

Filed on May 29 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the lawsuit claims that American Airlines removed eight Black men from the plane during their connecting flight to New York from Los Angeles. They were reportedly asked to exit the plane over a complaint about “offensive body odor,” according to a report by CBS News.

Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Xavier Veal are listed as the three plaintiffs in the suit, and they say that they were never told about the offensive odor by any of the American Airlines employees. Instead, Jean Joseph revealed that as he gathered his belongings to exit toward the jet bridge, he realized that only Black men were being removed from the flight. Additionally, none of the men were traveling together and had never met before.

“I started freaking out,” said Veal.

He took matters into his own hands and began to record the interaction, which took place in January 2024. According to the court documents, the men were all held in the jetway for roughly an hour before being moved to the gate area, where they were informed that they would be booked on a later flight to New York that same day. It was also suggested that the complaint about the body odor came from a “white male flight attendant” and that a gate agent can be seen seemingly agreeing with the fact that race played a role in their removal from the flight.

What’s more, after a later flight to New York was unavailable, the men were placed back onto the flight, something that they noted was a very uncomfortable feeling.

“Everybody [was] staring at me; me and all the other Black people on the plane were just taken off,” Jackson recalled.

“I knew that as soon as I got on that plane, a sea of white faces was going to be looking at me and blaming me for their late flight of an hour,” Jean Joseph added.

Veal says that if the complaints had been made toward a white person, the same procedure for having them exit the aircraft would not have been in place.

“We were discriminated against,” he said. “The entire situation was racist.”

Sue Huhta, a partner at Outten & Golden, is the attorney representing all three men. She said that American Airlines refused to provide her clients with further answers regarding the incident. She also noted that it was “fairly apparent that race was a part of this dynamic.”

“It’s almost inconceivable to come up with an explanation for that other than the color of their skin, particularly since they didn’t know each other and weren’t sitting near each other.”

At this time, American Airlines says that they are taking the claims seriously and are currently investigating the situation at hand.

“We take all claims of discrimination very seriously and want our customers to have a positive experience when they choose to fly with us,” said the company in a statement to CBS News. “Our teams are currently investigating the matter, as the claims do not reflect our core values or our purpose of caring for people.”

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