Michael Rainey Jr., financial Literacy Initiative

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 10, 2024

‘Power’ Star Michael Rainey Jr. Thanks His Mom For Helping Him Save Money As A Child Actor

Actor Michael Rainey Jr. is opening up about the financial literacy that was passed down to him courtesy of his mother.

Actor Michael Rainey Jr. is opening up about the financial literacy his mother passed down to him.

The “Power Book II: Ghost” star, who plays Tariq James St. Patrick in the franchise, recently appeared on Forbes’ “New Money” podcast, where he applauded his mother for helping him save money from an early age. Rainey was lucky to kick off his acting career at the age of 9 after being discovered by a talent agent.

“She literally just walked up to my mom and said, ‘Your son has a great face for acting or modeling. Does he do any of that?’” Rainey shared. “And she was like, ‘No.’ And then, like a week after, they had a meeting in the office, and after that, they just started getting me auditions.”

After small gigs on “Sesame Street” while modeling, Rainey landed his first acting role in 2010 in the film “Un Altro Mondo (Another World).” Four years later, the rising star landed his breakout role playing James St. Patrick’s eldest child, Tariq, in Starz’s “Power.” He was just 13 years old and earning big bucks from the supporting role.

However, Rainey had no idea how much he was making thanks to his mother, who would take his checks and save them for when he got older and more financially responsible.

“Obviously, I’ve been working since I was young, but my mom always did a great job of helping me save my money since I was a kid,” he said. “I didn’t really know what kind of numbers I was pulling in until I was like 17, 18. My mom really did a good job of putting money away from me.”

Rainey continued, “Obviously, at a young age, I don’t really know what I want to do with that money. She really did a good job of just making sure a lot of it was put away for when I reached the age where it’s like, ‘Alright, I can do this with my money. I can do that with my money.’”

Now, at 23, Rainey is wise and ready to manage his money on his own. With the financial management he received from his mom early on, the TV star has been investing his money into land ownership, bitcoin, and Ethereum.

He’s also started to venture into entrepreneurship with his production company, Jamaica-based restaurant Catch 22, and ownership stake in a dispensary called Herbs Jamaica.

“Right now were moving locations to a bigger space, and I’m super excited about that,” he shared about his dispensary.

He even has enough to spend on material items some would consider “dumb purchases,” but Rainey is proud of the Porsche 911 Turbo S he has in his driveway. It’s part of his passion for cars that he plans to capitalize on with the new car channel he’s set to launch.

“I’m going to be featuring the craziest car builds from all over the world,” he said.

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 10, 2024

California High School Students Expelled For Blackface Accusations Awarded $1M In Lawsuit

Former students at a Bay Area high school were awarded $1 million along with tuition reimbursement after being accused of sporting blackface, resulting in them being expelled.

Both students, listed as A.H. and H.H. in the lawsuit, will receive $500,000 each from the school and $70,000 in tuition total after the students and their parents originally only sought $20 million in damages.

On May 6, a jury from Santa Clara County sided with the former Saint Francis High School students, located in Mountain View, who argued the district was in breach of an oral contract and did not provide due process before expelling them in 2020 for photos that had been taken three years prior.

The picture in question was taken in August 2017 during a sleepover. According to the suit, A.H. was seen wearing a green face acne mask. The next day, H.H. and another boy took a mimicking picture of themselves wearing the same face masks. During the uprising of the Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd and racial injustice, the photos resurfaced, going viral.

3 Teens who were kicked out of an elite Catholic school for doing “blackface” and accused of being racist were awarded $1,000,000 by a jury after proving it was just acne mask. pic.twitter.com/EU5mANqP5z
— Black Millionaires ® (@Blackmillions_) May 9, 2024

Saint Francis administrators gave the boys two options — to either withdraw from school or face expulsion. The boys claim they were never offered a hearing, and the school did not consider any evidence.

While the jury rejected the students’ breach of contract, defamation, and violation of free speech claims, attorney Krista Baughman said she is pleased with the outcome. “Our primary goal was to clear our clients’ names,” Baughman said, according to Fox News.

“It was quite clear the jury believed these were innocent face masks. They are young kids, their internet trial is going to haunt them for the next 60 years. Now they don’t have to worry about that.”

The jury did hold the school accountable, finding them guilty of two of the five claims made in the lawsuit, including failing to do a proper investigation. High school representatives released a statement following the jury’s verdict stating they “respectfully disagree with the jury’s conclusion as to the lesser claim regarding the fairness of our disciplinary review process.”

School officials said they are “exploring legal options,” including appealing the initial verdict. “We are grateful for the strong support of our community throughout this case,” the statement continued. “We look forward to putting this matter behind us so we can return to focusing solely on educating our vibrant student body and living the Catholic values of the Holy Cross tradition, which are rooted in hope, respect, integrity, and family.”

Jay-z, robbie, d'rita, robinson, venture capital, firm, investment

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 10, 2024

Jay-Z’s Venture Capital Firm Close To Finalizing $1B Merger With Investment Arm of Pendulum Holdings

Jay-Z's Marcy Venture Partners is reportedly close to finalizing a billion-dollar merger with the investment arm of Pendulum Holdings.

Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners (MVP) is reportedly close to finalizing a billion-dollar merger with the investment arm of Pendulum Holdings.

Bloomberg reports that the two California-based investment entities are in advanced talks to close the deal that would combine more than $1 billion in assets. Details surrounding the merger remain under wraps as sources with information ask to remain anonymous.

It’s a huge step for Marcy Ventures since its 2018 launch. Jay-Z co-founded the San Francisco and Los Angeles-based company with former Roc Nation CEO Jay Brown and former Walden VC General Partner Larry Marcus and named it after Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects, where he grew up.

The company’s “passion for building innovative businesses and mass-market brands,” as mentioned on its website, has helped it garner a collection of “Consumer & Culture” driven businesses like Rihanna’s Savage Fenty, Merit Beauty, Our Place, and Babylist. In the food space, MVP has backed the vegan chicken nuggets maker Simulate, and allergen-free cookie maker Partake Foods. Outside of MVP, Jay-Z has investments in Swedish oat-milk maker Oatly and Impossible Foods Inc. alongside Serena Williams and Katy Perry.

There are also huge stakes within the tech space, including a crypto-security firm, a phone case maker, and an electric bike manufacturer. Past investments include the sneaker marketplace StockX and therapy tools company Therabody.

“Our companies are led by exceptional management teams with clear vision, purpose and executional excellence,” MVP states.

“We lead or co-invest in companies that have meaningful brand values, high customer joy driven by an outstanding product, demonstrated growth, and clear catalysts for the next level of scale.”

Merging with Pendulum would align Jay-Z’s MVP with husband-and-wife team Robbie and D’Rita Robinson. Robbie’s background includes working at Goldman Sachs and as a financial adviser to Barack Obama. Pendulum’s holdings include Chinese food brand Fly by Jing Inc., Founders Table Restaurant Group, and co-working and warehouse provider Saltbox.

by Stacy Jackson

May 10, 2024

Rutgers PhD Student To Celebrate Newborn And Graduation On Mother’s Day

The Rutgers University double alumna defended her dissertation back in March just seven hours after she gave birth to her second son.

Rutgers director Tamiah Brevard-Rodriguez will celebrate a remarkable double milestone this Sunday – her first Mother’s Day with her second son and graduation from her doctoral program.

The new mom welcomed Baby Enzo unexpectedly on the very day she was scheduled to defend her dissertation back in March. As WAPT reported, Enzo’s arrival a month before his due date disrupted what Brevard-Rodriguez had dubbed “Operation Dissertation Before Baby.” Her original plan was to defend her dissertation prior to giving birth. However, an unexpected turn of events unfolded when her water broke at 2:15 a.m. that Monday morning.

“I was physically prepared for a pregnancy. Mentally, my brain was not on a baby. So I was having a very emotional response to knowing that I was in labor, knowing that I had this defense like I was literally shaking,” Brevard-Rodriguez said.

Rutgers University, where Brevard-Rodriguez serves as director of the Aresty undergraduate research center, spotlighted this extraordinary occasion. En route to the hospital, Brevard-Rodriguez delivered her son in the front seat of her wife’s Maserati. “She’s going like 120 mph and didn’t get a chance to pull over. In three pushes, he was in my arms,” she said. “I was telling her, OK, now you have to slow down. It’s done. The baby is here. He’s fine. He’s breathing. But it was, ‘Oh my God, you just had this baby in the car!’”

The 5-pound, 12-ounce, 19-inch infant was in perfect health despite being born four weeks early.

Congratulations to Rutgers GSE graduating student Dr. Tamiah Brevard-Rodriguez on the delivery of her baby boy Enzo and her dissertation defense—all on the same day!https://t.co/V9Lg9YnIMx
— Rutgers Graduate School of Education (@RutgersGSE) May 9, 2024

After leaving the hospital, the Rutgers PhD candidate proceeded with her scheduled dissertation defense at 1 p.m. “My doula said it would be such a bad-ass move. You just had your baby and will do the dissertation at the same time. And I thought, yeah, I think I got it,” she said. “I told my wife go get me some clothes, my laptop and bring the charger.”

Logging onto Zoom, she presented her dissertation to Rutgers staff and faculty on the standards Black college women face on historically white campuses. “There’s a lot of nitpicking of Black girls and their bodies,” she told the university. “In my study, a lot of Black girls said, ‘I cannot go to school in pajamas though I see my other peers go to school in pajamas or in sweatshirts and baggy clothes.’ They always have to be presentable because, for them being presentable equates to them being capable.”

Brevard-Rodriguez kept her delivery a secret until after her successful defense, to ensure the committee’s impartiality. She earned her bachelor’s from Rutgers and a master’s from NYU. Her PhD now makes her a double Rutgers alumna.

Ultra-processed Foods, Mortality, Junk food, Health, ULTRA PROCESSED

by Jameelah Mullen

May 10, 2024

Study: People Consuming More Ultra-processed Foods May Face Increased Risk Of Early Death

The study was conducted from 1986-2018 and tracked the eating habits of 1,000 participants.

Consuming ultra-processed foods is associated with an early risk of death, according to a 30-plus year study.

Ultra-processed foods are significantly altered from their original state and usually contain manufactured ingredients such as preservatives, artificial coloring, emulsifiers, added sugar, salt, and fats to make food more appealing. Ultra-processed foods include sodas, potato chips, cakes, nuggets, and ice cream.

In the study, published Wednesday in The BMJ journal, experts analyzed data from more than 100,000 health professionals in the United States with no history of cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. The participants provided updates on their health and lifestyle habits every two years.

The group that ate the least ultra-processed food ate about three servings daily on average, while the highest consumed approximately seven servings daily. Data showed that those who ate the most had a 4% higher risk of death by any cause, including a 9% increased risk of neurodegenerative deaths.

Processed meats, sugary foods, and drinks do not appear to have the same risks as ultra-processed whole grain, according to lead study author Dr. Mingyang Song, associate professor of clinical epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health.

“Cereals, whole grain bread, for example, are also considered ultra-processed food, but they contain various beneficial nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals,” he said in an interview with CNN.

Dr. Peter Wilde, emeritus fellow at Quadram Institute Bioscience in the United Kingdom, said that while this recent study is substantial because of its 30-year span, it doesn’t provide definitive proof that ultra-processed foods lead to death. However, he recommends that people limit their consumption of these foods.

“If you are worried about food additives, then choose foods that have low levels of additives,” he told CNN. “Just be mindful of the nutritional content of (the ultra-processed foods) that you do choose to consume,” he said.

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 10, 2024

‘Attorney General For Black America’ Ben Crump Set To Make Appearance At CrimeCon In Nashville

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump will be making his CrimeCon debut in Nashville, Tennessee.

The attorney, dubbed the “Attorney General For Black America,” will be joining crime junkies at the largest gathering for crime experts, professionals, and true crime fans. On June 2, crime fans can sit in on a conversation between Crump and the first Black female equity partner at Actum LLC, Rachel Noerdlinger, for a conversation focusing on justice against acts of vigilantism, including the killings of Trayvon Martin and Ahmaud Arbery. “More than a decade after the killing of Trayvon Martin put acts of vigilantism under the microscope, it remains a stain on our society that we must continue to eradicate,” Crump said, according to a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

RACHEL NOERDLINGER

“I am glad to take part in this discussion with Rachel Noerdlinger, someone I have spent years alongside on the front lines of this quest for justice, and I want to thank the CrimeCon organizers for facilitating this conversation.”

Since 2017, the three-day experience has connected true crime enthusiasts from across the nation with the mysteries and cases that intrigue them. “Created by fans, for fans,” CrimeCon features speakers, breakout sessions, panelists, hands-on experiences, and more, allowing fans to take a deep dive into the world of true crime.

Crump has represented some of the families rooted in the founding of the Black Lives Matter movement, including the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tyre Nichols, and more. Noerdlinger will serve as the moderator as Crump gives attendees a look inside the courtroom drama surrounding the cases of both Martin and Arbery, as well as Markeis McGlockton and Marissa Alexander.

The media strategist, who has served as an advisor to Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton said she is “honored” to sit down with Crump, someone she calls a friend. “Ben Crump and I have been at the vanguard of justice on the most pressing cases before the nation, from Trayvon Martin to George Floyd,” Noerdlinger said.

“We have seen these cases move the needle on justice at large, but especially these horrible acts of vigilantism. I’m honored to sit down with him this June at the largest gathering of the true crime community to discuss how we can create a better, fairer system that guarantees justice for those who take the law into their own hands.”

The convention will also host the Clue Awards, airing live on the Law&Crime Network, according to Variety. Honoring achievements in television, podcasting, film and publishing, the categories consist of TV: Outstanding Docuseries, Book of the Year, Podcast: Outstanding Episodic Series, Outstanding Documentary Film, Book of the Year, and TV: Outstanding Episodic Series.

The panel discussion will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Jezz Bezos, 10 locations, free tuition, Texas, tuition free, 120000

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 10, 2024

Jeff Bezos To Open 10 Tuition-Free Schools Throughout Texas

Jeff Bezos is expanding his chain of tuition-free Montessori-inspired preschools with the launch of 10 new locations throughout the state of Texas.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos is expanding his chain of tuition-free Montessori-inspired preschools with the launch of 10 new locations throughout Texas.

WFAA reports that the Amazon founder is looking for students for the 10 new schools that parents can enroll their children in for free. There are currently school campuses in Old East Dallas, North Dallas, Lancaster, and Cockrell Hill, with others planned in Denton, Oak Cliff, Houston, and San Antonio.

The chain of tuition-free schools throughout Washington, Texas, Kentucky, and Florida was a top focus for Bezos, who wanted to pay homage to the Montessori preschool education he received.

“He credits having a Montessori preschool education for really setting him and his family up for success,” Allison Leader, a spokesperson for Bezos Academy, said. “And when he was determining what avenues that he wanted to use to spend his money, this was right at the top of his list.”

Classes run five days a week for children three to five years old. It’s a lottery selection process where families who make under $120,000 per year can qualify to get their child enrolled, Kanetria Doolin, director of the Bezos Academy in North Dallas, said.

“We know that about 50 percent of 3- to 5-year-old kids in the U.S. are not enrolled in preschool. And a big reason for that is accessibility and affordability,” Leader said.

“So, there’s nothing near me and things that are near me I cannot afford to participate in and that’s really what we are trying to solve for.”

The expansion in Texas follows Bezos Academy’s growth in Louisville, Kentucky, in March with the opening of its third school in the Fairdale neighborhood. Bezos, who’s worth a reported $205.5 billion, covers all operating costs for the preschools, including training, developing, and paying educators. Students are provided with everything they will need throughout their day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

“This is a win-win situation all the way around for Fairdale and for the city of Louisville. We thank Bezos Academy for choosing our city to bring this important program to our kids,” Councilman Dan Seum Jr. said.

Applications for Bezos Academy are open until Monday, May 13.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 10, 2024

Hairstylist Brings Client To Tears With Free Install For Mother’s Day

A hairstylist went viral after gifting one mother of four with a free install for Mother's Day.

A hairstylist went viral for all the right reasons after gifting one mother of four with a free install for Mother’s Day.

An Atlanta-based beauty and travel influencer revealed the kind gesture God recently laid on her heart while applying a hair installation to a client. The stylist, who goes by Natiajah, took to TikTok on Wednesday, May 8, to share the heartwarming moment she had with a client who was surprised by her free service.

“Her reaction was priceless 💗 during this appointment the Holy Spirit put it on my heart ( i was already recording her install before i thought of it ) happy early mothers day to all the mom’s who work hard on a daily basis especially in this economy 💗” she captioned the post.

@itsnatiajah Her reaction was priceless 💗 during this appointment the Holy Spirit put it on my heart ( i was already recording her install before i thought of it ) happy early mothers day to all the mom’s who work hard on a daily basis especially in this economy 💗 #fyp #blackgirltiktok #atlantahairstylist ♬ Summer Walker – Anonymous Beats

The client was preparing to pay for her hair installation when Natiajah informed her that the service was free of charge. The two enjoyed a heartfelt discussion about life when the stylist learned about her clients’ at-home life with four children. She explained how compelled she felt to let the mom get her hair done for free in honor of Mother’s Day and the client’s birthday.

“God put it on my heart,” Natiajah said as her client started to cry tears of joy.

“Thank you so much,” the woman said through tears. “I’m a still tip you. But thank you so much. You have such a beautiful spirit. God is so good.”

Now, with the extra funds, the mother shared her plans to treat her children to a day of fun at the trampoline park. Viewers who watched the video applauded the hairstylist for the warm gesture.

One user wrote, “no bc, my eyes were watering watching this🥹🥹.. God bless you💕.”

Added someone else, “the way she automatically thought about her kids when you told her🥹🥹🥹🥹.”

LIL Jon, natural vitality, guided meditation, album

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 10, 2024

Lil Jon Manifests Abundance On New Guided Meditation Album, ‘You Have To Change Your Way Of Thinking’

Lil Jon is assisting us with turning down and tuning in to ourselves with his second guided meditation album "Manifest Abundance."

After 20 years of helping us turn up, Grammy Award-winning rapper/producer Lil Jon is assisting us with turning down and tuning in to ourselves with his second guided meditation album, “Manifest Abundance.”

As part of his transition into the wellness space, the “Turn Down for What” hitmaker is releasing his second guided meditation album this year during Mental Health Awareness Month. Three months after the release of his debut meditation album “Total Meditation,” Lil Jon is following up with his nine-track album, “Manifest Abundance: Affirmations for Personal Growth.”

On the album, 10-minute sessions guide listeners in manifesting abundance through positive affirmations of happiness, positivity, health, opportunity, and more. The voice better known for getting crowds hype with his signature “YEAH,” “WHAT,” and “OKAY” is now bringing listeners into the present by asking questions like, “Who am I?” “Where do I come from?” “What do I want?” and “What will I do to make my dreams come true?”

“These affirmations can help you to get into a different mindset because sometimes we get caught up in a rut and we’re worrying about everything going on in life,” Lil Jon tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “But you have to change your way of thinking.”

Lil Jon says positive thinking is vital when manifesting abundance, noting how we can bring about what we think about.

“Whatever you think about and whatever you say is what you’re putting out into the universe,” he said. “You’re basically manifesting the negative things that are happening to you.”

The new album coincides with his partnership with the wellness supplement brand Natural Vitality, a leading wellness supplement brand on a mission to create a more accessible approach to people’s holistic mental well-being. The company’s science-backed magnesium-based products work to support a balanced mood, sleep, or focus, which is perfect for a meditation session.

“Their supplements are magnesium supplements and magnesium is a mineral that helps with mood regulation, stress management, helps to calm your mind, helps to you relax and ease tension,” Lil Jon explained.

“It also helps with your muscles to relax. So that’s what when you meditate. That’s what you have to calm your mind.”

Lil Jon made sure to share the perfect mantra to use throughout the day.

“No matter who you are, this is what you want out of life. I am happy, I am healthy, I am at peace,” he shared.

Press play below to learn more about how Lil Jon found the balance between partying for work and practicing mindfulness during his downtime.

RELATED CONTENT: The Importance Of Meditation In The Workplace

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 10, 2024

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Killing Man For $60 To Buy Chicken Wings

26-year-old Kenyetta Hayes has been charged with First-Degree Murder in Perpetration of a Robbery after her alleged victim was discovered dead in Memphis

A man died after allegedly being robbed by a woman who took the money and used it to purchase chicken wings after the incident.

According to News Channel 3, 26-year-old Kenyetta Hayes was charged with “First-Degree Murder in Perpetration of a Robbery” after her alleged victim’s body was discovered at Cherokee Park in Memphis, Tennessee. She is also accused of stealing $60 from him and using the money to buy two wing combos.

The incident took place on April 6. Police officers arrived at the scene after being notified of a shooting and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead on the scene. On April 7, Hayes’ mother turned her daughter in after the Memphis Police Department posted a video of Hayes leaving the scene of the crime on their Facebook page. She took her daughter to the homicide office and told police officers that Hayes was a person of interest.

In the video, she walks from the scene and then runs away.

Hayes reportedly told police officers that she was offered $60 to give the victim oral sex at a local gas station. She told them that she intended to rob him. When they got to the location, she allegedly shot him and took his money. She then left the scene. The suspect told officers that she was “thirsty for money.” She told them she took the cash and used $47 to buy two hot wing combos for herself and her boyfriend after the interaction.