GloRilla Arrested On Suspicion Of Driving Under The Influence
In the police bodycam video, the 24-year-old Memphis rapper can be heard saying to the officer, "You don't know who I am? I'm on your TV."
Hip-hop recording artist GloRilla has been arrested for impaired driving in Georgia.
According to Billboard, the 24-year-old Memphis rapper was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, consuming/possessing an open alcoholic beverage container, and a separate traffic charge in Suwanee, Georgia. She was detained after a police officer stated in a police report that he smelled marijuana and noticed an open alcoholic beverage bottle after stopping the “Wanna Be” rapper just after 4 A.M. ET on April 16. He said she confessed to drinking earlier that night.
When the police officers searched the car, they “located marijuana within the vehicle, along with an open alcoholic beverage bottle.” While being given a field sobriety test, the rapper’s breast was exposed, and the officers informed her.
According to 11Alive, a bodycam video was released by the Suwanee Police Department.
The footage shows the interaction between the GloRilla, real name Gloria Hallelujah Woods, and the police officer who pulled her over. She told the officer that she had just left the Opium nightclub in Midtown. The officer did tell her she smelled marijuana, and GloRilla said to her that she did have some weed, but not enough for her to go to jail for.
At one point, she tells the police officer, “You don’t know who I am? I’m on your TV.” But the officer did not know, and the information didn’t seem to sway her.
When the officers went to arrest her, they removed her jewelry, then handcuffed her, and placed her in the back of the police car. She was heard saying, “I don’t want to go to jail.”
Rolling Out reported that she was brought to the Gwinnett County Detention Center. After being booked and processed, she was released several hours later after posting a bond of $1,956. Her brother was with her in the vehicle on the passenger side.
Retired WNBA Star Tamera Young Returns To Chicago Sky As Assistant Coach
Young returns to the team after playing for the Sky for nine seasons from 2009 to 2017.
The Chicago Sky announced the newest addition to its 2024 coaching staff. Retired WNBA player Tamera “Ty” Young will join the team as an assistant coach.
Young returns to the team after playing for the Sky for nine seasons from 2009 to 2017.
“I am very excited to welcome Ty to our coaching staff and have her on the sidelines beside me this season,” head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said in a written statement. “With over a decade of WNBA experience and deep history with the Sky, Ty brings energy, passion, and spirit to inspire us all. I can’t wait to watch her mentor, lead, and coach our players this season.”
Young started her professional career when she was drafted No. 8 by the Atlanta Dream in the 2008 WNBA Draft. After playing in Chicago, she played one final season with the Las Vegas Aces before retiring in 2019. She averaged 7.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 22.0 minutes. She places in the top 10 in several categories for the franchise: 250 games played (No. 3), 286 offensive rebounds (No. 3), 211 steals (No. 4), 678 defensive rebounds (No. 4), 964 total rebounds (No. 4), 340 assists (No. 7), 340 assists (No. 7), 724 field goals made (No. 7), 1,815 total points (No. 9), and 41.1% field goal percentage (No. 9).
The announcement was made a day after the Sky drafted Kamilla Cardoso from the University of South Carolina with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft, as well as Angel Reese from Louisiana State University with the seventh overall pick.
After the Sky finished the 2023 season with a record of 18-22, they are starting the season with a new head coach in Weatherspoon and a new general manager, Jeff Pagliocca.
The Chicago Sky will see how their new teammates and coaching staff gel when they start the 2024 season on May 15 against the Dallas Wings at 7:00 p.m. CST in Dallas.
Former CIA Systems Engineer Turned Luxury Event Entrepreneur Rises In Customized Brand Experience Market
Raven White, CEO of The Envision Firm, shares her journey of curating bespoke luxury events.
The global corporate bespoke brand activations market is projected to reach $526.1 billion by 2030, offering a promising opportunity for entrepreneurs specializing in luxury event production and high-end lifestyle experiences.
Luxury brand activations transcend extravagant budgets and lavish decor, reflecting a sector undergoing transformative growth on a global scale. These exclusive events serve individuals searching for meticulously tailored experiences that go beyond mere financial means, which they can then share with their clientele. According to Bizzabo’s research, over 70% of events industry professionals view in-person events as essential components of their marketing efforts. Clients are increasingly demanding exceptional experiences and personalized strategies that align with their preferences, aiming to achieve outcomes that enhance brand visibility and drive sales.
Raven White, The Envision Firm’s founder, is a visionary and Chief Experience Officer (CEO). Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, and armed with a background in engineering and computer science from Howard University, White initially embarked on a career path at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that seemed worlds away from producing events and experiences.
In an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, White shares her journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, her company’s evolution, and events’ power in elevating brand visibility, recognition, and the bottom line.
From Engineering to Extravagance
White’s journey to becoming a figure in the luxury bespoke event and lifestyle industries is as unique as the experiences she curates. Reflecting on her journey, White reminisces, “I thought then that I would be an engineer for the rest of my life.” However, her career took a turn when she transitioned from years at the CIA to pursuing her passion for curating exclusive experiences. Working at the CIA from 2005 until 2015, White began as a systems engineer and moved into Project Management after acquiring her Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) and Masters in Technology management from the University of Maryland.
Interest in event curation developed during her wedding, which White planned in 2013. The response from wedding guests was “crazy,” shares White enthusiastically. “People wanted me to share my wedding planners’ information with them but were left speechless when I told them I planned it.” Shortly after her wedding, people began to ask White to plan personal events, which she slowly began doing part-time while remaining fully committed to her career in the CIA.
Based in the Washington, DC, area, which draws elites in government and private sector space, large groups, and tourists, White believed that her business would accelerate quickly when she left the CIA in 2015 to pursue her dream full-time.
“Ironically, when I started the agency, I thought people would come because I’m based in Washington, DC, where I could help curate the lifestyles of diplomats or high-network clients who went into the area,” remarks White.
Engineering and producing experiences may seem vastly different, but White connected their similarities, particularly in project management, problem-solving, and creativity, to begin securing high-end clients.
Expanding Horizons
What started as a humble endeavor has become a multifaceted agency encompassing event planning, production, and luxury lifestyle services. White shares, “The event side was strictly event planning, and now it’s grown to event production services.”
The Envision Firm’s evolution mirrors White’s journey of discovery as she ventured beyond her initial vision to embrace the expansive world of luxury living. “I started contacting clients, potential clients, partners, and financial institutions to determine the gap or the need. I began to learn more about the world’s top 5% of people and how they do business,” shares White.
White’s research and expertise enabled her to secure clients, including VISA and Monumental Sports, and curate the lifestyles of high-net-worth individuals, including access to superyachts, private aviation, and global events like F1 Grand Prix Monaco and Art Basel through her global consulting services — The Chairman’s Club. According to Forrester Research, trade shows and events are the second most effective tactic in the marketing mix after the company’s website.
“The awesome thing about bespoke events is it enables brands to get direct feedback from attendees,” remarks White. “Attendee satisfaction is one of the biggest gauges of success!”
Elevating Brands through Experiences
Events are indispensable for brands seeking to captivate audiences and forge emotional connections. White emphasizes the pivotal role of bespoke events in brand elevation, stating, “Events are crucial to elevating brand awareness.” Sixty-five percent of consumers surveyed by Live Marketing prefer live events for brand understanding, far surpassing TV and digital advertising methods. By infusing brand storytelling into immersive event experiences, The Envision Firm creates lasting impressions that resonate with attendees long after the doors close.
At the heart of The Envision Firm’s success lies a collaborative approach prioritizing client vision and engagement. White emphasizes the importance of understanding client goals and consumer demographics, stating, “Once we understand that, we can translate that story and message into the actual bespoke event experience.”
White redefines branded bespoke events through The Envision Firm, one extraordinary experience at a time. By fostering open dialogue and leveraging innovative ideas, The Envision Firm transforms visions into tangible, awe-inspiring realities that exceed expectations and drive revenue.
“The No. 1 reason for brands to participate in events is increasing sales,” emphasizes White. EventTrack says 70% of users become regular customers after an experiential marketing event, and White agrees. “Post-event analysis sees clients’ efforts during events directly relating to sales.”
Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities As with any journey, White acknowledges the challenges encountered along the path to success. “The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented hurdles, prompting a swift pivot toward virtual event experiences,” shares White.
With resilience and adaptability, The Envision Firm delivered unparalleled virtual experiences that bridged distances and fostered connection.
Looking ahead, White exudes optimism, sharing, “virtual events and digital marketing channels haven’t replaced in-person events. These channels only enhance them.”
Through The Envision Firm, White continues to shape bespoke luxury events for clients, one extraordinary experience at a time, and shares three simple pieces of advice to help brands make an unparalleled impact when planning.
1. Know what you want to accomplish. — Understand the brand’s objective for the event.
2. Who will have a role to play? — Vendors, speakers, and invited guests all play a role.
3. How will you get the word out? — Reaching your desired target audience.
The Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Ready To Die’ And Doug E. Fresh And Slick Rick’s ‘La-Di-Da-Di’ Inducted Into The National Recording Registry
“The Library of Congress is proud to preserve the sounds of American history and our diverse culture through the National Recording Registry,” Library of Congress' Carla Hayden said.
Two hip-hop songs from New York City legendary recording artists have been entered into the National Recording Registry.
The Library of Congress has announced the 25 sound recordings inducted into the 2024 National Recording Registry. Along with several recognizable songs from various artists, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s classic song, “La-Di-Da-Di,” which was released in 1985, was included, as was The Notorious B.I.G.’s title track from his debut album, “Ready To Die,” which debuted in 1994.
Other notable artists who made the cut were Johnny Mathis’ “Chances Are” (1957), Lee Morgan’s “The Sidewinder” (1964), Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971), and Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (1988).
“The Library of Congress is proud to preserve the sounds of American history and our diverse culture through the National Recording Registry,” Library of Congress’ Carla Hayden said. “We have selected audio treasures worthy of preservation with our partners this year, including a wide range of music from the past 100 years and comedy. We were thrilled to receive a record number of public nominations, and we welcome the public’s input on what we should preserve next.”
There are now 650 songs listed in the registry. A record 2,899 nominations were submitted by the public for this year’s class. Songs to be considered for next year’s class can be submitted via the website and will be accepted until Oct. 1, 2024.
The songs that made it were “worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”
Recordings Selected for the 2024 National Recording Registry
(chronological order)
“Clarinet Marmalade” – Lt. James Reese Europe’s 369th U.S. Infantry Band (1919)
“Kauhavan Polkka” – Viola Turpeinen and John Rosendahl (1928)
Wisconsin Folksong Collection (1937-1946)
“Rose Room” – Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian (1939)
“Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Gene Autry (1949)
“Tennessee Waltz” – Patti Page (1950)
“Rocket ‘88’” – Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (1951)
“Catch a Falling Star” / ”Magic Moments” – Perry Como (1957)
“Chances Are” – Johnny Mathis (1957)
“The Sidewinder” – Lee Morgan (1964)
“Surrealistic Pillow” – Jefferson Airplane (1967)
“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers (1971)
“This is a Recording” – Lily Tomlin (1971)
“J.D. Crowe & the New South” – J.D. Crowe & the New South (1975)
“Arrival” – ABBA (1976)
“El Cantante” – Héctor Lavoe (1978)
“The Cars” – The Cars (1978)
“Parallel Lines” – Blondie (1978)
“La-Di-Da-Di” – Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick (MC Ricky D) (1985)
Founded by billionaire Robert Smith, the fund is an expansion on a capital campaign seeking to bring in more than its initial $17 billion — the firm’s largest fund to date. In a letter to investors, Smith touches on Vista’s vision to reach new heights in the world of artificial intelligence. The firm hopes to push AI’s value forward as a critical component in the underwriting process. “You will also hear more about how we have adopted generative artificial intelligence not just as a tool but as a pivotal component of our value creation and underwriting processes,” Smith wrote.
“This has enabled us to identify and capitalize on opportunities, including dramatically expanding TAM, product innovation, GTM strategies, with greater precision and speed, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving market landscape.”
The firm hosted its annual general meeting on April 17, during which partners sat in for an on-stage conversation between Smith and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Vista is adding to the conversation about the need to secure a large amount of capital to maximize AI’s opportunity expansion.
In September 2023, Smith penned another letter in celebration of his firm completing 18 monetization events that kicked off his fundraising season in November 2021, including a $4.6 billion sale of the platform Apptio, which they acquired in 2019 for $1.9 billion, to IBM. The company’s software helps customers understand and manage their tech spending. Lucrative deals made Vista’s sixth fund “the only $10 billion-plus buyout fund raised since 2016” with a 100% return on commitments and achieving a Net TVPI greater than 2x.
According to TechCrunch, Vista recently secured another deal by acquiring Model N, a revenue optimization and compliance provider in the pharmaceutical and medical tech space. In an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.25 billion, the firm will take over all of Model N’s outstanding common stock shares at $30 per share. Adding Model N to the firm’s already impressive portfolio marks Vista’s fifth acquisition since late 2022.
Vista has purchased Avalara for $8.4 billion, KnowBe4 at $4.6 billion, and Duck Creek Technologies and EngageSmart for a combined total of $6.6 billion. The deal is expected to close in mid-2024 while it goes through a review of usual conditions, including shareholder approval.
On Tuesday, April 16, the Dungeon Family member and Grammy Award-winning rapper/singer took to Instagram to announce his purchase of Wade’s southwest Atlanta home. In a lengthy, heartfelt post, Green shared the Atlanta music collective’s history inside the “landmark” and explained why he was compelled to acquire the home they dubbed “The White House.”
“I then took it upon myself to acquire this monument and Landmark. It was too important and invaluable to leave it be,” he wrote. “The asking price was around 1 million. I would’ve paid more!”
With a goal of sharing the Dungeon Family’s “rich musical history,” Green will restore the home that was “poorly kept” over the years since Wade occupied it.
“One day soon it will be a museum, archiving our rich musical history,” he shared.
“You’ll be the first to know… and if you’re ever in Atlanta on the southside, come see us sometime, and we will take good care of you, the way Father took care of us.”
The announcement came days after Wade’s death at the age of 52 on Saturday, April 13, from a cause yet to be announced, WSB-TV reports. As mentioned in Green’s Instagram post, Wade played a pivotal role in the rise and development of Atlanta’s music scene, with production credits on songs for Outkast, TLC, and Goodie Mob. The Organized Noize alum also formed the Dungeon Family, a music collective of artists including Green, Killer Mike, and Wade’s cousin, Future.
During the early days of their career, Wade produced several classics for Outkast and Goodie Mob inside the basement recording studio of his home in East Point near Cascade Road after the group’s start inside Wade’s mother’s basement in her Lakewood Heights home.
After reaching success, Wade moved “the dungeon” into “The White House,” where he continued to record until he decided to relocate to a more sophisticated home to raise his family. Green will restore “The White House” and create a musical education experience for Atlanta and its visitors.
G-Unit Film & Television Studio Officially Launches In Louisiana
50 Cent: 'Bringing G-Unit Studios to Shreveport is not just a business decision; it’s a commitment to fostering talent, creating opportunities, and building a community that thrives through creativity and innovation.'
After announcing in December 2023 that he would be opening the G-Unit Film & Television Studio in Shreveport, Louisiana, 50 Cent has revealed that the studio has officially launched.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson appeared with Mayor Tom Arceneaux and City Council members to welcome the opening of G-Unit Film & Television Studio. Along with signing the lease, the mayor declared April 18 Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Day and gave the “Many Men” rapper a key to the city.
“Ladies, gentlemen, Mayor Tom Arceneaux and the wonderful people of Shreveport, it is an honor for me to stand before you here today. As someone who’s always believed in the transformative power of music, film, and television, I’m really excited to show you the expansion of film and television through G-Unit Studio right here in Shreveport,” Jackson told the crowd.
Fox 8 Live reported that the entrepreneurial lyricist obtained a lease for the city-owned studio for an annual cost of $2,400. The city council voted unanimously to approve allowing the G-Unit boss to lease what was once known as Millennium Studio. 50 agreed to manage the building maintenance as it was approved for a 30-year lease with an option to renew for another 15 years.
In an exclusive statement to Billboard, 50 said, “From the gritty narratives of the streets to the compelling stories that define our era, G-Unit has always been more than just entertainment; it’s a platform for voices that need to be heard, stories that need to be told. Bringing G-Unit Studios to Shreveport is not just a business decision; it’s a commitment to fostering talent, creating opportunities, and building a community that thrives through creativity and innovation. We see Shreveport as a beacon of inspiration and creativity.”
About a year ago, 50 posted a short video clip teasing the 985,000-square-foot G-Unit Film & Television Studio, promising his followers it was forthcoming.
Anthony Anderson Frontrunner To Star And Executive Produce Al Sharpton Limited Series
Anthony Anderson could star and executive produce a limited series on Rev. Al Sharpton.
There’s an Al Sharpton limited series in the works that has a strong likelihood of starring and being executive-produced by Anthony Anderson.
Based on the Esquire profile of the famed civil rights activist, “The Redemption of Al Sharpton” has been acquired by ABC Signature to be developed as a limited series, Deadline reports. Pulitzer Prize winner Mitchell S. Jackson, who penned the profile, will receive a producer credit, alongside Evi Regev from Anderson’s Just A Kid From Compton production company who will executive produce with Artists First’s E. Brian Dobbins.
The profile followed Sharpton to find out “why he keeps going, what he’s still doing, and where his place in history will be.” After decades of controversy and criticism surrounding his work, the profile attempts to redeem Sharpton as “a beacon of the civil rights movement” and as “a loudmouth in a tracksuit, surrounded by controversy and shady friends.”
Activist, politician, and minister who founded the National Action Network (NAN) in 1991, Sharpton has been a forward-facing figurehead within the Black community since the 1990s. His controversial protests on civil rights issues helped him receive nationwide attention from the media and government.
When launching NAN, Sharpton used it to promote progressive reform for Black Americans including affirmative action and reparations for descendants of the formerly enslaved. During his career, Sharpton has endured several unsuccessful attempts at election including the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City and U.S. Senator from New York state in the 1990s and the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidency in 2004.
Anthony starred and executive produced ABC’s “black-ish” which garnered him 11 Emmy nominations. His most recent onscreen work includesreprising his role as Detective Kevin Barnard on the 21st season of “Law and Order.” Portraying Al Sharpton in a limited series would highlight Anderson’s range as an actor and skillset as an EP.
Analysis: Anti-DEI Efforts Fueled Higher Black Unemployment Nationwide In March 2024
Favored hiring of people from other racial groups instead of Blacks may have contributed to a higher unemployment rate.
Presenting a thought-provoking take: The latest unemployment rate for Black Americans may have risen because of a recent rash of anti-DEI efforts, mainly from the education and corporate sectors.
According to a new report by Creative Investment Research, the higher jobless rate for Blacks nationwide in March 2024 potentially stems from specific incidents that accentuate the impact of anti-DEI measures on Black employment.
That analysis was provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE by William Michael Cunningham, an economist and the owner of Creative Investment Research in Washington, D.C. In his report, Cunningham explained that the unemployment rate for whites stayed relatively stable from January 2023 to March 2024, hitting between 3.1% and 3.5%.
For Blacks, he says the rate rose from 5.4% to 5.8% in November 2023 before falling to 5.2% in December 2023 but soared to 6.4% in March 2024.
Conversely, Cunningham noted the unemployment rate for Asians is lower among all groups. It was 3.5% in November 2023 compared to 2.5% in March 2024. For Hispanics, he noted the rate declined from 5% in December 2023 to 4.5% by March 2024.
He stressed a reason for the rising unemployment rate for Blacks, along with the decrease and stability in rates for Whites, Asians, and Hispanics, is the preferential hiring of Asian and Hispanic individuals over Black individuals.
“We attribute this to systemic biases and to growing anti-Black hiring practices due, in part, to recent anti-DEI efforts,” Cunningham tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
The University of Texas announced large job cuts targeting DEI, Cunningham says, which spurred the immediate loss of 100 positions, a move duplicated by educational institutions in many states.
At the same time, he says major companies, including Meta, Tesla, Door Dash, Lyft, Home Depot, Wayfair, and X, cut DEI team headcounts. Also, Google, Zoom, and Snap have either cut or outsourced their DEI efforts.
“These actions illustrate a direct correlation between the reduction of DEI roles and increased Black unemployment,” he says.
On a positive note, Cunningham says there has been an increase in the Black labor participation rate, meaning more Blacks are looking for work. He says that higher activity shows Blacks are still job hunting despite anti-DEI efforts.
Rick Fox Combating Climate Change With Green Concrete Company
Rick Fox is leading the charge within the green concrete industry.
There are many contributing factors to climate change, including the cement used in construction projects. It’s why NBA champion Rick Fox is going full force with his green concrete startup, Partanna Global Inc.
When he’s not acting on screen, serving as an E-sports executive, or as the Ambassador at Large for the Bahamas, the former Laker has been busy with his Bahamas-based concrete company. Through Partanna Global, Fox’s team is hard at work swapping out cement with a proprietary mix consisting of blast-furnace slag from steel-making, Bloomberg reports.
The materials, such as volcanic ash, are combined with brine, a fluid waste made from plants or crushed rocks, to absorb carbon dioxide. Unlike most cement, Partanna’s process weeds out the burning of fossil fuels or analogous emissions from cooking limestone.
“We have a formula that is going to change the world for the better,” Fox said. “Focus on that. That’s the star, right?”
Fox’s Hollywood publicist and talent manager introduced him to the idea of concrete that breathes like a tree.
“I was thinking to myself, ‘Concrete that acts like a tree? How does that even work?’” Fox recalls. “I walk Wilshire every day, and I see trees busting out of the sidewalk with the concrete. They don’t really get along. To me, it didn’t make sense.”
After trial, error, and research, Partanna Global was launched in 2021. The startup plans to build 29 more houses in the Bahamas and bigger designs outside of the Caribbean country.
Fox is hoping to shift the mindset of construction companies looking to hold off on going green until 2050. “We don’t have time,” Fox told Wired in January. “If you think you have until 2050 to be sustainable, then you’re not under pressure.”
“You’re not feeling the heat, like the countries in the Caribbean,” he added. “They put their goal way out there. The Bahamas doesn’t have until 2050. The beach I grew up on in the Bahamas is no longer a beach.”
