modern construction — Pixabay.com royalty-free image #1680634, 'excavator, machine, construction machine' uploaded by user Bru-nO, retrieved from https://pixabay.com/photos/excavator-machine-1680634/ on October 28th, 2021. License details available at https://pixabay.com/en/service/terms/#usage - image is licensed under Creative Commons CC0 license

by Sidnee Michelle

October 4, 2026

Todd Weaver Turned A $4-An-Hour-Job Into A Nearly $1B Construction Empire

Weaver, founder and CEO of St. Louis-based DGN Enterprise, oversees five companies employing 585 people.

Todd Weaver went from earning $4 an hour picking up trash at a construction site to leading a Black-owned construction enterprise on track to generate nearly $1 billion in revenue this year, Forbes reports.

Weaver, founder and CEO of St. Louis-based DGN Enterprise, oversees five companies employing 585 people, according to the outlet. The group is expected to approach $1 billion in revenue by the end of 2026, more than double the nearly $400 million it generated in 2025. Much of that growth has been driven by servicing and upgrading data centers for major technology companies, including Google.

Weaver’s introduction to the construction industry began in 1984, when he was 12. With his mother battling diabetes and cancer, Weaver approached a construction site in Hazelwood, Missouri, looking for work. There, he met Bob Clark, founder of construction company Clayco, who offered him $4 an hour to pick up trash, pull weeds, and handle other jobs as long as he stayed committed to school.

Clark eventually became Weaver’s mentor and a father figure. Weaver later attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis, studying marketing and construction management while playing basketball. After working for engineering firms and returning to Clayco, Weaver ventured out on his own.

In 2002, he launched Legacy Building Group with a $150,000 loan from Clark, which Weaver repaid within six months. The company was created in part to expand opportunities for minority contractors and workers. Legacy eventually became TW Constructors and expanded into DGN Enterprise, which includes businesses specializing in electrical work, glass, and fire suppression.

Success did not come without challenges. During the 2008 financial crisis, Weaver’s company accumulated $2.5 million in debt and nearly defaulted. Rather than seek a bailout from Clark, Weaver cut expenses and turned to relationships he had developed throughout his career to secure financing and keep the business operating.

Those relationships included World Wide Technology Founder David Steward, whose company became a major TW Constructors customer.

Today, Weaver’s companies have completed projects for clients including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Pfizer, and World Wide Technology. TW Constructors is also servicing and upgrading data centers across six Google campuses, positioning Weaver’s enterprise to benefit from continued investment in artificial intelligence and data infrastructure.

Arian Simone — The Black Enterprise Disruptor Summit (May 2024) [Photo Credit: The Tyler Twins]

by Selena Hill

October 3, 2026

Fearless Fund CEO Arian Simone Launches New Book And Multi-City Tour

The Fearless Fund co-founder has turned a landmark legal battle over DEI into a new book and conversation about wealth building.

Arian Simone is taking her story from the venture capital world to bookshelves nationwide.

The entrepreneur, investor, co-founder, and CEO of Fearless Fund has launched a multi-city tour ahead of the Oct. 6 release of her new book, Fearless Freedom: A Manifesto for Unlocking Wealth and Equality for All. Published by Storehouse Voices, an imprint of Crown Publishing Group at Penguin Random House, the 304-page book examines entrepreneurship, access to capital, and the legal battle that put her firm at the center of a national debate.

Founded in 2018, Fearless Fund is an Atlanta-based venture capital firm that invests in under-resourced entrepreneurs, specifically women of color seeking pre-seed, seed, or series A financing. In the book, she chronicles the firm’s legal fight over its Strivers Grant program while connecting the experience to broader questions about economic mobility and wealth creation.

The book features a foreword from civil rights attorney Ben Crump and an afterword by Stacey Abrams. Simone describes the project as part memoir, manifesto, and practical playbook for entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders navigating an uneven capital landscape.

The timing is notable for founders still navigating shifting rules and expectations around diversity-focused capital. In a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Simone said the challenges women of color face in seeking funding remain familiar.

“There were many obstacles and barriers for access to capital to women of color, and unfortunately, they just still exist today.”

She also said Fearless Fund’s broader investment work continues, adding, “We are still cutting checks. We are still investing. We still have our loan program going on.”

Simone says she wrote the book to translate a high-profile business battle into lessons other founders can use. She told the AJC that she wanted readers to leave with “the empowerment to affect change just right where they are.”

According to a press release, the book tour began Sept. 17 in Washington, D.C., with appearances tied to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference. She also held a First Ladies Luncheon with CNN Anchor Abby Phillip in New York on Sept. 25. Upcoming stops include Atlanta and Stonecrest, Georgia, with a scheduled conversation featuring Abrams at the Decatur Book Festival on Oct. 3.

Resume, job interview, AI shift — (Photo: Alex Green/Pexels)

by Sidnee Michelle

October 2, 2026

AI Is Changing What Employers Look For In Job Candidates

The shift comes as employers face a surge in applications.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how employers evaluate job candidates, with a growing number of companies shifting away from traditional resumes and toward skills-based hiring as AI makes it easier to customize applications, CNBC reports.

Barb Hyman, founder and CEO of recruitment platform Sapia.ai, told the outlet that the traditional resume is “broken,” arguing that employers risk overlooking qualified candidates when they rely heavily on work histories and credentials.

“How many people are you missing out on because you’re relying on an artifact?” Hyman said.

The shift comes as employers face a surge in applications. U.K. graduate employers received an average of 140 applications per vacancy in 2025, the highest level recorded in three decades, according to Institute of Student Employers data.

At the same time, job seekers can use AI to quickly generate resumes and cover letters tailored to individual positions, making it more difficult for employers to distinguish candidates based on application materials alone.

Skills-based hiring is already gaining traction. About two-thirds of U.K. organizations have adopted the approach, according to 2026 research from recruitment firm Michael Page. Nearly 60% of candidates surveyed said they were more likely to apply for jobs defined by skills rather than traditional qualifications or career histories.

Employers are also reconsidering which abilities matter most as AI transforms the workplace.

James Broadhead, chief technology officer at AI decision-making company Taktile, told CNBC that technology has dramatically accelerated some engineering tasks. That shift has increased the importance of judgment, communication, self-reflection, and employees’ willingness to experiment with new AI tools.

Some companies are putting those abilities to the test during recruitment. Digital marketing and advertising agency PMG has graduate candidates complete practical exercises, collaborate in teams, and respond to client briefs.

“You don’t really know whether someone’s going to have the skills to do something until you challenge them to do it,” Josh Krichefski, PMG’s EMEA president, told the outlet.

“The past doesn’t tell you that.”

Hyman also said AI could help employers identify candidates from a broader range of backgrounds by reducing reliance on hiring practices vulnerable to human bias.

Still, she said, people should retain the final say. AI can help screen candidates at scale, but hiring decisions should ultimately remain with the teams that will work with the new employee.

Sensori, equity, fundraising — AI-generated image

by Selena Hill

October 2, 2026

These 2 Black Women Raised $1M Without Venture Capital

Sensori Co-Founders Shanna Pearre and Darean Rhodes raised nearly $1 million from creators, athletes, and individual investors.

Shanna Pearre and Darean Rhodes, the founders behind Sensori, a nonalcoholic beverage company, have raised nearly $1 million without venture capital. Instead, they brought in more than 50 individual investors, including more than 40 creators, athletes, and other community investors.

The company launched after Pearre and Rhodes began building an audience around Sensori and its nonalcoholic products. Within three months, the startup had sold its first 5,000 cans. When Pearre shared on Instagram that Sensori was preparing to raise money, potential investors quickly reached out.

“The next day we woke up, and I had like 10 DMs and texts,” Pearre told Inc.

That interest eventually translated into checks. Rather than pursuing a conventional venture capital round, the founders chose to raise from people who could bring more than money to the business. The investor group includes creators who can introduce Sensori to new audiences while having an ownership stake in the company. Rhodes said this approach allowed them to keep full ownership of the company rather than taking institutional capital, which could have given investors significant influence over the company.

“They would definitely have the upper hand on me and Shanna,” Rhodes said. “We just could not give away that much control.”

That decision is particularly notable in a venture ecosystem where Black founders continue to receive a small share of U.S. venture funding. According to data cited by Inc., Black founders received approximately 0.48% of U.S. venture capital in 2024.

Sensori’s founders are taking a different route: generate revenue, build a loyal customer base, and allow people who believe in the company to participate in its growth. The approach is also reshaping the traditional relationship between brands and creators. Instead of simply paying creators to promote Sensori, the company has made some of them owners.

Creator Jenee Naylor, who invested after discovering Sensori on TikTok, said her faith in the product made the investment particularly compelling.

“I already believed in them,” Naylor said. She added, “I already enjoy this product. I will talk about it organically. You really can’t buy that.”

For Sensori, that community is becoming part of the company’s capital strategy. “It’s not equity handed out,” Rhodes said. “It’s ownership, and it gives creators an active role in building this business from day one.”

The founders expect Sensori to surpass $1 million in revenue this year and plan to consider institutional investment in 2027 — potentially from a position of greater leverage after proving the business on their own terms.

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Tyler Perry, real estate, Puerto Rico — (Photo: Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Netflix)

by Selena Hill

October 2, 2026

Tyler Perry Puts $57M Beverly Hills Estate On The Market Amid Move To Puerto Rico

The media mogul lists his a 24,592-square-foot Beverly Hills estate just weeks after announcing that he plans to "slow down" and move to Puerto Rico.

Tyler Perry is putting a major piece of his real estate portfolio on the market as he prepares to trade Hollywood hustle for island living.

The iconic entertainment mogul has listed his sprawling Beverly Hills mansion for $57 million just weeks after revealing plans to move to Puerto Rico with his 11-year-old son, Aman. The property, which hit the market on Sept. 29, includes nine bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, a home theater, a gym, a music hall, a wine cellar, a game room, and multiple entertainment spaces, according to Realtor.com. The billionaire purchased the property for $4.3 million in 2004 and later transformed it into a 24,592-square-foot estate in 2012.

The “Why Did I Get Married?” filmmaker has hosted several A-list stars on the estate, including former President Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also stayed at the estate in 2020 after stepping away from their royal duties, with Perry providing the couple a temporary home and security.

Perry’s next chapter appears to be less about celebrity and more about lifestyle. During an appearance on Today With Jenna & Sheinelle, the self-described workaholic announced that he plans to relocate to the U.S. Caribbean commonwealth to relax.

“Yep, moving to Puerto Rico at the top of the year, and I’m pulling back a whole lot,” Perry said.

The 57-year-old actor said that getting older changed how he views his demanding career.

“Getting older [inspired this]. It’s time to slow down a bit, enjoy more time with my son, and just take it all in.”

That shift could also represent a significant reshuffling of Perry’s real estate holdings. In addition to the Beverly Hills estate, he owns property in Wyoming, the Bahamas, and Georgia. Perry recently listed his Wyoming retreat for $39.5 million. He also owns a roughly 1,200-acre property near Atlanta, including a 35,000-square-foot residence. Nearby, Tyler Perry Studios occupies approximately 330 acres and includes production facilities designed to accommodate large-scale film and television projects.

Jasmine McCall, Split Pay, campaign — Jasmine McCall, founder and CEO of Paybump and Chief of Financial Freedom at Split Pay (Photo courtesy of Jasmine McCall)

by Selena Hill

October 2, 2026

Jasmine McCall Joins Split Pay To Lead New Financial Freedom Campaign

The entrepreneur and financial educator will lead Split Pay's new campaign focused on financial flexibility and economic mobility.

Many of the 67% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck don’t have a problem with overspending. The issue occurs when their rent, car, and insurance bills are due at the same time. If they get paid twice a month, but all their bills are due on the first of the month, it can put them in a financial bind. That’s why Split Pay was created—to let workers turn big bills into two smaller ones, while their landlord or lender still gets paid in full and on time.

After helping over 150,000 people gain financial flexibility, the fintech startup announced a new Financial Freedom campaign on Thursday to equip millennials and Gen Z with tools to better manage monthly expenses. Paybump Founder and CEO Jasmine McCall will lead the campaign.

Launched in 2022, Split Pay is an AI-powered subscription platform that lets consumers split large recurring monthly expenses, like rent, mortgage payments, car payments, and student loans, into two payments. Subscribers make a portion of the bill on the original due date, while Split Pay covers the remaining balance. Users then repay that balance two weeks later. The company says the model is designed to give consumers more flexibility when major bills collide with their pay schedules.

For McCall, the new partnership connects directly to her work in financial education and economic mobility. She left a six-figure corporate position in 2022 to launch Paybump, a career and financial education subscription platform that has helped more than 20,000 workers land high-paying corporate jobs. The Atlanta-based entrepreneur has also built a sizable audience around personal finance and career advancement, with more than 656,000 YouTube subscribers and nearly 150,000 TikTok followers.

“I’ve always cared deeply about helping people create greater economic stability and feel more in control of their financial lives,” McCall said in a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. “This campaign allows us to meet millennials and Gen Z where they are and create more flexibility around some of their biggest financial obligations,” she said.

McCall added that she, too, once struggled with paying large monthly bills.

“As a young adult working at Pizza Hut, I remember the challenge of paying bills while living paycheck to paycheck. That’s why I’m excited about spearheading a campaign that equips people with a tool to get ahead of their finances,” she said.

As part of the campaign, McCall will help develop original content, community activations, and storytelling centered on financial flexibility. She will also oversee community initiatives intended to demonstrate Split Pay’s approach to helping consumers manage large monthly obligations.

“Jasmine has built a strong and loyal audience by making complex financial conversations feel practical and accessible,” said Andrew Borovsky, co-founder and CEO of Split Pay. “We’re excited to partner with her to launch the Financial Freedom campaign and deepen the way we engage with her audience and ours.”

The partnership comes as Split Pay scales following $125 million in Series A and Series B funding, with Khosla Ventures leading both rounds alongside Thrive Capital and Max Levchin, according to Axios. The company plans to use the capital to expand its consumer-facing marketing and experiential strategy.

For Split Pay, the collaboration places a recognizable financial educator and entrepreneur at the intersection of fintech, consumer marketing, and financial education as the company works to connect its product with younger consumers. McCall, who launched the media hub MacMedia Partners earlier this year, has also worked with brands including BMW, SoFi, BetterHelp, Printful, and Cloaked on consumer campaigns.

“I’ve climbed the corporate ladder, built and scaled a seven-figure business, and worked with the likes of BMW and SoFi,” she said. “However, this marks the first time that I can bring my collective experience and expertise to oversee a campaign that will transform lives.”

decision wheel — Pixabay.com royalty-free image #8949580, 'ai generated, woman, office, work, laptop, business, modern, focused, career, corporate, environment, productivity, desk, workplace, computer, stylish, employee, glasses, smart, urban, executive, business woman, workspace, professional' uploaded by user TyliJura, retrieved from https://pixabay.com/illustrations/ai-generated-woman-office-work-8949580/ on September 5th, 2026. License details available at https://pixabay.com/en/service/terms/#usage - image is licensed under Creative Commons CC0 license

by Sidnee Michelle

October 2, 2026

New Grads Struggle As Employers Raise The Bar For Entry-Level Jobs

The findings highlight a disconnect between employers’ expectations and the opportunities available to workers entering the labor market.

Recent college graduates say jobs advertised as entry-level increasingly require years of professional experience, creating another barrier for young workers trying to establish their careers, CNBC reports.

A Cengage Group survey found 77% of recent graduates believe employers are demanding too much experience for entry-level positions, while 75% said there are not enough jobs that genuinely qualify as entry-level. The findings highlight a disconnect between employers’ expectations and the opportunities available to workers entering the labor market.

The survey, conducted from April through August, included 1,100 recent U.S. graduates, 931 full-time hiring managers, and 759 college instructors.

Rachel Grandis, a 22-year-old Elon University graduate, told CNBC Make It that she has struggled to secure a full-time position despite graduating in May with a degree in strategic communications and gaining experience through internships and other jobs while in school.

“Entry-level to these companies is somebody who’s coming from three years of experience in the workforce,” Grandis told the outlet.

Employers are also confronting challenges as workplace demands evolve. Seventy-two percent of employers surveyed said the pace of workplace change has made it difficult for colleges and universities to keep their programs current. Employers identified teamwork, project coordination, and problem-solving as areas where some recent graduates need additional development.

Cengage CEO Michael Hansen said employers have raised expectations for new workers and increasingly want employees who can contribute quickly rather than require extensive training. Expanding internships, apprenticeships, and other opportunities for students to gain practical experience could help bridge the divide between education and employment.

Early-career opportunities also remain limited. Job postings on Handshake increased just 1% from July 2025 through June 2026 compared with the previous year, following three consecutive years of declines. Employers posted nearly twice as many full-time opportunities for the class of 2022 as they did for the class of 2026, according to the outlet.

The difficult transition into the workforce is also affecting how graduates view the value of higher education. Just 37% of those surveyed said their education was worth the cost, compared with 68% in 2022.

The findings underscore a persistent challenge for new graduates: gaining the professional experience employers increasingly expect while competing for fewer opportunities designed to help them acquire it.

paycheck to paycheck, financial strain — Vecteezy royalty-free image #26314292, 'Piggy bank with calculator on business graph on white background and copy space, financial goal concept. Business concept.', retrieved from Vecteezy on October 20th, 2024. License details available at https://www.vecteezy.com/licensing-agreement, image licensed under the Vecteezy Pro License

by Sidnee Michelle

October 1, 2026

More Than 1 In 3 Americans Earning $300K Live Paycheck To Paycheck

High-income respondents who reported living paycheck to paycheck said they are struggling to save and make progress toward long-term financial goals.

More than one-third of Americans earning over $300,000 a year say they are living paycheck to paycheck, showing that financial pressure is reaching even some of the nation’s highest earners, Barron’s reports.

The finding comes from research by Goldman Sachs examining the financial challenges workers face while preparing for retirement, according to the outlet. High-income respondents who reported living paycheck to paycheck said they were struggling to save and make progress toward long-term financial goals.

The financial strain extends across income levels. About 40% of working Americans surveyed by Goldman Sachs reported living paycheck to paycheck, while another 40% said they were making some financial progress but still struggled to balance current expenses with long-term goals. Nearly 60% of workers surveyed said they were concerned about outliving their retirement savings.

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Those concerns come as households contend with the rising costs of major expenses. Goldman Sachs found that costs associated with housing, childcare, college, and healthcare have increased significantly since 2000, leaving workers to balance immediate financial obligations with retirement savings.

Workers with personalized financial plans also reported greater confidence in their retirement preparedness. Among respondents with a personalized plan, 83% said they believed they were on track for retirement, compared with 41% of those without one.

Employers are also placing greater emphasis on workers’ long-term financial security. A separate Goldman Sachs survey found that 72% of employers identified financial stability and retirement readiness as a top priority. Some employers are considering resources such as personalized financial guidance, managed accounts, and retirement income options to help workers navigate competing financial demands.

The findings illustrate a challenge facing workers across the income spectrum: A high salary does not necessarily eliminate financial pressure or guarantee that households can consistently build retirement savings while managing current expenses.

OWN We Belong Here: The Story of Team Dream volleyball — AI-generated image

by Selena Hill

October 1, 2026

OWN’s New Documentary Spotlights Black Women Who Made Volleyball History

"We Belong Here: The Story of Team Dream" follows 12 Black women who came together to compete at the USA Volleyball Open National Championship.

OWN is spotlighting Black women athletes with a new documentary about the groundbreaking volleyball team Team Dream.

We Belong Here: The Story of Team Dream follows 12 Black women who came together in 2018 with limited practice time but a shared belief in one another as they prepared to compete in the USA Women’s Volleyball Championship. Led by NCAA champion Haley Eckerman, the players discovered they were making history as the first all-Black women’s professional volleyball team. Their story unfolds against a backdrop of limited representation in the sport, with the athletes using the volleyball court as a platform to challenge expectations and create a legacy.

The documentary is told entirely through the women’s own voices, without an external narrator. That approach puts their experiences — from the challenges they encountered to the joy, humor, friendship, pride, and determination that fueled the team — at the center of the story.

“Team Dream’s origin story is a powerful reminder of what happens when Black women step into their strength together,” Tina Perry, president of OWN, said in a press release.

Perry added that the women’s unity reflects “their power, their joy, and their unwavering belief in one another,” while describing their story as representative of the spirit of OWN Spotlight.

For audiences interested in the intersection of sports, representation, and Black women’s leadership, the documentary offers a look at how a group of athletes transformed a shared opportunity into a historic moment.

The film previously premiered at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival before its OWN debut. The documentary is also available through OWN’s digital and streaming platforms, including HBO Max, Discovery+, WatchOWN.tv, and connected TVs.

by Black Enterprise

October 1, 2026

BLACK ENTERPRISE CEO, Earl ‘Butch’ Graves Jr., Extends An Invitation To The 10th Anniversary XCEL Summit For Men

The summit brings together high-achieving professionals across business, technology, finance, science, sports, and entertainment.

Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE, has officially convened corporate trailblazers, entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders nationwide for the landmark 10th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, scheduled for Oct. 21–23, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida.

Designed to elevate executive influence and foster intergenerational wealth, the summit brings together high-achieving professionals across business, technology, finance, science, sports, and entertainment.

Who Are the Honorees?

Highlighting this year’s class, Graves noted, “This year we’re proud to honor an extraordinary group of men who represent excellence, achievement, leadership, and impact at the highest levels.”

How Does the XCEL Summit for Men Advance Executive Leadership?

Over three days of intensive workshops, keynote panels, and peer-to-peer mentorship, it delivers actionable strategies for navigating dynamic corporate environments. Programmed tracks address critical leadership issues, including navigating corporate restructuring, leveraging employer sponsorship for executive development, and maintaining mental health in modern executive roles.

“Ten years of excellence, ten years of brotherhood, ten years of XCEL,” Graves reflected. “Now it’s time to join us for what promises to be our most powerful gathering yet.”

To learn more about the 10th anniversary of XCEL Summit for Men, check out the event page on BE‘s website.