by Ahsan Washington

April 18, 2026

6 Black-Owned Dispensaries Leading Social Equity In Cannabis

The growing cannabis legalization movement in the United States is enabling Black entrepreneurs to establish businesses in an industry where they were previously underrepresented.

The growing cannabis legalization movement in the United States is enabling Black entrepreneurs to establish businesses in an industry where they were previously underrepresented. These dispensaries, led by legacy operators and social equity pioneers, are transforming ownership and reinvesting resources into their communities.

According to reports from The Emerald Magazine and industry advocates, these founders are bridging the gap between restorative justice and the multibillion-dollar cannabis market.

1. Gorilla Rx Wellness (California)

Established in 2021 by Kika Keith, Gorilla Rx Wellness is the first Black woman-owned dispensary in South Central Los Angeles. Keith, a longtime community activist, fought for fair licensing practices before opening her storefront.

Key benefit: A mission of restorative justice that brings economic opportunities to areas disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs.

2. Simply Pure (Colorado)

Wanda James and Scott Durrah opened Simply Pure in Denver in 2010. It is recognized as one of the nation’s first dispensaries owned by both Black and veteran operators. James, a former Navy lieutenant, uses the platform to advocate for systemic policy changes.

Key benefit: Focus on ownership equality and selling clean, premium products in regulated markets.

3. Mary & Main (Maryland)

Located in Prince George’s County, Mary & Main began operations in 2019. Led by Hope Wiseman, one of the youngest Black female dispensary owners in the country, the business serves as a hub for both medical cannabis and social advocacy.

Key benefit: Reinvesting in the community through educational programs and workforce development.

4. ButACake (New Jersey)

Founded by Matha Figaro, ButACake is a prominent cannabis-infused baked goods brand. While it operates through dispensary partnerships rather than a standalone storefront, it is a vital part of New Jersey’s manufacturing sector.

Key benefit: Creating culturally relevant edibles and expanding opportunities for Black women in cannabis retail and manufacturing.

5. Smacked Village (New York)

Roland Conner opened Smacked Village in 2023, making it one of the first Black-owned social equity dispensaries in New York City. Having previously faced cannabis-related imprisonment, Conner’s business represents a transition from hardship to generational wealth.

Key benefit: Promoting economic development and second chances through community-focused ownership.

6. LOWD (Oregon)

Based in Portland, LOWD was established by Jesce Horton, who also founded the Minority Cannabis Business Association. The brand is known for premium cultivation and its commitment to environmentally and socially equitable practices.

Key benefit: Delivering top-tier cannabis while driving policy changes to diversify the industry.

Black Financial Influencers, Money — (Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels)

by Black Enterprise

April 18, 2026

Black Financial Influencers Are Democratizing Financial Literacy

A new guard of influencers is utilizing social media and multimedia platforms to bridge the wealth gap.

The evolution of financial literacy has shifted from exclusive, institutional gatekeeping to a decentralized digital landscape. While traditional financial education often relied on academic settings or private banking relationships—environments that have historically underserved or excluded Black communities—a new guard of influencers is utilizing social media and multimedia platforms to bridge this gap.

By delivering accessible, culturally relevant guidance, these creators are democratizing high-level financial knowledge. They address the specific economic realities of their audiences, merging technical expertise in budgeting, debt elimination, and investing with a deep understanding of systemic challenges. Through this intersectional approach, these voices provide the necessary tools to dismantle the wealth gap, fostering a new era of sustainable financial independence and generational wealth.

Tiffany Aliche (The Budgetnista)

Tiffany Aliche, known as “The Budgetnista,” transitioned from a career as a preschool teacher to become a bestselling author and financial educator. Through her Live Richer Academy, Aliche provides practical lessons on credit repair and saving strategies.

Impact: Since 2008, she has helped her community reduce hundreds of millions of dollars in collective debt.
Platform: Aliche uses social media and national media appearances to reach a global audience.

Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings (Earn Your Leisure)

Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings founded Earn Your Leisure, a multimedia platform that blends investment education with community-based storytelling.

Key Event: They host Invest Fest, a large-scale event designed to make financial growth aspirational for the Black community.
Approach: Their work focuses on the intersection of entrepreneurship and pop culture.

Bola Sokunbi (Clever Girl Finance)

Bola Sokunbi launched Clever Girl Finance in 2015 as a judgment-free zone for women. The platform offers educational programs and support groups for those seeking financial independence.

Specialization: Sokunbi focuses on debt management and long-term investment for women.
Resources: Her platform includes a popular series of books and digital courses.

Dasha Kennedy (The Broke Black Girl)

Dasha Kennedy, creator of The Broke Black Girl, provides financial advocacy by discussing workplace income inequality and economic limitations.

Focus: Since 2017, Kennedy has used social media to help women end the “paycheck-to-paycheck” cycle.
Advocacy: Her content promotes financial transparency and equity in the workplace.

Tonya Rapley (My Fab Finance)

Tonya Rapley established My Fab Finance in 2013 to encourage practical empowerment. She is a leading advocate for debt management and long-term planning.

Methodology: Rapley teaches specific budgeting techniques to help individuals reclaim their financial lives.
Recognition: She is frequently cited as a top expert in millennial finance.

Chris Browning (Popcorn Finance)

Chris Browning created Popcorn Finance, a podcast that explains personal finance topics in the time it takes to pop a bag of popcorn.

Style: Browning uses brief, easy-to-understand episodes to reduce the anxiety often associated with money management.
Utility: His content provides actionable tips for daily financial decisions.

T.I., HBCU night, morehouse, Clark, Atlanta — Photo credit: Ahsan Washington

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 18, 2026

T.I. Set For Atlanta United’s HBCU Night, Performing With Clark Atlanta And Morehouse Marching Bands

'I'll be performing live with Clark Atlanta and Morehouse Drumline,' T.I. posted on social media.

On April 18, the “Rubber Band Man,” T.I., will be taking the field for Atlanta United’s HBCU Night at his hometown’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The event starts at 7 p.m. ET.

The recording artist filmed a video clip for sports and hip-hop fans and invited them to take in his performance at the Georgia venue.

“T.I., the king, here, letting you know, April 18th, you can catch me at the Mercedes-Benz Dome, man. You know what I’m saying? The stadium. It’s going to be HBCU Night, and I’ll be performing live with Clark Atlanta and Morehouse Drumline.”

“So, hey, I suggest you get your ticket right now, man. It’s going all the way down. A-Town, you know what’s happening.”

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Atlanta United FC will play Nashville SC.

Providing the musical backdrop for the game will be CAU’s “Mighty Marching Panthers” Marching Band and Morehouse’s “House of Funk” Marching Band throughout the night, as they will also back the Atlanta rapper during his show, where he is expected to perform many of his hits, HBCU Gameday reports.

Before the game even starts, the bands will join the Supporters March from Lot 17 and be in the Supporters Section before joining T.I. for the halftime show.

In addition to T.I.’s performance, Atlanta will be treated to the voice of FlyGuy DC, also an alum of Clark Atlanta. For the first time, he will be the in-game host for Atlanta United. Before the game, he will be joining club host Joe Freihofer on the pre-match show.

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A panel, “ATL UTD HBCU Night: Conversations & Careers in Sports Panel presented by Truist,” has also been planned and it will feature prominent HBCU alumni.

The discussion will be moderated by Vern Gwynn, vice president of Workplace Banking Financial Empowerment at Truist, and will feature a dynamic panel of industry leaders and creatives, including Keenan Litmon, co-owner of Cam Kirk Studios; Porchia Marie, ATL community marketing manager at Foot Locker; Taylor Polidore Williams, actress in “Beauty in Black,” Netflix’s No. 1 most-watched show; Ardelia Austin, senior manager of Entertainment & Live Events; and Ivy Scott, Atlanta United’s Integrated marketing operations director.

Tickets can still be purchased by using this link.

Brionna Jones, Aliyah Boston — Photo credit: Ahsan Washington

by Ann Brown

April 18, 2026

Aliyah Boston Secures Record $6.3M Deal. Fever Star Now Highest-Paid Player In League History

Three-time WNBA All-Star Aliyah Boston has landed a landmark contract extension with the Indiana Fever.

Three-time WNBA All-Star Aliyah Boston has landed a landmark contract extension, agreeing to a four-year, $6.3 million deal with the Indiana Fever. It is the richest total salary in league history.

The extension was confirmed by her agent Zack Miller and comes as Boston continues to cement her status as one of the league’s top young stars, ESPN reports. The deal was made possible through a new provision in the WNBA’s recently ratified collective bargaining agreement, which allows high-performing players still on rookie contracts to renegotiate earlier than previously allowed.

“Entering just her fourth season, Aliyah is already one of the best players in the WNBA. She’s been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever since she was drafted here in 2023. We’re thrilled to be able to reward her with this new contract and make history, and most importantly, lock her in as a cornerstone of the Fever for years to come,” said Fever General Manager Amber Cox in a statement on April 17. “Despite already being an All-WNBA caliber player, Aliyah has just scratched the surface in terms of the player she can become.”

Boston, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, has delivered consistently strong performances. In 2025, she averaged 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals, reports On 3. She is coming off a standout season that included All-WNBA Second Team and All-Defensive honors, along with a top-10 MVP finish.

Boston opted to take slightly less than the maximum salary she was eligible for in 2026, earning $1 million instead of $1.19 million, ESPN reports. This move will give the Fever more flexibility in building a competitive roster. From 2027 through 2029, she will earn 20% of the league’s salary cap annually.

“I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and for our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far.”

Boston’s deal briefly surpasses the three-year, $5 million supermax extension recently signed by A’ja Wilson.

First Black-Built, AI, Execution Platform — Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hands-on-laptop-keyboard-10376220/

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

April 18, 2026

Founder Unveils Black-Built AI Execution Platform Designed To Help Users Achieve Goals In 4 Weeks

4WEEKQTR is an AI-powered behavioral execution system founded by Nicholas Webb.

In a world filled with planners, productivity hacks, and endless advice, a new platform is redefining what it means to actually finish. 4WEEKQTR, an AI-powered behavioral execution system founded by Nicholas Webb, introduces a new standard for performance by closing the gap between intention and achievement. Built on behavioral science, AI coaching, and intelligent scheduling, it claims to be the first Black-built productivity platform of its kind—designed not to organize goals, but to help users complete them with measurable consistency.

At its core, 4WEEKQTR challenges a deeper narrative around talent and execution. While African Americans have long demonstrated exceptional talent across industries, the platform emphasizes the power of discipline, structure, and consistent follow-through. It represents a mindset shift—combining natural ability with intentional execution to unlock higher levels of performance, ownership, and results within communities and beyond, according to a sponsored post published in Black News.

The system operates by compressing traditional 90-day goal cycles into focused four-week execution sprints. Users define one primary goal, break it into milestones, and rely on AI to generate and optimize daily actions. Tasks are prioritized based on impact and urgency, creating a feedback loop that tracks progress, identifies gaps, and drives consistent follow-through. Rather than simply storing tasks, the platform actively guides users through execution with structure and accountability.

With the release of Version 2 in March 2026, 4WEEKQTR introduces a more advanced AI-first experience. Features include an AI Coach with persistent memory, real-time action recommendations that convert conversations into scheduled tasks, and intelligent scheduling that predicts execution risks. A redesigned dashboard provides clear performance tracking, while the Q-Day Calendar restructures time to align with how people naturally work—turning daily planning into a strategic advantage.

Designed for entrepreneurs, professionals, and high performers, 4WEEKQTR helps users move beyond repeatedly restarting goals and instead achieve consistent results. More broadly, it represents a cultural shift toward disciplined execution as a standard, encouraging individuals to focus on measurable progress week after week.

About a decade ago, Webb found himself stuck in a frustrating cycle—full of ideas and ambition, but rarely finishing what he started. While he was successfully delivering multimillion-dollar IT programs for companies like PwC, Disney, KPMG, and Raymond James, he struggled to execute his own goals.

ICE, arrest — Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/police-officer-putting-handcuffs-on-another-person-7714795/

by Keka Araújo

April 18, 2026

ICE Agent Charged With Felony Assault In Minneapolis

ICE agent Gregory Morgan Jr. faces felony assault charges for allegedly pointing a service weapon at motorists on a Minneapolis highway.

A federal immigration officer is facing felony charges after allegedly brandishing his service weapon at civilians during a highway traffic dispute, an act Hennepin County prosecutors characterized on April 16 as a gross overreach of jurisdictional authority. ICE Agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., 35, stands charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated assault.

The indictment stems from a Feb. 5 incident on Minnesota State Highway 62, where Morgan was reportedly operating an unmarked, rented SUV while on duty for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty noted that this prosecution appears to be a legal first regarding federal agents deployed during the recent surge in immigration enforcement across major metropolitan hubs.

“There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal agents who violate the law in the state of Minnesota,” Moriarty stated during a morning press conference.

According to the arrest warrant, the confrontation was precipitated when Morgan attempted to bypass heavy traffic by driving on the highway shoulder. A nearby motorist, unaware of Morgan’s status as a federal officer in a civilian-style vehicle, maneuvered into the shoulder in an attempt to impede what appeared to be an erratic driver.

Once the vehicle returned to the legal lane, Morgan allegedly pulled alongside the occupants and pointed his firearm at them. While Morgan later told a Minnesota State Patrol officer that he drew his weapon and commanded the individuals to stop, charging documents indicate the victims could not hear him through their closed windows and felt an immediate threat to their lives.

Morgan and his partner were reportedly transit-bound to the federal building to conclude their shift at the time of the encounter. Prosecutors emphasized that the incident did not occur during an active enforcement action or tactical operation.

The case arrives amid heightened scrutiny of federal conduct in sovereign state jurisdictions. Moriarty’s office argued that Morgan’s actions fell entirely outside the scope of his federal mandate.

“Our community deserves to feel safe on our roads, regardless of who is behind the wheel,” Moriarty said, reinforcing that federal credentials do not provide a “get out of jail free” card for aggressive roadside conduct.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have yet to issue a formal response regarding the charges. Attempts to reach Morgan for comment were unsuccessful as of Thursday afternoon.

In Minnesota, a conviction for second-degree aggravated assault carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. If the assault is found to have inflicted substantial bodily harm, that sentence may be elevated to 10 years. A warrant remains active for Morgan’s arrest.

Blavity Media Group, Connected TV, Streaming Viewers — Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-black-remote-control-11978739/

by Jameelah Mullen

April 18, 2026

Blavity Media Group Expands Into Connected TV, Unlocking Access To Nearly 100 Million Streaming Viewers

Blavity is coming to your TV through a new partnership with OTTera.

Blavity Media Group (BMG), the online platform for Black culture and millennial‑driven content, is expanding into connected TV advertising through a new partnership with OTTera.

The partnership adds connected TV (CTV) placements to BMG’s portfolio for the first time. Through OTTera’s network, advertisers can now distribute ads across more than 600 live streaming platforms and 2,000 FAST channels, expanding its reach to nearly 100 million users on platforms including Samsung, Vizio, Hisense, Sony, and Roku.

Additionally, the partnership will bring sports content to the BMG platform, leveraging OTTera’s FAST channel portfolio of live and on-demand programming.

Morgan DeBaun, the CEO and founder of Blavity, underscored how the partnership will broaden the company’s reach.

“Black culture has never been confined to one screen, and neither should the brands that want to show up authentically for our audience. This partnership with OTTera means that for the first time, a brand can walk into BMG and leave with a campaign that reaches Black America from their morning scroll to their living room couch. That is a first in Black media, and we built it,” said DeBaun in a statement.

Blavity Media Group reaches over 32 million monthly users across its various brands, including Blavity, AfroTech, 21Ninety, Travel Noire, Home & Texture, and Shadow & Act.

“Blavity has built a cultural engine that brands trust, and this partnership extends that power into connected TV at scale. Together, we’re creating a new standard—where reaching Black audiences isn’t fragmented across platforms, but unified across every screen,” said Stephen Hodge, CEO and co-founder of OTTera.

OTTera has experience working with Black-owned media platforms. The company has partnered with AfroLandTV, a streaming service that offers Nollywood films and shows from across the African continent, and the Remy Network, a streaming platform owned by rapper Remy Ma.

The partnership with Blavity Media Group marks OTTera’s largest partnership with a Black-owned media company to date.

Last month, BMG announced a new partnership with The Gathering Spot (THG), the private social club for Black business professionals. The partnership aims to connect brands with influential Black business professionals.

LATEST POSTS: Blavity Media Group Named Exclusive Sales And Activation Partner For The Gathering Spot

Damon Jones, — Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 18, 2026

Former NBA Player Damon Jones Set To Plead Guilty In Illegal Gambling Scheme

The former Cleveland Cavaliers player was arrested, along with Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier.

Former NBA player Damon Jones, who is embroiled in an alleged illegal gambling scheme involving other NBA personnel, is reportedly expected to plead guilty after being charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in November.

According to NBC News, Jones, who initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, plans to change his plea when he appears before the judge on April 28. The paperwork was filed in the Eastern District of New York April 16.

Jones was working with the Los Angeles Lakers when he was accused of selling information about a player’s injury to bettors.

The former Cleveland Cavaliers player was arrested, along with Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups (currently on unpaid leave) and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, for their alleged roles in an illegal gambling scheme. The three men were all arrested Oct. 23 after being accused of partaking in illegal sports betting and rigged poker games.

Authorities say Billups and Jones were paid to participate in the games, with Jones requesting a $2,500 partial prepayment before attending one of the poker games.

Jones, who played with LeBron James in Cleveland and remained close to the Lakers player, allegedly used that relationship to his advantage by allegedly informing bettors of LeBron’s injury ahead of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 9, 2023, according to the indictment. That information was not publicly available.

The former player was also accused of allegedly selling information about another Lakers player just hours before that player was listed as “probable” in the NBA’s injury report. This info was attributed to a game the Lakers played against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 15, 2024.

Anthony Davis was the only player listed as probable on the injury report. The information provided to the bettors led his co-conspirators to place a $100,000 bet on the game before the injury report was made public.

Suspect, White House Correspondents Dinner, Shooting, trump — (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

April 18, 2026

Shocker! Trump Describes White House DoorDash Delivery, Other Stunts, As ‘Tacky’

Trump concluded his remarks by asserting that while his team’s PR tactics might be unconventional, they have helped him win "by landslides."

At an April 16 discussion in Las Vegas, President Donald Trump admitted that a viral White House delivery from a “DoorDash Grandma” earlier this week was “a little tacky” and “embarrassing,” even as he praised the stunt for aiding in him winning “landslide” elections.

Speaking about tax policy, Trump reflected on the afternoon event when Sharon Simmons, a grandmother of 10 from Arkansas, delivered two bags of McDonald’s directly to the Oval Office. The event was staged to highlight the first anniversary of the administration’s “No Tax on Tips” policy.

Simmons said the policy allowed her to keep an extra $11,000, which she said helped to pay for her husband’s cancer treatments. But Trump was not a fan of the orchestrated delivery, CSPAN reported.

“I met a wonderful woman named Sharon Simmons… a grandmother driving DoorDash,” Trump told the crowd. “She delivered McDonald’s to the Oval Office. It was a little bit of a—you know, I mean, to be honest, it was a little tacky,” Trump said.

President Trump on Door Dash delivery to Oval Office: "It was a little tacky." pic.twitter.com/ychnNJLz0f
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 17, 2026

The “DoorDash Grandma” moment was intended to humanize the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—passed earlier this year—but the event drew sharp criticism from economic analysts and media outlets.

Critics argued that a 58-year-old grandmother working gig jobs to cover medical bills for her husband’s Stage 3 cancer is not an example of “flexibility” but rather a “cautionary tale” as ailing elders should not be struggling in the workplace.

Further controversy arose when iternet investigators questioned if Simmons was a paid actress and MAGA plant. The White House maintained she is a legitimate gig worker selected to represent the benefits of the tax policy.

Trump concluded his remarks in Las Vegas by pivoting back to the economy, asserting that while his team’s PR tactics might be unconventional, they have helped him win “by landslides.”

flights delayed, Caribbean, Venezuela, — Photo by Nunzio La Rosa: https://www.pexels.com/photo/airplanes-behind-airport-windows-19821053/

by Kandiss Edwards

April 18, 2026

Flights at O’Hare To Be Reduced And Capped for Summer Travel Season

The Department of Transportation will implement mandatory caps and cuts designed to curb congestion.

There will be significant reduction in flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) this summer.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) will implement mandatory caps and cuts designed to curb congestion and chronic delays at one of the nation’s busiest international travel hubs.

The agency cited an urgent need to align flight schedules with the airport’s current staffing and infrastructure capacity. Under the new order, major carriers will be required to trim their daily peak-hour operations.

The move comes after a period of mounting frustration from travelers and a surge in flight cancellations that regulators say have rippled across the entire national airspace system.

“ORD is the busiest airport in America by flight volume, with more than 3,080 flights planned on peak days for summer 2026, which represents a 14.9% peak-day increase over summer 2025. The FAA’s action–known as a scheduling reduction–limits daily operations to 2,708 to prevent a dramatic increase from last summer’s peak daily schedule,” the DOT said in a press release.

DOT officials noted that O’Hare’s role as a primary connection point for both United Airlines and American Airlines means that bottlenecks in Chicago often cause a domino effect of delays in cities from New York to Los Angeles.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the reduction method has been utilized in other major airports, such as JFK and LaGuardia.

“We successfully turned Newark Liberty International into the most on-time airport in the Tri-State Area by fixing telecoms issues at record speed and reducing overcapacity,” Duffy said. “Applying that same strategy at O’Hare, where unrealistic schedules were set to dramatically exceed what they could handle, will reduce delays and make this busy summer travel season a little easier. Along with our work to modernize air traffic control and boost staffing, the Trump administration is using every tool at its disposal to deliver a safe, efficient, and seamless flying experience.”

American Airlines is on board with the changes implemented by the FAA and Department of Transportation and believes it will greatly benefit its customers, the New York Post reported.

“We are grateful to Secretary Duffy, Administrator Bedford, and their leadership teams for acting swiftly to ensure that Chicagoans and all consumers continue to benefit from sensible competition and to help minimize flight disruptions during the busy summer season,” American said in a statement.

The changes will be in place from May 17 to Oct. 24.