Fani Willis, Atlanta, DA, prosecutor

All Aboard! Fani Willis Says ‘The Train Is Coming’ Despite Attempts To Slow Trump Interference Case Down 

She said what she said!


Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis says that regardless of attempts to slow down her Georgia election interference case, the “train is coming.” 

Willis finally spoke out publicly at a neighborhood event following a grueling hearing over her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, who was hired for the case. 

After being asked if the attempts to have her removed from the case derailed the process, Willis proudly shook her head “no” and highlighted the media being a key part in the distraction “My team has been continuing to work…while all that was going on, we were writing responses and briefs and still doing the case in the way it needed to be done,” she said. 

“I don’t feel like we’ve been slowed down at all. There are efforts to slow down this train but the train is coming.” 

https://twitter.com/Glock_Topickz/status/1772231727244558634

Her comments follow new attempts by Trump’s defense attorneys to have the DA removed due to her handling of the prosecution against the presumptive GOP nominee. Despite facing four felony indictments — including separate federal and state cases for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election against President Joe Biden — Trump is fighting to delay or dismiss the cases, arguing that he is being targeted by political opponents

After Judge Scott McAfee ruled Willis could remain as the prosecutor of the case if Wade stepped aside, he also allowed Trump’s codefendants to appeal his ruling, potentially allowing defense attorneys to ramp up allegations of improper behavior between Wade and Willis. 

After Willis’ comments regarding pressing forward in the case, the attorney for Trump’s co-defendants, Ashleigh Merchant, thinks the train will come to another halt well before November 2024.

“I don’t see any way that this could happen before the election,” Merchant said, according to Fox News. 

“No trial is going to be resolved and happen before the election. So what they’re looking at is actually having someone running for office, running for the office of president, being on trial. That’s unheard of.”

But Willis is looking forward to putting the drama behind her. When the reporter asked her if damage control needed to be done, she said she was “not embarrassed by anything” that had transpired, and there was nothing to reclaim. “We’re not going to skip or miss a beat because of all the noise and the distraction on one case,” she said. 

“Let’s say it for the record: ‘I’m not embarrassed by anything I’ve done.’ I guess my greatest crime is that I had a relationship with a man, but that’s not something I find embarrassing in any way, and I know that I have not done anything illegal.”

That sparked some criticism from others, including Georgia State University law professor Anthony Michael Kreis. “If I were Fani Willis, I would simply not talk to the media at all at this point just out of an abundance of caution,” he said.

However, Willis said she is feeling the love from her community and supporters. “I feel more loved. I’ve gotten a lot of support from women,” she said. “It’s very interesting to see how proud women are of what they see in me, and that’s very humbling.”

California, High Schools, Fourth of July, raise money, grants, Businesswomen, Financial Literacy, broke

How To Ask For Money To Fund Your Business

There's an art to soliciting money from friends, family, and strangers through crowdfunding. Here are a few tips.


Originally Published March 21, 2014.

Kimberley McLeod is the founder of LGBTQ digital platform Elixher. While operating the magazine from 2011 to 2017, McLeod was successful in multiple crowdfunding campaigns.  To cover the cost of the inaugural digital issue of ELIXHER, McLeod mounted fundraisers on IndieGoGo and Kickstarter, raising over $10,000 dollars.

McLeod gave BLACK ENTERPRISE a few tips to get funding for your small business.

Be creative

You want to solicit lots of Twitter followers, Facebook fans, LinkedIn connections, and e-mail list subscribers for donations. But don’t rely on social media alone to meet your goal. “Some friends of mine formed a giving circle and I modeled that concept by creating multiple giving circles with our staff, my family, and even people I had featured on the site,” explains McLeod. Give each group a smaller target goal.

Offer incentives

Provide a variety of incentives or perks that are worth something to your audience. Offer products, rewards, and opportunities and different price points–from $5 to $1,000. “Reach out to local vendors and ask them to donate goodies like concert tickets. Then conduct giveaways during weeks where donations slow down. It will help build back the buzz,” McLeod suggests.

Ask for help

“I relied heavily on community members and groups to help spread the word,” says McLeod. “I asked people and organizations to post on their Facebook pages and write blog posts. Folks went above and beyond–they created videos, added the campaigns to their e-mail signature, and more.” Say I Do! LGBT Wedding Expo dedicated a week of sales to the campaign.

Host an event

Build excitement and rally people around your crowdfunding campaign by hosting an event or launch party. “I conducted raffles at happy hour events and had donation buckets. Near the end of the campaign, we hosted a big bash and raised an additional $3,000,” recalls McLeod. “We even got the venue to donate a portion of the bar proceeds.”

Keep In Touch

Keep connected to your audience and potential supporters. McLeod says to interact through frequent updates, thank-you e-mails, and social media responses to questions or comments from existing or potential donors. “We regularly posted updates when we met certain milestones (like hitting our first $1,000). Posting screenshots of the progress we were making also helped keep our followers engaged on social media. When the campaign was over, we released a thank you video and sent out updates about how the funds were being used.”

Tristan Thompson, Child Support, Maralee Nichols

Tristan Thompson Ordered To Pay $58K In Back Child Support To Maralee Nichols

According to Nichols, Thompson has not paid any child support payments between Sept. 15, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024. 


A Los Angeles court recently ordered Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Tristan Thompson to pay Maralee Nichols back child support after he allegedly missed several payments.

According to The Sun, in court papers the media outlet has obtained, a judge has directed the professional basketball player to pay the mother of his 2-year-old son a total of $57,916. Based on the filing by Nichols, Thompson has not paid any child support payments between Sept. 15, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024.

The Cavaliers player was in a relationship with Khloe Kardashian when news came out that he had a baby with Nichols. Their son, Theo, who is now two years old, was born in December 2021, and The Sun has stated that Thompson has yet to meet him.

Thompson has been paying a lofty amount in child support to three separate women who have given birth to his children.

Daily Mail eported that Thompson shelled out more than $120,000 monthlly for his four children. He is father to son Prince, who he shares with Jordan Craig; daughter True, and son Tatum, the two children he had with Kardashian; and Theo, his youngest son with Nichols.

Earlier this year, Thompson was suspended without pay for 25  games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for ibutamoren and SARM LGD-4033.

ESPN reported that the drugs Thompson allegedly tested positive for are often used by bodybuilders and weightlifters to build muscle.

The Canadian player returned to the team that drafted him in the 2011 NBA Draft with the fourth overall pick. He played for the 2016 team that returned from being down three games to one to the Golden State Warriors when they won their only NBA championship. Thompson has also played with the Boston Celtics, the Sacramento Kings, the Indiana Pacers, the Chicago Bulls, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Commissioner Regina Hill, Exploiting

Orlando City Commissioner Accused Of Exploiting 96-Year-Old Woman for $100K

How was she even allowed to run for office?


Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) after being accused of taking $100K from a 96-year-old woman

The investigation was launched after FDLE received a tip from Hill’s former’s aide. After meeting in 2021, investigators claim Hill established power of attorney over the woman and allegedly purchased a home, listing the victim as the co-owner without her approval. With that addition, the woman now has three homes, including the home where she currently resides and a second home left to her by family. 

Court documents accuse Hill, her son, and her son’s friend of living in the properties and using some money for home repairs. The investigation also revealed Hill used the victim’s money to purchase items, including a facelift, IV infusions, a stay in Miami on New Year’s, car insurance, and dental surgery. Investigators say that the total number of alleged transactions exceeded $100,000 and “solely benefitted Hill.” 

Attorney John Martino, Director of Advocacy for Community Legal Services, said cases of financial exploitation for the elderly are always important and need to be looked into thoroughly. “Any time we receive any kind of information about potential elder exploitation that may be occurring, we’re taking to take those allegations very seriously,” Martino said, who is now representing the woman. 

To provide protection, Martino filed a petition for an injunction, temporarily banning Hill from having direct or indirect contact with the woman while the investigation continues. “While anyone who is investigating the matter figures out what’s going on, we can make sure that the senior citizens can continue to take care of themselves,” he said. 

According to The New York Post, the alleged victim told investigators she never allowed Hill to spend her money. She remembers signing “some sort of document” but did not understand what she was signing and “would never agree” to give Hill power of attorney. 

This isn’t the first time the Commissioner has dealt with legal woes. Her list of past 21 arrests, including drug offenses, fraud, using bad checks, and DUIs, dates back to 1983. While Hill hasn’t officially been charged in the investigation, the City of Orlando confirmed they are aware of the case, but said they don’t have the authority to take disciplinary actions against an elected official.

Despite the case, Hill doesn’t seem bothered. On Facebook, she wrote, Despite everything, I chose to spend some quality time with my grandbabies over a late-night discussion regarding the unsavory part of my political life and the world around us over a meal.”

Beyonce, Cowboy Carter, Guggenheim Museum

Beyoncé ‘Not Authorized’ To Promote ‘Cowboy Carter’ Album On Guggenheim Museum

According to Guggenheim Museum, Beyoncé was "not authorized" to promote her "Cowboy Carter" album on its building.


Beyoncé lit up New York City museums last week with a worded advertisement promoting her new country album. However, according to one museum, she was “not authorized” to do so.

Representatives for the Guggenheim Museum denied giving Beyoncé permission to project advertisements for her forthcoming album on the outside of the building.

“The Guggenheim was not informed about and did not authorize this activation,” a spokesperson told Variety.

“However, we invite the public—including Beyoncé and her devoted fans—to visit the museum May 16–20 when we present projections by artist Jenny Holzer on the facade of our iconic building to celebrate the opening of her major exhibition.”

The decorated Grammy winner caught attention on March 20 when she placed promotional visuals for her “Cowboy Carter” album on several New York City museums, including the Guggenheim, the Museum of Art and Design, the Whitney, and the New Museum.

“This ain’t a country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album,” the advertisements said along with the album’s title and March 29th release date.

Fans of the “Cuff It” singer went to the museum hoping to see the advertisement in person but posted images showing a blank building. Others suggested there was never any projection, while some claimed that it was projected for a short moment, or that images of the projection were digitally altered to include the text.

Guggenheim seemingly tried to profit off the hype by posting an Instagram photo of Franz Marc’s 1910 painting “Three Horses Drinking” with the caption “This ain’t Texas,” referring to the opening lines from Beyoncé’s chart-topping new single “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

https://twitter.com/beyonceparkwood/status/1770806726712815829

Beyoncé explained the inspiration behind her new country-inspired album last week in a lengthy Instagram caption announcing the 10-day countdown until the album’s release. The mother of three revealed she began work on the project five years ago after she had an experience where she “did not feel welcomed.”

“This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t,” she wrote. “But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of country music and studied our rich musical archive.”

She was likely referring to her 2016 performance of “Daddy Lessons” at the Country Music Association Awards alongside the group then known as the Dixie Chicks. Beyoncé’s appearance was met with backlash on social media from the country community by fans who were bothered by her inclusion at the ceremony.

https://twitter.com/Fergyonce/status/1770313515179413538

RELATED CONTENT: Beyoncé Unveils ‘Cowboy Carter’ Artwork, ‘This Ain’t A Country Album, This Is A “Beyoncé” Album’

Ray J, Monica, Brandy

Ray J Apologizes To Monica After Proposing Joint Tour With Brandy

Monica asked Ray J to stop "speaking on" her in public and he apologized for doing so


Ray J appeared on The Breakfast Club recently and mentioned that his older sister, Brandy, and fellow singer, Monica (who recorded the classic hit song, “The Boy Is Mine” together in 1998) should tour together, which didn’t sit well with Monica.

The reality TV star and entrepreneur went on to suggest that the two singers could possibly make $100 million each, according to BET. He also said that if the tour were to happen, Monica would have to open the show because his sister “ain’t having that” if it came down to who would be the opener on such a tour.

“I mean, of course, Monica would have to open, right? Somebody has to come out first. Brandy ain’t having that, either,” Ray J said.

Monica went on her Instagram Story to blast Brandy’s brother for “putting the cart before the horse” because no discussions about a tour occurred with anyone, especially within her camp. She “kindly” asked Ray J to stop speaking about this, and if it were to happen, it would be a private discussion between the parties involved.

“I’ve not received any contracts or calls about the tour. @rayj, I’m kindly asking you to stop speaking to me in public! A private conversation would both be necessary and respectful! Brandy is a legend! She’s one with an extensive back catalog that I deeply respect & a voice sent from heaven.”

“Any further convo should be private!”

Several days later, Ray J appeared on Angela Yee’s radio program, Way Up With Angela Yee. She brought up the subject to the crooner, who immediately apologized and stated he would call Monica.

“I’m a call Monica soon as we leave here. Listen, Monica, if I said anything wrong, I apologize. You are a great artist. You and Brandy have made history together,” Ray stated. “All I want to do is just kind of shake it up a little bit to get y’all together to see. That should be one of those last wave tours.”

“Give the world what they want…a Brandy and Monica tour.”

When Yee asked him what Brandy thought of his proposal, Ray admitted he hadn’t spoken to her about the idea.

Ice Cube, Big 3

Ice Cube Takes Big 3 To X Platform, Denies Being Aligned With ‘White Supremacists’

Ice Cube's Big 3 basketball league is coming to Elon Musk's X platform and he isn't here for criticism about the move.


Ice Cube’s Big 3 basketball league is coming to Elon Musk’s X platform and he isn’t here for the criticism about the move.

On March 22, the rap icon and entrepreneur took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm Big 3’s June 15 return. When one fan questioned why the league’s seventh season wasn’t on Rumble Video, Cube announced the league’s transition to Musk’s growing X media platform.

“Why isn’t the big3 on @rumblevideo ? Let’s me it happen, I think the organization can come make a deal. @chrispavlovski,” one fan asked/

“Cause we’re on X…better ask somebody,” Cube wrote in response.

Fans responded with criticism against the partnership between Cube and the tech magnate, given Musk’s support of far-right viewpoints on the X platform.

“Love and respect Cube but his alignment with a white supremacist is all we need to know,” one X user wrote. “I get it money matters so do you my guy. Just keep it 100 and don’t Trojan horse for them. White Supremacy is who you are and represent. Enjoy!!”

“I respect you’re response but just look and see who Elon connects himself to and tell me I’m wrong. I still have respect for Cube, always will,” another fan added. “However I’m not blind to his who he aligns with. I like the Big 3, Both things can be right at the same time.”

However, Cube got enough of the backlash and clapped back at the respondent by professing his independence as a businessman.

“Shut yo b*tch a** up! I ain’t aligned with nothing, punk. I draw my own fu*kin lines,” he responded.

It’s not the first time Ice Cube has faced criticism for his support of conservative politicians and anti-vaccine views. Last year, Cube shut down claims of being a “sellout” after meeting with Independent presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaxxer who referred to Ice Cube as an “outspoken civil rights leader.”

“For all the simple minded short bus people out there,” Cube tweeted at the time. “A picture is not an endorsement, dummy. Now get your a** over to bungalow 51 and STFU.”

As for Musk, he denies going conservative since purchasing X, formerly Twitter.

“I, at least, think of myself as a moderate,” Musk told Bill Maher last year. “I’ve spent a massive amount of my life energy building sustainable energy, electric vehicles, and batteries, and solar to help save the environment. It’s not exactly far-right.”

He recently ended his short-lived partnership with former CNN host Don Lemon following an interview where Lemon grilled him about his controversial viewpoints and Twitter/X activity.

RELATED CONTENT: Ice Cube Honored At Basketball Hall Of Fame With Ice Cube Impact Award

Henry Whitehorn, Caddo Parish, Black Sheriff

Henry Whitehorn Becomes Caddo Parish’s First Black Sheriff After White Tears Of Election Fraud

Move over...there's a new sheriff in town!


The town of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, is presumed to have a Black sheriff for the first time in over 20 years.

Henry Whitehorn declared victory on March 23 after his opponent, John Nickelson, conceded following early and absentee vote counts. Results showed an additional 13,605 votes to Whitehorn’s tally and 11,687 to Nickelsons’s- with a final result of 34,752 votes for Whitehorn to Nickelson’s 487.

With 42% of Caddo’s registered voters turning out, there was a difference of 4,265 votes between the two candidates.

Voters finally have an answer after drama prompted a lawsuit surrounding voter fraud. After a runoff election in November 2023, the results showed a one-vote margin, with Whitehorn receiving 21,621 votes to Nickelson’s 620. According to the Shreveport Times, a recount resulted in an added three votes given to both candidates – leaving no changes and ultimately showing Whitehorn ahead by one vote.

Nickelson then filed a lawsuit, citing several allegations of irregularities in votes during the runoff election, so retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Joseph Bleich ordered a new runoff election between them. 

Following that ruling, Whitehorn filed an appeal, heard by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 11. The next day, the court ruled to uphold the ruling made by Bleich.

During his acceptance speech, Whitehorn spoke out about how difficult the road to the sheriff’s office has been. “You,” know, when I think about this election, it’s been a hard road,” he said to his supporters. It’s been ten months of fighting. Three victories.” 

Whitehorn, a self-proclaimed stickler on crime, told supporters he will continue to be tough as crime rates grow. In 2023, the city council unanimously voted for a state of emergency after residents said they were disturbed and concerned for their safety. After a reported 190 shootings and close to 80 homicides, Council members said this would potentially provide federal dollars and resources to fight crime. 

Seemingly referencing his opponent’s aim to release 500 inmates, the new sheriff said there’s a need for it. “I’ve always been tough on crime,” Whitehorn said. I “have no reason to change now.”

Whitehorn will replace interim Sheriff Jay Long starting July 1 after the previous sheriff, Steve Prator, entered early retirement. 

Misty Copeland, Black Ballerinas, Trauma, American Ballet Theatre

Misty Copeland Discusses Trauma Black Ballerinas Face

Copeland said she thinks about the generational trauma for Black ballerinas that comes with lead roles like hers in "Swan Lake."


Trailblazing ballerina Misty Copeland continues to be a voice for Black and brown ballerinas. The professional dancer recently got candid about being the sole Black dancer gracing studio spaces and stages throughout her career.

During a March 21 episode of Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace? Copeland, who spent the first decade of her professional career as the only Black woman with the American Ballet Theatre, said, “There were times that I was not cast in certain roles because I would stand out too much and kind of ruin the aesthetic, especially if it was a performance that was being filmed.”

She specifically recalled how she stood out among the other dancers, especially when everyone was pretty much wearing pink-toned tights.

Her groundbreaking portrayal as American Ballet Theatre’s first Black “Odette/Odile” in Swan Lake carried immense weight after she landed the lead role in 2014. “I think about this kind of generational trauma for Black dancers that comes with that role,” Copeland said.

Being cast in that role accumulated mixed opinions as the swans were typically white for many decades and “not a role that can be played by a Black or brown woman.” The ballerina shared that she worried about the appeal of her “artistic excellence” and how it could affect the role ever being given to another Black dancer at the company.

“That was something that weighed on me leading up to that first performance,” she admitted.

Copeland, who has also been referred to as the “Jackie Robinson of ballet,” feels she has brought herself to roles like in Swan Lake and made them her own. However, her fame in the industry was still met with pressures. “They make you lighten your skin,” she said. “I had serious conversations with the artistic staff of ABT and our hair and makeup department.” Those conversations questioned why the common “matte” look had to equate to “white.”

@cnn

American ballet dancer Misty Copeland sits down with CNN’s Chris Wallace to discuss the challenges she’s faced as a Black woman in the industry and her approach to the principal role in “Swan Lake.” #ballet #ballerina #swanlake #cnn #news

♬ original sound – CNN

The notable dancer has established several initiatives to evolve the conversation and move the ballet world forward in its diversity efforts.

In 2023, Copeland launched her “MakeAPointe petition in an effort to encourage Apple and the Unicode Consortium to expand its skin tone options for the pointe shoe emoji. The campaign aimed to ensure the art of ballet celebrated every dancer’s “story and shade.” She also founded her “Be Bold” initiative in 2022 for Black and Latino students hosted at the Boys and Girls Clubs in New York City, an after-school dance program that provides ballet and music training, health education, tutoring, and mentorship.

She recognized that progress goes beyond being “the first” and acknowledged that other Black women have also accomplished incredible things in the industry.

The full interview with Copeland is available on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Max.

Dave Ramsey, Retirement Milestone, Investing

Dave Ramsey Says Go ‘Slow and Steady’ To Reach $1M Retirement Milestone

Finance guru Dave Ramsey advocates for a slow and steady approach to wealth, warning against the allure of get-rich-quick schemes.


Finance guru Dave Ramsey, who advocates for a slow and steady approach to weath accumulation, is warning against the allure of get-rich-quick schemes. Ramsey emphasizes the importance of consistent, disciplined saving over time to turbocharge retirement savings, according to Money Wise.

As retirement looms, many Americans find themselves falling short in their savings goals, relying too heavily on Social Security benefits or facing the grim prospect of financial strain in their golden years. Fidelity Investments’ assessment reveals that a significant portion of American savers have only 78% of the income needed for retirement, with a third anticipated to make significant adjustments to meet expenses.

In a Facebook video clip, Ramsey decries get-rich-quick schemes, cautioning against their deceptive allure. He underscores the importance of patience, consistency, and time in building wealth, drawing from his own experiences of both financial success and bankruptcy.

Ramsey’s philosophy is grounded in prudence, advocating for a measured approach to investing and wealth-building. His method involves paying off debts, setting up emergency funds, and gradually increasing investments over time. Ramsey Solutions recommends investing 15% of income into tax-advantaged accounts, prioritizing matching contributions, and diversifying investments across mutual funds.

While Ramsey acknowledges the allure of quick gains, he stresses the potential pitfalls of high-risk ventures like cryptocurrency and single-stock investments. Instead, he champions a buy-and-hold strategy, encouraging investors to maintain a long-term perspective rather than chasing short-term returns.

Ramsey’s seven baby steps outline a systematic approach to wealth-building, emphasizing financial discipline and prudence. His message resonates as evidenced by a survey indicating that the majority of millionaires attribute their success to regular, consistent investing over time.

In the pursuit of financial security, Ramsey offers a sobering reminder: real wealth is not amassed overnight. Rather, it is built gradually through patient and disciplined investment strategies. As Ramsey Solutions aptly summarizes, “slow and steady wins the race every time” in the journey toward financial independence and retirement readiness.

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