Steve Harvey Partners With Dr. Phil In Launching Groundbreaking Startup Network
The first project they will be working on is a docu-style special about the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program.
Comedian and game show host Steve Harvey has joined another television personality in a strategic partnership to launch one of the largest startup networks in modern history.
The Family Feud host is connecting with Dr. Phil McGraw in his Merit Street Media venture as an equity partner in the company. The first project Harvey and Dr. Phil will be working on is a docu-style special that chronicles his Steve Harvey Mentoring Program. It is a program where young men attend a week-long camp in Georgia, and the special is slated to air this fall. It will feature both men, focusing on giving the young men the tools and inspiration needed to become positive leaders in their community and for their families.
“Partnering with my good friend on such an innovative network allows me to continue my mission of empowering and inspiring individuals through entertainment,” Harvey said in a written statement. “The docu-style special highlighting the impactful work of the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation is particularly close to my heart. I believe in the power of mentorship to transform lives and look forward to sharing this journey with viewers. The positive impact we can create together will be unlike anything seen before.”
Through the new partnership, Merit Street will encompass production, talent development, and on-air services for Harvey as the two join forces to become one of the largest startup networks in modern history. Merit Street also acquired over 300 episodes of Harvey’s syndicated talk show, Steve, which was on the air from 2017-2019.
“Steve and I have been personal friends for over a decade, and it’s always the best experience when we work together,” said Dr. Phil. “It’s easy to say that he’s the funniest human I’ve ever met,” he continued. “But his kindness and his passion to help others are really unmatched.”
Dr. Phil announced the launch of Merit Street last November and premiered his show, Dr. Phil Primetime, on Feb. 26.
Family Feud Erupts In Michael Jackson’s Estate: Youngest Son Opposes Grandmother’s Use Of Funds In Legal Battle
Bigi (formerly known as Blanket) is opposed to Katherine Jackson using money from the estate to fight an ongoing legal battle
A family feud is taking place within Michael Jackson’s family as his youngest son, Bigi (formerly known as Blanket) is opposing his grandmother Katherine Jackson using funds from the estate to fight a legal battle she is in.
According to People, 22-year-old Bigi filed paperwork stating that his grandmother should not be able to use funds from the “Bad” singer’s estate in her fight against the estate executors, John Branca and John McClain for a disagreement in a “recent transaction.”
The transaction may be a deal regarding the $600 million catalog sale of Michael’s music to Sony Music. Initially, the family members, including Michael’s other two children, Paris and Prince, were fighting the agreement alongside Katherine. But, after a judge ruled against the Jacksons and stated that the deal would move forward, Katherine’s grandchildren accepted the decision, yet Michael’s mother filed an appeal, which is currently pending.
Last December, Katherine requested that the estate pay for the legal bills drawn from the opposition to the deal. But, Bigi stated on March 18 that it was “unfair” to make him and his siblings pay for it, since it’s coming from the estate.
“It is readily apparent that a reversal on appeal would be an extreme longshot,” the attorneys stated in the filing. “Given those odds, Bigi decided not to waste his resources to participate in an appeal. Nonetheless, Katherine has decided to appeal this court’s ruling. That decision is not for the benefit of the heirs.”
Bigi isn’t totally against some of the fees being taken care of by the estate. He “does not object to reasonable attorney fees and costs” for the initial filing as she presented “essential evidence.” But he feels that “the overall amount for the trial might be high” and wondered if “four lawyers charging fees of $840 to $1,400 per hour was necessary.” He’s asking the court to “determine a fair and equitable amount.”
Operation HOPE Founder John Hope Bryant To Release New Book On Financial Literacy
Hope previously authored the best-selling novel "Up from Nothing, Love Leadership and How the Poor Can Save Capitalism."
Operation HOPE CEO and founder John Hope Bryant will be publishing a new book titled Financial Literacy for All: Disrupting Struggle, Advancing Financial Freedom, and Building a New American Middle Class, according to a new press release from the organization’s website.
Featuring a special forward by Walmart President Doug McMillon, the book offers guidance and resources to families so that they can build personal finance and develop answers to questions that have long been shrouded in mystery. It is intended to help average Americans secure their financial future by demystifying their relationships with money and work, understanding the principles of long-term investment and learning the answers to some of the hardest questions people have about money, according to Amazon. The book is scheduled to be released on April 16.
in the press release, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon discussed how Hope’s latest book tackles the typical issues that plague Americans in their journey for financial stability. “Fixing income inequality will reignite the American dream, and John takes aim at one of the biggest challenges of our time in ‘Financial Literacy For All,’” he said.
“I share John’s optimism that we can help change the world and address our problems with the right skills, tools, and knowledge. Drawing on lessons learned from history and his own personal experiences, John creates a powerful business plan for America to drive empowerment through education.”
The book is available for pre-order at major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Walmart. It will also be specially featured at the T.D. Jakes International Leadership Summit, the Consumer Bankers Association Annual Meeting, and the Wall Street Project’s Economic Summit, where Bryant is slated to be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bryant founded Operation HOPE in 1992. Established to promote financial literacy and empowerment, the non-profit has impacted hundreds of thousands of consumers, transforming their credit scores, reducing debt, and helping clients improve their savings.
Outside of his role at Operation HOPE, the philanthropic leader is also a contributor for CNBC, a featured host on the iHeart Radio Podcast, Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant, and is part of Time magazine’s 2024 inaugural class of “The Closers,” which highlights world leaders who are challenging the racial wealth gap.
Leave The Sand At The Beach And Opt For Lavish Leisure Instead
Kissimmee, Florida, has all things luxury mansion rentals, Michelin Star chefs, spas, and more.
Luxury travel is on the rise. An increasing number of travelers have ditched their local beaches in favor of visiting exotic locations abroad that provide extravagant amenities.
Going to the beach or traveling overseas does not have to be your only options for your next vacation. A luxury experience can be found right here in the continental U.S. Located in the northern part of Florida, Kissimmee, is a 20-minute ride from the Orlando airport and is positioning itself as a place eager, willing, and capable of handling families and friends in search of fun and luxury. The unassuming city is the home to a thriving luxury rental community. Experience Kissimmee, where “an abundance of activities and endless opportunities for relaxation and adventure” awaits.
Luxury rental companies like Jeeves provide sprawling homes with fewer restrictions than your normal Airbnb. The company and many like it give regular vacationers access to mansions decked out with bowling alleys, game rooms, and extravagant pools, complete with grottos, jacuzzis, and slides.
Kissimmee is also home to a network of private chefs that can be hired separately to cater to your vacation tastes. If patrons don’t want to take the personal chef route, access to world class chefs is within the county limits.
Salt & the Cellar restaurant, located in the Ette Hotel, was created by Michelin Star-awarded chef Akira Back. Salt & the Cellar offers an immersive and decadent culinary experience. The restaurant features a Mediterranean and Asian infused menu. Their drinks that overwhelm all of your senses are worth every penny.
The ultimate soft-life awaits at one of Kissimmee’s many wellness spas. The Spa inside the Ette features aromatherapy, sound baths, tranquility pods, and trained masseuses waiting to help you get your mind and body into vacation mode.
If a more active vacation experience is what you crave, then “the most magical place on Earth,” Disney, is right around the corner. With six parks available, any family, friend group, or solo traveler can tailor their experience to suit their needs. For a classic experience, The Magic Kingdom awaits. Walk amongst Disney characters and explore Elsa’s Castle.
For older crowds, Animal Kingdom and EPCOT provide a great balance between adult and child experiences.
Image Provided Courtesy Of Disney, Olga Thompson, Photographer)
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Feb. 28-May 27, 2024Image Provided Courtesy Of Disney, Olga Thompson, Photographer)
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival Feb. 28-May 27, 2024Image Provided Courtesy Of Disney, Matt Stroshane, Photographer
The Guardians of the Galaxy ride at EPCOT is a thrilling, immersive experience that takes you into the beloved Marvel film. Epcot hosts its annual “EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival during Spring and Summer.” Manicured lawns of sculptured foliage depicting some of Disney’s most beloved characters are everywhere and perfect for capturing memories. In the evening, Disney hosts the “Luminous: The Symphony of Us,” a nighttime fireworks display set to move and nostalgic music.
If a day in an amusement park is unappealing, a day of shopping with the assistance of a personal stylist might be preferred. The Mall at Millenia offers a one-on-one personal stylist experience with P.S. Personal Stylists. The mall features high-end designer stores like Coach, Anthropologie, and more.
If none of those options float your boat, Experience Kissimmee website offers a list of activities, from hot air ballooning over the gorgeous landscape to sunset riverboat rides. Even without a beach, Kissimmee is packed full of fun. The city is setting itself apart from others in Florida vacation spots where tourists are being actively deterred from visiting.
Kissimmee City Commissioner, Angela Eady, actively welcomes tourists of all sorts to check out what the city has to offer.
Speaking with BLACK ENTERPRISE Eady stated, “We’re in the process of getting prepared right now.” She continues, “Having major events come includes job creating, that’s a great thing.”
Beaches may be absent from Kissimmee, but there is no shortage of luxury and fun.
Detroit Teacher Claims She Was Fired For Rapping As A Side Hustle
A former Detroit teacher is preparing for a legal battle against the school she believes fired her for being a rapper.
A former Detroit teacher is preparing for a legal battle against the school she believes fired her for being a rapper.
Domonique Brown was a U.S. history teacher at Taylor Preparatory High School where she was named teacher of the month in December. However, she was recently fired from her job due to an anonymous parent who complained about her rap career, Fox 2 Detroit reported.
Brown had been teaching for seven years while pursuing a master’s degree and aiming for her doctorate. In October, an anonymous parent made a complaint about the music she released under her rap persona “Drippin Honey.” The complaint resulted in five months of meetings with the school where she had to defend her music career.
“The first meeting was with my dean and my principal and they were just telling me, ‘Hey, a parent said that they’ve seen your social media, and that you’re a bad influence because you’re a rapper,'” Brown recalled.
The parent continued to complain about Brown working as a teacher at the school. When Brown asked for a formal complaint in writing, she never received one.
“I was like, ‘Hey, well can we tell that parent to come in and see professionalism, see me in a classroom, see me after school, see me at all the games, see me dropping kids off everyday, buying food?'” Brown said. “Can they come see me in my element before they try to say I’m unprofessional in it?”
She calls out the parent and the school for using her personal life to determine whether or not she is fit to teach high school students. Since being fired, Brown released her music video for the single “Drippin 101,” which features some of her former students dancing and singing along with her.
“My outside life should not be grounds for termination when it does not interfere with my ability to fulfill my responsibilities as a teacher,” Brown wrote under her latest music video on YouTube.
“My dedication, professionalism, and passion for education have always been unwavering, regardless of any personal pursuits I may have.”
Brown believes she was discriminated against because of her style of music. She says the school was not transparent in why she was being fired and she is now working on hiring a lawyer to take legal action.
“If I was a horrible teacher, y’all would have dropped me the day it was a problem,” Brown said.
The school released a statement standing by their decision to fire Brown, who seemingly went against their “distraction-free” learning environment.
“Student well-being remains at the forefront of everything we do, and we will continue fostering a distraction-free teaching and learning environment focused on student success,” the school said.
According to the report released by the Department of Labor on March 21, jobless claims decreased by 2,000 to 210,000. Meanwhile, the four-week average of claims, which provides a more stable measure by smoothing out weekly fluctuations, increased by 2,500 to 211,250. Overall, 1.8 million Americans were collecting unemployment benefits in the week ending March 9, marking a modest uptick of 4,000 from the previous week.
Applications for unemployment benefits serve as a crucial indicator of layoffs and offer insight into the direction of the job market. Despite notable job reductions at tech giants like Google parent Alphabet, eBay, and Cisco Systems, overall layoffs remain below pre-pandemic levels. The unemployment rate, which stood at 3.9% in February, has remained below 4% for 25 consecutive months — the longest streak since the 1960s.
The economy and job market have demonstrated resilience buoyed by robust consumer spending, even as the Federal Reserve implemented 11 interest rate hikes between 2022 and 2023 to address inflation concerns that emerged in 2021. While inflation has moderated from its peak of 9.1% in June 2022 to 3.2% in February, it still exceeds the central bank’s 2% target.
Although hiring has slowed compared to the frenetic pace of three years ago, it remains robust. Employers added a record 604,000 jobs per month in 2021, followed by 377,000 in 2022 and 251,000 last year. Notably, job creation unexpectedly rose to 275,000 in February.
In Georgia, February’s unemployment rate remained steady at 3.1%, unchanged from January and significantly lower than the national rate, according to the Georgia Department of Labor. Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson praised the state’s economic resilience, stating, “In Georgia, we’re not just keeping pace with the nation — we’re leading the charge in building an ecosystem where businesses and employees not only survive but thrive.”
Job numbers reached a record high, with 2,400 more jobs added over the month and 48,900 over the year, totaling 4,938,200. Notable sectors experiencing growth included transportation and warehousing, accommodation and food services, and local government.
Conversely, job losses were observed in wholesale trade, retail trade, and administrative and support services. Despite fluctuations, leisure and hospitality hit an all-time high of 525,600 jobs. Over the year, sectors such as healthcare and social assistance, local government, and accommodation and food services showed significant job gains, reflecting Georgia’s robust economic landscape and opportunities for growth.
GloRilla Stays Mum On Politics During CNN Appearance After Meeting Biden And Harris
Just because GloRilla was hanging out with the President and Vice President recently doesn't mean she's ready to talk politics.
Just because GloRilla was hanging out with the President and Vice President recently doesn’t mean she’s ready to talk politics.
The Memphis rapper appeared on CNN’s Laura Coates Live on Thursday, March 21 where she was asked if her recent visit to the White House for their Women’s History Month reception inspired her to endorse Biden’s 2024 presidential run.
“That ain’t got nothing to do with me,” Glo replied before singing Jill Scott’s 2004 hit, “I’m just living my life like it’s golden.”
“I’m not gonna talk politics, I love the president, I love everybody. But at the end of the day, the day gotta end,” she added.
GloRilla on CNN speaking on meeting President Biden and Vice President Harris. pic.twitter.com/VTjqFMrY31
When asked what it was like meeting the President and Vice President, GloRilla shared her excitement for making it to the White House.
“It was so cool, I was geeked,” she said with a smile. “Everybody don’t get to meet the President and the Vice President, so just being able to be in the White House, like I never in a million years thought I’d be in the White House. Then I was in the White House and got to meet the President and Vice President? Oh, they can’t mess with me.”
Not only did Glo make it to the White House, but she met Biden and Harris and learned that the president knew lyrics to her latest single “Yeah Glo!” She also spoke of the pride she gave her mother, being able to see her daughter take her brand from humble beginnings in Memphis to prestigious events in Washington D.C.
“It means everything to me, because we really did come from absolute nothing. When we was living in that blue house with all my brothers and sisters, nobody never would’ve thought nobody would have been in the White House,” she shared
“It was just a proud moment for my mama. She called me so happy, she was super excited and that’s one of the reasons I be more happy about my accomplishments than anything else, because of how proud my mom and my dad be.”
Black-Owned Firm To Oversee $215M Arena Renovation For Charlotte Hornets In Joint Venture
A Black-owned construction firm spearheading $215 million renovation of the Spectrum Center, home arena for the Charlotte Hornets.
Embarking on its second-largest revenue-generating project ever, D.A. Everett Construction Group (DAECG) plans to begin work this spring on the $215 million renovation of the Spectrum Center in North Carolina.
Launched by Donovan Everett in 2013, DAECG is improving the home arena of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets in a joint venture with industry powerhouse Turner Construction.
Called “The Reimagine Spectrum Center,” the project will include many upgrades. They include providing more gathering space for fans, adding 2,500 lower-level seats, enhancing concourses, improving suite and founders’ levels, creating new club space, and increasing social gathering spaces near food/beverage sites.
Enhancing the firm’s strategic growth and visibility
Everett told BLACK ENTERPRISE that his firm’s stake is 20%. That means the project will garner DAECG an estimated $15 to $20 million in new revenues this year and around $25 million in 2025 when a larger piece of the facelift is done. Work will begin in May 2024 and is expected to end ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
The high-profile project is expected to greatly impact D.A. Everett’s growth strategy and make it a more noticeable player in a highly competitive industry. The Black-owned construction management and general contracting firm predicts revenues of over $100 million this year, up from a peak of just over $70 million last year. New projects like Spectrum and existing ones are projected to fuel the gain.
Revenue aside, Everett says the Spectrum deal will be a windfall for the firm in many ways long after the work is finished. “This project has gained a lot of attention locally and nationally, allowing us to become omnipresent. It will further position us to secure other large commercial and public assembly projects locally and regionally that we might not have otherwise been positioned for without it.”
Armed with over 25 years of experience, Everett has led and delivered commercial construction projects exceeding $2 billion. As DAECG’s president and CEO, Everett’s duties today include driving the firm’s growth plan, fostering strategic partnerships, and building high-performing teams.
Growing experience as a sports and entertainment contractor
Everett says Turner Construction and his firm won the Spectrum Center contract approved by the city of Charlotte after competing with two other reputable firms. He says Turner’s successful completion of the State Farm Arena renovations for the Atlanta Hawks and his firm’s recent renovation of the Bojangles Coliseum-Oven Auditorium renovation for Charlotte were catalysts that show the companies were the best team for the venture.
“This project affords D.A. Everett increased visibility of our qualifications and capabilities and allows us to strengthen and grow our experience as sports and entertainment contractors,” Everett says.
DAECG largely provides advanced planning and preconstruction services and construction management. It caters to multiple sectors, including automotive, healthcare, higher education, life sciences, public assembly, and the government. It operates in North Carolina, South Carolina, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The firm now has 14 active projects in North Carolina and South Carolina. Its current Confidential Life Sciences project in the Charlotte area is 100% controlled by DAECG. Everette says it is the firm’s largest revenue generator, bringing in $69 million. Other high-profile projects include the $250 million NC Department of Health and Human Services HQ Campus Phase 1 Project in Raleigh. Another is for Winston-Salem State University, a $51 million auditorium renovation for the HBCU in North Carolina.
Sustaining growth despite challenges
To help facilitate and sustain its growth, Everett and his team intentionally set lofty goals. He says that includes constantly checking that the firm is meeting financial performance goals and doing work within its strategic plan. “Along the way, we experienced some challenges and failures, as expected in this business, but we never lowered our target; we assessed, looked for the lesson, and kept pushing forward.”
He shared that over 80% of his firm’s revenue comes from repeat clients and stand-alone work. He added the firm has a robust pipeline with projects backlogged out to 2027. Its ambitious revenue goal is to be a sustainable $250 million company by 2030. “We are going to continue to go deep into the markets that we currently service and continue to drive service excellence to our clients.”
Moving forward, Everett says his firm will keep monitoring the health and growth of new markets. That calls for identifying geographical expansion opportunities in Southeast U.S. areas like Atlanta. “Atlanta has a great inclusive business environment, especially for Black-owned businesses, and the vertical markets that we serve have strong fundamentals for continued construction growth trends in that metro market.”
Identifying a niche and filling a void
The enterprising entrepreneur initially chose an alternative option to finance his business as he didn’t want to seek traditional bank funding. “I decided to seek out $150K private capital from a ‘rich uncle’ to start my business.” Everett’s firm has been honored often for its work, including this recognition.
Everett was introduced to the industry after growing up in a construction and real estate investment family and working at his father’s residential construction company. His background includes working for over 10 years on large-scale construction projects for Balfour Beatty before starting DAECG to control his destiny.
“I also saw a void in the market of Black-owned commercial construction companies that were operating at large scale or didn’t appear to have a growth mindset after years of being in the business.”
Atlanta Educator’s Free Charter School Offers An Innovative Structure
Miles Ahead Charter School welcomes "scholars" to a nurturing educational space from kindergarten through eighth grade.
After four years of relentless effort, Kolt Bloxson opened the doors to the Miles Ahead Charter School on the outskirts of Atlanta.
Students, referred to as “scholars,” fill the renovated halls of a former church building, the home of Bloxson’s tuition-free kindergarten through 8th grade charter school. According to NBC News, Miles Ahead has seen a rapidly growing waitlist since it began in August 2023. The school started with 14 teachers, eight staff members, and 195 students.
Bloxson envisioned a nurturing space where young learners would be uplifted daily, guided by the “High Five Habits”: Kindness, Integrity, Determination, Compassion, and Wonder, core affirmations that were developed in the first board meeting. Central to the school’s philosophy is nurturing the “whole student.”
From as early as first and second grade, Miles Ahead scholars take innovative STEAM courses like coding during “Instructional Day,” facilitated by specialists to allow teachers a break.
“You have to think in nontraditional structures to make this work,” Bloxson explained.
The 39-year-old educator spent 18 years as an Atlanta Public Schools educator with no intention of founding her own school. Her profound passion for kids and education, however, motivated this new journey. In 2019, observing the dwindling quality of education options for Black students in underserved nearby communities jolted her into action. “There was a growing gap that I wanted to fill,” she said.
The specific mission drove her to secure a location and assemble a board and faculty. Navigating state regulations and overcoming innumerable hurdles, she raised around $1.2 million through grants, donations, and sponsors. The founder credits the visionary execution to collaborative efforts from other professionals like author Ed Miller and Henry Lust, head of the Miles Ahead board.
“This board is responsible for governance of this organization and the interaction between the charter commission and the charter association and the state,” Lust said.
On February 6, Miles Ahead posted on X that the charter school announced its opening for educators, MACStastic individuals, and a founding assistant principal for the 2024-2025 school year.
Students hail from multiple counties, with some commuting over an hour via “The Scholar Ship” bus service. Thanks to rapid growth, the school will expand to a second building next semester.
Progress: FBI Report Indicates Decrease In U.S. Violent Crime Rates For 2023
The latest FBI statistics reveal a notable decrease in overall violent crime across the United States in 2023, signaling a continued downward trajectory following a surge during the pandemic.
PBS reports that the latest FBI statistics reveal a notable decrease in overall violent crime across the United States in 2023, signaling a continued downward trajectory following a surge during the pandemic.
The quarterly report, which was unveiled on March 19, is derived from data provided by approximately 80 percent of law enforcement agencies nationwide. A more comprehensive and detailed analysis for the entirety of 2023 is expected to be released in the fall.
According to data released this week, murders saw a significant drop of 13 percent in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year. Additionally, violent crime decreased by 6 percent overall. Property crime declined by about 3 percent nationwide, though regions such as the Northeast and large cities with populations exceeding 1 million experienced a slight increase in property crime rates.
President Joe Biden lauded the substantial decrease in the murder rate, calling it one of the sharpest declines in the country’s history. He attributed this positive trend to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which allocated $15 billion for public safety investments to cities and states.
“Keeping communities safe is my priority. While we’ve made major progress, we still have more work to do,” said Biden in a statement Tuesday. “That’s why I’ll keep fighting to make more investments in preventing crime, to fund additional accountable police officers to ensure trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and to ban assault weapons to keep guns out of dangerous hands — and I will continue to urge Republicans in Congress to join me.”
The FBI’s findings are consistent with those of the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice, which conducted a survey of 32 cities and found that homicides declined by an average of 10 percent compared to the previous year. However, despite those improvements, violent crime rates remain elevated in many urban areas compared to pre-pandemic levels.
