VETERAN, SBA PROGRAM, debt free, financial freedom

by Jeffrey McKinney

March 20, 2024

Small Business Association Awarding Up to $300K In Grants To 6 Women Veteran Entrepreneurs

The SBA program is offering grants and training for women veteran entrepreneurs.

A scarcity of capital and a shortage of ownership experience were cited as challenges women veteran entrepreneurs face pertaining to starting or expanding a business.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) aims to help women gain capital by offering funding up to $300,000 to business owners through its Office of Veterans Business Development. The Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program is accepting up to six grantees.

Women veteran business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can apply. Last year, more than 9,500 participants worked with the Women Veteran Training Program grantees to start or grow their business.

Timothy Green, acting associate administrator for the SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development, said, “With more than two million women veterans living in the U.S. today and over 12 million businesses owned by women, there is an incredible need for more advocates and resources tailored to women veteran entrepreneurs.”

Green continued, “Through our Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program, we are providing grants that train and empower women veterans as they take their next step with their business— whether that is taking the leap to open their doors or exploring new ways to grow what they’ve successfully built.”

Kristen Wright, owner of Kristen Wright Strategic Communications LLC in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to the SBA, connected with and received funding from ONABEN, an SBA Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training program grantee, by taking part in “Beyond the Boots.”

The program was integral in educating Wright on the federal bidding process. With the knowledge she gained, Wright was able to scale her business and compete for federal contracts.

Potential awardees must act soon: The application deadline is 11:59 PM ET on March 21, 2024. Those interested can get more details and apply here.

by Stacy Jackson

March 20, 2024

Doing The Work! Quavo Launches $10K SPARK Grants To Fight Gun Violence

Quavo is handing out money for initiatives aimed at preventing gun violence.

Migos rapper Quavo has launched a new “SPARK Grants” program in partnership with his Rocket Foundation.

The initiative aims to support organizations working to “build an ecosystem of gun violence prevention and reduction” in his native Atlanta. According to the foundation’s website, 10 grants of $10,000 will be distributed to support evidence-based initiatives with an existing program or aspirations to pilot a program to help the issue.

“I am honored to launch this grant program to honor Take and the countless families that have been affected by gun violence,” Quavo said, according to Variety. There is a lot of important work going on in ATL right now, and part of our mission is to uplift these organizations and support them to help save more lives.”

Applications for SPARK Grants open on March 20 and must be submitted by April 21. Winners will be announced on June 18, which will occur during Takeoff’s birthday and National Gun Violence Awareness Month.

The grant program comes after Quavo met with Vice President Kamala Harris through his and his family’s involvement in the Congressional Black Caucus last September in Washington, D.C. According to the foundation’s YouTube channel, The Rocket Foundation joined the Community Justice Action Fund for a day of advocacy to raise awareness on gun violence and propose community-driven solutions. “So much gratitude to the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional leadership for your advocacy and for providing a platform for us and other lawmakers to talk on this issue,” the foundation wrote. During the same month, President Joe Biden established the inaugural White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, an effort placed under the supervision of Harris.

BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported that in May 2023, Quavo raised $2,000,000 for The Rocket Foundation during his Huncho Day celebrity football game.

The “Walk It Talk It” rapper established his foundation in 2022 as a tribute to Takeoff, his group member and nephew who lost his life in a shooting incident the same year.

Frankie Beverly, Farewell Tour, Atlanta, Georgia, maze, Tony Lindsay, farewell, State Farm arena, retire, retirement,

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 20, 2024

Frankie Beverly To Begin ‘Farewell Tour’ At Atlanta’s State Farm Arena

Legendary soul singer Frankie Beverly is celebrating his retirement with a "Farewell Tour" that starts in Atlanta.

Legendary soul singer Frankie Beverly is celebrating his retirement with a “Farewell Tour” that will start in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.

The “Before I Let Go” singer’s tour will celebrate 54 years, nine gold albums, and a long list of hits in six intimate shows, beginning with the Atlanta show on Friday, March 22, Penn Live reports. Next, he’ll head to to Mobile County Fairgrounds in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday, April 6, before performing in Houston at the Toyota Arena on Friday, April 13.

The last three shows will see the “Joy and Pain” singer stop at United Center in Chicago, the KIA Forum in Los Angeles, and close out in his hometown of Philadelphia at the Dell Music Center, where he’ll be honored in a street renaming ceremony.

El DeBarge and Chaka Khan will join Beverly on certain tour stops.

“I want to share with my lifelong fans and associates that I’ll be going out on the road one last time, then retire,” Beverly told Billboard last month. “Thank you so much for the support given to me for over 50 years as I pass on the lead vocalist torch to Tony Lindsay.”

Following his retirement, Maze will continue with Lindsay, former lead singer of Santana, and change its name to Maze Honoring Frankie Beverly. Beverly began his career with his original band, Raw Soul, in 1970. With Marvin Gaye as a mentor, the group began touring as the music legend’s opening act.

After Gaye suggested that the group change its name to Maze, it went on to record for Capitol and later Warner Bros. and release a series of hit albums and singles between 1977 and 1993.

“His music has contributed to the soundtrack of our lives by enriching our experiences with his soulful melodies,” Black Promoters Collective CEO Gary Guidry said of Beverly. “We are honored to join forces with him on his farewell tour.”

Tickets for the “Farewell Tour” can be purchased HERE.

by Rafael Pena

March 20, 2024

The Entrepreneurial Spirit Flourishes: Surge In Business Formation Seen Across The U.S.

Recent data indicate a remarkable surge in entrepreneurship and business formation, indicating a rebound in the economy post-pandemic.

Recent data signals a remarkable surge in entrepreneurship and business formation, a significant rebound in the economy post-COVID-19 pandemic. The slowdown in new business creation has reversed, with indicators showing a thriving startup ecosystem.

According to a study by the Center for American Progress, there has been a notable uptick in business applications, particularly those classified as “likely employer” filings, between January 2021 and December 2023. The 5.2 million applications reflect a 34% increase compared to the pre-pandemic years of 2017 to 2019.

“The surge in business applications is a strong signal of economic recovery,” said a representative from the Center for American Progress. “It demonstrates confidence in the market and presents opportunities for job creation, productivity growth, and enhanced competition.”

The trend extends nationwide, with every state and Washington, D.C., experiencing a rise in likely employer applications. The state of Wyoming saw a staggering 93% increase, indicating a broad-based entrepreneurial revival.

Further analysis reveals a corresponding increase in startups—businesses less than a year old—surpassing pre-Great Recession levels for the first time. The surge in business formation transcends the pandemic’s immediate aftermath, with momentum continuing well into 2023.

“This surge in startup activity marks a significant milestone in the economic recovery,” an economist said. “It not only replenishes lost ground but also fosters a dynamic business landscape conducive to innovation and growth.”

The reasons behind the surge include changes in work dynamics and lifestyle post-pandemic. Additionally, supportive public policies such as the American Rescue Plan have catalyzed the entrepreneurial spirit. Measures like financial support for families and businesses, coupled with a robust economic recovery, have created an environment ripe for business creation and expansion.

“The American Rescue Plan has been instrumental in providing the necessary impetus for budding entrepreneurs,” noted a policy expert. “By bolstering economic stability and reducing financial risks, it has empowered individuals to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations.”

Moreover, targeted policies aimed at small-business development have further fueled the surge. Initiatives such as increased capital access programs and support for minority-owned businesses have facilitated a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.

“The Biden administration’s commitment to small-business support is evident,” an analyst remarked. “Through strategic investments and policy frameworks, it continues to nurture a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem poised for sustained growth.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 20, 2024

Lenny Kravitz Teams With Ray-Ban On New Capsule Collection

Ray-Ban unveiled the Ray-Ban x Lenny Kravitz capsule collection, a rock-and-roll-inspired twist on its Reverse sunglasses.

Lenny Kravitz is known for rocking a cool pair of shades. So a partnership with Ray-Ban only makes sense.

On Friday, March 15, the Ray-Ban x Lenny Kravitz capsule collection, a rock-and-roll-inspired twist on its Reverse sunglasses, was released, Women’s Wear Daily reports. The limited-edition style is available in gold, black, dark gray, and silver, and comes etched with Kravitz’s signature.

“As a lifelong fan of Ray-Ban, their timeless style has always resonated with me,” Kravitz said. “The Ray-Ban Reverse collaboration is a dream come true, allowing me to merge my love for music and fashion with such an iconic brand. It’s about breaking boundaries, embracing individuality, and seeing the world from a new perspective through those innovative lenses.”

The Reverse sunglasses are much different from the traditional Ray-Ban Aviators, as they feature a concave design and high-tech lenses that work to reduce reflections up to 70% at wavelengths the eye is most sensitive to. The bio-based lenses and frames also reduce a carbon footprint.

The silver and black sunglasses are designed with polished metal frames and reflective lenses to help protect the eyes from damaging sun rays. With only 1,000 pairs of the gold Aviator Ray-Ban Reverse sunglasses available, once they’re gone there’s no telling when fans will be able purchase them again. The premium gold frame, gold mirror lenses, and limited-edition packaging and case signed by the artist add to their one-of-a-kind nature.

It’s the perfect collaboration. Kravitz has broken the internet with his fashion looks that have featured a pair of Ray-Bans, his most notable being the giant oversized scarf he wore back in 2012.

More recently, he shared how he’d been bonding with his future son-in-law, actor Channing Tatum, who proposed to his daughter, Zoë, last October.

“He’s a great guy. We got on really well. We have our own relationship, as well,” Lenny said on the Sherri show on March 21. “We hang out and we talk. He’s a very soulful human being. He was raised well. He has manners and class.”

by Rafael Pena

March 20, 2024

Study Shows Five Texas Cities Among Top 10 Where $100K Salary Stretches Furthest

A recent study shows five cities in Texas out of the Top 10, where a $100,000 salary offers the most purchasing power.

A recent study by financial technology company SmartAsset has revealed the cities where a $100,000 salary offers the most purchasing power, with half of the top 10 cities located in Texas.

Texas cities dominate the top 10 list, with Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Lubbock, Houston, and El Paso. The state’s tax-friendliness, particularly its lack of state income taxes, likely contributes to its attractiveness for residents seeking financial stability. However, it’s important to note that Texans still face federal income tax and contend with some of the highest property taxes in the country.

The study’s findings align with broader migration trends, with Texas ranking as the top destination for Gen Zers in 2022, according to Zillow’s analysis of migration data.

Topping the list is El Paso, Texas, where a six-figure income translates to approximately $88,840 after factoring in taxes and living expenses. The city’s lower-than-average cost of living, particularly in housing, contributes to its high ranking on the list. Data from RentCafe shows that homebuying and renting costs in El Paso are nearly 30% cheaper than the national average.

In contributing to the Lone Star State’s prominence, its tax policies play a significant role, benefitting from its lack of state income taxes. Nevertheless, residents contend with substantial federal income taxes and grapple with some of the nation’s highest property taxes.

It seems that younger Americans are increasingly recognizing the financial advantages of relocating to Texas. Zillow’s analysis of migration data for 2022 reveals that Texas secured the top spot as the preferred destination for Gen Zers—individuals born between 1996 and 2004.

Here are the top 10 cities where a $100,000 salary goes the furthest:

El Paso, Texas
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Memphis, Tennessee
Corpus Christi, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jacksonville, Florida
Houston, Texas
St. Louis, Missouri

While lists like these can be helpful for individuals considering relocation, personal preferences, and individual circumstances should also be taken into account.

Angel Reese, Pay Gap, March Madness, LSU, Racial Wealth Gap

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 20, 2024

Angel Reese Passes Ball To Congress To Stop Racial Wealth Gap

LSU Basketball star Angel Reese tells Congress to tackle the racial wealth gap in a new commercial for Goldman Sachs.

Angel Reese is taking on the fight against the racial wealth gap as March Madness begins.

The LSU basketball star has partnered with Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women initiative for a new commercial on the issue.

Amid her millions’ worth of NIL deals, Reese’s latest collaboration seeks to spread awareness. The informative commercial shows Reese speaking on what she has inherited from her mom, Angel Webb Reese, a former college basketball player.

She also describes how she gets her drive, confidence, and jump shot from her mom. She then emphasizes how the racial wealth gap limits what Black mothers can leave for their children.

“The racial wealth gap impacts Black women’s ability to leave a legacy behind,” explained Reese. “Only 71% of Black women believe their interests are being well-represented by Washington policymakers…Let’s use our voices and close the opportunity gap.”

The 21-year-old then calls on viewers to take action and pushes Congress to resolve the issue greatly impacting Black women. “Congress, the ball is in your court,” Reese says.

One Million Black Women is Goldman Sachs’ investment initiative that addresses biases that stunt Black women’s ability to thrive. Its partnership with Reese hopes to draw attention to the growing issue surrounding pay and wealth gaps for the demographic.

The “Bayou Barbie” shared the clip with her over 2.7 million followers on Instagram.

“Thanks to my mom @angelzeta410 for joining me as we teamed up with @goldmansachs One Million Black Women to show why it’s so important for Black women to be able to build their own financial legacy — but to do that, we need to help narrow the racial wealth gap,” captioned the athlete. “We’re asking Congress to do their part – it’s time to advance the ball.”

The commercial will air on ESPN and Connected TV during the Elite Eight and Final Four games of the NCAA Tournament.

spring break, miami, spring breakers, havoc, Florida

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 20, 2024

Hundreds Of Spring Breakers Arrested Despite ‘Break Up’ With Miami Beach

The Miami Police Department announced that over 250 arrests were made during spring break due to unruly visitors to the city.

Spring breakers still found a way to wreak havoc on Miami Beach despite the city “breaking up” with them. Officials confirmed that over 250 arrests were made during their crackdown on destructive partying.

The New York Post obtained images of crowded beaches filled with coeds. To prevent an influx of recklessness and violence, Miami Beach implemented a curfew in an effort to curb partiers.

Despite beach access being restricted from midnight until morning on back-to-back weekends, law enforcement still made a significant number of arrests.

A spokesperson for the Miami Beach Police Department disclosed that 256 arrests were made between March 1 and March 16. Most if not all of the incidents involved college-aged vacationers.

Miami is attempting to limit the rowdiness it’s became known for as a spring break hotspot. The city government not only enforced a curfew but increased parking fees, bag and DUI checks, and a heightened police presence. And Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dispatched more than 140 state troopers to handle the crowds.

The Miami Police Department assured the public that no incidents have escalated to last year’s violence.

“While some arrests were made during the evening, we can confirm that all incidents were handled efficiently and in a controlled manner by our law enforcement personnel,” it stated.

Fatal shootings occurred last year due to unruly visitors to Miami, resulting in the city’s “breakup” with spring break. The South Florida city announced in a commercial that college kids were not welcome due to past behavior.

The campaign did not prevent all from voyaging to Miami, and mass arrests were made to combat the yearly anarchy. Yet considering the years prior, significant strides were made to ensure that residents were not subjected to the spring break chaos.

career, switch, mistakes, dreams, goals, SMART, negotiate, salar, Toxic Job Resource Guide

by Stacey Tisdale

March 20, 2024

Women’s History Month: 5 Tips To Get What You’re Worth

If you're a professional woman, you won't want to forget these four pivotal tips in negotiating for what you deserve at work and beyond.

Originally published March 9, 2015

I’m not sure if a man or a woman came up with the phrase “Nice girls don’t ask,” but when you look at what not asking has cost women when it comes to salaries, pay raises, and loans, it’s hard to believe that a woman put that out there.

Research has shown that women feel a great deal of apprehension when it comes to asking for money, with some experts saying that men initiate negotiations four times as often as women. In addition, a study on social conditioning and gender differences found that only 7% of females graduating professional school attempted to negotiate their first salary, compared to 57% of men.

A costly move when you consider the data generated around the topic.

Failure to negotiate a first salary can cause an individual to lose more than $500,000 by the age of 60.
Women pay when they avoid negotiating the price of a car.
Women earn about 40% of businesses in the U.S., but receive only 2.3% of the available equity capital needed for growth.

Analysts and researchers are quick to cite that much of women’s lack of negotiation prowess is due to social conditioning. Many have been socialized since birth to play a supporting role, put the needs of others ahead of their own, and avoid conflict. This results in a lack of confidence when it comes to things like asking for money.

This may be true, but that line of thinking can diminish the fact that the world does not like what it perceives to be aggressive behavior by women. The social incentives and gender study also found that women who negotiated faced a penalty greater than men, with many reporting a difference in how they were treated and how their work was viewed.

The fact is that women walk a virtual tightrope when it comes to needing to negotiate and needing to fit in. The next time you have to negotiate for a salary, loan, or pay raise:

1. Raise your expectations:

Don’t feel like you must accept the first offer you receive. According to WomenDontAsk, women expect to earn between 3% and 32% less than men for the same job. In addition, men expect to earn 13% more during their first year of full-time work and 32% more over their careers.

2. Know what you’re worth:

Find out what other people in similar professions are making. Talk to friends in your profession. Websites like Payscale and Salary can be helpful.

3. Don’t be confrontational:

Women who promote their ambitions are often labeled as “bitches” or “too pushy,” and are treated accordingly in corporate structures and loan negotiations. These stereotypes are deeply ingrained into our culture. Be direct, but use style, charm, and finesse. Remember, you are a goddess and a queen.

4. Practice makes perfect:

Whether it’s practicing in front of a mirror or practicing with a friend, rehearse what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. Visualize yourself in the interview or salary negotiation and rehearse what it’s like to be that person. Do this on a regular basis. You don’t want to wait until the night before your year-end performance review to practice what you’re going to say.

5. Keep your options open:

Always explore what’s happening in your job market. Keep up with your contacts and networking. It is always better to negotiate when you feel like you have other options. It will give you a sense of power.

The world has a long way to go when it comes to putting men and women on a level financial playing field. That makes it imperative that we empower ourselves by developing the negotiating skills we need in order to thrive. Figure out your goals, what they cost, what you’re worth, and don’t settle for anything less, even if it means moving to a new environment in order to be valued.

Fior Scotch, scotch, veteran, Dominijanni, marine major, retired, alcohol, cancer

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 20, 2024

“Rock The Bells” Releases New Limited Edition Knob Creek Bourbon”

Rock The Bells has teamed up with Knob Creek for a new limited-edition bourbon line that merges whiskey with hip-hop culture.

Rock The Bells has teamed up with Knobb Creek for a new limited-edition bourbon line that merges whiskey with hip-hop culture.

Dubbed Knob Creek x Rock The Bells, the new whiskey presents a single-barrel bourbon line that’s been aged nine years, says Robb Report. It’s a result of Knob Creek, part of the Kentucky-made Jim Beam Small Batch Collection, securing a partnership with LL’s lifestyle/media brand and touring festival, Rock The Bells.

Hip-hop is at the forefront of the new collaboration, with names like Wu-Tang’s Raekwon joining the advertising campaign by giving out signed bottles at a few liquor stores in New York earlier this month. Made to “honor the foundational elements of hip-hop while nurturing its future,” according to Knob Creek, the limited-edition bourbon line celebrates the timeless legacy of hip-hop and the spirit of collaboration.

Not much is known about the new bourbon that will continue its rollout into 2024. It’s the second hip-hop-based partnership Knob Creek has launched in recent months.

In November, the whiskey company teamed up with Kentucky native Jack Harlow for a limited-edition bourbon with a suggested retail price of $59.99. The bourbon was only available in the cities where the rapper was performing as part of his “No Place Like Home” tour. Proceeds from the bourbon sales benefitted Harlow’s nonprofit, the Jack Harlow Foundation. His parents, Maggie and Brian Harlow, selected the whiskey along with Jim Beam master distillers Fred and Freddie Noe.

Raekwon’s involvement in the Knob Creek x Rock The Bells collaboration follows Wu-Tang producer and film director RZA’s partnership with scotch brand Ballantine for the 7 American Barrel x RZA Limited Edition. The blended scotch was aged for seven years and finished in American oak casks. It was inspired by a poem RZA wrote about his experience visiting Scotland.

Other rappers who have launched whiskey endeavors and campaigns in recent years include Drake (Virginia Black) and A$AP Rocky (Mercer + Prince).