by Rafael Pena

March 6, 2024

Sacramento State Pioneers Black Success Initiative And Black Honors College Aim To Empower Black Scholars

Sacramento State is launching the groundbreaking Black Student Success Task Force, accompanied by the innovative Black Honors College.

According to the State Hornet, in response to a nationwide decline in Black student enrollment and retention rates, the California State University system is taking bold steps to support its Black student community. Sacramento State is launching the groundbreaking Black Student Success Task Force, accompanied by the innovative Black Honors College—a first-in-the-nation initiative geared toward advancing the academic success of Black students.

The Black Student Success Task Force, a part of CSU’s 2025 Graduation Initiative, focuses on recruitment, retention, achievement, graduation, and fostering a sense of belonging for Black students on campus. With approximately 2,000 Black students, Sacramento State boasts the highest number of Black students across all CSU campuses, making it a vital hub for the Black community.

Mia Settles-Tidwell, vice president for Inclusive Excellence at Sacramento State, serves as the cabinet-level sponsor for the Black Success Initiative. The BSI aims to address historical inequalities by providing a supportive educational community for Black students in higher education. It aligns with the broader CSU initiative to ensure all students, regardless of racial, ethnic, and financial background, have the opportunity to earn a college degree.

Ernest Uwazie, director of the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution and Black Faculty Success co-chair, emphasizes the importance of retaining Black faculty to enhance the sense of belonging for Black students. Uwazie advocates for educating faculty to better understand and support the circumstances of Black students in the classroom.

Tina Jordan, co-chair of Black Student Success and member of Sac State’s Peer and Academic Resource Center, highlights the significance of creating inclusive classrooms. The BSI Task Force aims to address challenges faced by Black students, including professor mistreatment, and foster a sense of community and acceptance.

The Black Honors College, set to open in the fall of 2024, plays a pivotal role in realizing the goals of the Black Student Success Task Force. Designed around research, scholarship, and service centered on the Black experience and thought, the Black Honors College will provide individualized resources. President Luke Wood underlines the transformative impact of the Black Honors College, providing dedicated space and resources for academic excellence.

Priority admission for the Black Honors College is open until March 1, with standard admission available from April 1 to June 1. Students with a 3.5 Grade Point Average or higher are encouraged to apply, with financial aid opportunities provided.

Elijah Martin, Martin Luther King Jr. Center Outreach Coordinator, commends the Black Honors College for addressing the challenge of low Black student graduation rates. The institution-within-institution approach is hailed as an innovative solution to uplift and empower Black scholars.

Sacramento State’s commitment to the success of its students of color is evident in these groundbreaking initiatives, marking a historic moment for higher education and the Black community.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 6, 2024

Candace Owens: Diddy Scandal ‘Bigger Than The Jeffrey Epstein Case’

Candace Owens has shifted her focus to Sean "Diddy" Combs and the media's silence on his "explosive" sexual assault lawsuit.

Candace Owens has shifted her focus to Sean “Diddy” Combs and the media’s silence on his latest “explosive” sexual assault lawsuit.

The conservative pundit took to her podcast on Monday, March 4, to explore details in Combs’ most recent scandal and the media’s “sinister” silence around the case. Highlighting her five key takeaways from the recent suit, Owens argued that Combs’ growing legal battles were “bigger than the Jeffrey Epstein case” due to the high authority figures who could be involved.

“The Diddy case is arguably bigger than the Jeffrey Epstein case and yet the media is virtually silent on it,” she tweeted along with a link to her podcast. “That’s because they are implicated. It is dark, but we now know that both politicians and celebrities are being blackmailed.”

The Diddy case is arguably bigger than the Jeffrey Epstein case and yet the media is virtually silent on it.
That’s because they are implicated. It is dark, but we now know that both politicians and celebrities are being blackmailed.

Watch below:https://t.co/8SKrEyz3UC
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) March 4, 2024

In her YouTube caption, Owens pointed out why she believes the “media and Hollywood are trying to bury” the Combs lawsuits “for a very sinister reason.” Among her takeaways from Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones’ recent lawsuit against Combs includes the staffer whom the Bad Boy founder allegedly called to “clean up” his illegal activity.

“That individual will make sure that the right officers will write down the fake police reports and that those are then fed to the media to cover up murder,” Owens explained.

She also explained why she likened Combs to Jeffrey Epstein due to allegations of “blackmail” where the hip-hop mogul hosts alleged “freak offs” involving high-profile figures that could be implicated if the incidents became public.

“They all come and they have these drug-fused parties with underage boys with underage girls,” in X-rated soirees involving “multiple current rappers,” Owens claimed.

She outlined the lawsuit’s claims of the alleged freak offs being recorded to potentially “blackmail” those involved in a way where “Diddy owns you,” Owens said.

The case now has Owens questioning, “What even is gangster rap?”

“Is it something intentional? That they are intentionally feeding us filth via the media,” Owens said before making her connection between Combs and Epstein.

“I wonder if all of these artists are existing within this blackmail ring and where have we heard this before….oh yes, Jeffrey Epstein,” she declared.

Owens’ focus on Combs has riled up her followers who have started to question if the music executive is guilty of the growing suspicion surrounding his name. Jones is suing Combs for allegedly sexually harassing and threatening him for more than a year. Like the other sexual assault lawsuits against him, Combs is maintaining his innocence.

“Lil Rod is nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 million lawsuit shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday. His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines,” Combs’ lawyer Shawn Holley told TMZ.

“We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies. Our attempts to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn refuses to return our calls. We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those who make them.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 6, 2024

Angela Bassett Recalls Her ‘Supreme Disappointment’ With 2023 Oscars Loss

Angela Bassett can still recall the "supreme disappointment" of last year's Oscar loss.

Angela Bassett received her honorary Oscar earlier this year but can still recall her “supreme disappointment” in losing at the 2023 Academy Awards.

Many were outraged when Bassett lost the Best Supporting Actress category to Jamie Lee Curtis last year. Bassett was up for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever but lost to Curtis for her work in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

In January, Bassett accepted an Honorary Academy Award at the 14th Governors Awards.

However, she got candid in an OWN Spotlight with Oprah Winfrey about last year’s Oscar loss.

“I thought I handled it well. And that was my intention, to handle it very well,” she shared. “It was, of course, a supreme disappointment. And disappointment is human. I was disappointed and I handled it like a human being. I was [gracious] for myself and my children who were there with me.”

Bassett was featured in a profile for People last week where her husband Courtney B. Vance sounded off about his wife losing out on an Academy Award not once, but twice.

Fans of the 9-1-1 actress recall Bassett’s powerhouse portrayal of Tina Turner in the celebrated 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It. Her performance was critically acclaimed, but Holly Hunter took home Best Actress for The Piano at the 1994 Oscars.

“The honorary Oscar was a wonderful night, but I flashed back to 30 years ago when they didn’t call her name, and then when they didn’t call her name last March,” Vance said. “This was an opportunity for her to stand up there. A lot of people saw it, but not the billion people that would see it at the Oscars. But it meant everything to her.”

Vance noted how “shy” Bassett is and how “she’ll never toot her own horn.” Now Bassett finally has an Academy Award of her own, even if it is honorary.

“One of the things that always that I say to myself and to my kids is, ‘Find the good and praise it,'” she said.

by Rafael Pena

March 6, 2024

Financial Experts Give Tips On How To Maximize Your Tax Refund

As tax season unfolds, the prospect of a tax refund becomes a beacon of financial reward for many individuals.

As tax season unfolds, the prospect of a tax refund becomes a beacon of financial reward for many individuals, according to ABC News. The approach taken during the filing process can significantly impact the size of the refund, with financial experts highlighting key strategies to optimize returns.

One crucial decision for tax filers is choosing between standard deductions and itemized deductions. The standard deduction, set at $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married filers this year, provides a straightforward reduction in taxable income.

However, itemized deductions, which include expenses like charitable donations, gambling losses, and mortgage interest, can surpass the standard deduction for some individuals. Dan White, founder of financial advisory firm Daniel A. White & Associates, notes that while the standard deduction is preferable for most filers due to its expansion under the 2017 tax overhaul, those opting for itemized deductions should consolidate eligible expenses in a single calendar year to maximize the deduction.

In addition to deductions, tax credits offer another avenue for increasing refunds. Gregory King, a certified public accountant and tax specialist with financial advisory firm Empower, emphasizes the often-overlooked importance of tax credits. “Everyone typically thinks of itemizing their deductions to increase the return, but many people forget to check tax credits, which can make a big difference,” said King to ABC News.

For instance, the electric vehicle tax credit, providing up to $7,500 for eligible vehicles, and the home energy efficiency tax credit, offering a 30% refund on renovation costs, can significantly impact returns. The child tax credit, currently at $2,000 per child, may also see an expansion to $3,600 if recent legislative measures pass.

Contributing to a retirement account emerges as a reliable method for tax savings. Contributions to accounts such as 401(k)s and traditional IRAs are tax-deductible, offering a double benefit of reducing taxable income and securing a financial nest egg for the future. Financial adviser James Cox of Harris Financial Group encourages individuals to take advantage of this opportunity before the tax filing deadline on April 15.

Lastly, while it’s too late to impact the current tax season, making tax-deductible donations can be a consistent strategy for future returns. Experts advise planning such contributions strategically to align with financial goals.

As tax filers navigate the complexities of deductions and credits, these insights from financial experts can guide them toward a more substantial tax refund, providing a welcome financial boost during tax season.

RELATED CONTENT: How To Budget For Unexpected Windfalls

Isabella Strahan, Michael Strahan, Fever

by Stacy Jackson

March 6, 2024

Isabella Strahan Hospitalized After Experiencing Severe Fever

After undergoing a blood transfusion and eye MRI, the model was hospitalized again 12 hours later with a 102°F fever.

Michael Strahan’s daughter, Isabella Strahan, candidly documented her arduous recovery following her first round of chemotherapy for a brain tumor.

In her latest YouTube vlog, the 19-year-old model revealed she ended up back in the hospital due to persistent fevers. “I’ve just been getting a lot of fevers. If you get a fever of 100.4, you have to come in,” Isabella explained.

After an initial three-day stay involving a blood transfusion and eye MRI, she had her chemo port cleaned and was discharged, only to be readmitted less than 12 hours later with a 102-degree F fever. “We left the hospital…and now we’re back less than 12 hours later because I have a fever again. No one can find out what’s wrong,” she said, adding, “This is the worst fever I think I’ve had.”

The March 5 vlog continued with Isabella undergoing unexpected surgery to drain fluid from the back of her head. “I’ll be under anesthesia, but not what I planned…because I didn’t plan on coming back,” she admitted.

As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Isabella’s father, Michael, opened up about her setbacks on Good Morning America last month. “The last three days have been rough…she had a fever…I had to take her to the hospital…” the former NFL star told fellow co-anchors Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos on Feb. 21. Though it’s been difficult, he remained optimistic. “It is tough to see her go through it, but I know she’s a tough young lady, and she’s going to make it through.”

“This is a big bag of chemo!”@MichaelStrahan’s daughter Isabella takes us through the next chapter of her cancer journey as she begins chemotherapy treatment for medulloblastoma. https://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/1u3Cx0x6qu
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 21, 2024

BE mentioned that Isabella has been documenting her journey since undergoing an emergency surgery last October to remove a medulloblastoma brain tumor. The model began rehabilitation, and several rounds of radiation treatment after the tumor was removed on Oct. 27, 2023.

Isabella encourages supporters to donate to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke as she continues to share her journey.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 6, 2024

‘Euphoria’ Actress Hasn’t Paid Rent In 6 Months, Calls Out Zendaya Attending Paris Fashion Week

One of the "Euphoria" stars is urging for the show's return since she reportedly hasn't "paid rent in six months."

One of the Euphoria stars is urging the show’s return because she has reportedly not “paid rent in six months.”

Nika King, who plays Rue’s mother, Leslie Bennett, on the hit HBO drama, is sounding off on the show’s extended pause. With Season 3 not returning until 2025, King is opening up about how the delay impacts her finances and career.

“Season 3 is coming out…I don’t fu*king know. Don’t ask me. I don’t know,” she said in a TikTok clip she shared from her standup set at LA’s Improv Lab. “People are like, ‘We need Season 3!’ and I’m like, ‘Bi*ch, I need Season 3!’”

Zendaya, who plays the lead role of Rue, was already a star in high demand before booking Euphoria. Once the show premiered and struck gold with viewers, the series helped catapult the careers of rising stars like Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Colman Domingo.

However, for other cast members like King, the casting calls haven’t been as frequent, and she jokingly revealed how it’s affecting her finances.

“I haven’t paid my rent in six months, and Zendaya’s over in Paris at Fashion Week, and I’m like, ‘Bi*ch, come home! I need you!'” she said.

@iamnikaking Pkease stop asking me about s3 #euphoria #hbo #zendaya #ruemamawildin ♬ original sound – iamnikaking

King thought her role in Euphoria would help her acting career and result in more bookings. However, it’s been the exact opposite.

“I’m serious. I haven’t booked nothing since Euphoria,” she revealed.

“This is some bullsh*t. I thought my career was on the rise after Euphoria; I thought I was good. It don’t work that way. I called Taraji [P. Henson] and she was like, ‘Bi*ch, get used to it.’”

In the time since Euphoria released its second season in early 2022, King secured a small role playing Alya, the mother of Nevine (Chloe Colman), in Adam Driver’s 2023 sci-fi movie 65. She’s also named in two projects coming in 2024, a short titled The Rebel Girls and a drama film titled Possum Trot.

Plies, Black men, white men, man, issues, money, checks

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 6, 2024

Plies Credits Black Men’s Silence On Black Issues To Payouts From ‘The White Man’

Plies is calling out Black men's silence on issues impacting the Black community and crediting it to receiving "checks" from "the white man."

Plies is calling out Black men’s silence on issues impacting the Black community and crediting it to receiving “checks” from “the white man.”

The Florida rapper sounded off on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday, March 4, with a tweet that sparked a debate around Black men speaking out on the issues impacting the community as a whole. According to Plies, Black men (including his peers in the entertainment industry) are seemingly quiet on major issues due to financial alliance with white donors, and they only speak out when those financial interests no longer align.

“Most Black Men Don’t Speak On Black Issues (Publicly). Until The White Man Stop Paying Them. The Checks Have To Stop 1st B4 They Come Off Mute!!!” he wrote.

Most Black Men Don’t Speak On Black Issues (Publicly). Until The White Man Stop Paying Them. The Checks Have To Stop 1st B4 They Come Off Mute!!!
— Plies (@plies) March 4, 2024

The bold statement received strong responses from Plies’ followers and fellow X users, with some agreeing and others explaining why some Black men might avoid addressing certain topics publicly.

“Well, it’s easier for Black Men to lose their job & harder for them to get a job or be hired @plies Maybe this is one of the reasons,” one user wrote.

“Don’t let social media fool you. Most people that have regular jobs don’t speak publicly about most issues,” added someone else.

Others also accused Plies himself of being guilty of this charged accusation.

“Are you talking about yourself?” one user asked.

“Would you say you’re the same? When have you talked about reparations or a Black agenda?” asked another user.

Since his 2007 rap debut with his single “Shawty,” Plies has positioned himself as a vocal advocate within hip-hop. The Fort Myers native often uses social media to express his views on topics related to politics, social justice, and the Black community.

His latest posts on X include calling out Donald Trump’s alleged meeting with X owner Elon Musk to borrow money, applauding youth football coaches for mentoring young players on money management, and supporting NFL alum Emmitt Smith for criticizing the University of Florida’s decision to eliminate DEI positions.

Other rappers and public figures like Plies use their platforms to shed light on social justice issues and topics related to the Black community. However, his latest tweet illuminates the continued lack of mobilized advocacy within the Black community and prominent Black men’s role in it.

workplace, office, team, department, leaving, expert, office, blindsided, boss, leadership, leader, management, boss, manager, tips, discrimination, Arbitration

by Courtney Connley

March 6, 2024

How To React When You’ve Been Blindsided By A Coworker

Don't let your frustration get the better of you.

Originally Published April 28, 2016.

While being blindsided by a coworker is never ideal, it’s a situation that many of us have or will experience in the workplace. If you find yourself in a predicament with a coworker that you feel is shady, use the below tips to sort through the situation.

Communicate

Getting last minute notice that a coworker is leaving your team or dividing their time between your department and someone else’s department is never a good thing, but one that can easily happen to us. Rather than getting upset with your coworker about their lack of communication, be the bigger person: Ask them directly what’s happening. A simple conversation can help you clarify any fuzzy details and it will allow you to hear an explanation for why things unfolded the way they did.

Be honest

Being honest with a colleague isn’t always easy, but it’s the necessary thing to do if you really want them to understand how you feel. Opening up about why you felt a situation was wrong will not only help to prevent your coworker from handling things the same way in the future, it can help them to reflect and rethink their approach to things and how it affects those around them.

Take time to assess the situation

Oftentimes, we jump to conclusions about a situation that we feel we were excluded from. Who else knows besides me? Why was I the last person to find out? Before getting lost in the situation, take time to really assess how things panned out. Ask yourself, “Is this a situation that involves my input? Do I only want to be in the loop for egotistical reasons? If the answer to these questions is “yes,” reassess why you’re stressing about the situation.

RELATED CONTENT: Ask Sheree: How To Deal With Racist Coworkers

FIDELITY: WEALTH BUILDING TIMELINE, funding, pitch deck, team, traction,

by Sequoia Blodgett

March 6, 2024

Craft A Pitch Deck That Will Get You Some Funding

Pitching an idea can determine the amount of funding, if any, your company receives. Here are 7 key components to include in a pitch deck.

Originally Published Nov. 27, 2016

In startup land, pitching is all the rage! Last fall, I co-starred on a show on ABC Family (now Freeform) called Startup U, and the one topic that got us a massive spike in viewership was fundraising. Everyone wants to know the secrets.

Here are the key components from my pitch deck that got my company funding from legendary venture capitalist Tim Draper.

Problem:

When you are looking at the problem, you need to ask yourself two very specific questions:

What is the problem that I am trying to solve?
Do enough people also have this problem?

The answers to these questions alone will tell you if you are wasting your time seeking venture investment. Venture capitalists want to know that you are solving big problems.

Solution:

What solution have you come up with for the problem you are attempting to solve, and is this the correct solution to solve it? You will know that by going out and testing the market. If enough people believe you are solving their problem, then you are headed in the right direction.

Market Size:

How big is the market opportunity? Venture capitalists want to know that you are going after a HUGE market. They want your solution to solve a problem for millions and millions of individuals. If your solution only solves a problem for a few people, it might make a great business, but it may not necessarily be ripe for venture capital investment.

Business Model:

Every VC wants to know how you will make money. Is it through revenue shares, advertising sales, or a freemium business model? Whatever the case may be, you need to have a plan for generating revenue.

Competitive Landscape:

Who are your competitors? How is your solution different from or better than theirs? If your answer is, “I have no competitors,” a VC will look at you as if you have two heads attached to your body.

Every company has competitors. They may not be direct competitors, but you should most certainly know who your competitors are.

Traction:

This refers to growth. How many customers do you have? Are they paying customers? How much are they growing month-over-month?

Team:

Who makes up your team? Are they all qualified to work on the solution? Furthermore, do their skill sets overlap, or are they each contributing differently to the business? Also, how long did the team know each other before deciding to go into business together? These are very important factors that a VC will consider when investing.

Now, I say this all to say that this is not the be-all and end-all. There are many interpretations of this, but I can guarantee that if you go into your investor meeting with these items checked off, you are much more likely to leave with some form of financing.

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 6, 2024

Super Tuesday Results Prove President Biden and Donald Trump Are Here To Stay

So we're doing 2020 all over again?

The results from Super Tuesday prove that deja vu is real. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are steps closer to being their party’s official nominees—again—for president of the United States in November 2024.

More than 12 states hosted primary elections or caucuses on March 5 to determine who’s name would be on Election Day ballots. Both Biden and Trump dominated their races. Biden secured close to 80% of the vote, showing the clear support of the Democratic Party, but Biden can only beat who is present on ballots. Some progressives cast “uncommitted” ballots rather than voting for Biden.

However, analysts worry that voters are unforgiving of Biden’s support for Israel and refusal to call for a ceasefire publicly. On the same day, he doubled down on his support on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The United States is committed to pulling out every stop to get more aid to those in Gaza who desperately need it,” he tweeted.

“We won’t stand by. We won’t let up.”

The United States is committed to pulling out every stop to get more aid to those in Gaza who desperately need it.

We won't stand by.

We won't let up.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 5, 2024

Trump experienced similar strengths and weaknesses. He secured strong support despite losing Vermont to candidate Nikki Haley. By the end of Tuesday night, the potential GOP nominee had 893 of the 1,215 delegates needed to clinch the nomination. Haley had just 66. “They call it Super Tuesday for a reason. This is a big one,” Trump said from his election watch party at Mar-a-Lago.

“And they tell me, the pundits and otherwise, that there’s never been one like this.”

Following the disappointing results, Haley has suspended her campaign. Speaking to her supporters in Charleston, South Carolina, the former Palmetto State governor said the work doesn’t stop because democracy is on the line. “I couldn’t be more worried about America,” Haley said, according to NPR. “It seems like our country is falling apart. But here’s the thing — America will come apart if we make the wrong choices.”

Former Trump supporters share similar sentiments. Across the country, voters have expressed their willingness to cross party lines because they refuse to support Trump. “Anything but Trump,” one supporter said. After a reporter asked a follow-up question, the man said Trump still being in the race was why he voted for Haley.

Nikki Haley is done, but her voters will do something special.

THEY WILL RE-ELECT JOE BIDEN. pic.twitter.com/0i7i4Hede8
— Grant Stern  (@grantstern) March 6, 2024

Several Republican supporters are disappointed in the results of Super Tuesday, especially in North Carolina. GOP voters nominated controversial Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as the nominee for governor. Robinson poses a severe threat to supporters of abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. As a Black Republican, Robinson has been openly critical of the Holocaust, denying it ever happened, and proposed that Black people owe white people reparations for bringing them here as slaves.

However, he still secured an endorsement from Trump, who called Robinson “an incredible gentleman.”

There is still hope in Josh Stein, the current attorney general. He grabbed the Democratic nomination, supported by outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper. Serving as AG since 2017, he set himself apart from fellow nominees, including former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Morgan.