Kai Cenat Obtain Philanthropist’s Credit Card To Donate Items To Compton Community
'I asked for MrBeast’s credit card. And guess what I’m about to do?'
Bronx-native and popular online streamer Kai Cenat has teamed up with another popular YouTuber, James Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, to purchase items to donate to residents in the Compton neighborhood.
According to Dexerto, during a June 25 livestream, Cenat announced that he had obtained a credit card from MrBeast and would use it to give back to the community, which he did on July 1 in Compton. MrBeast is a philanthropist who has amassed over 295 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Some of his listed accomplishments include building wells in Africa, giving millions to charity, donating over 100 cars, and many other things, as per his YouTube channel.
Kai said, “I’m copping everybody mad s**t.”
Social media posts revealed the gamer keeping his promise as he appeared in Compton giving away free footwear from the back of a truck allegedly purchased from Cool Kicks. A video clip shows a large crowd gathered at the truck as Kai is seen giving out the sneakers obtained by him.
Kai Cenat pulled up in Compton to give away free shoes after cashing out at Cool Kicks. pic.twitter.com/oW1rQPOixr
Another clip revealed that Kai gave away electronics, including televisions and iPhones, to the people who gathered to receive them.
Kai Cenat pulled up to the hood in Compton with the credit card Mr Beast gave him to spend which Kai proceeded to match and gave away so much to the youth 🔥🔥🔥
Kai allegedly matched the amount used to purchase the gifts as well.
Metro reported that he stated, on video, that he would match the amount with “his own money.”
“I asked for MrBeast’s credit card. And guess what I’m about to do?
‘I’m about to go back to the hood and copping everybody mad s**t. If it’s a hundred, I’ll match it. If it’s a million. I don’t got a million,’ he said.
Earlier this year, the 22-year-old announced he had inked a partnership deal with Nike, becoming the first streamer to partner with the sports giant.
“I would like to announce that we are officially a part of the Nike family. This has been a long time waiting.”
Cheyney University, Oldest HBCU In U.S., Has Accreditation Reaffirmed
However, the school also referred to the decision to remove its probation as "long-overdue."
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the nation’s oldest HBCU, has had its accreditation reaffirmed in a critical win. The institution had been on probation since November 2023.
The HBCU revealed encouraging news of its reconfirmed status and removal from probation on July 1. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) originally placed it on probation. The agency claimed the school lacked sufficient evidence of operating according to standard procedure.
“Cheyney University appreciates [MSCHE’s] review of our accreditation and its decision to remove our probationary status as of June 27, 2024,” explained the university in a statement obtained by Fox 29.
“This reaffirmation of accreditation by MSCHE validates our unwavering commitment to academic and operational excellence. It also reinforces our view that an accreditation process must be fair and transparent for all higher education institutions, including HBCUs.”
However, the school also referred to the decision to remove its probation as “long overdue.” They stated that the positive assessment made by three distinct MSCHE-appointed peer evaluations, all occurring between February 2023 and April 2024, should have granted a reaffirmation before now.
They added, “While we agree with this decision, we remain disappointed by the process of arriving at this long-overdue outcome and will continue to advocate for equity and transparency. This current Commission decision is consistent with the assessment of three separate MSCHE-appointed peer evaluator teams that visited Cheyney’s campus between February 2023 and April 2024 and formally reported that Cheyney appears to meet the Commission’s Standards of Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation.”
The news of its reaffirmed accreditation is a spark of hope for fellow HBCUs at risk of losing theirs. Saint Augustine’s University, for instance, continues its fight to keep the doors open amid the threat of shutting down.
The North Carolina HBCU has faced financial woes and alleged “mismanagement.” The issue resulted in delayed payments to faculty and students sent home early, with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS) placing the institution on probation this year. The school’s accreditation remains on hold as it hopes to raise $32 million to absolve its debts and continue operations.
In the meantime, Cheyney must submit a customary monitoring report by March 2025 to ensure its compliance. As part of its eight-year accreditation cycle, it will receive another evaluation visit during the 2030-31 school year.
Regardless of the delayed outcome, Cheyney remarked on its “undeniable progress” in keeping the storied institution open for more generations of HBCU students.
“Middle States’ decision reflects the undeniable progress the Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has achieved under the stewardship of our administration, the dedication of faculty and staff, and the relentless support of our countless advocates who have stood by Cheyney throughout this entire process, so we can serve our students and continue to uphold the legacy of our institution.”
Mentor Or Business Coach? Here’s How To Determine What You Really Need
Either way, you have to put in the work.
Originally Published Oct. 19, 2022.
One of the most frequent questions business owners ask me is, “Can you be my mentor?” I’m not a mentor, nor am I a business coach, so my answer is always “no.”
Recently, I decided instead to ask someone what they were actually looking for. One owner told me she wanted guidance and direction on her business and entrepreneurial journey.
What is a business mentor?
A business mentor is often someone you know or are acquainted with. They’re someone who cares about you and is interested or invested in seeing you succeed.
With a mentor, you likely won’t need to meet on a regular basis. They might check in on you from time to time and if you have a question; they’re available to take your call. Overall, the mentors in my life are business friends who I turn to for tactical business issues, but also for emotional support.
What is a business coach?
A business coach is a different person, and is often someone you hire and schedule to meet with on a regular basis. You usually have full permission to call them within an agreed upon timeframe. Business coaches expect and want you to connect with them as much as you need because it’s their obligation to you based on what you pay them.
There isn’t a set rule on how to work with a business coach. You might work with a business coach for a year or more. While another coach might take you through a defined curriculum that lasts 30 to 60 days.
How do you find a business mentor or coach?
Whether you’re looking for a mentor or a coach, it’s important to know that the best relationships take time and a mutual understanding. However, be careful from whom you get advice. You want a coach or mentor with proven expertise and experience who can help you find the best solutions for you and your business. A business coach and mentor can help clarify questions like:
Does my business have to run Facebook ads?
Does my business have to hold webinars to drive leads?
Should I scale my business?
I recommend you get a mentor you’ve known for some time and know a bit about their background and journey. Maybe they’re a mature and seasoned business owner you met at church or another parent you got to know through your child’s third-grade class.
On the other hand, many professional business coaches actively network for clients through podcasts, webinars, and even digital advertisements to make business owners like you aware of their services. Before you hire a coach, spend some time listening to their free content to get a feel for who they are, how they deliver, and what their expertise is.
How much will it cost me?
A mentor is often free. There are several people in my life who call or email me for quick input on things like referrals to other vendors or suggestions on their website.
Of course, I don’t charge them for this because they are friends I want to see succeed.
For a business coach, you should expect to pay for their services, but there’s not one set price. You might pay $50,000 for a six-month intense program with them, a monthly fee, or by the hour. Before you lock in and pay a huge fee for a coach, be sure they’re the right fit for you and your business. Get referrals and spend the extra time getting to know them as best you can.
Are you ready?
Before you hire a business coach or work with a mentor be absolutely sure you’re ready. Ask yourself questions like:
Is my mind open to advice?
Am I ready to implement someone else’s suggestions?
Am I prepared to consider that my way might not be the best way?
Am I willing to go beneath the surface to explore how the emotional and personal aspects of my life affect my business success?
Use multiple advisors
Just because you’ve hired one business coach or have one mentor doesn’t mean you’ve “arrived.” Over the years I’ve had several different mentors and coaches who’ve helped me reach success. Yacov Wrocherinsky is an entrepreneur in New York City and the founder of Orion Global Solutions. Years later, he remains a true mentor. Even though we’re the same age, he’s built larger and more complex businesses than I have. I visit Yacov’s offices several times a year and we remain in touch by phone. He pushes me to think in different ways about my business and to raise my standard of success.
Some business coaches might specialize in mindset and sales. Others might have more experience in e-commerce and digital advertising.
Regardless, business coaches should have several years of experience building businesses and especially a successful business of their own—I recommend more than one business. Some other things you can ask your business coach or mentor is what books they read, podcasts they listen to, and events they attend. If they’re not investing in themselves first, be cautious.
Article written by Ramon Ray, the founder of ZoneofGenius.
Keisha Lance Bottoms Joins Biden Campaign As Senior Advisor
As the 2024 race heats up, the former judge is taking on the senior advisor role, heavily supporting Biden's people-first approach.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has stepped into a crucial role as senior advisor for President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign.
The seasoned politician and legal expert brings a wealth of experience to the table, aiming to fortify the connection between the Black community and the Biden-Harris ticket. Lance Bottoms, who served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2021, views this election as paramount.
“We often say that each election is the most important election of our lifetime,” Bottoms told Ebony. “This one absolutely is.” The new senior advisor highlighted the stark contrast between the current administration and its predecessor. As part of the Biden-Harris administration, she emphasizes Biden’s people-first approach, citing achievements in job creation, student debt relief, and efforts to narrow the racial wealth gap.
Lance Bottoms’s legal acumen spans three decades, including six years as a judge. This background equips her to offer valuable insights on judicial matters, and the former judge recently expressed concern over the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling. “This is not a Supreme Court that I recognize,” she said. “The Supreme Court has certainly given him a lot of leeway to act on his worst impulses, and those impulses are pretty bad.”
.@KeishaBottoms: This is not a Supreme Court that I recognize. This Supreme Court, with these conservative justices appointed by Donald Trump, seems to consistently top every expectation we have that it can't get any worse. It's disappointing. I immediately thought about the… pic.twitter.com/9qRfHk322w
Various high-profile roles have marked her journey to this advisory position. In 2022, she replaced Cedric Richmond as director of the Office of Public Engagement, serving as a critical administration spokesperson. BLACK ENTERPRISE mentioned she briefly stepped away in February 2023 to focus on family. However, Lance Bottoms’ commitment to public policy remained unwavering. July 2023 saw her return to the White House as part of the President’s Export Council, showcasing her versatility in handling domestic and international affairs.
Now, as a senior advisor to Biden’s campaign, Lance Bottoms is poised to leverage her extensive experience in law, governance, and public engagement.
But you need to come prepared to get the money you deserve.
Originally Published Nov. 11, 2022.
The tension in the air these days…is palpable.
Despite what would be considered favorable economic conditions, pricing for consumer goods and services continues to surge, the cost of living is rising sharply, and industries are experiencing unprecedented labor shortages—all while workers are demanding and expecting more from their employers.
As an employee, it can seem overwhelming and unattainable to secure a raise in the midst of it all. Moreover, certain groups are up against the aforementioned challenges and face systemic inequalities when petitioning for increased compensation. A recent study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that Black men earned 76% of what white men earned in the first quarter of 2022, and Black women earned 57 cents for every dollar a white man earned. A report by the National Urban League further found that Black women are paid 38% less than white men and 21% less than white women.
While the data shows improvement in equality progression, there is still (surmountable) work to be done in pay equality. Today’s environment has led workers to be more aggressive and vocal about the value they add to an organization. Equally as important is that organizations recognize the value of experienced workers, which has led some organizations to recruit talent from other organizations. This has enhanced workers’ leverage to ask for and, in many cases, demand higher pay. With preparation, research, and understanding, workers can ask for a raise by presenting facts (not emotions).
Consider these steps when preparing to ask for a raise:
Understand what you bring to the table
When you first joined the organization, you had a particular set of skills in line with the needs of your current role. From soft skills, such as collaboration and effective communication, to hard skills, like work experience, academic degrees, and professional certificates, you should look at yourself in earnest. Understand how your work throughout the years has contributed directly to your company’s financial success and supported your team and the organization in achieving its overall mission, vision, and values.
Understanding your skill-set is the starting point for evaluating the appropriate approach to asking for a raise. Start your self-evaluation by assessing annual performance reviews from your supervisors and company leadership. Take note of your direct contributions to the company’s profitability and key contributions you have made throughout your employment.
In your area of responsibility, understand where you rank among your peers. Understand whether you are one of the best performers and if you are viewed as a strong contributor and member of the team. Review your responsibilities against those of your colleagues to understand if your responsibilities are redundant in the organization.
Once you have compiled these details, you will have a more accurate view of how you are valued within the organization and a better understanding of how your strengths and performance are aligned with company objectives.
Understand the current state of the company
Knowing the financial state of the company is critical. It is important to know the company’s financial performance over the fiscal year so that you can better ascertain whether the company is in a financial position to provide you with a raise. If the company is struggling financially, leadership may be looking at two components of the business: how to generate revenue (income/sales) and how to reduce controllable expenses. The number-one controllable expense is often payroll, a common reason for company layoffs.
If the company is thriving and the financial performance over the past fiscal year indicates the company is growing, the leaders are focused on what is driving the financial success and who are the people responsible for this financial success; a great opportunity to reiterate and reinforce the value you provide the organization.
Prioritize facts over emotions
Asking for a raise should be about facts, not emotions. Facts do not have to be proven; facts can be assessed and reviewed. When requesting a raise, especially amid inflation, a key component to keep in mind is to let data drive your decision. Leveraging data eliminates the emotional context.
Leveraging the facts you have assembled, from your performance to that of the company’s in combination with industry research on what workers in your role with similar expertise are being compensated, will help you determine the amount to request.
You will want to request a pay rate that aligns with your position and doesn’t exceed the pay of supervisors and leadership. That would likely inhibit your chances of getting approval for the request and may indicate a lack of institutional and industry knowledge. Be reasonable and logical in your request when asking for a raise.
Consider what else you can get
A raise might not always be feasible. If that were the case, you should be armed with other asks that hold equal value. From a shorter work week, remote options, and relocation, to more paid vacation, personal time, or an increased bonus, there are several alternative ways to be compensated.
Think about what would be most beneficial to you and research alternatives that could impact your day-to-day work. Be prepared to address any skepticism and to address the benefit to you and the company. It’s always good to come with options in hand.
Thoughtfully engage your supervisor and leadership
Get some time on the calendar to speak with your supervisor about a raise. Come prepared to outline your raise request and alternatives, if necessary. Be sure to present the relevant facts on your role, achievements, value, and personal contribution to the bottom line and industry standards. Be prepared to address potential questions and even pushback. Stand in your truth, and know your worth and value. You can decide if and when to bend on your ask. Be prepared for multiple outcomes, including potentially seeking new employment if your appeal is not considered, settling for an alternative means of compensation, or the best outcome, getting the raise you requested, and continuing to grow and thrive at your organization.
Either way, you will never know what could be if you do not ask.
WTH? Supreme Court Grants Presidential Immunity To Convicted Felon Donald Trump In Landmark Ruling
This is America...
In a landmark ruling on July 1, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for actions within his constitutional powers as president.
The controversial decision marks the first recognition of any form of presidential immunity from prosecution. The 6-3 ruling, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, overturned a lower court’s decision that had rejected Trump’s claim of immunity from federal criminal charges related to his attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.
The court’s six conservative justices formed the majority, while its three liberal members dissented. The 119-page document delved into Trump’s actions.
Trump, who is a staunch Republican, threw his hat in the election ring to run against Biden, a Democrat, in the upcoming November 5 U.S. election.
The Supreme Court’s lengthy deliberation and decision to return key questions about the scope of Trump’s immunity to the trial judge make it unlikely that he will be tried on these charges before the election. Special Counsel Jack Smith, appointed in November 2022, brought the charges against the disgraced former president.
Chief Justice Roberts wrote, “We conclude that under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power requires that a former president have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office.” Roberts further stated that immunity for former presidents is “absolute” concerning their “core constitutional powers” and that a former president has “at least a presumptive immunity” for “acts within the outer perimeter of his official responsibility,” meaning prosecutors face a high legal bar to overcome this presumption.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, along with her liberal peers – Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson– penned a terse dissent, saying the ruling effectively creates a “law-free zone around the president.”
“When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majority’s reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune,” Sotomayor wrote.
“In every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law,” Sotomayor added.
“Departing from the traditional model of individual accountability, the majority has concocted something entirely different: a Presidential accountability model that creates immunity — an exemption from criminal law— applicable only to the most powerful official in our Government,” Brown Jackson explained.
The new ruling could impact parts of the special counsel’s case as U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan considers the extent of Trump’s immunity.
X users weighed in on the new ruling. Here are some of the best responses.
BREAKING:
The conservative Supreme Court just ruled that Donald Trump has absolute immunity from criminal charges for official acts, but no immunity from unofficial acts.
Diversify Your Board Members For A Diversity Of Viewpoints
Originally Published Oct. 25, 2022.
Few individuals are experts in everything. Even the cumulative expertise in most businesses could use input from more experts in diverse areas. This is why we have boards — a panel of experts in areas that fill in the gaps in our existing company knowledge base.
But even once we find the right group of experts from our industry to take a seat on our board, we would still stand to benefit from the wisdom of more diverse perspectives and experiences. Their range of successes and failures becomes additional resources to put together more tried and tested strategies in the face of new challenges.
Outside board members can bring a lot to a company, but to find the right ones for the job, we need to know what to look for:
Outside experts bring more perspectives
Most companies (and boards, for that matter) still lack insight from people outside their industry. According to a study by Harvard Law, “Where once private company boards were dominated by members of management and investors, independent directors now make up slightly over half (51%) of the average private company’s board” A perfect marketing expert for a company could be someone from outside that company. Their experience could even be from outside of that company’s industry, but their new point of view might be exactly what the company needs to get its brand to the right audience. Their unbiased eyes can catch more company inefficiencies, see greater opportunities and ideate more innovative strategies.
This is also why diversity in race, gender, age and socioeconomic backgrounds drives innovation. Looking to outside board members to fill talent gaps opens up a larger pool for inclusivity. A 2020 Deloitte study found women held under 23% of board seats among Fortune 500 companies, and minority men, only 12%. But adding these points of view to a company’s leadership paints a complete picture of that company’s role in commerce and broader society. With this diversity of perspectives on our board, we position our company to be more innovative than most of our competition, still strategizing without them.
Look for strategic, outside-the-box thinkers
Besides looking outside your industry and broadening diversity, two main attributes indicate a high-quality outside board member: a strategic mind and outside-the-box thinking. Of course, someone with both would be ideal, but someone with either quality will drive any company in the right direction. Strategic thinkers analyze several variables when creating plans for achieving goals and generating new ideas. They stay on top of new opportunities while considering vulnerabilities. To do this, they ask many questions, welcome feedback, and self-reflect. They gather all the information before making decisions to make them decisively. With a strategic mind, even someone outside a company’s industry could still see how their skill set could be translated into a new field.
Most of us unknowingly follow some form of old ideas born out of antiquated lines of thinking, but outside-the-box thinkers easily step outside of those boundaries. They imagine radical new possibilities, question the status quo and stretch the boundaries of what’s achievable. Rather than fearing change, they embrace it as a new opportunity. An outside-the-box thinker will be able to see how their perspective and experience in other industries is advantageous to strategizing and innovating in a new one.
When it’s worth the risk, despite no industry experience
If you find a strategic or outside-the-box thinker, the next step is determining if they are suitable for your board, especially when they have no experience in your industry. If your company plans to do mergers and acquisitions, bring a person outside your industry with expertise in mergers and acquisitions. If you want to take your company public, find an outside expert in going public. If you can find someone who has already done what your company needs to do in several industries, this is an excellent indicator of their flexibility to step in and excel in yours.
Then, try to draw out those valuable skills that translate across all industries: strategy and innovative thinking. Get to know their strategic mind. Ask about their area of expertise and if they have a strategic plan for growth and improvement. Reveal outside-the-box thinkers by getting them to elaborate on how their skill sets apply to your industry. When you find the right people with the skill sets your company needs and the ability to pull ideas from different industries, this outside board member can be a key player in driving your company’s success.
Maryland Governor Declines White House Bid, Supports Biden’s Re-Election Campaign
Although many have called for Biden to exit the race after a poor debate performance, Moore said Biden has the support of the Democratic Party.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore stressed he is confident about President Joe Biden’s continuation in the presidential race, stating that he himself would not seek election if Biden were to withdraw. Moore made these remarks on CBS’s Face The Nation, countering calls for Biden’s exit following a lackluster debate performance. Emphasizing Biden’s backing within the Democratic Party, Moore affirmed his belief in Biden’s ongoing candidacy.
As The Hill reported, Moore has been one of Biden’s top surrogates in the race and declared on the program, “I will not, and Joe Biden is not going to take himself out of this race, nor should he. He has been a remarkable partner. Joe Biden is our nominee. Joe Biden is our leader. And Joe Biden has earned and Joe Biden deserves the confidence, the respect, and frankly, the partnership that we now have to provide to him. So I will be in Chicago. I will probably be supporting the president in Chicago. I will be a member to make sure he gets reelected. So yes, I think that President Biden has earned the respect.”
Moore, CBS News reports, has been one of the names floated as a potential replacement for President Biden were he to drop out, but he has continued to support Biden despite his “tough night” on the debate stage. Moore defended Biden’s record, saying on Face the Nation, “I saw when he said that he was going to be with us every step of the way that he is a man of his word. And I respect that, and I admire that and I will always stand by that. That is why I defend this president, that is why I need another four years.”
Moore continued, “I’m the youngest Democratic governor in this country, the only African American governor in America, and we’re out here all the time,” Moore said. “We’re going to the people and we’re making our case to the people as to why this kind of partnership matters.”
