by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 25, 2024

Snoop Dogg ‘Hated’ Cussing Out Kids In His Foulmouthed Sports Comedy Film

Snoop Dogg's new sports-comedy film coming to Amazon Prime is all about paying homage to his hometown of Long Beach, California, in a foulmouthed type of way.

Snoop Dogg has a new sports comedy film coming to Amazon Prime that’s all about paying homage to his hometown of Long Beach, California, in a foulmouthed type of way.

The rap superstar stars in The Underdoggs, a Bad News Bears-esque flick inspired by the real-life Snoop Youth Football League, which is dedicated to giving underprivileged youth opportunities to play football and cheer, the Long Beach Post reports. Snoop takes on the role of Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings, a former pro football star whose career has seen better days. As a requirement to fulfill his community service, Jennings is tasked with coaching a youth football team, described as “unruly pee-wee,” through the Long Beach recreation department.

With a comedic cast of Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Kandi Burruss, George Lopez, Andrew Schulz, and Kal Penn, Snoop brings on the funny — and a whole lot of profanity.

The R-rated film is riddled with N-words, F-bombs, and profanity, all of which Snoop boldly warns us about at the start of the film.

“The following movie is rated R for language that might not be suitable for children. But f– all that. Y’all know…the kids who aren’t supposed to be watching this s–t curse more than the rest of us motherf—-rs,” Snoop says.

As funny as the “Gin and Juice” rapper is in the film, yelling and cursing at child actors wasn’t easy for him. Snoop admitted how hard it was for him to film the scenes, since it’s something he would never do in real life.

“It looked like I was having fun doing it, but I hated doing that. That’s not even me,” Snoop told BET.

“When they said, ‘Cut!’ I’m like, ‘I can’t believe I just talked to them kids like that! Let me go play with them or something.”

Actress Sumpter, who plays Snoop’s onscreen love interest in the film, confirmed the rapper was a complete teddy bear with the kids when the cameras weren’t rolling.

“He would have rap battles with them off camera,” she shared. “He was so good with the kids.”

It also wasn’t easy finding child actors who could swear on camera.

“That was tricky,” director Charles Stone III revealed. “There were a large amount of parents who would not let their child audition. But the kids who showed up, it worked out brilliantly, you know, and the parents were fine with it. They understood the context.”

The Underdoggs highlights Snoop’s alma mater, Long Beach Polytechnic High School, and pays tribute to the city that raised him. The movie premieres Friday, Jan. 26, on Amazon Prime.

Black businesswomen, Black History Month, boss, imposter syndrome, career, work

by Kandiss Edwards

January 25, 2024

How To Prepare For Your First 5 Business Milestones

Here's what an entrepreneur learned about five big firsts from their executive roles in multiple businesses.

Originally Published Feb. 13, 2017

In the startup world, beginner’s luck won’t cut it. The bitter truth is most startups fail; the odds are heavily stacked against rookie entrepreneurs. So, what separates experienced entrepreneurs from those just starting out? Knowledge. Educating yourself on common milestones in your startup will give you a better chance of getting through the stages of your growing business.

Here’s what I learned about five big “firsts” from my executive roles in multiple businesses.

First Dollar of Revenue

Your first dollar proves that your business model can generate revenue. It shows demand and market validation for your product or service. Yet there are some things to consider about your first dollar that will provide valuable insight into your business.

Ask yourself: How long did it take you to generate this first dollar? How long will it take you to generate your additional revenue? How much did it cost you in time, money, or effort to get a dollar? Will you be able to cut your acquisition cost down?

If it took a long time to generate your first dollar, or if you spent more on customer acquisition than on the lifetime value of a customer, then you need to re-evaluate your business model. Identify potential problems early on and make corrections. You’ll develop a scalable business model that will lead your business toward long-term growth.

First Hire

Congratulations, you’re ready to make your first hire. Make sure you clearly define the goals of the position you’re trying to fill and determine whether there’s room for growth. More importantly, make sure you are adding diversity to your team, an often overlooked topic. Add diversity not only demographically, but in terms of experience, skills, and network. Yes, you want to hire people you get along with, but you also need to expand your horizons by bringing in someone who will expand your capabilities rather than just multiply what your current team already does well. When you finally do find that ideal candidate, make sure to properly incentivize them as one of the first employees. Their performance will have an incredible amount of influence on the success of the company at this early stage, so reward them appropriately.

First Investor

When seeking your first investor, it’s important to have a relevant network because your connections will be able to make warm introductions to people with experience in your industry. During your initial meetings, make sure you evaluate the investor’s potential as a reliable partner by focusing on the types of questions they ask about your business and how interested they seem. It’ll help you figure out if they intend to dedicate time and effort to your business or if they’re just betting on as many startups as possible.

If you’re lucky enough to secure an offer, don’t jump on it right away. An investor’s value goes beyond money, as they must also serve as a mentor and as a friend. Many times, these intangible benefits are significantly more valuable than any amount of funding, so be sure to carefully evaluate each opportunity before you make the final decision. Once you finally decide on your first investor, you’re responsible for delivering results not only for yourself but your investor since they’re putting their money, reputation, and time on the line.

First Pivot

Successful brands like Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter all made pivots at one point or another. Your company will most likely do the same. You simply cannot anticipate exactly what the market needs until you fully immerse yourself. Work with customers and adapt your business model based on first-hand data.

Leverage your industry knowledge to effectively pivot your business. Ideally, it should keep you in the same vertical but might require making a change to the way you approach a slightly different market need.

When you finally decide to make the pivot, consider bringing on a new employee to provide a fresh point of view. Their expertise in your new direction will serve as a guidepost in helping you quickly adapt your product to your customers’ needs. When you pivot, also make sure you clearly communicate the change to your customers in a well-thought-out manner. They’re your potential customers and shouldn’t be left wondering what happened to your previous business.

First Office

Your first office is not only a place to work but a reflection of your company. It legitimizes your business and demonstrates to new employees, investors, and partners the kind of environment that brings out your best work and ideas. Since your office is such an important projection of your image for both internal and external partners, consider several important factors.

What kind of look and feel do you want to convey? What’s the best location for employees and for your company goals? Is the layout conducive to productivity and comfort? Is the office space the one you want to grow into and are the lease terms aligned with your long term company plans?

At our company, these are the kinds of questions we suggest our clients ask before they commit. In doing so, you’ll ensure you have a suitable environment to best help your business grow. Engaging brokers who are familiar with high-growth companies will enable you to quickly find the office space that fits your needs and provides flexibility for an upgrade once your business grows.

The path to success for startups is tricky and covered in potholes. You’ll likely encounter jubilation and frustration during the early stages of your startup, but following these tips will help you come out ahead. Good luck!

PricewaterhouseCoopers, DEI, diversity, legal

by Daniel Johnson

January 25, 2024

PricewaterhouseCoopers Amends Language In Diversity Report Amid Legal Scrutiny, DEI Backlash, And Diversity Debate

In truth, the tactics of America First Legal are not about legality, but punishing organizations that have committed to diversity.

After a legal challenge mounted by Stephen Miller’s America First Legal in 2023, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been revising its internship and scholarship programs with the aim of evading further scrutiny from Miller and his cadre of conservative activist lawyers.

Companies championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become targets of Miller and other conservative groups following the Supreme Court’s rollback of affirmative action in higher education.

According to the Financial Times, Miller urged the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to scrutinize PwC’s practices.

“There may be changes in wording and emphasis, but fundamentally, it remains an exercise in reducing individuals to their immutable characteristics, which conflicts with legal mandates,” said Reed Rubinstein, senior counselor at America First Legal.

Though Miller’s group presents itself as concerned about “reverse racism,” a look at PwC’s diversity numbers from 2023 shows that 55% of their employees are white, while 22% are Asian and 9% are Latinx. Black employees make up 7% of the workforce.

In response to the scrutiny, PwC changed some of the wording in its 2023 report.

Yolanda Seals-Coffield, PwC’s chief people officer, told Financial Times, “Our commitment to attract the most diverse and dynamic group of professionals hasn’t changed. Our commitment to cultivating an environment where all our professionals can thrive hasn’t changed. How we get there may face a few hurdles that it didn’t a year ago.”

PwC has altered its internship program criteria, removing explicit diversity requirements.

According to the Financial Times, the change was revealed after the firm published a purpose and inclusion report, which resulted in a broader eligibility scope for its student internship program. Previously, the firm’s “Start” internship aimed at aspiring leaders was specifically tailored for high-performing college sophomores and rising juniors who self-identified as members of traditionally underrepresented minority groups in the professional services sector, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The revised language encourages applications from underrepresented minorities without explicitly stating that the program is exclusively for those groups.

PwC is just an example or corporations facing backlash for their DEI programs.

According to Vox, the corporate backlash to diversity isn’t far removed from the backlash to cultural diversity seen through the response to Halle Bailey being cast as Ariel in the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid or inserting more Black people into The Lord of the Rings.

Both sets of backlash often invoke the same argument: that such diversity is being forced on people. Thus, said diversity is not developing naturally.

“I believe racists are going to attack ANY series that they believe should have been 100% white,” journalist and period drama expert Amanda Rae-Prescott wrote in an email to Vox. “Racists are going to get mad at the next superhero or horror show that racebends a character, and they’ll be outraged over whatever the next Bridgerton is. Their goal is to stop all efforts to diversify Hollywood.”

DEI advocates stress the same opposition holds true for the business world, that there is an organized effort to stop all voices are heard equally.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 25, 2024

‘Brick Lady’ Roda Osman Posts Bail For Theft By Deception Charges

Her bail was set for $10,000.

Roda Osman, the woman who went viral on social media after a man allegedly threw a brick at her for refusing to give him her phone number, posted bail of $10,000 on Jan. 23. Osman was arrested five days prior on felony charges after Houston authorities accused her of falsifying her story.

Officials have accused Osman of manipulating the truth after video evidence revealed her getting into an altercation with the man in Southwest Houston. According to court documents obtained by Fox 26, Osman was seen on the surveillance video hitting the man, who then hit her back with an item resembling a water bottle.

In September 2023, Osman’s account of what happened made rounds on social media, as a video of her explaining the ordeal from her hospital room sparked an outcry. After a GoFundMe page was made for her to receive monetary support, the 33-year-old collected over $42,000 from the campaign.

However, the new footage shared with officials reveals another side to the story, showcasing a prior incident to the alleged brick-throwing that contradicts Osman’s original story of being hit by a random man. After the arrest warrant was issued, the Ph.D. student failed to appear, though she was reported to have planned to turn herself in.

Further investigation also revealed a potential pattern of embellishing incidents to receive public support and monetary help. In 2020, Osman was accused of lying about an assault in Minneapolis, which also resulted in a GoFundMe fundraiser. No legal action was taken in that incident.

As for the alleged false claims of brick-throwing, Osman was released after posting bail but is due back in court on March 5. She is facing felony theft by deception charges but has yet to share a public statement giving updates on the matter.

Pittsburgh, PA, Pittsburgh, Pitt Building

by Rafael Pena

January 25, 2024

Downtown Pittsburgh’s Pitt Building, Now Black-Owned, Aiming to Ignite Black Businesses

The Greenwood Plan has successfully acquired the historic Pitt Building in downtown Pittsburgh for $4 million, aiming to ignite black businesses.

In a significant stride toward revitalizing economic opportunities for Black entrepreneurs, The Greenwood Plan, a nonprofit organization inspired by the legacy of Tulsa’s “Black Wall Street,” has successfully acquired the historic Pitt Building in downtown Pittsburgh for $4 million, according to AfroTech. The acquisition, finalized on Dec. 21, 2023, marks a pivotal moment for Black creatives and professionals in the city.

Khamil Bailey, the executive director of The Greenwood Plan, envisions the Pitt Building as a thriving hub for Black businesses, creatives, and gig workers. Speaking to The New Pittsburgh Courier, Bailey outlined the organization’s ambitious plans, stating, “We want this to be a Black business incubator…give Black businesses the opportunity to operate in downtown storefronts where they may not have otherwise been able to do so because the terms are not normally favorable.”

Central to The Greenwood Plan’s strategy is programming and rent subsidies, providing a supportive environment for Black entrepreneurs to establish themselves in downtown Pittsburgh. According to the outlet, Bailey emphasized the importance of creating favorable conditions for businesses, enabling them to benefit from the downtown traffic.

A significant focus of the initiative is to attract Black chefs and restaurateurs who are passionate about delivering high-quality dining experiences. Bailey highlighted a major goal: “We want a Black, four-star dining experience to be a part of this building.” This commitment aligns with the broader mission of creating a vibrant and diverse ecosystem within the Pitt Building.

The Greenwood Plan had previously launched Emerald City, a 12,000-square-foot coworking and social space on the second floor of the building in 2021. With the recent acquisition, the organization is expanding its mission to connect partners, resources, and initiatives to Black entrepreneurs, professionals, gig workers, and creatives.

Greenwood Week, an annual business conference hosted by The Greenwood Plan, will continue to play a pivotal role in building social capital and democratizing knowledge in Pittsburgh’s Black business community. The organization’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan emphasizes the importance of this conference as a cornerstone of future initiatives.

In articulating the vision for the Pitt Building, Bailey expressed the desire to revive the legacy of Black businesses in downtown Pittsburgh. He stated, “We want to bring that back, remind people that we (African Americans) are a part of a thriving economy just as anybody else, not just as consumers but as wealth-builders.”

by Daniel Johnson

January 25, 2024

Judge Grants Release To Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Suspect Despite Prosecutors’ Objections

Edward Richmond Jr. had been arrested after authorities raided his Louisiana home and found an AR-15 and ammunition on Jan. 22.

Edward Richmond Jr., who was arrested following a raid on his Louisiana residence where authorities discovered an AR-15 rifle and ammunition on Jan. 22, has been granted release by a judge despite objections from federal prosecutors. According to The Associated Press, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyman Thornton III argued that Richmond posed a risk due to his “very aggressive posture toward law enforcement” and a history of violence, including the fatal shooting of a handcuffed Iraqi detainee when he was 20 years old. Thornton further asserted that Richmond’s alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection was indicative of “a culmination of deep-seated anger toward law enforcement.”

However, following a detention hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Wilder-Doomes ruled in favor of Richmond’s release on Jan. 23. Wilder-Doomes reasoned that the hearing revealed Richmond’s connections to his community and portrayed him as a devoted parent, leading to the decision for his release.

Richmond’s defense lawyer, John McLindon, argued that his client had not been “hiding or running” during the three years since the insurrection occurred, saying, “My client knew about this problem, coming up on two years now, and he has not fled.” On the same day that law enforcement searched his home, according to NBC News, Richmond was arrested and charged with civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, as well as assaulting, resisting, or impeding police with a dangerous weapon in connection with the assault on the Capitol.

According to an affidavit from an FBI agent, Richmond, who lives in Geismar, Louisiana, wore a helmet, shoulder pads, goggles, and a Louisiana state patch on his chest when he assisted in the assault on the Capitol, eventually assaulting police using a baton in a tunnel outside the Capitol.

Online “sedition hunters” assisted the FBI in identifying Richmond based on photos pulled from surveillance cameras. Richmond had maintained a spot as No. 182 on the FBI’s Capitol Violence website, the agency’s version of “America’s Most Wanted” list for those it suspects of participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection. According to NBC News, hundreds of additional participants in the Capitol riots have been identified but have yet to be charged for their roles.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 25, 2024

Samuel L. Jackson Made Sure He Made $1M More Than Oscar-Winning Co-star

“I specifically had a clause in my contract that said I had to make a million more dollars than him because he doesn’t put [people] in seats"

Some consider Samuel L. Jackson one of the greatest actors to have appeared on screen. Though he has been able to get butts into movie theater seats with his great talent, it didn’t necessarily equate to winning an Oscar. Up until two years ago in 2022, an Oscar had always eluded the man who has appeared in more than 150 films over his career. Yet, like many other performers, he always felt that winning an Oscar would lead to making more money, but then he realized that that thinking was not right for him. He was so sure he would get people in the movie theater that he once placed a clause in one of his contracts stating he was to make a million more than a co-star who had won an Oscar.

According to Showbiz Cheatsheet, the movie veteran discussed why his thinking changed about being rewarded more money upon winning an Oscar. He realized the importance of his presence in a movie has more of an impact than him having an Oscar on his résumé.

“I remember doing a movie with an Academy Award winner,” he mentioned. “I specifically had a clause in my contract that said I had to make a million more dollars than him because he doesn’t put [people] in seats — I do. It’s knowing who you are and what you’re doing.”

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2022, he confirmed that winning an Oscar wasn’t as big a deal as he thought.

“As jaded as I wanted to be about it, you know, thinking, ‘Well, I should have won an Oscar for this or should have won for that, and it didn’t happen,’ once I got over it many years ago, it wasn’t a big deal for me. I always have fun going to the Oscars. I always look forward to getting a gift basket for being a presenter.”

Although not having an Academy Award hasn’t stunted his career, People reported two years ago, in March 2022, that Samuel L. Jackson finally received his first Oscar! The 73-year-old was presented with an honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement by Denzel Washington at the Governors Awards.

by Derek Major

January 25, 2024

Schomburg Center Celebrates Namesake’s 150th Birthday By Transcribing His Handwritten Notes

The Schomburg Center library in Harlem celebrated the 150th birthday of historian Arturo Schomburg by hosting a Transcribe-A-Thon.

CBS News reports volunteers honored his legacy by transcribing the historian’s words from page to webpage and documenting his journey exploring Black contributions across the globe at the turn of the 20th century.

Schomburg, born on Jan. 24, 1874, in Puerto Rico, had an insatiable passion for the past and spent his life curating one of the largest-ever collections of Black history. The Center’s staff spent much of the COVID-19 pandemic digitizing his documents.

“A lot of people think, isn’t everything already online, isn’t everything all digitized?” said University of Delaware Black History professor Dr. Laura Helton. “But there are 11 million items in this building, and only a fraction of those old books and papers are digitized because it takes a lot of work.”

The Schomburg Center partnered with Fisk University in Nashville for the Transcribe-A-Thon. Students joined the Schomburg Center via video as they transcribed their digitized collection of Schomburg’s work. Last year, the Center and University were awarded a grant to digitize the historians’ works.

“Schomburg’s work remains critical to our understanding of the contributions of Black scholars, of all kinds, to amend narratives that seek to render people of African descent invisible,” said DeLisa Minor Harris, director of Library Services at Fisk, in a statement at the time. “We are excited about this important partnership that brings together two of the nation’s leading institutions for Black collections and research. Arturo Schomburg’s innovative work transformed Fisk’s collections, and the project will ensure all generations know and can appreciate the critical legacy and journey of Arturo Schomburg through the digital edition.”

After he immigrated to New York City from Puerto Rico in 1891, Schomburg founded the Negro Society for Historical Research, modeled a diasporic approach to studying Black culture, and seeded two iconic archives in the 1920s and 1930s—one at the New York Public Library and the other at Fisk University.

In 2025, the Center will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its opening, and the efforts of the volunteers will help the library achieve its goal of having a full digital collection.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 25, 2024

Shoppers Rally Around Neglected Baby In Mississippi Walmart

Shoppers at Jackson, Mississippi, Walmart joined forces to help clothe a neglected child while his mother grocery shopped.

Shoppers at a Jackson, Mississippi, Walmart banded together to ensure an underdressed child was safe. According to footage shared on the internet on Jan. 23, the community members helped clothe a child who had just a diaper on in the winter weather, while questioning the mother who allowed it.

Meanwhile, the child’s mother, whose identity was not disclosed, was wearing warmer clothing, including a sweater, jeans, and boots, in addition to a hair protective bonnet. While adding items to her cart, she was instantly called out for the lack of attention toward her child’s wellness. Police were called to investigate the issue.

The Neighborhood Talk posted a video of the ordeal, showing others getting involved.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

“That’s just sad,” stated a woman who documented the video in a voiceover. “That baby just had a Pamper on.”

The video showed an older Black woman giving the child clothes as the mother typed on her phone. However, the neglectful mother got into a confrontation with a male shopper. She briefly twerked in the midst of the escalating issue.

“Somebody call the police on her,” said the woman who continued recording.

As members of the community called out the mom for letting her child be outside wearing only a diaper, she began explaining that Children’s Protective Services had already been alerted about her twice. She also said that “hot water and food” is all that’s needed to keep one’s children under their care.

Despite the woman being defensive about her (lack of) parenting skills, the concerned bystanders made sure to do their due diligence on behalf of the child’s safety. Felicia Nicole, the Walmart employee, who originally posted the video on TikTok as @feenicole8, said the mother was arrested at the Walmart and that her children are staying with their grandmother.

FINANCE, GOALS, WANTS IT ALL, TIPS, WORK LIFE , financial literacy, camp, kids, millionaire, webinar, BALANCE, FINANCIAL, job, day job, career

by Kandiss Edwards

January 25, 2024

How To Test Your New Idea And Still Keep Your Day Job

Having the security of a day job while you develop, test and sell your product gives you a secure foundation and minimizes risks. Here's how to do it.

Originally Published Feb. 14, 2017

It’s possible to pursue your dream without using your credit card as a poor substitute for a paycheck. As someone who has been through the process, I know that having the security of a day job while you develop, test, and sell your product gives you a secure foundation and minimizes risks. Here’s how to do it:

Determine Product-Market Fit

It takes focus and resolve to succeed as an entrepreneur. Not only does your passion for your business need to drive you after setbacks, but you also need to have a market fit. In other words, people must be willing to pay for your product or service. Staying employed and investing a few months of after-hours labor during this process is far better than liquidating your savings and mortgaging your house in pursuit of an idea that no one truly wants.

Ask around to test the concept. Ask co-workers if they’d buy it. If so, how much would they spend? Don’t worry about someone stealing your idea–only bigger companies have the resources to put you out of business, and they typically insist on seeing a few thousand customers first. In fact, if someone else is pursuing a similar idea, that only validates your idea and market.

Once you’re confident with your product or service, put the kids to bed and get to work. Bootstrapped businesses work best when created in the margin – on nights and weekends. If you’re single, stop going out every Friday and Saturday night. If you have a family, discuss what you’re about to do so everyone understands what’s coming. Getting over the first hurdle is challenging. You must focus and invest your time to successfully balance your day job with your dream job.

Have a Hobby That Pays

Once you have a prototype or a minimally viable product, it’s time to launch. Buy a few Google AdWords, launch a website, and put your product or service up for sale. You won’t make much at first — mostly beer money — but you will gain valuable feedback and customer insight. Starting a business on a shoestring budget is easier than ever with great third-party resources such as Stripe for credit card processing and LegalZoom for legal documents.

Maximize Your Lunch Hours

Remember the time it took to build your product? That’s how much time you have to devote to selling it. You are the face of the brand; you are the sales team. Set appointments during the workweek with potential customers. Learn how to tell your product story clearly and with enthusiasm. You have the most passion for your product—present, evangelize, and listen.

Know When to Quit Your Day Job

Even after making your first sale, it’s not time to quit your day job. Be smart. Success does not come overnight, and it’s best not to quit preemptively. As a good rule of thumb, you can take the plunge once you can cover about half your annual salary from your new business and the other half from consulting on the side.

Remember that one-time sales are a tough way to move your business forward. You’ll run through cash quickly at the beginning, and I’ve learned from experience that it’s better if your customers are generating recurring revenue through contracts, subscriptions, supplies, and refills.

Don’t Sell Yourself Short

Be careful what you say “yes” to in order to win business. For example, don’t give up any portion of your intellectual property rights. Ask for money up front to cover any requested product improvements. You shouldn’t have to work for free, even to win a big piece of business.

Ask for Help

You’ll be surprised how many CEOs, entrepreneurs, and other advisors are willing to help. As someone who’s been through the process, I get asked all the time, and I’m happy to say “yes.” There are a lot of great communities and online resources from which to draw advice. It also helps to know you’re not alone when you share your business challenges with other entrepreneurs.