Childish Gambino Accused By Model For Giving ‘Low Pay’ And ‘No Residuals’ For ‘Awaken My Love’ Album Cover
Childish Gambino, the name for Donald Glover's rap persona, has been accused of withholding promised funds to his "Awaken, My Love!" album cover star.
Childish Gambino, also professionally known by his real name, Donald Glover, has been accused of not paying the woman featured on his Awaken, My Love! album cover. The woman depicted in the project, Giannina Antonette Oteto, updated supporters on the ongoing fight to receive her overdue payments for the work.
According to HotNewHipHop, Oteto detailed the news in a now-deleted post on her Facebook this December. Within the substantial update, Oteto informed her followers, in addition to a picture of her holding the acclaimed work solely featuring her face, that neither she nor her team have received the residuals they were promised.
“Being able to hold an album that I’m on the cover of,” explained the model of Kenyan descent.
“And having my bestie mom next to me to celebrate! My number one cheerleader! This album has been so hard for me to celebrate for many reasons, and for years, I resented it even. It put me through a lot, but finally being able to celebrate it means a lot?”
Oteto continued, explaining how her makeup artist, stylist, and herself were withheld from further pay, with their legal teams being ignored by Gambino and his management team.
“I resented it because myself, the makeup artist, and stylist (all Black women) were all [taken] advantage of and lied to. We received low pay. [They] promised residuals. But [we] never received anything,” expressed Oteto.
“The only person who received residuals was a white woman who created the headpiece even though she was not on set to work on this (but she also deserves it). After years of lies and silence then finding out statute of limitation complications… it’s been an exhausting, emotional, and overall sad thing to deal with. So it took so much from me, especially since we all worked on it with so much love and pride in representing Black artists. All of my lawyers’ communications have been ignored by [Childish Gambino] and his team. #bittersweet.”
Despite the ongoing legal dispute, Oteto is still thriving in her professional career. Most recently, the fashion model took part in Dapper Dan’s collaboration with Gap for “DAP GAP,” as the new collection celebrates the designer’s Harlem roots and celebration of its diverse community.
As for Glover, he has yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
Don’t Waste Time On Theses 4 Financial New Year’s Resolutions
Here are four financial New Year's resolutions you should avoid and four goals you should aim to achieve in 2024 instead.
Originally Published Dec. 5, 2019
‘Tis the season to create New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, over 90% of people fail to achieve their resolutions. Despite this alarming statistic, the tradition of making and sharing “firm decisions to do or not do something” is still a popular activity in preparation for the New Year.
As you begin visualizing and creating your vision boards, here are four financial New Year’s resolutions to avoid making and tips on how to create goals you can actually achieve.
Avoid These Financial New Year’s Resolutions
1. To Be Debt Free
The average student loan debt per person is over $28,000, according to Forbes. This is only one facet of personal debt that doesn’t include mortgage and medical. Debt freedom is an impressive goal to achieve in life. However, it usually takes longer than a year to accomplish this feat. It may take more time than anticipated to tackle the mountain of debt accumulated over numerous years or decades.
Instead of setting a vague debt freedom resolution, identify specific debt(s) or an amount to tackle and focus on paying off or down for the New Year. The accomplishment of paying off each debt will give you the encouragement you need to continue on your journey to debt freedom, especially during rough financial times.
2. Cold Turkey Spending Cuts
The abrupt and complete manner of going “cold turkey” usually leaves people feeling deprived and defeated if they fail, especially for spenders. When this happens, many feel resentful and tend to cheat or “kill the turkey” altogether and splurge, thus overspending.
Instead of making the empty “cold turkey spending cuts” resolution, reduce excessive spending from every day down to a few days. Once you get used to minimizing your excessive spending behavior to only a few days, add a day or two more to your “spend less” days. You may find that you don’t need the things you were spending on as much as you thought.
You should also turn excessive spending into behaviors that improve your financial situation. Eating out every day, for example, is the leading budget buster. Instead of eating out every day, meal prep your breakfast, dinner, or lunch for two to three days a week. Or, instead of hitting the vending machine at work, buy your favorite snacks or drinks in bulk and stash them at your desk. Every time you take a snack or drink from your stash, add the money you would have spent in a savings jar. When the jar is full, dump it into a savings account or use some to splurge.
3. Insurmountable Savings Goal
Having hundreds of thousands of dollars saved for a rainy day, a fantastic vacation, or an excellent business opportunity is ideal. However, setting a savings goal of $100,000 in a year when your salary is $60,000 or less may be setting the bar a bit too high. If you don’t reach the goal, you may feel defeated. Having goals that are a challenge is great, but setting goals that may seem unattainable is emotionally dangerous.
Instead of setting insurmountable savings resolutions, set a SMART (specific, meaningful, attainable, realistic, and time-driven) amount that requires a positive change in behaviors and discipline. Start with a savings goal of at least $500 to $1,000 or one month’s salary. Once you accomplish that goal, set a new savings goal requiring more effort. A seemingly small savings goal can grow into a sizable cushion for your future and present financial freedom.
4. Quit Your Job to Start a Business
Hating your job is NOT a good reason to quit your job to start a business.
Not liking or not being satisfied with your job may mean you need to find a new job. However, if you want to start a business, keep your job during your entrepreneurial learning curve. Your job is the first corporate sponsor of your business. Your salary will not only pay the bills and sustain your lifestyle, but it will also help you fund the necessary business startup, formation, and coaching expenses.
Instead of rushing to fire your boss to start a business resolution, start a side hustle. Become a “dualpreneur” (employee and entrepreneur). Leverage your job’s benefits and steady income flow while developing your side gig into a profitable, legitimate business that may surpass or replace your salary.
Uber And Lyft Drivers Protest Unfair Pay At Atlanta Airport
Uber and Lyft drivers at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport protested Dec. 23, demanding higher pay.
Uber and Lyft drivers protested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Dec. 23, demanding higher pay and expressing dissatisfaction with the current compensation structure.
According to FOX5 Atlanta, the rideshare drivers shut down their apps during peak travel hours. Over 20 Uber and Lyft drivers participated, emphasizing their concerns over what they consider unfair and unjust wages.
“As long as we protest, passengers will continue to be stranded, and maybe that will make an impact,” one driver told FOX5 Atlanta.
“I did a ride the other day, and she said she paid $102 for a 40-minute ride. I got $25, and that’s because I had a $5 bonus!” Deborah Williams, a Lyft driver, added. “It’s just ridiculous.”
In response to the drivers’ protest, Lyft issued a statement on Dec. 22, acknowledging the drivers’ concerns and emphasizing its commitment to enhancing the overall experience for drivers on its platform.
The rideshare company highlighted recent efforts, such as the introduction of the Upfront Pay feature in Georgia and other states. This new feature provides drivers with ride information, including earnings, before deciding to accept a ride.
“Lyft takes the concerns of drivers very seriously and are regularly exploring ways to improve their experience on the platform,” Lyft said in a statement, according to 11Alive. “Last year, we introduced Upfront Pay in Georgia and across the country, which shows drivers ride information and what they’ll earn before accepting a ride. We also provide drivers a weekly pay summary that shows a breakdown of their earnings and the total amount riders paid.”
Uber also responded to the protest, telling 11Alive, “Earnings in Atlanta are more than $30 an hour when drivers are actively working on the platform. Drivers also receive fare and destination information upfront before they accept a trip and are fully empowered to decide what trips are worth their time.”
The drivers’ strike lasted over two hours, but it remains unclear whether the demonstration had any significant impact on travelers.
Texas Man Going To Prison After Killing Man He Thought Was Boyfriend Of Child’s Mother
In 2020, Kendell Morris, 26, traveled over 250 miles from Houston to Arlington to kill who he thought was the new boyfriend of his child's mother. He was wrong.
A man in Texas was just sentenced to almost three decades in prison for killing a man whom he thought was the boyfriend of his baby’s mother. According to Law & Crime, 26-year-old Kendell Morris traveled over 250 miles from Houston to Arlington on May 4, 2020, to kill the wrong man.
He never saw a photo of the boyfriend. All he had was a description, so he ended up killing Robert Cooley III, who happened to have dreds and was dark-skinned.
On Wednesday, Dec. 20, a Tarrant County jury sentenced Morris to 27 years in a state correctional facility for one count of murder.
Thanks to the Arlington Police Department for their work on this case and for their commitment to keeping our community safe. pic.twitter.com/ewYvnNmn8S
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Phil Sorrells said Morris drove that distance to shoot and kill the wrong man.
“He thought he saw the boyfriend and opened fire, killing Robert Cooley III, 24, who was not the boyfriend,” Sorrells said.
Court records revealed Morris and the actual boyfriend had several “adversarial conversations” on the phone before Morris drove to Arlington.
A witness who lived with the unnamed boyfriend told police officers that early in the morning on May 4, 2020, a 2008 white Nissan Altima had been parked at the apartment complex where the shooting happened, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The witness saw Cooley walking through the parking lot and then heard several gunshots, and then saw Cooley lying on the ground as the Altima drove away.
A Texas State trooper arrested Morris and another man who was with him. Authorities retrieved an AR-15 rifle from Morris’ vehicle.
The man who accompanied Morris to purchase ammunition and drove with him from Houston to Arlington was initially charged with murder, but the district attorney’s office dropped the charge, KDFW reported.
Holiday Gifts To Simplify The Life Of An Entrepreneur
Wondering what to get the entrepreneur in your life for the holidays? Check out this great gift list.
Originally Published Dec. 15, 2015
Entrepreneurs live, eat, sleep, and breathe their businesses. So if you’re stuck on what to give the entrepreneur in your life for the holidays, think of ways to help simplify their lives. Here are some great gift ideas to consider:
Source: Photo by Prostock-Studio/Getty Images
Food or grocery delivery service
Fresh Direct is an online grocery shopping service that allows you to shop from your office and have the groceries delivered to your home. Blue Apron delivers the ingredients that you need to make a delicious gourmet meal at home. Prices vary based on your choice of subscription.
Source: Photo by Carol Yepes/Getty Images
Inspirational message art
Despite the glitz and glam of entrepreneurship, it gets frustrating and sometimes you need a little inspiration. Consider giving a gift of inspiration, such as framed art with quotes or an entrepreneur coffee mug with a motivational message.
Source: (Photo: Adene Sanchez/Getty Images)
A gift of experience
Most small business owners are notorious for working around the clock. Give the gift of an outdoor experience to help them find clarity. From guided city tours to spa services and golf outings, Virgin Experiences provides a range of unique experiences as gifts.
Source: Photo by Maryna Terletska/Getty Images
Business book
Life-long learning is key to success for entrepreneurs. Check out this great list of books to help entrepreneurs build million-dollar businesses.
Do you have any great gift ideas for entrepreneurs? Share with us in the comments section below.
Do you have any great gift ideas for entrepreneurs? Share with us in the comments section below.
Jason Murph, 42, and his 6-year-old daughter Michelle were en route from Blythewood to Orangeburg, South Carolina, a 65-mile drive to visit Murph’s mother. The estranged wife of Murph said her last conversation with them was Dec. 16, around 8:00 pm. She said that Murph lost control of his vehicle, skidding off the road. He was left disoriented, and she heard Michelle sobbing in the background.
Two days later, their vehicle, a silver Toyota Tundra, was discovered damaged and burned in a field near Interstate 301 in Calhoun County, South Carolina. Authorities found the bodies of the father and daughter approximately 100 yards away.
Calhoun County Coroner Donnie Porth attributed their cause of death to hypothermia, although autopsy results were inconclusive. Despite a lack of evidence pointing to foul play, the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain a mystery.
“It wasn’t below freezing by no means, but because of the wind and the rain, they become extremely cold, and I think it became an urgency for them to try to find help and try to find shelter,” Porth said.
“I feel like they were walking together, and unfortunately, he is being heavier than she is, he sank into the mud, and the more you struggle, the deeper you go,” Porth, told News19.
Despite their estrangement, Murph’s wife and he were jointly caring for Michelle, who had been under her father’s care for at least two weeks before the incident. Concerns arose when the mother heard Michelle crying in the background and was unable to reach Murph. Texts to call 911 went unanswered.
Spirit Airlines Reimburses Family For Placing Child On Wrong Flight, But Doesn’t Offer Explanation
Spirit Airlines has apologized after placing a 6-year-old boy on the wrong flight from Philadelphia over the holidays.
Spirit Airlines has tried to make amends with the family of an unaccompanied minor who was placed on the wrong flight during the holidays.
The child, a 6-year-old boy named Casper, was flying out of Philadelphia to Fort Myers, Florida, when he was accidentally put on a plane to Orlando.
The young boy’s grandmother, Maria Ramos, was expecting to pick him up from the Southwest Florida International Airport to celebrate Christmas with him but was shocked to receive a call from her grandson stating that he was in an entirely different city in the state. Fort Myers is nearly 3 hours south of Orlando.
According to WINK, Ramos still wants answers regarding how the mishap occurred. She said Spirit has offered a full reimbursement for the botched flying experience, but that’s not what she wants.
“I want them to call me. Let me know how my grandson ended up in Orlando,” Ramos told the news outlet. “How did that happen? Did they get him off the plane? The flight attendant—after mom handed him with paperwork—did she let him go by himself? He jumped in the wrong plane by himself?”
Spirit Airlines released a statement apologizing for the ordeal, detailing how it took “immediate steps” to rectify the situation and ensure Casper would be transported to his grandmother as soon as it discovered the misstep.
“On Dec. 21, an unaccompanied child traveling from Philadelphia (PHL) to Fort Myers (RSW) was incorrectly boarded on a flight to Orlando (MCO),” the airliner said.
“The child was always under the care and supervision of a Spirit Team Member, and as soon as we discovered the error, we took immediate steps to communicate with the family and reconnect them. We take the safety and responsibility of transporting all of our Guests seriously and are conducting an internal investigation. We apologize to the family for this experience.”
Dec 26 (Reuters) – The White House is gearing up for what could be President Joe Biden’s last chance to put his stamp on the judiciary, as progressive advocates fret that he may fall short of appointing as many judges as former President Donald Trump did over his four-year term.
With a November 2024 election rematch between Biden and his Republican predecessor looking increasingly likely, Senate Democrats are pledging to remain focused on confirming Biden’s judicial nominees in 2024 and adding to the 166 already approved to sit on the bench.
After two years of matching or exceeding Trump’s pace of judicial appointments, Biden’s rate compared to his predecessor’s slowed in 2023, as Senate Republicans wielded their influence and forced the White House to bargain with them over potential nominees.
Russ Feingold, a Democratic former U.S. senator and leader of the liberal American Constitution Society, said that slower pace has put Biden’s ability to continue to appoint diverse judges to the bench at risk as an election looms that will decide whether he gets a second term and Democrats retain control of the Senate.
“Now we’re looking at a situation where if either the presidency switches or the Senate switches, most of this progress probably will be stopped or greatly stifled,” he said.
WHY IT MATTERS
Biden throughout his tenure has sought to fulfill a 2020 campaign pledge to bring greater diversity to the judiciary, whose judges have disproportionately been white men and have usually been ex-prosecutors or former law firm partners.
“Now we’re looking at a situation where if either the presidency switches or the Senate switches, most of this progress probably will be stopped or greatly stifled,” he said.
Two-thirds of Biden’s confirmed nominees are people of color, and 108 have been women, according to the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
He has frequently nominated civil rights lawyers and public defenders to the bench, as Democrats aim to counterbalance the conservative influence of Trump’s 234 judicial appointees.
Prominent confirmed judges in 2023 included Julie Rikelman, a former abortion rights attorney now on the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and Dale Ho, a voting rights advocate now serving as a federal judge in Manhattan.
“All year long, this Senate majority has prioritized confirming judges who add to the bench’s personal and professional diversity, and we’re going to continue going into the new year,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor on Dec. 11.
But while the Senate confirmed 69 judges in 2023, that number fell below the pace of confirmations during Trump’s third year, when 102 were confirmed.
For several months, the Senate Judiciary Committee struggled to process nominees amid the absence of an ailing panel member, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, who died in September.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR 2024
Biden could make up for that slow down in 2024. He has announced 30 other nominees who have yet to be confirmed. There are 53 current vacancies on the federal bench awaiting a nominee, and more vacancies are expected.
So, he could, in theory at least, still match Trump’s four-year total.
But 22 of the vacancies are in states with one or two Republican senators, who thanks to a Senate custom known as the “blue slip” have the ability to effectively veto nominees from their states they do not approve of and hold seats open for a potential Republican president.
“There’s plenty of vacancies, but will he be able to nominate in red states?,” said Russell Wheeler, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution who tracks judicial nominations. “That’s the big question.”
Progressive groups have urged Senator Dick Durbin, the Judiciary Committee’s current Democratic chairman from Illinois, to abandon the “blue slip” custom, which they say has hindered Biden’s ability to appoint judges in conservative-leaning states and much of the South.
Leah Litman, a University of Michigan Law School professor who co-hosts the liberal legal podcast “Strict Scrutiny,” said Biden’s inability to nominate judges in those states will ensure Republican lawmakers can “do whatever it is they want” without concern courts will block laws they enact.
“We have seen the effect that Republican blockades for district courts has had,” she said.
She pointed to Texas, where Trump was able to fill multiple vacancies with conservative judges who have often been sympathetic to challenges to Biden policies. One, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Amarillo, suspended approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. It remains available pending U.S. Supreme Court review.
Durbin has acknowledged “some judicial vacancies in states with Republican senators have languished for months on end,” but he has stood by the tradition and encouraged Republicans to demonstrate they can compromise with the White House.
The White House in recent months has pointed to successes on that front, with district court judges confirmed in 2023 from Indiana, Idaho and Louisiana and recent nominees pending from Florida, South Carolina and Texas.
Biden closed out 2023 with an announcement that he intended to soon nominate five new judges in states with Republican senators, including two in Texas who have the support of Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz.
URBANGEEKZ PARTNERS WITH CULTUREBANX FOR EDITORIAL SERIES SHOWCASING BLACK INNOVATION ALLIANCE MEMBERS
The popular news sites are profiling select Black Innovation Alliance organizations in the first-of-its-kind collaborative Q&A editorial series.
Digital news brand UrbanGeekz has teamed up with CultureBanx to showcase Black Innovation Alliance member organizations.
The popular news sites are profiling select Black Innovation Alliance (BIA) organizations in the first-of-its-kind collaborative Q&A editorial series.
Aptly named “Black Innovation’s Frontline,” the series highlights the important work these innovator support organizations are doing across the entrepreneurial landscape in the United States.
“Ecosystem building is a critical role that is very undervalued in the innovation space,” said Griselle Colon, COO of Black Innovation Alliance. “We are extremely excited to partner with our media members, UrbanGeekz and CultureBanx on the series Black Innovation’s Frontline so that the world can see all that Black Innovator Support Organizations are doing to drive entrepreneurship throughout the United States and the globe.”
Black Innovation Alliance is a coalition of 116-member organizations supporting 300,000-plus entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives. The organizations spearhead everything from funds, media content, accelerators, incubators, and grant programming to provide critical support for Black founders to thrive.
The series gives a fresh perspective on grassroots work taking place to support Black innovators. For example, in UrbanGeekz, FundBlackFounders CEO Renee King talks candidly about her “decision to address this funding gap and create an alternative for those without wealthy, accredited relatives to rely on for initial funding.”
In Twanna Harris’ CultureBanx article she touches on her brand’s unique proposition. “Tribal Good remains one of the very few focused exclusively on building the person as a brand, such as the next Issa Rae,” said Harris.
“Highlighting Black-led startups at the forefront of innovation isn’t just about diversity and inclusion; it’s about unlocking the untapped potential of a community that has historically faced barriers,” said Kori Hale, CEO of CultureBanx. “At CultureBanx when we shine a spotlight on these entrepreneurs, we not only promote economic change but also inspire a generation of innovators who can reshape industries and drive progress for all across the ecosystem,”
“I’m a big proponent of strategic alliances and collaboration to extend our reach, mission, and influence,” said Kunbi Tinuoye, founder and CEO of UrbanGeekz. “We are thrilled to partner with BIA and CultureBanx to celebrate Black excellence.”
This Holiday, Play These Black-Owned Games That Incorporate Hip-Hop
Peep these five hip-hop-related games to set off your holiday party.
Tis’ the season for holiday cheer among family and friends. What’s better than getting your game on at the holiday gathering?
While there’s no shortage of games to play during the holidays, BLACK ENTERPRISE has identified five Black-owned that aren’t run of the mill. These games incorporate some element of hip-hop into the spirit. And what better way to celebrate the culture, 50 years of hip-hop, and the holidays all at once?
In the words of the honorable and Notorious BIG, we “never thought that hip-hop would take us this far,” but we’re proud it has.
Peep these hip-hop related games to set off your party and holiday cheer to your guests
1.) Lyrically Correct
Get ready to test your hip-hop (R&B) knowledge with this trivia card game that challenges players on 1990s and 2000s lyrics, and retails for $24.99. One reviewer on the company’s website said, “This game is soooo much fun. It makes you think while having fun. Songs you think you know, you won’t lol. It’s really fun for game night.”
2.) Heard It All Before
This clever card game tests music lovers’ ear for songs that have been sampled in your favorite hip-hop bops. Heard It All Before retails for $29.99 and comes with 270 playing cards. Reviews on the site credited the game with being “on point” and multigenerational.
3.) Kulture Karaoke
What’s more lit than Karaoke for the Kulture? Your karaoke crooning will never be the same after playing this karaoke card game that keeps it completely hip-hop and R&B. The Kulture Karaoke card set is just $19.99. Sold separately is the brand’s Bluetooth Karaoke mic to rock out with for $21.99.
4.) Trap Spelling Bee
Hip-hop is not all rap music. Hip-hop as a culture is the embodiment of lifestyle which includes music, art, literature, style and language. Trap Spelling Bee taps into hip-hop colloquialisms and vernacular. It’s a family-friendly and has several editions and ranges
5.) University Of Dope
The University of Dope is definitely dope. This card game is multifaceted and for true hip-hop heads. To play this game you may want to brush up on your hip-hop history and debate skills because there will be plenty of hip-hop opinion and preference to argue about. This game retails for $30
