by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 23, 2023

‘Married To Medicine’ Star Dr. Jackie Addresses Backlash Over Old Comments Saying Black Women ‘Cry Wolf’ Over Pregnancy Difficulties

The controversial video resurfaced as Dr. Jackie sat down with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss the Black maternal mortality crisis.

One of the most popular doctors on Bravo’s hit reality series Married to Medicine is responding to the backlash she’s receiving over resurfaced comments about Black pregnant women. The counterblast ignited after the Dec. 17, episode of “M2M” that highlighted Dr. Jackie Walter’s sit-down with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss the Black maternal mortality crisis. It’s the same session the Atlanta-based OBGYN and VP shared a collaborative Instagram post ahead of the episode.

“Black women are 3 times more likely to die from childbirth in America. This is inexcusable,” VP Harris captioned the video post. “@therealdrjackie and I discussed our nation’s maternal health crisis on tonight’s episode of Bravo’s Married to Medicine.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vice President Kamala Harris (@vp)

But once the sit-down hit the public, it didn’t take too long for some viewers to dig up Dr. Jackie’s previous comments about Black women who “cry wolf” about pregnancy pains. It was a resurfaced YouTube session from 2020 that she hosted with fellow “M2M” star Dr. Heavenly Kimes where they discussed some of the issues pregnant Black women face when receiving medical care.

“Sometimes, as African American women, we’re a bit more dramatic and that you go to the doctor and you complain and you complain and you complain and you’re not taken seriously because you cry wolf the entire pregnancy,” Jackie told Heavenly.

“We wanna also make sure that you’re being serious with your doctor and not playing the games so that could take you off work,” she added. “Because then we see you 25 times in the pregnancy, it’s hard to believe there’s a true problem when there’s a true problem.”

https://twitter.com/bakara_j/status/1737146460959818098

“This the real Dr. Jackie, not that character she plays on Married to Medicine,” one X, formerly known as Twitter, user wrote who shared the old clip. “She sounds like how yt OBGYN doctors bash their Black female patients…Wasn’t she just speaking with Kamala Harris abt how Black women aren’t taken seriously in medical spaces?”

Eventually, the resurfaced video clip gained steam with swarms of people blasting Dr. Jackie for her seemingly hypocritical remarks about the Black maternal health crisis.

“Complaining to take off from work? She’s dangerous to BW because we would trust her and she’s just as complicit with the white medical industry,” one person wrote.

“The racism and indifference many women complain about is coming from a Black woman who is a Doctor,” added someone else.

There were even alleged former patients of Dr. Jackie who took to social media to post video testimonials of their childbirth horror stories they felt came as a result of Dr. Jackie’s misdirection.

The girls are on the clock app telling their Dr.Jackie stories and Chile this clean up gon require more than a publicist. These type of allegations gon have her in front of the medical board pic.twitter.com/riUr5BVbHr
— The Neighborhood Publicist (@nhoodpublicist) December 22, 2023

Not much later, Dr. Jackie issued a statement to her Instagram Story saying the clip was “taken out of context” on an issue she has advocated for concerning the devastating problem facing the Black maternal health crisis.”

“It has been my life’s work to highlight and attempt to rectify the issues that devastatingly impact Black maternal mothers versus our counterparts,” she wrote.

Dr. Jackie ended her statement by declaring her continued fight to advocate for Black mothers and Black babies.

https://twitter.com/JaysRealityBlog/status/1737931627487981720

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 23, 2023

Zion Williamson’s NBA Future Uncertain As Pelicans’ Contract Provisions Loom Large

According to a clause in the deal, since he only played 29 games last season, it turned the contract he signed into a non-guaranteed agreement.

New Orleans Pelicans basketball player Zion Williamson was supposed to be the next big thing in the NBA, projected to be a more dominant player than the last phenom touted to take over the league, LeBron James.

However, despite the initial promise, the center has fallen far short of becoming the top player in his state. Upon re-signing with the Pelicans last year, following his initial rookie contract, the team included specific provisions in his new guaranteed contract. These provisions were contingent upon him meeting certain health and conditioning expectations. Unfortunately, due to his frequent absence from the court, largely attributed to his recurring injuries, Williamson’s contract for the remaining three years is no longer guaranteed.

According to The Athletic, after reviewing Williamson’s terms in the deal, since he only played 29 games last season, it turned his contract into a non-guaranteed agreement. This will make it easier for the team to negotiate a deal with the player if they decide he is no longer a good fit for the team. The New Orleans Pelicans now have the option to waive him after the 2025-26 season without any financial consequences.

It also stipulates that if Williamson somehow gets injured again and misses games this season, it could jeopardize his guaranteed salary for the 2024-25 season.

New Orleans picked him as the No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft. Last July, he signed a contract with the team that locked him in for five more years at $197 million. Included in the extension were benchmarks regarding his weight and body fat percentage since his conditioning has been a major issue since he suited up for the team. Under the latest terms, Williamson reportedly had to have the sum of his weight and body fat percentage under 295. This means that if he weighed 285 pounds, his body fat would have to be 10% or lower.

Another clause allegedly protects the team if Williamson has any issues with the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. If something were to happen where he suffers a fracture or an injury to that bone, the contract labels it a “hardware failure,” if the team were to release him, they would only be responsible for half of his base salary for 2024-25.

But, the good news for Williamson is that if he meets the requirements set in his contract and continues to improve on making it to the games and keeping his weight and body fat under the benchmark, he can regain the guarantee status for the remainder of the current contract.

Black Owned Business, Oakland, Atlantic city

by Mary Spiller

December 23, 2023

President Biden Takes Credit For Prompting Financial Boom For Black-Owned Small Businesses This Year

Biden cited several of his biggest investments as being incredibly lucrative for disadvantaged businesses and communities.

During a Milwaukee event, President Joe Biden took credit for creating a financial boom for Black-owned small businesses. On Dec 20, he brought to the forefront some of the Biden-Harris administration’s investments that have generated considerable revenue for Black entrepreneurs.

“I’m here to celebrate the progress we’re making to support Black small businesses here and around the country,” President Biden added, “When Black small businesses grow…the community benefits, everyone benefits.”

He claimed the Biden-Harris administration has been on the front line against the Republicans who are “against so many critical actions that help working- and middle-class people, especially Black Americans,” theGrio reported.

Since he and Vice President Kamala Harris were elected, Biden claimed that a record number of 15 million new applicants to start businesses surfaced. Black households with business ownership particularly doubled between 2019 and 2022.

The administration added that this has always been their goal and that bolstering economic support for Black-owned businesses has driven many of their policies and contacts. Biden cited that $70 billion in federal contracts have been awarded to disadvantaged small businesses, and $12 billion has been invested into Black communities and their leaders to provide more equitable resources for their local businesses.

These sentiments were echoed earlier in the day during a White House press call, according to theGrio. Stephen Benjamin, director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and senior adviser to the president, said, “When Black-owned businesses do well, they create jobs.”

“We generate wealth in our own communities, and we make the broader economy that much stronger.”

Michael Negron, special assistant to the president for economic policy at the National Economic Council, added that the Biden-Harris administration’s spending and investments have truly made a difference for everyday Black Americans and acknowledged that according to a survey of consumer finances from the Federal Reserve Board, wealth for the average Black family increased by 61% between 2019 and 2022.

by Daniel Johnson

December 23, 2023

Mississippi Judge To Rule On ‘Separate And Unequal’ Court System

The Justice Department has also indicated its interest in joining the case, saying in July 2023 that the creation of the new court is both racially discriminatory and unconstitutional.

The City of Jackson and the State of Mississippi are clashing over the creation of the Capitol Complex Improvement District court established by the passage of House Bill 1020. According to Mississippi Today, the Mississippi Black Caucus protested the passage of the bill on the grounds that it created a separate court system. This has resulted in an NAACP lawsuit. The NAACP is suing state leaders over two new laws that it says create a “separate and unequal” structure involving the police and courts in the city.

The NAACP contends that the proposed appointment of a judge and two prosecutors to the court without the input of Jackson’s citizens amounts to a reduction in the self-determination of Jackson’s Black residents. The organization is concerned that HB 1020 will have a discriminatory impact on Jackson and that the Republican-controlled Mississippi Legislature intended to discriminate against Jackson’s majority Black populace when they passed the bill. The NAACP’s lawsuit uses an argument that is reminiscent of the Jim Crow South, saying, “These laws target Jackson’s majority-Black residents on the basis of race for a separate and unequal policing structure and criminal justice system to which no other residents of the state are subjected.”

https://twitter.com/cwebbonline/status/1679645987890143233?t=xUcw4AOAa7wuvvXcO8_TXw&s=19

Today on the steps of the State Capitol, Rev. Robert James, President of The Mississippi State Conference NAACP, let his voice be heard in regards to the controversial House Bill 1020 and City Bill 2829. pic.twitter.com/PLdUsOMsNc
— Jackson Advocate (@JacksonAdvocate) February 21, 2023

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate said on Dec. 19 that he is set to rule on the injunction sought by the NAACP before HB 1020 goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, Mississippi Today reported. Wingate heard arguments from the plaintiffs and defendants and, according to the Associated Press, did not say much as both sides made their cases.

The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in September 2023 that the court’s creation was allowed under Mississippi’s constitution but also said that appointing four temporary judges to the court was not a constitutional right. One of the lawyers for the defense, Rex Shannon, told Mississippi Today that not every action or intent behind the law is racist and also argued whether or not any legislative action affecting Jackson could actually be considered racist given the demographics of the city. He also said that stopping the court’s creation would be detrimental to efforts to curb Jackson’s public safety and crime problems.

House Bill 1020 is a plan that increases policing, strips voting and political power away from the majority Black citizens of Jackson, and diverts tax dollars away from communities in need. pic.twitter.com/Mir7zp2wXg
— ACLU of Mississippi (@ACLU_MS) February 9, 2023

When he signed the bill in April 2023, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves discussed his desire to curb what he saw as the city’s spiraling crime rate through the legislation, saying, “This legislation won’t solve the entire problem, but if we can stop one shooting, if we can respond to one more 911 call – then we’re one step closer to a better Jackson. I refuse to accept the status quo. As long as I’m governor, the state will keep fighting for safer streets for every Mississippian no matter their politics, race, creed, or religion – regardless of how we’re portrayed by liberal activists or in the national media.”

On Fri. Jan 3rd, Jackson city council members stood together to voice their opposition to the controversial House Bill 1020. pic.twitter.com/IDzrk1EJby
— Jackson Advocate (@JacksonAdvocate) February 4, 2023

Reeves also issued a press release focusing on Jackson’s crime statistics, which he posted to his official Facebook page. Many, however, were critical of his numbers, including Brannon Miller, who runs a Democratic political consulting firm, Chasm Strategies, based in Mississippi. Miller told Mississippi Today via a written statement, “Mississippi had 576 murders in 2020 – the highest murder rate of any state,” and 128 of those, or 22%, were in Jackson. “And to be clear, that’s really high,” Miller wrote. “But even if you take Jackson out of the statistics, Mississippi would still be No. 2 in murder rate.”

The Justice Department has also indicated its interest in joining the case, saying in July 2023 that the creation of the new court is both racially discriminatory and unconstitutional. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division released a statement.

“This thinly-veiled state takeover is intended to strip power, voice, and resources away from Hinds County’s predominantly-Black electorate, singling out the majority Black Hinds County for adverse treatment imposed on no other voters in the State of Mississippi,” said Clarke.

Wingate temporarily blocked the bill from going into effect in May 2023, but his December 2023 ruling is expected to be an expansive opinion and will also decide if the DOJ will be allowed to join the lawsuit. NAACP President and Jackson resident Derrick Johnson, also a plaintiff in the lawsuit, welcomes the DOJ’s potential involvement in the lawsuit.

“When our state leaders fail those they are supposed to serve, it is only right that the federal government steps in to ensure that justice is delivered,” he told Mississippi Today.

by Mary Spiller

December 23, 2023

Rihanna Admits Her Iconic Super Bowl Pregnancy Reveal Was An Accident

Rihanna blamed the zipper on her jacket for the announcement.

Rihanna opened up to Access Hollywood about her iconic Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, where she surprised all her fans by revealing her baby bump on stage. She admitted that the announcement wasn’t planned but resulted from a couple of costume mishaps before she went on stage.

RiRi lightheartedly explained, “Here’s the thing. I did what I had to do, right? My jumper couldn’t zip up. No one knew I was pregnant. I just told my stylist, ‘Make sure it’s stretchy.’ So the undergarment was stretchy, and this [jacket] was baggy, but you know, the zip. It just stopped right there! So it had to be what it had to be.”

The 35-year-old “Rude Boy” singer continued to describe the show as being a special moment for her since performing at the Super Bowl inspired a new feeling in her.

She expressed it was an “out-of-body experience, and I feel like I’ve heard that before, [but] I felt it for the first time at the Super Bowl.”

She attributed it to the fact that she and partner A$AP Rocky were expecting their second son soon after the Super Bowl. They welcomed their second son, Riot, in August. He’s the youngest of the couple’s children; they had their first, RZA, in May 2022.

Rihanna explained that seeing Rocky become a father to their two children has been an awesome and eye-opening experience. She told the outlet, “I loved him differently as a dad. It’s a turn-on. It’s just like, ‘Wow! What a leader, what a great, patient, loving [dad].’”

Rihanna told Access Hollywood that the boys favored their Harlem-born rapper father.

“And my kids are obsessed with him. I’m just a background, I’m an extra… It doesn’t matter if it’s girls or boys; they love their dad differently, and I love to see it.”

by Stacy Jackson

December 23, 2023

TikTok Users In Support Of Mel B Calling Out Blackface Tradition

The performers were wearing blackface, minstrel garb, red lipstick, and gold hoop earrings, attire that was supposed to represent "Black Pete,” a Dutch Christmas character.

An old clip from 1997 of the Spice Girls interview has resurfaced, where group member Melanie Brown spoke up to address a racially insensitive tradition, and fans are praising her for how she handled it. Melanie Brown, whose stage name is Mel B, is the only Black singer in the girl group.

The resurfaced video circulating on TikTok is a snippet from an interview with the popular singing group on “Laat de Leeuw,” a Dutch TV show.

After seeing a group of performers dressed in blackface, Mel B responded, “I don’t like them,” before the people were escorted to the stage.

Spice Girl member Geri Halliwell was heard yelling “No!” in the clip as the performers came out wearing blackface, minstrel garb, red lipstick, and gold hoop earrings, attire that was supposed to represent “Zwarte Piet” or “Black Pete,” a Dutch Christmas character.

https://www.tiktok.com/@medylema/video/7314056996263628065

According to NBC, those supporting Black Pete view him as a harmless holiday character for kids as the day is filled with songs, poems, and family time, owing to his skin being covered in soot from chimneys. However, people who do not favor the Christmas character view it as a promotion of negative racial stereotypes that originate from a 19th-century children’s book that describes him as a servant of Saint Nicholas.

According to HuffPost, some people in the Netherlands view the tradition as an excuse to be racist.

In the video, Mel B tells the TV show host that rather than having people paint their faces black, they should get Black People to do it. De Leeuw argues, “That’s culture, that’s tradition.”

“I think they should change it. I think you should change it,” Mel B says firmly. “You shouldn’t have their faces painted. This is the ’90s.”

“No, but it’s culture,” de Leeuw says, to which Mel B replies: “Update your culture. You should get proper ones — proper Black people.”

The comment section on TikTok showed users commending Mel B and the other members of the Spice Girls for denouncing the distasteful tradition. One user wrote, “They were so real for this, even by ’90s standards.”

Years later, after the interview with the Spice Girls, de Leeuw said his perspective on the issue changed. In 2014, he said he was in favor of the Dutch getting rid of the character. A realization came after he watched the film “12 Years a Slave.”

presidential pardons, Joe Biden, president

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 23, 2023

Biden Grants Pardons And Clemency For Offenders Convicted of Marijuana Charges

Under the new pardon, federal prisoners aren't eligible for release.

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation on Dec. 22 giving pardons to inmates convicted of marijuana-related charges under federal and D.C. law.

White House officials said the new proclamation is an expansion of actions taken by the president in 2022 on simple cannabis charges, issuing pardons for offenses like use and possession on certain federal lands. No one was released from prison under those actions, according to the Associated Press, but those pardons were created to help offenders overcome obstacles when looking to purchase a home or secure employment.

Under the new pardon, federal prisoners aren’t eligible for release.

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who committed or were convicted of simple possession, attempted simple possession, or use of marijuana will now be pardoned regardless of whether the offender has been charged or prosecuted yet. Offenders who have state convictions, charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, or driving while under the influence aren’t included this time.

The new order only applies to marijuana, which has been decriminalized or legalized in several states. However, under federal law, the drug is classified as a controlled substance. U.S. regulators are studying what needs to be done to reclassify marijuana. Currently, the drug is deemed as “Schedule I” – or having “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse” – to the lesser regulated “Schedule III.”

In a statement, Biden is pushing for governors to move on state marijuana laws. “Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either,” Biden said.

Vice President Kamala Harris shares the same views. “As I have declared many times before, no one should be in prison simply for smoking weed,” she said. “That is why we continue to call on Governors to join us in this long-overdue work.”

On top of the pardons, Christmas came early for 11 people after Biden granted them clemency for serving what he describes as “disproportionately long” sentences for nonviolent drug offenses. Those individuals would have been eligible for shorter sentences if they were charged under recent reforms.

“Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” the president said. “Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”

mike williams, NFL, Buffalo Bills, sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 23, 2023

Former NFL Player Mike Williams Died From Bacterial Sepsis

He died from a rare form of sepsis that was related to dental health problems based on a medical examiner’s report.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams died earlier this year after being in a coma following a workplace accident in September. He died on Sept. 12. He died from a rare form of sepsis that was related to dental health problems based on a medical examiner’s report, The Associated Press reported.

The 36-year-old former NFL player was involved in a construction accident where he suffered severe head and spinal cord injuries as well as paralysis in his arm and lower body when a steel beam accidentally fell on his head at a construction site. Williams never regained consciousness.

His death was labeled natural by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner. The report states that the cause of Williams’ death was bacterial sepsis traced to a dental infection and “retained tooth roots.” This is a preliminary report with a full autopsy slated to be released later. That report will also include toxicology and other information, officials stated. The report also reveals that cardiovascular disease was a contributing factor in his death.

WFLA previously reported that Williams’ mother, Mary Rosenthal, said that her son never wanted to live through a ventilator.

“He said, if this ever happens to me, to pull my plug because I don’t want to live like that,” Rosenthal said. “Those are his wishes. When he was a football player, he had already signed the papers.”

The former NFL star played high school football at Riverside Institute of Technology. After graduating, he attended and played three seasons as a wide receiver for Syracuse University, where he had some impressive numbers for the school, finishing ninth in career receptions (133), eighth in receiving yards (2,044) and tied for second in receiving touchdowns (20), before entering the NFL Draft in 2010. A fourth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams played with the Bucs for four seasons before he was traded to his hometown team, the Buffalo Bills. He played in six games that season and caught 22 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns.

Williams played 63 games in his NFL career, starting in 52, while recording 223 catches for 3,089 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Wayfair CEO Tells His Employees They Need To Work Harder

by Rafael Pena

December 23, 2023

Wayfair CEO Tells His Employees They Need To Work Harder

In an end-of-year message to Wayfair employees CEO Niraj Shah urged staff members to embrace hard work.

In an end-of-year message to Wayfair employees in December 2023, CEO Niraj Shah urged staff members to embrace hard work, blend their work with life, and approach spending with a frugal mindset, CNN reports. The message comes as Wayfair, an online furniture company, navigates the challenges of a shifting market landscape.

According to CNN, Shah emphasized the importance of hard work, stating, “Winning requires hard work. I believe that most of us, being ambitious individuals, find fulfillment in the joy of seeing our efforts materialize into tangible results.” He encouraged employees not to shy away from working long hours and blending work with life, asserting that success is not historically linked to laziness.

Addressing the company’s financial outlook, Shah acknowledged the challenges faced in 2022 as consumer behavior shifted from online shopping for physical goods to in-person experiences. Wayfair responded by announcing a 5% reduction in its workforce. However, Shah delivered positive news in his recent communication: “Together, we can win much faster than we are winning now if we all row in this direction together.” He highlighted the company’s return to profitability.

Shah also urged Wayfair employees to view company spending as their own and adopt a thrifty approach. “Would you spend money on that, would you spend that much money for that thing, does that price seem reasonable, and lastly — have you negotiated the price?” he emphasized in an email obtained by Business Insider.

While motivational for some, the CEO’s message raised concerns among experts like Nicholas Bloom, a professor of economics. In an interview with CNN’s Richard Quest, Bloom expressed skepticism about the sustainability of a business model requiring employees to work 80 hours a week without a corresponding salary increase. “I don’t see this as being successful for the typical employee.” Bloom pointed out that the job market is strong, and employees have alternative opportunities.

As the online retail giant seeks to navigate the evolving dynamics of consumer behavior, Shah’s leadership emphasizes a proactive and aggressive approach. Wayfair’s success during the pandemic’s early stages has prompted a renewed focus on profitability and efficiency. The company’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions while maintaining a motivated and dedicated workforce remains critical in its future trajectory.

CNN reported that a spokesperson for Wayfair was not immediately available to respond to inquiries about employee compensation. With around 15,000 employees as of December 2022, the company continues to play a significant role in the competitive online retail landscape.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 23, 2023

First Ever In-Person SistersInc. Summit Brought Inspiration And Empowerment To NYC

In the bustling metropolis of NYC, Black Enterprise held its first-ever, in-person SistersInc. conference on Dec. 9.

In the bustling metropolis of New York City, BLACK ENTERPRISE held its first-ever in-person SistersInc. Summit on Dec. 9. The day was filled with dynamic panel conversations, genuine mentorship, and holiday shopping, all centered around Black women.

The power of these Black women entrepreneurs lies not only in their individual accomplishments but in the synergy that emerges when they stand and work together. Sharing their blend of diverse skills, backgrounds, and perspectives, they inspired the audience and set their sights on financial success. As they exchanged ideas, mentorship, and resources with the audience, the women in the room were inspired by these aspirational takeaways from the day’s panel.

Danessa Myricks, founder of Danessa Myricks Beauty, spoke with BE‘s Alisa Gumbs, VP/ deputy chief content officer, on ‘the power of perseverance.’ This conversation emphasized how having strong drive and faith can help your entrepreneurial journey.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise)

“All of us are inspired by the opportunity to create our own destinies. Your commitment is the most important thing throughout the journey. Even when things are really hard, the one thing you really don’t want to give up on is you. Every part of your life’s journey is part of your entrepreneurial journey., said Myricks.

She continued further about representation in many industries, or lack thereof.

“If I didn’t see other Black women thriving in beauty, I may have never taken that risk. What got me to be an eight-figure brand today is because they know who I am, and that’s the real magic of the brand first.”

Another panel that significantly resonated with the audience was one between BE’s Senior Digital Editor, Sidnee Michelle; Leah Williams, chief executive officer, Digitalundivided; and Jamila Wright, founder of Brooklyn Tea. The trio discussed “financing your dreams” and the different paths of women entrepreneurs.

Williams spoke on some financial options for women entrepreneurs.

“In terms of pitch competitions, you may not win or receive a little capital, but you can win with the connections. In terms of grants and funding, some institutions give you money when you don’t need the money, and they never give you enough of it. I suggest exploring every avenue possible,” she said.

Wright spoke on being one of the only Black-owned companies in the industry.

“We grew through community. Grassroots. There are a lot of tea places out there, but no one sells tea like Brooklyn Tea. That’s what makes us special,” she noted.

One of the powerful panel conversations to close out the afternoon was between Nicole Cober Johnson, founder of The BOW Collective, and BE’s Social Media Editor, Tierra Smith, and the talk was centered around building a million-dollar business.

Cober Johnson dropped gems on how female entrepreneurs in the audience can reach that goal.

“Being in business is an investment. You have got to spend money to make money. If you want to get to $1 million, do the math and replicate yourself. 90% of all businesses are solopreneurs,” she pointed out.

She ended the conversation by focusing on the power of partnership.

“I know how hard Black women work. I know we can work together. If you’re in an ‘I’ mindset, you’re not collectively mind-setted. Know who you are, your value proposition, and that of other Black women around you,” she said.

Before the inspiring afternoon came to a close, attendees took place in a holiday market featuring Black-owned brands. These vendors were included:

Sistahs in Business Expo