New York Cannabis Board Votes To Settle Lawsuits Stalling Legal Dispensaries
by Derek Major

November 28, 2023

New York Cannabis Board Votes To Settle Lawsuits Stalling Legal Dispensaries

New York Cannabis Board regulators approved a deal to settle lawsuits that have blocked recreational cannabis dispensaries from opening.

New York Cannabis Board regulators approved a deal Monday to settle lawsuits that have blocked recreational cannabis dispensaries from opening.

The Associated Press reports the settlement is a move to restart the state’s legal cannabis market, which has been held up. The settlement still needs a judge’s approval before it can take effect.

“I’m glad they’ve agreed to a settlement and can move forward,” Eli Northrup, Director of the Bronx Cannabis Hub told Black Enterprise.“Now with the new license application period open, these individuals are not going to have the same kind of start that they were promised, but I do commend those for working towards the settlement without abandoning it.”

The lawsuits, which were filed to fight rules that promised the first retail licenses to minorities with past cannabis convictions, have blocked the state from processing and issuing retail marijuana licenses since August.

According to Fortune, the lawsuits were filed by a coalition of large medical cannabis companies and a group of four military veterans.

Since cannabis sales began a year ago, the lawsuits have turned the state’s marijuana market into confusion and chaos. Bureaucratic issues and lawsuits have allowed only a couple dozen legal shops to open, while farmers sit on a bevy of cannabis crops and hundreds of black market storefronts have popped up across New York City.

The New York State Cannabis Control Board said it could move forward on more than 400 provisional retail licensees if the settlement is approved.

New York’s Office of Management and Budget estimates revenue from cannabis sales to grow steadily from $20.0 million in 2024 to $38.0 million in 2027, according to the outlet. Additionally, statewide estimates start at $70.0 million in 2024, of which $38.0 million is expected to come from licensing fees and $32.0 million from excise and potency taxes. The state’s estimates grow to $339.0 million by 2027.

The tax revenue from cannabis sales in New York City could help the city battle a $7 billion budget gap that has forced Mayor Eric Adams to cut the budgets for the police, libraries, and schools. Adams has blamed the budget gap on migrants being sent to New York City by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Adams and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul have all but begged President Joe Biden for additional funds to help, but Biden has been reluctant to help. 

RELATED CONTENT: Detroit Grants 37 Cannabis Licenses, 13 Going To Black-Owned Businesses

Tristan Thompson, Amari Thompson, guardianship, brother, mother, death
by Rafael Pena

November 28, 2023

Tristan Thompson Needs “Additional Evidence” In Order To Gain Legal Guardianship Of His Brother

A judge mandated Tristan Thompson must present "additional evidence" to secure guardianship of his 17-year-old brother, Amari Thompson.

A judge has mandated that NBA veteran Tristan Thompson must present “additional evidence” to secure permanent guardianship of his 17-year-old brother, Amari Thompson.

Court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com reveal that a hearing was conducted last week to address Tristan’s petition seeking to be named Amari’s permanent guardian. While Tristan was appointed temporary guardian in September, following their mother Andrea’s death, the recent ruling requires further documentation for a permanent arrangement.

The court previously granted Tristan “all powers a parent having legal custody of a child would have” until December 2023. At the recent hearing to solidify this order, the judge emphasized the need for “additional evidence by supplemental declaration or additional documentation” and scheduled a follow-up hearing on February 1 to allow Tristan time to gather the required information.

Tristan’s temporary powers have been extended until the next hearing, according to the outlet. Amari, facing epilepsy and other medical conditions, requires constant care, and Tristan has fulfill the latter role since Andrea’s death. Tristan, in court documents, explained that their father, Trevor Thompson, has been absent from Amari’s life for years with no fulfillment of support obligations.

Tristan’s lawyer outlined Trevor’s long-standing absence, stating that Trevor has allegedly actively avoided responsibilities since Andrea gained sole custody in 2014. With Andrea’s passing, Amari is set to receive $114,000, which Tristan wants to protect.

“A Guardian is also needed to protect Amari’s inheritance from loss or injury,” Tristan’s petition emphasized. Seeking American citizenship, school enrollment, and international travel for Amari, Tristan asserted his commitment to providing for his brother’s well-being. The petition stressed that Tristan has been Amari’s primary caregiver since Andrea’s death.

Despite Tristan’s petition facing no objections, additional legal challenges emerge, as his ex, Jordan Craig, recently sought wage garnishment over unpaid child support.

RELATED CONTENT: Tristan Thompson Under Probe Over Petition to Gain Guardianship Of His Younger Brother

Stonewall Brick Awards To Honor Dominique Jackson With Icon Award
by Daniel Johnson

November 28, 2023

Stonewall Brick Awards To Honor Dominique Jackson With Icon Award

The Stonewall Brick Awards Gala will honor Dominique Jackson, an actress best known for her appearances on FX’s Pose, with the Icon Award

The first annual Stonewall Brick Awards Gala will be held on Dec. 4 at Racket in New York City. The Stonewall Initiative is putting the awards show on in honor of the 1979 Stonewall Riots, officially recognized as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Though there has been some disagreement about who actually threw the first brick, by most accounts, credit goes to Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman.

The Brick Awards will honor Dominique Jackson, an actress best known for appearing on FX’s Pose, with the Icon Award. According to The Advocate, Stacey Lentz, the co-owner of the Stonewall Inn and the CEO of the Stonewall Gives Back Initiative, which the awards show will benefit, provided the criteria for the honorees. “The award recipients continuously give back to the LGBTQ+ community, especially during a time when we need it most. This gala is a time for us to celebrate our resilience and the activists at the forefront.” 

In an October interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jackson discussed what it meant to her to be honored with an award from the National LGBTQ Task Force in Florida despite the state’s repression of LGBTQ+ citizens, saying, “It’s not just a major act of resistance, it’s just major. We’re here. We have been here, and we will continue to be us. For me, going to Florida, yes, I have a bit of fear because of what is happening. When you’re on the outside, you really don’t get the gist of what’s actually happening on the inside. But my brothers and sisters in Florida are resilient. They are strong.” 

In addition to Jackson, the Brick Awards will also honor Ugandan LGBTQ+ human rights activist Dr. Frank Mugisha with the Global Activist Award, the GenderCool Project with the Youth Courage Award, the LGBTQ+ Ambassador for the Stoli Group, Patrick Gallineaux with the Safe Spaces Award, and the ACLU’s Deputy Executive Director for Strategy & Culture, Amber Hikes, with the Community Activist Award. There will also be a silent auction, which comedian Dana Goldberg will emcee.

The Brick Awards will feature performances by The Dragon Sisters and Jackie Beat, and presenters for the awards will be Yuhua Hamasaki, Jeff Hiller, Ian Paget, Nico Tortorella, Murray Hill, Lorna Luft, and Sam Jay. The show will be emceed by Peppermint, best known as the runner-up on the 9th Season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Peppermint is also an actress, singer/songwriter, activist, and television personality. Tickets for the event are already on sale and have two tiers: a Priority Seats option and a Standing Room option. Tickets can cost up to $300 for a priority seat once all fees have been added to the ticket cost. There are no plans for the evening to be live-streamed, so the only way to experience it is to buy a ticket and attend the gala in person. 

SHEIN X Helped This Black Fashion Designer Reach A Global Audience
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 28, 2023

SHEIN X Helped This Black Fashion Designer Reach A Global Audience

The SHEIN X incubator program is amplifying Black-owned fashion brands through collaborative collections available on SHEIN.

The SHEIN X incubator program is doing its part in amplifying Black-owned fashion brands through collaborative collections available on SHEIN.

Founded in 2021, the SHEIN X Designer Incubator Program empowers creativity by guiding independent fashion designers and artists through the process that brings their ideas to life – from product development to manufacturing, to marketing and supply chain logistics. Since its launch, nearly 3,000 designers and artists from around the world have been able to leverage SHEIN’s resources to sell their original creations to SHEIN’s global audiences.

In September, SHEIN announced an investment of an additional $50 million into the SHEIN X program over the next five years. This brings the company’s total investment to $105 million through 2028.

On the heels of the announcement, SHEIN welcomed BLACK ENTERPRISE to One Music Fest in Atlanta where we met with designer Lauren Flagg of Obviously Vintage to learn firsthand how SHEIN X has helped take her brands to the next level.

For Flagg, the North Carolina native relocated to Atlanta to pursue a career in fashion design after graduating from the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham in 2017. In 2018, she founded her streetwear brand, Obviously Vintage, which is dedicated to promoting eco-friendly fashion.

Inspired by nostalgic designs from the 1980s and 90s, Flagg makes designs around her teenage and young adult years thrifting and repurposing clothes. Along with serving on the design team at Milano Di Rouge, Flagg joined the SHEIN X program earlier this year after being selected along with five other U.S.-based SHEIN X designers to create the first SHEIN X collections under evoluSHEIN by Design. SHEIN’s product initiative is aimed at accelerating the use of preferred materials and scaling responsible manufacturing processes.

“I designed these pieces based on getting multiple wares out of them and styling them different ways,” she tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “All of the materials are recycled polyester fabric so it’s very breathable, very lightweight.”

“I just wanted this collection to be comfortable where women can feel confident,” she added. “And I also made it around my tall girlies because you know some things come in short so I made them extra long and extra comfortable for them to fit all body types.”

As for how SHEIN X has helped scale her brand, Flagg is experiencing a global reach she could only dream of.

“I’ve seen people in France wearing my pieces and I was just like, oh my god, that’s somebody in Paris right now,” she exclaimed. “It’s just like an amazing thing to reach so many people worldwide.”

Disneyland
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 28, 2023

Naked Man Arrested At Disneyland After Stripping Clothes Off On ‘It’s A Small World’ Ride

The 26-year-old was arrested and charged on suspicion of indecent exposure and being under the influence of a controlled substance

A water ride at Disneyland named ‘It’s A Small World’ may have triggered a visitor to the park to strip naked on Nov. 26.

According to The Orange County Register, a 26-year-old man removed his clothes at the park. After being seen in just his underwear, he removed them and waded into the water before patrons and park workers discovered him. He was later apprehended by police officers and carried out of Disneyland by law enforcement officials.

The scene was captured by several camera phones, and various people posted it to social media platforms.

Police officers from the Anaheim Police Department went to the park after receiving a phone call at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, informing them that a man was nude at the ‘It’s a Small World’ attraction at the park, according to Anaheim Police spokesperson Sgt. Jon McClintock.

A compilation video posted by X user Hunter Kost shows the moment the suspect entered the area and then took off his clothes when he stripped down to his underwear. He is seen sitting in the water a moment later, then nude, walking in a tunnel as a park worker goes after him. Before the clip ends, it shows the suspect being carried out by his arms and feet by police officers, taking him out of the park to book him.

The unidentified man was arrested and charged on suspicion of indecent exposure and being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to McClintock. He was then taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

Deadline reported that the ride was closed for about an hour as inspectors at Disneyland checked it out. The ride was re-opened at about 3 p.m. local time.

RELATED CONTENT: Artist Malaika Favorite Brings Princess Tiana To Life In New Disneyland Mural

Southern Black Girls
by Rafael Pena

November 28, 2023

Over Two-Thirds Of Pedestrian Deaths Happen In Black Atlanta Neighborhoods

PropelATL reported there’s a surge in pedestrian fatalities on Atlanta on the streets of Black Atlanta neighborhoods.

On Nov. 16, PropelATL, a nonprofit transportation safety advocacy group, reported there was a surge in pedestrian fatalities on Atlanta’s streets, with a disproportionate impact on predominantly Black neighborhoods. According to FOX Atlanta, the harrowing statistics underscore the urgent need for immediate action and heightened accountability.

In September 2022, Brittany Glover fell victim to a fatal hit-and-run on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Her mother, Valerie Handy-Carey, passionately expressed the profound impact her daughter’s death had on her family. “We loved Brittany. We miss Brittany. It has an impact on our family, the torment of not knowing who,” Handy-Carey lamented. The unidentified driver further compounds the tragedy, leaving families like Brittany’s without closure.

Last week, Keisha Waites, a member of the Atlanta City Council, took a bold step by putting up $3,000 of her own money and rallying support from fellow members to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the driver responsible for Glover’s untimely death.

The PropelATL report, 38 Reasons Why, presents a bleak picture of pedestrian safety in Black Atlanta. The city witnessed a rise in pedestrian deaths from 31 in 2021 to 38 in 2022, marking a 23% increase. The surge is even more alarming than 2020, showing a staggering 52% rise.

Rebecca Serna, the executive director of PropelATL, underscored the situation’s urgency, highlighting Atlanta’s disturbing trend compared to national averages. The report reveals Atlanta’s alarming average of 12.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 people, more than double the rates in peer cities like Chicago (5.4) and Seattle (3.72).

“Here in Atlanta, our streets are not really designed for safety overall. They’re really designed more for speed. How can we get as many cars through as possible? So, the lack of safe pedestrian crossings, the lack of bike lanes, and the very wide, fast car travel lanes all contribute to this problem,” Serna said.

The report’s revelation that 50% of pedestrian crashes transpire on just 10% of Atlanta’s streets presents a clear opportunity for targeted interventions. Serna advocates for immediate changes to these high-risk areas, emphasizing the potential to enhance pedestrian safety in the city dramatically.

PropelATL’s campaign for adopting pedestrian safety signal timing, providing pedestrians a head start when crossing streets, emerges as a cost-effective and proven strategy to mitigate crashes. However, the report’s findings demand more than just campaigns; they demand accountability from city leaders.

Handy-Carey, echoing the sentiments of many affected families, emphasized the need for accountability. “There’s no other responsibility that you have before you fix the street because people are still dying,” she asserted. While Serna acknowledged some city efforts, such as planned pedestrian crossings on Moreland Avenue and 40 voter-approved “Moving Atlanta Forward” projects focusing on pedestrian safety, the urgency of the matter necessitates more robust and immediate action.

As the city grapples with this crisis, the report serves as a call to action, urging authorities to prioritize pedestrian safety, address systemic issues, and implement effective measures to prevent further tragedies. The $10,000 reward for information on Brittany Glover’s case is a testament to the community’s collective effort in seeking justice for victims of these devastating incidents.

RELATED CONTENT: Suspected Burglar Thwarted By Fayette County Deputies In Pre-Dawn Incident In Georgia

Stevie Wonder, Joe Biden
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 28, 2023

President Biden Wants to Meet With Stevie Wonder To Discuss The ‘Black Agenda’

According to April Ryan, music icon Stevie Wonder wants to meet with President Biden to discuss the former's commitment to the "Black agenda."

President Joe Biden is being asked to meet with music icon Stevie Wonder to discuss a commitment to the “Black agenda.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spoke with reporters on Monday, Nov. 27, where she was informed about Stevie Wonder’s request to meet with Biden to ensure the concerns of the Black community would be addressed as we head into the 2024 presidential election, the Washington Examiner reports.

“I had an in-depth conversation with Stevie Wonder last night, who was asking, requesting a meeting with the president,” theGrio correspondent April Ryan said. “He’s very concerned about the Black agenda falling along the wayside and issues like laws of 50 years ago that are now being abolished or gutted to include issues like the Voting Rights Act, what happened in Arkansas last week, affirmative action, Supreme Court issues, we’ve seen it, ban on books.”

Ryan also noted Wonder’s past meeting with former President Ronald Reagan, which was a “major impetus for getting the holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

Jean-Pierre said that while Biden took Wonder’s concerns “very, very seriously,” she could not confirm a meeting between the two parties.

“I also want to say that on the president’s first day in this administration, he has taken this very seriously as it relates to what we’re seeing. Why, as it relates to racial inequality, he called it one of the four major crises that we have to deal with as a country when he stepped into office,” she explained.

“We’ve met with civil rights leaders multiple times, the president himself and the vice president, as well, and have sat in rooms listening to them and listening to their concerns and also taking in their feedback,” Jean-Pierre added.

Biden promised to pass new voting rights legislation during his campaign in 2020. However, laws protecting voting rights continue to face growing threats from conservatives. But Jean-Pierre said the president is taking the concerns “very seriously.”

“That’s why we’ve taken the actions that we’ve had throughout the past almost three years in this administration. That’s why we’re going to continue to be vocal about the importance of making sure that we keep an open door of opportunity for communities,” Jean-Pierre said. “I don’t have anything to share about a meeting with Mr. Stevie Wonder, but obviously, this is something that both the president, the vice president, and also the first lady, takes incredibly seriously.”

On the same day of the press conference, two conservative judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit voted to end what is left of the Voting Rights Act, according to MSNBC. If the decision is successful, it will remove the ability of minority voters to vindicate their right to vote.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Voters Still Unsure Of Who To Support As Biden Continues To Plummet In The Polls

Ava DuVernay Praises Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Film For Highlighting How Black Women Are ‘Gaslit’ In The Industry
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 28, 2023

Ava DuVernay Praises Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Film For Highlighting How Black Women Are ‘Gaslit’ In The Industry

Ava Duvernay praised Beyoncé's "Renaissance" film and how it tackles how Black women are "gaslit" in the industry

Ava Duvernay is praising Beyoncé’s directing chops in her “Renaissance” film and how she tackled how Black women are “gaslit” in the industry.

The stars came out for the premiere of Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Hosted at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater on Saturday, Nov. 25, attendees followed Beyoncé’s dress requirements for “cozy opulence,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The event also featured a Destiny’s Child reunion with Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, and the group’s original members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson.

Other A-listers who attended include Janelle Monáe, Issa Rae, Lizzo, and DuVernay. The Selma director shared an in-depth movie review praising Beyoncé’s “phenomenal” work as director.

“The woman is a director in every sense of the word and beyond,” Ava wrote in an Instagram post captured by BuzzFeed. “Every decision that a director makes in the course of our work, she does brilliantly.”

She continued, “But then, add the fact that she goes out and performs in front of hundreds of thousands of people at genius level? Now, you’re talking about a phenom — no hyperbole.”

DuVernay praise the performance element showcased throughout the film which serves as a “gorgeous spectacle of craft.” She also noted how “stunning” the costumes, editing, and lighting design are.

But her “favorite part” actually made Duvernay “emotional” as it resonated with her on a personal level as a Black filmmaker.

“She talks candidly about having to fight to be heard as a Black woman leader working at a high level of difficulty. Having to endure being second-guessed often and gaslit constantly,” Duvernary wrote.

“We actually see moments of this happening to her on camera. People directly doubting, shortchanging, gaslighting her. I haven’t seen that described in a film before. Something that I’ve experienced far too often, unfolding on the big screen, in detail, as proof, as evidence that this is real and not in our heads.

“[E]ven though I have lots of practice with this kind of blatant disregard, it never gets easier to stomach,” she shared. “Never easier to watch someone diminish themselves by their downright disregard for you.”

Duvernary concluded by praising Beyoncé for making her “feel seen” through her film.

On Sunday, Beyoncé’s longtime publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, shared photos of the singer from the premiere along with Duvernay’s beautiful review.

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé follows her highest-grossing tour to date, the Renaissance World Tour, and its promotion of the Renaissance album that made her the most decorated artist in Grammy Awards history.

The film features behind-the-scenes footage as well as clips from Beyoncé’s onstage performances throughout Europe and the United States.

RELATED CONTENT: Beyoncé Debuts Star-Studded Renaissance Concert Film Premiere

Nicki Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday 2’ Perfume Breaks Internet, Selling Out In Minutes
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 28, 2023

Nicki Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday 2’ Perfume Breaks Internet, Selling Out In Minutes

Nicki Minaj's highly-anticipated "Pink Friday 2" perfume, named after her upcoming album, sold out within 11 minutes of its launch.

Nicki Minaj is commemorating her upcoming album with the release of her newest perfume, Pink Friday 2, named after the project. The rapper’s scent was officially released to much anticipation on Nov. 26, selling out in mere minutes.

The fragrance is reminiscent of its 2012 predecessor, Pink Friday, also named after Minaj’s first album. The bottle pays homage to the larger-than-life artist, complete with a bust of the 40-year-old’s figure with her signature pink wig. Minaj shared the keepsake with her over 228 million followers on Instagram, announcing its availability exclusively at JCPenney.

Minaj’s dedicated fanbase, who identify as Barbz, quickly bought up the $49 perfume, becoming unavailable within 11 minutes of its launch. With its top notes of citrus, nectarine, and pineapple, the fruity elements were met with floral notes of orange flower petals, pink mimosa, and damask rose. To finish it off at its base were tonka bean and sexy musk, making for a seductive fragrance fitting for the self-proclaimed Queen of Rap.

However, the mother of one was initially unaware that her highly-coveted perfume was already up for grabs at JCPenney’s website, going to X to tell fans that she was “informed of nothing” when it dropped a few days before the official release date.

“I had no idea. Was informed of nothing. Didn’t get a link to post. just woke up one day & boom! Saw y’all discussing it,” shared Minaj, a frequent engager with her fans via social media.

Despite the misstep, it’s clear that the fragrance launch was a success, as the Queens native prepares for the aptly-titled album release on Dec. 8. For those who were unable to get their hands on the special bottle, Minaj also announced that another rollout on Amazon is expected soon.

'Am I the Drama?', Cardi B, Guinness Record, Drone Album Deliveries
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 28, 2023

It Costs $1M To Get Cardi B To Leave The Crib, Rapper Reveals In Rant

Cardi B reveals that she won't leave the house for less than $1 million, as stated in her rant allegedly in response to Hazel E.

Cardi B is fed up after allegations were made surrounding her 2018 breakout hit, “Bodak Yellow.” After her former Love & Hip Hop co-star Hazel E claimed that she never received credit for helping make the song’s video shoot in Dubai, the footage was unveiled on Nov. 26 of the rapper’s alleged response.

Hazel E shared on Instagram that the video would have never been made if she hadn’t followed “Girl Code” and wanted to see Cardi win, with the story post re-shared by The NeighborhoodTalk.

While Hazel E said that neither she nor her team was given credit for their help in making the video happen, saying that she would have never “co-signed” the shoot in hindsight, Cardi clapped back over the damaging accusations in the released audio by the tabloid.

“I’m a real powerful b-tch, bro,” shared the Grammy winner. “You know what’s so funny? Sometimes, there’s certain reasons why some b-tches don’t like you. Know what I’m saying?”

She continued the explicit rant, viscerally attacking “b-tches” such as Hazel E, who spoke on her despite not being as successful.

 “Not only don’t I know these hoes, these hoes don’t even stay on my f-cking mind. Like, these b-tches don’t even be on my f-cking mind, and I be on theirs,” expressed Cardi. “When these b-tches be jacking that they don’t like me, they don’t have no f-cking reason to like me. They always got to put another b-tch in it because you ain’t got no f-cking reason.

As for her viral comment about not leaving her home for less than seven figures, Cardi stated that she will not “even come out the house to perform unless it’s $1 million and up.”

With her successful music career and various brand deals, such as Whip Shots and even OnlyFans, the star can truly put her money where her mouth is. Next time Cardi B is seen outside, spectators should believe she received a hefty check for it.

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