Retired College Administrator, 57, To Pose As Rookie For 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
by Stacy Jackson

November 28, 2023

Retired College Administrator, 57, To Pose As Rookie For 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

A 57-year-old retired college associate dean is one of seven finalists for the 2024 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

A 57-year-old retired associate dean from Long Beach, California, will model for the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue after spending her younger days too afraid to wear a bikini.

The woman, identified as Nina Cash, was selected out of thousands of aspiring Sports Illustrated models. She has received support from younger women and men but credits her husband for encouraging her to follow her dreams when she got cold feet, WSB-TV reported. Cash’s husband took her photo and supported her decision to submit it to the contest.

The wife and mother of three girls responded to critics who alleged that her husband was the one who boosted her up to submit to the model search. “No — my husband encouraged me because I wanted to do it. Big difference.”

Cash added, “He didn’t say, ‘I want you to show everybody that you could wear a bikini at [57]’. He said, ‘Honey, if you want to do it, I support you 125%.’”

The 57-year-old said Kathy Jacobs — who in 2020 became the oldest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue model—inspired her. Now, it’s Cash’s turn to inspire others, and she’s already doing that, according to the news outlet. She said that people have reached out to her about the impact that she has had on them. “I get a lot of people private messaging me [on social media] saying, ‘Thank you for making it OK to go gray.’” 

Others have said, “‘Thank you for making it OK for a woman to be an educator or to have advanced degrees and still do something like this,’” Cash said, according to the news outlet.

The retired college associate dean-turned-model obtained academic degrees in negotiation, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and human services. She also earned a doctorate in educational leadership. Her college administration experience spans 30 years.

Cash is one of seven finalists who will pose as rookies for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s 2024 issue. According to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s website, other winners who will be featured are Brittney Nicole, Achieng Agutu, Penny Lane, Jena Sims, Sharina Gutierrez, and Berkleigh Wright.

RELATED CONTENT: 5 Black Swimsuit Designers Making Waves This Summer

Alan Kneeland, Kneeland, Chubby Chicks
by Daniel Johnson

November 28, 2023

Alan Kneeland Named First Black President Of Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association

The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association has named Alan Kneeland, co-owner of The Combine, the first Black president in its long history.

The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association has named its first Black president in its long history. Alan Kneeland, co-owner of The Combine, told the Kansas City Star, “It’s very humbling.”

“It is something that I didn’t necessarily see myself doing, and if you would have asked me 15 years ago, I would have said that’s impossible,” he added. “But when you have a passion for something and you really put your heart into it, anything is possible.”

The association, which formed out of the Missouri Restaurant Association, has been around since 1916 when it was the Kansas City Business Men’s Association. The organization governs restaurants in the Kansas City area and helps them maintain bonds.

Post-pandemic, some restaurants have refused to evolve by not offering to-go options for customers or embracing delivery services like DoorDash. Kneeland says that change is inevitable in the restaurant business. “A lot of restaurants have had to change their concepts and change the way they do business to switch things up because the things that people were doing 10 years ago in the restaurant industry are definitely not what they’re doing now,” he told the Star.

https://twitter.com/scalesvision/status/1618671790712315904?t=kjbesFs-rOs8X5BlsaSxcw&s=19

Kneeland wants to use his position to generate interest in the restaurant industry in Kansas City’s schools to change the perception that the food service industry is a dead-end job. He believes that the emergence of more Black-owned businesses in the Kansas City area might be the key, even though that’s not a new concept.

“I think it is wild that Black-owned restaurants are looked at as something new in the metro,” Kneeland said. “For some reason, we don’t look at Gates or Arthur Bryant’s, which are some of the oldest eating places in the city and started by Black people in a time where Black people weren’t allowed to do very much.”

Kneeland hopes his ideas to engage the youth can awaken a desire to be business owners and entrepreneurs earlier than they awoke in himself, telling the Kansas City Star, “I think a lot of younger kids kind of look down at working in the food industry now. I didn’t realize that I wanted to be a restaurant owner until after being in the industry for at least eight years, but now I don’t think many kids think there is a point trying to work your way up.”

RELATED CONTENT: LISC AND UBER EATS ANNOUNCE BLACK RESTAURANT FUND TO EXPAND ACCESS TO GROWTH CAPITAL AND FUEL UNDERSERVED BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES

Warren Buffett Influenced This Black Woman To Start A Million-Dollar Brand
by Stacy Jackson

November 28, 2023

Warren Buffett Influenced This Black Woman To Start A Million-Dollar Brand

The founder of Silver & Riley wanted to be the CEO of BMW before she met Warren Buffett, who inspired her to start her own enterprise.

Lola Banjo, the founder of the million-dollar fashion brand Silver & Riley, wanted to be CEO of BMW before she met Warren Buffett, who inspired her to start her own enterprise.

Banjo created the fashion brand that supplies travel bags for business people after her encounter with Buffett. It was part of a competition for approximately 60 Emory University students—and others from about a half dozen schools—to visit the “Oracle of Omaha” for a week and learn about him and his company, Markets Insider reported.

At the time, Banjo was studying for her master’s degree in business administration degree at Emory.

The business owner had set her sights high on becoming the CEO of German car company BMW while pursuing her degree from 2009 to 2011. That is until Buffett encouraged Banjo to think bigger. According to Markets Insider, Buffett told Banjo, “Instead of just aspiring to be CFO of BMW, from the little I know about you, why not aspire to own BMW?”

That got her mental gears going. “That was one of the most monumental things anyone has ever said to me,” Banjo said. “It’s hard to quantify what impact that whole conversation has had on my life.” But it apparently “put the battery in my back about wanting to create a global enterprise.”

The Silver & Riley owner described herself as the personification of the mind-blown emoji and said that before meeting Buffet—whom she now considers as a mentor—she “had never had that thought in [her] entire life.”

Prior to running her business full-time, Banjo was vice president at Salesforce and a strategy consultant at Accenture and Deloitte. She quit her job at Salesforce to run Silver & Riley in November 2023.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Entrepreneur Launches New Bottled Tea Line, Expands Brand To Over 700 Grocery Stores Worldwide

Legal Defense Fund,, Meta, dei,
by Daniel Johnson

November 28, 2023

Meta Accused Of Violating Children’s Privacy Law In Federal Court

Meta is accused of knowingly keeping the accounts of children under 13 open while harvesting their data without parental consent.

According to newly unsealed federal court documents, Meta is accused of knowingly keeping the accounts of children under 13 open while harvesting their data without the consent of their parents. According to CNN, attorneys general in 33 states accused Meta of receiving more than a million reports of accounts held by users under the age of 13, and according to the complaint, “Meta disabled only a fraction of those accounts.”

According to CNN, the civil penalties sought in the suit from multiple states could eventually get into the millions of dollars due to the fact that Meta allegedly has millions of users who are teenagers and children. The states are seeking anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 per violation. Meta faces 54 counts in federal court and allegations that they violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA), which says that companies can’t collect personal information from children without parental consent.

The complaint alleges that Meta violated COPPA, using both its Facebook and Instagram platforms, and according to the complaint, “Meta’s own records reveal that Instagram’s audience composition includes millions of children under the age of 13” and “hundreds of thousands of teen users spend more than five hours a day on Instagram.”

In a statement to CNN, Meta responded, saying, “Instagram’s Terms of Use prohibit users under the age of 13 (or higher in certain countries) and we have measures in place to remove these accounts when we identify them. However, verifying the age of people online is a complex industry challenge,” Meta continued.

“Many people – particularly those under the age of 13 – don’t have an ID, for example. That’s why Meta is supporting federal legislation that requires app stores to get parents’ approval whenever their teens under 16 download apps. With this approach, parents and teens won’t need to provide hundreds of individual apps with sensitive information like government IDs in order to verify their age.”

However, according to internal documents cited by the lawsuit, Meta’s employees knew and were concerned that their platform could have harmful effects on children. They were allegedly concerned that “content on IG triggering negative emotions among tweens and impacting their mental well-being (and) our ranking algorithms taking [them] into negative spirals & feedback loops that are hard to exit from.”

In addition to this, Meta’s own research allegedly indicated that Instagram’s algorithm, in particular, amplified “content with a tendency to cause users to feel worse about their body or appearance.” Meta’s researchers ultimately concluded was “valuable to Instagram’s business model while simultaneously causing harm to teen girls,” the outlet reports.

According to the lawsuit, Meta’s leadership knew its content could be a critical problem. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, allegedly wrote in an internal document, “Social comparison is to Instagram [what] election interference is to Facebook.” Meta has not yet responded to the statements allegedly attributed to Mosseri in the internal email. 

Letitia James, Attorney General for the State of New York, one of the states suing Meta, told CNN in October, “Meta has profited from children’s pain by intentionally designing its platforms with manipulative features that make children addicted to their platforms while lowering their self-esteem,” James continued, “Social media companies, including Meta, have contributed to a national youth mental health crisis and they must be held accountable.”

RELATED CONTENT: Morehouse College Professor Teaches Black History Course In The Metaverse

Emunah, Israel, lets, eat,
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 28, 2023

Author’s New ‘Let’s Eat’ Book Series Teaches Black Children About Healthy Eating Habits

The "Let’s Eat" book series by Emunah Y’srael is the perfect tool to introduce young children to the benefits of healthy eating.

*Originally Reported by Blacknews 

The Let’s Eat book series by Emunah Y’srael is the perfect tool to introduce young children to the benefits of healthy eating. Emunah is an accomplished author, devoted mother, and plant-based chef extraordinaire.

From teaching the importance of making healthy choices to emphasizing the significance of a balanced diet, her series is a valuable resource for parents and educators alike. The series is an extension of the work that Emunah has been doing in her local community over the years.

The series goes beyond just teaching about healthy foods, it also teaches children about the importance of making healthy choices. By learning about the benefits of healthy eating, children can make better food choices in the future.

In addition, the series promotes a balanced diet, which is essential for overall health and well-being. Children learn about the different food groups and how they work together to provide the nutrients their bodies need.

The engaging stories and colorful illustrations help children develop a positive attitude toward healthy foods and make them more willing to try new things. The series even offers a cultural perspective on different foods and cuisines, which can help children appreciate the diversity of food cultures around the world. This can also lead to a better understanding of different cultures and respect for others.

The Let’s Eat series can be used in various settings, including homes, schools, and libraries. It is a versatile resource that can be adapted to fit different learning styles and needs.

The series encourages family involvement in healthy eating habits. It includes kid-approved recipes and activities, which can help parents and children work together to make healthy choices and develop a love of healthy eating.

By teaching children about healthy eating at a young age, the Let’s Eat series sets them up for a lifetime of healthy habits. This can lead to better overall health and well-being throughout their lives.

Overall, the series is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to teach young children about healthy eating habits. With engaging stories, colorful illustrations, and practical tips, the series is a valuable tool for parents, caregivers, and educators. You can get your copies today available on Amazon.

RELATED CONTENT: 5 Historically Black Colleges And Universities Will Receive Donation To Fight Food Insecurity

Introducing Maryland’s First Black Woman-Owned Comprehensive Care, IV Hydration, And Therapy Practice
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 28, 2023

Introducing Maryland’s First Black Woman-Owned Comprehensive Care, IV Hydration, And Therapy Practice

Tameka G. Anthony, certified registered nurse practitioner and IV hydration specialist, is opening a new comprehensive care practice, Wellness Cube LLC.

*Originally Reported by Blacknews

Tameka G. Anthony, Owner, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, and IV Hydration Specialist, announces the opening of a new comprehensive care practice Wellness Cube LLC at 9131 Piscataway Road, Suite 150, Clinton, Maryland. The new practice focuses on mind, body, and spirit featuring IV nutritional vitamin therapy, wellness visits, weight loss programs, diabetes education, as well as mental health coaching. The company’s mission is to alleviate and lessen the need for frequent recurring relapses, possible sepsis, and/or latent recovery due to post-surgery complications and dehydration.

“When you suffer a bodily injury, trauma, or burn, IV nutritional supplementation is extremely important since inflammation, oxidative stress, and physical/emotional/mental stress all increase,” says Tameka. “Before and after surgery, IV nutritional supplements are given to reduce bruising, swelling, inflammation, pain, scarring, and infection as a proven method of optimizing perioperative nutrition. Therefore, IV nutritional supplements improve wound healing and recovery time and that is our primary objective.”

Wellness Cube LLC also welcomes Certified Mental Health Coach, international speaker, author, and minister Kisha Battle Houston of Wellness with Kish to offer mental health coaching for youth, families, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. “It is my primary objective to help the client see what they’re working towards and make it feel possible rather than intimidating. However, coaches must be honest. If my client isn’t working hard enough or has a goal that’s unrealistic, a successful mental health coach will guide with realistic and measurable goals,” states Coach Kish.

New patients have already benefited from obtaining their IV nutritional vitamin therapy and the wellness practice is currently gearing up for the cold and flu season by launching the all-new immune hydration boost and supplemental B12 wellness shots to aid in boosting the immune system, fight lethargy, and increase metabolism. The Wellness Cube understands the importance of educating the community on the most effective ways to care for body, mind, and spirit with the addition of wellness consultations, advisement for vitamin supplements, and a recovery program that will complement their lifestyle needs. The pair recently hosted a wellness symposium to discuss common factors affecting women’s health in the community.

About Wellness Cube LLC
Founded in 2022, The Wellness Cube, LLC has over 20 years of healthcare experience. Their medical team is equipped to assess and create custom recovery and/or maintenance plans for a patient’s most frequent medical needs. They offer many elite services such as IV hydration, wellness shots, herbal magnesium body wraps, customized weight loss plans, and conservative Botox is available. Learn more at WellnessCubeHealth.com

About Wellness-with-Kish
Founded in 2023, Wellness-with-Kish is a sister company to Relationships Matter International offering life, mental, and relationship coaching in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. Wellness-with-Kish provides a comprehensive set of mental health and wellness services to help boost confidence and offer support to health and wellness challenges. Coach Kish works closely with clients in order to achieve measurable results with personality assessments, proven techniques as well as personalized self-improvement workbooks. Learn more at Wellness-With-Kish.com

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Joe, Biden, president, election, judiciary, 2024, judges, trump
by Sharelle B. McNair

November 28, 2023

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

One voter said many stood behind Biden because of his choice in running mate in 2020.

Things aren’t looking too great for President Joe Biden in the polls.

In early November 2023, Biden was taking the lead in four out of six swing states, however, support for the president has dropped in all but two states now, Politico reports. Though four times indicted, former President Donald Trump is gaining some traction. Numbers from state-level polls show Trump up by 8 points in Arizona and 5 points in Michigan.

Biden’s decline in support could be a reflection of his response to the war in the Middle East, a decrease in reliable Democratic constituencies (such as young voters), and the rise of independent candidates who are making voters question the candidates on both sides. All these points proved to be a major factors with Black voters—whose support in 2020 elected him to the White House—but things are different now.

The New York Times‘ podcast, The Run-Up, recently hosted a group of Black voters for an episode to discuss the challenges Democrats face ahead of the 2024 election. Host and reporter Astead W. Herndon learned that voters feel Biden has his work cut out for him in finding support; many are disappointed by Democrats in Congress, even during the Obama era.

One voter said many stood behind Biden because of his choice in running mate, now Vice President Kamala Harris, because “she had that pearls-and-gym shoes thing and you saw all women from sororities coming together with their pearls and in their Chucks.” “They were like, ‘Oh, we’ve got someone that looks like us in there,'” she continued, according to Business Insider.

“And they were hoping, like we said with former President Barack Obama … they were expecting her to do so much and we’ve seen nothing. And so now it’s like, ‘Who speaks for us?'”

A Black male voter participating in the conversation said many in Democratic leadership has lost sight of the needs of Black men, while empowering Black women at their expense. He feels the GOP’s entrepreneurship narrative will draw many to Trump’s side.

“I honestly feel that the Democratic Party has forgot about the Black male,” he said. “As African American men, sometimes we get left like our needs, our desires, our wants are not always in account. We kinda get pushed to the side. I think sometimes that might be something that men are looking at … that our needs are not being taken care of. Like our matters are not being resolved.”

The bottom line: both Democrats and Republicans needs to focus and do more.

RELATED CONTENT: Federal Appeals Court Rules To Limit Voting Act Rights Challenges

Blue Ivy Improved Her Tour Performance After Seeing Comments From Online Haters
by Sharelle B. McNair

November 28, 2023

Blue Ivy Improved Her Tour Performance After Seeing Comments From Online Haters

Some fans were upset that people had the nerve to attack a child, while others saw how tough love helped her get better

Haters are going to hate, but that didn’t stop 11-year-old Blue Ivy from shining bright.

During the premiere of Beyonce’s upcoming documentary, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, fans learned the megastar’s oldest daughter caught wind of the remarks made about her tour debut and decided to step her game up, CNN reports. Queen Bey and rapper Jay-Z’s daughter accompanied her mom on her world tour to bust out dance moves for her hit singles, “My Power” and “Black Parade.” Beyonce admitted that she was apprehensive about her baby girl joining her on stage.

“She told me she was ready to perform, and I told her no,” the singer was heard saying in the film.

But after the brave protege caught wind of what people were saying about her first performance, she decided to train hard and show the world what she was made of. According to a review in The New York Times, “Queen Bey was dismayed when Blue Ivy read comments on social media that criticized her lackluster moves. But it thrilled her mother that instead of quitting, she decided to put in the work and train even harder for future stops.”

Once social media caught on to how the reviews affected Blue, feelings started to split. Some fans were upset that people had the nerve to attack a child while others see how tough love helped her to be better. Even the hosts of ABC’s The View jumped to Blue’s defense during their Hot Topics segment.

“And this and everyone who participated in this, you should be ashamed of yourself,” host Whoopi Goldberg said. “Lemme tell you how smart this little girl is. She said you know I’m not going to take that to heart, I’m not going to quit. It’s going to make me work harder. Shame on y’all.”

RELATED CONTENT: “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” premieres in theaters on Dec. 1.

Opening Statements From Rapper Young Thug’s RICO Trial Are Finally Underway
by Sharelle B. McNair

November 28, 2023

Opening Statements From Rapper Young Thug’s RICO Trial Are Finally Underway

Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was arrested in May 2022 and has been sitting in jail ever since

The opening statements for rapper Young Thug’s RICO trial started Nov. 27, WSB-TV reports.

It’s been almost a year and half since the Atlanta native was indicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, along with members of the alleged gang Young Slime Life.

The case has been described as one of the most historic and expensive trials taking place in Fulton County, Georgia. Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was arrested in May 2022 and has been in jail ever since, with several bond requests being denied by Judge Ural Glanville.

Thug is one of six defendants who have entered not guilty pleas on all charges on crimes dating back to 2015. The charges include murders and attempted murders. Thug is also accused of being the leader of a violent Atlanta-area street gang affiliated with the national Bloods gang. Even before the trial started, there has been a swirl of controversial factors, including its anticipated length, contraband being present in the courtroom during jury selection, and a courtroom deputy being arrested for having an inappropriate affair with a defendant.

However, the most head-turning event occurred when a Fulton County judge granted permission for rap lyrics to be included as evidence against the defendants.

According to CNN, defense attorney Brian Steel said Thug “committed no crime whatsoever” which goes against what is being said in court. Popular legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff took to Twitter to post some of the opening statements made by the district attorney, which she deemed jaw-dropping.

“What you will not hear any evidence of is that the defendants were not involved in a criminal street gang,” the lawyer can be heard saying.

“This is the kind of burden shifting that leads to convictions being overturned,” Cuniff continued.

While Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant named Thug as “one of Atlanta’s top offenders who needed to be taken off the streets,” the rapper is looked as a game changer in the music industry. Thug, 32, is described one of hip-hop’s most innovative and influential artists, pushing both musical and cultural—including making the decision to wear a big purple dress for the cover of his 2016 album, Jeffery.

RELATED CONTENT: Judge In Young Thug Case Will Allow Rap Lyrics As Evidence In RICO Trial

FAMU Cheer Squad Secures Deal With Mielle Organics Hair Care
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 28, 2023

FAMU Cheer Squad Secures Deal With Mielle Organics Hair Care

The three-year partnership makes the FAMU cheer squad brand ambassadors for the natural hair care company.

The cheer squad at Florida A&M University (FAMU) has secured a partnership with Mielle Organics to become brand ambassadors for the global natural hair care brand.

The three-year deal was revealed to the public on Nov. 27.

“I loved everything about my time at FAMU, and this is a full circle moment to give back in this way,” Mielle president Omar Goff, who graduated from the institution’s School of Business and Industry in 2004, said in a press release. “We started the HBCU partnership journey at Howard University with the queens of the pool, and now we are here to partner with the queens of cheer.”

The company, a newly added division of P&G beauty, has established a $250,000 partnership that will include product sampling, activations, as well as social media campaigns to promote both the cheerleaders and the new favorite hair products.

Mielle Organics was founded by Monique Rodriguez in 2014. As a Black-owned hair care brand, it has continued to uplift its community, particularly at HBCUs like FAMU.

“It is great to have Rattlers in great places,” said FAMU cheer squad head coach Brandi Tatum-Fedrick. “We are super excited for Omar Goff’s commitment to his alma mater. In my 18 years of coaching, this is our first partnership, so I am excited for many more to come.”

Tatum-Fedrick also was instrumental in bringing the partnership to fruition through her additional role as FAMU assistant vice president of annual and affinity giving. This is the cheer squad’s first hair care brand deal.

This brand is going to evolve FAMU Cheer,” said Ashlyn Boles, FAMU cheer co-captain. “It will allow us to step out of our comfort zone to say I can wear my natural hair, and I can rock my natural hair and look good while doing it.”

RELATED CONTENT: WNBA Drafts Mielle Organics As First Textured Haircare Partner

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