by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 23, 2023

The RZA Will Premiere ‘A Wu-Tang Experience’ At Urbanworld Film Festival

Wu-Tang Clan’s The RZA has been chosen as this year’s Urbanworld Film Festival official ambassador, according to the company’s website.

The Grammy- and Emmy-nominated producer, actor, musician, and filmmaker is also co-director of the documentary A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre with Gerald Barclay.

The film chronicles the group’s 2021 performance with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. The seminal recording artist will present the film as a world premiere at the upcoming festival on Friday, Nov. 3.

“I’m completely honored to be a part of a platform like Urbanworld which supports storytellers from all walks of life,” The RZA said in a written statement.

”As a filmmaker, I understand the work that goes into not only getting a film made but getting it seen. There aren’t a lot of film festivals that intentionally shine light on the works of Black Men and Women in our industry. Our growing number of directors and producers need more outlets. Urbanworld gets it and this opportunity to serve as ambassador to this year’s festival is an honor and a privilege.”

The Urbanworld Film Festival will take place in New York City, November 1-5, 2023, at AMC 34th Street and the SVA Theatre.

The festival has also announced the Opening Night Film will be the Toronto International Film Festival award-winner American Fiction, directed by Cord Jefferson.

Along with a collection of films that will debut at Urbanworld, ballerina Misty Copeland will discuss her short film Flower,d directed by Lauren Finerman and executive produced by Nelson George and Leyla Fayyaz. A tribute to hip-hop music videos will take place with a showing of Lights, Cameras, Rhymes: 50 Years of Hip Hop on Screen. A panel discussion will follow, including esteemed video director Benny Boom and The Roots frontman, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter.

The Urbanworld Innovation Conference & Panel will return on Friday, November 3 at the SVA SOC DOC Theater. This will be a place where creatives and executives can network among people involved in the filmmaking community. Filmmakers, industry leaders, and content creators will discuss topics such as AI, culture, sports, and content distribution.

Information, tickets, and passes can be viewed at urbanworld.org.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Receives Backlash For Allegedly Berating Staff Members In Leaked Audio

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 23, 2023

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Receives Backlash For Allegedly Berating Staff Members In Leaked Audio

Fox News reports that Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) is under fire for allegedly going on a verbally abusive rant against staff members.

In leaked audio first posted by Current Revolt on Oct. 22, Jackson Lee can be heard in the unverified tape allegedly referring to staffers negatively.

Leaked audio obtained by @CurrentRevolt shows Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee berating a staffer: “F**king idiots serve no goddamn purpose … Nobody gives a shit about what you’re doing and you ain’t doing shit!”

(WARNING: Explicit language) pic.twitter.com/Lzl4AmKhkS

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 21, 2023

Jackson Lee was allegedly recorded speaking to a male staff member, asking, “You took a piece of paper from that woman regarding something that was owned by Duncantell. Where is it? What date was it?” When the staffer said he gave the paper to Jerome, who took it upstairs, Jackson Lee cut him off, saying she would call Jerome. “I don’t want you to do a g-d–n thing.”

“I want you to have a [expletive] brain. I want you to have read it. I want you to say, ‘Congresswoman, it was such and such a date. That’s what I want. That’s the kind of staff that I want to have.”

When the audio hit social media, the Houston mayoral candidate received backlash from potential voters and colleagues from both sides of the political arena. Former Republican Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger wrote, according to Newsweek, that Jackson Lee has always been abusive to her staff.

“She has always always been known to abuse staff,” Kinzinger wrote. “But somehow gets away with it, this is awful.”

Another wrote a warning that people who come to Capitol Hill will learn that Jackson Lee is the worst person to work for. “This is one of the first things you’ll learn on Capitol Hill if you ever spend any time there,” @justin_hart wrote. “Sheila, Jackson Lee is about the worst person to work for—ever.”

This is one of the first things you’ll learn on Capitol Hill if you ever spend any time there. Sheila, Jackson Lee is about the worst person to work for – ever pic.twitter.com/TQZEF5xdmP

— Justin Hart (@justin_hart) October 21, 2023

Human Rights Commissioner for Austin, Texas, Meebs Aslam, condemned Lee’s alleged actions, calling for her to apologize publicly.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has been a great leader & would make a good mayor, but this type of toxic workplace environment shouldn’t be tolerated. No boss should speak to their staffer like this— she needs to publicly apologize. pic.twitter.com/7UCKugwCXF

— Meebs Aslam (@itsMeebs) October 22, 2023

Representing Texas’ 18th District since 1995, Jackson Lee reportedly “has long had a reputation as a demanding, sharp-talking boss.” She was accused of requiring her staff members to work long hours and demanding them to drive her anywhere she wanted, regardless of the distance.

by Stacy Jackson

October 23, 2023

Rihanna Plans Major Comeback Tour With $32M Live Nation Deal

Rihanna fans can “feel it coming in the air” as she plans a major comeback.

Mirror reported that the 35-year-old Barbadian singer-songwriter is busy preparing her 2024-25 comeback tour after solidifying a $32 million deal with Live Nation. The return will introduce two albums of new music to fans.

“Rihanna is quietly planning a comeback tour after signing with Live Nation,” a source told the outlet. “The deal was created to facilitate a world tour, and her creative team is quietly at work in Los Angeles putting it all together as she raises her family. She’ll press play on the live show once she’s ready to go back to work and has two albums’ worth of material to release once she’s back.”

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, RiRi announced plans for a full comeback as she prepared for her highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime performance earlier this year. The “Rude Boy” singer, who has not toured since 2016, said her comeback would include “new music and a tour across North America.” Additionally, she plans to refocus on Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty.

BE reported in June that the businesswoman exited her role as CEO of her Savage X Fenty empire to focus on her role as a mother of two, but remained working as the lead ambassador for the brand.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by badgalriri (@badgalriri)

The “Love on the Brain” artist has been spending quality time raising her and partner A$AP Rocky’s two children, Rza Athelston Mayers and Riot Rose Mayers, who the singer revealed during her Feb. 12 Super Bowl performance, according to Mirror. The singer made her return to music in 2022 with her Black Panther: Wakanda Forever song, “Lift Me Up.”

Through Fenty Beauty, which Rihanna co-owns with French luxury retailer LVMH, Mirror reported she has become a billionaire, and the world’s wealthiest female musician.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 23, 2023

Diddy Donates $1 Million To Howard University At Homecoming

Sean “Diddy” Combs is this year’s homecoming hero. At Howard University’s 2023 Homecoming, Diddy fulfilled his $1 million pledge to his alma mater with the sizable check at their annual Yardfest concert on Oct. 20.

The media mogul presented the award to Howard’s new president, Dr. Ben Vinson III, while on stage. According to Revolt, Diddy presented the donation by stating how HBCUs “rightfully deserve” the support to help the new generation of Black scholars achieve their academic goals.

“As someone who attended Howard University and values the transformative experience of historically Black colleges, it remains crucial that we strive to protect and uphold their legacy,” shared the 53-year-old.

“This donation to Howard is not just a financial contribution; it’s also a reaffirmation of our commitment to a cultural institution that has touched countless lives. It’s about ensuring that HBCUs continue to receive the support they rightfully deserve.”

Dr. Vinson also expressed the school’s immense gratitude toward the generosity of the entertainer, stating how “tremendously meaningful” this funding is to Howard’s betterment.

In an additional surprise, Diddy performed some of his classic and modern hits, such as “I Need a Girl (Pt. 1)” and “Act Bad” at the star-studded concert, which also featured appearances by Pusha T and Victoria Monet.

This donation comes after Diddy pledged $1 million to both Howard and Jackson State University while accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 BET awards. He presented his check to the Mississippi HBCU at its Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge Kickoff back in August.

In a year seemingly dedicated to giving back, Diddy has also invested in a $1 million dollar fund to commemorate Invest Fest in Atlanta, in partnership with “Earn Your Leisure.” The money will go toward his three Capital Preparatory schools across the Northeast region.

For this personal moment of philanthropy, the father of 7 also shared the “full circle moment” to his Instagram, showcasing his impact toward the school he fondly remembers.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LOVE (@diddy)

“HBCUs are something that we have to protect,” remarked the alumnus. “They gave birth to me, my resiliency & let me understand my Black excellence! HBCUs introduced me to people all over the world. We have to keep coming home, sowing our seed & investing in all HBCUs!! Love to my alma mater @Howard1867!”

Funeral Home Lied About Green Burials Leaving Nearly 200 Bodies Neglected

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 23, 2023

Funeral Home Lied About Green Burials Leaving Nearly 200 Bodies Neglected

A funeral home in Colorado has been caught in a lie of its green burials for the deceased loved ones of grieving families. Instead of conducting the process, nearly 200 bodies were left in a decayed state as the business fell into financial trouble, only to be discovered by a search warrant on Oct. 4.

Return to Nature Funeral Home, located in the town of Penrose, was caught leaving bodies in a state of neglect, after neighbors to the establishment’s office complained about a smell emerging out of the 2,500-square-foot premises. According to the Associated Press, the business had itself fallen into neglect, being evicted from another property, as well sued by a crematory for unpaid bills.

Although the initial number of bodies recovered was 115, the amount of deceased rose exponentially to 189 as identification continues. The business was supposed to complete green burials, which is the process of using no embalming fluid, as well as cremation for the deceased individuals under the funeral home’s care. While the state of Colorado allows green burials, all bodies must be refrigerated within 24 hours if not buried.

Currently, families are now concerned on whether or not their loved ones’ bodies have been neglected to the point of inhumane condition. The owners, married couple John and Carie Hallford, dodged questions at first regarding updates on the burial processes, with John blaming the “problem” on his taxidermy habit. However, upon law enforcement discovering of the multiple remains, the duo are cooperating with police as the investigation into the unusual matter unfolds.

The ordeal also sheds light on the neglect from Colorado on funeral home qualifications and upkeep, as the state regulators did not inspect the business until nearly a year after its registration expired. With no additional funding allocated to inspections, which are now legal to pursue without the owner’s approval, situations such as these could become more common.

While all the bodies were removed from the grounds by Oct. 13, the Fremont police did announce that a full recovery of their identities could potentially take weeks due to the various methods being utilized, such a fingerprint matching and DNA testing.

Officials from the Fremont Police Department have stated that they are dealing with the identification of bodies and subsequent notification to their families delicately, as they want to ensure all victims are handled correctly.

DJ ENVY, REAL ESTATE, IHEARTRADIO, REPLACEMENT, JOB POSTING

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 23, 2023

Is iHeartMedia Looking For A Replacement For Real-Estate Guru DJ Envy?

iHeartMedia is on the search for a new co-host for “The Breakfast Club” in the wake of Angela Yee’s departure and amid DJ Envy’s real estate scandal.

For months the popular morning show has rotated guest co-hosts to fill in the empty seat Yee left late last year. Fans have been wondering when Charlemagne Tha God and DJ Envy would be joined by an official third co-host.

While the third spot has been empty for most of the year, only now has the show’s parent company, iHeartMedia, posting a job ad looking for a new co-host. A new job posting that surfaced online earlier this month shows the audio company’s search for a “Morning Co-Host.”

“What We Need: Creates, produces and announces topics on the radio and social media including music, entertainment, politics, news, weather, sports, traffic and other topics of interest for National Syndicated Morning show The Breakfast Club,” the posting says.

With the job posting coming as attention on DJ Envy’s real estate scandal heightens, many are wondering if the job ad is a sign of trouble for the radio personality. Vlogger DJ Akademiks sparked a debate when he shared the job posting online on Friday, Oct. 19.

According to iheartmedia website they are looking to hire a new Cohost for the breakfast club. The job reportedly pays between $240k to $330k a year. They have been looking for a third cohost since Angela yee left the show. Would u take the job to work with Charlamagne tha god… pic.twitter.com/rt5NME09bI

— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) October 20, 2023

“Might as well cancel the whole show because DJ Envy will be in jail,” one person wrote.

“Envy about to get roped into charges for that blatant real estate ponzi… 2 jobs open…,” added someone else.

Another person claimed they would apply for the job “As long as Envy doesn’t ask me to invest into property.”

All eyes have been on DJ Envy after his real estate business partner Cesar Pina was arrested on October 18 for his alleged role in a real-estate Ponzi scheme, Variety reports. Pina was charged with wire fraud for how he allegedly “defrauded dozens of people of millions of dollars,” federal prosecutors claim.

Pina flipped houses in New Jersey with Envy and would often appear on “The Breakfast Club” as “Flipping NJ.” On the day of his arrest, iHeartRadio’s New York office, where the “Breakfast Club” is recorded, was raided by federal officials.

Envy has not been charged with anything and claims he had nothing to do with Pina’s alleged real estate fraud. The radio DJ also claims to be a victim himself.

“Oh, I just want to say this on close. I’ve never I’ve never stole anything from anybody. And, I’ll just leave it at that,” DJ Envy said during a live recording of the show.

“I didn’t see a dollar of return. I do nothing but try to uplift people and show people a different way to the business model.”

by Daniel Johnson

October 23, 2023

Marijuana Arrests Are Down From 2022 According To FBI Data

The latest available FBI data indicates that despite a growing movement to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, people are still being arrested for marijuana-related infractions. According to Forbes, 227,108 arrests were made, but this number may be inaccurate because law enforcement agencies often fail to report their data to the FBI.

Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, an organization that advocates for the reform of marijuana laws, told Forbes, “At a time when voters and their elected officials nationwide are re-evaluating state and federal marijuana policies, it is inconceivable that government agencies are unable to produce more explicit data on the estimated costs and scope of marijuana prohibition in America.”

The data does not break down the arrests by race or ethnicity, but a May 2023 working paper from the Center For Health Economics And Policy Studies at San Diego State University suggests that laws that decriminalize cannabis have had a positive effect on the historically racially biased arrests of Black people for marijuana-related offenses. “The magnitudes of our estimated marijuana arrest declines suggest that RML adoption results in approximately 3,800 fewer marijuana arrests per treatment state-year for Black adults and about 12,600 fewer arrests per treatment state-year for White adults.”

Following the introduction of the Senate’s Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Cory Booker, and Senator Ron Wyden in July 2022, the ACLU released a statement, “If you want to know what systemic racism is, look no further than the war on drugs and marijuana enforcement — a Black person is 3.64 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person, even though Black and white people use marijuana at similar rates. As a result, people of color unevenly bear the burdens of a marijuana conviction, which persist after the sentence has been served and include bars to securing housing, employment, education, and public benefits.”

The numbers suggest a slight decline from those released in 2022, which is likely a net positive for Black people in America, even given the lack of accurate reporting. According to Forbes, cannabis reform will next appear on the ballot in Ohio, where voters will be allowed to choose if it will be decriminalized in their state.

Andre Iguodala Raises $200M For His Venture Capital Firm

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 23, 2023

Andre Iguodala Raises $200M For His Venture Capital Firm

Andre Iguodala and his venture capital firm are teaming up with his longtime business partner, Rudy Cline-Thomas, an industry veteran who founded Mastry Ventures in 2021. Under their guidance, the venture capital firm has been rebranded as Mosaic General Partnership after successfully raising a $200 million fund, as reported by Inc Magazine.

The fund will focus on providing early-stage funding for enterprise software, fintech, and sports companies. Notably, their past portfolio includes startups that achieved significant success, such as Allbirds, Hims, Coinbase, and Carta. Furthermore, in July, Cline-Thomas and Iguodala ventured into sports ownership as co-owners of the English soccer club Leeds United.

In a recent interview with the New York Times’ Dealbook newsletter, Iguodala shared how his move to the Bay Area in 2013 to join the Warriors was a strategic part of his plan to explore the tech industry.

He explained, “When I initially went out to the Bay Area, it was my intent to have success on and off the court. I thought about how to get access.”

Iguodala is not the first former Warrior to dive into venture capital. Now, with the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant established himself as a significant player in the VC arena during his time with the Warriors. Durant’s company, Thirtyfive Ventures, was co-founded in 2016 with Durant’s agent, Rich Kleiman, and has since made 61 investments in various startups.

In 2019, Thirtyfive Ventures introduced Boardroom, a media network blending sports, entertainment, business, and culture. Additionally, Thirtyfive Ventures owns stakes in rising sports properties like NWSL and e-sports, leveraging opportunities in these sectors.

Through Iguodala’s Mosaic General Partnership organization, his primary attention is directed toward sectors where his expertise can help mitigate risks. His team at Mosaic has cultivated connections over time that hold the potential to unlock opportunities, establish collaborations, and contribute value right from the outset.

by Derek Major

October 23, 2023

The I-9 Form For Employers Has Been Updated And Streamlined, Here’s What To Know

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services updated and streamlined the Form I-9 for new employees earlier this summer and set an Oct. 1 deadline for employers to adopt the form.

The CBIA, a Connecticut business group, reported that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires employers to complete an in-person inspection of a new hire’s Form I-9 documents. However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, DHS allowed qualified employees to have their documents virtually inspected.

When DHS announced the end of temporary COVID-19 rules in July 2021, officials also announced plans to allow qualified employers to inspect Form I-9 documents remotely as reported by The CBIA.

DHS published the revised Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification on Aug. 1, 2023. The updated form is more streamlined and moves the preparer/translator certification and re-verification/rehire sections to addendums. However, the alternative remote inspection option is the most notable change to Form I-9.

Under the new option, employers currently enrolled in the E-Verify system can examine an employee’s Form I-9 documents remotely via video conference.

An employer can request a remote inspection of an employee’s documents if they transmit a copy of the Form I-9 they want to present for work authorization; the employer examines copies of Form I-9 documents to ensure they are genuine. The employer then conducts a live video interaction with the employee to ensure the documents are genuine and the documents are the same that an employee previously presented.

Additionally, the employer must keep a clear and legible copy of Form 1-9 in the event of an audit or investigation.

The virtual alternative gives employers more flexibility, specifically to deal with the increase of remote workers, post-pandemic. According to Forbes, 12.7% of full-time workers are currently remote, while nearly 30% of workers, work in a hybrid model in which they are required to work from the office at least once a week.

The E-Verify system, which was implemented in 1996, is operated by DHS, and the Social Security Administration is used to verify the employment eligibility of new employees. The system is currently mandatory in 22 states and for most federal contracts.

Russel, Simmons, hip-hop, evolving, Bali, Lyor. Cohen, 50, years

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 23, 2023

Russell Simmons Says Hip-Hop Is Not Dead, ‘It Is Always Evolving’

If there’s anyone who knows if hip-hop is dead or not, it’s pioneer record executive Russell Simmons.

The Def Jam founder was at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Oct. 18 for the Spirit of Life Gala one-time-only version of DJ Cassidy‘s “Pass the Mic Live!” that honored fellow hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Lyor Cohen.

It was an event Simmons couldn’t miss as he flew from Bali to watch many hip-hop legends, some of whom he discovered and developed at Def Jam, honor an executive who built the start of his music career working on Simmons’ groundbreaking label.

“Lyor is my lifelong friend and partner and I was so proud of him and the work that he’s doing with City of Hope,” Simmons said.

The event was hosted by the cancer research and treatment organization City of Hope and included performances by 36 artists including Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, EPMD, Ja Rule, Swizz Beatz, T.I., and many more.

All of the performers did “really good,” according to Simmons, and proved that no matter how old they get, they “still got it.”

When asked about ongoing music debates claiming that the current state of hip-hop is “trash” compared to earlier years, Simmons shut down that notion.

“It’ll never be how it used to be it’s always evolving,” he said. “It’s always moments where it’s less popular and more.”

The hip-hop mogul recalls his start in the industry back in the late 70s and notes the art form’s evolution over the last 50 years.

“For 50 years it’s been evolving and it goes in moments where it grows and it’s going to keep growing.

As for what can be done to revive hip-hop, Simmons says nothing needs to speed up the evolution that has continued over the last five decades.

“It’s just a moment before it grows again,” he said.