by Mary Spiller

October 13, 2023

Oldest Spelman Atlanta Alumnus Celebrates Her 104th Birthday

The oldest living Historically Black College Spelman alumnus just celebrated her 104th birthday. Annie Jewell Moore of Atlanta was honored by FOX 5 News for her lifelong work in the fashion industry.

Moore, who just attended her class reunion, was born September 20, 1919. She was introduced to her longtime passion by the daughter of a family friend who showed her how to sew.

“I was taught how to sew by hand and make doll clothes,” she explained. “I saw all of these gorgeous doll clothes she had made by hand, and I wanted to learn to sew like that. And that was my earliest inspiration to get into fashion.”

Moore continued her love of design and fashion throughout college. Spelman acknowledged her as one of the first African Americans to continue studying at the Traphagen School of Fashion, the New York Fashion Academy, and Paris’ École Guerre Lavigna after graduating in 1943.

She was featured in prominent magazines like Vogue and Jet for her work on Broadway production costumes.

Moore opened her haute couture salon, Ann Moore Couturier, in Detroit in 1963. The salon sold fashionable daytime and evening wear. She returned to Atlanta and served as president of the Benefactors of Education. This nonprofit provides scholarships and financial assistance to students who are interested in fashion and the arts. Moore’s accomplishments were celebrated with her clothing collection in the Atlanta History Center’s Rountree Visual Vault.

She’s driven by her unwavering creative mentality around fashion still to this day. She told WABE a piece of advice: that it’s OK be unique.

“Well, I think that clothes should be more personalized and don’t become slaves to what’s the trend or the fashion is if it’s not you. Be in control of your own fashion.”

by Iman Milner

October 13, 2023

‘We’re Small, But We’re Scrappy’: How This Black-Owned Coffee Brand Scaled In 18 Months

When Jessica Taylor decided to launch Ezra Coffee in an attempt to make a bean so delicious and robust that Black coffee drinkers could bypass milk-based creamers, the former DEI professional believed she’d found nothing more than a passion project.

Now, 18 months later, her brand can be found at Target, Amazon, and over 40 local grocery stores, The United States Chamber of Commerce reports.

“Ezra started out as a passion project,” Taylor said. “I had all these pieces, these nuggets, but nothing cohesively in one space. I pulled in my love for scholarship programming, history, coffee, and of educating people of color, and I wrapped it all into Ezra.”

The defining aspect of Ezra is its founder’s commitment to using one of the world’s most popular beverages to tell the history of not only Black people but also the Black LGBTQ community. Through the names of some of the brand’s most popular blends, Taylor pays homage to the people whose sacrifice made way for her entrepreneurial pursuits.

Names like “64th and Tulsa” and “Lorde Baldwin” help speak to the lasting impact of those who came before while Ghanaian Adinkra symbols found on the bag’s seals speak to the global connection of Black people around the world.

“On the back of our bags, we tell amazing stories about Black people that aren’t rooted in adversity and slavery,” Taylor said. “There are so many people who have done great things and made inventions we don’t know about.”

The Atlanta native found financial help through Target’s accelerator program, Target Forward Founders, as well as Texas grocer franchise H-E-B’s Quest for the Best competition. The former earned her a spot on Target.com; the latter helped her catch the eye of a local buyer who helped her land on H-E-B’s shelves five months later. Taylor also received a $5,000 grant from Pfizer’s BREAKTHROUGH accelerator program aimed at supporting woman of color entrepreneurs.

“We’re just continuing to expand,” she said. “We’re small, but we’re scrappy.”

LeBron James Ranks His South Beach 8s As All-Time Favorite Sneaker

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 13, 2023

LeBron James Ranks His South Beach 8s As All-Time Favorite Sneaker

On Nike Basketball’s Instagram account Thursday, Oct. 12, LeBron James participated in a “blind ranking,” where he listed his top sneaker: the Nike LeBron 8 “South Beach.”

As reported by Sports Illustrated, James said, “It’s the best shoe in my line, for sure. That crushed the shoe game right there. The ‘South Beach’ 8s, that’s insane.”

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A post shared by Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball)

In 2003, soon after graduating high school, James inked a groundbreaking sneaker deal with Nike. Since then, James has sported his signature shoe in all of his 1,421 career games (excluding preseason and postseason matches). With 21 signature sneakers to his name, fans have eagerly awaited James’ verdict on his favorite basketball shoe.

As he was entering his prime, James ventured to South Beach, taking his talents and signature sneaker line with him. Before even donning a Miami Heat jersey, James impacted sneaker culture by unveiling a new model in an iconic colorway.

The Nike LeBron 8 “South Beach” (also known as “Pre-Heat”) hit the market in limited quantities for $160 on October 16, 2010. The shoe featured smooth Filament Green leather and carbon fiber, with Pink Flash accents on the laces and inner lining. With just three colors, this shoe conveyed a narrative everyone instantly grasped: a new era was dawning in Miami.

Over a decade later, this iconic basketball shoe experienced a retro release and can now be found on sneaker resale platforms like eBay, GOAT, StockX, and KICKS CREW, often at prices above the retail cost. For budget-conscious fans, the Nike website offers new and retro sneakers from James’ line.

While James may be in the twilight of his NBA career, his signature sneaker collection remains unstoppable. As a new season dawns, fans can anticipate James making history both on the court and in the sneaker industry.

RELATED CONTENT: LeBron James Nike Shoes To Hit Retail At $270

Amazon, Prime, NY State of mind, tour, wu-tang, was, music, rapper, rap group, hip-hop

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 13, 2023

Amazon Will Live Stream NY State Of Mind Tour Headlined By Nas And Wu-Tang Clan

Amazon is set to livestream the much-anticipated NY State of Mind Tour featuring hip-hop icons Nas and the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, according to HypeBeast.

The event, scheduled for Wednesday, October 18, will bring together some of the most influential acts in East Coast hip-hop. While the live performance will occur at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, fans worldwide can catch the action on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and Prime Video.

In addition to Nas and the Wu-Tang Clan, the concert will feature a special guest appearance by De La Soul. Before the concert, Amazon plans to host a roundtable discussion to highlight the significance of the event and the artists’ enduring impact.

The NY State of Mind Tour is part of Amazon’s ongoing celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. The tour follows previous electrifying performances by Clipse, Jeezy, Wale, and Rick Ross, contributing to a commemoration of hip-hop’s ever-evolving legacy.

This gathering of these hip-hop legends will provide another opportunity for fans to connect with the music that has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary culture. The event promises to deliver unforgettable music and shed light on hip-hop’s profound impact on society and culture.

Stay tuned for a night of electrifying performances, insightful discussions, and a celebration of hip-hop’s 50-year legacy. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the genre, this live-streamed concert will be an unforgettable experience showcasing hip-hop music’s enduring power.

The tour, now in its second iteration, wraps up October 22 in Highland, California, after stops throughout Europe and in Australia. This proves without a doubt that hip-hop truly holds influence worldwide, an unimaginable though for those who were around for its start in rec halls and playgrounds in New York.

Kevin Hunter, Wendy WILLIAMS, MANSION, MISTRESS, ALIMONY, WELLS FARGO, PAYMENT

by Mary Spiller

October 13, 2023

Kevin Hunter Sells $1.25 Million Mansion After Losing Legal Battle For Alimony Checks

Kevin Hunter, Wendy Williams’ ex-husband, has finally sold his Florida mansion that he bought following his divorce from Williams. According to documents obtained by Radar Online, Hunter was forced to sell the $1.25 million mansion after losing a lengthy fight over paying alimony checks.

Hunter’s mansion included five bedrooms and five bathrooms. It totaled to nearly 3,500 square feet and was located in Parkland, Florida. He lived there for three years with his girlfriend and former mistress, Sharina Hudson, after purchasing it for $795,600.

The television producer began having financial troubles after Williams allegedly stopped paying her monthly alimony to him after she started a legal battle with Wells Fargo over insufficient access to her extensive fortune. Claiming to be a victim of financial exploitation, the 59-year-old media personality said her funds were frozen.

Hunter attempted to fight for continued alimony payments, but the judge ruled it non-emergent and dismissed the issue for now, despite Hunter’s claim that he was in financial distress.

He told the court, “I have fallen behind on most of my bills. I currently live in a community that requires payments to the homeowners association, and I’m behind on that bill. If the homeowners association fees are not paid, foreclosure will soon follow.”

He continued, “I’m behind on credit card payments because I have no money since the severance payments were suspended. My life has been greatly affected since the plaintiff stopped making payments under our settlement agreement.”

Hunter was forced to finally sell his home after being sued by UBS Bank USA for reportedly owing $20,000 on his credit card. UBS requested that the court grant a default judgment in its favor because Hunter reportedly ignored the case after being formally served with the proper legal paperwork.

The suit read, “Defendant has failed to make the minimum monthly payments by the payment due date, as required by the Cardmember Agreement,” and demanded Hunter pay the total amount he owes as soon as possible.

Kevin Garnett, Celtics, salary, Timberwolves, Nets, NBA, Player

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 13, 2023

Boston Celtics Reportedly Have Paid Kevin Garnett $5M A Year Since He Retired

A post from NBA Retweet on X on Oct. 10 stated, “Kevin Garnett retired from the NBA in 2016, but set up his deal with the Celtics so that he’d get paid $5 million every year until 2024. Smart. 💰”

https://twitter.com/RTNBA/status/1711855958027124929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1711855958027124929%7Ctwgr%5E6ba96b41f23886b1423f6338e95aa93f08c277b8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Ffannation%2Fnba%2Ffastbreak%2Fnews%2Fboston-celtics-reportedly-paid-former-player-5-million-per-year-kevin-garnett

Garnett retired from the league in 2016 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2020.

This unusual arrangement can be traced back to an agreement he forged with the Celtics during his playing days. According to NBC Sports, as cited in 2011 by Steve Aschburner, Garnett and the Celtics structured a deal in which a portion of his salary would be deferred, ensuring that he would receive $35 million over seven years after his retirement.

Garnett was a star with the Minnesota Timberwolves before he was traded to the Celtics before the 2007-08 season. There, he joined forces with legends Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to lead the Celts to an NBA championship in 2008.

After six fruitful years with the Celtics, Garnett spent part of two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets before concluding his illustrious career with the Timberwolves, the team that drafted him as a high school phenom in 1995. He was the first of the prep-to-pro stars—including Kobe Bryant and LeBron James—that made headlines into the mid-2000s.

Garnett averaged 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game in his career, along with a shooting percentage of 49.7%. He was named the NBA’s most valuable player for the 2003-04 season and the league’s defensive player of the year four years later.

Kevin Garnett: 1st player in NBA history with 25,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 5,000 assists, 1,500 blocks and 1,500 steals

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 8, 2013

His postseason legacy is equally noteworthy. “The Big Ticket” appeared in an astounding 143 NBA playoff games and reached the Finals twice, 2008 and 2010.

Atlanta police, traffic stop, deacon killed

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 13, 2023

‘I Can’t Breathe’: Atlanta Deacon Dies After Being Tasered By Police Officer

Johnny Hollman, a 62-year-old church deacon, died after an encounter with an Atlanta police officer on Aug. 10, as reported by NBC News. The incident, captured on body camera footage, shows Hollman repeatedly pleading for help and expressing his inability to breathe.

Hollman’s family, after viewing the footage, is demanding its public release. Kiran Kimbrough, who used a stun gun on Hollman and handcuffed him following a minor traffic accident, has been fired by the Atlanta Police Department for not following standard operating procedures.

Arnitra Fallins, Hollman’s daughter, found the video deeply distressing and said she felt physically ill while watching it. She mentioned that her father had called her during the encounter, and the footage showed an officer grabbing him, further exacerbating her distress.

While the family is urging the video be shared, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has requested that it be withheld until its investigation concludes.

The Atlanta Police Department’s initial statement claimed that Hollman became “agitated and uncooperative” when Kimbrough issued a citation for his role in the accident. A struggle ensued when Kimbrough attempted to take Hollman into custody, leading to using a stun gun and handcuffs.

Only then did the officer realize Hollman was unresponsive and requested EMS. An autopsy determined Hollman’s death was a homicide, with heart disease contributing to it.

Attorney Mawuli Davis, representing the family, disputes the police’s version of events, saying that Kimbrough’s actions were unreasonable and illegal. He noted that the video showed Kimbrough escalating the situation. In the video, Hollman can be heard saying he’ll sign the ticket but is then taken to the ground by a leg sweep. Throughout the altercation, Hollman repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.”

The family believes the incident was murder and want Kimbrough charged. They remember Hollman as a “God-fearing man” and a leader in his community, emphasizing that his behavior during the encounter did not reflect his character.

Woman Who Stabbed 3 At ATL Airport Denied Bond

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 13, 2023

Woman Who Stabbed 3 At ATL Airport Denied Bond

New details regarding the stabbings that occurred Wednesday, Oct 11, at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Wednesday afternoon have emerged, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

The Atlanta Police Department revealed that the suspect, 44-year-old Damaris Milton, arrived at the airport in a taxi. The driver, Selemon Melkamu, told the police that he had picked up Milton, a resident of Orlando, Florida, from the Kensington MARTA station.

During the trip to the airport, Milton stabbed Melkamu in the chest near his shoulder while they passed the international sign for the airport on Interstate 285 South. She then snatched his phone and tossed it out of the window onto the interstate.

At the airport, Milton proceeded to the South Terminal. Observing her erratic behavior, police officers and a U.S. Deputy Marshal tailed her. Subsequently, Milton was spotted “swiping” a knife toward a Delta employee inside the airport.

When Milton was finally subdued, an injured police officer was sent to Grady Memorial Hospital and released; the injured Delta employee was transported to Emory Hospital. Milton was taken into custody and transported to Clayton County Jail.

Investigators have yet to establish a clear motive for Milton’s behavior. Milton faces four counts of aggravated assault. During her first court appearance on Thursday, she was denied bond. Her response when asked about requiring a public defender was stark, as she declared,

“Y’all already said what y’all are going to do to me, why am I answering any questions?” Milton said, when asked about needing a public defender.

The security checkpoint at the airport remained operational after the incident. “The areas where the crime scenes are blocked off, but there are multiple different entrances that can be used at the airport,” Atlanta police Sgt. John Chafee said, per Fox 5 Atlanta.

“Female with a knife tried to stab someone” at ATL airport pic.twitter.com/JAD0iTMotB

— Sarah Nagem (@sarah_nagem) October 11, 2023

The official Atlanta Airport X account issued an “all-clear” notice approximately 40 minutes after the initial stabbing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported no significant delays due to the incident, although individual flights may have experienced some disruption.

Female tried to stab someone #atl #airport pic.twitter.com/LXvqVscj8G

— Louis Foxx (@louisfoxx_1) October 11, 2023

TJ Holmes, GMA3, divorce, Marilee Fiebig, Amy Robach

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 13, 2023

T.J. Holmes And Wife Marilee Fiebig Reach Divorce Settlement After Amy Robach Affair Scandal

The marriage between former Good Morning America host T.J. Holmes and Marilee Fiebig is officially done, according to Us Weekly.

The media outlet confirmed that the attorneys for the former couple filed the finalized paperwork on Oct.11. The certificate of dissolution was processed in New York County Supreme Court.

The news comes nearly a year after it was revealed that Holmes and his GMA3 co-host, Amy Robach, were having an affair. It was rumored that the couple, who are reportedly still together, started their romance in March 2022 when they were training for the New York City Marathon. Holmes and Robach were both suspended and eventually let go after an investigation into their relationship.

The affair allegedly wasn’t the first for Holmes.

Page Six reported that he was involved in an extramarital romance with a producer he worked with several years ago, Natasha Singh. The news outlet reported that Holmes and Singh had an affair for three years, starting in 2016.

Meanwhile, The Daily Mail reported that Holmes in 2015 was involved with Jasmin Pettaway, a script coordinator who was 13 years younger than Holmes. At the time, Holmes had been married to Fiebig for five years.

Holmes filed for divorce in December 2022. Holmes and Fiebig share a 10-year-old daughter, Sabine.

Amy Robach was married to actor Andrew Shue, who was a star on Melrose Place in the 1990s. They married in 2010; their divorce was finalized earlier this year. The couple had no children together but did have kids from previous relationships.

Now, it appears that Robach and Holmes are solidifying themselves as a couple.

“They’re pitching themselves as a duo,” a source told Us Weekly in April. “They’ve pitched a reality show, docuseries and daytime talk show, all of which they know will be popular and people will watch. Amy has said whatever they do, this is about real love and they’re in it together.”

Joe Dumas, load management, resting, NBA, ESPN,

by Derek Major

October 13, 2023

NBA Says ‘Load Management’ For Players Is No Longer Supported By Science

Former Detroit Pistons guard Joe Dumars, now a top NBA official, said Wednesday the practice of resting players for games throughout the 82-game regular season to prevent injury—known as load management—is no longer supported by scientific data.

The Athletic reports Dumars added that NBA players needed to “reestablish” a culture of players attempting to play in most of the games during a season.

“Before, it was a given conclusion that the data showed that you had to rest players a certain amount, and that justified them sitting out,” said Dumars. “We’ve gotten more data, and it just doesn’t show that resting, sitting guys out correlates with lack of injuries, or fatigue, or anything like that. What it does show is maybe guys aren’t as efficient on the second night of a back-to-back.”

Dumars reiterated his stance that “every player” should want to play 82 games.

“Obviously everybody’s not going to play 82 games, but everyone should want to play 82 games. And that’s the culture that we are trying to reestablish right now,” he said.

According to The Athletic, load management was used by Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard during the 2018-2019 season to manage a leg injury that cost him all but nine games the previous season. Leonard missed 22 games in 2018-19 and did not play in any back-to-back games. However, he led the Raptors to their first and only NBA championship and was named Finals MVP.

In the years since, load management spread throughout the league with numerous stars being held out of games, even though they were not injured. The absences largely occurred on Thursday and Friday nights during national broadcasts on TNT and ESPN.

Last season, just 12 of the NBA’s top 50 scorers played in at least 70 games, and while not all of the absences were due to load management, the practice has upset many, including the league’s TV partners. The NBA’s current nine-year, $24 billion national TV deal with ESPN and Turner is set to expire after the 2024-25 season.

Last month the NBA and the NBA Players Association established a player participation policy that will go into effect beginning this season.

Under the policy, no more than one star player can be unavailable for more than one game unless both players are determined to be injured. Teams must ensure that star players are available for nationally televised and in-season tournament games; Teams must also maintain a balance for the number of one-game absences by a star player between road and home games, with a preference for the player to miss home games. Star players who are out due to load management must be present and on the bench.

A star player is defined as a player who has been named to an All-Star team or All-NBA team within the last three years. The NBA has exempted any player who has more than 34,000 career minutes in the NBA or has played a combined 1,000 career regular season and playoff games from the rules.