by Lauren Nutall

October 6, 2023

Nike Announces This Year’s Yardrunners 4.0 Class Honoring HBCUs

Nike has released its fourth annual Yardrunners 4.0 Class, a collaborative project celebrating historically-Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The footwear company unveiled its 2023 campaign, which features talent from nine different HBCUs: Bowie State University, Florida A&M, Hampton University, Howard University, North Carolina A&T, Prairie View A&M, Southern University, Tennessee State University, and Winston-Salem State University.

This year’s class consisted of Robert Covington, Cameron Lide, Jawaun Daniels, Foggie Raw, Javicia Leslie, Danielle Stamper, Melanie Mitchell, Lady London, and Kayla White, who have each made a name for themselves and are breaking barriers in their respective industries.

“Said I was up to something special. I’m excited to be apart of the YR family. HBCU legends,” Covington shared in an Instagram Story this Thursday. Covington is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers and is currently the only active NBA player who hails from an HBCU. In his case, he is an extremely proud Tennessee State University graduate.

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According to Complex, Nike’s Yardrunners 4.0 Class was launched in 2020 by Howard alumni Arinze Emeagwali and Richard Palmer, both of whom worked at the company at the time. Since its inception, Nike has highlighted athletes, musicians, and public figures nationwide to elevate and empower HBCUs and their communities.

Along with this project, Nike also regularly releases clothing apparel honoring the different institutions and, later this month, will be once again offering its popular Terminator High collection, which is complete with HBCU-inspired sneakers. This year, the company has added five new colors to the Terminator High ensemble, gleaning inspiration from Morehouse College, Spelman College, Tuskegee University, Tennessee State University, and Alabama A&M University. Be sure to keep an eye out for new releases.

Snapchat’s AI Chatbot May Pose Privacy Risks To Children, Says UK Watchdog

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 6, 2023

Snapchat’s AI Chatbot May Pose Privacy Risks To Children, Says UK Watchdog

LONDON, Oct 6 (Reuters) – Snapchat may have failed to properly assess privacy risks to children from its artificial intelligence chatbot, Britain’s data watchdog said on Friday, adding it would consider the company’s response before making any final enforcement decision.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said if the U.S. company fails to adequately address the regulator’s concerns, “My AI”, launched in April, could be banned in the UK.

“The provisional findings of our investigation suggest a worrying failure by Snap to adequately identify and assess the privacy risks to children and other users before launching ‘My AI'”, Information Commissioner John Edwards said.

The findings do not necessarily mean the instant messaging app used largely by younger people has breached British data protection laws or that the ICO will end up issuing an enforcement notice, the regulator said.

Snap said it was reviewing the ICO’s notice and that it was committed to user privacy.

“My AI went through a robust legal and privacy review process before being made publicly available,” a Snap spokesperson said. “We will continue to work constructively with the ICO to ensure they’re comfortable with our risk assessment procedures.”

The ICO is investigating how “My AI” processes the personal data of Snapchat’s roughly 21 million UK users, including children aged 13-17.

“My AI” is powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the most famous example of generative AI, which policymakers globally are looking to find ways to regulate in light of privacy and safety concerns.

Social media platforms, including Snapchat, require users to be 13 or over, but have had mixed success in keeping children off their platforms.

Reuters reported in August that the regulator was gathering information to establish whether Snapchat was doing enough to remove underage users from its platform.

Reporting by Farouq Suleiman, writing by Sachin Ravikumar; editing by William James, Sarah Young and Louise Heavens

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 6, 2023

Spike Lee Exhibit Opens At Brooklyn Museum, Nia Long, Laurence Fishburne, And More In Attendance

The A-listers came out on Oct. 3 to support the opening of Spike Lee’s first-ever exhibit in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York.

The “Spike Lee: Creative Resources” exhibit opened at the Brooklyn Museum, and many familiar faces from Lee’s cult classic films were in attendance, USA Today reports. Guests included industry veterans and Lee’s past collaborators such as Laurence Fishburne, who starred in his 1988 film “School Daze”; Giancarlo Esposito, who appeared in his 1989 classic “Do the Right Thing”; John Leguizamo, who starred in his 1999 film “Summer of Sam”; and Adam Driver, a star in 2018’s “BlackKkKlansman.”

Others in attendance included Dean Winters, rapper A$AP Ferg, Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, actress Nia Long, GMA’s Robin Roberts, and more.

The comprehensive exhibition features more than 450 pieces from Lee’s personal collection, like original artworks from Andy Warhol, Gordon Parks photos, signed New York Knicks jerseys, and collectibles from Lee’s four decades of filmmaking classics like “Jungle Fever,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and “Malcolm X.”

It was “a process” to put together as Lee, an avid storyteller, said he wanted to “make sure that you’re telling the story” right. The “immersive installation” includes the Prince-inspired purple suit Lee wore when accepting his first Oscar in 2019 (for his work adapting the screenplay of “BlacKkKlansman”) and old newspaper clippings from the New York Daily News from when he was filming “Do the Right Thing.”

It also takes visitors down memory lane to Lee’s upbringing in Brooklyn and honors his late parents, Bill and Jacquelyn Lee.

“My grandparents are no longer here. My mother, who passed away when I was in college. My father passed away recently,” he shared. “So there’s a section, there’s a whole remembrance in honor of them because, without them, I would not have done what I’ve been able to do.”

‘Legacy is not done,’ he proclaimed.

His exhibit came as the Hollywood strike loomed, with writers recently ending their side of the strike after negotiating a deal. While actors remain on strike, Lee is one scriptwriter ready to finish pre-production on a few upcoming projects.

“Strike’s over!” Lee declared. “I’m a director/writer” focused on “working and writing.” As for the exhibit that spans his life and career, Lee ensured the crowd his legacy is far from over.

HBCU Grad Turned “Tax Docta” Makes History, Launches Franchise Opportunity For Black Entrepreneurs

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 6, 2023

HBCU Grad Turned “Tax Docta” Makes History, Launches Franchise Opportunity For Black Entrepreneurs

*Originally Published By Blacknews.com

Nationwide — Dr. Shawanda Moore, an HBCU grad of Southern University now known as The Tax Docta, a Black-owned tax and financial services firm, is now offering Royal Tax Box software designed to assist aspiring and current tax preparers to start and grow their very own tax business.

Her company, which already generates millions of dollars in annual revenue, offers a variety of ﬁnancial services such as tax preparation for individuals, businesses, and non-profits, as well as bookkeeping and payroll tax courses, and financial literacy training and resources.

Dr. Moore, a single mother of 8 children, has done a tremendous job implementing strategies that assisted her team and partners to be successful. This includes sharing her knowledge, experience, and access to ﬁnancial freedom through business ownership via franchise opportunities. She believes that her strong systems approach to business has been key to the growth of her company.

Therefore, she works diligently with her franchise team to replicate the sound practices that have proven beneficial to her clients and lucrative for her company and her software partners.

In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, she is also the author of several children’s ﬁnancial literacy books and tax preparation books. She recently added the Boss Business Planner, the Self-Love Journey Planner, and the Small Business Records book.

She is currently working on three additional best-practice books: A Blueprint for Establishing a Million-Dollar Business, Steps to Becoming a Millionaire, and Strategies of the P.P.P. Stage of a Business in the year 2024. In addition, she continues to strengthen her already highly successful ﬁnancial literacy curriculum to support all ages to enhance their financial decision-making.

To learn more about the franchise opportunity now available to all existing and aspiring Black entrepreneurs, visit RoyalFinancialServiceFranchise.com

Also, be sure to follow her brand on Instagram @TheTaxDocta or @_RoyalFinancial_Services

For press inquiries or media interview requests, contact pr@royaltaxbox.com

Former NFL, Robert Quinn, Arrested, Hit And Run

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 6, 2023

Real Life Cane And Abel: 14-Year-Old Teen Allegedly Kills 17-Year-Old Brother, Authorities Find Family ‘Hit List’ In Backpack

In a shocking and tragic incident, a 14-year-old boy faces serious charges after confessing to the murder of his 17-year-old brother and revealing a disturbing ‘hit list’ of family members he intended to harm, according to the Daily Mail.

The harrowing event unfolded Oct. 3 in the town of Banks, Pike County, Alabama, as law enforcement responded to a distressing call from the father, who had discovered his teenage son’s lifeless body. The 17-year-old teen had been missing since Monday, but the situation had not been officially reported to the authorities. As law enforcement questioned the victim’s 14-year-old brother, whose identity remains undisclosed, he shockingly admitted to the murder.

Sheriff Russell Thomas detailed that the young suspect disclosed his evil intentions to classmates, indicating that he was not yet finished with the alleged reign of violence.

The teenager described how he allegedly attacked his brother, who staggered out of their residence in a desperate bid to escape and fell at the bottom of the steps. The assailant then reportedly dragged his brother’s lifeless body approximately 60 yards to the rear of the property.

Even more disturbingly, the teenager asked a friend to assist in murdering the remainder of his family and concealing their bodies. The friend revealed that the Alabama teen maintained a ‘hit list’ in his backpack, specifying family members he wished to target, and made alarming statements about wanting to carry out violence at their school, according to WSFA.

The boy’s father discovered the body when he was called to pick up his son from school, who had expressed concern about his missing brother. Law enforcement’s investigation led to the unsettling discovery of the ‘hit list’ in the 14-year-old’s backpack at home and information regarding his threats at school on the day of the murder.

Although the local school system has not found evidence of an imminent threat, they have requested an increased law enforcement presence on campus. District Attorney James Tarbox has charged the 14-year-old boy with murder, treating him as a juvenile. He is currently detained in a juvenile facility. Sheriff Russell Thomas expressed relief that no further casualties resulted from the 14-year-old child’s access to a weapon. However, a hearing is scheduled for next week where a circuit judge may decide whether to certify the teenager as an adult, potentially leading to the release of his identity.

In light of this event, the Pike County School System in Alabama has extended its deepest condolences to those affected by the tragedy. It is making arrangements to provide mental health counseling services on campus soon. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need to address the emotional well-being of young individuals and the critical importance of mental health support within our communities.

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 6, 2023

Sister of Tristan Thompson’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him Of Being A ‘Deadbeat Father’

NBA player Tristan Thompson is being accused of being a “deadbeat father” to his six-year-old son, TMZ reports.

Kai Craig, sister of Thompson’s ex-girlfriend, Jordan Craig, jumped on Instagram to bash the Cleveland Cavalier player for painting the picture of being a model father. She called him out for doing more for the two children he shares with Khloe Kardashian than her nephew.

“[It’s] so painful to see how Tristan can find the time to show up and do these nice things for others but can’t seem to show up and be a real parent for my nephew, Prince,” Kai wrote.

“The fact he can take other children to school and activities in the same city, yet never sees or speaks to his own son, unless it’s for a party or planned photo opportunity, is appalling and inexcusable.”

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The auntie then turned her ire to Kardashian’s sister, Kim, who praised Thompson’s parenting skills on a recent episode of The Kardashians and for stepping up to help with her kids while going through her divorce with rapper Kanye West.

Kai said Kim should consider “our sisters” in this case.

“@kimkardashian I don’t want to believe that you are this insensitive to the fact that he literally ignores his children,” she continued.

“That’s nice if he’s been a good friend to you, but let’s consider our sisters before taking to global platforms to defend this man’s character.”

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According to The Sun, Jordan receives $40,000 monthly in child support from Thompson. The scorned sister claims those reports are inaccurate, claiming the NBA baller hasn’t paid in months and even paused payment on the child’s school tuition.

“Yet he’s being applauded for picking up/dropping off other kids to school/activities,” she said. “He hasn’t even inquired where Prince goes to school now.”

Craig filed an abstract of judgment in Los Angeles in August 2023, but there are no records of Thompson being late on child support payments.

Black Voters Matter Co-Founder LaTosha Brown Receives Civil Rights Advocate Award At Leadership Awards Gala

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 6, 2023

Black Voters Matter Co-Founder LaTosha Brown Receives Civil Rights Advocate Award At Leadership Awards Gala

The Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter, LaTosha Brown, was all smiles as she was honored at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law annual Higginbotham Leadership Awards Gala.

Brown received the Civil Rights Advocate Award for her outstanding work in the fight for voter’s rights. She posted stunning photos to Instagram of her holding the award alongside the organization’s President and Executive Director, Damon Hewitt, with a caption thanking him and fellow honorees for an amazing night.

“Last night was such a beautiful evening,” Brown wrote.

“I’m so grateful to have received the Civil Rights Advocate award from the Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights…”

“Very grateful for the leadership of Damon Hewitt. It was an extraordinary evening.”

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Marking the 60th anniversary of the organization, according to a press release, the annual event “celebrates the exemplary contributions of leaders across sectors” in avenues including corporations, professional athletes, the arts, lawmakers, and more known as champions for racial justice and equity.

“As we commemorate our 60th anniversary at this year’s Higginbotham Leadership Awards Gala, we look back with pride on a history marked by resilience and triumph in the face of adversity while also looking toward the challenging but necessary work ahead,” Hewitt said.

“Our work will help ensure that Black people and other communities of color have the voice, the opportunity, and the power to make the promises of our democracy real.”

Fellow nominees included Dean and Henry Luce Professor of the Columbia Journalism School, Jelani Cobb, and music distribution company Universal Music Group. “Strict Scrutiny” podcast co-host Melissa Murray served as emcee for the evening, with Grammy Award-winning artist Gregory Porter as the musical guest.

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Black Voters Matter has played a key role in the fight for voter rights in marginalized communities. In 2017, Brown’s organization was on the front lines of the 2017 U.S. Senate special election in Alabama and again in the 2020-21 Georgia state elections. Over the summer, BVM hosted the ‘The Block Is Hot’ tour to “empower and mobilize communities to create a cleaner, healthier future.” Their main stops were in Georgia, which has been attacked at the polls.

According to the Associated Press, in August 2023, U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee blocked a section of election laws requiring voters to give birthdates on absentee ballot envelopes.

Mayor Eric Adams Explores Mexico Amid Migrant Crisis In New York City

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 6, 2023

Mayor Eric Adams Explores Mexico Amid Migrant Crisis In New York City

Yesterday, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City embarked on a mission to Mexico City to gain a deeper understanding of the root causes of migration that have seen over 122,000 migrants arrive in the Big Apple in the past year, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Mayor Adams, who arrived in Mexico City on Wednesday evening, shared his feelings about ‘being at home in Mexico’ due to the significant number of Mexican migrants living in New York. According to the outlet, critics have raised concerns about the trip, labeling it a self-aggrandizing publicity tour and suggesting that Adams should be in Washington, D.C., and Albany seeking more federal and state support for the city’s challenges.

New York City has been struggling to accommodate the influx of migrants. As part of his visit, Adams journeyed to Puebla, located 100 miles south of Mexico City, where he expressed a sense of shared values with the community that contributes significantly to New York’s diverse fabric. During his visit, he met with local leaders and emphasized the ties that bind the two regions, reflecting on the vital roles played by Puebla’s residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Mayor Adams received a warm welcome in Puebla, Mexico, he remained firm in highlighting the limitations New York City is facing, asserting that it is currently at capacity. He stressed the strain on resources and the challenges posed by the crisis. The mayor underscored the difficulties of navigating the situation, particularly given the magnitude of the problem and the associated costs.

Addressing one aspect of the crisis, Adams pointed to what he considered an “inhumane” decision by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to transport migrants from Texas to New York City last April, which he believes exacerbated the ongoing challenges. To address the crisis, New York City requested the ability to suspend its unique ‘right to shelter’ agreement, citing that it was not designed to handle the current humanitarian crisis effectively.

Adams began his four-day Latin America tour with a visit to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, a place of worship for many migrants before they commence their northward journey. Over the next few days, he planned to travel to Quito, Ecuador, and Bogota, Colombia, followed by a visit to the perilous Darien Gap, a treacherous section of the migrant route at the border of Panama and Colombia.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 6, 2023

Tony! Toni! Toné! Reunion ‘Feels Good’ Enough For New Music

Raphael Saadiq’s plan is working perfectly after reuniting with the hit group Tony! Toni! Toné! for its first tour in nearly 30 years, the trio is back in the studio working on new music.

Last month, Tony! Toni! Toné! kicked off its “Raphael Saddiq Revisits Tony! Toni! Tone! Just Me And You Tour 2023.” It was part of a vision Saadiq, the lead singer and guitarist of the beloved R&B group, had when he surprised his bandmates, D’Wayne Wiggins and Timothy Christian Riley, with an impromptu photo shoot earlier this year.

The photo shoot allowed the trio to meet without outside influence and organize their official comeback.

“I didn’t tell any of the managers or team or anybody because I just wanted it to be us. … I wanted to be in a room where the only power structure was one, two, and three,” Saadiq said of his bandmates and family members: Wiggins is his brother, and Riley is their cousin.

‘We have to be us first before we could talk to anybody because that’s what happened the last time.’

The group has been having a blast while on tour and getting back in the groove of their eclectic mix of R&B, Jazz, and Soul. Performing a string of their classic hits on stage each week has prepared Tony! Toni! Toné! for the new music that’s on the way.

“There’s going to be another album … but I thought we need to really hone in on what we’re doing for touring and then go home and then take like two days off, and then start on the album,” Saadiq said.

“We got a lot of material and now we just want to make sure that we put out the right energy through our music,” added Wiggins.

Tony! Toni! Toné! hit the music scene with their 1988 debut album, “Who?” By 1990, the trio dominated with their New Jack Swing-infused hit “Feels Good,” which reached No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Other classics from the group include “Whatever You Want,” “It Never Rains (In Southern California),” “(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow,” and “Anniversary.”

by Mary Spiller

October 6, 2023

Mary J. Blige Launches ‘Strength Of A Woman’ Scholarship At Hampton University

R&B Soul superstar Mary J. Blige has launched her “Strength Of A Woman” scholarship this week for Hampton University students.

Applications for the academic scholarship are due on Oct. 16 and are available for women-identifying sophomores at the private Virginia HBCU. It seeks to empower women studying at the University and enable them to successfully finish their degree through financial and communitive aid.

According to Blavity, the “Strength Of A Woman” scholarship was inspired by the 52-year-old Bronx natives’ 2017 album and the Lifetime movie adapted from it. The scholarship recipients will be awarded $30,000 annually and can renew the tuition funds annually until they earn their bachelor’s degree in their last three years.

Hampton University’s tuition is $29,312, including fees. This does not include housing, school supplies, or books.

The only exclusionary stipulations to be awarded Blige’s “Strength Of A Woman” scholarship are to maintain a satisfactory academic performance, defined as an average 2.5 GPA on a standard 4.0 scale, and remain a full-time student with an eligible major at Hampton.

The scholarship was created in collaboration with PepsiCo. The application requirements state that the applicant must be a self-identified woman, be a sophomore at Hampton University, or plan to enroll as a sophomore during the 2024—2025 school year. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA and have declared a major in Business Administration, Marketing, Arts, Finance, or Creative Design.

PepsiCo employees or children of company employees can’t apply. The students selected for the scholarship are picked on the conditions of former academic record, demonstrated leadership, participation in meaningful extracurricular activities, and prior work experience, along with a statement about their educational and future career goals.

Blige has often spoken of her own educational struggles. “When I was in 11th grade, I dropped out of high school. I definitely regret it,” she said in one interview. She went on to earn her GED and, in 2010, told Good Morning America that she had dreams of studying at Howard University.