Umpire, Art Williams, first black Umpire
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 27, 2023

Inspirational Story of National League’s First Black Umpire Highlighted In New Book And Mini Documentary

Whether you are a history or sports fan or enjoy stories of courage and inspiration, legendary umpire Art Williams is a name you should know.

Over fifty years after taking the field, portions of Arts’ incredible story have recently garnered significant accolades. A related news segment received a Daytime Emmy Award, the book Unbelievable! The Life Journey of Art Williams has been honored with four distinct awards in four different literary categories, and the associated documentary short has been selected for twenty-five film festivals in the United States and abroad. September 18 has officially been proclaimed Art Williams Day in the City of Bakersfield, California.

Art was born in Arkansas to a family of sharecroppers, and after relocating to California, he was signed to the Detroit Tigers organization right after high school. His pitching career was cut short by an injury, but Art persisted in life and in the sport. Through hard work and determination, he ultimately reached his goal of becoming the First Black Umpire in the National League when he officiated the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres on September 18, 1972. This historic milestone came six years after Emmett Ashford’s American League debut and twenty-eight years before the American and National Leagues were united under the Major League Baseball umbrella in 2000.

In the five-plus decades since the groundbreaking accomplishments of Art and Emmett, only nine other African Americans have become Major League Baseball umpires. Although Art passed away in 1979 at 44, his younger brother, 82-year-old Dr. Audie Williams, is doing everything he can to keep Art’s legacy alive.

Mookie Betts – Dodgers outfielder / second baseman and one of Major League Baseball’s most dynamic, well-rounded superstars – has stressed the importance of bringing culture to the game and providing opportunities for everyone to be successful.

 “The goal I set out to accomplish is getting blacks in baseball, not necessarily on the field, but just around the field and maybe in the front office.” “All of us have talents, and it’s important for us to find it,” he said. “I found mine in baseball, and I just want to use my platform to help others find theirs.”

Dr. Williams, a veteran, retired coach, and educator, understands the mission. Through his company, Let’s Play Ball! Productions, he will continue sharing his big brother’s story, encouraging representation in baseball and beyond, and inspiring anyone with a dream to persevere, no matter the obstacles.

On this and every September 18, please take a moment to honor Art Williams and his tremendous achievements, and then dedicate some time and attention to setting goals, nurturing specific talents, sharing your gifts with the world, and encouraging others to be great, too.

Lorri Dotson, Founder and CEO of Founder and CEO of VIGCE LLC
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 26, 2023

Entrepreneur Lorri Dotson Invests In Dream Exchange, The First Minority-Owned And -Governed Stock Exchange

Dream Exchange announced Lorri S. Dotson, a visionary leader, and trailblazing entrepreneur has decided to join a growing group of esteemed investors in the first minority-owned and governed stock exchange. Dotson’s journey began in Chicago, Illinois, where she grew up witnessing her parents’ entrepreneurial spirit and resilience. Her parents’ entrepreneurial legacy greatly influenced her path, as they owned multiple businesses, including one of the first black-owned oil and gas service stations in the 1970s.

Driven by her passion for innovation and community empowerment, Dotson recognized the transformative potential of Dream Exchange. As a minority-owned stock exchange, Dream Exchange aims to provide equal access and opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs and investors. Dotson’s investment showcases her commitment to supporting minority-owned businesses and creating an ecosystem within the financial industry.

“I invested in Dream Exchange because I believe in the power of innovation and the potential for positive change in the financial industry. This platform disrupts traditional norms and creates opportunities for underrepresented groups to access capital markets. By supporting Dream Exchange, I am investing in a future that embraces equal opportunity for all.” – Lorri Dotson

“The arrival of our investors is not merely a financial transaction; it is a testament to the strength of our vision and the promise of our organization. Their partnership symbolizes a shared commitment to growth, innovation, and long-term success. We are truly fortunate to have them by our side as we embark on this extraordinary journey.” – said Founder and CEO Joe Cecala.

“We welcome the recent round of investors with open arms; let us not forget the profound impact their support will have on our collective journey. Their belief in our mission is a testament to the potential we hold and the transformative power of our vision. Together, we will forge new paths, break barriers, and create a future that surpasses all expectations.” – said Managing Member, Dwain Kyles

 

This news was first published on blackbusiness.com

Car, stolen car, electronics, Mother's Day, Mother, Day, license
by Stacy Jackson

September 26, 2023

Preteens Hijack Mom’s Car After Having Electronic Devices Taken Away

A 10-year-old boy and his 11-year-old sister hijacked their mother’s car after having their electronic devices removed as a punishment for “not using them appropriately.”

Alachua police stopped the unidentified minors on a freeway near Gainesville, Florida, on Sept. 21 after their mother’s white sedan was reported missing, according to Today.  The younger brother was behind the wheel when deputies ordered the occupants out of the vehicle at gunpoint at around 3:50 a.m.

Though their mother chose not to pursue the stolen vehicle case, the children could face other charges for operating a vehicle without a driver’s license.

The siblings managed to travel 200 miles away from home. After police took them into custody, their mother drove three hours to pick them up.

“Our detectives did speak with their mother at length,” the sheriff’s office said. She “was clearly doing her best to raise two young children, and she was very receptive to the recommendations they provided in helping her get assistance.”

On Thursday, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department alerted the public via Facebook post that the siblings, who had also been reported missing by their mother, were pulled over on I-75. The department shared, “Two North Port, Florida kids are stopped in Alachua County operating a stolen vehicle. At around 3:50 a.m., Deputies located a white sedan traveling on I-75 in the City of Alachua.”

The department added, “Much to their surprise, Deputies observed a 10 year old male driver exit the vehicle, along with his 11 year old sister.”

The police department said in a later comment on the same post that the siblings stole the car and left home because they were “upset” with their mother.

The comment began, “We have read and understand that several of you have questions about this incident. We will do our best to elaborate just a bit to help you better understand the outcome of this incident.

“It was learned that both children were upset with their mother because she took away their electronic devices, which is believed to have been done because they were not using them appropriately.”

The police department also said it was not led to believe anyone at home was mistreating the children.

RELATED CONTENT: White Mom Blames School After Daughter Physically Assaults Black Teacher

Big brothers
by Jeffrey McKinney

September 26, 2023

Big Brothers, Big Sisters Wants To Close The Youth Mentorship Gap

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is aiming to close the mentorship gap for Black youth as it looks to attract 1 million supporters.

The effort comes as the organization reports there are 30,000 backlogged mentees waiting to be matched with a mentor. The BBBSA declares there are five times more boys on the waiting list than girls hoping for a “Big.” Most of the youth are boys of color.

“It Takes Little to Be Big,” the new national brand campaign, is intended to challenge myths and shift perceptions. The supporters BBBSA is recruiting include mentors, volunteers, influencers, strategic partners, and alums.

The BBBSA, which identifies itself as “the nation’s largest and most experienced mentoring organization,” plans to unite alums, supporters, celebrities, and partners to become mentors and show its efforts are vital to the success of today’s children. BBBSA reports serving 400,000 Bigs, Littles, and their communities in 5,000 communities across 50 states. The organization says over 70% of young people, or “Littles,” are from communities of color.

 BBBSA President and CEO Artis Stevens stated, “We believe in the power of mentorship — we’ve seen its lifelong impact for the millions of kids we’ve served, and on the lives of Bigs who serve as mentors.”

Stevens is the first Black CEO in the BBBSA’s 100-plus-year history.

The push comes as BBBSA says one in three kids today in America is growing up without a sustained, positive adult mentor. It believes the gap between mentorship and youth who mostly need it keeps widening because of perceived barriers and expertise needed to become a mentor.

According to a news release, a cornerstone of the campaign is “A Million Little Moments,” a digital storytelling initiative on BeBigNow.org and BBBSA’s social media platforms.

Other campaign details, with some big names behind it, include:

  •  A new PSA, created in partnership with Dentsu Creative and the Ghanaian-American creative entrepreneur Joshua Kissi. “It features real Bigs and Littles, bringing the authentic moments of mentorship to life to show the impact and importance of mentorship through visual storytelling.” Kissi has worked with the likes of Serena Williams, LeBron James, and the beauty brand Ulta.
  •  Grammy-nominated recording artist Aloe Blacc created a campaign anthem called “Never Let You Down.” BBBSA says the song will be available for download on all streaming platforms, with a portion of the money raised going to the organization.
  •  BBBSA has partnered with industry leaders to amplify the campaign and encourage the support of volunteers and donors. It says Clear Channel Outdoor will launch a series of “It Takes Little to Be Big” billboards in key U.S. markets including New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dallas.

Visit here to gain more details on the campaign.

Michelle Obama, party at the polls
by Stacy Jackson

September 26, 2023

Michelle Obama Cakes Up Nearly $750K With Recent Speaking Gig

Michelle Obama just collected a nearly $750,000 check to give a speech on diversity and inclusion.

The former first lady of the United States was selected to give a one-hour speech at the Bits & Pretzels Founder Festival in Germany on Sept. 25. She appeared at the tech fair in Munich to speak at a startup event. According to Daily Mail, two inside sources of the conference said the event was “held on the sidelines of the annual Oktoberfest beer festival.”

 

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The gig for Obama was reportedly worth 700,000 euros, the equivalent of $741,000 U.S. dollars. Conference organizers said the 59-year-old has been highly requested by participants for years and added that she “topped the list, year after year.”

“They really pulled out all the stops to get her,” said the Bits and Pretzels team insider. “It’s one of the highest fees that they have ever paid.”

Booking the former FLOTUS isn’t cheap. Axios reported in 2017 that the pricetag to book The Light We Carry author was $200,000, while her husband, former President Barack Obama’s price was double that at $400,000. The Obamas served two consecutive terms as the first Black U.S. president and first lady from January 2009 to January 2017, as noted by Daily Mail.

The speaking gig is relative to the attorney’s journey as the first Black first lady of the country. Recently, questions have been raised about the author stepping in as a possible alternative candidate to Joe Biden if he withdraws from the 2024 presidential race.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, Obama has repeatedly denied any desire to seek office. However, Democrats may be looking to push her to run for candidacy.

“High-level Democrats are rallying to President Biden’s reelection, not because they think it’s in the best interest of the country to have an 82-year-old start a second term but because they fear the potential alternative: the nomination of Kamala Harris and election of Donald Trump,” a Politico report read earlier this year.

Fox 5 Atlanta wrote that Democrats believe she has the “it” factor to beat 2024 candidate Donald Trump.

Rev. Al Sharpton Heads To Atlanta To Lend Support To Fearless Fund Co-Founders
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 26, 2023

Rev. Al Sharpton Heads To Atlanta To Lend Support To Fearless Fund Co-Founders

In a resolute stand against efforts to undermine affirmative action and diversity initiatives, Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network, is making his presence felt in Atlanta.

The veteran civil rights leader headed to the southern city Sept. 26 to extend his support to Fearless Fund co-founders Arian Simone and Ayana Parsons. The women have faced legal action and scrutiny initiated by conservative activists due to their organization’s financial support for Black women entrepreneurs.

This lawsuit, marked by controversy and widespread condemnation, represents a disturbing trend aiming to erode the hard-won civil rights gains achieved in Corporate America. It follows the contentious Supreme Court ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. Soon after this decision, a group of Republican Attorney Generals issued a letter threatening Fortune 100 companies, warning them that their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts might be perceived as discrimination.

Rev. Sharpton had expressed concerns when the Supreme Court weakened affirmative action, anticipating that right-wing fundamentalists would redirect their focus toward Corporate America. Their legal action against the Fearless Fund, an organization working to level the playing field for Black female entrepreneurs, confirms these fears. Some conservative activists are willing to dismantle any opportunities for Black and Brown Americans to attain the American Dream. In response, the National Action Network has organized a rally in Atlanta to stand up against these forces seeking to suppress progress.

Notably, after the June Supreme Court decision, anti-affirmative action activists filed a lawsuit against the Fearless Fund in a District Court in Atlanta. The case specifically targeted the Strivers Grant Contest, which provides $20,000 grants to Black female entrepreneurs, alleging that it violates the Civil Rights Act of 1866. The legal team representing the Fearless Fund has categorically rejected this argument put forth by conservatives.

Today, NAN leads a rally to support the Fearless Fund and its co-founders, standing alongside their legal team and other supporters. This legal battle is a critical test for right-wing activists seeking to dismantle DEI efforts. From May 2020 to October last year, companies pledged $340 billion towards racial equity, with a significant portion of these commitments coming from the financial sector. Some pledges made following the 2020 murder of George Floyd have been retracted due to political pressures, while others have yet to meet the benchmarks they set for themselves.

The rally, led by Rev. Al Sharpton, sends a powerful message that efforts to curtail diversity and inclusion initiatives will not go unchallenged.

Chandler Jones
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 26, 2023

NFL Player Chandler Jones Alleges He Was Hospitalized Against His Will And Injected With ‘Unknown Substance’

NFL player Chandler Jones alleges he was taken to a mental health hospital against his will by the Las Vegas Fire Department and injected with an ‘unknown substance.’

He posted about the incident, claiming he “don’t know what” he was injected with on his X profile, formerly known as Twitter, account on Feb. 25, 2023. He then claims that he didn’t do anything wrong and that the police officers who took him told him that “people were concerned about” him because of recent online posts.

The posts on his account are photos of handwritten notes he allegedly wrote. With the caption from his post saying, “First day out but I’m still aligned,” the four-time Pro Bowl player explained what transpired while he was hospitalized last week; he didn’t specify a date.

“First day out, if my fans and friends are wondering, I was taken in by the Las Vegas fire department last week against my will. I was injected with (I don’t know what). They said it was a court hold, and the Las Vegas police put me on it.”

“I answered my front door and a group of 5 to 7 were there to put me in an ambulance where I was later injected and I asked them not to.”

He said he did not have a cell phone or a way to communicate and then said he was taken to Seven Hills Behavioral Health Hospital. Once there, he claimed he tried to reach out to the Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler “6 to 7 times asking for help,” but although he left several messages, Zeigler never returned his phone calls.

After writing that he spent the first night sleeping on the floor, he added that his brothers and father came to visit him, supplying him with food and clothes. He says every week he misses a game, that’s $1 million he is not pocketing. He even mentions that he worked out while in the hospital.

“All I know is whoever put me here had bad intentions. I’m too strong of a person to be mentally broken. For all of my friends that know me, THEY KNOW!!!”

The Daily Mail reported that the week before this occurred, Jones took to his social media to accuse Raiders owner Mark Davis of protecting the identity of someone who allegedly molested his goddaughter. Before the latest incident, the NFL team placed him on the non-football illness list last week, ruling him out for the team indefinitely.

‘It’s a personal situation and a private matter,’ Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels stated.
“We have dealt with it, and I am not going to talk about it.’”

Jones has not played a game this season and is not allowed in the Raiders facility.

Travis Kelce
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 26, 2023

Internet Drags Travis Kelce For Dropping His Black Swag To Align With Taylor Swift After Dating African American Woman

Travis Kelce has the streets talking after seemingly ditching his Black girlfriend for Taylor Swift and changing his appearance.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end recently went public with the pop star, who attended his game with his family over the weekend. Amid the confirmed romance, fans are taking notice of how Kelce switched up the style of his facial hair.

What used to be a beard and connected mustache while dating his ex, Kayla Nicole, has turned into a clean-shaven face with a bushy mustache since going public with Swift.

“This is so funny to me,” one X user wrote over screenshots of Kelce’s old look with Nicole and his new appearance while with Swift.

Many joined in and started joking about Kelce for seemingly changing his style based on who he’s dating.

“Went from yo bro” to, “u know why I stopped ya,” one user wrote.

“G went from ‘Hold it down dawg’ to ‘Hold The Line Soldier!” added another.

It was just last month when Kelce and Nicole’s breakup after five years of dating was confirmed, Sportskeeda reports. Nicole shared a since-deleted TikTok where she bashed herself for thinking the NFL star would propose to her after five years.

“You’re not stupid Kayla. No, I am actually. Thought I’d get wifed after dating for 5 year. That’s 1,825 days.”

One month later, and Kelce appears to be confirming dating rumors with the superstar singer. Swift was seen watching the two-time Super Bowl champion play at Arrowhead Stadium alongside his family on Sunday, People reports.

Kelce jokingly admitted that he “threw the ball in her court.”

He continued, “I’ve seen you rock the stage at Arrowhead [Stadium]. You might have to come see me rock the stage at Arrowhead and see which one’s a little more lit.”

“We’ll see what happens in the near future,” Kelce added.

RELATED CONTENT: Meet the Brothers Helping Athletes like Travis Kelce Succeed Outside the Arena

Raphael Saadiq, Beyonce, Toni Tony Tone
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 26, 2023

Raphael Saadiq Gave ‘Cuff It’ To Beyoncé But It Was Meant For Tony! Toni! Toné!

After winning a Grammy for co-writing Beyoncé’s “Cuff It,” Raphael Saadiq is finally ready to admit who the song was originally penned for.

The famed singer-songwriter is hitting the road for a tour that includes a highly anticipated reunion of his beloved R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! The soul-singing trio will perform a number of their classic hits including “Anniversary,” “Whatever You Want,” and “It Never Rains.”

But there was a new song that could’ve been added to the setlist if Saadiq, 57, hadn’t given it to Queen Bey instead.

“That record was going to be a Tonyies record, the part that just sounds like [mimics the ‘Cuff It’ guitar riff],” Saadiq told Vulture.

“But I gave it to a friend of mine and said, ‘I got this record. I was going to do it, but what about Beyoncé?’”

Saadiq shared the vision he had for Beyoncé’s rendition of the song and credited super-producer The-Dream for getting the ball rolling.

“She’s one of those people where if she’s feeling it, she’s going 100 percent in. I said, ‘It’s going to move people. It’s going to work, I’m telling you.’ I think she just put it away,” he said. “From what I heard, The-Dream eventually found it. And he was like, ‘What is that?!’”

The celebrated songwriter, who has penned a number of classics for artists like Solange‘s “Cranes in the Sky,” D’Angelo’s “Untitled,” and all of the hits performed by his old group Lucy Pearl, knew he had another hit on his hands.

“I already knew it was one of them joints,” Saadiq said of “Cuff It.”

“I always said, if you drop the right music on an artist, it could go, but I’m glad she has so many eyeballs on her, you know what I mean? You can’t really trick people, it’s got to be good.”

It was the first time Saadiq had written for Beyoncé, and it ended up garnering him a Grammy for Best R&B Song.

“Beyoncé’s a hard worker. I told her, ‘I’ve always knew we would work together at some point.’ Like I said, it’s all about timing,” he shared.

RELATED CONENT: It Feels Good! Raphael Saadiq Announces Tony! Toni! Toné! Tour Dates

erica mena
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 26, 2023

Erica Mena Says ‘Love & Hip Hop’ Cast Depicted As ‘Zoo Animals’ After Being Left Out Racism Roundtable

Erica Mena is clapping back after being left out of “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta’s” roundtable on racism and colorism.

The “Love and Hip Hop” veteran was ousted from the show after she called Spice a “monkey” during a heated exchange filmed in “LHH Atlanta”‘s current season. With the show approaching its season finale, a roundtable on racism was organized among the remaining cast members.

But Mena is speaking out to ask why she wasn’t invited to sit down and talk it out with others who have “said things just as bad.” The reality star wrote a lengthy statement on Instagram in response to the racism and colorism roundtable and accuses the franchise of seemingly using her to “save face.”

According to the axed “LHH” star, she continued filming the show for seven months before she was fired. Mena believes the show fired her only after it decided to air the scene and received backlash from viewers.

“They had this footage for months. They chose to edit it how they wanted and aired it,” she wrote in a comment SHARED by The Shade Room.

 

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Mena wonders why, if she is being used to “save face” for the network, then why not have her present for the roundtable discussion?

“Desperate to save face but true and only reason a statement was even made by the network was because the backlash,” Mena claims.

Steve Honig, the reality star’s rep, also released a statement blasting the network for leaving Mena out of the discussion.

“It is very disappointing Erica was not included in the discussion about the incident that occurred while filming the show and that the network chose to silence her voice,” Honig told Radar Online.

“She would have welcomed an opportunity to discuss what happened in a way that was productive and made this roundtable truly a valuable moment of learning for all. It is also worth noting that the network continued filming with Erica for more than seven months after the actual incident occurred, despite claims that filming with her was stopped after it happened.”

RELATED CONTENT: Erica Mena Fired From ‘Love and Hip Hop Atlanta’ After Calling Co-Star A ‘Monkey’

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