by Black Enterprise
September 19, 2023
by Stacy Jackson
September 19, 2023
Olympian Allyson Felix Hits Ground Running With New Felix Runner Performance Shoe
Allyson Felix knows a thing or two about quality performance footwear.
The Olympic track star and mom recently launched the Felix Runner shoe under her Saysh brand. It’s giving comfort and performance all in one, according to Shoppe Black.
Felix’s shoe is unlike others, which are often structured based on men’s feet. Shoppe Black noted that she engineered the shoe according to the proportions of a woman’s foot.
The brand-new shoe comes in three colors: avalanche, ebony, and fire. Sizes range from 5.5 to 13.
Felix, the co-founder and president of Saysh, said, “I’m so excited for women to experience the difference of The Felix Runner firsthand—the comfort, support, and stability it brings. It’s not just about the shoe; it’s about empowering every woman to conquer her path.”
The design process, Felix said, was “an inspiring journey. Over the last three years, we’ve poured our hearts into crafting The Felix Runner—a shoe that reflects the strength and determination of women.”
View this post on Instagram
The Felix Runner is a continuation of her commitment to changing the game in footwear for women. In 2022, Black Enterprise reported that Saysh had introduced the first-ever return policy for pregnant women. The company’s “Maternity Returns Policy” was based on the track star’s own experience of becoming a mother.
Felix started Saysh with her brother, Wes, after ending her partnership with Nike, which cut her pay by 70% when she got pregnant.
“I didn’t even realize that my feet could grow that much,” she said. “I was tired of begging brands to meet me where I was, as both an athlete and a mother, and I was tired of sacrificing comfort and style.”
RELATED CONTENT: Condoleezza Rice And Allyson Felix Talk Personal Wellness & Career Success
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors
September 18, 2023
Teyana Taylor Confirms Split From Iman Shumpert After Infidelity Rumors Swirl
Teyana Taylor is shutting down rumors about her relationship status with Iman Shumpert by confirming her separation from the NBA star. The married couple of seven years have been separated for “a while,” as Taylor shared to her Instagram on Sept. 17.
View this post on Instagram
In an amusing picture of the former couple wearing wigs, the A Thousand and One actress released a statement defending her estranged husband while also noting the change in their marital status.
“AHT AHT! Not too much on my bestie,” wrote the 32-year-old mother of two. “In all fairness, Iman and I are separated and have been for a while. To be 1000% clear, ‘infidelity’ ain’t one of the reasons for our departure. We are still the best of friends, great business partners and are one hell of a team when it comes to co-parenting our two beautiful children.”
She continued that although they are no longer romantically involved, their family remains their number one priority.
“Most importantly, we are FAMILY & in the ten years together, seven years married, we ain’t ever played with or about THAT. We just keep y’all asses out the group chat, lol, which is the reason we’ve been able to successfully & peacefully separate without all of the outside noise.”
Taylor noted that claims of infidelity led to her publicly addressing the matter, though she’d wished for her family to handle the change privately.
“The only reason I’m even sharing THIS part of the chat is because the narratives are getting a little out of hand & it’s unfair to all parties involved. I hope this provided some clarity for y’all. Okay, AunTey taking y’all back out the chat. Bye!”
Rumors began spreading after fans of the couple noticed they were no longer in each other’s latest posts, nor was Shumpert featured in her pictures of their youngest daughter Rue’s third birthday party earlier this month.
Before separating, the duo appeared in two reality shows, VH1’s Teyana and Iman and E! Network’s We Got Love: Teyana and Iman, showcasing their daily lives as a family.
by Stacy Jackson
September 18, 2023
Sabrina Elba Says Working With Famous Husband Posed ‘Big Learning Curve’
Sabrina Elba said working beside her famous bae posed a “big learning curve.”
On day one of Beautycon LA, Elba got candid about her experience working with her husband, Idris, on their S’ABLE Labs skincare line.
“It’s not a perfect tie-in, but we’ve definitely developed ways of working together,” she told People. The 35-year-old entrepreneur presented a clean spread for the S’ABLE brand and appeared on a panel during the event.
View this post on Instagram
“We started a podcast to kind of see how other people were doing it, and we learned so much,” she revealed. “I think it’s having correct boundaries and understanding that, like, you know, finding work is not the same as finding a date night. There are appropriate avenues—work hours, for instance, that’s been a big learning curve for me.”
The Elbas’ skincare collection is an extension of their wellness brand, launched in 2021. Elba said she “can’t imagine doing it with anyone else.” The genderless skincare collection stemmed from a conversation between the couple who realized a disconnect in their community concerning well-being and self-care.
“Self-care is such an important thing in partnerships and relationships—when you’re feeling really good about yourself, you’re able to share that with other people, and it’s infectious,” she said. “I feel like we’ve forgotten about that because we’ve been so isolated. We want to remind people to share that good energy.”
The Elbas emphasize the power of partnerships and relationships through their “melanin inclusive” brand, which features products formulated with African botanicals and powered by contemporary science. S’ABLE products have been developed with “ubiquitous ingredients” that have maximum effect on the skin and minimal impact on the planet.
View this post on Instagram
Elba joined several A-list beauty, fashion, and entertainment icons for Beautycon LA’s return after a four-year hiatus from its Los Angeles roots.
by Sharelle B. McNair
September 18, 2023
Anti-LGBTQ Bill In Ghana Could Jeopardize Safety Of Certain Citizens If Passed
A revived bill could jeopardize Ghanaian citizens’ well-being by encouraging people to out members of the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana.
“Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill” would force suspected members of the LGBTQ community to be reported, CNN reports. Introduced in 2021, the bill encourages Ghanaian citizens to report suspected LGBTQ community members to local police, a part of the bill that is concerning for many people in the country.
If someone suspects that a citizen or someone they are with is gay, that person risk being attacked, kidnapped, or even lynched.
The controversial legislature criminalizes LGBTQ relationships and LGBTQ rights supporters, including journalists, as the bill instructs they are “promoting” these issues. The bill is in its final stages after going through a second reading in July 2023. The bill will become law soon enough unless the president decides to veto the bill.
Advocates are fearful, as some remember when the country had no issue with LGBTQ citizens. “Now, everything is turned upside down,” executive director and co-founder of gender activist group One Love Sisters Ghana, Lariba, said. “It’s not safe anywhere.”
Four men were allegedly beaten in April 2023 in Kumasi, one of the country’s largest cities, because the attackers assumed the men were gay, according to Rightify Ghana. Another man was stabbed multiple times in July 2023 after being lured to a location over a dating app because of his sexual orientation.
According to RFI, several of Ghana’s Members of Parliament and religious and traditional leaders have already supported the bill.
Ghana is following in the footsteps of other African nations, including Kenya and Uganda, which have severe LGBTQ+ laws. In March 2023, Uganda approved a bill that outlaws homosexuality with penalties, including death and life sentences in prison. Gay sex is punishable by at least 10 years in jail in Kenya.
by Jaimee Ratliff
September 18, 2023
Chioma Nnadi Makes History As First Black Woman Editor Of British Vogue
London-born journalist Chioma Nnadi has been named the new head of editorial content at British Vogue, replacing famed editor Edward Enninful. With her appointment, Nnadi makes history as the first Black woman in history to helm the iconic fashion magazine.
View this post on Instagram
The Guardian reports that Nnadi will take on her new role starting October 6. The 44-year-old media professional is currently the editor of Vogue.com as well as the host of “The Run-Through,” the publication’s weekly podcast.
“I’m beyond excited and honored to have been appointed as British Vogue‘s Head of Editorial Content. As someone who was born and raised in London, the energy of the city — its boundary-pushing style and creative scene — has shaped the way I look at the world,” Nnadi said. “Now, more than ever, it feels like a moment to look beyond borders while also celebrating the broad scope of what it means to be British. I’m looking forward to engaging a loyal and inspired digital community that is energized by our access, point of view and storytelling.”
Nnadi has worked at Vogue for 13 years, penning some of the magazine’s most popular cover stories, including features on Rihanna, Erykah Badu, and Michaela Coel.
“Chioma is beloved among her colleagues at Vogue and is an editor and writer with an impeccable reputation—both here and in the fashion industry at large,” said Anna Wintour, chief content officer and global editorial director of Vogue. “I can’t think of a more worthy person to follow in [Enninful’s] footsteps than Chioma, who has proven herself adept at speaking to our digital audience and has found ways to extend Vogue’s reach, authority and influence across all of our platforms.”
View this post on Instagram
For Nnadi, who grew up in Central London, it will not only be a homecoming but a chance to reconnect with the foundation of her love for fashion.
“When I started at Vogue, it was about having the latest new thing,” she said. “Now, there’s a sense of archival fashion being just as important. I grew up going to Portobello Road every single weekend, looking for vintage clothing. That was before it was super cool to do it.”
As for diversity and the changing landscape of the fashion world, Nnadi believes fundamental progress has already been made.
“Things have changed a lot. When I started out, there was one other Black person working in the building, and we both went to the same college,” she said. “It wasn’t the same place it is now. Obviously, matters of diversity and inclusion should always be on the agenda, but it feels like more of an open conversation now, and that feels to me like progress.”
Whispers of Enninful’s departure began earlier this year; however, but confirmation would not arrive until July. In a memo sent to staff, the fashion guru announced his plans to move into an “editorial advisor” role, signaling the end of his era of leadership at British Vogue, Fashionista reported. Enninful’s last issue will be released in March 2024.
However, his excitement for Nnadi’s appointment was on full display during 2023 London Fashion Week. “I am so thrilled that Chioma is joining British Vogue,” he said. “She is a brilliant and unique talent with real vision who will take the publication to ever greater heights.”
RELATED CONTENT:
by Daniel Johnson
September 18, 2023
Former NFL Player Sergio Brown Missing After His Mother’s Death
Sergio Brown, a former NFL player, is missing in the aftermath of his mother’s death from injuries relating to an assault.
According to reporting from CNN, Brown’s 73-year-old mother, Myrtle, was found near a creek behind her home on Sept. 16. Relatives alerted the Maywood Police Department that they could not reach Brown or his mother, and officers roped off a residential street in the Illinois city upon receiving reports from the family.
The elder Brown’s neighbor, Carlos Cortez, told WBBM, a CNN affiliate, “Myrtle, she was an outstanding woman, and I’m hoping she’s in the right place and she’s with God. I never would’ve expected this in a million years.”
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that Brown died by homicide. Cortez also told WBBM, “Her family came and knocked on the door and was looking for her ’cause they put out a police report because she was missing for 72 hours.”
In a Ring surveillance video, the police department discovered video evidence of the football player acting strangely. According to Cortez, “They see him taking out the trash, and they see him have a bonfire, where he burnt all her clothes.”
Sheila Simmons, Brown’s aunt, told WGN TV she’d last talked to her sister on September 14, and on the 16th, when she went to her sister’s house, things were out of the ordinary. Simmons said, “We’re going to find out what happened because it’s not normal for my sister to not answer her phone, not to respond to text messages. People have been reaching out to her since Friday. No one was able to reach her.
“Now, I got the call this morning saying that she’s missing, so immediately I came out here and [found] out my sister is dead.”
Family members also told WGN-TV that they had not heard from the former football player since his mother died.
The Maywood Police Department is currently searching for Brown and has asked that anyone with information on his current location use an anonymous tip line if they are nervous about talking to the police.
While no suspect has been officially named, Cortez told WBBM that Brown had been acting strange for the last few months, according to information he received from his family.
Brown played seven seasons in the NFL, for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Buffalo Bills. His last active season was 2016.
Presidential hopeful Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) is dating a “lovely Christian girl,” according to The Hill.
During the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition Town Hall on Sept. 16, Scott described his mystery girlfriend while giving remarks on his religion and faith. “I’m very excited. Very excited,” Scott said to Iowa’s Attorney General, Brenna Bird, who pressed him on the issue. After sponsors threatened to stop donor dollars from coming in unless he addressed his dating status, Scott admitted to dating “a lovely Christian girl.”
According to The Hill, various publications referenced Scott’s marital status, saying that he would be the only unmarried leader since the 19th century.
The presidential hopeful also revealed that he and his unidentified bae participated in Bible study and pickleball matches together. During his Iowa campaign stop, Scott reflected on how his upbringing helped him sustain a successful relationship.
“As a guy who was raised in a single-parent household mired in poverty, I understand the devastation when a family breaks up. I had to live with the consequences of a father who was not there. I made a commitment to make sure that never happened in my life,” Scott said.
“I’m so thankful to know a risen savior [who] has helped guide my way, and I’m so thankful that he’s allowed my life to intersect at the right time with the right person. And I just say, praise the living God.”
South Carolina politicians’ desire to expose his private life has raised a side eye from conservative GOP donors. However, he is spinning the narrative, claiming his bachelor lifestyle could be a positive. “I probably have more time, more energy, and more latitude to do the job,” Scott said, according to Axios. “The fact that half of America’s adult population is single for the first time, to suggest that somehow being married or not married is going to be the determining factor of whether you’re a good president or not — it sounds like we’re living in 1963 and not 2023.”
His views aren’t doing much for him in the polls regarding Iowa evangelicals. A recent poll shows Scott is still trailing in third place at 7%, behind Donald Trump at 47% and Ron DeSantis with 20%.
by Stacy Jackson
September 18, 2023
Ciara’s Ten To One Rum Secures $1M Investment From InvestBev Group
R&B singer-songwriter Ciara, who co-owns Ten To One rum with founder Marc Farrell, recently accepted a $1 million investment from InvestBev Group. According to The Spirits Business, the Chicago-based private equity firm extended the money to elevate the brand’s presence in new markets and in the ultra-premium Caribbean rum sector.
Ten to One was founded in 2019. Farrell’s goal was to build an “elevated but not exclusive” brand rooted in Caribbean culture and heritage. Ciara joined the Black-owned spirits brand as an investor, co-owner, and director in 2021.
View this post on Instagram
“Marc and his team have built an incredible brand for what we feel is the next hot category,” InvestBev Group founder Brian Rosen said. “Data shows that rum is gaining share monthly, and we are excited to support Ten To One in their growth journey.”
As reported by The Spirits Business, “according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis data cited by Pronghorn last year, the U.S. market for super-premium-plus rum brands is expected to have a compound annual growth rate of 12.6% from 2021 to 2026, and will grow two times faster than the total spirits industry over the next five years.”
According to Farrell, Ten To One has always sought great investors who align with the brand’s aspirations and have the ability to “directly impact those ambitions to build something iconic” with the brand.
“Brian and the InvestBev team fit the bill on both fronts, and so we’re thrilled to welcome them to the Ten To One family,” Farrell said.
Ten To One is on its way to becoming a premium market leader within the rum category. In August 2022, the brand secured a capital investment from Pronghorn to help scale the business, generate wealth, and drive acquisitions for Ten to One.
“Pronghorn’s goal is to cultivate the next generation of Black entrepreneurs, executive leaders, and founders within the spirits industry,” Proghorn co-founder Erin Harris said at the time.
Ten To One is the first of Proghorn’s 57 investments in Black-owned brands that will be made over the next 10 years.
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors
September 18, 2023
Empowering Black Travel Entrepreneurs: Embracing Automation For Business Growth And Unforgettable Journeys With SquadTrip
In various spheres, from trade expos to high-level managerial positions, Black Americans remain significantly underrepresented in travel and tourism. Research indicates that only 7.2% of U.S. travel agents identify as Black or African American, and an overwhelming 62% of travel advisers function as independent contractors, lacking the necessary tools and resources to compete with larger agencies.
Pioneering tech visionaries Darrien Watson and Stevon Judd are instigating a paradigm shift within the travel industry through a bespoke SaaS (Software as a Service) platform designed for group trip organizers and travelers. Beyond mere financial growth, SquadTrip is deeply committed to empowering 50,000 Black travel professionals over the next two years, aiming to bridge the diversity gap within the travel and tourism space. With its mission to foster community and meaningful connections through travel experiences, the software firm will share optimal strategies and educational resources via webinars, conferences, and workshops.
Watson, CEO and co-founder of SquadTrip, highlights, “One of the most prevalent challenges for travel organizers is the efficient planning of trips in terms of both time and cost. Many small-scale travel agencies resort to managing multiple online tools at a cost, but our all-inclusive platform streamlines this process by offering professional-grade tools that facilitate the creation of trip landing pages, automated billing schedules, and seamless back-office operations.”
Having secured an impressive $1.5 million in funding, the startup has emerged as one of the few Black-owned travel software enterprises to garner over $1 million in investment. Backers include notable entities like TechStars, Forum Ventures, and Atento Capital, a Tulsa-based venture capital firm focused on unlocking unsung potential in early-stage founders.
SquadTrip’s co-founders have generated $7 million in travel sales and facilitated 6,000 bookings. The business partners, who originally bonded as best friends during college, embarked on their entrepreneurial journey by establishing an event ticketing platform tailored for Black entrepreneurs. In 2022, they launched SquadTrip.
Watson recollects, “The concept for SquadTrip emerged while helping a friend create a simpler way to collect money for his birthday trip. Our software system transformed his annual group excursion into a million-dollar travel enterprise.”
The automated payment solution caters to professional group trip organizers, travel agents, and travel brands, but it also suits travel enthusiasts who regularly organize trips for family and friends. Be it a significant milestone celebration or a family reunion, users can access SquadTrip’s platform free of charge, paying a mere 6 percent fee per booking.
Stevon Judd, CTO and co-founder of SquadTrip, reveals, “Initially, our focus was on our ideal customer base, but we soon realized that our platform resonates with a wide array of travel professionals and enthusiasts. Our users span travel agents, destination wedding planners, retreat organizers, and even leisure travelers who arrange trips for their loved ones.”
Group travel often involves coordinating multiple aspects such as transportation, accommodations, activities, and itineraries for a larger number of people. This complexity can lead to logistical challenges, especially when dealing with last-minute changes, cancellations, or unforeseen circumstances. While small agencies might lack access to advanced travel management software and tools that larger agencies use to manage bookings and handle customer interactions, SquadTrip addresses these challenges by helping travel professionals work more efficiently and recover untapped revenue.
Stephanie Kilson-Thomas, a SquadTrip customer and owner of KT Travel & More, explains, “The majority of my clients are destination wedding groups, and SquadTrip allows me to manage the reservations process for a large number of travelers from beginning to end.”
With the recent investment funds, the company is strategizing to amplify its business presence, onboard fresh talent, and enhance its product offerings. A notable addition to the platform is a new affiliate feature that allows travelers to share trips with friends through a unique link. Users will be rewarded with cash when their referrals participate in the trip.
In the current year, SquadTrip has undertaken a full-scale relocation from New York to the Black-owned tech ecosystem in Tulsa’s Greenwood District, renowned as Black Wall Street.
RELATED CONTENT: The Modern Green Book Raising Funds To Give Grants To Black-Owned
Written by Nicole Blake-Baxter, PR and communications strategist driving dialogues within the ever-evolving worlds of tech and travel.