by Stacy Jackson

September 18, 2023

Kobi Co. Launches In-Store Experience For Candle Lovers

A daughter and mom have set up shop in downtown Minneapolis.

Kobi Gregory and her mom, Tash Harris, are the founders of the Black-owned candle company Kobi Co. After making their first sales through online purchases, the pair grew the company and established their first physical location, the Star Tribune reported.

Located at 48 S. 9th Street, their new shop offers customers an in-store candle shopping experience.

Gregory launched the company during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020 when she was 17 years old. She first established the online business to help alleviate the stress of distance learning. The online candle business gained significant traction. Her mom joined, and the pair expanded the business.

The candles were crafted to appeal to the body’s sensory systems, providing an experience by combining aroma and sound. Each candle comes with a playlist. Kobi Co.’s signature candle, #PurpleReign, is an infusion of lavender and eucalyptus and includes a Prince playlist. The company also features a limited-edition #BlackLivesMatter candle to support survivors of gun violence and police brutality.

Inside the store, there are handcrafted soy candles, scented sprays, bath bombs, sugar scrubs, and bath salts to add to your self-care routine.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kobi Co. (@lovekobico)

Gregory and Harris originally established a college fund to create opportunities for young BIPOC women. The fund is an annual scholarship for the young women.

Candles are available from $12 to $33. Kobi Co. also offers a weekly Bespoke workshop for $50. The workshop allows customers to make their own candles and bath salts in-store every Saturday. To participate in the workshop, customers must register online.

The company offers a 15% discount if purchases are made during happy hour: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Candles are available online through the Kobi Co. website.

age limit, biden, trump, election, season,

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 18, 2023

American Voters Are Over Elderly Elected Officials And Are Pushing For Age Limit

As health issues become more and more apparent for senior government leadership, the big question is: Should there be an age limit on elected officials?

A new poll of voters says yes, Axios reports. A CBS News/YouGov survey found that more than 75% of voters want a maximum age limit for politicians. This means once an elected official reaches a certain age, they can no longer hold that office. It seems to be one of the things voters from both sides of the aisle can agree on—76% of Democrats and 79% of Republicans are calling for maximum age limits.

The battle is exactly what age should be the limit. Of those who took the survey, 45% said the age limit should be capped at 70, and 30% said 50 or 60 should be the limit. Only 18% think 80 is still young enough to get things done as an elected official. Voters aren’t the only ones with something to say.

House Republicans and other members of Congress are also pushing for an age limit, aiming to get some new blood on the floor. Black freshman House member Rep. John James (R-MI) introduced new legislation in early September that calls for lawmakers to amend the U.S. Constitution and establish regulations for an upper age limit for eligibility to be president, vice president, or a member of Congress, according to FOX News.

James says it’s time for a change. “You can’t watch a video of Feinstein or McConnell or Biden and tell me that everything’s OK,” James said. “It’s not just us saying it; it’s our adversary seeing it; they see that America has lost a step.” If the bill passes, Congress would need to work on a Constitutional amendment that would stop anyone from running for those offices if the person is 75 years or older during their term.

When James was asked how the new law would affect four-time indicted presidential candidate Donald Trump, whom he’s endorsed, he pointed out that the process would take years to implement.

high school, principals, lawsuit, photos

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 17, 2023

Delaware Principals Face Lawsuit For Allegedly Sharing Images Of Student’s Breast

Two high school principals in Delaware are facing a lawsuit after they allegedly shared a security camera photo of a student’s bare breast with faculty members.

Aniya Harmon, an 18-year-old student who graduated in May from Sussex Central High School, was horrified to learn that the adults in charge of her academics were spreading topless images of her taken from the school’s security cameras.

To make matters worse, the principals then made a meme of the lewd photos, placing Janet Jackson’s face on the teenager’s body, in reference to the infamous 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. Rumors of the meme began spreading around the school and beyond, with Harmon finally getting the police involved, as reported by The New York Times.

Harmon and her mother, Tosha White, have sued the two administrators, Bradley Layfield and Matthew Jones, for the harm done to Harmon’s safety. They want the man to face criminal charges as well. The high school and school district were also listed as defendants in their suit.

The image of Harmon topless emerged after a teacher accidentally pulled on her T-shirt and bra strap to reveal her chest in the midst of a fight between another set of students. According to the lawsuit, Harmon was not directly involved in the altercation, but was “bucked at” by one of the parties, prompting the teacher to grab her to de-escalate the situation.

Upon reviewing the footage, the principals allegedly shared the unedited footage with the school’s non-administrative personnel, such as gym teachers.

The Delaware State Police has yet to comment on the case, but an attorney for Layfield admits that an investigation is ongoing. As for the principals, currently on administrative leave since May 22, their education licenses could be revoked.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 17, 2023

Denver Police Investigating Unconventional Pop-Up Bar At Homeless Encampment

Denver is a city with many attractions, including several pro sports teams. But a homeless encampment in the Mile High City is attracting national attention for its new additions—a pop-up bar complete with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and tents rumored to rent out for what some consider the world’s oldest profession.

“We’re hearing there was an open bar, sales of alcohol, things like that,” Denver Police Patrol Division Chief Aaron Sanchez told CBS Colorado. “We have officers looking into that.”

The unusual tavern, at 23rd Street and Champa Street, has amassed “numerous complaints” due to its infringement upon the walkway for pedestrians. According to reports, the area is also littered with empty liquor bottles, implying that the bar gets a significant stream of customers.

However, despite the fun for those who indulge, Meghan Shay, director of development and marketing at Step Denver, a nonprofit dedicated toward uplifting homeless men, has concerns. She says that the setup could cause greater harm than just disrupting walkers.

Drug and alcohol addiction is a consistent problem among homeless individuals, Shay detailed from a report. Encouraging its use this way could worsen addicts’ journey as they battle with the disease.

As the bar is unregulated except by the unhoused people who live within the encampment, the safety of those who participate, including those in the alleged solicitation of sex work, can impose more dangers onto the community.

It is a nuanced issue, with the agency and autonomy of unhoused individuals being at risk as they build a comfortable gathering place. However, as addiction is a primary reason why many are in this predicament, as well as the cause of over 60% of houseless peoples’ deaths in 2022, the bar is being investigated by local authorities.

by Daniel Johnson

September 17, 2023

Deion Sanders Uses Shade To Sell Shades

Deion Sanders knows the game of football and advertising like few others, evidenced by two big wins on Sept 16. Sanders entered into a collaboration with Blenders Eyewear to capitalize on the shades that he often wears while patrolling the sidelines at University of Colorado football games.

According to the Blenders x Prime storefront, the shades retail for $67, but with a coupon first-time buyers get a 15% discount.

During an appearance on ESPN‘s First Take, Sanders handed out pairs to Stephen A. Smith, Molly Querim, and Shannon Sharpe. He also gave shades to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on ESPN‘s College Game Day. Johnson was serving as a guest on the show alongside the coach. Johnson was fresh off his surprise appearance on the Sept. 15 Denver episode of WWE’s Smackdown.

Deion Sanders recently launched a line of custom sunglasses with Blenders Eyewear.

So when the Colorado St. head coach commented on him wearing them during interviews, Sanders took advantage.

Coach Prime handed them out to the entire team, which went viral on social media. And… pic.twitter.com/3kw9tPpYGQ

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 16, 2023

Sanders also gave shades to his entire football team, and footage of this went viral. In the video, Sanders implied that the Colorado State University head coach Jay Norvell gave them ammunition when he criticized Sanders’ habit of wearing sunglasses and a hat during interviews, suggesting that Sanders wasn’t properly raised.

Sanders told his team, “They done messed around and made it personal…Not are we gone kick they butts but it’s gone be business but it’s also pleasure.” He then revealed to the team that he has a line of shades with Blenders Eyewear. He added that Norvell unwittingly helped him with business.

According to sports personality Joe Pompliano, Sanders said that the eyewear company generated $1.2 million in sales in one day..

Wow!!! The Rock said it all about Deion Sanders on Gameday this morning!! #deionsanders #prime #rock #espncollegegameday #colorado #coloradofootball #buffaloes #footballoneonone #duanejohnson pic.twitter.com/SCBZ8QMZiL

— Eric Bailey (@CulturalRights1) September 17, 2023

As far as the game goes, Colorado won 43-35 in a double overtime thriller that lived up to the expectations of a rivalry game. It was not, however, without controversial moments.

First, the two teams nearly had a brawl break out before the game as tempers flared. Then, during a first-quarter play where premier two-way superstar Travis Hunter ran along the sideline for a pass, he was hit while in a defenseless position by a Colorado State player.

Following the play, Sanders’ son and Heisman trophy candidate Shedeur Sanders had to be held back by a teammate from getting in the opposing player’s face. The younger Sanders engineered a drive to tie the game late in the fourth quarter and then led the game-winning 98-yard overtime drive.

L.A. Gym Owner Cecilia Moran Fighting To Keep Kobe Mural

by Daniel Johnson

September 17, 2023

L.A. Gym Owner Cecilia Moran Fighting To Keep Kobe Mural

A Los Angeles gym owner is fighting her landlord to keep a mural honoring Kobe Bryant from becoming advertising space.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Cecilia Moran, the owner of Hardcore Fitness said, “It’s a piece of art that is honoring an iconic person. That mural also benefits advertising and has a lot of meaning to the city and to Kobe fans. So I said I don’t agree. I don’t want to make the fans mad, and I don’t want to be disrespectful, and I don’t think that mural should be removed.”

Moran’s landlord indicated that he would have the mural removed and would send her the bill for the removal if she did not comply with his wishes.

The mural, which was painted for the gym by Louie Palsino three years ago, depicts Bryant and his daughter Gianna both adorned with angel wings and looking at each other lovingly. The two died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California.

“Even if the landlord wants to make money, that’s a landmark people come from all around the world to visit, so it’s good for him, his property, every party in this,” Palsino told the Times, adding that it didn’t make “much sense in taking it down for advertisement.”

Moran says she got her landlord’s permission before letting Palsino create the mural, and the landlord was aware of its creation and did not object to it. Palsino had asked Moran for permission to create the mural shortly after the deaths of Kobe and Gianna, and Moran put up $2,500 of her own money toward supplies and equipment.

A Change.org petition requesting that Moran’s landlord reverse course on the mural has accumulated more than 64,000 signatures; 54,000 were added on Sept. 17.

Vanessa Bryant, Kobe’s widow, shared a link to the petition using Instagram Stories, which is likely the reason for the massive increase in signatures. Moran’s landlord, however, has yet to respond publicly to the request from Bryant or to Moran’s public statements.

Barry Sanders, statue, NFL legend, heart, health scare

by Daniel Johnson

September 17, 2023

Detroit Lions Unveil Bronze Statue Honoring NFL Legend Barry Sanders

Ahead of their home opener against the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions honored former NFL legend Barry Sanders with an 8-foot bronze statue outside of Ford Field.

Sanders, widely regarded as one of the best running backs ever, was known for his elusive running style, details of which were captured in the statue’s pose.

“Little things like the cut-off gloves that I wore and obviously the very alert eyes,” Sanders told ESPN. “I haven’t had a chance to really soak it in, but those were some of the things I noticed, and obviously sort of the pose is like I’m in action.”

Sanders’ statue was created by Illinois-based Fine Arts Studio Rotblatt Amrany, which made Michael Jordan’s statue outside Chicago’s United Center and Magic Johnson‘s statue outside the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

During the ceremony, a tribute video featuring highlights from Sanders’ playing days as well as tributes from fellow NFL luminaries Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, and Peyton Manning, played. The ceremony was not open to the public, but some current Lions attended.

It’s official! Here’s your first look at the 8-foot bronze statue of #Lions great Barry Sanders — one of the greatest players in NFL history. He is the 1st Lions player to receive a statue. pic.twitter.com/utDAksffbk

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 16, 2023

“That’s amazing for anybody to get a statue,” Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs said. “It shows that he had a big impact on Detroit, and it shows how thankful the city is for him. I’m happy. Hopefully, I can get one of them one day.”

Amon-Ra St. Brown, another one of Detroit’s young playmakers, told ESPN that his memories of Sanders are tied to his father.

“I played running back my whole life, until I got to high school, and my dad would always show me highlights of Barry. That was the guy. He said he was the ‘coldest dude out.’ So, when I was a kid, I was Barry all the way. Barry and Reggie Bush. Those were my guys, and just watching his highlights, I would be like, ‘This dude is crazy.’ Just being here now, with him getting a statue as one of the best to ever do it, in the entire NFL history, is cool,” St.Brown said.

Sanders’ decision to retire prematurely following the Lions 1998 season has long been one of football’s biggest “what-ifs” as he was within reach of Walter Payton’s then-record 16,726 rushing yards. Sanders revealed during the ceremony that he will release a documentary in November 2023 detailing what led him to retire.

He is first and only Detroit Lions player to receive a statue.

“You heard the saying that you give a person their flowers while they’re around,” Sanders said. “I don’t plan on going anywhere any time soon, I’m just saying that saying … but if this statue could be used with that analogy, then I would have to say this is one heck of a bouquet for me, so thanks a lot. I appreciate it.”

by Daniel Johnson

September 17, 2023

Irish Grinstead Of ’90s R&B Girl Group 702 Dies At 43

Irish Grinstead, a founding member of ’90s girl group 702, has died, according to an Instagram post from her sister and fellow bandmate LeMisha Grinstead on Sept. 16.

“That girl was as bright as the stars!” LeMisha Grinstead wrote in an Instagram post. “She was not only beautiful on the outside, but also within. Sharing the stage with her was a joy I will cherish for the rest of my life! We, the family ask for prayers and respect for our privacy as we grieve an outstanding loss to our family.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, although Grinstead’s cause of death was not given, she had stepped away from the group in December 2022 to focus on health issues.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LeMisha Gemini (@lemisha_the_gemini)

702 is a nod to Las Vegas hometown of the Grinstead sisters and bandmate Kameelah Williams.

The group is best known for their 1996 album No Doubt, which featured its biggest commercial hit, “Steelo,” featuring Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott. “Steelo” was used for the theme song of the popular Nickelodeon television show Cousin Skeeter.

In 1999, the group followed No Doubt up with a self-titled album that contained the hit “Where My Girls At.” In 2006, the group went on an 11-year hiatus, returning in 2021 in the reality show BET Presents: The Encore, which followed them as they attempted to create a supergroup and record an album in 30 days.

https://twitter.com/MissyElliott/status/1703310853032812763?t=0x5sG3edazXJ-GmnMVs2xw&s=19

Missy Elliott, who produced four tracks including “Steelo” on the group’s 1996 album, shared her condolences both in the comments on LeMisha’s Instagram post and in her own personal Twitter/X post, writing, “Irish May your beautiful soul Rest Peacefully in the arms of the Lord🕊️ A Multitude of prayers for the entire Grinstead family🙏🏾🕊️💔#702.”

Music critic Craig Seymour also posted his condolences: “💔💔💔 Grateful for what Irish Grinstead brought to R&B. 702 was one of my fave groups! 😢”

https://twitter.com/craigspoplife/status/1703309858064208151?t=529gSX6XKeCu1QW_RT_bpw&s=19

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 17, 2023

Halle Berry Disappointed That Drake Used Her ‘Slime’ Photo Without Permission

Halle Berry is not holding back on how she feels about being the cover art for Drake‘s latest single, a collaboration with SZA called “Slime You Out.”

The photo is of the actress covered in green slime at the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, in which celebrities are often “slimed.” The Oscar winner expressed her apparent dismay at Drake’s using the pic in a not-so-subtle post to Instagram.

She included the phrase, “Sometimes you have to be the bigger guy…even if you’re a woman.”

Berry completed the post with the middle finger emoji.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Halle Berry (@halleberry)

Her followers immediately connected the dots, linking the post to the Drake situation. Berry confirmed her fans’ suspicions in the comments, as one directly asked the star of her thoughts on him using the picture for his song’s release.

“Didn’t get my permission,” answered Berry on the social media platform. “That’s not cool, I thought better of him.”

She continued, “Hence my post today. When people you admire disappoint you, you have to be the bigger person and move on!”

Before the incident, Berry acknowledged that she was a fan of the “Rich Flex” singer, but now her feelings have cooled.

Drake’s latest single was released on Sept. 15 alongside the cover art for his upcoming project, For All the Dogs. The artist may have taken Berry’s words to heart: He removed her image from the single. But the initial post is still on his Instagram account for his more than 140 million followers to see.

SZA, who is featured on the song, has yet to publicly express her opinion on the matter. It’s unclear if she had any input on the photo to be used for her highly anticipated Drake collab.

Texas Corrections Officer, Chicken Wings,

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 17, 2023

Boyfriend Arrested In Dismemberment Murder Of California Law Student

The dismembered body found in a bag that washed up on the California shoreline in July 2023 has been identified and has led to the arrest of the slain woman’s boyfriend.

DNA testing identified the body as Rachel Elizabeth Imani Buckner, 27, who was in law school at Golden Gate University. Authorities say she was murdered by her fiancé, dismembered, and her body dumped along the shore in Alameda, according to KRON4.

Her hands, feet, and head were detached from her body.

Buckner, who had a young daughter, was an “infectious spirit” who shed a “radiant light” to all who knew her, her mother wrote on the GoFundMe page created to cover the cost of funeral arrangements.

Forty-two-year-old Joseph Roberts is accused of killing the Howard University graduate and is currently detained at Santa Rita Jail. The Alameda Sun reports that Roberts was charged with first-degree murder, which is punishable by 25 years to life in prison if he is convicted.

During his arrest, he claimed that he was Buckner’s fiancé.

The couple lived in Pleasanton, California, but parts of Buckner’s body were seen on the shore by a person walking along the coast of Bay Farm Island on July 20. According to the Alameda Sun, it was not know how long the remains had been in the water.

Roberts’ arrest provided a “brutal” conclusion to the two-month long, said Alameda Police Sergeant Spencer Mountain.

Police were able to link Roberts to Buckner’s demise through DNA evidence. However, authorities have yet to uncover Roberts’ motive.

The GoFundMe account for Buckner continues to raise funds, some of which will be used for her daughter’s wellbeing and support. With a $100,000 goal before her funeral services on November 4, the family is more than halfway to its goal.

Anyone with additional information on this investigation is asked to contact the Alameda Police Department at 510-337-8402.