by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 15, 2023

The ‘Book Of Hov’ Extended At Brooklyn Public Library To End Of 2023

A piece of hip-hop history has been added to The Book Of HOV exhibit currently featured at the Brooklyn Public Library in New York City.

Roc Nation has announced that the off-white Lexus prominently featured in Jay-Z’s “Dead Presidents II” video, released in 1996, will be added to the popular exhibit. The 1993 Lexus GS 300 vehicle will be on display at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Location. Jay-Z also included the car in the lyrics of “Can I Live” off the “Reasonable Doubt” album as well as on his No.1 hit record with Alicia Keys, “Empire State Of Mind” from “The Blueprint 3” LP.

“We’re excited to partner with Lexus to bring JAY-Z’s iconic “Off-White Lexus” to The Book of HOV. The new installation adds another element of JAY-Z’s career to the exhibit that visitors can enjoy, said Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation, in a written statement.

“The response to The Book Of HOV has been overwhelming, so we’re excited to extend the exhibit to December to ensure new and returning attendees can have enough opportunities to fully immerse themselves into the experience.”

The overwhelming popularity of the exhibit has factored into the decision to keep it going until the end of the year.

Since the library started the exhibition on July 14th, the library has had over 255,000 people access the building. With the limited edition of the Jay-Z library cards, Brooklyn Public Library has doubled up in new accounts, creating over 21,000 new ones since the card’s inception.

“In further celebration of the 50^th anniversary of hip-hop, we are thrilled to partner with Roc Nation in this special tribute to JAY-Z’s musical legacy,” says Mia Phillips, senior manager of Lexus Advertising & Media.

“The vehicle display is recognition of the mutual respect and admiration between Lexus and JAY-Z, whose brilliance and contributions to culture extend far beyond hip-hop.”

With all the hoopla over The Book of HOV, Jay-Z can rightfully claim the title of “King of New York.”

by Jeffrey McKinney

September 15, 2023

Game-Changing Triumph: Black-Led Wicked Saints Video Game Studio Secures $3.5 Million For Expansion

Black female-led video game studio Wicked Saints has raised $3.5 million in a fresh seed round to help the firm expand.

Co-led by Riot Games and Oregon Venture Fund, the financing included a collective of angel investors as well as funds with creativity and deep gaming expertise.

Now armed with funding of $4.6 million, CEO and co-founder Jess Murrey joins a small group of Black women in her industry to raise over $1 million.

According to a news release, the money will be used to launch Wicked Saints’ first title, World Reborn, to market and start a new genre of mobile games that bridges in-game mastery to real-world self-efficacy so Gen Z players can change themselves and their world.

The business reports the new game approach and its connection to Gen Z has sparked interest from both global nonprofits and top brands.

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Wicked Saints is a video game studio that employs behavioral technology to empower Gen Z to build real-life skills. In 2021, Pokemon Go maker Niantic rolled out its Black Developers Initiative; Wicked Saints was the first of many teams to join that effort.

Based in Medford, Oregon, Wicked Saints’ founders are both women. The firm reports its C-suite is 75% female, 50% Black, and 75% Queer. It was started in 2019 by Murrey, an Emmy Award-winning storyteller and international peacebuilder turned game designer. The other co-founder is COO Alicia Clifton, a behavior change researcher whose work includes programs with Search for Common Ground.

“Wicked Saints empowers players to believe in and hone their own abilities through immersive storytelling, gameplay, and community,” Murrey said.

Raising the funds was not an easy task. Murrey told TechCrunch the gaming industry is only 2% Black.

“It made raising that much harder as well, because investors tend to invest in what they know,” she said. “I didn’t look anything like the game founders that they’re used to seeing. Not only did I have to overcome preconceived notions of what a game is and what a game can do, but I had to first jump the hurdle of preconceived notions of myself and what I would be able to accomplish with my background.”

Women of color founders receive much less financing than others. Startups founded by women raised 1.9% of venture capital funds last year, down from 2021, TechCrunch reported. And the numbers were measly as well for Black founders overall, who raised only 1% of VC funds.

Wicked Saints is now building World Reborn, an interactive story game with real-life quests facilitated by augmented reality. The game was offered for limited testing in Canada, with plans to offer a teaser next year in the United States. A full launch is planned in 2025.

“We are very encouraged by our small group of super fans from our Canadian pilot. They love the game and feel like we designed it for them…and we did,” said Clifton.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 15, 2023

Ciara Finds Question About Co-Parenting With Future Hilarious

Ciara and Future‘s co-parenting relationship is apparently a laughing matter to the happily married and pregnant mother of three.

The multifaceted singer recently sat down with The Shade Room to share the latest on her personal life and career.When she was asked about her and Future co-parenting their 9-year-old son, Future Zahir, CiCi couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Her awkward, but comical, response to the question seemingly said everything without saying anything at all, and fans agreed.

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A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

“The fact the laugh just kept going on 😂 she said a lot without saying it,” one fan wrote.

“The most classy way to say, “HE ain’t sh*t” 💁🏾‍♀️💕,” another user quipped.

Someone else credited the moment as an example that “Even rich people got babydaddy problems 😂.”

Ciara and Future haven’t had much of a relationship since their split in December 2014. The former couple ended their short-lived engagement just three months after welcoming Future Zahir that May.

The two music stars spent the next few years battling over custody of Future Zahir. Ciara lost her fight for sole custody and was ordered to joint custody in 2017, TMZ reports. Ciara married NFL player Russell Wilson in July 2016. The couple has a daughter Sienna, 5, and a son Win, 1.

In August, Ciara announced she was having a third child with Wilson. The NFL star is often praised for the fatherly role he plays to Future Zahir, who is rarely seen with his biological dad.

“Every day I come home from work and it’s late at night, it’s after film and practice and all that, and me and Ciara are together, and we just smile from ear-to-ear in the kitchen because we realize that our family is a beautiful blended family but it’s also, you know, our family,” Wilson told GQ in 2021.

Meanwhile, Future continues to take jabs at Wilson on his rap songs. In July he appeared on Quavo’s “Turn Yo Clic Up” and rapped, “I got it out the field/F*** Russell.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 15, 2023

Tory Lanez Accused Of Calling Reporter ‘Googly-Eyed B*tch’ After Losing Bail Hearing

Tory Lanez is headed off to state prison to begin his 10-year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. But he didn’t leave the court before firing off at one reporter who has kept the world updated on the case.

Legal affairs journalist Meghann Cunniff has made a name for herself on social media with her in-depth reporting on the Tory and Megan shooting case. Cunniff has spent the last three years shadowing the case, attending all hearings, and sharing her findings on Twitter.

Lanez has been behind bars since December 2022 when he was found guilty on charges of assault with a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, and negligent discharge of a gun for shooting the victim. But apparently, he’s aware of Cunniff’s extensive reports on his legal woes.

The disgraced rapper/singer appeared in court on Thursday, September 14, in the hope of being bailed out of jail while appealing his charges. As usual, Cunniff gave live updates through her Twitter page, including when Lanez allegedly called her a “googly-eyed bi*tch” after his motion was dismissed.

“I didn’t hear it and I’m still working to see if transcript has it,” Cunniff tweeted.

“But I’ve confirmed Tory Lanez chose to use his final courtroom moments to profanely insult me, calling me “a googly-eyed bitch” as he looked at gallery.”

“Conflicting reports on whether he named me. A fitting end,” she added.

I didn’t hear it and I’m still working to see if transcript has it, but I’ve confirmed Tory Lanez chose to use his final courtroom moments to profanely insult me, calling me “a googly eyed bitch” as he looked at gallery. Conflicting reports on whether he named me.

A fitting end.

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) September 14, 2023

Judge David Herriford dismissed the motion one month after sentencing Lanez to 10 years in prison for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot in July 2020. Lanez was seeking bail as he awaits an appeal on his three felony counts.

The 10-year sentence is more than the probation Lanez’s lawyers were requesting but less than the 13 years sought by prosecutors. Lanez previously turned down a four-year plea deal he was offered in 2021 before going to the trial that he ended up losing.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 15, 2023

Tasha K Claims She’s ‘Broke,’ Offers Cardi B Another Non-Apologetic Apology

Tasha K is attempting to wave the white flag on her years-long legal battle with Cardi B. The vlogger issued an official apology while accusing the rapper of sucking her finances dry.

In a lengthy statement posted to her Facebook page on Thursday, September 14, Tasha K got candid about the defamation case she lost to Cardi and listed exactly what she was found liable for and the pricey consequences she was ordered to pay.

According to the bankrupt YouTuber, she wasn’t found guilty of saying anything that hadn’t been claimed by other sources, including Cardi, and there’s no proof she ever said anything negative about the rapper’s father. Now after losing the case and being ordered to fork over $4 million for spouting allegations about Cardi having an STD and using illegal substances, Tasha says she is working with the courts on a payment plan.

She’s asking Cardi for some peace and understanding while accusing the “WAP” rapper of wanting her “broke” and unable to send her kids off to college.

“You want me out my home, broke, & my kids to not attend college!” Tasha wrote in her statement.

“Your lawyers only continue to bill you 100k plus a week, looking for money we don’t have! But I can get it. Over time. Your lawyers have collected the 4 million that’s owed to you by simply making you pay for it by keeping you in litigation due to your lack of education.”

Tasha went on to offer Cardi an apology and a truce on their legal war. Tasha even suggested that Cardi turn the whole ordeal into a documentary and take all of the profits.

“Sincerely I apologize for any harm caused to you and your family!” she wrote.

“Me & the courts are attempting to work out a payment plan, but if you want the FULL amount paid in cash. Call a production company to film all of this and you take the money made from it and put this behind us! Cause nothing will stop me from doing what I love & hopefully nothing will stop you as well!”

Tasha K recently appeared on Comedy Hype where she cleared the air on the lawsuit and denied claims of fleeing the country in an attempt to avoid paying Cardi the $4 million she owes.

California’s Congressional Black Caucus Push For Reparations After Poll Shows Voter Opposition

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 15, 2023

California’s Congressional Black Caucus Push For Reparations After Poll Shows Voter Opposition

The talk of reparations has some California residents upset.

A new poll from the University of California, Berkeley found that a majority of residents oppose Black residents getting any type of reparations, NBC News reported. After the state Assembly recommended Black residents receive reparations, including cash payments, for the harm slavery caused, the poll found that 59% of participants rejected the idea of cash payments to Black descendants, 76% of Black respondents were in favor, and 66% of white voters opposed the idea.

The California Congressional Black Caucus is preparing a statewide campaign to educate those who may misunderstand why reparations are so important. Reparation Task Force member, Reginald Jones-Sawyer, said the poll results show that residents have no idea how deep California’s slavery involvement goes, or the other forms of racism Black families have historicallyd faced.

“Polls can be skewed because usually enough information isn’t given to the people so that they don’t have a full understanding of what’s going on,” Jones-Sawyer said.

To help the public out, the Caucus will start the fundraising campaign, hiring a firm to provide “clear and concise and direct messaging,” about the 1,100-page report.

“Obviously most people didn’t read the preliminary or final report by the task force,” Jones-Sawyer continued. “People now are trying to debunk those findings.”

The task force has broken down how much should be disbursed by category, according to The Los Angeles Times. For health disparities, the recommended figure is $13,619, representing for each year of residency in California. Eligible descendants could receive $2,352 for mass incarceration and over-policing, catering to each year of the war on drugs era from 1971 to 2020. For housing discrimination, the total came to $3,378 for each year between 1933 and 1977 that a descendant lived in California.

When the poll asked why voters were apprehensive about the cash payments, 60% claimed “It’s unfair to ask today’s taxpayers to pay for wrongs committed in the past” and 53% said, “It’s not fair to single out one group for reparations when other racial and religious groups have been wronged in the past.”

Of those who opposed the plan, close to two-thirds were white voters, compared to 6 in 10 who identified as Latino and Asian voters. Director of the poll, Mark DiCamillo, pointed out that the cash payments are what voters mostly opposed. “There could be other solutions that could be much more warmly received,” DiCamillo said.

In May 2023, the task force also recommended the state issue a formal apology for slavery, as well as for laws and actions that actively discriminated against Black residents, like interracial marriage prohibition, Confederacy-based monuments, and open segregation and discrimination in the arts industry.

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 15, 2023

New Jersey Governor Selects Black Woman To Serve As Lieutenant Governor

New Jersey has a new lieutenant governor. Tahesha Way, the former secretary of state, has been promoted to the office following the death of Shelia Oliver, POLITICO reports. She is expected to be sworn in on Sept. 14.

Way was Governor’s Phil Murphy number-one pick, but the choice was between Way and former governor Jon Corzine’s secretary of state, Nina Mitchell Wells.

The state’s third lieutenant governor, Way has served under the Murphy administration since 2017. Before being elected to office, she was a freeholder director in Passaic County and an administrative law judge. During her tenure as secretary of state, the Bronx, NY, native led the Division of Elections and served as chairperson of the New Jersey Complete Count Commission. Way became the first Black person and New Jersey official to serve as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State in 2022.

As lieutenant governor, Way hopes to maintaining New Jersey’s reputation of being the best and safest state to raise a family, according to a press release on the state’s website. The best way to do that, according to her, is by “protecting fundamental freedoms” like access to reproductive health care.

Way attended Brown University, where she served as vice president of the NAACP collegiate chapter and president of the Iota Alpha chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She received her juris doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law at Charlottesville and clerked for the Virginia Legal Aid Society and the United Steelworkers of America.

During her judicial term, she was a member of the National Association of Women Judges, the Association of Black Women Lawyers, the Passaic County Bar Association, and the New Jersey Women’s Lawyers Association.

Way is the wife of former New York Giants running back, Charles Way, and mom to their four kids.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 15, 2023

Hair Shop Boycotted After Video Of Black Woman’s Assault Goes Viral

After a video went viral depicting the employee of a local hair shop assaulting a customer, Black Londoners within the city are boycotting the business. In the midst of the protest, supporters are also advocating for more Black-owned hair businesses to be established.

The video, re-shared by boycott supporter and domestic abuse charity Sistah Space, showed a male, South Asian worker at the Peckham Hair and Cosmetics store strangling a woman. The assault occurred after the woman got into a heated disagreement over the refund of a purchase. While the video shows the strangulation, the woman was the sole party arrested, on the grounds of theft and assault.

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A post shared by Sistah Space (@sistahspace_)

According to Timeout, the protest was initiated by the local community advocacy group Forever Family. One speaker at the in-person event voiced frustrations regarding the poor treatment of Black customers in non-Black hair shops, particularly in South London,

“This is a longstanding issue that Black women, or Black people who identify as women, face when they go into these spaces These are hair shops that are meant for Black women and we are often racialized, and type-casted. This is a boiling over of that.”

The issue of non-Black ownership in businesses that cater to a predominately Black demographic is a global issue. However, many believe this can be remedied with an increase of Black entrepreneurs and stores within these domains, especially as the spending power of Black women is high, but severely undervalued.

In regards to the legal action regarding the women’s arrest and assault, local law enforcement is still investigating the matter to ensure it is handled thoroughly. As the case develops further, protestors are not holding back, with advocate Cleopatra Thompson stating they should no longer “turn a blind eye” to the injustice of assault and racial profiling within these stores.

“We must start investing in our communities rather than convenience,” Thompson said.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 15, 2023

‘GRWM’ With Makeup Guru Danessa Myricks On Tour As She Celebrates New Product

Beauty entrepreneur Danessa Myricks herself might be coming to a Sephora near you. The owner of the eponymous beauty brand has launched a “GRWM,” the acronym for “get ready with me,” tour to celebrate the launch of a new product release.

The company’s official Instagram shared the footage of the successful tour, showing the CEO speaking at events in Sephora locations across the country.

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A post shared by Danessa Myricks Beauty by Danessa Myricks (@danessamyricksbeauty)

Helping makeup-lovers and overall fans of the brand try out the new Groundwork All-Over Face Palette, Myricks is hoping users embrace and experiment with their looks. The Black-owned cosmetics company has emerged as a prominent voice in the world of beauty for its highly-pigmented colors that work on all skin tones.

The new palette, available now at Sephora for $70, is designed to provide coverage and shading for all parts of the face. Its packaging includes an assortment of pomades and powders to accommodate all preferences and skin types, from oily to dry. The goal of the product is to be the all-encompassing palette fit for the make-up wearer who wants to multitask. Designed to be “pro-made-easy,” the palette can be effortlessly applied to eyes, brows, face, and lips to create a full face of make-up all with one beauty item.

Myricks and her artistry team have hosted several masterclasses, deemed “grounding rituals,” during the multicity tour. Through a meet-and-greet, the founder is also signing palettes for fans who attend the immersive event. Upon completing her stops within the Los Angeles area, the beauty guru will travel to Miami to complete the series teaching guests from coast to coast.

For those who cannot make the in-person event, Myricks is also hosting a live virtual session on her birthday, Sept. 19. Attendees can sign up to learn about the beauty entrepreneur’s step-by-step method to layering products and shaping one’s face as the “ultimate skin designer.”

Visit Danessa Myricks’ official Instagram page for tour dates.

lawsuit, JaMarcus Russell,,Connie Bobo,, Missouri,

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 15, 2023

Instagram Content Creator Reaches Settlement For Scamming Followers

Dana Chanel gained popularity on social media for being the ultimate mother and entrepreneur but, in turn, also gained notoriety from unsatisfied customers. Following a lawsuit, the content creator, founder of the hair and skincare brand Curl Bible, has reached a settlement for her scamming the clientele.

According to PhillyVoice, Chanel, whose real name is Casey Olivera, has been ordered to pay over $87,000 in restitution to the dozens of clients who trusted her. She promoted a credit repair company and a mobile app development business, both of which she co-owned, to her audience. Many of her followers alleged that the companies were misrepresented, and they did not receive the services they expected and paid for.

However, that hefty settlement is not the extent of what Chanel owes. According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, the Philadelphia resident must also pay over $30,000 in legal fees, in addition to another $6,000 in civil penalties.

The years-long suit was filed against Chanel, Alakazam Apps, and Credit Exterminators, Inc, which are now also banned from soliciting the services they once falsely rolled out. The content creator must refrain from promoting to her vast following about the botched business, to avoid having to pay an extra $55,000 in civil penalties.

The state’s Attorney General, Michelle Henry, shared in a statement that this is a crackdown on a rising issue of misleading advertising in the modern digital age.

“Advertising in today’s world has changed, and people trust personalities they follow online to promote desirable goods,” Henry said. “In these cases, consumers were misled by the influencer and businesses that did not deliver on purchases. My office has taken a hard stance against potential harm inflicted on Pennsylvanians online.”

Chanel made a name for itself as the founder of Curl Bible, a trending hair and skincare brand, and has since expanded to the new business ventures.

Chanel, who has over 1.1 million followers on Instagram, has removed any trace of the businesses promotion from her social media account, instead showcasing more content about motherhood, as she deals with the ramifications of the suit.