The Baltimore City Housing Authority and the Ashland Auction Group are partnering to auction off 30 of the city’s vacant homes. Properties for sale will include single family dwellings as well as row homes with multiple family units, CBS Baltimore reports.
According to city officials, those looking to bid on the homes will need to pre-register, and the winning bidder will be required to make an initial deposit which will be specified in the terms of the purchase agreement. Officials also outlined that multiple bids will be allowed courtesy of a Good Faith Authorization Charge, and this charge is separate from the winning bid, it is merely a hold placed on a bidder’s account.
The fee to participate in the auction will be $2,000 and the vacant homes are from across the city, according to the Ashland Auction Group’s website.
Janet Abrahams, the president and CEO of the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, told CBS Baltimore, “The properties selected for auction are located within vibrant neighborhoods known for their sense of community and public amenities. We want individuals to find a property they can convert into a home and join a welcoming community that suits their lifestyle.”
Baltimore has 14,000 vacant homes, which is the fewest number it has had in decades and that number has decreased by 700 over the last year. After a massive fire in January 2022 that claimed the lives of three firefighters, the city launched several initiatives to get the number of vacant lots reduced. The city made a $15 million investment in Clean Corps aimed at fighting its empty home crisis as well as a Tax Sale Exemption program and an Environmental Design pilot program to beautify blighted spaces in the city.
Residents like Deborah Ruffin signaled their approval of the city’s efforts, telling CBS Baltimore, “There’s been a lot of vacants in the city for a very long time, it’s about time they’re doing something.”
The business of sports reaches across several verticals to impact our lives every day. Whether it’s the retail business or the billion-dollar media deals determining new and exciting ways that we can consume our favorite leagues, one thing for sure is that we’re in a sports boom. In 2023, the global sports economy is expected to reach a valuation of $512.1 billion. By 2027, this number will eclipse $627 billion. With this immense opportunity upon us, we must look at creative, innovative, and comprehensive solutions to utilize the business of sports to strategically combat economic inequities.
As the 2023 NFL season kicked off this week, over 900 Black players took the field, eight Black general managers in the front office, and four Black head coaches on the sideline. Unfortunately, the owner’s suite still has zero Black majority owners. While it’s been encouraging to see an increase in Black NFL minority owners with Magic Johnson joining the fold alongside other Black NFL minority owners, Warrick Dunn, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Lewis Hamilton, Mellody Hobson, and Condoleezza Rice, it’s clear that we have lots of work to do if we want to have a fair share of the pie.
And to be clear, this is not an issue that only plagues the NFL but all major sports leagues in the US. After Michael Jordan’s sale of the Charlotte Hornets earlier this summer, there are 0 Black majority owners across the major sports leagues in the US.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 7: J. Cole attends the 2023 NBA Las Vegas Summer League between the Charlotte Hornets and the San Antonio Spurs on July 7, 2023 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Some may say the financing rules or the technicalities of the process have led to this gap, but at the most basic level, the racial wealth gap is holding back more Black majority owners in sports. Research shows that white households hold 84% of the total wealth in the US compared to Black families, having 4% of total household wealth despite being 13% of the country’s population. At least $10 trillion in wealth is missing from Black communities due to the historic impact of racism and systematic discrimination.
While the NFL has taken encouraging steps to address racial inequalities inside and outside of the league through a variety of campaigns, initiatives, and collaborations, there is a unique opportunity for the league to lead and model how sports leagues can take the initiative to level the playing field for more Black majority owners.
First, the NFL should commit to holding yearly seminars and symposiums in conjunction with Black leaders across business and finance as an opportunity to build relationships and share tools and tips that will help inform what’s needed to purchase a team. The NFL created a Coaching and Front Office Accelerator that’s yielded meaningful results. My organization, Diverse Representation, is filling the gap around ownership by hosting the first-ever Black Ownership in Sports Symposium in Atlanta to educate Black students and professionals about the inner workings of purchasing and owning professional sports teams. Each major league in North America should systematically work to develop similar programs that intentionally pursue Black leaders who could be prospective owners as teams go up for sale or as leagues expand.
Second, the NFL should charge each franchise in the league to create an employee ownership option for players to gain an ownership stake in the team after retiring. Nearly 60% of NFL players are Black and put their bodies on the line for the sport we know and love. The valuation of NFL teams ranges from $4 billion to $9.2 billion. If each franchise would commit to at least a 1% team investment into an employee-owned trust, it could provide an unprecedented opportunity for players once they retire. This comprehensive model for wealth-building gives players a chance to learn the inner workings of a team and could spread the wealth of knowledge and resources on an entirely new level. Employee ownership models are increasingly growing in support and visibility. The first major league to unlock the potential of this model in sports has an opportunity to yield transformative results.
With this state of play, we’re at a historic pivot point where sports could close opportunity and achievement gaps. As sports ownership becomes increasingly inaccessible due to economic inequality, we risk missing a moment where we can genuinely reset the realm of possibilities for Black athletes and professionals alike. Now is the time to act; otherwise, we risk entering this economic sports boom unprepared, recreating systems and institutions that inevitably leave Black communities behind. We can’t and won’t let that happen.
Jaia Thomas, Esq. is a Sports and Entertainment attorney and the Founder of Diverse Representation, an organization created to increase the hiring and visibility of Black agents, attorneys, managers, publicists, and executives in the sports and entertainment industries.
Meet the Founder Whose Platform Uses AI to Support Black Women Mentally and Emotionally
Nijiama Smalls, Founder and CEO of The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds, has launched a virtual platform that innovatively uses an AI wellness coach named Rashida to connect Black women to an array of mental and emotional health resources. The platform also addresses the unique challenges that women of color face in seeking proper and culturally sensitive mental health support.
Rashida is available in the form of a chatbot and has been meticulously trained to offer a range of services tailored to the needs of Black women, including facilitating connections with qualified therapists, facilitating participation in support groups, and providing therapeutic journal prompts for self-reflection. With an understanding of the cultural nuances and specific experiences that Black women encounter, Rashida will serve as a knowledgeable and empathetic companion on the journey toward healing. The platform’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment fosters open conversations about mental and emotional well-being, dismantling stigma, and promoting self-care practices.
During the current beta testing phase, interested participants have the exclusive opportunity to experience Rashida’s capabilities and contribute to refining the platform’s functionalities. This collaborative approach ensures that the virtual space meets the diverse needs of black women seeking healing and support.
The Black Girl’s Guide to Healing Emotional Wounds is a timely response to the growing demand for accessible, culturally sensitive mental health resources. By incorporating cutting-edge AI technology, this platform envisions a future where black women can navigate their emotional journeys with confidence, knowing they have an ally in Rashida.
Founder and CEO, Nijiama Smalls, expresses her excitement for the launch, “Our mission is to create a safe haven for black women to embark on their healing journeys. By leveraging AI, we aim to bridge the gap between mental health resources and the women who need them the most. We believe that Rashida’s unique capabilities will empower black women to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being.”
Disclaimer: Please be advised that Rashida is an AI-powered virtual wellness coach and not a replacement for professional mental health care. Users in need of urgent support should seek assistance from licensed mental health professionals or crisis hotlines.
Former NBA player Brandon Hunter has recently passed away at 42.
Social media posts from the Boston Celtics and his alma mater, Ohio University, acknowledged his death, although it was not revealed how Hunter died. NBC News reported that he collapsed during a hot yoga session at an Orlando studio, according to his mother-in-law, Carolyn Cliett.
“It was hot yoga, and he did it regularly,” she said. “He was in good shape as far as we know. We’re just shocked.”
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We are terribly saddened to learn of the loss of our former teammate, Brandon Hunter. We send our deepest condolences to the entire Hunter family.
According to WLWT, Hunter played basketball at Withrow High School (Cincinnati, OH) before graduating in 1999, where he left to attend Ohio University. In his four-year collegiate career, he averaged 16.9 points per game and had a career-high 21.5 per game average as a senior. He also led the division, grabbing 12.6 rebounds per game in the 2002-03 school year. He was named to the First Team All-MAC (Middle Atlantic Conference) three times. He was the career leader in rebounds, snatching 1,103 boards while playing at Ohio.
His stellar athleticism earned him induction into both Withrow High School and Ohio University’s Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Ohio, the Boston Celtics drafted Hunter in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft. He played there for one season before he was left unprotected in the 2004 NBA Expansion draft. The Charlotte Bobcats took advantage of that and selected him for its team. He was then traded to the Orlando Magic, where he played 31 games.
NBC News reported that, although he only played for two years in the NBA, he did find work overseas playing for teams in Greece, Italy, Israel, and France. After unlacing his sneakers, Hunter started a sports agency, Hunter Athlete Management, representing professional athletes and coaches worldwide in June 2021.
University Of Alabama Responds To Racist Behavior Of Its Fans
The University of Alabama has condemned the actions of its fans following the football team’s upset loss to the University of Texas. According to a report from ABC News, the university released a statement to the outlet via a spokesperson that strongly denounces a viral video in which Alabama fans could be heard making racist and homophobic references to opposing players.
The University of Alabama’s statement reads, “We are disgusted by reports of vile language and inappropriate behavior Saturday night. To be clear, we condemn this behavior and it will not be tolerated in our venues. It is not representative of UA or our values. We expect all attendees to act with class and respect towards others.”(more…)
Controversial Houston Activist Candice Matthews Exposes Alleged Mismanagement Of City Funds And Files Federal Lawsuit Against Prairie View City Council
Controversial Houston activist Candice Matthews posted a video to her TikTok account showing her calling out a Prairie View City Council member during a council meeting over the mismanagement of city funds.
In the video, Matthews says that the council member used funds from the City of Prairie View to purchase lingerie, repair a classic Corvette, and possibly get the vehicle insured. In the video, members of the council attempt to gain control of the situation but cannot.
According to her website, Matthews is the National Minister of Politics for the New Black Panther Nation and the Statewide/Harris County Accountability Chair for the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats.
Matthews directed her attention to David Allen and called for council members to get the District Attorney to begin the process of impeaching Allen for his alleged behavior while in control of taxpayer funds. Matthews also reminded the audience, “This is what y’all paid for,” while holding up a red brassiere in the general direction of the crowd behind her at the meeting.
In another video posted to her TikTok account from another meeting with the same city council group, Matthews informs the city council that its members will be hit with a federal lawsuit and presented three boxes she said were filled with damning evidence against them. Her proof was pulled directly from a forensic accounting report and correspondence between Matthews and council members, allegedly showing that the city council is responsible for the gross mismanagement of federal funds and is guilty of negligence. At the end of that second video, Prairie View City Council members are served with a federal lawsuit.
Matthews discussed what led to her bringing federal charges against the city council with Phillip Scott in a segment for African Diaspora News in the Longview News-Journal.
Matthews told Scott, “What kills me is you have a lot of our Black people who tell me ‘you going hard on Black people, you going hard on them.’ No, I’m going hard on agents of white supremacy, cause if you doing things and you stealing from your own people and you disenfranchising your own people, you are an agent of white supremacy and I am going to smash the gas on you.”
Philanthropist And Entrepreneur Sarah Michelle Washington Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Dr. Sarah Michelle Washington, who co-founded The IMPACT Experience, has poured herself into her community and is now seeking support following a recent diagnosis of breast cancer.
“At 1:15 pm on Wednesday, August 25th, 2021, I received the call that no woman wants to get and the results of The Prior Week’s Biopsy, the doctor said the words that NO WOMAN wants to hear. We have found – Cancer,” Washington wrote to her 10,000 followers.
After her post, Washington received an outpouring of love, and her comment section flooded with words of support. She has launched a GoFundMe page with a goal of $115,000. As of now, she has successfully earned $26,229.
Washington is a philanthropist, global speaker, author, and entrepreneur. Though multiskilled, she’s largely channeled her passion for helping others into her work with the IMPACT Experience and as director of her real estate company, RealityULike.
The IMPACT Experience is a mobile boutique offering full-scale styling services and vintage-inspired handbags that can be accessorized with any outfit. Washington has traveled across the country, helping several women through the nonprofit organization. The IMPACT Experience aims to help women who have experienced or suffered from teen pregnancy, human trafficking, sexual trauma, HIV/AIDS, drug addiction, homelessness, mental illness, and life-threatening diseases, including cancer.
RealityULike is unlike any other real estate company you’ve heard of. Since the business’s inception, Washington has aimed to create affordable housing and make the market accessible. According to Black News, her newest project involves flipping one property in Washington, DC, into housing for veterans. Washington also offers digital courses promoting all things personal finance, such as investment, borrowing, setting financial goals, and building generational wealth.
As Washington’s battle with breast cancer continues, she is calling on her supporters for assistance. You can donate to her GoFundMe here.
Former Division I Basketball Recruit Jailed For Fatal Car Crash Will Play In Upcoming Season
Former star basketball recruit Zaon Collins has been released from a Las Vegas jail after serving 90 days for his involvement in a high-speed car crash that claimed the life of 52-year-old Eric Echevarria.
According to 8 News Now, Collins entered into a guilty plea deal in 2020 on a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter to receive a lightened sentence of 72 months probation for his felony reckless driving count. The presiding Judge Tara Clark Newberry issued Collins a $3,500 fine along with community service for the incident.
“I would like to start off by sending my sincerest apologies to the family that was involved and impacted from this accident,” Collins said at his trial. “I understand I hurt many people with the role of my accident by recklessly driving, and I’m truly sorry. It’s something I have to live with the rest of my life.”
According to the Review-Journal, Collins was released on August 15, which was 56 days after he initially turned himself into authorities to serve his three-month jail sentence. Due to time served as well as “good behavior”, the now 21-year-old walked out of Clark County Detention Center a free man. Collins’ defense lawyer Frank Kocka addressed his client’s shortened jail time; arguing that he was still held longer than his original plea deal outlined.
“He got good time, but he was not released ‘early’,” he said. “He was actually held a couple days later than he should have been released.”
Collins was a Division I recruit for the top-rated University of Nevada, Las Vegas at the time of the fatal crash.
On Tuesday, September 12, the athlete’s name was listed on the roster for the Salt Lake Community College Bruins as a red- shirt freshman. Collins will remain on court-ordered alcohol monitoring until the end of his probation and will also undergo mental health and substance abuse counseling.
‘The Little Mermaid’ Breaks Big Record With 16M Views On Disney+
The live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has fans running to their Disney+ accounts.
The film, directed by Rob Marshall, has broken Disney+ records since it debuted on the streaming service on Sept. 6. According toThe Hollywood Reporter, the reimagining of the 1989 Golden Globe-winning animated film has been viewed over 16 million times worldwide.
ComingSoon reported that Disney announced the film’s achievement in a press release and noted the film swam its way to the top of the ranking as the “most viewed Disney movie premiere” on the platform. The Hollywood Reporter said the film’s stellar performance on the platform holds the newest record since Disney+ released Hocus Pocus 2 last October.
Fans just couldn’t get enough of Princess Ariel and headed to watch The Little Mermaid anywhere, from home theaters to their favorite mobile devices. Along with Bailey, who the world fell in love with as the new Princess Ariel, the live-action movie features Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Awkwafina as Scuttle, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder and Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina.
“Like other live-action remakes, The Little Mermaid is a neatly packaged story ribboned with representational awareness,” movie critic Lovia Gyarkye wrote in a review. “There’s enough in it to fill an evening, but it doesn’t inspire much more than a passing sense of déjà vu.”
As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, The Little Mermaid exclusively hit theaters nationwide on May 26, 2023. Opening weekend saw sold-out theaters after #WinWithBlackWomen and Black women leaders launched an initiative in support of the film starring Bailey as Disney’s first Black live-action princess. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film’s trailer reached over 108 million views within 24 hours after Disney released it in March.
Billboardreported that The Little Mermaid is scheduled to be released on Blu-ray/DVD on Sept. 19 for $24.99.
Running Back Kareem Hunt Mulls Over Offers Waiting For The ‘Right’ Deal
Veteran running back Kareem Hunt is generating significant interest from NFL teams as the 2023 season gets underway, but he continues to “wait for the right offer.”
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted that Hunt has received contract offers from four NFL teams. The 2017 Pro Football Writers Association Offensive Rookie of The Year spent the past four seasons with the Cleveland Browns after starting his career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hunt’s best season came in 2020, his first season with the Browns, where he had 1,145 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns. Last season, Hunt played backup to starting running back Nick Chubb and finished with 468 yards, three touchdowns, and 35 catches.
The University of Toledo product burst onto the NFL scene in 2017 with the Chiefs, earning his only Pro Bowl appearance. In 2018, Hunt was on pace for another Pro Bowl season with 1,202 total yards and 14 touchdowns in just 11 games, but a video surfaced of Hunt assaulting a woman in a Cleveland hotel, which led to the Chiefs releasing him.
Running backs, in general have had a tough time getting paid this off-season. Free agent RBs Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliot were forced to take offers for less money than they wanted. Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard wasn’t offered a long-term contract and instead signed the one-year fully guaranteed franchise contract worth $10.9 million.
New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley held out of the team’s off-season training activities and a portion of training camp looking for a long-term deal before signing a 1-year $11 million contract.
The lack of long-term deals led RBs across the league to meet via Zoom to discuss the depressed market for players in their position. The meeting was organized by Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler, who has been outspoken about NFL running backs not being paid their true worth.
