by Jaimee Ratliff

September 6, 2023

AfroBeats Artist Mr. Eazi Is Building An African Entertainment Empire With Hopes To Rival Disney

The global explosion of Afrobeats has hit a fever pitch as more artists come to the forefront of the exciting multifaceted genre. One of the standouts in the West African-bred music scene is Nigerian artist Mr. Eazi, whose songs “Skin Tight” and “Dance For Me” set off a fire throughout the genre.

With solid hits under his belt and a focus on the future of African entertainment, Mr. Eazi is looking out across a landscape of opportunity for himself and others. According to AfroTech, he founded emPawa Africa in 2018 as a way to invest in independent artists within the continent by providing distribution, publishing, mentorship, and marketing resources. Working as a conduit of success for his artists rather than a dictator of their moves, Mr. Eazi uses emPawa solely as a tool of empowerment.

“I didn’t build emPawa to be a label,” he said.

“I built emPawa to be like an Uber… You have your car, you have your driver, you plug into the system, and the system opens you up to customers. So in the first deals we did, we didn’t even own anything.”

And in this liberated sense of stewardship, Mr. Eazi has found a sweet spot with his label’s signees.

“I think we’ve been able to find that balance with a couple of artists, so they still feel free,” he said.

So that’s what has been at the background of emPawa. If we were running a traditional label, we would have made a whole lot more money. I joke and say, ‘Uber just takes 20%, then we should just take 20%.’”

Music has been merely a springboard for the Nigerian-born artist as he’s turned his sights to investments with his fund, Zagadat Capital, which focuses on providing resources for African-founded companies looking to solve fundamental problems.

For Mr. Eazi, the spotlight is on creating a firm foundation for entertainment, sports, and business on the continent. After taking a Harvard business course, the 32-year-old realized the need for a formal education on how to scale the continent’s talents for global domination.

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A post shared by Don Eazi (@mreazi)

“Now it’s a good time again [to push the conversation], especially for African entertainment because decision-makers, they’re traveling across the world, and they’re seeing Afrobeats artists — not one, not two, not three — everywhere selling out stadiums and not just from Nigeria,” he said. “But now, I think the missing piece is the education of the back end of behind the fame, behind the stadium, what are the numbers behind it? What’s the money behind it? What’s the business behind it? And I think now is a good time to restart those conversations.”

With a renewed sense of possibility, Mr. Eazi created Choplife, a company he feels can rival the greatness and legacy of Disney.

“I was already in a place where I was like, okay, let me go make money from all different places and bring it back to African entertainment,” Eazi said.

“But then, going for that course, I realized that [the time is] now. So when I mean Disney [of Africa], what I just mean is to have a brand that sort of encompasses African entertainment. And so that’s what ChopLife is.”

Steph curry, Aysha curry, eat learn play

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 6, 2023

Steph And Ayesha Curry Pour Into Oakland Students With $50M ‘Eat. Learn. Play’ Investment, newsletter 2,

The start of a new school year can look different depending on the area.

For some students, a new school year means showing off new clothes and another chance to be at the top of the class. In areas of students less fortunate, it’s a struggle. Thankfully, four-time NBA champion Steph Curry and his wife, New York Times best-selling author Ayesha, have used their success to make sure those underprivileged students aren’t left behind.

On Sept. 6, through their Eat. Learn. Play organization the Currys announced a $50 million commitment to Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) in California, guaranteeing students continue to receive proper resources for a successful school year. The students will be provided with healthy meals, support to become stronger readers, improved schoolyards, and opportunities to participate in youth sports, something the power couple is very passionate about. “We realized there is so much more that needs to be done,” Ayesha told Black Enterprise. “So we are just fired up.”

Steph curry, Aisha Curry, eat, play, learn — Courtesy of Eat. Learn. Play./Noah Graham for Getty

The Oakland-based charity launched in 2019 and hit the ground running. Eat. Learn. Play. has reached amazing strides over the last four years using its three-pillar approach: nutrition, education, and physical activity. On top of raising millions of dollars, Eat. Learn. Play. has partnered with the school district to ensure students receive breakfast and lunch. The Golden State Warrior point guard stated there is a high percentage of qualifying kids eligible for free or low-cost meals each day, which is a great place to start.

“An empty stomach is hard to instill learning,” Steph admits.

“There’s a lot of data on the success of that but also the inaccessibility for a lot of students in terms of providing support for their educational journey.”

The team has done research and found that striving at a third-grade reading level is key to reaching high school graduation and feeling alert with 60 minutes of activeness during the day. To achieve these goals, Eat. Learn. Play. grants access to tutoring and gives the kids appropriate books to form a love for reading with a mobile resource center that holds 100,000 books annually for families in the community.

Committing $50 million shows the vision of the Charlotte, North Carolina natives for the community they’ve impacted over the years. The parents of three both acknowledge the challenges of Eat. Learn. Play. went through, like a global pandemic shutting schools down, and pleased with the growth.

“To be at this point where you can take the learnings, the successes and identifying what the true need is, it’s exciting to know that we can elevate their school experience,” Steph said.

“We’re looking to support initiatives already in place and continue to galvanize hope and inspiration that we can be a part of changing kids’ future.”

Steph curry, Aysha curry, eat , pray, learn — Courtesy of Eat. Learn. Play./Noah Graham for Getty

OUSD and ELP work with over 35,000 kids in 80 schools each year—not an easy feat. But thanks to community and corporate partners, the Currys can cover 100% of Eat. Learn. Play. ’s administrative and fundraising costs as a way of making sure the raised funding goes right back into the community. Over the years, ELP has established relationships with global commodities like Workday, an on-demand cloud-based software vendor, and Alameda County Community Food Bank, to name a few, making sure these commitments come to life.

After promising to enhance elementary and middle school cafeterias throughout the district, the next step is revitalizing playgrounds and giving students a fresh and safe space for positive play. Throughout 2023, Eat. Learn. Play. and Workday are working together to remodel six schoolyards on select district campuses, including state-of-the-art multisport courts, mini soccer pitches, play structures designed by the kids, community gardens, outdoor classrooms, and reading areas, and murals. According to Steph, having a play paradise like this sets a positive tone for what the future can look like for kids, maybe even one day following in the decorated athlete’s footsteps.

The work partners’ most recent project put smiles on students’ faces at Lockwood STEAM Academy in East Oakland after Eat. Learn. Play. and Workday provided a remodeled schoolyard. Lockwood is a small testimony of what can happen when you end playspace inequity. Workday CEO and Co-Founder Aneel Bhursi, along with the Currys, fund the foundation of the playground, and Workday employees come in to clean up, which he says were in pretty bad shape beforehand.

“The play part has been a great way to engage our employees,” Bhursi said.

“It helps build community and gets Oakland back on track.”

The Bay Area isn’t the only place that needs help. In 2019, an article was published revealing that two-thirds of public elementary schools in Philadelphia don’t have playgrounds and rely on private funders to build them. While the Sweet July owner says there is room for the program’s expansion across the country, the goal is to prove their model works first.

“From there, the goal would be for other organizations and other people to take this model that we put together and proven works and implement it in their communities,” Ayesha said.

“When it comes to the kids, it really does take a village.”

She continues to say that her mindset on expansion starts with change.

“When it comes to expansion, the way we’ll do that is advocating for policy change,” Ayesha said. “That’s where we will see the most impact. We’ve started to do that and found it to be very beneficial.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 6, 2023

Shannon Sharpe Calls Stephen A. Smith ‘Skip’ Multiple Times in ‘First Take’ Debut

After seven years arguing against Skip Bayless on Undisputed, Shannon Sharpe seemingly found it hard to remember Stephen A. Smith‘s name when making his First Take debut on Monday.

Discourse on the latest in sports went well aside from the two times Sharpe called Smith “Skip” during the live broadcast.

“The lions were picked to win that division Skip….I’m sorry. Stephen A,” Sharpe tells Smith.

Smith appeared understanding as he told Sharpe, “It’s alright. It’s alright.”

https://twitter.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1698702774148465043?s=20

Later on in the live show, Sharpe slipped up again while sharing an old NFL story about Ben Coates, the former tight end with the New England Patriots.

“You know what, Skip,” Sharpe said before immediately catching his mistake. But again, Smith said “It’s OK,” with Sharpe acknowledging how long he served on his previous post.

“It’s been seven years. Stephen A!” he quipped.

Here's the second time Sharpe called Smith "Skip," in the next segment. "It's been seven years. Stephen A!" pic.twitter.com/3FPwV3Wl3n

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 4, 2023

In May, it was announced that Sharpe was leaving FS1’s Undisputed with Bayless. Fox Sports reached a buyout with Sharpe that ended his time on the show, the network, along with his podcast, Club Shay Shay, NBC Sports reports.

Ahead of Sharpe’s tearful exit in June, there was clear friction between him and Bayless following Skip’s callous remarks about Damar Hamlin‘s cardiac arrest earlier this year. Sharpe was noticeably absent from the show the day after Bayless made his comments.

Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless argument 2 days after Damar Hamlin incident!!

End of an era! pic.twitter.com/KR1A7evZ0j

— TimeoutSPORTS__ (@TimeoutSPORTS3) June 1, 2023

Elsewhere, the pair got into a squabble on air in December 2022 when Bayless seemingly shunned Sharpe’s NFL career to defend Tom Brady.

https://twitter.com/shannonsharpeee/status/1602320855765323776?s=20

Stephen A. Smith hosted First Take with Bayless for four years up until Bayless left ESPN for Fox Sports in 2016. The pair have taken subtle jabs at each other on their television shows and podcasts over the years.

Most recently, Smith denied Bayless’ claims of not being the cause for a probationary period First Take was placed on during their time hosting together.

“Skip left some things out when speaking on some past First Take moments,” Smith tweeted last week along with a video clip.

Skip left some things out when speaking on some past First Take moments pic.twitter.com/rDBW99Vefl

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 31, 2023

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 6, 2023

Fidelity Reveals Dollar Amount Needed To Retire With The ‘Lifestyle You Want’

If you haven’t started saving for retirement, now is the time.

Fox Business reports that Fidelity Investments, a multinational financial services corporation, is revealing the dollar amount needed to live a comfortable lifestyle. The secret is the number doesn’t exist. Fidelity’s Vice President of Workplace Investing Thought Leadership Michael Shamrell, says putting a dollar amount on retirement savings is too much pressure.

“That can seem daunting,” Shamrell said. “The last thing you want to do is put out a dollar amount that’s going to be discouraging.”

The bottom line is that Fidelity wants people to remember that saving for retirement is necessary.

Two of the most common questions advisers get surround how much money is needed to save and if a person is on track to reach that goal. The seasoned adviser explains that there are different circumstances that don’t allow an amount to be present. Contradicting reports, Shamrell says, don’t attest “for people in different geographical areas of the country where there may be different cost of living.

“The new guidelines listed by the firm hope to change things. These guidelines are applicable to you and your savings journey,” he said.

“And again, help you understand what you need to save as a multiple of your salary as opposed to just some dollar amount that’s out there that may or may not be realistic for you.”

Fidelity recommends having at least 1x your annual salary saved by age 30. Following that, it’s 3x your salary by 40, 6x by age 50, and so on. If those numbers seem unrealistic, Fidelity says there are other ways to catch up, pointing out that retirement saving is a marathon, not a sprint. Life happens, jobs are going to come and go, the economy is going to go up and down. The best thing that we can encourage people to do is take a long-term approach,” Shamrell said.

“Don’t try to make changes to your savings strategy based on short-term events. Try to take a long-term approach and make sure that any changes you might be making are part of your long-term strategy.”

In August 2023, Fidelity released a report showing good signs toward retirement. CNN reports the average 401(k) balance went up to $112,400, 39% higher. People saving regularly since 2008 should now have an average balance of $499,000.

RELATED CONTENT: Can Your Retirement Fund Your Next Business?

North Carolina ‘Team Genius Squad’ Siblings Launch STEM Toy Line In Retail Stores

by Jaimee Ratliff

September 6, 2023

North Carolina ‘Team Genius Squad’ Siblings Launch STEM Toy Line In Retail Stores

Ava N. Simmons, known as the STEM Princess, and her sister Chynah Jeter have turned their love for science, technology, engineering, and math into a toy line now available in stores.

In 2020, the young siblings and their parents started Team Genius Squad to combat Simmons’ difficulty reading due to dyslexia. To support her learning journey, the family created a YouTube channel that focused on STEM experiments, allowing her to write skits that helped improve many of her affected cognitive skills.

“The first Team Genius Squad STEM Experiment Kit was developed at our kitchen table with a roll of wire, alligator clips, and plastic pouches,” said Jeter.

“Ava developed the experiment and promotional material, and I developed the packaging and marketed the final product. It is a great synergy that works because we tailor our roles based on our inner strengths and gifts.”

According to BlackNews.com, the two girls have turned their successful venture into a toy line that includes coloring books, DIY slime, and experiment kits that make electricity from alternative sources. Their first in-store launch took place at Marbles PlayStore in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, and the young entrepreneurs plan to create an even bigger splash in the retail market over the next year.

“I am so grateful to be able to design and develop educational toys that positively impact the community,” said Simmons.

“My goal is to share my learning journey and, through purposeful play, encourage others never to let their challenges define their success or future. I am so thankful for everyone who supports Team Genius Squad!”

It won’t be their first venture into offering their supporters in-person experiences as the pair designed a STEM Mobile Lab that traveled the country sharing the joy of learning with children from underserved areas.

Black hairstylist, Dosso Beauty, Hypoallergenic Braiding Hair Shop, Philly

by Jaimee Ratliff

September 6, 2023

Black Hair Stylists In Maine Service A Community In Desperate Need Of Diversity

Black people have long built their identity through their hair. Whether we wear it the way it naturally grows or style it in a way that tells the story of where we’ve been, currently are, or where we hope to be, haircare is as paramount to Blackness as any other part of our shared experience. However, our hair needs continue to be ignored everywhere, from Hollywood movie sets to fashion runways.

According to NewsCenter Maine, for the 12.4 % of Black people living in Maine, access to essential haircare and styling is all but obsolete.

University of Maine Men’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Markwoodeven mentions it to recruits hoping to bring their talent to the Black Bears team.

“I think it’s something that we touch on pretty early in the process because it tends to come up,” Marwood said.

“People are wondering, ‘Am I going to be able to find a barber in this area.'”

Because our inner confidence can sometimes be linked to our outer appearance, the need to help Maine’s Black population show up in a way that truly supports their best selves often falls on the shoulders of a select few hair professionals. Stylist Angela Okafur caters to Black hair needs and often works on off days to accommodate her clients.

“A lady reached out to me, and she was like her son was going for a very serious procedure, and she was like all he asked of was to get his hair done,” she said.

“I had to do the hair on a day I don’t work.”

Okafur owns the only braid shop in town. Barbers Jake Stanley and Jordan Guy, both non-Black, have worked to establish trust with their Black clients while being empathetic to the struggles they face.

“I think it’s a shame,” Guy said. “I’m not going to say that areas of Maine are stuck in kind of old habits or old school habits, but I do think there needs to be a willingness to adapt and kind of draw more people to those areas, and I don’t think it’s necessarily a priority.”

Stanley says the one barber school in the state only offers verbal lessons on how to cut Black hair properly, something he feels affects the versatility of the professionals in the area.

Though haircare may seem like an unessential need, Okafur fears that the Black population in Maine will continue to diminish as people feel that the basic necessities of their lives are out of reach.

“If you’re not able to get what you need to feel good about yourself or for your children to feel good about themselves, chances are they’re gonna start looking at alternatives,” Okafur said.

“So this is very crucial and important. Not just for community building but also to, you know, retaining people here, which is what we really need in this area.”

by Stacy Jackson

September 5, 2023

Rhode Island May Elect Its First Afro-Latina Congresswoman, Sabina Matos

History may be in the making for Afro-Latina Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos.

Amid several races today, significant attention will be on the votes in the Democratic primary for the 1st congressional district to replace the seat held by seven-term Democrat, U.S. Representative David Cicilline. As the residents of Rhode Island cast their votes, the ballot can be expected to have spots for 11 viable candidates. However, history will be made if one candidate gets the right number of ballots cast in their favor. This candidate is none other than Lieutenant Governor Matos.

According to Essence, if Matos were to win, Rhode Island would send “its first person of color to the U.S. House and give Congress its first Afro-Latina.”

Before becoming lieutenant governor, Matos served as a councilwoman on the Providence City Council. Matos became “the first Latina to hold the position of City Council President Pro Tempore in 2015, and in 2019, she was elected city council president by her peers. She is the first Latina to hold both positions in the city’s history,” according to the outlet.

Matos attributes her opportunity to achieve success to the “strong democracy” in the United States. She recalled her experience working in a factory and learning English after immigrating to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic. She spoke about having the opportunity to “go to college, get a degree and represent [her] community and become an elected official.”

Matos discussed the details of her campaign with the outlet and said she was initially hesitant about running for office; however, that changed one day as she listened to Stacey Abram’s audiobook, Leading From the Outside, as she traveled to a Black History Month celebration at the White House.

“There’s a real, tangible experience that I bring to Congress….This is the moment that needed me to step up,” Matos said.

Matos also shared her concerns about democracy: “I feel that we’re taking that for granted. Democracy is too important. And we need to fight.” As a wife and mother, Matos spoke about the need for “a strong voice for women’s rights” in Washington and “making sure that abortion is protected at the federal level.”

Matos said she hopes to go to Washington to create a future for her daughter where she has more rights than people have now.

by Derek Major

September 5, 2023

Prosecutor In Dominican Republic Investigating Second Complaint Against Wander Franco

A special prosecutor in the Dominican Republic is investigating a second complaint that Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco engaged in a relationship with a minor.

ESPN reports that after the first complaint on July 17, another girl alleged she had a relationship with the MLB player to the specialized prosecutor’s office for boys, girls, and adolescents. Authorities are also investigating a third girl who alleged a relationship with Franco, although she has yet to speak with police or the prosecutor’s office.

Prosecutors from the specialized office hope to speak with Franco soon. The 22-year-old had a solid season for the Rays, batting .281 with a career-high 17 home runs and 58 runs batted in. However, Major League Baseball (MLB) placed Franco on administrative leave on Aug. 22, pending a league investigation into the allegations.

Franco isn’t expected to play again this season as MLB typically waits until a criminal investigation has concluded before disciplining players under a joint policy with the MLB Players Association. The prosecutor’s investigation into Franco is expected to last through the end of the season.

The Rays are currently in the first wild card spot in the American League and second in the A.L. East, three games behind the Baltimore Orioles. Tampa Bay has 24 games left on its schedule in the regular season,n and infielders Osleivis Basabe and Taylor Walls have filled in at shortstop in Franco’s absence.

Franco’s last game with the Rays came on Aug. 12, one day before numerous social media posts alleged Franco had an inappropriate relationship with a minor. The MLB began investigating Franco that night and placed him on the restricted list from Aug. 13 to 21.

The MLB Playoffs will start Oct. 3 and run through Nov. 4. Currently, the Atlanta Braves, the only team in the MLB with 90 wins, are the favorite to take home the World Series trophy. The Braves’ toughest competition will be the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rays, and Orioles.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 5, 2023

NBA Player Cole Anthony Joins Mom To Launch Youth Sports App

Hoop dreams are not the only thing NBA player Cole Anthony strives for. His latest squad is with his mother, Crystal McCrary McGuire, as they launch a new youth-focused sports app called GameUp.

Launching this September, GameUp aspires to help parents and their children as they embark on their sports development skills. As youth sports evolve, the mother-son duo leads the charge in how families can best support their kids as they work toward their goals.

The point guard for the Orlando Magic embarked on this journey with his mother, who is a force to be reckoned with in business herself. McCrary McGuire is not only a New York Times Best-Selling author but also a filmmaker and media professional, according to AfroTech. Her work in the media realm also dives into youth sports, helping create the documentary Little Ballers for Nickelodeon.

Their game-changing app hosts a wide range of features, including the ability to find and match teams, a database of programs, as well as a hub for trainers to connect with potential clients. The app’s components will also utilize AI technology to better personalize each user’s experience for optimal service.

McCrary McGuire shared a personal statement on why she sought to create GameUp to help parents aid in their kids’ futures as professional athletes.

“As a mother of three youth athletes at every level and firsthand witness to the challenges of youth basketball, I recognized the need for a comprehensive tool to help parents navigate this complex world,” shared the ultimate basketball mom. “With GameUp, we are providing a reliable, one-stop solution. This app represents our commitment to empowering the next generation of athletes, starting with basketball.”

The official launch will occur on Sept. 10 with “City Assist” at an event center in Harlem, New York. The celebration will be hosted in partnership with the basketball nonprofit Empire Invitational and Anthony’s own charitable organization, the 50 Ways Foundation.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 5, 2023

Georgia’s First Afrofuturism Studio Opens In Underground Atlanta

A new exhibit is coming to Underground Atlanta. A tech entrepreneur has soft-launched Subsume Studios, a space dedicated to Afrofuturism, over Labor Day weekend in the downtown hub.

Dedren Snead’s vision is to champion the revitalized tourist attraction by building his studio to promote art, culture, and technological advancement within the city. Afrofuturism has emerged as a prevalent theme for artists and those within the technological, engineering, and business industries.

Deeming his studio “the world’s first Afrofuturism lab,” his mission with this innovative space is to build “a template for the solutions of tomorrow.” In conversation with Atlanta News First, his optimal timeline is to open by February of the upcoming year.

His target demographic is young people of color, specifically Black people, as he plans to uplift this age group’s unique talent and imagination to foster his incubator for progress.

“We’re looking at a way and a space that Black stories and experiences are portrayed — past, present, and future. Such as AI machine learning. Looking at how that can portray into making sure that Black stories exist in all mediums. And so what we’re looking at is building data science, building engineers, but also building a creative class of Atlanta to be a part of the narratives of tomorrow.”

As he embarks on this lofty goal, the entrepreneur anticipates using crowdfunding to make this endeavor a reality. At the top of October, Snead will launch a fundraising campaign for communal donations and businesses to sponsor Subsume Studios for its building development and equipment needs.

The space will hopefully be used by those within and beyond the academic sphere, all sharing the same purpose of collaborating for the advancement of society in an equitable capacity.

“The idea is that understanding needs to be accessible to everyone, and living in a city such as Atlanta that has all of this technology, all of this culture[e], and all of this experience, why do we not have a space where the community can come together and galvanize those experiences to change the future for us all,” shared Snead.