Business Experts Expect A Big Boom In The Job Market In September

by Mary Spiller

September 1, 2023

Business Experts Expect A Big Boom In The Job Market In September

Business experts have announced that September could produce a boom in the job market. In a recent study by Guy Berger, principal economist and head of macroeconomic trends at LinkedIn, the market is preparing for a “September surge,” defined by an exponential hiring increase following Labor Day.

The beginning of the year produced an alarming number of layoffs from studied companies, but a reprieve could likely be coming. Berger reported that the overall job market could stabilize following the unpredictable trends earlier this year.

Berger said, “Last year’s uptick stood out amid a disappointing trend, while this year it will be scrutinized for green shoots of hiring recovery.”

He cited some of LinkedIn’s data on why September’s hiring rates could be unnaturally high. Reportedly, “companies also add new team members in late summer and fall due to increased demand for seasonal employees.”

Payroll and HR software data have consistently shown a spike in hiring in “professional services sectors” in September and even October, just before the rates plummeted at the year’s end.

The rise and fall of the job market is described by Janet Mertens, vice president of research at HR consultancy The Josh Bersin Company, as cyclic.

“There are times during the year based on calendar years, fiscal years for companies, seasonal needs—especially in consumer products and retail—that you just see more hiring,” she said.

Before the surge, Mertens gave a list of essential tips on getting ready to be hired by Fast Company. She recommends updating your résumé and LinkedIn profiles to include any recent additions you may have to “always be job-ready.” In the meantime, as you’re waiting for applications and decisions, she told the outlet that you should use the time to keep building on your lacking or preexisting skills. Finally, she recommends contacting any networks you may already have and setting up job alerts attuned to opportunities on websites you’re looking for.

Another expert said, “Once you get those alerts, don’t underestimate the importance of being the first to apply.”

Beyoncé, RENAISANCE, VISUAL, FILM, ALBUM

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 1, 2023

Beyoncé Reportedly Shopping ‘Renaissance’ Visual Album To Studios: ‘It’s Like An Art Film’

This a reminder! An official visual album for Beyoncé‘s Renaissance may be coming our way.

As the decorated Grammy-winning superstar closes out her Renaissance World Tour in the U.S., Beyoncé is gearing up for her Los Angeles show, where Hollywood execs will be present who have already seen parts of an alleged visual album the Beyhive has yet to see.

Insiders claim Bey’s Parkwood Entertainment is shopping a Renaissance visual album to studios and streaming services and has yet to finalize a taker, Above the Line reports. Directed by British filmmaker-photographer Nadia Lee Cohen, the visual album has an “artsy” theme that falls in line with Beyoncé’s other visual albums, Lemonade and Black Is King, but is much “weirder” than the latter, which won her an Emmy for the visual project she released as part of her role in Disney’s The Lion King.

“It’s a visual album movie, but it’s like an art film, and I’ve also heard it’s better than ‘Black Is King,’” the source said.

So far, Beyoncé has directed two visual albums. Her first was 2016’s Lemonade, which was released on Jay-Z‘s Tidal platform before joining HBO and earning four Emmy nominations. Beyoncé went on to write, direct, and executive produce her Black Is King visual album, which debuted on Disney+ on July 31, 2020, and won her an Emmy the following year.

Cohen was up for the job with her standout portfolio with renowned artists like Tyler, the Creator, A$AP Rocky, Katy Perry, and Kali Uchis, and major retail brands including Adidas, Balenciaga, Gucci, and Valentino.

It’s said the Renaissance visual album was first shopped about four to six months ago, but studios and streaming services passed. When asked why, the insider couldn’t give a definite answer but credited the possibility of budgeting issues and the film’s desirability.

“I’m guessing the price and lack of replay value for the casual viewer,” they said, before adding the possibility that “maybe Beyoncé didn’t like how it turned out? I don’t know…”

Considering the ongoing Hollywood strike, studios and streaming services could be hungry for content to please their viewers while actors and writers work toward a deal. That means an increased possibility of Beyoncé’s Renaissance visual album seeing the light of day.

Tia Mowry, Tv Show, Black, woman, identify

by Stacy Jackson

September 1, 2023

Biracial Actress Tia Mowry Says She Identifies As A ‘Black Woman’

Tia Mowry can’t stress enough how much appreciation she has for her mother who she praises as a strong, Black woman.

During a recent episode of The Cool Mom Podcast, Mowry opened up about growing up biracial and how she identifies herself.

“As a mixed race woman, you sound like you identify more in one way or the other. Is that true or no?” host Lizzy Mattis asked the former Sister, Sister actress.

“Yeah,” Mowry responded. “I identify myself as a Black woman. She explained that her mother, Darlene, is a dark-skinned woman, and she praised her for being so strong throughout her life as she faced several challenges that came with her skin color.

“I feel like my mother is a strong woman,” Mowry said. “I have seen and felt her struggles as being a Black woman. And so to me—of course my dad is white—but I am an extension of my mother. So, yes, I am mixed race, but it’s how I identify myself. And I identify myself as a Black woman. That is how I’ve been viewed, how I’ve been seen.”

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A post shared by The Cool Mom Code Podcast with Lizzy Mathis (@thecoolmomcodepodcast)

In 2020, Mowry posted a photo to Instagram posing with her mother and twin sister Tamera Mowry-Housley. The mom of two got candid with her followers about the privileges her father had as a white man compared to her mother. “Growing up #biracial, mom is Black and dad is white, it was very clear to me seeing the #privilege that my dad had as opposed to my #mother.,” Mowry wrote in a detailed caption.

Mowry gave her fans examples of the unfair experiences they were met with as a family.

“During our #sistersister days when traveling for work we would often fly first class. There were several times my mother was asked if she was in the right seat,” she wrote. She also reminisced on another moment when her family was purchasing their first home. “My mother walked in the house model with us asking for a brochure. A person had said the houses were sold out. My dad walked in and it was a different story,” Mowry added.

Mowry said her goal is to see change in the world.

by Jaimee Ratliff

September 1, 2023

History Of Questionable Elections Continues In Zimbabwe As Opposition Party Calls On Other Countries To Intervene

Following poll numbers that indicated the re-election of current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party is calling on neighboring countries to help place the leadership of the southern African nation into new hands.

According to the Associated Press, within minutes of Mnangagwa’s re-election on Sunday, August 27, a spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Change party rejected the results as “hastily assembled without proper verification” and vowed that they would “not settle for less” than new leadership, before calling on other countries to get involved. “There is no alternative to a fresh and proper election … as an exit out of the vicious cycle of disputed elections,” Gift Siziba said. “We are calling upon our African brothers to help facilitate, mediate, and guarantee a process that will lead to our return to legitimacy.”

The ZANU-PF party, of which the current president is part, has been in leadership since Zimbabwe came into existence, following its independence from white minority rule in 1980. In those 43 years, the country has only had two leaders; 80-year-old Mnangagwa and Robert Mugabe.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission released the results only 48 hours after all polls closed, naming the incumbent the victor with 52.6% of the votes, compared to the opposing candidate, 45-year-old Nelson Chamisa‘s 44%. A ruling party affiliate organization called Forever Associates of Zimbabwe was said to be participating in voter intimidation at the polls by setting up tables outside of voting sites and taking down personal details of individuals arriving to cast their ballots.

According to the Associated Press, concerns about the integrity of the election were initially raised when voting was extended an extra day due to delays in printing ballot paper. The quick turnaround to declare Mnangagwa the winner simply heightened suspicions. Zimbabweans have wrestled with the validity of elections for years now, leaving many feeling demoralized this time around.

“It’s done. It never changes,” said Gerald Chosawa, a local resident. “I had some hope. Now it’s better to prepare to join the others who have left the country. That’s the best option.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 1, 2023

Cam’ron Congratulates Ma$e For Getting His Publishing Back From Diddy

It looks like Ma$e’s public request to get his music publishing back from Diddy might’ve worked after putting the hip-hop mogul on blast three years ago.

With new music on the way, Cam’ron has been teasing his return to the hip-hop scene with “The Lost Files” project he’ll be releasing on September 8. He’s also giving fans an idea of who might appear on the new album and if anyone was hoping for a Killa Cam and Murder Ma$e reunion, they can think again.

While the two Harlem natives and longtime friends are crushing the sports podcast scene with their show “It Is What It Is,” Ma$e will not be a guest feature on “The Lost Files” due to his music publishing fight with Bad Boy CEO Diddy.

On Wednesday, August 30, Cam’ron shared a promotional video post for his new album that explained why Ma$e won’t be featured on the project since his friend only just got his publishing back.

“My ni**a murder had to sit this one out. He just got his publishing back from Puff. Just finished the paper work for that yesterday,” Cam wrote in his caption.

“Congrats @rsvpmase while he getting his music back in order.”

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It was back in January 2020 when Ma$e put Diddy on blast in a scathing Instagram post made in response to the hip-hop mogul’s speech at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy gala where called out the Recording Academy for not taking rap and R&B music from Black artists seriously.

“Your past business practices knowingly has continued purposely starved your artist and been extremely unfair to the very same artist that helped u obtain that Icon Award on the iconic Badboy label,” Ma$e wrote in he since-deleted post, captured by Billboard.

“For example, u still got my publishing from 24 years ago in which u gave me $20k. Which makes me never want to work w/ u as any artist wouldn’t.”

The “Harlem World” rapper went on to reveal the $2 million he allegedly offered Diddy for his masters, but claimed Puff Daddy denied his offer unless he could surpass the “European guy’s” offer despite only paying $20k for Ma$e’s publishing.

“You bought it for about 20k & I offered you 2m in cash. This is not black excellence at all,” Ma$e quipped.

Last October, Diddy appeared on The Breakfast Club where he called Ma$e a “fake pastor” and a “con” who owed him $3 million. Now, according to Cam’ron, it looks like Diddy and Ma$e worked things out and the “Feel So Good” rapper could be making a musical return.

Try Again! Rudy Giuliani Loses Defamation Suit Against 2 Black Georgia Election Workers

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 1, 2023

Try Again! Rudy Giuliani Loses Defamation Suit Against 2 Black Georgia Election Workers

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is taking another loss.

A federal judge has sided with two Black Georgia election workers from the 2020 presidential election in a defamation lawsuit after Donald Trump’s former attorney claimed he couldn’t contest that he made false and defamatory statements about Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.

Giuliani said cost has made it hard for him to keep up with his electronic records, making it difficult for him to respond to subpoenas for information from Moss and Freeman while the case moved forward.

“Perhaps he has made the calculation that his overall litigation risks are minimized by not complying with his discovery obligations in this case,” U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell during her Aug. 30 ruling. “Whatever the reason, obligations are case specific and withholding required discovery in this case has consequences.”

Howell suggested both Freeman and Moss could try to show that Giuliani’s false claims regarding the 2020 election were intended, which may help him in some way since that argument may come up during the damages trial.

Both election workers are seeking unspecified damages, claiming they suffered emotional and physical harm as well as damage to their reputations after Giuliani singled them out for ballot tampering in Georgia after the 2020 presidential election.

In a statement, Freeman and Moss said things have been a “living nightmare.” They’ve received an unimaginable “wave of hatred and threats” due to the disgraced lawyer’s comments.

“Nothing can restore all we lost, but today’s ruling is yet another neutral finding that has confirmed what we have known all along, that there was never any truth to any of the accusations about us and that we did nothing wrong,” the women said, according to the Associated Press. “We were smeared for purely political reasons, and the people responsible can and should be held accountable.”

Giuliani is already dishing out close to $90,000 for Freeman and Moss’ attorneys’ fees in the case, and Howell said he may be hit with more fees. The women are seeking damages amounting to thousands, if not millions, of dollars.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 1, 2023

T.I. And Tiny Harris Demand $165K From Ex-Friend After Defamation Suit Gets Tossed

T.I. and Tiny Harris are seeking nearly $165,000 from their former friend who accused them of defamation and carousing with hundreds of women, among other antics that have since been tossed out in court.

In court documents unveiled Thursday, August 31, T.I. [real name: Clifford Harris] and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris are demanding $164,650.56 from Sabrina Peterson, the former friend who accused the famous couple of harassing and ruining her name, Radar Online reports.

In March 2021, Peterson sued T.I. and Tiny for defamation, claiming the former Family Hustle stars publicly smeared her name and ruined her reputation following a messy fallout. According to the friend-turned-foe, T.I. pulled out a gun on Peterson and threatened to shoot her after she got into an argument with his assistant.

“B—-, I’ll kill you,” Peterson claimed T.I. told her.

She also accused the celebrity couple of sexually exploiting “over 100 women” she claimed would come forward and launched the hashtag “Surviving T.I.” across social media. As a result of the salacious claims, T.I. and Tiny had their VH1 reality show pulled and have been locked in a legal war with Peterson for the last two years.

T.I.’s lawyer Andrew Brettler fired back, describing the plaintiff as “an adjudged liar, a convicted felon with a lengthy rap sheet for crimes involving dishonesty and violent assault, and has a reputation for being unscrupulous.”

The “Live Your Life” rapper wanted Peterson’s lawsuit tossed, but the court denied his motion before the decision was reversed at appellate court in early August. The higher court decided five of the seven causes of action in the lawsuit, putting T.I. and Tiny in the clear on a defamation suit that went cold.

Now the Harrises want Peterson to pay up for forcing them into a pricey court battle.

“The Harrises’ request for $164,650.56 in attorneys’ fees and costs is reasonable and in line with fee awards regularly affirmed in this district. Given the complexity of the legal issues, the time necessary to adjudicate Peterson’s seven causes of action over a two-year period, and the additional costs of appeal, the amount requested should be awarded in full,” the couple’s lawyer wrote.

by Atiya Jordan

September 1, 2023

OpenAI Is On Track To Make $1 Billion in Annual Sales. Here’s Why

Last December, Reuters reported that ChatGPT creator OpenAI was expected to reach its $1 billion annual revenue milestone by 2024. But new reports say that this chatbot is on a fast track to exceeding its previous expectations.

The Information first reported that AI research and deployment company OpenAI is creating around $80 million a month, further solidifying UBS research as the “fastest-growing consumer application in history.” Backed by Microsoft, the San Francisco-based startup was initially valued on paper at $27 billion when investors purchased stock from existing shareholders earlier this year. However, it lost around $540 million in 2022, developing GPT-4 and ChatGPT.

Since debuting its bot in November, OpenAI has seen an unprecedented demand for ChatGPT inside organizations. The company has worked with companies from fledgling firms to major corporations to adopt the technology in over 80% of Fortune 500 companies, per the website. After reaching its first 100 million users, the popular chatbot has made an astronomical rise among other earlier internet sensations like Instagram, Netflix, and TikTok.

“Its uncanny ability to mimic human conversation while completing tasks like writing poetry, recommending restaurants, and breaking down complex topics made ChatGPT an internet star—but for some users, the bot also came across as “unhinged” and argumentative,” per Fortune.

CEO Sam Altman expects OpenAI’s ambitious efforts around artificial general intelligence (AGI) to cost another $100 billion. What’s more? The agreement made earlier this year with Microsoft states that the tech giant is entitled to 75% of OpenAI’s profits until its $13 billion investment in the startup is repaid, Fortune reported.

As ChatGPT takes off, OpenAI is making a mark in other industries with its eye on boosting revenue from its best-known product.

Premium subscriptions

OpenAI rolled out a $20 premium subscription, offering companies paid access to its application programming interface. You can try the chat for free. But nonsubscribers cannot access all the features available to the most dedicated users—those who pay for the chatbot.

Business

This week, OpenAI launched a ChatGPT Enterprise model to attract a broad mix of business customers and to offset the costs of operating its ubiquitous chatbot.

This business version of the bot features “enterprise-grade security and privacy, unlimited higher-speed GPT-4 access, longer context windows for processing longer inputs, advanced data analysis capabilities, customization options, and much more,” per OpenAI.

Additionally, the company revealed in a blog post on Monday that early users included Canva, Estée Lauder, and PwC.

Healthcare

ChatGPT gives out better answers than human doctors 4 out of 5 times, according to a previous study published by JAMA Internal Medicine, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported. Experts say this could cause “major implications” in healthcare, and there are spaces within the industry where the chatbot could be helpful for medical advice.

For example, Gizmodo reported that after JAMA examined questions from patients, researchers found 79% of cases “preferred” responses from AI’s thorough responses. A panel of medical professionals even found AI to be more empathetic. However, according to experts, human doctors cannot be counted out without further research.

Abortion, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall

by Jaimee Ratliff

September 1, 2023

Alabama Attorney General Says State Can Prosecute Those Who Help Women Procure Procedure, Dismisses Pro-Abortion Lawsuit

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is moving forward with plans to prosecute those who help women go out of state to procure an abortion.

According to AL.com, after filing a motion to dismiss a pending lawsuit filed by providers, the ACLU and Yellowhammer Fund – which acted as a resource for women in Alabama seeking abortions before the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision – Marshall said the state would investigate potential conspiracy or accessory charges against individuals and groups who assist women seeking out-of-state procedures.

“If someone was promoting themselves out as a funder of abortions out of state, then that is potentially criminally actionable for us,” Marshall said. “One of the things we will do in working with local prosecutors is making sure that we fully implement this law. There’s nothing about that law that restricts any individual from driving across state lines and seeking an abortion in another place. However, I would say that if an individual held themselves out as an entity or a group that is using funds that they are able to raise to facilitate those visits, then that’s something we’re going to look at closely.”

The Supreme Court’s decision to leave the right to an abortion up to state jurisdiction allows for officials like Marshall to ultimately pursue criminal charges due to the legality of the procedure.

“Though abortion may be legal elsewhere, it is plainly illegal pursuant to Ala. Code § 13A-4-4 for Plaintiffs to conspire with others to procure abortions that would be illegal in Alabama,” Marshall’s motion argues. “The criminal conduct is the agreement (the conspiracy) itself, which is conduct that occurs in Alabama that Alabama has every right to prosecute. Thus, the legality of abortion in other States is irrelevant to whether Alabama can prosecute a conspiracy formed in Alabama.”

According to AL.com, Alabama has outlawed nearly all abortions in the state, including some that would be seen as life-saving; going as far as labeling the performance of the procedure a class A felony, which could potentially carry a life sentence.

‘Bout Time! Clarence Thomas Discloses Trips Paid By GOP Billionaire Harlan Crow

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 1, 2023

‘Bout Time! Clarence Thomas Discloses Trips Paid By GOP Billionaire Harlan Crow

Clarence Thomas is finally opening up about the gifted private trips made public in early 2023.

The Supreme Court Justice disclosed on Aug. 31 that Republican megadonor Harlan Crow paid for private jet trips in 2022 for Thomas to attend a speech in Texas and a vacation at Crow’s New York estate, CNN reports. Getting more specific, Thomas says he took Crow up on his private transportation offer as an “increased security risk” following the leak of the Dobbs opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.

As ethical values continue to form a dark cloud around the Supreme Court, the announcement comes after Thomas received an extension to file the yearly reports, originally due in May 2023. The controversial justice has been under fire for bypassing ethics laws by failing to properly disclose real estate transactions, luxury trips, and gifts from wealthy friends. In a statement, Thomas’s lawyer said there were “no willful ethics transgressions” and alleged that prior reports were “strictly inadvertent.”

The legal team also disputed claims against the justice described as a “partisan feeding frenzy.”

ProPublica was the first publication to break the news of Thomas’ long-time friendship with Crow and broke down the extent of the travel arrangements. After the scandal broke, Thomas never denied a friendship with Crow but claimed the super donor did not have business before the court. Defending keeping the trips a secret, he claims he never disclosed the travel because he was advised then that he didn’t have to report it. According to NBC News, the rules of disclosure were changed in March 2023, shortly before the ProPublica report was released. The U.S. Judicial Conference advises on ethics issues, and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have called for new Supreme Court ethics rules.

Initially, Thomas said the gifts from Crow were categorized as “personal hospitality,” and while Gabe Roth, executive director of judicial ethics watchdog Fix the Court, agreed to the disclosures, he said more could have been done on Thomas’s end. “Justice Thomas’ lengthy explanation as to why he omitted various gifts and free trips on previous disclosures does not countermand his decades of willful obfuscation when it comes to his reporting requirements,” Roth said.

Fellow justices like Chief Justice John Roberts agreed that more needs to be done.