She Did That. Celebrates Black Business Month With NYC Marketplace For Black Women Founders
The She Did That. x Shopify Black Business Month Experience: Brilliance in Motion
She Did That. and Shopify marked the start of Black Business Month with a daylong event in New York City that spotlighted Black women-owned businesses while offering entrepreneurs educational programming and networking opportunities,Hello Beautiful reports.
The She Did That x Shopify Black Business Month Experience: Brilliance in Motion happened Aug. 4 at Shopify New York, 131 Greene St., in SoHo.
The event featured a marketplace showcasing 13 Black-owned businesses representing the beauty, fashion, jewelry, home, wellness, and specialty food and beverage sectors. Participating brands include Anima Iris, BeEyeConic, Brooklyn Tea, ELTSUH, GLDN HAUS, Jam + Rico, Jorja Zee, Maya Winston, Never Settle, OUI the People, Style Eyes Optical, TERRA-TORY Skincare, and The Sable Collective.
Shopify hosted a founders’ workshop that provided business owners with information and resources focused on business growth and scaling operations.
The evening portion of the event included Brilliance in Motion, a panel discussion examining the opportunities and challenges of building and sustaining a business in today’s entrepreneurial landscape. Programming concluded with a networking mixer for founders, entrepreneurs, and attendees.
According to She Did That., the organization has spent the past decade highlighting Black women entrepreneurs through documentary filmmaking, storytelling, curated shopping experiences, and educational programming.
Organizers said the collaboration with Shopify is intended to increase visibility for Black women-owned businesses while connecting founders with consumers and fellow entrepreneurs during Black Business Month.
Black Business Month is observed annually in August to recognize and support Black-owned businesses and their contributions to local economies and communities.
Monica L. Baskin, Ph.D., will be fifth director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center since its NCI designation in 1975. (Photo Credit: VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center)
Dr. Monica Baskin Named 1st Black Woman To Lead NCI-Designated Cancer Center
The nationally recognized health equity researcher will lead VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Monica L. Baskin has made history. The nationally recognized researcher and health equity advocate has been named director of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, making her the first Black woman to lead a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Pending final approval by the VCU Board of Visitors, Baskin officially began serving in the role on Aug. 3, according to VCU Health. In addition, Baskin has also become the first woman to lead Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 73 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation. Nationally, just nine women currently direct comprehensive cancer centers.
“It is an honor to be named as the next director at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center,” Baskin said in a statement. “Massey is an exemplar, locally and nationally, on what truly matters for a cancer center, and together we will continue to be defined by cutting-edge science, compassionate care and collaboration with our community to ensure everyone has access to lifesaving cancer prevention and treatment.”
The Atlanta native has built her career around addressing health disparities, particularly in cancer prevention, early detection and survivorship. Her passion for the work was shaped by personal loss after her father died from colorectal cancer while she was in high school, followed by the deaths of other family members from the disease, reports AfroTech.
“Dr. Baskin’s robust portfolio of research publications combined with her passion and drive for community-focused cancer research has positioned her well to become the next director of Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center,” said Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of Virginia Commonwealth University. “Throughout her career, especially in the past year as Massey’s deputy director, she has shown dedication to Massey being on the cutting edge of cancer research. She is a champion of the community-to-bench model, and will work hard so the cancer center has a direct impact on those in its catchment area.”
Before joining VCU in 2025, Baskin held senior leadership positions at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, where she led community outreach, health equity, and research initiatives. Throughout her career, she has secured more than $70 million in National Institutes of Health funding and built a reputation for advancing community-centered cancer research, particularly for rural and medically underserved populations.
Baskin’s appointment represents more than a milestone in representation. It places a Black woman at the helm of one of the nation’s premier cancer research institutions at a time when racial disparities in cancer outcomes remain a persistent public health challenge. Her leadership signals growing recognition that scientific innovation and community engagement must go hand in hand to improve health outcomes.
As organizations continue to evaluate diversity in executive leadership, Baskin’s appointment demonstrates how Black women are reshaping leadership across STEM, healthcare, and academic research while driving innovation that directly impacts underserved communities.
AUTO FLEX: The Range Rover GT And Defender OCTA Appeals To A Wide Market
The design tells a distinct story.
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
It’s quite the dichotomy for Land Rover (JLR), as the British brand recently released two supreme vehicles in the UK that flow on opposite ends of the spectrum: urban lifestyle adventurer and on-road performance.
On one hand, the Range Rover Grand Tourer (GT), the 5th sibling of the stately SUV family, arrives with steady confidence, striking car-like dimensions, and a technology-oriented interior. It’s designed for speed, low profile, and ultimate dynamics. Then, the automaker switches gears like LeBron on a fast break and presents the empowering 2026 Defender OCTA, Land Rover’s most extreme Defender yet. Like the 76ers’ new power forward from Ohio, the OCTA is built like a bank vault, infused with finesse, and highlighted by intelligence on and off the field/court.
Range Rover Influence
The influential Range Rover has been immortalized in Black culture from sports to hip-hop since it first hit the scene. Notable mentions include The Notorious B.I.G.’s Range Rover reference in several songs, including “Player’s Anthem,” T.I.’s “Touch Down,” J. Cole in “Work Out” where he describes cruising through town in his Range, S1mba, the British rapper, built an entire hit single, “Rover,” around his Range Rover, using it as the central symbol of his come-up story, and Cam’ron’s “Hey Ma,” as part of his early 2000s Harlem luxury aesthetic. Anthony Joshua, the heavyweight boxing champion, freestyled a bar referencing his history of driving a Range Rover during an impromptu rap battle with Louis Theroux. Kobe Bryant was also known to keep a Range Rover in his personal fleet, described as muscular and a capable off-roader.
Master of Extreme Performance: 2026 Defender OCTA
Fast forward to modern times at the Eastnor Castle Estate in England to experience the Defender OCTA through 60 miles of carefully managed off-road trails that cut through the immaculate property. For decades, this has been the testing ground for Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery alike, where tough terrain has shaped the character of every vehicle carrying the name. Eastnor is the definitive way to witness the Defender OCTA’s durability and capability.
The OCTA may be Land Rover’s most capable Defender to date. Under the hood sits the most powerful engine ever offered in a Defender, delivering explosive acceleration and serious muscle when you need it most. The design tells a distinct story too. Wider wheel arches, tougher tires built to handle mud, rock, and steep terrain, a reworked rear end, and a larger grille all work together to help this SUV go further than most vehicles would dare.
If you’re wondering where the name comes from, Defender OCTA draws its inspiration from the diamond, the toughest and most desirable mineral on the planet, and specifically its octahedral shape, the very geometry behind both its strength and its unmistakable presence. That same shape now shows up in a new signature graphic, marking OCTA as the flagship of the Defender lineup.
New Confidence: Inside the Range Rover GT
Call it a sports car in a tuxedo. That’s not hyperbole. The Range Rover GT, previewed at one of JLR’s factories in England this past week, wore a striking two-tone white-and-graphite paint combination, with the darker shade pooling across the hood like a silhouette. For its public debut, JLR wrapped it in an artistic graphic inspired by the surrounding scenery of its UK home base. Running the full length of the roofline, from front to back, sits a signature design element: a raised, sculpted panel along the doors resembles the satin lapel on a dinner jacket. It’s a small touch, but it says everything about the elegance this vehicle is built around.
The shape alone makes the case. This is the lowest, sleekest stance Range Rover has ever produced, and you feel it the moment you sit inside. The roofline drops, the shoulders rise, and the whole vehicle reads more like a 4-door coupe than a traditional SUV. Years of development went into these proportions, with every curve shaped around performance and productivity. The nose merges seamlessly into the grille, the lines are clean and confident, and the tail cuts off with a boldness that takes a moment to fully appreciate if you grew up admiring Range Rover’s classic silhouette. It’s a purposeful design choice in service of performance. The wheel arches flex with real muscle, anchoring bold 22-inch two-tone wheels wrapped in high-performance tires and finished with the brand’s refreshed emblem.
Step inside through the frameless doors, and the cabin opens up with an airy, glasshouse feel. Range Rover has always built its reputation on doing it all: luxury and capability in one vehicle. The GT redirects that promise, leaning into long-distance comfort, smooth electric performance, and the all-terrain confidence the badge is known for. Even in this early form, the Range Rover GT already carries the most self-assured presence this family has ever produced. Yes, the tuxedo fits.
JLR’s presence across Black music and celebrity culture extends decades, evolving from a 90s and 2000s hip-hop status symbol into a more extensive marker of arrival across sports, entertainment, and business. It’s mentioned consistently by generations of artists and functions as a recurring character in the culture’s own storytelling. Now there are two more models to add to that history; surely the all-new Range Rover GT and the latest Defender OCTA will live up to the expectations.
Wells Fargo Bets On Blockchain With Tokenized Deposits For Corporate Clients
The banking giant's latest blockchain move signals that tokenized finance is becoming a mainstream tool.
Wells Fargo is making its biggest blockchain play yet, announcing plans to roll out tokenized deposits for corporate and commercial banking clients this fall. The move comes as traditional financial institutions continue to race to modernize how money moves.
According to a press release, the offering will allow businesses to transfer, settle, and program payments around the clock by representing traditional bank deposits—including U.S. dollars and British pounds—as digital tokens on a proprietary blockchain. Initially, the service will focus on cross-border payments before expanding into additional currencies and markets based on customer demand.
The announcement positions Wells Fargo alongside other Wall Street heavyweights investing in tokenized financial infrastructure. JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup have already introduced similar offerings as banks seek faster, more efficient payment systems while maintaining regulatory oversight. Unlike stablecoins issued by crypto companies, tokenized deposits remain traditional bank deposits, a distinction many financial institutions see as critical to compliance and customer trust, The Wall Street Journal reports.
For business owners with global suppliers, contractors, or customers, the move could eventually translate into quicker settlement times, improved cash flow management, and lower friction for international transactions. Treasury departments increasingly want payment systems that operate beyond traditional banking hours, and blockchain technology offers 24/7 processing without requiring businesses to hold cryptocurrency.
The launch also reflects a broader shift across financial services as blockchain evolves from a cryptocurrency buzzword into enterprise infrastructure. Instead of replacing banks, tokenization is becoming a tool banks are using to modernize legacy payment rails while keeping customer deposits inside the regulated financial system.
The product will initially operate on Wells Fargo’s proprietary blockchain but is expected to integrate with a broader tokenized deposit network being developed by major U.S. banks, potentially expanding interoperability across the banking sector in coming years.
As institutional adoption accelerates, Black founders and finance professionals may want to pay close attention, considering that tokenized banking represents a growing shift in how businesses could manage liquidity, automate payments, and move capital in an increasingly digital economy.
Community Fights To Save A Million Black Books Before Losing Them For Good
A grassroots campaign is racing to preserve one of Britain's largest collections of Black books.
When folks say “protect the culture,” they usually mean music, fashion, or social media trends. But across the pond, advocates are reminding the world that the real receipts are sitting on bookshelves.
A new campaign titled Save Our Stories is mobilizing support to preserve a collection of more than one million Black books believed to be one of the largest archives of Black literature in Britain. The effort comes after the building housing the collection suffered multiple break-ins, raising urgent concerns about the future of decades of Black history, scholarship, and storytelling, reports The Voice.
Veteran Pan-African activist and bookseller Nkrumah Pepukayi is at the center of the #Save1MillionBlackBooks campaign. For more than five decades, Pepukayi has collected books chronicling African, Caribbean, and Black British history, children’s literature, health, politics, and autobiographies. However, he says preserving that legacy has become just as important as building it.
“I have access to over a million books and I can’t even read 10 because I am so busy working. But one thing I can tell you, the more you know, it’s the more you know how little you know,” he told The Voice.
Activists say losing this archive would be bigger than misplaced paperbacks. They argue that it’s about preserving intellectual property, historical records, and the stories mainstream institutions have too often overlooked. That’s why the campaign is seeking to secure and repair the building before the collection can be cataloged, reopened to the public, and eventually made available for browsing and purchase. Black British Book Festival Founder Selina Brown, who is backing the effort, underscored what’s at stake in the campaign video.
“Every single book is here, in London, in the UK and what if I told you this building is under threat, of one million books being lost.” She added, “we cannot lose this, this right here is history and if we lose history, we lose everything.”
According to Pepukayi, reading is one of the greatest tools for liberation.
“It starts with one fact, intelligence rules the world, ignorance carries the burden.”
He also warned against allowing others to define Black history.
“If we don’t record our own story, tell our own story, it will be told by others and twisted to benefit them and to make it out as if we have done nothing. We have to tell our own story and we have a long story, an honest story, a story that we as African people need to know and need to tell others.”
Peep This Breakdown Of The Income You Need At Each Decade Of Your Life
About 34.5 million U.S. households fall short of the necessary baseline for 'essential wealth.'
Three in four Americans lack sufficient age-based income to handle unexpected financial setbacks and reach major life milestones, according to a report from The Aspen Institute.
The research introduces the concept of “essential wealth,” defined as having six weeks of take-home pay in cash savings combined with a net worth high enough to secure homeownership and retirement readiness.
About 34.5 million U.S. households fall short of that baseline, driving widespread financial pessimism despite overall economic stability and stock market gains.
While income covers day-to-day living expenses, short-term savings protect households from economic shocks, the report noted. Meanwhile, long-term assets such as real estate and investment accounts provide financial stability and independence, offering a clearer picture of economic health than salary alone.
To reach essential wealth, the think tank estimates the following net worth targets across life stages:
Reesa Teesa Turns Her Viral ‘Who TF Did I Marry?’ Story Into New Tell-All Memoir
The TikTok creator's memoir is about healing, ownership, and building a lasting brand.
Two years after captivating millions with her marathon TikTok series “Who TF Did I Marry?”, Tareasa “Reesa Teesa” Johnson is proving that viral moments don’t have to end with social media. Instead, she’s transforming one of the internet’s most talked-about sagas into a new milestone.
Johnson announced that she is releasing a new memoir titled What TF Do I Do Now? on Aug. 18, which shifts the spotlight away from the man who inspired her famous 52-part series and back onto herself. While the original videos chronicled the unraveling of her marriage to a man she alleged repeatedly lied about his identity, finances, and family, the book explores the deeper emotional work that followed.
“The ‘Who TF Did I Marry?’ [series] was really about this year and a half of my life with this one individual, but there’s so much more to me that led me to make the decision to be in that relationship,” Johnson told PEOPLE. “There were times while writing chapters that I cried. I had some moments where I second-guessed how vulnerable I wanted to be.”
“It takes a type of vulnerability that I did not know before, and yet I’m proud that I pushed through,” Johnson said. “I’m proud that I pushed through instead of being like, ‘No, I’m not saying that,’ or, ‘No, I’m not putting that in there.'”
She added that writing the book required a level of honesty beyond what audiences saw on social media.
“We’ve been taught, ‘Hey, you wanna keep it to yourself. Don’t share it, it’s private, a secret,'” Johnson said. “Some things are private, but in writing this book, my goal was to make sure no one feels as alone as I did… I want the reader to resonate with something in that book. To do that, I was gonna have to be very raw.”
The memoir also forced Johnson to confront difficult truths about herself.
“I have a history and relationships that I’m not necessarily proud of,” she admitted. “This is your habit. This is how you behave in relationships, and maybe that’s why they haven’t been successful, because there are things about you that you need to change.”
Since her series amassed more than 400 million views, she has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), secured a scripted television adaptation starring Natasha Rothwell, and expanded her platform beyond TikTok. Rather than allowing a viral moment to define her, Johnson is building a multimedia business rooted in authentic storytelling. Her advice to other creators is to think beyond social media.
“No longer do you have to limit yourself,” she said. “Social media can open the door for a much bigger world than you ever thought. If you have an idea or a story, think bigger, because social media can actually be your step toward book, television, podcast, or movie deals.”
Her Name Is Christopher: How This Black Woman’s Parents Used Strategy To Challenge Hiring Bias
This woman's unconventional name illustrates the lengths Black families take to level the playing field for their children.
Christopher Stewart is accustomed to getting surprise reactions every time she introduces herself or walks into a job interview. The 40-year-old New York hospitality professional has spent her entire life explaining that, yes, Christopher is her legal first name—and yes, she’s a Black woman.
Stewart recently shared on TikTok that her parents intentionally gave her what she describes as a “plain white male name,” believing it would give her an advantage in her career. The strategy, she says, was simple: use her name to secure job interviews and then let her qualifications speak for themselves once she met with a potential employer, reports Upworthy.
Her story has gone viral, garnering 2.2 million views and sparking conversation about racial and gender bias in hiring. It also points to the calculated decisions many Black families have made to help their children navigate systemic barriers.
According to Stewart, the approach worked. She told TODAY that employers have often expressed confusion when they realized Christopher Stewart was a woman. One recruiter reportedly ended a phone call believing she was joking, while others admitted they expected to meet a man. Despite the initial surprise, Stewart said those moments frequently evolved into productive conversations centered on her experience and credentials.
Stewart, who built a successful career in New York’s restaurant industry before transitioning into hospitality management, says she has grown to embrace the name her parents carefully selected.
Her story isn’t simply about an unconventional first name. It’s about the strategies Black families have historically employed to expand access to opportunity in workplaces where first impressions can begin long before a handshake. For Black professionals, Stewart’s experience supports research that finds that applicants with names signaling they are white and/or male have a greater likelihood of landing a job interview. Even though many employers have adopted diversity initiatives, concerns about implicit bias in résumé screening remain, particularly as companies increasingly rely on automated hiring systems and AI-powered applicant-tracking software.
DATE: OCT 21-23, 2026 | LOCATION: HYATT REGENCY GRAND CYPRESS | ORLANDO, FL
The XCEL Summit For Men is the nation’s leading conference dedicated to elevating and empowering men—celebrating their excellence through the XCEL Awards and equipping them with the tools to thrive at every level of leadership, from entry-level to the C-suite.
The XCEL Summit For Men is the nation’s leading conference dedicated to elevating and empowering men—celebrating their excellence through the XCEL Awards and equipping them with the tools to thrive at every level of leadership, from entry-level to the C-suite.
20-time Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, producer, and music icon
Kirk Franklin is a 20-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, songwriter, producer, and music icon. For over three decades, he has been a transformative force in contemporary Gospel music, blending Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Pop into a sound that resonates across generations. Widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative figures in modern music, Franklin continues to expand the reach of Gospel while redefining its place in mainstream culture.
In October 2023, Franklin released his critically acclaimed album Father’s Day (Fo Yo Soul/RCA), featuring the #1 hit single “All Things,” which earned him his 20th GRAMMY Award at the 2024 ceremony for Best Gospel Performance/Song. In 2025, he followed up with the powerful new single “Do It Again,” which reached #1 on the Gospel charts and further affirmed his ability to deliver both timely and timeless messages through music.
Franklin recently received the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards, recognizing his decades-long influence across music, culture, and entertainment. He also debuted the original series Den of Kings, a bold and compelling platform that explores faith, leadership, and personal growth. The series quickly gained traction, surpassing 1 million views in less than a week and marking a significant moment in faith-based storytelling.
Beyond the studio and stage, Franklin headlined The Reunion Tour 2.0, bringing together Gospel greats including Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, The Clark Sisters, Marvin Sapp, and Kierra Sheard-Kelly. His ability to bridge generations and genres is reflected in collaborations with artists such as Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Chance the Rapper, Kanye West, and Demi Lovato, extending the message of Gospel music to audiences around the world.
Franklin remains committed to developing the next generation of talent and uplifting communities. Through initiatives like Camp Lotus, he mentors aspiring artists and creatives, while also supporting organizations such as Compassion International and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His SiriusXM channel, Kirk Franklin’s Praise, and his work as an executive producer across television and film, including Kingdom Business on BET and Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas on Lifetime, highlight his continued impact across multiple platforms.
Kirk Franklin continues to stand as a trailblazer whose influence reaches far beyond music. Whether performing, creating, or mentoring, he inspires millions with a message grounded in faith, love, and resilience.
Robert L. Johnson is the Founder and Chairman of The RLJ Companies, LLC, an innovative business network, and owns or holds interests in businesses operating in hotel real estate, 401k financial management services, automobile dealerships, digital gaming, sports betting, and Italian menswear clothing.
Prior to forming The RLJ Companies, Mr. Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET), the nation's first Black-owned cable TV network.
In 1991 Johnson took BET public, making the network the first African American company to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2011, Johnson took RLJ Lodging Trust, a real estate investment trust (REIT), public. In 2012, RLJ Entertainment, Inc., a streaming services company, marked the third time Johnson successfully took a company public.
Mr. Johnson serves on the following boards: RLJ Lodging Trust; The Business Council; and Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Mr. Johnson holds a master’s degree in international affairs from the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Harris is currently CEO & Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture capital firm that invests in early to mid-stage Healthcare technologies and companies. He is responsible for managing a portfolio of private assets of early and mid-stage venture investments and operating companies.
He served as CEO and Executive Director, National Math & Science Initiative and led the organization’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement in communities across the country. He has been involved in math and science education for over 25 years through his philanthropy as founder of the Harris Institute & Foundation.
Dr. Harris was at NASA for ten years, where he conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in space. A veteran astronaut for over thirty years, he has logged more than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX), MassMutual, Solventum (NYSE: SOLV), and U.S. Physical Therapy (NYSE: USPH). Dr. Harris served as a Board of Director/Trustee for Salient Midstream & MLP Fund and Salient MF Trust, and Barings Fund & BBDC. In addition, he is on the nonprofit Boards of the Texas Medical Center (past Chair), Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, STEMNext and the Harris Institute & Foundation.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston, a Master of Medical Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Houston, and a Doctorate of Medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, a National Research Council Fellowship in Endocrinology at the NASA Ames Research Center, and trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base. He is also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.
Dr. Harris is the recipient of numerous awards, including nine honorary doctorates, NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA Award of Merit, National Space Grant Distinguished Services Award, James Bryant Conant Award, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a fellow of the American Telemedicine Association, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the recipient of the 2000 Horatio Alger Award and 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. In May 2025, Dr. Harris was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
He is the author of “Dream Walker: A Journey of Achievement and Inspiration” 2010 and “Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go Of Fear To Find Your Highest Potential” 2025.
Hall of Fame athlete, visionary entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and
corporate leader
Isiah Thomas is a Hall of Fame athlete, visionary entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and corporate leader whose influence spans professional sports, global business, and social impact. Widely regarded as one of the Top 10 greatest players in NBA history, Thomas is the only player to defeat Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Michael Jordan in playoff series during their MVP-level peaks — all without a single NBA Top 50 teammate. A 12-time NBA All-Star, 2-time NBA Champion, and 1990 NBA Finals MVP, he led the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back titles while topping the team in both scoring and assists.
Following his legendary 13-year playing career, Thomas transitioned seamlessly into the business world. He became the first NBA player to serve as Chairman and CEO of a publicly traded company and now leads Isiah Enterprises (formerly One World Products, Inc. – OTCQB: OWPC), a pioneer in renewable materials for the automotive and packaging industries through its Eco Bio Plastics division. He is also the owner of Cheurlin Champagne, imported under Isiah Imports — the largest Black-owned champagne house in the world — blending authentic French heritage with modern cultural influence.
As the founder of Isiah International LLC, Thomas’ ventures span real estate, sports, consumer brands, and technology. His business leadership earned him a spot on the cover of Forbes after reviving American Speedy Printing, and he co-founded Popcorn Indiana/BOOMCHICKAPOP, cementing his reputation as an innovative entrepreneur and early pioneer in sports media and technology.
Thomas currently serves on the boards of several major public companies, including UWM Holdings Corp. (NYSE: UWM), StratCap (NASDAQ: SCT), and Madison Square Garden Entertainment & Sphere Entertainment (NYSE: MSGE / SPHR).
Beyond business and basketball, Thomas is deeply committed to education and social change. He holds a Master’s degree in Education from UC Berkeley (4.3 GPA) and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University. His groundbreaking thesis, Books and Basketball: Black Males, Athletes, and Academic Achievement, was an early critique of NCAA practices that foreshadowed today’s NIL reforms.
A passionate philanthropist, Thomas founded the Peace Games, organized Detroit’s historic “No Crime Day” in 1986, and continues to invest in scholarships, education, and community empowerment. He is also a leading advocate for diversity in sports media and leadership, using his platform to create pathways for future generations.
Profile
Calvin Butler is president and chief executive officer of Exelon. Butler oversees Exelon’s six local electric and natural gas companies – Atlantic City Electric, BGE, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO and Pepco. Together, they form one of the nation’s largest utility companies by customer count, serving approximately 11 million electric and gas customers in New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. Butler serves on Exelon’s Executive Committee and is a member of the company’s Board of Directors.
Professional History
Prior to being promoted to CEO on Dec. 31, 2022, Butler had been president and chief operating officer of Exelon. Previously, he served in roles of increasing responsibility at Exelon, including senior executive vice president and COO (2021), Exelon Utilities CEO (2019) and as CEO of BGE from 2014 to 2019. Prior to that role, Butler served as BGE’s senior vice president for Regulatory and External Affairs. He also held various leadership positions at ComEd, including senior vice president of Corporate Affairs and vice president of Governmental and Legislative Affairs.
Before joining Exelon in 2008, Butler held senior leadership roles in external affairs as well as manufacturing with the print, digital and supply chain solutions company R.R. Donnelley. Butler spent his early career with Central Illinois Light Company (CILCORP, Inc.), where he worked in government affairs, legal and strategy.
Industry and Civic Involvement
Butler serves as the chairman of the Board of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Butler also serves on the Board of Directors for Battelle, Emerson Electric, Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, the Economic Club of Chicago, the Greater Washington Partnership, the Caves Valley Golf Club, and the Annika Sorenstam Foundation. He is on the Board of Directors and serves as the vice chair of the Institute of International Education (IIE) and on the Board of Governors for Argonne National Laboratory. He is a member of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the James Madison Council of the Library of Congress and serves on the Board of Directors of and is a previous chair of the Greater Baltimore Committee. He is immediate past chair of the Board of Directors of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and is also a past chair of the Gridwise Alliance, an advocacy organization promoting modernization and innovation for the nation’s electrical grid.
Jalen Rose created the blueprint for how athletes catapult professional sports careers into successful corporate and philanthropic empires. Rose burst onto the scene as a member of the “Fab Five” for the University of Michigan, where he was recognized as the leader of a group of freshmen that increased the global popularity and indelibly shifted the cultural impact of basketball and hip-hop. After a successful 13-year NBA career, Jalen is now a CEO, Philanthropist, Multi-Media Personality, Executive Producer, Actor, NY Times Best-Selling Author, and Brand Ambassador, establishing himself as a modern-day Renaissance Man.
As the Co-Founder and CEO of the recently launched Same Page Entertainment, Rose is a driving force for the cultural resurgence of his native Detroit. The Detroit-based multi-media production company develops, produces, finances, and distributes scripted and unscripted film, television and podcasts. Founded alongside Tom Gores, Chairman and Founder of Platinum Equity and owner of the Detroit Pistons, Same Page Entertainment is rooted in building stories that celebrate culture, champion new voices and spark meaningful conversations that bring communities closer together. No stranger to the TV & Film industry, Rose produced the critically acclaimed documentary The Fab Five for ESPN’s 30 for 30 franchise, and the viral “81 Olives” video. As an actor, Jalen has appeared in several projects, including South West High, Running Point, The Cookout 2, BMF, Fresh off the Boat, Just Wright, The Game, and Barbershop.
Long before it became common for active athletes to work in media, Rose broke ground as the first active NBA player to serve as a basketball analyst for his work with The Best Damn Sports Show Period for FOX Sports, and covering the NBA Playoffs for TNT. He later helped launch ESPN’s Get Up as an original host, while contributing as an analyst across SportsCenter and NBA Countdown. Currently a college basketball analyst for TNT Sports and making guest appearances on Inside the NBA, he spent 18 years as a lead analyst for ABC/ESPN – most notably as co-host of the award-winning Jalen & Jacoby podcast, which brought ESPN’s Grantland to the forefront and cemented his status as a top multi-media personality. Rose also expanded into print and audio through a partnership with the New York Post on “Renaissance Man,” a weekly column and podcast series. In addition, he served as a studio analyst with NBC Sports and Peacock during the 2024-25 season as part of Big Ten College Countdown, amid the network’s expanded college basketball coverage. In 2015, Rose released his New York Times bestseller, Got to Give the People What They Want: True Stories and Flagrant Opinions from Center Court, with Crown Archetype.
Selected in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft, Rose played 13 seasons in the NBA where he was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2000 and was an instrumental player for the Indiana Pacers reaching the NBA Finals. Despite all of his basketball accolades and cultural impact, Rose has made his biggest contributions off the court founding the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in 2011. The open-enrollment, tuition-free public charter high school located in the Detroit neighborhood where he grew up now serves more than 400 students annually and over 1,000 alumni, with a 95% graduation rate and 100% college and postsecondary acceptance. Rose has consistently centered his work around the city that shaped him, guided by a belief that access, representation and opportunity are inseparable from lasting impact.
Currently a Board Member of the National Basketball Players Association Foundation, Rose’s contributions to society through sports, philanthropy and business have earned him numerous honors, including the NBA’s Bob Lanier Community Impact Award, the National Civil Rights Museum’s Sports Legacy Award, the Inaugural Charter School Trailblazer Award from the National Alliance of Charter Schools, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Mannie Jackson Basketball Human Spirit Award, the University of Michigan’s President’s Medal of Excellence.
Victor J. Glover, Jr. was selected as an astronaut in 2013 while serving as a Legislative Fellow in the United States Senate.
He served as pilot of the Crew-1 dragon spacecraft, named Resilience, which flew to the International Space Station, where he also served as Flight Engineer for Expedition 64/65. Glover most recently served as Pilot of NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon. The crew launched on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, 2026, from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. With 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, the American-built rocket propelled the crew inside the Orion spacecraft, named Integrity, to space, delivering it to orbit with pinpoint accuracy. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen splashed down at 8:07 p.m. EDT April 10, 2026 off the coast of San Diego, completing a nearly 10-day journey that took them 252,756 miles from home at their farthest distance from Earth.
The California native earned an undergraduate engineering degree as a two sport athlete, while serving his community. Glover is a Naval Aviator and was a test pilot in the F/A‐18 Hornet, Super Hornet and EA‐18G Growler. He and his family have been stationed in many locations in the United States and Japan and have deployed in combat and peacetime.
Brandon M. Scott is the 52nd mayor of Baltimore, the youngest person to hold his position
in over a century. Mayor Scott is committed to ending gun violence, investing in our youth,
restoring trust in government, and building a better, more equitable Baltimore for all. In
November 2024, he made history as the first Baltimore mayor in 20 years to win re election.
Growing up in Park Heights, Mayor Scott witnessed firsthand the effects of disinvestment
in Baltimore’s communities and youth. This experience shaped his administration’s
priorities, resulting in substantial investments in education and recreation, including 14
new/renovated schools, 9 new/renovated recreation centers, and $100 million dedicated
to previously stalled housing projects in underserved neighborhoods.
During his first term, Mayor Scott spearheaded historic reductions in violence-–including a
40% decrease in homicides—through Baltimore’s first-ever Comprehensive Violence
Prevention Plan. The City also saw an 18% decrease in vacant properties, reaching the
lowest number in two decades.
Before becoming Mayor in 2020, Scott was unanimously elected president of the Baltimore
City Council by his colleagues after serving on the City Council for eight years, representing
Baltimore’s 2nd District. He was one of the youngest people ever elected to the Council.
Mayor Scott has emerged as a political leader known for his authentic, straightforward
approach. He serves as Co-Chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns and as First Vice President
of the African American Mayors Association.
He is often sought after as an adviser and policy expert on violence reduction strategies by
organizations and other elected officials, including the White House Office of Gun Violence
Prevention under former President Joe Biden. He previously chaired the National League of
Cities Large Cities Council.
Mayor Scott is a community leader, public servant, and son of Baltimore City. A proud
Baltimorean and lifelong resident, Scott is a graduate of MERVO High School and St. Mary’s
College of Maryland. He resides in the Westfield neighborhood of Northeast Baltimore with
his wife Hana, and their children Ceron, Charm, and Camden
Hands down the best event l've ever been to. It ain't even close - the brotherhood I got from being at this event is legit the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Every year, I try to attend. There are very few events that focus specifically on Men; focusing our efforts, refining our talents and developing lasting networks that serve us personally and professionally.”
“A great conference to attend, to participate in, and to witness great men doing great and awesome things in their lives and the lives of so many others. The networking was on
fire and I know many new collaborations and opportunities have been birthed.”
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Amenities include daily round-trip transportation to Disney, Universal Studio and Disney Springs. Pickleball court access, bike rentals, rock climbing wall, sailboats, paddle boards, kayaks, golf course, basketball court, access to jogging course and nightly movies at the pool.
Muhammad Ali turned each place he entered into a platform promoting Black pride, principle, and conviction. Just as the “Louisville Lip” from Kentucky shaped global culture decades ago, the University
A proud native of Detroit, Ed Gordon always knew he wanted to be a broadcast journalist. While he would mimic local newscasters when he was a junior in high school,
With a career in television and films spanning a little over 30 years, Anthony Anderson is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, comedian, and game show host. He has
It’s a case that underscores the significant compensation available when environmental negligence harms underserved communities. Ben Crump, founder and president of Ben Crump Law PLLC, negotiated a historic $626 million
Metta World Peace Learned A Valuable Lesson In His Failure To Invest
Former NBA star Metta World Peace explains how missing out on Vitaminwater's $4.1 billion payout influenced his shift to building a portfolio of 40 companies.
For Black athletes and creators, shifting from upfront endorsement payments to equity stakes is a key step to building long-term wealth. Metta World Peace recently discussed how missing a major investment opportunity early in his career led to his transformation into an investor with multiple companies.
On the Drink Champs podcast, the former basketball star, 46, shared that he declined an opportunity to invest $235,000 in Vitaminwater in 2007. Although he promoted the brand on his jerseys and supported local projects, World Peace chose immediate payment instead of equity.
“I turned that deal down because I’m like, ‘Pay me,’” World Peace explained during the episode. “In that deal, I didn’t know what equity was. When I came into the league… in our neighborhood, you have a certain amount of capital… How you going to 10x that? That’s what we call an investment today.”
In May 2007, just months later, Glacéau, Vitaminwater’s parent company, was acquired by The Coca-Cola Co. for $4.1 billion in cash, according to CBS News. While World Peace missed this payout, hip-hop mogul 50 Cent secured an equity position and earned an estimated $100 million from the acquisition, as reported by AfroTech.
Metta World Peace Explains How Not Understanding Equity Caused Him To Miss Out On This Investment, But He Doesn’t Regret It https://t.co/y83hGpf3uY
“People were talking about how much money I made, but I was focused on the fact that $4.1 billion was made,” 50 Cent previously told Forbes. “I think I can do a bigger deal in the future.”
World Peace’s experience is highly relevant to the Black business community. Historically, Black athletes and entertainers have contributed cultural influence but often been excluded from long-term enterprise value. For those from underserved communities with limited financial capital, immediate cash from endorsements often outweighs less familiar investment options like venture equity. Closing this gap starts with access to financial education and resources tailored to their experiences. Programs like Operation HOPE, The National Urban League, and the Black Business School offer culturally relevant financial empowerment courses, mentorship, and guidance. By seeking these resources, emerging athletes and creators can empower themselves to make well-informed financial decisions and chart a path to lasting wealth.
This story illustrates the value of financial empowerment in Black sports and business communities. Instead of letting early monetary errors define his path, World Peace used the missed Vitaminwater opportunity as a foundation for growth. He now manages a diverse portfolio of 40 companies, including ventures in tech startups, sports media, health and wellness brands, and real estate. By building businesses across industries, World Peace shows how Black athletes and creators can harness investment opportunities to create lasting impact.
“Don’t give up. That’s the main thing,” World Peace said on Drink Champs. “Yeah, at that time I didn’t know, and it wasn’t because I was dumb; it was because I was in the hood. And there’s a lot of people that’s in the hood that’s making mistakes. What I’m trying to say is, ‘Listen, don’t take the bait.’”
As Black professionals, athletes, and founders increasingly seek ownership and representation, World Peace’s journey acts as both an instructive story and a guide. It shows that while early mistakes can be costly, pursuing financial empowerment can create generational wealth.
