Brooklyn Chop House CEO And IHOP Franchisee Talks Global Expansion And 17-Year Journey, ‘I Wanted to Win’

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 29, 2023

Brooklyn Chop House CEO And IHOP Franchisee Talks Global Expansion And 17-Year Journey, ‘I Wanted to Win’

Robert Cummins has come a long way since serving as a music executive in the early 90s and 2000s. These days the former executive vice president of MCA Records boasts a robust portfolio of eateries in and throughout New York City with plans of expanding to Dubai, London, and Miami, Florida in the near future, AfroTech reports.

What started with just four IHOP locations in 2007 soon turned into an idea to develop an upscale restaurant offering a fusion of Chinese cuisine and American steak, the Brooklyn Chop House. Cummins and his partners launched the first location on Nassau Street in his native Brooklyn, NY in 2018 and the rest was history.

The restaurant’s delectable menu of filet mignon, peking duck, satay, dumplings, and more has made regulars out of stars like 50 Cent, DaBaby, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Cardi B, and Lil Baby.

“We thought it would be a more exciting menu to have the two of them together versus just having a regular steakhouse,” Cummins said.

“We wanted to be creative, and it paid off. People really gravitated to the mixture of the two menus.”

After four years in business and seeing how receptive customers were to the establishment, Cummins made a swift move toward expansion. The Brooklyn Chop House grew in March 2022 to include a Times Square location and a pop-up during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022 Formula 1 event last November.

Now the team is working toward opening a new permanent location at the W Abu Dhabi hotel in 2024 as well as potential deals in London and Miami, FL. All the while, Cummins is busy at work as the CEO of Brooklyn Chop House, an IHOP multi-unit franchisee owner, and franchisee and partner of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop.

The success he has now is the byproduct of a 17-year journey that came with its own setbacks and challenges.

“I had a few other restaurants and it took some time — actually 17 years — to get to this point of owning a higher-end fine dining restaurant,” he said.

“I had to take my failures and those failures I learned from. Not every restaurant worked. This is my 16th restaurant, so I still have eight open today. But I learned from my mistakes and was able to continuously grow. And I didn’t give up. I was persistent. I wanted to win. I knew there was something out there that I wanted to own.”

The global expansion is also just the beginning for Brooklyn Chop House as Cummins gears up for a partnership with Patti LaBelle to launch a line of frozen food products for Walmart and eventually other major retailers.

“By the success that she’s had with her line with Walmart, it enabled us to come in and get approved in a record amount of time, and hopefully we’re on shelves there,” he said.

“And then with that success, hopefully, everything goes well and then we can go into other retail outlets like Target and Kroger’s and so on. That’s another part of our business that we’re excited about and looking forward to in the future.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

August 29, 2023

Retired Black Educator of 31 Years Introduces STEM Learning Cards For Pre-School Students

In a dynamic move aimed at shaping the future of early education, retired educator and prominent educational consultant, Areulia Davis, introduces a unique STEM learning card set specifically designed for pre-school students.

Davis, a dedicated veteran of the education field with over 31 impressive years of experience, now turns her focus to the innovative development of STEM education. She strongly believes in the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and the need for its early introduction in classrooms to shape well-rounded, future-ready individuals. The STEM learning cards, a beautifully illustrated 16-card deck, break down the comprehensive areas into easily digestible segments. These cards make it accessible for teachers to introduce the fundamental concepts to their students in a fun, engaging, and interactive way.

“The learning cards are not just teaching aids, they’re seeds being planted for the future innovators of the world,” says Davis. “By making STEM education fun and accessible at an early age, we can inspire a love of learning and exploration that can last a lifetime.”

As a native of Chicago, Illinois, Davis continues to impact her community by serving on the board of the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council. This organization collaborates with local stakeholders, business owners, and officials to guide comprehensive planning and implementation in North Lawndale.

By bridging her significant roles in the Council and her passion for STEM education, Davis hopes to boost the educational landscape not just within North Lawndale, but far beyond. This venture reflects Davis’s larger goal: to ensure a sustainable and innovative educational future that empowers young minds to dream big, learn continuously, and make a difference.

To learn more about the STEM Learning cards, visit AreuliaDavis.com

This news first appeared and was first reported on Blacknews.com

Michael Jordan Is Now The Richest NBA Player Ever After Selling Hornets Franchise

by Daniel Johnson

August 28, 2023

Michael Jordan Is Now The Richest NBA Player Ever After Selling Hornets Franchise

After selling his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, NBA legend Michael Jordan’s net worth has reportedly skyrocketed to $3.5 billion. According to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, that figure makes Jordan the richest NBA player in history. Black Enterprise reported that Jordan could pocket an estimated $2.7 billion from the deal to sell the Hornets to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall.

Jordan wrote a letter to the Hornets faithful, thanking them for their support during his tenure as owner on Aug. 3:

“As Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, and their ownership group, now take a controlling stake in the team, and I transition to becoming a minority owner, I want to say Thank You to Hornets fans for all the love and dedication you’ve shown the franchise and to me over the years. We’ve had some unforgettable moments together, as well as a few challenging ones, but through it all, you’ve remained committed to us.”

Per Jordan’s statement, he maintains a minority stake in the team, which Bloomberg estimates at around 5%. Jordan has proven himself to be an astute businessman as he brokered a deal with Nike in 1984 that led to the establishment of the Jordan Brand, which now generates roughly $5 billion annually for Nike. Jordan receives 5% of all sales profits, which puts his take at around $256 million a year.

In September 2020 Jordan became the first Black owner of a NASCAR team, 23XI Racing; the team employs the only Black driver in the Cup Series, Bubba Wallace. Following Brad Daugherty’s team’s historic win at the Daytona 500, Daugherty credited Jordan, telling the Charlotte Observer:

“The reality of it is, without Michael Jordan, and I told him this, we don’t have an African American driver sitting in a seat who’s capable of winning a race every week.”

Michael Jordan continues to set the standard well after his playing days have concluded, and the results of his latest business deal only serve to emphasize that.

by Derek Major

August 28, 2023

Phoenix Mercury Eliminated From WNBA Playoffs, Ending League’s Second-Longest Playoff Streak

With their 77-74 loss to the Dallas Wings Sunday, the Phoenix Mercury have been eliminated from playoff contention, snapping the Mercury’s 10-year playoff appearance streak.

According to ESPN, the Mercury’s decadelong playoff streak was the WNBA’s longest active streak. The last time the Mercury missed the WNBA playoffs was 2012, when Diana Taurasi played just eight games due to injury, and Penny Taylor missed the entire season after tearing her ACL in the off-season. The Mercury drafted Baylor forward Brittney Griner after that season.

It’s been a disappointing and challenging season for the Mercury. Head Coach Vanessa Nygaard was fired in her second season after the team got off to a 2-10 start. Franchise players Griner and Taurasi have appeared in just 25 games. Taurasi has been dealing with a toe injury, and Griner took a three-game mental health break after spending 10 months in a Russian prison and missed a week due to being placed in the league’s health and safety protocols.

Additionally, All-Star point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith had her issues with the franchise as she said the team accused her of signing a contract extension knowing she was pregnant, an allegation she denied.

“It was a season that was not ideal,” interim coach Nikki Blue said, according to ESPN. “However, we still have a couple games left, so our season is not over yet. Although we might miss the playoffs this year, we still are going to focus on winning these next couple games.”

The Mercury also struggled last year but made the playoffs with a 15-21 record to keep the streak alive. Their streak is tied for the second longest in WNBA history with the Minnesota Lynx, who made the playoffs every year from 2011 to 2021. The current longest active playoff streak in the WNBA belongs to the Chicago Sky (2017-2023).

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 28, 2023

Young Thug’s Father Questions Why Trump Got Bond For RICO Charges But Not His Son

Donald Trump and Young Thug are facing RICO charges in Georgia, but only one has received a bond while the other sits in jail.

On Saturday, Aug. 26, Young Thug’s father, Jeffrey Williams Sr., appeared in an Instagram post shared by DJ Akademiks that shows him holding a sign calling out Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for seemingly showing favoritism despite the similarity in Trump and Young Thug both facing RICO charges in the state of Georgia.

“Trump & Crew got a bond, Young Thug & YSL face the exact same charges but no bond? Make justice fair!! We deserve a fair fight too, Fani,” the sign read.

Williams also wore a black “FREE YSL” t-shirt and had the message typed at the top of his sign.

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A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

While Williams was attempting to get justice for his son, many spectators explained why they think the rapper remains imprisoned, and Trump was allowed to bond himself out of jail last week.

“Trump isn’t accused of sendin hits on ni**as in the past 10yrs,” one person wrote.

“‘Exact same charges’ oh BROTHER💀💀💀bro a different level of delusional,” added someone else.

Trump was arrested at Fulton County Jail last week on charges that he and 18 co-conspirators attempted to overturn his 2020 electoral loss to Joe Biden in Georgia, according to The National News. Because of this, Trump and his allies were each charged with one count of violating Georgia’s RICO Act. In addition to Georgia, he also faces three federal indictments in New York, Florida, and Washington.

However, Young Thug’s RICO charges are a lot different in that the “Lifestyle” rapper’s indictment includes 65 counts against him and other members of YSL, a group prosecutors deem a “criminal street gang” affiliated with the Bloods that’s behind a series of violent crimes throughout the Atlanta area, including murder and armed robbery.

Rigging an election and committing violent crimes are two separate things. But Young Thug’s father believes his son is being treated differently from the former president since they both face RICO charges in Georgia.

Vice President Kamala Harris Announces $125M Support To Help Black Small Businesses

by Iman Milner

August 28, 2023

Vice President Kamala Harris Announces $125M Support To Help Black Small Businesses

Vice President Kamala Harris is making it her mission to even the playing field for Black entrepreneurs, who historically suffer from underfunding and face difficulty accessing capital.

Harris announced the Capital Readiness Program and the 43 winning organizations—a mix of non-profit and community-based organizations, private sector entities, and institutions of higher education located across the country—who will act as incubators for BIPOC-owned small businesses. “President Biden and I firmly believe that for America’s economy to be strong, America’s small businesses must be strong. I am proud to announce that we will invest an additional $125 million in small businesses across our country through a national network of small business incubators and accelerators,” Harris said. “President Biden and I are fighting to ensure that every entrepreneur in America—no matter who they are or where they live—can access the capital to start or grow a business, create jobs, and thrive.”

According to AFRO News, the Capital Readiness Program is the largest-ever direct federal investment into small business incubators of its kind. The organizations are partnering to assist and train underserved entrepreneurs seeking resources, tools, and support to start or scale their businesses in high-growth, high-wage industries such as healthcare, climate-resilient technology, asset management, and infrastructure. The Biden administration’s commitment to small businesses is part of its plan to grow the economy from “the middle out and bottom-up, not the top down,” as the president and vice president have overseen the disbursement of nearly $10 billion through the Treasury Department’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Among winners for the new program are the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Phoenix, Arizona, Bridgeway Capital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Urban League of Greater Atlanta, Georgia, The Northern Great Lakes Initiative in Marquette, Michigan, and The Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council in Silver Spring, Maryland.

by Alfred Edmond, Jr.

August 28, 2023

Bubba Wallace Clinches First-Ever Berth In The NASCAR Cup Series Championship Playoffs

NASCAR Cup Series star Bubba Wallace achieved an important milestone on Saturday, Aug. 26, clinching his first-ever championship playoffs berth with a 12^th place finish in the Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

An emotionally spent Wallace described the week leading up to Saturday’s race as “probably the hardest week I’ve had in a long time,” with the stress of staying hyper-focused on protecting his playoff position.

“So many people told me today, control what you can control,” he added. “If you do everything you can do, you can only be mad but for so long. We didn’t have any dumb errors, we didn’t take ourselves out of it, we didn’t speed on pit row; we just executed like we’re supposed to.”

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A post shared by Bubba Wallace (@bubbawallace)

Wallace, who races for NBA all-time great Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, had the final playoff spot going into the race, which RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher won. By coming in 12^th—avoiding a heart-stopping crash involving 12 cars, including two drivers who could have knocked him out of the playoffs—Wallace enjoyed an emotional post-race celebration, including a congratulatory hug from Jordan. In addition to Wallace’s success, Jordan witnessed the other driver on his Toyota team, Tyler Reddick, make NASCAR’s post-season.

Wallace joins a field of 16 drivers pursuing a Cup Series championship in NASCAR’s 75^th Anniversary season. The playoffs consist of a 10-week, four-round run to a final-four, winner-take-all finale at NASCAR’s Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 5.

Wallace, who described his post-season clinching performance as a fight for survival, looks forward to taking his talents to the next level: “Now, we just have to go out and execute, and put it all together.”

Simone Biles Wins 8th National Title, Becomes Most Decorated Gymnast In History

by Iman Milner

August 28, 2023

Simone Biles Wins 8th National Title, Becomes Most Decorated Gymnast In History

Simone Biles last competed in gymnastics at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. After stepping away from the sport to prioritize her mental health and start a new chapter in her personal life, the 26-year-old sports icon returned to the mat in a major way.

On Sunday, Aug. 27, Biles made history, winning her eighth all-around title at the US Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California. With the victory, she surpassed every gymnast, male or female, as the winningest athlete in the sport and became the oldest woman ever to take home gold at the competition. “I think it feels really special,” Biles said. “I’ve been doing it for so long, I feel like I don’t think about numbers, I think about my performance. And I think, overall, I hit eight for eight (routines). … I guess it’s a lucky number this year.”

According to CNN, the four-time Olympic gold medalist boldly claimed her all-around victory with a 15.400 score for her floor routine.

Though she seemed poised to face off at the 2024 Olympics, Biles avoided confirming her participation; however, her win at the US championships secured her a spot in the world championships competition, scheduled to begin on Sept. 30 in Antwerp, Belgium.

“I like to keep (my goals) personal just so that I know what I am aiming for,” Biles said. “I’m trying to move a little bit differently this year than I have in the past. So I think it’s working so far, so I’m gonna keep it a little bit secretive.”

Winning her 32nd medal and adding to her indelible legacy, Biles remarked on the love and support she’s received since leaving competition as a result of “twisties”—a mental block that causes a gymnast to lose track of their positions in midair—amid thunderous applause throughout her evening of record-breaking performances. “It’s really amazing. Everybody in here believes in me,” she said. “So I just need to start believing in myself a little bit more, but it feels amazing and I love the fans, I love the crowd. It was really special.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 28, 2023

Beyoncé Increases Small Business Sales After Silver Outfit Request

Queen Bey’s wish is the people’s demand. Beyoncé has requested that all who attend her Renaissance World Tour wear chrome for her 42nd birthday on Sept. 4.

The entertainer announced her birthday wish on her website on Aug. 22, telling fans she wants to see their “most fabulous” silver attire during the final leg of performances.

“Virgo season is upon us,” shared the entertainer. “This tour has been such a joy and as we approach the last month, my birthday wish is to celebrate with your wearing your most fabulous silver attire to the shows 8.23-9.22! We’ll surround ourselves in a human shimmering disco ball each night. Everybody mirroring each other’s joy. Virgo season together in the House of Chrome.”

The direct request from the notoriously private singer has ticket holders scrambling for appropriate outfits.

TMZ reported that customized stores, primarily found on Etsy, have been bombarded with purchases of Beyoncé-approved looks. Chrome-colored shirts some costing over $100 are selling out, as no one wants to look out of place in Beyoncé’s “House of Chrome.” Since the show-stopping announcement, local stores have had increased web traffic to their online platforms, with some retailers having as much as a 200% sales increase.

The “Cuff It” singer herself has remained true to theme, incorporating the color into many of her show-stopping outfits for the tour, which has been the summer’s hottest ticket in a concert season that also includes Taylor Swift.

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A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)

As Beyoncé champions uplifting small business owners, it would not be farfetched to say she’s happy fans are relying on local sellers to secure their Renaissance-ready outfits. Engagers in the spectacle that is Beyoncé’s tour can also expect her celebrity guests to partake in the parade of chrome.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 28, 2023

In 24 Hours, Diddy Donates $2 Million To Two Important Causes

It was an eventful weekend for Black people, especially when it came to finances. Atlanta was the place to be to bask in the glory of people seeking financial education, and Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is trying to do his part in helping build Black wealth, made two announcements within 24 hours.

According to XXL, while holding court at InvestFest at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, the Combs Global CEO made a significant donation totaling $2 million. He announced he was giving a $1 million investment fund in partnership with ‘Earn Your Leisure’ (EYL) founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings. The funds will be used to put in place investment strategies that have been and will be discussed on Earn Your Leisure. This will allow EYL to show others what economic empowerment entails.

“I’m thrilled to join forces with Earn Your Leisure. We’re going beyond discussing finances and taking action to demystify the world of investing for our community,” said Diddy.

He also stated that any profits from the fund would support the three Capital Preparatory charter schools in New York and Connecticut that he started “for the children.”

The second surprise donation was made to the Jackson State University Football team.

This one took place while he was attending the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge Kickoff. The funds are coming from the Sean Combs Foundation. Diddy made the promise last year while receiving his BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Supporting historically Black colleges and universities is crucial to preserving their legacy and ensuring they continue to change lives,” Diddy stated.

“This donation to Jackson State is not just a financial contribution; it’s an investment in the future of our culture.”

Diddy donated $1M to Jackson State during their season opener 👏

“If it wasn’t for HBCUs I wouldn’t be here. … Supporting HBCUs isn’t just my honor, it’s my responsibility.” pic.twitter.com/RCntZcUd1l

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 27, 2023

The mogul is making major moves as he is preparing to drop his latest music project, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” on Sept. 15. Right after the release of the album, Diddy will be right back in Atlanta for Revolt World taking place from Sept. 22 to 24.