Meek Mill may need a refresher on his negotiating skills. The Philadelphia rapper was seen in New York City over the weekend trying to haggle over a pair of sneakers. His technique didn’t work.
According to Complex, the “Dream Chasers” emcee was filmed at the Got Sole sneaker collection in New York trying to get a lower price for a pair of Green Nike SB x Air Jordan 4. The reseller told him the price of the sneakers was $500, but Meek, holding a wad of hundred dollar bills in his hand, balked at the price. The sneaker, which went on sale in March, retailed for $225, but sold out quickly, according to HipHopDX.
Meek told the man that he can go to a store and purchase them for $300. Yet, after the haggling failed, he gave up the $500 while chastising the reseller.
“I could buy these at the store right now for $300,” Meek said. When the man didn’t budge, not knowing who Meek was, he stayed at the $500 price tag.
“If I could buy ’em from the store for the regular price, why would I buy them here for $500? And give you a free commercial — that’s a bad move. I gotta teach you how to hustle.”
“You want the $500? I could buy these from the store right now for $300. You want $500? It’s a bad move. I’ma buy ’em from you but that’s a bad sale.”
“Now I’m going to the next table and might spend $5,000.”
No word on if the rapper bought more sneakers or tried to haggle more resellers. Many people questioned why Mill was haggling with small business owners when they are trying to make a living. Others asked if he would give discounts when doing shows and making public appearances. Although a Meek Mill endorsement might work for a seller, nothing is guaranteed.
Whoopi Goldberg Confirms Sexuality After Raven-Symoné Says She Gave Her ‘Lesbian Vibes’
Whoopi Goldberg is clearing the air on her sexuality after Raven-Symoné revealed the “lesbian vibes” she gets from The View host.
Goldberg was a guest on the Monday, August 21, episode of Raven’s Best Podcast Ever where she had her sexuality questioned after Raven joked about the “lesbian vibes” she picked up while working on “The View.”
“Honestly, when I was around you, I loved you so much, like, I just wanted to be up underneath the t*tty the whole time,” Raven-Symoné said. “But that’s also because you just kind of gave me lesbian vibes.”
“Sometimes, Whoops, you give me lesbian vibes, you give me stud vibes,” she added.
Raven’s wife and cohost, Miranda Pearman-Maday jumped in to insinuate Raven’s confession about Goldberg was a “secret fantasy” of the That’s So Raven star.
“I think she just wants everybody to be gay, and she’s just really hoping you’ll come out right here, right now,” Maday joked.
But the Ghost star wasn’t offended and cleared up the decades-long speculation surrounding her sexuality.
“Women have been asking me this for as long as I’ve been around: I am not a lesbian,” Goldberg declared.
She added more context about her connection with the lesbian community.
“But I know lots of them, and I’ve played them on television,” she explained. “I have always had lesbian friends, because they’re just my friends”
Among Goldberg’s most memorable lesbian roles include her Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Celie Johnson in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film The Color Purple and Jane in 1995’s Boys on the Side. As for her close friendships with lesbians, Goldberg knows how to set her boundaries.
“‘I’m not gonna kiss you, but I’ll kiss you over here. I’ll do this, but I’m not going to do this.’ And they’re like, ‘OK,'” she shared.
Raven-Symoné went on to applaud Goldberg for her “duality” in how she presents herself.
“It’s fantastic, you’re not either one or the other, you’re just a human living in your body and doesn’t really correlate to sexual orientation or any of that,” Raven said.
“It’s just the way you present and it’s so warming… You live in this duality so well, and I just want to applaud you for that.”
Bynes-Royall Funeral Home Celebrates Being The Oldest Black Business In Savannah
Savannah, Georgia, is a historic city filled with a rich culture and a large Black community. The city is honoring and celebrating its oldest Black-owned business, the Bynes-Royall Funeral Home, as it remains a crucial part of its Black entrepreneurial sector.
Bynes-Royall is Savannah’s first business created by Black people, as confirmed by the Georgia Historical Society. According to WTOC and its digital series celebrating Black Business Month, the company has been around since the late 1800s, with its current owners taking over in the 1950s.
Its grounds have a landmark plaque detailing its history and significance to Savannah’s African American residents and entrepreneurs.
“During the last years of Reconstruction, Maj. William Royall established the Royall Undertaking Company to serve African Americans denied mortuary services by Savannah’s White-owned funeral homes,” the historical marker states. “As a formal mortuary education was not available in the South until the early 20th century, Royall’s company trained many prominent Black funeral directors in the state through an apprenticeship program.”
The Bynes family were Brooklyn natives who bought the funeral home and moved to the Georgia city and added onto the name to maintain its history. The married couple, Frank and Frenchie Bynes, integrated their whole family into the business and the Savannah community as well.
The Bynes children spoke to the local news outlet about the values of determination and fearlessness instilled by their parents to become successful entrepreneurs, especially in an unfavorable era for Black business owners.
“But to be a Black business owner is so special because Black people have to do stuff a little extra harder to get where they are today,” shared one of the Bynes daughters.
“The proud moment of being a Black-owned business is that I can help everybody.”
As many of their children have become part of the operations, the ability to set their own entrepreneurial goals while working at Bynes-Royall is an opportunity they do not take for granted.
“Its freedom, its discipline, its consistency,” shared another member of the Bynes family.
“And for me, being able to start my business journey in this same building is…I can’t describe it.”
Black Business Month: Advice From 4 Entrepreneurs Dominating Business Ownership Through Franchising
August is Black Business Month, which is a great time to gather advice from some very successful Black business owners who are dominating the franchise industry in a variety of businesses.
BLACK ENTERPRISE connected with four entrepreneurs who have made their mark in franchising: Shannon Sevor, owner of GYMGUYZ in Silicon Valley; Ame and April Kennedy, owners of Pet Supplies Plus in La Grange, IL; Stephanie Moseley, multi-unit owner of Marco’s Pizza in Virginia; and Antoine Cheek, owner of Chem-Dry in Philadelphia.
BE took a moment to get all up in their business:
BLACK ENTERPRISE: What is the #1 piece of advice you have for Black entrepreneurs looking to start a business?
Shannon Sevor, owner of GYMGUYZ in Silicon Valley (Image Courtesy Of Shannon Sevor)
Shannon Sevor: Develop mental toughness. This means to cultivate a winner’s mindset. We are what we think about repeatedly. Dedicating significant time to mastering one’s mind is vital. The most practical way of doing this is to read, listen, and learn about the power of positive thinking. Mental toughness for Black entrepreneurs positions us on solid ground. Enabling us to remain confident during the good and character-building times. Through faith we can conquer all things.
(Image Courtesy Of Ame and April Kennedy)
Ame and April Kennedy, owners of Pet Supplies Plus in LaGrange
Ame and April Kennedy: To not be afraid to try something different and out of your comfort zone. Realize you may not know all of the correct answers…. yet. Research your target market and know who your customers will be. This will allow you to tailor an experience for them and not only just sell them products. Be bold.
Stephanie Moseley, multi-unit owner of Marco’s Pizza in Virginia (Image Courtesy Of Stephanie Moseley)
Stephanie Moseley: Ensure you have the financial health and the personal fortitude to stay the course until you achieve your dream. There will be many adversities and difficulties, sometimes gunning for you at the same time, but you must remain strong and steadfast while keeping your focus on the goal.
Antoine Cheek, owner of Chem-Dry in Philadelphia (Image Courtesy Of Antoine Cheek)
Antoine Cheek: Be prepared for the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur. Make sure you have a sound business plan and personal credit and business credit. In my opinion, this is a must.
Why is franchising a great opportunity for Black entrepreneurs?
Sevor: Franchising provides a playbook for success. Franchises consist of proven methodologies and techniques to grow a particular business. Franchising gives you the ability to take a refined idea and make it better without having to “reinvent the wheel.” There’s always room for improvement, and franchising helps entrepreneurs execute at a high level with support. For the Black entrepreneur, franchising is particularly important because it provides us with the opportunity to scale a business much faster and more efficiently. To whom much is given, much is expected.
Kennedys: Make sure you find the right franchise to work with. We chose Pet Supplies Plus over a couple of other smaller pet franchises because of the name recognition the brand has built into it and the support structure they have on the corporate side. This is an important key to success for the new franchisee. It somewhat takes the “brand building” out of the picture and allows you to focus on adding your personalized touch to the brand. This is the way you can set yourself apart from others. I love it when we get compliments on our service and personal touches. I also appreciate the foundation that has been laid down.
Moseley: Unlike starting a business with your own concept, franchising already has a sound, well-tested formula for success in place for you to follow. This helps to prevent you from serious pitfalls that could potentially wipe you out financially before you get off the ground. Franchising also offers tremendous support in site selection, financing, and ongoing training that you don’t necessarily receive as a sole proprietor. Finally, it is easier to obtain funding, standing behind a solid brand like Marco’s Pizza. Banks are risk averse, therefore, they are more likely to approve a loan to open a proven brand vs an unknown entity.
Cheek: You are joining a brand with a proven business model. In franchising, you’re given a blueprint to successful results. Every business has its ups and downs, but franchising provides you with the additional support of a corporate team and other franchisees who have gone through similar situations.
It has been almost two years since Ball appeared in a regular season game onJan. 14, 2022. Two previous surgeries have not corrected the issue he is having with his left knee; the third one took place in March.
On Monday’s episode of From the Point by Trae Young, the podcast hosted by the Atlanta Hawks star guard, Ball discussed his injury travails.
“When I first got hurt, we didn’t really know what it was,” Ball told Young. “I was seeing all types of different doctors and stuff. I was just kind of going up and down. That was really hard for me because I just didn’t know what the next day was going to be like.
“At least now, I got the surgery. We got a plan moving forward. We’ve been on plan. I’m on track. Hopefully, everything works out. I just leave it up to God and do the best I can and live with the results.”
“It’s going to be a big what-if,” Ball said. “I feel bad, just for the [Bulls’] GMs because I feel like they made the perfect team around me. I felt like that was the most I’ve ever been involved in an organization. And I finally got the perfect team that I felt like could fit my game and play my way and really just do what I wanted to do.
“That injury—I’m still going through it right now, but that one messed me up early because I felt like we had a chance and never got to see what it was.”
The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Ball as the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, where he played for two years before a sign-and-trade deal sent him to the Bulls. He averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 35 games until his injury.
Lonzo is the oldest Ball brother playing professional basketball. LiAngelo is in the NBA G League; the youngest, LaMelo, plays for the Charlotte Hornets.
Sha’Carri Richardson Makes Powerful Statement By Only Speaking To Black Reporter After Title Win
Sha’Carri Richardson is on cloud nine after securing her first world title at the world championships and took time to speak to one Black reporter after a big win.
Richardson went viral on Tuesday, August 22 after a Twitter user posted a video clip that seemingly showed the American sprinter give one Black reporter an interview before shunning the other outlets.
“Sha’Carri Richardson only spoke to black journalists and told the white journalists, ‘No, thank you!’” the Twitter user claimed.
The video posted shows Richardson speaking with one reporter after her world championship win but kindly telling the remaining reporters, “No, thank you.”
Sha'Carri Richardson only spoke to black journalists and told the white journalists, ‘No, thank you!’
“In 2021, yt media lambasted this young lady and painted her as a some kinda addict undeserving of sympathy after losing her mother and resorting to use weed,” one user explained.
“How is it white peoples fault she failed a drug test??” another user asked.
One person called for Richardson to be “canceled.”
The outspoken track and field star is no stranger to controversy. She missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after failing a drug test when cannabis showed up in her system. Richardson credited her marijuana use as a way to cope with the unexpected death of her biological mother while she was in Oregon for the Olympic trials, the New York Timesreported at the time.
But Richardson still faces criticism as she works to redeem herself ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
On Monday, she became the fastest woman in the world, winning the biggest 100-meter race this side of the Olympics.
Richardson has also been flicking it up with Jamaican sprinters Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson to shut down online chatter about an alleged feud that ignited between the track and field stars before the 2020 Olympics.
This is growth. This is maturation. This is Sha’Carri Richardson, a champion.
The relationship between Sha’Carri & Jamaica was contentious, but if you’ve followed Richardson, she’s developed as a human as much as an athlete.
Now with her latest wins, Richardson proves that she wasn’t lying last month when she said, “I’m not back, I’m better!”
“I’m here to say, ‘I’m not back, I’m better ..’
Sha'Carri Richardson wasn't joking when she said this after winning the US championships in July. She literally proved it today. pic.twitter.com/jh3aIitZHG
‘It Is What It Is’: Cam’ron and Ma$e Sign 8-Figure Deal With Underdog Fantasy
Harlem is on the rise! It is what it is!
According to HipHopDX, the sports podcast “It Is What It Is,’ founded and controlled by Harlem natives and childhood friends Cam’ron and Ma$e, has inked a new deal for the show. The two rappers reunited after a longstanding beef to start this humourous sports show that has grown a major following. Cam’ron also created the ‘Come And Talk 2 Me’ network, where this show can be seen on YouTube.
The deal is allegedly for eight figures and starts next month with Underdog Fantasy. The agreement is reportedly for 18 months. Underground Fantasy is a sports betting platform that has also partnered with former NBA player Gilbert Arenas for his podcast, “Gil’s Arena.”
In an Instagram post on Monday, Cam’ron, aka Cameron Giles, announced the news to his nearly three million followers. In the post, he tells fellow rapper Ma$e, born Mason Betha, that they are now even! Ma$e was instrumental in getting Cam’ron into the industry via his connection with The Notorious B.I.G. Before Ma$e signed with Diddy and Bad Boy Records, he, Cam’ron, and the late rapper Big L was part of a collective that called themselves “Children of the Corn.” The three grew up near each other in Harlem, New York City.
“Yo @rsvpmase now we even. It’s ya go again. Pause lol. All jokes aside thank you for everything. Now let’s go kĩll these ni**as!”
Earlier this year, Cam’ron took to his Instagram account to let people know that although there is interest in his platform, he is about his business.
“A lot of n***as hollering at me to try and buy my show, make my show a part of what they’re doing,” he said. “And listen, I appreciate the love, I appreciate the interest and everything else. This is fully funded by me. I ain’t go get no help, I ain’t got no partners, I ain’t got no bank that came and did all this sh*t.”
He made it clear that whoever partners with him has to “offer something” he doesn’t have.
“Y’all gonna have to offer something that I ain’t got. Now, you don’t know what I got. You could assume what I got. I’m not gonna be unreasonable, but you gotta be fair. And right now, for the time being, we gonna have fun.”
The show premiered earlier this year on Feb. 27 and took off with 126,355 views. The “Come And Talk 2 Me” network has over 307,000 subscribers.
Why Are Older Adults Drinking, Consuming Drugs At Higher Rates?
Over the years, studies have shown an overwhelming increase in alcohol and substance use among middle-aged and older Americans. But fewer younger adults are choosing alcohol and are more likely to partake in cannabis use. Why?
A new study from the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future panel illustrates just how much binge drinking has become a lifestyle for middle-aged adults, as well as using marijuana or consuming hallucinogens. What’s more, after tracking substance use among about 28,500 adults across the country between 19 and 60 years old, the data reveals historic highs, CNN reported.
Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the organization that funded the survey, said in a press release that “understanding these trends is a first step, and it is crucial that research continues to illuminate how substance use and related health impacts may change over time.”
Rising binge drinking rates aren’t a new phenomenon
Researchers found that nearly 30% of participants of adults between 35 and 50 reported binge drinking, reaching higher levels than ever before. The data signifies just how consistent the rise in rates has been since 2012. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 60 million, or 21.5%, of people in the United States ages 12 and older reported binge drinking.
It’s even on the rise among adults ages 65 and older more than 11.4% of adults ages 65 and older reported binge drinking in the past month. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a “pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%—or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter—or more.”
In other words, this typically occurs when a person has five or more drinks within a two-hour window.
Marijuana and hallucinogen use reported at meteoric levels
The 2022 survey results uncovered that more people were using marijuana daily than ever before, nearly doubling from 2012. Around 44% of adults under 30 are willing participants, which is a spike from 28% just ten years ago. On the other hand, in 2022, 28% of adults ages 35 to 50 used marijuana in 2022, an increase of 17% from five years ago.
Dr. Joseph Palamar, an associate professor and substance use expert in the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone, told CNN “it looks like we’re reaching a point in which parents and grandparents are almost as likely to smoke weed as the kids.”
According to the study, middle-aged adults also used hallucinogens such as LSD, MDMA, peyote, and psilocybin at record rates. Less than 1% used hallucinogens, compared with 4% in 2022. Meanwhile, 8% of young adults are users.
Shifting attitudes between younger adults and older adults
In October 2022, the Pew Research Center survey found that 88% of American adults said either that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use (59%) or that it should be legal for medical use only (30%). Meanwhile, one in ten reported that the drug should not be legal in any form. These views have held steady since 2021.
Two reasons were cited as important: “marijuana’s perceived medical benefits (86%) and the idea that legalizing the drug would free up law enforcement to focus on other types of crime (70%).” And the “majority of Black adults (68%) and White adults (60%) say marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use, compared with smaller shares of Hispanic (49%) and Asian Americans (48%).”
Why the uptick among older Americans?
According to a 2023 Gallup analysis, more and more young adults are particularly concerned that “moderate drinking is unhealthy.” Fifty-two percent now hold this belief, which is a considerable upsurge from 34% five years ago. In comparison, there was a 13% increase in those 55 and older who agreed. This data sheds lights on the generational changes behind the uptick.
For example, Gallup found that baby boomers “(those born between 1946 and 1964) have consistently been more likely to drink alcohol than the Silent Generation (born before 1946).”
Additionally, baby boomers’ drinking consumption stands steady at nearly 65%. This occurs as “they replace the Silent Generation as America’s oldest age group, the drinking rate among older adults has increased.”
Summertime is a great backdrop to get in with a few good books, but the fast-approaching fall season is even better.
While many of us are taking it to the streets and hollering, “We back outside,” a number of folks are looking forward to some good old reading pleasure surrounded by the simplicity and beauty of nature—the steamy days in summer and cool crisp air in autumn. A good story, cocktail and refreshments are pure satisfaction for many book lovers out there.
It’s a whole mood—one BLACK ENTERPRISE is happy to facilitate. Here are 10 books by Black authors to indulge as you as transition between the seasons.
1.) One Blood
(Photo courtesy of Ahsan Washington)
One Blood (out September 5) is a novel written by six-time New York Times bestselling author Denene Millner. One Blood, inspired by the author’s own adoption journey, tells the tale of three generations of women and their fight with forgiveness, love, and survival during major movements in Black American history.
2.) Bigger Than Bravery: Black Resilience And Reclamation In A Time Of Pandemic
(Photo courtesy of Ahsan Washington)
This anthology curated by Valerie Boyd highlights a world in which the Black authors convey the systematic racism, fear, and uncertainty Black folk endured and transcended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The text includes critical work from authors Alice Walker, Imani Perry, Kiese Laymon, Honorée FanonneJeffries, Pearl Cleage, and BLACK ENTERPRISE’s director of digital content, Ida Harris.
April Ryan records her journey from working class Baltimorean to member of the Washington, D.C. elite. Ryan highlights her reporting career and the Black political leaders she calls “She-roes” who stand on the frontline of America’s constitutional, civil, and economic fight to make the world a better place.
Written by Questlove, the six-time Grammy award- winning musician, with S. A. Cosby, an award- winning author from southeast Virginia, The Rhythm Of Time is a story of friendship, music, and time travel. Best friends Rahim Reynolds and Kasia Collins travel back in time to 1997 by way of a man-made phone.
Set to be released next month, Black AF History—written by Michael Harriot— is a story of unlearning what we think we know and exposing the whitewashing of Black history in America. Harriot unapologetically reveals the dark facts of American history through research, as well as highlighting the Black experience and the lies that have undermined Black peoples’ existence in America.
Charity C. Elder gets into Black women’s ability to overcome oppression. Power puts a spotlight on the success of the Black women’s adversity, and how they have been integral in shaping the framework of American history.
This coffee table book inspired by W. E. B. Dubois and reimagined by Karida Brown and Charly Palmer, is a love letter to Black families, specifically Black children. Dubois released the original Brownies’ Book in 1920 with Jessie Resmon Fauset with works by Langston Hughes, Nella Larson, and Sojourner Truth. The New Brownies’ Book will be released in October and include works by Hughes, Ntozake Shange, Alfred Conteh—and again, BE’s own Ida Harris.
Puma x Rhuigi’s Latest Collab Spotlights NYC Barber Chic
Puma and Rhude founder Rhuigi Villaseñor are shedding light on another pillar of New York City’s culture, the barbers that uphold it. Their latest designs will pay tribute to the innovative streetwear showcased in the shops.
As revealed by Highsnobiety, the launch will be part of Puma’s fifth phase in its collaboration with the fashion designer as they continue building a collection that encapsulates the spirit of the eclectic city.
The barbershop has always been a stomping ground to display one’s style and stir conversations about society. Drawing back to this locale to source new inspiration has resulted in an innovative presentation of colors, fabrics, and silhouettes that attract all people. The designs are directly inspired by the classic barbershop fits and aesthetic, from pin-striped sets and velour tops to mix and match for a unique look.
To create a flair of its own, many of the pieces are adorned with a specifically crafted crest symbolizing the collection. And, of course, Puma is releasing shoes stemming from its traditional form with a basketball low top, deemed the Clydes.
However, the Puma Clyde will be taken up a notch, creating premium styles in blue and white colorways, incorporating leather and suede into the footwear for a distinct look. While the shoes themselves start at $120, the rest of the clothing will range from $100 to $250 for the more premium options.
Although he hails from Los Angeles, Villaseñor has sought inspiration from the Empire State to create looks representing East Coast streetwear. The creative director announced the newest drop on his social media page.
The drop urges cultural forces and fashion aficionados to participate in the throwback movement uplifting the hubs that first showed them love. The pieces will be available at Puma stores nationwide and online now.
