NBA Hall-of-Famer and one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Shaquille O’Neal, is talking money and business with his children these days.

The 7-foot-1 basketball star earned a generous $300 million throughout his NBA career, and according to Insider, O’Neal says he has “probably quadrupled” his net worth after adopting an investment technique from Jeff Bezos.

Although O’Neal is known for his generosity, he is cautious with his spending, even when it comes to his children. “I’m not just gonna give you money for a party,” O’Neal said.

The 15-time All-Star has made significant earnings from his career, but as a father, he does not believe in simply giving money to his kids just because they ask for it. O’Neal closely abides by an ideology called “respectable nepotism.” Before agreeing to fund his children’s request for money, he requires them to deliver a business plan. 

“Since you want me to be the bank, I’m gonna do exactly what the bank is going to do to you,” O’Neal said.

He has scored major points with his “respectable nepotism” philosophy. His son Myles showed interest in becoming a DJ, following in O’Neal’s footsteps, also known as DJ Diesel on Instagram. Myles has toured with some of the biggest names in electronic music and held a residency at Wynn Las Vegas. Myles has also had the opportunity to headline at various shows across the U.S. O’Neal calls his son “one of the top DJs in the world.”

“And he’s done it by himself,” O’Neal said.

According to People, Taahirah, who is O’Neal’s oldest daughter, has graduated and is pursuing a corporate communications career. His son, Shareef, played basketball at UCLA — his father’s alma mater — before advancing to the NBA G league. 

Insider reported that his other three kids remain in school and have not pitched any career ideas to their father yet. The NBA legend hopes he can “bribe” his daughter to pursue a graduate-level degree. “I’m like, ‘If you go to law school and graduate, you get a big bag,’” O’Neal said to the outlet. “So I’m trying to bribe all of them…”

O’Neal said he believes his three children that are still in school, are “the smartest” and will run the company.

RELATED CONTENT: Shaq Walked Away From A $40M Reebok Deal After A Mother Berated Him Because His Shoes Weren’t ‘Affordable’

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 21, 2023

Stephen A. Smith Proclaims Taylor Swift Show ‘The Best Concert I’ve Ever Been To In My Life!’

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We wonder what Beyoncé and the Beyhive will say about this!

ESPN’s First Take host Stephen A. Smith praised pop singer Taylor Swift. After attending a concert with his daughter and her friends, he said it was “the best concert I’ve ever been to in my life!”

The loud-talking controversial personality said on a recent episode of his Stephen A. Smith Show radio show that his daughters wanted to go to the Taylor Swift concert. Since he is “perceived” to be rich, he purchased 10 tickets at $2000 apiece. (But, he did get two free tickets from his “man Mark Shapiro”).

They caught her at The Eras Tour in Los Angeles.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 21, 2023

Biden Administration Announces $25M Ad Campaign Targeting Black Voters

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President Joe Biden is working on his 2024 presidential campaign to get the Black vote back.

The Biden administration announced a 16-week $25 million advertising campaign targeting Black and Hispanic voters in key battleground states, the Washington Examiner reports. His target states include Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with the ads focusing on the president’s economic policies, nicknamed “Bidenomics.”

The ads are set to run during NFL Kickoff and the World Series and will be featured on platforms such as YouTube Reserve, Hulu, and Connected TV. Social media users will also see the ads on Instagram and YouTube Shorts.

According to Florida Politics, messaging from the ads will focus on middle-class job recovery and a rise in manufacturing during his first term. In one ad titled “First Day,” the YouTube clip highlights the rise of Black business owners and the decrease in Black child poverty, narrated by a Black woman. “On his first day in office with a country in crisis, President Biden got to work. For us,” the narrator says.

“Cutting Black child poverty in half. More money for Black entrepreneurs. Millions of new, good-paying jobs. He’s lowered the cost of living and prescription drugs, but there’s more to do.”

Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, says the strategy is to stay on top of the real issues Americans are facing before heading to the voting polls next fall. “This historic buy ensures that the President’s message reaches all Americans where they receive their news, and sends a clear sign that we are investing in an aggressive, meaningful, and effective paid media strategy,” Rodriguez said.

“As Republicans head to the debate stage next week to put on display their extreme and out-of-touch positions, we are investing in reaching Americans across the country with President Biden and Vice President Harris’ message for the middle class and for Americans’ fundamental freedoms.”

This is good timing for Biden’s ads as new polls from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows only 36% of adults in the U.S. approve of how Biden has handled the dwindling economy—a slight decrease from his 42% overall performance rate.

Murder Inc. CEO Irv “Gotti” Lorenzo appeared on Revolt’s “Drink Champs” again and raised eyebrows once more when he commented on Damon Dash’s role in the highly successful record label Roc-A-Fella Records.

Gotti is no stranger to controversy. His last appearance on the popular podcast created more tension between him and his former artist Ashanti when he claimed that a hit song she wrote, “Happy,” was done after the two were intimate.

According to HipHopDX, this time, Gotti injected his belief that Jay-Z would have been successful without Roc-A-Fella Records’ founders Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke. Dame recently revealed that the dissolution of the famed Roc-A-Fella Records label was due, in part, to the romance he had with deceased R&B singer Aaliyah, and it was alleged that both men were attracted to the late singer. Both were alleged to have made advances, and eventually, Dame was the victor in that campaign.

Yet, Gotti wasn’t trying to hear about that theory that Dame shared.

N.O.R.E., one of the hosts of “Drink Champs,” asked Gotti if he knew that there was a rumor that Dame was removed from the exhibit featuring the works of Jay-Z at the Brooklyn Public Library, The Book of HOV.

Gotti said: “I don’t know, I ain’t see it … Probably. I don’t think Jay likes Dame.”

He then spoke about the Brooklyn rapper not needing Dame or anyone to be the successful artist he became.

“Jay didn’t need nobody,” Irv said. “[Dame] started Roc-A-Fella with Jay and Biggs, so he should get credited. [But] I’m saying the making of the records — I don’t know what you want me to say. Jay didn’t need nobody.”

He emphasized that Jay crafted his own songs, picked his tracks, and did the things that made him a prolific recording artist.

“Jay was picking the beats, Jay was rapping over the beats, Jay was making things — it was all Hov! Dame was along for the ride. It was a great ride.”

Although Dame and Jay aren’t seeing eye-to-eye these days, many people feel that Dame was very instrumental in the success of Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records.

• Women

by Derek Major

August 21, 2023

Sha’Carri Richardson Continues Her Winning Streak At World Athletics Championships

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Sha’Carrri Richardson continues her run to the 2024 Summer Olympics after running the fastest 100-meter time during her heat at the World Athletics Championships in Hungary on Sunday.

The former LSU track star easily won her heat, posting a time of 10.92 seconds, pretending to wipe sweat off her brow as she crossed the finish line ahead of Jamaica’s Natasha Marrison, who finished second.

After the race, Richardson said she is more focused on her Olympic goals this time around and is not out to prove herself to the world.

“The world — I’m not worried about the world anymore. I’ve seen the world be my friend. I’ve seen the world turn on me. But [at] the end of the day, I’ve always been with me. God has always been with me, so being on this scale now, it’s my time. It’s always been my time, but now it’s my time to actually do it for myself and the people that feel like me, the people that look like me, and the people that know the truth about themselves as well. I represent those people.”

““I’m not worried about the world anymore.”
– Sha’Carri Richardson

📺: CNBC | #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/cyidCCJQH1

— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) August 20, 2023

Richardson received worldwide acclaim and was expected to bring home a medal at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, but tested positive for THC after a qualifying performance. The track star admitted to smoking cannabis to cope with the death of her biological mother at the time and was given a one-month ban by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

This yea,r Richardson has been on her game, posting a 10.57 seconds pace at the Miramar Invitational in April and a 10.71, the fastest of the year according to CNN, at the US Championships in Eugene, Oregon, last month.

If Richardson qualifies for the Paris Olympics, she will have some stiff competition from Jamaican sprinters  Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Shericka Jackson, who won the gold, silver, and bronze medals in Tokyo.

• Uncategorized

by Jeffrey McKinney

August 21, 2023

300+ Black- And Women-Owned Suppliers Have Joined Hyatt Hotels As Part Of Its Ongoing DEI Efforts

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Hyatt Hotels Corp. has added more than 500 new Black suppliers to buy goods and services, beefing up its diversity procurement efforts since 2020.

Further, the hospitality giant declared it has added 759 managers of color in America from just over three years ago. Those are among metrics in Hyatt’s 2022 World of Care Highlights and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Report. It illustrates efforts and progress in Hyatt’s DEI journey, along with showcasing areas where the Chicago-based company still has more work to do to keep advancing in that discipline.

Hyatt’s DEI efforts are important, given it’s a major player in its industry. The company had roughly 189,000 employees and revenue of nearly $6 billion last year

As part of its Change Starts Here goals, Hyatt explained the company provides actionable steps towards who it buys from and partners with. It also detailed who the company supports, employs, develops, and advances. At the end of 2022, Black suppliers accounted for 34% of total diverse- and women-owned supplier spend, surpassing Hyatt’s 2025 Change Starts Here 10% goal and more than tripling that target.

The company has added 500 new Black suppliers since 2020, up from 192 suppliers in 2021.

Hyatt declared the feat “underscores our 2020 commitment to expanding minority representation in our supply chain.” The global hospitality and hotel chain’s efforts are benefitting diverse suppliers. Take Black-owned Back of House Concepts, a local staffing agency that connects community members with work opportunities. Through a multi-year partnership, Hyatt Regency in Seattle Washington has welcomed over 100 colleagues through Back of House Concepts to stewarding, housekeeping, and engineering roles.

“Looking forward to 2025, we are very focused on the work ahead to achieve our Change Starts Here commitments, and while we are encouraged by the progress we have made, even more profound is our energy to do more. And when inclusion is brought to life through the words and actions of our approximately 189,000 colleagues, we create an unstoppable force for a good that demonstrates the power of creating a culture of empathy, respect and care,” Hyatt wrote in its report.

In 2022, Hyatt introduced Caption by Hyatt, a new lifestyle brand within the select service category that furthers Hyatt’s commitment across its portfolio to hire diverse talent, vendors, artisans, and suppliers. And the culinary team at Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill uses Mark Henry’s Island Bwoy Cuisine jerk seasoning at the property’s restaurant.

“We feel it is our duty to continue to help support the small, local, and diverse businesses in their communities and help both new and long-time suppliers grow their businesses and reach their goals,” Hyatt said.

In its 2022 report, Hyatt spotlighted the six community-based organizations receiving multi-year grant commitments totaling $1 million over three years from the Hyatt Hotels Foundation under the Change Starts Here Grant Program. These organizations focus on one of three key pillars, including magnifying long-term focus on providing resources for Opportunity Youth through RiseHY, strengthening Chicago communities, and supporting small and diverse-owned businesses. The organizations include Black Men Lab Foundation, Male Mogul Initiative, Greater West Town Community Development Project, Urban Juncture Foundation, Allies for Community Business and Neighborhood Development Center.

On the people front, based on Hyatt’s 2022 DE&I report, over 50% of entry-level managers and almost 55% are People of Color (POC). According to Hyatt’s 2020 DEI report, the company had growth in that space as 37.5% of managers were POC – with 47.5% of POC as entry-level managers.

Hyatt added it is now working to boost the representation of Black people and women in key leadership roles by 2025. Hyatt emphasized that it has embedded DE&I into its business, goals, and strategies. “We know that diverse workforces don’t just happen, they’re intentionally built,” Hyatt wrote.

Reflecting on the efforts, Hyatt’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Malaika Myers, stated among her comments, “We are committed to ensuring that our DE&I practices are more than just words on a page. We will continue to hold ourselves accountable to our 2025 Change Starts Here commitments, which is our call to accelerate our DE&I goals.”

RELATED CONTENT: Hyatt Corporation Awards Black-Owned Startups $30K In Business Grants

You never know who is behind the scenes making things happen. Comedian Katt Williams is getting some much-needed flowers after it was revealed he sponsored singer Melba Moore’s $75,000 Hollywood Walk of Fame star, Face To Face Africa reports.

Celebrities receive this high honor for demonstrating a lasting impact in one of six categories after securing a nomination supported by their management. After the Walk of Fame committee approves, the recipient is charged a fee for the terrazzo and brass tile’s creation, installation, and upkeep.

The Friday After Next star made sure the fee was taken care of.

Moore made the announcement while making her acceptance speech at the Aug. 10 ceremony, saying Williams played a key role in ensuring she was recognized. In an Instagram post, the Grammy Award-winning singer says she is “still speechless & overwhelmed.” “Forever Grateful and Humble,” Moore wrote.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Melba Moore (@melba1moore)

Williams attended the ceremony and gave a speech, uplifting the legacy of her achievements on stage, television, music, and film. “I looked up who paved the way for Melba Moore. Who was the person that excelled in all of those things, and I found out that that person did not exist,” Williams said, according to BET. “Melba Moore is one-of-one in our industry, and that’s what we’re celebrating.”

Other celebrity friends joined Moore as she received the 2,760th star, including Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph, Grammy Award-winning producer Jimmy Jam, singer Freda Payne, and comedian Lunell.

After social media caught wind of the kind gesture, fans applauded Williams for his generosity. One fan pointed out that it’s a “blessing” people like Williams are still around. “With all the selfish people in this world it is a blessing to see someone who will do an amazing thing and sponsor your [star] on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!” they said on Instagram. “Thank God that there’s STILL some amazing people out there!!!”

• Celebrity News

by Stacy Jackson

August 21, 2023

Angel Resse Makes A Special Donation To High School Alma Mater

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College basketball star Angel Reese hasn’t forgotten about her old stomping grounds.

The LSU Tigers forward recently donated $12,000 donation to her old high school, St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. According to Sports Illustrated, the donation will go toward tuition for a member of the school’s girls’ basketball team. Reese was given similar financial assistance during her four years at the school.

Reese’s mother posted about her daughter’s donation to St. Francis on social media. “This is the same fund that covered Angel’s tuition all 4 years as a student at SFA,” she shared. According to the elder Reese, this is her daughter’s way of “paying it forward.”

https://twitter.com/awebbreese/status/1693000079567622362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1693000079567622362%7Ctwgr%5Eddc48b42257218f739e850c4fc3cea0bf8316cba%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2F2023%2F08%2F20%2Flsu-angel-reese-tuition-donation-high-school-alma-mater-st-frances-academy-baltimore

ESPN reported that Reese graduated high school as a top-five recruit in the class of 2020. Also, in that class? Caitlin Clark, Reese’s nemesis from the University of Iowa.

Since Reese’s rise to fame following LSU’s national championship win this spring, the athlete has been dedicated to giving back to the community. The “Bayou Barbie” launched the Angel C. Reese Foundation to empower young girls and women to achieve all-around success in sports by providing education, financial literacy, and other resources. Participants have an opportunity to participate in basketball camps and receive scholarships.

“The Angel C. Reese Foundation will aim to foster equity for girls and underrepresented groups through innovative and impactful initiatives, develop practical solutions to overcome systemic challenges and provide comprehensive resources that empower a new generation of girls to excel in sports and successfully transition to the real world,” according to a statement obtained by Essence.

Reese’s estimated NIL evaluation reached over $1 million this year following her recognition as Most Outstanding Player in the Women’s Final Four, according to Sports Illustrated.

Ahead of her 21st birthday, Reese signed an endorsement deal in May with a Baton Rouge Mercedes-Benz dealership. She thanked Mercedes Benz of Baton Rouge for helping her purchase her new car along with the Bayou Collective and MatchPoint Connection marketplace.

https://twitter.com/Reese10Angel/status/1653178431549341697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1653178431549341697%7Ctwgr%5Eb3005c8db52a2de879b0159712eb5bba1110ac4b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackenterprise.com%2Fgetting-to-the-money-angel-reese-signs-nil-deal-with-mercedes-benz-for-her-21st-birthday%2F

Reese has landed other endorsement deals with major names such as TurboTax, McDonald’s, Bose, JanSport, Xfinity, and Outback Steakhouse. Her NIL ventures have brought in an estimated $392,000.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 21, 2023

Little Rock 9 Slams Arkansas Restrictions On African American Studies

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Surviving members of the Little Rock Nine are speaking out against the Arkansas Department of Education’s controversial decision to drop AP African American studies courses.

Elizabeth Eckford and Terrence Roberts are pointing fingers at Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AK) while reminiscing on the trauma they suffered back in 1957. “I think the attempts to erase history is working for the Republican Party,” Eckford told NBC News. “They have some boogeymen that are really popular with their supporters.”

Eckford and Roberts are two of the nine students who integrated Little Rock Central High School, testing the Brown v. Board of Education ruling that declared the end of segregated public schools. Nicknamed the “Little Rock Nine,” the students were met with an angry white mob on their first day, blocking the entrance. Eckford was the 15-year-old Black girl wearing sunglasses in one of the most recognizable images of the historic event.

Roberts remembers one of the mob members holding a bat and calling him the N-word, saying, “If you weren’t so small,” before dropping the weapon and backing off. “I’m thinking, ‘Wow, salvation by stature,’” Roberts said. “All nine of us suffered physically and emotionally.” He wasn’t surprised at the state’s sudden pushback on the AP course, realizing some people don’t want to confront history. Those that were a part of the trauma don’t want the evidence displayed. “I know there are voices pushing back. The question is, will they be successful?” Roberts asked.

Since the department made the decision, certain state school districts, including Little Rock’s, have announced that they will continue to offer the course. According to the College Board, 700 schools will pilot the class this year, with 200 colleges agreeing to accept credit for the course. 

According to The Hill, Sanders ordered a curriculum review at the beginning of 2023 after the state banned critical race theory. The governor’s order included AP African American studies taught in only two school districts, including Central High School. Sanders claims she wants to focus on the “basics of teaching math, of teaching reading, writing and American history,” and said the state can’t “push this propaganda leftist agenda.”

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 21, 2023

Vacay Season: Jamie Foxx Enjoys Mexico With Family After Health Scare

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As fans worry worldwide continue to fret over Jamie Foxx‘s health, the Oscar winning entertainer was seen enjoying himself with family on vacation.

According to PEOPLE, the In Living Color alumnus spent some R&R time in Tulum, Mexico. Although there has been speculation about what exactly brought the singing actor to a hospital bed, he has expressed thanks that he is still around to experience life.

In fact, he posted an acknowledgment several days ago n his Instagram account.

“You’re lookin at a man who is thankful… finally startin to feel like myself… it’s been an unexpected dark journey… but I can see the light… I’m thankful to everyone that reached out and sent well wishes and prayers… I have a lot of people to thank… u just don’t know how much it meant… I will be thanking all of you personally… and if you didn’t know… GOD IS GOOD… all day every day… #swipeleft #imbackandimbetter #nobaddays”

 

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A post shared by Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx)

Foxx isn’t the only one spotted on vacation with his family. Miami Heat legend, Dwyane Wade was also seen taking in the sunshine with family. .

People reported just several days after becoming one of the latest members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Wade vacationed with his wife, Gabrielle Union, and their 4-year-old daughter, Kaavia James. Wade shared video clips of the trip on his Instagram account. T

No location was listed as they were seen on a boat having fun. In one clip, Kaavia is shown dancing as her parents looked on. There were solo shots of Union and Wade enjoying the sun and weather. One clip shows the retired basketball player looking at his phone as the clip is labeled “The Reset ❗❗.”

We’re happy to see Foxx and Wade enjoying the spoils of their labor and talent.

RELATED CONTENT: Jamie Foxx Plays Pickleball After Health Scare And Anti-Semitic Accusations