by Daniel Johnson

August 20, 2023

James Harden And Daryl Morey Appear To Have A Rift as the 76ers’ Season Looms

Basketball star James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers called the team’s President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey a “liar” on a recent trip to China to promote his line of shoes for adidas, ESPN reports.

According to sources, the NBA has opened an investigation into whether or not Harden’s comments constitute an allusion to a holdout for the 2023-2024 season or if he was talking about previous contract negotiations that would be a salary cap circumvention.

Sources claim Harden’s comments reflected trade talks the Sixers were engaged in with the Los Angeles Clippers. The disgruntled Harden wants out of Philadelphia because he does not see the team as a contender. The team told the hirsute superstar that since it did not receive a suitable offer he’d be staying put.

Again, according to sources, Harden used his player option in June to pick up a $35.6 million one-year deal because Morey, who had dealt with Harden when both were with the Houston Rockets, had told him he would be traded.

When asked if his relationship with Morey was in a state of disrepair, Harden indicated to KHOU reporters that he was done with Morey before adding, “I’ve been patient all summer. For me, it’s just focus on what I can control and getting ready for this season.”

The Sixers are repeating recent history. Harden was traded from the Nets to the Sixers in large part because Ben Simmons had fallen out with members of Sixers upper management and former head coach Doc Rivers, and was disruptive during team practices.

Harden has intimated that he will be professional, but comments that he will “never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of” also create the perception that he may not report to camp, prompting the NBA’s investigation.

by Daniel Johnson

August 20, 2023

Is St. Lunatics Beefing Over Money? Ali Alleges Nelly Owes Beaucoup Bread

During an interview on VLAD TV, St. Lunatics group member Ali Jones alleged that the group’s frontman, Nelly, owes him debts and that he went months without paying the group anything.

According to VIBE Magazine, Jones alleges that like many groups that have fallen apart throughout hip-hop’s history, Nelly fell under the sway of an unnamed co-conspirator who schemed him out of money he was owed. Jones did not state an exact figure in the video, but claims that if Nelly received $90,000, Jones would typically get $14,000.

Jones also alleges that Nelly shut down all communication when asked about the owned money.

“‘He has no real raw good intentions, not for us,” Jones told VLAD TV. “We’ve all sat together to search for a time when he did that didn’t benefit him. He wouldn’t do that—not for us. He’s always going to spoon-feed you so he can stay in a position of control..[Nelly] got $50 million. I’m happy for him. That’s what he wants. He wants a billion.”

This marks the second time Jones has made these allegations publicly, after Nelly solid half of his music, including eight LP’s to HarborView Equity Partners for $50 million. In 2021, the two men went back and forth on social media over who was responsible for writing hits from Nelly’s Country Grammar album in since-deleted posts. Jones has maintained that he wrote those songs and remained uncredited for his work because Nelly’s contract demanded that Nelly write those songs.

As Yahoo reported, each of the St. Lunatics reportedly helped Nelly write his debut album. Jones seemed to have faith that his friend would not do him dirty and he hoped Nelly would honor the group for helping him find major success.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 19, 2023

Black Women-Owned Artist Collective Receives Intuit Mailchimp Awards $100K Unrestricted Grant

An Atlanta-based Black women’s artist collective is one of 10 recipients of a major grant.

TILA Studios received $100,000 of unrestricted funding from popular tech company Intuit Mailchimp, headquartered in Atlanta, as part of their $1 million pledge to support Atlanta’s local creative community, a press release read. TILA is 24/7 safe haven for members to create and collaborate, offering what they describe as “a chic, New York, Loft-like artist haven.”

The grant will help each recipient, described as “vital arts organizations in our hometown,” contribute to different initiatives, showing Mailchimp’s commitment to demonstrating the power of the creative economy – driving positive change, inclusivity, and the betterment of the Atlanta community.

Executive director of TILA Studios, Tiffany Latrice, said the support from Intuit Mailchimp means a lot, as many creative studios like them are often overlooked by major corporations.

“We’re not just a creative organization, but we’re also a Black organization, and a creative Black women’s organization at that, so the opportunities to receive funding the way that other businesses or organizations do are not as plentiful,” Latrice said.

Mailchimp executives like Lain Shakespeare, senior director of corporate citizenship, said this is only the beginning. According to Arts ATL, the company said the $1 million represents only a small fraction of what Atlanta’s creative space really needs.

“Small and medium-sized arts organizations are the heartbeat of Atlanta’s creative economy,” Shakespeare said. “Many of these arts organizations are our customers, our partners and the places where our employees volunteer.”

“We’re proud to help power their prosperity and help grow creative excellence in our hometown.”

Other awardees included Dashboard, Living Walls, Moving in the Spirit, RE:IMAGINE, True Colors Theatre, The Atlanta Music Project, MODA and Atlanta Contemporary. TILA says it plans on using the money to support some of its existing programs, like the award-winning and nationally-recognized Garden Fellowship, a 15-month program helping artists take their careers to the next level.

“I’m glad that Intuit Mailchimp sought to invest its money in the local creative community,” Latrice said.

“It means a lot that they see us and support our ambitious vision to uplift and amplify the voices of Black women artists.”

by Ida Harris

August 19, 2023

Fine Artist Phyllis Stephens And The Art of Dancing In Color

Fine artist and quilter Phyllis Stephens wants you to know that her art form is as physical and equivocal as the steps you might make on the dance floor, and that her latest series captures the “Art of Dance” in a bold, innovative way.

“Dance and quilt-making are exactly the same” Stephens told BLACK ENTERPRISE in an exclusive interview.

What else is the human experience, if not a dance of praise, love, labor, liberation and resilience? The dance is hard-wired like DNA and shows up in every aspect of life—both physically and spiritually but specifically through art form and expression.

Consider the praise dance of elders and conjurers who have kept the faith; the hustle of mamas and papas who worked ungodly hours as domestics and field hands in kitchens and on lands that would never take possession of. Imagine the stolen moments and slow grind between unlawful lovers who did not even own themselves. Feel the rhythm and blues in the collective dance toward freedom and the patient two-step of the movements that kept the community grounded—but steadily moving.

Enter Stephens, whose recent body of work The Movement of Material is connective tissue tying the historical movements of yesterday to the free-spirited dance of the now.

The collection consists of ten majestic pieces that are a far cry from timidity, and authenticated swatch by swatch. This series is heroic in weight, scale, and tale. It is big, Black, bodacious, soft, and above all–telling. Each piece weaves a polychromatic narrative around the motility of dance and a reclamation of safe space.

Phyllis Stephens Balancing Act — Balancing Act, Courtesy of Phyllis Stephens

The Movement of Material accomplishes a great feat, a “Balancing Act” between texture and color, welcoming viewers to a citified soiree where Black bodies exalt one another: one holding their world up as the other holds it down, both perfecting balance in an otherwise unsteady environment.

“Feel it in my Soul” does restorative work like a revival service, a consecration of sorts—church if you will. Observers will feel the soul-tie of partners entranced in the soulful art of dance in their own backyard against the backdrop provided by the most high. They, too, are witnessing the spiritual dance at play between Artist and elements; the background and the foreground; the stitch; the layer; story and the colored body.

Stephens pays a particular attention to women. They are presented with detail, poise, and prowess.

This Leads To Love, Courtesy of Phyllis Stephens

The gaze in works like “Limbo Leigh,” “Bailaora,” “This Leads To Love,” and “Work It” is as arresting as what they command through the language of dance—through hip, waistline, embrace, and striking pose.

Party Planner, Phyllis Stephens — Party Planner, Courtesy of Phyllis Stephens

The “Party Planner,” and the women in “Upward Bound,” “Whirlwind,” and “The Rest of Forever” dance to the beat of their own life’s drum, and are committed to movement.

It is in these pieces a redirection to the materials and the environment is evident. It’s seen in passing locomotives; the billow of clouds and hemlines; a soft wind beneath a young’n feet; a breeze through Japanese maple.

Black Art, whirlwind, Courtesy of Phyllis Stephens — Whirlwind, Courtesy of Phyllis Stephens

The Movement of Material centers the cultural and intimate exchange of Black joy and love through dance with an expanded focus on the dance floor, albeit in the midst of concrete and verdure.

This level of motion and tourism is truly top tier.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 19, 2023

Taye Diggs and Amber Riley Lead The Cast In Revived Disney Junior Series ‘Ariel’

Disney Junior has greenlighted the revival of former fan favorites with two memorable voices joining the cast.

Rent star Taye Diggs and Glee alum Amber Riley will be voicing the animated characters of King Triton and Ursula in Ariel, Deadline reported. Disney’s Raven’s Home star, Mykal-Michelle Harris, will voice the title character, following the recent Disney live-action movie, The Little Mermaid.

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As part of a flagship series, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2.0, the show is set to premiere in 2025. The series’ reincarnation was announced by the president of Disney Branded Television, Ayo Davis, during the “Disney Junior & Friends Playdate” event at the Disney California Adventure Park.

Disney Junior was popular programming for children born in the early 2000s and Davis says this new set of series opens up the opportunity for kids to explore.

“Disney Junior captures the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers and their families everywhere with stories and characters filled with magic, wonder, adventure, and heart,” Davis said.

“From providing early entry points into classic Disney franchises to introducing brand-new IP that becomes the latest kid obsessions, Disney Junior is always there with infinite opportunities to engage and play.”

The show is lucky to have these veteran actors lend their talents. Diggs is the silly man with a knack for the screen and the stage. His breakout performance in the Broadway 1996 play, Rent, helped him become a fan favorite and then a sex symbol as the Jamaican heartthrob in Stella Got Her Groove Back, according to Billboard.

Riley received raves for her performance on the critically-acclaimed series, Glee, blowing fans away with her iconic voice. She went on to star as Effie White in London’s West End production of Dreamgirls.

Both Diggs and Riley aren’t new faces to the Disney family as Diggs guest-starred as a voice actor on the Disney Junior series Doc McStuffins and Elena of Avalor. Riley was also involved, coincidentally, in ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live!

Other Black faces set to join the Disney Junior family include Cynthia Enrivo and Dule Hill in the new animated series, RoboGobo.

Miami Dolphins Star Xavien Howard Accused Of Filming and Sharing Sex Videos Without Consent

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 19, 2023

Miami Dolphins Star Xavien Howard Accused Of Filming and Sharing Sex Videos Without Consent

NFL star Xavien Howard is dealing with some drama ahead of the season. The Miami Dolphins cornerback is being sued for allegedly filming sex acts with a woman and sharing them with other people, The Miami Herald reported.

The unidentified women claimed the two dated in the early part of 2022 and had sexual relations. In September 2022, according to a lawsuit, the woman received an Instagram message from another woman claiming she had numerous explicit videos sent from Howard showing him having sex with multiple women.

Doe was told that she was in one of the videos, and is now seeking $50,000 in damages for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

“Several of the videos are of Jane Doe and directly identify her … Defendant non-consensually recorded sex acts between himself and Jane Doe and non-consensually disseminated these sex videos to a third party,” according to the lawsuit.

The women who sent Doe the videos allegedly said Howard shared the footage in an attempt “to make her mad because she didn’t want to have sex with him,” TMZ reported

Doe claimed, after seeing the video, that she was easily identifiable. The lawsuit continues, saying Doe texted Howard about the situation in September 2022, alluding to the fact that she had not consented to being filmed.

Doe also claimed she sent the NFL star a cease and desist letter in October.

Howard’s attorney, Brad Sohn, released a statement on Aug. 18, on behalf of his client, saying Howard is ready to fully defend himself in court.

“We will be filing a response in court on Monday but this lawsuit is without merit and we will be vigorously defending Xavien,” he said.

“Xavien has been a locker room and community leader and has had his reputation trashed by anonymous accusers…We saw how the last one played out.”

“The last one” refers to a different “Jane Doe” who filed a lawsuit against him in 2022. Howard was accused of negligently giving her genital herpes, in a case that was dismissed in early 2023.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 19, 2023

Monet Tillman Horsey Opens Dream Chasers Gymnastics, The First Black-Owned Gymnastic Studio In Delaware

Little Black girls have women like Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles and others to see as examples when it comes to the sport of gymnastics. Now, they can also look up to Monet Tillman Horsey, who is the owner of a gymnastics gym.

According to CBS News Philadelphia, Horsey has dreamt of owning a gym ever since she was a little girl; and for the past six years, she has been living her dream as the owner of Dream Chasers Gymnastics in New Castle, Delaware.

“Growing up, I was one of few Black gymnasts,” Tillman Horsey said. “And when my daughter was doing it — she’s 25 now — but there weren’t as many Black gymnasts then as well.”

She hopes to further the dreams of Black girls who want to follow in the footsteps of an established and very decorated Olympian like Biles.

“They definitely look at her as a role model, especially with her background in things she had to overcome,” Tillman Horsey said.

“It just shows the girls that anything is possible.”

The start of what is now Dream Chasers began in her dining room, then it was moved into a church classroom. But now, it’s a fully operational gymnastic gym that is located in a warehouse.

“What I find most fulfilling is being able to wake up every day and do what I love,” she said.

“I love coaching the girls and not only as being a coach but being a mentor to them.”

One of the young gymnasts who use the gym, 14-year-old Brianna Blake, appreciates going there and it was her mother who recommended it.

“My mom saw them post on Instagram and she liked how their gym was like, Black-owned,” Black said.

“And she thought that that would be good for me.”

Dream Chasers Gymnastics has increased the number of students going there. There are now 400 students at the only Black-owned gymnastics center in the First State.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 18, 2023

Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer Learn The Art of A Perfect Rub on New ‘Kings of BBQ’ Episode

Get your taste buds ready. King of Comedy Cedric, the Entertainer, and Emmy-Award nominated actor Anthony Anderson are learning the best barbecue techniques in the new A&E series, Kings of BBQ.

On their journey, the best friend duo aims to test flavors and traditions while perfecting sauces for their barbecue brand, AC Barbeque.

The show premiered on Aug. 12, showing Anderson and Cedric, whose real name is Cedric Antonio Kyles, discussing what they need to start a successful BBQ brand, according to Decider. In a sneak peek of a new episode, the funny men sit down for a tasting with Pilot R&D Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer Dan Felder. Felder and his team put on a show with savory ribs and brisket.

Dipping the sliced meat in different variations of lemon pepper rubs, both actors learn the balance between perfection and going too far. Anderson and Kyles give their stamp of approval on the first rub but realize quickly that taking things up a notch may turn customers off, with the second one having twice the sour. “The lemon jumps out early,” Cedric says. When the food scientist asks “if it feels tangier,” the former Black-ish star responds, “Maybe a little too tangy.”

The scientist educates viewers on the art of finding the balance of the perfect rub. “We always want to push it too far so we know we haven’t left any territory unexplored,” the food scientist says. Once they’ve reached that level of “too far,” the team sets the friends up to taste one final rub, splitting up the first two rubs. Another Pilot member refers to the rub as “the Goldilocks of Lemon Pepper.”

Throughout the series, Anderson & Kyles will travel to some of the best barbecue places around the country, from a festival in Memphis to backyard cookouts. Viewers will see them grill it up with the LA Rams and even take advice from family members and friends. Is your mouth watering yet?

New episodes of Kings of BBQ premiere Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 18, 2023

British Black-Owned Startups Create Platforms To Tackle Financial Insecurities

Black-owned startups in the U.K. are finding ways to protect families from financial woes, Bloomberg reports.

Financial advice bloggers Ken and Mary Okoroafor wrote that the Bank of England’s base interest rate in 2017 was 0.25%. With the average house costing over $250,000, there was no wealth coming into the Black household. Now, the bank’s rates have increased, disproportionately leaving minorities in a bad spot. But the Okoroafors and other entrepreneurs are building tools to protect families from falling into a cycle of debt.

The couple’s business blog turned into a lucrative business, The Humble Penny, a series of educational online courses covering important topics from investing to affiliate marketing. A majority of the class participants are Black or of African origin. The goal is to help families become financially independent. “Number one: They want to become debt-free,” Ken said.

Advice from the couple focuses on financial literacy, living within one’s means, and managing assets such as stocks and housing.

Grouping savings together is another way families and couples are battling economic scrutiny, especially those with startups. Apps like Pardna help groups of people to create one savings account that they can all contribute to with one goal in mind. Paul Henriques, who created Pardna in 2020 to help people get out of the mindset of relying on high-cost credit, commented, “People seem to be using Pardna to avoid falling into a financial trap.”

Back in the United States, HBCUs like Spelman College have created resources to help their students start their journey to financial freedom. BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported that this fall Spelman will launch a strategic partnership with Stackwell and Fintech in Action in order to help eliminate the racial wealth gap. The financial wellness pilot will provide Spelman students with finance and investing courses as well as an account of $250 from Stackwell, the digital investment platform, to get a head start on building wealth while in college.

Black-Owned App Shelter Share Assists In Finding Shelter To Avoid Dangerous Weather

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 18, 2023

Black-Owned App Shelter Share Assists In Finding Shelter To Avoid Dangerous Weather

Mother Nature can be extremely forceful and at times deadly. Facing a real-life weather-related situation that could have ended in tragedy, a man decided to create an app to help vulnerable people find a way out of trouble and into safety.

According to The Black Wall Street Times, Robert Washington, a resident of Oklahoma City, has created an app that will help users find shelter when they know a tornado is heading their way.

An almost tragic brush with a tornado back in 2015 solidified Washington’s decision to ensure his family and others could be ushered to safety in bad weather times.

Washington created the Shelter Share app with funding from Builders and Backers. The app steers users to shelters close to their location, leading them to community shelters, public buildings, and other areas where they can be protected from tornadoes.

Shelter Share also allows users to either look for shelter or offer it to others. The app consists of two categories: “shelter seekers” and “shelter sharers.”

“You can make a 24-hour reservation in advance,” Washington told The Black Wall Street Times. “I’m hoping it inspires people to be more weather-aware and prepared. There are people out there that are getting injured.”

The number of Shelter Share users is increasing as more people learn about it.

Washington hopes to expand Shelter Share’s services and include more features and upgrades for its users. He likens the experience to Airbnb for both people and their pets.

To find out more about Shelter Share, visit is website or head over to the Apple or Google store.

James Harden And Daryl Morey Appear To Have A Rift as the 76ers’ Season Looms

Is St. Lunatics Beefing Over Money? Ali Alleges Nelly Owes Beaucoup Bread

Black Women-Owned Artist Collective Receives Intuit Mailchimp Awards $100K Unrestricted Grant

Fine Artist Phyllis Stephens And The Art of Dancing In Color

Taye Diggs and Amber Riley Lead The Cast In Revived Disney Junior Series ‘Ariel’

Miami Dolphins Star Xavien Howard Accused Of Filming and Sharing Sex Videos Without Consent

Monet Tillman Horsey Opens Dream Chasers Gymnastics​, The First Black-Owned Gymnastic Studio In Delaware

Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer Learn The Art of A Perfect Rub on New ‘Kings of BBQ’ Episode

British Black-Owned Startups Create Platforms To Tackle Financial Insecurities

Black-Owned App Shelter Share Assists In Finding Shelter To Avoid Dangerous Weather

Monet Tillman Horsey Opens Dream Chasers Gymnastics, The First Black-Owned Gymnastic Studio In Delaware