Ayo Dosunmu
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 4, 2023

Chicago Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu Hosts Block Party And Basketball Clinic To Honor His Late Childhood Friend

Chicago Bulls player Ayo Dosunmu lost his best friend, Darius Brown, when he was shot and killed in a park in 2011. For the second straight year, he hosted a block party at Metcalfe Park in the Bronzeville section of Chicago to celebrate Brown’s life.

According to Sports Illustrated, Dosunmu honored his late childhood friend in the park, where children and adults celebrated with him. During the block party, he hosted 120 children from the area while giving them pointers about basketball.

In 2022, the Bulls player hosted the first block party in recognition of his childhood best friend.

“This is a special place for me because this is the place where I lost my best friend, Darius. He was shot in 2011 on the court,” Dosunmu said. “For me to come back here and try to give back to the community and for it for him, honor him, it’s been a blessing because he’s been here with me every bit and piece of my journey.”

According to Andscape, while playing basketball at a local court on Aug. 3, 2011, the then-13-year-old Brown was fatally shot in a shootout between two rival gangs. Brown got caught up in the crossfire, was hit in the neck, and died later that day at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital.

Besides honoring his late friend, Dosunmu organized the event to provide a haven for children with aspirational dreams of playing professional sports as he and Brown did. The event is also a callout for the young people to put down their weapons so another tragedy like Brown’s death can be averted.

“Some kids don’t have the same advantages other kids may have,” he said. “Creating safe spaces all around is giving kids no matter what, where you live at, if you live in one of the worst neighborhoods or you live in one of the best neighborhoods, everyone has the same opportunity in terms of going outside to play in a safe space.”

That was accomplished with the second annual event, as the kids got to experience time with Dosunmu and free food, entertainment, and equipment.

serena williams
by Stacy Jackson

August 4, 2023

Serena Williams Launches New Animated Children’s Series ‘Dance With Qai Qai’

Tennis champion and mother Serena Williams is very much invested in her 5-year-old daughter Olympia.

Williams has partnered with Invisible Universe to introduce a new animated children’s show, Dance with Qai Qai. According to an interview with People, the YouTube series is inspired by Olympia’s favorite doll, Qai Qai, and will motivate viewers to dance along with the doll as she shows off her signature moves.

“It has been amazing to see how Qai Qai has captured the hearts of so many young fans, so we’re thrilled to introduce them to Dance with Qai Qai!” Williams told People. “What better way to keep your kids active than by learning dance moves from Qai Qai herself?”

Williams shared that she will embrace her love for dance by practicing new moves with her daughter. “We can’t wait for other families to get to watch — and dance — together!” she said.

Dance with Qai Qai will feature seasonal and kid-centric themes that extend from Qai Qai’s TikTok videos which have amassed millions of followers since the doll was introduced on Instagram in 2018. Williams revealed that 16-year-old Taikirha Miller is voicing the role of Qai Qai. “Everyone needs to find their voice, and I’m happy Qai Qai found hers in Taikirha,” Williams said. She believes the possibilities for the Qai Qai franchise are endless because fans will have an opportunity to connect with the character on a deeper level.

“Olympia thinks it’s her in the book. She thinks the mom is me, and she thinks the dad is my husband,” Williams said. “It’s quite funny because I’m like it’s not us … I don’t want it to go to her head.” The pregnant tennis star shares a daughter with her husband, Alexis Ohanian. As reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the couple recently announced they will welcome another baby girl to the family, which Williams shared on Instagram will be “the newest member of our dance team.”

 

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Fans can watch the first episode of Dance with Qai Qai on YouTube.

Cardi B
by Sharelle B. McNair

August 4, 2023

Cardi B Cleared Of Battery Charges In Vegas Mic-Throwing Incident

Rapper Cardi B has been cleared of battery charges after throwing a microphone at a fan during a Las Vegas performance, TMZ reports.

The “Bodak Yellow” rapper was performing at Drai’s Beachclub on Jul. 29 when she asked the crowd to cool her down under the blazing hot sun with water. Suddenly, a fan threw a cup with an unknown liquid and ice, causing Cardi to hurl a microphone at them, which bounced and hit another person, who filed a police report.

She was listed as a battery suspect, however, her lawyers, Drew Findling, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld say the case hasn’t gone anywhere. The case never reached the district attorney’s desk and police reported Cardi didn’t commit a criminal offense.

“This afternoon we were notified by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept., that as a result of their investigation, there will be NO charges against Cardi,” the lawyers said.

“On behalf of Cardi, we appreciate the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept’s diligent and prompt resolution of this matter.”

According to ABC News, the person who threw the drink at Cardi was described by police as a “BFA in her late 20’s in a black and white sneaker shoe with colorful letters with a red/cooper hair color.”

The person, who hasn’t been identified, is a 26-year-old white female with brown hair. She claims the incident caused her pain and planned to seek “medical attention.”

The outspoken Bronx native spoke about the incident on Jul. 30 while livestreaming on Stationhead. She said she was “assaulted” and the water and ice hit her in the face “mad hard.”

“What happened yesterday was blatantly disrespectful,” Cardi said.

This wasn’t the only incident where Cardi was recorded hauling a microphone at another person. The night before she had water splashed on her, she was seen on video throwing a microphone at a DJ who she claimed “he was just not doing his job right.”

RELATED CONTENT: The Alleged Microphone Cardi B Threw At A Fan Being Sold On EBay

Nike, Michael Jordan, Philadelphia
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 4, 2023

Here’s How Michael Jordan Created A Billion Dollar Empire Outside Of The Jordan Brand

He is considered one of the greatest, if not THE greatest, player to ever jump on the basketball court. His value as a former athlete turned businessman is virtually unmatched (although his run as the Charlotte Hornets’ former owner leaves a slight blemish on his record).

The business of Michael Jordan continues to grow.

According to Boardroom, one of the world’s most recognizable figures started his rise away from the court during his last season with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan’s agent, David Falk, told the outlet.

Jordan had already become a symbol of success through the Nike’s Air Jordans, which planted the seeds for an even greater merchandise triumph.

Nike introduced Jordan Brand in the fall of 1997, just in time for Jordan’s sixth and final title with the Bulls. The success Jordan found on the court reached the boardroom as well. In 1998, Jordan Brand increased in revenue by 57% and improved by 133% in year-over-year average selling price.

“He’s got the Midas touch,” Falk said. “Not only is he a great basketball player and an amazing person, but he’s a very astute businessman.”

His success spilled outside of athletics. He starred in Space Jam, sold his own cologne, made Gatorade a household name, and even placed millions of dollars into the coffers of eyewear company Oakley, in addition to many other investments and endorsements.

Along with the many companies and brands he is currently involved with, in 2023, Jordan Brand is projected to become the second-biggest shoe brand in all of America.

Forbes estimated that Jordan’s net worth is $2 billion, which he added to after the NBA recently approved the sale of the Hornets for a reported $3 billion. He purchased the franchise for a reported $275 million in 2010 (when the team was known as the Bobcats), meaning that he has just pocketed an estimated $2.7 billion.

Jamil Al-Amin, creative Haus, black art in America gallery, new trial, re-trail, murder, killed, police, officer
by BigDrop

August 4, 2023

Power Haus Creative’s Black August Month Begins With Support For Activist Jamil Al-Amin

Black August Month has now officially kicked off.

The event is a widespread call to action that encompasses fasting, raising awareness, and offering resources for political prisoners. It is a collaborative effort between Power Haus Creative and community partners Mahmoud Abdul Rauf, Students for Imam Jamil, Black Art in America, and Black Power Media.

The monthlong initiative was founded in California during the 1970s following a prison uprising and the deaths of brothers Johnathan and George Jackson. This year, it is being used to spread awareness and advocate for a new trial for civil rights activist Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin.

Formerly H. Rap Brown, Al-Amin has been incarcerated since 2002. Still, his contributions to the Black liberation movement remain intact. Some consider Al-Amin an enigma. He is the face of an Anti-Riot Act. He was a part of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. And now he sits in Supermax prison, convicted of murder. However, his son Kairi Al-Amin, Power Haus Creative, and its partners continue to fight for justice after over two decades, alleging cruel and unusual punishment and wrongful conviction. 

“No tangible noise was ever made and as such, my father’s conviction and subsequent exile, a vendetta realized, has gone unchecked,” wrote Kairi Al-Amin in a 2020 petition calling for a new trial.

“The cruel and unusual punishment, the confession of another man, the medical neglect in hopes that he dies, the gag order, the federal holding of a state prisoner away from his attorneys and family, we’ve done nothing about anything and because of our lack of action, much like the man himself, the truth about this case and his legacy have been erased from public view.”

The petition has garnered over 75,000 signatures in three years, but it is still a long way from its goal of 150,000. Despite this, Al-Amin’s advocates remain adamant about their mission, hoping to secure a retrial.

Summayah Ali, founder, and CEO of Power Haus Creative spoke about Al-Amin’s circumstances. “All of our political prisoners need to be released. In the case of Dr. Mutulu Shakur, he was imprisoned for nearly 37 years only to transition eight months after release. We don’t want that for Imam Jamil or anyone that was selfless enough to pave the way for some of the very privileges we benefit from today,” she told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“They fought for us and deserve far better treatment than this,” she continued.

“My children are in their early 20s and I remind them to sit with the elders as often as possible. As a Muslim woman who’s Black, a  mother, Black Arts Organizer, and an activist I believe we have a responsibility to fight the good fight for those who tilled the soil for us. Imam Jamil is not just a champion for the community but also for the arts. He has said how much the arts played a significant role in the civil rights movement.  We are using the Art of Activism to fight back.”

In line with this mission, participating partners will also be “Feeding the Community,” literally and figuratively, throughout August. Through virtual sessions, scholars and activists will share different information and resources. 

Food drive donations will be accepted throughout the month at the Black Art in America Gallery at 1802 Connaly Dr. in East Point, Georgia. Later this month, on Aug. 28, human rights activist and former NBA player Mahmoud Abdul Rauf will speak at the gallery on an “Art of Activism” panel. For more scheduled events and information, visit @powerhauscreative on Instagram. To request a transfer for Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, visit wwww.freeimamjamil.com to fill out a three-minute form. 

RELATED CONTENT: Former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal Convicted of Slaying Cop In 1980s, Asks For New Trial

Oakland Family Restaurant Takes On Marriott After Construction Caused Loss Of Revenue
by BigDrop

August 4, 2023

Oakland Family Restaurant Takes On Marriott After Construction Caused Loss Of Revenue

Uncle Willie’s Original BBQ & Fish was a fixture on 14th Street in Oakland, California. The Black-owned business was frequented by community members and known for its smoky Texas-style barbecue. Now, it has permanently shuttered, becoming another casualty of corporate expansion—the culprit—Marriott Hotels and Resorts. The once-beloved restaurant has since filed a lawsuit against the hospitality chain, alleging that the building’s construction caused a loss of revenue, according to The Oaklandside. This lawsuit is part of a long string of attempts to combat what Oakland residents feel is the erasure of Black businesses. 

The Thomas family, who owned the restaurant, issued an official statement saying, “In a few days, the Marriott ownership group will unveil their new hotel in Oakland. They will speak glowingly about the jobs created for Oakland residents, the influx of tax funds to the city, and their overall excitement about investing in the beautification of Downtown Oakland. What they won’t share at the grand opening is how their development destroyed an African American family-owned business that served the Oakland community for almost two decades.”

 

The Marriott Hotel began construction on the new high-rise in 2020. It is located beside the now-defunct Uncle Willie’s. According to former owner Beverly Ann Thomas, debris frequently fell into her dining area, including dangerous equipment such as a box cutter, metal panels, and several pieces of plastic. Thomas also alleged that the development caused damage to her property and even drove out one on-site tenant. 

Clifford Fried, an attorney representing the Thomas family, spoke outside of Uncle Willie’s during a press conference on June 29. “The Thomas family intends on prosecuting the lawsuit they’ve filed to recover fair compensation for the damage to the building, their business, and all the emotional turmoil that they’ve been forced to endure,” he said.  

In 2018, before construction, the hotel’s developers approached the Thomas family, requesting to buy their land and air rights. However, they declined. During construction, Uncle Willie’s dealt with dust and harmful debris falling into the dining and cooking area and excessive noise. Though they had been informed of what the development would entail, Craig Jones, Thomas’ son, claims that the family was unaware of its true extent. Jones continues to fight this legal battle in place of his mother, who passed shortly after the press conference.

On 14th Street, home to Oakland’s Black Arts Movement Business District, part of the city’s incentive to preserve historic and culturally-significant Black businesses. On this Street, you can find the African American Museum and Library of Oakland and the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce. However, some residents are worried that the vibrant community will be endangered if development continues. According to the Oaklandside, Geoffrey Pete, the founder and owner of Geofrey’s Inner Circle, spoke at a planning commission meeting in May this year about Marriott’s expansion into the neighborhood. “This building poses a grave danger to the historic building next to it,” he said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many establishments have struggled to stay afloat in a deteriorating economy. Others have been forced to abandon their work completely. Now, residents are concerned that the area’s revitalization comes at too steep a cost.

“It’s sad because not a lot of African American businesses are around in Oakland anymore because of big development,” said Jones.

RELATED CONTENT: Expert Reveals How to Protect Communities from Corporate Expansion and Gentrification

farmer's market,DC
by Stacy Jackson

August 4, 2023

Minnesota’s Black Woman-Owned Farmer’s Market Wants To Help Her Community With Better Food Options, newsletter 3,

Only one Black woman-owned farmer’s market in Minnesota makes better nutrition available to everyone.

Chaz Sandifer’s Lakeview Terrace Farmer’s Market in Robbinsdale is in its second year of providing the community with access to healthy food, wellness, and community building. According to WCCO, Sandifer’s market features farmers from across the region who offer customers locally grown, in-season produce. Vendors at the market sell fresh meat and artisan baked goods, jams, juices, and crafts.

“We have a lack of food access. We have lot[s] of food disparities and health disparities and the root cause— people don’t have the access or the knowledge to healthy food,” Sandifer said in an interview on WCCO Radio. Shoppers at the market can access meals, coffee, and snacks prepared on-site from various food trucks and booths.

Sandifer shared that food is one of many enjoyments patrons will experience at the Minnesota market. “We have free fitness classes every Saturday at 9:30 a.m,” she shared, which will be hosted on-site in partnership with Fitness Sisters, according to the website. “We’ve got music, art classes with the city of Robbinsdale, cooking demonstrations and competitions, and back-to-school events later in the season. We want the whole community to come out,” Sandifer told WCCO. Visitors can watch Knife-Offs featuring local chefs from across the region and join in on the annual Back to School Bash and Backpack Giveaway.

 

 

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Although the market is Black-owned, Sandifer clarified that it “doesn’t mean it’s just for Black people,” It is an experience where everyone is welcome to gather. She added, “We are going to have so much fun this summer!”

Sandifer sponsors and manages the Lakeview Terrace Farmer’s Market through her small business theNEWmpls, in partnership with the City of Robbinsdale.

The Lakeview Terrace Farmer’s Market will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday through Sept. 23, 2023. Residents and visitors of Minnesota can locate the market at the northeast corner of Bottineau Boulevard (CR 81) and Lakeland Avenue, in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, across from Hy-Vee.

German
by Derek Major

August 4, 2023

New York Yankees Place Pitcher Domingo German On Restricted List Due To Alcohol Abuse

The New York Yankees placed pitcher Domingo German on the MLB restricted list on Aug. 2, 2023, after he agreed to submit to inpatient alcohol treatment for alcohol abuse voluntarily.

The New York Post reports Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman would not reveal the details of the incident that led to the announcement. Still, he and Yankees Manager Aaron Boone admitted German has dealt with alcohol abuse in the past. German was slated to pitch on Aug. 1, 2023, but didn’t. Boone said in his pregame press conference that German was having armpit discomfort.

“It’s a very serious issue that affects way too many people, unfortunately,” Cashman said on Aug. 2, 2023, before the Yankees defeated the Rays. “Hopefully, the steps that are being taken today will really benefit him for the remaining part of his life because it’s a very serious problem that you need to address head-on. These treatment places are significant steps, hopefully, towards helping him get the tools to solve it.”

It has been a season of struggle for both German and the Yankees. The team is currently in last place in the American League East Division with a 56-52 record. German’s highlight of the season came on June 28, 2023, when he threw the 24th perfect game in Major League Baseball history and the fourth in Yankees franchise history against the Oakland A’s.

However, German has struggled this season as he had a 5-7 with a 4.56 earned run average (ERA). He’s also had issues in the past, including an 81-game suspension for violating the league and Players Association’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy, following an incident with his girlfriend in 2019 at a team event. He was also suspended 10 games this season for having a foreign substance on his hand during a game.

Cashman told reporters he does not expect German to pitch again this season. German has spent his whole career with the Yankees and is signed through next season.

8 Tech Jobs That Still Require A Human Touch, newsletter lead,
by Ahsan Washington

August 4, 2023

8 Tech Jobs That Still Require A Human Touch, newsletter lead,

The digital technology industry is steadily growing and evolving with no signs of becoming static. Talks around artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to replace human intelligence in the workplace may be up for debate. While there may be areas of work where AI technology might be useful, the same holds true for folks who are knowledgeable and skillful in the tech market. There is plenty of space to get in where you fit in—and you don’t want to get left behind in the tech industry’s rapid and steady rise.

BLACK ENTERPRISE has identified eight tech jobs that require human beings.



1.) Graphic Designer

Graphic designer, tech jobs
(Image: iStock)


A graphic designer is a great role for artists and creatives to jump into the tech industry. As a graphic designer you communicate visual concepts for online campaigns, such as creating logos for brands and designing and developing overall layouts for magazines, advertisements, websites, and videos. The average graphic designer in the U.S makes about $49,772 a year, according to Payscale.


2.) SEO Specialist

SEO, tech jobs
(Image: Getty Images)


SEO stands for search engine optimization. As a SEO specialist, your responsibilities might include link building, keyword strategy, and tracking, analyzing, and reporting data that should increase return of investments (ROI) in search campaigns. You will need knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Java Script development. The average salary for an SEO specialist is $56,683, Glassdoor reports.


3.) Technical Recruiter

Tech jobs, interview, recruiter
(Image: iStock)


As a technical recruiter you identify qualified candidates for a company. Technical recruiter falls under the umbrella of human resources. Developing strategies for recruiting, as well as creating job descriptions and specifications, are among the responsibilities. Interpersonal and negotiation skills are important for a technical recruiter, as you may also represent the company by interviewing candidates for job openings. Glassdoor reports the average salary for a technical recruiter as $85,759.

 

4.) Social Media Coordinator

(Image: Getty Images)

If you’re a hands-on, creative person, social media coordinator is the perfect job for you to jump in the tech industry. The duties of a social media coordinator are to magnify the company’s presence on social media and to execute digital marketing strategies to announce, inform, and attract the interest of the public. You also monitor industry trends and interact with users through comments and direct messages. Indeed lists the average base salary at $45,074.


5.) Customer Success Manager

(Image: Getty Images)

Customer success managers (CSM) are in control of expanding positive client experience, building healthy working connections, and directing the day-to-day consumer relations that impact retention. This role leans into keeping the customer satisfied and building loyalty. The average salary for CSM is $117,944, according to Salary.com.

 

6.) Digital Market Managers

(Image: Getty Images)

As a digital market manager you identify consumers and their present and future needs, as well as tracking adjustments in supply and demand. Executing all digital marketing strategies and displaying advertisement campaigns is all part of the work. The average salary for digital market managers is roughly $90,478, according to Glassdoor.

 

7.) Web Developer

(Image: Getty Images)

A web developer’s duties are to make sure a website is pleasing to the eye, easy to browse, and works with no technical difficulties. Web developers handle non-design related aspects of websites, as they monitor the analytics of the website, troubleshoot website issues, update the website, and write code. The average salary is $82,586, according to Indeed.

 

8.) Digital Content Strategist 

(Image: Getty Images)

As a digital strategist you are in charge of the organization, arrangement, production, and publishing of content based on the company’s goals and clients’ needs, which includes using digital media to promote a company or brand through digital avenues such as email and websites. The average salary of a digital content strategist is $93,672, according to Zippia.

RELATED CONTENT: Celebrating National Black Business Month 2023

Patti Labelle, Forbes
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 4, 2023

Forbes’ Latest ’50 Over 50′ List Features Black Women Trailblazers

Forbes has just released its “50 Over 50” list to highlight 200 women in their later years who continue to create new ways to excel in their industries. The Black honorees are wide-ranging in their advocacy and career journeys. Their impact is as great as they are, as the women on this definitive list have made tremendous strides to enact change in fields such as finance, entertainment, and technology.

They range from world-renowned artists to astronauts, and many are the first of their kind. Forbes‘ honoring of these diverse game-changers is a testimony to the work older Black women have put in to ensure the next generation has the opportunity to achieve even more.

While Patti LaBelle is known for her voice and her songs, she was highlighted on this list for Patti’s Good Life, her food enterprise. LaBelle’s successful marketing of her mac ‘n’ cheese, sweet potato pies, and other bestselling goods sold nationwide means her legacy not only lives on but expands.

Faye Wattleton is another titan, combining a nonprofit background with advocacy in the technological sphere. In 2017, the then 73-year-old co-founded a quantum computer company, EeroQ, which builds technology hardware to solve problems swiftly. The former, and first, Black woman president of Planned Parenthood started her computing venture in order to keep sustainability and healthcare causes moving and progressing.

Claudine Gay is the first Black person, and woman, to become president of Harvard University, and her appointment is a milestone for diversity in educational leadership. A first-generation American, as her parents immigrated from Haiti, the Harvard alumna began her career as a professor of government before rising to the top.

The Black businesswomen, entertainers, and activists bestowed with this honor are well deserving of the recognition. Their powerful, storied careers speak for themselves. Forbes’ extensive 50 Over 50 list includes detailed profiles.

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