Mike Colter, Niles + Chaz — (JSquared Photography)

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

July 9, 2026

Actor Mike Colter Expands ‘Niles + Chaz,’ His Children’s Haircare Line

The 'Luke Cage' star opens up about his entrepreneurial journey and the legacy he’s creating with his daughters.

Two years ago, actor Mike Colter embarked on one of his most challenging roles: that of an entrepreneur. Along with his wife and their two daughters, Colter launched Niles + Chaz, their children’s haircare brand that serves up clean, plant-based products for textured hair.

Reportedly investing $50,000 of his own money, Colter and his family created the line, which includes potions and accessories to wash, treat, and style multi-textured hair, to empower kids, celebrate their uniqueness, and teach them to care for themselves and the planet.

“The driving idea behind Niles + Chaz was the need to solve a problem that so many families like ours face: What can I use on my kids’ hair that I know is safe and actually works?” Colter says. “We also wanted products that help preserve the future world we want our kids to live in through sustainability.”

The company has just expanded its offerings beyond children’s haircare with the launch of its first body care product, GloSetter. The limited-edition after-sun body lotion is powered by okra extract, aloe vera, watermelon, calendula, and Vitamin E to cool, hydrate, and revive skin after long summer days at the beach, pool, or outdoors.

Colter shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE exclusively what this entrepreneurial journey has taught them and how they’re preparing for the next stage of growth:

What have you learned about running a children’s haircare brand?

A business like this is a full-time job, and there is always a fire to put out. As with any company, we have to deal with unexpected issues that arise. Nevertheless, we want to ensure that the customer experience is the best it can be. So I guess learning how to constantly multitask and keep all the balls in the air at once is what we’ve learned more than anything.

What’s been the biggest challenge to date?

Our biggest challenge is trying to scale while making sure we stay true to who we are. As we expand, we can’t lose sight of why we got into the haircare business in the first place. Making sure we don’t compromise on quality is our main focus as we grow.

How have you been positioning the company for expansion and growth?

We are currently in a due diligence process in preparation for launching in other territories. We hope to open stores abroad, if possible. We are also exploring select retail placements and expanding our e-commerce footprint.

Your daughters are co-founders in the business. What do you hope they learn about entrepreneurship?

We hope they learn that it’s OK to try new things, take chances in life, and pursue their passions. To never be afraid of failure and to always invest their time and energy into things they believe in and can stand behind.

And what do you hope the legacy of Niles + Chaz will be for them?

A legacy that speaks to the uniqueness that can be found in everyone. We believe everyone has the right to feel seen, represented, and proud of who they are. Whatever makes you unique should be celebrated. A lot of the time, this starts with your hair. So if we can help kids feel confident at an early age, that would be a wonderful achievement.

protest, Portland, racial slur, Catholic school — (Photo: Tero Vesalainen/Getty Images)

by Selena Hill

July 9, 2026

Black-Owned Farmers Market Overwhelmed With Community Support After Racist Vandalism

Community members are rallying behind Atlanta Harvest after its owner discovered the N-word carved into a watermelon.

An act of racist vandalism targeting a Black-owned farmers’ market in metro Atlanta has sparked an overwhelming show of community support.

Atlanta Harvest co-owner EliYahu Ben Asa said he discovered the N-word carved into a watermelon last month while preparing to donate it to a local community center.

“When I got out of the car and took a look at the watermelon, that’s when I saw the racial slur carved into it,” Ben Asa told WSB-TV. “I was taken aback. I was very surprised.”

Rather than letting the incident deter him, Ben Asa said it reinforced his commitment to serve the community through affordable, healthy food.

“It was disheartening to see, but it’s not going to stop us,” Ben Asa told 41NBC. “It was a horrifying thing to pull out as a gift. My intention was to give it away, but I’m glad that I caught it and no one else had,” he continued.

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Ben Asa shared a video on Instagram talking about the incident, which went viral and prompted supporters to flood the Ellenwood market. WSB-TV reported that shoppers waited in long lines to purchase fresh produce in a show of solidarity just days after Ben Asa posted the video. One customer, Stephonie Wiley, said she drove 90 minutes to support the business.

“We saw it on social media, and one, it’s Black-owned, and we definitely want to support our Black-owned businesses,” Wiley told the local news station.

Another customer, William Jones, said the racist act motivated him to take action.

“It was demoralizing, and it saddened us to the point where we wanted to support.”

For Ben Asa, the community’s response has been far more powerful than the vandalism itself.

“We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing,” he said. “Our work is too important. The food that we provide to the community is too important.”

He added that he plans to file a police report and refuses to let the act of hate define Atlanta Harvest’s mission.

“This wasn’t something that I felt was necessarily a threat against my life,” Ben Asa said. “It was just somebody doing some evil that wanted to spread some hate.”

Ben Asa said Atlanta Harvest will continue to combat food insecurity by providing families with access to fresh, nutritious food.

“My father has always taught me to never falter,” he said. Never change. The work that we do is too important for us to be bogged down by any kind of bad situation.”

18 Black Americans Who Are Members Of The Billionaire Club

by Ida Harris

July 9, 2026

18 Black Americans Who Are Members Of The Billionaire Club

The commas go crazy

The list of Black American billionaires features visionaries who have built massive empires across technology, private equity, media, sports, and entertainment.

As of 2026, here are 18 prominent U.S.-based Black Americans who have officially entered the billionaire club:

Bowie State University — photo credit: User: Mattysc, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

by Sidnee Michelle

July 9, 2026

Bowie State Nursing Program Earn 100% NCLEX Pass Rate For The 1st Time

The Maryland historically Black university said all 14 graduates passed the licensing exam on their first attempt.

Bowie State University announced July 1, that every graduate in its December 2025 Bachelor of Science in Nursing cohort passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, giving the program a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate as demand for licensed nurses continues nationwide.

The Maryland historically Black university said all 14 graduates passed the licensing exam on their first attempt. The NCLEX-RN is the national examination required for registered nurse licensure in the United States, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The achievement comes as healthcare employers continue to address workforce shortages across the nursing profession, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

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“This result reflects the rigor of our program and the unwavering commitment of our faculty to student success,” said Dr. Monique Alston, chair of Bowie State’s Department of Nursing and associate professor. “Our graduates leave Bowie State with the knowledge, clinical experience, and confidence needed to succeed as professional nurses from the outset.”

University officials said the nursing curriculum combines classroom instruction, simulation-based learning, and clinical experiences to prepare students for professional practice. The program also emphasizes leadership and culturally responsive patient care.

Graduate Joshua Desvignes, who now works at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, credited the program’s faculty and clinical training with helping students prepare for the licensing exam.

“Bowie State’s nursing program challenged us to think critically while supporting our growth academically and personally,” Desvignes said. “Through hands-on clinical experiences and faculty invested in our success, we were fully prepared for the NCLEX. Passing the NCLEX on the first attempt reflects the strong preparation and academic foundation we received at Bowie State.”

The university also said all 21 members of its Spring 2026 nursing graduating class accepted nursing positions before commencement and are preparing to take the NCLEX-RN.

Official fiscal year 2026 nursing licensure results are expected to be released by the Maryland Board of Nursing in September 2026.

David Banner Says Excellence Has Everything To Do With You

by Kenneth Meeks

July 9, 2026

David Banner Says Excellence Has Everything To Do With You

To the Best of Your Ability, Be 10-times better than everyone else

Who Is The Man Behind The Message?

David Banner is an actor and recording artist and producer who has appeared in Stomp the Yard, The Butler, and The Equalizer. He also has several studio albums including Them Firewater Boyz, Vol. 1, Mississippi: The Album, and The Greatest Story Ever Told. Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Banner was awarded a Visionary Award in 2006 by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators in his hometown, recognizing him for his humanitarian work after Hurricane Katrina. According to published reports, he also testified before Congress at a hearing on racism and misogyny in hip hop music industry.

David Banner’s Message At XCEL Summit For Men

When he joined award-winning actor Blair Underwood at the 2025 XCEL Summit for Men, he shared his experience on the set of a Mercedez Benz commercial that proved his dedication to excellence. It’s a story we’re excerpting in this short clip below. And as we approached the 10^th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, Banner’s story just might inspire you to strive for excellence in your own career. If he can do it in the midst of a medical emergency, then we all can strive for excellence with less trauma. Take a look!

Nipsey Hussle Foundation, Turkeys, Los Angeles — Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

by Sidnee Michelle

July 8, 2026

Nipsey Hussle’s Estate Finally Cleared, Children To Split $11M

The court's decision closes one of the last remaining legal matters involving Hussle's estate

A California judge has approved the final distribution of the estate of rapper and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle, concluding more than seven years of probate proceedings and allowing his two children to receive their inheritance, according to AfroTech.

The ruling, issued July 5, finalizes the administration of the estate of Hussle, born Ermias Asghedom, following his fatal shooting in Los Angeles March 31, 2019. Court records indicate the estate, valued at approximately $11 million, will be divided equally between his daughter, Emani Asghedom, and his son, Kross Asghedom. Financial terms of the individual distributions were not publicly disclosed.

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The court’s decision closes one of the last remaining legal matters involving Hussle’s estate, which has been managed by his brother, Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom, throughout the probate process. Since Hussle’s death, the estate has continued overseeing his business interests, intellectual property, and the Marathon brand while preserving projects tied to his legacy.

Hussle earned recognition not only as a Grammy Award-winning artist but also as a businessman whose investments focused on South Los Angeles. Through Marathon Clothing, real estate ventures, and technology initiatives, he advocated for neighborhood revitalization and economic ownership within underserved communities, efforts that continued to shape his legacy after his death.

Hussle was 33 when he was fatally shot outside Marathon Clothing in South Los Angeles. In February 2023, Eric Holder Jr. was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the killing. Two other men were injured during the shooting.

The court-approved settlement formally transfers Hussle’s estate to his children, marking the conclusion of a lengthy probate process while preserving the business and community initiatives he established before his death. The decision represents the final legal step in distributing the assets of one of hip-hop’s most influential entrepreneurs.

Jermaine Dupri performs at the 2023 ESSENCE Festival of Culture at New Orleans' Caesars Superdome in June 2023. (Photo: Josh Brasted/WireImage)

by Selena Hill

July 8, 2026

Jermaine Dupri Files $18M Lawsuit Against Sony Music For Unpaid Royalties From Mariah Carey, Usher Hits

In addition to the alleged unpaid royalties, Dupri is seeking interest, attorneys' fees, and other damages.

Jermaine Dupri is taking Sony Music Entertainment to court, alleging the music giant failed to pay millions of dollars in royalties tied to some of the biggest names in R&B and hip-hop.

According to a lawsuit filed July 6, the Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and founder of So So Def Recordings is seeking more than $18 million in damages, claiming Sony engaged in a decades-long pattern of underreporting and withholding royalty payments connected to recordings by artists including Mariah Carey, Usher, Kris Kross, Xscape, Da Brat, and Bow Wow, reports Variety.

The complaint alleges Sony’s actions amounted to a “systemic pattern” of failing to properly account for royalties earned under agreements dating back to 1992. According to the filing, Sony’s “deceitful actions” included “underreporting royalties, failing to report income, and retroactively altering royalty statements,” reports People. The lawsuit claims Sony withheld approximately $960,000 in royalties from Xscape’s 1993 debut album Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha. It also alleges the company failed to report producer and override royalties for Kris Kross’ blockbuster albums Totally Krossed Out and Da Bomb, resulting in more than $2.2 million in unpaid royalties. Furthermore, the suit accuses Sony of failing “to account to Plaintiffs to avoid paying millions of dollars to the Plaintiffs,” despite Dupri’s productions and So So Def catalog generating more than $200 million in gross revenue over their decades-long business relationship.

In addition to the alleged unpaid royalties, Dupri is seeking interest, attorneys’ fees, and other damages.

Dupri claims he and So So Def first became suspicious in 2023 after reviewing royalty statements and discovering alleged discrepancies spanning multiple releases over several decades.

Dupri, a 12-time Grammy nominee and winner of Best R&B Song for co-writing Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together,” has long been one of the most influential producers in contemporary music. His So So Def label helped launch the careers of Kris Kross, Xscape, Da Brat, Bow Wow, and Jagged Edge, while his production credits include chart-topping records for Janet Jackson, TLC, and Ludacris.

Cudjo Lewis — Photo Credit: public domain, Wikimedia Commons

by Selena Hill

July 8, 2026

Descendant Of Enslaved African Cudjo Lewis Receives Citizenship From Benin

More than 165 years after the last known slave ship arrived in the U.S., the great-great-granddaughter of Clotilda survivor Cudjo Lewis has become the first descendant of the ship's captives to receive citizenship from Benin

More than 165 years after the last known slave ship arrived in the United States, one descendant of its survivors has fulfilled a dream her ancestors never had the chance to realize.

Cassandra Lewis, a direct descendant of Clotilda survivor Kossola “Cudjo” Lewis, has become the first descendant of the 110 Africans illegally transported aboard the infamous slave ship in 1860 to receive citizenship from the West African nation of Benin. Lewis told AL.com that the moment is deeply personal.

“This citizenship means a lot to me,” she said. “I knew about Cudjo from birth, but I never knew about Africa. I could [remember] seeing my daddy looking at books on Africans. Now I get to go there and learn about Africa, trace my roots back, and learn about it.”

Lewis’ journey to citizenship began long before Benin passed its landmark 2024 law establishing a right of return for descendants of Africans taken during the transatlantic slave trade. As the youngest of nine children, she grew up hearing firsthand accounts passed down from her father, Johnny Lewis, who spent the first 15 years of his life with his great-grandfather, Cudjo Lewis.

“Johnny was with him there during the first 15 years of his life, and he was able to tell his children,” Lewis said. “He did exactly what Cudjo said.”

Cudjo Lewis was among the best-known survivors of the Clotilda, the last known ship to illegally transport enslaved Africans to the United States more than 50 years after Congress outlawed the transatlantic slave trade. After emancipation, he and roughly 32 fellow survivors established Africatown in Alabama, where they preserved West African customs, language, and traditions. Lewis formally received her Beninese citizenship during a May 22 ceremony, standing beside a life-sized cutout of her great-great-grandfather.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs shook my hand and said, ‘glad you made it,'” she recalled. “He said that he wondered if it was me that was with my grandaddy. They were so happy that I was there.”

Lewis’ citizenship became possible after Benin enacted legislation in September 2024 allowing descendants of enslaved Africans to reclaim citizenship. She submitted DNA results and genealogical records proving her direct lineage to Cudjo Lewis.

“The people there are trying to make things right,” she said. “These people have opened their doors and made it possible for me to come and learn about their people. They are very beautiful and welcoming in everything.”

Lewis plans to share her experience during Africatown’s annual Landing Event & Ancestors Festival, where her family’s story continues to serve as a powerful reminder that, generations after the Clotilda’s arrival, descendants are still reclaiming the history, identity and homeland that slavery sought to erase.

Employers, Mental Health, — (Photo: Antoni Shkraba/Pexels)

by Selena Hill

July 8, 2026

Remote And Hybrid Work Aren’t Going Anywhere, New Census Data Suggests

Remote and hybrid may be here to stay in spite of the corporate push for employees to RTO

Despite a growing number of return-to-office mandates from major companies, remote and hybrid work has become a fixture in the U.S. labor market, according to a new analysis of Census Bureau data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

The research found that nearly 22% of U.S. workers worked from home at least some of the time in 2025—a slight decline from the previous year but evidence that flexible work has not disappeared. Early 2026 data shows the trend continuing, with the combined share of hybrid and fully remote workers holding steady at roughly 22%.

The findings challenge the narrative that return-to-office policies have dramatically reversed pandemic-era workplace changes. Instead, researchers say the data points to a new workplace structure where employers and workers embrace a mix of in-person and remote work.

The Minneapolis Fed’s analysis, based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, found that while the share of fully remote workers dipped slightly in 2025, hybrid work increased modestly, keeping the overall percentage of employees working remotely relatively unchanged. Employees also logged about the same number of hours working from home compared with the prior year.

However, data shows that remote work varies considerably by industry. Public administration experienced one of the sharpest declines in remote work in light of federal and state government efforts to bring employees back into the office. The information sector also saw a noticeable drop following return-to-office requirements announced by several large tech companies last year. Meanwhile, hybrid work appears to have become the new normal, particularly for knowledge professionals.

Nevertheless, flexible work remains common across occupations where it is feasible. Gallup research finds that hybrid schedules are the preferred arrangement among employees with remote-capable jobs rather than being fully remote or fully on-site.

For employers, the data underscores how workplace flexibility has evolved from a temporary pandemic accommodation into a long-term talent strategy. Companies continue to weigh collaboration and office utilization against employee expectations around flexibility, recruitment, and retention.

closed, restaurant — photo credits: pexels

by Selena Hill

July 8, 2026

Celebrity Chef G. Garvin’s LowCountry Steak Closes Midtown Atlanta Location

Chef G. Garvin will continue to expand his culinary footprint with new ventures across metro Atlanta

Celebrity chef G. Garvin has closed the Midtown Atlanta location of his restaurant, LowCountry Steak, ending a more than five-year run in one of the city’s busiest dining districts, reports Toner To Atlanta.

The New Southern-inspired steakhouse, located at 1010 West Peachtree Street in the Tens on West mixed-use development, reportedly served its final customers June 28. According to reports, employees learned of the closing the following day through group chat.

The Midtown restaurant was first announced in 2020 and officially opened in January 2021. During its tenure, LowCountry Steak earned national attention, including a 2024 episode of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, hosted by Guy Fieri, highlighting Southern cuisine. Although the Midtown outpost has closed, Garvin’s original LowCountry Steak location at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remains open. The restaurant’s official website now displays a notice thanking customers for their support and confirming the Midtown closure.

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Garvin, an Atlanta native and longtime television personality, has opened several restaurants, authored cookbooks, and curated culinary programming. In 2023, he was named chief culinary officer for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, overseeing food and beverage initiatives for the NBA franchise.

Despite the Midtown closure, Garvin’s restaurant portfolio continues to expand. According to ToNeTo Atlanta, he is preparing to open Pearl & Oaks, a new oyster and seafood concept in the Bridges at Jodeco development in the Jonesboro-Stockbridge area, reports Atlanta Tomorrow’s News Today.

The reason for the restaurant’s closure has not been publicly disclosed. However, the announcement comes as restaurants across the country continue to struggle with rising operating expenses, including labor, food, insurance and occupancy costs, creating financial pressure throughout the hospitality industry.