by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 18, 2023

Rep. George Santos Introduces New Vaccine Bill Named After Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj’s cousin in Trinidad has seemingly inspired one Republican lawmaker to introduce a vaccine bill named after the rap superstar.

Rep. George Santos, who made headlines last year for how bizarrely he fabricated his professional background, introduced seven new bills on Monday, with one named after Nicki Minaj, Fader reported. The bill, dubbed The Minaj Act, aims to establish “a development period for new vaccines in order to generate public confidence,” according to reporter Kadia Goba.

It comes a year and a half after the “Anaconda” rapper faced backlash after expressing her doubts about the COVID-19 vaccine.

“They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met,” she tweeted in September 2021.

“It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one”

Minaj faced more criticism after she followed up with an alleged vaccine experience she heard about from her “cousin in Trinidad.”

“My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent.” Minaj claimed.

“His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied.”

Minaj faced swift backlash from the public, with the White House reportedly reaching out to her for an informational call. The Health Minister of Trinidad and Tobago also called out the “Moment For Life” rapper saying he “had to check and make sure that what she was claiming was either true or false,” as noted by Hollywood Life.

“We unfortunately wasted so much time yesterday running down this false claim,” Dr. Terrence Deyalsingh explained.

“As far as we know, at this point in time, there has been no such reported either side effect or adverse effect… As we stand now, there is absolutely no reported such side effect or adverse event of testicular swelling in Trinidad or … anywhere. None that we know of anywhere else in the world.”

Santos’ Minaj Act came amid his announcement to run for re-election, following a tarnished 2022 campaign that unearthed a number of outlandish claims regarding his personal and professional life.

Three Black Hollywood Actors Create Mansa, Providing Free Global Streaming Content
by Sharelle B. McNair

April 18, 2023

Three Black Hollywood Actors Create Mansa, Providing Free Global Streaming Content

A new streaming service is set to bring more Black culture to your television screen.

Introducing Mansa – a free ad-supported streaming video-on-demand service for global Black culture, as reported by Next TV. Founded by actors Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, and Chiké Okonkwo, Mansa is designed to offer a variety of content, like on-demand titles, digital linear channels, and short-form videos.

Collaborating with tech entrepreneur and film financier, Zak Tanjeloff, TechCrunch reported the company will soon announce they have closed an $8 million seed round, led by MaC Venture Capital. They have received additional funding from the likes of Robert F. Smith and former mayor of Sacramento and NBA player, Kevin Johnson’s Black Capital VC. The goal is to provide free, ad-supported content, something that Tanjeloff said is hard to find.

“That was sort of our aha moment, which is can we build a streaming platform for curated global Black culture, and deliver it to the world for free,” he said.

The platform will provide programming with global Black stars including Idris Elba’s Second Coming and Trevor Noah’s comedy special, You Laugh But It’s True, and more, acquiring licensing for more than 1,500 hours of content. With their target audience being younger millennials and Gen Z, users will be able to scroll through the app on their phone with a TikTok-style feed that will feature trending videos, with categories ranging from music to food, from YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

“For four hours a day, they are in front of a television screen, watching long-form content, and the other four hours in front of their phone watching short-form content,” Tanjeloff said. “So what we thought would be interesting was if we can marry the two in a really interesting way that nobody is doing.”

On top of Black TikTok-like content, fans can join in live with a feature titled “Watch Out Loud,” allowing users to join watch parties and stream movies and TV shows with the creators and independent filmmakers.

Shaq
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 18, 2023

Shaquille O’Neal Finally Served Legal Documents in FTX Lawsuit After Successfully Evading For Months

Attorneys representing investors in the cryptocurrency company FTX have  caught up to NBA Hall of Famer, Shaquille O’Neal.

O’Neal is named in the class-action lawsuit filed against the retired basketball player and other celebrities who endorsed the firm.

Adam Moskowitz, the attorney representing the investors in the lawsuit and a partner at Moskowitz Law Firm, tweeted out the new development.

“UPDATE: Plaintiffs in the billion $ FTX class action case just served @SHAQ outside his house. His home video cameras recorded our service and we made it very clear that he is not to destroy or erase any of these security tapes, because they must be preserved for our lawsuit.”

Last month, The New York Post reported that the TNT announcer had been avoiding being served the legal documents from the lawsuit. O’Neal was among those named in a lawsuit filed in December pertaining to his involvement with FTX. Other celebrities, like NBA champion, Stephen Curry, and NFL champion, Tom Brady, were also named in the lawsuit.

The company filed for bankruptcy after being the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange just last November, behind Binance.

The lawsuit against the celebrities who endorsed FTX was filed by an investor in the company, Edwin Garrison. He claimed his crypto account went bankrupt after “being exposed to” the endorsements by the celebrities.

Last year, O’Neal stated he was only a celebrity being used for an ad.

“I have nothing to hide. If I was heavily involved, I would be at the forefront saying, ‘Hey.’ But I was just a paid spokesperson,” O’Neal said in December 2022.

Oh, Baby! Grace and Trai Byers Celebrate The Birth Of Their First Child And Seventh Wedding Anniversary
by Iman Milner

April 18, 2023

Oh, Baby! Grace and Trai Byers Celebrate The Birth Of Their First Child And Seventh Wedding Anniversary

Grace and Trai Byers have a beautiful love story.

The actors met on the set of the FOX show Empire and immediately fell in love. Grounding their relationship in faith, the Byers continue to make us all believe in happy endings and now the pair have even more to celebrate, as they recently announced the birth of their first child. And even more sweet? The couple is also marking a major milestone in their marriage: seven years of holy matrimony.

The 38-year-old actress took to Instagram to share an adorable family photo with the caption, “2556 days, 365 weeks, 84 months, 7 years. 7….the year of completion and fullness. @traibyers, as we hold our newborn son in our arms, side by side, a new feeling of fullness overwhelms me. I am so moved by what God has done – His miracles, His blessings, His grace. I stand in reverie and awe.”

The pair announced their pregnancy in October of last year and were also reunited onscreen in the latest season of Prime Video’s hit show, Harlem.

“You have taught me so much about love, patience, compromise and sacrifice. I am overcome by you. By your love. By your heart. By the way you show up for us every day”, the actress continued. “There’s nothing you haven’t done. There’s nothing you won’t do. Your commitment to our union is a constant, burning blaze that never, ever goes out. My mouth remains agape each passing year. You are a husband that I could never imagine or fashion or create in my greatest of thoughts. And now, you are a father, who already surpasses this too. Dearest @traibyers, I have loved you. I love you.I will love you. Forever. In fullness. In completion.Happy 7 Year Anniversary, my dearest Heart + forever Beloved.”

We know Trai and Grace will give the performances of a lifetime in their new roles as parents.

Jonathan Majors
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 18, 2023

Jonathan Majors Gets Dropped By Management Team Amid Domestic Violence Arrest

Jonathan Majors continues to feel the professional repercussions in the wake of his domestic violence arrest last month.

The Creed III star has been dropped by his longtime talent manager Entertainment 360 just weeks after being dropped by his PR firm the Lede Company, Deadline reported. Elsewhere, the Valentino fashion house said they “mutually agreed” that Majors would no longer be attending the Met Gala as one of their guests.

The axed representation comes after the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania star was arrested in New York City on March 25 and charged with strangulation, assault, and harassment, AP reported. But reps for Majors claimed he is “entirely innocent” and blamed the incident on the 30-year-old woman involved, who allegedly was having “an emotional crisis.”

“Mr. Majors completely denies assaulting the woman,” Chaudhry told CNN. “Around 11 a.m. on March 25, 2023, Jonathan Majors called 911 out of concern for the woman’s mental health. The police arrived with the paramedics, as is standard procedure, and arrested Mr. Majors due to an NYPD protocol requiring arrest in certain circumstances.”

Text messages sent after the arrest showed that the unidentified woman contacted Majors, assuring him she had no intention of pressing any charges against the film star.

“They assured me that you won’t get charged,” one text read.

“They said they had to arrest you as protocol when they saw the injuries on me and they knew we had a fight.”

“I’m so sorry you’re in this position. Will make sure nothing happens about this,” she purportedly wrote in another message. “I told them it was my fault for trying to grab your phone.”

In another message sent hours later, the woman allegedly doubled down on her desire to not press charges.

“I reiterated how this was not an attack and they do not have my blessing on any charges being placed,” she wrote.

“I read the paper they gave me about strangulation and I said point blank this did not occur and should be removed immediately.”

Majors has already shot scenes reprising his role as the villain Kang the Conqueror in the second season of Marvel/Disney+’s Loki. Sources said there has been no talk within the Marvel camp to drop Majors from the MCU ahead of beginning filming for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

April 18, 2023

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts Experience Modest Gains Among Venture Capital Firms, According to VC Human Capital Survey

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) data from 315 venture capital (VC) firms, representing more than 5,700 U.S.-based, full-time employees and $594.5 billion in assets under management, is now available as part of the “VC Human Capital Survey,” powered by Venture Forward, the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), and Deloitte. This survey series takes a unique approach to assessing DEI in the VC industry. It gathers data confidentially from VC firms of all types and sizes, examines various demographic groups across all positions, and evaluates firm talent management strategies, including DEI practices and goals. The fourth edition of the survey provides a first glimpse into outcomes from initiatives that many VC firms made following the summer of 2020, when social justice and racial equity were a heightened focus for the country.

Key takeaways

  • More VC firms are incorporating DEI strategies. Nearly one-half (46%) of surveyed firms have a diversity strategy (up from 44% in 2020, 35% in 2018, and 15% in 2016), and 44% have an inclusion strategy (up from 41% in 2020, 31% in 2018, and 17% in 2016). In 2022, 60% of firms said they either have a staff person or a team responsible for DEI (an increase from 55% in 2020, 34% in 2018, and 16% in 2016). Majority of firms have established or plan to establish specific DEI goals. This new question found that 40% of the firms surveyed in 2022 stated they now have specific DEI goals, while 23% plan to implement goals within the next six months.

  • More VC firms are seeing DEI interest from limited partners (LPs) and focusing on DEI at portfolio companies. In 2022, 47% percent of firms said that LPs requested their DEI details within the last 12 months, an increase from 41% in 2020, and 36% in 2018. In 2022, 38% of firms said they requested DEI details from their portfolio companies, an increase from 30% in 2020, and 19% in 2018.

  • Women are far from parity, although their representation is steadily trending upward. Female employees represent 26% of investment professionals in 2022, up from 23% in 2020, 21% in 2018, and 15% in 2016. The proportion of women in junior-level investment positions grew in 2022 to 35%, up from 33% in 2020, 28% in 2018, and 25% in 2016. Among investment partners, women represent 19%, up from 16% in 2020, 14% in 2018, and 11% in 2016. In 2022, 57% of firms reported they do not have any female investment partners (compared with 65% in 2020, and 68% in 2018). Only 15% of firms said they had more than one.

  • Racially and ethnically diverse women saw slim gains among investment partners. Black women comprised 1% of investment partners in 2022 compared to 0.25% in 2020 and 1% in 2018. Among investment partners, 5% were Asian/Pacific Islander women in 2022, compared to 3% in 2020, and 5% in 2018. Hispanic women were 2% of investment partners in 2022, increasing from 1% in 2020 and 2018. White non-Hispanic women comprised 13% of investment partners in 2022, up from 12% in 2020, and 11% in 2018.

  • Female representation among investment professionals with senior decision-making responsibilities realized little or no gains. Women constitute a distinct minority of investment professionals with senior decision-making responsibilities such as originating deals (25% versus 24% in 2020), representing the firm on the boards of portfolio companies (20% versus 21% in 2020), serving as a member of the firm’s investment committee (20% versus 21% in 2020), and serving as an owner of the management company (17% versus 18% in 2020).

  • Representation for Black professionals remains limited. Black employees comprised 5% of investment professionals in 2022, an increase from 4% in 2020, and 3% in 2018. Black professionals also comprise 4% of senior-level positions (4% in 2020, 3% in 2018), and 7% of junior-level investment professional positions (7% in 2020, 5% in 2018). Eighty-nine percent of firms report they do not have any Black investment partners (93% in 2020 and 2018).

  • Some improvement in Hispanic representation. Hispanic employees comprised 6% of investment positions in 2022 (4% in 2020, 5% in 2018), and 5% of investment partner positions (4% in 2020, 3% in 2018). Hispanic representation among junior-level investment professionals also increased from 4% in 2020 and 2018 to 5% in 2022.

  • Younger and smaller firms have more diversity among investment partners. VC firms founded within the last 10 years reported that a larger percentage of their investment partners were Black (8%), Hispanic (8%), and female (22%) as compared to older firms where Black (1%), Hispanic (2%), and female (17%) investment partners were not as prevalent. A more significant percentage of investment partners at small firms were Black (11%), Hispanic (11%), and female (25%) than at mid-size firms (Black 3%, Hispanic 5%, female 18%), and large firms (Black 1%, Hispanic 1%, female 16%).

Why this matters
The VC industry plays a critical role in identifying and funding innovative startups that create jobs and economic value—and in the process, improve people’s personal and professional lives. A startup ecosystem with investors and innovators that better reflects the demographics of the country has the potential to unlock opportunities for even greater success, wealth distribution, and economic value.

In addition to benchmarking data on gender diversity, racial diversity, ethnic diversity, age diversity, talent management and DEI practices — this year’s report provides strategies and insights to help VC firms improve and promote DEI to continue moving the needle.

  • Read the full report here.
  • Access the interactive dashboard here.
Chicago ‘Teen Takeover’ Causes Downtown Mayhem: Two Teens Shot, Man Beaten
by Stacy Jackson

April 18, 2023

Chicago ‘Teen Takeover’ Causes Downtown Mayhem: Two Teens Shot, Man Beaten

Call in the SWAT team!

Chicago police struggled to regain control of the city Saturday night after social media communications summoned crowds of teens to gather at Millennium Park for a “Teen Takeover.”

According to Deadline, SWAT teams worked alongside hundreds of police officers to decrease the mayhem caused by a gathering of what sources estimated as hundreds to thousands of teens deep. Reportedly, teens in Millennium Park destroyed property, attacked tourists, blocked traffic, and jumped on top of cars.

https://twitter.com/anny25717503/status/1647715961548464128

“Last night CPD monitored activity happening across the city and officers were in place to quickly respond to active incidents and large gatherings,” the Chicago Police Department said in a statement.

Fox News reported that nine adults and six juveniles were arrested, a 6-year-old boy was shot in the arm, and two teenage boys, ages 16 and 17, were also shot. Fox 32 reported a woman’s husband was beaten and sent to the hospital after a mob of teens jumped on top of the couple’s vehicle and smashed the windshield while the couple sat inside.

Illinois state senator Robert Peters justified the teens’ behaviors, claiming it was a mass protest against poverty and segregation.

“Since I’m a glutton for punishment and I’m sure I’m gonna get the most unhinged, crime weirdo replies but: I would look at the behavior of young people as a political act and statement,” Peters wrote in a Twitter post Sunday. “It’s a mass protest against poverty and segregation. Rest in peace to my mentions.”

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson, condemned the riot—to a point.

“In no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend,” Johnson said in a statement following the incident. “It is unacceptable and has no place in our city. However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.”

Clarence Thomas To Update Financial Disclosure, Including 2014 Real Estate Deal
by Sharelle B. McNair

April 18, 2023

Clarence Thomas To Update Financial Disclosure, Including 2014 Real Estate Deal

The pressure has mounted for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas after the bombshell report from ProPublica that he accepted luxury gifts from  billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow.

Now, Forbes reports that Thomas plans to update his financial disclosures since he failed to report a real estate deal he made with Crow in 2014.

The deal allegedly includes three Savannah, Georgia, properties, one being the home belonging to Thomas’ mother, Leola Williams, who, according to CNN, still lives there. His late brother’s family also lived in one of the homes.

Williams, 94, was provided with an occupancy agreement in order to live in the home rent-free for the rest of her life. However, she must pay property taxes and insurance.

Using aides to assist with filling out the forms, Thomas claimed it was an “oversight” that he didn’t report the real estate transaction. Thomas and his wife, Ginny, invested close to $70,000 into his mother’s home in capital improvements. After the sale was complete, the proceeds amounted to $44,000, CNN reported. Since there was no gain, Thomas thought there was no need to report it.

He also didn’t report trips on private jets and stays at privately owned resorts, like Crow’s resort in the Adirondacks, claiming those were “personal, not business.”

Several politicians have had enough of controversy surrounding Thomas, 74. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has called for the justice to be impeached and for his advisors to be investigated. “It is the House’s responsibility to pursue” that, Ocasio-Cortez said.

However, others say the criticism of Thomas’s relationship with Crow is unfair.

“Justice Clarence Thomas is a great man, and the Democrats’ latest political attacks are simply repackaged smears in a 31-year campaign of hatred to punish and delegitimize a conservative Black Justice who thinks for himself,” said Mike Davis, a former clerk to Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, told CNN.

Rising To The Top: Value of Utah Jazz Goes Up After Dwyane Wade Purchases Minority Stake
by Sharelle B. McNair

April 18, 2023

Rising To The Top: Value of Utah Jazz Goes Up After Dwyane Wade Purchases Minority Stake

Talk about a come up.

Boardroom tweeted that after former NBA player Dwyane Wade purchased a minority stake in the Utah Jazz just two years ago, the value of the team has skyrocketed – going from $1.75 billion to $2.25 billion.

AfroTech reported the 13-time NBA All Star acquired an ownership stake back in 2021, vowing to turn the team around. In a previous Instagram post, which appears to have been removed, Wade boasted about his excitement to be a part of the budding brand. “Proud and excited to become a part of the @utahjazz family with Ryan Smith and the rest of the amazing ownership team,” Wade said. “As a businessman, entrepreneur, and investor, I bring a lot to this partnership outside of my basketball experience. I’m excited to help take the Utah Jazz to the next level.”

According to ESPN, Wade is one of several former NBA players who have tapped into team ownership, including Grant Hill with the Atlanta Hawks, Shaquille O’Neal and the Sacramento Kings, and, of course, Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets.

The three-time NBA champion has done well since retiring from the league in 2019, investing in more than just the Jazz and time with his beautiful family. BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported that Wayne had invested in Tiger Woods‘ TMRW Sports, a company that would “build technology-focused projects with a progressive approach to sports, entertainment and media.” Shaq and Phoenix Suns player, Kevin Durant, also invested in the media company.

He also recently partnered with Square to launch Forward, a business accelerator program designed to help Black and Latino retail entrepreneurs secure the capital, coaching, and products they need to succeed.

F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Opens Plant-Based Burger Joint In NYC
by Iman Milner

April 18, 2023

F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Opens Plant-Based Burger Joint In NYC

Lewis Hamilton is a 7-time F1 world champion. That’s not where his winning stops. Off the track, Hamilton boasts a diverse portfolio that includes part ownership of the NFl’s Denver Broncos and a chain of plant-based restaurants.

The latest addition is “Neat in Nolita”, a burger joint in Manhattan, that will further expand upon the success of the other “Neat” locations.

“The response to Neat Burger since we opened has been incredible. I’m really proud of the boundaries we have been able to push in this space and the plans for expansion are really exciting,” Hamilton said in a press release. The fast-food chain has also drawn support from Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio, who has been a vocal advocate for a more green planet and the benefits of a meat-free diet.

Hollywood has truly circled around veganism with everyone from Beyoncé to Kevin Hart investing major money into popular vegan brands as well as venturing into their own businesses.

Most famously Tabitha Brown, grew her dietary needs into an empire that includes a New York Times bestselling book, a line of products with Target, and an Emmy-winning show. To Hamilton’s credit, he’s been following a plant-based diet since 2018 and is one of the most prominent athletes to adopt a vegan lifestyle.

In his cover story with Men’s Health in 2021, the UK-bred racer credited his eating habits as one of the reasons he was in top- notch shape.

“Three years ago, I decided to follow a plant-based diet. The only thing I regret is not having done it before,” he said. “My taste buds have learned about things that I never thought I would eat and that I now love: falafel, avocado, beetroot, fresh and dried fruit. I’ve also noticed a marked improvement in my fitness level since I switched, which is motivating.”

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