• BE The Game

by Edwian Stokes

August 1, 2026

How LeBron James Built A $100 Million Empire Through Fenway Sports Group

The NBA superstar's 2011 strategic investment in Liverpool FC highlights the power of equity ownership and financial empowerment for Black investors.

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In 2011, NBA superstar LeBron James invested $6.5 million to acquire a 2% minority stake in Liverpool Football Club. At the time, many in the sports media saw this as a unique endorsement deal because James was only one year into his six-year, $109 million contract with the Miami Heat. Today, this investment is recognized as a landmark business move highlighting the power of equity ownership and long-term financial empowerment for Black entrepreneurs and institutional investors.

According to SportsBible, James’ initial investment has generated a return of about 1,567%, with his equity now valued around $100 million. This gain came from a tactical decision in 2021 when James, 41, exchanged his 2% direct stake in Liverpool FC for a 1% ownership stake in Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s parent company.

A Masterclass in Equity and Portfolio Diversification

FSG’s valuation has grown substantially across its varied sports portfolio. Forbes estimates FSG’s total value at $12.95 billion, supported by assets like the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, New England Sports Network, and Liverpool FC. Liverpool FC alone is valued between $5.4 billion and $6.2 billion, making James’ stake in FSG worth between $100 million and $129.5 million. Over his 23-year NBA career, James, who recently signed a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, has earned over $1 billion in salary, but this investment shows how strategic equity can generate wealth beyond direct earnings.

James’ financial voyage provides a valuable model for financial empowerment. Historically, Black athletes have generated significant revenue for brands, universities, and leagues but have seldom secured long-term equity in parent organizations. James’ approach changes this situation by moving from high-earning talent to equity partner.

Strategic Synergies and Operational Excellence

Liverpool FC’s financial success resulted from disciplined operational management that directly increased James’ asset value. When Fenway Sports Group acquired the club in 2010 under principal owner John Henry, Liverpool faced inconsistent performance and monetary problems. According to Liverpool FC financial statements, ownership implemented a turnaround strategy based on analytics-driven decisions, strict budgeting, and focused investments. By hiring Jürgen Klopp and adopting data-focused recruitment, the club won nine major trophies in seven years while keeping net transfer spending to about $55 million per year.

This operational excellence produced significant global brand growth. Sports Illustrated reports Liverpool’s on-field success coincided with commercial expansion, increasing its international digital following by 40 million and generating $719 million in annual revenue with $102 million in operating income in 2024. James contributed to this cooperation. In 2020, FSG secured a five-year apparel agreement with Nike, where James holds a lifetime partnership.

The Broader Impact on Black Ownership in Sports

Liverpool’s balance sheet demonstrates corporate discipline uncommon in European sports, maintaining a low debt-to-value ratio of just 3%. This conservative approach protects asset value throughout financial volatility and offers a key lesson for Black-owned businesses managing difficult capital markets. While sports franchises are illiquid and valued on projections rather than immediate cash, James’ role in FSG places him among the top global sports leaders.

James’ $6.5 million investment has turned into a model for global asset strategy. Apart from financial returns, it supports his wider goal of becoming a majority owner of an NBA expansion franchise. For Black entrepreneurs, executives, and investors, James’ experience with FSG shows that lasting financial empowerment comes from acquiring, growing, and retaining institutional equity, not just earning high salaries.

RELATED CONTENT: Chasing Joy Over Dollars: LeBron James’ Free Agency Reshapes NBA Business Landscape

• Uncategorized

by Von Boozier Twins

August 1, 2026

Darrell Spencer Turned ‘Crowned Skin’ Into an 8-Figure Grooming Empire

The former Meta and Google strategist explains how scent, storytelling, and digital community helped Crowned Skin disrupt men’s personal care.

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The modern men’s grooming industry is no longer simply about looking polished. It is about presence, confidence, identity, and cultural influence. Few founders understand that evolution better than Darrell Spencer.

The Chicago native and former technology strategist transformed Crowned Skin from an ambitious idea into an eight-figure men’s grooming business. Through cologne-infused skincare, memorable fragrance storytelling, and a digital-first strategy, the brand has captured attention across TikTok, climbed Amazon’s rankings, and helped spark a broader conversation about luxury self-care for men of color.

Spencer’s experience at companies including Meta, Google, and LinkedIn gave him a front-row view of how audiences discover, engage with, and ultimately purchase from brands online. He brought those lessons into Crowned Skin, positioning the company at the intersection of grooming, culture, confidence, and digital commerce.

After introducing Crowned Skin to millions of viewers on Shark Tank, Spencer is now expanding the company beyond skincare and into fragrance and lifestyle products. His larger ambition is not merely to generate viral moments; it is to build an enduring, globally recognized Black-owned brand.

BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with Spencer about leaving corporate America, converting online attention into customer loyalty, expanding into fragrance, and building a company capable of creating both cultural influence and generational wealth.

Leaving successful careers at Meta, Google, and LinkedIn to build your own company was a significant leap. At what point did you know entrepreneurship was worth betting on, and what risks were you prepared to take?

There was not one defining moment. Instead, there was a growing realization that I wanted to spend my career building equity rather than building someone else’s vision.

Working at companies like Google and Meta taught me how category-defining businesses scale, but entrepreneurship gave me the opportunity to create something that could outlive me.

The risks were obvious. Leaving behind stability, a salary, and prestige was not easy. But I believed that betting on myself would ultimately provide the greatest opportunity to create wealth and impact.

Crowned Skin has grown from an idea into an eight-figure business in a remarkably short time. Looking back, what were the one or two decisions that fundamentally changed the trajectory of the company?

The biggest decision was refusing to build only a product and choosing instead to build a brand.

From day one, we were not simply trying to sell body butter or cologne. We were creating an experience and introducing a new ritual centered on confidence, attraction, and self-care for men.

The second decision was betting on digital before it became the obvious playbook. My experience at Meta, Google, and LinkedIn taught me how attention moves online, but more importantly, it taught me how to convert attention into action.

We built Crowned Skin with storytelling at its core. That allowed us to create meaningful relationships with our customers rather than simply acquiring transactions.

Many entrepreneurs struggle to convert viral attention into long-term customers. How have you intentionally transformed social media momentum into sustainable revenue and brand loyalty?

Virality is rented, but loyalty is earned.

Through our product and brand development, we set out to create and own a new category within men’s grooming. Every viral moment has to bring consumers into a larger world that gives them a reason to stay.

For us, that means exceptional products, consistent education, and a grooming ritual that customers genuinely enjoy returning to.

Our incredible team has built systems that allow us to nurture the community long after a customer’s first purchase. We do that through email, social media, customer experience, product innovation, and continued storytelling.

The goal is not simply to generate another viral video. It is to create customers who proudly introduce Crowned Skin to someone else.

Appearing on Shark Tank introduced Crowned Skin to millions of viewers, but your success began long before stepping onto that stage. How has the experience impacted the business, and what misconceptions do people have about what happens after securing an investment?

Shark Tank amplified awareness, but it did not build Crowned Skin.

It is an incredible platform that can accelerate a business, provided that the company has the internal infrastructure needed to support increased demand. It has been exciting to engage with new customers who discovered us through that experience.

The years leading up to that moment were filled with product development, customer feedback, operational challenges, and thousands of small decisions that most people never see.

One misconception is that receiving an investment solves every problem. In reality, it simply gives you another opportunity. You still have to execute every single day.

The greatest value was not just the capital. It was the validation that our vision resonated on one of the world’s largest entrepreneurial stages. We remain grateful for the opportunity to share that vision.

Crowned Skin recently expanded into fragrance with the launch of its Eau de Parfum collection. What inspired this next chapter, and how does the fragrance line fit into your broader vision of building Crowned Skin into a global luxury lifestyle brand? Are there additional categories or innovations consumers should be watching for?

Fragrance felt like a natural evolution because our customers were already telling us that they wanted their favorite Crowned Skin scents to last even longer.

That led us to introduce our Eau de Parfum collection and further develop what we call Scentmaxxing™, our philosophy of building fragrance through intentional layering rather than relying on a single spray.

Long-term, we are not simply building individual products. We are creating a fragrance wardrobe centered on confidence, ritual, and self-expression.

Consumers can expect us to continue expanding across fragrance, grooming, and adjacent lifestyle categories while maintaining the premium experience that has defined Crowned Skin from the beginning.

As Crowned Skin continues to expand, what does success look like beyond revenue? Is your long-term vision centered on building a legacy brand, creating generational wealth, or changing how Black-owned businesses compete on a global stage?

Revenue is simply a scoreboard.

The larger mission is to build one of the most respected men’s personal care and grooming brands in the world while creating generational wealth and expanding what people believe Black-owned businesses can become.

I want Crowned Skin to become an institution, a brand that is still thriving decades from now because it consistently delivers exceptional products.

If we can inspire more founders to think globally from day one, that is a legacy worth building.

To learn more about Darrell Spencer and Crowned Skin, visit CrownedSkin.com.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Just For Teens’ Skincare Brand Expands To Nearly 10,000 Dollar General Stores

• BE The Game

by Edwian Stokes

July 31, 2026

Michael Strahan Is Building An Executive Legacy From The Turf To Boardroom

NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan shares strategies for achieving lasting growth and financial empowerment.

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When NFL Hall of Famer and Emmy Award-winning co-anchor Michael Strahan retired from professional sports, he faced a challenge common to many Black athletes: transitioning from the field to the executive suite. Early in retirement, Strahan recalled sitting at home unsure of his next move, torn between returning to football or trying something new. A key moment came when he decided to step into broadcasting despite uncertainty and lack of experience. He turned down offers that did not match his long-term vision. In a conversation with his longtime business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini, co-founder and CEO of SMAC Entertainment, on Entrepreneur Playbook, Strahan discussed the mindset needed to transform athletic fame into a lasting business legacy.

Strahan’s journey is a model for ownership, career longevity, and financial empowerment. Since founding SMAC Entertainment in 2010, they have expanded into television production with shows like $100,000 Pyramid, consumer apparel through WEAR by Erin Andrews, and podcasting with “The Intersection.” This shows how equity and ownership can create generational stability.

Shared Values And A Hustle Mindset

A core principle of their 15-year partnership is valuing alignment over ego. Schwartz-Morini explained that successful business partnerships do not require close friendships but do require shared goals and work ethic. Strahan added that setting aside personal ego for common success helps achieve business objectives more effectively.

Managing career transitions requires tenacity and flexibility. Strahan acknowledged that leaving football was challenging because it was central to his identity and almost led him to return. Strahan and Schwartz-Morini addressed this by building a trusted team, leveraging Strahan’s visibility to open doors, and staying committed to authentic leadership despite resistance. He advises aspiring founders to identify secondary interests and learn from every experience.

Expanding The Vanguard Of Black Ownership

Strahan is among a growing group of Black sports figures taking control of their media networks and corporate assets. Earvin “Magic” Johnson led the way with Magic Johnson Enterprises, building a multi-industry empire that invested directly inside diverse communities. Similarly, NBA star LeBron James co-founded The SpringHill Company with Maverick Carter, creating an entertainment platform that empowers Black creators and shapes culturally relevant stories.

Strahan and Schwartz-Morini advise modern creators and executives to use the game, rather than be used by it. By maintaining creative control, diversifying revenue, and building tactical partnerships, African American entrepreneurs can transform short-term success into lasting financial empowerment.

RELATED CONTENT: Beyond the Game: Michael Strahan’s Money and Power Moves

• BE Global

by Sidnee Michelle

July 31, 2026

Oprah Winfrey To Close South Africa Girls Academy, Expand Scholarships

Students who have not completed their education by the transition will attend other top-tier schools.

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Oprah Winfrey will close the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls after the 2027 academic year, ending the residential school model she launched nearly two decades ago and replacing it with an expanded scholarship program expected to serve more young women across South Africa, People reports.

The academy will graduate its final two classes before the Gauteng provincial government assumes responsibility for operating the campus as a public school. Students who have not completed their education by the transition will attend other top-tier schools, with their tuition fully funded by Winfrey through graduation, a spokesperson for the media mogul said.

“The dream was never simply to build a school. It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women,” Winfrey said in a statement announcing the transition.

She added that while the academy’s current chapter is coming to a close, its mission will continue through a broader effort to expand access to education.

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The scholarship program will begin after the academy’s current students graduate. According to Winfrey’s spokesperson, the new model is expected to provide educational opportunities for roughly twice as many girls as the academy currently serves.

Winfrey opened the academy in 2007 to provide educational opportunities for academically gifted girls from underserved communities across South Africa. Since then, more than 1,000 students have graduated from the institution.

The school faced widespread attention shortly after opening when a former staff member was accused of abusing students. The employee was later acquitted, and the academy continued serving young women while building a track record of academic achievement and leadership development.

Over the years, Winfrey has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the school. According to a study cited by the academy, nearly all surveyed graduates went on to pursue higher education and said their education had a positive impact on their families and future careers.

Winfrey said the decision reflects a desire to expand the reach of her education initiative beyond a single campus and invest in even more students across the country.

“This school is my greatest legacy,” she told People magazine in 2019. “These girls are my deepest, greatest joy.”

RELATED CONTENT: Oprah Winfrey Inks Multiyear Deal with Amazon

• Sports

by Ida Harris

July 31, 2026

Claressa Shields Chops It Up With Fans Ahead Of Historic ATL Fight

Undisputed heavyweight titleholder Claressa Shields popped into Atlanta’s Buckhead Fight Club

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Undisputed heavyweight titleholder Claressa Shields popped into Atlanta’s Buckhead Fight Club July 29, to host an open-to-the-public meet and greet at which a line of fans wrapped around the boxing gym to see the champ and have memorabilia signed.

Shields took questions from fans and media, responding to inquiries about her journey. She shared how women can increase their equity in the sport boxing and her thoughts on navigating press.

Shields has long pushed for women’s pay parity as athletes. When asked about any structural changes that might still need to be addressed, Shields told BLACK ENTERPRISE, “I would say what needs to change for women to have equality in boxing that I’m fighting for.”

“I think that women need to take more advantage of their brand …. and know what their brand stands for,” Sheilds continued.

“I think that’s why I’m widely known because I know what my brand is and what it stands for and what I want to represent.”

Shields spoke to the assumption an attendee made, that she is underrated in the sport: “I don’t think I’m underestimated in boxing because I’m the best,” the Champ said.

“I think that people like to talk about things that’s not about boxing. I think that when it comes to my boxing, you can’t say anything bad about it.”

Shields added: “I’m undefeated, two Olympic gold medals, 19 world titles. I think people just like need to focus on the positive.”

The GWOAT also dropped gems for the youth:

“My advice to the younger generation coming up is do not change yourself to be accepted by folks who don’t like you. Do not change yourself.”

The meet and greet was a promotional prelude to Shields’ bout scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, live on DAZN from State Farm Arena. By bringing high-caliber athletic preparation directly to local supporters, Salita Promotions, Route 30 Promotions, and presenting sponsor Zeus Network aim to cultivate grassroots enthusiasm across the Southeast landscape. The fight night reflects a collaborative endeavor between those entities, Claressa Shields Promotions and Wynn Records.

Claressa Shields’ Return to Atlanta is Hella Historic

The upcoming card at State Farm Arena represents a monumental milestone in modern sports entertainment. Shields, the self-proclaimed “GWOAT,” is set to clash with unified WBC and WBA champion Kaye Scott in the first women’s headlining main event in the history of Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.

Shields, who holds the distinction of being an undisputed heavyweight champion, stands to join legendary hall-of-famer Roy Jones Jr. as one of the few fighters in the past 120 years to secure a world championship in a lighter division.

Simultaneously, the co-main event showcases rising 140-pound knockout artist Ernesto Mercado, who tests his undefeated record against formidable veteran Emmanuel Tagoe. Mercado enters the ring following a landmark multi-year partnership with Salita Promotions and Wynn Records, marking his debut on a global DAZN platform.

The undercard boasts Atlanta’s own Hakim Lopez, who trains and runs Granite City Boxing. Lopez goes up against Detroit’s Davelle Smith. The super middleweights will Duke it out eight rounds for the title.

Tickets for the main event on Aug. 15 at State Farm remain available through Ticketmaster.

RELATED CONTENT: Claressa Shields’ Next Opponent Is Set

• Education

by Sidnee Michelle

July 31, 2026

Howard University Brings Back Almost Half The Students Dropped After Mass Enrollment Purge

The HBCU worked with families to reenroll incoming Freshman

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Howard University has reinstated more than 200 of the 502 students who were unenrolled ahead of the fall semester after reviewing financial aid and enrollment records, Interim President Wayne A.I. Frederick said July 29, The Associated Press reports.

The historically Black university worked with students and families to resolve outstanding financial and administrative issues.

Frederick told the outlet that the affected students either still owed tuition after financial aid and scholarship awards were applied or had not submitted required immunization records. He said Howard followed its enrollment policies and had communicated payment deadlines to students and families beginning in March.

“There were no issues as far as what we communicated,” Frederick told the AP, adding that students were informed that unpaid tuition balances were due by mid-July before classes began in August.

The unenrollment prompted concern among prospective students and their families, many of whom turned to social media after learning they no longer had a place at the university just weeks before the start of the academic year. Some students and parents also said they struggled to reach university officials by phone or email to resolve questions about tuition, financial aid, and housing.

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Frederick acknowledged the university received an overwhelming volume of calls after the unenrollment notices were issued, but said staff members responded to email inquiries and began meeting directly with students and families to review individual cases. Those conversations, along with updated financial aid documentation and other enrollment materials, resulted in students being reinstated.

Howard, one of the nation’s largest and most selective historically Black colleges and universities, received approximately 37,000 applications for the upcoming academic year. About 2,200 first-year students remained enrolled after last week’s unenrollment, according to Frederick.

University officials said they will continue reviewing remaining cases as students submit outstanding financial aid documentation, immunization records, and other required materials before classes begin in August, allowing additional students to regain their enrollment if they satisfy the university’s requirements.

RELATED CONTENT: Howard University Receives Nearly $2M Gift From AutoDesk To Support Engineers In AI Training

• News

by Sidnee Michelle

July 31, 2026

Beyoncé Becomes Sole Owner Of SirDavis American Whisky

A spokesperson for SirDavis said the sale marks the beginning of the brand's next chapter.

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Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has become the sole owner of SirDavis American Whisky after French luxury company Moët Hennessy sold its stake in the premium spirits brand, giving the entertainer and entrepreneur full control of the business she helped launch in 2024, The Daily Pour reports.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

According to the outlet, a spokesperson for SirDavis said the sale marks the beginning of the brand’s next chapter after nearly four years of collaboration to create, develop, and launch the whisky.

“Knowles-Carter takes full ownership and control, making SirDavis a woman-, family- and Black-owned company,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

SirDavis debuted in 2024 through a partnership between Knowles-Carter and Moët Hennessy, the luxury wine and spirits division of LVMH. The brand is named in honor of Knowles-Carter’s paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, who reportedly made moonshine during Prohibition.

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The American whisky is distilled in Indiana from a mash bill of 51% rye and 49% malted barley before being blended, finished, and bottled in Texas. The brand launched nationally with a suggested retail price of $89 and has since expanded through limited-edition releases, retail activations, and marketing tied to Knowles-Carter’s “Cowboy Carter” era.

Neither Knowles-Carter nor Moët Hennessy has publicly commented on the reason for the ownership change.

The transaction follows broader restructuring efforts at Moët Hennessy, which has been streamlining operations as luxury beverage sales have slowed in several global markets. The company owns a portfolio of high-profile brands, including Hennessy cognac, Dom Pérignon, and Krug Champagne.

For Knowles-Carter, the acquisition adds another wholly owned company to a growing portfolio that spans entertainment, fashion, beauty, and consumer products. Full ownership also positions SirDavis to chart its next phase of growth under independent leadership, further expanding Black ownership in the premium spirits industry.

RELATED CONTENT: BEYONCÉ PAYS HOMAGE TO GREAT-GRANDFATHER WITH SIRDAVIS WHISKY

• Men

by Edwian Stokes

July 31, 2026

Beyond The Green: Modi Oyewole Built Golf Collective ‘Swang’ Into A Cultural Powerhouse

The former Def Jam executive partnered with creative studio Cthdrl to establish Swang to make golf more accessible.

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When Modi Oyewole first tried golf in 2023, he did not plan to start a business. As vice president of creative at Def Jam Recordings, he sought a meaningful pursuit beyond corporate entertainment, according to Inc.

His viewpoint changed after attending a Hypegolf Invitational hosted by Hypebeast. Seeing the combination of streetwear culture with golf, Oyewole recognized the sport’s ability to foster community instead of exclusivity.

This insight led to the founding of Swang, a Los Angeles-based golf collective co-founded by Oyewole and Josh Hubberman, a creative strategist at Cthdrl. What began as an informal group of 15 at a local driving range has grown rapidly to more than 1,200 active members and hosted over 50 events in its first year. The group’s biweekly gatherings regularly attract hundreds, showing Swang’s momentum and ability to bring new faces into the golf community. By focusing on making golf more open and culturally connected, Swang has attracted substantial corporate support.

Dismantling Barriers on the Fairway

Golf participation has reached record highs in recent years, according to the National Golf Foundation. However, Oyewole and Hubberman saw Swang’s main opportunity in broadening the sense of welcome on the course.

“The actual game wasn’t the problem,” Hubberman said. “The barriers around it were — the etiquette, the assumptions, the feeling that you had to know the rules before you could even show up.”

To address these barriers, Swang launched biweekly “Free Range” sessions at Rancho Park Golf Course in Los Angeles. These events include free golf balls, club rentals, professional instruction, music, and hospitality. Without dress codes or performance pressure, attendance now regularly exceeds 300 participants, from beginners to LPGA professionals. Swang also extends its reach to younger generations by offering youth-focused clinics and working with local schools to introduce golf to kids who might not otherwise have access. 

Culture Before Capital

During the post-COVID golf boom, many startups focused on securing venture capital and sponsorships. In contrast, Oyewole and Hubberman prioritized building trust and audience engagement before pursuing revenue.

“There were definitely moments when it would’ve been easier to pursue revenue first,” Oyewole said. “But we believed if we built something people genuinely cared about, everything else would follow.”

This strategy proved successful. Swang secured long-term partnerships with established brands without jeopardizing its vision.

Callaway Golf agreed to supply equipment for Swang events, providing newcomers with access to premium gear. At the same time, Jordan Brand partnered with Swang to support community expansion.

“I came into golf being myself — Jordans on, baggy shorts, a jersey, music blasting,” Oyewole said. “From day one building Swang, we literally had Jumpman on the top of our ‘Mount Rushmore of Brands’ Google doc. They’ve always pushed sport into culture, and that’s exactly where Swang lives.”

The ROI of Belonging

Swang’s rapid growth demonstrates a broader change in consumer behavior. Research from McKinsey & Company shows that organizations building strong emotional connections with customers regularly outperform competitors in loyalty and prolonged growth.

By replacing traditional gatekeeping with cultural authenticity, Oyewole and Hubberman have demonstrated that increasing golf’s openness can also drive commercial success. Going forward, Swang plans to expand its programming with new community tournaments, youth participation initiatives, and collaborations with local artists, striving to further diversify the sport and make it welcoming for even more people.

RELATED CONTENT: Versant Media Group To Buy Tiger Woods-Backed Full Swing Golf Tech For $530M

• Money

by Selena Hill

July 30, 2026

‘Melanin Money’ Tops $1B In Community Wealth, Launches $100M HBCU Initiative

The wealth-building platform is empowering Black communities and HBCU students with financial education tools and strategies.

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Melanin Money, a financial education and wealth-building platform, is one step closer to its goal of closing the racial wealth gap.

Building Black Wealth

Launched in 2017 by George Acheampong and Carter Cofield, the organization blends education, advocacy, and actionable strategies to help individuals and families achieve financial freedom through coaching, investing, and entrepreneurship. Through live events, online courses, and advisory services, the organization has equipped thousands of people with the tools and strategies needed to build generational wealth.

“Melanin Money was born out of urgency and purpose,” Cofield told BLACK ENTERPRISE last year. “We discovered an article predicting that Black wealth would hit $0 by 2053. While alarming, it highlighted a real issue—our community’s lack of advanced financial literacy. We’re not just talking about budgeting and saving but higher-level concepts like investing, tax-saving strategies, and entrepreneurship,” he continued.

“What sets Melanin Money apart is the expertise we bring. George is the No. 1 financial advisor in North Carolina, and I am among the top certified public accountants in the country.”

The 35-year-old self-made millionaire added that Melanin Money clients have increased their net worth by over $100 million in just a few years.

“Our ultimate goal is to prove the 2053 prediction wrong—not just slightly, but by $100 billion.”

Wealth Weekend 2026

Earlier this month, the organization held its annual Wealth Weekend 2026 conference in Atlanta, where it announced that members of its community surpassed $1.1 billion in collective audited net worth. The achievement marks a significant step toward Melanin Money’s goal of helping 100,000 people of color build their first or next $1 million in net worth.

“This weekend wasn’t simply about celebrating financial success—it was about proving what’s possible when education, community, and intentional action come together,” said the co-founders in a statement shared with BE. “Every milestone we announced represents another step toward helping more families build lasting wealth and changing the financial trajectory of future generations.”

The two-day event drew more than 600 entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and professionals from around the country. It featured live panel discussions and workshops centered on AI, investing, entrepreneurship, tax strategy, and estate planning. Speakers included Blavity and AfroTech Founder and CEO Morgan DeBaun, wealth coach, investor, and entrepreneur Cedric Nash, and investor and financial educator Larry Jones. Acheampong and Cofield also took the stage, sharing expertise on investment and finance strategies along with tax tips for individuals and small business owners.

The conference culminated with The Melanin Money 100 Awards Gala, which recognized Melanin Money clients who’ve obtained significant net worth milestones ranging from $100,000 to $10 million. Hosted by celebrity host, actor, entrepreneur, and investor Terrence J, the ceremony also honored influential Black leaders, founders, investors, innovators, executives, and community builders named to The MM100 List. Each year the list spotlights both established and emerging changemakers across categories like finance, tech, wellness, media, sports business, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship.

At the end of the gala, the co-founders announced the launch of MMvestED in U, a new initiative designed to provide 100,000 HBCU students with financial education and funded investment accounts before graduation. The long-term vision includes entrepreneurship training, investment capital, mentorship, scholarships, internships, and university partnerships nationwide.

“Our vision is simple,” the founders said. “Education creates opportunity. Opportunity builds wealth. And when you invest in 100,000 students, you invest in generations.”

The initiative launched with a $50,000 contribution from investor Chris Sain II and The Chris Sain Foundation, which the Melanin Money Foundation immediately matched to establish a $100,000 founding fund ahead of an anticipated Fall 2027 rollout.

Next year, the co-founders plan to bring Wealth Weekend 2027 to Dallas, where Melanin Money is headquartered, as part of its national expansion strategy.

RELATED CONTENT: My Paycheck Isn’t Growing. Should I Fight For More Or Walk Away?

• Fashion & Beauty

by Sidnee Michelle

July 30, 2026

Tyla Named Global Brand Ambassador For Kate Spade New York

Tyla will showcase the brand's Duo Mini Shoulder Bag in new seasonal colors.

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Two-time Grammy Award-winning artist Tyla has been named the newest global brand ambassador for Kate Spade New York, expanding the South African singer’s growing presence in the fashion industry through a yearlong partnership with the accessories and lifestyle brand, according to a recent press release.  

The collaboration will include global advertising campaigns, social media content, and in-store marketing, with Tyla making her debut in Kate Spade New York’s Fall 2026 campaign. According to the company, the campaign is inspired by the idea of finding joy in everyday moments while incorporating references to the singer’s recently released sophomore album, APOP. 

Throughout the campaign, Tyla will showcase the brand’s Duo Mini Shoulder Bag in new seasonal colors, including Beet and Laurel Leaf, which Kate Spade said are available beginning July 28. The company said additional campaign images and creative details will be released in the coming days.

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“Tyla’s confidence, creativity, and distinctive sense of style make her an ideal partner for Kate Spade New York as we continue to evolve the brand for a new generation of consumers,” Eva Erdmann, CEO and brand president of Kate Spade New York, said in a statement announcing the partnership. 

The announcement comes as Tyla continues to expand her profile beyond music. Since earning international recognition with her Grammy-winning hit “Water,” the singer has become a fixture at major fashion events and has collaborated with several global brands, helping establish herself as one of music’s most influential style figures. 

The appointment also marks Kate Spade New York’s latest effort to pair its products with high-profile artists and entertainers. Under Erdmann’s leadership, the brand has increasingly centered its campaigns around musicians, creators, and cultural figures to strengthen its connection with younger audiences while emphasizing optimism and self-expression. 

Additional campaign imagery and marketing assets are expected to be released as the Fall 2026 campaign rolls out.

RELATED CONTENT: Tyla Uses First-Ever VMA Win To Educate Others That ‘African Music Is More Than Afrobeats’