Angel Reese, LSU’s superstar, isn’t a fan of First Lady Jill Biden’s comments about inviting LSU and Iowa lady basketball teams to the White House. 

On Monday, after the Tigers beat the Hawkeyes in the NCAA Women’s Championship, Biden congratulated both teams–and invited hem to the White House. 

“Last night, I attended the NCAA women’s basketball championship,” Biden said during an event at Colorado State Capitol in Denver, according to CNN. “So I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House, we always do. So, we hope LSU will come but, you know, I’m going to tell Joe [Biden] I think Iowa should come, too, because they played such a good game.”

As the tradition goes only national champions are invited to the White House. Well, the Baltimore-born superstar saw Biden’s invitation; and she’s not jacking it. A social media post by The Shade Room contains a tweet by Reese saying: “WE NOT COMING. Period.” 

Vanessa Valdivia, Jill Biden’s press secretary, attempted to clarify Biden’s comments. “Her comments in Colorado were intended to applaud the historic game and all women- athletes. She looks forward to celebrating the LSU Tigers on their championship win at the White House,” Valdivia tweeted. 

The First Lady loved watching the NCAA women’s basketball championship game alongside young student athletes and admires how far women have advanced in sports since the passing of Title IX.

— Vanessa Valdivia (@vvaldivia46) April 4, 2023

Reese also spoke about Biden’s invitation during an interview on the I Am Athlete podcast. 

“I don’t accept that,  I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t accept that apology because she said what she said,” Reese said during the nearly hour-long sitdown. “You can’t go back on certain things that you say. You felt that they should have came because of ‘sportsmanship,’ right? They [Iowa] can have that spotlight; we’ll go to the Obamas. We’ll see Michelle. We’ll see Barack.’

She added: “I think Joe Biden put somebody else to win the national championship. He didn’t even put us on his bracket, getting out of Baton Rouge, so I was like, ‘Bet. bet.’ I think he said we were going to lose to Michigan (in the second round) or something.”

Reese helped the LSU Tigers win its first national championship and was named the NCAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. 

DJ Envy and his wife Gia Casey have been asked numerous times to join The Real Housewives of New Jersey, but have turned down the offer.

According to The Breakfast Club host, the Caseys opted out of joining The Real Housewives franchise to avoid being the “token Black person” on the show.

“I don’t want to be the token black person on the show,” Envy (real name RaaShaun Casey) told Page Six.

“They would have to make it make sense, and we not into that type of beef and drama. When I see you fighting each other and flipping tables that’s not my family.”

The Bravo show premiered in 2009, and remains one of the highest-rated shows on the network. It has produced standout moments including Teresa Giudice’s infamous table flip scene, drink tosses, and shouting matches.

As interested as Housewives fans are in seeing the Caseys on reality television, they don’t think the Housewives brand is right for them.

“We have been asked a couple of times about joining the ‘Real Housewives,’ but I don’t think that’s for us,” Envy said.

“I don’t know how we would fit into all of that. I will be honest, I don’t see myself hanging out with [the cast] so much. When they go out and do certain things, it is just not my vibe.”

Envy’s wife is good friends with Teresa Giudice and has relationships with most of the cast. As a mother of six, married to a successful entertainer and radio personality, appearing on the show would do well for viewership.

But Envy isn’t so sure it would be the right fit for his family.

“I do know all the cast members of New Jersey,” Envy explained. “My kids and their kids know each other from dance or gymnastics. So that’s how I know Teresa and Joe Gorga, and all of those other people — but I don’t think we would fit in.”

The famed hip-hop DJ will still be getting more onscreen time. He and Charlamagne Tha God signed a deal with BET and VH1 to air one hour of their hit radio show starting on April 17.

TLC fans are preparing to revisit the story of the legendary singing group.

Lifetime recently dropped the first trailer for TLC Forever, a two-hour documentary following the story of the group that was formed in Atlanta in 1990.

The project will detail the success of members Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, but it wouldn’t be significant without the obstacles. Fans will get a deeper look at bankruptcy, illness, and the tragic death of beloved member Left Eye.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TLC (@officialtlc)

“Lifetime and A&E will simulcast the new two-hour documentary TLC Forever, chronicling the journey of the top-selling American female group of all time which led the way with their music, message, and their style,” Lifetime said in a news release.

“When Left Eye died tragically in 2002, the group faced not only immense pain and an uncertain future but also felt abandoned by the entertainment industry despite iconic achievements. Against all odds and through all the struggles, the group persevered with courage, love and unity, forging a new path to success, including launching a new tour slated for summer 2023,” per the release.

“No matter what we went through, we never questioned the love,” Chilli says in the 90-second trailer.

The trailer offers a sneak peek into the group’s breakup moment. “I just never had that feeling that it was over,” Chilli says. “How are we supposed to fight against the world if we’re fighting internally?” T-Boz adds.

Per the press release, the project, directed by Matthew Kay, is produced by One Story Up and Lauren Fulton for Lifetime and A&E Network.

TLC has sold over 85 million records worldwide, scored nine top 10 hits, and won over 35 major awards. TLC Forever will premiere on Lifetime and A&E on Saturday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The Son of a Pharaoh is celebrating another trip around the sun. Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth.

The terrain of Pharrell Williams, the multi-award-winning visionary and entrepreneur, who builds creative universes using music, fashion, and design, is endless. From curating fashion lines, festivals, and experiences to championing for HBCU education and Black entrepreneurship, Williams’ level is too high to bring down.

Let’s take a look at the ways in which the legendary hip-hop musician and producer not only talks the talk but walks the walk in his distinctive style.

A cultural global icon

Williams is in the business of celebrating art, culture, and music.

He currently runs his Billionaire Boy’s Club and ICE CREAM fashion lines in addition to designing for major luxury retailers like Chanel—which named him the first male fashion ambassador—and Tiffany & Co., owned by Louis Vuitton parent LVMH.

Now, the fashion guru has been named Louis Vuitton’s new menswear designer, a spot that had been vacant since Virgil Abloh’s death in November 2021.

“The way in which he breaks boundaries across the various worlds he explores, aligns with Louis Vuitton’s status as a Cultural Maison, reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneer spirit, and entrepreneurship,” said Louis Vuitton’s CEO and Chairman in a statement.

What’s more? Next month is the Something in the Water festival, and Williams announced the extensive lineup of artists participating. He launched the art, music and cultural festival in 2009.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@pharrell)

“Create the city you deserve”

Back in 2021, Williams delivered an inspiring fall commencement speech to the graduating class at Norfolk State University. In addition to nearly 400 alumni crossing the stage, the university presented Williams with an honorary degree.

“You have the ability to create the city that you deserve, the life that you deserve,” he said in his speech.

He continued: “Don’t wait until Election Day. Vote with your wallets today, tomorrow, and the next day. Does the business owner look like you? Shop there.” Williams also urged the graduates to focus on changing outdated language, including the word “minority.”

Indeed, Williams strives for community resilience.

Since then, Williams has been giving back in special ways, including paying off five NAACP youth leaders’ student debt.

“It’s about equity”

In 2022, adverse market conditions led to a 45% decrease in financing for Black entrepreneurs. Williams, who has been named an equity investor in the estimated $200 renovation of the iconic Baltimore Arena, understands the importance of network and resources.

For example, Williams’ Black ambition is leveling the playing field by creating the relationships and conditions for Black and Hispanic founders to excel, uninterrupted. His Black Ambition Prize Competition provides mentorship, resources, connections, and up to $3 million dollars in awards to founders innovating in consumer products and services, media and entertainment, healthcare, technology, and Web 3.0 industries.

“It’s not just about creating space for our Black, Hispanic and HBCU entrepreneurs, it’s about equity, it’s about giving them the tools, resources and hands-on mentorship to excel uninterrupted. I am constantly blown away by the ideas and businesses that our applicants have developed and created.”

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 5, 2023

Black Twitter Bashes ‘Pick Me’ Van Jones For Sympathizing With ‘Granddad’ Donald Trump

---

Here we go again! Van Jones is back in the Black Twitter dog house after the political commentator expressed sympathy for Donald Trump during his recent arrest and indictment.

Jones is no stranger to being criticized for seemingly being too soft on Trump. But he managed to reignite the speculation after he appeared on CNN to respond to the former president’s arraignment in court on Tuesday.

“He looks sad,” Jones told Anderson Cooper. “He looks sad… he looks like the weight of it is hitting him.”

Jones, a former Obama administration official, took aim at the judicial system while expressing his lack of “joy” in watching Trump get put through the wringer.

“You know, just as a human being, I don’t take joy. I don’t like the prison system,” Jones continued. “I don’t like what it does to people. I don’t like this process. I don’t take any celebration in seeing him looking that way. He looks sad.”

After noting his stance “doesn’t mean that accountability is not owed,” he continued extending sympathy to the controversial 45th president.

“But in that moment, that is not a conquerer,” Jones said. “That’s a Granddad having a very bad day.”

Van Jones on Trump's arrest: 'He looks sad … I don't like the prison system, so I don't like this process … doesn't mean that accountability is not owed, but that is a granddad having a very bad day.' pic.twitter.com/exs1tw0Eec

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 4, 2023

Jones’ response to Trump’s indictment led to him getting roasted on Twitter by many who felt he was being too easy on the former commander-in-chief accused of inciting the Jan 6th insurrection.

“Shut up Van,” one user wrote.

“I can’t with Van,” added someone else.

“He kept trying to make Trump a victim of an unjust court system,” one viewer quipped.

One person even reposted an old clip from The View where host Sunny Hostin confronted Jones with complaints of him being a “political opportunist” and explained why the Black community “lost trust” in him.

“Yes, we remember Sunny Hostin calling Van Jones out for being a “pick me” for Donald Trump,” they wrote.

https://twitter.com/iamchanteezy/status/1643370048336150530?s=20

One person shared three photos showing Jones hanging out with the Trumps and Kushners along with an “old proverb” about identifying the true character of a person by the people they surround themselves with.

“When the character of a person is not clear, look at their friends.” Old proverb. pic.twitter.com/tGSbcboJho

— Maya Contreras (@mayatcontreras) April 4, 2023

Van Jones works hard to remain bipartisan and see both sides. But he still can’t shake those Trump sympathizer complaints.

Malia Obama is set to make her filmmaking debut thanks to Donald Glover, and she received some straightforward advice from the decorated Hollywood star.

Glover sat down with GQ for a cover story and opened up about mentoring Barack and Michelle Obama’s older daughter. After hiring Malia Obama as a writer on his new Amazon Prime series, Swarm, the Atlanta creator confirmed that she’s developing a short film under his new production company, Gilga.

“The first thing we did was talk about the fact that she will only get to do this once,” Glover said.

“You’re Obama’s daughter. So if you make a bad film, it will follow you around.”

Fam Udeorji, Glover’s longtime collaborator and his creative partner at Gilga, shared more of the mentorship they’ve been providing Malia Obama.

“Understanding somebody like Malia’s cachet means something. But we really wanted to make sure she could make what she wanted—even if it was a slow process,” Udeorji said. “It’s more about diversity of thought than just, like, diversity for optics. You know what I mean?”

Malia got her feet wet as a writer and received a writing credit on the show’s fifth episode, “Girl Bye,” alongside series co-creator Janine Nabers, Variety reported. The first daughter of film studies comes with a prestigious resume.

She majored in visual and environmental studies at Harvard before interning at the Weinstein Company and serving as a writer intern on the set of Girls, as per Vanity Fair. Malia Obama took her time before deciding what college she would attend, as noted by The Ledger, but Obama had already been teasing her interest in making films.

After a gap year, Malia entered Harvard in the fall of 2017 and graduated in 2021. Soon after graduation, Malia secured a spot in the writer’s room on Swarm. 

• Business

by Derek Major

April 5, 2023

MARTA Selects Group Of Black-Owned Companies For Bankhead Station Redevelopment

---

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has tapped a group of Black-owned companies for the redevelopment of Bankhead Station, the last stop on MARTA’s Green Line.

The New York-based Peebles Corporation, Exact Capital, and Bolster Real Estate Partners, based in Bankhead, will transform the station into a mixed-use development. The new complex will include 495 multi-family housing units, a hotel, offices, retail, and workshare space.

According to Peebles Corporation Executive Vice President Donahue Peebles III, Atlanta has been a location they’ve been looking at and are excited about the project.

“We’re excited to do this with MARTA, we’re trying to do more with MARTA and hopefully, this is the first of a number of projects we’re doing,” said Peebles III. “Atlanta has been a target market for us for a long time, it’s a pro-business pro-Black city that’s been growing significantly and we’ve pursued a number of different Avenues to enter the marketplace.”

Peebles added that in addition to the apartments, office space, and hotel, the Bankhead Station redevelopment will also include an increase in parking spaces and more than an acre of green space for residents to relax and play on. Peebles also added that more than 140 apartments will be priced at affordable rates for middle-income earners. 

The MARTA redevelopment will revolutionize the Bankhead Station from an empty station after work hours into a vibrant and active community that relies on public transportation and hyper-local entertainment.

“This is a transformational project in a number of ways,” Peebles told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “The first is that we’re able to create real cultural vibrancy on site and have people there in a live, work, play environment so that there are no dead times like the downtowns in some cities where outside of the nine to five there’s not a soul on the streets, which is certainly something the city of Atlantic can benefit from as public transportation becomes more and more the preferred mode of transportation as the population grows and traveling infrastructure struggles to keep up.”

Peebles added it’s too soon to determine a construction timeline for the space. However, other companies are announcing plans in the area. Microsoft announced plans to build a campus in Grove Park, less than two miles from Bankhead.

Peebles Corporation Chairman and CEO Don Peebles, who is also involved in the Affirmation Tower Project in New York City and the Angel’s Landing skyscraper in Los Angeles, told BLACK ENTERPRISE that Black economic empowerment is driving new development and construction in the South.

“We’ve been looking at Atlanta for decades, since the early 1990s and we’re going to focus much more on Atlanta and other areas in the south because I think when it comes to Black economic empowerment they’re more progressive than the so-called progressive cities like New York City,” said Peebles. “So we’re really excited to be there.”

MARTA began taking bids for the station redevelopments early last year and is currently soliciting bids for additional redevelopments at Midtown’s Arts Center Station and a multi-phase development at Edgewood/Candler Park Station.

You would have thought several years ago that these two athletes would be winding down their careers, but, both are still rolling—and earning even more money.

Forbes recently released its updates list of sports billionaires. Los Angeles Lakers basketball player LeBron James and golfer Tiger Woods are the first athletes to be listed as billionaires while still playing their respective sports.

LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Toto Wolff and 9 Other New Sports Billionaires 2023 https://t.co/DXzSPiK6kV #ForbesBillionaires pic.twitter.com/73Li9NuCf7

— Forbes (@Forbes) April 5, 2023

In 2014, BLACK ENTERPRISE asked if James would become the world’s first billionaire baller. The question was answered last June when Forbes officially listed James as a billionaire.

The NBA Hall of Fame-bound player also became the first active basketball player to obtain that status. The only other player to become a billionaire is the man whom he is constantly being compared as the greatest in the game, Michael Jordan.

In the official list for 2023, James is joined by Woods as the only two active athletes to hit a ten-digit net worth.

According to Forbes, Woods estimated net worth is $1.1 billion—even after turning down a reported nine-figure offer to play in the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour. He has pulled in approximately $1.7 billion in his 30-year career. That includes tournament winnings, endorsements, and other income he may generate from various businesses he owns and invests in.

James was dubbed “The King” way before he became a financial one.

Coming in at just $1 billion, James became the NBA’s all-time scoring record in February. Just this season Forbes estimates that he will make $124.5 million on and off the court. With a large contract from the Lakers and swimming in endorsement deals, investments, and owning several companies across a plethora of fields, there is no doubt that his status will rise in the near future.

• News

by Iman Milner

April 5, 2023

Bear-y Fierce! Build-A-Bear Unveils Drag Queen Teddy Inspired by RuPaul

---

Racers start your engines and may the best drag queen…win!

Drag Race fans, are you ready for this? Build-A-Bear has just unveiled a drag queen teddy bear designed after the iconic LGBTQIA pioneer, RuPaul. The new stuffed animal is decked out in an over-the-top makeup look, sequined gold dress, pumps, and Ru’s iconic blonde ‘do.

RuPaul announced the creation in an Instagram post saying, “I am so excited because today is the day I unbox the RuPaul Build-a-Bear. Here’s the birth certificate right here. I’m so excited… I’m going to open the box and see what she looks like.”

The bear will retail for $56, or $64 if you want the cute gold strappy heels. Build-A-Bear launched the RuPaul drag queen bear through its specialized brand known as “The Bear Cave,” which is geared toward their older consumers.

“RuPaul Bear is ready for any Eleganza Extravaganza thanks to her signature wig, gold sequin dress, and matching shoes included in this glamazon gift set. The RuPaul logo is also featured on her gold paw pad,” the site said. Build-A-Bear is known for being a place for family fun where you can customize your very own bear to represent you and/or your loved ones. So, this collaboration seems to be on-brand for inclusivity. “Two iconic pop culture institutions join forces for this one-of-a-kind collector’s item made in tribute to the world’s most famous drag queen,” the company’s site said.

Drag culture has been a regular fixture in the news, as many states are pushing to make it illegal for children to be present at any performances, story times, or other community events featuring drag queens. The pushback has been loud as many feel that the laws seek to further perpetuate an unfair idea that the LGBTQIA community preys on the innocence of children.

We’re sure the RuPaul Bear will be a conversation starter, but in the meantime we’ll just appreciate how she slays!

• News

by Iman Milner

April 5, 2023

The NBA Has a New Collective Bargaining Agreement—Here’s What You Need To Know

---

On April 1st, the NBA and the National Basketball Player’s Association agreed to terms for a new collective bargaining agreement with some pretty interesting features.

The NBA CBA will introduce news ways of doing business between the league, its players, and the 30 teams. On the docket were changes to salary caps and luxury taxes as well as a mid-season tournament that’s long been discussed as possibility.

Basketball fans, gather round, here’s what’s in store for the coming seasons:

The midseason tournament

Though there is no guaranteed timeline, some analysts say that a mid-season tournament, that in some ways mirrors the WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup, could happen as soon as the 2023-2024 season. The preliminary games would essentially be designated regular season games with eight teams advancing to a knockout stage. The in-season tournament would include a prize purse of $500,000 per player on the winning team.

Bigger contract extensions

The idea behind allowing for larger contract extensions, is to give smaller markets a better chance at keeping their marquee players from going to bigger markets with more financial leverage. The new rules, which would allow players to re-sign with their current teams at up to 140% of value of their current contract. would be a 20% increase from the previous agreement.

Players can invest in cannabis

It remains to be seen what this will actually look like and what all the rules will be but this is a pretty major deal. Not only will cannabis be 100% eradicated from the league’s drug-testing program, but players will be permitted to advocate publicly for cannabis-related brands, either as investors, endorsement partners, or both.

Players can pursue investments into NBA and WNBA teams

Could we be looking at the first step into producing current and future NBA billionaires? With a process that’s sure to be heavily managed to ensure no conflict of interest when it comes to players moving from team to team, we could start to see some players making moves to invest in and, eventually, own NBA and WNBA teams. This also plays into another part of the agreement: revenue sharing.

A boost in “basketball-related income”

Basketball related income or “BRI” is a pool of earnings split 50/50 between owners and players. With the new CBA it will also include money generated from official team and league licensing deals for the first time.

Also included in the latest deal are: a second luxury tax apron—ensuring teams with leverage are not fleecing the rest of the league during trade season, a load management crackdown for seasonal awards; flexibility for middle- and low-tier spending teams, and changes to the terms of restricted free agency.