Fearless Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Fearless Fund, the first venture capital fund built by women of color, for women of color, has partnered with Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator for a multi-phase grant program that will bolster Black women-owned, consumer product-based business.

Through this unique cohort, Black women-owned businesses are receiving grants in amounts between $10,000 – $20,000, in addition to enrollment in Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator, which is dedicated to providing growth opportunities for Black-owned product-based businesses selling in Amazon’s store. This marks a significant opportunity for greater representation in retail as only 6 percent of US retail businesses have a Black owner, despite Black Americans representing 14 percent of the US adult population as of data from 2020 (Hello Alice).

“We are excited to enroll business grant recipients in Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator, giving each brand access to an unparalleled network of mentors that will allow them to reach their professional goals,” says Arian Simone, Co-Founder and General Partner of Fearless Fund.

Mission-driven partnerships are critical to stimulating economic growth. We are excited to partner with the Fearless Fund to support 75 incredible Black women entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams. By participating in Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator, founders will access a suite of resources, including financial assistance, business education and coaching, and marketing support. BBA supports the success of Black-owned businesses by providing a place for their businesses, to start, scale, and create a community to encourage and inspire them along the journey. We believe, when we knock down barriers for Black-owned businesses, through those learnings, we unlock the door for all small businesses to thrive. We stand firm in our vision to target systemic barriers and leverage our entire community to create sustainable pathways to equity that build generational wealth for not only Black-owned businesses and Black women-owned businesses, but all underserved businesses,” says Danyel Surrency Jones, Director, and Head of Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator.

Grant Recipients:
Kimberly Shamsiddin, Al Shams Abayas
Roshonda Coleman, Anointed Hands Salon & Products
Brittny Phillips, Articulate Hands
Ife Obi, Back To You by The Fit In
Sophia Danner-Okotie, Besida
Kimba Williams, KUSHAE
Kelli Palmer, Breedlove Beauty Co.
Myriam Simpierre, Buy Better Foods Corporation
Dana Harris, Coffee Treasures In A Box
Felicia Jackson, CPRWrap, Inc.
Karen Flowers, Curl House
Iyonna Woods, Fancy Free Hair & Skin
Melissa Samuel, Finesseyourclaws LLC
Gineen Cargo, Gavin Christianson Bridal
Kristen Dunning, Gently Soap
Melaina Glanton, Goddess Beauty Skincare
Keicha Danzie, Good Boy Goodies
Colette Glover-Hannah, Hannah’s Shoebox, LLC
Ashley Milligan Nesbit, Healthy Muhf#@kin Hair
Hope Webb, Imani Girl Boutique LLC
Tyler Clark, Inspire by Tyler
Nikia Londy, Intriguing Hair
Krystle McKay, K.Lorayne Apparel
Abena Slowe, Karité LLC
Keya Martin, Keeyahri
Keva Johnson, Keva J Swimwear
Kimo Bentley, Kimo Bentley MedSpa
Mia Campbell, KING ME Custom Jewelry
Sherrie Wilson, Krowned
Arah Sims, Kyutee Beauty
Kimberley Napoleon, Loc’d n Naturally
Ariane Turner, Look Good Live Well
Sierra Breckenridge, Mama Sisi LLC
Megan Smith, Megan Renee LLC
Krystal Duhaney, Milky Mama
Onaedo Achebe, Minti Oral Care
Wendy Ann George, Mosheen Spice Naturals
Jennifer Peets, Naked Bar Soap Co.
Chrissy Cabrera, Naturally London
Rasheedah Loharsingh, Naturals Republic Inc.
Nikita Johnson, Nikita’s Beauty Bar
Taylor Long, Nomads Swimwear LLC
Olatomide “Tomide” Awe, Olori
Nadine Joseph, Peak and Valley
Rachel James, Pear Nova
Twana Moore, Personally She
Piper Barley, Posh Hair District
Taylor Freeman, Pynk Matrixx
Onikeh Brown-Wilson, Satin Pavement
Cynthia “Cindy” Tawiah, Shades Of U
Shika Myrickes, Shika and Company Extensions
Jasmine “Symoné” Gates, Sincerely, Bädé
Skye Loy, SkyeLight
Tenita Strand, Status Co. Leather Studio
Tamekia Geer, TamGee Artistry Studio
Erika Collins, The Hanan Project
Jade Akinrolabu, The Lazy Hat
Erika Massaquoi, THE OULA COMPANY
Kamilah Campbell, The Pink Locket
Ashli Goudelock, The Tsuri Company
Markea Dickinson-Frasier, Thermaband
Valerie Blaise, VAVVOUNE
Jasmine Lewis, Vie Beauty
Leah Hernandez, Young Authors Publishing
Donnya Negera, YUUMA

• News

by Stacy Jackson

March 15, 2023

Gettysburg Restaurant Short Staffed After Revealing New ‘Negro,’ ‘Caucasian’ Cocktails

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They refused to serve customers this mess.

Workers of Mela Kitchen at Jack’s Hard Cider in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, were not up for the racist antics of their employer, Donald Hoffman, who decided to introduce “The Caucasian” cocktail and another mixed drink called “The Negro.”

According to Gettysburg Times, 25 employees have left the establishment since Hoffman revealed his plan on Friday, March 3, to add “The Caucasian,” a white-colored cocktail, to the menu (“Redneck Russian” was proposed as an alternate name), telling offended staff members there was more to come shortly before he released a black one called “The Negro.”

After now-former employees complained about his offensive gestures via email, they were threatened with being fired or told to seek employment elsewhere.

“Your team at Mela refuses to represent an establishment that is OK with this type of language,” said Megan Dietz, former front-of-house manager, claiming there would be a 4 p.m. walkout if Hoffman didn’t make necessary changes.

“In what worlds, do you think you can threaten your boss and expect not to be released, especially in a right-to-work state like Pennsylvania?” server Emily Kate Hessler claimed Hoffman said to her by phone.

People’s World reported that Hoffman rejected employees’ requests for a meeting.

“I cannot just tax and spend like the country that provides you the right to be outraged by the slightest thing,” Hoffman told one employee.

Reportedly, Hoffman was already known as problematic when he purchased the restaurant and bar in 2019 from the previous owners, where he was employed as a manager. The owner allegedly mistreated his employees emotionally and verbally, making sexist remarks and inappropriately touching male and female staff members.

“I’m not surprised an old white man thinks a staff not OK with racism are too sensitive,” a worker reportedly expressed on social media.

Currently, Mela Kitchen is short a general manager and chef de cuisine. The remaining eight staff members who work in the front aren’t even old enough to serve drinks to the restaurant’s customers.

Hoffman indicated plans to release more offensive menu items.

The restaurant issued an apology on March 8 concerning the matter.

Lawmakers are against killing pre-born children but are on board with giving women the death penalty.

South Carolina State House members are contemplating passing a bill for women who have an abortion to be persecuted with the death penalty.

According to Rolling Stone, if the bill, authored by Rep. Rob Harris, is passed, “the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act of 2023’ would amend the state’s code of laws, redefining ‘person’ to include a fertilized egg at the point of conception, affording that zygote ‘equal protection under the homicide laws of the state’ — up to and including the ultimate punishment: death.”

Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican representative of South Carolina in the U.S. House, believes the bill is a factor of a “deeply disturbing” trend.

“To see this debate go to the dark places, the dark edges, where it has gone on both sides of the aisle, has been deeply disturbing to me as a woman, as a female legislator, as a mom, and as a victim of rape. I was raped as a teenager at the age of 16,” Mace said. “This debate ought to be a bipartisan debate where we balance the rights of women and we balance the right to life. But we aren’t having that conversation here in D.C. We aren’t having that conversation at home. We aren’t having that conversation with fellow state lawmakers.”

“There are other bills with exceptions, but will do little or nothing to save the lives of pre-born children,” Harris said regarding victims of rape, listing exceptions that would include “a ‘duress’ defense for women who are pressured/threatened to have an abortion” and “medical care to save the mother’s life,” adding that “the functional language in that scenario is whether the baby’s life is forfeited ‘unintentionally’ or ‘intentionally.’”

To date, the bill has attracted 21 co-sponsors.

Legislators in South Carolina revived the electric chair and firing squads in 2021 as methods for inmates who have committed capital crimes to be put to death.

Currently, abortion is legal in South Carolina for up to 21 weeks and six days. However, a Greenville woman was previously arrested for using pills to end a pregnancy in 2021, violating the state law that deems it illegal to conduct a self-managed abortion.

It’s been a minute since Jay Ellis hung up his Best Buy shirt on HBO’s Insecure.

Now he is basking in his “blessings” at being a part of six-time Oscar-nominated film, Top Gun: Maverick. Ellis took the time to chat with TheGrio about what he’s been up to while, walking the red carpet of the 95th Academy Awards. “I feel super fortunate,” Ellis said. “I’ve had peak TV experiences and peak film experiences back to back, and I’ve been fortunate to work with people that I love from creative teams to casts to studios.”

As a fan, Ellis spoke about his experience working alongside veteran actor, Tom Cruise, in the follow-up to the 1986 classic, Top Gun. He reminisced about Cruise’s kindness and said he thinks of him as a mentor. “I’ve seen every single Tom Cruise movie. Most of them two or three times,” Ellis told Us Weekly. “To know that I got the opportunity to spend 10 months working with him on a movie and another however many months putting it out in the world and going on this press tour. It’s crazy. It’s absolutely bonkers.”

Before capturing hearts as the humble Lawrence on Insecure, co-starring with Issa Rae, the NAACP Image Award winner got his breakout role on BET’s The Game as Blue. Since then, his resume has gotten longer, starring in the thriller Escape Room and nabbing producer credits from Netflix’s Black Box. He currently has work in the Amazon Prime rom-com, Somebody I Used To Know. The proud father also married his love, Nina Senicar, last year in Italy.

He now hopes to give upcoming actors the same opportunities he was presented. “Mara Brock Akil gave me an opportunity. Issa Rae gave me an opportunity. Tom Cruise gave me an opportunity,” Ellis said. “There’s plenty of people in my life who have given me an opportunity to, like, step up and show what I can do. And I feel like I just want to be able to do the same.”

• Celebrity News

by Stacy Jackson

March 15, 2023

Singer Kelis Reminisces About Late Husband’s Impact One Year Following His Passing

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She is using her pain to bless others with a message on wellness.

Singer-songwriter Kelis took to her Instagram on Tuesday to reminisce about the death of her husband, Mike Mora, who passed away on March 14, 2022, after battling stomach cancer, marking one year since the tragic news.

The artist posted a series of videos speaking about her late husband’s health and how it impacted her own personal health journey.

“It’s been exactly a year… that’s crazy to me,” Kelis wrote in the post’s caption. “There is no denying the impact and evolution my husbands passing has had on my life.”

“Lately lots of people have been asking me how I got started with my wellness and my farming and all that stuff,” the singer began her talk. “I just wanted to eat well,” she said, noting that her wellness journey started during her pregnancy years ago. “When I got pregnant that’s when I really started to care and think about it.”

“And then, you know, my husband Mike got sick — this was a couple years ago, right after we had our youngest, Galilee — and he was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer, which was just such a shock,” she continued.

She spoke about how they were in the routine of eating clean.

“After, like, eight rounds of chemo, as we started to research more, the hyperbaric chamber just kept coming up and ozone therapy,” she shared, adding that the tumor returned and started to spread. They began trying mushroom recipes from a man who invented the hyper chamber.

After talking about the brain food she started making for herself and her children, Kelis advised her followers to live stress-free lives.

 

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According to American Cancer Society, stomach cancer affects about 26,500 people a year and statistics show 11,130 of those diagnoses result in death.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the artist spoke about her late husband’s death and battle with stomach cancer in Sept. 2022. Her late husband was 37 at the time of his death and was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer in 2020. Following Mora’s diagnosis, the couple chose to focus on the positives in life, as they spent his last days doing everything together.

The couple married in 2014 and had two children together: their son, Sheperd, born in 2015, and daughter, Galilee, born in 2020.

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 15, 2023

Tia Mowry Reflects On Divorce From Cory Hardrict: ‘I’ve Always Been Next to Someone’

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It’s been five months since Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict announced their divorce. Now, for the first time in her life, Mowry is living on her own.

The single mother of two is adjusting to life post-divorce from Hardrict. The pair had been married for 14 years before deciding to call it quits last October.

After years of marriage and a lifelong career of being a famous identical twin sister, the 4U By Tia CEO is finally moving at the beat of her own drum.

“I’ve always been next to someone,” she told E! News.

“I’ve always had my sister [Tamera Mowry-Housley], side-by-side next to me and this is kind of the first time that I’ve ever been by myself.”

Now with no man or twin by her side all the time, Mowry has a new outlook on life. “I’m just really learning about myself, loving on myself and being optimistic and positive,” she said. “Life is short, so just focus on the positive.”

Just on the heels of announcing her divorce, Mowry shared her own breakup advice for anyone going through a similar situation.

“I would say just love yourself,” she said. “Self-love is the most important thing. Spend time with yourself, have grace with yourself.”

When the divorce was announced, Mowry opened up about how she was dealing with the major life change.

“All about just really taking the time to tap in and take care of myself through meditation, through affirmations, going to therapy, and really continuing to work on myself and grow,” Mowry told People. “I always say, ‘Chase the joy.’

“I really feel like where I am in my life right now, I’ve realized that life is beautiful, it’s amazing, it’s a gift, but it’s also very short, and we all have to chase our joy and chase being happy,” she continued. “That’s really important.”

Those within Adele’s inner circle are reportedly concerned her boyfriend Rich Paul might be using her to gain clout in Hollywood and leave her high and dry.

“Rich is a very charming, influential guy,” a source told Radar Online.

“But the worry is he’s using Adele to boost his Hollywood profile and it’ll all end in tears once he’s gotten bored with her.”

Adele, 34, and Paul, 41, have been going strong since their first public date at the NBA Finals in July 2021, as noted by People. Paul is the founder of Klutch Sports Group and works as a sports agent out of Cleveland.

But his success in the business of sports apparently isn’t enough to impress Adele’s friends, who reportedly think Paul was a nobody before dating the Grammy award-winning singer.

“Before they went public, hardly anyone had heard of the guy,” the insider explained.

“Now he’s front and center at all the big events, soaking up the limelight, and encouraging her to get out there and party alongside him.”

Adele fueled engagement rumors last year when she started stepping out wearing what appeared to be a massive engagement ring. But she denied the claims at the time saying she was just a fan of lavish jewelry.

“I’m just in loooove! I’m happy as I’ll ever be,” she told Elle. “I’m not engaged. I just love high-end jewelry, boy!”

The 30 singer shares a son Angelo, 10, with her ex-husband, Simon Konecki. Adele and Konecki finalized their divorce in March 2021, months before she made things Instagram official with Paul.

In addition to the concern insiders have about the singer dating Paul, they have concern over Adele’s drinking habits. Some sources accuse Paul of being a “questionable influence” who’s “sucked her into this splashy, flashy environment.”

As smitten as Adele is over Paul, insiders speculate that “one day he’ll just take off and move on to his next conquest.”

We all know Adele will turn this saga into a song.

Wyclef Jean is on the mend after the musician alarmed fans by posting a video recorded from his first-ever hospital stay.

On Monday, the Fugees frontman posted a short video clip showing himself being pushed around a hospital in a wheelchair.

“Sometimes we forget that our body is our temple,” Wyclef wrote. “Be back soon.”

While in the wheelchair, Wyclef explained it was his first time ever staying overnight in a hospital.

“Alright, taking me to the room now overnight,” he explained.

“I’ve never stayed in a hospital overnight. I should be fine though.”

 

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A post shared by Wyclef Jean (@wyclefjean)

By Tuesday, Wyclef confirmed he was doing fine and recovering from his recent hospital stint, TMZ reported. The “Killing Me Softly” songwriter said he became ill after returning to Los Angeles from Miami last weekend.

Wyclef reportedly felt numbness on the right side of his face and immediately contacted his family doctor, who sent him to the ER. Dr. Waleed Lashin suggested the Grammy-winning musician stay at the hospital overnight due to the extreme exhaustion that was causing the numbness in his face.

The “Ready or Not” hitmaker needed to remain in good health, as he has business to tend to. Wyclef recently announced the launch of his electric vehicle, the Attucks Apex AP0, which is set to hit the market in 2024, Newsweek reported.

Wyclef created the lightweight electric car with his business partner Elo and plans to headquarter the business in Little Haiti, Miami. The rapper has hopes of giving back to the community by allowing workers from the area to discover, groom, and develop technology for the car, including inventions, technological advancements, sustainability, creativity, design, and coding.

Wyclef also added his own special touch to the Attucks Apex AP0 in the form of “enhanced music and sound experience, analyzing the driver and playing song selections that best fit the mood for optimal driving experience.”

One month after announcing her mother’s death, LisaRaye McCoy followed up with highlights of the beautiful homegoing service she organized.

On Tuesday, McCoy shared a minute-and-a-half video of clips and photos taken during the funeral she put together for her late mother, Katie McCoy. The Cocktails With Queens host was back in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois, to send her mother off in true Southside fashion.

“My moms service and Homegoing was perfect,” McCoy shared in her lengthy caption.

“One week and 1 day ago now. Everything my momma was about as a mother, wife, protector, cook, homework doer, disciplinary, tell it like it T-I-S-er supporter, women and Queen this celebration was it.”

The Players Club star went on to thank family and friends who came together to make the funeral a special one.

 

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A post shared by LisaRaye McCoy (@thereallraye1)

“Friends and Family stepped in and made this happen in a way that I didn’t know I could rely on,” she shared. “I am thankful. I’m also VERY thankful to all of u. Your kind words, prayers and energy you been sending my way.”

McCoy also reflected on her family’s appearance on season 7 episode 5 of OWN’s  Iyanla, Fix My Life. The episode followed three generations of McCoy’s family trying to work together under one roof and break generational curses.

“When some saw us on Iyanla Fix My Life it was 4 generations under 1 roof cry out for help… Alot a pain and trauma unwrapped in the middle… and before the end we found understanding,compassion and our way back to the love,” she explained.

The All Of Us star made sure to send her mother off in true Chicago style with a performance of the Chicago Cha Cha Slide and help from Bishop Don Juan. She sent a sweet message to her late mother and promised to continue making her proud.

“Ma rest with no more suffering. You did a great job with me,” McCoy wrote.

“I got the torch from here. Stay with me in spirit as I been recently feeling. I’m still going to make you prouder.”

We’re glad LisaRaye is at peace and her mom is at peace.

Celebrity stylist Law Roach has officially retired from styling. Roach is best known for styling celebrities such as Zendaya, Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, and many more. He is crediting the “politics and lies” within the industry for his exit.

Roach took to Instagram on Tuesday to make his dramatic exit from celebrity styling.

“My Cup is empty….. thank you to everyone who’ve supported me and my career over the years,” Law captioned his post.

“Every person that trusted me with their image, I’m so grateful for you all. If this business was just about the clothes I would do it for the rest of my life but unfortunately it’s not!

“The politics , the lies and false narratives finally got me! You win … I’m out. ❤️❤️❤️,” he wrote in conclusion.

 

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A post shared by Law Roach (@luxurylaw)

Many in the industry sent messages of love and support, encouraging the famed celebrity stylist not to throw in the towel.

“Retire from the drama but not the fashion !!!!! Beauty and creativity always wins !!!!!!!! Love uuuu,” fashion stylist Dena Neustadter Giannini wrote.

“You will always have a home @britishvogue ❤️,” the magazine’s Editor-In-Chief Edward Enninful wrote.

Over on Twitter, fans speculated about the timing of Law’s retirement announcement, with it coming days after cameras captured an awkward moment he had with Zendaya at Milan Fashion Week.

“Is Law Roach still upset about this? Zendaya seemed to help his career,” one fan quipped.

https://twitter.com/SweetCarmel77/status/1635701588625858561?s=20

The video showed Roach walking behind Zendaya at a fashion show, where she took the last front-row seat and pointed for her stylist to sit behind her in the second row. Many have commented on the exchange and wonder if it had anything to do with his sudden retirement announcement.

In addition to Zendaya, Roach has styled for A-list stars who stunned at Vanity Fair’s Oscars after-party, including Megan Thee Stallion, Hunter Schafer, and Kerry Washington. Other A-listers he’s worked with include Celine Dion, Priyanka Chopra, and Lindsay Lohan.