Motivating the Masses CEO Lisa Nichols took a ballroom full of Women of Power attendees on an exhilarating wave of emotions, ultimately activating an urgency to love, to stand in our light, and to trust in ourselves and sisterhood.

During BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s 2023 Women of Power summit, one of the world’s most-requested speakers and transformational coaches tapped into a morning motivation session through storytelling. She not only honed in on her mastery of teaching, she ignited her power of bringing the room to tears and laughter.

“We are perfect for just a time like this,” Nichols said.

In just an hour, Nichols leveraged her power of motivation to speak affirmation into the hearts and souls in the room. She gave us permission to be unafraid. She encouraged us to lean on our sister friends by revealing our unfathomable goals and pouring support and positivity into each other.

“Don’t be afraid to be brilliant,” she said.

From a whirlwind love affair to lessons learned by her grandmother, Nichols’ message at the luxurious Bellagio Hotel & Casino was well-received. But her presence was a full-circle extravaganza.

After sharing the love story between she and her husband, Marcellus Hall, Nichols surprised the room with an announcement that we were all celebrating her wedding anniversary. The couple, who met in the lobby of a Jamaican hotel in April 2010, fell in love fast before they were married on March 11, 2022 in Nassau, the Bahamas.

 

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“Your light is not for you to hold, it’s for you to keep giving,” Nichols said, during her speech.

With beaming pride, Nichols invited her dapper husband onstage with her, further solidifying their matrimony to the world with a heartwarming kiss and embrace. “I’ve been a waiting a long time to say this,” she said before presenting Hall to the crowd in standing ovation.

The moment took heed to Nichols’ mission at the Women of Power summit.

 

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‘Your blessings are waiting to see them,” she exclaimed.

Nichols’ love story became the headliner to the activations she performed one-on-one. She walked around the ballroom, inviting women both emotional or inspired to stand fully in their truths.

For a woman who desired love, and didn’t settle, Nichols wants her fellow women to serve ourselves, first by prioritizing our health and then giving love a chance. Her love story wouldn’t have had a page in her book if she hadn’t done the work.

Rise up

At one point, Nichols cued the music, and Audra Day‘s soulful cry filled the room. Indubitably, Day’s 2015 “Rise Up” set the tone and mantra for the last day of the summit.

And I’ll rise up / I’ll rise like the day /I’ll rise up / I’ll rise unafraid /I’ll rise up /And I’ll do it a thousand times again

 

“If you don’t do you, you will never be done,” Nichols said to an emotional room.

Nichols also invited the audience members to their feet, hands interlocked with one another, and raised in the air for solidarity, love, and sisterhood.

A lesson learned

Nichols shared a story about the one time her grandmother revealed the lesson in tipping a hotel housekeeping lady. This wouldn’t be the first time she expressed her gratitude for the relationship she shared with her grandmother. Nichols has long credited her grandmother as a source of inexpressible joy and her greatest mentor and teacher.

“You’re walking on the shoulders of your ancestors,” Nichols recounted what her grandmother once told her. For the principal of tipping a housekeeping lady, Nichols learned that not only did her great great grandmother clean hotels but relied on tips to feed her family.

“We got to eat meat that day,” her grandmother recalled at the time. “You didn’t get here by yourself.”

 

“‘She said, ‘Every time you walk out that door, you’re going to do right by us because you’re not by yourself.'”

Flo Rida was a paid sponsor with Celsius Energy Drinks until he sued the energy drink company for not honoring the terms of the contract he signed. Earlier this year, he was awarded $82.6 million in the lawsuit he filed against Celsius Holdings Inc, the producers of Celsius Energy Drinks.

Now he plans on becoming their competition.

According to Insider, the Florida rapper is launching a rival energy drink called JettSet1. The lightly carbonated energy drink will have all natural ingredients and it is expected to be in stores early next year.

The competition may be a fierce one as Flo Rida credits himself with the international success of Celsius Energy Drinks.

“Coming from the success of Celsius, when they had no name and the marketing was very little, I took that product and I took it worldwide,” Flo told Insider. “This is the thing that we wanna do with JettSet1.”

“I already know the field,” he added. “Celsius is great, but at the same time, we want to take something and make it even greater, even healthier.”

These comment came on the heels of the announcement made last week by the Low rapper.

For JettSet1 Enteprises, Flo Rida has partnered with George Tabi, M.D. and Erik Hicks. The trio said the new venture will have “vast interests and partnerships across various industries spanning from biotech, health & wellness, and beverage to real estate development, film, and television, just to name a few.”

As for the new energy drink company, Flo Rida teold Insider, “Everyone knows me as a guy who works out. You look at my music videos like ‘Good Feeling’ and they are a reflection of me and my healthy lifestyle. That’s what we want JettSet1 to be.

“To see me go to trial and be very disruptive in that field, it’s just really organic to my lifestyle. I mean, who would you believe in? Someone who lives the lifestyle but doesn’t know anything about business? Or vice versa? I know the business and I live the lifestyle.”

Mary J. Blige and Pepsi proudly announce the second annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit in partnership with Live Nation Urban. The festival returns to the vibrant city of Atlanta, GA with four days devoted to music, comedy, female empowerment and community building between May 11th -14th, 2023. Presale tickets go live TODAY at NOON ET with code SOAW23, while general on-sale begins Friday, March 10th at 10AM ET. For tickets, visit:  www.soawfestival.com.

Created and curated by Grammy-award-winning R&B songstress Mary J. Blige, Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit is the only festival experience in the market brought to you exclusively by an all-Black, female team and will return this spring to the hotbed for creativity and culture, Atlanta, GA. After selling out in less than 72 hours last year, the festival continues to bring what are sure to be iconic moments back to the State Farm Arena with two incredible nights of music:  the #HipHop50 celebration featuring rarely-performed hits by Mary J. Blige and friends in a special” MJB B-Sides” set; and a special R&B night with performances by the legendary Lauryn Hill, Summer Walker, Lucky Daye, Muni Long, and more.

This year’s festival is a clear “leveling-up” with an expanded footprint in the city and its programming, aiming to create even more opportunities for women and underrepresented groups to find community and joy. New to the festival this year is a special live music event with Grammy-Award winner Robert Glasper along with the Sunday night closing event–PURPOSE BALL, powered by Gilead, produced by Miss Lawrence and featuring a special performance from Saucy Santana. The PURPOSE BALL was created after connecting with friends and partners in the LGBTQAI community around how the festival could celebrate and honor their impact on popular culture—especially in Atlanta. After an extremely successful launch in 2022, and the overwhelming feedback from attendees, the female-led team are set to deliver bigger, better and more impactful programming for 2023 with support from returning and new partners this year including Mielle Organics, CVS Health and Twitch.

As a 9x Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Producer, Philanthropist & Global Superstar, Mary J. Blige has committed the majority of her career to amplify, empower, and give voice to BIPOC women through the art of music and truth-telling. This multi-touchpoint festival, which focuses on Music, Wellness, Tech, Beauty, and Financial Literacy is the evolution of her life’s mission and purpose.

“ I’m so excited to bring our Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit back to Atlanta for its second year, ” said Mary J. Blige, Founder of Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit. “Having the opportunity to continue to uplift, inspire, and build amongst a community of women is the reason why we created this festival. I’m so grateful for all of the support from our performers and participants and of course Live Nation Urban, Pepsi and our additional partners who are committed to celebrating and creating community for Black women.”

The Strength of a Woman festival is engaging with women more than ever before and returns as the go-to destination for inspiring programming, pivotal panels, musical performances, workshops, and much more! Following the success of its debut last year, Blige, and her partners Nicole Jackson, Vice President of MJB Inc., and Marketing Maven Ashaunna Ayars of The Ayars Agency will return this May with initiatives that further empower women of the BIPOC community. The festival is dedicated to curating a safe haven for women, led and assembled by women from production to performances that sustain the festival’s inaugural blueprint.

Jackson, Mary’s long-time business partner, shared “ the popularity and impact of the inaugural Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit successfully showed how and why Black women are the blueprint for cultural relevancy and inclusion. Being able to look back and see the global reach the festival had through our livestream and billions of media impressions is confirmation that we are filling a void in the festival space. Mary, Ashaunna and myself are overjoyed to be back in Atlanta again and look forward to continued expansion in our programming and partnerships.”

Presented by Pepsi, the festival’s inaugural partner returns to support Blige and her impactful work on and off the stage in a shared mission to inspire the next generation of women. For the second annual festival, Pepsi will once again bring its powerful platform to the production and event experience as it activates throughout the festival grounds, including amplifying the musical experience for fans, elevating local women-led businesses, and more to engage the Atlanta community across the festival and summit.

“The Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit is a testament to the power of amplifying Black women and their voices – starting with Mary, someone whose vision and presence has been instrumental in its success. As a brand and company rooted in celebrating culture and uplifting communities, we are thrilled to show our support and continue to provide new ways to elevate the festival experience for guests throughout the expanded weekend of activities, all while highlighting and supporting the remarkable women of the Atlanta community,” said Kent Montgomery, Senior Vice President, PepsiCo Industry Relations and Multicultural Development

Blige and continued partners chose to return to Atlanta for the second annual event given its reputation as the mecca for young Black creatives and entrepreneurs. The festival is proud to partner with dozens of local, minority, and female-owned businesses and vendors to help cultivate the best experience for attendees. The love for Atlanta is reflected not only in the festival’s investment into the local entrepreneurial community but also in the performers and hosts for the various events taking place over the weekend.

Join Strength of a Woman in Atlanta on the following dates this spring:

Thursday, May 11th

• Robert Glasper at City Winery

Friday, May 12th

• Concert: Mary J. Blige & Friends with a special “MJB B-Sides” set celebrating Hip Hop 50th Celebration at State Farm Arena
  • Special performances by Jodeci, Jeezy, DJ Drama and more
  • Hosted by Kenny Burns

Saturday, May 13th

• Strength of a Woman Summit at America’s Mart
  • Participants and Programming details forthcoming

• Concert: R&B Night at State Farm Arena
  • Performances by Lauryn Hill, Summer Walker, Muni Long, Lucky Daye, and Coco Jones
  • Hosted by Kenny Burns

Sunday, May 14th 

• Gospel Brunch and Concert at The Bank
  • Performance by Sunday Service Collective
  • Hosted by Ryan Cameron

• The Purpose Ball at The Bank powered by Gilead
  • Produced by Miss Lawrence
  • Performance by Saucy Santana

• Comedy Night Show at Tabernacle
  • Headliner:  Mike Epps
  • Additional Sets by Don’t Call me White Girl, Henry Welch and Navv Greene
  • Hosted by Erica Duchess

• News

by Booker Jones

March 14, 2023

Man Wrongfully Convicted of 1988 Robbery Released From Prison

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In 1988 a man was sentenced to over 400 years in prison for an armed robbery. Recently, he was released following a request from the Broward State Attorney’s Office Review Unit. 

According to NBC 6 South Florida, Sidney Holmes, 57, was released after serving 34 years in prison. 

“It’s surreal,” Holmes said after he gained his freedom. “I never would give up hope. I knew this day was going to come sooner or later and today is the day. I can’t put it into words, it’s overwhelming. I can’t hate, I just have to keep moving.”

The Conviction Review Unit, which worked with the Innocence Project of Florida, took on Holmes’ case after he contacted the Conviction Review Unit. During the investigation, the Conviction Review and Innocence Project found issues with eyewitnesses, which was the main evidence used against Holmes during the trial, according to NBC 6. 

NBC 6 reports that an eyewitness misidentified Holmes because the photo and lineup used by local police were scientifically reliable and out of date. According to reports, a civilian investigation was the reason Holmes was the only suspect, led by the fact that Holmes drove an Oldsmobile similar to the vehicle used during the robbery. 

In 1988, prosecutors said Holmes was the driver of two men who robbed a man and woman at gunpoint for stealing the man’s car. But there was no evidence linking Holmes to the crime. 

According to NBC 6, the Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and the original investigation expressed disbelief over Holmes’ hefty prison sentence. Prosecutors said that they were confident that there was not misconduct by witnesses or law enforcement. They told the station that although the identification procedures and technology have improved since 1988, the prosecutor’s office followed standard processes during the 1988 investigation. 

Upon his release from prison, the first thing Holmes did was hug his mother. 

Not everyone could get their hands on those pricey Renaissance tour tickets, but Megan Thee Stallion will surely be in attendance thanks to “Auntie” Beyoncé!

The “Savage” rapper returned to the red carpet to attend Vanity Fair’s Oscars after-party where she announced her presence at Queen Bey’s upcoming world tour.

“I ain’t gonna tell you who I got ’em from,” she jokingly told Entertainment Tonight when asked if she has tickets.

“Because they’re gonna be hating on me, but I got ‘em. … You know I called up them directly, ‘Beyoncé! Lemme get a ticket!’”

.@TheeStallion confirms that “Auntie” Beyoncé hooked her up with tickets for her upcoming #RENAISSANCEWorldTour.

pic.twitter.com/TeKba5b0Vb

— The Female Rap Room (@girlsinrap) March 13, 2023

When asked if she planned on attending Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Oscars after-party, Megan teased how locked in she is with the “Cozy” songstress.

“I am, after this. You know Beyoncé is my auntie!” Megan quipped. “This my first night out, and here. I’m ready.”

The Grammy award-winning rapper’s appearance at the Vanity Fair afterparty was her first red carpet appearance in wake of Tory Lanez being found guilty of shooting her in July 2020. Lanez’ December 2022 guilty verdict came after Megan testified against her former friend at his felony assault trial.

After the week-long trial, Lanez was convicted on three counts. He is currently incarcerated while awaiting a new trial motion that will be heard on April 10. If the motion is rejected, Lanez will be sentenced.

Megan hasn’t released any new music leading up to the trial and since the verdict was made. But she hinted a return to the studio ahead following her recent legal win against 1501 CEO Carl Crawford.

The “Traumazine” rapper is set to headline the AT&T Block Party on March 31 in celebration of the first day of the 2023 NCAA March Madness Music Festival. When asked if she has a new album on the way, Megan jokingly announced what she might consider for an album title.

Q: Are you working on any new music?

Megan Thee Stallion: “Oh I am, new album, fuck y’all hoes, bye!” pic.twitter.com/zxCtbGHII9

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 13, 2023

Jasmine Jordan, the daughter of legendary NBA star Michael Jordan and the basketball field rep for women’s sport marketing at Jordan Brand, knows a thing or two about the NIL business.

With learning that her father could’ve been a trillionaire profiting off of himself during his college years, she is hoping to empower women athletes to understand the ropes.

“Maybe that first Nike deal wouldn’t have been as low as it was,” Jasmine told Footwear News. “It would have changed the game. He would have potentially approached his contracts with Nike differently. Looking at his Funko Pop collectibles or the fact that people still wear his UNC jersey, to reap the benefits from it today, we’re talking making trillions at this point.”

Learning more about the benefits of NIL deals through its current interim policy announced by the NCAA in 2021, Jordan has painted a new perspective of what she feels the women’s athlete roster should look like for the brand.

“Our approach to NIL has been focused on women. Also, it’s full-fledged, long-term relationships for us. It’s not about collecting whatever check that you can because you did a quick post on Instagram. If we’re signing you, we’re signing you for your college years or resigning you from high school into college and a maybe pro,” Jordan said.

Jordan added that NIL allows athletes the opportunity to consider who they are from a business perspective.

“It’s about partnership and being valued and appreciated. I’m constantly drilling that into young athletes because I never want an athlete to feel deceived. Also, NIL can really just be college. You don’t have to enter your pro years with a brand. That allows you to either focus solely on college or it allows for longevity entering the pro years,” Jordan said.

“If done right, NIL can be beautiful. Starting with Kiki Rice and now Kiyomi [McMiller], I love what [the deals] can bring young high school athletes and beyond. My focus is [creating a roster with] a mixture of NIL plus the WNBA,” she added.

NEW: Kiyomi McMiller has become the first high school athlete to sign an NIL deal with the Jordan Brand.

The class of 2024 point guard holds more than 40 offers.

More from @Pete_Nakos96: https://t.co/DN84en4WSk pic.twitter.com/B5YRLZu151

— On3 NIL (@On3NIL) February 22, 2023

• News

by Booker Jones

March 14, 2023

Mississippi Sentenced to 42 Months In Prison For Burning Cross to Scare Black Family  

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A Gulfport, Mississippi, man has been sentenced to 42 months in prison, three years post-release supervision, and ordered to pay $7,810 in fines after burning a cross in his front yard in an attempt to intimidate a Black family. 

According to The Associated Press, Axel Cox violated the Fair Housing Act after he threatened Black neighbors, as well as using racially abusive language toward the Black family before burning a cross.

After a dispute with the Black family, according to the Associated Press, Cox built a cross by wedging pieces of wood, placed it in his yard–in full view of the Black family’s home so they could see—and set it on fire while yelling racial language at the family. 

Cox admitted his wrongdoing and acknowledged that he burned the cross because he wanted to scare the Black family.  

“Mr. Axel Cox sought to intimidate members of the community through his intimidating threats,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the FBI Jackson Field Office, said. “The FBI prioritizes the protection of civil rights to ensure citizens remain safe without fear of any harm. We remain committed to tirelessly thwarting the nefarious actions of those, like Mr. Cox, who intended to impact fear upon citizens based on biases.”

“No one should endure such hatred and intimidation because of the color of his skin,” U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca for the Southern District of Mississippi, said. “This defendant has been held accountable. His sentence should permeate among his kind and declare that Mississippi and the Department of Justice will not tolerate this hateful behavior.”

“This cross burning was an abhorrent act that used a traditional symbol of hatred and violence to stoke fear and drive a Black family out of their home,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, told the AP.

Tyler Perry gave fans an inside look at what it’s like into his most important role: dad.

According to People, Perry was a guest on Michelle Obama’s new podcast, Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, where he shared a touching moment he had with his son, Aman.

After the boy, then 5 or 6, refused to brush his teeth when at home with their nanny, Perry decided to take a different approach to disciplining him. Instead of getting aggressive, like Madea would do, he chose compassion.

“He didn’t know I was in the door, I watched him for a minute, and then I had the nanny leave and I got down eye-to-eye and talked to him,” he told Obama.

The 53-year-old remembers telling Aman, “You will not behave this way. We taught you better than this. You are a better kid than this. You’re going to be a better man than this.” Perry suddenly became overwhelmed with emotion. He left the room, and he took a moment to reflect on his childhood. No one, he realized, had ever talked to him in that manner.

“There was just yelling and cussing and what you’re not and what you’re never going to be,” Perry told Obama. After his son apologized for his behavior, Perry stepped out on the balcony with tears, grateful to be in a position where he can talk to his son in such a way.

“So to have a moment where I had a chance to have a conversation with a child, who is my spitting image, I was not only correcting and leading him the right way but helping my own little boy inside of me heal, it was a beautiful moment.”

Perry shares parenting responsibilities with with ex Gelila Bekele. New episodes of Obama’s show are released weekly on Audible.

• News

by Booker Jones

March 14, 2023

Howard University Athletics Department Receives $1 Million Grant to Renovate Burr Gym

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Great news continues to flow in for Howard University. 

After the Bison’s men’s basketball team earned a spot in the NCAA tournament, the HU athletics department is set to receive $1 million from Nuna Baby Essentials. The money will be used to renovate locker rooms and Burr gym.  

“Nuna Baby Essentials is an important partner of Howard Athletics,”  Kery Davis, director of intercollegiate athletics, said to HBCU Gameday. “Nuna’s core values, standards and commitment to excellence align with those of Howard Athletics. I would like to thank Nuna and its leadership, Kenny Cheng and Brad Bickley, for their continued commitment to our program. Their generous contributions have contributed to the overall success and welfare of our student-athletes.”

Brad Bickley, global president of Nuna, added, “Nuna is so excited to be a part of the great basketball and golf future of Howard University! From the time we first met with the administration and coaches of Howard, I felt an exciting win-win partnership could be established with Howard University and Nuna Baby. Howard family and alumni can continue to learn more about our wonderful products, and we will watch the success of Howard basketball and golf.”

Austin Hodges, Nuna’s chief marketing officer, said, “We are honored for the opportunity to partner with Howard University to bring our brand core values of family, safety and community. This partnership has and will continue to grow to further Nuna’s commitment to the growth of the Black community.”

Nuna Baby Essentials is a world-renowned brand that makes car seat strollers and baby gear. Nuna and HU joined forces in 2021. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Nuna to the Bison Family,” Davis said in a statement. “We are pleased to partner with a brand that ensures children and families have every product needed during these challenging times. We look forward to teaming up with NUNA to make a positive impact on our community.”