Man Starts Uber Black Business Has Account Shut Down for Suspicion of Fraud After Spending $180K
by Sharelle B. McNair

March 13, 2023

Man Starts Uber Black Business Has Account Shut Down for Suspicion of Fraud After Spending $180K

It seems like Uber has some serious beef with Black employees and drivers of color.

After a report showed Uber and Lyft have been deactivating Black driver accounts with little to no explanation, more drivers are coming forward to talk about their experience with the company.

Miguel Abreu drove for Uber for seven years but wanted to take things up a notch.

According to MarketWatch, he decided to purchase a Chevy Tahoe and Mercedes for $90,000 to start a luxury Uber Black, a premium service the company offers to customers. After spending $10,000 on a commercial license, the Massachusetts resident found himself unable to log into his account. Uber Technologies had deactivated his account because he was suspected of splitting his account, or having two drivers using one account.

According to recent reports, 40% of drivers said they weren’t given an explanation of why they were fired. Abreu said he wanted an explanation. “How could that be?,” Abreu said he questioned Uber. ” You know I’m an Uber Black driver. I bought this expensive car, got my commercial license. I shouldn’t just be deactivated.”

In order to be an Uber Black driver, drivers must have higher ratings, the required license, and newer cars – so nothing should have gone wrong for Abreu. However, federal regulations tell a different story.

The state of Massachusetts conducts additional background checks for drivers, on top of ones run by the hiring company – the only state in the United States to have such rule.

That could be the reason behind the deactivation, as he recently became an official U.S. citizen. Uber claimed Abreu’s account had been reinstated and was only deactivated because of suspicion of fraud. “We approach any deactivation decision with caution and consideration,” Austen Radcliff, Uber spokesperson, said.

“Drivers are also able to appeal eligible deactivations, which includes submitting additional evidence.”

When he went to Uber to make an appeal, the company told him one was already in motion, but he had never sent one in. Abreu’s experience is similar to difficulties faced by other drivers, who had actually submitted an appeal, only for the company to say otherwise. Abreu is telling his story in hopes that this doesn’t happen to anyone else.

“What happened to me shouldn’t happen to anybody else. We need protections.”

Black Entrepreneur Who Secured $200K Deal On ‘Shark Tank’ Made $1.8M Last Year
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 13, 2023

Black Entrepreneur Who Secured $200K Deal On ‘Shark Tank’ Made $1.8M Last Year

Raquel Graham, the creator of Headlightz who scored a major deal on Shark Tank back in 2020, is reporting now generating millions of dollars in sales. When she appeared on the show, she ended up landing a deal with Kevin O’Leary and Peter Jones for $200K in exchange for 20% of her company plus a one-dollar per unit royalty until they recoup $600K.

That deal has paid off very well for all parties involved because, in 2021, she generated $1.7 million in revenue. She reportedly generated another $1.8 million in revenue in 2022.

Her company, Roq Innovation, produces Headlightz, a line of hats and headbands with removable and rechargeable LED lights that are perfect for outdoor running, walking the dog, and many practical and safety uses for hands-free lighting. In addition to appearing on Shark Tank, her products have been featured on Oprah’s O List twice, Oprah’s Favorite Things, Forbes, Good Morning America, and The Drew Barrymore Show. She has even sold out multiple times on HSN.

Raquel is no newbie to entrepreneurship. In fact, she has a very successful track record in marketing strategy, branding, partnerships and sponsorships, and event management.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, she later moved to Chicago where she worked for Johnson Publishing Company (Ebony and Jet) as Vice President and a National Marketing Director for seven years. She earned her MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and holds a B.A. in History with an Associates degree in Economics from Wesleyan University.

Her products are currently being exclusively sold on Amazon via a page that profiles her company as one of their most successful Black-owned vendors.

This news first appeared on blackbusiness.com

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2023

Anonymous Oscar Voter Who Didn’t Watch ‘The Woman King’ Told Viola Davis to ‘Sit Down, Shut Up and Relax’

An anonymous Oscar voter, who admitted to not watching The Woman King, blasted Viola Davis and the film’s director, claiming they weren’t nominated because they didn’t “deserve” a nod.

The voter, whose identity will never be revealed, is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is described as a prominent and renowned actor who has delivered “performances in critically heralded prestige dramas, biting mainstream thrillers, and on Emmy-winning TV shows […] this actor earned consistent acclaim throughout his career,” Entertainment Weekly reported.

With a promise of anonymity, the voter ripped apart Davis and the film’s “lady director,” Gina Prince-Bythewood, following public complaints in response to the 2022 film receiving zero Oscar nominations.

“When they get in trouble for not giving Viola Davis an award, it’s like ‘no, sweetheart, you didn’t deserve it,’” the voter said.

“We voted, and we voted for the five we thought were best. It’s not fair for you to start suddenly beating a frying pan and say ‘[they’re] ignoring Black people.’ They’re really not, they’re making an effort. Maybe there was a time 10 years ago when they were, but they have, of all the high-profile things, been in the forefront of wanting to be inclusive.”

The voter went on to berate Davis and Prince-Bythewood, telling the women to “sit down, shut up” since Davis already has Academy Award wins.

“Viola Davis and the lady director need to sit down, shut up, and relax,” the voter quipped.

“You didn’t get a nomination — a lot of movies don’t get nominations. Viola, you have one or two Oscars, you’re doing fine.”

Once the anonymous voter’s words made media headlines, many sounded off on social media with their reactions to the apparently personal snub,

“This is heinous, staggeringly racist, sexist and should be disqualifying as a voter,” one user wrote.

Another user made a correlation to Beyoncé’s recent snub at the Grammy Awards for Album of The Year, after a voter admitted to not voting for Bey since she already had so many Grammy wins.

“Grammy voter didn’t vote for Beyonce because she already won too much. Oscar voter didn’t see Woman King but knows Viola Davis didn’t deserve it,” they wrote. “The ‘lady director’ ‘should sit down and relax’
The goal post always moves when it comes to Black women and the disrespect is loud!”

“The most revealing part about this entire piece is an Oscar voting actor directly disparaging Viola Davis’s acting and then admitting to having not even seen The Woman King,” added someone else.

by Stacy Jackson

March 13, 2023

Ruth E. Carter Makes Historic Win at Academy Awards, Collects Second Oscar

Ruth E. Carter‘s big wins have extended the list of Black women history-makers.

After winning an Oscar for Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards on March 12, Carter became the first Black woman to score two of the prestigious awards.

According to Today, the award, which was presented to Carter for her costume work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, followed her previous Oscar win for the original 2018 Black Panther film.

 

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“Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the superhero that is a Black woman,” Carter said.

Paying tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, Carter asked the film’s original Black Panther to watch over her mother, Mable Carter, who died at age 101, one week before Carter received her Oscar.

“She endures, she loves, she overcomes, she is every woman in this film. She is my mother. This past week, Mable Carter became an ancestor. This film prepared me for this moment. Chadwick: please take care of Mom,” Carter said.

Carter saluted her Marvel family for their efforts with reshaping cultural representation, thanked the film’s director, Ryan Coogler, and voiced her appreciation for the many dedicated artists who helped manifest the Wakanda and Talokan costumes.

In the press room, Carter expressed her hope to inspire young designers.

“I dealt with adversity in an industry that sometimes didn’t look like me, and I endured,” Carter said. “So I feel that this win opens the door for other young costume designers that, you know, may not think that this industry is for them. And hopefully, they’ll see me and see my story and think that they can win an Oscar, too.”

Carter was able to deliver on one of the most challenging assignments of her career, as the garments had to work both in and out of the water.

“We put it underwater, and everything just went up. I had to remake things that were tested. I had to weigh them down, and sometimes they were too light, other times they were too heavy,” she told Variety.

Carter has been nominated for the award four times, which included her work on 1992’s Malcolm X and 1997’s Amistad.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2023

Will Smith Raps ‘Just the Two of Us’ with 10-Year-Old Bassist

Will Smith put back on his rapper hat to perform one of his classic hits, with the help of a 10-year-old bassist.

On Thursday, the Academy Award-winning actor took to Instagram to share a duet video of him performing his 1997 hit “Just The Two of Us” with 10-year-old bass player Ellen Alaverdyan. In the video, Alaverdyan plays the song’s bass line, before Smith jumps in to rap the first verse, and drummer, Jorge Sanchez, ends the virtual collaboration with a drum solo.

“Wow!! @ellenplaysbass, this is FANTASTIC. You are the Sweetest!” Smith captioned the post.

“Tagging in @jacross @elewrockjazz.. Put somethin’ on it.”

 

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The Emancipation star used the video to invite others to “sing with us.” Alaverdyan shared her excitement about Smith’s support and joining her jam session.

“❤️❤️❤️❤️ THANK YOU WILL 🌟,” she wrote in his comments.

She also reposted the clip on her page thanking the legendary rapper/actor for the special collab.

“@willsmith THANK YOU FOR THIS MAGIC ❤️❤️❤️,” she wrote.

Many Smith fans applauded the virtual concert.

“This is why we love you Will,” one fan wrote.

“OK PEOPLE are you forgetting he is a rapper with 4 Grammys this song is a classic KIDS,” added another.

“Since I became a father, I cry every time I hear this song! thank you for creating the Big Willie parenting anthem!” one father wrote.

Smith’s ex-wife Sheree Zampino also praised the video.

“Awwwww… I love this! ❤️❤️, she wrote.

The song’s original music video was a sentimental one for the King Richard star, who performed the song alongside his then-only son Trey Smith.

Jada Pinkett Smith also appeared in the video to show off her baby bump of Jaden Smith, who was born the following year in July. The couple would go on to welcome their daughter Willow Smith in October 2000.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 13, 2023

FINRA Presents: How to Move the Needle for Black Women in Corporate America

FINRA’s Vice President of Talent Acquisition & Chief Diversity Officer, Audria Pendergrass Lee; FedEx Memphis World Hub’s VP, Crystal R. Oliver; ADP Human Resources Division VP, Tiffany Davis; and The Bowman Foundation for Workplace Equity and Mental Wellness’ Founder, Natasha Bowman, hosted an insightful panel on how Black women can move the needle in corporate America, sponsored by FINRA.

Memphis World Hub’s Oliver dropped gems about producing real change within diversity and inclusion.

“If you’re going to talk about people coming into the workplace that are socially/environmentally conscious and you can’t look around and see people looking like you, more has to be done. You have to be intentional with your efforts.”

She spoke passionately about using high-level and executive power to help others within your company, especially those who look like us.

“You have to make a decision yourself; how am I going to approach this, as a lesson or blessing? You have to know what you’re there for. I’m not here for me; I’m here to help the people behind me.”

FINRA’s Pendergrass Lee talked next about equity and inclusion and what it means to Black people.

“What we understood was equity tells us you have to take care of those who need it right now. The data doesn’t lie; if you have not found ways to understand, you’re missing out on the ability to measure sustained progress. People are more likely to be positive in their jobs because the organization is invested in them.”

Bowman Foundation for Workplace Equity and Mental Wellness’s Bowman spoke on how diversity and inclusion initiatives peaked during 2020–2021, but have now fizzled out.

“After the tragic death of George Floyd, so many DEI roles were created. We felt a sense of hope that we would be working in a more inclusive environment. We not only felt a sense of belonging but a sense of hope that those barriers would be removed to create a safe work environment. But recent studies have informed us that isn’t the case now as we’re seeing layoffs in these areas.”

The panel closed with remarks from each panelist on how we can reverse the dwindling DEI initiatives. The crowd was inspired and motivated to push diversity and inclusivity to the front of every company’s agenda!

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2023

Rihanna Stuns in Sheer Maternity Dress At 2023 Academy Awards

Rihanna continues to set new standards for maternity fashion after confirming her second pregnancy last month. The Bajan pop star slayed in a sheer maternity dress at the 95th annual Academy Awards.

The “Diamonds” singer glowed in a black sheer dress with a leather halter top and train, ET reports. Her boyfriend, ASAP Rocky, held a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne while supporting his leading lady on Hollywood’s biggest night.

It was a big night for Rihanna as she performed her Oscar-nominated single “Lift Me Up,” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Rihanna slayed in a second look for her live stage performance.

Rihanna hit the red carpet solo but Rocky joined her just in time to enjoy the show and take photos with the global star in a third number she wore backstage.

Rocky reportedly was in New York by himself while Rihanna stayed in Los Angeles doing rehearsals ahead of her big performance. Insiders teased her excitement to return to the stage after ending her six-year performance hiatus last month headlining the Super Bowl halftime show.

“Rihanna is feeling good and is excited to perform again on Sunday,” sources said.

Rihanna announced her second pregnancy during the halftime show, coming out in a red ensemble with her baby bump visible. It’s the second time Rihanna and Rocky are expecting a child together after welcoming their son in May 2022.

The “Umbrella” singer credited her baby boy with giving her motivation to return to the live stage after years of fans speculating about her return to music.

“The Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world, so as scary as that was … there’s something exhilarating about the challenge of it all,” she shared during a pre-Super Bowl press conference, as noted by Page Six.

“It’s important for my son to see that.”

She followed up the Super Bowl with a British Vogue cover featuring Rocky and their son. Rihanna later admitted she had no idea she was pregnant with their second child during the photo shoot.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 13, 2023

Ciara and Russell Wilson Lend Their Talents to Sing and Read Bible Verses to Prisoners at Maximum Security Prison

R&B singer, Ciara, and her husband, Denver Broncos quarterback, Russell Wilson, recently spent some time with several hundred inmates, praising the Lord while fellowshipping with them.

People reported that the Wilsons connected with the organization God Behind Bars in Florida. An Instagram post from the organization’s account showed the duo interacting with the prisoners in song and praise.

The video started with Russell reciting a verse from the Bible and showed Ciara giving testimony to the prisoners at Florida’s Everglades Correctional Institution.

“You know what’s so beautiful about God’s love? It’s relentless, he don’t let off. And you know what I love about God and what he said and his promise is that there’s no abomination in Jesus Christ….so if you ask for forgiveness, he will forgive you. My heart is filled with joy,” Ciara said in the video clip.

“27 incarcerated men gave their lives to Jesus inside of a maximum security prison. 300 incarcerated men filled the prison chapel to hear a word from @dangerusswilson“

 

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Ciara and Russell are used to giving back to the community. This past holiday season, the two were seen spreading some holiday love at the Children’s Hospital Colorado.

People also reported that the couple held court in Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Seacrest Studios. The space is a broadcast media center that the Ryan Seacrest Foundation donated. The married pair shared their vocals, singing classic holiday tunes like “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” They also read their book Why Not You? to the children, while snapping photos during a meet and greet.

Ciara and Russell have been married since July 2016. The couple shares a daughter, Sienna Princess, 5, and a son, Win Harrison, 2. Ciara also has a son, Future Zahir, 8, with her ex-fiancé Future. And let’s not forget their other child, a new puppy named Bronco.

by Stacy Jackson

March 13, 2023

You Don’t Have to Be Intentional: Women Executives Outline What Leadership Looks Like Now at Women of Power

These women made it to the main stage!

Black women have been making remarkable strides in the C-suite and last Friday, BLACK ENTERPRISE once again celebrated their significance in the workplace during its 17th Women of Power Summit, sponsored by ADP.

Moderated by Richelle Parham, president of global eCommerce and business development at Universal Music Group, women professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs gathered for “Conversations That Count: What Leadership Looks Like Now.”

“It’s time to demand more from work. It’s time to claim your power,” CEO Earl “Butch Graves Jr. said at the top of the session, hosted by Dell.

The audience was enlightened from the stories of two women who have made history and broken ceilings in their professions. Tracey T. Travis, EVP and CFO at The Estee Lauder Companies joined American Express director Lisa Wardell to discuss their journeys to the C-suite.

“I don’t think there’s a magic or secret sauce in terms of career progression,” Travis said, describing her career shift from engineering to finance. “I think I was incredibly intentional about the roles I wanted.”

The Legacy Award honoree shared the significance of reaching out to successful coworkers and learning what they did. It was all about building up the skill set that made her attractive.

Wardell, BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s 2023 Barbara Graves honoree, was not at all intentional in her journey to the C-suite. The audience laughed with the executive, who seemed to offer relief to some of the women.

 

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“I took opportunities and had exposure, and just got to do lots of different opportunities.” Wardell said, extending her nuggets about getting to the main stage. “I really took feedback and took it to heart, and took it as something that was meant to better me.”

Constructive feedback is a gift and nothing to be defensive about, she added. Travis circled back on Wardell’s comment later, stating the importance of recognizing constructive vs. destructive feedback.

The conversation went deeper as the women explained the lessons they learned along the way of using the skills and strategies that helped them make it to the top of the corporate ladder.

“When I think about the choices that I made, as a CFO…I chose roles that really were more strategic,” Travis said, sharing the times she was at Pepsi and would go to grocery stores with her daughters and merchandise the shelves. “That was bit concerning when I was at The Limited and Victoria’s Secret and my daughters were a little too interested in some of the tables in the store.”

On a more serious note, she told the room of women how she aligned herself with the CEO’s objectives and made sure her organization was always prepared to deliver, important things Wardell agreed with on moving business forward.

The road, of course wasn’t easy for either executive—rose petals are not thrown at the feet of Black women when climbing the corporate ladder.

Who are the people making your life easier and who’s making your life harder? Wardell posed the question that got the room thinking.

Raise your hand if you’ve heard this before: “Your colleagues find you a little bit intimidating,” Travis brought up.

“The day you step into the CEO role, your relationship with everyone around you changes. You no longer have peers,” she shared, noting the importance of maintaining your inner authentic self and understanding what parts to leave at the door.

Parham knew the conversation wouldn’t feel complete without having a conversation about Black women executives ensuring there is equitable representation at the most senior levels of corporate leadership.

“We have got to do a better job of networking amongst ourselves, but then also broadening our network to those folk who make decisions,” which Wardell explained are not Black women in lots of cases.

“We’re not at top of mind for some of these positions,” Travis followed, noting Black women are capable of helping help each other tremendously by contributing once they’ve make it in corporate rooms.

 

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The women in attendance were challenged to do that networking in the WPS rooms.

Another Black Business Jumps on the Bandwagon to Buy BET
by Sharelle B. McNair

March 13, 2023

Another Black Business Jumps on the Bandwagon to Buy BET

The battle is on for ownership of BET.

News broke last week that media moguls Tyler Perry and Byron Allen have their hats in the ring to buy Black Entertainment Television, which would have Black ownership after a lengthy hiatus. But new names have also set their eyes on ownership.

According to the New York Times, Group Black is in talks to purchase the network. The Miami-based media company is working with CVC Capital Partners, a private-equity firm based in Luxembourg, with more than $100 billion under management. To become the frontrunner in the bid, CEO Travis Montaque, is reaching out to elite Black businesspeople and artists to team up.

Its bid is not known, however, with contracts that size, there is no surprise that the company recently put in a $400 million bid to purchase VICE Media, according to the Wall Street Journal.

This exploration of ownership of BET can be looked at as a refreshed initiative to support Black-owned and controlled media companies. Thanks to streaming services, BET and networks alike have been losing traditional TV viewership over the years, with BET’s average daily audience decreasing about 20% over 20 years. Its annual profit fell to $205 million last year from $319 million in 2013, not including streaming service, BET+, or the network’s studio business.

Group Black, along with Perry and Allen, are hoping to get things back on track as there is a need for independence and connecting to the Black audience.

Lauren Williams, who started a Black journalist-controlled nonprofit, Capital B., said companies are tired of answering to white people.

“There’s real interest in having the independence to do the things that you want to do for your community and not having to answer to white people to do that,” Williams said.

“Black ownership is important in commercial enterprises because Black people should be profiting from Black products.”

All three parties are still in early talks. Paramount could back out and decide not to sell BET.

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