Bun B is having a phenomenal week. Not only did the Texas native get his UGK poncho back, but the ‘Trill OG’ laned a new deal with Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo for his Trill Burgers company. 

According to Houston Dynamo FC, Bun B’s Trill Burgers is one of ten Houston restaurants, in collaboration with chef  Hugo Ortega, that will now be offered at Clutch City’s Shell Energy Stadium. 

“The Club is ecstatic to offer such a diverse array of flavors throughout the venue this year,” Club chief operating officer, Jessica O’Neill said to Houston Dynamo. “We are counting down the days until we open the doors of Shell Energy Stadium and showcase a revamped food experience that will feel more authentic to Houston.”

Ortega added: “I am excited to be a part of the wonderful enhancements at Shell Energy Stadium that will bring these Houston-inspired flavors to the venue as we cheer on our hometown team,” says Ortega. “I have played soccer most of my life and I know the feeling of scoring a goal and putting a team together. We are so honored to be part of the Club and have the incredible opportunity to enhance the fan experience as a team for our guests.”

Bun B created Trill Burgers in 2021. He began selling burgers at pop-ups and festivals around Houston. The likes of Jadakiss and Fat Joe have praised Trill Burger. Good Morning America gave Trill Burger the coveted “Ultimate Burger Spot.” Last year, Bun found a comfy home for Trill Burgers in the Montrose section of Houston. 

“It’s been a long time coming, not just for us, but for anybody that’s had a Trill Burger or wanted a Trill Burger and couldn’t get one,” Bun B said in a statement. “We’ve been working hard to find the right location to make it as easily accessible to as many people as possible. I think we found that location, and we can’t wait to open these doors to the city of Houston and eventually the world.”

​​Trill Burgers are made with 44 Farms beef,  a splash of Trill sauce, onions, and pickles.

Mocha Media Inc is honored to announce the publication of DON’T LET THEM BURY MY STORY, The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre In Her Own Words (Hardcover; On Sale: May 30, 2023; $29.99; ISBN: 9781737168409) by Viola Ford Fletcher with her grandson Ike Howard on the 102nd Anniversary of the event that caused the single worst incident of racial violence in the history of the United States.

A lifetime in the making, DON’T LET THEM BURY MY STORY shares the journey of the oldest survivor and last living witness of the Tulsa Massacre of 1921. In her memoir, Ms. Fletcher, affectionally known as “Mother Fletcher,” takes us through the journey of a terrified seven-year-old girl awakened in the middle of the night and forced to flee her burning neighborhood of Greenwood to the 107-year-old family matriarch testifying before Congress 100 years later to the date seeking justice for the families of the greatest tragedy to take place on American soil.

“I will never forget the violence of the white mob when we left our home. I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street. I still smell smoke and see fire. I still see Black businesses being burned. I still hear airplanes flying overhead. I hear the screams,” Fletcher told Congress. “I have lived through the massacre every day. Our country may forget this history, but I cannot.”

Despite 1921 Tulsa being a highly segregated city, the 10,000 Black residents of its Greenwood community created a thriving business district known as “Black Wall Street.” But unfortunately, what should have been an opportunity to create generational wealth, became a nightmare that killed hundreds of Black Tulsans. The thousands of survivors who had just lost loved ones and millions of dollars in property were then forced into internment camps.

With no one ever held accountable for the horror they endured, these traumatized American citizens had to figure out how to survive in a country that attacked them with military force and threatened their lives if they ever attempted to tell their stories. For 102 years, the remaining survivors patiently waited to be acknowledged, heard, and restored.

“My grandmother was afraid to tell her stories for many years in fear of retaliation,” says her grandson Ike Howard, co-writer and President of the Viola Ford Fletcher Foundation. Finally, the retired military veteran suggested that perhaps God had blessed her with longevity so she could tell everyone what happened in Tulsa. “Knowing I was here to protect her, she was encouraged to conquer her fear. She looked at me and said, “Alright then, go tell my damn story.”

DON’T LET THEM BURY MY STORY is set to publish on May 30, 2023, the 102nd Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, under Mocha Media, A Black-woman-owned publishing company that produces original, curated, and user-generated content digital and traditional formats. Upon publication Ms. Fletcher will be 109 years old, making her the oldest centurion to ever write a book.

“What an honor it is to make history on International Women’s Day with Mother Fletcher, who is using the power of the pen to keep her survival story alive. It’s Literary Activism at its finest,” says Margo Ochoa, CEO of Mocha Media Inc. “Because our publishing model not only provides a platform for marginalized writers but it also allows Ms. Fletcher to receive immediate royalties, this we in our own way can do our part to assist in the economic restoration of Ms. Fletcher and her family.”

Ms. Fletcher and Ike Howard along with her “Baby Brother” Van Ellis (102) who wrote the forward to the book will embark on tour during the spring and summer of 2023.

https://www.mochamediabooks.com/

• History

by Booker Jones

March 12, 2023

A North Carolina Man Survived a 1952 Lynching and Is Finally Sharing His Story

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In 1952, in Wake County, N.C., then-police chief Sam Bagwell arrested eight Black men, accusing them of robbing a local convenience store. 

One of the men arrested Lynn Council, who maintained his innocence, and is now 86, finally shares harrowing details of how he was hanged for this robbery that he didn’t commit. 

According to WFMY News 2, the robbery took place outside of Bagwell’s jurisdiction, so Bagwell took Council and the others to Wake County jail. All of the men were questioned, but Council was singled out. 

“I didn’t do it,” Council said to WFMY News 2.  “But I was taken to jail on Tuesday. I was tried on Wednesday, and I was hung on Thursday.”

The day following Council’s arrest, he alleges that two sheriff deputies drove him to a remote location 10 miles into the country, where sheriff deputies led him to a tree and tied a noose around his neck. 

“I thought they were going to drive me out, string me up and leave me to die there,” Council said to WFMY News 2. 

Council recalled to WFMY News 2 that the deputies did hang Council for about a minute before letting him down, in an attempt to intimidate him, wanting him to confess to the robbery. 

“They said, ‘Tell me where that money at?'” Council recalled. 

After hanging for about one minute, Council said he was let down, driven back to Wake County Jail, and released the following day. Until recently, the Council has never revealed this disturbing story. 

In 2019, Council’s story reached members of the local press, as well as Apex Police Chief John Letteney, who removed Sam Bagwell’s name from the walk outside the police station, according to WFMY News 2. WFMY also reports that Letteney publicly denounced Bagwell, whose racial violence has been well-documented, according to WFMY, and apologized to Council. 

WFMY reported that Sheriff Gerald Baker presented Lynn with numerous honors, including the key to the Wake County jail, and publicly and profusely apologized to him. 

“I wanted Lynn to know that as long as I humbly hold this office, there can not, and will not act like this from our department. This department has come a long way from back then, but we all still have a long way to go,” Baker said.

Good news has arrived for Shawn Kemp. ESPN reports that no charges are being filed against the former NBA star, who was arrested for a drive-by shooting on Wednesday.

According to a statement from Adam Faber, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office, no charges are being filed against Kemp, and the former power forward was released from jail pending further investigation.

KIRO 7 obtained footage of the incident. The video shows a man, wearing a red vest, which appears to be Kemp standing next to a vehicle. The video also shows someone driving away in a Black car, while another clip shows the man being pulled over by police and handcuffed. 

“I was helping a customer and I heard a couple shots, and the mail lady was coming in and she said, ‘The guy in the red vest just shot somebody,’”  a witness said to KIRO 7. “And then I ran over there and locked all my doors and started videotaping it.”

“I’m not saying it would be any better, but if it was like DUI or something of that nature, you kind of see it,” Robert said to KIRO 7. “But like a drive-by shooting, Shawn Kemp — he’s not shooting basketballs, right?”

In 2020, Kemp opened Seattle’s first Black-owned cannabis dispensary.

“My name is on this company and I have worked hard to bring Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis to fruition,” said Kemp. “I want to provide nothing short of the best selection, customer experience, and prices in Seattle. I have incredible partners in Matt Schoenlein and Ramsey Hamide to make sure we deliver on that promise to our customers, who are our top priority.

“I hope that Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis will be an inspiration for people to get involved with the legal cannabis industry, especially people of color.”

Kemp garnered six NBA All-Star appearances and played 14 seasons in the league. He played eight with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team who selected him out of high school as the 17th overall pick in the 1989 draft. He also played for Cleveland, Portland, and Orlando.

During an interview with the Washington Post, Kemp shared people’s perceptions of him. 

“The perception of a guy on the basketball court dunking and yelling and screaming and having fun is that he’s probably a pretty mean guy,” he says. “But it’s just the opposite.”

“That sh*it made me grow up,” Kemp said. “It always amazes me how some people can look at something as being so bad when it could change a person’s life around and make life so much better for them. If it wasn’t for my kids, man, I’d have probably been reckless as hell. I would’ve really been one reckless-ass dude.”

• Entrepreneurship

by Nancy E Williams

March 11, 2023

Tarji Carter Launches “The Franchise Player” to Increase Black Franchise Ownership and Wealth

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Certified Franchise Executive, Tarji Carter, began her career in franchising growing highly profitable fast casual brands such as Cinnabon, Wingstop, and Dunkin’, in the franchise development space.  In 2022, she decided to strike out on her own and launch The Franchise Player, which holds the vision of “empowering the African American community to eradicate generational poverty and create wealth through successful franchise ownership”, as expressed on her website.  To find out all that that encompasses, I spent some time with Carter to learn more.

Black Enterprise: Hi Tarji.  You’ve represented some multi-million-dollar, international brands during your career.  During that time, do you feel you were able to make an impact at these brands in the way of increasing BIPOC ownership?

Tarji Carter: Having worked in this industry for so long and with many companies, I quickly noticed that there was a huge disparity.  Whenever I encountered a BIPOC candidate, I felt like I had to provide them with more information because information about franchising isn’t necessarily readily available in the Black community.  I would make sure to drive home certain points as it relates to conducting due diligence because it’s a relatively new phenomenon to a large audience within the black community.  So, I wasn’t able to make the dent that I wanted to, but I saw the need for it, and that’s really what prompted the creation of The Franchise Player.  It allows me to use my talent and experience to provide education, resources, and opportunities to our community.  While I wasn’t necessarily able to impact the BIPOC ownership numbers at the brands, I was able to positively impact the individual seeking ownership.

BE: Why do you feel it is important to increase black ownership in franchising?

Carter: Growing up, I would frequent many restaurant franchises.  As a young child living in the inner city, I never knew that owning the Mcdonald’s I would go to with my dad every month, was an opportunity to create wealth or even a career path.  I had never uttered the word ‘franchise’ before in my life before I started working for Carvel and it immediately clicked that if this was something that had alluded me my whole career, it dawned on me that there could be so many people in our community, like me, that have no idea that this could be a lucrative opportunity for them and their families.  That’s what really got me excited about the possibilities of being able to share everything I’ve learned and do the handholding.  As a Franchise Sales Manager, there’s a certain amount of time you have with each candidate.  It tends to be on a fast track, they’re looking to get signings going and openings planned.  With The Franchise Player, my team and I are able to spend the time necessary to answer all the questions and to really get candidates prepared so that when they’re ready to apply for ownership, we can increase the likelihood of them being approved by their brand of choice.

BE: Your website refers to franchising as a “low-risk vehicle” to business ownership.  What do you mean by that?

Carter: Franchising is a much lower risk than starting an independent business concept.  You’re buying into a proven system.  Hopefully, it’s been battle tested.  Every brand is going to be different.  It’s a proven system that has built-in processes and procedures in place.  You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You can invest in the brand and have the support of the resources that they make available to you as outlined in their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).  It is still a risk, but much lower because you have the support of the brand behind you, the brand equity, brand awareness, and teams that are specialized in different disciplines to provide the support in the areas that you will need. It’s a more efficient way to get into business for yourself, not necessarily by yourself.

BE: The Franchise Player provides consulting services for aspiring franchise owners as well as existing owners.  Can you talk about what services you provide for existing owners?

Carter: For existing franchisees, we have relationships with lenders and will make introductions as needed.  We also offer ongoing webinars that cater to different disciplines within franchising – real estate, construction, design, market planning, etc.  Additional events include meet and greets with potential investors, operating partners, and industry specialists.  We work closely with franchise brands to negotiate incentives that will benefit existing franchisees looking to expand and diversify their portfolios.

We also have strong relationships with many established and nostalgic brands.  By working closely with these brands, we are able to provide our members with access to acquisition opportunities in real- time.

BE: What is your strongest piece of advice for someone that aspires to own a franchise but is too afraid to start the process?

Carter: Preparation!  From a financial and credit standpoint ultimately, you want to ensure that you leave NO reason to be denied.  Often, it’s the initial financial requirements and credit score that are a ding for most people.  If candidates can get some clarity and alignment around that, it will help them greatly in the long run once they’re ready to apply to their brand of choice.

The Franchise Player was designed with the BIPOC community in mind.  My experience has taught me that information designed to spark an interest in franchise ownership opportunities doesn’t reach our community.  With that said, our primary goal is to provide a safe space for our members to learn about the benefits and challenges of the business model while bridging the gap between corporations and the culture.

A new statue of abolitionist Harriet Tubman has been erected in Newark, NJ. The monument, dubbed “Shadow of a Face,” also includes audio by Queen Latifah, a Newark native. 

According to The New York Times, the audio includes stories about the Underground Railroad, in which Tubman was a conductor, as well as free Black communities in New Jersey.  The monument, which replaced the statue of Christopher Columbus, also contains a learning wall, where curious minds can read about Tubman’s life, and her escape from slavery in 1849. 

Prof. James Amemasor was responsible for research on this project.  

“I think people know of her name — she’s one of the people who make the cut in school and other places like that, but really probably not in depth,” Mayor Ras Baraka Baraka said to The Times. “I think this monument allows us to see her as a human being and look at her in depth and see that she showed up in these places.” He said the monument would “make her experience real for all of us.”

“We have to figure out how to transform the city in such a way that we can be proud of it collectively,” he added. “We’re actually not,” he said. “We’re adding people who were left out. That’s a change that should happen. It’s important for us so we can move on and figure out how not to live this moment again.”

Many historians suggest that Newark’s Plane Street Colored Church, which no longer exists, was a stop on the Underground Railroad system. Baraka said Newark represents “the unyielding work of the Newark Black activist community for Black emancipation and as Underground Railroad activists.”

When Barack Obama was in office, he expressed interest to recognize Tubman by placing her on the $20 bill, but those efforts came to an end when Trump entered office. However, Senator Jeanne Shaheen recently introduced a bill that would require $20 bills printed after 2030 to include Tubman’s likeness.

Simone Biles and her fiancé, Jonathan Owens, are building a brand new house together. 

Biles took to her Instagram account to share the exciting news. The Olympic Gold Medalist posted pictures of herself and NFL star Ownes on the newly purchased land. 

‘A home is made with love and dreams,’ Biles wrote. ‘Cheers to breaking ground.’

One photo showed Biles and Ownes posing together with his arms wrapped around her. Another photo shows him staring off into the distance.

‘So excited,’ Ownes wrote in the comment section.

 

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It’s unknown where Biles and Owens will build their new home. The couple currently live in Houston, TX.

Biles was born in Ohio but raised in Houston. In 2014, she built her own gym in Spring, TX. Owens has been a defensive back for Houston Texans since 2019. 

In 2021, Biles spoke with The Cut about her decision to pull out of the Tokyo Games. 

“​​You know, there have been highs, there have been lows,” Biles said to The Cut. “Sometimes it’s like, yeah, I’m perfectly okay with it. Like, that’s how it works. That’s how it panned out.” She flips her 1b-colored, bra-length jumbo box braids over her shoulder. “And then other times I’ll just start bawling in the house. If I still had my air awareness, and I just was having a bad day, I would have continued,” Biles recalled. “But it was more than that.”

She continued: “Say up until you’re 30 years old, you have your complete eyesight,” Biles says. “One morning, you wake up, you can’t see shit, but people tell you to go on and do your daily job as if you still have your eyesight. You’d be lost, wouldn’t you? That’s the only thing I can relate it to. I have been doing gymnastics for 18 years. I woke up — lost it. How am I supposed to go on with my day?”

Keke Palmer released the trailer for her upcoming documentary, Big Boss. 

The mother of a new baby boy shared the trailer on her Instagram account. In the brief clip, Palmer showed footage from different stages of her career. 

“I grew up in a very spiritual home. Went to church every Sunday,” Palmer said in a clip, which she described as a musical narrative.

“I was always in practice as a child. Yet, still curious about what the ‘word’ actually meant. They always said the ‘word’ is meant to be lived. I never knew why until I started living.”

She continued: “Overcoming this inner narrative that tells me no matter how far I’ve come, I’m still not good enough. Being different is one thing. Feeling lonely? That’s another … I don’t need to be accepted by the cool kids or the elitist. I just need to be accepted by me.”

 

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Back in November, the Nope actress graced the cover of The Hollywood Reporter. During the interview, she spoke about her career, Nope, and her existence outside of acting. 

“I’m a quirky artist, but I’m an artist, and it’s important for people to understand that Keke is just a part of who I am,” Palmer said to The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s been a winding road of trying to figure out how to do what I love but also exist outside of this caricature.”

Jordan Peele added, “Keke developed this relationship, especially with the Black community, as being a member of our family — and being the hardest-working member of that family. I think the world is catching up to how capable she is. I’ve been doing this for a little bit now, and I haven’t met another like her.”

In February, Palmer and her boyfriend Darius Jackson welcomed a son, Leodis Andrellton Jackson. 

“LEODIS ANDRELLTON JACKSON, welcome to the world baby Leo,” Palmer wrote. 

BLACK ENTERPRISE’s 17th Annual Legacy Awards Gala was a sight to see as icons of all calibers received their flowers — from funny-woman and real-life dream girl Loretta Devine to the emotional speech delivered by Legacy honoree, Vera Moore, President & CEO of Vera Moore Cosmetics who reclaimed her time and almost brought the house down.

Following a cocktail-flowing reception at the Las Vegas’ Bellagio Hotel & Casino, hosted by ADP, guests showed out in gowns, suits, and all of their glory to celebrate the trailblazing women who’ve defied the odds and changed the world for future generations.

Anthony Gladney, Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion in the department of Social Impact and Sustainability for MGM Resorts International, took to the stage as a speaker before the honorees were acknowledged.

Each Legacy honoree, Moore, Tracey Thomas Travis, EVP & CFO at The Estee Lauder Companies, and Emmy and NAACP award-winning actress Devine, stood proudly at the podium after accepting their award and embracing surprise tributes from their company executives.

Devine, whose career has spanned more than three decades, brought everyone to their feet when she graced the ballroom stage. Although she didn’t come prepared with a speech, she improvised with humor as if she was entertaining a sold-out premiere.

She began with shouting out her Texas hometown before joking with the BE family saying,

“I’m so honored. I was saying it’s about time. Everybody got that award. I didn’t even know BLACK ENTERPRISE knew who I was!”

Attendees shared a moment of laughter as Devine reflected her famous sashay moment in her role as Gloria Matthews in Waiting to Exhale. 

“There is nothing more powerful than a woman,” Devine said.

“I would like to dedicate this award to my mother, who started me out very young by naming me Loretta,” she said, crediting her mother for the reason she was able to be an actress.

 

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Moore, who was filled with so much emotion and gratitude, reflected on how her BLACK ENTERPRISE cover feature recognizing her as the first black tenant in the history of the prestigious New York Green Acres Mall positioned her family-owned business for further success. After breaking the color barrier in 1982, she went onto to land in four more malls and become the first black vendor in Walgreens’ select upscale “Look-boutique” stores for 10 years. She takes pride in creating a legacy that is memorable for her integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness.

“Full circle!,” Moore said on the verge tears as she recounted when she got the call about the award. “And I thank the Black Enterprise family.”

“There was no such thing as diversity and inclusion in an all white mall. It was difficult,” Moore explained. “When I called them and told them, they answered me back. That doesn’t always happen. Black Enterprise has always supported me.”

 

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Having devoted over 30 years to building her corporate portfolio, Travis received her honor of the night for her leading expertise in global finance, accounting, investor relations, information technology, and the list of credentials went on. She took great pride in continuing the legacy of powerful women. Travis not only runs finance at The Estee Lauder Company, but is also a leader of the company’s women’s leadership network.

“This award is particularly special because it comes from my community, from all of you…” Travis said, reflecting on the career path that led her to the honor.

“Report after report shows us that women, especially women of color, continue to be underrepresented
at every level of management in corporate America and on corporate boards. But here in this room, I
see the pipeline of talent ready to change these statistics and for the better,” she added.

 

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The night of empowerment included a heartfelt tribute to none other than the legendary, late Barbara Graves, presented by her son Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., BLACK ENTERPRISE CEO & President, and the granddaughters of Barbara: Veronica Graves, Erika Graves, and Kristin Graves.

Her granddaughters described Barbara as having high expectations for young people, a low tolerance for nonsense, and a deep passion and dedication to ensure all gained access to quality education.

“She always held great admiration and respect for women who have made unshakeable commitments to provide educational opportunities, advocate for the young, and create platforms to uplift the marginalized to reach for limitless possibilities,” Kristin, BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s Social Media Manager, said.

“She was a strong, determined individual ambitious for the success of Black Enterprise and for the Women of Power Summit and its participants,” Graves Jr. said about his mother.

“She was always there to lend a hand or offer words of wisdom and support.”

Senior Vice President of Global Initiative and Underrepresented Talent Strategy Executive at Bank of America, Tiffany Douglas, presented the Barbara Graves Award to Lisa Wardell, a fierce advocate for diversity, inclusion, and access to education. Leading a career for over 25 years, she currently serves as Director at American Express.

 

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“I am appreciative and so humbled and honored to be here as a Legacy Award winner, but
especially for the Barbara Graves Legacy Award,” Wardell said. “I share a passion with Barbara Graves and that is education and the mission of educating.”

“The gift of education and the gift of being able to go to college first in my family has changed my trajectory for the rest of my life and my goal is to make that much easier and more accessible for others,” she added.