What began with a dream, empowered by family, love, and support, Marsai Martin‘s Genius Entertainment is now bringing Black Girl Magic to Disney — and the hottest skate moves coming out of Chicago.

Three years in the making, the talented Genius founder, actress, and executive producer is anticipating the premiere of her own Disney Channel show. At just 18 years old, Martin is forging a path for young Black girls and boys to achieve great heights in the entertainment industry.

The Fantasy Football star admitted to BLACK ENTERPRISE that she is still wrapping her head around the blessings and the growing responsibilities. Although she may be well-known for her acting prowess onscreen, her creative vision behind the camera has only gotten clearer.

“I think that is a sign that I should keep doing it,” Martin told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Four years ago, Martin became the youngest person to executive produce a studio film, Little, after launching her Los Angeles-based company Genius Productions at age 14. Then she made history again as the youngest to sign a first-look production deal at Universal.

“When Little came out, it was like, ‘I can do this? In this stature? In this level? And it can come out in the way that I want it to?'” she recalled.

“So many doors opened for me, not talking about just in the industry, but for my mind, for my happiness, my creative thoughts to just run wild. So to be able to do that and to experiment in a way, I just enjoy it. So that’s really what keeps me motivated. I’ve always challenged myself.”

Ahead of the series premiere, BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with Martin about her intentions behind bringing stories like Saturdays to life. From her  parents, Josh and Carol Martin, to her star production team, she also credited longtime friend and Genius’ Head of Television, Nicole Dow, for helping her amplify her voice.

“You have to use your voice often to fight for what you want, and fight for what you want to see because it is different, and it is new and it’s going to be new for a lot of people,” Martin said.

“We don’t have production companies led by 13-, 14-year-old Black girl CEOs. But here we are and we’re doing it and we’re getting it done,” said Dow about Martin’s budding leadership.

Dow is responsible for Genius’ shows such as Saturdays, Remix My Space (Discovery+) and Tiny Talk Show (Quibi).

A show to remember

Saturdays, set to premiere March 24 on Disney Channel and stream Disney+ next day, is a coming-of-age comedy featuring skate culture, Chicago dreams, sisterhood, and better yet, an all-Black cast.

The series revolves around an ambitious14-year-old, Paris Johnson, and her goal-striving best friends, Simone and Ari, also known as the We-B-Girlz skate crew. Viewers of all ages can follow the trio as they hone their roller skating skills on the cool parquet floor of Saturdays, a local skating rink in Chicago.

The series stars Danielle Jalade (Yes Day) as Paris Johnson, Daria Johns (Nappily Ever After) as Simone Samson, Golden Brooks (Girlfriends) as Deb Johnson, Omar Gooding (Barbershop) as Cal Johnson, Jermaine Harris (The Map of Tiny Perfect Things) as London Johnson, Peyton Basnight (Sudden Sisters) as Ari, and Tim Johnson Jr. (Ballers) as Derek “D-Rok” Troy.

Dow, whose goal with Genius is to populate the television landscape with as many stories centering on girls of color as possible, echoes Martin’s appreciation for Saturdays’ ability to acknowledge Black girls, while spotlighting skate culture and relatable family and marital dynamics.

More specifically, Martin wants audiences to hold Saturdays as dear as they would the nostalgic shows of their time.

“There were shows back in the day where my parents will still show them to me and be like, “We had That’s So Raven and Cory in the House, mixed in with shows like Martin to where it was such an amazing ensemble of people that you still grow with and you still remember to this day. And I wanted a show like that,” she recalled.

Martin added, “Being able to produce and create content that is for everybody and for somebody to relate to is what makes me happy and what’s best. And it doesn’t have to be my story for it to be great and for it to make sense that I’m creating it.”

In doing so, Martin felt inclined to introduce new talent to the world, and to empower those next for the throne.

“It means the world for people to get to know these amazing young Black girls that are coming up and not having it be a handful of young Black actresses that you can name off of your hand,” Martin said.

Dow added: “There still needs to be people opening doors, and paving roads, and laying the foundation for the next group of people to come in that we are going to continue to do the work. I mean, it’s not always about the win. Sometimes it is about laying that path.”

Shaquille O’Neal wants Ja Morant to start acting like the NBA player he is and not the “rapper” he’s seemingly portraying outside the court.

The NBA world hasn’t stopped talking about Morant’s latest scandal, after the Memphis Grizzlies star was suspended from two games for flashing a gun on Instagram Live, The New York Post reported. On Tuesday, Shaq called out Morant while discussing the controversy during the pregame show, NBA on TNT.

“It was a bad choice,” O’Neal said. “It was a bad decision.”

“We have to stop putting ourselves in positions to where they can take away what we’ve worked so hard to get. You should always believe in a higher power. I’ve always had the ability to stop time and say, ‘If I do this, what’s going to be the outcome?’”

"We have to stop putting ourselves in positions to where they can take away what we've worked so hard to get."@SHAQ shares his thoughts on Ja Morant pic.twitter.com/9W2avSZ2nh

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 8, 2023

Morant’s actions not only got him suspended, but also resulted in an investigation by Colorado police into his alleged possession of a handgun at a Denver nightclub on Saturday. Recounting Morant’s behavior during the Instagram Live where he flashed the gun, O’Neal scolded the 23-year-old South Carolina native.

“There is no excuse for what he did — but remember, he pressed the button on his phone. He went live,” Shaq said. “If you don’t go live, nobody knows he has the weapon and we’re not talking about this, but he did that.”

“Why are you in the strip club with no shirt? Why are you walking around with a weapon? And why did you hit the live button?”

O’Neal advised Morant to think about his family and the lives they’re able to afford, thanks to his NBA career, before making such life-changing decisions.

“I’ve seen your videos where your dad… he’s training you and your brothers,” O’Neal said. “I’ve also seen the video of your mom [Jamie Morant] and dad [Tee Morant], they got the nice mansion next door to you. That’s where we’re trying to get to, and once we get there, we know the letter of the law. We know what not to do, what not to say and we know common sense.”

The NBA alum, who also used to dabble in music as a rapper during his heyday, reminded Morant of his career as a professional athlete and not a rap star.

“You’re not a rapper, you’re an NBA player,” he said.

“I don’t know where you’re from. I don’t know who’s hanging around with you. That don’t matter. When it’s you making the decision, you’ve got to be smart.

Morant released a statement saying he is seeking treatment amid the controversy. Nike released a statement of support for the NBA player ahead of their plans to release his sneaker next month.

Dwyane Wade is a proud papa after watching his daughter Zaya Wade make her runway debut in Paris.

Just on the heels of having her name legally changed, Zaya ripped the runway for Miu Miu’s Paris Fashion Week show on Tuesday, People reported. The 15-year-old influencer walked confidently in an olive green dress with a matching jacket that was paired with a pair of brown pumps and a brown leather handbag.

Zaya had the support of her parents who beamed with pride from the front row. Dwyane and Gabrielle Union-Wade were decked out in all-black attire with matching sunglasses.

The NBA champion shared his joy in watching Zaya make her runway debut.

“I’m not crying, you are,” he captioned the video.

The Wade’s stylist Thomas Christos attended the show and expressed how proud everyone was for Zaya’s runway debut.

“Tears in my eyes as i watched @zayawade make her debut at @miumiu today,” Thomas captioned the post. “Thank you @dwyanewade for your endless trust in my vision. and thank you @zayawade for showing me what it means to believe in yourself.”

 

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A post shared by Thomas Christos Kikis (@thomaschristos)

Christos also posted a video to his Instagram Story showing himself seated front row with the Wades and revealing how much they “cried” after witnessing the milestone moment. After the show, a video captured Dwyane greeting Zaya with a big smile and a warm hug.

https://twitter.com/hypebae/status/1633478487225819145?s=20

Fans celebrated Zaya’s Paris Fashion Week debut.

“Loved it,” one fan said.

“Gorgeous,” added another.

Zaya has been a fan of Miu Miu and showed her love for the brand when she attended the luxury fashion house Paris Fashion Week show last fall wearing a school-girl-inspired outfit.

Zaya Wade in Miu Miu pic.twitter.com/9iIZ71m15z

— Kea (@jacquemusx) January 2, 2023

Zaya’s runway debut comes just weeks after a Los Angeles court granted the teen a legal name and gender change. Zaya is the daughter of Dwyane Wade and his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, who fought against the name and gender change.

Tisha Campbell has always rallied behind the next generation of Black actresses. So much so, Campbell even paid for Gabrielle Union’s therapy early in her acting career.

Campbell appeared on The View last week to promote her new sitcom with Yvette Nicole Brown and Kim Whitley, Act Your Age. Host Whoopi Goldberg asked Campbell about the gift she gave Wade.

“It’s funny ’cause I didn’t even think she would remember,” Campbell shared. “It was just a moment in time for us and I was like, ‘Please just take this gift.”

“I want you to have it,’ because I want her to win. I want my sisters to win.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkyixy9cSGM&embeds_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.essence.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title

“I want us all to win. There’s so many pitfalls, there’s so many things. The fame monster is an ugly ugly thing that one can get addicted to,” Campbell continued.

“I really really wanted her to be ok, not that anything was wrong. It’s just that I wanted her to be supported.”

Union first revealed Campbell’s kind gesture in 2021 while recalling what life was like as a rising actress at the age 28. Noting how hard that period of her career was, she credited Campbell’s gift as “the single greatest gift anyone has given me.”

“It was around that time when Tisha Campbell saw that I was struggling,” Union told Bustle. “She gifted me sessions with a therapist, who is my therapist to this day.

“It might be one of the single greatest gifts anyone has ever given me.”

The Bring It On star spoke openly about Campbell’s gift on a past appearances on The View.

“I was lucky to come up with some OGs that were very transparent and they were very honest and they were not interested in watching me fail or flail,” Union said at the time, as noted by Essence. “Tisha Campbell paid for therapy for me. That was not covered by SAG insurance by the way, out of pocket, like 10 sessions. That’s the one who really has your back.”

In honor of International Women’s Day, actress and entrepreneur Gabrielle Union and celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims, co-founders of Flawless by Gabrielle Union, are partnering with LinkedIn to help close this gap with a $25,000 grant initiative, awarded to three Black female-owned businesses each in the fashion, skincare and hair accessories space. 

A significantly wide gap in access to capital, expertise, and opportunities for Black female entrepreneurs remains. Black business owners typically receive less than 2% of overall funding each year, and in 2021, Black female entrepreneurs received 0.34% of the total venture capital spent in the United States.

As these numbers stagnate year after year, Flawless by Gabrielle Union is taking a step forward in helping to elevate female Black-owned businesses. 

On March 8, eligible black female entrepreneur applicants will have the chance to win $25,000 each through the inaugural grant. In addition to financial support, the Lift As We Rise Grant will offer a one-year LinkedIn Premium membership and a mentorship session to help elevate your LinkedIn profile.

“We are so grateful to have a platform to support other Black female entrepreneurs,” Union said.

Powerful industry leaders are joining Union and Sims to provide their guidance and insights that may result in multi-fold growth in revenue, customers, and market share.

B. Pagels-Minor of Dvrgnt Ventures, the first Black trans-VC founder, will serve as an expert on the panel of judges for the initiative and offer mentorship sessions to the winners. Antoine Gregory, the founder of the Black Fashion Fair, has also been added to the panel of expert judges.

“We want to give these individuals the necessary tools to succeed in a saturated space,” Sims said. “Financial support, along with one-on-one mentorship sessions with some of our incredible partners aim to give recipients the opportunity to feel seen, supported, and uplifted.”

Deadline

Eligible applicants must complete the application in its entirety and submit it by April 19. To learn more about the Lift As We Rise Grant visit https://flawlesscurls.com/pages/lift-as-we-climb-business-grant-application

• Travel and Leisure

by Stacy Jackson

March 8, 2023

TikToker Wanted! Rental Company Ready to Pay $10K A Month for Content Creator

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One lucky content creator is about to collect a pretty penny.

Rental platform Blueground, is in search of a resident TikTok creator to join its prop-tech company that launched almost a decade ago.

According to Fortune, the company is prepared to pay the chosen creator $10,000 a month for the role, which includes a $7,500 travel budget to visit its 9,500 fully-furnished properties across the world.

“Our hope and expectation for this role is that the resident will create content that will bring personality to the brand and humanize the company for those that aren’t as familiar with Blueground,” the company’s chief marketing officer, Yorgos Kleivokiotis, said.

“We understand a successful TikTok account is more than just posting a quick video in a great location, so we’re searching for a creator to define a content strategy and bring a level of authenticity that can’t be reached with one-off partnerships,” Kleivokiotis added.

The resident TikTok creator will be a part of the brand’s social media team, which means they must have an understanding of social media trends, video editing skills, and a passion for pop culture. The role will consist of creating 15 to 20 engaging TikToks per month, acting as the face of the brand, and showcasing the company’s properties.

Reportedly, Blueground is worth $750 million and has a staff of 700. In its brief history, the company has accommodated over 32,000 guests. In 2021, the company raised $140 million in equity funding from investors.

https://twitter.com/theblueground/status/1620435547566006273

Currently, the role is for a three-month duration with potential for an extended contract.

Applications for the role close on April 6. Duties are set to start on May 1.

Submissions can be completed through Blueground’s careers page. Interested applicants must include a video explaining how they fit the job, their credentials, links to social media handles, top-performing content, and examples of destinations they would like to explore.

One of Michael Jackson’s nephews is coming to the King of Pop’s defense after the late music icon was the butt of Chris Rock’s jokes during his Netflix comedy special.

Rock took aim at a number of famous figures during his live comedy special on Saturday night. In his set, Rock compared Jackson to the disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly while calling out the “selective outrage” that gets certain people canceled while others can seemingly go unchecked.

“You know what I’m talking about. You know, like the kind of people that play Michael Jackson songs, but won’t play R. Kelly,” Rock told the live audience.

“Same crime! One of ’em just got better songs. I play ‘Startin’ Something’ and it’s a party, but I play ‘Bump and Grind’ and you an activist,” he continued.

This is what you call the transformer, MEGATRASH!!! This FOOL… #ChrisRock #MichaelJackson pic.twitter.com/wjdhho07a9

— R&RForever1814 (@TruLogic94) March 5, 2023

But the MJ joke didn’t fall on deaf ears. On Monday, Jackson’s nephew Taj Jackso, took to Twitter to call out Rock for his history of jokes against the Jackson family.

“Chris Rock has used my family as punching bags for his entire career. Yet I am supposed to feel bad for him getting slapped and humiliated on the Oscars,” Taj Jackson tweeted.

“After seeing a new clip of him attacking my dead uncle in the first minutes of his ‘Retaliation-I’m still relevant’ special, I have 3 things to say.”

Chris Rock has used my family as punching bags for his entire career.
Yet I am supposed to feel bad for him getting slapped and humiliated on the Oscars.
After seeing a new clip of him attacking my dead uncle in the first minutes of his “Retaliation-I’m still relevant ”special,…

— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) March 6, 2023

“1. What did my family ever do to you to warrant these decades of harassment and your constant bullying [disguised] as jokes?” Taj continued

“2. Just because you were bullied early on in life doesn’t give you the excuse to bully others now. 3. Thank you, Will Smith.”

Michael Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges back in 2005, The Washington Post reported. R. Kelly is currently serving over 30 years in prison for sex trafficking.

Rock is no stranger to upsetting MJ fans. Back in 2017, he offended many when he tried to poke fun at the Kardashians family matriarch Kris Jenner by comparing her to Michael Jackson, as noted by the Times of India.

At this point, Taj Jackson wants Chris Rock to keep the King of Pop’s name out his mouth!

• News

by Booker Jones

March 8, 2023

Los Angeles Attorney In Trouble For Suggesting Black Lives Matter Protesters Be Shot

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A Los Angeles attorney is in trouble with the State Bar of California after she unleashed violent and inflammatory comments at demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd.

According to KTLA, Marla Anne Brown made more than a dozen posts on social media, specifically her Twitter account @SoCalMAB, in May 2020, which the California Bar saw as inciting violence.

The comments came following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, which ignited protests and demonstrations nationwide. 

Brown posted from her Twitter account those protesting Floyd’s murder to be shot and executed. She even suggested that their homes be burned down, KTLA reported. She also engaged with then-President Donald Trump’s tweet about shooting looters. 

“They need to be shot,” Brown tweeted. In another tweet about local protests, she tweeted, “Shoot the protestors,” according to KTLA. 

Responding to a tweet from MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, Brown wrote, “Let’s go burn your house down with you in it.”

She also directed her comments toward her community, according to Above the Law: “For example, when a Twitter user shared this message about protests in the Los Angeles area, ‘Heads up LA protesters at #Fairfax and #lacienega, the Venice/La Brea police department just sent about 20 cars over, blocking traffic, traveling fast. Stay safe,’ Brown allegedly responded, ‘Shoot the protesters.'”

“While the First Amendment establishes a broad right to free speech, no one has the right to incite violence,” said George Cardona, State Bar of California’s chief trial counsel. “For California attorneys, reckless actions like these violate their oath and duties as licensees.”

The bar also said that Brown claimed to be an LAPD union attorney, which is false. That credit was in her Twitter bio. The account, to the shock of no one and the relief of everyone, is inactive. According to her business website, which wasn’t working at press time, Brown passed the California Bar in 1989 and has been a sole practitioner since 2010

According to KTLA,the State Bar Court will determine whether or not Brown has committed professional misconduct, and if so, she will face discipline, which includes suspension or disbarment.

These Black women are model figures.

TIME recently announced its 2023 Women of the Year, a list of extraordinary leaders working toward creating a better future for women across generations, communities, and borders.

“Our annual Women of the Year list examines the most uplifting form of influence by spotlighting leaders who are using their voices to fight for a more equal world,” the magazine’s Executive Editor Naina Bajekal and Senior Editor Lucy Feldman wrote in a statement. “The 12 women featured on this year’s list come from across the globe and have made significant impact in their respective communities and fields, from activism and government to sports and the arts. Many of them have faced immense challenges that inspired them to push for change.”

This year’s honorees include four inspirational Black women who have used their platforms to advocate for change and to empower women.

Angela Bassett

“The extraordinary thing about being a part of history is that through your accomplishments, you represent the intention and action towards change and the march towards a brighter, more equitable and inclusive future,” Bassett wrote on Instagram about the honor.

 

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A post shared by Angela Bassett (@im.angelabassett)

Bassett has used her roles to show women that “it’s OK not to be everything to everyone all the time.”

The iconic actress recently won Entertainer of the Year at the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards.

Ramla Ali

The professional boxer, fashion model, and philanthropist launched Sisters Club to provide women with access to boxing lessons in 2018. Ali also works to destigmatize what it means to be a refugee.

“It’s an understatement to say that I feel privileged to have been officially named as one of the twelve TIME 2023 Women of the year. My goal remains the same as it’s ever been. To create more opportunities and raise awareness to those less fortunate in this world,” Ali wrote to her Instagram followers.

 

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A post shared by Ramla Ali #BlackLivesMatter (@ramlaali)

Anielle Franco

Franco is Brazil’s Racial Equality Minister. The leader unexpectedly entered the world of politics following the assassination of her sister.

“I lost the fear of making mistakes a bit after they killed my sister,” Franco said.

 

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A post shared by Anielle Franco (@aniellefranco)

Quinta Brunson

“All people have the ability to be both powerful and fragile,” Brunson said. “Showing that helps to create more equality.”

 

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A post shared by Quinta Brunson (@quintab)

Brunson has used her role in the popular series Abbott Elementary to help people find love within themselves and to extend grace to themselves and the people in their lives.

After taking a former employee to court and winning a judgment against him, 50 Cent has posted, via his Instagram account, that he’s gonna need his money very soon.

Last summer, The New York Post reported that Curtis Jackson’s former director of Brand Management for Sire Spirits, Mitchell Green, stole $2.2 million from the company. He had been accused of selling the items from Sire Spirits for a higher price, while getting kickbacks from wholesalers. Court records revealed that Green profited by labeling the funds he was given as “agency fees.”

After an article by HipHopx was posted earlier this week, 50 had his own message for Green.

“👀Look i’m a need that by Monday! 🤨#bransoncognac #lecheminduroi”

 

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A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

Green had previously admitted to his Get Rich or Die Trying plan back in February 2020. He acknowledged “two years of embezzling from Sire Spirits” due to being extorted by an individual who was aware of his thievery and threatened to expose his past transgressions. The spirits brand decided to fire him and then took him to arbitration.

The arbitrator found that Green was responsible for the money that was stolen from Sire Spirits and also another $948,096 the former employee paid to a wholesaler. He was then ordered to pay an additional $2.7 million in fees for costs, damages, and attorneys fees. Court records revealed that the total Green owes is $6.2 million.

AllHipHop reported that after Green tried to have the award vacated, the court ruled against him in June 2022. Then, in November 2022, Green was penalized an additional $89,305.50 in attorneys’ fees and costs to Sire Spirits.

Last week, Green was instructed to pay $6,283,598.50 in compensatory damages, plus pre-and post-judgment interest for his misdeeds.

50, who is known to be pretty petty intends to seize the bank accounts, personal property, and any assets Green may have in his name to satisfy the $6 million judgment.