• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 7, 2023

Show Us the Loot: California Residents Are Still Waiting for the Vote That Could Distribute Reparations

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Citizens in California are anxiously awaiting a decision that could change their lives.

ABC 30 reported that the California reparations task force has yet to make a decision on if the state should apologize and share reparations to Black residents for the harm caused by slavery and discrimination. The vote on eligibility requirements could possibly happen this weekend, after a major delay due to the absence of one committee member.

However, a new development revealed the vote could be on whether lawmakers will create an agency to start a reparations program.

In January, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that the San Francisco Reparations Committee presented a report advocating a hefty payback program for Black residents, with a recommended sum of $5 million  each. The African American Reparations Advisory Committee claimed San Francisco showed progressive reform, but it was overshadowed by the country’s racist reputation. “While neither San Francisco nor California, formally adopted the institution of chattel slavery, the values of segregation, white supremacy and systematic repression and exclusion of Black people were legally codified and enforced,” a report said.

The proposal directed the task force to study reparations “with a special consideration for” the descendants of enslaved Black people living in California. Some argue that there isn’t enough conversation about it, suggesting the 500-page report should be made available in libraries and schools. “This room should be filled with media, and it’s not because Black people are a pariah,” Cheryce Cryer said. “We are at the bottom of the totem pole.”

Some state officials are excited about the program and stand behind it – like Darrell Steinberg, mayor of Sacramento. “I wholeheartedly support reparations and think everyone should,” Steinberg said, according to Fox Business. “If government should stand for anything, it should stand for investing in communities and people who have been the victims of discrimination and disenfranchisement for far too long.”

During past meetings, residents recommended other forms of payments, such grants of land. Some called for a renewed Freedmen’s Bureau, a program created by the Reconstruction-era federal agency Congress, to provide food, medical aid, clothing, and other necessities to newly freed slaves and to help them find jobs.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop and the final installment of the brand’s three-party trilogy, Rémy Martin has teamed up with storied icons and legendary mixtape DJs to unveil the VSOP Mixtape Volume 3 Limited Edition, a rare collectible that is introduced alongside an innovative A.R. technology. The VSOP Mixtape Volume 3 Limited Edition honors the legacy of music and cognac: two cultures that share the same path to excellence and launches in tandem with immersive experiences that pay homage to mixtape music culture in the 80s/90s.

To commemorate the historic milestone in hip-hop culture, Rémy Martin will introduce the Mixtape Street Art Museum, a traveling exhibit spotlighting eight iconic DJs from five key cities across the nation, imagined by the talented illustrator, Xia Gordon. A series of mixtape events with iHeartMedia will be available to hip-hop fans through the mural’s A.R. technology, and will support a marquee partnership with the “The Official Record of Hip-Hop,” The Universal Hip Hop Museum.

“With such a historic year for hip-hop, we couldn’t be more excited to team up with celebrated icons in Mixtape culture to announce the launch of the VSOP Mixtape Vol. 3 Limited Edition. This year’s Mixtape release includes an interactive A.R. experience which highlights the vibrance of VSOP tied to a pinnacle moment in music history. To further honor the exceptional legacy of music excellence, we are thrilled to collaborate with the Universal Hip Hop Museum to preserve the history of hip hop and music culture for years to come,” said Tina Reejsinghani, Vice President, Rémy Martin Americas.

MUSIC, COGNAC, AND MIXTAPE CULTURE: INTRODUCING THE VSOP MIXTAPE VOL. 3 LIMITED EDITION

The VSOP Mixtape Vol. 3 Limited Edition, with its vintage label, is a rare collectible with a forever echo. While Volume 1 played on the birth of hip-hop by revisiting a vintage black and gold bottle design, Volume 2 tapped into the vibrant graphic codes of the vintage cassette. Volume 3 fuses vintage and modern styling for a retro Mixtape with a contemporary edge. The VSOP Mixtape Vol 3. Limited Edition comes with a QR code on pack to discover the tasting notes of Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac Fine Champagne, which embodies the perfect harmony of powerful and elegant aromas, symbolizing the Cellar Master’s art of blending.  The versatility of VSOP makes it enjoyable neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail such as The Rémy Ginger.

“Rémy Martin has been linked to music for decades. With the release of this third mixtape, we are curating a new kind of vintage celebration that puts the living legacy of music and cognac culture forever at the center.”said Amaury Vinclet, Global Executive Director at Rémy Martin. “The Rémy Martin brand has almost 300 years history. Our past enlightens the present, our future echoes the past. It’s a culture of excellence that we share with music. This latest release in the Mixtape trilogy, with its vintage VSOP label, timeless black bottle and premium gift box in Rémy Martin’s classic red, black and gold colors, is a wonderfully creative tribute to a shared culture – and a collectible.”

A HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO A SHARED HERITAGE: THE REMY MARTIN MIXTAPE STREET ART MUSEUM

A first of its kind for the brand, Rémy Martin Mixtape Street Art Museum will spotlight eight epochal DJs who have made their mark in cultivating what mixtape culture is today. These talents include Kool DJ Red Alert – From Harlem, New York, who is recognized as one of the founding fathers of hip-hop music and culture, DJ Spinderella – Brooklyn’s very own GRAMMY Award-winning DJ, producer, actor, rapper, writer, and global “turntablist;” DJ Cocoa Chanelle – Rapper, producer, radio personality, award-winning DJ and legendary “turntablist;” DJ Marley Marl – DJ, rapper and one of hip-hop’s first (and finest) super producers, DJ Yella – World renowned west-coast rapper, record producer, and film director from Los Angeles, DJ Jelly– One of the most influential mixtape DJs of the South, DJ Jay Illa – One of the top DJs in Chicago and the official DJ for the Chicago Bears and Meta, and DJ Shortkut – The Bay Area’s legendary DJ and champion “turntablist.”

With creative concept by Fred & Farid New York and in collaboration with Xia Gordon, these eight icons will be commemorated with unique murals across New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and San Francisco. The imagery will incorporate A.R. technology providing an interactive viewing experience that highlights the impact each DJ has made throughout their careers. As part of the immersive experience, participants will be able to scan the individual QR codes integrated into each of the mural designs for a deeper look into each DJ’s story and the impact on music today.

FURTHERING EXCELLENCE & PRESERVING CULTURE: TEAMING

The VSOP Mixtape Vol. 3 Limited Edition will continue celebrating 50 years of hip-hop and mixtape culture in 2023 through dynamic partnerships announced with iHeartMedia and the Universal Hip Hop Museum. In partnership with iHeartMedia now through July 2023, participants who engage with the murals will be able to scan QR codes for a chance to win a pair of tickets to attend the Rémy Martin Mixtape celebrations in participating cities with iHeart.

The spirited partnership with iHeartMedia will build on Rémy Martin’s commitment to music and culture, by supporting the Universal Hip Hop Museum’s mission and the preservation of archival hip-hop memorabilia for scholars 

The VSOP Mixtape Vol 3. Limited Edition is available for purchase in stores in select markets and at online retailers for a suggested retail price of $52.99.

For more information, visit RemyMartin.com

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 7, 2023

Random Act of Kindness: 8-Year-Old Raises Over $100K for His Favorite Waffle House Waiter

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When an 8-year-old boy found out his favorite Waffle House waiter was down on his luck, he wanted to help.

Penn Live reported Kayzen Hunter started a GoFundMe account – raising over $100,000 – to help his favorite Waffle House waiter, Devonte Gardner, in Little Rock, AK. During a routine breakfast visit a year ago with his grandfather, Hunter took a liking to Gardner. The Hunters started to get to know Gardner and found out he had a wife and two small children. “It was about a year ago when they met. My dad started going and Kayzen would go with him,” Kayzen’s mom, Vittoria Hunter, said. “When he came home, he talked about Devonte and how much he liked him.”

Shortly after, the Hunters found out the Gardners were having some issues – living in a motel for eight months and having car issues, which sometimes hindered Devonte getting to work. A source revealed Gardner said his apartment was infested with rats and contaminated with black mold. His children kept getting sick and they were forced to give up most of their belongings due to the black mold.“We wanted to find something affordable, so we moved into a low-income area,” Gardner said. “No heat and things like that. When it was cold outside, we had to bundle up with like four or five blankets in order to stay warm.”

That’s when the second-grader stepped in. His mother said he kept talking about helping Gardner. “He came home and told me that, ‘Hey, Mom, Devonte walks or gets a ride to work and I’m gonna start a GoFundMe,’” Hunter said “I was like, ‘Well, OK, that’s really sweet. It’s a great idea.” She says she was hesitant at first, but eventually gave in. To date, the campaign has raised $104, 013 – with the initial goal of $5,000. When the family presented Gardner with money, he said he was overwhelmed. “I started crying — I’d been quietly struggling and didn’t want to ask anybody for anything,” Gardner said.

“I love working at Waffle House because I have an opportunity to make people feel good every day. I love the people who come in, especially Kayzen. For this little guy to do this out of the kindness of his heart is really humbling.”

Thanks to the kindness of this sweet boy, the Gardners will be able to move into a new place and obtain reliable transportation.

Singer and actress Halle Bailey hit fans with some exciting news about The Little Mermaid this week.

Bailey, 22, shared a video to her Instagram on Monday, revealing a new version of the Disney Princess Ariel doll that was made to look just like her.

“Today I have something really exciting to reveal to you all,” Bailey said in the video.

“I am going to cry. This is the new Little Mermaid doll,” she said, holding up the figure. “I am literally choking up because this means so much to me, and to have one that looks like me, that is my favorite Disney character, is very surreal,” Bailey continued.

Turning the doll to the front and back, Bailey admired the special detailing of the mermaid.

“And, look — she even has my mole,” she said in amazement. “See!”

“I am just stunned,” Bailey added.

“I don’t quite know what to do with it, but I am going to steal this and take it home and hide it forever,” she concluded.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Halle Bailey (@hallebailey)

Bailey continued expressing her admiration of the doll in the post’s caption.

“The little girl in me is pinching herself right now,” Bailey wrote.

“I have my own Little Mermaid Ariel doll !!! I can’t believe how much she captures my version of this iconic character brb gonna go cry now,” she added.

This isn’t the first time Bailey got emotional about her Ariel role. In a 2022 interview with People, the actress shared that she cried at the conclusion of filming for the movie. “I remember at the end of filming, wrap day, I was just sobbing because I truly felt like I had come out of this cocoon with Ariel,” Bailey said.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Bailey has been heavily criticized by racists since she landed the role, but the award-winning artist has also been praised by her army of fans and celebrities.

The Ariel doll, which is from Mattel, will be released in stores this spring.

The Little Mermaid premieres exclusively in theaters on May 26.

Rapper Childish Gambino, who uses his real name, Donald Glover in other entertainment ventures, rehashed a previous accusation of actor Chevy Chase using the N-word.

At the recent Annual Writers Guild Awards, Glover was tasked with presenting the executive producer of his critically-acclaimed series, Atlanta, Paul Simms, with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence. At the start of his speech, while acknowledging Simms, the “This is America” recording artist made reference to Chase once calling him a n**ga, which he previously claimed while the two were working together on the television series, Community.

“This award was named after Herb Sargent, a writer who worked on Saturday Night Live and came up with ‘Weekend Update’ with Chevy Chase. Chevy Chase once called Herb one of the funniest writers working in television. And Chevy Chase once called me… you know, this is about Paul.”

The Hollywood Reporter previously reported in October 2012 that Chase had used the N-word on the set of Community. The Saturday Night Live alum “apologized immediately” to the people working on set for his liberal use of the racial epithet. He was supposedly frustrated with the way his character on the show was appearing. A source said that Glover and Yvette Nicole Brown were there when he uttered the slur, but it was not directed at them.

But, Glover jokingly stated that actress Lena Durham had also used the racial epithet in conversation with him.

“I was on the set of Girls after filming a sex scene for like eight hours — which they cut down to two minutes,” Glover said. “I’ve never seen the rest of the footage.”

“Afterwards, I asked Lena, ‘Yo, what made you decide to work with Paul?’ And she goes, ‘Honestly, this n**ga lets me do whatever I want.’ I remember thinking two things: One, Lena is using the N-word extremely liberally. Who does she think she is, Chevy Chase?”

A representative contacted The Independent to reassure them that Glover was clearly joking about Dunham using the N-word.

“Donald Glover told a joke referencing Lena Dunham for last night’s WGA Awards. It included, for effect, language Lena never used, nor would use. Full stop.”

Wyclef Jean is taking a step beyond music to try his entrepreneurial skills in the automotive field with the introduction of a new vehicle.

The former Fugees rapper showed off the electric vehicle on his Instagram account on Monday.

“U S A premier Attucks Apex AP0 welcoming my Electric Super Car …. Little Haiti We Up !!!!!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Wyclef Jean (@wyclefjean)

According to Newsweek, the Haitian refugee introduced the Attucks Apex AP0 at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Country and Golf Course on March 5, 2023. The expected price tag of the car, which is slated to debut in the winter of 2024 will be $350,000.

Although the release of the car is an admirable feat he is the second rapper to come out with his own vehicle.

Less than a year ago, Newsweek reported in a partnership with Mercedes-AMG, Black Eyed Peas frontman, Will.i.am debuted the WILL.I.AMG which is based on the Mercedes-AMG 4-Door Coupe. The car was revealed as a concept car that’s part AMG GT coupe and part G-Class SUV. It will debut officially at the Formula One race in Miami this weekend.

Jean’s car claims it has a top speed of 190 miles per hour and can go 0-60 mph in just 2.3 seconds.

The Attucks Apex AP0, which was created with partner Elo, owners of Supercar Room Miami, intends to have the headquarters based in Little Haiti, Miami. Jean wants to help the Haitian community there, so he is relying on the Attucks company to discover, groom, and develop the technology. This will include inventions, technological solutions, sustainability, creativity and design, coding and web3.

The car is described to include an “enhanced music and sound experience, analyzing the driver and playing song selections that best fit the mood for optimal driving experience.” Power for the Attucks Apex AP0 comes from a 90-kilowatt-hour battery through a 650 horsepower, 427-pound-foot of torque electric motor mounted in the rear.

Four familiar rappers have all agreed to collaborate with a distributor of smoking products to launch a new tobacco line named Cignature.

According to Forbes, recording artists, T.I., Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo, and Soulja Boy are each involved in the company and have their own flavors. The brand was recently introduced in Las Vegas at the Champs tradeshow.

The new company, Cignature has a product line that consists of cigars, hemp wraps, and hemp-derived CBD and delta-8 THC products. You can also find alternatives to tobacco in the form of hemp wraps that are 100% organic, non-GMO, and vegan. Cignature also offers gummies and products such as a Tangie Sunrise cartridge with delta-8, delta-11, and THCP.

With the four rappers involved in the brand, they are trying to fulfill the need for more Black ownership within the tobacco and cannabis spaces.

T.I. had an exclusive interview with the media outlet to speak on the importance of being involved in the cannabis and tobacco industries.

“Well, you know as a Black man who comes from an underserved community, I think the more we can rotate dollars within our communities, for goods and services, the more we can become a self-sustaining community and not have to look for others to have to do for we’ll be able to do for ourselves.”

The Atlanta rapper also mentioned that the product is now available in all 50 states and can also be purchased online.

“They’re currently being sold, and added to an array of retailers throughout the U.S. and online, anywhere from smoke shops to gas stations,” T.I. stated.

With people of color being caught up on the penalties of laws due to marijuana use and/or sale of it, Black people are not getting a fair share of entrepreneurial opportunities that are afforded white people. The need for equity has been a great concern since most states legalized cannabis.

“The people who have invested the most amount of attention, made the most sacrifices, they should be more eligible to participate in the cannabis industry,” said T.I.

The company has committed to donating over six figures to charities and giving back to the community. There are plans to partner with anti-tobacco organizations to provide better young people with alternatives to tobacco. Donations are also slated to go towards curating educational programs, events, and activations alongside the brand’s celebrity partners.

The flavors that are correlated with each rapper are Honey for T.I., Black Cherry for Soulja Boy, Banana for Moneybagg Yo, and Sweet Aromatic for Lil Durk.

We remember the heartbreaking episode of Love & Hip-Hop when DJ Self doubted the talents of Cardi B. Now the “Prince of New York” wants his props.

On a recent episode of the My Humble Opinion podcast, Self was asked if the “Bodak Yellow” rapper ever thanked him for “discovering her.” “If she thanked you, it wouldn’t surprise me,” one host said. Self responded that he doesn’t know if he has done anything for Cardi’s music career. “I put her on television, I didn’t put her in the music industry,” Self- explained. “When you use that word discover, that’s a strong word. You can’t discover something that is there. I put the magnifying glass on her.”

During Cardi’s humble beginnings, the two reality stars worked together on several projects, until things became tense between the two. In one episode, the Gwinin Entertainment executive told Cardi he would rather work with fellow castmate, Mariah Lynn, over her.

pic.twitter.com/fzi6BFq3ed

— , ✪ (@iamsantwan) March 6, 2023

When host, Math Hoffa, asked how Self felt, as a DJ, to watch Cardi blow up without him, he explained that he’s not the first DJ it has happened to. “Any DJ, I don’t care where you’re from, has a story about what they did or how they helped an artist,” Self explained. “You could ask any DJ. Social media makes you feel a type of way. I’m not hurt and I’m doing great where I’m at.”

Speaking of social media, Twitter was quick to remind Self of his doubtful days of the Grammy winner. One user reminded the DJ that he wasn’t originally a fan of Cardi’s music.

I remember you didn’t want to hear her music while on LLH…… but okayyyuu

— Mandy Grimm (@monimaruu) March 6, 2023

Another fan hit Self below the belt, throwing some shade at the do’s management of Mariah Lynn’s career.

First of all If he discovered her, she would be where Mariah Lynn is no shade

— ✨ (@BStar611) March 6, 2023

Despite what they internet says, Self told the podcast hosts that he and Cardi are cool and there is no bad blood between them.

• Business

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 7, 2023

The Village Market and our Village United Partner with MasterCard to Kick Off First Elevated Cities Cohort Nationwide

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The Village Market (TVM) and its non-profit arm, Our Village United (OVU), announced today the official launch of its first cohort of the ELEVATED CITIES national incubator program. In partnership with Mastercard’s “In Solidarity” initiative, the national program will focus on cities across the country including Atlanta, Los Angeles, St. Louis, New Orleans, New York City, Dayton, Birmingham, Washington D.C., Marylandand Virginia. The first cohort includes 125 Black-owned businesses across these cities and more.

Designed to provide opportunities for Black-owned businesses to scale for growth, ELEVATED CITIES will provide selected businesses targeted capital grants, technical assistance, shared professional services and wellness support. Selected small businesses will be awarded grants ranging from $10,000 to $15,000. TVM and OVU will also be extending support to Black-owned businesses in Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Miami, Montgomery, Phoenixand Norristown, Pa. through the program.

“Through ELEVATE, our mission is to equip and position our village of small businesses to thrive despite systemic barriers that impact their ability to scale. Our goal is to address these barriers to ensure that Black-owned small businesses can access the resources they need to build sustainable businesses,” says Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, Founder and CEO of The Village Market. “Through this national expansion, we are able to impact more amazing and innovative Black founders across the country – and most importantly, connect them to assistance and opportunities that could serve as catalysts for growth. I’m thrilled to officially launch our programming nationally with this cohort of amazing businesses.”

The first cohort of businesses will participate in a 12-week incubation period where they will receive access to $100,000in grant opportunities, business development classes, mentorship programs and professional and technical support services. As a core tenet of the program, business owners are also connected with wellness support led by licensed wellness coaches and mental health practitioners.

“We are proud to work with Our Village United to support more businesses getting access to this catalytic program that will foster their growth and full participation in the digital economy,” said Salah Goss, Senior Vice President of Social Impact for North America at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “It is exciting to see the ELEVATE program expand nationally and we are eager to continue to partner with Dr. Hallmon and her team not only in Atlanta where we continue to deepen our engagement, but also in additional cities.”

ELEVATED CITIES is the national expansion of OVU’s highly successful ELEVATE program, which works to provide wrap-around support for solopreneurs and micro businesses. Launched in 2021, ELEVATE has tremendously impacted over 250 Black-owned small businesses serving as a model for holistically addressing the barriers founders experience in operations, marketing, sales and funding.

To learn more about ELEVATED CITIES and the selected businesses, please visit ourvillageunited.org/elevated-cities/.

Maverick Entertainment and Black Girl Film School (BGFS) are excited to announce a new partnership aimed at empowering the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers. The partnership will focus on supporting black storytelling and attracting more girls aged 13-17 to the filmmaking industry.

In an effort to increase the number of women of color who are inclined to excel in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics before entering college, Maverick Entertainment will provide funding and resources to help BGFS expand its curriculum around these STEAM techniques in film, television, and media.

Maverick will support BGFS’s course offerings by providing industry experts for an “Ask the Expert” series, a back-to-school scholarship award, and a short film contest where students can win a monetary award and prize package and pitch their short film scripts to Maverick’s Executive Team.

The goal of this partnership is to create a more diverse and inclusive film community by providing young girls with access to the tools, skills, and resources needed to tell their own stories through film. By partnering with BGFS, Maverick hopes to inspire a new generation of filmmakers who can bring fresh perspectives and unique voices to the industry.

“We are thrilled to partner with Black Girl Film School,” said Kelcie Schwab, VP of Programming, Social Media & Digital Marketing at Maverick Entertainment. “Their commitment to empowering young girls through filmmaking aligns perfectly with our mission at Maverick. We believe that by investing in the future of storytelling we can create a more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive film industry.”

“As leaders educating students to gain admission to college as STEAM majors and find their professional pathways behind the camera, we are excited to partner with Maverick Entertainment to advance more opportunities for girls to learn,” said Jayda Imanlihen, the executive director of BGFS.

This partnership marks an important step forward for both companies as they work towards creating a more equitable and accessible film community. Together they hope to inspire a new generation of filmmakers who can bring fresh perspectives and unique voices to the industry.

Applications for the BGFS program are open from March 1 to April 5, 2023. Apply to the program here: https://blackgirlfilmschool.com/application/