Chaka Khan is backtracking on her viral comments regarding Rolling Stone’s 200 Greatest Singers of All Times list.

The 69-year-old took to Instagram to apologize for throwing a shade storm toward fellow songbirds Mariah Carey, Mary J, Blige, and Adele. “Recently, I was asked about a list of the ‘greatest singers of all time,’ and instead of questioning the need for such a list, I was pitted against other artists and I took the bait,” Khan wrote. “As artists, we are unfairly put into ‘boxes,’ ‘categories,’ or on ‘lists.’ Being an artist or musician is not a competition. It’s a gift, for which I am truly grateful.”

 

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The soul singer went viral last week when she sounded off during an episode of Los Angeles Magazine’s The Originals podcast. The show’s host alerted Khan that she was placed at No. 29 on the list. “I didn’t even know what the hell you were talking about, so obviously this don’t mean a great deal to me,” she responded. “These people don’t quantify or validate me in any way.”

After learning about other singer placements, the Chicago native didn’t hold back her words. After finding out Mariah Carey was listed as No. 5, Khan went off. “That must be payola or some sh*t like that,” she said. Things got worse as other singers were named, including Mary J. Blige, who listed four spots before her at 25. “They are blind as a motherf**king bat! They need hearing aids…These must be the children of Helen Keller!”

Her apology sang a different tone. “Empowering all artists is most important because we truly are the architects of change…and change begins within the heart,” Khan continued. “I love you all and God bless.”

When it was announced that Aretha Franklin held the No. 1 spot, she responded, “as she f**king should be!”

Maybe it’s a good idea to keep these two at opposite ends of the table.

Former NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley exchanged some shady words towards each other during a recent episode of NBA on TNT. 

During the episode, the Philadelphia 76ers legend poked at O’Neal from across the table during the collective discussion on the 16-game win streak of Eastern Conference leader, the Milwaukee Bucks. When O’Neal, also known as the Big Aristotle, was questioned about his longest winning streak, he responded “Longer than that [Bucks’ win streak], I’m a legend,” shutting down Barkley’s shady question.

Barkley added fuel to the fire calling O’Neal “sensitive.”

Annoyed at that point, O’Neal fired back at Barkley, saying, “Boy, you better check my police records.”

Commentator Ernie Johnson attempted to put a pause on the fight by quickly ending the segment before the the show cut to a commercial break.

According to Essentially Sports, the two have drawn immense popularity to the show as they are constantly bumping heads and poking fun during discussions.

It turns out that O’Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers legend, does hold a longer win streak than the Milwaukee stats. The Big Aristotle and his late teammate Kobe Bryant hold rankings among the top ten win-streaks in the league’s history. O’Neal and the Lakers fill the No. 10 spot in the ranking with a 19-game winning streak.

The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t too far from passing the Lakers win streak from 2000. With 16 wins, they are close to joining the list of famous winning streaks in the NBA by teams such as the 2016 Golden State Warriors, Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs in 2014, and the 1972 Lakers with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

O’Neal and Barkley were recently caught poking fun at each other during the 2023 NBA All-Star Draft, where O’Neal asked the 76ers legend if he was drunk.

Please never take Shaq and Charles Barkley off the air
https://t.co/JVffprKrbb

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 20, 2023

Actor Isaiah Washington announced his early retirement on Twitter, only to seemingly change his mind after seeing the response to his tweet.

The Grey’s Anatomy alum took to Twitter last Tuesday to announce his retirement from acting, thanks in part to the “haters, provocateurs, and the Useful Idiots,” who apparently have been holding him back.

“It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I am announcing my early retirement from the entertainment industry today,” he wrote.

“Those who have been Following/Witnessing my journey here on Twatter since 2011 all know that I have fought the good fight, but it seems that the haters, provocateurs and the Useful Idiots have won.”

Washington said he based his decision to retire on the division between human beings and his desire to travel the country “before it falls into Socialism and then Communism.”

“I’m no longer interested in the back and forth regarding a ‘color construct’ that keeps us human beings divided nor am I interested in politics or anything vitriolic,” he said. “I will be traveling this great country before it falls into Socialism and then Communism.”

https://twitter.com/IWashington/status/1630696635587231744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1630696635587231744%7Ctwgr%5Ea538239fa6b3418c26a94711ea9282398590c372%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Ftv%2Fisaiah-washington-retires-from-acting%2F

The self-described “Frederick Douglas Conservative” ended his announcement by thanking his fans for their support over the course of his career.

“Until then, know that this Frederick Douglass Conservative will keep his powder dry and loves you all! I am truly grateful for your support over the years,” he wrote.

Washington, who was fired from “Grey’s Anatomy” in 2007 after allegedly calling his costar T.R. Knight a homophobic slur, (via EW) also promoted what his film, Corsicana, and promised to share his retirement excursions on social media periodically.

“It looks like CORSICANA #CorsicanaMovie may be the last time you see me as an Actor born here in America,” he shared. “Just know that I will be posting a few pictures of my retirement shenanigans here and there, but until then. Be safe out there. Your loved ones love you and need you. SALUTE! 🤙🏾”

However, on Wednesday, Washington returned to share a GoFundMe link to an independent film he’s working on, after seeing the response to his retirement announcement.

“After seeing the incredible positive response to my recent announcement of retirement from the entertainment industry on social media, it became clear that I have been operating outside of the traditional Hollywood system successfully for the last 15 years,” he wrote on the page.

“So, why stop now with over 5 million views and counting with my February 28, 2023 Twitter post?” he continued.

“It seems that if I received just $1.00 from 5 million people, then I will have more than enough capital to continue to independently produce my own Bass Reeves movie project for a Fall 2023 shooting schedule in Arkansas and Oklahoma.”

So far, the film has reached over $11,000 toward its $1 million goal.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 6, 2023

Trouble In Paradise? Hate Crime in Hawaii Shine a Light on the State’s Growing Racial Divide

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A hate crime is shining a light on the racial divide in paradise.

The New York Post reported two men in Hawaii have been charged with a federal hate crime after brutally beating a white man who attempted to move to Kahakuloa – a remote neighborhood in Maui. Kaulana Alo-Kaonohi and Levi Aki Jr. allegedly attacked Christopher Kunzelman due to his race. The two men allegedly punched, kicked, and beat Kunzelman with shovel back in 2014.

Both men were given lengthy sentences – Alo-Kaonohi was sentenced to 78 months and Aki was sentenced to 50 months. Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Kristin Clarke says the men killed Kunzelman simply because he didn’t look like them. “The defendants in this case nearly killed a man because they believed he did not belong in their neighborhood because of the color of his skin,” Clarke said. “The law protects everyone in this country from racially motivated violence, and these sentences send a strong message that such violence will not be tolerated.”

While this has been identified as a hate crime, according to The Associated Press, U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright said this attack is different than other hate crimes highlighted over the last few years. This case shows how native Hawaiians are adamant about not having their culture erased, and feeling people who move to Hawaii having no consideration for the history and racial ideologies.

The victim’s wife said the couple had a deep love for Maui and purchased a home for $175,000 to fix up after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Once the repairs started, Lori Kunzelman said her husband was harassed and threatened.

Lawyers representing the assailants claimed race wasn’t a factor in this case, but the victim’s sense of entitlement and disrespectful attitude were. Kunzelman’s wife said there is no way that’s true. “It was obviously a hate crime from the very beginning,” Kunzelman said. “The whole time they’re saying things like, ‘You have the wrong skin color. No ‘haole’ is ever going to live in our neighborhood.'”

Cameras from the victim’s house shows Aki saying “You’s a haole, eh,” which Kunzelman testified was said in a derogatory way. Subject matter experts claimed the term refers to a person who is acting out of entitlement or like they “own the place.”

• Business

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 6, 2023

UBS Commits $3 Million To Invest In The Black Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

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UBS Bank is standing by its word to bridge the gap of the racial divide.

According to a media release, the investment firm is committing $3 million to the Black Innovation Alliance (BIA). BIA is a 90-member organization supporting 375,000 entrepreneurs of color that works to close the racial wealth gap by building pathways that provide equitable access to resources, knowledge, and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.

Over the next three years, UBS’ investment will support BIA’s Decade of Black Innovation, driving $1 billion to the Black entrepreneurial ecosystem. President of UBS Americas, Naureen Hassan, says this initiative will help the world’s issue with being inclusive. “Equitable access to capital, resources, and knowledge is critical in order to achieve a better, more inclusive world,” Hassan said. “We believe in the power of partnership to elevate traditionally underrepresented populations, and we’re proud to work with BIA to strengthen their ecosystem to help Black entrepreneurs thrive and grow successful businesses.”

The announcement comes at the right time. Last week, Black Enterprise reported DEI roles are on the chopping block from major corporations after being hired shortly after the death of George Floyd. Many were employed to support diversity efforts in the workplace, making pledges worth millions. However, many aren’t standing firm on those promises three years later. USB is working toward not being in that number.

Providing access to capital of this kind will open doors for Black entrepreneurs and other people of color. Forbes reported in 2020 that Black women-led startups only raised 0.6% of the total $150 billion venture capital funding. By the end of 2022, Black entrepreneurs saw a 45% decrease in financing. Kelly Burton, co-founder and CEO of BIA, says the problem with funding for Black business owners runs deep, but this investment can help. “Black founders and innovators need safe spaces to grow, build, even fail, but that doesn’t happen without support,” Burton said. “The more Black ISOs we support, the more Black entrepreneurs succeed.”

Victoria’s Secret wants to get back in the game. A “new version” of the famed fashion show will return this year after a four-year hiatus. According to E! News, the announcement, was made during the global brand’s Friday 2022 earnings conference call.

“We’re going to continue to lean into the marketing spend to invest in the business, both at top of funnel,” CFO Timothy Johnson said, “and also to support the new version of our fashion show, which is to come later this year.”

CEO Martin Waters noted that Victoria’s Secret has brought in more models and ambassadors of diverse sizes, ages, abilities, and identities as part of the company’s recent initiatives.

The 2023 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show comes amid the cancellation of its 2019 show and the 2018 show where the company saw its lowest ratings.

In 2018, parent company L Brand’s former chief marketing officer Ed Razek did an interview with Vogue where he was asked about singer and business mogul Rihanna‘s Savage X Fenty show.

“Everybody keeps talking about Rihanna’s show. If we had done Rihanna’s show, we would be accused of pandering without question,” Razek said at the time.

“We attempted to do a television special for plus-sizes [in 2000],” he added. “No one had any interest in it, still don’t. It’s like, why doesn’t your show do this? Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special. That’s what it is.”

After Razek’s statement was released, some people were offended by what they considered transphobic comments, causing Razek to issue an apology.

In 2019, L Brands founder Les Wexner announced the company’s reconsideration of the fashion show.

“Going forward we don’t believe network television is the right fit,” a memo read at the time. “In 2019 and beyond, we’re focusing on developing exciting and dynamic content and a new kind of event–delivered to our customers on platforms that she’s glued to…and in ways that will push the boundaries of fashion in the global digital age.”

This is the first full year Victoria’s Secret is an independent public company.

The death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minnesota police officers had companies and corporations promising to do better when it came to the betterment of Black people.

Three years later, not much, if anything, has changed on that front. That’s why former professional basketball player Lanny Smith started his sportswear company, Actively Black, in 2020 after the police killing of Floyd, when many companies pledged to promote diversity and invest in Black communities.

Smith’s company is reportedly worth $30 million. Last year, Actively Black brought in $5.6 million in revenue as they utilized a rotating cast of Black designers. Ten percent of the company’s sales were reinvested to take care of organizations that support social justice, mental health, and physical health in our Black communities.

“A lot of these sports apparel brands have profited off of Black talent,” Smith told CNBC Make It. “[The companies] have profited off of the consumerism from the Black community. And I felt like they hadn’t adequately reinvested back into the Black community.”

According to Smith, Actively Black has made donations (more than $500,000 in all) to programs such as the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, The Liberation Fund, Black Kids Code, Our Own, and Families United.

“My thought process is, if we’re donating at this type of percentage, what happens when we are the multibillion-dollar brand and we’re donating that type of money back into our communities?” Smith said. “We can have a real impact.”

Yet, another positive that comes out of the company is its willingness to bring on Black creators that the larger industry may be ignoring or haven’t yet discovered.

“Giving opportunities to Black talent, Black photographers, Black videographers, Black designers, Black marketers,” Smith said. “Giving these opportunities, even for employment and for talent, that they may not get in other places is very important.”

• Business

by Stacy Jackson

March 6, 2023

Black-led Private Equity Firm Launches Search Fund Platform to Further Wealth Building in BIPOC Communities

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These partners saw an opportunity for wealth creation.

Black-led private equity firm The Promise Venture launched its Search Fund platform February 15, a vehicle to provide equitable access to capital and other business resources for Black and other diverse entrepreneurs.

According to a news release, The Promise Venture’s founding team includes success growth and talent development expert Reggie Carter, talent development and operating expert Thomas Askew, business transformation and operational expert Segun Olowofela, and strategy and leadership development expert Michael Gilligan.

The partners created the platform with a mission to further wealth opportunities in underrepresented communities through sustainable quality jobs, employee ownership programs, and investment opportunities. The firm focuses on being the chosen investment partner for diverse entrepreneurs.

“We can be a catalyst for creating a seat at the table, that’s when value can be shared, and change is really made,” Carter said. “Our efforts will result in greater access to entrepreneurship through acquisition, serve as a solution for business owners addressing succession planning, and foster wealth creation for employees. Imagine improving the lives of hundreds of entrepreneurs, their families, and employees—that’s the American dream!”‘

“Our goal is to foster an ecosystem where all entrepreneurs have an equal shot at driving and participating in financial value creation,” Gilligan said, adding that equity is the key to drive the shift toward success that is fixed in the allies, partners, and collaborators who join the platform.

Askew said the team’s approach to investing is inclusive and results-oriented.

“Our strategy allows us to partner with excellent operators and quality investors, who not only share our vision, but believe in it and will do their part to help us change the economic landscape and close the wealth gap of underrepresented communities,” he added.

“Providing the capital to diverse entrepreneurs enables them to focus where they can excel and fully harness the untapped potential within every community, making us better as a whole,” Olowofela said. “We are talking about employment opportunities, upskilling of talent and really identifying new ways to solve old problems and, ultimately, fostering wealth creation opportunities for all.”

The Promise Venture is building its team in the developing search fund market that has enabled MBA graduates and mid-career professionals to have operating experience to acquire businesses in the lower middle market, with revenues typically ranging between $10 to $50 million.

Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM), the leading independent streaming company super-serving enthusiast audiences, today announced plans to become a premier provider of content tailored to the African American culture by entering a partnership with J. Alexander Martin, founder of the iconic fashion brand FUBU and successful producer Roberto “Rush” Evans, to launch the For Us By Us Network. The new service will feature high quality movies, authentic and raw content around issues, personalities and trends related to the hip-hop culture and lifestyle. The service will utilize Cinedigm’s industry-leading Matchpoint technology platform to power the full service, making FUBU one of the first brands to leverage the Matchpoint platform on a SaaS basis.

Although there are 41.6 million African Americans, there are currently only 34 FAST channels focused on African Americans comprising only 2% of all available FAST channels according to data published by Variety. This poses a tremendous opportunity to tap into a key demographic and reach an underserved audience within the burgeoning FAST segment of the entertainment industry.

J. Alexander Martin, an iconic fashion mogul, who created major fashion trends in the late 1990s with partner Daymond John who is now a regular on the ABC reality television series “Shark Tank”, netted $350 million in sales across 5,000 retail stores and eventually grossed more than $6 billion dollars globally, making him one of the most innovative and creative businessmen in the hip-hop world. Responsible for launching one of the most lucrative fashion brands, Martin continues to set a high standard in creating content for the African American culture. The (FUBU) For Us By Us Network apps will be available across web, mobile as well as connected TV and will be powered by Cinedigm’s Matchpoint Blueprint v2.0 platform. The For Us By Us Network will have access to the complete set of video streaming capabilities offered by Matchpoint which will allow the Network the ability to quickly expand into the US market as well as other emerging markets.

“As one of the founders of FUBU, I have gained a very deep comprehension and awareness about the urban consumer and what appeals to them not only in fashion, but entertainment as well,” said J. Alexander Martin, co-owner and CEO of FUBU. “We created the For Us By Us Network so that we can provide high quality, positive content for our culture.”

“We are excited to partner with FUBU to bring their seminal lifestyle brand to the rapidly growing FAST market and establish them as a leader in video streaming services that meet the needs of the African American community.  We will bring our extensive expertise in enthusiast channels and our industry-leading Matchpoint platform to create a compelling service for this discerning brand,” said Marc Rashba, Executive Vice President of Partnerships at Cinedigm.  “With their longstanding history and stature that this lifestyle brand maintains with the African American community, we plan to grow the reach of this brand with everything at our disposal including original new offerings across theatrical, podcasts, physical products, audiobooks and other formats.”

One of the most iconic Black paintings known to television viewers is owned by an iconic Black comedic legend.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Eddie Murphy disclosed that he owns the famous “Sugar Shack” painting featured in the legendary sitcom, Good Times, which initially was the album art for Marvin Gaye‘s I Want You in 1976.

Of course, the painting, done by Ernie Barnes, reached a whole other level when it was seen weekly in the credits of Good Times, which ran from 1974 to 1979, and turned Jimmie Walker into a superstar.

“I have that painting now,” Murphy said. Kimmel mentioned that the painting was recently sold at Christie’s for a million dollars. The Raw comedian corrected him. He explained to him that the painting, which was actually sold for $15 million was a duplicate. Murphy revealed that he owns “the real one.”

“I think I paid 50 grand for that picture. After Marvin Gaye passed away, I bought it from his estate.”

Last year, Christie’s announced that the painting had set an auction record, receiving 27 times the previous record that was set for a Barnes painting. It was sold for a little more than $15 million after only 10 minutes on the auction block.

“Ernie Barnes ‘The Sugar Shack sets an auction record for the artist this evening, 27x the previous record set by the artist,” the famous auction house explained. “After over 10 minutes of bidding by up to 22 bidders, the piece realized $15.275 million.”

#AuctionUpdate Ernie Barnes ‘The Sugar Shack sets an auction record for the artist this evening, 27x the previous record set by the artist. After over 10 minutes of bidding by up to 22 bidders, the piece realized $15.275 million. pic.twitter.com/GQOH03vF0a

— Christie’s (@ChristiesInc) May 13, 2022

The iconic painting was recently showcased at The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas.