Since Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss Died Without Will, His Wife Files for His Half of Estate
On December 13, Stephen “Twitch” Bosstook his own life in a hotel room in Los Angeles. Nearly two months after his death, his wife, Allison Holker, has filed a petition to claim half of their shared estate.
According to The New York Post, last Wednesday, Holker put in legal documents establishing proof of her marriage to the executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The 40-year-old Boss did not have a will when he passed away last year.
In court documents filed by Holker, she filed a California Spousal Property Petition in the Superior Court of California last week to formally request that all of tWitch’s assets be placed in her name. Since he died with no will, she asked the court for “confirmation of property belonging to the surviving spouse” and “determination of property passing to the surviving spouse,” which is standard procedure.
She also told the court that there were “no written agreements between” the spouses before his death, as she has asked for Stephen’s half of Stephen Boss Productions and his Goldman Sachs investment account.
She is also filing for the royalties from Cast and Crew Production Services; Disney Worldwide Services, Inc.; GEP Talent Services, LLC; and SAG/AFTRA.
In early January, according to People, there was a small, private funeral held for the producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The beloved DJ left a suicide note after arriving at the hotel on December 12, according to reports.
In December, TMZ reported that Boss’ wife, Allison Holker, rushed into a police station in Los Angeles and told police officers there that her husband left their residence without his vehicle, which is something he would not normally do. Police officers received a 911 phone call a short time later about a shooting that took place at a hotel. When they arrived at the hotel, Boss was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Boss is survived by his wife, Allison, and children Zaia, 3, Maddox, 6, and Weslie, 14.
An Act of Evil : Florida Man Allegedly Killed Pregnant Girlfriend After Being Acquitted for Double Murder Days Earlier
A Florida man who was acquitted in January has been arrested after being accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend just days after becoming free.
According to WLFA, after being released from prison, 25-year-old Billy Adams, allegedly killed his pregnant 22-year-old girlfriend, Alana Sims, after being acquitted of a double murder on Jan. 30. Adams’ alleged motive was that he did not want a child and did not want her in his life.
Police officials stated that the arrest took place nine days after Sims was discovered shot to death outside her car in the 10700 block of Pictorial Park Drive. Her son was found sleeping in the car, but was unharmed. He is currently in the care of a relative.
Detectives said that the murder victim thought that she was heading to a celebratory party for Adams being found not guilty of crimes he was previously arrested for. When police officers questioned Adams, they did not believe his initial statements and said that his alibi didn’t collaborate with statements from witnesses. Although he denied being in the area of the crime, investigators said they have video showing Adams’ car near the crime scene.
“Mere days after he was acquitted of a separate crime, our homicide suspect did the unthinkable when he killed an innocent woman and her unborn child,” said Tampa Police Department Interim Chief Lee Bercaw. “I hope this arrest brings some closure to the victim’s family who is mourning the loss of two loved ones. We are working with the State Attorney’s Office to ensure the suspect is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Adams faces charges of first-degree murder and killing of an unborn child by injury to the mother.
“What this defendant did is unimaginable,” State Attorney Susan S. Lopez said. “Our thoughts and support are with the family members of these crime victims. Since the night of the murders, we have worked closely with TPD to arrest this killer. While we respect the verdict of the jury in the prior case, we disagreed with it and that is why we prosecuted him. We will continue to work with TPD to prosecute him for these latest crimes.”
Social Media Questions Why Khloé Kardashian’s Good American is Listed in Nordstrom’s ‘Black-Owned’ Section
It’s Black History Month, and more eyes are taking notice of which Black-owned brands are getting the respect they deserve and which aren’t. That might be why more social media users are questioning why Nordstrom has Khloé Kardashian’s Good American brand listed in their “Black-owned” section.
Technically, Kardashian is just the co-owner of Good American, a size-inclusive fashion line she started with Emma Grede, the CEO and Co-Founder of Good American. Grede is a biracial British businesswoman raised by an English mother who worked for Morgan Stanley; and a Jamaican and Trinidadian father.
The power maven is in deep with the Kardashian-Jenner family on three of their major product lines, including Khloé’s Good American, Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS, and Kris Jenner’s Safely cleaning brand. When looking at the logistics, Good American technically is a Black-owned company.
But with Khloé serving as the face of the fashion line, many were confused why Good American is able to take up space in a market with a long history of overlooking Black creatives.
That’s what happened when Reddit user u/sayjayxx started a thread calling out the mega-retailer for promoting Khloé’s brand as a Black-owned company.
“Nordstrom promoting Khloe Kardashians clothing brand as a black owned business,” they wrote. “Am I missing something here? This feels so wrong.”
Others were quick to correct the Redditor and educate them on the real ownership of Khloé’s fashion line.
“I hear you, but Emma Grede co-founded it with Khloe and is a POC,” one fan wrote.
“Emma didn’t co found anything, she’s the owner of Good American,” added another user. “Khloe is an employee, a face for the brand.”
But it’s not a new conversation among fashion consumers. Since Good American’s appearance on Nordstrom, the retailer has faced questions on social media from users confused by its placement among the Black-owned fashion companies.
“+ why does @Nordstrom have good american under black owned brands? khloe kardashian is yt 🙄,” someone asked in February 2021.
VC Funding For Black Businesses Fell 45% Last Year After Hitting Record Levels
In a major setback, venture capital funding for Black businesses dropped significantly last year.
That financial backing fell 45% for those businesses, based on data from analytics firm Crunchbase, per CNBC. The news outlet disclosed that it is the largest year-over-year decline for Black entrepreneurs. And the decrease was much greater than the 36% drop in VC funding altogether.
The descent came after venture capital funding for Black founders reached record levels for Black founders in recent years. In the first half of 2021, Black founders raised almost $1.8 billion, more than four times the capital raised during same time the prior year.
The fresh numbers offer a glimpse how challenging VC funding can be for Black entrepreneurs. Black founders saw an uptick in VC funding following the murder of George Floyd and subsequent national racial injustice protests. Many of the nation’s largest corporations vowed tens of billions of dollars roughly three years ago to support economic growth and new opportunities for Black businesses and individuals.
But the large VC financing plunge Black founders faced last year has caused some observers to question how many of those funding commitments and investments were actually made.
William Michael Cunningham, an economist and owner of Creative Investment Research in Washington, D.C., says the recent decline is a concern for Black business owners. But he says it fits patterns in his book, Thriving As a Minority-Owned Business in Corporate America: Building a Pathway to Success for Minority Entrepreneurs.
Moreover, Cunningham says his firm does not believe VC funding is the best option for Black founders. He maintains that source of funding is too discriminatory and volatile. He adds the focus from venture capital firms on requiring Black businesses to generate extreme levels of profits is inconsistent with the financing needs of the Black community.
“If new VC funding initiatives are announced targeting Black firms, we say look into them, just don’t count on them.”
Lock Her Up! Cousin of Emmett Till Files New Lawsuit Demanding The Arrest of Carolyn Bryant Donham
It may be almost 70 years since Emmett Till’s murder but his family is still looking for justice.
The Guardianreports that a cousin of Till has filed a lawsuit demanding that the Leflore County (MS) sheriff present an arrest warrant to Carolyn Bryant Donham for her role in the 1955 murder.
The lawsuit, against Sheriff Rick Banks, was filed by Patricia Sterling after the family found an arrest warrant in the basement of a Mississippi courthouse. Sterling’s lawyer, Trent Walker, said the family isn’t giving up. ““We are using the available means at our disposal to try to achieve justice on behalf of the Till family,” Walker, said.
The fight for Donham’s arrest has been going on for years. In March 2022, BLACKED ENTERPRISEreported that the Till family called on the Department of Justice to reopen the case. They are hoping to bring Donham to justice before it’s too late. According to the Daily Mail, the 88-year-old is living in Kentucky and is battling cancer.
The lawsuit claims Donham is responsible for the murder. “It was Carolyn Bryant’s lie that sent Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam into a rage, which resulted in the mutilation of Emmett Till’s body into a [sic] unrecognizable condition,” the lawsuit states as reported by CNN. “The Leflore County Sheriff is complicit in the trio’s escape from justice even though both Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam admitted to the crime.”
Emmett Till was murdered after being accused of whistling at Donham while visiting family in Mississippi. Bryant’s husband, Roy Bryant, and J.W. Milam kidnapped the 14-year-old from his bed, put him in the back of a pickup truck and drove off. They then beat him severely and shot him in the head before throwing his body into the Tallahatchie River.
Both men, who were white, were both acquitted of murder by an all-white jury after Bryant testified that Emmett grabbed and verbally threatened her. Months later, Bryant and Milam admitted to Till’s killing in a magazine interview.
Regardless of the past, the lawsuit calls for action regarding Donham’s involvement. “To this day, the warrant issued for Carolyn Bryant remains unserved,” the lawsuit said. “Carolyn Bryant’s whereabouts are known. This action is being brought in order to compel the Lelfore County Sheriff to serve the warrant upon Carolyn Bryant.”
Black Woman’s Struggle with Fibroids Inspires Award-Winning Health Food Brand, Sweetkiwi
Becoming a Black woman in the food industry wasn’t her initial plan, but a struggle with a health challenge actually took a turn for the better. After enduring a battle with fibroids,Sweetkiwi founder Ehime Eigbe found herself on a mission to create tasty, healthy frozen yogurts that support the body in absorbing proper nutrients.
Eigbe shared her health journey with BLACK ENTERPRISE, and the details of her successful health food brand that is bridging the gap between functional nutrition and great taste.
A personal health struggle encouraged a healthier Lifestyle
Eigbe, who was diagnosed with a uterine fibroid, a noncancerous growth in the uterus, shared that after consulting with the doctor, she was presented with multiple options that she wasn’t too comfortable with such as surgery and hormone therapy.
“I started doing some research and found that food could be a good way to change a diagnosis,” she says. “I started learning about nutrition and how our body needs the right kind of nutrition to support cell regeneration, armed with so much information, I decided to change my eating habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle.”
The creation of what Eigbe described as an amazing and healthy frozen dessert, led her to the food industry.
“I learned how to make ice cream and cultured dairies at Penn State and took courses to prepare me for entrepreneurship in the food industry.”
Sweetkiwi’s mission
“Our mission is to change the way consumers experience food by creating food products that are delicious, nutrient dense and support the body in absorbing nutrients with a commitment to advocating for safe, sustainable, and equitable food systems within the communities we operate in,” Eigbe shared.
Sweetkiwi produces low-calorie, nutrient-dense treats that are high in protein, probiotics, fiber, and a proprietary blend of immune-boosting superfoods. A pint of Eigbe’s whipped Greek yogurt contains about 22 to 25 grams of protein, probiotics to help increase protein absorption, and prebiotic fiber to support the growth of probiotics.
“The immune system is primarily in the gut and is influenced by the gut microbiome. As a result, we formulated Sweetkiwi with a holistic approach backed by clinical research and carefully selected ingredients that function better together to support gut health, wellness and nutrient absorption,” she explains.
Eliminating high fructose doesn’t mean neglecting your sweet tooth
High fructose in the diet has been linked to several diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and liver disorder.
“Sweetkiwi Whipped Greek Yogurt is low in sugar yet tastes delicious,” Eigbe says.
Eigbe’s products contain no sugar alcohols and have 50% to 75% less sugar and 50% to 75% more protein and fiber than leading ice cream brands.
“Our product strikes the delicate balance between sweet and tart, hence the name Sweetkiwi, a delicious, rare golden kiwi that offers a sweetness alongside the tart taste which is what we created using Greek yogurt,” she says. “You get the high nutrition Greek yogurt is known for with sweetness derived from other ingredients to make a delicious, well-balanced, and nutritious frozen dessert.”
Sweetkiwi donates to Black Girl Ventures
Eigbe partners with Black Girl Ventures, donating her time and 1% Sweetkiwi’s profits to support the non-profit’s programs and the entrepreneurs with their ecosystem.
“As a Black founder who has boot-strapped my business with the support of organizations dedicated to supporting Black entrepreneurs to reduce the equity gap, it was important to me to pay it forward and to ensure that the Black Founders coming after me have an easier time of it,” Eigbe says.
“Supporting Black entrepreneurs is a passion for me because when one of us wins, we all win,” she adds. “I coach Founders who are behind me in the journey, I share knowledge and my experiences and encourage. I pour into others what was poured into me as it is my duty to pay it forward. ‘I am because we are.'”
Sweetkiwi expansion
Future plans for Sweetkiwi include growing its retail presence and diversifying its retail channels. Eigbe is working to continue the impact she has had in her community.
Sweetkiwi products are available to purchase online or at select Whole Foods Markets, Walmart, Kroger, and Ralphs.
Younger Black Americans More Prone To Impulse Buying Than Others, Influenced Heavily By Social Media Advertising
When it comes to making abrupt purchases, Black millennials and Gen Zers appear more susceptible to practicing that behavior than other consumers.
New data shows that Black millennials (68%) and Black Gen Zers (66%) report they make impulse or unplanned purchases based on a social media ad. Their spending is higher than 52% of all Americans.
The survey results show that young Black Americans are more likely to buy based on social media advertising, especially impulse purchases. That is versus the average American and their peers. The discovery is from Matt Brannon, author of this study on marketing to millennials and Gen Z.
Brannon says Black Americans also have a high opinion of social media generally. “That makes sense as Black Americans have seen increasing representation in the media over the past few years, with many brands making a more deliberate attempt to include and highlight Black voices.”
Some 66% of Black Gen Zers and 55% of Black millennials have made a purchase based on an influencer’s recommendation, compared to 45% of all Americans.
Social media marketing is big business. Consider advertisers were projected to spend more than $56 billion promoting their products on social networks in 2022, per market data firm Statista. The Selig Center for Economic Growth estimates Black spending power will rise to $1.8 trillion by 2024.
However, Black Americans may do well to reconsider such spontaneous spending to help protect their money. Brannon explained that most financial experts contend it’s best to avoid making impulse purchases and that most social media experts would say it’s important to maintain your privacy online.
He says young Black Americans seem to be doing worse in these respects than other groups. Inversely, young Black Americans have been good for social media companies. For instance, Brannon shared they are particularly likely to buy products advertised on these platforms and are more likely to have a positive opinion of these companies. He noted young Black Americans are less likely to maintain their privacy, which means platforms can show them more targeted ads and sell their data to third parties.
In Her Element: Meet the Black Woman Who Helped Discover Element 117 on the Periodic Table
This Black woman scientist played a crucial role on a team that left her out of the celebration of a successful discovery.
According to CNN, Clarice Phelps contributed to the discovery that filled in square 117 on the periodic table, creating tennesine (Ts), the second-heaviest known element on Earth.
The element, which needed to have 117 protons in its core, underwent a months-long process in the science lab where Phelps purified the element berkelium to create a film before it was “bombarded” with calcium by collaborators in Germany and Russia.
Named after its groundwork in Tennessee, the element was declared a success in 2012 and officially recognized as part of the periodic table of elements by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry four years after.
“For the first 18 years of my career, I was the only Black woman in my field. When I was in the Navy, I was the only Black girl in my division. Afterwards in my lab, I was the only Black woman in the whole facility–and initially they thought I was the janitor,” Phelps recalled.
“It’s isolating,” she added. “You feel like you have to represent your entire race and descend the racial stereotypes…especially in nuclear and radiochemistry.”
Phelps shared that she was left off the guest list for the lab’s gala celebrating the tennessine element. Even after a supervisor let her in, she found there was no place card with her name. In addition to that exclusion, Phelps’ name was omitted from the listed scientists on the plaque.
Reportedly, the lab corrected the error on the plaque that was dedicated to the contributing Oak Ridge National Laboratory staff.
Phelps graduated with her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Tennessee State University, enlisting in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power School following graduation. She served as an engineering laboratory technician aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, and continues to use her career experiences as a board member and vice president of Yo-STEM, a non-profit that aims to bring STEM education to underserved communities.
Canadian Bus Driver Reportedly Slams Into Daycare Leaving 2 Children Dead and Six Injured
A man was arrested last week and charged with multiple crimes afte he drove a city bus into a daycare facility in Canada, killing two children and injuring six.
According to CBC, last Wednesday around 8:30 a.m., Pierre Ny St-Amand, a 51-year-old Canadian bus driver with the Société de transport de Laval (STL), crashed into the Garderie Éducative de Sainte-Rose in the Sainte-Rose neighborhood on Terrasse Dufferin in Laval, Quebec.
St-Amand was arrested and detained at the scene. He faces several charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm.
Erika Landry, a spokesperson from the Laval police department, said one of the children died at the scene, while the second died at the hospital. Six children were also taken to the hospital with injuries; an adult was treated for shock at the hospital.
An eyewitness, Hamdi Ben Chaabane, who lives in the area, said the bus was going about 25 miles per hour when the vehicle hit the daycare.
“From what I saw, it wasn’t an accident,” he said. The bus driver, Chaabane said, left the bus and started acting erratically. “He opened the door. He took off all his clothes. He was totally naked. We don’t know why he did that. We dove on him. We tried to subdue him.”
While describing him as being “in another world,” he also said, “It was a nightmare. It’s horrible. He didn’t stop yelling. He wasn’t saying words.”
The STL released a statement pertaining to the “tragedy in Laval.”
“Our hearts go out to the families and employees affected by this tragedy,” the statement read. “The Service de police de la Ville de Laval is currently conducting an investigation in which we are actively collaborating.”
The suspect is scheduled to be in court later this week.
Social Media’s Favorite Cussing Grandma Holla Is Laid to Rest
One of social media’s favorite grandmothers finally took her rest.
Helen Davis, also known as Queen Holla, died a few weeks ago. While her fans mourned her death, the family was fighting over money. Now, it looks as if the feud is over as photos from her wake have circulated the internet.
According to Sports Keeda, her funeral took place January 28 at New Life Community Church. Fans were welcome to come but camera usage was allegedly strict. One fan was able to capture some of the funeral via livestream and posted it on TikTok.
Davis’ family announced her death January 14. Davis rose to fame after her granddaughter, Michelle Willams, started recording her vulgar speeches of wisdom mixed with a witty personality. She became an instant internet sensation, going viral on TikTok, Instagram and Youtube.
After images of her funeral started coming in, fans shared their memories. “Going to miss you granny Holla,” one fan commented. “You made of laugh with you good spirits. Your love you had for everyone….Shell you did a wonderful job taking care Holla.”
Video footage of her burial made it to TikTok and viewers were quick to point out missing funeral fundamentals, like chairs and a tent. The owner of the video was quick to respond. “Different strokes for different folks,” the TikTok user said. “You make sure you have those items available for yourself and your family.”
Finances definitely became part of the conversation pertaining Holla’s arrangements. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported the family set up a GoFundMe to assist with the home going as Ms. Holla, didn’t have life insurance. To date, the family has raised a little under $50,000.
