BBC was forced to apologize after posting a photo of Viola Davis while acknowledging “Beyoncé’s big night” at the Grammys.

The snafu took place Sunday night during the BBC’s live coverage of the 65th Grammy Awards, NY Post reports. After posting a photo of Davis while celebrating Beyoncé, social media quickly took notice and called out the outlet.

https://twitter.com/Tru_Powell/status/1622487479172403204

“Madness,” one user wrote.

“Honestly, I have no words,” added someone else.

Some defended BBC claiming the Twitter user only took a screenshot showing Davis while the network displayed various Grammy winners.

“Why have you kept this up, when you know full well you froze this on a still of a series of images that included Beyoncé?” they quipped. “Intentional misinformation to make people angry is the only unacceptable thing going on here.”

However, by Monday, BBC owned up to the mistake and issued an official apology via Twitter.

“We apologize for the mistake last night when our news channels briefly showed a photograph of Viola Davis from January’s Golden Globes alongside a headline about Beyoncé at yesterday’s Grammys,” BBC News tweeted Monday.

“This fell below the BBC’s usual standards.”

We apologise for the mistake last night when our news channels briefly showed a photograph of Viola Davis from January’s Golden Globes alongside a headline about Beyoncé at yesterday’s Grammys. This fell below the BBC’s usual standards.

— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) February 6, 2023

It was indeed a big night for Beyoncé, who made history by becoming the most-awarded artist in Grammy Award history with a total of 32 wins. On Sunday, Queen Bey scored five Grammys for Best Traditional R&B Performance, Best Dance/Electronic Recording, Best Song Written for Visual Media, Best R&B Song, and Best Dance/Electric Record categories.

Bey’s latest wins solidified her current reign as Grammy elite. Viola Davis also had a big night after winning her first Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album and joining the ranks of legendary EGOT status.

Davis became the 18th EGOT recipient and the fourth Black entertainer to receive the hard-to-get accomplishment. She joins John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, and Whoopi Goldberg as Black EGOT holders.

• News

by Booker Jones

February 8, 2023

Chicago-Based Publishing Company to Offer Free Black History E-Books

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A Chicago-based publishing house will offer free e-books focused on Black history after the College Board revised its Advanced Placement African American studies course earlier this month.

The College Board’s revisions came after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis refused to allow the class in Florida high schools. In the revised course, the subjects of Black queer studies, intersectionality and activism, the reparations movement, and Black scholars associated with critical race theory have been removed. “Black conservatism” was added as a potential research topic.

Now, Haymarket Books, a “radical publisher of politics, culture, current events,” said DeSantis and the “complicit College Board” have forced its hand.

“The racist governor of Florida continues to escalate his attacks on the freedom to learn and teach history,” the publishing house said in a press release last week.

“We at Haymarket stand in solidarity with all those in Florida and across the country who are organizing to resist. We know that books can be dangerous to those in power, especially when they are in the hands of folks who are organizing to fight for liberation. That’s why we publish them. That’s why they’re trying to ban them,” the company added.

Haymarket Books will offer the following e-books for free to download: From Black Lives Matter to Black Liberation by Keeanga Yamahtta, which explores why the Black Lives Matter movement is necessary; Black Lives Matter at School: An Uprising for Educational Justice, edited by Jesse Hagopian and Denisha Jones, which details how the Black Lives Matter movement has challenged institutional racism; and 1919 by Eve L. Ewing, a collection of poems depicting the Chicago race riots of 1919.

Michael Jackson’s estate is working to close a deal that would sell half of The King of Pop’s music catalog for $800-$900 million.

Sources close to the situation say Sony and a possible financial partner are negotiating to acquire 50% of the interests in Jackson’s estate, including the music legend’s publishing, music revenues, the “MJ: The Musical” Broadway show, and the upcoming Michael biopic, Variety reported.

Sony was Jackson’s label throughout most of his career and has been behind some of the biggest catalog deals, like Bruce Springsteen’s publishing and recorded-music catalogs for $600 million, and Bob Dylan’s for $150-$200 million.

More of MJ’s assets are also up for grabs, but on one condition: MJ’s estate must maintain complete control and management, TMZ reported. If the deal is closed, it would become the biggest music catalog package to date, as major artists continue to part ways with their publishing rights and masters.

Last month, Justin Bieber sold 100 percent of his music catalog to the investment firm Hipgnosis Songs Fund for $200 million, CNN reported. Dr. Dre and Neil Young have also made hundreds of millions from selling their catalogs.

In January 2022, John Legend sold his music catalog of songs he wrote from late 2004 through early 2021 to the BMG record label and investment firm KKR for an undisclosed amount, The LA Times reported. The massive music deals come amid rising demand from private investment firms looking to stake a claim in the market.

“It’s a great time to be a seller because the valuations are so high,” Eli Ball, founder of Lyric Financial said. “Legend is still at the top of his game, and he has even more platforms to exploit his music, which is good for him, KKR and BMG.”

Jackson’s estate was listed at $500 million upon his death in 2009 and skyrocketed to $873 million in 2020, according to The Richest. The “Billy Jean” hitmaker reportedly left 40% of his estate to his mother Katherine Jackson.

• Technology

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 8, 2023

Black-Woman Owned Tech Company, Sparkee, Introduces the World’s First Two Part Charging System Portable Device

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Today Sparkee, a black-woman-owned technology company, announces the launch its Sparkee puck on Kickstarter, now available for pre-order. Select event-goers at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas got a sneak peak of the product and had the chance to “Sparkee up” during the show, keeping their batteries on green all day.

“Our world is becoming more reliant on our tech devices and it’s time to start innovating the charging experience,” said founder and creator Kyla Wilkinson. “I searched unsuccessfully for an aesthetically pleasing product that would charge my mobile devices without taking up too much space, so I decided to create one myself – because consumers shouldn’t have to choose between a creative design and better battery life.”

Sparkee is the world’s first mobile charging puck and base combo that enables users to charge 3 devices simultaneously using NFC and USB-C charging ports. The puck recharges itself when placed onto the base, allowing for two full charges while on the go. A cleverly located USB-C on the Sparkee charging puck allows traditional cord charging and/or multiple devices to be powered simultaneously. Perfect for digital nomads, remote workers, and daily commuters, Sparkee’s innovative design gives users double the power anywhere they go.

Sparkee is a first-of-its-kind, two-part solution for wireless charging. It includes a mag-safe battery pack that magnetically attaches to the back of a phone for wire-free charging, plus a plug-in recharging cradle to power the assembly. It also has a USB-C port for traditional cord charging so that users can charge multiple devices simultaneously. The unique product works with IOS and Android.

The Sparkee charger is a revolutionary solution that combines the convenience of portability with bold, fashionable colors and a low profile to fit today’s modern aesthetic. Sparkee is Mag-safe compatible for Apple phones and has an additional disc for Android phone cases, making it compatible with any phone brand.

Sparkee Specs:

Puck Specifications:

• Size (WxHxD) 3.32″ x 2.4″ x .65″
• Weight 3.5 oz
• Battery Capacity 3500mAh
• Power DC 5V / 2A (USB C)
  • DC 5V / 2.1A max. (USB C)
• Power Level Alerts 4 blue LED Indicators
• General Features Wireless Charging output (FAST CHARGE, Qi), Fast Wired Charging In&Out (AFC, QC2.0 max.15W)

Base Specifications:

• Size (WxHxD) 4.42″ x 2.24″ x 1.18″
• Weight 4.4 oz
• Battery Capacity 5000mAh
• Power DC 5V / 2A (USB C)
  • DC 5V / 2.1A max. (USB C)
• Power Level Alerts 4 blue LED Indicators
• General Features Recharges Puck while it’s placed in cradle, 20W PD&QC- Fast Charging for iPhone and Android

Sparkee is available for preorder exclusively on Kickstarter starting at $69 for early bird pricing. Sparkee’s retail price will be $99. To secure your Sparkee go to www.kickstarter.com/projects/sparkee/sparkee.

Baby Blue of Pretty Ricky was released from prison on Tuesday, one year after he turned himself in for participating in a $24 million PPP loan scam.

Pleasure P posted a video on Tuesday showing Baby Blue, real name Diamond Blue Smith, upon his release from FCI Coleman Low in Florida.

“What up boy?” Pleasure says while embracing Baby Blue. “My dog outside. My dog outside.”

https://twitter.com/mymixtapez/status/1622982150923464704?s=20&t=5sLcOCM5d-vaRSrxqJ9gug

Blue’s release comes exactly 12 months after the rapper turned himself in for his involvement in a $24 million coronavirus relief fraud scheme. He was facing a 20-year sentence but received an early release as part of the First Step Act, a recidivism reduction program that allows eligible inmates to earn credits toward early release, The Shade Room reports.

“I met a lot of REAL ni**as in the feds. A lot of good street ni**as doing time in this fu**ed up system just for hustling and getting money to support they families,” Baby Blue said in a statement. “I appreciate all the love and support for my family, friends, and fans!”

Blue took to Instagram upon his release to announce his new name, Bigg Money Blue, as noted by The Rap-Up.

“Officially changing my name to BIGG MONEY BLUE!”

“I’m bout to get back to the MONEY! LETS GO!!!” he added after teasing a book and new music.

Blue was arrested and charged in October 2020 for filing fraudulent loan applications for the Paycheck Protection Program. He pleaded guilty on Aug. 4, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The “Hot Line” singer used his Instagram page to document his final days as a free man leading up to the start of his prison sentence in February 2022.

“The Last Supper. My immediate circle of family and friends joined me in a private room at Prime 112 on South Beach Miami, FL to say there fair wells on the eve of my prison surrender,” he captioned a post at the time.

“The night was filled with tears and laughter. I love you all. See you soon. 💙🙏🏾🤞🏾 Don’t forget to write.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bigg Money Blue (@babybluewhoaaaa)

• Business

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 8, 2023

Black-Owned VC Firm Nex Cubed Partners With Costco To Invest $40 Million In HBCU-Founded Startups

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Major corporations are truly giving HBCU students the spotlight they deserve.

Tech Crunch reports that venture capital firm Nex Cubed and Costco Wholesale have launched The HBCU Founders Fund, are looking to invest $40 million in startups founded by at least one HBCU student, alumni or faculty member.

Previously, Nex Cubed launched a pre-accelerator program at different HBCUs to help rising entrepreneurs find resources to scale their startups. With the program’s success, the VC firm decided to continue the work as a 501(c) and began partnering with companies like AT&T, Mastercard, and Verizon to expand to more than 70 HBCUs.

Nex Cubed CEO Marlon Evans told The Plug he wants business owners “to make sure when they leave our program that they’re in that place to go out and raise that next significant round of capital, a million-plus round.”

According to Impact Alpha, Nex Cubed will use $5 million from Costco to launch a four-month accelerator program, potentially split into two parts. No more than 10 companies will be selected in the spring to participate in the fintech, digital health, property tech and edtech fields. If all goes well with funding, a second cohort will be introduced in the fall.

Evans said his goal is to raise a $40 million fund by the end of 2023 or early 2024. The main target is helping the schools and not just the entrepreneurs who are students.

“We would love to have the endowments at some of these HBCUs serve as limited partners]in the fund,” Evans said, according to The Plug. “That would be the ultimate goal because then all of the money stays really in the community. So when the fund wins, it goes back to the institutions which then goes back to support the schools, the students.”

Applications for the cohort are currently open on Nex Cubed’s website; the deadline is March 10.

Black women in Hollywood are not staying silent about getting the recognition they deserve.

Gina Prince-Bythewood, director of The Woman King, a film that has reached over $94 million at the box office, is addressing her disappointment with learning the movie was not in the running for any of the. categories at the Oscars this year.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Prince-Bythewood said this awards season was eye-opening for her.

“I’ve gotten so many texts and emails from people in the industry outraged by the Oscar nominations. Of course, I’m disappointed. Who wouldn’t be? Especially because there was so much love for our film,” the Hollywood director said.

Prince-Bythewood shared that in the Academy Awards’ 95 years of running, there has never been a Black filmmaker to win best director or a Black woman nominated.

The filmmaker highlighted the credentials the film has curated, including an A+ Cinemascore, 94% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, and several top 10 lists, including AFI and the National Board of Review. She added that the film, which stars Oscar winner Viola Davis, is headed toward passing the $100 million mark at the global box office.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Woman King (@womankingmovie)

“The Academy made a very loud statement, and for me to stay quiet is to accept that statement,” Prince-Bythewood shared. “So I agreed to speak up, on behalf of Black women whose work has been dismissed in the past, is dismissed now like Alice Diop and Saint Omer, Chinonye Chukwu and Till — and for those who haven’t even stepped on a set yet.”

Prince-Bythewood said the film wasn’t nominated for “one single craft,” and not even one extraordinary performance was recognized at the Awards, questioning how that is possible for a successful film that hit all the “so-called markers.”

“It’s not a snub. It’s a reflection of where the Academy stands and the consistent chasm between Black excellence and recognition. And, sadly, this is not just an issue in Hollywood but in every industry,” she said.

“My issue with what happened is how people in the industry use their social capital — screenings in their homes, personal calls, personal emails, personal connections, elevated status,” she said, adding that Black women don’t have that sort of power or privilege.

• Business

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 8, 2023

Black-Owned Neighborhood Grocery Store Slated to Open This Summer on Detroit’s East Side

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The last time a Black-owned grocery store in Detroit was in business was nearly 10 years ago. That’s about to change—one is set to open this summer on the city’s east side, according to CBS News Detroit.

“This neighborhood is classed as a desert because there’s no immediate grocery store in it,” said Raphael Wright, owner of the soon-to-open Neighborhood Grocery. “I’m on this mission of rebuilding the neighborhoods that I grew up in and that starts with food.”

Wright envisions that Neighborhood Grocery as a full-service grocery store that will be located on the corner of Manistique and Essex in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood.

“We don’t see the representation because the representation is not in ownership,” Wright said. “You don’t have people that live in it, getting the community that understands the community, owning and operating these stores.”

People can become investors in the new business, according to the store’s website. With just $50, Michigan residents can help fund the new venture and share in “company profits, receive product discounts, and voting power on some operational matters.”

The business got a great jump in development when Wright was awarded an $85,000 grant from Motor City Match.

“This is a crowd-funded venture,” Wright said. “Neighbors, residents, Michiganders, people outside of the state have either donated or invested money into this project. I was able to raise most of the funds pretty much on the street. The $85,000 that I received pretty much closed the financial requirements that I had.”

The good news of receiving the grant at the beginning of Black History Month is a great boost.

“The news couldn’t have came out in a much better setting or format than Black History Month so, but for me black history is everyday but because it’s our month to celebrate it for all of this news to come out at that time is again, it’s cool,” Wright said.

• Money

by Stacy Jackson

February 8, 2023

Garment Workers in Haiti Compensated by Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein After Factory Closes

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This U.S.-based brand owner took a step in the right direction.

A $1 million payout from PVH, the owner of such brands as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, is being shared amongst 1,100 workers in Haiti after they were reportedly left in need by the closing of a factory.

According to The Guardian, the garment industry in Haiti is suffering from rising violence in the country, causing the Vald’or factory to close its doors after shipments and orders from North American brands were affected.

“It is very difficult to get a new job. I haven’t got one and many of the workers are still searching,” a former Vald’or worker said, adding that the company let its workers go without compensation.

PVH was sourcing from the Vald’or factory in Port-au-Prince. The corporation agreed to pay the costs of missed severance pay and pension after the involvement of the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) lobby group.

“As social responsibility and ethical behavior in the global fashion and apparel industry is inseparable from our values, PVH is committed to being part of the solution, even if we bear no direct responsibility,” said a spokesperson from the PVH New York headquarters.

The signed agreement marks the first time a solution has been implemented without the lengthy pushback of public pressure, allowing the company to cover responsibilities where one of its suppliers did not succeed.

“We, together with Centric, believe it was the right thing to do to share in the commitment of supporting the affected workers, especially given the current context in Haiti. We are pleased that we were able to provide financial restitution for the affected workers in Val D’or Haiti and participate in a comprehensive resolution to this unfortunate situation,” the company said.

Reportedly, most Vald’or workers are being compensated for over six months’ worth of wages, while some are receiving over a year’s pay. Some workers are putting their money toward launching businesses, supporting their families, and catching up on rent or other fees.

“It must be a basic standard for fashion brands to ensure that when workers don’t receive what they are legally owed, they are swiftly and fully compensated,” Thulsi Narayanasamy, director of advocacy for WRC, said.