Ex-Exotic Dancer Sentenced For Part In ‘Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s’ Murder-For-Hire Case
Just when you thought the Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s murder case was over, new developments have come out. Shadow and Act reported that a co-conspirator in the murder-for-hire case was recently sentenced.
Terrica Ellis, a former exotic dancer, received three years in prison on January 24 for her role in the death of Andre Montgomery Jr., a co-star of the reality TV show, Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s. Ellis testified she was paid $10,000 by Tim Norman, Montgomery’s uncle, to lure the victim to the apartment complex before a man ambushed him.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Ellis was emotional during her hearing, showing major remorse. The 39-year-old asked U.S. District Judge John Ross for leniency.
“I’m so ashamed to be here in this place,” Ellis said. She was quickly interrupted, according to reports, after Montgomery’s mother, Michelle Griggs, shouted, “But you took my baby!”
Ross considered Ellis’ past as a victim of abuse and violence, including being forced into prostitution at a young age. The victim’s family was looking for a maximum sentence.
Several of Montgomery’s family members pointed out how Ellis’ was a key part of the hire-for-murder plot. “If she hadn’t done her part, there’s a possibility Andre would be with us now,” Montgomery’s aunt Sandra Mullins said, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Darren Griggs, Montgomery’s brother, said Ellis only saw his brother as a “dollar sign” before she was caught.
BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported on the headlining case last summer. With the help of insurance agent Waiel Rebhi Yaghnam, Norman issued a $450,000 life insurance policy on Montgomery back in 2014, naming Norman as the sole beneficiary.
The uncle-nephew duo was seen frequently on the OWN network reality show, which premiered in 2011.
Norman has maintained his innocence. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Norman is due for sentencing next month.
Bubba Wallace Jumps On Track To Support Fellow NASCAR Driver Facing Discrimination
Bubba Wallace knows a thing or two about facing discrimination in the NASCAR world. When another driver faced similar attacks, he jumped in.
Wallace defended fellow NASCAR driver Ryan Vargas after he was virtually attacked for his facial features. Beyond The Flag reported that after the 22-year-old Hispanic driver announced he will compete in the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Truck Series, he was greeted with online critics making fun of his appearance.
The California native was born with craniosynostosis, which the CDC defines as “a birth defect in which the bones in a baby’s skull join together too early.” Happening before the baby’s brain is fully formed, as the brain grows the skull can become more misshapen. Vargas responded on Twitter, posting the rude comments found on Facebook and saying he’s sick of the “disrespect and hate.”
I hate some people man.
Not only coming after my race but making fun of my facial appearance. Sorry I can’t control that I have a craniofacial disorder that affects 1 in every 2,000-3,000 people.
Wallace, who became the first Black driver to lead a lap in the Daytona 500, has faced his share of scrutiny. In 2020, BLACK ENTERPRISEreported a noose was found in Wallace’s garage at Talladega Superspeedway. Instead of being met with support, fans cheered after Wallace slammed into the wall after driver Michael connected with the right rear of Wallace’s No. 43 Chevrolet. Most of the discrimination started after the 29-year-old spoke up about the presence of Confederate flags at different NASCAR events.
Essentially Sports reported Dale Earnhardt, Jr. commended Wallace’s bravery in being the only driver to speak out about social issues that can affect the sport.
“He’s making his voice heard and he’s saying a lot of powerful things,” Earnhardt, Jr. said. “I’m so grateful for Bubba because without him we might not have that leadership, we might not have that guidance and the opportunity to understand and the opportunity to listen.”
With the support of Wallace and others, Vargas should continue to make strides on the track. According to Beyond The Flag, Vargas is already a two-time winner of the Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award and has competed in 67 Xfinity Series races, including 66 races with JD Motorsports and one with Mike Harmon Racing last year.
Black Enterprise has the ultimate pleasure of hosting Bubba Wallace as a speaker for this year’s Health is Wealth Weekend, February 10th-11th, 2023! Want to join? Find tickets here. You won’t want to miss it!
Creating Healthier Communities Announces New President and CEO Jean C. Accius, PhD
CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, a national nonprofit that removes the barriers to good health and equity, today announced Jean C. Accius, PhD as its new president and CEO.
“After an extensive search over the past six months with an abundance of incredibly strong candidates, we’re proud to welcome Dr. Jean Accius as CHC’s new president and CEO,” said Adam Rothschild, CHC board chair.
Dr. Accius previously served as Senior Vice President of Global Thought Leadership for AARP, the nation’s largest nonprofit advocating for solutions that advance equity and foster greater health security so everyone can live longer and healthier lives. Accius was instrumental in establishing AARP as a global convener and thought leader, elevating bold solutions and innovative programs, and forming strategic partnerships across industries to scale for impact and accelerate the pace of change. Prior to that, he held other senior roles at AARP and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
“I was drawn to CHC’s powerful mission and dedicated board and staff team,” said Dr. Jean C. Accius. “It’s an incredible honor to join CHC at this significant time, just as the organization has completed a successful evolution to health equity. This is an era of unprecedented opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to grow CHC’s impact, relevance and revenue. Together, we’ll break down the barriers to good health and equity and create resilient communities where everyone can thrive.”
“Leading CHC has been the highlight of my 40-year nonprofit career,” said Thomas G. Bognanno, president and CEO at CHC. “As I retire, I couldn’t be prouder of our board of directors and staff team and what we’ve accomplished together at CHC. I’m excited to welcome Jean as CHC’s new leader and am confident he will take our organization to new heights as we enter our seventh decade addressing critical health issues and advancing health equity.”
“We were fortunate to have such consistent, steady leadership from Tom who served CHC faithfully before announcing his retirement,” said Rothschild. “This enabled us to work together through an intentional succession process that will ensure CHC continues to flourish. Jean is an inspiring, impactful leader, personally and professionally dedicated to our mission. I’m incredibly grateful to Kevin Clayton, CHC’s former board chair and the head of social impact and equity at the Cleveland Cavaliers for leading the Board Search Committee. This successful appointment was a unanimous decision and is a testament to the committee’s integrity and diligence throughout the process.”
Accius has published numerous journal articles and research reports and is a sought-after speaker and presenter. His impressive educational credentials include a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from American University; Master of Science in Aging Studies, Social Gerontology from Florida State University; Bachelor of Science in Business Administration also from Florida State University; as well as various certifications and Executive Education from notable institutions including Stanford Graduate School of Business, Georgetown McDonough School of Business, Harvard University School of Public Health and more. Accius is a certified director with the National Association of Corporate Directors and a fellow with the Executive Leadership Council.
His official start date will be Monday, February 27, including joining that week’s CHC Board of Directors meeting. To ensure a smooth transition and demonstrate his full support for the new CEO, current CEO Thomas G. Bognanno will remain with CHC through March 31.
Two Public Allies Alumni Join the National Board of Directors
Public Allies, an organization that has been dedicated to social justice and racial equity for thirty years, is honored to announce the appointment of two new board members to the Public Allies National Board of Directors, Dr. Meredith Shockley-Smith and Shavonda Sisson.
The election of these two accomplished Black women alumni leaders is part of a broader commitment by the board to lead the rebuilding and re-imagining of Public Allies by bringing new talent, voices, knowledge and lived experiences into the governing body.
“Across the country, our alumni have taken the training, relationships, and skills honed during their apprenticeships and used it to transform communities,” says Jenise Terrell, Interim CEO of Public Allies.
“Dr. Shockley-Smith and Ms. Sisson represent the fulfillment of Public Allies’ mission. Every day they work to ensure a future where we all have the opportunity to live in thriving communities. I am proud to have these fellow alumni commit to bringing our shared values and dedication to cultivating the country’s next leaders to the Public Allies Board of Directors.”
“Partnership with our powerful network of over 9,000 alumni is critical to our future success,” says Kanwar Singh, Chair of the Public Allies National Board of Directors. “Dr. Shockley-Smith and Ms. Sisson are not only influential alumni but they are each in their own rights well-regarded, values-aligned leaders in their communities and in the fields of social justice and racial equity. We are honored to have them on our team.”
Dr. Meredith Shockley-Smith (Public Allies Cincinnati 2006-2007) currently serves as the Executive Director of Cradle Cincinnati, where she works with Black women to co-create sustainable communities to lower infant mortality in Cincinnati. She is also an educator and former professor. At Queens Village, she takes her passion for Black Studies and Women & Gender Studies beyond the classroom to build stronger, more equitable relationships that benefit the greater community.
Shavonda Sisson (Public Allies Milwaukee 2009-2010) currently serves as Chief of Staff at Ubuntu Research and Evaluation, a consulting firm run by Black women who use liberation and beloved community frameworks to affect education, policy, and advocacy. From 2017 to 2022 Ms. Sisson served as Program Manager and then Director of Ally and Alumni Programs at PA Milwaukee. In addition, since 2019 she has also been the director of Love on Black Women, a people-driven fund that disburses 100% of all funds raised directly to Black women and MaGes of Milwaukee who have identified a need for financial support.
National Museum of African American Music Hosts a Yearlong Celebration of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary Through the Lens of Industry Photographers
The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is joining in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop.
The museum opened its yearlong exhibit, This is Hip Hop, on Thursday, Jan. 19.
NMAAM’S Features Gallery will exhibit iconic captures of Hip Hop’s origins and cultural impact through the lenses of four legendary artists. During the celebration, the museum curated and spotlighted the history and development of Hip Hop and the genre’s most iconic performers. Learn more at www.nmaam.org.
Over a half-century ago, DJ Kool Herc birthed the style and culture we now call Hip Hop when he accidentally played the first breakbeat at a house party in the Bronx, NY.
Since then, Hip Hop has influenced social justice movements, infinite genres of music, fashion, art, and culture, and topped music charts all over the world.
The entire Hip Hop culture will be honored and celebrated internationally throughout the year. Your favorite DJs, MCs, break-dancers, beatboxers, and other legendary artists will showcase at events such as concerts, tours, battles, tournaments, and exhibits to make this year’s golden anniversary of Hip Hop culture the most amazing one yet.
NMAAM’s This is Hip Hop exhibit will showcase the work of four notable documentarians, representing the U.S.’s four major regions (Midwest, West, East, and South). Hip Hop enthusiasts will experience some of the most memorable moments and iconic performances in Hip Hop history through each photographer’s unique experience. Visitors will witness the extraordinary photography of Chicago-native Raymond Boyd (Midwest), whose in-depth interpretations were created especially for the This Is Hip Hop display; Traci Bartlow (West Coast), whose 90s Bay Area Hip Hop photos were featured in Oakland Museums; Andre Leroy Davis (East Coast), an artist renowned for his must-see illustrations that satirize and comment on current events and culture; and the South’s very own Shannon McCullum, a self-taught photographer from Atlanta with more than 25 years of experience in the music industry.
These documentarians have been featured in record labels, museums, and national music and culture magazines like Source Magazine.
The museum’s mission to amplify the music and culture of America’s roots continues to be the home “Where Legends Live Forever.”
Beloved Atlanta Nightclub Owner Gunned Down Outside His Establishment
A night of partying ended with a popular Atlanta nightclub owner getting shot and killed in front of the club he owned.
FOX 5 reported that Michael Gidewon was found unresponsive in front of Republic Lounge last Saturday morning, suffering from a gunshot wound. Medics pronounced Gidewon dead at the scene.
While it has not been reported who shot Gidewon or their motives, Complex reported that a security guard claimed someone who was kicked out of the club earlier that night returned with a gun and killed Gidewon.
The 50-year-old was an entrepreneur for 35 years, according to FOX 5.
Gidewon, along with his younger brother, Alex, came to the United States after escaping growing violence in the East African country of Eritrea. They worked as valets to learn the inner workings of the nightlife business and soon became favorites in the Atlanta area.
“They were able to overcome all of that and still come here and be successful and still become a very integral part of the city from the standpoint of not just employing, having nightclubs, but they also had a foundation,” a source said.
Alex Gideown once owned the now-defunct Compound nightclub, down the street from Republic. According to Complex, he is currently the manager of AG Entertainment.
Michael Gideown leaves behind a wife and four children.
“His family meant the world to him,” a family friend said, according to Complex. “I know that he loved his wife, his children. He wanted to make sure that he could provide for them regardless of what was happening.” The community is also hurting. According to FOX 5, Michael Gideown would often host Thanksgiving dinner drives as well as participate in other charitable activities.
A memorial was started outside of Republic where Gidewon would host several of hip-hop’s biggest stars including T.I., Young Jeezy, Usher, Nelly, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Baby, and Ludacris.
These Black Cannabis Industry Leaders Are Working to Create a More Equitable Industry from Within
For Black History Month we are highlighting some of the black cannabis industry leaders working to create a more equitable industry from within. Here are 13 cannabis changemakers who are paving the way for a more diverse cannabis community.
Troy Datcher (Courtesy)
Troy Datcher – CEO & Chairman of The Board, The Parent Company (TPCO)
Troy Datcher is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of The Parent Company, California’s leading consumer-focused, vertically integrated cannabis company. Troy joined the company in early August 2021, sharing in its dedication to disrupt a sector that has disproportionately impacted communities of color.
The Parent Company’s social equity ventures fund was established to give Black and other minority entrepreneurs an equal opportunity for participation in the legal cannabis industry. With initial funding of $10 million, plus 2% of all future net income, this fund seeks to discover the industry’s future entrepreneurs of color, offering them the capital and mentorship necessary to build generational wealth as part of a more equitable and diverse cannabis industry.
Amber E Senter (Courtesy)
Amber E Senter – CEO at MAKR House & Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Supernova Women
Amber E Senter is the CEO of MAKR House, a storytelling and experiential cannabis company building inclusive supply chains to ensure participation from underrepresented groups. Brands under MAKR House distribution include Landrace Origins Coffee and Disco Jays. Amber is also Chairman and Executive Director of non-profit organization Supernova Women, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for Black and Brown people in the cannabis industry.
Darnell Smith is a CPG and alcohol industry veteran and cannabis entrepreneur, innovator and advocate. Smith is the founder and CEO of MXXN, a non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused spirits brand that is evolving today’s cocktail culture and disrupting the alcohol and cannabis industry. MXXN is the first product launch of MOJO Ventures, which is part of the digital + creative consultancy MOJO he founded that has done extensive work for Procter & Gamble Ventures, Barcardi’s Incubation group, Pepsico and more.
Prior to founding MXXN and MOJO, Smith was a senior digital transformation lead at Infosys Consulting working with the likes of Adidas, Ralph Lauren, AB InBev, Novartis, GSK, Pfizer, AMEX and more. Prior to that, Smith worked for over a decade in various agency and client side roles focused on innovation and commercialization for the likes of Diageo and Pernod Ricard. As a Black entrepreneur working in the cannabis industry, Smith is extremely passionate about being on the frontlines of creating a more equitable space.
He is committed to working with a diverse set of vendors and supply partners within his companies and always looks to partner with organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Smith earned his Marketing degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he played football as a defensive end under legendary coach Lou Holtz.
Find Darnell on LinkedIn here and MXXN on Instagram here.
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Darius Kemp – Former National Director of Social Equity, Curaleaf
Born and raised in Birmingham Alabama, an HBCU grad (Alabama A&M University), community activist, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and labor union organizer with SEIU; and is currently the National Director of Social Equity for Curaleaf. Also, Darius created the first of its class corporate Social Equity program that has developed over 14 Social Equity brands and sold over $15 million of BIPOC and women-owned cannabis products, that were integrated into a premier social equity accelerator Momentum. Lastly, he wants to bring his values of collaboration, justice, and equity to the growing cannabis industry. He is dedicated to creating a cannabis industry that rectifies the problems created by the failed war on drugs that has imprisoned
and killed BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), by creating generational wealth for these communities.
(Courtesy)
Kassia Graham – Director of Community & Strategy, Cannaclusive
Kassia Graham has two decades of experience working with diverse organizations including Fortune 100 companies, boutique agencies, non-profits, and influencers. A two-time cancer survivor, Kassia understands
the importance of cannabis as a physical and mental healing aid. As Director of Community & Strategy Kassia works with Cannaclusive’s co-founders on a variety of initiatives including diversity and inclusion, content creation, experiential events, marketing, branding, social media, and advocacy. They oversee the day-to-day objectives of Cannabis for Black Lives, a collective dedicated to galvanizing the greater cannabis community to support cannabis equity via fundraising, amplification, and shifting company culture.
Following his professional basketball career in Europe, Everett Smith shifted his focus to the cannabis industry with the launch of his Los Angeles-based company Presidential Rx in 2012. As Co-Founder and CEO, Everett has spent the last several years growing his business and the brand, specializing in brand development, strategic marketing, market-specific brand analysis, media and packaging design, regulatory compliance, vendor procurement and quality to scale.
Today, Presidential is one of the largest infused flower cannabis companies and the third largest pre-roll brand in California with products available in 400+ retail stores across the state. As the producer of the top-selling infused blunt and ranked the #1 Moon Rocks brand in California, Everett now looks to expand Presidential into other promising markets across the U.S. Currently, Presidential can be found in MedMen, Gorilla RX, Sherbinskis, La Brea Collective, Royal Greens and many more. Everett earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Marketing Management from Dakota State University before heading to Germany to pursue his professional basketball career.
Find Everett on LinkedIn here and Presidential on Instagram here.
Martine Pierre MBA is the founder of Cannalution and a Growth & Content Marketing Strategist whose superpowers include building engaged, online communities and crafting captivating content that connects, cashes out, and cultivates top-quality leads.
Known as the Lioness of Marketing, Martine aims to serve as the GPS for Black and Brown founders in the cannabis space, empowering them to start, build and scale their businesses through a mix of education and
collaboration.
Martine’s work in the cannabis space aims to level the playing field and bring social equity to the communities affected the most by its legalization, connecting the dots between the growing corporate cannabis industry and the legacy market.
After seven years in Digital Marketing, she pivoted to focus her career exclusively on the cannabis industry. Her life’s work is to help people with a vision create an impact in their communities through cannabis entrepreneurship.
Bryan Murray joined Acreage Holdings in August 2021 as the Executive Vice President of Government Relations.
Prior to joining Acreage, Mr. Murray served in various roles of increasing responsibility in Government Relations and Public Affairs at Pfizer.
During his tenure at Pfizer, Mr. Murray developed the company’s policy on economic and social impact in key markets as the Global Operations Lead for Public Affairs; he served as the company’s Alliance Development Manager for New York and New England and successfully mobilized local individuals, businesses, and government organizations to support healthcare legislation; and, he launched a successful campaign to support access to innovative pain therapies in the US and Canada as Director of Public Affairs.
Bryan received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon and Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida.
Tyneeha Rivers – Chief People Officer, Curaleaf (Courtesy)
Tyneeha Rivers – Chief People Officer, Curaleaf
Tyneeha brings to Curaleaf over two decades of local and global Human Resources expertise from such prominent companies as Merrill Lynch, Morgan Properties, The Galman Group, Philadelphia 76ers, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, Greater Philadelphia YMCA, and Curio Wellness.
Tyneeha will play a key role in leading our people initiatives for the Curaleaf Team at an exciting time of rapid growth. In her previous roles, Tyneeha not only served as a strategic advisor, but helped build strong team cultures and led the way for employer excellence, resulting in 3 consecutive years of Best Place to Work awards from the Philadelphia Business Journal, and Best Culture in America award by Entrepreneur Magazine. Tyneeha, a Certified Executive Coach, has helped senior leaders build stronger teams and built comprehensive training programs to strengthen Team Member skill sets.
Tyneeha believes giving back is an important part of leadership and she currently serves as Board President of Second Chance Mission, an organization established to help survivors of substance abuse, domestic violence, bullying, life-altering illness, and other hardships. Tyneeha holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Cabrini College and is currently working on her MBA.
As Chief People Officer, Tyneeha will report to Chief Executive Officer Matt Darin and will lead the Human Resources department for Curaleaf.
(Courtesy)
Khari Edwards – Head of Corporate Responsibility, Ayr Wellness
Khari has spent over 25 years of his professional career in public and government service, working for several elected officials, non-profit organizations, and city agencies where he focused on strengthening
communities by advocating and addressing racial, health and civic disparities. He spent his career as a connector and relishes the role of a problem solver.
As the Head of Corporate Responsibility, he provides strategic leadership in creating a culture of inclusion. Ayr Wellness is committed to providing avenues of opportunity in the cannabis industry and his role is to create the road map as well as build strong pillars to achieve that goal.
(Courtesy)
Latoya Bellamy-Lockhart – VP of Human Resources, Jushi
Holdings Inc.
Latoya Bellamy-Lockhart is a VP of Human Resources for Jushi, with over 15 years of experience. She received her B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science and her MBA in Human Resource Management, along with her PHR certification. Latoya’s professional career extends across many functions within human resources including building start-ups, project management, employee relations, employee engagement, executive coaching, diversity & inclusion, recruitment, change management and has served as a consultant on many projects including shared services implementations and streamlining HR practices for small, midsize, and large businesses.
Latoya defines success as the ability to help people become the best version of themselves.
Inspired by the growing opportunities yet disappointed by the diversity issues taking root in mainstream cannabis culture, Mary co-founded Cannaclusive in 2017 to facilitate fair representation of minority cannabis consumers.
Cannaclusive offers free resources such as a stock photography gallery dedicated to diversity and InclusiveBase, a directory of BIPOC-owned and operated cannabis companies across the globe created in collaboration with ALMOSTCONSULTING.
In the summer of 2020, amid the country’s racial crisis, Mary spearheaded the launch of The Accountability List. The multi-sourced database includes more than 470 cannabis companies and lists out the number of Black employees at each, whether they are POC-owned, how they addressed the killing of George Floyd and if they made any relevant donations. Mary is also the founder of Cannabis For Black Lives (CfBL), a coalition of cannabis companies galvanizing the broader industry to support Black-led organizations and communities through a commitment to corporate hiring and company culture, amplification of Black voices and financial support with ongoing accountability measures.
Mary Pryor was featured on InStyle’s The Badass 50, Marijuana Venture’s Women to Watch 2021, Entrepreneur Mag’s 100 Women of Impact, MG Mag’s Cannabis Leaders Who Will Shape the Industry in 2022 and is the 2021 recipient of the CLIO Cannabis Impact Award. She also serves as an advisor to The Parent Company, which own’s Jay-Z’s cannabis brand Monogram.
(Courtesy)
Raheem Uqdah – Director of Corporate Social
Responsibility, Curaleaf
Raheem Uqdah is a creator and activist whose work involves creating synergies between storytelling, policy, and community engagement. Prior to the acquisition of Grassroots by Curaleaf, Raheem established Grassroots’ first deep partnerships with nonprofits, helping to define the company’s voice and CSR platform. Before entering the cannabis industry, Raheem worked in nonprofits to build communication strategies and evolve brands; these projects solidified his passion for community organizing and taught him the value of selling social good as a brand and experience. When he’s not working, Raheem enjoys music, cycling, hiking, and camping. Raheem holds a B.A. in Art & Design, with a minor in Photography, from Columbia College Chicago.
Jay-Z Renews Partnership With Bacardi in Multibillion-Dollar Agreement to Continue With D’Usse
After engaging in a disagreement over the valuation amount of the D’Usse brand, it’s no longer a Hard Knock Life between Bacardi and hip-hop billionaire Jay-Z.
The two parties announced in a recent press release that both sides had reached a long-term agreement to continue doing business together in producing the popular cognac, D’Usse. Instead of purchasing the 50% stake Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter owns, Bacardi has acquired a majority interest in D’Usse.
In a written statement, the entrepreneur said, “Growing D’USSÉ over the past decade from an idea to one of the fastest-selling spirits in history has been a blessing. The next phase of this journey will further cement D’USSÉ’s legacy as one of the world’s most respected brands. I am excited to renew this partnership with Bacardi.”
Bacardi and Jay-Z have been in business for over 10 years after launching D’Usse in 2012. The partnership’s success has garnered the cognac brand a Double Gold at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the 2022 Proof Awards.
In October, TMZ Hip Hopreported that Jay-Z’s liquor company, SC Liquor, filed a lawsuit against Bacardi, seeking information on how much money the cognac line had been making. Jay-Z and his company wanted access to the financial records. The lawsuit stated that SC Liquor needs to “monitor the conduct of [Bacardi’s] business to protect SC’s rights as” a partner in the company.
In response to the filed paperwork, Bacardi’s subsidiary, Empire Investments, wrote that Jay-Z and the company had a “handshake deal” in December of 2021, where they agreed to buy the wealthy rapper’s 50% stake in the cognac brand. The company claimed that Jay-Z “abruptly reneged on its agreement and doubled its demanded valuation.” No amounts were revealed.
According to a report by Complex, through viewed court documents, the company’s valuation was given as $3 billion. Previously, Jay-Z offered $1.5 billion to Bacardi to purchase a stake in D’Usse with an estimated valuation of $2.5 billion, which Bacardi turned down. They insisted the amount of the valuation was lower.
