Rapper and mogul Kanye West sure knows how to make an entrance back into civilization. 

The 45-year-old, who took a brief hiatus from the spotlight after facing massive backlash surrounding his antisemitic comments toward the Jewish community, reappeared earlier this week in California with a mystery lady in tow. 

On Jan. 12, news outlets reported that West and the unidentified woman were spotted at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills. At the time, limited details about the pair’s relationship were released to the general public. The following day, TMZ revealed that the unnamed lady was West’s wife, Bianca Censori.

Sources close to West and Censori claimed they recently held a commitment ceremony to commemorate their union. The publication reports the couple has yet to officially sign a marriage certificate despite the private affair. The insiders also shared with TMZ that Censori and West have known each other for years because she was the architectural designer for his Yeezy brand.

Despite not legally being married, West has shown his commitment to Censori in various ways, including wearing a wedding band and dedicating a song to the Australian titled “Censori Overload.” Before the wedding ceremony, West was previously romantically linked to Chaney Jones, Julia Fox, and Kim Kardashian.

West’s relationships with Jones and Fox only lasted a couple of months. As for his union with Kardashian, West and the reality star were married from 2014 to 2022. During their union, West and Kardashian welcomed four children: North West, Saint West, Chicago West, and Psalm West.

 

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In light of West’s new marriage to Censori, which reportedly took place months after his divorce from Kardashian was finalized, the aspiring attorney has yet to address the situation publicly. However, Kardashian did share a few posts on her Instagram story to showcase how she’s seemingly feeling. One quote read, “I’m really in my quiet girl era. I don’t have much to say. Just much to do.”

No other information has been released at this time.

For the first time, two Black men, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and House Speaker Joe Tate, will lead both chambers of the state legislature.

Fox 2 Detroit reported that Tate is new to his role, while Gilchrist is in his second term. Both men are well aware of what the historic moment means for Michigan, but they also understand the task that lies ahead.

“It’s also a huge responsibility I think that we have. We stand on the shoulders of others,” Tate said in a Fox interview. “There have been African-Americans that have been blazing this trail for decades, for centuries since the founding of this country. So, understand the responsibility that we are in this position, but we have work to do.”

While the two men have made history, they’ll have to be vigilant, as Democrats hold a slim two-seat majority in both chambers. Legislative plans for the two men include ending Michigan’s retirement tax, restoring wage and labor policies, and expanding the earned income tax credit.

“We’re going to right that and restore people’s promise that was made to them when they took the pension, when they took less money while they were working, so they could have a fixed set of resources available to them when they retire,” Gilchrist said in the interview.

According to Click On Detroit, the Michigan legislature has become a symbol of diversity in recent years. More than half of the legislature is 50 or younger, 40% are women, and seven members are open members of the LGBTQ community.

Other items on the legislative agenda for Michigan Democrats include repealing the state’s right-to-work law and abortion ban, and expanding civil rights for LGBTQ members.

“We understand the detrimental impacts that right to work and other legislation that have cut workers knees out and we want to make sure that we’re looking at and laying down a path to not only ensure that workers are not only supported, not only valued, but they can see how their value is being played out And ensuring that helps us grow our economy as well too,” said Tate.

Cake Ventures, a pre-seed and seed venture capital firm, today announced its debut fund ($17 million) backed by prominent investors including Pivotal Ventures (a Melinda French Gates company), Cendana Ventures, Screendoor, Plexo Capital, Foundry Group, and Bank of America.

Founded by Monique Woodard, Cake Ventures is one of the few venture capital firms with an investment thesis focused on demographic change for consumers, including published research that surfaces a new way of thinking about what comes next in technology, according to a press release.

Cake Ventures is focused on identifying companies that address the consumer and enterprise needs of three key markets:

• The aging population – whose size and spending power has created unique needs across categories like care and aging in place, preventative health, and late-life financial services.
• The billion dollar female economy – driven by the increased spending power of women in which companies with a significant female user base will return billions of dollars across categories like direct-to- consumer, women’s health, and the many ways women save, spend, and invest money.
• The shift to majority-minority – where Asian, Black, and Latino people become the majority in the United States and represent the changing technology consumption habits and direct influence on internet culture, which in turn impacts social connections, financial empowerment, and the future of work.

Monique is an experienced venture and angel investor, entrepreneur and operator. She began her venture investing career as a Venture Partner at 500 Global, and invested in early stage companies like Silvernest and Blavity. Following her time at 500 Global, Monique was a Venture Scout at Lightspeed Venture Partners. She also became a trusted advisor to foundations interested in increasing capital allocation to diverse fund managers and entrepreneurs. At venture capital firms like SoftBank she is an Advisor on Emerge, its early stage pipeline program focused on companies led by underrepresented entrepreneurs. All of this work has led to a wealth of knowledge and experience recognizing the demographic changes and the potential that will change the technology landscape.

“All the work in my career has led me to this point,” said Monique Woodard, Founder and Managing Director of Cake Ventures, “I see a massive opportunity to invest in venture-scale technology companies that impact the lives of the millions of people who make up tomorrow’s internet users. Revolutionary technology is already being created in this space, and I want to back the founders creating generational technology companies whose growth will be accelerated by these emerging consumers.”

Women have been underrepresented in the financial opportunity created by venture capital – both as equity holders on cap tables and as limited partners at venture funds. With an eye toward increasing equity in its LP base, over 25% of LP capital was allocated to female LPs in this fund, many of whom are women of color. Similarly, the makeup of the Cake Ventures portfolio reflects its commitment to founder diversity. To date, 40% of Cake’s initial investments have a female founder/CEO and 40% of its investments have a Black founder/CEO.

“We know that having more women, especially women of color, in leadership roles in VC will unlock greater returns. With Monique’s diversity-first mindset and extensive track record as an early-stage capital partner to entrepreneurs, Cake Ventures is poised to be a leader in evolving the tech industry, and we are thrilled to be investors in the fund,” said Erin Harkless Moore, Director of Investments at Pivotal Ventures.

“We were thrilled to be one of Cake’s first investments,” said Jessica McGlory, Founder and CEO of Guaranteed. “Monique is a one of a kind investor who understands the importance of the shifting needs of the aging demographic and we appreciate her guidance and support. She is playing a critical role as we scale and grow our business.”

“We are excited to partner with Cake Ventures because they are pursuing investments in the areas that are undergoing a lasting sea change driven by inevitable demographic changes”, said Michael Kim, founder of Cendana Capital.  “Monique is uniquely positioned to access great founders in these critical spaces.”

To learn more about Cake Ventures, visit www.cake.vc.

It’s been a little over 10 years since the tragic murder of Trayvon Martin, but his mother is still making sure people say his name.

Sybrina Fulton was the keynote speaker at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tribute, sponsored by the Urban League of Metropolitan. Hosted at St. Louis University, Fulton used her platform to express the importance of people of color sitting in the juror seats and voting.

She believes if there were more jurors of color, her son’s killer would be behind bars. “I didn’t understand how the jurors didn’t understand that, that was a 17-year-old, that was unarmed, that was minding his own business,” Fulton said, as reported by STL NPR.

Sybrina’s son, Trayvon Martin, was gunned down by George Zimmerman in 2012, drawing international attention and protests. While Martin was walking home from the store, Zimmerman followed, confronted, shot, and killed the 17-year-old, claiming Martin was armed and he feared for his life.

An all-female jury found Zimmerman not guilty. Since then, his mother and brother Jahvaris opened the Trayvon Martin Foundation. The foundation helps brings awareness to senseless gun violence, supporting groups and initiatives like Circle of Mothers, scholarships, STEM education programs, a youth empowerment summit, and more.

The university presented Fulton with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

During the fireside chat with Urban League president and CEO, Michael McMillan, Fulton reminisced about her son, calling him “loveable.” “He was always there with a smile. He was always there with hug. He was just coming into his own,” Fulton said, according The St. Louis American. She continued, saying that her work isn’t just for her son’s legacy but those before him and for the nation to stick together. “It reignited a nation to stick together and come together in unity, and force us to look at the evils of this world.”

McMillian brought the conversation back around, reminding the audience why having a conversation of this caliber during MLK weekend is so important. “We have the gift however, of Dr. King’s hope and Dr. King’s vision … hope motivates us to work together as a university within the St. Louis community, to broaden access to education and to healthcare.”

The St. Louis American reported that Fulton hoped her words would get people of color to understand that there are more than just presidential elections. Local elections and volunteering is just as important. “The justice system was just not fair to us. It was called ‘The Trayvon Martin trial’ but Trayvon Martin was not on trial. This was not about a hoodie [that Martin was wearing when being pursued by Zimmerman,] it was only because of the color of his skin.”

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 13, 2023

Video: Cousin of BLM Co-Founder Repeatedly Tased by Police Hours Before Dying in Hospital

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A relative of a Black Lives Matter co-founder was recently killed by police officers in Los Angeles. A video of his last moments alive revealed that Los Angeles Police Department officers repeatedly tased him as he begged for his life.

According to The Daily Beast, Keenan Anderson, the cousin of BLM‘s co-founder, Patrisse Cullors, died after an encounter with Los Angeles police officers. An officer is seen on body-cam video repeatedly tasing him several hours before he passed away at a hospital.

LAPD released footage from several body cameras showing the interaction that took place between Anderson and police officers on Jan. 3. A police officer on a motorbike directed Anderson, who looked like he was in a troubled state, to move to the sidewalk. After Anderson was told to sit on the ground, he told the police officer that someone was trying to kill him. While in discussion with the officer, Anderson got up and started to leave the vicinity. The police officer got back on his motorcycle and pursued Anderson.

When the officer caught up to him, he ordered Anderson to lie on his stomach. As he approached Anderson, several other police officers arrived on the scene and proceeded to take him down as he protested. Anderson is heard yelling, “Help me, please! No, please help me!” as they surrounded him. As he continued to struggle with the police officers, one threatened to tase him. Anderson said out loud that “they’re trying to kill” him as he fought to get free.

As he was lying on the ground, amid the threat of being tased, he said, “They’re trying to George Floyd me!”

After being warned again, Anderson was tased several times until police finally restrained him. Emergency personnel eventually arrived and Anderson was taken away by ambulance. Several hours later, he suffered cardiac arrest and died at the hospital.

You can view the interaction below.

Cullors went to her Instagram and posted about the tragedy.

• Celebrity News

by Diamond Jeune

January 13, 2023

T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach Suit Up for Possible Lawsuit Against ABC for ‘GM3’ Suspension

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It appears the gloves are off between Good Morning America 3 anchors, T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach, and the ABC network.

The couple reportedly plans to sue the company in light of their suspension after information about their relationship was made public. 

Holmes and Robach’s love affair made headlines in November when news outlets released footage of the pair engaging in flirtatious behavior, including holding hands, despite being married to other people. Holmes, who recently filed for divorce, was married to Marilee Fiebig. At the same time, Robach was with Melrose Place star, Andrew Shue.

Immediately after the released footage, sources confirmed that Holmes and Robach were dating and separated from their partners long before the details about the romance came to light. The lovebirds’ relationship ultimately sparked controversy, so much so that ABC decided to temporarily pull Holmes and Robach off the air to investigate the situation.

Since then, Holmes and Robach have not received any word about why they were suspended or when the company planned to allow them to return to work.

T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach make out like teenagers on Miami vacation https://t.co/jnGYommmXO pic.twitter.com/37GadWDg9F

— Brightly (@BrightlyAgain) December 30, 2022

According to TMZ, the pair have decided to lawyer up to get some answers. The site reported that Holmes and Robach are “confused and frustrated” by ABC’s actions, because when the story broke, the company initially told them that they wouldn’t be disciplined since their relationship was between two consenting adults. That decision ultimately changed in December 2022.

An insider suggested that the only thing Robach and Holmes may have done wrong was not giving ABC a heads-up about their relationship. TMZ reported that Robach hired lawyer, Andrew Brettler, while Holmes has recruited Eric George to defend his case. Sources close to the pair and their attorneys claim that ABC’s suspension may have been racially motivated because they were temporarily let go without cause.

They told the outlet, “Has ABC ever used the morals or conduct clause to fire or discipline two consenting adults at equal levels when both were white?”

The insider mentioned to TMZ that this situation would showcase ABC’s intentions if this is the only time they have cited “the morals clause” to suspend their anchors who happen to be in an interracial relationship. The source claimed that ABC’s disciplinary actions could damage Robach’s and Holmes’ “reputations and careers.”

No additional details have been released at this time.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 13, 2023

‘It Wasn’t Me’: Black Woman Arrested for Shoplifting in Texas But Had Never Been to State

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A Philadelphia woman was arrested and detained for shoplifting in Texas. The only problem was, she had never been to Texas.

In a case of mistaken identity, Julie Hudson spent a week behind bars after she walked into a police station asking for assistance on Jan. 5. Applying for jobs, Hudson noticed background checks from potential employers were claiming she had a criminal record. Shortly after, she was arrested.

It turned out there was a warrant out for the arrest of Julie Hudson—but in Webster, TX. NBC 10 reported that last May, another woman with the same name was seen on camera shoplifting in a sporting goods store. A surveillance photo of the suspect looked very similar to the 31-year-old’s social media picture. “When you know that you didn’t do anything wrong, it makes you feel crazy,” Hudson said.

The PhD student was released on Wednesday after her family reached out to both Texas and Philadelphia officials. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Texas filed a dismissal motion, claiming insufficient evidence, on Tuesday. However, the Philadelphia Police Department told NBC 10 they only found out about the warrant dismissal after a media inquiry came in. “At that time, we immediately requested that Ms. Hudson be released from custody and are actively working with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons to process her release in as expeditious a manner as possible.” Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement, obtained by The Insider, that Hudson’s family deserves credit for bringing this to light. “What happened to her should not have happened,” Krasner said.

Thankful for her release, Hudson still questioned how this could have happened. “I want to find out how this happened and I want it to not happen to anyone else ever again,” she told NBC 10.

While her family is considering taking legal action, Philadelphia officials, like Mayor Jim Kenney, have been more than supportive to Hudson. In a statement, Kenney applauded the PPD, commending their “rapid response” and was happy Hudson was home safely. “We are dismayed by the ordeal that she and her family went through due to an erroneous warrant from another jurisdiction, and thankful that she is now home.”

• Celebrity News

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 13, 2023

‘The Same House’ To Galvanize Atlanta Business Community To Support Greater Economic Mobility

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Last night, major community leaders from throughout Atlanta came together to celebrate the formation of The Same House, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing all of Atlanta, and America at large, together to solve similar challenges faced by communities across the country.

Rodney Bullard, former vice president of corporate social responsibility for Chick-fil-A, Inc., will take the helm of the new organization.

The nonprofit was formed following the multi-year success of the Beloved Benefit in Atlanta, an event which has raised $12 million to support economic mobility since 2019 and which will continue as part of The Same House. In the spirit of that iconic event, the mission of The Same House will be to further economic opportunity and mobility through education, employment and entrepreneurship.

In his enthusiastic and heartfelt speech about the significance of The Same House, Bullard announced exciting news that global music icon John Legend will perform at the 3rd Annual Beloved Benefit scheduled for August 24, 2023, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event will feature an unforgettable program with community stories, honorees, business leaders, nonprofits and community members. As part of future plans for The Same House, Bullard hopes to scale this event nationally in the future.

In sharing the origin of The Same House, Bullard noted that the organization is “inspired by the late, great Congressman John Lewis when he proclaimed on the 2019 Beloved Benefit stage that ‘We all live in the same house.’” Bullard added that “The Same House will not replace the Beloved Benefit – rather it will build on the concept to support communities across Georgia and beyond.”             

The Same House approach is anchored in programs, experiences and storytelling which encompass:

• Programs
  • Advance economic opportunity through programs
  • Grant-making, fellowships and other partnerships for individuals and organizations serving core thematic areas
• Experiences
  • Connect communities through powerful events and experiences
  • Soul-stirring and bridge-building experiences to spark compassion and raise funds that strengthen American cities
• Storytelling
  • Ignite social action through media and storytelling
  • Share stories and build campaigns that highlight the power and possibility when communities serve together

For more information on The Same House and the 3rd Annual Beloved Benefit or to make a donation, visit www.thesamehouse.org.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 13, 2023

Young Soldier Killed at Alabama Military Base After Altercation with Fellow Soldier, Investigation Launched

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A 21-year-old soldier from New York has died after being involved in a fight with another soldier earlier this week at a military base in Alabama.

According to the WDHN, Pvt. Abdul N. Latifu passed away after having an “altercation” with another soldier on a military base in Alabama. The “promising young soldier” was stationed at Fort Rucker while he was there for a training course. The Bronx native was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade and was being trained as an Army Air Traffic Control Operator. He died after succumbing to the injuries he suffered during the fight on Jan. 10.

Fort Rucker is located about 95 miles southeast of Montgomery, Alabama.

USAACE and Fort Rucker Commander, Maj. Gen. Michael C McCurry released a written statement pertaining to the tragic incident:

“On behalf of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, I extend our deepest condolences to Pvt. Latifu’s family, friends, and community. Together we mourn the loss of a promising young Soldier. Our hearts are with the families and units impacted by the incident, and we are focused on taking care of Soldiers, families, and leaders.”

Fort Rucker Public Information Officer Jimmie Cummings stated that the soldier who was fighting with Latifu had been detained by the Fort Rucker Department of Public Safety. That person was not identified in the media.

McCurry also informed the media outlet that Fort Rucker is working closely with the military police, as well as the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, during the investigation.

The Army Times reported that the person who attacked Latifu used an Army-issued entrenching tool, which is a small, folding steel shovel, in the attack, a source indicated to the media outlet.

The motive for the attack is not known, and based on a statement given to The Army Times, it’s not believed that the incident was a hate crime.

Both soldiers were students in advanced individual training, which is the second leg of enlisted initial entry training.

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by William Michael Cunningham

January 13, 2023

DOJ Announces Largest Redlining Settlement With City National Bank of Los Angeles, $31M in Fines

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On January 12, the Department of Justice announced a settlement with City National Bank of Los Angeles for “refusing to underwrite mortgages in predominantly Black and Latino communities.”

The $31 million dollar settlement requires the bank to:

• Invest at least $29.5 million in a loan subsidy fund for residents of majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. (We note our work on an investment vehicle that deals with homelessness and another that deals with HIV/AIDS. See: https://www.impactinvesting.online/2018/11/william-michael-cunningham-on-impact.html and The opening of Brenda House Women’s Shelter https://www.prlog.org/12708015-william-michael-cunningham-to-speak-at-the-opening-of-brenda-house-womens-shelter.html);
• Spend at least $500,000 for advertising and outreach targeted toward the residents of these neighborhoods;
• Spend at least $500,000 for a consumer financial education program to help increase access to credit for residents;
• Spend at least $750,000 for the development of community partnerships to provide services that increase access to residential mortgage credit.
• Open one new branch in a majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhood; Conduct a Community Credit Needs Assessment.

Given the needs in the community and the number of regulations and laws that ostensibly prohibit this type of behavior, $31 million dollars is far lower than it should be.

(The settlement may actually increase gentrification since you don’t have to be Black to get a mortgage loan subsidy, just apply for a mortgage loan in a Black neighborhood.)

We noted in our Amicus Brief in CITY OF OAKLAND, v. WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, et. al., No. 19-15169, damages totaled $12.5 billion.

(To review our Amicus Brief, see: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18e9hzYxJ9PnN2FFCk8f0MvBm7h_2TtI8/view?usp=sharing

While City National is much smaller than Wells, fines at both banks confirm that the ratio of penalties to damage caused is consistently lower than appropriate.

Still, Justice has been aggressively investigating and fining discriminatory financial institutions “as part of the Department’s nationwide Combating Redlining Initiative that Attorney General Merrick B. Garland launched in October 2021,” a very good sign. They have found this a “target-rich” environment.

While the fine represents the largest redlining settlement in DOJ history. $31 million may not be the final number. We expect other financial regulators like the Federal Reserve, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, to penalize the institution.

We encourage anyone affected by this institution to contact the US Department of Justice. Additional information about the section’s fair lending enforcement can be found at www.justice.gov/fairhousing. Individuals may report lending discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s housing discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291, or submitting a report online.