Larsa Pippen, the ex-wife of Scottie Pippen, and Marcus Jordan, the son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, have confirmed their romance by parading around Miami together, living their best life.

Sources confirmed that Pippen, 48, and Jordan, 31, are indeed an item and have been seriously dating since last month, TMZ reports. The confirmation comes after The Real Housewives of Miami star was spotted on a series of dates with Jordan over the weekend.

The pair have been fueling dating rumors in recent months, but claimed that they were only friends. However, over the weekend, the mother of four was spotted in a teeny black bikini cozying up to Jordan at South Beach. Jordan wore his father’s brand and sported a Jordan hat and patterned black swim trunks. On Friday night, Pippen and Jordan were photographed hanging out at Miami nightclub, E11even.

“While they weren’t making a spectacle of being together, you could definitely tell the two were hanging out,” a source told Page Six.

The pair were joined by a group of friends and sipped on Michel Jordan’s tequila brand, Cincoro, and E11even Vodka while partying throughout the night. Pippen and Jordan were seen leaving the club together in the wee hours of the morning.

On Wednesday, Pippen and Jordan stepped out for a dinner date at Miami’s Swan, where they were swarmed by paparazzi.

 

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Video captured by The Shade Room shows Pippen wearing a black sheer catsuit that showed off her backside and left little to the imagination. Jordan kept it casual in a printed t-shirt and joggers.

Pippen and Jordan first sparked dating rumors in September when they were spotted on a lunch date at Zuma in Miami. Sources said the two were just friends.

A few weeks later, the pair were seen packing on the PDA at the Rolling Loud Music Festival in New York. In addition to the nearly 20-year age gap between the two, many are commenting on the longtime rift between Larsa’s ex-husband and Marcus’ dad.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen won championships together on the Chicago Bulls in the 90s. But the former teammates haven’t been on the best terms in the decades since. Their feud was addressed in the 2020 docuseries The Last Dance.

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 17, 2022

Meta Announces The Notorious B.I.G.’s Virtual Reality Concert Celebrating His Big 5-0

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Next month, you can witness a virtual performance from one of the most lyrical rappers to touch a microphone.

Although Christopher Wallace passed away 25 years ago, people will be able to see his rap persona, The Notorius B.I.G., perform in the Meta World. According to Meta Quest, on Dec. 16, “BIGGIE IS BACK!”

The Notorious B.I.G. would have turned 50 this year, if his life wasn’t ended in California on March 9, 1997 in a shooting. Meta is collaborating with Willingie, Gunpowder & Sky, and the estate of The Notorious B.I.G. to celebrate his life with a never-before-seen performance, The Notorious B.I.G. Sky’s The Limit: A VR Concert Experience.

Next month, people who have never seen Biggie live on stage will get the chance to see him perform inside the Meta Horizon Worlds. They can join him (in hyper-realistic avatar form) in a virtual recreation of 90s Brooklyn called The Brook. While there, users can experience a day in the life of Biggie.

Writer and journalist Toure will lead users through the journey with a narrative. Toure expressed his thoughts on the project:

“We wanted to create a concert that had other aspects to it, so it was on me to figure out a pre-concert scene and a post-concert scene.”

“It was a lot of fun trying to imagine what Big would be like and what he might be doing if he were still with us today.”

The concert will showcase performances from Biggie’s catalog. Featured artists also appearing include Sean “Diddy” Combs, The Lox, Latto, Nardo Wick, and Lil’ Cease. DJ Clark Kent will also be on hand with a special set.

After the Dec. 16 premiere, fans can stream the experience on-demand in virtual reality with Meta Quest TV. If you don’t have a headset, you can still see the show on the official Notorious B.I.G. Facebook page.

Sultry singer Chloe Bailey is making entertainment headlines after landing a major role in a featured film titled Midas Touch.

In the film, Bailey is set to portray Lauren Simmons, who many referred to as “The Wolfette of Wall Street” or “The Lone Woman on Wall Street.” Simmons, 28, made history as the youngest-ever equity trader to work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The film will focus on her journey as only the second Black woman in history to sign her name alongside John D. Rockefeller in the NYSE’s constitution. According to Deadline, Simmons will serve as an executive producer of the project alongside director Numa Perrier.

Born and raised in Georgia, Simmons previously described her journey to New York and the NYSE as predestined, mixed with her desire and determination to live in the Big Apple.

“I will definitely say the exchange found me,” Simmons said in a previous interview with The Philadelphia Tribune.

“I went to college and wanted to go into genetics and was pretty sure I was going to go the medical route,” she said.  “I later decided that was not the case for different reasons but the other thing I definitely knew for sure was I was moving to New York.”

At the age of 23, Simmons made her move to the Big Apple with zero connections and simply “a leap of faith.” “I moved, and it was definitely a mindset thing that I was going to make this work without a doubt because I wanted to be in New York,” Simmons told the outlet.

Simmons graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2016 and was on the NYSE floor the following year in 2017.

Chloe Bailey’s buzz into the film industry comes simultaneous to her younger sister Halle Bailey’s highly anticipated debut starring as Ariel in the Disney classic remake The Little Mermaid in a live-action reimagined film set to hit theaters May 26, 2023.

The Black Economic Alliance (BEA) Foundation – a national nonprofit organization working with private, public, and social sector leaders to advance work, wages, and wealth for Black Americans – announced a grant partnership today with Visa Foundation to support the development of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE) housed at Spelman and Morehouse Colleges.

This $5 million commitment will support the CBE’s mission to eliminate access barriers between Black entrepreneurs, professional investors, and business builders by leveraging education, mentorship, access to capital, and opportunity.

A collaboration among the BEA Foundation, Spelman College, and Morehouse College, the CBE aims to grow the pipeline of Black entrepreneurs and connect them to investment opportunities. Visa Foundation’s commitment will support the development of an entrepreneurship program, which includes hiring faculty and building curricula for students at Spelman College and Morehouse College, as well as making online upskilling courses globally accessible.

“We are grateful to the Visa Foundation for their meaningful investment in the Center for Black Entrepreneurship,” said Samantha Tweedy, President of the Black Economic Alliance Foundation.

“Their support will help us expand the training the CBE is providing to the next generation of Black innovators and build an ecosystem that connects Black entrepreneurs to capital.”

“To build the future generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners, investing early is best,” said Michelle Gethers, Chief Diversity Officer and Head of Corporate Responsibility, Visa Inc. and Vice Chair of Visa Foundation’s Board.

“Visa Foundation is honored to support the Center for Black Entrepreneurship to uplift future generations of Black entrepreneurs who are attending college in Atlanta.”

“This partnership helps ensure a more diverse and inclusive future for everyone, everywhere.”

“We appreciate Visa Foundation’s generous investment in the mission of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship,” said Helene Gayle, MD, MPH, President of Spelman College. “The CBE will provide invaluable resources for our students interested in entrepreneurship by providing them with the opportunity to build the skills and networks necessary to thrive as future business leaders and founders.”

“This is especially important since Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs.”

“Morehouse College is proud to partner with incredible organizations like the Visa Foundation to bring the Center for Black Entrepreneurship to life,” said David A. Thomas, Ph.D., President of Morehouse College. “Visa’s generous grant will help us further the Center for Black Entrepreneurship’s work of addressing the historic and systemic challenges Black entrepreneurs traditionally face in accessing capital and peer networks.”

Through academic training, access to mentors, and exposure to the program’s robust network of business leaders and investors, CBE students will be supported in navigating the structural challenges Black entrepreneurs traditionally face when setting out to launch and sustain a business. By increasing investment in Black-founded companies, the CBE will ultimately contribute to closing the investment gap.

In addition to Visa Foundation’s $5 million grant, Visa Inc.’s Atlanta employees will be able to provide CBE with pro bono volunteering and other forms of in-kind support. This extension of CBE and Visa’s partnership builds upon Visa’s commitment to uplifting the Atlanta community by creating new opportunities for employee to support local entrepreneurs, attend stakeholder events, and strengthen the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 17, 2022

Nick Cannon Admits to Spending ‘A Lot More’ Than $3 Million On Child Support

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Nick Cannon has no shame in the millions he spends annually on caring for his 11 (and counting) children.

On Friday, the TV star set the record straight in response to a report from The U.S. Sun that estimated Cannon pays around $3 million a year to support his children.

“I definitely spend a lot more than that on my children annually,” Cannon told The Neighborhood Talk.

“I don’t plan to ever have to participate in the governmental system of child.”

Just last week, Cannon welcomed his 11th child, daughter Beautiful Zeppellin Cannon, with DJ Abby De La Rosa. It’s the third child for Cannon and Abby.

Beautiful’s birth came one week after model Alyssa Scott debuted her baby bump that’s carrying Cannon’s 12th child. Cannon and Alyssa welcomed their son Zen last year but the five-month-old died in December from brain cancer.

Cannon is a proud father of 11 with six different women. He shares twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey; sons Golden Sagon and Rise Messiah Cannon and daughter Powerful Queen with Brittany Bell; twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir and daughter Beautiful Zeppelin with De La Rosa; son Legendary Love with Bre Tiesi; and daughter Onyx Ice Cole with LaNisha Cole.

The Drumline star is accustomed to the criticism and public scrutiny that comes with being a celebrity with so many children with so many different women. In February, Cannon defended his unconventional family dynamic while speaking with Dr. Laura Berman about why he doesn’t think monogamy is a “healthy” option.

“I feel like that gets into the space of selfishness and ownership,” the Wild ‘N’ Out creator said, as captured by Page Six.

Cannon noted that he takes “full responsibility” for his growing tribe of children—and now we know he is perfectly fine with spending his millions on his babies.

• Politics

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 17, 2022

Black Economic Alliance PAC Congratulates 20 Endorsed Candidates on Winning Their Elections in States Across the Country

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The Black Economic Alliance PAC (BEA PAC), a nonpartisan group of Black business leaders that supports candidates who prioritize improving economic conditions for Black people, congratulated 20 endorsed candidates on their election in statewide races, including those for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, lieutenant governor, as well as candidates who won reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives.

As part of its political strategy to support down-ballot candidates charged with safeguarding democracy, several of the PAC’s elected candidates also made history in key battleground states. Two of the newly elected candidates include Wes Moore and Anthony Brown, who will serve as the first Black Governor and Attorney General of Maryland, respectively. Andrea Campbell was also elected to serve as the first Black woman Attorney General in Massachusetts, Austin Davis was elected the first Black Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, and Josh Shapiro was elected the first Jewish Governor to take office in Pennsylvania in nearly 50 years.

Successful incumbents endorsed by the PAC include Colin Allred (TX-32), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Lucy McBath (GA-07), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) in the U.S. House of Representatives; Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford; and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Attorney General Dana Nessel of Michigan.

“Black voters have proven they can make a difference in the outcome of elections, particularly when they elect leaders who represent the diverse fabric that defines this country,” said Deval Patrick, Former Governor of Massachusetts and Black Economic Alliance Board Member.

“I am proud of the BEA PAC’s work to mobilize Black voters across the country and support candidates up and down the ballot who are committed to empowering Black people, politically and economically.”

“We are proud to have helped this impressive roster of exemplary candidates win tough races in key states where they will do the important work necessary to narrow our country’s persistent racial wealth gap,” said David Clunie, Executive Director, Black Economic Alliance. “We look forward to working closely with these newly elected officials and incumbents to continue improving work, wages, and wealth for Black Americans.”

During the 2022 election cycle, the BEA PAC expanded its scope to include down-ballot races and focused on building a robust infrastructure to encourage Black economic and voter mobility in an effort to strengthen American democracy in 2022, 2024, and beyond. By supporting down-ballot candidates running for statewide positions like lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general, in addition to U.S. House, Senate, and gubernatorial candidates, the BEA PAC helped elect candidates who will have the authority to broaden or restrict access to economic opportunity and are also charged with ensuring election integrity. The PAC also centralized its support and resources on candidates in highly competitive races where Black voter turnout played a significant role in the outcome of the election.

At the grassroots level, the BEA PAC expanded its partnerships with Black-led strategists to educate, engage, and mobilize voters in key battleground states where eligible voters are not typically engaged outside of general election years. As a result, the BEA PAC engaged over one million drop off voters who typically vote in presidential elections but not midterms in battleground states like Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Wisconsin to help them find their early voting and election day polling locations and give them the information necessary to vote successfully. BEA also partnered with BET and the National Urban League for National Black Voter Day once again, the national effort launched in 2020 to increase Black voter education, voter registration and turnout efforts — early and on Election Day.

In the weeks leading up to election day, the Black Economic Alliance also launched a messaging campaign titled “What’s It Worth” highlighting the economic impact of Black voter engagement and the cost of disengagement, as well as a six-figure ad campaign to mobilize Black voters in Georgia, Maryland, Arkansas, and Iowa.

• Politics

by Derek Major

November 17, 2022

Rep. Steven Horsford Announces Bid For Congressional Black Caucus Chair

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Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) announced his candidacy Wednesday to lead the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), succeeding Rep. Joyce Beatty.

The Nevada Independent reports Horsford wrote a letter to Beatty citing the diversity of his congressional district, which includes Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and much of the state’s rural center, his record of bipartisanship, both as a state legislator and a member of Congress where he worked with Republican governors as Nevada’s Senate Majority Leader.

“While we were able to deliver For the People this past term under challenging circumstances, the next Congress will be just as challenging,” Horsford wrote, according to the Independent.

“The CBC will face new barriers, calling on us to strengthen and forge new alliances while working with the other side of the aisle.”

Beatty, the current Caucus leader, is stepping down to run for another leadership position in the Democratic Caucus.

According to a bipartisanship index from the Lugar Center at Georgetown University, Horsford ranked around the middle of all house members, ranking 251 out of 435.

Horsford, a gun control advocate who lost his father at the age of 19 due to gun violence, has a stellar résumé that includes spending a decade running the Culinary Training Academy, the largest job training program in Nevada, which helped bring a first of its kind workforce development program for youth and young adults to Nevada. He also helped launch a food recovery program in Nevada to help address food insecurity among needy children, families, and seniors.

Horsford’s bid for Black Caucus chair comes during a time of transition as Democrats are set to cede control to the Republican Party in the next session of Congress. Horsford currently serves as first vice chair for the Black Caucus and briefly served as the Black Caucus’ liaison with the Biden White House transition team after Joe Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election.

Created in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus currently has 58 members in Congress, as the Caucus has grown in recent years to combine young, newly elected Democrats with veteran Black politicians.

Rapper Fat Joe has written a book with renowned hip-hop journalist, Shaheem Reid. In an excerpt featured on GQ’s website, the Bronx-raised hip-hop artist talks about losing a $20 million deal because of a hip-hop beef with perhaps the industry’s biggest antagonizer, Curtis Jackson AKA 50 Cent.

In the book, The Book of Jose, Joe recalls that he and basketball legend Michael Jordan had developed a friendship over the years. According to Joe, he was about to have his own Jordan Brand collection, Fat Joe Jordan. The two reportedly met several times to discuss designs.

During that time, years ago, Joe and his crew, The Terror Squad, had a beef with 50 Cent and his G-Unit affiliate. At the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, Joe had his gang of real-life friends with him deep; 50 had his crew, which included artists signed to G-Unit, his record label.

Joe recalled that as he was giving Missy Elliot an award, 50 started antagonizing him from the audience. As members of his crew shouted at Fat Joe, Joey Crack was able to let off a quip of his own while on stage, “I feel safe with all the police protection courtesy of G-Unit.”

Fast forward to 50 Cent and his G-Unit team performing a medley of songs. When the performance ended on live television 50 grabbed the mic and said, “Fat Joe is p***y, man. P***y boy. F**k boy.” Although, the night ended with no fisticuffs, arrests, or deaths, the damage had been done.

After that night, Jordan was reportedly on the phone with Joe and told him that the shoe deal—which Joe states was worth $20 million—was off the table because of what transpired on live TV.

“You know I love you, Big Joe, but you’re too hot right now,” Jordan reportedly told the entertainer.

“I wanted to do it, but I’m not into all that rap beef. With all this controversy, we can’t do the sneaker anymore,” Jordan added.

He just wanted to go to the bathroom, and his teacher started a conversation about race.

Karmello Luellen, a Black middle school student at Bohls Middle School in Pflugerville, Texas, expressed that he lost respect for his teacher, a white man, who has been fired after telling the class his race “is the superior one.”

According to CNN, Luellen’s teacher, whose name has not been released by the Pflugerville Independent School District (PfISD), made the remarks after he asked to use the bathroom.

“It started off because I asked him about going to the restroom and he told me no because he was racist,” Luellen told CNN.

“And then I asked him, ‘What do you mean by that?’ That’s when it started and he started talking about it.”

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the teacher can be seen conversing with his multi-racial class in videos posted on social media.

“Deep down in my heart, I’m ethnocentric, which means I think my race is the superior one,” the teacher said in a video recording posted on Luellen’s Instagram. Students are heard reacting both on- and off-camera.

 

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“It was just like anger building up–but I controlled it and it went down,” Luellen told the outlet.

In the video, Luellen and another student expressed to their teacher how they had lost respect for him.

“I had to speak to him. I was speaking from my heart, saying what I had to say,” luellen said.

According to a statement released by PfISD, the school district described the conversation as inappropriate, and the teacher in the video was terminated from his position Monday. The district is seeking a replacement.

“We want to reiterate that this conversation does not align with our core beliefs and is not a reflection of our district or our culture at Bohls Middle School,” PfISD Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian said in the statement.

“The advisory discussion was inappropriate, inaccurate, and unacceptable; and this type of interaction will not be tolerated in any PfISD schools.”

“I really feel like he shouldn’t be teaching anywhere. I know he’s out of Pflugerville district but I don’t think he should be teaching kids if you feel that way,” Luellen’s mother, Janae Hardy, told CNN.