• Business

by Stacy Jackson

November 16, 2022

Black Co-Founder Wins $100,000 Pinnacle Prize for Supporting Black Businesses

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A transition from the fitness industry to working with a nonprofit led this Black entrepreneur to a major prize. 

G.I.F.T. (Generating Income for Tomorrow) co-founder Brandon Calloway of Kansas City was announced as one of two $100,000 winners of the 2022 Pinnacle Prize. 

According to Startland News, Maurice Watson, a spokesman for the Pinnacle Prize, announced the award for Calloway’s organization and his actions towards supporting Black businesses in Kansas City’s lowest income areas. 

“Brandon grew up in the urban core and is motivated to make social and economic conditions better than those he experienced as a youngster by attracting economic investment,” Watson said, describing Calloway’s work.

G.I.F.T. was founded in 2020 as an initiative to address the racial wealth gap in Kansas City by providing grants to help fund the operational and growth necessities of Black businesses. The company awards two grants a month to fund businesses, with efforts towards generating new jobs, promoting local economic growth, and implementing positive change within the community. 

A veteran and former fitness trainer, Calloway launched his own fitness business prior to transitioning to the nonprofit sector. In 2018, he began working with the United Way of Greater Kansas City. 

Rachel Jefferson, executive director of Groundwork Northeast Revitalization Group (Groundwork NRG), was also awarded one of the 2022 prizes.

“As a resident of northeast Kansas City, Jefferson sees the impact redlining, predatory businesses and lack of community intervention has on the local environment every day,” organizers of the Pinnacle Prize said. “As executive director of Groundwork NRG, she is committed to making meaningful changes to create an equitable Kansas City for all.”

The $100,000 Pinnacle Prize is awarded annually to two Kansas Citians working to uplift socioeconomically challenged communities. Local community leaders nominate recipients, aged 40 and younger, with the winners chosen by a select committee of city leaders. The grant prize is awarded with no conditions.

• Politics

by Derek Major

November 16, 2022

City Councilmember Rex Richardson Becomes First Black Mayor of Long Beach

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Long Beach Vice Mayor and City Councilmember Rex Richardson is set to become the California city’s first Black mayor after his opponent conceded.

The L.A. Times reports Richardson received 55% of the vote in the runoff election, while his opponent Suzie Price received 44% – a difference of more than 8,000 votes. Richardson will succeed Robert Garcia, the city’s first openly gay, Latino mayor who is now set to become the first gay immigrant in the House of Representatives.

Richardson made history on Tuesday after Price conceded in a statement and called him to offer congratulations.

“It appears that the people of Long Beach have spoken and selected Vice Mayor Richardson as our next mayor,” Price said in the statement. “I wish him nothing but success on the journey ahead.”

In her statement, Price, who is also on the Long Beach City Council, added that an unknown number of votes have yet to be counted, but the “trend is going in the wrong direction for our campaign.”

Richardson, 39, said he would announce his transition team Wednesday, saying he’s excited about the opportunity to improve Long Beach for its residents and visitors.

“I feel incredibly blessed and fortunate to be in this position, but I also feel ready,” the mayor-elect said, according to The Times, adding that it is a “watershed moment” for the city.

“The city is special and … not often you hear stories like mine, where someone can come here as a young man, become the youngest City Council member, become the youngest vice mayor … and break barriers as the first African American mayor,” Richardson said Tuesday morning. “Long Beach is a special city like that.”

The mayor-elect was born at the Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, IL and was raised by his mother, who endured racism in the Jim Crow south in Alabama, where she integrated her school. When he was 11, Richardson and his mom moved to California, where he thrived. He attended Cal State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), where he became student body president.

After college, Richardson became a labor organizer in Southern Los Angeles, before getting his start in local politics as the chief of staff to council member Steven Neal. In 2014, at the age of 30, he became the youngest member of the Long Beach City Council. Two years later, Richardson became the city’s youngest Vice Mayor. He was reelected in 2018.

Former President Donald Trump officially announced his 2024 Presidential run Tuesday night, but he’s currently losing support from Black Republicans.

The Washington Post reported the twice-impeached former President, who organized a failed attempt to overthrow the government after he lost his reelection bid, officially declared his intention to run for president.

However, this time around, Republicans aren’t lining up to support the real estate titan and reality show personality. For starters, voters widely rejected the candidates that the former president supported, including Dr. Mehmet Oz and Kari Lake, with many Republicans blaming Trump for their underwhelming performances in the midterms.

Even Fox News, which has been one of Trump’s biggest supporters despite his numerous missteps while in office, cut away from his speech less than an hour into the event.

Another base Trump is losing is Black Republicans, as conservative commentator Armstong Williams said he believes Trump is the worst decision for the Republican Party if it wants to reclaim the White House. Williams added that Trump’s announcement will also hurt Georgia Republican Senate nominee Herschel Walker, who is in a runoff against Democrat Raphael Warnock.

“No good can come from this,” Williams added.

“The worst thing that can happen to his Senate hopeful, Herschel Walker, is for Donald Trump to announce his candidacy for president.”

Williams added, Trump “has done the best job in convincing the American people why he’s not deserving of a second term in office and why he should not run at all,” and believes Trump should instead transition to a more “elder statesman” role and “get behind the new crop of leaders that are emerging in the Republican Party.”

The Georgia Senate runoff has already brought in millions for both Democrats and Republicans, as the runoff will determine whether Democrats expand their slim 50-49 majority. According to Williams, when Trump engaged voters during the senate runoffs in early 2021, “voters stayed home.”

Republican pundit Candace Owens, a staunch Trump supporter who once called him the savior of the free world, is also walking away from the former president. According to Business Insider, Owens said Trump was having fun in previous elections, but after the 2020 race, he’s become paranoid and rude.

She, like many other Republicans, is now supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is considering his own presidential run in 2024.

https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1591520345630310401?s=61&t=ot7h0MgxlTxK4xFqhEiOhA

• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 16, 2022

‘You’ve Been Warned’: Wife of Cheating Relationship Guru Derrick Jaxn Threatens To Curse Critics

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Oh, chile! The “at peace” wife of controversial relationship guru, Derrick Jaxn, is clapping back at critics by cursing them in Jesus’ name!

On Monday, a Twitter user by the name of Major Payn EX reposted a video clip showing a portion of Da’Naia Jaxn’s prayer-filled rant against those attempting to make a mockery of her marriage.

“This ni**a had to get caught cheating again! She done lost her ENTIRE f****n mind!” they tweeted.

https://twitter.com/MajorPaynEX/status/1592272493791715329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1592272493791715329%7Ctwgr%5Eab6f235c24002bd38118a43a7d11d2ce004b9a24%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fblavity.com%2Fwife-cheating-relationship-guru-derrick-jaxn-calls-god-curse-critics%3Fcategory1%3Dnews

In the disturbing rant, in the wake of her husband being exposed as a serial cheater, Jaxn seemingly placed a curse on those speaking negatively about her marriage.

“May your husbands and wives become widows. Let your children become fatherless,” Da’Naia said.

“Let your seeds become vagabonds on this earth. Let the words of your mouth and the words of your hands, let it be returned back to you,” she continued.

“Let it go down your throat and choke you until your days become few on the earth.”

According to the upset wife, she is a chosen vessel of God, and those aiming to emotionally harm her are only causing harm to themselves.

“The word of God says touch, not my anointed, and do my proPHEts no harm,” she quipped. “You’ve been warned.”

The fiery response was a drastically different approach than the one Da’Naia took in March 2021, when she sat beside her husband as he confessed to having multiple affairs, The New York Post reported. His confession only came after fans outed his alleged infidelities.

“The truth is Derrick Jaxn was involved with other women outside the marriage,” he said to the camera. “All of it falls under the category of cheating, affairs, stepping out.”

Derrick said his wife was not shocked by his confession, as he had already told her about his cheating, ahead of the public admission.

“There’s nothing out there that I don’t already know,” she said at the time.

Da’Naia also revealed that she left her husband for a period of time after he admitted to cheating.

“I agree with people saying that there is no justification for bringing other women into our marriage…when I found out about it, I left,” she said.

“I did not come back until I saw a shift or a change in his mentality.”

Since forgiving him, the couple has started “a new chapter” in their relationship, guided by their faith.

All she wants for Christmas is to trademark the name “Queen of Christmas.”

Singer Mariah Carey was denied by the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board after attempting to trademark the name “Queen of Christmas.”

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the 52-year-old “All I Want For Christmas” artist faced opposition from two other holiday singers, Darlene Love and Elizabeth Chan, about claiming the name.

According to Page Six, Carey reportedly attempted to trademark the title through her Lotion LLC to use for a line of merchandise, including albums, fragrances, sunglasses, and more.

Chan, who formally challenged Carey’s trademark application, claimed she is the only full-time pop Christmas recording artist in the world, as she has already released 12 albums of Christmas music, including a new single called “Merry Merry.”

“This was a classic case of trademark bullying,” said Attorney Louis Tompros of WilmerHale, who represented Chan.

“We are pleased with the victory, and delighted that we were able to help Elizabeth fight back against Carey’s overreaching trademark registrations.”

“I did this to protect and save Christmas,” a teary-eyed Chan told Page Six after her victory.

“Christmas isn’t about one single person — it’s about everybody.”

“I’ve dedicated my life to this understanding of how special Christmas is. It was difficult to be the one to stand up,” she said regarding her stance against Carey in the name of the holiday.

“As an independent artist and small business owner, my life’s work is to bring people together for the holiday season, which is how I came to be called the Queen of Christmas. I wear that title as a badge of honor and with full knowledge that it will be — and should be — bestowed on others in the future,” Chan said in a press release.

According to the outlet, Carey tried other options like “Princess of Christmas” and “QOC.” However, those were denied as well. Chan revealed that her five-year-old daughter, Noelle, who sometimes collaborates with her, uses the nickname “Princess of Christmas.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, Carey’s side never responded to Chan’s opposition, therefore the Patent and Trademark Office said she would not get the trademark. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahcarey/video/7160892761473027374?_r=1&_t=8XPWN0LvY9m&is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7160892761473027374

• News

by Niko Mann

November 16, 2022

Policewoman Shoots Two in New York Before Killing Herself in Domestic Dispute

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A 29-year-old police officer committed suicide after shooting two other women in Greece, NY on Nov. 14.

According to WHEC, Tiffani Gatson of the Greece Police Department shot two women before turning the gun on herself. One of the victims was identified as 27-year-old Angely Solis. An unidentified victim in her 30s was also shot.

Officers from the Greece Police Department arrived on the scene at Costar Street near Saratoga Avenue at approximately 7:20 p.m. Solis was reported deceased at the scene, while Gatson was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital. The other victim was reportedly shot multiple times, but is expected to survive.

The two women reportedly lived in the home and are related to each other, but their relation to Gatson was not released. Gatson was off-duty at the time of the shooting. The authorities recovered a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun from the crime scene. Gatson was the first Black police officer hired by the Greece Police Department in 2018.

Solis’ neighbor said that she heard her begging for her life and the life of her children before being shot.

“I just wish that I could’ve did something,” said the unidentified neighbor.

“But I couldn’t do anything. She was begging for her life. She wanted her just not to do it. Just to stop. She already shot her once.” Solis was reportedly in the front yard as she begged for her life and the life of her two young sons, who were inside the home.

“She looked into my eyes and said, ‘Please go get my kids,'” said one neighbor.

“And I tried to make that step to do that, and I couldn’t because the person was there and made it clear, ‘This doesn’t have anything to do with you, so back up.’ And I just seen her fighting for her life and didn’t want us to leave, and she lost her life right in front of us and was begging us to help her.”

The New York State Attorney General’s Office is investigating.

• Business

by Stacy Jackson

November 16, 2022

Charlamagne Tha God and His Wife Buy 6 Krystal Restaurant Franchises Set To Open in 2023

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Many celebrities are expanding their entrepreneurship to take a bite at the restaurant industry.

After receiving advice from rapper 2 Chainz about owning Krystal franchises, radio host Charlamagne Tha God, whose birth name is Lenard McKelvey, and his wife Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey, have become owners of six fast-food restaurants in the greater Charleston, South Carolina area.

According to The Source, the new restaurants will open in early 2023, with one location in Moncks Corner, the hometown of The Breakfast Club host.

“The Krystal restaurant brand is known for bringing quality ingredients and creativity to customers and we are proud to be franchise owners and even prouder to be providing jobs for our folks by investing in our home state,” said the McKelveys.

TMZ reported that Charlamagne’s wife will be in charge of interior designs for the restaurants, inspired by a “South Carolina-centric” aesthetic. 

“Authenticity and sense of community are important characteristics that we look for in our partnerships. Both Charlamagne and Jessica embody these qualities & we’re ecstatic to bring Krystal to the greater Charleston area and expand our footprint nationally. We want the Krystal brand to continue to be part of the culture and fabric of the communities we serve and we look forward to doing so in our own unique Southern style with a little bit of swag.” said Jonathan Childs, managing partner, Krystal Restaurants.

Reportedly, 2 Chainz was named Krystal’s Head of Marketing earlier this year, and responsibilities for the rapper’s team include forming new platforms and partnerships. Additionally, the team will oversee the creation of merchandising, branded franchises, and restaurant menus.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Krystal (@krystal)

“As someone who grew up in the South and understands Krystal’s place in culture and community, 2 Chainz is a perfect partner for adding to and amplifying our brand message,” said Thomas Stager, President of Krystal Restaurants LLC.

“I can remember Krystal being a part of so many pivotal moments of my childhood and teen years. Some of my best moments were made better by going to Krystal, and I’m a fan for life,” 2 Chainz said. “I want everyone to feel that, too, and can’t wait to put Krystal in the spotlight it deserves.”

• News

by Eric Moody

November 16, 2022

Estranged Husband Arrested for Allegedly Killing Black Wife Inside Their Florida Home

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Officials have announced the arrest of a 36-year-old man who is believed to have killed his wife inside their Florida residence.

Jose Luis Pacheco was taken into custody on Monday and charged with one count of second-degree murder in the death of 39-year-old Mimose Dulcio, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office detailed in a press release.

Authorities said a missing person alert was issued for Dulcio on Saturday, Nov. 12. She had last been seen at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 at her home in Central Broward.

The lead investigation began with the help of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Missing Persons Unit before eventually being turned over to the BSO Homicide Unit to look further into Dulcio’s disappearance.

“During their investigation, detectives met with Pacheco, who stated he had not seen or heard from Dulcio in a couple of days and that they were in the process of getting a divorce,” BSO spokesperson Gerdy St. Louis stated in the release.

“Through investigative methods, a search warrant was obtained for the couple’s home and shared vehicle.”

Officials said that obtained evidence in the couple’s home suggested Dulcio had been murdered and that her body had been transported in the couple’s shared vehicle and disposed of in an unknown location.

Relatives of Dulcio told CBS News that the couple was going through a troubled divorce.

“When I noticed she did not answer the phone or respond back to my wellness check message…something wasn’t sitting well with me,” her sister Seminta Dulcio told CBS station WFOR-TV.

The family told the outlet they truly were not prepared for the possibility that Mimose Dulcio was dead.

Pacheco is currently being held in police custody on a Miami-Dade County warrant without bond as he awaits his transfer to Broward County.

Anyone with information surrounding unusual activities involving the suspect’s 2018 white Dodge Charger is asked to contact the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.

• News

by Eric Moody

November 16, 2022

‘Something Ain’t Right’ — Shanquella Robinson’s Family Question Suspicious Events After Trip to Mexico With Friends Ends in Death

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A North Carolina woman was found dead in Mexico under mysterious circumstances that has left family members with questions.

The family of 25-year-old Shanquella Robinson is actively searching for answers after receiving conflicting reports about the events that took place in a villa in Cabo, according to NBC affiliate station WCBD-TV in Charleston. Robinson had reportedly gone to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to enjoy a weekend with a group of friends to celebrate one of their birthdays.

Robinson’s mother, Salamondra Robinson, told Queen City News that her daughter was dead within 24 hours of her arrival in Cabo.

“She told me they had a chef. They were getting ready to eat. They were eating tacos or a salad or something, and I said, ‘OK. I love you. Have a good night, and I will talk to you tomorrow.’ I never talked to my child again.”

“She never made it back home,” her mother told the outlet.

Salamondra stated that her confusion figuring out what exactly occurred began with a frantic call from Robinson’s friends.

“They said she wasn’t feeling well. She had alcohol poisoning,” she said.

“They couldn’t get a pulse,” she SAId

IN HER INTERVIEW, ADDING that she was told different stories by each person there with her daughter.

After the family reportedly made calls to the FBI and Mexican authorities, they learned of another potential cause of death. “When the autopsy came back, they said it didn’t have anything to do with the alcohol,” Salamondra stated to Queen City News.

“[They] said that she had a broken neck and her spine in the back was cracked. She had been beaten.”

Salamondra told the outlet that the group of friends returned from their trip to Cabo, leaving Shanquella Robinson’s body in Mexico.

Her body was eventually returned to the U.S. after nearly two weeks and $6,000 later, according to WCBD-TV.

But Salamondra still feels there are unanswered questions.

“I know that’s not going to bring my child back, but I want something done about it,” she continued.

According to Queen City News, who spoke with officials at the U.S. State Department in Mexico, the claim that Shanquella Robinson was murdered was refuted, and there was no clear evidence of foul play, according to the police’s initial indications.

But her family refuses to believe Shanquella’s death was an accident.

A video has recently surfaced online showing a fully unclothed Shanquella Robinson being recorded during an altercation in what appears to be a hotel room during the trip in Cabo. In the video, Shanquella is seen being hit by an unidentified woman as she covered her face to deflect the blows.

While Shanquella did not fight back during the video, the circumstances of the incident are still unclear.

An official with the State Department is reportedly helping the family obtain reports from Mexican authorities.

Queen City News reported that the family has also been advised to hire a private investigator and attorney if they still question the circumstances of Shanquella’s death.

• News

by Atiya Jordan

November 16, 2022

White Interpreter Says He Was Fired From ‘The Lion King’ Show Because of His Race

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A white sign-language interpreter filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) after he was asked to leave the April production of The Lion King, The New York Post reported.

Keith Wann, 53, is suing the TDF, a nonprofit that staffs Broadway shows with its American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, and its director of accessibility programs, Lisa Carling. He alleges that the organization fired him because of his race.

According to the news outlet, the firing was based on the group’s decision that it was “no longer appropriate to have white interpreters represent Black actors in Broadway shows.” Wann is one of at least two interpreters who were asked to leave.

Wann, whose career in Broadway has spanned more than a decade, was offered the opportunity in March to work in the landmark broadway show, as per MSN. The gig would have paid $1,000.

In the federal-discrimination lawsuit, Carling asked Wann and another white interpreter, Christina Mosleh, to “back out” of the show so they could be replaced with Black sign-language interpreters.

“With great embarrassment and apologies, I’m asking you both to please back out of interpreting the show for us on Sunday, April 24,” Carling wrote in an email, as cited in the suit.

“I don’t see any other way out of this. It seems like the best solution.”

The email was motivated by Shelly Guy, the show’s director of ASL. She decided to terminate non-Black interpreters on The Lion King.

“To me, just seeing that discrimination, it doesn’t matter if I’m white or Black,” Wann said, according to The New York Post.

“This is blatant and I would just hope that other people who have also experienced this would step forward.”

Wann said that he has done interpreting work for a diverse group of performers, including Black actors, without any issue. “I lost sleep over it,” Wann added. “Wrong is wrong.”