SheaMoisture Releases Its First-Ever Impact Report and Partners With Radio Personality and Entrepreneur Angela Yee To Announce a New Community Impact Grant
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 9, 2022

SheaMoisture Releases Its First-Ever Impact Report and Partners With Radio Personality and Entrepreneur Angela Yee To Announce a New Community Impact Grant

SheaMoisture publishes its first-ever report outlining its impact on the Black community and the company’s mission of creating generational wealth to help close the over $11 trillion racial wealth gap.

Powered by the belief that the answer to help bridge this gap is fostering entrepreneurship and cultivating the power and potential of small businesses, SheaMoisture is proud to release its impact report. It is prouder still of its purpose-driven business model created to directly support the community: a portion of net sales of its beauty products fund economic opportunities for underserved Black entrepreneurs and business owners. In this way, customers themselves participate in a process that reinvests back into their community.

To date, $10 million has been invested through grants, entrepreneurial education programs, partnerships, and donations, according to a press release. A few highlights from the report include:

  • The recent launch of the Next Black Millionaire Fund, providing businesses with $100,000 in funding and business development support; the inaugural cohort was announced this year and featured three recipients
  • Investment in 250 under-resourced small businesses
  • Over $1 million in COVID relief provided for disproportionately impacted businesses and communities, with another $1 million pledged for community resilience
  • 50,000 hours of entrepreneurial education provided to Black business owners

This work began over 30 years ago under the brand’s founder and former CEO Richelieu Dennis, when he established Sundial Brands with his philosophy of business as a source for good. In 2017, he entered into an acquisition deal with Unilever, a deal which included the creation of the New Voices Fund, a venture capital fund that invests in entrepreneurs of color. Together with the Dennis Family, the New Voices Fund has invested over $100 million in portfolio companies.

The report highlights this and other significant impact the brand has made since 2020 under the current leadership of Cara Sabin, CEO of Sundial Brands (maker of SheaMoisture) and CEO Beauty and Wellbeing at Unilever North America.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and are humbled by the impact we’re able to create within our communities,” says Sabin.

“This report illustrates the work that’s happened, but more importantly it points to the work that still needs to be done.”

“We hope to inspire others to join us to accelerate the wealth cycle for Black generations to come.”

In tandem with the report and to celebrate 30 years of investing in Black entrepreneurship, SheaMoisture has partnered with Radio Personality and Entrepreneur Angela Yee to announce its first Community Impact Grant for small business entrepreneurs. As an entrepreneur and philanthropist herself, Yee is committed to providing opportunity, resources, and mentorship to those who need it most.

“As a community, we need to lean into our village to build Black wealth,” says Yee.

“SheaMoisture has been doing this work from day one and has always put their purpose first. As an entrepreneur myself, I know how important their work is, and am excited to team up with them and help other entrepreneurs who are trying to build their own hustle.”

The grant is open to Black small business owners who work to address needs in their community. Those interested can apply or be nominated for a chance to be awarded a $10,000 grant. Two winners will each receive the grant. Criteria and applications are available starting today until Nov. 27, 2022 at SheaMoisture.com/Impact.

Looking ahead, SheaMoisture is aiming to become a $1 billion brand to fully realize the business’s potential for driving positive impact. Among the future goals laid out in the report include another $10 million worth of community investment by 2025.

The report is available to download and read now at SheaMoisture.com/Impact.

Money Talks: ‘White Lives Matter’ Trademark Could Be Bought For $1 Billion
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 9, 2022

Money Talks: ‘White Lives Matter’ Trademark Could Be Bought For $1 Billion

There is a saying that anything can be bought for the right price. The owners of the White Lives Matter trademark apparently have one that will allow them to give up the rights to that phrase.

The owners of the trademark phrase, White Lives Matter, Ramses Ja and Quinton Ward, who recently obtained the rights say they have no intention of selling it to anyone. But, according to TMZ, it can be sold for a mere billion dollars to anyone who is that pressed to own it.

Rolling Stone reported that the phrase is trademarked by Ja and Ward, the hosts of Civic Cypher, which is based in Arizona. It’s a radio show that focuses on racial justice. BLACK ENTERPRISE did check and discovered that an application for the trademark was filed last month, although it could be several years for it to be finalized.

In the TMZ interview, Ja reiterated what he recently told Capital B News. If they did sell the rights to White Lives Matter to anyone, the money obtained would go to civil rights organizations, like the NAACP, The Urban League, and the United Negro College Fund. They would also donate to causes in the fight against racial injustice, initiatives like voter registration, and any civic duties that would help Black and Brown people.Ja told the media outlet.

“If we were to sell that trademark, for whatever amount of money, we could donate that money to causes that we feel would benefit Black people, like the NAACP or Black Lives Matter organizations.

“Because, realistically, we cannot stop the shirts from being made right now. We can write cease to people selling these shirts right now, but that is a big monster that requires teams of lawyers and thousands of dollars that we do not have.”

In early October, Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, and conservative commentator Candace Owens showcased a T-shirt that stated “WHITE LIVES MATTER” at a fashion show in Paris.

For people who may not know, the “White Lives Matter” phrase, according to the Anti-Defamation League, is a slogan adopted by white supremacist groups that originated in 2015 as a “racist response” to the Black Lives Matter movement.

federal employees
by Derek Major

November 9, 2022

American Heart Association: Black Adults Religous Activities Aid In Heart Health

According to new research, Black adults who frequently attend church or have a deep relationship with religion and spirituality are more likely to hit markers of good cardiovascular health.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (AMA), Black men and women who regularly attend service are more likely to exercise frequently, maintain a balanced diet and have consistent blood pressure.

The association is the first to investigate the association between religious practices and spirituality and a set of behaviors and practices that are considered to be significant in achieving good cardiovascular health.

Researchers analyzed health and religious data collected through interviews health screenings and surveys of more than 2,2900 participants for the Jackson Heart Study, which is the largest community-based study of cardiovascular disease among Black men and women. The study, which started in 1998 continues to this day.

Overall those who reported they were regularly involved in religious activities had a16% higher odds of hitting intermediate or ideal standards for physical activity, 10% higher odds of healthy eating, 50% higher odds of not smoking and 12% higher odds of maintaining good blood pressure than those who attend church less often. They also have a 15% higher chance of achieving an intermediate or high cardiovascular health score.

Additionally, Black adults who frequently conduct private prayer had 12% greater odds of achieving intermediate or ideal metrics for diet and 24% greater odds of not smoking.

“Health professionals and researchers should acknowledge the importance of religious and spiritual influences in the lives of African Americans – who tend to be highly religious,” lead study author Dr. LaPrincess C. Brewer, a preventive cardiologist and assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic said in a release.

“With religious and spiritual beliefs factored into our approaches, we may make major breakthroughs in fostering the relationship between patients and physicians and between community members and scientists to build trust and sociocultural understanding of this population.”

The news is significant considering that Black men and women overall have poorer cardiovascular health and higher cardiovascular disease rates than their Whtie peers

Purchase This One-Year VPN Subscription For Under $20 With Every Friday Is Black Friday
by Black Enterprise Shop

November 9, 2022

Purchase This One-Year VPN Subscription For Under $20 With Every Friday Is Black Friday

The current state of web security requires well-enforced software that is equipped with features that are vital to protect your online browsing sessions and personal data across a range of platforms. Online hackers have come up with ways to penetrate even the most secure browsers, and the number of attempts has soared in recent months.

The last thing you want to worry about online is bad actors breaching your browser’s data to gain access to your personal and sensitive information.

VPNs have proven to be an effective tool against hackers. Professionals in the tech arena urged those without to install one on their devices.

With the Every Friday is Black Friday Deal, you can purchase a one-year subscription to AdGuard VPN for just $19.99. That’s a savings of 72% from its MSRP ($71).

AdGuard is one of the most trusted programs available. More than 25 million users around the globe trust the company to protect their online data. It uses zero-logging, and fast technology updates to provide users with the ultimate solution for safe online browsing.

AdGuard VPN has been featured on USA Today, Forbes, Newsweek, The Guardian, MacWorld and other leading publications. VPNs work by providing a secure tunnel between two or more devices. AdGuard VPN ensures uncompromising online privacy protection through an advanced encryption algorithm that guarantees your data remains off-limits and your online traffic stays private.

Up to five devices can be connected simultaneously. Users can also choose their DNS servers, giving them the freedom to block ads or trackers. There’s also the option to add a website to exclusions.

AdGuard has servers on nearly every corner of the earth, including Canada, UAE, Israel, the UK, Egypt, among other countries.

This product is rated 4.4 stars on the Google Play marketplace. It’s received a 4.6-star rating on the Apple Store. Google Chrome in its review says: “The best free solution for your online security from the creators of a famous ad blocker.”

Take your online security efforts into your own hands and purchase AdGuard VPN today before this Every Friday is Black Friday deal ends.

Prices subject to change. 

Black Entrepreneur Who Couldn’t Land Software Job Generates Millions With Payment Parking App
by Stacy Jackson

November 8, 2022

Black Entrepreneur Who Couldn’t Land Software Job Generates Millions With Payment Parking App

This Black entrepreneur feels it is more effective to ask himself which investors he wants to make money with rather than begging them for money.

Jim Gibbs, a co-founder of Meter Feeder, a parking payment app that enables vehicles to pay for parking via an integration between the vehicle and a city’s metering system, has built a long career in software engineering after dropping out of Carnegie Mellon from a lack of finances.

According to Forbes, Gibbs, who has been writing software since 1968, decided that changing his strategies was unnecessary after being told he needed to be “more confident” or that he was “underselling” from white investors. He has reportedly generated millions through Meter Feeder with a 15-employee team and his co-founder, Daniel Lopretto, since they launched the company after winning a 2015 hackathon.

He said his process when meeting investors shifted to questioning himself with, “Would I be an L.P. in their fund?”

In 2016, the company went through Y Combinator and received $100,000 from the Google Black Founders Fund in 2021. Additionally, investors in Meter Feeder, which has raised a total of $4.1 million, include Paul Buchheit, the state’s Innovation Works, Mountain State Capital, Precursor Ventures, and Trucks Venture Capital.

Gibbs is confident that Meter Feeder already has a solid business model to find investors who believe in the company’s mission. Forbes shared that the entrepreneur is currently in discussion with car manufacturers and the federal government about possible applications of Meter Feeder’s API, which allows money to be transferred through Internet-connected devices.

According to Technical.ly, the platform officially launched with the Pittsburgh Parking Authority in August 2021 after beginning in the Dormont area in 2015. The team brought the app to local municipalities and is working on expanding to larger cities.

“Big cities come to Pittsburgh in order to find out what we’re doing as far as parking is concerned,” Gibbs said in a 2021 feature.

Gibbs attended Carnegie Mellon as a computer science major and worked as a software developer for companies like Slaymaker Solutions, American Eagle Outfitters, and Branding Brand.

TikTok Hires Black Man Who Served as Former Biden Administration, Pentagon Official
by Derek Major

November 8, 2022

TikTok Hires Black Man Who Served as Former Biden Administration, Pentagon Official

The Chinese-owned social media giant TikTok has hired Jamal Brown, a former Biden administration and Pentagon communications official.

The New York Post reports Brown, a former top communications official for the Biden administration and the Pentagon, has served as the deputy press secretary for the Pentagon since Feb. 2021.

Before that, Brown served as the national press secretary for President Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. Brown also spent six years working for the Obama administration in the Office of Management and Budget.

Brown’s hire has raised some concerns as politicians on both sides of the aisle consider the social media site and its popularity a national security threat. More than 86 million Americans, or more than a quarter of the U.S. population, have TikTok accounts in America, and the number is growing every day.

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is subject to Chinese Communist Party law, which requires it to share user data upon request. Last week, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called for a U.S. ban on the social media app, saying it’s the only way to mitigate the threat TikTok poses to U.S. security.

“I don’t believe there is a path forward for anything other than a ban,” Carr told Bloomberg.

Carr added that there isn’t “a world in which you could come up with sufficient protection on the data that you could have sufficient confidence that it’s not finding its way back into the hands of the [Chinese Communist Party].”

With Twitter now in the hands of Tesla owner Elon Musk, more Americans could be heading to TikTok.
The platform is also working to help Black businesses in the U.S. with its accelerator program designed to “elevate the voices of Black-owned businesses on TikTok through exclusive access to resources, benefits, and networking opportunities.”

“The TikTok Support Black Businesses Program has had a significant impact on our business,” said Sahr Brima, CEO of Love You Cookie and a participant in the 2021 cohort of Support Black Businesses. “Not only did the program give us national exposure, it also gave us the tools and the resources to succeed on TikTok.”

Model Aoki Lee Simmons Calls Out White America’s Silence to Deaths Within Hip-Hop Community
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 8, 2022

Model Aoki Lee Simmons Calls Out White America’s Silence to Deaths Within Hip-Hop Community

Aoki Lee Simmons isn’t feeling the silence from the white community when it comes to deaths within the hip-hop community.

The daughter of Def Jam Founder Russell Simmons and fashionista Kimora Lee Simmons is very vocal on social media and enjoys using her large following to raise awareness on issues and causes important to her.

Over the weekend, Aoki posted a three-minute TikTok video bringing attention to white America’s lack of response “when Black artists die in America.” Aoki’s video rant came in the wake of the death of Migos rapper Takeoff, who was fatally shot in Houston last week.

“I hope this was well articulated. Thinking of Kirshnik Khari Ball, and his loved ones, the artist take off and his fans, today,” Aoki captioned her post. “But he and so many black artists deserve better than this type of fan.”

“Who can post the music, the speculated drama, and everything else, but not their death,” she added.

https://www.tiktok.com/@aokileesimmons/video/7161166162896899374?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7161166162896899374

In her video, Aoki explained why she feels like “every time a Black hip-hop artist or rap artist…dies, it is only those communities, the Black community, the hip-hop community, who are actively involved in their remembrance or in mourning them.” =”

“At the same time, so many privileged, non-black people living their lives—like the soundtrack to their lives is this music,” she explained. “They are using it for everything … parties, lives, moments, gym, motivation… it’s the soundtrack to their life.”

Aoki continued calling out white Americans. She says they praise rappers in their life but who fall silent in the wake of their passing.

“They are getting so much value from these artists and their life stories, and yet when the art dies, not a word,” she quipped.

The Harvard honors student likened the silence to “systemic oppression” that primarily hurts the Black community.

“The absolute worst parts of systematic oppression and the havoc it wreaks on communities in the hood, violence and drugs, but it’s fine to relate to and live vicariously through that when it’s all fun and games, yet these are ongoing issues that frequently kill these artists,” she said.

“And when that happens, it’s ‘Oh, hip-hop community, I mean, that’s, like, their community’s violence.”

Many applauded Aoki for shedding light on the topic.

“Thanks for using your resources to bring to the light!” one viewer wrote.

“People want our rhythm, but not our blues,” added someone else.

White Ohio Officer Ordered To Pay Black Man’s Family $4.4M for Fatal Shooting
by Atiya Jordan

November 8, 2022

White Ohio Officer Ordered To Pay Black Man’s Family $4.4M for Fatal Shooting

An Ohio jury on Tuesday awarded $4.4 million to the family of a Black man who was fatally shot by a white Euclid police officer in March 2017.

The eight-member jury found Officer Matthew Rhodes‘ actions to be “reckless” when he climbed into 23-year-old Luke Stewart‘s vehicle and then shot him while Stewart drove away from the scene, the Associated Press reported.

The verdict is in connection with a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Stewart’s mother in October 2017, claiming that the city of Euclid is responsible for practices that “led to the officer’s shooting and death of her son.” The suit also contended that police training in the city “encouraged, or at least condoned, excessive force.”

“They tortured my baby,” said Stewart’s mother, Mary Stewart, per the news outlet.

“Why? Why did he just take it upon himself just to feel that he could go around killing people like that? It’s just so unfair, it’s unreal. I can’t believe it.”

A trial court initially dismissed the case, and a grand jury declined to indict Rhodes after hearing evidence from prosecutors.

The fatal shooting occurred after Rhodes and fellow Euclid officer Louis Catalani responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle in suburban Cleveland. He discovered Stewart sleeping behind the wheel, alarming him awake.

Rhodes admitted that he opened the passenger door and reached into Stewart’s car to try to force him out. Stewart started to drive away, prompting Rhodes to jump in and wrestle the gearshift away from Stewart in order to control the moving car.

According to Cleveland.com, Rhodes punched Stewart in the head and tasered him before he shot him three times. Stewart said he shot him because he feared Stewart would cause a crash with the car and send Rhodes to his death. The officer also admitted on cross-examination that the car was in neutral when he shot Stewart. He also said that Stewart didn’t cause any harm to him before he decided to open fire.

As a result, the jury ordered Rhodes to pay Stewart’s family $3.9 million for the “loss of his support and companionship,” Cleveland.com reported. He must also pay an additional $500,000 for the “pain and suffering he went through when Rhodes killed him.”

Didn’t See That Coming—Rapper T.I.’s Son Messiah Harris Makes Debut as Blues Country Artist
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 8, 2022

Didn’t See That Coming—Rapper T.I.’s Son Messiah Harris Makes Debut as Blues Country Artist

Another one of T.I.‘s sons is following in his musical footsteps. Messiah Harris took fans for a loop when he debuted as a country blues artist.

Messiah, 22, performed at the Vinyl in Center Stage Atlanta over the weekend and shocked fans when he introduced attendees to his new musical persona, “Buddy Red.” Messiah posted an Instagram clip showing himself stringing away at the guitar during his live performance.

“Can you tell it’s my first live performance?” he captioned the post.

“You all made it feel so good being up there, I appreciate it very much. 🖤 The song I’m playing is out right now: When I Dream-Buddy Red.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Messiah Harris (@buddyred)

Buddy Red crooned out his original lyrics in a style reminiscent of soul-rock legend Jimi Hendrix. Friends and family flooded Messiah’s comments, sharing their pride in his music debut.

His sister Zonnique Jailee sent her love as well as Outkast member Big Boi, rapper Yung Joc, and, of course, his rap superstar father, T.I.

“Proud pops,” T.I. wrote.

His mother, Tiny, also applauded Messiah for his debut and teaching himself how to play the guitar.

“Had an amazing time watching our son do his thang at his very first show!” Tiny wrote, as captured by Hot New Hip Hop.

“I love how he got so interested in the guitar that he taught himself how to play; now that’s talent!”

Messiah isn’t the first of the Harris kids to pursue music. Along with Tiny Harris’ eldest daughter, Zonnique, who performed in the girl group OMG Girlz as a teen before pursuing a solo career, T.I.’s 18-year-old son, King Harris, is a rapper.

T.I. and Tiny’s youngest child, daughter Heiress Harris, 6, continues to amaze fans on social media with her vocal range and ability. Heiress has performed for crowds of Xscape fans alongside her mom.

Messiah’s musical debut as a blues artist highlights the range of musical talent in the Harris household.

Black Couple Sells 236-Acre Farm To Luxury Hotel Brand in $13.75M Off-Market Deal
by Stacy Jackson

November 8, 2022

Black Couple Sells 236-Acre Farm To Luxury Hotel Brand in $13.75M Off-Market Deal

What was once meant as a family compound may soon become a luxury resort.

Black entrepreneurs Chid Liberty and Georgie Badiel Liberty reportedly sold their large upstate property in Rhinebeck, New York, in an off-market deal that closed Friday. According to the New York Post, the 236-acre biodynamic farm was purchased for $13.75 million by Six Senses, one of the world’s most luxurious hotel brands.

(Image: Courtesy of Chid Libery)

Chid, the co-founder and CEO of the fair-trade apparel manufacturer Liberty & Justice and the Made in Africa label, along with his wife, a model, activist, and philanthropist, purchased the farm last year for $8.5 million with a friend to serve as a family compound.

“The idea was to make [the property] our main residence and do retreats there with impact organizations,” Chid, who was born in Liberia, said.

(Image: Courtesy of Chid Libery)

“We did a bunch of retreats for Equity Alliance and Unreasonable Impact, and hosted our own, with yoga, hikes and horses. We loved it.”

However, sources say that new plans for the property under the Six Senses banner include transforming the land into a resort.

“No Hudson Valley project has been announced, so Six Senses is unable to comment,” a representative told the Post

(Image: Courtesy of Chid Libery)

Although the property was not placed on the market, incoming calls from prospective buyers poured in about the farm that was built with traditional Hudson Valley architecture. Anchored by a stone house built in 1768 with eight fireplaces, two bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, and an artist’s studio, the land spans hundreds of acres, includes a 7,200-square-foot barn, and has idyllic scenery.

“We said no at least three times, then named a ridiculous price,” Chid said.

(Image: Courtesy of Chid Libery)

Currently, the Libertys are enjoying their home in Williamsburg, traveling the world, and pursuing new business ventures that include launching a Made in Africa swim line with Target. Additionally, Georgie’s charity, the Georgie Mandiel Foundation, just raised $1 million toward her mission to bring clean water and sanitation to Burkina Faso.

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