Rapper Big Sean, lightweight boxer Ryan “King” Garcia, Euphoria star Angus Cloud, and others are among a lineup of cultural innovators who have teamed up to help unveil GMC’s Hummer EV The Malibu Series.

Along with Big Sean, King Ryan, and Angus Cloud, others included in the innovative series are designer, business leader, and best-selling author Kelly Wearstler, and designer and creative strategy and design advisor Don C who curated The Malibu Series.

Shot in the mountains of Santa Monica, the unique five-episode series brings together a unique cast of talent to explore the capabilities of the world’s first all-electric super truck. Each episode was designed to put the vehicle and the film’s protagonists, Big Sean, Wearstler, Angus Cloud, Ryan Garcia, and Don C, through their paces.

Big Sean got to test out the new Hummer as part of the series, and he had only good things to say.

GMC Hummer EV Presents Malibu Series: NEXT GEN ELECTRIC starring Big Sean from RANAVERSE on Vimeo.

“The GMC HUMMER EV blew me away with its high-tech features & understated luxury,” the Detroit native said.

“The My Mode feature just adds to the elevated driving experience as a whole.”

Don C’s work as a cultural innovator and influential streetwear designer has helped elevate him as a respected name in music and professional basketball. He has collaborated with some of the most coveted brands, such as Jordan, Nike, Converse, Levi’s, Mitchell & Ness.

His creativity led him to join the Chicago Bulls organization in 2022 as a Creative Strategy and Design Advisor. Working on The Malibu Series allowed Don C to highlight hip-hop’s impact on mainstream pop culture.

“I feel privileged that major corporations such as GMC have reached out to my peers and me in the hip-hop community to add value to the products they make in the marketplace, such as the HUMMER EV,” Don C told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“The whole world is influenced by Hip-Hop, and we have key input as major consumers of brands like GMC,” he continued.

“It’s important to add perspective to these products and add value to these brands that speak to us and are embraced by our community.”

• Business

by Stacy Jackson

October 7, 2022

Star Buds Becomes Illinois’ First Predominantly Black-Owned Licensed Cannabis Company

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Illinois’ first predominately Black-owned craft grow house is open for business and providing licenses to social equity applicants.

Rockford, Illinois welcomed the 2/3 Black-owned cannabis business, thanks to a partnership with Star Buds, an established weed company from Colorado.

According to Black Cannabis Magazine the Illinois Department of Agriculture held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the first of over 340 licenses given out in the past year to open its doors.

“If you’re really looking at eradicating the generational wealth gap in minorities you’ve got to bring access and diversity into business such as this that can do just that,” said Tiffany Hightower, part-owner of Star Buds.

 

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South Rockford has become the chosen location for Star Buds as they hope to contribute by providing jobs to the city’s ecosystem, which was reportedly hit hard by the war on drugs.

“Proud to [be] a part of an amazing team with an amazing group of people. We all really worked our butts off to get here. To be the first Responsible Vendor approved by the state of Illinois, The First Cannabis Transportation license, and now to be the first predominately Black-owned craft grow to open is a Blessing,” said partner Victoria Williams.

Reportedly, 67% of the 2021 licensees identify as non-white in regards to the licensing cohort Star Bud is a part of.

AfroTech reports that only two percent of Black entrepreneurs have ownership in the cannabis space to distribute within the states including Black farmer, Terry Donnell Gwinn, a licensed medical marijuana operator in Florida. Gwinn’s application was selected for licensure by the Florida Department of Health, Office of Medical Marijuana Use, according to his attorney, Jim McKee.

He looks forward to working with the office to complete the final steps to licensure,” McKee said in a statement provided by the Orlando Sentinel.

• Technology

by Stacy Jackson

October 7, 2022

Scam Alert! Men Allegedly Being Pulled Into Virtual Reality by NFT Promoters Posing as Strippers

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Is stripping in the metaverse the new side hustle?

NFT promoters on TikTok are allegedly scamming young men, proposing offers of more than $10,000 per week for them to pose as female strippers in the metaverse.

DailyDot reports that multiple videos have been posted across the social media platform exposing users to footage of luxury items like cars and stacks of money claiming to have earned it from being virtual exotic dancers.

In a video posted by the TikTok account @holynft, wads of cash and luxury cars are flaunted, along with a cut showing a virtual dancer and a real-life person in front of a green screen.

“This is your sign to fake being a girl and start stripping in the metaverse,” a caption reads.

https://www.tiktok.com/@holynft/video/7149719767643917614?embed_source=null_null_null&is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7149719767643917614&refer=embed&referer_url=www.dailydot.com%2Fdebug%2Fmetaverse-strippers%2F&referer_video_id=7149719767643917614

The account assured interested TikTok commenters that the venture is entirely legitimate and the only way to learn, according to @holynft, is by joining their Discord.

According to DailyDot, users who have inquired about the money-making scheme are allegedly directed by moderators on the forum to the Discord server’s own NFT project known as Holy Nephalem before realizing they have been deceived.

After being approached with several complaints from users, the account’s moderators addressed the chat claiming the video was a publicity stunt, rejecting that it had anything to do with scamming.

Another video from the account was labeled “Episode 1: The fastest way ANYONE can make $1M in 12 months…” The caption read, “This is the fastest way to make $1M in a 12 month period… It’s called Metaverse stripping…” The user added, “I work from home for only 2 hours everyday,” before informing viewers that he made $10,376 in one week stripping in the metaverse—also noting that he’s not a woman.

The footage was allegedly found from a video game known as VRChat, not from the metaverse. In the past, outlets like Mashable had spoken to virtual reality strippers who revealed that the gig does not offer wages that even come close to earning a living.

• Lifestyle

by Atiya Jordan

October 7, 2022

Military Captain Surprises Pregnant Wife One Day Ahead Of Baby’s Birth

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The Rahming family received two special surprises in a matter of a day: a reunion and a new baby boy.

On Sept. 17, U.S. Army National Guard captain Harold Rahming made it home just in time to welcome his first child with his wife, Cara Rahming, according to Good Morning America. The new mom had already been admitted to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois, after experiencing changes in the baby’s movement. But she had no idea that her husband was on the way.

The reunion came after three months since the couple was last reunited. But the officer, also a doctor, had to pull some extra strings to be discharged a few days earlier than the planned due date.

“There were times that I didn’t think I was gonna make it,” said Harold, who was stationed in Iraq.

“I figured I probably could make Sept. 22, that was kind of the plan, to be in the hospital by the time the baby was discharged.”

With the help of staff nurses, Harold pulled off a surprise that gave his wife no other reason to worry but to smile.

“Then I see him to the left in his full military uniform. And there’s like no words to express that,” Cara recalled.

“Because I didn’t know he was coming home. I just knew I was in the hospital, I was being induced and there was a baby coming soon.”

“And there was [sic] a lot of emotions to process, but I know the definite emotion I felt once I saw him was joy,” she continued.

A day later, Harold Leroy Rahming II was born through cesarean section. His parents describe him as “calm and collected” with a “really, really sweet spirit.”

Harold said he was proud of his wife. “She’s very resilient and very courageous. She took seconds to say, ‘You know what, this is what we have to do to ensure my safety and the baby’s safety,’” he continued.

• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 7, 2022

Santa, Did I Do That?! ‘Family Matters’ Alums Gather Together Again For Holiday Film

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If the Family Matters reunion wasn’t enough for fans of the 90s sitcom, enthusiasts can gear up for an official holiday movie starring fan favorites from the original cast.

Kellie Shanygne Williams and Jo Marie Payton, who played daughter and mother Laura and Harriet Winslow on the sitcom Family Matters, are reprising their roles in A Family Matters Christmas, a news release from Vision Films revealed.

The new holiday film follows three bickering siblings inside a newly blended family who cannot see eye-to-eye. Aiden is the 10-year-old science wiz who calls upon “Alternis,” the forgotten Christmas spirit, who, with a flick of the wrist, zaps the three siblings and causes them to experience life in the other’s shoes.

Now, Aiden, Emily, and Brandon have to race against time to switch themselves back before Christmas. The family film focuses on the importance of valuing family, especially during the holiday season.

The cast is a real-life family affair, with the role of “Hailey” portrayed by Kellie’s real-life daughter, Hannah Belle Jackson, and her nephew Julius Terry playing the role of “Jaxx.” Williams’ real-life parents, Peggy and Ervin Williams, also worked on the film as the honchos behind the film’s production company, Dream Merchant Media.

Williams expressed her happiness for being able to share the screen with her old TV mom again.

“Working with JoMarie again is such a pleasure, and I could not wait to rekindle the spark and warmth that millions have come to love,” she said.

Williams’ parents shared their excitement for seeing the film come to life and the joy they hope it’ll help spread this holiday season.

“When I was writing the story, I realized that the story mirrored my life, and through those life experiences, I’ve learned love, understanding, and forgiveness always win,” writer Peggy Williams said.

“I feel really good about this movie because the story is so relatable,” Executive Producer Ervin Williams said. “It is like art imitating life; this story could be about any household anywhere.”

Michael Jackson fans might want to prepare for this.

An official documentary surrounding Michael Jackson’s best-selling album, Thriller, is in the works as The Michael Jackson Estate and Sony Music Entertainment partner on the untitled, nonfiction film focusing on the famous album. The film is being directed by music historian and journalist Nelson George. 

The film “takes fans back in time to the making of the record-breaking album and release of revolutionary short films that redefined the music video format and captivated audiences globally,” a release stated about the documentary, according to Deadline. “’ Billie Jean’ remains the most streamed Michael Jackson song, and ‘Thriller’ is the only music video that has been inducted onto the elite National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.”

The documentary will reportedly feature never-before-seen footage and interviews detailing the singer’s journey to mega-stardom.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 7, 2022

50 Cent’s Eldest Son Faces Backlash For Saying $80K-A-Year Child Support Isn’t Enough, ‘I Should Not Want For Anything’

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It’s no secret that 50 Cent and his eldest son, Marquise Jackson, don’t get along. But despite their estranged relationship, hip-hop fans are defending 50 against his son’s latest criticism.

The rapper, real name Curtis Jackson, became the topic of conversation when his 25-year-old son Marquise appeared in an Instagram Live interview with vlogger Choke No Joke and blasted the $6,700 he received in monthly child support from his famous father throughout his life.

“I should not want for anything,” Marquise explained.

“I’m not talking about I want a Lambo; at the time, I wanted at least socks. Basketball socks is twelve dollars. I should not want for anything, right?”

Choke No Joke wondered how old Marquise was when he allegedly needed money for basketball socks.

“Now, hold on?” Choke No Joke asked. “At what age is this?”

 

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“We ain’t even gotta worry about the age,” Marquise said. “It’s a general question. If you’re not gonna be there physically and emotionally, but you’re traveling [because] you gotta get your money, I should not want for anything, right?”

That prompted the vlogger to ask if 50 Cent at least paid child support for his eldest son.

“Okay, was [50 Cent] paying child support?” Choke No Joke asked.

“Child support, I believe, came around when I was 12 or 13, or maybe 11,” Marquise said in response. “Ten years of child support…It was like a million dollars, I think, or what [50 Cent] claims was a million dollars. It’s $6,700 a month.”

“And that can’t buy socks?” Choke No Joke asked.

But Marquise shut down the vlogger’s skepticism and explained why $6,700 wasn’t enough growing up as the child of a famous rapper.

“You’re comparing [my situation] to yourself, don’t do that,” Marquise quipped. “You’re talking about somebody who [had] problems with everybody [so] you can’t just live in any neighborhood.”

“$81K is not a lot of money! [He] had beef with everybody in the streets [so we] can’t just live anywhere,” he added.

When sharing the interview on his Instagram page, Choke No Joke called out the division child support can cause within families.

“The mind manipulation and division of father and child by the mother is a conversation that needed to be had because people don’t realize the mental illness that is caused by the separation of Father and Child,” the vlogger shared in his lengthy caption.

“We go half on a Baby and then it’s the Mother’s child but we are financially responsible without any custodial rights unless by court order….”

“I tell you boy, Child Support has broken up more families than anything else in the world!” he added.

50 Cent and Marquise have been estranged for years and often take jabs at each other on social media. Amid the latest drama, fans are responding to a video circulating that allegedly sheds some light on the fallout between the father and son.

Many have also taken to social media to criticize Marquise for seemingly feuding with his father over child support.

https://twitter.com/iamtikaiam/status/1578142007754895360?s=20&t=kMUeBzo5MyCdNVmv62v9WA

https://twitter.com/imdonesickofyou/status/1578055770981253122?s=20&t=kMUeBzo5MyCdNVmv62v9WA

50 cent son getting 80k a year talking about it’s not enough to survive. That ain’t nobody but his mama speaking through him…

— VonnOff1700’s Hairline (@HotepSilas) October 6, 2022

Houston’s trillest burgers have been crowned the “Best Burgers in America.”

Legendary rapper Bun B is helping drive business acceleration and awareness for Black-owned businesses through his Houston pop-up concept, Trill Burgers.

According to AfroTech, the Houston native, one-half of the legendary rap duo UGK alongside the late Pimp C, is venturing to Las Vegas as a member of Pepsi Dig In’s first-ever culinary residence.

“Trill Burgers allows my family, my grandkids to actually be a part of helping me build this,” Bun B said to the outlet.

“It will be something—if it’s done right—that will be here for generations to come.”

“A smash burger is a very laborious process in terms of actually cooking the burger. It takes a lot of attention,” he added.

The smash burger was created by Chef Mike Pham, who mastered all the factors of creating a great culinary experience as he crafted a simply executed burger that was still full of flavor.

“The burger that we created in partnership with this Pepsi Dig In program is a lot easier to execute in the kitchen. We didn’t want to create a product that would overwhelm the kitchen and so we created a steakhouse burger,” the rapper said.

In an interview with Vibe, the rapper shared that he previously worked with Pepsi on a nationwide campaign that involved the provision of scholarships to schools and communities of color.

“I’ve been able to actually extend this relationship with Pepsi into the culinary space. Pepsi’s Dig In program specifically allows Black ownership of restaurants to be seen and tasted and tried by people that they may never have had access to. By being able to have a month-long residency in Las Vegas, which is a worldwide destination and for any food brand,” the Pushin’ emcee said.

Had the opportunity to speak with @BunBTrillOG
about @TrillBurgers' partnership with @PepsiDigIn for the brands Restaurant Royalty Residency in Las Vegas and @Pepsi & @PepsiCo's initiative to empower Black-owned businesses. Via @VibeMagazine #BeRelentlesshttps://t.co/IjZLrJjxK0

— All-City Preez (@CrooklynsDodger) October 6, 2022

Bun B’s burger scored the Best Burger in America award from ABC’s Good Morning America this summer.

Pepsi Dig In’s residency reportedly commences on Oct. 9 and will be exclusively available at Luxor’s Public House and Mandalay Bay’s Libertine Social.

• Entrepreneurship

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 7, 2022

National Minority Supplier Development Council Announces 50th Anniversary Annual Conference & Exchange

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The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) is excited to announce registration is now open for its 50th Anniversary Conference & Exchange taking place in New Orleans, Oct. 30 through Nov. 2, 2022.

This year’s conference will bring together members of the NMSDC community including minority business enterprise (MBE) owners and corporate members who are dedicated to NMSDC’s mission of advancing economic equity for communities of color.

For NMSDC’s 50th year anniversary, it is reimaging its annual conference. This year is focused on collaborative and inclusive community disruption of the status quo. For the first time ever, it will feature:

Impact Labs

Breakout sessions where MBEs and corporate leaders work together to turn keynote takeaways into springboards to action.

Community-driven content

The topics attendees want discussed, presented by and to the people they want to discuss them with.

Moment to movement

Leveraging this moment to accelerate the movement towards $1 trillion in certified MBE annual revenues and true economic equity.

Those interested in submitting a session proposal can visit nmsdc.awardsplatform.com to submit their entries by July 15. All entries will be judged by the NMSDC community before final program selection is made.

“Over the last five decades, NMSDC has made unprecedented strides, building a membership of over 1,500 corporate leaders, certifying over 15,000 MBEs, and helping them grow their annual economic output to $400 billion, said NMSDC President and CEO Ying McGuire.

“However, this year’s conference is not just about reflecting on this past. Instead, we need to harness the momentum of the last 50 years to propel us forward on our march towards $1 trillion in annual revenue for certified MBEs. Join us as we take the next leap forward in New Orleans this Fall,” she added.

“If ever there was a time to show up, speak up, and step up, this is it.”

Interested in attending or sponsoring the NMSDC 50th Anniversary & Exchange? Visit nmsdcconference.org to learn more.

• Sisters Inc

by Atiya Jordan

October 7, 2022

Deputy Attorney General Channels Healing Into Cakes After Suffering Ministroke and Losing Parents

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Practicing attorney Cassandra Burnett never imagined launching a business. After suffering the loss of her mom and dad, the 42-year-old Norristown, Pennsylvania, native found healing in baking and legacy building.

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Burnett has been booked and busy.

A mother’s memory lives on in Lizzie’s Love Cakes

Launched in November 2020, Lizzie’s Love Cakes is dedicated to Burnett’s mother, Elizabeth Rhodes, who passed away suddenly in 2012, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. The pain of the loss, coupled with her father’s passing in 2014, found Burnett buried in work and dealing with a ministroke at age 34.

The mother and wife have since channeled healing and created reality from her ancestor’s dreams.

 

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Hailing from a long line of baking women, Burnett’s idea to sell cakes was fueled by her mother’s resistance to charge others for her infamous 7UP pound cake with lemon zest. In honor of her mother’s memory, $1 of every cake sold is donated to nonprofit organizations prioritizing children.

“It comes from my roots of my parents giving back to the community,” Burnett told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Lizzie’s Love Cakes has held pop-ups in Philadelphia and South Jersey and will be at East Norriton ShopRite this Saturday, Oct. 8.

“Time is not forever and tomorrow’s not promised, so let’s do it. Start dreaming out loud,” Burnett added.

Hey Girl! Conference provides a safe space

In 2021, Burnett created the Hey Girl! Conference where women of color could gather together in a safe space and share their authentic stories and experiences. The next conference will kick off in May 2023.

 

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