Kanye West Announces Future Collaboration with McDonald’s
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 25, 2022

Kanye West Announces Future Collaboration with McDonald’s

Ye has returned!

Months after the combative Kanye West was suspended from Instagram, he came back to the platform with a statement. He announced that he is teaming up with industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa in a partnership that will benefit fast-food giant McDonald’s.

“Ye teams up with industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa to reimagine McDonald’s packaging.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ye (@kanyewest)

Ye, who is infamously known for blaring off Instagram postings and then deleting them, has only posted this McDonald’s future packaging “announcement.”

He did, however, leave a photo in his Instagram Stories with the caption, “Next week it’s the fries.” This references one of his most popular tracks, the 2005 song, Gold Digger, featuring Jamie Foxx. In the song, he says, “He got that ambition, baby, look at his eyes. This week he moppin’ floors, next week it’s the fries.”

Kanye West McDonald's
(Image: Instagram/@kanyewest)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to Page Six,  last month, around the time he was suspended from Instagram, West shared with Kim Kardashian that “he’s going away to get help” following his harassment on Instagram of the reality star and her boyfriend, Pete Davidson.

Ye’s erratic and condescending behavior online caused the social media platform to suspend his account for 24 hours. It also led to The Recording Academy, the organization responsible for the Grammys, pulling his performance. The billionaire rapper and designer used a racial slur to describe The Daily Show host Trevor Noah after he spoke out against Ye’s abusive behavior toward Kardashian. Noah, however, came to West’s defense, saying, “I said counsel Kanye not cancel Kanye.”

“For the sake of the kids, Kanye has told Kim he’s not making any public appearances or inflammatory social media statements, and he will go away somewhere to get better,” revealed a source close to the Kardashians.

This is Ye’s first social media posting since he made that initial promise.

Study: Some $280 Billion in Income and Four Million Jobs Could be Created for Minorities and Women if Spending Increased
by Jeffrey McKinney

May 25, 2022

Study: Some $280 Billion in Income and Four Million Jobs Could be Created for Minorities and Women if Spending Increased

A colossal $280 billion in extra income and four million jobs could be generated for minorities and women if spending with those groups is increased.

The income could be collected if corporations boosted buying goods and services with MWBEs (Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprises) to $2 trillion from $1 trillion now. That analysis comes from “Expand diversity among your suppliers—and add value to your organization,” a new report from McKinsey and Co.

Plus, the study declared that roughly 210,000 of the new jobs would be achieved in executive and management roles if spending for minority businesses was twice as much. The research suggests that it would spur wealth creation and improve intergenerational outcomes for families in diverse populations.

It infers several other findings that could potentially benefit the Black community. One finding shows diverse businesses are 67% more inclined to hire minority talent versus the U.S. company average and give more minorities higher-level positions in their organizations. If 40% of the $50 billion that companies have pledged to MWBEs went into these sectors, that would equal $20 billion in revenues for MWBEs. This would bring some 190,000 jobs and $15 billion in income for minority communities.

The study too surmised corporations have greater potential “to generate value as America transitions to a professional services-oriented economy. It reported professional and business services such as real estate, finance, insurance, and IT made up nearly 40% of GDP in 2020, versus 35% in 2000. Yet, “some of these high-growth sectors “remain low priorities for even the most mature supplier diversity programs: less than 10% of companies rank finance and insurance among their top spending areas for supplier diversity.”

Another interesting finding showed that finance, IT, legal, and engineering are high-paying sectors where minorities are underrepresented. Contrarily, it reported Black Americans are overrepresented in jobs with the highest rates of displacement by automation and underrepresented in categories with the lowest rates.

“Expanding the scope of supplier diversity would create more jobs for minorities in higher-wage sectors and in roles less likely to fall prey to machine learning and AI,” researchers wrote.

Shelley Stewart III, a senior partner at McKinsey and leader of the firm’s Institute for Black Economic Mobility, talked about why now is a good time for large U.S. companies to build a larger supplier ecosystem with MWBEs and ways they can do it.

He says stakeholders are increasingly holding corporations accountable for their efforts toward inclusivity and equity in business, including customers, employees, investors, and federal and state governments.

“The supply chain reset is a great opportunity for companies to redevelop their supply base with an eye toward increased participation from minority businesses, especially as nearshoring and regional supply become a critical part of delivering for customers.”

Stewart also reflected on why it makes good business sense for large U.S. companies.

He says working with MWBEs drive tangible impact to corporations’ bottom line.

“The research found that MWBEs have helped corporations identify and capture cost savings of up to 8%, compared to industry average procurement savings of 3% to 7%. Additionally, the study found that key benefits for working with MWBEs include increasing corporations’ speed, agility, localization, and innovation of products and services.”

Russian Reports Say Brittney Griner Could Go Free In Prisoner Exchange
by Atiya Jordan

May 25, 2022

Russian Reports Say Brittney Griner Could Go Free In Prisoner Exchange

A Russian news report is disclosing the possibility that seven-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner may be coming home due to a prisoner exchange.

According to reports, negotiations are underway to swap Griner for Russian convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, who has been serving a 25-year sentence in federal prison since his 2011 conviction in New York. Given the name “Merchant of Death,” Bout conspired to sell millions of dollars in weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group.

“Currently, talks are underway on exchanging Bout for Griner,” TASS, a Russian news agency, reported, citing “a source in the Public Monitoring Commission.”

Forbes has confirmed that this premature exchange deal will need the approval of President Joe Biden. But some of Griner’s team members are concerned about whether Biden will agree to release an arms trafficker in the hands of Putin, who he believes is a “war criminal.”

Since February, Griner has been detained in Russia after Moscow customs discovered a vape cartridge containing hash oil in her luggage. Earlier this month, her detainment was extended for another 30 days, BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported.

The WNBA star, considered high-profile, may be used as a bargaining chip, reports said.

“She is a victim of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s desperation to rule the world, and unfortunately, her freedom is made more difficult by inconsistent Russian responses to our embassy personnel and a bad legal system in Russia,” Democratic House Reps. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said in a statement, according to The Hill.

Shira Scheindlin, the retired federal judge who oversaw the Bout trial and sentenced him to the 25-year mandatory minimum, asserts that Griner’s charge is considered minor in the United States, so the exchange would cause some moral battles.

“There’s a problem with releasing a convicted arms trafficker for Griner, whose drug possession would probably only be a fine in the U.S.,” she said. “It would be better if Bout – who has already served too much time, in my opinion – was exchanged for both Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. Then there would be some moral equivalency about which few could complain.

 

Serena Williams’ Trading Card Nets $266,000 At Auction, Doubling The Record For A Female Athlete
by Derek Major

May 25, 2022

Serena Williams’ Trading Card Nets $266,000 At Auction, Doubling The Record For A Female Athlete

Serena Williams has claimed a new record, doubling the previous record for the sale of a trading card for a female athlete.

Sports Illustrated (SI) reports Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions, tweeted that a 2003 Serena Williams NetPro signed rookie trading card sold for $266,000 last weekend. The Athletic added the sale more than doubled the previous record of $117,000, set in January after a bidder purchased Williams 1999 SI for Kids rookie card.

Williams, who has won more Grand Slam singles titles (23) than any other woman or man during the open era, holds nine of the top 10 most valuable trading cards ever sold, according to One37pm.com. The six-time US Open champion is currently sitting out the French Open, which began last week, and hasn’t played in almost a year after injuring her ankle at last year’s Wimbledon tournament.

Nike recently opened the Serena Williams Building in Beaverton, Oregon, the largest building at Nike World Headquarters. The building is where Nike Consumer Creation teams have access to 200,000 square feet of lab space to test new ideas in the development, presentation, and merchandising of Nike products.

“The whole building takes your breath away. Every element, everywhere you go, is an opportunity to be inspired. I hope this building encourages people to bring out the best of themselves and to dream bigger than they thought possible,” Williams said in a statement.

The building also includes 140,000 square feet of showrooms, a color lab, and a two-story Olympia Theater named after Williams’ daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

In addition to 23 singles titles, Williams and her sister Venus have 14 doubles titles, the second-most in the Open era, and three doubles Olympic gold medals. The two have also grown the game for Black women as Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka have all called the Williams sisters influences on their careers.

 

Former Georgia Sen. David Perdue Says Stacey Abrams Is ‘Demeaning Her Own Race’ In Racist Remarks Before State Primary
by Derek Major

May 25, 2022

Former Georgia Sen. David Perdue Says Stacey Abrams Is ‘Demeaning Her Own Race’ In Racist Remarks Before State Primary

Former Sen. David Perdue attacked Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on the eve of the state’s primary election in racist remarks accusing the voting rights advocate of “demeaning her own race.”

Perdue, who lost to current Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in the state’s GOP primary race, made the comments during a right-wing radio show before his final campaign event in Dunwoody, Georgia on Monday.

During the interview, Perdue attacked the Fair Fight founder for saying last week that Georgia was the worst state in the U.S. to live citing poor maternal mortality rankings, incarceration rates and education. Perdue made Abrams seem like an outsider in the state despite the fact she’s lived in the Peach State since high school.

“She said that ‘Georgia is the worst place in the country to live.’ Hey, she ain’t from here,” Perdue said. “Let her go back where she came from. She doesn’t like it here. The only thing she wants is to be president of the United States. She doesn’t care about the people in Georgia.”

He also cited a statement Abrams made in 2018 when she said she wanted to create a lot of different jobs in Georgia because residents shouldn’t have to go into agriculture or hospitality to earn a living in the state.

“When she told Black farmers, you don’t need to be on the farm, and she told Black workers in hospitality and all this, you don’t need to be … she is demeaning her own race when it comes to that,” Perdue added.

According to 11 Alive, Abrams declined to respond to Perdue’s comments saying Republicans have attacked her for the last six months, but have done “nothing to attack the challenges facing Georgia” or “to articulate their plans for the future of Georgia.”

“I am tired of hearing about being the best state in the country to do business when we are the worst state in the country to live,” Abrams said when asked to respond to Perdue’s statements. “When you’re No. 48 for mental health, when you’re No. 1 for maternal mortality, when you have an incarceration rate that’s on the rise and wages that are on the decline, then you are not the No. 1 place to live.”

Perdue’s comments led to widespread backlash from many Black civil rights advocates including CNN’s Van Jones who called his comments “disgusting” and adding “he made it about race.”

Founder of FUBU J. Alexander Martin Talks New FOR US BY US Network and Continued Growth of Fashion Empire
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 25, 2022

Founder of FUBU J. Alexander Martin Talks New FOR US BY US Network and Continued Growth of Fashion Empire

Founder of FUBU, J. Alexander Martin appeared on Hip Hop & Enterprise to discuss his recently launched streaming platform, FOR US BY US NETWORK, the ONLY AVOD/SVOD streaming platform.

For years, Martin dreamed of building a service that told Black stories. He launched the network with a focus on independent films, series, and documentaries that offer an institutional change in the landscape.

Alexander shared how FOR US BY US aims to serve the growing appetite for new and fresh content in Black households and for viewers looking for diverse stories on television. The entrepreneur and fashion designer is taking what he and Daymond John did at FUBU 30 years ago and applying it to the new-age TV model that goes beyond the traditional networks.

From reality shows like The Making of Saucy Santana to short independent films like Stop The Killing, FOR US BY US NETWORK gives a platform to emerging underrepresented talent in the Black community. It was a long time coming for Alexander who has been working on launching the platform for over a decade.

“I’ve been doing this for about 13 years. So, it’s been a natural day-by-day struggle to get it out there with enough content,” Alexander told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“To be someone in this space. The streaming space is very large,” he said. ” Everyone thinks of the Netflix and the Hulu’s and I want to be able to compete.”

The network comes as Alexander’s legendary FUBU brand continues to scale in a new generation of fashion consumers who are incorporating the brand’s iconic culture into their personal style. The limited-edition FUBU Forever 21 collection reintroduced some of the streetwear brand’s most popular styles from the 90s and early 2000s like velour sweatsuits, denim sets, bucket hats, and oversized jerseys.

It’s part of the vision Alexander always saw for the brand and part of his continued drive as a businessman over the last three decades.

“I can go back to where my partner Daymond John. You know, Mr. Shark Tank, he created a hat,” Alexander recalled about the start of FUBU.

“And from that, I had the vision to take that hat to a clothing line. And in turn, I’m just that type of guy. If I see something, I see a vision, I see where it’s going to go, I’m just going to keep going and going again until it gets done.”

FUBU will forever be etched in the culture as an iconic and groundbreaking 90’s brand that grossed over six-billion dollars and spoke directly to a generation of go-getters. FOR US BY US NETWORK is on track to take the same direction, Alexander says.

The entrepreneur takes us back to his days working in Macy’s sales department and quitting after he was accused of stealing a tie. On his way out, Alexander told his former manager that he would be back one day to sell his own fashion line in the store.

“Now fast forward to the next time, I walked back into Macy’s, we came to sell FUBU,” Alexander said.

The brand went on to have the first window display for a Black-owned streetwear brand. Alexander remembers his former manager was still working in the sales department.

Press play below to learn more about Alexander’s journey to turning FUBU into a legendary streetwear brand and his plans for his new FOR US BY US NETWORK.

Mailman Email Manager Is Your Personal Email Gatekeeper
by Black Enterprise Shop

May 25, 2022

Mailman Email Manager Is Your Personal Email Gatekeeper

If you’re like most people, you probably spend more time checking your email account than your physical mailbox. Email has cut down on the amount of paper mail, which has undoubtedly reduced the carbon footprint. While it’s been great for the environment, companies have still found ways to send their brochures and the like digitally.

Not only is spam mail annoying to receive, but it can clog up your email address if you’re onto or deleted it every time a message comes in.

Think of Mailman Email Manager as your personal email gatekeeper. For a limited time, you can purchase a lifetime subscription to the service for $69.99. That’s a savings of 76% from its MSRP ($300).

Mailman is an email management system that protects you from unimportant emails. It allows you to block email from senders you haven’t been in email contact with in the past, stopping spam newsletters and promotions from entering your inbox.

Five purchasers have rated this product 5 stars. “I send and receive emails maybe 20-25 years now; it is the only service I have seen that prevents any unwanted emails arrive into your inbox without your consent. Besides, you can pass through your important emails by email address or keywords,” writes 5-star reviewer Suat E. 

While Mailman excels at keeping unwanted emails from reaching your inbox, you don’t have to worry about it stopping emails from those you want to hear from. There’s a VIP list that allows you to add important senders, domains, or keywords. For those who like to receive email push alerts on their phones, the do-not-disturb mode holds all of your incoming mail during your respective time windows.

Watch this video.

The easy plug-in feature connects easily to mail, Apple Mail, Spark, Mailbird, Polymail, or Superhuman domains, making installation easy. Mailman can be installed on any modern browser. 

The American Reporter in its review of this product said, “The beauty of this app is that it has a very unique and tailored set of features that all users have been asking for unlike any other app that’s available in the market.”

With many people working from home these days, email has taken even more of a priority in their daily lives. With Mailman, you don’t have to worry about junk mail clogging up your mailbox or disrupting your account. Purchase it today.

Prices subject to change.

New York City Reaches $7 Million Settlement with Wu-Tang Clan Studio Worker Wrongfully Convicted in 1996 Killing
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 24, 2022

New York City Reaches $7 Million Settlement with Wu-Tang Clan Studio Worker Wrongfully Convicted in 1996 Killing

A Black man who was wrongly imprisoned for 23 years and was exonerated of the crime last year has been awarded $7 million by the city of New York.

According to The Associated Press, New York City has approved a $7 million settlement to Grant Williams, who spent 23 years in prison for a murder he had nothing to do with, Comptroller Brad Lander disclosed on Monday.

Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon disclosed in July that the conviction of Williams, who served 23 years in prison for a 1996 murder, would be vacated. Williams was exonerated for the 1996 shooting of Shdell Lewis outside a public housing complex in Staten Island.

The 51-year-old Williams had been placed on parole in 2019. After he was cleared last year, he filed a notice of claim against the city.

Williams’ lawyer, Irving Cohen, said the city “did the right thing” by reaching a settlement quickly.

“This will assist him in going forward and trying to get back on his feet,” and finally put the ordeal behind him, Cohen said.

The case against Williams relied heavily on the words of a couple of eyewitnesses. One, a police officer who chased the gunman, initially gave a description that didn’t match that of Williams.

Prosecutors attempted to place a connection between Williams and a baseball cap that the shooter dropped at the scene that featured the Wu-Tang Clan logo. The cap was never tested for DNA that may have revealed another person. Williams’ connection with Wu-Tang Clan was based on him working at its Staten Island studio. His lawyer said there was no telling how many hometown fans might have had Wu-Tang Clan hats at the time.

No evidence—physical, forensic, or digital—was connected to Williams. Some witnesses testified that he wasn’t the gunman.

New York State recently settled a different claim from Williams for $5 million.

Three Nooses Found Outside Chicago Area Middle School, Parents Demand Transparent Investigation
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 24, 2022

Three Nooses Found Outside Chicago Area Middle School, Parents Demand Transparent Investigation

Parents and students protested Monday at the Chicago area middle school where three nooses were found.

The protest followed a series of sit-ins that took place after parents found three nooses hanging from a tree outside Haven Middle School in Evanston on May 13, WGN-TV reported. Members from Ex Cons for Community and Social Change led the protest that served as a stand against racism and hatred.

After the nooses were discovered, District 65 Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton sent families a letter calling the act a racist hate crime. He also revealed that some students were seen chanting and carrying ropes over to where the nooses were found.

“This is a hate crime and a deliberate and specific incidence of an outwardly racist act,” Horton said.

“It resounds with a tone of hate and hurt that will impact members of our entire community, namely Black and African American students, staff, and families who have experienced generations of harm.”

The nooses came after students held staged sit-ins in response to staff changes. Students gathered outside or left school altogether. But after the sit-ins, parents noticed the nooses included personal letters in support of some of the teachers being transferred to other schools.

“What began as a peaceful protest by students is now tainted with hate and is part of a string of racist actions that continue to be directed at district and school administrators,” Horton said in his email.

The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 released a statement saying they are working with the police amid an investigation into how the nooses got there. But parents and community leaders are demanding transparency with the findings, Chicago Sun-Times reported.

“We need transparency now,” Tyrone Muhammad, executive director of Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change, said. “ … How can children learn in an environment where they feel like their lives are in danger?”

Muhammad is demanding that Evanston Mayor Daniel Bliss get involved in the investigation and an urgent investigation in wake of last weekend’s mass shooting in Buffalo, New York.

“Nooses hung from a tree should be a state of emergency,” Muhammad said.

Playboy Has Seen Significant Revenue Growth After Naming Cardi B Creative Director
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 24, 2022

Playboy Has Seen Significant Revenue Growth After Naming Cardi B Creative Director

Playboy has see a drastic jump in revenue since naming Cardi B as the brand’s first-ever creative director in residence.

On Monday, PLBY Group released information on its first-quarter revenue for 2022 (ending March 31), which  revealed a 63% jump in year-over-year revenue since bringing Cardi onboard. The Grammy-winning rapper is credited with aiding in Playboy’s growth in revenue to $69.4 million, All Hip Hop reported.

The company also saw direct-to-consumer growth of 125% year-over-year to $49.6 million.

“Our strong first quarter with 63% year-over-year growth, robust demand for our iconic brand and consumer products, and continued progress on our digital roadmap for Centerfold, are coming together into one cohesive Playboy ecosystem creating a flywheel driving long-term growth,” Ben Kohn, PLBY Group’s chief executive officer said.

“With Playboy’s massive global reach and Centerfold as a valuable engine for organic customer acquisition, we believe we can drive significant growth across PLBY Group’s product offerings.”

It’s a natural fit for Cardi, who doesn’t shy away from embracing her past work as an exotic dancer. Over the weekend, she sent out a link promoting a new Playboy collection.

The Invasion of Privacy rapper included a kiss face emoji over a video of her donning a cut-out Playboy one piece.

In December, Playboy announced Cardi B as the brand’s first-ever creative director in residence, People reported. The Bronx native expressed her excitement for the new business venture.

“It is a dream come true to officially join the Playboy family. I can’t believe this is real.” Cardi said.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt connected to Playboy. It’s truly the original platform for uncensored creativity and I’m inspired by its incredible legacy of fighting for personal freedoms. I have so many ideas already–I can’t wait!”

Cardi’s role with the company allows her to provide artistic direction for Playboy-branded fashion and sexual wellness merchandise collections. She also aids in the digital editorial, and experiential activations, the company shared.

×