by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 5, 2025

Terrence Murphy Built A Billion-Dollar Business Empire After Short NFL Stint

Terrence Murphy turned his entrepreneurial drive into a billion-dollar business portfolio after a brief NFL career.

Terrence Murphy leveraged his talent for serial entrepreneurship to achieve over $5 billion in sales after a brief NFL career.

Murphy, an East Texas native, was selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, signing a five-year, $3.4 million deal after a standout career as a wide receiver at Texas A&M. An injury cut his NFL career short, but he quickly turned his earnings into his first business venture in the real estate market.

”I started my first venture, TM5, and scaled it to $1.5B in sales in less than 8 years,” Murphy told Atlético Dallas. “That startup company had offers to be acquired, which introduced me to M&A and venture capital investing.”

With a growing real estate portfolio at the time, and alongside his wife Erica, a University of Texas at Austin graduate and licensed real estate agent, Murphy dove into the sector. Together, they developed student housing, multifamily, and luxury residential projects in communities like Traditions and Greens Prairie Reserve, eventually launching TM5 Properties, which has achieved $1.5 billion in sales.

Murphy’s TM5 Equity Partners manages nearly 1,000 rental units, while he has individually sold over 70 properties, each valued at more than $1 million. Through Terrence Murphy Companies, he holds stakes in real estate, construction, sports, and venture capital.

Now, Murphy’s newest venture is an ownership stake in Atlético Dallas, the soccer team announced in 2024 and set to debut in the United Soccer League Championship in 2027. It marks a full-circle moment for the Texas native, combining his lifelong passions for sports and entrepreneurship.

“I have recently surpassed these milestones in my career: $5B in sales and acquisitions, and I’ve built, acquired, or invested in 110 companies under the Terrence Murphy Companies portfolio,” Murphy shared. “But the ones I’m most proud of are the ones that I played a role in building. That’s how I see Atlético Dallas. It’s a chance to create something from the ground up. To build something special. What helped me transition from sports into business was a never-ending desire to evolve. That’s why I’m excited to be part of Atlético Dallas.“

Pregnant Women, Tech Companies, Layoff, prenatal

by Kandiss Edwards

September 4, 2025

Barnard College Allegedly Fires Pregnant Employee To Avoid Maternity Leave Pay

Shakira Zahiruddin is working with the Transport Workers Union after being laid off by Barnard College.

Shakira Zahiruddin is accusing Barnard College, an all-women’s institution, of firing her to avoid compensation for maternity leave.

The eight-months-pregnant custodian alleges the college violates seniority protocols and female rights. Zahiruddin believes the institution intentionally canceled her employment to avoid compensating her during maternity leave, the New York Post reported.

Zahiruddin, a mother of two, said she was let go via email on Aug. 26. During her press conference at the TWU Local 264 Union office in Brooklyn, she spoke about her disappointment in the decision of the women’s college.

“You wouldn’t really expect that due to what they stand for,” she said. “I honestly don’t know what I am going to do.”

According to the ex-employee, losing her income at such a critical time presents immediate hardship. Zahiruddin is now faced with questions about how to support her two children as well as her soon-to-be newborn.

“I feel left alone, and I am extremely worried for my kids moving forward,” she said during the press conference. “How could an all-women’s college just not care?” she added, calling the move “unjust and inhumane.”

Under her union’s collective bargaining agreement, layoffs must adhere strictly to seniority, the union says. Yet, a male custodian hired nearly four months after Zahiruddin, was kept on the janitorial staff. Retaining an employee with less time worked prompted Zahirudden and the Union to believe the decision was neither fair nor legitimate. The grievance declares the action “a deliberate attempt to erase a senior worker’s rights.”

TWU Local 264 President Joseph Rose condemned the college’s actions.

“They are just looking at the monetary aspect,” he said.

The union is demanding Zahiruddin’s reinstatement, full benefits, back pay, and a guarantee of her maternity leave.

Barnard maintains the layoff was not due to Zahirruddin’s health condition. Instead, the institution contends there is college-wide restructuring affecting 77 full-time positions. A Barnard spokesperson said the changes were driven by operational needs and complied with union procedures. The school confirmed that affected union members were informed of opportunities to reapply for open positions. Yet they do not explain how Zahiruddin’s seniority was overlooked.

Yet for the expectant mom, the timing remains devastating. The salary she relied on for income and health benefits expired six days after her release. The timeline lands just ahead of her expected delivery date. Now, without a job or coverage, she’s left to worry how she’ll support her family and manage the high costs of motherhood alone.

Black Lives Matter Plaza, Republicans, Polititcs

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 4, 2025

’Black History Matters’ Mural Repainted In St. Petersburg Before Being Removed Yet Again

The mural was repainted on the street less than 24 hours after its removal.

A “Black History Matters” mural was restored on a St. Petersburg, Florida, street less than 24 hours after it was removed.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, a passerby saw the large street mural repainted outside the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, WFLA reports. Its return came after crews removed all art from city streets over Labor Day weekend.

The mural was one of several taken down by the Florida Department of Transportation. During its removal, two pastors were arrested while kneeling in prayer on the artwork in protest, FOX 13 reports.

“I was hoping to pray all night, I even had a pillow,” Pastor Ben Atherton-Zeman of the Unitarian Universalist Church said. “Unfortunately, we were only allowed to pray for 10 minutes.”

Atherton-Zeman said it was worth going to jail in an attempt to protect the mural. However, the second “Black History Matters” mural lasted only a few hours before Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews arrived late at night to repaint the street black once again.

“We live in a state where books that teach accurate Black history are banned, where teachers who teach accurate Black history are punished,” Atheron-Zeman said. “And now they want to erase a ‘Black History Matters’ mural? This is not about safety, this is about erasure.”

Originally featuring vibrant colors and patterns, some murals had been temporarily redone with chalk by protesters. The restored “Black History Matters” mural appeared in white paint.

Volunteers and mural artists originally painted the “Black Lives Matter” mural on 9th Avenue South in 2020, unveiling it during a Juneteenth celebration. In 2023, it was repainted as “Black History Matters,” with each letter created by a different artist.

The mural removal follows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signing a law in June that requires street art to be removed from all sidewalks, roadways, curbs, and crosswalks statewide, citing safety concerns. Many Florida officials have challenged the call, but the deadline for compliance is Thursday, Sept. 4.

DeSantis has warned that state funding could be withheld if the art isn’t removed. It remains unclear whether the “Black History Matters” mural will face removal again.

“The more he paints over our murals, the more they are going to be painted back,” Atherton-Zeman said. “Because we can’t be erased.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 4, 2025

1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Park Si-Hun Gives Precious Award To Roy Jones, Jr. ‘It Belongs To You’

Jones was cheated out of the gold medal when the judges awarded Si-Hun a 3-2 split decision victory when Jones clearly won the bout

In one of the most controversial Olympic moments in history, American amateur boxer Roy Jones, Jr., after dominating his gold medal fight against his opponent, Park Si-Hun, in South Korea (Si-Hun’s country) lost a 3-2 split decision, and after 36 years, the called winner of the match handed Jones the gold medal that the sports world felt should have been given to the now-retired Jones in 1988.

Jones posted a video clip of the moment that the gold medal was finally rightfully placed in his hands, as Si-Hum’s son, who was with him at the time of the exchange, translated to an emotional Jones that he wanted him to have the prize he decisively won at the time. This took place in Pensacola, Florida, according to the social media post, a couple of years ago, but was recently posted.

“I had the gold medal, but I wanted to give it back to you,” Si-Hun says to Jones via his son. “It belongs to you. This gold medal is your problem now.”

As Jones accepted the precious medal, he got emotional.

In 1988, I was robbed of the gold medal in what became one of the biggest controversies in boxing history. By the grace of God, a couple of years ago, the man who won that medal made the trip from South Korea to my home to return it to me, feeling it was rightfully mine. pic.twitter.com/oGTwyLYft1
— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) September 3, 2025

Yahoo! Sports reported that, although Jones was the clear winner to anyone viewing the match at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, the judges shockingly declared Si-Hun the winner in a 3-2 split decision. The stats proved that it was a clearly one-sided fight as Jones landed almost three times the punches that Park connected on, by a margin of 86-32, through the three rounds the two boxers fought. 20-3 in Round 1, 30-15 in Round 2, and 36-14 in Round 3.

Following the fight, the three judges who declared Si-Hum the winner, Bob Kasule of Uganda, Uruguay’s Alberto Durán, and Hiouad Larbi of Morocco, were eventually suspended for six months, with two of them later banned for life. Larbi later admitted that Jones won the fight, but gave the victory to Hi-Sun to spare the home country embarrassment, as he expected the four other judges to award Jones the win.

Black Women Talk Tech, Roadmap to Billions, Toronto

by Jameelah Mullen

September 4, 2025

‘Black Women Talk Tech’ To Host Roadmap To Billions Conference In Toronto

The Roadmap To Billions Conference goes global.

For the second year in a row, Black Women Talk Tech, a collective of Black women tech founders created to support emerging tech entrepreneurs, brings its Canadian version of the Roadmap to Billions conference to Toronto.

Presented by Accelerate Auto, the conference aims to empower Black women tech founders through educational resources and community involvement. The conference will be held October 5–6, and will feature collaborations with organizations including Nobellum, PitchBetter, and Ambition.

“This isn’t just a conference—it’s a movement,” Regina Gwynn, Co-Founder of Black Women Talk Tech, said in a press release. “We’re excited to return to Toronto with even more momentum, deeper partnerships, and new opportunities for Black women founders to access capital, mentorship, and community. With Accelerate Auto as our presenting sponsor, we’re accelerating our mission to ensure Black women are at the forefront of tech innovation in Canada and beyond,” Gwynn said.

The two-day conference will include panel discussions, a headshot studio, and workshops, including Braindate, which offers strategies for networking. Emerging founders can visit the Mentor Marketplace to connect with investors and industry leaders. Conference attendees will also attend a live recording of Currencies, Black Women Talk Tech’s podcast.

Conference attendees have the chance to participate in the pitch competition, where they can win up to $10,000 CAD. Eligible participants must identify as Black women and own a tech business in Canada.

This year’s speaker lineup includes business leaders and changemakers such as the Hon. Marci Ien, former Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth of Canada; Kay Layne, founder of Kayambi; Yolanda Biswah, President of the Canadian Black Book; Amoye Henry, Co-Founder of Pitch Better; and Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson, Founder and CEO of Empowered in My Skin. For a complete list of speakers, visit the Black Women Talk Tech website.

The original Roadmap to Billions conference, started in 2017 in New York, is the only tech event created by and designed specifically for Black women founders.

RELATED CONTENT: Tap Into These 10 Black Tech Titans

Emory University Hospital Midtown Atlanta, Credit card, credit care

by Kandiss Edwards

September 4, 2025

Emory University Cuts DEI Programs, Georgia NAACP Responds

Emory University announced its decision to close its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices. Local NAACP urges Emory to reconsider.

On Sept. 3, Emory University announced its decision to close its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office.

The Atlanta institution will effectively end its DEI-related Initiatives. The decision has sparked concern among students and faculty, even as Interim President Leah Ward Sears assured the community that the move was made in response to federal mandates.

“Federal laws and mandates have been implemented that require higher education institutions to alter fundamentally or even close offices and programs focused on DEI,” Ward Sears wrote.

Ward Sears goes on to state that the school will support impacted employees through the transition. Ward Sears states that the dismissal of said policies will not constitute abandoning the institution’s core values.

“The Emory I believe in is committed to every person having an equal place, voice, and chance to succeed,” Sears said. “We demonstrate this every day through how we lead, hire, mentor, and serve. Closing offices or reimagining lawful programs is not, after all, the same as ending our unwavering commitment to fairness, belonging, and opportunity for all, values that are part of Emory’s DNA.

Emory University to "promptly and carefully to discontinue current DEI offices and programs" pic.twitter.com/oVjlEgmQwf
— Dan Sinykin (@dan_sinykin) September 3, 2025

Beyond Emory, universities across the country are facing similar pressures. According to WABE, several peer institutions have rebranded or scaled back their DEI programs in response to executive interventions targeting such initiatives.

In an X post, Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs appealed to Emory’s board of directors to reconsider eliminating DEI programs.

“The Georgia NAACP is gravely concerned about Emory University’s decision to restructure its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs,” Griggs wrote. “While we acknowledge Emory’s stated commitment to fairness and belonging, these changes raise serious questions about how students, faculty, and staff — particularly from marginalized communities — will be supported moving forward.”

As Emory proceeds with dismantling formal DEI structures, students and faculty alike are calling for those values to remain woven into campus life.

CEOs, corporate America, Kamala Harrs, endorsement

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 4, 2025

California Highway Patrol Clocks In To Protect Kamala Harris After Trump Dumps Secret Service Detail

Reports of CHP taking on security detail for Harris came in late August after Trump signed an executive order to end her extended protection.

After President Donald Trump ended Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, officials from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are stepping up to the plate, CBS News reports.

As part of the LAPD’s Metropolitan Division, special units such as the Tactical Response Teams, which provide security at high-profile events, have worked closely with the Secret Service and the Department of State to provide protection to the president, vice president, and foreign dignitaries.

Reports of the CHP taking on a security detail for Harris began to emerge in late August, following Trump’s signing of an executive order to end her extended protection, reversing an order from former President Joe Biden.

Under a law passed by Congress in 2008, previous vice presidents, their spouses, and children under 16 are set to receive protection by the Secret Service for up to six months after leaving the White House.

Prior to leaving, Biden signed an order to extend Harris’s detail to 18 months. Still, Trump ordered Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to rescind the order starting Sept. 1. That the U.S. Secret Service ran an assessment on threats toward Harris and found nothing alarming aided Trump’s decision.

Criticism started to pour in on the timing of the order.

The former California attorney general is scheduled to start a high-profile book tour for her memoir, 107 Days, covering her short-lived campaign to become the first female President of the U.S.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom will first have to sign off on CHP providing security for Harris, but there is also a cost concern. According to Fox 26 News, the agency has refused to release the line-item costs of protection for specific individuals. However, with the CHP’s overall budget being close to $3.2 billion, the base personnel costs for several officers could amount to $8 million annually.

Possible protection for Harris could include two officers on duty at all times, such as a driver and close protection, consisting of three shifts per day, equaling six officers. With added supervisors and intel support, the total number of officers could go up to 40. Additional security doesn’t include potential protection for the book tour, which could increase the cost.

Since taking over the White House for a second term, Trump has removed Secret Service protection for several former dignitaries, including Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden, as well as Trump’s former national security adviser during his first term, John Bolton.

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 4, 2025

Saint Augustine’s University Interim President Steps Down As Fall Semester Classes Begin

Burgess’ resignation cited “personal reasons.”

The drama at Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) continues as students start classes while the interim president, Marcus H. Burgess, resigned after only 18 months in the post, Inside HigherEd reported.

Burgess’ last day was Aug. 30 but school officials say he submitted his letter of resignation Jul. 16. citing “personal reasons.” The announcement came down as students started classes for the fall semester online. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Burgess for his leadership and service during a pivotal period in the University’s history. His commitment and dedication to the mission of Saint Augustine’s University have been deeply valued,” the statement from SAU’s Board of Trustees read.

Provost Verjanis A. Peoples will step in as Saint Augustine’s interim president until a permanent leader is named.

The resignation comes as the Raleigh-based HBCU recently became re-accredicated following a lengthy legal battle with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, who stripped SAU of its accreditation amid financial and governance issues in late 2023. Peoples will now take over for Burgess, a veteran HBCU administrator, who is added to the list of leader turnover for the school.

The school was briefly led in 2020 by Irving Pressley McPhail, who passed away due to complications from COVID-19. His wife, Christine McPhail, ultimately stepped in as president but was later fired in 2023. McPhail and the Board are currently facing a legal battle in court after she sued the board over accusations of gender-based discrimination.

Burgess isn’t the only one resigning. According to ABC 11, Chairman of the Board, Brian Boulware, also stepped away from his role but will remain listed as a trustee. SaveSAU Coalition, a nonprofit organization consisting of concerned alumni, students, parents, and former administrators and faculty, released a statement as the change of leadership was handed down, saying this was what they were worried about. “While these developments mark a shift, the Coalition warned against what it calls ‘boardroom musical chairs — reshuffling titles without addressing the deep failures of governance that have pushed the University into crisis,” the group said.

“Lenders have already made it plain: until both Boulware and Vice Chair Perry are gone, there will be no financing for Saint Augustine’s…When the music stops, failed leaders must step aside. Anything less is more of the same dysfunction that has brought this University to the brink.” The nonprofit filed a lawsuit against Boulware and the Board of Trustees in 2024 citing how the university “now teeters on the edge of chaos, brought to its knees by the utter neglect of its board of trustees and especially its most recent chairmen, Defendants Brian Boulware and James Perry.”

The suit accuses Boulware of being “dictatorial and vindictive” and “more concerned with lining his own pockets than leading the university.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 4, 2025

Happy B-Day Wishes Are In Order For Beyoncé And SirDavis Whisky

Whisky lovers are toasting to the woman and the spirit

Happy first anniversary to SirDavis American Whisky! A year ago, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Moët Hennessy made waves in the spirits industry with its launch.

On Beyoncé’s 44th birthday, whisky lovers are not only toasting to the woman and SirDavis spirits, but also to a remarkable year of success per usual. Beyoncé has taken fans by storm, from Cowboy Carter Tour, to a Levii denim jeans partnership, to winning her first Emmy Award for Beyoncé Bowl and it’s been quite the ride. However, it’s kick-back time, relaxation time, and time to raise a glass to what’s ahead. Fans can celebrate with SirDavis in three great pours:

Honey Bee

For The End-Of-Summer Soiree:

Ingredients:
2 oz SirDavis American Whisky
.75 oz Lemon Juice
.5 oz Honey Syrup*
Garnish: Honeycomb
Instructions: Add liquid ingredients to a shaker tin with ice going in last. Shake for dilution and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with honeycomb.

*To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.

Davis Old Fashioned

For the early fall nightcap

Ingredients:

2 oz SirDavis American Whisky

.25 oz Honey Syrup*

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Garnish: Lemon Twist & Brandied Cherry

Instructions: In a mixing glass, add all ingredients. Stir for dilution and strain into a rocks glass over a large cube. Garnish with an orange twist & brandied cherry.

*To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.

Texas Buckiin’

For the Cowboy Carter Tour Reminiscent

Ingredients:
1.5 oz SirDavis American Whisky
.25 oz Lemon Juice
.25 oz Honey Syrup*
4-5 oz Ginger Beer
Garnish: Lemon wedge
Instructions: Pour SirDavis Whisky into glass with ice then squeeze fresh lemon juice into a glass with honey simple syrup and add ginger beer. Gently stir, garnish with horse medallion pick through lemon wedge, and serve.

*To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.

OneUnited Bank, Roxbury, Massachusetts, Kevin Cohee, Roxbury, black-owned

by Jameelah Mullen

September 4, 2025

OneUnited Bank Announces Winners Of ‘I Got Bank!’ Youth Financial Literacy And Art Contest

Organizers say they saw an increase in children’s financial literacy this year.

OneUnited Bank, the nation’s largest Black-owned bank, announced the winners of its 15th annual “I Got Bank!” Youth Financial Literacy Essay & Art Contest. The contest aims to promote financial literacy, especially among young people.

The 2025 winners, aged 8-12, include Jasmine Curd, Andrew Elus, Rusty Fisher, Jai Irby, Brandon Littlejohn, Jalonie Lue Shue, Zoë Madison Orndorff, Arfa Mohamed, Alanna Oguadimma, and Jacob Phillips.

Each winner received a $1,000 savings account.

In a 250-word essay, the winners shared their financial literacy journeys and explained how the knowledge would benefit them and their families. The panel of judges included Teri Williams, president and chief operating officer of OneUnited, and Sherri Brewer, the bank’s senior vice president and chief retail officer.

“In 2025, we saw growth in children’s understanding of money, including the cost of food and other necessities. They expressed a desire to help their families, which may be a reflection of the current economic climate. We are proud to ignite family conversations about money, which will improve their financial well-being.” Williams said in a press release.

Williams, the author of I Got Bank! What My Granddad Taught Me about Money, said she was inspired to write the book because she noticed a lack of educational tools geared at teaching urban youth about financial literacy.

“I could not find a book about personal finance from the perspective of urban youth, Williams said on the bank’s website. “Yet, when children learn the lessons of financial literacy at a young age, they form strong habits that can be life-changing.”

Additionally, OneUnited Bank provides the Financial Education Center, an online resource designed to help people of all ages understand various financial processes. Its online modules include education about building emergency savings, homeownership, starting a small business, and preparing for retirement. Bank owners hope that these online tools will improve financial knowledge and skills for people nationwide.

OneUnited Bank is an 11-time recipient of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bank Enterprise Award for community development.