Former NFL Player Earl Thomas Arrested After Allegedly Threatening to Poison His Wife and Kids
Former NFL safety Earl Thomas was arrested after violating a protective order by sending threatening messages about his wife and kids.
Thomas was taken into custody in Orange, Texas, on Friday, more than two weeks after a judge in Austin, Texas, charged him with a third-degree felony for allegedly violating a protective order more than once over the last year, ESPN reports.
The former All-Pro safety was arrested after being recognized at a restaurant in his hometown. The protective order, put into effect in May 2021, only allowed Thomas to communicate with his ex through a co-parenting app.
The woman claims Thomas refused to download the app and would instead contact her through text and show up unannounced. She also revealed Thomas’s threatening text messages, including a series of harmful texts, on April 18. He claimed to have two handguns and threatened to physically assault her.
“Waiting on hand in foot is why I’ll kick ur ass,” Thomas allegedly wrote in the text.
The next day Thomas allegedly sent more alarming messages saying, “I hope u in the car with him and the kids and yall drive off the road.”
“Ima let my momma and my cousins poison they (their children) ass.”
Trey Dolezal represents Thomas in an ongoing divorce and claims the former NFL player tried reaching out to his wife to see their children, CBS Sports reports.
“They were consciously and collectively working together to see his kids,” Dolezal told the Austin American-Statesman. “I don’t really understand how he could be in violation by working together to visit with his children.”
The arrest comes a few weeks after Thomas shared his hopes of continuing his career in the NFL. Thomas hasn’t played in the NFL since being released from the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 after punching teammate Chuck Clark during training camp practice.
Thomas earned seven Pro Bowl selections during his NFL career and was a three-time first-team All-Pro. During his last season in 2019, Thomas signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.
Yes Queens! Janet Jackson Attends Billboard Awards to Present Mary J. Blige With Her Icon Award
On Sunday, Janet Jackson made a rare appearance at the Billboard Music Awards to presentMary J. Blige with the Icon Award.
Blige looked stunning in a cut-out sequined dress as she stepped on stage to accept the same award Jackson received in 2018. People reports that the nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer thanked Jackson for being the “biggest inspiration growing up,” Peoplereports.
The 54-year-old singer shared what it takes to become a legend of her stature.
It “takes a lot of time, hard work and a lot of surviving trial and error to achieve greatness,” Blige said.
“What an icon means to me is overcoming obstacles to accomplish the unthinkable and be widely admired for having influence over a multitude of people, and that is what I’ve always represented,” she continued.
It was more than fitting for Blige to receive the accolade the same year her good friend Sean “Diddy” Combs made his debut as the show’s host and executive producer. The Bad Boy creator escorted Blige on stage to accept her award.
“I’ve been on this journey for a long time, one that didn’t always look the way you see me now, one that is filled with a lot of heartache and pain, but God helped me to channel those experiences and emotions in my music, which is where I started in music,” Blige said.
She touched on the “movement” that started upon her inception into the music industry nearly 30 years ago, where “every inner city girl was recognized in their own and could relate to everything I was saying.”
Blige also took credit for inspiring “every female artist that came into the game” that sought to emulate her original style.
“I was ghetto fabulous and I still am,” Blige said while laughing. “So ghetto, so fabulous and people were threatened by that. And now everybody want to be ghetto fabulous.”
Blige has won 10 Billboard awards throughout her career. She is the 11th artist and seventh woman to receive the Icon Award, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter.
Previous Icon Award recipients include Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Cher, Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks, and Pink.
Invest in HBCU Tokens, Expand Your Investment Portfolio Unleash Your Power to Support HBCUs
Help HBCUs. HBCU Token will make funds available to assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCU Token is an innovative way to make your investment work for a greater cause for years to come, and expand your business or personal financial investment portfolio. HBCU Tokens is an evergreen way to put your money where your mouth is.
The supporter decides on what level of investment and it gives you the comfort of your funds going to help HBCUs, elevate young black and brown students, ensure a greater workforce and elevate society.
Most of America’s 103 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been struggling financially. For years there has been a lack of funding and neglect. Compared to their counterparts, the nation’s Black land grant universities have been underfunded by at least $12.8 billion over the last three decades. Many are in financial straits — and living under a cloud of violent threat of bombings.
Some share information about lacking heating cooling units/systems, rustic relic infrastructure, paint peeling off cracked plaster walls, two thirds of buildings in need of repair, a lack of staff, computers, labs, lack of equipment and supplies, lack of dormitories, etc., according to a press release.
Elon Musk’s quote about cryptocurrency, “I could either watch it happen or be a part of it. But wait there’s more: the flame thrower is sentient, its safe word is “cryptocurrency” and it comes with a free blockchain.”
Analysts estimate that the global cryptocurrency market will more than triple by 2030, hitting a valuation of nearly $5 billion. Whether they want to buy into it or not, investors, businesses, and brands can’t ignore the rising tide of crypto for long. But crypto can’t seem to escape paradoxes anywhere.
“At one point in time, people questioned the relevancy and impact of HBCUs, but this has changed in recent years. There’s a lot to celebrate, but there are also ways we can all support our institutions and the most important stakeholders — the students. HBCU 20×20 is proud to be a part of the HBCU Token to further support our impact and the work we do to support our community. As cryptocurrency continues to emerge we’re honored to be in this space with HBCU Token, L.Marilyn Crawford,” Nicole Tinson, chief executive officer of HBCU 20×20.
How it works
HBCU Token is designed to support the 103 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in U.S. that have historically been a place for African Americans to learn, thrive and prosper. It continues to serve that purpose for so many who attend. HBCU Token has an in-built 10 percent fee for each transaction reserved to provide financial assistance across all the black colleges and universities in the U.S. to help HBCUs achieve their financial and educational goals. The community plans on raising as much as $1,000,000,000 for HBCUs for their financial and educational goals. Help the black community while earning passive income for yourselves through mining the HBCU Token.
“HBCU Tokens give to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), institutions of higher education in the United States active and established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African-American community,” said L.Marilyn Crawford, HBCU Tokens co-creator.
“This allows them to become self sustainable without relying on donors, grants, etc. It gives businesses and everyday citizens an opportunity to support HBCUs, as well as a long term investors. I have lawyers, doctors, teachers, executives, in my family, all who graduated form HBCUs. HBCU Tokens has been established to invest in the future, substance and quality of HBCUs. By supporting HBCUs, you support minority communities by increasing economic and social mobility through academic and career resources.”
HBCU Token provides the investor an opportunity to help with:
– Sustainability.
– Quality of education.
– Expansion of education.
– Growth of an institution.
– Preparation for the future citizens.
We have engaged strategic partners, i.e. HBCU2020 (worlds largest network for HBCU graduates and black job seekers), African American Global Media Association (will handle public relations and media) and HBCU entrepreneurs (will offer assistance to start ups and businesses). They will receive funding to support the mission of global citizenship for our graduates. HBCUs have a definite purpose and relevance for our history, culture and purpose in this world. They need society’s support and help to sustain, elevate, and grow.
Groundbreaking Black-Owned Investment Banking Firm Siebert Williams Shank & Co. to Receive Inaugural Earl Graves Sr. Visionary Award at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit in Philadelphia
BLACK ENTERPRISE the nation’s number one Black digital media brand, will bring back its national Entrepreneurs Summit as an in-person event in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, May 18–20.
The Entrepreneurs Summit is well established as the premier annual event dedicated to the success of Black entrepreneurs and the growth, profitability and wealth-creation potential of Black-owned businesses. In partnership with host sponsor, Nationwide, BLACK ENTERPRISE will feature high-engagement elements maximizing real-time, peer-to-peer learning, coaching, mentorship and networking opportunities for attendees.
A major highlight of the multi-day event will be the Entrepreneurs Summit Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 19. Several outstanding Black-owned companies will be celebrated during the luncheon, led by the inaugural presentation of the Earl Graves Sr. Visionary Award to President and CEO Suzanne Shankand Chairman Christopher Williams of the groundbreaking investment bank Siebert Williams Shank and Co. L.L.C. The Visionary Award is named for Earl Graves, the iconic founder of BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine, who died on April 6, 2020.
Nationally recognized journalist, TV and radio personality Jacque Reid will serve as emcee of the Awards Luncheon, according to a press release. Other awards to be presented to outstanding entrepreneurs include:
– Teenpreneur of the Year: Trey Brown, founder and chief executive officer of SPERGO.
– Community Champion of the Year: Derrick Hayes, president and chief executive officer, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks.
– Business Disruptor of the Year: Kimberly McGlonn, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer, Grant Blvd.
“The accomplishments of Suzanne Shank and Christopher Williams as innovative leaders in the financial services industry are absolutely worthy of being recognized with our first ever Earl Graves Sr. Visionary Award,” says BLACK ENTERPRISE Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer Derek T. Dingle.
“All of our Entrepreneurs Summit honorees represent the genius, resilience and excellence that is the legacy of Black entrepreneurship in America.”
The mission of the Entrepreneurs Summit is to provide access to the connections, capital, expertise, ideas and inspiration established and aspiring Black business owners need to make money, build companies and create wealth. The Entrepreneurs Summit will feature engagement-driven, content-rich sessions, workshops and coaching designed to help entrepreneurs expand their business networks and position their companies for opportunities and growth.
Confirmed speakers for the Entrepreneurs Summit include hip-hop mogul and No Limit Records Founder Percy“Master P” Miller; Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee Shop and Bookstore Founder Mark Lamont Hill; Glamazon Beauty Cosmetics Founder and former supermodel Kim Baker; Maconomics Founder Ross Mac; SmartHustle.com Founder and CEO Ramon Ray; Buttah Skin Founder Dorion Renaud; Lobos 1707 Tequila CEO Dia Simms; Nationwide Director of Relationship Management, Supplier Diversity and Sustainability Procurement Michelle Smith; Canvas Beauty CEO and Founder Stormi Steele; Host and Style Influencer Kela Walker; and many more.
Other sessions and highlights of the Entrepreneurs Summit:
– Tapping Into the Billion-Dollar Beauty Industry.
– Procurement Equity: Getting Your Slice of the Pie.
– Cash for Content: How To Capitalize in the Creator Economy.
– Flying High: Building A Business in Luxury Travel.
– Finding Your Flavor: Building Business & Success in the Food Industry.
– Understanding the Metaverse to Power Your Business.
– Exclusive Access to One-on-One Business Coaching.
– And More!
In addition to Entrepreneurs Summit Host sponsor Nationwide, MasterCard is a Presenting sponsor; Platinum sponsors include McDonald’s, Braun and JPMorgan Chase; and Corporate sponsors include ComcastRISE, FedEx, Instacart and Walmart.
The Entrepreneurs Summit begins Wednesday, May 18, and concludes Friday, May 20, 2022. To register and find out more information, visit www.blackenterprise.com/entrepreneurssummit. Search #BESUMMIT for additional updates and information about the Entrepreneurs Summit on social media.
‘Free The Homies’ Effort Raises Awareness On Those Still Serving Time on Cannabis-Related Charges
A partnership between a Seattle-based artist, Teddy “Stat” Phillips, and Washington cannabis company Solstice brings awareness to people still incarcerated on cannabis-related charges.
Solstice, founded in 2010, has seen a change in the attitudes and laws surrounding cannabis, but there’s still a lack of consistency in the nation’s cannabis laws.
Free The Homies, a partnership between cannabis grower Solstice and artist Teddy “Stat” Phillips, features designs raising awareness about people still serving time.
“We really focused on legalization, on medical cannabis, and fast forward 10 years—we accomplished that in Washington state, we accomplished that in a lot of states in the US, and so many people feel like the battle’s kind of over, but it’s not,” Solstice CEO and Co-Founder Will Denman told King 5 News.
Solstice launched an artist series elevating local and community voices through their platform and products. However, when they reached out to Phillips, he proposed a campaign that drew attention and raised money. That led to Free The Homies, an initiative working with the Last Prisoner Project.
The Last Prisoner Project brings together cannabis industry leaders, criminal and social justice advocates, policy and education experts, and leaders in social justice and drug policy reform to work to end this fundamental injustice. According to the organization, an estimated 40,000 individuals are currently imprisoned on cannabis-related charges.
“Even the establishment we’re in right now, they’re selling cannabis, but people who got locked up a while ago are still doing time on it,” Phillips added. “So it’s a systemic issue, but I’m happy to have partners that see the issue and want to bring awareness to it as well.”
Phillips and Solstice have created two art designs for the Free The Homies initiative. One was inspired by Monopoly’s “Get Out Of Jail Free” card, and the other recognizes Allen Russell, who is currently serving a life sentence in Mississippi for marijuana possession.
Free The Homies is also educating others on the fact that Black people are disproportionately incarcerated on cannabis-related charges while at the same time accounting for less than 2% of legal cannabis business owners.
Cannabis products featuring the artwork are currently on sale at several dispensaries in the Seattle area, including Have A Heart and The Reef, where proceeds from sales will go to the Last Prisoner Project.
Inductees Announced For The Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame June 2022 Induction
Spotlighting a cross-section of history’s most influential Black artists, entertainers and icons, the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame (BMEWOF) Crown Jewel of Excellence Black Music Month Class of 2022 Induction and Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 18.
The Black American Music Association (BAMAssoc) and the Georgia Entertainment Caucus (GEC), collaboratively announced the ceremony and plans for the Black Music Month Class of 2022 Induction.
BMEWOF founders Catherine Brewton (GEC), Demmette Guidry (BAMAssoc), Erica Thomas (GEC) and Michael T. Mauldin (BAMAssoc) are proud to unveil the names and categories of this year’s Black Music Month Class of Inductees, which includes the legendary Prince as a Legacy Inductee, according to a press release. In honor of Prince’s one-of-a-kind greatness, his June 7 birthday and 25 years of Emancipation, the closing ceremonies will end with a spectacular fireworks display, featuring one of his more popular mainstream songs “Let’s Go Crazy.”
A full list of all 16 legendary inductees are as follows:
Cathy Hughes (Foundational), Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (Foundational),Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (Foundational),Robert Smith(Foundational), RUN DMC (Foundational), T.D. Jakes (Foundational), Charlie Wilson(Mainstream),Donnie McClurkin(Gospel), Tamela Mann(Gospel), The Clark Sisters (Gospel Group), NAS (Hip Hop), Angela Bassett(Actress), Steve Harvey(Mogul),Bob Marley (International), Patti LaBelle (Legacy) and Prince (Legacy).
With a national and international appeal, the BMEWOF will acknowledge, preserve, respect and inspire the Black creative community for generations to come. Atlanta has long been the mecca of Black music and entertainment and the BMEWOF has already become a key addition, showcasing the industry’s greatest contributors.
The Crown Jewel of Excellence emblems for the inductees of the BMEWOF are permanently installed on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, in front of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The first two induction classes included: James Brown, Otis Redding, Quincy D. Jones, Stevie Wonder,Berry Gordy,Cicely Tyson,Ray Charles, and Smokey Robinson (Foundational Inductees), Michael Jacksonand Lionel Richie (Legacy), Beyoncé andMary J. Blige(Mainstream), Usher Raymond IV (Mainstream), New Edition (Mainstream Group), Shirley CaesarandYolanda Adams (Gospel), Kirk Franklinand Donald Lawrence(Gospel), BeBe and CeCe Winans (Gospel Group), Missy Elliott and Ms. Lauryn Hill (Hip Hop), Outkast and Snoop (Hip Hop), Sean Love Combs and Tyler Perry(Mogul) and Fela Kuti(International).
The Crown Jewel of Excellence emblems for June 2022 — and for every class of inductees moving forward — will continue to be added at the BMEWOF’s location in historic downtown Atlanta, preserved for all the world to see and for generations to come.
Black Woman Capitalizing on Multi-Billion Pet Care Industry With Her Line of All-Natural Shampoo Products
Maria Lee-Driver, an accomplished entrepreneur from North Carolina, is the founder of Fresh Mink Pets, a Black-owned line of all-natural pet deodorizing products including pet fume, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and sage. All of her company’s products are 100 percent free of harmful chemicals.
In the summer of 2021, Maria received an invitation to attend SuperZoo in Las Vegas to display her new line. It was there that she would find out that she was making history as the only African American participant at the conference of more than 1,000 attendees. Maria later discovered that she was the first African American to have a national pet line of products. She took it all in stride and used that momentum from the event to connect with Chewy.com, which was acquired by PetSmart for $3.35 billion in 2017. They saw the potential and offered her an opportunity of a lifetime to carry her Fresh Mink Pets products on their platform.
Her journey to manufacture the new product line in mass quantity led her to Herman Moore, the founder and chief executive officer of Team 84. Moore, a serial entrepreneur and NFL All-Pro, was excited to get behind the Fresh MinkTM Pets initiative.
“Maria checks all the boxes for the types of businesses we like to support,” said Moore.
“First, she’s a passionate entrepreneur who has already succeeded in so many areas. Second, championing female and minority-led businesses is at the top of our priority list. Team 84 is looking forward to the partnership.”
Maria’s magnetic personality has catapulted her into the public eye. She is frequently tapped to be interviewed, to host events and to make guest appearances. She has also stepped into the award presenter arena, public special engagements, radio, television and web-based opportunities.
Her lifelong dedication to the beauty industry and passion for helping people of all ages led her to create her own natural and safe product lines. Maria’s vision and desire to provide alternative solutions to mainstream chemical products are a testament to her gifts and talents to society.
For more details about her company, visit her official website at FreshMinkPets.com.
The no-holds-barred comedian finally unloaded his thoughts about the Will Smith/Chris Rock slap debacle at his recent Hollywood Bowl show where he in fact was attacked by an irate, weapon-yielding audience member.
Chappelle seemed to have mixed thoughts over the issue and actually sided with both men saying,
“I can’t judge Will Smith or Chris Rock because I see myself in both of those men.”
First Chappelle joked that he didn’t want to discuss slap-gate for fear of getting slapped himself.
“Shut the f**k up, you gonna get me slapped!”
The comedian also said Smith’s demeanor after slapping Chris Rock on the Oscars stage was probably more “gangsta” than the slap itself, noting how Smith casually walked back to his seat and laughed at jokes the rest of the night.
He also joked that Rock might have brought that slap on, saying he didn’t have “an easy delivery” when joking about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s baldness due to alopecia.
Chappelle also outlined Smith’s many successes from his start as a clean rapper who was the first rapper to earn a Grammy to his seamless transition as a mega-box office superstar. And for that, Chappelle offered some measure of understanding and withheld judgment against Smith.
Trevor Noah ‘Cried All Week’ Over His Grandmother’s Death
Trevor Noah took some time to let his fans and followers know that he’s been dealing with the loss of his beloved grandmother, Frances Noah.
On Thursday, the Daily Show host took to Instagram to share the sad news and celebrate his grandmother’s life and legacy.
“This morning our family laid to rest the oldest member of our clan Frances Noah, or as most of us referred to her, Gogo,” Noah captioned his post.
“My grandmother was born in 1927 and even though she was 95 years old, she still had the best memory of us all. Every moment spent with her felt like a magical journey through time where she would recount all of the family’s greatest joys, losses, achievements, and milestones.”
Noah started the heartwarming post with a quote from his late grandmother: “How can I smile for a photo when I don’t have teeth?” The Emmy award-winning host shared how his grandmother used her Soweto home as a “refuge” and safe space “where other women would come when they had no other place to go.
“A place where members of the community would gather to pray together every single week, a place where everyone was guaranteed to feel the love emanating from her mighty chest,” Noah shared.
He openly admitted to having “cried all week” over the loss. But “she passed away peacefully in her sleep and even blessed us with one final Mother’s Day which she enjoyed to the fullest,” Noah concluded. “Hamba Kahle Gogo.”
Viewers familiar with the show recall Gogo’s appearance on the show in 2018 in “Trevor Chats with His Grandma About Apartheid and Tours Her Home, ‘MTV Cribs’-Style.” In the 11-minute segment, Noah sat down with his grandmother in his native South Africa, where she recalled living through apartheid and shared memories from Noah’s childhood.
Ceaser Emanuel Talks Building His Tattoo Empire & Owning His Own TV Show Franchise
With over five tattoo shops across the country and a popular reality show franchise using his copywritten imprint, the owner of Black Ink and star of VH1’s Black Ink Crew,Ceaser Emanuel, couldn’t believe it took this long to get featured in BLACK ENTERPRISE!
He made sure to let us know while sharing his journey of building a tattoo empire and landing his own reality TV franchise on a major network. Emanuel was extremely happy to appear on “Hip Hop & Enterprise,” where he takes us back to his start in tattooing and how he expanded what started as one location in Harlem to a tattoo franchise with nationwide reach.
“First it was just me getting my shop and being the boss of all bosses,” Ceaser said.
But as Black Ink Crew grew in popularity and Emanuel became a TV star, the self-made artist decided it was time to expand. While the process wasn’t easy, challenges are something Emanuel enjoys.
“I always have a problem. We get uncomfortable,” he said. “I’m more accustomed to being uncomfortable. You understand? Like being comfortable, it makes me wary. I’m always good when I’m uncomfortable. I’m fine like that.”
After opening three locations in New York, one in Atlanta, and a location in Houston, a recent episode showed Emanuel’s new location in Milwaukee. The community welcomed Black Ink with open arms, and Emanuel was introduced to the city’s culture and the large community of Black business owners.
The experience is one of many that helped to reshape his views on expansion.
“The only way is you got to come out of New York, you got to expand,” he said.
“I was comfortable with Atlanta. So that’s why Atlanta was my first one. But then I saw all these other cities and all this stuff. And honestly, I got my eyes right now on at least six cities. At least Miami, Dallas, and Detroit.”
Elsewhere, Emanuel teased his newest business ventures in real estate and the industries he’s hoping to stake a claim in. Press play below to learn the latest on Ceaser Emanuel’s rising empire.
