For African Americans, Cultural Flexibility Makes International Assignments Pay Off — Really Well!
David Anderson says young professionals should consider it because it makes you valuable to your company.
According to the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, an estimated 5.5 million Americans lived abroad in 2024. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated another 180,000 U.S. citizens moved abroad in 2025, and the number is growing. While specific reasons for moving vary from person to person, many African Americans are moving for better job opportunities.
At BLACK ENTERPRISE’s 2026 XCEL Summit for Men, David Anderson, president of Amazon DSP, told young African American professionals that there are strategies to make international assignments pay off. Taking a global assignment can offer significant career and personal opportunities to explore new cultures, acquire and enhance valuable skills, and expand your professional network. And in this excerpt video from a panel discussion that Anderson participated in, he reinforced the idea that preparation and a willingness to adapt will make any international assignment work. Hear his insights on leveraging international assignments to advance your career. Based on his experience and conversations with others, Anderson says African Americans actually do well. As we gear up for the 10th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, BE wants young professionals to consider the option. The move will enhance your career, too — if only you have the bravery to do it.
Trump Faces Scrutiny For Sharing Fake Photo Of The Obamas
The Obamas are living rent free in his head
Donald Trump shared a digitally altered image on Truth Social July 5, falsely depicting former President Barack and former first lady Michelle Obama waving before boarding an Air Force One covered in graffiti, prompting renewed scrutiny of the president’s use of manipulated images targeting his political predecessor, PBS News reports. The White House and representatives for the Obamas did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The altered image showed the former first couple standing beside a presidential aircraft featuring fake graffiti that included “Yes We Can,” Obama’s 2008 campaign slogan, “Obama,” “BLM,” an abbreviation for Black Lives Matter, and the Arabic phrase “alhamdulillah,” meaning “praise be to God.”
Civil rights advocates have previously said imagery linking graffiti to Black public figures has been used to invoke racial stereotypes.
President Donald Trump on Sunday posted a falsified image of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, waving before boarding an Air Force One that had been spray-painted with graffiti. https://t.co/Nqdo5Xtpan
The social media post is the latest in a series of manipulated images Trump shared involving Obama. In February 2026, during Black History Month, Trump’s account posted an altered image portraying Barack and Michelle Obama as primates in a jungle. The image was later removed after bipartisan criticism from Republican lawmakers and civil rights organizations. Trump declined to apologize, and a staff member was later blamed for publishing the post.
The latest post came days after Trump made his first trip aboard a retrofitted Boeing 747-800, valued at approximately $400 million and provided by Qatar for presidential use. The aircraft replaces Air Force One’s traditional light-blue exterior with Trump’s preferred navy, red, and gold color scheme.
Trump also shared another digitally altered image in June depicting Obama’s presidential library in Chicago surrounded by what appeared to be garbage. In the accompanying post, Trump wrote, “The Obama Library ten years from now will be a ‘Mecca’ for those who hate America! President DJT.”
Trump has repeatedly targeted the Obamas throughout his political career, including promoting the false claim that the former president was not born in the United States, a conspiracy theory that has been widely debunked.
Just Salad, a $1 billion fast-casual restaurant chain founded in midtown Manhattan, announced a long-term partnership with Brunson as a key equity investor. Financial details of Brunson’s investment have not been made public, but sources indicate his stake is a meaningful minority share. As part of the agreement, Brunson will join Just Salad’s advisory board and play an active role in strategic brand initiatives. This is the company’s first athlete partnership and Brunson’s first direct equity stake in a restaurant.
Just Salad wins investment from Knicks MVP Jalen Brunson. It's the first restaurant investment for Brunson, or “Captain Clutch,” who has become an equity partner in the fast-casual salad chain, just weeks after winning the NBA Championship. https://t.co/YossFTBfek
While Brunson continues to pursue traditional endorsement deals with companies such as Nike and AT&T, this step signifies a calculated shift toward enterprise ownership. This wealth-building approach was pioneered by NBA leaders like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. As opposed to traditional endorsements that offer immediate income but limited decision-making power, equity ownership gives athletes a voice in shaping company strategy, greater exposure to long-term financial growth, and more influence over brand values.
This ownership stake also carries a higher risk because returns depend on the company’s prolonged success. However, it positions Brunson to benefit from the company’s future value and growth beyond the lifespan of athletic endorsement contracts.
Going From Endorsement To Equity Is A Slam Dunk
Brunson’s transition from brand ambassador to equity holder is culturally and economically significant. Historically, Black athletes have generated considerable revenue for corporations through endorsements, but were often excluded from equity participation and long-term asset growth. By joining a major fast-casual company as an equity partner, Brunson shows a shift toward financial autonomy and sets an example for future athletes to convert cultural influence into corporate ownership.
“When I started thinking about owning equity in a restaurant brand, I knew I wanted it to be more than just putting my name on something,” Brunson said in a statement. “I wanted to partner with a company whose values matched mine, and that was having a real impact in the communities it serves.”
The deal has been in development since early 2025. Unlike its main competitor, Sweetgreen, which has struggled to preserve profitability across about 250 locations, Just Salad has sustained profitability at its 125 locations.
The company reported $195 million in preliminary revenue last year, up from $160 million in 2024. Just Salad’s competitive edge comes from its commitment to sustainable practices, including reusable-bowl programs and transparent sourcing. These have differentiated the brand in a crowded, convenience-focused market. Operationally, Just Salad has prioritized efficient store formats and localized menu development. This has resulted in higher unit profitability and stronger customer loyalty. This focus on sustainability, cost discipline, and innovation makes the company an attractive platform for Brunson’s long-term investment.
“Jalen embodies everything Just Salad stands for: discipline, authenticity, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way,” said Nick Kenner, founder and CEO of Just Salad. Kenner noted the chain expects to open 30 new storefronts this year, projecting a 20% increase in overall sales.
Financial Gain Includes Giving
Brunson’s investment aligns with his philanthropic efforts in New York’s under-resourced neighborhoods. Through his Second Round Foundation, which supports equitable opportunities for youth, he recently committed more than $300,000 to the DREAM Charter School’s Scratch Food Kitchen program in the Bronx. As part of his partnership with Just Salad, Brunson will work with the brand to launch healthy eating workshops and provide subsidized meal options for low-income families in the Bronx and Harlem. This will reach an estimated 2,000 children and their families in the first year.
Additionally, Just Salad and the Second Round Foundation plan to introduce a job-training initiative that offers internships at new store locations for high school and college students from underserved communities.
By combining corporate equity with community health and employment initiatives, Brunson’s stake in Just Salad goes beyond typical athlete investments, addressing food insecurity, workforce development, and wealth disparities at the leadership level.
Cut out shot of unrecognizable young woman standing over her desk, packing a box with her belongings and office supplies after getting fired or quitting.
As Workforce Hiring Slows, Jobseekers Throw In The Towel
The report suggests the labor market is slowing as more Americans exit the workforce.
Americans participating in the workforce fell to its lowest level outside the COVID-19 pandemic in 50 years during June, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics July 2, signaling that a declining unemployment rate may reflect fewer people looking for work rather than stronger hiring,CNBC reports.
The unemployment rate edged down to 4.2%, its lowest level in a year. However, the labor force participation rate — which measures the share of the working-age population that is employed or actively seeking work — declined to 61.5%, its lowest reading since March 2021. Excluding the pandemic period, the participation rate was the lowest since 1976, according to the Labor Department.
The report suggests the labor market is slowing as more Americans exit the workforce. During June, the labor force declined by 720,000 people, while the number of people classified as outside the labor force increased by 832,000. Employers added 57,000 jobs, according to the establishment survey, but the household survey showed the number of employed Americans fell by 507,000. The employment-to-population ratio also slipped to 59%, its lowest level since October 2021.
Mike Reid, head of U.S. economics at RBC, told the outlet that the report points to multiple factors behind the decline.
“The unemployment rate fell to 4.2% as both the number of unemployed workers and the size of the labor force pulled back. This may well be a story of retirements, but could also be a story of prior job seekers dropping out of the labor force.”
While retirements and lower immigration have often been cited as reasons for declining workforce participation, the June data showed the steepest decline among prime-age workers between 25 and 54 years old. Their participation rate fell 0.6 percentage points to 83.3%, the lowest level since December 2023, according to the Labor Department.
Dan North, senior economist for North America at Allianz, said the participation rate provides a clearer picture of labor market conditions than the unemployment rate.
“What’s an important development is the participation rate, and this is a big leg down in one month, and over the past year, it’s a pretty big leg down. I think this is a more important number,” she told the outlet.
North said the latest figures also challenge common explanations for the decline.
“Looking at the statistics now, that argument doesn’t hold up so well.”
Some economists cautioned that June’s data could reflect monthly volatility, particularly because of losses in the leisure and hospitality sector. Still, Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, said the broader trend warrants attention.
“It was shocking to see 720,000 people stop looking for work entirely, and the hospitality sector shed jobs. It’s a better job market than a year ago, but opportunities are limited.”
Breast Surgeon Surrenders Medical License After Malpractice Investigation
The disciplinary action follows dozens of medical malpractice lawsuits filed against Espino since June 2025
Breast surgeon Dr. Sasa Grae Espino permanently surrendered her Virginia medical license July 1, ending her ability to practice medicine in the commonwealth following an investigation by the Virginia Board of Medicine into her treatment of two former patients, WTVR reports.
The board accepted a consent order concluding disciplinary proceedings involving patients Mandy Moore and Audrey Andrews. According to the order, Espino violated Virginia regulations governing the practice of medicine in her care of both women. Under the agreement, Espino neither admitted nor denied the board’s findings. The action became public July 2 when the board released the consent order.
The disciplinary action follows dozens of medical malpractice lawsuits filed against Espino since June 2025. According to court filings, many of the lawsuits allege Espino performed breast reconstruction procedures outside the scope of her qualifications and failed to meet the accepted standard of medical care.
Attorneys representing Espino have previously denied those allegations, maintaining that her education, fellowship training, and surgical experience qualified her to perform the procedures.
According to the consent order, a plastic surgeon who later treated Andrews concluded the operation left her with a deformity and stated the procedure “was done so poorly it was not consistent with the standard of care.” The order also states that a breast surgeon who later evaluated Moore determined Espino failed to provide appropriate follow-up care and said the preventive double mastectomy Moore underwent would not have been recommended.
Following the board’s decision, Moore and Andrews said they were relieved by the outcome.
“We trusted someone that really messed us up, mentally and physically, absolutely,” Andrews said.
“That was great news, I’ve been waiting for it for months,” Moore said. “I’m sorry it came to this, where a lot of us got hurt, scarred for life, multiple surgeries, something that is not going to go away,” Andrews remarked.
She also credited investigative reporting that brought attention to the complaints, saying, “If you hadn’t started airing these stories, it never would have happened.”
“I am just glad we put a stop to it, and she can’t do it in Virginia anymore. Amen,” Andrews said.
Espino continues to hold an active medical license in Alabama. A spokesperson for the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners said Virginia’s disciplinary action will be documented, but does not automatically affect her ability to practice in Alabama. Attorneys representing Espino had not issued additional public comments as of July 2.
The Virginia Board of Medicine licenses and disciplines physicians practicing in the commonwealth. Public disciplinary actions, including consent orders, are published as part of the board’s official records.
This 27 Year-Old Founder Built Not 1, But 2, Tech Companies With No Prior Tech Experience
After creating KB Matrix to connect textured hair stylists with clients across Europe, Netochukwu Onuoha is taking on PR with Inkognito.AI
At just 27 years old, Netochukwu Onuoha is already a serial entrepreneur, having launched two tech companies despite her education in science and law. Her latest venture, Inkognito.AI, is an AI-powered platform that helps founders and business owners identify the right PR opportunities and craft stronger pitches.
Onuoha and her co-founder, Deepali Garg, built Inkognito.AI as their project during Build Club’s Women in AI accelerator, a four-week virtual program designed to help women take AI ideas from concept to reality, where it placed third in this year’s final showcase.
“The idea came from my experience building in tech and realizing that one of the biggest challenges founders face isn’t creating the product but getting visibility and finding the right PR opportunities,” Onuoha says.
“Every founder has a story worth telling,” she continues, “and we built Inkognito.AI for the founders, business owners, and PR teams who are done sending generic outreach and getting silence back. This is the platform that automates hyper-personalized pitches, so your story finally lands.”
Here Onuoha shares her journey founding startup tech companies and how AI can be a game changer for Black entrepreneurs:
How were you able to launch two tech companies with no previous technical experience?
Most of the skills I’ve used while building KB Matrix and Inkognito AI have been transferrable skills from my legal background and experience in previous entrepreneurial ventures. I think one of the biggest misconceptions around building a startup is that founders need to be able to code in order to build a technology company.
My background is in law and sciences, I’ve always approached problems from a systems and innovation perspective. I’ve learned how to identify gaps, understand users, communicate a vision, and bring together the right people and resources to execute.
Technology is a tool. As a founder, my role is to understand the problem deeply, define the vision around building the solution, and build the ecosystem around it. I’ve used no-code tools, AI tools, partnerships, and technical collaborators to turn ideas into products.
The ability to learn quickly and leverage resources has been more important than already knowing everything.
What was the hardest thing about being a non-technical founder, and how did you overcome it?
The hardest part was initially feeling like I had to prove I belonged in the technology space.
Coming from a non-technical background, there can be moments where you question whether you have enough credibility to build a tech company. I overcame that by shifting my mindset from “I need to become an engineer” to “I need to become an effective technology leader.”
I invested time in understanding the fundamentals of how products are built and distributed, how AI works, how to communicate with technical teams, and how to make informed decisions.
I also learned that diverse perspectives are a competitive advantage. My lived experiences allowed me to identify problems and opportunities that may have been overlooked by others.
What did you learn through the process of launching your first startup, KB Matrix, that you’ve applied this time around?
KB Matrix taught me that building a startup is less about having everything figured out from day one and more about continuously validating, learning, and adapting.
With KB Matrix, I learned the importance of deeply understanding your users before building. I spent time speaking to Afro hairstylists, running educational webinars, understanding their challenges, and seeing the gaps in the industry. That customer-first approach has shaped how I’m building Inkognito.AI.
I’ve also learned that distribution is just as important as the product itself. A great product needs a community, a clear message, and a strategy for reaching the right people. With Inkognito.AI, I’m applying those lessons much earlier, focusing on user feedback, building relationships, and creating something people genuinely need.
What do you see as the opportunities in AI that Black entrepreneurs should be leveraging?
AI represents one of the biggest opportunities for Black entrepreneurs because it lowers barriers to building, creating, and scaling.
For generations, many Black founders have had incredible ideas but faced limitations around access to capital, networks, and resources. AI is changing the landscape because individuals can now automate processes, create content, analyze information, build prototypes, and operate more efficiently.
The opportunity is not just to use AI as a consumer, but to become builders and owners within this new economy.
I think there is a huge opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to create AI solutions that are culturally relevant, solve real problems within our communities, and bring perspectives that are often missing from technology development.
What’s your best advice for other Black women who want to build tech companies?
When I started building in the tech ecosystem, I felt lost but I found my way to communities like Rewriting the Code where I could connect with other likeminded women in both early and late stages of their tech profession. In Rewriting the Code, I saw the power of representation, meeting the Black women in tech “Black wings” within this community made me feel seen.
A lot of women, especially women from underrepresented and minority backgrounds, underestimate the value of the skills they already have. Tech is not only about coding, it’s also about problem-solving, creativity, communication, leadership, strategy, and understanding people.
I would encourage other Black women to see themselves as contributors to technology, not just users of it. The future of tech, especially the advancement of AI, needs diverse builders, founders, and leaders and your perspective is part of what creates better solutions.
Dr. Donald W. Comer To Be Inaugurated As Lane College’s 11th President
The institution has adopted the inauguration theme, "A Moment in Time. A Legacy in Motion."
Lane College will formally inaugurate Dr. Donald W. Comer as its 11th president during a two-day series of events scheduled for Aug. 20-21, marking the official installation of the longtime higher education advocate after his appointment earlier this year, according to the university.
The investiture ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. August 21 in Graves Auditorium inside the Chambers & McClure Academic Building on the Jackson campus. During the ceremony, Comer will receive the traditional symbols of the presidency, including the mace, Holy Bible, robe and hood, and chain of office before trustees, faculty, students, alumni, and delegates representing colleges and universities nationwide, according to Lane College.
The institution has adopted the inauguration theme, “A Moment in Time. A Legacy in Motion.”
Comer was officially named the college’s 11th president in April after serving as interim president since 2024. Before joining Lane’s administration, he spent more than three decades at FedEx and has served on the boards of several historically Black colleges and universities.
Founded in 1882 by Bishop Isaac Lane, the private historically Black college is affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. College officials said the inauguration reflects the institution’s continued commitment to its educational mission while recognizing a transition in leadership.
Events will begin Aug. 20 with the Voices of Leadership Speaker Series featuring Lane alumnus, entrepreneur, and global business executive Jesse J. Tyson, who will discuss leadership and service.
On the morning of Aug. 21, students, faculty, and volunteers will participate in a Day of Service at the J.F. Lane Building before the formal inauguration ceremony.
The celebration will conclude with the Presidential Scholarship Gala in the evening. Actor Lamman Rucker will serve as host, and Grammy Award-winning singer Chrisette Michele will perform. According to the college, proceeds from the gala will support student scholarships and other educational initiatives.
Canada Invests $5.6M To Expand Support For Black Entrepreneurs In Alberta
The investment was announced June 26 and the funding is part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program
The government is investing $5.6 million to expand resources for Black entrepreneurs in Alberta, Canada, by funding three organizations that will provide business training, mentorship, and advisory services to help more entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies, Yahoo Finance reports.
The investment was announced June 26 by Eleanor Olszewski, Canada’s minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, during the Black to the Future Summit in Edmonton. Federal officials said the funding is part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program, a national initiative created to help address longstanding barriers Black business owners face in accessing financing, mentorship, and professional networks.
The largest award, $2.6 million, will go to the Council for the Advancement of African Canadians, also known as Africa Centre, in partnership with Canadian Imperial Advantage and The Nod Foundation. The organizations will expand ACT, a provincewide initiative that provides coaching, business advisory services, digital skills training, and support for entrepreneurs seeking investment and new market opportunities.
The BIPOC Foundation will receive $1.5 million to expand its Founders Hub, which offers business planning, financial forecasting, mentorship, and investor readiness programming. Black Canadian Women in Action Society will receive an additional $1.5 million to strengthen entrepreneurship programs focused on Black women across Alberta.
“Black entrepreneurs and businesses are leaders in Alberta’s economy,” Olszewski said. “Their innovation and determination create jobs, drive growth, and strengthen communities across the province. The Government of Canada is proud to work with the organizations receiving funding today to help remove barriers to success and ensure more Black entrepreneurs have the tools, networks, and opportunities they need to start, grow, and scale their businesses.”
According to Prairies Economic Development Canada, the investment is projected to support approximately 950 businesses, train 720 participants, help create, maintain, or expand 302 businesses, and generate an estimated 280 jobs across Alberta.
The announcement builds on Canada’s broader Black Entrepreneurship Program, a federal initiative launched to strengthen Black-owned businesses through ecosystem funding, research, and access to capital.
Officials say the program is designed to expand economic opportunities while supporting long-term business growth in Black communities across the country.
A Lesson From The Rockefeller Playbook To Build Multigenerational Wealth
Chike Uzoka says the strategy is to make money while you sleep
The Rockefeller mindset, which centers on creating wealth once and making it last for generations, is a strategy Chike Uzoka has been publicly urging people to adopt for years. Uzoka is a financial advisor who works with adults and youth to develop that mindset, but, more importantly, to make sure children are in the room when adults talk about money.
It’s how children learn and understand family finances. Teaching it from a biblical perspective, Uzoka told BLACK ENTERPRISE during the XCEL Summit for Men Spotlight Series that he remembers hearing an old saying: “If you don’t create ways to make money while you sleep, then you’ll work until you die.” He didn’t find that amusing. And he’s spent his career relaying that message to his clients and helping them earn money while they sleep. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, Black Enterprise is repurposing an excerpt from that Spotlight interview to help young African Americans consider entrepreneurship as a path to building wealth for generations. Take a look.
George died of natural causes at his downtown Chicago condominium, according to his son John Edward Johnson, who confirmed his father’s death to the outlet.
“I think his legacy as a businessman and philanthropist speaks for itself,” John said.
George founded Johnson Products in 1954 after working for the Black-owned cosmetics company S.B. Fuller. The Chicago-based company developed hair care products specifically for Black consumers, including Ultra Sheen, Classy Curl, Curly Perm, and Afro Sheen.
In 1971, Johnson Products became the first Black-owned business to trade on the American Stock Exchange, marking a milestone for Black entrepreneurship in the United States.
The company also became known for pioneering marketing strategies aimed at Black consumers. It was the first Black-owned company to sponsor the nationally syndicated television program Soul Train, helping expand both the brand’s national visibility and the show’s cultural reach.
Born in a sharecropper’s shack in Richton, Mississippi, George moved to Chicago with his mother in 1929. He worked a series of jobs as a child before leaving high school to support his family. At age 17, he joined S.B. Fuller, where his experience in sales and product development laid the foundation for launching his own company a decade later.
George remained active in business and philanthropy throughout his life, supporting educational initiatives and civic organizations while mentoring generations of entrepreneurs. In 2025, he published his memoir, Afro Sheen: How I Revolutionized an Industry with the Golden Rule, from Soul Train to Wall Street, chronicling the company’s rise and his philosophy of leadership and service.
Reflecting on the principles that shaped his career, the business pioneer said in a 2025 interview, “When you help people, people will help you. And if you serve them well, they’re going to make your business successful.”
George’s legacy endures through the barriers he broke in American business, his influence on the Black beauty industry, and the opportunities he created for future generations of Black entrepreneurs.
