• Lifestyle

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 12, 2022

Nicki Minaj Working Toward Starting Own Record Label and Management Company

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In an interview with former rapper turned podcaster Joe Budden, Nicki Minaj revealed plans to focus on her entrepreneurial endeavors.

Her business aspirations include following in the footsteps of Lil Wayne, who signed her to his record label, Young Money. Not only does she intend on starting her own record label, but she also plans on managing other artists as well.

“I am creating my own management company,” Minaj told Budden. “I’m also doing my record company. I have a couple of artists that I will start the record company with. I’ll speak on that closer to album time.” She also disclose that her show Queen Radio is returning on another platform.

Minaj does have aspirations to be as successful in business as Jay-Z.

“The female rappers before me, I would always say they should have retired as moguls. And I would say, ‘Why isn’t there a female version of Jay-Z, who at that time, even when I was coming in, we could see that he was on mogul status,” she said. “So I was like, ‘I’m gonna be that person, I’m gonna do that.’ Even what I’ve done, I haven’t done what I want to do, what I need to do, what I will do yet.”

The Queens-bred rapper also spoke of giving respect to the female rappers who came before her and explained the reason she chose to get cosmetic surgery at the beginning of her career. The conversation also incorporated her fashion sense, being a trendsetter, and her questioning why she or any other rapper, specifically Lil Kim, haven’t gotten the chance to be on the cover of Vogue.

Budden also asked about her doing the Swizz Beats/Timbaland Verzuz competition and who she would go up against. She also spoke of upcoming projects, which include a documentary and potential movie role.

Check out the full interview below:

• Women

by Derek Major

March 12, 2022

Jasmine McCall Turned Around Her Bad Credit And Is Now Helping Others Do the Same

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Jasmine McCall was headed to college when she tried to open her first bank account, but she forgot to pay her first credit card bill, which left her with a bad score and an inability to open the account.

McCall was raised by a single mother along with her four siblings, and like most Black Americans, didn’t learn much about money, credit, and other financial literacy tools.

“At this point in my life, I’ve done really well for myself, but I will never forget the feeling of constantly being rejected because my mom had bad credit,” she told The Sun.

McCall decided to take on her bad credit head-on, writing letters to collection agencies after realizing she racked up additional fees that she didn’t owe. She also began paying attention to her daily transactions and eventually the dispute letters worked in her favor as credit bureaus removed the extra charges from her credit report and forgave the fees, resulting in a 100 point jump in her credit.

McCall then began coaching her family and friends with their credit scores and last summer when she was looking for a way to earn extra money after her job notified her that it would be cutting her salary, she began to think of a way to make up for it, not realizing she has a gem in her pocket.

Rather than helping people on a one-on-one basis, McCall began building a plan for a digital package of credit repair services. The package included dispute letter templates for people to use to clear up their own credit issues.

McCall’s business took off and became a success, but she didn’t stop there, creating a YouTube channel, Life With Jazzy. The channel includes McCall speaking on a range of financial topics, including collections, credit cards for kids, medical debt, and even down payments and how to raise your credit score.

“I wanted to widely share my credit boosting tips, as opposed to solely working with clients one on one. It was supposed to be a one-time thing, but there seemed to be an audience for the videos,” McCall recounted, according to The Sun.

“August of 2021 was the first time I made money from YouTube via ad revenue, a payout of $3,199, and those earnings have increased over time, up to $6,800 in one month.”

• Technology

by Black Enterprise Shop

March 12, 2022

Leave The Video Transcription To VidTags

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Prices subject to change.

Just a week away from the production set to start in New York, its star Cardi B has just pulled out of the Assisted Living cast.

The remaining cast and crew were just informed that the comedy has been temporarily canceled, according to Deadline, who broke the story. 

The $30 million project was written by This Is Us writer Kay Oyegun, set to be directed by Thembi Banks of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and produced by Temple Hill Entertainment. 

Following the story of fugitive low-level criminal Amber, the rap star’s character was to attempt to prove her innocence for a crime she did not commit. While doing so, she finds shelter in her estranged grandmother’s retirement home, and with the help of old lady prosthetics lays low in what was sure to ensue in antics during her stay at the living facility. 

The Hustlers star’s cause for exit was due to excessive commitments, as she works on her upcoming second album set to be released this year, and on top of raising her 3-year-old Kulture Kiari and a 6-month-old baby boy whose name has not been released. Her hectic work schedule also included a small role as Leysa in 2021’s F9: The Fast Saga. 

If anything, the rap star only seems to be guilty of being in high demand. 

The filmmakers of Assisted Living hope to “put the pieces back together later this year,” reports the outlet, although it is not clear if Paramount will recast the role.

In January 2021, the WAP raptress confirmed her participation in the film in a fan retweet that read, “WAP = working at Paramount.”

However, when an actor drops out of a role so soon to filming, it is usually followed by legal action, reports Deadline. The outlet also reported that the film cost an estimated $30 million.

The Bodak Yellow rapper has not yet commented on her dropping out of her first leading role of the Hollywood comedy feature.

With the recent suspension of an NFL player for gambling on NFL games, another player calls the punishment “trash.”

According to the New York Post, Atlanta Falcons player Calvin Ridley was suspended for gambling on NFL games, and New England Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon had something to say about it. He took his frustration to his Twitter account, calling the punishment handed down to Ridley “trash.”

This is trash. free Calvin https://t.co/jF3wLwGa2y

— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) March 8, 2022

Earlier this week, the NFL released a statement informing the world that Ridley was suspended indefinitely to at least the conclusion of the 2022 season due to gambling on NFL games. The league has stated that its investigation did not reveal that Ridley used any inside information that any game he betted on was compromised in any way. The probe also did not find evidence suggesting that Ridley’s coaches, staff, teammates, or other players knew of his betting activity.

“There is nothing more fundamental to the NFL’s success—and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league—than upholding the integrity of the game. This is the responsibility of every player, coach, owner, game official, and anyone else employed in the league. Your actions put the integrity of the game at risk, threatened to damage public confidence in professional football, and potentially undermined the reputations of your fellow players throughout the NFL,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a written statement.

Ridley took to Twitter and made light of his situation.

I bet 1500 total I don’t have a gambling problem

— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 7, 2022

Ridley has the chance to petition for reinstatement on or after Feb. 15, 2023. Pursuant to the NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement, he may appeal his suspension by filing notice within three days.

• Women

by Nancy E Williams

March 11, 2022

Sonia Robinson Excels in Male-Dominated Auto Service Industry

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In 2019, Sonia Robinson opened SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service in Fort Mill, S.C., after more than six years working as a regional service manager for Mobility Works, a leading dealer of wheelchair-accessible vans.

Robinson wanted to apply her industry experience to business ownership with an established brand. After researching different opportunities and meeting with some of the other franchisees, she knew SpeeDee was the right choice for her because it allows her to offer a full range of oil change and mechanical services that she wouldn’t be able to elsewhere. With Robinson’s background in customer service, owning her own shop lets her focus on building relationships and working with people, which is she loves most about the business.

She has seen excellent growth in her SpeeDee store since opening, reporting 17% growth year over year. But women have not always been so successful in business. In 1972, approximately 4.6% of businesses in the United States were owned by women. As of 2019, women own 42% of companies and that number continues

to grow. And while female-owned companies grew 21% over a five-year period, companies owned by African American women grew double that rate, according to the “2019 State of Women-Owned Business Report” commissioned by American Express.

Having been in a male-dominated industry for over 10 years, Robinson shares four tips to being successful as a Black woman in this sector:

Trust yourself and grow your confidence

Don’t be afraid to take risks—trust your gut and the strength of your skill-set; it got you this far. Women who want to succeed in life must take risks and get out of their comfort zones. When other people fear failure, embrace it because of the knowledge that this is a crucial part of success. With this, you’ll build confidence which will become essential to your long-term success.

Learn as much as you can as fast as you can, and then keep learning

You might not be automatically respected in male-dominated industries, but if you show that you know what you’re talking about, you can earn respect. Do this as quickly as possible by asking questions every chance you get and paying close attention to the answers. Remember, learning is fluid—once people stop learning, they stop growing.

Build a support team

As an entrepreneur, having a strong team adds major credibility to your business. It demonstrates growth and organization and provides a certain level of comfort to your customers. Find those all-star team members, then grow, nurture, and empower them. They will help you gain credibility and build your business.

Stay positive

Nothing generates positive morale among team members more powerfully than a good attitude. Celebrate wins—big and small—with your team, embrace and act on their feedback, and share your vision for the future. With a positive attitude and a positive team, you’ll be well on your way to achieving business milestones.

• Entrepreneurship

by Wendy Medina

March 11, 2022

National Bestselling Authors Launch Social Media Campaign To Inspire Generational Success Amongst Black Women

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The co-authors of the national bestseller, “The Little Black Book Of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women,” Marsha Haygood, Elaine Meryl Brown, and Rhonda Joy McLean, are giving back to the community by sharing career advice and mentorship.

The trio has launched a social media campaign in which they share tidbits of wisdom through infographics–a synopsis of sorts from their book–as advice for the next generation of Black women entrepreneurs, business owners, and workers alike. 

“When we first wrote our book, our goal was to have an impact on as many women of color as possible,” the women said, according to Amsterdam News.

“We curated book signings and events across the country. However, once the pandemic began, it put a halt on our plan. We had to quickly think of the best way to still empower women, even more so during these troubling times. We began doing more virtual events and coaching, and now in honor of Black History Month we have used our social media to push the messages we would usually share in person for women to take in and share with others.”

The infographics provide valuable direction for Black women looking to learn how to navigate their career to reach new heights on topics such as knowing one’s worth, speaking up within the work environment, and knowing how to use one’s power. The media graphics include the likes of award-winning professor Nikole Hannah-Jones; Ursula Burns, the first Black woman CEO of Xerox; and civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer.

Apart from invaluable business advice, the women offer virtual meetings, webinars, workshops, seminars, “Lunch-and-Learns,” motivational speaking engagements, and presentations to corporations, companies, organizations, non-profits, colleges, and universities, according to their website.

“We hope this is an initiative we can continue to push, even as in-person events return. Our goal is to propel and help as many Black women as possible enhance their professional and personal lives.” 

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 11, 2022

Dwight Howard’s Ex Royce Reed Surrenders Herself to Authorities For Felony Child Neglect

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Basketball Wives alum Royce Reed was released from jail shortly after turning herself in for felony child neglect.

On Friday, Reed was charged with third-degree felony neglect of a child in a case involving her 14-year-old son, Braylon, whom she shares with NBA star Dwight Howard, Radar Online reports. The charges aren’t directly a reflection of anything Reed did to her son.

The teen was ordered to work on issues with professionals, according to police. However, after failing to abide by a set of rules implemented by a judge, his mother was forced to pay the penalty on her son’s behalf.

After being released from jail, Reed posted a message on Instagram addressing all of the speculations into her detainment.

“I’m ready to get back to doing comedy reels and tiktoks but until then… 🤦🏽‍♀️😑 talk to my attorney Andrea Black,” she captioned the post.

“I shouldn’t even have to deal with or address this,” the reality star wrote in the post.

“1. I did not get arrested. I turned myself in because I had to. 2. Talk to my attorney. As for the picture… I was scared as s**t and was crying like a baby the whole time… I’m not ’bout that life’ but I did it and we’re gonna get through this.”

When interviewed by police, Braylon admitted to not having much of a relationship with his famous father after a fight they had. When asked the last time he spent time with Howard, Braylon said it was “when he was in town for a basketball game, which was a while ago.”

Reed and Howard battled over custody of their son in the past, with Reed accusing the NBA player of abusing their son with a belt. Orlando Sentinel reports he was later cleared of the charges following an investigation.

In October 2020, Howard responded to Braylon’s claims of being a “deadbeat dad” in an interview on the Frank Ski Show with Nina Brown.

“The only thing I will address is the issue of anybody thinking I’m a deadbeat father. Currently, I have a child with me now,” Howard said. “My son lives with me. There’s no way I could be a deadbeat dad if I have a son that lives with me. The situation with my other son, it’s unfortunate that a lot of things have been made public.”

• News

by Wendy Medina

March 11, 2022

More Censorship In Florida: GOP Passes Stop WOKE Act Limiting Discussion Of Race

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis imposed another controversial bill in his political culture war  The Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act limits discussions on race in the classroom and businesses, according to the Associated Press. 

Passed by DeSantis’ Republican-dominated legislature, the bill passed in a 24-15 party-line vote despite heartfelt speeches from Black senators. 

From mask ban mandates to banning LGBTQ+ conversations, and even establishing an election police force, DeSantis continues to wage war against his marginalized constituents as he seek reelection in the upcoming year and perhaps prepare for a 2024 presidential run. 

The bill states, “A person should not be instructed that he or she must feel guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress for actions, in which he or she played no part, committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex.”

Black senators objected to the proposal, fearing African American history taught in schools will be distorted and the flood of lawsuits that will come if white students’ parents feel some type of way that their child learns the truth about slavery and racism in America.

While at the current moment it only applies to K-12 public schools, this sets a dangerous precedent that may bleed into universities.

It doesn’t stop there. The bill will also limit how private businesses teach race sensitivity, something that Democrats deem unconstitutional.

“This is a continuation of a national agenda to whitewash history all because we don’t want white children to feel uncomfortable about true Black history,” said Black Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones.

“Just because you don’t like the truth, doesn’t mean you try to hide behind it.”

Jones continued in his speech about the racial injustice faced daily in Florida to the killing of Trayvon Martin. 

“This is the so-called free state of Florida,” he said. “This is exactly what Florida has always been. Florida has not changed yet. We still have a ways to go…This will forever be a stain on history.”

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 11, 2022

DMX’s Fiancee Reveals His 5-Year-Old Son Exodus Has Been Diagnosed With Stage 3 Kidney Disease

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Less than a year after DMX’s  Desiree Lindstrom had to bury the late rapper, she is revealing more heartbreaking news.

Lindstrom took to Instagram last week to share a clip from her recent interview with Raquel Harper, where she revealed that her 5-year-old son Exodus is battling kidney disease.

“Exodus is an amazing child! Blessed to be his mother through this journey,” Lindstrom captioned the video clip.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Desiree Lindstrom 🐾 (@desi123love)

Lindstrom highlighted her choice to make the revelation during March.

“March is the month that brings awareness to kidney disease,” she wrote. “Take the time to learn about CKD. Knowledge is key.”

While on Harper’s “It’s Tricky” podcast, the host asked Lindstrom about Exodus’s “condition.” It was a hint that the sensitive topic was something Lindstrom let Harper know she was open to discussing on-air.

“Exodus is stable. He still has stage 3 kidney disease, and I continue to keep his potassium down,” Lindstrom shared. “I’ve just continued to keep his potassium down; he can’t eat high potassium foods.”

“He goes to the doctor very often,” she noted.

On Thursday, Lindstrom followed up the reveal by sharing a video of her young son in honor of National Kidney Day.

“National Kidney Day…March 10th! Blessings from our family to yours! Exodus is a CKD Warrior and an amazing child,” she captioned the post.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Desiree Lindstrom 🐾 (@desi123love)

Elsewhere in the interview, Lindstrom touched on how she’s still mourning the loss of DMX. She admitted her “life changed so fast” after his passing from a cocaine-induced heart attack last April.

“I haven’t moved on – it’s hard, you know?” Lindstrom said. “It’s really hard. I just take it minute-by-minute. Some people say you could take it day-by-day, but it’s second-by-second.”

She admitted to going “up and down with emotions” in the wake of the rapper’s death, adding, “I have to really force myself to keep it moving, keep going.”