Former Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Teams Up With CGI Merchant Group For $250 Million Investment Partnership
Former boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced a new investment collaboration with the CGI Merchant Group, a commercial real estate investment firm.
According to Forbes, Mayweather and CGI made the announcement at the former boxer’s 45th birthday party. Since he stopped throwing punches, Mayweather has spent his time building a business empire that includes his ownership in The Money Team Racing (TMTR), which qualified for the Daytona 500, and Mayweather Boxing Fitness, which uses his unique training techniques for boxing-based fitness sessions. Mayweather Boxing Fitness has more than 6,000 franchise applications.
The boxer also empowers the Black community and the youth, promoting health, wellness, and education through the Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation.
Now, Mayweather and former New York Yankees infielderAlex Rodriguez are investing in CGI’s $650 million opportunity fund. The partnership is part of the boxer’s commitment to creating generational wealth and educating other athletes to achieve business success after their playing days are over.
“My focus is on creating generational wealth and doing it with partners that share my values and drive for excellence,” Mayweather told Forbes.
CGI’s investment portfolio includes the Gabriel South Beach Hotel and the Gabriel Downtown Hotel in South Florida. Along with Mayweather and Rodriguez, the group is now looking to spend $375 million on the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C.
Mayweather is looking forward to his partnership with CGI and CEO Raoul Thomas.
“After getting to know CGI, I saw an opportunity to collaborate and share with other athletes and friends my ambition of establishing long-term wealth outside of sports through real estate investing,” he said according to Forbes.
Mayweather went undefeated in his boxing career, which began in 1996 and ended in 2015, finishing 50-0 and winning 15 world championships in multiple divisions, including lightweight, super featherweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight.
The former champion is also an investor in several buildings in New York City, including One Vanderbilt, the tallest building in the city.
Central Park Five’s Raymond Santana Files for Divorce from ‘Flavor of Love 2’ Winner Deelishis — and It’s Getting Messy
One of the “Central Park Five,” Raymond Santana, has recently filed for divorce from Flavor of Love alum Deelishis, born Chandra Davis, after only being married for 20 months.According to TMZ, the couple is heading toward splitsville after Santana filed the divorce papers in Georgia.Santana and Deelishis initially met through Instagram in late 2019.The two eventually married six months later and separated on Nov. 7 as Santana states that their marriage is “irretrievably broken with no hope of reconciliation.”Deelishis posted a since-deleted message on her Instagram account that read “I married a narcissist who is a complete liar and a cheat and I’m finally ready to speak my truth… stay tuned. #GlovesOff”
(Instagram)She then changed the caption of the post to say:“Today I appear to be by myself, but I’m not ALONE 🙏🏼❤️‼️ #InGodsTiming#JustLONDON“
Although they will no longer be a couple, and it seems like it could be messy, they recently filed an arrangement with the court to settle most of the legal issues between the two of them. Both have agreed that neither party would pay the other alimony for starters, the outlet reports.
Santana was a victim of the justice system when he and his four friends were wrongfully accused of raping a white woman in Central Park in 1989.
The five young teenagers were arrested on Apr. 19, 1989, for a brutal attack on Central Park jogger Trish Meili. They were convicted and served various prison terms until a confession by a convicted rapist and murderer Matias Reyes, who admitted that he violently attacked Meili in the park that night. The five men were eventually released and later pursued a civil lawsuit against the City of New York and were awarded a $41 million settlement back in 2014. They have since been rebranded as “The Exonerated Five.”
Director Ava DuVernay spearheaded an award-winning movie, When They See Us , about their lives.
Deelishis was a featured contestant in the reality TV series Flavor of Love 2, winning the competition to be in a relationship with hip-hop artist Flavor Flav.
Planned Parenthood Promotes Self-Care In New Audio Series By Black and Latina Wellness Experts
Self-care can look different for everyone. For people of color, the emotional impact from the heaviness of pandemic life coupled with racial trauma and the ongoing violence in the community is a full-time experience within itself.
Planned Parenthood is inviting the communities of Black, Latina women, and nonbinary people to reset, reflect, and be seen through TONE—a new audio series of self-care playlists, according to a press release. While at the forefront of mental health, Black, Latina, and nonbinary wellness experts participate in the series to offer an encouraging and empathetic collection of “culturally relevant meditations, visualizations, affirmations, and words of self-care wisdom.” TONE Volume One also features original music composed by Black, Latina, and nonbinary members.
According to Muse By Clio, listeners will be able to hear the voices of ambitious contributors, including Blair Imani, educator, best-selling author, and creator of #SmarterInSeconds; Isis King, the first trans woman to compete on America’s Next Top Model; Jacquelyn Ogorchukwu, racial wellness expert and founder of Making the Body a Home; Sasheer Zamata, comedian, writer and women’s rights advocate; and more.
“We are saying to these communities: We see you—all of you,” Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, told Muse By Clio.
“Not just you, the patient visiting our health centers, or caregiver you, or savior you. We see you trying to keep it together all the damn time. We see your Herculean efforts to be strong, to continue to protest police violence and to show up at work, and for your families, and communities. And we want to affirm all of that and say, “Hey, sis. Don’t forget to take care of you.”
Agency Virtue Worldwide created the project in collaboration with Refinery 29/Unbothered. It serves as an extension of the Planned Parenthood “Be Seen” brand campaign, which aims to “illuminate the inextricable link between sexual and reproductive health care and racial justice, gun safety, climate change, and LGBTQ+ and immigrants’ rights—core issues that are important to a younger generation.”
“We wanted to create a solution that would have a lasting impact on our audience, not just a fleeting 90-second film or traditional ad,” said Shakyra Moore, senior creative, Virtue. “It’s a tangible tool that can help improve the quality of lives and expose many to new ways to care for their minds, bodies, and communities.”
Tone Volume One streams across Apple and Google podcast platforms and Amazon Music.
The upcoming TONE Volume Two made in partnership with Refinery29/Somos will cater specifically to the Latino community and will be released soon.
New Grambling State Offensive Coordinator Art Briles Resigns After Backlash From Previous Sexual Assault Scandal
A controversial former football head coach who was just hired as an offensive coordinator at an HBCU has resigned less than a week after taking the position.
According to CBS Sports, Art Briles, who was recently brought on as offensive coordinator for Grambling State University, has decided to relinquish the position after the backlash sparked by his hiring. Briles was involved in controversy when Baylor University fired him in 2016. The school determined that he did not take any actions against players accused of sexual assault during his tenure.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of your coaching staff at Grambling State University,” Briles said in a statement released earlier this week as reported by the Associated Press.
“Unfortunately, I feel that my continued presence will be a distraction to you and your team, which is the last thing that I want. I have the utmost respect (for) the university, and your players.”
Briles’ decision was made after first-year coach Hue Jackson hired him and it caused backlash from prominent sports figures including former Grambling State alumni Doug Williams. Williams, who currently works for the Washington Commanders and led the formerly named Redskins team to a Super Bowl title as the first Black quarterback in 1988, balked at the hiring.
The Washington Post reported that Williams, special adviser to Commanders President Jason Wright, said he had a conversation with Grambling Athletic Director Trayveon Scott several times and the school knew where he stood on the hiring of Briles.
“I don’t know Art Briles; I’ve never met him in my life,” said Williams, who also coached Grambling State twice in previous years. “But the situation, nobody else would hire him for whatever reason. I don’t know why Grambling State had to go be the one to hire him, so I’m not a fan at all.”
Briles has not coached since May 2016 after being suspended and fired after eight seasons after an independent investigation into Baylor’s handling of sexual assault allegations during his tenure. Pepper Hamilton L.L.P. discovered that Briles and his staff had not properly handled Title IX issues on his football team.
Baylor’s athletic director Ian McCaw and university president, Ken Starr, also resigned because of the scandal.
The Mocha Podcasts Network (MPN) is proud to announce and celebrate the groundbreaking win of the “Two Funny Mamas” podcast hosted by veteran comedienne and actress Kym Whitley and actress, comedian, author, and television personality Sherri Shepherd NAACP Image Award.
During the 53rd NAACP Image Awards’ Virtual Experience presented by WellsFargo and hosted by actor and comedian Affion Crockett, the show won outstanding Podcast in the lifestyle and Self-Help category.
“What a magical moment to win my very first NAACP Image Award on the most unique day (2/22/22) of the century. Sherri and I are truly honored that people enjoy our chaotic journey through motherhood,” exclaims Whitley. It’s a remarkable feeling to be on the heels of celebrating the network’s first anniversary and the ‘TwoFunny Mamas’ receiving an esteemed NAACP Image award, it’s a testament to the importance of diverse content and there is no better messenger than Black women!’ says Sheila Eldridge, CEO of miles ahead Entertainment & BroadcastingandMocha Podcasts Network founder. The win couldn’t come at a better time, especially with the excitement of Sherri getting ready to headline and premier her daytime show in the fall.
Mocha Podcasts Network has built a platform dedicated to amplifying ‘conversations from a black perspective’ in just one year. Some of the shows on the network include Café Mocha, Rolonda On Demand, Two Funny Mamas, En Vogue’s Funky Divas, Vegan Sexy Cool, B Lifted Up, The Whole Woman and new podcasts from the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), Been Worthy the Podcast and On the Way. With dynamic storytelling and the thought leadership from the network’s leading voices, MPN has generated well over 100,000 downloads monthly. Moreover, the Network has garnered the support of diverse sponsors and advertisers such as PG, AARP, Hello Fresh, FX, One United and Better Help to name a few.
Eldridge has created a unique business model for the network that includes a dual sales team with R2D Marketing Group and Podcast Ad Reps LLC (PAR). The latter was just acquired by Libsyn –that is sure to accelerate the network’s growth aligned with the AdvertiseCast Marketplace. “We represent a unique lifestyle brand for advertisers with Kym and Sherri leading the charge. It’s similar to the strategy 12 years ago when we launched the Café Mocha radio network with hosts Loni Love, Angelique Perrin, and then Mc Lyte; today representing 70% of the Top African American populated cities.
With over 2,000,000 published podcasts streaming online and more than 48 million episodes available for listening, according to Podcasting Insights, without a doubt, MPN is ahead of the curve with a thriving future in the podcasting industry.
To learn more about Mocha Podcasts Network, visit www.mochapodcastsnetwork.com and follow @mochapodcastsnetwork on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Barbie Honors Shonda Rhimes & More With One-Of-A-Kind Doll As Part Of International Women’s Day Campaign
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Barbie will honor 12 female role models and entrepreneurs from across the globe, including Shonda Rhimes, with one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls in their likeness.
Today, Mattel, Inc. announced Barbie is partnering with entrepreneurs and role models to inspire the next generation of leaders and dreamers this International Women’s Day, according to a release provided to BLACK ENTEPRISE.
Through a multi-faceted campaign to increase access to female role models, support female entrepreneurs, and partner with like-minded global programs, Barbie is committed to help build confidence and reinforce the limitless potential of girls everywhere.
Throughout the world, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles.
In fact, NYU’s Cognitive Development Lab research** led by Professor of Psychology, Dr. Andrei Cimpian, and Assistant Professor of Psychology, Dr. Andrea Vial, whose post-doctoral fellowship was funded by Mattel, uncovered that girls aged 5-10 are less likely to raise their hand for leadership positions, such as stepping up to be in charge of a group activity, and also perceive social backlash from volunteering to take on more responsibility. However, in the final stage of the study, researchers found that when exposed to female role models, girls – and boys – are more likely to volunteer to lead a group activity. This latest finding expands on ‘Dream Gap’ research that has shown that starting at age five, girls start doubting their potential and lose confidence in their own competence.
To address this barrier to girls’ success, Barbie established the Barbie Dream Gap Project in 2018, a multi-year global initiative created to raise awareness around limiting factors that prevent girls from reaching their full potential. Since launching, the brand has committed over one million dollars through the Barbie Dream Gap Project to nonprofit partners on a mission to achieve equality by fueling education, leadership skills and mentorship opportunities for girls.
“We know that children are inspired by what they see around them, which is why it’s so important for young girls to see themselves reflected in role models who’ve daringly pushed past roadblocks and overcome the Dream Gap to become the brave women they are today,” said Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel.
“This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to honor 12 global trailblazing women to help empower the next generation of female leaders by sharing their stories.”
Barbie is marking International Women’s Day and inspiring girls to dream big around the world by:
HONORING 12 GLOBAL FEMALE ROLE MODELS TO REMIND GIRLS THEY CAN BE ANYTHING by shining a light on women who are leaders in their respective industries of tech, wellness, STEM, education and more with one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls in their likeness. The global lineup of role models includes:
Shonda Rhimes (United States) – Founder of American Television Production Company Shondaland
o Ari Horie (United States/Japan) – Founder & CEO, Women’s Startup Lab and Women’s Startup Lab Impact Foundation
o Pat McGrath (United Kingdom) – Makeup Artist and Founder of Pat McGrath Labs
o Melissa Sariffodeen (Canada) – CEO and Co-Founder of Canada Learning Code and Ladies Learning Code
o Adriana Azuara (Mexico) – Founder of All4Spas
o Doani Emanuela Bertain (Brazil) – Teacher and Founder of Sala 8
o Jane Martino (Newton) (Australia) – Chair and Co-Founder of Smiling Mind
o Lan Yu (China) – Fashion Designer
o Butet Manurung (Indonesia) – Founder and Director of SOKOLA
o Sonia Peronaci (Italy) – Founder of Italian food website, ‘GialloZafferano’
o Tijen Onaran (Germany) – CEO and Founder of Global Digital Women and Co-Founder of ACI Diversity Consulting
o Lena Mahfouf (France) – Digital Creator, Videographer and Author of ‘Always More’
As part of the global campaign to inspire the next generation of leaders and dreamers, Barbie is:
Expanding its research on the ‘Dream Gap’ to recognize limiting factors that prevent girls from reaching their full potential – finding that when girls are exposed to female role models, they become more likely to volunteer to lead a group activity
Connecting young girls with more female role models through its first-ever global Barbie Dream Gap Project partnership with Inspiring Girls International
Launching a curated shop from diverse, female-founded brands featuring a range of limited edition, giftable products in fashion, beauty and accessories
Celebrating Barbie in NFT art collection
(Barbie dolls showcasing the BarbieStyle Collection)
Citigroup Promotes Former Fraud Prevention Head Titi Cole To Lead Legacy Franchises
Citigroup has announced the promotion of Titi Cole as the chief executive officer of its legacy franchises segment, which consists of the consumer businesses the bank is exiting.
Cole, who has been with Citi group since 2020 when she was hired as Citigroup’s head of global operations and fraud prevention, has more than three decades experience in banking, risk and wealth management, credit underwriting, management consulting, and a bevy of other financial areas.
Cole said in a statement she is excited about yet another new opportunity with Citigroup.
“I am excited about the opportunity to lead our legacy franchises team,” Cole said in an emailed statement to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “We have a great team and will deliver on our strategic priorities with a focus on excellence and empathy.”
The Northwestern University graduate spent more than four years at Wells Fargo as an executive vice president and head of consumer and small business banking operations and contact centers. She also spent more than five years at Bank of America as a senior vice president leading retail products and underwriting for the bank’s consumer credit card, debit and checking businesses, credit card underwriting and fulfillment, and the enterprise payments network group.
Cole praised Citigroup for its commitment to a diverse workforce and for being a bank that makes it a point to make sure its employees are supported.
‘I joined Citi about 18 months ago and remain impressed by the quality of the people, led by our CEO Jane, and our focus on transforming Citi to be a bank with a soul that delivers with excellence for our clients, shareholders, and communities we serve,” Cole told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Jeremiah Taylor, Caretaker of Young Dolph’s Memorial Site, Shot and Killed
A young man who kept the memorial for deceased rapper Young Dolph tidy by regularly looking after it was shot and killed last week.
According to Fox 13 Memphis, Jeremiah Taylor, who visited the site of Young Dolph’s memorial several times a week to keep maintenance up on it was shot and killed, according to the outlet. With no leads on who shot him, he was found dead on Getwell Road and the Memphis Police Department is searching for suspects in the fatal shooting.
Taylor was slain in front of Makeda’s Butter Cookies, the same place Young Dolph was also killed.
According to Fox 13, Adolph Robert Thornton Jr., who was known to hip-hop fans as Young Dolph, was shot to death reportedly buying cookies at Makeda’s Butter Cookies back in November 2021. The owner of the store, Maurice Hill, told the media outlet that employees of the store said the 36-year-old rapper walked into Makeda’s Butter Cookies and was ambushed by the killer who drove up and fired off shots, killing Young Dolph in the early afternoon at the bakery in South Memphis.
ABC 24 Memphis featured Taylor back in November for the work he was doing for the upkeep of the memorial.
“I want people around the world to know we care about Dolph,” Taylor said in the video clip. “The love he had with people. A lot of people are realizing and now seeing the person that he always was. Taking care of his community, being a philanthropist, and really promoting financial independence. [It’s] a moral that he taught.”
Justin Johnson, 23, and 32-year-old Cornelius Smith were charged, according to NME, with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, employment of a firearm, and theft of property over $10,000 in relation to Young Dolph’s murder. The two suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Another man, Shundale Barnett has also been charged with being an accessory. He was released on Jan. 21 and has gone missing. An arrest warrant has been issued by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Devin Burns and Joshua Taylor were named as persons of interest by the Memphis Police Department last week in connection to Young Dolph’s murder. A $2,000 reward was offered for their arrests.
‘Tacky’: Vivica A. Fox Blasts Laverne Cox’s Red Carpet ‘Entanglement’ Comment
On Sunday, an awkward interview on the red carpet at the 2022 SAG Awards went viral and left actress Vivica A. Fox with a bone to pick.
The star-studded red carpet was hosted by Laverne Cox, where she stunned in a metallic sheer dress and interviewed several heavyweights in the industry, including Will and Jada Pinkett Smith.
As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, just before the ‘King Richard’ lead actor won the first SAG Award of his career, Cox stopped the couple to thank them for “for all the years of joy you’ve brought us.” The “Orange Is the New Black” actress continued to say she “can’t wait for more ‘Red Table Talk’ and more entanglements,” referring to Jada’s extramarital affair and popular Facebook series.
While many people found the joke to be comical, the hosts of “Cocktails With Queens” weighed in on the viral moment during its latest episode and Fox, one of the co-hosts, didn’t find Cox’s joke to be funny at all.
“Talk about wrong place, wrong time,” Fox said. “… As [Jada’s] standing next to her husband, who is absolutely in line to win an Oscar for playing the role of Richard [Williams] in the Venus and Serena Williams’ story, King Richard… I just thought it was tacky.”
Fox added that Cox seemed to be pulling a viral moment stunt, but said when “you’re climbing the ladder of success” you have to be careful “who you choose to insult.”
“Because darling, please remember that Will Smith and Jada are a power couple. They do a lot of work, they’re very well-connected,” she explained. “There are people that now, when you go on the red carpet, they’re gonna walk right past your a**, quickly.”
Baltimore Man Who Blamed Wife’s Death on Panhandlers Handed Life Sentence for Killing Her
In December 2018, a Baltimore man who claimed that a panhandler killed his wife during an alleged robbery has been handed down a life sentence for the murder.
According to CBS Baltimore, 55-year-old Keith Smart was sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife, Jacquelyn Smith in 2018. He initially stated his wife was fatally stabbed by the hands of a panhandler. Smart was also sentenced to three years for a deadly weapon with intent to injure.
Breaking…
Keith Smith sentenced to life for the murder of his wife.
Below is our story from when he was convicted in December.
Keith Smith Convicted Of First-Degree Murder In Wife’s Killing – CBS Baltimore @wjz https://t.co/MeafKpMSkV
Jacquelyn’s sister, Yzonne Saab was pleased with the outcome of the case.
“This didn’t bring her back but we were elated and feel that definitely justice was served,” Saab said. “And as I said on the record, the judge was very poignant and to the point. You could tell that she really reviewed this case thoroughly and made a decision that made us very happy.”
In December 2021, Smith’s daughter, Valeria Smith, 31 admitted to assisting her father in covering up the killing of her stepmother on Dec. 1, 2018, and blaming it on panhandlers. According to Law & Crime, Valeria pleaded guilty in 2019 to being an accessory after the fact.
According to authorities, Keith Smith told police officers that he was driving home in Baltimore with Jacquelyn and Valeria after celebrating the latter’s birthday. He said Jacquelyn gave some panhandlers $10 through the car window, but then they snatched her necklace, took her purse, and stabbed her multiple times. Keith told police the suspects were a man in a blue hoodie, who allegedly stabbed Jacquelyn and a woman in a brown coat who was carrying a baby.
Police officer Sgt. Daniel Santos testified in Valeria’s case that police officers couldn’t find the crime scene of the alleged robbery although they returned to the exact intersection where Keith Smith said it happened. They did not find any evidence that the robbery occurred or either of the panhandlers.
Valeria said she helped her father try to cover up the murder by throwing away Jacquelyn’s purse at a bus stop.
Keith and Valeria were arrested just 20 minutes from the Mexico border.
After the verdict was delivered earlier this week, Baltimore State Attorney Marilyn Mosby stated, “Keith Smith will now justly serve a life sentence in prison for violently stabbing his wife to death and then creating an elaborate cover-up plan to cowardly blame panhandlers for his horrific attack. Today, the public can rest assured that justice was served in a case that manipulated the hearts and minds of our country.”
