During a speech at the Feb. 11 screening of Netflix documentary jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy in Los Angeles, Kanye West took the stage to encourage and further progress Black ownership, an idea at the core of his newly conceived mantra, Black Future Month. 

The documentary provides an intimate look behind-the-scenes over a 20-year span of the music and fashion mogul. It made its world premiere at the virtual Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 23 and will have a three-week run on Netflix starting on Feb. 16.

Ye spoke about cancel culture and community support, ultimately urging his supporters to reach new frontiers. He also admitted to declining $100 million for exclusive streaming rights for his 10th studio album, DONDA. 

“That’s just a smokescreen, and it’s for us to take this. We on labels we don’t own, play for basketball teams we don’t own. The time is now. I got offered $100 million by Larry Jackson to put DONDA on Apple, but I ain’t never got a meeting with Tim Cook. So it ain’t about the money, it’s about our power and out respect collectively. So I be saying stuff that people try to remind me in Black History Month that people got killed for. But this is Black Future Month,” West said. 

The Yeezy designer stood alongside directors Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah, and rapper DaBaby to promote the importance of protecting each other and standing by one another as a Black community.

“People try to cancel us and we all run away from each other… we not talking to each other, not communicating, and that’s why on Black Future Month we stood up and said, ‘We got to stand next to each other and we ain’t gonna let each other go when someone brings up one mistake that someone did,’” he said in an Instagram video posted by designer Tracey Mills. 

Act 1 for jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy will be available for streaming on Netflix on Feb. 16, while the 2nd and 3rd acts will be released each consecutive week.

• Technology

by Black Enterprise Shop

February 13, 2022

Enjoy A Vast Amount Of Cloud Storage With G Cloud Mobile

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These days, it seems like our entire lives are stored on our personal devices.

Making calls are just one of the many things people’s smartphones today can do. They also serve as notepads, text communications devices, photo hubs, and many other functions that we’ve come to rely upon.

All that is well and good until we run out of memory and are forced to start deleting sentimental and important things from our phones.

Leave memory in the past with G Cloud Mobile Backup 100GB Plan. For a limited time, a three-year subscription is available for the low price of $15.29 with the coupon code VDAY2022. That’s a savings of 89% from its MSRP ($71).

More than five million people have downloaded G Cloud Mobile Backup.

With fully accessible storage, migrate your call logs, your contacts, your messages, or any media to an Android or Apple device. Backup multiple devices with just a single G Cloud account.

Rest assured knowing you have superior security with Amazon AWS cloud with military-grade 256 AES encryption. If you somehow find yourself without access to the G Cloud app, you can access all your content and account from a web browser.

G Cloud Mobile Backup is truly an all-in-one program. You can share, view, play, and listen to all of your data directly from the cloud.

G Cloud Mobile Backup has received rave reviews. It currently is rated 4.5 stars on the Google Play Store, and TechRadar has given it a 4-star rating. Active updates are included with your purchase of a three-year subscription, and the software can be accessed on mobile devices or desktop computers.

Smartphones have changed the way people not only communicate with each other, but they’ve allowed a whole new medium to consume and save information. Ensure you don’t miss out on any by purchasing access to this cloud storage.

Prices subject to change.

Florida rapper Kodak Black and three other people were shot outside of a Los Angeles club shortly before 3 am on Saturday. 

TMZ reported that Kodak, Lil Baby and Gunna were standing on the corner outside of The Nice Guy Club for  Pre-Super Bowl weekend festivities. As the 24-year-old emcee took photos and smiled with fans, a fight broke out as the men laughed and joked, and the scene suddenly turned violent. Kodak reportedly swung on someone, and an unidentified man brandished a pistol, firing at least ten shots during the melee.

The “Skrilla” rapper was reportedly shot in the leg. Two people were taken to the hospital via ambulance, and the other two transported themselves. Everyone was reported to be in stable condition.

 Kodak and his posse went to the nightclub where Justin Bieber had an after-party following an earlier performance at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Other guests who attended the pre-Super Bowl soiree included Drake, Khloe Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) shared a press release on Twitter on Saturday. Police are looking for a Black male suspect who left the scene.

LAPD News: Early Morning Shooting Leaves Four Injured (NR22039dm) pic.twitter.com/tx14bdnriH

— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) February 12, 2022

The day before, Kodak posted a photo of himself and BMF’s Lil Meech chilling in Los Angeles on Instagram.

“Wit Da Squad In LA … Raned [sic] Into My N***a @lilmeechbmf & The Gumbo Family @flytrap_gumbo,” he captioned the flick.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kutthroat Bill (@kodakblack)

Kodak was in the news again recently– this time to celebrate the birth of his baby girl, Queen Yuri Kapri. She was born on Jan. 21. The newborn’s arrival was his “anniversary gift,” celebrating one year of freedom after being sentenced to almost four years for falsifying documents to obtain a firearm. Former President Trump pardoned him last January. 

• News

by Keka Araújo

February 12, 2022

After Five Years, Memphis Woman Finally Sentenced To 51 Years In Prison For Murdering Her Four Small Children

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After five long years, a Tennesee woman finally faces the repercussions of stabbing her four small children to death in Memphis. Her oldest son, who was seven-years-old ran at the time, ran from the home and survived.

On Feb. 8, Magistrate James Lammey handed down a 51-year sentence to Shanynthia Gardner, now in her mid-30s, during a sentencing hearing for the gruesome murders. The woman is required to serve that specific number of years behind bars before being eligible for parole. Although Gardner tried to plead insanity, Lammey dismissed the claim. 

In place of having a jury, Lammey found Gardner guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, child abuse, child endangerment and child abuse during a bench trial on Dec. 21, 2021. 

Shelby County prosecutor held a news conference regarding Gardner’s sentence.

On July 1, 2016, Gardner slit the throats of the youngest children– Tallen,4, Sya, 3, Sahvi, 2, and six-month-old Yahzi, inside of the Greens of Irene Apartments in Memphis. A neighbor called the police after seeing Gardner’s oldest son, Dallen, screaming and yelling for help. The same neighbor claimed to see Gardner leave her apartment with a knife. When police arrived at the Memphis apartment, they discovered Gardner with cuts on her neck and wrists. Deputies found the bodies of the four children in two separate rooms.  

“I know this is the work of the devil,” Sonya Clayton, Dallen’s grandmother, told reporters. She also disclosed that she hadn’t seen Gardner in years. “I know this is not Shanynthia. And I pray and love Shanynthia.”

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigated to see Gardner had ever been investigated by the Department of Children and Family Services. There had not been any previous complaints.

In court, Gardner’s husband Martin, the father of Tallen, Sya, Sahvi and Yahzi, testified that he had spoken with his wife on the day of the murders. She told the grieving father that they were going to watch a movie. Martin disclosed that nothing seemed out of the ordinary. 

Gardner’s sister, Ashley Snodgrass, also testified that her sister had a history of mental health issues. Snodgrass claimed her sister was ‘talking in circles” just days before killing her children. She also said that her sister often seemed paranoid.

It’s not known if the woman will appeal the sentence. 

Kate Dixon, the 17-year-old newly crowned Miss Washington Teen USA has gone viral after a TikTok video resurfaced showing her hurling the n-word and other racist language. 

After winning the title, Dixon is set to represent the state of Washington at Miss Teen USA 2022, but many are calling to revoke her crown. 

In the 2018 clip now with more than 11 million views, Dixon is heard saying, “Gang s—, n—-,” in a car with friends and other racist language. Her defense: she was coerced into saying it by upperclassmen. 

friendly reminder that THIS is who just won the title of miss wa teen usa. for years, comments like Kate Dixon’s have been overlooked causing an unacceptable toleration of racism. #missteenwausa #missteenwashingtonusa #missteenusa #missusa pic.twitter.com/G5QBjVZb1j

— lo ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ☆ (@tallblondiee) February 10, 2022

Dixon has since apologized saying she is “very deeply sorry” for using a racial slur.

However, Pageants Northwest, the organizer of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organization across four states, was well aware of the video at the time of consideration for the pageant in October 2020, according to FOX 13.

Ultimately, they still allowed Dixon to compete for the crown because of the pageant’s mission statement to “be the best versions of themselves.”  

Maureen Francisco, executive producer of NW Productions, stated, “If somebody admits fault to it, has apologized and says ‘hey, I want to work on being the best version of myself, and that’s why I want to be part of your community,’ how do you turn your back away?” 

Hannah Merritt, a Black teen who finished as third runner-up, was disheartened with Pageants Northwest’s decision. 

“As an African American woman who’s walked that stage four times and has the weight of so many little girls on my shoulders, to know that Kate, who will never understand that, won, it’s just really tiring,” said Merritt.

Dixon says she has learned her lesson and hasn’t used the word to this day. TikTok users, however, are coming for her crown.

“Literally take her crown back,” said a user.

“To show racism is still at the heart of this country;” said another commenter.

“The caucasity never ends,” said another.

Pageants Northwest stands by Dixon. 

A new docuseries Profiled: The Black Man, executive produced by Tina Knowles-Lawson, aims to dismantle the damning stereotypes society has placed upon Black men.

In the series, Knowles-Lawson reveals an unsettling exchange she had with a white woman about son-in-law Jay-Z, PEOPLE reports.

The generalized belief that Black men are considered dangerous robs real-life people of their humanity and Knowles-Lawson is on track to change that narrative by confronting this image the media has portrayed.

“I can remember getting on a plane, and an older white woman saying, ‘Oh, your son is a gangster rapper, right? How did you let him marry your daughter?'” she recalled in a CBS preview clip. 

The powerhouse couple have 51 Grammys between them, deemed top most influential artists, have supplied massive charitable contributions, aid foundations, scholarship programs, social justice support, yet all this white woman could come up with was gangster rapper.

“It was just shocking to me and I said, ‘No, actually, my son is a CEO,’” she continued. “She didn’t think of him as a CEO, or even a talented celebrity that was a great businessman. At that time, I remember thinking, ‘I can’t be mad at her, because that is what the media portrays.'”

Profiled: The Black Man addresses the controversial topics of how mass media has subliminally and even blatantly depicted Black men as dangerous and uneducated, and how to break down these caricatures by highlighting real people as they are. Knowles-Lawson continues her work to uplift the Black community, having recently campaigned to create new voting initiatives to increase Black voter turnout, as well as awarding grants to Black businesses.

The docuseries is set to premiere today on discovery+ and contains not only historical footage, but commentary from educators and real accounts from people who’ve experienced discrimination, in a effort to debunk such harmful and perpetuated stereotypes.

• Lifestyle

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 12, 2022

CNN Commentator Van Jones Welcomes New Baby Girl, Plans to ‘Consciously Co-Parent’ With His Friend

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Surprisingly, activist and CNN political commentator Van Jones not only emerged from the pandemic with a bundle of fresh cash from Jeff Bezos, but also with a bundle of joy from his bestie.

Jones told TMZ, that he got baby-fever during the pandemic lockdown and since his friend Noemi Zamacona wanted a kid too, they teamed up to have a baby together — even though they’re not together.

“After the COVID lockdown, I got clear that I wanted another kid. I discovered that my friend Noemi also wanted a baby,” Jones said. “So, we decided to join forces and become conscious co-parents. It’s a concept that I hope more people will explore and consider.”

He adds, “This month we welcomed to Earth a baby girl, whom we will raise as co-parenting partners. This is a special time for our families. I feel grateful, joyful, and blessed.”

A source told the outlet that Jones and his friend share the same criminal justice advocacy interests and discussed over a friendly meal their shared desire to procreate.

“It’s a very modern arrangement. They’re not a couple, but they are a team that wants to raise a kid together,” the source said according to the outlet.

Zamacona is reportedly a Monitor at the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General, according to her LinkedIn.

Well, one thing is for sure: Jones, a divorced father of two, can certainly afford a football team of kids if he’d like.

Billionaire Bezos gave $100 million each to CNN political commentator Jones and chef José Andrés with no stipulations after his historic space flight.

Jones is a recurring political commentator on CNN who made headlines for crying in 2016 when Donald Trump won the White House and also in 2020 when Joe Biden was elected as president. In between, he rubbed elbows with and helped Donald Trump formulate a police reform bill.

Besides that list of credits, he is also a co-founder of Dream Corps. According to its website, Dream Corps is a bipartisan organization that works toward police reform. Dream Corps also has a tech arm and green divisions.

In his statement to TMZ, Jones concluded, “As we create a safe and loving environment for this blessed young soul, I respectfully ask for privacy. Thank you for all the love and support.”

With her 15th studio album, R&B queen Mary J. Blige found healing in the production of Good Morning Gorgeous, an ode to her personal journey of rising from the ashes of heartbreak and distressing divorce.

The title of the album as well as her single, the affirmation-style lyric serves to remind her of her beauty despite all the insecurities and hardships she’s endured throughout her relationship.

In a recent interview with ELLE, Blige mentions how positive self-talk was the drive to ignite her confidence, even if she didn’t believe the affirmations all the time. She revealed that her mornings were dedicated to taking care of her, something many women can resonate with.

“My intention was to build myself up out of this very dark, negative place. Strengthen myself. Say these affirmations to myself to get to a place where I believed something good and beautiful was in me,” she told the Los Angeles Times. “It was a process of healing — of trying to get free from something.”

Good Morning Gorgeous is a love letter to herself after experiencing relationship trauma; that the journey of self-love is the most important relationship of all. Even despite the pain she underwent, Blige still found the strength to empower other minority women by investing in their small businesses. 

The 13-track project features the likes of Anderson .Paak, Fivio Foreign, Dave East, DJ Khaled, and Usher. According to the Source, this will also be her first album since teaming up with 300 Entertainment, a joint release between her Mary Jane Productions company and the label.

Her first album since 2017’s Strength of a Woman, Good Morning Gorgeous dropped just two days before she is set to perform at the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show beside fellow music legends Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem.

Here’s the full track list and check out “Rent Money” below.

1. No Idea
2. Love Will Never
3. Here With Me featuring Anderson .Paak
4. Rent Money featuring Dave East
5. Amazing featuring DJ Khaled
6. GMG Interlude
7. Good Morning Gorgeous
8. Come See About Me
9. On Top featuring Fivio Foreign
10. Love Without The Heartbreak
11. Falling In Love
12. Enough
13. Need Love featuring Usher

Supermodel royalty Tyson Beckford has come out of retirement just to serve looks for Beyoncé’s latest IVY HEART campaign from her IVY PARK clothing line, which is dropping just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

Essence reported the catwalk veteran left the runway, cameras and bright lights in 2008, but it was a phone call from the “Halo” singer that got him to jump back into the modeling game.  

Beckford told the publication that coming out of retirement was a no-brainer when he got Beyoncé’s call.

“When I got this phone call, it was just like, ‘You want my old ass to shoot?’” he said.

“I was like, ‘The Queen needs her knight? I am there!’ So it wasn’t even anything to think about. It was just, YES. Hell, yeah.”

The collection boasts the colors of love like pinks, reds and neutrals. Beyoncé even sent Beckford her coveted box of IVY PARK goodies.

“My mom has put dibs on half of my box already,” he said. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by IVY PARK (@weareivypark)

Beckford also noted that his mom had tried to cop some of the elusive gear, but it had sold out already.

 “So, it’s going to transcend because every time she says she goes online at these drops to try to get something, IVY PARK’s stuff is gone!”

The Jamaican-American New Yorker chopped it with Beyoncé and met Le Twins. 

“I got to meet the twins, and, oh, man, they were so inspired, those two young guys,” he shared. “They were in awe, and they just were like, ‘Look, we’ve been looking up to you since we were babies.’ And for me, I forget who I am in the world. I always remain humbled by just being myself. So, for me, it was just humbling just to be thought of to even come back.”

When photos from the campaign dropped, the 51-year-old stunner had the internet shook. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by IVY PARK (@weareivypark)

The ladies didn’t hesitate to give their seal of approval.

“The Tyson MF Beckford!! #TheGoat,” Mrs_SirDiva wrote.

Another woman thanked Bey for the blessing.

“Bey!! Thanks for resurrecting Tyson for this drop!!! 😍”

One Instagram user basically compared Beckford to a Black Lestat. She wrote, “The man is a vampire still looking tf gooooodddtttt🔥🔥👏👏.”

The Realist Stef  said what we were all thinking, “This man been fine all his life 🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍❤️❤️.”

Beckford began modeling in the early 90s. The Source editor noticed the striking brother, and that launched his career. He rocked the fashion world when he nabbed his first major modeling campaign– the face of Ralph Lauren’s Polo Sport Fragrance campaign in 1995. Beckford also stole hearts when he portrayed Toni Braxton’s love interest in the video for her 1998 hit single “Un-break My Heart.”

In 2014, Vogue Magazine declared Beckford one of the greatest male models of all time. 

Beckford’s latest project is a soon-to-be-released film titled Singleholic.

The movie touts itself to be “​​in the spirit of Sex and the City and Girls Trip.” It’s slated to be released on February 18.