by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 11, 2022

Google Doodle Honors Baseball Legend Toni Stone for Black History Month

On Wednesday, Google Doodle continued its series of highlights for Black History Month by honoring the late baseball pioneer Toni Stone.

Stone passed away in 1996 at the age of 75 after making history as a female professional baseball player. During her career, Stone was the first of three women to play professional baseball for the franchise and the first woman to play as a regular on an American big-league professional baseball team.

The animated image, created by San Francisco-based artist Monique Wray, showed Stone playing for the Indianapolis Clowns as a male athlete runs past her on the field. Stone was recruited to the team back in 1953 as the second baseman and filler for future Hall-of-Famer Hank Aaron.

“The moving image not only draws inspiration from baseball action photography while incorporating Stone’s sense of humor and iconic curly hair, it also brings Stone’s legacy to life for new generations,” a Google spokesperson told People.

Born in Bluefield, West Virginia on July 17, 1921, Stone perfected her craft in baseball during a time of increased racial segregation in American sports. It was after locating to St. Paul, Minnesota at the age of 10 when Stone started to develop her athletic ability in the city’s public playgrounds and baseball fields.

By the time she reached age 15, Stone broke ground as the first female added to the all-male semi-pro Twin Cities Colored Giants. In 1946, Stone embarked on a professional baseball career after signing with the San Francisco Sea Lions.

Stone eventually left the Sea Lions after learning she was being paid less than the male players, the SF Chronicle reports. She played with the New Orleans Creoles from 1949 – to 1952 before joining the Indianapolis Clowns the following year.

The Google Doodle dedicated to Stone comes on the one-year anniversary of her induction into the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame.

“Here’s to you, Toni Stone—thanks for showing the world what determination and unstoppable love for the game can achieve,” Google wrote.

Dr. Joya Pulls Back The Veil on Veterinary Dermatology on Nat Geo WILD’s ‘Pop Goes the Vet’
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 11, 2022

Dr. Joya Pulls Back The Veil on Veterinary Dermatology on Nat Geo WILD’s ‘Pop Goes the Vet’

Meet Dr. Joya Griffin, the veterinary dermatologist behind Nat Geo WILD’s newest series “Pop Goes the Vet”.

The show follows Dr. Joya, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist at Animal Dermatology Clinic in Louisville, Ky and her pet care team, as they bring awareness to the importance of veterinary dermatology in a pet’s health.

On the show, cameras capture the real-life work Dr. Joya does in confronting all types of skin problems that affect animals. From inflamed skin, sores, bumps, and scabs to oozy blisters, scaly lesions, hot spots, cysts, and tumors, Dr. Joya is focused on bringing relief to her patients and alleviating the concerns of pet parents.

“It’s been a pretty surreal experience for sure,” Dr. Joya told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “I always felt like I had a story to tell. But I don’t think I ever imagined it would be like this.”

Dr. Joya has earned awards for clinical practice and research in veterinary dermatology and is a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Dermatology. She practices and mentors new veterinary dermatology residents in Louisville, KY, and lectures throughout the country. She views the show as an opportunity to inform the public while entertaining.

Based in Louisville, Dr. Joya is happy to give her city some exposure while shedding light on the importance of dermatology for pets.

“I’m very proud to bring a little bit of a positive exposure to the city of Louisville, we’ve not had the best last few years here,” Dr. Joya said. “And just to see a positive side to the city and what we’re doing here and, you know, maybe change the narrative a little bit, I think has been really important to me.”

Dr. Joya is enjoying the positive feedback the show has received and is hopeful she and her team can come back for season 2.

“I’ve really loved this platform. I’ve loved the experience. I loved filming. And I think that I still have a story to tell that hasn’t been told yet,” Dr. Joya said.

“My husband’s a veterinarian as well,” she added. “He’s a black veterinary internist. And his story should be told as well. So maybe he’ll you’ll see a little more of him in season two.”

Dee Barnes, Who Dr. Dre Once Brutally Beat Up, Claps Back at His NSFW Comment That Made Mary J. Blige Cringe
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 11, 2022

Dee Barnes, Who Dr. Dre Once Brutally Beat Up, Claps Back at His NSFW Comment That Made Mary J. Blige Cringe

Pioneering hip-hop journalist Dee Barnes, who shared that she was previously brutally beat-up by Dr. Dre in his N.W.A. heyday, took to Twitter to slam the poetic artist for a cringy comment he made during a Super Bowl LVI press conference ahead of the star-studded show.

While speaking at a press conference on Thursday along with the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige and Dre’s old-school partner-in-rhyme Snoop Dogg, the “Forgot About Dre” rapper said there would be a few on-stage surprises. And Snoop chimed in to add that having a wardrobe malfunction wouldn’t be one of them, TMZ reports.

The “wardrobe malfunction” seemed to be a  diss aimed at Justin Timberlake for the Janet Jackson nip-slip that altered her career.

But with Queen Mary by his side, Dre upped the ante of expectations when a reporter pressed him about those “surprises” during the highly-anticipated scheduled Superbowl LVI Halftime Show performances that also include rappers, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem.

Although Dre said he can’t divulge that info, he jokingly said he talked to Snoop and Eminem in particular about keeping their man-parts in their pants.

Check out the clip.

“I had to talk Snoop and Eminem out of pulling their penises out,” Dre said. “Especially Eminem.”

The comment seemingly shocked Blige. The “No More Drama” singer who was indeed sitting smack dab in the middle of some more drama, lowered her head and put her hand to her face while a collective gasp could be heard emanating from the audience.

Barnes, whose stage name was Sista D, and who admitted to being physically assaulted by Dr. Dre at a rap industry party in 1990, slammed the almost-billionaire Beats by Dre creator for the jarring commentary.

“Very crass and petty,” said one commenter about Dre’s remarks.

Barnes and Dre have a history that stems from her days as the host of Fox’s hip hop show Pump It Up! Barnes reportedly was physically and violently assaulted by Dre and filed charges to which the rap star pleaded “no contest.” But Barnes said her claim caused her to get blacklisted from the industry and she spent years struggling including a recent call for financial help on GoFundMe.

Dre later apologized to the women he hurt.

“I apologize to the women I’ve hurt. I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives,” he said.

Although his ex-wife Michel’le wasn’t mentioned in the apology, she too has reported a series of violent attacks at the hands of Dre during her marriage, the HuffPost reports.

“When you’re living in it, you can’t see it. But I couldn’t believe that I was really living like that,” she said during an interview with The Huffington Post. “And it really resonated with me. Never did I wake up and ask Dre, ‘Why did you hit me?’”

Barnes later became a champion for women who were sexually assaulted and forced to keep a tight lip for fear of retaliation by powerful men who could derail their careers.

Let’s hope the Superbowl performance will be drama-free and a family-friendly show.

Leave The Vacuuming To This Smart Robot
by Black Enterprise Shop

February 11, 2022

Leave The Vacuuming To This Smart Robot

While few things offer a better feeling than walking into a clean living space, few things also can be as daunting and overwhelming as cleaning. These days, however, maintaining a clean and sanitized living space these days is paramount.

One of the best ways to do so is by keeping a regimented vacuuming schedule. That said, doing so is time-consuming and not exactly the most exciting task. These days, you can leave the vacuuming to someone else.

That someone else is the SØMLØS S1 Robot Vacuum Cleaner. For a limited time, you can purchase for a limited-time price of $639. That’s a savings of 15% from its MSRP ($759).

With the SØMLØS S1 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, you can spend more time doing the things you love, as the device uses laser technology to map out your home and recalls the information for future cleaning designations.

This hi-tech device LDS laser mapping technology for systematic cleaning patterns, and with AI algorithm and 360-degree LIDAR scanning, you can assign it specialized cleaning tasks that allow you to target the areas you need to be cleaned.

The SØMLØS S1 Robot Vacuum Cleaner uses a brushless motor that packs 2,000pa high-suction power, which not only allows it to vigorously clean hardwood and carpeted surfaces, but it does so silently. It’s also outfitted with carpet-boosting technology that eliminates seen and unseen dirt.

There are five pairs of anti-collision sensors and four pairs of anti-falling sensors, making sure your robot vacuum doesn’t get stuck during its cleaning sessions. With a working time of 90 to 120 minutes, there’s more than enough battery life to handle nearly any cleaning job.

Not only is this device WiFi compatible, but it has an accompanying app where you can program and set up a cleaning schedule. If you’re tired of having to physically use your vacuum cleaner every day, then the SØMLØS S1 Robot Vacuum Cleaner is the device you need. Purchase it today.

Prices subject to change.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 10, 2022

Courtney Adeleye to Host Virtual BAW$E Conference: Power Edition

Courtney Adeleye, CEO and founder of Olbali, is hosting the biggest virtual conference of the year, appropriately named the BAW$E Conference: Power Edition. But this conference won’t be your average online conference. Now in its third year, the BAW$E conference is an interactive, digital experience designed to reach more people for greater impact.

Courtney found meteoric success when she launched The Mane Choice. In just six short years, the brand earned over 100,000,000 million in sales and gained a cult following. Since then, Courtney has launched Olbali Brands, a conglomerate of businesses spanning the food, beverage, and wellness industries. Now Courtney is teaching other entrepreneurs how to catapult their brands from obscurity to fan favorites, according to a press release.

“I always say that if you didn’t come to disrupt, don’t bother showing up,” explains Courtney.

“So, I want to help other entrepreneurs understand the importance of showing up fully for themselves and their brands. I want to give them the tools to execute.”

Attendees at the conference will not only learn from Courtney herself but celebrity speakers like bestselling authors Tabitha Brown and Sarah Jakes Roberts; serial entrepreneur and investor Phyllis Newhouse; and master brand builders like Melissa Butler of The Lip Bar and Pinky Cole of The Slutty Vegan.

But those powerhouses are just the tip of the iceberg.

A highlight will be the live panel titled The Making of a BAW$E! The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The roster of panelists boasts some of the most prominent business and media personalities including Supa Cent, La La Milan, Yandy Smith, Jesseca Dupart, Milano Di Rouge, and Ms. Bling. All in all, the conference will feature over 20 masterclasses led by entrepreneurs and experts on topics like generational wealth, brand building & marketing, passive income, scaling a business, and much more.

In addition to a stellar lineup, attendees can be assured that this is not a Zoom call. Instead, it’s a full-scale digital experience. Registrants will be able to attend multiple sessions, freely move about the website, and navigate from room to room within the conference. The conference is open to women and men, and attendees do not have to be entrepreneurs.

Registration for the BAW$E conference is open.

Sponsors for the event include Shay Better Coaching, The Black Virtual Mall, Cool Coffee Clique, Foolproof Body, Lily Frilly, and Poptritional.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 10, 2022

Debut Capital Powers Investor Program with Olympic and WNBA Athletes

Debut Capital, a venture capital firm investing in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous (BLI) Founders, has launched its first-ever Investor-in-Residence Program for BLI women to inspire those from non-traditional investing backgrounds into having the confidence to become excellent investors. The inaugural class consists of professional athletes, including Four-Time Olympic Track & Field Gold Medalist Sanya Richards-Ross, Three-Time Track & Field Olympian Medalist Lauryn Williams, Olympic Gold Medalist, Four-Time All-Star, and WNBA Champion Chelsea Gray, and 2021 WNBA Champion Lexie Brown.

The participants in this initial class will embark on an intensive 6-week program, learning from VC experts on topics ranging from generating deal flow and portfolio construction to post-investment support. Participants will take their investment thesis from ideology to fruition, and have access to invest a total of $100,000 into multiple startups. This first cohort focused on female professional athletes is a way to begin closing the gap between them and their male athlete counterparts, according to a press release.

“The gender pay gap between female professional athletes and their male counterparts continues to grow,” says Pilar Johnson, co-founder and managing partner of Debut Capital.

“The Debut Investor-In Residence Program hopes to reduce the gap by providing these female athletes a collaborative space to gain new learnings that can build generational wealth and inspire others.”

These celebrated athletes will not only bring their unique perspectives and passion to push for progress in changing the makeup of founders in the VC world but will also be founding members of the program who will help design the program for future cohorts.

“I am pumped to be the recipient of the resources that can be a true catalyst for change,” said Lauryn Williams, Four-Time Olympian.

“Money is not something talked about positively in my community. To be discussing next-level financial topics such as angel investing will give me the tools to have more productive conversations with people I encounter.”

Debut Capital is here to disrupt the VC world by providing capital and strategic guidance to BLI founders and ultimately building a more diverse VC ecosystem. Debut’s current portfolio includes Breakr, Loop, Squire, Somewhere Good, and more.

Black Purdue University Student Accuses Police Officer of Using ‘Excessive Force’
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 10, 2022

Black Purdue University Student Accuses Police Officer of Using ‘Excessive Force’

Cellphone footage captured a Purdue University police officer’s alleged excessive force against a Black male student.

Adonis Tuggle, a junior in Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences, was arrested for resisting law enforcement. But Tuggle denies the charges claiming he never tried to resist officer Jon Selke, Purdue Exponent reports.

In video footage reportedly captured by Tuggle’s girlfriend, the student can be seen struggling in the snow with Selke while the officer holds his forearm over Tuggle’s face and neck. Tuggle’s girlfriend can be heard begging Selke to take his arm off Tuggle’s neck.

“Stop,” Tuggle’s girlfriend says in the video. “Get off of him! Get off of him!”

Police were responding to a call from an eyewitness who reported a “domestic disturbance of a couple arguing during a breakup,” police spokesperson Capt. Song Kang said. Selke arrived two minutes later and said he was trying to figure out what was happening.

 

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“He didn’t follow instructions,” Selke said. “It was a simple resisting case.”

But, Tuggle claims he wasn’t resisting arrest, and Selke ordered him to “get away from the car.”

“I tried to explain to him, ‘Nothing’s going on,’” Tuggle said Wednesday. “‘I’m not attacking her. This is my girlfriend. We’re having an argument.’”

Tuggle says he told his girlfriend to explain their disagreement to the officer, but Selke “screamed at her, ‘Shut the f*ck up and back up!’” Tuggle said. The student says it was at that point when he got in between Selke and his girlfriend and told him, “There’s no need to be disrespectful.”

Police Chief John Cox released a statement announcing an internal investigation, WLFI reports.

“Any time a PUPD officer uses force in connection with an arrest, the department conducts an internal review,” Cox said.

“The investigation will include input from all witnesses to the arrest and take into account all available evidence, including video from officers’ body-worn cameras.”

by Atiya Jordan

February 10, 2022

Chicago’s Four Black-Owned Breweries Unite For Six-Week Residency

From revolutionizing breweries to epic festivals, Chicago’s craft beer movement has made its mark. This Black History Month, Chicago’s four Black-owned breweries are coming together for a very special collaboration.

The veteran West Loop brewpub is hosting a 6-week residency at the Haymarket Pub & Brewer until March 13. The residency will unite Funkytown Brewery, Moor’s Brewing, Turner Haus Brewery, and Black Horizon Brewing to incite education, collaboration, and celebration.

This collaboration between the breweries has already given new life to a variety of beers, including a Chicago Uncommon Ale — which will debut Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. at a Super Bowl viewing party. Haymarket will also feature up to eight beers available from the four breweries.

For Mike Gemma, Haymarket’s director of operations, the need to support Black brewery owners is important, especially as an underrepresented group within the beer industry. The idea for the residency was born out of that need, and continues to shed light on the 0.4% of Black owners nationwide while while 93.5% are white.

“With Black History Month upon us, we thought about what stories do we want to tell, and this seemed like the perfect fit,” Gemma told The Chicago Tribune. “We’re excited about the surge of Black-owned breweries, and it’s been wonderful to meet (the owners) and hear their stories.”

Co-founder of Moor’s Brewing, Jahmal Johnson is no stranger to early success, having launched last Juneteenth. He acknowledges the impact of the residency—sharing and spreading the stories of Black brewery owners.

“Haymarket putting this program together gave us all the opportunity to bounce ideas off each other and get to know each other’s history and motivation,” he said.

Johnson continued: “Everyone has their own story and vision, and it reminds me of a revolutionary time. I’d compare it to when hip-hop started. Hip-hop in its purest form was just a cool thing to do, and it turned into this multibillion-dollar industry.”

Funk Singer Betty Davis Dead at 77
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 10, 2022

Funk Singer Betty Davis Dead at 77

Betty Davis, a trailblazing funk singer who was once married to legendary jazz musician Miles Davis, has died at 77.

According to Rolling Stone, Davis’ death was reportedly confirmed by a close friend, Danielle Maggio. Amie Downs, the communications director for Allegheny County, where the former singer lived, also verified that she died of natural causes.

Another friend of Davis also released a statement:

“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Betty Davis, a multitalented music influencer and pioneer rock star, singer, songwriter, and fashion icon,” Davis’ longtime friend Connie Portis said in a written statement received by the magazine. 

“Most of all, Betty was a friend, aunt, niece, and beloved member of her community of Homestead, Pennsylvania, and of the worldwide community of friends and fans. At a time to be announced, we will pay tribute to her beautiful, bold, and brash persona. Today we cherish her memory as the sweet, thoughtful, and reflective person she was … there is no other.”

ABC News reported that Davis was born Betty Mabry in Durham, North Carolina. She moved to New York City while still a teenager in the early 1960s, where she enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology. Davis found work as a model for magazines such as Seventeen and Glamour, among others. While modeling, she started releasing her own music, including the singles “The Cellar” and “Get Ready for Betty,” and she also penned “Uptown (to Harlem)” for the Chambers Brothers.

Ex-husband Davis credited her influence on his music that would eventually lead up to his classic 1970 album titled “Bitches Brew” (She claimed that the title was her idea), which helped launch the jazz fusion genre.

Although she hadn’t released any recent tunes, her music had been reissued over the years. Betty Davis and some of her other ’70s albums were released, and her music was heard on the Netflix prison series, Orange Is the New Black and other television series. In 2019, she wrote, arranged, and produced a song, A Little Bit Hot Tonight, a funky blend of Eastern and Western influences.

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