by Mary Spiller

November 2, 2025

New Black Leaders Collective Launches To Drive Economic And Policy Change In Los Angeles

Coalition of business, civic, and advocacy leaders unites to push for equity, resources, and coordinated action across L.A. County.

A newly formed coalition of prominent Black leaders and organizations in Los Angeles aims to reshape how resources, policies, and economic opportunities reach Black communities across the region. The Greater Los Angeles Black Leaders Collective (GLABLC) publicly introduced its mission this month, describing the group as a unified force focused on long-term systemic impact.

GLABLC’s governing members include figures already well known across the city’s civic and business landscape: Dr. Robert Sausedo of Community Build, Inc.; Angela Gibson-Shaw of the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce; Jason Foster of Destination Crenshaw; Cynthia Mitchell-Heard of the Los Angeles Urban League; and Sarah R. Harris of the Black Business Association, who also serves as chair of the collective.

“This is not just about collaboration, this is about bridging capital, access to capital, this is about advocacy, and this is about bringing entities together and not just be about the talk, but be about the action of the community,” Mitchell-Heard said.

Harris echoed that message, underscoring the group’s commitment to being more than a symbolic partnership. “We are really serious and intentional about coming together to be the umbrella, the strategic partner for the community in terms of lending our influence, resources, the data, and everything to be able to provide more opportunities for Black community organizations as well as just the Black community as a whole,” she said.

During a public rollout at Chase Bank’s Community Room on Crenshaw Boulevard, members outlined the collective’s guiding values — from equity and accountability to cultural integrity and sustainability. Their stated priorities include economic mobility, direct relief, policy change, practice transformation, and measurable community impact.

Foster framed the effort as a necessary response to shifting political landscapes, particularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion. “I think the community can expect a unifying voice from the Black community and the organizations that are doing not only direct service but fighting for systemic change—our efforts don’t stop, and now it’s more important than ever as other challenges, what’s happening to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” he said.

The coalition is already mapping out concrete initiatives, with Gibson-Shaw noting that the collective is beginning its work by addressing wildfire recovery efforts and preparing neighborhoods for major economic events, such as the upcoming Los Angeles Global Games.

Mitchell-Heard added that the gaps exposed after recent disasters showed why unified leadership was overdue. “Post fires, we saw that our African American communities, especially in the Altadena area, are just not getting the access and the resources that they need, and thus that’s what spurred this,” she said.

Sausedo summed up the vision simply: “It means that our leadership has come together to be on a single platform to do greater good.”

Terrace Martin partners with Suntory for the launch of Toki Black

by Black Enterprise

November 2, 2025

Terrace Martin Partners With Suntory To Launch A New Japanese Whisky

The Grammy-nominated musician and producer speaks exclusively to BLACK ENTERPRISE about how he approaches brand collaborations

Terrace Martin, who’s been nominated for six Grammy awards and produced songs for everyone from Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg to Stevie Wonder and Charlie Wilson, has just released new music with a surprising collaborator: The House of Suntory Japanese whisky.

For the launch of its limited-edition Toki Black, Suntory worked with Martin and Japanese jazz artist Ryota Nozaki, known as Jazztronik. The resulting composition was inspired by Toki, which means “time,” and by the Japanese philosophy of Ichigo Ichie—the idea that each moment is unique and unrepeatable.

Suntory recorded the creative process and released both a film and a bespoke vinyl: Side A features an improvisational session between the artists, while Side B presents Martin’s modern reinterpretation.

“I never worked with all Japanese musicians. The only thing we had to communicate with was music. But music, love, and this whisky had everybody just on one accord. It was a beautiful experience,” Martin said at a launch event in New York City, “and Toki Black was the fuel.”

BLACK ENTERPRISE caught up with Martin after the launch of Toki Black Japanese whisky to hear more about how he approaches the business side of creating music for brand deals:

What was it about this opportunity with Suntory that piqued your interest?

Besides the great whisky, everybody on the Suntory team felt like a family. Everybody had tons of great ideas. Their ultimate goal was to make sure both of our brands were aligned.

How do you evaluate the opportunities you’re presented to collaborate with brands?

I choose collaboration partners based on the brand’s integrity and what their mission is. If the brand’s mission lines up with mine, I’ll decide I want to go forward.

Did you enlist any help to assess the business side of these collaborations?

Yes, I’ve gotten advice from multiple people about their brand deals, like Herbie Hancock and Snoop Dogg. Most of the time they told me it went extremely well when pairing with the right brand.

This was your first time working with people you haven’t been making music with for the last 30 years. What does it mean to you, especially as a Black artist, to have been able to make a living with your crew from back in the day?

Reaching success with the same set of friends I’ve had since grade school is a blessing; I’m very grateful and thankful for that. It means the world to me, operating in such a crazy business I have a trusted family that I can also go to, and that’s more than gold.

At a time when it feels like there’s less communication and collaboration and more mistrust and division, can you share advice for working with people who aren’t like you?

My best advice is to expect the unexpected, remove all ego, and go into each situation with an open mind and open heart.

Echoing Green, Black-Led Women Groups, investors, social media, Fund, blog, network, Innovators, Black Founders, Black Businesses,Kathryn Finney'

by Kandiss Edwards

November 2, 2025

Black Girl Ventures Pitch Competition Is Coming To New York

Entrepreneurs must be considered "under resourced" to participate in the Black Girl Ventures competition.

Black Girl Ventures (BGV) is bringing its crowdfunded pitch competition to New York City on Nov. 7.

The event, led by BGV Founder Omi Bell, is part of the organization’s multi-city effort to boost entrepreneurship efforts for Black women in business. The BGV Pitch Competition merges traditional pitching with crowdfunding, allowing the audience to “vote with their dollars.” The organization solicits donations through its Raisify platform. Each founder will give a three-minute presentation followed by a two-minute Q&A session. The winner will be determined by the number of crowd contributions received rather than evaluations by investor panels.

The upcoming competition will take place at The Mezzanine in Manhattan’s Financial District. More than a dozen women-of-color entrepreneurs are expected to pitch. Entrepreneur sectors range from tech to wellness to consumer goods.

“We created this because women and people of color get less than one percent of venture funding,” Bell told Amsterdam News. “Our work is about building capacity and creating a sustainable community around that funding.”

Participants in the New York event must be women-identifying, revenue-generating business owners who meet BGV’s under-resourced criteria. Finalists gain entry to the organization’s alumni ecosystem, which provides ongoing access to networking opportunities, financial coaching, and brand-building support.

According to Black Girl Ventures site, since its founding in 2016, the organization has funded more than 450 founders. Additionally, their work has supported over 10,000 entrepreneurs nationwide through mentoring, accelerator programs, and workshops. Its pitch model—where everyday supporters contribute small amounts—has been replicated in cities including Chicago, Austin, and Los Angeles.

The timing of the New York launch coincides with increased national attention on equity-focused entrepreneurship. Reports from Crunchbase and the National Venture Capital Association show Black women founders continue to receive less than 1% of total venture capital funding, a figure Bell says “must be reversed by community-driven solutions, not waiting for gatekeepers.”

The pitch format’s transparency is what Bell believes makes it powerful.

“When people in the audience invest, they’re not just funding a business,” she said. “They’re joining an ecosystem that believes in collaboration over competition.”

rapper, Birdman, Cash Money, Cash Money's Birdman

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 2, 2025

Is There A Cash Money-No Limit Tour In The Works?

B.G. says so....

ComplexCon presented a matchup that has been on people’s minds ever since the concept of Verzuz was introduced, pitting two New Orleans powerhouses—No Limit Records and Cash Money Records—against each other. After going against each other recently, recording artist B.G. tells TMZ that both groups are heading out on tour together.

Although there has been no official announcement from either camp, B.G. exclusively revealed to the media outlet that this tour will take place, without providing any specific details. The TMZ cameras were out in New York City on Oct. 30 and approached him to find out if there were any recording projects coming from the much-talked-about competition in Las Vegas on Oct. 25. After he named some of the artists he is working with on some songs, he informed the media outlet that both groups will be on the road together.

“We got the tour coming. The Cash Money/No Limit Tour.”

After being questioned about it being an exclusive announcement, he doubled down and asserted that it was indeed an exclusive.

The two labels belted out hits that were released between the two collectives at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

There have been so many artists who have recorded for both labels that it was virtually impossible for most of the rappers to appear on the Vegas stage. According to Revolt, Cash Money representatives included Birdman, Mannie Fresh, Juvenile, and B.G., yet their biggest draw, Lil Wayne, was noticeably absent. The main artists from No Limit who appeared were Master P, Mia X, and Silkk the Shocker. A big surprise, but not really, was Snoop Dogg, who was once a No Limit Soldier at one point during his long career.

Yet, in case you were wondering why Lil Wayne did not show up, apparently, he wasn’t feeling well, according to what B.G. told the hosts of “The Breakfast Club,” Rap-Up reported.

“Shorty wasn’t feeling good ‘cause he definitely was supposed to be there. He told me that he wasn’t feeling good and that he had to go to the hospital or something like that.”

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Charlamagne Tha God, Krystal Burger Chain, South Carolina

by Kandiss Edwards

November 2, 2025

Charlamagne Tha God Makes Donation to Help South Carolina Families Affected by Upcoming SNAP Freeze

The donation will assist 208 families.

South Carolina native Charlamagne Tha God, born Lenard McKelvey, is helping families in his home state affected by the government’s pending freeze of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The radio star has committed funds to the Broad River Business Alliance’s Emergency Community Response System. The BRBA provides food baskets and essential supplies to families in Richland County. The alliance said the donation will assist 208 families who are facing uncertainty as SNAP payments are expected to halt beginning Sunday, Nov. 1, due to the federal government shutdown.

BRBA recently announced families eligible for SNAP or other aid programs can call the BRBA hotline at (803) 939-6544 beginning Nov. 1 for help. The program is open to military families, federal employees impacted by the shutdown, senior citizens, and those enrolled in TANF or WIC programs.

Charlamagne posted about his good deed on Instagram.

“I’m Bout That Action Boss. I’m Going To Be Posting All The Food Banks and Community Organizations That I’ve Given Resources To This Week. First Up Broad River Business Alliance in Columbia, SC. If you are in the Richland County Community and need emergency assistance during this SNAP/EBT Government Shutdown Reach Out.”

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The timing of the gift is critical, according to the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS).

“We understand that over 260,000 households in South Carolina rely on these benefits to supplement their family’s monthly food purchasing power. Until there is a resolution in Washington, D.C., and the federal government is funded and reopened, SCDSS will not be able to provide the federally funded benefits to new and ongoing SNAP households until further notice,” SCDSS wrote in a statement.

The government shutdown has no end date.

“This effort is not about charity—it’s about community resilience,” wrote Javar Juarez, senior director of the Broad River Business Alliance. “The Broad River Business Alliance (BRBA) has taken the lead in coordinating a network of churches, nonprofits, and public officials to deliver emergency food distributions and household support across Richland County.”

Virginia, African Landing Memorial, First Enslaved Africans

by Kandiss Edwards

November 1, 2025

Former Enslaved Veteran Honored As New Jersey’s First Black Business Owner

Cudjo Banquante, an enslaved African royal descendant who fought in the American Revolution, later became Newark’s first documented Black business owner.

Cudjo Banquante, an enslaved African royal descendant who fought in the American Revolution and later became Newark’s first documented Black business owner, is receiving long-overdue recognition through a new historical marker and a weeklong celebration, titled “Honoring Cudjo Banquante!” initiative.

The Honoring Cudjo Banquante! project was funded by a $15,000 grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH). The initiative aims to restore Banquante’s story to its place in the state’s early history. The celebration, held April 27 through May 4, featured film screenings, genealogy workshops, guided tours, and a grave-marking ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the site of Banquante’s former burial. The event was organized by a coalition, including the Newark History Society, Rutgers University–Newark, and the Greater Newark Conservancy.

The marker outside NJPAC now anchors the city’s growing network of African American heritage sites. “This effort connects memory to place,” said NJCH program officer Kimberly Brown. “Banquante’s story reflects how history, when told inclusively, can redefine civic pride.”

“Cudjo Banquante’s life is a reminder that the American story is not complete without the voices of those too long left out. This project brings his extraordinary journey back into public memory. This is the precise work of the humanities and the reason why this exceptional project deserves the Katz Prize,” said Carin Berkowitz, executive director of NJCH, in a press release.

Born into Ghana’s Akyem Abuakwa royal family around 1720, Banquante was captured and sold into slavery. He later fought in the Continental Army, substituting for his enslaver, Benjamin Coe of Newark, and participated in the Battles of Monmouth, Germantown, and Yorktown, according to the New Jersey Historical Society. After earning his freedom, he was granted land on what is now Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, where he established an ornamental-plant business, which historians identify as Newark’s first Black-owned enterprise.

Community leaders say the recognition offers both healing and inspiration.

Texas, civil rights commission, ICE, Georgia

by Mary Spiller

November 1, 2025

Texas Moves To Shut Down State Civil Rights Commission Amid GOP Attacks On DEI Programs

The proposed closure would leave Texas as the only state without an agency dedicated to enforcing housing discrimination laws.

Texas lawmakers are advancing legislation to eliminate the Texas Workforce Commission’s Civil Rights Division, the only state office responsible for investigating claims of housing, employment, and public accommodation discrimination. If the bill becomes law, Texas would stand alone as the only state in the U.S. without a civil rights enforcement agency — a shift that critics say is driven not by cost-cutting, but by the political war on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Opponents of the shutdown warn that the change would gut the state’s ability to uphold fair housing laws and force victims of discrimination to rely solely on a slower federal process. “This is not just another political debate,” said Democratic state Rep. Ron Reynolds.

“We are talking about dismantling the entity that protects Texans from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.”

Civil rights groups argue that the real goal is to weaken legal protections for marginalized communities. Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP, called the move dangerous and historically regressive.

“This commission exists because people in this state were historically denied basic rights,” he said. “Eliminating it sends a message that those protections are no longer a priority.”

The push to dissolve the division comes amid a sweeping effort by Republican leaders in Texas to roll back DEI programs across public and private institutions. Last year, the state banned DEI offices in public colleges and universities. Attorney General Ken Paxton has also threatened corporations over hiring policies that prioritize diversity. For critics, the pattern is clear: civil rights enforcement is being reframed as a political inconvenience.

The proposal’s supporters claim the state can comply with federal law without a standalone office, and that the federal government can handle complaints directly. But housing advocates say that ignores the reality of the system. Without a state-level agency, discrimination complaints that once took months could take years, leaving renters and homebuyers with no immediate recourse.

“This is not about efficiency,” Reynolds said. “You can call it efficiency, you can call it reform — but at its core, this is an attack on civil rights enforcement in Texas.”
The bill has gained momentum in a Legislature where Republicans hold decisive power, though it has faced strong pushback from legal groups, housing advocates, and civil rights organizations. If passed, it would take effect in September.

“We are stripping away the safeguards that were put in place because people were denied equal treatment under the law,” Bledsoe warned. “History will not look kindly on this moment.”

A final vote is expected before the end of the legislative session.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 1, 2025

Simi Valley Teens Plead Guilty To Hate Crime Against Michael Robinson

Investigators said the teenagers shouted racial slurs during the Aug. 1 brawl in a California movie theater parking lot and specifically targeted Robinson, who is Black.

On Oct. 30, two young men accused of attacking Michael Robinson in August 2025 pleaded guilty to felony assault and hate crimes.

Of the five teenagers, ranging in age from 16 to 17, three were charged with felony assault and special allegations of a hate crime. Two others were charged with felony assault, misdemeanor battery, and misdemeanor criminal threats. Additionally, the fifth assailant was charged with misdemeanor criminal threats and misdemeanor battery.

Ahead of the arraignment, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko issued a statement to KTLA about the violent acts.

“Hate crimes spread fear, division, and violence throughout an entire community. Our office is committed to holding these youth accountable and ensuring that justice is delivered for the victims and our community,” Nasarenko stated.

In a statement, Simi Valley Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh condemned the “racism” and “gang-related activity as unacceptable.

Investigators said the teenagers shouted racial slurs during the Aug. 1 brawl in a movie theater parking lot and specifically targeted Robinson, who is Black.

“They hit one of my friends in the face first,” Robinson told KTLA. “Then they hit another. Then they rushed me while I was between two cars. I managed to get out and ran into the parking lot. That’s when they slammed me into the hood of a car and jumped me.”

The Simi Valley Police Department confirmed that one of the young men involved is related to a department officer. However, the department said the officer will not be involved in any aspect of the investigation.

California Department of Justice data shows that hate crimes across the state rose 14% between 2023 and 2024, marking the fourth consecutive annual increase. Ventura County recorded one of the sharpest percentage jumps among mid-size counties.

The two defendants who pleaded guilty are scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 13 and Nov. 19. Proceedings for the remaining teens are continuing in juvenile court.

by Mary Spiller

November 1, 2025

Experts Warn Daylight Saving Time Clock Changes Disrupt Health More Than We Realize

New Stanford research says the twice-a-year time switch may affect our health — and permanent standard time may be best.

As clocks shift back an hour at 2 a.m. on Nov. 2, millions of Americans will enjoy a rare bonus hour of sleep. But experts say the seasonal switch from daylight saving time to standard time does more than change when the sun rises — it also disrupts the body’s internal clock in ways that can affect sleep, mood, and overall health.

“Plan on a glorious extra hour of sleep as most of America ‘falls back’ into standard time,” the article notes, adding that morning sunlight can help the body reset its internal rhythm more smoothly. Standard time will remain in place until March 8, when clocks jump forward.

The twice-a-year shift has long been debated, but a new Stanford University study argues that the current back-and-forth system is the worst option. Researchers found that adopting either permanent daylight saving time or permanent standard time would improve health, but standard time aligns more naturally with the body’s biology.

“The best way to think about it is as if the central clock were like a conductor of an orchestra,” said Jamie Zeitzer, co-director of Stanford’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences. “More light in the morning and less at night is key to keeping that rhythm on schedule — all the instruments in sync.”

When that rhythm is disrupted, Zeitzer said, each system of the body “just works a little less well,” from metabolism to immune function.

Groups like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine already support making standard time permanent, saying it better matches natural light patterns.

The spring transition — which takes an hour away instead of adding one — is widely seen as more difficult. Studies have linked the early March time jump to spikes in car crashes, heart attacks, and sleep loss. But even the November shift can affect those already struggling with limited sleep or working outside a traditional day schedule.

About one in three U.S. adults sleeps less than the recommended seven hours a night, and more than half of teenagers fall short of the recommended eight hours.

As debate continues in Congress over the stalled Sunshine Protection Act, which proposes making daylight saving time permanent, experts suggest easing into the change gradually — shifting bedtime by 10–15 minutes in the days before the switch, and getting sunlight early in the day.

“If you can’t get outdoors, sit by windows,” the article advises, noting that morning sun remains the most effective reset tool for the body’s natural clock.

by Mary Spiller

November 1, 2025

Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Ordered To Forfeit $64M After Federal Lobbying Conviction

The ruling comes months before Michel’s sentencing, as prosecutors say he secretly collected millions from fugitive financier Jho Low to influence U.S. politics.

A federal judge has ordered Fugees member Pras Michel to surrender more than $64 million to the U.S. government, a decision that follows his 2023 conviction on charges tied to an international lobbying scheme, as reported by Billboard.

The ruling, issued Oct. 30 by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, states that Michel “obtained proceeds in the amount of at least $64,923,226 from his offenses,” which included conspiracy, witness tampering, and failing to register as an agent of China. Prosecutors argued that Michel funneled illicit foreign money into political circles and worked to influence U.S. officials on behalf of Malaysian billionaire Jho Low, who remains a fugitive.

Michel’s legal team pushed back against the proposed amount, calling it “grossly disproportionate” in earlier filings, but the judge rejected that argument. His spokesperson, Erica Dumas, criticized the latest order, telling Billboard, “They already took 100 [million] from him and now they want another 64 [million].”

Michel is scheduled to be sentenced next month, where he faces the possibility of decades in prison. His lawyers have asked the court for a far shorter punishment of three years, but federal sentencing guidelines allow for significantly more time behind bars.

The Grammy-winning rapper, best known as one-third of the Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, was found guilty in April 2023 on 10 counts, following a high-profile trial that featured testimony from figures including Leonardo DiCaprio and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Prosecutors said Michel helped move money from Low to political campaigns and later assisted in lobbying efforts connected to China.

The forfeiture ruling had been postponed for months after Michel underwent emergency surgery for colon cancer in August. With the hearing now concluded, the case moves toward sentencing and a likely appeal. His attorneys have already signaled plans to challenge both the conviction and the financial penalty.

Michel and his former bandmates continued to make headlines in recent years as they attempted multiple reunion tours, decades after the Fugees’ 1990s dominance with hits like “Ready or Not” and “Killing Me Softly.”