• Health and Wellness

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 28, 2022

Black Nurse Turned Entrepreneur Creates Vitamin Gummies with Walmart

---

Meet Crystal Grant, an advanced practice registered nurse turned entrepreneur who is now the founder of SuperScript Wellness, which produces a line of affordable gummy supplements packed with nutrients like vitamin C, zinc and elderberry. Based in Winston Salem, N.C., her company has been so successful that her products are now being sold online at Walmart.com.

Crystal, a dedicated health care professional whose passion is to provide affordable health and wellness for all, comments, “Teaming up with Walmart is such a big deal to me because we share many of the same values for our customers. This is truly a dream come true.”

How it all started

Crystal, who is originally from Springfield, Mass., says that it all started when she was placed on an 11-week furlough by her employer in 2020 because of the pandemic. During her time at home, she began brainstorming ideas on how to stay active and healthy, leading to the birth of SuperScript Wellness.

However, on the verge of launching the new business, Crystal herself contracted COVID-19, and during her healing journey, she says that she went back to the drawing board, activated her advanced knowledge of the sciences, and teamed up with a manufacturer to create a nutritious gummy that would help to get her and others back on their feet. In April 2021, the gummies were put on the market and immediately sold out.

Growing the business

To help keep up with the demand, Crystal decided to partner with Kyeesha Clayborne of Leveling Up Fulfillment and Shipping to handle all of her company’s packaging and shipping needs, and now her company offers four different products: Supa Awesome Glow Up Gummies, Supa Splendid Immune Gummy, Supa Cool Kids Vita-Gummies (which includes a free downloadable activity book), and Magnificent Mane Vita-Gummies for hair, skin, and nails.

Crystal has worked hard to build her company has a reputable and respected health and wellness brand that is dedicated to helping customers heal from the inside out. Her product offerings are hand-selected and made with the best ingredients, and her company continues to encourage all individuals to be proactive about their wellness so that they can be healthy in body, mind, and spirit.

Her products are available for purchase online at SuperScriptWellness.com and Walmart.com.

This article first appeared on Blackbusiness.com. 

• Lifestyle

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 28, 2022

Jussie Smollett Wants Felony Conviction Dismissed, Says Constitutional Rights Were Violated

---

Former Empire actor Jussie Smollett wants his guilty verdict thrown out, according to the New York Post.

Two months after being found guilty on five of six felony disorderly conduct counts, Smollett’s attorneys filed a petition to throw out the guilty verdict for staging a hate crime or to give him a new trial. The lawyers claim his constitutional rights were violated during the jury selection process by the court.

The charges stem from a 2019 incident in which Smollet claimed he was attacked by two men who hurled racist and homophobic slurs at him before pouring bleach on him and wrapping a noose around his neck. Investigators determined Smollett made false statements to Chicago police.  Authorities revealed Smollett paid two Nigerian brothers he knew from Empire to stage the incident to gain publicity for himself.

Last Friday, Smollett’s lawyers asked a Chicago judge Friday to throw out the conviction he received for staging a hate crime. They are saying that the court made a litany of errors during the actor’s trial. Smollett is scheduled to be sentenced March 10. He faces up to three years in jail on each of the five guilty counts.

Smollett’s attorney Mark Lewis asserted that his right to a public trial was violated due to the number of spectators and members of the press being limited due to COVID-19 protocols. They also argued that the judge did not allow the defense to directly question potential jurors, which “was particularly prejudicial,” due to the high-profile nature of the case.

“Even before the verdict was out, most Americans who had not seen the evidence in the courtroom, were convinced that Jussie had committed the crime,” Lewis wrote. “In fact, prior to and during the trial, Mr. Smollett had become a lightning rod for the political divisions plaguing the country currently.”

According to the petition, the judge supported “procedures and tactics” that allowed prosecutors to exclude Black and gay potential panelists from the jury pool. The judge did not inform the jury to “cautiously scrutinize” the testimony of the Osundairo brothers, who say Smollett paid them to attack him. The men, who were never charged, received preferential treatment that prejudiced the jury.

• Education

by Atiya Jordan

February 28, 2022

Son of Texas’ First Black Licensed Architect Donates $1 Million To His Late Father’s Alma Mater

---

Houston entrepreneur, law professor, and civic leader Tony Chase is paving the way for young architects-in-the-making by honoring his late father’s legacy and committing a generous gift to his alma mater.

According to a press release, a donation of $1 million will be gifted to The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Architecture by Chase and his wife, Dr. Dina Alsowayel. The contribution is intended to celebrate Chase’s father, John S. Chase, FAIA, who graduated in 1952 as the first Black graduate of UT’s School of Architecture and was the first Black licensed architect in the state.

“As one of the first Black students to enroll at UT, John Chase helped pave the way for progress and change,” said UT Austin President Jay Hartzell.

“Then, he brought his considerable talents, creativity, and education together to design special places that brought people together. This gift is an investment in the transformative power of education to bring about that sort of change and impact, and will support us as we continue to strive for excellence delivered through a richly diverse and inclusive campus.”

The purpose of the new investment is to provide opportunities that would attract underrepresented communities to the field of architecture. In doing so, the John S. Chase Family Endowed Graduate Fellowship will act as a permanent endowment and help recruit graduates of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, the fellowship will aid in retaining faculty members while encouraging their studies.

In 1950, John S. Chase first enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. His professional career took off after graduation when he was appointed assistant professor of architectural drafting at Texas Southern University. Soon thereafter, he founded his firm, John S. Chase, AIA Architect which he expanded to studios in Houston, Dallas, and Washington, D.C.

His early architectural projects included churches, schools, single-family homes, and small public buildings for the Black community. In 1952, he designed the Colored Teachers State Association of Texas headquarters, which UT acquired in 2018.

Additionally, Chase co-founded the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) along with 12 other Black architects at the AIA convention in Detroit in 1971. His experiences kept him humble as he would become an active volunteer at UT serving as a member of UT’s Development Board and Commission of 125 and as the first Black president of the Texas Exes.

“Throughout his life and as reflected in his built works, John Chase was a connector and a community-builder,” said Michelle Addington, dean of the School of Architecture. “Not only did Chase design spaces that brought people together, but he used his pioneering position to create opportunities for others. We are extremely grateful for Tony’s incredible gift and honored to continue John Chase’s legacy of creating opportunities for a whole new generation.”

“My father always said, ‘A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives,” Chase said.

• Lifestyle

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 28, 2022

Rick Ross Cuts Down Trees After Someone Wanted Him to Pay $10,000 to Do it

---

Being rich, well, in this case, being a boss isn’t about how much money you can spend to purchase something. Being rich can also be about HOW you spend your money or how much of it you choose to spend when there are better options! Rick Ross is the prime example to follow!

According to Complex, the Maybach Music Group owner appeared on his Instagram account over the weekend and gave a little financial advice to his 14 million-plus followers. The self-certified boss needed to have 10 trees on his property cut down. As he explains the story on his Instagram Live, he goes into detail about getting a quote from a contractor regarding the task of cutting the trees. He was quoted with what appears to be an astronomical price for the job, based on his reaction, the fee of $1,000 per tree equaling a total of $10,000. With that quote, Ross decided he needed to do the job himself!

On Saturday morning, Feb. 26, Ross was filmed describing the dilemma he had in front of him.

“I’m up early this morning. And I just got my estimate. I got like 10 trees I want to cut down. “They say, ‘Them big trees, them big oak trees, Rozay.’ I said, ‘I don’t care. I want them cut down. Them f**king up the vibe right there.’ N**ga told me $1,000 a tree for ten trees, that’s $10,000.

So, Ross proceeds to say that he told his homie to go to Home Depot and get him the biggest saw they had there with a big chain on it. “Imma cut the trees down,” he proclaims. He then explains how he is hands-on with his business and he is about to prove it once again.

After getting the saw, Ross proceeds, on camera, to use the chainsaw to cut down the tree he refused to pay $1000 each for. He cuts the tree, shows off the results of his work and has a message for folks.

“It’s a must you remain hands-on. Instead of me paying $10K to an outsider. Went to Home Depot, bought two new saws for $2K. Was really only $5K worth of work. You take the $5K, give that to your homies, y’all bust that down. 5K, another 2K in saw, you still got $3,000 for ya pockets. Come on, man, you could go get Wing Stop, man.”

Welp, there’s sound financial advice! If you want something done, do it yourself!

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 28, 2022

Coqual Announces Black Equity Index to Measure Equity in the Workplace

---

Coqual, a global think tank, unveils the Black Equity Index (BEI), a new initiative for organizations to advance, and measure progress toward racial equity in the workplace.

Founded in partnership with a consortium of Chief Diversity Officers and technology sector leaders, the BEI is designed to drive systemic, sustainable change, providing greater accountability for companies and their leadership teams. This independent and credible benchmark allows organizations to track progress on Black equity in the workplace and improve their practices across shared principles year after year.

Coqual, who led the initiative, published a new white paper that provides data and analysis from the inaugural survey. The project highlights areas where companies are progressing and offers actionable recommendations on how they can continue to improve. The white paper features aggregated data from a wide range of industries including technology, financial services, professional services, energy and utilities and life sciences, according to a press release. 

“To accelerate progress in DE&I, more tools for measurement and accountability are needed. We applaud the BEI participating companies for being bold and for demonstrating their commitment to racial equity and cultural transformation,” said Coqual CEO Lanaya Irvin.

“While there are areas for companies to improve, there are many reasons to be hopeful about the potential to drive greater equity for Black professionals.” The BEI focuses on companies’ efforts toward equity and delves into six specific areas: advancement, accountability, representation, investment, sustainability and public engagement.

The results show that Black representation is sorely lagging. While 14% of college graduates in the U.S. are Black, only two of the participating companies have reached 10% Black representation throughout their ranks. Additionally, 38% of companies have no Black members on their board. Across our entire sample, Black professionals make up only 4% of people managers.

The white paper recommends that for companies to make measurable progress, Black equity must remain a visible organizational priority backed by the CEO. While more than three quarters (77%) of responding organizations have a DE&I task force, only 10% are chaired by the CEO, and 55% are led by anyone in the C-suite.

Accountability among senior leaders has improved on some measures, according to the BEI. Of companies surveyed, 62% consider workforce diversity in performance evaluations for senior leaders. However, only 42% link measurable progress on diversity metrics to executive compensation.

Black professionals are less likely than others to get promotion opportunities or to have access to senior leaders, Coqual’s prior research shows. To shorten time to promotion, Black professionals need sponsors — powerful leaders who can advocate for them. Most companies (81%) have mentorship programs to offer nurturing and advice, but fewer than half (46%) have the sponsorship programs that would give Black professionals meaningful career development and traction.

Collaboration is a key component of the BEI, which will be fielded annually to improve hiring, representation, promotion, inclusion and retention of Black professionals across the corporate sector, to further empower Black talent and create opportunity.

• Fashion & Beauty

by Wendy Medina

February 28, 2022

Estée Lauder Exec Suspended Without Pay Over Sharing Meme With Use Of N-Word On Instagram

---

John Demsey, group president of the beauty giant Estée Lauder, has been with the company for over 30 years and apparently has not learned not to use the N-word as a top executive of a worldwide brand. 

In the post that landed him public backlash, which has since been removed, was a meme of a spoof book cover of Sesame Street with the racial slur and a joke about COVID-19, reported the Wall Street Journal.

“Effective immediately, John Demsey is being placed on unpaid leave due to content posted on his Instagram handle,” Chief Executive Fabrizio Freda and Chairman William Lauder said in a memo to company leaders on Tuesday.

“The content posted does not represent the values of The Estée Lauder Companies,” the memo continued. “As a company deeply committed to inclusive actions and behavior, and in line with our company policies, our employees and our leadership are accountable for upholding these values.”

Even after deleting the post from his personal Instagram page, the cosmetics executive continued to generate outrage on social media.

“I am terribly sorry and deeply ashamed,” shared Demsey in an Instagram post on Friday.

“I made the horrible mistake of carelessly reposting a racist meme without reading it beforehand…I hope that in time people will judge me, not for this awful mistake, but for my lifetime of words and actions, which demonstrate my respect for all people.”

The seemingly forced apology led to many calling him a “racist” and others coming for his job. 

Estée Lauder reported his income in the range of more than $9.6 million in the last financial year ending on June 30.

The top-ranked exec rose to be head of MAC Cosmetics from 1998 to 2006, until being named global president for the beauty powerhouse, per the New York Post.

There were no further details as to the length or extent of his suspension.

• Technology

by Black Enterprise Shop

February 28, 2022

No Coding Needed To Create Apps With This Software

---

Everyone who uses a mobile phone or tablet is all too familiar with apps. Apps allow us to access digital information with the tap of a button instead of having to trudge to a webpage and pull up the needed data. Technology hasn’t only made lives better for consumers.

Companies rely on apps to generate much of their business, to offer a new way to play games, and the list goes on. In its simplest terms, apps have been a game-changer. The skill of creating apps is highly sought after by many, and whether you want to learn how to do so for business or just for personal reasons, there’s no better platform to do so than AppMySite Mobile App Builder Pro Plan.

For a limited time, a lifetime subscription to AppMySite is available for just $29. That’s a savings of 93% from its MSRP ($468).

You don’t need knowledge of coding to take advantage of AppMySite. The platform allows anyone to build premium native apps for iOS and Android operating systems. By doing so, it opens up the technology to freelancers, website owners, and digital agencies.

There’s an easy five-step process to create your apps.

The first step is seamless connectivity via robust API integrations. Personalization is offered through real-time updates that are pushed out to your apps. Preview your app in real-time with iOS and Android emulators. Create your app in 15 minutes via automation and DevOps options. Finally, deploy your app to iOS’ and Android’s app store and have them published in 30 minutes.

WordPress support and real-time website syncing are offered along with your purchase of this deal. Also included are push notifications to all of your app users, along with universal payment and shipping support.

AppMySite currently has a rating of 4.4 stars on the Google Play Store, and it has received a 4.8 rating on Capterra.

If you’ve ever wanted to create an app but lacked the knowledge of coding to do so, this platform is just what you need. Purchase it today while it’s available at its limited-time price of $29.

Prices subject to change.

Shaquille O’Neal proves that he’s still the MVP when it comes to giving lavish gifts.

On Feb. 22., the 49-year-old retired baller and entrepreneur gifted a family of 11 an invaluable gift– a 15-passenger van, and he even included meals. Texas-based Collins family, made up of Karissa and Mandrae, took to social media to share the news of Shaquille’s generosity.

“I have no words right now!!! Today Shaq @shaq blessed us like never before,” Karissa started the caption.

“Like literally no words.”

The post continued detailing the family’s outing at a local Mercedes Benz dealership. 

“Last night, we had a surprise visit from Shaq. He took us to dinner as a family at Babe’s chicken. It was so much fun to just hang out and eat dinner with him.  And then today!! He started the day off by taking us to the Mercedes dealership to get us a new family 15 passenger van. We were outgrowing our 12 passenger van, and the air conditioning wasn’t always working the greatest, and so this is such an outrageous blessing. They didn’t have any in stock, and so we got to customize and order a van that should be here in July.”

“He then took us to dinner at Rainforest Café where he paid for another table’s entire meal, not knowing that they were from out of state and here on missions,” the wife added. “ And then he tipped our waitress $1000 after her car broke down today.  And then, when he saw my husband‘s truck that has been without air-conditioning and heat for a while, he took us to a Ford dealership and blessed us with another truck. He also spent time encouraging us and loving on our children, and speaking life into our family. I am completely lost for words.”

“Somebody wake me up because I must be dreaming,” she concluded. “Thank you @shaq times a million times!!! You have been such a blessing to us in so many ways.”

Shaquille even took pictures with the Collins clan. 

Of course, social media users were curious about how the Texas-based couple ran into the former Laker (randomly or not), and Karissa responded.

The 36-year-old matriarch of the Collins family is a blogger and owner of the Rooted In Christ boutique. An online retailer “dedicated to bringing modest clothing at an affordable price.  Women of all shapes, colors, ages and sizes will love all of these clothes.”

Mandrae is a former professional basketball player who signed with the New York Nationals in 2006. The 38-year-old Collins patriarch currently and ironically works as a manager at a Mercedes Benz dealership in Fort Worth. 

In 2021, Karissa caught heat on social media for seemingly fetishizing Black men during an odd 14th-anniversary tribute to her Mandrae. 

“I have always had a love for hip hop music and dark skin.”

The mom of nine apologized on Instagram.

Despite the recipients’ questionable interaction with Shaquille, the baller’s generosity is never in doubt. 

Last month at a mall, Shaquille played big bro to seven-year-old Zion Seaton. The gentle giant rolled up on the little boy crying because his father was angry with him.

The unsuspecting boy got the surprise of his life when Shaq asked him what was wrong. The boy’s father had only come to get him a coat, but the youngster also wanted shoes. 

Shaq, lovingly, told Zion to hug his dad, and he copped the coat and kicks for the little boy. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Zion Lazae Seaton (@zdawg_3)

Shaq is alright with us! 

• Lifestyle

by Wendy Medina

February 27, 2022

LeBron James To Be Honored In New Museum Devoted To His Career In Hometown of Akron

---

The NBA legend is getting a museum in his hometown of Akron, Ohio showcasing his stunning career, set to open its doors in 2023, per CBS Sports.  

LeBron James has made record-breaking history throughout his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, hinting that retirement is on the horizon during All-Star weekend, after sharing hopes that his “last year will be played with [his] son,” as previously covered.

Besides his moves on the court, James has staked his claim as a philanthropist, business owner, and actor, the museum rightly so honors his long list of accolades. 

The museum is slated to be on the same street as his “I Promise School” for at-risk youth, founded in 2018, which has accumulated a massive pilgrimage just for a picture of the sign. 

“When the school opened, we never anticipated the number of people who would come just to take a picture of the sign,” said executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, Michele Campbell. “This museum will be fun for everyone.”

It will be built in the old Tangier Event & Entertainment Center complex and will be reimagined as the House Three Thirty.

In a tweet by the LeBron James Family Foundation, “The story of @KingJames will live on in Akron forever inside the one-and-only LeBron James Museum by @UpperDeckSports at House Three Thirty. We can’t wait to bring the story of the kid from Akron to life for all to see in 2023.”

The first exhibit will highlight James’ childhood at Akron’s Springhill Apartments and how that molded him into the man that he is today, reports the outlet. The last exhibit will be dedicated to the LeBron James Family Foundation and its many projects, including the “I Promise School,” in his efforts to give back to the community. 

The House Three Thirty will also spotlight bars, restaurants, shops. While the opening date for the complex has not yet been set, this museum is a dream come true for the LeBron James Family Foundation.

• Lifestyle

by Wendy Medina

February 27, 2022

Jason Momoa And Lisa Bonet Give Love A Second Chance One Month After Divorce Announcement

---

News of the Hollywood power couple splitting up saddened many fans who were rooting for their marriage after Aquaman actor Jason Momoa and The Cosby Show’s Lisa Bonet announced their separation in a joint statement on a now-deleted Jan. 12 Instagram post.

However, the couple has allegedly decided to give their marriage a second chance just a month after their shocking split, reports HollywoodLife. 

Momoa and Bonet began dating in 2005, officially becoming husband and wife two kids later, in 2017. The pair called it quits after 16 years together, prompting Momoa to move out and into a $750K RV. 

According to a source close to the couple, the Game of Thrones star moved back in with his wife almost “two weeks ago,” confirming they “are very much back together,” and that “they decided to work on things rather than throw in the towel because they have so much invested in each other.”

Their kids, 14-year-old Lola and 13-year-old Nakoa-Wolf, are “obviously thrilled” their parents are working through the reasons they felt the need to end their relationship in the first place. 

While the split has been attributed to a busy shooting schedule for the Hawaii native, differing personalities, and overwhelming parenthood, the couple’s return has now inspired family, friends, and fans alike. 

The 54-year-old actress does not have social media, while the 42-year-old Momoa’s account has been on radio silence regarding their reuniting. 

Their love story dates all the way back to an 8-year-old Momoa, admitting he had a crush on Bonet ever since he first saw her on The Cosby Show and making it his mission to win her heart. 

“Lisa is, and always has been, the only woman that Jason has ever loved,” the source revealed. “Everyone is really hoping that they can make this work this time around.”