Atlanta Unveils Largest Mural In City As Visitors, Residents Build Hype For FIFA World Cup
The piece highlights Atlanta's underserved neighborhoods and the city's place in the global community.
Atlanta is unveiling its largest mural to wow visitors ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The city, known for its vibrant culture and diverse communities, has a new art display, titled “Wild Seed, Wild Flower,” in Atlanta’s southwest side. Local leaders, such as Mayor Andre Dickens, came together for the mural’s ribbon-cutting ceremony as the entire city prepares for the FIFA tournament.
“It is 10,000 square feet of art… everyone coming into downtown—whether they’re headed to City Hall, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or State Farm Arena will pass through here and see this beautiful mural,” Dickens said during the ribbon-cutting, as reported byWSB-TV.
The piece spans 10,000 square feet of wall space located off Interstate 20. The mural’s placement at an intersection in the South downtown area also supports the mayor’s mission to revitalize its neighborhoods. Areas such as Mechanicsville and Vine City have faced underinvestment, which city leadership hopes to address with new initiatives and developments.
One initiative, Atlanta’s Bridges, Walls, and Tunnels program, led to the creation of the mural. The program offers an artistic spin on the city’s visible hotspots, creating lively pieces that complement Atlanta’s eclectic culture.
The program commissioned artist Charity Hamidullah to develop the piece, which she says took 15 days to complete. As the World Cup symbolizes global unity through the sport, her work reflects this mission through its use of butterflies, hands, and, naturally, soccer balls.
Hamidullah wants everyone to feel like a champion through her artwork, as she hopes the mural strengthens Atlanta’s ties to a global community. She also wants it to amplify the residents on the southwest side, emphasizing how they are an integral part of the city’s ecosystem.
“We’ve been tying each other’s shoes… picking up flowers… dancing through the streets… kicking the ball forward,” Hamidullah said. “This is a city about teamwork, and we do this together.”
Alongside new attractions, Atlanta will undergo several transformations as it hosts major games during the World Cup, which begins June 11.
Pucker Up! Teyana Taylor Is New Face Of Revlon For Makeup Brand’s Super Lustrous Lipsticks
Taylor is a new face for Revlon's "Be Unforgettable" era.
Teyana Taylor is the new face of Revlon, joining the makeup brand to promote its Super Lustrous Lipsticks line.
Taylor has become an influential figure in Hollywood, from her Grammy-nominated album to her Golden Globe-winning acting performance. Now, the multifaceted entertainer has inked a new deal with Revlon, starring in its “Be Unforgettable” campaign for one of its signature products.
The One Battle After Another actress made her Revlon debut with the heritage shades of Super Lustrous Lipsticks, while also promoting newer collections such as Ultra Lipstick. Revlon, a household name in makeup, partnered with Hollywood’s latest trailblazer to highlight one of its mainstay offerings.
“Whether commanding the stage, directing behind the camera, or shaping style conversations, Taylor has become synonymous with authenticity and fearless creativity,” said Erika Woods, SVP of mass marketing. “Our partnership reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to celebrating women who lead with substance just as much as style.”
Taylor is not only the face of the makeup brand itself but also of its “Be Unforgettable” platform. The platform uplifts women’s innate beauty as they play with style and colors that they feel most confident wearing. Taylor praised Revlon’s mission to empower women, while calling it an “honor” to become one of its spokespersons.
“Revlon has always championed women who define their own path, so stepping into this next chapter of ‘Revlon Be Unforgettable’ is an honor,” said Taylor.
Now, fans of the singer-actress and the makeup company can see Taylor rock its unforgettable shades in new advertisements. Showcasing a bold look is not foreign to Taylor, who said the Super Lustrous line is all about making an entrance and being oneself.
“Super Lustrous is all about that finishing touch – the kind of beauty that elevates your whole vibe without taking away from who you are. It’s about walking into every room with intention, confidence, and a sense of self. To me, unforgettable isn’t about being perfect – it’s about presence, depth, and owning your individuality.”
Those Most Reliant On AI Show Weaker Confidence In Their Own Thinking, Study Shows
A new study highlights how those who heavily rely on AI tools show weaker confidence in their own thinking.
New research is examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping self-perception and how those who rely heavily on these tools may lack confidence in their own thinking and intelligence.
A recent study published on April 16 in Technology, Mind, and Behavior found that nearly 2,000 working adults who rely heavily on AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini were more likely to feel that the tools were “doing the thinking” for them. They also reported lower confidence in their own reasoning and ownership of ideas.
By contrast, participants who actively challenged AI by editing, questioning, or rejecting its suggestions reported higher confidence and a stronger sense of ownership over their work. The findings suggest AI isn’t the main factor weakening our abilities, but may be subtly changing how we experience our own thinking.
“Generative AI can lead to cognitive decline or cognitive evolution—it depends on your interaction style,” study author Sarah Baldeo told Time. “When we look at brain activity contingent on how people choose to use the tool, we can see increases or decreases. It really doesn’t have to do with the tool itself.”
AI’s impact depends on how it’s used: those who engage critically receive help with projects and ideas, while those who defer to it may hinder their own abilities. The study found that heavy reliance, especially accepting outputs without modification, led many to feel tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini were “doing the thinking” for them.
The study tracked 1,923 adults in the U.S. and Canada as they used AI for simulated workplace tasks, comparing users with non-users and how they interacted with the tools. It found a clear divide: some accepted the first response, while others edited and challenged it — choices that strongly influenced their confidence in their own reasoning.
“If the AI solves a problem for you, you don’t think, and you don’t learn,” said Ethan Mollick, an associate professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who studies AI and work. “If you make AI act like a tutor and push people, you get improved outcomes.”
Researchers hope the study helps workers not avoid AI but instead find that balance and use it intentionally. Mollick says the key is choosing which tasks to handle yourself and resisting the urge to outsource everything just because you can.
“It might be worth being less efficient for practice,” he said, before offering a comparison to working out. “There are a lot easier ways to move weights up and down than with your own hands, but we do it because we want to maintain muscle.”
40 People Busted At Illegal Marijuana Pop-Up Event In Atlanta
'Operation No Smoke' a substantial amount of illegal narcotics, along with weapons, and more than $30,000 in cash.
The Atlanta Police Department arrested 40 people during “Operation No Smoke,” an investigation targeting a large-scale marijuana pop-up event.
According to Atlanta Police, with help from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, police officers, acting on an anonymous tip, executed a search warrant at the location on April 18. Cops encountered over 70 people before apprehending 40.
Officers executing the search warrant seized large quantities of drugs, weapons, and cash, including 1,220 pounds of marijuana, 391 pounds of THC edibles, 29 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, 15 firearms — two belonging to security guards — $32,329 in cash, and nine vehicles.
More than 1,400 people had registered for the event, with additional attendees expected.
According to Rough Draft Atlanta, the organizers of the pop-up were from 11 states, with 24 vendors, and the event was promoted on social media. Lt. Jason Smith said 18 customers were already waiting outside when officers arrived. He said some attendees attempted to flee, with vendors barricading doors while others tried to escape through a back entrance.
“More than 70 people ran from the location – jumping on roofs, running on the railroad tracks, and throwing guns and bags of raw marijuana and gummies,” Smith said. “It was a very chaotic scene.”
According to Atlanta News First, at a press conference announcing the bust, Chief Darin Schierbaum spoke about what the sale of marijuana could do, sometimes leading to violence.
“The wholesale distribution of it leads to violence. People are eventually going to come for the product, or they’re going to come for the proceeds… and there’s going to be a gun attached to either defending it or taking it,” he said.
Police also released video of the operation during the press conference.
CFPB Ends Key Lending Anti-discrimination Requirements Under Trump Administration
For over 50 years, the ECOA law has made it illegal to discriminate against potential borrowers based on their race, sex, gender, marital status, ethnicity, religion, and other "protected characteristics."
The federal financial watchdog agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), finalized a rule that will roll back fair lending enforcement by eliminating a key tool that has long ensured equal and fair access to credit, loans, and homeownership.
Under the Trump administration, the CFPB announced that it will no longer use disparate impact, a statistical analysis used to identify discriminatory lending practices under the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA).
Congress defines disparate-impact discrimination as occurring when a seemingly neutral policy or action causes a disproportionate and unjustified negative harm to a group, regardless of intent.
White House Budget Director, Russ Vought, who also serves as acting CFPB director and is a key architect of Project 2025, told Reutersthat the ECOA encouraged “new forms of discrimination” rather than ridding the industry of unequal practices.
Democratic Lawmakers Push Back On CFPB’s Rule Change Over Discrimination
For over 50 years, the ECOA law has made it illegal to discriminate against potential borrowers based on their race, sex, gender, marital status, ethnicity, religion, and other “protected characteristics.”
Consumer advocates and Democratic lawmakers have defended the law and written letters stating that eliminating disparate impact would make it harder to bring discrimination claims, especially as more lenders rely on artificial intelligence in credit decisions.
“This would open the floodgates for discrimination in all consumer lending, including mortgages, credit cards, and car loans,” Democratic senators wrote to Vought in February over the proposed rule.
They continued, “It would also stop lenders from establishing Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCP), which are designed to expand homeownership access in those same marginalized communities. This proposal would gut longstanding civil rights protections, widen the wealth gap, and increase housing, credit card, car loan, and other borrowing costs by undermining ECOA’s core purpose of ensuring everyone has fair and nondiscriminatory access to credit.”
The rule change comes just over a year after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“The only sliver of good news is that courts may well see through this and reject the CFPB’s latest unlawful action,” Brad Lipton, Director of the Corporate Power and Financial Regulation Program at the Progressive Think Tank, The Roosevelt Institute, told Bloomberg Law.
On April 22, AIE will open a storefront in Concourse B of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to a press release.
Done in collaboration with Paradies Lagardère, a leading airport retailer and restaurateur, the brick-and-mortar location will feature a curated selection of exclusive apparel, including T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and sweatshirts that amplify a “Made in ATL” vision.
“This moment is about more than us,” said the AIE leadership team. “It’s about showing what’s possible when Black entrepreneurs are given the space to build, to dream, and to execute at the highest level. This is about Atlanta, but it’s also about every city, every creative, and every visionary who knows their impact deserves a global stage.”
The launch event will run from 3 to 5 p.m., with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and a host of cultural leaders and special guests scheduled to attend the ribbon-cutting, which comes after three years of effort.
“For three years, this deal has been carefully built and negotiated,” the press release stated “And now, it stands as proof of what happens when vision, culture, and strategy align. Positioned inside the busiest airport in the world, AIE is no longer just a mantra, it is a movement with a permanent global footprint.”
Founded by Tory Edwards, Bem Joiner, and Ian Ford, Atlanta Influences Everything has helped shape Atlanta’s cultural narrative through initiatives like 404 Day and partnerships with brands including Coca-Cola, Lululemon, Prudential Financial, and Atlanta United FC. Guided by its “Three C’s”—Corporate, Culture, and Civic—the group focuses on driving lasting impact.
Now AIE is at the gateway connecting the city to the world.
Mike Tomlin Heading To NBC As An Analyst On ‘Football Night In Amercia’
Tomlin recently resigned as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
After resigning his head coaching position with the Pittsburgh Steelers after this past season, long-time coach Mike Tomlin is heading to the NBC studio booth for the upcoming football season.
According to The Athletic, Tomlin will be joining the NBC Sunday night pregame show, “Football Night in America.” The 54-year-old will join the current team of Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett, and Devin McCourty, as the other hosts who appeared on the show last season are question marks.
Former NFL Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungy confirmed he will not be on the program after being an analyst on the show for 17 years.
Tomlin will most likely slide into the role of a knowledgeable former head coach, offering expert opinion as a veteran coach and Super Bowl winner. Dungy was also a Super Bowl-winning coach and former NFL player.
It was more than likely, with two years remaining on his Steelers contract, that he would not return to the sidelines. If he did return to coaching with an NFL team, that team would have had to get permission from the Steelers to allow him to coach.
While at the helm, Tomlin’s teams have won one Super Bowl, two conference championships, and eight division titles. In only his second season, he coached the team to the Super Bowl title, becoming the youngest head coach, at 36, to win the championship, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27–23 in 2009. The Steelers had an 8-12 playoff record. According to ESPN, Tomlin informed the team that he would not be coaching the day after the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs. As successful as Tomlin has been during the regular season, he also has a nine-year losing streak in the postseason. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2016, when they beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 18-16.
Ask Your Fairygodmentor®: If The Future Of Work Isn’t Waiting—Should You?
How do you future-proof your relevance, protect your credibility, and make strategic moves now that will still matter three years from now?
Dear Fairygodmentor®,
Everyone keeps talking about AI, layoffs, and “the future of work.” I’m trying to stay relevant, but honestly? It feels like too much is changing too fast. How do I protect my career without burning out or falling behind?
— Trying to Stay Ready
Dear Trying to Stay Ready,
At this year’s Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, I had the privilege of moderating a powerhouse conversation on a topic that’s keeping a whole lot of professionals up at night: How do you future-proof your relevance, protect your credibility, and make strategic moves now that will still matter three years from now?
No pressure, right?!
But here’s the truth: the future of work is already here. AI is here. Disruption is here. Layoffs, restructuring, shifting expectations, shrinking teams, changing leadership, political uncertainty, supply chain disruption, all of it is here. The question is no longer whether change is coming. The question is whether you are preparing for it with intention.
Joining me on stage were three brilliant women who know this terrain well: Deriece Harrington, Director of Government Affairs and Corporate Citizenship at PepsiCo; Robin Glover, VP of Operational Excellence at Salesforce; and Patrice Williams-Lindo, Workforce Strategist, speaker, and founder of Career Nomad™️.
And they didn’t come to play. These three Fairygodmentors had so much to share, it felt like a masterclass. Real talk, I was taking notes myself, so I didn’t miss any gems that were dropped.
If I had to sum up our conversation in one sentence, it would be this:
You do not future-proof your career by panicking. You future-proof it by positioning.
Here are the biggest lessons every professional, especially Black women navigating high-stakes environments, should carry forward.
1. Stop obsessing over every tool and start focusing on your value
Yes, learn the tools. Yes, get familiar with AI. Yes, understand where work is headed.
But let’s be very clear: your future is not going to be secured because you know which app is trending this month.
One of the most powerful points raised on the panel was this: while tools will continue to evolve, wisdom, judgment, adaptability, and human insight are still what set you apart. Too many people are getting distracted trying to master every new platform while ignoring a more important question:
Do the right people know the value you bring?
That is the real issue.
We are living in what Patrice called a visibility economy. It is not enough to be good. It is not enough to work hard. It is not enough to quietly “handle your business” and hope somebody notices.
You have to make your value visible. And like I say to my coaching clients all the time: “It’s one thing to know your value, it’s another thing to show it.”
That means being known as someone who is adaptable. Someone who can think around corners. Someone who can bring clarity during chaos. Someone whose name comes up in the room before the room is even finished asking the question.
2. The future of work belongs to people who are willing to move before they feel ready
One truth came through loud and clear from all three panelists: disruption is not just a threat. It is also an opportunity.
But only if you’re willing to see it that way.
Robin spoke about how, in moments of rapid change, professionals who rise are often the ones who can anchor themselves in business strategy, communicate clearly, and ask for what they need before things fall apart. Not after. Before.
That matters.
Because credibility is not built by pretending everything is fine while you drown in silence. Credibility is built when people know they can trust your judgment, your communication, and your ability to deliver with honesty.
Sometimes that means saying:
“Yes, and I’m going to need three more days.”
“Yes, and I’m going to need more support.”
“Yes, and here’s what will be impacted if priorities shift.”
That “yes, and” is not weakness. That’s leadership.
Especially for those of us who were raised to overperform, overdeliver, and under-ask, this is a mindset shift worth making. You do not protect your reputation by saying yes to everything. You protect it by being thoughtful, strategic, and clear about what excellence actually requires.
3. You do not need a title to be a change agent
Let me say this for the people in the back: you do not have to be the CEO, the SVP, or the loudest person in the room to influence change.
Deriece made this point beautifully. Some of the most impactful people in an organization are not sitting at the very top. They are moving from the middle. They are influencing without formal authority. They are solving problems, building trust, and shaping outcomes before anybody hands them a shinier title.
That is real power.
Too often, we tell ourselves we’ll speak up when we get promoted. We’ll lead when we get chosen. We’ll innovate when someone gives us permission.
And let me say this clearly: time is not waiting for you to feel ready.
As I often say, and yes, it’s in my book Show Your Ask, if you do not advocate for yourself, nobody is going to magically volunteer to do it for you. And when you do advocate, make sure it is tied to the business. It cannot just be “me, me, me.” It has to be connected to outcomes, priorities, and impact.
That is how you build credibility that lasts.
4. If you want to stay relevant: rebrand, network, and achieve recognition
Patrice offered a framework that I think deserves to be repeated: RNA.
Not the science kind. The career kind.
Rebrand. Network. Achieve recognition.
Let’s break that down.
Rebrand: Who are you now? What are you known for? What do people consistently come to you for? Where are your gifts naturally making room for you? If your current brand no longer reflects where you’re headed, it’s time to update the story.
Network: Who knows your work, your strengths, and your potential? And just as importantly, who can speak your name in rooms you are not in? Networking is not just about collecting contacts when you are desperate. It is about building relationships before you need anything.
Achieve recognition: Too many talented people are allergic to self-promotion. Culturally, many of us were taught to put our heads down, work hard, stay humble, and let the work speak for itself.
The problem is that in many workplaces, the work does not speak for itself. It whispers. And somebody else with half your skill but double your visibility is taking the mic.
You do not have to become performative. But you do have to become more comfortable owning your impact.
5. Pattern recognition is a career survival skill
One of the smartest parts of our conversation centered around recognizing signs before they become consequences.
When layoffs, restructuring, or major organizational changes happen, there are often clues long before the formal announcement. A shift in communication. A strange silence. New priorities that do not quite add up. Budget language. Leadership behavior. A sudden interest in efficiency.
Call it intuition. Call it discernment. Call it pattern recognition.
Whatever you call it, sharpen it.
You do not need to become paranoid. But you do need to become more intentional. When you notice patterns early, you have more options. You can strengthen your network, update your materials, document your wins, and prepare before a situation forces your hand.
And that preparation? That’s not fear. That’s wisdom.
6. Your credibility is built on consistency, not charisma
Deriece said something I loved: ” My word is bond.
That’s it right there.
In a noisy world full of overpromising, underdelivering, and carefully curated performance, consistency still matters. Following through matters. Being honest about what you know and what you don’t know matters. Managing expectations matters.
So does how you treat people.
Because today’s intern may very well be tomorrow’s executive, senator, board member, or gatekeeper. People remember how you treated them long after they forget your fancy title.
Your credibility is not just what you say in the room. It is what people say about you when you are not in it.
7. Play with the technology instead of fearing it
Robin made a point I wish more people understood: the best way to learn AI is to use it.
Not just read about it. Not just attend a webinar and say you “really need to get into that.” Use it.
Build something. Test something. Try it in your personal life. Let it solve a real problem. Stay curious enough to play. Something happens when we enter the workplace: we stop playing. Like being an adult suddenly means no curiosity, no experimentation.
But without play, we don’t build creativity. And creativity? That’s where a lot of real innovation and real wins actually come from.
That spirit of experimentation matters because it reduces fear and increases fluency. And fluency builds confidence.
You do not have to be a technologist to become more technologically capable. You just have to be willing to get in the game.
8. Mentorship is good. Sponsorship and sustained relationships are better
When we talked about preparing the next generation, Deriece made an important distinction: exposure is not enough.
It is not enough to inspire our nieces and daughters one time and disappear. We need consistent investment. The kind that grows from mentorship into sponsorship, into a long-term relationship, into the kind of trusted connection that becomes part of someone’s kitchen cabinet.
That applies to us, too.
Who is on your internal board of directors? Who tells you the truth when you are spiraling, shrinking, or second-guessing yourself? Who reminds you of what you bring when you forget?
Because yes, success amnesia is real.
9. Keep a record of your wins before your confidence tries to rewrite history
This is where I had to jump in with one of my favorite tools: the DIG Folder.
And yes, it stands for Damn, I’m Good.
If you are not documenting your wins, your impact, your progress, your ideas, your stretch moments, your positive feedback, and your visible contributions, start now.
Not the next annual review cycle. Not when you are already burned out. Not when you’re applying for the next role and suddenly can’t remember a single thing you’ve done since January.
Here’s your next assignment (Yes, your Fairygodmentor® gives homework):
Track the meeting where you spoke up. Track the problem you solved. Track the connection you made. Track the goal you manifested. Track the thank-you email. Track the moment you handled something better than the old version of you would have. Track daily for at least 30 days.
Because when you can see your own patterns of growth, it becomes much harder to convince yourself you are behind.
The final word
The future of work is not going to be gentle.
But neither are the women who are serious about staying ready.
We do not wait around for perfect clarity. We create positioning. We do not wait for titles. We build influence. We do not panic in the face of disruption. We prepare in advance.
That was the heartbeat of our Women of Power conversation, and it is the reminder I want to leave with you now:
Stay ready, so you never have to get ready.
And if you’ve been waiting for a sign to bet on yourself: sharpen your voice, update your brand, build your visibility, and advocate for your next move with intention?
This is it.
You got this!
Yours truly,
Your Fairygodmentor®
About Joyel Crawford:
(Photo: Kirten White Photography/BE)
Joyel Crawford is an award-winning career and leadership development professional and founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies, a consultancy that empowers results-driven leaders through coaching, training, and facilitation. She’s the best-selling author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career.
Have a question for Your Fairygodmentor®?
Submit your career and leadership questions, whether it’s about navigating a micromanager, setting boundaries, negotiating for a raise, or handling burnout. Ask Your Fairygodmentor® today!
Remembering Prince’s Purple Reign 10 Years After His Passing
Prince’s legendary career was built on a foundation of musical experimentation and an uncompromising creative vision. Ten years after his passing, his catalog remains a cornerstone of modern culture.
Prince dominated the mid-80s with a sound that blended rock, funk, and gospel.
“When Doves Cry”
Famous for its lack of a bassline, this experimental track became the top-selling single of 1984. Prince explores themes of family and romantic conflict over a sparse, intense production.
“Purple Rain”
The emotional centerpiece of his career, this power ballad is celebrated for its spiritual themes of redemption and its iconic, soaring guitar solos.
“Let’s Go Crazy”
An energetic fusion of rock and funk that served as a call for personal liberation and topped the Billboard Hot 100.
Innovative Funk & Pop (1979–1986)
Prince constantly redefined the limits of pop music through minimalist arrangements and vocal versatility.
“I Wanna Be Your Lover”
This early hit showcased Prince as a multi-instrumentalist, as he performed nearly every instrument on the track himself.
“1999”
A synth-driven anthem that turned Cold War anxieties into a celebratory, “party at the end of the world” anthem.
“Kiss”
A masterclass in minimalism, “Kiss” used a tight funk structure and Prince’s signature falsetto to break pop conventions and reach number one.
Creative Evolution (1985–1991)
Prince continued to pivot, moving into psychedelic pop and socially conscious commentary.
“Raspberry Beret”
A departure from the Purple Rain sound, this track utilized psychedelic influences and string arrangements to tell a colorful narrative.
“Sign o’ the Times”
One of Prince’s most observational works, addressing public health crises and social instability through a minimalist, urgent beat.
“Adore”
A seven-minute soul ballad that remains a fan favorite for its vocal complexity and themes of deep emotional intimacy.
“Diamonds and Pearls”
This track marked the debut of the New Power Generation, blending classic R&B with the evolving pop landscape of the early 90s.
Former Alabama Player Accused Of Impersonating NFL Players To Obtain Nearly $20M In Fraudulent Loans
Luther Evans and co-conspirator CJ Evins are expected to plead guilty.
Luther Davis, a former University of Alabama defensive tackle, has been accused of posing as several NFL players to collect almost $20 million in fraudulent loans.
According to The Athletic, in a March court filing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office claims Davis and a co-conspirator, CJ Evins, donned wigs and makeup to pose as NFL players (identified by the initials X.M., D.N., and M.P.) between May 2023 and October 2024.
Both men have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft, all felonies.
The men plotted to obtain at least 13 loans. When it was time to join a Zoom call with the lenders, they presented identification and documents that were either stolen or featured the players’ photos, which were “easily found online.”
Once the loans were approved, lenders were sent through a network of fake businesses set up by Davis and Evins, as well as their personal accounts. The funds were then used to purchase real estate, cars, and jewelry.
According to NBC News, they received more than $19.8 million from various lenders.
“Unbeknownst to the broker and the lender, none of the players who were supposedly receiving the loans attended any of these closings,” according to the filing. It said that Davis “dressed in disguise and impersonated the players, providing fake identification documents to convince the notary.”
Davis is scheduled for an April 27 hearing before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg in Atlanta and has indicated he will plead guilty to the charges. Evins will also plead guilty before Grimberg this month, according to his attorney, Benjamin Black Alper.
Davis played defensive lineman for the undefeated, championship-winning 2009 Crimson Tide. Over his four-year collegiate career, he made 47 tackles.
