by Ahsan Washington

August 15, 2025

These Black-Owned Car Dealerships Are Thriving In The Automotive Industry

Black-owned car dealerships are far and in between

Black-owned car dealerships are few and far between. Recent statistics from National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD) indicate that of the roughly 18,000 throughout the United States a mere 8% are owned by minority groups. To date, just 266 car dealerships are Black-owned. Disparity aside, these Black-owned dealerships are thriving in the automotive industry by offering their clientele a range of vehicles and treating customers like royalty with much-deserved dignity and respect. Let’s take a look at eight dealerships that are really making a name for themselves across the country.

Famba Automotive Inc.

Faith Mba, an entrepreneur who owns the Famba Automotive Inc. dealership in Vermont. The company was set up in 2018. Famba specializes in Toyota and Ford sales. You can find them at 6896 US Route 5 in Westminster. Faith started out vending at a street market in Nigeria, and now the Nigerian American owns a dealership for both Toyota and Ford in the U.S. Famba Automotive is all about making sure customers are happy and community involvement. Famba has a selection of new and used cars to choose from. Faith’s journey is a part of what makes this dealership unique.

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Mills Auto Group

Mills Automotive Group is an Black-owned dealership group that has been around since 2008. Mills Auto is based in Pineville, North Carolina. The company was founded by Damian Mills, an entrepreneur who made a mark in the industry. What sets Mills Auto apart is the range of brands the company offers. We’re talking Toyota, Volkswagen, Genesis, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Maserati, Audi, and Sprinter to name a few. If you’re ever in the area you can find them at 10724 Pineville Road, in the heart of Pineville. There are a lot of options under one roof.

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RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Holding L.L.C.

RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Holding is a dealership in Little Rock, Arkansas. RLJ McLarty Landers has a group of dealerships under its belt, selling all types of vehicles. The company was started back in 2007 by Robert L. Johnson. RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Holding is not just about selling cars. It’s also about giving back to the community. As one of few Black-owned car companies in the U.S., RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Holding is passionate about promoting diversity and helping out in their neighborhood.

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Sutton Auto Team

Sutton Auto Team has been a staple in the Midwest since 1989, when it was founded by Nathaniel “Nate” Sutton. The dealership is mostly known for selling Fords, but deals other brands, too. Based in Matteson, Illinois, the company started small and has since expanded into a dealership group that serves the whole state. What sets Sutton Auto Team apart is its customer service and dedication to the community. Sutton Auto Team is passionate about giving back and being involved in the community, which is one reason they’re so beloved. The dealership company is a player in the auto market. The family-owned business is led by Nate Sutton’s daughter, Karen Sutton-Ford.

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BMW of the Hudson Valley

In the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley is a BMW dealership that stands out from the rest. BMW of the Hudson Valley, situated in Poughkeepsie, is owned by Ronald Walton, a businessman with enthusiasm and passion for the brand. Since its launch in 2009, this dealership has become the go-to place for BMW fans in the area. Whether you’re in the market for a brand new car or something preowned, BMW of the Hudson Valley has got you covered.

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Lexus of Huntsville

Lexus of Huntsville in Huntsville, Alabama, has been around since 2016. What’s pretty remarkable about this place is that it’s owned by Ellenae Fairhurst, who happens to be the first African American woman to ever own a Lexus dealership in the U.S. If you’re in the market for a set of wheels, Lexus of Huntsville has a selection of brand-new and preowned Lexus vehicles to choose from. The dealership tends to offer high-end cars.

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Jackson Acura

If you’re in the market for a set of wheels, you should check out Jackson Acura in Roswell, Georgia. The dealership is 51% Black-owned by Harvey Jackson and has been around since 2006. Jackson Acura has built a reputation for treating their customers like royalty. The business earned a whopping $56 million in revenue in 2009.

Pittman Enterprises

Pittman Enterprises has come a long way since Winston R. Pittman Sr. first started the company in Louisville, Kentucky back in 1987. What began as a dealership, has blossomed into one of the largest African American-owned auto dealership groups in the country. Today, Pittman Enterprises is spread across multiple states, offers a range of car brands and top notch customer services and is heavy on the customer service.

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by Sharelle B. McNair

August 15, 2025

Rev. Al Sharpton Calls For Mediation After The Sierra Club’s First Black Executive Is Terminated

Aaron Mair, who served as the first Black president of the board, said Jealous has been “a victim of racism, white privilege and white victimhood.”

Civil rights activist and founder of the National Action Network (NAN) is calling on the Sierra Club, an environmental organization to act in “good-faith” and host a mediation with Ben Jealous, the group’s first former Black executive in its 130-year existence, after he feels Jealous’s firing will spark racial implications, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Sharpton is calling for an independent mediation to take place between both Jealous and the Sierra Club following a review of the situation, feeling “another set of eyes is needed to examine what has gone on here. “I am troubled by the Sierra Club’s manner in which they parted ways with Ben Jealous, a man who has carried himself with dedication, professionalism, and integrity in the time I have known him,” Sharpton said in a statement.

“There are serious racial implications in firing a Black man of Ben’s caliber, in this fashion, at a time when diversity is under attack. It also runs counter to the Sierra Club’s own principle of eradicating racism.”

The organization has failed to outline details on the reasons behind Jealous’s firing after being at the Sierra Club since early 2023. The former leader of People for the American Way and the NAACP was brought on after Sierra’s former leader, Michael Brune, stepped down in 2021 amid sustained calls for the organization to heighten diversity amongst its leadership.

Shortly after, the group was flooded with complaints about Jealous from employees and the Club’s staff union, Progressive Workers Union (PWU), according to E&E News. After taking on a $40 million budget deficit, the leader announced layoffs shortly after arriving, resulting in a public spat between Jealous and staff members.

While members of the PWU’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Caucus sent a letter to the Club’s board of directors pushing concerns regarding Jealous’s leadership, Aaron Mair, who served as the first Black president of the board, said Jealous has been “a victim of racism, white privilege, and white victimhood.” He seemingly agrees with Sharpton’s sentiments, labeling Jealous as “a professional” who used his tenure as executive director to care for the group’s fiduciary condition. “He was fired for stabilizing this organization,” Mair said.

Back in a 2023 interview, Jealous said PWU was “attacking the brand of this organization for years” and accused the union of sending reporters to leaders with “multiple lies” that “follow racist tropes about Black leadership.” The former gubernatorial candidate for the state of Maryland called their tactics “uniquely destructive.”

Sharpton wants to bring both parties to the table to hopefully reach a resolution. “Whether it’s myself or another trusted third-party, someone clearly must step in to bring a resolution to this issue,” the NAN president said.

“We should instead focus on making this planet cleaner and healthier. I urge the Sierra Club to come to the table and put this chapter behind all of us so we can get back to that shared mission.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 14, 2025

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser Changes Her Tone Amid Trump’s Police Takeover – But Why?

Several Democratic leaders at the city and state levels have openly condemned the President’s moves but Bowser seemingly used the opportunity to welcome the challenge as help for local law enforcement.

It seems that Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is between a rock and a hard place as President Donald Trump has unleashed the National Guard on the streets of our nation’s capital amid a call to crack down on growing crime, NBC News reports.

By taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department, Trump called on Bowser to join in and cooperate with the order of his administration. While several Democratic leaders at the city and state levels have openly condemned the President’s moves — as he threatens to do the same in other metro cities — Bowser seemingly used the opportunity to welcome the challenge as help for local law enforcement. “What I’m focused on is the federal surge and how to make the most of the additional officer support that we have,” Bowser said following a meeting with Attorney General Pam Bondi.

While she has labeled Trump’s move to community leaders as an “authoritarian push,” Bowser’s tone has been described as more measured than that of other leaders from the blue side of the aisle. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) turned the tables on the indicted politician, stating, “The Trump administration has consistently broken the law and violated the Constitution to further the personal and political agenda of a wannabe king.”

Starting Aug. 11, law enforcement on the federal level has been seen parading the streets of D.C. in what the Trump administration has described as “a crime-fighting effort” in addition to removing homeless persons off the streets. The concerns about the federal takeover are supported by legislation from decades ago. Since Washington, D.C. is not a state, the federal government has the right to overtake city affairs, despite the 1973 Home Rule Act, which grants the city the right to elect its own mayor and council members.

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However, some leaders understand Bowser’s standpoint, regardless of her back being against the wall. Washington, D.C. City Council member Christina Henderson says she empathizes with the mayor. “You do not want to be the mayor that loses home rule, and that there is no mayor after you,” Henderson said, according to CNN.

As Bowser’s team has highlighted her skill of removing emotions from certain situations, political analyst for D.C. public radio station WAMU and veteran city reporter Tom Sherwood said the mayor is being smart with her strategic ways. “I believe that the mayor has done all she can do to tend to the weather-vane attitude of President Trump,” Sherwood said.

“The image from the president is that the district is a liberal, mostly Black city that doesn’t care about fighting crime, and so that’s left the mayor and the DC Council as prime targets for him.”

While Trump called the mayor “a good person who has tried” and given many chances, his anti-Black rhetoric is still at the forefront of everyone’s mind. In 2020, the president, during his first term, employed the National Guard to violently break up peaceful Black Lives Matter protests. He then used the moment for a photo op in front of a church, holding up a Bible in an odd move to address the press. The organizing director of Free DC, a movement that calls for accountability in the district’s statehood, Nee Nee Taylor, remembers the backlash from that moment and feels Bowser is doing the best that she can. “I think she’s standing up to the best of her ability, being that DC is not a state,” Taylor said.

However, she is not blind to what residents feel is Trump’s true agenda. “Black Washingtonians have long recognized that community violence cannot be solved through state violence,” she continued. “We will not be idle as oppressors’ structures try to harm our communities and take power.”

Kendrick Lamar, Drake, lawsuit, Universal

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 14, 2025

Drake Wants Access To Kendrick Lamar’s Recording Contract, Alleged Evidence Of Domestic Violence

The saga continues during the discovery stage of Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group

In Drake’s defamation lawsuit against his distribution label, Universal Music Group, his attorneys have recently requested information about his rival, Kendrick Lamar’s contract with the company, as well as any documented paperwork related to allegations of domestic violence or any crimes allegedly committed by Lamar.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Canadian superstar is looking to receive those items in a discovery move against the recording label in his suit, accusing the label of spreading defamatory statements that Lamar alluded to in his hit song, “Not Like Us.” The attorneys are asking the court to force UMG and the company’s CEO, Lucian Grainge, to turn over the label’s contract with Lamar, as well as information related to alleged crimes committed by the “M.A.A.d City” rapper.

In the paperwork, Drake has stated that the label allowed Lamar to spread a narrative that the OVO label owner is a pedophile, thus ruining his reputation. He also asserted that UMG offered reduced licensing rates to third parties to help promote “Not Like Us” to bring down Drake’s value while they were in the middle of contract renegotiations.

After a previous court date, after UMG handed Drake’s lawyers the contract it had with Lamar, he had an issue with some of the redactions in the 22-page document, “rendering it virtually unreadable and incomprehensible.” Drake is trying to determine if anything he can gather can help him prove that the label was trying to lowball him in current contract negotiations as he tries to re-up with UMG.

UMG also does not want to include Grainge in the discovery, as they stated that the CEO has “no meaningful involvement in the matters and decisions at issue in this litigation.”

The company has tried to get the case thrown out previously after filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, citing that Drake “lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 14, 2025

New Paramount CEO Assures That BET Network Is Not For Sale

'We’re thinking about the cable network not as declining linear assets that we need to split them up or deal with somehow. We’re thinking about those brands that we have to redefine,' Paramount CEO, David Ellison said.

The new CEO of Paramount, David Ellison, assured reporters at a recent press conference that the BET Network will stay within the confines of the company, after Paramount floated the idea of selling it in recent years.

According to Variety, the once Black-owned entertainment property will not have a “for sale” sign hanging on it, as the parent company stated that BET and its properties are slated to be a key part of its streaming strategy. There would be no immediate changes at this time.

“We had this conversation with Shari (Redstone) when we had the first meeting, actually, about the company. It is our intention to keep the company together and invest in that lens,” Ellison said. “We’re thinking about the cable network not as declining linear assets that we need to split them up or deal with somehow. We’re thinking about those brands that we have to redefine.”

This statement comes within a week of the network revealing that two of the shows important to Black culture, the BET Hip Hop Awards and the Soul Train Music Awards, have been “indefinitely” suspended. Billboard reported that Scott Mills, BET CEO, had stated that it does not mean that they’re dead, as they will figure out “where those awards shows” might end up.

“So for BET linear, we have suspended the Soul Train and Hip-Hop award shows,” Mills told the media outlet. “But we have a team that’s actively thinking about where those award shows might best live as the media climate continues to evolve. They aren’t gone.”

Deadline reported that Paramount recently merged with Skydance Media in an $8.4 billion deal.

When Paramount put the word out that the BET network was up for sale, many influential executives in the industry were trying to place the company back in the hands of Black owners again. Some of the prominent figures who were ready to put serious bids in for the network included the likes of Byron Allen, Scott Mills, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Tyler Perry.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 14, 2025

‘Power’ Actor Recalls Octavia Spencer Covering The Cost For His First Publicist

One actor is opening up about the fairy Godmother role Octavia Spencer played in his career.

Power actor Gianni Paolo is opening up about the time Octavia Spencer covered the cost of his first publicist and didn’t expect anything in return.

Paolo, best known for playing Brayden Weston on Power and its spin-off Power Book II: Ghost, recently appeared on Harry Jowsey’s Boyfriend Material podcast, where he shared his journey going from $20,000 in debt to starring in one of Starz’s most-watched crime dramas. His journey included a small role as Chaz in the 2019 horror film Ma, where he confided in the film’s star, Octavia Spencer, about his financial struggles and inability to afford a publicist.

“I didn’t have any money for a publicist ‘cause at this time, this was pre-Ma coming out, and I was like, I just can’t spend $5,000 a month for a publicist,” he said.

It was something the other actors all agreed was key to success in Hollywood, which Paolo recalls feeling defeated in being able to make happen.

“I was like, ‘I don’t have the money to do that. I’m not going to get a publicist,” he explained.

But once he opened up to Spencer, Paolo says she wasted no time springing into action to help the young actor.

“That was on like a Friday. On Monday, she had called her publicist, paid for it completely, and then set me up with her whole team,” he recalled.

He also revealed that Spencer has never asked for the money back. But he still made sure to show his appreciation for the favor by paying her back.

“When I booked Power, I shot my first episode, got my first paycheck for Power, and then I wired her the money back,” he said.

It’s the perfect promotion for Spencer amid reports of her return for the Ma sequel, which is currently in development. Her most recent project sees her sharing parts of her Southern roots on the Food Network cooking competition show Family Recipe Showdown, where she and Southern culinary expert Edgar “Dook” Chase IV judge family duos competing to showcase their most cherished recipes for the chance to win $10,000.

by Mitti Hicks

August 14, 2025

Pentagon Prepares National Guard Deployment Force For More Cities

The Pentagon is preparing a deployment of additional U.S. National Guard troops in more cities. This comes just days after President Donald Trump deployed the first set of troops to Washington, D.C., to the nation’s capital.

According to The Washington Post, the Trump administration is “evaluating plans” to create a “Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force” that would deploy an additional crackdown on cities in the event of unrest or protests. This comes amid an unusual use of the national guard in cities that has extended beyond the norm.

“The Department of Defense is a planning organization and routinely reviews how the department would respond to a variety of contingencies across the globe,” a defense official told The Guardian in a statement. “We will not discuss these plans through leaked documents, pre-decisional or otherwise.”

According to documents obtained by The Post, the Pentagon is calling for at least 600 troops to be placed at military bases in Alabama and Arizona, enabling rapid deployment. If this happens, it could come with a hefty price tag for Americans. The Post reported that the documents revealed that it could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Critics Respond To Trump’s Use of National Guard Deployment

The Trump administration’s plans are not coming without criticism, particularly from the ACLU.

“Sending armed troops into cities to suppress protests should be a non-starter in any healthy democracy, but especially in a country founded on a strong presumption against the military policing civilians,” Hina Shamsi, the director of the ACLU’s National Security Project, also told The Guardian.

Since the takeover, more than 100 have reportedly been arrested, according to White House officials. The dozens of people detained so far face charges that include firearms, drunk driving, warrant violations, and narcotics.

According to NewsNation, at least one person was charged with homicide, 24 guns were seized, and the administration alleges that 23 of those arrested were in the U.S. illegally.

black fashion brands, black designers, Telfar Clemens

by Kandiss Edwards

August 14, 2025

Telfar’s New Collection Draws Inspiration From Plastic Grocery Bags

New York-based, luxury bag company, Telfar is using nostalgia with its new plastic grocery bag collection, available in 11 styles.

On Aug. 15, designer bag company Telfar is dropping its latest collection inspired by plastic grocery bags.

The design is a reimagined take on a regular plastic bag received at a bodega, grocery store, or gas station. Telfar’s design elevates the mundane functional item into a fashion-forward statement piece. The Telfar Plastic Bag unfolds in two sizes, regular and jumbo.

Telfar describes it as “our take on the staple New York sidewalk silhouette.”

The bag is designed with double-lined construction, ruched elastic handles, and multiple functional pockets.

According to descriptions on the website, “the bag features side pockets, a zip pocket, a slit pocket, and even a stash pocket.” The regular size fits a 13-inch laptop and daily essentials. The jumbo serves as an ideal carry-on.

The company offers 11 unique designs to give consumers a versatile selection. However, Telfar’s wares are known to sell out quickly. To have a better chance at securing a bag, subscribe to their updates for release alerts. Telfar’s official site remains the primary drop zone. Restocks happen periodically

Here’s the 11 different colors and graphics for Telfar’s “Plastic Bags” pic.twitter.com/LYMTpmgUnS
— keith (@FvshionsWarrior) August 13, 2025

Resale platforms such as StockX, and Vestiaire Collective offer pre-owned or unworn options. However, it may take time for the bag to become available. Resale sites are known for inflated prices, but the products are usually authenticated for buyer confidence.

Plastic Bag Achieves Accessibility Mission

At its core, the Telfar Plastic Bag continues the brand’s mission of accessible luxury. Queens native Telfar Clemens, founder of the company, has made it his mission to keep the luxury item affordable. To date, the price of bags has stayed below $300. Their pricing model relies on demand. According to Clemens, the higher the demand, the lower the price. Bag collections have dropped as low as $68.

“Many brands use price as a barrier to entry. I never wanted that for my brand,” Clemens told Fast Company in 2023.

However, while the price is attractive, quantity remains a barrier. The company creates buzz through scarcity, and the model works.

Whether you’re drawn to the affordable price, clean aesthetic, bag quality, or nostalgic grocery bag reference, Telfar’s newest drop offers a style that’s designed to be carried and noticed.

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

by Mary Spiller

August 14, 2025

GrantWatch Grants Are Driving Workforce Development Across Key Professions

From scholarships for women in STEM to grants helping veterans launch new careers, funding opportunities are fueling workforce growth across industries nationwide.

Expanding the workforce has become essential for sustaining growth in critical fields such as technology, education, and healthcare. Targeted grants are stepping in to help train new talent, strengthen professional skills, and open career pathways for underrepresented groups.
GrantWatch, a leading directory with more than 9,000 listings, highlights over 1,900 funding opportunities devoted specifically to workforce development. These programs provide resources for individuals, educators, nonprofits, and small businesses to support training and career advancement.

Funding ranges from small scholarships to large-scale grants. For example, up to $20,000 is available to support career and project development in architecture, covering production and research costs for innovative design projects. Schools and colleges can apply for grants up to $5,000 to help teachers and education professionals engage in classroom-focused learning initiatives.

Women re-entering the workforce or seeking new career directions can receive up to $8,000 to pursue advanced degrees in fields such as engineering, science, and technology. Scholarships of $2,000 are also offered to workers pursuing vocational training in industries including transportation, construction, and energy.

Other programs focus on expanding employment opportunities in the food industry, developing technical education programs, and helping youth, veterans with disabilities, and Black young adults access career mentorship, skills training, and job placement. Grants also provide $5,000 to help small businesses grow by creating jobs and improving access to essential services, particularly in underserved communities.

Specialized opportunities include $1,000 awards for first-time scholars from historically underrepresented groups to attend academic conferences, and neuroscience fellowships that support PhD students and postdoctoral fellows from under-resourced backgrounds.

GrantWatch’s listings are constantly updating as new opportunities are offered to the public, becoming a place to easily browse scholarships and grants in your field.

With initiatives like these, GrantWatch is helping to build a robust pipeline of skilled professionals. By supporting training, education, and entrepreneurship, these grants ensure that industries remain competitive while expanding opportunities for individuals across the country.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 14, 2025

Sabrina Greenlee, Mother Of NFL Player DeAndre Hopkins, Discusses Attack That Left Her Blind

She speaks about the acid attack in the upcoming ESPN docuseries, 'The Kingdom.'

Sabrina Greenlee, the mother of NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (a former Kansas City Chiefs player, who will be playing for the Baltimore Ravens this upcoming season) is featured in the ESPN documentary, The Kingdom, where she talked about experiencing a painful acid attack that left her blind in 2002.

According to the Daily Mail, Greenlee, while speaking on the docuseries that is about the current dynasty of the Chiefs, who have won three Super Bowls in the past five years (2020, 2023, and 2024), she recalled the horrible incident that took place almost 25 years ago.

“The skin instantly falls off of my body,” Greenlee stated. “In that moment, I was thinking this is how I’m going to literally die.”

Sabrina Greenlee was attacked by Savannah Carlita Grant, who was with Greenlee’s boyfriend when the pair were arguing. As the pair argued, Grant threw a “concoction” of bleach and lye that hit her face, neck, and back and left her blind and with severe burns. Grant was sentenced to 20 years in prison for assault and battery with intent to kill.

Hopkins, who was only 10 years old at the time, also spoke of the time that he and his siblings saw Greenlee after she had been in a coma for about a month before her recovery from the incident.

“The day I finally got to see my mom with my siblings, once she came from the hospital, her whole face was wrapped up,” he said. “And I just remember seeing her eyes and how different they were.”

After the incident, the 10-year-old Hopkins “became the man of the house,” Greenlee said.

“He’d read to me, describe what’s on the television. And it’s like if he’s not giving up, how dare I? I sat my children down and I said: ‘This doesn’t define us.”

The ESPN docuseries is slated for release on August 14 at 8 p.m.