San Diego Padres, Kwanza Jones, MLB, José E. Feliciano — (Photo: Steshka Willems/Pexels)

by Sidnee Michelle

August 26, 2026

San Diego Padres’ New Ownership Brings Diverse Leadership And World Series Ambitions

Feliciano will serve as the Padres' control person under MLB governance requirements, while the couple will jointly lead the ownership group.

Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano have taken control of the San Diego Padres, with the new majority owners setting an immediate goal for the Major League Baseball franchise: winning its first World Series championship, MLB.com reports.

Jones and Feliciano, who are married and longtime business partners, were formally introduced Aug. 24 at Petco Park in San Diego. MLB owners unanimously approved the transfer of control on Aug. 17, and the transaction was completed on Aug. 21.

Feliciano will serve as the Padres’ control person under MLB governance requirements, while the couple will jointly lead the ownership group.

“We need to win the World Series,” Feliciano said. “It’s that simple.”

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The championship pursuit comes as the Padres build on one of the most successful stretches in franchise history. The team has reached the postseason four times in the past six seasons but has never won a World Series title.

Jones made clear that the couple plans to take an active approach to ownership.

“We are all in; it’s not lip service,” Jones said. “We are absolutely committed to this organization, and we are absolutely overjoyed.”

The couple brings extensive business, investment, and philanthropic experience to the franchise. Jones and Feliciano co-founded the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, a private family office established in 2014. Jones serves as CEO and oversees its strategic direction, governance, and investments. Feliciano is co-founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital Group.

Their ownership follows the Seidler family’s November 2025 decision to explore selling the franchise, two years after former Padres owner Peter Seidler died. The family reached an agreement in May to transfer control to an ownership group led by Jones and Feliciano, pending MLB approval.

Jones and Feliciano said their plans extend beyond baseball. They intend to build on the Padres’ community work under Seidler, including efforts throughout San Diego and the Baja region. Jones also proposed a “listening tour” with Padres CEO Erik Greupner to learn more about local organizations and community needs.

“Sports is just much more than a business,” Feliciano said. “Sports is an integral part of the community.”

Anthony Anderson, Law & Order, XCEL Summit For Men — Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

by Kenneth Meeks

August 26, 2026

Anthony Anderson Shares a Secret Behind the Hit Sitcom ‘Black-ish’

While people didn’t find the name funny, the story behind it certainly Is.

With a career in television and films spanning a little over 30 years, Anthony Anderson is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, comedian, and game show host. He has displayed a wide range of acting talent from his supporting roles in the drama “Hustle & Flow” and Martin Scorsese’s crime film “The Departed” to the iconic crime drama “Law & Order.” But it was the groundbreaking family sitcom “Black-ish” that had a tremendous impact on his life. For eight seasons, he was known for his leading role as Andre “Dre” Johnson. It starred Tracee Ellis Ross, Jenifer Lewis, and Laurence Fishburne.

Anderson explained it was a challenge to get people to watch the show. Turns out, people hated the name. Yet, ABC picked up the pilot for the 2014-15 television season, and the sitcom became an instant success. Anderson, a 2023 Xcel Summit Honoree, sat down with fellow Honoree Ed Gordon and shared the secret behind the show’s controversial name and what he and show creator Kenya Barris were willing to do to keep it. With the 10^th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men approaching, BLACK ENTERPRISE offers a sneak peek at the diverse cadre of talented African Americans who attend. They are not just corporate executives and middle management; they’re entertainers, singers, basketball players, and the list goes on. They share their stories and offer insight into the world around us. Check out Anthony Anderson’s insight behind the “Black-ish” name.

Michigan, letter grades, first-year students — Photo by ajay_suresh/flickr, small image (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

by Sidnee Michelle

August 25, 2026

University Of Michigan To Drop Letter Grades For First-Semester Students

The change will apply to first-year students in the university's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, or LSA.

The University of Michigan will change how thousands of first-year students are graded beginning in fall 2027, replacing first-semester letter grades on external transcripts with a pass or no credit designation, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The change will apply to first-year students in the university’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, or LSA, which enrolls about half of Michigan’s roughly 8,000 incoming first-year students. The pilot program is intended to ease students’ transition to college, reduce academic pressure, and encourage them to explore challenging coursework.

Under the new system, students will continue to receive letter grades and feedback from instructors. However, those grades will not appear on external transcripts or factor into students’ GPAs during their first semester.

The university will retain internal records of students’ letter grades for purposes including academic advising, scholarships, awards, compliance, and certain applications for internships or academic programs. After the first semester, students will return to traditional letter grades that appear on transcripts and count toward their GPAs.

The University of Michigan joins several institutions that have adopted similar approaches to first-year grading, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Swarthmore College, and Wellesley College.

MIT, which launched its program in 1968, uses a pass or no-record system for first-year students during their first semester and January Independent Activities Period. Students transition to an A, B, C, or no-record system during the spring semester before moving to standard A-F grading as sophomores.

Michigan’s decision comes amid a broader debate over academic pressure, student mental health, and grading practices in higher education. The university has described its approach as “grade covering,” with the goal of giving students time to adjust to university-level expectations while continuing to receive feedback on their academic performance.

Beginning with the fall 2027 class, LSA students’ official transcripts will note that all first-semester grades were automatically designated as pass or no credit. Traditional letter grades will appear on their transcripts for subsequent semesters.

Black mother and daughter success parents — AI-generated image via Magnific

by Selena Hill

August 25, 2026

Psychologist Warns Parents Not To Tell Children They Can Be Anything

A psychologist says parents may better prepare children for success by having honest conversations about fear, setbacks, skills, and growth.

For generations, parents have offered children a familiar piece of encouragement: ‘You can do anything you put your mind to.’ But psychologist Juli Fraga says that message may do more harm than good.

“If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything,” is “one of the most common lies I hear parents in my psychotherapy practice tell their kids,” Fraga wrote in a recent CNBC report.

The problem, according to Fraga, is not encouragement. It is the implication that effort alone can guarantee an outcome — whether that outcome is becoming a pop star, landing on the moon, or going to an Ivy League school.

“Most of the time, though, these parents don’t even realize they’re relaying a false message,” Fraga wrote on LinkedIn.

For families thinking about the long game, that distinction matters. Career development, entrepreneurship, and financial success rarely follow a straight line. Skills must be developed, opportunities can be limited, and setbacks are part of the process. Fraga, who has spent more than 20 years working with parents, warns that an excessive focus on outcomes can reinforce “external motivation,” in which a child’s drive is tied to praise, grades, trophies and other rewards that may not be fully within their control.

Instead, the focus should shift toward helping children navigate challenges. That can mean acknowledging that a new experience is scary, validating disappointment and showing children that falling short of a goal does not mean they have failed. It can also mean parents sharing their own experiences with setbacks, missed opportunities and changing course. Rather than selling children a fantasy of guaranteed success, she says parents can encourage ambition while also helping young people understand their strengths, develop skills, and recognize that progress does not always produce immediate rewards.

PayPal, tuition, Venmo — In this photo illustration a PayPal logo seen displayed on a smartphone screen in Chania, Greece on August 15, 2023. (Photo illustration by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

by Sidnee Michelle

August 25, 2026

College Students Can Now Pay Tuition With PayPal And Venmo

PayPal announced on Aug. 19 that it had integrated PayPal and Venmo with three education payment platforms: Illumia, Nelnet Campus Commerce, and TouchNet.

College students and their families can now use PayPal or Venmo to pay tuition and fees at select universities, expanding the digital payment services into one of the largest expenses many households face, Fox Business reports.

PayPal announced on August 19 that it had integrated PayPal and Venmo with three education payment platforms: Illumia, Nelnet Campus Commerce, and TouchNet. The integrations allow students and families at participating schools to make payments through their universities’ existing online portals.

Bellarmine University, Butler University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, and Texas Tech University are among the schools offering the payment options. PayPal said more institutions are expected to join throughout the year.

The three education payment platforms collectively serve thousands of colleges and universities nationwide, potentially giving the online payment systems a significant foothold in higher education payments.

“Tuition is one of the biggest payments a family will make, and it should come with the same flexibility and security that millions of people already count on PayPal and Venmo for every day,” Frank Keller, president of Checkout Solutions at PayPal, said in announcing the integrations.

Students and families can fund eligible payments using a bank account, credit card, or PayPal or Venmo balance. PayPal said transactions include encryption and fraud monitoring.

However, students should consider potential processing fees and how their money is protected before using the services for large tuition payments.

Fees vary by institution and payment method. Kansas State University, for example, lists a 2.95% service fee for domestic card transactions made through PayPal or Venmo and a minimum $3 service fee for transactions exceeding $20.

Federal deposit insurance protections can also vary. PayPal says eligible U.S. dollar funds associated with certain PayPal and Venmo offerings are placed at participating banks and may qualify for pass-through Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. coverage, subject to conditions. PayPal itself is not a bank and is not FDIC-insured.

The tuition expansion comes about a year after PayPal and Venmo reached agreements with the Big Ten and Big 12 conferences to facilitate institutional revenue-sharing payments to college athletes.

RELATED CONTENT: After Two Decades, PayPal Returns to Nigeria

USS Doris Miller, veterans, — photo credit: Unknown photographer, US Navy; restored by User:Coffeeandcrumbs, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Sidnee Michelle

August 25, 2026

Black Veterans Urge Navy To Keep Doris Miller’s Name On Historic Navy Carrier

In a letter provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE, the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations expressed "profound concern and strong disapproval" over the reported deliberations.

The National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations is urging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to preserve the name of the future USS Doris Miller after reports that the Navy is considering renaming the aircraft carrier, potentially in honor of President Donald Trump, CNN reports.

According to the outlet, three sources familiar with internal discussions said the Navy is working to rename the Ford-class carrier, designated CVN-81.

Two sources said officials have discussed naming it for Trump. The Defense Department told CNN it had nothing to announce. Naming a carrier for a sitting president would be unprecedented, according to the outlet.

In a letter provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE, the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations expressed “profound concern and strong disapproval” over the reported deliberations and called on Hegseth to reject any proposal to rename the carrier.

“This is not a partisan objection, nor is it intended to diminish the service or position of any president,” the coalition wrote. “Our concern is the preservation of an honor already bestowed upon an American sailor whose extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and historical significance are beyond dispute.”

Doris “Dorie” Miller enlisted in the Navy in 1939, when racial segregation largely restricted Black sailors to service positions. During Japan’s Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, Miller helped wounded sailors aboard the USS West Virginia before manning an anti-aircraft gun despite having no formal training on the weapon.

Adm. Chester W. Nimitz presented Miller with the Navy Cross on May 27, 1942. Miller became the first Black sailor to receive the decoration. He was killed Nov. 24, 1943, when the USS Liscome Bay was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.

The Navy announced Jan. 20, 2020, during Trump’s first administration, that CVN-81 would be named for Miller. The designation was historic: The vessel was set to become the first aircraft carrier named for an African American and the first named for an enlisted sailor.

The coalition is asking Hegseth to publicly confirm the USS Doris Miller name, reject transferring Miller’s name to a less prominent vessel, consult his family and Black veterans’ organizations before making changes, preserve the Navy’s original commitment, and support renewed consideration of Miller for a posthumous Medal of Honor.

“Ship names carry history across generations,” the coalition wrote. “His name aboard one of America’s most powerful warships would demonstrate that courage is not determined by rank, race, or assigned duty.”

Target, DEI rollback, Blackface, Halloween — Photo by Mike Mozart/flickr

by Selena Hill

August 25, 2026

Target Apologizes For ‘Racist’ Halloween Costume

Target removed a children’s Halloween costume criticized for evoking Blackface and minstrel imagery

Target has pulled a children’s Halloween costume from its website and apologized after the product drew widespread criticism online for imagery that consumers said evoked Blackface and racist minstrel caricatures.

The costume, sold as the “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume” under Target’s Hyde and EEK! Boutique brand, featured a dark face covering with an exaggerated smile, black gloves, and a small hat. The costume was modeled by a Black child, adding to the backlash over its resemblance to historical racist imagery.

#Target is exactly who we thought they were pic.twitter.com/iTd7SuNUD8
— Etan Thomas (@etanthomas36) August 25, 2026

In a statement, Target acknowledged the backlash, calling the costume “offensive” and “hurtful.”

“As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry,” the Minneapolis-based retailer said. “The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer available for sale. We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners.”

The company added that it is reviewing how the costume made it through its approval process and what changes are needed to prevent a similar incident.

“Removing the costume is an important first step, and the company is looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again,” it wrote.

This is the latest controversy Target has had with Black consumers since the retail giant slashed several diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in 2025, prompting a nationwide boycott led by civic and religious leaders. Sheletta Brundidge, a Minneapolis-area business leader, says the costume controversy is an indirect result of the company’s DEI decision.

“You rolled back diversity,” she said, “so who’s in the ‌room, now, ⁠to say ‘hey, this is wrong?'” she told Reuters.

Social media users raised similar concerns. Christopher Webb wrote on X that Target likely would not have “made the disastrous decision to market a Halloween costume that looks like it’s straight out of the Jim Crow era if Black folks had a seat at the table.”

Doubt @Target never would have made the disastrous decision to market a Halloween costume that looks like it’s straight out of the Jim Crow era if Black folks had a seat at the table.

Anyway, looks like they pulled it. pic.twitter.com/lF79v4yePf
— Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) August 23, 2026

Likewise, @TheTanitaShow suggested on Threads that Target no longer has executives to identify problematic merchandise since cutting its DEI policies.

View on Threads

The incident arrives as Target works to strengthen its business and rebuild consumer confidence. Reuters reported that the retailer has recently posted stronger quarters and that Wall Street has responded positively to efforts under new CEO Michael Fiddelke. Still, analysts say the company has little room for mistakes.

“As Target begins to gain traction in repairing its brand reputation, this is exactly the kind of stuff they want to avoid,” Morningstar analyst Brett Husslein said. He added that additional challenges “could lead to further market share losses.”

The Washington Post — photo credit: Michael Fleischhacker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Selena Hill

August 25, 2026

‘The Washington Post’ Ordered To Rehire And Issue Back Pay To Journalist Karen Attiah

The ruling marks a significant labor victory for Attiah, whose was fired over comments about Charlie Kirk's death.

An independent arbitrator has ordered The Washington Post to reinstate former opinion columnist Karen Attiah and provide her with back pay and lost benefits, finding the newspaper lacked sufficient cause to fire her following social media posts about the 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The ruling is a major workplace and labor victory for Attiah, who was the last Black full-time member of The Post’s opinion desk at the time of her termination.

Private arbitrator Sarah Miller Espinosa concluded that the newspaper “did not have good and sufficient cause” to terminate Attiah and failed to establish that she had engaged in “gross misconduct,” according to Reuters.

Attiah was fired in September 2025 after publishing posts on Bluesky following Kirk’s assassination. One post said, “Refusing to tear my clothes and smear ashes on my face in performative mourning for a white man that espoused violence is … not the same as violence.” The Post accused Attiah of violating its social media policies and harming the organization’s integrity. But Miller Espinosa found that the company had not met the standard required to justify her termination under its collective bargaining agreement.

“This decision confirms what we’ve said from the start: I was doing my job as an opinion journalist, and doing that job is not misconduct,” Attiah said in a statement issued through her attorney, according to The Hill. “After spending over a decade of my career at the Post as an editor and an opinion columnist focusing on race, gender and global human rights, I’m relieved to finally have that record set straight.”

Attiah also addressed the ruling on Instagram, writing, “It’s been a year-long fight, but this is a victory for journalists everywhere.”

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The Democracy Defenders Fund, which represented Attiah in the dispute, called the ruling a significant moment for press freedom, saying it confirmed that media institutions cannot use retaliatory discipline to silence journalists addressing difficult issues.

The National Association of Black Journalists had previously warned that Attiah’s firing “raised an alarm about the erosion of Black voices across the media.” The organization has also criticized The Post over layoffs affecting Black journalists and the elimination of race and culture beats.

The Washington Post said it respects the arbitration process and declined further comment.

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Kahh Spence, ONE, Tina Knowles, Samir Grey — Photo credit: Kahh spence

by Sidnee Michelle

August 25, 2026

Kahh Spence Turns A Love Letter To His Mother Into A $500K Fragrance Brand, Tina Knowles Approved

Samir Grey has been profitable since its launch and is projected to reach $1 million in sales by the end of 2026.

Celebrity hairstylist and entrepreneur Kahh Spence has turned fragrance brand Samir Grey into a profitable business with more than $500,000 in sales, bolstered by a viral moment involving Tina Knowles and Kelly Rowland.

Samir Grey has been profitable since its launch and is projected to reach $1 million in sales by the end of 2026, according to Entrepreneur. The brand launched its first fragrance, ONE, in August 2025.

Spence spent more than a decade as a celebrity hairstylist and beauty expert before moving into entrepreneurship. Rather than launching the haircare company some might have expected, he built Samir Grey around fragrance and personal care.

“I want to make sure what I’m bringing to the marketplace is actually going to be valuable, and I didn’t think I had anything, at that moment, valuable to say in haircare. But I did have something valuable to say in fragrance and in personal care,” he said to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The company, whose name is inspired by Spence’s middle name and favorite color, also honors his late mother, who died of colon cancer.

“My mom and the women that were around me were the full inspiration — watching women and how they sacrifice themselves to take care of the world, essentially,” Spence told the outlet.

Samir Grey’s growth accelerated after Spence shared positive reviews of ONE on Instagram. Rowland, a former client, saw the posts and asked to try the fragrance. Spence sent her a bottle.

In April, Knowles posted a video of Rowland doing her hair, and Spence noticed ONE in the frame. After viewers began asking about the fragrance in the comments, Spence identified the product.

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A post shared by Kahh Spence (@kahhspence)

Within two hours, Samir Grey sold out of inventory expected to last two weeks. Spence said website sessions increased about fivefold, while the company’s email list grew three to four times its previous size. The fragrance remained sold out for about five weeks.

When Samir Grey restocked in May, the company recorded the equivalent of five months of sales in one month.

ONE, which features notes of candied peach and vanilla, retails for $138 on Samir Grey’s website. The company describes the fragrance as vegan, cruelty-free, IFRA-compliant, and CMR-free.

Spence said the viral exposure continues to benefit the business, but he views direct consumer engagement as central to its long-term growth.

“On my end, it’s really, how can I connect with the consumer and our community as best as possible?” Spence said to the outlet.

“Because that was the idea going into this from day one, of wanting this to feel a bit more human.”

by Kandiss Edwards

August 25, 2026

BLACK ENTERPRISE IS BLACK HISTORY

BE IS BLACK HISTORY.

BLACK ENTERPRISE is more than a business or a publication. For years, BE has led in uplifting and educating the Black community on business and finance. Led by visionary, businessman, and philanthropist Earl G. Graves, BE has remained a reliable source for Black America.

BE is not only a Black legacy magazine, it is a Black family legacy. Earl G. Graves Sr., the original CEO, led the charge and often spoke directly to readers through his “Publisher’s Page” column. The Graves family continues to steer the ship, making sure that Black culture is highlighted and celebrated. BE stays at the forefront past, present and will remain a pillar far into the future, keeping our community up to date on business, culture, politics and more. BE is Black History.

BLACK ENTERPRISE Inaugural Issue:

The inception of BE is history. The end of the Civil Rights Movement marked a time of hope and progress for Black Americans. Establishing a space where business-minded Black people could learn, grow, and promote Black business was revolutionary. Earl Graves Sr. saw an opportunity to create a space for those people while also joining the small yet mighty Black publishing sphere.

BE’s Role In Women’s Activism:

BE’s claim to fame is business news, but the magazine is sure to include all aspects of Black life in it’s coverage. Politics is one such area. BE’s mission to uplift the community as it amplified the political voice of women. Regular editorials about the National Black Women’s Political Caucus were the norm. The caucus, founded by notable activists Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and Fannie Lou Hamer, centered the political discourse prominent to women of the time. BE was a platform proud to amplify the message. .

Earl Graves Sr. In Conversation With Julien Bond:

BE is nothing without the leadership and vision of Earl G. Graves Sr. Beyond creating BE, Graves’ life is one of extraordinary commitment to excellence, civil service, and community upliftment. As such, Graves sat down for a candid conversation with Julien Bond to give insight into the life of a business titan. Graves spoke about his time at HBCU Morgan State University, working for Robert Kennedy, meeting his wife Barbara Kydd Graves, and the founding of BE.

Interview “BE Our World” Senator Obama:

Before people around the world adopted the slogan “Yes We Can,” and before Barack Obama became the first Black President of the United States of America, BE was there. BE sat down with then-Senator Barack Obama to discuss “his current political strategy for his race to the White House. Plus, we discuss HIV and AIDS in the black community and why more women are vulnerable.” BE peeled back the curtain of the Illinois Junior Senator and his mission to uplift Americans.

BE 100 List:

Early in BE’s publishing journey the idea of the Top 100 came about. BE took on the daunting and meticulous task of curating the Top 100 Black companies in America. Visionaries such as Bob Johnsons of BET Networks and Clarence Smith, Essence Communications are just a couple of past honorees. The BE 100 has since become a guide for companies doing great business in all aspects: customer service, revenue, DEI practices, and quality product.

Kamala Harris, LAPD, security — Source: **(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)**

Senator Kamala Harris Women Of Power Summit:

BE’s championing of women in politics continued into the new century. At the 2019 BE Women Of Power Summit, BE spoke with Senator Kamala Harris. Soon to be Vice President Harris spoke about being a “‘joyful warrior’ and talked about her plan to reform the country.”

BE 40 Under 40:

BE’s 40 Under 40 highlights the business men and women who are next up. The list gives insight into how Black business is ever-evolving. The 40 people under the age of 40 represent the future. As the world moves further into the technology age, new industries arise leaving room for fresh ideas. Many on the 40 Under 40 list represent a new wave of ideas and business opportunities that will help create new jobs and generational wealth. The 2023 40 Under 40 list features notable businesswomen and men such as: Dasia Taylor, Scientist, Founder & CEO, VariegateHealth; Ambre Stanford , U.S. Head of CAA Social Impact, Creative Artists Agency; and Rashad Bilal, Co-Founder, Earn Your Leisure.

BE Disruptors Summit:

The Disruptors Summit was created as a way to highlight change-makers and radical thinkers in the business world. Hosted in Atlanta, the summit pulled together foreword thinkers in an attempt to learn how they helped shake up their prospective industrie s . Pinky Cole, Founder of The Slutty Vegan, was present at last year’s summit, sharing business gems.

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