• Lifestyle

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 3, 2021

26-Year-Old’s ‘Ego Tequila’ Is Texas’ First Black Woman-Owned Tequila Brand

---

A Black woman entrepreneur has become Texas’ first Black woman-owned tequila brand at the tender age of 26.

According to Travel Noire, the brand, Ego Tequila, is owned and operated by its founder, Rikki Kelly, who said she launched Ego Tequila to introduce more drinkers to tequila.

“I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur and create a brand that people could relate to,” Kelly told Dallas News. “Since I enjoy tequila, I decided to bring a good one to market for other people to enjoy.”

According to BevNet, Kelly, who started this project when she was just 24 years old, is the first Black woman tequila founder in the state of Texas, and only the third in the United States. Ego Tequila is sourced from the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, and is produced from 100% Blue Weber Agave, made with natural volcanic spring water, and distilled in alembic stills.

Kelly spoke about what inspired her to start her own tequila brand.

“When I created Ego Tequila, my goals were to make sure it was smooth in quality, approachable for newcomers and tequila loyalists, and out of the ordinary. I believe I understood the assignment.”

The name of the tequila brand, Ego, was inspired by the experience of one drinking well-made tequila. It makes one feel like a different person, invoking their tequila-infused alter ego.

The Ego Tequila brand is 40% alcohol by volume and is available in the 750 ml size with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $29.99 for Blanco and $31.99 for Reposado. The brand is based in Fort Worth, TX, imported from Mexico, and distributed by Texas Tru Distribution.

The Ego Tequila website gives a description of their product, “Our high-quality 100% agave spirit is produced in the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, and is perfect in cocktails or as a celebratory shot. We are dedicated to providing the consumer with a high-value spirit that is exciting for newcomers and tequila aficionados, alike.”

• Education

by Derek Major

August 3, 2021

Howard University Braces For Housing Shortage Due To Rise In Enrollment

---

Howard University is anticipating a larger than usual freshman class after months of donations and exposure attributed to alumna and Vice President Kamala Harris.

However, the historically Black college and university (HBCU) is now facing a housing shortage due to its popularity. Howard, which had about 1,900 freshmen in 2019, is anticipating an incoming class of about 2,300 students this fall.

Last year, more than 2,200 freshmen were enrolled at the HBCU; however, the increase was easy to deal with due to remote learning.

This year, Howard is dealing with the return of in-person learning, more upperclassmen who want to live on campus, higher retention rates, and safety measures limiting campus housing to two students per room. Additionally, off-campus housing in Washington D.C. is so expensive that even politicians admit they can’t afford to live in the city.

“Everyone has just been scrambling,” Yasmine Grier, a junior, told the Washington Post. “The struggle has been pretty real.”

Freshman and sophomore students at Howard are given priority for housing, meaning many upperclassmen are forced to find housing in an already tough housing market. Howard students have begun using the hashtag #HomelessatHoward to raise awareness of housing issues and deteriorating facilities.

Jomi Ward, a junior who faced her own housing issues when she was a freshman, created a group chat for struggling students. There are more than 250 members in the group who share listings, resources and search for roommates. Additionally, Howard alumni have opened their homes to students.

Howard is aware of the problem and posts housing information on its site, and social media feeds such as apartment listings and FAQs. The school also has secured additional off-campus housing, including at the University of Maryland, raising the school’s housing capacity to more than 5,500 students.

Howard isn’t the only college struggling to house its students. According to Forbes, more than 200 students at Dartmouth College are on a waitlist for housing. The University of Tampa, where on-campus living is not required, and student housing is not guaranteed, has seen a huge demand for on-campus housing.

Other schools also dealing with housing issues include Emerson College in Boston, the College of Idaho, Southern Utah University, The University of California, San Diego, and Loyola University New Orleans.

According to Reuters, after the United States Olympics shot putter Raven Saunders received her silver medal on the podium during the medal ceremony, she raised her arms in a gesture of an X above her head. Because of that gesture, The International Olympic Committee is investigating her actions, which they claim breaks its rules on athletes protesting at The Tokyo Olympics.

AP reports that during the photo opportunity at the medals ceremony on Sunday night, Saunders was asked what the gesture meant. She stated, “It’s the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.”

The International Olympics Committee has been in contact with World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport, and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). But, the USOPC stated that Saunders’ gesture did not breach its rules.

“As with all delegations, Team USA is governed by the Olympic Charter and rules set forth by the IOC for Tokyo 2020,” the USOPC said in a statement sent to Reuters. “Per the USOPC’s delegation terms, the USOPC conducted its own review and determined that Raven Saunders’ peaceful expression in support of racial and social justice that happened at the conclusion of the ceremony was respectful of her competitors and did not violate our rules related to demonstration.”

Realizing that The International Olympic Committee is investigating her, Saunders took to her Twitter with this response:

Let them try and take this medal. I’m running across the border even though I can’t swim 😂 https://t.co/B59N2v9KAk

— Raven HULK Saunders (@GiveMe1Shot) August 1, 2021

• Lifestyle

by Alexa Imani Spencer

August 3, 2021

Inside the Massive, Luxe $11M Martha Vineyard Mansion Where Obama is Hosting 60th Birthday Bash

---

Former President Obama and first lady Michelle are expected to host a large birthday bash this weekend at their $11.75 million Martha’s Vineyard estate.

The Obamas and 475 big-name guests, including Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, and Steven Spielberg, will celebrate the 44th US president, born on Aug. 4, 1961, 60th birthday. Though Massachusetts requires vaccinations for outdoor functions, the party-goers face some criticism for hosting such a large gathering during a pandemic, according to the New York Post.

Two hundred staff members will also be in attendance.

According to USA TODAY, a source unauthorized to speak publicly stated all guests are required to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health protocols, including a testing regimen managed by a COVID-19 coordinator.

President Joe Biden will be unable to attend the gathering, according to the New York Post. For Obama’s 50th, he hosted Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, Tom Hanks, and Chris Rock for a party at the White House.

The Obamas reportedly purchased the 29-acre estate after previously renting it in 2019. According to Realtor.com, the 6,900-square-foot house includes seven bedrooms, eight-and-a-half bathrooms, a vaulted living room ceiling, a stone fireplace, a chef’s kitchen, and a formal dining room with a wall of windows.

The estate, located on the Edgartown Great Pond, also features a 12-sided breakfast room attached to the kitchen on the first floor. Positioned upstairs is a conference room. The primary bedroom suite has a fireplace and a private sundeck.

Outside of the home, there’s a screened porch, a garden, a pool with a hot tub, and an outdoor shower. According to property records cited by the New York Post, the two-story home was built in 2001 by Celtics owner Wycliffe Grousbeck and his ex-wife Corinne Grousbeck.

President Obama recently joined Grousbeck as a basketball investor after becoming a minority owner of NBA Africa.

• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 3, 2021

Jennifer Hudson Celebrates Black Women Business Owners At The Apollo #BlackBusinessMonth

---

The award-winning singer/actress Jennifer Hudson is set to kick off the reopening of the famed Apollo by putting on a show-stopping performance for Black women business owners.

As part of Black Business Month and Hudson’s ongoing partnership with MasterCard’s Strivers Initiative, the decorated entertainer and philanthropist will be hitting The Apollo Theater stage as the first live music performance since March 2020.

During the one-of-a-kind event, Hudson will perform a number of her famed solo hits as well as a few Aretha Franklin favorites from the upcoming and highly-anticipated biopic Respect.

“I’m a Black woman with my own business that inspires me which made me want to be a part of helping support other Black women and their businesses,” Hudson told Black Enterprise.

“I like to do things that I’m inspired by, or that’s true to me, and this is definitely one of them,” she added.

Hudson will also help unveil the “Strivers Gallery” created by Chicago-based artist Tyler Clark, where portraits of the Black women business owners throughout Mastercard’s Strivers Initiative are highlighted.

Hudson’s upcoming film Respect touches on some of the same challenges Black women in business still face today. The biopic offers new insights into the life of the soul singing icon Aretha Franklin and how the importance of mentorship helped Franklin use her unique voice and power of conviction to break down barriers for Black artists and women for generations to come.

Hudson even admitted to Franklin serving as the blueprint for her own career and explained how the Queen of Soul played a role in her success in music.

“I never really noticed until later in my career how much of a blueprint she was,” Hudson said before recalling how Franklin has unconsciously guided her rise to fame from a finalist on the third season of American Idol to performing tributes to her as an Oscar and Grammy Award-winner.

“My American Idol audition was “Share Your Love With Me” by Aretha Franklin. My American Idol tour song was ” (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone” by Aretha Franklin,” Hudson said. “I’ve been able to tribute her numerous times throughout my career. Growing up in the church, the hymns we sang every Sunday came from her Amazing Grace album.”

“So that’s a few examples of what I mean by like, wow, that’s the power of the presence of women that are around all of us,” she added. “That are shaping us and a part of us and what we do even unconsciously.”

MasterCard’s Strivers Initiative serves in partnership with Fearless Fund, a VC fund built by women of color for women of color. The initiative includes a grant program, a multi-city educational roadshow that raises awareness about the state of women and minority-owned businesses while providing progressive actions cities across the U.S. can take to foster an equitable and inclusive business climate.

Check out the full interview below:

• Career

by Black Enterprise

August 3, 2021

New LinkedIn Live Series with Soledad O’Brien Offers Career Tips to Early and Mid-Career Black Professionals

---

NEW YORK, August 3, 2021– Starting today, the Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) Careers Series by JPMorgan Chase, will deliver actionable advice to early- and mid-career Black professionals as part of an effort to grow the firm’s Black talent pipeline.

Soledad O’Brien, the award-winning journalist and CEO of Soledad O’Brien Productions, will host the six-part series, which will be streamed on LinkedIn Live, and cover a wide range of career paths within the firm.

Through conversations between O’Brien and JPMorgan Chase executives, the episodes will highlight career paths and opportunities in community banking and financial health, as well as financial advisory and technology roles. There will also be an episode that provides tips for navigating your career and managing key challenges like how to make your resume stand out, navigate job changes, and tips for building your career through continual professional development opportunities.

The ABP Careers Series stems from JPMorgan Chase’s efforts to improve diverse representation at the firm across all career levels and lines of business.

“Attracting the best talent can only be achieved through a dedicated focus on inclusive recruiting and outreach, and through our careers series we’re encouraging talented Black professionals to hear from us and explore open roles at JPMorgan Chase,” said Byna Elliott, the Head of Advancing Black Pathways. “We’re being intentional in our approach and hope this platform can help us build on the progress we’ve made in recent years.”

O’Brien, a member of the ABP Advisory Council since its launch in February 2019, said: “One of the reasons I am so thrilled to be part of ABP is it opens a door for promising African Americans who might never have imagined themselves in banking. It’s always a win when you can give people new opportunities and a chance to dream a different future.”

The first episode, which is scheduled to air on LinkedIn today at approximately 1 p.m. EST, will feature a discussion on why diverse representation in the financial advisory space is important and provide an overview of advisor-related career opportunities at the firm. In addition to streaming on LinkedIn Live, each of the episodes will be featured on the careers section of the Advancing Black Pathways website. After each episode, attendees will be encouraged to apply for open roles and join the firm’s talent network.

Here are the topics and dates for each episode:

1. Aug. 3: Exploring a Career as a Financial Advisor

2. Aug. 10: Financial Health and the Role of Community Managers

3. Aug. 17: Exploring a Career in Tech

4. Aug. 24: Explore a Career in Corporate Treasury

5. Aug. 31: Explore a Career as an Internal Client Advisor

6. Sept. 7: Navigating Your Career: The Importance of Skill Building & Professional Development

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.7 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of customers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

By Steve Keating

TOKYO (Reuters) – Simone Biles made a fearless return to competition on Tuesday, capping a tumultuous Tokyo Games with a bronze medal on the balance beam.

The final gold of the women’s artistic gymnastics program would go to China’s Guan Chenchen with a score of 14.633 and the silver to her compatriot Tang Xijing but it was Biles who grabbed the spotlight by courageously returning to competition.

Biles, three times a world champion on the beam, finished with bronze but it was considered a victory after a dramatic Tokyo Games in which she abruptly dropped out of the team competition last Tuesday after performing just one vault citing mental health issues.

The 24-year-old came to Tokyo eyeing a record haul of six golds, which would have made her the most successful female Olympian of all-time across any sport, but instead suffered a crisis of confidence that led to her withdrawing from the all-around, vault, asymmetric bars and floor exercise finals.

Biles, winner of four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, explained later she was dealing with the “twisties” — a type of mental block where gymnasts are disoriented during their gravity-defying sequences.

If there was any lingering apprehension or pressure, it did not show as a relaxed Biles blew kisses to the television cameras as she entered the arena for her final shot at a medal.

(Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

American college students are increasingly hiring Kenyans to do their schoolwork, according to a recent CBS News investigation into the practice of “contract cheating.”

As online learning continues to take off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this practice of outsourcing homework to Kenyan residents is also on the rise, the investigation found. American students are shelling out thousands of dollars to Kenyans to complete everything from class papers to entire degrees.

One Kenyan man told CBS that he was struggling to pay his bills before he started offering his services to American students. Soon, he developed a lucrative business, earning upwards of $2,000 per month. Americans typically pay Kenyan writers between $20 to $50 per page for essays. The Kenyans also finish schoolwork in other subjects, ranging from engineering to psychology.

“I did (one student’s) degree, and now I’m doing his master’s,” the Kenyan man told the news station. “He’s promised me that I’m also going to do his Ph.D.”

Contract cheating is illegal in 17 states, but the federal government has not banned the practice.

The U.S. Department of Education released a statement to CBS News explaining that the agency “is not permitted to exercise control over matters related to curriculum or academic policies of an institution.” In the instance of distance learning, the statement added that “regulations regarding distance education require that federally recognized accrediting agencies have requirements whereby institutions have processes in place that establish that any student who registers in a distance education course or program is the same student who engages in the course or program. These standards and processes help institutions identify instances of academic dishonesty. An accrediting agency could review those policies.”

Some education experts worry that contract cheating will lead to unqualified professionals, which is particularly troublesome in certain fields like healthcare.

“We trust our doctors have been to medical school,” David Rettinger, a professor of ethics at the University of Mary Washington, told CBS News.

Dawn Onley is a freelance writer based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

• Technology

by Black Enterprise Shop

August 3, 2021

With These Open-Ear Headphones, You’ll Never Be Caught Unaware

---

We take music with us everywhere, and it’s often in our ears as we run, walk or bike. While the songs blasting through your headphones can drive you to get the best workouts and block out the everyday noise, they also cause a lot of distraction.

Everyone’s familiar with the annoying feeling of having to take out your headphones just to be sure no one called out your name or to make sure there’s no car coming behind you when you’re out. But with the Directional Audio headphones from Allegro, you can now immerse yourself in the music while you stay aware of what’s going on around you.

Thanks to its open-ear design, these headphones don’t go right into your ear, letting you hear your surroundings when you’re on the go. It’s one of the lightest pair of directional audio headphones you’ll find, weighing in at just 18g to give you maximum comfort while you enjoy the music. With the built-in microphone and a 160mAh battery, you can also make or take crystal clear calls for up to 5 hours with zero interruptions.

Allegro’s Directional Audio headphones are waterproof and suitable for those grueling workout sessions where you have to put in your sweaty best. For an additional touch, they were designed to personalize your listening experience with 3D audio, and you can access an on-demand voice service library for hands-free control of the headphones. And all these features are topped off with its sleek, black polycarbonate and titanium finish.

If you’re a user who’s looking for quality sound, coupled with something that makes you aware of your surroundings while walking, running or biking, then the open-ear, directional headphones from Allegro may be great for you. You can get a pair in our semi-annual sale for a 15% discount at $50.96 (reg. $59.95) when you use the code ANNUAL15.

Prices subject to change.

• Business

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 2, 2021

Black Woman Helps Women Build Wealth With 4 Strategies She Used to Save $100,000 By Age 30 #BlackBusinessMonth

---

Bola Sokunbi, the creator of Clever Girl Finance, is using her wealth management skills to teach others how to make the most of their funds.

The entrepreneur was able to save up her first $100,000 before she reached the age of 30, Insider reports. After achieving the feat, Sokunbi sought out advice from a financial planner who expressed doubt about how the young businesswoman acquired so much money on her own.

“Do you have a husband or a rich boyfriend?” the financial planner asked Sokunbi. “Where did you get this money?”

She recalled being “infuriated” by the planner’s skepticism after working hard to make the most out of her 401(k) from the first corporate job she landed right out of college.

“I saved a good amount, and I was like, ‘The right thing to do is go to a financial planner’s office. That’s what the books say,'” Sokunbi recalled.

For those wondering how much Sokunbi was making to save so much before the age of 30, she was only earning a salary of $54,000 and bringing home $40,000 after taxes. Now she uses her company, Clever Girl Finances, to teach other women how to take control of their finances.

She shares the four tips for making and saving money when working a corporate job.

“If I’m gonna get that free money, I might as well just contribute the 6%,” Sokunbi says of investing into your company’s 401(k).

She encourages people to contribute something toward their 401(k) and make the most out of whatever your company matches. She also adds that workers should automate their paychecks so that half automatically goes toward their savings account.

“I can either get used to spending [my full paycheck], which happens very easily,” she said. “Or I could just put half away and struggle with the half I had.”

Sokunbi also suggests keeping expenses as low as possible. She made use of her company’s free meal program and staffed dinners after 7 pm.  “Even if I wasn’t doing anything, I would try to stay,” she recalled.

She also encourages women to start a side hustle. Hers turned into wedding photography that earned her an extra $10,000 in her first year and $30,000 in her second.

“Having a side hustle is smart, it’s some buffer in your life,” she said.

Her new book, The Side Hustle Guide, walks readers through mastering a well-paid side gig that can earn you $100K in your bank account in no time.