Urban Resource Institute CEO, Nathanial Fields
Urban Resource Institute
by Mitti Hicks

November 17, 2025

From Prevention To Empowerment: Inside URI’s Holistic Fight Against Domestic Violence

Located in New York City, URI is the country’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services.

On average, national data shows that more than three women are murdered by their husbands or partners in this country every day. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but for staff at the Urban Resource Institute (URI), the mission to prevent the prevalence of domestic violence cases is a year-round endeavor.

Located in New York City, URI is the country’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services. The team serves more than 40,000 people annually, and on any given night, 4,000 people sleep in one of its safe beds. The experts at URI say domestic violence is not only a crisis of safety but one of economics and multigenerational trauma.

“There are many misconceptions when it comes to domestic violence,” Nathanial Fields, URI CEO, tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “It’s believed that women are the overwhelming victims of domestic violence, but what we know is that 1-in-4 women and 1-in-7 men are impacted by domestic violence.”

Another misconception is that domestic violence is physical because those bruises can be seen. However, there are other forms of domestic violence, including psychological abuse, emotional abuse, and economic abuse.

Economic Abuse: The Hidden Crisis Affecting 98% of Domestic Violence Victims

The staff at URI works with numerous individuals who’ve been impacted by economic abuse, which involves exerting control over income, spending, bank accounts, and other financial assets. Abusers can also maintain control by taking identification cards, documents, or taking out lines of credit or debt to prevent victims from leaving.

“About 98% of victims of domestic violence are impacted by economic abuse,” says Fields. “About $3 to $5 billion is lost in the United States on healthcare, other expenses, and loss of productivity because of domestic violence. Eight million people miss work, and half of the survivors are forced to quit their jobs.”

URI has developed innovative programming that provides victims with tools for financial empowerment, including financial coaching, credit repair, and career pathways. Through its economic empowerment center, the team works with individuals in shelters as they heal by assessing their interests and connecting them with opportunities through community partnerships and educational institutions.

“We provide internship opportunities with entities around the city, and we have relationships with job placement centers for individuals moving forward with their lives,” says Fields.

“When I was at URI, I was at a survival stage. When I left URI, I was able to save money. I saved over $10,000 and … [eventually] started my own business,” said Obina Escort, a domestic violence surivivor.

The team is also out in the community, educating younger generations and abusers about domestic violence to help break the generational cycle.

How URI Is Breaking the Domestic Violence Cycle With Early Intervention

A key component of prevention in URI programs is targeting middle- and high-school-aged students and teaching them about healthy relationships. The organization has educated thousands of young people about the behaviors consistent with domestic violence, so they can avoid these kinds of relationships or obtain the help they need if they are involved in an abusive relationship.

URI also tackles the problem head-on by educating abusers and working with those who have caused harm.

“We can’t end domestic violence unless we work with those who harm,” Fields adds.

As for what’s next for URI, Fields hopes they can continue to be at the forefront of groundbreaking initiatives. Recently, the organization became the only domestic violence provider that accepted people with pets. Fields hopes URI continues to inform policy for New York City as it did with the Paws Act of 2018, New York State, and beyond.

Currently, URI is working to have polices and laws passed so victims are not held accountable for debt that their abusive partner exposed them to.

“As we move forward, we want to continue to raise awareness around domestic violence,” says Fields. “We know it’s underreported. We want people to know that there are resources and know how to get help.”

RELATED CONTENT: Inaugurual Artist In Residence Dr. Yaba Blay and Most Incredible Studio Create ‘The BAMBOO,’ Elevating Icon to Cultural Artifact

Jasmine Johnson, GŪD Essence Founder
Jasmine Johnson,
by Mitti Hicks

November 17, 2025

GŪD Essence: Inside The New Black Woman-Owned Retail Dispensary In Clearwater, Florida

A recent analysis revealed that Black people own less than 2% of all national dispensaries.

The Black woman-owned medicinal cannabis brand, GŪD Essence, has opened its first retail dispensary in Clearwater, Florida. Jasmine Johnson, the founder of the brand, says that opening the first retail space is more than a milestone, but a homecoming for the born-and-raised Floridian.

“This is very big,” says Johnson. “Getting into Florida is one of the most difficult markets to break into … I’m really proud to be able to do this with my family support, my parents, and also not to have outside dollars interrupt the integrity of what we’re trying to do here.”

While the exact numbers are difficult to pinpoint due to the evolving nature of the industry, a recent analysis revealed that Black people own less than 2% of all national dispensaries. In Florida, where medical marijuana and low-THC cannabis are permitted, Shop Cuzzies reveals that there are fewer than five Black-owned dispensaries. High entry costs are one factor contributing to the lack of retail diversity, along with the challenges faced by equity candidates without significant corporate backing.

Johnson has had her fair share of setbacks.

Pivoting After Denial by the State of Florida  

Johnson says the first round of licenses awarded felt like a mystery. It was only after the first five licenses were awarded around 2017 that she realized an application was needed to apply. She and her team thought the next round of applications would open up in less than a year, but the opportunity to apply again was a 7-year wait.

After spending $148,000 on the application fee and dedicating time to a 750-page application, she was not awarded a license. Florida hadn’t reopened its application since she applied, so she went in a different direction, involving a partnership and an acquisition.

“Right now, we are waiting on the license to be awarded,” says Johnson. “There were 22 notices of intent to award. We have entered a purchase agreement to purchase one of those licenses.”

She adds, “It has been ups, downs, and all arounds, but it has never been, ‘Let’s give up or look at a different state.’”

What To Expect Inside GŪD Essence Dispensary

What sets GŪD Essence apart from its competitors is that Johnson prioritizes the “good part” of the cannabis industry and its culture. The “Ū” in her brand represents unity.

Johnson wants people to focus on centering themselves and understanding why they are consuming the cannabis plant, what they want their experience to be, and ultimately, what they want to gain.

“It’s not about getting high. It’s beyond that,” says Johnson. “Our model is all things cannabinoids. For example, some cannabinoids are a bit stronger than Ozempic. If people are looking for an Adderall version, there’s a cannabinoid for that.”

According to Johnson, Florida has one of the largest patient markets in the world for medicinal cannabis, and she feels cannabinoids don’t get the attention they deserve for their medicinal value. While educating people about the benefits is a priority for anyone who walks through her doors, she hopes the dispensary’s bold, bright colors serve as an invitation to those seeking a welcoming space.  

“That’s something I think is desperately needed in the cannabis space. Cannabis is supposed to be a fun, friendly experience,” says Johnson, who also has a background in hospitality and tourism management. “We’re here to bring the color back, along with the warmth and hospitality.”

A medical patient card is not required, as the products at the Clearwater location are available to both patient and non-patient cardholders.

RELATED CONTENT: Inaugurual Artist In Residence Dr. Yaba Blay and Most Incredible Studio Create ‘The BAMBOO,’ Elevating Icon to Cultural Artifact

Maryland Sisters, Reclaim Ancestral Land
Photo by Karola G: https://www.pexels.com/photo/wheat-field-during-sunset-4749935/
by Mary Spiller

November 17, 2025

Maryland Sisters Lead Bold Fight To Reclaim Ancestral Land Taken From Their Family

Descendants of William Dove, the Gasaway sisters, are building economic power, community coalitions, and a vision for affordable housing on the land.

In the late 19th century, William Dove—a man born into slavery—made an extraordinary investment in his family’s future when he purchased 36 acres in what is now Potomac, Maryland, for $210. Though Dove never lived to see the lasting impact of that choice, his descendants grew up understanding its meaning. Over time, that land was stripped away through eminent domain and the discriminatory systems routinely used to dispossess Black landowners. By the time Dove’s great-great-granddaughters were born, every acre had been absorbed by Montgomery County and private developers.

In an interview with Essence, LaTisha Gasaway-Paul, Teresa Gasaway-Gleaton, and LaTrice Gasaway-Johnson, known locally as the Gasaway sisters, were raised on those stories. “I could hear the pain in her voice,” LaTisha recalls of their grandmother’s retellings. “But I also heard something else: determination. She made us promise we wouldn’t forget.” They kept that promise—and turned it into a mission.

Today, the sisters operate Montgomery County’s largest Black-owned childcare company and host the region’s biggest Juneteenth festival, which has drawn thousands since 2021. Their most ambitious effort, however, is a plan to reclaim county-owned parcels that once belonged to Dove and develop affordable homes for families descended from those displaced. It is, they acknowledge, a lofty undertaking. But their approach has been steady and intentional.

Teresa emphasized the strategic power of their business success. “The business has given us something our ancestors didn’t have: economic power,” she said. Revenue from childcare helps fund their Juneteenth festival and supports their long-term fight for the land. “William Dove may have lost his land, but he gave us something more valuable. He showed us that ownership is power.”

That philosophy guides the sisters’ work in Scotland, a historic Black settlement founded by formerly enslaved residents. Dozens of such communities once existed across Montgomery County; many have disappeared entirely. The sisters hope to reverse that cycle of erasure. LaTrice envisions homes where descendants can put down lasting roots. “When I envision that reclaimed land, I see homes,” she says. “This won’t look like every other development. It will look like us.”

Their advocacy has drawn recognition from Montgomery County leaders, Gov. Wes Moore, Congressman Jamie Raskin, and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks. But progress has demanded years of meetings, planning, and persistence.

“Let me be clear: it isn’t easy, and it isn’t a handout,” Teresa notes. “We’re fighting this fight every single day. But we’re powered by attorneys, architects, and our village, and we’re one step closer.”

Their Juneteenth festival has become central to community mobilization. “When you celebrate together, you build power together,” LaTisha says. Those who gather for music and food often become the same supporters who sign petitions or attend public hearings.

Momentum grew further in 2024 when Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church received a $1 million donation from the Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

This year, the sisters brought together more than 10 historic Black communities for what they believe is the first “Kinship Communities Dinner.” The gathering revealed the scale of shared struggles—and the strength in collaboration. One elder told them he had “never seen anything like it.”

For the Gasaway sisters, reclaiming Dove’s land is about more than recovery—it is about rewriting what the future looks like.

“Our great-great-grandfather invested $210 in our future,” LaTisha says. “We’re investing everything—our time, our resources, our very beings—in making sure his investment pays dividends for generations to come.”

RELATED CONTENT: 3 Black California Families Fight For Ancestors’ Stolen Land

Biology Student From Antigua Makes History As Hofstra University’s First-Ever Rhodes Scholar
Photo by Safari Consoler: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-happy-woman-holding-her-diploma-11157981/
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 17, 2025

Biology Student From Antigua Makes History As Hofstra University’s First-Ever Rhodes Scholar

Nelson's research in sustainable energy uses her home country's native resources.

An international student has made history at Hofstra University as the college’s first Rhodes Scholar.

Resa Nelson of Antigua has become Hofstra’s first recipient of the coveted scholarship. Nelson has also made history for Antigua, becoming the second Rhodes Scholar to hail from the Caribbean nation.

The Rhodes Scholarship offers students a post-graduate award to the University of Oxford in England. Candidates are selected from thousands of applicants, chosen based on criteria such as academic excellence, moral character, and “devotion to duty,” as reported by Forbes.

Majoring in biology, the college senior stood out for her research that focuses on sustainability in her home country. According to ABC7, her work focuses on transforming local seaweed in Antigua into sustainable biofuel.

She now takes her place with the cohort selected for the class of 2026. One of the most prestigious honors in academia, Rhodes Scholars alums include former presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and acclaimed scientists.

“I would not be surprised if we’re talking about Resa becoming not only a Rhodes Scholar, but the president of a corporation or a Nobel Prize winner at some point,” shared Dr. Javier Izquierdo, a professor at Hofstra and mentor to Nelson. “She’s someone who is dedicated to doing positive things for our world.”

Nelson originally hoped to obtain a medical degree. However, she discovered her passion for research, leading her to a new career path that may revolutionize her country’s energy resources.

“I realized I loved the act of discovery, the process of asking questions, and finding answers,” she said.

Nelson also recognized how many from her background lack representation in the sciences, an issue she hopes to dismantle. A mentor to her community, she also supports the youth as they develop their own academic passions.

Beyond environmental sciences, Nelson also has a knack for medical research, particularly in stem cell development. She hopes her time at Oxford will further this mission to help transform the health of Afro-Caribbean people.

“I see myself developing the first Afro-Caribbean stem cell line, that’s my big dream that we can take a stem cell and turn it into anything, and then that can be used as a diagnostic tool,” Nelson said.

As she prepares for her time at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, Nelson has already made history with a mission to break even more barriers for Afro-Caribbean women in bio-research.

RELATED CONTENT: 7 African American Rhodes Scholars Set a Record

Virginia Lottery Plans $43M In 2026 Spending With Minority Firms, Including Black Businesses
by Jeffrey McKinney

November 17, 2025

Virginia Lottery Plans $43M In 2026 Spending With Minority Firms, Including Black Businesses

A focus on transparency and equitable community engagement will be among tools used to broaden activity and business relationships.

Several reports claims that state lotteries can have drawbacks for Black Americans. Research has shown that Black people spend much more on lottery tickets than other minority groups, including the total dollar amount and percentage of income.

However, from a business perspective, Khalid Jones is taking action to provide minorities, including Blacks with favorable outcomes as executive director and CEO of the Virginia Lottery. He told BLACK ENTERPRISE that he aims to spur change by focusing on transparency and  equitable community engagement.

For its fiscal 2025, he helped the lottery achieve record revenue of over $5.7B. That windfall shows it truly has the capital to boost business prosperity.

Its revenue mostly stems from instant in-state draw games, online lottery games, virtual sports, and national jackpot games like Powerball and Mega Millions. The lotto revealed that all its  $901M in current profits supported K-12 public education. Jones was appointed the lottery’s top leader in April 2024.

Simultaneously, Jones stressed that the Virginia Lottery highly emphasizes responsible gaming, reinforcing that through advertising efforts, community events, and direct outreach.

While his lottery’s research shows people from all socioeconomic levels gamble, Jones says he strongly urges  them never to play beyond their means or budget. “We understand that the lottery has critics, and as any organization should, we are always committed to listening to ways that we can improve what we do for our players, retailers, and our beneficiaries.”

Commerce-wise, Jones says his goal is to ensure that all businesses have access to the lottery’s resources, including partnership and procurement opportunities.

 He laid out several of his initiatives that include:

  • Expanding a procurement awareness program to elevate prospects for small, women-owned, and minority (SWaM) businesses. “We anticipate a total of $180M in total procurement spending by next year, of which we expect roughly $43M to go to SWaM businesses.”

He added that the lottery connects with local chambers and other trade groups to inform how SWaM vendors can more effectively work with the enterprise. “I want to make sure that lack of knowledge of opportunity is never an impediment to working with us.”

  • Boosting diversification among the lottery’s game providers. As of now,  Jones says there are zero Black-led or -owned game providers who supply content to the lottery. Jones says he is making it a point to get those providers on the pipeline. He says that’s a big deal as the Virginia Lottery operates the largest digital lottery platform in America. “I think there is uncovered content we can unlock if we can introduce different voices into the game creation itself.”
  • Escalating spending with various Black organizations. That includes advertising more in Black-owned newspapers like the Richmond Free Press and being a sponsor for the Richmond Jazz & Music Festival. Jones plans to maintain partnerships with Norfolk State University and Virginia State University and extend relationships to other HBCUs statewide.
  • Continuing a community partnership in supporting the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men Scholar’s Breakfast. He says the annual event backs young Black men from the seven cities of Hampton Roads who graduate with a 3.0 or higher. This past year, Jones was the keynote speaker, a first for a lottery director with the group. “It shows the lottery is committed daily to supporting students, teachers, and school personnel in all parts of Virginia.”

Jones’ background includes over 20 years of experience applying business growth and expanding strategies in the lottery, gaming, and sports industries. Among his stints: A partner in a licensing consulting firm and a lawyer working on large-scale government investigations.

Further, his lottery agenda consists of focusing on attracting a younger audience and higher-valued players. He, too, is tapping into innovative technology, such as implementing AI-powered tools to streamline operations.

He has adopted some tactics from casual gaming platforms like Candy Crush to entirely reimagine how players interact with lottery products.

Altogether, his efforts to share wealth with the Black community and change the lottery could be transformative for the enterprise.

“My charge is to provide funding to K-12 public education,” he says. “I think that we can do that best when we expand opportunities to all communities and avoid exclusivity.”

RELATED CONTENT: Shaq Connects With New Jersey Lottery For $5 Scratch-Off Game

lowcountry
public domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina_Lowcountry#/media/File:Hunting_Island_2.jpg
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 16, 2025

Avery Research Center Marks 160 Years Of Preserving Black History In South Carolina’s Lowcountry

The research center hosts an extensive collection of archives surrounding Black Lowcountry culture.

The Avery Research Center, focused on Black life in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, has reached a milestone.

Around 160 years ago, the Avery Normal Institute was founded to educate formerly enslaved Black people in the Lowcountry region, a coastal area in the southeastern United States, to Black people there learn new careers and livelihoods post-slavery.

Later, it educated the children of formerly enslaved people as a traditional private school. Now a part of the College of Charleston, it was officially renamed the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston. It serves as a holding place for many of the archives surrounding this lesser-known part of history. Those seeking to reconnect with their familial or cultural heritage tied to Lowcountry often look to the Avery Research Center.

“Whenever you come into the Avery, we’re always going to tell you welcome home. No matter who you are. Because you will be able to find yourself. You’ll be able to find your family. You’ll be able to find anything within our building,” said Daron Lee Calhoun II, a leading figure at the center, to WCSC.

Parts of its initial schooling house remain intact, including the pillars that helped its foundation stand. Built by the community of formerly enslaved Black people it once served, the fingerprints of these builders are also visible.

Many come not only to discover more about African American history, but to reconnect with their own. With its extensive archives, visitors can discover their own family records if they are tied to this land.

Its vast collection of documents has inspired the travels of many scholars, including famed writer and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois and civil rights activist Septima Clark, an alumnus of the original school. Clark kept some timeless artifacts at the institution, including handwritten papers and a personal note from Langston Hughes.

“We are not gatekeepers of history, but we are here to share the history with the world,” Calhoun said.

To mark its generational legacy of preserving Black life in the Lowcountry, the Avery Research Center will host a 2025 Avery Family Reunion. The communal celebration, which will take place Nov. 16, includes live music and traditional storytelling.

RELATED CONTENT: Legislation For Florida Museum Of Black History Moves Forward

Alabama, Supreme Court Ruling,Police, ID
Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-a-policeman-wearing-black-sunglasses-7714708/
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 16, 2025

Sports World Calls Out Cop At Texas A&M Game For Bumping, Yelling At South Carolina Player

The Texas Department of Safety trooper was relieved of his gameday duties.

Sports legends and enthusiasts joined the growing opposition against a state trooper at a Texas A&M-hosted football game on Saturday who bumped into and then berated University of South Carolina players.

In the now viral footage, a white Texas Department of Public Safety trooper yelled at South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor after he scored a touchdown, which put South Carolina up 20-3 with under a minute left in the second quarter.

Following the TD, Harbor entered the tunnel. As Harbor and his teammates began to walk back to the field, the trooper bumped past them and began angrily pointing his finger at the players. The players, who appeared confused by the act, walked away.

As the incident made waves on social media, the internet began to condemn the man for his own unnecessary roughness. LeBron James called the trooper’s action “premeditated” and “corny [as f-ck].”

“That A&M cop needs to suspended! That was premeditated and corny AF!! . He went out his way to start some sh*t. Do better man,” shared the NBA star.

Texas A&M Police announced that the state trooper would be “relieved of his game day assignment.” The Texas Department of Public Safety added that officials sent the trooper home from the game afterward. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) will also reportedly look further into the issue.

However, the altercation also speaks to the treatment of young Black men by law enforcement even when on the world’s biggest fields.

Texas A&M won the game, 31-30.

RELATED CONTENT: Miami Dolphins Star Tyreek Hill Cuffed Before Season Opener; Cop Put On Administrative Leave

Spike Lee, oscars, detroit, designer, bag
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 16, 2025

In True New York Fashion, Spike Lee Gives American Pope A Personalized Knicks Jersey

The Knicks superfan gifted Pope Leo XIV his own special jersey.

Spike Lee wanted Pope Leo XIV, the world’s first American Pope, to have a gift to remember U.S. sports culture. So on his visit to the The Vatican, the New York filmmaker and NBA super-fan gave him a New York Knicks jersey.

After the Pope spoke, Lee shook his hand and bestowed him the customized present, according to Sports Illustrated. The jersey not only featured the classic Knicks colors, royal blue and orange, but also “Pope Leo” on the back along with the number 14.

Catholic Sat reposted the footage as the duo showed off the very exclusive jersey.

Lee was among many leaders in the film industry, including actress Cate Blanchett and actor Viggo Mortensen, invited by the pope to the Vatican.

Pope Lo, a Chicago native, spoke of the importance of cinema as it connects the world through storytelling.

“When cinema is authentic, it does not merely console, but challenges,” he said. “It articulates the questions that dwell within us, and sometimes, even provokes tears that we did not know we needed to express.”

While a longtime fan of the Knicks, Lee has also become a new fan of the recently-appointed Pope Leo. Lee also took the historic moment as a sign that his Knicks will finally win another championship.

On the other hand, Pope Leo remains loyal to his own sports teams in Chicago. The modern pope has become a worldwide phenomenon for his traditional American upbringing, including his own college years at Villanova, the alma mater of current Knicks players Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges.

RELATED CONTENT: Henry Louis Gates Jr. Presents Pope Leo XIV With Family Tree Tracing His Black Ancestry

Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey, Monroe
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 16, 2025

Mariah Carey’s Daughter Says She Only Has One Brother From Dad Nick Cannon, Father of 12

The 14-year-old spoke on why she considers her twin to be her only sibling.

Mariah Carey’s daughter, Monroe Cannon, has her own take on her blended family.

The 14-year-old took to Instagram to share more insight on her family dynamics. She told her followers that she only has one brother, twin Moroccan Cannon, that she formally recognizes from her dad, Nick Cannon.

“Clearing something up guys,” she began, according to People. “i only have ONE brother who is @moroccan.cannon. i do have other half siblings from my dad but they are all many many years younger than me!”

Cannon has 12 children with multiple women, leaving Monroe and Morrocan with a lengthy roster of half-siblings.

Despite his busy co-parenting schedule, Cannon keeps a close relationship with his two oldest children. His ex-wife, Carey, gave birth to the twins in 2011 before Cannon filed for divorce in 2014.

He fathered a third child, Golden Cannon, with model Brittany Bell, in 2017. The 45-year-old went on to have two more with Bell. He had two other children with Alyssa Scott, including Zen Cannon, who died at 5 months from brain cancer in 2021.

Cannon went on to grow his legacy with several other children. However, he still looks to his first set of twins to keep him grounded.

“My daughter, really, she’s so in tune and in line and wise beyond her years,” he previously told People about his relationship with Monroe. “I got a lot of therapists, but she’s probably my best therapist.”

“She keeps me in check. She’s so pure and honest. […] She’s my oldest child. Even though they’re twins, she came out first and she lets everybody know it. She’s helped me keep it strong.”

As for he and their superstar mom, that relationship remains under wraps as Carey opts to not speak about her ex-husband and children’s father.

RELATED CONTENT: Nick Cannon Is ‘Not Done’ Having Children

O.J. Simpson, , Estate, Goldman
(Photo by Steve Marcus-Pool/Getty Images)
by Mary Spiller

November 16, 2025

O.J. Simpson’s Estate Agrees To Pay Nearly $58M To The Goldman Family

Executor accepts a negotiated settlement as the estate prepares to liquidate assets and prioritize major creditors.

The long-running effort by the Goldman family to collect on their civil judgment against O.J. Simpson has taken a significant step forward. The executor of Simpson’s estate has agreed to honor a multimillion-dollar settlement that could finally deliver a substantial payment nearly three decades after a jury found Simpson liable for Ron Goldman’s death.

In newly filed court documents, estate executor Malcolm LaVergne formally accepted Fred Goldman’s creditor claim “in the amount of $57,997,858.12 (U.S.), plus judgment interest on the approved amount.” Goldman’s original filing sought more than $117 million, but LaVergne told TMZ that the two sides ultimately settled on the lower figure after negotiations, saying he believes Goldman made “a good faith effort” to determine the appropriate total even if the interest calculation was disputed.

LaVergne said the estate intends to pay off as much of the approved amount as possible as it continues selling Simpson’s possessions. Some items, he noted, may have been taken without authorization. He said he is working with attorneys “to regain possession of some of these items.” He also plans to ask a judge to award Goldman an administrative fee for assisting him in navigating the estate’s management — an indication that relations between the two sides have grown more cooperative.

The executor added that the estate has rejected nearly all other creditor claims, except Goldman’s and one filed by the IRS.

According to LaVergne, federal taxes will be paid before any other outstanding obligations, including a claim from the State of California totaling “approximately $636,945,” which he said the state will need to sue to recover.

Simpson was acquitted in the 1995 criminal case involving the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, but the Goldman family won a civil lawsuit the following year, securing a judgment of more than $33 million. Only a fraction was ever collected. Following Simpson’s death last year, LaVergne initially vowed not to approve the family’s claim — a stance he later reversed, leading to the agreement now moving through probate.

RELATED CONTENT: O.J. Simpson Dies From Cancer At Age 76

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