by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 24, 2021

Former NBA Player Kwame Brown Responds to Criticism and He Did Not Come To Play

A former National Basketball Association player has been making more noise recently in the press than he has possibly made in his playing days!

According to the New York Post, former NBA player, Kwame Brown, a former first-round pick of the 2001 NBA draft when the Washington Wizards selected him the top overall pick that year, has been ripping former players who showed disrespect toward his playing skills on a recent podcast. Retired basketball players Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes, on a recent episode of their “All the Smoke” podcast, were discussing a basketball trade with Los Angeles Lakers’ owner, Jeanie Buss when the Lakers traded Brown to the Memphis Grizzlies for Pau Gasol during the 2007-08 season. During that talk, Jackson questioned Brown’s basketball skills. Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, several weeks before, had also dissed Brown on the podcast.

Brown responded to the three players in a posted video clip. The former first-round pick also took a swipe at sports commentator Stephen A. Smith.

“Stephen A. you bald forehead,” Brown said. “Thinking you tough, talking about ‘Oh, they can come see me.’ … Well, meet me in Seattle where you can have mutual combat. … It’ll look like you had a toupee on the front of your head.”

WARNING: Adult language that some may find offensive.

Full video below

According to Complex, Jackson responded on an Instagram Live video to Brown’s reactions to their discussion about him.

“Aye man, everybody want attention. Say Kwame Brown, bruh, I love you to death. I don’t want no smoke with you. … I wish you the best little bro. Keep doing your thing. But, we not gon’ put you on. You had your opportunity when you was the No. 1 draft pick and laid an egg.”

Warning: Adult language

Barnes also took to Instagram with a response of his own, but then the video clip was deleted.

Full video of Brown’s response:

 

Cisco Will Donate $150 Million To The Robert F. Smith Student Freedom Initiative To Help HBCU Students
by Derek Major

May 24, 2021

Cisco Will Donate $150 Million To The Robert F. Smith Student Freedom Initiative To Help HBCU Students

Cisco Systems, a multinational technology company will give $150 million to the Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) to aid historically Black colleges and universities.

The Student Freedom Initiative is a nonprofit assisting students of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and HBCUs by providing income-contingent funding for students enrolled at HBCUs and MSIs.

The money will be split in two ways: $100 million will go to networking and security upgrades including ongoing technical support and advancements to HBCU information technology infrastructure provided by American Virtual Cloud (AVC).

The remaining $50 million will allow for the financing of the education of 500 HBCU students every year. The program, known as the Student Freedom Agreement will cover a student’s remaining costs after federal aid and could serve as an alternative to private student loans.

Robert Smith, who founded the SFI, said in a statement the collaboration and Cisco’s financial commitment will free minority students from crushing student loan debt. Each student will receive up to $20,000 and there is no obligation for students to pay the funds back.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Billionaire Robert Smith Acquires Majority Stake of Ad-tech Giant TripleLift

“Their expertise and generosity will ensure that HBCUs are secure and robust institutions that empower Black students,” Smith said in a statement. “And Cisco’s added financial commitment to students, making them the first anchor corporate partner of SFI, will help liberate students from crushing debt and allow them to make their own life choices.”

Student Loan Debt ($1.57 trillion) is the fourth-highest debt Americans carry after personal debt, auto debt, and credit card debt. For Black Americans and minitories, taking out student loans to go to college can follow you for the rest of your life. A 2016 Brookings Institute study shows Black college graduates typically owe $7,400 more than white graduates upon finishing a bachelor’s program.

SFI will launch the programs this fall and Cisco COO Maria Martinez said the investment will ensure the success and financial freedom for HBCU and MSI students.

“This partnership is an investment in our future workforce, empowering AA/Black STEM students and equipping them with the financial and technology tools to be resilient and successful long term,” Martinez, said in a statement. “We remain committed to this community—to be seen, heard, valued, and invested in.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 24, 2021

Black Cryptocurrency Millionaire Shares His Journey

In 2019, Terrence J. Leonard invested $2,000 into the cryptocurrency market. Now, two years later, the young investor is sharing his journey to becoming a millionaire.

After he started to see profits through his early investments, the software engineer cashed out his 401(k) and reinvested it into cryptocurrency, Newsweek reports.

“There were penalties I paid in order to do that, but I’ve since made back that money many times over,” he said.

Over the course of the pandemic, Leonard watched as his investments started to skyrocket. By April 2021, his crypto investments finally hit the $1 million mark.

“To go from tens of thousands of dollars invested to $1 million dollars shows me the merit in cryptocurrency,” he said.

The early crypto investor described aspects of the market as the “Wild Wild West.” He even likened bitcoin to being like what “MySpace was to social media.” The social networking site was the first to become a dominating force for users. Before the success of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, MySpace was the app where young users went to connect with the outside world. Though it was the first, it wasn’t necessarily the best, Leonard notes.

“There are now thousands of cryptocurrencies available,” Leonard said. “So, I don’t invest heavily into Bitcoin. Instead I choose to invest in cryptocurrencies that I think will have real world value and that are environmentally friendly.”

His early investing goal when entering the crypto market was to become financially independent. During the pandemic, Leonard found his dream home, a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom split Colonial property in southeast Washington, D.C. But his process of purchasing the home proved difficult due to his money being in a cryptocurrency digital wallet.

“I had to sell some cryptocurrency,” Leonard shared. “I wasn’t really ready at the time to liquidate as much crypto as I did because I knew its value had the potential to increase. I actually lost money going through the process, but I wanted the house so I wasn’t bothered.”

After paying for the house using cryptocurrency, the investor is now sharing his story with other crypto investors looking to earn big from the growing market. He notes the risks that come along with the digital currency. But says it’s all about “doing the research and staying on top of your investments” in order to see a scalable return.

“If I lost everything I had invested in cryptocurrency tomorrow I would still be able to afford my new home,” he said. “So in that regard I am not overextending myself. I am being financially smart.”

 

George Floyd Family Attorney Ben Crump Sits Down with Black Enterprise CEO in Exclusive Interview
by Charlene Rhinehart

May 23, 2021

George Floyd Family Attorney Ben Crump Sits Down with Black Enterprise CEO in Exclusive Interview

Black Enterprise CEO Earl ‘Butch’ Graves, Jr. sits down with civil rights attorney Ben Crump in an exclusive interview. They discuss eradicating racial disparities and combating systemic racism in the criminal justice system.

“I thought to myself, even as a nine-year-old little Black boy, why do they have it so good apparently and we have it so rough,” Crump shared. “And I remember my mother taught me about Brown vs. Board of Education. The reason we got an opportunity to go and attend a new school with new books and new technology was because of Brown vs. Board of Education and an attorney named Thurgood Marshall.”

He adds, “I decided right then Butch Graves that when I grow up, I’m going to be like attorney Thurgood Marshall. I want to help people who live in my community…people who look like me have an equal opportunity at achieving the American dream.”

This exclusive Black Enterprise interview will air on From the Corner Office. Tune in on Monday, May 24th at Noon EST.  Viewers can engage in on-demand airings by going to the From The Corner Office page.

Ben Crump Seeks Justice for Black America

Crump is a leading trial lawyer in the United States. He’s represented victims in high-profile cases and advocated for criminal justice.

The North Carolina native has earned the moniker “Black America’s Attorney General”. He has been called on by the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin,  Breonna Taylor, and Martin Lee Anderson to lead the charge for justice.

George Floyd’s case shined an international spotlight on racial inequities. Crump has taken the lead on the George Floyd family’s legal team. He’s already made some progress.

Last month, a Minneapolis jury convicted Derek Chauvin, the white police officer who placed his knee on George Floyd’s neck. Weeks before the verdict, the city of Minneapolis agreed to pay an unprecedented $27 million to the Floyd family. This was considered the largest pre-trial settlement in a civil rights wrongful death case in the nation’s history.

During the From the Corner Office interview, Crump discusses his view on the George Floyd $27 million settlement. He also gives more insights into the slayings of unarmed black people by police officers. Crump then addresses and corporate America’s responsibility in fixing institutional racism.

“I have endeavored to give our people a better opportunity at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” says Crump. “Which I believe is a big thing that the legacy of Black Enterprise tried to do…give our people the opportunity to enjoy the American Dream equally.”

Watch From the Corner Office on Monday, May 24th at Noon EST. On-demand airing is available on the From The Corner Office page.

by Keka Araújo

May 23, 2021

Issa Rae Aint Hardly ‘Insecure’ After Hilarious Clapback To A Hater Who Called Her Ugly Went Viral

Issa Rae had time for a “fan” who had the unmitigated gall to call her ugly on Friday.

The woman now known as Issa Rae’s Fat Twin on Twitter wrote, “Issa Rae is not an attractive woman to me and that is okay. Every black person ain’t attractive.”

“Also, she will never know who I am, and even if she did, it doesn’t matter because I don’t want to f**k her or be hired by her,” she added.

 

After the Emmy-nominated actress was tagged on the unsolicited opinion, she responded. 

“Okay, but we look the same? The f**k,” she wrote, posting a photo of the woman with a Kool-Aid smile.

 

Rae, who’s known for her witty comebacks, added another tweet with somebody’s big a** teeth, writing, “Not my cousins publicly disrespecting me.”

 

Without delay, Black Twitter showed up and out to defend the Insecure star’s honor. 

 

Rae isn’t paying homegirl any mind. In fact, she just graced the cover of Vanity Fair. However, Rae’s clapback serves as a friendly reminder that some folks need to shut up and eat their food.

Hollie Rivers Regrets Not Getting COVID-19 Vaccine After Husband Passes Away, ‘Maybe, We Should Get Vaccinated.’
by Keka Araújo

May 23, 2021

Hollie Rivers Regrets Not Getting COVID-19 Vaccine After Husband Passes Away, ‘Maybe, We Should Get Vaccinated.’

A Michigan family is devastated after its patriarch passed away from COVID-19. 

According to FOX 2 News, Antwone Rivers’ widow, Hollie, is warning others to get the vaccine after losing her husband to the deadly virus on May 13.

In April, Rivers called in sick to work– something he rarely did. Upon going to the doctor’s office, he and Hollie tested positive for COVID-19.

The 39-year-old man had no known underlying conditions but was weakened by the virus. Hollie rushed her husband to the hospital, where he went into full-on organ failure with the exception of his liver.

“I know that it was like a week into us having Covid. He started feeling worse, and I started feeling better,” she said.

Despite taking the proper precautions, like, wearing a mask and practicing good hygiene, Rivers lost his battle with COVID-19 on May 13.

When describing losing her beloved husband to the virus, Hollie expressed how difficult the loss has been for her and her family.

“Hard – but it is even harder for our children,” she explained. “Our oldest, she is 13, and she is sadder for the younger two because they are 3 and 1. And she’s sadder they won’t have the memories the other children will have.”

The now-widowed mother regrets not getting the vaccine and now encourages others to take the leap.

“It was funny because two weeks prior to this happening – we were talking about it more, saying maybe we should get vaccinated and now it’s like, a big loss for everybody.”

Rivers was described as a loving family man with five children. The hardworking husband overcame obstacles from his childhood, including being in foster care and being neglected and abused. Rivers went on to finish school and build a career at Precision Vehicle Logistics in Wayne, Michigan.

Hollie spoke with FOX 2 about her late husband’s ambition and motivation.

“He went to work every day even on the weekends, on vacations he worked,” she said.

“He said he never wanted his children to go through what he went through in life – he wanted his kids to have the best of everything,” Hollie added.

Rivers’ work family has set up a GoFundMe to help out the man’s family with funeral and living expenses. It has raised almost $34,000 of its $100,000 goal.

by Charlene Rhinehart

May 23, 2021

Meet the Single Mom Who Turned Her $1,200 Stimulus Check Into a Seven-Figure Business After Getting Laid Off

Millennial mom Ellie Diop used her $1200 stimulus check as capital to start her coaching business. Ten months later, her business hit the seven-figure revenue mark, Business Insider reports.

“I leveraged my experience in the corporate world to get started,” Diop told Business Insider. “I spent 45 days scrolling through Instagram every day, researching, following hashtags, before making my first post. It is important to look at who is having success in the field, analyze what they are doing that is working, and identify which needs they are not meeting.”

From Stimulus Check to Seven Figure Business

In 2019, Diop was laid off from her job. After applying to over 50 jobs and seeing no progress, she realized it was time to take full ownership of her career to support her family.

Unfortunately, the pandemic made job hunting even more challenging. After a year of being unemployed, Diop flirted with the idea of entrepreneurship. Managing a family on top of funding startup costs seemed impossible during a pandemic.

Fortunately, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES ACT) provided relief that helped millions of families cope during the pandemic: stimulus checks. This financial boost was exactly what Diop needed to invest in her business.


“You can either build someone else’s dream your whole life or start to build your own,” Diop posted on Instagram.

Diop used her stimulus funds to invest in good lighting, a website, and graphic design tools. She spent $170 on two ring lights, $145 to purchase her domain name and hosting, and $120 for a Canva pro membership. Diop built her own website to save money on marketing expenses.

Launching a Million Dollar Coaching Business

After Diop did her research and invested in the right products, she was ready to execute her strategy. Known as “Ellie Talks Money” on social media, Diop has accumulated over 160,000 followers. She’s a business coach in Los Angeles who has garnered attention by identifying knowledge gaps on social media and developing the solutions in a creative way. Over the last year, she’s helped millennials start businesses, understand business credit, and gain access to grants.

“I saw a lot of unanswered questions,” Diop told Business Insider. “So many business coaches were either men or single women without kids or women in a relationship without kids. I did not see anyone who could offer my point of view, so I decided to become that person.”

by Charlene Rhinehart

May 23, 2021

Gymnast Simone Biles Makes History As First Woman to Land Yurchenko Double Pike Vault at U.S. Classic

Simone Biles made history at the U.S. Classic during her special Yurchenko double pike vault performance. She’s making a comeback that’s gearing fans up for the Tokyo Games.

On Saturday, May 22nd, the five-time Olympic medalist did something no other woman has done, adding another record-breaking title to her name. Biles has been working on the Yurchenko double pike since last year, according to The Washington Post. Her courage and hard work paid off Saturday night at the U.S. Classic held in Indianapolis.

“Never in a million years did I think it was going to be feasible,” Biles said. “It was just to play around, be a kid. And I was never mentally strong or physically strong enough to do it back then anyways. I feel like now that I’m a little bit older, mentally and physically, I feel ready and prepared.”

Biles Debuts Yurchenko Double Pike Vault

Saturday’s gymnastics competition was Biles’ first time on the scene since 2019. Her return was nothing short of impressive, claiming what’s considered to be the most difficult vault in women’s gymnastics history.

The Yurchenko double pike vault is named for Russian gymnast Natalia Yurchenko. The gold medal-winning gymnast performed the move in the 1980s. Typically, the stunt stops at a single flip. But Biles pursued a higher level of difficulty, adding another flip and making it a double pike.

According to The Washington Post, the vault requires a “round-off onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vault and then a double flip in a piked position.”

Friday’s training session allowed the world to get a preview of Biles’ capabilities. Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin tweeted a video of Biles in action.

Biles accomplished her goal on Saturday and is gearing up for the Tokyo Games. She has 19 world medals and 25 world gold medals and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Oprah Winfrey Opens Up About Sexual Abuse On AppleTV+’s ‘The Me You Can See’
by Keka Araújo

May 23, 2021

Oprah Winfrey Opens Up About Sexual Abuse On AppleTV+’s ‘The Me You Can See’

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has always been forthcoming about individuals living in their truths and reconciling trauma. Now, the 67-year-old boss has opened up again about her own experience with being sexually assaulted as a young girl.

In the inaugural episode of the new AppleTV+ series she created with Prince Harry– The Me You Can See, Winfrey delved into the pain of being raped by a male relative during her youth.

“At nine and 10 and 11 and 12 years old, I was raped by my 19-year-old cousin. I didn’t know what rape was. I certainly wasn’t aware of the word,” she explained. “I had no idea what sex was. I had no idea where babies came from. I didn’t even know what was happening to me.”

“It’s just something I accepted,” Winfrey continued, saying her rape taught her an incredible lesson– “that a girl child ain’t safe in a world full of men.”

“The telling of the story, the being able to say out loud, ‘This is what happened to me,’ is crucial,” she added, explaining that talking about it– liberated her.

Winfrey first spoke about her childhood trauma in 1986 on her talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show. In the episode, she detailed her rape at the hands of her 19-year-old cousin to raise awareness about survivors and encourage them to come forward. The Color Purple star also reiterated how important it was for parents and caregivers to advocate for their children.

The statistics for Black women and girls being victims of rape and abuse are staggering.

According to the National Center Against Violence In The Black Community, one out of every 15 Black female rape victims reports the crime.  Also, one in four Black girls will be sexually assaulted by the age of 18. And one in five Black women is a rape survivor. 

As more survivors valiantly step forward to break generational trauma and to reconcile their pasts, it’s imperative that family, friends and others step up to advocate and support them.

Dartavius Barnes Sues Springfield Police After Body Cam Footage Showed They Tested His Baby Girl’s Ashes Like Drugs
by Keka Araújo

May 23, 2021

Dartavius Barnes Sues Springfield Police After Body Cam Footage Showed They Tested His Baby Girl’s Ashes Like Drugs

The father of 2-year-old Ta’Naja Barnes is suing Springfield Police after police tested his deceased baby girl’s ashes for drugs.

Body camera footage captured the heartbreaking moments Dartavius Barnes pleaded with officers not to desecrate Ta’Jana’s remains. On April 6, 2020, Barnes was stopped by police for allegedly speeding in Springfield, Illinois. While one officer investigated the shots fired in the neighborhood, walking up and down the block, another searched Barnes’ car with his permission.

“You got anything in your car?” 

Barnes responded, “Not really,” before he admitted that he had marijuana.

“No problem if I search?”

“Yeah, go ahead.” 

Less than a half-hour later, a cop informed Barnes that he found either methamphetamine or ecstasy in the man’s vehicle. Barnes, knowing that was not the case, asked the officer what he was talking about.

The law enforcement agent showed Barnes a small gold bullet-shaped urn with ashes that he had taken from the console. 

The horrified father became frantic, yelling, “No, no, no, that’s my daughter, bro! Give me that, bro! That’s my daughter!”

Barnes reached for the urn, begging the officer to give it to him. 

The officer closed the door and turned to other officers at the scene.

“This is his daughter’s ashes that Reibeling thought tested positive for meth,” the officer said.

They went to test the contents in the urn again, but the officers decided they believed the grieving father– after debating what to do. 

The cop issued him a citation for the marijuana and released him.

Barnes filed a lawsuit against the City of Springfield and the six officers in his traffic stop.

Officer Colton Redding, Officer Brian Riebling, Officer Adam Westlake, Officer Juan Resendez, Officer Nicholas Renfro, and Officer Regan Molohon are accused of unlawfully stopping, searching and detaining Barnes along with a plethora of other charges, according to the lawsuit filed with the Central District Court of Illinois.


In 2019, Ta’Jana’s mother, Twanka Davis, was convicted of murdering and neglecting the toddler by starving her. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. 

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