Ever Wonder What The World’s Wealthiest People Spend $290 Billion On?
Ultra-wealthy buyers spent $290 billion on luxury goods in 2024.
The globe’s wealthiest individuals are pouring record amounts into luxury living, with a new analysis showing they spent $290 billion on high-end goods last year.
The report, released by wealth intelligence firm Altrata and informed by Bain & Company’s research, highlights how the ultra-wealthy—defined as those worth more than $30 million—are reshaping the luxury market. Though they represent just .006% of the global population, this group controls nearly $60 trillion, or about one-third of the wealth held by all millionaires.
That concentration of resources is evident in their spending patterns. In 2024, this tiny fraction of society accounted for 21% of luxury purchases worldwide. Leading the way were business titans such as Elon Musk and Oracle’s Larry Ellison, whose fortunes exceed 12 figures.
Transportation dominated their expenditures. According to Altrata, the ultra-wealthy funneled $129.5 billion into cars, yachts, and private jets, with $100.9 billion spent on automobiles alone. Private aviation and luxury vessels added another $28.6 billion to the total. Bain reported earlier this year that yacht and jet sales — categories almost entirely funded by this demographic—rose 13% in 2024.
Smaller luxury segments also commanded major outlays. Jewelry, watches, designer fashion, wine, and furniture added up to $115.6 billion, while fine art contributed another $19.6 billion.
As middle-market shoppers have pulled back, many luxury labels have doubled down on courting the ultra wealthy. Heritage houses such as Hermès have thrived, while brands like Gucci, which broadened its reach through more affordable collaborations, have stumbled.
“There’s been a kind of a refocusing, probably an over-correction of the strategy, to focus on the top of the pyramid that was more resilient in a moment of turbulence,” Claudia D’Arpizio, Bain’s global head of fashion and luxury, told Business Insider last year.
The appetite for experiences is also expanding. Spending on luxury hospitality hit $25.3 billion in 2024, with wellness tourism, spa retreats, and high-end adventure travel like safaris seeing strong demand, Bain noted in its 2025 Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Study.
Still, not all outlays go toward indulgence. While Altrata did not provide figures for philanthropy in 2024, the firm noted that in 2023 the ultrawealthy donated $207 billion—nearly matching what they spent on yachts and watches combined.
Black Employee Loses Discrimination Case Filed Against Amazon After Being Placed On Performance Improvement Plan
The case came about as one of the first cases adhering to the Supreme Court ruling that employees aren’t required to show sustainable damage such as pay cuts, demotions or terminations to pursue federal employment discrimination claims.
A judge ruled in favor of Amazon in a discrimination lawsuit against a former Black employee who accused the company of diminishing her duties and placing her on a performance improvement plan, Reuters reports.
In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian of New York claimed the plaintiff, former Amazon Music event producer Keesha Anderson, failed to prove the online retailer issued her a poor performance rating as an act of discrimination, in addition to waiting for a woman of Black or Hispanic descent to become her superior before questioning her work. Amazon, however, provided “legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons” as to why Anderson wasn’t promoted, highlighting the need for a strategist with skills she lacked.
The case arose as one of the first to adhere to the Supreme Court ruling that employees aren’t required to demonstrate sustainable damage, such as pay cuts, demotions, or terminations, to pursue federal employment discrimination claims. But then, in May 2024, the case took a turn when Anderson admitted to deleting conversations with coworkers and managers that had been secretly recorded.
Following, a “whistleblower” who came forward turned out to be the Hispanic manager who was quoted in Anderson’s original complaint, saying things that were never said. Amazon thought it would seal the deal in the case. However, while Judge Subramanian rejected a request to sanction Anderson and her lawyer, he mentioned the conduct “toes the line on what constitutes sanctionable conduct.” “Putting the now-discredited allegations concerning the ‘whistleblower’ to the side, the case paints a picture of a run-of-the-mill workplace, maybe even one with more positivity than usual,” the judge wrote in his decision.
While disappointed in the court’s ruling, Anderson’s lawyer, Jessie Djata, released a statement saying the case is more about equal opportunity from one of the world’s largest companies. “We continue to believe that our client was subjected to discrimination (and) raised important concerns about fairness and equal opportunity at one of the world’s largest companies,” Djata said.
Anderson left Amazon in February 2022 after two and a half years, but before leaving, she claimed the ordeal resulted in her being excluded from meetings and events, having her ideas dumped, and being limited to administrative tasks, before being put on a performance improvement plan based on what was labeled as “trumped up” allegations.
Amazon isn’t new to accusations of discrimination and lawsuits. Disabled employees working for the company at the corporate level have accused the retail conglomerate of engaging in “systemic discrimination” while arguing their requests for accommodations have been denied in “automated” ways, according to The Guardian.
Employees also allege that messages have been repeatedly removed, as well as a petition posted on an employee Slack channel.
When Sean “Diddy” Combs’ is sentenced Oct. 3 on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, his attorney says the music mogul intends to speak before Judge Arun Subramanian issues his ruling, The Independent reports.
Diddy’s attorneys notified the judge of their client’s request when they asked for the case to be dismissed and/or for a new trial to be ordered.
“The sentencing proceeding holds significant importance for Mr. Combs. He wishes to appear before the Court, address Your Honor, and allocute in the most dignified and respectful fashion possible,” Teny Geragos, an attorney for Diddy, wrote in the filing submitted Sept. 26.
Along with that request, the attorney said the music producer wants to be allowed to wear “non-prison” clothing when he appears before the court.
Federal prosecutors had requested that the entertainment mogul receive a sentence of “at least 135 months’ imprisonment,” along with a fine of $500,000. The maximum sentence for each charge is 10 years. Diddy faces a total of 20 years for the two charges he was found guilty on.
Subramanian denied the defense’s request for a new trial or an acquittal but said Diddy “is permitted to have one button-down shirt, one pair of pants, one sweater, and one pair of shoes without laces to wear to court,” when he replied to the defense’s request on Sept. 30.
Diddy, 55, has been in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 2024 arrest.
Jasmine Ray To Publish Memoir Claiming Past Romance With Mayor Eric Adams
The memoir is described as an unveiling of hidden truths
Jasmine Ray, a former member of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s administration, is preparing to release a self-published memoir that she says will expose a personal relationship she once shared with the mayor.
The book, Political Humanity: A Memoir of Love, Legacy & New York City Politics, is scheduled to be released in October. Ray previously worked as the city’s director of the Mayor’s Office of Sports, Wellness, and Recreation, a position often referred to as “sports czar.” She stepped down in late September, just before Adams confirmed he would end his pursuit of another term, as reported by WBLS.
On her website, Ray describes the memoir as an unveiling of hidden truths. “From the shadows of City Hall to the silence of closed-door meetings, Jasmine Ray reveals her untold role in the life of New York City’s mayor, Eric Adams,” the book description reads. The summary points to themes of “intimacy, sacrifice, and betrayal.
To promote the book, Ray also posted an AI-generated trailer on Instagram. The video depicts digital renderings of herself and Adams in both professional and romantic contexts, paired with voiceovers alluding to legal investigations surrounding the mayor.
Ray has said their relationship occurred about 10 years ago, though City Hall officials have drawn a clearer boundary. Kayla Mamelak, a spokesperson for the mayor, acknowledged the pair once “dated” but insisted there was no overlap between their personal history and their government work. “The relationship was professional while working together,” Mamelak said.
Adams himself has not denied that he and Ray were involved in the past but has dismissed the book’s framing of their connection. His office maintains that any personal relationship took place before she entered city service.
The memoir emerges at a turbulent time for Adams, who ended his re-election campaign last month amid difficulties with fundraising, sagging poll numbers, and unrelenting media attention. Some political observers suggest the timing of Ray’s book could intensify public scrutiny. “If Ms. Ray’s account is credible, it could change public perception,” one commentator noted.
Ray’s publicist has not yet answered questions about the release, and the mayor’s office has declined to expand on earlier statements.
Bridging Legacies Through Pittsburgh’s Vibrant Black History, Culture, And Thriving Businesses
Pittsburgh’s vibrant Black history and culture continue to drive the city’s flourishing Black business community.
When people think of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, its steel legacy and passionate sports culture usually spring to mind first. But with over 440 bridges linking its many communities, the “Steel City” also carries a unique energy shaped by its rich Black history and thriving business scene.
The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, alongside the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP), offered the perfect opportunity to explore the city’s rich Black business and cultural scene. NCBMP’s visit was part of its mission to tour potential host cities with members, exploring destinations that can best amplify and celebrate the Black experience.
“NCBMP’s motto is simple: we do business with our friends,” NCBMP President Jason Dunn told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Our members are committed to supporting destinations that mirror the core values of our organization. Places that are empowering, welcoming, and unapologetically dedicated to celebrating the richness of the Black experience, all while offering world-class accommodations.”
Dunn continued. “Visit Pittsburgh has exemplified this commitment, demonstrating a genuine interest in expanding its reach within our $145 billion economic impact, and aligning with our vision for a more inclusive and prosperous future.”
Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood is home to Everyday Cafe, a “Café with a Cause” launched by the Bible Center Church to unite neighbors in a warm, welcoming space over fresh, handcrafted food and drinks. The walls are lined with black-and-white photos celebrating Black life and history, alongside reminders of the cafe’s deep roots in the Black church and community. From hosting a weekly farmers market to serving up lattes that encourage locals to vote, the cafe blends culture, community, and purpose into every detail.
“Our dream is to provide a beautiful and peaceful space in our community to celebrate art and culture, create jobs, and encourage the growth of the Homewood Avenue business district,” the company website states.
Everyday Cafe operates as a social enterprise of The Oasis Project, the community outreach and economic development arm of Bible Center Church. Its placement in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood is intentional, given the area’s long history of economic challenges. In 2015, child poverty in parts of Homewood exceeded 70%, more than twice the rate of children living in poverty across the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. With its location, Everyday Cafe looks to mobilize locals and build a stronger, more connected community, one meal at a time.
Anyone visiting Pittsburgh won’t be disappointed when strolling along Butler Street in Pittsburgh’s trendy Lawrenceville neighborhood, where you can see why Walter’s Southern Kitchen has become a local favorite. Co-founded by friends Joel Bolden and Chris Morgan, who brought together 20 years of culinary expertise from New York and Texas, Walter’s has built a reputation for serving some of the city’s best BBQ and Southern comfort food. The menu speaks volumes: tender brisket, smoky chicken wings, pulled pork, and cornbread so soft it feels like slicing into cake, paired perfectly with whipped butter.
The vibe is just as inviting as the food. At the entrance, games welcome guests to grab and play at their tables, while picnic-style seating on the patio makes it easy for families and friends to gather. Inside, TVs line the bar, creating a lively sports-bar feel, while the space also nods to the owners’ roots in NYC and Texas. A longtime waitress shared how much she loves the movie nights and watch parties Walter’s hosts, creating a space where locals come together for food, fun, and community. One visit is all it takes to see why Pittsburgh has embraced Walter’s with so much love.
Health-conscious tourists looking for a boost of energy can stop by 1:11 Juice Bar for a refreshing, freshly squeezed juice. Founded by Bruce “Eric” Thornton and his wife Emily in April 2022, the juice bar has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. Bruce first got the idea after visiting a juice bar in Boston and was inspired to create a similar space in Pittsburgh that offered delicious smoothies, snacks, and cold-pressed juices crafted with mind, body, taste, and accessibility in mind.
Rooted in community, 1:11 Juice Bar goes beyond serving drinks. The business actively supports local youth programs like the Center of Life and the Spartan Community Center, giving young people access to fresh produce and a welcoming place to start their day. It’s more than just a juice stop; it’s a hub for nourishment and connection.
“I think what I’ve seen is that people really admire what we’re doing here in the sense of offering a healthy product in a neighborhood like Hazelwood, which is just building up, trying to rebuild the neighborhood,” Bruce told BLACK ENTERPRISE. So we’re a part of that. And it’s really an honor.”
“We’ve been embraced by the community. And the kids come up to get free fruit and juice and things like that before school starts,” he added. “So it’s been good for us. It’s been great just being in communion with them.”
Named after both the Genesis 1:11 scripture and the spiritual significance of the 1:11 angel number, Bruce infused his juice bar with a sense of mindfulness and purpose. Born in Texas but raised in Pittsburgh, he understands the city’s challenges and how often locals feel they must leave to find opportunity elsewhere. For Bruce, choosing to stay and build in Pittsburgh isn’t just a business decision—it’s an act of resilience and a commitment to creating change that uplifts his community.
“I think that the Black community itself in Pittsburgh, with the outcomes that we have here, is pretty resilient,” Bruce said. “A lot of people leave, but the ones that stay know that they’re staying and having a battle. If you stay here, you’re making a commitment to try to make it better. So I think that’s what I see about our community. I see a lot of people who may have opportunities in other places, but still stay because they want to see something change and grow here.”
Another standout Black-owned business in Lawrenceville is the holistic skincare shop, Plants for Skin, which handcrafts products designed to nurture every skin type. Those who enter the boutique shop are welcomed by the calming aroma of natural herbs and oils the team uses to craft their products right in the back. The shelves were lined with soaps, body oils, balms, and creams made for everyday use.
The brand was founded by Monae Findley, a Jamaican native who grew up watching her grandmother create holistic skincare remedies and noticed the lack of those offerings in the market. With just a $100 investment from her mother, Findley launched an online store in 2020, followed by the opening of her brick-and-mortar in 2023. Since then, Plants for Skin has grown into a global brand while staying rooted in community. Locally, it has collaborated with neighbors like 1:11 Juice Bar, which crafted a custom drink inspired by the brand’s golden face mask for their “drink your skincare” campaign, a beautiful example of two Black-owned, holistic businesses lifting each other up.
Explore Pittsburgh’s sports legacy at the Clemente Museum, a curated collection honoring the legendary Roberto Clemente—the Puerto Rican Hall of Famer and Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder who tragically died at 31 in a New Year’s Eve plane crash while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Housed in the former Engine House No. 25 in Lawrenceville, the museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Clemente artifacts and memorabilia.
Inside, you’ll find everything from professional sports photography and family snapshots to uniforms, gloves, bats, balls, and even seats from Forbes Field. Founded in 2007 by photographer Duane Rieder, who first connected with the Clemente family in 1994, the museum not only preserves Clemente’s legacy but also carries it forward through charitable donations and initiatives that reflect his lifelong commitment to giving back, on and off the field.
The celebration of Pittsburgh’s Black history and excellence comes alive at the annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, hosted at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. This year’s festival kicked off inside the Cultural Center, buzzing with energy as live jazz filled the air, the aroma of local food vendors wafted through the crowd, and attendees laughed, danced, and soaked in the vibrant atmosphere. Surrounded by a striking collection of Black art, the setting provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend honoring music, culture, and soul.
The Center not only showcases contemporary and historic works of Black artistry but also honors August Wilson himself, Pittsburgh’s own literary giant. Visitors can walk through immersive exhibits of Wilson’s upbringing in the Hill District and explore his legacy as “theater’s poet of Black America.” His acclaimed 10-play series, The Pittsburgh Cycle, including Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and The Piano Lesson, captures the depth and beauty of African American life in the 20th century. Two decades after his passing, Wilson’s influence still looms large in his hometown, making the Center both a cultural hub and a living tribute to his storytelling genius.
Each year, the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival unfolds just outside the Center, carrying forward the city’s creative spirit while honoring Wilson’s legacy of building spaces where Black culture thrives. A tour of the Historic Hill District brought us to Wilson’s childhood home, where engravings in the ground allow you to walk Wilson’s path to his old front door. A lush green space sits outside with seating space that lets anyone who passes know they are welcome.
A giant monument greets Hill District visitors upon entry. With a Martin Luther King Jr. quote and the names of local civil and human rights activists engraved into the ground, the monument serves as a nod to the Hill District’s roots as a hub for Pittsburgh’s liberation movement. Its location near Downtown made it a target for developers as the city grew. However, it was the heart of locals that ensured that the Hill District wasn’t gentrified and remained true to its foundation of serving the locals who have always called it home. The Hill District monument sits on Freedom Corner, where every civil rights march in Pittsburgh started.
During the tour, NCBMP further explored the organization’s legacy and its advocacy for Black professionals in the tourism industry and other sectors often affected by microaggressions, pay disparities, and bias; challenges that have grown amid recent pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
“The legacy of our foundation is rooted in holding the industry accountable,” Dunn said. “For decades, NCBMP has been a driving force speaking truth through data-driven dialogue and equipping our members with the tools to succeed.”
Dunn continued. “Now more than ever, our mission is critical: to empower our members with actionable insights that position them to compete at the highest levels, and to serve as the conscience of an industry that must reflect the diversity and excellence of the communities it serves.”
The weekend in Pittsburgh reached its peak at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. Performances by Kandace Springs, Keith David, Jazzmeia Horn, Eric Benet, and Bilal outside the August Wilson African American Cultural Center on Liberty Ave had attendees dancing, singing, and connecting over live music that honored the diaspora. A few days in Pittsburgh made it clear that its Black culture and history run so deep, they can’t be ignored.
Breast Cancer Mortality Rates Decrease For Black Women But Inequity In Care Persists
Breast cancer remains deadlier for Black women in the United States than for white women, even as overall survival has improved.
The American Cancer Societyreleased new statistics showing a marginal decrease in the mortality rate. Although Black women have about 5 percent lower incidence of breast cancer, their mortality rate is roughly 38 percent higher.
An analysis spanning 2013-2024 across 10 major metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia and Memphis, found that death rates among Black women declined in most regions. In Virginia Beach, the rate dropped by 21%, and in Philadelphia, by 16% However, in Dallas, it rose by 2.7%. In areas such as St. Louis and Memphis, progress was slight (-1.6 percent and -2.3 percent, respectively). But disparities persist in Virginia Beach; the gap between Black and white women’s mortality grew from 41% in 2014 to 60% in 2023.
Experts say several systemic factors underlie the disparities. Vice President of Community Health at Susan G. Komen, Sonja Hughes, MD, spoke about the consistent disparities.
Access to quality care is uneven. Black women are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured. They often live farther away from hospitals with advanced treatment options. Additionally, Black women are less likely to receive mammograms in facilities without the most current technology. Delays between abnormal screening results and follow-up are also longer among Black women.
Another key issue involves tumor biology. Black women are about 2.7 times more likely than white women to develop triple-negative breast cancer, which is a more aggressive form. Even when diagnosed at the same stage and given similar treatment, Black women often have worse outcomes.
Linda Goler Blount, MPH, president and CEO of Black Women’s Health Imperative, said, “Women of different races who have the same exact diagnosis, treatment, and care will have the same exact outcome.”
Healthcare policy changes are among the proposed solutions in places where Medicaid expansion has been scaled back. Community health coalitions, involving nonprofits, hospitals, and faith organizations, are helping bridge gaps by improving screening, diagnostic follow-up, and treatment access.
Ava Duvernay’s Array 360 Presents 2025 ‘Cinema & Conversations’ Lineup
Array 360 has become one of Los Angeles’ most distinctive film showcases
Ava DuVernay’s Array Collective has revealed the 2025 slate for its annual Array 360 showcase, Cinema & Conversations.
The series, staged at Array’s Amanda Theater in Los Angeles, will open with The Left-Handed Girl, Taiwan’s official submission for the Academy Awards, directed by Tsou Shih-Ching. The season will close with an all-day tribute to filmmaker Gregory Nava, revisiting his decades-long career with works such as El Norte and Selena.
Organizers described this year’s lineup as “global and intergenerational,” with the aim of connecting audiences through cinema and post-screening conversations. The centerpiece screening will be Hedda, the Amazon MGM feature from director Nia DaCosta. The spotlight presentation has been reserved for BlkNws: Terms & Conditions by artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph, Deadline reported.
Documentary work also plays a central role in Cinema & Conversations programming. Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot will present Eyes of Ghana. Palestine’s Oscar entry, Palestine 36, directed by Annemarie Jacir, is scheduled, along with an anniversary showing of Jennie Livingston’s landmark 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which chronicled New York’s drag ball culture.
Array 360 has grown since its founding into a multi-week event pairing screenings with conversations between artists, scholars, and activists. DuVernay has often said the purpose is to shift the conversation around who is given the platform to tell stories.
“As a model, ARRAY does steep itself in inclusion models to correct long-held absences. We believe in balance from the beginning. . . .ARRAY 360 is a reflection of our mantra that everyone has a place in true cinema,” Duvernay told the Wrap.
This year will also feature a spotlight on women-directed films across continents, continuing Array’s mission to broaden cinematic representation. A special program will honor director Ryan Coogler with a three-film series tied to his Black Panther franchise and related projects. The Coogler retrospective is designed to spark dialogue about Afrofuturism, blockbuster filmmaking, and cultural identity.
Now in its 7th year, Array 360 has become one of Los Angeles’ most distinctive film showcases. Events combine premieres, retrospectives, and cultural conversation; the program positions itself as both a celebration of cinema and a call for broader inclusion in storytelling.
Diedre Windsor Talks Company’s $90M Revenue Growth And 5 Consecutive Years On The Inc. 5000 List
Diedre Windsor reflects on her company's rapid revenue growth and her legacy.
Diedre Windsor, founder and CEO of Windsor Group LLC, has led her company to a fifth consecutive year on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Windsor Group is an award-winning professional services company based in Bethesda, Maryland. Windsor provides best-in-class solutions to both public and private sector clients, identifying areas of weakness and helping resolve challenging issues to ensure optimal success and growth.
Windsor supports its clients in the areas of program and project management, professional and technical staffing solutions, IT support, training, and management consulting. Windsor is a woman-, minority-, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business, as well as an SBA 8(a) Business Development program participant and GSA Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) contract holder.
BLACK ENTERPRISE caught up with Windsor to talk about her company’s revenue growth and Inc. 5000 listings.
Windsor Group just landed on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies for the 5th consecutive year—a milestone achieved by fewer than 1% of companies in Inc. 5000 history. How do you feel about achieving this milestone?
Windsor: It means staying power. It means we’re doing something right, hiring the right people for the right projects, and paying the right wage to ensure a high retention rate. It’s really about being consistent and proving that a Black woman- and veteran-owned firm can not only survive but thrive in business.
Walk us through the scale of Windsor’s growth. What stands out most to you about the journey from $100,000 in 2017 to millions today?
In our first year, Windsor Group secured a contract for an executive assistant position—essentially a secretary role. Even though I had just left my position as a senior executive in the federal government, I stepped in and fulfilled the role myself. For me, it was a prime contract that would give Windsor a past performance record to build on. That year, 2017, we brought in $103,000 in revenue. From that modest start, Windsor grew to $37 million in 2023 and $25 million in 2024. To date, we’ve generated more than $90 million in revenue on $95 million in prime contracts across 15-plus federal agencies. That growth has allowed us to employ over 260 professionals, engage 100-plus consultants, and 40-plus subcontractors, helping them expand in the process.
As a business leader, what would you say is Windsor Group’s number-one priority?
We are a for-profit business, so revenue—and, more importantly, profitability—is crucial. It allows us to sustain growth, invest in our people, and create opportunities for others. Every profitable contract creates a ripple effect that contributes directly to the economy: more income circulating in households, greater stability in communities, and long-term growth for other entrepreneurs.
What’s your message to those who want to build a business of real value but don’t see themselves as innovators, creators, or celebrities?
My message is simple: you don’t have to be known, popular, or invent the next big thing to build something meaningful. Service-based businesses are the backbone of the economy. Windsor Group doesn’t create content or sell products, and we’re not nationally known. We provide a full suite of professional services, including staffing, IT services, and marketing, that organizations rely on every day. In doing so, we’ve created hundreds of jobs, supported dozens of small businesses through consulting and subcontracting opportunities, and contributed thousands of dollars to charitable causes.
Windsor has managed some of the government’s most high-profile programs, including USDA’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program. What did this project teach you about operating at scale?
DFAP was a turning point for Windsor. It was a $2.2 billion program providing relief to farmers and ranchers who had faced discrimination in USDA lending. Responsible for the entire East Coast, we opened 21 offices across 27 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—all within 45 days. That meant adding more than 70 Windsor employees, managing over 300-plus staff at the program’s peak, and coordinating numerous subcontractors. The experience taught us the value of strong infrastructure—executing agreements on time, ensuring timely invoicing, confirming insurance, and thoroughly vetting hires. DFAP pushed us to a scale we had never attempted, proving that success requires not just agility and logistics, but disciplined systems and unwavering trust in your team.
You mentioned subcontracting work to more than 40 small businesses. Why is this significant?
I often say, if you want to help another small business, put revenue into their business. We partner when it makes sense for the project and to demonstrate to clients our ability to build capacity and deliver at scale. Further, I’m a firm believer in lifting others as we climb. Subcontracting strengthens the ecosystem, not just our own company. When we work together, we deliver better outcomes, create opportunities, and strengthen the overall market.
Windsor is well-known for its philanthropy in the greater Washington, D.C. area, having been recognized on Washington Business Journal’s “Top Corporate Philanthropist” list three years in a row. Why is giving a priority for you?
Philanthropy gives my work a greater sense of purpose…and it’s my passion. There are so many nonprofits doing the hard work of bridging the gap between what the government provides and what communities truly need. To date, Windsor has donated more than $600,000 to charitable organizations supporting veterans, women, and underserved communities via groups like the Code of Support Foundation, Women Veterans Interactive Foundation, and the Williams Franklin Foundation.
You’ve spoken often about legacy. What kind of legacy are you building—not just for yourself, but for your employees and community?
I want Windsor Group LLC to be known as a company that takes care of our employees, delivers impact to our clients, creates jobs, empowers fellow small businesses, and gives back generously. When my employees can buy homes, when our subcontractors grow stronger, when nonprofits expand their reach because of our support—that’s legacy.
Goodwill CEO Unveils Hiring Managers Still Prefer Degrees Over Skilled Workers, Despite Leadership Wishes
Fortune 500 employers have eliminated degree requirements with some hiring managers suggesting a complete dumb by the end of 2025 but Preston says that's not the full story.
If you think employers are over the college degree status quo, think again, as Goodwill’s CEO, Steve Preston, reveals that a number of hiring managers are still seeking degreed employees over those with pertinent skills, Fortune reports.
In early 2025, reports came out that companies were actively eliminating degree job requirements for employment. A survey found that 84% of 1,000 participating hiring managers admitted to removing degree requirements as a positive, reporting an uptick in applications, a more diverse applicant pool, and being able to offer lower salaries.
Fortune 500 employers such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple have eliminated degree requirements, with some hiring managers suggesting a complete dump by the end of 2025, but Preston says that’s not the full story. The CEO says it’s difficult for leaders to have control over interviews, leaving a full range to hiring managers to hire based on degrees over skills. “Right now, employers are consistently saying they want to hire for skills, not necessarily degrees,” Preston said.
“But the proof is in the pudding. Not everybody does it. What I hear from a lot of people is, yeah, the top says we need to do this, but when it gets to the hiring professionals, it doesn’t always trickle down.”
The former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development believes the concept will make it much harder for the newest addition to the working class — Gen Z — to find stable jobs, which will add to the growing unemployment crisis, especially for young men. The demographic is being labeled as “NEETs,” an acronym for “not in employment, education, or training.” Data from the International Labour Organization found that 1 in 5 young people globally falls into the category, while in the U.S., the number jumps to roughly 11.2% of young adults.
However, Preston has a theory on why hiring managers are dialing back on their promise, saying there is a sense that those with degrees come with a certain foundation deemed “valuable.” “I think when somebody comes out with a four-year degree from college, there’s a certain sense that that person has a foundation that will be valuable in the workplace, and there’s a suspicion that if somebody hasn’t done that, they may be lacking some core skills,” he said.
His advice to those who may seem outnumbered but are still seeking stable employment in corporate America is to showcase those skills in other instances, such as volunteering. “Employers have to be able to see that many of those capabilities are acquired in different ways,” the Goodwill leader said.
Preston has been vocal about the state of corporate culture, even adding his two cents about where A.I. is headed — or not — in the workforce. According to WebProNews, he opened up about his concerns about A.I. taking down the lower-level employee, warning that it could eliminate youth unemployment. After more than two million potential employees took advantage of Goodwill’s employment services in 2024, Preston feels that with automation, the number will expand after entry-level jobs slowly disappear.
With a capacity of over 70,000 at Lucas Oil Stadium, only 3,000 people showed up
The Circle City Classic, which featured a game between the Morgan State Bears and the Miles College Golden Bears on Sept. 27 in Indianapolis, experienced the lowest turnout since the game started in 1984.
According to HBCU Gameday, the contest, held at Lucas Oil Stadium, which has a capacity of over 70,000, was reported to have sold around 3,000 tickets. That number represents just 4.3% of the stadium, raising questions about why the turnout was essentially nonexistent.
WTHR spoke with Alice Watson, the president and CEO of Indiana Black Expo, which runs the Circle City Classic, about the low turnout.
“We compete with over 25 classics now. This is one of the originals. But we’re really trying to figure out how do we morph it into something that’s a little bit different and more meaningful for the community.”
Pointing out that most of the attendance in recent years came from people traveling from out of state, it is difficult to get 70,000 people to attend the game, especially with no local HBCUs and the participating teams being from different regions. Morgan State is located in Maryland, while Miles College is in Alabama.
“We attempt to fill a stadium, but the reality is if we hit a number that is somewhere between 25,000 and 30,000 in attendance, that’s a huge success,” Watson said.
She also states that the costs to host an HBCU football game, especially with more classics being played nationally, have become costly, and it can cost a school at least $500,000 to bring a football team to the city.
HBCU Gameday reported that 30 years ago, the Classic would regularly draw 50,000 to 60,000 fans when the game took place at the Hoosier Dome and RCA Dome. In 1994, the North Carolina A&T versus Southern attracted over 62,000. However, in recent years, those numbers have deflated. As other states started having their own HBCU classics, fans had more choices and no longer had to travel to Indiana to catch a football game.
By the mid-2000s, attendance had already begun a downward spiral, dropping from 60,000 to just over 30,000. Going into the 2010s, the numbers went down to the teens.
Watson said, “We used to not have those challenges with HBCUs. And we’re now competing with PWIs — predominantly white institutions — where they’re paying a lot more for HBCU teams to come and play them. It’s like upwards to a million dollars.”
She’s not giving up and believes that the Classic should have a renewed focus on youth programming, showcasing the benefits of post-secondary education to children.
“We still believe that it’s a viable model,” Watson said.
