Jeff Badu, a former gang member from Chicago, is now making millions as an entrepreneur, tax practitioner, and owner of his own accounting firm. After going through a life-changing event, Badu hopes to also make a change in his community by sharing his story to others and helping guide them with his business how-to’s.

Badu, who was born in Ghana, moved to the United States when he was 8-years old. With his young mind, he thought he would feel protected if he joins a gang. But when he did, he realized that the protection the gangs advertised wasn’t exactly true.

“Between 8 to 16, those were the toughest times of my life because I was surrounded by so much negativity,” Badu said in an interview with WGN TV. “I was literally trapped, I couldn’t walk certain places.”

Badu finally decided to change his path after having a conversation with his aunt when he went back to Ghana for a short family vacation. He remembered his aunt told him about his parents’ struggles just to take him to the U.S., “went through the lottery system for you to come and mess it up.”

Since then, he returned to the U.S. with a new mindset, finished studying at Uplift High School, and earned an undergraduate and graduate degree in accounting from the University of Illinois.

Now, Badu owns an accounting business called Badu Tax Services that caters to 1,500 clients nationwide and in five other countries. He also owns and runs car rental entreprises and real estate investment groups. He was 25-years old when he made his first million.

All the while he was already making a name in the financial industry, his childhood friend Adura Yaboroh was killed after being shot five times in the head while helping someone with a spare car tire at a gas station. It made another strong impact in his life.

“I felt very responsible for that because I had turned my life around but I didn’t go ahead and turn other people’s lives around at that time,” Badu said.

So he made use of his influence to positively impact other people. He provides resources for scholarships, offers workshops to the youth and homeless, writes articles about property tax, money-making strategies, among many others, and hosts his own radio show called Money Talks where he promotes financial literacy.

Moreover, he hopes to further bring financial freedom and benefits to other neighborhoods that are in underserved communities. He also aims to use his real estate companies to restore communities that are being plagued by gentrification.

“What I really want to do is help the super hungry to take advantage of resources in order to live an abundant lifestyle. That’s my purpose in life and it’s exciting,” he told Block Club Chicago.

For more information about Jeff Badu or his company, Badu Tax Services, visit his personal website at http://www.badutaxservices.com

This article was originally written by BlackBusiness.com.

Marcus Shute Jr., a 34-year old lawyer from Nashville, raised a few eyebrows when he decided to grow his locks in 2002. But he still refuses to cut his hair in hopes to make a point that his personal appearance should not affect his professional career! In fact, Shute is a well sought-after lawyer and he runs his own law firm in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Many times during my matriculation through undergrad/law school and in my professional career I was told I would not be successful as an attorney if I didn’t cut my locs,” Shute said in an interview with The Shade Room.

Shute also said he had experienced being disregarded for promotion even though he technically deserved it just because he “did not fit the look.” At one time, he said a judge even mistook him as a client instead of a law student.

Despite that, he chose to be authentic and not to conform to the industry’s so-called standards. His experiences also inspired him to open his own law practice. He wanted most of his colleagues and clients to relate to him.

“The law industry, like any other industry, is a microcosm of the real world. It needs acceptance, inclusion, and diversity, but it needs to be more than empty lip-service and to be done in a meaningful way,” he said. “Less than 5 percent of attorneys are black. And even fewer are in a position to hire at their firm, one of the reasons I founded Shute Law.”

For more information about Shute Law, visit https://www.shutelaw.com

This article was originally written by BlackBusiness.com.

• Technology

by Selena Hill

July 31, 2020

Google is Making it Easier to Search for and Support Black Businesses

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Google introduced a new badge that allows businesses to identify themselves as Black-owned through the company’s Maps and Search listings. The new feature, which was announced Thursday, comes as more consumers are searching for black businesses in recent months.

U.S.-based companies with a verified Business Profile on Google can now add a Black-owned business attribute to their profile, which will make it easier for customers to identify and support them. Those businesses will be marked with a black heart over an orange three-striped background (as seen below). To apply for the badge, black entrepreneurs must verify their company by mail, phone, or email.

“Over the past few months, we’ve seen a surge in online searches for Black-owned businesses. It’s been inspiring to witness so many people look for ways to invest in the Black community,” wrote Jewel Burks Solomon, the Head of Google for Startups, in a blog post. “With this attribute, our goal is to make Search and Maps more inclusive and help support Black-owned businesses when they need it most,” she added.

According to The Verge, Yelp, a popular online service that provides crowd-sourced reviews and business listings, also reported an increase in Black-owned business searches on its site. It received more than 2.5 million searches for those businesses from May 25 to July 10.

Google also introduced badges for “Women-Led” businesses and LGBTQ-friendly businesses back in 2018.

Earlier this year, the tech giant appointed Solomon as its first Head of Google For Startups to focus on empowering diverse startup founders with products, connections, and best practices. Prior to her appointment, the Howard University alum worked at Google as an entrepreneur-in-residence for diversity markets from 2014 to 2016 where she helped underserved business owners grow their businesses online using Google tools.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is focusing on Black education and success as part of his Build Back Better proposal; offering free tuition to HBCUs.

According to Essence, Biden’s campaign released a statement saying the former vice president is determined to have an economy where “every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead. An economy more vibrant and more powerful precisely because everybody will be included in the deal.”

Biden’s campaign also addressed how Black Americans and minorities are suffering during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to significant healthcare disadvantages, Black unemployment is at 15.4%, and Black-owned businesses are closing down at an alarming rate.

To help Black Americans, Biden’s plan will include students receiving tuition-free access to four-year, public historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions if their families earn below $125,000.

“Stark racial disparities exist at every stage of our education system,” the campaign noted. As President, Biden promises that significant investments will be made to even the playing field for communities so often left behind.

Senator and vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris praised Biden’s proposal as a step in the right direction.

“This plan that Joe Biden is offering around dealing with racial disparity in the economy is a very important step because he is his acknowledging that racial equities have to be a part of the priority,” Harris told Black Enterprise.

Harris added that 90% of Black Americans take out student loans to attend college, putting them in a large hole of debt the second they walk on campus. Under Biden’s plan, those students will not only get free education but will have the financial freedom to live out their dreams instead of spending the rest of their lives trying to pay back a debt.

Biden’s plan also includes allocating $150 billion to be invested in minority businesses, a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour, the elimination of cash bail, and temporary housing for formerly incarcerated people upon release from prison.

• Technology

by Selena Hill

July 31, 2020

Twitter Shuts Down Former KKK Leader David Duke’s Account for Good

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Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke has been banned from Twitter.

The social media giant announced Thursday that the hatemonger’s account “has been permanently suspended for repeated violations of the Twitter rules on hateful conduct,” reports The Associated Press. Twitter did not specify which of Duke’s tweets triggered the ban, however, it unveiled an updated policy that included new rules giving the company authority to suspend accounts dedicated to sharing hateful content and harmful links. The tech company also warned earlier this week that “accounts dedicated to sharing content which we block” could be suspended, reports CNN.

Duke, who was the grand wizard of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan from 1974 to 1978, has been using the platform for years and amassed over 53,000 followers. Described by the Anti-Defamation League as “perhaps America’s most well-known racist and anti-Semite,” he was banned from YouTube in June.

Fenty Skin, Rihanna’s new skincare line, officially launched today but the buzz has been building since the superstar entertainer and beauty maven announced it earlier this year.

The unisex line is starting small, with just three essentials that are meant to form a skincare routine suitable for all ages, races, and skin types: a cleanser, a toner and serum in one, and a moisturizer with sunscreen.

Following a two-day pre-sale and a midnight launch, two of the products have already sold out—the cleanser and the starter kit. It remains to be seen if the Fenty Skin debut will be as successful as that of Fenty Beauty, which “boasted $100 million in sales in its first few weeks” according to Forbes. Last year, Forbes valued the brand’s worth at more than $3 billion, contributing greatly to Rihanna’s estimated $600 million personal fortune, making her the world’s richest female musician.

“I wanted a product that just worked,” Rihanna said in a behind-the-brand video. “Better than everything I’ve ever used, anything I’ve ever encountered, and everything that’s on the market. I believe that’s what people deserve. They deserve great product, great skin, and it should not be inaccessible.”

The line is globally sourced, highlighting ingredients such as Barbados cherry (a.k.a acerola); follows the standards of the European Union, which bans more than 1,400 ingredients, such as parabens and plastic microbeads; and eliminates excess packaging.

According to the website, “Rihanna brings together ingredients from around the world and pairs them with skincare powerhouses, such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide—for clinically proven results.” She’s prioritized “clean formulas that are also vegan and gluten free” and earth-conscious packaging: “more recyclable materials and smart refillable packs that feel luxurious.”

“I’ve lived and traveled all over the world and I wanted to make sure that Fenty Skin represented the best-of-the-best when it came to our ingredients. I wanted safe, clean, effective formulas that celebrated and respected what our planet has to offer,” Rihanna said on the site.

“I wanted the packaging to be beautiful, but also functional with an earth-conscious approach. We eliminated boxes where we could, we have refill systems, and we use recycled materials where possible. Nobody is perfect, but I really believe we can try our best to do right and we’ll keep evolving as we go.”

Vintage shopping goods have become a widely successful niche market in various sectors, however, many BIPOC-owned brands have trouble getting mainstream placements inside boutiques due to a lack of diversity. One Los Angeles-based woman decided to use the opportunity to create a new marketplace to help spotlight brands from women and entrepreneurs of color.

Shilla Kim-Parker is the owner of Thrilling, a digital marketplace for vintage goods sourced from local BIPOC and women-owned stores across the U.S. The Harvard Business graduate credits her interest in building her business from listening to stories from her grandparents from North Carolina. “My grandparents started the first Black-owned business in Kinston, North Carolina, a dry cleaner that served Black patrons [when] no other dry cleaners would serve Black customers,” said Kim-Parker in an email interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“This was the 1950s—and that dry cleaner became a refuge for the community, a second home for their Black neighbors. My grandparents were known to host impromptu social gatherings filled with music and love. At the same time, they faced an enormous amount of harassment, abuse, and threats of violence from the white residents of the community as well as the police. Despite all of that, they survived and thrived for 50 years. Vintage and secondhand small businesses have historically been underserved. There are more of them across the U.S. than there are Starbucks and McDonald’s combined—and yet 99% of them are completely offline.” 

Kim-Parker’s goal with the innovative marketplace was to show how much diversity there was in vintage shopping despite the limited scope shown by mainstream boutiques and brands. “One of the perceptions I want to change is that this market is niche. Half of US consumers shop secondhand, and 75% of traditional retailers are already or have plans to offer secondhand in-store or online,” explained Kim-Parker.

“This is also an incredibly diverse industry—there are so many amazing Black, brown, and queer stores and sellers on our platform from across the US, as well as stores and sellers who specialize in plus-size vintage. I am very focused on making sure that that beautiful diversity is front and center so that we can change the narrative about vintage fashion as well as making sure that every shopper feels welcome in our community.”

• News

by Derek Major

July 31, 2020

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Introduces Amendment To Block Trump Housing Rule

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New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has introduced two amendments to an appropriations bill before Congress, which would defund two new Trump administration rules before they can take effect.

According to Bloomberg News, the legislation would stop federal funds from being used to implement or adopt the new rules proposed under Housing Secretary Ben Carson that ease enforcement of policies meant to reverse segregation and housing discrimination.

If the amendments are passed it would be a setback for President Trump, who has made housing segregation a new battle in his reelection bid.

“We must hinder President Trump’s efforts to segregate communities and to discriminate against Black and Brown homeowners and renters,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement provided to CityLab. “We cannot return to the days of redlining and white flight.”

The Trump administration introduced a rule on July 23, concerning a provision of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Federal enforcement of the “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing,” rule has been inconsistent over the last 50 years but in 2015, President Obama introduced a formal rule outlining how jurisdictions should assess and demonstrate their progress in easing segregation in their communities.

However, Carson, who considers the AFFH rule “social engineering,” has been trying to scale back the rule since he joined Trump’s cabinet. First, the Department of Housing and Urban Development deemed compliance with the AFFH standard too burdensome then introduced a draft rule in January that would require less work from local jurisdictions.

However, when Trump took an interest in housing earlier this summer, the agency introduced a new rule that would eliminate the AFFH process all together. Additionally, a second proposed rule would change how HUD deals with cases alleging disparate impact, meaning discrimination arising from policies that are explicitly neutral.

The draft rule introduced by HUD last August would make it harder for tenants, home buyers, and other plaintiffs to pursue discrimination complaints under the Fair Housing Act. Neither rule is law yet, as they haven’t been published in the Federal Register.

If Ocasio-Cortez’s amendments become law, they would effectively kill the Trump rules. The House has adopted Ocasio-Cortez’s amendments, but it’s unlikely that Congress will pass them before the November election.

• News

by Derek Major

July 31, 2020

LAPD Officers Charged With Falsifying Gang Records, Could Derail 750 Cases

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The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office is taking a second look at hundreds of criminal cases after criminal charges were filed against three LAPD officers for falsifying records about gang affiliation.

According to CBS Los Angeles, officers Braxton Shaw, Michael Coblentz, and Nicolas Martinez were charged earlier this month with one count each of conspiracy to obstruct justice and multiple counts of filing a false police report and preparing false documentary evidence.

At the time of their arrest, the three officers were assigned to the LAPD’s Metropolitan Division where they allegedly falsified field interview cards. The officers also misidentified dozens of people who were stopped by the officers as gang members.

According to prosecutors, the false information written in the cards was used to enter citizens into the state’s gang database. Now, the misconduct by the officers could change the result of more than 750 criminal cases in the state.

The three officers were suspended in January after a San Fernando Valley mother received a written letter informing her that her son had been identified as a gang member. The mother, who believed her son was misidentified, reported the error to a supervisor at a nearby police station.

“There could be some cases out there where there are wrongful convictions,” L.A. District Attorney Jackie Lacey told CBS L.A. “When you’re charged with a crime like that, where it’s alleged that you lied, your credibility becomes an issue and every case you ever touched in terms of a witness now has to be reviewed.”

Gang allegations in the state allow prosecutors to seek harsher sentences against defendants if the jury determines the allegations to be true. However, due to the charges against the officers, criminal charges against people arrested by the officers are now at stake as their testimony will hold little weight at trial.

Additionally, past convictions could also be overturned if defense attorneys successfully argue the testimony by any of the officers was damaging to cases.

Lacey told CBS her office has sent letters to more than 750 defendants whose cases involved one or more of the officers. The L.A. Times reviewed the prosecutor’s records and found felony cases, including homicides, handled by the three officers dating back to 2002.

Lacey and LAPD Chief Michel Moore did add just because the officers were charged does not mean their cases will automatically be thrown out or overturned.

“It may be that the officers, although listed as a subpoenaed witness, may not have witnessed anything, may not be a key player, or there may be other witnesses who corroborated that a crime occurred,” Lacey told the Times.

The LAPD also said another 21 officers are currently under investigation over their field interview cards, which could potentially put thousands of criminal cases at risk in the city.

by Derek Major

July 31, 2020

U.S. Renters Owe $21.5 Billion In Back Rent, Republicans Offer No Relief

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In yet another sign of how much Americans have been struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, renters owe more than $21.5 billion in back rent.

According to Yahoo News, the global advisory firm Stout, Risius and Ross estimated the figure Wednesday as Democrats and Republicans continue to fight over the second coronavirus package.

The bill drafted by Senate Republicans does not include a plan for the recently lapsed federal eviction ban, which carried a stay for rent due for one-third of renters in the country. Making things worse, the federal unemployment bonus of $600 also expires this week. The combination could be deadly to America’s economy.

Without a solution, the likely result “will be a staggering surge in homelessness unlike anything we have seen,” John Pollock, a Public Justice Center attorney and coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, told Yahoo.

Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi also noted that very few people would be able to pay the back rent. A debt spiral could haunt displaced tenants “for a lifetime,” he added.

The eviction ban protecting a third of renters in buildings with mortgages backed by the federal government lapsed Friday. The rent deferred over the last four months is now due, as is all the rent where local and state moratoria on evictions have also ended.

The economy is still suffering with more than 30 million citizens unemployed and the death toll from the coronavirus exceeding 150,000. Many metro areas including New York City, Oakland, and Detroit have held “cancel rent” protests.

When rent isn’t paid for such an extended period, the low end of the market becomes a house of cards and “it starts to fall down,” Emily Benfer, who co-created the COVID-19 Housing Policy Scorecard at Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, told Yahoo.

“Risk of eviction increases, risk of foreclosure and bankruptcy follows, property taxes go unpaid, leaving communities and schools under-resourced,” said Benfer, a visiting law professor at Wake Forest University.

The Democrat-controlled House passed its second coronavirus relief package in May, which included continuing the $600 benefit through January, allocating $100 billion for rental assistance, and extending the federal ban on evictions for up to one year.