u.s. dollar, decline

‘Cash-Stuffing’ Took This TikTok Star To Financial Success Through ‘Baddies And Budgets’ Platform

Jasmine Taylor has found success through her multimillion-dollar business "Baddies and Budgets."


A TikTok influencer who found success with her finance tips is sharing more through her “Baddies and Budgets” platform.

Jasmine Taylor knows how to budget and has taken this expertise to help others through her cash-stuffing business. She is helping a generation of bad spenders fix their habits through money courses, budget supplies, and more resources. Especially as the economy reels from inflation and tariffs, staying financially afloat remains a priority.

“One of the biggest mistakes I see people make, especially when prices rise, is just trying to wing it,” explained Taylor to CNBC. “In reality, inflation makes it more important to have a plan, so that’s why we always tell people to give your money a job.”

Taylor’s financial resume is already impressive. She climbed her way out of $60K in student loans with another $9K in medical and credit card debt. She found resolve through “cash stuffing,” using physical cash to stay within one’s monthly budget.

Taylor documented her journey through TikTok, paving the way for her “Baddies and Budgets” business. The lucrative venture brought in $2.2 million last year.

@baddiesandbudgets

If you’re in your “between blessings” era… you’re not alone. There is no shame in transforming your finances. No shame in pulling dollars out the oven or the fridge if that’s what it takes. No shame in starting over, starting small, or starting late. Shame keeps you broke. But creativity? Intentionality? A little humor? That’s what builds a future. So if you’ve ever felt embarrassed by how you save or where you are financially—don’t. This is your sign to keep going, sis. You’re not broke. You’re becoming.

♬ original sound – Baddies and Budgets

Taylor now encourages her audience to play defense against a turbulent economy. She wants her clients to take control of things they can dictate, which is their own pockets. To the entrepreneur, every dollar has a designated purpose and should be used as such.

“[Budgeting] helps you to stay in control, even when the economy is out of control, because you really know where every dollar is going, and you can adjust accordingly,” she says. “We may have to cut back on subscriptions if we can’t afford groceries, but you don’t understand that if you don’t see the numbers.”

Taylor believes in zero-based budgeting, setting limits for each category of expenses. This plan accounts for every dollar one brings in each month to adjust each as needed.

“People hear budget and they think that it means that you have to say no to everything, but we teach the opposite,” she says. “It’s about giving yourself permission to spend on what matters and ditching what doesn’t.”

Taylor says that strict budgeting actually allows for more freedom to dictate where one’s money should go. One can move designated money around to accommodate changes in lifestyle or an increase in cost for items like groceries. Her methods promote financial stability and ensure that one can find hope even in the most dire financial situations.

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Jadakiss, Mario, All about us festival? Juneteenth

All About Us Festival Brings Jadakiss, Mario, And More To Celebrate Juneteenth In Jersey City

All About Us' flagship event honoring Juneteenth returns.


The All About Us Festival returns for its third year of celebrating freedom, Black culture, and family this Juneteenth.

The June 19 festivities, taking place in Jersey City’s Liberty State Park, will feature headlining performances by Mario, Jadakiss and other legendary acts to highlight generations of music. The festival will offer activities for all ages, blending the throwback performances with innovative experiences to delight families.

The All About Us Festival’s founder, Shannon Mitchell, hopes to bring even more excitement this year. She aims for the space to evoke feelings of freedom and togetherness, rightfully on the holiday that honors the emancipation of enslaved Black people in America.

“From the moment you walk in, it’s going to feel like joy,” explained Mitchell in a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. “We created this space to remind us of what freedom looks like—being together, being seen, and celebrating who we are. Black history is American history, and this day is for all of us.”

The festival will provide a holistic experience for attendees while including kid-friendly fun and wide-ranging Black musical guests. The event will also feature a marketplace for Black entrepreneurs and brands to showcase their products, as well as host interactive exhibits and installation while keeping education at the forefront.

However, All About Us goes beyond a festival, but a movement to amplify and support Black culture through communal events and initiatives. By championing education, art, and advocacy in its programming, its flagship festival continues to grow in attendance and impact.

Although their festival takes place on the Juneteenth, All About Us also aspires to support of Black Americans through workshops, partnerships with educational organizations, and uplifting grassroots movements year-round.

“Rooted in community, empowerment, and sustainability, we strive to create experiences that bring people together, foster meaningful connections, and drive lasting change,” shared the organization on its website.

All About Us Festival takes place from 12pm-8pm, with tickets still available now. For those with littles, kids under 12 receive free admission.

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Southern University

Southern University Students Win Emmy for ‘The Hidden Sport’

Loren Sullivan, Verbon Muhammad, Sydney Cuillier, Ashley Lovelace, and Eric White were on hand to receive the 2025 HBCU Sports Emmy.


Filmmaking students from Southern University and A&M College were recently honored for their work on The Hidden Sport, a documentary short.

Loren Sullivan, Verbon Muhammad, Sydney Cuillier, Ashley Lovelace, and Eric White, known as “The Dream Team,” were awarded the 2025 HBCU Sports Emmy at a May 20 ceremony in New York City.

“This isn’t just a win—it’s a call to action to invest in the arts,” said Sullivan, a senior from Chino Hills, California, who is majoring in mass communication.

Sullivan is a member of the Human Jukebox Media Team. The other filmmakers are recent graduates of Southern University. Cuillier, Lovelace, and White are former Office of Student Media members, while Muhammad is a former member of the Human Jukebox Media Team.

The Hidden Sport highlights the legacy of the school’s “Human Jukebox” Marching Band and its impact on sports and athletics at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The documentary was submitted as an entry for the Emmy Awards as part of a $40,000 national HBCU sports broadcasting grant competition sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and the Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The filmmakers stated that they plan to create scholarships for Southern University students and donate a portion of the grant to the Human Jukebox and the Southern University Department of Mass Communication.

The documentary will be available on YouTube later this summer.

The school also announced that the Southern University School of Nursing celebrated the largest class of doctoral nursing students in its history. Twelve students earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, and two students received a Ph.D. in nursing. Graduate Darryl Davis was the first male to earn a doctorate through the DNP program.

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C.J. Lounge, Mississippi,,N-word, Black patrons,

FAFO: White Man Learns The Hard Way After Hitting Mississippi Lounge Patrons With The N-Word

Holly Springs Police say officers have been called out to C.J. Lounge close to 30 times in three months.


A night at a Mississippi bar and lounge turned violent after a white man was stripped of his clothes and beaten after he directed a barrage of N-words toward patrons, Fox 13 reports.  

The May 17 incident occurred at C.J. Lounge in Marshall County. Witnesses say the unidentified man walked into the venue and began using the “N-word” about African-American customers.

Video secured by the Holly Springs Police Department showed the man from Tippah County being stripped of his clothes and then being attacked. Witness Miles Stone said it didn’t have to go that far, as fellow patrons were trying to ignore the man, remaining calm.

“The guy walked in, and he was very aggressive,” Stone remembered. “Other guys in the area were listening, trying to remain calm. They asked him to leave quietly.” 

As law enforcement is investigating to determine if the attack can be labeled as a hate crime, Stone said that once the man went outside, the racial slurs continued. “When they were scuffling outside, he was still using the N-word: ‘F you N’s, f you N’s,” the witness said. 

Officers claim the attackers used poles and sticks to beat the man. He was later taken to a hospital, where police told Fox 13 he was treated for a broken jaw and other injuries.

“The victim, unfortunately, his jaw busted open, his eye busted. He’s just in a terrible state of mind right now,” Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Colonel McMillen said, according to WREG. “We’re trying to adopt some search warrants, get those done, and see if we can retrieve information from those social media accounts.”

Holly Springs’ police chief, whose name was not given by Fox 13, feels the popular nighttime hotspot is a problem. Officers have been called out to C.J’s close to 30 times in the past three months. Officers say they’ve responded to fights, guns found inside, and a man being shot in the foot. The chief pushing for the district attorney to declare it a nuisance. 

Days after the incident, sources said the business closed due to operating without a beer or business license. 

Stone, who also serves as a part-time DJ and security guard for the lounge, disagrees, saying this incident is a simple case of living with the consequences of your actions. “I’m not standing for anything like that. However, we have to live with our choices, and he made the choice to go in there aggressively, and he has to live with the choice he’s made.”

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introductory rate, credit cards, debt, APR, low interest, interest, debt

Paul Walton, Former Georgia Mayor, Turns Himself In Over 50 Counts Of Credit Card Fraud 

Paul Walton, who served between 2019 and 2023, was indicted


The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reveals a former state mayor is behind bars after being accused of credit card fraud, WSB-TV reports. 

Former mayor of Hull, Paul Walton, turned himself in after being accused of using a city credit card for personal use. The investigation started in January 2024 after the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office called GBI to investigate him. Weeks after the case was turned over to a Northern Judicial Circuit grand jury in April 2025, Walton turned himself in to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on May 8.

The McDonough native, who served between 2019 and 2023, was indicted for one count of violation of oath of office, one count of felony theft by taking, and 54 counts of financial transaction card fraud. 

Walton’s case is one of several developing cases of city mayors and other officials being accused of fraud or acts of corruption. South Fulton, Georgia’s Mayor Khalid Kamau faced accusations from the city council of misusing city equipment. It wasn’t the first time. Emails dated back to 2022 revealed that former Finance Director Karen Slaton-Dixon was concerned about Kamau’s request to use a city vehicle for a retreat and claimed it could be considered “double dipping” since he already received a monthly car allowance. 

Kamau was also accused of spending close to $26,000 on international travel to Ghana, Colombia, and France and overspending on office furniture, including a $1,800 pool table.

New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams has been the topic of corruption conversation after being hit with federal charges in September 2024. Adams faced allegations of receiving”illegal campaign contributions and luxury travel.” According to NPR, federal officials alleged that the corrupt practices carried on for close to 10 years, including “benefits” from foreign nationals and governments. The charges listed included conspiracy to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals, wire fraud, bribery, and accepting a bribe. All charges resulted in several Adams’ staff resigning, as federal officials chimed in.

However, months later, President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice dropped the corruption charges, causing major backlash and speculation that Adams had made a deal with the President for support.

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Karmelo Anthony, graduation, GPA

Karmelo Anthony Finishes With 3.7 GPA, But Can’t Attend Graduation

Karmelo Anthony will receive his high school diploma but cannot attend his graduation ceremony.


Karmelo Anthony, a senior at Centennial High School in Frisco, Texas, will not be allowed to participate in his graduation ceremony, WFAA-TV reports.

The teen has maintained a 3.7 GPA and is completing his coursework under house arrest.

Anthony, who was arrested on April 2 for allegedly stabbing a fellow student, faces a felony charge. He is currently out on a $250,000 bond as he awaits trial.

Once Anthony received bond, his education continued with the help of the Next Generation Action Network (NGAN). The organization collaborated with his legal team and family to create an at-home academic plan. Though he met all academic requirements, Frisco Independent School District officials have ruled that his criminal charges disqualify him from joining his peers at the ceremony.

“No student who commits a serious criminal offense (Title V felony) is permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony,” Frisco ISD Superintendent Dr. Mike Waldrip wrote in an email to the Centennial High School community, according to WFAA. “Additionally, anyone who trespasses on Frisco ISD property or at a District event will be subject to immediate removal and possible arrest by law enforcement.”

The district’s language is curious, implying guilt before a court ruling. Despite this, Anthony’s family has seemingly accepted the decision.

The Next Generation Action Network President Dominique Alexander emphasized the significance of Anthony’s achievement under challenging circumstances.

“NGAN has worked diligently alongside the Anthony family’s legal team to bring about this fair and student-focused resolution,” Alexander said. “This is a moment of dignity for Karmelo and a reminder of the power of advocacy done right.”

Alexander continued, “We are proud to share that Karmelo Anthony will graduate and receive his high school diploma, and that his academic achievements will not be disrupted.”

Though Anthony will miss out on walking the stage, a rite of passage for many high school students, his academic success has not gone unnoticed. As his legal battle continues, the teen has not lost sight of his future.

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Homeschooling, Education

Community Over Chaos: Protecting Education For A Stronger America

Freedom starts with an educated mind.


Dr. Russ Wigginton

On the heels of a historic anniversary, our country is reminded of how far we’ve come and how much work remains through the lens of education. May 17 marked 71 years since the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision affirmed that education must be available equitably to all. The recent Department of Justice’s removal of safeguards to monitor school desegregation through a 1960s court order in Louisiana, and potentially other Southern states, threatens the spirit of that landmark ruling.

Further, across our country, from underfunded public schools to well-endowed college and university campuses, education is facing many serious challenges. One of the greatest challenges is not only resources, but it is the foundation of the true value of education—the threats to free thought and critical inquiry.  Without these essential tenets, we weaken our collective ability to reach our full potential individually and as community.  We run the risk of misremembering the past, not understanding our present, and moving into the future without clear purpose or direction.

Elementary and secondary education are at the heart of this struggle. This is where students learn about the trials and tribulations of our country, and where they learn to question, empathize, and think critically so that as adults they will be engaged citizens. When these opportunities are minimized for young people, we are all lessened. 

Higher education is not immune. Universities—traditionally places for open dialogue and rigorous debate—are under increasing pressure to curtail discussions on diversity and inclusion. Professors and students who challenge conventional perspectives face growing resistance. Even our most prestigious institutions are being pushed toward a simplified version of education that hesitates to confront uncomfortable truths.

This moment demands reflection on who we aspire to be in the future and resistance to return to where we have been in the past. It’s about preserving the American tradition of free inquiry and robust debate. A healthy democracy relies on citizens who can think independently, engage respectfully with different viewpoints, and hold each other and leaders accountable.

Institutions like the National Civil Rights Museum play a vital role in maintaining this spirit. The Ruby Bridges Reading Festival, for example, provides children with access to important books by established and emerging authors—including many whose works are being banned elsewhere. A museum Freedom Award honoree, Ruby Bridges is a civil rights activist who at age 6 was the first Black student to integrate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. She was born in Mississippi in 1954, the same year the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision ordering the integration of public schools. The festival is a commitment to ensuring future generations understand the full story of our nation’s struggles and achievements and to ensure young people’s voices are valued. 

History shows us that when education is constrained, societies become more vulnerable to division and authoritarianism. When curiosity and empathy are discouraged, the foundations of community and democracy weaken.

Protecting education is a shared responsibility. It means ensuring that our schools and universities remain places of truth, inquiry, and understanding. It means supporting teachers, empowering students, and encouraging leaders to champion open dialogue rather than fear.

Freedom starts with an educated mind. By investing in honest education, we invest in a stronger, more resilient America. The stakes are high. Together, we must choose a path of hope, unity, and thoughtful engagement.

World Health Organization, WHO, vaccines, birth defects, outcomes, pregnant, pregnancy, women

FDA Plans To Limit COVID Vaccine To Elderly And The High-Risk

COVID shots and booster shots were previously recommended for everyone 6 months old and older.


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering a major policy change that would limit COVID-19 vaccine shots to people over 65 years old and those who have a high-risk health condition beginning this fall.

Until now, COVID and booster shots were recommended for everyone over 6 months old. But FDA Vaccine Division Chief Dr. Vinay Prasad and FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary do not believe booster shots are necessary and not worth the risk for healthy people.

A Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesperson told ABC News, “The COVID-19 public health emergency has officially ended, and we are entering a new phase in our response to the virus. A rubber-stamping approach to approving COVID boosters perpetuity without updated clinical trial data under the Biden administration is now over.”

How The FDA’s Vaccine Guidance Impacts Americans

The anticipated new guidance from the FDA comes as the agency’s vaccine committee is expected to meet on Thursday to discuss vaccine safety and efficacy.

It’s important to note that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees HHS, is a vaccine skeptic. He has campaigned against COVID shots and falsely claimed vaccines have killed more people than the virus.

As a historic measles outbreak spreads through Texas, Kennedy downplayed the number of deaths during a recent trip there. According to the Texas Tribune, Kennedy said the measles outbreak deserves less attention than other chronic diseases such as diabetes.

More than 300 people died each week from COVID in April, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.  In January, more than 1,000 Americans died each week from the virus.

Health leaders worry the vaccine restrictions could create a barrier for people who no longer qualify but want to get vaccinated to protect vulnerable family members

However, FDA leaders say more evidence is needed on whether vaccines prevent transmission before it provides that option.

“To date, there is no high-quality evidence that you getting a booster protects your grandma, beyond your grandma getting the booster herself,” Prasad said at a press conference Tuesday. “Does it lead to less transmission? Does it lead to fewer instances of severe disease? Again, we are interested in evidence to inform this claim.”

How the FDA moves forward could also impact if health insurance companies will continue to cover the COVID shots.

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Attack On Producer, UK, Fugitive of the law

Chris Brown Released After Dropping $6.7M Bail

The singer will be allowed to start the European leg of his Breezy Bowl XX Stadium World Tour


Chris Brown has been released from jail on $6.7 million bail on May 21, after being arrested on an accusation of assaulting someone at a London nightclub in 2023.

According to The Associated Press, Judge Tony Baumgartner allowed the R&B singer to be released after putting up bail to guarantee that he would show up for his next court appearance. He is scheduled to return to court on June 20.

Brown is scheduled to start the European leg of the “Breezy Bowl XX Stadium World Tour,” slated for June 8 in Amsterdam. After being detained, he was initially denied bail and was expected to miss the start of the tour, and it was up in the air if he could tour at all with the arrest hanging over his head.

Brown is being held on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm to music producer Abe Diaw. The incident allegedly occurred around 3 a.m. at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, Central London, on Feb. 19, 2023. Along with Brown, 38-year-old Omololu Akinlolu, who performs as “Hoody Baby,” has also been charged in the assault. Neither man has entered a plea.

The singer wasn’t in court for the decision but was released from a jail in Salford, outside Manchester.

After Brown was arrested, the prosecutor, Hannah Nicholls, stated in Manchester Magistrates’ Court that Brown attacked Diaw several times with a bottle and also punched and kicked him. The attack was captured on a surveillance camera in front of patrons at the venue.

According to The Sun, after the singer arrived in England on May 15, police officers went to The Lowry Hotel in Manchester after 2 a.m. to apprehend Brown. Diaw spoke to the media outlet about the alleged incident. “He hit me over the head twice or thrice. My knee collapsed as well.” He has filed a lawsuit against Brown for $16 million in damages for the injuries and losses he suffered.

RELATED CONTENTDRAMA ACROSS THE POND: Chris Brown Arrested in London Over Alleged 2023 Assault

Melissa Nicole Allen, Black real estate, Bronzeville Estates

Black Women-Led Firm Revitalizes Milwaukee’s Historic Bronzeville One Building At A Time

Meet the Black woman-led real estate development firm that's working to rebuild Milwaukee's historic Bronzeville community.


Maures Development Group, one of Wisconsin’s first Black women-owned real estate development firms, is celebrating the launch of Bronzeville Estates, a major step in the revitalization of Milwaukee’s historic Bronzeville community.

On May 1, Melissa Nicole Allen unveiled Bronzeville Estates at her firm’s new headquarters on Milwaukee’s historic Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

In an intimate ceremony hosted by her 9-year-old daughter, Evelyn, Allen spoke about her passion for reclaiming space in the historically Black community and how her revitalization project serves as a symbol of resilience and renewal in the heart of the city’s Black business district.

“There is energy and a very deep knowing that comes to me when I desire to pursue something,” Allen told the crowd of family, friends, media, and local government leaders.

Bronzeville was once a vibrant cultural and economic center for Milwaukee’s African-American community, but it was tragically wiped out by the construction of Interstate 43. The project displaced more than 8,000 residents, shuttered businesses, and fractured the heart of a once-thriving neighborhood.

The impact of that era is still felt today, but Allen’s women-led revitalization project marks a bold renewal of ownership and identity in a city where Black excellence runs deep. 

“In 2005, the city of Milwaukee designated a new Bronzeville. And so resources were gathered, there was infrastructure being built, and so a lot of work went into setting the groundwork,” Brad Pruitt, executive director at America’s Black Holocaust Museum, tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “But until this young woman decided to put some activation into those concepts and development, it was a moderately paced process.”

Driven by a deep love for her city, Allen set out years ago to restore the very community that shaped her. Since founding Maures Development Group in 2006, the mom of three has invested over $100 million and developed more than 400 housing units in underserved areas of Milwaukee. 

Her portfolio highlights her commitment to restoring communities one development at a time. Take the Allen building, located next to her firm’s new office. The two-story property houses two commercial spaces on the ground floor and two residential units above, seamlessly merging practicality with a people-first design. 

Allen’s redevelopment of the Mill Road Library turned the site into a vibrant mixed-use space featuring a 17,000-square-foot Milwaukee Public Library and 65 housing units for mixed-income families. She also leased part of a commercial property she owns to support the redevelopment of America’s Black Holocaust Museum, an impactful must-see institution founded by a Civil Rights activist who survived an attempted lynching at 16 years old. 

Then there’s Bronzeville Estates, a 30-unit residential development built to inspire pride, foster dialogue, and honor legacy. The project, along with many others in the area, has local leaders applauding Allen’s efforts to help return Bronzeville to its former economic vibrancy.

Now, as Maures Development Group transforms Milwaukee’s real estate landscape with a focus on equity, pride, and lasting impact, its mission remains rooted in the philosophy of “leveraging bricks and mortar to bring pride and hope to people.”

“The standards within the industry are not set up for somebody who is from urban environments to be able to be successful,” Allen tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “After 19 years, Bronzeville Estates is even more important because it’s the first one where I’m the lead developer on a transaction. Does that mean I hit the million mark…. the five million mark? No, but come on. Let’s get us there. Let’s get us there.”

With the landmark Bronzeville redevelopment, Allen marks a new chapter in Milwaukee’s Black history, making strides as one of Wisconsin’s trailblazing Black women developers. The grand opening of Bronzeville Estates stands as a powerful step in her mission to uplift underserved communities and build sustainable, thriving spaces.

Next up: Maures Development Group gears up for its 20th anniversary in 2026 and plans to break ground on a new hotel. All in line with how Milwaukee is keeping the momentum of Black Excellence going strong.

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