Black Business Month, Entrepreneurs, She Did That., Shopify — (Photo: RDNE Stock project/via Pexels)

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 13, 2025

Sen. Jon Ossoff Pressures Trump Administration To Reinstate Grants That Fund Black-Owned Businesses

Nancy Flake Johnson, president and CEO of the Urban League’s Atlanta chapter, said there was $2.2 million left in the grant.

Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) isn’t backing down from the Trump Administration’s anti-DEI rhetoric, asking members to reconsider federal grants that provide support and technical assistance to some of Atlanta’s budding Black businesses, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports.

In a letter sent to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick earlier this month, Ossoff asked him to reinstate a $3 million grant to the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, stating that keeping the funds hostage only “punishes job creators, hinders Georgia’s economic growth, and denies critical services from being delivered to my constituents.”

Ossoff highlighted that the funds that went toward the federal Capital Readiness Program administered by the Minority Business Development Agency under the Biden administration.

In 2023, the nonprofit was one of 43 groups in the country to receive a portion of the $125 million grant, labeled as the largest-ever direct federal investment in small business “incubators and accelerators.”

But the celebration was short-lived.

In April, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to dismantle the MBDA. Ossoff’s letter argued for a judge’s ruling to reopen the MBDA and restore canceled grants.

Nancy Flake Johnson, president and CEO of the Urban League’s Atlanta chapter, said her initial reaction to the cancelled four-year grant was “disappointment, naturally,” as there was $2.2 million left in the grant.

“This allowed us to really zero in on one of the biggest challenges that any small business faces, and that’s having the capital they need to operate during the peaks and valleys of business,” Johnson said.

The program offered classes, coaching, and opportunities for businesses to meet with investors, banks, and other groups that offer capital for growth and sustainability. In addition, business owners were offered an accelerator to learn how to get contracts.

Things were on track for the first two years, according to the AJC, with more than 3,000 businesses participating in the first year. Johnson said over 1,700 businesses engaged between September 2024 and spring 2025.

Prior to the grant being canceled, the organization helped almost 20 small-owned businesses secure $1.7 million in loans, grants, and contract opportunities. Roughly 130 businesses graduated from the group’s training programs.

However, Trump’s new wave of thinking has resulted in staff layoffs.

Several nonprofits that cater to minority businesses have suffered as Trump’s executive order against diversity, equity, and inclusion has cancelled funding, resulting in some businesses having to close their doors for good.

venus williams, executive coaching, EZRA — photo credit: Wikkicommons

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 13, 2025

Barbie Releases Venus Williams Doll Honoring Tennis Legend In Equal Pay Fight

The doll's outfit calls back to the first moment of gender pay equity in professional tennis.

Barbie has always inspired young girls and women to be who they want to be. The latest doll honors a sports legend who has done the same.

Venus Williams has received the latest doll in Barbie’s Inspiring Women Series.

For the recognition, Mattel encouraged Williams to choose any outfit for her doll’s likeness. The selection symbolized more than her legacy as a tennis legend, but represents her shared mission with Barbie for gender pay equity.

The seven-time Grand Slam singles winner opted to immortalize her win at the 2007 Wimbledon tournament. While the all-white outfit does not grab immediate attention, the significance of the event does. It was the first time that the women’s and men’s singles champions earned equal prize money.

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“Wimbledon 2007 was a huge moment in my career—not just because I won, but because of what was happening off the court,” Williams told USA Today Sports ahead of her Barbie’s Aug. 15 release. “Championing for equal prize money wasn’t just about me; it was about pushing for change for all women in sports. To see that moment honored with a Barbie doll is incredibly special. I hope it inspires young girls to speak up, believe in themselves, and know they have the power to change the game too.”

Williams was an integral voice and advocate for pay equity in professional tennis. She met with officials for Wimbledon and the French Open to discuss changes to the unfair pay scale. When they refused to meet her demands, she wrote an article claiming Wimbledon looked at her and fellow female winners as “second-class” champions.

Her unwavering fight pushed the tournament to pay up for its women winners. Her 2007 Wimbledon triumph match made her victory even more special.

Williams has also been a longtime fan of dolls. She often played with toys as a child to express her creativity when she wasn’t on the tennis court. She called the unveiling of her own Barbie a “full-circle moment” for the sports star.

“I’ve always loved being creative, even as a kid, I used to sew clothes for my dolls,” recalled Williams. “Seeing (my) finished doll was so surreal—it made me realize this doll represents something much bigger. It’s about inspiring young girls they dream big and break barriers, too.”

The doll reimagines Williams’ all-white set and shoes from Reebok. The doll also includes her accessories from her winning match against France’s Marion Bartoli in the Wimbledon final, such as her green gem necklace, earrings, wristband, and visor.

“My advice to any woman, not just advocating for equal pay but also advocating for themselves, is this: always bet on yourself and keep pushing, no matter how tough it gets,” added Williams. “There’s so much power in believing in yourself. When you use your voice, you create space for others to speak up, too, and that can create real change.”

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 03: Sean Kingston performs live on stage during "Hot Summer Night" concert at FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park on June 3, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 13, 2025

Sean Kingston Asks For House Arrest Ahead Of Sentencing

His mother was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of probation last month.

Recording artist Sean Kingston has requested to be placed on house arrest instead of serving a five-year prison sentence following he and his mother being convicted of fraud.

According to Complex, the singer’s attorney believe the punishment for his crimes “can effectively be accomplished by a reasonable term of home detention.”

The media outlet has reviewed the papers submitted to the court, citing other cases as to why Kingston (real name Kisean Anderson) should not spend time in prison.

Kingston’s mother, Janice Turner, 63, was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of probation on July 23.

According to CBS News, the 63-year-old woman was CBS News reports. Turner and Kingston, who had been accused of committing crimes totaling more than $1 million, were found guilty earlier this year of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud.

The recording artist is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 28.

Instead of facing a similar sentence as his mother, Kingston’s legal team said “in many instances, home confinement or house arrest is, in itself, a substantial punishment” for crimes of this nature.

In the Aug. 11 memo to the court, the lawyers said most of the victims have been paid back “and the restitution owed is minimal in comparison to the loss for which Mr. Anderson is being held responsible.”

In addition, character letters were also filed, Complex reports.

“Among them are letters to the judge from Kingston’s sister, fellow recording artist Iyaz, a Fort Lauderdale-based grocery store cashier who says she’s observed Kingston as someone who’s ‘always willing to lend a hand,’ a local delivery driver who cited similar observations, an unhoused individual who says the singer provided him with food and clothing, and several more,” the outlet wrote.

gender, breasts, Buffalo Wild Wings,bathroom, Gerika Mudra — Gabriel Vanslette, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Kandiss Edwards

August 13, 2025

Minneapolis Teen Says She Had To Show Her Breasts To Prove Her Gender At Buffalo Wild Wings

Gerika Mudra says she was approached in the restroom at a Buffalo Wild Wings and harassed until she proved she was a female.

Gerika Mudra is taking action after she says she was forced to prove her gender in a public restroom at a Buffalo Wild Wings to an employee.

While using the restroom at the Owatonna, Minnesota, restaurant in April, Mudra, 18, said she was followed inside. A server banged on the stall door and accused her of using the wrong restroom. According to Mudra’s personal testimony, she was asked to prove that she was a female.

Mudra said she then unzipped her jacket and displayed her breasts. The server, she said, “just walked out, didn’t even apologize or anything.”

The high school student does not identify as transgender and believes the actions taken by the server are a form of discrimination. The Minneapolis organization, Gender Justice filed a suit with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The organization posted statements on the incident, as well as testimony from Mudra.

“Gerika’s story sits at the intersection of anti-LBGTQ+ panic, racism, and rigid gender norms and stereotypes,” Megan Peterson, executive director of Gender Justice, said in a statement. “A growing culture of suspicion and control is targeting trans, gender-nonconforming, and Black girls and women–anyone who doesn’t match narrow ideas of how women should look or behave.”

“What happened to Gerika Mudra was not just wrong; it was unlawful,” Gender Justice attorney Jane Baldwin added. “Minnesota law protects people from exactly this kind of discrimination in public spaces. No one should be harassed, humiliated, or forced to prove themselves just to use the bathroom.”

Mudra’s case isn’t just about one humiliating moment inside a restaurant bathroom. Nationwide, bathrooms have become a space of contention for anyone who doesn’t fit narrow gender expectations.

Unfortunately for Mudra, this is not the first time she has been harassed when attempting to use the restroom. But, she said, this incident is the most egregious. She now avoids public facilities.

Diddy — (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 13, 2025

Diddy Now Wants $100M In Revised Defamation Lawsuit Against Accuser And News Outlet

Combs has now included NewsNation in his defamation lawsuit initially against Courtney Burgess.

Sean “Diddy” Combs wants all to pay for his damaged reputation since receiving a split verdict in his RICO trial.

In an amending legal filing, Combs now seeks $100 million from Courtney Burgess and cable network NewsNation for “significant reputational damage” in their coverage of his legal battles. Burgess went on the platform in October 2024. He accused Diddy of sexual assault while claiming to have video evidence of the occurrence.

Ahead of his criminal trial, Diddy responded to the allegations with his own $50 million defamation lawsuit against Burgess. Since his trial ended with a polarizing split verdict, including acquittals for sex trafficking and racketeering, Combs has become empowered to ramp up the defamation case.

Now, on the other side of a civil suit, he has included NewsNation as a defendant for broadcasting Burgess’ assertions, per HipHopDx. He also raised the stakes to $100 million for the “all-you-can-eat buffet of lies” he alleges both parties promoted.

“In this pitiful spectacle, all pretense of objectivity has been abandoned, as a global audience feasts at the all-you-can-eat buffet of wild lies and conspiracy theories. Mitchell [Burgess’ attorney] and Burgess are among the worst perpetrators in this offensive scenario,” detailed the amended lawsuit.

The legal teams for both Burgess and NewsNation have yet to respond to the claims. In the meantime, Diddy sits in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after being denied bail attempts.

Although Combs received some acquittals, the jury did find him guilty of transportation of prostitution. The charges carry a sentence of up to 20 years. Judge Arun Subramanian did not allow Combs to go free, citing no “exceptional reasons” to forego mandatory detention requirements. The judge also noted his history of domestic violence as another reason for the refusal.

Given the denied bail requests, the 55-year-old disgraced mogul must remain in jail until his sentencing hearing on Oct. 3. While a presidential pardon remains a possibility, Trump has not moved forward on the matter as of late.

by Mary Spiller

August 13, 2025

Long Island Triplets Aim For Winter Olympics After Making Eagle Scout History

Helaina, Henniyah, and Henri Rivers IV are looking to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics as alpine skiers.

After becoming the first Black triplets in the United States to achieve the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, Helaina, Henniyah, and Henri Rivers IV are setting their sights on another remarkable milestone — competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics as alpine skiers representing Jamaica.

The 17-year-old siblings from Long Island, New York, are currently training in Argentina, a step toward fulfilling a goal that’s been in the works for nearly two decades.

“My mom came to the U.S. when she was young, so she obviously did not grow up skiing, but she learned how to ski when she met my dad,” Helaina told PEOPLE, speaking about their Jamaican-born mother, Karen, and American father, Henri. Both parents are now certified ski instructors and alpine race coaches.

Introduced to snow sports at just a year old, the triplets began racing by age 5. “We grew up skiing, and we’ve been skiing ever since,” Helaina said.

“We’ve loved it.” The family’s early years in Brooklyn included plenty of snowtubing, sledding, and snowboarding before the children focused on competitive alpine racing as members of the Windham Race Factory in the Catskills.

“We started out in the children’s learning center… and then we progressed up to the Windham Race Factory,” Helaina recalled. “That’s really what kick-started our racing career.”

By age 14, skiing had become a six-day-a-week commitment at specialized boarding schools. For Henri IV, the sport is central to his identity. “Without skiing, I don’t really have a whole purpose in life… This is my one goal in life,” he said during a call from Argentina.

Two of the triplets have already represented Jamaica at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games in South Korea, and their father believes the best is yet to come. “They’re going to be phenomenal racers for years to come,” he said. “But what’s best is that they’re great individuals… I’ve done my job.”

Their discipline extends beyond the slopes. For their Eagle Scout service projects, the siblings worked together to beautify a public space in Brightwaters, New York. Helaina replaced a deteriorating wooden flagpole with a 25-foot fiberglass one, Henniyah installed paving stones and cement pathways, and Henri added flower boxes and benches overlooking the area.

Now, as they balance college plans with Olympic training, the Rivers triplets are proving that their drive for excellence reaches far beyond the mountains.

bahamas, boating, legs, amputated, accident, hBcu,Hannah Smith — Photo by Asad Photo Maldives: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-black-boat-on-water-9500414/

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 13, 2025

HBCU Graduate That Survived Freak Boating Accident In Bahamas Finally Leaves Hospital

Hannah Smith was celebrating her graduate from Miles College when she underwent a life-changing boating accident.

An HBCU graduate who made headlines after surviving a May boating accident in the Bahamas has finally left a Florida hospital.

While on a cruise excursion to celebrate her graduation from Miles College, Hannah Smith endured a life-changing injury after falling off a boat in the Bahamas. A propeller dismembered the young woman’s legs right before two women lifted her back to the ship.

“When we stopped at a port in the Bahamas, I went on an excursion and, unfortunately, the boat propellers kind of dismembered my legs,” she said of the May 12 incident to 7News. “I had to get them amputated in the hospital — [my left] one was done in the Bahamas — and then I was airlifted to Miami.”

The 22-year-old woman returned to the U.S. in critical condition from the boating accident. Since then, she had stayed at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Cutler Bay to regain her strength and health. Smith spent the next few months in recovery from her leg amputations. Now, she leaves the hospital in a better spirit than she ever imagined.

“It’s just a big win for something I didn’t see a couple months ago when I first had my accident, so big motivation,” shared the courageous HBCU alum.

During her time in the South Florida medical center, she underwent multiple surgeries and completed three hours of physical therapy daily. While she says she “traded my legs for my life,” she remains grateful for life up to this point.

As she returns home with her parents, she will continue with therapy as she prepares to receive prosthetics for her legs.

“Very proud of myself, just being able to do a lot of my basic hygiene and get around, transfer,” added Smith. “Next steps, just keep healing, do outpatient therapy and prepare for my prosthetics.”

She encourages others to stay positive despite newfound obstacles, as she has gained tremendous progress in her health. While she still has a long road ahead, she has her faith and familial support to lean on.

“Besides God, definitely my parents, like when I have any sad moments, they pulled me straight out of it, or like, if I don’t think I could do something, they tell me I can. I told them I don’t think I’d be as positive in this situation without them.”

As she recovers, her family has an ongoing GoFundMe for supporters to help her journey.

Larry Fitzgerald — photo credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

by Kandiss Edwards

August 13, 2025

Men Who XCEL: Larry Fitzgerald To Be Honored At The 2025 ‘XCEL Summit For Men’

Larry Fitzgerald successfully pivoted after retiring from the NFL. His tireless work in business and philanthropy are deserving of praise.

Larry Fitzgerald will be honored at the 2025 BLACK ENTERPRISE XCEL Summit for Men.

After his illustrious NFL career ended, Fitzgerald made a significant pivot. He is now a philanthropist and a leader in investment.

In 2005, he founded The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, dedicated to creating safe, healthy environments for underserved youth. The foundation also provides vital resources to families affected by breast cancer. Most recently, the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation celebrated the opening of Frost Tech Labs, described as a hub where youth can learn and engage in innovation and opportunity.

“I really enjoy my philanthropic work, traveling around the world, and helping people in need. That’s a lot of fun for me. It’s really rewarding. You’re helping people, but it’s helping you, too. It puts life in perspective,” Fitzgerald told USA Today.

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That purpose extends into business. Fitzgerald is the co-founder of Trenches Capital, a firm that invests in critical technology, fintech, and enterprise software. His company’s success is just as impressive as his personal success. Fitzgerald’s personal portfolio spans more than 160 companies in hospitality, sports, technology, and real estate. He sits on the boards of Infinite Athlete, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Additionally, in 2022, Fitzgerald became a co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals cricket team.

A Henry Crown Fellow with the Aspen Institute, Fitzgerald uses his voice to inspire —from keynote speeches to intimate mentorship sessions—emphasizing mindset, perseverance, and service as the keys to lasting success.

Fitzgerald’s career with the Arizona Cardinals placed him among the greats. Among his honors: the NFL 100 All-Time Team, the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Yet, even during his playing days, he was already laying the groundwork for a post-football life defined by service and entrepreneurship.

At the XCEL Summit for Men, Fitzgerald’s story will stand as proof that the most enduring victories happen far beyond the scoreboard. The summit is taking place Oct. 15–17 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando. Click here to register.

National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Selects Elise Durham As Next Executive Director — Photo Credit: NABJ

by Mitti Hicks

August 13, 2025

National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Selects Elise Durham As Next Executive Director

Most people know Durham as the Assistant General Manager of Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, the busiest airport in the world.

During its 50th anniversary and convention in Cleveland, the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has selected Elise Durham as its next executive director. Durham, a longtime member of NABJ, was chosen after an intense selection process involving multiple reviews by the NABJ executive board and an ad hoc executive director search advisory committee.

Most people know Durham as the Assistant General Manager of Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, the busiest airport in the world. She oversees a multi-million-dollar portfolio and a team of at least 30 employees. Before that, Durham served as the communications director for former Atlanta Mayors Keisha Lance Bottoms and Andre Dickens.

“I am honored and ready to help lead NABJ into its next, most transformative chapter grounded in vision, advocacy, innovation, and love,” Durham said in a statement. “I often say that NABJ is the longest love affair I have ever had, and I am excited about what the future will bring.”

According to a news release obtained by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the judging panel scored candidates based on key measurements that reflect the executive director’s responsibilities.

Elise Durham’s NABJ Leadership Role Comes Amid Lack of Representation in Newsrooms

Durham’s leadership comes at a time when Black journalists are underrepresented in the newsrooms. According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 6% of reporting journalists identify as Black. About half of all U.S. journalists (52%) say their news organization does not have enough diversity in terms of race and ethnicity.

In addition to little representation, pay continues to be an issue in newsrooms. A 2021 study of 14 unionized Gannett newsrooms showed that women and people of color make much less than the white men in their newsrooms. Women of color, for example, earned $15,727 less, or 73% of white men’s median salary.

There is some optimism that Durham’s leadership will help to close the gaps in representation and pay. The Florida A & M University alum and “NABJ baby,” she has raised tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, where she currently serves as Parliamentarian. In her role as Executive Director of Strategic Communications for Morehouse College, she helped to raise $120 million for the school during a 5-year capital campaign.

Durham is expected to officially begin her position as NABJ executive director in the fall.

Wendy Williams, guardianship, career — (Photo: WBLS, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 13, 2025

Wendy Williams’ Medical Exam Re-Diagnoses Her With Dementia And Upholds Guardianship

Wendy Williams' guardianship will continue after she was re-diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia.

A recent medical examination has re-diagnosed Wendy Williams with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia, resulting in the continuation of her court-ordered guardianship.

Legal documents reveal the former daytime talk show host recently underwent extensive medical and neuropsychological testing, along with brain imaging scans, People reported. Following these evaluations, doctors confirmed a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia, which was first identified in 2023.

As for her guardianship, an attorney for Williams’ guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, is requesting a three-month extension that would end on Nov. 5. The attorney cites ongoing legal disputes involving Williams’ family and ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, that aim to challenge the guardianship and Morrissey’s role.

“Complications have arisen due to various parties, including counsel for certain members of [Williams’] family, [Williams’] ex-husband, and others, who have indicated their intention to challenge both the Guardianship itself as well as Ms. Morrissey’s status as Guardian.”

News of the recent medical exam comes weeks after Williams announced her plans for legal action against her “misdiagnosis.” Back in March, Williams was removed from her assisted living facility to undergo mental competency tests that the former radio personality claimed she passed “with flying colors.”

“She had those tests, she’s been deemed she is not incapacitated,” her caretaker, Ginalia Monterrosa, said at the time. “I think it’s great news, and it’s public, and everybody knows factually that Wendy’s not incapacitated.”

Since 2022, Williams has been under a court-appointed guardianship managing her finances and whereabouts. A Lifetime documentary, currently at the center of a legal dispute with Morrissey, shed light on her health struggles and her views on the conservatorship.

Shortly after the documentary aired, her diagnoses of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia were made public. While Morrissey has claimed Williams is “cognitively impaired, permanently disabled, and legally incapacitated,” Williams has publicly disputed those claims.

In June, Williams’ ex-husband filed a lawsuit against those overseeing her guardianship, alleging that the former talk show host “has been the victim of unrestrained abuse, maltreatment, and fiscal malfeasance” during the three years since it was put in place. Hunter claims the guardianship was established through “a secret proceeding” that denied Williams the chance to secure “adequate legal representation.” The case remains ongoing.