Serial Entrepreneur Briana Kelly Celebrates Grand Opening Of The Beautiful Medical Spa

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

April 3, 2025

Serial Entrepreneur Briana Kelly Celebrates Grand Opening Of The Beautiful Medical Spa

B Beautiful Medical Spa aims to make luxury an empowering experience for all clients.

Seasoned nurse and entrepreneur Briana Kelly has expanded her professional ambitions with a medical spa that had its grand opening on March 30.

B Beautiful Medical Spa, located in the Chamblee, Georgia about 15 miles from Atlanta, hopes to provide patients with a luxurious, relaxing experience as they pursue wellness treatments. B Beautiful aims to become a new standard of self-care.

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B Beautiful offers multiple services for skin enhancements to help one achieve their physical goals. For facial rejuvenation, Kelly’s services include botox treatment, dermal fillers and collagen boosts. These facial treatments also range from VI Chemical Peels to microneedling. However, those just wanting a boost in their skincare regimen can also take part. B Beautiful has a host of facials with LED therapy and microdermabrasion to reveal one’s best face yet.

It’s also no secret that weight loss treatments are a popular resource for those struggling to shed pounds. Kelly’s clientele also receives consultation for Semaglutide injections. The injections benefit patients by helping with appetite control while regulating one’s metabolism.

Kelly has years of experience serving clients at her Quality of Life Home Healthcare Agency in Philadelphia. Now, her new team of licensed experts can empower women to feel confident and beautiful in their skin.

“When guests come to the spa, I want them to feel completely relaxed and immersed in an unforgettable experience, especially for those who have never had a wellness spa experience before,” said Kelly in a press release. “From the moment they walk in and take in the soothing atmosphere to the moment they leave with visible results, I want this to be a one-of-a-kind experience that they’ll never forget. Everyone deserves to be pampered and leave feeling confident and beautiful.”

Kelly shared her excitement with BLACK ENTERPRISE, and gave praise to her staff and support team for “playing a part” in the final result and helping her accomplish the spas opening. The Beautiful Medical Spa offers “all aesthetic treatments,” Kelly told BE, including “beauty enhancement services, facials, chemical peels, microderma abrasion, microneedling.”

Producer Princess Banton-Lofters is one of Kelly’s supporters along with Quiana Watson and Jazzy McBee. Banton-Lofters, known for conceptualizing The Real Housewives of Atlanta among others projects, shared a word of wisdom with BE for Black female entrepreneurs, navigating the current anti-DEI climate and lack of funding extended to women:

Those who attended her grand opening witnessed her VIP medical spa with free botox treatment, prizes, and more to celebrate the business’ launch. Now, new patrons can indulge in B Beautiful’s elegant approach to helping people gain long-lasting skin radiance.

RELATED CONTENT: This Detroit Spa Offers A Softer Summer Life

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by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 3, 2025

Chadwick Boseman Honored By His Old School District With Fine Arts Center Named In His Honor

Chadwick Boseman’s former school district honored the late actor by unveiling a bust and renaming its fine arts center in his name.

Chadwick Boseman’s family and friends were in attendance to see the late actor honored by his old school district in Anderson County, South Carolina.

On March 28, Anderson School District 5 held a dedication ceremony unveiling a bust of Boseman and officially renaming the Southwood Academy of the Arts Fine Arts Center as the Chadwick Boseman Fine Arts Center, Fox Carolina reports. Boseman’s parents attended the ceremony alongside James Brown’s daughter, honoring the connection between the late actor and the music legend he portrayed in the 2014 biopic Get On Up.

Together, they unveiled a bust of Boseman at the center.

Chadwick Boseman’s parents arrive at the Anderson fine arts center now named in his honor.

They’re greeted by friends & family, including James Brown’s daughter.

She helped the family unveil a bust of the Black Panther star who also portrayed Brown in 2014 @foxcarolinanews pic.twitter.com/A5EnWYROuU
— Justin Dougherty (@DoughertyJC) March 28, 2025

The dedication comes a year after the Board of Trustees passed a resolution in March 2024 to rename the fine arts center. Boseman was a former district student, attending McCants Middle School before graduating from T.L. Hanna High School in 1995.

“We wanted to ensure that his legacy is not forgotten,” Harold Kay, Anderson School District Five Board of Trustees Chairman, told Greenville Online. “This renaming inspires young people. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what your background is. If you apply yourself, you can accomplish great things.”

The Black Panther star passed away in 2020 following a four-year battle with colon cancer. The school district collaborated closely with Boseman’s family throughout the process to ensure his legacy was honored in a way that reflected their wishes. The bust was inspired by a photo provided by Boseman’s family, which portrays him as he appeared while receiving his honorary doctorate from Howard University in 2018.

Boseman earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing from Howard University in 2000. In 2018, he returned to his alma mater to receive an honorary doctorate. Three years later, in 2021, Howard University announced that its newly re-established College of Fine Arts would be named the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts in his honor.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 3, 2025

Americans Are Spending Less and Budgeting Due To Economic Uncertainty

Looming tariffs are causing consumers to carefully weigh spending.

Consumers are growing increasingly cautious about their spending due to the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs.

This trend signals broader economic concerns, The Washington Post reported. Economists warn that this shift is affecting Americans across all income levels, including the wealthiest, which could signal early economic turbulence. A slowdown in consumer spending is expected to weigh on economic growth in the first quarter, with many economists now predicting a contraction after a prolonged period of expansion.

Lydia Boussour, an economist at EY-Parthenon, attributed some of the change to external factors, such as the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs.

“We are seeing clear signs that people are being more careful — they’re reluctant to spend on nonessential expenses. They’re worried about inflation and have preemptive anxiety around tariffs,” Boussour said.

In Austin, small business owner and plastic surgeon Johnny Franco has noticed more clients opting for less invasive procedures.

“There’s only so much money to go around for our patients,” Franco told The Washington Post. “A lot of them are breaking up their surgeries. They’re able to save a decent amount of money while still feeling like they’re making progress.”

This trend reflects a larger shift in consumer spending, with individuals seeking more cost-effective ways to fulfill their wants and needs.

However, CNN reported that the nation’s younger generation faces different challenges. Younger homeowners are no longer able to choose between necessities and luxuries, according to Wells Fargo economist Sharon Grein. Lower-income groups are struggling in the 2025 economy, leading to higher mortgage delinquencies.

“We see that lower-income and younger borrowers are driving those delinquency rates higher — they’ve maxed out,” Grein said.

This financial strain is also impacting small business owners. Victor Yarbrough, co-owner of the first Black-owned bourbon distillery in Kentucky, shared his perspective with CNN. Although his products are well-priced compared to other spirits, he remains aware that he does not provide an essential product.

“We’re very competitively priced, but the reality is, if people don’t have jobs, then they can’t spend,” Yarbrough said. “We’re not a necessity. We’re not [selling] eggs and milk.”

Yarbrough, who co-owns Brough Brothers Distillery, has also witnessed the economic toll on his community. The already-economically depressed area has become even more financially strained, a shift he sees reflected in the increasing number of people visiting a local food pantry.

“There’s a church that has food drives; we’ve seen a lot more people carrying food baskets away each time,” he said. “That’s telling me that for a lot of people — even in an economically depressed area — things are getting worse.”

The ongoing financial struggles serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between consumer confidence and economic health. Only time will tell how much worse the situation will get.

by Stacy Jackson

April 3, 2025

Halle Berry Says The Oscar Was Not Designed For Black Women In New Documentary

In the documentary, Halle Berry questions her 2002 Oscar win: Did it really change anything for women of color? For my sisters...our journey?”

As the only Black woman to have won an Oscar for Leading Actress, Halle Berry urges Black actresses to stop coveting the Academy Awards in the recently released documentary, “Number One on the Call Sheet.”

“The system is not really designed for us, and so we have to stop coveting that which is not for us,” the Catwoman actress says, according to The Guardian. As Berry speaks in Part Two of the two-part documentary film event, which also features award-winning actresses Taraji P. Henson and Whoopi Goldberg, she reminds people that art is fundamentally for touching the lives of other people. It’s been over two decades since Berry won her Oscar in 2002, but she says that years later, the win has forced her to question, “Did it really matter? Did it really change anything for women of color? For my sisters? For our journey?”

Of 15 Black women who have been up for a Leading Actress Oscar, only two have been nominated more than once for the award—Cynthia Erivo for “Wicked” and Viola Davis for “Harriet.” In “Number One on the Call Sheet,” Berry points out her hopes in 2021 that nominees Andra Day and Viola Davis would take home an Oscar. “I felt 100% sure that this was the year one of them was gonna walk away with this award,” she says. “For equally different and beautiful reasons, they both deserved it, and I thought for sure.”

Goldberg, who was awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1990 for “Ghost,” also questions the Academy’s choices for leading actress winners. “Wait a minute, none of us were good enough?” she asks. “Nobody? In all of these people, nobody? … What are we missing here? This is a conversation people have every year.” Henson believes the industry fails to see Black women as leads. “They give us supporting [actress awards] like they give out candy canes,” the “Think Like A Man” star says in the documentary. “That just –- I don’t know what to do with that.”

Tune into the voices of groundbreaking Black stars as they share their experiences in Hollywood, from landing life-changing roles to facing some of the lowest moments of their careers.

Part two of “Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood” is available to stream on Apple TV+. The film was released on March 29, following Part One, “Black Leading Men in Hollywood,” which was released for streaming on March 28.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 3, 2025

Will ‘Trill Burgers’ Hit An HBCU Campus? Bun B Wants It To Go Down

Bun B has yet to open a Trill Burgers location at a historically Black college or university (HBCU), but he would love the opportunity to do so.

The UGK rap legend was recently asked about Trill Burgers’ partnership with the University of Houston. While it’s not Texas Southern University—the HBCU in his hometown—Bun B (real name Bernard Freeman) is open to expanding into HBCU territory. The challenge lies in the lack of funding to support growing businesses like Trill Burgers.

“This is a very storied university. It’s a larger university,” Bun B told Sports Illustrated’s HBCU Legends. “They have a great booster system. A lot of HBCUs don’t have that kind of funding available, but it’s something that we would love to afford to any historically Black college university in this country, not just those in close proximity.”

“As we grow this brand, we are looking for newer ways to expand this company and connect with the community,” Bun B added. “And we are known as a cultural brand. So, we have no problem bringing our culture into spaces where we don’t have to compromise it. And an HBCU, you would be the perfect platform for that.”

Founded in 2021, Trill Burgers has rapidly gained recognition for its signature smashburger, which features two all-beef smashed patties, caramelized onions, pickles, and the patented Trill Sauce on a potato roll bun. Since its debut, the brand has earned national acclaim, winning Good Morning America’s title of Best Burger in America in 2022 and becoming a fan favorite at major music festivals like Coachella, Rolling Loud, Something in the Water, and Rock the Bells.

Other accolades under Trill Burgers’ belt include the prestigious Gold Buckle Foodie Award for Best Classic Fair Food at the 2023 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, where, under the leadership of chef partners Mike Pham and Fernando Valladares, it served over 41,000 burgers in just 20 days—thanks to overwhelming support from its hometown. Beyond its culinary success, Trill Burgers is committed to giving back and supporting local charities such as Chris Shepherd’s Southern Smoke Foundation and Second Servings of Houston.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 3, 2025

Mercedes-Benz Requesting Return Of Vehicle Shilo Sanders Has Purportedly Defaulted Payments On

The University of Colorado Boulder football player allegedly owes more than $97,239

Several months before filing for bankruptcy, Shilo Sanders agreed to make payments on a 2023 Mercedes-Benz, and due to nonpayment of the monthly agreement, the car company is requesting that the football player return the car to them.

According to USA Today, the University of Colorado Boulder football player who has placed his name in the upcoming NFL Draft allegedly owes more than $97,239 to the company that the car belongs to. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services states that he has not made any payments from December through February. They are requesting that Sanders provide the location of the car so they can retrieve it.

Sanders filed for bankruptcy in October 2023 after he was sued and, after not appearing in court, ordered to pay a default judgment of $11.89 million to a security guard who accused the football player of assaulting him in 2015. The Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing has made an automatic stay or hold on collection efforts against him. Yet, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services wants its money, citing that the car is losing value.

“The motor vehicle is depreciating in value, the contract is in default, and the movant (Mercedes Benz Financial Services) is being prevented by the automatic stay from exercising its remedies to repossess and liquidate its collateral, the motor vehicle,” said attorney Doug Koktavy, who is representing the creditor.

Even after Sanders signed the agreement for the vehicle, he continued to make payments until recently.

In March, a judge issued a limited protective order in favor of Shilo that states “designated discovery material may not be used for any other purpose” than for the merits of the ongoing case against him. Shilo’s attorney asked for the protective order asking that discovery evidence, including NIL (name, image, and likeness) business dealings, be kept from being disseminated so it wouldn’t end up on social media. According to the attorney, the information drawn could become part of a “smear campaign ” that could be used against him and affect future earnings for the football player after his bankruptcy ruling.

The prospective NFL player filed for bankruptcy protection after he allegedly assaulted a school security guard, John Darjean, when he was a 15-year-old high school student in 2015. According to Darjean, when he tried to take away Sanders’ mobile phone after being asked to do so by school officials, Sanders assaulted him, leading to permanent injuries. Darjean was awarded a default judgment of $11.89 million after Sanders failed to appear in court in 2022.

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by Stacy Jackson

April 3, 2025

Atlanta OB-GYN Dr. Sharon Harley Helps Women Prepare For Menopause

According to research, Black women are more likely to have an early onset of menopause and experience symptoms longer during this stage.

Atlanta OB-GYN Dr. Sharon Harley, who focuses her practice on women who are undergoing menopause, is helping those like 63-year-old Sharon Humphries, who said she was unprepared to navigate this stage of her life.

According to the National Institute on Aging, menopause is “the stage of a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently, and she can no longer get pregnant.” This stage is a normal part of aging, and although the average age of menopause is 52 in the United States, women can reach it at different ages. When Humphries shared her story with WSBTV, she explained that she reached early onset menopause following a hysterectomy in her 40s. She underwent a surgical procedure to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and had both ovaries removed. “I tell people I suffer with depression, but when I think about it — it was really during this menopause.”

Research reports that Black women are more likely to have an early onset of menopause. Dr. Harley told the outlet that the stage is usually due to a decline in female hormones. “With the loss of hormones, the data is showing that women, when they transition into menopause, they’re actually at a higher risk for cardiac events,” Harley said. Changes in the hormones have been linked to some of the symptoms women experience during this stage, like hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations, sleepless nights, and brain fog. The National Institute on Aging notes that Black women experience menopausal symptoms at higher rates and for longer periods compared to their white counterparts, and symptoms can last up to around eight years. During this time, women may also experience changes in body weight and shape, bone density, heart health, or physical function.

Humphries’ symptoms returned at age 63. “This past month alone, just depressed… no energy,” the Metro Atlanta woman said. “Well, the libido has been gone.” She hopes her story encourages other women to seek education early on so they feel ready when it’s their turn.

The Harley Institute states that its founder, Dr. Harley, is trained in anti-aging and natural and regenerative medicine. With over three decades in private practice, she has covered areas like hysterectomy alternatives, bioequivalent hormone replacement therapy, allergy testing, nutritional supplements, fibromyalgia treatment, stress-related diseases, preventive health, peri-menopause, and andropausal, or male menopause, medicine. The National Consumers Research Council recognized her as a top physician in 2003, 2004, and 2005.

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by Sharelle B. McNair

April 3, 2025

What RFK Jr’s Mass Layoffs Mean For The Health Industry And Black Medical Professionals

The lack of Black student enrollment in medical schools puts a pause on developing a more diverse physician workforce to improve public health.

A number of healthcare leaders and medical experts are starting to regret failing to openly express concern about President Donald Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) appointee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. prior to his confirmation, after recent mass layoffs, Politico reports.

After thousands of agency employees learned their roles were being eliminated with notices dated Apr. 1, industry leaders are speaking out after ultimately agreeing to work with the new White House administration. “While we support improving FDA efficiency to deliver more affordable generic and biosimilar medicines to patients faster, many of the reported cuts appear to do the opposite,” CEO of the Association for Accessible Medicines, John Murphy, said.

Thoughts from the leader, whose organization represents generic drugmakers, are shared by industry trade groups like Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), who are questioning the true reason behind the layoffs. “We recognize the need to find efficiencies, but it’s critical the FDA has the expertise and capacity it needs to maintain its gold standard regulatory review,” PhRMA spokesperson Alex Schriver said.

“The rapid and substantial changes at FDA this week raise questions about the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission to bring new innovative medicines to patients.”

Fear of the future of healthcare is raising concern for Black medical students with aspirations of helping those in need. Across the nation, medical schools have seen a sharp decline in enrollment from Black students, dropping by 11.6% from the 2024-2025 academic year, following the controversial Supreme Court decision to overturn affirmative admissions in college admissions. President and CEO of Meharry Medical College, James E.K. Hildreth Sr., MD, expressed grave concern over the numbers.

The leader of the nation’s largest historically Black medical school admitted that he wasn’t surprised that fewer Black students were enrolling after the ruling, but more so shocked at how quickly. “Once the decision was made by the Supreme Court to do away with affirmative action, we expected this drop to occur because we have discovered or learned that without proactive steps to ensure that minorities have a chance to gain admission to medical school, that this was going to happen,” Hildreth said, according to Chief Healthcare Executive.

“It is worse than we might have expected. I mean, many, many medical schools have worked really hard to ensure that they’re training a diverse healthcare workforce.”

He highlighted the need to develop a more diverse physician workforce in efforts to improve public health and combat systemic racism in the field. Studies revealed that students who are exposed to the history of Black people’s experiences in the healthcare space are more likely to point out racist treatment when they see it.

With top agency leaders like Julie Tierney, who oversees vaccines, being placed on leave and top FDA vaccine regulator Peter Marks forced to resign in late March 2025, lobbyists say there are “lots of concerns” about the talent pool as a result of the firings. One highlighted that, with user fees not being used as intended and approvals not moving quickly enough, there is a chance that investors could be “spooked” away from the sector.

The National Health Council, whose members include trade groups representing drugmakers, insurers, healthcare companies, and patient groups, also spoke out about the job cuts, claiming they will hurt the accessibility and affordability of health care.

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by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 2, 2025

Former Central Michigan Football Player Pacino Horne Faces 20-Year Prison Bid

He pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining almost $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.

A former Central Michigan University football player faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 2 after pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining money from a COVID-19 relief fund.

According to The Detroit Lions, Pacino Horne, who also became a rapper after his sports career ended, is scheduled to be sentenced six months after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Prosecutors stated that he illegally obtained an economic injury disaster loan, and with the funds received, he opened a Philly cheesesteak restaurant. He accepted almost $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Leitman will sentence the 41-year-old former athlete.

Horne was also accused of running a drug-trafficking organization, although he has not been charged with any federal drug charges. Still, investigators seized jewelry, money, and drugs in 2022.

“Although he has no criminal convictions, criminal activity is Horne’s livelihood,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranya Elzein stated in a sentencing memorandum. “Horne makes his money through drug trafficking. Horne will undoubtedly point to his legitimate employment to argue otherwise. But the drugs and drug paraphernalia at residences associated with him, and his lack of legitimate income to substantiate his expenses, tell a different story.”

Prosecutors have filed a memorandum requesting that Horne serve as much as 14 months in prison and stated that the judge should consider the drug trafficking allegations when he rules.

Horne’s attorney, James King, is asking the judge to ignore the allegations, citing a lack of proof.

“These allegations are an attempt to punish Mr. Horne without so much as finding of probable cause connecting Mr. Horne to any illegal items or activity,” King said. “The government is unable to connect Mr. Horne to the sale of any drugs. There have been no recorded wiretaps, hand-to-hand transactions, or proof of conspiring to sell or purchase drugs.”

Horne was accused of submitting a fraudulent application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, a federal program that provided low-interest financing to small businesses in regions hard-hit by disasters. The former athlete filed in February 2021, and authorities allege his application was filled with false information. He insisted he had losses running his company, Day1 Records. Yet, instead of using the money to cover the supposed losses, he bought a restaurant.

“…In a time of national crisis, Horne’s selfish actions harmed not only the Small Business Association but also those individuals who legitimately sought timely financial assistance,” the prosecutor wrote.

Horne admitted his guilt and told his attorney, “It was a stupid decision. People kept telling me how easy it was and that all I had to do was pay the money back. I let one decision change my entire life. Now, I have to be a felon for the rest of my life. It’s embarrassing. I’m going to lose everything and have to start all over again.”

After graduating from Central Michigan University, he was on the practice squad for the Detroit Lions before playing in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts. He was also a recording artist who used the moniker OuttaTown.

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 2, 2025

Paper Checks Are Done For Thanks To Trump’s Executive Order

People who need in-person assistance will face challenges since the administration has made labor cuts to the federal agencies.

CNBC reported that the U.S. Treasury Department is slowly eliminating paper checks after President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring all federal departments and agencies to switch to electronic payments.

In a statement, the White House said electronic payments are an attempt to “modernize” how the government handles money, leaving old-fashioned paper payments to “fast, secure electronic payments.”

“Paper-based payments, such as checks and money orders, impose unnecessary costs, delays, and risks of fraud, lost payments, theft, and inefficiencies,” the White House said.

With a Sept. 30 deadline, the agency has an estimated six months to phase out paper checks used for tax refunds and close to 456,000 Social Security monthly mailed checks. The order forces all government departments and agencies to issue disbursements with electronic transfer methods, including direct deposit, digital wallets, debit or credit card payments and real-time transfers.

According to Kiplinger, as a directive from Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to embed exceptions for individuals who don’t have access to banking services, specifically in cases like emergency payments. Bessent is scheduled to submit an implementation plan for such measures within 180 days.

Bankers and experts seem excited about the move, citing that check fraud is rising.

“We welcome President Trump’s executive order mandating that the federal government cease issuing paper checks for all disbursements, including government benefits and tax refunds,” president and CEO of the American Bankers Association, Rob Nichols, said.

“Despite a continued decline in business and consumer use of checks, check fraud has continued to rise.”

CEO of LexisNexis Risk Solutions’ government group, Haywood Talcove, said, “Checks aren’t safe anymore,” highlighting a 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office that revealed the federal government could lose between $233 billion and $521 billion a year to fraud.

The Trump administration could face some strains with the changes. With a large number of people receiving paper Social Security checks, individuals who are unable to adapt to the digital changes will require in-person support. This will be a challenge since the administration has made labor cuts to the federal agency, including a number of local Social Security offices.