Odell Beckham Jr. Gains From Bitcoin Surge After Accepting 2022 Salary In Crypto
The $750,000 annual salary he converted to bitcoin in 2022 is now worth $1.3 million
In 2022, former New York Giants player Odell Beckham Jr. signed an unheard-of deal with CashApp to receive his $750,000 annual salary in Bitcoin. Four years later, after a tumultuous market, he is reaping the benefits with the cryptocurrency nearly doubling in value since he inked the contract.
According to Bleacher Report, the wide receiver is basking in the decision made several years ago when skeptics questioned his financial move, given that Bitcoin was worth $64,293 at the time of the deal signing. Today, it is presently worth $121,908.40. He took to social media to gloat after others doubted he made the right move in 2022.
“Sooooo bitcoin is at an ALL TIME high today…safe to say we still happy with our decision.
Let’s see what crypto week talkin about”
Sooooo bitcoin is at an ALL TIME high today…safe to say we still happy with our decision 😏✌️✌️🚀
Darren Rovell did some calculations and posted on his X account regarding Beckham’s now-brilliant move. He concluded that the $750,000 invested in 2022 is now worth $1.39 million today.
DXB News Network reported that the wide receiver suffered a significant loss several years ago when bitcoin prices plummeted drastically. In late 2022, Bitcoin was trading under $20,000, making Beckham seem like a fool for his arrangement. Less than four years later, that smile on his face tells the story of a very patient and smart man.
Beckham isn’t the first, nor is he the only, NFL player to convert his salary into Bitcoin.
According to Essentially Sports, former NFL offensive tackle Russell Okung changed the game in 2020 when he asked that half of his $13 million annual salary (from the Carolina Panthers) be paid to him in bitcoin. Last November, it was announced that the $6.5 million that was invested in the cryptocurrency coin had grown to an astounding $20 million.
Former NFL player Russell Okung got paid $6.5 million of his 2020 salary in #Bitcoin when it was worth around around $28,000
Black Fintech Founder Jon Gosier Is Changing the Game In Film And TV Finance
Film and TV financing has long been an exclusive club dominated by legacy institutions. But Jon Gosier is rewriting the script and doing it on his terms.
As founder and CEO of FilmHedge, a fintech platform that provides up to $25 million per production in private credit, Jon Gosier is opening new pathways for investors, especially those outside the Hollywood bubble, to share in one of the entertainment industry’s most profitable spaces. Since launching in 2020, FilmHedge has invested more than $200 million into film and TV productions, proving that innovation, access, and inclusion can thrive at the intersection of finance, entertainment, and technology.
BLACK ENTERPRISEsat down with Jon Gosier to explore how he’s de-risking investments in Hollywood, empowering underrepresented creatives, and shifting the power dynamic in a multibillion-dollar industry.
BE: What inspired you to launch FilmHedge, and how does it challenge traditional models of film and TV financing?
JON: In 2017, I had just sold a company. With more free time and new money, I wanted to explore something different. So, I invested in a $10 million sci-fi film called Skylines (2019).
In tech, it often takes 5 to 10 years to start a company, grow it, and successfully exit. But with this film, I got my money and earnings back in just six months. I couldn’t believe it. That experience made me ask: Why don’t more people finance film and television?
That question led to the creation of FilmHedge. Since then, we’ve raised over $350 million to make film and TV investing accessible to accredited investors and, most importantly, safe. Our team has financed more than 50 productions with an average budget of $15 million, achieving a 100% repayment rate with zero investor losses. Our partners earn between 15% to 20% on each deal.
BE: As a Black founder in fintech and entertainment, what barriers did you face entering this space, and how did you overcome them?
The first barrier is mental. A great entrepreneur is really a tireless problem solver. No matter your background—Black, white, Asian, anything—you will face obstacles. When I accepted Ernst & Young’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Georgia, I told the room, “Entrepreneurship is a mindset.”
The film and TV world is notoriously gatekept. The knowledge needed to succeed is rarely shared. I had to deconstruct everything by first investing my own money, then proving to institutional players —those with billions to allocate —that I knew how to protect their capital. Believe it or not, not losing money is often more important to them than making it.
BE: Many investors still view film as a high-risk investment. How does FilmHedge work to shift that perception?
Investors often treat film like they treat tech startups. They bet on a good idea and a charismatic founder and hope the rest falls into place. But film is closer to trade finance than tech.
Think of it this way: the movie is the product. The filmmaker is the manufacturer. Our job is to fund the production until the final product is delivered to a buyer such as Netflix, Amazon, or Sony. Once that happens, they pay us back. They take on the risk of whether it sells, not us.
So, the idea that film is always risky? It’s just a misunderstanding of how film finance works.
BE: Why did you choose to build FilmHedge in Atlanta instead of relocating to Hollywood or Silicon Valley?
Funny enough, in 2018, I almost moved to Santa Monica. I had even placed an offer on a house. But then I stepped back and looked at the landscape.
Hollywood has been at the top of the industry for over 100 years. Atlanta, on the other hand, where I grew up, was on the rise. More people are moving here. The economy is booming. The film and TV industry is expanding rapidly. And no one else was doing what I was planning in Atlanta.
It made perfect sense to stay. The city had momentum, and I wanted to be part of building something from the ground up.
BE: How does FilmHedge ensure equity and access for diverse filmmakers and producers?
Hollywood has never been known for equity. It’s long been controlled by gatekeepers with deeply embedded networks.
At FilmHedge, we’ve broken down those barriers by making our platform accessible to everyone. Any producer can contact us or submit a project through our website. And more importantly, our criteria are consistent, whether you’ve made a hundred movies or are just starting out.
We’re one of the only financing companies at this level that truly levels the playing field for diverse and emerging talent.
BE: With over $200 million directed to productions, what impact have you seen financially and culturally?
We’re proud of the impact we’ve had. Over 40% of our funded projects have been led by women producers, and more than 20% by Black producers. Many were first-time filmmakers, receiving an average of $5 million per project.
One recent example is The Dutchman, directed by Andre Gaines and starring Zazie Beetz, Aldis Hodge, and Kate Mara. The cast and crew were predominantly people of color.
We also push A-list productions to shoot in underserved areas. In 2024 alone, we financed 10 features, eight of which filmed in low-income communities using state economic development programs. That leads to local jobs, infrastructure boosts, and real change. Film finance isn’t just for celebrities. It can uplift entire neighborhoods.
BE: What advice do you have for aspiring Black entrepreneurs who want to sit at the intersection of tech, finance, and entertainment?
Learn to deconstruct systems, whether it’s business, law, media, or culture. Don’t just assume something is broken or stacked against you. Understand how it works first.
Once you grasp the mechanics, you can find your role and begin to map out a path for change. The people who win in this space aren’t always the loudest. They’re the ones who study the game before they make their move.
To learn more about Jon Gosier or FilmHedge, visit: www.Filmhedge.com
New Study Shows How Providers Can Use Apretude To Prevent And Treat HIV In Black Women
A new study aims to help healthcare providers more effectively implement Apretude, a medication used for HIV prevention.
A new study explores how healthcare providers can effectively implement Apretude for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Black cisgender and transgender women.
A new study presented at the International AIDS Society meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, examines strategies to expand access to PrEP, one of the core pillars of the U.S. Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, which aims to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030, Managed Healthcare reports.
Despite its importance, only 36% of those who could benefit from PrEP are currently using it.
The study found that successful implementation of the PrEP regimen can be achieved by increasing staff and patient education, addressing patient mistrust, and offering flexible scheduling. This insight is critical, as approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, and Black women account for nearly 50% of new HIV diagnoses among both cisgender and transgender women in the United States.
“Despite some considerations and strategies potentially being more relevant to Black cis- and transgender women, such as medical mistrust, miseducation, and patient identification, many are widely applicable across the healthcare spectrum and broader populations, including clinical staff training, designating physical and personnel resources, and appointment reminders,” researchers wrote in the study, which was published July 2.
Apretude was developed by ViiV Healthcare as a long-acting form of cabotegravir designed to reduce the risk of HIV-1 in adults and adolescents. Administered by a healthcare professional, it is given as an injection every two months following two initial doses in the first month.
Researchers found that when introducing PrEP, healthcare professionals initially expressed concerns around patient identification, treatment adherence, and insurance verification. When it came to prescribing Apretude for Black cisgender and transgender women, providers cited additional challenges such as medical mistrust and limited or inaccurate patient knowledge.
To overcome these barriers, professionals recommend strategies like involving staff with health education experience, providing accessible educational materials, and building partnerships with clinics and community-based organizations.
“Recognizing the uncertainties of funding, it is important now more than ever to advocate for and prioritize HIV prevention and PrEP choice as this remains the most important tool in the arsenal to end HIV,” the researchers said.
Kandi Burruss’ Restaurant Group’s Emergency Motion Denied In $200K ‘Harassment’ Lawsuit Against Landlord
The company accused the landlord of issuing a June 13 letter outside of the litigation demanding $190,450 in rental payments and for the company to resume business operations within five days.
R&B singer and former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss asked for an emergency hearing, accusing her restaurant’s landlord of harassment, US Weekly reports, another chapter in a lengthy fight between the two sides.
According to court documents, Burruss and her husband Todd Tucker’s company, Burruss Tucker Restaurant Group, sought an emergency hearing as part of the lawsuit that was issued in March 2025 by Montego Pacific, the landlord of the Burruss’ Blaze Steakhouse restaurant.
Burruss Tucker accused Montego Pacific of issuing a June 13 letter outside of the litigation, demanding $190,450 in rental payments and for the company to resume business operations within five days.
“It is unethical and against public policy for a party and specifically counsel for a party engaged in litigation to threaten criminal proceedings or judicial proceedings for the sole purpose of attempting to gain leverage,” the Burrusses’ lawyer argued.
The emergency motion was denied. Montego’s lawyer told US Weekly that the “defendants’ motion lacked merit.”
The Burrusses’ company was hit with hefty accusations in the suit, claiming the tenants continued on “failing to keep the premises in good maintenance and repair when necessitated.” As a result, “the landlord incurred costs for maintenance and repair that are the tenant’s obligations under the lease” for the restaurant that opened in 2020 in Atlanta.
In addition to the $56,000 in repairs, Montego alleges the Burrusses owe $154,000 in back rent.
When the lawsuit was filed, Kandi Burruss was taken aback by Montego’s decision to list her name as a defendant.
“It was just a disagreement between us and the landlord, but to let you know, they had to drop my name off so…I think they just put my name on there anyway so that they could get publicity for the lawsuit,” the Xscape member said. “The rest is being worked out because it really was a disagreement about some repairs that they made and then who would be responsible for it.”
According to Reality Tea, since the emergency motion was denied, the landlord is refusing to accept any payment from the Burrusses unless rent, repairs, and interest are all paid in full.
It looks like the once popular steakhouse won’t be operating anytime soon.
Barack Obama Tells Democrats To ‘Toughen Up’ Amid Push Back Against Donald Trump
Barack Obama wants the Democratic party to "toughen up" amid Trump's political reign.
Former President Barack Obama is urging his fellow Democrats to “toughen up” as they work to counter the actions of the Trump administration.
During a private fundraiser in New Jersey on July 11, the 44th president delivered a candid message to his party, encouraging Democrats to rethink their strategy in navigating the political landscape under Trump’s second presidential term.
“I think it’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up,” Obama said, as captured by CNN.
“You know, don’t tell me you’re a Democrat, but you’re kind of disappointed right now, so you’re not doing anything. No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something,” he said. “Don’t say that you care deeply about free speech, and then you’re quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it’s hard. When somebody says something that you don’t like, but you still say, ‘You know what, that person has the right to speak.’ … What’s needed now is courage.”
Obama’s remarks come as the Democratic Party grapples with its direction after a crushing defeat to Republicans in the 2024 election. Frustration is mounting within the party’s base as critics call for stronger leadership and young Democrats push for a rebrand.
Amid ongoing debates over the party’s leadership, Obama urged Democrats to focus their energy on the upcoming gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, calling the off-year elections “a big jumpstart for where we need to go.”
“Stop looking for the quick fix. Stop looking for the Messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates,” Obama said.
“Make sure that the DNC has what it needs to compete in what will be a more data-driven, more social media-driven cycle, which will cost some money, expertise, and time.”
New California City Manager Under Fire For Social Posts Labeling White People Being ‘Evil’
Data from the U.S. Census found Vallejo’s population sits with approximately 27% White residents in comparison to 17% African-American, 23% being Asian, and 30% Hispanic.
Just two days after Vallejo, California, named Nalungo Conley as its second Assistant City Manager, her alleged social media account was exposed, accusing her of labeling white people as “evil,” the Daily Mail reports.
The 51-year-old Conley was appointed Bay Area city manager by just over 123,000 residents in early July 2025, with officials stating they were “thrilled to welcome” Conley via a press release. But the celebration was cut short after she received backlash for alleged posts from an X account making discriminatory comments toward white people.
According to Atlanta Black Star, the account @nalungomc1, featuring Conley’s headshot and name, had been active since July 2024 and followed over 370 other users before being taken down. One of the retweets on the account allegedly read, “White women marry bigoted white men and birth bigoted white boys.”
Another read, “Black people, I think it’s time we withdraw ourselves from anything but blackness.”
Another alleged tweet touched on the LGBTQ+ community, reading, “This is why the black LGBTQ community doesn’t trust the white LGBTQ community. They will sell our rights away to protect their whiteness.”
The alleged content was highlighted by another social media user, who sent screenshots to media outlets and eventually shared them with Vallejo city officials. According to data from the U.S. Census, Vallejo’s population is approximately 27% White, 17% African American, 23% Asian, and 30% Hispanic. Longtime City Council Member Tom Butt said if Conley is going to stay in the role, she will have to deal with this. “Vallejo’s a very diverse city, and if she is going to be effective there, she will have to deal with that,” he said.
“There is no room for bigots in a city manager role.”
While Conley said the appointment “feels like a dream job,” the alleged tweets are being looked at as coming from someone who residents may not want in a leadership position. Given the political climate being riddled with racial tension, Mother Jones co-founder Adam Hochschild feels viewers should look at the comments and see how they would be accepted if targeted toward a different demographic. “If I do that with this quote, it would read, ‘Black women marry bigoted black men and birth and raise bigoted black boys,’ I would feel it was racist,” the media commentator said.
“And I think the same thing applies if it’s white instead of Black. Or if one substitutes anything else — Asian, Mexican, anything else.”
The City of Vallejo has yet to make any formal decisions on whether Conley will be permitted to move forward in her “dream role.” Past comments about honesty have resurfaced as her role is expected to focus on internal operations, including human resources and IT. “I believe in being honest, no matter what, and even if that means we can’t provide all the information at the time,” Conley once said in an interview.
“We serve the people, and I actually believe that.”
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Photo by Henning Kaiser/picture alliance via Getty Images
Snoop Dogg Promotes Swansea City, Sparking Premier League Investment Rumors
The rapper premiered new uniforms for the upcoming season
Is California rapper Snoop Dogg involved with Swansea City from the Premier League?
The “Gin N Juice” rapper appeared in a video clip for the Welsh team from the Premier League promoting a new home kit (uniform) for the upcoming 2025-26 season. In the video, Snoop acknowledges the team as he announces the new jerseys to his followers.
“Hail to Wales and to Swansea City. It’s your boy, big Snoop Dogg. Coming to a hood near you. Oh yeah, these are the new jerseys.”
Sports Illustrated reported that the team seemingly posted the video as a reaction to one of their competitors, Wrexham, which posted a social media video featuring one of the team’s owners, actor Ryan Reynolds, as he promotes the franchise.
In the photo, Reynolds quips that the dog is not included, which seemingly led the Swansea City franchise to post the image below with the caption stating, “Dogg included @SnoopDogg,” referencing the popular rapper.
With Snoop’s involvement in the current promotion, there is speculation that he may already be or may become an investor in Swansea City. He would be joining a list of American celebrities who have already invested in teams in the Premier League. The aforementioned Reynolds and actor Rob McElhenney are already invested in Wrexham. Former NFL Super Bowl champion and NFL Hall of Famer Tom Brady has ownership in Birmingham City, while former NFL defensive end J.J. Watt is a part-owner in Burnley.
Snoop Dogg has been expanding his international empire lately, reportedly planning to open a pop-up burger spot at the home of the Scottish Premiership team, Celtic, at Celtic Park, a sports stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.
On July 13, France’s official journal released the names of 589 honorees set to receive the distinction, WWD reports. The recognition comes just ahead of the country’s Bastille Day celebrations and honors their contributions to public and cultural service.
Williams has made significant contributions to culture and community through his current role as Louis Vuitton’s Menswear creative director, where he’s credited with redefining the brand through his signature style of blending streetwear, luxury, and entertainment. Since taking the position in 2023, he has relocated his wife and four children to Paris and has helped increase the viewership of LV releases and fashion week shows.
The Virginia native has also collaborated with several LVMH-owned brands, including designing a limited-edition bottle for Moët & Chandon and creating jewelry for Tiffany & Co. In April, he released an art collection in Paris that served as an homage to Black women.
The high honor is the latest milestone for Williams, who recently produced Clipse’s long-awaited comeback album, Let God Sort Em Out, their first in 16 years. Released July 11, the project has garnered praise from both hip-hop fans and critics alike.
The Knight of the Legion of Honor is one of France’s most prestigious distinctions. Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the honor is divided into five levels: three ranks, Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), and Commandeur (Commander), and two higher dignities, Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).
The “Happy” singer joins a distinguished group of French cultural figures set to receive the prestigious honor. Among them are singer Sylvie Vartan and composer Catherine Lara, who will be elevated to the rank of Commander, as well as actress Léa Drucker, comedian Sophia Aram, musician Jean-Louis Aubert, writer Marc Levy, novelist Andreï Makine, and author Emilie Frèche, and global feminist Gisèle Pelicot, all of whom will be named Knights. Historian Mona Ozouf, a specialist in the French Revolution and secularism, will receive the highest honor of the Grand Cross.
Williams joins an esteemed group of fashion icons who have received the prestigious honor, including Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, and Kim Jones, who was knighted earlier this year. Yves Saint Laurent was elevated to Grand Officer in 2007, while Karl Lagerfeld and Pierre Cardin were named Commanders in 1997 and 2001.
Twerk Alert: AI Identifies Women Who Allegedly Danced On Top Of A Cop Car
Comments from Instagram users feel like an arrest isn't necessary as the women were just having fun and wondering what the charge is.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is on the come up, especially for law enforcement, who used the popular technology to identify a group of Black women who damaged a police car by twerking on it, KBTX 3 reports.
Police in Richmond Heights, Ohio, were at a loss to identify the women caught on a dash camera twerking in front of their patrol car. Officers leaned on AI to capture the women’s faces and track them down. Police used facial recognition software called Clearview AI with the assistance of the Northeast Ohio Regional Fusion Center.
Video showed one woman climbing on the push bumper while another performed on the hood. The dancing caused some damage to the patrol car. “There is a small dent and a little crease here. We didn’t decide to fix that at this time. There was a pretty significant scratch that was about, probably from here to here,“ the officers said.
Police forces across the U.S. have leveraged AI to aid in capturing criminals and push past established standards. However, there are some warning signs against it, as experts label the technology a shortcut to finding and arresting suspects without evidence. As technology advances and changes, police could obtain the wrong suspect. According to The Washington Post, several police departments are using the technology and treating suggestions from the software as fact.
One police report labeled an uncorroborated AI result as a “100% match,” while another said police used the software to “immediately and unquestionably” identify a robbery suspect.
Clearview is a leading provider of facial recognition software, with more than 3,100 police departments utilizing its tools. Out of the massive number, an investigation revealed that 75 departments that use the software have resulted in arrests. However, there is no way of knowing how many of them are false, since police and prosecutors are known not to disclose when they use these tools, and there are no laws requiring disclosure in all but seven states.
For the women twerking in Ohio, two of the three women have already been identified and have a warrant out for their arrest. One of the officers is encouraging the women to come forward and initiate the process, as it’s only a matter of time before they are caught. “You might as well come turn yourself in and get the ball rolling on your court case,” the officer said.
Comments from Instagram users feel like an arrest isn’t necessary, as the women were just having fun and wondering what the charge is. Others questioned why more departments aren’t using facial recognition technology for more serious cases like kidnapping and unsolved murders.
Beyond Diss Tracks: Drake’s Lawyers Name Witnesses In Ongoing Lawsuit Against UMG
There are 63 potential people and companies listed in the lawsuit
In the latest news regarding Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), the attorneys for the Canadian rapper listed various names and companies as potential witnesses in the pending case.
According to Billboard, the disgruntled recording artist had his lawyers supply a list consisting of 63 people and companies in a legal document to the court, which was submitted on June 2 but made public July 14. Drake has taken his recording label to court, accusing it of being in cahoots with his sworn enemy, rapper Kendrick Lamar, and helping the battle song “Not Like Us” top the charts using illegal means to inflate the record-setting numbers the song has achieved.
Although he has not directed his anger and vitriol at the Compton rapper, he has continued his tirade against UMG. The label has denied the accusations and is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.
The list of potential witnesses includes executives like UMG CEO Sir Lucien Grainge, several people who work for Lamar’s label, Interscope Records, Jesse Collins (Roc Nation), who produced this year’s Super Bowl Halftime performance, where Lamar was the featured artist, as well as Roc Nation the company, and top executives from his label, Republic Records.
The National Football League (NFL). Streaming platforms: Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audiomack, TIDAL, SoundCloud, and Deezer. Publications: Billboard and Complex. Social media platforms TikTok, Twitch, and Instagram. Lamar’s company, p.g. Lang. Video platforms, YouTube and Vevo. He even listed former Top Dawg Entertainment President Dave Free and Lamar’s manager, Anthony Saleh.
However, UMG only listed nine potential witnesses, including Lamar himself.
“Lamar is likely to have discoverable information concerning the creation of the recording, image, and video, and the distribution and promotion of the recording and video,” UMG’s lawyers wrote.
Reps for both sides declined to comment on the potential witness lists.
Earlier this year, UMG filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, citing that Drake “lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated.”
