Smart Guard, Winlock Window and Patio Safety & Security Bar — Jayden, Jaylen, Marshawn, Makel and Martasz Smith

by Black Enterprise

May 13, 2026

The Smith Brothers And Their Dad Redefine Safety Across Home Security With New Patent

Smart Guard is a Chicago-based, family-owned product company focused on developing innovative safety

Originally published on BlackNews.

Meet Jayden, Jaylen, Marshawn, and Makel Smith, four African American brothers from Chicago, who have invented and patented the newest innovation in home security. They, with the support of their father, Martasz, are the founders of Smart Guard, which produces the Winlock Window and Patio Safety & Security Bar. This unique device allows families to easily lock and secure their windows and patio doors to prevent burglary and keep children from falling out of windows.

The Smith brothers, with the help of their dad, are redefining safety across home security, personal health, and automotive protection with a growing portfolio of practical, easy-to-use solutions. Founded by a Black family with a mission to make everyday safety more accessible and reliable, the company’s innovations are rooted in real-life experience and a commitment to protecting what matters most.

That mission became deeply personal after the founders’ family home was burglarized twice. In the first incident, an intruder gained entry by pushing through a window-mounted air-conditioning unit, exposing a common yet often overlooked vulnerability. In response, the family developed a specialized air conditioner security brace designed to prevent forced entry through AC units.

A second burglary revealed another critical gap: access through the outer top sash of a window, an entry point rarely addressed by traditional security products. This experience led to the creation of the Winlock Window and Patio Safety & Security Bar, a first-of-its-kind solution engineered to secure the outer top sash and prevent unauthorized access.

The brothers comment, “This company was built out of necessity. After our home was burglarized twice, each time exposing a different, overlooked vulnerability, we knew there had to be a better way to protect families. We didn’t set out to start a product company; we set out to solve a real problem. Every Smart Guard product is designed from that experience, with a focus on closing the gaps most people don’t even realize exist.”

Today, Winlock represents a new standard in window protection while also helping safeguard children from accidental falls. Over the past decade, Smart Guard has helped protect more than 300,000 homes nationwide by identifying overlooked risks and delivering practical, real-world solutions.

In 2024, Smart Guard reached a major milestone through a nationwide retail partnership with Lowe’s, one of the largest home improvement retailers in the United States.

Demonstrating strong confidence in the brand, Lowe’s purchased the company’s full inventory for distribution across its stores, significantly expanding Smart Guard’s national footprint. The company has also built a strong e-commerce presence, with multiple products earning Amazon’s Choice designation and ranking among top-performing items in their categories – reflecting consistent demand, high customer ratings, and strong consumer trust.

The Winlock Window and Patio Safety & Security Bar is available for direct purchase at BuyWinlock.com and through Amazon, Target, Lowe’s, and True Value hardware stores, further strengthening Smart Guard’s accessibility and presence in communities nationwide.

As Smart Guard continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to become the world’s leader in innovative, revolutionary products that protect homes and families from dangers, hazards, and life-threatening situations.

‘New Birth Village’: Pastor Jamal Bryant Announces 390-Unit Housing Initiative

by Selena Hill

May 12, 2026

‘New Birth Village’: Pastor Jamal Bryant Announces 390-Unit Housing Initiative

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is turning land into an affordable housing for Black families

Black homeownership rates continue to lag significantly behind those of white households, according to recent federal housing data. This comes as housing affordability continues to dominate national conversations around economic inequality and the racial wealth gap.

What is New Birth Village?

To address disparity, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is making a major investment in the Black community through a sweeping affordable housing initiative designed to help Black families build generational wealth. Under the leadership of Pastor Jamal Bryant, the Atlanta-based megachurch announced plans for New Birth Village, a transformational development expected to bring more than 390 homes to the region through a faith-centered public-private partnership model.

The church is contributing approximately 35 acres of debt-free land from its campus while also investing in predevelopment and infrastructure alongside development partners.

Strategic Wealth-Building Through Homeownership

According to the church, the initiative specifically targets middle-class families who often earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing programs but are increasingly priced out of homeownership in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The development is expected to serve first-time homebuyers, teachers, nurses, public safety workers, seniors, young professionals, and grandparents raising grandchildren. Church leaders say the goal is to create pathways to ownership in a housing market that continues to shut many Black families out.

“At its core, this is about turning renters into owners—creating a realistic and attainable entry point into homeownership,” reads a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The multi-year project will also include mixed-use and community-centered spaces, along with future multifamily and senior housing developments. Wealth-building was intentionally woven into the project’s foundation. By offering homes below market value in a rapidly growing metro area, the development aims to help families build equity, create transferable assets, and circulate economic value within Black communities.

“We’re not just building homes — we’re building pathways to ownership,” Bryant said in the news release. “If the church can’t be part of creating opportunity, then we’re missing the moment.”

Beyond Housing: New Birth as an Economic Engine

The housing project is part of a broader push by New Birth to position itself as both a spiritual institution and an economic engine for Black communities. In recent years, the church has expanded several large-scale community initiatives, including the Bullseye Black Market, which featured approximately 400 Black-owned vendors across multiple shopping weekends, and scholarship programs that have distributed nearly $4 million to more than 500 students over five years. Its King’s Table Food Program has also served more than 1.4 million individuals since launching during the pandemic, distributing hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to families in need. Meanwhile, the church continues to deepen its focus on Black entrepreneurship through partnerships with initiatives such as Operation HOPE and the One Million Black Businesses campaign, which seeks to launch 1 million Black-owned businesses by 2030.

Teyana, Sherri — photo credit: Slaven Classic/Getty Images/Tyler Twins for BE

by Black Enterprise

May 12, 2026

Teyana Taylor And Sherri Shepherd Discuss The Intersection Of Mental Health And Personal Finances

In the video, both ladies shared feelings of being trapped by burnout, survival, and anxiety related to money and job uncertainty.

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a recent BLACK ENTERPRISE discussion with actresses and entrepreneurs Teyana Taylor and Sherri Shepherd highlighted how financial stress can quietly turn into a mental health crisis.

In the video, both entertainers shared feelings around burnout, survival, and anxiety related to money and job uncertainty.

“I want to change my relationship with money,” Taylor expressed during the conversation, recognizing the emotional toll from work-related stress.

This discussion reflects a growing concern across the country. The American Psychological Association reports that money is one of the top causes of stress in the United States, especially among younger adults and lower-income households. Their data shows that financial anxiety has steadily risen since 2019, with many Americans citing inflation, debt, and economic uncertainty as major emotional burdens.

Sherri Shepard spoke about how, especially Black women, are always left to “figure it out” when it comes to finances.

“We’re always struggling to make ends meet, to do for our family, to have a job, to show up. Because we can’t look like what we go through.”

Teyana Taylor followed up, saying how the intersection of finances and mental health is a “real thing.”

“It is so real. Like with the government and everything going on, it’s even expensive to be poor. It’s like the moment you think you have one thing paid off, something else comes up. Therapy costs money. I think balance is a very underrated word. We have to find balance in every aspect before anything.”

As discussions about therapy and financial literacy gain traction online, the video highlights a reality that many Americans quietly face: managing finances and maintaining mental health are often part of the same struggle.

Education, KIPP Public Charter Schools — Photo by Maskot/Getty Images

by Sidnee Michelle

May 12, 2026

KIPP Honors 10 Teachers With $10K Awards For Student Achievement

This award recognizes teachers who show strong academic results, leadership, and dedication to student success

Ten educators from the KIPP Public Charter Schools network are being honored for their outstanding classroom performance and student success during the 2026 Teacher Appreciation Week. The KIPP Foundation recently announced the winners of the 2026 Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award. Each educator will receive a $10,000 prize for their impact on students and school communities.

This award recognizes teachers who show strong academic results, leadership, and dedication to student success within KIPP’s network of over 8,000 educators serving students across the country. According to KIPP CEO Shavar Jeffries, the chosen teachers meet “the highest standards of instructional excellence” and have achieved results that significantly benefit students’ futures.

“There is no greater force in a child’s education than an excellent teacher who believes in them completely,” Jeffries stated in a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “This year’s Harriett Ball winners are producing the kind of results that change the course of students’ lives, and those outcomes are no accident — they are a direct reflection of the skill, dedication, and heart these educators bring to their classrooms.”

Among this year’s winners is Hannah Deremo from KIPP Chicago. Her kindergarten literacy instruction has greatly lowered the number of students reading below grade level. In Baltimore, Darricka Jackson helped third-grade English language arts students score more than 11 percentage points above the city average on Maryland’s state ELA exams.

Other recipients include Priscilla Taoufik and Ijnanya Minor, both kindergarten teachers whose classrooms have maintained 100% grade-level literacy outcomes for consecutive years, even with many students starting below benchmark standards. Seventh-grade math teacher Kathleen Vallejo also gained recognition after 93% of her students passed New York’s state math exam, which more than doubled the citywide pass rate.

The award pays tribute to Harriett Ball, the experienced Texas educator whose teaching methods inspired the founding of KIPP in 1994. Ball was known for using movement, chants, and engaging learning strategies in her classrooms. KIPP now operates 279 schools across 21 states and Washington, D.C., serving nearly 125,000 students from prekindergarten through high school.

Altrichia Cook Wilcox, MSW, founder of Mentoring Agency for Maternal Adolescents (M.A.M.A) Inc., with honorees at the Mother’s Day B.R.E.A.K Away experience

by Selena Hill

May 12, 2026

Florida Org Honors Former Teen Moms With Transformative Mother’s Day Retreat

The nonprofit’s fourth annual B.R.E.A.K Away experience provided mental wellness support, luxury self-care services, and a fine-dining celebration for young mothers in Central Florida

Altrichia Cook Wilcox was just one month shy of graduating high school when her life flipped upside down. At just 17 years old, she found out she was pregnant; however, she refused to become a statistic. Although less than 2% of teen moms graduate college by age 30 and only 50% obtain a high school diploma or GED by 22, Cook Wilcox was determined to beat the odds.

After graduating high school, the Lakeland, Florida, native went on to earn an undergraduate degree from Florida State University and a master’s from Florida A&M University, all while working two jobs and raising her son. Her son’s father, meanwhile, pursued a football scholarship in California before transferring to the University of Arizona. Today, the high school sweethearts are happily married and raising their second child, a daughter, together. Wilcox is also an entrepreneur and mentor dedicated to helping teen mothers thrive through her nonprofit, Mentoring Agency for Maternal Adolescents, Inc. (MAMA Inc.). Launched in 2014, the organization supports teen and young mothers throughout Lakeland, Polk County, and the greater Tampa Bay area through mentorship, education, life-skills training, and community resources.

Just ahead of Mother’s Day, MAMA held its fourth annual Mother’s Day B.R.E.A.K Away experience, bringing together teen mothers, young mothers, and former teen moms for a transformative day of healing and celebration. Held on May 3 in Lakeland, the full-day event pays tribute to moms who have overcome adversity and offers them a guilt-free day of pampering. Among the participants were former teen and college mothers, as well as corporate leaders, business owners, and military veterans.

“The Mother’s Day B.R.E.A.K Away is an experience that is a lifeline of hope, dignity, and restoration for mothers who have fought to rewrite their stories,” Wilcox told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Standing in a room filled with young moms and former teen mothers thriving in their purpose reminded me why this work matters so deeply,” she continued. “Its impact on our community is undeniable: when we pour into mothers, we strengthen families, and when we strengthen families, we change futures.”

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the event focused on emotional restoration and self-care. Attendees participated in healing yoga and guided breathwork sessions, stress-management workshops, mini massages, restorative facials, and professional glam services. The experience concluded with an upscale dinner at Ocean Prime Tampa thanks to MAMA Inc.’s ongoing partnership with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants.

Black Girl Environmentalist — (Getty Images)

by Ahsan Washington

May 12, 2026

8 Black-Owned Companies That Produce Sustainable Products

These brands are reducing their environmental footprint.

The rising consumer demand for ethical production has led more Black-owned companies to integrate sustainability into their business models through eco-conscious materials, ethical labor, and community-centered missions. These brands, spanning fashion, beauty, and lifestyle goods, are transforming responsible commerce while reducing their environmental footprint.

BLK + GRN

Dr. Kristian Henderson established BLK + GRN as an all-natural online marketplace that connects consumers with non-toxic products made solely by Black artisans. The platform offers plant-based skincare and wellness products, along with home goods, that are cruelty-free and free of harmful chemicals. The health disparities caused by toxic products led to the founding of BLK + GRN, which maintains its sustainability focus through clean formulations and ethical sourcing.

Hamilton Perkins Collection

Hamilton Perkins started Hamilton Perkins Collection in 2014, in Norfolk, Virginia, to create bags and accessories from recycled materials. The brand uses plastic bottles, pineapple leaf fiber, and repurposed banners to make its products. The company’s “Earth Bags” collection aims to reduce waste and provide affordable, durable products. Through its transparent supply chain, Hamilton Perkins Collection leads circular fashion innovation by reducing carbon emissions and water consumption.

The Honey Pot Company

Bea Dixon established The Honey Pot to transform the feminine hygiene market through herbal-based plant products. The pioneering brand focuses on sustainable sourcing practices and toxin-free formulations. Through its eco-conscious methods and holistic wellness approach, The Honey Pot Company expanded to a national scale without compromising its dedication to clean, environmentally responsible production.

Brother Vellies

Brother Vellies is a luxury accessories brand, established by Aurora James, that creates shoes and handbags using traditional African methods and sustainable materials. The brand, based in New York, focuses on artisanal craftsmanship, ethical labor practices, and low-impact production methods to preserve cultural heritage through small-batch manufacturing.

Yam

A New York-based jewelry company, Yam, creates its distinctive pieces using recycled metals and materials. Yam produces items on demand, eliminating excess production and waste, and uses recyclable packaging. The company follows the slow fashion trend because consumers now consider environmental effects when buying accessories.

Elexiay

Elexiay is a brand that produces handmade crochet garments in Nigeria, crafted by local artisans under the leadership of Elyon Adede. Elexiay follows a slow-fashion approach, using manual production methods that reduce environmental harm and protect traditional cultural craft techniques. The brand demonstrates its commitment to sustainability through ethical labor standards, limited use of machinery, and the use of recyclable materials, which show its dedication to environmental and social responsibility.

Hope for Flowers

Tracy Reese’s U.S.-based fashion brand, Hope for Flowers, implements sustainability across all production phases. The brand employs organic cotton and Tencel fabrics, which are biodegradable, while steering clear of synthetic materials. The brand maintains fair wages for its employees and produces limited quantities of its products. Hope for Flowers exists to help customers buy consciously so their choices create environmental transformation.

KNC Beauty

Kristen Noel Crawley founded KNC Beauty and produces natural collagen lip masks and other clean beauty products. The brand bases its formulations on cruelty-free principles while maintaining environmental consciousness. KNC Beauty has become a leading brand in the eco-friendly beauty industry through its successful combination of sustainable practices with accessible products.

Yahya Abdul Mateen — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Kandiss Edwards

May 11, 2026

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Is On Top As A ‘Man On Fire’

Beyond the action-heavy demands of his upcoming series, he has built a reputation for tackling roles that challenge social perceptions.

Emmy-winning actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is reflecting on the past and present status as a Hollywood powerhouse as he prepares for his leading role in Netflix’s Man on Fire.

On his promotional tour, Abdul-Mateen II spoke with Ryan Clark and the cast of The Pivot podcast. The actor revealed how his major in architecture led him to catch the acting bug. Before rising to fame in major blockbusters, Abdul-Mateen II worked in city planning as a UC Berkeley architecture graduate. He told The Pivot that his role as a student in a discipline that requires public-facing presentations was sometimes difficult because he has a speech impediment. In an effort to polish his speech, he signed up for an acting class.

“I studied architecture, and in architecture, you have to give presentations. So, I have a stutter. My father stuttered, and I would stutter during my presentations. I figured that taking an acting class would help me to overcome my stutter to help me with my architecture presentations. It didn’t. Not at all. I would still get up there and stutter, but I never stuttered when I was acting. And I was good at it,” He told The Pivot panel.

In Man on Fire, Abdul-Mateen II takes on the role of John Creasy, hopefully displaying how “good at it” he truly is. The character is a skilled, former special forces mercenary struggling with PTSD. In the blockbuster film iteration, starring Denzel Washington, the character fights his way toward redemption. Beyond the action-heavy demands of his upcoming series, he has built a reputation for tackling roles that challenge social perceptions. Many of the roles highlight the complexity of the Black experience.

This depth was notably on display in his Emmy-winning performance in HBO’s The Watchmen. The role allowed the dynamic creative to explore themes of hidden identity and racial trauma. He further solidified his status as a leading man in the 2021 reimagining of Candyman. Abdul-Mateen II is a Man on Fire and will be coming to Netflix April 30.

Hillary Clinton, Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards — Hillary Clinton speaks onstage at the 24th Annual Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards at Perelman Performing Arts Center on April 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Vital Voices Global Partnership)

by Selena Hill

May 11, 2026

Hillary Clinton Addressed The ‘Attacks On Women’s Voices’ At The Global Leadership Awards In NYC

The former sectary of state talked about the attack on women's voices and rights during the closing speech at her organizations's annual gala

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton didn’t mince words about what she described as “attacks” on women’s equality and rights during her closing speech at the 24th Annual Global Leadership Awards hosted by Vital Voices Global Partnership last month.

Held at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City April 23, the ceremony honored women leaders who champion human rights and tackle pressing issues such as climate change, economic inequality, digital safety, and women’s rights. Speakers included marketing executive and entrepreneur Bozoma Saint John, legendary fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, actresses Sophia Bush and Michelle Rodriguez, and CNN anchor Abby Phillip.

“There are [people] who have not heard of many of these honorees, but they’re doing incredible things in their communities. We have climate activists, we have a justice activist, we have tech activists,” Huma Abedin, a former Clinton top aide and author, told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“To see what they’re doing and what they’ve successfully done in their communities is inspiring to all of these young women, and we need that now more than ever.”

Established in 1997 as the Vital Voices Democracy Initiative by the former first lady and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Vital Voices Global Partnership has supported more than 49,000 women changemakers addressing the world’s greatest challenges for nearly 30 years. The organization has provided early support for women who went on to become Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, U.S. Youth Poet Laureates, prime ministers, and social entrepreneurs.

Among the 2026 honorees was Dame Donna Langley, who received the Trailblazer Award for her leadership in entertainment. While accepting the honor, Langley reflected on the persistence required to create meaningful change.

“It will always feel like our momentum is uncertain,” Langley said. “Pushing forward when progress is stalled, and discouragement creeps in, is when the work matters most.”

Susie Wolff received the Icon Award, presented by Bush, who praised Wolff for paving the way for future generations of women in sports and leadership.

“Susie’s leadership isn’t just inspiring, it’s urgent,” Bush said during the ceremony.

Wolff later emphasized the importance of investment and opportunity in women’s sports.

“When we get the people with power backing us, when we get the investments, we’ve shown what’s possible,” she said.

Recipients also included Tracy Chou and Seyi Akiwowo, both recognized for their work combating online harm and improving digital safety. Additional Global Leadership Awards were presented to women leading transformative work around the world, including Dutch activist Shirin Musa and Indonesian conservationist Farwiza Farhan.

“I want young people to know that online harm is not inevitable. That dignity, safety, and care are not luxuries. They are non-negotiables… The tech we have today has been designed, and that means that it can be redesigned,” said Akiwowo, a British-Nigerian women’s rights activist and campaigner.

Throughout the evening, speakers stressed the urgency of protecting women’s rights and amplifying women’s leadership worldwide. Closing the ceremony, Clinton reflected on the organization’s nearly three-decade mission and warned against growing threats to women’s participation in democracy.

“The attacks on women’s voices, women’s rights, women’s opportunity, our full participation in society, have weakened democracies and strengthened the hand of authoritarians,” Clinton said. “This is not by accident. This is by design. Tonight’s honorees are part of the resistance to that growing repression,” she continued. “They, through their resilience and determination, have refused to accept the status quo or the efforts to turn the clock back. And that always inspires me.”

(iStock)

by Keka Araújo

May 11, 2026

Adwoa Beauty Moves To Liquidation Following Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Conversion

The industry is watching how the collapse will affect future investments in the mainstream market.

Adwoa Beauty, a textured haircare brand that broke into prestige retail, is entering liquidation. A court ruling on May 1 converted the brand’s Chapter 11 reorganization into a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, ending its current corporate structure, according to The Business of Fashion.

The transition to Chapter 7 bankruptcy case proceedings follows a prolonged legal and financial battle between Adwoa’s founder, Julian Addo, and Aurous Financial, a senior secured lender. A court-appointed trustee will now oversee the distribution of Adwoa’s remaining assets to satisfy outstanding debts.

Why Did the Sephora Trailblazer Face Liquidation?

Founded in 2017 with $80,000 of Addo’s personal savings, Adwoa Beauty became a symbol of success for entrepreneurs of color in the beauty industry. By 2020, the brand achieved a major milestone by launching in Sephora, bringing high-performance textured haircare to a global stage. But the cost of maintaining a Sephora presence proved unsustainable.

“It’s a very challenging time economically, and it’s a very competitive time in the market as well,” Addo said in an interview with Beauty Independent. “It’s just at a place where it doesn’t make sense, and it’s not fair to our retailers and our customers to not be able to really see this brand actualize.”

The Chapter 7 bankruptcy flip follows a Chapter 11 filing in October last year, sparked by a dispute with Aurous Financial over $375,000 in unpaid loans. While Adwoa Beauty raised $4 million in funding from Pendulum Holdings in 2022, the funding was insufficient to support the infrastructure needed to scale internationally.

What Is the Impact on Other Entrepreneurs of Color?

The closure of Adwoa Beauty is not an isolated event. It follows a concerning trend of recent closures involving entrepreneurs of color, including brands like Ami Colé and Good Light. Industry analysts point to a receding tide of diversity and equity commitments that surged in 2020 but have since cooled, leaving many minority-owned businesses undercapitalized.

Jeff Sirchio, director of operations at Aurous Financial, noted that while the lender did not wish for the brand’s demise, a viable turnaround plan was never established. Following the ruling, Sirchio stated that the firm supports the trustee’s efforts to maximize value for all creditors.

“Aurous, as the senior secured lender, is in favor of the trustee continuing the brand with a view to selling it along with the excessive packaging inventory,” Sirchio told Beauty Independent.

Lessons in Scaling High-Performance Textured Haircare

Addo, a former hairstylist who built a community through her Bella Kinks blog, has been candid about the “missteps” involved in growing a luxury brand. The Chapter 7 transition lays bare the financial pressures facing independent founders.

“Every issue you can think of–buying too much inventory, cash management, not having the right team early on to scale the business as it should–I’ve done,” Addo admitted. “I feel like I’ve aged in entrepreneurship 20 years over the past 18 months.”

Despite the liquidation, the demand for high-performance textured haircare remains high. Adwoa Beauty’s product line, including the Baomint and Blue Tansy collections, garnered a loyal following for their efficacy and gender-neutral branding.

Looking Toward the Future

While the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case marks the end of Adwoa Beauty’s current chapter, Julian Addo is already looking toward her next venture. She remains convinced that the market for entrepreneurs of color still contains untapped potential and “white space” that legacy brands have yet to fill.

“I’m ripe with ideas,” Addo said of her plans. “I’m actually excited again.”

As the trustee begins the liquidation process, the industry is watching how the collapse will affect future investments in the mainstream market.