Pizza, Black-Owned, Bird Pizzeria, food, TNT Pizza, Dough Boy Pizza, Clark Atlanta Grads

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2025

Georgia City’s First Black-Owned Shopping Plaza Has Already Leased Out

The effort to bring Kingdom Corners to life took years in the making.

The city of Fayetteville, Georgia, has opened its first Black-owned shopping plaza. Its owners say that the building has already been leased out.

According to Fox 5, Winchel and Felicia Elibert opened Kingdom Corners in November. The seasoned entrepreneurs also own two businesses inside the establishment. While stepping out on a grander scale, they have already seen the success of the venture. Now, it hosts a complete roster of diverse businesses to delight Metro Atlanta patrons.

However, the effort to bring Kingdom Corners to life took years in the making. After buying the land in 2020, the Haitian immigrants faced numerous challenges in the development phase. Felecia recalled their journey of encountering racism and funding issues. Specifically, they believe lending discrimination stunted their timeline, yet did not deter their dream.

“Even with just financing, dealing with developers and contractors, prices changed … banks said ‘no,’ banks said ‘no,’ and banks continued to say ‘no,’” Felicia recalled to the news outlet. “I want the next generation to see you can do it … just don’t give up.”

Despite the setbacks, the Eliberts remained dedicated to their ambition. They feel that the opportunity provides their local community with a chance to explore entrepreneurship. Inside the plaza are restaurant franchises, from salad bars to nail salons, as well as smaller brands hoping to take off in this space.

“You’re not really thinking about what this could mean to your community, but that’s what happened, and now it’s really important for us to understand that and grasp onto that and know that we are on a platform where we’re able to uplift and inspire,” she added.

The move not only comes at a special time due to Black History Month. It also comes amid cutbacks to DEI programs across the country. While America faces new setbacks for minority-owned businesses, these local efforts are keeping the dream alive for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

NAUPA, unclaimed, property, money, cash, welfare, wealth, millionaire, Game developer, hardship grants, united way

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 4, 2025

Atlanta Woman Accused Of Scamming Money From People For ‘Hardship Grants’

At least 23 people in seven states say they've been fleeced by Natasha Hodge.

An Atlanta woman allegedly promised multiple individuals that for a fee, she could get them money via “hardship grants.” Instead, nearly two dozen people say they paid Natasha Hodge for help—and never got a dime in return.

WSB-TV Atlanta interviewed at least 23 people in seven states who claim they have been fleeced by Hodge, a DeKalb County tax preparer and business owner.

Mary Hoyle needed money to help pay for her son’s cancer treatments. After discovering her son’s diagnosis, “I started learning a lot of things were not covered,” Hoyle told WSB-TV’s Justin Gray.

She hoped Hodge would help. Hoyle was promised money but has not gotten anything in over a year. Her son has died in September 2024.

Arlene Ingram said she could not work after being injured in a serious car accident. Hodge was allegedly supposed to get Ingram, who was living off credit cards and Social Security, $250,000.

WSB-TV’s investigative team reviewed dozens of text messages revealing Hodge informing Ingram, Hoyle, and others how simple the process of obtaining ‘hardship grants’ was.

With each fee paid to Hodge through payment apps, the people looking for the funds would get access to more money. There was even an incentive to encourage others to apply as they would receive more grant money from each person they recommended to Hodge.

None of the “applicants” received any money, and collectively, Hodge is believed to have received more than $10,000 while promising clients more than $5.6 million in grants.

Hodge shut the door on WSB-TV’s investigative team when it asked about her alleged actions. She repeatedly contacted the team and demanded that she not be included in this story.

An FBI spokesperson informed WSB-TV that is aware of the allegations but could not comment.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2025

Waffle House Fights Rising Costs And Shortages With New Egg Surcharge

The breakfast chain will charge 50 cents per egg amid the shortage.

Waffle House is cracking down on rising costs by establishing a new egg surcharge. The breakfast chain has announced that it will charge 50 cents per egg for its diners.

As the nation deals with the rising cases of bird flu among its poultry production plants, Waffle House has had to make new concessions in light of the issue. With shorter supply causing higher demand, the beloved restaurant will have customers make up for the cost.

“The continuing egg shortage caused by HPAI (bird flu) has caused a dramatic increase in egg prices,” Waffle House said in the statement obtained by Atlanta News First. “Customers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions. We are continuously monitoring egg prices and will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.”

Many of its menu items, including the famous All-Star Special, include eggs in the meal. The restaurant has prided itself in always serving fresh, Grade A large eggs. However, the staple has become more scarce amid the shortage.

Waffle House has assured that while the price has temporarily increased, it will always offer the food to its customers if able.

“As long as they are available, quality, fresh-cracked, Grade A Large eggs will remain a key ingredient in many of our customers’ favorite meals,” the company added.

However, other establishments have also faced issues with poultry shortages. Georgia, the nation’s leading chicken producer, also confirmed its first bird flu outbreak at a commercial farm in January.

Many grocery stores throughout the southeast region have also listed limited availability for eggs, with higher prices to match. According to Nerdwallet, the consumer price index determined that the price of eggs rose by 36.8% in the past year.

While there is no telling when the cost increase will slow down, Waffle house does intend to stop the surcharge when the coast is clear.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 4, 2025

South African Official Matches Trump’s Energy By Threatening To Cut Minerals Off From U.S.

That's called matching energy....

South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe is stunting on President Donald Trump’s threats to cut off funding to South Africa, stating the country will just cut off mineral supply to the U.S., Democracy Now reports.

Trump alleged that South Africa is confiscating land, referring to land reform legislation in South Africa where the country’s white minority still owns the vast majority of farmland 30 years following the end of apartheid rule. After claiming “terrible things are happening in South Africa” and threatening to end funding, Mantashe caught wind and devised a plan of his own. “You passed an Exploration Act, therefore Trump will withhold funding to South Africa. And I said, ’Let’s mobilize Africa. Let’s withhold minerals to the U.S.,’” he said.

“That is it. If they don’t give us money, let’s not give them minerals.”

To help Trump get a grip on what exactly he is referring to, South African officials said the president and his administration need to get a better understanding of the new law, targeting assistance in addressing the massive impact of the white minority rule under the apartheid reign, ending 30 years ago 1994. According to the Associated Press, government officials believe Trump’s thoughts were a reaction to the new Expropriation Act passed in January 2024. It gives the government a new way to acquire land from private parties if it’s in the public interest. In a statement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said, “The South African government has not confiscated any land.”

During the apartheid era, it was the opposite. Land was stolen from the nation’s Black majority, and residents were forced to live in areas labeled for Blacks only.

Ramaphosa’s office said the act is not a “confiscation instrument” but more of a legal process to guarantee public access to land. “South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners,” the statement read.

An avid critic of South Africa’s government, Trump’s threats would target funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which gives close to $400 million a year to South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program. Advocates claim that funding cuts would only hurt the people of the nation. While some advocates are critics of the nation’s newest legislation, if Trump carries out his threat, they ask that “punitive measures” be targeted more at senior government leaders rather than South African natives.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2025

Janelle Monae Made It Known How She Feels About Nelly Performing At Trump’s Inauguration

Janelle Monae made clear that Nelly's actions won't fly by any means.

Janelle Monae made her feelings known about Nelly’s decision to perform at the Trump inauguration.

The “I Like That” singer apparently did not like how Nelly performed for the newly-elected Republican leader. According to TMZ, the singer shared the stage with Anderson .Paak at a Grammys afterparty, which Nelly also attended.

#JanelleMonae roasted #Nelly at a #GRAMMYs after-party in L.A. Sunday night, blasting him for recently performing at #PresidentTrump's inauguration 👀 Details here: https://t.co/m3Ji9QOv3y pic.twitter.com/iLcbDSP13b
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 3, 2025

She use a band-version of his “Hot In Here” beat to call out the rapper’s controversial choice. Shortly after the song started, Monae shouted “f–k Nelly” before digging into the rapper.

“I used to like Nelly but then he went to perform for Donald Trump. So f–k that n-gga…,” she began her testy remix.

She then emphasized how much she does not care if her words spark tension, saying she cares more about the very people Trump’s policies impact, including women and Hispanic people. Monae proceeded to claim that Nelly “sold out” by performing for Trump despite his harmful plans.

She added, “Nelly, you sold out. I used to think he was cool, but now you look like a motherf—ing fool. . . f— you, you get a new attitude.”

Nelly was seen in the crowd, shocked by Monae’s bold stance against him, but did not appear to respond to the matter. However, Ashanti’s husband did recently defend his actions to take the stage at the inauguration.

Last month, Nelly went on Willie D Live to explain his apolitical nature. He admitted that he felt “clueless” on a lot of issues, and did not consider the performance an endorsement.

“…I’m clueless on a lot of things when it gets down to it,” he shared. “So what I tend to say is, yo, do your homework and make your own decisions about it.”

He also compared himself to members of the military. In his mind, if they can serve the country no matter who is in charge, so can he.

“If these people can give their life for the office, Nelly can perform,” he said. “It is an honor for me to perform for President of the United States, regardless of who is in office.”

This excuse, however, clearly did not fly with Miss Monae.

Elon Musk, Tennessee, pollution, super computer

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 4, 2025

Elon Musk Won’t Be Paid For Service As A New ‘Special Government Employee’

Congress is concerned about security clearance

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that tech billionaire Elon Musk is officially a “special government employee” but won’t receive a paycheck, Business Insider reported.

During an interview, Leavitt boasted that Musk had “abided by all applicable federal laws.” While the President Trump ally won’t be getting a paycheck, what is not confirmed is his level of security clearance. “I can confirm he’s a special government employee. I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws,” Leavitt said.

“As for his security clearance, I’m not sure, but I can check…I don’t know about the security clearance, but I can check.”

.@PressSec on Elon Musk: "I can confirm he's a special government employee. I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws. As for his security clearance, I'm not sure, but I can check…I don't know about the security clearance, but I can check." pic.twitter.com/86LzC55ocD
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 3, 2025

The security clearances is what members of Congress are concerned about, as the leader of the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has already caused problems on Capital Hill. In his few weeks in Washington, D.C., he labeled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as a “criminal organization” that should die, pushing employees on leave, and limiting elected officials from being blocked in the lobby.

Historically, a “special government employee” is a fancy classification for temporary workers with specific expertise but who have no intention of being permanently employed. Under his new title, the world’s richest man is covered by a federal conflicts-of-interest statute prohibiting government employees from participating in cases affecting financial interests.

That law can be enforced two ways, according to CNN, criminally or in the civil context, however, the only way it can be enforced is through the Justice Department, which experts don’t think will happen under the new Trump-Vance administration. “We are relying on the Justice Department for enforcement of the financial conflict-of-interest standards against Elon Musk and everyone else, and there is a reason to doubt that the Trump Justice Department will enforce any statutes, including criminal statutes, against a Trump ally,” Washington University law professor specializing in government ethics, Kathleen Clark, said.

Two of Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX, have benefited from government contracts over the years but recent moves made by the 47th President have already put a dent in some of his business dealings. When Trump announced a 25% tariff on Canada, a contract by Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, was canceled by the Canadian province of Ontario.

BLACK ENTERPRISE IS BLACK HISTORY: Suzanne de Passe

by Black Enterprise

February 4, 2025

BLACK ENTERPRISE IS BLACK HISTORY: Suzanne de Passe

July 1981: Motown’s $10 Million Gamble

When Suzanne de Passe took the reins as president of Motown Productions, she wasn’t just leading a legendary brand—she was steering it into a new era of entertainment. BLACK ENTERPRISE’s July 1981 cover story explored her ambitious $10 million bet on television and film, proving that Motown wasn’t just about music—it was about building a media empire.

Today, as Black creatives continue to fight for ownership and control in Hollywood, de Passe’s story remains a blueprint for vision, leadership, and risk-taking. From Motown’s legacy to today’s Black-owned media ventures, the game has changed, but the stakes remain high.

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month and the rich history and diversity of BE covers the past 55 years: Black History Month 2025

RELATED CONTENT: BLACK ENTERPRISE Covers Are Indeed Black History

Obama-Appointed Judge, Trump Administration , Medicaid Data, Undocumented Immigrants, ICE

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 4, 2025

Temple University Student Arrested For Allegedly Impersonating ICE Agent

Aidan Steigelmann has been arrested and suspended from the school after the alleged incident

Three men in Philadelphia have been accused of impersonating ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents, leading to one Temple University student being arrested.

According to an announcement from Temple, the incident allegedly took place on the North Philadelphia campus on Feb. 1. Police officers from Temple responded to a call from Johnson & Hardwick Residence Hall after two individuals were alleged to be impersonating ICE agents trying to enter the premises while wearing shirts with “Police” and “ICE” written on them. Another person was recording the interactions. The men were denied entry.

The school was able to locate the suspects using cameras from the Temple Communication Center. Police identified one of the men as a student attending Temple, and he was taken into custody immediately. The investigation is still ongoing, but that student is presently on interim suspension.

CBS News Philadelphia has reported that the 22-year-old student, Aidan Steigelmann, has been charged with impersonating an officer. Steigelmann spoke to the two other men before they all left the area in a Jaguar SUV. Police officers arrived after the other two men vacated the area.

Temple University also put out a statement regarding what happened on campus and warned students that it is a crime to impersonate law enforcement.

“Impersonating law enforcement officers is a crime. This behavior and harassment of Temple community members will not be tolerated. The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) and Temple University Police (TUPD) swiftly responded to the incidents and initiated a criminal investigation. PPD is the lead investigative agency and TUPD is actively assisting to gather information.”

This incident took place barely a week after the university sent a notice to students concerned about rumors of ICE agents coming to campus. Temple assured students that neither Temple’s Department of Public Safety nor the Philadelphia Police Department have any reports of ICE agents being on campus. If they wanted to come on campus, they would have to follow proper procedures to be allowed on campus, including obtaining warrants or by court order.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 4, 2025

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Says DEI Policies Are Going Nowhere

'We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League.'

Bucking the trend of companies canceling Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts across the country, the National Football League (NFL) is staying with the diversity hiring efforts it has implemented in recent years.

According to NFL.com, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently doubled down on the league’s promotion of diversity despite President Donald Trump’s mandate against it in a recent executive order. During a press conference leading up to this season’s Super Bowl championship, the commissioner stated that he doesn’t believe the NFL’s policies to promote diversity conflict with Trump’s administration banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government.

“Our policies have been designed to be well within the law and the practice,” Goodell told the media. “There are no quotas in our system. This is about opening that funnel and bringing the best talent into the NFL.”

“We also believe we are doing the right thing for the NFL, and our policies are consistent with the current administration and the last administration.”

The NFL implemented the Rooney Rule in 2003, which emphasized team owners interviewing minority candidates for open executive and coaching positions in a league with a majority of Black players but nearly non-existent managerial positions for people of color. The rule was named after Dan Rooney, an owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the chairman of the Workplace Diversity Committee, which has since been renamed the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee.

The Associated Press reported in January 2024 that the NFL employed six Black coaches, along with three other minority coaches, to produce the most minority head coaches in one season (nine).

The 2023 Racial and Gender Report Card from Lapchick’s Institute stated that 66.7% of NFL players are minorities, with 53.5% being Black.

“We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League, and we’re going to continue those efforts because we’ve not only convinced ourselves, I think we’ve proven ourselves that it does make the NFL better. So, we’re not in this because it’s a trend to get in or a trend to get out of it. As I said previously, our efforts are fundamental in attracting the best possible talent into the National Football League, both on and off the field. And we see that. We see how it’s benefited the National Football League. And so, I think we’ll continue those efforts. I think it also clearly reflects our fan base, our communities, and our players.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 4, 2025

Ghana’s ‘Get The F**k Out Of America’ Offers Brand-New Apartments And Low-Cost Rent Starting At $399 Monthly

The company offers a variety of resources and relocation programs

If the current state of America is weighing on you, you might find relief in Accra, Ghana, where brand-new 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom apartments are available for just $399 a month.

Dubbed the “Get the Fu*k Out of America (GTFOA)” movement, the brand announced a holiday housing deal last month that offers newly built apartments for $399 a month and that can be paid yearly in advance for $4,788.

“Transform your Life, Move to Ghana📣,” an Instagram post read.

“Email artcathey@gmail to become a member of GTFOA 🖥️attend zoom event or get the guide to buying land in Ghana 🌳🔥🌎.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Art Cathey (@artcatheyofficial)

Founded by Art Cathey in 2020, GTFOA serves as a subscription-based network created to empower Black travelers and expats who aspire to explore or relocate overseas. The company offers a variety of resources, relocation programs, and access to local, on-the-ground contacts to ensure a smooth journey to the country of your choice.

The company was born from Cathey’s personal journey exploring cultural transitions, entrepreneurial endeavors, and a strong desire for financial and personal independence abroad. After experiencing firsthand the challenges of moving overseas, Cathey created GTFOA as a platform to simplify the process for others seeking a fresh start.

GTFOA subscribers receive exclusive access to travel tours, international investment opportunities, and discounts on product offerings, like the newly built apartments in Accra. Since its inception, GTFOA has been on a mission to inspire and support individuals who are ready to take bold and big steps toward their future by relocating to places that align with their values, aspirations, and dreams.

By offering the tools, resources, and community necessary to make the transition smooth, GTFOA is empowering people to create a life that reflects their true desires in locations outside of the United States. GTFOA is more than just about relocation; it’s about crafting a life filled with choice and opportunity—breaking free from the limitations that hold people back.

With Ghana as a flagship destination, GTFOA helps individuals and families embrace the vibrant culture, welcoming communities, and business-friendly environment of one of Africa’s most sought-after areas for relocation.