Record-Breaking 31K People Hit Up ‘Invest Fest’ 2026 After Controversy With The City Of Atlanta
Serena Williams and Mayor Andre Dickens Lead Cultural Wealth Summit
Invest Fest 2026 wrapped up its sixth annual conference at the Georgia World Congress Center, drawing a record-breaking crowd of more than 31,000 attendees, according to a post-event press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. The numbers are impressive after public discourse around support from the city of Atlanta.
The three-day summit, which was founded by Earn Your Leisure Co-Founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings and Matt “The Mortgage Guy” Garland, transformed into a global convergence point for generational wealth, venture capital, artificial intelligence, and urban policy.
Invest Fest demonstrates how economic empowerment and Black entrepreneurship intersect with contemporary entertainment. Programming encompassed stock portfolios, real estate acquisition, estate planning, crypto assets, and AI deployment.
Serena Williams And Key Cultural Figures Transform Invest Fest 2026
Tennis titan and venture capitalist Serena Williams made history as the event’s first female headliner, shifting the convention’s scope toward institutional venture capital and generational wealth. Williams spoke on the sacrifice required for elite performance and emphasized that peak success demands singular focus, sparking extensive discourse across digital platforms.
Financial support was directly allocated to early-stage founders during the Invest Fest Pitch Competition, where industry figures including Dr. Paul Judge, Master P, La La Anthony, and Angela Simmons evaluated startups. Groundwork Health and Path Intelligence each secured $125,000, distributing $250,000 in direct seed capital to foster scalable financial education and tech enterprise. AI entrepreneur Alicia Lyttle showcased autonomous digital agents on stage, training attendees to utilize machine learning to scale financial education and business infrastructure.
The summit also recontextualized media success into long-term equity. Hip-hop icon T.I. detailed how his early corporate ownership decisions secured generational wealth for his family, while Porsha Williams shared how her venture, Go Naked Hair, establishes long-term autonomy beyond reality television.
Former Atlanta Mayor and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms addressed civic equity, while TIAA President and CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett, BET President Louis Carr, and Morgan & Morgan Founder John Morgan provided executive insights on institutional leadership.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens And Earn Your Leisure Had An On-Stage Reconciliation
Prior to the event, a public debate emerged after Bilal and Millings questioned the degree of municipal backing provided by Atlanta during an appearance on The Breakfast Club. Mayor Andre Dickens addressed the critique publicly, sparking discussions regarding city engagement with minority-led enterprises.
The dispute reached a constructive resolution on Aug. 8 when Mayor Dickens joined the Earn Your Leisure founders on the main stage. Emphasizing the guiding ethos to “Build Bridges, Not Walls,” Dickens and the founders outlined strategic alignment for Invest Fest 2027, reframing public debate into a model for partnerships that advance financial education and economic development for Atlanta residents.
Mother-Daughter Duo Put A Southern Spin On Afternoon Tea In Atlanta
Social media has been crucial to tea house's visibility.
When Brittany Campos returned from afternoon tea at The Berkeley in London, she brought home more than memories. The experience confirmed an idea she had been considering since her 2019 wedding, when the cost of hosting a bridal shower tea made her wonder whether she would be better off putting that money toward a business of her own.
“Before I spend that kind of money, I’d rather invest in my own business,” Campos recalled.
She saw room in Atlanta for a tea house that felt luxurious without simply copying the British tradition. When she shared the vision with her mother, Rita Campos, the idea gained a distinctly Southern point of view.
“We need to put a Southern spin on it—maybe something a little modern, with still traditional touches,” Rita remembered telling her daughter. “We didn’t want to change it too much, but we also wanted it to be relatable to the clients that are now in Atlanta.”
The result was The Dirty Tea, a Black woman-owned tea house in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland neighborhood that opened in 2023. Inside, tiered trays and ornate china meet Southern banana pudding, tequila-spiked tea cocktails and the kind of warm, attentive service both women consider nonnegotiable.
The concept may photograph beautifully, but getting the doors open was anything but effortless.
Betting on Themselves
Neither Rita nor Brittany had owned a restaurant before The Dirty Tea. Rita brought years of experience in luxury retail and sales for Fortune 500 companies. Brittany had worked in luxury retail and hospitality before taking time to travel. Both understood high-end customer service, but they had to learn the mechanics of building a business in real time.
It took roughly two years to transform the space. The pair gutted it, navigated architectural plans and city approvals, hired professionals and absorbed costs they had never anticipated. They did it without taking out a loan.
“We did not borrow one dollar with this space,” Brittany said.
The decision gave them complete ownership of their vision, but it also placed their personal capital at risk. Looking back, Rita said they would approach financing differently for their next location. Still, the sacrifice helped establish the business as a first for their family: a lasting brick-and-mortar enterprise built from the ground up.
“I’ve never run a business before, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” Brittany said. “Not only did we open a business and we’re still here, but we’re the first in our family to really have a standing brick-and-mortar.”
Without a formal mentor guiding them, they assembled expertise around themselves. Their servers knew service. Their financial adviser helped them understand the numbers. Their kitchen staff brought culinary experience—meanwhile, mother and daughter learned by doing—and, sometimes, by making expensive mistakes.
“Instead of making millions of dollars for other companies, let’s try to do something on our own,” Rita said of her decision to join Brittany.
A Modern Tea With Southern Flavor
The Dirty Tea is designed to reward a closer look. Tables are set with different china patterns rather than a single matching collection. One setting might feature gold details while another has butterflies or florals. Guests often stop to photograph tables other than their own, already imagining what their next visit might look like.
That was Rita’s idea.
“If I came in to have tea and I had a great experience, and I’m looking at the table next to me, I’m like, ‘Oh, I know every time I come, I’m going to get a different set of china,’” she said.
The collection has grown large enough to require a storage unit. Every delicate piece is washed by hand.
The menu is similarly attentive to tradition without being constrained by it. There are familiar tea sandwiches—chicken salad, smoked salmon and cucumber—but the cucumber sandwich comes with a house-made spread. Rita prepares family recipes such as Southern banana pudding and cheesecake, and the team tests seasonal dishes with private-party guests before deciding whether to add them to the menu.
“We’re really big on the food tasting good,” Rita said. “If it’s not good, we’re not going to serve it.”
That standard pushes back against the notion that afternoon tea is more about presentation than flavor. The women have experimented with turkey clubs, turkey-cranberry sandwiches, pasta salad and lighter summer selections. During a previous nighttime concept, Dirty Tea After Dark, they served meatballs, deviled eggs and truffle fries. Brittany hopes to revive a nightlife experience with cocktails and an even stronger Atlanta influence.
“I’m almost ready to put a chicken wing on a tower,” she joked. “That’s what makes us different. We’re modern-day afternoon tea.”
Cocktails offer another playful entry point. The business name eventually revealed an unexpected double meaning: A “dirty” chai is chai tea with espresso. The tea house built on that connection with a signature Dirty Chai espresso martini made with tequila. Other customer favorites are a peach Paloma and a deceptively strong lemon drop mojito.
The name itself, however, came from a mother-daughter disagreement during the stressful build-out. After Brittany dismissed one of her mother’s ideas and walked away, Rita called her back.
“I said, ‘You know what? We should name it The Dirty Tea.’ She said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Because of your dirty mouth.’”
Brittany called back moments later. She liked it.
Boundaries, Balance and Legacy
Their differences have become part of the company’s operating system. Brittany describes herself as structured and “a little more militant.” Rita is the natural host, quick to prioritize the guest experience—even when that means giving something away.
“I always joke with her and tell her that I run a business and she runs a charity,” Brittany said.
Rita credits her daughter with teaching her discipline and focus. Brittany, in turn, is learning from her mother when to relax the rules and read the room. One keeps an eye on operations; the other makes sure a tea sandwich never becomes more important than a relationship with a customer.
The same philosophy protects their relationship away from the dining room. Brittany briefly moved in with Rita while they were preparing to open, but eventually realized that living and working together erased too many boundaries.
“I love you, but I cannot work with you and live with you,” she told her mother.
They can laugh about it now, but both are clear about what matters most. Rita, who said building the business with her daughter has been her most fulfilling work, refuses to let money or disagreements divide them.
“My love for her supersedes all of that,” she said. “We made a point not to be a statistic where you can’t work with family.”
That bond became even more important when both women experienced the end of long-term relationships around the same time in 2024. They kept the tea house running while holding each other up through heartbreak. For Rita, the company is now inseparable from the legacy she wants to leave her daughter: proof of what they were able to build together.
Turning Customer Feedback Into Growth
Social media has been crucial to The Dirty Tea’s visibility. Brittany manages the accounts and says influencers began reaching out before she could execute the paid strategy other restaurateurs had recommended. Some guests received complimentary experiences, while others booked and paid on their own.
But an Instagram-ready room only helps if the experience lives up to the post. The owners say they hold staff accountable for service, respond to online reviews and invite guests to share criticism directly. Early feedback led to changes, including additions to the table and adjustments to the menu.
“Everything negative is not bad,” Brittany said.
The same responsiveness shapes pricing. The weekday Mini Tea was priced at $45 at the time of the interview, while weekend packages ranged from $85 to about $110, depending on the experience. Rita and Brittany said they watch the economy and booking patterns, adjusting select prices while protecting the quality of their ingredients and service.
Their next ambition is a second location, with Nashville at the top of their list. The city’s growing population and bachelorette tourism make it a natural fit, and this time they would enter the process knowing the true costs of architectural plans, permitting, construction and staffing.
If investment arrived tomorrow, Brittany said, they would “immediately lock in a second location.”
For now, The Dirty Tea stands as evidence of what can happen when an idea survives the long distance between inspiration and opening day. Rita hopes other Black women who enter the space see not only the polished tables but also the persistence behind them.
“It can be done,” she said. “You just have to start.”
Brittany agreed, adding that starting also requires patience, planning, capital and sacrifice.
“Five years have passed already,” she said. “Imagine if we wouldn’t have started.”
WNBA Target Of Political Grandstand As Florida Attorney General Threatens Criminal Charges On Flagrant Fouls
The Women's National Basketball Players Association responded firmly to external political involvement.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has faced strong criticism from sports analysts and corporate leaders after threatening criminal prosecution of Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players for standard on-court fouls. His social media statements, made after a hard foul during a nationally televised game on Aug. 8, mark a significant escalation in political actions targeting a league made up mainly of Black women.
The WNBA knows better than to play games down here in Florida, because I’ll be charging people with assault. https://t.co/wryaIdyFz3
The controversy began during a game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever when Sky guard DiJonai Carrington received a Flagrant 2 foul for contact with Fever forward Sophie Cunningham’s head and neck during a fast break. According to The Associated Press, Carrington was immediately ejected and fined $1,000 by the league. After the game, Carrington posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” on social media, sparking widespread media commentary and renewed discussion about racial double standards in sports reporting.
She later clarified, stating, “I want people to understand that my reaction comes from seeing how Black women are disproportionately penalized in these situations. My intent was never to hurt anyone, but the consequences and public reaction speak volumes about the ongoing inequities we face on and off the court.”
Performative Politics Without a Franchise
Instead of letting league officials and standard athletic governance handle the play, Uthmeier seized the opportunity to insert state power into professional sports.
“The WNBA knows better than to play games down here in Florida,” Uthmeier posted on X, adding, “Because I’ll be charging people with assault.”
He later clarified his threat to specify “assault and battery.” As Yahoo Sports noted, Uthmeier’s legal posturing lacks practical authority since Florida has not hosted a WNBA team since the Orlando Miracle and Miami Sol folded in 2002. Critics view the attorney general’s comments as an alarming attempt to exploit the legal system for partisan theater at the expense of professional Black female athletes.
The event led to different reactions from the coaches and players. Stephanie White, head coach of the Indiana Fever, admitted that the call was serious but rejected the idea that there had been malicious intent.
“I don’t believe that DiJonai deliberately came out and hit her across the neck as she did, but the incident did take place, and I thought it was the correct decision,” White stated in her press conference after the game.
Exploiting Eligibility Rules Through Political Stunts
Uthmeier expanded his public comments to criticize the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), specifically the league’s player eligibility definitions. His remarks coincided with a publicity effort by former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, who announced plans to declare for the 2027 WNBA Draft to highlight language in the CBA that defines players as women without specifying gender identity criteria.
According to an internal memo acquired by the news organizations, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told the team executives that the rules regarding player eligibility are the result of collective bargaining and that a task force would look into making long-term policy changes.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) responded firmly to external political involvement, emphasizing inclusion and player protection while rejecting attempts by politicians to use the union for publicity. Union representatives stated that while difficult conversations will continue within the sport, players “will not be used as political pawns.”
Afroman, whose legal name is Joseph Foreman, appeared at the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas after emerging as a free-speech figure following his court battle with seven law enforcement officers, according to the outlet.
The dispute dates to an August 2022 raid on Foreman’s home in Winchester, Ohio. Officers searched the property as part of an investigation involving suspected drug trafficking and kidnapping. No charges were filed against Foreman.
Foreman later used home security footage of the raid in songs, music videos, and social media posts that mocked the officers. Seven Adams County sheriff’s deputies sued him, alleging defamation and invasion of privacy and seeking nearly $4 million in damages.
A jury ruled in Foreman’s favor in March, rejecting the deputies’ claims. The case also generated viral attention for the rapper, whose courtroom appearances and music about the raid circulated widely online.
That newfound attention ultimately brought Foreman to Bitcoin 2026. Craig Deutsch, the conference’s programming director, told the outlet that Foreman’s legal victory and defense of his right to make music about the raid aligned with the event’s focus on individual liberty.
Foreman’s relationship with Bitcoin, however, remains limited. He said he previously purchased the cryptocurrency but lost the keys needed to access it.
Still, his appearance created another opportunity to capitalize on renewed interest in his career. Scarce City, a bitcoin auction marketplace, sold memorabilia associated with Foreman, according to the outlet. The American flag suit he wore during his trial sold for about $4,000, while a used ashtray fetched roughly $230 in bitcoin.
The moment illustrates how Foreman has transformed a years-long legal dispute into new attention for his music, personal brand, and business opportunities.
His victory also continues to shape his public image beyond entertainment. Foreman, who previously pursued a presidential bid in 2024, announced during the conference that he plans to run for president again in 2028.
Jackson State University Partners With Mark Cuban Foundation To Offer Free AI Boot Camp For High School Students
The initiative brings AI instruction directly to Jackson students at no cost.
Jackson State University is expanding access to artificial intelligence education for local high school students through a free AI boot camp designed to prepare young people for a technology-driven future, The Clarion Ledger reports.
The historically Black university’s College of Business will host the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp this fall for Jackson Public Schools students in grades 9-12. The program will give students hands-on experience with generative AI while exploring how the technology is being used across industries.
The boot camp will be held over three Saturdays — Oct. 31, Nov. 7, and Nov. 14 — with technology, transportation, and meals provided at no cost. Applications are open through Sept. 30.
Entrepreneur Mark Cuban, founder of the Mark Cuban Foundation, said the program is intended to make AI education accessible to students regardless of their financial circumstances.
“It’s more critical than ever that we ensure our students are prepared when they apply for schools or jobs in the future,” Cuban said in a statement. “This bootcamp will offer an avenue to explore this fascinating field to any student, no matter their means.”
Students will learn about real-world uses of AI in healthcare, business, computer science, sports, arts, and entertainment. Participants will also complete a capstone project that allows them to apply skills developed during the program.
For Jackson State, the partnership represents another opportunity for the HBCU to connect emerging technology with students in the surrounding community.
“We’re opening doors for young people to explore technology and innovation in ways that can truly change their futures,” Alisa Mosely, JSU’s senior director for AI initiatives, said in a statement.
JSU President Denise Jones Gregory said expanding access to emerging technology is also an issue of educational equity.
“At Jackson State University, we believe access to emerging technology should never be determined by zip code or circumstance,” Gregory said in a statement.
The initiative brings AI instruction directly to Jackson students at no cost as schools and employers increasingly incorporate the technology into education and the workplace.
Hall Of Fame Legends Larry Fitzgerald and Roger Craig Build Enduring Legacy in Business and Sports
NFL legends demonstrate excellence both on the field and through leadership, philanthropy, and advocacy off the field.
The enshrinement ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Tom Benson Stadium on Aug. 8 recognized athletic achievement and highlighted executive leadership, investment, and steadfastness. Inductees Larry Fitzgerald and Roger Craig have shown that high sports performance can model business success and social impact.
Fitzgerald, a 2025 BLACK ENTERPRISE XCEL Summit honoree, co-founded Trenches Capital, an investment firm supporting innovative startups, and started the First Down Fund to provide educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth. Craig helped set up TIBCO Software’s Athlete Impact Fund, which invests in athlete-led startups and supports youth sports programs in the Bay Area. Using these initiatives, both men have turned their devotion to excellence into concrete community progress.
Fitzgerald, who spent all 17 years of his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, was the first to reveal his bronze statue. During the event, his eldest son, Devin, gave a speech stressing the importance of cooperative growth and mentorship.
“Don’t just pursue excellence for yourself,” Fitzgerald said. “Help other people pursue it, too. That’s the part of this story that matters the most. Not the likes. Not the fame. But the people you travel with—the values you uphold. In the end, it’s not just about the excellence. It’s about the people who help get you there.”
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 8, 2026
Fitzgerald ranks second in NFL history for catches with 1,432 and also holds second place in receiving yards with 17,492, according to official NFL.com data. Soon after his induction into Canton, the Arizona Cardinals announced plans to retire his No. 11 jersey and induct him into the team’s Ring of Honor, as reported by The Associated Press.
“It’s been 22 years and counting, Arizona,” Fitzgerald said. “And I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to replenish the well of goodwill I’ve been lucky enough to drink from.”
His community work includes founding the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund and the First Down Foundation to promote youth development and improve healthcare access. Through the First Down Foundation, Fitzgerald created STEM education camps and college scholarships that help Black youth in Phoenix and Minneapolis gain opportunities. In 2025, BE awarded him the XCEL Summit Award for business leadership and philanthropy.
The Arizona Cardinals’ owner, Michael Bidwill, stated in an official statement that Fitzgerald’s standard of excellence in terms of his performance on the field was equaled only by his dedication to community service and business activities outside of football.
Roger Craig, who has won the Super Bowl three times, was included in the Hall of Fame class alongside Fitzgerald. While playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Craig greatly changed the way the running back position was played. In 1985, he became the first player in the history of the league to go over 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving in the same season.
After starting business ventures with former teammate Ronnie Lott, Craig spoke in a pre-recorded video and revealed for the first time that he was diagnosed with vascular dementia. Doctors say this condition is partly due to concussions he suffered during his 11-year NFL career.
As more former athletes share their experiences, organizations like the Concussion Legacy Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association offer resources to support cognitive health and those affected.
“I want people to know this diagnosis doesn’t define me,” Craig said. “I am still Roger Craig. I am still a father, a husband, a teammate, a friend and someone who loves football and the people who brought it to my life. Football gave me everything: opportunity, discipline, lifelong friends and the platform to grow as a man.”
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 8, 2026
He stated that his symptoms had developed slowly and advised former athletes and their families to place a priority on becoming aware of cognitive health.
“Two things can be true,” Craig said. “Football gave me opportunities beyond anything I could imagine. It helped shape the man I became. At the same time, we know more today about brain health than when I played, and I hope sharing my story encourages people to pay attention to their health and seek help when something doesn’t feel right.”
A legendary sports career, as demonstrated by both inductees, consists of using one’s influence to establish businesses, promote leadership, and campaign for the well-being of the community.
Tarji Carter, CEO of The Franchise Player, Daylon Goff, founder, It's Just Day Strategic Consulting, Dessie Brown Jr., director of Marketing, Feng Cha Boba Tea
The 4th Annual ‘Franchise Game’ Symposium Returns To Metro Dallas
The Franchise Game has become one of the industry's most respected events.
Returning to the Yum! Brands headquarters in Plano, Texas, for its fourth year is The Franchise Game symposium and expo. Kicking off the event Aug. 13 is the VIP Networking Reception at the Cowboys Club at The Star in Frisco, followed by the main event Aug. 14, which brings together leading franchise executives, successful multi-unit operators, investors, entrepreneurs, and emerging brands for a day of education, networking, and business development.
The Anderson’s Photography
Founded by franchise industry veteran Tarji Carter, CEO of The Franchise Player, alongside partners Dessie Brown Jr., director of Marketing for Feng Cha Boba Tea, and Daylon Goff, founder of It’s Just Day Strategic Consulting, The Franchise Game has become one of the industry’s most respected events by creating meaningful opportunities for learning, relationship-building, and business growth.
“The Franchise Game is a unique opportunity to build relationships with professionals you’re simply not going to find at traditional franchise shows,” shares Carter. “We’ve intentionally curated an environment where serious entrepreneurs, experienced operators, and franchise executives come together to share knowledge, explore opportunities, and build meaningful partnerships. This is where real conversations happen and where real deals get done.”
The Anderson’s Photography
BLACK ENTERPRISE has covered the event annually since the inaugural Symposium in 2023 and understands the value of sharing with readers who have never attended the event, as well as readers who have, why they should be in attendance.
“Our theme for this year is Franchising for All because for far too long, people have believed franchising was only for the wealthy. The truth is, there are hundreds of franchise opportunities across more than 300 business categories, many requiring far less capital than most people imagine. Our mission is to replace misconceptions with education because opportunity should never be limited by misinformation.”
The Franchise Game is nestled in the middle of Black Business Month, and attendance has become a tradition for business savvy professionals from Texas and across the U.S. With an aim to instruct current and future franchise owners, the educational sessions will cover multiple topics to include, franchise ownership fundamentals, what franchisors look for in qualified candidates, access to capital and funding strategies, franchise law and due diligence, franchise operations and leadership, non-traditional franchise development, real estate, construction, and marketing, and strategic partnerships that accelerate growth.
The Anderson’s Photography
This event will include a fireside chat with Johnny Gao and Yan Chen, founders of Feng Cha, sharing how they built one of the nation’s fastest-growing premium boba beverage franchise brands, and recognize Kirk and Coleen Jeter, with the Roland Parrish Impact Award for their extraordinary leadership, entrepreneurial success, and unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for others through their multi-unit ownership of the Wingstop and Crumbl franchise brands. Tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and event information are available at the Franchise Game-Changer website.
Monica Ephraim Receives Historic Promotion To Colonel In Augusta, Georgia County
Monica Ephraim, who has spent 22 years in law enforcement, will be promoted during a ceremony in September
Monica Ephraim is set to make history in Augusta, Georgia, as the first Black woman to become a colonel in the Richmond County Marshal’s Office, WJBF reports.
Ephraim, who has spent 22 years in law enforcement, will officially be promoted during a ceremony in September, according to the local news outlet. She currently serves as a lieutenant in the agency’s Community Services and Training Division.
The promotion marks another milestone in a career that has taken Ephraim through several law enforcement agencies across Georgia.
Before joining the Richmond County Marshal’s Office, Ephraim worked for the Albany Police Department. She later served with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, according to the outlet.
Her work has also earned recognition beyond the agency.
Ephraim was recently named the Richmond County Marshal’s Office Administration Deputy of the Year. She was also recognized as a 2026 Augusta National Hometown Hero, an honor highlighting her service to the Augusta community.
Her promotion is particularly notable as women remain underrepresented in law enforcement leadership nationwide. Women accounted for about 14% of full-time sworn officers and 11% of first-line supervisors at local police departments in 2020, according to the latest personnel report from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Among departments serving 250,000 or more residents, about 16% of police chiefs were women.
Other national estimates show an even wider disparity at the highest levels of the profession. The FBI, citing the 30×30 Initiative, has reported that women make up roughly 12% of sworn officers nationwide but only 3% of police leaders.
Her promotion to colonel will place her among the senior leadership of the Marshal’s Office while establishing a new first for Black women within the agency.
The milestone comes after more than two decades of work in law enforcement and public service, including experience in policing, investigations, and community engagement.
Ephraim will formally receive her new rank during the September promotion ceremony.
Method Man Turns Signature Style Into ‘TICAL’ Hat Collection
The Wu-Tang Clan rapper and actor partnered with TICAL Athletics and retailer TWNTY-TWO
Method Man is expanding his business footprint with a new headwear collaboration that taps into his decades of influence in hip-hop and New York culture, VIBE reports,
The Wu-Tang Clan rapper and actor partnered with TICAL Athletics and retailer TWNTY-TWO on a limited-edition hat collection inspired by his career and signature style.
The collection includes caps in multiple colorways featuring an inverted Wu-Tang Clan logo. “Method Man” is embroidered on one side, while a TICAL Athletics patch appears on the other. VIBE described one orange-and-blue colorway as inspired by the New York Knicks.
Method Man promoted the collection in an Instagram video set to “Bring the Pain,” a track from his 1994 debut solo album, “Tical.” The hats are priced at $50 and are available through TWNTY-TWO while supplies last. TWNTY-TWO described the collaboration as “a limited collection of premium headwear inspired by the timeless spirit of New York City and the enduring influence of the Wu-Tang Clan.”
TWNTY-TWO Co-Founder Gary Gonzalez said Method Man’s authenticity and longevity made him a fitting partner for the collection.
“Method has remained authentic through every chapter of his career,” Gonzalez said. “That same commitment to quality, originality, and staying true to your roots is what Twnty-Two stands for. This collection represents New York, hip-hop, and the generations that continue to shape culture.”
The collaboration marks another commercial venture for Method Man outside his work as a recording artist and actor.
In a 2024 interview with Wale Ogunleye, head of sports and entertainment at UBS, Method Man discussed the economics of the music industry and said he had not received money from streams of his music.
“Honestly, I’ve never gotten a streaming check for any of my music,” he said during the interview.
The new collaboration allows Method Man to extend his established image and cultural influence into branded merchandise more than three decades after Wu-Tang Clan emerged from Staten Island, New York.
You Can Help Change The Narrative Of Black Male Leadership Today
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott shares his strategy to get young professionals into politics
Brandon Scott is using his power in politics to deliver economic progress and opportunity for African Americans in his city. And in the process, he’s proving to the world the current narrative on Black male leadership has changed. As the 52nd mayor of Baltimore, Scott is tackling crime, housing, healthcare and police brutality just as effectively as previous Black mayors of large cities, such as Maynard Jackson of Atlanta, or Karen Bass of Los Angeles, and Lori Lightfoot of Chicago.
Scott spoke to moderator Geoffrey Bennett, the News Hour chief correspondent for PBS, at a past XCEL Summit for Men where he explained the challenges and opportunities of living up to the legacy of today’s 21st century mayors.
In this clip, Scott also lays out a strategy for young Black men to get involved in politics. And as our community continues to be attacked under the current administration, it’s more important now we get involved than ever before.
As we gear up for the 10th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, BLACK ENTERPRISE re-broadcasts his conversation because we remind young men that you can make just as much of an economic impact being in politics as you can running a business. Take a look.
