The 1st Crypto-Backed Conventional Mortgage Program Just Launched
Homebuyers can now use cryptocurrency holdings to help qualify for a mortgage without selling their digital assets
Digital assets are taking another step into mainstream finance as online mortgage lender Better and cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase announced a new partnership that will allow homebuyers to use their crypto holdings when applying for a mortgage.
The companies unveiled what they describe as the first crypto-backed conventional mortgage program, allowing eligible borrowers to count cryptocurrency assets toward mortgage qualification without liquidating their investments, reports Yahoo Finance.
Traditionally, homebuyers holding significant wealth in digital currencies have been required to convert those assets into cash before lenders would consider them for underwriting. Under the new program, borrowers can link their Coinbase accounts to Better’s mortgage platform, allowing the lender to verify and evaluate their crypto holdings directly. The move could be particularly appealing to investors who want to maintain exposure to assets such as Bitcoin while pursuing homeownership. By avoiding the need to sell cryptocurrency, borrowers may also sidestep potential tax consequences and preserve future upside if asset values increase.
The partnership reflects growing efforts by financial institutions to integrate digital assets into traditional banking and lending services as cryptocurrency adoption continues to expand across the United States.
However, the program also arrives amid ongoing concerns about the volatility of cryptocurrencies. Because digital assets can experience significant price swings, lenders will likely apply risk-management measures when determining the value attributable to a borrower’s holdings.
For Coinbase, the agreement represents another step toward broadening the real-world utility of cryptocurrency beyond trading and investing. For Better, the partnership could help attract a new generation of tech-savvy and high-net-worth borrowers whose wealth is increasingly tied to digital assets.
Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun Plans To Make The Seafood Chain ‘The Most AI-Forward Restaurant Company That Exists’
Damola Adamolekun says artificial intelligence will play a central role in Red Lobster’s turnaround strategy
As Red Lobster continues its recovery from bankruptcy, CEO Damola Adamolekun is betting that artificial intelligence will help transform the iconic seafood chain into a more efficient, innovative, and competitive business.
During a live fireside chat on The Black Money Tree Podcast, Adamolekun outlined his vision for making Red Lobster “the most AI-forward restaurant company that exists,” signaling that emerging technology will be a key component of the brand’s long-term turnaround strategy.
“AI is important. I know a lot of people are scared of it or don’t want to deal with it, but you have to. It’s changing the game in a tremendous way … I’m trying to be the most AI-forward restaurant company that exists,” he told host Jerome D. Love.
The conversation comes as Red Lobster continues rebuilding after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024. Adamolekun, who previously served as CEO of P.F. Chang’s and helped drive the company to more than $1 billion in annual revenue, was tapped to lead the seafood giant through one of the most challenging periods in its history.
Speaking on the podcast, the 37-year-old investment banker stressed that business leaders can no longer afford to ignore artificial intelligence. He also shared that Red Lobster Chief Operating Officer Larry Konecny envisions AI-generated restaurant performance reports that could provide critical metrics before visiting a location, reducing manual work, and improving decision-making.
“My COO was like, ‘What if when I went to a restaurant, I could have AI pull all the relevant metrics of that restaurant, laid it out for me in a deck, and when I walk in, I’ve got everything I need right there versus having my team do it,’” he said. “There’s a lot of ‘everybody’s got ideas’ if you give them the empowerment to come up with them. So, I’m letting each department come up with their own ideas, and I’m just encouraging it and letting them do it,” he continued.
“AI is intelligent enough to do that for us and learn from the past and learn going forward and be more accurate. So, we’ll roll that out and help people be better at their jobs. So, I’m finding opportunities to do it from a company level that I’m letting the team find opportunities to make themselves better,” he added.
Adamolekun said he is encouraging departments across the organization to identify practical ways the technology can improve operations. Human resources teams, for example, could use AI to assist with evaluations, calculations, presentations, and training materials.
Beyond administrative functions, Adamolekun revealed that Red Lobster plans to deploy AI tools for sales forecasting, food-order planning, and employee scheduling. He believes the technology can improve accuracy by learning from historical data and adapting over time.
“I do think we’ll be probably the best AI company,” Adamolekun said. “Because I don’t know that anybody’s pushing it as hard as I am.”
Adamolekun’s push toward innovation comes as Red Lobster continues to streamline its footprint following financial troubles. Earlier this month, the company announced plans to close its flagship Times Square restaurant after 23 years, citing prolonged construction that reduced visibility and foot traffic, as well as the building’s planned conversion into residential housing, Business Insider reports. The closure follows the recent shutdown of Red Lobster in Tallahassee, Florida, which opened in 1970 and closed in May, reports NBC New York.
According to Fortune, Red Lobster currently operates around 550 restaurants, down from roughly 700 locations a few years ago. The downsizing may not be over. In February, Adamolekun told The Wall Street Journal that the company plans to continue closing underperforming locations as part of its broader strategy to strengthen profitable restaurants, modernize operations, and position the iconic seafood chain for long-term growth.
Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field, owner of Rev Racing, and veteran sports executive, breaks down the business of sports—from billion-dollar partnerships and sponsorships to building brands, creating opportunities, and driving impact beyond the game.
Ask Your Fairygodmentor®: I’m Burned Out Before My PTO Even Starts—Help
Vacation shouldn’t be a temporary CPR machine
Dear Fairygodmentor®,
I’m Burned Out, Checked Out, and Counting Down to Vacation — How Do I Keep Going Until Break?
–Counting Down
Dear Counting Down,
You may be counting down, but you’re not down for the count. You can still make it out of this pre- burnout that you’re feeling creep up on you. Asking for help is the first sign of turning this negative “situationship” with work around.
Vacation shouldn’t be the only thing keeping you alive at work.
Stop Treating Vacation Like a Life Raft
The problem isn’t just needing rest. It’s where you’re building a life where you’re only recovering once or twice a year. This isn’t sustainable; it’s working in constant survival mode. The reason why burnout shows up right on cue before vacation is that your body finally sees an “escape route.” And that’s no way to live your best life.
Action Plan #1: Create a “Minimum Workable Workday”
I invite you to identify:
• Three things that actually have to get done daily
• What can wait
• What you’re over-functioning on unnecessarily
Everything can’t be top priority at the same time. Burnout happens in workplaces where urgency becomes part of the culture rather than the exception. “Emotional Support Human for the entire organization” was not in your job description. Don’t make it a reality.
Borrow Energy Instead of Creating It
When you’re burned out, you often think you need motivation to keep going. What you really need is conservation.
You’ve heard it time and again, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Stop expecting “high-performance energy” from your exhausted nervous system. This is your season for simplification, not optimization. Give yourself grace. It’s OK that your hustle and flow ain’t flowin’ no mo. Having temporary survival strategies is OK.
Action Plan #2: Use the “Reduce, Delegate, Delay” Filter
For every task you have to complete this week, ask:
• “Can I reduce this scope?”
• “Can I delegate part of it?”
• “Can this wait until after my vacation?”
Examples:
• Reduce= shorter meetings
• Delegate = asking for support instead of suffering in silence
• Delay= perfectionist-driven tasks that aren’t urgent
In the heat of the moment, you may not recall these three steps easily. Post them on your laptop or in your office where you can refer to them quickly. My wall is peppered with post-its keeping me in my lane of reducing overwork.
Give Yourself Something To Return To, Not Just Escape From
Sometimes work burnout feels worse before PTO because folks dread returning to the same unsustainable reality.
Remember that the vacation you’re taking is recovery, not repair. Nothing changes if nothing changes. Burnout will return quickly if you don’t change what’s causing it in the first place. Pay attention to the physical red flags like exhaustion, insomnia, high blood pressure, and see them as data. This is feedback that something needs to change.
Action Plan #3: Schedule One Boundary Before Vacation Begins
Commit to ONE concrete change before taking time off:
• No meetings during lunch
• Logging off at a certain hour
• Taking PTO days quarterly
• Saying no to unnecessary stretch work
• Blocking focus time
Your vacation shouldn’t be a temporary CPR machine for a lifestyle that keeps knocking the wind out of you.
Rest is important. Vacation is beautiful. But the real goal isn’t just making it to your time off. It’s about creating a career and life where you don’t have to constantly escape from. And that starts by listening to yourself before burnout forces you to.
Enjoy your vacation!
You got this!
Yours truly,
Your Fairygodmentor®
About Joyel Crawford:
(Photo: Kirten White Photography/BE)
Joyel Crawford is an award-winning career and leadership development professional and founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies, a consultancy that empowers results-driven leaders through coaching, training, and facilitation. She’s the best-selling author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career.
Have a question for Your Fairygodmentor®?
Submit your career and leadership questions, whether it’s about navigating a micromanager, setting boundaries, negotiating for a raise, or handling burnout. Ask Your Fairygodmentor® today!
Woman Who Lost Both Legs During Bahamas Excursion Sues Carnival Cruise Line
Hannah Smith was a passenger aboard the Carnival Celebration when she suffered severe injuries during a catamaran excursion
A Tennessee woman who lost both legs after a shore excursion in the Bahamas has filed a lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line and an excursion operator, alleging negligence contributed to the May 12 incident, Live On Fox reports.
Hannah Smith, a recent graduate of Miles College, was a passenger aboard the Carnival Celebration when she suffered severe injuries during a catamaran excursion near Pearl Island, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court.
The complaint alleges Smith was directed by excursion staff to enter the water after she said she needed to use a restroom while returning from the island. The lawsuit further claims employees provided alcohol throughout the excursion and supplied marijuana before the incident.
According to the filing, crew members failed to properly anchor the vessel and instead used its engines to maintain position while passengers entered the water. Smith alleges she was pulled beneath the boat and struck by a propeller, resulting in injuries that required the amputation of both legs.
Pitre said Smith initially appeared to be swimming normally before disappearing beneath the vessel. Other passengers and crew members rushed to assist her after the accident, according to the reports.
After the incident, Smith was taken to a medical facility in Nassau, where doctors performed several emergency operations. She was subsequently flown to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami to receive specialized care and continued treatment.
The lawsuit seeks damages from both Carnival and the excursion company, alleging they failed to provide a safe environment for passengers and did not follow appropriate safety procedures.
Carnival has asked the court to dismiss the claims against the cruise line, arguing that the excursion operator was an independent contractor and not under Carnival’s direct control, according to court records.
Smith’s attorneys contend Carnival marketed and sold the excursion to passengers and should bear responsibility for ensuring reasonable safety standards.
“Our client, Hannah Smith, was a bright, accomplished young woman celebrating a tremendous academic milestone when she suffered these horrific injuries,” said Attorney Keith S. Brais in a statement.
“We are fully committed to pursuing justice on her behalf and holding accountable those responsible for the sequence of unsafe decisions that resulted in this life-altering tragedy.”
Sheila Bridges’ Iconic ‘Harlem Toile’ Design Now Available In Walmart Summer Collection
The celebrated interior designer’s new Philadelphia-inspired collection blends Black culture, American history, and accessible luxury.
Acclaimed interior designer Sheila Bridges is bringing her signature design aesthetic to the masses through a new collaboration with Walmart.
The Philadelphia-born, Harlem-based designer recently launched The Sheila Bridges Philadelphia Collection, a limited-edition, 14-piece outdoor entertaining line inspired by her hometown, family traditions, and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Available exclusively online, the collection features dinnerware, serving platters, pitchers, tumblers, cake stands, oven mitts, and other entertaining essentials—all priced under $20.
Best known for creating Harlem Toile de Jouy, a reinterpretation of traditional French toile that centers Black American life and culture, Bridges said the collection reflects both her personal history and her commitment to making good design accessible, reports House Beautiful.
“I grew up in Philadelphia, where history is built into the streets and summers meant gathering with family, friends and neighbors of all different generations,” Bridges said in a statement. “That’s the spirit behind every piece in this collection.”
The collection incorporates Philadelphia landmarks and Americana-inspired imagery, including depictions of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Benjamin Franklin, gingham picnic patterns, and elements of Bridges’ iconic Harlem Toile. According to Bridges, the designs were inspired by childhood memories of large family barbecues, outdoor games, and neighborhood gatherings.
“My parents loved to throw outdoor parties in the summer, and they’re some of the best memories of my life,” Bridges told Architectural Digest. “We’d be sitting out on lawn chairs, eating popsicles, playing badminton—everyone just relaxed and enjoying the togetherness.”
For Bridges, whose work has appeared in museum collections and luxury residences alike, the Walmart partnership represents an opportunity to expand access to thoughtful design without sacrificing quality. “Making my designs accessible to everyone has always been the goal,” she said.
By combining Black cultural storytelling, Philadelphia pride, and attainable price points, Bridges’ latest venture aims to bring elevated design to everyday gatherings—from Juneteenth celebrations and Fourth of July cookouts to family dinners.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Celebrates Caribbean Heritage, Announces Statewide Recognition
The Democratic governor, whose mother emigrated from Trelawny, Jamaica, spoke about his family's roots
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore proclaimed June 2026 as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Maryland on June 6, using the occasion to celebrate his Jamaican ancestry and recognize the contributions of Caribbean communities across the state.
Moore made the announcement during the Caribbean Heritage Festival at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, where hundreds gathered for a day of cultural performances, food, and community events. The proclamation formally recognizes the role Caribbean Americans have played in Maryland’s civic, economic, and cultural development.
The Democratic governor, whose mother emigrated from Trelawny, Jamaica, spoke about his family’s roots while highlighting the state’s Caribbean population and its impact on Maryland.
“I know where I come from,” Moore said during his remarks. “I am proud of my Jamaican heritage and proud of my Caribbean heritage.”
The festival was organized as part of Caribbean American Heritage Month, which is observed nationally each June. The event brought together residents, community leaders, and cultural organizations representing countries throughout the Caribbean diaspora.
Moore also used the event to discuss priorities of his administration, including efforts aimed at expanding economic opportunities and supporting immigrant communities throughout the state.
“Maryland is not just a safe haven for Caribbean people,” Gov. Wes Moore said. “It is a place where everyone, regardless of their origin story, has an opportunity to grow, thrive, and succeed.”
The governor’s remarks emphasized the connection between Maryland’s immigrant communities and the state’s broader economic growth. He noted that Caribbean Americans have helped shape industries, neighborhoods, and institutions throughout the state.
The proclamation comes as state leaders continue recognizing the growing influence of Caribbean communities across Maryland and the United States. The June 6 event featured live entertainment, traditional Caribbean cuisine, and cultural exhibitions, drawing attendees from across the region to commemorate Caribbean heritage and community leadership.
Maryland Moves To Make AI Literacy A Requirement For Public School Students
The measure also calls for AI literacy to be integrated into workforce readiness and computer science standards.
Maryland will require public schools to incorporate literacy for artificial intelligence (AI) into classroom instruction under a new law designed to prepare students for a workforce increasingly shaped by emerging technologies.
The Artificial Intelligence Ready Schools Act directs the Maryland State Department of Education to develop guidance for the use of AI in public schools and requires local school systems to establish their own policies within 120 days of the state’s recommendations, according to Afrotech.
The recent measure also calls for AI literacy to be integrated into workforce readiness and computer science standards for students in kindergarten through 12th grade by June 1, 2027. The law additionally requires professional development opportunities for educators and administrators, and creates the Maryland AI Education Collaborative on Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education to provide recommendations and best practices for schools.
The legislation was sponsored by state Sens. Benjamin Brooks, Katie Fry Hester, Kevin M. Harris, Dalya Attar, Brian J. Feldman, and Ron Watson.
Supporters say statewide standards are necessary as AI tools become more common in classrooms and workplaces.
“They’re going to graduate in a world where nearly every career uses AI in some way,” Hester toldWBAL-TV 11 News. “I felt like it was our responsibility to make sure that they were prepared to enter the workforce knowing how to use AI.”
Hester said the legislation is intended to provide consistent guidance for school districts that have adopted varying approaches to the technology.
“It embraces AI, and it also puts the guardrails in place,” she said. “I just didn’t want Maryland students falling behind simply because their system lacked that level of guidance.”
Some Maryland districts have already begun introducing students to artificial intelligence tools. In Howard County, high school students have access to education-focused Gemini AI accounts as part of classroom instruction.
Danielle Dunn, a media specialist at Hammond High School, said formal instruction is critical because students are already using AI outside of school settings.
“If we don’t teach kids how to use it, they’re going to learn on their own and not learn well,” Dunn also told the outlet.
The law places Maryland among a growing number of states exploring how artificial intelligence can be incorporated into K-12 education while establishing safeguards for its use in schools.
Dr. Obari Cartman says it starts with recognizing the art of leadership
As president of the Chicago Association of Black Psychologists, Dr. Obari Cartman understands the psychology of leadership. When he sat down with BLACK ENTERPRISE Deputy Chief Content Officer Alisa Gumbs for a 2023 Spotlight Series at the XCEL Summit for Men, his strategy then remains relevant today. We’re revisiting that interview because some advice never changes. Cartman encourages an open space so his team can showcase their individual talents. But first, each person must show up as his or her authentic self. His experience as a leader demonstrated how collaboration creates synergy that is more valuable than the sum of its parts. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, Black Enterprise encourages young entrepreneurs, leaders, and managers to click on this short clip because we’re confident Cartman’s insight will help you navigate your career.
