Gayle King, CBS News, new deal, morning show — Gayle King on September 27, 2023, in New York City. (Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

by Stacy Jackson

March 27, 2025

CBS Reportedly Boots Gayle King From Times Square Studio To Smaller Space On West Side

Inside sources claimed the CBS Mornings co-host was "blindsided" and downgrading her to the 57th Street studio was not part of the deal.

“CBS Mornings” show host Gayle King is reportedly “livid” with the network’s decision to move her into a smaller studio space.

According to Radar Online, insiders claimed King perceived the studio downgrade as a “personal attack” from CBS. After moving the show from the multimillion-dollar studio in Times Square to the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street, the television personality viewed the gesture as a “final insult” from the network.

The move, which CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon allegedly led, came after King signed a one-year extension with CBS. However, the insider claimed, “This was not part of the deal,” and the network “blindsided” her. “She made it very clear—she’s not going to be shoved into some dingy little room.” The journalist allegedly already proposed renovations for her West 57th Street dressing room. “She expects the same level of comfort and prestige she had at 1515 Broadway. No exceptions.”

The news division could be vulnerable to possible changes that may arise due to a request from Skydance Media to purchase, “strengthen, and revitalize” CBS. “The place has been in freefall for years,” said an insider, who added that if the sale is carried out, “there’s no way” the new owners, Skydance CEO David Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison, “will settle for status quo.” A source told The New York Post that relocating King and her CBS Mornings co-hosts Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson back to its former studio is “all about saving money.”

BLACK ENTERPRISE previously mentioned that King has been a co-host on the show since the network first launched the flagship morning program. Radar Online noted that King lags behind Good Morning America and Today in morning news ratings. The network’s decision to downgrade King’s studio comes as the network seeks $500 million ahead of the potential Skydance purchase.

According to a source, King has the resources to leave CBS and explore other options if the network fails to meet her requests. “CBS Mornings” and “CBS Evening News” will share a studio at the Broadcast Center. As for the Times Square space, it may be used for other productions to rent out.

Priscilla Williams-Till, Emmett Till, Senate Bid In Mississippi — (Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

March 27, 2025

Georgia Will Purge 400K Voter Registrations

Before going to the polls for midterm elections, Georgia residents should check their registration.

Georgia voters may find an unexpected hurdle the next time they head to the polls.

The Georgia legislature plans to cancel an estimated 455,000 voter registrations, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The move would mark one of the largest voter purges in U.S. history. The cancellations will apply to inactive voters — those who have not participated in elections for several years.

The Georgia secretary of state’s office said the purge is part of an effort to maintain accurate voter rolls.

“We do this to keep our voter list accurate,” Georgia Secretary of State Blake Evans told the AJC. “We want to have the most up-to-date voter list in the country.”

However, the decision is drawing criticism from voting rights advocates. Georgia has a “use it or lose it” law, which requires voters to participate in elections at least once every five years or risk removal from voter rolls. While legal, the practice has led to concerns about disenfranchisement, particularly among minority, low-income, and elderly voters who may not vote in every election but still meet residency requirements.

Helen Butler, a voting rights advocate and executive director of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, warned that such purges could strip eligible voters of their rights.

“I’m really concerned that eligible voters will be removed when they shouldn’t be,” Butler said. “If you still live in Georgia and are a resident, you should be able to vote.”

Voter roll purges have been a contentious issue nationwide, with critics arguing they disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The Brennan Center for Justice found that between 2016 and 2018, Georgia purged more than 1.4 million voter registrations, one of the highest rates in the country.

Efforts to monitor unfair voting practices remain ongoing, as advocates push for clearer notification processes and opportunities for reinstatement before voters are removed from the rolls.

Removing eligible voters from registration is not the only form of disenfranchisement watchdog groups are monitoring. On March 10, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that Virginia officials proposed closing polling locations in Appomattox County, a move that could disproportionately affect Black voters.

The Appomattox County Board of Elections proposed shutting down precincts 201 and 502, both of which serve a significant portion of the state’s Black population. If approved, the closures would force residents to travel farther to cast their ballots, potentially creating barriers to voting access.

Virginia is not alone in facing scrutiny for polling place reductions. Similar actions in other states have raised concerns about voter suppression, particularly in communities of color. A 2019 Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights report found that between 2012 and 2018, nearly 1,700 polling places were closed across the country, with many closures concentrated in states with histories of voter suppression.

Voting rights advocates argue that reducing polling locations can lead to longer wait times, increased transportation barriers, and lower voter turnout, especially in rural and low-income areas. As states prepare for upcoming elections, civil rights groups continue to challenge efforts they say make it harder for marginalized communities to exercise their right to vote.

Carmelo Anthony, soccer trial, Puerto Rico, invstment — (Photo: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 26, 2025

Ex-New York Knicks Player Carmelo Anthony Announces Debut Of Wine At Madison Square Garden

VII(N) The Seventh Estate, which debuted in November 2024, will be sold at the arena

Former New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony recently announced that he has entered into a partnership with the Mecca of Basketball, Madison Square Garden in New York City, to sell his wine in the arena.

In a recent Instagram post, Melo simply stated that VII(N) The Seventh Estate is now available at Madison Square Garden.

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Anthony co-founded VII(N) The Seventh Estate with his business partner, Asani Swann. The business partners announced the launch of their brand in November 2024 via social media through their Instagram page.

“🍷✨ Exciting news! Our new wine collection is launching this Thursday, November 7th! To get access to this exclusive offer, you must sign up. Click the link in our bio to be the first to receive it. Must be 21+.
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#WineLaunch #ExclusiveOffer #SignUpNow #NewWine #LimitedEdition #WineLovers #Cheers #WineCommunity“

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A week after launching their wine company, the founders announced they had entered into a partnership with Stagwell after connecting with the company through an existing relationship that developed at an event, Sport Beach 2023. Together, both companies launched the first-ever Wine and Spirits Festival at Cannes Lions the next year, at Sport Beach in 2024.

They are continuing their collective efforts by working together for future success.

“We look forward to working closely with Stagwell and ushering in new opportunities for both of our businesses,” said Swann, Founder of Business Beyond the Ball and Co-Founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate. “By combining our strengths and reach, we’ll have the ability to amplify our impact in both sports and business across platforms.”

After playing 19 seasons in the NBA, Anthony retired and is now concentrating on a plethora of businesses under his control. Although he never won an NBA title, he was one of the most respected players in the league when he laced up his sneakers for the Knicks, and the Denver Nuggets, including stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets, and the Portland Trail Blazers before ending his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Joe bidden — photo credit: TehGuy, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 26, 2025

Joe Budden Sued By Neighbors Who Caught Him Sleep Walking Naked, Want His Podcast Banned From Building

Joe Budden is being sued by his neighbors upset over his podcast and the nude sleepwalking incident.

Joe Budden is being sued by the same neighbors who caught him approaching their front door butt-naked.

The rapper and podcast host has been named in a lawsuit filed by his neighbors, John and Yuliya Aksoy, who accuse Budden, his co-host Melyssa Ford, and the condo association of launching a “campaign of intimidation and retribution” after the Aksoys complained about him recording his podcast in the building, TMZ reports.

According to a complaint filed by attorney Thomas Mirigliano on behalf of the Aksoys, Budden has been a nuisance at the property by recording his popular podcast on-site. The Aksoys allege that excessive noise from the podcast, along with weed smoke lingering in the condo’s common areas and leftover ashes, is creating a hazardous health situation for their young daughter.

The couple alleges that after filing a complaint with the condo association, Budden retaliated by accusing them of racism. He claimed to have recordings proving the alleged racism but never produced them when asked.

The lawsuit cites an Oct. 19, 2024, podcast episode in which Budden reportedly played loud music with simulated gunshots and sirens for over eight minutes. The Aksoys also accuse him of making negative remarks about them on his podcast, particularly Yuliya.

The lawsuit also references a Ring camera recording from December 2024, allegedly showing Budden approaching their door in the nude. While Budden later addressed the incident on his podcast, claiming he was sleepwalking, the Aksoys argue that he merely joked about it and dismissed their concerns.

As a result of the incident, Budden was temporarily barred from the building. However, he eventually returned, as did his podcast recordings at the property. His attorney, Nima Ameri, dismissed the lawsuit as “a money grab attempt by a person we believe to be a racist.”

In the meantime, Budden continues to record his podcast in the building as he navigates the legal dispute with his neighbors.

experian — photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 26, 2025

Experian Launches Cashflow Score Solution To Increase Financial Access To ‘Credit Invisible’ Lenders

The tool launch timing is appropriate during a time when low credit score carrying borrowers have trouble improving their credit standing.

Consumer credit reporting company Experian announced a new resource called Cashflow Score to assist in heightening financial access to people with limited credit history, Pymnts reported.

Experian’s financial and marketing service group president, Scott Brown, said the company feels augmented cash flow insights will ultimately bring in more consumers and help them develop decisions. The target of the new platform is to give lenders a better understanding of applicants’ financial behavior in hopes of helping “credit invisible” — or people with little to no credit history — improve their financial access by only using data from a bank account. “We believe in a future where the power of credit data can be augmented with cashflow insights to enhance decisions and ultimately bring more consumers — including those who are traditionally underserved — into the financial ecosystem,” Brown said.

“We’re committed to leveraging our decades of data and analytics experience to deliver innovative and easy-to-use open-banking solutions to the industry while creating new opportunities for consumers.”

Experian describes its new solution as a way to leverage consumer-permissioned transaction data that clients provide, as data shows lenders are seemingly reluctant to provide credit to consumers who are “thin file or credit invisible consumers.” A press release from Business Wire showcased how Cashflow Score works, starting with Experian being a technical service provider on behalf of clients, then helping to categorize the transaction data, and then calculating attributes that are used to come up with the score.

Finally, the scores — ranging from 300 to 850 — are sent back to the lender and can be utilized to make decisions on things like credit cards, personal loans, or auto loans, catering to close to 20% of Americans not having conventional credit scores.

The tool launch timing is appropriate during a time when low credit score-carrying borrowers have trouble improving their credit standing. “Leveraging these insights can help lenders make more informed decisions, particularly for thin file and credit invisible consumers who have a bank account,” the company said.

Research found that 29% of subprime consumers who applied were denied a credit card, in comparison to 12% of super-prime consumers. In addition, subprime consumers have been trying and are willing to identify new ways to improve their credit. “The attack is two-pronged, where these same consumers are using the credit they do have to manage how they pay for essential goods and services, and satisfy those obligations,” a Pymnts report read.

Experian’s Cashflow Score is the latest solution to validate expert data science and to guarantee accuracy and reliability.

chicago sky — photo credit: WOWyerrr, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

by Stacy Jackson

March 26, 2025

Chicago Sky Welcomes Nigerian Basketball Coach Rena Wakama As Assistant Coach

Wakama is ready to coach alongside the Chicago Sky staff and serve the organization as it embarks on the 2025 season. "Let's get to work!"

After leading the Nigerian Women’s National Team to victory in the 2024 Paris Olympics, basketball coach Rena Wakama is ready to get to work in her new position as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky.

Wakama will join head coach Tyler Marsh’s staff alongside two recent additions to the assistant coaching staff, Courtney Paris and Tanisha Wright. “I am honored and thankful for Jeff and Tyler for granting me the opportunity to join the Chicago Sky family,” Wakama said in a March 24 press release by the Chicago Sky.

The Raleigh, North Carolina, native comes to the Chicago Sky ready to help bring Marsh’s vision to life on the court and serve the organization. As she looks forward to working alongside the rest of the staff, she hopes her contributions to the team will “create a brand of basketball that is not only competitive but also fun to watch.”

Marsh believes Wakama’s winning mindset and attitude will significantly impact the team’s program. “We’ve seen her success this past summer with the Nigerian National Team at the Olympics, building on an impressive winning record and extensive background in coaching and player development,” he said. Wakama’s coaching performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics this past summer awarded her the title of Best Coach by FIBA. She brings a wealth of experience to the assistant coaching position following six years as director of basketball operations for Manhattan College and a previous assistant coaching position with the Jaspers.

https://twitter.com/chicagosky/status/1904587849615225188

The Nigerian superstar sits at the forefront of a lot of historic firsts in the sport. August 2023 was a pivotal moment in her career when she made history as the first female coach ever to win the Women’s AfroBasketball title. She scored the recognition after being hired in June 2023 to lead the Nigerian Women’s National Basketball team as head coach. Additionally, Wakama has been recognized as one of the youngest head coaches in Olympic history. As a Western Carolina University player, she was named Southern Conference All-Tournament Second Team Honors and a Southern Conference Academic Team honoree three times.

The Chicago Sky will commence its 2025 regular season on May 17. The 2025 schedule includes three pre-season games.

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Franchise Opening - South Carolina. (Photo Credit: Ellen Nicole Photography)

by Nancy E Williams

March 26, 2025

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Opens First Franchise In South Carolina

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks officially opened its first franchise location in Columbia, South Carolina (Columbia’s Five Points). Established in 2014 by West Philadelphia native Derrick Hayes, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks began as a modest venture in a 700-square-foot gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia. Named in honor of Hayes’ late father, the eatery quickly gained acclaim for its authentic cheesesteaks, especially after a visit from Philadelphia-born actress and rapper Eve, who praised the establishment on social media. This endorsement propelled Big Dave’s into the spotlight, leading to rapid expansion.

The opening in Columbia attracted an impressive crowd to watch Hayes cut the ribbon alongside franchisees Marc Brown, Frank Williams, Dr. Kiera Brown, and Courtney Williams. Attendees included South Carolina State Senator Overture Walker, South Carolina Representative Hamilton R. Grant (who awarded the group a proclamation), and Hayes’ wife, Pinky Cole-Hayes — owner of the wildly successful Slutty Vegan restaurant chain. Last year, franchisees Brown and Williams inked a deal to bring five Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks restaurants to South Carolina.

Today, the Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks brand boasts multiple locations across Atlanta, including outlets in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and has been recognized among the “Top 10 Best Sandwiches” by World Food Champions. Hayes was also named one of Forbes’ Next 1000 Entrepreneurs to watch in 2021 and BLACK ENTERPRISE’S 40 Under 40 List in 2023 (for transforming Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks into a multimillion-dollar enterprise). Last year, the brand opened its first out-of-state corporate location in Charlotte, North Carolina.

To learn more about franchise opportunities in your area, visit their website at bigdavesfranchise.com

Mary J. Blige, Misa Hylton — WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 18: Mary J. Blige performs onstage during the Good Morning Gorgeous tour at Capital One Arena on September 18, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brian Stukes/Getty Images)

by Stacy Jackson

March 26, 2025

Mary J. Blige To Headline At Madison Square Garden For The First Time

As a Bronx native, the opportunity to headline a concert at the Madison Square Garden arena feels like "a homecoming."

It’s a dream come true for Grammy Award-winning artist Mary J. Blige as she gears up for her first-ever headlining concert at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York.

When Blige’s “For My Fans” tour stops in her hometown in April, nearly 20,000 people will fill up the sold-out arena to enjoy a setlist of iconic hits from the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul and surprise guest appearances. Headlining at the venue, which has become known as “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” is a special moment for the Bronx native, Variety reported. “This is my home,” the “Real Love” singer said.

The opportunity to perform for the crowd at Madison Square Garden “feels like a homecoming and a truly surreal moment” for the songwriter. According to the actress’ website, the “For My Fans” tour celebrates the love and gratitude she has for her life, family, friends, and fans. As she dedicates this tour to her day-one supporters, she promises a night of musical storytelling and encourages fans to host watch parties with friends to sing and dance along when she performs at the New York arena.

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The 2025 “For My Fans” tour is really for the fans. Blige released a four-part “Road To Tour” series on social media and her official website so fans could follow the movement, the sound, the stage setup, and rehearsals. “I’ve been working hard to bring my fans a show that’s never been done or seen before,” she captioned a clip of episode 4 on Instagram. A photo gallery keeps followers in the loop with the various fashion ensembles the singer is hitting the stage in throughout the tour as she continues to check off stops in over 35 states. As previously mentioned by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the 36-city tour, which kicked off in January, expanded after the artist announced additional show dates.

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Blige will take the stage at Madison Square Garden on April 10. The concert will be live-streamed exclusively on the Veeps streaming platform. Early-bird tickets are available now, and all ticket-holders can rewatch the Madison Square Garden concert for seven days.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 26, 2025

Jimmy Butler Posts Specially-Priced Drinks For Golden State Warriors At Miami Coffee Shop

The guard began his venture into the coffee business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a visit to Miami to play against his former team, the Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler made a special sign for any Golden State Warriors employee who planned on stopping by his newly opened coffee shop, BIGFACE.

A photo was displayed on Butler’s social media account showing a sign in bold letters that stated: “EMPLOYED BY THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS? YOUR COFFEE= $30.” However, regular customers are typically charged anywhere between $4 and $10 per cup of hot beverage.

Jimmy Butler is giving Golden State Warriors employees a discount at his coffee shop in Miami 😅 pic.twitter.com/tSXf5fRLa1

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 23, 2025

Butler opened BIGFACE in Miami’s Design District in December 2024; the Warriors traded for him in February. The guard started his venture into the coffee business after he came up with the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NBA resumed league play under strict protocol at a dedicated venue in Orlando, which became known as the “Bubble.” While in the facility’s hotel, Butler used the espresso machine in his hotel room and got the idea of selling the hot beverages he made in his hotel room to his NBA counterparts.

After charging the players $20 per drink, the little light in his head went off, and thus the beginnings of what became BIGFACE.

“It’s so surreal because this is another thing I said I wanted to do, and I went out and made it happen,” Butler told NBC News earlier this month. “That’s what this story is for me. Man, I had a dream. I worked at it, and then one day, bam, here we are with a coffee shop.”

No word if any Golden State employee purchased the specially priced drink. If so, it didn’t help. The Heat routed the Warriors, 112-86, on Tuesday.

Black Women's Equal Pay Day, equal pay, workplace protections, workplace reform — Photo by AndreyPopov/Getty Images

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 26, 2025

National Independent Talent Organization Launches ‘Pay Her Respect’ Day With American Music Fairness Act Endorsement

Hundreds of Grammy-Award winning artists have already been outspoken about passing the bill including Lil’ Jon and Boyz II Men.

Nonprofit organization National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) officially launched “Pay Her Respect” day, on the late Aretha Franklin’s birthday, while endorsing the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA), guaranteeing musical artists are paid fairly when songs are played on the radio, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The bipartisan legislation would put corporate radio broadcasters in the same realm as other music streaming platforms that already dish out royalties. The United States is the only democratic country in the world that currently does not compensate artists in such a way.

For what would have been Franklin’s 81st birthday, March 25, NITO launched the national day of action to commemorate the late Queen of Soul, who was never paid for her version of the hit song “Respect,” despite being played millions of times on the radio when it was released in 1967, becoming a feminist anthem amid the rise of the second feminist movement in the 1970s. NITO’s executive director, Nathaniel Marro, said the bill makes him think about all the artists struggling to make ends meet from their art that is supposed to support them. “When I think about the importance of this act, I think of all the hard-working musicians who have struggled to make a living and how this bill could get them to a place of stability,” he said.

“The middle class should be an attainable goal for all musicians and songwriters, not some distant reality. Passing this bill would get us one step closer.”

In honor of Aretha Franklin’s birthday, @NITO_live is standing in support of the American Music Fairness Act, demanding AM/FM radio to pay performance royalties. Today and every day, we fight for #AMFA and the fair compensation of all artists. pic.twitter.com/xFHnZjs5gN
— SoundExchange (@SoundExchange) March 25, 2025

According to Hypebot, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) re-introduced the legislation in early 2025. Collaborative efforts with Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) led to the bill being brought forth to the Senate floor.

While fans and musicians are being encouraged to send letters to their Congress members to push support for AMFA, hundreds of Grammy-winning artists have already been outspoken about passing the bill, including Lil Jon and Boyz II Men. Group members Shawn Stockman, Wanyá Morris, and Nathan Morris visited Washington, D.C. to discuss the bill, even posing with House Speaker Mike Johnson following the meeting.

I truly enjoyed hosting @BoyzIIMen during their visit to the Capitol today. Since the band’s formation in 1985, these guys have
sold over 60 million albums and created a large part of the soundtrack of our lives. Nathan Morris, Wanyá Morris and Shawn Stockman have still got it! pic.twitter.com/0IBX836Ygv
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 14, 2025

The Recording Academy’s 2025 Best New Artist winner, Chappell Roan, made headlines for calling out record labels for failing to pay their artists livable wages. “Record labels need to treat their artists as valuable employees with a livable wage and health insurance and protection. Labels, we got you — but do you got us?” she said during her Grammy acceptance speech, met with applause.