by Mitti Hicks

November 19, 2024

Trump’s Attorney General Pick Faces Backlash For Alleged Sex And Drug Parties

A storm is brewing within the Republican Party over President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general.

A storm is brewing within the Republican Party over President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz allegedly paid two women to have sex and watch his appearance on Fox News.

The women also claim he paid them to attend the Broadway show Pretty Woman, their attorney told ABC News. Pretty Woman is about a businessman who falls in love with a prostitute.

This all allegedly happened in 2019 and more than once, the women’s attorney, Joel Leppard, revealed.

Both women testified before the bipartisan House Ethics Committee. The two told the committee that Gaetz paid for them to travel across state lines to have sex on at least two occasions. Leppard said his clients provided the committee with text messages they allegedly exchanged with Gaetz that show he paid for sex and drugs.

Gaetz resigned from Congress following Trump’s announcement that he had been selected to serve as attorney general. Following a yearslong investigation, the Justice Department has declined to charge Gaetz, who has denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee is considering releasing a report summarizing its investigation findings.

“These are baseless allegations intended to derail the second Trump administration,” said Trump transition spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer. “The Biden Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years and cleared him of wrongdoing.”

Leppard said his clients testified to the committee they had sex with Gaetz between 10 and 15 times. Most of the sexual interactions happened at what Leppard described as drug-fueled parties or during private trips to New York or the Bahamas.

According to the women’s testimony, other men, ranging from ages 30 to 50, attended the parties. The women were between 19 and 21. On some occasions, both women testified that Gaetz also paid them to travel to the Bahamas with other young women, including one who has accused the former congressman of having sex with her as a minor.

Venmo records and text messages provided to the House Ethics Committee allegedly show payments for sex and coded requests for illicit drugs, such as MDMA.

Gaetz’s friend, Joel Greenberg, would reference them in text messages as “vitamins” or “party favors.”

Greenberg is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence after reaching a deal with federal prosecutors in May 2021. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sex trafficking of a woman when she was a minor and introducing her to other “adult men” who had sex with her when she was a minor.

As for Leppard’s clients, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been paying for their counseling following the investigation despite his clients saying that their sexual interactions were fully consensual.

“Now that they’ve been through all that, they don’t want to go through this again, and now that it’s considered for Rep. Gaetz to be the most powerful law enforcement officer in the land, I think that’s relevant information for the American people to consider,” said Leppard.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 19, 2024

Pusha T Launches ‘Grindin’ Coffee Brand With Exclusive Los Angeles Pop-Up

To celebrate its release, Pusha T collaborated with Cafe Tropical to serve up cups to curious fans.

Pusha T is expanding his enterprises to coffee. The rapper has launched his coffee brand, Grindin, with an exclusive pop-up in Los Angeles.

The premium coffee blend is high in caffeine and takes its name from a song from the original duo, Clipse, produced by Pharrell. To celebrate its release, Pusha T collaborated with Cafe Tropical to serve cups to curious fans.

The collaboration also ties into Pusha T’s persona. The rapper, known for his gritty and clever lyrics about drug dealing, decided to launch Grindin with Cafe Tropical as a distributor. According to Hypebeast, the cafe’s original owners were also heavily involved in smuggling cocaine in the ’70s.

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“All my dreams and ideas start from my passions,” wrote the rapper in the caption about the partnership. “Luckily, I have been able to find partnerships and platforms to help bring my visions to life… This is just a piece of me and how I start my day.”

The house ambassador for Louis Vuitton channeled his inner barista by appearing at the restaurant on Nov. 16 for the brand’s debut. The blend can be used in traditional drinks such as hortados and cortados, with a press release calling it “a strong black coffee reflecting the artist’s taste,” per Pitchfork.

Another chance for coffee lovers to try Grindin occurred at Camp Flog Gnaw. Pusha T hosted a pop-up at the music festival, but attendees were able to get more than a drink from the brand. The 47-year-old also debuted merchandise, such as T-shirts and hoodies, to accompany the coffee.

Pusha T continues to build his empire, as the multi-Grammy nominated rapper capitalizes on his provocative brand to blend up something new. For those outside Los Angeles, Grindin will also make its nationwide debut in early 2025. In the meantime, those who want to try out a cup will have to seek out the next pop-up.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 19, 2024

This Black Woman CEO Lifts Up Small Businesses Amid DEI Attacks

Robichaux started "Chief of Minds" to help support Black business.

Chief of Minds, a human resource strategy firm, is working to help Black entrepreneurs streamline their operations and reach peak efficiency to help sustain longevity.

Established in 2014, “Chief of Minds” is making a mark in the human resources sector. CEO and Founder Lakeisha Robichaux is working to help businesses strategize their way to success — even in a hostile corporate landscape.

Robichaux’s focus is to “alleviate workloads, optimize HR functions, and minimize cost.” The CEO is seasoned; she honed her skills in business optimization, working with companies such as CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General Corporation, and Loyola University.

The founder serves as president of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce, helping to navigate the trials of small business owners in the capital of Louisiana.

As president, Robichaux provides networking opportunities, training, and information to help Baton Rouge entrepreneurs build profitable and sustainable businesses.

Robichaux’s work through “Chief of Minds” is more important than ever, as legislative attacks on DEI have been successful in recent years, leaving multiple minority demographics vulnerable. Black entrepreneurs need to prepare for the barriers that may arise now that the legal protections, plans, and incentives for minorities are being slowly stripped away.

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Her work emphasizes a thoughtful approach to efficiency and employee relations. Studies have shown that employees are burning out quicker than in generations past. A stringent work environment and heavy workloads are factors in decreasing productivity, which in turn decreases companies’ bottom line. However, there is a way for a company to lead with compassion while maintaining high standards for employees’ performance and production.

She believes “Having a genuine concern for others and expressing empathy creates a positive work environment and improves team performance.”

Robichaux and “Chief of Minds” are ready to guide companies during the next four years of Donald Trump’s presidency. A conservative House of Representatives and Senate may mean a reduction in programs geared toward supporting small businesses. In order to thrive, companies will need to take stock. Evaluating HR practices is a great first step.

by Sharelle B. McNair

November 19, 2024

Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant Gives Advice For Success: ‘Don’t Try To Be A Black Belt In Everything’

Hope everyone is taking notes....

Taco Bell’s CEO Sean Tresvant says the key to success and climbing the company ladder is not pretending to be a whiz at everything, Money Control reports.

While appearing on LinkedIn’s “This Is Working With Daniel Roth” podcast, the first Black CEO to run the Mexican-inspired fast food chain revealed the best advice he received while transitioning from chief brand officer to CEO in January 2024. “When I transitioned from being the chief brand officer to the CEO, some great advice I got was, don’t try to be a black belt in everything,” Tresvant said, labeling it the “biggest surprise.” He continued to reveal that, since he was given the golden nugget, the 43-year-old now says that instead of attempting to be an expert on everything, he stuck to being a “black belt in marketing and “a brown belt in everything else.”

After holding executive positions at Nike and Sports Illustrated, Tresvant learned that a successful manager’s strength truly shows when they admit to not knowing everything. That’s something he identified that helped the transition within Taco Bell come out smoothly — knowing your strengths and weaknesses and then simply going to a team member that possesses those skill sets. “That’s what I think helped me to be successful early on because I’m not trying to be everything,” the first-time CEO said.

“I understand I’m not a CFO, but I have a great CFO who can lead the business.”

According to MSN, the tactic is a sign of “great leadership.” It allows those around to get a shot at developing their own set of skills, which could result in them being afforded other opportunities. “I’m not trying to be everything,” Tresvant said. “Leaders who try to be everything to everybody, and try to maybe be a little too micro and don’t empower their teams to lead — I think that’s when the teams aren’t at their best. I try to be a good leader who understands what I’m good at, but also understands what other people are good at, and make sure I’m giving them the space to be great.”

Communications expert Matt Abrahams supported the CEO’s theory of good leadership by providing advice on ways to build successful relationships in the workplace. The first step is asking questions. Posing strong questions demonstrates that you care, it demonstrates empathy, it demonstrates you’re willing to learn, and in some cases, admit you don’t know everything,” Abrahams said.

“Those are all valuable tools and assets to have when you’re trying to grow your career or deepen relationships.”

On the podcast, “The Path,” leadership wizard Charlene Li said admitting to not knowing something is the fine line to cross into success. “You can open to a learner’s mindset, and that is absolutely crucial,” she said. Li also highlighted that having the balance of humility aligned with confidence can garner improvement from failure and get back up if one falls.

by Stacy Jackson

November 19, 2024

UNCF’s Unity Dinners Foster Relationships Between Black And Jewish Communities

Black and Jewish college students from Atlanta, D.C., and New Orleans HBCUs and PWIs gathered at the Unity Dinners to become lifelong allies.

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) welcomed hundreds of guests to its series of Unity Dinners this month in collaboration with Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), designed to promote unity and strengthen partnerships between Black and Jewish communities.

According to a press release, the collaborative event series gathered Black and Jewish college students from across several HBCUs and predominantly white institutions to connect, engage in open dialogue, and share experiences in an effort to encourage students to become life-long allies against injustice and bridge the divide between younger generations.

“By having young people engaged in meaningful conversation about their own shared struggles and culture, we are helping to foster empathy and understanding to create the next generation of civic and social justice champions to combat hate in our world,” said UNCF president and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax

“Our UNCF Black and Jewish Unity Dinners embody the spirit of Tikkun Olam, healing the world,” he added.

According to The New Orleans Agenda newsletter, UNCF’s Unity Dinners are a cornerstone of the Tikkun Olam Society Initiative, which partners with Hillel International and funding from Kraft’s foundation.

As UNCF celebrated its 80th anniversary in April, the minority education organization was awarded $1 million from Kraft to support the organization of the Unity Dinners and other UNCF-led initiatives at HBCUs that support fellowship and social justice leadership among Black and Jewish students.

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UNCF’s series of Unity Dinners started at the National Civil and Human Rights Museum in Atlanta, with attendance from such institutions such as Agnes Scott College, Clark Atlanta University, and Emory University. The series continued to George Washington University, which included attendees from American University, Catholic University, and Georgetown University, before concluding at Dillard University in New Orleans.

Local leaders were in attendance for the Unity Dinners, including Hillel International CEO Adam Lehman, Clark Atlanta University President Dr. George French, George Washington University President Dr. Ellen Granberg, and Dillard University President Dr. Monique Guillory.

by Black Enterprise

November 19, 2024

Is The Village Still Raising These Children?

Talker Research took a deep dive into the makeup of today’s villages

Today’s parents are reinventing what it means to rely on their “village” when it comes to raising a child, new research finds.

According to a survey of 2,000 parents of children ages 0-6, 78% agree that the definition of a village — their community and support system — is different today than when they were growing up.

In fact, another 86% of parents say they have a different type of support system today than their own parents did.

Growing up, respondents recall spending the most time with grandmothers (60%), grandfathers (41%), aunts (51%) and uncles (41%) as well as their parents’ best friend (38%).

In total, they can remember an average of eight different people being regularly involved in their lives as children, and a majority (86%) are still in some contact with their childhood village.

But today, parents rely on an average of seven different people, and fewer of them are relatives.

Mothers (54%) and fathers (34%) still ranked at the top of the list, but today’s parents are more likely to lean on their friends (33%) or best friends (30%) than aunts or uncles (29%).

Still, 29% of parents find it difficult to make new friends today. Their inner circle most often includes the friends they made after having children (24%). Interestingly, parents are more likely to spend time with their childhood friends (15%) than they are with friends they made in adulthood before having children (14%), their teenage crew (9%) and even their college friends (6%).

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of The Goddard School, the survey took a deep dive into the makeup of today’s villages and aimed to uncover what the modern-day version looks like.

In fact, 83% say their child making a new friend results in building a friendship with their parents at least some of the time.

Four in five (81%) of all parents polled believe that it’s imperative to have a support system when it comes to raising their child, and another 43% believe parenting is more difficult today than it was for their own parents.

About a quarter of parents (27%) rely less on family members for support than their parents did, for reasons such as not having a close relationship with their family (33%) or their family members having other responsibilities and being too busy to help (32%). A quarter (25%) made the conscious decision to do things differently than their parents and lean on their family less.

On the flip side, 47% choose to lean on their family more. Many (41%) simply want a deep family connection, while others find it easier because both they and their partner work full time (31%) and it is more cost-effective (29%).

The good news is that parents are reaping the benefits of their villages. The vast majority (87%) believe their support system has improved the development of their child’s social and emotional skills.

The added support also enables parents to spend more quality time with their child (36%), complete tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or errands (33%), and be a better or more present parent (31%).

“Raising children today is like steering a ship through a storm; it can be tumultuous and unnerving, and without a compass to guide your ship — or a strong support system to help you parent — it’s easy to lose your way,” said Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School. “I encourage all parents to take full advantage of their entire network, including their school and childcare provider, to help them navigate their parenting journey.”

Almost three-quarters (74%) of surveyed parents currently have their child enrolled in school or childcare provider.

Of those parents, 89% say that their child’s school or childcare provider plays a role in their village, and they rely on them for support or guidance an average of 12 times per month.

But even so, almost two-thirds (65%) of parents wish their child’s school or childcare provider offered more opportunities to connect with other parents.

Family gatherings and social events (45%), educational workshops for parents and their children (36%), and celebrations and cultural events (35%) topped the list of opportunities parents would enjoy.

“Schools and childcare providers have not just an opportunity, but a responsibility, to offer their families support, guidance and resources to help both children and parents develop into the best versions of themselves,” said Loquasto. “We are committed to fostering a community where families feel supported and connected. Parenting is a journey, and while bumps and detours are inevitable, a strong village goes a long way to helping make the journey as smooth and rewarding as possible for the entire family.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 parents of children ages 0-6; the survey was commissioned by The Goddard School and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Oct. 11 to Oct. 18, 2024.

Originally published on Talker Research

by Sharelle B. McNair

November 19, 2024

AutoZone Will Be Raising Prices For Consumers Thanks To Donald Trump’s U.S. Tariff Plans

Affordability should be the name of the game....

Yahoo Finance reports that the CEO of automotive retail giant AutoZone admits that if tariffs are implemented, the consumer will undoubtedly bear the higher cost.

Philip Daniele said during an earnings call in November 2024 that the company already anticipates product costs to increase, and if tariffs are added, the customer will have to pay up. “If we get tariffs, we will pass those tariff costs back to the consumer,” Daniele said. Under his leadership, he understands that new policies handed down by the Donald Trump administration will affect margins.

Tariffs, which include a 10% to 20% tax on all imports and potentially 60% to 100% on goods from China, have increased concern from consumers and corporations trying to protect their profit. AutoZone is not the only company that depends heavily on imported goods from overseas and is preparing for risky changes. Shoe conglomerate Steve Madden has already taken action. With 70% of its sources coming from China, the company announced it would cut ties with them by 50% — working with other foreign entities like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mexico.

However, shoe fanatics should already count on price increases as leadership deals with the changes affecting the supply chain.

Columbia Sportswear and the National Retail Federation (NRF) expressed concerns about tariffs making their bottom line less affordable, which could result in a downfall of customers. The world’s largest retail trade association labeled the proposed tariffs as “a tax on American families.” It issued a warning that the cost of everyday goods like food and clothing will see a sharp price increase. In a report the association released on Nov. 4, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold says American consumers can expect to lose anywhere between $46 billion and $78 billion in spending power with added tariffs.

A $90 pair of sneakers could cost between $106 and $116, and a $100 coat could cost over $20.

On the campaign trail, President-elect Trump “promised” a slowdown on inflation,” but U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that tariff payments would only increase it, and an analysis from the Budget Lab at Yale University supports her theory.

“A consistent theoretical and empirical finding in economics is that domestic consumers and domestic firms bear the burden of a tariff, not the foreign country,” the report from mid-October 2024 revealed.

Some companies are pausing any sudden movement until Trump actually makes a move. The CEO of ELF Beauty, Tarang Amin, says he will need to see the policy first before he even thinks about raising prices.

“We don’t like tariffs because they are a tax on the American people,” Amin said, according to Business Insider. He revealed that the company has had to deal with a 25% tariff since 2019 due to policies from Trump’s first White House reign. “And at that time, we pulled all the levers available to us to minimize the effects to our company and our community.”

Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt defended the first-term tariff, claiming it created jobs and restricted inflation. This time, Leavitt feels her boss will work to lower taxes and create more American jobs with added tariffs.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 19, 2024

Georgia State’s Medical Cannabis Program To Expand As Enrollment Hits 25,000 Patients

Distribution has come a long way since Georgia first legalized medicinal cannabis

Georgia’s Medical Cannabis program has reached 25,000 enrolled patients. The milestone signals an expansion of the dispensaries distributing the medicinal drug.

According to The Macon Telegraph, hitting this number was crucial to opening up more dispensaries in Georgia. The state agency overseeing the program’s rollout, the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, can now approve the expansion effort.

With a clear demand for medical cannabis, Georgia growers can get their products to more eligible patients.

“Patient access continues to be our mission and purpose,” commission Chairman Sid Johnson said. “Expanding Georgia’s medical cannabis program, especially providing service to patients, is why the commission exists.”

Through this, the six production companies licensed to offer medical cannabis and cannabis products are now operating 13 dispensaries in the state. The move was also supported by listening sessions held at multiple universities across Georgia.

“We have heard from patients, caregivers, health professionals, veterans, researchers, and students with an interest in or need for medical cannabis,” Johnson said. “Their willingness to share their personal stories and feedback for improvement is invaluable to the betterment of the program.”

This distribution has come a long way since Georgia first legalized the use of the drug for medicinal purposes. Despite legalizing low-THC cannabis oil in 2015, Georgia lawmakers could not pass legislation for patients to obtain the drug.

Georgians had to leave the state to purchase, or risk buying cannabis oil illegally, until 2019. Then, the General Assembly passed a new bill to create a licensing process for companies to produce marijuana indoors. Under state regulation and supervision, they were able to sell the product to state-registered patients, but only under a doctor’s orders.

The number of cannabis dispensaries will also keep growing. The law states that the production companies will get an extra dispensing license for every 10,000 patient increase. The news follows other strides for cannabis distribution made in Georgia, such as the legalization of selling low-dose THC products in pharmacies.

As medical marijuana usage grows, Georgia expects to take part in the movement and scale up the number of patients and dispensaries it sees in the state.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 19, 2024

Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Calls Jake Paul ‘An Embarrassment’ To Boxing, Ali Would Call Him Out Too

Nico Ali Walsh turned down a chance to get in the ring with Paul.

The legacy of heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali, who termed the phrase the “greatest of all time,” may live on through his grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, who followed his grandfather and aunt, Laila Ali, in their career choices to become a fighter. After the recent Mike Tyson-Jake Paul boxing match, he expressed disappointment with Paul for fighting Tyson, a friend and student of his grandfather.

Tyson lost by unanimous decision to a YouTube boxer/content creator in a fight described as lackluster, as it showed 58-year-old Tyson not looking like the Tyson who became the world’s youngest heavyweight champion. With the 30-year age difference, many people questioned the validity of the bout while expressing fear for Tyson stepping into the ring way past his prime. After viewing the fight, Walsh took to social media and chastised Paul by stating that if his grandfather were still alive, the G.O.A.T. would have called him out.

“Jake Paul is an embarrassment to this sport. If my grandfather was still around, he’d call him out. Absolutely no shame… Love you Mike.”

Jake Paul is an embarrassment to this sport. If my grandfather was still around, he’d call him out. Absolutely no shame… Love you Mike🙏🏼

— Nico Ali Walsh (@nicoaliwalsh) November 16, 2024

Marca reported that Paul challenged Walsh to get in the ring with him. Yet, Walsh has pointed out that he fights at 155 pounds while Paul weighs 185, a weight difference of 30 pounds, which doesn’t make for a fair fight since both men are in different weight classes. Walsh has stated that he notices that Paul targets people who can add to his resume as opposed to concentrating on boxers in his weight class. However, Ali’s grandson wants to focus on his professional career instead of taking fights that become a sideshow for his goal of success in the sport.

According to Bleacher Report, Walsh confirmed that Paul has been trying to take him on as an opponent and offering him a multimillion-dollar contract to join Paul’s company, MVP Promotions.

“Before this fight, I denied a multimillion-dollar contract from MVP Promotions to fight Jake Paul and I’m fighting a real fighter tonight,” Ali Walsh said.

“So, I’m not part of that circus league of boxing. This is the real league of boxing. This is what I’m going to do.”

Ali Walsh has a record of 10-1, with five of those wins coming by way of knockouts.

CreativeJunkFood, DC, go-go music, Marion barry

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 19, 2024

CreativeJunkFood Celebrates D.C. Through Go-Go Music And Marion Barry History

The two projects pay tribute to two D.C. staples, Go-Go music and late mayor, Marion Barry.

CreativeJunkFood, a Black-owned multimedia Creative Studio, has announced the launch of two projects celebrating the culture and legacy of Washington, D.C.

CreativeJunkFood unveiled one of the years-long projects, the Go-Go Museum, Nov. 18. The exhibit pays tribute to the music style founded and popularized in the nation’s capital. The establishment also features a roll call wall and stairwell, incorporating branding and technology into the immersive space with museum founder, Ron Moten.

“It’s amazing to be a part of both projects,” said Candice Taylor, co-founder of CreativeJunkFood, in a statement to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Through the Go-Go Museum, we can dive deep into what go-go means as an art form and how to properly express it in an exciting way.”

Before the museum opened to the public, a Go-Go bus was created to also build the hype and celebrate D.C.’s rich artistic history. The mobile experience broadcasted the then-upcoming museum’s offerings and exhibits, while also having a stage on top.

CreativeJunkFood’s second venture was the Marion Barry Legacy Public Arts Project, named in honor of the city’s late mayor. Upon approval by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the creative studio partnered with the Marion Barry Legacy Jr. Foundation to bring the project into fruition.

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“Through the Marion Barry Legacy Public Arts Project, we can get a real feel for what Mayor Barry accomplished in his life and how we can still live, grow, and thrive in our city because of him,” added Taylor.

The space features a mural and interactive kiosks alongside a sculpture of Barry. The long-time activist and political leader died in 2014, but remains celebrated for his wide-ranging impact on the city. The installation will also open to the public on Nov. 23.

As for CreativeJunkFood, the ability to bring these two projects to life for the D.C. community has been a “full circle moment” for the homegrown studio.

“It feels like a full circle moment to be leading these two major projects,” said Nabeeh Bilal, co-founder of CreativeJunkFood. “With the Go-Go Museum, I’ve known Ron Moten since I was 11, so to be working with him to design the museum is a great feeling. Mayor Marion Barry lived two blocks down the street from me in Southeast. I’d see him jogging in the mornings as a kid, and to be entrusted with the project that honors his legacy is beyond incredible.”