Emmitt Smith, University of Florida — Photo by Anthony Quintano/flickr

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 6, 2025

Emmitt Smith On His New Las Vegas Restaurant: ‘Our People Need To See That Success’

Emmitt Smith's new restaurant, Emmitt's Vegas, is blazing trails as one of the few Black-owned restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip.

Emmitt Smith continues to thrive as a businessman off the field with the launch of the three-time NFL champion’s new Las Vegas restaurant, Emmitt’s Vegas.

Since its launch in March 2024 on Las Vegas’s coveted Fashion Row, Emmitt’s has earned two OpenTable Diners’ Choice Awards and continues gaining popularity among tourists and locals. As one of the few Black-owned restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip, Smith recognizes the importance of securing Emmitt’s Vegas’ long-term success and the representation it brings to the Black community.

“I’m proud of the fact that I have had the opportunity to do that because, as a culture, we need to see business success,” he told Hot97. “I think it has to go beyond being an athlete in the sports world or the entertainment world.”

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As a 13-year NFL veteran and 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Smith understands how common it is for Black individuals to find success in sports and entertainment. However, he notes the lack of recognition for Black professionals making strides in business—particularly in service-based industries, where community support is essential for success.

“There are so many great African American entrepreneurs, but they are not highlighted enough,” Smith said. “They highlight sports like you won’t believe. Business people are oftentimes left in the dark. Our people need to see that success.”

America has a long history of undermining the economic growth and development of the Black community. From Rosewood to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, Black Americans have faced significant barriers to entrepreneurial success in a nation shaped by systemic racism. Smith cites this history as a key motivator in his commitment to ensuring the long-term success of Emmitt’s Vegas.

“I think one of the biggest tragedies that came out of Rosewood and the bombing of Black Wall Street because the vision of what African American people can do when they are together was destroyed,” he said. “That vision of business success or seeing it in our community be successful is what Black Wall Street was all about and what Rosewood was all about. So for me to be able to be where we are right now, I’m hoping to continue to have more success and have a restaurant that’s open for the next 25-30 years.”

Adding to the representation is Emmitt’s Vegas executive chef Antwan Ellis, one of the few Black executive chefs in the city and a pioneer in the field. Last month, he appeared on Las Vegas Now to discuss the significance of his role as a Black leader in the city’s highly competitive culinary scene.

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Emmitt’s Vegas is open daily from 12 pm to 10 pm during the week and offers a delicious brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. Take a look at the menu filled with tasty American and seafood classics HERE.

American Cancer Society, breasts, breast cancer, Fight Through Flights, sisters, breast cancer — Photo by Dolgachov/Getty Images

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 6, 2025

American Cancer Society’s ‘VOICES Of Black Women’ Partners With OWN Network On Health Initiative Campaign

OWN has launched a dedicated webpage to spread awareness and enroll eligible Black women.

OWN wants Black women to take control over their health. The network will partner with the American Cancer Society’s “VOICES of Black Women” campaign as they begin a longitudinal study on systemic health risks.

Through its OWN Your Health initiative, OWN also launched its dedicated webpage Mar. 5 to spread awareness of the VOICES study. The study hopes to register 100,000 participants from ages 25 to 55. The study, which expects to take place across multiple years, will use its findings to inform treatment, outreach, and survival rates for Black women diagnosed with cancer.

“We are honored to support VOICES of Black Women in the mission to understand cancer risks and outcomes for Black women, and to provide the essential resources and platform needed to achieve its goal,” said Tina Perry, President of OWN, in a press release obtained by BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“Partnering with the American Cancer Society allows us to harness the significant power of OWN’s reach– across our linear, social and digital footprint — to support the shared goals of OWN Your Health and the VOICES of Black Women campaign.”

The webpage will also accompany a multimedia rollout, which extends to digital, social media, and on-air outreach. The campaign aims to boost enrollment and recruitment for those eligible. This groundbreaking study hopes to promote culturally-aware treatment and prevention of cancer, while also increasing survivorship.

The VOICES study was also created in response to the disproportionate rates of diagnosis and death outcomes for Black women. The study will include an in-depth survey and bi-annual follow ups to provide a comprehensive outlook at their lived experiences. Moreover, it will consider how these factors play a role in cancer research.

“Despite significant strides in cancer research, Black women continue to have the highest death rate and the shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers,” said Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, interim chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “The public’s participation in our previous population studies has contributed to landmark discoveries. Partnering with Black women to listen and better understand their diverse lived experiences will give us the valuable data we need to develop tailored solutions.”

Enrollment has already started, while the ACS has reaffirmed its commitment to DEI principles. As the largest-ever conducted study for Black women, all eligible participants are encourage to register and take part in the movement for more inclusive healthcare.

Roy Ayers, death, vibraphonist, jazz-funk — (Photo: Werner Nieke, CC BY 2.0/Creative Commons via Wikimedia Commons)

by Keka Araújo

March 5, 2025

Roy Ayers, Jazz-Funk Visionary And Soulful Voice Behind ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine,’ Dies At 84

Ayers’ career spanned nearly six decades, including collaborations with contemporary artists such as Alicia Keys, Thundercat, and Tyler, The Creator.

Roy Ayers, the legendary vibraphonist, composer, and jazz-funk pioneer whose music bridged generations and genres, has died at 84.

His family confirmed March 5 in a heartfelt Facebook post, saying that he had died the day before in New York City after a long illness.

“It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing, which occurred on March 4th, 2025, in New York City after a long illness. He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed. His family [asks] that you respect their privacy at this time. A celebration of Roy’s life will be forthcoming,” the post read.

Ayers was born in Los Angeles in 1940 and grew up immersed in the vibrant Central Avenue jazz scene, a cultural hub that shaped his artistic identity. Inspired by bebop icons like Lionel Hampton and Charlie Parker, Ayers convinced his parents to buy him a vibraphone at age 17, setting him on a path to redefine music history.

In the 1960s, the uber-talented musician earned recognition as a skilled post-bop vibraphonist, touring with flutist Herbie Mann and performing alongside artists like Chico Hamilton and Gerald Wilson. His work during this period laid the groundwork for a groundbreaking shift in the 1970s, when Ayers signed with Polydor Records and embraced a bold fusion of jazz, funk, and soul.

Ayers formed Roy Ayers Ubiquity, a group that revolutionized jazz-funk by mixing groove-laden rhythms with soulful vocals and improvisational jazz. Albums like He’s Coming (1971) and Red, Black & Green (1973) exemplified his innovative approach, but his 1976 masterpiece, Everybody Loves the Sunshine, cemented his legacy.

The album’s title track, characterized by its shimmering vibraphone, lush harmonies, and sunlit nostalgia, became a cultural phenomenon. “It felt wonderful,” Ayers told The Guardian in 2017 about the song’s creation. “I knew exactly how I wanted it to sound: vibraphone, piano, and synthesizer, mixed with that nostalgia for summer.”

Everybody Loves the Sunshine resonated across generations, influencing artists in hip-hop and R&B who sampled Ayers’ work over 100 times. Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Pharrell Williams, and The Roots are among the many who integrated Ayers’ timeless grooves into their music.

Ayers’ influence extended beyond sampling. He collaborated with diverse artists, including Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, funk icon Rick James, and neo-soul pioneer Erykah Badu. His vibraphone lines graced Badu’s 2000 album Mama’s Gun, earning him the title “king of neo-soul.” Badu credited Ayers with shaping the genre’s blend of mellow rhythms and intricate instrumentation.

Despite his widespread impact, Ayers remained humble, expressing gratitude for his enduring popularity. “It’s wonderful because I’m still growing in popularity,” he told Dummy in 2016. “I do it for the younger generation. That’s exactly why I keep making music.”

Fans on social media quickly reacted to the news of the jazz-funk legend’s death.

Ayers’ career spanned nearly six decades, including collaborations with contemporary artists like Alicia Keys, Thundercat, and Tyler, The Creator. His versatility and innovation ensured that his music transcended eras, inspiring fans and musicians alike.

In a 2011 interview with the now-defunct CentricTV, Pianist Robert Glasper summarized Ayers’ uniqueness, saying, “It just has a Roy Ayers’ sound. There’s nothing you can describe. It’s just Roy Ayers.”

His influence also extended to film, where he scored the 1973 blaxploitation classic Coffy, starring Pam Grier. The soundtrack showcased Ayers’ ability to merge gritty streetwise aesthetics with sophisticated musicality, solidifying his place as a trailblazer in multiple arenas.

Even as trends shifted, Ayers stayed relevant. He worked with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad on Jazz Is Dead 002, a project that introduced his music to a new generation of listeners.

Ayers’ commitment to innovation and collaboration ensured his work remained timeless.

Roy Ayers’ death marks the end of an era, but his legacy as a pioneer and visionary will live on eternally.

WORKPLACE, Bullying, return to office, RTO — Photo credit:: Yan Krukau/Pexels

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 5, 2025

Return-To-Office Mandates Can Cost More For Companies Than Wasted Real Estate

The decline in office space demand presents new opportunities for companies to invest in hybrid work environments that enhance employee morale.

As demand for office space declines, companies are being advised to forgo strict return-to-office (RTO) mandates and instead allocate funds toward creating workplace environments that enhance the employee experience.

The recently released McKinsey & Co’s Future of the Office report projects that office space demand in major cities will decline by 13% by 2030, putting $800 billion in real estate value at risk. This poses a direct challenge to corporate leaders enforcing RTO policies in response to long-term leases signed before the pandemic, which have since become costly, underutilized real estate expenses.

However, Forbes highlighted that this approach overlooks the hidden costs of mandated office returns, which research shows are contributing to decreased productivity, lower employee morale, high turnover rates, and costly talent acquisition. A case study of a professional services firm in New York City illustrated the underlying issue with numbers.

A firm with 1,000 employees spends an estimated $18 million annually on real estate. If 50% of employees work remotely, half of that investment — $9 million — becomes a sunk cost.

However, a forced RTO policy can result in a conservative 30% turnover rate, and recent research shows that nearly 42% of recent turnovers are attributed to forced RTO policies. With an average salary of $125,000 and a replacement cost of 1.5 times the salary, the economic cost of replacing 300 employees who quit because of rigid RTO mandates would amount to $56.25 million.

Research also showed that it took organizations 23% longer to fill positions vacated due to the enforcement of RTO policies. The numbers are far more than the $9 million wasted in real estate.

For the corporate leaders who believe in-person workers are more productive, a 2023 study by Stanford University’s Nicholas Bloom found that hybrid workers are 9% more productive than those working fully in-office. Additionally, companies that adopt flexible work models report higher employee engagement, which directly correlates with improved business performance.

Strict RTO mandates are driving away top talent. A 2023 Gallup survey revealed that 76% of employees would consider quitting if remote work options were taken away. Considering the McKinsey report, the offices of the future must be designed to foster connection, with hybrid and flexible work environments centered around intentional in-person experiences that promote greater innovation and engagement.

Robert G. Clark, Jr., civil rights, senator — unknown, State of Mississippi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Kandiss Edwards

March 5, 2025

Robert Clark, Mississippi’s First-Ever Black Post-Civil Rights Legislator, Dead At 96

Robert Clark was the highest ranking Black man in Mississippi government.

Robert G. Clark, Mississippi’s first Black House representative elected after the Civil Rights Movement, died on March 4 at the age of 96, The Associated Press reported.

His son, Rep. Bryant Clark, said he passed away peacefully of natural causes.

Elected in 1967, Clark faced intense racism and social turmoil as he took his seat in the Mississippi Legislature. A former educator, he earned a master’s degree in education. After attending college in Michigan, he returned home, assessed the needs of Mississippi residents, and resolved to take action.

Over his career, Clark was named speaker pro tempore of the Mississippi House in 1992 and served a decade on the House Education Committee.

In an interview with Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Clark reflected on his mission to improve the lives of all Mississippians, regardless of political ideology.

“Rather than going to the legislature working against somebody, go to the legislature working for Mississippi,” he said. “I spent 36 years in the legislature, and my main interest was looking out for Mississippi. Whatever the weakness of Mississippi was, I looked at it and tried to strengthen it. I didn’t look at whether they were independent, Democrat, or Republican—I just looked at the need.”

Clark first ran for office as an independent, unaffiliated with any political party. He recalled being dismissed and ignored by fellow lawmakers.

“They wouldn’t sit with me,” he said.

On the day of his passing, legislators honored Clark with a moment of silence in the same halls where he once endured isolation as a Black man in government. Clark’s presence in the Mississippi Legislature was historic as a direct descendant of enslaved people.

“He was a trailblazer and an icon for sure,” House Speaker Jason White said. “He was always mighty good to me when I was elected to office.”

Former colleague and current Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs also spoke highly of Clark’s legacy.

“My prayers go out to Robert Clark and his family,” Flaggs said. “The honorable Robert Clark has broken so many barriers. I always will remember him as a gentleman who persevered. I learned so much from him. He was a giant of a man.”

Angie Stone, Atlanta, home, children — Sister Circle TV, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 5, 2025

Angie Stone’s Family Remembers Singer As ‘An Example For Black Women And Girls Everywhere’

Angie Stone's family released a heartfelt tribute honoring the late singer's life, music, and legacy.

Angie Stone’s family has broken their silence and released a heartfelt statement in response to the singer’s tragic passing on Saturday, March 1.

On Tuesday, the singer’s family took over her Instagram account to share a heartfelt statement and tribute to Stone, who tragically passed away in a car accident after leaving a show over the weekend. After expressing gratitude for the love, support, and prayers from fans, the family honored Angie Stone’s musical legacy, highlighting her role as a pioneer in hip-hop and neo-soul.

“Angie was an example for Black women and girls everywhere. Angie also loved and championed for Black men with her Number One Hit entitled ‘Brotha’,” which served as the background music of the Instagram post.

“Angie Stone was a pioneer of rap music that began with a female rap trio, ‘The Sequence’ and ultimately led to her solo career that defined neo soul,” the family continued.

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The singer’s two children, daughter Diamond and son Michael, thanked her fans while asking for privacy during this time. The family also noted Stone’s philanthropy work through her foundation, “Angel Stripes, the Angie Stone foundation.”

The “No More Rain” singer was also dedicating herself to ministry classes in college.

“Her love of God and her faith led her to have a deep desire to share her belief in God and bring more people to Christ,” the statement shared.

Funeral arrangements will be shared to give fans a chance to pay their respect to the neo-soul icon’s life, legacy, and music.

“Even though Angie is no longer with us physically her family wants you to keep her legacy alive,” the family wrote.

Fans, friends, and supporters left uplifting messages and kind words of the late singer. Among them included DJ Spinderella, who remembered how nice of a person Angie Stone was.

“Angie walked so that we could run! She was a complete heart when I met her.. Sending my deepest condolences to her loved ones,” she wrote.

“She was a force and pioneer in this business. We will miss her terribly,” wrote veteran record executive Shanti Das. “Please accept my sincere condolences and we will continue to lift up her memory, the family and her foundation.”

unemployment benefits, government — (Photo: courtneyk/Getty Images)

by Jeffrey McKinney

March 5, 2025

Report: Black Folks Could Make Up Almost 80K Of Employees Out of Work After February Job Cuts, Primarily In Government Sector

Black workers disproportionately represented in the public sector more vulnerable to job losses.

The state for two of the nation’s top economic indicators – the employment rate and GDP – is presenting a gloomy outlook for Black Americans when it comes to job prospects.

The unemployment rate for Black workers is projected to rise to 6.8% for February 2025, up from 6.4% the previous month, according to a new analysis by Creative Investment Research. The calculation means that the firm believes Black Americans will lose an additional 78,000 jobs between January and February this year.

Simultaneously, the latest Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta GDPNow projection from Mar. 3 showed that the U.S. economy is expected to fall 2.8% in the first quarter of 2025. That is nearly twice as low as the -1.5% prediction for gross domestic product on February 28.

William Michael Cunningham, an economist and owner of Creative Investment Research, told BLACK ENTERPRISE that his firm’s analysis was done ahead of the employment report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) scheduled for March 7, 2025. Cunningham says his firm’s figures are based on non-seasonally adjusted data released by the BLS.

Updates on both the unemployment and GDP numbers are expected later this week. In general, a rise or drop in unemployment often moves in tandem with the direction of the GDP, which is a key measure of the nation’s economic health.

Another report by the payroll services firm ADP revealed that private sector employment rose only by 77,000 jobs in February. That was significantly lower than the 148,000 estimate, and a higher adjusted 186,000 in January.

ADP Chief Economist Nela Richardson stated, “Policy uncertainty and a slowdown in consumer spending might have led to layoffs or a slowdown in hiring last month. Our data and other recent indicators suggest hiring hesitancy among employers as they assess the economic climate ahead.”

Cunningham said his firm’s 0.4 percentage point increase from January reflects government job reductions and weaker hiring in sectors that disproportionately employ Black workers. The U.S. government began firing thousands of people at numerous agencies nationwide in recent weeks as President Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk cut federal government spending extensively.

Cunningham expects the overall unemployment rate to rise to 4.2% in February from 4.0% in January. He expects the change to slow hiring, growing layoffs, and weakened economic activity.

He anticipates white unemployment growing to 4.0% in February from 3.9% the prior month. He said unemployment is less affected by the downturn, due to greater employment mobility, stronger job networks, and lower exposure to declining industries.

He forecasts Hispanic unemployment to soar to 5.8% in February from 5.5% in January. He said the sharp downturn in consumer spending will likely disrupt service-sector employment, where Hispanic workers hold a large share of retail, hospitality, and food services jobs. Also, Cunningham maintained that as government employment declines further, Black workers overrepresented in the public sector are more vulnerable to job losses.

“These revised numbers show that the economic slowdown is accelerating faster than expected,” Cunningham stated in writing. “The steep contraction in GDP, coupled with near-zero consumer spending and investment growth, is a warning sign that employment conditions may worsen in the coming months.”

He added, “Black and Hispanic workers, who have historically been most vulnerable to downturns, are already experiencing higher job losses, and without policy intervention, these disparities could widen.”

Jamaica, travel, violent crimes, Jamaican restaurant — (Photo: aboodi vesakaran/Pexels)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 5, 2025

Jamaica Celebrates Lowest Monthly Murder Toll In 25 Years

Homicides across the country lessened by 35% from this time period last year.

Jamaica has a new record to celebrate. The Caribbean country has had its lowest monthly murder toll in 25 years.

According to The Jamaica Observer, the nation had only 47 murders reported for the month of February. The Minister of Information, Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, shared the exciting news on Mar. 4 during a post-cabinet media briefing at the Jamaica House.

“We need to put that in context — that is the lowest monthly count since 2000. In 25 years, this has been the lowest number of murders in a month,” explained Dixon.

“This is a historic low number. It means we’re going in the right direction, all the work that has been done is bearing fruit, and so Jamaica, we need to celebrate this.”

The government official also recalled how this vastly differs from when crime and homicides scared the population. With these reduced numbers, Dixon believes a celebration should commence.

She continued, “When the numbers were going up it was all over the place — everybody was stressed, everybody was talking about what’s happening in the country. Now we have it going in the other direction, let’s celebrate it.”

Dixon also confirmed that murder lessened by 35% since the year prior. According to Statista, Jamaica had 40.1 homicides per 100,000 people in 2024, with its highest rate in recent years being over 55 homicides on average in 2017. The country had been known for having high intentional homicides rates on a global scale as well.

The incessant violence sparked international concern as well. The United States upgraded its travel advisory for the popular tourism destination to a Level 3 advisory. The status urged citizens to reconsider trips to the country. While Jamaica had pushed back against the designation in the past, it now has the numbers to show its improvement.

However, the Minister hopes that this reduction in crime will lead to safer communities and experiences across the country.

“We can’t just look at the statistics kind of dispassionately — that’s 63 less people killed, 63 less mothers mourning their child’s death, 63 less funerals that we have to do. It’s a big deal, and so major crime is also down 25 per cent so, overall, it’s a great thing for Jamaica,” added the minister.

Regardless of the travel advisories, Jamaicans are recognizing the fruitful efforts to reduce killings within its neighborhoods.

IRS, layoffs — (Photo: Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels)

by Mitti Hicks

March 5, 2025

IRS Looks To Cut 90,000 Person Workforce By Half

The IRS employs an estimated 90,000 nationwide. People of color make up 56% of its workforce.

In a move that most people probably have seen coming, the IRS is reportedly drafting plans to cut its 90,000-person workforce by half. Sources familiar with the matter tell the Associated Press that the IRS plans to cut its workforce through layoffs, attrition, and incentivized buyouts.

Reduction plans are on par with the Trump administration’s priorities to slash the size of the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, DOGE is leading the Trump’s administration’s efforts by laying off probationary employees who have not gained civil service protection. DOGE is also closing agencies and offering all federal employees buyouts through a “deferred resignation program.”

The recent firings, however, are not sitting well with Americans—many of whom are worrying about grocery store prices, inflation, and the economy. A recent Rasmussen Reports study found that only 29% of American adults think it would be good for the economy if the federal government laid off 100,000 workers. Meanwhile, 48 percent of respondents, say a layoff like that would be bad for the economy.

According to the Associated Press, the IRS employs an estimated 90,000 nationwide. People of color make up 56% of the IRS workforce, and women make up 65%. So far, the agency has laid off 7,000 probationary employees with one year or less of service. Most IRS employees, along with nearly all federal government employees, were offered buyouts through the “deferred resignation program.”

However, employees involved in the 2025 tax season will not be allowed to accept a buyout offer until mid-May, about a month after the tax deadline.

For people who are not laid off, the Trump administration intends to lend IRS staff to the Department of Homeland Security to assist with immigration enforcement. A letter from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requested to “borrow IRS workers” to help with the immigration crackdown.

Emmitt Smith On His New Las Vegas Restaurant: ‘Our People Need To See That Success’

American Cancer Society’s ‘VOICES Of Black Women’ Partners With OWN Network On Health Initiative Campaign

Roy Ayers, Jazz-Funk Visionary And Soulful Voice Behind ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine,’ Dies At 84

Return-To-Office Mandates Can Cost More For Companies Than Wasted Real Estate

Robert Clark, Mississippi’s First-Ever Black Post-Civil Rights Legislator, Dead At 96

Angie Stone’s Family Remembers Singer As ‘An Example For Black Women And Girls Everywhere’

PHOTOSTREAM

All photography by The Tyler Twins

Report: Black Folks Could Make Up Almost 80K Of Employees Out of Work After February Job Cuts, Primarily In Government Sector

Jamaica Celebrates Lowest Monthly Murder Toll In 25 Years

IRS Looks To Cut 90,000 Person Workforce By Half