Kamala Harris Has Surpassed $1B In Fundraising Since Entering Presidential Race
These figures include money raised by the campaign committee and campaign-affiliated joint fundraising on behalf of the Democratic National Committee and state parties.
In less than three months, since Vice President Kamala Harris officially became the Democratic nominee for president, her campaign has raised over $1 billion. These figures include money raised by the campaign committee and campaign-affiliated joint fundraising on behalf of the Democratic National Committee and state parties, NBCNewsreported.
Harris’s campaign started on a historic note. In the 24 hours following President Joe Biden’s July 21 announcement that he was dropping out of the race, Vice President Harris’s campaign raked in $81 million. Within 36 hours after Biden’s announcement, Harris raised more than $100 million, which more than doubled the $96 million the Biden-Harris campaign had in cash at the end of June, according to Open Secrets. Political pundits touted the massive haul as the largest 24-hour total in U.S. history.
In August, the campaign continued to see financial enthusiasm. The campaign raised $361 million in August, which brought her total to more than $615 million since she entered the race, CBSNewsreported.
However, even with her campaign’s financial wins, the campaign continues to be concerned that billionaire’s donations will pour into former President Donald Trump’s campaign as the nation inches closer to Election Day, especially in key battleground states.
In Pennsylvania, for example, Republicans have spent more than $222 million on ads, CBSNews reported. Democrats have a slight lead on spending in the commonwealth, where they’ve spent an estimated $275 million on ads.
As we enter the final stretch, Harris’s campaign said money will continue to be “heavily spent” in key states for advertising, operations, and staffing.
When comparing the numbers to her opponent, Harris’s campaign appears to have more enthusiasm. In August, the campaign brought in more than $230 million more than Trump’s. In September, Trump’s campaign told CBS News that it had raised about $160 million.
UN Adopts Historic Guidance To Protect Paroled And Formerly-Incarcerated Citizens
It's the first time the United Nations Human Rights Council has offered clear, human rights-based guidance for reentry and supervision.
A national organization working to change the prison and parole system has successfully led a change campaign, resulting in the United Nations Human Rights Council (HCF) passing a resolution that ultimately protects people reentering society and on parole. It’s the first time the United Nations HCF has offered clear, human rights-based guidance for reentry and supervision.
REFORM Alliance partnered with Costa Rica and a coalition of 120 organizations from 49 countries to rally for the resolution’s passage. After two years in the making, passing the resolution means there are concrete steps governments should follow to create safer and more inclusive communities for people reentering society and protect people on parole. It also focuses on reentry support, reducing the stigma, and economic inclusion.
A news release obtained by BLACK ENTERPRISEstates that the resolution will help an estimated 11.5 million people currently incarcerated worldwide to successfully reenter their communities.
According to activists, people leaving incarceration or parole face severe human rights challenges, including exploitation and violence, as well as being denied equitable access to employment, stable housing, and even basic needs. Without the proper support, it could not only perpetuate the poverty cycle, but people are more likely to become repeat offenders.
More About The U.N.’s Resolution on Formerly Incarcerated People
The resolution takes a people-centered approach and rejects dehumanizing language like “criminal,” “offender,” and “felon,” which activists say reinforces stigmas. Instead, it focuses on dignity and opportunity.
“Too often, people coming out of prison or on supervision are treated as outcasts, their potential overlooked, and their humanity ignored,” Activist and advocate Kim Kardashian said in a statement. “This resolution, sponsored by Costa Rica and a diverse group of countries around the world, is a powerful declaration that no one is disposable and every person deserves human rights and a second chance.”
Activists said in a news release that, with guidance from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the following steps include crafting a comprehensive study with recommendations for countries worldwide to implement programs and policies that will support reentry and uphold human rights.
Barry White’s Estate Sues Creators Of Song Sampled By Metro Boomin, Future, Kendrick Lamar
The estate has filed paperwork alleging that a 1986 hip-hop song, "Everlasting Bass" recorded and performed by West Coast duo, Rodney-O & Joe Cooley lifted the sample illegally.
A sample used almost 40 years ago in a song that was recently sampled by Metro Boomin in the single “Like That” featuring Future and Kendrick Kamar–which lit the fire for the Drake/Lamar battle that took place this year–has been flagged by the estate of Barry White in a recent copyright infringement lawsuit.
According to Billboard, White’s estate has filed paperwork alleging that a 1986 hip-hop song, “Everlasting Bass,” recorded and performed by West Coast duo Rodney-O & Joe Cooley, infringed on White’s 1973 record, “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby.” It’s safe to assume that the suit came on the heels of the “Like That” composition that sampled the “Everlasting Bass” track used for the record that gained popularity after Lamar dissed fellow rappers J. Cole and Drake on the song.
Attorneys for the White estate admitted that they waited 40 years to file the lawsuit because the sampled work was “released prior to the internet and was not widely distributed,” which amounts to leaving the estate “unaware of the song when it was first released.”
Although the three artists on the “Like That” song aren’t mentioned in the lawsuit, the other writers listed in the credits are Rodney-O & Joe Cooley.
The lawsuit states that “Like That” also infringes White’s copyrights: “‘Like That’ copies substantial elements of ‘I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Babe’ … including but not limited to the iconic, immediately recognizable bass line.”
According to the estate, Rodney-O and Joe Cooley are the defendants because the duo said they agreed to defend the recording artists against such accusations when the sample was cleared.
“I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby” is one of White’s more popular songs and has been sampled many times over the years. It peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100 in June 1973 and stayed on the chart for 18 weeks.
A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo And Pharrell Williams, Among The ‘Superfine’ Men To Co-Chair Met Gala
The theme is "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style."
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced the co-chairs and theme for the next Met Gala. According to AP News, the museum committee is tapping Pharrell Williams, Colman Domingo, ASAP Rocky, Sir Lewis Hamilton, and LeBron James to lend their voices and input.Superfine: Tailoring Black Style is an exhibit focused on Black men’s fashion over the years.
Each gentleman has left their mark on Black men’s fashion, which qualifies them to sit on the committee.
The Met’s Chief Curator, Andrew Bolton, says the co-chairs are “men who aren’t afraid to take risks when it comes to their self-presentation.”
Sir Lewis Hamilton says fashion helped him express himself after suppressing his identity for so long:
“I was forced to conform. From my daily routine down to what I wore. My routine was rigid. And as the only Black kid on the racing track, there was no one like me to look up to.”
Hamilton said: “Finding my identity in how I dressed. This was a huge positive change.”
The Met Gala is one of the most anticipated events of the year. It is dedicated to showcasing and preserving culture. The exhibit will explore the culture of the Black Dandy.
Explore the extraordinary stories of Black individuals across art, literature, music, and society.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-media-max-width=”560″><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>i have no words to lewis hamilton. he researched, went after a black person who would have something to do with the theme of the event and dedicated himself to paying tribute. <br><br>each part of this outfit is a powerful act of how to take a true meaning. 🖤 <a href=”https://t.co/XHrBASOmXZ”>pic.twitter.com/XHrBASOmXZ</a></p>— ☥ (@dearlews) <a href=”https://twitter.com/dearlews/status/1787649956620165124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>May 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
5 Grant Opportunities For Small Black-Owned Businesses
Does your Black-owned business need a boost? These organizations are willing to help.
Black-owned businesses often face unique challenges when it comes to securing financial support. Whether you are a new business or looking to expand, grants can help you procure financial help without accumulating debt. According to Grantwatch and Nerdwallet, here are five grants designed explicitly for minority-owned firms.
Brown Girl Jane X Shea Moisture
Brown Girl Jane and Shea Moisture joined forces to help women-owned beauty brands. The companies will award grants between $10,000 and $25,000 to Black and women-owned beauty brands. To be eligible, the business must be registered in the United States and have been operating for at least one year.
The Corporate Counsel Women Of Color
The Corporate Counsel Women of Color is offering $2,500 grants to women of color entrepreneurs. To be eligible, the businesses must be a legal for-profit business based in the United States and established on or before Jan. 1, 2020, and entrepreneurs must be 18 years or older on the date of the application. CCWC will award grants in January 2025.
Additionally, the organization provides mentorship for up-and-coming business owners. Visit the CCWC website for more information.
“We award startup grants of up to $20,000 to entrepreneurs launching new organizations. We believe the world needs more social impact organizations, and we seed for-profit ventures.”
This grant is available for U.S. and international businesses. The deadline to apply is Nov. 3, 2024.
The Wish Empowerment Program
The Wish Local Empowerment Program offers grants from $500 to $2,000 to support struggling Black-owned businesses. Eligible businesses must be Black-owned and have at least 20 employees. They must also have a brick-and-mortar location in the United States.
The HerRise Microgrant
The HerRIse Microgrant initiative supports women-owned businesses. The organization awards a $1,000 grant each month to a business owner. The company must be at least 51% woman-owned and registered in the United States with less than $1 million in gross revenue. Grant applications close on the last day of each month.
Coco Gauff Becomes 1st American In Over 10 Years To Win China Open Title
The 20-year-old swept Karolina Muchova in straight sets to emerge victorious.
Several newsworthy things happened for tennis phenom Coco Gauff. On Sept. 6, she swept Karolina Muchova in straight sets to emerge victorious in the China Open. In doing so, she became the first American to win the tournament in over a decade and the first woman to win her first seven hard-court finals in the Open era.
thank you, everyone, for all of the love and support these two weeks here in Beijing❤️. Very grateful for it all! See you next year! pic.twitter.com/uZbGj4pVtr
According to CNN, after winning the China Open, she is the first American to take the cup since Serena Williams in 2013. The historic win also brings eight WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) titles for Gauff.
“I want to say congratulations to you, Karolina. It’s great to see you back on tour. I think you’re such an amazing player, and you deserve everything,” Gauff said after winning the match.
Gauff won the tournament less than a month after parting ways with her coach, Brad Gilbert.
She mentions to WTA Tennis that she still has a way to go and is just getting started.
“A lot of times people forget that I’m still in the developmental phase of my career, and nothing is going to be great,” Gauff said. “Most of the people doing well are 25 and older in the Top 10, maybe with the exception of Iga. We have a long way to go, and I still have a lot that I need to work on, and I’m proud of myself thus far.
“I didn’t have a complete game at 15, and I don’t have one right now, but I’ve been on tour playing every week almost, trying to be better. I’m just super proud of that.”
Gauff was recently recognized for her generosity when she helped her opponent, Naomi Osaka, off the court after she forfeited the match due to an injury.
The No. 4 ranked tennis player’s next tournament is the Wuhan Open, which she will play on Oct. 10.
HBCU President Dr. D’Wayne Edwards Drops Innovative Footwear Line In Target
Edwards has created an innovative shoe that solves multiple problems.
Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, shoe designer, founder and president of Pensole Lewis College, a Detroit HBCU, has teamed up with Target to launch ÜNOS by Sz, an adjustable footwear line for children and adults.
ÜNOS by Sz stands for “U Need One Size.” Its patented technology allows the shoes to expand up to half a size for children and a full size for adults. With over 15 styles, the shoes are priced at just under $50.
“For a long time, it’s always been my goal to do something that was much more affordable for people who could afford everyday things,” Edwards said in an interview with Afrotech.
”I just felt like everyday things, if they had the same intentionality put into them as some of those more elevated, expensive items, I think you could make something special, and so what we did with ÜNOS by Sz is we created this technology that allows the shoe to grow with your foot.”
Edwards noted that he designed the shoe to solve a “business problem.” Shoe inventory often takes up a lot of space. One shoe that can adjust to various foot sizes helps reduce the space needed to house the merchandise but it does come with challenges.
“You really have to know more about construction, materials, and pricing because every decision down to the penny matters,” he said in an interview withFast Company.
With a career that spans more than 30 years, Edwards has worked with notable brands such as L.A. Gear and Nike. He has designed footwear for Hip-Hop royalty such as Tupac, Notorious B.I.G. Nas, and Snoop Dogg. He has also crafted shoes for athletes such as Carmelo Anthony, Derek Jeter, and Michael Jordan.
Edwards also founded JEMS, the first Black-owned athletic footwear factory in the United States. The factory, named after Black shoemaker Jan Ernst Matzeliger, opened its doors in 2023.
In February, Edwards made history by reopening Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC), the first HBCU to focus on design.
ÜNOS by Sz is available for purchase at Target, both in brick-and-mortar and online stores.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert originally pointed to the positive aspects of a budding rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark instead of forcefully condemning the rhetoric.
Although the WNBA has experienced a banner year in terms of exposure, ticket sales and a marked increase in media attention, the league’s growth has not been positive for all of its players.
According to Andscape, the league should have seen some of the vitriol coming, particularly in the wake of the treatment Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese received during her last year at LSU after she made a “you can’t see me” hand gesture at Iowa’s Caitlin Clark after Reese’s squad won the NCAA championship.
As David Dennis Jr. wrote, “However, the attacks on Reese weren’t really about Clark. They were about hating Reese as a confident, outspoken Black woman…One group is full of genuine Clark fans. The people who are enamored with her court vision, shooting and connection with the audience.”
Dennis continued, “Then there’s the other group. That group is full of people who see Clark as a way to express their most deep-seated, hateful thoughts about the Black and queer women in the WNBA.”
It is that other group that has attracted the most attention in recent weeks, prompting some to compare the playoff atmosphere at Indiana Fever, Clark’s home court, to a MAGA rally, turning what used to be a safe space for queer people and Black women into a much more uneasy atmosphere.
That uneasy atmosphere took on something much more sinister after it was revealed that Dijonai Carrington, the newly minted most improved player in the WNBA, received a threat containing the n-word and wishing sexual assault on her from a Fever fan.
“I think that in my 11-year career I never experienced the racial comments like from the Indiana Fever fan base. It’s unacceptable, and honestly, there’s no place for it,” Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas told reporters.
“We’ve been professional throughout the whole entire thing, but I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media, and there’s no place for it. Basketball is headed in a great direction, but we don’t want fans that are going to degrade us and call us racial things. Something needs to be done,” Thomas said.
According to The Athletic, when given the chance to address the concerning rhetoric from purported Indiana Fever fans, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert pointed to the positive aspects of a budding rivalry between Reese and Clark instead of forcefully condemning the rhetoric.
This drew the ire of the WNBPA and two-time league MVP and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart.
Terri Jackson, executive director of the WNBPA, said in a statement released by the players union, “There is absolutely no place in sport—or in life—for the vile hate, racist language, homophobic comments and misogynistic attacks our players are facing on social media.
“This is not about rivalries or iconic personalities fueling a business model. This kind of toxic fandom should never be tolerated or left unchecked.”
“During a recent media interview, I was asked about the dark side of social media and online conversation about WNBA rivalries and race,” Englebert later clarified on Twitter. “To be clear, there is absolutely no place for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA or anywhere else.”
Reese also addressed how the media effectively made her a villain to spin a narrative in her own post on Twitter.
“For the past two years, the media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative,” Reese wrote.
“They allowed this. This was beneficial to them. I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me, but I’ve also allowed this to happen to me for way too long, and now other players in this league are dealing with & experiencing the same things. This isn’t ok at all. Anything beyond criticism about playing the game we love is wrong. I’m sorry to all the players that have/continue to experience the same things I have.”
The Athletic’s Jim Trotter pointed out that although Clark calling the attackers trolls was a welcome sentiment, it missed the mark regarding what these people actually are: racists.
Trotter also indicated that the league and its franchises are not innocent bystanders here.
“The league and its teams are not helpless in this matter. Hate can never be fully eradicated; it’s as much a part of this country’s history as stars and stripes,” Trotter wrote. “But there are steps that can be taken. For one, teams can control who and what are brought into their arenas. The only reason someone would connect Trump’s campaign slogan to a sporting event featuring predominately Black and/or queer women is to provoke a response that has nothing to do with basketball.”
HGTV’s Kyra Epps Returns To Chicago To Partner With Habitat for Humanity As Community Impact Partner
Kyra Epps is back in her hometown to build homes and hold workshops in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Chicago.
Chicago native and award-winning HGTV producer Kyra Epps is returning to her hometown to collaborate with Habitat for Humanity Chicago on a new building project.
Following the success of Buying Back The Block, which saw Kyra and her husband, comedian/actor Mike Epps, work together to rebuild Mike’s childhood community in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kyra is back to build homes and lead workshops in partnership with ReStore Chicago. Her collaboration with Mike to rebuild his hometown inspired Kyra to do the same for her city. Now, she’s on a mission to empower fellow Chicagoans to achieve homeownership and build lasting family legacies.
“No matter how far you go or how successful you become, there’s always a need for a home base,” Kyra tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“Your home base is your foundation and your truth. So, when I reflect on my life and what I want for future generations, I realize it was time for me to come back home and plant that seed for homeownership.”
(Photo: Kyra & Mike Epps for ReStore Chicago/Courtesy of Kyra Epps)
Driven by a deep commitment to giving back to her community and a strong belief that everyone deserves a beautiful home that boosts their self-esteem, Kyra is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Chicago. She hopes to use her platform to engage the community and teach people how to design their homes, fostering a sense of pride and ownership.
“I’ve officially joined Habitat for Humanity Chicago as their Community Impact Partner, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together,” Kyra says.
“My goals are twofold: first, to educate people about homeownership so they can return to their communities and help break down the barriers that often hold them back,” she adds. “Second, I felt it was crucial for women like me to be visible in these roles, driving change in our own neighborhoods. As a Black woman, I know how important it is to be part of that transformation, and I’m committed to making a difference in my community.”
Kyra and Mike’s time hosting Buying Up The Block became one of the most-streamed home renovation shows, but its success went beyond TV ratings. It resonated deeply with the Epps, highlighting the meaningful impact they could have as public figures in their hometowns.
“Mike and I really get the importance of family and legacy,” she shares. “He invested in his grandma’s house from the 1960s because keeping it in the family was so meaningful to him.”
“After the HGTV show aired, we realized our impact went beyond just us,” she adds. “People started feeling inspired to return to their childhood homes and pour love back into the communities that raised them. Honestly, that inspired me, too—I wanted my kids to see the light from my side of the family.”
(Photo: Kyra Epps for ReStore Chicago/Courtesy of Kyra Epps)
Kyra also recalled another motivation.
“My family lost our family home in Chicago for generations, like so many families in Chicago are displaced. That’s when I knew it was time for me to return to my home, to the city that made me who I am, and bring that same love and attention,” she says.
The HGTV star and home designer is reeling over the purchase of her first property on the West Side of Chicago.
“I’m really excited about it!” she says.
On October 12 in Chicago, Kyra will join other women at Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build event to construct a home alongside Habitat for Humanity. Those interested in donating to Team Kyra for Women Build can click here.
Allyson Felix Launches Sports Management Firm Dedicated To Empowering Women Athletes
Allyson Felix is further empowering women with her new sports management firm dedicated to supporting female athletes.
Allyson Felix is expanding her commitment to women-focused initiatives by launching a new sports management firm dedicated to empowering female athletes.
On Tuesday, the Olympic gold medalist unveiled her new women-focused sports management firm, Always Alpha. This trailblazing move aligns perfectly with Felix’s brand, following the introduction of her women’s lifestyle brand, Saysh, and her efforts to establish the first-ever nursery at the Olympic Village for the Paris Olympics this past summer.
“This is a first-of-its-kind agency that is focused on women’s sports,” Felix toldUSA Today.
“We all feel the momentum that’s happening now. We need to be focused on these athletes, and that’s what we’re here to do. To help grow their brands, and to do it in a nontraditional way.”
“Women deserve more, and it’s about time there was a management firm fully focused on women’s sports at scale,” she wrote in an Instagram announcement. “@always.alpha is the next chapter in my mission to create what I wished had existed long ago—guiding the next generation to build the future they dream of.”
Founded by the most decorated American track and field athlete in history, along with her brother, Wes, and Cosette Chaput, Always Alpha will specifically focus on supporting women athletes across various sports, not just track and field.
“We really are going to focus across sports, broadcasters and coaches as well,” Felix said. “I think more than anything, it’s looking for those incredible athletes, broadcasters, and coaches who really have great stories and who want to use their platform (and) who are change makers.”
The sports management firm is backed by Dolphin’s marketing division, an entertainment marketing company. Felix hopes to include Always Alpha in her expanding list of accomplishments since retiring from track and field, aiming to create a lasting positive impact on women.
“When I think about Always Alpha, I think about legacy, and that’s a huge part of why I’m doing this,” Felix said. “I didn’t have the perfect road. I felt like I learned so much throughout my career and after. Things I would do differently: I would have loved to have another shot at getting it right. I want to pass down that wisdom (and) those things that I’ve learned. That’s what this is about.”
Felix won 20 world championships and 11 Olympic medals before retiring from track and field in 2022. Since retiring, the Los Angeles native has consistently leveraged her platform to champion women’s issues. In 2019, she testified at a U.S. House Ways and Means Committee hearing addressing racial disparities in maternal mortality rates.
She also serves as a “Right To Play” ambassador and was recently appointed to the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission. In July, Felix received a $20 million grant from Melinda Gates’ $1 billion investment initiative to continue advancing Black maternal health in the United States.
