Esteemed Atlanta Journalist Monica Pearson Honored With Gold Circle Award
The longtime news anchor is now part of the 'Gold Circle.'
Esteemed journalist Monica Kaufman Pearson was honored with the Gold Circle Award by the Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).
The Academy held its annual Gold and Silver Circle Awards Banquet in Atlanta on Sept. 6. The event honors professionals who’ve had long careers in television, film, radio, and other media outlets. The Silver Circle recognizes careers that have lasted at least 25 years, while the Gold Circle honors media veterans of 50 or more years.
In 1975, Pearson became the first woman and minority to anchor the evening news at WSB-TV in Atlanta. She remained at the station for 37 years before retiring in July 2012.
The decorated journalist spoke with BLACK ENTERPRISE about receiving the honor, calling it an “accent” on her career.
“I’m very excited about it. But when I think about it, I also have to look back at the people who helped me get here.
She credited Bill Summers, the first person to own a Black radio station in Kentucky.
“He gave me my first job doing voiceover work. So, this is a time to reflect. It’s exciting, but it’s more exciting because of the people who helped me get here.” she said.
Pearson was joined by three other inductees: Sheryl Gripper, founder of the Black Women Film Preservation Project; Gary Meadows, founder of Meadows Media; and Charles Humbert, founder and CEO of UP Entertainment.
During her 53-year career, Pearson worked as a reporter for the Louisville Times. She then joined WHAS-TV as a reporter before relocating to Atlanta in 1975. The University of Louisville graduate has over 33 Southern Regional Emmy awards for anchoring and reporting.
The self-proclaimed “sorta retired “ reporter hosts The Monica Pearson Podcast, presented by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Episodes are released each Tuesday on AJC.com and other major streaming platforms such as Apple and Spotify.
Beyoncé Learned To ‘Work Smarter’ By Working Less: ‘I Build My Work Schedule Around My Family’
Beyoncé explains how she learned to "work smarter" by working less.
Long gone are the days when you see Beyoncé on every red carpet and tour every year. The mother of three takes pride in the work-life balance she created for herself after learning how to “work smarter” by working less.
In a GQ profile released last week, the decorated Grammy-winning singer explained her change of pace in how she works and times her music releases. It took years for Beyoncé to learn how to say no to things after seeing the toll it took on her mental and physical health.
“There was a time when I was pushing myself to meet unrealistic deadlines while not taking the time to enjoy the benefits of why I was working so hard,” Beyoncé admitted.
It was a way of life and mindset that stars of yesteryear grew to think was normal to remain relevant and successful.
“There aren’t many of us from the late ’90s who were taught to focus on mental health. Back then, I had little boundaries and said yes to everything … And now I work smarter,” the singer added.
Despite her massive success over the last two decades, Beyoncé admits to once finding it hard to set boundaries for herself and prioritize her peace of mind. But much of that stopped once the “Halo” singer became a mother. She began to put more time in between her music releases and more thought into her projects.
Earlier this year, Beyoncé released her first country music album, “Cowboy Carter,” which was five years in the making. She also launched two family-inspired business ventures. In February, she released her haircare line called Cécred, which she says was inspired by her childhood experiences helping at her mother’s hair salon. Beyoncé announced her SirDavis whiskey label under Moët Hennessy in August, named after her Prohibition-era moonshiner great-grandfather, Davis Hogue.
“I don’t waste my time on something unless I’m deeply passionate about it. If I don’t wake up thinking about it, and I’m not going to sleep dreaming about it, it’s not for me,” Beyoncé said.
“I build my work schedule around my family. I try to only tour when my kids are out of school … So, when you don’t see me on red carpets, and when I disappear until I have art to share, that’s why.”
Brittany Renner Reveals How Her Finances Have ‘Crumbled’ Since She Became A Devoted Muslim
'I have no idea where I'm going to live or how I'm going to provide for my son,' she revealed on Instagram.
Brittany Renner is revealing how much her life has “crumbled” since making a complete 180 from her former Instagram model/reality star persona to a devoted Muslim.
The Basketball Wives alum took to Instagram last week to provide a candid update on the current status of her life since devoting herself to the Muslim religion. According to Renner, her new fully clothed lifestyle isn’t offering her the same financial benefits she once enjoyed.
“First of all, Allahu Akbar. I’ve gone through a lot of changes internally, and as a result, my outer world has completely crumbled,” she told her followers. “I’m sorry, I don’t know. Leaving me incredibly uncertain in just about every area in my life.”
“I have no idea where I’m going to live or how I’m going to provide for my son,” Renner continued. “But Allah has moved mountains for me, and I trust that this will be no different.”
Comparing herself to the Alice in Wonderland scene where Alice ate a cookie and grew bigger than the house she was in, Renner went on to say that she has “outgrown where I am.”
“The facade is fading, Alhamdulillah,” she added. “And I’m at a place where I don’t want anything that doesn’t have my name on it. Take it away. It serves no purpose here, and I don’t want a penny more than I’m meant to have because I can do a lot with a little.”
Renner ended her message with a declaration to remove all material distractions from her life that no longer serve her.
“The facade is fading, and when the facade fades and all the BS is cleared out, it makes room for what has always been for you,” she said.
The messages follow a month-long journey Renner has documented on Instagram to move away from the tight and revealing clothing she used to make money as an Instagram model to her unannounced transition to wearing hijab coverings and fully covered clothing.
Last month, she posted a video showing herself throwing out all of her old clothes that don’t fit into her new lifestyle.
“Cleaning house. Out with the old, in with the new,” Renner said while sporting a red hijab.
Renner still has old FashionNova modeling pics on her page, likely due to contractual obligations. But more recently, her FashionNova promo posts show her modeling Nova Men and full coverings along with her hijab. It’s a bold move from a former reality star who admitted her body count during an interview on Club Shay Shay last September.
Now, one year later, Renner has made a drastic change in the lifestyle she promotes online. Unfortunately, it means a change in the way she once made her money.
Gary Payton Partners With Green Label Rx To Launch ‘Greater Purpose’ Cannabis Brand
'It became important for me to share the benefits of cannabis-based recovery and offer top-tier wellness products for those living active lifestyles.'
Former NBA great Gary Payton has recently partnered with Green Label Rx to launch Greater Purpose, a wellness brand that fuses cannabis and recovery for athletes and professionals.
The product will debut on Sept. 20 at Hall of Flowers, a cannabis industry expo in Santa Rosa, California. The former Seattle Supersonic legendary guard has collaborated with Green Label Rx Founder Jason McKnight to bring this product to the world.
“With maintaining peak physical performance throughout my career, it became important for me to share the benefits of cannabis-based recovery and offer top-tier wellness products for those living active lifestyles,” said Gary Payton in a written statement.
Greater Purpose touts itself as the first brand of its kind to combine the world of recovery and cannabis. The line of topical products will aid in relieving chronic muscle pain as it was developed to utilize the medicinal benefits of cannabis and formulated to assist people who are engaged in active lifestyles.
At the Hall of Flowers festival, people will experience Greater Purpose while receiving exclusive giveaway prizes, live product demos, and a chance to meet Payton at the event.
“Greater Purpose is more than just a product line – it’s a movement to redefine how we think about recovery and self-care,” Jason McKnight said.
It was recently revealed that Payton, who has been coaching basketball for several years, was announced as the new head coach of the College of Alameda men’s basketball team. He will lead the team after being the head coach at Lincoln University in Oakland, California, for the past three seasons.
Payton has been coaching in Ice Cube’s Big3 league since it started in 2017. This past season, he led his team to the title and was named the Big3 Coach of the Year.
He won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. The 56-year-old played in the NBA for 17 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Boston Celtics. He was picked as NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the 1995-96 season, becoming the first point guard to win the award.
Frankie Beverly’s Music Catalog Scores Multiple Billboard ‘Top 10’ Debuts After Singer’s Death
Three of his songs were among the top 10 songs on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart.
Master performer and revered R&B soul singer Frankie Beverly died on Sept. 10 at 77. Music lovers flocked to listen to his songs online shortly after his death, and three of his songs were among the top 10 songs on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart.
According to RatedRnB, the singer saw a massive uptick in sales on the list after news of his death hit the airwaves. His most popular song, “Before I Let Go,” which seems like it’s been played at every Black BBQ for the past 40 years, shot up to the No. 2 slot on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart, according to Luminate. “Joy and Pain” was at the No. 7 spot, while “Golden Time of Day” came in at No. 7.
Meanwhile, Billboard reported that the streams for Beverly’s catalog (Maze feat. Frankie Beverly) jumped 970%. From Sept. 8–10, songs streamed on-demand were over 690,000. After the announcement of his death, from Sept. 11–13, it skyrocketed to over 7.4 million streams.
“Before I Let Go” saw a jump of 540% from 156,000 streams to just over 997,000 streams. Streams of the song “Joy and Pain” increased 1200% from just over 50,000 to over 654,000 streams. Sales after his passing across his catalog saw a 9,308% boost. Before Beverly’s death, between Sept. 8-10, there were only 95 digital tracks sold; between Sept. 11-13, that figure rose to over 8,900 digital tracks sold.
When Beverly was asked about Beyoncé recording a cover of “Before I Let Go” in 2019, he expressed that it was an honor to have her re-record that song.
“It’s a blessing. It’s amazing how she works; she’s very smart,” he toldBillboard at the time of the song’s release. “I’m caught off guard, but in a beautiful way. She’s such a sweet person, too. She’s a very sweet, religious kind of person. Then, the way she just released it, it’s off the chain. She’s done so much; this is one of the high points of my life.”
Second Annual ‘The Franchise Game’ Symposium In Plano, TX Broke New Ground
The Franchise Game, the US’s first and only African American Franchise Symposium and Trade Show, held its second annual event on Aug. 16, 2024, in Plano, Texas. The event, spearheaded by The Franchise Player, Tarji Carter, Marketing Expert Dessie Brown, Jr., and Brand Consultant Daylon Goff, took place at Yum! Restaurants International Corporate Campus. The symposium brought together experts and industry leaders to discuss the secrets to success, challenges, and opportunities in franchising.
Lubbock D. Smith, III (Vista Bank), Rickey Booker (Breakfast Brothers), Jarvis Boyd (chick-fil-A owner/operator), Consuela Jacobs (Chick Fil A Owner/Operator), Terrence Shine (Wells Fargo Bank)Attendees at The Franchise Game: Jarvis Boyd, Roland Parrish, Dessie Brown, Jr.Tarji Carter, The Franchise Player Alongside Dessie Brown and Daylon Goff (the Co-Founders of The Franchise Game)Roland Parish and Lady Jade
(Photo Credits: Donnie R. Word II)
The theme for this year’s event, “Own Your Future: Franchising as a Path to True Independence,” was keenly in focus throughout the day. There were numerous notable highlights, but according to Tarji Carter, “One of the most unforgettable moments at The Franchise Game 2024 was the incredible fireside chat with our honored guest, Roland Parrish, and the amazing Lady Jade. Roland’s story of using his success to revitalize a struggling community in Dallas through his foundation is truly inspiring. And his sponsorship of the Charlie Pride internship with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club shows just how deep his commitment runs. But what really stole the show were the priceless gems he dropped, encouraging everyone to lead with integrity, not greed. His words hit home in a powerful way and left the audience feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to make a difference.”
James Fripp, Chief Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Officer of Yum! Brands made a tremendous impact at this year’s The Franchise Game by offering two scholarships to the Yum! Franchising Bootcamp at the University of Louisville’s Executive Education Program! This opportunity is a game-changer for the two lucky attendees, who will now have the chance to dive deep into the world of franchising and gain invaluable knowledge to level up their business journey. What a fantastic gesture of support and empowerment from James and Yum! Brands!
This year attracted twice the number of exhibitors, including Ben & Jerry’s, American Franchise Academy, Nebo Law Firm, Dine Brands (IHOP, Applebee’s, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop), GoTo Foods (Cinnabon, Carvel, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Jamba Juice, McAlister’s Deli, and Auntie Anne’s), Smoothie King, Potbelly Sandwiches, KFC, European Wax Center, Inspire Brands (Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy Johns, and Sonic Drive-In), EATS Broker (restaurant broker), ATenantCo (commercial real estate), Orchatect (IT infrastructure solutions), and Chick N Max.
I had the pleasure of attending the Symposium and Trade Show representing Ben & Jerry’s and covering the event for BLACK ENTERPRISE readers. In my role as Franchise Development Consultant for the brand, I shared with The Franchise Game attendees details about Ben & Jerry’s industry-leading Racial Equity Incentive Program, which offers a significant reduction in the franchise fee and waived royalty fees for BIPOC candidates interested in ownership. “It’s clearly one of the most, if not the most, aggressive incentives programs in the game,” expressed Carter. “We were also very grateful to partner with Ben & Jerry’s, who generously sponsored ten tickets for students from the University of North Texas at Frisco, giving them the opportunity to attend The Franchise Game and get a firsthand look at the world of franchising. It’s all about creating opportunity and access, and we’re so grateful for Ben & Jerry’s commitment to making a real difference!”
With the overwhelming success of The Franchise Game 2024, planning for 2025 is already underway. Carter shared, “2024 was an absolute game-changer! We doubled in size, with bigger, better, and bolder programming that set the stage for something truly special. Our partnership with Yum! Brands has been phenomenal, and I’m excited to announce we’re returning to their Plano Corporate Campus for The Franchise Game 2025 — and trust me, it’s going to be EPIC! We’re already gearing up for next year, ready to welcome more Texas entrepreneurs and give them the tools, connections, and inspiration they need to thrive as franchise owners. I can’t wait to see everyone there!”
Mia X Inducted Into Rice University’s Hip Hop Archival Collection
Mia X is the latest Southern rap pioneer added to Rice University's Hip-Hop Archival Collection.
Rice University’s Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL) just added the First Lady of No Limit Records to its growing Hip-Hop Archival Collection to celebrate her trailblazing contributions to rap music.
Mia X was honored on Sept. 18 as a hip-hop pioneer through Rice University’s “Mia X: Soldier, Survivor, Savant” event held inside the Grand Hall at the Rice Memorial Center. The prestigious school hailed as a “New Ivy” by Forbes, added Mia X to the collection to celebrate her role as the first female rapper signed to Master P’s No Limit Records and her diverse three-decade career as an artist, entrepreneur, and educator.
Her induction into the Hip Hop Archival Collection honors Mia X’s influence as an artist whose work explores social justice, race, and empowerment themes. Mia X is celebrated for serving as a trailblazer with her feminist-focused lyrics of the 1990s and activism, in which she most recently used her lyrical flow to motivate people to get the COVID-19 vaccine on “Vax That Thang Up” with Juvenile and Mannie Fresh.
“Mia X is a major figure in the history of hip-hop, blazing a path many others have followed,” said Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of Humanities and founding director of CERCL and Rice’s Center for African and African American Studies.
“Having Mia X contribute to the CERCL Hip Hop Archival Collection helps us to extend Rice’s engagement with the expansive geography of hip-hop. We are excited to bring Mia X to campus, and we look forward to our ongoing connection.”
A panel discussion was held to honor Mia X’s contributions that featured Pinn, Chinara Butler (widow of the late Pimp C), and G Dash, a key figure in the SwishaHouse movement. The discussion delved into topics that covered Mia X’s pioneering influence and the lasting impact of her work on culture.
The Hip Hop Archival Collection, founded by Pinn to preserve hip-hop’s cultural significance, is central to CERCL’s mission of documenting and honoring hip-hop’s cultural significance, especially in the South, where artists like Mia X have played a key role in shaping the genre’s evolution. The collection, housed in Fondren Library’s Woodson Research Center, also emphasizes its role as a platform for intellectual and community leadership.
Mia X’s inception follows that of rap pioneers Pimp C, Too Short, K-Rino, and SwishaHouse.
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Memphis Head Coach Penny Hardaway Announces Latest Assistant Coaches
Nolan Smith and former Detroit Mercy basketball head coach Mike Davis will be on the staff as assistant coaches for the 2024-25 season.
Former NBA player-turned-college basketball coach, Penny Hardaway has just announced that he has hired two assistant coaches, one a former HBCU head coach to join his staff at the University of Memphis.
The school announced that Nolan Smith and former Detroit Mercy basketball head coach Mike Davis will be on the staff as assistant coaches for the 2024-25 season.
“I am excited to have coach Davis as part of our program,” Hardaway said in a written statement. “He is a veteran coach and brings a winning mentality to the team with an impressive resume to back it up, both on and off the court.
“Mike has won at the highest level, achieved great success, and is a proven leader of young men. He will serve our program in the office, on campus, and in the community. We are happy to have Mike and his family in Memphis.”
Davis had spent the past six seasons as head coach at Detroit Mercy (2018-24) as he brings 35-plus years of experience coaching on the sideline. He has been a head coach for 24 years and took his teams to the postseason in 14 of those years. He has a winning record in 15 of those 24 seasons while recording at least 20 wins nine times.
Meanwhile, Smith was recently an assistant coach at Louisville over the last two years (2022-24). Previous to working at Louisville, he spent six seasons working with legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke (2016-22).
“Nolan is a grit and grind guy and is one of the brightest young coaches in college basketball,” Hardaway said. “He works hard and has a passion for the game that is unmatched.
“He brings a championship mindset to our team after not only having won a national championship as a player but also by learning from one of the all-time greats in, Mike Krzyzewski. Our players are going to love being in the gym with Nolan, and we are excited to have him and his family as part of Tiger Nation.”
The Tigers will play their first exhibition game on Oct. 15 at the Hoops for St. Jude® Tip Off Classic, where they will face off against North Carolina at the FedEx Forum in Memphis.
Philly Mayor Approves Plans For New Sixers Arena Near Chinatown
Mayor Parker's endorsement is an attempt to keep the Sixers team in the city, but some residents oppose the arena's location near Chinatown.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker believes she’s made the right deal for the city’s people by approving building plans for a new arena in Center City to keep the Sixers home.
“Philadelphia, I am proud,” the mayor said in a video from her City Hall office on Sept. 18. “This is a historic agreement. It is the best financial deal ever entered into by a Philadelphia mayor for a local sports arena.”
According to CBS News, Parker hosted a town hall meeting a week before Wednesday’s announcement to discuss the $1.55 million project, 76 Place. Plans included the arena’s location on Market and Filbert Streets and 10th and 11th Streets. The development would replace a section of Fashion District Philadelphia and include a 395-unit high-rise beside the arena. The mayor says the agreement would result in a private investment of over $1.3 billion for the city.
As your Mayor, I'm speaking from my City Hall office with a very important announcement. I am proud to share that I have made my decision, and an agreement has been reached to ensure that our Sixers are staying home.
“We are grateful to Mayor Parker and her team for their time and diligence in evaluating our proposal and look forward to advancing to the next steps with City Council,” the Sixers said in a statement.
The endorsement follows New Jersey’s offer for the Sixers to build the arena on the Camden waterfront near the Ben Franklin Bridge, but Parker is determined to keep the team in the city. However, due to its location near Chinatown, plans for 76 Place sparked controversy after it was pitched in 2022. Ahead of Parker’s town hall meeting last week, protestors gathered in opposition to the proposal, and according to CBS News, participants argued the project’s potential to displace residents and harm small businesses. Councilmember Mark Squilla informed us that legislators will consider public comments and amendments before a final vote to introduce legislation on the project to protect Chinatown and neighboring residents.
The proposal calls for final approval from the City Council, and Mayor Parker stated she would make a formal presentation soon. The Sixers hope to open the new arena by the 2031-32 NBA season. For now, the team will remain at the Wells Fargo Center.
Former Georgia Politician Arrested For PPP Loan Fraud
James Frank Austin allegedly purchased a Bentley after receiving nearly $2 million in funds.
Former Georgia State House candidate James Frank Austin Jr. was indicted by a federal grand jury for filing a false COVID PPP loan application.
According to the indictment, Austin received over $2 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) assistance. A second defendant, Rosalend Way, was also named in the indictment,WMAZ News, Macon reported.
The indictment accused James Frank Austin Jr. of bank fraud, money laundering, and conspiring to commit wire fraud. Way was charged with two counts of conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help offset payroll expenses for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Austin filed a PPP loan request where he claimed that his business, Austin Smith Center for Community Development, had 15 employees with a monthly payroll of approximately $650,000. He received a loan for $654,315.
Austin and Way also filed a loan application for another organization, the Propel Opportunity Fund (POF).
The pair claimed they had 18 employees with an average monthly payroll of $420,558, according to the indictment obtained by The Macon Times. They provided documentation that showed they had paid more than $4.9 million in wages in 2019. They received over $1 million in loans for this application.
They submitted another application on behalf of the POF and received $372,500.
According to prosecutors, the information and the supporting documents, which included IRS forms, were falsified. The company had no employees and, therefore, no payroll expenses.
After receiving $2 million in COVID assistance, Austin and Way allegedly used the funds for personal use. Way is accused of using $30,000 to pay off a loan with Mercedes-Benz Financial. Austin purchased a Bentley for $119,840, prosecutors alleged.
Way was arrested on Tuesday and released on $20,000 bond. Austin was arrested on Sept.18 and made his first appearance in Federal Court on Sept. 19.
