by Stacy Jackson

June 4, 2024

Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Partners With P3 Media To Accurately Portray Civil Rights Icon’s Legacy

The estate's proprietary licensing and management division will work with P3 Media to propel Dr. King's ideals of justice and equality.

In a move to uphold and amplify the civil rights icon’s profound impact, the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has forged a collaborative alliance with P3 Media in film and television.

The partnership comes in response to concerns over historically inaccurate media projects. According to Variety, the close-knit collaboration between Intellectual Properties Management, Inc. (IPM), the estate’s proprietary licensing and management division, and P3 will develop new ideas that promote, preserve, and safeguard Dr. King’s legacy and intellectual property and explore avenues for creative applications of his IP. P3 Media’s pivotal role is in ensuring that Dr. King’s life, writings, and historic speeches propel his ideals of nonviolence, racial justice, and equality for all.

Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr. King, stated, “Before my brother Dexter’s recent passing, he and I felt that this partnership represents an extraordinary opportunity to share with new audiences and future generations the enduring messages of justice, equality, and compassion that my father ardently championed throughout his lifetime.”

Bernice, along with Martin and Dexter King, who died in January, are the remaining shareholders of King, Inc. Bernice said the partnership allows the trio to “continue the aim of ensuring that our father’s legacy is accurately portrayed.”

The P3 Media management team comprises board member Ashley Bell, founder Adam Ciralsky, and producing partner Gene Klein.

“It’s a profound privilege to work with King, Inc. to bring Dr. King’s transformative words and indomitable spirit to people everywhere while safeguarding his remarkable legacy,” Bell said. “Together, we will harness the power of various media to honor Dr. King’s life’s work and inspire and empower audiences worldwide.”

Dr. King and Bell are executive producers for P3 and Vanity Fair Studios’ feature-length documentary project. The production company recently concluded filming for the second season of Netflix’s thriller, “The Recruit,” an endeavor backed by a substantial seven-figure investment revealed in 2023 from Bernice’s and Bell’s Ready Entertainment company, according to Variety.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 4, 2024

Atlanta Mayor Calls State Of Emergency Over Water Main Breaks

Mayor Dickens faced backlash for his delayed response to the issue.

Massive water main breaks left many Atlanta residents without water as the city’s mayor declared a state of emergency while they work to resolve the issue.

A significant portion of the city’s residents have been without water or under a boil advisory since the breaks erupted over the weekend. Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens authorized a state of emergency over the issue on June 2 as crews continue with repairs. According to CNN, the crew only fixed one of the two main breaks thus far.

In the midst of the infrastructure breakdown, several disruptions occurred across the city, from medical to recreational. Emory University Hospital in Atlanta’s midtown area transferred dialysis patients and emergency vehicles to medical centers outside the impacted area. The hospital only resumed normal operations on Sunday.

Another hospital, Grady Memorial, also dealt with low water pressure, limiting their capacity until Monday. As for the city’s social activities, both of Megan Thee Stallion’s shows at the State Farm Arena were postponed until the following days.

The cancellation of both Saturday and Sunday’s shows occurred mere hours before the concert’s scheduled time. While the show did go on, many residents felt frustrated with leadership and their communication on the issue.

Dickens faced backlash for his delayed response to main breaks. He later apologized for the communication issue, sharing that residents will receive updates on the matter until it is fully resolved.

The @CityofAtlanta and @ATLWatershed teams are working hard and nonstop to repair the water main breaks impacting you. We apologize for the disruption over the past day & assure you we will have updates as they become available. pic.twitter.com/Ef42fBqRMM
— Andre Dickens (@andreforatlanta) June 1, 2024

The city distributed water to impacted residents, distributing one case of water a day as the issue continues. However, issues like these may persist for Atlanta residents as the city faces the looming threat of declining infrastructure. Like many other populous areas, older water main breaks are facing dire renewal or replacement.

According to the city’s social media, crews installed a new pipe to fix the ongoing break issue. However, they revealed no timeline for its completion.

by Stacy Jackson

June 4, 2024

Angel Reese Sets Press Straight About WNBA Fouls And Player Popularity

The Chicago Sky rookie wants everyone to know the WNBA is also growing in popularity because of her and other players' contributions too.

The rise of women’s basketball in the WNBA has been heavily attributed to the popularity of players like Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, but Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese believes she deserves credit, too.

On Monday, Reese shared her thoughts on her role in the league’s surge in popularity. “It all started from the national championship game,” the number 7 overall pick said in an Instagram video posted by The Neighborhood Talk. “I’ve been dealing with this for two years now.” Despite being labeled the “bad guy,” Reese embraced the role, stating, “…look where women’s basketball is.” She emphasized that the demand for the sport is not solely due to Clark but also her own contributions. “It’s because of me, too, and I want you to realize that…It’s not just because of one person,” Reese said.

The 22-year-old acknowledged the collective efforts of all WNBA players in driving the sport’s popularity in recent years.

BLACK ENTERPRISE previously spotlighted Reese and other Chicago Sky draft picks like Kamilla Cardoso and Brynna Maxwell for their contributions to a surge in ticket sales for the team.

The athlete’s comments followed the June 1 game against the Indiana Fever, which BE mentioned garnered massive attention after Reese’s teammate Chennedy Carter fouled Clark to the ground. Carter’s flagrant-1 violation drew criticism from spectators, while Reese found herself in a tough spot after celebrating from the sidelines when Clark was shoulder-checked.

A video posted to Threads of the sideline celebration caught Carter’s attention, prompting her to comment, “my dawg fasho…got all my teammates.”

Reese was subsequently fined $1,000 for failing to engage with the media following Saturday’s WNBA game, while her team received a $5,000 fine for non-compliance with league media policies. However, she was asked about the foul play on Monday, and Carter also addressed the clash with Clark for the first time, according to an extended video posted to X, Clark appeared to be “clearly talking to her on the way back up the floor from the prior basket by Indiana,” ahead of the foul.

Here's an extended look at the Caitlin Clark – Chennedy Carter incident, there was more to it than the shoulder check and Clark was clearly talking to her on the way back up the floor from the prior basket by Indiana pic.twitter.com/1XG1RyzTw4
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 1, 2024

Ultimately, the Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky on Saturday, 71-70, with the teams scheduled to face off again on Sunday, June 16, according to the Chicago Sky’s 2024 schedule. BE noted that the team’s June 23 game had nearly sold out earlier this year after tickets went on sale on Ticketmaster.

Michael Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Prince Jackson, Paris Jackson, Bigi, Jackson trust funds, irs, estate

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 4, 2024

Michael Jackson’s Mother And Children Prevented From Receiving Trust Funds Due To Estate’s Dispute With IRS

Michael Jackson's estate has an ongoing dispute with the IRS that is holding his mother and children back from receiving trust fund money.

There’s a dispute brewing between Michael Jackson’s estate and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that is preventing the late singer’s mother and children from receiving funds.

Executors of the late King of Pop’s estate say his mother, Katherine Jackson, and his three children, Paris, Prince, and Bigi, cannot receive their trust fund money until the estate resolves an ongoing dispute with the IRS, People reports. The estate filed on Tuesday, May 28, clarifying that while the beneficiaries can’t receive the funds, it does not impact the money they will be allocated once the dispute is settled.

Jackson’s mother and children still receive an allowance through the singer’s estate. Katherine is a life beneficiary who has received over $55 million since the singer’s 2009 passing.

“In annual reports provided to the probate court, which are publicly available, anyone can see that the Estate provides Michael’s mother and children with very substantial amounts of money to support them,” a statement from the estate reads.

“The Estate has a very cooperative relationship with Michael’s children and whenever they need anything, the Estate works with them to ensure that they are very well taken care of, just as Michael would have wanted.”

The dispute is a result of an IRS audit of the estate’s federal tax return, which prompted the IRS to issue “a note of deficiency” claiming that the estate “undervalued its assets” and owed “an additional $700 million in taxes and penalties,” according to the filing. The estate disputed the findings in 2021 and won after filing a motion for reconsideration regarding the court’s value of Mijac, Jackson’s music catalog owned by Sony Music.

As the motion remains pending, the estate’s value for tax purposes has yet to be determined. As a result, the California Franchise Tax Board requested that a portion of the estate “remain subject to administration,” which impacts the Michael Jackson family trust.

The new filing comes two months after Jackson’s son Bigi objected to Katherine using funds from the estate to pay her legal fees in a separate ongoing dispute regarding the executors handling the singer’s catalog sale to Sony. Katherine argues that the executors are thrifty when allocating the estate money to its beneficiaries and says they can afford to cover the costs she’s requesting.

The filing says, “… it seems clear to [Katherine] that the Executors are holding all of the assets in the Estate in order to keep control over them, and to avoid the more liberal distribution requirements of the Trust.”

Only Jackson’s children are beneficiaries of the estate, while Katherine is the sole beneficiary of a sub-trust in the late singer’s will.

Alonzo Mourning, Basketball player, Prostate Screenings, Prostate cancer

by Daniel Johnson

June 4, 2024

Alonzo Mourning Cautions Men To Get Prostate Screenings

Black men are 70-110% more likely to develop prostate cancer in their lives and twice as likely to die from the disease as white men.

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame center and current Miami Heat executive Alonzo Mourning is currently recovering from a procedure he underwent in March 2024 to remove his prostate after he developed Stage 3 prostate cancer. Mourning had additional testing done, which determined that the cancer had not spread beyond his prostate; Mourning is now cancer-free as a result of his procedure.

As ESPN reported, Mourning is using his experience to communicate to men the importance of getting their prostate examined, even if they’re not showing any symptoms.

“What scares me about this disease is that there are so many men walking around feeling great and have that cancer in them and they don’t know it,” Mourning told ESPN. “The only way to find out is to get their blood tested and get their PSA checked. There are 3.3 million men living in the U.S. with prostate cancer, and many don’t even know it. I was one of those guys.”

Mourning continued, recounting his experience with Dr. Sanoj Punnen, a urologic oncologist at the University of Miami, “And Dr. Punnen tells me, ‘I want to get a PET scan immediately to make sure cancer hasn’t spread through your body. I was in shock. I can’t tell you enough about how well my body felt. I was in top-notch shape — running sprints, strong. The doctor told me that he couldn’t believe I had had a kidney transplant.”

Mourning also warned men about the importance of getting regular screenings. “Life was good and amazing for me, but if I had ignored getting checked and let this go, the cancer would’ve spread through my body,” Mourning said. “Unfortunately, as men, we don’t like to go to the doctor, but this is the only way to find out what’s going on in your body. Prostate and even colon cancer are silent killers and many men won’t get those diagnosis until it’s too late.”

Mourning concluded, “We live in a world where it’s taboo among men to talk about health issues. If I didn’t get routine checkups, I probably wouldn’t be here to talk about this. I want men to be proactive with their health.”

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, the risk for prostate cancer is determined by a PSA score, and the higher the number, the greater chance to develop the disease. Black men, in particular, are more susceptible to prostate cancer. According to research from the American Cancer Society, Black men are 70-110% more likely to develop prostate cancer in their lives and twice as likely to die from the disease as white men. As a result, new guidance recommends that Black men get their PSA levels checked starting at age 40.

Dr. Isla Garraway, a medical doctor, professor, and director of research in urology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, told UCLA Health that the new guidelines are specifically aimed at helping Black men survive prostate cancer.

“These guidelines were specifically formulated to provide practical recommendations for Black men as they consider their individual risk of prostate cancer and engage in shared decision-making with their health care providers,” Dr. Garraway said. “Early detection of prostate cancer is one of several factors that the panel believes could reduce prostate cancer morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 4, 2024

2 Live Crew’s Brother Marquis Dead At 57

Uncle Luke released a statement: 'My Condolence goes out to the Family of Brother Marquis and so many of his Fans from around the World after learning (of) his passing'

Brother Marquis, one of the members of the Miami rap group 2 Live Crew, has died, according to the group’s Instagram account. The rapper, whose real name was Mark Ross, was 57.

TMZ reported that it appears Brother Marquis, who is survived by a daughter, died of natural causes.

“Mark Ross AKA ” Brother Marquis of the 2 Live crew, has passed away #2livecrew”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THE 2 LIVE CREW (@theofficial2livecrew)

Uncle Luke released a statement via his X account (formerly known as Twitter):

“My Condolence goes out to the Family of Brother Marquis and so many of his Fans from around the World after learning of his passing. We took on so many fights for the culture and made Great music together, something I would never forget. We had recently got back together to take on another fight to get back our catalog that was stolen from us. We will continue that fight in his name for his Family. The Brother Marquis, that I know would want us to celebrate his life, that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. R.I.P My Brother.”

Brother Marquis was not a founding group member of 2 Live Crew, joining in 1986. According to Entertainment Weekly, the rapper was added to the Miami Bass group two years after the late Kid Fresh and DJ Mr. Mixx moved to Miami after living in Riverside, CA. He was on the debut album, The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are.

He hailed from Rochester, N.Y., butt moved to California as a teenager. Before joining 2 Live Crew, Marquis was in a group with Rodney-O called the Caution Crew. His former partner gained popularity when he and Joe Cooley connected and released a single, “Everlasting Bass,” in 1988.

(That song was recently sampled for the Metro Boomin’ song featuring Future and Kendrick Lamar, “Like That,” which sparked the Lamar/Drake beef earlier this year.)

Brother Marquis was on future projects by 2 Live Crew, including 1988’s Move Somethin and 1989’s As Nasty as They Wanna Be, its best-selling album. He also appeared in 1990’s Banned in the U.S.A. and 1991’s Sports Weekend: As Nasty as They Wanna Be, Pt. 2. The group’s last album, The Real One, was released in 1998.

Brother Marquis released a solo album, Bottom Boi Style Vol. 1 in 2003.

by Kay Rose

June 4, 2024

DEI Setback: Court Blocks Fearless Fund Grants To Black Women

The court's decision is definitely a blow to Black women.

On June 3, the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals temporarily halted the Fearless Fund, a grant program for women, from giving $20,000 grants exclusively to Black women-owned businesses while a lawsuit is ongoing.

“This is devastating for the Fearless Fund and Foundation and for the women we have invested in,” Arian Simone, CEO and founding partner of Fearless Fund, told USA Today. “I am shattered for every girl of color who has a dream but will grow up in a nation determined not to give her a shot to live it. On their behalf, we will turn the pain into purpose and fight with all our might.”

Despite the ruling, Simone confirmed that the Fearless Fund remained “open for business.”

“The message these judges sent today is that diversity in Corporate America, education, or anywhere else should not exist,” Simone added. “If this were truly about exercising free speech with your dollars—an American tradition as old as this nation itself—the results would have been different. Instead, these judges bought what a small group of white men sold. They countered the rulings of other courts sued on similar grounds.”

The high court’s decision supported conservative activist Edward Blum’s claim that the grant program might be discriminatory. The ruling overturned a previous decision by a federal judge in September, who had found the lawsuit unlikely to succeed on First Amendment grounds. The decision became a significant setback for the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund, which sought to increase venture capital funding for Black women and could impact similar race-based initiatives in the private sector.

This case is part of a larger trend, with conservative activists like Blum, who, after last year’s landmark ruling against race-conscious college admissions, have now turned their attention to the private sector.

“Our nation’s civil rights laws do not permit racial distinctions because some groups are overrepresented in various endeavors, while others are underrepresented,” Blum said. “Programs that exclude certain individuals because of their race, such as the ones the Fearless Fund has designed and implemented, are unjust and polarizing.”

Although this decision does not directly apply to employers, it has inspired a wave of legal challenges to DEI programs nationwide, causing uncertainty among business leaders. The Fearless Fund, a relatively small player in the venture capital industry, was founded by Black women to support Black women, who received less than 1% of the $215 billion in venture capital funding last year.

The firm has backed notable companies such as the restaurant chain Slutty Vegan and the beauty brand Live Tinted.

Previously, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Thrash Jr., appointed by President Bill Clinton, had ruled that the Fearless Fund’s grant program is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment. However, the 11th Circuit panel, which includes two judges appointed by Donald Trump, disagreed.

“Preliminary injunctive relief is appropriate because Fearless’s contest is substantially unlikely to enjoy First Amendment protection and inflicts irreparable injury,” the judges said.

Alphonso David, president and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum and the attorney representing the Fearless Fund, said “this is the first court decision in the 150-plus year history of the post-Civil War civil rights law that has halted private charitable support for any racial or ethnic group.

“The dissenting judge, the district court, and other courts agree that these claims should not prevail,” he added. “This is not the outcome but a preliminary ruling without a full factual record.”

by Kandia Johnson

June 4, 2024

How To Protect Your Intellectual Property When Pitching

Originally Published July 23, 2018.

Now, more than ever, creatives and entrepreneurs are leveraging the power of digital tools and social media apps to breathe life into their ideas. But take note, equally important to marketing your business, project, or initiative is knowing how to protect your intellectual property.

To get some insight about how to protect your work when pitching to a company or media network, we caught up with Art Steele, an IP attorney who knows firsthand what it means to play on both sides of the table. Before launching her own law practice for creatives and entrepreneurs, Steele spent the first five years of her legal career as a tax lawyer helping multi-million-dollar companies restructure their business, protect their digital content, and develop complex tax strategies.

Why should small businesses have an attorney at the start of their business?

Because business lawyers help businesses grow. Contracts save you time; time is money. Getting paid on time (because of your contract) increases your cash flow; setting clear boundaries on who owns the IP in your collaboration saves you from potential litigation. Before you start your business, a consultation with a good business attorney, just to get the lay of the land, goes a very long way and will open your eyes going forward to potential legal issues. This way, you will know when you need to bring an attorney in the loop.

As a creative (content creator, filmmaker, author, etc.), you may want to pitch your ideas to major media networks, influencers, or brands. When it comes to protecting your ideas, what should you keep in mind?

The thing to keep in mind when you’re pitching is that ideas cannot be protected—only your expression of that idea can be protected. You can protect that expression (whether that be the name of your business, or product, or a logo, or design) by registering your work with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or the U.S. Copyright Office. Registering your IP entitles you to certain rights and financial remedies when someone steals your work.

The other way to protect your idea during a pitch is by having the other party sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Whether or not to present an NDA depends on how far along your idea is. If you have a name, designs, sketches, or mockups, then definitely request the other party sign an NDA,; if it’s still in the early stages, it’ll be difficult to get a big brand to sign an NDA, especially if you’re pitching them.

What if a network decides to use your work without giving you proper credit?

Whenever dealing with anyone who is interested in your creative work, it’s always a good idea to document your communication. Make sure to keep a record of any emails you exchange and any documents that were sent and the date and time. This is pretty easy to do via email. If you have a phone conversation, follow up your phone conversation with an email detailing what you discussed. This way, you have proof if any issues arise.

When it comes to protecting your intellectual property, what’s a common mistake you see creatives and entrepreneurs making?

The biggest mistake creatives and entrepreneurs make is to undervalue their intellectual property, thus, they don’t protect it because they feel they’re too small and too unknown to trademark or copyright their IP. However, it’s much easier to get taken advantage of when you are a small business or solopreneur. Also, it’s easier for larger brands to see what they’re creating online, and possibly try to replicate it.

Your best course of action as a small business is to put the weight of the U.S. federal government and copyright laws behind you in protecting your creative work. You do that, partly, by registering your trademark and/or your creative work for copyright protection, and with a well-drafted contract.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 4, 2024

50 Cent Gives A Peek Into New G-Unit Studios

The rapper-turned-television producer revealed the inner look of the facility on his Instagram account.

Power Universe executive Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson started working on his brand new production studio, aptly named G-Unit Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. On May 30, the rapper-turned-television producer revealed an inner look at the facility on his Instagram account.

50 has promised that there will be an opening in August as he shows what the inside of the studio will look like when it opens for business later this year.

“👀 sneak peek at the insides of G-Unit Studios, 🤫shh I’m working. All roads lead to Shreveport August 8th till the 11th hold the date 🔥TYCOON X 10 💣BOOM💨GLG🚦 @gunitstudios @bransoncognac @lecheminduroi”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

After the city declared April 18, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Day, the Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ recording artist appeared in the city with Mayor Tom Arceneaux and City Council members to welcome the opening of G-Unit Film & Television Studio. He was also given a key to the city.

Fox 8 Live previously reported that the entrepreneurial lyricist obtained a lease for the city-owned studio, once known as Millennium Studios, for an annual cost of $2,400. After the city council voted unanimously to approve giving the G-Unit boss a lease for the property, 50 agreed to manage the building maintenance as it was approved for a 30-year lease with an option to renew for another 15 years.

In an exclusive statement to Billboard, 50 said, “From the gritty narratives of the streets to the compelling stories that define our era, G-Unit has always been more than just entertainment; it’s a platform for voices that need to be heard, stories that need to be told. Bringing G-Unit Studios to Shreveport is not just a business decision; it’s a commitment to fostering talent, creating opportunities, and building a community that thrives through creativity and innovation. We see Shreveport as a beacon of inspiration and creativity.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 4, 2024

Former Celtics Star Jabari Parker Tearful When Asked About Balling Overseas

Former NBA player Jabari Parker was overcome with emotion after getting asked about his transition to playing overseas.

Former NBA player Jabari Parker was overcome with emotion after losing three games in a row in Barcelona and getting asked about his overseas basketball career.

It’s been two years since Parker played for the Boston Celtics during the 2022 season. Since his exit from the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Chicago native moved to Spain to join FC Barcelona in the EuroLeague for the 2024 season.

Over the weekend, FC Barcelona lost all three games against its main rival, Real Madrid. During a post-game interview with FC Barcelona’s fan page, Parker was asked about the series and how it’s been playing basketball for the first time outside of the United States.

With Parker being 4,300 miles away from home, the former NBA star appeared to be feeling homesick and possibly down about his recent game loss. Parker was unable to answer the reporter’s question as tears fell on his face. After reading the room, the reporter decided to end the interview and give Parker time to himself.

📺DIRECTO @JijantesFC

La emoción de Jabari Parker en la entrevista con @MarcMundet78 🏀 después de la eliminación del Barça de baloncesto del playoff al título. Momento de piel de gallina #jijantesfc

🔗 https://t.co/OGW0AKBuBT pic.twitter.com/2tLnGCEdGP
— Jijantes FC (@JijantesFC) June 2, 2024

Once NBA fan page Legion Hoops reposted the emotional moment, sports fans expressed sympathy while sharing their thoughts on Parker’s rocky run in the league.

“Imagine if he wasnt so injury prone man💔,” one person wrote.

“This hurts,” added someone else.

One person shared how well they think Parker would be doing in the NBA today without injuries.

“If injuries didn’t f**k him, he’d probably be an all-star in the league right now,” they claimed.

Parker was once considered one of the top NBA prospects in 2014. After a successful March Madness run while playing for Duke, Parker was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks as their second pick.

However, his NBA career was plagued by frequent injuries. He last played for the Celtics in 2022.