Philadelphia, black business funding, career relationships

by Jeff Shuford

May 17, 2024

Marketing Outreach Tips For Entrepreneurs

Market outreach is purposeful. It helps you reach your target audience/market and bring awareness about the value of your product or services.

Originally Published June 12, 2019.

Developing marketing outreach campaigns is critical if you are a small business owner committed to increasing revenue. What is marketing outreach? It’s a purposeful strategy to reach your target audience/market and bring awareness to that audience of the value of your product or services.

How quickly your small business grows is directly related to the effort you put into planning and executing audience outreach. For maximum business growth this year, you should have several brand development and customer acquisition plans in place.

Tips for Successful Marketing Outreach Campaigns

Search Engine Marketing

One of the first outreach campaigns every small business owner should plan is their search engine marketing campaign. SEO or search engine optimization is essential for long-term business survival. Everything from voice SEO (to take advantage of voice-activated searches) to image description, SEO should be integrated into your search engine marketing strategy.

Mobile Marketing

Mobile marketing is another vital element small business owners should focus on for maximum impact. A growing number of consumers are mobile-only, with their smartphones becoming their only means of accessing the internet. If you hope to attract mobile-enabled consumers to your small business, it is imperative that you develop a detailed mobile marketing strategy for your company.

Content Marketing

Small business content marketing is no longer optional. If you are not creating engaging and helpful content for your small business, prepare to lose sales to savvier competitors who understand the power and potential of content creation. Make sure your content marketing strategy contains everything from text-based content to visual marketing options like videos and infographics.

Landing Page Marketing

Landing pages are powerful tools for small business owners who want to increase their company’s conversion rates. Consider integrating landing page optimization into multiple aspects of your small business, including e-commerce sales and social media marketing. Creating landing pages for customer outreach campaigns can significantly increase your conversion rate and profits.

Social Media Marketing

Speaking of social media marketing, how you develop your small business social networking strategy is essential for increased growth rates. Understand who your target customers are, which social networks they use, and how they prefer to be marketed to on social media. Create a cohesive social media marketing plan for your small business, and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to convert social media connections into paying customers for your small business.

Focus your efforts on these five marketing outreach tips for small business owners, and you’ll be impressed at your campaign’s ROI (return on investment). Building a successful and profitable small business isn’t easy, but the rewards are definitely worth the effort when you turn your dream into a thriving company of your own.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 17, 2024

Jamaica Kincaid Releases First Children’s Book In Nearly 40 Years, ‘An Encyclopedia Of Gardening For Colored Children’

Jamaica Kincaid's new children's book, "An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children," explores plant life, colonization, and religion through bold illustrations.

Writer and Harvard University professor Jamaica Kincaid is passing along her gardening expertise to Black youth with her first children’s book in nearly 40 years, An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children.

The Antiguan-American novelist, essayist, and gardening writer teamed with renowned visual artist Kara Walker to illustrate her book, which serves as a stimulating exploration into the plant life that has shaped the colonized world. Kincaid, who’s been sitting on the idea for the book for some time, pulled Walker away from the caution she had about curating picture books which “lack delight and irreverence.”

“I wrote to Kara, but I was absolutely sure that this was an insulting idea to her, that she would say no. So when she responded yes, I probably didn’t read the whole email, I just immediately wrote back,” Kincaid told Harper’s Bazaar.

It was during the pandemic when Walker acquired an interest in gardening and turned to Kincaid’s 1991 effort, My Garden Book. Thanks to Kincaid’s 50-year history of writing novels, essays, and gardening books that reflect her bold intelligence, Kincaid was fresh on Walker’s mind when she reached out with her illustration request.

“Hilton [Als] mentioned that you were on Instagram, so I would see your flowers. I suddenly felt a connection that I really needed,” Walker said. “Being an artist and Black woman and feeling somewhat isolated … I needed a figure who was not just a friend, that I felt mentored by, in a way outside of the art.”

Through their mutual respect for each other’s work, Kincaid and Walker brought life to Kincaid’s children’s storybook, which is inspired by the Garden of Eden in the Holy Bible.

“I came to understand a garden there in this way,” Kincaid explained. “There are many layered things about it, but the garden in particular, the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge—I’ve interpreted the Tree of Life as agriculture, and the Tree of Knowledge as horticulture.”

When it came to titling the children’s book, Kincaid was prompted by her publisher to remove the term that’s looked at as “the N-word.” But telling that to a writer who’s regarded for being a literary “bad a**” meant the requested change wasn’t up for discussion.

“Is them not the word ‘colored’? The word ‘colored’ applies to all,” Kincaid said. “If you’re going to use it to designate one group of people, it’s all people. White is a color—it’s not the absence of color and the rest of us are a color. White is a color, too. You could say ‘for all children,’ but I love the word ‘colored.’ I didn’t want ‘children of color.’ No, no.”

Kincaid is celebrated for literary classics like 1996’s The Autobiography of My Mother, Lucy (1990) and A Small Place (1988). Her new release offers readers an ABC of the plants that define our world and unveils the often brutal history behind them. Walker applies her illustrative expertise to help bring Kincaid’s words to life through provocative, enthralling, multi-layered watercolors.

An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children is available for sale now.

Interactive Timeline, invest, stock, 5, maintenance, retirement, goals, investments, beginners, begin, basics

by Charlene Rhinehart

May 17, 2024

Money Tips To Teach Your Kids Now, According To Tiffany ‘The Budgetnista’ Aliche

Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche built a seven-figure business teaching others the same financial lessons that she learned from her parents.

Originally Published July 18, 2019

Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche built a seven-figure business teaching others the same financial lessons she learned from her parents. Now, she shares her message all over the world as the founder of The Live Richer Academy.

Aliche’s story shows that the lessons children learn from their parents often have a long-term impact on the financial decisions they make as an adult. When she was younger, her father, a CFO and accountant, did whatever it took to ensure his children had a positive relationship with money. His teachings still affect how she saves and spends money.

BLACK ENTERPRISE caught up with The Budgetnista to discuss some of the money tips that her father taught her in order to help parents get their children on the fast-track to financial wellness.

Manage Your Credit Card Balances

According to a report released by real estate data company Clever, credit card debt ranks as the most stressful type of debt for Americans. For millennials, credit card debt is right under student loan debt in ranking but the cost of credit card debt causes many to pay hefty fees and interest payments every month.

What’s the best way to manage your credit card balances and avoid monthly stress? The Budgetnista recommends that you pay off your credit card balance in full every month.

“I didn’t have credit card debt because very early on in college, my father taught me ‘you get your credit card bill and you pay it off in full every month.’ Teach your kids how credit cards work and how to use it responsibly before they get their first card.”

Don’t Be So Quick to Buy a New Car

The Budgetnista saved for a year before buying a car for $5,000 cash. Her father advised her not to get a brand new car because it is a depreciating asset and a guaranteed loss of your investment. “So, I had a car and no car note. My insurance was around $62/month because when you own a car outright, your insurance reflects that.”

When thinking about making your first car purchase, consider the monthly costs involved and how that will impact your pockets. Because a new car depreciates faster than a used car, you could potentially owe more than what the vehicle is worth.

Start Saving for Retirement Early

The earlier you start saving for retirement, the easier it will be to achieve your goals and be prepared for the unexpected. As soon as The Budgetnista graduated college and received her first job, she inquired about retirement plans. “I asked my company if they had a 401 (k) plan. Because I worked for a nonprofit, they had a 403b plan with a matching program.”

The Budgetnista also believes that “it is your younger self’s job to look after your older self.” Realizing that most people are disconnected to their older selves, The Budgetnista named the older version of her “Wanda.” “When I make financial choices now, I’m conscious about what it is going to mean for Wanda.”

Once you’re ready to get started, you can work with a financial adviser to explore target-date funds. If you would like to put your kids on track for retirement success, you can open a retirement savings account for your kids and help them accumulate $1 million before they reach 50.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 17, 2024

FUBU Studios Announces $450M, 30-Film Partnership To Champion Diverse Voices In Entertainment

FUBU has inked a deal with Pantheum Studios, a subsidiary of multinational investment management firm Euldora Financial.

Pantheum Studios, a subsidiary of Euldora Financial, announced a a $450 million, 30-picture partnership with For Us By Us (FUBU) Studios.

The partnership will be over the next three years as it allows FUBU to help showcase diverse voices and perspectives while pushing creative boundaries and inspiring audiences worldwide. The partnership is being led by J. Alexander Martin, (co-founder of FUBU and CEO of For Us By Us Studios), Roberto “Rush” Evans, (co-CEO of For Us By Us Studios), John Askew (president of For Us By Us Studios), Dexter Miller (VP of Community Development of For Us By Us Studios), Jeremy L. Christensen (founder and CEO of Euldora Financial and Pantheum Studios), Cristhian Andrews (co-founder and chief investment officer of Euldora Financial and Pantheum Studios), and Jeff Wallner (president of Production at Euldora Financial and Pantheum Studios).

“Partnering with Euldora Financial and Pantheum Studios is a tremendous opportunity for For Us By Us Studios,” said J. Alexander Martin in a written statement. “We are thrilled to bring our diverse perspectives and unwavering commitment to authenticity to this collaborative venture. Collectively, we will create groundbreaking content that celebrates inclusivity and resonates with audiences worldwide.”

The collaboration between the two entities will allow For Us By Us Studios to expand into the film industry, where they will solidify their commitment to championing diversity and innovation in entertainment production.

Euldora Financial manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and asset-backed investments focusing mostly on the entertainment industry.

“I am honored to join forces with such esteemed colleagues in this cutting-edge production studio,” said Christensen. “Together, we will redefine the industry landscape and create impactful content that resonates with audiences globally.” With a shared commitment to creativity, diversity, and excellence, both parties look forward to shaping the future of entertainment production and inspiring audiences around the world.

The fashion brand FUBU was started in 1992 by Martin, Daymond John, Keith Perrin, and Carlton Brown. FUBU prided itself on pushing the boundaries of creativity and self-expression, and this latest partnership, even though outside of fashion, seems on-brand. The FUBU brand has expanded in recent years with each founder branching out to start other ventures including HotelFUBU, FUBU Radio, and Shark Branding.

RELATED CONTENT: FUBU: The View From Mr. Keeyzo’s Corner

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 17, 2024

Luther Vandross Documentary Expected To Premiere In 2025

"Luther: Never Too Much" is expected to premiere in 2025 on OWN, Max, and CNN.

A documentary on R&B singer Luther Vandross has been acquired by CNN Films and is expected to premiere in 2025, the 20th anniversary of his death.

CNN Films announced Luther: Never Too Much by award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter has been acquired in partnership with OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Porter previously worked with CNN Films on the film, John Lewis: Good Trouble.

“I’m thrilled to partner again with CNN Films and OWN to bring this film to audiences,” said Porter in a written statement. “Luther’s music is timeless, his legacy is unsurpassed, and we can’t wait for all of his fans new and old to experience his brilliance.”

The documentary will follow the balladeer throughout his career until his 2005 death at age 54 on from complications of a stroke. The film is being produced by Raindog Films and Foxxhole Productions for Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing, in association with Trilogy Films. The documentary is slated to debut on CNN, OWN, and Max in 2025.

“CNN Films has a long history of bringing audiences intimate portraits of their favorite musicians and Dawn has crafted a beautiful tribute to Luther Vandross,” said Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent, CNN Originals, and creative development. “It is an honor to reteam with her along with our partners at OWN to celebrate Luther’s enduring legacy and his iconic songbook.”

Luther: Never Too Much will use a library of rarely seen archives and feature commentary from friends and collaborators such as Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Valerie Simpson, and Roberta Flack. The film will examine Vandross’ musical journey, his personal life, and his health struggles.

At its premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Never Too Much received a standing ovation and glowing reviews.

Jackie Robinson, Kansas Park, go fund me, Wichita, Ricky Alderete, replace, Legue 42

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 17, 2024

New Jackie Robinson Statue To Replace One Stolen From Kansas Park Earlier This Year

A GoFundMe campaign has helped raise $194,780 to take the place of the one that was stolen from a Wichita public park

In January, a statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson was stolen and chopped off at the feet from a Wichita, Kansas public park. Now, the community will get a replacement statue after a GoFundMe has raised almost $200,000.

According to NBC News, with the funds raised for the statue, the expected construction of a new statue should be completed by August. Although John Parsons, who sculpted the original statue, passed away in June 2022, the Kansas-based organization overseeing the new statue, League 42 (named in honor of Robinson), found the mold that was used to create the first statue.

“We’re just happy that we can help restore it,” said Shelby Falk, the artists services coordinator for Art Castings of Colorado, “and bring back some history and let John and Jackie’s legacy live on.”

Through a GoFundMe campaign, Jaclyn Evans, the Administrative Assistant for League 42 Foundation and Bob Lutz, Executive Director, were able to raise $194,780 for the reconstruction of the statue.

“For us here in League 42, it’s a symbol of everything,” Lutz said. “We try to stand for perseverance, overcoming odds, not giving up — everything that Jackie Robinson stood for and was able to accomplish because of those traits.”

Along with the good news of the new statue, it was reported by The Associated Press that Ricky Alderete, who took part in the statue’s theft, has pleaded guilty guilty for his role in the incident. He was arrested in February after he allegedly went into a Wichita home in order to kidnap someone in an attempt to interfere with law enforcement. He was later charged with felony theft and aggravated criminal damage to property in the statue theft. His guilty plea was accepted by the judge along with additional charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage to property, making a false writing, and identity theft related to the kidnapping charge.

He is facing more than 19 years in prison when he’s sentenced July 1.

The bronze Jackie Robinson statue was cut off at the ankles and found smoldering in a trash can days later in a city park in Kansas.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Kendrick Lamar

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 17, 2024

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Uses Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ As Backdrop Before Victory Speech

After claiming victory in a Democratic primary, Scott approached the podium with K-Dot's latest beef track.

Kendrick Lamar’s diss song “Not Like Us,” directed at fellow rapper Drake, has taken over the internet and was recently used as a victory song for Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott after he was declared the projected winner of the recent Democratic primary.

According to Complex, before delivering his victory speech to the crowd gathered at the Rye Street Market Building in Baltimore Peninsula, Scott was introduced with the backdrop of Kendrick’s “Not Like Us,” the rapper’s response to Drake’s last diss response song, “Family Matters.” The song came on as he headed to the podium to celebrate his win over former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, electrifying the already amped up crowd.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott walks out to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” after winning the Democratic primary. 🔊
pic.twitter.com/VC06ohuyNj

— XXL Magazine (@XXL) May 16, 2024

Scott then addressed the crowd about the potential second chance at another term in office.

“There might be some votes left to be counted, but I think it’s safe to say that we’re destined for a second term,” Scott said. “And Baltimore, tonight you said very clearly that your democracy is not for sale, no matter how rich they are. You have confirmed once again that the naysayers who underestimate our city will never, ever understand what truly makes Baltimore great. We overcame the odds, including a Trump-loving Republican super PAC that spending hundreds of thousands of dollars telling lies about our city, ignoring the progress that we have talked about, and we still won.”

The popular hip-hop battle that has pitted Drake against Lamar also saw another K-Dot (Kendrick’s rap alias) song used in an important election campaign. The Biden/Harris campaign released a video featuring the song Euphoria,” the first full song that addressed the Drake beef in an ad against the presumptive Republican candidate for President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

The captions mimic the song’s lyrics by replacing it with words specifically about Trump:

“It’s always been about love and hate, now let me say I’m the biggest hater. I hate the way that you walk over women’s rights, the way that you talk about immigrants. I hate the way that you dress, I hate the way that you sneak diss on Truth Social.”

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by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 17, 2024

50 Cent Joins Drake As Only Rappers To Gross Over $100M In Tour Ticket Sales

'The Final Lap Tour' grossed $103.6 million, selling1.05 million tickets with 83 shows in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.

Queens-bred lyricist and now entertainment studio owner Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has made history with his latest tour. He joins Canadian rapper Drake as the only hip-hop artists to gross over $100 million in ticket sales.

According to Billboard, the “Power Universe” executive’s “The Final Lap Tour,” which spanned the world in 2023, grossed $103.6 million. The tour sold over 1.05 million tickets by performing 83 shows in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. This brings the total concert sales for 50 Cent to $150.3 million while selling 2.5 million tickets. That places him at No. 8 on the list of highest-grossing rap acts in Billboard Boxscore history. The most he has made for a single stop was when he appeared at The O2 Arena in London on Nov. 11 and Nov. 23, 2023, when both shows grossed a combined $4.4 million.

Drake is the only other rapper to have grossed over $100 million for a headlining tour. He did it twice. Most recent was his last tour, 2023-2024’s “It’s All A Blur Tour” and 2018’s “Aubrey & the Three Migos Tour.”

Jay-Z has grossed over $100 million two times, but because both tours were co-headlining with his wife, Beyoncé (On The Run I and II), he is excluded from being listed with 50 and Drake.

In a recent interview, G-Unit member Tony Yayo revealed that 50 self-financed “The Final Lap Tour.”

50 Cent is doing extremely well as a businessman. In December 2023, he announced he would be opening the G-Unit Film & Television Studio in Shreveport, Louisiana. The studio has officially launched.

Fox 8 Live reported that the entrepreneurial lyricist obtained a lease for the city-owned studio for an annual cost of $2,400. The city council voted unanimously to approve allowing the G-Unit boss to lease what was once known as Millennium Studio. 50 Cent agreed to manage the building maintenance as the lease was approved for a 30-year term 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.”

FAMU, Florida A and M University, FAMU Board Of Trustees, Dubious Donation

by Jameelah Mullen

May 17, 2024

FAMU Board Of Trustees Launches Investigation Into Dubious $237.75M Donation

The school's board of trustees will reevaluate the processes of vetting donors and handling large gifts.

The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees voted to conduct an independent investigation into the handling of a $237.75 million gift.

FAMU received the gift from the Issac Batterson 7th Family Trust and Chief Executive Officer Gregory Gerami, founder of Batterson Farms Corporation. Gerami was the commencement speaker at FAMU’s May 4 graduation ceremony where he announced his donation— the largest ever for the HBCU.

But the university decided not to move forward after board members raised questions about Gerami’s background. The hemp mogul donated $95 million to Coastal Carolina University in 2020, but the deal fell through days after it was announced. Additionally, Patterson Farms Corporation appears to be a relatively small business, which led some board members to question how its stocks could be worth millions.

During a special meeting Wednesday, FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson acknowledged that the excitement about the donation caused him to overlook the red flags.

“I wanted it to be real and ignored the warning signs along the way,” Robinson said during a recent emergency board meeting. “There was no personal gain. But the impact on our students and our university would have been extraordinary.”

He expressed regret for announcing the donation at commencement, which “was premature at best, and I apologize to all who witnessed it and shared their joy and jubilation,” Robinson said.

During the meeting, Robinson also announced the resignation of Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud, who served as vice president for university advancement and executive director of the FAMU Foundation. She will return to her previous role as dean of the School of Business and Industry. Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Dr. Donald Palm is expected to replace her as the interim vice president for university advancement.

by Jameelah Mullen

May 17, 2024

2 Virginia Universities Drop DEI Course Requirements After Criticism From Governor

While the DEI courses will still be offered at the two schools, they will no longer be required for students to graduate.

Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University have scrapped DEI course requirements for undergraduates this fall.

The decisions were made after Governor Glenn Youngkin’s office asked to review syllabi for both the “Racial Literacy” course at VCU and the “Just Societies” course at George Mason.

The governor called the courses “core curriculum mandates that are a thinly veiled attempt to incorporate the progressive left’s groupthink,” Inside Higher Ed reported.

The VCU Board of Visitors voted 10-5 Friday against requiring a “racial literacy course” as part of the general education curriculum. However the courses will still be available, the college announced in a statement.

“Central to the board’s deliberations was a commitment to upholding academic freedom while empowering students with flexibility and autonomy in their educational journey. The discussion clearly expressed support for the racial literacy classes, and these courses are accessible to students who wish to explore them.”

Following the announcement, more than 100 students walked out of Youngkin’s address at their commencement ceremony. Some carried kaffiyeh scarves and one student carried a sign that read “Teach Black history.”

In an email to employees obtained by The Washington Examiner, GMU interim Provost Kenneth D. Walsh said some members of its Board of Visitors have “reservations” about the DEI-centered coursework. Classes, he added, have been put on hold for now.

“Given that fall registration opens for first-year students in a matter of weeks, we must put forward a definitive answer now.…And my answer to whether to implement the requirement is neither ‘yes’ nor ‘no.’ Rather, it is ‘not yet, he wrote.

Former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder, the nation’s first Black elected governor slammed Younkin’s actions as an “insensitive attack.”

“The real question would be what gives the governor the right to think that he can determine what is being taught? What gives the governor the right that he can orchestrate the history of Virginia,” Wilder told WVEC News, Norfolk.