Olympic Gold Medal Winner Stephen Curry Endorses Kamala Harris For President
The NBA player appeared via video to throw his support behind her at the Democratic National Convention.
Although many people at the Democratic National Convention were expecting a “surprise” performance by Beyoncé, the crowd did receive a surprise from an Olympic gold medal winner.
According to People, Golden State Warriors superstar and leading scorer Stephen Curry appeared via video to publicly endorse the Democratic nominee for president of the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris. On the final night of the DNC, which took place in Chicago this year, the Team USA gold medal winner threw his support behind Harris.
While wearing his recently acquired medal, Curry told the audience via video, “It’s been an honor for me to represent our country. It’s been an honor to support Kamala [Harris]. So let’s all do our part.”
He references the Paris Olympics: “That unity on and off the court reminded us that together we can do all things and continue to inspire the world. That’s why I believe that Kamala, as president, can bring that unity back and continue to move our country forward. This is about preserving hope and belief in our country, making sure families can be taken care of in their most precious times.”
Curry is the second member of the USA basketball team to speak on backing Harris. Warriors basketball head coach and Team USA coach Steve Kerr spoke at the United Center on Aug. 19 to endorse Harris. Kerr won three NBA championships alongside one of Chicago’s greatest athletes, Michael Jordan, and played at the arena where the DNC was being held.
After encouraging voters to go out and vote for Harris, he ended his speech by making the signature “Night, night” move his star player, Curry, does when he is playing great on the basketball court.
“After the results are tallied, we can — in the words of the great Steph Curry — we can tell Donald Trump, ‘Night, night,’ ” Kerr told the crowd.
Brian McKnight’s Concert Ticket Sales Are Down Real Bad As Public Ire Heightens
Has Brian McKnight Been Canceled?
Brian McKnight‘s public family feud has seemingly affected his bottom line. Vibe reported that the “Back At One” singer was forced to cancel his June Detroit concert due to low ticket sales.
The singer is scheduled to perform at the Warner Theatre on Nov 14. Tickets, which start at $63.50, are now being offered at a nearly 50% discount on Groupon. The concert was originally scheduled for July 18, 2024, but was postponed. When the Warner Theatre announced the concert on its Facebook page, fans left comments indicating their plans to boycott the event.
“His new family will have plenty of seats to choose from, Facebook user Kitty Land said.
“I can’t wait to miss this show, “ Jamaal Dennis said.
It is unclear if the backlash was the reason for rescheduling the show.
The Grammy-nominated singer caused a buzz on social media in 2022 when he announced the death of his infant son. Fans noticed he did not mention his three oldest children, Briana, Niko, and Brian McKnight Jr.
“For the very first time in my life I got to experience what it’s like to want to and plan to have a child made from love, and even though he was separated from us too soon I wouldn’t trade that gift you gave me for anything in the whole world. Our son will always be a part of us and live on in our hearts forever. I’ve never been prouder in my life than I am right now being the father to our three incredible children, “ the post said.
In response to the public outrage, the singer has doubled down on his decision to sever ties with his older children. In a now-deleted TikTok live video, he declared that his elder children are “products of sin.”
The crooner also listed his stepchildren and youngest son from his current marriage on his Instagram profile but failed to acknowledge his older children. In October 2023, McKnight changed his legal name to match that of his youngest son. The “Anytime” singer’s legal name is now Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. McKnight already has a son named after him.
Hulk Hogan Biopic Axed Following Attacks Against VP Kamala Harris Threatening To ‘Body Slam’ Her
Oh well....
The biopic movie of famed wrestler Hulk Hogan has been canned after Hogan threatened to ‘body slam’ Vice President Kamala Harris, Atlanta Black Star reports.
A video showed the controversial wrestler chugging a beer on stage and fist-pumping toward a crowd of supporters while promoting his brand, “Real American Beer.” Things escalated quickly when he suddenly grabbed a mic and threatened to “body slam” the Democratic presidential nominee. “Do you want me to body slam somebody? Want me to body slam Kamala Harris? I said, do you want me to body slam Kamala Harris?” he shouted.
“Do you want me to drop the leg on Kamala?”
Drunk ass Hulk Hogan “Want me to body slam Kamala Harris? I said, do you want me to body slam Kamala Harris? Want me to drop the leg on Kamala?” " Is she Indian ?" followed by a disgusting racist "How" Video by TMZ sports pic.twitter.com/0NElruXfZ1
He carried on and started to make fun of her Indian background. “Is Kamala a chameleon? Is she Indian?” he asked before raising his hand and saying mockingly, “How.” Hogan also purposely mispronounced Harris’ first name.
Shortly after, movie director Todd Phillips announced that the biopic The Hulkster is getting the axe. According to Sports Illustrated, the movie had been in the works since 2019 and was scheduled to star Thor actor Chris Hemsworth. During an interview, The Hangover director says the film will not be moving forward.
“I love what we were trying to do, but that’s not going to come together for me,” Phillips said.
The video went viral on social media, even catching the attention of actor and self-proclaimed wrestling fan O’Shea Jackson.
“Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, MOTHA**** HULK HOGAN!!!,” he wrote. “I might have to make a segment on my wrestling podcast just to make sure I hate on this mf every episode.”
Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaan
MOTHAFUCK HULK HOGAN!!!
I might have to make a segment on my wrestling podcast just to make sure I hate on this mf every episode https://t.co/kEEnZsq6Pk
Other social media users chimed in, calling him a “racist piece of s***.” Some pointed out that an open threat against the Vice President should be taken more seriously. “How is that not treated as a threat against the sitting Vice President?” @dawnpolycat1 said. “I have nothing to say about the racism because he has always been a racist!”
Hogan has had his share of racism controversy over the years. A different video went viral in 2015, resulting in him getting fired by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), while his attorney claimed he resigned. Audio circulated of Hogan continuously using racial slurs about his daughter Brooke’s dating life. Hall of Famer and Olympic weightlifter Mark Henry called for Hogan to apologize, at the time, to Black wrestlers to help his reputation.
However, Hogan refused, saying, “I totally agree, but not to the Black wrestlers, to all the wrestlers.”
Recent data from the Alpaugh Family Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati reveals that Black-owned businesses supported $2.8 billion in economic activity. The report is a continuation of the original study conducted in 2021, which was the first study of its kind in the country to quantify Chamber of Commerce data about Black-owned businesses, according to City Beat. The new figures show increased contributions and impact, as data from the original study, first released in 2023, showed that Black-owned businesses contributed $1.4 billion to the economy.
“Business ownership provides an opportunity to build wealth for Black or African American individuals,” the latest study report read. “Such an opportunity is particularly significant for Black or African American families, whose median net worth of $24,100 was 7.8 times lower than the median net worth of white families in 2019.”
With the data researchers collected, they developed a database of 1,417 Black-owned businesses throughout Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. When breaking down the numbers, Black-owned businesses supported over 16,400 jobs with more than $635 million in earnings. These businesses also generated $1.4 billion of direct sales and employed more than 9,000 individual jobs with earnings of at least $341 million. They also generated $34.3 million in profits and sales tax revenue for state and local jurisdictions.
Across the region, “Other Services,” “Professional Scientific and Technical Services,” and “Retail” contained the most Black-owned businesses. These industries represented more than 47% of the companies in the eight-county region researchers examined.
These numbers are a glimpse of hope that change could be on the horizon for addressing the wealth gap in Cincinnati for Black residents compared to their white counterparts.
According to The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Black women and men earn an average of $16 per hour, compared to $22 and $24 per hour for white men and white women.
Vice President Harris’ Grandnieces’ School The DNC On How To Properly Say ‘Kamala’
After Amara's and Leela's lesson at DNC on how to correctly pronounce "Kamala," not even Trump has an excuse to get her name wrong anymore.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s grandnieces, Amara and Leela, took the stage at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Thursday night to set the record straight on the correct pronunciation of their grand-aunt’s first name, “Kamala.”
“First, you say ‘Kama,’ like a comma in a sentence,” Amara walked convention attendees through the first part of Harris’ name. “Then you say ‘La,’ like ‘la-la-la-la-la,’” Leela added to complete the full pronunciation. The sisters, however, didn’t address America alone at the DNC. Award-winning actress Kerry Washington stood between the girls as she confirmed their lesson to America. “Put it together,” Washington said, “And it’s Kamala!”
Ahead of Amara’s and Leela’s DNC appearance, the “Scandal” star prepped the crowd for the lesson ahead of stating, “Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not.” That includes former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump, who has previously mispronounced Harris’s first name on several occasions and admitted during a July rally that he “couldn’t care less” if he mispronounces it. “Some people think I mispronounce it on purpose, but actually I’ve heard it said about seven different ways,” he claimed in a clip of the rally posted on X. “There are a lot of ways.”
Unfortunately for Trump, Harris’ grandnieces were clear on Thursday night that there is only one way.
Trump: And by the way, there are numerous ways of saying her name, they were explaining to me, you can say Kamala, you can say Kamala, I said, don't worry about it. It doesn't matter what I say. I couldn't care less if I mispronounce it pic.twitter.com/PuwbKOawao
It was a family affair on the DNC stage Thursday as Amara and Leela weren’t the only relatives of Vice President Harris to speak to voters during the rally, and best believe, they all pronounced her first name one way — the correct way. “Like so many Americans, Kamala knows what it’s like to be underestimated and be counted out,” said her sister, Maya Harris. “She knows what it’s like to be the underdog and yet still beat the odds.” Niece Meena Harris, stepdaughter Ella Emhoff, and her goddaughter, Helena Hudlin, stood alongside each other the same night as they shared positive words about how the Democratic nominee helped shape them into the women they are today.
Washington hyped the crowd up to hear from Vice President Harris, who accepted the Democratic nomination later in the program and called her the “next president.”
From Girls’ Trips To Global Impact: Nikkia McClain’s Vision Empowers Women Through ‘Support Your Girlfriends’
“I was a young mom. I had two kids by the time I was coming out of high school,” said Support Your Girlfriends founder Nikkia McClain. “I was in a domestic violence relationship. I am not supposed to be here. I’m not supposed to be here having this conversation with you, so I enjoy knowing ‘God has something bigger in store for me.”
This founder isn’t just talking the talk; she’s walking the walk, spearheading a movement designed to empower women who look like her through Support Your Girlfriends.
When Nikkia McClain first launched Support Your Girlfriends six years ago, she was answering the call from close friends Tamika D. Mallory and Lucinda Cross, who were in dire need of a vacation or break from the reality and sometimes weight that comes with their respective lines of work. After the first event, which included 10 women, it wasn’t long before the number doubled to 20 in the program’s second year.
As the unofficial creator of the “girl’s trips” that many women embark on with their squad these days, McClain understood the assignment from the first trip to Jamaica. Now, in the program’s sixth installment, she is excited to have partnered with the island of Barbados to bring another group of like-minded people together to reset, refocus, and recharge.
“We wanted to create some sort of community impact,” McClain told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“So we partnered with I Am A Girl, a Barbados NGO. The first year, the impact with these young girls, we did a workshop again, and all of the programming is through us. So one of our glossy sisters, Nadine Ramos, owns Lasio, a professional haircare company, and Blessed Bananas, and came up with the concept of doing a workshop with these girls. It probably was about 50 girls, and then we did a support circle, and oh my goodness, we were friends and thought these girls needed us. No, we needed them. They gave us so much life.”
She aims to do the same this year after donating $10,000 to the organization to continue making an impact.
Through three mantras, “Support Her,” “Celebrate Her,” and “Power Her,” Support Your Girlfriends is much more than an event where beautiful Black women can gather with an island as their backdrop. McClain says that the overall goal is to never place the focus on them but instead on the people and the impact they’re looking to make.
“’Support Your Girlfriends’ just starts with me,” she explained. “You know how you always have a leader, and they say if the head stinks, the whole body stinks. I think the head is just not stinking. Even so much so that in my own line of business, I’m not telling my team, ‘I’m your boss,’ I’m a team leader. We’re a team together. I always want to lead the people that I hire. I always want them to be better than me.”
Beyond her line of work, McClain has always taken pride in supporting her girlfriends and encouraging those around her to do the same, noting the healing power of sisterhood.
“For me, daily, I’m showing up for my sisters. They’ll tell you I’m probably the most supportive person, and everyone asks, ‘How do you do it? How do you manage your business? Still, at the same time, show up here, hop on a plane, be there for your family?’ It’s just you put the things that matter to you first. People are dealing with so much on their own, like mentally, physically, emotionally, the last thing we need to do as women is to put our issues on anyone we know.”
“I do my best to treat my sisters like my sisters; how are you supposed to treat sisters unconditionally? You get to be you. You get to show up as you, and again, I’m just trying to create as much joy as I can for my people,” said McClain.
Each year includes a standout moment that lets McClain know she is on track with the movement she’s building alongside her sisters, Tamika D. Mallory and Lucinda Cross. Moreover, she revealed that if folks were to go by statistics and the standards of a person’s zip code, McClain would not be able to have this conversation or even push the needle forward to help empower fellow Black women from all walks of life.
“I was a young mom. I had two kids by the time I was coming out of high school,” she shared. “I was in a domestic violence relationship. I am not supposed to be here. I’m not supposed to be here having this conversation with you, so I enjoy knowing ‘God has something bigger in store for me.”
McClain envisions a world where Support Your Girlfriends will be recognized alongside the AKAs, the Deltas, and other notable Black organizations.
“I want us to be that organization 100 years from now,” she concluded. “I want my great-great-grandchildren to be like, ‘My great-great grandmother, Nikkia McClain, alongside Tamika D. Mallory and Lucinda Cross…we just had a phone call, they called me and said, ‘We need to go away. We need a vacation. We’re working too hard.’ We flipped it and turned it into this amazing organization with over 100,000 members.”
With a membership fee of $97 per year, “Support Your Girlfriends” has since expanded to New York City, with an Atlanta chapter coming in October. Support Your Girlfriends is open to like-minded women who want to advance the conversation.
Rumor Had It That Beyonce Was To Perform At The DNC; She Did Not
The “Freedom” Singer’s reps says rumors were untrue.
Day four of the Democratic National Convention was a star-studded event, but one of the most eagerly awaited guests, Beyoncé, was a no-show.
Rumors that the megastar would make an appearance on the fourth night of the convention began circulating the afternoon of Aug. 22. According to the singer’s reps, the rumors were untrue.
“Beyoncé was never scheduled to be there,” the Grammy-winning star’s rep told The Hollywood Reporter.
“The report of a performance is untrue.”
The Hill cited two sources when they reported that the “Diva” singer would be at the event.
At around 7 p.m. Central Time, an X account called Beyoncepress fueled the rumor by posting a video of a black SUV driving through Chicago escorted by a motorcade.
Although Beyoncé was not in attendance, the four-day event was loaded with star power. The Chicks performed a three-part harmony rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. Pop star Pink sang “What about Us” with her 13-year-old daughter, Willow Sage.
Other performers included Lil Jon, who represented Georgia in the state roll call on Aug.20. Tuesday night’s performers also included Chicago native Common and Patti Labelle. John Legend graced the stage on night three along with Stevie Wonder, who offered a speech followed by a rendition of “Higher Ground.”
Vice President Kamala Harris closed out the event with an acceptance speech in which she made a vow to the American people.
“You can always trust me to put country above party and self, to hold sacred America’s fundamental principles, from the rule of law to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power,” VP Harris said.
Per Scholas Provides No-Cost Professional Tech Training
During a candid conversation with Black Enterprise, Per Scholas National Capital Region's Senior Managing Director, Jessica Diaz Council, and Site Director, Monique Singleton, shared insights into the organization’s impact and growth.
Source: Per Scholas offers tuition free IT education. Photo Credit: Per Scholas
Per Scholas, a nonprofit organization that provides no-cost professional tech training, is trying to bridge the gap between underserved communities and thriving careers in technology. With a presence in over 22 cities, including recent expansions to Buffalo, New York, and Kansas City, Missouri, Per Scholas is making waves in the tech education landscape.
According to an analysis by the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility, Black households could miss out on over $350 billion in tech job wages by 2030, equivalent to one-tenth of the total wealth held by these households.
Blacks represent approximately 14% of the U.S. private workforce overall but only 7.4% of the U.S. tech workforce.
During a candid conversation with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Per Scholas National Capital Region’s Senior Managing Director, Jessica Diaz Council, and Site Director, Monique Singleton, shared insights into the organization’s impact and growth.
From Humble Beginnings to National Impact
Per Scholas began as a tech recycling initiative in The Bronx, New York, refurbishing and redistributing old technology within the community. This humble start laid the groundwork for the organization’s broader mission. “We realized that not only can we do this work, but we can also train people for jobs in this space,” Diaz Council explained. “After proving the efficacy of our curriculum in New York, we expanded to cities like Columbus, and now we’re in over 22 cities, targeting areas with a high volume of tech careers but low representation from those communities.”
This strategic expansion has been driven by a commitment to providing access to quality education and creating pathways to well-paying tech careers, particularly in underserved communities. Diaz Council emphasized, “Per Scholas continues to evolve, incorporating AI and other technologies into our training to keep it relevant.”
Comprehensive Support for Holistic Success
Per Scholas’s approach goes beyond technical training. Recognizing the challenges many of its learners face, often juggling multiple responsibilities, the organization has developed robust support systems. “Per Scholas learners come here not only for the training but also for the mental health component, financial coaching, and other support services,” Singleton noted. “These elements are fundamental in helping them succeed during our 15-week program, which is full-time and demanding.”
This holistic approach ensures learners gain technical skills and develop the resilience and confidence to thrive in their new careers. “Professional development, along with learning support, has been key in helping our learners transition into their first tech roles,” Singleton added.
Expanding Opportunities with Cybersecurity Apprenticeships
One of Per Scholas’s most recent initiatives is launching a cybersecurity apprenticeship program, a response to the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. This program is already making strides, with the Maryland Higher Education Commission licensing the organization to offer its vetted cybersecurity curriculum. “We are actively engaged with the Maryland Governor’s Cybersecurity Task Force, aiming to be a part of the solution to the cybersecurity gap,” Diaz Council shared.
The apprenticeship program is part of Per Scholas’s broader strategy to ensure its training tracks align with industry needs. “Every decision we make is in conversation with an employer. If it’s irrelevant, there’s no need to continue offering it,” Diaz Council stated. This close collaboration with employer partners, ranging from Fortune 500 companies like Accenture to smaller consulting firms, ensures that Per Scholas graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the job market.
Building Trust and Overcoming Challenges
While Per Scholas has made significant strides, the journey has been challenging. One of the biggest hurdles is overcoming skepticism from potential learners wary of predatory boot camp programs. “When we tell them it’s tuition-free, they often ask, ‘What’s the catch?’ It takes time to build that trust,” Diaz Council acknowledged.
To address this, Per Scholas has implemented rolling admissions, allowing prospective students to join when they are ready, both mentally and in terms of life circumstances. “Keeping learners engaged throughout the 15 weeks is crucial,” Diaz Council emphasized. “We do this by creating a strong sense of community, encouraging cross-mingling between cohorts, and bringing in past graduates to share their experiences.”
Sustaining the Mission Through Philanthropy
Per Scholas’s ability to offer tuition-free programs is made possible through a diversified funding pool, including grants and philanthropic support. “This program will stay tuition-free for as long as I’m here,” Diaz Council promised. “But this is only possible through constant fundraising and the generous support of our community partners.”
As Per Scholas continues to expand its reach and impact, the organization remains steadfast in democratizing access to quality education for diverse communities. By providing comprehensive support, aligning training with industry needs, and building trust within the communities they serve, Per Scholas is not just changing lives; it’s changing the face of the tech industry.
How A.I. Has Helped North Carolina A&T State Becoming A Driving Force In The Agriculture Industry
Way to go, Aggies!
WUNC reports that using artificial intelligence — or A.I. — has made North Carolina A&T State University, an HBCU in Greensboro, a leader in the agricultural studies industry.
Harmandeep Sharma, a crop science researcher and professor in the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Design at the HBCU, is helping students put the past images of what farm life is supposed to look like to rest.
While most picture a farm as a farmer working in soil and in a field of crops all day, that’s not the case, especially in her agricultural lab. Students and visitors will see rows of crops embedded with sensors and drones flying overhead to monitor the fields. Sharma’s hands are also not dirty with soil, but she holds her laptop while she inserts daily data on the crop’s health. “There has been a very rapid advancement of agriculture over the past couple of years,” Sharma said.
“With this technological advancement, we have sensors, we have drones. We are in the era of Agriculture 5.0.”
She thanks A.I. for the latest venture in an era of data-driven agriculture. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invested $20 million into a climate-based A.I. project under the leadership of the University of Minnesota, one of several A.I. agriculture projects funded by the federal government. In the Tar Heel state, the North Carolina General Assembly invested $1 million in an A.I. partnership between A&T, North Carolina State University, and analytics firm SAS.
The firm deployed an A.I. platform for the agriculture departments of both schools in March 2024. SAS’ principal advisor, John Gottula, says the platform, used by 14 HBCU programs, has helped researchers make more precise and faster conclusions. “It breaks down that silo between people who know the subject matter and people who know the data science,” he said.
“Subject-matter experts are now able to query that data and crunch those numbers in a meaningful way, where they can quickly recognize what’s realistic and what’s not.”
Sharma conducts research on fresh market tomatoes, industrial hemp, and hot peppers at an environment-controlled greenhouse and outdoor field, which has natural changing conditions on a farm just a few miles away from A&T’s campus. With attached sensors, students under the professor’s leadership measure air temperature, carbon dioxide levels, and water uptake.
The data is then fed into the SAS platform, which assists Sharma with making crucial predictions and gives her the capacity to “generate hundreds of models at one time.” Before the technology was introduced, Sharma said she and other researchers were forced to do “blind average applications,” having to decide on one nitrogen or water level rate to apply on the entire field. Now, with the use of A.I., she is able to map her field out and give distinctive amounts of water, nitrogen, or fertilizer to plants in need, something that will also help many local farmers. “It’s not just environmentally sustainable because we are not polluting our waters, but it is also helping farmers with the money,” Sharma said.
“They are not overspending on fertilizers that are not helping their crops in any way.”
According to HBCUBuzz, the USDA has invested in other HBCUs nationwide to advance their agriculture programs. In May 2024, the agency announced a $30.8 million investment as part of a commitment to all 19 land-grant HBCUs. As a collaborative effort with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s 1890 Institution Teaching, the Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program will support scientific research to address some of the country’s growing agricultural challenges.
Toby Oniyitan Speaks On The Rise Of Stomp Down And Building An Independent Legacy
In the competitive music industry landscape, where major labels dominate the scene, few independent ventures stand out. One such venture is Stomp Down, a music label that’s creating ripples in the Texas music space that Toby Oniyitan co-founded alongside Ezra Averill. Oniyitan, a first-generation Nigerian entrepreneur, went from aspiring lawyer to music mogul, showcasing the vision that drives Stomp Down’s success.
The story of Stomp Down’s co-founder begins with a familiar narrative for many first-generation immigrants: the pressure to pursue a stable, traditional career. “I always assumed I would be a lawyer,” he recalls. “But by my senior year of high school, I realized that whatever I wanted to do needed to be in a creative world. The thought of law school made my head hurt.” This epiphany led him to embrace his passion for music, starting with managing his college friends who were budding rappers. “I was terrible at first,” he admits, “but I was passionate, and I wanted to get better so I could help my friends.”
This passion evolved into something greater when he recognized the potential of partnering with artists rather than just managing them. Thus, Stomp Down was born—a brand embodying the seriousness and commitment required to succeed in the music industry.
“Stomp Down comes from a Houston term that means being serious or willing to go hard for whatever it is you’re passionate about, and that meant the world to me,” he explains.
Stomp Down’s success lies in its ability to identify and nurture talent. The founder’s approach is rooted in a deep appreciation for self-awareness. “I care about how talented an artist is and how knowledgeable they are about their talent,” he says. For him, an artist who understands and can articulate their strengths is one who truly loves their craft. This self-awareness, he believes, is the foundation for an artist’s growth, influencing everything from their image to their efficiency.
Texas, known for its rich cultural music scene, has played a crucial role in shaping Stomp Down’s identity. “Historically, we have one of the most cultural music scenes in rap, and it was all done by independent labels,” he notes. The independent grind, once seen as less glamorous, is something he deeply values. “I love the freedom being independent brings an artist. The rewards are greater because you see everything through from end to end.”
Supporting Black artists and voices is also central to Stomp Down’s mission. The founder dreams of building a roster of Black artists whose wealth rivals that of rock stars from past eras. “I want kids 20 years from now to look up their net worth and see nine figures,” he says passionately. He believes the best way for the music industry to support Black artists is through education—teaching them about money and smart investments to secure generational wealth.
At Stomp Down, creativity is king. The label prides itself on being deeply involved in the creative process while allowing artists the freedom to lead. “We love everything about the creative process,” he says. “We offer ways to improve, but we never try to force things in a direction that’s not natural to the artist.”
This collaborative approach is evident in their work with artists like Monaleo, who has recently seen significant success. “Leo is extremely hands-on with her music and her business. She trusts our opinions, and we spend a lot of time ideating together,” he shares. Their creative exchanges are filled with inspiration, often drawing from a wide range of influences—from Destiny’s Child performances to gospel music.
As with any independent label, challenges are part of the journey. The founder acknowledges the pressure of being solely responsible for the label’s success. “There’s no scapegoat; it’s all on me as the CEO,” he says. This responsibility demands a high level of attention to detail and a strategic approach to hiring. “I have to make good decisions in who I hire because my employees wear several hats—we’re doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.”
The music industry has evolved since he first started, particularly for independent labels. “When I started, the independent grind wasn’t glamorous, but it was a grind,” he reflects. Despite the challenges, he chose to remain independent, valuing the freedom it afforded him. Now, with the rise of artist-friendly deals and the proliferation of independent labels, his decision seems prescient. He offers advice to others looking to start their own labels, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency and striking a balance between independence and partnership with major companies.
Looking ahead, Stomp Down is expanding its footprint with new ventures, including a distribution arm and a recording studio in Houston. “We want artists to have the best quality experience right here in Houston,” he says. This new space will allow artists to record, create content, and distribute their music—all under one roof.
The journey of Stomp Down is a testament to the power of passion, self-awareness, and perseverance. From his early days as a college student managing friends to leading an independent label and making waves in the Texas music scene, his story is one of resilience and vision. As Stomp Down continues to grow, its commitment to supporting Black artists and creating a lasting legacy remains unwavering. For aspiring label owners, his journey offers valuable insights: know your strengths, embrace the grind, and never lose sight of your creative vision.
