WNBA, Angel Reese, reese's puffs, cereal
by Stacy Jackson

August 22, 2024

Angel Reese Releases First Collection Of Fan-Requested Reese’s Pieces Partnership

The WNBA star and Reese's Pieces finally joined forces to give fans what they've been begging for with three exclusive collections.

In a collaboration she’s been trying to land for several years, WNBA star player Angel Reese has officially locked in an endorsement deal with The Hershey Company’s Reese’s brand. Fans now have access to a new collection of limited-edition Reese’s-branded apparel.

On Aug. 21, the Chicago Sky player and the candy brand released the Angel Reese x Reese’s Pieces Logo Collection, the first drop of three waves of merchandise. A press release by The Hershey Company stated that the partnership celebrates the fans with nods to the WNBA rookie and the brand. “This collection is for my Reese’s Pieces — who’ve been with me every step of the way, and the design elements bring together things that I love –basketball, style, and of course, Reese’s!” the 22-year-old athlete said.

The Angel Reese x Reese’s Pieces Logo Collection features eight pieces of custom merchandise, including a cropped tee, t-shirt, hoodie, and hat offered in white and cream. The custom designs embrace the American candy’s aesthetic and capture the unique style of the LSU alum who’s made back-to-back fashion statements in the league.

It’s not only the thousands of comments from fans that the WNBA star credits for the partnership. Reese also shouted out her manager, Jeanine Juliano, on X for making the deal happen after four years of trying without an agency. “I appreciate the fan support, but @JeanineJuliano DID THIS,” she wrote.

For fans who can’t get their hands on a piece of merchandise from the first collection, stay tuned for the release of two more: the Angel Reese x Reese’s Basketball Jersey and the Angel Reese x Reese’s Cup Logo Collection. Designed in collaboration with the IP and commerce platform Athlete Studio, the custom-made jersey will give fans a fashionable way to represent the athlete and the treat. An additional eight designs will be released in the Cup Logo Collection featuring a custom logo the company says will give fans the ultimate way to “crown” their queen and celebrate the popular peanut butter-filled chocolate.

The Angel Reese x Reese’s Pieces Logo Collection is now available exclusively on the WNBA star’s website.

RELATED CONTENT: Angel Reese Sets Press Straight About WNBA Fouls And Player Popularity

startups
by Shanique Yates

August 22, 2024

Boom To Bust: Why Startups Are Skyrocketing—And So Are Bankruptcies

According to Carta, a provider of services to private companies, 254 venture-backed startups went bankrupt within the first quarter of 2024. That is seven times higher than the rates in 2019.

Despite an influx of startups across America, the number of business owners filing for bankruptcy has risen equally.

The number of Americans who have turned to entrepreneurship has increased significantly this year. With more than three million new business applications filed in 2024, Inc. reports that this has outpaced the level of eight of the last 10 years, with 420,802 applications filed in July. Currently, the monthly average sits at a rate of 92% higher than numbers before the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Carta, a provider of services to private companies, 254 venture-backed startups went bankrupt within the first quarter of 2024. That is seven times higher than the rates in 2019.

Yet, there is still a rising problem around startups closing shop, frequently leaving hundreds of people without employment.

“The number of company closures has been steadily rising for the past two years,” said the company in a statement. “Between Q1 2022 and Q1 2023, the number of shutdowns experienced a 124 percent year-over-year increase. Between Q1 2023 and Q1 2024, the count grew by another 58 percent.”

A September 2023 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that more than 1 in 5 Black adults in the States believe that “owning a business is essential to financial success.” There are an estimated 3.7 million Black-owned businesses in the U.S.; in 2021, roughly 3% of U.S. businesses were Black-owned.

In 2023, Inc. reports that startups “saw the lowest dollar amount of venture funding since 2018,” which many believe is directly linked to the increasing rate of failed businesses nationwide. With higher rates and bank failures, traditional lending is not an option for many businesses, especially Black-owned companies, who have been widely omitted from financial support when scaling and growing a business.

Due to systemic racism and lack of access to resources needed to survive and grow, Black-owned businesses, unfortunately, know all too well what it is like to be denied funding from VC firms, and now other businesses are experiencing the same as investors have pulled back from funding.

Experts cite the overall state of the economy as the reason for the decline in VC firms backing startups across America. Still, DropboxDocSend senior data and trends analyst Justin Izzo remains hopeful for the future.

“If a company plans to raise money in the next six to eight months, I believe the climate will be better than it has been over the past 18 months,” Izzo told Inc. “There’s more likely than not to be a steady drip of funding, then turning more into a stream.”

Still, the alarming bankruptcy rates aren’t stopping aspiring entrepreneurs from hoping to receive a slice of the “American dream” pie.

RELATED CONTENT: Work Conditions Of J.D. Vance’s Kentucky Startup Labeled A ‘Nightmare’ 

MIT, affirmative action
by Sharelle Burt

August 22, 2024

MIT Sees Massive Drop In Black Enrollment After Supreme Court Overturns Affirmative Action Ruling

This shouldn't be shocking.....

NBC News reports that black student enrollment at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has drastically dropped following the Supreme Court’s historic overturning of the affirmative action ruling. 

The first-year class profile, released on Aug. 21, showed a steep drop in its Black student population as the first class formed after the high court ruled race-conscious college admissions unconstitutional. Close to only 5% of MIT’s incoming class of 2028 is Black, a decrease from its 13% average. Dean of Admissions, Stu Schmill, points the finger at the court but says it was expected. “We expected that this would result in fewer students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups enrolling at MIT,” Schmill said. 

“That’s what has happened.”

The ruling shocked the nation in 2023 after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action programs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard. The court ruled that the programs violated the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause and were deemed unlawful, causing a domino effect at other public universities and student protests. A host of programs designed under the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) departments were eliminated, as were scholarships provided only to students of color.

With 1,102 students enrolled in the incoming class, there was also a drop in Latino student enrollment. In comparison to an average of 15%, the incoming class only holds 11%. According to Reuters, MIT President Sally Kornbluth celebrated the new students but admitted to things looking different than prior classes. “The class is, as always, outstanding across multiple dimensions,” Kornbluth said in a statement. 

“But what it does not bring, as a consequence of last year’s Supreme Court decision, is the same degree of broad racial and ethnic diversity that the MIT community has worked together to achieve over the past several decades.”

While the court’s ruling banned schools from using race as an enrollment factor, students are still allowed to showcase their ethnic backgrounds in application materials such as essays, personal statements, and extracurricular activities. The populations of white and Asian American students have jumped up while other demographics, like Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, hit the zero percentage mark. 

Schmill predicted things like this would happen in a blog post in 2023. “If the Court rules in a way that constrains how universities may compose their communities, our commitment to the pursuit of diversity that advances MIT’s education will not waver, but our ability to achieve it will change — potentially dramatically,” he wrote. 

In an effort to combat the numbers, MIT said it expanded recruitment and financial aid initiatives to prioritize low-income students from all backgrounds.

RELATED CONTENT: MIT Latest College To Get Rid Of DEI Hiring Requirements Allegedly Claiming ‘They Don’t Work’

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 22, 2024

US National Register of Historic Places Adds L.V. Hull’s Home Studio In Mississippi

The late artist L.V. Hull is the first African American to have an art environment added to the US National Register of Historic Places.

The late artist L.V. Hull made history by becoming the first African American to have an art environment added to the US National Register of Historic Places.

The Art Newspaper reports that Hull’s home studio is now part of the first visual arts center in Kosciusko, Mississippi. This marks the first time an art environment created by an African American has been recognized and the first instance where a Black female visual artist’s home studio has achieved national significance, not just significance in its home state.

After buying the house in 1974, Hull transformed it into her visual art hub, using discarded hubcaps she painted with polka dots, shoes displayed on poles, and shrouds of real blooms from her garden. Colorful art pieces are displayed inside and outside the home that sat vacant following her death in 2008.

“The imprint of her imagination is still there,” Yaphet Smith, a neighbor of the Hull house, said. “There are faded spots on the wall where she hung her art, as well as the nails all over the home. If you’ve seen pictures, the home was swarming with her work. And it’s really a way to commune with her, the way that people would when they came to visit.”

Smith’s grandmother lived nearby, and he frequented the Hull house prior to her passing. In 2021, he purchased the home and ran it under his non-profit, the Keysmith Foundation. Now, the home’s addition to the National Register ensures the preservation of its history ahead of launching the L.V. Hull Legacy Center in 2025 as the county’s first visual arts facility.

“It’s important to have an accurate story of creativity in America, and including her home on the National Register helps achieve that goal,” Smith said. “Hopefully, it will be a catalyst for preserving the spaces and stories of other African American artists, and particularly women.”

He is also working on a documentary about Hull, which can now use funding typically garnered from a National Register listing. Pieces from the late visual artist will live on through the Legacy Center, and an exhibit is set to open next year at the Mississippi Museum of Art.

Nelly, Ashanti, Married
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 22, 2024

Ashanti Shares Postpartum Body After Welcoming Baby Boy With Nelly

Ashanti and Nelly are the proud parents of their newborn son Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, a rep confirms.

A rep confirms that Ashanti and Nelly are the proud parents of a newborn son, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes.

The “Happy” singer took to Instagram on Aug. 21 to share a postpartum selfie and video about the birth of her first child. Ashanti made cheeky references to a few of her hit singles while posing in her comfy Frida Mom shorts.

“Funny how life’s plans aren’t…always on time.. lol. I’ve been waiting to be a mom for a long time now but nothing could prepare me for EVERYTHING motherhood brings!” she captioned her post. “This is what postpartum looks like. I’m loving these super cozy @fridamom shorts! I’m so proud of my body for giving me my baby, baby, baby, baby, boy.”

“Four weeks postpartum. You have no idea what this body can do,” Ashanti said in the video where she showed off her postpartum figure.

A rep for the famous couple confirmed the arrival of Ashanti and Nelly’s first child together and revealed the baby’s name.

“Ashanti and Nelly welcomed their baby boy, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, on July 18, 2024. The proud and happy parents are so in love with KK!” a rep told People.

Ashanti first announced her pregnancy through a video in April. Fans had already started to speculate since Ashanti didn’t try to hide her baby bump while performing on stage.

While speaking with ET, Ashanti explained how Nelly came up with their son’s name: Kenkaide, a tribute to her own father’s name, and Kareem, which means generous, kind, and dignified.

“His dad named him with a lot of pride,” Ashanti gushed. “Having all of us in the delivery room and seeing his face for the first time, I cried, it was just so emotional and spiritual at the same time. Having a vision of this moment for so long…it was such an electrifying feeling.”

“KK had a dignified birth, coming just a little early, causing Nelly to fly in last minute to make it in time,” the outlet revealed.

In a separate video post, Ashanti shared how “amazing” she feels as a mom due to how “on time” she and Nelly are ensuring the baby is well-fed and cared for.

“I’m so freaking happy,” she shared.

The birth of their son follows Nelly and Ashanti privately tying the knot on Dec. 27, 2023. The pair wasted no time since reconnecting and rekindling their romance. Nelly announced the reunion in September 2023 during an appearance on “Boss Moves with Rasheeda.”

“It wasn’t anything that we planned. We both were pretty much doing what we do,” he explained. “But sometimes, being separate, you understand one another more. You could be like, ‘Well, yo, let me exactly see maybe what they see.’ We all can be defensive sometimes in our own relationships. We know we wrong, but we going to stand on it, you know what I mean? But we all a victim to that.”

Nelly is already a father to two adult children: son Cornell III (who goes by Tre), 25, and daughter Chanelle (who goes by Nana), 30. The “Country Grammar” rapper also helped raise his niece Sydney and nephew Shawn after his sister Jackie Donahue passed away from leukemia in 2005 at age 31.

RELATED CONTENT: Ashanti Finally Seals The Deal With A Buyer For Her $2.2M Long Island Mansion

Da Baby, DaBaby
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 22, 2024

DaBaby Sued For $4M Following 2022 Bowling Alley Fight

A lawsuit filed against rapper DaBaby by the brother of his ex-girlfriend and fellow artist DaniLeigh reveals that Brandon Bills is requesting a total of $4 million from the Cleveland entertainer.

According to court documents obtained by InTouch, Bills filed the paperwork about an incident that took place in February 2022, claiming that the rapper allegedly assaulted him at a bowling alley in an unprovoked attack. Bills claimed he suffered significant physical and emotional harm due to the alleged assault. He is asking for $2 million in general damages and another $2 million in special damages. DaBaby used to date Bills’s sister, DaniLeigh.

Bills said he was at a Southern California bowling alley when the 32-year-old DaBaby walked in with friends and attacked him for no reason. TMZ posted a video of the altercation showing the rapper allegedly throwing punches at Bills as DaBaby’s friends join in fighting him on the lanes at the bowling alley.

The incident occurred several months after DaBaby and DaniLeigh broke up. TMZ reported that although police officers investigated the matter, no charges were ever filed against the rapper because he refused to speak to them.

DaBaby was embroiled in another lawsuit after someone else accused him of punching him in the face and knocking out several teeth after a dispute at the man’s Los Angeles residence.

According to RadarOnline, DaBaby had paperwork filed against him by 65-year-old Gary Pagar, who says he leased his Los Angeles residence to the “Rockstar” rapper and his associates in 2020. Pagar says he and DaBaby agreed that he wouldn’t have more than 12 people at the home. Yet, Pagar discovered that the recording artist filmed a music video at the residence with more than 40 people in the house.

When Pagar found out about the video being filmed at his place, he went to the home and confronted the rapper. He claimed the rapper punched him in the face and knocked out several of his teeth. He called the police, but DaBaby left before they arrived. Pagar asked for unspecified damages for his injuries and damage to his house.

The Los Angeles Superior Court judge scheduled a trial for Sept. 3, but Rolling Stone reported that he accepted a misdemeanor, no-jail plea deal in July.

Blair Berk, the rapper’s attorney, stated that DaBaby pleaded guilty (the rapper didn’t appear in court) to misdemeanor battery. Los Angeles County Judge Ray Jurado sentenced DaBaby to one year of probation and time served for the day he spent in custody when he was originally arrested in 2021. The judge also ordered him to pay $10,000 restitution, stay at least 100 yards away from Pagar, and “not possess, buy or sell any deadly weapons, including firearms.”

RELATED CONTENT: DaBaby Schooled Teens On How to Be a Boss After They Tried to Scam Him While Selling Candy

damon dash, roc-a-fella shares, New York
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 22, 2024

Damon Dash Admits To Being Broke, Explains Why

'When you’re investing in your dreams and you dream big, you’re always gonna be broke.'

Roc-A-Fella Records Co-Founder Damon Dash has recently taken to social media to explain why he is “broke” these days. After being one-third of the successful entity with partners JAY-Z and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, that question has been looming among hip-hop enthusiasts.

With an upcoming auction taking place in New York City on Aug. 29 to sell off Dash’s 33.3% stake in the label to satisfy a $823,000 judgment owed to movie producer Josh Webber, Dash reposted a video clip of him explaining why he went broke after the success he has had over the years. He expressed that investing in his dreams is why he is in his current situation.

“Somebody asked me how I got so broke. Um, investing in my dreams. You know, when you’re investing in your dreams, and you dream big, you’re always gonna be broke. You’ll have a lot of s**t, but I don’t have no money for nobody else if that’s what you call broke. That’s what it is. Either way, I’ma get with y’all. Stay tuned. I’m curious to see how it all rolls out.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dame Dash (@duskopoppington)

A judge ordered the auction after Dash made no payments toward the judgment against him from the Webber lawsuit. Webber previously won a defamation and copyright infringement lawsuit after a dispute over the 2016 film Dear Frank. JAY-Z and Biggs objected to the ruling, citing the company bylaws that mandate approval from the board of directors to sell off shares. U.S. Magistrate Robert W. Lehrburger ignored their plea and ruled that Dash’s one-third ownership of Roc-A-Fella is personal property that can be seized to satisfy the judgment against him.

The auction will possibly help Dash satisfy another debt. The New York City Department of Social Services (NYCDSS) will collect money owed to them before Webber can get any cash for his judgment. The entertainment executive owes $145,096 in unpaid child support to Rachel Roy for his two daughters and to Cindy Morales for his son.

Crystal Mason, Voting
by Sharelle Burt

August 22, 2024

Texas Court Agrees To Reconsider Case Of Crystal Mason, Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Voting

Let's hope this is the last time....

Texas’s highest criminal court agreed to reconsider the case of Crystal Mason, a Black woman who was sentenced to five years for attempting to illegally vote during the 2016 presidential election, The Guardian reported. 

The announcement was made on Aug. 21 as the case received national attention eight years ago. Back in 2016, Mason was on supervised release, similar to probation, for a federal tax felony charge. Under Texas law, people convicted of a felony are prohibited from voting until their sentence is completed. When she arrived at the polls, and workers couldn’t find her name on the registered voter’s list, she was offered a provisional ballot — a special kind of ballot that is required under federal law if there is any uncertainty about voter’s eligibility. 

They are only counted if it is later confirmed that the person is eligible to vote. Mason’s ballot was never counted.

While Mason’s supervised release officer testified she failed to advise her that she could not vote, prosecutors argued Mason knew of her ineligibility and attempted to vote anyway. 

According to WFAA 8, Texas’ Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth overturned her conviction in March 2024. The court claimed at the time of the conviction, there was evidence proving Mason may not have been aware of her ineligibility under her felony conviction. Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells challenged her acquittal, insisting she committed a crime. But once the case came before the court again, at the time, it was ordered to revisit the case. 

As this will be the second time the case comes before the court, Mason is hoping this is the last time. “While I am ready for this case to be over and for my acquittal to stand, I will continue to maintain my faith that justice will be done,” Mason said in a statement. Her lawyers feel the same. Mason is being represented by numerous teams, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, ACLU National, Texas Civil Rights Project, criminal defense attorney Alison Grinter Allen, and civil attorney Kim T. Cole, who says they “remain confident.” “We respect the Court of Criminal Appeals’ decision to further review this case,” senior staff attorney at the Texas ACLU, Tommy Buser-Clancy, said. 

“We remain confident that the court of appeals made the right decision in vacating Ms. Mason’s conviction and rendering an acquittal. We look forward to briefing our position to the court.”

Sorrells, however, has yet to stand down on his stance against the appeal decision. “I want would-be illegal voters to know that we’re watching,” Sorrells said in a statement in May 2024. “And that we’ll follow the law and we will prosecute illegal voting.”

The case will proceed without oral argument, and while a schedule has yet to be identified, Allen feels the case will be a victory for others incarcerated who may be fearful of going to the polls. “We have faith that the court will uphold Crystal’s acquittal, and all Texans will see a day when they can feel confident in the franchise and go to the polls unafraid that they could face prison time for any mistake or misunderstanding,” Allen said.

RELATED CONTENT: Meet Lucinda Cross, The Black Woman Who Ensures Formerly Incarcerated People Know Their Right To Vote  

Gunna, south fulton
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 22, 2024

Gunna Partners With Black Music Action Coalition To Provide 30 Georgia Families With Guaranteed Income

Gunna is gifting 30 families with $1,000 monthly stipends for one year.

Rapper Gunna is giving $1,000 monthly stipends to 30 lucky families in his hometown of South Fulton, Georgia.

Gunna’s Great Giveaway Foundation has teamed up with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) for a new initiative that will give out monthly stipends for one year, Rolling Stone reports. Recipients of the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program must be within the specific zip code in South Fulton, Georgia, to receive the monthly stipends and mentorship in music, film, fashion, and tech.

The new initiative aligns with BMAC’s mission of uniting artists, songwriters, managers, producers, lawyers, and other music executives in tackling social injustice impacting predominantly Black communities in the wake of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

“BMAC’s mission to achieve systemic equity must begin with economic justice,” said Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, the organization’s co-founder, president, and CEO. “Black Americans are too often locked out of critical opportunities and pathways to climb the socioeconomic ladder despite being central to every cultural and financial movement in this country’s history.”

The program is the latest in Gunna’s philanthropic endeavors in his native Georgia. In 2021, he teamed up with Goodr to create a free in-school clothing and grocery store at his former middle school in College Park, where he grew up. The store, named Gunna’s Drip Closet And Goodr Grocery Store, has an array of foods, household items, toiletries, and even clothes and shoes for students and their families. It was formed to combat child hunger.

“We were really conscious of making sure that we were providing items that the kids could make themselves because the principal let us know that a lot of these kids when they leave school, they are essentially adults that are making the meals,” Goodr CEO Jasmine Crowe explained. “They’re doing everything for their household.”

Families interested in participating in the Gunna x BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income Program can apply online HERE.

RELATED CONTENT: Rapper Gunna Released From Jail, Announces 5th ‘Gunna’s Great Giveaway’ to Gift $100K This Christmas

Amber Rose, Republican National Convention
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 22, 2024

Amber Rose’s Attack On VP Kamala Harris Falls Flat Among Social Media Users

Social media is not here for Amber Rose's latest rant against Vice President Kamala Harris.

Amber Rose attempted to slam Vice President Kamala Harris in response to how “poppin'” the Democratic National Convention has been. But social media wasn’t trying to hear it.

The “Celebrity College Hill” star took to Instagram on Wednesday, August 22, to acknowledge how “lit” night 2 of the 2024 DNC was. Rose focused on Lil Jon’s live performance during Georgia’s portion of the ceremonial roll call the DNC held to nominate Kamala Harris as their pick for president officially.

While Rose notes how “fire” it was to have Lil Jon and DJ Cassidy entertain the crowd of Democrats, the proud Republican supporter of Donald Trump seemingly thinks Harris is using celebrities to distract Americans from some of the issues impacting the country.

“I was thinking, Kamala should have a new slogan,” Rose says to the camera. “It should be, let’s manipulate Americans into thinking that everything is all good and everything is just funny and laughs and jokes and like, just cool a** music.”

“And, you know, while war veterans are broke and there’s so many homeless people in America, people can’t afford groceries or rent or to even go out with their friends anymore and have a good time,” Rose continued. “Illegal migrants are getting so much money in food stamps, taking over our hotels and schools, people are dying in war, you know, that should be her new slogan.”

“I think she should put that on a hat. Yeah, I think she should put that on a hat,” she concluded.

However, if Amber hoped her sarcastic rant against VP Harris would garner more support for Trump, it appeared to do the opposite among most of her followers. Many flooded her comments section with critiques against Trump and her argument about VP Harris.

“If you think Trump is gonna change all of that you’re part of the problem,” one person wrote.

“Girl, Trump did nothing for vets, retired citz on disability or retirement or for the middle class that make up more than half the population,” added someone else. “Like, what world do all live in? Trump cares about the billionaires, which you’re not! And himself. He road off the coattails of Obama 8 years in which he brought us back from a recession.”

The backlash was worse after The Shade Room reposted Amber’s rant against VP Harris, with many saying it was hard to take political advice from the social media star.

“Still trying to figure out why somebody with a forehead tattoo is talking to me,” one user wrote.

“Her inner Karen shines ✨bright,” added another.

Amber Rose has been under fire since posting a photo in May standing alongside Trump and his wife, Melania, to show her support for his 2024 presidential campaign. The mother of two has since turned her Instagram page into a political hub, where she often posts content criticizing Kamala Harris and praising Trump. However, her latest rant has been disregarded.

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