Jay-Z and Travis Scott, who attended a few Fanatics Fest events, were featured on Apple Music’s official playlist along with Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Usher, Eminem, 50 Cent, DJ Khaled, Tyla, Megan Thee Stallion, Shaboozey, Future, and more. With the event hosted in Jay-Z’s hometown, it made sense that his Alicia Keys-assisted hit “Empire State of Mind” kicked off the music mix, as did Queen’s, “We Will Rock You.”
The new weekend-long event allowed sports fans to rub shoulders with their favorite athletes from past and present. Hosted at NYC’s Javits Center in Manhattan, attendees got the chance to experience live shows, examine rare sports memorabilia like baseball cards, and get up close and personal with historical pieces worn by legendary athletes of the past.
Saw A TON of incredible super fan outfits this weekend at Fanatics Fest, but Sarah from Buffalo dressed as a Bills fan jumping on a table was by far the most creative of them all! Excited for you to go to the Super Bowl , World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Final, MLS Cup, WWE… pic.twitter.com/DykWNpqhJ7
Charlotte Hornets power forward Grant Williams was elated to interact with fans like never before as he walked the showroom floor and posed for selfies with sports fanatics.
“It’s incredible! I try my best to show love because they show love to me. I’m thrilled to be here, and Fanatics Fest is a blast,” Williams told AMNY. “You got everything. You have a list of athletes, you got collectables, apparel…it’s a great event.”
Other famous faces in attendance included NBA legend Julius Erving, UFC fighter Alex Pereira, New England Patriots CEO Robert Kraft, and social media star Druski, who joined “First Take” hosts Stephen A. Smith, Christopher Russo, and Molly Querim for a special Fanatics Fest sports debate alongside athletes like Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Ryan Clark.
A life-size WWE walkway was the star of the show, allowing attendees to emulate their favorite superstar entrances and watch athletes like Rhea, CM Punk, and football all-star Rob Gronkowski strut their stuff.
New College Of Florida Trashes Hundreds Of Books On Race, Sexuality, And Feminism
The move seems to align with many book bans across Florida schools following new anti-DEI legislation.
The New College of Florida is facing backlash for throwing out hundreds of books centering on race, sexuality, and feminism.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune and USA Today posted the books found in a dumpster in the school’s parking lots. Visible titles included “Curies: A Gay Man’s Odyssey,” “Feminist Thought,” and “Race Music: Black Cultures from Bebop To Hip Hop,” among others.
DEVELOPING: New College of Florida dumped hundreds of library books this afternoon.
The school also emptied the college’s Gender and Diversity Center, tossing hundreds of their books.
The reporter also claimed that the school removed the books within its Gender and Diversity Center. The college stood firm in its stance of trashing the books, calling it a “standard weeding process” to do so.
“The New College Library is following its longstanding annual procedures for weeding its collection, which involves the removal of materials that are old, damaged, or otherwise no longer serving the needs of the College,” wrote the school in a statement. “The images seen online of a dumpster of library materials is related to the standard weeding process. Chapter 273 of Florida statutes precludes New College from selling, donating or transferring these materials, which were purchased with state funds.”
Furthermore, the school pointed to its discontinued Gender Studies program as the reason for those books’ displacement.
The move, however, seems to align with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to eliminate DEI measures and programs from public schools. With newly established laws banning the teaching of critical race theory and sexuality, many schools have removed books with similar themes. Moreover, DeSantis enacted a law in May 2023 on New College’s campus that prohibits using public funding for diversity programs.
DeSantis appointed new members to the college’s Board of Trustees to ensure its shift to a more conservative culture. However, opposers of DeSantis’ new legislation continue to condemn his actions. The ACLU of Florida even deemed the College’s book removal an “intentional act of censorship.”
“We vehemently condemn the reprehensible actions taken by New College of Florida, where hundreds of library books—including those concerning LGBTQ+ studies—have been unceremoniously discarded, destined for a landfill,” explained Bacardi Jackson, executive director at the ACLU of Florida. “This is not merely an administrative oversight; it is an intentional act of censorship that strikes at the heart of our democratic values and the very purpose of education.”
She added, “The dumping of these books is more than just the disposal of outdated materials. It is a clear and dangerous signal of the extent to which political interference is poisoning our educational institutions. This isn’t just an attack on academic freedom—it is an all-out assault on the right to free expression, the free exchange of ideas, and the intellectual autonomy that our colleges and universities must protect at all costs.”
Sens. Casey And Warren Sound Alarm On Kroger’s Digital Price Tags, Warn Of ‘Surge Pricing’ And Consumer Harm
The senators also raised concerns about the grocer's potential use of facial recognition software and the gathering of sensitive consumer personal data.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey cautioned in a letter that Kroger and other grocery store chains might exploit electronic shelving label (ESL) technology to artificially raise consumer prices through a dynamic pricing model.
According to Fortune, although Kroger began using ESL in 2018, the senators sent a letter to Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen on Aug. 5. In the letter, the pair warned: “Widespread adoption of digital price tags appears poised to enable large grocery stores to squeeze consumers to increase profits. Analysts have indicated that the widespread use of dynamic pricing will result in groceries and other consumer goods being ‘priced like airline tickets,’ ‘creat[ing] a sense of urgency and a sense of scarcity that wouldn’t exist if there were just publicly posted prices that everybody understood,’ and allowing ‘sellers…to … figure out ways to extract the maximum amount of profit from each customer.'”
The grocer branded the technology “Kroger Edge” and initially pitched it as a way for customers to have a positive shopping experience at the store. The technology includes video advertisements, digital coupons, and a search function through the company’s mobile application.
However, this also created concerns about surge pricing, which the senators’ letter alludes to. Surge pricing refers to the ability of a company providing goods or a service, like Uber, to raise prices during certain points of the day based on usage volume or other metrics. Likewise, this technology could artificially manipulate prices based on several factors, including the customers themselves.
Kroger, meanwhile, disputed this interpretation of its technology in a statement the company issued to Fortune.
“Kroger’s business model is to lower prices over time so that more customers shop with us, which leads to more revenue that we then invest in lower prices,” the company said. “Any test of electronic shelf tags is to lower prices more for customers where it matters most. To suggest otherwise is not true.”
The statement continued, “Kroger and the company it partnered with to expand its ‘Kroger Edge’ technology in 2024, Intelligence Node, have been careful to avoid any mention of dynamic pricing, only saying in a press release that Intelligence Node would assist Kroger by using its expertise to “enhance online shopping by delivering an experience that better informs shoppers’ product selections and purchase decisions.”
Kroger is not the only grocer looking to use this kind of technology. According to Fortune, Walmart, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods, owned by Amazon, intend to implement ESL technology in their stores.
The senators also raised concerns about the potential application of facial recognition software and the gathering of sensitive personal data in the letter.
“In addition to price gouging, the EDGE Shelf helps Kroger gather and exploit sensitive consumer data. Through a partnership with Microsoft, Kroger plans to place cameras at its digital displays, which will use facial recognition tools to determine the gender and age of a customer captured on camera and present them with personalized offers and advertisements on the EDGE Shelf,” the letter stated.
The letter continued, “EDGE will allow Kroger to use customer data to build personalized profiles of each customer, and then use those profiles ‘to determine how much price hiking each of us can tolerate,’ quickly updating and displaying the customer’s maximum willingness to pay on the digital price tag –- a corporate profiteering capability that would be impossible using a mere paper price tag. I am concerned about whether Kroger and Microsoft are adequately protecting consumers’ data, and that as Kroger expands the personalized customer experience, customers will ultimately be offered a worse deal.”
Tuskegee Airmen Seek To Train Next Generation Of Black Aviators
According to Russell Nalle, a former Tuskegee Airman, today's aviators have more opportunities than he had after his military career concluded.
With only three original Tuskegee Airmen remaining, the national nonprofit established by these legendary aviators continues its mission to train the next generation of Black pilots.
According to Stars And Stripes, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. recently honored the work of the original Airmen from Aug. 15 to 17 and committed to the group’s future.
As Jerry Burton, the national president of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., told Stars And Stripes, “There are not a whole lot of African Americans or people of color among the ranks of pilots. We’re trying to change that. “I recall from my own childhood in the 1970s that many young people did not know those opportunities existed for African Americans. We look to the past for inspiration but keep our focus on future Black aviators.”
The now-elderly Airmen faced difficulties getting to the convention, largely because of their ages, but 98-year-old Retired Brig. Gen. Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse II attended alongside approximately 35 teenagers who had previously participated in Tuskegee Airmen Inc. educational programs.
According to Russell Nalle, a former Tuskegee Airman, today’s aviators have more opportunities than he had after his military career concluded.
“I got turned down as a commercial pilot. It was not called or identified as discrimination back then. It was part of the culture at the time,” Nalle said. “But joining the military was different. I learned about the world. I couldn’t have asked for anything better than learning to fly a plane.”
In April, Tuskegee University and the Leadership In Flight Training Academy (LIFT) launched the first Tuskegee University Flight School, a program that Tuskegee University President Dr. Charlotte P. Morris said is designed to train the next generation of military or commercial pilots.
“Tuskegee University is proud to continue a tradition that has contributed so much to the country through the courage and skills provided by the Tuskegee Airmen. A new generation of Tuskegee airmen and women will have the training they will need to serve our country through the military or as commercial pilots. What pleases me most is the enthusiasm with which we see young students ready to step up today to become such an important part of history. The new partnership with LIFT and Republic will build leaders and legacies.”
Jay-Z Will Revive The 40/40 Club To Include Sports Betting
Jay-Z is close to finalizing a location for the reopeing of his coveted 40/40 Club.
Jay-Z’s reimagined 40/40 Club at Fanatics Fest NYC was just a tease of what he has planned for the club’s reopening in 2025.
On Friday, August 16, Jay-Z teamed up with Fanatics Founder Michael Rubin for a remake of his famed 40/40 Club which shut its doors last summer. Tom Brady, Quavo, Travis Scott, Carmelo Anthony, Taylor Rooks, and many more famous faces were in attendance to help Jay-Z reimagine what the new and improved 40/40 could look like.
“It’s always been the plan to open a new spot,” 40/40 Club vice president of operations Sheldon Robinson told Us Weekly. “Finding the right location that makes sense to the brand is key, and that takes some time.”
“We’ve narrowed it down to our last few choices and now we’re in the negotiation phase.”
The new reimagined club will serve as an official sports betting operation where guests will have the opportunity to place live bets while they watch sporting events at the venue, Complex reports.
“Hopefully by the end of this year, we’ll have a lease signed and we can break ground. The idea is that we’ll have a club in 2025,” Robinson added.
Since closing the doors of the first 40/40 Club last August, it’s been a mission of Jay-Z’s to reopen the establishment that helped the hip-hop mogul flex his business prowess during the early start of his transition from rap superstar to business magnate. His longtime friend and former Roc-A-Fella artist Memphis Bleek was the first to reveal plans for 40/40’s reopening.
“Jay definitely wants to keep it as part of his legacy,” Robinson said, noting that Jay-Z has been “very involved” in the process. The Roc Nation founder has “been at site locations and in meetings” as the new club inches closer to reopening.
The Fanatics Fest version of the 40/40 Club included framed jerseys from the club archive, grand chandeliers, stadium seating, plus premium drinks and food inspired by the original 40/40 Club menu. The invite-only event was like “walking back in time” to a “renewed” version of Jay-Z’s first flagship location.
JAY-Z & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar bonding over being goats.
Jay-Z first opened the 40/40 in New York City in 2003 in NYC’s Flatiron District. After referencing the club on his 2003 hit “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” the rapper followed up with locations in Atlantic City in 2005, Las Vegas in 2007, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2012, and at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2014. The Atlantic City and Las Vegas locations were the first to close before the flagship location in New York City closed down in August 2023 with plans of reopening in a new location.
NYC Man Arrested After Allegedly Killing Twin Sister
Jonathan Hagley was charged with allegedly killing his sister, Naomi, in Teaneck, NJ
A New York City man has been charged in the killing of his twin sister after she was reportedly shot inside a home in Teaneck, New Jersey.
According to a press release from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Jonathan Hagley allegedly killed his 26-year-old twin sister, Naomi Hagley, on Aug. 15. Prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, second-degree certain persons not to have weapons or ammunition, third-degree possession of a defaced firearm, and fourth-degree obstructing justice.
On the morning of Aug. 15, at around 8:25 a.m., officers from the Teaneck Police Department responded to a call of a shooting. When they arrived at the scene, they found Naomi with multiple gunshot wounds. She was then taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators allege that her brother, Jonathan, shot her several times before fleeing the scene on foot. Police officers from the Bogota Police Department located him several blocks from the home and apprehended him. A gun with a defaced serial number was discovered near the crime scene.
A neighbor spoke to CBS News and stated that there were three sudden gunshots heard that morning.
“I’m drinking coffee, I didn’t hear anything, like sirens going on, and then all of a sudden — pow, pow, pow — three gunshots that I heard,” said neighbor Florentino Buluyut. “I said, ‘What’s going on in there?'”
ABC 7 NY reported that another neighbor, Luz Javier, caught Jonathan leaving the scene on his security camera.
“Ten minutes before I stepped out from the house to take her to school, so when I came back and saw everything, I was like, what is going on,” Javier said.
The Bergen Record reported that Jonathan allegedly shot a man in Harlem during a gunfight eight months ago. The incident took place near the suspect’s apartment. He purportedly shot a man in the back after two individuals walked up to him and shot twice before they fled the scene.
Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson Adds To Legacy By Breaking Another WNBA Record
Wilson breaks own record by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for the 17th time this season.
In this constant record-breaking season of the WNBA, another record has been shattered by the Las Vegas Ace’s A’Ja Wilson.
According to ESPN, the reigning WNBA Finals MVP and WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, Wilson, just broke a record she set only last year when she scored 34 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. This marks her 17th game this season with 20 points and 10 rebounds, breaking the record of 16 games she achieved last season.
In the 87-71 victory against the Los Angeles Sparks on Aug. 18, she also created another WNBA record when she scored at least 20 points and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in eight straight games.
She has been on a streak during the last eight games, during which she averaged 29.3 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks. Her shooting percentage is 53% (85-of-161) from the field and 93.3% (56-of-60) from the free-throw line.
Wilson is also the first player in league history with multiple games of 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals. Along with Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles, and Angel Reese, Wilson becomes the fourth player in league history to record eight double-doubles in a row.
The Aces have also mentioned that Wilson, having scored at least 24 points in each of the past eight games, ties a WNBA record she already shared with Diana Taurasi.
Other noteworthy stats include Wilson’s two blocked shots, giving her 417, placing her No. 12 on the all-time WNBA block list; her streak of double-digit scoring reached 39 games, the longest active streak in the league; the 13 rebounds she grabbed, giving her 1,947 for her career, which is the 30th most in WNBA history; her 17th double-double of the season, is also the 93rd of her career, placing her as having the 7th most in WNBA history; and by recording her 17th 20/10 game of the season and the 69th of her career, makes that stat the 5th-most in WNBA history.
Michelle Obama To Speak At 2024 Democratic National Convention
Obama is expected to speak on the second day of the convention.
Former first lady Michelle Obama will join the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) as a speaker. The event will take place in Obama’s native city of Chicago starting Aug. 19.
Sources told USA Today that Obama will appear on stage on Aug. 20, despite previous beliefs and an already-introduced lineup suggesting otherwise. In a surprise addition, Obama will speak to attendees and rally support for the upcoming Democratic Party nominee, Kamala Harris.
The revered Democratic figure now adds to the esteemed line-up of speakers, such as her husband former President Barack Obama, and Bill and Hillary Clinton. To kick the convention off, President Joe Biden and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will begin the speeches.
As for Mr. and Mrs. Obama, both speakers will address the delegates on Tuesday. With the day’s theme of “A Bold Vision For America’s Future,” the former first lady will encourage the audience to get out the vote and defeat Donald Trump in the November election.
Obama has continued her path toward inspiring hope while on the periphery of politics. Most recently, she announced the upcoming release of her workbook, Overcoming. Inspired by her second novel, The Light We Carry, the book includes writing prompts and activities to spark one’s own light.
I’m so thrilled to let you know that OVERCOMING: A Workbook — based on The Light We Carry — is coming out on December 3!
Despite her new era, the 60-year-old is briefly stepping back into politics to ensure a historic voter turnout in favor of Vice President Harris. Moreover, the former first couple officially endorsed the Harris’ candidacy in July.
Heinz Reaffirms Commitment To Black-Owned Restaurants With $1M Grant
Heinz has bestowed $4 million in total since launching the Black Kitchen Intiative.
Heinz has reaffirmed its commitment to support Black-owned restaurants. The brand will donate another $1 million in grants to help Black entrepreneurs keep and grow their kitchens.
The hefty check will go toward Heinz’s Black Kitchen Initiative (BKI), which is also in partnership with The LEE Initiative and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice. In a statement released toEssence, Heinz emphasized its ongoing mission to support Black-owned restaurants nationwide.
“The Black Kitchen Initiative grants are a tentpole moment for us each year, not only because we recognize the importance of Black-owned food businesses in the American culinary space, but also because entrepreneurship has been one of the core values in our brand DNA since day one,” stated Lizzy Goodman, brand communications manager at Heinz U.S.
Recipients will receive grants of $20,000 each to sustain their food business operations. This funding remains critical as financial issues disproportionately impact Black restaurateurs. According to Bankrate, Black restaurants start their business with significantly less capital, an average of $35,000, than their white counterparts, who hold an average of $107,000.
With stats like this in mind, Heinz’s financial support of the BKI seeks to dismantle these systemic problems. Moreover, the brand has allocated $4 million in total since launching the partnership.
SRRJ’s Founder Cheryl Day also spoke of the ongoing measure, “For a fourth year, we are grateful to Heinz to be able to support heritage chefs, bakers, and restaurants and continue to uplift communities all across the country.”
In 2023, Heinz also partnered with famed chef Marcus Samuelsson for an “Open Kitchen” event series to uplift recipients. It offered new experiences in kitchens throughout major food spots, as grantees showcased their skills on a grander scale.
Currently, the grant program will accept submissions until Aug. 31. They intend to prioritize applicants with community involvement and dedication to business growth.
Star Publicist And Life Coach Lynn Hobson Empowering Female Entrepreneurs With Networking Platform
'Money Lynn & Friends' was born out of a desire to create a supportive and empowering network for women entrepreneurs, especially those from minority backgrounds.
The pleasure of giving back is not lost on entrepreneur Lynn Hobson, who has been involved in the entertainment industry since 1995 when she worked for powerhouse publicist Terrie Williams. While building up her résumé, working with Eddie Murphy and Boyz II Men, she became director of Publicity at Untertainment Records. At the label, she worked with Lil Kim, Junior MAFIA, and Cam’Ron until she started her entrepreneurial journey in 1998, when she started her own company.
Her client roster has been extensive over the years. She became a published author in 2015 when she released her book, Diary of A Hip-Hop Publicist,and she hasn’t stopped working since then.
Her latest venture, “Money Lynn & Friends,” is a platform that encourages other entrepreneurs to gather. With 95% of these enterprises led by women, it has become a haven for female entrepreneurs to have an inclusive and supportive environment.
This entity has become a pop-up shop and expo that offers a dynamic space for entrepreneurs to market, promote, showcase, and sell their products. With different themes and goals throughout the year, minority-owned businesses can network among peers amid support from people who look and think like them.
BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with “Money Lynn” about the purpose of “Money Lynn & Friends” and her contributions to helping fellow entrepreneurs succeed in their businesses.
You’ve been involved in the entertainment industry for several years, and throughout that time, you’ve done things for the community that have helped empower them. Why did you feel it was important to do so, and how have you helped others with that mindset?
From the very beginning of my career in the entertainment industry, I recognized the impact that media and public relations can have on individuals and communities. It was important for me to leverage my platform to not only entertain but also empower and uplift those around me. I believe that when we invest in our communities, we create a ripple effect of positive change and opportunity. Through initiatives like “Money Lynn & Friends,” I’ve been able to mentor young talents, provide resources and networking opportunities, and create platforms for voices that might otherwise go unheard. By sharing my knowledge and connections, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions and give back to their communities to further a culture of support and empowerment.
You also focus on assisting women entrepreneurs, particularly minority-owned businesses, through your “Money Lynn & Friends.” When did you start this initiative, and what goals do you have for it?
“Money Lynn & Friends” was born out of a desire to create a supportive and empowering network for women entrepreneurs, especially those from minority backgrounds. I started this initiative in 2020, recognizing the unique challenges that women and minorities often face in the business world. My goal is to provide them with the tools, resources, and connections needed to thrive. This includes everything from workshops and mentorship programs to networking events and funding opportunities. Ultimately, I aim to create a community where Black and brown women entrepreneurs can share their experiences, learn from one another, and build successful, sustainable businesses.
How do you and your company help those under the umbrella, and what goes into including certain people and businesses when you do events?
At “Money Lynn & Friends,” we take a holistic approach to supporting those who come under our umbrella. This involves providing tailored advice, strategic PR and marketing services, and creating opportunities for exposure through events and media features. When selecting individuals and businesses to include in our events, we look for those who not only have a compelling story or innovative business model but also demonstrate a commitment to the community and a willingness to support and uplift others. We aim to create a diverse and dynamic mix of participants who can learn from and inspire each other.
Through your efforts, you’ve hosted several panels with entrepreneurs and successful business people. How do you decide what will be featured at your events, and what goes into the planning?
Deciding what to feature at our events involves a combination of market research, community feedback, and current trends in the industry. We aim to address the most pressing issues and opportunities that our audience faces at that particular time. Planning an event involves meticulous attention to detail, from securing the right venue and speakers to marketing the event and ensuring a seamless experience for attendees. We also prioritize inclusivity and diversity, making sure that our panels and discussions represent a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Collaborating with industry experts and influencers is key to delivering valuable content that resonates with our audience. Keeping my thumb at the very pulse of hot trending Black & Brown concerns is of the utmost importance for me.
What advice would you give anyone who wants to start and/or revitalize their business? What do you suggest to someone who wants to thrive off their passion for what they want to do?
For anyone looking to start or revitalize their business, my advice is to stay true to your passion but be strategic in your approach. Understand your market, know your audience, and continuously seek feedback to refine your offerings. Networking is crucial—surround yourself with mentors, peers, and collaborators who can provide support and guidance. For those wanting to thrive off their passion, it’s important to stay adaptable. The journey will have its challenges, but maintaining a clear vision and being open to learning and growth will pave the way for success. Furthermore, remember why you started and let that drive you through the ups and downs. Passion combined with perseverance is a powerful force and most importantly, keep GOD first in all that you do.
