Camp Yoshi Is The Black-Owned Outdoor Travel Group Where ‘Luxury Meets the Land’

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 23, 2025

Camp Yoshi Is The Black-Owned Outdoor Travel Group Where ‘Luxury Meets the Land’

Founded by HBCU graduates, Camp Yoshi is redefining the outdoor experience with its elevated trips to nowhere.

“Trips to Nowhere” are a speciality of Camp Yoshi. The Black-owned outdoors group has a mission to not only diversify America’s outdoors movement, but provide elevated eco-adventures that tie community with sustainability.

Founded in 2020 by HBCU grads and siblings, Rashad and Ron Frazier, alongside Rashad’s wife, Shequeita, the idea sparked during the beginning stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. As former New York-based chef with an affinity for nature, Frazier’s southern upbringing inspired him to take his talents and community outside.

“I think the evolution of how I see [Camp Yoshi]’s legacy is just how we want to show for our people,” Frazier told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “How do we create something that really is built for our communities at the same level of legacy, experience, and aspiration that a lot of our peers have had, but we haven’t had access to. If you can have the right operator, like us, doing it, you’ll find yourself as a first time camper thriving and not just surviving.”

From there, Camp Yoshi was born, taking the anxiety and hassle away for first-time and diverse campers. Frazier and his team set up homebase before campers arrive at the unique campgrounds. However, they still follow the “Leave No Trace” principles upheld by outdoors advocates.

The itinerary varies from trip to trip, ranging from true camping elements to more luxurious accommodations. However, the heart of each experience remains. These eco-adventures allow “campers” to recharge and immerse themselves in the wanderlust of somewhere new. Some of these off-grid experiences are as thrilling as they are peaceful. One can take treks through the Mars-like atmosphere of Moab, Utah or trail through the vast landscapes of Big Sky, Montana and Bend, Oregon.

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Partnering with eco-focused brands such as Rivian and Snowpeak, Camp Yoshi is a standout as a Black-owned business in the blooming wellness industry. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness economy also reached a new peak of 6.8 trillion in 2024.

This industry, while seeing tremendous growth, has leaned traditionally white in its businesses and patrons. Emphasizing the importance of wellness for all, especially those it has historically excluded, is essential to the Camp Yoshi difference.

“I think in the space that we sit in today and all the things that we’re seeing happening around us, in our country, in our environment, yeah, I just really, really hope that as people come into the camp Yoshi ecosystem, and they adventure with us, and they meet others from different walks of life that don’t look like them, that we can sit down, we can foster conversation, and we can walk away as friends, even if we don’t agree,” shared Shequita.

Black people in the camping community are growing, but still amount to a tiny fraction of those venturing outside. Kampgrounds of America (KOA) says Black campers accounted for only 11% of those who camped in 2024. While Camp Yoshi provides a more luxurious outdoors experience, it still does its part to change the narrative surrounding who belongs in nature.

“Keep in mind, too, we’re not a monolith,” added Frazier. “We’re not locked in on just camping, obviously, our trips can incorporate a hotel if you need to. But the ecological wonder, discovery, fellowship, community that comes with our trips, I think that can show up anywhere, whether in camping or in the Four Seasons.”

Another Camp Yoshi difference lies in its taste for adventure and chef-inspired eats. The outdoors does not stop Frazier from providing the same meals you’d try in fine dining establishments. Inspired by their dozens of eco-adventures, Frazier has developed a cookbook, aptly titled Cookout, for a 2026 release. Its recipes encourage by-the-fire cooking and eating, allowing people to share a meal under the stars.

“I think since we have a specific focus on new users in the outdoor space, the food can help alleviate [concerns]… Trips are meant to kind of help bring strangers together quickly. For the solo travelers, nothing just disarms a person like a good meal with a group of people,” emphasized Frazier.

Shequita adds, “The culinary perspective of everything is centered around Rashad and his background and experiences. But, we all know that food is the cornerstone of building community. At the onset of Camp Yoshi, the whole premise was to get people outside and understand how healing nature can be.”

Camp Yoshi can take your travels even further, with field day trips and week-long expeditions fitting wide price points. Crossing oceans to destinations like Puerto Rico and Japan are also now on their horizon.

With around 35 trips annually, Camp Yoshi has already sold out its 2025 season. It expects to drop new excursions for the upcoming year this fall, with new and returning campers excited to take on the wild beauty again.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Trump, National GUard

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 22, 2025

Mayor Paul Young Hopes National Guard Helps With Memphis Cleanup, Homeless Efforts

While he didn't ask for the agency’s assistance, Young looks at their arrival as an opportunity to give the city the strength that it needs.

After President Donald Trump labeled Memphis, Tennessee, the next destination for the National Guard to tackle “crime concerns,” Mayor Paul Young said he hopes it can assist with beautification and homelessness services like what happened in Washington, D.C., Action News 5 reports.

Young highlighted his desire for the National Guard to help community members continue the work of the Blight Zero teams and the Community Enhancement Division, who assist with community beautification.

He said he was encouraged following his meeting with D.C. Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah and Police Chief Pamela Smith Young, inspiring him to map out core areas that need assistance, including law enforcement. While he didn’t ask for he assistance, Young sees an upside.

“For Memphis, I choose to view this as an opportunity,” the mayor wrote in his weekly newsletter. “My commitment is to make sure every resource we receive strengthens our city, not just for today, but for the long term.”

The National Guard deployment tour started after Trump sent the soldiers into D.C.’s streets to tackle alleged concerns of an increase in violence.

While met with some backlash from the Black community, there seems to be some good that came out of it.

CBS News Justice Correspondent Scott MacFarlane shared an update from the troops in D.C., announcing “guardsmen have cleared 1,022 bags of trash, spread 744 cubic yards of mulch, removed 35 truckloads of plant waste, cleared 6.7 miles of roadway, and painted 270 feet of fencing.”

Update from National Guard in DC:

"Guardsmen have cleared 1,022 bags of trash, spread 744 cubic yards of mulch, removed 35 truckloads of plant waste, cleared 6.7 miles of roadway, and painted 270 feet of fencing"
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) September 22, 2025

Young is hoping guardsmen will join in efforts—not interrupt them—already started in the Memphis streets through an initiative called the “Own Your Block” cleanup, according to ABC 24.

In communities across the city, including Frayser, neighbors, city leaders, and over 60 churches have pitched in to help, as Young wants the city to get back to winning “the city beautiful award many years in a row” like in the 1940s.

Pursuit of God pastor Sheila Floyd participated in the cleanup.

“I hope to see Memphis being a choice place to live. We get a bad rep, we’re known for crime, and at one point, Memphis was known for being beautiful,” she said. “I would love to have that identity returned.”

Young admits Trump’s plans have pushed him to work with Republican lawmakers to improve the community. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said the National Guard’s presence will give Memphis Police the chance to focus on keeping the community safe.

Local leaders and hometown heroes were present to welcome the National Guard, including former television Judge Joe Brown.

https://twitter.com/dom_lucre/status/1969040058347852168

Of course, Trump couldn’t help but make things about him, saying at the American Cornerstone Institute Founder’s dinner that Memphis residents were “cheering the soldiers” and thanking him for sending troops.

“We are getting calls over the internet, we are getting statements: ‘Sir, thank you so much. I live in Memphis, it is so beautiful,” he claimed.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 22, 2025

Russell Wilson, Ciara’s 3BRAND Kids’ Line Grows After $100M In 2024 Sales

The brand surpassed $70 million during the first half of 2025.

New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson and R&B diva Ciara’s children’s workout clothing line, 3BRAND, has seen $100 million in sales in 2024, and already has surpassed the $70 million mark during the first half of 2025.

According to Forbes, the married couple created 3BRAND over five years ago, right before Ciara gave birth to their son, Win.

The day before she gave birth, Wilson wanted to create something for children as he watched their son, Future, holding a football under his arm, going across the room. At that moment, he drew the brand’s logo, and the couple decided on the name 3BRAND.

“A lot of the things that Ciara and I accomplished, we wrote them out as kids and had people who believed in us,” Wilson told Forbes. “But as a young kid, you ultimately have to believe in you. It’s about motivating the next generation.”

In June 2021, a 40-piece collection debuted. Presently, 3BRAND sports more than 100 items. With prices ranging from $20 to $65, people can purchase items like t-shirts, hoodies, and athletic shorts in sizes ranging from 4T (for toddlers) to children’s extra large. The brand has partnered with Haddad Brands and Nike to also sell accessories like backpacks, duffel bags, and hats.

Next for 3BRAND is expansion into international markets, specifically Europe and Latin America, after the brand found success in Japan and South Korea. Wilson also has his eyes set on expanding the product line to adults. He likens the company’s growth to football.

“I think about how I play—a lot of it is organized, but if the receiver isn’t there, you have to create that space,” Wilson said. “It was established early on that when life is hard, you create.”

Anyone interested in purchasing items from the clothing line can do so online as well as in brick-and-mortar stores like Macy’s, JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Nordstrom Rack.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 22, 2025

Scotland Evicts Ghanian Man And His Followers After Declaring ‘Kingdom Of Kubala’

The self-styled 'African tribe' known as the 'Kingdom of Kubala' faces a second deportation from privately owned land in Scotland.

A Ghanaian man and his followers face deportation from Scotland after setting up the so-called “Kingdom of Kubala” in the European country.

The Scottish Borders Council is pursuing a second eviction against 36-year-old Kofi Offeh, known as “King Atehehe,” following his recent removal from private woodland in Jedburgh, Business Insider Africa reports. He was joined by his partner Jean Gasho, 43, a Zimbabwean called “Queen Nandi,” and American follower Kaura Taylor, described as their “handmaiden Asnat.”

Offeh, a former opera singer, claims the Kingdom of Kubala is a spiritual reclamation of Scottish land he says was taken from African ancestors 400 years ago. The group, which has amassed over 100,000 followers on TikTok and Facebook, believes its mission is indestructible despite repeated evictions.

“The Kingdom of Kubala can never be destroyed,” the group wrote on Facebook, according to the BBC.

After their initial eviction from private woodland in Jedburgh earlier this month, the group moved their tents just meters away onto land owned by the Scottish Borders Council, prompting new legal action. Deputy Council Leader Scott Hamilton says the move is illegal and comes despite offers to help the group receive services from local authorities.

“We can help them, but we won’t sit back and let them break the law,” Hamilton said. “Nobody is above the law, and no matter how long this takes, you can be guaranteed we will not cease.”

The group’s activities have sparked concern among locals, with authorities offering housing and support services. Reports have also surfaced suggesting that Taylor was previously listed as missing in the state of Texas.

Despite the second eviction, by Monday afternoon, the self-styled “African tribe” remained at their campfire, singing and showing no sign of leaving. The council is expected to seek an order from a sheriff to remove the trio from the privately owned land.

“The legal process to remove the occupants from the council’s land has commenced, and officers will proceed through the next steps as quickly as possible.”

Candace Owens, HBCU, tour, Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA,

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 22, 2025

Candace Owens Feels A Way About Being Excluded From Bestie Charlie Kirk’s Memorial

'They are working on a narrative, like they always do. They are squeezing, and they are trying to pretend that Charlie and I didn't speak for years.'

Candace Owens addressed the rumors on why she was a no-show at her friend Charlie Kirk’s memorial after it was alleged by a Turning Point USA board member that she and Kirk had a falling out.

During the Sept. 18 episode of The Candace Owens Show, Owens rambled about supposed lies being spouted about her relationship with the slain podcaster coming from former Turning Point board member Eric Bolling, a Fox News and Newsmax host.

Owens admitted that she wasn’t invited to speak at the memorial service, but for a specific reason. After alleging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had something to do with Kirk’s death, she believes there is an attempt to silence her.

“Like I said, the reason that they are doing this is because they want us to stop investigating the death of Charlie Kirk. I am convinced that this is a full-blown fed operation,” she said.

Owens said she heard rumors of “pressure” that came down from planning the Sept. 21 memorial while being questioned on if she attended any vigils for him or if she has a relationship with Kirk’s widow, Erika.

“No, actually, I didn’t attend a vigil and nope, you’re right, you got me. I was not invited to speak alongside President Trump and JD Vance on the stage with Tucker Carlson at a memorial event…what does this have to do with anything?,” the host questioned. “The answer is nothing. They are working on a narrative, like they always do. They are squeezing, and they are trying to pretend that Charlie and I didn’t speak for years. It could not be further from the truth, OK? Charlie and I never for a single second stopped being friends.”

She expressed concern that Turning Point donors need to be investigated, claiming what she is hearing from sources is “not good.”

For days, rumors sparked that Owens and Kirk had a falling out after Bolling appeared on Patrick Bet-David’s PBD Podcast, alleging Owens’ “theories got just a little bit too down the rabbit holes.” It was too extreme for [TPUSA’s] taste,” Bolling said, according to The New York Post.

“Charlie, to his credit, kept a cordial friendship with her for years, but it hasn’t been a communication pipeline between the two for many years,” Bolling said.

One PBD commentator said that Owens was on track to lose credibility because she fails to come with receipts of her claims.

The credibility rumors seem to be lurking in the circles of Black community members .

“Candace Owens is rage bait and always has been. She’s pandering to the left for attention, not because she’s trustworthy or because her views have actively changed,” DeRay Mckesson said on X.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 22, 2025

Persia White Says Mara Brock Akil Is ‘Into The Idea’ Of A ‘Girlfriends’ Movie

'But now it looks like the stars might align if they can get the funding, which, I think, it's completely possible because—money, there are people with a lot of money.'

A Girlfriends film appears likely after a cast member confirmed that the entire ensemble supports the project.

Persia White, known for her role as Lynn Ann Searcy on the hit 2000–2008 sitcom, spoke about the recent cast reunion celebrating the show’s 25th anniversary. An Instagram post by Reggie Hayes, who played William, showed him dining with co-stars Tracee Ellis Ross (Joan Clayton), Jill Marie Jones (Toni Childs-Garrett), Golden Brooks (Maya Wilkes), and creator Mara Brock Akil.

Seeing the cast together got fans excited and calling for a film adaptation, something White says could happen, with everyone, including Akil, on board.

“She’s into the idea. She said she would love to do a movie,” White told People. “And I know that the cast, most of us have said at different times to the press, we would love to.”

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White said getting everyone to agree to the project is just half the battle.

“It’s not just us. It takes a whole village,” she added. The film needs the “proper funding” to be officially greenlit.

But she said it is the first time she’s seen everyone show so much interest in turning the classic sitcom into a film.

“I know there were times where people were busy, people were in different places and doing different things,” White explained. “But now it looks like the stars might align if they can get the funding, which, I think, it’s completely possible because—money, there are people with a lot of money.”

In addition to having Akil on board with the film, the cast also has the support of the show’s executive producer, actor Kelsey Grammer.

“He’s been talking on the red carpet about, ‘Oh, I would do Girlfriends.’ And I was like, ‘Is he serious?’ I need to know. I literally need to know for my own mind and my own sanity. Like, are you serious?” White shared.

Girlfriends chronicled the lives of four friends navigating life’s challenges and joys together. From dating and divorce to friendships, family, and relationships, the show highlighted the power of support across different backgrounds. Its themes continue to resonate as viewers stream the series on Netflix.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 22, 2025

UK College Student Has Legs, Fingers Amputated After Mistaking Severe Illness For The Flu

The student actually had meningococcal disease that led to sepsis.

After mistaking a severe illness for a typical fall season flu, a UK teen now lives a new reality from the near-death experience.

Shortly after beginning the 2024 school year at England’s De Montfort University, Ketia Moponda had what she thought was a mild illness. Things took a turn when the 19-year-old’s cough worsened, leading her to believe she was “going to die,” People reported.

After not checking back in with a friend and her cousins, loved ones reached out to the university to ensure her well-being. Administrators found her unconscious in her dorm room. Moponda was transported the nearby Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Moponda actually had meningococcal septicaemia. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the bacterial infection is caused by bacterial meningitis, often spread through spit or mucus. In the marketing student’s case, the infection led to sepsis, prompting doctors to take drastic measures to save her life.

When she arrived at the Leicester, Moponda was in a grave state, a blood oxygen level at 1% and organ failure. She was put into a medically induced coma.

“My feet were green and swollen,” said the college student. “My organs were failing, and doctors told my family that if I woke at all, I’d likely be brain dead.”

She woke up days later to swollen body parts. Because of the lack of blood flow, doctors removed Moponda’s legs and fingers months later.

The co-ed doesn’t remember the ordeal, but wants to use her story and platform to spread awareness on the lesser-known disease.

It took a while for Moponda to adjust to her new normal, saying it was initially “killing my spirit” as she just entered adulthood. “This doesn’t make me less of a person,” Moponda said. “I am unapologetically me, and I want to help others to feel confident about who they are and how they look.”

With new prosthetic legs, she is learning to walk again while remaining empowered through her disability.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 22, 2025

Former Mercedes-Benz Employee Making Affordable Vehicles For Nigerians

'We are building a company that gives Nigerians world-class vehicles at globally competitive prices.'

Ajayi Joshua Oluwatobi achieved such success at Mercedes-Benz Vans that he won the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Best Sales Performance for Africa award.

But, according to Business Insider Africa, three years after winning that award and witnessing Nigeria go into a recession, the former CEO of Jetvan had to switch gears when he realized that things were not looking well in the market.

As customer couldn’t afford foreign vehicles, Oluwatobi had to learn what he could do to allow customers to purchase cars.

“We were selling luxury vehicles. Suddenly, no one could afford them,” he told the media outlet. “Customers who once bought new buses were now stuck repairing old ones. At one point, I feared losing everything. I knew I had to find an alternative.”

That alternative became Nord. His thought process was to build vehicles in Africa since foreign cars were becoming too expensive for Nigerians. If he were able to do so and make them affordable, it would stand a chance of being successful.

After sketching prototypes and engaging a German firm to refine the designs, he traveled to Thailand and China to source a supplier for the vehicles that would match what he was seeking in a car. Two years later, in 2018, the first Nord vehicle rolled off the assembly line.

“We are building a company that gives Nigerians world-class vehicles at globally competitive prices,” he said. “A car that retails for about $16,000 in Japan or the U.S. often sells for $45,000 in Nigeria. Nigerians deserve better.”

Nord has recently announced that Nigerians can now buy its entry-level, brand-new EV for ₦16 million (about $11,000).

Oluwatobi mentions that between 32% and 40% of the parts for its vehicles are already produced in Nigeria. The company can assemble about 20,000 cars a year, but with sufficient demand, that number could scale up to 100,000 units. Nord has two plants in Lagos: a 2,100m² (0.518921 acres) facility in Sangotedo, where all eight models are assembled, and a 5,400m² (1.3343691 acres) factory being built in Epe.

“We want to be the company Africans can look to and say, ‘Because of Nord, my dream of owning a brand-new car has been achieved,’” Oluwatobi said.

Southern Trans Celebration Tackles Concerns Of National Guard Coming To Memphis, ‘What Does Safety Look Like’

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 22, 2025

Southern Trans Celebration Tackles Concerns Of National Guard Coming To Memphis, ‘What Does Safety Look Like’

Memphis trans advocates met with the mayor to address concerns over the National Guard’s presence in the city.

At the inaugural Southern Trans Celebration in Memphis, Tennessee, advocates pressed the local mayor over Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to the city.

On Sept. 19, OUTMemphis and local advocacy groups, including My Sistah’s House and WeCareTN, hosted the first Southern Trans Celebration in honor of Trans Advocacy Day. The event took place at Memphis City Hall, where attendees met with Mayor Paul Young to push for policies protecting the city’s transgender community, as reported by Action 5 News. Following Trump’s call to deploy the National Guard to address the city’s high crime rate, discussions included concerns over the Trump-created Memphis Safe Task Force and its impact on marginalized groups.

“I think one of my main concerns was what does safety look like,” said Jasmine Tasaki with WeCareTN. “Because so many times as Black transgender women and transgender people, we are often policed.”

“We’re asking and calling on our elected officials to make a stance, to come out in support of us publicly,” said Kayla Gore, the founder of My Sistah’s House. “So that we are clear here in Memphis that this is not Tennessee, and that the things that are coming from the federal and state level don’t necessarily affect the people who are here.”

After meeting with the mayor, the groups said they felt more reassured about their safety as the National Guard began patrolling their city.

“He assured us that the National Guard is here to support, to be eyes and ears of sorts, and not necessarily to police people,” Tasaki said.

“What we heard from our mayor is that he’s gonna do everything in his power to make sure the City of Memphis is still a safe place for people to commune, go to work, and for people to access services,” added Gore.

Mayor Young said his recent talks with D.C. Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah and Police Chief Pamela Smith highlighted how the National Guard supported law enforcement, beautification, and homelessness efforts in their city, areas he believes Memphis can also improve.

“For Memphis, I choose to view this as an opportunity,” Mayor Young wrote in a newsletter. “My commitment is to make sure every resource we receive strengthens our city, not just for today, but for the long term.”

Social Media Clowns Fox News For Singling Out Adrian From Missouri, A Black Charlie Kirk Supporter, Outside Memorial

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 22, 2025

Social Media Clowns Fox News For Singling Out Adrian From Missouri, A Black Charlie Kirk Supporter, Outside Memorial

Social media users called Fox News out for purposefully putting the spotlight on Black supporters, some alleging he was paid actor.

Social media users are pointing the finger at Fox News for focusing on Black supporters of President Donald Trump and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, like Adrian from Missouri, who said the podcaster inspired him to speak out more on his political views.

Traveling across the country to show his support, Adrian spoke to the media outlet to let the world know that he felt horrible about what happened to Kirk, who was murdered during a college campus appearance in Utah. Adrian labeled Kirk as “a very humble man” who he had the chance to meet and “loved how he stood up for America” and helped Trump get into office. However, Fox wanted him to specifically talk about the crowd – claiming 60,000 people already took their seats inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona – as Adrian himself was attempting to get in. “It was to be expected if you ask me. He was a very loved man, he’s gonna be missed,” he said.

“I mean Charlie, he always brought out big crowds and he always stayed on relevant topics and he spoke very well so I think that a lot of people wanted to know him personally and we all felt like we knew him personally.”

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But as the clip started to circulate around social media, users were calling the outlet out for purposefully putting the spotlight on Black supporters. “This got to be a paid actor,” @threehoodoosisters wrote on IG, sharing similar thoughts with others.

Another user pointed out that it would be impossible for Fox to know that he came across the country without talking to him first, sparking further speculation that it was staged. “How did he know he came from across the country? I guess he did a pre-interview… paid that boy to do that… Adrien from Mizzou,” @benji.ctu said

Other comments poured in of images that seemingly reflect anti-Black rhetoric, with characters like “Stephen” played by Samuel L. Jackson in the 2012 box office hit Django Unchained.

Since Kirk’s death, a number of Black community members have spoken out against honoring the podcaster, who on record called for the termination of affirmative action and expressed his disdain for Black people in high places. From well-known leaders like Pastor Jamal Bryant to a student who was expelled from Texas State University after openly expressing his non-feelings toward the murder, Black people have been speaking out against Kirk’s viewpoints, from targeting Black women to hyper Christianity.

A number of White evangelicals across state lines have idolized Kirk, comparing his death to the likes of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bryant says ideologies like this make him believe people have more of an allegiance to MAGA than the cross, calling it a scary time in religion and race relations. “I think that their allegiance to their political association trumps their connection to the cross,” Bryant said, according to the Washington Post.

“This is really a critical moment for race relations in the nation, and what the church says and does or does not say is going to play an active role in that.”