The U.S. Virgin Islands Bring a Taste of the Caribbean to Philly
by Selena Hill

October 27, 2022

The U.S. Virgin Islands Bring a Taste of the Caribbean to Philly

In addition to chart-topping acts like Tyler the Creator, Burna Boy, Bad Bunny, and Jazmine Sullivan, attendees at the Made in America Festival in Philadelphia last month were treated to a taste of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).

Made in Paradise

U.S. Virgin Islands
Mocko Jumbies and dancers at the USVI activation at the 2022 Made In America Festival in Philadelphia, PA (Photo Credit: Black Enterprise/Selena Hill)

The USVI tourism department partnered with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, which powers the annual music festival, to bring Caribbean culture to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (where the festival took place) during Labor Day weekend. The USVI showcased the islands’ lively spirit through Mocko Jumbies stilt dancers and soca music while allowing attendees to swing over a photo of turquoise waters. The convivial activation served to give festival-goers a small preview of what to expect during the upcoming St. Croix Crucian Festival, taking place from December 30 to January 7. Plus, the USVI announced that one lucky festival-goer would win a free trip to the islands.

“Our environment is a lot different from Philly. We have beaches at every corner,” Ian Turnbull, the Division of Festivals Director at the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, told BLACK ENTERPRISE at the festival. “You’re at Made in America, but you can have a Caribbean paradise experience at this festival.”

Made in America Festival
2022 Made In America Festival in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Black Enterprise/Selena Hill)

This marked the second consecutive year that the USVI hosted an activation at one of the country’s biggest Labor Day weekend events. The effort was part of the USVI Department of Tourism’s mission to drive visitation to the islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. Turnbull says the islands saw an uptick in travelers from Philadelphia following Made In America last year, making the decision to return to the City of Brotherly Love easy. “We saw the numbers, and that’s why we’re here again.”

Joseph Boschulte, the Commissioner of Tourism at the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, called the USVI activation at Made In America a “resounding success.”

“Anecdotally, seeing the reception of the people was amazing,” he told BE. “Not only were they dancing with the Mockos and the entertainers, but they actually [took] snapshots of our QR code,” he said, adding that he felt “a sense of pride” seeing USVI swag gear throughout the festival.

USVI 5'2
Rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Verse Simmonds and USVI artist 5’2 at the 2022 Made In America Festival in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Black Enterprise/Selena Hill)

As part of the #MadeinParadise partnership with Roc Nation, the U.S. Virgin Islands hosted a contest to give one lucky local artist the opportunity to perform at Made in America. 5’2, a rapper, was selected by Roc Nation from a pool of other contestants that included Mic Love, Scarzeo, and Th3rd.

“I always wanted to come [to Philadelphia] as a kid, but I’m from the islands, so it’s not necessarily accessible,” 5’2 told BE after her performance. “It’s so small. It’s 32-square miles, specifically St. Thomas where I’m from. And I think that opportunity is so scarce down there. So, when I got this opportunity, I was super excited to come and show out and show them the talent that the Virgin Islands holds.”

Turnball said the USVI was incredibly proud to have the petite rapper represent their country and culture at Made in America. “She’s polished. She has some great music. She’s in right in line with the Megan Thee Stallions and the Cardi B’s of the world,” he told BE. “The whole Virgin Islands is excited about this moment because it’s not every day you get to go on a big stage [as an] up-and-coming artist.”

Book a Trip to Paradise

Virgin Islands
Ian Turnbull, the Division of Festivals Director at the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, and Joseph Boschulte, the Commissioner of Tourism at the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism [Photo credit: Black Enterprise/SelenaHill]
According to Boschulte, now is the best time to book a vacation to the USVI. For one, he says, Americans don’t have to worry about the burden of traveling internationally or the possibility of getting stuck overseas due to COVID.

“We’re a U.S. territory, so you don’t need a passport,” he said. “We expect different iterations [of COVID] to come around. So being a U.S. territory, you know one thing for sure, if you come to the Virgin Islands, you know you can get home. It’s not going to be a situation where it’s locked down and you can’t make it back.”

Plus, traveling to the islands is convenient, since many services provided in the United States are offered there as well.

“I think it’s important for you to travel someplace where you feel comfortable moving around, where you feel comfortable [using your] ATM card, [and] your cell phone’s going to work,” he said. “Coming out of a pandemic, you want to make sure that you can connect with your family. You want to make sure that your money is there if you need it. You want to make sure that your health care…is good.”

He went on to stress the beauty and warmth of the islands to entice tourists. “The beaches are beautiful. Our people are genuine,” he said. “They are genuinely happy to have you experience what we have to offer in the territory.”

He continued, “The USVI is a safe destination with many options on land and on the water. We welcome you down.”

“Just visit www.visitusvi.com,” he said.

Meet the Brothers Helping Athletes like Travis Kelce Succeed Outside the Arena
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 27, 2022

Meet the Brothers Helping Athletes like Travis Kelce Succeed Outside the Arena

Two brothers are celebrating 10 years as the owners of their Cleveland-based sports and entertainment agency, A&A Management Group.

Aaron and André Eanes have a roster of football players that includes Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Champion tight end, Travis Kelce; Cleveland Browns All-Pro cornerback, Denzel Ward; Cleveland Browns wide receiver, Donovan Peoples-Jones; and 2022 Rising All-Star and Second Team All-Rookie NBA breakout, Bones Hyland, to name a few.

The agency finds deals for its clients and helps them build their legacies in and out of the arena. Tailoring their clients’ individual goals, the brothers also help athletes take advantage of their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to the Eanes brothers about why they feel that sponsorships, endorsements, and brand partnerships should be a source of income for athletes, how they set clients up for the right deals, and why some athletes go broke after their playing careers end.

What inspired you to start A&A Management Group, and what overall goals do you have for the company? 

André: Growing up, I loved the game of basketball. I always wanted to be in the NBA. When I got to high school, I stopped growing and everyone that I was used to playing with grew to be 6 feet or taller while I remained 5’10. I went from being one of the top players in the state to quickly being barely average. But I was a worker and did what needed to be done to help my team win. That is what ultimately led me to figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my life. One thing I learned from basketball was that my true passions are working in a team atmosphere, connecting with people, and doing whatever I can to add value to a team.

Aaron and I started A&A Management Group during our junior year of college and [I] graduated with a degree in Sports Administration from the University of Cincinnati.

One of the main goals I have for A&A Management Group is to build brand awareness. We are doing some great things for our clients — not only for their brands but for their communities as well. We have spent the past 10 years establishing all the right relationships and building out all the right infrastructure to ensure that we can manage our clients in the most effective way possible. My goal is to continue to show that not only to our [current] clients but also to potential clients down the road; and really change the landscape when it comes to full-service management in sports.

Aaron: The desire to help athletes avoid running out of money after they retire was a big inspiration for me starting A&A Management Group. In 2011, there were not any independent sports management firms for athletes — to my knowledge. The concept of a manager in sports was not as common as it was in music. Athletes were losing opportunities by not having a company exclusively focused on their brands, communicating their brands to a broader market, and positioning them for future opportunities. Our overall goal is to ensure financial security for our clients so that they can sustain the lifestyle they were able to create for themselves as pro athletes, even after they retire.

How do you obtain deals, sponsorships, and collaborations for your clients? How do you decide which companies would be an excellent fit for your roster of athletes? 

André: To obtain deals for our clients we like to meet them where they are at. Meaning the first thing we like to do is understand what [our] clients are passionate about. We do not take a cookie-cutter approach to managing our clients. Every client is different, and our job is to take their passions and turn them into real, tangible things.

There are several factors to look at when considering which companies to partner with. One of the most important of those is brand alignment. It is extremely important to make sure that the brands and companies our clients partner with are on brand for the message they are trying to send and the story they are trying to tell.

Aaron: Everything we do centers around the passions and interests of the client. Once we understand our client’s interests, we find brands that align with them. Besides communicating to the broader public more about our clients, brand partnerships can also show off our clients’ passions. Customers are savvy and can tell if brand alignment is not there with sponsorships, so finding the right fit is important to keep the brand deals authentic.

Why do you feel that sponsorships, endorsement deals, and brand partnerships should be a major source of income for athletes? 

André: During your playing years, it is most important to build the life that you want to have after you are done playing. A big part of that is off-setting your expenses with off-field sponsorships, endorsements, and brand partnerships. Being able to generate income off the field and invest/save your contract money is a huge benefit in the long run and gives you the ability to plan for life after sports.

Remember, a lot of athletes can generate more money off the field/court in one year than a person can make in their entire working career. It all comes down to having a plan and a strategy and making moves during your playing career to reach that end goal. 

Aaron: I do not fully agree with that statement. I would rephrase it to sponsorships, endorsement deals, and brand partnerships should be a significant source of an athlete’s income if they want it to be

Today, unlike 10 years ago, athletes have many ways to monetize their platforms. You see great examples of athletes who are not as successful on the playing field but are highly successful in media or digital platforms as influencers. Some elite athletes do not necessarily care about doing the work required to secure endorsement deals because of the level of wealth they can create [just] from being an elite athlete.

The NBA is a prime example. Most guys in the NBA do not have a lot of endorsement deals because there just are not enough brands that can pay the money required to make most of the guys excited to partner with them. In the NFL, you see a lot more players doing deals simply because their contracts are not as high, especially when they are on their rookie deals. It ultimately depends on the athlete, but the ones willing to put in the work can surpass their on-field earnings and set themselves up for long-term financial success.

A lot of athletes go into bankruptcy after their playing careers are over. Why do you think this is, and how can they avoid that pitfall?

André: I think it has something to do with the amount of money that professional athletes make in such a short amount of time. In a normal job, typically, your pay increases as your career builds, and those careers can last for almost 30 years if not more. As an athlete, you are playing for a decade if you are lucky. So going from making $10 million per year to $100,000 in retirement is a very hard change to make if you do not plan for it. We work with our clients closely to ensure that the plan we have for them to make money outside of sports is on par with the long-term investment strategy that they have for the money that they are making while they are playing. 

To avoid any pitfalls, build a strong team around you that you can trust and that helps you understand the “why.” You must know and understand everything that is going on in your orbit to achieve maximum success. I use sports as an example. No matter what position you play, there is a playbook that teams stand by. To win, you must not only understand your responsibility for any given play, but you must also understand where your teammates will be on that play as well. It is no different building your business outside of sports.

Aaron: I have thought a lot about this question. It is actually what made me want to start the business. I would say the first thing is that most people ask that question dumbfoundedly. Like OMG [oh my gosh], IDK [I do not know], how could they go broke? But, if you look at most lottery winners, they also lose the money they made in a short period. The biggest reason athletes go broke, and I believe this is changing for several reasons; still, the few reasons are because financial literacy is not taught at all in most schools, athletes are considered institutional investors in business transactions based on their net worth, so they can sign documents that waive all the financial protections the average investor has, divorce, child support, supporting family and friends, and ultimately not believing they could go broke until it is too late.

As an entrepreneur, what would you tell someone who wants to turn their passion into a career?

André: My advice would be to be patient, stay humble, and stay focused on your goals. Patience is key. I believe when we are patient, we make the best decisions possible. Understand that building a successful business has several stages. Stage one typically is not a stage anyone wants to be in, but it is critical to building the foundation of your business. Understand you may not be doing everything you want in this stage, but also be cognizant that what you are doing will benefit you and your professional growth in the long run. 

Aaron: I would suggest being patient. Being an entrepreneur, unlike an employee, is a 24/7 thing. You cannot leave the office and be done with work. However, if you are genuinely passionate about what you are doing and continue to learn and work on your unique ability, you will eventually find success. Still, it most likely will not happen overnight. 

Three Black Sanitation Workers Rescue Missing Girl After Being Dumped Into Garbage Truck
by Atiya Jordan

October 27, 2022

Three Black Sanitation Workers Rescue Missing Girl After Being Dumped Into Garbage Truck

Three DeKalb County sanitation workers were presented with certificates of appreciation for rescuing a young woman just moments after she was dumped into their garbage truck.

On Tuesday morning, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and the police department personally acknowledged ZahMontay Cherry, Richard Jones, and Peter Williams for their honorable actions, WSB-TV reported.

“Without the attention and dedication of these employees, there is no doubt great harm, if not death, would have been imminent,” the department wrote via Twitter.

On Oct. 4, Cherry, Jones, and Williams were on the job when a normal work load turned into a rescue mission in the 6700 block of Old Covington Road in Stonecrest.

When they attempted to empty a heavy trash bin, Cherry and Jones were shocked to see a young girl’s body fall out. According to Tracy Hutchinson, CEO of DeKalb County Sanitation, the pair described seeing a human arm “waving,” KIRO 7 reported.

They spotted her and alerted the driver just moments before she could have been crushed by the garbage trash compactor.

“I dumped it and a body came out. I went to the driver and I’m like, ‘Man, there’s a dead body back there,’” Cherry said, per WSB-TV.

“I saw her come out – he (Cherry) didn’t really react until I reacted. I was like ‘Whoa.’ I backed up (and) I noticed there was a little girl back there,” Jones recounted.

The little girl was reportedly missing for three days and had been sleeping in the trash container.

“So, once they brought it to my attention I initially shut off the truck because once I stepped on the gas, it would’ve automatically crushed her,” Williams said per the news outlet.

Eventually, the heroic men were able to get the young woman out safely before officers and paramedics responded to the scene.

by Stacy Jackson

October 27, 2022

Donda Academy Promptly Closes: Students Suffer Repercussions of Kanye’s Erratic Actions

As controversy with Kanye West continues to rise, school officials at his exclusive school in Simi Valley abruptly informed parents that the school is closed for the year.

In an email attained by The Times, Jason Angell, the principal of West’s Donda Academy, notified the students’ parents saying, “at the discretion of our Founder, Donda Academy will close for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year effective immediately.”

The news came as a result of West’s current antisemitic remarks.

“There is no school tomorrow [Thursday],” the email added.

Donda Academy, secretly guarded in Simi Valley, California was founded by Ye in 2022, in honor of his late mother. The Christian private school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, provides students with a faith-based education and rigorous core curriculum. There are about 100 students at the school and 13 full-time teachers, according to The Times.

“Each day, Donda students learn fundamentals, grow in their faith, and experience two enrichment classes,” the academy’s website read. The daily schedule included “full school worship, Core classes of language arts, math and science, lunch & recess, enrichment courses including World Language, Visual Art, Film, Choir and Parkour.”

Along with the $15,000 yearly tuition and required Balenciaga uniforms, parents whose children attend the rapper’s school were reportedly made to sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent leaks.

Angell said the school plans to “begin afresh in September of 2023.”

“Our leadership team will be working diligently to assist all families during this transition, ensuring that every scholar has what they need to succeed in their next community in a prompt and gracious manner,” the email continued.

According to NME, Donda Academy’s basketball team was excluded from a high school basketball tournament yesterday, October 26.

“We are confident that our scholars will continue to advance as the creative innovators, courageous influencers and academic leaders of the next generation,” the email concluded.

Allegedly, following West’s removal from the Balenciaga and Adidas brands, the rapper showed up unannounced to the Skechers offices in Los Angeles. The rapper was reportedly escorted off of the footwear brand’s property by two executives.

“The company would like to again stress that West showed up unannounced and uninvited to Skechers corporate offices,” Skechers representatives said.

According to Forbes, parents are unsure if they will be refunded tuition costs.

Wisconsin Man Who Killed Six People During Holiday Parade Found Guilty– Faces Life Sentence
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 27, 2022

Wisconsin Man Who Killed Six People During Holiday Parade Found Guilty– Faces Life Sentence

The Wisconsin man who drove his vehicle through a parade last year, killing six people, has been found guilty.

According to The Hill, a jury in Wisconsin found Darrell Brooks, 40, guilty of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide for his role in the deadly 2021 incident. Brooks was found guilty of all 76 charges he faced, which included recklessly endangering safety, hit-and-run causing death, bail jumping, and misdemeanor battery.

Brooks will most likely spend the rest of his life behind bars, as he faces a mandatory life sentence on each count of first-degree intentional homicide. There is the possibility that he will receive additional jail time on the other charges, according to the outlet.

Brooks was in his Ford Escape when he ran the vehicle into a Christmas parade on November 21 in Waukesha, located approximately 15 miles from Milwaukee. He had just gotten into a domestic dispute with an ex-girlfriend moments before doing so. His action led to six people being killed and a significant number of people injured. The victims of the attack ranged in age between 8 and 81.

NPR reported that the jury needed only 3 hours and 15 minutes to reach a verdict.

Earlier this year, Brooks pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease, but ended up withdrawing the plea before the trial started. He gave no reason for the change and, right before the trial, he dismissed his public defenders and decided that he would represent himself.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul responded to the verdict via his social media account:

“The defendant’s despicable actions caused heartbreaking loss and pain. I am grateful to the many people who ensured that he was convicted and will face the consequences for his heinous crimes. My thoughts are with the people of Waukesha, who have responded to this horrific attack with such incredible resolve, unity, and strength.”

 

WATCH: Dwayne Johnson Celebrates His Momma’s Birthday With Traditional Samoan Dancing
by Atiya Jordan

October 27, 2022

WATCH: Dwayne Johnson Celebrates His Momma’s Birthday With Traditional Samoan Dancing

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has got some moves – and by the looks of it, his mother, Ata Johnson, does too!

On Wednesday, the inseparable mother-son duo were celebrating Mama Johnson’s birthday with family, friends, live music, and traditional Samoan dancing. The Black Adam star posted to Instagram to share a special highlight of the momentous occasion.

In a heartwarming video, Johnson’s mother is seen stunned in a red two-piece skirt set, which pays tribute to her Hawaiian and Samoan roots. She danced away as the live guitarist, drummer, and dancer set the tone.

Johnson is also seen throwing money into the air above the dancer in acknowledgment of her graceful performance. It is a tradition that the Samoa and Tonga people do during special occasions.

In a sweet caption, Johnson wished his mother a happy birthday, calling her “the matriarch of our aiga,” which is the Samoan word for “family.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dwayne Johnson (@therock)

“We all get such joy seeing you radiate and smile and proudly display our culture.” The caption continued, “Grace, beauty, dignity, respect and strength. You can feel the mana of our ancestors all around us.”

He went on to express gratitude for how instrumental his mother has been in “teaching” his three daughters: Simone Johnson, 21, whom he shares with ex-wife Dany Garcia, as well as Jasmine Johnson, 6, and Tiana Johnson, 4, whom he shares with his wife, Lauren Hashian.

Through the years, Johnson has proven that he doesn’t hold back in showing his mother his appreciation. Back in June, the former pro wrestler surprised his mother with a new home, and the gift brought her to tears, BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported.

“When I was a little boy, I hated when my mom would cry. These days, I’ll happily take her tears of joy. I always say, if you got a good mom then you got a good shot at becoming a good, caring human being,” he wrote in a social media post.

Having surprised his mother many times before, he added, “but this one is special as she’s told me over and over these past few years, ‘After a lifetime of traveling, I want this home to be my last. That’s my dream.’“

Bags Raises $3M to Launch Funding Platform For The Culture
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 27, 2022

Bags Raises $3M to Launch Funding Platform For The Culture

Bags has announced $3M in Seed funding as they launch the small business loan discovery and management platform built by and for the culture.

The new Bags platform is built to help diverse and women-owned businesses get the working capital that they need, understand the implications of debt financing, and manage their repayment process, all with lenders that have a vested interest in supporting the community the business aims to serve. The company has already helped hundreds of businesses save time and money finding the right funding for growth. 

Founded by Daniel Taylor, Ignacio Semerene, and William Hayden, the company’s mission is to increase access to entrepreneurship in diverse communities to create stronger local economies, better jobs, and generational wealth. Based on data from the Congressional Black Caucus, the median net worth for Black business owners was 12 times higher than for Black non-business owners in 2019.  These data show the power of entrepreneurship to advance wealth building within the Black community.  

“Access to capital is a core part of long-term business success, and in turn, wealth generation through business ownership. We built Bags to ensure every business can keep growing and feel confident they’ll find the funding they need.” said Bags CEO Daniel Taylor.  

In 2019, Taylor sold Asktipster, a social data startup, to Flowcode, without raising venture capital. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, he joined forces with Hayden, an IPG executive, and Semerene, Chief of Staff at Monzo, a UK fintech unicorn, to build a platform to increase approval rates and amount of funds disbursed to minority and women-owned businesses.  

There are 9.2 million minority-owned small businesses and 11.7 million women-owned small businesses in the US, and these segments are fast growing. Yet 99% of businesses will never raise venture capital, and, according to the Minority Business Development Agency, minority-owned businesses are less likely to be approved for financing than white business owners with the same annual receipts. In the current rising rate environment, diverse and women-owned businesses need access to fair funding that is hard to find through existing channels and unavailable from traditional banks.

The Bags platform connects businesses to mission-driven lenders, including non-profit CDFIs with a commitment to lend to minority and women-owned businesses at affordable rates. It is designed to reduce time and friction in the loan application process with integrated education and detailed guides on how to get approved.   

“We know that there’s cash in the market that is meant to reach diverse groups of entrepreneurs. Our job is to help entrepreneurs and mission-driven lenders connect with each other, and to ensure that business owners have everything they need to succeed with debt financing,” said Hayden, who leads growth and partnerships for the company.   

The company’s $3M seed round was raised from investors including Slauson & Co, Connecticut Innovations, and Schultz Family Foundation’s Entrepreneurs Equity Fund, following on previous investments from Altrinsic Global Advisors and angel investors Tim Armstrong, Owen Van Natta, Edith Cooper, and André Swanston, among others. The round brings total funding for Bags to $4M. 

“This new round of funding will enable us to reach more businesses and continue to build the best tools to help companies grow,” said Semerene, who serves as Head of Product.  

To learn more about BAGS and the work they are doing to help diverse business owners have an equal shot at success through access to capital, visit their website SecureBags.com or follow them on social media @Secure_Bags.

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge To Host Virtual House Party In Support Of Millennial And Gen Z Homeownership
by Derek Major

October 27, 2022

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge To Host Virtual House Party In Support Of Millennial And Gen Z Homeownership

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge will hold a virtual ‘House Party’ to share available resources and break common myths concerning the home-buying process.

According to a HUD release the ‘House Party’ is set to take place on Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. and registration for the event is open. The agency reports young homeownership has been in decline since the 1960s and is unattainable for many young adults who are already struggling.

Homeownership for Americans, in general, is difficult as increasing interest rates have climbed to 7% and are still increasing as the Biden administration tries to stop inflation without sending the country into a recession.

During the virtual event, Fudge will address and debunk myths on debit and credit as well as information on federal programs that can assist with down payments and more.

“Too many young people feel discouraged and intimidated by the homebuying process and HUD is here to help,” said Secretary Fudge in a statement.

“Thanks to student loan forgiveness, many young adults may have more money in their pockets and there are many resources available to help people realize the dream of homeownership. HUD and the Federal Housing Administration are dedicated to helping more young people realize their dream of becoming homebuyers and enjoying the wealth-building benefits that come with it.”

Fudge has been traveling the country, including Texas and Florida, where she awarded the Central Florida region $8 million in federal grants to fight homelessness. In 2022, 74.6% of white Americans owned a home compared to 45.3% of Black Americans. Additionally, the disparity between Black and white Americans is now larger than it was when the 1964 Fair Housing Act was signed into law.

The ‘House Party will also include several mayors of urban areas who will speak on their own efforts to facilitate young people purchasing homes in their cities. There will also be a Q & A session to highlight resources offered by HUD and its Federal Housing Authorities.

 

If at First You Don’t Succeed: Meet Former Teacher, Black Owner of $3.5M Intermodal Drayage Service
by Stacy Jackson

October 27, 2022

If at First You Don’t Succeed: Meet Former Teacher, Black Owner of $3.5M Intermodal Drayage Service

You might remember that growing up, people always told you to follow your dreams, but this entrepreneur who went from teaching to trucking proves what you can really do if you never give up.

Ashley Williams-Booker, the founder of Complete Logistics Service, switched her career path as a geometry teacher to start what is now a multimillion dollar asset-based company that supplies intermodal drayage services in Houston. In an interview with a source, Booker shared that she transports over 2,500 containers per year.

“I am in the intermodal industry, meaning that I assist with the drayage, which is the truck we pick up from the port,” Booker said.

“We deliver to the receiver or the shipper and we bring it back to the port or I pick it up from rail and sea.”

“I deal with the part of intermodal that basically is needed for every human to survive from tissue paper to what you order on Amazon, all that comes through sea and through rail. So, my niche is mastering the port and the railroads and making sure that everyone receives their product in bulk,” Booker told the source.

When the former educator was introduced to the trucking business by a friend, she became a quick learner, and made ten times her earnings as a teacher when she first launched in 2014. The business owner admitted that she faced several speed bumps after she first launched her venture that caused her to take a back seat and put her business on hold for an entire year.

“The box truck industry is very hard to survive because you’re limited on the amount of space and weight that you can put on your truck. So, for a load that will go for $1,500 in an 18-wheeler with a full 53-foot trailer, I would only be able to get $300 or $400 of that because I had a smaller truck that could only limit a certain amount of freight on it,” Booker explained.

“So, it wasn’t really the money, it was just the frustration of getting partial loads. I didn’t like it. So, I failed.”

Booker got back on track in 2018 and purchased two semi-trucks, which resulted in a $50,000 profit that she invested to bring long-term security for the company. From now financing trucks worth up to $60,000, to purchasing her own lot, Booker shares her success to inform others about the industry.

“So, I was able to purchase a 10-acre lot in what we call the mecca of trucking in Houston in the prime real estate area for trucking,” Booker said.

“That’s when I knew, I made it.”

“I am not different from my next-door neighbor or from anybody that I’m approached by. I’m just some regular person. I just took time out to invest in myself and invest in my family and you shouldn’t be afraid to do that either.”

Booker disclosed that her company is now worth $3.5 million.

She is the author of the book, Surviving Intermodal, and teaches others about intermodal drayage through her Surviving Intermodal Mentorship Academy.

Mother Wanted for Murder After 5-Year-Old Son Found Dead Inside Suitcase — She Believed He Was Possessed By ‘Powerful Demonic Force’
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 27, 2022

Mother Wanted for Murder After 5-Year-Old Son Found Dead Inside Suitcase — She Believed He Was Possessed By ‘Powerful Demonic Force’

A young boy’s dead body was discovered inside a suitcase in Indiana back in April 2022.

This week, police officials revealed that the mother of the boy is suspected of being involved in his death and she believed that demons possessed her son. A warrant has been issued for her arrest.

According to WGN 9, a boy who was found in a suitcase several months ago has been identified as 5-year-old Cairo Ammar Jordan.

(Facebook)

His mother, 37-year-old Dejaune Ludie Anderson is being sought by police officers after arresting 40-year-old Dawn Elaine Coleman on October 19 in San Francisco. Authorities were able to lift fingerprints from two trash bags found with the suitcase that matched both suspects. A match of Anderson’s fingerprint was discovered on June 29, while the one that matched Coleman’s was found on July 25.

The Indiana State Police issued a release stating that arrest warrants were issued for both women on October 14 charging them with Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, a Level 1 Felony, and Obstruction of Justice, a Level 6 Felony.

Court documents show that Anderson believed her son was possessed according to social media posts. Officials stated that the mother revealed through her Facebook and Twitter accounts between December 2021 and April 2022 that she believed her son was a demon and he needed to be killed or exorcised.

On January 5, she wrote in a post about hexes and curses, “protection spells” and “reversal spells” for Cairo. She also wrote, “I’m using my blood for this ritual.” Then on February 19, she posted that she had to raise her “frequency” to heal others and her ancestors. She was seeking to get in alignment to exorcise “a very powerful demonic force from within my son.”

There were also posts from March 15 and 18 as well as April 8 referring to different matters surrounding her beliefs about demons living within a child. She talks of telling her story through a book and podcast according to one of her posts.

After police officers brought Coleman into custody last week, officials released a second arrest warrant this week on October 25 that added on a murder charge for Anderson.

×