• Technology

by Black Enterprise Shop

October 21, 2022

Treat Yourself To This Refurbished iPad Pro

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To say mobile technology has evolved over the years would be a gross understatement.

The rise of tablets has contributed to the tech renaissance, and Apple’s presence in the arena can be credited to that boom. According to Lifewire, as of 2021, “Apple has sold more than 425 million iPads since the original debuted in 2010.”

iPads have maintained their grip on their popularity in part because of their simplistic ease of use. Because of that, a growing number of people have even ditched their desktops altogether in favor of a tablet.

Thanks to this special Apple Days deal, you can purchase a top-of-the-line iPad Pro for more than 50% off its original MSRP. Grab this Apple iPad Pro 9.7″ for just $279.99 before Apple Days ends on Oct. 21. It normally costs $749.

This 2016 Space Gray model is rated “B”, which means “it may have light scuffing on the bevel/case or light scratches/dents on the body.”

This tablet ships with 128GB of storage space that allows you to save apps, software, music, movies, photos and more. It’s powered by an Apple A9X, 2.1GHz processor that effortlessly handles tasks and duties. There’s also 2GB of RAM to supercharge your processing needs.

iPads excel as entertainment centers, and this offering is no different. Images and multimedia sparkle on its 9.7-inch Retina display. Those who enjoy Apple’s FaceTime feature will be impressed by 12MP iSight/5MP FaceTime HD cameras that excel in taking photos and shooting video. This unit is also fitted with two sets of speakers and dual microphones.

Apple users with iPhones and MacBooks can stay within the ecosystem thanks to dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2.

It makes for the ideal mobile device thanks to its 10-hour battery life.

Apple Days make this high-performing iPad Pro available at a heavily discounted price. Purchase it today while it’s still available.

Prices subject to change.

• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 21, 2022

Fans Are Wondering Why Stevie Wonder Asked Ari Lennox Who She’s Going to Marry

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Ari Lennox got the chance to sit down with Stevie Wonder to talk about all things music and soul. But fans are wondering if the singing icon tried to shoot his shot during his chat with the young songstress.

The “Shea Butter” singer was a guest alongside Wonder on KJLH’s Tammi Mac Show this week and the legendary musician didn’t hold back his praise for Lennox and her vocal ability, as captured by The Jasmine Brand.

“Love your voice, incredible voice. I like the energy,” Wonder told Lennox. “I like the innuendos, you know, all that.”

The “Isn’t She Lovely” singer took his praise a bit further when he questioned if Lennox was in love and planning to marry anyone.

“So, who are you going to marry?…Who are you in love with?” Wonder asked.

 

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A post shared by the Jasmine BRAND (@thejasminebrand)

The “Pressure” singer was visibly taken aback and stuttered when giving her response.

“Oh I don’t know!…It’s really hard out here for a pimp,” Lennox jokingly replied before naming her pet dog, Galactus, as her current bae.

After watching the awkward encounter, fans sounded off with many joining Wonder in applauding Lennox for her contributions to the music industry.

“Now I don’t want Ari to doubt herself ever again!” one fan wrote. “She has a legend like Stevie praising her talent. This was such a beautiful moment.”

“Gotta love Stevie. I love how he supports the new up and coming,” one user added. “The ones will real talent.”

But there were many who wondered if Stevie was flirting with Ari live on the radio.

“I feel like Stevie was shootin his shot,” one onlooker wrote.

“This ya uncle at the family reunion. “I heard you bought some more real estate… and got your phD…. Still ain’t got no man though 😂” another user jokingly responded.

At least Ari Lennox knows Stevie Wonder is a member of her fan club. Can’t hate on that flex!

The viral sensation Shuntel Renay in her yellow-ish dress has been just the burst of sunshine on our social media timelines that we need — especially during one of the most confusing political seasons.

We’re talking to you Georgia!

While all eyes are on a number of hotly contested seats this midterm election season, Georgia is definitely on our minds in two cases: Senator Raphael Warnock’s ridiculously tight race against former football pro/fake cop Herschel Walker and Stacey Abrams’s fair fight for the gubernatorial seat against abortion extremist Brian Kemp.

Well, Shuntel who has made waves by wearing a teenie-eenie-weenie,  tight-fitting yellow-ish dress while searching for her boo — a skit only meant for laughs as she lands in the most ridiculous places doing a classic dance — has now found a new friend in  Stacey Abrams.

 

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A post shared by SHUNTEL RENAY💋 (@im.shuntelrenay)

And the move is well played on Abrams’ part.

Abrams, a Democrat, is down to her last few weeks campaigning to beat Republican incumbent Kemp and the race is tighter than Shuntel’s itty bitty dress.

Abrams brushed off concerns that she lacked Black support in Georgia, calling it a “manufactured crisis.”

The Fair Fight founder insisted she is polling well with Black voters in Georgia and is not concerned with Gov. Kemp’s attempts to pull in Black voters heading into the midterm elections.

“I’ve done more than 50 events in the Black community,” Abrams told Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream, according to The Hill.

“I’m excited about the turnout we’re seeing—I’m excited about the engagement that we’re seeing. I know, however, that every election cycle, there has to be some worry, and in this case, it is a worry that’s being manufactured.”

According to FiveThirtyEight, Abrams is six points behind Kemp in the latest polls. According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll, Abrams has 80% support among Black voters, including 75% of Black men supporting her.

Abrams has been heavy on reaching younger audiences and her comedic bit with Shuntel proves that she’s got her finger on the pulse of what interests young people. TikTok is where you meet them and right now, Shuntel’s viral video and her signature moves laced to Monica’s 90s hit Why I Love You So Much, is meeting the moment.

Get into it — and go VOTE!

• Business

by Stacy Jackson

October 20, 2022

Portland Trail Blazers Point Guard Damian Lillard Pursues First Tech Investment In Partnership With Kicks Crew

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There are a lot of firsts in this new partnership.

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has been appointed as the first “Crew Athlete” for digital sneaker platform, Kicks Crew. According to Women’s Wear Daily, the partnership will be the NBA Allstar’s first tech start-up investment, and the digital company’s first athlete partnership.

“I see a real opportunity to not only learn something new but make real contributions that will help develop the business — beyond just putting my name on something,” Lillard said about the partnership. “With everything I do, I strive to ensure I’m highly involved and that it is a reflection of my values and priorities. Oftentimes brands seek you out to get everything from you, but nothing actually from you, if that makes sense. Kicks Crew and I are working closely together so that we lay the foundation for a truly long-term relationship.”

The Oakland, California native joined forces with Kicks Crew in August to host a giveaway where he handed out sneakers from the line in an ice cream truck at Bill Patterson Park in his hometown. The company’s mission of making sneaker culture more accessible through community outreach impressed Lillard, and an investor reportedly introduced him to the Kicks Crew team.

KICKS CREW x @Dame_Lillard . Introducing our latest CREW Athlete with our first campaign where we went back to Dame's hometown to give back. Watch the full film w/ @Dame_Lillard : https://t.co/kCrlfjRD4g

— KICKS CREW (@kickscrew) October 20, 2022

“That conversation happened really naturally — knowing him as a person, understanding his love of sneaker culture and understanding our mission of putting sneaker culture into the hands of more people and being more accessible. Him having a very accessible line of sneakers, just everything made sense to work together,” said Ross Adrian Yip, cofounder and chief operating officer of Kicks Crew. “Most importantly, I think he’s very community first. When we talked, he said let’s bring some brand awareness and how about we go back to my hometown in an ice cream truck and hook up my community.”

Kicks Crew launched last year and the app plans to become a more community-driven platform beyond customers purchasing products. The platform also carries overstock inventory from brands like Adidas, Nike, Jordan, New Balance, Yeezy and others.

• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 20, 2022

Dr. Wendy Osefo Talks ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ Season 7, Home Essentials, and New Memoir

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Dr. Wendy Osefo, the powerhouse professor, political analyst, entrepreneur, and star on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Potomac appeared on Hip Hop & Enterprise to dish on all things Season 7!

Back for her third season on the hit franchise, Osefo was down to speak openly about how her dynamic with the cast has changed since her Season 5 inception and what fans can expect from the new season.

“I honestly think this is legit, our best season,” Osefo told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“Because it has so much going on so many twists and turns. And because of that, I think that the viewers will be constantly entertained not just one off but constantly entertained.

The show follows the at-home life of the four-degree holding educator along with her husband Eddie Osefo and their three children, sons Karter and Kruz, and daughter Kamrynn. Season 6 saw Wendy battling it out with the other ladies and viewers who took offense to the Johns Hopkins professor turning up the sexy after getting a “Mommy Makeover.”

“I’m not perfect, even with the degrees and the accolades,” Osefo said. “I’m still an imperfect human being.”

“Yeah, I’m a professor, I’ll still curse you out. You know, and I think that that’s important to show that we’re not all one way we’re not monolithic in any way.”

Each season, Osefo is passionate about working on new career endeavors and adding to her decorated resume. This season, the 1954 Equity Project CEO shares the inspiration behind her new memoir “Tears of My Mother” and the success of her Onyi Home Essentials line.

“I am still the CEO of on Onyi Home Essentials, which is doing amazingly well,” Osefo confirmed. “You guys will see me writing my book my memoir, which is now available ‘Tears of My Mother‘, the legacy of my Nigerian upbringing. And then you guys will see me introduce a new project that I am truly excited about.”

When asked which of the Season 7 housewives will surprise us the most, Osefo replied.

“I think maybe Robyn [Dixon].”

Considering the pair’s history on the show, Osefo’s answer might come as a surprise to some fans. But from the looks of the first few episodes of Season 7, Robyn is showing a different side that many viewers are loving.

Press play below for the full interview.

• Business

by Atiya Jordan

October 20, 2022

5 Ways To Show Up For National Women’s Small Business Month

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As October rounds out, Black women are still the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in America. But even with their glowing rise in the business world, the job is no easy slay.

These inspiring women are pursuing multiple professions and launching business ventures simultaneously as a means to achieve economic success and generational wealth. However, they continue to face disproportionate headwinds, including dealing with micro-aggressions, accessing capital, and building supportive networks.

In solidarity, BLACK ENTERPRISE has served as a guide for Black entrepreneurs seeking to launch and grow their companies since the late Earl G. Graves, Sr published the magazine’s first issue in 1970.

Join us in our tireless effort to celebrate and support female entrepreneurship during National Women’s Small Business Month.

Attend or host an event

It really does take a village. Whether it’s a conference, webinar, seminar, or workshop, these efforts amplify the needs of small businesses.

For example, BLACK ENTERPRISE is hosting its upcoming virtual Sisters Inc. on Nov. 2 to inspire, empower, and connect Black women entrepreneurs, job creators, economic drivers, and community transformers. This one-day, solutions-driven event promotes businesses big or small. It will feature powerful and dynamic women, and small business owners, as they share resources, tackle common challenges, and grow togetherness through sisterhood.

Stay up-to-date with the growing community

With the immense growth of lady bosses, it is not easy to get access to every small business in one place. We have seen search evolve, but engines are still complicated as the Internet grows by thousands of websites per day. The historically under-served can often get lost without efforts to put their business at the forefront.

Black women understand the importance of exposure, so it is a no-brainer to create a search engine to make the search for all things Black more useful, social, and equal.

Take a look at this visionary, former journalist and Hiihat founder Ngozi Ahanotu, who is amplifying the Black experience while also making it easier to access. Read her story here.

Invest in a small business. Consistency is key.

Investments in Black women entrepreneurs can offer a path to catalyze a more equitable, inclusive funding and support ecosystem. With that in mind, entrepreneurship calls for consistent support.

If you’re looking for ways to pour more of your dollars into your favorite small business or discovering a new gem, create an intentional budget. You can try allocating some money toward those goals.

Drive profits with National Women’s Small Business Month promotions

This month calls for more than a celebration. If you are an entrepreneur, this is an opportunity to create savvy promotions for advocacy purposes. Proportions can be donated to organizations with a focus on women-owned small businesses.

Show love on social media

One post or positive review can illuminate brands if you buy a product from a Black-female-owned small business. Consumers love testimonies and testimonies can drive sales. Through the power of social media, options are increasing for people to collaborate and uplift one another.

Don’t forget to tag social media handles on posts to put a name with the enterprise.

 

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The celebration continues…

• Business

by Stacy Jackson

October 20, 2022

$6B ‘Akon City’ Will Open In 2026; Africa’s Largest Hospital Is In the Plans

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Giving back to Africa has always been a huge part of Akon‘s platform.

The “Sorry, Blame It on Me” singer revealed in a recent interview that despite disruption in the plans, the first phase of “Akon City” in Senegal will be opening for living in 2026. The $6 billion project, which was inspired by the film Black Panther, will reportedly house the largest hospital on the continent of Africa. According to the “Hold My Hand” singer, plans are still on track after facing the effects of COVID-19.

“It kind of stalled a bit because a lot of partners and solution providers obviously had to lock down, but it didn’t affect the paper pusher side of it,” Akon said.

As previously reported in BLACK ENTERPRISE, original plans for “Akon City” were announced in 2018. Construction on the project commenced in March 2019.

“Now, we’re back on track. Now, construction will start in 2023,” Akon shared. “We still have the three-year window for the first phase to be done and our goal is for the first phase to be done by 2026 to make the junior Olympics in Senegal.”

Sky News previously reported that “Akon City” residents will use “Akoin,” the app-based cryptocurrency, to build the economy.

Plans for the solar-powered and sustainable city will still reflect a “real-life Wakanda” with universities, hotels, a stadium, an airport for tourists to fly in an out, boating docks, a food and beverage store. And that doesn’t include the 10,000-bed hospital and corporate tower.

According to sources, the first phase will be directed toward tourists. Construction will include hotels and activities so people can visit and familiarize themselves with the city.

Akon finalized the agreement with Senegalese government officials to establish “Akon City” back in January 2020. Its president Macky Sall, gifted Akon 2,000 square acres of land to build the establishment.

Just finalized the agreement for AKON CITY in Senegal. Looking forward to hosting you there in the future pic.twitter.com/dsoYpmjnpf

— AKON (@Akon) January 13, 2020

• Sisters Inc

by Jeffrey McKinney

October 20, 2022

Carver Bancorp Appoints Black Woman Banking and Regulatory Expert to Its Board

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In a move that beef up its regulatory compliance acumen, Carver Bancorp, Inc. has appointed Robin L. Nunn as an independent member on its board of directors.

Simultaneously,  the holding company of Carver Federal Savings Bank reported the move allows it to add a Black woman director when the percentage of women of color on public company boards continues to be disproportionately low. Black Women on Boards noted that Black women only make up four percent of the board seats at S&P 500 companies.

Based in Harlem, New York, Carver is one of the nation’s largest Black-led banks with assets of about $725 million as of late September this year. Carver is No. 3 on the most recent BE Banks List.

As an independent director, the bank’s management team disclosed it will rely heavily on Nunn’s strategic advice as Carver seeks to continue growing and catering to Minority and Women Business Entrepreneurs (MWBEs) and Black Americans aiming to achieve their financial goals.

Michael Pugh, Carver’s president and CEO, said by email, “Given the current regulatory framework in the banking industry, Carver purposefully sought out Robin Nunn, a highly accomplished woman of color, because of her legal experience in banking and regulatory compliance. We believe it is increasingly vital for Community Development Financial Institutions like Carver to have this type of expertise on their board as they adjust to changing industry dynamics and chart their growth.”

In general, compliance is crucial for institutions, such as all types of banks, as it can impact their strategic direction and accountability with regulators that oversee them.

Nunn is a partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, where she is co-head of the firm’s banking industry practice. She has handled high-stakes cases on behalf of banks and other financial services firms in connection with regulatory investigations, enforcement proceedings, and regulatory compliance.

She was an in-house counsel earlier in her career with two major financial institutions, developing and executing critical legal strategies, per a news release. She represented the entities centering on the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve Board, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-related regulatory compliance and enforcement matters.

“It is an honor to be invited to join the Board of Directors for Carver Bancorp, Inc.,” Nunn said in an email. “I hope to uphold the integrity and confidence that customers place in Carver and work alongside the talented leadership team at the Bank and with the other members of the Board.”

Nunn also is on the boards of the National Endowment for Financial Education, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and Council on Legal Education Opportunity Inc.

Actor Lupita Nyong’o was seated directly behind Hollywood couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and after she witnessed the slap during the Oscars broadcast earlier this year, she said she “knew as soon as it was over that I was going to be a meme.”

In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actor was speaking about the upcoming movie post-Chadwick Boseman. She opened up about being a part of a “media moment” in reference to the incident.

Her image was caught by cameras reacting to what transpired and then her realizing that she would be a part of the discussion based on how she reacted to it.

“Once the moment was over, I realized, ‘Oh my God, there’s no way all this transpired and I’m not in the shot,’” Nyong’o says with a laugh.

“I knew as soon as it was over that I was going to be a meme.”

On what it was like to be there that night, she’ll let the memes do her talking for her. “I don’t want to add any more fuel to that thing, quite frankly,” she told the media outlet.

Several months ago, Nyong’o, who has reprised her role as Nakia in the sequel to Marvel’s Black Panther, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about how she felt filming the latest movie without the leading actor, Boseman, who died in 2020 of colon cancer.

“It’s been a doozy of a few years for everybody. For us as a cast, having lost our king, Chadwick Boseman, that was a lot to process, and in many ways, we’re still processing it. When you lose someone, I don’t know when you stop missing them. And of course, we felt it so much, making this film without him.”

The movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is slated to debut on Nov. 11.

• Uncategorized

by Stacy Jackson

October 20, 2022

FAMU Expands Student Housing With $12.6 Million Purchase Of Nearby Residences

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An unexpected surge in students led to many being placed on a long waiting list due to a lack of availability in on-campus housing.

But Florida A&M University has closed a deal to acquire property near the campus in efforts to provide more student housing options. The Board of Trustees permitted the university to pursue negotiations in August for the expansion.

Florida A&M University is the brand-new owner of the 118-bed Light House at Brooklyn Yard apartment complex. Here’s more on the historic moment @FAMUHousing1887
Let’s Go Rattlers! #famunews #rattlersstrike #housing pic.twitter.com/6IxVQazEzL

— Florida A&M University (@FAMU_1887) October 18, 2022

FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson was appointed to lead the negotiations, according to a release from the university. The housing purchase includes duplexes, apartments, and condominiums along Eugenia Street, and adds approximately 118 beds to the on-campus inventory.

“This provides a short-term solution that will have long-term implications,” Robinson said during a previous meeting concerning the proposal. “For years, we have been trying to figure out a way to give FAMU a presence in the northwest area near the train tracks where development has occurred. This will give us a footprint beyond our present campus boundary. It is a highly visible and very productive area of the community.”

“This potential acquisition can help the University manage during the COVID-19 crisis and provide housing opportunities for upperclassmen, which will allow more housing available for incoming freshmen,” Vice President for Student Affairs Williams E. Hudson Jr., Ph.D., said.

According to WCTV, the U.S. Department of Education approved the $12.6 million purchase and Robinson plans to seek out similar opportunities to adhere to the future plans for the university to increase on-campus housing options.

“This is one important piece of the puzzle,” Robinson said. “We have a lot more work to do and my team is excited to get busy to solve the rest of this puzzle.”

FAMU informed that approximately 75% of the residents living in the newly purchased units are current students. The complex plans to become an official on-campus housing option by next school year, and the remaining tenants may need to relocate to other housing.

The purchase includes 14 duplexes containing 24 beds, 32 apartments containing 52 beds, and 14 condominiums containing 42 beds.