Megan Thee Stallion Says She’s ‘Gotta Take a Break’ After Home Burglary
by Eric Moody

October 16, 2022

Megan Thee Stallion Says She’s ‘Gotta Take a Break’ After Home Burglary

Rap artist Megan Thee Stallion was reportedly the recent victim of a home burglary, with more than $300,000 worth of property stolen from her home in Los Angeles, Calif.

The rapper was in New York City at the time of Thursday night’s incident as she is set to host and perform Oct. 15 on Saturday Night Live.

First reported by TMZ, two men broke a glass door in the back of the 27-year-old rapper’s home.

According to TMZ, the two men, who were reportedly wearing hoodies and gloves, went into the primary bedroom.

The burglar’s reportedly made off with cash, jewelry, and electronics.

Megan, whose real name is Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, addressed the break-in and announced that she’s “really gotta take a break” after her SNL scheduled event.

“Material things can be replaced but I’m glad everyone is safe,” she wrote on Twitter.

 

The Los Angeles Police Department was not able to confirm the burglary or provide any information, including if there are any suspects in custody, according to NBC News.

The rapper has also undergone a wearying legal proceeding after accusing fellow rap artist Tory Lanez of shooting her in 2020.

In recent weeks, the Grammy-winning rapper decided to launch a new website that aims to provide visitors with mental health resources.

In February, she also launched a foundation named in honor of her late parents, The Pete & Thomas Foundation, aimed at tackling mental health.

This certainly plays a helpful role as the rapper looks to regroup following this alleged incident at her Los Angeles home.

And over the weekend Megan hosted Saturday Night Live and served as its musical guest. While music remains in her heart, the Houston hottie also keeps pressure on issues that matter.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, the hip-hop star also speaks about the importance of Black women in the upcoming elections, which is a few weeks away.

“In the weeks leading up to the election, Black women are expected once again to deliver victory for Democratic candidates. We have gone from being unable to vote legally to a highly courted voting block — all in little more than a century,” she said previously.

“Despite this and despite the way, so many have embraced messages about racial justice this year, Black women are still constantly disrespected and disregarded in so many areas of life.”

Act up sis!

 

myth, credit card, mrwealthbuild, jasper smith,
by Jeffrey McKinney

October 16, 2022

How Black Americans Can Proactively Help Erase Credit Card Debt and Stay Out Of It

Black Americans are 30% more inclined to own just one credit card instead of spending money on multiple credit cards, new data shows.

The discovery is part of evidence that reveals Black Americans are more mindful about using their credit cards than the average American.

However, those revelations only tell part of the story. On average, Black Americans pay out $1,734 on their credit cards monthly, higher than $1,527 for white Americans, and $1,290 for Hispanic Americans. The data is among figures provided by Matt Brannon, author of the 2022 credit card debt study.

Brannon’s analysis is critical, given there are some 200 million U.S. card holders relying on the plastic to build credit and afford making basic daily purchases. Talks of a recession and economic instability could soon have the 66% of those surveyed with no credit card debt dropping behind on card payments.

Other findings disclosed that 44% of Black Americans have credit card debt, closer to the average American at 46%. Yet, dollar wise, Black Americans at $4,765 have less credit card debt than the average American of $6,093.

Though Blacks have smaller credit card debt, they have fewer assets to help negate the bill. Consider, the homeownership rate for Black Americans is around 43% versus 72% for white Americans. Furthermore, Blacks were 21% more likely than the average American to rely on credit cards to cover essential living expenses.

Brannon pointed out that 2022 has been exceptionally difficult for Black Americans, who appear to be disproportionately impacted by the economic downturn. Some 18% of Blacks went into credit card debt compared to 13% of all Americans. Higher prices fueled by inflation and more Black Americans turning to credit cards to pay bills could be fueling the disparity. The lingering pandemic hasn’t helped.

“Black Americans who have experienced credit card debt were 62% more likely than Americans overall to say COVID-19 contributed to them being in credit card debt,” Brannon says.

The uplifting news is that you can be proactive in reducing or erasing money owed. Here are some tips Brannon provided to help cancel debt:

  • Track your purchases: Use debit cards and cash instead of credit cards when possible.
  • Create a budget and stick to it. Check out how this woman successfully escaped weighty credit card debt partly by using careful budgeting.
  • Commit to a debt-reduction strategy: One strategy, the “avalanche method,” prioritizes paying off high-interest debts first. It suggests that can save you a lot of money on interest payments in the long run. Another strategy, the “snowball method,” prioritizes paying off debt with the lowest balance and gradually moving toward debts with larger balances.
  • Balance transfer: Once you are positioned to commit to debt reduction, you can initiate a balance transfer. Do that by moving debt to a different card that offers lower introductory interest rates. 
  • Negotiate your debt: Some credit card companies offer hardship plans or will lower your interest rates if you agree to participate in a plan to reduce your debt.

To help stay out of debt, Brannon offered more tips like setting reminders or using auto payment options, so you never pay a late fee. He suggested paying at least the minimum monthly payment to avoid fees and to pay extra when financially possible. He noted some experts suggest using debit cards for small purchases under $50 and credit cards for larger ones.

“Staying out of debt is more important than accumulating rewards that come with credit card points.”

Observers also recommended being open to sites that can potentially help enhance your overall financial health. For instance, sites like this one and another here might prove beneficial.

by Eric Moody

October 15, 2022

Grambling State, Southern University To Match-Up at 2023 NBA HBCU Classic

Notably, former NBA players will square off next year a part of the 2nd annual NBA HBCU Classic event during NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. EST at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

The NBA announced Grambling State University and Southern University will be spotlighted at the NBA All-Star Weekend event, featuring NBA legends Bob Love (Southern alum) and Willis Reed (Grambling State alum), who have been named honorary captains of the 2023 NBA HBCU Classic.

“My pathway from Southern to the NBA has opened countless doors for me,” said Love in an issued press release. “I am proud to support the NBA in using the game of basketball to celebrate the rich history of HBCUs and drive opportunity for the next generation of leaders both on and off the court.”

Reed added, “I credit my career in part to my time at Grambling State. The HBCU Classic will provide what is to most a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on the NBA stage and serve as a platform for those interested in the business side of the game to gain industry insight and make lasting connections.”

Entering into its second year, the NBA HBCU Classic looks to build off the moment from last year’s matchup between Howard University and Morgan State University during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, OH.

Both institutions were the recipients of a $100,000 donation as part of the MTN DEW All-Star Scholarships initiative.

The initiative awarded two students $50,000 scholarships to advance their education at PepsiCo partner schools Howard and Morgan State.

The NBA HBCU Classic continues its work year-round to raise awareness of HBCU athletic programs across the U.S.

In addition, the initiative also aims to help advance education, career, and economic opportunities for students through its scholarship efforts.

Tickets for the NBA HBCU Classic 2023 will go on sale in December.

The event will also be simulcasted on TNT and ESPN2.

Akon Admits His Brother Performed As Double at His Shows In His Absence
by Eric Moody

October 15, 2022

Akon Admits His Brother Performed As Double at His Shows In His Absence

Fans have recently reacted to recording artist Akon admitting that his brother, Abou ‘Bu’ Thiam, was employed to perform as his double during a show he could not attend.

Akon admitted that he used to employ his brother Abou ‘Bu’ Thiam as his double when he couldn’t make it to a show.

 

The singer and entrepreneur admitted the act during an interview on The Morning Hustle when he was asked about the claims made by recording artist T-Pain earlier in the year.

“Let me clear some things up so we all know, Bu was my double. He was my double. This was before the internet. If you saw Abou in one place and you saw me, you couldn’t tell the difference.”

When Akon first began touring, he says Bu actually started out as his hype man.

But Akon eventually had to pass on shows due to time conflicts and came up with what he viewed as the perfect short-term solution.

“I was like, ‘Man, all this money I’m leaving on the table. We cannot leave all this money on the table,” he laughed.

As far as singing goes, Akon says his brother did not have that task covered.

During the era in which Akon and his brother would perform these stunts, the only way the audience could tell the difference was that Bu wore hats and Akon wouldn’t, according to the singer.

While the situation may be old, it recently resurfaced as many took to Twitter, sharing their thoughts on the whole ordeal.

 

 

Akon also joked that his brother, Omar, tried the same thing once without his permission.

“That was probably the funniest part of our lives,” he recalled. 

Black Woman Beat Up By White Couple Sues White Deputy For Discrimination and Mishandling Situation
by Eric Moody

October 15, 2022

Black Woman Beat Up By White Couple Sues White Deputy For Discrimination and Mishandling Situation

A Black woman in Michigan has filed a lawsuit against a white officer after she claims she was discriminated against when the deputy responded to a fight between her and a white couple. 

According to the federal civil rights suit filed on Monday, Oct. 10, the fight happened outside a liquor store in Lambertville, Michigan.

Recently obtained bodycam footage by WTVG in Toledo, unveiled Deputy Jack Hall giving a warning to Tracey Douglas while she was covered with blood.

In the video, Hall was heard telling Douglas that she is going to the ground if she touches him again.

“Am I really? Because I’m Black?” asked Douglas in the video.

 Hall replied, “What the (expletive) does that have to do with anything?”

The deputy then asked Douglas where she was from, to which she replied, “from Temperance, Michigan.”

Hall then stated, “Okay, I’m from Detroit, so I’m probably more Black than you, so you want to play the race card?”

He then asked Douglas to sit in his vehicle while the white couple was not advised to do the same.

In the video, Hall is heard telling Douglas, “You’re gonna be OK… I want to get you justice.”

The sheriff’s office defended Hall’s tactics and actions.

“The deputy was highly effective at de-escalating and diffusing a volatile situation while also arranging medical care for Ms. Douglas,” said the sheriff’s department in a statement issued to CNN.

According to a police report obtained by CNN, Hall stated, “The female grabbed me several times to get my attention. I told the female to not grab me since she was covered in blood. “I was able to calm the subject enough to have her sit in the rear seat of my patrol car, so I could talk to the other subjects.”

Darnell Barton, Douglas’ attorney, says the deputy never treated his client “as if she was a victim,” according to CNN.

While the sheriff’s department continued to defend Hall’s actions, they did condemn his comment surrounding race card, which they stated was “unacceptable,” according to CNN’s report.

“In that brief moment, the deputy used an unprofessional comment,” the department said.

The department states an internal investigation is underway regarding the incident.

Fashion Designer Claims Beyoncé’s Stylist Did Not Pay For His Work — Bey’s Team Issues Receipts
by Eric Moody

October 15, 2022

Fashion Designer Claims Beyoncé’s Stylist Did Not Pay For His Work — Bey’s Team Issues Receipts

A fashion and art designer has made strong claims accusing the stylist of musical artist Beyoncé, Marni Senofonte, of not paying for his work.

Designer Nusi Quero made the accusations on Instagram earlier this week in a now-deleted post.

Quero wrote, “As a stylist for B, I really expected the best from you and your team. “But since you won’t respond to texts and emails. I supposed this is the final venue I can utilize before legal means to settle your outstanding balances, that you’ve owed me and my collaborator for about 3 months.”

According to Page Six, Beyoncé‘s publicist responded in a statement, according to Page Six, stating Quero made “deeply troubling” claims about not being compensated for his work.

“Designer Nusi Quero has posted damaging statements about Marni Senofonte regarding non-payments for work completed. In fact, he was paid for his work, and there is proof of all payments made. We have been in communication with his team and there were three payments made to him. The first payment was made on May 9, 2022,” the publicist said.

Beyoncé’s reps told Page Six there were issues with Quero’s bank during the second payment, a 50% down payment on the agreed cost, that was wired.

 But while Quero admits there was an issue with his bank, he claims the issue was immediately corrected.

The third and final payment was also returned, according to the statement, when Quero changed his account number.

“It was returned as an invalid account number based on an error on his part,” said Beyoncé’s reps.

But despite the previous dilemma, the reps claim payments were in fact made to the designer.

“After persistent and exhausting communication to get the correct information on his account and two unsuccessful wire transfer attempts, a physical check was mailed to him for final payment on September 29, 2022,” the reps stated to Page Six.

“Marni paid a 50 percent deposit to me for one of the three jobs, (not the album cover), nothing more, and it took over a month to get it to us,” Quero wrote online, providing no further comment on the matter.

Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock Trade Blows in Georgia U.S. Senate Debate
by Kia Morgan Smith

October 15, 2022

Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock Trade Blows in Georgia U.S. Senate Debate

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democratic U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker sparred over a range of issues from abortion and policing to personal integrity on Friday, as a key Georgia contest that could help determine control of the Senate came to a head in a contentious televised debate.

Walker, a one-time football star and political novice backed by former President Donald Trump, sought to brand the incumbent as a rubber stamp for Democratic President Joe Biden’s agenda, which Republicans have painted as responsible for inflation, crime and other social ills.

“This race ain’t about me. It’s about what Raphael Warnock and Joe Biden have done to you and your family,” Walker said. “I’m here to fix it.”

Warnock, pastor at a historic Atlanta church who has served less than two years in the Senate, presented himself as a committed public servant who has worked to cap the price of insulin, control gun violence and protect rights.

Their showdown is one of the most closely watched contests in the Nov. 8 congressional elections.

During the hour-long debate in Savannah, Walker accused Warnock of attacking the police, empowering criminals and allowing the powerful painkiller fentanyl into Georgia by not protecting U.S. borders.

“We will see time and time again tonight, as we have already seen, that my opponent has a problem with the truth. And just because he says something doesn’t mean it’s true,” Warnock responded.

“One thing I have not done, I’ve never pretended to be a police officer and I’ve never threatened a shootout with the police,” he added in reference to media reports that Walker has falsely claimed to have worked in law enforcement and once talked about having a shootout with police.

Walker then flashed what appeared to be a badge and was admonished by a debate moderator for using a prop.

The Republican has acknowledged struggling in the past with mental health and was asked if he still receives treatment. “I continue to get help if I need it. But I don’t need any help. I’m doing well,” Walker said.

The race had already been rocked by media reports that Walker, who has voiced opposition to abortion without exceptions, paid for an abortion in 2009 to terminate the pregnancy of a woman he was dating and who later gave birth to one of his children. Walker has called the allegation a “flat-out lie.” Reuters has not independently confirmed the claim.

During the debate, Walker repeated his statement that the reports are false and reiterated his position on abortion: “I’m a Christian. I believe in life.”

Democrats hold slim majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. Senate control could be decided by the outcome of races in Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Georgia was a reliably Republican state, with two Republican senators, until Biden beat Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Warnock and fellow Democrat Jon Ossoff then claimed the state’s two Senate seats in January 2021 run-off elections.

Warnock dodged a question about whether he would support Biden for a second term in 2024, saying: “I’ve not spent a minute thinking about what politicians should run for what in 2024.”

Walker said he would back Trump: “Yes, I would. And let me tell you, because President Trump is my friend.”

A recent opinion poll conducted by the University of Georgia showed Warnock leading Walker 46% to 43% among likely voters.

Walker has been known to make confusing statements on policy issues such as climate change, while Warnock is an eloquent speaker who is senior pastor at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King once preached.

Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta, said the debate was too inconclusive to make a difference in the race, with Walker demonstrating little more than a grasp of Republican talking points and Warnock failing to dominate the exchange.

If neither candidate gets more than 50% of the vote on Nov. 8, the race would be decided in a Dec. 6 run-off election.

Each candidate pledged to accept the outcome of the election.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Will Dunham, Scott Malone & Shri Navaratnam)

DEI
by Derek Major

October 15, 2022

Black DEI Executives Discuss How to Excel As a Leader Of Diverse Teams at Black Men Xcel Summit

The final day of the Black Men Xcel Summit featured a panel on being a good leader of diverse talent and teams featuring three Black DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) managers.

The chat included Cedric Rockamore, the chief diversity officer and vice president for American Airlines and Accenture Managing Director Michael Gardner and Ally Financial Chief Diversity Officer Reggie Willis served as a moderator of the chat.

The panel quickly got into it with the men talking about creating a culture for DEI which Rockamore responded to.

“We need to start by defining what is diversity and diversity is about representation, it is not about a single demographic and I say this everywhere I go and I make sure I’m clear about this, it is not about Black people, exclusively,” Rockamore told the panel.

“Because we’ve been the poster child for years people think diversity means Black or it means Latino or maybe our gender but it really means all of us, all of our differences, all of our identities and that is what we strive to do at American Airlines, diversity as a whole, you have to start there if you’re trying to build a unified team.”

The men also discussed thinking about DEI from more than just a Black person’s point of view. In his response, Gardner told the audience that empathy plays a big part in having a wider perspective.

“I think that empathy is what allows any of us or good leaders to put themselves in the place of someone else and understand how they deal,” Gardner said. “So whether you’re a black man leading a diverse team or a team where everyone other than you is White or you’re a Black man in the US leading the team in India, what is the empathy and whether it’s a little thing like remembering Rosh Hashanah, empathy shows in lots of different ways. So I think real leadership requires you to bring your empathy with you to work every day.”

The men continued the panel discussing expanding their horizons and seeing something different. Gardner suggested working abroad if your employer allows it

“If you’re a professional in a global company I think of rotation abroad,“ Gardner said, adding it is something he regrets not doing. “Whether it’s in Western Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, wherever someone can get to because I think Americans have a false sense of self about a lot of things which leads to a lot of the non-diverse behaviors were talking about.”

Gardner added if you cannot travel but still want to learn, joining a faith, religion or race-based Employee Research Group is a good idea.

“So what I’ve been trying to do is attend these ERGs and just listen and so I don’t have to leave the country to get exposure to folks here. I spent a lot of time with the LGBTQ+ community just trying to listen and understand because it’s not the background I came from but it’s vital to our daily success.” 

The men also touched on another aspect of DEI,  being uncomfortable discussing race at work and how people can overcome that. Rockamore said he read an article not long after George Floyd’s death that said 50% of managers found it very uncomfortable to talk about race or racial equality.

“The article went into why people aren’t comfortable and it talked about having a direct correlation into the commitment of the organization towards racial equality,” Rockamore told the panel.

“I took it a step further, it’s your own commitment to racial equality or race, so if you haven’t taken the time to reconcile your own thoughts, then naturally you’re going to be uncomfortable talking about it because you don’t have anything to say. You’re afraid of saying the wrong thing because you’re not in the right space and that’s because you’re not committed.”

The accomplished men added that commitment starts at the top of an organization and people have to begin to get our leaders in business and beyond because they’re uncomfortable with it.

“Because something that you’re committed to, you have no problem talking about it, you look for every opportunity you have to talk about it,” Rockamore said.

by Kia Morgan Smith

October 15, 2022

Commentary: Jalen Rose’s Entitled Sister Has Some Nerve — And He Has the Right to Kick Her to the Curb

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Black Enterprise. 

I cannot stand entitlement.

I have seen the videos of Jalen Rose‘s sister and I am appalled at her unrighteous audacity. I couldn’t even watch until the end as her rants against her brother prove what an entitled and ungrateful person she is.

For background, Jalen, is an accomplished ESPN sports commenter, and former pro basketball player who is in the midst of a battle with his sister Tamara Rose who has taken to social media to blast him for his plan to sell the home he bought for his mother who died less than two years ago. She currently lives there and states she had been taking care of their mother when she was alive.

And my answer to that is: SO WHAT!

Apparently, she doesn’t feel obligated to move from a home that is not hers. No one has to do ANYTHING for you. And if someone does something and then decides to stop or tells you they are no longer happy with the current arrangement and are making changes, that is their right.

Why grown folks seem to think family members must pay because they have money is beyond me. No one is entitled to anyone’s money. NO ONE.

Family can be the worst when it comes to money. So many people seem to think that those relatives who have it must share it. Where is that written?

When you prove that you are not worthy of financial gifts from relatives, they have the right to say, “I’m done.”

Gratitude is such a beautiful quality to display. Most times, the entitled person stopped being grateful and started expecting, and once those expectations are no longer met, they are enraged.

Be mad sis. Be mad as you pack your belongings and get out.

And those of you who have money, get your Trust done. Make things clear. Have contracts. Family can be trifling, especially when millions are at stake.

In case you missed it, here’s the video.

Roni Faida is a polygot who for the past 30 years has traveled the world and documented her travels on www.ronithetravelguru.com. Because of the lack of representation in the travel & stationery industries, she started making her own products catering to Black women which can be found at www.blackgirlpaperie.etsy.com

Roni Faida (Photo courtesy)
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s Silk Sonic Decides to Remove Album From Grammy Consideration
by Stacy Jackson

October 15, 2022

Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s Silk Sonic Decides to Remove Album From Grammy Consideration

It looks like Silk Sonic won’t be spending their evening at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards this year.

The artistic duo comprised of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, announced the removal of An Evening With Silk Sonic from the 2023 Grammy Award consideration after an anonymous nomination, Mars told Rolling Stone:

“We truly put our all on this record, but Silk Sonic would like to gracefully, humbly and most importantly, sexually, bow out of submitting our album this year.”

The sensual album featuring titles like “Leave The Door Open,” “Smokin Out The Window,” and “Put A Smile On” was a hit when it was released in November 2021. Mars and .Paak crooned their way to debut at number two on the Billboard 200.

Mars expressed to Rolling Stone that the band was grateful for the support the album received and feels like they already won.

“We’d be crazy to ask for anything more.”

“Andy and I, and everyone that worked on this project, won the moment the world responded to ‘Leave The Door Open.’ Everything else was just icing on the cake,” he said.

In 2018, Mars’ 24K Magic album won six categories, beating rappers Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar. But going home with awards for every single nomination it received spurred backlash.

CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., said, “Silk Sonic has been such a fun highlight of our last couple of shows and they deservedly had an amazing night at the 64th Grammys earlier this year.”

“We appreciate their decision not to submit this year but look forward to celebrating an amazing year in music together.”

Mars also said, “We hope we can celebrate with everyone on a great year of music and partake in the party. Thank you for letting Silk Sonic thrive.”

The 65th Annual Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on Feb. 5, 2023.

×