Mayor Tiffany Henyard, Lori Lightfoot, investigation

by Daniel Johnson

April 7, 2024

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot To Lead Investigation Into Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard Over Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct And Corruption

Tiffany Henyard, the mayor of the Village of Dolton, is being investigated for allegations of cronyism, sexual misconduct, and corruption.

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has reportedly been asked to lead an investigation into the Village of Dolton’s Mayor Tiffany Henyard. Henyard is being investigated for allegations of cronyism, sexual misconduct, and corruption.

Dolton is a village in Cook County, Illinois, about 22 miles from Downtown Chicago. The village’s population was 21,426 at the 2020 census.

As WGN 9 reports, trustees are expected to vote on a resolution on April 8 that will officially authorize both the investigation and Lightfoot’s contract with Dolton. Lightfoot is also a former federal prosecutor and the former president of both the Chicago Police Board and Chicago Police Accountability Task Force.

Henyard is allegedly under investigation over spending and the money tied up between Dolton and Thornton Township, of which Henyard is the supervisor. Henyard is also accused of retaliating against an aide and a police officer who reported an alleged instance of sexual misconduct by a village trustee while on a trip to Las Vegas in 2023.

The trustee denied the allegations, but a woman anonymously filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights, which suggests that the trustee could be accused of sexual assault.

The officer involved also submitted a complaint, stating, “There was some suggestion that the employee may not have had the ability to consent,” at which point the officer was concerned that a crime may have occurred. He asked the trustee to switch to a video call, which the trustee complied with.

The officer’s statement continues, saying that the trustee “panned the camera toward a bed where [he] could see a woman who was partially undressed. The trustee then moved the camera to various private areas of the woman’s body, displaying them on screen at times moving or removing articles of clothing.”

Henyard’s office, meanwhile, dismissed claims from two former employees as an attempt to take taxpayer money. “This is nothing more than two disgruntled village employees who are trying to make off with the taxpayers hard earned dollars. The village looks forward to defending these allegations and pursuing all other available remedies to the village.”

According to Burt Odelson, the legislative counsel for Dolton’s Board of Trustees, the town currently faces nearly 40 lawsuits related to Henyar. Odelson told Fox 32 that he believes Henyard is bankrupting the town.

“She’s bankrupting the town. The town doesn’t have any money and it’s not going to have any money for a long time based on these suits.”

Henyard is also being sued by two former employees, one from Thornton Township and the other from Dolton.

Sandra Tracy, a former human resources manager for Thornton Township, says she was made a target for refusing to come up with “dirt” on other township employees and taking leave using the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA.)

Samysha Williams, the former director of Dolton’s Building Permits and Licenses Department, alleges that she was fired for not withholding permits from businesses that didn’t make donations to Henyard’s campaign. Williams also told Fox 32 that she did not refuse FOIA requests despite Henyard’s insistence that she do so.

Matthew R. Custardo, a lawyer for the former employees, released a statement to Fox 32, saying, “We believe that the Village and Township’s actions, under Mayor Henyard’s direction, were unjust, unfair, and unlawful. Our clients were devoted public servants and they deserved better. Instead, they were bullied, intimidated, and kicked to the curb. But they’re fighting back.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 7, 2024

Serena Williams Shares Her VC Fund’s ‘Mission’ To Invest In Women And Diversity, And The 14 Companies That Reached Unicorn Status

Serena Williams recently explained the groundbreaking work she's doing with her venture capital fund Serena Ventures.

Serena Williams recently took time out of her day to explain the groundbreaking work she’s doing with her venture capital fund, Serena Ventures.

In an eight-minute TikTok video shared last month, the decorated tennis champion outlined her work as an investor and the companies she’s seen reach new heights after serving as an early investor. Williams thought it would be “fun” to update her fans and followers on her life post-retirement from professional tennis.

“One thing that I’ve been doing, that I’ve been doing for years and years and years is investments,” she shared while applying her makeup.

“I invest in a lot of companies. Early companies,” she added while noting the “early stages” a company she invests in is typically in.

@serena My mission after tennis is investing in us! Women, people of color and diversity. But it did not start after tennis. It started during. I just do it full time now. Here is how I started. #foryou #fyp #makeup #business #investing #venturecapital #serenawilliams #serenaventures #momsoftiktok ♬ original sound – Serenawilliams

It’s a familiar endeavor for Williams, who has been investing for 14 years even while she was busy winning titles on the tennis court.

“Just been an entrepreneur while I was playing tennis. It was important for me to make a Plan B while I was doing my Plan A,” she explained.

The mother of two breaks down what she does as an investor and the more than 85 companies she’s invested in within her personal portfolio. Williams also highlighted the 14 unicorn companies under her belt, which she explained are companies that go on to reach a valuation of $1 billion or more.

“We have a couple of unicorns. Well, actually 14 unicorns,” she said.

Williams went on to list MasterClass as one of the companies she invested in early on that sparked her interest in pursuing VC funding further. She discovered MasterClass when the staff was just eight people working out of a garage in San Francisco, and it helped her think about the women and BIPOC-owned businesses that also needed financial backing.

“I learned that less than 2% of all VC money went to women. And when I first heard that, I actually thought it was a misquote,” she explained.

“I thought, ‘Well, they can’t be real.’ Like, we’re talking about trillions of dollars, and what do you mean less than 2% of that goes to women?…I learned that when I first started investing, I learned that actually was true and that was something that was happening. And so I knew right then and there that one day I wanted to raise a fund or raise money and invest in women.”

She continued, “I also learned that even less went to people of color. So I thought, ‘My goodness. I’m a Black woman and say my name isn’t Serena Williams, or I hadn’t had a career, that means I would have less than, well, not even less than 2%, a fraction of a chance to get money if I wanted to start a company.’”

Since launching Serena Ventures, her fund’s portfolio includes 79% underrepresented founders, 54% women founders, 47% Black founders, and 11% Latino founders. Among her company’s highlighted investments is the company Parfait. This Black-woman-owned wig customization platform provides all women with an AI-backed virtual experience with a wide range of styles.

“My portfolio kind of leans more toward women and people of color because when people are talking about diversity that really means everyone having a seat at the table. Everyone having a chance to win,” Williams said.

Other things on her list include volunteering at her daughter’s school, incubating companies, and applying her own makeup.

by Jeffrey McKinney

April 7, 2024

Consumers Face Hidden Fees Using Paycheck Advance Apps, New Analysis Reveals

New report claims cash advance apps are putting consumers already struggling financially in a worse position.

Cash-strapped consumers are paying large hidden costs, such as a 56% hike in checking account overdraft fees when they take out cash using an earned wage advance app.

That revelation stems from a fresh Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) analysis. In its “Not Free: The Large Hidden Costs of Small-Dollar Loans Made Through Cash Advance Apps” report, the CRL examined transactions tied to five companies: Brigit, Cleo, Dave, EarnIn, and FloatMe. A nonprofit research and policy group, CRL examined the activity of regular app users.

Per a news release, the CRL surmised it data revealed consumers who withdrew small loans from cash advance apps paid “triple-digit annual interest rates, experienced high levels of repeat re-borrowing, and incurred more bank overdraft fees after using the product.”

Earned Wage Access (EWA) is a financial product that allows individuals and families to voluntarily access wages for the hours they have already worked before their payday, per the American Fintech Council (AFC). It is a trade group representing all major EWA providers, including the few mentioned in the CRL report.

For its part, the CRL said cash advance apps are credit products that must be regulated as such. It adds that fintech cash advances involve an agreement to receive money now and pay it back in the future, making them loans.

Generally, people can access the apps on a smartphone, connecting to their bank account, or through a benefit offered by their employer. The apps, often run by fintech firms and non-bank lenders, can levy fees for financial services, including cash advances.

The CRL report included several findings. One was that consumers pulled advances repeatedly, and multiple lenders were used frequently. It stated some 75% took out at least one advance on the same day or day after making a repayment.

Lucia Constantine, the report’s lead author and a CRL researcher, told BLACK ENTERPRISE that the statistic is troubling because it shows consumers are being pulled into a cycle of re-borrowing, eroding their financial stability.

Another point mentioned was consumers who removed small amounts of cash did so at a big expense. The average APR for an advance repaid in 7 to 14 days was 367%, almost as high as the APR on a typical payday loan which is 400%.

The analysis concluded “many low- to moderate-income people are already struggling to meet their expenses and repaying advances makes it harder to catch up or save.”

Constantine says earned wage access is another high-cost credit option in the financial marketplace. She stressed it does not represent a solution to the income insufficiently faced by the American worker.

The EWA concept has grown in popularity. Based on this report, people collected 55.8 million paycheck advances worth $9.5 billion in 2020, up from 18.6 million advances worth $3.2 billion in 2018.

Further, the CRL stated its report comes as policymakers in states like Maryland and in the U.S. Congress act to exempt advance apps from consumer protection laws. The U.S. House of Representatives’ Financial Services Committee is anticipated to vote April 17 on legislation that would obscure the cost of fintech cash advances by exempting these loans from the Truth in Lending Act, according to CRL.

“This report provides significant data indicating that cash advance apps are putting financially strapped consumers in an even worse position,” Constantine says. “This research joins a growing body of evidence showing cash advance apps harm consumers in ways like payday loans. It is alarming that some policymakers are ignoring the evidence, taking legal protections away from consumers, and exposing them to harms from advance apps.”

Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council, responded to the CRL report via email. He stressed that EWA products are not loans and should not be regulated as such.

“The recently issued report by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) demonstrates a complete misunderstanding and mischaracterization of the Earned Wage Access (EWA) industry. The views and recommendations promulgated by CRL are fruit from a poisoned tree, and not in the best interest of consumers. “

He adds that “the findings should be viewed with caution by policymakers, regulators, and other researchers. It is my sincere hope that AFC can work constructively with real consumer advocates to ensure the development of sound and data-driven policy recommendations that benefit consumers.”

unemployment, hiring freeze, election, economy

by Daniel Johnson

April 6, 2024

Black Unemployment Rate Rises As Overall Unemployment Falls

The numbers, while a crescendo on the rising unemployment numbers of Black Americans dating back to December 2023, have not yet risen to the point of alarm for experts.

After the Department of Labor released its jobs report for March, the data revealed that the unemployment rate for Black Americans took a jump. The numbers, while a crescendo on the rising unemployment numbers of Black Americans dating back to December 2023, have not yet risen to the point of alarm for experts.

As CNBC reported, Black unemployment in March came in at 6.4%, an increase from the 5.4% figure in February. By contrast, the unemployment rate for white Americans was 3.8% for March.

The numbers for Black women reflected the overall increase; their numbers appear to drive the overall unemployment increase among Black Americans. The unemployment numbers for Black women went up to 5.6%, a marked increase from the 4.4% rate posted in February. Black men’s numbers, meanwhile, remained stable, although elevated. The numbers for Black men in March came in at 6.2%, a slight increase from the 6.1% rate in February.

Elise Gould, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, told CNBC that although the numbers are concerning, she is not yet alarmed. In addition, she told the outlet that unemployment numbers by race and sex can be volatile from month to month. These figures represent a ratio of 1.55 to one, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“That’s a concerning trend. I would say it’s not alarming yet, but I think it’s something that we really need to watch in coming months.” Gould also contextualized the rising numbers, adding, “People are looking for more opportunities, not all of them are getting them, and that’s why the unemployment rate is rising.”

In 2022, Neel Kashkari, the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, told Vox’s Noel King on an episode of the outlet’s Today Explained podcast that the gap in unemployment between Black and white Americans is persistent no matter what the larger state of the economy is.

“The 2X problem is this persistent, pernicious gap where Black Americans face twice the unemployment as white Americans, no matter what kind of an economy we have, a booming economy or a recession. It’s pervasive and pernicious, and we have to address it.”

According to Valerie Wilson, program director at the Economic Policy Institute, the lack of employment equity is a racial and economic justice issue. Wilson told ABC News, “There is no other relationship in the labor market that is nearly this consistent and stable. Employment equity is essential to racial and economic justice because work is essential.”

Wilson added, “It’s people’s ability to provide for themselves and their families.”

Economists use a shorthand explanation for what happens to Black workers during an improving economic landscape: “Last one hired, first one fired.”

As Christian Weller, a professor of public policy at the University of Massachusetts at Boston who studies racial disparities in employment, told ABC News: “Discrimination still exists. Employers in the past that may have stereotyped or discriminated against African Americans are more willing to hire,” Weller said. “The ratio is coming down a bit but you have to squint.”

by Daniel Johnson

April 6, 2024

Police Confirm Audio Of Racial Slur Used Against Utah Women’s Basketball Team

Police in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, have found evidence of the use of a racial slur towards the University of Utah's travel team during their investigation.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, police in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, have been continuing their investigation into the alleged use of racial slurs towards a group of student-athletes, students, and athletic administration workers during the University of Utah’s detour to the town during the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. They have now found evidence of the use of a racial slur towards the group.

On April 4, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department provided an update via their Facebook account, stating that they are still investigating the matter. The department wrote, “Since these incidents were originally reported to the Police Department, detectives have conducted interviews with the involved parties. Additionally, detectives have collected approximately 35 hours of video from businesses in the area where the incidents occurred.”

The department continued, “We’ve identified an audio recording where the use of a racial slur was clearly audible. We’re working determine the context and conduct associated with its use to determine if is a violation of the law. While we’re still reviewing evidence, it appears the use of a racial slur occurred more than one time.”

The police are also currently working to identify a silver car that they believe was in the area at the same time they identified a clearly audible racist slur from surveillance video.

As Yahoo reported, the police department believes that the evidence they have uncovered during their investigation agrees with the version of events that members of Utah’s basketball program have relayed to them.

The first instance that the police are concerned with occurred as the team and the traveling party was walking to eat dinner at a restaurant in town. As the group was walking, they experienced a vehicle driving by them and the occupants of said vehicle shouting racial epithets at them.

Once they left the restaurant to head back to the hotel, another vehicle passed them, according to statements given by members of the traveling party. The vehicle gunned the engine and then repeated the behavior of the first group.

Following the two events, the team moved hotels to a location closer to the host city of Spokane, Washington. The NCAA issued a statement condemning the attacks, saying that the organization “condemns racism and hatred in any form” and is “devastated about the Utah team’s experience.”

Although city officials like Coeur d’Alene Mayor Jim Hammond apologized to the team publicly at a press conference, that apology was interrupted by a man who was described by reporters in Coeur d’Alene as a “far-right agitator,” which ended the press conference prematurely.

As the Idaho Statesman reported, some far-right legislators and political influencers in Idaho believe the event was a hoax, despite the existence of video and audio recordings of the racial slurs directed at the members of Utah’s travel team. Those politicians, as The Statesman also reported, attempted to hijack a symbolic vote condemning the racism present in the experience of the Utah delegation.

In response to their protests that they needed time, Senate Assistant Minority Leader Abby Lee, a Republican who sponsored the resolution said, “I don’t know how much time it takes people to decide if you are against racism, racial slurs, racial intimidation and hatred.”

Paul McCartney, Blackbird, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé

by Mary Spiller

April 6, 2024

Paul McCartney Praises Beyoncé For Her ‘Magnificent Version’ Of The Beatles’ ‘Blackbird,’ Saying It ‘Reinforces The Civil Rights Message’ Of The Song

Beyoncé released the remake to the Beatles song under her new album 'Act II: Cowboy Carter' under the title 'Blackbiird.'

Paul McCartney has come out to praise Beyoncé for her rendition of The Beatles song “Blackbird.” He took to Instagram on April 4 to tell fans that he endorsed her performance of his former group’s 1968 hit.

The Beatles member posted on his Instagram page that he’s more than pleased with Queen B’s rendition of “Blackbird.” He wrote in the caption, “I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place. I think Beyoncé has done a fab version and would urge anyone who has not heard it yet to check it out. You are going to love it!”

The Grammy-winning singer included the remake of the song on her latest album “Act II: Cowboy Carter” under the title “Blackbiird.”

McCartney continued to recall what inspired him to write the original song in the first place. The song was dedicated to the Little Rock Nine, the first group of Black students to desegregate Arkansas schools in the 1950s.

McCartney continued, “When I saw the footage on the television in the early ’60s of the Black girls being turned away from school, I found it shocking and I can’t believe that still in these days there are places where this kind of thing is happening right now.”

“Anything my song and Beyoncé’s fabulous version can do to ease racial tension would be a great thing and makes me very proud.”

McCartney recalled that he spoke to Beyoncé on FaceTime recently and that the artist thanked him for allowing her to use his track.

“I told her the pleasure was all mine,” he said. “I thought she had done a killer version of the song.”

Beyoncé utilized four different female country artists on her cover: Tiera Kennedy, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, and Reyna Roberts.

by Daniel Johnson

April 6, 2024

Saint Augustine’s University Suspends Football Program Amid Financial Struggles

Earlier this year, the university was hit with a $7.9 million IRS tax lien.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, Saint Augustine’s University is in the middle of a fight to retain its accreditation, and in its effort to stay solvent, the university has made the choice to suspend its football program.

As CBS 17 reported, the Interim President of Saint Augustine’s, Dr. Marcus Burgess said in an interview that the financial situation he has inherited necessitates the decision.

“It will take roughly 27 to 28 million dollars and 30 million for good judgment because there’s still deferred maintenance pieces that have to happen.”

Between the university not being able to pay its employees for three pay periods in a row, the university going mostly virtual, and the university working with utility companies and vendors, the university is in for an uphill battle, one Dr. Burgess says he is in until the end.

“I have had employees tell me they’re sticking by us, but it’s really tough. I am in the same situation because the bills keep coming,” Burgess said. “I have not thought about leaving in spite of what people may think. I am here until the job is done.”

The school’s financial situation means that in all likelihood, the wrongful termination lawsuit filed in 2023 by the school’s last head football coach, Howard Feggins, may never be heard, Sports Illustrated reported.

As Inside Higher Ed reported, a $7.9 million tax lien from the IRS against the university was filed earlier this year for two years of unpaid taxes. The university is also facing action from vendors like FieldTurfUSA, who filed a separate $598,000 lien against the university over payments owed for an artificial turf field. The university’s former president, Christine McPhail, is also suing the university, alleging that the school’s mostly male Board of Trustees discriminated against her and others for being Black women.

The bills and lawsuits are piling up for the university, and Inside Higher Ed noted that a potential solution for the university might be to switch accreditation bodies.

Bennett College and Paine College, two universities that were formerly affiliated with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, switched accreditors after losing accreditation and their appeals to the body. They are now fully accredited colleges with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

As WRAL reported, the university has raised $224,182 of its $5 million goal for fundraising, which appears to have been spearheaded by a push from alumni. SAU alumna Olivia Huckaby told the outlet that the situation the school and its employees are in is troubling. “It’s a little unsettling, I’ll be honest.”

Huckaby continued, “All alumni chapters for the university are running the ‘$18.67 Challenge,'” Huckaby explained. “You can donate $18.67, which is the year we were founded, to help support those fundraising efforts.”

by Jeffrey McKinney

April 6, 2024

Apply Now: Entrepreneurs Can Receive $10,000 Backing Small Businesses Grants

American Express and Main Street America are offering funding that can be used for several purposes, including accessibility upgrades, community events, marketing, and operational strategy.

An immense $5.75 million in grants is on hand for small businesses to help promote economic vitality.

The funding is part of the Backing Small Businesses grant program presented by American Express and Main Street America. The program is aimed to support economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community outreach. That includes Black-owned businesses. The number of grants and total funding is being increased this year.

Marking its third year currently, the program will allow 500 small businesses to apply for grants of $10,000 each now through April 7, 2024, at 11:59 P.M. CT here. See more details on the program and eligibility at the link.

Further, when the 500 recipients submit their final reports in September 2024, they can apply for $30,000 in enhancement grants. Their projects for the Enhancement Grants don’t have to be tied to their projects from the $10,000 initial grant. Only 25 businesses will be chosen to each get Enhancement Grants.

Only 25 recipients of the $10,000 grants will be eligible for enhancement grants.

Funds should be used for either or both to leverage current business operations and pay for community programming and events.

Business owners can use the grants in several ways. For instance, the grants can be used for accessibility upgrades, community events, inventory, marketing, and operational strategy. Check this out to see a list of eligible grant expenses. Insufficient or expired capital is one of the main operating obstacles for both budding and mature small business owners. Grants can benefit businesses in multiple ways with funding needs.

Based on a news release, American Express and Main Street America created the Backing Small Businesses grant program to assist small business owners in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and helping them grow. In the first year, some $1.65 million in grants went to 330 U.S. small business owners, and over $2.3 million in grants were presented to 350 businesses in the second year.

Coach Sydnee Carter, March Madness, Women's Final Four, Women's College Basketball, Sports

by Daron Pressley

April 6, 2024

Women’s Final Four: Coach Sydney Carter Partners With Marriott For Game-Day Rituals

The 'Score Big with Marriott Bonvoy Game Day Rituals' campaign offers fans a chance to partake in the excitement firsthand.

For the first time in 17 years, Cleveland is hosting the Women’s Final Four, from April 4 to 7, and Ohio stands to gain from that excitement. The Women’s Final Four arrives amidst a surge in viewership and attendance for women’s college basketball. According to the NCAA, the women’s tournament set attendance records for the first two rounds in the last two years, while TV ratings for those rounds jumped more than 27%. Last year’s championship game between LSU and Iowa drew an average of nearly 10 million viewers, more than double the year before.

As the madness surmounts, 20,000 people from all over the country are expected to attend the tournament, which will bring in $25 million.

This year, the Women’s Final Four in Cleveland receives an added boost with a strategic partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and Sydney Carter, a renowned women’s college basketball coach and current Director of Player Development for the University of Texas Women’s Basketball team. Marriott Bonvoy, the distinguished travel program boasting a diverse portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, recognizes the profound impact of sports tourism and is committed to enhancing the fan experience. Their “Score Big with Marriott Bonvoy Game Day Rituals” campaign not only celebrates the enthusiasm of sports fandom but also offers fans a chance to partake in the excitement firsthand.

Before the two-day tournament, BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with Sydney Carter about partnering with Marriott, reflecting on her journey from player to coach, and discussing the significance of game-day rituals.

The Women’s Final Four

The Women’s Final Four isn’t just about basketball; it’s a powerhouse event that transforms cities into economic hubs, and Cleveland is no exception. Beyond the financial boost, the Final Four has a deeper resonance — a celebration of athleticism, teamwork, and the culmination of years of dedication.

Reflecting on her journey from player to coach, Carter emphasized, “March Madness is one of those unique moments every year – no matter where you come from or who you are rooting for, people come together to celebrate the excitement of the tournament. As someone who has traveled extensively throughout my basketball career, I have seen how travel – like sports – can bring people together, transform people’s perspectives, and forge connections and community.”

Over the past decade, enthusiasm for women’s basketball has grown exponentially, and the storylines surrounding it are nonstop, drawing in huge audiences and new fans alike. The names Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and USC’s Juju Watkins are widely recognized among sports fans and many who aren’t typically engaged in women’s basketball.

Game Day Rituals

Coach Carter, a stalwart figure in the basketball community, lends her expertise and passion to the “Score Big with Marriott Bonvoy Game Day Rituals” campaign, embodying the essence of game day rituals.

“As a former basketball player and coach, game day rituals have always been a part of my routine. Whether picking out a fire game day ‘fit’ or listening to a particular song, pregame traditions are something that players and sports fans can relate to,” Carter said.

When it comes to their favorite team, sports fans will go to great lengths to influence the outcome of a game. According to a survey conducted by Wakefield Research, 63% of sports fans who have game-day rituals think their team will lose if they don’t complete their rituals, and a stunning 74% said they would risk their job to watch their team play for a championship during work hours.

Carter, who played college basketball at Texas A&M and professionally in the WNBA, remembers when her game-day rituals started and mentions, “I’ve had several game-day rituals for as long as I can remember. As a player, I would drink a certain amount of water and eat a particular candy bar before every game – and I would always put my uniform on the right side first.

Partnering with JW (Marriott), known for creating mindful experiences, is a perfect fit for Carter, who still participates in game-day routines as a coach.

“Now, as a coach, I still put everything on the right side first, but my game-day rituals also include things like having a cup of coffee — or two — doing my makeup routine, and picking out an outfit that will help me feel prepared and confident to lead my team.”

Creating March Madness Memories

With the Women’s Final on the horizon, Cleveland is poised to showcase its prowess as a host city and the enduring spirit of women’s college basketball. With Carter and Marriott Bonvoy’s partnering, fans can expect an experience beyond the game. Carter and two lucky winners will experience courtside seats and a personal game-day rituals session with Carter herself. Celebrating passion, tradition, and the power of ritual in sports, the Women’s College Basketball Final will undoubtedly be an experience to remember.

“Game day rituals are so important,” stated Carter. “Not only do they provide a sense of familiarity, but by completing the same routine before a game, you’re immediately put in the right headspace and mindset of knowing what you need to do to show up feeling like your best self so you can accomplish your goals. The Score Big with Marriott Bonvoy Game Day Rituals campaign is a fun representation of the importance of these traditions for players and fans, and I am glad to be a part of it!”

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Black Homeowners, Remodeling, homeownership,

by Jeffrey McKinney

April 6, 2024

Analysis: Black Homeowners Could Spend $100K On Extra Home Costs In Just Over Five Years

Lowering the price range for a home you plan to buy could potentially leave you with a larger budget to cover extra housing costs.

Homeownership is highly regarded as a vital wealth builder and a measure of success for Black Americans.

However, achieving that status can also come with roses and thorns for many of those individuals.

New data reveals that 85% of Black homeowners report that at least one of the expenses associated with owning a home, such as maintenance, renovations, or taxes, has exceeded their initial expectations.

Matt Brannon, author of “The True Cost of Homeownership 2024 Data,” emailed BLACK ENTERPRISE with the eye-popping revelation and data on Black Americans and homeownership. The data showed that the average cost of homeownership for all Americans rose by $499 from last year—$17,958 versus $17,459. That is up nearly 3%, and research shows it is just under last year’s overall inflation surge of 3.4%, partly fueled by housing costs.

Brannon’s report indicates homeowners, including Black Americans, could spend $100,000 in extra expenses in only five years and seven months beyond their mortgage obligation. The costs could range from over $5,300 for utilities to more than $1,500 for homeowners’ insurance.

Another troubling discovery: About 27% of Black homeowners have dipped into their retirement savings to afford the costs of owning a home, as opposed to 22% of all Americans.

Brannon stressed a person would mainly dip into their retirement savings to cover the costs of homeownership if they couldn’t get the money elsewhere. He says borrowing from retirement can significantly set a person back down the line because they need to catch up on the potential growth of that money through investments.

He pointed out that if you have a lower income and you’re stretched thin financially, you might make that sacrifice. “The latest data shows us that, while Black households have closed the gap a bit, on average they still earn about half the annual income of white households.”

He also addressed whether building equity is why Black homeowners should not be envious of renters who don’t have to pay for maintenance. Bannon stressed that building equity is a plus. Yet, he said the risk is that a person may focus on the pros when buying a home and overlook the cons, causing problems for themself down the line. “The benefits of homeownership can be very fruitful, but it’s not without its downsides, especially if it’s causing you to overextend your budget.”

Further, some 65% of Black homeowners have regrets about their house and 55% feel some level of home buyer’s remorse. Also, 34% of Black homeowners declare the cost of owning a home has negatively impacted their finances.

Those findings are contrary to experts contending that homeownership is among the ways Black Americans can build wealth and cut the racial gap between them and other racial groups.

Brannon agreed that the points on home ownership can seem at odds with each other. Still, he sees that as the difference between general financial rules of thumb and individuals’ unique financial circumstances. “It can set you up for a solid financial future or can be the thing that ruins your finances.”

So, what actions should Black Americans consider taking now to make home ownership costs less expensive?

Brannon said the first way to make homeownership more affordable is to lower the price range of the home you buy. If you can get approved for a mortgage on a $300,000 house, that doesn’t mean you should buy a $300,000 house. He added that getting a $250,000 home might be worthwhile and using the leftover to budget for regular and irregular housing costs.

He also said that people can make homeownership more affordable by prioritizing increasing their credit score before applying to help get a lower interest rate. “A difference of one percent can add up to thousands of dollars in additional costs over the life of a loan for a 30-year mortgage.”