WNBA, Angel Reese, reese's puffs, cereal
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 3, 2024

Big Leagues! Angel Reese Heads To WNBA, Revealed In New Vogue Interview

Angel Reese is headed to the WNBA, she reveals to Vogue in a new interview.

Angel Reese says goodbye to the NCAA. The LSU Tiger is now headed to the WNBA Draft, as announced in her new interview with Vogue.

The basketball star revealed her plans to Vogue in a new profile for the publication. While Reese rose to fame for her performance during last year’s March Madness tournament, the 21-year-old sends her farewell to her collegiate career.

“You don’t really realize it in the moment,” shared Reese of her overnight commercial success.

The 2023 NCAA March Madness Champion has become a household name in sports and popular culture. Known for her luscious hair extensions, slicked edges, and feisty mentality on the court, Reese heads to the biggest stage in women’s basketball.

She added, “But obviously, the things you say and do can change everything. I literally woke up the next day, and I was a celebrity.” 

Recently, Reese played her final game for LSU in a match against rival team Iowa. The Caitlin Clark-led Hawkeyes bested the Tigers on April 1 to a record-breaking 12.3 million viewers.

However, the college junior still had one year of eligibility left. She told the publication that her decision to forego her degree for a career in professional sports did not come lightly. Regardless, she’s embracing the incoming challenge of having to prove herself again.

 “I want to start at the bottom again,” expressed Reese. “I want to be a rookie again and build myself back up; I want to be knocked down and learn and grow at the next level.”

Furthermore, Reese will leave the luxuries of a premier Division 1 basketball program for a more humbling WNBA experience, including flying commercial. However, she hopes the overall transition will make her a greater player, perhaps the greatest one of all time.

 “I’ll be working with grown women,” she says. “I’ll be working with women that have kids, women that have a family to feed. I’m going to have to work my butt off every single day and grind. And who wouldn’t want that? I don’t want anything in my life to be easy.”

For Reese, the news is bittersweet. To further give her thanks to her family and the LSU community, she posted a video on her send-off to the WNBA.

Reese will know what team she joins next when the WNBA draft takes place on April 15.

NCAA ban, Book Richardson
by Rafael Pena

April 3, 2024

Opinion: From NCAA Ban To Shaping Lives in the Bronx, Book Richardson Was Just A ‘Fall Guy’

Book Richardson had his life changed when an FBI raid in 2017 took him from coaching in the NCAA to now coaching prospects in the Bronx.

In the pre-dawn hours, Book Richardson begins his day haunted by memories of an FBI raid that shattered his world seven years ago. Once a revered University of Arizona assistant coach, Richardson now finds solace and purpose far from the bright lights of college basketball, shaping young lives in the gymnasiums of the Bronx, according to The Associated Press.

The 2017 federal probe aimed at eradicating corruption in college basketball ensnared Richardson and three other Black assistant coaches as fall guys, underscoring deep-seated racial disparities within the sport. Reflecting on the ordeal, Richardson lamented, “Low-hanging fruit… Who do you see all the time that’s out there? Black assistants.”

Despite the rising numbers of Black assistant coaches, opportunities for advancement remain elusive, with head coaching positions disproportionately held by white individuals. Once a high-earning coach, Richardson now earns a modest living, guiding aspiring athletes at the New York Gauchos program.

Monique Hibbert, a parent of one of Richardson’s players, attests to his unwavering dedication, recalling his candid discussion about his past. “He said, ‘Take it or leave it,’ and I said, ‘I’ll take it. Every day,'” said Hibbert, highlighting Richardson’s resilience and commitment to mentorship.

Richardson’s journey parallels the intricate web of relationships that underpin college recruiting, where shadowy dealmaking and under-the-table payments once thrived. While Richardson faced consequences for his actions, questions linger about the impact of the FBI’s crackdown and the enduring inequities within the sport.

Interestingly enough, as of April 2, Richardson has been given a second chance to coach college basketball. He’s secured a head coaching position at PDI in Urbana, Ohio.

As Richardson contemplates his future and grapples with the fallout of the investigation, his story reminds us of the systemic challenges Black coaches face in college basketball. Yet, amid adversity, Richardson finds purpose in nurturing the next generation of athletes, embodying resilience.

LeBron James, Kids Picture book, 'I Am More Than', I promise school
by Stacy Jackson

April 3, 2024

‘I Am More Than’: LeBron James’ New Picture Book Inspires Kids To Dream Big

Written in full rhyming verse, the new picture book for children ages 4 to 8, encourages readers to believe in themselves.

NBA champion LeBron James has released another children’s book, I Am More Than.

Published on April 2, the picture book, illustrated by award-winning artist Niña Mata, inspires readers to believe in themselves and pursue their goals. “This book will help little dreamers dream BIG,” The LeBron James Foundation wrote under a read-aloud on YouTube. In the video, King James sits down to read through the book written in full rhyming verse.

James shared his excitement about his book with USA Today, expressing that it aligns perfectly with his mission and that of the I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. He acknowledged his role and stated, “I am an inspiration. I understand that, and I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders and on my back. It’s important for me to continue to spread the positive word to these kids so that they understand they can become anything that they want.”

The athlete announced his newest book endeavor in 2023, which follows his 2020 illustrative literature project, I Promise, according to BLACK ENTERPRISE. A press release described the book “as an “empowering and inspirational picture book that “shows young readers they are more than one label, trait, or interest – that they can do anything they set their minds to.” Executive Editor Luana Horry asserted confidence in the project coming after “I Promise,” which became a No. 1 New York Times best-seller in the genre.

The Los Angeles Lakers forward emphasized the importance of spreading a positive message to children worldwide and recognizing their potential to achieve anything they desire. The LeBron James Foundation is dedicated to redefining community and strengthening Akron’s youth and families by investing time, resources, and passion into creating generational change. Through its foundational I PROMISE Program, the foundation serves over 1,500 students and their families, providing essential resources, comprehensive support, and family programming to ensure success.

Written for children ages 4 to 8, “I Am More Than” is available in bookstores and everywhere online.

X formerly known as twitter, charging, social media, engagement, initial. tagging, sell, over post, social media, management, NYPD
by Sequoia Blodgett

April 3, 2024

How Do You Know If You Are Effective On Social Media?

What does your entire social media presence represent?

Originally Published Aug. 6, 2018.

Social media is a powerful and almost necessary tool for marketing a business. How do you know when you are operating your social media the right way? When thinking about your online profile professionally, think about it holistically. What does your entire social media presence represent, and is the picture you paint effective?

If customers view your profile across the board on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, will they get the same feel for who you are, or will you exude something totally different on each platform? Here are some questions you should ask yourself to make the most of your social media presence.

Are you consistent across all platforms? If you post a theme on Monday, have you committed to posting that theme every Monday, or do you get sidetracked and post it on Monday this week and Wednesday the next week because it totally slipped your mind? When building an audience, your viewers want to see consistency.

“Social media gives us an opportunity to showcase the different facets of who we are; developing a narrative consistent with how you want to articulate who you are is really important,” said Lisa Mesa, Enterprise Relationship Manager at LinkedIn. “It’s important to be intentional.”

“My typical formula is: an inspirational post in the morning, 2 pm, life captures during the day, and a quirky dating after-35 sucks post at night lol,” said Suezette Yasmin Robotham, M.S. who leads D&I for Google Search. 

Lastly, when posting to various platforms, make sure you are clear about how each platform serves you. If you are a writer, Twitter may be a better fit. If your professional career is extremely visual, Instagram may work wonders. If you are a marketer or career coach, it may be best to hang out more on LinkedIn. Determine what platform suits you best and focus most of your energy there. Not all social media platforms are created equal.

RELATED CONTENT: 31 Actionable Tips For Promoting Your Business On LinkedIn

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Biden, Trump
by Sharelle Burt

April 3, 2024

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Says Biden Is A ‘Bigger Threat To Democracy’ Over Trump

This Independent candidate is not for Joe Biden.

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in an interview that he could argue President Joe Biden is a “bigger threat to democracy” than Donald Trump. 

Kennedy sat with CNN’s Erin Burnett to discuss his politics and the upcoming election. When Burnett asked him to give his thoughts on Trump threatening democracy, Kennedy turned his attention to Biden.

The candidate says he can make the argument that Biden is an even bigger threat. His reasoning weighs in on censorship.

“President Biden is the first president in history that has used the federal agencies to censor political speech to censor his opponent,” he said. 

“I can say that because I just won a case in a federal court of appeals and now before the Supreme Court that shows that he started censoring, not just me, for 37 hours after he took the oath of office he was censoring me. No president in the country has ever done that.” 

He refers to Murthy v. Missouri, which was filed in 2022 after Missouri and Louisiana attorney generals, along with several individual plaintiffs, accused the government of implementing efforts to fight misinformation found online about COVID-19 and US elections. According to CNN, they argued the efforts were a form of unconstitutional censorship. 

Kennedy, known for his bold conspiracy theories and being a prominent anti-vaccine activist, has been accused of spreading gossip online related to vaccines and COVID-19, resulting in his anti-vaccine group, The Children’s Health Defense group, being kicked off Instagram and Facebook in 2022. 

Biden and Trump have gone back and forth on who should be labeled a threat to democracy. Biden feels Trump is the issue for the role he played in the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol building, while the four-time indicted businessman has constantly pushed false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him thanks to voter fraud. In December 2023, he said Biden is the “real threat.”

Burnett turned the tables on Kennedy to see why he wasn’t pushing the same narrative for Trump that he was for Biden. The presidential hopeful admitted that the Jan. 6 allegations do propose a serious threat, but nothing can top Biden’s efforts to silence him and free speech. “I think that is a threat to democracy if we’re trying to overthrow the election, clearly a threat,” he said. 

“But the question was, ‘Who was a worse threat to democracy?’ And what I would say is I, you know, I’m not going to answer that question and argue that President Biden is because the First Amendment, Erin, is the most important.”

Onlyfans model Courtney Clenney, Bodycam Footage
by Rafael Pena

April 3, 2024

OnlyFans Model Courtney Clenney, Covered in Blood In Bodycam Footage Following Boyfriend’s Stabbing

Police body camera footage from April 3, 2022, reveals the harrowing moments when former OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney was taken into custody.

NBC News reports newly released police body camera footage from April 3, 2022, reveals the harrowing moments when former OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney was captured, covered in blood and handcuffed, following the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend, Christian Obsumseli, in their Miami apartment.

In the distressing footage, Clenney is seen pleading with officers to check on Obsumseli’s condition while being restrained. However, authorities informed her that she could not re-enter their Edgewater apartment, now deemed a crime scene.

Obsumseli succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital. Clenney, 27, remains in custody, facing charges of second-degree murder. Moreover, she and her parents face cybercrime charges for allegedly breaching Obsumseli’s laptop.

Clenney, formerly known as Courtney Tailor on social media, boasted over 2 million Instagram followers at the time of the incident. According to NBC News, Miami-Dade prosecutors described the couple’s relationship as “extremely tempestuous and combative,” with allegations of domestic violence against Obsumseli countered by claims of self-defense from Clenney’s legal team.

Recent developments in the case include the arrest of Clenney’s parents, Kim and Deborah Clenney, in January 2024 for unauthorized access to evidence related to the investigation. Text messages retrieved from a group chat allegedly show discussions on accessing Obsumseli’s laptop, raising concerns about tampering with evidence.

“Will be sending the laptop PIN ideas so we can try them before you see her again?” authorities said Kim Clenney wrote on Sept. 26, 2022.

According to authorities, her father again asked in the group chat for potential password ideas a few days later. They reported that Frank Prieto, one of Courtney Clenney’s attorneys, responded with six options.

“These were possible … was not sure about capitalization or spacing, but there are the ones she could come up with,” Prieto wrote, according to investigators. “I would try all together and mix some of the capitalization and see if we get lucky.”

Amid mounting legal proceedings, a statement from Clenney’s attorney asserts that the family is facing unjust charges aimed at tarnishing their reputation. However, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle maintains that the relationship between Clenney and Obsumseli was tumultuous, with documented instances of heated arguments and allegations of abuse.

As the legal saga unfolds, Clenney remains incarcerated at the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Center, awaiting further proceedings in the case.

RELATED CONTENT: Word-Of-Mouth Is Still How To Get Customers

Discrimination, Skincare, Topicals, French Spa
by Lauren Nutall

April 3, 2024

Topicals Skincare Brand Shares Racist Experience At French Spa

The Black woman-owned company has made waves transforming the world of skincare with its inclusive messaging and formula.

The skincare brand Topicals reported that they faced racial discrimination and harassment while visiting Megève, France as part of a brand trip, according to a series of posts on X from the company. 

“At one of the establishments on our itinerary, we experienced discrimination, harassment, and were threatened to have law enforcement called on us,” the Black-owned company shared in a thread to its 25,000 followers. 

“Experiencing racism and Islamophobia in this magnitude as a group of Black and Brown creators was horrific to say the least,” it continued. “Nonetheless, our guests and team are good. And in true Topicals fashion, we took our business elsewhere —quick, fast, and in a hurry.” 

The brand trip hosted several prominent Black and brown creators from the US and the UK, including influencer Nella Rose, who rose to fame after producing content on YouTube and Tik Tok. Though Topicals did not name the establishment or its location, Rose reposted a story tagging @qcterme which, belongs to the spa QC Terme Chamonix, advising her Instagram followers against visiting. 

The former I’m A Celebrity contestant took to her Instagram stories to recount the experience, where she alleged that she and her friends were stopped by a man when visiting the establishment’s swimming pool, who refused to let them in due to her friend’s modest swimwear and hijab. 

“I’m speaking to him in French and I’m just like, ‘they’re wearing swimwear and it might look like it’s legging and a top but it’s actually swimwear. Like the material is swimwear, they’re not breaking any rules or whatever,’” Rose said in the video.

She then stated that the man directed them to a nearby shop to purchase bikinis or other swimwear but that they were not allowed in as they were. Rose and her friends planned to leave and share their experience on social media. “You’re not going to discriminate [against] our friend and expect us to stay or whatever,” she said. Several cities across France have banned ‘burkinis’ since 2016, a common modest swimwear among hijabis, according to CNN. 

However, before departing, they were once again stopped by a lifeguard at the establishment, who told the group that people felt “uncomfortable” with their presence.

“So not only are you Islamophobic but people are uncomfortable because 20 black people with pink eye patches have come in and they felt uncomfortable,” Rose continued on her story while laughing. 

Rose stated that she believes that nobody was actually uncomfortable and that the people around them were happy to see them. However, she says that it was instead the establishment itself that had an issue with them being there. She then revealed that they were threatened with arrest following the confrontation.

“What we getting arrested for,” she continued. “That Islamophobic s—, that racist s—, we wasn’t going to stand for it so we left.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Topicals expressed a commitment to its mission to continue platforming marginalized influencers. “As a Black-owned brand, we will not allow this to stop us. We will continue to place Black and Brown creators at the forefront of our branded experiences. Discrimination cannot and will not stop us,” it said. 


The company also pledged to donate $10,000 USD to French Muslim and Black organizations and encouraged its followers to list organizations in need. “Thank you to everyone who has supported and found joy in our #TopicalsSlickAlps brand trip. There’s much more to come,” it wrote.

QC Terme Chamonix has not yet responded to BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s request for comment.

RELATED CONTENT: Rihanna Announces Fenty Beauty Expansion To China

JuJu Watkins, NCAA Women’s Basketball, USC, highest scoring, 920 points
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 3, 2024

USC’s JuJu Watkins Becomes Highest-Scoring NCAA Women’s Freshman Basketball Player

She surpassed the scoring record of San Diego State's Tina Hutchinson who scored 898 points when she set the record in 1983-84.

Although her freshman season just ended, University of Southern California’s JuJu Watkins has broken another college basketball record.

According to USCTrojans.com, Watkins and the Trojans may have lost a game to end their NCAA Woman’s Basketball Title hopes, but the freshman scored a game-high 29 points to finish her first year, scoring 920 points, setting a new NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball record. After leading the team to the Elite Eight, the team was beaten by a strong University of Connecticut basketball team who took the victory with an 80-73 win on Monday, April 1.

ABC News reported that Watkins surpassed the scoring record of Tina Hutchinson of San Diego State, who scored 898 points when she set the record in 1983-84. With her 920 points, Watkins became the first freshman in Division I history to score more than 900 points in a single season.

“It’s definitely an honor,” Watkins said of her latest achievement.

“I mean, of course, like I said, not really the terms I would like to end on. On my season, I mean, I’m just blessed.

“This program has offered me a lot. I’m so grateful for it. It’s just been a great season. The record is great. Just the moments that I’ve got to spend with this team have meant everything to me. I’m just excited for next year.”

Watkins pulled down 10 rebounds to go with her 29 points to record her ninth double-double of the season.

After losing on Monday, April 1, the freshman was informed that she had been selected as a Wooden Award All-American and one of five finalists for the John R. Wooden Award, according to USCTrojans.com. She is the first women’s player from USC to be selected as a Wooden All-American or to be named a Wooden Award finalist since the organization began its women’s award program in 2004.

Right before the NCAA Tournament, Watkins was named to the Pac-12 All-Tournament Team as she led the Trojans to win the 2024 Pac-12 Tournament Championship. The United States Basketball Writers Association and The Athletic also picked her as the National Freshman of the Year.

RELATED CONTENT: Angel Reese Speaks On Her Mental Health Since Last Year’s NCAA Championship Win

YouTuber, Kidnapped, Haiti, An American YouTuber and Twitch personality
by Rafael Pena

April 3, 2024

YouTuber Kidnapped Then Released In Haiti After Attempting Interview With Gang Boss

An American YouTuber and Twitch personality was reportedly abducted in Haiti and released while attempting to interview a gang leader.

The Mirror reports an American YouTuber and Twitch personality known online as “YourFellowArab” had reportedly been abducted in Haiti while attempting to interview notorious gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier. The alleged incident unfolded in Delmas 6, a region in Port-au-Prince, on March 14, where the content creator, whose real name is Addison Pierre Maalouf, was seized by members of the 400 Mawozo gang.

The gang, led by Joseph Wilson, also known as Lanmo San Jou, has gained notoriety for its brazen activities, including holding captive a group of American missionaries and a Canadian in 2021. The gang’s demand for YouTuber Maalouf’s release comes with a hefty price tag of $600,000, with a portion reportedly already paid in Haiti, according to local outlet Haiti24.

Maalouf, recognized for his YouTube content focused on exploring and documenting gang dynamics, has ventured into perilous territory before, including Brazil’s favelas, where he encountered armed criminals. Miles Routledge, a British YouTuber acquainted with Maalouf, said that the abductors had reduced their ransom demand to “five figures” and disclosed that Maalouf remained confined in a cage on the eastern outskirts of Port-au-Prince.

Journalist Dan Cohen has provided insight into the situation, per Game Rant. In a tweet, Cohen shared details suggesting the involvement of purported gang leader Lanmo Sanjou in the liberation of YourFellowArab and his Haitian fixer. According to Cohen’s account, Sanjou announced their release in a video, asserting that they were set free unconditionally and without any ransom demanded. Remarkably, Cohen noted the intervention of Cherizier in facilitating Maalouf’s release despite the existence of a $100,000 offer for the same purpose.

Many on social media are skeptical about the alleged kidnapping. Last year, Natalie Reynolds, a prominent figure on Kick known for her daring stunts, found herself in a precarious situation when she and her team were pulled over by police during a livestream. Reynolds had been filming a prank involving a simulated kidnapping, which escalated once law enforcement intervened. Video clips capturing the encounter swiftly circulated online, prompting a flurry of reactions.

In the footage, officers can be heard instructing Reynolds and her crew to exit their vehicle and comply with their commands. Reynolds’ remarks during the encounter, including a reference to a potential “jail stream,” sparked controversy among viewers. Some questioned the ethics of her actions, while others expressed disappointment over the incident.

Despite the intense scrutiny, there is no indication that Reynolds was arrested. However, the incident has reignited discussions about the boundaries of online content creation and the lengths some are willing to go for attention.

Flavor Flav, sobriety, therapy app, subscriptions
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 3, 2024

Flavor Flav Honors Legendary Female Emcees

He wore a T-shirt honoring TLC, Yo-Yo, Da Brat, MC Lyte, Lauryn Hill, Salt-N-Pepa, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah and Roxanne Shanté.

The 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards took place on Monday, April 1, in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre.

Many celebrities came through, but a T-shirt worn by Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav caught the attention of people on the yellow carpet as it sent a message to female artists.

According to iHeart.com, William Jonathan Drayton Jr., better known to the world as Flavor Flav, wore his classic timepiece around his neck, a pink diamond clock pendant, and an iced-out Strong Arm chain from hip-hop recording artist Flo Rida. However, it was the T-shirt he had on under his jacket that garnered attention.

The black T-shirt featured the names of legendary female emcees who set the tone and paved the way for Doja Cat, Latto, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and many other contemporary performers. The women listed on Flav’s shirt are TLC, Yo-Yo, Da Brat, MC Lyte, Lauryn Hill, Salt-N-Pepa, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, and Roxanne Shanté. “We gotta respect all our queens in Hip-Hop,” he said.

What’s more, one of Flav’s reality TV shows, Flavor of Love, may be making a comeback, according to Deadline. The media outlet reported that there may be a reimagining of the VH1 show that aired for three seasons from 2006-2008.

Julie Pizzi, president of 51 Minds Entertainment and Bunim/Murray Productions, gave an update on the reboot of the Flav-led dating show.

“We’re in the process of working with Flavor Flav to reimagine what Flavor of Love can feel like in this in this decade, which is very different. The project is really fun, a comedy in the dating space,” she said. The original show focused on and starred the “911 Is A Joke” rapper; it will not be about him this time around, but he will be involved in the process.

You can catch the iHeartRadio Music Awards on the streaming platform Hulu.

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