Sherri Shepherd, The Sherri Show, women of power summit, imposter syndrome
by Lauren Nutall

April 1, 2024

Sherri Shepherd Dishes On Being Herself In The World Of TV

Actress and comedian Sherri Shepherd spoke at Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit, which took place on March 27-30 in Las Vegas.

Actress and comedian Sherri Shepherd spoke at Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit, which took place on March 27-30 in Las Vegas.

The Emmy-winning host discussed being unapologetic, God-fearing, and evolving throughout her years in the entertainment sphere. She was joined by BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Ashlei Stevens. 

Shepherd has credited a significant part of her success to her perseverance, a trait that has only been strengthened as she’s grown older and learned to navigate the industry. Now 56, she’s become a force in the world of television, but revealed that it has not always been this way. 

“Being confident is lessons that I’ve learned in life,” she said. “I don’t think people just wake up confident. It’s the falls and it’s the getting back up. It’s the ‘How many times can you get back up?’” 

“…I think that God gave this to me at this age because I know who I am, I know what I bring, I know who is watching me, and I don’t think I would have handled this blessing very well in my 30s, in my 20s. You have to mature into the reality of that dream, and I think now is that time,” she continued.

Though she’s made a name for herself on daytime television, Shepherd is no stranger to imposter syndrome. She touched on how her faith has been a beacon for her on days when she’s riddled with self-doubt. 

“It’s funny because when people ask ‘How did you do this,’ I can only speak in spiritual terms,” she said. “When I stand behind that door before it opens and before I’m hollering and screaming, my prayer behind the door is ‘Father God, where I’m weak, you’re strong.’” 

Still, despite her steadfast faith, Shepherd doesn’t shy away from living in her truth as somebody whose “heart is with God,” but her mouth is “in the streets,” as she refers to herself. 

“When people criticize me or they say things, it doesn’t bother me as much as it does the young ones because I know where I stand with my father and I know where I stand with my son and my very, very close friends who will call me and check me in a minute,” she said. “Life is too short to be bogged down with the weight of everybody because you can’t please everybody.”


Watch the full interview here.

JaCoi James Pugh, LaToya Gooden, Black Women’s Wall Street
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 1, 2024

The ‘Unapologetic’ Founders of Black Women’s Wall Street Take Charge

The founders of Black Women's Wall Street in Texas focus on uplifting fellow entrepreneurs of their diverse background.

The leaders of Black Women’s Wall Street are taking charge as they push forth on their current initiative.

Speaking to CBS News Texas, Black Women’s Wall Street founder JaCoi Pugh spoke of the vision she had for the organization, starting at the kitchen table. With her business partner, LaToya Gooden, she is impacting and uplifting the lives of Black women entrepreneurs in North Texas.

“Black Women’s Wall Street is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, it was started at my kitchen table with myself and Latoya,” explained the president and founder.

Gooden added to their origin story, “We were sitting there, going back and forth. We are business owners, what in the world could happen? Is there any organization out there that would help people like us?”

Pugh and Gooden, who serves as vice president, launched the nonprofit in 2018 to connect and inspire Black women in entrepreneurship. Moreover, their vision is in the same essence of the original Black Wall Street. Located in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tusla, it became a hub where Black businesses thrived in the early 20th century. However, racial hatred led to a destruction of its many successful Black-owned businesses.

Inspired by the plight of these entrepreneurs, Black Women’s Wall Street seeks to rebuild the community fostered in Tusla. Their mission is to strengthen and train Black women to create sustainable and thriving companies. For Pugh and Gooden, their target demographic is Black women of all backgrounds with ambition to become a CEO. Whether one is a single mother or just starting out, this community serves to promote its members’ professional ambitions.

“We’re unapologetic with the target audience that we’re serving,” expressed Pugh.

Furthermore, Black Women’s Wall Street helps women from idea to inception, providing consultations and networking events to ensure that all parts of this community have the tools to form their business.

Following this, the group recently extended the submissions deadline for their Business Plan Competition to April 7. The competition will gift $5,000, alongside other resources, toward a Black women business owner. Applicants must submit a business plan and a 30-second video, with a winner to be announced via Facebook live on April 12.

RELATED CONTENT: 3 Tips For Raising Capital

Robbing, Crime, Facebook Marketplace
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 1, 2024

Chicago Man Wanted After Robbing Several People Using Facebook Marketplace

The unidentified man has robbed at least six people on Chicago's South Side in March

A man is using social media to rob people in Chicago’s South Side neighborhood, according to CBS News Chicago.

The individuals who were robbed at gunpoint in the Englewood neighborhood of the embattled city had gone to the location to meet a man who either listed an item to sell, or were primed to purchase something from him. He allegedly used Facebook Marketplace to set them up to rob them. The media outlet previously reported that there were three incidents where the victims met the man and were approached with a gun. Those occurred on March 6 at 10:20 p.m., March 14 at 9:40 p.m., and March 15 at 12:45 p.m.

Police described the person as a Black man who is believed to be between 19 and 25 years old. He was wearing a black hoodie and black pants.

According to police officials, he struck again at least three additional times, twice in one day since the initial report. Those incidents took place on March 21 at noon, March 24 at 1:19 p.m., and again at 11:03 p.m.

Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the crimes to contact the Bureau of Detectives—Area 1 at 312-747-8380.

Unfortunately, Chicago isn’t the only place where someone is utilizing Facebook Marketplace to rob people.

Fox 5 Atlanta reported that Jaylen Anderson was arrested by police officers after he was allegedly involved in a real-estate scam. He was accused of cheating several people out of more than $200,000 using fake listings on Facebook Marketplace. Anderson is currently imprisoned at the Gwinnett County jail. He is facing several charges, including theft by deception and identity theft.

Jamaica Tourism, Travel
by Daniel Johnson

April 1, 2024

Jamaica Tourism Industry Increasing Despite U.S. Travel Advisory

In February, the US State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory against Jamaica.

The Paramount Pictures film “Bob Marley: One Love,” starring Kingsley Ben-Adir in the starring role, is projected to help boost tourism in Jamaica in 2024, following its increased tourism numbers in 2023. 

As Travel Weekly reports, Donovan White, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s director of Tourism, indicated in February that 2023 tourism numbers were expected to see an 18% increase over 2019 figures. The country is projected to have earned $4.3 billion and had approximately 4.1 million visitors to the island, not including cruise ship passengers, in 2023. 

Jamaica is also adding thousands of hotel rooms and service flights from the United States to Jamaica. White told Travel Agent Central, “With a 42 percent repeat visitor rate overall complementing our remarkable visitor arrivals growth, we are confident that 2024 will be yet another record-breaking year. In addition, we continue to add new airlift from key gateways and will have several new hotels opening throughout the year to support our tourism growth trajectory.”

In 2022, Jamaica added 8,000 hotel rooms, pouring in $2 billion and creating jobs for 24,000 hotel workers, including full- and part-time employees. In addition, the expansion of the hotel industry led to the creation of 12,000 jobs for construction workers. White recently indicated that 15,000 hotel rooms are anticipated to open in Jamaica over the next five to seven years. Of that total, in 2024, over 2,000 rooms are expected to be added across four properties. 

In 2022, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said in an official statement: “We are delighted with the developments in the local tourism industry, which will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the economy and directly benefit thousands of Jamaicans. Indeed, tourism is a supply chain industry that spans multiple economic sectors, including construction, agriculture, manufacturing, banking, and transportation.”

The tourism numbers and the numbers from its hospitality industry are encouraging for the island nation, despite the US State Department issuing a Level 3 travel advisory. As NPR reported, a Level 3 advisory is the second-highest alert level. The State Department cautioned, “Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.”

The travel advisory continued, “Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities.”

The Jamaica Tourist Board responded with a statement to NPR, “[T]here are very distinctly defined areas within Jamaica that the advisory cites as having high risk for crime, so the majority of the island’s tourism product remains unaffected. Overall, the crime rate against visitors to Jamaica remains extremely low at 0.01%.”

The board continued, “The island consistently ranks among the top destinations for international travel, welcoming 4.1 million visitors in 2023, with approximately 3 million from the United States. Visitors can continue to come with confidence to enjoy all that Jamaica has to offer.”

Bartlett told Travel Agent Central that the country was experiencing spectacular growth. “Jamaica continues to break records in terms of tourism arrivals in a spectacular pattern of growth,” Bartlett said. “It is deeply gratifying to remain a top destination of choice among travelers internationally as well as from our primary source market, the U.S., and maintain our position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. Based on arrival figures to date, we fully expect to post an 11th consecutive quarter of significant expansion.”

RELATED CONTENT: U.S. Issues Level 3 Travel Advisory For Jamaica

Zakiya Larry
by Selena Hill

April 1, 2024

4 Money Tips You Need to Know Before Jumping Into Entrepreneurship

Brand strategist Zakiya Larry shares essential money tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Originally Published Apr. 3, 2017.

Media coach and brand strategist Zakiya Larry shared effective business marketing tips. Larry, the self-described “Elevation Strategist” shared four essential tips that all 9-to-5’ers need to know before taking the leap into full-time entrepreneurship – a road that she has traveled herself. Before launching Quest Media Training – a strategic communications firm that provides interview preparedness, strategic messaging, crisis communications, and public relations – Larry served as the long-time director of media relations for T.D. Jakes Ministries.

“For many years, I ran my media coaching and strategic communications firm while maintaining my parallel career as a PR executive for an international inspiration and entertainment brand,” she told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Based on her firsthand expertise, she said aspiring entrepreneurs must be diligent about saving and managing funds while they plan to launch a business.

“I think that it is really important to address entrepreneurial goals and mindset. There are different flavors of entrepreneurship and each one requires a different money approach. You can leap into full-time entrepreneurship or maintain what I like to call, your “parallel career.”

Larry shared four essential tips for those thinking about taking the leap.

Tip 1: Plan for up to six months.

This is beyond having six months of expenses tucked away. This is about developing habits that will keep you afloat during booming and lean times. For six months, practice saving EVERYTHING from the change in your pockets, at the bottom of your purse, and even stepping up how much you funnel into savings accounts and any retirement plans.

Tip 2: Pretend while you spend.

Teach yourself to ignore the fact that you have a consistent check coming in from your “parallel career.” Decide on an amount (usually less than you would typically spend) for, let’s say…groceries. Challenge yourself to spend only the allotted amount. If the total goes over the budget, put something back. Resist the temptation to dip into your “regular money.” Remember, it’s not there anymore. Or at least, it won’t be, soon.

Tip 3: Keep Automatic Payments Going.

Years ago, I paid off my car. The loan company automatically withdrew the car payment, monthly. I knew that full-time entrepreneurship was my ultimate goal, even if I didn’t know any of the details. So, after I settled that debt, I continued having the same amount of money automatically withdrawn on the same day each month, but this time, the automatic payment landed in my savings account and not the loan company’s account. This tip is great for those who want to maintain a parallel career but still fund their entrepreneurship dreams.

Tip 4: Create Passive Income.

While working on your core business, it is helpful to create something that many people can buy at an easily accessible rate. A quick way to supplement your income is to sell knowledge along with your product or service. You can do this through creating coaching programs or coaching materials that would not require you to interact much with the purchaser, but instead, still offers residual income to keep you supported while you spend your time on your core offering.

Written by Selena Hill

RELATED CONTENT: Philanthropic Fund Has Raised Over $2M For Entrepreneurs Of Color Pursuing Capital

scam
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 1, 2024

Better Business Bureau Says Watch Out For Scams This April Fools’ Day

The Better Business Bureau warns individuals to protect their pockets as scammers run rampant this April Fools' Day.

April Fools’ Day is typically for light jokes and pranks. However, the Better Business Bureau warns people to watch out for scams that could hurt their pockets this holiday.

Scammers use April Fools’ Day to target unsuspecting individuals. They typically try to gain access to critical information, such as bank accounts and Social Security numbers. According to the Better Business Bureau’s Communications Director Jessica Hamlin, leaning into one’s intuition is the first step of defense.

“Trust your gut. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is,” shared Hamlin, as reported by WCMH.

Scammers will bank on people ignoring their suspicions and not being careful enough before falling into the trap. Oftentimes, they will connect with their potential victims by calling or emailing, impersonating businesses to conduct their scheme. Hamlin says that this is especially prevalent on April Fools. According to Hamlin, keeping one’s guard up prevents scams, even on a prankster’s favorite day.

“I personally have seen a lot of fun April Fools pranks coming from a lot of the brands that I follow and enjoy,” Hamlin said. “It’s very easy to impersonate that account, and basically, it means information has been hacked, and now your information is compromised.”

Another way to keep one’s funds protected? Utilizing credit cards for big purchases. Cardholders can trace transactions, and companies usually return the money for proven fraud activity. This additional step will ensure that scammers don’t get the last laugh.

Furthermore, vetting companies before offering any payments or sensitive information is another tried and true method to avoid scammers. The Better Business Bureau provides in-depth reviews of companies by real-life customers. Doing a background check before filling out a monetary one will ensure companies are valid, professional, and liable if anything goes awry.

“So, it’s a good idea to go to a resource like BBB.org to look at those reviews where every single review has been vetted and confirmed to come from a real, true person that has interacted with that company,” explained Hamlin.

It’s cool to join in on the joke–but the stealing of one’s personal information is no laughing matter. Keeping important documents and access to bank accounts protected requires common sense with extra safety measures in place.

RELATED CONTENT: 23-Year-Old Allegedly Stole $200,000 From Victims In Real Estate Fraud

David Walker, Pearl Harbor Attack
by Daniel Johnson

April 1, 2024

19-Year-Old Black Sailor Identified 80 Years After Death During Pearl Harbor Attack

David Walker will be laid to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery.

DNA analysis helped the United States Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identify the remains of David Walker, a Black 19-year-old sailor from Virginia who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. 

As CNN reports, Walker was aboard the USS California, the battleship Japanese pilots attacked during World War II. The agency said in a press release that Walker was serving as a Mess Attendant 3rd Class when he was killed during the attack. 

Following the attack, the U.S. Navy recovered the bodies and remains of the crew, who were later buried in Hawaii. Walker’s remains, according to the release, were recently identified by the use of anthropological and dental analysis in addition to the use of mitochondrial DNA analysis. 

Walker’s name has now been recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Punchbowl at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. According to the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), when a soldier is accounted for, a rosette marks the names of those identified and accounted for. 

According to the ABMC, “The Memorial sits in what is known locally as the Punchbowl Crater. It was once a volcano symbol of earthly violence. Now it is a quiet place of contemplation. It honors Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in the raging fires of three wars: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.”

As NPR reports, DNA technology developments have made identifying military personnel easier. The advance in technology is credited with assisting in identifying most of the 400 service members who went missing on the USS Oklahoma, another ship that was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

According to the DPAA, Walker was accounted for on Nov. 27, 2023. As recounted on its site, “Mess Attendant Walker entered the U.S. Navy from Virginia and served aboard the Tennessee-class battleship USS California (BB-44). On Sunday, December 7, 1941, Japanese carrier-based aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy base and ships at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In the early minutes of the attack, the California was hit by two torpedoes, which pierced the ship’s port side, and a bomb, which struck the ship’s upper deck. The ship sustained significant damage, and over one hundred sailor and Marine lives were lost in the attack.”

Walker will be laid to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery on Sept. 5, 2024. 

RELATED CONTENT: U.S. Army Honors Black Soldiers Wrongfully Executed In Jim Crow Era Mass Hanging

Rashee Rice #4 of the Kansas City Chiefs, Photographer
by Daniel Johnson

April 1, 2024

Rashee Rice Sought In Connection With Multi-Car Crash In Dallas

According to law enforcement officials, officers are looking for Rice in connection with his possible involvement in the crash.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is the subject of a search by the Dallas Police Department concerning a multi-car crash that occurred on March 30. Rice is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and grew up in a Dallas suburb, North Richland Hills, before being drafted by the Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Draft.

As the Dallas Morning News reports, a vehicle either registered or leased by Rice was involved in a crash on the North Central Expressway in Dallas at approximately 6:20 p.m. According to law enforcement officials, officers are looking for Rice in connection with his possible involvement in the crash. 

Kristin Lowman, a spokeswoman for the Dallas Police Department, told the outlet that its investigation has revealed that a driver in a Chevrolet Corvette and a Lamborghini were speeding in the far left lane when both drivers lost control. Lowman said the Lamborghini “hit the center median wall, causing a chain reaction collision involving four other vehicles.”

She also told the newspaper that the drivers of both vehicles left the scene on foot without checking to see if any other people who may have been involved in the collision needed assistance or giving their information to any of them. 

Lowman did not indicate any understanding that Rice or the other person driving the Lamborghini was street racing, but sources informed WFAA that police believed that the cars were racing at the time the crash occurred. 

According to a police call sheet, Rice is suspected of driving the Corvette. It is not yet known if Rice is suspected of any charges in the crash, but a dashcam video of the crash exists and has appeared on social media. 

Kayla Quinn, a 27-year-old mother, told the Morning News that she did not appreciate the lack of concern she received from the drivers of the two sports cars. “No one stopped,” Quinn said. “We had children, like, we had kids, you know what I’m saying? It’s the fact that there was no sympathy shown to where y’all can even have the decency to stop and check to make sure someone’s OK, someone’s alive, you know?”

Quinn continued, saying she wants to see them face child endangerment charges. “I’m just trying to keep my faith and just — you know, what is done in the dark comes to light, it’s all going to come face forward,” Quinn said. “You made it worse for yourself. You thought you got away, but y’all didn’t get away. I’m just blessed that I was able to walk out of there because it could have been so much worse.”

Marc Lenahan, a lawyer representing one of the victims of the crash, told the newspaper that the area where the crash occurred is a well-known place for joyriding. “It is terrible, but it is not surprising,” Lenahan said. Everybody in DFW knows that part of Dallas is a magnet for joyriding.”

So far, Rice has not appeared in any Dallas County jail records and has not yet been charged or apprehended. Multiple outlets made attempts to contact the Kansas City Chiefs and Rice’s representatives, but neither has responded as of the time of writing. According to CBS Sports Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson, Rice has retained legal counsel, and a release regarding the incident is expected on April 1.

RELATED CONTENT: Kansas City Chiefs Players Demand Gun Control Reform

live, within, means, hacks, money, wealth, income, net worth, budgenista, Tiffany cliche, investment, budget, assess, money,
by Kandia Johnson

April 1, 2024

Get Your Mind Right: Tips For Increasing Your Net Worth

To help you get your mind right, we tapped Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, the award-winning founder of the Live Richer Challenge and leader..

Originally Published Jan. 15, 2018

Ready to increase your net worth this year? Believe it or not, improving your finances and building wealth is more about mastering your mindset than anything else. To help you get your mind right, we tapped Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, the award-winning founder of the Live Richer Challenge and leader of Dream Catchers, a massive group of people collectively working toward a better financial life together. In 2014, she initially launched the Live Richer Challenge focusing on savings. Since then, the challenge has progressed from savings to credit net worth. Below, she details a few money mindset tips to boost your income and wealth.

What are three mindset shifts people need to make when it comes to increasing their savings, improving their credit, and increasing their net worth?

The mindset shift for saving

Many people think of savings as missing out. But to save effectively, you have to switch your mindset from saving as depriving yourself to saving as a reward. That is, if you save, you can have more of the things you want.

The mindset for credit

You have to shift to one of empowerment. People think credit is something you don’t have control over, or once you make a mistake, that’s it, and that is not true. Credit is simply a series of rules; if you know the rules, you can abide by them and even tweak them to your benefit. Credit is one of the easiest things to fix. Make the shift to learning the rules so you can play a different game. Shift your mindset to empowerment and knowledge when it comes to credit.

The mindset for net worth

Shift away from the idea that more is more. True wealth is not just about income because your net worth is how much you own minus how much you owe. So let’s just say you own a million dollars worth of things (woohoo, you’re rich!): NO. If you owe $2 million, you have a net worth of $1 million minus $2 million, which is negative $1 million.

Make a shift that more is not more and that your net worth is truly about balance. Yes, we all want to earn more, but we also have to take care of what we have because it is earn versus owing.

RELATED CONTENT: BLACK ENTERPRISE’s ‘Health Is Wealth’ Summit Brought Knowledge And Action To Atlanta

Andrew Caldwell, St. Louis Committeeman
by Sharelle Burt

April 1, 2024

‘Deliveredt’ Social Media Star Andrew Caldwell Announces Campaign For St. Louis Committeeman

We're cheering for you, Andrew!

Andrew Caldwell is going from the internet to Capitol Hill after announcing his candidacy for Committeeman of the 9th Ward in the City of St.Louis, Missouri. 

The viral social media star made the announcement on Instagram, saying he’s “always been about people and business.

“Today, I took a step out on faith to handle the business of the people…I announce that I am an OFFICIAL CANDIDATE for Committeeman of the 9th Ward in the City of St.Louis!!!! #andrewcaldwellfor9thward

Caldwell seems to be taking his new love for politics seriously the old-school way. He recently posted a picture with St. Louis residents after knocking on their doors for support. Spent the afternoon knocking on doors and sharing with members of my community!…”

“I’m committed to the work of the community! Join me as I make an impact and implement action rather than sit home and talk about it.”

There is no set definition of responsibilities for a “committeeman” or “committeewoman,” but according to the St. Louis government website, “each party committee is selected for the purpose of representing and acting for the party in the interim between party conventions.” 

Caldwell’s election date is August 6, and his announcement was met with much applause from supporters. “Congratulations! You would be great at fulfilling the duties of a committeeman,” @jamilahnasheed wrote in the comments. Another remembers seeing Caldwell out in the streets during protests. You were on the streets representing during the protests and taking people to task,” @cookingstuffeatingstuff said.

“I remember. You will be a good addition to the committee.”

There has been an influx of younger leaders looking to revitalize the city of St. Louis. Sen. Steve Roberts (D-St. Louis) – the youngest black State Senator in Missouri state history – recently introduced a bill to create a state program incentivizing the conversion of desolate office spaces be turned into residential spaces. After finding 20% of commercial spaces in downtown St. Louis are vacant, Roberts recommended a 25% tax credit be made available for qualifying projects.

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